Apple CEO Tim Cook met with Indonesia’s president on Wednesday as the tech giant looks for ways to invest in Southeast Asia’s largest economy and diversify its supply chain away from China.
The visit comes as US President Joe Biden’s administration seeks to strengthen the role of other Asian trading partners in global technology supply chains to reduce US dependence on China.
Cook visited Indonesia’s presidential palace in the capital Jakarta to meet with outgoing leader Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, who has championed the country’s burgeoning high-tech sector.
“Indonesia is a very important market for us. We discussed the president’s desire to visit manufacturing in the country, and that is something we will consider as well,” he told reporters.
“I think the ability to invest in Indonesia is limitless. We believe in this country,” he added.
Advertisement – SCROLL TO CONTINUE
“It was a conversation about how much potential this country has and our commitment to this country.”
The iPhone maker announced Tuesday it will expand its developer academy in Indonesia to four locations and open a new facility on the Hindu resort island of Bali.
Indonesia has a large population of young, tech-savvy people with more than 100 million people under the age of 30, but statistics show that Apple is dominated by Google’s Android in the smartphone market.
Advertisement – SCROLL TO CONTINUE
After arriving in Indonesia on Tuesday, Cook posted a photo of himself eating chicken satay.
“I look forward to meeting more of Indonesia’s creative community and developers while I’m here,” he wrote.
Communications and Information Minister Budi Ali Setiadi said last month that Cook’s visit could include talks about Apple’s new investments in Indonesia, including a smartphone factory.
Advertisement – SCROLL TO CONTINUE
“Everything is possible. There are a lot of Apple users in Indonesia, so we will see what approach we can take,” he said, according to local media reports.
Apple did not respond to AFP’s request for comment about Cook’s plans for Indonesia.
The company has not yet opened an official store in Indonesia, forcing those who want its products to buy from resale platforms.
mrc-jfx/pound
