Glittering Testimony to HKCEC's Growth

(Hong Kong, 23 September 2009) The recently expanded Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) is currently shining with glittering jewellery during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2009. This is the first trade fair to fully utilise all of the Centre¡¦s exhibition halls with their 19,400 sqm of additional space completed this past April. The Jewellery & Gem Fair has now grown to be the world¡¦s largest fair of its kind. The fair opened in the HKCEC today (23 September) and closes Sunday (27 September).

Since the opening of the Centre in 1988, the September Jewellery & Gem Fair has grown along with both of the Centre¡¦s expansions in 1997 and this year. With the anticipated growth in future years, this fair demonstrates the need of further expansion of the HKCEC to accommodate such world renowned exhibitions hosted by the Centre.

"I am most pleased that UBM Asia's September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair 2009 has become the largest in the world. This fair is an important part of the HKCEC's prestigious portfolio of exhibitions. Anticipating further growth of this premier fair and others held in the HKCEC, the Centre¡¦s management will continue to strive for expansion to meet the needs of UBM Asia and its other clients," said Cliff Wallace, Managing Director, Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

"Over the years, we have been cooperating closely with the HKCEC in expanding our major Hong Kong fairs. I am most pleased that the expanded space at the Centre has accommodated this year¡¦s record-breaking growth of the Jewellery and Gem Fair. Compared to last year, the September Jewellery & Gem Fair enjoys a 25% and 16% growth in its total exhibition space and number of exhibitors respectively," said Jime Essink, President & Chief Executive Officer of UBM Asia, organiser of the fair.

The HKCEC is showcasing the entire array of finished jewellery. Other categories of jewellery are being exhibited at the Asia World Expo.

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The HKCEC is managed and operated by Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (HML), a private professional management company. HML is a member of NWS Holdings Limited. NWS Holdings Limited (¡§NWS Holdings¡¨, Hong Kong stock code: 659), the infrastructure and service flagship of New World Development Company Limited (Hong Kong stock code: 17), embraces a diversified range of businesses in Hong Kong, Mainland China and Macau. Its Infrastructure portfolio includes Roads, Energy, Water and Ports projects. Its Service & Rental division comprises Facilities Rental (the management of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and ATL Logistics Centre), Contracting (Hip Hing Construction and NWS Engineering), Financial Services (Taifook Securities and New World Insurance) and Other Services (New World First Bus, Citybus and New World First Ferry).