His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, who opened the 21st Jewllery Arabia Show at Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC), said that the Kingdom has had successfully steered through the economic challenges posed by the global economic trends.
“Nothing can dissuade us from carrying on our efforts to achieve the government’s development ambitions or derail our resolve to achieve growth rates that reflect positively on the citizens’ lives and living standards,” HRH Premier asserted, affirming that exhibitions are among the economic activities that have a big share in the government’s programmes, given their comprehensive positive impact on most economic sectors.
The opening was attended by the Cabinet members, members of the diplomatic corps in Bahrain, businessmen and invited guests.
The Premier, who took around the expo by visiting most of the stalls, lauded the quality, diversity of craftsmanship and passion of companies who have been in the business as long as 400 years and still showcasing their products at the Jewellery Arabia.
HRH Premier also called for the need to upgrade investment in deep-rooted genuine Bahraini industries and handicrafts in order to preserve them and promote them outside the country.
“Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) as well as tourism are among the best activities through which Bahrain’s pioneering position and competiveness in authentic crafts and industries, such as pearl and gold, can be maintained,” HRH in a statement said.
During the opening ceremony, HRH Premier cut the ribbons and declared the opening of expo in which over 550 exhibitors from 30 countries are participating.
HRH Premier toured the pavilions of eminent national and international jewellery houses, and was informed on the displayed precious gems, finished jewellery and luxury watches, as well as the latest innovations in gold and silver handicrafts.
HRH Premier pointed out that the Kingdom’s continuous success in attracting key exhibitions and economic functions testifies to its solid infrastructure and is a living proof of mega companies’ confidence in Bahrain’s investment atmosphere, pledging that the government’s support for the exhibition industry will continue unabated so as to consolidate Bahrain’s position as a hub of regional and global exhibitions, including Jewellery Arabia in which the kingdom has achieved remarkable success, and diversify revenue sources.
He also asserted that mega companies’ participation in the exhibitions hosted by the kingdom and the steady increase of the number of exhibitors reflect the distinctive investment and economic atmospheres enjoyed by the country thanks to the incentives and facilities provided by the government for investors.
HRH Premier also praised the large scale participation at Jewellery Arabia, the largest and most prestigious exhibition of jewellery and watches in the Middle East.