Apple Inc. begins negotiations regarding the company’s investment plan in Indonesia as Apple’s Head of Global Affairs, Nick Amma, met with a Senior Ministry of Industry official in Jakarta on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
Apple is set to determine the continuation of iPhone 16 sales in the domestic market after the Indonesian government issued the ban on the latest Apple’s smartphone in October 2024.
Amma, who was present with two foreign assistants and one Indonesian citizen, met the Director General of Metal, Machinery, Transportation Equipment, and Electronics Industry, Setia Diarta. However, he and his team were reluctant to comment on the negotiation agenda.
“We are not taling questions this time, thank you,” One of Amma’s assistants, told the media.
Apple is reportedly going to invest US$1 billion in Indonesia. However, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita has assessed that the figure was not comparable to the value of iPhone sales in Indonesia, which reached Rp32 trillion (US$1.9 billion) in 2023.
“The figure of US$1 billion is small when compared to total sales in Indonesia,” Agus said on Monday, January 6, 2025.
He emphasized that the government would encourage Apple to increase its investment commitment during the negotiations.
To ensure profitable negotiation results, Agus has established a special team led by Setia Diarta. This team will negotiate based on four principles of justice, one of which is comparing Apple’s investment in other countries, such as Vietnam.
“This negotiation will not be easy because Apple certainly wants big profits. However, we will ensure that Indonesia’s interests are maintained,” Agus said.
The Ministry of Industry previously confirmed that the visit of Apple’s top brass from the United States also involved talks with the Ministry of Investment and Downstream/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). The main focus of the negotiations is to find the best solution for both parties, including strengthening the positive impact of Apple’s investment on the Indonesian economy.
