International jewellers eye glittering Mid East market

Kuwait witnessed the largest growth of 28%, Saudi Arabia - the Gulf's largest market - 23%, the UAE 21%, Bahrain 20% Oman 18% and Qatar five percent.

In addition, the rising gold sales at regional duty free outlets, Dubai Duty Free - up by 40%, Kuwait Duty Free up 21% and Abu Dhabi up 14.08%, has made the region very attractive to global jewellers.

Many international jewellery brands will launch their latest designs at Middle East Exclusive, the region's only trade exhibition for the luxury goods, duty-free and travel retail industry, which will be held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from November 29 to December 1.

Trade visitors will be able to see a wide range of gold and silver jewellery designs ranging from jewellery targeted at younger customers, to fine jewellery for the connoisseur.

M. Frey Wille, the internationally-renowned Austrian enamel jewellery manufacturer, will launch its latest Hommage á Hundertwasser collection at the show.

The 'Hommage á Hundertwasser' collection, dedicated to the 20th century Austrian painter, architect and philosopher, Friedenreisch Hundertwasser, is inspired by his art works and features two jewellery sets - Spiral of Life and Street-rivers.

"The Hundertwasser jewellery collection is not only visually brilliant, it is also a tribute to his distinctive works of art," said Dr. Friedrich Wille, CEO and President, Frey Wille.

The Spiral of Life design set is inspired by the spiral - one of the main motifs in Hundertwasser's artistic universe. For him, it was the symbol of life and death and creation and destruction because unlike the circle, the spiral never returns to its own point of origin.

Street-rivers, is based on his second great passion after painting - architecture. Buildings designed by the artist are among the most frequently visited attractions in Europe and architectural elements such as houses, windows and fences recur in Hundertwasser's paintings.

Monaco-based Zeades, which uses sterling silver and multi-coloured Italian leather, will present some of its latest creations at the show. The company, on its first visit to the Middle East, is targeting local distributors, airlines and duty-free outlets for its unique products.

"We see Middle East Exclusive as the place to establish new business contacts in the fast-growing regional market," said Frederic Brega, Managing Director, Zeades.

Meanwhile, Turkey's Goldas, which produces licensed silver accessories for Walt Disney, Warner Bros, Lord of the Rings, Garfield, Barbie, Spider Man, NBA, Finding Nemo, Pink Panther, and their own licensed silver accessories Love Sign, Berr, To Remember and 4 Best Friends, will present some of its latest collections at the show.

These are in addition to the licensed sports collection for many leading European clubs such Chelsea, Arsenal (England), Bayer Leverkusen Germany) and PSV Eindhoven (The Netherlands).

"This year around 150 exhibitors across product categories, including fragrances, jewellery, gift and fashion items, to luxury confectionery, fine food and tobacco goods will be at the show," said Justin Boutros, Managing Director, Channels Exhibitions, organisers of Middle East Exclusive.

Meanwhile buyers from over 49 countries in five continents have pre-registered for the show with its website www.middleeastexclusive.com registering a significant increase in traffic. The 2003 show attracted 1,730 trade visitors from 79 countries.

Middle East Exclusive is a trade-only show held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai and Chairman of Emirates Group and supported by Dubai Duty Free and the Middle East Duty Free Association.