Heaptalk, Jakarta — After welcoming Apple to visit the archipelago several days ago, social media is bustling with rumors of the US-based technology company’s cancellation of investment plans in Indonesia.
However, the government denies the issue. As the Minister of Communication and Informatics, Budi Arie Setiadi, comments, “This investment will continue. The news circulating is untrue; Apple still wants to invest in the archipelago. The government continues to communicate with Apple regarding this strategic investment,”
Furthermore, the Minister also elaborated on the Indonesian government’s approach to realize this strategic plan, which is dissimilar from other countries that have also received fresh injections from Apple. Based on his statement, Apple is still considering whether the offer from Indonesia will be equivalent to those of other countries that have received investment from Tim Cook-led company.
As is known, an American technology company also invested USD15.84 billion, or around Rp257 trillion, in Vietnam to develop the supply chain of electronic products ten years ago. This investment is more tremendous than its investment in Indonesia, which is only worth US$98.5 million, or Rp1.6 trillion.
Nevertheless, Apple has not submitted plans to build an Apple Store and iPhone Factory in Indonesia. Minister Budi revealed that Tim Cook’s parties are still considering other investment opportunities besides the development of the Apple Developer Academy.
“They are still considering other investment potential. However, perceiving their commitment and solemnity, Apple looks forward to Indonesia being involved in the production and further development process,” Budi added, as Katadata reported.
As additional information, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook previously met Indonesia’s President, Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, to discuss the potential investment that can be executed in the archipelago. In the detailed discussion, Tim Cook’s arrival at the meeting with the President will involve investment in a training facility called the Apple Developer Academy.
Apple has unlocked Indonesia’s fourth Developer Academy in Bali. Since Indonesia’s first Developer Academy launched in Jakarta in 2018, Apple has opened academies in Surabaya and Batam, and more than 2,000 aspiring developers have completed the program. Based on Minister Agus’s statement, Apple has injected about US$98.5 million (around Rp1.6 trillion) funds to establish these four Apple Developer Academy facilities in Indonesia.
