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The 17th and biggest edition to date of Jewellery Arabia 2008, the ultimate jewellery event featuring the most talented, cutting-edge designers and innovative international collections of over 500 companies from 30 countries around the world, was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, 25 November at the 18,000 sq. m. Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre in the Kingdom by the Patron, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Accompanying the Prime Minister was a high-power delegation that included HE Sheikh Ali Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister of Transportation and HE Dr. Hassan Abdullah Fakhro, Minister of Industry & Commerce. Prominent among the exhibitors were Cartier, Chopard, Harry Winston, Asprey, De Beers, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Van Cleef & Arpels, Versace, Audemars Piguet, Hublot, Graff, Hermes, Jacob & Co., The Aquila Group, D’Atlantis, Picchiotti, Vancox, Leon Hatot, Chatila, George Hakim and some of Bahrain’s leading jewellers including Asia Jewellers, Bahrain Jewellery Centre, Taqi’s Jewellery, Al Mahmood Pearls, Al Zain Jewellery and Al Hawaj.
Among the luminaries present at Jewellery Arabia were Jean-Claude Biver, CEO, Hublot, who earlier was awarded the ‘CEO of the Year 2008’ Award by MPParabia at the Premier Middle East Watches, Jewellery & Pens Awards—2008 Edition in recognition of his immense contribution to both brand Hublot and the Swiss premium watch industry. Another notable top-flight name present was Jerome DeWitt, Founder-President of the renowned DeWitt brand and one who claims direct descent from Emperor Napoleon.
A high power delegation from Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE) comprising Youri Steverlynck, CEO and Kholoud Kurdi, Business Development Manager, GCC was also present at the exhibition.
A highlight of Jewellery Arabia 2008 was the installation of the Italian Pavilion by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development and the Italian Trade Commission aimed at introducing and boosting sales of Italian jewellery in the GCC and Middle East markets. As apart of this project 23 Italian companies, based in Vicenza, Arezzo, Piedmont and Marche regions exhibited exquisite Italian jewellery comprising necklaces, tiaras, rings, bracelets, earrings and other one-of-a-kind pieces for both direct buyers and traders at both the exhibition and at a special presentation held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel. The event was co-hosted by Italian Ambassador HE Enrico di Padula. Other national pavilions came from India, Hong Kong, Brazil, Thailand and Turkey.
MPParabia also hosted a gala dinner reception and presented 20 winners of its hotly contested Premier Middle East Watches, Jewellery & Pens Awards—2008 Edition at a well-attended glittering ceremony held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel on the inaugural night of the Exhibition.
The Exhibition concluded on Saturday, 29 November 2008. Meanwhile, the dates have also been announced for the 18th Edition of Jewellery Arabia 2009. It will be held from Tuesday 17 November to Saturday, 21 November 2009.