This agreement ends a challenging series of talks. Last year, Indonesia banned the sale of the iPhone 16 because Apple failed to meet the local content requirements set by the government. However, with this new partnership, Apple can now comply by sourcing components locally or partnering with local companies.
Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, confirmed that after months of "complex" negotiations, Apple is now in the process of obtaining the domestic content certification (TKDN), which will allow them to sell their phones in Indonesia. "We are in the final stages of issuing the TKDN certificate, and God willing, it will be ready before Ramadan 2025," said Agus.
Unfortunately, there is still no official date for when the iPhone 16 will hit the Indonesian market. Agus mentioned that product licensing is in the hands of the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), but he hopes the sales will begin before Eid 2025. "So, it could be as soon as possible, as soon as possible," he said when asked about the launch date.
Meanwhile, Apple’s spokesperson expressed their enthusiasm for the agreement. "We are thrilled to expand our investments in Indonesia and introduce the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16e to our customers here," an Apple representative told Tempo on Wednesday afternoon.
As part of the deal, worth over $300 million, Apple has committed to building a component manufacturing plant near Jakarta and establishing a research and development (R&D) center. Additionally, Apple will train local workers through specialized training programs. However, this deal does not include plans for assembling iPhones directly in Indonesia.
This significant investment marks a positive step for Indonesia's tech industry. Minister Agus commented, "This agreement with Apple presents a great opportunity for local workers, particularly in technology. We hope this collaboration will enhance our ability to develop advanced components for the global market."
The agreement is expected to serve as a major catalyst for the growth of Indonesia's tech sector and open new doors for future collaborations on a larger scale.