BOI approves IKEA Philippines registration

1 min readUpdated May 27, 2025Mar 12, 20186:00 AM

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Swedish furniture maker IKEA has secured a certificate of registration from the Board of Investments (BOI) to open stores in the Philippines.

The registration certificate was given to Ikano Pte. Ltd., the franchise holder of IKEA in Southeast Asia, BOI Legal and Compliance Service Director Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego told reporters on the sidelines of the EU-Philippines Advocacy Forum on Retail Competition in Makati City on Friday.

In December 2016, Ikano pre-qualified as a foreign retailer in line with the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000.

Samaniego, however, said that IKEA still needs to secure its incorporation papers from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

IKEA Southeast Asia posted a help wanted ad on professional networking site LinkedIn for a Design Manager, specifically for the Manila office. The posting was published in January, with a deadline set on Feb. 28, 2018.

IKEA, which stands for Ingvar Kamprad, Elmtaryd, and Agunnaryd, is a multinational furniture retailer and franchiser with 387 stores in 48 countries.

The acronym stands for the name of the company founder, the farm in which he was raised by his parents, and the village where he grew up.

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What this means

IKEA's official BOI registration significantly de-risks its long-anticipated entry into the Philippines, aligning with Ikano's strategic regional footprint. This robust market entry will pressure local furniture retailers and international rivals already operating in Southeast Asia. Unlike Chipotle's measured multi-market entry or Tiffany's boutique expansion, IKEA's scale suggests immediate and substantial impact. The challenge for Ikano will be to rapidly secure full legal incorporation and translate early recruitment efforts into tangible store development. The company must now deliver on its promise to operationalise its Manila presence, creating significant ripple effects across retail in the region. Monitor the filing of IKEA's incorporation papers with the SEC for concrete progress.

Sarah Chen

Questions & Answers

Who received the registration certificate from the Board of Investments?

The certificate was given to Ikano Pte. Ltd., which is the franchise holder for IKEA in Southeast Asia. This information was shared by BOI Legal and Compliance Service Director Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego.

What is the next step IKEA needs to complete after securing BOI registration?

IKEA still needs to obtain its incorporation papers. These documents must be secured from the Securities and Exchange Commission, as stated by BOI Legal and Compliance Service Director Marjorie Ramos-Samaniego.

When did Ikano Pte. Ltd. First pre-qualify as a foreign retailer?

Ikano pre-qualified as a foreign retailer in December 2016. This was done in accordance with the Retail Trade Liberalization Act of 2000, allowing them to proceed with their plans.

What job opening did IKEA Southeast Asia post in January?

IKEA Southeast Asia posted a help wanted advertisement in January for a Design Manager. This specific role was for the Manila office, with a deadline for applications set for February 28, 2018.

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