Apple has been given the green light by the Saudi Arabian government to fully operate in the region, according to tips from readers and local news reports. SAGIA (Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority) provided the license to Apple under the subsidiary name of “Apple, Saudi Arabia.” This license gives Apple the ability to market, maintain, and develop products in the region…

Up until now, Apple has relied on third-party resellers across the region to market and maintain iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple products. As still noted on Apple’s non-optimized website for Saudi Arabia, the Cupertino-based company currently operates in the region under its Cork, Ireland-based subsidiary named “Apple Distribution International.”

For years, Apple fans in Saudi Arabia have been asking the government to officially license Apple, but it is unclear if Apple actually has plans to open up official retail stores in the region. Apple’s latest iPhones went on sale in Saudi Arabia last fall to strong demand. In 2012, Apple moved its iTunes services into the region with an optimized iTunes Music Store.

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