Jewellery and watches show opens with many new exhibitors

 By Ramesh Mathew/Staff Reporter

The Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), which this year reached a milestone of completing a decade of existence, got off to a glittering start yesterday.

The who-is-who in the jewel industry and several top  watch makers will meet their customers in the next six days in Doha, turning the city into a global centre of  jewellery trade.  

Prime Minister and Foreign Minister HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani inaugurated the expo at the Doha Exhibitions Centre.

Later QTA chairman Issa al-Mohannadi and representatives of the local business houses that are taking part in the  show jointly cut a cake to mark its decennial celebrations. The exhibition, attracting participation of more than 530 international and regional brands, will be open to the public from 12 noon today, running until March 3.

The event, hosted by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and sponsored by QNB, is the first international exhibition of its kind in the 2013 global jewel and watches business calendar, with at least 10 of them following the Doha expo in coming months.

The participation of international brands in the Doha show has been growing significantly yearly and the event  has become one of the most sought-after sale points at the global level for the makers of jewels and limited edition and made-against-order watches.

Besides most of the regulars who have been participating over the years, this year’s expo has attracted 10% new participants compared to the last edition, according to the organisers. They said the exhibition has grown to become the third largest of its kind since its beginning in 2004.

One of the major attractions is the arrival of Christie’s from London and Matis Jewellery which aim to establish a firm footing in the country’s jewel business.

QTA chairman al-Mohannadi said the country’s tourism authorities were working to promote Qatar as a top-notch business, meetings, conferences and exhibitions centre. “The  exhibition would go a long way in putting Doha at the centre of innovation in jewellery and watches design, and its successful hosting underlines QTA’s determination to showcasing world-class gems and watches to visitors and residents alike.”

Among the major exhibitors from Qatar this year are Alfardan Jewellery, Ali Bin Ali Group, Al Majed Jewellery, Al Muftah Jewellery, Amiri Gems, Fifty One East, Ghadah Jewellery/Al Manara Trading, Blue Salon, Al Jaber Watches, Pari Gallery, Marzooq Al Shamlan & Sons,  Al Majed Pearls/Dar Al Majid Jewellery, Royal Jewellery, Matis Jewellery, Versailles Jewellery, Wazni Jewellery, Doha Marketing Services Co and Safana Jewellery.

International brands featuring in the show include Mouawad Jewellery, Al Zain Trading, Graff/Qatar Marketing  and Christie’s Jewellery.

The show will be open to the public between 12 noon and 10pm. On Friday it will be held between 4 and 10pm.