The 2009 Hong Kong International Jewellery Show was held from 4-8 March 2009 at the city-centre Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
According to the press-release of the organizer of the annual fair this year more than 2,300 exhibitors from 46 countries and regions took part in the 26th annual HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show. The gross area this year was 70,617 sq. m.
The Major Exhibit Categories of the fair, organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) are as following:
Fine Jewellery
Silver Jewellery
Finished Jewellery
Antique Jewellery
Jade Jewellery
Diamonds
Precious Stones
South Sea Pearls & Tahiti Pearls
Fresh Water & Cultured Pearls
Semi-Precious Stones
Jewellery Accessories
Jewellery Display & Packaging Material
Jewellery Tools & Equipment
Trade Publications & Services
Trade Associations
Brand Name Watches & Clocks
Among the exhibitors are high-caliber jewellery importers, designers, wholesalers and retailers from around the world.
Group pavilions come from the Chinese mainland, Dubai, Germany, India, Italy, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, China's Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United States.
The show also includes eight trade pavilions from organizations such as the Antwerp World Diamond Center, the Israel Diamond Institute, the International Colored Gemstone Association, the Japan Jewelry Association and the Platinum Guild International.
The Hall of Fame, a special area set aside to promote branded jewelry, makes its debut at the fair, hosting companies from France, Greece, China's Hong Kong, Italy, Malaysia, Monaco, Spain, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
The newly launched “Treasury of Carving” zone joins Le Salon Extraordinaire, a dedicated area for premium, luxury and distinctive pieces, the Designer Jewellery Galleria, showcasing designers and their collections, Antique and Vintage Renaissance, focusing on antique and vintage pieces, the Jadeite zone, featuring top-grade jade pieces.
Building on the success of the last fair, “Les Salons Privés” returned, featuring superb pieces of fine jewellery and diamonds. At the 2009 fair, a new product category - South Sea Pearls - was added. returned, featuring superb pieces of fine jewellery and diamonds. At the 2009 fair, a new product category - South Sea Pearls - was added.
The show is organized in association with:
Hong Kong Jewellers & Goldsmiths’ Association,
Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association,
Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association,
Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China.
Sponsors include the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association and the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries.
"We at the HKTDC are working hard to develop business opportunities in emerging markets and to enhance Hong Kong's role as Asia's major sourcing and distribution center," said Lawrence Ma, chairman of the Hong Kong Jewelry Advisory Committee and the Fair Organizing Committee, at the opening ceremony. Hong Kong is among the world's largest jewelry exporters. Exports totaled 37 billion HK dollars (4.7 billion U.S. dollars) in 2008.
It is noteworthy that according to the statistics Hong Kong’s jewellery exports jump by 17 per cent in 2007, to 33.8 billion HK dollars (4.3 billion US dollars) with the United States and the European Union as their biggest markets.
It might be not a right time to draw conclusions and talk about the situation on the Hong Kong’s jewellery market in the context of the current global financial crisis, but statistics show the export continue to grow, even though it slowed down a little.
The number of exhibitors was about the same as last year, though the number of guests decreased. About 30,000 buyers attended this year's Hong Kong International Jewellery Show 2009, compared with about 35,000 buyers attracted to the Jewellery Show in 2007 and 31,000 buyers in 2006.
The HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show is one of the most important trade events of its kind in the world.
“Hong Kong is the perfect place to stage a jewellery industry event, given its expertise in this sector,” said Andrew Yui, Director, Canada, Hong Kong Trade Development Council. “Hong Kong’s own jewellery manufacturing industry is a sparkling success story: it is the world’s fourth largest exporter of fine jewellery after Italy, the US and India. Total exports have maintained strong momentum in recent years, posting increases of 14%, 17% and 21% in 2006, 2007 and the first nine months of 2008, respectively.”
“This year, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) has allocated 80 million HK dollars (10 million US dollars) for various subsidized packages. These offers are bringing trade buyers to HKTDC trade fairs. At our first three fairs this year, we’ve received very good comments from exhibitors," said Raymond Yip, Assistant Executive Director of the HKTDC. “The HKTDC organizes more than 30 trade fairs annually. Eight of them are ranked number one in Asia; they are must-attend events for buyers. We will continue to bring new buyers to our trade shows and promote Hong Kong as a regional trading hub,” added Mr. Yip. Mr. Yip said that new markets take time and effort to develop, adding that “SMEs should diversify their markets, avoiding over-reliance on any one market.”
Hong Kong's jewellery industry is dominated by the precious jewellery sector. Its development has been facilitated by the expansion of the local market, including sales to tourists. Combined with re-exports, Hong Kong is the leading exporter of imitation jewellery and the fourth largest exporter of precious jewellery in the world.
Jewellery production in Hong Kong encompasses a wide range of medium- to high-priced products. Hong Kong manufacturers are good at producing small stones fashion jewellery. Hong Kong is leading in the production of pure gold items, and has long been recognized as a major centre for the production of jade jewellery. It has also evolved into a leading trading and distribution centre for pearls in recent years.
Yekaterina Davydova, Rough&Polished Asian Bureau Editor in Beijing
