Can Tho (VNA) – Leaders ofthe Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on May 18 held a working session with managersof AEON Vietnam Co. Ltd., an affiliate of AEON Japan, about the possibility ofbuilding a shopping mall in the locality.

AEON Japan has already built sixshopping malls in Vietnam, including those in Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, thenorthern city of Hai Phong and the central city of Da Nang. Four of them havebeen put into operation, one is under construction and the other has completed investmentprocedures.

Speaking at the event, SeniorDirector of AEON Vietnam’s Shopping Mall Development Bloc Nakamura Tsutomu saidthe planned mall is expected to have four storeys so that it needs an area of2-5ha, including a department store and a shopping centre.

He proposed building the centrein a location with two fronts, convenient transportation and abundantpopulation.

Tsutomu wished that the municipalauthorities would assist in seeking a suitable location for the project andrelevant legal issues.

Chairman of the municipalPeople’s Committee Vo Thanh Thong said with annual trade growth of 15-20percent, only behind Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho stands ready to offerall possible support to AEON Vietnam to launch the project.

He asked AEON Vietnam to takefact-finding trips to seek a suitable location and directed the municipalDepartment of Planning and Investment and Transport Department help theinvestor survey the market and complete necessary procedures to launch theproject as soon as possible.-VNA