More than 225 of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of international gems, jewellery, watches and silverware participated in the ninth edition of International Jewellery Dubai (IJD), the most comprehensive show of its kind seen so far in the region, last April.

The exhibition, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), covered 5,000sq m, a 10 per cent growth over last year's event, said DWTC director general Mubarak bin Fahad. "This growth is indicative of the ever-increasing profile of the show both among exhibitors and buyers and of Dubai's prominence as a leading player in the regional gems and jewellery market," he added.

The event attracts a high-profile target audience of trade buyers as well as affluent private buyers with enormous purchasing power and a keen preference for top-class jewellery, watches and silverware.

The Middle East and India combined account for more than 40 per cent of the world gold consumption and Dubai, because of its strategic location and strong trade ties, is involved in the largest throughput of gold and jewellery in the Middle East, Levant and the subcontinent.

The exhibition attracted strong interest among industry representatives from all over the world, with exhibitors from Europe, India, Italy, Korea, Lebanon and Turkey joining those from the GCC countries.

On show at the five-day event were premier products reflecting the latest trends in the industry as well as exhibits that included cut and uncut gemstones, gold, platinum and silver jewellery, precious and semi-precious jewellery, precious stones, semi-precious stones, bullion, antique jewellery, branded costume jewellery, branded watches and clocks, silverware, part-finished jewellery, packaging and display materials and manufacturing tools and machinery.

The event was opened by Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of the Department of Civil Aviation and chairman of Emirates Group.