Indian IT Minister Says Apple Plans To Make iPhones In Bengaluru

It’s official. Made in India iPhones will soon come out of namma Bengaluru, with global technology leader Apple ready to set up a manufacturing base in India’s Silicon Valley.

“Apple’s intentions to make iPhones in Bengaluru will foster cutting-edge technology ecosystem & supply chain development in the state”, said Karnataka’s Minister of State for IT Priyank Kharge on his twitter account. Earlier this year, Wistron reportedly sought permission from the Karnataka government to expand its facility on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Most probably, the production will commence from the month of June. Kharge said the state will help Apple if it decides to turn to other contract manufacturers in the region. The company sells its products in India through Apple-owned retail stores in countries such as China, Germany, the USA, the United Kingdom and France, among others.

Apple did not immediately comment.

Apple is to start making iPhones in India this year, a local government official said Friday, as the firm looks to tap a booming middle class as sales in China slow.

The U.S. tech giant now sells iPhones and other products in India through local distributors, but it lags far behind Samsung and Chinese brands such as Xiaomi, Oppo and Lenovo in terms of market share. Though Apple is not the first foreign manufacturer to do so, with companies like Xiaomi and Huawei already manufacturing smartphones in the country, getting the world’s most valuabe and profitable company does have its own advantages. “Tentatively, they should start production by April 2017”. The company had met government officials on January 25 to discuss plans to start manufacturing devices in the country.

Well, to start with it should make all the devices made in India cheaper.

Apple has been in talks with the Centre about starting local stores and manufacturing in India.

Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook said in an earnings call this week that India is “the place to be”.

Apple controls just 2% of India’s mammoth smartphone market.