Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
More than 20 Emirati enterprises — backed by the Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development— are showcasing innovations spanning traditional industries and advanced technologies at ADIHEX.
Mouza Obaid Al Nasri, CEO of Khalifa Fund, emphasised the importance of this participation: “Our goal is to continue promoting local business owners and providing them with the exposure necessary to thrive in this ever-changing economic landscape.”
Among the participants is Al Ain Technical Weapons Repair, the first UAE company that specialises in weapon maintenance.
Mubarak Al Shamsi, the company’s general manager, said that through their participation with Khalifa Fund in ADIHEX, they are able to “reach new customers—specifically private users—which allowed us to expand our market presence”.
Al Ain Technical Weapons Repair has been the exclusive distributor of G96 products in the GCC since 2016, he said. “These products help rifle and pistol owners keep their firearms clean, preserved, and always ready for use.”
The company makes it a point to strike the right balance between innovation and tradition by “understanding customer needs, considering the local environment, and knowing the calibres commonly used for hunting”, Al Shamsi said.
“Our logo has been updated twice over the past 20 years, but always with careful attention to preserving the UAE’s hunting heritage.”
Sustainability, he stressed, is a priority for the company. “We currently offer BIO-based G96 CLP oil and are implementing ISO standards in both our management systems and environmental practices.”
It now seeks to expand its business into neighbouring countries and other regions that share a similar hunting heritage, Al Shamsi said.
Another participant is ANETIK, a brand that offers unisex activewear designed for the desert climate.
“At ANETIK, we offer shorts, polo shirts, and hoodies made from lightweight, breathable materials. Our designs are inspired by the outdoor lifestyle—hunting, desert, and equestrian—but with a contemporary style that appeals to today’s generation,” said the company’s administrative director Ayham Al Abdullah.
Combining innovation with heritage, ANETIK ensures its pieces maintain touches of its Emirati identity—whether in colours, patterns, or even product presentation, Al Abdullah said.
“We believe innovation can serve heritage, if employed properly.”
Sustainability is equally important, Al Abdullah said. “We use environment-friendly materials, produce in measured quantities, and integrate cultural elements into every piece. Our aim is to preserve our identity while presenting it in a way relatable to the new generation.”
With the support of the Khalifa Fund, ANETIK is able to reach a larger audience and connect with customers from the UAE and the Gulf, he added. “This was a turning point in our market expansion.”
“Our ambition is for ANETIK to be one of the leading Emirati brands across the Gulf and Middle East. We want to support the economy by creating jobs and empowering Emirati youth in design, management, and marketing,” Al Abdullah said.
