Sharjah jewellery show banks on cheaper gold, 50% bigger space

In response to growing market demand, and anticipating better consumer response due to low gold prices, the MidEast Watch & Jewellery will show bigger and better this time.

The 39th MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show will be 50 per cent bigger in terms of size and sharp drop in gold prices is expected to generate greater buyer response, according to its organiser - Expo Centre Sharjah.
"The sharp decline in gold prices has definitely generated interest among buyers of gold and diamond jewellery. And, if the prices stay low and fluctuate less, the MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show will be a real delight for jewellery buyers," Expo Centre Sharjah chief executive officer Saif Mohammed Al Midfa said in a statement.
Local media reports reveal gold's biggest price decline in over five years has boosted buying interest with customers across the GCC.
The price of gold has dropped significantly and a broadly strengthening dollar has kept a lid on prices as the currency has an inverse relation with gold.
Diamond price too has lost its glitter a bit in the first half of the year, with the industry, until recently one of the very few to escape a trend of falling commodity prices, seeing rough diamond prices tumbling 3.4 per cent in the period.
Prices for the precious stones have fallen 9.4 per cent in the past year, according to the recently launched Zimnisky Global Rough Diamond Price Index.
"In response to growing market demand, and anticipating better consumer response due to low gold prices, the MidEast Watch & Jewellery will be bigger and better this time. The show will fully occupy all the six halls at Expo Centre Sharjah at 30,000sqm, as against the past edition's 20,000sqm.
Connoisseurs will be excited to know that they can find gold and diamond jewellery from across the world brought exclusively for them by more than 500 exhibitors," Midfa said.
"Moreover, the show will also be a curtain raiser to the landmark 40th edition of the MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show scheduled to be held at Expo Centre from April 5 to 9, 2016," he added.
The five-day event will showcase gold & diamond jewellery, diamonds, precious stones, pearls and watches from leading jewellers based in Bahrain, Brazil, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA and Yemen.
During the show, visitors can look forward to special deals on high-value purchases, National Pavilions from India, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore & Italy, customisation opportunities and other offers.
Another special attraction will be the daily raffle draw that offers fabulous prizes. On every purchase of Dh500, visitors will have the chance to qualify for raffle draw. The Hong Kong Pavilion will also give away prizes to visitors.
The show will be held from 6 to 10 October 2015 at Expo Centre Sharjah and the timings will be from 12 noon to 10pm daily, except Friday, 9th October. Friday it will be open from 4 to 10pm. There will also be an exclusive "ladies only" session which is from 12 noon to 4pm on Wednesday 7th October. Admission is free to all.
- abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com