On October 28 Patently Apple posted a report titled “Indonesia' Industry Minister reportedly Bans the new iPhone 16 in their country due to Apple's unfulfilled investments.” While Apple had invested USD95 million in Indonesia, they were short USD15 million from what was promised to allow iPhones to be sold in that country. Then on November fifth, Bloomberg reported that Apple invested another USD10 Million – which was still short by 5 million.

Tonight a new Bloomberg report claims that Apple Inc. has increased its offer to invest in Indonesia by almost tenfold, according to people familiar with the matter, in the US tech giant’s latest bid to persuade the government to lift its sales ban on the iPhone 16.

The proposal would reportedly see Apple invest invest almost $100 million more in Southeast Asia’s largest economy over the next two years. Apple’s previous investment plan of close to $10 million would have involved the company investing in a factory making accessories and components in the city of Bandung, located southeast of Jakarta.

After Apple submitted its increased offer, Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry, which last month blocked a permit allowing the sale of the iPhone 16, is now demanding that the technology behemoth alter its investment plans to focus more on research and development for its smartphones in the country, the people said. The Ministry of Industry hasn’t made a final decision on Apple’s newest proposal, they added.

Following Apple’s initial proposal, the ministry called for senior company executives to meet Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita. But after flying into Jakarta, Apple’s senior executives were told that the minister wasn’t available and so they had to meet with the ministry’s director-general instead.

By offering to invest in the country, Apple is seeking to get unfettered access to Indonesia’s 278 million consumers, more than half of which are under the age of 44 and tech savvy. For more, read the latest Bloomberg report.