The 15th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) got off to a rousing start at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center on Wednesday.

HE the Minister of Economy and Commerce Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim bin Mohamed al-Thani inaugurated the 6-day expo that features nearly 490 brands drawn from across the world.

Held under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa al-Thani, this year's exhibition features almost all widely acclaimed brands of jewels and watches.

Soon after the inauguration, HE Sheikh Ahmed, accompanied by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) officials, members of the organising committee and leading participants of the show, toured the stalls spread across a number of pavilions at the sprawling venue.

Organised by the QTA and delivered by Auditoire, the expo is open to visitors daily between 12noon and 10pm until February 26. On Friday, the event will be open between 4pm and 10pm.

Held uninterrupted for the 15th successive year, the DJWE has the presence of the country's premium jewellers including Alfardan Jewellery, Ali Bin Ali, Al Majed Jewellery and Watches, Amiri Gems, Fifty One East, AlMuftah Jewellery, Pari Gallery and many others.

QTA's director of exhibitions Ahmed al-Obaidli said “we are extremely happy to host the latest edition of the DJWE and are proud that the exhibition is now one of the most keenly anticipated events of Qatar’s annual calendar of major events. Apart from positioning Qatar as a topnotch business destination, the expo has helped attract industry experts and professionals from across the world and it plays a key role in supporting local talent and companies.”

Al-Obaidli said HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister’s patronage of the exhibition is a clear expression of the government’s commitment towards developing the country’s tourism sector through supporting and sponsoring exhibitions that are major platforms for business events contributing to achieving the objectives of the national tourism sector strategy.”

As part of the exhibition’s commitment to nurturing local talent and creativity, this year’s expo has a section for the Young Qatari Designers (YQDs) Initiative. The designers include Nada al-Sulaiti (Hairaat); Nouf al-Meer (Nouf Jewellery); Ghada al-Buainain; Leila Abu Issa (Leila Issam Fine Jewellery); Shikha Mohamed (Al Ghla Jewellery); and Jawaher & Hissa Mohamed al-Mannai (Ghand Jewellery).

The Young Qatari Designers (YQDs) initiative, under the patronage of HE the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, was launched last year as part of QTA’s efforts to support local talent.

To promote the local designers, the DJWE has partnered with AlBahie, Qatar’s first auction house to host a charity auction to benefit the Education Above All, a global initiative, launched by HH Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser.

To mark its 15th edition, the expo will host the first Watches and Jewellery Forum this year, sponsored by Fifty One East. The event will be a new initiative to highlight jewellery designers’ role in refining the jewellery and gem industry, in both local and international markets.

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