Apple will soon be able to sell its iPhone 16 series in Indonesia after reaching agreements with the government, including plans for a manufacturing plant and a research and development (R&D) center, the country’s industry minister announced on Wednesday.
Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita confirmed that Apple is on track to obtain the necessary local content certificate, a requirement for smartphone sales in Indonesia. However, he did not specify when the certificate would be issued.
The news marks a turnaround from last year when Indonesia banned sales of the iPhone 16, citing Apple’s failure to meet local content regulations. Under Indonesian law, foreign companies must source a certain percentage of their components domestically or form local partnerships to sell their products in the country.
While Apple does not currently have manufacturing facilities in Indonesia, the company has operated several developer academies there since 2018. The government has been pushing for increased tech investments, as Indonesia—home to 280 million people—seeks to strengthen its position as a key player in the global tech industry.
Analysts have warned that Indonesia’s local content rules could discourage foreign investment and raise concerns over protectionism. However, with Apple now committing to new projects in the country, the move is seen as a potential boost to investor confidence.
More details on the timeline for Apple’s certification and sales rollout are expected in the coming weeks.
