IN ONE of its best ever feats, the MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show, held at Expo Centre Sharjah from April 29 to May 3, notched up a record visitor turnout and excellent exhibitor satisfaction.

During its five-day run, the 36th edition of the event saw 57,503 visitors showing up against the previous edition’s 46,484, an impressive rise of close to 24 per cent.

“We haven’t seen such a quantum leap in visitor turnout for the MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show in the recent past. Our pro-active engagement with the target audience coupled with low gold prices and the continuing allure of gem stones have resulted in the surge. Exhibitor feedback too has been excellent and this is sure to reflect in a high retention rate of the show,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.

“Exhibitors were ecstatic due to the steady footfalls throughout the entire expo with the last two days being particularly busy including the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya on May 2 when Indians thronged the venue to buy gold.

“We have been a regular at MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show since 1996 when it used to be held in a tent at the old expo. We have never missed an event since then. It goes without saying that we are highly satisfied being part of this successful show,” said Jamil Dimachkie, general manager, Amwaj Jewellery LLC.

“This is the best show in the Middle East. It is also the oldest and the most prestigious,” said Salem Al Yafei, purchase manager, Bazelt Jewellery.

Most exhibitors were unequivocal about the quality of the visitors they received at their stalls and the response they got from them.

A stall at the event which had a record visitor turnout

“The show is managed very professionally and gets quality visitors... the main reason we are participating year after year,” said Bruno Artisti, who was part of the Italian Pavilion.

Wholesalers also reported good business, which gives credence to the fact that despite being consumer-centric the show is also well regarded among trade buyers.

“The show is very popular among both jewellers and local buyers. We have been participating ever since it started and have witnessed 18 years of ongoing success,” said Rohit Dhamani, director, wholesale and manufacturing, Dhamani Jewellery.

“This year was much better than several previous editions. As wholesalers we received high-quality visitors. This edition has been a benchmark for our business for the past 12 years,” Pankaj Bhatter, sales manager, K-Star Jewels LLC, commented.

The show featured 450 jewellers from more than 20 countries, who displayed gold and diamond products, precious and semi-precious stones, pearl sets, gemstones and branded watches across 20,000 sq m of exhibition space.
 

NATIONAL PAVILIONS

National Pavilions included Hong Kong-China, India, Italy, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. They featured the biggest names in jewellery and their most exquisite and intricately crafted creations.

The Thailand Pavilion and the Ploi-Thai Fashion Show proved great attractions. The latter programme had a separate opening ceremony, keeping in mind the value it could add to the show and the instant connection it would generate with the visitors.

The fashion show featured top models from Thailand presenting creations from leading Thai manufacturers under the brand ‘Ploi-Thai’. It was organised by Vega Intertrade & Exhibition in cooperation with the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA).

The next edition is scheduled to take place from October 14 to 18 this year at Expo Centre Sharjah and is expected to attract even more exhibitors.