IJD 2004 closes on high note

The show was over 100 per cent larger than last year's show, making IJD the largest jewellery in the Middle East.

"Initial feedback from exhibitors, trade visitors and the public alike was very favourable, with exhibitors reporting increased business activity, while trade visitors and consumers were impressed by the quality and variety of the exhibits on show," said DWTC Director General Helal Saeed Khalfan Al Marri.

"The success of IJD reflects Dubai's increasing profile as a major player in the worldwide jewellery trade and the show's position as the premier platform for the jewellery industry in the region. Participation at IJD gives international and regional exhibitors access to buyers from the Middle East, Africa and the Indian sub-continent," he added.

"IJD 2004 was extremely well organised considering the expansion it has undergone", said Rajesh Mehta of Supergems. "A lot of effort has gone in and even though a few things need looking at, overall we are very happy and think the show is fantastic," Mr. Mehta added.

Similar comments came from HRD (Antwerp Diamond Centre) who put together the Belgian Pavilion at the show: "We had some incredible numbers visiting our pavilion and the show was a huge success. We would like to participate at next year's show and look forward to greater success."

Karim Merchant, Managing Director, Pure Gold said: "This was Pure Gold's debut at the International Jewellery Dubai, and to make good use of this unique platform, we launched our all new Pure Sparkle range. The experience was very encouraging and the response by visitors very positive. Our Pure Sparkle range was well received by consumers and trade delegates, which was aptly reported by the local newspapers in the business sections. As for the exhibition, the standard of organisation, the quality of visitors and the logictical support that we received from the ground team of organisers, was all very positive and we are certain to return to IJD... with an even better presence."

Representatives from Scavia and Graff, both of whom were part of the Branded Jewellery Section which was featured for the first time this year were pleased with the results. They were satisfied with both the number of visitors and the quality of the trade visitors and buyers who attended.

Royal visitors, VIPs and other dignitaries were among those who visited the exhibition, which posted an over 100 per cent increase in the number of exhibitors - 454 this year as opposed to 225 last year, and an over 65 per cent increase in the nett space taken up - 8,311 sq m this year which is up from 5,000 sq m last year.

There was also a surge in worldwide interest, with the participation of many big names for the first time. An Italian Pavilion with 27 companies and one from Taiwan made their debut at IJD 2004, while pavilions from countries with traditionally strong representations like Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Thailand and Turkey all made their presence felt this year too.

In addition there was a far greater number of sightholders - diamond buyers and manufacturers - participating at the show, an indication of the growing profile of the show worldwide. Among the big names represented were Aspeco, Livingstone, Rosy Blue, Supergems, Tache, Intergems-Claes, SDE and AMC.

The Diamond Trading Company (DTC), the London-based rough diamond sales arm of the De Beers Group, presented a dedicated Diamond Day at IJD where they hosted international and local members of the diamond industry to an event that offered them significant opportunities to further support the escalating growth of the diamond market in the Gulf region.

The Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, an association of over 550 members, featured a pavilion that hosted 11 leading jewellery manufacturers from the UAE, in a move that was designed to highlight the capabilities of the local market and launch Dubai as a manufacturing destination on the world stage as opposed to just being a trading hub.

The record-breaking edition of IJD featured a wide range of premier products reflecting the latest trends in the industry as well as exhibits that include cut and uncut gemstones, gold, platinum and silver jewellery, gem-set, precious and semi-precious jewellery, precious stones, semi-precious stones, bullion, antique jewellery, branded costume jewellery, branded watches and clocks, silverware, part-finished jewellery, packaging and display materials and manufacturing tools and machinery.