20% growth for JGT’s second edition

Jewellery, Gem & Technology (JGT) saw a 20% growth in buyer numbers for its second edition, hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre last week (12-14 February 2023).

With 5,093 unique visitors attending throughout the three-day run, JGT Dubai 2023 was driven by an influx of new and returning buyers from 95 countries and regions.

International representation remained strong, with overseas buyers making up 40% of overall attendance.

By region, the largest number of visitors came from the Middle East (71.9%), Asia (15.5%) and Europe (7.6%).

Senior vice president of Informa Markets in Asia, David Bondi said: “The energy was positive on the show floor, and the opportunities to do business were incredible.

“Participants came away with renewed energy and purpose for the year ahead.

“Challenges and uncertainties are here to stay, but so are opportunities for growth and expansion.

“The need for powerful marketplaces like JGTD has never been more evident or more important than today.

“I have mentioned before that our partnership with IEG works because we are committed to the same goal – to deliver real value to the jewellery community.

“With the full backing of DMCC and DGJG, we will continue to bring the full weight of our resources, industry expertise, global reach and local knowledge to Dubai in the years to come.”

Event organisers Italian Exhibition Group SpA (IEG) and Informa Markets Jewellery have also said that the B2B show is poised to live up to its potential as one of the top jewellery sourcing destination in the world.

The fair hosted close to 350 suppliers from 25 countries and regions spread across an expanded show floor which was 46% bigger than the inaugural edition.

The exhibitors included industry-leading companies representing finished and semi-finished jewellery, loose gemstones, jewellery-related technologies and other key product categories.

CEO of IEG, Corrado Peraboni said: “The market appreciation for the second edition already consolidates the role of IEG and IM’s joint initiative as a central sourcing event for the industry, focused on development, technology and innovation.

“The numbers and the level of internationalisation – factors that are growing on both the exhibitor and visitor sides – urge us to look with even greater interest on the future developments of this destination event.

“Together with our strategic partners, we are glad to contribute on a global scale to the growth of the jewellery community and offer, as leading trade show organisers, increasingly qualified business opportunities like JGTD, which is able to attract visitors from 95 countries and regions to a primary hub such as Dubai, the City of Gold.”

JGT Dubai 2023 was powered by Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) and Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group (DGJG) – the fair’s official and industry partners respectively.

According to executive chairman and CEO of DMCC, Ahmed Bin Sulayem, JGT Dubai’s timing could not have been more ideal as the industry enters a new phase of growth and transformation.

Sulayem added: “It’s an exciting time for all of us.

“This is a sourcing event where you can actually feel and see the future of the jewellery industry.

“People participate in JGTD, not only to sell or buy goods, but to learn, adapt and understand what our industry is going to be like one, two or three years from now.

“Every category is represented here, from diamond polishers and finished jewellery suppliers to new players in the technology and lab-grown diamond fields, which was unheard of 10-15 years ago.

“We expect to see even greater diversity in JGTD’s third edition next year.”

DGJG chairman, Tawhid Abdullah said that JGT reinforces Dubai’s standing as the jewellery destination of the world: “I believe the partnership between Informa and IEG has led to the creation of a promising B2B jewellery sourcing platform for professional buyers in the Middle East and beyond.

“Our inaugural show in 2022 was successful, but even more so this year. We will have challenges along the way but I think we are in the right direction. We are more optimistic than ever.”

“We are confident that JGTD will fortify Dubai’s standing as the ‘City of Gold and Jewellery,’ create business opportunities for the global industry, and further drive innovation in the marketplace.”

The show was further enriched by the 2023 JWA Dubai Special Edition Awards Presentation Ceremony, which celebrated the achievements of four industry stars: Dhamani Jewels, Brand of the Year – Retail; Pure Gold Jewellers, Outstanding Enterprise of the Year; Belmont Emeralds, Outstanding Coloured Gemstone Enterprise of the Year; and Kobi Sevdermish of Advanced Quality ACC Ltd, Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

The event was complimented by a panel discussion on Inspired Leadership in a Post-Pandemic World, featuring JWA Dubai Special Edition Honourees Sulayem and Abdullah.

Abdullah was also the recipient of JWA Dubai 2022’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

JGTD will return for its third edition from 6-8 February 2024.

Courtesy: Khaleej Times