Tech giant Apple will soon have ‘Made in India’ iPhones, and they will come out of a factory in Bengaluru as the Karnataka government on Thursday issued a release welcoming Apple’s pitch “to commence initial manufacturing operations” in the state.
Apple’s intentions to manufacture in Bengaluru “will foster cutting edge technology ecosystem and supply chain development in the state, which are critical for India to compete globally,” reads the release, signed by state IT minister Priyank Kharge. However, it did not give a timeline. Reportedly, production is likely to begin in June.
Significantly, India will be the third country worldwide to assemble iPhones. It is a clear indication of how important the nation has become for one of the world’s most valued tech firm.
State ministers and officials had met with several senior Apple executives including Cupertino-based Priya Balasubramaniam, VP – iPhone operations, Dheeraj Chugh, director – iPhone operations, and Ali Khanafer, senior manager – government affairs (India and Middle East).
Taiwanese corporation Wistron, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of Apple, will build the iPhones out of its facility in the city’s industrial hub of Peenya.
As per the government, talks are on with Apple for associations in other areas too. “We made concerted efforts to reach out to Apple directly. We want to create a conducive environment for global majors like Apple,” Kharge told TOI.
Notably, Gujarat, Maharasthra and Telangana too were competing for the Apple facility.
