Under the gracious patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, Sheikh Khaled Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Seaports and Customs, today inaugurated the 43rd edition of the Middle East Watch and Jewelery Show at Sharjah Expo Centre.

Sheikh Khaled Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi toured the various pavilions at the show, which will be held until October 7th with support from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Over 500 exhibitors are taking part in the event including the most prominent jewelry and watches makers and designers of as well as world-renowned international brands in the field of worked gold, diamonds, precious stones, pearls, watches, and more.

Following his tour, Sheikh Khaled Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi engaged with a number of exhibitors and officials of the national pavilions partaking at the show. Many countries considered leaders in the field of watch-making and jewellery are participating in this edition of the show, including India, Hong Kong, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Lebanon. In addition, prominent companies and famous brands are represented at the event from the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, and Taiwan, along with tens of Emirati companies.

During the tour, Sheikh Khaled Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, accompanied by His Excellency Abdullah bin Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, viewed the latest designs and innovations in watches and jewelery and the latest lines in fashion and contemporary designs. They praised the success of the show in attracting several new exhibitors, foreign pavilions, and the best international brands active in the field of the design and trade of fine watches and jewellery across the globe.

Commending the event, Sheikh Khaled Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi said that the scale of participation in the show affirms the standing and growing importance of the event to international companies seeking to expand and boost their presence in the UAE and the region. He also commended the excellent organization and the level of sophisticated services provided by Expo Centre Sharjah to exhibitors and visitors alike. Sheikh Khaled Bin Abdullah Bin Sultan Al Qasimi noted that the success of the event reflects Sharjah’s commitment to bolstering its reputation and position as a leading economic hub for trade, business, and investment in various sectors.

The opening ceremony of the Show, which was held across an area of 30,000 square meters, was attended by members of the Sharjah Chamber Board of Directors, in addition to a numerous government officials, official figures, members of the diplomatic community, businessmen, and representatives of the gold and jewelery sector.

His Excellency Abdullah bin Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that the Watch and Jewelery Show is one of the most significant economic events that contribute substantially to fostering competition in the gold, jewellery, and watches industry in the UAE and its importance on the global trade map. This is further asserted by the fact that the UAE accounts for 14% of the world’s gold trade, with the country’s gold trade volumes growing to AED 244.3 billion in 2016.

Al Owais added that Sharjah is a hub for jewellery and watches trade regionally, which bolsters the commitment of top jewellery and watches manufacturers, designers, traders and international brands to participate in the event due to its strong connection to the retail sector and a broad segment of consumers in the region. Additionally, Al Owais said that the market’s prominence strengthens and expands industry players’ presence in the domestic and regional markets, enabling them to gain financial returns from this vital sector.

Al Owais added that the show enhances the UAE’s reputation as one of the primary regional and international centers for the trade of gold, jewellery, watches, and pearls. This is reflected in the sector’s growing trade activity, in addition to the increase in the number of businessmen and companies manufacturing jewellery in Sharjah and the UAE. Jewelers benefit from the UAE’s blossoming economy, with the nation being considered a favorable destination for international tourists and that enjoys the region’s fastest growth rate.

In turn, Al Midfa said that a wide segment of the public eagerly awaits each edition of the show to discover the latest lines of luxury jewelery, unique watches, precious stones, and diamond products. Visitors also benefit from the opportunity the event provides to shop at enticing prices from the world’s top designers of jewellery and watches. Design houses and makers participating in the show offer a large and high-quality selection of masterpieces marked by precision and skillful design, catering to all tastes.

Al Midfa added that the region is known for its interest in luxurious and precious jewellery and watches which represent an essential part of people’s lifestyles and tastes. This plays a vital role in increasing the desire to own the latest in luxury products and unique designs available in the market. The region’s appetite for unique jewellery and watches has in turn boosted the show’s importance and continued growth, making it one of the most significant events hosted by Expo Centre Sharjah, and garnering considerable attention from major companies, trademarks, businessmen, and consumers. The show is being held amid expectations that the UAE’s luxury goods market will grow from USD 3.18 billion in 2004 to USD 8.98 billion by the end of the current decade.

Al Midfa also noted that Expo Centre Sharjah provides visitors of this edition of the Watches and Jewellery Show with the opportunity to win a Mercedes Benz, 2 kg gold ingots, and diamond rings with each purchase valued at AED 500. In addition, the show allows the region’s jewellery enthusiasts to enjoy a wide selection of seasonal prizes, as well as to view a wide range of the latest jewellery collections.

Al Midfa added, For the first time, Emirati designers are having their pavilion at the show, showcasing both Arabian as well as modern and contemporary designs, and marking their foray into a field that is vital to the regional economy and lifestyle.