Expo Centre Sharjah Will Host Major International Exhibitions During The 4th Quarter Of 2018

Expo Centre Sharjah will host a variety of major international events, which includes economic and cultural exhibitions and conferences, during the fourth quarter of this year. The agenda of events will begin with the MidEast Watch and Jewellery show in October and end on December 14 with the China Trade Week.

The centre’s list of upcoming exhibitions for the year includes 5 global economic exhibitions: the MidEast Watch and Jewellery show, the International Autumn Trade Fair, the International Concrete Conference and Exhibition in the Middle East, the Consumer Electronics Fashion exhibition, and China Trade Week. The centre’s agenda of events for the year will also include two cultural exhibitions: the Sharjah International Book Fair and the International Photography Festival XPOSURE.

HE Saif Mohammed Al-Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, stated that he expects the upcoming events hosted by the centre to achieve the desired success and positive growth for both the emirate’s economy and the community. He stressed that the centre is keen to update and diversify its agenda of activities, and establish strategic partnerships with various international organizations that are leaders in the field of organizing exhibitions. He added that the centre is also working to develop its performance and services to enhance and solidify its leading status in the global exhibition and conference industry, which comes as part of the framework of its new strategic plan for 2018-2022.

Expo Centre Sharjah will launch the MidEast Watch and Jewellery show in the fourth quarter of 2018. The 45^th edition of the biannual Show, which is the first and largest event of its kind in the region, will be held during October 2-6, with support from the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Show will feature the participation of over 500 exhibitors and brands from 25 different countries that specialise in the design and manufacture of watches and jewellery. Exhibitors will be coming in from the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia, the United States, Latvia, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Jordan, Bahrain, Turkey, Taiwan, Yemen and the UAE.

The Mideast Watch and Jewellery Show is considered one of the most important events in the watches and jewellery industry at the local and regional level. The show helps to strengthen the UAE’s position as the fifth country in the world in terms of Jewellery purchases, and the first country in the world in terms of the rate of jewellery purchases per person. The event is an opportunity to view the latest innovations in the field of watches and jewellery, as well as the current trends for accessories and ornaments made with gold, diamonds, precious stones, pearls and others. The exhibition also provides visitors the opportunity to buy directly from manufacturers.

After the conclusion of the Mideast Watch and Jewellery Show, Expo Centre Sharjah will prepare to host the Sharjah International Book Fair, under the supervision of the Sharjah Book Authority.

The Sharjah International Book Fair, which is held every November under the patronage of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, brings together hundreds of publishers and authors from around the world to be featured in events, activities and seminars that are held during the entire 10 days of the exhibition.

Since its launch in 1982, the Sharjah International Book Fair has transformed from a book fair to an all-inclusive integrated cultural project that brings together publishers, authors, book enthusiasts and internationally-acclaimed guests within a single platform, and offers them a variety of events and activities that’s satisfies their interests.

The 36^th edition of the book fair witnessed the participation of 1,650 publishing houses from 60 countries. More than 1.5 million titles were on display at the event, which was spread across 14,625 square metres. Each year, the exhibition includes thousands of events and activities that are suitable for the whole family. The mega event, which is the second largest event of its kind in the region, will also host a variety of prominent Arab and foreign personalities, authors, writers, poets and intellectuals.

The Sharjah Book Authority works to encourage investment in creative industries, and to build a global platform for culture and knowledge exchange. The authority seeks to highlight the significant role of books and their impact in promoting community awareness in view of technological advances and diversity of knowledge sources. It also aims to attract relevant bodies and figures operating in the cultural sector around the world to support book publishing, printing, translation and documentation in particular.

Expo Centre Sharjah will host the International Autumn Trade Fair during November 20-22. The fair, which specializes in the trade of consumer goods, will include the participation of a variety of countries. The fair is one of the most prominent exhibitions of its kind in the region, and it represents a platform that attracts major regional and global product suppliers and service providers. The fair also highlights Sharjah’s position as a major regional hub for products, services, re-exports, and global business and commerce.

Photography professionals and enthusiasts will have a chance to participate in the events and activities of the 3^rd edition of the International Photography Festival XPOSURE, which will be organized by the Sharjah Government Media Bureau and will take place during November 20-24 at Expo Centre Sharjah. The festival will focus on building a future generation that is proficient with photography techniques, in order for them to convey a real image of UAE’s culture and traditions, which can then be used as a modern resource for the local and international media.

The 2^nd edition of the International Concrete Conference and Exhibition in the Middle East (ICCX Middle East 2018) will launch its activities on November 25 at Expo Centre Sharjah. The event, which will be held over a period of 2 days, will feature the participation of more than 100 exhibitors and 1,000 international experts in the construction sector. The exhibition is considered one of the most important events for the concrete and precast concrete industry in the Middle East, and the event will present new products and solutions for tomorrow’s modern, efficient buildings. The exhibition will be organized in cooperation with the German Emirati Joint Council for Industry and Commerce (AHK), and with the participation of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) as the platinum sponsor, in addition to participation of the International Federation for Structural Concrete (fib) and the Spanish Manufacturers’ Association of Construction and Mining Equipment. A conference will also be held during the exhibition, and it will include the participation of renowned international speakers, who will discuss current prominent issues of the concrete industry.

Expo Centre Sharjah will then host the 4th Consumer Electronics Fashion (CEF) from November 28 until December 2 of this year, which will coincide with Martyrs’ Day and the UAE National Day. The exhibition, which is the largest of its kind in Sharjah and the Northern Emirates, will offer the best brands in fashion, accessories, home appliances, smartphones and electronics at the best prices, through a wide range of exclusive offers on high quality products with discounts reaching up to 80 per cent. The exhibition is expected to attract more than 75,000 visitors during its 4 day run.

Expo Centre Sharjah will conclude its major events for the year with the 6^th edition of China Trade Week, which will be held during December 12-14 of this year. The show will include the participation of over 300 exhibitors who will showcase over 1,000 Chinese products. Expo Centre Sharjah will host the show, after an agreement was signed between the centre and MIE Events DMCC. The new edition of China Trade Week will occupy 8,000 square meters of space and will host high-end Chinese manufacturers from industries including auto parts, furniture, interiors, and consumer goods such as electronics.

The main focus of China Trade Week will be on after-sales products such as car care products, electronics, environmental protection and energy saving products, testing and diagnostic machines, tyre repair equipment and products, and car wash machines. The show offers local businesses and potential buyers the chance to meet and discuss business opportunities with a host of Chinese manufacturers, and it provides exhibitors access to a high-growth domestic market, and a chance to establish partnerships with local distributors in order to expand market access.

The exhibition and conference sector in Sharjah plays an important role in the economy of the emirate, and there are plans to increase investment in this sector in order to solidify Sharjah’s status as an international exhibition centre that is supported by a modern and sophisticated infrastructure. This status has led to the success of Expo Centre Sharjah in gaining membership to the Board of Directors of the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

The volume of investment in the UAE’s exhibition and conference sector is estimated at Dh36.7 billion, according to reports from the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the UAE. Over the past few years, the UAE has made significant strides in the exhibition industry and has become a leading regional and global destination in the exhibition and conference sector.