Apple to start assembling iPhones in two to four weeks in India

After a few buzzing and swinging, Apple is finally reported to start manufacturing iPhones in India. According to the sources, Apple will conduct assembly related operations through Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron at their Bangalore facility in India. Reports also suggest that Wistron will start manufacturing the iPhone 6 and 6s models within the next two to four weeks which will be further joined by iPhone SE in next two to three months.

A government official familiar with the plan told the source that, “Apple Inc. will soon start assembling iPhones in India for the first time. Almost all preparations have been done for launching Apple’s first phase project in Bangalore through Wistron”. One of Apple’s spokes person commented on their plan saying, “We’ve been working hard to develop our operations in India. We appreciate the constructive and open dialogue we’ve had with government about further expanding our local operations”.

It was high time for a progress regarding the manufacturing of iPhones in India as their plans were buzzing from quite a while now. This step will help Apple, the world’s leading smartphone manufacturer to make a strong hold in the Indian market which is still vulnerable and has lot of scope to grow. However, before taking route to the ‘Make In India’ scheme, Apple is keen for more, Apple also wants to bring its component manufacturers to India as well, in order to export finished products. Apple has also vouched for concessions, including duty exemption on manufacturing and repair units, components & capital equipment.

That being said, the Trade Minister, Government of India, Nirmala Sitharaman commented that the Government has not accepted most of Apple’s demands yet. As said by an Government official, “We will try to accommodate as much of their demands as possible, but they too appreciate and understand our limitations”.

Apple is also planning to setup a unit in New Delhi for manufacturing iPhone components and will be negotiating with the Government for the same.

We’ll keep you updated with more regarding this, stay tuned!