18 June 2007
Bahrain Cinema Company (Cineco-Bahrain) has set the stage for work to begin on the Middle East's and possibly entire southeast Asia's biggest multiplex - 20 screens in all - at the megaplex project for the Bahrain City Centre and another 13 screens in Qatar, including its first ever IMAX screen. With an investment of a staggering BD9.8 million for the two prestigious ventures, Cineco-Bahrain has readied the blueprint, roping in consultants from all over the globe for the mega-ventures and construction slated for commencement in a couple of months.
"Twenty cinema screens under one roof is a first-of-its-kind in the cinema world and by no means a small task. The commissioning of the mega-facility is likely to be in the latter half of next year," said Cineco-Bahrain director, marketing and public relations Sunil Balan.
The 20-screen megaplex at Bahrain City Centre will occupy an area of 8,000 square metres with a seating capacity of approximately 4,200 seats. VIP seating with service all through the screening time and two large multipurpose theatres for live shows are also part of the project.
The project will cost BD6 million, including construction, interiors, seating and state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities. "The focus is on giving discerning viewers an all-new experience. It will have the most advanced modern technology to provide the purest picture and the clearest sound in absolute comfort," Balan said.
The project would almost double the total number of cinema seats owned by BCC. It has 16 cinema screens with 2,743 seats in Seef Mall, four with 598 seats in Sa'ar Cinema, two screens with 306 seats in Al Jazira Cinema, a screen with 800 seats in Awal Cinema and a screen with 425 seats in al Hamra Cinema, bringing the total number of seats owned by the company at present in Bahrain to 4,872.
Cineco-Bahrain also has 14 screens with 2,125 seats in City Centre, Doha, in Qatar.
In line with its expansion plans, Cineco-Bahrain had opened the 14-screen multiplex there which was considered the biggest of its kind then. Now with 13 more screens, including Qatar's first IMAX screen, on the drawing board at a cost of BD3.8 million, "We hope to consolidate our presence there. The Qatar facility should be ready by the second quarter of next year," Balan added. The company was also mulling forays in other regions of the Gulf and Arab countries.
Bahrain Cinema Company (Cineco-Bahrain) has set the stage for work to begin on the Middle East's and possibly entire southeast Asia's biggest multiplex - 20 screens in all - at the megaplex project for the Bahrain City Centre and another 13 screens in Qatar, including its first ever IMAX screen. With an investment of a staggering BD9.8 million for the two prestigious ventures, Cineco-Bahrain has readied the blueprint, roping in consultants from all over the globe for the mega-ventures and construction slated for commencement in a couple of months.
"Twenty cinema screens under one roof is a first-of-its-kind in the cinema world and by no means a small task. The commissioning of the mega-facility is likely to be in the latter half of next year," said Cineco-Bahrain director, marketing and public relations Sunil Balan.
The 20-screen megaplex at Bahrain City Centre will occupy an area of 8,000 square metres with a seating capacity of approximately 4,200 seats. VIP seating with service all through the screening time and two large multipurpose theatres for live shows are also part of the project.
The project will cost BD6 million, including construction, interiors, seating and state-of-the-art audio-visual facilities. "The focus is on giving discerning viewers an all-new experience. It will have the most advanced modern technology to provide the purest picture and the clearest sound in absolute comfort," Balan said.
The project would almost double the total number of cinema seats owned by BCC. It has 16 cinema screens with 2,743 seats in Seef Mall, four with 598 seats in Sa'ar Cinema, two screens with 306 seats in Al Jazira Cinema, a screen with 800 seats in Awal Cinema and a screen with 425 seats in al Hamra Cinema, bringing the total number of seats owned by the company at present in Bahrain to 4,872.
Cineco-Bahrain also has 14 screens with 2,125 seats in City Centre, Doha, in Qatar.
In line with its expansion plans, Cineco-Bahrain had opened the 14-screen multiplex there which was considered the biggest of its kind then. Now with 13 more screens, including Qatar's first IMAX screen, on the drawing board at a cost of BD3.8 million, "We hope to consolidate our presence there. The Qatar facility should be ready by the second quarter of next year," Balan added. The company was also mulling forays in other regions of the Gulf and Arab countries.
By KVS Madhav Senior Business Reporter
© Bahrain Tribune 2007
