Police in Abu Dhabi are conducting security preparations for the International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition - Abu Dhabi 2009 (ADIHEX).

The preparations were given the go-ahead by General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.

The police will be overseeing the security of ADIHEX, said 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. 

“The security committee has taken all the necessary preparations to provide a safe security environment that meets the requirements for organising the Exhibition and preserving the safety of visitors and participants,” said Lieutenant Colonel Al Afrit.

The Head of Security Apparatus of the Exhibition emphasised that the importance of Abu Dhabi Police presence in many events both locally and nationally “aims to strengthen relations between the police and the public through informing them of the security role played by Abu Dhabi Police to maintain security and safety of the community.”

Lieutenant Colonel Al Afrit said the objective of the exhibition “reflects the extent of care given by the Government of Abu Dhabi to cultural heritage and its keen interest in preserving old heritage sports including hunting and equestrian, and informing visitors about the main stages of falconry and the latest equipments used in hunting.”

“The exhibition has proved its importance by having achieved concrete success over the past years, and is a suitable opportunity to seal business deals, meet with people interested in heritage activities, discuss different methods used in hunting and exchange ideas and experiences,” he pointed out.

Participants are required to get a certificate of good conduct from the specialised authorities well before the exhibition and submit it when applying for a purchase at the Licensing Office during the Exhibition. 

“There will be a new mechanism for buying and selling weapons while we will closely follow companies which import arms,” said Lieutenant Colonel Al Afrit. 

The Exhibition will be held on September 30th - October 3rd, 2009 under the slogan “Deep-rooted Heritage and Sustainable Hunting.”

ADIHEX, held under the patronage of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler in the Western Region and Chairman of Emirates Falconers Club (EFC), is organised by EFC and Turret Middle East, with support of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH).

Procedure for Buying a Weapon

Purchasing weapons in the UAE:

• Obtaining a certificate of good conduct from Abu Dhabi Police before Tuesday 29th September 2009. 
• Having selected the weapon, complete the form provided by the participating weapons company in the exhibition and attach 2 photographs, a copy of Khulasa and a copy of your passport.
• Obtain the approval of the Weapons licensing office on the purchase order. This must be done at the exhibition.
• Pay the required amount to the company.
• The weapons licensing office will receive the weapon from the company and the exhibition organizers after the closing of the exhibition and will finalize licensing procedures and then deliver the weapon to the new owner.
• If the weapon is to be brought from outside the UAE, an NOC will be issued to the company to bring in the weapon, which will be cleared and delivered to the concerned representative by the Police department.

The procedures of purchasing for the GCC countries:

• The buyer should provide the licensing office with an NOC from his country for buying and exporting weapons to his country, which should be attested by the embassy of his country.
• The weapons licensing office will provide the NOC holder with permission to purchase the weapon.
• Pay the required amount to the company.