Jewellery Expo One of Most Successful Events Ever Held in Doha

Doha, February 28 (QNA) - The 9th Doha Jewellery and Watches Exhibition, which concluded on Sunday, has been one of the most successful events ever held at the Doha Exhibition Center. According to a statement from the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), an average of around 15,000 visitors, including a large number of regional and international tourists, attended the event daily between February 20 and 26. Adjudged to be the fifth largest jewellery and watch exhibition, the event saw more than 300 international and local exhibitors showcasing the finest jewellery and watches in the region, with the total items on display topping $1 billion. Highlights of the 2012 events included a diamond encrusted Barcelona Football Club jersey, bearing the Qatar Foundation sponsorship logo, created by Bagues-Masiera and displayed by Al Fardan Jewellery in their pavilion. Another highlight was a $6.8 million Snow White Princess Diamond women s watch made by Swiss watchmaker Mouawad. Also on display was a $5 million diamond-studded clock made by Swiss-based Parmigiani and displayed at the Al Majed pavilion. Senior figures in the trade also attended the show, including the heads of Jacob and Co and Chopard. Major collectors were also in attendance, showing the exhibition had become a "must attend" event for the industry. The seven-day exhibition was spread over 15,000 sq m at the Doha Exhibition Center. Exhibition is billed as the region s leading exhibitions of its kinds and yet again brought to Doha some of the world s finest jewellery and watch collections. QTA chairman Ahmed al-Nuaimi said it was a great honour to bring the finest and most exclusive international jewellers and watchmakers to Qatar for the event as well as highlighting high-end local-based brands. "Yet again the Doha Watches and Jewellery exhibition showed that it can compete with the European shows in terms of brands and visitors," al-Nuaimi said. "We continue to grow the exhibition each year and it is becoming a must-attend on the international jewellery and watch exhibition circuit. QTA and our partners are already planning for the 10th edition of the exhibition in 2013 which will be even more spectacular. "QTA is committed to promoting the State of Qatar as a first-rate destination for business, industry conferences, cultural events, education, sports and leisure, and provides world-class amenities and services. This is part of our commitment and mission to stage world class events in Qatar," al-Nuaimi added. In addition to Qatari exhibitors, high profile international brands featured in the show will include Cartier, Van Cleef and Arpels, Audemers Piguet, Richard Mille and Montblanc, Chopard, Chanel, Vacheron Constantin and Piaget, Zenith, Damiani, Maurice Lacroix and Ladoire, Palmiero, Jacob and Co, Concord and Franc Vila, Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Century, Ebel and Giovanni Ferraris. (QNA)