Abu Dhabi: More than Dh30.6 million worth of weapons was sold during the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex) 2015 to interested Emirati buyers, the Ministry of Interior said.
The four-day event ended on a high note yesterday and ministry officials revealed that 2,154 rifles and other arms were bought by Emiratis and GCC citizens, reflecting the success of the exhibition this year.
Lieutenant Colonel Hamid Saeed Al Afrit, head of arms and explosives in Abu Dhabi’s Bureau of Criminal Investigations and the head of security apparatus at the exhibition, also noted the exceptional collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA-AD), the Abu Dhabi Customs Administration and other security departments in making sure that the process of issuing licences and weapons was smooth and efficient.
Meanwhile, the ministry had set up a kiosk to issue Certificates of Good Conduct for Emiratis willing to apply for a weapon licence, one of several requirements for issuing a firearm.
The official also lauded the public’s adherence to the law, adding that many had already obtained their licences after finishing procedures before the exhibition began last week.
The ministry had also set up a special task force designed to supervise the technical aspects of issuing licences for weapons and regulating all related processes.
This year’s Adihex featured 70 new exhibitors, bringing the total number of participants to 650. The exhibition was spread across 41,000 square metres at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.
Around 93 per cent of exhibitors said they will be back next year, said Abdullah Butti Al Qubaisi, Exhibition director and projects director of Cultural Programmes and Heritage Festivals Committee, Abu Dhabi.
