Manama: Over 600 exhibitors from 30 countries have so far signed up for the Middle East’s premier jewellery and watch exhibition, Jewellery Arabia 2014, which is set to take place from 18 – 22 November 2014 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
The five-day spectacular show will spread over an area of 18,000 square metres and on sale will be a huge range of finished jewellery, luxury timepieces, precious stones, antiques, objects d’art, jewellery packaging and technology from across the globe.
Held under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the 23rd edition of Jewellery Arabia 2014 to attract international brands and national groups and host of independent companies from all over the world, led by a selection of Bahrain’s leading jewellers.
“This exhibition has firmly established itself as the largest and most prestigious jewellery and watch event in the Middle East since its inception in 1992. This prime industry event has special significance to Bahrain. Known as the ‘Pearl of the Gulf’ due to its illustrious pearling history and strategic location, Bahrain has been a destination for traders and craftsmen from surrounding countries for more than 4,000 years. In these modern times the Jewellery Arabia series perpetuates this rich tradition of international trade and commerce by bringing together the finest jewellery houses and watch manufacturers from around the world,” the Minister of Industry and Commerce and Chairman of the Bahrain Exhibition and Convention Authority Dr. Hassan Abdulla Fakhro said, while praising the Jewellery Arabia as one of the premier events.
Eminent jewellery houses will be making a return appearance at Jewellery Arabia 2014, including major brand names. Many of these high profile international jewellery and watch brands will use the exhibition as a platform to introduce exclusive collections and limited edition pieces to the Middle East collector’s market.
Complementing these iconic brands are large national groups of retailers, designers and manufacturers from leading jewellery export countries including Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and the United Kingdom. Collectively, these groups of companies reflect the very best manufacturing capabilities, design expertise and gemmological resources that their respective countries have to offer.
“Over the last 23 years, Jewellery Arabia has steadily evolved into the single most important jewellery and watch exhibition in the Middle East. Its reputation, size, quality of exhibits and sheer variety is unique in the region. The show is seen as an essential buying event for private collectors and the trade. Extraordinary designers choose Jewellery Arabia as their sole platform in the Middle East, whilst many more use the exhibition as an opportunity to showcase exclusive and new collections. We are looking forward, in all confidence, to yet another outstanding event,” Fawzi Al Shehab, Arabian Exhibition Management’s director of sales and marketing, said.
Last year’s show attracted over 48,000 visitors. Of the total, 29% were drawn from the region’s single largest jewellery market – Saudi Arabia, with significant support also coming from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and other neighbouring countries.
To assist visitors in making informed buying choices, the world’s foremost authority on gemmology the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will conduct daily seminars at Jewellery Arabia 2014.
Free to attend and open to all, experienced GIA instructors will provide visitors with information on different facets of gems and jewellery. Topics include diamonds, coloured stones, pearls, how to read GIA grading reports and tips when purchasing jewellery.
The 10th Middle East Watches, Jewellery and Pen Awards
Further highlighting the importance of Jewellery Arabia to the Middle East jewellery and watch industry, for the 10th successive year, the Middle East Premier Awards for Watches, Jewellery and Pens will be held on the sidelines of the exhibition at the Ritz Carlton Hotel Bahrain on 18 November 2014.
Hosted by MPP ME, publishers of the industry magazine title Arabian Watches and Jewellery (AWJ), the Awards are the culmination of an online public voting system and the analysis of an elite committee comprising of watch, jewellery and pen experts.
Fostering cohesion amongst Jewellery Arabia participants whilst also acknowledging their individual contribution to the industry, the ceremony will be a star-studded event with the expected presence of specially invited dignitaries and senior professionals representing the international and regional watch, jewellery and pen industries.