For the first time in its seven-year history, International Jewellery Dubai (IJD) will dedicate a special area for companies dealing in trade tools and equipment for jewelers. A growing regional demand for tools and machinery used in the manufacturing process and specialised jewellery packaging is fuelling increased interest in IJD among trade suppliers. The exhibition is the Middle East's most important event for jewellery trade professionals. The annual exhibition will be held April 23-27, 2002 at Airport Expo Dubai and is supported by both the World Gold Council and the Diamond High Council (Antwerp).

The exhibitions new `equipment section' is boosting interest from major international players that currently provide machinery to European markets, and will enable the exhibition to feature a prominent range of world-class options and new technological advances that are helping to fuel the jewellery sales growth in many of the world's leading manufacturing centers.

According to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, there are currently 844 jewellery traders in Dubai alone. Furthermore, with the continuing expansion of the Gold and Diamond Park, the number of traders and manufacturers is expected to continue to rise and demand for tools and equipment is expected to grow along with it. The Park currently houses 118 jewellery manufacturing workshops and 30 retail units

“The exhibition has always attracted interest from companies that focus on the needs of the trade - including equipment manufacturers and companies that specialise in jewellery packaging. However, this year we are witnessing a marked increase in interest from equipment, tools and packaging suppliers who focus on the needs of the trade, including several newcomers,” said Jackie Reed, International Project Manager for the exhibition.

Among the newcomers that specialise in tools for the trade in 2002 will be El Hajj Hussein Machinery of Lebanon. It will feature a range of machinery for goldsmiths. The company is an agent for numerous Italian equipment brands including Italimpianti, Sisma, Cimmeo and CEIA. It also represents U.S. companies Neutec, West Cast and Ay-Tec. Among the products it will feature at the exhibition will be machinery for making chains by Ciemmeo and ultrasonics and furnaces by CEIA.

In addition two German newcomers will showcase machinery and equipment for jewellery manufacturers. Indutherm Erwaermungsanlagen GmbH will showcase vacuum casting machines and continuous casting machines, while H. Selstam & Sohn GmbH will also feature equipment for manufacturing jewellery.

Local and regional companies that specialise in a variety of tools for jewellery professionals will also have a solid presence. Al-Hamad Trading, the representative for Degussa in the Gulf Region, will feature electroplating chemicals which are used to change the colour of base metals to create a range of fashionable options.

Meanwhile, Emballage Trading Co., which has been in the jewellery packaging business for ten years will exhibit a range of new products. Rafi Hagopian said the increase in demand for his products, in the UAE market alone, grew by 40 per cent between 2000 and 2001.

“The demand for quality packaging products continues to escalate and we are now focusing on expanding our presence in European markets. While the Middle East remains our largest market, led by the UAE and followed by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, our presence in Europe, particularly Italy - which is our largest European market, continues to expand,” said Hagopian, noting that the company opened a complete factory in June 2001 to meet growing demands.

At this year's exhibition Hagopian says it will offer clients a wide range of rosewood boxes which are now available in 13 different colours. He says the company, which has increased its presence at IJD, will launch an entirely new packaging design at the exhibition, which is expected to attract significant interest from local and international jewellers.

Both Marina G, a Swiss company with an office in Dubai that also specialises in jewellery packaging and Hanoi International, a packaging company that made its debut at IJD in 2001, which is headquartered in Vietnam, have expanded their presence at the show in 2002. Georgi Saboujian SARL of Lebanon will also have a presence.

Jewellers from throughout the Middle East, Southeast Asia and Europe participate regularly in the annual exhibition and showcase a range of products. The items on display cover the entire spectrum of the international jewellery trade, including cut and uncut precious gems, gold, platinum and silver jewellery, pearls, antique jewellery, costume jewellery, good quality watches and clocks and silverware. In addition packaging and display material as well as manufacturing tools and machinery will be on display.

<i>Editor's Note: International Jewellery Dubai (IJD) is supported by the World Gold Council and the Diamond High Council (Antwerp) and is held annually. In 2002 it will be held at Airport Expo Dubai for the first time. The 2002 edition marks the exhibition's eighth season. In 2001 222 exhibitors representing 27 countries participated in the event. The 2001 edition attracted more than 15,500 visitors, including 4,167 trade professionals.</i>

For further information, please contact:
Janice Edgar, Corporate Communications Division
Dubai World Trade Centre, PO Box 9292, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Tel: 009714-308 6083Fax: 009714-331 4853
E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.jewelleryshow.com


Source: Press release IJD,
March 2002