RAPAPORT... The third largest Emirate, Sharjah, is hosting the 23rd MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show at the Expo Centre Sharjah, which kicked-off this day. Event organizers added 25 percent more exhibition space from one year ago.

The MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show runs through October 28 to both trade and consumers daily from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the evening (except for Friday night.) It will be open exclusively to women on October 25 and 27 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Attendance is expected to be about 20 percent up this year.

The event is organized by Expo Centre Sharjah with the support of the World Gold Council and the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event is hosting more than 350 master jewelers from across the Middle East and Italy, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, and India. Goods up for trading include diamonds, precious stones, loose pearls, gold, and diamond jewelry.

"The MidEast Watch & Jewellery Show has experienced phenomenal growth," said Ahmed Mohammed Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce & Industry. The growth trend was a "clear reflection of the affinity that people in the UAE in particular and the region in general have towards gold and diamond jewellery," he said.

Organizers report diamond jewelry growth in the region has grown some 47 percent in the past four years with no immediate signs of a slowdown.

Expo Centre Sharjah reported that first time participants from India included: G.V. Sons, Phorum Jewels, Beauty Gems & Jewellery, Bamalwa Jewellery, and Goenka Exports. Other first-timers included Italy-based Red Velvet, K.V srl, Maggio Teresa, and Damianacos Damiano; Lebanon-based Paul Anourian and Khabbaz;  Saudi Arabia-based Lazurde Jewellery; Singapore-based Asian Carat and Kinger Jewellery; Thailand-based YCP Jewellry, Evershine Jewels, CHC Diamonds, and D.Garo Jewellery; Malaysia-based Triangle Jewellery; and UAE-based Aratry Jewels, Wafi Jewels, Mohammed Rasool Khoury, and Prima Gold.

Hong Kong is hosting the largest pavilions with 57 exhibitors, India has 23 exhibitors, and Italy has 12.

The group reported a Other notable launches that will take place during the 23rd MidEast Watch and Jewellery Show are that of Tom and Jerry and Pink Panther brands of children's watches by the UAE-based Prima Group.

Saif Al Midfa, director general of Expo Centre Sharjah, said, "Given that the show is one of the region's most widely visited watch and jewelry events, a very significant number of jewellers from across the globe are keen to utilize it as a channel for unveiling their newest designs and creations in the Middle East. It is therefore not surprising that over a period of time, the show has become a perfect platform for jewelry connoisseurs for not only keeping pace with the latest trends and designs but also for acquiring the most exclusive collections of exquisite jewelry."