Apple is expected to make a couple of key announcements concerning the company’s operations in India. The announcements will be timed to coincide with company CEO Tim Cook’s first ever visit to India.
Citing unnamed sources familiar with Apple’s plans, Reuters reported on Tuesday that Apple will announce a startup accelerator in India. The goal is for Apple to work more closely with developers in India on apps for iOS and OS X, increasing the amount of localized content available in the country.
The report also says the Cupertino-based firm has plans to expand it $25 million, 250,000-square-foot software development facility in Hyderabad, India, which opened earlier this year.
There may also be announcements the India government has officially waived regulations that have blocked Apple from opening its own retail stores in the country. Reports have indicated the company will open the first three Indian stores by the end of 2017.
Cook is expected to arrive in India on Tuesday, and is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later this week.
Over 100 million smartphones were sold in India in 2015, and the market is expected to grow by 25% in 2016. That makes India one of the fastest expanding smartphone markets in the world.
Since his 2014 election, Prime Minister Modi has encouraged discussion with U.S. tech companies as a part of his campaign to bring jobs to India. Modi met with Cook last year during his visit to Silicon Valley.
