Expo Centre Sharjah Celebrates Success of 57th Middle East Watches and Jewellery Show
Expo Centre Sharjah’s 57th Middle East Watches and Jewellery drew 96,000+ visitors from 78 countries, 400 exhibitors and delivered a 41% rise in purchasing power for the jewellery sector.
Expo Centre Sharjah reported strong results from the 57th Middle East Watches and Jewellery, underscoring the fair’s growing international stature. The Middle East Watches and Jewellery exhibition attracted more than 96,000 visits from 78 countries, reflecting a 6% increase in attendance over the previous edition. Organisers and officials described the event as a major contributor to Sharjah’s ambition to cement its role in the global jewellery and luxury trade.
Record attendance and international reach
The exhibition welcomed visitors and trade delegations from across the globe, with international attendees making up a substantial share of the audience. Organisers said delegations from 78 countries participated, and the fair drew over 700 senior buyers and industry specialists from 15 countries. This global footprint reinforced the show’s position as a primary business gateway to the Gulf and wider MENA jewellery markets.
Scale of exhibition and exhibitor mix
The event occupied more than 30,000 square metres of exhibition space and featured over 400 leading jewellers alongside 1,800 designers, manufacturers and craftspeople representing 21 countries. International exhibitors accounted for roughly 60% of the total participants, with national pavilions from Hong Kong, India, Italy, Singapore and Thailand on display. Dedicated domestic platforms included a pavilion for Emirati goldsmiths and a designers’ pavilion that highlighted regional creativity.
Commercial performance and purchasing-power growth
Beyond footfall, organisers emphasised the show’s commercial outcomes, reporting a 41% increase in purchasing power compared with the previous edition. That surge in buyer activity signals renewed investor and retailer confidence in the UAE market and points to Sharjah’s effectiveness in attracting high-value trade. Officials noted that the uptick in orders and negotiations reflected long-term interest from global brands and wholesale buyers seeking access to the region.
Exhibits and headline attractions
The exhibition staged several headline pieces that drew media and buyer attention, including what organisers described as the world’s most expensive gold dress. Crafted by Al Ramezan Gold and Jewellery from more than 10 kilograms of 21‑carat gold, the dress is listed in the Guinness World Records and was valued at over AED 5 million. Such showcases highlighted both craftsmanship and the premium market for bespoke, statement jewellery in the region.
Launch of ‘Spirit of the UAE’ — a locally sourced gemstone
Organisers also celebrated the unveiling of “Spirit of the UAE,” the first gemstone reported to be extracted locally from the Al-Siji area in Fujairah. The stone, a naturally occurring red jasper, was presented in cooperation with the Fujairah Natural Resources Authority and promoted as a milestone for the UAE’s creative and extractive industries. The initiative was framed as an effort to increase national content in the jewellery supply chain and raise the international profile of Emirati mineral resources.
Leadership and strategic outlook for Sharjah
Senior officials attended the closing ceremony, including Abdullah Sultan Al Owais, chairman of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and of Expo Centre Sharjah, alongside Walid Abdulrahman Bu Khatir and the expo’s chief executive, Saif Mohammed Al Madfa. Expo Centre Sharjah’s leadership highlighted the fair’s role in fostering partnerships, catalysing investment and supporting sustainable economic development. Executives said the result demonstrated confidence in the emirate as a regional hub for luxury retail and manufacturing.
The 57th Middle East Watches and Jewellery showcased a blend of commercial success, cultural promotion and industry innovation, strengthening Sharjah’s calendar of international events. Organisers signalled plans to build on the edition’s momentum, aiming to deepen buyer-seller connections and expand opportunities for Emirati designers and manufacturers in future cycles.