Web Desk
Xiaomi’s mobile device manufacturing facility in Pakistan will become operational in the eastern city of Lahore on March 4 to help South Asian nation to cut its import bill significantly.
Xiaomi, one of the largest smartphone companies in the world, would begin production in collaboration with Select Technologies (Pvt) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Air Link. The production facility has been established at Quaid-e-Azam Industrial Estate, Kot Lakhpat.
“This production facility is a step forward in the direction of PM’s vision of ‘Make in Pakistan’ and will have a huge impact on Pakistan’s economy resulting in export of locally produced Xiaomi mobile phones,” read the company’s statement .
Xiaomi is a global technology giant with a current standing of 334 in the Fortune Global 500 companies. It became the second largest mobile phone manufacturer last year, surpassing Apple at that time and is currently number one in Europe and many other major markets including India. Xiaomi made a record 190.4 million smartphone shipments in 2021.
Last year in November, Air Link announced that it would be partnering with Xiaomi, which would add approximately $450 million annually in top line revenue numbers.
Air Link has also been manufacturing TCL, ITel and Tecno cell phones in Pakistan. The company says it is one of the largest distributors of mobile phones in Pakistan with a nationwide network linked with over 1,000 wholesalers and 4,000 retailers. Air Link has praised the government’s Mobile Device Manufacturing Policy, which has helped assembling in the country and subsequent ability to export. It said that this policy was the reason for them to enter in the manufacturing business.
The policy has enabled assemblers to import semi-knocked down units and assemble them in Pakistan paying negligible duties and taxes. Previously, imported smartphones were taxed at around 20 per cent to 25 per cent.
