Centre says no to Apple's sops demand

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday said that it has not accepted ‘most of the demands’ of iphone maker Apple which wants to set up manufacturing unit in India. To a question in the Rajya Sabha on whether the government has accepted most of the demands of the iphone manufacturer, commerce and industry minister Nirmala Sitharaman said: “No”.

Apple India 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, she said in a written reply. It also wanted relaxation in the mandated 30 per cent local sourcing of components and  reduction in customs duties.