India promises Apple tax-free iPhone parts imports in exchange for expanded manufacturing
India is reportedly willing to waive taxes on imported iPhone parts in exchange for the company helping to expand Wistron's manufacturing operations in Bengaluru, where the iPhone SE is currently being made.
As a condition of the favor, Apple will have to gradualy increase its use of locally-produced parts, Reuters said on Tuesday. Specifically, the Indian government has offered a phased program with intervals at three, five, seven, and 10 years.
Apple is said to have agreed to boost production over time -- but Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and IT, claimed that there were still differences in Apple's plans.
Industry estimates suggest that the government's phased program could boost local value addition to 40 to 50 percent in the first three years. Local manufacturing is a must-have for the government in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" program.
Indian iPhone SE production began earlier this month, following months of negotiations and preparations.
For Apple there are two potential benefits to Indian iPhone production, the first being price competition. Imported iPhones are priced well out of the range of most Indians, and indeed the average smartphone price in the country is $150 -- less than half of what an iPhone SE costs in the U.S. Government officials have hoped that building the SE in India could lower its price there by as much as $100.
It should also help Apple meet local-sourcing requirements before setting up first-party retail stores in the country. Until now the company has produced very little in India, preferring instead to use Chinese/Taiwanese manufacturers.
As a condition of the favor, Apple will have to gradualy increase its use of locally-produced parts, Reuters said on Tuesday. Specifically, the Indian government has offered a phased program with intervals at three, five, seven, and 10 years.
Apple is said to have agreed to boost production over time -- but Aruna Sundararajan, Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and IT, claimed that there were still differences in Apple's plans.
Industry estimates suggest that the government's phased program could boost local value addition to 40 to 50 percent in the first three years. Local manufacturing is a must-have for the government in light of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Make in India" program.
Indian iPhone SE production began earlier this month, following months of negotiations and preparations.
For Apple there are two potential benefits to Indian iPhone production, the first being price competition. Imported iPhones are priced well out of the range of most Indians, and indeed the average smartphone price in the country is $150 -- less than half of what an iPhone SE costs in the U.S. Government officials have hoped that building the SE in India could lower its price there by as much as $100.
It should also help Apple meet local-sourcing requirements before setting up first-party retail stores in the country. Until now the company has produced very little in India, preferring instead to use Chinese/Taiwanese manufacturers.
Comments
It's always been called greasing the wheel (and other things).
They can.
Apple will be able to manufacture in India once certain policies are changed, right now, most investments are on hold because a new tax regime is about to be rolled out. How did AI get a photo of building where Apple offices are located in Bangalore?
There is no manufacturing at home for Apple, except for the soon-to-be-cast-aside Mac Pro.
Have you not been paying attention to all the stories about bringing manufacturing back home?
Or are you from China?