China Duty Free Group announced on Oct 20 that DUTY ZERO by cdf (Duty Zero) soft opened its first Southeast Asian airport duty free store, at Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, in Cambodia. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The China Duty Free Group, or CDFG, announced on Oct 20 that its brand Duty Zero by cdf (Duty Zero) has soft-opened its first airport duty-free store in Southeast Asia, in Cambodia.

Located in the new terminal of the Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, which just began operation on Oct 16, the store is operated by China Duty Free Group (Cambodia) Co, or cdf Cambodia, according to CDFG, one of the world’s largest travel retailer.

In June, cdf Cambodia was endorsed as “The Home of Chinese Tourists” by Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, making it the first and only State-owned enterprise to receive such recognition from the ministry 

Using elements of the famed Angkor Wat temple in its design, the store provides travelers a one-stop luxury shopping experience, offering international travelers a world-class collection of over 100 brands of cosmetics, fragrances, jewelry, watches, apparel, tobacco and alcohol.

READ MORE: Cambodia expects more Chinese visitor for tourism growth

In the new Duty Zero store, CDFG cooperated with China’s luxury liquor brand Kweichow Moutai to open the world’s first overseas airport Moutai Family store, bringing international travelers a taste of the oriental culture. 

To celebrate the soft opening, the new Duty Zero store will offer a series of shopping benefits for travelers from around the world. Travelers will be also able to redeem gifts by sharing their in-store shopping experience on social media.

As this year marks the tenth anniversary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the 65th anniversary of China-Cambodia diplomatic ties, and is also the Cambodia-China Friendship Year, CDFG said it actively promotes the continued development of Cambodia’s tourism industry while injecting new vitality into the bilateral friendship and tourism cooperation. 

For example, cdf Cambodia has been organizing various charity activities since 2016, with thousands of children being helped under a total of 26 events. A dedicated program called CDF Charity Service was officially launched in Phnom Penh in March.

READ MORE: Cambodia: China is biggest economic, trade partner in Asia 

In June, cdf Cambodia was endorsed as “The Home of Chinese Tourists” by Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, making it the first and only State-owned enterprise to receive such recognition from the ministry.

China Duty Free Group cooperated with Kweichow Moutai to open the world's first overseas airport Moutai Family store in the new Duty Zero by cdf store at the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport in Cambodia. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The store is designed with elements of the Angkor Wat, blending classical culture with modern design to provide travelers a one-stop luxury shopping experience. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

Besides the new Duty Zero store in the Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport, CDFG has three downtown duty-free stores in Cambodia — in Siem Reap, Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh. 

The new store marked an important milestone in the development of CDFG’s overseas duty-free business and demonstrated its strategic expansion in the global market, which is also in line with the BRI.

Contact the writer at kelly@chinadailyapac.com