Apple has significantly increased its bribe investment offer to the Indonesian government, and is now offering a $1 billion investment for research and development facilities and developer academies. The move is part of Apple’s ongoing efforts to resolve the iPhone 16 sales ban in the country.
As reported by Reuters, Indonesian investment minister Rosan Roeslani told lawmakers that the government expects a written commitment from Apple within the week. “Whoever benefits from the sales must invest here, create jobs here,” he added.
The offer marks a 10x increase from Apple’s previous offering in November. The investment is described as a “first phase” of Apple’s potential involvement in the country.
iPhone 16 sales in Indonesia were blocked in October, after the government determined that Apple had not met the country’s 40% domestic content requirement for smartphones. The government also claims Apple fell short of a previous promise to invest 1.7 trillion rupiah through developer academies, instead investing only 1.5 trillion rupiah.
Indonesia represents a significant piece of Apple’s smartphone market, as the country has a population of 280 million, who own around 354 million active mobile phones.
Apple raised its proposal from a initial offer of $10 million to $100 million in November, which includes plans for opening research and development facilities and developer academies in Bali and Jakarta over a two-year period. Apple also says it plans to manufacture AirPods Max ear cup mesh components in Bandung starting July 2025.
Indonesia banned iPhone 16 sales in the country on October 28, after officials determined Apple had not met the country’s requirement for 40% domestic content in smartphones. The government also claims Apple fell short of a previous promise to invest 1.7 trillion rupiah ($109.6 million US) through developer academies, instead investing only 1.5 trillion rupiah ($95 million US).
