Fawazi Al Shehabi, a senior executive from the Arabian Exhibition Management (AEM), told the 24X7 News the 21st show would expect 70,000 visitors as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia observe the Eid Al Adha holidays starting Wednesday. “We are expecting a great interest from our Saudi guests especially the show falls during the Eid holidays,” he added.
Last year’s show attracted over 42,500 visitors. Of the total, 23% were drawn from the region’s single largest jewellery market – Saudi Arabia, with significant support also coming from Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and other neighbouring countries.
The 21st exhibition in this prestigious annual series runs for 5 days until Saturday 20 October. Over 550 companies from 30 nations are participating this year, spanning over a total floor area of 16,500 square metres. Collectively, they form the largest display of precious gems, finished jewellery and luxury watches in the Middle East.
“Jewellery Arabia celebrates 21 years of service to the world’s jewellery industry in 2012. Since its launch in 1992, this highly influential exhibition has united thousands of exhibitors with buyers in the Middle East, provided a perfect market entry point for hundreds of new companies and served as an important showcase for a countless number of collections and latest trends in the Arab world,” Arabian Exhibition Management’s Chief Executive Officer Stephen Key, in a statement earlier said.
“Jewellery Arabia 2012 is set to build upon its reputation as the Middle East’s premier jewellery exhibition with a spectacular array of high-end brands, exclusive designers and quality fashion-led manufacturers and retailers,” he added.