BASELWORLD 2009 to be opened by Federal Councillor Pascal Couchepin

The opening ceremony of BASELWORLD, the World Watch and Jewellery Show 2009, will be conducted at the hands of Federal Councillor Pascal Couchepin. The show is slated to be held from March 26 to April 2, 2009. BASELWORLD – has been considered as the world's largest and most important trade show for the watch and jewellery industry, consistently hosting the world's renowned and leading watch and jewellery brands through its various editions. This year too the show expects to host a number of big players from the said industries.

The show’s 2009 edition is conceived over 160,000 m2 of space, delivering an incomparable overview of what is happening in the luxury goods sector. The show will see suppliers of unique one-off watch and jewellery products rubbing shoulders with representatives from leading luxury goods companies, national pavilions with exhibitors from all over the world presenting their non-branded products, the world's key diamond and precious stone dealers.

The show will be highlighted with the presence of Interior Minister Pascal Couchepin, which would be a reminder of the importance BASELWORLD has on the Swiss watch industry.

The Swiss watch and jewellery industry experienced an increase in its exports amounting to 17 billion Swiss francs in 2008, making it the country's third most important sector of industry. The show represents 95 percent of the Swiss watch manufacturers. The show is being organised by MCH Swiss Exhibition (Basel) Ltd.