Over 140 exhibitors from 18 countries participated in the 19th edition of the International Jewellery and Watch Show (JWS)-Abu Dhabi, which concluded this week.

The show hosted exhibitors from Brazil, US, Italy, Spain, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, India, Jordan, Saudi, Lebanon, Thailand, and Turkey, in addition to regional companies.

The event, which was held in the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (Adnec), has already received commitments from nearly 80 percent of the exhibitors to be part of the 20th edition in 2012, a statement from the organisers said.

A significant number of these exhibitors have also requested an expansion in their pavilion size next year. JWS 2012 is scheduled to run from May 1 to 5, 2012, organisers Reed Exhibitions said.

Ara Fernezian, group director, Reed Exhibitions, said: “Despite the international price of gold being at its peak levels lately, our exhibitors were able to keep a strong sales momentum throughout the show days, underpinning JWS's potential to support their sales and growth targets in the region.”

Rohit Dhamani, director, wholesale and manufacturing, Dhamani Jewellery, said: “JWS is one of the best shows to get direct access and exposure to our potential customers in the Gulf. We made some good deals and we are pleased to see our clients coming back to JWS to purchase our new designs every year. JWS gives us an ideal opportunity to learn more about the needs and tastes of our local clients, which contributes widely to an increase in our overall annual sales.”

Kavita Bajaj, owner of Monique Creations, said: “We are based in New York and we don’t have distributors in the UAE. Therefore, the exhibition is an ideal platform for us to interact with our potential customers in the UAE.”

Manoj P Butani, director of Butani Group, said: “We have been distributing our jewellery in the Middle East for the past 40 years, and we believe JWS is an excellent platform for us to strengthen our regional reach. This year, for the first time we distributed the collection under our name 'Butani' and the response has been great.”

The International Jewellery and Watch Show is one of the most prestigious events organised by Reed Exhibitions. The event is in line with other leading international jewellery events that the company organises, including JCK in Las Vegas, US. – TradeArabia News Service