Morocco blocks Ikea

The Moroccan government has blocked the opening of the first Ikea store in the country, which was scheduled to take place on 29 September, according to reports by international media outlets including The Guardian, Le Monde and Radio Sweden. The store, which has a retail area of 26 000 m², is in the shopping centre in Zenata, between Casablanca and Mohammedia. Licensing problems were cited as the reason for the block. Quoting the Moroccan online service Le360, the reports suggest that the actual reason, however, is likely to be Sweden’s backing for the efforts of Western Sahara to gain independence.