Yuetai International Group (YT) will build a special shopping mall in Phnom Penh that will house Southeast Asia’s first indoor zoo located within the premises plus a host of facilities to serve local residents and tourists.

The five-storey YT Mall located in Steung Mean Chey Commune is earmarked to be completed by August next year and expected to serve some 200,000 people in the locality, who now travel to the capital for their shopping.

“We are building the mall in this area to serve the local people’s daily needs and also for tourists."

“The building is undergoing some renovations and it will be opened next year,” Yeutai Group general manager Shirley Li Xiao told the media after announcing the mall and The Garden project in Steung Mean Chey on My 26.

The landmark mall, located about 15 minutes drive from the Phnom Penh International Airport, will showcase fashion, entertainment such as hi-tech video arcade and made-in-Cambodia handicraft.

“It will be the largest indoor zoo in Southeast Asia and more than 200 animals will be housed, and the mall does not only cater for local people but for tourists too. The video games are of highest technology that will be from China, so customers can shop and enjoy themselves in the mall."

“The outlets will mostly sell Cambodian handicraft, we want to promote Cambodian culture. The features of this mall will be different from other malls in Phnom Penh,” she added.

Li (centre) along with other officials at the signing ceremony. ​

Yuetai’s aim to build the new mall is to encourage more Cambodians to spend their money in the country instead of shopping overseas.

Commenting on how the company will compete with the increasing number of shopping malls and international supermarket chains in the capital, she said Yuetai has its own business strategy.

“Yuetai has a strategy and it is based on the location. Yuetai has the Phnom Penh Harbour Mall which is a high-end project and we have long expertise in managing malls in China and we can compete with other malls,” said Li.

The Yuetai Group is involved in mixed development projects in Cambodia. It is also developing the mega Yuetai Phnom Penh Harbour along the Mekong River and works have started. Construction of its commercial town in Kampong Cham has began as well.

In Siem Reap, it’s plan to build a shopping centre is at design stage.

It has completed the East View Residence and East One Residence in Norodom Boulevard.

The model of The Garden project. Heng Chivoan

The planned indoor zoo will be the special feature of Yuetai Mall. ​

Li says the mall will encourage spending within the country.