In Indonesia, there is a requirement for foreign companies to invest in local manufacturing in order to operate in the local market, and it appears that Apple has not fully fulfilled this obligation.
Apple has promised to establish engineering and design centers in the country, namely "Apple academies", to enter the Indonesian market. It is not known whether for this purpose or for another reason, but the company has already paid $98.8 million of the promised $114 million. That is, there is a shortfall of about $15.2 million. As a result, Indonesians are currently without iPhones.
The country's Ministry of Industry has stated that it cannot issue IMEI certificates necessary to ensure the sale of devices. For this reason, the iPhone 16 and other products released in the fall have been banned in Indonesia. The fate of iPhones owned by tourists is not yet clear. For example, the Minister of Industry made a statement: "If there is a working iPhone 16 in Indonesia, then I can say that this device is illegal. Let us know about it.”
It is not yet known whether Apple will appeal the decision or pay the remaining amount.
