Record Exhibitor Turnout for Asia’s Largest Spring Jewellery Fair

	Officiating at the opening ceremony were (left to right): Hong Kong Jewellers’ & Goldsmiths’ Association Assistant Chairman & Director of Social Kent Wong, Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers’ Association Chairman Ricky Lam, HKTDC Jewellery Advisory Committee Benedict Sin, Hong Kong SAR Government Secretary of Financial Services and the Treasury KC Chan, HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau, HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show Organising Committee Chairman Lawrence Ma, and Diamond Federation of Hong Kong China Ltd Chairman Winston Chow
	The HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show opened today with more than 3,300 exhibitors from 49 countries and regions, a new show record, taking part in the five-day fair at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre
	More than 90 buying missions from over 5,000 companies representing some 6,500 buyers from 80 countries and regions are taking part in the show
	The new Small-Order Zone, located at the Expo Drive Entrance, offers jewellery that can be purchased in quantities of between five and 500 pieces

5 March 2013 – More than 3,300 exhibitors from 49 countries and regions, a new exhibitor record, are taking part in the 30^th HKTDC Hong Kong International Jewellery Show, which opened today and continues through 9 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

The fair hosts exhibitors from Cyprus, Lebanon and Peru for the first time, alongside 17 group pavilions.

Seven international trade organisation pavilions are also on hand: the Antwerp World Diamond Centre, the Israel Diamond Institute, the Israel Export & International Cooperation Institute, the International Colored Gemstone Association, the Japan Jewellery Association, the Japan Pearl Exporters’ Association and the Platinum Guild International.

More than 90 buying missions from more than 5,000 companies representing over 6,500 buyers from 80 countries and regions are taking part in the show. They include Australia’s Leading Edge Jewellers, Canada’s The Shopping Channel, India’s Future Group, Japan’s Mitsuwa Co Ltd, Kazakhstan’s Kazakhyuvelir, Russia’s Moscow Jewellery Plant, Saudi Arabia’s Al Sowyan Co Ltd and Singapore’s On Cheong Company.

Showcase Jewellery
This year’s fair presents 10 featured product zones: the Hall of Fame, showcasing international brands; the Hall of Extraordinary, spotlighting prestigious jewellery; the Hall of Nature, displaying precious loose jewellery; the World of Glamour, presenting fine jewellery from Hong Kong-based exhibitors; the Hall of Chic, offering silver and fine jewellery; the Hall of Time, showing brand watches and clocks; the Exclusive Showroom, featuring fine jewellery and diamonds; Designer Galleria, showcasing stylish designer collections; the Hall of Jade Jewellery, with top jade pieces in a variety of colours; and the Antique & Vintage Jewellery Galleria.

The new Small-Order Zone, located at the Expo Drive Entrance, is another fair feature. It offers jewellery that can be purchased in small quantities, between five and 500 pieces, and at prices below US$1,000 per piece.

Highlight Events
More than 20 special events are taking place over the fair’s five days, including a wide variety of seminars, networking receptions and jewellery parades.

The seminars spotlight such topical issues as coloured gemstone and diamond trends, global jewellery trends for strategic marketing, jewellery design and investment, market trends in the United States and Europe, and the value of testing and certification. A seminar looking at a Hong Kong standard testing method and certification for jade will be held on 8 March.

In addition, the sixth Gerdau Pearl Auction and the Robert Wan Tahiti Perles Auction will take place, 3-5 March and 6-7 March respectively.

Spotlight on Design
Jewellery design at its finest is central to the fair. Throughout the show, visitors can view the finalists and winners of three major design competitions: the 14^th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition and the ninth International South Sea Pearl Jewellery Design Competition, both at the Display Area, Hall 1E Concourse, and the 2013 International Jewellery Design Excellence Award, at the Display Area, Hall 1C Entrance.

Exports Up
Hong Kong exports of fine jewellery totalled US$7 billion in 2012, up 14 per cent over the previous year.

The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the Hong Kong Jewellers' & Goldsmiths' Association, the Hong Kong Jewellery & Jade Manufacturers Association, the Hong Kong Jewelry Manufacturers' Association and the Diamond Federation of Hong Kong, China.

Website: www.hktdc.com/hkjewelleryshow

14^th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition: Winning Entries
http://filesharing.tdc.org.hk/hktdc/download.php?fid=_php59asEm

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Corporate Communication Department: 

Joe Kainz
Tel: (852) 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers . With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com.