Gold continues to glitter in the UAE; MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show at Expo Centre Sharjah to enthrall visitors with exquisite range of gold jewellery collections Despite the high volatility in price, retail gold sales in the UAE increased by 53% to Dhs. 1.7 billion in Q4 of 2006 from Dhs. 1.1 billion during the same period in 2005. Gold consumption increased from 17.6 tonnes to 19.1 tonnes during this period. UAE’s retail gold sales in Q3 of 2006 had also witnessed an increase, going up by 41% from Dhs. 1.4 billion during the same period in 2005 to Dhs. 2 billion. Gold demand in other GCC States, however, declined owing to high world gold prices. Gold jewellery will continue to enthrall the region’s jewellery connoisseurs at the 22nd MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show, which begins at Expo Centre Sharjah on April 25, 2007. The five-day event will feature more than 350 master jewellers and display diamonds, precious stones, loose pearls, gold and diamond jewellery, diamond and pearl sets, and watches. Countries from which a majority of the jewellers will be participating at the event are Bahrain, Hong Kong – China, India, Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Malaysia, Pakistan, Singapore, Turkey, and the UAE. Among the major participants at the exhibition are UAE-based Salem Al Shuebi, Al Anwaar, Damas, Dhamani, Shattaf Jewellers, Jovial Watches, Amwaj, Thailand-based Gems Beam, Kunming Gems, Su Raj Inter Gold, India-based Dialmaz, Durga Gems, Shreya Gems & Jewels, and Singapore-based Taka Jewellery, and Royal King. Besides individual participation, the Show will host national pavilions from Hong Kong, Italy, India, Thailand, and Singapore. The Hong Kong pavilion will be hosted 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. 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. “The MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show is the region’s longest running watch and jewellery event,” said Mr. Saif Al Midfa, Director General, Expo Centre Sharjah. “Over the years, the show had grown phenomenally in terms of both occupied exhibition space and number of exhibitors. This edition, 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 in the current show had participated in the previous editions,” he added. 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). *** Retail Gold Sales figures are from the World Gold Council