Indonesia – Apple Inc. is reportedly planning a US$100m investment in Indonesia in an effort to convince the government to lift its sales ban on the iPhone 16.
According to a Bloomberg report, sources familiar with the matter revealed that Apple has proposed increasing its investment tenfold to US$100m, a significant jump from its earlier commitment of approximately US$10m.
Apple’s earlier investment plan in Indonesia focused on establishing a factory in Bandung, southeast of Jakarta, to produce accessories and components.
However, after Apple submitted its revised offer to increase the investment, Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry reportedly called on the tech giant to redirect its plans toward developing research and development capabilities for its smartphones within the country.
The unnamed sources noted that the Ministry of Industry has yet to make a final decision on Apple’s latest proposal.
Bloomberg further reported that after Apple’s initial proposal, the Ministry of Industry requested a meeting between senior company executives and Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. However, upon their arrival in Jakarta, the executives were informed that the minister was unavailable and instead met with the ministry’s director-general.
Apple’s investment proposal follows last month’s decision by Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry to block domestic sales of the iPhone 16, citing the company’s failure to meet the country’s 40% local content requirement for smartphones and tablets.
