Iran mobile phone imports at $2.9bn in March-December: IRICA
Figures by the Iranian customs office (IRICA) show the country imported nearly $3 billion worth of mobile phones in the nine months to December 21 as shipments accounted for 8% of the value of total imports into Iran over the period.
IRICA’s deputy for technical affairs Foroud Asgari said on Tuesday that Iran had spent over $2.942 billion to import nearly 13.62 million units of mobile phones in March-December last year, an increase of 117% in value terms compared to the similar period in 2020.
Asgari said that over 28% of the imports had gone to mobile phones with prices of over $600 for which Iran charges an import duty of 12% against the 6% tariff applied to phones worth less than $600.
The Iranian government refused to impose a proposed ban on imports of mobile phones with prices of over 300 euros for the current calendar year ending late March, said a Tuesday report by the semi-official ISNA news agency.
The report added that a similar proposal for banning imports of mobile phones worth over $600 in the next calendar year has yet to be approved by the government and parliament in Iran.
Parliament lawmakers proposing the ban believe Iran is spending huge sums on imports of luxury phones at a time the country faces economic hardships because of US sanctions and the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
That comes as mobile phone ownership has increased in Iran amid a surge in demand for mobile internet during the pandemic as schools and businesses in the country continue to rely on online services for much of their routine activities.
What to expect from Iran, Russia linking of banking systems
Iran’s PMI index up 2.8 to 49.8 in month to late October: ICCIMA
Dollar, SWIFT completely removed from Iran-Russia trade: CBI chief
VIDEO | Grossi visits Tehran hoping to facilitate dialogue
VIDEO | Iran commemorates 13th anniversary of missile program pioneer
Israel’s aggression inflicts $8.5 billion in economic losses on Lebanon: World Bank
Hezbollah attacks Israeli military bases in Tel Aviv, Haifa
Hezbollah strikes multiple Israeli targets in fresh retaliatory operations
VIDEO | New Zealand: Maori MPs protest in parliament with Haka war dance
Pezeshkian: World has come to believe Iran seeks peace, security
Houthi: US bombs inflame, escalate wars of extermination in West Asia
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
