Times of Oman - December 1, 2015

44

238

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the Opening of the Council of Oman, 1997

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ People have a right to know that every day there are changes and new developments in the international arena which compel the government to reconsider its approach, its plans, its priorities and its programmes so that it can avoid any negative fall-out from those changes. Consequently, it is essential that the citizen should understand the circumstances of each phase and accept them in a positive spirit.

TUESDAY, December 1, 2015 / 19 Safar 1437 AH

timesofoman.com

wtimesofoman.com

facebook.com/timesofoman

ROMANIA

HM sends greetings MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to President Klaus Iohannis of Romania on the occasion of his country’s National Day. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to President Iohannis and the people of Romania further progress and prosperity. -ONA

A SPECIAL TRIBUTE

To show their loyalty towards His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and to mark the 45th National Day, 360 staff of Muscat Media Group drew a portrait of His Majesty the Sultan of their hands.

FOR THE VIDEO

Three get prison term for theft from car

1

Three people were sentenced to three years in jail on the charges of stealing OMR14,700 from a car in the CBD area of Muscat in June this year. An ROP official said the criminals were part of an international gang . >A5

WORLD

World leaders plan to stem global warming

2

World leaders launched an attempt to hold back the earth’s rising temperatures, with French President saying the world was at “breaking point”. >A15

MARKET

Opportunities of investment in Iran

3

Investment opportunities in Iran and importance of Oman in facilitating investment from Asian countries, after the lifting of curbs, will be the focus of an economic conference. >B1

blog.timesofoman.com

AIDS and Leprosy Control Programmes at MoH. In an exclusive interview with the Times of Oman, Al Lawati noted that the new guidelines have been developed, based on the latest research and developments in the field of HIV/AIDS, and updates an earlier version published in 2004.

World AIDS Day, Oman sets out new guidelines to manage

SAMAIL

Worker killed under mountain debris Staff Reporter MUSCAT: An earthmover operator was crushed to death as debris from the mountain cliff fell on him while he was working in Samail, according to the police.

“Rescue team rushed to the accident site following the alert.

The debris from the mountain fell on his machine and the worker was trapped inside. The body of the worker was retrieved by the rescue team,” Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulances tweeted on its Twitter handle. The nationality of the deceased worker is not yet known.

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

New plans to treat HIV and AIDS in Oman As countries mark

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

twitter.com/timesofoman

the condition

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: HIV management in Oman is expected to benefit greatly from a new set of guidelines that has been developed, based on some of the latest international practices, said an expert.

The new guide for healthcare workers, aimed at enhancing HIV management, will be launched on Tuesday on the oc-

casion of World AIDS Day, which is observed under the theme, “HIV treatment for all” this year.

The launch will take place at an event, which will be held at the Al Bustan Palace Hotel under the auspices of Mohammed Al Hosni, undersecretary for Health Affairs at the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Great emphasis has been placed on ‘treatment for all’ in the new set of guidelines, said Dr. Mohamed Redha Moosa Al Lawati, head of the National TB,

Treatment “One of the major results of recent studies is that whoever is infected with HIV should receive treatment immediately after diagnosis, and this is what we are recommending under our new guidelines,” he stated.

Early diagnosis can result in timely treatment, prevention of complications and an improved prognosis for people infected with HIV, Al Lawati added.

He also highlighted the importance of “treatment as prevention,” which refers to HIV prevention methods that decrease the risk of HIV transmission. >A6

PA S S I O N T O H E L P

A saviour for expat workers in distress REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: An Indian woman social worker, who has the passion for helping migrant workers in distress, is being featured in today’s #OmanPride campaign in Times of Oman. She has been helping expatriate workers for the last 18 years in Oman.

“I can understand very well how it feels to be stranded. I am an or-

phan. So, I can understand what the feeling of being stranded is and it has inspired me to lend help to stranded migrant workers,” Rita Samuel, who is the assistant manager and in-charge of MSc admissions at Caledonian College in Muscat, said.

Samuel started “Mission Help” in 1997. Since then, she has been helping many stranded migrant workers. She also runs a website to help stranded migrants. >A6

Mwasalat buses make travel easier

A3

A2

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

OMAN BIOETHICS INTELLECTUAL FORUM

PA R I S C L I M AT E M E E T

Meet on organ donation, transplantation Times News Service MUSCAT: A meeting of the National Bioethics Committee has decided that ‘Organ Donation and Transplantation’ will be the theme of the seventh bioethics intellectual forum to be held in June .

The theme was finalised at the fifth meeting of the National Bioethics Committee chaired by Dr.

Ali bin Saud Al Bimani, vice chancellor of the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), and chairman of the committee, on Monday.

The meeting also discussed the representation of the Oman National Bioethics Committee in the International Bioethics Committee (IBC) and the Intergovernmental Bioethics Committee (IGBC), and constituted an organ-

ising committee and deciding the theme for the Second International Bioethics Conference scheduled for February 2017.

It deliberated upon the launch of an academic department in Bioethics at the College of Medicine and Health Sciences at SQU. A proposal in this regard will be submitted to the College Board for evaluation.

Sayyid Shihab holds talks with world leaders in Paris PARIS: His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, the Sultanate’s representative at the 21st Conference on the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change (COP 21) in Paris, met on the sidelines of the inaugural event of the conference, separately with Dr Ikililou Dhoinine, president of the Comoros; Macky Sall, president of Senegal;

Toomas Hendrik Ilves, president of Estonia; Raimonds Vējonis, president of Latvia; Prince Albert II of Monaco, Dr Angela Merkel, chancellor of Germany and Khaled Bahah, vice president and prime minister of Yemen.

Sayyid Shihab conveyed His Majesty the Sultan’s greetings and wishes to them and their people further progress and

prosperity. In turn, they asked Sayyid Shihab to convey their greetings and wishes of good health, happiness and a long life to His Majesty the Sultan and the Omani people further progress and prosperity under His Majesty’s wise leadership.

The meetings were attended by the delegation accompanying Sayyid Shihab. -ONA

Nizwa receives heavy rainfall REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com

Oman Meteorology Department has predicted rain on Monday and Tuesday in Muscat, Nizwa and Khasab

MUSCAT: Heavy rain fell in Nizwa and surrounding areas leaving roads and wadis flooded.

“Flooded roads have slowed traffic in many areas. Rain started early in the morning. Now, it has stopped. It seems it was raining heavily in the mountain areas leading to overflow of wadis,” residents in Nizwa said.

Meanwhile, residents in Quriyat also said that there was heavy rain on Sunday night. “Many vehicles were swept away in flood waters,”

residents said. On Sunday also, rain fell in different parts of Muscat, Sohar, Khasab, Sur and Lima.

While light rains fell in the morning in Muscat, Sidab and Qantab, late in the afternoon, it rained heavily in Quriyat, Sur and Al Kamil. There were also rains in Nakhal and Suwaiq.

In its forecast, Oman Meteorology Department has predicted rain on Monday and Tuesday in Muscat, Nizwa and Khasab.

Last Sunday, it had predicted heavy rains in the northern Oman, starting today and continuing until the end of the week.

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY SHARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

Share your world with us on Instagram

OMAN

New Mwasalat buses a big draw with people Almost all the passengers are happy to ride in the modern low-floor buses, which began plying the roads for a fee from Monday HAPPY RIDE: People are happy with the fact that the drivers are driving carefully and are stopping

only at the designated bus stops. – Jun Estrada MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Commuting in Muscat has become much better with the swanky and spacious Mwasalat buses hitting Oman’s roads.

Almost all the passengers are happy to ride in the modern low floor buses, which began plying the roads for a fee from Monday, after the free ride period ended.

However, not everybody is fan of these buses as a section of taxi drivers are unhappy with the newly introduced bus services in Oman, saying they “may take away all their business.”

Speaking to the Times of Oman, a Bangladeshi national, who resides in Al Khuwair, said : “The main thing that attracted me to Mwasalat is its price; for a common man like me, this is luxurious travel,” said Najmul Hossain, a Bangladeshi national, who resides in Al Khuwair.

“Ticket charges for the new bus are really attractive. If I travel to Mabelah from Ruwi in a taxi I have to pay around 800bz but I have to pay only 300bz in the new bus,” said Marili.

“The journey in Mwasalat is safer than a taxi and I don’t want to argue with the taxi driver for the fare,” said Sreekumar,

who resides in Wadi Kabir.

“I used to travel in buses even before Mwasalat was launched.

But this bus is better than the older ones. It is more spacious and feels so comfortable,” said Haridas, who has been in Oman for the last 15 years.

People are happy with the fact that the drivers are driving carefully and are stopping only at the designated bus stops, even if these means ignoring the calls made by some passengers, who want to get off when the bus stops at a red light.

Passengers are also happy with the new features in the bus. The buses are disabled-friendly, airconditioned and equipped with cameras, an informative screen and fire extinguishers. ‘Stop’ buttons are installed and instructions are painted inside the bus.

Taxi drivers unhappy While the end consumer is all praise for the new public transport system, some taxi drivers are against the new steps being taken by the government. Taxi drivers have complained against low rate charged by the Mwasalat buses.

“We are really being impacted by the new system because their fares are very low. This makes most expats choose the new service,” Said

Al Ghassani, who runs a mini bus to meet his daily needs, said.

“We are not getting many passengers now. We have to pay for the maintenance of the vehicle, repay loans, we have to pay taxi registration fees above all that I have to take care of my family,” he added.

“I am totally dependent on my taxi to pay my loans. It will hit us financially as a fewer number of expats are using our services now,” said Bashar Ahmed Al Yusufi, another taxi driver in the Ruwi Stand.

Speaking about the Mwasalat operations, Ahmed Al Azizi, an official in Mwasalat said, “It is not easy to provide such public transport services, especially to run buses on different routes that are working side by side, however, there are many positive criteria that have supported our success in the operation from the beginning, the most important is the existence of staff qualifications and carrying out the required training program for our drivers, added to that the primary factor, a project to provide modern buses that meet universal standards.”

Mwasalat buses will start charging from today on their new route Ruwi-Al Mabelah as the free rides ended on Monday.

A3

The rates will remain between 100bz and 300bz till February 28, 2016 and from March 1 onwards, they will be raised by 100bz.

From Monday, the rate for travel within a zone is 100bz and it will be 200bz from March 1, 2016.

To travel from one zone to another will cost 200bz from Monday, and will be hiked to 300bz from March. The rate for travelling from one zone to the third zone is 300bz and will be upped to 500bz in March 2016.

Rate on the routes, such as Ruwi-Al Wadi Al Kabir and RuwiWadi Adei, which are already pegged at 100bz till February, will change to 200bz from March 2016.

According to Ahmed Al Azizi, Mwasalat is planning to implement new routes in 2016.

“During the first quarter of 2016, we are going to have a new route Al Amerat–Ruwi and Muscat–Ruwi and in the second quarter of 2016, where we are going to operate on another route Al Khoudth–SQU,” said Azizi.

“At present, we are focused on quality and attention for our customers. We are getting a good response from the people, either nationals or expats for the new route; there is a large turnout on the buses,” he added.

D ATA

Youth comprise 30% of Oman’s population MUSCAT: Youths in the age group of 15–29 years comprise 30 per cent of the Omani population, says a study entitled ‘The Youth in Lines’, issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information.

The study shows that the percentage of male and female Omanis in the Sultanate is almost equal, with a slight increase in the percentage of males.

It also shows that the percentage of male youths reached 51 per cent compared to 49 per cent of female young people.

The study also shows that the total number of Omani population reached 2.4 million in the mid-

dle of 2015 with a 3.73 per cent increase compared to the figures recorded in 2014. The percentage of young people working in the government sector reached about one quarter of the total number of employees in this sector in 2014, with a job satisfaction level of 89 per cent in 2015.

The study shows that 96 per cent of youth working in the government sector cite job security. The percentage of youth working in the private sector reached about 43 per cent out of the total Omanis working in this sector with a job satisfaction of 64 per cent recorded in 2014 and 2015. -ONA

A4

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

OMAN

Sometimes, women might be more stigmatised because people associate HIV infection with unusual or unacceptable social behaviour, which is not necessarily the case in reality Dr. Elias Said, Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology and Immunology SQU

Oman shows the way in AIDS control efforts 378 HIV/AIDS CASES REGISTERED among Omanis from 2011 to 2013 Despite a low number of cases, Oman has demonstrated a commitment to the prevention of HIV/AIDS and has exerted maximum control to check

By age group 0-4

2011

2012

2013

7

2

1

5 - 14

2

4

3

15 - 24

20

29

18

25 - 49

105

79

70

50+

14

13

11

148

127

103

Total cases

By gender

Female

Male

46

102

43 3

88

38

89

35 3

81

28

75

28

67

Alive

HIV transmission

14

8

8

Dead

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Oman is the top country in the region for combating AIDS as it has successfully enabled 51 per cent of patients to receive drugs that impede the spread of the virus in the body, a World Health Organisation (WHO) official told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

“This clearly shows the commitment and devotion of the concerned health authorities in the Sultanate of Oman under the guidance of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said,” Dr. Elias Said, assistant professor at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), said.

He said this demonstrates that

36

Dead

342 Alive

Graphics

Source: Ministry of Health

the country is facing a problem, but is finding solutions with very positive results. “I am confident that the situation will keep improving with time,” he added.

SQUH researchers said the current estimate of the number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Oman is lacking; however, a total of 1,371 cases were reported, as of December 2011, while the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) reported 2,400 patients living with HIV in Oman in 2014.

“Women should be tested for HIV when they are pregnant and they should know that being HIV positive does not mean the child will be necessarily infected if the woman is given the proper treatment and that is followed up by a physician,” Said explained.

“Being HIV positive does not mean the person is going to die quickly,” he stated, adding that with the current highly active therapy (combination antiretroviral therapy (CART)) the viral replication can be kept under con-

trol and the patient can live for several decades, especially if he/ she is treated quickly after being infected and is taking medication on a daily basis.

Said further explained that HIV infection exists in Oman, however the prevalence is very low and the situation is under control. “Treatment is offered to all infected patients,” he added. “Sometimes, women might be more stigmatised because people associate HIV infection with unusual or unacceptable social behaviour, which is not necessarily the case in reality.”

Despite the low number of cases involving surviving patients, Oman has demonstrated a commitment to the prevention of HIV/AIDS and has succeeded in exerting maximum control on HIV transmission via blood, blood products and sharps in healthcare settings. The National AIDS Control Programme in Oman has adopted a combination of strategies, including public education and voluntary testing and counselling, followed by the standard treatment, including measures for preventing mother-to-child transmission.

In 2005, less than half of the women in the reproductive age group had the correct information about HIV/AIDS, which was the seventh five-year plan for health and development.

The 2008 national survey revealed that only 2 per cent of the women needing antenatal care opted for voluntary testing and more than 30 per cent of the women, who were advised to undergo HIV testing refused to be tested.

AWA R E N E S S

Health experts urge public awareness to help combat AIDS HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: To mark International AIDS Day, health experts in Oman have urged members of the public to make sure that an injection is given or blood transfusion conducted at an appropriate health centre that has been approved by the concerned health authorities, and to avoid unprotected physical relations.

“It is vital to have knowledge if your partner is HIV positive to avoid unfortunate consequences,” said Dr. Elias Said, assistant professor at the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Sultan Qaboos University.

Said also advised people at risk to get tested quickly.

“The faster you are treated the better it is,” he added.

According to a recent study conducted by researchers led by Professor Ali Al-Jabri at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, a routine HIV testing for 1,000 Omani pregnant women has been introduced to observe knowledge of women’s attitudes towards testing or their behaviour in the event of a positive HIV test.

Mother-to-child transmission, which is a major route for HIV infection among children and a source of almost all AIDS cases in children in many countries has been recognised by 86.6 per cent of women, but only 21 per cent knew that it was preventable and a few acknowledged the important role of antiviral drugs.

The study also revealed that

almost all women had correct knowledge about the possibility of acquiring HIV infection through physical contact (97.1 per cent), blood transfusion (95.9 per cent) and contaminated syringes (91.4 per cent).

However, a proportion of women reported that the disease is transmitted by kissing (40 per cent), casual contact, such as hugging and handshakes (26.4 per cent) and sharing food and drinks (19.4 per cent), all which are common misconceptions about the disease.

Less than half (45.9 per cent) reported that HIV can be transmitted from the mother to the infant through breast milk and 22.4 per cent reported that the disease can be transmitted from the mother to the infant through kissing.

The study has also shown that almost all tested women (95.5 per cent) have heard about HIV/AIDS. The main sources of HIV/AIDS information were at school during their school years (37.8 per cent) and through mass media (33.9 per cent). The remaining proportion of women (28.3 per cent) acquired their knowledge about AIDS from social networks.

H E A LT H

High-risk groups in Oman encouraged to take anonymous HIV detection tests ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: People in Oman who suspect they may have been exposed to HIV have been encouraged to benefit from centres where they can get tested free of cost without having to be registered.

At these Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Centres, people can have access to anonymous testing and the result is produced in a few minutes, said Dr Mohamed Redha Moosa Al Lawati, head of National TB, AIDS and Leprosy Control Programmes at the Ministry of Health.

According to the ministry, currently five VCT centres are available in Oman, which are located in Al Khoud (contact number: 94491411), Al Amerat (contact number: 24876512), Quriyat (contact number: 24847666), Sohar (contact number: 91193399) and Buraimi (contact number: 95160234).

At these Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) Centres, people can have access to anonymous testing and the result is produced in a few minutes, said Dr Mohamed Redha Moosa Al Lawati, head of National TB, AIDS and Leprosy Control Programmes at the Ministry of Health

In addition to the test, people visiting these centres are provided with counselling for risk reduction and prevention of the transmission of the infection.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Dr Al Lawati said that there is a plan to make VCT centres available in all the governorates.

He also said that, like previous

years, an HIV testing section will be available at Muscat Festival 2016 in Naseem Garden, where people can have access to anonymous, rapid testing free of cost.

Around 400 were tested during the Muscat Festival 2015, Dr Al Lawati said, adding that the event aims to help raise public awareness as well.

Asked about the main challenge in tackling HIV/AIDS, the expert noted that the stigma attached to this disease is a challenge all over the world, especially in the Middle East region.

“This attitude should change,” Dr Al Lawati said on the occasion of World AIDS Day, which is observed on Tuesday.

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

Tweet all about it

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

Three convicted in car theft case

SMASHED: The money was stolen after the criminals smashed the window of the car. – Jun Estrada

The theft was committed when Ahmed parked his vehicle in front of a bank in the CBD area of Ruwi and went to another bank to withdraw money Times News Service MUSCAT: Three people were sentenced to three years in jail on Monday, on the charges of stealing OMR14,700 from a car in CBD area of Muscat in the first week of June this year.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, a senior official of the Royal Oman

Police (ROP) said the criminals of Asian origin were part of an international gang that targets people when they withdraw money from the banks. “These criminals steal the money by breaking into the car in the absence of the drivers,” the official said.

He also urged people not to withdraw large amounts from the bank at one time unless absolutely necessary. “You should always be wary of your surroundings; you do not know who is watching,” said the ROP official.

Mohammed Kabir Ahmed, managing director of United Dreams, whose money was stolen after the criminals smashed the window of the car, thanked the ROP for their efforts in arresting the criminals. “I sincerely thank ROP for their commendable job in arresting the criminals from far away countries,” he stated.

The incident took place when Ahmed had parked his vehicle in front of a bank in the CBD area of Ruwi and had gone to another bank to withdraw money. “After withdrawing OMR14,700 from

DISCUSSIONS

Majlis Al Shura committees hold meetings MUSCAT: Economic and Financial Committee at Majlis Al Shura on Monday decided to form working teams to study specific draft laws and provide a report on each draft law that includes outcomes of the study and recommendations.

The Committee held its 5th regular meeting of the 1st annual sitting (2015–2016) of the 8th term under the chair of Saleh bin Said Masan, Head of the Economic and Financial Committee, on Monday.

The Committee reviewed a range of economic and financial topics in the Sultanate that included the draft amendments to the provisions of the Income Tax Law, the Foreign Capital Investment Law and the Insurance Companies Law, which were referred by the Government and decided to form the working teams.

Food and Water panel The Food and Water Security Committee at Majlis Al Shura on Monday held its 2nd meeting of the 1st annual sitting (2015–2016) of the 8th term under the chair of Hilal bin Said Al Yahya’ee, Head of the Committee.

The Committee discussed its proposals and visions on its work plan that aims at studying topics and giving opinion on the policies, plans and programmes related to the agriculture, animal wealth, fisheries and water resources sectors. The Committee approved reviewing the Marine Fishing Law and Protection of Live Water Assets issued by the Royal Decree No. 53/ 1981. The Committee also discussed services rendered by the agencies concerned with supporting food commodities in the local market and ensuring that the support received by the local consumers.

The Legislative and Legal Committee at Majlis Al Shura yesterday held its 2nd regular meeting of the 1st annual sitting (2015–2016) of the 8th term under the chair of

Dr. Mohammed bin Ibrahim alZedjali, Head of the Committee.

The Committee approved minutes of the previous meeting and viewed a presentation on the Committee’s prerogatives while discussing the draft laws and amendments, in addition to reviewing the Committee’s work plan for the current sitting and the topics proposed for study and discussion.

The Education and Scientific Research Committee held its 2nd regular meeting of the 1st annual sitting (2015–2016) of the 8th term under the chair of Khalid bin Yahya Al Far’ei, Head of the Committee.

The Committee viewed a presentation given by the Committee Affairs Office. The presentation reviewed the Committee’s prerogatives in terms of studying the educational policies, plans and programmes, as well as scientific research in the Sultanate, legal systems and procedures regularizing the educational process in the Sultanate.

The Committee reviewed its studies, topics and reports conducted during the 7th term, in addition to discussing the Committee’s work plan for the current sitting and proposing major topics for study.

The Services and Social Development Committee yesterday held its 2nd meeting of the 1st annual sitting (2015–2016) of the 8th term (2015 – 2019) under the chair of Hamoud bin Ahmed al-Yahya’ee, Head of the Committee. The Committee discussed its proposals and visions on its work plan during the current sitting, which aims at studying the developmental and social policies, plans and programmes.

The Committee viewed its prerogatives, work mechanism and prerogatives of the municipal councils. The Committee also reviewed its major achievements and topics studied during the 7th term (2011–2015).

one bank, I kept the money in the boot of the car. I then realised that I needed more money, so I went to another bank on foot to withdraw some more money,” Ahmed, who has worked in the construction, trading, earth works, hotel and restaurant businesses in Oman for the last three decades, recalled.

After 20 minutes, when he returned to his car after withdrawing another OMR1,000, he discovered that someone had broken open the rear glass, opened the boot of the car, and stolen the envelope containing the cash.

He was in Spain when he got the news of the arrest.

“After coming back, I got in touch with ROP and they told us that with help of the Interpol, they had arrested the three-member gang, which was behind the theft,” Ahmed said.

According to him, the theft was committed by three men, who had come to Oman on a tourist visa.

All three suspects are aged above 50 and were arrested and extradited to Muscat.

A5

OMAN N C S I M O N T H LY B U L L E T I N

Public expenditure declines MUSCAT: Public expenditure of the state’s public finance declined by 5.7 per cent during the first nine months of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014, said the Ministry of Finance.

The Ministry explained that the total public expenditure, which includes current and investment expenditure, contributions and subsidy until September 2015, stood

at OMR8,795.9 million, compared to OMR9,327.3 million during the same period last year.

According to the final figures of the Finance Ministry, the volume of public expenditure during last year (2014) stood at OMR15,171.8 million compared to OMR13,990.2 million in 2013. The monthly bulletin issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information

(NCSI) for November 2015 said the total revenues dropped by 35.9 per cent mainly due to the decline in the net oil revenues by 45.5 per cent to reach at the end of September 2015 OMR6,711.6 million compared to OMR10,463.4 million during the corresponding period in 2014. The oil and gas revenues were 84.3 per cent of the total government’s revenues in 2014. -ONA

A6

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015 We have updated our treatment according to international practices and have introduced new medications, which are now available Dr. Mohamed Redha Moosa Al Lawati, head of the National TB, AIDS and Leprosy Control Programmes at MoH

OMAN H U M A N I TA R I A N G R O U N D S

< FROM

A1

HIV TRANSMISSION

Sparing time for New guidelines lay emphasis stranded workers A1 on early diagnosis, treatment

“Every day, I get calls from stranded migrants. Some may have gotten themselves into legal issues, some may be having health issues and others might have labour disputes. When they approach me, I try to help them with my maximum efforts. Be it medics, counsellors, legal advisors, we have them on our team,” Rita, told the Times of Oman.

Even though Rita is caught up in a busy work schedule, she finds time to roam the city and find stranded migrant workers.

Many a time, the Ruwi Clock Tower is the venue where meetings are held with stranded workers.

“When I spot them, I approach them to understand their issues. I can speak many Indian languages so I can understand their issues properly. I fix a date and place and tell them to come. I go with food and soft drinks. I sit with them and listen to them. Then I do the needful to help them. If the embassy has to intervene, then I put up the issue with them to get it solved,” Samuel added.

At any given time, Samuel has the details of at least a dozen cases of stranded migrant workers in her file.

While talking about one unforgettable case she handled, Samuel revealed the story of Rafeek, an Indian electrician, who was suffering

< FROM

from health issues and couldn’t go back as he was undocumented.

“Rafeek struggled a lot. He even tried to commit suicide by jumping in front of a car. Somehow, I managed to repatriate him. I had to fight with many for his repatriation on humanitarian grounds. It was some three years back. I won’t forget his case. I have heard that he is okay and back in India now,” Samuel added.

There are no boundaries for Samuel’s work, who also helps out Omani charity organisations, to collect funds and relief material when it needed.

She also gets full support from her husband.

“We don’t have children and my husband married me because he liked my nature of helping others, so he doesn’t object to my rushing to help people even at odd hours,” Samuel added.

Women, children In addition to early diagnosis and treatment, the new guide places emphasis on HIV in pregnant women and children, as well as vaccination in child patients, the expert noted.

“We have updated our treatment according to international practices and have introduced new medications, which are now available,” Al Lawati revealed.

According to the MoH, the main treatment for HIV, which is known as antiretroviral therapy, is widely available in Oman.

There are around 20 different medicines belonging to six classes of drugs. The treatment is available at 15 treatment centres all over Oman in different governorates, and there is a team of specialists available at each treatment centre.

Al Lawati explained that the new guidelines also focus on training and a workshop will be held early next year to introduce new strategies in this regard.

In addition, regional workshops will be held immediately after the launch of the new guidelines and will continue afterwards, he said.

Asked about the Ministry’s other activities to promote public awareness, the specialist noted that more responsibility has been given to regional centres to enable

them to conduct awareness campaigns, training and treatment workshops, as well as screening.

“We are also concentrating on visiting colleges and universities to raise awareness among students and offering tests,” he stated.

In his message to the public on the occasion of World AIDS Day, Al Lawati advised people not to get involved in high-risk practices as the main mode of HIV transmission is sexual contact.

If they have been involved in any high-risk practices, they should get themselves tested, a facility that is available at all public health institutions and major private health institutions, he noted.

“People should educate themselves about HIV/AIDS through the many resources that are available,” he said, adding that an early diagnosis and timely treatment could help a person live a normal life. HIV infection can remain

symptomless for many years so the main objective is to diagnose the patient before the symptoms appear, which is only possible through screening, he stated.

“There are HIV patients, who have full-time employment, have married, have children and their wife and children remain negative as they have taken necessary precautions to prevent the transmission of the infection,” added Al Lawati.

According to him, treatment can transform this disease from a killing condition to a chronic condition just like diabetes or hypertension.

Some studies have shown that the life expectancy of an HIVinfected patient, who receives proper treatment, is the same as or sometimes even better than that of a diabetic patient or even comparable to that of a normal person, he noted.

Launch event Commenting on the event, which will be held to announce the launch of the new guidelines, Al Lawati said 250 participants are expected to attend the event, including Dr. Abdallah Assaedi, representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Oman and HIV focal points in other

governorates. Speeches will also be delivered by a number of officials, including Al Lawati; Dr. Seif Al Abri, director general of the Directorate General for Disease Surveillance and Control; Dr. Idris Al Abeidani, director of the Directorate General for Disease Surveillance and Control; and Dr. Ali Elgalib, HIV consultant.

According to the MoH, in addition to sexual contact, HIV can be transmitted in a number of other ways, including from an infected mother to child, sharing needles among injecting drug users and contaminated blood transfusion.

In Oman, all blood and blood products have been screened for HIV and hepatitis viruses since 1988. The Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission programme in Oman is the best in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Since its inception in July 2009, over 95 percent of pregnant women have been screened for HIV. Pregnant women with HIV infection are provided with HIV treatment, together with other interventions, so transmission of infection to their babies is prevented.

Through this programme, Oman looks forward to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV infection.

Oud sessions to mark Oman’s National Day Oud sessions will be organised in the wilayats of Manah, Sur and Mussanah and will be performed by Omani musicians and singers

TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: For the first time, the Oud Hobbyist Association, affiliated to the Diwan of Royal Court, will organise three evenings of oud performance sessions called “Layali Oman,” which translates into Nights of Oman, in three wilayats to celebrate the 45th National Day. The events will be held in the wilayats of Manah, Sur and Mussanah and will include performances by associations of Omani

TALENTED MUSICIANS: Fathi Al Balushi, manager of the Oud

Hobbyist Association, said this is the first time the association is organising such an event. – Jun Estrada

musicians and singers.

Announcing the event, Fathi Al Balushi, manager of the Oud Hobbyist Association, said this is the first time the association has organised such an event, adding that the oud sessions are the type of music and song that are simplistic and create joy.

“We are used to organising events under a specific musical

theme, but this time on the occasion of the 45th National Day, we will perform song and music by our talented Omani musicians,” said Al Balushi during a press conference, which was attended by each wilayat that will enjoy music played by well known Omani artistes playing oud.

What will make these performances special is that each artist

is from a particular wilayat. Each wilayat will also enjoy performances from seven artistes from the association, by singing and playing the oud.

When asked about the reason behind choosing these three wilayats, Al Balushi said, “Manah celebrated the arrival of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and we feel it is our responsibility to perform and promote our artistes.

It will also be part of the wilayat’s celebration.”

He added that Mussanah and Sur were chosen because of the people’s support and positive response to song and music by the people who always attended the music concerts.

In Manah, the performance will take centre stage at the wilayat’s fort on Thursday, December 3, while in Sur it will be held at the Fatah Al Kheir on Friday, December 11. The finale will be held in Mussanah on the Mussanah Fort stage on Friday, December 18; with all performances beginning at 8pm.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

AGAINST CLUBS

Minister of Social Development issues two decisions MUSCAT: Minister of Social Development, Sheikh Mohammed bin Said Al Kalbani on Monday issued two ministerial decisions. The first decision dissolves the Omani Information Technology Society for its failure to convene the General Assembly for two consecutive years.

Therefore, it is not permissible for those in-charge of the society and its staff to dispose of its money and documents, as they are prohibited from continuing their activities.

The ministry is taking all the measures relating to the affairs of the society.

The second decision dissolves the Syrian Community Social Club because it was unable to fulfill the purposes for which it was established.

Therefore those in-charge of the club and its staff are prohibited to continue their activity and the disposition of its money and documents. -ONA

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

REGION

Prosecutors said the three had confessed to abducting, bludgeoning, strangling and burning Mohammed Abu Khudair, 16, in revenge for the killing days earlier of three Israeli youths by Hamas in the occupied West Bank

Israelis found guilty of killing Palestinian Accused ringleader requests psychological review as Palestinians deplore delay as a miscarriage of justice DEMAND FOR JUSTICE: Palestinians protest on Monday outside

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Two Jewish minors were found guilty on Monday of the 2014 murder of a Palestinian teenager in occupied Jerusalem, but the Israeli court held off on formally convicting a third man accused of orchestrating the crime, pending a psychological review.

Prosecutors said the three had confessed to abducting, bludgeoning, strangling and burning Mohammed Abu Khudair, 16, in revenge for the killing days earlier of three Israeli youths by Hamas in the occupied West Bank.

The incidents touched off a wave of bloodshed culminating in the seven-week Gaza war.

the district court during the trial of suspects accused of murdering Palestinian teenager Mohammed Abu Khudair. – Reuters

The verdicts, and eventual sentencing, could stoke tensions that are already high over access to a Al Aqsa complex in occupied Jerusalem. District Court in occupied Jerusalem ruled that the two underaged defendants, whose names were withheld from publication, carried out the crime. Under Israeli law, minors cannot technically be convicted before a review board endorses the verdict.

Yosef Haim Ben-David, a occupied West Bank settler who works as a optician in occupied Jerusa-

EXCHANGE OF FIRE

Saudi soldiers killed ABU DHABI: Three Saudi border soldiers were killed after exchanging fire with “enemy elements” trying to cross the border from Yemen to attack two watch towers, Saudi Arabia’s official SPA news agency said on Monday.

The attack occurred on Sunday evening in the Harath district of Jizan, the SPA said.

Saudi Arabia has been fighting Houthi forces in Yemen for eight months and has led a coalition of

Arab states in a military campaign to drive the group from the capital Sanaa. Several dozen soldiers from the kingdom have been killed in clashes along the country’s long, rugged border with Yemen.

At least 5,700 Yemenis have been killed in war that has pitted supporters of the exiled government, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, against forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and Houthi militia. — Reuters

lem and who confessed to leading the crime, was also found guilty.

But the court deferred formal conviction over his lawyers’ 11thhour request for a psychological evaluation. Abu Khudair’s family, fellow Palestinians and Israeli Arabs decried the delay as a miscarriage of justice.

“How can the defendant, two days ago, a year and a half after the crime, bring a document claiming insanity?” the youth’s father, Hussein Abu Khudair, told reporters.

“It’s all lies and I worry that the

A7

court will free them in the end.”

Ayman Odeh, a senior lawmaker from Israel’s Arab minority, said: “The state is sending a clear message of forgiveness and understanding when it comes to Jewish terror.”

While adult murder convicts generally get lengthy jail terms in Israel, comparable sentences are not mandatory for minors. Court spokesmen did not immediately give dates for the defendants’ review hearings or sentencing.

Israeli officials welcomed Monday’s verdict as a warning against hate crimes, which have surged as repeated bouts of violence eclipse peace talks with the Palestinians deadlocked since early 2014.

“The court determined unequivocally today that the three defendants committed the barbaric crime of abducting an innocent person only because of his origin, and burning him alive,” said state prosecutor Uri Korb, vowing to contest any insanity plea.

“When we try to claim that we are better than our enemies - and I think that we are better than them - we should look at this event as a mirror,” he said. “As a society we will continue to fight all avengers and lynchers, as we did in this case.” — Reuters

RAID

Tunisian forces seize explosives, arrest militants TUNIS: Tunisian security forces have arrested two militants accused in last week’s bombing in Tunis and seized a cache of weapons and explosives they were planning to use for more attacks, the interior ministry said.

In a late Sunday raid in Medenine in the south of the country, officials found Kalashnikov rifles, a suicide bomb belt, explosive materials for making car bombs, grenades and detonators, the statement said. Tunisia is under a state of emergency since Tuesday when

a suicide bomber killed 12 people aboard a bus carrying presidential guards in the capital Tunis.

IS has claimed the bombing, the third major militant attack in Tunisia this year following assaults on a beach resort at Sousse and the Bardo museum in the capital, both of which targeted foreign visitors.

A Tunisian security source said the two men arrested on Sunday night were brothers. Tuesday’s attacker was a street seller who lived near Ettadhamen, one of the poorer neighbourhoods of Tunis. — Reuters

A8

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015 Instead of that, we are trying to make it generalised, which in turn shows India in a poor light which is not in national interest Venkaiah Naidu, parliamentary affairs minister

INDIA Clashes in Lok Sabha over ‘intolerance’ row The Lower House witnessed repeated

Naidu admits to ‘some amount of intolerance’

adjournments as it took up the debate on ‘intolerance’ with the opposition targeting the government

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha on Monday witnessed clashes and repeated adjournments as it took up the debate on ‘intolerance’ with the opposition targeting the government and triggering a storm after a CPI(M) member attributed ‘Hindu leader’ comments to Home Minister Rajnath Singh who denied it.

The comments by Mohd Salim, who cited a report in a news magazine while initiating the debate on ‘intolerance, led to a deadlock with the ruling side demanding that he either withdraw these comments or apologise.

NEW DELHI: Admitting ‘some amount of intolerance’ exists in the society, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said in the Rajya Sabha on Monday that the issues need to be ‘localised and dealt with firmly’.

The minister, however, added instead of that, issues are being generalised, showing India in a ‘poor light’.

Naidu was speaking in a discussion on ‘Commitment to the Constitution’ as part of 125th birth anniversary

The logjam, because of which the House was adjourned four times, was resolved in the evening after Speaker Sumitra Mahajan expunged the remarks related to the allegations.

This paved the way for resumption of the debate during which

celebrations of Bhimrao Ambedkar.

“Instead of that, we are trying to make it generalised, which in turn shows India in a poor light which is not in national interest,” he said.

“According to me, biggest tolerance, biggest respect to the constitution is respect of mandate of people,” he added. “This is also an important aspect that there has to be respect to verdict of the people. Respect to the other man’s belief,” he said. - IANS

opposition parties like CPI(M) and Congress attacked the government, alleging that intolerance had increased since the NDA government came.

BJP hit back by saying that incidents, which were being projected by the opposition as examples

of ‘intolerance’, had been taking place in the country for decades.

Its member Meenakshi Lekhi also cited Home Ministry figures to insist that incidents of communal violence had come since NDA came to power.

HIV AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

School students stand in the shape of a ribbon during an awareness campaign on the eve of World AIDS Day, in Amritsar, on Monday. The Unaids agency says some 2.5 million Indians are living with HIV, many of them ostracised by their communities. Global NGO Teach AIDS said it has roped in 22 leading Indian film actors to create instructional animated multi-media content to promote HIV education, especially in schools. — AFP

Remark Earlier, the ruling and the opposition sides locked horns after Salim alleged that Rajnath was quoted by the magazine as having made the ‘Hindu leader’ remark after Narendra Modi became prime minister last year. Citing the magazine, Salim said Rajnath had made the remark at an internal meeting of RSS. Rajnath vehemently denied it and said he was never hurt so much in his parliamentary career as he was on Monday.

“Mohd Salim levelled a serious allegation against me. He should say when and where I made such a statement or apologise. A home minister who makes such a statement has no moral right to be the Home Minister. I speak after weighing every word. People know Rajnath Singh can never make such a statement,” Rajnath said.

Members in the treasury benches demanded that Salim withdraw his remark. - PTI CAMERAS

Mumbai city now comes under CCTV surveillance MUMBAI: Asserting that digital intervention will help increase efficiency in policing, western Indian state Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday said the Mumbai city surveillance project of installation of over 6,000 CCTVs would be completed before the 26/11 terror attacks anniversary next year.

Addressing a gathering after launching the first phase of the project covering south Mumbai — from Colaba to Worli — where 1,381 cameras have been installed, he said the CCTV network would boost crime prevention, early response, detection, prosecution and conviction.

“After all three phases of the project are completed, there will be 100 per cent command and control system integration. With the data integration, we will be able to evolve a comprehensive strategy to tackle crime,” he said.

The entire project to install CCTVs at all the crucial places in the city is expected to cost around Rs9.49 billion. “My government’s endeavour is to ensure optimum use of manpower with technological intervention for effective policing. We plan to complete all the three phases before the October 2016 deadline. By next year’s 26/11 anniversary, the entire city of Mumbai would be under digital

Rs9.49b is the expected cost of the entire project to install 6,000 CCTVs at all the crucial places in Mumbai city

camera surveillance,” he said.

“At present, the effort worldwide is to create smart cities. An integral part of a smart city is that it should be safe. If a city is not safe, it cannot be smart,” he said.

Fadnavis said challenges regarding security measures are enormous and it is impossible to tackle them only with manpower.

“Technological intervention is necessary,” he said.

Pune is the first city Stating that all important cities in the state would be brought under digital surveillance, Fadnavis informed that Pune is the first city to be under CCTV network. The digital surveillance in Nashik would be upgraded from the system used for the Nashik Kumbh. Steps are being taken to install the CCTV network in Nagpur as well.

The chief minister said that face detection, number plate

identification and data analysis system facilities would be available after the entire project is completed. Admitting that were delays earlier in implementation of the CCTV network, despite best efforts, Fadnavis, however, said that L&T, which was given the contract in February 2015, was able to complete the first phase in the stipulated time.

He said the data feed from the CCTVs would be sent to Mumbai Police headquarters and traffic police headquarters at Worli command centre.

The chief secretary said a highpowered committee set up earlier under the CS could not take a decision regarding the project despite being given all powers by the government. Apart from the sessions court area, additional cameras were also installed at the Mumbai Port Trust and Girgaum Chowpatty areas. - PTI POKHARA

Indian tourist bus torched in Nepal city KATHMANDU: An Indian tourist bus was torched in western Nepal’s lake city of Pokhara by an unidentified group of people, police said on Monday.

The bus having an Indian number plate was set on fire.

Nobody was inside the bus when it was torched. The incident happened on a day when the CPN-Maoist led by Netrabikram Chand enforced a general strike across the country to protest ‘India’s blockade’ of trading points with Nepal.

Restrictions were put on airing of Indian news channels, though there were no official notices issued in this regard. Entertainment channels were unaffected.

Indian entertainment television programmes are hugely popular in Nepal despite the ongoing blockade near Nepal-India border by Indian-origin Madhesi people. Restrictions came after the CPN-Maoist, a breakaway faction of UCPN-Maoist, announced to impose a ban on Indian TV channels in Nepal.- PTI

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

BRIEFS

Indian student in UAE gets perfect score in SAT DUBAI: A 15-year-old Indian student here has scored a perfect 2400/2400 in the coveted Scholastic Aptitude Test exams held on November 7, a media report said on Monday. Sanchit Kapoor, who has represented the UAE at the World Youth Scrabble Championships for the last four years, is among the top 0.5 per cent out of the 1.8 million students who appeared for the board exam.

a global summit on environment that

NEW DELHI: Having stormed to power on the back of a massive anti-graft movement, the AAP government on Monday presented the Jan Lokpal Bill in the Delhi assembly which will empower the proposed ombudsman to act against any public servant in the national capital including those of the Centre, a move that may spark a fresh face off between the two.

was doing its bit on

Injectible polio vaccine launched NEW DELHI: India’s first injectible inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) was on Monday launched by Health Minister J.P. Nadda as part of the country’s commitment to global polio eradication.

The minister announced that IPV injection will be given to children below one year of age, along with the third dose of the Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV) at the routine immunisation sessions free of cost. The introduction of IPV in routine immunisation is as per recommendation made in the World Health assembly. - Agencies

Modi meets Sharif at COP 21

Narendra Modi told

while his country

NEW DELHI: The price of petrol was today cut by 58 paise per litre and that of diesel by 25 paise, reversing the trend of increasing rates, on global cues. Petrol will cost Rs60.48 per litre from mid-night tonight in Delhi as against Rs60.70 a litre currently. A litre of diesel will cost Rs46.55 from Tuesday compared to the Rs46.80 now, said Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nation’s biggest fuel retailer.

INDIA

Rich nations should lead to combat climate change: PM

Delhi introduces Jan Lokpal Bill

Petrol and diesel prices reduced

A9

climate change, the world must also act with urgency

PARIS: Outlining India’s target of 175 GW of renewable energy in seven years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told a global summit on environment that while his country was doing its bit on climate change, the world must also act with urgency, led by rich nations.

“The entire world, 196 nations, have come together to shape the future of this world and the health of our planet,” said Modi, who is here for the 21st Session of the Conference of Parties (COP-21) under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

“We want the world to act with urgency. We want a comprehensive, equitable and durable agreement, which must lead us to restore the balance between humanity and nature, and between what we have inherited and what we will leave behind,” he said.

India pavilion Among his engagements, the prime minister opened the India pavilion at the conference to showcase the country’s commitment on renewable energy and climate change while also seeking to demonstrate that the world also needs to look beyond to focus on

WARM WELCOME: French President Francois Hollande, left, welcoming India’s Prime Minister Nar-

endra Modi as he arrives for the opening day of the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) at Le Bourget, near Paris, France, on Monday. – Reuters

climate justice. “India’s progress is our destiny and the right of our people. But we must also lead in combating climate change,” said the prime minister, while assuring 40 per cent of India’s installed energy capacity from non-fossil fuels by 2030.

“We have a target for renewable generation of 175 Gigawatt by 2022. We have got off to a good start, with nearly 12 GW likely to be installed by 2016, more than three times the current capacity,” he said.

India has already submitted for the consideration of the conference, what is called the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions sought from the 196 member states of the convention, offering to cut its emission intensity by 3335 per cent by 2030.

“So, we approach the negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in a spirit of partner-

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

ship — which must be based on the principles of equity and common, but differentiated responsibilities,” the prime minister said.

Alluding to what rich nations needed to do to protect the environment, Modi made it clear that a pact reached in Paris must be one of partnership, where resources and technology are shared with poor and developing economies, so as not to deprive people who live between want and hope.

Book launch The prime minister also launched at the India Pavilion a coffee table book, entitled Parampara, with Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal.

Modi was also due to unveil a book authored by him on innovations, Convenient Action, attend a innovation summit, speak at the summit and jointly launch with

French President Francois Hollande a global alliance of 121 nations to promote greater use of solar energy.

Ahead of the summit, the prime minister had sought to remind the developed world, through an article in ‘The Financial Times of London’, that it has a moral imperative to lead the fight against global warming.

“Principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be the bedrock of our collective enterprise. Anything else would be morally wrong,” he wrote, adding: “Justice demands that, with what little carbon we can still safely burn, developing countries are allowed to grow.” - IANS

HAVE YOUR SAY

Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

PARIS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a brief meeting with Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif as world leaders converged here for the Conference of Parties (COP) climate summit that got underway. “PM @narendramodi meets PM Nawaz Sharif at COP 21 in Paris,” external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted along with a picture of the two leaders shaking hands.

The two leaders were then seen sitting on the same sofa and engaging in an animated discussion for a brief while.

This was the first meeting between the two leaders since they met on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Ufa, Russia, in July this year. After the meeting, they directed their foreign secretaries to initiate the process of renewal of talks, including meetings between the national security advisors of the two countries.

However, talks between Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and his Pakistani counterpart Sartaz Aziz are scheduled to be held in New Delhi in August. - IANS

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

PAKISTAN

P E A C E TA L K S

A R M Y P U B L I C S C H O O L AT TA C K

Pakistani, Afghan leaders discuss ways to mend ties, revive talks ISLAMABAD: The leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan met in Paris on Monday to discuss ways to resurrect peace talks with Taliban insurgents and to improve relations between the neighbours that soured earlier in the year after a string of militant attacks in Kabul.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s office released a statement saying he had met Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on the sidelines of the climate change summit in the French capital.

“Discussions were also held on the resumption of the peace and

reconciliation process” aimed at ending the 14-year-old Afghan war, the statement said.

“Both leaders agreed to work with all those who would enter such a process as legitimate political actors, and act, alongside the Afghan government, against those who refuse to take the path of peace.”

Pakistan in July hosted the first official talks between the Afghan government and representatives of Taliban insurgents, who are seeking to re-establish their hardline rule that ended with the 2001 US-led military intervention.

However, a second round of talks was cancelled after it was revealed that the Taliban’s founder and reclusive leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, had been dead for two years.

Pakistan accused those who were trying to sabotage the talks of leaking the news.

Meanwhile, grinding violence in Afghanistan kills hundreds of people each month.

The Taliban in September briefly seized a provincial capital for the first time since their ouster, in a major setback for Ghani’s government.

Pakistan to raise $379m in tax to meet IMF targets The IMF had warned that the release of December’s approved $502 million tranche depended on the announcement of new measures to generate an extra Rs40 billion

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan must raise an extra $379 million through new tax measures, the finance minister said on Monday, as the government seeks to qualify for its latest IMF loan tranche.

Earlier this month, the IMF approved the release in December of a $502 million tranche of Pakistan’s three-year $6.68 billion programme, even though the gov-

A1 1

TOUGH STAND: Finance Minis-

ter Ishaq Dar said the government will levy an additional 5 to 10 percentage points of tax on 350 items. – Reuters file photo

ernment missed targets for tax revenue generation, net domestic assets and the budget deficit.

The government will levy an additional 5 to 10 percentage points of tax on 350 items and raise customs duty by 1 percentage point, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said in the capital Islamabad.

The increased levies would target “non-essential luxury items” only, and exemptions on the customs duty have been offered for 25 key industrial sectors, Dar said on Monday.

“We have kept in mind not to increase duties that would make

items more expensive for the common man,” he said.

Separate increased taxes were also announced on imported automobiles — both new and used — and domestically-produced cigarettes.

In its last review, the International Monetary Fund had warned that the release of December’s approved $502 million tranche depended on the announcement of new measures to generate an extra Rs40 billion ($380 million) in revenue.

“This was a deadline in a sense, and if the government didn’t do it the next tranche of the programme would at least be delayed, if not suspended,” Khurram Husain, an economic analyst and journalist, said.

It was unclear if the new measures would meet the target: Dar had earlier told a parliamentary standing committee that the increased duties were meant to restrict Pakistan’s import bill, not increase revenue.

Husain said if the measures did not raise enough funds, the government would have to raise taxes on staples such as electricity and petrol. - Reuters

Newly declared Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour has not publicly endorsed a return to the negotiating table, although hopes were raised when he appointed a new team to the movement’s political office in Qatar.

The Afghan government had no immediate comment on Monday’s meeting. The Pakistani statement said Sharif had briefed Ghani on its ongoing military crackdown on militants on its side of the border, saying that he vowed “Pakistan would take all efforts to tackle the menace of terrorism facing the two countries”. - Reuters

Four militants to be hanged as army chief signs black warrants ISLAMABAD: Army chief General Raheel Sharif signed on Monday black warrants for four militants involved in the Army Public School attack in December last year.

The army chief signed the black warrants of Maulvi Abdus Salam, Hazrat Ali, Mujeebur Rehman and Sabeel alias Yahya nearly a year after the horrific massacre, Inter Services Public Relations said.

This was the first such sentence endorsed by the army chief after an order of the Supreme Court on August 2015 which gave legal cover

to the establishment of military courts. The move came after President Mamnoon Hussain rejected clemency appeals of the four convicts on receiving the premier’s advice for the same on November 20.

Earlier, a military court sentenced all four terrorists to death after the government lifted the moratorium on the penalties in the country.

On December 16 2014, militants launched an attack on the armyrun school, killing over 150 people, mostly schoolchildren. - Express Tribune

A12

T IME S O F O MAN

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

#TRENDING ONLINE HOT PICKS MOST READ

MOST SHARED

TIMESOFOMAN.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/TIMESOFOMAN

TOTAL VIEWS

TOTAL PAGE LIKES

36,355,754

265,721

1 Oman’s dodgy property

1 Oman is second home for

brokers targeted

Bangladeshis, says minister

bit.ly/propertybrokers

bit.ly/omanbangladesh

2 Oman weather: Heavy rain

falls in Nizwa bit.ly/rainnizwa

3 Oman health: Move to slash

medicine prices get mixed response

Founder: Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman / Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Anees bin Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Officer: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali EDITORIAL Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24813153 E-mail: editor@timesofoman.com ADVERTISING Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24812624 E-mail: advertising@timesofoman.com CIRCULATION Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24818270 E-mail: circulation@timesofoman.com

bit.ly/drugpricereaction

2 EU and Turkey seal migrant

4 Three convicted for robbery

deal

in Oman

bit.ly/eumigrantdeal

bit.ly/robberyoman

3 Consultancy tender for Barka,

5 Earthmover operator crushed

Sohar water projects floated bit.ly/watertendersb

to death under mountain debris in Oman

Printed and published by: Muscat Media Group Post Box: 770 Postal Code: 112

bit.ly/landslideoman

4 BJP government ready to

discuss ‘intolerance’ issue in Parliament:Venkaiah bit.ly/bjpintoleranceissue

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/OPINION

5 5.6 Earthquake hits Oman

coast bit.ly/quakeomancoast

JAVIER SOLANA MOST POPULAR VIDEO

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/VIDEOS The Indian Community Festival organised by Indian Social Club’s Kerala Wing breaks its own attendance record.

W

Today, great-power competition is a fact: The United States now competes with an increasingly active Russia and a rising China.

The Middle East, the South China Sea, and Ukraine are just three theatres where this new reality is playing out. bit.ly/worldpowers

TWEET WE LIKE @JensenMacleod: Child restraints make sense for all families, don’t leave it to chance!

INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY

ZAHID ABDULLAH

INSTAGRAM.COM/TIMESOFOMAN

Other than the insertion of Article 19-A in the Constitution through the 18th Amendment, major political parties have sadly done nothing of significance with regard to ensuring citizens’ right to information(RTI).

Explicit constitutional protection accorded to RTI is commendable. bit.ly/RTIpakistan

«

SHARE THIS!

Location: Masirah Island/ Photo: Dennis Bagaporo

READERS’ FORUM Day-night Test cricket is a good move Day-night Test cricket is the way forward for the game. The huge number of people in attendance for the Day-night Test match between New Zealand and Australia shows tremendous public interest in the new format of the game. The pink ball is clearly visible to the fielder and batsman when the floodlights are used. The pink ball swung both ways and gave movement to the bowlers. The Australia-New Zealand Test match was hard fought and could have gone either way. The spectators had a gala time enjoying the game after a hard day‘s work.

Day-night Test cricket will indeed be fun to Scan this QR code watch for the working class and students to send letters to the who can come to watch the game after Readers’ Forum, finishing their day to day activities. I hope containing not more than 200 words with that in the days to come, Day-night Test full name, address matches are introduced in India as well. and telephone - Vivek Pai, Wadi Kabir number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi).

JULIA MURASZKIEWICZ

Technology, the saying goes, is a double-edged sword. But when it comes to human trafficking, that has yet to be proven.

There is evidence that modern forms of communication have given traffickers new tools for recruitment, coercion, and exploitation. bit.ly/humantraffickingprob

Right time to end the T20 format

This refers to the new innovation in cricket — Day-night Test matches. The AussieKiwi match should be a game changer in the course of the history of the gentleman’s game. The popular T20 format of the game is a pathetic innovation and has tarnished the game badly. This format has sullied the bowlers’ status and converted players into ball throwers. The laws favour the batsmen. The day-night Tests will certainly be popular among the fans so this is the right time to put the shutters on T20. - Maheen Sartaj, Ruwi

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination.

NELSON MANDELA

COP21: India willing to lead at the summit hile more than 100 world leaders have arrived in Paris to open two weeks of intense negotiations aimed at forging an accord that could begin to avert the most devastating effects of global warming and redefine the economy of the 21st century, India is expecting a balanced agreement with all components – mitigation, adaptation, technology, finance and capacity building – consistent with the principles and provisions of the Convention. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Paris to attend the COP21 (Conference of the Parties), has urged the rich world to take greater responsibility for climate change in an opinion piece in UK’s business paper Financial Times.

In the article in the financial daily, timed to coincide with the launch of conference, Modi said, “Some say advanced countries powered their way to prosperity on fossil fuel when humanity was unaware of its impact.” “Since science has moved on and alternative energy sources are available, they argue that those just beginning their development journey bear no less responsibility than those who have reached the zenith of their progress. New awareness, however, should lead advanced countries to assume more responsibility. Just because technology exists does not mean it is affordable and accessible.” India, while recognising global commitments and concerted efforts are necessary towards global emissions reduction and reduction of vulnerability arising out of climate change, it says that a durable, comprehensive, balanced, equitable, and pragmatic agreement that encourages countries to commit to climate change action, and to maintain increasingly ambitious targets towards emissions reduction, is necessary. The country also adds that it is ready to offer its support to achieve consensus on this global issue. Such an agreement should address necessary elements, including adaptation, mitigation, finance, technology transfer, capacity building and transparency in action and support.

While saying that the country’s objective is to establish an effective, cooperative and equitable global architecture based on climate justice and the principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities, it says that the genuine requirements of developing countries like India for an equitable carbon and development space to achieve sustainable development and eradication of poverty needs to be safeguarded. Recent scientific reports have concluded that the first effects of human-caused climate change have al-

ready started to sweep across the Earth, from rising sea levels flooding Miami to savage heat waves in Australia. In a move to combat climate change, the country has set key elements and focus areas of as its Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) like adopting policies and programmes for sustainable lifestyles, cleaner economic development, reducing emission intensity of gross domestic product (GDP), increasing the share of non fossil fuel based electricity, enhancing carbon sink (forests), adaptation, mobilizing finance and technology transfer and capacity building.

The country’s INDCs also capture citizens’ and private sector’s contributions to combatting climate change. Accordingly, India has developed a comprehensive and balanced set of actions for its INDCs for the period of 2021-2030 to comprehensively address mitigation as well as adaptation components. These include, reducing carbon intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, increasing the share of non-fossil fuel based electricity to 40 per cent by 2030, accelerating aforestation efforts to create additional carbon sinks of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent, making concerted efforts toward adapting to climate change by enhancing investments in development programmes in various vulnerable sectors, including agriculture, water resources, forestry, health and disaster management.

India’s INDCs also have a strong focus on climate change adaptation. Of the eight missions outlined in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, four efforts are focused on adaptation efforts – sustainable agriculture, increasing water use efficiency, sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem and creating sustainable habitats. No other country has been able to dedicate the same level of focus and effort on adaptation on as large a scale as India. Furthermore, India has also outlined the financial implications of the climate change goals, in addition to outlining its plan for developing and enabling technology transfers to facilitate INDC achievement.Substantial scaling up of India’s plans for climate change action would also require more resources.

The country urges that the international community must fulfill their commitment of collectively contributing $100 billion annually by 2020 towards the Green Climate Fund and then suitably scale it up beyond 2020.India is one of the nations to have implemented measures to adapt to climate change on a large scale. - (Article contributed by the Indian Embassy in Muscat.)

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES DECEMBER 2000 Investment opportunities highlighted MUSCAT: Investment opportunities in Oman were highlighted at a seminar on ‘Oman, your gateway to the Indian Ocean Rim’, which was held in Vienna as part of the road show in Austria. Over 20 Austrian companies, representing different sectors in Vienna, attended the seminar, said a press note from Ociped, which organised the event in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Omani embassy in Austria. The seminar also focused on the 14 projects that Ociped is currently promoting.

TODAY IN HISTORY INVITATION TO WRITERS We invite our readers to write articles on topics related to Oman. The articles should not exceed 800 words. Send us your article along with your picture to akhtar@timesofoman.com

1941: The first Civil Air Patrol is organized in the US. 1974: Josef Stalin’s aide, Sergei Kirov, is assassinated in Leningrad.

1981: AIDS virus officially recognized.

1988: Benazir Bhutto, politician, becomes the first woman to serve as Prime Minister of Pakistan and the first woman elected to lead a Muslim state.

PICTOGRAPH

EXPATS WORKING WITH FAMILIES IN OMAN, 2014 By skill level Female

Total

Male

Specialists

8,964

112,231

103,267

Technical

9,205

59,020

49,815

Occupational 4,014 labour

337,577

333,563

Skilled labourers

3,331

353,143

349,812

Limited skill labourers

135,436

648,422

512,986

Total

160,950

1,349,443

1,510,393 Source: National Centre for Statistics & Information

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

A1 3

WORLD Turkey remains defiant in row over jet downing Six days after NATO member Turkey shot

No country should ask us to apologise.

The protection of our land borders, our airspace, is not only a right, it is a duty

down the Russian bomber in the first known incident of its kind since the Cold War, calls for calm have gone largely unheeded as Ankara

JOINT NEWS CONFERENCE: Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu,

refuses to back down

left, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg address a joint news conference at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Monday. - Reuters

Ahmet Davutoglu Turkish prime minister

and Russia responds with sanctions

BRUSSELS: Turkey’s prime minister dismissed on Monday any suggestion Ankara should apologise for downing a Russian warplane in its airspace last week, after winning strong NATO support for the right to defend itself.

Six days after NATO member Turkey shot down the Russian bomber in the first known incident of its kind since the Cold War, calls for calm have gone largely unheeded as Ankara refuses to back down and Russia responds with sanctions.

“No country should ask us to apologise,” Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters following a meeting with NATO’s secretary general at alliance headquarters in Brussels.

Protection “The protection of our land borders, our airspace, is not only a right, it is a duty,” he said. “We apologise for committing mis-

takes, not for doing our duty.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on November 26 he was waiting for an apology after Turkey’s air force shot down the Su-24 fighter jet close to the Turkey-Syria border.

Russian officials have said the plane was at no time over Turkey.

Putin has also said Russia told the United States of the Russian jet’s flight plan, something the US envoy to NATO denied on Monday, saying US-Russia cooperation in Syria was limited to broader rules on safety measures.

“The US data that I have seen corroborates Turkey’s version of events. The airplane was in Turkey, it was engaged in Turkey, it had been warned repeatedly,” Ambassador Douglas Lute told reporters.

“There was no flight plan issued for a violation of NATO airspace.”

Following the meeting with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, in which Turkey won the alliance’s firm support for the right to selfdefence, Davutoglu also warned that such incidents continued to

CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Tougher controls It also said there should be tougher controls on the marketing and advertising of such food

New emergency procedures Seeking to calm the situation, Stoltenberg called for new emergency procedures to be agreed with Moscow to avoid triggering conflict by accident, whether that was during bombing raids in Syria or war games conducted by Russia and NATO. NATO foreign ministers are expected to discuss such procedures at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday and Wednesday as Russia’s military activities from the Baltics to the Middle East come right up to - and sometimes stray over - NATO borders.

Stoltenberg suggested revamping the Cold War-era treaty known as the Vienna document, which sets out the rules for largeOVERCROWDED PRISON

UK lawmakers urge tax on sugary drinks to help fight obesity LONDON: British lawmakers urged the government on Monday to introduce tough measures, including a tax on sugary drinks and controls on price promotions for “unhealthy food and drink”, to help tackle childhood obesity.

Parliament’s Health Committee said there was “clear evidence that measures to improve the food environment” must be used to tackle obesity, treatment of which costs the state-run health service £5.1 billion ($7.6 billion) every year.

But a spokesman for David Cameron said the prime minister did not think a sugar tax was “the right course of action” and that his government would unveil a national childhood obesity strategy in the New Year to set out its preferred measures.

In a report, the committee said there should be strong controls on price promotions of unhealthy food and drink and a sugary drinks tax on full sugar drinks, with all proceeds targeted to help those children at greatest risk of obesity.

be a risk as long as Russia and the US-led coalition bombing IS in Syria worked separately.

“If there are two coalitions functioning in the same airspace against IS, these types of incidents will be difficult to prevent,” Davutoglu said, referring to IS militants.

and drink and that labels should show sugar content in teaspoons, among other measures.

“One third of children leaving primary school are overweight or obese, and the most deprived children are twice as likely to be obese than the least deprived,” said Sarah Wollaston, chairman of the committee.

“A full package of bold measures is required and should be implemented as soon as possible.” The drinks industry criticised the report’s findings, saying the lawmakers had “swallowed” the agenda of lobbyists.

“It’s disappointing that the committee has missed its chance to add a robustly independent voice to the obesity debate,” said Ian Wright, director general of Britain’s Food and Drink Federation.

“No one seems to have considered hard-pressed consumers in all this,” he said in a statement, adding that consumers already pay billions in taxes on food and drink. - Reuters

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

16 prisoners killed in Guatemala prison riot GUATEMALA CITY: At least 16 prisoners were killed in a riot in an overcrowded Guatemalan prison on Sunday, and some of the inmates were armed with AK-47 rifles, officials said.

The clash was the latest in a string of deadly prison riots in the Central American country in recent years. The prison, about 40 miles (65 km) south of Guatemala’s capital city, houses 3,092 prisoners but has capacity for just 600. Relatives of prisoners wailed outside the jail, and some fainted, as bodies were carried out in black plastic bags bound for the morgue.

“All the dead are prisoners, we have ruled out any guards among the dead,” Rudy Esquivel, spokesman for Guatemalas prison system, said on Monday.

“The cause was a clash between them, we are still investigating.”

Special police forces and the army were sent to take control of the prison on Sunday.

Guatemala awarded Mexican construction company ICA, which has been struggling under a heavy debt burden, a multi-million dollar contract to expand the prison late last year, according to official contract data. - Reuters

scale exercises and other military activity, as well as telephone hotlines and other military communication channels.

“It has to be modernised because there are several loopholes,” Stoltenberg said.

Moscow’s surprise intervention in the four-year-old Syrian civil war in September wrongfooted the West and put Turkey, which shares a long border with Syria, directly at odds with Russian support for the Bashar Al Assad regime there.

The downing of the Russian warplane has wrecked both Turkish-Russian relations and the French-led diplomatic effort to bring Moscow closer into the fold of nations seeking to destroy IS through military action in Syria.

Targeting IS While Russia says it is also targeting IS militants, most of its air strikes have been against other Assad opponents.

“Their bombing is taking place in areas where IS is not present at all,” Stoltenberg said. - Reuters

AFRICA TOUR

Pope Francis call to end hate, bloodshed BANGUI: Pope Francis ventured into one of the world’s most dangerous neighbourhoods on Monday to implore people to end a spiral of hate, vendetta and bloodshed that has killed thousands over the past three years and divided a nation.

Ending his three-nation Africa tour under intense security, Francis passed through a no-man’s zone to enter PK5, a district where most people who have not fled Central African Republic’s capital Bangui have now sought refuge.

He later celebrated Mass in the national stadium before flying back to Rome.

The PK5 neighbourhood has been cut off from the rest of the city for the past two months by a ring of so-called anti-balaka militias, who block supplies from entering and people from leaving.

A heavy deployment of United Nations peacekeepers with rifles and bullet-proof vests was present throughout PK5 and armoured vehicles mounted with machineguns were positioned along the route of Pope Francis’ motorcade.

UN sharpshooters looked out from the tops of the minarets crowning the freshly repainted green and white mosque, where hundreds of PK5’s people listened as Francis made an impassioned appeal for an end to the violence.

“All people are brothers and sisters,” he said after a speech by Imam Tidiani Moussa Naibi, one of the local religious leaders trying to foster dialogue.

“Those who claim to believe in Almighty must also be men and women of peace,” he said, noting followers of traditional religions had lived together in peace for many years.

Appealed He appealed for “an end to every act which, from whatever side, disfigures the face of Almighty and whose ultimate aim is to defend particular interests by any and all means”.

Central African Republic descended into chaos in early 2013 when mainly Seleka rebels seized power in the majority country, sparking reprisals from militias.

Leaders from both sides say the hatred has been manipulated for political gain.

Healing rifts between communities has been a theme throughout Francis’ first visit to the continent, which has also taken him to Kenya and Uganda.

However, nowhere is his call for peace and reconciliation more pressing than in Central African Republic, where thousands have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced in clashes that have split the country along religious lines.

“Together, we must say no to hatred, to revenge and to violence, particularly that violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of Almighty himself.

Almighty is peace, ‘salam,’” the pope said. - PTI

MOTORCADE: Pope Francis arrives at the Bangui stadium, Central African Republic, on Monday. - Reuters

A 14

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

WORLD

Share your world with us on Instagram

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY SHARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

Israel suspends EU role in Palestinian peace process Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Maliki said that the Israeli move had exposed its arrogance and

RISING TENSIONS: A picture taken on November 29, 2015 shows

enmity towards EU

the Tel Aviv skyline from the sea front promenade of the Mediterranean coastal city. – AFP

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel threatened on Monday to review its cooperation with European Union projects that benefit Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, citing the bloc’s labelling of exports from Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied territory.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that Israel was suspending its contacts with European Union bodies involved in peace efforts with the Palestinians, condemning the EU guidelines on settlement products published on November 11.

With talks on Palestinian state-

hood frozen since 2014, there seemed to little peace diplomacy for this decision to affect. But the EU decision that goods produced in settlements be marked as such rather than “Made in Israel” touched a nerve in Netanyahu’s right-wing government, which has long decried efforts by the BDS — boycott, divestment and sanctions — movement to isolate Israel over policies towards Palestinians.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Emmanuel Nahshon seemed to expand the scope of Israel’s steps against the EU, a major donor to the Palestinian Authority that ex-

ercises limited self-rule in parts of the occupied West Bank, by saying it could be frozen out of some initiatives aimed at bettering Palestinian lives. “It is true that there is no peace process... but the European Union wants to be involved in a variety of projects, some of them... regarding Palestinian welfare,” he said.

“With all those projects, we will need to re-examine whether it is feasible to consider the European Union as a partner while it is using measures of discrimination and boycott against the State of Israel.”

Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad Al Maliki called the Israeli

move a “stupid threat” that he said exposed arrogance and enmity towards the EU. The Israeli foreign ministry made clear that contacts with individual EU countries — it named Germany, France and Britain — would not be affected by the move against EU projects with Palestinians.

In a sign that the Israeli move stopped short of any boycott of officials representing the bloc as a whole, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Monday in Paris, on the sidelines of the global climate conference. “EU-Israel relations are good, broad and deep and this will continue,” a European Commission spokeswoman told reporters in Brussels while announcing the meeting had taken place.

The spokeswoman played down the labelling decision as merely the implementation of an existing policy already being enforced by some EU states.

It would be difficult for Israel to block funding for EU projects in towns and villages under Palestinian Authority control, but plans for the occupied West Bank’s “Area C”, where the Israeli military is solely in charge, could be another matter.

The bloc has set aside 10 million euros for housing and other projects for Palestinians in Area C and Israel has to approve or turn down such ventures. Some 100 initiatives are in the pipeline, with only a handful ratified so far.

The EU regards Israeli settlements on land Israel captured in a 1967 war, which Palestinians seek for a future state, as illegal under international law. Israel has accused the bloc of a double standard, saying the EU was not taking similar steps in other territorial conflicts elsewhere in the world.

Israel’s economy ministry estimated the new labelling would affect goods worth about $50 million a year, including grapes and dates, wine, poultry, honey, olive oil and cosmetics made from Dead Sea minerals. That is around a fifth of the $200-$300 million worth of goods produced in settlements each year, but a small fraction of the $30 billion of goods and services traded annually between Israel and the European Union.

After the labelling decision was announced, some factory owners in occupied West Bank settlements said their Palestinian workers would be most harmed by any drop in business since jobs were hard to find in the area. — Reuters

NEW BEGINNING

EU, Turkey seal deal on migrants BRUSSELS: Turkey promised to help stem the flow of migrants to Europe in return for cash, visas and renewed talks on joining the EU in a deal struck on Sunday that the Turkish prime minister called a “new beginning” for the uneasy neighbours.

Leaders of the European Union met Turkish premier Ahmet Davutoglu in Brussels on Sunday to finalise an agreement hammered out by diplomats over the past month, as Europeans struggle to limit the strain on their 28-nation bloc from taking in hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees.

A key element is 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in EU aid for the 2.2 million Syrians now in Turkey. The money is intended to raise their living standards and so persuade more of them to stay put rather than attempt perilous crossings to the EU via the Greek islands.

The final offer of “an initial” 3 billion euros represents a compromise between the EU, which offered that sum over two years, and Turkey, which wanted it every year.

Now the money, as French President Francois Hollande said, will be paid out bit by bit as conditions are met, leaving the total payout unclear. — Reuters

CLASHES WITH UGANDAN REBELS

Seven hacked to death in Congo KINSHASA: Seven people hacked to death in a hospital were among at least 30 people killed in fighting at the weekend between the army, backed by UN troops, and hardline Ugandan rebels in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo, local sources said on Monday.

Intelligence gaps, poor coordination and insufficient resources have rendered the Congolese army and the UN peacekeeping force ineffective against the armed ADF group that is estimated to have only a few hundred fighters.

Massacres on a simliar scale have been a regular occurrence for more than a year. The ADF has operated in the area since the 1990s and funds itself by illicitly trading timber and gold.

Sunday’s clashes broke out in the town of Eringeti, 55 km (35 miles) north of the town of Beni near the Ugandan border, when fighters from the ADF - a group led by radicals - attacked a military headquarters, according to the Center of Study for the Promotion of Peace, Democracy and Human Rights, a group that documents violence in North Kivu province.

At least four Congolese soldiers and 12 militants were killed in the clashes, while seven civilians were hacked to death with machetes at a hospital, according to a provisional toll, UN DRC mission spokesman, Felix Basse said. Eastern Congo is plagued by dozens of armed groups that prey on the local population and ex-

ploit mineral reserves. Millions died there between 1996 and 2003 as a regional conflict caused hunger and disease.

The government has blamed the ADF for nearly all of the attacks near Beni in the last year, although some analysts argue that other armed groups or criminal gangs are probably involved.

Overnight raids Local activists say at least 500 civilians have been killed near Beni since October 2014, most in overnight raids by rebels carried out with machetes and hatchets.

Alexis Katsurana, a local government administrator in the nearby town of Oicha, said that Eringeti residents had fled in their hundreds northward towards Ituri province on Sunday.

Eight Congolese soldiers and one UN peacekeeper from the Force Intervention Brigade, which has a mandate to conduct offensive operations, died fighting, the local rights group said in a statement.

Basse told Reuters that a UN peacekeeper from the brigade had been killed and a second wounded in the fighting. He declined to give the nationality of the peacekeepers but a UN source said the dead soldier was a Malawian. He said the town was now once again under the control of Congolese and UN forces. The governor of North Kivu, Julien Paluku, confirmed six civilian and 12 ADF deaths but said he had no information about Congolese army casualties. — Reuters

VISIT TO MEMORIAL

Obama pays tribute to France attack victims PARIS: President Barack Obama laid a single rose at a memorial for the victims of the Paris attacks on Monday shortly after arriving in the city, visiting the Bataclan, the concert hall where the deadliest attacks took place during the onslaught some two weeks ago.

Obama, who is in town for international talks to curb climate change, was joined at the site by French President Francois Hollande not long after Air Force One touched down around midnight local time.

After solemnly placing the rose among the flowers and candles at the makeshift memorial, Obama stood silently in tribute, his head bowed and his hands clasped in front of him.

Afterwards he walked away with his arms around Hollande and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo,

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

VIDEO

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

who was also present. He did not make remarks. Obama has made a concerted effort to show US solidarity with France after the November 13 attacks, which killed 130 people.

He and Hollande agreed during a meeting in Washington last week to ramp up military operations against IS militants in Syria and Iraq and coordinate intelligence on domestic threats. By visiting the memorial so soon after his arrival in Paris, Obama signaled the importance he placed on continuing to show support to the people of France. — Reuters

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5 In New Delhi, the US embassy’s monitoring station recorded an air quality index of 372, which puts air pollution levels well into “hazardous” territory

A1 5

CLIMATE SUMMIT

World leaders in big push to hold back rising global temperatures SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

VIDEO

Heads of state seek

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

to banish memory of 2009 Copenhagen failure with emphasis on national pledges rather than binding treaty

PARIS: World leaders launched an ambitious attempt on Monday to hold back the earth’s rising temperatures, with French President Francois Hollande saying the world was at “breaking point” in the fight against global warming.

Some 150 heads of state and government, including US President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, urged each other to find common cause in two weeks of bargaining to steer the global economy away from its dependence on fossil fuels.

They arrived at United Nations climate change talks in Paris accompanied by high expectations and armed with promises to act.

After decades of struggling negotiations and the failure of a summit in Copenhagen six years ago, some form of landmark agreement appears all but assured by midDecember. Warnings from climate scientists, demands from activists and exhortations from religious leaders like Pope Francis have coupled with major advances in cleaner energy sources like solar power to raise pressure for cuts in carbon emissions held responsible for warming the planet.

Most scientists say failure to agree on strong measures in Paris would doom the world to ever-hotter average temperatures, bringing

MAJOR ADVANCES: People try 3D glasses at the stand of Great Green Wall (GGW), during the open-

ing day of the United Nations conference on climate change COP21, on Monday at Le Bourget, on the outskirts of the French capital Paris. – AFP

that this is the moment we finally determined we would save our planet, is the fact that our nations share a sense of urgency about this challenge and a growing realization that it is within our power to do something about it,” said Obama, one of the first leaders to speak at the summit. with them deadlier storms, more frequent droughts and rising sea levels as polar ice caps melt.

Facing such alarming projections, the leaders of nations responsible for about 90 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions have come bearing pledges to reduce their national carbon output, through different measures at different rates. For some, climate change has become a pressing issue at home. As the summit opened in Paris, the capitals of the world’s two most populous na-

tions, China and India, were blanketed in hazardous, choking smog, with Beijing on “orange” pollution alert, the second-highest level.

Over the next two weeks, negotiators will hammer out the strongest international climate pact yet. The deal will mark a momentous step in the often frustrating quest for global agreement, albeit one that - on its own - will not be enough to prevent the earth’s temperatures from rising past a damaging threshold. “What should give us hope that this is a turning point,

POLLUTION ALERT

Hazardous smog chokes Beijing and New Delhi BEIJING/NEW DELHI: The capitals of the world’s two most populous nations, China and India, were blanketed in hazardous, choking smog on Monday as climate change talks began in Paris, where leaders of both countries are among the participants.

China’s capital Beijing maintained an “orange” pollution alert, the second-highest level, on Monday, closing highways, halting or suspending construction and prompting a warning to residents to stay indoors. The choking pollution was caused by the “unfavourable” weather, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said on Sunday.

Emissions in northern China soar over winter as urban heating systems are switched on and low wind speeds have meant that polluted air has not been dispersed.

In New Delhi, the US embassy’s monitoring station recorded an air quality index of 372, which puts air pollution levels well into “hazardous” territory. A thick smog blanketed the city and visibility was down to about 200 yards (metres). Air quality in the city of 16 million is usually bad in winter, when coal fires are lit by the poor to ward off the cold. Traffic fumes, too, are trapped over the city by a temperature inversion and the lack of wind.

No alarm However, the government has not raised any alarm over the current air quality and no advisories have been issued to the public.

Thirty thousand runners took part in a half marathon at the weekend, when pollution levels were just as high.

In Beijing, a city of 22.5 million, the air quality index in some parts of the city soared to 500, its highest possible level. At levels higher than 300, residents are encouraged to remain indoors, according to government guidelines.

The hazardous air underscores the challenge facing the government as it battles pollution caused by the coal-burning power industry and will raise questions about its ability to clean up its

‘ORANGE’ ALERT: Pagodas on a polluted day in Hohhot, north China’s Inner Mongolia region on Monday. Northern China choked under some of the worst smog, with Beijing’s pollution soaring to 22 times healthy limits, triggering the second-highest air alert. – AFP

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

VIDEO

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

economy at the talks in Paris.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to highlight India’s green credentials in an article for the Financial Times on Monday, writing: “The instinct of our culture is to take a sustainable path to development. When a child is born, we plant a tree”.

But at Connaught Place, a city centre landmark in New Delhi, people chided the government for failing to minimise the risks to their health from air pollution.

“The pollution level is so high it’s just unbelievable,” said Aisha, a 19-year-old student.

For Beijing’s residents, the poor air makes breathing hard.

“This sort of weather, you can see that all of Beijing has been completely enveloped in smog... and for every breath, getting up every morning, your throat will feel particularly uncomfortable,” said Zhang Heng, a 26-year-old architect. The Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau said on Sunday that it had requested factories to limit or suspend output and had also stopped construction work throughout the city.

The ministry said the number of cities affected by heavy pollution had reached 23, stretching across 530,000 square km, an area the size of Spain, but a cold front beginning on Wednesday would see the situation improve.

State-run Xinhua news agency said more than 200 expressway toll gates in east China’s Shandong province were closed on Monday due to smog. The province issued a yellow alert. — Reuters

Gathering The gathering is being held in a sombre city. Security has been tightened after Islamist militant attacks killed 130 people on Nov. 13, and Hollande said he could not separate “the fight with terrorism from the fight against global warming.” Leaders must face both challenges, leaving their children “a world freed of terror” as well as one “protected from catastrophes”.

On the eve of the summit, an estimated 785,000 people from Australia to Paraguay joined the

biggest day of climate change activism in history, telling world leaders there was “No Planet B” in the fight against global warming.

The leaders gathered in a vast conference centre at Le Bourget airfield, near where Charles Lindbergh landed his Spirit of St. Louis aircraft in 1927 after making the first solo trans-Atlantic flight, a feat that helped bring nations closer.

Whether a similar spirit of unity can be incubated in Le Bourget this time is uncertain. In all, 195 countries are part of the unwieldy negotiating process, espousing a variety of leadership styles and ideologies that has made consensus elusive in the past. Key issues, notably how to divide the global bill to pay for a shift to renewable energy, are still contentious. Signaling their determination to resolve the most intractable points, senior negotiators sat down on Sunday, a day earlier than planned, to begin thrashing out an agreement. They hope to avoid the lastminute scramble and all-nighters that marked past meetings.

The last attempt to get a global deal collapsed in chaos and acrimony in Copenhagen in 2009.

It ended with Obama forcing his way into a closed meeting of China and other countries on the gathering’s last day and emerging with a modest concession to limit rising emissions until 2020 that they attempted to impose on the rest of the world. Anxious to avoid a rerun of the Copenhagen disaster, major powers have tried this time to smooth some of the bumps in the way of an agreement before they arrive. The presidents, prime ministers and princes were making their cameo appearances at

the outset of the conference rather than swooping in at the end.

There are other significant changes in approach this time around. The old goal of seeking a legally binding international treaty, certain to be dead on arrival in the Republican-controlled US Congress, has been replaced by a system of national pledges to reduce emissions.

Some are presented as best intentions, others as measures legally enforced by domestic laws and regulations. The biggest difference may be the partnership between the United States and China. The world’s two biggest carbon emitters, once on opposite sides on climate issues, agreed in 2014 to jointly kick-start a transition away from fossil fuels, each at their own speed and in their own way.

The United States and China “have both determined that it is our responsibility to take action,” Obama said after meeting Xi. “Our leadership on this issue has been absolutely vital.”

That partnership has been a balm for the main source of tension that characterised previous talks, in which the developing world argued that countries that grew rich by industrialising on fossil fuels should pay the cost of shifting all economies to a renewable energy future.

Now even China, once a leading voice of that club, has agreed to contribute to an internationally administered Green Climate Fund that hopes to dispense $100 billion a year after 2020 as a way to finance the developing world’s shift towards renewables. If a signed deal now appears likely, so too is the prospect that it will not be enough to prevent the world’s average temperature from rising beyond 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. That is widely viewed as a threshold for dangerous and potentially catastrophic changes in the planet’s climate system. — Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

MARKE Muscat 5,547.85 - 95.44 - 1.69%

Dubai 3,204.28 + 11.15 + 0.35%

Abu Dhabi 4,236.39 + 63.65 + 1.53%

Saudi Arabia

7,239.93 - 11.71 - 0.16%

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

DIGEST VIDEO Top stories in one minute with our new daily Digest

Kuwait 5,802.36 - 4.13 - 0.07%

Bahrain 1,232.57 + 3.98 + 0.32%

Qatar 10,090.81 - 462.65 - 4.38%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

Type ............................Delivery...........Price

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.42 Pound ............................................ 1.71 Indian Rs ............................. 172.98 Pak Rs ................................... 269.47 Bangla Taka.......................200.12

Indian Rs ...................................173.00 Pakistan Rs ............................. 273.70 Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 368.50 Bangla Taka............................ 205.10 Phil Peso .................................... 121.65

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......13.60

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........ $39.87 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........ $39.67 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ..........$41.19 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) .........$47.49 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$45.49 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$42.21

* Rates are as of Nov. 30 Source: Bank Muscat

* Rates as of Nov. 30 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ........13.10 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 127.25 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............ 120.50 * Rates as of Nov. 30 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Forum to focus on investment opportunities available in Iran Times News Service

Oman has a commercial office in Bandar Abbas and plans to boost the country’s non-oil Mohsin bin Khamis Al Balushi.

— Picture by Talib Al Wohaibi/Times of Oman

exports to Iran

S E E D C A P I TA L

STOCK MARKET

Oman to set up its first venture capital company Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman plans to establish its first venture capital company, which will be formed exclusively by investors from the private sector.

The announcement to form the Oman Venture Capital Company (Ethmar), which means harvesting in English, will be made at a first-of-its-kind conference that will bring together potential investors, experts, entrepreneurs and students at a two-day event to be held on December 6 and 7 in Muscat.

Entitled,“Oman Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Conference 2015,” the forum is a joint collaboration between the Sultanate’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) and the Iskan Oman Investment Company.

The conference, which will have over 250 participants, seeks to shortlist three potential startups that will be pursued by the venture capital company to be formed. The event will be held under the patronage of Ali Masoud Ali Al Sunaidy, minister of commerce and industry,at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. The event has been organised by the MOCI, Iskan, the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development (Riyada) and the Al Raffd Fund. Other co-organisers of the conference are KPMG, Trowers & Hamlins, Institute of Cost and Management Accounting and 1Pulse Oman LLC. Speaking about the conference, the minister said, “In support of

MUSCAT: Investment opportunities in Iran and the strategic importance of Oman in facilitating investment there from Asian countries, after the lifting of the sanctions, will be the focus of a major economic conference planned on March 23 and 24 next year in Muscat.

The conference — Oman Economic Forum — is being organised by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with the

Announcement to form the Oman Venture Capital Company (Ethmar) will be made at a first-of-its-kind forum to be held on December 6 and 7 in Muscat His Majesty’s vision to promote Omanisation, this conference will help many Omani entrepreneurs understand the advances in global markets, which are creating high impact in the economies of many developed nations.

This initiative focuses on both long and short-term objectives of employment creation, nurturing new businesses, facilitating economic and market expansion, developing human resources and removing inefficiency.”

Al Sunaidy added that the conference seeks to create a platform to trigger and bring together high-growth potential start-ups and alternative funding sources, such as angel investors and venture capitalists by showcasing successful experiences from other applicable role models of the world. > B4

Muscat shares fall on 19th trading session Times News Service MUSCAT: Omani stocks extended their longest-losing streak on selling pressure from international institutions. The MSM30 Index slipped for a 19th day to the lowest in almost 12 months.

The bourse’s general index MSM30, which is the barometer of the trend, fell by 1.69 per cent or 95.44 points to close at 5,547.85 points on Monday, on the back of heavy selling by foreign institutional investors.

Oman’s local bourse witnessed a major fall in share prices amid weak sentiment and a re-adjustment in the MSCI market indices.

The market has been declining for more than two weeks now in view of slumping oil prices.

Next year’s budget Market sources said investors are eagerly waiting for proposals in next year’s budget for raising revenue at a time when oil revenue has shown a substantial fall.

Several foreign institutional investors have been selling for quite some time and it continued on Monday as well, which resulted in a drop in several blue-chip stocks.

The market’s traded volumes, except on Monday, were also low.

The adjustment in the MSCI Frontier markets indices, which is generally carried out every year by the end of November, also affected the Muscat bourse. > B4

Al Iktissad Wal-Aamal group.

Addressing a press conference to announce the conference, Mohsin bin Khamis Al Balushi, advisor to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said the Sultanate is seeking to strengthen its non-oil exports to Iran.

“We have a commercial office in Bandar Abbas. We have plans to develop Oman’s exports to the Iranian market. We expect that this office will play a vital role (in strengthening exports) after sanctions are lifted,” added Al Balushi.

The forthcoming conference, he said, will help GCC and other Asian countries to meet with their Iranian counterparts for discussing investment opportunities. Iranian officials will also present papers on investment opportunities.

Al Balushi also noted that both Oman and Iran are in the process of identifying areas of cooperation, mainly in developing projects and exports. Oman and Iran have two joint committees — one for the private sector and another for the government sector — for economic

cooperation. These joint business committees will help to identify areas of cooperation. The forum will be held at the right time, after announcing the Ninth Five-Year Development Plan (2016 to 2020) and budget for next year.

The forum aims to support the government’s development plans, in particular those related to promoting Oman as a centre for international hub for transhipment trade, as well as an investment hub by providing an investmentfriendly environment. > B4

B2

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

MARKET

India’s economy grows faster than estimated Gross domestic product rose 7.4 per cent in JulySeptember from a year earlier, after a seven per cent expansion the previous quarter, the Central Statistics Office said

NEW DELHI: India’s economy grew faster than estimated before central bank Governor Raghuram Rajan reviews interest rates on Tuesday for a final time this year.

Gross domestic product rose 7.4 per cent in July-September from a year earlier, after a seven per cent expansion the previous quarter, the Central Statistics Office said in a statement in New Delhi on Monday. The median of 44 economist estimates in a Bloomberg survey was 7.3 per cent. China grew 6.9 per cent in the same period, while Russia contracted 4.1 per cent and Brazil is forecast to shrink 4.2 per cent.

India’s world-beating pace supports the case for Rajan to hold rates after cutting them this year by the most since 2009. It also

GAINING MOMENTUM: Manufacturing output rose 9.3 per cent during the period, financial services 9.7 per cent, and trade and hotels grew 10.6 per cent. - Bloomberg file picture

offers respite to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who’s struggling to push key economic bills through parliament. India’s stocks and currency are among Asia’s worst performers over the past month as investors become impatient with the pace of reforms.

Positive signs “There are positive signs as there is an economic recovery and manufacturing is growing strongly,” said Prasanna Ananthasubramanian, chief economist at ICICI

Securities Primary Dealership in Mumbai. “The RBI is not going to cut rates because they have already cut and are waiting for the transmission.”

One of Modi’s bills stuck in parliament proposes a national sales tax, which aims to simplify a byzantine tax structure and create a single market among India’s 1.3 billion people for the first time.

The goods and services tax, known as GST, is crucial to boosting revenue as a proposed pay increase for government staff puts

Modi’s deficit-reduction goals in jeopardy. The shortfall reached 74 per cent of the full-year goal in the first seven months itself, data showed on Monday.

“The increased salaries may hamper the government’s planned shift from more current expenditure to more capital expenditure,” said Indranil Pan, chief economist with IDFC. That threatens Modi’s plan to rely on public investment to kickstart a recovery while private companies battle high debt, he said.

Gross value added — a component of GDP closely watched by Rajan — rose 7.4 per cent in AprilSeptember from a year earlier, matching the forecast, after a 7.1 per cent increase in the previous quarter.

Manufacturing output rose 9.3 per cent during the period, financial services 9.7 per cent, and trade and hotels grew 10.6 per cent. India’s electricity and gas production rose 6.7 per cent while the construction sector expanded 2.6 per cent. — Bloomberg News

ENERGY

Dana Gas gains on settlement with Iraq on gas DUBAI: Dana Gas reached an “amicable and mutually beneficial settlement agreement” with RWE’s trading unit to resolve a dispute over a venture in Iraq’s semi- autonomous Kurdish region, the United Arab Emirates-based energy producer said.

RWE Supply & Trading will take a 10 per cent stake in the Pearl Petroleum venture, which produces natural gas in the Kurdish area of northern Iraq, according to a statement to the Abu Dhabi stock exchange on Monday. Dana Gas didn’t disclose additional details of the settlement that brings arbitration between the two companies to a close.

Dana Gas, based in the UAE emirate of Sharjah, produces gas mostly in Egypt and Iraq and is seeking to recover more than $1 billion in overdue payments from governments in those countries for fuel sales. RWE harmed the company’s interests in Iraq by breaching confidentiality agreements and causing a loss of value, Chief Executive Officer Patrick Allman- Ward said on November 16. Dana Gas swung to a Dh28 million ($7.6 million) quarterly loss this month after oil prices fell in the past year.

The shares gained as much as 11 per cent, or five fils, to 52 fils and traded at 50 fils in Abu Dhabi at 11:22am local time. The stock was suspended earlier pending the announcement. Dana Gas and its part-owner Crescent Petroleum each hold a 40 per cent stake in Pearl Petroleum, the venture operating in the enclave controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government, according to its corporate website. — Bloomberg News

CREDIT SCHEME

Bank of England extends support to small businesses LONDON: Britain will slowly phase out a scheme to support small business lending over the next two years rather than halt it at the start of next year, the Bank of England and the finance ministry said on Monday.

The news comes a day before the BoE releases a major report, which some analysts expect to usher in tighter rules for other type of lending while the central bank waits for the economy as a whole to be ready for higher interest rates.

The central bank said the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS), which started in 2012 with a focus on mortgage lending, would be extended for another two years as credit conditions for small busi-

nesses had not improved enough.

But lenders’ access to cheap finance for new lending to small businesses will be steadily restricted from January, in order to remove wholly support for new finance by January 2018.

“The Funding for Lending Scheme will be gradually wound down as the recovery strengthens, delivering a managed exit from the scheme,” finance minister George Osborne said.

Support for mortgage lending was withdrawn in early 2014.

British banks are lending to consumers at the fastest rate since before the crisis, and large firms have easy access to funds through capital markets, but bank lending to

small businesses remains limited.

Small business lending BoE figures released earlier on Monday showed that in the year to October, small business lending grew by just 0.7 per cent compared with 2.4 per cent growth in mortgage lending and an 8.2 per cent increase in unsecured consumer credit.

“Conditions still remain relatively tight. So it is important that the support provided by the FLS is withdrawn gradually,” BoE Governor Mark Carney said in a letter to Osborne.

The BoE said its Monetary Policy Committee judged the decision would not affect the timing of a

future interest rate rise, and that its Financial Policy Committee — which will issue the half-yearly report on Tuesday — welcomed the move.

Banks taking part in the FLS lent a net 1.1 billion pounds ($1.7 billion) to small and medium-sized businesses in the first six months of 2015, in contrast to a net reduction in lending of nearly two billion pounds last year. The biggest net lenders to small-and-medium enterprises during the period were Lloyds Banking Group and newer rival Aldermore, the data showed.

But some small businesses still mistrust banks, after they abruptly withdrew funding during the financial crisis. — Reuters

George Osborne, UK’s chancellor of the exchequer. - Bloomberg News

EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

‘Deflation antidote’ in Europe to support economic growth BRUSSELS: European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi’s pledge to pull out all stops to revive inflation may be the right prescription for eurozone economy. Nascent signs of confidence are already visible in inflation markets, Bloomberg strategist Tanvir Sandhu writes.

Market-based inflation expectations, rising since last month on base effects and seasonalities, got a further nudge up after Draghi said on November 20 the ECB “will do what we must to raise inflation as quickly as possible.”

Some signs that the region’s large output gap is narrowing have already emerged although it is a very long road ahead for return to full use of capacities, erasing of inventories and tightening of labour markets, in stark contrast to US. Service inflation component of headline inflation is trying to pull away from troughs but remains sticky.

Manufacturing and services PMIs have been on an encouraging upward trajectory this year, which is also borne out by pickup in European Commission services confidence.

Bank lending to non-financial corporations as well as households grew strongly in October M3, the broadest measure of money supply, too shows showed encouraging signs.

Data published on November 27 showed euro-area economic

– Bloomberg file picture

confidence matched its highest level in more than four years.

Inflation markets too are reflecting the state of the economy.

The cost of insurance to protect against inflation going above ECB’s two per cent target has recently edged higher, and is now above the record low hit in December 2014. However, it’s still below historic levels.

The premium demanded to bet inflation will rise above 2.5 per cent in 10 years has risen to 104 basis points from October low of 65 basis points. It reached 27 basis points on December 17 2014 amid deflationary fears.

Hedge funds and corporate accounts use such option instruments in structured products to protect against quickening inflation. Higher cost indicates that inflation expectations have

grown. Markets may need to see actual realised inflation before generating a convincing upward trend, given Japan’s unsuccessful attempts to revive inflation.

Uptick in realised inflation has helped long-term inflation move higher recently.

ECB survey, headwinds ECB’s own survey shows some confidence of medium-term inflation rising.

Third-quarter ECB Survey of Professional Forecasters shows inflation will reach 1.5 per cent in two years, compared with 1.2 per cent estimated in March. Draghi’s efforts to revive inflation still face headwinds from stagnant wage growth given the large demand slack amid subdued GDP growth, as well as the slump in commodity prices. — Bloomberg News

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

B3

MARKET REVIEW VISIT

BP team visit reveals commitment to Khazzan project Times News Service MUSCAT: A BP board-level committee has visited BP Oman and the Khazzan field to review safety, ethics and environmental performance, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to the Sultanate despite the challenges currently facing the oil and gas industry.

The Safety, Ethics and Environmental Assurance Committee (SEEAC) spent three days in Oman in November, meeting senior Omani government officials, the British ambassador, and BP Oman staff. Commenting on the SEEAC visit, Salim Al Aufi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, said, “I was pleased to meet members of the BP Board

and am glad to see BP’s continued commitment to delivering the Khazzan Project.”

The British ambassador, Jonathan Wilks, said, “I was delighted to meet the members of the BP board here in Oman. BP is playing an important role in the Sultanate and is committed to this country’s future development. It is making a big investment in the country helping to secure Oman’s energy security, and importantly is committed to employing Omani professionals at all levels in the BP Oman workforce.”

Yousuf Al Ojaili, president of BP Oman, added, “We have been pleased to host the BP board members here in Oman and appreciate the time senior Omani government officials have spent

FIELD TRIP: The BP’s committee visited a number of key areas

at the Khazzan development, including drilling rigs, the central processing facility, gathering, wells and export systems, the water treatment plant; and accommodation facilities. - Supplied picture

with them. In tough economic times and with the current low oil prices, this visit shows how committed BP is to the work we are doing here in Oman.”

The committee visited a number of key areas at the Khazzan development including drilling rigs, the central processing facility, gathering, wells and export systems, the

Opec rivals turn allies to boost market share When Saudi Arabia decided last year that Opec should keep pumping to counter a surge in US shale oil, Iran spearheaded resistance to the idea, saying output

QUOTA CUTS: While Venezuela and Algeria have also called for cuts to quotas, the Saudi-led organisation is likely to stay the course, according to all 30 analysts and traders polled. - Bloomberg file picture

cuts were needed to buoy prices. Now, Iran is nonetheless poised to amplify the strategy as it boosts crude exports with the end of sanctions

LONDON: Almost by accident, Opec adversaries Saudi Arabia and Iran are about to work as a team.

When the Saudi Kingdom decided last year that Opec should keep pumping to counter a surge in US shale oil, Iran spearheaded resistance to the idea, saying output cuts were needed to buoy prices.

Still a critic, Iran is nonetheless poised to amplify the strategy as it ramps up crude exports with the end of sanctions.

“Iran’s return is effectively the Saudi policy on steroids,” said Mike Wittner, head of oil-market research at Societe Generale in New York. “The policy is that low-

cost Middle East crude should be gaining market share, and that it’s shale and other expensive nonOpec supply that should be cut. So to use the Saudis’ own logic, as far as Iranian production goes — bring it on.”

By rebuffing calls to cut supply, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) has sought to protect its market share by battering other producers with lower prices. That’s paying off, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), as some US shale drillers scale back and global oil majors slash investment, leaving Opec to fill the gap. The 12-member group is likely to keep its output policy unchanged when it meets in Vienna on December 4, a Bloomberg survey shows.

Iranian ambitions Opec’s rivals may face renewed pressure next year as Iran revives shipments constricted by three years of sanctions over its nuclear programme. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh has called on other member states to pare output to accommodate its return, and insists the country will restore

production regardless of the impact on prices.

While Venezuela and Algeria have also called for cuts to quotas, the Saudi-led organisation is likely to stay the course, according to all 30 analysts and traders polled.

“The additional barrels will help in the strategy of keeping prices low enough to lead to the postponement or cancellation of investment in projects elsewhere,” said Harry Tchilinguirian, head of commodity-markets strategy at BNP Paribas in London ”It plays into the strategy course that Saudi put Opec on,” he further added.

Curbs on Iranian oil sales to Europe and Asia will be lifted once the country dismantles atomic equipment in line with the terms of a deal struck with world powers in July. That could happen around the end of the first quarter, Societe Generale estimates. Iran can expand output by 500,000 barrels a day — from about 2.8 million currently — within a week of restrictions being removed, and by one million barrels a day within six months, according to state-run National Iranian Oil Co.

A D V I S O RY C O M PA N I E S

Ex-bankers expand advisory boutique DUBAI: These are uneasy times for bankers in the Middle East.

The slump in oil is draining billions of dollars from the banking system, stock markets are volatile, investment is slowing and global banks are firing workers under pressure to boost returns.

Still, a proliferation of independent advisory companies shows that some see the distress as an opportunity. One such Dubai-based boutique is C.H. Stirling. Run by two ex-Merrill Lynch bankers, the firm advises local governments and other family businesses on restructurings and M&A. It’s planning to raise $27 million of fresh capital and triple its staff by next summer.

“Markets are getting more difficult and banks’ balance sheets are no longer available to be used as bait for mandates,” said Christopher Flinos, 38, who founded the firm two years ago.

“The more difficulty accessing markets, the more people need quality independent advice,” he further added.

Former Deutsche Bank banker

Shailesh Doshi started a Middle East-focused private-equity and advisory firm backed by an Abu Dhabi sheikh this year. Rody Yared and Samer A. Katerji, former bankers from JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup started Trussbridge Advisory DIFC. Albert Momdjian, who handled UBS Group’s wealthiest clients in the Middle East, quit last year to start an investment company in Dubai.

Some, though, are questioning whether there’s enough work to go around.

‘Shake out’ “I suspect there will be a shake out and not all boutiques will survive, but we are also seeing a lot more smaller opportunities open up which may serve the boutiques well,” Vikas Papriwal, head of markets at KPMG in the Lower Gulf, said in a telephone interview on November 24.

“One advantage of these boutiques is that their cost base is different,” Papriwal further added. — Bloomberg News

Don’t litter a beautiful country like OMAN. Ensure proper disposal of garbage.

Oil fall Global markets are already contending with a surplus that the IEA estimates is the biggest in 17 years. Benchmark Brent crude has tumbled more than 40 per cent in the past year and Opec’s rivals are feeling the pressure. US oil production is projected to shrink in 2016 for the first time in eight years, according to the agency.

Brent fell 14 cents to $44.72 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange at 9am local time. Prices have declined 9.8 per cent this month.

Iran’s Zanganeh said in October that “Opec should decide to manage the market by reducing the level of production.” The nation will continue to disavow the Saudi plan because prices are too low for it to attract the foreign investment needed to rehabilitate its oil industry, according to Paolo Scaroni, deputy chairman of NM Rothschild & Sons and former Eni chief executive officer. “Iran will oppose the strategy because they cannot survive with this price,” he said.

The Islamic Republic is seeking at least $100 billion of oil investment from international companies, according to Zanganeh.

Gradual resumption It’s possible that Iranian supply will gather pace slower than forecast, tempering the damage to rival producers, according to Antoine Halff, a senior fellow at the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University in New York.

With so much oil around, the nation will only resume exports gradually, rather than pushing discounted shipments on buyers, he further added. — Bloomberg News

HAVE YOUR SAY

Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

water treatment plant; and accommodation facilities. The committee also met staff in BP’s head office in Muscat and visited the Technicians Training Centre at Ghala, where over 80 Omani technicians are being trained to operate the Khazzan field by 2017.

The Safety, Ethics and Environmental Assurance Committee is made up of non-executive directors. Four SEEAC members visited the Khazzan site, namely Sir John Sawers, Paul Anderson, Antony Burgmans and Cynthia Carroll. Their aim was to review the processes adopted by BP’s management to identify and mitigate significant non-financial risk. BP Oman has made significant efforts to address the areas reviewed by SEEAC at Khazzan.

The safety and security of all workers at the site is a top priority for BP and its contractors, and a sustainable development strategy is in place to focus on the societal and environmental dimensions of its operations.

Early results of this socially responsible approach include over 15 million hours of construction work delivered without a Lost Time Injury Incident, detailed modelling of Khazzan’s wadi systems to ensure project plans and procedures take them into account, constant engagement and ongoing dialogue with the community around Khazzan, and an innovative social investment programme focused on Omani youth which in 2014-2015 benefited over 4,000 people in the Sultanate.

AV I AT I O N

FLYING HIGH: After reporting a profit for the past three quar-

ters, SpiceJet is planning to finalise an order for more than 150 single-aisle jets from either Boeing or Airbus Group during the current financial year, which ends on March 31. -Bloomberg file picture

India’s SpiceJet receives interest from Gulf airlines DUBAI: Indian budget carrier SpiceJet, which has surged more than 280 per cent this year, said it’s received interest from Gulf airlines looking to acquire a stake. The shares jumped.

“Some of the Gulf airlines have expressed an interest in SpiceJet as we have come back into the market, but this is not the right time to be diluting the equity,” Chairman Ajay Singh said in Dubai on Sunday, without naming the companies. “There is some dialogue which is ongoing and we continue to explore other types of relationships we could have,” he said, adding now isn’t the right time to sell a stake as the shares remain undervalued.

Gulf carriers, including Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, have acquired stakes in airlines to quickly expand their networks. Etihad has stakes in eight companies, while Qatar Airways said earlier this month that it was interested in boosting its 10 per cent holding in British Airways parent International Consolidated Airlines Group and taking up to 49 per

cent of Indian budget carrier IndiGo. SpiceJet jumped as much as five per cent to Rs68.80 and was trading at Rs67.75 as of 10:18am in Mumbai.

SpiceJet is planning to order new planes after co-founder Singh rescued the company from the verge of shutdown last year. After reporting a profit for the past three quarters, the airline is planning to finalise an order for over 150 single-aisle jets from either Boeing or Airbus Group during the current financial year, which ends March 31, Singh said. The company is also planning an additional order of up to 50 regional jets and is in talks with suppliers including Bombardier, he said.

“Spicejet is generating enough cash internally to sustain those orders,” said Singh. “If we need to raise any money to fund those orders, which looks unlikely at this time, there are enough unutilised credit lines available to us.”

New aircraft would be used to open new routes and increase the frequency of flights to existing destinations, he said. — Bloomerg News

B4

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

MARKET Sensex and rupee gain

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 5,642.93 ...............5,547.85 ....................5,547.85 ...................5,643.29................-95.44 .................. -1.69 Financial Index .....................................6,776.59 ...............6,645.79 ................... 6,645.79 ....................6,779.75..............-133.96 .................. -1.98 Industrial Index ................................... 6,946.39 ...............6,875.87 ................... 6,875.87 ...................6,946.53................-70.66 .................. -1.02 Services Index ....................................... 3,145.41 ...............3,130.53 ....................3,130.56 ...................3,154.04................-23.48 .................. -0.74 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................880.29 ..................872.79 .......................872.79 .......................881.91...................-9.12 .................. -1.03 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 20,794,155 .................4,690,699 ................. 1,044 ............... 14,660,347,214 .................. 3 ..................... 29 .................... 17 .........................49

Sensex resumed slightly higher at 26,142.53 and hovered in a range of 26,231.06 and

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30

26,089.13 before settling at 26,145.67, ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

showing a gain of 17.47 points or 0.07 per cent REGULAR MARKET .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

on Monday's trading session

OM0000001822............UNITED POWER .................................................................780 ............... 2,137........................1 ............2.740 ........... 2.740 ...........2.740........... 2.740 .............2.495 ........... 0.245............. 9.820 ................2.740............. 2.300...................2.740....................2,192,000 ..........1.000 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING .........................19,125 ................1,715........................4 ........... 0.087 ...........0.092 ...........0.087........... 0.090 .............0.086 ........... 0.004............. 4.651 ................0.090..............0.083...................0.090 ...................2,700,000 ..........0.100

MUMBAI: India's S&P BSE benchmark Sensex ended higher for the third consecutive day by firming up by another 17 points to close at 26,145.67 on persistent buying mainly in IT, Consumer Durables, Realty, Utilities and Teck ahead of GDP data for the September quarter.

However, NSE-50 share Nifty eased by 7.45 points or 0.09 per cent to close at 7,935.25 after two days gain of 111.10 pointsor 1.42 per cent.

Caution prevailed ahead of RBI’s fifth bi-monthly monetary policy review tomorrow and continuing fund outflows by foreign investors amid weakness at other Asian markets.

Hopes of passing GST bill also boosted the market sentiment.

The Sensex resumed slightly higher at 26,142.53 and hovered in a range of 26,231.06 and 26,089.13 before settling at 26,145.67, showing a gain of 17.47 points or 0.07 per cent.

The Sensex has gained 369.93 points or 1.44 per cent in three days. Asian stocks ended mostly lower as key indices like Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan fell by 0.11 to 1.82 per cent while China’s Shanghai Composite moved up by 0.26 per cent.

Rupee bounces back Snapping its two-day losing streak, the rupee on Monday bounced back by nine paise to 66.67 against the US dollar on fag-end selling of the American currency by banks and exporters.

The rupee opened lower at 66.78 per dollar as against the last weekend’s level of 66.76 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market and dropped further to 66.86 on month-end dollar demand from importers mainly oil refinOMAN ECONOMIC FORUM

OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ............................5,133 .................. 652........................2 ............0.127 ........... 0.127 ...........0.127 ............0.127 ............. 0.127............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.127 ...............0.131...................0.135 ...................12,070,080 .........0.100

ers. However, it recovered afterwards to 66.62 on fag-end selling of dollars by exporters before settling at 66.67, showing a gain of nine paise or 0.13 per cent.

It had dropped by 44 paise or 0.66 per cent in the previous two trading days.

The local currency moved in a range of 66.62 and 66.86 per dollar during the day. The dollar index was higher by 0.16 per cent against a basket of six currencies in the late afternoon trade.

Dollar was mainly higher in the late afternoon trade on Monday, as investors prepared for potentially market-moving events later this week, including the closely watched US nonfarm payrolls report and the European Central Bank decision.

In forward market on Monday, premium for dollar dropped further on persistent receivings from exporters.

The benchmark six-month premium payable in April fell to 172.5-174.5 paise from the last weekend’s level of 177-179 paise and far forward October 2016 contract also dropped to 377-379 paise from 385-387 paise.

The RBI fixed the reference rate for the dollar at 66.8148 and for the euro at 70.6834.

The rupee recovered against the pound sterling to end at 100.07 from 100.63 on last Friday also moved up against the euro to settle at 70.48 as against 70.71.

The domestic currency firmed up against the Japanese currency to close at 54.16 per 100 yen from 54.45. — PTI

HAVE YOUR SAY

Send us your comments at facebook.com/timesofoman blog.timesofoman.com haveyoursay@timesofoman.com

OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 310,080 ............27,907......................11 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.090........... 0.090 .............0.090 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.090..............0.090...................0.095...................10,968,750 .........0.100 OM0000001889............SALALAH MILLS............................................................. 1,254 ................1,756........................2 ............1.400 ........... 1.400 ...........1.400........... 1.490 .............1.490............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.400..............1.400...................1.480................... 71,762,965 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS .............. 13,677 ............... 3,419........................4 ........... 0.250 ...........0.250 ...........0.250........... 0.250 .............0.250 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.250..............0.250...................0.270 ...................5,250,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ............................2,000 ..................260........................1 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.130........... 0.130 .............0.130............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.130 ..............0.122...................0.130................... 16,236,735 .........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 1,534,315 ......298,738..................... 25 ............0.193 ........... 0.195 ...........0.180............0.195 ............. 0.195............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.190..............0.180...................0.190..................277,882,048........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ...................................10,000 ............20,000........................1 ........... 2.000...........2.000 ...........2.000 .......... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.000 .............1.800...................2.100................. 190,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 2,885,000 .... 300,040........................1 ............0.104 ........... 0.104 ...........0.104........... 0.104 .............0.104 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.104..............0.094...................0.102...................20,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER................................................................3,000 ...............1,050........................1 ........... 0.350 ...........0.350 ...........0.350........... 0.352 .............0.352 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.350..............0.330...................0.360 .................. 77,795,520 .........0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING ..............................................2,000 ...............1,480........................2 ............0.740 ........... 0.740 ...........0.740........... 0.740 .............0.740 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.740..............0.740...................0.760..................147,730,344 ........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................16,000 ............ 41,424........................6 ........... 2.580 ...........2.590 ...........2.580........... 2.590 .............2.595 ...........-0.005 ........... -0.193................2.590............. 2.500...................2.590 .................247,234,135 ........1.000 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................ 50,000 .............16,196........................5 ........... 0.322 ...........0.324 ...........0.322........... 0.324 .............0.326 ...........-0.002 ............-0.613................0.324............. 0.304...................0.322 ..................95,973,233 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 643,924 .........104,406..................... 45 ............0.162 ........... 0.163 ...........0.162........... 0.162 ............. 0.163............-0.001 ............-0.613................0.163 ..............0.162...................0.163...................47,085,465 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 2,189,669 ......348,542...................129 ............0.158 ........... 0.160 ...........0.156 ............0.159 .............0.160 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.625 ...............0.156 .............. 0.156...................0.157 ...................23,861,925 .........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,980,710 ......986,235................... 156 ........... 0.500 ...........0.500 ...........0.490........... 0.498 .............0.502 ...........-0.004 ........... -0.797 ...............0.490..............0.490...................0.494 ................1,141,327,653.......0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 157,247 .......... 114,034......................17 ............0.732 ........... 0.732 ...........0.716 ........... 0.724 .............0.732............-0.008 ........... -1.093................0.716 .............. 0.716...................0.732..................471,283,623........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 815,055.......... 132,055......................17 ............0.161 ........... 0.163 ...........0.161 ........... 0.162 .............0.164............-0.002 ........... -1.220 ...............0.163 ..............0.162...................0.164...................32,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 1,583,548 ......323,104......................17 ........... 0.205 ...........0.205 ...........0.204 .......... 0.204 .............0.207 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.449 ...............0.204 .............0.203...................0.204 ................. 137,677,036 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ................................................... 64,080 .............13,094..................... 10 ........... 0.205 ...........0.205 ...........0.202 .......... 0.204 .............0.207 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.449 ...............0.202 .............0.201...................0.202 .................145,738,893 ........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 317,602 .......... 488,173......................61 ............1.555 ........... 1.555............1.520............1.535 .............1.560............-0.025 ........... -1.603................1.520 ..............1.520...................1.530................ 1,151,250,000 ......0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 577,112 .............32,197......................14 ............0.055 ...........0.056 ...........0.055........... 0.056 .............0.057 ...........-0.001 ............-1.754................0.055..............0.056...................0.057................... 11,600,478 .........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 658,790 ......... 107,890......................51 ............0.162 ........... 0.165 ...........0.160........... 0.164 ............. 0.167............-0.003 ............-1.796................0.165 .............. 0.159...................0.165 ..................236,396,160........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ........................................................... 60,000 ............ 27,000........................9 ........... 0.450 ...........0.450 ...........0.450........... 0.450 .............0.460 ...........-0.010 ........... -2.174................0.450..............0.440...................0.450..................148,892,720........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ......................................................................22,706 ............... 9,991........................4 ........... 0.440...........0.440 ...........0.440 .......... 0.440 .............0.450 ...........-0.010 ........... -2.222 ...............0.440..............0.440...................0.450..................243,259,122........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ........................... 80,155 ...............7,054........................7 ........... 0.088 ...........0.088 ...........0.088........... 0.088 .............0.090 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.222 ...............0.088..............0.088...................0.094 ................... 5,178,203 ..........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE .................................55,000 .............12,650........................2 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.230........... 0.230 .............0.236 ...........-0.006 ........... -2.542 ...............0.230............. 0.000...................0.230 ..................23,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 170,527............. 12,615..................... 23 ........... 0.076 ........... 0.076 ...........0.073........... 0.074 .............0.076 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.632 ...............0.073..............0.073...................0.074...................21,458,567 .........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ..................................................... 16,662 ............... 6,931........................4 ............0.416 ........... 0.416 ...........0.416 ............0.416 .............0.428 ...........-0.012 ........... -2.804 ...............0.416 ..............0.420...................0.430 ..................25,168,000 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 107,813 ............. 10,811......................14 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.101............0.100........... 0.100 .............0.103............-0.003 ........... -2.913 ...............0.101 ..............0.102...................0.103....................9,000,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 186,173 .............52,315..................... 32 ............0.281 ........... 0.281 ...........0.281........... 0.281 .............0.291............-0.010 ........... -3.436 ...............0.281 ..............0.281...................0.290 .................376,739,580 ........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ....................................................... 10,895 ............... 1,198........................2 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.110 ............0.110 ............. 0.114............-0.004 ........... -3.509 ...............0.110 .............. 0.110................... 0.113 ...................34,184,144 .........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 365,157............ 39,427..................... 43 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.107 ........... 0.108 ............. 0.112............-0.004 ............-3.571................0.107 ..............0.104...................0.107.................. 216,033,781 ........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 942,350 ..........210,017......................17 ........... 0.226 ...........0.226 ...........0.220 .......... 0.223 .............0.234 ...........-0.011 ............-4.701................0.220 .............0.221...................0.240 ................ 344,474,466 .......0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................ 59,144 ............ 60,744......................18 ............1.080 ........... 1.080 ...........1.000............1.025 .............1.080 ...........-0.055 ........... -5.093 ...............1.000..............1.000...................1.060................. 205,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 1,700,761 .......589,295..................... 84 ........... 0.334 ...........0.354 ...........0.334........... 0.346 .............0.370 ...........-0.024 ........... -6.486 ...............0.342..............0.342...................0.346 .................. 21,176,678 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 17,622,444.....4,408,051 ...............843 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......38........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET .........................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING ....................................... 6,859 ...............2,480........................6 ........... 0.360 ...........0.362 ...........0.360........... 0.362 .............0.360 ........... 0.002............. 0.556 ................0.362..............0.358...................0.362 ...................2,172,000 ..........1.000 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 107,594...............5,429......................15 ........... 0.050 ........... 0.051 ...........0.050........... 0.050 .............0.050 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.051 ..............0.050...................0.051....................6,250,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................... 91,959 ...............6,808........................4 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.075 ...........0.074........... 0.074 .............0.074 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.074..............0.074...................0.075.................... 5,565,392 ..........0.100 OM0000003075 ...........DHOFAR UNIVERSITY.................................................... 700 ...............1,040........................1 ............1.485 ........... 1.485 ...........1.485 ............1.485 ............. 1.485............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.485 ..............1.490................... 1.510 ...................20,790,000.........1.000 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 165,274.............10,957......................14 ........... 0.067 ...........0.068 ...........0.066........... 0.066 .............0.066 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.066..............0.065...................0.066...................66,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ..............................10,000 ............... 1,010........................1 ............0.101 ........... 0.101............0.101 ............0.101 ............. 0.101............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.101 .............. 0.101...................0.110 ...................10,100,000 .........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS .................................................27,405 .............12,895........................4 ........... 0.470 ........... 0.472 ...........0.470........... 0.470 .............0.474 ...........-0.004 ........... -0.844 ...............0.472..............0.470...................0.474...................74,025,000.........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,881,994 ......135,940..................... 46 ........... 0.072 ........... 0.073 ...........0.071 ........... 0.072 .............0.073 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.370................0.071 .............. 0.071...................0.072................. 108,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 714,895.......... 101,064..................... 99 ............0.144 ........... 0.144 ...........0.141 ............0.141 .............0.146............-0.005 ........... -3.425 ...............0.141 ..............0.140................... 0.141 ................. 206,226,806 .......0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 165,000 ..............5,023..................... 10 ............0.031 ........... 0.031 ...........0.030........... 0.030 .............0.032 ...........-0.002 ........... -6.250 ...............0.031 .............. 0.031...................0.033....................2,550,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 3,171,680 ......282,645.................. 200 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......10........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS AND SUKUK MARKET ......................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004628 ...........BANK SOHAR BONDS 4.5 ...................................................31 ....................... 3........................1 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.096...................0.109.................... 7,150,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .............................................................................................31 ....................... 3........................1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

V E N T U R E C A P I TA L I S T S

B1

In this context, the forum will discuss the Oman-Asian economic relations and potential of Oman as a bridge between these countries and the Arab world.

Al Balushi also expects the amended Labour Laws and new Investment Law to be announced before the conference and the meeting will be able to discuss the same in detail. “(However), the current investment law is sufficient to attract considerable investment from various investors,” added Al Balushi.

He also noted that the proposed amendment in both laws is in response to private sector demand.

If it is available, it will be distributed among all investors and there could be a separate session on the same.

The Oman Economic Forum will discuss various topics, including the country’s economic outlook, financing the future, key investment projects, attracting Asian and Iranian investments to Oman, the importance of economic zones and logistics cities.

The conference hopes to highlight how a start-up can benefit from venture capital support.

While venture capital allows emerging businesses to raise finance not available through conventional means, it also provides long-term capital and helps take pride in partnering with exceptionally talented entrepreneurs.

Since venture capitalists screen projects thoroughly, they evaluate the entrepreneur’s project more accurately, thereby ensuring its success. Venture capital funds encourage innovative businesses that otherwise may have struggled. The role of the venture capital is vital to inspire self-employment, which in turn will boost the economy and contribute to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP).

The conference, targeted mainly at new entrepreneurs and the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) sector, will also see selected and nominated students from the Sultan Qaboos Univer-

< FROM

OMAN STOCK MARKET

'Entrepreneurs will be key drivers

Forum on B1 investment < FROM

OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ...............................................................5,000 ...............1,500........................1 ........... 0.300...........0.300 ...........0.300 .......... 0.312 .............0.312............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.300 ............ 0.300...................0.312...................15,600,000 .........0.100

for Sultanate's economic growth' sity and many private universities attending.

Development of SMEs The timing of the conference is relevant, given the fact that the growth and development of SMEs is among the government’s key priority areas.

Since it is a proven fact that new entrepreneurs will be one of the key drivers of Oman’s economy going forward, it is important to enhance their capabilities and empower them to achieve greater results. While new entrepreneurs have ideas and the required innovative knowledge, they find it difficult to secure funding for a start-up or a business idea.

Unique opportunity This conference will also provide a unique opportunity for SMEs and new entrepreneurs to seek alternative source of funding and also exchange ideas and knowledge from key experts and practitioners.

They will get to hear success stories from the founders of companies who started their entrepreneurial journey after obtaining venture capital for growth and expansion. Those attending will have access to venture capital and angel investors and get to network with strategic business leaders.

The conference has been welcomed by industry experts, who believe that support from a venture capital investor could give young Omani entrepreneurs the best possible push towards a high-growth journey.

They feel it is the right time to establish an advanced venture capital market in Oman, which will accelerate the growth of SMEs. This will encourage innovation and creativity and help entrepreneurs.

The minister will deliver the keynote address on the opening day of the conference. A line-up of leading figures from across the world, including the United

States, the United Kingdom, India and Oman will introduce opportunities and strategies to power new businesses.

Influential mix of speakers With a diverse, knowledgeable and influential mix of speakers, the event is expected to help participants find new ways to do business.

At the second day of the conference, three selected projects will be announced that have successfully fulfilled the criteria for potential co-investment by Ethmar.

Members of private sector organisations, family run businesses, government officials and potential investors for the venture capital company will be among the attendees.

Occidental of Oman is the gold sponsor, the Saud Bahwan Group and Omantel are the silver sponsors and Bank Muscat/Meethaq Islamic Banking is the supporting sponsor for the conference.

Shares B1 end lower < FROM

Amid relatively higher trading volumes, sustained selling pressure resulted in MSM30 Index’s biggest one day drop since August.

“Given the vulnerability of Oman compared to other GCC countries, regional and international investors are reducing positions or are becoming extremely selective," said Abu Dhabi- based Sachin Mohindra, a money manager at Invest AD Asset Management.

“Bad economic news is translating into poor earnings growth, and that is what investors are reacting to."

Gross domestic product will probably expand 3.5 per cent in 2015, according to the median of seven economist estimates compiled by Bloomberg, compared with an average of 4.5 percent for the previous five years.

As many as 1,044 trades were executed on Monday, generating turnover of OMR4.69 million.

Out of 49 traded securities, three advanced, 29 fell and 17 remained unchanged. - With inputs from agencies

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

ROUND-UP

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

Credai-Kerala set to showcase top brands The show will be inaugurated on December 4 at 5pm by famous actress Sanusha who has performed in several award-winning movies in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu

MUSCAT: Pan-Eastern T & E Worldwide; an established and reputed name behind the popular brand IPRO-The India Property Show having completed a series of successful property shows in Oman for many years, brings the 54th edition of IPRO-India Property Pavilion for all NRIs with exclusive real estate players from India.

The India Property Pavilion 2015 is being hosted at Al Falaj Hotel, Muscat on December 4 and 5 from 10:30am to 9pm showcasing the cream of properties from all over India. The show will be inaugurated on December 4 at 5pm by famous actress Sanusha who has performed in several awardwinning movies in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.

After an overwhelming response in Qatar, Bahrain and USA recently, Pan-Eastern brings to Muscat an exclusive event with the best of Indian real estate with the unique Pan-Eastern Assurance specially for their NRI network in a market the promoter is closely associated with, says a press release.

The Credai-Kerala pavilion is

being showcased exclusively at the Real Estate Development and Tourism Investment Exhibition for the second time after its stupendous success last year. This event will focus on exclusive and reputed Indian developers from different parts of India with special focus on Kerala’s best real estate brands offering a range of real estate projects from affordable to the luxury segment ranging from as low as INR900,000 to INR80 million at various locations from across the country. This is a must visit show for every Indian and a wonderful opportunity to own your dream home in India.

The projects on display include various options like developed plots, land, apartments, penthouses, row-houses, villas, villaments and more. The 54th IPRO–Muscat 2015 is hosted by Pan-Eastern T & E Worldwide; the reputed overseas property show promoters of India with Oman’s leading organiser East Expo, main partner CredaiKerala, silver partner Kanakia Spaces, media partner Times of Oman, advertising partner-Ex-

press Advertising and Event Partner: FAP. The show features exclusive and selected developers from various parts of India – Gurgaon, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Alibaug, Sahapur, Bangalore, Ooty, Mysore, Chennai, Mangalore, Hyderabad, Hosur, Calicut, Coimbatore, Kochi, Kannur, Kakkanad, Kottayam, Kollam, Perinthalmanna, Trichur, Trivandrum and Thiruvalla.

In this short span of time, PanEastern Trade and Exhibitors Worldwide have emerged as India’s leading property show promoters, delivering property shows throughout the world each year.

Every year the company strives to add new products and services to its event categories.

“Building creative and innovative concepts, we pride ourselves on the originality of all our events.

Our in-house experts monitor feasibility parameters, market analysis, and realty upbeat, at every step to ensure the smooth sailing of these events; always ensuring excellent organisation and meticulous attention to details.

“Every year we strive to up-

B5

grade the standard of our property events by bringing in bigger and reputed players to Oman. This way we fulfil our promise to get the best real estate projects from India with wider choices to the NRIs living in Oman to fulfil their dreams of buying a home back in India and investing in property deals assuring them high returns.

"We understand that NRIs have time constraints when they visit India on vacations and this event becomes their only means to explore opportunities in real estate investment hence it is our mission to bring in only the best of Indian property and only those who have a proven track record and are approved by major financial institutions,” said Sayyali Chawla, MD, Pan-Eastern Trade and Exhibitors Worldwide.

“Our collaboration with the reputed Credai-Kerala association promises to bring only the reputed brands from Kerala to visit Muscat and assures our Indian investors that their investment is safe and secure, especially when customers are worried about credibility and authenticity of real estate projects in India.

"Every Credai-Kerala member follows stringent rules and regulations laid down by the association and can even be approached for any customer grievances in case of delay in delivery schedules by the developer or any other complaints or issues they may face with a developer. Our association with Oman is very special and we have been conducting such shows of various sizes in Oman, our favourite destination, consistently for more than nine years.

"Pan-Eastern Trade and Exhibitors have a clear edge over its competitors, because we take pride in offering personalised service to our clients by motivating and inspiring them to explore the global market,” added Sayyali Chawla.

SPECIAL OCCASION

Al Ghad Al Mushriq School celebrates 45th National Day MUSCAT: A very vibrant and colourful array of events was witnessed recently by the teachers and parents of Al Ghad Al Mushriq Private School to mark the 45th Oman National Day celebration. Students dressed in Omani attire presented a splendid show with zeal and enthusiasm.

They enthralled the audience

by presenting Omani traditional dances and folklore activities, says a press release.

To commemorate the event children presented an Omani fashion show and songs. As a special treat for all, Omani delicacies such as harees, basboosa, qahwa and halwa were served to the guests present on the occasion.

4 5 T H N AT I O N A L D AY

Pepsi Oman celebrates MUSCAT: Oman Refreshments Company’s management held a special ceremony to celebrate Sultanate’s 45th National Day at company headquarters recently under the patronage of Sheikh Muhanna bin Saif Al Ma’awali, Wali of Bausher, in the presence of Sheikh Rashad bin Ahmed Al Hinai, undersecretary at the Ministry of Sports Affairs, number of representatives from government agencies, members of the board of directors of the company and Oman Refreshment’s employees, says a press release.

The ceremony included a speech by Ayman bin Ali Al Hassani, head of Oman Refreshments Company Labour Union.

He talked about the attention given by the government, led by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the architect of Modern Oman.

The celebrations also consisted of traditional Oman folk music and poetry written and delivered

by Salam bin Mansoor Al Jabri.

The human resources and administration department also honoured the company's outstanding employees during the third quarter of 2015.

SEMINAR

New India Assurance organises sub-agency meet MUSCAT: The New India Assurance Co Ltd, the multinational giant and one of the leading insurers in the Afro-Asian region, conducted its sub-agency meet on November 28 for its entire network in the Sultanate of Oman at their head office at Hamriya.

The main agenda of the seminar included review and analysis of sub-agents’ performance, business plan for 2015 - 16 and necessity of prudent underwriting of various policies and improving service delivery standards, in line with the guidelines of regulatory authorities and New India’s corporate guidelines, says a press release.

Dr. K. P. Sebastian, chief operating officer for the Oman operations of New India Assurance (NIA), presided the seminar attended by the representatives of total subagency network across the Sultanate. Majid Abdul Rahim Jaffar, chairman of Abdul Aziz & Bros

(chief agents for NIA in Oman) and I. M. Jacob, general manager, Agency Operations, Wilson Raj, chief financial officer and P. Muraleedharan Nair, general manager, Marketing, also participated in the business review and analysis of all the sub-agencies. About 50 representatives of sub-agency firms from the Muscat governorate and the interior areas attended the seminar.

In his speech, Dr Sebastian stressed the need for bringing more businesses by the sub-agencies for the year 2015-16 with an objective of improving the market share of the company to beyond 10% within this fiscal.

He further emphasised that all sub-agencies have to contribute their best efforts for not just achieving the premium targets but for transcending it with comfortable majority for establishing our presence and importance in gen-

S U S TA I NA B I L I T Y P R O J E C T

eral insurance market of Oman.

He thanked His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the people of Oman best wishes on the 45th National Day and also thanked the country for the support to New India Assurance Co. Ltd. Jacob briefed the operations of all agencies and conveyed NIA’s gratitude towards the contribution of each and every sub agency

for attaining the target declared by NIA Head Office - Mumbai. Jacob has announced the best performers amongst the sub-agencies for the year 2014 - 15 and the cash awards and mementos were jointly presented to the best performers

by Majid Abdul Rahim Jaffar and Dr Sebastian. Jaffar and Sebastian congratulated the best performers and acknowledged the support

and co-operation extended by the sub-agency operations of New India in Oman for achieving various milestones by New India since its inception in 1974.

Presentations on ‘Do’s and Don’ts in various insurance schemes and its claims settlement were made and open house discussions were also a part of the seminar, which was very actively attended by all the members present.

“NIA’s partnership with individual and institutional clients has set exceptionally high standards in the past four decades and NIA would continue to offer the best possible services to our customers. Of course, New India’s motto is absolute transparency. Let me repeat, all our initiatives are aimed at ensuring the highest possible levels of customer satisfaction,” said Dr Sebastian in his conclusion speech in the seminar.

Dr Sebastian further informed

the gathering that considering the present potential for health insurance coverage in the Oman market, New India, has upwardly revised the various benefits under their existing group health polices, without any increase in premium charges. The revised policy provisions will provide for enhanced benefits to the group under various sum insured slabs. The changes and revisions were briefed to the participants and clarified their doubts. Dr Sebastian also informed the representatives of subagencies that the insurance industry is passing through a tough situation in the Sultanate, we need to take extra efforts to overcome the situation.

Serious and concerted efforts need to be taken by each and every sub-agencies to improve the service parameters thereby to achieve the targeted growth and profitability for the financial year 2015 – 16.

AED 500 MILLION TRANSACTION

MEDC energy saving Joyalukkas gets funds for expansion campaign concludes MUSCAT: Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC), a part of Nama Group, has concluded the energy saving campaign with the coordination of Al Rahma Volunteer Team.

The ceremony was concluded under the patronage of Ibrahim bin Yahya Al Rawahi, the Wali of Seeb. The campaign included many programmes centred on the theme of energy conservation, such as maintaining air conditioning units for families under the social welfare programme and distribution educational material, as well as lectures and competitions centred on energy conservation, says a press release.

“This campaign falls under the company sustainability projects, and campaigns like this will continue around the Muscat region in the coming years with the coordination of the offices of the walis of different wilayat and volunteer teams. We aim to supply limited income families with technicians

that will maintain their air conditioning units and give them the benefit of lower electricity consumption. This campaign reached 300 families in the wilayat and executed maintenance for 600 air conditioning units,” stated Eng. Saeed bin Abdullah Al Batashi, MEDC’s campaign manager.

He also added that MEDC would like to share their appreciation and thanks to the Wali of Seeb and Al Rahma Volunteer Team for their support to make this campaign successful. MEDC has also honoured the families that have won the conservation campaign competition which has been based on last year’s consumption compared to this year.

DUBAI: Joyalukkas, one of the world’s leading Jewellery retail chains, has raised a total amount of AED 500 million through multiple banking arrangements. Part of this is a $80 million term loan with a 5-year tenor, says a press release.

At a signing ceremony held in Dubai to confirm the deal, Joy Alukkas, chairman and managing director, Joyalukkas Group, said: “The added funding will help us to take the cost advantage of the current rate of interest. I also feel this proves our ‘trust’ quotient amongst banks and financial institutions. We are glad we have been maintaining a strong financial position and good track record amongst everyone who deals with us. Lastly, we would like to keep very positive outlook inspite of the constantly changing market dynamics because there is always some form of opportunity.”

The term loan has been arranged as a club deal with three of UAE’s leading banks including: Standard Chartered Bank (SCB),

Emirates NBD, Emirates Capital Ltd and Mashreq Bank. Hogan Lovells acted as the Lenders’ counsel for the deal.

The term loan was signed in the presence of senior management from the participating banks, Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO Standard Chartered Bank, Africa and Middle East; John Lossifidis, Mashreq Bank’s Executive VP and Group Head of Corporate and Investment Banking; and Jonathan Moris, Head of Wholesale Banking, Emirates NBD. Testament Sunil Kaushal said: “Standard Chartered is pleased to be a part of the Joyalukkas’ growth story

and this facility is a testament to our strong relationship of over 15 years with the Group. We are committed to offering innovative financial solutions, catering to our clients’ diverse financial needs and are confident the transaction will enhance Joyalukkas’ competitiveness and financial performance in the market.”

Standard Chartered Bank was the originating, structuring and coordinating bank, and was also appointed as facility and security agent for the deal.

Lossifidis, speaking at the signing ceremony, said: “We are pleased to work together with Joyalukkas and the other banks to achieve a successful close to

this important transaction. Despite the market challenges, this financing has been arranged to support Joyalukkas with its expansion strategy, which is testament to the valuable relationships the group has cultivated with its banking partners.

Speaking on the occasion, Jonathan Morris said: “We are pleased to participate in this transaction for Joyalukkas, which is long established as one of the most respected brands in the gold sector.

We believe that the loan facility will serve to further support Joyalukkas’ financial position and allow the group to capitalise on the tremendous growth opportunities facing the company.”

B6

TUESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

ROUND-UP Suhail Bahwan Auto joins national mood

Various events were organised at the branches and offices to celebrate the 45th National Day of Oman

MUSCAT: The Suhail Bahwan Automotive Group (SBAG) celebrated the 45th National Day with traditional fervour.

While the main offices were decorated to reflect the celebratory mood, various events were organised at the individual branches and offices where cakes were cut, prayers were offered to Allah Almighty for the well-being and long life of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, says a press release.

A procession, led by the Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Suhail Bahwan, and other members of the leadership team, the employees of the Bahwan International Group Holding (BIGH), comprising Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, Al Janeibi International Automobiles, International Equipment & Construction Company and other affiliated and group companies, celebrated the day with pomp and gaiety across Oman.

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS NURSERY CELEBRATES NATIONAL DAY

The staff and students of Bright Beginnings Nursery celebrated Oman’s 45th National Day last week in a colourful atmosphere. Wearing the Omani national flag colours, the students took part in a memorable event celebrating the beautiful country they live in and prayed for the long life and good health of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. — Supplied picture

Celebratory processions Apart from cutting of cakes and prayers for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s continued wellbeing and speeches and audiovisual presentations lauding HM’s visionary leadership, celebratory processions were also taken out where employees carrying traditional swords, khanjars and drums joined in the festivities that also included the singing of traditional Omani songs.

GLOBAL PROJECT

‘Mother India’s Crochet Queens’ eyes Guinness world record MUSCAT: More than 50 Indian women in Oman are participating in ‘Mother India’s Crochet Queens’, giving it a much needed thrust and exposure. The event was conceptualised by Subashri Natarajan of Chennai, to involve Indian women in making the world’s largest crochet blanket and breaking the current Guinness Record of 3,377 square metres, says a press release.

This was intended to be exclusively knit by the women in India, but then due to its huge popularity through its Facebook page it has become “global” Indian women event. The event has motivated Indian women from all over the world from US to Poland to Europe to Australia to Middle East, including UAE, Kuwait and Qatar.

From 8-year old girl to 95-year old woman all are participating in this event. The crochet to be knitted in 40” X 40” granny square pat-

terns, and to be joined seamlessly, anybody of Indian Origin who can knit crochet or has interest can participate in this event.

Nithya Parameswaran, who is the coordinator for Oman, said: “When I first heard about this, it reminded me of my late mother, who used to affectionately knit scarves and sweaters for me when I was a kid, and further it gives purpose to me to spend time usefully, and it also gives personal satisfaction that these crochets are going to be provided to the needy.”

All the participants will be provided with individual certificate from Guinness Book of World Records. This event, which started as a small group, has now grown to include more than one thousand Indian women from all over the world.

This mission is well organised

by WhatsApp groups for their in-

ternal communications and clarifications, knitted by their respective coordinators. Mother India’s Crochet Queen (MICQ) Facebook page is constantly updated with the images of the newly knitted crochets, with ever increasing colourful designs and patterns, in a

SERVICE ORIENTED ARCHITECTURE

way explaining different cultures united in the Idea Of India.

Guinness officials are expected to land in the famous Nehru Stadium, Chennai, India on January 31, 2016, to take the measurement and declare the new record.

In Oman there are now more

than 50 women participating including the school students from Indian schools V. E. Sumiksha, Sana Sheik, Yagna Priya and Kaushika Baskaran.

One of the members Elakkiya Venkateshkumar who has the passion in crochet says she is feeling ecstatic, delighted and jubilant in doing crochet. “I am now more proud and glad as my daughter Sumiksha has also involved herself as a crocheter.” Interestingly she is a beginner and guided by Nithya Parameswaran, coordinator for MICQ Muscat.

The experienced crocheters Kiranpreet, Mirunalini and Varsha helping the beginners to learn crochet and teaching them till they are well trained.

Almost all of these women except a handful are new to crochet knitting and are very eagerly participating in this, and they are from

C O R P O R AT E S U P P O R T

NAT I O NA L F E RVOU R

Ominvest teams up with OER CEO Golf

Bank Muscat joins hands with SQU to host ICT workshop MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, joined hands with Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) to organise an ICT workshop on service oriented architecture (SOA) at the bank’s head office.

The 2-day workshop initiated by the Department of Computer Science, SQU focused on the vital role of information communication technology in delivering solutions and improving efficiency for Omani organisations. The workshop addressed by ICT experts made a serious attempt to link academia to government/industry in Oman, says a press release.

Shamsa Al Seefi, DGM – IT, said Bank Muscat was proud to join hands with the Sultanate’s premier university in hosting the workshop on the SOA theme, which was highly relevant as many organisations were facing issues related to ICT architectures expected to add value to organisations.

Bank Muscat maintains a longstanding partnership with SQU, reflected at various levels. As the nation’s leading banking partner, Bank Muscat attaches great importance to initiatives aimed at sustaining the country’s progress and development.

The association with SQU stems

from the bank’s commitment to the country’s future generations.

Driven by technological advancement, Bank Muscat offers innovative banking products and services. At the core of the bank’s operations is a state-of-the-art Data Centre.

The disaster recovery and business continuity plans of the bank also conform to the highest global standards.

The bank remains committed to playing its national role and shouldering developmental and social responsibilities within the framework of cooperation and coordination with all segments of society.

MUSCAT: Oman International Development and Investment Company (Ominvest), Sultanate’s largest investment group, together with its subsidiaries, Oman Arab Bank and National Life & General and its major associates National Finance Company, Oman Orix Leasing Company, International General Insurance Holding and Al Ahlia, has teamed up with OER CEO Golf, as the presenters of Oman’s premium corporate networking event.

Organised by Oman Economic Review, leading business magazine, and its publisher United Media Services, the eleventh edition of OER CEO Golf will be held on December 4 at Muscat Hills Golf & Country Club, followed by a gala prize distribution ceremony and dinner on December 5 at InterContinental Gardens, says a press release.

Abdulaziz Al Balushi, CEO of Ominvest, said: “Ominvest, together with its subsidiaries and associates, is pleased to present the 11th edition OER CEO Golf which has been a pioneer in promoting the game of golf in Oman and has emerged as one of the most popular and high-profile sporting and networking events in the

various professions, namely doctors, engineers, music and dance teachers, fashion designers, and working women.

Their enthusiastic participation, despite their busy schedules, motivates the group further.

Housewives (Indian origin) in the Gulf now have a motive and purpose for spending their leisure time, learning a craft on the way, with due respect and recognition.

“Oman committed more number of blankets among overseas countries. The members are from Muscat and Sohar as of now. We are already despatching the blankets to India but also need logistic sponsors to despatch the remaining blankets,” Parameswaran adds.

Further details can be had from Nithya Parameswaran, MICQ Oman coordinator, at 9313 7654.

Only pre-condition is you should be of Indian origin, she added.

Sultanate. Over the years, it has encouraged CEOs and senior executives to start playing the game and been a major contributor to popularising golf among business leaders. The one-of-its-kind event combines the game of golf with an opportunity for business networking in a casual and relaxed environment and we are sure that this year’s edition will provide numerous such opportunities.”

“As one of the oldest and premier investment holding companies in Oman, Ominvest is proud to partner with OER, which shares its core values of trust, integrity and maximising value for all stakeholders. Ominvest has grown significantly over the past one year and this is attributable to both organic growth and also to our merger with ONIC.” OER CEO Golf promises loads of fun and surprises for both golfers and aspiring golfers. The interesting part of the event is that it is open for all business leaders, whether golfers or non-golfers so that everyone comes together and gets to network in a friendly environment. And as golfers attempt to reduce their handicaps, the non-golfers get an opportunity to learn the basics of the game.

Dima Compound residents mark National Day

MUSCAT: Though an unofficial event, one of the most lively forms of celebration was done in the residence of Dima Compound in Ruwi.

The residents with their family members joined hands and celebrated Oman’s 45th National Day. Over 200 families took part in the cultural events which had prayers for good health of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the people of Oman for their prosperity, including songs, dance and lot of fun loving activities.

The compound was well lit and decorated with national flags and pictures of HM. The event ended with a prize distribution ceremony for the participants who were involved in games / activities to facilitate the celebration.

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

B7

ROUND-UP

Nissan Patrol Desert Challenge concludes

4 5 T H N AT I O N A L D AY

Sohar Aluminium joins nation in celebrations The challenge proved to be a unique experience for all participants as the two-day initiative was a perfect platform to showcase Nissan’s iconic SUV

MUSCAT: Suhail Bahwan Automobiles recently concluded their 1st Nissan Patrol Desert Challenge for their customers that was held in association with Guide Oman at Wahiba Sands.

The challenge proved to be a unique experience for all participants as the two-day initiative was a perfect platform to showcase Nissan’s iconic SUV. The challenge involved participants to showcase their vehicles’ off-road capabilities and performance in the rugged and challenging tracks of Wahiba Sands, says a press release.

The aim of this challenge was to involve Patrol customers in an exciting outdoor drive and offer them an experience filled with adventure. The ‘Desert Challenge’ convoy was flagged off from the

Nissan showroom in Qurum that comprised over 40 vehicles with enthusiastic Patrol owners along with their families including Nissan officials.

The convoy took the old Sur road through Ibra to reach their destination which was the Al Raha Desert Camp at the Sharqia Sands. Customers were given a unique experience at the desert as a campfire with live Arabic music was also arranged along with a delectable dinner spread.

A senior SBA official commented: “The Nissan Patrol is a true icon in itself. The vehicle has proved to be the perfect vehicle for such a desert challenge activity because of its reliability and versatility in such terrains. The Patrol’s dual capability to deliver in challenging conditions and also city-drive was amply demonstrated through this initiative.”

Off-roading capabilities The SBA official further said, “The purpose of this trip was to experience off-roading capabilities of Patrol as the vehicle is known for adventure and our endeavour is to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors, go on adventures and understand the great capability of Nissan 4X4 vehicles.”

Today the Patrol has become an extremely popular wheeling platform that continues to collect an enthusiast following. These SUV’s have gained a respectable attention from the market. Given the Patrol’s historic significance

in Oman and popularity, the Nissan Patrol community thought it was only fitting that a Desert Challenge event should take place.

The event coordinators at Guide Oman said: “The trip was a great success, thanks to the brilliant response of the Patrolon an arduous terrain like the Wahiba Sands. It was amazing to see such a huge turnout of people, from different nationalities, coming together to traverse this challenging terrain. We are very proud of every one of them, some of whom had never been to the desert before, let alone cross it. We are looking forward to running this event again and we hope to see a steady growth in participation from Patrol drivers in the next crossings.”

Nissan Oman strives to achieve pioneering success through its services and activities offered to its valued customers. Through a relentless pursuit of excellence and adopting aggressive marketing style with an emphasis on customer satisfaction, backing it up with strong after-sales service network across the Sultanate, Nissan Oman has built a name on trust, superior customer services and value for money.

Nissan Oman boasts of a niche premium clientele comprising of leading corporate houses and businesses, international businessmen and tourists visiting the Sultanate of Oman and thus, the promise of Nissan Patrol is to allow a broad but discerning car buying audience and tourists

visiting the city to ‘experience lavishness’. Many of Patrol’s technologies have never been seen in cars of this class before, reflecting its aspirational and upscale SUV positioning.

Experience shared “The ‘Desert Challenge’ is a fun and exciting way to put our vehicles to test. It was a thrilling experience for us as we also got to meet other Nissan owners and exchange valuable information about Nissan SUV vehicles,” commented Majid Al Battashi, owner of Nissan Patrol.

Khamis Al Farsi, owner of Nissan Patrol said: “The ‘Desert Challenge’ was truly unique as it gave us a huge opportunity to know our SUV vehicles better in terms of performance, stability, manoeuvrability etc.

Adding to that, Saleh Muslem Al Shukairi stated: “We received commendable service from Nissan officials. They made sure we not only enjoyed ourselves but other things like food, safety, entertainment was well taken care of.”

For Byju K. G. the drive was a first of its kind experience for him.

“The drive was truly unique and a memorable one. I enjoyed driving my Patrol even more and made some wonderful friends from the Nissan Patrol fraternity.”

Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, the exclusive importers and distributors of all Nissan vehicles in Oman, have their Nissan showrooms spread across the Sultanate.

N AT I O N A L D AY C E L E B R AT I O N

Cultural event held at Sohar Institute for Music & Arts

SOHAR: Sohar Institute for Music & Arts organised ‘Milan’, a cultural programme in Sohar to celebrate 45th National Day of Oman jointly with Al Noor Association for the Blind in Sohar.

Through the programme which was choreographed and directed

by Githa Ravishannkhar, a well known dancer and guru, the institute raised OMR5,500 which was donated to Sohar Branch of Al Noor Association for the Blind.

In his welcome speech Ravishannkhar mentioned that the institute was pleased to celebrate the 45th National Day of Oman and the 60th Anniversary of IndiaOman Diplomatic Relations jointly with Al Noor Association for the Blind based in Sohar. He also mentioned that Githa Ravishannkhar has raised over OMR75,000 so far since 2006 through such charity

cultural programmes.

The highlight of the programme was the enchanting Arabic music and Bollywood music by Hamed Abdulla Al Hamdi, one of the vision impaired members of the Al Noor Association which drew standing ovation. Another highlight was a dance ballet which depicted the greatness of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Further, the programme consisted of solo and group dances in Bharatanatyam style and Hindustani music.

The dances were choreographed and directed by Githa and the Hindustani music was directed by Ramesh Krishna Ramtekji.

The Chief Guest, Indra Mani Pandey could not attend the programme due to sudden official assignment to New Delhi and was represented by Neelu Rohra, the second secretary, Culture and

Community Welfare.

In her address, she said that the programme she had just seen was another testament of strong relations between both India and Oman and hoped that the friendship between both countries would go on for ever.

She complimented Githa for her hard work and dedication to ensure perfect co-ordination by all the 20 children dancing on the stage at the same time.

Both Neelu Rohra and the guest of honour, Eng. Abdulqadir Salim Al Bulushi, director general of Sohar Industrial Estate, gave the mementos to the sponsors and certificates for the children who passed the certificate courses in dance and music conducted in affiliation with reputed colleges in India. Mohammed Ismail Al Balushi, the chairman of Admin-

istration Council of Al Noor Association for the Blind, thanked the organisers for their continued support to the association and for providing opportunity to their members to join them and perform. The programme was also attended and appreciated by Prof.

Barry Winn, Vice Chancellor of Sohar University and Dr Hamdan Al Fazari, pro-vice chancellor (Resources), CEOs of many companies and by the large audience.

The programme was sponsored by Sharq Sohar Steel Rolling Mills, Middle East Traders (Oman), Al Azaiba Furniture and Interior, New India Assurance Company Ltd, C. Steinweg Oman, Al Nahda Group of Companies, Golden Jeed Trading Co. and Mohamed Redha Abdul Ameer Al Lawati. Oman Printers & Stationers were print sponsors.

SOHAR: Joining millions of people from across the Sultanate in celebration of the Sultanate’s 45th National Day, more than one thousand Sohar Aluminium (SA) employees and contractors took part in a series of jubilant activities to express their deep love and appreciation for the country’s visionary leader His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

The SA facilities and departments were adorned in red, white and green as the employees expressed their happiness on this glorious occasion. The company also placed a 45-metre-long Omani flag at the SA Power Plant that was flying proudly, says a press release.

Taking place at the SA Training Centre and in the presence of SA’s senior management, the festivities began by playing the national anthem followed by a welcome note by Chris Murray, Operations General Manager, on behalf of CEO, Eng. Said bin Mohammed Al Masoudi, congratulating His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the people of Oman on this momentous occasion. He reiterated SA’s commitment to the nation and wished His Majesty good health and prosperity as he continues taking Oman

from strength to strength under his wise leadership.

Other speeches were delivered

by Hamad Al Jabri, Anode Plant Manager in which he praised the achievements of Oman’s magnificent renaissance, calling for everyone to positively contribute to the country’s ongoing success.

Also, Akbar Al Bulushi, Human Resources Development Manager, highlighted the many accomplishments the Sultanate has seen in various fields including education and training throughout the past 45 years. The speeches were concluded by Othman Al Balushi who shed light on the need to preserve these achievements and legacies that are a source of pride for all Omanis.

The main celebration was followed by an award ceremony for the winners of the SA Photography Contest that was launched specifically in commemoration of the 45th National Day under the theme “My Beautiful Oman – Landscapes and Sceneries”.

Throughout the ceremony, attendees viewed the winning photographs which were captured by their colleagues showcasing the diversity of the country’s beautiful picturesque locations.

N AT I O N A L D AY C E L E B R AT I O N

Annual picnic held by NRB members MUSCAT: A grand annual picnic and family get-together of NRB residents in Oman was held recently at a local farm house organised by NRB Chittagong Samity Oman which was attended by leading community members of Bangladesh along with their families.

The event was marked with a special tribute to the inspiring leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and warm greetings to the people of Oman on the glorious occasion of 45th National Day of Oman, says a press release.

The fun-filled day long activities started with Friday prayers, installation ceremony of the Ctg Samity, a grand lunch, games and a mega cultural programme participated by local Bangladeshi artists in the presence of more than 2,000 Bang-

ladesh community members and families.

A free medical consultation service was also provided by Dr Momin, Dr Ranjit and Dr Nasir.

Oman International Exchange was the main sponsor of the programme while it was supported by Pran Foods, Ruwi Travels & Tourism, Gulf Overseas Exchange and Metro Shopping Centre including other contributing members of the community.

B8

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

ROUND-UP

Love us on Facebook

Bank Muscat launches mobile ATM, CDM van The mobile ATM/CDM aimed at facilitating banking services in remote areas was flagged off during the 45th National Day celebrations

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and commitment to partnership in facilitating banking services in remote areas, has deployed a state-of-the-art mobile ATM/CDM van.

The mobile ATM/CDM aimed at facilitating banking services in remote areas was flagged off during the 45th National Day celebrations attended by Management Team members at the bank’s head office. In all, the bank will deploy four mobile ATM/CDM vans to extend banking services at the doorstep of customers across all regions. The mobile ATM/CDM

service will start in Dakhiliyah region followed by other regions, says a press release.

The wide-ranging banking services available at the mobile ATM/ CDM vans include cash withdrawal, cash deposit, cheque deposit, balance enquiry and mini statement. Fund transfer facility is also available to any Bank Muscat accounts. Customers can also use the mobile ATM/CDM van for speed transfer to India; utility bill and school fee payments; credit card payments; mobile top-ups; cheque book request and PIN change.

Tariq Atiq, AGM – Cards & eBanking, said: “Moving along with the times, Bank Muscat en-

sures world class banking services for the Sultanate’s population in all regions, especially remote areas where development activities are taking place. Product innovation and improved level of service by Bank Muscat is the key to making a difference in banking excellence.

Marked by convenience and security, the mobile ATM/CDM facilitates essential banking transactions, serving as a boon for people in far-flung areas.”

With the largest electronic channel network in Oman, innovations adopted by Bank Muscat are characteristic of the network of ATMs and CDMs, mobile banking, internet banking, point of sales (PoS) machines and the Call Centre offering 24/7 banking service.

Ensuring accessibility across the country, the largest network of ATM/CDMs form a pillar of customer service. Being a member of OmanSwitch and GCCNet, customers from any bank in Oman, the GCC countries and from around the world can use Bank Muscat ATMs for their cash requirements.

Reinforcing customer service and enhancing convenience, the bank has introduced state-ofthe-art integrated ATM/CDM machines in select branches and offsite locations across the Sultanate. Equipped with cutting edge technology, the integrated machines have higher capacity and enhanced capability of deposit, withdrawal and bank transactions integrated in one unit, thus adding to customer convenience.

With the largest network of 137 branches, ATMs, CDMs and full function machines spread across Oman, as well as mobile banking and internet banking, Bank Muscat has emerged as the bank of first choice in the Sultanate. In contributing to sustainable development, the prime objective of the bank is to serve all customer segments in all regions. In step with the dynamic ‘Let’s Do More’ vision, the focus of Bank Muscat is clear – create a sustainable financial platform for society and business and thereby contribute to the Sultanate’s economic growth.

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

WINTER OFFER

Khimji’s Watches offers 75 per cent discount on select range of brands MUSCAT: Khimji’s Watches, the one-stop destination for world class brands in Oman, has announced an exciting winter offer of up to 75 per cent off on its select range of timepieces, jewellery, accessories and sunglasses.

From December 1 – January 15, 2016, shoppers can avail this special promotion and shower their friends and family with surprises throughout the month, says a press release.

Madhursinh Jesrani, general manager, Khimji’s Watches comments: “This time of the year is very special – good weather, lots

of celebrations and everyone looks forward to spending time with their loved ones and gifting them something unique, something memorable.

“Our winter promotion is designed to foster this spirit as we are giving exciting offers on some of the most cherished brands in the world.

“Each piece that we house at Khimji’s Watches is a reflection of reputed craftsmanship and makes for a special gift. Gifting them to your loved ones will surely bring home a lot of smiles and unforgettable moments.”

SECURE SERVICES

BankDhofar introduces ‘Double Security’ measures for card users MUSCAT: Reaffirming its commitment to provide customers with a safe and secure banking experience, BankDhofar has implemented a new ‘Double Security’ system where customers can activate their cards when travelling outside the country, being the first bank in the Sultanate to introduce such additional security system.

The bank also continues to issue new chip-based cards to customers across the Sultanate, says a press release.

Faisal Hamed Al Wahaibi, chief retail banking officer, said: “Our goal is to further enrich our customer experience by providing convenient, secure and reliable

banking products and services.

The distinctive instant banking options we provide and the stateof-the-art technology we apply allow our customers to enjoy worldclass banking with additional security measures.”

Ali Taqi, head of Card Centre, also noted: “To add more security, our debit cards have been blocked for use abroad. The aim is to prevent fraud attempts for travelling customers and it comes in line with our efforts to add multiple layers of security measures. Additionally, all BankDhofar branches across the Sultanate are issuing new EMV chip-based cards. The new cards allow customers to do

banking transactions smoothly and with extra security measures to minimise card fraud risk or scams while using ATM, CDM and

M E M O R A B L E D AY

POS machines. The new technology features payment instruments with embedded microprocessor chips that store and protect card-

holder data. We urge customers to visit their nearest BankDhofar branch in order to replace their old card with the new one and enjoy enhanced card security and also ensure global interoperability of cards.”

The bank said customers who wish to travel outside the country would have to activate their debit cards either through contacting the 24/7 call centre on 2479111 or through the Mobile Banking or Internet Banking options.

“It is very easy and convenient.

Activation of cards enables customers to make financial transactions and to use their cards for shopping outside Oman,” said Ali.

BankDhofar has also implemented proactive security and fraud monitoring systems to detect and prevent security breaches and fraud in real-time.

The bank is one of the very few banks in the Sultanate of Oman that has acquired the prestigious ISO 27001 information security certification since 2009 for its entire Information Technology Division.

ISO 27001 is the formal security standard of certification that provides the assurance that certified organisations fulfil the highest levels of security and implement the global Information Security Management System (ISMS).

YEAR-END OFFER

Al Ansari celebrates 45th National Day FRiENDi mobile comes up with

exciting new starter pack offer

MUSCAT: In celebration of the 45th National Day of the Sultanate of Oman which is also the birthday of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Al Ansari Group organised a special tribute to mark the proudest time of the year for the country with memorable events. It invited management and employees to join the occasions at different locations of the establishment.

Get-together Their premises were beautifully decorated with the national flag of Oman and celebratory articles, as well as having His Majesty’s pictures placed and employees wearing national day scarfs and badges. The management delivered speeches, praising HM’s vision, due to which Oman progressed as

it is witnessed today.

The events ended with cutting of cakes, prayers to the Almighty for the continued good health and

long life for His Majesty and further progress for Oman and its people, at in-house get-togethers, says a press release.

MUSCAT: FRiENDi mobile, the Sultanate’s 3rd biggest mobile service provider, has always been trying to serve its customers in the best possible manner.

Their unparalleled customer service, ongoing campaigns and generous offers have made them increasingly popular in Oman both among expatriates as well as nationals.

With less than a month for the New Year to begin, FRiENDi mobile has come up with another great starter pack offer for customers. Priced at only OMR2, FRiENDi mobile’s starter pack offer comes up with 1 GB of data plus OMR1 credit upon first recharge with OMR1 and above. So once activated, customers can start using Internet instantly and will enjoy their included data for 14 days. The offer is valid till January 31, 2016, says a press release.

On top of that and after the overwhelming response to their international off peak calls and the international call bundle offers, FRiENDi mobile has now announced an extension of both the offers until January 3, 2016.

Adding four new countries to the list of nations benefiting from the international off peak offer, FRiENDi mobile has extended the 59 baisa call rate for Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan.

Other countries listed prior, namely, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Nepal, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Turkey, UAE and Yemen will continue to make the most of the offer.

The existing subscribers to the offer will automatically get activated for the extended plan, whereas new customers can register through an easy and free activation process by dialing *136*13#. Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, USA, China and UK will continue to enjoy the off peak rates of 39 baisa whereas Pakistan, Canada and Malaysia get to make the most of their talk-time with only 49 baisa.

The off peak international of-

The number of new subscriptions to our network as well as the already expansive database of expat as well as local customers is a sign of our success Alex Bennett

CEO, FRiENDi mobile

fer gives Ethiopia and Tanzania special call rates of 89 baisa. The off peak rates are applicable from 6pm to 6am, Saturday to Thursday and all day through Friday.

As for the FRiENDi mobile International call bundle offer, customers calling India and Bangladesh will enjoy a total of 80 minutes and callers to Pakistan enjoy 75 minutes of talk time for just OMR2 per month plus they get 5 minutes free on repeated purchase.

The same bundle offer is also available for OMR1 per month where callers to all the three countries get a total talk time of 35 minutes and additionally 3 free minutes on repeated purchase. FRiENDi mobile has also introduced smaller call bundles of 500bz to India, Bangladesh and Pakistan where they get 15 minutes of talk time valid for 7 days.

“The number of new subscriptions to our network as well as the already expansive database of expat as well as local custom-

ers is a sign of our success; it gives us an assurance that we are on the right track and our customers are happy. We have further extended our plans to the end of the year as a token of appreciation to our customers as we realised how much the offers are benefitting them,” said Alex Bennett, CEO, FRiENDi mobile.

“We start from the very beginning, ensuring first that acquiring a connection is hassle-free, quick and comes with ample benefits to commence with. Our promotional offers and plans make sure that as a FRiENDi mobile customer, staying in touch with loved ones becomes easier than ever as all telecom needs are duly taken into account and met.”

FRiENDi mobile has been renowned for offering the best rates, whether for voice calls or Internet plans; this, combined with their dedication to provide the best customer service and flawless connectivity has made them the preferred choice amongst customers.

C

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TUESDAY, T UES DAY, DECEMBER DE CEMBER 1, 2015

SECTION

INJURED STARC RULED OUT OF ENTIRE SUMMER >C3

SPOR YOUR GAME

S

INSIDE LIFESTYLE

LEMONGRASS

>C11

OW KN UR YO ICE SP

CRICKET

Shahzad stars as Afghanistan seal T20 series against Oman

OMAN-BOUND: The Under-16 boys of Romanian Club Steaua Bucharest, who will play in the Adiso International Football tournament.

Steau Bucharest U-16 team to play in Oman The International Under-16 Football Tournament, which will feature the Romanian Club and three other teams, is being organised

by Adiso Soccer Academy at the Al Amal Club from December 3

T.K. MOHANDOSS sportseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Adiso Soccer Academy will organise the first International Under-16 Football Tournament at the Al Amal Club from December 3.

This was announced on Monday

by Adrian Tufar, who is the General Manager and Head Coach of the Adiso Soccer Academy based in Muscat.

Always on the lookout to develop the sport of football further in Oman and to keep children motivated through competitions, the academy is hosting the international tournament which will be played on December 3, 4 and 5.

The main attraction will be the under-16 team from Steaua Bucharest, a top soccer club in Romania. The Romanian Club has won 26 national titles, six super cups and have also won the European Cup and European Super Cup way back in 1986. The junior team which is visiting Oman is being managed by Ion Toma.

Apart from Steaua Bucharest, the other teams in fray are the

PEP TALK: Adrian Tufar, who is the General Manager and head coach of the Adiso Soccer Academy,

speaks to his wards during a training session.

hosts Adiso Soccer Academy, Mosaic Academy and Seeb Club.

Mosaic Academy is also a soccer school based in Muscat and was founded 18 months ago by coach Jay Wynters, who is also the coach of Arsenal Soccer School in Oman.

The Seeb Club Under-16 team is coached by Musab Juma Khalfan Al Dhani.

“The purpose of the tournament is to promote Omani youth football in Europe and to establish a good relationship between the clubs involved, the experience will be unique,” said Adrian in his comment to Times Sport.

“The tournament will provide a huge opportunity for local players to showcase their skills in front of coaches and scouts from a top European team and will give the players a real feel for the quality required to be a top player at an elite club,” Adrian pointed out.

Adiso Academy was founded in 2013 by Adrian, a former Romanian professional football player.

Adrian said: “The academy’s mission is to develop the sport of football in Oman by creating a healthy and conducive environment for young children to play on both, a learning and competitive basis.”

Every year, the academy organises trips to Europe and participates in international tournaments that gather scouts and licensed FIFA agents in search for the next generation football players.

“Four players have been scouted so far,” said Adrian.

The academy also organises Adiso Football League and it was successfully held in 2014.

“The purpose of the league is to provide teams with an engaging and learning setting that duplicates a real football season, with proper referees, rules, grounds,

home and away games…,” he said.

“The competition was a great success and much appreciated by those involved, mainly due to the good organization and the professionalism showed by the Adiso staff. The new 2015-2016 League started in October, with a turnout of around 150 players,” he said.

Tournament fixtures: December 3: Seeb Club vs Steaua Bucharest (6pm); Adiso Soccer Academy vs Mosaic Academy (8pm).

December 4: Seeb Club vs Adiso Soccer Academy (9.30am); Steaua Bucharest vs Mosaic Academy (11.30am); Adiso Soccer Academy vs Steaua Bucharest (6pm); Mosaic Academy vs Seeb Club (8pm).

December 5: Third place playoff (Third vs Fourth, 5pm); Final: First vs Second (7pm).

MUSCAT: Despite putting up a spirited fight, Oman once again came up short against Afghanistan in the second of the twomatch Twenty20 cricket series in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

According to news posted on www.icc-cricket.com, Afghanistan sealed the two-match bilateral series 2-0 with a 12-run win at Sheikh Zayed Stadium in the UAE capital.

Chasing 161 to level the series, the Oman innings had several promising knocks but the batsmen failed to deliver the knockout punch and the team could post just 148 for eight.

Oman made a great start to its chase. Zeeshan Maqsood (24 in 14 balls) hammered 16 runs in the first over from Yamin Ahmadzai. The big over meant Asghar Stanikzai, the captain, took Ahmadzai out of the attack and asked Rokhan Barakzai to bowl the third over. Maqsood struck Barakzai for a boundary but the bowler got his revenge the very next ball when he had the opener caught by Gulbadin Naib.

The Afghanistan bowlers did well to bounce back and kept the pressure on, and after Aaqib Sulehri fell, Khawar Ali and Jatinder Singh added 44 runs in 8.1 overs.

At the halfway mark, Oman needed 96 runs and had eight wickets in hand but failed to carry on under the pressure put by the Afghanistan bowlers and fell short once Khawar (38 in 40 balls) and Jatinder (28 in 26 balls) were dismissed.

Ahmadzai returned for a good spell, his three overs netting three wickets for 18 returns as he finished with three for 34.

Earlier in the day, Mohammed Shahzad and Shafiqullah helped Afghanistan post a healthy 160 for 4. Afghanistan was asked to bat and Bilal Khan (2-24) dismissed Usman Ghani in the third over to give the team the first breakthrough.

Shahzad and Stanikzai then ensured that they build a plat-

Chasing 161 to level the series, the Oman innings had several promising knocks but the batsmen failed to deliver the knockout punch and the team could post just 148 for eight form for a late onslaught. The two added 47 runs for the second wicket in 6.2 overs before Maqsood (2-20) dismissed Stanikzai for a run-a-ball 19.

Karim Sadiq (24 in 19 balls) played the perfect second fiddle to Shahzad but failed to carry on, and Afghanistan were on 105 for three when Maqsood dismissed him.

Nine runs later, Oman got the wicket of Shahzad, bowled

by Bilal, but not before he had hammered a 46-ball 60 even as Shafiqullah hammered two sixes and a four in his 18-ball 32 and help Afghanistan take the total beyond Oman’s reach. Afghanistan had won the first the first game at the same venue by 27 runs.

SCOREBOARD

AFGHANISTAN M. Shahzad b B. Khan 60 U. Ghani c M. Nadeem b B. Khan 5 Asghar Stanikzai lbw Z. Maqsood 19 K. Sadiq c J. Singh b Z. Maqsood 24 Shafiqullah (not out) 32 Gulbadin Naib (not out) 18 Extras (w-1, lb-1) 2 Total (4 wkts; 20 overs) 160 Fall of wickets: 1-12, 2-59, 3-105, 4-114.

Bowling: Bilal Khan 4-0-24-2; Ajay Lalcheta 4-0-35-0; M. Ansari 4-0-36-0; Mohammed Nadeem 3-0-33-0; Zeeshan Maqsood 4-0-20-2; Aamir Kaleem 1-0-11-0.

OMAN Z. Maqsood c G. Naib b R. Barakzai A. Sulehri c Shafiqullah b S. Shirzad K. Ali c & b M.N. Baras J. Singh c K. Sadiq b R. Barakzai A. Ilyas b Y. Ahmadzai

OMAN SUFFER DEFEAT, MIXED DAY FOR HOSTS QATAR AT GCC WOMEN’S T20 CHAMPIONSHIP Oman suffered a defeat at the hands of hosts Qatar as the second edition of the GCC Women’s Twenty20 Championship in Doha on Monday. In the inaugural match, Qatar were beaten by the UAE girls. But the hosts bounced back to defeat Oman in the day’s second match.

Brief scores: Oman 69 for 7 in 20 overs (Hina 13, Jaya 13, Nazia 2 wickets) lost to Qatar 70 for 3 (JR Ayesha 18, Nahan 16, Nazia 11, Thara 2 wickets). UAE 164 in 20 overs (Subha 76 not out, Natasha 34, Nazia 2 wickets) bt Qatar 99 in 20 overs (Hiral 25, Rizpha 29, Chaya 2 wickets).

MATCH HERO: Mohammed Shahzad of Afghanistan.

24 3 38 28 20

A. Kaleem c M. Shahzad b S. Shirzad 8 S. Ahmed lbw Y. Ahmadzai 0 A. Lalcheta (not out) 14 M. Nadeem c sub b Y. Ahmadzai 6 B. Khan (not out) 0 Extras (w-3, lb-4) 7 Total (8 wkts; 20 overs) 148 Fall of wickets: 1-25, 2-41, 3-85, 4-104, 5-118, 6-119, 7-141, 8-147.

Bowling: Yamin Ahmadzai 4-0-34-3; Karim Sadiq 1-0-5-0; Rokhan Barakzai 3-021-2; Sayed Shirzad 4-1-27-2; Samiullah Shenwari 2-0-15-0; Gulbadin Naib 4-0-310; M. Nasim Baras 2-0-11-1.

Toss: Oman, who chose to field Series: Afghanistan won the 2-match series 2-0 Umpires: BB Pradhan (Nepal) and RR Wimalasiri (Sri Lanka) Match referee: DT Jukes (England) Reserve umpire: Rabiul Hoque

C2

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

SPORTS

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

Offie Ashwin grabs career-best second spot in Test rankings Ashwin’s ascent means that England pacer James Anderson and Pakistan leggie Yasir Shah drop to joint third on 846 points, while England’s Stuart Broad falls to fifth

DUBAI: India’s off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin jumped three places to his career-best second spot among the Test bowlers after he took 12 wickets in India’s 124-run win over South Africa in Nagpur, while his teammates Amit Mishra and Ravindra Jadeja also gained places in the latest International Cricket Council (ICC) rankings released on Monday.

Ashwin’s ascent means that England pacer James Anderson and Pakistan leggie Yasir Shah drop to joint third on 846 points, while England’s Stuart Broad falls to fifth.

GAIN FOR ASHWIN: Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin jumped three places to become second in Test rankings.

Indian leg-spinner Amit Misra jumped two spots to be 31st, while left-armer Jadeja moved up a place to be 11th, according to an ICC release.

Among other bowlers who created big impact last week, Josh Hazlewood produced man-of-thematch figures of nine wickets for 136 runs as Australia clinched the three-Test series 2-0 inside three days in the inaugural day/night

Test. In doing so, the 24-year-old soared 10 places to 10th.

Despite dropping three places to 18th, there was good news for Peter Siddle who reached the 200 Test wicket milestone in Adelaide.

Other bowlers to head in the right direction during the Nagpur and Adelaide Tests were South African Imran Tahir (up by 14 places to 35th) in making career-high

CRICKET

gains, while New Zealander Doug Bracewell is one place and a single point further back in 36th after gaining four places.

There were also career-high gains for Australian Mitchell Marsh (up five to 55th) and Proteas’ Dean Elgar (up five to 68th) in a list which continues to be led by South Africa’s Dale Steyn.

Meanwhile, Murali Vijay is the top ranked India batsman in 12th

position, while his captain Virat Kohli has moved up one place to 16th.

There were also gains for Shikhar Dhawan (up one to 32nd) and wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha (up 10 to a career-high 92nd).

South African Jean-Paul Duminy also moved up three places to 40th after scores of 35 and 19 in a low scoring match.

Australia captain Steven Smith

and England’s Joe Root have regained joint pole position for Test batsmen, as AB de Villiers has dropped two places to the third.

The South Africa middle-order batsman now trails the duo by nine points, but a strong showing in the fourth Test in New Delhi could see him regain the top billing.

New Zealand opener Tom Latham has moved up four places to the 35th after scores of 50 and 10, while Mitchell Santner rocketed into 66th position after a mature showing on his debut where he scored 31 and 45.

For hosts Australia, Shaun Marsh has moved up eight places to 56th, while there were careerhigh rankings for Mitchell Starc (up five to 73rd) and Peter Nevill, buoyed by a first innings 66 and who is the highest mover overall (up 22 places to 79th).There is one change in the top five all-rounders as Starc has moved up to a careerhigh fifth position.

Meanwhile, in the Test championship, Australia have moved into second position on team table on 109 points following their 2-0 series win.

An India victory in the fourth and final Test in New Delhi would see them claim a 3-0 series win and see Kohli’s men move into second place on 110 points.

In that scenario, the Proteas’ advantage at the top would be cut to just four points, with Australia dropping to the third and Pakistan to fourth place. - IANS

HOCKEY WORLD LEAGUE FINAL

Windies to target Aussie middle order SYDNEY: West Indies can compete with Australia in the upcoming three-test series if they can exploit the inexperience in the hosts’ middle order, captain Jason Holder said on Monday.

Leading an inexperienced squad that suffered a 2-0 humbling in Sri Lanka on October, Holder is widely perceived to be embarking on a ‘Mission Impossible’ over the next seven weeks. The 24-year-old all-rounder, however, said Australia’s series against New Zealand, which the hosts wrapped up 2-0 in Adelaide on Wednesday night,

had revealed some chinks in the armour of the number two side in the world.

“We saw weaknesses that we can exploit, it’s important to analyse every batsman and every bowler and come up with plans best suited for the conditions,” he told reporters in Brisbane.

“There’s some new faces mixed with some guys that have been in rich veins of form, it’s important that we put some pressure on their middle order. If we get early wickets with the new ball, we can get to Sean Marsh and those guys who

are working their way back into the side, you know, put them under pressure to score it should be a relatively competitive series.

“They have some in-form batsmen like David Warner and Steve Smith so it’s important we get them out early and put the new guys under pressure.”

Australia’s middle order is the least experienced part of the Test team, with Sean Marsh, Adam Voges, all-rounder Mitchell Marsh and wicketkeeper Peter Nevill all still trying to establish themselves in the side. — Reuters

ACTION FROM RAIPUR: Indian and Dutch players in action during Hockey World League Final in

Raipur on Monday. – PTI

Netherlands down India RAIPUR: India plunged to a second loss in three matches, going down 1-3 to the Netherlands in their final Pool B match of the Hockey World League (HWL) Final at the Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel International Stadium here on Monday.

Mink van der Weerden broke the deadlock in the 36th minute.

Mirco Pruijser (43rd) and Roel Bovendeert (54th) scored the next two goals for the European champions while Chingnelsana Singh (47th) scored the solitary goal for the Asian Games champions.

With this loss, India are certain to finish fourth in Pool B with one point, while the Netherlands (seven points) are assured of the top spot. World Cup 2014 bronze medallists Argentina (three) and Olympic champions Germany (two) will face each other in the other match later.

It was a game that India played well in the first half but lost focus thereafter. They failed to create opportunities, looking passive, particularly in the final 30 minutes. But their opening was bright with chances falling for both sides in the first quarter.

Sardar Singh passed it to Dhar-

amvir Singh on the right flank and the latter cut into inside the box for Ramandeep Singh, whose tap in went straight on to goalkeeper Jaap Stockmaan.

Later, Manpreet Singh’s drive from the top of the circle found a receiver in Danish Mujtaba, who ran out of space to produce a lethargic and inaccurate shot. The Dutch also spilled their chances, Billy Bakker and Valentin Verga combining well but failed to pass the Indian defence, that was good in man-to-man marking.

Jeroen Hertzberger’s pass from the left was too early for Constantin Jonker in another good opportunity that went missing for the silver medallists of the 2012 Olympics and 2014 World Cup. The second quarter was more about possessional play as the teams operated through the flanks with India’s captain Sardar Singh and Bakker from the Netherlands being in the thick of the things.

Birendra Lakra and visiting captain Robert van der Horst were also active. In the 23rd minute, India’s Chingnelsana had a good chance to break the deadlock but couldn’t capitalise.

The first two quarters remained goalless. After the 30-minute

break, the visitors were more organised as they played with purpose and precision.

Due to a messy defending from Lakra, the Dutch were awarded a penalty corner which was converted by van der Weerden. He fired a grounder to the right of Indian goalkeeper P.R. Sreejesh, who was beaten for both pace and space.

The Netherlands doubled their lead as Pruijser fired from close range after being set up by van der Weerden, who covered a fair amount of distance.

India responded well as experienced striker S.V. Sunil made a quick entry into the circle and forced a foot foul from a defender, thereby earning a penalty corner in the 47th minute.

Chingnelsana pounced on a rebound to make it 1-2 after Rupinderpal Singh’s flick was blocked

by Stockmaan.

But the Netherlands regained their two-goal cushion as Bovendeert clinically finished from the right after a brilliant build-up play by Bakker in the 54th minute.

After conceding the goal, India tried their best with Akashdeep and Ramandeep getting two good chances but they failed to find the equaliser. - IANS

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

C3

SPORTS

PINK MAGIC: Australia paceman Josh Hazlewood, centre, display a pink ball after taking his fifth wicket during the first day-night cricket match at the Adelaide Oval. – AFP

Success promises new dawn for Tests The series-opener

New Zealand await clarification on DRS controversy

at the Gabba drew 52,000 spectators in total, while the 47,000 that flocked to day one in Adelaide easily outstripped the 40,000 who trickled through the gates for the entire Test at

ADELAIDE: New Zealand are awaiting clarification from the International Cricket Council regarding Nigel Llong’s contentious third umpire decision in the day-night Test against Australia after the ruling had an “impact” on the game, coach Mike Hesson has said.

Llong’s reprieve of Australia’s Nathan Lyon on day two was widely criticised and sparked debate over the proper use of the decision review system.

After Lyon survived the review for caught behind, Aus-

tralia piled on 108 runs for their final two wickets to reel in New Zealand’s lead and ultimately won the match by three wickets late on day three.

“It was excellent, wasn’t it?”

Hesson remarked with sarcasm when asked about Llong’s review. “I think everybody at the ground saw what unfolded.

“We’ve certainly made our representation to the ICC and at present we’re still waiting an acceptable response. There has been an official representation from New Zealand Cricket and

from the team management as well. We’re going through the proper channels and we’re awaiting their response.

“I guess we’ll never know (the whole impact). The game carried on and took a number of other twist and turns after that ... but it certainly had an impact.”

New Zealand were convinced Lyon was out when his attempted sweep shot sent the ball looping into the slips and the spinner himself started walking back to the Adelaide Oval dressing room when the

‘Hot Spot’ technology revealed a mark on his bat. Bizarrely, during five minutes of deliberations that sparked jeers from a restless crowd, Llong dismissed the evidence out of hand, saying the mark on his bat “could have come from anywhere”.

Adding to the farce, Llong also looked for a possible lbw during his review, but ended up assessing the wrong delivery.

The DRS regularly generates controversy but Hesson was clear on where he felt the blame should fall. — Reuters

the WACA in Perth

ADELAIDE: The carefully choreographed debut of day-night Test cricket in Adelaide threw some time-honoured conventions out the window but offered a glimmer of hope for the survival of the game’s oldest format.

Players and purists regard Tests as the pinnacle of the game but their enthusiasm for five-day matches has been unmatched in the terraces of most cricket nations for years.

So the total attendance of 123,000 fans at Adelaide Oval for a game that lasted less than three days is certain to have struck a chord with the sport’s power-bro-

kers, many of whom were onlookers at the venue.

“The inaugural day/night Test in Adelaide was a huge success, enjoyed by cricket followers across the world,” International Cricket Council Chief Executive David Richardson, who attended the match, said in a statement on Monday.

“Day/night Tests will not be feasible at every venue, it certainly provides a new dimension for players, spectators, broadcasters and fans alike and it is here to stay.”

Adelaide Tests are traditionally well supported by local fans and interstate visitors but the total attendance was a record in the city

for a non-Ashes fixture.

The mark was also a stark contrast to the disappointing turnouts in the first two Tests in Brisbane and Perth.

The series-opener at the Gabba drew 52,000 spectators in total, while the 47,000 that flocked to day one in Adelaide easily outstripped the 40,000 who trickled through the gates for the entire test at the WACA in Perth.

Perhaps more encouragingly, the first-day night test also drew a huge armchair audience in Australia for local free-to-air broadcaster Channel Nine, which has been an ardent supporter of CA’s efforts to hold a floodlit Test.

Some 3.19 million people tuned in to the final day’s play, according to Channel Nine, the highest rating day of cricket in the current 2015/16 season.

Cricket Australia Chief Executive James Sutherland saw enough promise in the opening days to float the prospect of two Tests under lights next season, against touring sides Pakistan and South Africa.

“It would seem that Adelaide is a fantastic place for it, and there are other venues around the country,” he told local radio on Monday.

Pink haze Under Sutherland, CA has long

L O N G L AY- O F F

Starc ruled out of entire summer ADELAIDE: Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc has been ruled out of the Test series against West Indies and is no certainty to play in Australia’s tour of New Zealand early next year as he recovers from a broken foot, the left-armer said on Monday.

Starc limped off the field during the first day of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Adelaide and scans later confirmed he had suffered a stress fracture in his right foot.

No schedule Wearing a moonboot and walking with crutches, Starc told reporters he was reluctant to put a schedule on his recovery.

“Once I get home I’ll talk to the medical staff a bit more and map it out and see what it looks like,” he said when asked whether he would be fit for the two-Test return series against New Zealand in February.

“I’ll be in this boot for three or four weeks depending on how it’s going and probably reassess then, so there’s no point putting a time stamp on it yet until the bone heals.

“Injury’s always disappointing but that’s part and parcel of fast bowling so it’s about recovering now and healing and getting back on the horse and I guess working back on my bowling.”

Australia, who sealed their three-match series 2-0 on Sunday with victory in the final test at Adelaide Oval, play West In-

dies in three Tests, with the first match starting in Hobart from December 10.

After limping off on day one, Starc did not bowl again in the match but managed to bat in both innings.

He blasted an important 24 runs in the first innings and then limped the final two runs needed for victory on Sunday with Peter Siddle as Australia scraped to a three-wicket win.

Mitchell Starc has also been carrying an ankle injury on the same foot for most of the year, which has been managed with cortisone injections.

He said the ankle was still holding up well and ruled out having surgery on it while recovering from the break.

Ankle problem “Obviously my ankle’s been a bit of an issue for the last six to nine months and it’s actually been going ok, so it’s frustrating that the foot’s come up and I felt it crack that last ball.

“I had a couple more cortisones after the Perth Test so it’s actually been something that’s been managed quite well and it’s been going better than probably expected than how it was.

“There’s no point doubling up with extra time with a bit of surgery, too.

“There will be a point where (surgery) has to happen ... that’s something we’ll look at down the track.” - Reuters

ON CRUTCHES: Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc walking onto the field with crutches. – AFP

championed day-night cricket and engaged local manufacturer Kookaburra nearly a decade ago to produce a ball that could both be seen under lights and last the full 80 overs required in a test match.

Despite years of painstaking testing, players complained in the leadup that the ball was hard to see during the warm-up matches under lights and also wore too quickly.

To that end, a grassy pitch was specially prepared at Adelaide Oval to cushion the ball from the usual wear and tear, an unusual development in Australia where curators prepare their pitches without fear or favour from authorities.

The outfield was also noticeably more lush, which slowed up shots that would normally have clattered into the fence.

After 11 centuries were scored in the opening two tests, the balance of power swung sharply to the bowlers in Adelaide.

Australia wicketkeeper Peter Nevill’s 66 was the highest individual score and the highest innings total was a modest 228.

In Perth, New Zealand’s Ross Taylor hit 290 while the highest innings score was over 550.

Cricket Australia had to refund fans who bought tickets to day four of the Test after it wrapped up in three.

Like ICC boss Richardson, New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum declared the match a success and day-night tests “here to stay”, but also bemoaned the imbalance between bat and ball.

It was most pronounced at night when the pink ball swung its hardest and was tougher for batsmen to see under the lights.

McCullum’s coach Mike Hesson said he felt more work was needed on the pink ball before further daynight Tests could be scheduled.

“I think there does need to be a little bit of tweaking but the actual concept is excellent,” he told reporters in Adelaide on Monday.

“You do struggle to see the seam at night, so I think there just needs to be a little bit of work around that.

“I think we enjoyed the fact that the ball swung but it’s just something we need to look at because it’s a bit more of a haze than a normal ball.” - Reuters

C4

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

SPORTS Azzan and Fahad impress at King Hamad Trophy tourney The annual event, organised at Bahrain’s Royal Golf Club, saw a competitive field of 102 players, and it tested the skills of Oman’s two representatives, Azzan Al Rumhy and Fahad Al Kitani

MUSCAT: Oman’s Azzan Al Rumhy made a mark in the highly competitive King Hamad Trophy golf tournament organised in Riffa, Bahrain recently.

Azzan made the cut and finished 38th in a field of 102 players, including those from the GCC countries as well as Asia, Europe and South Africa.

The annual tournament, which was played at Bahrain’s Royal Golf Club from November 26 to 28, saw a stiff competitive field with 22 pro golfers participating, testing the skills of Oman’s two representatives, Azzan Al Rumhy and Fahad Al Kitani.

Over the three days of play, Azzan carded a total gross score of 238, as compared to last year’s 232.

On the opening day, he scored 80,

REAL TEST: Oman’s top golfer Azzan Al Rumhy was happy to have made the cut. – Supplied photo

and then he followed it up with 81, before finishing with his tournament best score of 77 on the concluding day.

Azzan, who is participating in this tournament for the fifth consecutive year, said upon returning to Muscat: “The tournament was a real test for me.

“Over 100 playersfrom different regions participated, including some 20 pro golfers.

“So it was a challenging time for me to make a mark, but I am happy that I could make the cut and did well in the final round, given the level of the competition.”

“If my putting was as good as it normally is during the tourna-

ment, I could have finished in a much better position,” he added.

For Fahad Al Kitani, the participation was a good exposure.

“It was a very good exposure for me. Playing in a seniors event for the first time was itself thrilling, and you had to compete with some top level golfers. It’s really nice to watch them from such a close quarters and learn how they react in different situations and improvise according to the conditions,” said the 17 year-old.

Young Fahad finished 68th scoring 86 and 84 over two days with a total of 170. He supported Azzan in the last round as a caddie.

Defending champion Andrew

BALLON D’OR

Marshall, the 2013 winner Yasin Ali and other MENA Tour regulars made their presence felt in the tournament.

Britain’s Jamie Elson claimed the title after a strong contest. The 32-year-old Elson finished on top with 210 after rounds of 69, 69 and 72. Defending champion Marshall, who had earlier this year won the 2015 Wealth Design Invitational Golf Tournament, finished second, a shot behind Elson with rounds of 72, 69 and 70.

Fifteen-year-old, Jakub Hrindaw was third with a total of 217. Like Marshall, Hrindawfinished on 72 in the first round and followed it with rounds of 72 and 74.

Playing in a seniors event for the first time was itself thrilling, and you had to compete with some top level golfers. It’s really nice to watch them from close quarters and learn how they react in different situations Fahad Al Kitani

Oman golfer

FOOTBALL

OFA to organise Community Cup on December 19 MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association (OFA) will organise The OFA Fives – A Community Cup football tournament on December 19.

According to a information received from OFA on Monday, the tournament, a one-day affair, is open to all and the registration of teams starts today.

The tournament is being organised by the OFA, with support from energy drink Effect, with the main objective of ‘engaging further the Omani community through football’.

The five-a-side tournament, to be played at the OFA’s artificial grass football pitch at the Seeb Sports Stadium, will have a maximum of 64 teams.

The teams will be registered on first come first serve basis.

The entry fee is OMR. 10 for each team. The tournament will be played on the December 19 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The top three finishers will be rewarded with cash prizes.

“The tournament is just one of the many ways by which the Oman Football Association is looking to engage the football community in Oman. The idea is to pilot this here and hopefully make it a regional tournament across Oman. We want to, through this tournament, develop a better understanding and relationship with the football community,” Nic Cartwright, OFA’s Commercial and Communications Director, said.

The registration for the tournament is officially open and teams can register on the website www.ofa.om In order to submit the form and formally register, teams can contact Maqbool Abdullah Al Qaidhi (99238238).

GOLF

Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar are nominees LONDON: Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will go head-to-head once again for the title of world’s best footballer after being shortlisted along with Neymar on Monday for the 2015 FIFA Ballon d’Or. For the seventh time in eight years, the dynamic duo of Barcelona’s Messi and Real Madrid’s Ron-

aldo are expected to fill the top two places on the podium in Zurich in January for the coveted accolade of being the year’s leading player.

Even before the award was merged with France Football’s Ballon d’Or in 2010, the men’s World Player of the Year had effectively become an annual private ‘Clasico’

between two of the great players of any generation.

Argentine Messi won four times in succession between 2009 and 2012, while Portugal’s Ronaldo has won three times, once when he was at Manchester United in 2008 and the most recent two editions at Real Madrid. - Reuters

Nassarudin, Yvonne, Fahad win MUSCAT: Nassarudin Mohammed emerged the champion at the third Open Golf Tournament jointly organised by National Finance, one of the leading financial companies, in association with International Heavy Enterprises (IHE), the official dealers of Volvo Trucks and Buses.

According to a press release issued by the organisers, the tournament received an overwhelming response as golfers flocked to strut their swings and friends and family cheered them through.

Nassarudin Mohammed was declared the winner and proudly walked away with the grand trophy that was unveiled a few days ago to an ecstatic audience. An 18-hole round of 68 nett allowed Nassarudin to attain victory in the tournament. Giving him good competition was Ghala Golf Club member Sunny Nagpal, who narrowly missed out on a countback but also finished with a nett 68.

With two more golfers scoring a nett 68, this close tournament kept the crowd on their toes.

With prizes to be given in various other categories, the men’s gross winner was Ghala Golf Club member Jeff Campbell with an impressive score of 72, while Lorenzo Basco came in as runner-up with a gross score of 76.

In the Ladies division, Yvonne Welling claimed first place with a

nett score of 78. Jacky Franssen, scored a nett of 79, with a one shot clear runner-up place for the same.

National Finance and Volvo Trucks and Buses have always shown utmost dedication to developing junior golf in the region and graciously allowed all junior golfers to enter the tournament free of charge. With a separate category for the junior league, Oman junior national squad member Fahad Al Kitani bagged the junior nett winner title with an outstanding score of 71 nett.

When asked to comment on the event, Leon Sassen, Events Coordinator at Ghala Golf Club, said: “It’s truly fantastic to see so many players competing in this event. It’s the first big tournament at Ghala Golf Club this year and to have 116 players is a great effort.

Congratulations to all the competitors this year.”

The presentation was commenced by Ghala Golf Club captain Salim Al Harthy with Ziyad Al Zubair, board member, Ram Mohan, General Manager of Volvo Trucks & Buses, and Taya Jandal Ali, National Finance chairman as the guest of honours.

With as many as 116 players for the 2015 tournament, the event received an outstanding support from major sponsors namely National Finance and Volvo Trucks & Buses. Gulf Air and OUA Travel

coupled with Zahara Tours and Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa extended their additional support to the event.

Commenting on the event Mr. Taya Jandal Ali, Chairman of National Finance, said: “Each year we are getting bigger and bigger; this event is definitely a premium event in the golfing calendar in Muscat. The entire day was outstanding and congratulations again to all the winners of the day.”

Although the players faced some warmer conditions than expected, the Ghala Golf Club layout proved again to be a fantastic championship facility. Built into a natural wadi in Muscat, the Ghala Valley Golf course is designed to flow through a beautiful setting of mountainous backdrops and spectacular sea views. Originally created as a sand course in 1971, Ghala Golf Club opened the first nine holes of its grass course in December 2010 and the remaining nine was completed in 2012.

“We feel that our aim to bring together passionate golfers from all across was fulfilled. It’s a great platform for some healthy competition and even serves the purpose of networking. We are certain that all our initiatives to promote golf in the country will definitely see more participants for Open Tournament 2016,” Ziyad Al Zubair said.

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

C5

SPORTS

Oman to host ITPF General Assembly During the General Assembly, the ITPF officials will decide the venue and dates of the third qualifying tournament for the second Tent Pegging World Cup EXCITING SPORT: A file photo of Omani riders in action during the inaugural ITPF Tent Pegging World Cup organised in Oman in 2014.

MUSCAT: The Sultanate is gearing up to host a series of International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF) meetings, including the world body’s general assembly, from December 4 to 7.

The general assembly will be organised on December 6. The other meetings scheduled to be held in CRICKET

Cairns cleared by UK court LONDON: Former New Zealand cricket captain Chris Cairns was cleared by a London court on Monday of claims he had lied in a libel case three years ago when he said he had never been involved in cheating.

Cairns, 45, had been accused of falsely claiming he had never cheated at cricket during a libel action he brought against Lalit Modi, the former boss of the Indian Premier League over comments Modi had made on Twitter in 2010.

London’s High Court ruled in Cairns’ favour in 2012 and ordered Modi to pay £90,000 ($135,000) damages.

However, Cairns, who played 62 Test matches and more than 200 One-day Internationals, was charged last September with perjury and perverting the course of justice by British police. He always denied any wrongdoing and was acquitted of the offences by a jury on Monday at Southwark Crown Court.

“It’s been Hell for the last five or so years, and in particular the last couple of years,” he said outside court. “I think I’ve been through the mill and come out the other side and (I’m) just a very happy man. I think reputationally, I’m completely scorched. Burnt completely. But it hasn’t stopped me and it won’t stop me.” - Reuters

Muscat are the ITPF Executive Committee meeting, board of directors meeting as well as a meeting for the heads of the committees.

It may be mentioned that ITPF is headquartered in Muscat and is headed by Oman’s Mohammed Issa Al Fairuz.

Representatives from 22 of 28 member nations will arrive in

nations will discuss various issues concerning the development of tent pegging.

Various committees will also put forward their recommendations regarding the rules and regulations as well as the organisational aspects of the ITPF activities to the Executive Committee.

After looking into all the recom-

mendations and finalising their ideas, the Executive Committee will forward them to the General Assembly for the final approval.

The main agenda of the meetings will be qualifying tournaments and the preparations for the second edition of the ITPF Tent Pegging World Cup, which will be organised in Egypt in 2016.

OMAN CRICKET

ISWK record thrilling victory over MCCC

ISWK STARS: Suhail, Brijesh and Lakshay. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir (ISWK) recorded a thrilling two-wicket victory over Muscat Cricket Coaching Centre (MCCC) in a Khimji Ramdassponsored U-19 Division match at the Municipality Ground I during the morning session on Saturday.

Winning the toss and batting first, MCCC managed to score 134 in 29.1 overs largely thanks a lower order cameo by Mohammed Moshin (42). Brijesh claimed four wickets for ISWK while Suhail and Ivan bagged three each.

In reply, ISWK chased down the target in 34.1 overs, scoring 135 for the loss of eight wickets. Lakshay

LONG SERVICE

ISC bids farewell to tennis coach

DEDICATED SERVICE: Indian Social Club treasurer Govind Negi,

right, presents a memento to club’s tennis coach G. Venkatesh.

MUSCAT: The Indian Social Club (ISC) Muscat accorded a fond farewell to outgoing tennis coach G. Venkatesh who is leaving Oman after serving the ISC for nearly 13 years.

During his tenure at the ISC, Venkatesh trained hundreds of children and was instrumental in the growth and development of tennis not only at the club but in the capital as well. Venkatesh was well respected for his ways

the capital city to take part in the meetings and they are the UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Australia, South Africa, India, Pakistan, the United States, Russia, Iran, Britain and Norway besides hosts Oman.

According to ITPF chief Mohammed Al Fairuz the member

The first qualifying tournament has already been hosted in South Africa from three countries - hosts South Africa, Iraq and Great Britain, have booked their places in the World Cup. The second qualifying event will take in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi from December 8 to 13 where six nations — the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Australia, Kazakhstan and India, will vie for three qualifying places.

During the General Assembly in Muscat, the ITPF officials will finalise the hosts, dates and venue of the third qualifying tournament.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that Oman is likely to be chosen as the venue for the third qualifying tournament for the World Cup. According to sources, the ITPF has already received an application from the Oman Equestrian Federation (OEF).

Oman successfully hosted the inaugural Tent Pegging World Cup in 2014. Ten countries took part in the first World Cup organised at Al Rahba Farm in Barka, where Oman finished overall second behind champions South Africa.

and methods of training and became one of the highly soughtafter coaches in Muscat. A grand farewell ceremony was held in his honour during which he was accorded a guard of honour by his students and well-wishers.

He was presented with a plaque for his long years of dedicated service for the promotion of tennis at the ISC. Venkatesh was also presented a high-value gift on behalf of the parents of his trainees.

Malhotra top scored with an unbeaten 43 for ISWK. Indunil Udara claimed four wickets for MCCC. Brief scores: MCCC 134 in 29.1 overs (Mohammed Moshin 42; Brijesh Gandhi 4/12) lost to ISWK 135 for 8 in 34.1 overs (Lakshay Malhotra 43 n.o.; Indunil Udara 4/20). Points: ISWK – 2, MCCC - 0.

ISM beat GCC In an Al Turki Enterprises-sponsored U-16 Division match, Indian School Muscat (ISM) defeated Gulf Cricket Centre (GCC) by nine wickets at the Municipality Ground IV during the afternoon session.

Batting first, GCC were bundled

U-13 LEAGUE: MCCC C after their win over BOC B. – Supplied photo

out for 73 in 14.4 overs. Vikram and Vishabh claimed three and two wickets respectively.

In reply, ISM scored 75 for one in 7.5 overs to claim a bonus point victory. Vikram top scored with an unbeaten 35. Paritosh chipped in with 21 runs.

Brief scores: GCC 73 in 14.4 overs (Vikram Nabira 3/12) lost to ISM 75 for 1 in 7.5 overs (Vikram 35 n.o., Paritosh 21). Points: ISM – 3, GCC - 0.

ISG down MCCC In another Al Turki Enterprisessponsored U-16 Division match, Indian School Al Ghubra (ISG) defeated Muscat Cricket Coaching

Centre (MCCC) by 59 runs at the Municipality Ground III. ISG batted first and scored 201 for the loss of three wickets in 25 overs. Mohammed Salman and Harith Raghuram top scoring with 85 and 55 not out respectively.

In reply, MCCC were bowled out for 142 in 24.4 overs. Mohit top scored with 37 runs.

Parth claimed four scalps for ISG to ensure a bonus point win for his team.

MCCC C edge BOC B In another U-13 Division match, Muscat Cricket Coaching Centre C (MCCC C) defeated Bosher Olympic Centre B (BOC B) by five runs at the Municipality Ground IV. Batting first, MCCC C scored 124 in 16.3 overs. Armaan Jayawant top scored with 42 runs. Uday claimed three wickets for BOC B. In reply, BOC B scored 119 for eight in 20 overs. Yash Verma top scored with 34. Armaan claimed three wickets.

Brief scores: ISG 201 for 3 in 25 overs (Mohammed Salman 85, Harith Raghuram 55 n.o.) bt MCCC 142 in 24.4 overs (Mohit Zanwar 37; Parth Mahesh 4/13). Points: ISG – 3, MCCC - 0.

Brief scores: MCCC C 124 in 16.3 overs (Armaan Jayawant 42; Uday Pisharody 3/22) bt BOC B 119 for 8 in 20 overs (Yash Verma 34; Armaan 3/19). Points: MCCC C – 2, BOC B - 0.

C6

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

SPORTS

Tweet all about it

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

MURRAY

ALL THE WAY

Of the 12 rubbers Britain won en route to their first Davis Cup title for 79 years, a run that included wins over the heavyweights the United States, France and Australia, Murray featured in all but one of them

TRIUMPHANT TEAM: From left, Britain’s Jamie Murray,

Britain’s James Ward, Britain’s captain Leon Smith, Britain’s Andy Murray and Britain’s Kyle Edmund pose with the trophy after winning the Davis Cup tennis final against Belgium at Flanders Expo in Ghent. – AFP

GHENT: Incredibly, improbably, Britain will end the year as world champions of tennis after beating Belgium in the Davis Cup final, but that grand title rests squarely on the shoulders of one extraordinary player. The 115-year-old event is held up as the sport’s most prestigious team competition, but never has one individual been so instrumental in winning it as two-times grand slam champion and Olympic gold medallist Andy Murray was this year.

The 28-year-old Scot won all three of his matches in Ghent, two singles and a doubles with brother Jamie in between. The final scoreline could just as well have been added to the record books as ‘Dunblane 3 Belgium 1’. Of the 12 rubbers Britain won en route to their first Davis Cup title for 79 years, a run that included wins over the heavyweights the United States, France and Australia, Murray featured in all but one of them. Take him out and perennial under-achievers Britain would still be scrapping with the also-rans, as they were in 2010 when Leon Smith took over as Davis Cup captain and needed to beat Turkey to avoid falling into the fourth tier of the competition. Admittedly, even before Murray fixed his sights on Davis Cup glory and committed 100 percent to the cause in 2013, Smith’s galvanising influence had already begun to have an effect.

The likes of James Ward and Dan Evans were edging Britain back towards the higher echelons, but to cut it in the World Group a country usually needs one special player together with some top-class backup. Swiss Roger Federer had Stanislas Wawrinka last year when he won the competition for the first time. Rafa Nadal had David Ferrer in 2011 and 2009, while the current world number one Novak Djokovic had Viktor Troicki and Janko Tipsarevic in 2010.

Deprived of those two for company in 2013, Djokovic was on the losing side in the final against the Czech Republic despite winning two rubbers. Which makes

Murray’s feat even more incredible.

Against Belgium, Britain’s second singles player, rookie Kyle Edmund, was ranked 100 in the world. In the semi-final, when Murray also won two singles and the doubles with Jamie, 183rd-ranked Evans was the singles back-up. In the quarterfinals against a talent-laden French outfit, 156th-ranked Ward played second singles.

Again Murray needed to put in a triple shift. Ward did crucially beat John Isner in the first round win against the United States in the March, but other than that it has been the ‘Murray Show’.

Just as it has been since a World Group playoff against Croatia in September 2013.

Murray has since been involved in 18 of Britain’s 21 winning rubbers.

It begs questions about the format, whether or not a team event can be so dominated by one player.

Should Murray opt out next year, as Federer and Wawrinka did this year, Britain’s reign will be a short one. The gap behind him in Britain is a yawning one, even if Slovenian-convert Aljaz Bedene gets clearance to represent his adopted country. Britain kick off the defence of their title as top seeds at home to Japan in March, soon after that Murray is due to become a father for the first time with wife Kim. The indications are that he will play, but after that, with grand slams and an Olympics squeezed in, not to mention the obligatory Masters Series events, Britain could have to take their chances without their talisman. “The timing is really what’s the issue because the players, they put so much effort into the grand slams, the Davis Cup comes immediately after them, you’re pretty tired at the end of the slams,” Murray, who has played 104 matches this year, said after beating David Goffin.

“Most of the top players are going right through to the end of the majors. Slams are stressful, they’re draining, physically and mentally. I think that’s where the issue is a little bit.” - Reuters

C

SECTION

LIFESTYLE

Dining WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

S T O R Y PA L L AV I N I G A M PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIN E.

If you have not had the pleasure of enjoying this delicious, fresh vegetable, it is high time you tried out these versitile stalks grilled, sauted, and baked.

T U ES DAY, D EC EMB ER 1 , 2 0 1 5

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

LIFESTYLE GRILLED ASPARAGUS TARTINE WITH CREAM CHEESE, MINT PESTO, AND SPRING ONION Ingredients Ċ 6 slices of bread Ċ 1 pound asparagus Ċ 2tbsp extra virgin olive oil Ċ Salt For mint pesto Ċ 1 cup mint leaves Ċ 1 clove of garlic Ċ 1/2 cup of parsley Ċ 2tbsp olive oil Ċ 4 green chilli Ċ Salt & pepper Ċ 1 spring onion chopped Ċ 1/2 cup cream cheese Ċ 1tbsp toasted pine nuts Preparation Ċ Lightly grill the bread. Ċ Rinse asparagus in water, chop of the ends, toss with olive oil, and salt. Grill it for 2 minutes. Ċ To make pesto, put mint leaves, garlic, parsley, olive oil, green chilli, salt, and pepper in a blender and grind till smooth. Ċ Mix the mint pesto with chopped spring onion and cream cheese.

Apply it on grilled bread slices, and top with the grilled asparagus. Sprinkle pine nuts. Ċ Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

FARFALLE WITH ASPARAGUS, TURKEY BACON, AND CHICKEN Ingredients Ċ 2tbsp olive oil Ċ 4 strips of turkey bacon, chopped Ċ 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped Ċ 1 chicken breast, cut in strips Ċ Salt & pepper Ċ 5 thin asparagus, hard ends chopped Ċ 1/2 cup cooked farfalle Ċ 2tbsp grated Parmesan cheese Preparation Ċ Heat 1tbsp of oil in a pan, add turkey bacon to it, and sauté for 1 minute. Ċ Add chopped garlic to the pan, sauté for 30 seconds, add chicken strips, season with salt and pepper. Sauté till cooked. Ċ Add asparagus, sauté till soft.

Add farfalle to it, toss and serve hot garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.

ASPARAGUS FRITTATA Ingredients Ċ 2tbsp butter Ċ 1/2 cup sliced shallots Ċ 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper Ċ 1/2 cup peas Ċ Salt and pepper Ċ 6 large eggs Ċ 1tbsp dried oregano Ċ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Ċ 1/2 cup grated Gruyère cheese Ċ 1 pound asparagus, tough ends chopped.

Pallavi Nigam Pallavi Nigam completed her culinary education at ICIF in Italy and worked as a chef for Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. She is now based in Muscat where she writes recipes and takes cooking classes.

Contact her: pallavi_nigam@hotmail.com twitter @pallavizza pallavizza.com

HARD BOILED EGGS

SELECT A SUBSTITUTE

Preparation Ċ Heat butter in a pan. Add shallots, red bell pepper, and peas.

Sprinkle salt and pepper, and sauté for 3-4 minutes. Ċ In a big bowl, crack 6 eggs, add dried oregano, Parmesan cheese, and Gruyère cheese. Whisk well. Ċ Pour over the pan, cook in a low flame till almost set. Ċ Then place asparagus on top side. You can also chop the asparagus and add to the pan with other veggies or go this way. Ċ Now place the pan inside the oven, under the grill for 4-5 minutes. Ċ To take it out, loosen the edges with knife and tap on plate, it will come out, cut in wedges. Serve with some toasted bread.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SHABIN E

C8

SUBSTITUTE Tofu is a great vegan alternative to eggs.

are a good, high-protein snack,

1 large boiled egg = 3 ounce or half cup of tofu

wonderful in salads and sandwiches, and essential for baking.

swati@timesofoman.com

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

LIFESTYLE MASHED POTATO MEMORIES STORY SWATI DASGUPTA

I

f you have very specific food preferences, finding the right kind of food to match your taste might be a daunting task while you are travelling to far off places.

Years back, as a first time traveller to Paris, where there was hardly anything even close to the kind of cuisine I was comfortable eating, I often would end with grilled chicken and mash potatoes. It worked as a great comfort food on tiresome days, though it was new for my taste buds in that particular buttery, non-spicy form.

For those who have spent most of their growing up years in India, you would surely get nostalgic at the thought of mash potatoes, which are completely cooked and served in a different manner. Popular in almost every home, aloo bharta, also known by names like chokha and bhaate in different parts of India, is the zestful Indian version of the ubiquitous mash potatoe, and in no way are the two are similar except that they share a common main ingredient.

This Indian version of mashed potatoes is a popular side dish served with dal (lentil) and rice or with hot chapattis and butter naan. Lightly spiced and flavoured with mustard oil, they aren’t like the creamy version of the mash potatoes that’s normally made with milk and butter. Instead they are mashed by hand with cumin, fried onion, garam masala, and burnt red chillies.

While this homemade delicacy lingers on my taste buds, the mild mashed potato that accompanies grilled chicken, salmon, or steak in most restaurants around the world, also find a special place on my palate.

Talking about how to make a perfect mashed potato, the first thing that I often hear people say is that no matter how much they try, the potatoes they make at home are never quite the same as the ones they find in restaurants.

In order to demystify what’s a good mash, I scanned through the recipe books, the search engines, and even spoke to the chefs in town and ensure that a good mash is not exclusive to the restaurant’s repertoire. Turns out that all you need is a batch of old potatoes that are starchy to ensure a creamy texture. —swati@timesofoman.com

Perfect Mashed Potato Tips Place“aged” potatos in aluminium foil and sprinkle with salt. Wrap the foil around each potato and place on a tray.

Cook at around 180 degrees in a pre-heated oven for about an hour or until softened (Insert a skewer through the foil to check to see if the potatoes are done). Set aside to cool.

In a small pot, combine milk, cream, and butter and simmer, add a little grated nutmeg and pepper to taste.

Peel the skin off cool potatoes with the help of a small knife and add them to the pot of cream and butter. Mash and add simmering liquid and seasoning until you achieve the desired flavour and consistency.

Indian Aloo Bharta Ingredients Ċ 4-6 medium size potatoes Ċŗŗ2tbsp mustard oil or ghee ĊŗŗFew curry leaves Ċŗŗ1/2 tbsp mustard seeds Ċŗŗ1/2 tsp cumin seeds Ċŗŗ1 piece ginger, chopped or grated Ċŗŗ4-5 cloves garlic, minced Ċŗŗ1 onion, thinly chopped ĊŗŗSalt to taste ĊŗŗA pinch of ajwain ĊŗŗA pinch of asafoetida Ċŗŗ1/2 tsp turmeric powder Ċŗŗ1 tsp dried coriander powder Ċŗŗ1 tbsp dried red chilli flakes ĊŗŗFresh coriander leaves chopped

Great Muscat Mashes zTche Tche, Al Shatti Qurum: +968 2457 1313 zD’Arcy’s Kitchen, MSQ: +968 2469 9119 zYoko Sizzlers, Gallery Muscat: +968 2460 4466 zCasper&Gambini's, Avenues Mall: +968 2206 0085 zThe Steak Company, Bareeq Al Shatti Mall: +968 9411 6600 zBlue Marlin Restaurant, Marina Bandar Al Rowdha: + 968 2474 0038

Preparation ĊŗBoil the potatoes, peel and mash in a big bowl. Ċŗŗ Heat the oil in a pan and add curry leaves, mustard seeds and cumin seeds. Ċŗ ŗ Allow the seeds to splutter and add ginger, garlic, and chopped onion. ĊŗŗSauté for few seconds until onion turns soft. Ċŗ ŗ Add mashed potatoes, salt, ajwain, asafoetida, turmeric, and coriander powder. ĊŗŗAlso mix the red chilli flakes. ĊŗŗMix all the ingredients very well and cook on medium high flame for about 5-6 minutes. Ċŗŗ Finally garnish with thinly chopped coriander leaves, and serve hot with chapatis.

Chef Tips: While serving this delicious aloo bharta you can pour little ghee over it and serve it. It tastes yummy.

If you want to make it spicy then add green chillies as per your requirement. —Courtesy of Tasty Indian Recipe

C9

C10

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

FIND-IT-ALL CINEMA SCHEDULE

PRAYER TIMINGS

@SHATTI

@RUWI

SUR The Hunger Game - Mockingjay 2 3D (Action | Adventure | Sci Fi ) (PG12) Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson 7:00 PM Hunting the Phantom (Action) (12+) Cast: Kristanna Loken, Armand Assante 4:45, 11:45 PM Bound to Vengeance (Horror) (18+) Cast: Richard Tyson, Tina Ivlev, Amy Okuda 9:45 PM Tamasha (Hindi) (Drama) (PG12) Cast: Ranbir kapoor, Deepika Padukone 4:30, 6:30, 9:00 PM Anarkali (Malayalam) (Thriller) ( TBC) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaram, Biju Menon, Mia 11:30 PM

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-2 (3D) (Adventure | Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson 7:30, 11:45 PM Bridge of Spies (Drama | History) (PG) Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 3:15, 6:00, 8:45, 11:30 PM Hunting the Phantom (Action) (12+) Cast: Kristanna Loken, Armand Assante 2:00, 3:45, 10:00 PM Creed (Drama | Sport) (15+) Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 4:00, 6:30 PM Bound to Vengeance (2D) (Horror) (18+) Cast: Richard Tyson, Tina Ivlev, Amy Okuda 11:45 PM Blinky Bill The Movie (2D) (PG) Animation 2:00 PM Tamasha (Hindi) (Drama) (PG12) Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 9:00 PM 4 G Algeil Al Rabea (Arabic) (TBC) Cast: hmed Malek, Sherif Ramzy 5:30 PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Bridge of Spies (Drama | History) PG Cast : Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 3:30, 9:00 & 11:30PM Gold Class: 2:45, 8:15 & 11:00PM Tamasha (Romance| Drama) PG12 Cast : Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 12:45 & 8:45PM Gold Class : 5:30PM Creed (Drama | Sport) 15+ Cast : Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 6:15 & 11:45PM Blinky Bill The Movie (Animation) U 11:45AM & 4:15PM

Creed (Drama, Sport)(2D)(15+) Cast : Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson Timing: 4:00, 9:00, 11:50 pm VIP Lounge: 6:00 pm

Bridge of Spies (Drama | History) (PG) Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda Timing: 3:15, 6:00, 8:45, 11:30 PM

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-2 : 3D (Adventure/Sci-Fi) PG12 Cast : Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson 6:15PM Spectre : 2D (Action/Adventure) PG12 Cast : Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz 1:30PM PANORAMA MALL Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2 (3D) Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson 6:30, 11:30 pm (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Hunger Games: Mockingjay part 2 (Action, Adventure)(MX4D)(PG12) 2:00, 5:15, 8:30, 11:45 pm Creed (Drama, Sport)(2D)(15+) Cast : Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 4:00, 9:00, 11:50 pm Creed (Drama, Sport)(2D)(15+)-VIP LOUNGE Cast : Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 6:00 pm Blinky Bill The Movie (Animation)(2D)(U) 2:15 pm Miss You Already (Drama)(2D)(15+) Cast : Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette 4:45 pm

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

Cast: Prithviraj, Biju Menon, Mia, Priyal Glor, 5:25, 8:45 PM Spectra – 2D (PG12) Action, Adventure Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz 11:45 PM The Hunger Game : Mocking Jay Part 2 – 3D (PG12) Adventure, Sci-Fi Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson 9:15 PM

AZAIBA Tamasha – 2D (PG12) Romance, Drama Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 2:30, 5:15, 8:00, 10:45, 11:30 PM Prem Ratan Dhan Payo – 2D (PG) Family Cast: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor 3:15, 8:30 PM Inji Iduppazhagi – 2D (PG12) Romance Cast: Arya, Anushka Shetty, Sonal Chouhan 6:15 PM Bridge of Spies - 2D (PG) Drama, History Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 2:45, 6:30, 11:45 PM Blinky Bill The Movie – 2D (U) Animation 2:30, 4:30 PM Anarkali – 2D (PG) Romance, Thriller

RUWI Screen 1 Tamasha (Romance/Drama) – PG12 Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM Screen 2 Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (Family) – PG Cast: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 PM Screen 3 Spectre (Action) – PG12 Cast: Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes 3.45 PM Inji Iduppazhagi – Tamil (Comedy ) – PG12 Cast: Arya, Anushka Shetty, Sonal Chauha 6.45, 9.45 PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

16:30 18:00 19:30

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Sur Sur

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

Daily Daily

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

Daily Daily

Marmul

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

08:40 11:00

07:00

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Anarkali (Mal) (Rom/Drama) Cast : Prithviraj, Biju Menon, Mia & Priyal Glor 3-30 & 6-30 Pm At Cinema-2 ; 9-30 Pm Cinema Main Amar Akbar Anthony (Mal) (Act/Drama) Cast : Prithviraj,Jaya surya,Indrajith & Namitha 3-30 & 6-30 Pm Cinema Main; 9-30 pm Cinema -2 Inji Iduppazhagi (Tamil) (Rom/Com) Cast : Arya, Anushka Shetty & Bharath 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 Pm At Cinema-3 Size Zero (Telugu) (Rom/ Com) Cast: Arya, Anushka Shetty & Bharath 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 Pm At Cinema -4 NEXT CHANGE: Pathemari (Mal); Shankarabharanam (Telugu); Rajini Murugan (Tamil) Programmes are subject to change

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

55-85%

HANA AYSHA December 1, 2013

M. EBEN SAGAR December 1, 2011

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

STAR CINEMA

SHAUN THOMAS VARGHESE December 1, 2014

Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

Nizwa Ruwi

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

06:00 06:00

SALALAH Bridge of Spies (2D) (PG) (Biography ) Cast: Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 10:00AM, 1:30, 6:30, 11:45PM The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2 (2D) (PG12) (Adventure/Sc-Fi) 11:00AM, 4:00PM Creed (2D) (15+) (Drama | Sport) Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 12:30, 4:15, 9:15, 11:45PM Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PG) (Family) Cast: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin 3:05PM Blinky Bill The Movie (2D) (U) (Animation ) 10:15AM, 12:05PM Miss You Already (2D) (15+) (Comedy) Cast: Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette 2:00PM 4 G Algeil Al Rabea (2D) (TBC) (Arabic) Cast: Ahmed Malek, Sherif Ramzy, Hassan 6:15PM (Comedy) Tamasha (2D) (PG12) (Romance| Drama) Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Javed Sheikh 9:00, 11:15PM Inji Iduppazhagi (2D) (PG12) (Tamil) Cast: Arya, Anushka Shetty, Sonal Chouhan 6:45PM Anarkali (2D) (PG) (Malayalam)( Romance) Cast: Prithviraj, Biju Menon, Mia, Priyal Glor 8:15PM

Hunting the Phantom (Action / Adventure) Cast: Kristanna Loken, Armand Assante, Jose Rosete 2.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No : 3027 (12+) Creed (Sports / Drama) Cast: Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson 4.30, 9.30 & 11.55 pm CP No : 3026 (15+) Blinky Bill the Movie (Animation / Adventure) Voice Overs: Toni Collette, Rufus Sewell, Ryan 2.00 & 6.00 pm CP No : 3024 (U) The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 (Adventure / Sci-Fi) Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth 7.00 pm CP No: 3015 (PG12) Tiger House (Action / Crime / Drama) Cast: Kaya Scodelario, Dougray Scott, Ed Skrein 4.00 pm CP No: 3016 (12+)

Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100)

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

10:25

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

07:00

BURAIMI The Hunger Game: Mocking Jay– 3D 4:30, 9:00PM Hunting the Phantom– 2D (Action) (12+) 4:30, 7:15, 9:30, 11:30PM Bound to Vengeance– 2D (Horrory) (18+) 11:45PM Creed– 2D (Drama, Sport) (15+) 4:45, 7:00PM Tamasha– 2D (Romance, Drama) (PG12) Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 6:15, 11:15PM Anarkali– 2D (Romance, Thriller) (PG) 8:45PM

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

Minimum

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

WITH LOVE

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

28 22

BAHJA CINEMA

4:20 PM Bound to Vengeance - 2D (18+) Horror Cast : Richard Tyson, Tina Ivlev, Amy Okuda 11:55 PM

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

SOHAR Spectre - 2D (PG12) Action |Thriller 6:25 PM Prem Ratan Dhan Payo - 2D (PG) Family 5:30 PM The Hunger Game : Mocking Jay Part 2 - 3D (PG12) Adventure, Sci-Fi 5:10 PM The Hunger Game : Mocking Jay Part 2 - 2D (PG12) Adventure, Sci-Fi 2:15 PM Bridge of Spies - 2D (PG) Drama | History Cast : Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 2:45, 8:45, 11:30 PM Tamasha - 2D (PG12) Romance| Drama Cast : Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 2:30, 9:15, 11:15 PM Anarkali - 2D (M) (TBC) Romance / Thriller Cast : Prithviraj, Biju Menon, Mia, Priyal Glor, 7:45 PM Miss You Already - 2D (15+) Comedy Cast : Drew Barrymore, Toni Collette 4:45 PM Inji Iduppazhagi - 2D (T)(PG12) Romance Cast : Arya, Anushka Shetty, Sonal Chouhan 9:15 PM Creed - 2D (15+) Drama | Sport Cast : Michael B. Jordan, Sylvester Stallone 6:45, 11:45 PM Blinky Bill The Movie - 2D (U) Animation 2:30 PM 4 G Algeil Al Rabea - 2D (Arb)(TBC) Comedy Cast : Ahmed Malek, Sherif Ramzy

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Tamasha – 2D (PG12) Romance, Drama Cast: Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Javed Sheikh Timing: 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM

Tamasha (Romance, Drama)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor 2:00, 6:40, 9:15 pm Bridge Of Spies (Drama)(2D)(PG) Cast : Tom Hanks, Mark Rylance, Alan Alda 3:00, 6:00, 8:45, 11:30 pm Bridge Of Spies (Biography, Drama)(2D) (PG)- VIP LOUNGE 3:15, 8:30, 11:15 pm

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Destination

12.01pm 3.04pm 5.25pm 6.39pm 5.12am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

@PANORAMA MALL

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

T U E S DAY, D E C E MB E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

C11

LIFESTYLE OW KN UR YO ICE SP

Lemongrass From tea and soup to curries and seafood dishes, fresh and dried lemongrass lends its lemony flavour to everything. swati@timesofoman.com

What Is It? It is a tall thick grass with leaves at the top and a solid portion, which is several inches long at the root end. As a spice, it is preferred for its vibrant flavour, and is mostly used in dried form, either chopped in slices, or even powdered. It is also used as oil, which can be extracted from the plant. It has a refreshing lemony taste with a tinge of mint and ginger.

Culinary Uses Lemongrass is mostly used in savoury dishes like meat, poultry, seafood, and vegetable curries. It is an important ingredient in cuisines from Indonesia, Malaysia, China, and Sri Lanka. It is also used in Indian cooking and blends well with coconut milk, chicken or seafood. It is also used in teas or used in pickles and in flavouring marinades. It also adds flavour to simple stir-fries and miso soups.

Select and Store Soak dried sliced lemongrass for two hours before using. When wrapped in a paper bag, lemongrass stems can last 2 to 3 weeks in the refrigerator. The stems can also be frozen for several months. Always wrap and store separately, as lemongrass will impart its flavour to other foods.

History Lemongrass is native to India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Thailand and has been used for centuries as both medicine and food.

ON A FOOD TRAIL

Willow: Where Street Food Meets Exotic Taste in a Cafe Setting The English country-style Willow Cafe in Chandigarh, India, is not just another coffee or tea shop with some snacky bites thrown in. The cafe, quite rightfully, boasts of a strong menu with a rich variety of Indian street food and popular British and continental dishes to satisfy the palate of food lovers.

From the earthy and desi bread pakoras to the real-Punjabi tandoori chicken and keema bun to the very-British fish to the classy chicken piccata with herb grilled vegetables and house salad — Willow Cafe seems quite generous with the line-up of the dishes on offer.

“The motivation to offer a wide variety of food here was to bring Indian street food in cafe dining. One always feels the urge to have the street food that has been relished during college or hostel days. It was with this idea that the menu for Willow Cafe was prepared and it has become quite a hit with all age groups,” Abhay

Jagat, the cafe’s owner and a firstgeneration entrepreneur, told.

At the cafe, which can seat around 80 people in one go and has a little outdoor sitting area thrown in as well, the live kitchen led by head chef Balbir and his team roll out steamy dishes.

That is not all. The quaint cafe has a whole range of drinks from the desi mint thandai, jal jeera, and lassi to the more western smoothies that with names like D.C. (Washington), London, Helsinki, Colombo and Tokyo. There is also a variety of teas and coffee,

fresh fruit and yoghurt smoothies, fresh seasonal juices, shakes, and refreshers. “Even though the area is relatively small, we opted for this location as no where else (in Chandigarh) will you get a dining experience with the windows and the outdoor sitting opening into a landscaped garden,” Abhay, who runs five popular restaurants and cafes in Chandigarh with his wife Priya, pointed out.

From the early breakfast time till late evening, the cafe caters to the young, the middle-aged and the grey-haired ones with equal warmth and food variety.

“People who come here mostly have a palate for spicy food.

We try to make it chat-pata and spicy,” chef Balbir told.

From soups to sandwiches and wraps to tawa foods to barbecue to European flavours, Willow Cafe has a lot to offer. For those with hearty Punjabi taste buds, the chicken and mutton dishes can be accompanied by a range of Indian breads.-IANS

C12

TU ESDAY, DECEMB ER 1, 2015

LIFESTYLE

ING ONE RED IEN T

FIV EW AYS

1

Enjoy this ‘king of herbs’ in pesto, pasta, salads, soups, and sauces.

Take juicy tomatoes, fresh basil, and mozzarella. Combine the basil with vegetable broth and balsamic vinegar and make a light salad.

2

Toss shelled shrimps into cooked pasta.

Drizzle with a quick sauce made from olive oil, lemon, capers, and fresh chopped basil.

3

4

5

Stir fry shredded pieces of chicken and basil and serve with rice. For added flavour, try Thai basil, with its purplish colour and mild anise flavour.

Have grilled tuna with a paste of chopped basil, butter, and lemon or take fresh basil, olive oil, and lemon. Puree it to make a sauce and drizzle on the salmon.

Make a pesto with a mix of fresh basil, pine nuts, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese. This spread can be whipped up in 10 minutes. Toss it with pasta, or spread it on sandwiches.

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T U E S DAY, D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

D2

VACANCY

FOR RENT NEAR AL FALAJ HOTELDELUXE 1 BHK,SPLIT A/C. BUILT IN WARDROBE & 2 BATHROOM. WITH & WITHOUT FURNISHING.

CONTACT : 990 49 722

D4

CARGO

D8

D2

T U E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

E t &ůĂƚƐ Θ ^ŚŽǁƌŽŽŵƐ ĨŽƌ ZĞŶƚ 1/2/3 BHK Flats & Showrooms at DƵƩ ƌĂŚ͕ ŶĞĂƌ KŵĂŶ Ň ŽƵƌ ŵŝůůƐ͕ ϭϬ ŵŝŶ͘ ĨƌŽŵ ĐŽƌŶŝĐŚĞ͘ ĞƋƵŝƉƉĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƐƉůŝƚͬ ĐĂƐƐĞƩ Ğ ƵŶŝƚ Ɛ͕ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĞƚ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͕ ĨƌĞĞͲ ƚŽͲĂŝƌ ĚŝƐŚ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟ ŽŶ͕ ds ŵŽŶŝƚŽƌĞĚ͕ ďĂƐĞŵĞŶƚ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ͘ ZĞŶƚ ZK͘ϮϱϬͬϯϱϬͬϰϱϬ ;EĞŐŽƟ ĂďůĞͿ ƉĞƌ ŵŽŶƚŚ͘

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ ϵϵϮϮϵϮϲϯ͖ ϵϯϮϮϭϬϱϰ͖ ϵϱϮϭϱϮϴϵ

AVAILABLE FOR RENT 100 Sq Mts Showroom On Ground Floor at Darvesh Building, Near Royal Hospital.

Contact Person We have 3BHK villa fully furnished in Ghobrah 18th November.

Contact: 93782735/99208033

We have 2 BHK flats in Ghobrah, Ghala, Azaiba.

Contact: 93782735/99208033

We have open space offices in Ghala new building.

Contact: 93329476/99208033

We have fully furnished offices in Ghala new building good price. Contact: 93782735 / 99208033

We have coffee shop for rent or sale in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 93782735/99208033

We have office in Ghobrah main road Prime location. Contact: 93782735/99208033

We have 200sqm Basmat in Al Khuwair. Contact: 93329476/ 99208033

We have 2BHK flat in Ghala.

Contact: 93329476/99208033

Flat in Wadi Kabir, 3 BHK rent 280/- R.O. Contact: 99330810 An industrial land 1400SQM in industrial Bausher (Muscat) in front of Oman cement located on the main road for further details.

Contact: 99719973 /95858928 2 Bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact: 92584715/ 24700120 1000 SQMTRS industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc.

Contact 24700120 /92584715 1 BHK available at Al Khoud in Baskin Robbins building. RO 200/Contact: 97261418, 99478492, 98181649

Mr. Mudassir : 99314330 Mr. Sajeev : 98157340

Beautiful villa directly on beach in best location in Shatti Qurum 1800 OMR. Contact: 95887572 One / two, B/R RES / Comm. directly from own ER near medical college Bausher. Contact: 92158031 1BHK flat near Hamriya hotel.

Contact: 96500860

1 Bed room in Al hail south R.O 130/- Monthly. Contact: 93993354 4 Bedroom Twin Villa for rent in Al Hail South, easy access to Sultan Qaboos Highway Contact 98080822

2 BHK with spilt A/C in W.K behind Sana fashion. Contact: 96708000 1 BHK with split A/C in Darsait opposite Muscat Municipality.

Contact: 96708000

Brand new 2 Bedroom apartment with maid room for rent in Rimal Bausher with private parking Contact 98080822

2 BHK with spilt /AC in MSQ opposite AL Fair. Contact: 96708000

One BHK with A/C and one large room for rent in AL Khuwair near Ibis hotel. Contact: 95724975

Showroom for rent at Wadi Kabir perfectly suitable for travels, money exchange, Auto parts up holster advertising materials.

Contact: 94143636

Rent one room, 1 toilet, big hall, with air-condition Wadi Adai.

Contact: 99345137 One flats for rent 2 bedroom all with bath al Ghobrah north near Indian school (hot burger restaurant) tell 9976610

Room for rent near Al Dasar Ruwi.

Contact 99797645/ 92099367 Villa for rent 4 BHK, plus 1 sitting room and 1 extra servant room at 18 November road behind Oman Oil. Contact: 99373290/ 24815012

One flats for rent 2 bedroom all with bath al gubrah north near indian school (hot pargur restaurant) Tel: 99766103

1BHK near medical Darsait Muttrah house R.O 175/- & 2 BHK R.O 220/-. Contact: 98748925

Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454

Flat for rent 3 bedrooms, kitchen & bathroom in Wadi Kabir for 260/RO. Contact- 97771444

Excellent office 5 rooms Al Khuwair O.A. Bank building 850/-R.O. Contact: 94232344

1BHK new bldg with A/C curtains near Khimji mart MBD. Contact: 99061408 /99024039

4 BHK villa for rent Al Khuwair 650/- O.R Contact: 94232344 2 BHK Honda road Ruwi.

Contact: 99224748 /99332297 Room, kitchen & bath in north Ghobrah include E/W & AC split 200/- R.O. Contact: 92811110 House for rent in AL Amerat opposite office Justice, 3rooms, Majlis , 4 toilets, living room ,food hall & kitchen. Contact: 99252494 5 BHK villa at Mabela 7 for Rent.

Contact: 99428221/ 99269912 A Bedroom along with separate bathroom available for rent for an Executive Bachelor in Al Khuwair (near Zawawi Mosque).

Contact 92138451 1BHK flat near Star Cinema 220/-.

Contact 99358589 /95570288 2 & 3 BHK Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99024730 New flats for rent Darsait Al Sahel.

Contact: 99311525 / 92533356

SHARED OFFICE SPACE

FOR RENT AVAILABLE SHARED FULLY FURNISHED OFFICE SPACE FOR RENT WITH SEPARATE ENTRANCE PRIME LOCATION IN AZAIBA. TOTAL AREA 201sq.m.

FOR FUTHER DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT ON

95621492/96554579 2 BHK in Al Meera MKT building in Al Khuwair available. Rent RO420.

Contact 94047434 Flat for Rent 1/2 BHK Flat at Muttrah, near Oman flour mills, 10 min. from Corniche.Equipped with split unit ACs, internet points, free-to-air dish connection, CCTV monitored, basement parking. Rent RO.250/350 per month. Contact: 99229263; 93221054; 95215289 Studio in souk Al Khoud behind of Al Ahali bank with 2 BR toilet+ kitchen in 2 floor 160RO. Contact 99738881 Flats and shops for rent in Ruwi Honda road Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 /92433127 Villa with 5 rooms, two sitting rooms, 5 toilets and kitchen at Al Hail North. Contact: 91130875 Flat for rent at Wadi Al Kabir next Al Hassan.co, 2 bedroom, 3 WS, 1 sitting room. Contact: 99210008 Single BHK flat available in Honda road Ruwi. Contact - 24833972/ 24833974/99367448

Sohar: 3BHK AND 4BHK FLATS, R.O 200 and R.O 215 respectively.

(New Building with CCTV camera with Split A/C). Contact: 99881426 / 92123699 600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details. Contact: 91214849/ 99364735 2 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33 1 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33 1 B/R Flat - Fully Furnished @ Salalah Near New Lulu.

2 B/R Flat - Fully Furnished American standard @ Salalah.

5 B/R Villa - Fully Furnished @ Madinat Al Ilam, 5 B/R Villa Unfurnished @ Madinat Al Ilam 5 B/R Villa - Unfurnished @ Al Mawalah North Brand New Please Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC. 24834888, 99249069 / 92888376 92888374 Email: info@alshahiintl.com For Rent Flats in Darsait 94051789-97201688 For Rent Flats in Ghala Heights 94051789-97201688 For Rent Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) 94051789-97201688 For Rent Flats in Wadi Kabir 94051789-97201688 For Rent flats in MuttrahContact – 94051789-97201688 Offices for Rent GalaContact –94051789-97201688

T U E S DAY, D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

D3

DAILY GUIDE HOME THEATER & KARAOKE BRING HOME - LIVE MUSIC & CINEMA GENERAL ELECTRONICS SERVICES LLC CONTACT: 99627299 / 93327841

NRI royal castles

vakathanam, kottayam Luxurious villas in a Gated community with all the modern facili es at Vakathanam By-Pass (MC road-NH 220) Web: www.royalcastles.in email: info@royalcastles.in +968 92855909, +91 9961 11 9988 Plot, propeties for sale in prime location in pune 95272138,(+918390982975)

FOR SALE Immediate sale of well running pharmacy at prime location.

Contact- 99627621, 99516236 Building material and jotun paint shop for sale at Ruwi and Ghala.

Contact: 99421228 Urgent shop sale in Wadi Kabir Sanaya. Contact: 95949668

ACC. WANTED Sharing Accommodation Required for Non cooking Executive Lady in Darsait /Ruwi/Wadikabir. # 99360615

FOR RENT For Rent Duplex villa in Qurum 29- 94051789-97201688 For Rent Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud- 94051789-97201688 For Rent offices in Qurum opposite city center- 9405178997201688 For Rent Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum- 9405178997201688 For Rent Flats in Mawalah south-94051789-97201688 For Rent brand new villas in Al Ansab- 94051789-97201688 For Rent Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah -94051789-97201688 2 BHK flat available for rent in Darsait. Contact: 99357586

Porta cabin for sale. Contact: 99883502/95398929 We have complete office furniture for sale very nice like new rare use.

Contact: 93782735 93329476 Fully equipped running café for sale at Wadi Al Kabir. Contact: 99636550 Coffee shop Mabela industrial area for sale. Contact: 92253080 Running dental clinic in Quriyat for sale Contact: 96534564 Beauty Salon for urgent sale in Azaiba prime location behind Al Fardan building. With sponsor and 1 staff and 1 ready visa clearance.

Call: 95318629 / 95169411 Ladies saloon with 2 staff for sale in Mawalah. Contact 94197589 Sale house & office furniture & electronic items. Contact : 99834373/ 96642500/22010080 For Sale Luxury Apartments in Bousher (35) -Contact 9505680897201688 For sale Fully Furnished apartments in Bousher (35) Contact- 95056808-97201688

FOR SALE A running restaurant for sale near Oman oil petrol Pump Al Uqdah (Barka). Contact: 99059013 Beauty parlor for sale Muttrah.

Contact: 93142676 For sale villas in Al Khoud 95056808-97201688

ACC. AVAILABLE Full furnished 1BHK flat at OMR 260/- available for 4 months.

Contact: 92148699 location Ghala Furnished room for non – cooking bachelor near Softy ice cream Ruwi.

Contact: 93120054/91107383 Single room bathroom in Darsait R.O 140/-. Contact: 93289652 Furnished sharing accommodation in ruwi near O.K. Center for non-cooking indian bachelor.

Gsm 9880-5474 1 Bedroom with attached Bath, fully furnished, separate entrance at Mabela for ladies only.

Contact : 99634841 Furnished rooms attached bath for Indian bachelor in Al Falaj Ruwi & lady in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 96202458 /96761960 1BHK fully furnished spacious for rent CBD, ideal for family or two bachelors easy access to Main road near Sheraton hotel with all electronics & furniture.

Contact: 96444400 /5pm -10pm

ZƵŶŶŝŶŐ ĨƵƌŶŝƚƵƌĞ ƐŚŽǁƌŽŽŵ ĨŽƌ ƵƌŐĞŶƚ ƐĂůĞ. >ĂĚŝĞƐ ďĞĂƵƚLJ ƉĂƌůŽƌ ƐĂůĞ Ăƚ DƵƩ ƌĂŚ͘

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ Ͳ ϵϭϭϯϱϵϯϬ ACC. AVAILABLE Single room for expat Indian bachelors near Al Aktham restaurant Al khuwair for RO 120. Water and electricity included. Contact : 98803261 Single bid room with attached bath, separate entrance, Honda road near NBO for ex bachelors.

Contact: 91410434 Big room available near Hamriya R/A for Muslim couple / small family / Executive bachelor rent 150/- per month including W+ E. Contact : 99495131 1 Bedroom with bathroom available for rent. Only Indian female.

Contact - 92394614 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sitting room, Kitchen & store including utilities bills at Al hail.

Contact 92817777 Large room with separate bathroom, sharing available in Al Khuwair.

Contact - 95250161 Room with bath for executive bachelor near A/C flat, hotel.

Contact: 99643845

Available on rent 2 Bedroom furnished flat in Koregaon Park, Pune and Maharashtra, India.

Contact 99374187.

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage steambath, obesity, Spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 98342990 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com

AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting.

Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com Available office space in Prime location on 18th November Street, Azaiba Kindly. Contact: 99288664

MV SALE MAZDA 626, 2001, VGC, full service history, expat single user RO 1100, Contact: 99296768/ 93033072 FOR SALE or rent Tata Dawoo Truck 12 ton 2014 Model.

Contact: 92719681 Chaverlet Epica 2004 model RO -700, for sale.

Contact 92194205 Cat – D8K, Model 1985, Scania water tanker, model 1993, Mitsubishi bus s28 seat, Model 2003, Hamm roller, model 2003.

Contact: 99207592 & 99882570 BMW 318/ 2003 for sale.

Contact 96364990 Ford focus, automatic, 2010 model, silver colour, expat driven, 58000 kms, dealer serviced, registration till sep 2016, price ro 2750.

Contact- 93207590

MATRIMONIAL 27 years Kerala boy, Hindu Ezhava (Atham) diploma holder working in Oman seeking suitable alliance.

Contact: 95606132 Ezhava divorcee, 37, 5.3”, pharmacist in Muscat.

Contact - suryakv2010@gmail. com,+919961176066 Indian male christian 40yrs. working in muscat.looking for life partner.divorced or single.

Contact :91429811 Keralite R.C. Boy, 30yrs, 161cm, MBA (Finance) Working in Oman seeking suitable alliance.

Contact: 92290247 / 97302978 35 Christian male, LLB, working as project executive divorce.

Contact: 97413778

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D4

T U E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiďŹ eds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

REQUIRED ^hW Zs/^KZ FĹ˝Ć&#x152; dĆ&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E;ĹŻ Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ç&#x2021; Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; ĹľĹ?ĹśĹ?žƾž Ďą Ç&#x2021;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć?Í&#x203A; Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ^Ä&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć?Í&#x2022; ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;ĹŹÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x; ĹśĹ? Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; dĹ?Ä?ĹŹÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x; ĹśĹ?Í&#x2022; Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; KĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺś Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? >Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ?Ä&#x17E;Í&#x2022; /ĹśĆ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć? Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ĺś Ć?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ĺ?Ć&#x152; s Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝Í&#x2014;

ĹŠĹ˝Ä?Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ?Ç&#x2021;Ĺ&#x161;Ĺ˝Î&#x203A;Ĺ?ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÍ&#x2DC;Ä?Žž

REQUIRED

ACCOUNTANT A leading Company in 0NBO MPPLJOH GPS Accountant, B.Com with min 3 -5 yrs PG FYQ SFRVJSFE Female preferred.

Please send your CV to :

Mail your CV at: wps1986@yahoo.com

REQUIRED

" -FBEJOH .BSCMF .BOVGBDUVSJOH $PNQBOZ JO 4VMUBOBUF PG 0NBO IBWJOH B WBDBODZ GPS UIF QPTU PG

Freelance Civil Engineer / QS

- Civil Engineer / Buildings XJUI OPU MFTT UIBO ZFBST FYQFSJFODF

- Mechanical Engineer Email: haldun.yildirim@icc-oman.com A reputed Dairy Company in Oman is looking for following Vacancies.

RFRVJSFE GPS QSFQBSBUJPO PG BAR BENDING SCHEDULE GPS DPNQMFUFE QSPKFDU PG approx. area 10,463 Sq. M, GF only.

WANTED

hZ' Ed>z Z Yh/Z &Ä&#x17E;ĹľÄ&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E; ^Ä&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021;

3 Year experience with NOC

Qualification: BE in Civil Engineering

Drivers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Omani National Only:

Electro Mechanical Engineer (Building Services)1 No. Qualification: BE in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Omani National with 4 years experience with Valid Omani D/L Please forward your CVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to

Send detailed resume to sskpvr@gmail.com

Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ?Ç&#x2021;ϏϾϳÎ&#x203A;Ĺ?ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÍ&#x2DC;Ä?Žž

em-o@nassarstone.com or seniorpro@nassarstone.com Or Fax â&#x20AC;&#x201C;on: 24446049 /BUJPOBMJUZ o *OEJBO PS 1IJMJQQJOFT CFUUFS JG BWBJMBCMF JO 0NBO

Van Salesman:

Debt collector:

Electrical Engineer The candidate must be an university qualified engineer or a higher degree diploma holder with a minimum industry FYQFSJFODF PG ZFBST 'MVFOU JO XSJUUFO TQPLFO &OHMJTI LOPXMFEHF BCPVU QPXFS $16 JOWFSUFST FMFDUSJDBM QBOFMT isrequired.

Suitable candidates may submit their complete CV with certificates to:

Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 97257060

Civil Engineer (Building Construction) 2 Nos

2 year experience with Valid Omani D/L

for IGCSE & CIP for (English, Maths, Physics, Chemistry, IT, lab assistant for Chemistry and Physics) - MSc / BSc and M.Ed / B.Ed with (IELTs / TOFEL) and at least 3 years of teaching experience with attested documents.

cvoman5@gmail.com

for a Contracting Co.

for a Contracting Co.

A group of well reputed Private Schools associated with Cambridge Programs in Muscat â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Sultanate of Oman Requires following teaching posts: WELL QUALIFIED TEACHERS

KĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺś Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ć?Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; >Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? DÄ&#x201A;ŜƾĨÄ&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x161;ĆľĆ&#x152;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? ŽžĆ&#x2030;Ä&#x201A;ĹśÇ&#x2021; Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć? Ĺ?žžÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E; ZÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x2039;ĆľĹ?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; 'Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;ĆľÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; ĹľĹ?Ĺś Ďą Ç&#x2021;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć? ŽĨ Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x201A;Ä?ĹŻÄ&#x17E; Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć? DÄ&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; Kĸ Ä?Ä&#x17E; Ç Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;ĹŹ Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;ĹŻÇ&#x2021; Î&#x2DC; ^Ä&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻ Ç Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;ĹŹÍ&#x2022; ĹŹĹśĹ˝Ç ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E; ŽĨ Ä?ŽžĆ&#x2030;ĆľĆ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć? Î&#x2DC; Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä?ŽƾŜĆ&#x161;Ć? Ç Ĺ?ĹŻĹŻ Ä?Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x201A;Ĺś Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x201A;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;Í&#x2DC; Ĺ?Ä&#x17E; >Ĺ?ĹľĹ?Ć&#x161; ĆľĆ&#x2030;Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ ĎŻĎŹÇ&#x2021;Ć&#x152;Ć?

^Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ&#x161; sĆ? Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝ Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ?Ç&#x2021;Ĺ?ŜŽžÄ&#x201A;ŜϭώϯÎ&#x203A;Ĺ?ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÍ&#x2DC;Ä?Žž

s E / ^ Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;ĹŹÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x; ĹśĹ? ŽĨ ͞ŏĹ?Ć&#x161;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ?Í&#x2022; Ć?Ä&#x201A;ĹśĹ?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; Ç Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Í&#x2022; Ä&#x161;ŽŽĆ&#x152;Ć? Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ć&#x; ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć?ÍżÍ&#x2022; ŜŽĆ&#x161; ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć? Ďą Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ĺ?ƾůĨÍ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2021; ĆľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; Ĺ?Ĺś ĹśĹ?ĹŻĹ?Ć?Ĺ&#x161; ^Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;ĹŻ ÍŹ ůƾžĹ?Ŝƾž ÍŹ ^Ć&#x161;ŽŜÄ&#x17E; ÍŹ Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021;Í&#x2022; DÄ&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E; ͞ϭͿÍ&#x2013; <ĹśĹ˝Ç ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; ƾŜÄ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? ŽĨ ÍžĆ?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;ĹŻ ĨÄ&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x; ŽŜÍ&#x2022; Ĺ?ĹśĆ?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x; ŽŜÍ&#x2022; Ç Ä&#x17E;ĹŻÄ&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;ŜŽůŽĹ?Ç&#x2021; ĎŻ'Í&#x2022; Ç Ĺ˝Ĺ˝Ä&#x161;Ç Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;ĹŹÍ&#x2022; ĹŠĹ˝Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021;Í&#x2022; Ä&#x201A;ůƾžĹ?Ŝƾž Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; Ć?Ć&#x161;ŽŜÄ&#x17E;Ć?ÍżÍ&#x2022; ŜŽĆ&#x161; ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć? Ďą Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ĺ?ƾůĨÍ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2021; ĆľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; Ĺ?Ĺś ĹśĹ?ĹŻĹ?Ć?Ĺ&#x161;

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE We are looking for Chief Financial Officer, Male 40- 45 years old, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with 5 - 15 yrs. of experience.

Contact: +968 24702133 Email: admin-dept@daud.om

BEAUTY Branded salon in Muscat requires a beautician with skills of: Manicure, Pedicure, Nails techniques, Massage, Facial and waxing.

Contact- 98500222

CATERING Urgently Required One General Cook (Experience in Indian/ Chinese) for Hotel Apartment â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Tel: 99797170 / Fax : 24490735 Email â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hotapaz@omantel.net.om

DRIVER Required locally available Indian national light duty driver for Omani House. Visa readily available. Contact: 99420752

Heavy duty driver with valid driving license and experience.

Contact: 94107090 or 95398929 Email: alkharusi.international@ gmail.com

Need excellent cook & housekeeper. Contact Whatsapp: 95887572 Small Omani family in Muscat requires an educated House maid.

Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 98500222

Full time living House maid required for an Indian female in Al Ghobrah. Contact: 97084023

MEDICAL

Arab lawyer ďŹ&#x201A;uent in English with ďŹ ve years experience for law ďŹ rm.

Contact: 92424593

Urgently required Philipina Nurse with MOH license at prometric parsed. Contact: 99724013

MEDICAL

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Medical CARE Centre, Al Seeb, requires General Practitioners and Pharmacist, Please Mail CVsarita_h23@yahoo.com or call 97884856.

Required General Physician, Gynecology, Lab Technician & Pharmacists.

Contact: 95133572 Email: kunoozghala@gmai.com

Engineering consultancy ďŹ rm in Sur looking for graduate Civil Engineers. Interested candidates apply to babupj@ gmail.com or call 99318205

Wanted Canary clinic MBBS Doctor with 3 years experience MOH license holder gets, Good offer salary. Contact 94395199 Email: canarymoh@gmail.com

Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com or call Ph:+968 99450811

Required for urgent appointment with MOH license and valid NOC against the following vacancy in a polyclinic in Muladdah (Musanah) radiologist cum sinologist, Gynecologist & obstetrician & pediatrician & Lab Technician. Contact: 99110254

LAWYER Required urgently an Indian Legal Consultant /Lawyer for a reputed Law Firm in Muscat & Sohar. Candidates should have 5-7 years experience as Legal Consultant/Lawyer with good knowledge of Computer & should be ďŹ&#x201A;uent in English. Email C V to shejaanil66@gmail.com or Contact 99153620 between 8am to 5.30pm

careerhr1972@gmail.com WASTE MANAGEMENT AND WATER TREATMENT SPECIALIST -PPLJOH GPS EZOBNJD BOE UBMFOUFE individuals to join our team in 0NBO GPS UIF QPTJUJPO PG â&#x20AC;&#x153;waste management and water treatment specialistâ&#x20AC;? with at least 5 years experience in the relevant field.

And one in-house specialist issa@nibrasholding.com

>ŽŽŏĹ?ĹśĹ? ĨŽĆ&#x152; Ç&#x2020;Ä&#x17E;Ä?ĆľĆ&#x; Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x17E; ^Ä&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć? Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; ^Ä&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć? ĹśĹ?Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć? Ç Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161; Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x161;Ĺ&#x161;žŽÇ&#x20AC;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x2039;ĆľĹ?Ć&#x2030;ĹľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ć?Í&#x2022; Ä?Ć&#x152;ĆľÄ?Ĺ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ć?Í&#x2022; Ć&#x2039;ĆľÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; Î&#x2DC; ĹľĹ?ĹśĹ?ĹśĹ? Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x161;ĆľĆ?Ć&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021;Í&#x2DC; ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÍ&#x2014;

Kevin.dodd@oasismaritimeservices.com

Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x2030;ĹŻÇ&#x2021;Ĺ?ĹśĹ?Ĺ?Ä?Ĺ&#x161;Ć&#x152;Î&#x203A;Ĺ?ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÍ&#x2DC;Ä?Žž

VACANCY

E'>/^, d , Z^ t Ed /DD / d >z &KZ s Z/Kh^ >K d/KE^ Dh^ d ÍŽ / Z/ ÍŽ ^K, Z ÍŽ E/ t ^ > > , ÍŽ Z< ÍŽ hZ /D/ <, KhZ , ÍŽ <, ^

ϾώϯώϹϹϰώ ÍŽ ϾϯϲϹϳϾϭϹ ÍŽ ϾϭϯώϭϴϴϏ Ä&#x17E;ĹśĹ?ŽžĹ?ĹśĆ?Ć&#x161;Î&#x203A;Ĺ?ĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÍ&#x2DC;Ä?Žž

SECT. /OFFICE

Required Aggressive Sales Executive with B.Com /BBA. Preference to bilingual applicants with experience in luxury products. Interested candidates please send CV to hena_82@hotmail.com

Personal Assistant, 5yrs experience in Oman or GCC. MBA or equivalent. Part-time preferred.

Call 95364625.

SALES / MARKETING Sales man / Interior Designer wanted for prestigious interior design and office furniture Supply Company. Experience and drivers license needed excellent remuneration package.

Email: tony@materials-plus.com

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Seeking a well experienced diploma Engineer (electrical) with valid Oman driving license kindly.

Contact: 99288664

Wanted driver. Contact 91025698

DOMESTIC HELP

LAWYER

ENGINEER/TECH/MECH

Civil Engineer with minimum ďŹ ve years, PDO Experience, earth work and building construction (PDO driving license preferred.

Please send CV to info@globaltechinternational.com Contact: 99150203/91404425

Candidates with NOC or on visit visa can apply, please drop your CV at

Required a female Marketing Executive with valid Omani driving license for a reputed restaurant and catering Services Company. She should able to communicate in Arabic. Contact: 95892831

DESIGNER

Wanted heavy driver. # 91770195

experience in accounting with banking knowledge.

Age between 25-30.

Attractive Salary and terms Offered

SALES / MARKETING

Urgently required a Kerala House maid for small family (2 members) aged around 40-45 visa available.

Contact: 99324343

MEP Engineer with minimum ďŹ ve years PDO / ministry experience.

Please send CV to info@globaltechinternational.com Contact: 99150203/91404425

2. Accountant: A qualified B.Com/M.Com/C.A. Inter accountant with minimum 4 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

Contact:

DOMESTIC HELP

Media company need Graphic Designer Male - Female no need experience, need to have experience on Graphic Design Programs. magicďŹ ngerprint1@gmail.com

A qualified Electro/Automobile/Electric Diploma holder with minimum 2 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience on deskjobs such as preparing quotation, supplier correspondence, warranty claims etc. Age between 25 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 30.

kirill.muromtsev@me.borets.com

ŽŜĆ&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x161; Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻĆ? Ć&#x2030;Ĺ&#x161;ŽŜÄ&#x17E; Í&#x2014; ώϰϭώϹϰϏϰ Í&#x2022; ĨÄ&#x201A;Ç&#x2020; Í&#x2014; ĎŽĎ°Ď­ĎŽĎ­Ď­ĎŻĎą Ä&#x17E;ͲžÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻ Í&#x2014; Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;Î&#x203A;ŽžÄ&#x201A;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ä&#x161;Í&#x2DC;Ä?Žž Í&#x2013; Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x201A;ĹŻĹ?Ä?ĆľĆ?Î&#x203A;ŽžÄ&#x201A;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ä&#x161;Í&#x2DC;Ä?Žž

Engineering consultancy office looking for Architect with experience in Oman (portfolio needed) hr@touchcdc.com 96649374 99441122

VACANCY 1. Service Administrator:

With relevant experience in oil industry.

Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ä?ŽžĆ&#x2030;Ä&#x201A;ĹśÇ&#x2021; Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x161;Ç Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;ĹŹ Ä?ŽŜŜÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x; ŽŜÍ&#x2022; Ć?Ä&#x17E;Ä?ĆľĆ&#x152;Ĺ?Ć&#x161;Ç&#x2021; Ć?Ç&#x2021;Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ĺľ ĆľĆ&#x2030;Ĺ?Ć&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć?Í&#x2022; ĹŹĹśĹ˝Ç ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E; ŽĨ ZW Ć?Ç&#x2021;Ć?Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;ĹľĆ? ͞ŽĆ&#x152;Ä&#x201A;Ä?ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Í&#x2022; Ć?Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ä?Í&#x2022; Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x161;Ä?Í&#x2DC;ÍżÍ&#x2022; ŜŽĆ&#x161; ĹŻÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć? Ďą Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś Ĺ?ƾůĨÍ&#x2022; Ĺ&#x2021; ĆľÄ&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161; Ĺ?Ĺś ĹśĹ?ĹŻĹ?Ć?Ĺ&#x161;

ARCHITECT

Use the email -recruitment@aflaggroup.com

Finance Manager: HSE Manager & HR Specialist

/d dÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;ĹśĹ?Ä?Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;Ĺś Î&#x2DC; ^Ĺ˝Ĺ&#x152; Ç Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E; ŽŽĆ&#x152;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Í&#x2022; DÄ&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E; ͞ϭͿ

t 5P TVQQPSU (. JO EFWFMPQJOH .VTDBU CBTFE TUPSFT t ZFBST QBTU 3FUBJM TUPSF PQFSBUJPOT FYQFSJFODF t 0NBOJ PS &YQBUSJBUF NVTU IBWF /0$ JG NPWJOH KPCT

t 'VMM 5JNF PS 1BSU 5JNF Ä&#x2DC; FYJCMF IPVST

t 0NBOJ %SJWJOH -JDFOTF t 5FBN QMBZFS HPPE DPNNVOJDBUPS t 8SJUUFO TQPLFO &OHMJTI

Oil Service Company is looking for

DÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x152;ĹŹÄ&#x17E;Ć&#x; ĹśĹ? Í´ ĆľĹ?ĹŻÄ&#x161;Ĺ?ĹśĹ? DÄ&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;ĹŻÍ&#x2022; DÄ&#x201A;ĹŻÄ&#x17E; ͞ϭͿ

WĆ&#x152;Ĺ˝Ä&#x161;ĆľÄ?Ć&#x; ŽŜ ĹśĹ?Ĺ?ĹśÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;

ASSISTANT RETAIL MANAGER

Wanted a female staff Nurse with MOH license to work in a polyclinic good salary offered. Contact: 97121359/96493058 (2 to 4 pm) Wanted Lab Technician with MOH license for Ibra clinic.

Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 99373493/ Email: jmjmedicare@gmail.com Wanted Nurse and Omani Receptionist for a well established dental centre in Mawalah South.

Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 93431024/ Email â&#x20AC;&#x201C; drasyanaseem@gmail.com Wanted GP Doctor with MOH license, job location in muscat with good salary and beniďŹ ts.

Drop ur cv at careerhr1972@gmail.com.

Wanted Business Development Exe/ Sr.Exe with customs clearance & shipping exp.

Contact: 91204131 Email: daralhamael@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Urgently required for a reputed company in Oman (Tyre, Battery & Lubricant division) Sr. Executives/ Executive-5 nos (Sohar, Nizwa & Muscat), Techno Commercial Professional-5nos, Driver (Omani)-1no.

Required minimum 3-5 yrs experience in the same ďŹ eld with market exposure holding valid Omani driving license or GCC. Kindly fwd your CVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to ashwin@taasintl.org Contact: (+968)93891700 Urgently require two caretakers for a building in capital area. Contact: 93888666/99228454/24493666 Urgently required Omani Nationals P.R.O & Merchandiser cum driver & 3 Ton truck drivers.

Please send your resume to foods@manappat.com Contact: 99348211/93203550 A reputed construction company in Muscat urgently requires the following candidates (Omani Nationals only) Civil Engineer & P.R.O & light duty driver.

Send C.V to hr.azatllc@gmail.com or call 99344896 Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com or call Ph:+968 99450811

Accountant Indian 10 years experience in Oman, capable for handling all accounting functions and ďŹ nalization good knowledge of tally ERP9 NOC / release available with immediately joining.

Contact: 94134085 Email: muscatoman95@yahoo.com Indian female, MBA HR & Finance, having 1 year experience, seeking suitable placement. Currently in Oman. Contact: 96052366.

Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ ďŹ nance ďŹ eld. On visit visa.

Immediately available.

Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com Senior Accounts Admin Manager B.com M.com 25 years experience accounts up to ďŹ nalization holding light duty license seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 93064975 Accountant Bachelor of commerce English, 2 years experience visit visa.

Contact: 98584398/ 95539923 Accountant with more than 30 years experience in construction (experience in accounting/administration/HR/material management) and with own car seeks part time or full time assignment preferably in construction either in Oman or UAE. Contact 94674031 Accountant Indian female 23 years M.com graduate 2 and half years of experience as accountant in Indian, now on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 91358654 Email: rizwanagul92@gmail.com

CA Final (Group I), Indian Female, Accountant, 5+ yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exp, in A/ Cs, Audit, Tally, ERPs. Available in Muscat & looking job in A/Cs. Ph:94704800 email id: vinithsavith@gmail.com Indian female accountant 5 years of experience in accounting tally,sales coordination, and admin, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement Contact :95684179 12 years of Oman experienced chief accountant looking for suitable position. Contact: 99513082 Accountant job wanted 8 years experience, 5 years in India, 3 years in Oman knowledge of tally ERP 9 NOC available.

Contact: 91162503 Indian male 9 years experienced in storekeeper cum accountant with D/L Oman & UAE. # 97085435 Email: sudhimohd@gmail.com Indian male MBA ďŹ nance 12 years experience in Muscat seeking suitable position can join immediately. Contact: 96055815 Email: shaiks111@gmail.com ACCA affiliate, fresher, Indian male, valid driving license, looking for full time employment in Accounting and Finance, also open to other opportunities, Contact +968 91291520, Email: shahidazeez5@gmail.com 28/ male MBA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ďŹ nance /B.com â&#x20AC;&#x201C; accountant with 4 years of Dubai / India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 90187483 Email: shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

T U E S DAY, D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Experienced Female Senior Accountant looking for suitable alternative. Contact: 99849325 Sr. accountant M.com (ďŹ nance) 2 yrs in Oman seeking suitable placement NOC Available with immediate joining.

Contact 92404608 Email: jin_75@rediffmuil.com Sr. Accountant ( CA- inter) Indian male 31 years having 9 years experience in ďŹ nance & accounts looking for suitable placement.

NOC available and valid Oman D/L. Contact: 94108678 Email: vijeshvasu@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, ďŹ nance, banking, L/C, import, export & ďŹ nalization seeks placement. NOC Available. Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com Indain male Accountant, 8 years experience 4 years In dubai,4 yrs in Muscat. Additional knwoledge in JDE and Tally.9, NOC available ready to join immediately.

Contact: 95364896 /92912347 Email: bsdv1978@gmail.com Male Indian with 7 years experience in accounting & 6 years experience in sales and marketing very good knowledge of tally currently in Muscat on a visit visa.

Contact: 96148427 Email: jijokurianp@gamil.com Indian lady, bachelor degree in Preparatory Programme (BPP) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), completed training course in MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook from KTI looking for full time / part time job opportunity in Oman.

Contact 92437568, 96795853, Email: linda_navs@yahoo.com

ADMIN

WĹ&#x161;ŽŜÄ&#x17E; Í&#x2014; нϾϭ ϾϳϳϯϴώϴϲϲϯÍ&#x2022; EĹľÄ&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻ Í&#x2014; ĹŠÇ&#x20AC;Ć&#x2030;ώϾϭϯϲϳÎ&#x203A;Ç&#x2021;Ä&#x201A;Ĺ&#x161;ŽŽÍ&#x2DC;Ä?Žž

Well experienced team available to provide feasibility reports & business solutions, product development, risk management methods for startups, progressive, defunct operations.

Creating of ERP modules.

Contact - 93343251 (PDLO SURÂż WRPDQ#JPDLO FRP

ARCHITECT /AUTOCAD

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Ć&#x152;Ä&#x17E;Ć?ƾůĆ&#x161; Ĺ˝Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśĆ&#x161;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x161; Ć&#x2030;Ć&#x152;ŽĨÄ&#x17E;Ć?Ć?Ĺ?ŽŜÄ&#x201A;ĹŻ Í&#x2DC; Í&#x2DC;ÍžDÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ĺ&#x161;ÍżÍ&#x2022; ĎŻĎŹĐ˝ Ç&#x2021;Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x152;Ć? Ä&#x17E;Ç&#x2020;Ć&#x2030;Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä&#x17E;ĹśÄ?Ä&#x17E; Ĺ?Ĺś KĹ?ĹŻ Î&#x2DC; 'Ä&#x201A;Ć? WĆ&#x152;ŽŊÄ&#x17E;Ä?Ć&#x161;Ć?Í&#x2022; &Ä&#x201A;Ä?Ć&#x152;Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x; ŽŜÍ&#x2022; Z Î&#x2DC; D Ä&#x201A;ĹśÄ&#x161; ^Ä&#x17E;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x20AC;Ĺ?Ä?Ä&#x17E;Ć?Í&#x2DC; ^Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x17E;ĹŹĹ?ĹśĹ? ĹŠĹ˝Ä? Ä&#x201A;Ć?

'DÍ&#x2022; KÍ&#x2022; ŽƾŜĆ&#x161;Ć&#x152;Ç&#x2021; ,Ä&#x17E;Ä&#x201A;Ä&#x161;Í&#x2DC; EK Î&#x2DC; Ĺ?žžÄ&#x17E;Ä&#x161;Ĺ?Ä&#x201A;Ć&#x161;Ä&#x17E; Ä&#x201A;Ç&#x20AC;Ä&#x201A;Ĺ?ĹŻÄ&#x201A;Ä?Ĺ?ĹŻĹ?Ć&#x161;Ç&#x2021;Í&#x2DC;

Interior Designer Experienced knows 3D max Photoshop: Contact 93837973 Architect (B. Arch) 5 years experience seeking job. Contact 96146645 Email: anjuovil@gmail.com

CATERING Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job.

Contact: 99531802

DRIVER Experienced Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic Well knowledge of Oman Areas Seeking Suitable placement 97950869 Indian male driver 3yrs experience seeking for suitable placemen.

Contact: 93663493 2 years exp Light driver.

Contact: 97132269 Light driver personal driving, office boy, driver visa required 10 yrs exp N.O.C ready.

Contact: 96693290 Light duty driver looking for job.

Contact: 98356230 Looking for driving job.

Contact 98219182 Driver looking for job.

Contact 91354803 Light driver, looking for job.

Contact: 98372745/99090362

10 years Gulf & 4 years Oman experience in HR / Admin & logistics ďŹ&#x201A;uent in Arabic / English with D/L looking for suitable position.

Contact 95824598 Male BBA graduate 5 years admin HR document controller purchaser account assistant (tally) experience NOC. Contact: 97015178 MBA (HR & marketing) & B.Com, Indian male 28 yrs, 2 years exp in Qatar having Oman driving license, currently on family visa in Salalah (NOC available.

Contact: 98138376 Email: subinabraham87@gmail.com Indian female graduate over 6 years experience admin operations service looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94231020 Indian male - 25 years - MBA (HR & marketing) with one year experience on visit visa looking preferably for suitable HR/ ADMIN / marketing jobs .contact : Mr. Harish Ravindranathan / mail ID : payyazhihari1990@gmail.com / 90189964 Indian female, Masters in HR, having 4 + years Oman experience in media management and HR, looking for openings in HR, Education, Admin, Corporate communications. Contact 98252030 Indian male MBA- UK 18 yrs Gulf exp in Administration/ HR & Public relationship. Fluent in Arabic/ English with D/L. Looking for suitable position. Contact - 99897280 Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa, looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235 26 yrs male, MBA, 3+ years experience in Administration in MNC, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 95041201 Email: noyel55@gmail.com

ARCHITECT /AUTOCAD AutoCAD D/man Experienced.

Contact : 93837973

Looking for Job driving.

Contact: 97418036 Driving with car, looking for job.

Contact: 97095200 Driver with new car looking for job.contact: 95873286 Heavy duty driver (Exp 3years) seeking suitable job.

Contact: 91372623 Driver (light & heavy duty) valid gulf /Indian) looking job.

Contact: 95175192

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN 25 years male BA. English , QualiďŹ ed as mast in digital animation having 5 yrs ex in character animation specialized Auto Desk mago and motion building software knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 97917357 Professional architect 3ds max (interior, exterior) looking for private work. Contact: 96041201

EDUCATION American female Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s TESOL 12 yrs teaching exp. EFL Curriculum Developer & Teacher Trainer.

Professional Development Specialist & Educational Activity Coordinator.

Available February 1st 2016.

Email: dellacorte.esl@gmail.com Contact: 99630244 Indian female M.SC B.Ed, 3 years experience looking for suitable placement. Contact: 94420033 Email: binitathanki@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Sudanese female Electrical Engineer graduated with distinction excellent knowledge and interested in protection.

Contact: 98133281 B.E Biomedical Engineer 5 years experience in the subďŹ eld (hospital / company) looking for suitable placement. Contact 92084807 Email: bonnygeorge1005@gmail. com Electrical Engineer Indian male 29 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahmlktr@gamil.com

Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 96133981 Email: obinkavumkal@gmail.com

Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975528 Civil Engineer B.E , 06 years experience in Oman having D/L seeking for a suitable position .

Contact 95961336 Email: eyousuf04@yahoo.com Indian male, 29 years electrical engineer, having 5+ years of experience in oil / gas and construction ďŹ eld (GCC) having valid GCC license too, looking for a preferable job. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(CertiďŹ ed in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact: 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Structural Draughtsman having 10 years experience in engineering consultancies N.O.C available.

Contact: 00968 97612846 Indian male 24, B.Tech electrical & electronics engineer and P.G. Diploma in automation & SCADA with 2 years experience Kerala electricity board, looking for suitable placement. Contact: 95340253 /92914336 Email: seanjohnson176@gmail.com Indian male 21, B.Tech, Mech Engineering + quantity analyzer/ controller looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92914336/ 96585010 Email: deenjohnson94@gmail.com

Light driver. Contact: 95084826 Senior HR , professional MBA , 12 yr GCC experience at managerial recruitment, administration , policy formulator working with a leading construction co (4000 plus employees) looking for a immediate change over , NOC available. Contact: 94017306 Email: saneesh9181@gmail.com

Indian male, Msc Electronics, %JQ JO IBSEXBSF OFUXPSLJOH EOHH &YDIBOHF TFSWFS $$/" .$*51 8*5) :34 EXP INCLUDING GCC. Exp in networking, IT support 7 server TVQQPSU .$*51 $FSUJÄ&#x2022; DBUJPO JE 7BMJE 4BVEJ % - Now in Muscat on visit visa, MPPLJOH GPS TVJUBCMF KPC

Indian male diploma civil engineer 13 years of professional experience in projects and operations, seeking suitable placement NOC available.

Contact: 96328643/96234670 Civil Site Supervisor for telecom tower projects across Oman. Send CV to fyjo@spec-link.com or call +968 9946 7227

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Hygiene Officer/QC, B.Tech Bio tech. HACCP LVL. 2 &3.Experienced in Food & water industry.

92940218 Indian female M.Tech in electronics Engg 2 yrs industrial exp in IT & robotics research seeking opportunities in academy or industry.

Contact: 91306841,Email: mariaannajoseph@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, B-Tech, with 4 Yrs experience in India, 3 YEARS IN MRF and one year in KSEB. Available in Visit Visa looking for suitable Placement as an Engineer.

Contact: 94741401 Email:sobinthomask05@gmail.com.

M.Tech Civil, certiďŹ cate attested, Indian, 18.8 year experience seeks suitable position. Contact: 98327311 Email: sen.pangode@gmail.com Civil Engineer 11 years experience in construction, having driving license & NOC. Contact: 94194399 Email: shiblyrock@gmail.com B.E civil Engineer having 11 years experience with NOC looking for job. Contact: 95690780 Email: sadiq.asrar81@gmail.com Indian male 24, B.E. Civil Engâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;g with 2 years experience as Structural Engineer looking for suitable job in Muscat. 97355352 Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com Mechanic Tractor Diesel Engines & Hydraulic, 25 years Experience in Multinational Companies.

Contact - 91685048

HOSPITALITY

Indian male 27yrs, mechanical engineer (energy engineering M.Tech & HVAC diploma) with 4 yrs experience on visit visa, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98791735 Email: anilengandiyur@gmail.com

Dutch male qualiďŹ ed commercial pilot (Faa-ME-IR certiďŹ ed) is looking for job openings in middle east. rutjestom@outlook.com

Indian male 25 years diploma in mechanical engineering having 2.5 years experience in piping fabrication, plumping and ďŹ re ďŹ ghting knowledge in AutoCAD seeking suitable placement.

Contact 92733482 Email: sonumm.m2@gmail.com

Experienced female D. Arch Engg seeking job AutoCAD (2D, 3D), 3D Max, and revit Photoshop.

Contact: 98907341 Email: susuhu@gmail.com

Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 90164912 7Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the ďŹ eld of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598 B.E .Mechanical & Production, Indian male with (QA / QC mechanical) 6 months exp as sales engineer, seeking suitable placement on visit visa.

Contact: 94818333 / 99789512/ Email: fred61l@gmail.com BSc Civil Engineer having 3 years experience with Construction Company seeking suitable placement.

GSM-97409350.

GIS CertiďŹ ed Pipeline Engineer with 3 years experience in diesel power plants and heavy industry.

Contact: 93504812 Male, Electrical Engineer, ages 53 yrs, working since 8 years in Oman.

With a consultant, exp in drawing / MAS work inspections, post contract activities, with NOC & valid Oman D/L, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 968 96243401 Email: sathyugk@yahoo.com B.E civil Engineer, 07 years experience in Oman having D/L, N.O.C available looking for a suitable position.

Contact 95961336/93523507 Email: eyousuf04@yahoo.com B.E Electrical Engg with 5 yrs exp in Oman with D/L. Contact: 98425155 Email: rajeevkalaivanan@yahoo.com

IT

Female seeking job in graphic designing, admin, MS office Photoshop, CorelDraw, 3D Max. Contact: 94536117 Email: shaiumarba@gmail.com Female 26, B.E in computer science, having 4 years MNC experience as software developer, seeking suitable position in Muscat. Contact: 96784320 Email: preethasathya@yahoo.com Age 28 years experience 2years & 8 month in IT accounting technical skill, java, J.S.P tally Peachtree M.S excel, SQL ,Working java programmer India , accountant , Dubai ,QualiďŹ cation MCA, B.C.A mathematic visit visa.

Contact: 95673451 Indian male MC.A 2 years experience in software knowledge of Java ASP Net, network in techno park Kerala. Contact: 99210940 Male 31 Years, IT 6 yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s online marketing experience in India seeks suitable placement.

Contact-91175265 Net work Engineer with experience degree in computer science, CCNA, MCSA. Contact: 92346191 Indian female, MCA, Oracle & ACL certiďŹ ed, 5+ years of experience in Data Analysis, IT Administration, Accounting and Office Administration etc. holds valid Oman driving license, seeking suitable opening.

Mob: 98579241.

MEDICAL

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

An experienced Sudanese female GP with MOH license looking for job. Contact: 96436517 /97396088

The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments& transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact :- 92385033

Palestinian dentist looking for job in Muscat privet hospitals , polyclinics or dental centers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 15 yrs experience out Muscat at privet hospitals or polyclinics.

Contact: 96951750 Male Nurse, Experienced, Pass Prometric (Oman) 93837973

MISCELLANEOUS Indian female , M.com gradate , 7 years of experience in Oman in accounts administration , secretarial and sales coordination with valid Omani driving license, looking for a suitable placement.

Gsm 95134495 Purchase Officer with 8 years exp in Oman having D/L & NOC looking for urgently placement.

Contact 96174564 email: azhar_5012@yahoo.co.in Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, omani d/l , seeks suitable placement. Gsm 9880-5474 24 years Indian female MSC Biotechnology 1 year exp.in clinical microbiology, worked in icrisat for project work as Trainee, looking for suitable job. Contact: 92619048 Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com Indian male B.Com Graduate looking for job in admin sales or accountant with valid Oman driving license ready to join.

Contact: 98093949 Indian female, 26, M.sc biotechnology now in family visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95210498/ 99850321/93093466 Omani national with bachelor in management looking for suitable placement please call: 91908052 or Email: saidoburndi257@yahoo.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualiďŹ ed to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash management of the company & marketing projects & investments& tenders & real estate. Contact: - 92385033 MBA (marketing) with 17 years experience in freight forwarding/ logistics industry in GCC & Oman.

Presently working as branch manager in Muscat. Looking for a suitable position. Release and NOC available. Contact: 99856331 Indian male 25 yrs of exp in construction ďŹ eld Oman. Good knowledge in same ďŹ eld worked as foreman + 15 yrs of driving exp looking for job, with visa.

Contact: 93718164 Manager MBA (Finance) 13+ yrs experience in Oman with knowledge of ďŹ nance admin purchase logistics costing looking for suitable position with D/L. Contact 93826090 Email: jskanchan01@gmail.com

Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/ Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/ COO/CEO/Business Head. (NOC available) Contact: 96059470

SALES / MARKETING 12 years of experience in Oman; marketing strategies & operations, logistics, government tenders, public relations & dealing with international companies -4 years of experience in UK, engineering CNC & industrial areas, have dual nationality, ďŹ&#x201A;uent in English & Arabic speaking and writing , (I can travel abroad easily without visa, for ďŹ nalizing business or any other purpose). Contact: 94123939 Indian male, MBA 25 yrs. 1 year experience in auditing and 10 month in sales. Currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 92054304 Indian male MBA 7 yrs ex in sales & marketing with Omani D/L N.O.C available. Contact: 93431039 Indian male, 24, MB Marketing and HR, I year experience. On visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94014073 10 yrs exp in Oman in logistics/ purchase-have Oman D/L-looking for suitable placementcontact 96410767 email: harishkts@yahoo.com Indian male 25 age, MBA marketing (fresher) PGDM (HR) ďŹ&#x201A;uency in English, Arabic, Hindi looking for suitable job currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact: 97127799 Email: vijnvijioo@gmail.com Indian male 29 , BHM , 6 years overall 3 yrs in Oman in sales with D/L NOC available to join immediately. Contact: 92594055 Sales Engineer 5 years experience looking for a placement.

Contact: 91411043 Sales Manager having 12 years experience M.B.A in sales & marketing having valid GCC driving license seeking suitable placement, NOC available. Contact: 98125226 Indian Male 32, MBA (Marketing & Finance) with 10 years experience in Marketing of Banking Products & Insurance Industry. Seeking for a Job in Oman.

Contact: 93576980, 97750460 Email: senthil.cbe83@gmail.com Indian male MBA marketing 2 years Oman experience with valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable position NOC available.

Contact: 91202335 Email: mrishad90@yahoo.com Marketing Executive/Merchandiser, Omani License, BA 8 years Experience in Multinational Groups. Contact 97601343

D6

T U E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SKILLED / UNSKILLED

MISCELLANEOUS

Indian male, having 15 yrs of exp in site supervising, telephone line, supervising with valid D/L, looking for job. Contact: 93931162

Civil Engineer 2 years experience, major experience in Road work, Culverts and structure.

Contact: 97427701

8 years exp body fitter and electric welder. Contact: 93015630

Female executive secretary with 29 years experience with financed services & top management & valid Omani D/L, seeks suitable placement. Contact: 96202458/96761960

Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192 Electrician, plumber (exp gulf / Indian) looking job.

Contact 95175192

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male auto cad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience .seeking for job in Dubai & Qatar.

Contact - 00968-99070584 (Mct):0091-9895061474 (India) email: remluvp@gmail.com Indian Female Accountant 5 Years of Experience in Accounting Tally, Office coordination, And Admin, Currently on Visit Visa Seeking Suitable Placement.

Contact: 95684179 The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments& transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact 92385033 Indian male B.Eng. in IT, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian male, 11 years exp. in accounting, knowledge in tally also. Looking for a part time job.

Contact. 98983122 Manager / Working Partner.

Indian M.Com with 20 years Dubai experience in media advertising industry, client service, marketing, production, gifts trading, branding with D/L. Contact -93031168 Indian male BE Electrical & electronics and pg in power systems (transmission & distribution) on visit, Seeking placement.

Contact – 94669679 Email prsabarish@gmail.Com Sales & Marketing executive MBA with 3 years of experience looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91345727 Indian male 42, 20 years experience building material sales man sales manager seeks suitable placement NOC available.

Contact: 97457331 Indian homeopathic doctor, 34 years, 8 years experience in medical industry, seeking job as insurance medical officer / heath care.

Contact: 92428547 Email: ushus3@gmail.com Indian 32 years completed M.A. English, having three years experience in teaching filed searching for the suitable job.

Contact: 99869535 Email: sahadkeyi33@gmail.com Accountant Indian male B.Com 15 years (8 years I Oman with valid Oman driving license) experience in accounts up to finalization NOC available. Contact: 94117616/ 91238272 Indian lady, B.com M.com (not completed) with tally and ms office skills, with 8 years experience in Oman in accounts up to finalization seeks suitable position.

Contact: 93185841

BE electronics & instrumentation engineer, with one year of experience. Looking for suitable positions. On visit visa.

Contact-99339306, e-mail: kannanr101@gmail.com Looking for a part time accounting & admin job. Contact 99196621.

Indian (Kerala) Male, 32yrs, looking for a job as Accounts Assistant/ Cashier/ Salesman (indoor), having 5 yrs experience in Oman. Currently on Visit Visa.

Contact-94410485, Email: visanthvijay@gmail.com Indian Male 33 yrs, BCA ,10 years experience(India & Oman) IT Support, System administrator/ supervisor looking for suitable Job. #95448561.

Indian female accountant 5 years of experience in accounting tally, office coordination,And admin, currently on visit visa. seeking suitable placement Contact: 95684179 Indian male 23yr BA TTM (travel and tourism management) with advanced diploma in supply chain logistics and shipping management, exp in logistics (cha) seeking in suitable placement. currently on visit visa(oman) Contact;90291092 email: iyas.adhur@gmail.com Marketing or Business development-BSC in marketing 5 years of experience looking for suitable position. Contact (99522233) Indian male, 19 years oman exp. in purchase, material coordinator in building/pipe line 9yrs & factory production field 10yrs.good computer skills & D/L & with NOC. looking for suitable placement. mr.victor2015@hotmail.com Contact: 99008101 Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant, doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 Indian male B.Eng. in IT, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian male B.Eng. in IT, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/ Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian Males 32 years, Dip. In Hardware & Networking with 10 years of hands-on experience.

Currently on visit visa seeking immediate placement in IT Support or relevant jobs. Good knowledge of Hardware & Networking.

Contact: 9416 9341 / haripulikal@gmail.com Indian male, 19 years experience in purchase, material coordinator in building construction & factory production field, have good computer skills & driving license and NOC. Looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 99008101 Indian male accountant, 12 years experience, looking for a full time or part time job. Experience in tally also. Contact-98983122

Male Accountant Indian, B.com, 2 Year experience currently working in Oman. NOC available, doing accounts in Tally and Excel searching for suitable Job. Email: contactanand31@gmail.com / 91894487, 98789958 Electronics/Electrical/Instrumentation Design Engineer with 2+ years of experience, having a Bachelors Degree in Instrumentation Technology. Seeking for a job, currently on visit visa.

Contact- 90142166 / Mail: aksafwan@gmail.com Indian Mechanical Engineer (16 Yrs Exp), Knowledgeable in Monitoring of workshop setup, Workshop run, Business Development, ISO certification, Quotation, Tender, Account verification, Sohar Area, Mb. 94215208’ Indian male, 27 BSC nurse 4.5 years experience in India. Pro metric passed with 61% Data flow processing, ACLS, BLS passed.

Now on visit visa.

Mob: 98926621, 94361049 e-mail: shemeermk@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, B-Tech, with 4 Yrs experience in India, 3 YEARS IN MRF and one year in KSEB. Available on Visit Visa.

Contact: 94741401 :Email: sobinthomask05@gmail.com.

Sudanese male...telecom engineer 11 yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing, management .Seeking suitable placement. Contact 91182027 31 years, Indian male PG in HR , with 5 yrs Professional experience in HR in Construction Oil & Gas Oman seeking for a suitable placement(NOC Available).

Contact me on 93488914, emailKaarthickshankar@gmail.com FEMALE SYRIAN ARCHITECT ,new graduate have good experience in architect programs, autocad 3d max ,sketch up , Photoshop ,sketch up, searching for a job full time or part time, for Contact : 97482871 Sales & Marketing/ Business Development Executive: - B.Tech.

(Electrical & Electronics) MBA in marketing having 9 years of experience seeking a suitable position.

Contact (97043494)

RENT A CAR

Purchase & Stores In charge – Having continues 13 years experience in a single firm, looking for a placement. Contact 99627427, 96154564 Indian male 23 years old graduate with one year experience in Sales & Marketing with valid Oman driving license seeking suitable opportunities.(NOC available) Contact: +968 98240510 Gmail: affanahamed0@gmail.com Indian male, 29 years, B. Tech Electronics & Communication Eng. with 7 year’s experience seeking for a suitable placement, currently in UAE visit visa.

Contact 00971 552513735 Email: rahul.rn198@gmail.com Indian male be electrical and pg in power systems (transmission & distribution) with one year experience on visit. Seeking placement contact – 94669679/ email prsabarish@gmail.com Sri Lankan male – 3.5 years experience as a site supervisor & Administration executive in Oman / 2 years experience as an HR executive with Oman driving license. (English/Arabic/Urdu)/ NOC available 97281617

Best Rates for Saloon.

Tel: 99826300 / 97869042, rentacar@modernreem.com

SIT.WANTED Sri Lankan male BSc (Physics) – 5 years experience as a site supervisor & Administration executive with Oman driving license. (English/Arabic/Urdu)/ NOC available 93214717 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT: Indian male, Graduate & CA Article ship completed. 18 Years of experience.

Currently on visiting visa. seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97498809, 98569025, Email: hilariankj@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED Marketing Coordinator, Indian, Advertising Agency experienced person with D/L seeks good opening. Contact 93031168 Indian female dentist prometric cleared seeking suitable openings in Muscat.# 95585807, 92880267

Male 25 years, B.E. Mechanical with CSWIP 3.1 and ASNT level 2, 3 yrs. of experience in QC in oil and gas industry. Currently working in Oman, NOC available.

Contact 91262792. vignesh1503@yahoo.com

T U E S DAY, D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE

FOR HIRE WITH OPERATORS 1. Back Hoe Loaders (Shovels): 5 Nos 2. 10 Tons Vibratory Roller Compactor: 1 No. 3. 42 Mtrs. Concrete Pump Putzmeister: 1 No. 4. 45 Cbm Tippers: 2 Nos 5. 50 M height, 50 Boom tower cranes: 5 Nos.

Please contact – Mr. Ravi on 96529679 Email – ravi@alliedoman.com / narayan@alliedoman.com

WEBSITE

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

CLASSES

IELTS PREPARATION Target Band 8.0

Classes for Spoken English TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / SAT Excellent Guidance and Coaching Satisfaction Guaranteed EAGLES INSTITUTE 92325542 | 93657915 | 93657917 | Email: engominst@gmail.com

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

COMPUTER

IELTS & TOEFL Academic / General Target Band 8 TQT Institute.

Tel: 95244310

Ph # 24480800 / 99347202

Classes for bakery, cup cakes, icing decorations. Contact: 96202458 /96761960

DRIVING

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

^ Zs/ ^

Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM CONTACT 98294551

tĞ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ůĞĂŶĞƌƐ͕ Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ĞƚĐ͘ ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ ϵϰϮϳϳϬϮϬ

TRANSPORTATION Muttrah to Bausher. Contact: 99022790/24712088

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

Learn driving with professional.

Contact: 94022250

Transportation. Contact: 96538078 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation. Contact: 95190627 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

SIT.WANTED Indian male 23yr BA TTM(Travel and Tourism Management) with Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Logisitics and Shipping Management, exp in Logisitics (CHA) seeking in suitable placement, currently on visit visa(Oman) Contact;90291092 email:iyas.adhur@gmail.com

Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact: 96236476

MANPOWER

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

D EWKt Z dŝůĞ DĂƐŽŶƐ͕ DĂƐŽŶƐ͕ ůĞĐƚƌŝĐŝĂŶƐ͕ WůƵŵďĞƌƐ͕ &ĂůƐĞ ĞŝůŝŶŐ ͬ 'LJƉƐƵŵ tŽƌŬƐ ĂŶĚ ĂƌƉĞŶƚĞƌƐ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞĚ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞůLJ ŽŶ >ĂďŽƌ ƐƵƉƉůLJ ďĂƐŝƐ͘ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ƉĂƌƟ ĞƐ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ

'^D͗ ϵϲϳϳϱϬϮϯ ͬ ϵϲϳϳϱϬϮϰ

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517

A/C Maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing. Contact: 99447257 /97014234 / 24504281

Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact: 93769089 / 95323517

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

House shifting. Contact: 99657644/98518013

Cleaning & carpet shampooing, Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99884591 Pest control treatments.

Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723

A/C maintenance, installation spilt A.C and maintenance window A/C and ducted and package the reunites. Contact: Asad Abbas 98667326 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Cleaning Sofa shampoo carpet shampoo house.

Contact: 92179395 Debt collection services your money we collect value commercial services. Fax: 0096824783669 Contact: 009682479815 /00968- 24701422 /00968- 94665476 Email: salim@valuedbtcollection.com Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130

D8

T U E S D AY, D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

TOURS

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

ABDULHAKIM AL BIMANI TRADING & CONTRACTOR &YQFSU JO 4IJQQJOH DBSHP CZ TFB BJS to Zanzibar, Pemba, Dar es Salam in Tanzania, Burundi, The Philippines, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.

Reasonable price.

Contact: 97440625/95416662 Email: abdulhakimalbimani@hotmail.com

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability