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Doha
QATAR’S journey to hold one successful edition of Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition after another for past 17 years, traces back to the country’s love for ornaments right since the pearling days. The unparalleled beauty and rarity of pearls made them highly desirable and Qatari craftsmen showed rare creativity in adorning them with seashells, stones, and later glass and gold.
It was this love for ornaments that allowed the jewellery industry to continue to flourish in Qatar even after the decline of pearl-diving industry following the emergence of artificial pearls and Qatar’s discovery of oil and gas.
Qatar has witnessed a creative revolution in the manufacturing of jewellery and has become world-renowned in designing gold ornaments, stone setting and other craftsmanship such as sword, dagger and gun making.
The Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition has contributed to strengthening Qatar’s global reputation and is now one of the most important international exhibitions in this sector, visited by timepiece connoisseurs and luxury lovers from all over the world.
Eminent local and international brands are keen to participate in the exhibition, especially as it is considered the only jewellery and watch exhibition in the world that facilitates direct selling to the public, giving exhibitors an opportunity to know their customers personally and learn about their opinions on their products and designs.
The launch of the Young Qatari Designers initiative gave an opportunity to many Qatari entrepreneurs and innovators to enter the field of jewellery design and manufacture with significant governmental support and to compete with the most famous international brands in the field.
Ahmad al Obaidli from Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) stated: “The Doha Jewellery & Watches Exhibition has been a witness to the development of the jewellery and watch industry in Qatar for nearly two decades. The exhibition is also a platform for international brands to launch their latest designs and products, which reflects the global trend in the industry.”
It is notable that the last edition of the exhibition saw 12 designers taking part in the initiative alongside more than 500 local and international brands from more than 10 countries.
Qatari designers who took part in the exhibition were: Hissa and Jawaher al Mannai, Sarah al Hammadi, Samira al Mulla, Sheikha al Ghanim, Ghada AlBuainain from, Fajr al Attiyah, Laila Abu Issa, Nada al Sulaiti from Hairaat Fine Jewellery, Noor Alfardan, Nouf al Meir, Abdullah Yusif Fakhro as well as Noura and Maryam Almaadadi.
Qatar is supporting local jewellery designers and manufacturers in various ways. Qatar Museums hosts training workshops in the art of jewellery and metal design.
Across Qatar, gold and jewellery markets have expanded in recent years. A recent addition is the new Al Najada market which boasts 50 shops providing diverse designs to meet local, Gulf, and international tastes.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Interior has established a permit office to issue certificates for the sale of gold in Souq Waqif to ensure that the quality of jewellery and gold that is bought and sold in Qatar is the finest in the world.
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06/02/2020
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