Sharjah Jewellery Show to sparkle in signs of economic recovery

"There are positive signals all around. All the sectors of the economy are seeing visible signs of an upturn. Moreover, demand for gold has remained intact throughout the economic slump, with investor inflows being very strong in the first part of the year," said Mr Saif

Mohammed Al Midfa, Director-General of Expo Centre Sharjah. According to World Gold Council figures, identifiable investment in the first quarter of the year was up 248% on year-earlier levels. Net retail investment totalled 130.8 tonnes, up 33% on the levels of Q1 2008.

"These positive economic indicators are to reflect on the autumn edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show, preparations for which are in full swing at Expo Centre Sharjah. The upcoming show will be its 27th edition and will be held from October 21 to 31, 2009,"

said Mr Midfa.

The event will host more than 450 master jewellers from all over the world at nearly 16,000 square metres of floor space.

"We had a better-than-expected spring edition of Watch and Jewellery Show earlier this year, where it succeeded in sustaining the buyers' interest. Despite the prevailing conditions, the visitor turnout was better than the 2008 autumn edition. Exhibitors have expressed their satisfaction of the business generated during the spring show and we expect the same situation to continue for the forthcoming event," said Mr Fasahat Ali Khan, Advisor to the Chairman and Board of Directors of
Expo Centre Sharjah.

"All major foreign consultancies and ratings agencies have predicted a recovery by the fourth quarter of this year. Oil prices are rising, stock markets are doing well, construction activities are picking up, and demand is on the rise for several commodities. All these signal a
recovery, which will in turn result in increasing consumer confidence and investor sentiment," said Mr Khan.

"Being held in the middle of the fourth quarter, the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show is well positioned to benefit from this upturn," said Mr Khan.

Displays at the show will include diamonds, precious stones, loose pearls, gold and diamond jewellery, diamond and pearl sets, and watches.

Among the countries from where a majority of the individual exhibitors have confirmed participation in the event are Bahrain, China, Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the US and the UAE.

As in the previous years, country pavilions will play a significant role in attracting visitors and driving up sales at the show.

HongKong-China, India, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore will have their national pavilions this time, with the Hong Kong Pavilion set to be the biggest one with 65 confirmed exhibitors.

The second biggest pavilion will be India with 30 exhibitors, third the Italian and Lebanon pavilions with 24 exhibitors each. Singapore and Thailand will have 13 exhibitors each in their respective pavilions.

The national pavilions will be the ultimate source for the best of the traditional, ethnic as well as modern jewellery designs from these countries and will be a major crowd puller.

New participants at the show include Almas, SK Jewels, KP International, Creative Overseas,Chaudry, Trance Jewelery and Venus
Arts (from India); GMD Srl (from Italy); Diamdel (from Japan); Amber Sea of Gold (from Lithuania); Myat Jewellery (from Myanmar); Asia One, Key Gems, Imperial Jewellery, Jewel Tech International & D Garo (from Thailand); Tarzo Jewellery (from Turkey); Siroya's, Al Maha Jewelery, Phorum Jewels, Abida Jewelery (from UAE); and Design By HC and Bellina Collections (from the US).