[http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2011/09/ipad-brazil2.jpg](http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/16/report-foxconns-brazil-factory-ready-for-business-will-begin/)
It appears that Apple is about to expand its manufacturing operations to Brazil, where a new Foxconn factory is already in place and ready to churn out iPads, according to a report from national media outlet UOL. Aolizio Mercadante, the country’s minister of science and technology, confirmed the news this week during a hearing held by the Commission of Economic Affairs. “At first many doubted, but it will be the first time that [Apple] will produce iPads outside Chinese territory,” Mercadente said. “We are taking a big step for digital inclusion in the country.” Located in Jundiaí, the new facility was constructed under a joint venture between Foxconn and the Brazilian government, with the former reportedly contributing $12 million to the initiative. Rumors of a South American expansion began circulating earlier this year, with many expecting Foxconn’s Brazil-based operations to get underway during Q1 of 2012, according to* DigiTimes*. Construction, however, appears to have wrapped up ahead of schedule, with Mercadante claiming that iPad shipments will begin in December. Apple, for its part, has not commented on the report.Report: Foxconn’s Brazil factory ready for business, will begin shipping iPads in December originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Sep 2011 06:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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