Hong Kong Jewelry Show Draws More Exhibitors

Gold AIBO at the jewelry show in Hong Kong

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The Hong Kong International Jewelry Show 2001 opened Monday, with 958 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions gathering to display a wide variety of jewelry products.

Organized by the Trade Development Council (TDC), the four-day show recorded an 8.2 percent increase in the number of exhibitors over last year. Fine jewelry makes up the largest category in the exhibition, followed by group pavilions and the World of Pearls and Gems section.

Speaking at the opening of the jewelry show, Leung Sik-wah, chairman of the TDC's Jewelry Advisory Committee, said he is optimistic about business prospect in 2001.

"Fueled by the continued popularity of white and semi-precious jewelry, supplemented by a comeback of gold, jewelry exports to the EU will continue to perform well," said Leung, adding that consumer spending and import demand in emerging markets like the Middle East and South America should fare better in 2001.

In 2000, Hong Kong's total jewelry exports increased by 25 percent over 1999, to 16.6 billion HK dollars (US$2.13 billion). Exports to the United States surged by 36 percent, Japan up 32 percent, EU up 16 percent and the mainland up 15 percent.

In addition to Hong Kong exhibitors, the show features the debut appearance of the Belgium Pavilion, and other pavilions grouping exhibitors from Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand.html target=_blank>Thailand, the United States and the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA).