Hong Kong jewel and gem fair is biggest so far
HONG KONG, September 21, 2011 – The Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair, which runs until September 25, is the biggest so far due in large part to the vibrant Chinese and Indian markets, organisers said.
With 249 more exhibitors than last year, the show, organised by UBM, reported 3,454 exhibitors occupying a record 130,000 square metres of exhibition space.
Model showcases jewellery at September 2011 Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair
“This makes this edition the biggest in the fair’s history,” said Jime Essink, President and CEO of UBM Asia.
“This year the fair features the world’s biggest Diamond Pavilion and the largest ever Japan Pearl Pavilion.”
Housing over 430 exhibitors in a total of 17,000 square metres of exhibition space, the Diamond Pavilion is the largest diamond pavilion among all the trade shows in the world.
Essink said that the fair had expanded largely because of buoyant Chinese and Indian demand for jewellery and gemstones.
UBM organisers address news conference at September 2011 Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair
“Amid worries about economic uncertainty in the West, China and India, with their huge populations, are becoming major driving forces of global jewellery demand.”
At a news conference, Essink, referring to the economic crisis in the West, said, “We do not see a decrease of European and U.S. buyers, because they have to be even better at sourcing jewellery. They come to Hong Kong because they see the best variety and prices here.”
Essink said that visitors from mainland China had surpassed visitors from Hong Kong for the first time, noting some 15,000 visitors in total in the first two days, up by a third from a year ago.
Model showcases jewellery at September 2011 Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair
Winston Chow, Chairman of the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, said many mainland Chinese consumers were buying their first and second pieces of jewellery, auguring for continuing strong retail demand.
UBM announced plans to stage the inaugural Jewellery News Asia awards in September 2012 to recognise excellence in retail, marketing, training, technology and innovation.
