MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show opens at Expo Centre Sharjah

Present at the opening ceremony of the show were Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCI), Mr. Mohammed Salem Al Mosharrekh, Board Member - Expo Centre Sharjah, Mr. Saif Al Midfa - Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah, officials of various government departments, and members of the diplomatic corps and trade associations.

The MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show is a biannual event that is held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. It is organized by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

The current edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery show, which will run till November 3, 2006, is hosting over 300 master jewellers from across the globe. A majority of the participating jewellers at the event are from Bahrain, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, USA, and the UAE.

The National pavilions from Hong Kong, India, Italy, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, also have an imposing presence at the show.

Exhibits at the show include gold and diamond jewllery, precious stones, pearl sets, watches, and jewellery displays, among others.

"The MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show is the region's longest running watch and jewellery event," said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, Chairman of SCCI.

"It has over the years become the most sought after platform by jewellers from across the world for launching new collections in the Middle East. For the region's jewellery connoisseurs, the show has become an ideal platform, not only for keeping pace with the latest trends and designs but also for acquiring the most exclusive collections of exquisite jewellery. Visitors to the current edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery can expect to be treated to the most fascinating display of intrinsically and meticulously crafted jewellery from the autumn collection,"

he added.

Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa further said that the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show was a manifestation of the strong affinity that the region's people shared towards gold and other high value jewellery.

According to the World Gold Council, within the UAE, Gold consumption stood at 25.9 tonnes in the second quarter of 2006. During this period, the value of gold sales in the country amounted to Dhs 2.3 billion.

Total gold demand in other Gulf States (Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar) stood at 10.9 tonnes. In terms of value of demand, it increased by 10 per cent in the second quarter of 2006 for the whole of the Gulf region.

Gold retail investment in bars and coins increased by 60 per cent over the same quarter in 2005.

Commenting on the growth of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show since its inception, Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah said: "The Show has witnessed a consistent growth over the years, both in terms of number of exhibitors as well as occupied space."

"This edition we are featuring first time individual participants from India, Italy, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, and also hosting pavilions from Thailand and Malaysia. Also, the Italian pavilion at the show is occupying double the space compared to the last edition," he said.

On the issue of visitor turnout, Mr. Saif Al Midfa further said: "Given that the show is considered to be the Middle East's launch pad for new jewellery collections, a majority of the visitors will be from the region. However, significant number of visitors are also expected from the Indian sub-continent, North Africa region, and CIS countries. We are expecting atleast a 15% increase in visitor turnout this time over the last edition."

The last edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show in April this year attracted a total of 38,507 visitors.

The current edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show will be open for general visitors on October 30 between 10 am and 10 pm and from October 31 - November 3 from 3 pm to 10 pm. It will be open exclusively for ladies on November 1 and 2 from 10 am to 3 pm.

A major attraction of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery show is the daily raffle draws where visitors will have the chance to win gold bars and other fabulous prizes on purchases of over Dhs. 500.