The annual International Amber Exhibition organised by Cultural Village Foundation – Katara helps promote the amber tradition in Qatar and enhances the country’s position in the global amber industry, says international amber expert Giedrius Guntorius, CEO and General Manager of Amber Trip, an annual amber exhibition in Lithuania, and one of the biggest amber exhibitions in the world.
Guntorius said that the huge success of the second Katara International Amber Exhibition has made Qatar a prominent member in the international amber community.
The second edition of the four-day Katara amber exhibition which concluded this week had exhibitors and participants from 13 countries, with more than 90 stalls exhibiting a wide and exciting array of products.
It’s kahraman, kahraman everywhere, Guntorius said, referring to the Arabic word for amber.
I am visiting this show for the first time and I am really excited to see that this country has a strong and deep amber culture like my own country Lithuania. It’s a kahraman life in Doha.’
Guntorius, who has been in the amber industry from early 1990s, first as a businessman and now as an organiser of the Amber Trip, said that Qatar’s huge interest in amber will be reflected in the increased participation of Qatar in Amber Trip, an annual now running for 17 years. This year’s show will be held from 11 to 14 March.
Last year, we had around 20 participants from Qatar in the show and this year we are expecting 50 individuals and companies to participate. We have more visitors from Middle East this year and will have special prayer rooms at the expo for visitors.’
Qatar and Kuwait are two leaders in amber in the Middle East now, according to the expert. The second amber exhibition in Qatar is a testament to the huge popularity and acceptance of the first show.
It’s easy to organise a first show. You can do it and forget it if you want, but to organise it a second time, which means to continue it in the coming years, means something else. This only shows that the first show has been a huge achievement. I thank Katara Cultural Village for inviting me to this exhibition.’
Amber demand is going up all over the world, as are the prices. According to industry sources, 600 tonnes of amber raw materials are mined every year, and Russia is the leader, contributing 400 tonnes. The prices too have seen a significant increase in the past years, going up from 300 euros per kilogramme in 2006 for Fractions 20-50 GR, which is the standard amber, to 3900 euros per kilogramme in 2014. But since then, the prices have seen a decline.
Guntorius said that amber is the gold of Lithuanians, in the same way as oil is considered the black gold in the Gulf region.
People in Europe and the Baltic region use amber for a variety of purposes – jewellery, lamps, chairs, etc. It’s also used as a cosmetic as its powder is used for amber massage to smoothen skin.’
China is the top market for amber products, followed by the Middle East and Europe.
Related Link:
https://marhaba.qa/visitors-flock-to-katara-for-amber-exhibition/