Apple iPhones are set to be built in a new 300-acre factory in Karnataka's Bengaluru, thereby creating about one lakh jobs, according to union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar and CM Basavaraj Bommai.

This development comes after Foxconn, an Apple Inc. partner, and Karnataka government signed a letter of intent on Friday to establish the manufacturing facility within a period of five years.

Taking to Twitter, an elated CM Bommai said, "Apple phones to be built in the state soon. Apart from creating about 100,000 jobs, it will create a whole lot of opportunities for Karnataka."

Earlier in the day, a delegation of Hon Hai Technology Group (Foxconn) led by its chairman Young Liu was taken to inspect the location near Bengaluru International Airport for setting up the Apple manufacturing unit. According to Bloomberg, Foxconn Technology Group has planned to invest about $700 million in the new plant to ramp up local production.

Welcoming Foxconn's move, India Electronics and Semiconductor Association said this demonstrates that the policies and endeavours of the Government of India are focused toward electronics production in the country.

"The aim is to accrue an accelerated pace in this sector to meet the growing domestic and global consumption," it said, adding that "generating 100,000 jobs being created also clearly demonstrates the spirit of 'Atma Nirbhar Bharat' and the wealth and impact it will create in society."

At present, iPhones are assembled in India by at least three of Apple's global suppliers - Foxconn and Pegatron in Tamil Nadu, and Wistron in Karnataka.

Notably, Apple Inc. is gradually shifting production away from China after the country's strict COVID-related restrictions disrupted the manufacturing of new iPhones and other devices in the country.

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