Apple wanting to expand its presence in India isn’t a new development, but according to a new report from the India Times, the company has recently taken a major step in accomplishing that goal. According to the report, Apple has just filed an application with the Indian government to open its own branded retail stores in the company.
Apple filed the proposal with the department of industrial policy and promotion, or DIPP, which confirmed that it has received the document. “We have just received Apple’s proposal. We are examining it,” DIPP secretary Amitabh Kant stated.
The company reportedly left specific details out of the proposal, only stating that it wishes to operate its own branded retail stores in the country and to sell products online. It’s unclear how large of an investment Apple wants to make in India, although in the past it has expressed its extraordinary interest in the country, citing significant growth in the country as its motive.
The Indian government has been relaxing its requirements on foreign company investments, making it easier for company’s like Apple to establish a presence. In the past, India has required that any company perform a certain percentage of manufacturing in the country if they want to operate retail outlets.
Apple’s relationship with India has been growing over the past few months. CEO Tim Cook met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi back in September to discuss the possibility of Apple increasing its presence in the country. Apple also signed a deal with consumer electronics retail chain Croma that saw Croma build Apple-dedicated retail spaces in six of its retail locations.
Last year, revenue for Apple in India also recently broke a billion dollars thanks to its launch of an aggressive trade-in program. Apple has said in the past that its growth in India is outstripping that of China, and an increase in retail availability would only expedite that process.
