Exhibitors report on-site sales, deals galore as 9th IJD wraps up

"Over the years, Dubai has effectively weathered the boom-and-bust cycles that generally affect businesses elsewhere in the world and the success of IJD this year underscores the resilience of the emirate's economy and Dubai's standing as the 'city of gold' that persistently attracts the highest quality of visitors and results in remarkable business for the exhibitors," said DWTC Director General, Mubarak bin Fahad.

He noted that the DWTC as event organisers and venue managers played a very supportive role for the industry and provided the best services to the participating exhibitors and trade visitors as well as consumers visiting the event.

Mr. bin Fahad expressed gratitude to His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Minister of Defence for visiting the show. "Sheikh Mohammed's tour provided encouragement to the exhibitors and a momentum to the show as it resulted in a substantial increase in visitors particularly UAE nationals over the next three days."

Participating exhibitors rated the event as the ideal platform for the jewellery industry in the region. "This is undoubtedly the most important jewellery show in the area," said Mohammed Nasser, General Manager, Al Fardan - UAE. "Our participation has helped us identify the latest trends and prices in the market as well as meet traders, dealers and manufacturers who come to visit the show from all over the Middle East, Europe and the Indian sub-continent," he said. "The conference, which was held alongside the show, demonstrated the growing stature of this event," Mr. Nasser remarked.

"This was a very good show in context of the present economic conditions worldwide. We received several trade enquiries and appreciate the efforts of organisers in maintaining the professional profile of the event," said Ms. Zeina Breidy, Assistant Manager, Nabil Cheaib Collection. "It is the excellent quality of trade visitors that draws us to the show time and again. We have been regular exhibitors for the last four years and are looking forward to participating at the next show," she said. "The most significant part of our participation is that we managed to touch base with our repeat customers including trade and public, which confirms that jewellery enthusiasts wait for the event to make their purchases," Ms. Breidy observed.

Signity used IJD as a launch pad for their collection of gemstones titled Melee Collection that received an excellent response. "We have finalised deals with 12 traders and a number of serious enquiries have resulted through our participation," said Gerhard Moser, Managing Director of the company. "The quality and number of visitors at the exhibition has been overwhelming in defiance of all hindrances that could have otherwise affected the show," he said.

"IJD has indisputably established itself as the key exhibition in the Middle East region and the conference this year emphasises the efforts of the organisers in providing an added professional dimension to the event," Mr. Moser remarked.

"Since Dubai is the hub of the gem and jewellery industry in the Middle East, IJD gives us the opportunity to meet traders and suppliers from all over the Middle East and North Africa," said Manish Dhamani of Dhamani Group of Companies who have their offices in India, Thailand and Dubai. "The emirate offers enormous potential, and IJD helps us meet the right people, which in turn assists us in penetrating the Middle Eastern market," he said. The Dhamani Group recorded excellent sales and received a regular flow of visitors to their stands to buy jewellery.

Roland Reimann, Technical Director, Seltsam Sohn of Germany who specialise in jewellery manufacturing equipment said, "The quality of visitors has been improving with every passing year and the ever-growing Middle East jewellery market brings numerous enquiries for our equipment." "We have signed quite a few contracts and received numerous enquiries during the show and I must commend DWTC's efforts of taking this show to further professional heights by arranging the gemological conference during the show," he said.

The IJD attracted strong representation from all over the world, with over 225 exhibitors from countries such as France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, India, Italy, Lebanon, Turkey and the United Kingdom among others taking part.