Apple to launch Hyderabad facility tomorrow

Apple Inc Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook will arrive in Hyderabad on Thursday to inaugurate the global tech giant’s first and the biggest technology development centre outside its US headquarters. 

“Cook will spend about three hours in real estate firm Tishman Speyer's WaveRock facility at Hyderabad's IT corridor, in which Apple’s new centre is housed,” said a top government official, requesting anonymity. The company, which has taken the space on lease at WaveRock, is also planning to build its own campus.

Cook’s Hyderabad visit is kept under wraps by both Apple India officials as well as the Telangana government authorities as he wanted to keep it a low-key affair, the official added.

The iPhone and iPad maker’s 250,000-sft Hyderabad centre, which will be inaugurated by Cook on Thursday, will initially have 150 professionals, supporting maps development, besides space to accommodate contractors who will support its efforts locally.

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Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao or his son IT minister K T Rama Rao may make an announcement for allocation of land to Apple for its campus in Hyderabad.

According to various reports citing unnamed sources, Cook is expected to unveil plans to open three retail stores in India, besides raising the issue of allowing Apple to import and sell refurbished iPhones at a cheaper price in India.    

Cook's visit to India comes at a time when the US technology giant is hit by slower growth in global sales of its flagship products iPhone, iPad and Mac.

According to reports, the company is looking for new growth markets like India after its sales declined. "The trip signifies how significant Indian market has become for Apple.