Computer imports drop | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Computer imports drop

KARACHI- The importers of Computer systems and accessories have stopped placing orders to avoid losses due to declining exchange rates, a dealer said.

As the exchange rate is declining, the importers stopped importing computers so that they could clear already imported stocks on the old higher prices due to which the prices of computers have not been affected by the ongoing

Naeem Ahmed of Times Computers said the wholesale dealers are the worst affected by the present situation as they are facing drastic reduction in the sales.

He said the increased competition in the sector, had already forced the shopkeepers to shrink their profits and they were surviving on higher turnover which have also been squeezed after US-Afghan war.

Replying to a question, he said such a situation might encourage the “Khepias” to bring in smuggled computer items, as the legal import at such a low dollar exchange rate coupled with increased freight charges is no more feasible.

He said the prices of computers and allied components is going down normally as this sector is registering / changes and modernization at a higher pace, reducing the princes of older models and versions.

In the coming four to five months, the imports may pick up provided the exchange rate stabilizes somewhere and the additional freight charges are revised downward, making the import business once more economically viable, he said.

Source: The Nation
Date:11/8/2001