Designers Café – The Designers’ Hub at NEBU-5

In a move to support Egyptian jewelry designers, develop their creative skills, showcase emerging talents to the job market, and inject fresh diversity into the industry, the management of NEBU-5 has allocated a dedicated supported space for jewelry designers (hand-drawn and digital) within the exhibition. NEBU-5 will take place at the Egypt International Exhibitions Center, Fifth Settlement, from November 23 to 25, under the auspices of the Ministry of Supply and Internal Trade, and supervised by the General Chamber of Gold and Jewelry and the Egyptian Assay and Weights Authority.

The space, branded as “Designers Café”, adopts the concept of an artistic café where designers can present their creations (sketches only, without physical pieces), engage with visitors, and exchange ideas with factory owners, traders, and international buyers. This unique platform opens opportunities for designers to refine their work and explore various career paths, whether through full-time positions in factories or freelance collaborations.

Participation is also open to international designers for a nominal fee, underscoring the exhibition’s commitment to enriching Egypt’s gold sector with talent and skills that fuel growth. By encouraging innovation and exposing Egyptian designers to global competitions and cross-cultural exchanges, NEBU seeks to reduce reliance on replicated international designs and establish Egyptian jewelry as increasingly unique, creative, and globally competitive.

Voices from the Industry

Engineer Hany Milad, Head of the Gold and Jewelry Chamber, stated: “Last year, we launched a design competition that exceeded all expectations—not only because of the large number of participants from Egypt and abroad but also due to the outstanding quality of the entries. We realized there are many gifted designers in Egypt who need to be drawn into the industry so factory and workshop owners can benefit from their expertise. This year, we wanted to provide them with a direct platform to connect with stakeholders, paving the way for employment opportunities and making NEBU a true annual recruitment hub for the gold and jewelry sector.”

Amr Al-Maghraby, Chamber Member, added: “Design is one of the most crucial elements in this sector. The more innovative the design, the easier it is to market and sell, whether in the local market or for export. Egyptian consumers now have a distinctive taste in jewelry. On the global stage, competition demands high-quality, competitively priced, and unique designs. This drove us to dedicate a space for supporting designers and introducing new creative energy into the market.”

The CEO and Managing Director of Vision Fairs, the exhibition organizer, explained:“The core mission of the exhibition is to serve and develop the gold and jewelry sector—both industrially and commercially—while promoting high-quality Egyptian products for export. Design is central to this, as jewelry is essentially an art form for personal expression. This year, we doubled the prize value of the design competition, inspired by Egyptian Nubian heritage. Beyond that, we enhanced the Designers Café as an open space where designers can meet, exchange experiences, interact with factory owners and traders, and better understand both Egyptian and international market demands. Welcoming designers from abroad is also part of our phased expansion plan for each new edition of NEBU for Gold and Jewelry.”