The fair – now in its 30th edition and running from 5 to 9 March – will include a line-up of almost 50 participating countries and regions, including eight Australian exhibitors.
Peter Bosevski, marketing manager for the event organisers, Hong Kong Trade Development Council, told Jeweller the Australian suppliers would be offering a range of opals and pearls. The gems are reportedly highly sought after by international buyers.
He added, “we have had a higher number of new buyers from the Australian and New Zealand market registering for the HKIJS 2013 and a higher number of buyers coming back to the show after being absent for a few years”.
In 2012, the fair featured a record-breaking number of exhibitors (more than 3,100) from 48 countries and regions. The increase in scope and range of items was said to have attracted more than 38,000 buyers from 143 countries and regions.
According to organisers, the event is now the “largest spring jewellery show” in Asia and one of the world’s most effective international platforms for jewellery trade. Group pavilions at the show reportedly allow participants greater opportunities to make contacts and to find out more about what is shaping contemporary design.
The show will be organised into “themed zones” that cover key industry segments including Hall of Fame, Hall of the Extraordinary and Exclusive Showroom.
Organisers will also launch the Small-Order Zone this year, which aims to promote small order purchasing. The new area is said to respond to the current economic climate and changing buying patterns. Buyers are now reportedly placing smaller orders to better manage consumer market demands, reduce inventory and save operation costs.
In addition, the show will feature a series of seminars designed to keep suppliers and retailers updated on industry developments and trends in terms of marketing, design and investment.
Italy Vicenza Fair’s Corrado Facco will speak on “Trend Vision+Forecasting – Monitoring Global Trends of Jewellery for Strategic Marketing”, while British journalist Vivienne Becker and representative from Sotheby’s, Terry Chiu, will give a presentation on “Forecast of Jewellery Design and Investment Trend”.
There will also be gemstone seminars as well as testing and certification in Hong Kong.