Handset imports registered whopping growth of 213 percent in November 2010 as compared to same month of last fiscal year, Federal Bureau of Statistic (FBS) data showed.
The significant increase in imports depicts the upward demand trend in the local markets to meet the consumers’ needs in the different cities including flood-hit areas.
According to FBS, the handset imports have increased to US $43.416 million in November 2010 as against US$ 13.869 million in the same month of 2009.
The imports were also recorded 34 percent high in November 2010 as against October 2010, showing constant month over month growth.
Industry experts said the demand spike also translates into higher sales of the branded and Chinese-made mobile handsets in the country.
The imports of Chinese-made handsets have maintained its growth in the local markets owing to its popularity among the the customers for low-cost and dual-SIM brands.
The imports of branded mobile handset via China have also minimized duty structure of the mobile handsets, showing constant growth in the imports of mobile handsets, they added.
Zeeshan Quershi, Head of Samsung Mobile Pakistan, said the handsets imports were witnessed increasing on high demand of the customers in the local market particularly in flood-hit areas where millions of people had lost their handsets during July to August 2010.
He said the sales in the commercial and flood-hit areas have witnessed growth in the last couple of months.
Quershi explained that Pakistani market has been changed in the last couple of years as the matter of fact share of low-priced handset increased on the eroding purchasing power of the people.
This gadgets business witnessed shift towards low-priced handsets as it indicates 70 percent of the Pakistani market comprised off the buyers having purchasing power up to US $ 50 dollar.
The section of customers could afford mobile handsets ranged US$100 or Rs 8,550 (1 dollar = Rs. 85.50) are now purchasing mobile handsets cost up to US$ 80 or Rs. 6,840. Those could afford up to US$ 80 are now buying US $50/ Rs. 4, 275, he added.
Similarly, a significant number of customers buy handset ranged up to US$20 including cellular phone operators’ tagged gadgets.
In Jul-Nov 2010, the mobile handset imports witnessed 98.44 percent growth. The handset imports bill rose to US$ 180,820 million as against US$ 91,121 in the same period of previous year 91,121 million.
The sales and purchase of mobile handsets witnessed growth on different reasons. Cellular phone users replace their old handsets with new to use latest technology. Mobile phones are bought when handsets stop functioning. Also, a large number of customers buy new gadgets repeatedly in the case their handsets are stolen at gunpoint.
branded Chinese phones (Club mobile, Q mobile, Gfive mobile etc) are better than non-branded Chinese phones……..
in the past everyone was buying non branded phones but this trend has changed.
Yeh hai Pakistan.
Khanay ko Roti nahi mager mobile cameray wala he lena hai.