Tim Cook likely to open Apple's Hyderabad tech centre on Thursday

Tim Cook likely to open Apple's Hyderabad tech centre on Thursday

 

At a time when there was a heightened discussion going on about Apple Computer Inc.'s possible manufacturing plans for India, its chief executive officerTim Cook is likely to arrive in Hyderabad on Thursday to open Apple's first technology development centre outside the USA.

Apple management's decision to first look for leveraging the human resources in India for its new software offerings came to light last year with news reports suggesting that the iPhone maker was examining various cities in India for a possible location for its tech center.

After pitching hard for this facility, Telangana government gave first hints earlier this year indicating that Apple management had in fact zeroed in on Hyderabad for establishing the facility. Later, the company also shared the details about its India plans.

Earlier this month there were news reports suggesting that Foxconn, the Apple's OEM partner, was planning to invest $10 billion in Maharashtra for establishing a manufacturing base to produce iPhones and other Apple products. Apple was yet to confirm these plans.

Interestingly, Tim Cook's visit to Hyderabad was completely kept under wraps to an extent where the company management had informed the state government officials that only a team from Apple was coming on Thursday to launch the facility. The company never mentioned Tim Cook's name, according to the officials.

Apple management also wants to keep the event as a completely private affair, according to the officials. However, considering the international significance of Apple's project, the state government officials have been trying hard to persuade the company's visiting team to make the launch an open event and even invite the media apart from other government figures. "As far as we know Tim Cook has only this one single event on his programme schedule," a government official told Business Standard.

Apple has leased a sizeable space in the Waverock SEZ, an IT campus, owned by the American property development and consultancy firm Tishman Speyer in Gachibowli area. The company is setting up this facility for developing Maps support and services. Read More