Apple expanding operations in India says government

Alongside iPhones, Apple is expected to now manufacture chargers and other components in India

According to Reuters, India's Ravi Shankar Prasad, information technology minister, said Apple is to expand its manufacturing operations in the country.

Apple already uses Indian firm Salcomp to manufacture iPhones, but over the next five years will make chargers and unspecified other components.

Salcomp is to invest approximately $278.7 million in its southern India plant near Chennai. Prasad expects that the expansion will create 10,000 new jobs.

He also confirmed iPhones made in India would be exported and estimated that this would be worth $1.6 billion to the country annually.

Changes in India's laws over limitations to do with locally and foreign-sourced components are helping Apple and other suppliers to the company are believed to be investing $1 billion there to meet demand.

Apple is already producing iPhones in India and is reported to have recently selected a part of Mumbai for its first Apple Store in the country.