Work will start this month on the new exhibition and convention centre, being built at an investment of BD83.6 million ($220 million) next to the Bahrain International Circuit in the Sakhir area of the kingdom, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication, citing the Industry, Commerce and Tourism Minister Zayed Alzayani.

The project is expected to be completed in two years.

Early this year, leading contractor Cebarco was appointed to construct the exhibition and convention centre that will be built on a 309,000-sq-m plot.

“The new state-of-the-art exhibition and convention centre in Sakhir will have 10 halls with a total area of 95,000 sq m along with areas dedicated for retail and other facilities,” said Alzayani.

The facility will include a 4,500-sq-m conference hall which will be divided into three separate rooms equipped with the latest technology. The project also boasts 27 small and medium conference and meeting rooms covering a total area of about 1,700 sq m,” explained Alzayani.

The 308,000-sq-m exhibition and convention centre will have a built-up area of 149,000 sq m. In addition, two VIP majlises and a parking lot that can accommodate 1,600 vehicles are also part of the master development.