Samsung Display Co., a major display panel maker in South Korea, has received approval from the U.S. government to supply certain display products to Huawei Technologies Co., sources here said Tuesday, amid Washington's sanctions against the Chinese tech giant.

Samsung Display recently acquired a license from the U.S. Commerce Department to export some of its smartphone OLED displays to Huawei. Samsung Display is the world's largest smartphone OLED display supplier.

The U.S. started to impose new export curbs on Huawei from Sept. 15, citing national security reasons. The sanctions ban the supply of components made with U.S. equipment, software and design to Huawei without prior approval from Washington.

The sources said Samsung Display is the first South Korean company to earn such approval from the U.S. after Washington's restrictions against Huawei went into effect.

Its domestic rival LG Display Co. and chipmakers Samsung Electronics Co. and SK hynix Inc. have yet to receive export licenses from the U.S. authorities, according to the sources.

Industry insiders said the U.S. may have granted the license to Samsung Display since display panels are less sensitive products compared to semiconductors, as Huawei can secure displays from BOE Technology Group Co. and other Chinese firms.