Sharjah watch and jewellery fair targets record footfall

The 36th MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show that is currently under way at Expo Centre Sharjah is heading for one of its best performance in terms of visitor turnout in the recent history of the region’s popular jewellery fair.

The five-day show, which opened on April 29 and will continue until May 3, registered a massive jump in the number of visitors on its first two days.

On Tuesday, it recorded 10,955 footfalls as against the day one of the past edition’s 8,026, a surge of 36.5 per cent. On April 30, nearly the same number of shoppers (10,993) thronged the venue, which was a 31.34 per cent rise when compared to day two of the previous show.

“Most of our shows have been seeing a massive rise in visitor turnout this year. The trend started with SteelFab (25 per cent) and International Education Show (34 per cent) and continued with almost all our shows held since then. Now, the MidEast Jewellery Show too is on the same track,” said Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO, Expo Centre Sharjah.

The show, held under the patronage of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, is featuring more than 450 exhibitors.

“The rising allure of gold and diamond jewellery is encouraging visitors to flock to the MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show. Gold prices are down more than seven per cent from their mid-March peak and hence an attractive buy for both common buyers and investors,” said Midfa.

Exhibitors are also eyeing a big spurt in sale on Friday, which is the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya when Indians buy gold. It is believed that buying gold on Akshaya Tritiya brings prosperity to the buyer and his or her wealth never gets eroded.

“An Indian doesn’t really need an excuse to buy gold but making it an auspicious practice gives the purchase some sort of a moral sanction. Apart from the regular crowds, we are expecting more Indians on Friday,” said Mohamed Amjed, project manager of the MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show.

— business@khaleejtimes.com