Summary:
Pakistan’s telecommunications industry holds tremendous potential for growth, investment and development. Currently, Pakistan is one of the fastest growing telecommunications market and since 2005; an FDI of approximately $ 5.7 billion (net) has been received in Pakistan’s telecom sector. The sector contributes 3% contribution to GDP and is equipped with strong human resource base, which is well-trained and educated.
From its nascent beginnings in the late 1980s, the industry has successfully arrived to a point where its value proposition has been validated over and over again. The largest members are grossing 15-25 million dollars in revenues, and receiving 100 million dollar valuations. Most tech companies are growing in excess of 30% a year annually. The industry as a whole is doing over 2 billion dollars a year in revenue, up from less than a billion dollars a few years ago.
Investment opportunities:
- Emerging technologies (3G, 4G/LTE) coupled with transparent and liberal licensing policy provides a good launching pad for new investment in the sector.
- Pakistan ranks 4th globally in terms of broadband growth and has only 2.2 million broadband subscribers out of an estimated population of 180 million, i.e., broadband penetration of 1.22% provide a largely unaddressed market and a blue ocean opportunity for investors.
Statistics:
| The sector has more than: | 121.13 million cell phone subscribers,2.2 million Broadband subscribers, and30 million internet users overall |
| List of Internet Service Providers in Pakistan: | PTCLWateenWi-tribeStorm FiberQubee |
FDI Policy:
The first Investment Policy by Board of Investment (BOI) was given in 1997 which opened services, social, infrastructure and agriculture sectors for foreign and local investors. It was a major step forward for integration of Pakistan’s economy into international markets as prior to this policy; foreign investment was restricted to manufacturing sector only. The 1997 Policy laid a solid foundation for the gains in FDI inflows experienced over the subsequent decade.
Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan increased by 2761.10 USD Million in 2016. Foreign Direct Investment in Pakistan averaged 2651.26 USD Million from 2010 until 2016, reaching an all time high of 3184.30 USD Million in 2010 and a record low of 2099.10 USD Million in 2012.