Apple to begin assembling iPhones in Bengaluru soon: Karnataka IT minister

To gain its foothold in the world’s fastest growing smartphone market, Apple Inc is ready to start assembling iPhones in India.

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

"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 company, Wistron Corp will help Apple in in the process,"   Kharge added.

Recently, Apple has been in talks with Indian government seeking concessions on import of key components. However, the Indian government has rejected most of the demands of the Cupertino based company.

Kharge said if the Centre is keen on taking on China, it should not give special treatment to Apple alone, but to other players as well such as Samsung and Lenovo.

“Open the entire eco-system for high-end manufacturing of electronics if you really want to compete with China and Taiwan," Kharge said.

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

"The government should give companies a timeline, say in 10 years they should be able to manufacture 100 per cent of phones and its components by procuring them from the local market. Such a timeline should be given because we don't have that environment now," he said.

"The government should also give companies subsidies and incentives to create a level-playing field for them to strengthen the Indian eco-system," Kharge said.