HONG KONG, March 4 (Xinhua) -- As the world's fourth-largest fine jewelry exporter, Hong Kong saw jewelry exports growing 17 percent in 2007, with significant growth in emerging markets, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)'s Jewelry Advisory Committee said Tuesday.

    Hong Kong jewelry exports jumped by 17 percent to 33.8 billion HK dollars (4.3 billion U.S. dollars) in 2007, with the United States and the European Union as the biggest markets, Chairman of the Jewelry Advisory Committee Charles Chan said at the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Jewelry Show Tuesday.

    He said "it's also encouraging to see good growth from such mature and discerning markets as Italy and the United Kingdom."

    Emerging markets marked significant growth. He said, "Russia grew by 177 percent, and the United Arab Emirates was up 39 percent in 2007. India and the Chinese mainland were up 45 percent and 13.5 percent respectively last year."

    According to the statistics provided by the HKTDC, The United States, the United Kingdom and Switzerland top the major markets list of Hong Kong's jewelry exports, with market shares of 44.6 percent, 23.5 percent and 7.6 percent respectively in January to November of 2007. Exports to South Africa and Greece also saw growth of 61 percent and 40 percent respectively.

    The Hong Kong International Jewelry Show, the third largest of its kind, opened Tuesday at Hong Kong Convention and Exhibitions Center with a new fair record of 2,306 exhibitors from all around the world.

    Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), organizer of Hong Kong International Jewelry Show, set up seven special zones at the fair as well as 22 group pavilions from the Chinese mainland, India, Italy, Thailand, the United States and other countries and regions, including special pavilions for the Antwerp World Diamond Center, the International Colored Gemstone Association, the Israel Diamond Institute and other international organizations.

    A wide range of activities, including seminars, jewelry parades and networking cocktails will be launched to expand the fair's portfolio and strengthen Hong Kong's status as the world's major jewelry sourcing center.