Mobile phones made in Bangladeshi factories are creating a stir in the market since smart phones can now be purchased for lower rates.
Mobile manufacturers say that there are two advantages to this, first, labour cost is low and second, no import duty is needed. As a result, a smart phone is sold for Tk. 25 thousand which was Tk. 30 thousand in the past with import duty.
Several mobile phone makers claim that they produce more than fifty per cent of the mobile parts in the country.
They also claim that since phones made with locally produced parts are top quality, there’s no need to bring parts from overseas and assemble them here.
Already, Samsung, Walton, Symphony and I-Tel have begun production in Bangladesh. They have begun making low end phones and will soon elevate to high end sets.
Post, telecommunication and information technology minister, Mustafa Jabbar, said, “When I took over, I said that by this year, at least five companies will manufacture phones in the country.”
Already, four companies have gone into production, which proves that we are no longer dependent on imports, said the minister.
“We can use ‘Made in Bangladesh’ phones right here in the country.”
Global brand Samsung has developed a factory in the country in association with Fair Group. Already in production, 4 G smart phones are being manufactured.
Chief marketing officer of Fair Group, Mesbah Uddin, told Bangla Tribune, “We have brought down the import of Samsung phones to 12 per cent, which is a great achievement.”
Walton has developed a high tech industries area in Savar which started making smart phones from September last year. Deputy- director of Walton Group, Uday Hakim, says, “Walton is not importing phones from China anymore; we are manufacturing phones here which saves import duty and can be made at lower costs.”
Walton’s 6 GB phone costs Tk. 25000 which would be Tk. 30000 if imported, he added.
He informed that soon Walton would be making high end smart phones. Symphony has also begun production of smart phones priced at Tk. 3090.
Another local company, Transhan Bangladesh has two brands, Techno and I-tel.
Post, telecommunication and information technology minister, Mustafa Jabbar, said, “Any company which produces and imports laptops, mobile phones, chargers and batteries will be given 10 per cent incentive.”