We know that Apple’s iPhone is not cheap, even it’s supposed budget offering of the 8GB iPhone 4 is by no means affordable compared to other low-end Android smartphones out there. Apparently this has become such an issue that the Argentinian government has deemed it necessary to put a temporary halt on iPhone and Blackberry sales while it attempts to stabilize the country’s economy.
According to Manuals.ws, the reason behind this selective consumer electronics ban is meant to slow the rising inflation and correct the disparity between the pesos and the US dollar, and it seems that in order for Apple or RIM to start selling their products in Argentina again, they would be required to either build a plant of their own in the country itself or partner up with a local manufacturer to help manufacturer their devices.
From an economic standpoint, building a local factory or manufacturing the devices locally would create jobs, which in turn would help stimulate the economy. Since we’re not really economists ourselves, we have to wonder if a selective ban on such hot products would help Argentina’s flailing economy. Other manufacturers such as Motorola, Nokia and Samsung have reportedly moved or built new plants in the country already.
Updated – As it turns out, today is “Dia de los Santos Inocentes“, which is basically April’s Fools for Spanish-speaking countries. It appears that the joke is upon us, although we have to admit that was pretty convincing! So yes, if you’re living in Argentina and you’re looking to get your hands on an iPhone or a Blackberry device, you will have no problems doing so.
Filed in . Read more about BlackBerry, Government, iPhone and RIM.