JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesia has recently issued local content certificates for 20 Apple products, which includes the highly anticipated iPhone 16. An industry ministry spokesperson announced this development on Friday, emphasizing that although Apple has obtained these certificates, the company still needs to secure permits from other ministries before officially launching the phones in the market. This significant move comes on the heels of Apple’s commitment to invest over $300 million in Indonesia, earmarked for the establishment of manufacturing plants for product components and a dedicated research and development center.
Indonesia had previously banned the sale of the iPhone 16 due to Apple’s non-compliance with local content requirements. Now, with certificates granted for 11 phone models and 9 tablets, it indicates that Apple has met the necessary criteria, according to ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri Antoni Arief. However, further approvals from the communications and digital ministry, as well as the trade ministry, are still pending for Apple to commence sales in the country.
When approached for comments, Apple, Indonesia’s communications ministry, and the trade ministry did not provide immediate responses. The industry minister of Indonesia previously described negotiations with Apple as “tricky” but ultimately fruitful. As of the third quarter of last year, Apple did not rank among the top five smartphone brands in Indonesia, as reported by research firm Canalyst.
(Reporting by Stanley Widianto and Bernadette Christina; Editing by Christian Schmollinger and John Mair)
