Bahrain Cinema Company (Cineco), a market leader in the entertainment industry in the kingdom, has opened its new six-screen cineplex at Wadi Al Sail Mall in Riffa area of the kingdom.

The new cineplex, which boasts of a 724-seat capacity, including 89 VIP seats, has been built at an investment of BD2 million ($5.2 million) featuring the latest in technological advancements in the global entertainment industry, said a  statement from Cineco, whose operations include the management of a large number of cinemas and restaurants within Bahrain and the GCC region.

The new facility comes as part of its extensive expansion plans besides the soon-to-open Rendezvous restaurant, it stated.

Speaking at the launch, chairman Dr Esam Abdulla Fakhro said: "We at Cineco, stride towards constantly increasing our growth through the introduction of a nation-wide network of cineplexes and this opening comes in line with our expansion plans."

The company, he stated, now owns and operates a total of 49 cinema screens across Bahrain. "Currently we have presence in Seef Mall, City Centre, Al Jazira (Muharraq), Saar and Al Hamra (Gudaibiya) and with this launch, the total number of our locations has risen to six," he added.

Dr Fakhro said plans are afoot to open a new branch of the Rendezvous restaurant at Wadi Al Sail Mall, the company's third in the kingdom.

The restaurant will be offering a premium continental cuisine buffet spread perfectly suited for families after a shopping spree or watching a movie at the cinema, for both lunch and dinner. It will be able to accommodate up to 138 guests.

"We look forward to bringing our high quality movie screenings closer to our valuable customers and to offer them a movie going and dining experience like no other," he added.

On the first day of the launch of its operations at Wadi Al Sail Mall, Cineco played host to members of the media, who were first taken on an exclusive tour of the new facility and then invited to experience a movie night in one of its hitech theatres.

Ahmed Rashed, the chief executive, said: "Over the years, we have witnessed a rise in the number of movie goers at our existing locations, which at times have led to movie tickets being totally sold out. Hence, the decision to introduce the new cineplex in Wadi Al Sail Mall was based on strategic elements due to its location in Riffa which makes it well placed to cater to the movie goers from here and the neighboring areas."

"The new cineplex realises our vision in providing customers with the privilege of watching their favorite movies closer to their homes, at the same time spreading our presence in more areas all over Bahrain," he added.-TradeArabia News Service