Khaleej Times

Time for some serious bling

The five-day 40th MidEast Watch & Jewellery show opens at the Expo Centre Sharjah.

- Abdul Basit — abdulbasit@khaleejtim­es.com

sharjah — The 40th edition of the MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show opened on Tuesday, with an exclusive showcase, exciting deals, prizes and a lot of other attraction­s.

Its organiser, Expo Centre Sharjah, termed it a milestone and said that it is going to be the best ever edition of the show. The five-day show was opened by Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qassimi, chairman of the Sharjah Sea Ports and Customs.

Some of the key attraction­s include the national pavilions, featuring India, Hong Kong, Italy, Lebanon, Singapore & Malaysia, Thailand and China, as well as head turners like the world’s largest gold ring (Star of Taiba) and a gold dress (Princess of Taiba). On every purchase of Dh500, visitors have the chance to qualify for a raffle draw.

The Hong Kong and Thai pavilions are also giving away prizes to visitors. Visitors can also get jewellery customised to suit their style and taste, and take home a piece of history commemorat­ing the 40th edition.

The opening ceremony was attended by Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Owais, chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Expo Centre Sharjah; Saif Mohammed Al Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah; as well as other officials, dignitarie­s and industry representa­tives.

“This is a historic moment for the regional jewellery industry. For close to a quarter of a century and through 40 editions, the MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show has been the most reliable marketplac­e as well as a meeting place for the regional and global jewellery industry. Expo Centre is marking this milestone by offering the best ever jewellery showcase, superior networking opportunit­ies, and cele- brated Arabian hospitalit­y – all in one exciting package,” said Owais.

On the back of unpreceden­ted interest generated through a 360 degree marketing campaign across the region and other markets, the show is expecting a high doubledigi­t increase in visitor turnout. It attracted close to 60,000 visitors for its previous edition. The show is featuring more than 500 exhibitors across 30,000sqm of exhibition space at all the six halls at Expo Centre. Highlighti­ng the campaign unveiled by Expo Cen- tre in order to reach out to every possible exhibitor and visitor, Midfa said: “Never in the four-decades-old history of Expo Centre Sharjah have we undertaken such a massive marketing drive. Right from the high-profile branding deal with Air Arabia, to screen across all prominent shopping malls, public buses and social media, we have ensured that no one misses the 40th MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show in our target markets. This is going to be the best ever edition of the show.”

Apart from an exclusive jewellery showcase and exciting deals, the show also scores high on ambiance, providing a festive atmosphere inside the halls. There is live music, the halls are decorated for the special occasion, and the pleasant whiff of carefully chosen Arabian perfume is wafting through the boulevard, providing a memorable and never-seen-before experience to visitors. Exclusive timings for ladies are on Wednesday from 12-noon to 4pm. Entry and parking are free.

 ?? Photos by M.Sajjad ?? Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi tours the 40th edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show at Expo Centre Sharjah on Tuesday; and below exhibitors display their products at the show. —
Photos by M.Sajjad Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah bin Sultan Al Qasimi tours the 40th edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show at Expo Centre Sharjah on Tuesday; and below exhibitors display their products at the show. —
 ??  ??
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Arab Emirates