The Bahrain International Airport is to get a boost with a new $115 million (BD43.47 million) shopping, business and leisure complex, being planned.

Paris-based Optimum Development, which has a regional office in Bahrain, will oversee the project named Bahrain International Gateway. The company's subsidiary, Europtima Rome, has provided the architectural blueprints.

Work on the project, which is expected to spread over an area of 40,000 sq m, could begin by early next year.

The five-storey structure will be located in the current airport parking area between Gulf Air headquarters and the passenger terminal.

The facility will include an executive business centre, a shopping arcade, restaurants and food court, several cinemas, an entertainment and play area, and covered parking for 4,000 vehicles.

Optimum Development chairman Dr Abdullatif Al Khaja described the complex as a "circular all-glass glazed and environmentally-compatible" structure.

"Its centrepiece will be a crystal ball-shaped executive lounge/club, with multi-purpose facilities," he added.

The project is expected to take around three years to complete once ground has been broken.