UAE No1 watch importer in Middle East

This was announced by luxury Swiss watch manufacturer Baume & Mercier at a press conference in Dubai.

The UAE ranked number 11 worldwide followed by Saudi Arabia at number 15 as Swiss watches have shown a remarkable surge in sales during 2005, according to the Federation of Swiss Watch Industry FH.

Speaking to reporters at the Fairmont Hotel in Dubai to mark the launch of a special limited edition watch range, Baume & Mercier CEO, Michel Nieto remarked,

"Swiss watch exports for the year 2005 totalled AED 36.03 billion (US$9.82 billion) establishing a new record and surpassing by 10.9% the already high levels of 2004."

The GCC region has been experiencing economic expansion at a fast pace offering significant business potential for the luxury watch segment.

"We have been operating in this market for several years together with our partners Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and see a lot of potential for developing our business in the prosperous and growing markets of the region," Mr. Nieto said.

Speaking on behalf of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, COO, Mohammed Seddiqi said, "The UAE caters not only to the local market but to a large number of business and leisure visitors as well explaining the country's strong position in the international watch industry."

Mr. Seddiqi underlined that the event marked the launch of a limited edition watch range comprising 150 exclusive pieces that were designed by Baume & Mercier's Paris-born design director, Alexandre Peraldi. "I conceived the idea of a complicated skeleton watch during a conversation with Michel in Switzerland and we decided to donate a significant percentage of the proceeds from the sale of this watch to charity.

"These watches, specially designed to champion a noble cause, are available at our outlets in Dubai. Through our products, we are honoured to play a key role in offering our assistance to Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, the humanitarian organization that provides quality education, therapy and other services to children with Special Needs," said Mr. Seddiqi.

Mr. Ahmed Khoory of Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, said: "We are indeed overwhelmed by the noble gesture by both the companies. We are optimistic that this donation will strengthen our existing facilities at the special care centre. The Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre is grateful to both the sponsors for making such elaborate arrangements for us."

The special care centre provides quality education and therapy services. These include a special education curriculum for all classes as well as Speech-Language, Physio and Occupational Therapy. The centre also offers weekly classes for music, art, music therapy, swimming, after-school dance and yoga sessions.

The 176-year-old Geneva-based Baume & Mercier has been associated with several such initiatives and is well known for championing worthy causes around the world.

Baume & Mercier, present in 75 countries, currently enjoys regular sales growth in all its markets. The company gives extraordinary focus to design because of which there is an authenticity to each and every model that is recognisable as distinctively Baume & Mercier, even though every model is different.