Haier Intends to Open a Smartphone Manufacturing Plant in Pakistan

Haier is apparently looking into options of opening a smartphone manufacturing plant in Pakistan as a delegation of senior officials of Haier Group of companies, headed by Mr. Zeeshan Qureshi, CEO Haier Mobile, yesterday met Anusha Rehman, Minister of State for IT and Telecom, to discuss the details.

Haier officials expressed that due to increased usage and demand of smartphones after 3G/4G auction in Pakistan, there’s a dire need of a smartphone manufacturing facility in the country.

Haier officials said that considering this demand they are now interested in establishing a smartphone manufacturing plant in Pakistan.

The delegates further said that they don’t want to import mobile phones but their focus is on the transfer of technology in the country so that they could manufacture their own products here with-in Pakistan.

Government will support any smartphone manufacturing plant through special incentives including tax relaxations: Anusha Rehman

Anusha Rehman, who has been pushing for a manufacturing plant in Pakistan for quite some time now, appreciated Haier’s intents and said that her government will support any such initiative. She said that government is ready to offer special incentives, such as tax relaxations and more, to Haier if they are planing to establish a smartphone manufacturing unit in Pakistan.

Anusha emphasized that Pakistan’s 200 million population with high growth rate of mobile industry indicates a huge requirement for local manufacturing units in the country.

Also Read: Haier to Officially Start Laptop Assembly Line in Pakistan

She further stated that Pakistan has educated and skilled young labor force, which will surely make the “local manufacturing endeavor as a cost effective phenomenon.

If things go according to plans then Haier will be able to start setting up the plant by years end.

It merits mentioning here that Haier has already setup a laptop assembly facility in Lahore. Company has been in the market since 2001, when they first entered the Pakistan market and started producing air conditioners and other brands of home appliances. Haier Pakistan currently stands at number 2 brand in terms of market share for home appliances.