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Apple Reportedly Close to a Deal to Lift iPhone 16 Ban in Indonesia

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Apple is closing in on an investment plan deal with Indonesian authorities that would allow it to resume iPhone 16 sales in the country, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

iPhone 16 Apple Store Levels
Indonesia banned sales of the device in October, claiming Apple had failed to comply with local manufacturing requirements of 35% domestic content for smartphones and tablets. Apple has offered a $1 billion investment in the country that includes building an AirTag factory. The offer is a significant increase from its previous offers of $10 million and $100 million, which were rejected by the government.

“I strongly believe it will resolve very, very soon,” the country's investment minister Rosan Roeslani said in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Davos on Tuesday. "Hopefully within one or two weeks this issue can be resolved."

"The way they calculate it is different I think," he said, referring to the local content requirement. "Now they find a solution on that one, so hopefully they accept the discrepancies so we can have the iPhone 16 sold in Indonesia."

Indonesia represents a significant market for Apple, with the country's population of 280 million operating some 354 million active mobile phones. The company has maintained developer academies there since 2018, but the country currently hosts no Apple manufacturing facilities.

Tag: Indonesia

Top Rated Comments

W
webkit
16 months ago

Didn't they already pay one bribe, and now Indonesia wants a second one?

I think we are on to at least the third one now.
No. Nothing has been officially agreed to yet. Also, governments can set requirements and fees regarding companies doing business in their country/region. Given the investment components here, I don’t think it would or should necessarily be viewed as a bribe anyway.

At this point, Apple is trying to (at least temporarily) get around the domestic content laws through this process.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
surferfb Avatar
surferfb
16 months ago

Didn't they already pay one bribe, and now Indonesia wants a second one?
Kind of. They proposed the $1 billion "investment", the President said "that works" (as reported by Bloomberg) then the Minister came back and said "never mind, we need more." So nothing was actually paid, but the shakedown continued.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
steve09090
16 months ago
I don’t hate Apple for this.
I don’t hate Indonesia for this.

I think I’m on the wrong forum.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
CarAnalogy
16 months ago

Didn't they already pay one bribe, and now Indonesia wants a second one?
I think we are on to at least the third one now.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wanha Avatar
wanha
16 months ago
Basic physics - in order to lift something, you need leverage
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
quietstormSD Avatar
quietstormSD
16 months ago

It works exactly the same way the other way around when tax incentives are given to businesses. If a company wants in, they provide sweeteners, whether it’s money or services.
That's completely different. lol Sorry, I would tell you why, but I can't really go point for point with someone who justifies bribery. I don't like to waste my time.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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