Apple CEO Tim Cook announced on the 17th (local time) that the company is considering building manufacturing facilities in Indonesia.
After meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on the same day, Cook said, "President Joko Widodo expressed his hope that Apple's manufacturing facilities would be located in Indonesia," adding, "We will consider this."
He also said, "The investment potential in Indonesia is limitless," and added, "There are many good places to invest. We believe in Indonesia."
Gus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Indonesia's Minister of Industry, stated that if Apple builds manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, it could have the capacity to produce export products, and even if Apple does not build a factory directly, Indonesian companies could cooperate with Apple to supply parts.
In addition, Apple plans to open its fourth Developer Academy in Bali. Apple is investing a total of 1.6 trillion rupiah in four academies in Indonesia.
Apple is trying to reduce its dependence on China and diversify its supply chain to countries such as India and Vietnam. Currently, iPads, AirPods, Apple Watches, and MacBooks are manufactured in Vietnam. This is due to serious disruptions in product production caused by the closure of Foxconn factories in China during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the recent intensification of U.S.-China conflicts. The day before, Cook met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi and announced plans to expand investment in Vietnam.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
