THE entry of the second SM Mall is an indicator that the economy of Zamboanga City is improving.
Mayor John Dalipe issued the statement as he graced the groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, February 23, of SM City Zamboanga along Vitaliano Agan Avenue in Camino Nuevo village, Zamboanga City.
“This is a sign of progress and development to our city. We are happy that SM City is now here in Zamboanga,” Dalipe said in an interview.
Dalipe said the entry of the second SM Mall will provide job opportunities not only to the city of Zamboanga but to the entire Zamboanga Peninsula and nearby provinces in the autonomous region.
He said that all investors are welcome to invest in Zamboanga being an investment-friendly city.
Oliver Tiu, SM vice president for operations, said in a separate interview they are looking at the fourth quarter of 2024 as the completion date for the construction of the mall in time for the Christmas season.
Tiu said they decided to put up another mall since the location of Zamboanga City is very strategic to the neighboring cities and provinces.
Tiu said they are also looking into the possibility of trading with neighboring countries of which Zamboanga City is the best gateway.
“We do our marketing study and Zamboanga is booming,” he said about why they decided to put up another mall here.
He said more or less 3,000 individuals will be employed once the second SM mall, including its tenant business firms, are fully operational.
The second mall is located in the 2.5-hectare property SM has acquired in Camino Nuevo village. It is the eight SM Mall in the entire Mindanao. (SunStar Zamboanga)