Furniture conglomerate IKEA to launch Pakistan operations

This picture taken on March 18, 2020 shows the Ikea store entrance in Delft, Netherlands. (AFP)
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Updated 30 December 2020
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Furniture conglomerate IKEA to launch Pakistan operations

  • Pakistan’s envoy to Germany meets IKEA’s Dieter Mettke who is going to Pakistan to start IKEA operations there
  • IKEA started its Asia push in the early 2000s and opened its first store in India in 2018

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani ambassador to Germany, Dr Mohammad Faisal, said on Tuesday he had met Dieter Mettke from the multinational IKEA conglomerate who was en route to Pakistan to start IKEA operations there.

IKEA is a multinational conglomerate that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, kitchen appliances and home accessories. Founded in Sweden in 1943 by 17-year-old Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA is one of the world's largest furniture retailer since 2008.

“Met Dieter Mettke @IKEA_Deutchland. He is going to #Pakistan to be Incharge of #ikea operations,” Ambassador Faisal said on Twitter. “We look forward to #ikea opening up stores in major cities of #Pakistan.”

IKEA started its Asia push in the early 2000s and opened its first store in India in 2018.

The group has already taken its huge out-of-town stores packed with modern Scandinavian style to more than two dozen markets, with the product and experience instantly recognizable across them all.

In developed markets, IKEA is positioned as a low-priced mass-market brand, but in emerging markets where low prices are the norm, it targets a growing middle class that aspires to international lifestyle products.


Tariq confident Pakistan can bounce back after India drubbing

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Tariq confident Pakistan can bounce back after India drubbing

  • Pakistan suffered 61-run defat at India’s hands, must beat Namibia on Wednesday to advance further 
  • Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq says team has worked on mistakes, has resolved not to repeat them

COLOMBO: Spinner Usman Tariq said Tuesday he was confident that Pakistan can bounce back from their T20 World Cup drubbing against India and seal qualification for the next round.

India’s 61-run romp means Pakistan must beat Namibia in their final match in Colombo on Wednesday to qualify for the Super Eights.

A defeat would eliminate Pakistan, who are third behind the USA on net run rate in Group A.

It would also leave an outside chance for the Netherlands to qualify, but they would need a big win over co-hosts India in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

“Lifting the team is only difficult when you don’t work on your mistakes committed in the last game,” Tariq told reporters.

“We have worked on our mistakes so I think it will not be a tough task.

“We have a resolve not to commit the same mistakes again.”

Pakistan were criticized for asking India to bat then folding meekly for 114 in 18 overs chasing a stiff 176 target.

“We can feel their (fans’) disappointment because the match is watched by the whole nation,” Tariq said.

“So we feel their pain but I am sure when we play them (India) next we will put up a better show.”

Tariq dismissed rumors that batting star Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi could be dropped against Namibia after poor performances against India.

“Both Azam and Shaheen have won many matches for Pakistan so if they did not perform well in one game we should not write them off,” said Tariq.

Pakistan have faced Namibia only once before in a T20 international.

“Whoever we play we have the confidence to beat them and our goal is to play the final and win the cup which we will try our best to achieve.”

Namibia have lost all three of their group matches.