CEO of Apple, Tim Cook, is set to visit Indonesia on April 20, 2024. This visit by the Apple executive was confirmed directly by the Minister of Communication and Informatics, Budi Arie Setiabudi, on Thursday (3/21). Could this signal the establishment of an Apple factory in Indonesia?
Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Budi Arie clarified that Tim Cook’s visit to Indonesia is primarily to inspect and inaugurate the Apple Academy. “From Apple, Tim Cook wants to come on April 20. He is establishing the Apple Academy, so we want to see and review this Apple Academy. It’s located in BSD (Tangerang),” he said, as reported by Detik.
As known, foreign phone brands marketing their products in Indonesia are required to comply with the Domestic Content Level (TKDN) regulations. This TKDN requirement can be fulfilled through hardware options by building factories or software options by training human resources.
While brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and others choose the hardware route by assembling their phones through factory facilities in Indonesia, Apple is the only one opting for the software route. The Cupertino giant has established the Apple Academy to train human resources in the country.
Budi Arie further stated that the Apple Academy located in BSD, Tangerang, already has more than 2,000 participants. “So, Apple has established the Apple Academy. This Apple Academy is to train human resources so that our digital human resources become more competitive. There are already over 2,000 participants,” said the Minister of Communication and Informatics.
Apple Products Still Made in China
Through the Apple Academy program, Apple has fulfilled the requirements to officially market various products, including the iPhone, in Indonesia. Most of Apple’s products are still made in China through various partners like Foxconn.
Recently, Apple has begun diversifying its factories to not solely rely on China, expanding its operations to Vietnam and India. This raises the question of whether Indonesia will also “get a share” of Apple’s factories. However, unfortunately, it seems that this may not happen anytime soon.
