The highly anticipated Port City Colombo Downtown Duty-Free Mall is set to open its doors in September this year, following the successful attainment of Businesses of Strategic Importance (BSI) status by its two main operators.
This week, the Cabinet granted approval to China Duty Free (CDF) and One World Duty Free (ODF), designating them as businesses of secondary strategic importance alongside 11 other entities. This approval enables the commencement of travel retail operations at the upcoming Downtown Duty-Free Mall.
“Our partners are now empowered to operate within the Colombo Port City Special Economic Zone, allowing for the eagerly anticipated opening of the Downtown Duty-Free Mall to go ahead before the close of the third quarter of 2024,” said Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo. “We look forward to this and to many other important developments in due course, with many prospective global investors ready to invest in Sri Lanka through Port City Colombo,” he added.
As the pioneering duty-free mall concept in Sri Lanka, the Downtown Duty-Free Mall at Port City Colombo will feature world-renowned travel retail operators. Leveraging the city’s prime location and connectivity to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), the mall promises unparalleled convenience and a diverse range of brands that will appeal to modern travelers.
The facility aims to transform Colombo into a leading travel retail hotspot in the South Asian region, emulating the success of other competitive downtown duty-free markets such as those in Singapore, Australia, and China.
China Duty Free and One World Duty Free, both acclaimed global travel retail giants, will soon begin operations at Port City Colombo, further establishing the project as a tourism hub. China Duty Free, ranked as the world’s number one travel retailer with a revenue of US$ 9.3 billion in 2023, is expected to bring significant expertise to the venture, according to a recently released Moodie Davit Report.
In addition to CDF and ODF, a third international luxury duty-free brand is set to explore a collaboration at this revolutionary duty-free mall concept, offering more choices for travelers arriving in Sri Lanka.
The Downtown Duty-Free Mall will also feature a curated selection of duty-paid brands and dining experiences, including Nihonbashi by Dharshan, Spa Ceylon, Café Chill, and more, enhancing the overall appeal and experience for visitors.
