Hyderabad to be Apple's digital mapping facility, CEO Tim Cook to inaugurate it

Zee Media Bureau

Hyderabad: After China visit, Apple CEO Tim Cook is headed for India where he is expected to inaugurate Apple's development centre in which the company has already invested USD 100 million.

This development centre will be Apple’s digital mapping facility having servers in the US. All technical and support services sourced from Hyderabad.

Cook's visit to India comes at a crucial time as the iPhone maker seeks to cash in on the "huge potential" in the world's second largest smartphone market.

Cook, who arrives in India tonight and is expected to meet Modi later this week, will also meet officials of key ministries, according to sources.

Sources said Cook is expected to discuss matters pertaining to manufacturing in India and the potential of the Indian technology market with the officials.

Apple is focussing on new growth markets like India after posting its first-ever decline in iPhone sales.

The US-based tech giant has also sent in a proposal to the Indian government for selling refurbished phones in India. However, no official call has been made on the matter.

"Apple team is coming. But we do not know who are the members of that team which is coming on May 19 (Thursday) for the launch of their facility. We are not 100 per cent sure whether Mr Cook will be there or not. We also asked them. We are waiting for the confirmation," Telangana IT Department Secretary Jayesh Ranjan had earlier said.

He, however, did not specify the amount of investment that Apple is planning to make into the centre.

Ranjan had earlier said officials of the Cupertino-based company had already met state government officials requesting their support for some of the clearances.

"They have already identified space in a building owned by Tishman Speyer at Nanakramguda. We are also extending support to the company in terms of obtaining necessary approvals from various departments," he had said.

With PTI Inputs