With or without a crisis, luxury never ends, as demonstrated by the continued interest in the sector’s tradeshows. As a result, there are many events across the world that are dedicated to the sparkling world of luxury goods. Among these stands out the international jewellery, accessories and horology fair, IFJA & IWCF – the International Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair and the International Watch & Clock Fair 2009 which will be held in two prestigious locations: Dubai and Casablanca.

In Casablanca the show will be held between the 12th and 14th of November 2009 at the Office des Foires et Expositions where more than 200 exhibitors and 10,000 visitors are expected, coming from Morocco (55%), the Middle East, Europe and Africa. The choice of location was no accident: Morocco is currently the fifth largest economy in Africa and currently counts more than 6,000 importers of jewellery and watches.

As for the United Arab Emirates, here the fair will take place between the 6th and 8th of December 2009, in the prestigious surroundings of the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre. The four days of the show will offer the estimated 8,000 visitors the chance to contact more than 100 international businesses which specialise in the design and production of jewellery, accessories and watches.

The statistics from last year’s show have been given to FashionMag.com by Gaetano Adinolfi – the exclusive agent of IFJA & IWCF for Italy and England – and demonstrate the show’s success. These figures attest to more than 6,000 visitors in 2007; an international crowd with participants coming from China, India, Hong Kong, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, South Africa, Italy and Germany.

Dubai is known for being the second in the world in the re-export of pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, imitation jewellery, gold, silver and watches as well as being a conduit of utmost importance between the Middle East and foreign companies which wish to invest in the zone. In 2005 the emirate saw an increase of 36% in commercial trade, reaching a total of $131.1 billion; $84.2 billion in imports, $25.2 billion in exports and $21.5 billion in re-exports.

This data gives cause for hope for the upcoming editions of the International Fashion Jewellery & Accessories Fair and the International Watch & Clock Fair.

By Jonathan Fulwell (Source: Elena Passeri)