Bengaluru to roll out iPhones soon

Bengaluru, March 30 

Apple Inc will be ready to start assembling high-end iPhones in the city in less than a month to boost its chances of gaining a foothold in the fast growing Indian market, Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge said today.

“In less than a month, we will have something out — Apple will start assembling and making its high-end iPhones at its plant in the city. Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron Corp will help Apple in doing so,” he said.

Kharge said making iPhones in India would help Apple lower prices, which will help it gain a foothold in the fast-growing Indian market.

“Assembling and making of iPhones in Bengaluru will boost Apple’s chances of gaining a foothold in the fast-growing Indian market because it will allow the company to lower prices,” he said.

The Karnataka Government has been in talks with the Centre for strengthening the ecosystem even as Apple is negotiating with it for its next level of production in India, he said.

Apple wants to bring its component manufacturers to India to make parts and export finished phones and is seeking tax concessions on import of key components. However, the Indian government has rejected most of the demands of the US company.

Kharge said if the Centre was keen on taking on China, it should not give special treatment to Apple alone, but to other players, including Samsung and Lenovo, if they are desirous of opening manufacturing units in India, especially Karnataka.

Kharge said the government should also give companies, including Apple, certain timelines, subsidies and incentives to create a level-playing field for them. — PTI