Indonesia rejects Apple's investment proposal to lift iPhone 16 ban

Indonesia has taken a firm stand against Apple by rejecting the company's $100 million investment proposal, which was aimed at lifting a ban on the sales of the iPhone 16. This ban was enacted last month due to Apple's inability to comply with local investment regulations that mandate 40 percent of the components in phones be produced with local parts. The country is seeking to augment investments from major tech companies and thus has enforced these regulations. Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita pointed out that Apple had failed to meet the necessary requirements, especially in comparison to its investments in other nations. He has urged the tech giant to establish production facilities or factories in Indonesia, in accordance with fairness principles, thereby circumventing the need for investment proposals every few years. Even in light of this ban, the Indonesian government permits the entry of iPhone 16 units for personal use, with approximately 9,000 devices having been brought in non-commercially since the ban's enforcement. The situation regarding the ban is compounded by the similar restriction placed on the sale of Google Pixel phones for non-compliance with the local parts requirement, even as many of these devices have also entered the market illicitly.