Times of Oman - January 2, 2017

MONDAY

January 2, 2017 3 Rabi Al Thani 1438 AH

HM RATIFIES STATE BUDGET

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has issued a Royal Decree No. 1/2017 ratifying the State’s General Budget 2017, after being presented before the Council of Oman. Article (1) ratifies the State’s General Budget for fiscal year 2017 in accordance with the tables attached to this Decree. Article (2) instructs all ministries and government units to implement the provisions of this Decree, each within the scope of its prerogatives. Article (3) says that this Decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and be enforced with effect from January 1, 2017. -ONA

On the occasion of the 26th National Day, 1996

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’

Our economy will no longer be dependent on government expenditure, oil resources and foreign workers, but it will enter a better and more comprehensive phase, based on private initiative, nationally-trained workers, and sustained established resources.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 256 | 36 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

23%

of the allocations are for education, health and social welfare

With a series of austerity measures, Oman plans to plug its deficit and turn around its fortunes

2.5b

Omani rial of projected deficit to be financed by external and domestic borrowings

5.3b

Omani rial was the actual deficit for the financial year 2016

BUDGET 2017 AIMS TO PUT OMAN ON RIGHT TRACK MUSCAT: Oman’s Budget 2017 is tackling falling oil prices head on with a plan to put the country on the right path.

With more austerity, cuts and the targeting of funds only to those projects and schemes that will make the country future-proof, the government hopes the annual budget – revealing a

OMR3 billion deficit – will turn the Sultanate’s fortunes around.

In one of the hardest hitting budget statements in recent years, Budget 2017 pulls no punches: public sector recruitment will be low, austerity measures will continue, subsidies will be reviewed, government assets will be sold off or priva-

tised and funding will only be channelled into projects essential for Oman’s non-oil future.

Royal Oman Police has been tasked with amending fees for civil services, there will be an amendment to income tax laws, there will be selective taxes on items such as alcohol and tobacco and a limit on tax exemp-

tions for some companies.

The statement also reveals that government subsidies will gradually be cut.

It also spells out in detail the Tanfeedh proposals and the need to fund these essential programmes while cutting back on projects that will not aid the new Oman as it shakes off its

45,000 BARRELS

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Oil cut begins under OPEC deal

Registration of street vendors

1

Registration of street vendor profession through the Invest Easy portal began from yesterday, announced the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. >A6

MORNING MINUTE

WORLD

MARKET

39 killed in Turkey

2% economic growth

2

3

A gunman killed 39 people at a nightclub on Istanbul’s Bosphorus

dependency on oil. “ The State’s General Budget has been affected significantly by the decline of oil prices since mid-2014.

Oil prices remain at low levels and, therefore, 2016 budget lost more than 67% of oil revenues, despite high production, compared to oil revenues recorded in 2014. >A6

Oman expects the country’s economy to grow by 2 per cent. >B1

SYED HAITHAM HASAN

Khoula Hospital’s new building to open today

A3

MUSCAT: Oman will cut crude oil production as OPEC’s deal with independent producers comes into effect. Accounting for 4.5 per cent of its 1 million barrel per day production, Oman will slash 45,000 barrels per day to honour the agreement with OPEC. >A4

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MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

THE BRIEFING OMAN

Frankincense is used during rituals

The life of a Frankincense nugget concludes the stunningly beautiful five part online chapters on Frankincense – which includes The Tree and its Gifts, the Frankincense Trail, the Blessed Dhofar Region, History- and the Burning of Frankincense. The last chapter explains the ritual uses of Frankincense through the method of burning, and its representations of different life cycles. Frankincense provides one of the most redolent scents in the history of aromatics. >A4

REGION

Lincoln MKX is a legacy of luxury

IS militants attacked an Iraqi police checkpoint near the southern city of Najaf on Sunday, killing seven policemen as government forces in the north made more gains against the IS in Mosul, their last major stronghold in the country. The Najaf attack, which involved gunmen and a suicide car bomb, followed blasts a day earlier in Baghdad that left 29 people dead, a reminder of IS’s continued ability to operate away from territory under its control. >A7

With fabulous re-designs that harken back to the brand’s heyday as premium automakers, Lincoln vehicles are sophisticated, while also practical, choice for those who want the comforts of a premium vehicle, with uniquely usable design and function. >A14

Seam-friendly wicket favours South Africa

LIFESTYLE

SPORT

Flat tyres can happen anywhere, and knowing how to change a tyre is a necessary skill for all drivers. Thankfully, changing a tyre isn’t all that hard. Items you will need to fix a flat tyre: Jack, lug wrench, fully inflated spare tyre, and vehicle owner’s manual. >A15

A’Saffa Foods, Oman’s largest fully integrated poultry project and producers of Oman’s finest, natural and tasty healthy snack food range - will organise the third edition of the A’Saffa Golf Tournament at the Ghala Golf Club on January 14.

An 18-hole competition, the tournament is open to all golfers with a registered handicap in the Sultanate, and will begin at 6:30 am and finish early evening. “Through the A’Saffa Golf tournament, A’Saffa aims to not only bring together and recognise top quality golfing talent but also increase the awareness of the sport in the Sultanate,” the organisers said in a press statement. >C4

How to change a flat tyre

SPORT

Oman hoping for positive results at Desert T20 With Oman Cricket providing the right kind of support and coach Duleep Mendis’ support staff trying to get the best out of the players, Oman team are working hard to achieve positive results at the forthcoming Desert T20 International Tournament to be organised in the UAE later this month. The tournament, to be hosted by the Emirates Cricket Board under the auspices of the International Cricket Council (ICC), will take place from January 8 to 21. >C1 Ruling Samajwadi Party on Sunday finally split with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav being anointed the SP president upstaging his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, who yet again expelled Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years and termed as illegal all decisions taken at a national convention convened by him.

The national convention, earlier in the day, also proposed the expulsion of “outsider” Amar Singh and removal of Shivpal Singh Yadav from the post of SP’s Uttar Pradesh chief.

Stung by these “decisions”, Mulayam struck back, issuing a hard-hitting letter that said the national convention had not been convened with permission of the national president and so all decision taken there are illegal. >A8

Salalah Mills board clears merger proposal

SPORT

Samajwadi Party splits as convention declares Akhilesh party chief

Opportunity for children to learn science courses

BUSINESS

The board of directors of Salalah Mills Company has approved a study of a merger proposal by Salalah Macaroni Company. An expert bureau will be appointed to assess the merger proposal, evaluate the assets of the two companies and propose the preliminary swap ratio. >B1

INDIA

OMAN

To inspire future professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Engineering for Kids recently held eight workshops across Al Dhakhliya and Al Dhahira regions in Oman. Participating in contemporary education, EFK, in partnership with BP Oman, engaged over 650 students in chemical, aerospace, robotics and hardware engineering.

Engineering for Kids targets pupils aged 6 to 14 years, with the aim of cultivating young minds to understand and develop problem solving skills and encourage them to discover how things work. EFK also introduces the idea of exploring engineering as a career option.>A5

LIFESTYLE

IS militants attack Iraqi police near Najaf, kill 7

PAKISTAN

Panamagate bench gets makeover

WORLD

Indonesia tourist boat fire kills more than 20

Immediately after donning the robe of the country’s top judge on Saturday, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar formed a five-judge larger bench that will hear the Panamagate case afresh from January 4. >A9

BUSINESS

WORLD

Telecom shares dip due to royalty hike

Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Sunday that the isolated nuclear capable country was close to testlaunching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). North Korea tested ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate during 2016. >A10

Shares of two telecommunication service providers in Oman have dropped on Sunday, after the government decided to raise royalty paid by these firms to 12 per cent of revenues in 2017, from 7 per cent earlier.

Ooredoo shares plunged by 7.27 per cent to 612 baisasand Omantel shares dipped by 4.29 per cent to OMR1.45. >B1

North Korea close to test launch of ICBM Twenty three people were killed and dozens injured on Sunday after a fire ripped through a boat carrying nearly 250 people to islands north of the Indonesian capital Jakarta, the city’s search and rescue agency said. >A11

Another seam-friendly wicket stacks the odds overwhelmingly in favour of hosts South Africa when they take on Sri Lanka in the second match of the three-Test series at Newlands, starting on Monday. >C1

All set for A’Saffa Golf Tournament

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S U H A I L B A H WA N G R O U P

Khoula Hospital’s new building to open today MUSCAT: A new building of Khoula Hospital will be opened

by Dr. Ahmad bin Mohammed Al Sa’eedi, Minister of Health today.

The opening ceremony will be attended by Sheikh Suhail bin Sailm Bahwan Al Mukhaini, Chairman of Suhail Bahwan Group, as well as senior officials.

Built in an area of more than 11,000 square metres, the new

building consists of outpatient clinics, rehabilitation, and day care surgery.

OMR8 million It has been built at a cost of OMR8 million with a generous contribution made by Suhail Bahwan Group. These sections are new additions to the healthcare services delivered by the ministry

in general and by Khoula Hospital in particular. Moreover, they confirm to the principle of social responsibility among private sector institutions in supporting the multi-government projects. The outpatient clinics have already started receiving patients a month ago, while the rehabilitation and day care surgery sections will start from today. -ONA

Mwasalat to buy 118 more buses Mwasalat transported nearly 3.6m passengers in its first year of operations

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Mwasalat, the state bus operator, is looking for finance options to buy 118 buses in 2017, according to reports.

“Out of the new buses, 85 will be operated in Muscat and 33 in other regions,” a spokesman said, adding that older vehicles will be replaced.

Recently, Ahmad bin Ali Al Bulushi, chief executive officer (CEO) of Mwasalat, said that passengers in Mwasalat buses will receive free unlimited access to WiFi by the end of the first quarter of 2017. The service will

enable passengers to surf the Internet through portable devices, tablets or smartphones, enabling them to save time.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, the official said that technicians were now testing the devices to be set up in the buses.

“Once the testing is complete we will able to roll out the new feature, which will be of great use for our passengers. Once it is ready, Mwasalat will publish details on how to use free WiFi on its buses,” he said.

Mwasalat employs 817 workers, including 710 Omanis.

According to November 30, 2016 statistics, Mwasalat trans-

ported nearly 3.6m passengers in its first year of operations.

In Muscat, the Ruwi-Mabella route saw the heaviest rush with buses transporting more than 1,500,000 passengers.

This was followed by Ruwi-Wadi Kabir route, which had more than 800,000 passengers, RuwiMuttrah-Qasr Al Alam route with more 300,000 passengers and the Ruwi-Wadi Adai route carried more than 250,000 passengers.

The buses transported 272,905 passengers on intercity routes from Muscat to other governorates including Muscat-SoharBuraimi, Muscat-Nizwa-Salalah and Muscat-Sohar-Dubai routes.

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

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MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

OMAN

Police arrest drifters for performing stunts Last year, police confiscated 20 cars which were modified to be used for drifting and show purposes in South Al Batinah governorate, following complaints from residents

According to the Royal Oman Police, some of the cars were modified, and have since been confiscated by authorities

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: A number of drifters were arrested for performing stunts with their cars on a public road in Rustaq, North Al Batinah governorate, Royal Oman Police (ROP) officials said.

The drivers were drifting and performing stunts on Friday night when police arrested them.

ROP said some of the cars were modified, and have since been confiscated by authorities.

“The drivers are being investigated after increasing the danger to other motorists and pedestrians,” ROP said.

Police also called upon citizens to report such cases to authorities.

According to the state’s traffic law, drifting is a crime.

Last year, police confiscated 20 cars which were modified to be used for drifting and show purposes in South Al Batinah governorate, following complaints from residents.

Road accidents According to the latest update on road accidents released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), there was a 9.3

per cent increase in the number of expatriates who lost their lives in road accidents during the first 11 months of 2016, compared with the same period last year.

As many as 223 expatriates, 29 of them females, died in road accidents during this period.

The number of Omanis who lost their lives in road accidents fell by 6.7 per cent to 393, which included 62 females.

The number of Omani males who died in road accidents fell by 6 per cent to 331, compared with a 10.1 per cent drop in the number of

Omani female deaths.

In contrast, the number of fatalities went up by 6 per cent to 194 among expatriate males, and by 38.1 per cent among expatriate females.

During the same period, the number of traffic injuries declined by 23.1 per cent to 2,604, from 3,388 injuries logged in the same period last year.

The number of Omanis injured in traffic accidents decreased by 24.4 per cent to 1,949, while the number of injured expatriates dropped 19 per cent to 655.

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E

Frankincense is used during rituals Times News Service MUSCAT: Frankincense provides one of the most redolent scents in the history of aromatics.

The life of a Frankincense nugget concludes the stunningly beautiful five part online chapters on Frankincense – which includes The Tree and its Gifts, the Frankincense Trail, the Blessed Dhofar Region, History- and the Burning of Frankincense.

The last chapter explains the ritual uses of Frankincense through the method of burning, and its representations of different life cycles. Its fresh, fruity, pinelemon bouquet, with delicately sweet and woody undertones, slows and deepens breathing and has been used since ancient times to awaken higher consciousness, and enhance spirituality, meditation and prayer.

It is burnt daily in Oman to welcome guests, perfume clothing and home spaces, and eliminate cooking smells, among other uses.

In order to burn Frankincense, there are three essentials needed.

Frankincense nuggets, natural charcoal (from Sidr or Sumr trees), and an incense burner (censer).

If the intention is to be used in the home, then the incense can be carried around and its smoke is wafted into a person’s beard or over one’s body. After dinner or house functions, incense is burnt as a sign of farewell.

In the morning, it is used regularly in the kitchen and the living

room. In the evening, it is used in other areas of the house, such as bedrooms.

It is often used by Omani families to soak their clothing with the smoke, using special a wicker frame called a makhbarah.

For weddings, Frankincense is

burnt just before the ceremony.

During the birth of a child, incense is burnt throughout labour to protect the mother, and also after safely delivering her baby. Incense is also burnt near the baby’s cradle to honour and protect new life. During and after birth, frankincense was burnt for 40 days to protect mother and child.

In 30 minutes, a nugget is completely burnt, but the smoke lingers. After the smoke disappears, the fruity smell persists in the air.

More charcoal and more incense permit the fragrance to linger and grow stronger.

Frankincense first releases oils.

After 10 minutes, the tear loses

Productivity of companies dips as employees take year-end holidays SYED HAITHAM HASAN

haitham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Everyone is entitled to a holiday, but the sheer volume of expat workers in Oman who head home for the holidays creates a productivity blip, according to analysts.

Employers have reportedly been inundated with leave applications for a two-week period, starting in the days before Christmas and continuing until the first week of January, and therefore are forced to operate with fewer than two-thirds of their staff members.

“The number of people asking for leave is overwhelming. Most HR departments struggle to decide who to keep and who to allow. Finally, to avoid conflicts of interest with employees, they allow most of them to leave. We are operating at far below 70 per cent of our staff at the moment, and it certainly affects us badly,” said an official of a leading contracting company in Oman.

Christmas and New Year fall within one week’s proximity, as festive season celebrations kick off towards the end of the year, and owing to good weather most residents in Oman take days off to enjoy time with family and friends, either in the country or outside.

Officials have argued that the short term nature of the new year breaks make them more damaging to company operations than annual breaks, as shorter breaks seem harmless on paper, but are lethal in practice, if not allocated with prudence.

“The problem with these breaks is that they are short. No one will question you if you ask for a five-day leave, however, work is stalled for those five days if the transfer of responsibilities is not done correctly. Last year, we had to wait an awful 10 days for a signature before work was resumed,” he explained.

According to an official at a mining company in Oman, top officials are sometimes impossible to retain during the new year, when celebrations are at their zenith.

“From 25th December to 1st

January, it is not possible to keep top executives at work, understandably, but when a lot of top officials leave, productivity is very low,” he said.

He added that on New Year’s Day, they were running with more than a quarter of the staff missing, and a majority of them reporting late to work, blaming the new year for the delay.

Fading traffic on otherwise busy roads and public places in Muscat is often an indicator of a holiday period in the country, and dates around the new year see a tangible drop in traffic.

“Every new year brings a lot of tourists, while traffic on roads is nearly halved,” says Suleiman, a taxi driver, explaining that the days around the new year are an ideal time to make money.

Friday prayers in mosques have registered lower attendance than usual, too.

“We see mosques completely full on normal Fridays for Juma prayers, but this Friday saw a quarter of those people missing.

Obviously, they have taken leave,” said a volunteer at a mosque in Oman, which holds a congregation of nearly 500 people on Fridays.

According to Mohammed Nayaz, advisory partner at Ernst and Young, festive seasons come with certain challenges, and regulating leaves of staff is the key to addressing them.

For many of the organisations in Oman, the performance levels are adversely impacted by almost 3 months in a year, due to lower productivity levels owing to holidays.

“Companies should consider regulating the leaves of staff so there is minimal impact to the services offered to customers during the leave season. There have been situations where companies faced unexpected disruptive incidents during these breaks, and the incidents were not managed well due to unavailability of key staff members. It is advised that companies look into their staff leave plan closely, so that staff leave is regulated during these periods and have minimal impacts in their services to customers,” he said.

LETHAL IN PRACTICE: Officials have argued that the short term nature of the new year breaks make them more damaging to company operations than annual breaks, as shorter breaks seem harmless on paper, but are lethal in practice, if not allocated with prudence.

OPEC AGREEMENT

THE SPIRIT OF COHESION

Photographer Soud’s exhibition captures beauty of mosques Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Omani photographer Soud Al Buhriy’s first solo show ‘The Spirit of Cohesion’ will be held at Gallery Sarah in Muscat on Tuesday.

“Soud relied on himself in the acquisition of knowledge. He began his career in photography at an early grade in school,” a statement from the gallery said.

The exhibition will showcase an array of photographs of different mosques around Oman, where the photographer attempts to depict the deeper and important role that mosques play in creating an atmosphere of tolerance and bridging ties in the community.

“Besides the distinctive architecture of each mosque, Soud also highlights its social aspects. Taking advantage of the stunning nature of Oman, Soud captures its amusing landscape to form the narrative image,” the statement added. Soud has used his unique vision to express his concept of

colour and turns black. After 15 minutes, the frankincense nugget is half burned. In 20 minutes, the nugget is almost charred and the smoke is less intense.

It takes half an hour for an incense nugget to burn completely.

The smoke will be spread in the room and the fresh and fruity smell will remain. Thereafter, it is preferable to remove the tear and replace it with a new one to extend the effect.

If you missed the first four parts of the Frankincense chapters, the best way to catch up is by going online to http://timesofoman. com/extra/oman_land_of_frankincense/index.html

TWO-WEEK PERIOD

the deeper role of mosques and emphasised it by using different techniques, such as maintaining a monochromatic theme, rather than coloured images to prevent distraction and keep the focus on his subject matter. Another aspect of the photographs is that they are devoid of the living element.

The photographer has waited for a long time to take shots without any human beings or animals in the surroundings. In terms of finishing, Soud defied the concept of framing his works in black and instead, chose white as an attempt to continue portraying the image and grant a comprehensive design to

his subject matter. In 1993, Soud joined the Photography Club in the Omani Society of Fine Arts and became an active member in the Photographic Society of Oman.

He has participated in numerous exhibitions hosted there.

In 2006, Saud began the pursuit of his personal photography with ‘Panorama of the Capital Muscat’.

The project lasted two years, leading to his own exhibition in February 2008, hosted by the Omani Society of Fine Arts. The exhibition contained 35 unique panoramic images.

Later the same year, he displayed some of these images in Berlin, with the participation of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture of Oman.

In 2013, the second project exhibition was held entitled ‘The Essence of the Mosque’. Through that exhibition, Soud illustrated the importance and depth of the mosque and its role in tolerance and deepening ties in the community, as well as a place of worship.

A1 Producers likely to abide by pact < FROM

The deal, however, could be marred by the defiance of producers and hikes in production by independent producers, both of which could render the agreement unworkable.

“We will have to wait and watch.

The first quarter is going to be very important,” said Kanaga Sundar, Head of Research at Gulf Baader Capital Markets. Although Kanaga predicts oil might reach $60per barrel, he added that this hinges on whether producers comply with the agreement.

In 2016, oil made the biggest annual gain since 2009, which was following the global financial crisis that drove prices down on concerns about demand.

The price per barrel had fallen to below the $30 level in January last year, but has since registered a 100 per cent increase, hovering around $55 per barrel at the close of 2016. Oman crude closed trading in 2016 at $54.24 per barrel. The price rally has brought optimistic views about the Omani economy and job market.

In an interview with Times of Oman, oil and gas experts said that oil at $55 could help save jobs and

In 2016, oil made the biggest annual gain since 2009, which was following the global financial crisis that drove prices down on concerns about demand

avoid laying off workers.

According to Abdullah Al Mandhari, CEO of EOR LLC, oil prices will reach $80 per barrel, as most countries understand that higher prices are for the good of all and, therefore, the compliance rate will remain high.

“There is no doubt that countries will comply, because they can already see that prices increased due to the agreement. I believe the oil price will stabilise in the

eighties, as a sustainable price for both producers and consumers,” he said.Speculations about an agreement between OPEC and non-OPEC members triggered the price rally beginning in early 2016 and, with a deal finally reached on December 11 in Vienna, futures rose at unprecedented levels, with some analysts predicting oil might reach $60per barrel in 2017.

However, the price rally could be hindered by loopholes in the agreement. Libya and Nigeria were both exempted from the agreement to trim production due to political instability, and have been increasing output at record levels Libya has ramped up production by 600,000 barrels per day since September 2015, and Nigeria recently announced an increase in output by 61,000 bpd.

In the United States, which was not a part of the negotiations, drilling companies have added 200 rigs since May last year, and as prices are expected to move upwards, production is likely to rise, cancelling gains made by the OPEC agreement. haitham@timesofoman.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

Tweet all about it

of Omanis have undergone screening before marriage, according to the cross-sectional study that surveyed 450 Omanis attending local clinics

MUSCAT: Two out of every 1,000 Omanis suffer from sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic blood disorder, according to a study.

SCD is a global health concern associated with high childhood morbidity and mortality.

Contracting the genetic disease can be prevented, if couples undergo pre-marital screening, said researchers.

However, only 24 per cent of Omanis have undergone such screening before marriage, according to the cross-sectional study that surveyed 450 Omanis attending local clinics.

The Sultan Qaboos University Hospital Medical Journal reports

PREVENTION: The Sultan Qaboos University Hospital Medical

Journal reports that a total of 500 Omanis attending the clinics were invited to participate in the study.

that a total of 500 Omanis attending the clinics were invited to participate in the study. It suggested that public awareness about SCD, and the need for pre-marital screening, are essential to reduce the incidence of this disease.

The study took place at five health centres located in Al Seeb between June and August 2015.

Of note, the majority (67.8 per cent) of participants were aware that SCD is genetic, and 85.1 per cent believed in the importance of pre-marital screening.

However, only 24.4 per cent

reported having undergone premarital screening.

Further, only 20.2 per cent of the participants knew that SCD can be extremely painful, while 20 per cent were aware that it can cause strokes, infections and organ damage.

More than half (56.7 per cent) reported that the availability of educational material on SCD or pre-marital screening in Oman was inadequate. The higher the education levels of the participants, the more accurate was their knowledge on SCD, noted officials.

FIRST BUDGET AIRLINE

SalamAir launches ticket sales for Salalah to Muscat flights Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s first budget airline, SalamAir has launched ticket sales for flights between Salalah and Muscat from January 30 this year, followed by flights from Muscat to Dubai from midFebruary.

C O L L A B O R AT I O N W I T H B P

Opportunity for children to learn science courses Times News Service MUSCAT: To inspire future professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Engineering for Kids (EFK) recently held eight workshops across Dhakhliya and Dhahira regions in Oman.

Participating in contemporary education, EFK, in partnership with BP Oman, engaged over 650 students in chemical, aerospace, robotics and hardware engineering. Engineering for Kids targets pupils aged 6 to 14 years, with the aim of cultivating young minds to understand and develop problem solving skills and encourage them to discover how things work. EFK also introduces the idea of exploring engineering as a career option, and motivates students to learn math and science concepts through a practical engagement in real-world engineering challenges.

“In an increasingly competitive and globalised market, skills in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) are critical for the nation’s enduring drive to deliver a sterling workforce for the future,” said Shabib Al Maamari, Communication and External Affairs Manager at BP Oman. “Exposing children at a young age to these disciplines increases the chances of them becoming passionate about them and pursuing them in the future. We are happy to support modernisation by supplementing local education in a manner that makes learning interactive and interesting for students in Oman.”

FROM JANUARY 9

Oman Air set to abolish high excess baggage charges Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Beginning January 9, Oman Air will abolish high excess baggage charges, the airline announced.

Costly excess baggage rates charged by the kilogramme will be abolished, and new, free baggage allowances will be introduced for one piece of baggage of up to 30kg for economy passengers, and two pieces of baggage up to 50kg for Business and First Class ticket holders.

Moreover, Silver and Gold Sinbad members will receive an ad-

Only 24 per cent

Times News Service

OMAN

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

Awareness on sickle cell needed to combat disorder

The tickets are available through the website salamair. com, and a number of affiliated travel agents. Support is also offered to customers through the SalamAir Call Centre via live chat, email and phone.

“The eagerly anticipated launch of SalamAir ticket sales is

a significant occasion for the airline and for the people of Oman.

Our competitive price structure makes it possible for tourism, leisure and business passengers alike to take journeys more frequently, giving them the chance to experience more,” said SalamAir Chairman, Khalid Al Yahmadi.

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ditional allowance of one free extra piece of baggage up to 20kg in Economy Class, and a total of two pieces of baggage up to 60kg in Business and First class.

Free baggage allowance According to the airline, extra pieces of baggage can be purchased for as little as OMR16 per piece of luggage, weighing up to 20kg.

Under the new policy, Oman Air passengers will continue to receive a free baggage allowance to all destinations.

“Economy Class passengers can carry one piece of baggage of up

to 30kg. Business and First Class passengers can carry one piece of baggage of up to 30kg, plus one additional piece of baggage of up to 20kg,” the airline said.

Meanwhile, Silver and Gold Sinbad members travelling in Economy Class can carry one piece of baggage of up to 30kg, plus one additional piece of baggage up to 20kg.

“Those holding the same cards and travelling in Business and First Class can carry one piece of baggage of up to 30kg and one additional piece of baggage up to 30kg,” the airline added.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

OMAN Ministry begins registration of street vendors Owners of street vendor projects can visit the Riyada for specifications of the vehicles that can be used for these activities

MUSCAT: Registration of street vendor profession through the Invest Easy portal began from yesterday, announced the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Khamis bin Abdullah Al Farsi, Director General of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of street vendors works regulating committee said that the street vendor service is available through the Invest Easy portal.

He said those who wish to obtain a licence to practice the street vendor activities, set by regulation, can access the link ( www.inve-

steasy.gov.om), then access electronic services, create a new business record, then the legal form of the record (street vendor).

He said that owners of these projects can visit the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises (Riyada) for specifications of the vehicles that can be used for these activities. If the citizen wishes obtain a financial support, he should visit Al Rafd Fund.

He added that the applicant must be Omani and work full time for the project, the licence is issued for a period of one year and may be renewed for similar periods with the same procedures and conditions, and the renewal

application should be submitted within 30 days before the licence expires.

The list included 14 different activities that a street vendor can practice, namely selling of fresh fruits, vegetables and dates, silverware and gifts, perfumes and cosmetics, toilet soap and incense, as well as textiles and fabrics of all kinds, pottery and handicrafts, honey, soft drinks and beverages, corn, car repair, denting and painting, sale of gas, besides installation, extension and repair of electrical and alarm systems, photocopy and typing of documents, as well as organising tours, meat grilling “Mashakeek”. -ONA

DIBBA

3 expats held, drugs seized DIBBA: A patrol of the Coast Guard Police, Dibba managed to seize an Asian boat with three expatriates.

They were attempting to smuggle alcoholic drinks into the Sultanate.

An official source at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) said that the patrol party noticed a boat in the territorial waters off the coast of the Niyabat of Lima.

On inspection it was found that the boat was carrying a large quan-

tity of alcoholic drinks and heroin.

Boat towed The boat was towed to the Port of Dibba. The suspects were referred to the Dibba Police Station for further investigation. —ONA F R I D AY

Ophthalmic conference MUSCAT: More than 350 Ophthalmic specialists from the Sultanate, GCC, Arab and foreign countries will take part in the two-day National Ophthalmic Conference 2017.

The conference will begin next Friday under the auspices of Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Sa’eedi, Minister of Health.

The conference is being organised by Oman OphthalmicSociety, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, the Armed Forces Medical Services, Oman Medical Specialty Board and the Sultan Qaboos University.

The conference includes several working papers on retina diseases, cataract, cornea opacity, and keratoconus. -ONA

BUDGET

< FROM

A1 Stress on rationalising spending “The year 2016 has witnessed the lowest traded price of Oman oil, where the price dropped to less than $24 in January. However, the Government was able to obtain funds to finance the spending, taking into account the volume of challenges faced. A number of measures and policies have been taken which helped to minimize the impacts of low oil prices on fiscal and economic performance.

“The overall framework of 2017 Budget comes in line with the approach adopted in the last two years. Such approach aims at rationalising spending and enhancing its efficiency, as well as keeping public spending within sustainable levels. In addition to keep reviewing non-oil revenue in order to raise its contributions in aggregate revenues and reduce dependency on oil revenue.

Moreover, utilize any resultant increase, in oil revenue, in financing fiscal deficit and enhancing government reserves,” the report states.

The report adds: “Oman’s economic performance has been affected due to low oil prices. In 2015, Oman’s Gross Domestic Production (GDP) at current prices dropped by 14 per cent compared with 2014 level. GDP has decreased from OMR31.2 billion to OMR26.8 billion. In view of the continued lower oil prices, GDP at current prices was reduced by 11 per cent over first-half of 2016, according to declared figures.

However, GDP at constant prices grew by 5.7 per cent in 2015, and it is projected to be positive over 2016. Despite the sharp drop in oil revenues, the growth of GDP at constant prices came as a result of economic and fiscal policies pursued by the Government over these two years. With expected improvements in oil prices over 2017, GDP is projected to experience a growth of 2 per cent while non-oil activities are expected to rise by 4.7 per cent.”

The statement revealed that OMR1.1 billion was wiped off oil and gas sales in 2016, thanks to falling oil prices, adding, “The actual average price of oil achieved in 2016 reached about $39/bbl, down by 63% compared with 2014 price i.e. $45/bbl.

Subsidies were also targeted.

“Compared with 2015 levels, most of budget spending items have been cut, most notably of which subsidies, current expenditures of ministries and government units, and security and defence expenditures.”

It adds: “According to the (initial) final accounts, actual fiscal deficit for FY 2016 amounted to about OMR5.3 billion, increasing by (60%) compared to estimated budget deficit. Such high deficit is driven by many reasons including: the actual oil price achieved was under the estimated price ($45/bbl was the estimated price, while the actual price was $39/ bbl). In addition to, an increase in spending compared with budget estimates, and a reduction in some actual non-oil revenues.”

“International bonds have been issued worth $4 billion, and also the Government obtained a syndicated loan of $5 billion. In addition to issuance of Islamic bonds (Sukuk) worth half-billion US-dollars, as well as loans worth $2 billion provided by an export credit agency,” the statement added.

There was a “rapid growth in debt, increasing by 29% of GDP by year-end of 2016,” according the statement. To ensure the state’s fiscal sustainability, the Sultanate will, in 2017, “continue rationalizing public spending and enhancing its efficiency, as well as ensure its sustainability,” as well as “revitalizing non-oil revenues and enhancing their contributions in total government revenues.

The Tanfeedh proposals for the latest five year plan are also given a resounding thumbs-up in Budget 2017. The statement adds that the country is committed to “providing subsidy required to achieve the anticipated results of recommendations, provided by National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification (Tanfeedh), in order to improve investment climate. In addition to enhance the role of private sector and increase investment rates in GDP. “The aim is to enhance economic diversification, increase employment rates, achieve medium-term fiscal and economic stability, and to strengthen social development.

Budget 2017 also wants to: Enhance public-private partnership (PPP) in order to acceler-

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF 2017 BUDGET

Fiscal sustainability and reduction of potential risks are the main objectives that the budget strives to achieve, so that the financial activities do not create pressures on sovereign resources

Revitalising non-oil revenues and enhancing their contributions in total government revenues

Achieving economic growth and controlling inflation rate so as to maintain per-capita income

Diversification (Tanfeedh), to improve investment climate. In addition to enhance the role of private sector and increase investment rates in GDP

Amending the fees of licenses of bringing foreign workers

Introducing selective tax, concurrently with GCC countries, on certain commodities such as tobacco, alcohol and others

Amending Income Tax Law that is expected to be issued this year. The implications of such amendment are, therefore, not incorporated in the budget

Amending

the fees of licences for bringing foreign

workers Limiting

tax exemptions granted for companies and establishments.

Amending

rules and regulations pertaining to exemptions of customs duties

Postpone

purchase and replacement of government vehicles and equipment, and cut capital expenditure

Reviewing

and rationalising government subsidy in order to direct such subsidy to needy citizens.

However, the subsidy will be cut gradually

Selling

government assets, within privatisation scheme, notably those that entail higher operating expenses or maintenance costs

Implementing

the revised tariffs of large power consumers for commercial, industrial and government use

ate implementing more investment projects and private sector initiatives.

Give special attention to allocations for maintenance of assets, facilities, and infrastructure in order to preserve the development achievements.

Continue implementing the decisions made to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) by allocating some of government projects to SMEs. Speed up the payments of SMEs and to continue providing loans to the same through Al Raffd Fund and Oman Development Bank.

The statement adds: “Oman has made remarkable achievements in areas such as health, education, basic services and infrastructure, which uplifted the citizens’ standards of living to higher levels. Such achievements have been attained through wise sectoral policies of all government units.”

Education, health and social welfare allocations make up 23 per cent of this year’s budget, according to the statement.

OMR1,586 million has been allocated to the education sector, OMR613 million for the health sector, and OMR487 million for social welfare.

Government jobs will be few and far between in 2017, according to the statement. “Recruitment in public sector during 2017, will be very limited due to the challenges facing the budget resulting from the sharp fall of oil prices, and higher spending on salaries and wages.

“Private sector is expected to create job opportunities for Omani youths, through the establishment of investment projects that have economic returns.

“Statistics, issued by National Centre of Statistics and Information (NCSI), show the number of Omani workforce, working in private sector, has increased to 222,000 labours in 2016, increasing by 13,000. This means that private sector has been able to recruit such number of citizens, and thus may create further 12,000 – 13,000 jobs over 2017.

A National Training Fund will also be established in Oman, “providing allocations required for activating the role of National Training Fund in order to advance recruitment efforts in private sector, in addition to financing training programs while ensuring the efficiency of such programs.”

Aggregate revenues are estimated at OMR(8.7) billion, increasing by (18%) as compared to projected actual revenues for

2016. These revenues consist of oil and gas revenues of OMR(6.11) billion, representing (70%) of total revenues. Non-oil revenues are estimated around OMR(2.59) billion i.e. (30%) of total revenues.

There is also a cut of OMR200 million in public spending. The statement adds: “Total public spending is estimated at about OMR11.7 billion, decreasing

by OMR200 million i.e. (2%) compared with 2016 estimated spending. “ Security and Defence spending is expected to be around OMR3.34 billion, a drop of 5 per cent compared to last year.

On the budget deficit the report states: “Budget Deficit is estimated at about OMR(3) billion i.e. (35%) of total revenues, and (12%) of GDP. Despite the fact that deficit-to-GDP ratio is considered low, according to international indicators, and can be financed by global debt markets; reducing deficit is one of the priorities specified by the budget due to deficit accumulation.”

84-per cent, OMR2.5 billion, of 2017 projected deficit will be financed by external and domestic borrowing, according to Budget 2017. External US-dollar borrowing includes issuance of international bonds, Islamic bonds (Sukuk), and syndicated loans.

The rest of the deficit, estimated nearly OMR(0.5) billion, will be covered by drawing on reserves.

The Sultanate is also planning to sell off or privatise its holdings.

“In 2016, the government has embarked on implementing a privatisation scheme in accordance to a framework set for the period of (2016-2020). The first phase of the scheme is completed after setting up a holding company for each sector, and transferring government shares to the relevant holding company.

“Furthermore, ownerships of some government companies have been transferred to sovereign funds, in preparation of privatization. Moreover, financial and legal advisory studies, of privatizing Muscat Electricity Distribution Company (MEDC), have been completed. MEDC is a subsidiary of Electricity Holding Company (EHC) and owned fully by the state. It’s expected that the mechanisms and procedures of privatizing MEDC would be completed during first-half of 2017.

“The privatisation scheme will continue over the coming years.

Such scheme is considered as one basic tool leading to expanding the ownership base of private sector, and deepening the securities market.” -ONA

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

A7

REGION IS attack Iraqi police near Najaf, kill seven which involved gunmen and a suicide car bomb, followed blasts a day earlier in Baghdad that left 29 people dead

DAMAGED: Iraqis inspect the site of a bomb attack at a police checkpoint near the southern Iraqi city

of Najaf, Iraq, on Sunday. – AFP

pushed IS out of several more areas despite fierce resistance.

The fourth day of the renewed push saw incremental advances on the eastern and southeastern fronts. A military statement said the counter-terrorism forces had retaken part of Karama district.

A federal police officer said Iraqi forces had taken near total control of Intisar and Siha neighbourhoods, and were clearing Salam.

“For the fourth day in a row, federal police units supported by the army are on the offensive,” he told Reuters at a forward base in Intisar.

The attack near Najaf, 500 km (310 mile) south of Mosul, happened when two vehicles travelling through the desert were stopped at a police checkpoint around Al Qadisiya town, local police sources said.

The driver detonated an explosive load and the second vehicle

fled. Police pursued it and killed the two militants inside.

In a statement distributed online by supporters, IS claimed responsibility for the attack, which also wounded 17 people including civilians. It said four gunmen had opened fire before detonating explosive vests and then a fifth assailant launched a suicide car bomb. It was not immediately possible to reconcile those accounts.

Although the militants are vastly outnumbered in Mosul, they have embedded themselves among residents, hindering Iraqi forces who are trying to avoid civilian casualties. Despite food and water shortages, most civilians have stayed in their homes rather than fleeing as had been expected.

Thousands more people have fled their homes since the military’s new push began, many under the cover of darkness to avoid

WA R W I T H I N NAT I O N

Air strikes, clashes continue as Syrian truce holds on BEIRUT: Syrian government warplanes carried out several air strikes and low-level clashes persisted in some areas on Sunday, but a Russian- and Turkishbacked ceasefire largely held in other areas on its third day, a monitoring group and rebels said.

Jets bombed the villages of Kafr Kar, Mintar and around the town of Banan in the southern Aleppo countryside, the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. It said government forces also advanced overnight against rebels in the Eastern Ghouta area near Damascus, seizing 10 farms.

But opposition groups did not BAHRAIN PRISON

Policeman killed, inmates freed in attack MUSCAT: A policeman was killed on Sunday when armed men attacked a prison in Bahrain, freeing several convicted inmates, the interior ministry said, in what it described as a terrorist act.

It did not provide an exact number for those who had escaped or identify them but said authorities were searching for them.

Protests Thousands Bahrainis are in jail on charges ranging from participating in anti-government protests to armed attacks on security forces in the kingdom, where the US Fifth Fleet is based. “An armed attack on the Jau reform and rehabilitation centre resulted in the death of policeman Abdul Salam Saif and the escape of a number of inmates convicted of terrorist crimes,” the ministry said in a statement posted on its Twitter account. — Reuters

Kidnappers of Saudi judge already on list of wanted terrorists DUBAI: Three men sought in connection with the abduction of a judge last month are already on a wanted list for their suspected involvement in terrorist attacks in eastern Saudi Arabia, the interior ministry said on Sunday.

The judge, Sheikh Mohammed Al Jirani, disappeared in December from outside his home in Qatif province. No group has claimed responsibility for his abduction but local media have suggested it may be related to his work for the Saudi government.

An interior ministry spokesman said three of the men believed to have taken part in the abduction were also among nine people wanted in connection with past “terrorist acts” in Qatif province and the eastern city of Dammam, including attacks on citizens and security personnel.

He named the three as Maitham

The Najaf attack,

MOSUL/HILLA: IS militants attacked an Iraqi police checkpoint near the southern city of Najaf on Sunday, killing seven policemen as government forces in the north made more gains against the IS in Mosul, their last major stronghold in the country.

The Najaf attack, which involved gunmen and a suicide car bomb, followed blasts a day earlier in Baghdad that left 29 people dead, a reminder of IS’s continued ability to operate away from territory under its control.

The recapture of Mosul would probably spell the end for the group’s territories in areas it seized in 2014, but the militants would still be capable of fighting a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plotting or inspiring attacks on the West.

Since the US-backed offensive began on October 17, elite forces have retaken a quarter of Mosul in the biggest ground operation in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi has said the group would be driven out of the country by April.

The second phase of the campaign launched on Thursday following weeks of deadlock has

ABDUCTION

follow through on threats made on Saturday to abandon the truce altogether, raising hopes for an end to almost six years of fighting.

A military news outlet run by Lebanese group Hezbollah, an ally of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, said the Syrian army had destroyed an armoured vehicle belonging to the former Nusra Front in southern Aleppo province. The army has said the group, previously Al Qaeda’s Syria branch, is not included in the ceasefire deal but rebels say it is.

The latest truce agreement is the first not to involve the United States or the United Nations - a reflection of Moscow’s grow-

ing diplomatic influence after a long campaign of Russian air strikes helped Assad recapture the northern city of Aleppo last month. That victory has greatly strengthened the president’s position as the warring sides prepare for peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana this month.

Mohammed Rasheed, a spokesman for the Jaish Al Nasr rebel group operating mostly in the western province of Hama, said the area was mostly calm. There were low-level clashes in Wadi Barada near Damascus but government forces and their allies had stopped carrying out air strikes and shelling, he said. — Reuters

detection by IS. Families leaving Mithaq district on Sunday had to climb over earthen berms the military has built across roads to block car bombs.

One resident reached by phone in eastern Mosul said he had never seen such heavy bombardment.

Several civilians were wounded when a mortar fell in his street, but they could not be ferried to the hospital on the western side of the city because air strikes have taken all the bridges out of service. “One of them is my friend. His stomach is bleeding badly. We found a doctor in the neighbourhood to treat him but I fear he will die if he stays like this for long,” he said.

A resident of Karama district said IS had begun forcing residents out of some areas, burning the cars of residents who refused to move. “They want to clear out the neighbourhood before the Iraqi forces enter,” he said. — Reuters

Three of the men believed to have taken part in the abduction were also wanted in connection with past ‘terrorist acts’ in Qatif Ali Mohammed Al Qudaihi, Ali Bilal Saud Al Hamad and Mohammed Hussein Ali Al Ammar.

Speaking at a news conference in Riyadh, the ministry spokesman, Mansour Al Turki, warned the kidnappers not to harm Jirani.

Turki also said authorities were holding three other men suspected of carrying out surveillance work that preceded the kidnapping.

Qatif is located in the oil-producing Eastern Province. — Reuters

A8

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

INDIA Akhilesh elected party chief as Samajwadi Party splits The proposal to make Akhilesh Yadav Samajwadi Party chief was welcomed by a huge applause by party cadres gathered at the sprawling Janeshwar Misra Park raising their hands

BRIEFING: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and newly unanimously elected party’s national president

Akhilesh Yadav addresses as SP general secretary Ram Gopal Yadav looks on during Samajwadi party national convention in Lucknow on Sunday. - PTI

LUCKNOW: Ruling Samajwadi Party on Sunday finally split with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav being anointed the SP president upstaging his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, who yet again expelled Ram Gopal Yadav from the party for six years and termed as illegal all decisions taken at a national convention convened by him.

The national convention, earlier in the day, also proposed the expulsion of “outsider” Amar Singh and removal of Shivpal Singh Yadav from the post of SP’s UP chief.

Stung by these “decisions”, Mulayam struck back, issuing a hard-hitting letter that said the national convention had not been convened with permission of the national president and so all decision taken there are illegal.

Power struggle “The parliamentary board of the party declares all the proposals, decisions and the convention itself illegal and expels Ram Gopal, who convened the convention, for six years,” the letter stated.

The bitter power struggle hit a

new low with Mulayam also convening a national convention of the party on January 5 at the same venue here to show people as to who had more clout in the party.

Crisis refused to die down in the party as Akhilesh was “unanimously” crowned the SP national president at the convention a day after over 200 of the 229 party MLAs met him at his residence here at a show of strength which left his father’s camp with barely 20 MLAs. The proposal to make Akhilesh SP chief was welcomed by a huge applause by party cadres gathered at the sprawling Janeshwar Misra Park raising their hands. Ram Gopal also moved a proposal to make Mulayam Singh, the founder president of the party, as party patron and removing Shivpal Yadav from the state unit post.

Earlier on Sunday morning as soon as the national convention got underway at the park, Mulayam issued a letter declaring the convention as “unconstitutional”.

“Today a so-called convention

has been convened by Ram Gopal.

This is against party constitution and discipline. This has been convened to damage the party,” Yadav said in the letter. Although Mulayam warned that participation in the convention will be taken as indiscipline and action will be initiated against those attending it, almost all the senior leaders who had been longtime associates of Mulayam shared the dais with Ram Gopal and Akhilesh.

Soon after being proposed as the national president of the party, Akhilesh said his respect for his father was more than ever and that he would stand against those conspiring against the party.

“Those who conspired against the party, damaged it and also posed problems before the national president...should know that my respect for the national president (Mulayam Singh) will be more than before,” the chief minister said. “...People might raise questions and level allegations but I said this before and say it again that as his son if there is any conspiracy

against the party and him it is my duty to stand against them,” he said. “I had said that I was ready to step down as state unit president earlier too... He had made me the CM and gave me a chance to work...,” he said.

The convention also authorised Akhilesh to constitute a national executive, parliamentary board and various state units, as required, and inform the Election Commission of the developments at the earliest. The fresh developments have almost left both Mulayam and younger brother Shivpal isolated in the party.

Soon after he was made the national president, Akhilesh said, “I had stated that I was ready to step down as the state unit president earlier too, but one person brought the typewriter at Netaji’s home and got the letter of my removal from the post typed.”

The chief minister said, “All want that SP comes back to power but there are some who do not want this...Netaji would be most elated if the party forms the next

government...I have been given the responsibility to make the next government on one more time. “Netaji’s respect and position is supreme for us...These three-four months are very important....Don’t know who all can come together and force certain decisions,” Akhilesh said.

In his address at the convention, Ram Gopal said that all are aware that the government was working well but two persons conspired and got Akhilesh removed from the state president’s post and posed a big problem in the party.

Blaming Shivpal Yadav for working in an arbitrary manner, he said that tickets were being given to those who are not even members of the party.

“The state unit president gave tickets to those who were not even member of the party...Despite directives from the national president, the state unit president revoked the suspension of those shown the door...It is clear that some people do no want SP to return to power and Akhilesh to become the chief minister again,” he said.

When the problems became insurmountable the party workers gave him a request in writing to convene an emergency convention and he waited for two months before convening Sunday’s meeting, Akhilesh said.

Reacting to the developments, senior SP leader and MP, Naresh Agrawal said, “When lakhs of people have chosen Akhilesh as the party president, then who has the right to remove anyone.

“Netaji is our leader, we all respect him. I would like to tell Netaji that if your son is moving forward and is making you proud, then you should shun your relations with the people who are trying to break your family and because of whom there is a feud within the party. If Netaji still doesn’t pay heed to the public opinion, then it is unfortunate,” he said. - PTI

F O U N D AT I O N D AY

Trinamool eyes ‘major role’ in next central government KOLKATA: As Mamata Banerjee virtually leads the opposition offensive against the Modi government on note ban, her party Trinamool Congress(TMC) on Sunday made it clear its aim is to play a ‘major role’ in formation of central government in 2019 and vowed not to stop despite the “vendetta politics”, after its leaders faced renewed heat over chit fund scams.

Addressing the 19th Foundation Day programme of TMC here, its vice president Mukul Roy said the party will work to unite the opposition forces for the next general election.

“As our party and our supremo Mamata Banerjee had opposed the anti-people decision of demonetisation, vendetta politics will intensify in days to come. But that can’t stop TMC from opposing antipeople decision,” Roy said.

“We will not stop until and unless we play a decisive role in national politics in days to come. In 2019, TMC will play a major role in government formation by uniting opposition forces,” the senior TMC leader said.

His statement came just days after Trinamool Congress MP Tapas Pal was arrested by CBI for his alleged involvement in Rose Valley Chit Fund scam. CBI has accused the ponzi firm of duping investors of Rs170 billion, of which Rs4.5 billion is from Odisha alone. The company was active in Odisha and had 28 branches in the state.

“He (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) can arrest all of our MPs, I do not care. This is nothing but vendetta politics. We will continue with our protest (against demonetisation),” a furious Trinamool Congress supremo had said after the arrest.

TMC leader in Lok Sabha Sudip Bandopadhyay too has been summoned by the central agency in the same case. - PTI

D E M O N E T I S AT I O N M OV E

Shoe hurled towards Kejriwal, misses him, at Rohtak rally ROHTAK (Haryana): Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday faced a shoe attack while addressing a public meeting here against demonetisation during which he targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The shoe, however, missed its target and the youth was nabbed.

The incident took place this evening when Kejriwal, the convenor of Aam Aadmi Party, was addressing Tijori Tod Bhanda Fod rally against the demonetisation move.

The shoe was hurled towards Kejriwal when attacked the prime minister over the demonetisation decision, terming it as a “scam”.

“The shoe did not hit Kejriwal ji,” said AAP’s senior leader from Haryana, Navin Jaihind, who was also present.

AAP workers overpowered the youth and he was later handed to police at Urban Estate station. Police said they were interrogating the motive behind the act. The accused identified as Vikas (26), was a resident of Mori Makrana village, district Dadri in Haryana, a senior police official said.

“He is graduate and unemployed. When we questioned him, he said that he was hurt by Kejriwal’s statements on the Satluj Yamuna Link issue which went against Haryana’s interests. At the time of being questioned, the youth did not seem to be in sound mental condition,” the police official added. Kejriwal said the incident proved Modi’s “cowardice”.

“Maine kaha tha Modi ji Kayar hai. (I had said Modi is a coward),

that is why he sends his stooges to throw shoes...but you may throw shoes or conduct CBI raids, that will not stop me from speaking the truth about demonetisation scam..,” he said.

Attacking the prime minister on demonetisation, he said the move had “made poor farmers stand in long queues for their own money.”

Kejriwal alleged that the BJP leadership had sounded their near and dear ones before announcing demonetisation. He termed demonetisation as the “biggest scam” in the country post Independence.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also targeted Modi and criticised demonetisation, claiming it had failed to achieve the desired objectives of ending corruption, black money, fake curren-

cy and funding of terror networks.

“On the contrary, it has hit all sections of the society, especially the common people,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Jaihind claimed that AAP will win 100 of the 117 seats of the poll-bound Punjab state.

Meanwhile, Congress on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi sounded “apologetic” in his New Year eve speech as his 50-day shuddhi yagna of demonetisation has turned out be an “uncontrolled forest fire” that has claimed “several lives” and crippled the economy.

The opposition party also claimed that the scheme of financial assistance to pregnant women, announced by Modi, was actually started by the UPA. - PTI

GARNERING SUPPORT: AAP worker holding shoe hurled at Arvind

Kejriwal while he was addressing the rally in Rohtak on Sunday. - PTI

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PAKISTAN NEXT TWO WEEKS

NEW YEAR FIREWORKS

Petroleum prices to remain unchanged

People enjoy fireworks in the port city of Karachi on Sunday. - AFP / Asif Hasan

ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to let the prices of petroleum products remain unchanged for the next two weeks.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said that the decision to keep the prices unchanged despite the hike in international market is a New Year gift to the masses and now the new prices will be announced fortnightly.

However, he revealed that the prices of kerosene oil and light diesel will not change for the whole month of January.

The finance minister also said the government will have to bear a burden of around Rs4 billion after the decision of not increasing the petroleum prices.

While announcing the government’s policy on petroleum products prices for January, 2015, Dar said Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had recommended increase from the beginning of the New Year.

The recommended increase PA NA M A PA P E R S L E A K

Panamagate bench gets makeover ISLAMABAD: Immediately after donning the robe of the country’s top judge on Saturday, Justice Mian Saqib Nisar formed a five-judge larger bench that will hear the Panamagate case afresh from January 4.

Justice Asif Saeed Khosa, an outspoken judge who specialises in criminal law, will head the bench that also comprises Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan, Justice Gulzar Ahmed, Justice Azmat Saeed Sheikh and Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan.

Significantly, the new chief justice decided to stay away from the case which involves the ruling Sharif family. On his first day in office, Chief Justice Nisar also notified another five-judge bench to hear a case against the Lahore Orange Line metro train, the Punjab government’s flagship mass transit project. The chief justice avoided sitting on this bench too since it involves the PML-N. Justice Amir Hani Muslim will head the bench which will take up the case from Monday. The vice chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, Farogh Naseem, who is in the United States these days, appreciated the chief justice’s decision, saying that a ‘very independent bench’ comprising senior judges has been constituted to hear the Panamagate case.

In November, the Supreme Court had taken up a slew of petitions seeking Premier Sharif’s disqualification in the wake of revelations made in the Panama Papers that three scions of the Sharif family had stashed money in offshore companies. - Express Tribune

was: 0.5 per cent in MS 92 RON petrol, 5.2 per cent in HSD,16 per cent in kerosene and 8 per cent in LDO with effect from January 1, 2017 which work out to be Rs0.31/litre in MS 92 RON petrol, Rs3.94/litre in HSD, Rs3.48/ litre in LDO and Rs6.93/litre in kerosene oil.

A statement by the finance ministry said that in order to maintain stability since April 2016, prices have been maintained despite fluctuation in international market and the government has been absorbing the negative financial impact.

A day earlier, officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources had revealed that prices of petroleum products could be increased by up to Rs6.93 per litre for January 2017 due to the global rise in crude oil prices.

Prices of all petroleum products, except for kerosene oil, are deregulated and Ogra only monitors them. - Express Tribune

Shortfall in tax collection widens to over Rs142b There was positive growth in income tax collection while the collection of sales tax remained slightly below the last year’s level

The government set this year’s annual target at Rs3.621 trillion – as much as 16 per cent higher than the final collection of the previous fiscal year

ISLAMABAD: The shortfall in tax collection has further widened to over Rs142 billion by the end of the first half of this fiscal year despite the government taking advances from banks and oil and gas producing companies for the period of at least next six months.

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) provisionally collected Rs1.452 trillion during July-December period of this fiscal year, falling short of the six-month target by Rs142 billion, according to officials of the tax machinery.

However, they have blamed the government for the massive shortfall, highlighting a fundamental flaw in working out tax collection target for current fiscal year 2016-17.

The government set this year’s

annual target at Rs3.621 trillion – as much as 16 per cent higher than the final collection of the previous fiscal year.

However, it did not exclude the impact of reduction in General Sales Tax (GST) rates on petroleum products and zero rating regime for the export-oriented five sectors, said the sources.

There was positive growth in income tax collection while the collection of sales tax remained slightly below the last year’s level.

In order to bridge the shortfall, the FBR took advance taxes worth over Rs30 billion in December alone from commercial banks and the oil and gas sector companies, said the sources. They added the Ministry of Finance also played a role in this regard.

However, the FBR cannot be fully absolved of the responsibility to achieve the set targets, as it has also failed to broaden the income tax base that remains extremely

narrow. If one accepts the argument of shortfall in tax revenues is due to reduction in tax rates, it would put a question mark on the rationale of having 22,000 strong FBR force that include 42 grade 21 officers and four grade 22 officers.

The FBR employees get double salaries compared with standard pay packages of the civil servants.

One example of taking advances was that on December 30 when the FBR received Rs66 billion in a single day while on the same day of last year its collection was Rs28.7 billion.

In a testimony to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, the FBR chairman admitted that the annual target of Rs3.621 trillion was high and unrealistic.

He had said that the finance ministry had fixed the target without taking the FBR’s input.

For the current fiscal year, the parliament has approved Rs3.621 trillion annual target and the FBR

was aiming at collecting 44 per cent of it or Rs1.593 trillion in first half of this fiscal year.

The six-month collection was Rs67 billion or 4.8 per cent more than Rs1.385 trillion that the FBR had collected during the first half of the previous year, according to the provisional results.

Due to heavy advances, the FBR’s collection in December increased to Rs380 billion as against last year’s collection of Rs335.9 billion. It posted 13 per cent growth but fell short of the monthly target by Rs12 billion.

The FBR has informed the finance minister that its collection primarily dipped due to changes in sales tax rates on petroleum products, fertiliser and five-export oriented sectors besides reduction in interest rates.

The FBR collected Rs88.1 billion sales tax on five petroleum products during July-November period of this year. The collection

was Rs38.3 billion less than the comparative year due to reduction in General Sales Tax rate.

However, last year the government charged an abnormally high tax rates on petroleum products.

Still, sales tax on high-speed diesel is higher than standard 17 per cent rate. According to the FBR’s estimates, it can potentially collect Rs575.8 billion from the petroleum products during the current fiscal year.

At current sales tax rate, the FBR is anticipating at least Rs100 billion shortfalls, as it has already sustained Rs38 billion less collection in first five months.

The FBR sources said that the sales tax collection from fertiliser sector dropped by 55 per cent to Rs6.7 billion during first five months due to the government’s decision to lower GST rate from 17 per cent to 5 per cent. The government’s decision to grant zero-rating regime to five export oriented sectors also caused Rs6.2 billion dent to the FBR’s revenues during the first five months.

However, this has provided much-needed relief to the textile sector, as the FBR was using their genuine refunds to inflate its revenues. The FBR said that excluding these sectors, its collection from all other sectors was 13.3 per cent higher during first five months of the fiscal year.

Similarly, its income tax collection from banking sector dipped

by Rs15 billion during first five months. - Express Tribune

DROPPED REFORMS AGENDA

Next general elections trumped economic caution for government ISLAMABAD: The PML-N government abandoned caution in economic policymaking in 2016, dropped the reforms agenda and took several decisions with an eye on the next general elections.

Barring consolidation of gains on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) front, largely observing fiscal discipline, and building foreign currency reserves, the government again failed to deliver on areas that were critical for placing the economy on a strong footing.

While the Pakistan Stock Exchange remained a shining star in 2016, its contribution to the real economic growth remains debatable. Perhaps it was the government’s luck, but an overall sense of economic stabilisation remained on the economic horizon, largely because of the booming stock market and the completion of the three-year $6.2 billion IMF bailout programme. The successful but gradual implementation of the $54 billion CPEC was the only high point of 2016.

Towards the end of the year, the government also managed to assuage resentment in the smaller provinces over CPEC. This only happened after the government took meaningful actions and moved away from rhetoric.

However, after the success-

ful culmination of the IMF programme, weaknesses started appearing even in areas of strength, like fiscal consolidation and foreign currency reserves.

From November, the official foreign currency reserves started depleting by almost $150 a week.

In the words of former finance minister Dr Salman Shah, after the culmination of the IMF programme, “the government has thrown the caution to the wind.”

In 2016, Pakistan’s economy also made a gradual shift to cash as protection against the government’s taxation policies. This was contrary to the global trends.

Privatisation In 2015-16, the currency in circulation expanded 30.5 per cent as compared to 17.3 per cent a year before, according to the central bank. In 2016, Pakistan’s economy had reached a pivotal point where it needed a national consensus to move ahead with privatisation and restructuring of loss-making enterprises. It failed to cash on the opportunity.

The three mammoth taxpayer money guzzlers – Pakistan Steel Mills, Pakistan International Airlines and Pakistan Railways – could not be privatised or restructured. Power sector bleeding could

STRATEGIC PROJECT: This file photograph taken on April 13, 2016, shows a general view of the dockside at the port of Gwadar, some 700km west of Karachi. The successful but gradual implementation of the $54 billion CPEC was the only high point of 2016. - AFP

not be stopped and circular debt again piled up to Rs665 billion, including arrears parked in a power holding company.

However, the Ministry of Water and Power did slightly improve bill collection and marginally reduced line losses. On the taxation front, from retailers to property dealers, almost everyone won tax concessions due to the weakening writ of the government.

They availed the schemes to whiten their hidden assets but in return, the FBR got nothing.

It was an area where the govern-

ment took decisions by keeping in mind the 2018 elections.

A report by an independent think tank puts the economic performance of the government in following terms.

The ruling party has “obsessed itself with the cliché of developing infrastructure by moving away from the sustainable economic reforms path,” stated the ‘Bad Economics is Bad Politics’ report of the Policy Research Institute of Market Economy (PRIME).

The report said the government’s economic policies were geared

towards achieving goals that in its view would fetch votes in the next elections.

The report dubbed the fiscal year 2016-17 budget as an ‘election year budget’.The performance on fronts of investment, savings and exports remained poor, deepening the government’s dependence on foreign lenders to run its economic and financial affairs.

The investment-to-GDP ratio remained almost stagnant at 15.2 per cent. Savings remained almost stagnant at 14.5 per cent of GDP. Exports plunged to years’ low level. Pakistan remained among the bottom 20 in the list of 138 countries ranked on the influential Global Competitiveness Index of the World Economic Forum and stood at the bottom among South Asian economies, trailing behind even Nepal and Bangladesh.

The government’s economic policies suffocated growth, increased unemployment and income inequality.

To meet its targets, the government resorted to unprecedented level of taxation, which affected poor and middle-income groups more than the rich.

It reversed some of tariff liberalisation reforms to achieve tax targets. However, it reduced the number of slabs to four under an

IMF condition. In today’s global production chain, customs duties are considered a barrier to exports.

“In Pakistan, it seems the poor are subjected to heavy and harsh indirect taxation and the elite are enjoying free perquisites and benefits, including purchase of valuable state-owned plots at prime locations at throwaway prices,” stated the government-constituted Tax Reforms Commission in a report. Transparency in economic decision-making was visibly lacking. The government did not make public its negotiations with Qatar for the $16 billion Liquefied Natural Gas deal.

The adverse impact of a ‘seller-favouring’ $16-billion deal with Qatar for import of LNG started appearing in 2016 when the government approved a new implementation agreement for three LNG-fired power plants, which violated the least cost generation policy.

The unemployment rate remained high and there was no official plan to tackle it. The top most two priorities of the government remained building foreign currency reserves, largely by borrowings, and curtailing to budget deficit by cutting development spending and parking some expenses outside the budget.- Express Tribune

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MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

WORLD North Korea close to test launch of ICBM, says Kim a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. An Chan-il, a former North Korean military officer who defected to the South and runs a think tank in Seoul, said Kim will gauge Trump’s comments about his country for potential interest in dialogue and determine whether to try and conduct an ICBM test launch.

“If Trump comes in and the North does not get a good signal in terms of how the relationship between the two countries is going to go, that’ll give them another reason to do it,” An said.

The country has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Sunday that the isolated nuclear capable country was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

North Korea tested ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate during 2016, although some experts have said it is years away from developing an ICBM fitted with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the United States.

“Research and development of cutting edge arms equipment is actively progressing and ICBM rocket test launch preparation is in its last stage,” Kim said during a televised New Year’s Day speech.

Nuclear test The country has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

The sanctions were tightened last month after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on September 9.

A successful ICBM test launch would mark a significant step forward for secretive Pyongyang’s

ANNOUNCEMENT: People walk past a television news broadcast at a railway station in Seoul on Sunday showing North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s New Year’s speech. – AFP

weapons capability. ICBMs have a minimum range of about 5,500km (3,418 miles), but some are designed to travel 10,000 km or further. The US state of California is roughly 9,000 km from North Korea.

However, North Korea has struggled to reliably deploy its intermediate-range Musudan ballistic missile, succeeding just once

in eight attempted launches last year. The Musudan is designed to fly about 3,000 km (1,860 miles), posing a threat to South Korea and Japan, and possibly the US territory of Guam.

South Korea’s defence ministry declined to comment on whether North Korea would test launch an ICBM soon.

According to a senior US intel-

ligence official, President-elect Donald Trump’s first and at that time only request for a special classified intelligence briefing was for one on North Korea and its nuclear weapons programme.

North Korea and its nuclear programme has also been of interest to retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, Trump’s choice for national security advisor and

Pre-emptive strike Kim also said that the North would continue to develop its preemptive nuclear strike capability if the United States and South Korea continue to conduct annual joint military exercises. There are 28,500 US troops based in South Korea, and North Korean state media often describes annual joint exercises as preparation for an attack.

In February, North Korea launched a satellite into space, which was widely seen as a test of long-range ballistic missile technology.

A senior US military official said last month that North Korea appears able to mount a miniaturised nuclear warhead on a missile but is still struggling with missile re-entry technology necessary for longer range strikes.

Although it fired a variety of missile types last year, North Korea is not known to have testlaunched a ballistic missile since October. — Reuters

VIOLENCE

Gunman shoots dead Burundi’s environment minister NAIROBI: A gunman killed Burundi’s environment minister early on Sunday, police said, the first murder of a senior government figure in nearly two years of political violence.

Emmanuel Niyonkuru, 54, environment minister, was attacked as he travelled home in the central African nation’s capital Bujumbura, police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said in a tweet.

Violent protests erupted early in 2015 after President Pierre Nkurunziza said he would seek a third term - a move opponents said violated the constitution and a peace deal that ended an ethnically charged civil war.

Clashes At least 450 people have died in clashes between protesters and security forces, tit-for-tat killings and a failed coup, stoking fears of wider unrest in a region still haunted by the 1994 genocide in neighbouring Rwanda.

“The minister of water and environment was shot... as he was getting home,” police spokesman Nkurikiye said. A woman with the minister had been arrested for questioning, he added.

President Nkurunziza said on Twitter the minister had been assassinated and offered condolences “to the family and all Burundians”.

Nkurunziza went on to win re-election in July 2015 in a poll largely boycotted by the opposition. — Reuters

CORRUPTION

South Korean president denies wrongdoing in scandal SEOUL: South Korea’s impeached President Park Geun-hye on Sunday broke a month-long silence over her alleged role in a corruption scandal, publicly denying charges of wrongdoing and saying that the accusations against her were “fabrication and falsehood.”

Park also said that she was set up over allegations that she ordered the government to support a 2015 merger of two affiliates of South Korean conglomerate Samsung, a deal which has become central to the investigation.

“It’s completely framed,” she was quoted by local media as saying, without elaborating.

Park is being investigated over accusations that she gave favours to big businesses in return for

financial contributions to entities controlled by her friend, Choi Soon-sil.

On Sunday, Park denied Choi was allowed to wield undue and wide-reaching influence over state affairs.

In a hastily arranged briefing over tea, the leader met reporters from domestic media in her first event since being impeached by parliament on December 9.

Park’s fate is in the hands of Constitutional Court judges who have up to 180 days to uphold the impeachment or reinstate her.

She last appeared in public on November 29, offering to step down if parliament could agree on a way for her to leave office.

Opposition parties rejected that

IN TROUBLED WATER: South

Korea’s President Park Geunhye. – Blue House/Yonhap via Reuters

offer and led a motion to impeach Park by a wide margin, joined by some members of her own Saenuri Party. The Constitutional Court is set to begin hearing arguments from both sides. Park has denied wrongdoing previously but apolo-

gised for carelessness in her ties with Choi, a friend for four decades, who has also denied wrongdoing. Choi is in detention while on trial.

Park said on Sunday that the decision by the country’s national pension fund to back a merger between two Samsung Group affiliates was “a just policy decision” made for national interest, and that the deal was supported by many brokerage firms at the time.

“I did not have an iota of thinking to help anyone and the thought never crossed my mind,” Park said.

“This is not the place to tell you all the details, but what I can clearly say now is that I did nothing whatsoever to favour anyone or collude with anyone to do that.”

The merger in 2015 of Samsung Group affiliates Cheil Industries Inc and Samsung C&T Corp has become a key part of the probe into influence peddling at the pinnacle of South Korean politics.

The deal has been criticised by some investors for strengthening the founding family’s control of Samsung Group, South Korea’s largest “chaebol”, or conglomerate, at the expense of other shareholders.The National Pension Ser vice, which had 545 trillion won ($451.78 billion) under management at the end of September and was a major shareholder in the two Samsung affiliates, voted in favour of the merger without calling in an external committee that sometimes advises it on difficult votes.

Park, 64, is accused of colluding with Choi to pressure big businesses including Samsung to make contributions to non-profit foundations backing presidential initiatives.

Hundreds of thousands of people have turned out in central Seoul for ten straight weekends to demand Park’s immediate ouster, but she has defied the call and indicated through her lawyers that she will fight impeachment in court.

Park’s comments on Sunday were more detailed than previous ones, and also touched on allegations of negligence over the handling of the Sewol ferry disaster in April 2014 that killed more than 300 passengers, mostly school children. — Reuters

POLLUTION

Highways shut, flights cancelled as smog hits northern China BEIJING: Heavy smog in northern China on Sunday caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled and highways to shut, disrupting the first day of the new year holiday.

Large parts of the north were hit by hazardous smog in midDecember, leading authorities to order hundreds of factories to close and to restrict motorists to cut emissions.

The latest bout of air pollution began on Friday and is expected to persist until Thursday, although it will ease slightly on Monday, the last day of the new year holiday.

In Beijing, 24 flights were cancelled at the city’s main airport and all buses from there to neighbouring cities suspended, the airport said in a statement on its official microblog.

Average concentrations of small breathable particles known as PM2.5 were higher than 500 micrograms per cubic metre in Beijing - 50 times higher than World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations.

In Tianjin, Beijing’s next door metropolis, the smog was not as serious but visibility much worse, with more than 200 flights cancelled at Tianjin airport and conditions not expected to improve in the near term, the city government said.

Some bus routes and highways in Tianjin were also closed due to the smog, the government added.

In Shijiazhuang, the provincial

HAZARDOUS: Chinese women wear masks on a heavily polluted

day in Beijing on Sunday. Average concentrations of small breathable particles known as PM2.5 were higher than 500 micrograms per cubic metre in Beijing - 50 times higher than World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. – AFP

capital of Hebei province that surrounds most of the Beijing, about two dozen flights were cancelled and eight flights diverted to other airports because of the smog, the People’s Daily said on its website.

A total of 24 Chinese cities have issued red alerts for the current round of pollution, which mandate measures like limiting car usage and closing factories, while 21 have issued orange alerts, including Beijing and Tianjin.

China began a “war on pollution” in 2014 amid concerns its

heavy industrial past was tarnishing its global reputation and holding back its future development, but it has struggled to effectively tackle the problem.

Pollution alerts are common in northern China, especially during winter when energy demand, much of it met by coal, soars.

The country’s northern provinces mostly rely on the burning of hundreds of millions of tonnes of coal each year for heating during northern China’s bitterly cold winters. — Reuters

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

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NEW YEAR’S ADDRESS

STEAM ENGINES PARADE

‘Terrorism casts bloodstain over world’

People ride model steam engines during the New Year’s day parade in London, Britain on Sunday. — Reuters

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis urged leaders to work together to fight the “plague of terrorism”, saying in his New Year’s address on Sunday that a bloodstain was covering the world as it started 2017.

Speaking to some 50,000 people in St. Peter’s Square for his traditional noon address, Francis departed from his prepared text to condemn the Istanbul nightclub attack that killed at least 39 people.

“Unfortunately, violence has stricken even in this night of good wishes and hope. Pained, I express my closeness to the Turkish people.

I pray for the many victims and for the wounded and for the entire nation in mourning,” he said. “I ask the Lord to sustain all men of good will to courageously roll up their sleeves to confront the plague of terrorism and this stain of blood that is covering the world with a shadow of fear and a sense of loss,” he said.

He said 2017 will be what people make of it. “The year will be good in the measure that each one of us, with the help of God, seeks to do good day after day,” he told the crowd on a cold morning.

He said peace was constructed by saying ‘no’ to hate and violence and ‘yes’ to brotherhood and reconciliation. — Reuters FA R - R I G H T B O O K S H O P

Parcel bomb wounds Italian policeman ROME: A parcel bomb with a timer exploded early Sunday morning in front of a Florence bookstore run by a neo-fascist group, seriously wounding a policeman trying defuse the device, authorities said.

Anti-terrorism police discovered the package while patrolling sensitive sites and called in the bomb squad, Florence police chief Alberto Intini told RAI state television. The package detonated as a police expert was approaching it at about 5:30am (04:30 GMT), Intini said.

The officer was rushed to hospital where his left hand was amputated, a police source told Reuters.

The blast also left him blind in one eye, the source said. Police are investigating and would not speculate on who placed the bomb or why. “It’s the third attack in a year on the bookstore,” Gianluca Iannone, president of far-right group CasaPound, said in a statement.

“It was a clearly political attack,” he added.

In the 1970s and ‘80s, Italy was marred by far-left and far-right extremist attacks. In recent, years such violence has become much less frequent. — Reuters

May calls for unity in 2017 after divisive Brexit vote May said in her televised message

So when I sit around the negotiating table in Europe this year, it will be with that in mind - the knowledge that I am there to get the right deal

that, despite the divisions, Britons shared a desire to live in a stronger, fairer and more secure country

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May pledged in a New Year message on Sunday to seek a Brexit deal that would work for all Britons, not just those who voted to leave the European Union in a referendum she said had laid bare the nation’s divisions.

Britons voted by 52 to 48 per cent last June to leave the EU and the tone of the public debate about what Brexit should look like has remained acrimonious.

Theresa May

British Prime Minister

May said in her televised message that, despite the divisions, Britons shared a desire to live in a stronger, fairer and more secure country. “These ambitions unite us, so that we are no longer the 52 per cent who voted Leave and the 48 per cent who voted Remain,

but one great union of people and nations with a proud history and a bright future,” said May. “So when I sit around the negotiating table in Europe this year, it will be with that in mind - the knowledge that I am there to get the right deal, not just for those

who voted to leave but for every single person in this country.”

May has pledged to trigger Article 50 of the EU’s Lisbon Treaty, the formal step that will launch negotiations on the terms of Britain’s exit, by the end of March.

The Brexit process will take

TRAGEDY

WA R N I N G

Indonesia tourist boat fire kills more than 20 JAKARTA: Twenty three people were killed and dozens injured on Sunday after a fire ripped through a boat carrying nearly 250 people to islands north of the Indonesian capital Jakarta, the city’s search and rescue agency said.

The Zahro Express caught fire shortly after leaving Muara Angke port in North Jakarta. The cause of the fire was thought to be a short circuit on a power generator, said police. “Thick smoke suddenly emerged, blanketing the cabin,” said survivor Ardi who was being treated in a Jakarta hospital.

Panic “All passengers panicked and ran up to the deck to throw floats into the water. In a split second, the fire becomes bigger coming from where fuel is stored,” said Ardi, who was on the boat with his son.

The boat was towed back to port where a Reuters witness saw victims in body bags being removed from the badly charred ship.

According to the head of Jakarta’s search and rescue agency, Hendra Sudirman, 248 people were on board, more than double the previous estimate of 100, and out of more than 200 people rescued, 32 were being treated at hospitals in Jakarta. — Reuters

years and May has given few details about what deal she will be seeking from the remaining 27 EU members. May became prime minister and leader of the ruling Conservative Party in July after her predecessor David Cameron resigned following the referendum. Both he and May had backed the ‘Remain’ side. In her New Year message, May also referred to the “precious union” between the United Kingdom’s four constituent parts, which is under strain since England and Wales voted to leave the EU while Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said she will do everything she can to ensure the will of the Scottish people is respected and she has raised the possibility of a future referendum on independence from the UK. In her own New Year message, Sturgeon said: “We are determined that Scotland’s vote to remain in the European Union will be respected and that people in Scotland retain as many of the benefits of EU membership as possible, including the freedom to work, travel and study in other member states.” — Reuters

ILL-FATED BOAT: Police, Red Cross and rescue workers search for victims after a fire ripped through a boat carrying tourists to islands

north of the capital, at Muara Angke port in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sunday. – Reuters

China’s won’t let anyone make ‘fuss’ about its territory, says Xi BEIJING: China will never allow anyone to “make a great fuss” about its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, President Xi Jinping said in his New Year’s address, while China’s top official in charge of Taiwan ties warned of risk ahead in 2017.

China’s increasingly assertive moves to push its territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea, including building artificial islands, has unnerved its neighbours.

“We adhere to peaceful development, and resolutely safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” Xi said, in comments carried by state media late on Saturday.

“Chinese people will never allow anyone to get away with making a great fuss about it,” he said, without elaborating.

China claims most of the South China Sea. Neighbours Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims.

Xi made no direct mention of self-ruled Taiwan, aside from extending New Year’s greetings to them. — Reuters

A12

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

WORLD

The incident bore echoes of an attack by militants on Paris’s Bataclan music hall in November 2015 that, along with assaults on bars and restaurants, killed 130 people.

39, including foreigners, killed by gunman in Istanbul nightclub Some people jumped into the Bosphorus to save themselves after the attacker began shooting at random in the Reina nightclub

ISTANBUL: A gunman opened fire on New Year revellers at a packed nightclub on the shores of Istanbul’s Bosphorus waterway on Sunday killing at least 39 people, including many foreigners, then fled the scene.

Some people jumped into the Bosphorus to save themselves after the attacker began shooting at random in the Reina nightclub just over an hour into the new year.

Witnesses described diving under tables as the assailant walked around spraying bullets from an automatic rifle.

The attack shook NATO member Turkey as it tries to recover from a failed July coup and a series of deadly bombings in cities including Istanbul and the capital Ankara, some blamed on IS and others claimed by Kurdish militants. Security services had been on alert across Europe for new year celebrations following an attack on a Christmas market in Berlin that killed 12 people. Only days ago, an online message from a pro-IS group called for attacks by “lone wolves” on “celebrations, gatherings and clubs”.

“At first we thought some men were fighting with each other,” said a Lebanese woman who gave her name as Hadeel and who was in the club with her husband and a friend. “Then we heard the sound of the gunfire and ducked under the tables.

“We heard the guy screaming slogan, all three of us heard that...

We heard his footsteps crushing the broken glass,” she told Reuters. “We got out through the kitchen, there was blood everywhere and bodies.”

Officials spoke of a single attacker, a “lone wolf” in the parlance of IS, but some reports citing witnesses including on social media suggested there may have been several.

The incident bore echoes of an attack by militants on Paris’s Bataclan music hall in November 2015 that, along with assaults on bars and restaurants, killed 130 people.

Nationals of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Lebanon, Libya, Israel, a Turkish-Belgian dual citizen and a Franco-Tunisian woman were among those killed, officials said.

Saudi newspaper Al Riyadh said five of the dead were from Saudi Arabia. France said three of its citizens were wounded.

A massive security operation unfolded to track down the fugitive assailant or assailants and any conspirators. Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said 15 or 16 of those killed at Reina were foreigners but only 21 bodies had so far been identified. He told reporters 69 people were in hospital, four of them in critical condition.

Turkey is part of the US-led coalition against IS and launched an incursion into Syria in August to drive the radical militants from its borders. It also helped broker a fragile ceasefire in Syria with Russia. “As a nation, we will fight to the end against not just the armed attacks of terror groups, but also against their economic, political and social attacks,” President Tayyip Erdogan said in a written statement.

“They are trying to create chaos, demoralise our people, and destabilise our country... We will retain our cool-headedness as a nation, standing more closely together, and we will never give ground to such dirty games,” he said.

Reina is one of Istanbul’s best known nightspots, popular with local high society and foreigners.

Some 600 people were thought to be inside when the gunman shot dead a policeman and civilian at the door, forced his way in and then opened fire.

Istanbul Governor Vasip Sahin said the attacker used a “longrange weapon” to “brutally and savagely” fire on people, apparently referring to some form of assault rifle. US President Barack Obama

THE SITE OF ATTACK: Turkish police stand guard outisde the Reina nightclub by the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, on Sunday. Right: Women who survived an attack, react

outside the nightclub. – Reuters

PAIN AND GRIEF: People cry during the funeral ceremony of Ayhan Arik, one of the victims of the attack. Right: Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, right, visits a survivor of the attack at a hospital in Istanbul. – AFP/Reuters

STRICT SECURITY: Turkish police stand guard outisde the Reina nightclub by the Bosphorus. – Reuters

expressed condolences and directed his team to offer help to the Turkish authorities, the White House said.

Reliable partner President Vladimir Putin Putin said Russia remained Turkey’s reliable partner in fighting terrorism, according to a statement from the Kremlin.Dozens of ambulances and police vehicles were dispatched to the club in Ortakoy, a neighbourhood on the city’s European side nestled under one of three bridges crossing the Bosphorus and home to nightclubs, restau-

rants and art galleries. “I didn’t see who was shooting but heard the gun shots and people fled. Police moved in quickly,” Sefa Boydas, a Turkish soccer player, wrote on Twitter.

“My girlfriend was wearing high heels. I lifted her and carried her out on my back,” he said.

Hurriyet quoted Reina’s owner, Mehmet Kocarslan, as saying security measures had been taken over the past 10 days after US intelligence reports suggested a possible attack.

Turkey faces multiple threats including spillover from the war in Syria. Beside its cross-border

campaign against IS, it is fighting Kurdish militants in its southeast.

The New Year’s Day attack came five months after a failed military coup, in which more than 240 people were killed, many of them in Istanbul, as rogue soldiers commandeered tanks and fighter jets in a bid to seize power.

More than 100,000 people, including soldiers and police officers, have been sacked or suspended in a subsequent crackdown ordered by Erdogan, raising concern both about civic rights and the effectiveness of Turkey’s security apparatus. On December

28, the Nashir Media Foundation, which backs IS, urged sympathisers to carry out attacks in Europe during the holiday period and to “replace their fireworks with explosive belts and devices, and turn their singing and clapping into weeping and wailing”. A month ago, a spokesman for IS urged supporters to target “the secular, apostate Turkish government”.

Turkey has seen repeated attacks in recent weeks. On December 10, two bombs claimed by Kurdish militants exploded outside a soccer stadium in Istanbul, killing 44 people.

A car bomb killed at least 13 soldiers and wounded 56 when it ripped through a bus carrying off-duty military personnel in the central city of Kayseri a week later, an attack Erdogan also blamed on Kurdish militants.

The Russian ambassador to Turkey was shot dead as he gave a speech in Ankara on December 19 by an off-duty police officer who shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo”. In June, around 45 people were killed and hundreds wounded as three suspected IS militants carried out a gun and bomb attack on Istanbul’s main Ataturk airport. — Reuters

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

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telecom royalty to 12 per cent timesofoman.com/Oman

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TIMESOFOMAN.COM/TIMESTV A Ministry of Health senior official said that hiring a housemaid could be bad for your health.

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For decades, practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (or TCM) have disputed accusations that their craft is a pseudo-science, a placebo, exploitative of endangered species, poisonous and ineffective.

Now China’s government is fighting on their behalf. On Christmas Day, it passed the country’s first law regulating TCM

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Picture a small farm under a blazing hot sky. An intense drought is afflicting the surrounding region, prospects for the next harvest are bleak, and the financial system lacks the capacity to provide the loans farmers need to get by. This scenario describes today’s southern Africa, which is in the grips of an epic drought.

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TWEET WE LIKE @OliverKlingbeil In the Sheraton Muscat Oman they know how to cook, the Chef and the team are amazing I think I gained 2kg during x-Mass when I was there

A socialist market economy with Chinese contradictions

Photo: cecilia_fattorini1

he year 2016 ends with slightly higher forecasts for global growth and inflation. In part, that reflects expectations of a big new fiscal stimulus in the United States under President-elect Donald Trump. But equally important is the strength of the Chinese economy, with buoyant industrial production fuelling a sharp rise in global commodity prices.

That strength has confounded expectations that China’s seven-year credit boom, during which the debt/GDP ratio rose from 150 per cent to 250 per cent, would inevitably end in 2016. Some Western investors foresaw a banking crisis, owing to enormous bad debts; others expected that President Xi Jinping, having consolidated his political position, would introduce structural economic reforms. But almost all non-Chinese economists anticipated a significant slowdown, which would intensify deflationary pressures worldwide.

In fact, the opposite has happened. Central and local government borrowing in China has soared: bank and shadow-bank credit has grown rapidly: and the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) has increasingly issued direct loans to state-owned banks in a manoeuvre closely resembling monetary finance of government spending.

These policies, moreover, are increasingly justified by assertions that China has policy options not available in Western economies. In an article in July, Sheng Songcheng, the PBOC’s head of statistics, argued that “the macro framework in a socialist market economy is superior to the Western economy,” because “the Chinese government has significant power in terms of both monetary and fiscal policy and is able to seek the optimal combination.”

Meanwhile, Xi may have endorsed in 2013 “the decisive role of the market,” but that hasn’t diminished his Marxist-Leninist reliance on the leading role of the state. Shang Fulin, Chair of the China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) reminded bank leaders in September that they “are primarily party members and party secretaries and secondarily bank chairman and presidents.”

In a hybrid socialist market economy, it seems, credit-driven growth need not be constrained by concerns about debt sustainability.

In some senses, that is true. Rising Chinese leverage will not produce a 2008-style financial crisis.

Most of the debt is owed within the state system – for example, by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to state-owned banks – and the government could

simply write off bad debts and recapitalise banks, financing the operation with either borrowed or printed money. Alternatively, the banks could perpetually roll over existing debt, forever extending new loans to repay old debts.

Of course, that would produce wasted investment. Indeed, with banks failing to impose hard budget constraints on financially unsustainable businesses, and with the planning system incapable of imposing alternative effective discipline, China is already awash with apartment blocks in third-tier cities which will never be occupied, and with huge overcapacity in heavy industry.

But, as some Chinese policymakers respond, all growth processes involve waste: nineteenth-century railway booms in Britain and America created huge overcapacity and investor losses, even as they spurred economic transformation. In China, too, huge waste could be compatible with rapid growth.

Suppose that a full quarter of Chinese capital investment – currently running at around 44 per cent of GDP – is wasted: that would mean China’s people are unnecessarily sacrificing 11 per cent of GDP in lost consumption: but if the remaining 33 per cent of GDP is well invested, rapid growth could still result. And, alongside obvious waste, China makes many high-return investments – in the excellent urban infrastructure of the first-tier cities, and in the automation equipment of private firms responding to rising real wages. There are limits in China’s socialist market economy, but they lie on the liability side of banks’ balance sheets, not on the asset side. If bank assets amount to over 300 per cent of GDP – more than $30 trillion – so, too, must the combination of bank deposits, bank bonds, wealth-management products, or other bank liabilities held as assets by companies or individuals. What these investors do with their holdings is crucial. If they shift their money abroad, the managed exchange rate will become unsustainable: even China’s $3 trillion of foreignexchange reserves, down from close to $4 trillion in 2014, look small next to $30 trillion of financial assets. Every Chinese citizen is legally entitled to take $50,000 out of the country each year, and if just 1 per cent of adults have the wealth to do so, that could mean annual capital outflows of $500 billion. - Project Syndicate

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READERS’ FORUM ROP’s effort in training inmates will help This refers to the report Prisoners display skills at ROP Products Exhibition (December 27). I was very surprised to see the hidden talents of prisoners. This is a good initiative on part of the Royal Oman Police to identify such talents and moulding their creativity with a true touch of life. Even though they spend their time within the compound walls, their creativity never dies; and exhibitions of this kind encourage them to better envisage the life within and outside the world. The ROP objectives of idenScan this QR code tifying and training the inmates the talents to send letters to the of their choice are for sure going to help Readers’ Forum, them remain comfortable, and eventually containing not more than 200 words with offer the feel of a stress free environment. full name, address The inmates getting engaged and occupied and telephone in an organised way can also help them number, may be sent disciplined in their life. Having religious by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com). classes and knowledge sharing sessions can also equally contribute to change their mindset, apparently offering a comfort to them in their rest of the life period. At the same time, buyers may also have a sentimental touch in buying such items of interests made of people who are knowingly or unknowingly spending their life in prison. — Ramachandran Nair, Ruwi

QUOTE OF THE DAY Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.

VINCE LOMBARDI

Good diplomacy begins with a keen analysis of interests, both of the country in question and of relevant external powers. It demands a careful assessment of how the pursuit of those interests will affect the regional and international order.

And it seeks ways to strengthen the capacity of regional or world powers to help solve problems.

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES DECEMBER 2001 SQU to introduce BA in nursery MUSCAT: Sultan Qaboos University(SQU) council agreed to introduce BA programme in nursery to help prepare and graduate qualified national cadres to work in nursery and be a base for pre school education. After completing four-year programme, the student will get BA degree in education.

The programme was designed in accordance with the criteria laid down by the National Association for Children Education in the United States of America. It also meets the European criteria in this field.

PICTOGRAPH

ELECTRICITY GROSS PRODUCTION AL BATINAH & AL DHAHIRAH (in Gigawatt/hour) 2016 August

September

2,027.0 1,668.3

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

1942: In the Philippines, the city of Manila and the U.S. Naval base at Cavite fall to Japanese forces.

1981: British police arrest the “Yorkshire Ripper” serial killer, Peter Sutcliffe.

1999: A severe winter storm hits the Midwestern US; in Chicago temperatures plunge to -13 ºF and 19 inches of snow fell; 68 deaths are blamed on the storm.

0

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

A 14

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

LIFESTYLE GEAR

LINCOLN MKX A LEGACY OF LUXURY:

H

ere in Oman, there are many European, Asian, and American car brands that are well known in the market, though up until recently, Lincoln wasn’t one of them. As an American, I grew up with the Lincoln brand, whose classic models still carried with them an air of romance and the glamour of a bygone era, while the contemporary town cars, operated by hired drivers, ferried the rich and important around big cities. It was a world we all wanted to be part of.

With fabulous re-designs that harken back to the brand’s heyday as premium automakers, Lincoln vehicles are sophisticated, while also practical, choice for those who want the comforts of a premium vehicle, with uniquely usable design and function.

To understand and appreciate this brand, it is important to understand the history of the luxury automobile. Luxury is defined as, “an inessential, desirable item that is expensive or difficult to obtain” and “the state of great comfort and extravagant living”.

Sometimes, particularly where automobiles are concerned, luxury stems from the imagined status that owning a particular car can impart. This is the easiest kind of luxury for the marketers to promote among the middle class and the aspiring, nouveau-riche.

But this is a flimsy kind of luxury, one which rarely stands the test of time. The 1920s were a time of American indulgence, over-the-top opulence, fuelled by manic spending and exaggerated showiness of the rich and newlyrich. The luxury auto business boomed as cars were made by hand for these “special few” with Lincoln leading the charge. Then the great depression hit.

With dire economic times plaguing the country the “showy wealth” soon went out of style. (Sound familiar?) However, there were still wealthy buyers who wanted something more than the basics, not to flaunt their wealth, but to enjoy “a state of great comfort”. They wanted luxury, but with a purpose. The Lincoln brand adapted to this need then, and they have done it again with vehicles like the MKX. I drove the MKX in the city, on the highway, up Jabal Akhdar, on paved roads, and over gravel paths.

I’d forgotten I was driving a socalled “luxury vehicle” when it was time to veer off the beaten path to catch the best angle for a sunset, because I wasn’t worried about a delicate car. I felt confident in the construction of the crush proof, roll-over steel frame as we zigzagged up the mountain after dark.

I didn’t flinch when we turned off the main road, because I knew we had the ground clearance and torque to do what we needed to do, on or off the beaten-path. And in every situation, oh how comfortable it was. I kept waiting for the needle to dip, indicating that we needed to fill the tank, but the twin turbo eco-boost engine did its job, offering us fast, sporty acceleration, easy driving up the steep inclines of Jabal Akhdar, and better fuel efficiency than many sedans. It felt hearty, well-built, and practical.

But luxury has never been just about practicality, and the Lincoln automakers know that. Sitting in the interior felt like lounging in the first class cabin of an airplane with the lines of the dash and display as curvaceous as a wave, the delicate

styling reminiscent of a cockpit.

The smooth premium leather seats, which feel as supple as they look.

The 19-speaker Revel Audio sound system eradicates any other thought from your mind as you submerge yourself in the sounds of your favourite tunes. It is an unbelievably immersive experience that really needed to be experienced to be appreciated. There are other little details that give you the pleasing visual reminder that you aren’t in “just another car”, like the signature wood trim options, carved from solid wood in finishes, such as their signature sultry espresso ash swirl.

In addition to the expected amenities like a panoramic sun roof, 360-degree camera, and park assist, you will find other subtle touches: There’s no stick shift in this awesome automobile. Instead, you will find the park, drive, and reverse options on a push button panel to the side of the entertainment display.

Your six-speed transmission is optionally controlled by paddle shifters built into the steering wheel, which are ergonomically located to make the transition smooth and effortless, and, when you approach your MKX, the car will sense the key in your pocket, lighting up and projecting the Lincoln logo like a doormat in front of the driver’s side door, in a totally unnecessary, (but utterly charming) touch.

This is a vehicle that is fun to drive, as all luxury cars should be.

It is filled with every amenity from safety features to state-of-the art audio to adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance that one would expect of a fine, modern vehicle. And, it makes you feel special when you drive it — confident and relaxed.

Isn’t that what we are really paying for in this segment?

Though it is incredibly comfortable and stylish, the best features remain its most pragmatic ones.

When you combine the practical engineering minds of the Ford Motor Company — industry pioneers from the first Model-T in 1908 to the game-changing Eco-boost engines of 2012 — with the designfocused, bespoke sensibilities that the Lincoln brand was built on, you get what I call “legitimate luxury”.

Because at the end of the day, if you strip away the logos and leather, what you are left with is an excellently engineered and welldesigned driving machine, priced thousands of rials less than the other sport utility and crossover vehicles in the lux segment.

Perhaps America never quite recovered from the Great Depression.

We never again saw Gatsby-esque parties, castle-like mansions, or hand-built cars come back into fashion. And I’d argue that this is for the best, especially when it comes to our automobiles, for we know that even luxury needs a dose of pragmatism, some substance on which to build our fantasies.

And that is exactly what you get in the new era of Lincoln vehicles.

–felicia@timesofoman.com

Authorised Oman Dealer: Arabian Car Marketing Wattayah Showroom +968 2457 5900 +968 9288 0658 me.lincoln.com

Story Felicia Campbell

Photography Mehdi Taghavi /

Courtesy of Lincoln Motor Company

Lincoln MKX Trims available in Oman: Premier/ Select/ Reserve (reviewed) Engine: 3.7L twin turbo Ecoboost Transmission: 6-Speed SelectShift® automatic transmission with paddle activation 308 Net PS (227 Net kW) @ 6,500rpm 379Nm of Net Torque @ 4,000rpm Highlights: Active noise control 4-Wheel anti-lock disc brake AdvanceTrac with roll stability control Specially designed dual stage front airbags, driver knee airbag, and side air curtains to minimise trauma when deployed SecuriCode keyless entry Inflatable rear seat belts Adaptive led headlamps Revel ultima audio with 19-speakers Adaptive cruise control Active park assist Front camera with 360-degree view Automatic wash and wipe rain sensing wipers Automatic headlamps with auto high beam 10-way power driver seat, heated and cooled Door handle illumination Approach detection with Lincoln logo welcome mat Hands-free power lift gate Remote start Voice-activated entertainment system Authentic wood trim inserts Starting Price: OMR18,500

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

WEATHER ER

TEMPERATURE TE

HUMIDITY

229 - 17 80-35% 0

0

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

12.16pm 3.17pm 5.37pm 6.53pm 5.29am

A1 5

LIFESTYLE

How to Change a Flat Tyre STORY NISHAD PADIYARATH

F

lat tyres can happen anywhere, and knowing how to change a tyre is a necessary skill for all drivers.

Thankfully, changing a tyre isn’t all that hard.

Items you will need to fix a flat tyre: Jack, lug wrench, fully inflated spare tyre, and vehicle owner’s manual. If your does not come with these items, you should purchase new ones right away.

As soon as you realise you have a flat tyre, do not abruptly brake or turn. Slowly reduce speed and scan your surroundings. An empty parking lot would be an ideal place. Once stopped, always use the parking brake when prepar-

cleared area of exposed metal specifically for the jack. With the jack properly positioned, raise the vehicle until the flat tyre is about six inches above the ground. Once this is finished, remove the wheel lugs completely.

ing to replace a flat tyre. This will minimise the possibility of your vehicle rolling.

Remove hubcap or wheel cover If your vehicle has a hubcap covering the lug nuts, it’s easier to remove the hubcap before lifting the vehicle with the jack. Use the flat end of your lug wrench to remove the hubcap. Using the lug wrench, turn the lug nuts counterclockwise until you break their resistance. You may have to use force.

The right place for the jack is usually beneath the vehicle frame alongside the tyre that’s flat.

Many vehicle frames have moulded plastic on the bottom with a

GAMING

Install the spare tyre Next, remove the flat tyre and set it aside in a secure location. Position the spare tyre over the wheel studs. This is the most physically challenging part of the whole process. You’ll have to hold up the tyre and try to line up the holes in the wheel with the protruding wheel studs located on the brake hub. You may have to jack the car a little higher than you had it in

order to fit the new tyre on, since the flat tyre will have been lower than a fully inflated one. After you have the spare tyre hanging on the wheel studs, screw each of the wheel lugs back on. Once the spare tyre is on, carefully lower the jack. Pull the jack away from the vehicle. The final step is to tighten down the lugs completely. The reason you tighten the lugs now is because the tyre is on the ground and it won’t rotate around as it would if it were still hanging in the air. Remember to check pressure every month and before long trips or carrying extra load. This will avoid your tyre getting flat.

—nishad@timesofoman.com

T E C H TA L K

5 Reasons to be Excited About Gaming this Year With new technologies, classic characters and interactive worlds that become more lifelike every day, there is plenty to be excited about when it comes to video games in the new year. So whether you’re just getting into the hobby or you’re a veteran gamer looking to level up, here are the top five things to look for in video gaming in 2017. zThe growth of virtual reality. Virtual reality uses technology to create a completely artificial world for gamers to play in and while most people have heard of virtual reality gaming before, opportunities to experience it will increase in 2017.

Existing technology will only continue to grow and develop in the next year, providing gamers with more options. In 2016, most virtual reality systems for PC were quite expensive. z Improved desktop options. On the tail of virtual reality’s popularity, Microsoft and their partners are unveiling several new Windows 10 personal computers up to the task. For gamers on the go, the Razer Blade Signature Edition Gaming Laptop lets you take your favourite games with you wherever you’re headed in style. z The revival of augmented reality. While virtual reality seeks to create an entire artificial world digitally, augmented reality brings pieces of digital creation into the real world. Expect more augmented reality options to appear in 2017 with new missions and popular characters joining the action. All of it will focus on helping people bring their favourite games into the real world through innovative new technology on PCs and mobile devices. z Increased gaming flexibility. The new year will mark more ways to game on your own terms. Microsoft’s Xbox App allows you to edit and share epic gaming moments with your Xbox Live friends and Xbox Play Anywhere makes it possible to purchase any digital game and play it on your Xbox One or your Windows 10 PC. Best of all, there’s no messy file transfers. zReturn of classic characters. A great game is often defined by its heroes and some of the most popular characters in gaming will make new appearances in 2017. Gamers will have the opportunity to start a new investigation as Blake Langermann in Outlast 2, go to war as a heroic Spartan in Halo Wars 2 or join the kids of South Park in South Park The Fractured But Whole. Whichever you choose, you’re sure to have a great time with some old friends.-BPT

Huawei Honor Set on Changing the Smartphone Industry in 2017 Huawei Honor, the world’s number one smartphone e-brand from Huawei, has recorded solid growth over 2016 and has established itself as a truly global player in the smartphone industry in just three years. Underpinned by an unwavering commitment to innovation and quality, Honor’s footprint has increased considerably in the space of just three years to span 74 different countries and regions to this day, with sales revenues topping $6 billion and 40 million units shipped globally in 2015.

In 2016, it witnessed record sales across its range of technology-packed devices, solidify-

ing Honor’s position as a leading global smartphone brand. The brand’s third-year anniversary caps another successful year for the millennial-centric brand as it continues its drive for innovation, and will kick off with exciting news this year that will propel the smartphone success story to higher standards of success within the industry in 2017. This past year has been a triumphant one for Honor, starting with the launch of the street smart Honor 5X. The flagship device scooped an impressive seven accolades including ‘Top Pick for CES 2016’

by AndroidCentral and featured in

the Top 10 smartphones that ‘stole the show’ by CRN.com.

Soon after that in April, Honor brought the biggest global online sales bonanza “Honor World Carnival” to the Middle East for the first time; achieving groundbreaking results for its initiative.

In just three days Honor achieved 100% increase in online sales in the Middle East where the high volume of traffic to the website led to continuous restocking for the limited-edition products.

In August 2016, Honor broke records with the launch of its flagship beauty; the Honor 8 that registered an unprecedented 100%

increase in sales within Gitex; the eight-day electronic retail show in the UAE. The Honor 8 offers even more value to the end user: It has phenomenal aesthetic appeal, boasting a carefully polished 15-layer craftsmanship; a 12 MP dual camera with one RGB and one monochrome sensor, as well as the Smart Key function that allows users to access Instagram with a single click and double-click for Twitter; at an astonishing price of AED 1,599. Honor 8 is available in gold, black, white and the highly desired Sapphire blue.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com

A16

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

LIFESTYLE

ALL ABOUT APPS

S

napchat, as the name suggests, is an app that allows you to chat with your friends through photographs as well as video.

You can capture and record your photos and videos, caption them on the spot, add funky Snapchat filters, and send them instantaneously. You can also make Snap stories that are not addressed to anyone in particular but can be viewed by all those who have been added on your Snapchat list.

An app that was initially targeted towards the teenage and young adult demographic between the ages of 13 and 22, Snapchat has now become a more mainstream app and is now used by several news and media outlets, including the Daily Mail, IGN, CNN, BBC and many, many more.

Most sports clubs also have Snapchat accounts, and use them to feature behind-the-scenes action through short video clips.

— ashishdubash@timesofoman.com Launched: 2011 Why to Download Now: Snapchat is a great app to socialise, which helps your friends know what you are up to by means of pictures and video. Some of the Snapchat filters are hilarious and have proven to be a source of entertainment and hearty laughter by themselves. They also have the new video chat update which allows you to send short video messages to friends, but only if they have the latest versions of the app installed. You can also “Find Friends” on Snapchat easily as it uses phone numbers from your devices address book to locate friends. This makes it particularly convenient to find your friends, so you can add them even if you don’t know their Snapchat ID.

Snapchat

Pro Tip: Snapchat has plenty of interesting filters and emojis that can be funny, crazy or weird, and are very popular amongst users. Make sure you update the app regularly so you don’t miss out on the latest filters that keep getting introduced regularly. Also adjust your setting such as front flash, filters, special text, and power saving mode before using the app. Make sure your videos are no more than 10 seconds long, as Snapchat does not allow you to edit videos that are longer than the duration.

Available for: Windows, iOS, Android Permissions: Camera, Contacts, Location, Microphone, Phone, SMS, Storage Size: 95.7 MB (iOS) 76 MB (Android)

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

MARKE

BANKS CUT LENDING RATES

Top Indian lenders — State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Union Bank of India — on Sunday slashed their lending rates by up to 90 basis points, a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked banks to prioritise their lending towards the poor and middle class. — PTI

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Muscat 5,744.59 - 38.12 - 0.66%

Dubai 3,530.88 + 11.17 + 0.32%

Abu Dhabi 4,546.37 + 74.80 + 1.67%

Kuwait 5,748.09 - 5.27 - 0.09%

Saudi Arabia

7,237.95 + 27.52 + 0.38%%

Qatar 10,436.76 - 100.71 - 0.97%

Bahrain 1,220.45 + 7.10 + 0.59%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.44 Pound ..........................................2.08 Indian Rs ............................. 175.87 Pakistan Rs .......................266.67 Bangla Taka.......................202.51

Indian Rs ...................................176.20

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) ....... 14.75

Pakistan Rs ............................. 271.20

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......14.25

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$54.69 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$53.99 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) .........$55.75 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........ $54.79 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........ $56.75 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$53.81

Bangla Taka............................ 204.10

Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 131.00

* Rates are as of January 1 Source: Bank Muscat

* Rates as of January 1

* Rates as of January 1

Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Oman projects 2 per cent economic growth in 2017 constant prices firmed up as a result of economic and fiscal policies pursued by the Government over these two years.

Oman’s economy for the first half of 2016 fell by 11.1% to nearly OMR11.51 billion from OMR12.95 billion recorded for the same period of 2015, mainly on account of a fall in crude oil prices.

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman government expects the country’s economy (or gross domestic product) to grow by 2 per cent in 2017, mainly driven by a recovery in crude oil prices, according to the budget statement released by the Ministry of Fi-

nance on Sunday.

The non-oil sector is expected to grow by 4.7 per cent this year, with the support given by the government. According to the latest available statistics, the Sultanate’s economy for the first half of 2016 fell by 11.1 per cent to nearly OMR11.51 billion from OMR12.95 billion recorded for the same period of 2015, mainly on account of a fall in crude oil prices. The average price of Oman Crude fell to $39 per barrel last year, from an assumed oil price of $45 a barrel for estimating budget revenue. In 2015, Oman’s gross domestic production at current prices dropped by 14 per cent to OMR26.8 billion, compared to the previous year.

However, GDP at constant prices grew by 5.7 per cent in 2015, and it is projected to be positive in 2016. Despite the sharp drop in oil revenues, the growth of GDP at

Inflation at 2.8 per cent The ministry statement said that the average inflation, which is calculated on the basis of consumer price index, is expected below 2.8 per cent level in 2017, against an average inflation of 1.85 per cent last year. “The prices of consumer goods are expected to remain at the same low levels, which will benefit consumers and producers to achieve low production cost,” noted the statement.

A major objective of the budget is to achieve economic growth and to control inflation rate for maintaining per capital income.

Also, another objective is to continue rationalising public spending and enhancing its efficiency, as well as ensure its sustainability.

In 2016, the national economy has benefited from the decline of non-energy commodity prices.

Consumer and producer prices are expected to remain quite low over 2017. Thus, consumers will benefit from lower prices of commodity, and producers will also take advantage of lower production cost.

M S M S TAT E M E N T

Salalah Mills merger proposal gets board’s nod; proposes 40% dividend Times News Service MUSCAT: The board of directors of Salalah Mills Company has approved a study of a merger proposal by Salalah Macaroni Company.

An expert agency will be appointed to assess the merger proposal, evaluate the assets of the two companies and propose the

preliminary swap ratio. “We shall keep the shareholders informed of the developments in this regard by the disclosures, in line with the disclosure requirements by Muscat Securities Market (MSM),” according to a statement on the MSM website.

The board also recommended the forthcoming annual general meeting to agree to pay a cash

dividend of 40 per cent of paidup capital (40 baisa per share) for the financial year that ended December 31, 2016. It also said those at the general meeting might consider the distribution of 20 per cent of paid-up capital (20 baisa per share) in the second half of 2017, after receiving wheat subsidy amounts from the Government due for the years 2013-2014.

A N N UA L Q U O TA

China to boost scrutiny of foreign currency purchases BEIJING: China plans to step up its monitoring of how citizens use their annual quota for changing yuan into foreign currencies, according to four people familiar with the matter.

The State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE) will require extra documentation for people seeking to sell yuan from Jan. 1, while keeping each person’s annual $50,000 allowance unchanged, said the people, who asked not to be identified as they’re not allowed to speak publicly. Banks will be asked to increase scrutiny of transactions, they said.

At present, there is no change to the current policy regarding foreign exchange purchases by individuals, SAFE said in a statement to Bloomberg News. Individuals need identification cards to buy foreign exchange at banks within their annual quota, and if the purchase value exceeds annual quotas, they must also provide documents to verify the transaction value, the administration further added.

The annual limit for individuals resets for the year on Jan. 1, potentially aggravating capital outflow pressures that have already been intensifying after the yuan suffered its steepest annual slump in more than two decades.

CURRENCY: The State Administration of Foreign Exchange

(SAFE) will require extra documentation for people seeking to sell yuan from January 1, while keeping each person’s annual $50,000 allowance unchanged. — Bloomberg file picture

An estimated $689 billion flowed out of the country in the first 10 months of 2016, according to a Bloomberg Intelligence gauge.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said on Friday it will require financial institutions to report any cross-border transfers of 200,000 yuan ($28,800) or more starting July 1, as part of new efforts to curb money laundering.

Regulators say they want more timely data on individuals to track risks arising from increas-

ing cross-border transfers, according to a statement.

China’s foreign reserves, the world’s largest stockpile, fell to a five-year low of $3.05 trillion as of November. The $99 billion drop in January, the largest in 2016, followed the last reset of the controls. Data scheduled for release on Jan. 7 will show the hoard fell to $3.01 trillion, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg.

— Bloomberg News

Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............139.50

Phil Peso .................................... 129.10

Privatisation of MEDC expected in the first half

M U S C AT B OU R S E

Telecom shares decline due to royalty fee hike Times News Service

Times News Service MUSCAT: Privatisation of Muscat Electricity Distribution (MEDC) will be completed in the first half of 2017, according to the Ministry of Finance. The financial and legal advisory studies for privatising MEDC have been completed. MEDC is a subsidiary of Electricity Holding Company (EHC) and owned fully by the government.

The Ministry of Finance, as part of the budget proposal for 2017, also said that ownerships of some government companies have been transferred to sovereign funds, in preparation of privatisation.

In 2016, the government has embarked on imple-

menting a privatisation scheme in accordance to a framework set for the period between 2016 and 2020. The first phase of the scheme is completed after setting up a holding company for each sector, and transferring government shares to the relevant holding company.

The privatisation scheme will continue over the coming years. Such scheme is considered as one basic tool leading to expanding the ownership base of private sector, and deepening the capital market.

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MUSCAT: Shares of two telecommunication service providers in Oman have dropped on Sunday, after the government decided to raise royalty paid by these firms to 12 per cent of revenues in 2017, from 7 per cent earlier.

Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company (Ooredoo) shares plunged by 7.27 per cent to 612 baisas, amid 1.63 million shares changing hand. Likewise, Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) shares dipped by 4.29 per cent to OMR1.45 amid 387,342 shares changing hands.

A severe drop in oil revenue has prompted the government to find alternative sources of revenue, through new levies and increase in existing taxes.

Although there was a serious discussion on raising telecom royalty in January 2016, the government did not take a decision at that point of time.

B2

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,782.99 ...............5,722.83 ................... 5,744.59 ....................5,782.71................-38.12 .................. -0.66 Financial Index ..................................... 7,756.55 ............... 7,671.92 .................... 7,739.21 ....................7,671.92..................67.29 ...................0.88 Industrial Index .....................................7,417.21 ...............7,409.72 .....................7,417.21 ................... 7,407.29....................9.92 ................... 0.13 Services Index .......................................3,035.05 .............. 3,022.08 ................... 3,029.60 ................... 3,058.76................ -29.16 .................. -0.95 MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 869.21 .................. 858.78 .......................865.14 ...................... 869.02.................. -3.88 .................. -0.45 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 7,087,965 .................... 2,240,185 .................... 469 ................17,410,830,488 ................ 10 ........................4 .................... 12 .........................26

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 1 – Times file picture

MSM index ends lower

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

REGULAR MARKET .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 392,828 ........... 58,978......................21 ............0.147 ........... 0.151............0.147 ........... 0.150 ............. 0.147............ 0.003............. 2.041 ................0.150 ..............0.149...................0.150..................219,390,219 ........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 225,000 ............12,985..................... 10 ........... 0.057 ...........0.058 ...........0.057........... 0.058 .............0.057 ............0.001 ............. 1.754.................0.058..............0.057...................0.058................... 12,014,780 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 425,700 ........... 80,888......................21 ............0.187 ........... 0.191............0.187 ........... 0.190 ............. 0.187............ 0.003............. 1.604 ................0.190..............0.190................... 0.191 ...................33,250,467 .........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL.............................................. 82,000 ............... 5,918........................8 ........... 0.072 ........... 0.073 ...........0.072........... 0.072 ............. 0.071.............0.001 ............. 1.408 ................0.072..............0.072...................0.073...................12,600,000.........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES .................................39,990 ............... 6,813........................4 ............0.170 ........... 0.171............0.170 ........... 0.170 ............. 0.169.............0.001 ............. 0.592 ................0.171 ..............0.170...................0.172...................50,356,326 .........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 119,400.............28,417........................5 ........... 0.238 ...........0.238 ...........0.238........... 0.238 .............0.237 ............0.001 .............0.422 ................0.238..............0.233...................0.238..................350,997,943........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ................................. 27,734 .............. 8,940........................2 ........... 0.324 ...........0.324 ...........0.322........... 0.322 .............0.322 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.322..............0.322...................0.328 ................. 32,200,000 ........0.100

Bank Nizwa was the top gainer, up 6.02 per

OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE................83,000 .............16,632........................7 ........... 0.200...........0.204 ...........0.200 .......... 0.200 .............0.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.200 ............ 0.200...................0.204 ................. 40,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 294,948..........139,215........................9 ........... 0.472 ........... 0.472 ...........0.472........... 0.472 .............0.472 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.472..............0.472...................0.476................ 1,178,230,122 ......0.100

cent while Ooredoo Oman was the top loser, down by 7.27 per cent.

OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR........................................................................130 .................... 20........................1 ............0.155 ........... 0.155 ...........0.155 ........... 0.160 .............0.160 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.155 ..............0.160...................0.163..................256,719,895 ........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ...........................................................165 .....................79........................1 ........... 0.480 ...........0.480 ...........0.480........... 0.490 .............0.490 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.480..............0.480...................0.490 ..................29,645,000.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER....................................................5,000 ..................900........................2 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180........... 0.180 .............0.180 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180.............. 0.178...................0.186.................. 121,479,737 ........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .............................................. 6,100 ................1,171........................1 ............0.192 ........... 0.192 ...........0.192 ........... 0.192 ............. 0.193............-0.001 ........... -0.518................0.192 ..............0.192...................0.200 .................. 11,751,220 .........0.100

MUSCAT: Dragged down by telecom stocks, the MSM30 index ended lower at 5,744.59 points, down by 0.66 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index fell by 0.45 per cent to close at 865.14 points. Bank Nizwa was the most active in terms of volume and Ooredoo Oman was the most active in terms of turnover. Bank Nizwa was the top gainer, up 6.02 per cent while Ooredoo Oman was the top loser, down by 7.27 per cent.

A total number of 469 trades were executed on Sunday, generating a turnover of OMR2.24 million with 7.087 million shares changing hands. Out of 26 traded securities, 10 advanced, 4 declined and 13 remained unchanged. Oman investors were net buyers of RO16,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR15,000followed by GCC investors for OMR1,000 worth of shares. Financial Index ended

at 7,739.21 points, up by 0.88 per cent. Bank Nizwa, HSBC Bank Oman, Alizz Islamic Bank and Al Madina Investment increased by 6.02 per cent, 4.17 per cent, 2.78 per cent and 1.78 per cent, respectively. Ahli Bank was the only loser and was down by 3.06 per cent to close at OMR0.190.

Industrial Index gained 0.13 per cent to close at 7,417.21 points. Oman Fisheries, and Al Anwar Ceramics gained by 1.64 per cent and 0.59 per cent, respectively.

Services Index ended at 3,029.60 points, down by 0.95 per cent. Phoenix Power was the only gainer in the sector and was up by 2.04 per cent to close at OMR0.150. Ooredoo Oman, Oman Telecommunications Company and Al Jazeira Services declined by 7.27 per cent, 4.29 per cent and 0.52 per cent, respectively. – United Securities

OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 387,342 ..........561,661..................... 66 ............1.450 ........... 1.455............1.450 ............1.450 ............. 1.515 ............-0.065 ........... -4.290 ...............1.450 ..............1.450...................1.475 ................1,087,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 1,628,704 ...... 997,552................... 175 ........... 0.600 ........... 0.632 ...........0.600............0.612 .............0.660 ...........-0.048 ............-7.273................0.608..............0.604...................0.608 .................398,377,869........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 3,718,041.... 1,920,171...................333 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ...... 15........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,653,383 ...... 144,768.....................60 ........... 0.083 ...........0.090 ...........0.083........... 0.088 .............0.083 ........... 0.005.............6.024 ................0.090..............0.089...................0.090 ................ 132,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 371,300 ............46,413..................... 10 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.125 ............0.125 .............0.120 ........... 0.005............. 4.167 ................0.125 ..............0.123...................0.125..................250,039,099 .......0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 849,000 ........... 62,772..................... 36 ........... 0.073 ........... 0.075 ...........0.073........... 0.074 .............0.072 ........... 0.002............. 2.778 ................0.075..............0.074...................0.075...................74,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 124,166............... 7,695........................8 ............0.061 ...........0.062 ...........0.061 ........... 0.062 ............. 0.061.............0.001 ............. 1.639 ................0.062..............0.062...................0.063.................... 7,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ...................................................3,200 ...............2,253........................2 ........... 0.704 ........... 0.704 ...........0.704........... 0.700 .............0.700 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.704..............0.704...................0.720..................110,250,000........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ......................................2,165 ...............4,330........................1 ........... 2.000...........2.000 ...........2.000 .......... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.000 ............ 0.000...................2.000 ................ 190,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE .................................................. 44,500 ...............5,448........................4 ............0.122 ........... 0.124 ...........0.122........... 0.122 .............0.122 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.124..............0.124...................0.125...................30,937,980 .........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 146,900 ............13,804........................8 ........... 0.094 ...........0.094 ...........0.093........... 0.094 .............0.094 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.094..............0.093...................0.094 ..................27,258,180 .........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ....................................................75,000 .............13,500........................5 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180........... 0.180 .............0.180 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180..............0.182...................0.184.................. 128,593,141 ........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 100,000 ............19,000........................1 ............0.190 ........... 0.190 ...........0.190........... 0.190 ............. 0.196............-0.006 ............-3.061................0.190..............0.186...................0.190..................270,756,867........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 3,369,614 .......319,981................... 135 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......10........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

ECONOMY

C O M M E N TA RY

Will the US dollar strength trigger intervention in 2017?

CARMEN REINHART*

O

NLY a small group of central banks refrain from intervening in the foreign-exchange market to stabilise their currencies’ exchange rate or coax it in the desired direction. Even when they do not intervene directly, their interest-rate policies are often formulated to be compatible with exchange-rate objectives.

As a result, freely floating currencies are comparatively rare.

This has important implications for the United States authorities as they confront a sharp rise in the dollar’s exchange rate.

When a potential or actual loss of confidence in the currency threatens to bring about large capital outflows, intervention usually takes the form of sales of foreign-exchange reserves to mitigate the magnitude or speed of depreciation. The People’s Bank of China’s ongoing reserve losses are a salient recent example. The most recent US intervention in foreign-exchange markets (which has been rare in general) to support a weak dollar dates back to 1992-1995.

At the other end of the spectrum, concerns about lower international competitiveness as a result of significant currency appreciation may be even more common among policymakers and export-oriented firms. Worries about overvalued curren-

cies permeated policy discussions in many emerging markets as recently as 2013, and sustained efforts to lean against the wind of appreciation resulted in record reserve accumulation for many central banks.

Strong currency Fears of a strong currency are by no means limited to emerging economies. As the recent crisis in the eurozone periphery deepened and the euro’s value plunged relative to the Swiss franc, Switzerland’s central bank, citing the strong franc’s threat to the economy, introduced a de facto exchange-rate peg in September 2011. The policy capped the Swiss franc’s appreciation against the euro, because the central bank stood ready to buy foreign exchange in whatever quantities were necessary. After a spectacular increase in reserves, the cap was eventually lifted in December 2014 and replaced with a policy of negative interest rates.

The US has not been exempt from such concerns. In the first half of the 1980s, following the Federal Reserve’s record interest-rate hikes, the dollar appreciated by almost 45 per cent against other major currencies.

As a result of the strong dollar, the US lost international competitiveness and the trade balance sank to record lows in 1985.

These developments set the

stage for the Plaza Accord, which my colleague Jeffrey Frankel has described as probably the most dramatic policy initiative in the foreign-exchange market since President Richard M Nixon floated the dollar in 1973. At New York City’s Plaza Hotel on September 22, 1985, US officials and their counterparts from the world’s leading economies agreed to take concerted action to halt and reverse the dollar’s appreciation. It was an accord precisely because it involved international policy coordination among the major players, whose public statements were coupled with organized market intervention (selling US dollars).

The dollar did indeed depreciate, though the extent to which this can be attributed to the Plaza Accord remains a source of some debate. What is certain is the relevance of that debate today.

Dollar’s climb The dollar has appreciated by more than 35 per cent against a basket of currencies since its low point in July 2011. While the dollar’s climb has been attributed partly to Donald Trump’s unexpected victory in the US presidential election, it also reflects the fact that US monetary policy is set to tighten against a backdrop of continued monetary stimulus in the eurozone and Japan.

President-elect Trump campaigned on a promise to bring back US manufacturing, even if doing so requires imposing tariffs and dismantling existing trade arrangements. Yet a strong dollar is a major obstacle to fulfilling his promise. Perhaps financial markets will begin to perceive the dollar as currently overvalued and retrench.

If not, will it be time for another Plaza-style accord? More important, who would be willing to cooperate?

Cumulative appreciation Apart from the significant cumulative appreciation of the US dollar, there are scant similarities between the current environment and 1985. Back then, Japanese real GDP growth topped 6 per cent. Today, sustained appreciation of the yen would probably derail the modest progress forged by the Bank of Japan in raising inflation and inflation expectations. With the ratio of public debt to GDP at around 250 per cent, higher inflation is likely to be part of the solution to Japan’s debt overhang.

On the other hand, Germany, with its record-high currentaccount surpluses (exceeding 8 per cent of GDP) could withstand an appreciation. But, unlike 1985, in a scenario where the euro survives its current challenges, it will not be the

Bundesbank that sits at the table in 2017. From the vantage point of the European Central Bank, which is coping with another round of distress in the periphery (primarily in Italy, where the frailty of the banking system is fueling capital outflows), the euro’s weakness is a godsend.

That leaves China, now the world’s second-largest economy, which was not an integral part of the 1985 agreement, to bear the burden of dollar depreciation.

But China’s recent tightening of capital controls underscores the challenge it already faces in preventing the renminbi from depreciating further.

Moreover, given the negative impact of the strong post-Plaza yen on Japan’s subsequent economic performance, it is unclear why China would consider a stronger renminbi to be worth the risk.

In other words, while it is quite plausible to expect that Trump’s Treasury will want to reverse the dollar’s climb, it is equally plausible that no other major economy will help. If the strong dollar prompts intervention in currency markets in 2017, the most likely scenario is one in which the US intervenes alone. — Project Syndicate * The author is Professor of the International Financial System at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Taiwan plans to spend more on infrastructure TAIPEI: Taiwan will spur domestic demand with a mid- to long-term infrastructure development plan, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said, augmenting a more conservative spending proposal released this year.

“Next March, the cabinet will unveil a comprehensive, forwardlooking infrastructure development plan as a blueprint,” Tsai, 60, said on Saturday in a New Year’s Eve address and press briefing in Taipei. Tsai’s cabinet, led by Premier Lin Chuan, earlier proposed a budget that only included moderate increases to overall spending and about $6 billion for publicworks outlays. As the economy stagnated, central bank Governor Perng Fai-nan stressed the need for government investment in areas such as infrastructure while Lin was more focused on the deficit.

The budget is still being debated in Taiwan’s legislature.

Tsai said on Saturday that additional spending could be added to the budget for infrastructure development, or a special budget could be approved. The government will work to encourage private investment to follow suit, the president said.

“The most important mission in 2017 is to stimulate Taiwan’s economy by all means,” she said.

— Bloomberg News

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

B3

MARKET BRIEFS

Al Kamil names new CEO MUSCAT: The board of directors of Al Kamil Power Company said that Abdullah Al Rawahi has been appointed as chief executive officer of the company in replacement of Yaqoub Al Harthi effective from January 1, 2017.

Yaqoub Al Harthi will leave the company by the same date and pursue new professional challenges within Engie. Abdullah Al Rawahi holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering and Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Sultan Qaboos University. Abdullah Al Rawahi has been associated with power plant operations and management in various power plants for over 22 years. He was a site manager for STOMO in Barka II power and desalination Plant and before that he was operation manager in Barka II power and desalination Plant and Rusail Power Plant.

Al Batinah Power appoints chief executive officer MUSCAT: The board of directors of Al Batinah Power Company said that Ya’qoub Harbi Salim Al Harthi is appointed as chief executive officer of the company in replacement of Jürgen De Vyt effective from January 1, 2017. Ya’qoub Al Harthi acts as disclosure officer of the company, and Ya’qoub Al Harthi as the company spokesperson of the company. Jürgen De Vyt will leave the company by the same date and pursue new professional challenges within Engie. Ya’qoub Al Harthi holds a Mechanical Engineering Degree from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. Ya’qoub Al Harthi has been associated with power plant operations and management in various power plants of Engie for over fourteen long years.

OIFC bags major contract from Majan Electricity MUSCAT: Majan Electricity Company (MEC) has awarded to Oman Investment And Finance Co. (OIFC) the contract for meter reading and bill delivery, bill printing and disconnection/reconnection services for electricity and water for entire Majan designated areas for a period of four years as per the official communication received from MEC which was dated December 29, 2016. Commencement date shall be the date of receiving the starting order. The contract value is OMR13.17 million and the company expects to make reasonable profit from this contract. — Times News Service

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Oil and gas producers head for initial public offerings that’s been one of the best places to drill for oil in the world.”

In the past month alone, two producers that were headed for an initial public offering have instead become prey for acquirers

NEW YORK: As oil prices stabilise and confidence returns to the patch, there has been an uptick in oil and gas companies filing to go public. With prized assets in the industry’s promised lands, not all of them make it that far.

In the past month alone, two explorers that were headed for an initial public offering have instead become prey for acquirers: Brigham Resources Midstream agreed to be acquired by Diamondback Energy for a total deal value of $2.43 billion, while Gulfport Energy Corp. agreed to buy acreage from Vitruvian II Woodford.

Both Brigham, which operates in the lucrative Permian Basin in

PRECIOUS RESOURCE: Whether it’s pursuing an IPO or making an acquisition, companies are taking

advantage of a resurgence of investor interest in the industry as crude prices grow. — Bloomberg file picture

Texas, and Oklahoma-based Vitruvian were preparing to file to go public as soon as this month, according to a person with knowledge of the matter.

Another Permian explorer, Jagged Peak Energy LLC, filed for an IPO in December but is also open to selling itself, the person said, asking not to be identified as the matter isn’t public.

Whether it’s pursuing an IPO

or making an acquisition, companies are taking advantage of a resurgence of investor interest in the industry as crude prices level out. After falling below $27 a barrel in February, prices are back above $50 since the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) agreed in November to cut production for the first time in eight years.

As sentiment improves, there’s

been a pile-in effect to get exposure to assets in particularly oilrich areas, especially in Texas and New Mexico.

“The Permian Basin — that’s becoming the place where everyone wants to be,” said Rob Thummel, a portfolio manager at Tortoise Capital Advisors, which oversees $15 billion in energy assets. “You want to have part of your portfolio invested in that area because

— Bloomberg News

PMI INDEX

C O R P O R AT E

China’s Huawei vows to shake up overall business for a tough year HONG KONG: Huawei Technologies pledged to overhaul its culture and re-think the way it conducts business, expecting global uncertainty to mount in 2017 after sales growth slowed.

China’s largest telecommunications equipment maker expects a 32 per cent rise in revenue to 520 billion yuan ($75 billion) in 2016, rotating Chief Executive Officer Eric Xu said.

That’s down from the 37 per cent growth it posted in 2015. The company now needs to re-tool its management approach to zero in on customers’ needs, while staunching costs and avoiding “blind optimism and rhetoric.”

Huawei, which debuted its first Android device in 2009 and is now the largest smartphone maker after Apple and Samsung Electronics, has made significant inroads into markets from the US to Europe. But Chinese rivals from Oppo to Vivo have taken the lead back home and its business of selling networking gear to wireless carriers is vulnerable to political swings.

“The year 2016 has seen a flock of black swans — both political and economic — sweep across the globe,” Xu said in a memo to

A welcome reprieve It’s a welcome reprieve for an industry that’s been beaten down for almost two years. The stabilisation of oil prices also makes it easier to value both potential M&A targets and IPO candidates, Thummel said, which should stoke more action in 2017.

Things are already starting to pick up.

The tail end of this year saw an increase in acquisitions of US oil and gas, services and pipeline companies. Some 185 takeovers worth a total of $147.5 billion were announced in the second half of the year, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Compare that to the 170 deals for only $36.58 billion in the first six months of 2016.

The fourth quarter marks the busiest in a year and a half for IPOs of oil and gas businesses as well as companies that provide services and pipelines. Don’t get excited about a boom just yet though: Overall listing activity has been so slow that just three deals raising a total of $1.26 billion was enough to claim that title.

“Valuation is key. Asset location is really the key,” Thummel said.

“In the industry right now, there are transformation stories.”

SLEEK MODEL: Founded in 1987 by former army engineer Ren

Zhengfei, Huawei is one of several Chinese companies trying to compete in the global technology market. — Bloomberg file picture

staff that was posted on the company website. “In 2017, we will face even greater global political and economic uncertainties.”

Those include a rise in costs that outpaced revenue and gross margin growth in 2016. Xu outlined a laundry list of time- and money-wasting activities to root out, including “empty talks in offices that are far removed from actual business” and “fancy” internal promotional videos

and sides. He wants more independent thinking and visits to key operations from base stations to stores.

More fundamentally, Xu — one of several executives that rotate in and out of the top position — urged a shift in attitude and mindset from merely responding to customers to actively evolving into a technology leader. He wants to build research and innovation centres around the world.

And he warned of internal disruption as employees are trained and re-assigned to the field.

“Our human resource policy should help reduce entropy in our workforce,” he said.

Founded in 1987 by former army engineer Ren Zhengfei, Huawei is one of several Chinese companies trying to compete in the global technology market. It remains a global leader in carrier equipment and its latest smartphones — the P9 and P9 Plus — have proven popular in higher-end markets. It posted a 37 per cent jump in overall 2015 revenue to 395 billion yuan, and shipped roughly 100 million smartphones globally.

However, smartphone sales are expected to grow a single-digit percentage in 2016 for the first time, according to IT researcher Gartner. Xu said Huawei must continue to evolve into a true premium brand and adapt to a rapidly shifting market.

“To cure an illness, you have to treat the root cause,” he said.

“Past success is not a reliable indicator of the future, and a long list of accomplishments might end up nothing more than an epitaph,” he added. — Bloomberg News

Chinese factory index steadies BEIJING: China’s official factory gauge stabilised near a post2012 high in December, capping a year of steady improvement and signaling policy makers have leeway to curb financial risks while keeping growth humming. The services gauge remained elevated.

Input prices jumped. Manufacturing purchasing managers index stood at 51.4 last month, compared with a median estimate of 51.5 in a Bloomberg survey of economists and 51.7 the prior month.

Non-manufacturing PMI was at 54.5 versus 54.7 in November; numbers higher than 50 indicate improving conditions. Factory input prices rose to a five-year high of 69.6 and services input prices rose to a three-year high of 56.2.

The gains add to evidence of year-end strengthening that’s giving authorities room to pursue economic rebalancing. Early private indicators for December show large and small firms saw stronger momentum as sentiment among executives improved.

“Improving external demand and a weaker yuan are supporting businesses, and the reading suggests stronger growth in the last quarter than previous months,” said Ding Shuang, chief China economist at Standard Chartered in Hong Kong. — Bloomberg News

B4

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

FEATURE

CHINA MAY NEED 250 NEW REGIONAL JETS IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS

N

ew rules governing Chinese airline startups are fueling hopes at Embraer SA, Bombardier Inc and other regional jet makers for a spike in orders next year, but local competition and doubts about size restrictions still loom as major obstacles.

The new policy is aimed at encouraging fledgling carriers to boost domestic flights serving secondary markets in China rather than focusing exclusively on big cities. The three-month old policy has still not been published in its entirety, leaving the industry guessing on some key details.

But provisions include scaling back access to major hubs and a requirement that new regional carriers operate at least 25 smaller city-hopper jets before graduating to bigger aircraft, according to three industry sources familiar with the policy.

That could translate into Chinese demand for more than 250 new regional jets in the next two years, said one source familiar with a planemaker’s outlook, providing a shot in the arm for a new generation of aircraft that has suffered a string of setbacks. Another source familiar with the market called the prospects more limited.

China is seen as anxious to prevent carriers from using niche markets as a back door to the main airline business by grabbing licenses to set up small regional or cargo airlines and then quickly defecting to the more lucrative big-city segment, dominated by Airbus and Boeing.

On paper, that should boost demand for regional jets including China’s delayed ARJ21, developed by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

The support for regional aviation in China should also encourage foreign market leaders such as Bombardier and Embraer, according to Yang Yang, a director at COMAC’s Shanghai Aircraft Design Research Institute.

“This will potentially give them a big market to target,” he said.

Regional jet makers have been recovering from development hitches in recent years, only to find that demand has now slowed in their main markets in the United States and Europe as predictions of robust orders from Asia have yet to materialise.

A spokesman for Canada’s Bombardier said the new policy offers regional airlines “many new opportunities” and Brazil’s Embraer called it an “insightful ... new policy to promote regional aviation.”

Russia’s Sukhoi Civil Aircraft

said the company started regular talks this year with potential Chinese customers for its recently introduced Superjet regional aircraft.

Others, such as Japan’s Mitsubishi Aircraft, are keeping a lid on expectations, wary of competition from the ARJ21, China’s first homegrown passenger jet, which COMAC put into service this year.

“We think in general China has a huge potential,” said Yugo Fukuhara, a vice president for sales of Mitsubishi Aircraft, a unit of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, which is developing another newcomer to the regional jet market.

“At the same time, we have competition from the ARJ21, developed by China themselves, and also some political barriers,” Fukuhara said, alluding to diplomatic tensions between Japan and its neighbour across the East China Sea. Unclear demand, competition Analysts say the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) wants to encourage a more diffuse network after most airlines launched in the past three years focused on busier mainline routes, leaving secondary markets underdeveloped.

But the regulatory changes in the country may also make it harder for new airlines, as feeder

advantages such as its domestic service network and performance standards tailored to the country’s hot and high-altitude western plateau.

But it has delivered just two planes to launch customer Chengdu Airlines so far, leading analysts to question the feasibility of the Chinese regional jet.

Development of the ARJ21 was delayed by nearly a decade, dogged by flawed designs for wings, wiring and computer systems, according to a 2012 Reuters investigation. The aircraft has yet to be certified by US authorities.

“The ARJ21 is not a functioning aircraft,” said Richard Aboulafia, vice president of analysis at aviation consultancy Teal Group, who publishes widely cited global aerospace forecasts.

routes are often less profitable and face stiff competition from China’s fast expanding high-speed rail network.

China had 57 airlines at the end of 2015, only 12 of which were regional carriers, according to a report from the Shanghai Aircraft Design Research Institute.

Embraer has made the most progress among foreign planemakers with those airlines, delivering 91 aircraft of 123 firm orders through September about twice Bombardier’s tally, according to the companies’ latest quarterly reports.

However, Chinese order books for both companies are dwarfed by the ARJ21, which has racked up more than 400 orders since the programme was launched in 2002.

Comac says the ARJ21 holds

Labour disputes Regardless of the ARJ21’s prospects, labour disputes in the world’s largest regional market also have regional planemakers pinning bigger hopes on new Chinese demand.

US pilots are resisting pressure to allow heavier aircraft to be outsourced to regional affiliates, effectively protecting jobs at the mainline operations of Delta Air Lines Inc, American Airlines Group Inc and United Continental Holdings Inc. The standoff could lock out Mitsubishi’s MRJ90 and Embraer’s next-generation E175 aircraft in coming years.

Those size limits, along with low fuel prices, have also slowed new orders to replace aging US aircraft this year.

The size issue could haunt manufacturers in China too. Aviation regulator CAAC has been slow to make public details of the new requirements, known as Rule 96. In particular, they are keeping mum on the specific seat count

and weight limits for the loosely defined regional segment.

Embraer’s head of commercial aviation, John Slattery, said at an industry event in October that Chinese size limits would prevent the company’s 120-seat E195 and rival Bombardier’s 110- to 130seat CSeries from qualifying as regional jets.

“We are confident that all aircraft with five-abreast seating or less qualify within the framework of CAAC Rule 96 and we are working with a number of Chinese carriers in that context,” said public affairs director Bryan Tucker.

CAAC did not respond to requests for comment on specific requirements for regional airlines.

Privately-owned regional carrier China Express Airlines, which has been operating Bombardier CRJ900 jets since it began flying in 2006, said it was keeping an open mind.

“We don’t have any specific preference for domestic or foreign manufacturers,” said Zhang Jian, a general manager at the airline, which has spoken with Comac about the ARJ21. –Reuters

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A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

IMES TECH STUFF

QUALCOMM FINED $853 MILLION

South Korea’s antitrust regulator slapped a record $853 million fine on Qualcomm for violating antitrust laws, the latest in a string of government actions that threaten the US chipmaker’s most profitable business.

The South Korean Fair Trade Commission said that the company licensed its key patents only to mobilephone makers and did not properly negotiate the terms of its licenses. — Bloomberg News

T E C H U P D AT E S

Apple to seek low taxes to start manufacturing in India Apple wants India to offer tax concessions on iPhones that the company plans to manufacture in the country, a person with knowledge of the matter said. The company wrote to the industry ministry last month seeking lower import and manufacturing duties, the person said, asking not to be identified citing rules on speaking to the media. The concessions should continue even after the government rolls out its goods and services tax which is expected to subsume all existing tariffs, the person said. The Cupertino, California-based manufacturer of iPads and iPhones is keen to kick-start operations in the world’s fastest growing phone market as growth slows in countries such as China.

Apple trails rivals selling cheaper handsets in the $2 trillion Indian economy and producing devices in the country could accelerate the roll out of its iconic retail stores to capture burgeoning demand in the world’s second-most populated nation. — Bloomberg News

The good and the bad for the year in technology government resistance to its power on issues such as law enforcement, taxation and manufacturing.

The combined

Start-ups After two years of seemingly limitless funding for young technology companies, there was a marked retrenchment this year.

Money invested in tech startups remains historically high but is on track to decline materially from 2015.

Smartly, many private tech companies started to manage for profits — or “profits” — instead of straining to grow at all costs. Otherwise the fallout from the investment pullback could have been much worse.

market value of tech’s Five Fab — Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon. com and Facebook — was $2.4 trillion or more than 11 per cent of the S&P 500’s value

SHIRA OVIDE & RANI MOLLA

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or the first time this year, technology companies at times held each of the top five spots of the world’s most valuable public companies.

The combined market value of tech’s Five Fab — Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon.com and Facebook — was $2.4 trillion as of December 27, or more than eleven per cent of the S&P 500’s value. That means tech superpowers are inching toward the 16 per cent share of the S&P 500 they held at the peak of the tech bubble in March 2000.

The bad news Big Tech’s growing power makes them a target of politicians worldwide.

Advertising a two-horse race Alphabet’s Google and Facebook are popular destinations for billions and their technology makes it easy for carmakers and detergent companies to pinpoint the right people for their product pitches.

As a result, the two gobble a combined 58 per cent of all the advertis-

ing purchased in the US online or on mobile phones.

With Google and Facebook as the only companies generating significant digital ad sales, every other company dependent on advertising — from television networks to news organisations — is rethinking existing business approaches.

Amazon’s ambition It became clear in 2016 that no industry should be free from Amazon paranoia.

It’s a giant retailer of every product and service, a growing entertainment power, and a would-be transportation giant that aims to control land, air, sea and new horizons.

In an example of the impact Amazon’s ambitions can have, its Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud business — a type of computing Amazon created from nothing 10 years ago — made up more than 100 per cent of Amazon’s total operating profit in the third quarter (after accounting for international losses), and it is not an exaggeration to say AWS has changed the direction of both Amazon and the tech industry.

China tech flexes its muscles China’s tech giants Baidu, Alibaba Group Holding and Tencent Hold-

ings are unimaginably big and broad, cutthroat competition has honed the next-generation stars such as Didi Chuxing, and many novel tech ideas born in China are being copied elsewhere. China’s tech powers are extending their advantages at home and stretching into other parts of the globe, though few have made major inroads into the US yet.

Television meets technology Television’s dominance of Americans’ leisure time and advertisers’ wallets has peaked, and changes are slowly coming to the fundamental nature of TV. Commercial-free binge watching on Netflix, the popularity of nontraditional video on smartphones and the development of new types of online television services are reshaping entertainment.

Will digital “television” simply replicate the TV we’re used to or become something else entirely?

Apple hits a wall The decade-long era of Apple’s impossibly fast growth and profits came to an end.

Apple’s revenue fell this year for the first time since 2001. The company can not outrun a changing market for smartphones globally, and it continues to grapple with

No mercy for Yahoo and Twitter Internet companies have to keep growing, or they die. Yahoo and Twitter in 2016 each went through protracted sale efforts — Yahoo found a buyer, Twitter didn’t — and had to deal with the punishing effects of disappearing growth in revenue and users.

Batteries Samsung was forced to end production of its Galaxy Note 7 after reports of fires or explosions caused by faulty batteries.

The United States also forced a recall of hoverboards because of overheating batteries, and Apple dealt with battery life hiccups for its new MacBook Pro line.

The (sometimes literal) battery flare-ups in 2016 show the fragility of one of the essential components of computing in everything from smartphones to driverless cars.

Old tech shrinks The technology industry is brutal to its stragglers (see Yahoo and Twitter above), and that meant painful job cuts in 2016 at some old-guard companies.

Intel, Cisco Systems, HP and others continued to cut back — in some cases drastically — to offset falling revenue or to shift resources away from declining businesses.

— Bloomberg News

Tesla rolling out autopilot software updates to users Tesla Motors began rolling out software updates to customers with newer cars, bringing them to parity with owners who have what’s known as “Autopilot 1” and setting the stage to ultimately unleash full self-driving capability. “HW2 Autopilot software uploading to 1,000 cars this eve. Will then hold to verify no field issues and upload to rest of fleet next week,” Tesla Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk said in a Twitter post on Saturday. The end-of-year software update comes as the automotive and technology industries prepare to descend on Las Vegas for the annual Consumer Electronics Show and Detroit for the North American International Auto Show. Tesla is skipping CES and the Detroit auto show but instead is hosting investors at its $5 billion Gigafactory 1 east of Reno, Nevada, on Jan. 4, where it makes batteries and energy storage packs. When Musk announced in October that all vehicles now being produced at the Fremont, California, factory are shipping with a new hardware suite to enable full self-driving, he warned that the cars would temporarily lack some of the features currently available on Tesla vehicles with “first generation” Autopilot as the company validated the software. That includes some standard safety features like automatic emergency breaking, collision warning and active cruise control. All Tesla cars produced since October 2014 have Autopilot hardware, which has allowed the company to collect more than 1.3 billion miles of data from Autopilot-equipped vehicles operating under diverse road and weather conditions. — Bloomberg News

Facebook buys Eye Tribe for Oculus eye-tracking software Facebook’s Oculus has acquired The Eye Tribe, a company that tracks eye movement in virtual reality (VR) to improve the experience. Oculus confirmed the acquisition of the Copenhagen-based start-up, without stating a price. The acquisition was reported earlier on Wednesday by TechCrunch.

Eye Tribe is the latest in a series of tech acquisitions this year for Oculus. Facebook is especially interested in eye tracking because the company wants to take the lead in social interactions in VR. The ability to follow eye movement makes it easier to understand people’s expressions and let them communicate effectively with each other in a virtual world. For example, Facebook Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg is interested in helping people watch basketball games together, have board meetings, travel to foreign countries and take selfies in virtual reality. Facebook isn’t alone in focusing on the importance of eye tracking to VR. Alphabet’s Google acquired Eyefluence, another startup working on eye-tracking technology, in October. The search giant is investing in virtual reality as it aims to integrate its media services, like YouTube and its app store, into the nascent technology. — Bloomberg News

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ROUND-UP seaPearls’ ‘Mayoomi’ collection represents elegance and beauty The ‘Mayoomi’ collection includes an eclectic array of creations, illustrating the changes in design styles and techniques

MUSCAT: The ‘Mayoomi’ collection from seaPearls encompasses a variety of pendants, necklaces, earrings and rings that are made from some of the finest cultured pearls in the world.

The ‘Mayoomi’ collection includes an eclectic array of creations, illustrating the changes in design styles and techniques, says a press release.

Mayoomi creations are made from the finest pearls - both natural and freshwater. The brand’s

rigorous selection process ensures that the pieces patrons purchase is of top quality. Even after selection, the pearls have to undergo a number of processes before they are finally set in jewellery. They are typically sorted and resorted many times so that the lustre, allure, colour, size and shape are matched to perfection as it forms part of a jewellery piece.

“The Mayoomi collection is a unique combination of artisanship and modern design elements. The jewellery pieces are an exquisite collection of some of the finest pearls. The collections cover everything from pendants to necklaces and earrings to rings. They make excellent pearl gifts. It’s quite likely that you will be enthralled by what you see; we can almost guarantee it,” said a key spokesperson from seaPearls. seaPearls as a brand specialises in the combination of precious and innovative materials and distinctive designs creating glamorous and exciting styles that fuses classic and contemporary. Its creations are appre-

ensured that seaPearls continues to be the most respectable brands in the jewellery segment of Oman.

The collections of diamond and gold jewellery range from daily wear - such as light weight necklace sets, chains, rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings and bangles - to more occasionspecific and exclusive designs. It houses an array of signature jewellery collections, namely You & Me, Fella, Sol, Nava Graha, Valmaa and Ishana are some unique bestsellers among others.

ciated for its bold, sophisticated and unmistakable style, in which meticulous attention to quality and innovative design combine to create a timeless elegance.

Unique offering Today, the brand has become one of the leading fashion jewellery brands in Oman, which is patron-

ised by the women belonging to almost all the segments of society. It epitomises the expression of love and affection in a woman’s life. seaPearls specialises in gold, diamond, pearl and precious stones, and caters to the most discerning clientele. The modern and innovative Italian, Turkish, Bahraini, Omani and Indian designs have

Customer service At seaPearls, passion and distinctive style is found in each of its designs as its in-house designers and craftsmen collaborate to create some of the most unique jewellery.

“When it comes to providing good service, we believe in building strong relationships with our customers. High quality customer service helps to create customer loyalty. Customers today are not only interested in the product they are being offered, but also all the additional elements of service

that they receive starting from the greeting when they enter our stores,” a key spokesperson from seaPearls opined.

Strong social presence Valued patrons can get more information on the brand’s collection on the official Facebook page.

The page also provides a plethora of information on the wide range of gold and diamond collection on a daily basis to provide the latest information at all times comprising pictorial galleries, aesthetic details, and unique collection features. The page also runs occasional contests to keep viewers enticed and engaged at all times. The aim has been to be at par with customers’ requirements and needs.

Local presence With showrooms spread across Ruwi High Street, Oman Avenues Mall, Sur - Old Souq, Jalan Bani Bu Ali - Near Government Hospital, Sohar Souq, Sohar Safeer Mall and Salalah Al Salam Street, the company continues its expansion drive.

P O P U L A R C A M PA I G N

Customers continue to win at Malabar Gold Festival MUSCAT: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the prominent global jewellery retailer is currently running its 6th edition of ‘Malabar Gold & Diamonds Festival’ in Oman until January 15.

During this campaign, Malabar Gold & Diamonds showcases the latest collection of gold, diamond & precious gems jewellery in its outlets, to celebrate this festive period. This much-awaited festival is one of the biggest jewellery events in GCC and the customers get unique opportunities to win a total of 300,000 gold coins and up to OMR200,000 instant cash back.

Presently, customers have already won over 160,000 gold coins and OMR120,000 cash back on diamond jewellery purchase during the campaign. Customers continue winning big across all the outlets of Malabar Gold & Diamonds in Oman, says a press release.

A true shopper’s delight, Malabar Gold & Diamonds Festival will captivate the customers by exhibiting eye catching designs in gold, diamonds, platinum, and precious gems from different parts of the world to flaunt any occasion or event and are well priced too.

The festival stands apart from the usual jewellery exhibitions and promotions and as the tag line indicates - ‘Everyone Wins’, i.e. every customer gets a chance to be a winner during this festival.

Customers can win a guaranteed gold coin or up to 100 gold coins instantly on purchase of gold and diamond jewellery worth

Customers can win a guaranteed gold coin or up to 100 gold coins instantly on purchase of gold and diamond jewellery worth OMR250 via Scratch N Win coupons.

With every diamond jewellery purchase, the customers get a ‘Scratch & Win’ coupon for guaranteed cash back and get a chance to win up to 100% cash back

OMR250 via Scratch N Win coupons. With every diamond jewellery purchase, the customers get a ‘Scratch & Win’ coupon for guaranteed cash back and get a chance to win up to 100% cash back. The

customers who buy diamond jewellery worth OMR250 or above are eligible to get both the coupons.

Furthermore, customers can buy 8 gram gold coin without any making charges and avail the zero deduction offer on 22K (GCC) old gold jewellery exchange as well.

All the above-mentioned offers are valid until January 15.

To add more glitter to this season, it has also unveiled the latest collection of jewellery in gold, diamonds and precious gems to suit the tastes of its multicultural and multinational customers. Malabar Gold & Diamonds has incorporated these designs as a part of various brands presented at Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ namely Ethnix - Handcrafted Designer Jewellery, Era - Uncut Diamond Jewellery, Mine - Diamonds Unlimited, Divine- Indian Heritage Jewellery, Precia - Gem Jewellery, and Starlet – Kids Jewellery.

The last five editions of the festival elicited tremendous response from the jewellery lovers. This time also the customers are excited to be a part of this much awaited festival to witness the rarest collection of jewellery from across the world and to avail fabulous offers. Malabar Gold & Diamonds has always been at the forefront in gold jewellery manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing and plans on being the ‘most- preferred’ jewellery retailer in the market in the coming years.

The group strives to continue embarking on its journey by further expanding in the near future.

COSTA COFFEE TEAM CELEBRATES CHRISTMAS

It was a merry Costa Christmas at Al Mouj and The Walk recently with the Costa Coffee team spreading the Christmas joy and happiness. Kids received Costa Christmas treats and had their pictures taken with Santa. The warm festive atmosphere left the customers smiling. — Supplied image

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ROUND-UP

Z-Corp launches art contest at Al Wafa Centre for Disabled Children The contest provides an exciting opportunity for children with disabilities and special needs from around North and South Al Batinah governorates to display their talent

MUSCAT: To encourage children with disabilities and special needs, The Zubair Corporation (Z-Corp) recently launched an art contest ‘I am a talent’ at the Al Wafa Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children in Sohar.

The art contest is being organised by the ‘collaboration team’ of Z-Corp in association with Al Wafa Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children and Bait Al Zubair. The ‘collaboration team’ comprises a group of employees of Z-Corp who participate in

community initiatives which are planned and executed by them, says a press release.

The contest provides an exciting opportunity for children with disabilities and special needs from around North and South Al Batinah governorates to display their talent. The aim of the contest is to encourage children with disabilities and special needs to participate and showcase their skill.

The art contest is being organised as part of Z-Corp’s corporate social responsibility to builds its programmes around factors such as employee engagement, community involvement and corporate giving. The objective of organising such events is to touch and improve upon the lives of the communities they live in. The aim is to develop the artistic gifts, creative ideas and talent of the disabled and special needs children.

The launch event of the art contest was attended by representatives of Al Wafa Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children from these governorates, executives of Z-Corp and Bait Al Zubair.

The Zubair Corporation distributed 40 sets of crayons and art paper to be distributed at eight centres of Al Wafa Rehabilitation Centre for Disabled Children in North and South Al Batinah governorates. Each centre will pick five best paintings, out of which ten will be selected for the final contest. Entries will be evaluated based on creativity and the inspiration behind the artwork by a panel of judges.

Emphasising that Z-Corp encourages employees to get involved in their local communities by actively contributing their time for worthy causes and projects, Faisal Al Manthri, assistant man-

‘ PAT H B R E A K I N G S U V O F T H E Y E A R ’

ager at social communication, The Zubair Corporation said, “This art contest is an important project that our team has announced.

These children have their own exclusive vision and understanding of the world that surrounds them and we hope that through this art contest they find new ways to create and depict their ideas.”

Speaking about reasons for organising the art contest, Maryam Al Balushi, director of Al wafa Centre in Sohar said, “Studies have shown that while art is important for all children, it’s vital for children with special needs and disabilities. Art activities strengthen self-confidence, social skills and verbal capabilities. We believe that embracing these special children’s work and honouring their creations will give them a sense of pride and accomplishment, and enhance feelings of

self-worth. We will be recognising the talent of these children in North and South Al Batinah governorates and most importantly integrating them into society.”

The winners of the contest will be announced at a later stage.

She added, “We hope that the contest will help in talent development among children with special needs. We also hope it will develop and promote the spirit of competition among them.”

Yahya bin Darwish Al Balushi, member of the ‘collaboration team’ said, “We feel a complete sense of satisfaction in organising events that make a difference in the lives of these gifted children. We want to take up similar projects that enrich the lives of the people in the community we live.”

The Zubair Corporation’s strategy is to bring focus to its continued and evolving socially relevant

work as a responsible corporate house with intent to make a positive difference in the society.

Al Wafa centres with branches across Oman aims to rehabilitate children who have some form of mental, auditory, physical, or visual disability. According to the Ministry of Social Development’s website, the objective of Al Wafa centres is to rehabilitate disabled children between the age of 3 and 14 by instilling skills in them that enable them to become self-reliant as much as possible. These centre also provide suitable rehabilitation and training programmes for the enrolled children in order to encourage them to become independent. In addition, they provide educational programmes for the families of the disabled children on how to deal with the disabled, the causes of disability and ways to prevent them.

MIDDLE EAST COLLEGE

Jaguar F-Pace wins award at Signature Luxury 100 MUSCAT: The Jaguar F-Pace has been recognised as the ‘Pathbreaking SUV of the Year’ during the grand reveal of The Luxury 100 Collector’s edition book featuring 100 brands that represent the pinnacle of luxury and opulence.

The Signature Luxury 100 awards were given to 25 of the most premium products, services and collectibles and saw the Jaguar F-PACE take home the ‘Pathbreaking SUV of the Year’ accolade in acknowledgement of its capabilities as a performance SUV with the DNA of a sports car, says a press release.

The latest in a bloodline of beautiful cars, the Jaguar F-Pace offers a combination of Jaguar sports car inspired exterior design, fused with a practical and spacious luxury interior. Offering maximum driving exhilaration and efficiency,the Jaguar F-Pace is enhanced with technologies that keep the driver safe, connected and entertained.

Receiving the award David Aziz, CEO- Automotive Products, MHD said, “The Jaguar F-Pace is an exciting new five-seat performance crossover which has opened up an entirely new segment for the

MEC students shine in BP Young Adventurers Camp luxury automotive brand. Demonstrating Jaguar’s commitment to investing in innovation, the F-Pace offers an exceptional driving experience. We are extremely proud that it has been recognised as the Pathbreaking SUV of the year at the Luxury 100 reveal awards.”

The Luxury 100, a unique initiative that marks the country’s and the region’s only list of iconic luxury products of the year, is a su-

perlative compilation or a consolidated ‘List of Lists’ that embodies the spirit of luxury.

Created after months of study and research, the editors of UMS, renowned luxury specialists, lifestyle journalists and a select mix of readers and industry experts weighed in to create this list of products which have proven their luxury credentials with their popularity.

MUSCAT: A delegation consisting of eight students from Middle East College (MEC) participated in the BP Young Adventurers Camp that was held in Dibba, Al Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for two days during December 2016.

More than 100 people from different Gulf countries participated in this camp which included various activities and competitions aimed to entrench different principles like courage, challenge, safety maintenance, teamwork, cooperation and respect to name a few in the youth.

MEC students’ participation

has emerged greatly by winning 11 medals including 5 gold medals in the different competitions like building boats from natural resources, swimming, climbing, cycling, beach’s challenges, kayaking and others, says a press release.

Expressing his happiness for being a participant in this camp, Mohammed Al Harrasi said: “This camp came to develop and instil the good qualities and principles in the participants and to enhance their skills and abilities. As one of the participants, I got the opportunity to challenge myself and explore my potentials and talents more where I won 2 medals in two

different competitions. I would like to thank MEC for providing me with this chance and BP for organising such events that contribute in the development of the society.”

The camp is organised annually between October and March targeting youth from the Gulf region. Moreover, it provides the youth with a fun, educational and worthwhile experience and encourages them to develop an adventurous and innovative spirit for their future. In addition, MEC insures its continuous and full support for its students by providing them with the right opportunities and guidance in all areas.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

ROUND-UP

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Bank Muscat receives Wells Fargo award

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IMPROVED MODEL

The Wells Fargo straight through processing (STP) award recognised

New Doosan 51 ton excavator: Ideal for tough mining and quarry applications

Bank Muscat’s exceptional quality of SWIFT messages on dollar payment and an outstanding error-free rate for remittances

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has won an award from Wells Fargo bank for outstanding performance in dollar denominated fund transfer and commercial payments.

The Wells Fargo straight through processing (STP) award recognised Bank Muscat’s exceptional quality of SWIFT messages on dollar payment and an out-

standing error-free rate for remittances. The award was based on evaluation of the quality and accuracy of SWIFT payment messages routed through Wells Fargo bank, says a press release.

The award highlighted the bank’s commitment to high standards of quality in meeting the stringent criteria for fund transfer.

The bank’s exceptional quality in the delivery of commercial payments and transfers, facilitated by a state-of-the-art in-house payment architecture which helps to consistently maintain high SWIFT standards for auto-

mated processing throughout the payment chain, resulting in extremely high STP rates, was also commended.

The bank’s Central Operations electronic payments department, Treasury back office and Global Trade Services department are handling fund transfer operations while the technical and security issues are handled by the Systems & Procedures department. The Financial Institutions Group, reckoned as one of the leading FI teams in the region, has established more than 500 correspondent banking relationships across the world.

Wells Fargo is among Bank Muscat’s prominent correspondent banks for dollar payments.

Wells Fargo representatives commended the operational teams involved in processing dollar payments at Bank Muscat for the error-free rate maintained consistently throughout the high volume of remittances processed during the year.

A multi-award winning organisation, Bank Muscat’s STP performance has been consistently lauded by the international financial and banking community for several years.

D E N TA L T R E AT M E N T S

Laser dentistry lights up customer smiles at Wassan Specialty Center MUSCAT: Wassan Specialty Dental Center, Muscat’s awardwinning, patient-focused clinic, is leveraging technology and topflight skills to deliver dental treatments and services that are on the cutting edge of dental practice in the Sultanate.

The combination is proving a bit hit with professionals – particularly customer-facing executives in banks, corporations and upscale hotels – eager to carry the day with their winsome smiles featuring pearly whites waxing bright.

Mindful that a fine set of brilliant teeth are as much an asset that projects self-confidence and aplomb as any other, growing numbers of frontline executives are flocking to Wassan Dental at Al Khuwair to give their pearlies a transformational makeover.

After all, teeth-whitening is all the rage among young go-getters – Omani and expatriate alike – in the Sultanate. Of singular appeal is the clinic’s capability in the application of laser technology to provide a diverse range of dental treatments and services safely, efficiently and painlessly.

A marvel of modern technology, lasers have effectively done away with the need for dental drills, syringes, sutures or stitches as-

sociated with the era of distressing and painful dental procedures.

They are now an integral part of any modern, well-equipped dental practice and resourceful tools in cosmetic, preventative and reparative dentistry.

At Wassan Dental you can enjoys a wide range of applications in dentistry, most notably in gum therapy, aiding wound healing and inflammation, treatment of root canals and retreatment of failed root canals, extraction of impacted and surgical teeth, depigmentation of gums, aesthetic contouring of gums for smile enhancement, treatment of decay, dental fillings, crowns and veneers, and so on.

Patients and customers choose to undergo laser dentistry because the experience is relatively painfree and comfortable overall.

As an integrated, all-in-one dental practice, Wassan Specialty offers a full complement of specialisations, including orthodontics (brackets and aligners), prosthodontics (dental implants), endodontics (root canal treatment), cosmetic dentistry (whitening and veneers) apart from general dentistry. All eight dental rooms feature the most modern in dental care treatment facilities.

Indeed, dental care in all its facets has indeed been elevated to an art form at Wassan Dental,

As an integrated, all-in-one dental practice, Wassan Specialty offers a full complement of specialisations, including orthodontics (brackets and aligners), prosthodontics (dental implants), endodontics (root canal treatment), cosmetic dentistry (whitening and veneers) apart from general dentistry not only from the standpoint of aesthetics, but also with regard to hygiene management, patient-focused care, professional and experienced staff, and the relaxed settings that visitors step into on the center’s premises in Al Khuwair Tower (behind Zawawi Mosque).

MUSCAT: The new improved Doosan 51 ton class DX520LCA excavator is the perfect choice for operators seeking efficiency and better fuel consumption in tough mining and quarry applications.

Built for higher productivity and cycle times thanks to improved traction force, bucketdigging force, significantly increased swing torque and lower fuel consumption. Its features aim to reduce the total cost of ownership, says a press release.

In Oman, customers relate Doosan Infracore construction equipment with efficiency and reliability and the new DX520LCA will further enhance this reputation. The company is focused to further grow their presence in the large excavator market.

Doosan DX520LCA comes with a standard 3.28 m3 bucket and a digging depth of 6.77m. It is powered by a 238kW Doosan DE12TIS engine. Doosan’s Relief Cutoff technology prevents transfer of unnecessary fuel flow and keeps the desired working level at maximum value while reducing consumption of fuel. Relief Cutoff technology saves between 2030% of fuel consumption in heavy workload applications.

An optimised lever control feature prevents unnecessary fuel consumption in the Doosan DX520LCA excavator. This technology effectively controls the fuel pump to prevent fuel consumption when the system is shut down. While operating the joystick, rotation rate of the engine and maximum hydraulic power of the pump increase simultaneously for efficient fuel consumption.

Reliability is one major focus in the design of the Doosan DX520LCA. The machine comes with a full quarry and mining spec, heavy duty undercarriage with a reinforced track guard.

The undercarriage has three upper rollers, nine lower rollers and three track guards per track frame. This minimises stress on rollers and track links.

The machine also comes with an improved heavy duty boom and stick. Overall reinforcement of steel on the boom and arm has been achieved through a 20% increased thickness on the side plate and 15% on the bottom. Its

6.3m boom and a shorter 2.9m stick translate into better breakout force, especially in taxing working conditions. This makes it a perfect fit for running heavyduty attachments such as hammers and crusher buckets. Even the main high-pressure lines from the main control valve to the pump have been changed from a combination of pipes and hoses to entirely hoses so as to minimise the risk of leakage. Instead of resin (synflex), the hoses are now made from full rubber (Acryl nitrile butadiene). This new material, combined with a new fitting reduces bending and ensures sound hydraulic flow, while reducing internal pressures.

The Electronic Power Optimising System (e-POS) now comes with a Controller Area Network (CAN) communication link, which enables continuous exchange of information between the engine and the hydraulic system, perfectly synchronising the two crucial components. The new e-POS system guarantees ease of operation and user-friendliness A new user-friendly LCD monitor panel gives the operator full access to machine settings and maintenance-related data. The PC monitoring function enables connection to the e-POS system.

Various parameters, including pump pressures, engine rotation and engine speed can be checked during maintenance.

The easily accessible service points ensure easy serviceability. Access to various radiators is very easy, making cleaning of these components simpler. Engine parts can be easily reached via the top and side panels. While greasing points on the boom and arm have been centralized, for easy maintenance.

Doosan is a global construction equipment manufacturer today and aims to be one among the top three by 2020. The authorised distributor in Oman, Al Hashar, is one of Oman’s premier trading companies. The company provides complete sales, service and spare parts across its facilities spread across the sultanate. Dedicated factory trained engineers ensure machines run at their optimum capacity by providing services on site.

FUTURE OMANI LEADERS

BankDhofar launches ‘Mawahib’ talent development programme MUSCAT: In line with its ‘Together 2020’ vision, BankDhofar recently launched ‘Mawahib’ programme, a unique talent development initiative to fast-forward and accelerate the growth and development of future Omani leaders in the banking industry.

The initial phase of ‘Mawahib’ includes the inauguration of two leadership development programmes that are tailored for 50 selected Omani employees from different divisions and departments at the bank, says a press release.

Abdul Hakeem Omar Al Ojaili, BankDhofar’s acting CEO, elaborated on the strategic initiative and stressed on the bank’s commitment to invest in the development and growth of Omani talent with focus on the banking and financial sector.

“The first leadership development programme under this initiative has been launched in collaboration with Ashridge Business School in the UK for agroup of 30 participants, while the second programme has been developed and administered for 20 participants

by Munich Development Group

in cooperation with the German University of Technology in Oman (GUtech),” he noted.

Mawahib programme has been designed in line with international best practices and it aims to serve as a platform for all future talent training and development programmes in the bank. The programme focuses on developing a strategic talent pool for future roles through empowering young Omanis to be competent successors for all the critical roles in the bank.

“We have partnered with Alshridge Business School, which

is ranked among the top 50-business school in UK and is considered as one of best global provider of customised leadership courses.

Likewise, Munich Development Group will be developing the second group of talent pool. The group is specialised in human resource development, change management and team building,” said Dr Khalid Al Hamadani, head of Learning and Talent Development at BankDhofar.

Commenting on the launch of the programme, Rory Hendrikz, managing director – Middle East,

Ashridge Executive Education, said: “We are proud to support the long term objectives of BankDhofar by delivering an effective leadership programme for the bank’s senior leaders. The primary objective of this program is to develop their leadership capabilities by helping them to implement change, manage and lead the business; and shape the organisation for future growth.”

On his part, George Eichenberg, CEO of Munich Development Group, also said: “The Junior Management Leadership Development

Programme for Omani professionals and talents will be a perfect platform for their further development and growth supported by BankDhofar through the Mawahib initiative.

This programme provides awareness and knowledge of general management comprising all disciplines within the organisation.”

Mawahib is aimed at sustaining the bank’s growth and vision to be the best bank in the Gulf and to become the employer of choice for the most competentOmani talent.In 2016, the bank’s learning and development centre provided

over 300 learning opportunities for 2,382 employees focusing on developing leadership and functional competencies. The specialised training and development programmes are executed by accredited local faculties or through partnership with reputable universities, colleges and leading training providers. The bank has also sent different management team members abroad to attend intensive leadership courses at Harvard Business School (HBS) in theUSA, London business School in the UK, Darden Business school in USA and Queen Business school in Canada.

BankDhofar has achieved 93 per cent Omanisation, giving priority for Omanis to occupy key positions, including senior management positions. The bank’s HR strategy aims at developing Omani talent and equipping them with the essential skilset to make vital contributions to the bank’s growth and success. The development of human resources is a priority in the bank through providing planned and comprehensive educational and training opportunities to employees.

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017 17

SECTION

SOMDEV ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM PROFESSIONAL TENNIS >C2

SPOR YOUR GAME

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‘CONSISTENCY IS NOTHING NG BUT OVERCOMING FLAWS’S’ Every individual has flaws but the ones who can successfully work around their chinks, can attain high level of consistency desirable from a top quality cricketer, feels Indian Test captain Virat Kohli. >C3

Oman positive ahead of Desert T20 Oman team, including Munis

The camp has been going on well. The players have been working hard

Ansari who was not among the original list of probables, have been training ahead of their participation in the Desert T20

Madhu Jesrani

SET FOR DESERT SHOW: File photo of Oman cricketers who will take part in the Desert T20 Interna-

Oman Cricket general secretary

tional Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

International tournament to be organised in the UAE

A. SESHAGIRI RAO raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: With Oman Cricket providing the right kind of support and coach Duleep Mendis’ support staff trying to get the best out of the players, Oman team are working hard to achieve positive results at the forthcoming Desert T20 International Tournament to be organised in the UAE later this month.

The tournament, to be hosted by the Emirates Cricket Board under the auspices of the International Cricket Council (ICC), will take place at two different venues — Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Cricket Stadium and Dubai International Cricket Stadium — from January 8 to 21.

The tournament was originally planned as a competition for all ICC Associate teams with T20 International status but Papua New Guinea’s non-availability led to

the organisers inviting Namibia to complete the eight-team line-up.

With the exception of Nambia, all other teams that will be seen in action have international T20 status.

And according to the latest list of fixtures released by the organisers, Oman are placed in tough Group B along with the Netherlands, Scotland and Hong Kong.

Afghanistan heads Group A, which also comprises Ireland, Namibia and the hosts UAE. According to Oman Cricket General Secretary Madhu Jesrani, Team Oman are ‘working hard’ in the ongoing domestic training camp and are hoping to do the Sultanate proud in the UAE tournament with positive results.

Speaking to Times Sport on Sunday, Madhu Jesrani said: “The camp has been going on well.

Though (head coach) Duleep Mendis has taken a brief break, the players have been working hard under the watchful eyes of assistant coach Mazhar Saleem Khan and other staff.”

“The players in particular have been working hard and trying to

improve in all aspects of their game. There is certain positive attitude among this bunch of players and their enthusiasm is very infectious. Their morale is high and it looks like they are ready for the challenge and give their best in the Desert T20,” he added.

Twenty of Oman’s best cricketers, including Munis Ansari who was not among the original list of probables, are attending the training camp that runs till January 8.

Asked about the inclusion of Munis Ansari and the final list of players for the tournament, Madhu Jesrani said: “The selectors and the coach felt he is fit and ready to be included among the probables.

So Munis is back, and like all other players he is working hard and hoping to give his best.”

“The team will be pruned to 18. But the selectors will take the call in that regard in a day or two.

Coach Duleep Mendis is expected to return on Tuesday or Wednesday,” he added.

Echoing Madhu’s views, assistant coach Mazher Saleem Khan, meanwhile, said all the players attending the camp are in a positive frame of

TEST CRICKET

Newlands’ seam-friendly wicket favours the hosts CAPE TOWN: Another seamfriendly wicket stacks the odds overwhelmingly in favour of hosts South Africa when they take on Sri Lanka in the second Test at Newlands, starting on Monday.

The middle contest in a threematch series comes just two days after South Africa completed a 206-run victory at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth in the Boxing Day Test.

That surface was supposedly the closest Sri Lanka would get on their tour to conditions that would allow spin spearhead Rangana Herath to make an impact.

Even then, it proved a contest where the home side were in firm control, though the visitors did provide some dogged resistance at times.

At Newlands, the bowling trio of Kyle Abbott, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada will again be looking to dominate the batsmen, with captain Faf du Plessis insisting three seamers would be enough, even if it does put their stamina to the test with just two free days between matches.

“The seam attack has proven we can do it with three,” he said after the first Test success. “The key is obviously not to have anyone breaking down.”

Last year’s New Year’s test at Newlands saw South Africa battered by Ben Stokes’ recordbreaking 258 from 198 balls as they lost a home series to England and their place as the top test side in the International Cricket Council rankings. But, even without talismanic AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn, South Africa have since beaten New Zealand and Australia and set their target on a much improved 2017 in which they will go to England and then host Bangladesh and India.

“It’s important for this team that even though we are playing really well, we must make sure that we look at areas, especially when we are winning, where we can improve,” said du Plessis.

Sri Lanka are likely to make changes to strengthen their bat-

It’s important for this team that even though we are playing really well, we must make sure that we look at areas, especially when we are winning, where we can improve Faf du Plessis South Africa captain

ting line-up with Upul Tharanga expected to replace Kusal Perera at number three.

Defeat in Port Elizabeth ended a run of five successive test victories for Sri Lanka, whose last home series was a convincing whitewash of Australia in mid-

year but they remain unconvincing on the road.

They have lost nine of 11 previous Tests in South Africa. Sri Lanka were beaten by an innings and 229 runs and by 10 wickets in their two previous Tests at Newlands. - Reuters

mind and are working very hard despite their other commitments.

“The players have been showing tremendous commitment since we have started the camp on December 5. They are working very hard... considering that they have to train with and turn up for their respective teams in the league matches, and not to forget their work commitments. Despite all these engagements, they have been regular at the camps, attending two sessions both in the mornings and evenings.”

Mazhar also said the coaching staff are in constant touch with Duleep Mendis, trying to effectively implement the latter’s philosophy of coaching and make the boys ready for the challenge in the UAE. “Though he is away, coach Duleep is in touch with us on a daily basis and we are trying to implement all his ideas while trying to improve the players in all aspects,” he said while confirming that Duleep Mendis will return to Muscat on Wednesday.

Thanking Oman Cricket for giving the team good support, Mazher Saleem made a special mention

about the role played by the entire staff, including physical trainer Dr M.V. Manjunath, physio-cumtrainer J. Premanth and physio Suresh, in shaping the players.

“Thanks to these three key members, all the players are shaping up well and they are really in peak physical condition than they were before,” he said.

Speaking about the improvement among the players, he said: “What is very obvious and impressive is the players’ attitude. They are looking very positive. They are also very enthusiastic ... to improve and perform well.”

“As I said fitness wise, they are in a higher level. There is also a very healthy competition among themselves and they all want to be part of the team,” Mazhar said while refusing to delve into the issue of who will make it or who will miss the bus to the UAE. In the Desert T20I, Oman will begin their campaign against the Netherlands on January 15 before taking on Hong Kong and Scotland on January 16 and 19 respectively. The semifinals and final are scheduled for January 20.

Oman probables: Khawar Ali, Zeeshan

Maqsoood, Arun Poulose, Jatinder Singh, Ajay Lalcheta, Rajesh Ranpura, Sufyan Mahmood, Zeeshan Siddique, Mohammed Nadeem, Bilal Khan, Mehran Khan, Kaleemullah, Nester Dhamba, Aaqib Ilyas, Khurram Khan, Sultan Ahmed, Naseem Kushi, Amir Ali, Shuaib Ismail and Munis Ansari.

Fixtures: Group A: Afghanistan, Ireland, Namibia, UAE; Group B: The Netherlands, Scotland, Oman, Hong Kong.

January 14: Scotland vs Hong Kong at Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium, 2.00 pm; Afghanistan vs Ireland at Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium 7.00 pm. January 15: Netherlands vs Oman at Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium, 2.00 pm; UAE vs Namibia at Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium, 7.00 pm. January 16: Oman vs Hong Kong at Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium, 2.00 pm; Afghanistan vs UAE at Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium, 7.00 pm. January 17: Ireland vs Namibia at Abu Dhabi Zayed Cricket Stadium, 2.00 pm; Netherlands vs Scotland at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, 7.00 pm. January 18: UAE vs Ireland at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, 2.00 pm; Netherlands vs Hong Kong at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, 7.00 pm. January 19: Afghanistan vs Namibia at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, 2.00 pm; Scotland vs Oman at Dubai, 7.00 pm.

January 20: Semifinals and final.

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MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

SPORTS

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Somdev quits professional tennis The 31-year-old’s career was hampered by a recurring shoulder injury. There

he might take to coaching from here on

Davis Cup regular A regular in India’s Davis Cup squad, Somdev appeared in 14 rubbers and played a crucial role in India reaching the World Group back in 2010.

Somdev had also made the finals of two ATP Tour events — the 2009 Chennai Open as a wildcard and the 2011 South Africa Open.

He also the singles and doubles gold medals at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.

His 44-1 win-loss record in 2008 at the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championship remains unmatched so far.

He was conferred the Arjuna award — the country’s second highest sporting honour — in 2011.

Passion ‘dying’ Somdev on Sunday said it was right time for him to quit international tennis since the passion with which he used to play was “dying” and he felt he will not be able to play his best tennis.

At the age of 31, Somdev hung his racquet, having two runners-up

OTT all set to host first Oman Triathlon of the year MUSCAT: The Oman Triathlon Team (OTT) are all set to host the first Oman Triathlon of 2017 on Friday. The much looked forward to event will take place at Al Athaiba Jetty.

According to the organisers, the Oman Triathlon will have four races — a Sprint Triathlon, an Olympic Triathlon, an Aquathon and a Kids Aquathon.

The Sprint Triathlon will comprise 750m swim, 22km bike and 5km run, while the Olympic Triathlon will include 1,500m sea swim, 40km bike and a 10km run. A 750m swim and a 5km run will comprise the Aquathon while the Kinds Aquathon will have 200m swim and 2km run. The participants can register their names between 7.00 and 7.15 am on the day of the race. The event is scheduled to start at 7.30 a.m.

is speculation that

NEW DELHI: Ravaged by injuries, India’s star singles player Somdev Devvarman on Sunday announced his retirement from professional tennis, bringing an abrupt end to what was once a promising career.

“Starting 2017 on a new note, retiring from pro tennis. Thanks to everyone for the love and support over the years. #newyearnewbeginnings,” Somdev said on his Twitter page. The 31-year-old’s career was hampered by a recurring shoulder injury in 2012. He recovered to stage a comeback but he had been missing from action without any specified reason for some time now. There is speculation that he might take to coaching from here on.

Somdev was India’s star singles player since he first broke into the scene in 2008.

AT H L E T I C S

TROUBLED BY INJURY: File photo of Indian tennis player Somdev Devvarman during a practice session at SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chen-

nai on Thursday. – PTI EQUESTRIAN

finishes on the ATP World Tour as his best performances on the Tour.

Known for his baseline slugfest and sheer doggedness with which he played his game, Somdev gave India many memorable wins in the Davis Cup. “I last played a match in Indian Wells in March (2015) and after that I had a chat with my people. I pretty much decided at that time that it was time to stop. I have read people saying I was injury plagued but it was not about that.

“I wanted to play for right reasons. Playing for me was always super fun and passion, that was dying or slowing down,” Somdev told PTI in an exclusive chat on the sidelines of Chennai Open.

“That is my biggest strength, my fighting spirit and that passion and heart more than forehands and backhands. Second, I knew I would not be able to play my best tennis.

“I wanted to be in top-100 and started reaching a point through injuries where I felt it will be tough for me to come back to top-100.

“Once I realised that I decided that it was time to stop,” he said elaborating on his decision.

“The enjoyment in training was not the same, the enjoyment in

The enjoyment in training was not the same, the enjoyment in travelling was not the same. I was not tired I have done it for so long. It was not fresh. Playing and going for tournaments in Asia was not exciting for me. I wanted to be in top-100 and started reaching a point through injuries where I felt it will be tough for me to come back to top-100.

“Once I realised that I decided that it was time to stop Somdev Devvarman Indian tennis player

travelling was not the same.

“I was not tired I have done it for so long. It was not fresh. Playing and going for tournaments in Asia was not exciting for me,” Somdev, who touched a career-high rank of number 62 in 2011, said.

As he goes out of the scene, Somdev feels AITA has not been doing

enough for the game since the will is not there.

“We need to change the culture how sports is looked at. Professional sport is not joke. People don’t understand that.

“We don’t have right people at the top, who truly understand what it takes to be world class athlete.

“The people in the National federations are not right ones to make decisions. They do not do anything, and it’s a decision.

“I have not come from Indian system but from College system in US. I don’t see what AITA has done to churn out players. We don’t have training centres and don’t have expertise,” he said.

There was a players revolt led by Somdev in 2013 when AITA was forced to bring in a few changes about how Davis Cup team was run. Changes were also made in support staff and players’ share in Davis Cup prize money was increased.

“AITA needs to be open to taking suggestions from the players.

Specially people in recent history because they know what is going on. They know what it takes to produce the players. With all due respect to bureaucrats in AITA, I don’t think they have a clue.

“They (AITA) have done bare minimum. They just justify what they have done rather than take big steps. Don’t compare what other sports are doing, compare with what your sport is doing internationally. Who they hire to run programs,” he said. — PTI

Beach tent pegging event in Masirah MASIRAH: The International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF) will organise an International Beach Tent Pegging Championship in the wilayat of Masirah with the participation of a number of countries in in February.

Mohammed bin Isa Al Fairouz, chairman of the International Tent Pegging Federation, said that the championship would be organised at the end of February.

“We are working for involvement of the local community in the championship” he added.

Representatives of a number of Arab and foreign countries would attend the championship. Sheikh Talal bin Saif Al Hosni, Wali of Masirah, said that the organisation of the event in the wilayat of Masirah would play a vital role in promoting tourism. - ONA

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

C3

SPORTS Overcoming flaws can help attain optimum consistency, says Kohli Kohli takes inspiration from Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, whose work ethic is something that he wants to emulate

NEW DELHI: Every individual has flaws but the ones who can successfully work around their chinks, can attain high level of consistency desirable from a top quality cricketer, feels Indian Test captain Virat Kohli.

With 1215 runs in Tests and over 2500 plus runs across all formats in 2016, Virat has been a standout performer for India and he feels that it’s about knowing his game better.

“It can be put down to understanding my game a lot better than I used to. Being happy with the ability I have, the sort of drawbacks that I have. I understand my flaws and strengths nicely,” Kohli told ecb.Co.Uk during an interaction.

“It’s also about finding the right balance. People talk about not having flaws and it’s wrong. Everyone has flaws and consistency is nothing but overcoming those flaws and finding the ability to score runs in Test format, especially which I wanted to find within my game. I feel in happy space knowing exactly where my game is going,” said the dashing batsman.

Kohli takes inspiration from Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, whose work ethic is some-

thing that he wants to emulate.

“I take a lot of inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo. The way he has stayed on top for so many years, it’s nothing but down to hard work.

I have heard he is the most hardworking footballer in the world and that’s why he is where he is.

Messi is a freak (genius) but this guy (Ronaldo) is giving him run for his money because of his hard work,” Kohli opined.

Kohli said that pressure of performance is something that he has embraced as one can’t run away from it. “It’s about how you perceive that situation. It’s very similar when you go out to bat. Either you see four slips standing at the back or you see the boundaries only.

“The external pressure, I have started enjoying it rather than running away from it because if I run away from it, it may come back to hound me and and put me down to a level that I can’t imagine.” - PTI

It’s about how you perceive that situation. It’s very similar when you go out to bat. Either you see four slips standing at the back or you see the boundaries only Virat Kohli India Test captain

TENNIS

Leander has ‘no issues’ with captain Mahesh but drops retirement hints CHENNAI: Indian tennis legend Leander Paes on Sunday dropped elaborate hints that he has reached the business end of his glittering career even though he is ready to give his all for the flag under newly appointed non-playing captain Mahesh Bhupathi.

Asked if he will think of retiring if it gets to that, Paes replied:”You will see.”

“I play for fun now. I play because I love the game, because I am passionate about the game.

There will come a point when the curtain comes down. Before the curtain comes down, a big thank you to you all. It’s been a fun run, you guys have been awesome with me for 20 years, so thanks,” Leeander said on the sidelines of Chennai Open.

With Mahesh Bhupathi taking over as the non-playing captain of the Indian Davis Cup team, Paes was asked the obvious question knowing his ‘blow-hot-blow cold’ relationship with his former doubles partner.

“People out there need to have credentials to be the captain and he (Bhupathi) has got credentials to be captain. In the next 18 months, we will see how it goes,” Paes said.

Asked if he will be comfortable having Bhupathi in the captain’s chair, Paes retorted,”Why not?”

“Country comes first. No egos.

As far as I am concerned, there has never been ego. If you have to achieve excellence, you have to be student of life. Captain sits on the bench, helps you out with a few things but at the end of the day, I am out there representing the country.

“So for me, whether it was Ramesh Krishnan, SP Misra, Naresh Kumar, my first captain, Anand Amritraj or Jaideep Mukherjee or Mahesh, I have one

PLAYING FOR FUN: India’s Leander Paes, right, pictured during a practice session for Chennai Open

in Chennai on Sunday. – PTI

job to do and that is to represent country,” Paes emphasised.

Paes and Bhupathi had emerged as a force in late 90s in international tennis, winning three Grand Slams together before parting ways.

Their stormy relation apart from their exploits together as a team has always been a topic of discussion in Indian tennis.

Bhupathi, who replaced Anand Amritraj, will take over from April. It fuelled speculation on how the two legends will go keeping in mind the history they share.

Paes, a veteran of 54 Davis Cup ties, said he had some good memories with Anand as captain.

“Congratulations to Anand for years, we have played together. We

had some memorable matches, when we beat Korea in Chandigarh also when I beat my former partner Nenad Zimonjic in the doubles in Bangalore against Serbia.

That was one of my best Davis Cup comebacks. So thanks to Anand and congratulations to Mahesh.”

However, Paes chose not speak on issues that resulted in change in captaincy.

Asked if he thinks, there was indiscipline in the team under Amritraj’s reign, Paes said, “That you have to ask AITA. I am a player under the captain and it’s not right for a player to speak about captain.”

Paes is close to a historic achievement as a win in the doubles against New Zealand in the upcoming tie, will make him

the most successful doubles player in Davis Cup with 43 wins.

“To continue at 43, I am blessed to be playing at this level. I have to thank my whole team: my father (Vece Paes), Sanjay Singh, Dave Herman, Rick Leach...the list just keeps going on, we have got few people new on my team now, who are going to help me in the last few months of my playing career and my post-tennis career.”

Paes also spoke about mentoring the younger lot.

“I would love to create someone who is winning for the first time and make him realise what it takes to win that first one. That’s the dream I have now, more than playing the 8th Olympics or winning the 20th Grand Slam.” - PTI

CRICKET

Ponting joins Australia’s interim coaching team SYDNEY: Former captain Ricky Ponting has become the third former international to take on an interim coaching role with the Australian Twenty20 team next month.

Ponting will join fellow assistant Jason Gillespie and head coach Justin Langer for the Twen-

ty20 series against Sri Lanka.

All three have been appointed because regular head coach Darren Lehmann and his assistant David Saker will be in India preparing the Test squad for the fourmatch series.

“I always said when I retired that I wanted to get back involved

and what better way to do it than alongside a couple of my best mates in cricket, Justin Langer and Jason Gillespie,” Ponting said in a statement on Sunday.

“We have some incredible Twenty20 talent in this country and I cant wait to work with JL, Dizzy and those selected to have

a real crack at doing (something) special for Australia’s Twenty20 international ambitions.”

Ponting, who was considered one of the best batsmen of all time, retired from international cricket in 2012 having scored 13,378 Test runs at 51.81 and 13,704 ODI runs at 42.03 in a 17-year career. - Reuters

C4

MONDAY, JANUARY 2, 2017

SPORTS Giroud’s scorpion special lifts Arsenal, Spurs win Giroud’s goal was uncannily similar to Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s goal for Manchester United against Sunderland on Boxing Day

LONDON: Olivier Giroud scored with a superb, improvised backheeled volley as Arsenal eased past struggling Crystal Palace with a 2-0 win that moved them into third spot in the Premier League on Sunday.

The France international produced a flying scorpion-like flick with his left heel to convert Alexis Sanchez’s cross while tumbling forward following an Arsenal counter-attack, which helped build with another neat flick, in the 17th minute.

It was uncannily similar to Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s goal for Manchester United against Sunderland on Boxing Day. While Arsenal’s first goal was a stunning piece of improvisation their second after 55 minutes was a messy affair with Alex Iwobi’s looping header dropping in via Palace defender Joel Ward who failed to make a goalline clearance.

Christian Benteke wasted the best of Palace’s few chances when he headed wide shortly before Iwobi’s effort and though Sam Allardyce’s side did briefly rally having fallen two goals behind they never looked likely to get back into the game.

But Arsenal were dominant as they moved above Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur into third, nine points behind rampant FOOTBALL

League is unbelievably difficult: Klopp LONDON: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said that his team could not afford to think about league leaders Chelsea despite Saturday’s 1-0 win over Manchester City strengthening their position as the main challengers to the London club.

Chelsea beat Stoke City 4-2 earlier on Saturday to extend their winning streak to 13 games but an eighth minute header from Georginio Wijnaldum earned Liverpool a win that kept them within six points of Antonio Conte’s team.

“We cannot look at Chelsea, they are unbelievably strong of course, on an outstanding run with 13 wins in a row. Not bad,” Klopp told reporters.

“Can you imagine how annoying it is when you win 13 games in a row and we are only six points behind?

“But I am pretty sure they don’t think about this, so why should we?

“The league is unbelievably difficult this year.”

The win moved Liverpool four points ahead of thirdplaced City but despite the victory against their North-West rivals, the German coach still highlighted some areas for improvement. - Reuters

SUPERB GOAL: Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud celebrates after scoring a goal during their Premier League

match against Crystal Palace at Emirates Stadium on Sunday. – Reuters

leaders Chelsea and one ahead of Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham rout Watford Earlier, Tottenham Hotspur steamed into the top four as Harry Kane marked his 100th Premier League appearance with a double in a 4-1 thrashing of a woeful Watford.

Harry Kane pounced in the 27th and 33rd minutes, both from Kieran Trippier assists, and Dele Alli also struck twice for the visitors with goals either side of halftime as Watford were punished for slack defending.

A fourth win in a row pushed Tottenham into third place with 39 points from 19 matches, above Manchester City and Arsenal, although their north London rivals could regain third spot if they beat Crystal Palace later on Sunday.

For the second game in a row Tottenham struck four on the road to keep themselves firmly in

the pack chasing runaway leaders Chelsea, who they host on Wednesday.

In torrential New Year’s Day rain at Vicarage Road Tottenham had already peppered the Watford goal with shots before Kane opened the scoring.

Danny Rose fired wastefully over, Christian Eriksen stung the fingers of keeper Huerelho Gomes while Alli rattled the crossbar with a fizzing shot.

Seconds after Alli’s near miss Trippier threaded a clever pass into Kane who reacted sharply and slipped the ball past Gomes.

Trippier, deputising for the suspended Kyle Walker, was at it again six minutes later, whipping in a teasing cross which Kane prodded past Gomes with Watford’s defenders dozing.

The England striker, who scored once and missed a penalty in the 4-1 victory over Southampton in

midweek, has now bagged 59 goals in 100 Premier League games and 10 in his last 11.

Watford continued to cause problems for themselves and a poor clearance by former Spurs defender Younes Kaboul fell to Alli who punished him with a tidy finish.

Alli grabbed his second after a mistake by Sebastian Prodl before he and Kane were both substituted with manager Mauricio Pochettino having one eye on Wednesday’s clash with Chelsea who are 10 points ahead of Tottenham and six ahead of Liverpool.

“The Chelsea match is massive, so we’ll recover and go hard at it,” Kane told Sky Sports. “We just need to go out there and beat them and stop their winning run.”

Watford grabbed a scrappy consolation goal in stoppage time when Kaboul touched home from close range after Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris had made a fine save. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

Southgate targets top ranking for England LONDON: New England manager Gareth Southgate wants to make the under-achieving nation the world’s top football power, however long it takes, he said in a New Year message on Sunday.

England have slumped to 13th in FIFA’s rankings and have failed to make any impact at major tournaments for decades but Southgate is relishing the task ahead.

“We’re 13th in the world rankings and at the last two tournaments we haven’t got through a knockout game,” Southgate, who was named as full-time manager in November after a four-match interim period in charge, said.

“There are some obstacles we have to overcome but for me that’s a great opportunity and the potential is huge. I don’t have any fear in what lies ahead because I’m just seeing what’s possible.

How do we go to being the number one team in the world?

“We’ve got to deliver, we’ve got to work hard, we’ve got to work intelligently. I’m looking at what’s achievable, I’m not thinking about anything else.”

Southgate has taken charge after a tumultuous period for England. After a poor 2014 World Cup when they went out at the group stage there came the dismal flop at Euro 2016 when they were knocked out by Iceland in the last 16, leading to the resignation of manager Roy Hodgson.

Hodgson’s replacement Sam Allardyce lasted only 67 days before stepping down after being caught up in a newspaper sting in which he was secretly recorded saying it was possible to “get around” Football Association rules on player transfers.

Under his guidance England are unbeaten, if not thoroughly convincing, in four games with wins against Malta and Scotland and draws with Slovenia and Spain. He has impressed with his realism and vision for the future though and has not been afraid to speak his mind.

On taking over he spoke of the need for some “humility” in a

GOLF

squad full of millionaire players.

Continuing that theme Southgate, who won 57 England caps, said he was concerned about the spiralling wages of young players.

“The very best players have that drive and that’s why they get to the top,” he said. “The concern is for any young player at an academy, who’s not quite made it in the first team, but thinks they have because you get big money for having achieved nothing.

“If you don’t have that inner drive, there’s a danger you’ll never actually get to be a top professional or be a first-team player.

In years to come they could look back and have huge regrets.”

Southgate has already said Wayne Rooney will remain captain, even if the Manchester United forward is no longer a guaranteed starter in the first team. The former Middlesbrough boss wants more leadership throughout the squad though.

“At different moments you’ve got to have different people take that lead, whether that’s being brave enough to take the ball or talking to the others, getting them mentally back on course,” he said.

“A lot of that responsibility over the last few years has fallen on Wayne’s shoulders; that’s got to be shared, that’s got to be developed and that’s not just on the field but off the field in particular.”

England’s next game is at home to Lithuania in a World Cup qualifier on March 26. - Reuters FOOTBALL

All set for A’Saffa Golf Tournament MUSCAT: A’Saffa Foods, Oman’s largest fully integrated poultry project and producers of Oman’s finest, natural and tasty healthy snack food range — will organise the third edition of the A’Saffa Golf Tournament at the Ghala Golf Club on January 14.

An 18-hole competition, the tournament is open to all golfers with a registered handicap in the Sultanate, and will begin at 6:30 am and finish early evening.

“Through the A’Saffa Golf tournament, A’Saffa aims to not only bring together and recognise top quality golfing talent but also increase the awareness of the sport in the Sultanate,” the organisers said in a press statement.

Sidhartha Lenka, Head of Marketing and Sales at A’Saffa Foods, said: “It is an honour to be able to host members of the local golfing community and supporters of the A’Saffa Foods family in our annual golf tournament.

“The A’Saffa brand has been associated with halal, fresh, pure, tasty food and healthy living since the time of its inception. Through the A’Saffa Golf Tournament, the company’s mainstay sporting event, we endeavor to promote healthy choices through the game of golf.”

He continued: “On tee day - players will be greeted with a sumptuous A’Saffa barbeque spread, post the tournament. The barbeque will

AIMING HIGH: Gareth Southgate

PICTURESQUE VENUE: The third edition of A’Saffa Golf Tournament will be organised in Ghala Golf Club.

feature A’Saffa poultry and meat products, which are completely natural and pure, and contains no added hormones, no steroids, no artificial flavour and no water injections to increase the weight of the product.

“That’s not all, an awards presentation ceremony felicitating the champion, first runner-up, second

runner-up, ladies winner, and junior winner will be held in the evening, and will be followed by a delectable dinner for all attendees.”

As golfing facilities have rapidly improved in recent years, the number of golfers continues to grow as well. With the A’Saffa Golf Tournament it is the brand’s endeavour to do their bit towards popularising

the game in the Sultanate, along with using the event as a platform to showcase their range of healthy and tasty savories.

Based on the positive feedback garnered for the tournament each year, A’Saffa is confident that this year’s edition too will be a success and will serve as the perfect playing ground for avid golfers in Oman.

City have time on their side: Guardiola LONDON: Manchester City fell 10 points behind leaders Chelsea after their 1-0 defeat

by Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday but manager Pep Guardiola believes there is plenty of time left to revive their Premier League campaign.

“We are only entering the second half of the season and there is still more than five months to go so it’s a bit early to be worrying too much,” the Spaniard told reporters. “It’s not even January yet so there is a lot of time left.

“All we must do is concentrate on the next game which is Burnley (on Monday), try to win that and then look to win two or three games in a row and carry on from there. We have to show strong personality, keep fighting and do what we have to do to win the games.”

Guardiola was in no mood to criticise his team.

“I’m not the type of manager to come in and try and say we lost because of this or that. We reacted well after they scored and I didn’t see any of my players not show their personality,” he said.

“But Liverpool are one of the best teams, we were at Anfield and we knew this would be difficult.” - Reuters

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

VACANCY

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CARGO

D7

All Cartridges also available on UNBEATABLE prices All HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Samsung Cartridges also available.

Ruwi: 24 792 792 Sohar: 2684 2420

GOOD PRICE!!!

HP 2130 3in1 Printer RO 10.900 only

GOOD PRICE!!!

D4

GOOD PRICE!!!

Available on UNBEATABLE prices

GOOD PRICE!!!

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RENT

GOOD PRICE!!!

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 , 2 0 1 7

SECTION

GOOD PRICE!!!

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D2

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 , 2 0 1 7 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

AN EXISTING FARM FOR RENT in the Wilayat of Barka, with an area of 45 acres, out of which large area is planted with fodder and 7 acres are planted with vegetables. It has also 14 greenhouses as well as 3 artesian wells and a plowing tractor ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĐƵƫ ŶŐ ĂŶĚ ďƵŶĚůŝŶŐ ƚŽŽůƐ ĂŶĚ plowing equipments with their accessories. dŚĞ ĨĂƌŵ ŚĂƐ Ă ŐŽŽĚ Į ŶĂŶĐŝĂů ŝŶĐŽŵĞ͘

Contact: 99340378

OFFICE PROPERTY FOR SALE/RENT DAYS AWAY FROM DELIVERY - PREMIUM OFFICE SPACE AT PRIME LOCATION AT BAUSHER ON 2ND FLOOR BUILD UP AREA – 163 SQ. MTRS. SALE PRICE RO.1,050/- PER SQ. MTR -RENT PER MONTH RO.10/- PER SQ. MTR. OPTIONS WITH OR WITHOUT FURNITURE.

Flat for rent in Al Ghobra, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 family sitting room, 1 kitchen. RO 400/Contact - 95919059

PREMIUM VILLA FOR SALE SANTINI A3 TYPE 2 STOREY VILLA WITH 4 BEDROOMS PLUS MAID ROOM AT AL MOUJ PHASE 4.

GREAT LOCATION WITH CUL DE SAC FOR PARKING. PURCHASE OPEN TO NON-OMANIS AS WELL.

Flat for rent in Al Bustan. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen & 1 hall. Contact - 99379950 Villa for rent Ameratphase (fifth/1) Majlis , hall , kitchen . 5 bedrooms &7 bathrooms (spilt unit AC)RO 400/- per month we prefer families. Contact: 99203458 Two bedroom flat available, Show room near Honda.

Contact: 99022675 Room for rent near Al Daser Rex Road, Ruwi. Contact: 99797645 Shop for rent W. Kabir Industrial, flat for rent W. Kabir near Muscat Bakery. Contact: 99338133 A steel workshop in Sohar is looking for long lease contract for its existing welders. Interested party can select welder skills as per their needs. Call: 95414309 / 97130671 Apartment for rent, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, dining room & kitchen in Muscat, Sidab.

Contact: 91936630 / 24739181

CONTACT NO. 91257475 Family flats in Wadi Kabir MBD Hamriya Ruwi Al Khuwair, Ghubrah, Bowshar, Azaiba, Al Hail & Amerat. #95250300 / 92125648

Flats family new to the Amerat behind Oman oil. Contact: 95250300 / 92125648/ 99119699

Flat for rent Darsait 3 BHK, bathroom, kitchen &spilt A/Cs, 320/- R.O. Contact: 91093331

2 B/R & 3B/R furnished, unfurnished with split ACs a free internet available at Al Khuwair near KM hypermarket. Contact: 99460330

Optical shop for rent / sale a new well running optical shop located in a prime location in Al Khuwair sale/ rent. Contact: 99008865

Flats for rent near Indian school in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99777122

6 Bedroom villas available for rent at North Al Hail, near Wave, complex with swimming pool and Gym. Contact: 99833747

One / Two, B/R flats in new building near Dolphin near dolphin complex, Bausher directly from owner.

Contact: 92158031

Villa Boushar, 5 BHK 500/- R.O. Contact: 95202430

House for rent in Mabelah.

Contact: 99005364

2 BHK R.O 180/- behind Bahwan building near Khimji. H.O. Contact: 95865686

1 BHK new Bldg with A/C curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact: 99024039

1 BHK, 2 BHK flats available for rent in Prime MBD (South) area (near spar) with excellent maintenance. Contact: 99338401 / 99703564

Warehouse for rent area (42) SQM (8 meters clear height) in Al Misfah, opposite to Oman Cement factory also available workshops (70 SQM). Contact: 96041560

First floor three bedroom flat al Khuwair near technicalcollege are 216 SQ meters, three toilets, sitting dinning and family lounge family only. Contact: 99207840

Brand new showroom at heart of Azaiba city for rent.

Contact : 98294753

1. 2 BHK, M.B.D, R.O 250/-, 260/-.

Contact: 92144045 /97799175 2 BHK Ghubra R.O 325/- .

Contact:92144045 / 97799175 1, 2 BHK WadiKabir.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175

Shops for rent at WK near primary IND SCH, Big shop monthly rent R.O 400/- including ceiling space small shop monthly rent 250/-, pent house1 room , 1 toilet, hall 150/-. Contact: 99445880 Abdullah 2 BHK Mumtaz. Contact: 92144045 / 97799175 2 BHK Azaiba R.O 300/-.

Contact:92144045 / 97799175 3 BHK villa MadinatSultan Qaboos, R.O 550/-.

Contact: 97799175 /92144045 Residential & commercial flats in a new building, at Muttrahfor office or shops any kind of commercial activates. More details.

Contact: 99364735/ 95729711 2 BR flat in Ruwi Market.

Contact: 92705331 1BHK flats at Al Khodh near NBO. Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 New apartment flat for rent, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms & kitchen, behind Indian School, short way to Lulu Darsait & Muttrah traditional Soqu. Contact or Whatsapp: 91013331

Villa for rent at Saal (Misfah) @200/-. Contact 94215208 Flat for rent 2BHK split A/c near Kuwaiti Mosque in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 Flat for rent, 3 bed rooms with 2 bathroom, kitchen near Al Hanan Private School in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99718875 Villa in Al Khuwair 33, 6 bedrooms, hall & sitting room R.O 800/-. Contact: 93993354 3 bedrooms, flats available near Indian School Seeb.

Contact: 97479041 Apartment 3 bedrooms, sitting room, balcony at Al Ansab R.O 360/- monthly. Contact: 93993354 1 bed room, bathroom, kitchen in Al Hail South R.O 120/- Monthly.

Contact: 93993354 New flats for rent at Al Ghubra near to Atlas Hospital, opposite to Panorama mall. Interested candidates Contact: 00968 – 97093283 1 bedroom attached kitchen, toilet for family in Al Khuwair RO 130/-.

Contact: 95154331

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 , 2 0 1 7

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR SALE

- New Brand Building in Bowsher for sale - Twin villa in Azaiba & Ghubra for sale - Commercial/ Residential khuwair for sale.

Land in Al

Contact Hood: 91155779

FOR SALE 1. Porta Cabin 2. Book Loader (New Holland) 3. Water Tanker (Hino 2000 Gallon) 4. Roller (JCB 3 Ton) 5. Roller (JCB & Wacker, 1 Ton) ϲ͘ ^ĐĂī ŽůĚŝŶŐƐ 7. HDPE Duct Pipes (300 mm to 1800mm) 8. Tower Hoist

Contact 93990154

NRI

SITUATION WANTFOR LADIES

FOR SALE

6.5 cents of Land Sq Plot In Ravipuram Near Ernakulam Shipyard in MG Road, behind Chaitanya eye clinic Expected Price – INR 30 Lakhs per cent Ƶƚ EĞŐŽƟ ĂďůĞ Only Genuine Buyer Contact Oman – 968-94102519 Contact Kochi – 91 85477 01946

FOR SALE

FOR RENT Villa for rent in South Mabellah, 3 bedrooms, sitting room, family Lounge, kitchen, three Toilets Contact 92212212 between 10 AM to 5 PM

2014 MODEL VOLVO PENTA 650 KVA GENSETS (02NOS) 2000 KVA (01 NO) VOLTAMP TRANSFORMER CONCEALED PANEL SYSTEM FOR ABOVE. ALL ITEMS HARDLY USED IN A COMPLETED PROJECT OF 2YRS AND CAN BE REUSED. ONLY SERIOUS BUYERS CONTACT GSM :

BUYING

New flats for rent at Darsait near to ministry of sports, Mumtaz area the flats includes 1 living room , 2 bedrooms, kitchen, 3 toilets, every room with split A/C & high quality finishing. Rent per flat is RO 320/-.

Interested candidates please Contact: 00968 – 92225523

Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

ACC. AVAILABLE

2BR flat- luxury fully furnished at Al Khuwair, 1 BR flat – luxury fully furnished at Al Khuwair, 5 BR villa fully furnished at Azaiba, 4 BR villa unfurnished at Azaiba, 5 BR duplex, 4 bathrooms – Qurum heights, 5 Br villa, 6 bathrooms – Madinat Sultan Qaboos (brand new), 5 BR villa at Al Hail. For short or long term lease contract. Contact Atlas Real Estate & Rent a car : 99436312 / 94617563 / 92888376 New villa for rent in Azaiba 18 November Street. 6 Bedrooms, 2 kitchens & 7 toilets. To view the villa contact - 95919059 Apartment for rent three rooms and a hall - kichen-4bath-Next to City Centre Almwalh.

Contact 99336776 Flat for rent 2BHK split A/c near Oman house in Muttrah .

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 Villa for rent 2 brand new luxurious villas (No 411 & 413) for rent in Azaiba, Each villa with 6 bedrooms, servant quarters, 2 kitchens with all modern amenities which includes split A/C, dish washers, oven, ETC , Way No 4491 / 4405 .

Contact: 99462980

Flats & shops for rent at Ruwi Honda road Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127 Villa complex for lease renovated deluxe villa complex with separate three flats , location AL Ghobra north ( near tourist hotels) is available for lease. Contact: Ali : 99411607 , Luoy : 92466266

FOR SALE 7D Cinema for sale 6 seat hydraulic, 7D cinema full system for sale.

Contact: 99737527 Villa Shatti Al Qurum area 920 SQM. Contact: 95202430 Well running reputed travel agency for sale. Contact: 97992388 Twin Villa for sale in Azaiba near Sultan Centre. Each side has three floors, five bedroom plus maid room. Each room has it’s own bathroom and one extra toilet between dining and sitting room. The villas are now about 5 years old and very clean and well maintained. It has split A/C’s. OMR 215,000 each villa. Telephone: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

No Brokers Please.

Dental clinic for sale in Seeb.

Contact: 92882209 / 96373097

Brand new luxury 3 BHK apartment for sale in South Bangalore, Bannerghatta main road, near Dairy Circle. Contact: + 968 99337995

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact: 97128083

Furnished room spacious, separate entrance, attached bathroom forexecutive bachelor, working lady near Al Nahda hospital.

Contact: 93799511

New 3 story 4 bedroom villa in Al Hail near to radio station. The spacious master bedroom has a sea view. It has a maids room.

All bedrooms have bathrooms and one extra bathroom between dining and sitting room. It has split A/c’s. 6 months advance payment required. Price is OMR 750 monthly.

Telephone: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955. No Brokers Please.

3BHK Flat, Ghubra SG. Contact 99319880

Suitable for 3 Storey building & Žĸ ĐĞ WƌĞŵŝƐĞƐ͘

92886778/99455690

Furnished room CBD area for Executive bachelor free Wi-Fi, advance deposit. Contact: 90631572

Transportation.Contact: 96968411 Driver with car transportation available. Contact: 95396905 Picking & drop Ruwi to Rusail.

Contact: 98957524 / 91287470 Transportation. Contact: 99099714

One big room attached bathroom, sharing, kitchen near OK center Ruwi. Contact: 99716056

Transportation. Contact: 94297820 Transportation.Contact 94087276

FOR SALE 400 square meters residential land in Al Ghubra south near Millenium Hypermarket. OMR 134 thousand. Telephone: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

No Brokers Please.

603 sq mtrs residential land in Al Hail North Block 45 NE near Radio station. OMR 96 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 - or 97509955. No Brokers Please Industrial land AL Misfah Boushar area 30.000 SQM attractive location. Contact: 95202430 Empty shop / laundry near Camelia café. Contact: 92868123 / 92841089 Ice cream Shop, Prime location, Ruwi for sale. Contact: 92150455 BUILDING MATERIAL SHOP FOR SALEWell-furnished running building material-electrical shop (4 shutter / 200sqm) in Al- Khoudh- 6, for immediate sale- shop with stock or stock only.

Serious buyers may please Contact: 94320909 Industrial land in Rusail.4000 sqm.

Contact 99323957 / 95490842.

Room for rent near Hamriya R/A for executive bachelor, Sharing kitchen. Contact 99640850, 97983501, 97443614 Furnished rooms with kitchen at ruwi. Contact : 91214897

AVAILABLE House shifting and Transport.

Contact: 96737158 Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 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

ACC.WANTED Wanted a single room for Senior Executive Bachelor in Ruwi area.

Contact: 93708595 Wanted a family shared accommodation for Senior Executive Bachelor in Ruwi-Wuttayah area.

Please contact: 93708595

Transportation. Contact 92015894

MV SALE 2008 Model Hyundai Tucson 93,000 KM expatriate driven in very good condition & Accident free for Sale .Serious buyers contact Mobile: 91793079 Toyota Corolla, 2009,1.800cc.

Contact: 97692959 Nissan Pathfinder, 2015 Model brown colour, 65k Mulkiya valid till 21 Aug 2017 for immediate sale.

Contact: 92820174 Toyota Corolla 2016, white colour 8000 km, 4300 R.O. Contact 92811110

WANTED Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each. Contact 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 /93203778

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Special packages, Facial, Pedicure, Eyebrow, only 10 RO. Al doom Beauty Parlour Contact 99619409

CHANGE OF NAME We KalathilJacob Job (name of father as per the passport holder of Indian passport No. J 5559230 and Rani Job (name ofmother, holder of Indian passport No. J 3121466) having permanent address in Kalathil House No. XIV/ 1003, Nazareth, Kochi- 682002 (complete postal address in India ) and presently residing at the following address in Sur, PB No. 627 PC No. 411 , Sultanate of Oman, hereby solemnly affirm and declare to change the name of our child Master Kalathil Augustine Mikhil job (name as per present passport) , holder of Indian passport No. K 0052978 date of issue 09/01/2012 issued at Cochin. The name of our child will be henceforth known as MikhilJob (new name) for all purposes. Any objection towards change of name of our minor child may please be communicated to Embassy of India,Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, AlKhuwair, PB No. 1727, PC 112,Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

We Mohamed Sulthan Riboy (name of father as per the passport holder of Indian passport No. H 8605704 and Ayshal Beevi (name of mother, holder of Indian passport No. G 5293840) having permanent address in No. 82, Road No. 11, main Road, Krishnapuram- PO, Kadayanallur627759 (complete postal address in India) and presently residing at the following address in Sohar, PB No. 459 PC No. 322, Sultanate of Oman, hereby solemnly affirm and declare to change the name of our child Miss Aafia Khalisah Mohamed SulthanRiboy (name as per present passport), holder of Indian passport No. K3008575 date of issue 21/02/2012 issued at Madurai. The name of our child will be henceforth known as Aafia (new name) for all purposes.Any objection towards change of name of our minor child may please be communicated to Embassy of India,Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, AlKhuwair, PB No. 1727, PC 112,Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

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M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 , 2 0 1 7 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED MISCELLANEOUS 5.5 years Experience in Hospitality and Hotel Industry with Good English communication skills, B.A Graduate, 28 yrs old, is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.(In Visiting visa). Contact No:90146616 Filipino, Female, 37 year old, having 9 year experience in Office Administration, looking for Admin/HR related jobs, on visit visa.

Contact@96209384. Email: rechie. labandria@gmail.com

Sama veterinary Clinic Urgently Required ZĞĐĞƉƟ ŽŶŝƐƚ Ͳ &ĞŵĂůĞ

22 years, B.Com, graduate male ‘fresher’ well versed in English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam with Oman Driving license looking for a suitable job.contact:96799287

ͻ ͻ

ͻ

DŝŶŝŵƵŵ 'ƌĂĚƵĂƚĞ dǁŽ LJĞĂƌƐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ƐĂŵĞ Į ůĞĚ͘ &ůƵĞŶƚ ŝŶ ŶŐůŝƐŚ͕ Arabic advantage. ͻ EK ŝƐ ŵƵƐƚ͘

5.5 years experience in Hospitality and Hotel Industry with Good English communication skills, B.A Graduate, 28 yrs old, is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.(In Visiting visa). Contact :90146616

;^ĞŶĚ s ĂŶĚ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚ ƉŝĐƚƵƌe ǁŝƚŚ ƌĞĨ ŶŽ͗ϬϵϭϭͿ

Email: jobs@sgoman.net ZĞƉƵƚĞĚ ŵŝŶĞƌĂů ǁĂƚĞƌ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ HEAVY/LIGHT DUTY DRIVERS VAN SALESMAN with Omani driving license

SALES SUPERVISOR/SALES KͳKZ /E dKZ with Omani driving license , >W Z^ ͳ Experience 3 to5 years

Contact - 90372638 MEDICAL

ACCOUNTS Accountant with experience in Tally and finalization independently. Good English communication skill. Send CV to arabhealth@alhakkim.com Graduate in Commerce with 10 years experience, must have Oman working experience with valid Oman driving license. Interested candidates send resume to hr@aljood-oman.com

DOMESTIC HELP Indian Nepali house maid required urgently for doctors family, SQU hospital, Muscat.

Contact: 96933593 Full time Malayalee housemaid required for a Keralite family.

Contact: 92103688

Required female Dentist, Nurses, Pharmacist, Lab Technician for a Polyclinic at Ibra.

Contact 71100596, joharaajmal2016@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Insurance broker looking to recruit commission based sales people if monthly targets achieved,bonus will be paid in addition to commission, If you are interested to work with us , send your name & phone to this email: admin.cis@capitalinsuranceoman. com / info@capitalinsuranceoman.com

SALES / MARKETING Required Sales Manager / Working partner to run a building material shop, having minimum five years experience in same field. Mail to rajeevnarendran@gmail.com

ENGINEER

Urgently required Sales & Marketing person for a computer shop at Ruwi (IT Knowledge), Oman Driving License will be an advantage. (Preference for Keralite). Contact: 98048900.

Email: infor@smartpointcomputer. com

Excellent Grade Company requires a Diploma holder Civil Engineer/ Supervisor with 5 years experience in building construction. Please contact 99346265 or send your CV to md.artllc@gmail.com

Urgently Required Marketing Executive for a contracting Company in Sohar Minimum 3 years experience, driving license 99437086, 97745786, md@alrasen.com

Urgently required senior QS (tendering) and safety officer with minimum2 years Gulf experience for a reputed construction company. Canforwardyour CVs to hr@oasisgrace.com.

Contact: 24826566 / 99881459

Sales & Marketing Lady, with musical skills for the Guitar Center Showroom in Al Khuwair.

Tel. 24489847 info@guitarcenteroman.com

DRIVER Wanted expert Driver.

Contact: 97165972

Urgently required civil QA/QC candidates for areputed construction company, kindly Send your CVs to hr@oasisgreace.com Contact: 24826566,Fax:24812226 / GSM: 99881459

A leading Trading group is looking for sales executives with driving license & release / NOC. Email CV to alhajoil@omantel.net.om or Fax: 24701683 Looking for an Expat staff, with experience in Oman in real estate field. Email: aburashid94dd@gmail.com

EDUCATION/TRAINING Required English Tutor (freelancer) for a construction company for teaching conversant English. Send your CVs to hr@oasisgreace.com Contact: 24826566 Fax: 24812226 GSM: 99881459

MEDICAL

TECHNICIAN Well Known Automobile Service Company in Oman looking for Service Technicians / Mechanics and Electricians. Interested please send resumes to vyasan.united@gmail. com .Contact. 00968-91411657 Audio Visual Technician for Audio visual installation works and live events. Tel 24489847, info@tunesoman.com

Urgently required Internist, Orthodontist, Physiotherapist & Lab Technician for a reputed medical center in Salalah.

Contact 99714300 Email - hrmdimc2010@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

Urgently needed female dermatologist (priority for Omani) with minimum five years experience.

Please send CV to elixirhealthcenter@yahoo.com, P.S details of salary and benefits will be sent after submitting the CV.

33year Indian Male MBA-HR, MSC having 8.9yrs Exp (HR-operation / SAP/ Admin) with Oman Driving License. Seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/backend jobs.

Contact:+968 99322978

PROCUREMENT OFFICER, Indian-Male 34yrs,M.Com with 14 yrs work Exp.( 8 yrs in Oman) working in Construction Co LLC( for ROAD,CIVIL,ELECTRO-MECHANICAL & Others Projects ) and having valid LT D/L, NOC/ Local release available M:+96 94064650 / 919440810180 Email: nagauae@gmail.com Looking for a land surveyor job fully know latest instrument of Survey GPS and Total station 5 year OMAN experience.NOC Available. Contact +968 94144052, wasifnaz 313@yahoo.com

ADMIN Omani lawyer & legal adviser experience in Business administration,HR, staff training.

Contact: 97243393 Email: mum30033@yahoo.com Omani male (HR or PRO) having 06 years experience and have diploma in business management looking for a suitable position.

Contact: 99460164 Indian male having 25 years of experience working as Store Incharge in a leading automobile dealer, seeks suitable job.

Contact: 99730141 7 years experienced in Administration & Sales with valid Oman driving license searching for a suitable job. Contact: 93347156 Omani experience on reception, admin PRO seeks job.

Contact: 96495545 / 96184616 Administrator B.Com with D/L on release, 30 years India & Gulf experience in office. project documentation & logistics.

Contact: 92324789 / 97281023 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have vocational M.B.A diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time.

Contact: 95933288

ACCOUNTS

Pakistani experienced male NOC available, masters in economics with valid omani DRIVING LICENCE fluent in english, needs any suitable job like accounting, teaching, management, marketing or decent driving. Contact: 91243132

Indian Accountant having 13 years experience in accounts in Oman & 6 years in India, Oman driving license excellent knowledge in Tally & MS Office, Seeking suitable placement Contact: 79039690 Email: thomas.mahesh@gmail.com

B.Com, 2 yrs experience in Oman, Indian Male, 25 yrs with Driving License. Handling day today accounts activities up to finalization.

Proficient in Tally. Looking for suitable placement. Ph. 91470665

Experienced business development investment consultant with 10 years experience in the financial management field, holds a masters degree in finance and management from the UK. Contact: 90157073

Indian male having 3 years of experience in Oman in contracting & trading co. in accounts field and seeking job for admin, accounts release/NOC available. To join immediately please cont +968 94574596

MBA ( Finance) Australia, 14 years experience (world bank, U.S Based company) specialized in cost cutting , revenue maximization, financial model, budget & forecasting, internal control, risk management, Omani driving license. Contact: 93978614 Email: sjamil72@yahoo.com

Indian male, Network cabling technician (19 years gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact : 0091-8089909265 (India), Email: mohithavp@gmail.com HSE Engineer, 3+years of experience, bachelor of engineering(EEE), Nebosh, IOSH, DHSE, first aid.

Contact :+97474018995, email: midhunmich@gmail.com, skype: midhunmike Indian Male 39 Years- Executive Secretary (To the Top Management), having 10 years experience in Oman. Also well experience in HR Executive & Admin related jobs. Local release & Oman driving license available. Seeking for immediate suitable placement. #92215110; email: hellosajans@gmail.com An Indian female, B.Tech teacher having an experience of 6 y in college on visit visa looking for suitable placement. #99083475 25/Male/Sales Executive 5 years of experience working in Oman with driving license and NOC, Can communicate fluently in multiple languages.

Contact 92756031 Indian female, well experienced in secretarial, administration, customer care & supervisory jobs.

5+ years’ experience in Muscat.

Current visa status: Family joining. Contact: 92139298 Indian male (44), MBA, 19 yrs experience in Oman. Present Industry: Natural stones for construction. Responsibilities: Production, Business development and overall management, looking for an immediate opening. Contact : 90992631 Bangladeshi Male, University M. Com, working as an Administrator cum Accountant in Oman since last year; Tally ERP9, searching better job. Phone: 94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com Internal auditor/Accountant : B.Com /CA Inter having 7 years experience under chartered accountant in India and 10 years as internal auditor/ accounts manager in Oman, well versed with tally and MS Office, seeks suitable placement. Contact 0091 9611751081, kotianmukhesh@yahoo.co.in

Qualified Chartered Accountant & ACS 10 +years Managerial experience, working in Bank, looking for suitable opening, Open to any GCC, MBL: +968-90788509, Email: kartirevy@gmail.com Experienced indian accountant 24 years,Mcom,BBA and having accounting diploma certificate from IAB .Currently on family visa in oman,seeking suitable job opportunities.Contact : 99076506 Email: rebi.rsf@gmail.com Finance/M.Com Accountant 5+ yrs of exp including GCC seeking for suitable placement. #91329254 aneeshkrishnan007@gmail.Com Accounts & Admin 3 years experience in GCC, BBA graduate, Indian male 29 yrs, looking for suitable placement. Contact: 79103778 Internal audit ACCA (finalist) 14years of experience including Gulf in internal audit field, on visit visa. Contact: 95916716 Email: usman.eshaal2016@gmail.com Pakistani, ACCA (Finalist), M.A & B.Com, DL and NOC available, seeking a relevant position.

Contact: 94066698 Male accountant(B.Com) having 2 years exp. Contact: 90357503 Finance Controller, 17 years experience in accountant, procurement.

NOC available: 99251087 Sales & Accounts Manager, Indian male having long track proven record in all aspects of finance, total 9 years experience in GCC, NOC available, Ready to join immediately Mob-97200823 Emaildhirenbapodra@outlook.com Indian Male 32, B.com Graduate with 10 years experience in Accounts & Sales, 7 years in (Muscat) Oman & 3 years in India with valid Oman driving License ready to join with NOC.GSM: 96216104 Email: yensajaz@gmail.com Highly Experienced Finance Manager, CPA, ACCA-UK. MBA-USA , Professional of Banking , Audits ,ERPs Sap , Management as Team Leader and Problem Solver call 94 504505 /94403270

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNTS Accounts Manager looking for job in accounts or finance, 4 years Oman exp with accountancy degree & Omani D/L with NOC available.

Contact: 95661169 Email: moshin_zaman4u@hotmail.com MBA Finance Indian 25 Male 2 years experience seeking opportunities in Finance sector. Immediately available.Contact:92498840 sachu_0318@yahoo.com Indian (M), Qualified CPA, CMA, CIA (USA), MBA (Finance) & M.Com, 15 years’ experience in Finance, Accounting & Audit, (3 years in Oman) looking for suitable Senior/Middle level position in Finance/Accounting/Audit. NOC available.

E-mail soji_ansu@yahoo.com, mob – 91595436

Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job. Contact 93953613, Email-allen.mathew83@gmail.com Indian male age 26, Accountant one year experience in accounts looking for suitable job. Contact Email: anishkhan991867@gmail. com Mobile: +968 9565 9415 Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly basis and finalization works.

Contact: 96247295

Experienced business development and investment consultant with 10 years experience in the financial management field. Holds a masters degree in finance and management from the UK. Contact : 90157073

Indian male 22 B.Com looking for job in accounting or data Operation special interest in accounts will be happy to hear from you.

Contact: 90758030 Email: uttiawesome@gmail.com

Indian Chartered Accountant 14+ years experience in Accounts & Finance working in Muscat looking for suitable change with Oman driving license and NOC Available.

Contact: 97728130 Email : vinoth77ca@gmail.com

Finance Manager B.Com, CA, CIA, 10+ years experience Indian.

Contact: 94641805

Indian CA 20+ years Gulf experience, finance / accounts external Audit MIS budgets cost / internal control cash flow Oman tax finalization Oracle / Tally seeks job, NOC available with valid D/L. Contact: 99104151, 95140332 Chartered Accountant Indian B.Com, CA , CIA 10+ years experience Tally, Focus, Sap, Oracle.

Contact: 94641805 Accountant male holder of Diploma Chartered Accountancy Inter have 4 years experience in finance, available at Muscat, join immediately. Contact: 79049355 / 99220572 PG in commerce male more than 8 yrs experience in purchase in Oman D/L, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 99145776 Accounts Executive B.com and MBA (finance) India, 4 years experience (per forms accounts payable&accountreceivable function,recording all receiptsand payment activities on daily basis, bank reconciliation statement.

Now in Oman on visit visa.

Contact: 91066314 Email: seenimdb3@gmail.com Part time Accountant Indian B.Com Senior Accountant more than 25 years experience in Oman upto finalization of Accounts and training accounts through tally soft ware. Contact: 93064975 Indian (M) MBA (f) more than 6 years of experience in accounts, proficiency in various A/C software SAP (F1/CO) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact: 95920740 Email Id: abdulhameed1527@gmail.com Accountant with experience in Tally and finalization independently. Good English communication skill. Send CV to arabhealth@alhakkim.com

Accountant 5 years experience with NOC Contact: 90590040 Finance manager, MBA finance 21 yrs of MNC contracting experience, looking for a job thorough knowledge in MIS Ext/ Int Audit, tax budget, trade finance, system implementation etc.

Contact: 94652975 Email: ramu2587@hotmail.com

DESIGNER/ DRAUGHTSMAN Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman.

Please Contact: 96489798, (+974) 66653780 Free lance / part time autocad works / make boq 2d /3d arch , structural, shop drawings interior drawings. Contact 97103168 mkgroupoman@gmail.com INDIAN male Civil Draughtsman/ Designer with 8 years’ experience (6 years in Oman and 2 years in India) seeks placement. NOC available. Contact 96796138.

AutoCADcivil 3D draftsmen having 5 yrs highway draughting 5 yr sarchest, drafting looking for suitable job. Contact: 93243262 knowledge of site measurement Free lance Autocad works experienced (arch, struct, MEP, shop drw) rate a0/a1 sheet ( 10-17 OMR) ph : 97103168.

Indian male, having wide experience of 4 years in GCC & 5 years in India for 3 D interior &exterior designing , AutoCAD drafting & NOC available &ready to join immediately.

Contact: 91282841 Email: thankijb@gmail.com Indian male experience Graphicdesigner and VFX artist on visit visa Ruwi. Contact: 97792661 Email: georgejosec5@gmail.com Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR. PH : 92279784

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 , 2 0 1 7

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED Sr. Accountant with SAP/ERP. 11yrs experience in Accounts & Finance in Gulf.

5years in reputed Oil & Gas company; &ŝŶĂůŝnjĂƟ ŽŶ Θ ŽŶƐŽůŝĚĂƟ ŽŶ &^͕ D/^͕ Audit, Budget, AP & AR, Tax, etc., /ŶĚŝĂŶ DĂůĞ͕ WŽƐƚͲŐƌĂĚƵĂƟ ŽŶ͕ Oman D/L and NOC available.

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

DRIVER Looking for driving job with care Honda accordwithoutcar have experience 5 years & language know Hindi & Arabic.

Contact: 97747243 Gulf experienced Indian Driver with valid heavy / light Oman license seeks any suitable driving or other job. Contact: 94201010 Pakistani male light driver with 6 yrs exp in Oman. Contact: 92171166 Pakistani male light vehicle driver looking for job.

Contact: 96651070 Looking for any driving job.

Contact: 98549627 Driver (Light vehicle) four year experiences in Oman.

Contact: 96961249 Bangladesh male light driver exp 16 years A.G 48 years, looking for job. Contact 99165961 Light vehicle driver 4 years exp know, Hindi, English and Arabic.

Contact:98522914 Light driver 3 yrs exp.

Contact: 95939050 Light vehicle driver with 10 years experience requires placement.

Contact: 94554216 Looking for light vehicle driving job, 4 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 93464395 Light duty driver, 3 yrs exp, seeks placement. Contact: 97829730 Light duty driver seeks placement. Contact: 96381406 Heavy duty driver seeks placement. Contact: 94939865 / 79039204 Driver looking for job.

Contact: 91788481 / 92231714 Driver with car. Contact: 99716938 / 96048707 Indian light driver having 2 years experience in Oman, know language, Hindi, English & Arabic need job. Contact: 97366822 Bangladeshi Male, 1 yr exp, D/L. Contact: 95496766 Pakistani light driver job, 7 yrs exp. Contact: 92754283 Driver with car, 6 years experience. Contact: 93961503 / 96448004 Male 40 yrs, 15 yrs exp, D/L seeking job (Sales & driving) English, Hindi, Arabic. Contact: 97003340 1 years exp D/L male 28 yrs, looking driver job. Contact: 94338977 Driver job wanted. Contact: 96393082 Driver with car have good experience in Oman. Contact: 94039796 Indian male 42 yrs UAE , QTR 24 years road work experience looking for good post, with driving license, on visit visa.

Contact: 91177203 Driver with 2 years experience in job looking for job. Contact: 93374969 / 93721242 Looking for job light driving.

Contact: 93779819 Looking for job exp having driving license. Contact: 97363138

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Sr. Electrical Engineer with17+ yrs of exceptional exp in spear heading strategic planning and project management initiatives & executing various high rise residential & commercial building as well as roads and highway project with proficiency in installation, seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization.

Contact 96570891

HSE manager, Indian, GradIOSH, IDIP Nebosh, 19+ years experience EX- Indian navy driving license , NOC available , seeks placement.

Contact: 94401830 Email: hseoman101@gmail.com Civil Engineer, 6+ years withOmani D/L,NOC or local release available.

Contact: 91693008 Egyptian architect, professional user 3D Max Cad Revit, 5 years experience. Contact: 92023325 A B.Tech instrumentation Engineer with one year experience in India on visit visa seeks openings contact. mob. 91277256 Email: manzu.fisat@gmail.com Arch’l Site Engineer more than 15 years exp in Saudi Arabia & Oman (finishing & marble field).

Contact: 91220168 Indian male age 50 , B.E civil having 26 years exp as R.E and QA/QC Good knowledge in building construction , working as R.E , Most of the Govt (MOE) and PDO projects , approved R.E of MOE &approved QA/ QC of PDO, looking for suitable placement at present I am in notice period available for immediate joining.

Contact: 90933946 / 94156495 (WA) Indian male 28 civil engineer 1 year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 99206630 / 94471305 B.SC Civil Engineer with 6 years experience in managing supervising&planning in Oman.

Contact:96086214 Email: engmohamedosman@outlook.com Electronicsand Communication Engineer, male 24,1 yearexperience as Junior & network Admin in India,on visit visa, looking for job.

Contact: 90107380 Email: anoojgkrishnan@gmail.com Civil Draftsman 6 years experience in Oman male.

Contact: 98121513 Email: wasilansari2600@gmail.com Project manager – Electrical, Indian B.Tech electrical &, electronics 19 years of experience in HT & LT network projects (9 years in Oman).

Driving license & NOC available, seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 96258810 Email: bharathj1976@gmail.com Civil Engineer B.Tech, M. Tech Indian with 2 years experience in India (Sobha city) seeking suitable placement currently visit visa.

Contact: 90104058 Email: sibin089@gmail.com Indian Engineer 25, B.E& Diploma in HSE with 3 years India exp, on visit Visa available to join immediately # 93472629.

Email: jithujay.in@gmail.com Biotechnology Engineer with valid Oman D/L job suitable placement. Contact: 92839983 Graduate female, with driving license, looking for a suitable position. Contact: 96234434 MBA B. Tech (Information Technology) male technical course M.S office,Computerhardware, 4 months exp. Contact:93965132 / 99040662 Email: mshihab27@gmail.com Civil Eng B.SC holder 6 yrs exp in Oman having D/L. Contact: 93654862 Electrical B.Tech Indian 26, 3 years exp in PLC/ SCADA IND. automation &supervision.

Contact: 97207570 / 90481773 BE mechanical Eng, PG diploma in piping &plant, immediately available, on visit visa. #95486659 Email: akashmw50@gmail.com Indian female, MCA,BCA, oracle certified 6month training in data warehousing PHP, SQL,PLAQL, UNIX, seeking job at good company. Contact: 95694330 Email: monakashyap001@gmail.com B.Sc Civil Engineer 5+ years experience in Building construction & Steel structural building with having valid D/L. Contact: 93850440/ shahadat033@gmail.com

HSE Officer 6 yrs experience in building construction safety seeking suitable position currently on visit visa. Contact: 90595885 / 71140487 Electrical Engineer (Indian) diploma 13 years exp (4 yrs Oman) valid Oman driving license, NOC Available seeking suitable placement. Contact: + 968- 98858299 /+ 91- 7012968344 Email:jm_thomas23@yahoo.com Indian female B.Tech Civil engineer having experience as quantity surveyor and having knowledge in primavera , 3DS Max, AutoCAD etc seeking for a suitable job.

Contact: 95737185 Email: elizabethvinod8@gmail.com Indian male BE mechanical engineer CSWIP, 4 years gulf experience in visit visa having Qatar driving license. Contact: +968 96550807 Email: vishnusohanlal@gmail.com Master in Civil Engineering with 5 years Gulf exp. Contact: 96658456 Indian male 26 years Mechanical Engineer with 2 yrs exp in Oman.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact - 91328079

Indian female M.Tech biotechnology seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 91287047 Email: valliammai1000@gmail.com Electrical Engineer with experience, 9 years in Oman.

Contact: 98148034 Keralite (m) Electrical engineer seeks placement. Contact: 92757534 Email: arundevd588@yahoo.com Looking for Civil Engineer job, with 5 years experience in ministry project, good command in AutoCAD MS Excel and establishing BOQs. Contact: 97478804 HSE / Safety professional having more than 15 years of experience in oil & gas airport & building construction safety seeking suitable position in HSE. Contact: 99206389 Civil Engineer, B.Tech, Indian with 1 year experience in Oman seeking suitable placement, NOC available from sponsor. Contact: 91702450 Email: tijoct2015@hotmail.com Civil Engineer 10 years experience working in International company, Infrastructure & building construction having Omani driving license.

Contact: 96616396.

Fresher cloud Engineer.

Contact: 98207829 Indian male 24 fresh mechanical engineer looking for a job in mechanical field special interest in QA, QC NDT on visit visa.

Contact: 93487822 Sudanese civil Engineer master holder with 6 years experience.

Contact: 99636424 Indian male, B.E Mechanical with 2 years experience as Maintenance Engineer in Cochin Refinery and 1 year experience in Chevrolet seeking job.

Ph number: 97964862, Email: jossyabraham20@gmail.com Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India, holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Looking suitablepost in hotels / resorts, Gulf experienced total 16 years, 8 years as GMoperations, MBAhotel management, bachelor in tourism & science Cambridge IELTS (6.5) Contact: Email: umar_in@rediffmail.com or rajeevnarendran@gmail.com Front Office Manager with over 20 years of experience in the Middle East & preopening expertise with hospitality giants like Burj Al Arab, Address hotels &Millennium looking for similar opportunities.

Contact: 96383636

ůĞĐƚƌŽŶŝĐƐͬ /ŶƐƚƌƵŵĞŶƚĂƟ ŽŶ Engineer With 3 years experience in a renowned Oil ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ; ŝƌ ĐƌĂŌ ƌĞĨƵĞůŝŶŐ ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚƐ Y ͕ ŝŶƐƚƌƵŵĞŶƚĂƟ ŽŶ W ĞůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů ƐLJƐƚĞŵƐͿ 1 year on job training at sea port (electricaland PLC systems) Having and HSE, IT and management trainings.

Please contact: 931 42923

Contact # 92839516

abdallah.baloch@outlook.com Contact: 96116969

IT

SALES / MARKETING

SKILLED LABOUR

Senior Network Engineer (USA Citizen) network design &implementation,network config& maintenance CCNA, CCNP, CCIE (WR). Contact: 90350262 Email: ammar.eng@gmail.com

Looking for suitable placement.

Mechanical Engineer sales, oil & gas 5years experience in Oman.

Total 15yrs exp. N.O.C & D/L available. GSM 98481039, Emailanand27kumar@gmail.com

Male 42 Electricians & plumber, looking for job NOC available.

Contact: 98081227

Indian male Keralite post graduate diploma and graduate CCNA & MCSA certified have 5 years experience in software & hardware technical support. Contact: 93988511 Contact: vimalkanthkv@gmail.com

33 Indian male, Graduate with 11 years Oman experience in sales & hospitality, looking for a job with NOC. Contact: 90307873

Reservation & ticketing staff, IATA passed 24 yrs, Oman 1 year experience, 3 years experience in India. Contact: 94791341 & 0091 11 9656724483 Email: anasp555@gmail.com

Bachelor degree (B.techin electronics and telecommunicationsand CCNA certified network supportengineer 1 .5 years experience seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 90253746 Email: sreejilalnt2424@gmail.com Indian / Female (29) married.

MCA, 2+years of experience in software development Accenture, Bangalore. IT skills include Dot Net, SQL server 2008, ASP.Net, excellent communication skills with Omani DL looking for a suitable job. Mb: 94057790; Email: geetika.pesit08@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Electrician Indian male 9 year’sexp, seeking suitable position currently in visit visa.

Contact: 94736540

Experienced IT Professional with over 20 years in Oman.

Can manage ERP systems, Hardware, Network, Wi-Fi and Biometric Devices.

Accomplished PR professional vast experienced developing & executing campaigns, events promotions along managing media relations. Contact: 99868330 / 93629688 Email: riasatrazi@gmail.com Indian Female, completed graduation with 4 years of work experience in India and 8 months of work experience in Oman, currently on family visa looking for suitable job position.

Contact- 94647421.

2nd mate Officer, Indian 10 yrs experience in Tanker / chemical vessels, looking for an on shore job / port operations / TWG master. Contact: 94972789 Purchase Executive 9 .5 years experience in construction purchasein Oman seeking a suitable placement, NOC available.

Contact: 94274104 Purchase Executive 10 years experience in construction purchase seeking a suitable placement, NOC available. Contact: 97332401 British National, 34, M.B.A young & energetic male, looking for any managerial position in Oman, having 12 years of experience in managing different types of businesses. Contact: 96056963 Email: asim_shah199@yahoo.com

MEDICAL Indian male Nurse with 9 yrs experience MOH license with NOC and Oman D/L, seeking job.

Contact: 98152546 Indian lady, BSC Nurse with MOH seeking job. Contact: 92726762 Indian female MOH Dietitian working in Muscat NOC available well experienced. Contact: 90996037 Email: nabanitasaha12@gmail.com Female Dentist Indian with MOH license & NOC looking for a job in Muscat. Contact-96035981

MANAGER / SUPERVISOR Purchase Officer / Manager 16 years GCC experience in construction (civil& MEP) seeks suitable placement, NOC available.

Contact: 99109533 NOC-Obtained professional with 30 years experience (Oman) in Purchase, Warehousing, and Logistics managerial roles seeks suitable placement-Contact 99022102 Experienced Global Relationship Manager with 10 years experience at the world’s leading banks. Handled the custody and FX accounts of key clients worth millions of dollars.

Email:ahmedmarzouk17@ymail. com or call 97392155 Project Manager (interiorfit outs)in shops,offices,restaurantetc having 10 years experience looking to work in a reputed firm, NOC available.

Contact: 94274437

Accomplished marketing sales professional vast experienced expert presenter, negotiator closer.

Contact: 99868330 / 93629688 Email: 1234.noreen@gmail.com Diploma electronic &communication EPAXtelephone service &installation, EPAX sales telephonesystem. Contact: 91478201 Looking for job sales executive good experience in scaffolding and foam work. Contact: 99592382 / 93222482/ Suresh Indian Male, with 8+ years experience in sales, currently in visit visa and seeking suitable placement. Contact 90181557 Marketing sales (Driver) Sohar preference N.O.C available .

Contact: 96953996

TRAVELS/TOUR

MISCELLANEOUS Bio- MedicalEngineer (M.Tech) Indian 27 yrs, 1 plus years of research experience looking for a suitable job. Email: amluprasannan@gmail.com Electronics Systems Engineer (UK Graduate ) with skills in robotics , programming languages, IC, PCB design seeking suitable position , Indian female on visiting visa. Contact: 97848075 Email: s.dinesh1508@gmail.com Indian female PhD, M.Phil, M.A in English, B.Ed., Diploma TESOL,16 years teaching experience seeks suitable teaching, editing or relevant job. Contact: 92245591, 95221665

Indian male (28) B.Com last position 6+ yrs experience in sales & business development immediate joining, on visit visa.

Contact: 92686168 W.H.APP +918087894270 Email: fernandesjackson_jom@yahoo. com

B.Com, 2 years experience in Oman, Indian Male, 25 yrs. with Driving License. Handling day today accounts activities upto finalization. Proficient in Tally.

Looking for suitable placement.

Ph. 91470665

Indian male masters in Petroleum Engineering with 1 year Oman experience in sales & marketing holding D/L, currently on visit visa looking for oil / gas industry field related or sales related job.

Contact - 93789123

Indian Male, 11 years’ experience as an Senior Accountant looking for part time Accounting job up to finalization of Accounts. Software knows MS office, Tally9 ERP MOBILE: 93884951Email:mehreenraiz@gmail.com

INDIAN male, BBA with 4 years experience in SALES & MARKETING, holding omani driving license. seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95607037 Email: raaz0jannat@gmail.com.

BE/Diploma Mechanical Engineering with 4 years exp. in Oman, Looking for suitable positions.

NOC available. Having valid driving license Contact-99335742

Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India. +918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Indian Kerala 35 years male, 4 years working sales man for building material hare D/L seek suitable placement. Contact: 99858456 / 96314974 Email: prasanthsmt@gmail.com Indian male valid Omani driving license 15 years experience in Oman fluent in English,Arabic, Hindi & Malayalam NOC available looking for suitable placement in sales driver pest. Contact: 97012317 MBA (UK), raised in Oman & with 2 yrs work experience holding valid Oman driving license, seeks job in sales / business development. Contact: 99513132 Lebanese man, lookingfor job Marketing&sales, Ihave licenseNOC, 10 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 91308319 Multinational FMGC experienced, qualified Sri Lankan lady seeking employment in Muscat. Marketing, Brands, Sales, Communication. Oman exp& DL available.

98250829 Sales professional (Graduate) with additional qualification MCSE & CCNA having more than 10+ yrs of experience in handling IT hardware, Networking & Security Products (project based) and experience in education and training industry in Oman, seeking employment in relevant IT companies. Contact: 99354209 Oil & gas experienced Indian lady with 6 years in sales & marketing to PDO and having valid Omani driving license. Contact 96143430 / 99875919

INDIAN male, BBA graduate and diploma in IATA Cargo Supply Chain and Transport Modes with DGR Initial Category 6.Holds Omani driving license. Presently in family visa, seeks suitable placement in Cargo section.

Contact :-96370022 IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3+yrs exp. in IT, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 91496939.

Indian male BE Mechanical Engineer with two and a half years experience in production department, searching suitable job. Contact no: 9500927480 Indian Male (25), BSc Electronics, M.B.A seeking suitable openings, Having 3 years’ experience in, sales and Marketing of financial products with Oman Driving License. Contact - 94774550 Fresh B.Com Graduate in visit visa looking for a job. CONTACT: 93518923 / 99075027.

Email: sheikcok@yahoo.com Indian male, 26 years of age, mechanical engineer .B.Tech from Trivandrum engineering college 2013. M.Tech from NIT Warangal .Specialty, Materials and Systems Engineering Design. Looking for suitable placement, #99753809 Electrical Engineer (Indian) B.E in Electrical and 3.6 years of experience. Have experience in construction field. Seeking for a suitable job. NOC available.

Contact: 91120129 Email: mpshareef313@gmail.com PG male 10 years experience purchases D/L & NOC also, looking suitable any job.

Contact: 99145776 Indian male 23 Fresher. Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC &MEP.Contact : 9586 1251 Email : ajaibmd39@gmail.com

SKILLED LABOUR 7 years experience in aquaculture shrimp farming construction light license NOC. Contact: 92635313

Building maintenance foreman (all-rounder).10.year gulf Experience with Oman Driving License.90858522.

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M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 , 2 0 1 7

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SALES / MARKETING A Filipino female searching for a job, with visit visa exp February 2017.hospitality and sales job will be a Good offer to me.

Contact no:98271658 Indian female looking for an accounts part time job. area preferred Ruwi/CBD/MBD/ wk.contact-95482970.

Indian Male B-com graduate, 1.5 Year exp. in various office works, Valid Oman driving license looking for any suitable post.

Contact: 95322175 / 91987965 INDIAN male, BBA graduate and diploma in IATA Cargo Supply Chain and Transport Modes with DGR Initial Category 6.Holds Omani driving license. Presently in family visa. Seeks suitable placement in Cargo section.

Contact- 96370022 Young professional, Energetic looking for Finance/Audit Job. BSC (Accounting) ACCA (Affiliate), CAT (Affiliate). Currently working in GOV. Experience of 4 Years .

NOC available. saleemraza218@gmail.com Indian male, M.Com, B.Com, looking for suitable opening, now on visiting visa. Contact79103798, email- malikfaheem284@gmail.com Indian/male (26)/ca finalist and b.Com/3 years expereince in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa.

Available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321 email: shahir.Usman.Su@gmail.Com Indian Male 23 years B.com graduate Holding a valid Oman driving License searching for a suitable placement, currently on visit visa.

Contact: 94175848.

Indian/male(26)/MBA/ 2 years expereince in proccurement,cordination and distribution management.With valid oman licenece. Available for immediate joining. Contact: 92536194 EMAIL:suhailbs@gmail.com Indian male, 24 yrs, looking for professional job my qualification is Diploma in Electronics, having 3 years of Exp and i am having Gulf driving license you can contact me on : - +96897017866.

Indian female PhD, M.Phil, M.A in English, B.Ed, Diploma TESOL,16 years teaching experience seeks suitable teaching, editing or relevant job. # 92245591, 95221665 Indian male 23 Fresh Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : mdajaib@yahoo.com Indian Male (25), BSc Electronics, M.B.A seeking suitable openings, Having 3 years’ experience in, sales and Marketing of financial products with Oman Driving License. Contact 94774550 Indian Male age 23) an i am looking for suitable job my qualification is Diploma in Electronics an i am having 3 years of experience in the hardware an networking field an i am having Gulf driving license you can contact me on : - +96897017866.

Pakistani male 25 y, fluent in English, valid oman driving license experience of pak. & oman. Needs suitable replacement like teaching, administration, documents controller, sales and marketing, rent a car field and personal Assistant etc. aamirkhan_7860@yahoo.com.

Contact 94908725

Indian/male (26)/CA finalist and b.com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa. available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321, email: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com

Indian Male 15 years gulf experience in HR / Admin Assistant, Purchase, Office Coordinator with good computer skills seeking employment for suitable position. Holding valid Oman Driving license. Contact 99709336

INDIAN MALE (26)/CA-inter and b.Com/3 years expereince in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa.

Available for immediate joining.

Contact 98078321 EMAIL: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer/HVAC / Indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visit visa.

Contact: 90957740, email: nishadphoenix@gmail.com

Indian/male(26)/ca finalist and b.com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa, available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321 email: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com

Indian Male,B.COM having 4+Years of experience in OMAN with Valid Oman Driving License.

Experienced in Accounts & Sales, looking for an opportunity in Sales or Accounts. Mob:- 94106834 email:- jobhuntmuscat@gmail.com.

27 years, Indian male looking for a senior mobile application developer job in Oman. 5+ years of experience as a software engineer, am available in Muscat till Dec 19th. Arunkumar6207@gmail.com, +968 9600 3057, +91 8019897589

Indian male, 23 yrs, looking for suitable job my qualification is diploma in electronics an i am having 3 years of experience in the hardware and networking field an i am having gulf driving license.

Contact me on : - +96897017866.

Indian female, holds masters in business administration (MBA) & LLB, 2 yrs oman experience as hr & admin, seeks suitable placement in jobs @ Sohar, Falaj.

Contact 96541959

Indian, male, BBA graduate and diploma in IATA Cargo Supply Chain and Transport Modes with DGR Initial Category 6.Holds Omani driving license. Presently in family visa. Seeks suitable placement in Cargo section. #96370022

Indian male, 26 years, B-Tech Graduate with 3 years experience in Oman& 2 Years experience in india as Civil Engineer in a reputed construction company. Looking for suitable jobs.NOC available.

Seeking immediate placements.

Contact: 96179737/ 97076972, email:robinsj.sj@gmail.com

Electronics And Communication Engineer: 23 Indian BE-ECE graduate 2016, looking suitable placement networking, hardware and electronics field, on family visa Contact:95148894,99726963,Email: sadathali0003@gmail.com

Indian Male, 26 years. B. Tech (Civil) Having 4 years experience as Project Engineer ¸ Site Engineer & Quantity surveyor. Good knowledge in Planning and arranging works and sites. Estimation, drawing, Billing and project management.

AUTO CADD, STAAD, MS Office and various software packages. #99334770/ 997 43 709 Mechanical Engineer/ HVAC/ Indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visit visa. email:nishadphoenix@gmail.com Contact: 90957740 Indian female, 27 years, MBA in Finance, currently pursuing ACCA, having 10 months voluntary job experience as accountant looking for suitable placement. #94388910, E- mail Id: sowmya.vs1989@gmail.com Indian male 34 yrs, MBA-HR with 10.9 yrs.exp. in Recruitmen t,Training,PMS,OD,Sites-HR and Omani nationals development, seeking a job, NOC available.

Contact saiprasad_18@yahoo.com 94179499 Electrical and electronics engineering graduate, 23yrs Indian male, NOC available, 2 yrs site experience in industrial and commercial building sites(MEP ELECTRICAL), expert in autocad, etap, ms office, electrical engineering design, fluent in English and Hindi, exp in handling a team of 20 workers, ph:92201939.

33 years Indian Male MBA-HR & MSC having 8.9 yrs Exp (HR- operation/ SAP/ Admin) with Oman Driving License. Seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/backend jobs.

Contact:+968 99322978 /94129291 Indian male, 23 Fresher, Graduate Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP.Contact: +968 9748 9256 Email: abdulmajid.ak@gmail.com Male Accountant, MBA (Finance) 5 years Experience including UAE and India up to finalization Available immediately (On Visit).

Contact: 91704866, Email: anees0989@gmail.com

Indian Male 29 years MBA, B.Com having 8 years experience in Gulf and India as a HR and Admin looking for suitable placement.

Contact :97914340.

Email: kvraj30@gmail.com Good knowledge in Planning and arranging works and sites. Estimation, drawing, Billing and project management. AUTO CADD, STAAD, MS Office and various software packages Contact 99334770 /997 43 709 Indian/male(26)/MBA/2 years experience in procurement, coordination and distribution management, with valid oman license available for immediate joining.

Contact 92536194, email:suhailbs@gmail.com

PROCUREMENT OFFICER, Indian-Male 34yrs,M.Com with 14 yrs work Exp.( 8 yrs in Oman) working in Construction Co LLC( for ROAD,CIVIL,ELECTROMECHANICAL & Others projects) & having valid LT D/L, NOC/Local release available to join immediately M:+968 94064650 Email: nagauae@gmail.com A Filipino female searching for a job, with 3month visit visa.exp January 2017.hospitality and sales job will be a Good offer to me.

Contact no:98271658 Looking for a part time accounting & admin job, having 32 years of experience. Contact 9919621.

Accountant. Having 9 years experience in accounts in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat (NOC Available).

GSM. 00968-93528057, Email waheed.murtaza@yahoo.com

Indian male Mechanical Engineer, 1 year Omani Experience + 2 Years of local experience, NOC available, looking for suitable position. Contact +96896089598 Email: fasinizami@gmail.com

B. Tech in electrical and electronics engineering, 23yrs Indian male, 2yrs exp (MEP ELECTRICAL ), NOC available, expert in electrical engineering design, autocad, ETAP, MS Office. Contact ph:92201939 email:nabilism4@gmail.com

Indian Male , M.Com , 6 years experience in the field of accountance Good knowledge in SAP, Tally, MS office and Excel seeks suitable placement. Contact 92859733

Indian male Staff Nurse completed BSc nursing, having three years of experience in medical ICU having Oman license and NOC, seeking suitable situation.

Contact 94932245 Indian male, 23 yrs, looking for suitable job my qualification is Diploma in Electronics an i am having 3 years of experience in the hardware an networking field an i am having Gulf driving license.

Contact me on : - +96897017866.

Mechanical Engineer/ HVAC/ Indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visit visa. email:nishadphoenix@gmail.com Contact: 90957740, email: nishadphoenix@gmail.com Indian male 22 B.com looking for job in ACCOUNTING OR DATA OPERATION special interest in Account’s will be happy to hear from you. C#+90758030, Email : uttiawesome@gmail.com

Indian female B.E (I.T) Good experience in documentation and CRM. Having good communication skills. Seeking for job from reputed organization. Previous experience in Oman and India.

Contact - 97301058, 97136975.

Indian male 34 yrs, MBA-HR with 10.9 yrs.exp. In Recruitment, Training, PMS, OD, Sites-HR and Omani nationals development, seeking a job, NOC avl.contact 94179499 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com

Indian male 23 Fresh Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact : 9586 1251, Email : mdajaib@yahoo.com

Indian male B-com Graduate1.5 Year exp. in various office works, valid Oman driving license. Looking for any suitable post .Please contact: 95322175 / 91987965

Sri Lankan Male Mechanical Engineer, 1+ year of Omani experience, NOC available, Omani driving license, looking for suitable position.

Contact No: +96893903463 Email: zaf1096@gmail.com Indian female B.E (I.T) : Good experience in documentation and CRM. Having good communication skills, seeking for job from reputed organization. Previous experience in Oman and India.

Contact - 97301058, 97136975.

Electronics & Communication Engineer, 23-year-old Indian on family visa, BE-ECE graduate looking for suitable placement in networking, hardware and electronics field. #95148894, 99726963.

Email: sadathali0003@gmail.com MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER 3 years experience in production industry, B. Tech in Mech Engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified.

Contact arn9895@gmail.com, Mob 00919895233155 Indian male, 24 years, B.com, MBA(Finance) with overall 3 years experience in accounts/finance field. Interested in sales field also.

On Visit Visa. Contact:90115058/ safwanmeadows@gmail.com HSE Engineer, 4 yrs of experience in construction, Bachelor of Engineering (EEE), Nebosh, IOSH, DHSE, First Aid. Contact +97474018995, Email:midhunmich@gmail.mom Indian male, B.com graduate well versed in English, Hindi, Malayalam holding a valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 96799287 Indian/ male (26)/ MBA/2 years experience in procurement, coordination and distribution management, with valid oman license available for immediate joining.

Contact: 92536194 email: suhailbs@gmail.com Indian male Auto cad Draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job.

Contact: 00968 99070584, Email: remluvp@gmail.com Masters(M.Sc) in Applied Psychology, Specialisation in Counseling, Indian Female 24 Years of good calibre in teaching and counseling with reasonable practical experience in some reputable schools and colleges, looking for an appropriate opportunity in related field.

Contact : 0096899133896; afsh.shariff@gmail.com.

Indian/male(26)/CA finalist and b.com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa, available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321, EMAIL: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com Senior Sales Executive, experience in trading industries with thorough knowledge of Oman market and wide customer contacts.

Driving license and NOC available.

Seeks senior position.

Contact: 98487311 Indian/male (26)/CA - inter and b.com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa, available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321 email: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : zufarajaib@yahoo.com An expatriate Indian female, graduate with 4 years experience in e-learning and ITes and 3 years experience in financial consulting and analysis seeks suitable placement. Email : write2nishanair@gmail.com, Contact - 00968-93994505 Indian male with Shorthand & Computer Skills also having 23 Years Gulf Experience is looking for suitable placement. NOC available. GSM No. 97227062 Mechanical engineer/hvac/ indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visitvisa.

Contact: 90957740, email:nishadphoenix@gmail.com Indian Male (25), BSc Electronics, M.B.A seeking suitable openings, Having 3 years’ experience in, sales and Marketing of financial products with Oman Driving License. Contact 94774550 Indian male, Engineer, Procurement Officer, Construction. 23 years experience in Automobile Supply Chain, Production Planning, IT - Delivery Management, Business Analysis and Operations set-up. Contact: 90215985.

HSE Engineer, 4 years of experience in construction certifications, bachelor of engineering(EEE), Nebosh, Iosh, Dhse, First Aid. Contact :+97474018995, email:midhunmich@gmail.com MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER, 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified.

Contact arn9895@gmail.com Mob 00919895233155 Indian male, M.Com, 6 years experience in the field of accountancy and Stores. Good knowledge in SAP, Tally, MS office and Excel seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92859733 Indian Male with 23 Yrs. experience in Secretarial Job and Administration is looking for opening in Oman. NoC available.

Contact 97227062 MECHANICAL ENGINEER, Indian Male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures. Aware of int.

Standards, B tech in Mech engg.

Contact-rahulkunnath23@gmail. com, Mob-00917350860889 Indian male, having three years of experience in medical ICU and oman license. Seeking for suitable situation as staff nurse.

Contact 98416393

Indian Female Nurse with MOH License, looking for suitable placement in Muscat. #95537685.

Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP will be happy to hear from you. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : zufarajaib@yahoo.com Indian Male B-com graduate, 1.5 Year exp. in various office works, Valid Oman driving license Looking for any suitable post.

Contact: 95322175 / 91987965 Indian Graduated MBA from UK, Seeking for suitable position in Sales & Marketing, 3 years experience. Mob. 99642275, Email: Navas.shereef13@gmail.com 25 years male from India looking for job having 3 yrs exp in contracting and trading co. release or NOC available, for immediate joining. Contact :+968 94574596 29 yrs old Graduate(Male), 6 years Experience as an Office Assistant with Good English communication skills, is looking for a job in Muscat. (In Visiting visa).

Contact No:93271163 Email-ranjithraj08@gmail.com Indian male,28 yrs old, B.A Graduate, 6 years Experience in Hospitality and Hotel Industry with Good English communication skills , is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.

(In Visiting visa) # :90146616 Indian Male age:- 23) an i am looking for job an my qualification is Diploma in Mechanical an i am having 4 years of experience in the Quality Supervisor And CNC Machine Operator, GSM: 97017866.

Indian/male (25)/ post Graduate/3 years experience in sales and marketing(Dubai), on visit visa. available for immediate joining. Contact: 93887916, email: shamji3851@gmail.com Pakistani Male having 6 years experience working as a Store Incharge, looking for a suitable position. salary is negotiable. Email : usman.saleem84@yahoo.com, Mob: +96894611858 / 95480426 Indian male, 29 yrs, Graduate, 6 years Experience as an Office Assistant with Good English communication skills, is looking for a job in Muscat. (In Visiting visa).

Contact No:93271163 Indian male, 28 yrs old, B.A Graduate, 6 years Experience in Hospitality and Hotel Industry with Good English communication skills , is looking for a suitable job in Muscat, on Visiting visa.

Contact : 90146616 Indian male, 29 yrs old, Graduate,6 years Experience as a Coordinator in Reputed Firm with Good English communication skills, is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.(In Visiting visa) # 93042492 Indian Male 23 years B.com graduate Holding a valid Oman driving License searching for a suitable placement, currently on visit visa. Contact : 94175848.

Indian Male 48 years, B.Sc., MBAOperations Management with total 25+ Yrs of exp inclusive of 10 yrs in Oil & Gas sector in Oman, having valid Omani D/L & NOC , seeks challenging senior position in Logistics/Procurement/SCM. GSM-94236414, Mail id – jayamurli@gmail.com SriLankan Quantity Surveyor male, 25 Years, over 5 year Exp. (3 Yrs. in Oman), NOC available, looking for suitable position.

Contact: 98436414, Email: Hassaan.mt@live.com Finance & Audit Manager Available CPA, MBA-USA ACCA ,Oman Experienced , Expert in Profit Maximizations , Business Developments, All Banking Facilities , ERP- Accounting Software , Internal / External Audits & Controls , with Best Solutions of Business Problems ,NOC available & Driving License Call 94886226 Indian male Accountant 3 years good working experience doing accounts with tally and excel searching for suitable job. E-Mail : contactanand31@gmail.com, GSM : 95694990 Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP will be happy to hear from you. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : zufarajaib@yahoo.com

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 , 2 0 1 7

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

SITUATION WANTED TOURS

SITUATION WANTED 33year Indian Male MBA-HR & MSC having 8.9yrs Exp (HR-operation/ SAP/ Admin) with Oman Driving License, seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/backend jobs.

Contact:+968 99322978 Indian/male (26)/CA- inter and B.Com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa, available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321 email: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer/HVAC/Indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visit visa. email: nishadphoenix@ gmail.com, Contact: 90957740, email: nishadphoenix@gmail.com Expat with 13 yrs experience in sales and marketing, seeking suitable placement.

Contact 92100116

29 yrs old Graduate (Male), 6 years Experience as an Office Assistant with Good English communication skills, is looking for a job in Muscat, (In Visiting visa).

Contact 93271163 B.E Mechanical Engineer, Indian, Currently on family visit OMAN, looking for job in various mechanical fields of production, manufacturing, technical and designing.

Contact :92113987,email : mohammedthanzeel@gmail.com MECHANICAL ENGINEER, Indian Male,26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int.

Standards, B tech in Mech engg Contact-rahulkunnath23@gmail. com, Mob-00917741032368 Pakistani male, looking for a suitable placement as Document Controller, Computer Operator.

Contact 93919064

Indian male 29 years old on visit looking for a suitable position in air ticketing and tours, overall 10 years of experience, 6 years experience in gulf. On visit, ready to join immediately. # 97189669/ info.awaiz2015@gmail.com

Petrochemicals specialist, worked in oman oil company, octal petrochemicals, truckoman, MBA 18 yrs experience specialized in procurement /commercial/ purchase / logistics /production planning & sound knowledge of technical requirement with NOC available.

Contact:97813849

Indian male Executive Secretary (To Top Management) having 10 years experience in Oman. Also well experience in HR Executive & Admin related jobs. Local release & Oman driving license available, seeking for immediate suitable placement. Contact 92215110; email: hellosajans@gmail.com

Indian female B.E (I.T) : Good experience in documentation and CRM. Having good communication skills. Seeking for job from reputed organization. Previous experience in Oman and India.

Contact - 97301058, 97136975.

Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP will be happy to hear from you. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : zufarajaib@yahoo.com B.A Graduate, 28 yrs old, is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.

(In Visiting visa , 6 years Experience as a Coordinator in Reputed Firm with Good English communication skills,).

Contact No : 93042492

Indian male 48 years, B.Sc., MBAoperations management with total 25+ yrs of exp inclusive of 10 yrs in oil & gas sector in oman, having valid Omani D/L & NOC, seeks challenging senior position in logistics/procurement/supply chain management. Contact 94236414. mail id – jayamurli@gmail.com Male with 3 years exp in Oman construction co. looking for a job in admin / accounts on urgent joining release NOC available.

Contact: +968 94574596.

SITUATION WANTGOOD NEWS

MANPOWER

ENJOY YOUR VACATION!!! ǁŽƌƌLJŝŶŐ ĂďŽƵƚ LJŽƵƌ ĐĂƌ͍ ,ĞƌĞ ŝƐ Ă ƐŽůƵƟ ŽŶ ĨŽƌ safe parking and cleaning your car when you ĂƌĞ ĂǁĂLJ ŽŶ ǀĂĐĂƟ ŽŶ͘ &Žƌ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ƚƌĂǀĞůůŝŶŐ ĨƌŽŵ ĚŝƐƚĂŶƚ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ͕ LJŽƵ ĐĂŶ ũƵƐƚ ĚƌŽƉ Žī your keys to the car care team and peacefully check into the airport. Your vehicle will be ǁĂŝƟ ŶŐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ĂŝƌƉŽƌƚ ŽŶ LJŽƵƌ ƌĞƚƵƌŶ͘

We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman.

Contact 99839898

Contact: 96964767

SITUATION WANTED COMPUTER/WEB./ EDU./CLASSES

Ayurvedic treatments & massage – Ayurvedic Clinic Al Khuwair.

Contact 97263637 /93309131 Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic clinic, 18th November Street Al Ghubra (North). # 99639695 / 97397320 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

SIT.WANTED

MATRIMONIAL R.C boy, 29 years KothamangalamDiosees 180 cm working Muscat (FMCG) invited suitable proposal.

Contact: 92397926 Viswakarma boy 33 years Trissur Own Business,seeks suitable alliance. Contact: 97363585

Indian male, B.com graduate well versed in English, Hindi, Malayalam holding a valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 96799287

Sunni Muslim (Urdu) girl B.E, M.B.A 26 years invites alliance from Tamil Nadu Bengaluru.

Contact: 99502581

5.5 years Experience in Hospitality and Hotel Industry with Good English communication skills, B.A Graduate, 28 yrs old, is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.(In Visiting visa). Contact No:90146616

Nair boy, 26 yrs Revathy, Alleppy dist, B.Tech working as planning / project Engineer in Oman, 4 yrs seeks suitable alliance. Contact: 94232342 / 99065898

Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer looking for job in mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact : 9586 1251, Email : zufarajaib@yahoo.com Internal auditor/Accountant : B.Com /CA Inter having 7 years experience under chartered accountant in India and 10 years as internal auditor/ accounts manager in Oman, well versed with tally and MS Office, seeks suitable placement. Contact 0091 9611751081, email id kotianmukhesh@yahoo.co.in, whatsapp : 00968 91358384.

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

DRIVING

in Azaiba and Ruwi

We undertake new construction & maintenance & gypsum works.

Contact 92711506, ammarayyub@gmail.com

earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

Safety items New Year gift diaries, pen printing.

Contact: 98604960 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

CONTD ON PG 8

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

Specialist for road test drum and slope. Contact 94022250

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

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D8

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 2 , 2 0 1 7

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

RENT A CAR

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ General cleaning etc. ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> Contact : 94277020

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ͬ Marble polishing monthly/ Yearly contracts available.

Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C Installation & maintenance for Modular Kitchen, UPVC Doors & Windows, Furniture, Electrical & Air-conditions Contact @ 92383882/91443786

Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center L.L.C. # 99344723 Caret & Sofa Shampooing General Cleaning & Polishing.

Ocean Center L.L.C. # 24707833

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

Marble Crystallization & Grinding, Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 92705130

Marble / granite sales, fixing lean polishing. Contact: 98604960

House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013

A/C maintenance & Servicing, Fridge / Washing Machine / dish washer repairing, 2) Painting and cleaning service, Electrical & Plumbing. # 94147874 / 24504281, mail:globalaccessunited@gmail.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. # 24810137, 99450130

WE SERVE OMAN

Pestcontrol, water proofing.

Gulfa International L.L.C. Contact: 92326955