Apple To Meet Suresh Prabhu, Discussing Plans For Its Production In India

Suresh Prabhu, Commerce and Industry Minister, said on Friday that he had an appointment next month with Apple's senior director in Davos in the US to discuss plans to set up production facilities in India. Suresh Prabhu said negotiations with the Indian government and the company are ongoing to agree on the issue.

Apple does not manufacture its own devices but through contract manufacturers. It currently sells its products in its retail stores in countries such as China, the US, the UK, and France, etc. However, in India there is no completely Apple store, it sells its products are through Ingram Micro and Redington distributors.

Apple currently has no stores in India

In early January, Prabhu will meet Apple's top leaders. The government is still negotiating with Apple. If the company agrees, they also want Apple to set up production facilities and offices in this country. This is not the first time to have this offer, but now the situation has significantly changed, both our country and the company are different from 3 years ago. This is a great time for India to meet, negotiate and make a final decision with Apple about this plan.

Suresh Prabhu, India's Commerce and Industry Minister

The Cupertino-based iPhone and iPad maker has made certain suggestions about tax cuts and concessions when the company sets up manufacturing facilities in India. The government is still considering taxes and many other concessions required by the company. Because this is a suitable time for Apple to establish a production unit in the country, Prabhu will consider these concessions so that both sides are satisfied.

For the last 15 years, the company has expected tax exemption for production and repair units, components, consumables for smartphone production. In addition, Apple also seeks relaxation from the mandated 30% domestic component supplies in India, along with a complete or partial reduction in customs duties for the items assembled in the country.