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- The event is scheduled to run from Oct. 3-7 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh with over 100 international brands participating
RIYADH: At the upcoming 鈥淛ewels of the World鈥� exhibition, on-site value added tax refunds will be available to international visitors through a partnership with Global Blue.
The event is scheduled to run from Oct. 3-7 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh with over 100 international brands participating. It will then move to the Jeddah Hilton from Oct. 11-14.
A development at this year鈥檚 event is the availability of these on-site VAT refunds.
鈥淭his signals 黑料社区鈥檚 seriousness to become a global luxury tourism hub,鈥� said Nader Freiha, director of the event.
鈥淏y making shopping in Riyadh more attractive for international visitors, we are positioning the Kingdom as a leading destination for high-end showcases.鈥�
Freiha told Arab News that the implementation was achieved in coordination with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority and Global Blue.
According to Freiha, the initiative aligns with international brand interest in the Saudi market.
鈥淲ith global trade shifts, many brands are redirecting focus to the Kingdom, where demand is robust and the clientele is sophisticated,鈥� he said.
The event will feature a mix of established houses and emerging designers. Regarding trends, Freiha pointed to a blend of global styles and an interest in natural pearls, which connect with the region鈥檚 heritage.
鈥淭he demand from international brands to access this market has never been higher,鈥� Freiha said.
鈥淲hen asked to characterize the current international appetite for the Saudi luxury consumer, it鈥檚 clear we鈥檝e moved beyond curiosity to a strategic imperative,鈥� he added.
鈥淭he most surprising aspect of curating the 鈥榖iggest showcase of independent Italian jewellers鈥� hasn鈥檛 just been the quality, but the specific desire of these artisans to build long-term brand recognition in Riyadh, not just make sales.鈥�
In the lead-up to this edition, the excitement is genuinely balanced, but for different reasons, Freiha noted.
鈥淭he established houses bring a sense of legacy and security, while the independent designers are generating a palpable buzz with their unique stories and avant-garde designs. It鈥檚 the difference between acquiring a masterpiece and discovering a future heirloom.鈥�
He highlighted a fusion of influences. 鈥淭he most striking trend is the move towards bold, architectural forms that still incorporate cultural motifs, particularly a renewed fascination with rare natural pearls and vibrant, sculptural emeralds. It鈥檚 a dialogue between heritage and futurism.鈥�