Abu Dhabi: Emirati companies dealing with hunting equipment put up a full display at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (Adihex), keen on making the most of the largest event of its type in the region.
Now in its 15th edition, Adihex brings together both local and international companies showcasing the latest rifles, handguns and other equipment related to hunting.
“This exhibition is different from other events of its kind because here, you can directly purchase the items; you can actually buy the hunting gun after the regulatory procedures are followed. So it’s not just an exhibition of items,” said Mohammad Sharif, owner of Al Qannas Hunting Equipments, explaining how local companies could benefit from the exhibition.
“I started my company nearly 16 years ago. I studied the Gulf market and people’s requirements and over time, the company managed to grow,” he added.
According to Sharif, the market in the hunting sector has been growing in the UAE, as witnessed by Adhiex itself, that enjoys an ever-growing number of exhibitors.
“I used to come to this exhibition many years ago and there used to be fewer stands back then. Now the situation is totally different with so many exhibitors present — both local and from abroad. All companies in this sector like to attend this show now,” Sharif added.
He said that having local companies was an advantage, as it allowed them to better grasp and understand the needs of the market.
“[Hunting] is a hobby for a lot of people, so you need to have some knowledge about this. For example, people in the Gulf may like to use something different for hunting as compared to someone in Europe. The range of shooting is also different and so on. So it’s good to have a local company that can respond to what the consumers want,” he added.
Saeed Al Gefaili, general manager at Bynuna Military Hunting and Equipment Trading, said that understanding the technical process of the industry was also a key to success.
“This is a growing market, but at the same time it is a risky one. Many companies that entered this industry couldn’t succeed in the long term because they were not prepared,” he explained.
“There are a lot of challenges, like getting the proper documentation, the correct selection of firearms, and an awareness on the laws concerning international transportation, so it’s not a very simple process,” Al Gefaili added.
“The market is sensitive in regard to technical specifications; the items must be precise, and there are small variants between different gun models with each calibrated to a certain level,” he said, highlighting the detailed work that goes into getting the right type of hunting firearm.
Adihex 2017
Where: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre
When: September 12-September 16
Timing: 11am-10pm
