I believe it doesn’t matter to local vendors at the market like us, because we are different from them.

BATTAMBANG’S first shopping mall has opened its doors, but local traders say they are unconcerned by competition from the new US$18 million centre.

The four-storey Borey Thmey Shopping Mall in Battambang’s Svay Por Commune officially opened at the weekend and contains 600 units, said Manager of Sales Administration Neang Neath Thanith.

Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An attended its launch.

“We’re the first shopping mall in Battambang city and now we’re open for business to our customers in the province,” said Neang Neath Thanith.

So far it has sold about 80 percent of available store space, she said, stating that its status as the first shopping mall in the Cambodian city coupled with a “good location” would fuel future success.

The mall is owned by Lim Chhiv Ho, who is both chairwoman of Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone and Managing Director of Attwood Import-Export.

Despite the mall offering a new experience for local consumers, vendors at the city’s Phsar Nat market and Boeung Chhok market believe they have nothing to worry about.

Reth Chanthol, a fabric seller at Boeung Chhok market located near the new centre, told The Post yesterday she welcomed the new shopping mall.

“Our clients are far different from [theirs], our market focuses on poor people,” she said,

Keo Sinoun, a vegetable vendor at the city’s Phsar Nat, agreed.

She said:  “I think that shopping mall focuses on only middle- and high-class customers, so I believe that it doesn’t matter to local vendors at the market like us because we are different from them.”

Meanwhile local officials highlighted recent development in Battambang.

Uy Liv, a member of counsellors at Battambang Provincial Hall, said the province has seen its agricultural and construction sector improve – with new housing development and hotels being set up.

He said that the shopping mall would create employment for the local people and would help boost the local economy.

“We are proud to have the shopping mall here, it will create more jobs for people and make their standard of living better,” he said.