Ban on jewelry sales upsets some exhibitors

Many foreign exhibitors at the Fourth International Jewelry Exhibition that ended on Wednesday, have criticized the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s decision to ban them from selling their products.
Canan Butner, general manager of Adler, an Italian company participating for the third time in the show, told Arab News many exhibitors may not take part in the event next year. “I was shocked at this decision which was imposed last year without advance notification.”
“Exhibitors at international jewelry exhibitions around the world want to sell and not just display their pieces.”
He said he came here this year hoping the decision would be reviewed and some amendments would be made.
Butner said that an observer from the ministry had been monitoring the show every day and made it clear the decision would not be modified or reviewed.
Edmond Avakian, the CEO of Avakian Group of Companies from Geneva, said 80 percent of the exhibitors would think twice before returning next year.
“I don’t know what are the reasons behind this decision. If it has been imposed by the ministry to protect the Saudi jewelry market, then why do Saudi jewelers not become more competitive in terms of quality, design and prices,” he said.
Another exhibitor from Geneva, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “It took us months to prepare for the exhibition and cost us a lot of money to transfer pieces of jewelry, precious stones and gems here. There were also accommodation costs and other related expenditure.”
He said the exhibitors are only allowed to accept orders. Customers would then have to wait a month to get their jewelry. “This prolonged process may make customers reluctant to purchase a piece even if it is a rare one,” he added.
Talaat Abdul Rahman from the organizing firm told Arab News that “since the decision was imposed by the ministry we alerted all the exhibitors, especially those at this year’s exhibition, to abide by it.”
He said all the pieces on display by international exhibitors are itemized to ensure nothing is sold domestically. “Many international exhibitors complained about this decision because most customers would like to buy a piece of jewelry or gem without any delay or would long wait for it to be shipped later.”
“We are still trying to convince the authorities that the decision could be detrimental to the future of exhibitions in Saudi Arabia and may even jeopardize the entire exhibition industry’s future, especially when compared to other more free and flexible exhibition regulations in neighboring countries such as the United Arab Emirates,” Abdul Rahman said.