IKEA Opens Near Ceuta, Sparking Economic Concerns in Spanish Enclave

The fears of Ceuta after the launch of the works of this Moroccan commercial zone in Tetouan, near the autonomous city, begin to take shape with the opening of the IKEA store on this site last Tuesday. Several media had considered this initiative of Morocco as a strategy to economically stifle Ceuta and Melilla, recalls Ceuta TV.

This IKEA store, its second in Morocco, was inaugurated by Marino Maganto, the general manager of IKEA Morocco, Kuwait and Jordan, and CEO of SYH Morocco, in the presence of local authorities including the Wali of the Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima region and the governor of the province of Tetouan, Younes Tazi.

With a total area of more than 18,000 square meters, including more than 16,400 square meters of sales area, the construction of the store cost 400 million dirhams and should generate 500 direct jobs and 1,000 indirect jobs.

Meanwhile, Ceuta and Melilla are still awaiting the opening of commercial customs. The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, confirmed this week to the presidents of the two cities that the process is ongoing.