Indonesia is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Apple Inc. to resolve the ongoing ban on iPhone 16 sales in the country, Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani revealed in an interview with Bloomberg News on Tuesday.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Roeslani stated, “Hopefully within one or two weeks, this issue can be resolved.”
The ban, imposed last year, stemmed from Apple’s failure to comply with Indonesian regulations requiring that at least 40% of the components in smartphones sold locally be manufactured within the country. While Apple has no production facilities in Indonesia, the tech giant has operated application developer academies in the country since 2018 as part of its local engagement efforts.
With a population of around 280 million, Indonesia represents a significant market for Apple, making the resolution of this issue crucial for the company. Analysts believe the potential deal could involve increased investment commitments from Apple to bolster Indonesia’s technology and manufacturing ecosystem.