The International Jewellery & Watch Show (JWS) being held in the UAE capital under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Fatima Bint Mubarak, Mother of the Nation, opened yesterday in Abu Dhabi, with exhibitors reporting encouraging response.
The show was inaugurated by H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade. Over 100 exhibitors from 15 countries are participating in the newly branded event which features some of the finest jewellery and watch collections from around the world. Brazil, India, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Lebanon and Thailand are hosting pavilions at the show which is organised by Reed Exhibitions Middle East.
Addressing the media at the opening H.E. Sheikha Lubna said: ”Jewellery sales in the Gulf region are increasing every year. The UAE’s jewellery industry has grown by leaps and bounds and leading jewellery and watch brands have a presence here. The UAE also has representation across the value-chain of the jewellery trade including design, manufacturing, re-exports as well as retail sales”.
In a statement released earlier, H.E. Sheikha Lubna said: "Events such as JWS bring about huge benefits including boosting trade, attracting investments and supporting the overall economy, while raising the profile of the country as a tourism and business destination."
Speaking on the opening day of JWS, Salem Al Shueibi, Chairman of Salem Al Shueibi jewellers said the company’s stand at the show has doubled in size to 650 square metres from the last edition. “We are very positive about the potential in the market despite global conditions which are affecting other markets. The jewellery trade here has progressed rapidly and is now a reference point for all countries with the UAE having a number of outlets that compete on quality”.
Bilal Mustafa AlKhaled, Deputy General Manager of Mohammed Rasoul Khoory & Sons LLC said: “Competition has energized the jewellery market and unlike the early days when products made in Italy were regarded as the very best, jewellery manufacture of the highest quality is now a global phenomenon with the UAE being a top player in this domain”.
Clarissa Maciel, a spokesperson for the Brazilian pavilion at JWS said that she was confident that exhibitors would achieve significant benefits from their participation at the show.
According to Manish Dhamani, Director – Retail at Dhamani, a UAE-based exhibitor, “The company’s stand at the show attracted a number of high quality clients including 3 VVIP clients, one of whom purchased jewellery worth hundreds of thousands of dirhams”.
JWS is being held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. The show timings are 4 – 10 pm and concludes on Sunday 26th October.
Some of the world’s high-end jewellers and watch retailers are participating at JWS. Euro Pearls – UK, VANCOX – Brazil, Lazo Diamond Jewellery & Manufacturing S/B-Malaysia, PT Pelita-Indonesia, Diagems Exports-India, Taka Jewellery-Singapore, Sekikazu Corp Amwaj Jewellery- Japan, Dew Carat – Hong Kong and IMVIDIA & Fabio Fanfani -Italy are among the top international exhibitors at the show.
Leading jewellers from the UAE at the show include Damas, Mohammed Rasool Khoory & Sons, Samra Jewellery Co. LLC, Dhamani Jewels, Amwaj Jewellery, Al Anwaar Golden Jewellery, Jovial Watches, Gemayel Jewellery, Al Masaood Jewellery, Shattaf Jewellers LLC, Al Nahar Jewellery, Outline Marketing and Armanor.
In the conduct of JWS, Reed has drawn substantially on its global expertise in managing some of the world’s leading jewellery and watch shows including the Eclat de Mode in Paris, Bijoux, Chibidue, Chibimart Summer Business, Chibimart Winter, International Jewellery London, the JCK series of shows in Las Vegas, New Delhi and Toronto and Tokyo International Watch Fair, among others.
Reed Exhibitions have also ensured the availability of a facility for diamond testing and grading at the JWS venue provided by International Diamond Laboratories® (IDL). IDL has an established reputation for providing the diamond trade and jewellery retailers with quality reports of polished diamonds.
Hundreds of high net-worth individuals in the UAE and elsewhere in the GCC are expected to attend JWS where a line up of leading ultra-luxury brands such as Carrera, Bebegi, Baraka, Joder, Concorde and Jovial, Roberto Cavalli and Valentino Watches will be available for sale, off the shelf. In addition, the event will witness brand launches by Al Masaood Jewellery & Duncan.
