The meeting assumes significance as the technology giant is seeking concessions like duty exemptions to set up a manufacturing unit in India. (File Photo)
Senior officials of the US-based iPhone maker Apple had called upon Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu. The meeting assumes significance as the technology giant is seeking concessions like duty exemptions to set up a manufacturing unit in India.
“CIM @sureshpprabhu in meeting with Mr. Nick Amman, Director, Government Affairs and Ms. Priya Balasubramaniam, Global Vice President, Operations, Apple Inc,” a tweet of the commerce minister said. When contacted, an Apple India spokesperson declined to comment on the meeting.
The company has sought concessions including duty exemption on manufacturing and repair units, components, capital equipment and consumables for smartphone manufacturing and service/repair for a period of 15 years. The rise in import duty on smartphones severely hit the Cupertino-based tech giant, as their only India unit assembles the iPhone SE. At the escalated cost, the company’s flagship, the iPhone X, is now worth Rs 1.05 lakh, while the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus start from Rs 80,000 onwards.
It also wants reduction in customs duties on completely-knocked-down and semi-knocked-down units of devices that are to be assembled in the country. In March, the then Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had informed the Rajya Sabha that the government had not accepted most of the demands of Apple.