Syeda Amtul Saudi Gazette JEDDAH — The 5th Exclusive jewelry exhibition which was launched to liven the Saudi gold and jewelry market concluded in Jeddah Hilton on Saturday with world jewelry designers and experts showing interest in the sector because of the boom and apparent interest of buyers. The number of jewelry designers and famous brands that participated in the Jeddah Jewelry Exhibition 2014 made contracts with Saudi companies and plan to open their showrooms in the Saudi market. Saudi experts and businessmen also requested the Saudi government to pay attention on this sector and make it easy for investors to get visas and ease customs procedures. They hope that the move will make investors pour in capital into the Saudi gold and jewelry market. Tariq Fitaihi, the biggest investor and businessmen in the jewelry business in Saudi Arabia, said there is a need for encouragement in the gold industry to help it boost the economy He also said the main goal is to facilitate the coming of global investors by easing customs procedures. He said the Saudi gold and jewelry market is very attractive to global investors and that he expected that the industry will scale new heights if given enough incentives. The Saudi market is attractive for investors as the annual sales of gold and jewelry continue in all four seasons of the year. Ahmed Al-Khoji and other businessmen in the industry said facilitating the entry of global investors will turn the Kingdom into a global hub for gold and jewelry. This will not harm the local investors and small small entrepreneurs, he said and emphasized the importance of easing visa customs procedures to encourage world investors to come. At the close of the exhibition, prizes for jewelry designing contest were given to the winners. Abdul Aziz Al-Maliki received first prize of SR10,000 while the 2nd prize of SR5,000 was won by Ridaa Al Ashrafi. Third placer was Sarah M. Feteih. Tariq Fitaihi, supervisor of the contest, said the participation of the Saudi artists was high. At least seven Saudi designers joined the contest and they proved to be competent to become world designers in the future. Lamia Ajaj, another contest supervisor, said the selection of the winners were adjudged by visitors and exhibitors alike. Haya Sunaidi, the main organizer and president of Reed Sunaidi exhibitions, said the contest was an excellent place for Saudi designers to prove themselves especially because of the participation of the international brands.
She said the exhibitions in Riyadh and Jeddah drew heavy turnouts and that a number of business deals have been signed by local and international exhibitors. — SG
