TV24 Correspondence: Leading global smartphone company Xiaomi announced today that it will now manufacture its devices locally in Bangladesh, in a show of commitment to Bangladesh’s Digital Bangladesh initiative.
Xiaomi revealed its ‘Made in Bangladesh’ plan at a special event today in Dhaka in the presence of Salman Fazlur Rahman, Hon’ble Adviser to the Prime Minister on Private Industry and Investment and Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Hon’ble State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division.
Xiaomi has collaborated with DBG technology BD Ltd to manufacture its smartphones in Bangladesh. DBG is a global EMS company, who has been operating manufacturing business around the world (China, Vietnam, India etc.) for several renowned brands of consumer electronics. They are public listed company in Hongkong Stock Exchange.
The Plant will be producing approximately 3 million mobile phones per year. Around 1,000 manpower will be employed in the plant in initial phase. The Plant is located in Gazipur District, near the Bypass Road, Vogra. The factory is situated in a standalone 4-storied building with a total area of around 55,000 sqft.
Xiaomi’s unique and innovative direct-to-customer business model has been instrumental in disrupting the smartphone industry in Bangladesh. By manufacturing smartphones in Bangladesh, Xiaomi is extending its long-term commitment to the Bangladesh market. Investments like these set the stage for more international players to join the “Made in Bangladesh” programme and will play a key role in transforming Bangladesh as a manufacturing hub.
The choice of location is strategic as Gazipur is known to have adequate expert manpower, strategic accessibility, strong supply chain hub – a combination of factors that make the Gazipur appealing to technological companies such as Xiaomi.
The first phone of the company to be assembled in Bangladesh belongs to Redmi sub-brand, which is expected to be available in the market from 1st week of November 2021. Subsequently POCO and Xiaomi series will be made in the country.
Ziauddin Chowdhury, Country Manager, Xiaomi Bangladesh, said: “Manufacturing smartphones locally is a significant step towards incorporating Xiaomi into the fabric of Bangladesh in the years to come. Thanks to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visionary plan to transform Bangladesh into an attractive destination for manufacturing, we have a great opportunity to make our products in Bangladesh. Local manufacturing shows Xiaomi’s commitment to being in Bangladesh for the long haul, and we are able to contribute to generating more jobs in Bangladesh. We are truly excited to be playing a role in enhancing the quality of life of the people of Bangladesh.”
Salman Fazlur Rahman, Hon’ble Adviser to the Prime Minister on Private Industry and Investment, said: “We have great faith in young leaders and young companies like Xiaomi. These new generation companies and entrepreneurs will be key to the success of Bangladesh. We are happy to partner with Xiaomi as they set up their first manufacturing unit in Bangladesh, as part of the Digital Bangladesh initiative. We believe this partnership will provide new opportunities to youth of the country and develop an electronics-manufacturing ecosystem of global standards. We welcome Xiaomi to sunrise Bangladesh.”
In a video message, Mustafa Jabbar, Hon’ble Minister for Posts and Telecommunications, said: “Today is a day of immense pleasure to us. In fact, of great pride for Bangladesh. Today a renowned brand like Xiaomi is setting up a factory in Bangladesh. My heartfelt gratitude to Xiaomi for choosing Bangladesh for smartphone production. This is indeed a great support to our movement of being a smartphone producing country. There are now on the verge of realizing the vision of ‘Digital Bangladesh’ announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. We understood its significance during the pandemic as it made us realize the importance of digital devices. We believe that Xiaomi will go a long way. ”
Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Hon’ble State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division, said: “This is a great step by Xiaomi. My congratulations to Xiaomi on opening the local smartphone manufacturing plant. This will help us attain our ‘Digital Bangladesh’ vision and we will get one step closer of our ‘Made in Bangladesh’ dream. I strongly believe people of Bangladesh will be now getting world-class and innovative devices of Xiaomi at a competitive price.” Gdtn/21oct21
