The inaugural International Jewelry Vietnam 2008 will be held May 2 – 4 at the Ho Chi Minh City Exhibition & Convention Centre.

IJV 2008 is a marketplace for suppliers that sell, market, or promote innovative products and services across all platforms to new buyers from Vietnam and the other nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

The fair will cater to retailers, department store buyers, and private collectors; and cover all aspects of the jewelry market, including the tools, displays, and packaging sectors. It is organized by World Trade Fair Ltd.

Launched on Nov. 21, 2007, IJV 2008 has met with an overwhelming response from the industry suppliers. In 10 days since its launch, 48 percent of total booth space has been reserved by 52 applicants from 14 countries. Only 180 booths are available for the first edition of the fair.

Vietnam is a new market for international jewelers with a developing and largely untapped luxury products sector. The country also benefits from continued market reforms and its greater access to world markets, resulting with its accession to the WTO in January 2007. Domestic demand was a major growth driver, supported by strong export expansion (particularly manufactured goods) and increased foreign direct investment from Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, Hong Kong, EU, and the U.S.

Booth space is $3,500. For more information, visit the Trafe Fair Web site; call (+852) 6838-2688 Larry Chan, (+852) 2365-3839 Connie Lui; or e-mail: sales@januaryshow.com.

JCK