JAKARTA, March 14 (Reuters) - Indonesia has issued

telecommunications permits for five different models of Apple's ( AAPL )

iPhone 16, the communications ministry said on Friday,

a step towards allowing sales after a domestic ban.

The permit issue came a week after Indonesia issued local

content certificates for 20 Apple ( AAPL ) products including iPhone 16.

Apple ( AAPL ) still needs an import permit from the trade ministry

to be able to sell the iPhones locally, the industry ministry

has said.

The Southeast Asian country of about 280 million people banned

iPhone 16 sales last year as the company failed to meet

composition requirements regarding locally-made parts. Analysts

have said the rules could hurt investor confidence and trigger

protectionism concerns.

The five telecommunication certificates were for iPhone 16e,

iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

The issuance of the permits follows last month's announcement of

more than $300 million investments by Apple ( AAPL ) in Indonesia,

including in plants making components for its products, and a

research and development centre.

Apple ( AAPL ) did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Dwi

Handoko, a senior communications ministry official, said five

permits were issued as requested by Apple ( AAPL ).