The 46th Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show being held in Sharjah was inaugurated by H. E. Sheikh Salem Bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the office of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, yesterday, in the presence of senior government officials, SCCI board members, diplomats, jewellery executives and industry representatives. The show runs from April 2 to April 6 at the Expo Centre in Sharjah.

The show features more than 500 master jewellers from more than 20 countries and is spread over 30,000 sq m and offers a wide range of gold and diamond jewellery from across the world. There are a number of National Pavilions that house individual companies from Japan, Hong Kong-China, India, Italy, Malaysia, Lebanon, Turkey, Thailand, Singapore and China. Canadian jewellers are participating in the show for the first time.

The bi-annual exhibition in the country having the highest disposable income per capita in the region and the highest concentration of ultra-rich residents, with its billionaire population jumping by more than 30% in one year, provides visitors, including many from other parts of the world, the opportunity to buy directly from manufacturers.

HE Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, Expo Centre CEO, said: “Besides being a major platform for the region's gold, jewellery and watches trade, the Watch and Jewellery Show has become an increasingly attractive destination for leading international companies, brands, traders and designers seeking to enhance their presence in the region.”

Speaking soon after the inauguration, H.E. Abdullah bin Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and Expo Centre Sharjah said, “In 2018, gold had lost some of its luster due to market headwinds. But that is changing now. 2019 has taken off well for the gold and diamond jewellery industry in the region, and with the precious metal forecast to regain its shine in the next few months, the Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show is set to trigger an upswing for the jewellery industry.”

Pic courtesy: 46th Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show