Top brands bring new sparkle to Doha show

More than 50,000 local and international visitors are expected to visit the six-day exhibition which runs until February 20

The eighth edition of the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE) opened at the Doha Exhibition Centre (DEC) yesterday evening, showcasing exquisite creations and designs, precious stones and exotic gems.

More than 50,000 local and international visitors are expected to visit the six-day exhibition which runs until February 20.

The official opening ceremony was led by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani who was accompanied by Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) chief Ahmed al-Nuaimi and scores of VIPs from Qatar and beyond.

“This year, the exhibition has attracted a large group of recognised international brands in the watches and jewellery industry which are seeking to strengthen their presence in Qatar and across the region,” al-Nuaimi said.

Occupying the entire 15,000sq m of the exhibition centre, DJWE, which has become one of the region’s largest events of its kind, features 300 exhibitors from Qatar and around the globe with 37 joining the ranks for the first time this year.

Over the years, the event has increased its stature, and because of its timing, has become a preview event for two of the most important jewellery and watches exhibitions in the world: the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva and Basel-world in Basel, both in Switzerland.

And the numbers vouch for the growing importance: Last year a total of 250 exhibitors participated while the number of visitors stood at 20,000, most of them coming from the neighbouring regions, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and the UAE.

“(The 2022 World Cup) boom is set to translate into an increase in the income and purchasing power of residents,” al-Nuaimi said. This will make the show a huge draw.

Qatar National Bank (QNB) is the exhibition’s gold sponsor and Qatar Airways silver sponsor.

Among the significant Qatari exhibitors are Ali Bin Ali Watches & Jewellery, Fifty One East, Amiri Gems, Al-fardan Jewellery, Blue Salon, Al Majed Jewellery, Al Muftah Jewellery, Makki Jewellery, Marzook Al Shamlan, Paris Gallery, and Al-Zain.

An official of a local jeweller, a regular participant at DJWE, told Gulf Times: “We remain passionate about the DJWE. Over the next one week, we look forward to welcoming even more visitors to our elaborate stands than previous years.”

International brands taking part are Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille and Montblanc, Chopard, Chanel, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget, Zenith, Damiani, Maurice Lacroix and Ladoire, Palmiero, Jacob & Co, Concord and Franc Vila, Black Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Century, Ebel and Giovanni Ferraris.

Yesterday evening’s opening was restricted to by invitation-only. To the general public, the exhibition will open daily from 11am to 10pm, except Friday (February 18) when reduced hours 4pm-10pm will be observed.