Dubai International Jewellery Week, the only business-to-business watch and jewellery event in the Middle East, will be held from November 11 to 15.

For the first time the show will bring together two of its three key components - Jewellery Collections Dubai and Jewellery Trade Dubai - to offer a comprehensive retail and trade experience to visitors and exhibitors.

Jewellery Trade Dubai will have a special spotlight on diamonds this year, according to the organisers.

Areeq Dubai, the ‘Luxury’ event which includes brands from the crème-de-la crème of the jewellery world, will be held on the sidelines of the event at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The rapidly growing diamond trade in the region has been one of the instrumental reasons behind the establishment of a trade element as part of the high profile event, giving local, regional and international diamond traders a tailor-made platform to leverage their potential, the organisers said.

Dubai’s diamond trade has witnessed a record growth in 2007, increasing by 53 per cent to reach $11.23 billion and confirming the emirate's role as an international diamond hub.

According to the Dubai Diamond Exchange (DDE), the emirate’s rough diamond trade saw a 29 per cent increase from 2006 to reach $4.82 billion, with trade in polished diamonds rising a massive 88 per cent to hit $6.41 billion.

Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the executive chairman of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the parent group of DDE, reconfirmed Dubai’s new global standing in the global diamond market.

'2007 has been a year of record growth for the UAE diamond trade which has crossed the psychological mark of $10 bilion. Dubai has become now a mature diamond centre, combining its role as an international hub, a regional distribution centre and a local consumer market” said Sulayem, justifying the increased focus on diamonds at Jewellery Trade Dubai.'

“The special focus on diamonds at Jewellery Trade Dubai will play a key role in supporting and promoting the industry” said Trixee Loh, senior vice president, exhibitions and events management, Dubai World Trade Centre.

“We are in the midst of an unprecedented boom, and providing a niche platform for the biggest players in the industry to meet, interact and establish new relationships will go a long way in complementing this upswing” she added.

Some of the biggest trade players in the local and international diamond market, including Shrenuj, Dimexon Eurostar and Rosy Blue, will play a key role in the show.

“Dubai is in the midst of a very exciting time for diamonds” said Sumit Kothari, director, Shrenuj DMCC.

'While the local consumption is definitely on the rise, Dubai is also emerging as the leading trading hub for the entire Middle East. For us, Jewellery Trade Dubai presents an exciting opportunity to meet new customers and display our comprehensive product range,' he noted.

'It is a fantastic platform to showcase our company’s products, and the same goes for other companies as well” he added.

Harshad Mehta, chairman of diamond giant Rosy Blue, was equally optimistic. “We are extremely bullish about the diamond industry in the Gulf region, and particularly the UAE. We are planning to increase our presence in the Gulf market, which we see as a major sales centre because the growth in tourism' said Mehta.

This will not be the first time that diamonds have come under the spotlight at the event. Last year’s event saw the launch of The Diamond Academy, which proved to be a huge success. Exhibitors and traders at the event will be further supported by a workshop programme featuring presentations on Diamonds, Gold, Pearls and Gemstones.-TradeArabia News Service