A call has gone out to start selling space at the new Bahrain international exhibition and convention centre coming up near the Bahrain International Cicuit (BIC) in Sakhir.

The massive project is being constructed on 278,900 square metres of land, with a built-up area of 141,120sqm.

The centre will feature exhibition halls and conference rooms fitted with the latest technology to host major shows and celebrations and ink trade transactions.

It includes 10 exhibition halls covering a total of 95,000sqm, in addition to attached stores and independent entrances and exits.

It also features two VIP majlises for high-level visitors, in addition to control rooms, internal roads, services and parking for 1,600 cars, of which about 130 parking spaces will be reserved for VIPs.

Parliament second vice-chairman Ali Al Zayed said yesterday the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) should explore potential buyers and interested parties for the new centre.Ideas include hosting the WWE Capitol Performance Centre to train young wrestlers in the region, artificial intelligence (AI) training academies, and car assembly plants.

Area MP Bader Al Dossary also said work should begin on booking space at the centre now.

“No time should be wasted in approaching potential investors, as the centre is expected to be ready by the middle of next year,” he said.

“We have BIC, Gravity, Al Areen Wildlife Park and Reserve and soon Bilaj Al Jazayer in the area; this centre is an addition to the line-up of attractions.

“In Bahrain and the region, a large segment of the community is interested in wrestling, and having the region’s WWE Capitol Performance Centre should be a top attraction to bring in people.

”Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Alzayani said earlier the centre would be complete by the middle of next year.

“When asked in Parliament, the minister said there was a five-year plan for tourism starting this year, but without a clear strategy due to the fluid nature of the market caused by Covid-19,” said Mr Al Zayed.

“BTEA should look at ways to prop up the tourism industry before it declines beyond repair as in countries across the world due to the current difficult circumstances,” he said.

“But this can only happen with a proper plan.

“We are not demanding that investors sign deals; we want to know about potential buyers and interested parties.

”He said the centre could host an ice cream festival in the summer, alongside the regular Autumn Fair and Jewellery Arabia.

“Permanent attractions could include the WWE Capitol Performance Centre, AI training academies, and car assembly plants.”

The Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Ministry is building the milestone centre for BTEA.

It has already completed casting concrete bases and started installing steel structures.

Assistant under-secretary for construction projects and maintenance Shaikh Mishaal bin Mohammed Al Khalifa said in December last year that around 9,000 cubic metres of concrete were cast in one, out of a total base volume of 29,500 cubic metres, in one of the largest casting operations in Bahrain.

mohammed@gdn.com.bh

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