ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Pakistan has invited Samsung to set up the country as a regional hub for manufacturing, refurbishing, and exporting mobile phones.

The invitation was extended during a meeting between Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and a delegation led by Samsung Pakistan’s Country Head at the Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday.

An official announcement said the minister assured the company of the government’s full support in facilitating investment aimed at boosting exports, increasing value addition, and expanding industrial production.

The minister encouraged Samsung to look beyond Pakistan’s domestic market and export Pakistan-manufactured smartphones to emerging markets, particularly to Africa and other regions. He said Pakistan should leverage its growing manufacturing base to become part of global supply chains rather than serving only local demand.

Mr Kamal also appreciated Samsung’s proposal to establish certified mobile phone refurbishment facilities in Pakistan.

He said a regulated refurbishment ecosystem would not only strengthen local industry but could also create export opportunities for professionally refurbished devices while generating employment and promoting technical expertise.

The Samsung delegation briefed the commerce ministry on the progress of Pakistan’s mobile phone manufacturing sector and highlighted the company’s investment in local assembly. The delegation also highlighted changes to the taxation structure and the narrowing of the tariff differential between Semi Knocked Down and Completely Built Units, which had significantly reduced the competitiveness of locally manufactured mobile phones.

They requested that the government maintain a reasonable tariff differential to encourage continued investment and local manufacturing.

The delegation also expressed concerns over the commercial import of used mobile phones, stating that it undermines domestic manufacturing despite Pakistan having sufficient production capacity.