DGJG is a non-profit trade association which counts more than 700 members and represents companies accounting for almost 80 per cent of the regional jewellery trade. The partnership evolves DGJG’s previous support of VICENZAORO Dubai and Dubai International Jewellery Week, the emirate’s traditional trade and consumer-centric jewellery industry events which have been merged into the consolidated VOD Dubai International Jewellery Show, running November 15 – 18 at Dubai World Trade Centre. One of five strategic partnerships aimed at ensuring the show’s prolonged success in nurturing further growth in the robust regional jewellery sector, the partnership will leverage DGJG’s knowledge, expertise and network to elevate the event’s commercial proposition and Dubai’s position at the fulcrum of the global jewellery industry. Founded in 1996 as a promotional board backing the first Dubai Shopping Festival, DGJG has played a driving role in establishing Dubai’s status as the ‘City of Gold’. DGJG chairman, Tawhid Abdullah, comments: “Dubai has managed to build its strong position thanks to a number of reasons: credibility, trade experience, the potential of the wholesalers, overall pricing – all these factors attract the global market. Dubai doesn’t consume the 350 tonnes of jewellery it sees in a year, 80-90% is re-exported, it comes and goes. This is what Dubai is all about. It’s a service provider, a facilitator of goods, industry and trade. We manufacture, we import, we export, we assemble, and we facilitate the meeting of countries and companies to do business. Dubai is where the world comes to trade – we hope VOD Dubai International Jewellery Show builds on that reputation in the jewellery sector.” Spanning more than 200,000 square feet of indoor exhibition space, VOD Dubai International Jewellery Show is organised by DV Global Link, a joint-venture company between DWTC and Italian Exhibition Group (IEG). This year, the all-new format will see more than 500 local, regional and international exhibitors launching brand new product lines, collections and jewellery innovations to a trade and consumer audience. Commenting on the strategic partnership with DGJG, Emanuele Guido, general manager of DV Global Link, says: “Our partnership with Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group deepens our alignment with all the top representatives of the industry, from leading trade organisations and chambers of commerce, to manufacturers, traders, retailers, designers and consumers. DGJG has extensive knowledge, expertise and a network of connections that VOD Dubai International Jewellery Show can take full advantage of, and together, we can better serve the Middle East’s robust jewellery demand, through a strong selection of suppliers from all over the world. The partnership will help in creating a consolidated jewellery international mega event in the city of gold, and will further cement Dubai’s reputation as the world’s leading trading hub for gold, jewellery, gemstones and diamonds.”