For several years now, Apple has started producing both iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, AirPods and other devices in both India and Vietnam to move part of its production outside China (where it still intends to continue investing) in an attempt to minimize the consequences of geopolitical risks given the growing tensions with the United States.
Progressively, the Cupertino company has begun to attribute more and more responsibilities to the factories of its partners in these countries and is now considering the possibility of making some of its products in Indonesia as well. This possibility was confirmed directly by Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, who is currently in the country where the fourth Apple Developer Academy was inaugurated.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Cook said Apple would look into the feasibility of local production:
“We’ve talked about the president’s desire to bring production to the country, and that’s something we’re going to consider. The investment capacity in Indonesia is endless.”
After India and Vietnam, where Cook spent a couple of days meeting with suppliers, app developers and students in order to strengthen ties with the country, manufacturing in Indonesia could help Apple make the most of the emerging Southeast Asian market that boasts more than 650 million consumers.
President Jokowi, as he is popularly known, is trying to shift global manufacturing supply chains in Southeast Asia’s largest economy to spur growth. The government has already secured investment from automakers Hyundai and BYD. Jokowi has also already met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk and could meet with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at the end of April.
Apple has recently opened its fourth Developer Academy on the tourist island of Bali as part of an effort to meet the requirements of locally produced components and software for smartphones and other devices. According to the Minister of Information and Communication Technology Budi Arie Setiadi, who was also present at the meeting, Apple has invested a total of 1.6 trillion rupees ($98.5 million) in these four academies.
