In a meeting with CEO of IKEA Southeast Europe, President greeted their decision to come to Ukraine: IKEA is a significant brand

In a meeting with CEO of IKEA Southeast Europe Stefan Vanoverbeke, President Petro Poroshenko greeted the decision to open their store in Ukraine.

The Head of State noted that the 13-year procedure for the entry of IKEA into the Ukrainian market had been finally completed.

"Unfortunately, this could have happened at least 10 years ago. But the investment climate did not allow IKEA to make the right decision at that time. And only now, after effective work was set up, and when IKEA found reliable partners with the assistance of the state, stating the improvement of the investment climate, an extremely important decision was made," the President said.

"Why is it so important? Because IKEA is a significant brand. And I'm very impressed with your slogan as creating a better everyday life. This is the optimal ratio of price, quality and reliability," Petro Poroshenko added. He noted that IKEA would open a store of a new concept in Kyiv - the so-called city store, which is also being implemented in New York, London, Paris, Stockholm, Madrid, Copenhagen, etc. The President noted that millions of potential consumers were already waiting for the opening of IKEA.

"I am also waiting. But I'm waiting for the next, second, stage, when IKEA will make a decision to deploy its own production here. Ukraine has everything for it - raw materials, wood, highly professional personnel, unique trade agreements with the EU and many other countries and all conditions for the production of high-quality competitive products," the Head of State added.

The Head of State stressed that the work to improve the investment attractiveness of the country was underway. In particular, Swedish brand H&M has recently started working in Ukraine and a Norwegian company has signed an investment agreement on renewable energy. The President said that there was a planned decision on the investment of the Saudi company in the agricultural sector.

"The investment boom that is taking place today is a vivid sign of global investors’ confidence in Ukraine," he said.

In turn, CEO of IKEA Southeast Europe Stefan Vanoverbeke said: "We believe that Ukraine is an important country in Europe. And we see that this is the right time for IKEA to be here". According to him, the first store in Kyiv will be opened next year.

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