He proposed building the centre in a location with two fronts, convenient transportation and abundant population.

Tsutomu said he hoped the municipal authorities would assist in seeking a suitable location for the project and relevant legal issues.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Thanh Thong said with annual trade growth of 15-20 per cent, only behind Ha Noi and HCM City, Can Tho was ready to offer all possible support to AEON Vietnam to launch the project.

He asked AEON Vietnam to take fact-finding trips to seek a suitable location and direct the municipal departments of planning and investment and transport help the investor survey the market and complete necessary procedures to launch the project as soon as possible.

AEON Japan has already built six shopping malls in Viet Nam, including those in HCM City, Ha Noi, the northern port city of Hai Phong and the central city of Da Nang. Four of them have been put into operation, one is under construction and the other has completed investment procedures.