Apple will assemble more products in India after expanding its local manufacturing operations.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, India’s information technology minister, today confirmed the move will create around 10,000 new jobs over the next five years.
Apple already manufactures certain iPhone models in India, which helps reduce costs for local consumers. But it has much bigger plans going forward.
Over the next five years, Apple’s Indian manufacturing partner will also begin producing chargers and other unspecified components.
Apple’s big plans for India
Salcomp will invest 20 billion rupees (approximately $278.7 million) to expand its operations near Channai, southern India, and create around 10,000 new jobs, Prasad revealed today.
The expansion will also allow India to export some of its iPhone units. This could bring in around $1.6 billion for the country in the first year alone, Reuters reports.
“I can tell you apart from chargers and other equipment it will lead to a diversified product portfolio,” Prasad said.
Salcomp is expected to start manufacturing more Apple products as early as March 2020. The move is a boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Made in India” campaign.
Apple’s plans for India were boosted by law changes back in August that loosen the requirements on local sourcing. They also pave the way for Apple to open its first retail store in India.
