Aeon Co. opened another shopping mall on Friday in Cambodia, the largest among dozens of similar commercial complexes developed by the Japanese retailer in the Southeast Asian region.

Aeon Mall Co. President Yasutsugu Iwamura said during a ceremony that he hopes the facility in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh will contribute to the local economy. Hun Manet, the future Cambodian prime minister who presided over the event, expressed expectations for deepening economic ties between Cambodia and Japan.

The Aeon Mall Mean Chey spans about 174,000 square meters, accommodating a supermarket, some 250 tenants and entertainment facilities, such as movie theaters. It is the third Aeon Mall in Cambodia.

The area is being developed as a sub-center of Phnom Penh, with accessibility and convenience and is expected to attract customers in the fast-growing Southeast Asian nation.

There are 35 Aeon shopping malls in the ASEAN bloc.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

==Kyodo

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