VLCC, a leader in the health, beauty and fitness industry, marked its debut into the Bahrain market on Wednesday.

The project has been established as a joint venture between VLCC Group in India and Al Fanar Investment Holding, Bahrain.

The first centre, established in Zinj at a cost of more than BD500,000, was opened yesterday by Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) chairman Dr Essam Fakhro.

Al Fanar chairman Abdulnabi Al Sho'ala said he is proud to see the centre being established as an Indo-Bahraini joint venture.

"We hope to establish around 10 VLCC centres in different parts of Bahrain," he told a Press conference at the Zinj premises.

"VLCC is a leading scientific slimming, skin and hair care brand in India, the UAE and Muscat.

"Its arrival in Bahrain will prove a great boon to our people. A recent study has revealed that more than 60 per cent of the Bahraini population are either obese or overweight."

With over 150 centres and more than a million customers, VLCC has achieved an iconic status, and is easily the biggest and the most recognised wellness brand to have emerged out of the Indian sub-continent, said VLCC Group of Companies chairman and managing director Mukesh Luthra.

"To tackle the growing epidemic of obesity, which is often labelled a silent killer, VLCC has revolutionised weight loss and weight management solutions through its highly-effective scientific and safe, lifestyle modification based weight management solutions and the therapeutic approach of its beauty services," he added.

"Its unique holistic approach works without any appetite suppressants, medication, crash diets, food supplements or invasive surgeries."

VLCC employs more than 10,000 people.

At VLCC every weight-loss plan is customised, said VLCC International chief executive officer Sandeep Ahuja.

"Every client is given a tailor-made realistic programme, which is mindful of cultural eating patterns and individual lifestyles," he said.

According to Luthra, VLCC opened an institute in India to offer beauty and nutrition courses four years ago.

"Currently, we have 35 campuses, which have enrolled more than 40,000 students," he said. "We hope to open an institute in Bahrain very shortly."

In 2006, VLCC opened its first centre in the Middle East in Dubai.

The VLCC Group, a $150m company, currently operates eight wellness centres in the UAE and one in Muscat. The Group aims to operate 35 centres across the region by 2010.-TradeArabia News Service