The 7th annual Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, one of the region's leading events of its kind, was inaugurated today at the Doha Exhibitions Center in Qatar by His Excellency Sheikh Hamad Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Ahmed Al Nuaimi, Chairman of Qatar Tourism Authority accompanied the Prime Minister. The six-day international exhibition, organized by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), will continue through 21 February 2010, and will showcase some of the world's finest jewellery and watches collections.
Mr. Al Nuaimi welcomed Doha residents and visitors to the event during the opening ceremony saying, "I am delighted to present the largest edition of our annual Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition to date. We are proud to organize such a prestigious regional event in Doha, and we are honored by the overwhelming turnout at today's exhibition opening. The high quality profile of the exhibitors continues to attract interested and enthusiastic consumers from around the region, which has helped to make this show one of the most successful in the Gulf."
This year's event features over 250 international brands of fine jewellery and luxury watches. In addition to an impressive list of returning exhibitors, the 7th annual exhibition is hosting for the first time more than thirty new participants representing some of the world's leading names in the industry, including Swarovski, Vacherin Constantin, Salvatore Ferragamo and Fendi.
Commenting on the importance of the event for jewellery and watch exhibitors, HE Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser Al Thani of Amiri Gems said: "We are keen to participate in the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition as it is an important economic event for our country. This show has become a highly anticipated annual event and contributes to putting the State of Qatar on the map internationally as a prime destination for exhibitions and specialized conferences."
This year's show promises to please. There will be a wide range of beautiful pieces on display - from the affordable to the ultra-expensive. Mr. Abdul Rahman Al-Muftah of Al Muftah Jewellery said: "We are very excited to be part of this exhibition and to have the opportunity to showcase our finest pieces. We invite everyone who wishes to buy high-end watches and jewellery to come visit this year's Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition as it provides the opportunity to see the latest collections from world's leading luxury brands."
The timing of the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition is significant, as it falls between the two most important jewellery and watches exhibitions in Switzerland: the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva and Baselworld in Basel. As such, the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition has become part of the preview series for the season's latest collections and many exhibitors will use the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition as a platform to unveil their new collections for the first time. Mr. Ahmed Al-Majed of Al Majid Jewellery said: "We have set aside for the 2010 Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition a rare collection of watches and jewellery - limited edition - which usually people would have to wait for years to see."
Last year's show attracted over 50,000 visitors with many of the visitors coming from around the region including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. With the return of the industry's finest retailers and manufacturers showcasing their exquisite pieces along with the increase in the number of exhibitors for 2010, this year's show is expected to see nearly 60,000 visitors.
Qatar National Bank (QNB) is the Gold sponsor of the event and Commercial Bank and Qatar Airways are Silver sponsors.
The 2010 Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, covering nearly 15,000 square meters, is only one of the more than 30 exhibitions hosted annually at the Doha Exhibitions Center. Qatar Tourism Authority is committed to promoting the State of Qatar as a first-rate destination for business, exhibitions, industry conferences, culture, education, sport and leisure that provides world-class amenities and services.
