Arab presence to add sparkle to $1b exhibition
Over 500 companies from 26 countries will deck the halls of the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre from October 14 to 18 with the very best in international and cutting-edge design to form the region’s largest display of diamond, gem-set, platinum, gold and silver jewellery and luxury watches estimated at a collective value of $1 billion.
Now in its 12th year, the Middle East’s premier jewellery exhibition is preparing for its most successful edition ever under the patronage of the Prime Minister, Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
Jewellery Arabia 2003 is the leading showcase for a huge regional market and will fully occupy both halls one and two of BIEC in addition to the newly constructed conference facility.
World-famous names add sparkle to an arena of jewellery spanning over 12,000 square metres including Cartier, Chopard, Dior, Dunhill, Luca Carati, Patek Phillipe, Piaget, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Mikimoto and Van Cleef and Arpels.
They will be joined by a host of national pavilions from Germany, India, Italy, Switzerland and Thailand.
The popular Hong Kong, China, group also returns with a record total of 56 exhibitors. This year the participants’ major focus will include high-end 14- and 18-carat diamond and gem-set jewellery in displays showcasing over 100,000 readymade pieces.
New to this year’s show is a delegation of the finest jewellers from Brazil who have developed an innovative and unique approach to jewellery design.
A strong Lebanese and GCC contingent drawn from the region’s most exclusive jewellers complement this line-up including Al Mahmood Pearls, Chaar, Damas, Devji Jewellers, Georges Hakim, Hanna Freres, Mahallati and Samra.
Also amongst them are Bahrain’s leading jewellers – Bahrain Jewellery Centre, Taqi’s Jewellery and Asia Jewellers – which will be bringing together stunning collections of famous international brands in boutique formats.
Al Ezz debuts this year with exclusive displays from Christian Dior, Reuge Music and Muguet.
Retail packaging, merchandising material and jewellery-manufacturing machinery and technology will also play an important part in the exhibition.
Last year’s show saw a record total of 22,023 jewellery-trade buyers and private collectors, with a fifth of the visitors drawn from Saudi Arabia in addition to Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, the UAE, Bahrain and other neighbouring countries.
It is estimated that the Arab passion for fine jewellery has created the world’s largest and most dynamic jewellery market worth in excess of $30 billion a year with demand ranging from simple gold designs for everyday wear to exclusive and customised pieces for social and festive occasions.
Jewellery Arabia will open from 4pm to 10 pm each day for jewellery manufacturers, importers, wholesalers, traders and retailers as well as private investors and collectors by invitation only. An exclusive ladies-only morning will be held on October 16 from 10am to 1pm.
© Bahrain Tribune 2003
