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A massive structure is being erected at Bahrain International Exhibition Centre to help stage the much-awaited Jewellery Arabia 2008.
The show this year has grown by 10 per cent and is taking a new shape with the increased demand for space from exhibitors.
Show organisers Arabian Exhibition Management (AEM) were prompted to commission an enormous temporary pavilion to extend the existing facilities at the venue.
The structure, located at the main entrance of the exhibition will be used to accommodate new exhibitors, including the Bahrain Pavilion co-ordinated by the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It will also be used as an improved visitor registration area.
Fawzi Al Shehabi, AEM's director of sales and marketing, said: "The decision to expand bears witness to the regional importance of Jewellery Arabia and its popularity.
"Already widely acknowledged as the Middle East's biggest and most prestigious jewellery and watch exhibition, the creation of yet another larger hall will allow us to accommodate many new and exciting exhibitors and ensure the show's continued growth.
"We are also delighted that this prestigious event is still very strong considering the recent global uncertainties."
The purpose-built structure will create an additional 1,750 square metres of exhibit space at the event which takes place from Tuesday to Saturday, November 25-29, making Jewellery Arabia 2008 the largest in the 17-year history of the show.
The show, which is held under the patronage of Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, will run from 4pm-10pm daily.
A ladies morning will be held on Thursday, November 27 from 10am-1pm providing an opportunity for ladies to view and select jewellery in a secure and private atmosphere.
Over 600 exhibitors from 30 nations will reveal exquisite items at Jewellery Arabia 2008, ranging from incredible finished jewellery to luxury time pieces, to precious stones of every size, shape and cut.
The most prestigious master jewellers and watchmakers in the world will shine on a total floor area of 18,000 square metres (gross), complemented by the creative gleam of national pavilions from leading jewellery export countries and the refined sparkle of the Middle East's finest retailers and manufacturers. Many of these exhibiting companies will once again have an exclusive presence in the Middle East at Jewellery Arabia, affording upwards of 40,000 visitors a unique preview of the global market.
Exhibitor profile includes independent retail outlets, retail chains, designer manufacturers, wholesalers, laboratories, publications and service providers.
Eminent jewellery houses such as Cartier, Chatila, Chopard, De Beers, Graff Diamonds, Harry Winston, Hublot, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Piaget, Van Cleef & Arpels, and many others will display their unique ranges.
They are joined by a host of international pavilions from leading export countries including Brazil, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Switzerland, Thailand and Turkey who lend an international flavour to the exhibition.
A strong Lebanese and GCC contingent drawn from the region's most exclusive jewellers concludes this line up. Amongst them are some of Bahrain's leading jewellers - Bahrain Jewellery Centre, Asia Jewellers, Taqi's Jewellery, Al Mahmood Pearls and Al Zain - who bring together stunning collections of famous international brands in boutique designs.
