Cook will reportedly meet with the city-state’s next prime minister, Lawrence Wong, as well as incumbent Lee Hsien Loong. The meetings are expected to conclude Cook’s whirlwind tour around Southeast Asia, where Apple is attempting to build up its sales and manufacturing presence. The visit also follows Apple’s announcement that it will invest over $250 million into its operations in Singapore. Tim Cook, chief executive officer of Apple Inc., center, arrives at Apple Developer Academy at Binus University in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Apple’s Tim Cook is in Singapore for the latest leg of his whirlwind tour around Southeast Asia as the CEO pivots toward the region for expansion and sales growth amid struggles in China.
Cook confirmed his arrival in Singapore on his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account Thursday, posting a video of himself with a local photographer at the city’s famous Gardens by the Bay tourist attraction.
According to anonymous sources cited in a Bloomberg report, Cook’s visit will last until Friday and include a meeting with the city-state’s next prime minister, Lawrence Wong, as well as incumbent Lee Hsien Loong. Lee will formally step down on May 15 after 20 years as the head of government. Wong will become Singapore’s fourth prime minister.
Cook’s arrival in the city follows Apple’s announcement of plans to invest over $250 million into its operations in Singapore. While the tech giant already employs 3,600 people in the country, Apple said the expansion will provide space for new roles, including in artificial intelligence.
The country serves as a regional hub for the Cupertino, California-based tech giant,
