ISTANBUL Jewelry Show (IJS-II,) reported approximately 11,400 visitors attending the 23rd annual International Jewellery, Silver, Watch, and Equipment Fair. Organised in Istanbul, Turkey, between August 31 and September 3, 2006 the show witnessed some 571 exhibitors or slightly fewer in number from the 630 exhibitors reported in 2005.

Roughly 61 percent of exhibitors were registered from Turkey followed by 10 percent from Italy and 6 percent from Germany. The United States, Switzerland, Thailand, India, and the United Kingdom each accounted for about 2 to 3 percent of the total. All other countries were less than 2 percent.

The percentages of visitors were far more diverse at the IJS show. Iran accounted for the highest percentage at 15 percent. Non-disclosed nationals represented 14 percent of attendees, followed by Russia at 6.5 percent and Bulgaria at 6 percent, Tunisia 5.5 percent and Israel 5.4 percent. All others accounted for less than 5 percent across 21 additional locations including Dubai, Mumbai, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The IJS March show typically attracts a larger crowd to Istanbul. IJS is scheduled for March 21-25, 2007, and is expected to attract some 30,000 visitors and host approximately 1,000 exhibitors according to the show organizers Rotaforte International.