SHALOM OLALEYE
Indonesia has barred Apple Inc. from selling its new iPhone 16 in the country, due to non-compliance with local content requirements.
This was announced on Friday by The Industry Ministry.
The country mandates that smartphones sold domestically must include at least 40% locally produced components, a threshold Apple’s iPhone 16 has not met.
Apple Indonesia has not fulfilled its investment commitment to earn a local content certification,
ministry spokesperson Febri Hendri stated, explaining the decision.
While the iPhone 16 cannot be sold in Indonesia through official channels, consumers are still allowed to bring in the devices from abroad for personal use, provided they pay the required taxes.
During Apple CEO Tim Cook’s recent visit to the country, Indonesia’s Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang urged Apple to increase its use of local components by partnering with domestic firms, saying it could strengthen Apple’s foothold in the region while also supporting the local economy.
Although Apple does not have manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, it has invested heavily in the nation’s tech industry. Since 2018, Apple has spent approximately 1.6 trillion rupiah ($101.8 million) establishing developer academies aimed at training the next generation of app developers.