ITMC mobile set manufacturing not ceased completely: ITMC head

“By creating a better condition, mobile production by ITMC will have a better procedure,” Ebrahim Motale’ told Mobna news agency.
“Because of over-supply of smuggled mobiles, manufacturers cannot compete with illegal activists,” he said.
“The increase in smuggled mobile sets, as well as customers’ attraction to well-known international brands and high import tariff on mobile set are among reasons that have caused manufacturers to limit their production,” he added.
ITMC managing director had announced two months ago that due to the lack of proper production atmosphere and other problems, they had stopped manufacturing mobile sets.
It had been hoped that by agreement between Industries and Mines Ministry and some domestic manufacturers such as ITMC and Emad Semiconductors, and by increasing mobile import tariff, a better situation would be provided for domestic mobile manufacturing, but that has not been forthcoming.
The annual demand for mobile sets in Iran is 15 million, but with present 28% import tariff, not even 1% of the demand is fulfilled domestically.
Most market sources believe that 95% of the market is owned by illegal activists.
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