Prominent Qatari entrepreneur and jeweller Hussain Alfardan has said the response to the 15th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE), which concluded yesterday, exceeded his company's expectations and they had enough reasons to be happy about the latest show.
"Earlier, we had some doubts whether the ongoing situation in the Gulf would have any negative impact on the exhibition. However, the good support provided by the country's regular clientele turned the event into a good success towards the end," said Alfardan, who is regarded as one of the topmost jewellers and pearl collectors across the Gulf region.
Terming the event as one of the best organised jewellery shows ever in the region, the veteran businessman had no doubt it could be possible only owing to the remarkably good marketing done by the organisers, notably the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and the participating companies, including his own Alfardan Jewellery.
"We carried out an extensive marketing exercise before the event and there was a sharp rise in the overall participation of jewellers from across the world,'' he said while adding that many newcomers were present in this year's festival as well. The jeweller said though the event had a slow start, so many customers flocked to the pavilions after the first two days.
The expert jeweller who has witnessed many jewellery events across the world rated DJWE as one among the best. "In terms of the number of brands taking part, this exhibition may perhaps emerge as the highest ever," said Alfardan who also felt it would have been better if the show was held at least two to three weeks earlier. He said owing to the clash of dates, some of the regulars had to choose either between Doha and Bangkok. "However, we are happy that even jewelleries from Bangkok and Hong Kong ensured their participation here to make the Doha event a success."
Now, after the event, owing to an extremely crowded schedule, jewellers have to virtually rush to Hong Kong where the show is starting in a couple of days from now, he said.
While thanking the customers for their patronage, the veteran jeweller said the success of the expo has showed that Qatar's economy is stable, and strong and it has been possible only owing to the farsightedness and directives of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
The experienced jeweller also had a word of praise for the watch makers present at the exhibition. "Whoever brought innovative and creative pieces attracted good response from the buyers here," he said while highlighting the necessity of bringing newer designs in the highly competitive industry.