Apple CEO Tim Cook met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Wednesday to discuss the possibility of manufacturing in Indonesia. Cook expressed Apple’s interest in exploring manufacturing opportunities in the country, as Indonesia aims to boost economic development through increased manufacturing.
Widodo’s administration has been working towards attracting manufacturing investments to Indonesia, while Apple is looking to diversify its supply chains away from China. The company has already started moving some production to countries like Vietnam and India due to disruptions caused by Covid-19 shutdowns in China.
During his visit to Indonesia, Cook highlighted the endless investment potential in the country and expressed Apple’s belief in Indonesia’s growth prospects. This meeting followed Cook’s recent visit to Vietnam, where he announced plans to invest more in the country’s manufacturing sector.
According to Chris Miller, an associate professor at Tufts University, Apple’s interest in Indonesia and other Southeast Asian countries is driven by the need to find alternatives to manufacturing in China. The company is looking to expand its manufacturing and assembly operations in the region.
In addition to discussing manufacturing opportunities, Cook announced the establishment of the fourth Apple Developer Academy in Indonesia, to be located in Bali. This initiative aims to train app developers in the country and support Indonesia’s tech ecosystem.
Indonesia’s government has been leveraging its natural resources, such as nickel and bauxite, to attract manufacturing investments. The country has implemented policies to encourage companies to build refineries domestically, rather than exporting raw materials.
Overall, Cook’s visit to Indonesia signals Apple’s interest in expanding its presence in the region and exploring new manufacturing opportunities to support its global operations.