Jewellery, Gem & Technology Dubai (JGT Dubai) is ready to welcome overseas buyers from more than 70 countries and regions when it opens its doors at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) next Tuesday. Confirmed attendees include 200+ hosted wholesalers, retailers and brands from around 30 countries spanning Eastern Europe, the Middle East, South America and South Asia.

The result of a groundbreaking collaboration between show organisers Informa Markets Jewellery and Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the industry’s first international in-person B2B event of the year is set for February 22 to 24 in Halls 1 and 2 of the DWTC.

“JGT Dubai is all about fresh opportunities and new possibilities,” said Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs at Informa Markets Jewellery. “Its timing, alongside the growing demand for luxury products and the rise of omnichannel jewellery retailing, have positioned this show as the first major buying opportunity for our community in 2022. This is the marketplace where buyers can find the goods that their customers need now, and at the same time, optimise their return-to-growth strategies for the coming peak selling seasons.”

“JGT Dubai is taking the jewellery and gemstone industry back on track with enthusiasm, awareness and eagerness,” added IEG Global Exhibition Director Jewellery & Fashion Marco Carniello. “This unique sourcing event is kickstarting the 2022 agenda and trade shows calendar with a promise of excellence in terms of relationship, development and growth on strategic markets: in one sentence, back to business.”

The fair has secured the commitment of influential buyers from Gulf Cooperation Council member-countries and other thriving Middle Eastern jewellery markets; Eastern Europe, South America and South Asia. Clearly recognising the value in JGT Dubai are top buying groups from Saudi Arabia, Russia, India, Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Armenia and Brazil.

Featuring more than 300 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions, the fair has seven national pavilions led by Belgium, Colombia, India, Israel, Italy, Spain and Turkey. Additionally, suppliers from other major sourcing locations have a strong presence in product-focused zones dedicated to fine and finished jewellery, loose diamonds and coloured gemstones, and technology solutions and equipment.

Flourishing jewellery trade

The Italian Trade Agency, the governmental organisation that promotes and develops trade between Italy and the rest of the world, has also joined forces with IEG and Informa Markets Jewellery to bring JGT Dubai to life.

“ICE/ITA Italian Trade Agency is very glad to support the first edition of JGT Dubai. Jewellery represents Italy’s top exports to the UAE in terms of value, and we are the third-largest global jewellery supplier to the country,” said Amedeo Scarpa, director of ICE/ITA in the UAE.

Italian jewellery exports to the UAE in January to September 2021 stood at €660 million (about US$754 million), up 136 per cent compared with the same period in the previous year and 8 per cent higher than pre-pandemic figures in 2019. Italy’s market share doubled to 13 per cent in a year, Scarpa continues.

Bolstered by “Patto per l’Export” (Pact for Export), a strategic export policy launched and financed by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ICE/ITA has invited professional buyers from the MEASA region (Middle East, Africa and South Asia) to JGT Dubai, where it will also set up a lounge for B2B meetings inside the Italy Pavilion.

“Together with the Embassy of Italy and the Consulate General, we are going to launch a national brand communication campaign on sustainable jewellery, which is the main theme of the Innovation Talk realised by ITA in the Italy Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai,” added Scarpa.

Time to buy

Anticipation for JGT Dubai’s debut is building up for a buyer audience eager to resume safe and efficient face-to-face sourcing opportunities.

“Coming out of a sustained period of lockdowns and travel bans, we are glad to be able to visit JGT Dubai where we expect to discover a wide variety of quality products by international brands – all under one roof,” said Antoun Saad of Lebanon-based jewellery retailer, Primo Gold.

Youssef Botros of luxury brand, Botros Jewellery of Egypt, is looking forward to reconnecting with established vendors, meeting with new suppliers and getting inspired with new merchandise ideas at the show.

“I’m ready to attend JGT Dubai where my regular suppliers, in addition to many new other potential business partners, will be exhibiting their latest jewellery collections. Besides, it is always a pleasure to be in the lovely city of Dubai,” shared Botros.

JGT Dubai is supported by DMCC (Dubai Multi Commodities Centre) and the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG) – the fair’s official and industry partners, respectively – and the sector’s most influential trade associations representing the biggest names in the business. 

Also enriching the JGT Dubai sourcing experience are two high-profile events that will be staged on February 21, namely the Dubai Diamond Conference organised by DMCC, and Informa Markets Jewellery’s Jewellery World Awards and JWA Dubai awards presentation ceremony. The fair also coincides with Expo 2020 Dubai, which opened last October and will run through March 31, 2022.

Trade buyer registration for JGT Dubai is ongoing. For more details, visit jgtdubaijewelleryshow.com.