Dubai International Airport continued to post growth in passenger and cargo volume despite the volcanic disruption. Dubai Airport passenger numbers rose by 13.9 percent to 3,745,016 in April from 3,289,037 during the same period last year and cargo volumes increased by 19.6 percent to 178,357 tonnes from 149,169 tonnes.

A recent study published by Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry indicated that the total exports of 4,645 members during April reached Dh16.8 billion, 13 per cent higher than the same month figure in 2009. The GCC remained the largest export destination for Dubai Chamber members, with about Dh8.1 billion in exports, or 48 per cent of the total during the month.

According to Pan Arab Research Centre (PARC), the top five advertisers by industry in the media in the first quarter of 2010 were the government and organizations, and shopping malls and retails stores which have replaced real estate spenders in second place. The entertainment sector is in third place, insurance, real estate, and properties in fourth and in fifth place the publishing media.

Cartier has opened its first Saint Petersburg boutique on the banks of the Moyka River, a tributary of the Neva, whose rippling sheen is reflected on the facade of 55 Naberezhnaya Reki Moyka. A further expansion plan for new Boutiques in the GCC countries is well under way.

Swatch pays special tribute to the 2010 FIVB World Tour, of which it is the accredited sponsor, in the form of a new Chrono Plastic Snowpass called Sand Diver, a sporty model that depicts sand flying from the court as a result of spectacular acrobatics by volleyball players.

Hublot has renewed two of its sporting partnerships, with the American skier Bode Miller, Olympic triple medalist in Vancouver last February, and with the Mexican national football team, which will be competing at the World Cup this summer in South Africa.

Girard-Perregaux has unveiled a white gold version of its Bi-axial Tourbillon. This Tourbillon combines two concentric cages and enables the regulating part to make multi-dimensional rotations. Visible both via the dial and the case-back, the complex mechanism has an astounding delicacy.

Nautica new city sport watch, NCT 400, is available in a Japanese movement 2-eyed chronograph with calendar function or date only version with a big date window at 6 o clock. A unique dial treatment calls out the 2, 4, 8 and 10 markers against a textured background. Bright-colored aluminum accent rings on the steel pushers add a sporty element reflecting dial accents like glints of sun on the water. The sophisticated design features genuine croco pattern leather straps, off-white contrast stitching and signature polished steel buckle with Nautica logo. This timepiece is water resistant to 100M.

The Foundation de la Haute Horlogerie announces a new Mission delegate in the Middle East. According to a press conference that was held in Dubai today, Thursday, 27 May, the FHH emphasized the growing importance of the Middle East market and have decided to split the former Middle East-India delegation into two separate ones. Mr. Omar Chaoui, has been appointed Mission delegate of the Middle East region. Omar is Regional Manager for Roger Dubuis in Dubai. He has been based in Dubai working in the watch industry for the past ten years.

Damas International Limited, appointed Anan Fakhreddin as chief executive officer, replacing Sanjay Kalsi, who held the position of Interim Acting chief executive officer of the company. Fakhreddin is a board member of Damas and until recently was the managing director for Middle East and Turkey at the World Gold Council.

The 23rd edition of the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair (June Fair), the biggest international mid-year jewellery fair in Asia, will be held from 24 to 27 June 2010 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), where more than 1,200 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions will participate. Fair organiser, UBM Asia Ltd, expects the Fair to attract thousands of visitors from over 100 countries and regions.