ISLAMABAD, May 27 (INP): At least 19 mobile manufacturing companies including top Chinese mobile manufacturers have obtained Mobile Device Manufacturing Authorizations (MDMA) from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for the local production of mobile devices (2G/3G/4G) in the country, Gwadar Pro reported on Wednesday. According to PTA, MDMA would be initially valid for the next ten years while the manufacturers may also “establish their own new brand under the authorization, helping in promotion of ‘Manufactured in Pakistan’ culture”. According to an official document obtained by Gwadar Pro, China’s Oppo, Infinix, Itel, Techno, Vivo and Realme are amongst the foreign mobile manufacturers that received MDMA. All these companies would manufacture devices supporting 4G. Alcatel, the French/Chinese brand of mobile handsets jointly owned by China’s TCL Technology and Finnish’s Nokia has also obtained MDMA. Fiji Mobile is the only non-Chinese foreign company that has received MDMA. Phones produced by these manufacturers will be sold in Pakistan and could be exported to other competitive markets of the region and beyond. According to PTA, “the device manufacturing plants shall be instrumental in providing new job opportunities and low-priced handsets for the Pakistani users.” Aimed at encouraging manufacturers to set up their plants in Pakistan, the Government has introduced a comprehensive and supportive Mobile Manufacturing Policy, subsequent to Mobile Device Manufacturing (MDM) Regulations in 2021 issued by PTA. These developments made way for the issuance of manufacturing authorizations, a major milestone in the journey towards “Digital Pakistan”. An official of PTA told Gwadar Pro that the Chinese companies have set up their plants in Lahore and Faisalabad of Punjab. In the future, they could also set up their companies in CPEC’s special economic zones. INP/javed