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Vested quarters plot against the debut of local phoneset industry

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Published: 11:47, 26 April 2017   Update: 15:18, 26 July 2020
Vested quarters plot against the debut of local phoneset industry

Milton Ahmed: Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in industrial development as the country draws internal acclamation for its garment, pharmaceutical, ceramic and electronics sectors.

The 'Made in Bangladesh' slogan has become a pride for the South Asian nation. The country is about to emerge as the manufacturer of ICT products such as mobile phone, laptop etc. Several entrepreneurs have taken initiative to manufacture mobile handset inside the country. However, a vested quarter has hatched conspiracy to stop the advancement of this initiative.

 


Sources say, Walton has taken initiative to produce multilayer motherboard and announced to manufacture mobile phone and laptop inside the country. Walton Compressor Plant started production earlier in this month. The local brand received export order of compressor parts from Germany on the very day of its inauguration by the Finance Minister. However, negative campaign is going on against the local industrial sector and local brands as well fearing that foreign brands would lose their market in Bangladesh once Walton starts manufacturing.

While contacted, Uday Hakim, Senior Operative Director of Walton Group, said, prices of electronics products like fridge, television and air conditioner decreased remarkably as they are now being manufactured inside the country achieving the trust of consumers. Now the prices of ICT products like mobile phone and laptop will also decrease if these products are manufactured in the country preventing foreign brands in drawing huge profit. The move will also help expansion of hardware and software industries along with creating huge employment. For which a bested quarter is trying to thwart the initiative as they are aware that if they can do that, the industry will not flourish in Bangladesh within next 50 years.

 


The situation prevailed as various local brands established in neighbouring India forcing the foreign brands to target Bangladesh for their market expansion. The foreign brands had huge business in Bangladesh until 2010. However, the scenario changed as various local brands also developed in Bangladesh and grabbed major market share. Walton and Symphony are among the local brands that started providing standard and quality handsets in affordable prices. The local entrepreneurs have taken initiatives to go for production in the country. The Finance, Posts and Telecommunications and ICT ministries are working in forming suitable policy. In these circumstances, a vested quarter is conducting negative campaign that the products of local brands are 'not good'. They are issuing statements on internet based social media that the mobile phones of local brand are low in quality and do not provide good services.

Speaking on the issue, Uday Hakim said, none would be able to stop Walton adding that the industry would be established with the assistance of the government and people for the betterment of the country. The product has huge demand in global market. Bangladesh will have changes to enter the market once it starts production.
Earlier many people called Bangladesh as the 'bottomless basket'. Now they titled the country as 'Next Eleven', 'Emerging Asian Tiger' etc. Bangladesh will move forward, he added.

 


Sources say, total demand of handsets in Bangladeshi market is 100 million pieces. Over 30 million pieces of handsets along with huge accessories are annually sold here. Overall, the market is of Tk 150 billion which is totally import oriented. Walton and some other local brands have the ability to set up mobile phone and accessories production industry inside the country. Walton is now fully prepared to manufacture mobile phone display and multilayer motherboard at its own plant. The company has also set up design develop, research and development and quality control units.

BASIS President Mustafa Jabbar during a recent visit to Walton factory said, Walton is fully prepared to manufacture multilayer motherboards in the country. I hope Walton will start producing various digital devices including multilayer motherboards by the end of this year. Various fridge manufacturing companies including Walton were established as the government took suitable policy for them.

Terming Walton as the country's only real progressive manufacturing industry, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said it produces each and every part domestically adding that Walton has become a role model to other companies of the country.

Renowned economist Anu Muhammad said, manufacturing mobile phone in the country is more profitable than importing. However, suitable state policy and motivation from the government is must in flourishing any new industry. Getting state priority in setting up mobile phone industry is a right demand of the time. Hope the government will give priority on the issue.

Concerned authorities say, the government, National Board of Revenue and general people will be benefited if mobile handsets are manufactured inside the country saving annual foreign currency of nearly Tk 80 billion. Huge employment will create and earning from exportation will increase. Related backward industry will flourish and the country will have expert manpower. Above all consumers will get standard and quality handsets in affordable prices.


risingbd/Dhaka/Apr 26, 2017/Milton/Nasim

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