Every year, the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) captivates major American and European manufacturers of hunting weapons. The hunting guns sector is a major draw at ADIHEX, the largest and one of the most popular events of its kind in the Middle East and Africa, where fanatics and professionals from all over the world look forward to attending every year.

ADIHEX has always attracted huge numbers attendees from regional and international sectors. This year, the number is expected to increase due to the extension of the exhibition period to a full week.

Exhibitors in the hunting guns sector, increased their sales during previous editions of ADIHEX by interacting with major buyers, industry leaders, and marketing experts, as well as making deals and partnerships with some of the well-known local agents and dealers to market their innovative products. In addition to this, manufacturers and individual buyers were provided facilities for the first time last year.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Falconers Club, the 18th edition of Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX 2021) will be conducted by the Emirates Falconers Club from September 27 to October 3, 2021, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The Higher Organizing Committee has issued Guidelines for the Hunting Guns Sector for the benefit of exhibitors in this part of ADIHEX. It combines the guidelines issued by Abu Dhabi Police GHQ for selling hunting guns, and clearly lays out the regulations, conditions, and procedures that significant exhibitors must comply with.

Hunting weapons that are allowed in the exhibition include the various types of hunting rifles, handguns, legacy swords and knives, hunting knives, wood and plastic archery arrows, and certain calibres of air guns. Exhibitors must make sure that buyers hold permits issued by the adequate licensing authority in their home country and by the Abu Dhabi Police before allowing them to purchase weapons.

Brigadier Salem Hamoud Al Balushi, Chairman of the Security Organizing Committee of ADIHEX 2021, explained that showcasing the hunting weapons at the exhibition is subject to strict controls, as stated in the published regulations, conditions, and procedures. These include a strict ban on the display of live ammunition and/or explosives in all stands. Only demonstration models of these items are permitted, as are sectional models, which are used to demonstrate the internal mechanisms and construction of the weapons.

To assure the safety of the general public, the Department of Weapons and Explosives at Abu Dhabi Police GHQ guarantees that exhibitors must not have any unsecured weapons at the exhibition stands. All weapons should be tethered or fixed in place and their handling must always be confined and monitored throughout the period of the exhibition.

The Higher Organizing Committee of ADIHEX 2021 underlines that all exhibitors who wish to participate in the hunting guns sector are required to submit an application for a participation permit in line with the rules for organizing exhibitions for weapons, ammunition, and military equipment inside and outside the UAE. This applies to all hunting rifles, handguns, and air guns.

The application must comprise of a copy of the company's license from the relevant licensing authorities, either in the UAE or in other countries. Exhibitors must define the type of participation in ADIHEX, be it completely for display purposes or to include sales. Exhibitors must comply to the list of approved materials and provide all required documentation relevant to such material, they should as well abide to all conditions and instructions set by the efficient authorities, as well as approved safety and security measures.

Brig. Al Balushi highlights that the facilities and services offered by the Security Committee during the last ADIHEX, such as on-site technical inspections of weapons and dissemination of all regulations, conditions, and procedures and the documentation required for selling and buying weapons, facilitated marketing and increased sales of hunting weapons at the exhibition. Abu Dhabi Police GHQ has also launched a special application on its website, with several electronic resources to facilitate and expedite the sale and delivery of weapons and ammunition.

His Excellency Majid Ali Al Mansouri, Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee of ADIHEX and Secretary General of the Emirates Falconers Club, praised the Ministry of Interior and the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ for their work and efforts in setting up on-site offices every year throughout the exhibition. These offices provide data on regulations and required documentation for purchasing weapons and facilitate licensing procedures in accordance with current legislation.

He added that ADIHEX attracts hundreds of international companies every year and thousands of entrepreneurs, buyers, decision makers, and stakeholders from over 120 countries. This makes it an ideal opportunity to explore, innovate, and build far-reaching international business networks originating in Abu Dhabi.

Manufacturers of hunting guns registered high turnout during ADIHEX 2019, where high quality weapons with innovative technologies were specifically designed and displayed at the exhibition. Sales increased significantly during the last edition of ADIHEX, with direct sales through display stands exceeding AED 35 million. The Ministry of Interior and the Abu Dhabi Police GHQ have developed several electronic facilities for licensing, procurement, and ownership of hunting weapons, expediting procedures for receiving them, and coordinating with licensing authorities in the Gulf Cooperation Council and other countries.

During ADIHEX 2019, for the first time ever, adcanced facilities were provided for Emirati nationals to purchase up to three weapons from the exhibition, and sales of air guns (under 8 joule) were approved for the first time, which helped hunting guns companies to achieve an unprecedented increase in their sales. Visitors from all over the world are permitted to buy hunting weapons at ADIHEX, but first they must get an approval and a certificate of no objection issued by the countries they are originally from, specifying the types and numbers of permitted weapons.

In line with the order of the wise leadership of the UAE, ADIHEX 2021 will be held over a period of 7 days for the first time, in return to the demand by both visitors and exhibitors. Local, regional and international companies have glorified this positive shift as part of the exhibitions development plan over the next five years (2021-2025), which mirrors the growing public turnout. It also meets the aspirations of falconry, hunting, equestrian and heritage enthusiasts around the world. The richness and comprehensiveness of ADIHEX is evident in its 11 diverse sectors: Arts and Crafts, Equestrian, Falconry, Hunting Tourism and Safari, Hunting and Camping Equipment, Hunting Guns, Promotion and Preservation of Environment and Cultural Heritage, Outdoor Leisure Vehicles and Equipment, Veterinary Products and Services, Fishing Equipment and Marine Sports, and Media.