Over 55,000 visitors from 48 countries attended the 27th edition of the Middle East's premier jewellery and watch exhibition, Jewellery Arabia 2018, marking a 9% increase on the previous event.
Jewels, gems and watches worth over US$ 1 billion went on display at the glittering five-day exhibition staged across 21,000 square meters at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
A total of 561 exhibitors from 31 countries converged to launch new product lines, display latest collections and introduce limited edition pieces to discerning private buyers and trade professionals.
Total sales during the show exceeded US$ 31 million, marking a 20% increase on the 2017 edition.
"A healthy increase in attendee numbers, coupled with sustained participation from exhibitors and strong sales reflects Jewellery Arabia's continuing strength in the Middle East and its position as a leading event in the global industry calendar," said show organiser UBM AEM's Director of Sales and Marketing Fawzi Al Shehabi.
"We look forward to building on this success at the next edition of the show set to place from 19 - 23 November 2019 in Bahrain," he continued.
Visitors from Saudi Arabia – the Middle East's largest market – accounted for 23% of the show total.
Major exhibitor Bahrain Jewellery Centre's Managing Director Dina Shirazi described the Bahrain market as "refined", adding, "this event is an amazing show for us and we look forward to it every year."
Visiting the show, DMCC Executive Chairman Ahmed Bin Sulaymen remarked, "I am beginning to understand why Jewellery Arabia is the most successful and biggest jewellery exhibition in the Middle East. I will be attending this exhibition every year from now on."
The exhibition was inaugurated on 20 November 2018 by the show patron His Royal Highness the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.
In his inaugural address, the Prime Minister emphasised the Bahrain government's full support for the Jewellery Arabia series and the importance of the gold and jewellery sector to the local economy.
He expressed his admiration for the high value of the exhibition and stressed that Jewellery Arabia has become a milestone in the gold and jewellery industry both regionally and internationally.
Speaking at the opening the Prime Minister said, "The gold and jewellery industry is a genuine Bahraini heritage, and we are very proud of the reputation of Bahraini gold jewellery in the region and neighbouring countries. We are keen to support this industry and preserve it in a way that maintains its historic and long-standing status."
His Excellency the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani affirmed that the exhibition industry plays an important role in achieving the Ministry's strategic objectives and economic vision as it seeks to strengthen Bahrain's position as a country that embraces investments and international projects at all levels.
A dazzling display of classic and contemporary design, a huge range of finished jewellery, timepieces, precious gems, clocks, fine writing instruments, luxury accessories and more from around the globe went on sale at Jewellery Arabia 2018.
Returning participants included world famous watch and jewellery houses, including major brand names. Many of these high profile international exhibitors used the event as a platform to introduce exclusive collections and limited edition pieces to the Middle East collectors' market.
Complementing these iconic brands were 7 national groups from leading jewellery export countries. They included returning delegations of the finest retailers, designers and manufacturers from Hong Kong, India, Lebanon, Singapore and Thailand.
A pavilion of flagship jewellers from Russia made their debut at Jewellery Arabia 2018, introducing the very best designs and craftsmanship inherent in the works of jewellers from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yakutsk and other cities to a Middle Eastern audience.
Jewellery Arabia 2018 also turned the spotlight on independent designers and leading manufacturers from Bahrain who are breathing new life into jewellery-making traditions through their customised collections.
During the course of the show visitors were offered free gem and jewellery education opportunities by the world's foremost authority on gemmology, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and the Bahrain Institute for Pearls and Gemstones (DANAT).
