Press Release For immediate release 11 October 2010 Visitor numbers up 13 percent at world s number one fine jewellery event The September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair continues to break its own record with this year s edition welcoming 44,274 trade professionals from around the world, a growth of 13 percent from 2009. Below is a detailed account of the visitor numbers at the Fair, held at the AsiaWorld-Expo and the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre from 14 to 20 September: - The total number of trade visitors in the seven-day event reached 44,274, up 13 percent compared to 2009. These visitors came from 135 countries and regions in six continents. More than 100,000 daily visits were recorded during the Fair. - Hong Kong-based visitors totalled 15,788, accounting for 36 percent of the total number of visitors. The rest of the visitors: 28,486, or 64 percent of the overall total, were from overseas. - The number of overseas visitors grew substantially -- by 22.5 percent -- from last year. The following countries and regions recorded the highest increase in the number of visitors: Country & Region Total number of visitors Number of additional visitors this year Percentage growth China 7,895 1,027 15% India 3,130 917 41% United States 1,855 264 17% Taiwan 1,699 192 13% Thailand 1,655 575 53% Japan 1,532 402 36% Korea 1,007 357 55% Russian Federation 524 223 74% Belgium 409 252 161% Turkey 334 110 49% Brazil 283 164 138% Israel 223 112 101% The remarkable growth in visitor numbers not only points to the Fair s steady progress but also confirms its important and the effectiveness of our promotion efforts, said Ms Celine Lau, director of Jewellery Fairs, UBM Asia. The Fair results left us with no doubt that China and India are driving jewellery demand worldwide today. However, there were also other markets that showed notable participation: Belgium, Brazil, Israel, the Russian Federation, Taiwan, Turkey and the United States all showed three-digit growth in visitor numbers. This performance is beyond our expectations and tells us clearly that apart from traditional and mainstream jewellery markets, there are markets emerging that show great potential to become a force of growth in the future. Ms Lau continued: The growth of the Fair, in both the number of exhibitors and visitors, continues to sharpen the competitive edge of the September Fair. It also confirms that we made a right market direction in 2009 to implement the product sectorisation policy, which most jewellers welcomed.
At the September Fair, UBM announced the launch of the Mumbai Jewellery & Gem Fair from 9 to 11 December 2011. "This launch is a direct response to the market, who has requested that UBM come to Mumbai with a show for the key buying season at the beginning of the year. They recognise the unmatched quality and professionalism of the UBM events in India and around the world," said Jime Essink, President & CEO, UBM Asia. The Fair will be a B2B jewellery trade event to take place in the pulsating and thriving city of Mumbai, which is the richest city and the financial capital of India, and is the gateway for international buyers and sellers to access the market. More importantly, December is the best timing allows Indian buyers to purchase ahead of the key New Year trading season. Quotes from exhibitors AsiaWorld-Expo Bright Gems International (Pvt) Ltd is an exhibitor in the Fine Gem pavilion. The company is a manufacturer and wholesaler of fine-quality gemstones in Sri Lanka, and has participated in the September Fair for 15 years. We met many target buyers from the US. The number of Australian buyers that came to visit us doubled from last year. We closed some deals on site. I think the product sectorisation initiative helped bring to us buyers that are focused on our products and therefore every buyer who comes to our booth is a serious buyer. We are satisfied with the result. We will exhibit in the next show too. -- M C M Nawaz, Chairman of Bright Gems International (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka Diamond manufacturer and wholesaler in Belgium, M S D, is on its third year as exhibitor. We think this year s fair is very good in all aspects, including the scale, quality of buyers and the organiser s service. We met many buyers from Asia, in particular from India. -- Amer Murad, Director of M S D, Belgium A German manufacturer and wholesaler of pearls, J Kohle GmbH & Co KG participated in the Fair for the second time. The initial concerns of some exhibitors with regards to the implementation of the product sectorisation policy proved unfounded. They were afraid no one will go to the AWE, but in my case, I personally thought there was nothing to fear. The Fair is for professionals, so the professionals will still go if they need to buy particular products. I agree with the new arrangement. We will join again next year. -- Karina Ratzlaff, Managing Partner of Kohle, Germany I am satisfied with the overall results at AWE. Since the product sectorisation policy s implementation last year, meeting our target buyers has become a lot easier. I met many buyers from the US, Canada and Indonesia. I m also impressed with the good transportation arrangement. I will exhibit again next year. -- Michael Knight, President of tools and equipment supplier, Castaldo, USA, which has exhibited in the September Fair for the past 12 years. Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Mario Buzzanca Gioielli from Thailand, an exhibitor in the Fine Design Pavilion, has been participating in the Fair for eight years. We met many buyers from Asia, the Middle East, Europe and America. We received reasonable orders during the Fair. I am very happy that the organiser used our ring in the promotional materials. We re joining the next show. By the way, we also tried the online network service on jewellerynetasia.com and we think it is a good service. -- Charlotte Pizzey, Managing Director of Mario Buzzanca Gioielli, Thailand A second-time exhibitor in the International Premier Pavilion (IPP), Magerit Joyas from Spain, is a manufacturer of diamond jewellery. We are satisfied with the result and have received some orders. I think the number of buyers from India and Australia is up compared with last year. I like the image and design of IPP; I think it is really a good venue for promoting our brands. We will exhibit again next year. -- Antonio Calvo Garcia, Director Commercial of Magerit Joyas, Spain
Sunlight Jewelers of Hong Kong is a second-time exhibitor in the Hong Kong Premier Pavilion (HKPP). The company is a manufacturer and wholesaler of diamonds, and gemset and pearl jewellery. There were obviously more buyers from China and India this year than last year. We received orders from Eastern European buyers. I especially like the HKPP parade, which really helps to promote our brands. We will exhibit again in the HKPP in both June and September Fair. -- Ray Chan, Marketing & Product Manager of Sunlight Jeweler, Hong Kong Emme Company from Pakistan is a first-time exhibitor in the September Fair. The company is a manufacturer and retailer of diamond and gemset jewellery. The Fair offers us great exposure to buyers from around the world. With regards to the organisation of the Fair, I ve always been impressed. I think it is an intelligent move to put all the jewellery materials in one venue, and all finished jewellery in other venue. We will join next year s fair. -- Salim Hemani, representative of Emme Company, Pakistan Quotes from visitors The Riddle s Group is one of the top 50 major retailers in the US. This is my first visit to a jewellery fair in Asia. I ve long known about this Fair and I m happy I finally got to see it. It is very impressive. The presence of many excellent suppliers from different countries exceeds my expectations. The prices of products from Chinese and Thai suppliers are competitive. The Fair is buyer-oriented: the transport arrangement is very good and the venue is very conducive to doing business. The product sectorisation policy helped facilitate my sourcing trip. I will visit again next year. -- Rickey Joel Erickson, VP Retail Merchandising of Riddle s Group, USA This is my first visit to the September Fair. I came to look for new suppliers of diamonds, gemstones, pearls and fine finished jewellery. The quality of exhibitors is good. I met some suppliers from Germany and the United States. Besides, the product quality is high and prices are competitive. I m so impressed with the organiser s services. I m visiting the next edition. -- Olga Bukatina, General Manager of Luxuria Jewellery Studio, Russian Federation This is my tenth visit to the Fair. I learned about this Fair through the Fair s website and e-newsletter. I m so impressed with the scale and excellent organisation of the Fair. Products are of good quality and are competitively priced. The sectorisation of products made my sourcing efficient. Also, instructions are very clear so it was easy for me to locate products. Searching information about exhibitors via jewellerynetasia.com also helped me a lot. I d like to visit again next year. -- Jack Giang, Manager of Venezia Jewellery, Australia This is my fourth visit to the September Fair. I ve always been impressed with the scale of the Fair and the presence of quality exhibitors from many different countries who offer a wide choice of products. The grouping of exhibitors according to the type of products they offer helped me find suppliers easily. I will visit the Fair again next year. -- Frederio Steyaert, representative of Hulchi Belluni Exquisite Jewellery, Belgium I visit the September Fair not to find suppliers but to update myself with the latest market information. I want to know the market trends, such as the buyers preferences. I think the overall organisation of the Fair is good and I feel the organiser has put much effort into making the Fair even more attractive. I usually find many new elements in the Fair during each visit. I think the product sectorisation policy is working; it is easier for buyers like me to find the products we want. I m pleased with the quick registration service too. I will visit again, definitely. -- Feng Kang, representative of Anteng Jewelry Speciality Shop, China
Massive Support from the Industry The Fair continues to receive support from major international jewellery organisations including: Advisory Board: Hong Kong Jewellers and Goldsmiths Association The Hong Kong Jewellery and Jade Manufacturers Association Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers Association Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China Hong Kong Gemstone Manufacturers Association Hong Kong Pearl Association Sponsors: The Gemmological Association of Hong Kong Hong Kong Gold & Silver Ornament Workers & Merchants General Union The Kowloon Pearls, Precious Stones, Jade, Gold and Silver Ornament Merchants Association International Sponsors: Gemological Institute of America Antwerp World Diamond Center, Belgium Coming Fair Dates September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2011 19-23 September 2011, AsiaWorld-Expo Exhibits profile: diamonds, pearls, gemstones, equipment & packaging 21-25 September 2011, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre Exhibits profile: fine finished jewellery The September edition of Asia's Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair will again be held in conjunction with the September Fair, running for four days at AsiaWorld-Expo from 19 to 22 September 2011. June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2011 The next edition of Asia's biggest mid-year jewellery fair, the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, will be held from 23 to 26 June 2011 at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. The June edition of Asia's Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair, the most professional fair of its kind in Asia, will run from 21 to 24 June, at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre. China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fairs in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou China's key international jewellery fairs continue to provide the ideal marketing platforms for industry professionals. The next editions of the fairs will be held as follows: 6th China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair Shanghai Dates: 25 to 28 November 2010 Venue: Shanghai Exhibition Center 9th China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair Shenzhen Dates: 26 February - 1 March 2011 Venue: Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center
8th China International Gold, Jewellery & Gem Fair Guangzhou Dates: 17 to 20 June 2011 Venue: Guangzhou Jinhan Exhibition Centre Other important fairs held by UBM in Asia Gem & Jewellery India International Exhibition 2011 (GJIIE) Dates: 25 27 February 2011 Venue: Chennai Trade Centre, Chennai Hyderabad Jewellery, Pearl & Gem Fair Dates: 9 11 July 2011 Venue: HICC, Novotel, Hyderabad, India Japan Jewellery Fair Dates: 1 3 September 2011 Venue: Tokyo Big Sight Exhibition Center Mumbai Jewellery & Gem Fair Dates: 9-11 December 2011 Venue: Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon, Mumbai - End - For fair details, please contact: Sales Department, Jewellery Fairs UBM Asia Ltd Tel: (852) 2516 1677 / 2585 6179 Fax: (852) 3749 7319 E-mail: salesjgf-hk@ubm.com For media enquiries, please contact: Marketing Communications Department, Jewellery Fairs UBM Asia Ltd Tel: (852) 2516 2144 Fax: (852) 3749 7318 E-mail pressjgf-hk@ubm.com
Appendix (A) Numbers of overseas and domestic visitors Number of visitors from outside Hong Kong 28,486 (64.3%) Number of Hong Kong-based visitors 15,788 (35.7%) Total number of visitors 44,274 (100%) (B) Visitor attendance by continent and region Asia-Pacific (excluding Hong Kong) 21,080 (47.6%) Europe 3,586 (8%) North America 2,122 (4.8%) Middle East, Africa, 1,698 (3.8%) South & Central America & others Hong Kong 15,788 (35.7%) Total 44,274 (100%) (C) Visitors came from 135 countries and regions, including: Asia-Pacific Afghanistan, Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Lao People s Democratic Republic, Macau, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam Middle East Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates and Yemen Africa Algeria, Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Reunion, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe Europe Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Moldova, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, San Marino, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom and Ukraine South & Central America Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobaga and Venezuela North America Canada and United States Others Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Mauritius, Mongolia, New Caledonia, Norfolk Islands, Papua New Guinea and Tahiti
(D) Top 10 visiting countries and regions (excluding China & Hong Kong) Number of visitors from China: 7,895 Country/Region Number of Visitors 1 India 3,130 2 United States 1,855 3 Taiwan 1,699 4 Thailand 1,655 5 Japan 1,532 6 Korea 1,007 7 Philippines 1,004 8 Australia 735 9 Indonesia 693 10 Singapore 549 No. of exhibitors (By countries & regions) Country/ Region No. of Exhibitors Country/ Region No. of Exhibitors 1 Afghanistan 7 24 Macau 1 2 Australia 8 25 Malaysia 3 3 Austria 1 26 Malta 1 4 Belgium 88 27 Mexico 2 5 Brazil 28 28 Netherlands 1 6 Canada 2 29 New Zealand 2 7 China 203 30 Pakistan 5 8 Colombia 10 31 Philippines 5 9 Czech Republic 1 32 Poland 5 10 France 5 33 Russia Federation 2 11 French Polynesia 2 34 Singapore 23 12 Germany 63 35 Spain 13 13 Greece 1 36 Sri Lanka 25 14 Hong Kong 1387 37 Switzerland 25 15 India 135 38 Tahiti 1 16 Indonesia 19 39 Taiwan 92 17 Iran 1 40 Thailand 349 18 Israel 93 41 Turkey 53 19 Italy 146 42 United Arab Emirates 2 20 Japan 151 43 United Kingdom 12 21 Korea 51 44 USA 171 22 Lebanon 2 45 Vietnam 2 23 Lithuania 6 Total: 3,205 exhibitors