Ever since Apple initially announced its ambitious plans to target the Indian customers by setting up a manufacturing (assembling) plant in India, the media and the government officials haven’t stopped talking about it. There have been hundreds of reports across the media websites about the impact it might have on the ambitious make in India campaign. However, if the new report by financial express is to be believed, then Apple is targeting to launch just a pilot project of assembling phones in India initially.
The move will help Apple to test the grounds and challenges while making in India and a decision of moving to full fledged manufacturing will be taken at a later point.
However, despite being a pilot, the setting up of plant in Bengaluru has huge expectations for the government. Apple’s name itself is enough to bring a lot more manufacturing and startups in the state of Karnataka, which seem to be losing its status of being a startup heaven to other states like Telangana, NCR and Maharashtra.
Before Apple can announce anything from their end, they have presented a long list of demands to the government. Some of the demands include a duty free import of components to the country for at least 15 years. Neither the government, not Apple has spoken publicly on this, however, the two are in talks and something will be announced soon.
Other smartphone manufacturers in India do not enjoy such privileges at the moment. If a decision is taken in favor of Apple, other smartphone manufacturing companies might also seek such exemptions and that might be one of the reasons, government is not taking any decision hurriedly.