JAKARTA - Investment and Downstream Minister Rosan Roeslani has given a positive signal regarding negotiations with Apple, which is currently unable to sell its latest product, the iPhone 16, to Indonesia.

‘Hopefully in the next week or two, this issue can be resolved,’ Mr Roeslani told Bloomberg TV in Switzerland, as quoted by Reuters (24/1) today.

The negotiations are a mediation effort after Indonesia banned the sale of the iPhone 16 since last year. This ban was given because Apple failed to fulfil the TKDN (Domestic Component Level) requirement.

For the record, TKDN rules encourage smartphone products sold to Indonesia to fulfil a minimum of 40 per cent domestic components.

Meanwhile, Apple does not yet have manufacturing facilities in Indonesia. Meanwhile, other smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung already have a factory in Bekasi and Xiaomi has a factory in Batam.

Please note, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita conveyed Apple's investment plan worth US$1 billion in Indonesia. With this investment, Apple will build an AirTag accessories factory in Batam.

However, this plan cannot yet lift the ban on iPhone 16 sales in Indonesia. The reason, said Agus, is that the 40% TKDN requirement still needs to be fulfilled by Apple. (KR/LM)