Indonesia Welcomes Apple`s Plan to Build Innovation Centers

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto welcomes and supports US tech giant Apple’s plan to build innovation centers in Indonesia. He expects that it could boost the level of domestic components (TKDN) and number of local app developers.

“They have expressed their commitment to build innovation centers. It’s their effort to introduce Apple products to Indonesia. Therefore, developments in software and level of domestic components are expected,” Airlangga said in a written statement received by Tempo on Thursday, October 27.

Airlangga said that Apple’s innovation centers will be built in three locations. The aim is to invent new digital technologies, including its gadget app development.

According to Airlangga, Apple sees great potential in Indonesia. The number of wireless telecommunication service customers has quadrupled in the last five years, from 63 million to 211 million. While the number of mobile phones in circulation in Indonesia is estimated at 300 million.

Data from the Industry Ministry show that in 2014 Indonesia imported 57.7 million units of mobile phones, 59,000 laptops and 5.7 million tablets. In 2015, the figure dropped as domestic products gained popularity.

The year 2015 saw Indonesia imported 33 million units of mobile phones, 18,000 laptops and 4 million tablets. At present, Indonesia is home to 17 manufacturing industries that cover the assembly of mobile phones, laptops and tablets.

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI