UAE is Hong Kong’s largest export market in the Middle East Hong Kong to have the biggest pavilion in the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show; Large participation is a reflection of the growing trade ties between Hong Kong and UAE The Hong Kong pavilion at the 22nd MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show, to be held at Expo Centre Sharjah from April 25 – 29, 2007, will feature more than 60 exhibitors, making it the biggest pavilion in the event. Hong Kong’s imposing presence at the Show is a reflection of its growing commercial ties with the UAE. The UAE is Hong Kong's largest export market in the Middle East. Hong Kong's total exports to the UAE grew by 7% to USD $ 1,859 million during January-November 2006. Pearls, precious and semi-precious stones accounted for 16% of the total exports. Hong Kong's fine jewellery exports rose 13.7 % to USD $ 3.7 billion in 2006. Since 2002, Hong Kong's jewellery sector exports have been increasing by 20% a year. The Middle East represents around 5% of Hong Kong’s overall jewellery exports, with the UAE and Saudi Arabia being the major markets. The Hong Kong-based jewellers will be participating in the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show under the umbrella of the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association. Fine Finished jewellery, diamonds, gemstones, semi-precious stones, pearls, and related supplies and equipment will be the main items of display at the pavilion. Besides the Hong Kong pavilion, the pavilions from Italy, India, Singapore and Thailand, are also expected to attract considerable attention from visitors to the show. The Italian pavilion, under the umbrella of CONFARTIGIANATO Federazione Provinciale dell'Artigianato di Napoli, will feature a wide range of high-end gold and diamond collections. The Indian pavilion, which will showcase both traditional and contemporary jewellery, will delight jewellery connoisseurs with its intricate designs. The Thailand and Singapore pavilions, on the other hand, will display precious stones and gems and medium range designer diamond jewellery respectively. Other than the country pavilions, the large number of master jewellers, participating in the event as individual exhibitors, will also be enthralling visitors with their exquisite creations. The coming edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show will feature a total of 350 master jewellers from Bahrain, Hong Kong – China, India, Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Turkey, and the UAE. It will display diamonds, precious stones, loose pearls, gold and diamond jewellery, diamond and pearl sets, and watches. “The MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show has been experiencing phenomenal growth since it started a decade and a half back,” said Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah. “Continuing on that trend, the coming edition will be bigger, both in terms of number of exhibitors and occupied exhibition space. Three halls of Expo Centre Sharjah, measuring a total of 12,000 square metres, will be utilized to host 350 jewellers from across the world. A majority of the exhibitors had participated in the previous editions,” he added. The last edition of the MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show, which was held from October 30 – November 3, 2006, attracted a total of 40,831 visitors, a majority of whom were from the region. The MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show is an initiative of Expo Centre Sharjah. It is supported by the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) and the World Gold Council (WGC).