Jewellery Arabia 2000, the ninth show in the series of exhibitions for the Middle East’s gold, jewelry, clock, and watch market, closed its doors on Nov. 11, 2000, after attracting a record number of buyers from throughout the Arab world.

The exhibition was held under the patronage of HH the Prime Minister of Bahrain Shaikh Khalifa bin Sulman Al Khalifa, who presided over the official opening ceremony.

A total of 14,100 visitors drawn from the region’s fine jewelry trade (as well as private collectors and investors by invitation) attended the five-day show at the Bahrain International Exhibition Centre. That number marks an increase of nearly 40% over the 10,455 visitors recorded at Jewellery Arabia ’99. The show attracted 2,826 visitors-20% of the total-from the region’s single largest jewelry market, Saudi Arabia. Also represented were Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

The exhibition’s profile included diamond, gem-set, gold, and silver jewelry and watches in addition to retail packaging, display material, and jewelry manufacturing machinery and equipment.

More than 420 companies participated in the show. National pavilions included Italy, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Switzerland, and Thailand.

Dates for Jewellery Arabia 2001 have been set for Oct. 16-20. The event will mark a decade of successful jewelry and watch exhibitions in the Middle East. For information, contact Overseas Exhibition Services Ltd., Manchester Square, London W1U 3PL, U.K.; (44 (0) 20) 7862 4041, fax (44 (0) 20) 7862 4049.