Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy approved

The Federal Cabinet has approved the first-ever ‘Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy’ to promote local manufacturing and assembly of mobile phone handsets.
The policy has been prepared by Engineering Development Board (EDB) after extensive consultation with public and private sector stakeholders.
The Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) had already approved the Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy in its previous sitting.
Pakistan which has a market of over 40 million handsets aims to incentivize local assemblers who will provide jobs to local engineers, skilled and semi-skilled educated youth.
The salient features of the policy are as follows:
a. Removal of Regulatory Duty for CKD/SKD manufacturing by PTA approved manufactures under Input/Output Co-Efficient Organization (IOCO) approved import authorization.
b. Removal of Fixed Income Tax on CKD/SKD manufacturing of mobile devices up to USD 350 category.
c. Increase in Fixed Income Tax on USD 351 -500 USD category by Rs 2000 and > USD 500 by Rs 6300 on CKD/SKD manufacturing only.
d. Removal of Fixed Sales Tax on CKD/SKD manufacturing of mobile devices.
e. PTA shall allow activation of handsets manufactured in the country under import authorization of inputs by IOCO in CKD/SKD kit (8517.1211) and not under HS Code 8517.7000 i.e. parts. This will eliminate misdeclaration in parts category at the import stage. Activation of CBUs imported through notified routes after payment of all levied duties and taxes as fixed by government from time to time shall continue till further amendment.
f. In up to USD 30 category, words “except smart phones” to be inserted for CBU imports under 8517.1219 to avoid misdeclaration.
g. R&D allowance of 3% to be given to local manufacturers for exports of mobile phones.
h. Locally assembled /manufactured phones to be exempted from 4% of withholding tax on domestic sales.
i. Government to commit maintaining tariff differential between CBU and CKD/SKD till the expiry of the policy.
j. Local industry to ensure localization of parts and components as per roadmap included in draft policy.
k. EDB to act as Secretariat of Mobile Phone Manufacturing Policy and ensure development of allied parts, components and devices.
A total of 16 local companies are manufacturing mobile devices in the country out of which most of the companies are manufacturing feature phones i.e. 2G.
The companies are now shifting to manufacturing smart phones as technology is shifting towards 4G/5G. The local manufacturers have shown satisfaction on approval of mobile phone policy and are of the considered opinion that investment in this sector will start pouring