Manama, Bahrain, 14 December 2008: Shopping and entertainment in Bahrain took a giant leap forward today with the "Grand Opening" of the Bahrain City Centre in the Kingdom's capital, Manama.

Inaugurated by Sheikh Salman Bin Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa, Crown Prince & Deputy Supreme Commander of Bahrain, the staggering 1.5 million square foot mall boasts some of the world's best brands and is set to put the Kingdom on par with well-established shopping capitals such as Dubai, Paris and London.

Since opening its doors in September this year, Bahrain City Centre has emerged as a popular destination among the large number of people visiting Bahrain from all over the world, especially from neighbouring Saudi Arabia and the GCC states. The centre has successfully set the benchmark in mall development by introducing innovative concepts and the best brand names in the region.

Today's grand opening heralds Bahrain's offer as an international shopping destination. The Centre has more than 300 shops, restaurants and attractions fully operational. The event will be accompanied by a full-scale entertainment programme beginning today and running until December 29th.

Speaking after the opening, Stefan Kirsten, CEO of MAF Group, commented, "We are delighted to be able to bring such a world-class development to Manama to serve the local residents and tourists alike. Bahrain is an important retail market and we are pleased to bring some of the best international brands to the Kingdom."

Derek Rossel, General Manager of the Bahrain City Centre, said, "When we opened our doors earlier this year, we invited the people of Bahrain and visitors to the Kingdom to come explore and watch the mall unfold itself into Bahrain's ultimate destination.

"With a large number of partners now doing a brisk trade, this promise has been achieved, and we look forward to continuing to surprise and delight our visitors in the years to come," he added. "The success of the mall has consolidated Bahrain's reputation as a thriving shopping and leisure destination despite the global economic downturn."

New to the Centre are a number of major attractions and shops, including Magic Planet, Saks 5th Avenue, The Toy Store, Sun & Sand Sports, Sharaf DG, Wafi Gourmet, Marina Exotic Furniture, Home Centre, and Bobby Brown.  In addition, the Bahrain City Centre now boasts eight cafes, 20 food court units, ten restaurants and four specialty food shops.

Still to come in the New Year are the much-anticipated waterpark, which will be the first indoor-outdoor facility of its kind in the Kingdom, two luxury hotels and a 20-screen cinema complex, the largest of its kind in the region. In addition, 2009 will see the completion of Magic Planet, which will incorporate a 10-pin bowling alley, three additional cafes, five new restaurants and one specialty food outlet.

With easy access from the causeway and conveniently located, Bahrain City Centre is strategically located on the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Highway in the heart of Manama.

-Ends-

About Majid Al Futtaim Group:
Majid Al Futtaim Group is the region's most prominent property and shopping malls developer. The Group opened its first shopping mall in 1995 and has since created businesses of international significance which have changed the face of shopping, entertainment and leisure in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Over the past decade the Group has taken his groundbreaking concepts into other major cities in the United Arab Emirates and throughout the Middle East and North Africa.

The Group consists of a number of core businesses that complement one another, yet are separately managed. This provides maximum flexibility and potential, enabling the operating divisions to seize their own opportunities yet work together on major projects.

The Group is widely known for its iconic and internationally recognized Mall of Emirates, the largest shopping resort outside North America. Mall of the Emirates is also home to Ski Dubai, the first indoor ski resort in the region. The emphasis on great design, critical tenant mix and customer focus gives the Group an exceptional portfolio of impressive projects.

For more information, please contact:
Komal Manglani
Polaris Public Relations
P. O. Box 32838,
Dubai,
UAE
Tel: +9714-3415555;
Fax: +9714-3415588
Email:k.manglani@polaris-me.com

© Press Release 2008