Minister Of Industry Agus: RI Is The First Country In Asia To Have Apple R&D Facilities

Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said, RI will be the first country in Asia and a second country outside the United States (US) to have research and development facilities or research and development (R&D) of a giant technology company, Apple Inc.

"So far, Apple has only built R&D facilities in America. Only one country outside America and that is Brazil. So, later we will become the second country outside America to have R&D and Asia's first country to have R&D," Agus said at a press conference at his office, Wednesday, February 26.

This is the result of an agreement made between the Government of Indonesia and Apple regarding the extension of the Domestic Component Level (TKDN) so that iPhone 16 products can be officially traded in the country.

Agus said the R&D facility built was located in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) of BSD Tangerang, Banten, and was directed at the development of software that would involve 15 major state universities (PTN) in Indonesia.

"We direct the RnD related to software and the establishment and implementation of R&D later that will involve major campuses," he said.

In addition to building R&D facilities, Agus said, Apple will also build the Apple Software Innovation and Technology Institute and the Apple Professional Developer Academy, which is a form of investment commitment for the extension of the third TKDN scheme.

"The establishment and implementation of R&D will involve major campuses in Indonesia, including ITB, UI, UGM, ITS, large campuses of 15 that we have combined, called the Indonesia Chip Design Collaborative Center," said Agus.

"Later (they) will be involved in Apple R&D's journey in Indonesia," he concluded.

Previously, Agus revealed that the iPhone 16 product will be sold soon.

Agus said, Apple Inc. has completed a number of negotiations that have been going on in the last six months.

"With the MoU and the investment value has been agreed upon, so as soon as possible (iPhone 16) can be sold. As soon as possible," he said.

According to Agus, the negotiations took place not easily and relatively tough because both parties would definitely maintain their interests. In fact, maintaining the principles. Agus has also predicted that since 5 months ago the process will not be easy.

"Alhamdulillah, today we have signed an MoU between the Ministry of Industry and Apple. I conveyed that from the start the nego prediction would not be easy and proven until the last second, 15 minutes ago we were still adjusting communication with several items that we could enter into the MoU or what we couldn't enter into the MoU, that was 15 minutes ago," he said.