Freeport A'Famosa Outlet Village Eyes 3 Million Visitors By End-2015

www.freeportretail.com

Melaka, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- Freeport A'Famosa Outlet Village, scheduled to be opened in April next year, has targeted three million visitors by end-2015, driven by its strategic location.

The joint-venture project, with an investment cost of RM190 million, between A'Famosa Resort and Freeport Retail, a London-based developer of outlet centres in Europe, foresee the targeted numbers of visitors is achievable as its location is closer to the city centre as compared to other premium outlet in Malaysia. Freeport Retail Commercial Director Chris Milliken said the projected figure is also based on the visitors who came to visit Melaka last year.

Melaka received a total of 14.3 million visitors last year and the state government is aiming for 15 million visitors this year mainly from China, European countries and Middle Eastern countries.

He said, the outlet is a three-phase project that consist of 82 fashion boutiques in the first phase, second phase consist of 35 stores while the third phase comprise of about hundred stores. "We will commence the project today and the opening will take place in April next year. The first two phases will be open to public at the same time next year," he told a media conference after the A'Famosa Resort and Freeport Retail ground-breaking ceremony Friday.

Milliken also said the outlet sees a hundred per cent lease in the first phase due to the positive response from the international brands however only 10 per cent of the stores are local.

Commenting on the goods and services tax that would be implemented next year, Milliken said it would not give so much impact as European countries impose a higher sales tax to its citizen. "Like in the United Kingdom, the sales tax is 20 per cent and I do not see so much impact as the toll fees and fuel here is cheaper compared to the European countries," he added.

Meanwhile, Melaka State Exco of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Green Technology and Innovation Datuk Wira Md Yunos Husin said the new outlet will create more than 600 job opportunities in the state. "The opening of the new premium outlet will boost the state's economy and tourism as well as gives opportunities to the youth in Melaka in terms of jobs," he added.
-bernama.