IKEA's arrival in Serbia impeded by complicated procedures

Swedish furniture giant IKEA has no dilemma regarding the arrival in Serbia as it is very interested in opening stores in our country. However, the reason why they have not done it yet lies in extensive and complicated bureaucratic procedures.

- The main problem has nothing to do with negotiations, but with complicated bureaucratic procedures - Liselot Martinenko Agerlid, the adviser to the Swedish ambassador to Belgrade, told Tanjug news agency Wednesday, commenting on the fact that the Swedish manufacturer of furniture and small household appliances has been negotiating with Serbian authorities for more than seven years without opening a single store to date.

- There are many different steps in these bureaucratic procedures, and as far as I know, IKEA is progressing well with these steps. I hope to be able to see the first IKEA store open in Serbia before the end of my term here - said Martinenko Agerlid.

As she noted, Serbia has a plenty of potential, and it is now up to the Government to do its best to have that potential recognized by the business.