Prayer beads take centre stage at Gifts & Premium show

Geoff Gill, chief executive of Prime Line USA, estimates that he could double production within a year on the basis of enquiries received at the show.

And he already turns out more than 20 million 3mm beads alone, and proportionate quantities of bigger sizes.

'One the face of it, this may seem an unusual product for an American company but we have been in the business for 20 years, selling to Muslim markets in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia,' he said.

'Customers there encouraged us to look at primary Arab markets so we took space at the Gifts & Premium show for the first time. The response has been fantastic, and we now have potential distributors lined up for all the GCC countries, the Levant, and North Africa.'

Prime Line's prayer beads are manufactured in Rhode Island, USA, and assembled and distributed from the company's Manila operations in the Philippines where Gill is based.

The product range extends from simple wood and stone beads that retail for about $6 up to custom-designed assemblies in rolled gold and Swarovski crystals selling for upwards of $80.

'Design and quality are our big selling points,' says Gill. 'The market is swamped by high volumes of mass-produced beads, but we are able to offer a superior product that scores highly on appearance and feel.'

Prime Line is one of 10 Philippines-based exhibitors at Gifts & Premium, the biggest representation from any single country. More than 80 exhibitors from 12 countries are taking part in the event, up 30 per cent on last year. Countries represented are China, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Philippines, Lebanon, Mexico, South Africa, Syria, Taiwan, UK, and the UAE.

Maribeth Barros, president of Pan Europe Export and leader of the Philippines delegation, reports that all exhibitors have had a high volume of enquiries and will benefit from access to new markets in the Middle East.

'The main reason for being here is to make contacts and open up new business potential, but several of my exhibitors have closed substantial sales already and there are many more deals under negotiation,' she said.

'Word is spreading of how valuable this event is for developing new business and I'm confident that the Philippines presence will be even bigger next year.'

Gifts & Premiums opened on Sunday and closes at 8pm on Tuesday, September 19. On show are a diversity of products from high-quality corporate stationery to high-value trophies, pens, watches, and handicrafts, as well as novelty giftware and products for festive occasions.