The ninth edition of the Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition (DJWE 2012), to be held from February 20-26 at the Doha Exhibition Centre, is expected to generate far above QR500mn it gathered during the last year’s event, organisers said yesterday. In all, more than 300 exhibitors will showcase latest designs by more than 450 brands from the region as well as Europe during the exhibition being organised by the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) and to be inaugurated by HE the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor al-Thani. The exhibition, sponsored by QNB and which keeps attracting world’s renowned luxury brands in jewellery and watches, is also expected to attract a significant increase in number of visitors from the GCC region as well as internationally, with organisers projecting some 60,000 visitors this year. In 2011, the show attracted more than 50,000 visitors, many of whom came from the neighbouring countries such as the Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Speaking at a press conference to announce the event yesterday, QTA Internal Exhibitions head Lahdan al-Mohannadi mentioned that the timing of the event was significant in that it falls between the two most important jewellery and watches exhibitions in Switzerland - Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva and Baselworld in Basel. “The DJWE has thus become part of the preview series for the latest collections in the world of jewelleries and watches,” he said. QTA Tourism director Abdulla al-Bader said: “QTA is committed to promoting the country as a first-rate destination for business, industry conferences, cultural events, education, sports and leisure as well as providing world-class amenities and services. This is event is part of our commitment and mission to stage world-class events in Qatar.” QNB Corporate Relations assistant general manager Salem al-Naimi said the bank’s participation was in line with its vision of contributing positively to the development of every aspect of the country’s economy and it was also an opportunity to express the bank’s commitment to supporting the local community at all levels. “We make every effort to ensure that our participation in the DJWE 2012 is not limited to just a financial contribution as QNB is an active participant in various initiatives, events and societal activities as part of our social responsibility programme, which is one of the most fundamental aspects of QNB’s strategy to achieve organisational goals,” he added. Among the significant Qatar exhibitors at the DJWE 2012 are Ali Bin Ali Watches and Jewellery, Fifty One East, Amiri Gems, Alfardan Jewellery, Blue Salon, Al Majed Jewellery, Al Muftah Jewellery, Marzook Al Shamlan, Paris Gallery and Al-Zain. High profile international brands include Van Cleef and Arpels, Chanel Haute Jewellery and Vacheron, Cartier, Audemers Piguet, Richard Mille and Montblanc, Chopard, Zenith, Damiani, Maurice Lacroix and Ladoire, Palmiero, Jacob and Co, Concord and Franc Vila, Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Century, Ebel and Giovanni Ferraris. More information about the DJWE 2012 can be had at www.dohajewels.com Gulf Times

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