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The opening ceremony was followed by the presentation of the Regional Tahitian Pearl Trophy to Damas and Dhamani jewellers of UAE, and Al Zain Jewellery of Bahrain. Dhamani jewellers was the first prize winner in the ring category while Damas took the lead in the pendant category. Al Zain Jewellery, on the other hand, stood first in the brooch category. The three among others from the Middle East will participate in the International Tahitian Pearl trophy contest in Venice in September this year. The Tahitian Pearl contest takes place every two years and contestants are required to design jewellery with Tahitian pearls. The award is given for creativity and style in designing.
The MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show is a biannual event and is held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. It is organized by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).
"The MidEast Watch and Jewellery is an event that is awaited with much anticipation by the region's jewellery connoisseurs,"
said Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa after the opening ceremony.
"This edition too, consumers in the region, who have a very high affinity towards gold and diamond jewellery, will not be disappointed. The Show, keeping up with its reputation of being the Middle East's most established watch and jewellery event, is displaying a very large range of both classic and contemporary jewellery," he added.
The current edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery is hosting over 300 leading jewellers from across the globe. Countries from which a majority of the jewellers are participating in the Show include Bahrain, Hong Kong, China, India, Italy, Jordan, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, and the UAE.
Besides individual participation, the countries of India, Italy, Singapore, and Hong Kong are making their presence felt at the event through national pavilions. Hong Kong and Singapore are in fact having their largest collective participation in the Middle East.
"The current edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery is bigger, both in terms number of exhibitors as well as exhibition space," said Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General of Expo Centre Sharjah.
"This edition there has been an increase of 50% in terms of exhibition space and 33% in terms of the number of exhibitors. This is a manifestation of the fact that jewellers from across the globe perceive the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show as an ideal platform for reaching out to the region's high spending and jewellery loving consumers," he added.
Mr. Saif Al Midfa further said: "Despite the rise in gold prices, consumers in the GCC states', particularly the UAE's gold market, continue to be in high spirits. The UAE, which is the regional base of some of the world's finest jewellers and brands due to its competitive environment, stability, and infrastructure, is looked upon by the rest of the region for the latest trends and designs in gold and diamond jewellery."
A major attraction of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show this time is the year's Spring Collection that is on display. Several exhibitors, after their participation in the recently held Basel Show, are utilizing the event to showcase their season's latest collections in the region.
While continuing with its conventional focus on contemporary gold and diamond jewllery, the show is also displaying fashion jewellery, precious stones, pearl sets, crystals, watches, timepieces, jewellery displays, and different kinds of tools used in the trade.
Among the major eye catchers at the show are exquisitely crafted jewellery designs from Italy, both traditional and contemporary jewellery collections from India, affordable yet fashionable jewellery from Hong Kong and Singapore, and ethnic jewellery from Turkey.
The MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show will be open for general visitors on April 10 and 11 between 10 am and 10 pm and on April 12, 13, and 14 from 4 pm to 10 pm. It will be open exclusively for ladies on April 12 and 13 between 10 am and 4 pm.
The Show will have several added attractions including daily raffle draws for buyers of jewellery worth Dhs 500 and above, installment facility for debit and credit card holders of Mashreq Bank for purchases worth Dhs 1,000 and above, dedicated play area for children under 12 years of age, and much more.
Anne-Birte Stensgaard, Senior News Editor
