Times of Oman - June 2, 2015

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TUESDAY, June 2, 2015 / 14 Sha’aban 1436 AH

JOE BIDEN

HM sends condolences MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of condolences to Joe Biden, Vice President of the United States, on the death of his son Beau Biden. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to the US vice president, the deceased’s family and the American people. -ONA

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Building site ban on expats extended

I TA LY

HM sends greetings RACE AGAINST TIME: Companies take desperate measures to overcome shortage of workers and complete projects on time.

A ban on expat construction workers has been extended for another six months. The decision has not been welcomed by all

REJIMON K FAHAD AL GHADANI TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

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‘Contractors must ensure mid-day break’

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Companies have been warned they face being fined for violations of the mid-day break rule. >A5

reji@timesofoman.com fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Construction companies are caught in a catch-22 situation with the Ministry of Manpower deciding to extend the ban on visas for expat construction workers for another six months.

Many of them complained that they are unable to complete projects on time due to the short-

age of workers. Since November 2013, there has been a temporary ban in place on visas for construction workers, which is extended every six months.

The Ministry of Manpower has once again decided to extend the ban on issuing visas for construction workers for six more months according to the ministerial decision no. 2015/110. The decision will come into effect from July 1, 2015.

The ban, however, is not ap-

WORLD

IS seizes more territory in Syria

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IS seized territory from both Syrian government forces and rival rebels over the weekend. >A14

MARKET

‘Opec output move hits members interest’

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Opec’s decision to maintain output was not in line with the organisation’s stated goal. >B1

Oman’s pest-resistant banana to help boost global industry

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E M I G R AT E S Y S T E M

No more direct hiring of Indian workers; online system opens REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: From June 1, 2015, individual Indian workers or a group of workers cannot be recruited directly anymore, but only through online registration with the Indian government’s overseas affairs office, states a fresh order.

The order states that all the foreign employers, who seek to recruit Indian workers, need to register in the eMigrate system (www.emigrate.gov.in), which will then be vetted by the Indian Mission office. Thereafter, foreign employers can raise the demand for Indian workers on the eMigrate system and seek a permit to recruit directly or select recruiting agents online.

“Such foreign employers will be required to declare the terms and conditions of employment of each category of the job at the time of applying for the registration. The declared terms and conditions of employment will act as a specimen contract and will form part of the employment contract at the time of actual recruitment,” adds the order. The order dated May 21, is applicable to all 17 Emigration Clearance Required (ECR)

R O YA L D I R E C T I V E S

Oman helps rescue US, Singaporean nationals from Yemen

HM’s advisor to attend Bashir’s swearing-in >A6

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to President Sergio Mattarella of the Italian Republic on the occasion of his country’s National Day. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes of good health and happiness to President Mattarella and the Italian people further progress and prosperity. -ONA

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

Recruiters told not to charge extra amount from workers REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: For hiring an Indian worker, expenses worth more than INR20,000 (OMR121) should be borne by the foreign employer or the recruitment agency, says a fresh order from the Indian government.

“The extra expenses incurred should not be recovered from the migrant worker initially or subsequently during the contract,” says the order.

The ministry says that it

countries including Oman.

The order also states that the implementation of a new system will be done in phases. There are 619,850 Indians working in Oman, according to April statistics from the Oman government.

has come to its notice that certain charges like medical expenses for visa, visa fee, airfare from India to the destination country, initial hotel accommodation in the host country and any other cost associated with the overseas employment are being recovered from the migrant workers.

“All recruiting agencies are instructed to ensure implementation of the order and any violation shall lead to strict actions under the Act/Rules,” adds the ministry order.

Foreign employers recruiting more than 150 Indian workers are required to register online with immediate effect in order to raise a demand and seek a permit to recruit directly or select recruitment agencies. >A6

plicable to companies which are rated ‘excellent’ by the Ministry of Manpower, international companies and consultancy firms, and companies executing government projects.

“The ban, which was implemented at the end of 2013, has affected the industry. We know that almost all companies are affected by the shortage of workers.

The companies are compelled to undertake desperate measures to overcome worker shortage and complete projects on time,” said Ahmed Hamoud Al Shabibi, managing director of Al Shabibi Global LLC. “It is a difficult situation,” he confessed.

Mohammed bin Salim Al Busaidi, chairman of the Omani Real Estate Association, said the Ministry of Manpower should identify the companies which

have an excess construction workers and then limit the visas for such companies. Instead they should provide visas for companies that genuinely need construction workers for their projects, he added.

“The extending of visa ban will force companies to recruit ‘illegal’ workers which is not right.

The companies affected by this decision can’t sacrifice their business prospects, so at times they comprise and recruit illegal workers,” he said.

Reem Al Qasmi, an employee relations manager at SAM Engineering, was also of the same opinion. “We will be suffering huge losses, especially on the ongoing projects that will be halted until the six months are over. It is impossible to find an Omani who will work in this heat,” said Reem. >A6

MUSCAT: In response to the Royal Directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, to assist the American and Singaporean governments in their efforts to rescue their missing nationals in the Yemeni Republic, coordination was established with the Yemeni officials for the release of the foreign nationals.

They were found and transferred from Sana’a to the Sultanate on Monday evening for their repatriation home. -ONA INSPECTION VISIT

New Salalah airport to open on June 15 SALALAH: After inspecting and reviewing the last stages of the Salalah airport project, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, said the new airport would start operations from June 15, 2015 with the shifting of air traffic from the old airport to the new one. >A6

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TUE S DAY, JUNE 2 , 2 015

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Students of the Army Public School, who witnessed one of the worst shootouts on a school campus in December 2014, are on a 10-day visit to Oman on the invitation of the Omani government.

Peshawar schoolboys recount nightmare >A3

NINTH FIVE YEAR PLAN

Experts discuss health plan Times News Service MUSCAT: In its efforts to involve its partners, the Ministry of Health (MoH), represented by the Directorate General of Planning and Studies, organised a workshop on Monday to prepare the Ninth Five Year Plan (2016 to 2020).

Minister of Health Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi chaired the meeting.

The three-day workshop aims to involve the health-related sectors of governorates and partners in the planning process. The expected results between the planners at the central level and implementing at the governorate level, will be adopted initially. Furthermore, the indicators to measure and evalu-

Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health.

ate the results will be formulated during this workshop.

The minister pointed out that this workshop is held to understand the basics and directions of the Ninth Five Year Plan, as well

as to discuss the expected results of the central directorates and departments. They intend to review the general framework of the monitoring and evaluation system in order to comply with the expected results developed by the central directorates and departments, which they seek to achieve at the end of 2020.

The workshop was attended by the undersecretaries from the ministry and over 250 participants from the MoH, leaders at central and directorate levels and public sectors, in addition to the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB), The Research Council (TSC), private associations and international organisations.

NATURE'S BOUNTY: Looking at satellite images of remote oases, the researchers found what they thought may be an ideal ecosystem for banana plants in Umq Bir, the head oasis of Wadi Tiwi in Jebel Bani Jaber. – Photos courtesy Dr Andreas Buerkert

SECURITY CONCERNS

Guard against electronic fraud, warns ministry MUSCAT: Omanis living abroad should not conduct any transaction without safeguarding legal rights and security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised.

The ministry called upon Omanis to ensure legal safeguards while conducting any electronic or traditional business transactions outside the Sultanate.

“Due to the recurrence of many Omanis falling victim to cheating and fraud in the form of electronic or traditional business transactions from outside the Sultanate, the ministry calls upon Omanis abroad not to conclude any business transactions without having legal guarantees in place that safeguard their rights. They should seek advice from the nearest Omani commission before concluding such transactions as this will ensure their safety and prevent them falling victims to fraudsters and cheats,” said the ministry in a statement.–ONA

Omani banana can boost global farming efforts The unique banana has been found to have pest-resistant qualities, a trait that could potentially be shared with other types of bananas, a fruit that is under threat from fungal diseases and beetles worldwide

SARAH MACDONALD sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A rare banana found in an oasis in Jebel Bani Jaber near Tiwi has pest-resistant characteristics that could help protect the global banana industry, said a German plant scientist.

Dr Andreas Buerkert, from the University of Kassel in Germany, together with Dr Sulaiman Al Khanjari, his former Omani PhD student and later colleague, discovered the banana, referred to as the Umq Bir banana after the oasis where it grows, in 2003, and has been studying it ever since.

The unique banana has now been found to have pest-resistant qualities that make it rare among bananas, a trait that could potentially be shared with other types of bananas, a fruit that is under threat from fungal diseases and beetles worldwide.

The Umq Bir banana could also provide Oman with an opportunity to enhance its contribution to collaborative research in local plant species and exert its authority over its genetic resources, Buerkert explained. Fruits of this variety could also be sold as a special Omani product.

“I think it would be great to have this banana growing and market it as a healthy product that will grow throughout Oman without disease problems. Oman can also license the use of that banana by giving legal rights of Umq Bir plantation and...it is always fully participating in research of this banana,” Buerkert told Times of Oman.

Since 1998 Buerkert and colleagues from Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and different universities in Germany have been researching about the sustainability of the millennia-old oasis agriculture in Oman. In this context they discovered six ancient varieties of wheat that only grow in Oman and make a valuable addition to the world wheat collection.

Ideal ecosystem Based on this discovery they decided in 2003 to see if there were also bananas that were unique to Oman. Looking at satellite images of remote oases, he found what he thought may be an ideal ecosystem for banana plants in Umq Bir, the head oasis of Wadi Tiwi in Jebel Bani Jaber.

“It was clear that banana needed a place that was continuously watered...so a very remote oasis would be a great place to look at.

More accessible oases are often swamped with new plant materials so we thought we should go to a very remote place with permanent access to water,” he ex-

We didn’t know whether it was any conventional banana or whether it was a special one. It was pure luck. It was a year and a half later, when we had the identification done, that we realised it was a very interesting find Dr Andreas Buerkert University of Kassel, Germany

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plained. With the help of a Royal Omani Air Force helicopter, Buerkert and Al Khanjari made their way into the wadi. With binoculars they suddenly discovered the banana plants on a cliff on the rocky wall of the wadi and convinced Khamis Rashid Al Muqaimi, a local farmer, to climb up bare foot and retrieve part of a banana comb. Buerkert later climbed up, too, and got cuttings from the plant.

It is likely that hundreds of years ago the Umq Bir banana had been imported by seafarers to Oman from Southeast Asia, and the same species died out everywhere else. As far as Buerkert knows, it now only grows in Oman.

Back at the University of Kassel Buerkert tried growing the Umq

Bir banana. Within two years he had succeeded and the trees were producing fruit.

“We didn’t know whether it was any conventional banana or whether it was a special one. It was pure luck. It was a year and a half later, when we had the identification done, that we realised it was a very interesting find,” he said.

Buerkert asked Belgian scientist Dr Edmond de Langhe, a leading banana expert, to examine the plant and its fruits. As soon as de Langhe saw the first photos he knew it was a rare banana. This banana looked different from others as it was shorter, smaller and finer. There are fewer pieces of fruit on each bunch. Its shelf-life is also shorter so they need to be eaten sooner.

They took one of the bananas from the greenhouse and found that it tasted differently, too. “It smells a bit like apple so it’s a little more fruity,” Buerkert explained.

By 2012 they had results on the banana’s chemistry, and discovered that it produced a so-called “chemical cocktail” that could repel threats to bananas, including fungi and beetles. The banana thus has a powerful antibacterial and antimicrobial group of compounds that are a derivative of tannins, a natural fungi and beetle repellent which is harmless to humans.

Other bananas also have this “chemical cocktail,” Buerkert explained, but it’s not nearly as powerful or fast to develop upon external attack as that of the Omani banana. The beetles, for example, are quickly poisoned when they touch the banana. Their movement slows down and they e ventually die.

“We thought that this was fascinating. This could, in fact, provide a tool to protect bananas worldwide, even though we realisedthat the transfer of the underlying genetic properties will not be easy,” he said, adding that triploid edible banana can normally not be simply crossed by sexual mating.

Buerkert said that the Cavendish banana, the most commonly traded variety of bananas, is under attack globally by various fungal diseases and banana beetles.

It is at great risk, and as a result of the diseases pressure, has become one of the environmentally dirtiest fruits because of the pesticides it is sprayed with.

Chemical pesticides In some instances bananas can be sprayed with chemical pesticides up to 42 times before they are picked and sold, but Buerkert said if it were possible to grow bananas with the pest-resistance genes found in the Umq Bir banana, the global banana industry could be greatly helped.

“If the thing really worked it could be a great leap forward in the banana industry by more strongly emphasising biocontrol of organisms. One of the environmentally dirtiest production systems could be dramatically cleaned up using an ancient natural mechanism of banana autodefense preserved by early Omani seafarers and oasis farmers for many centuries,” said Buerkert.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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Peshawar school attack victims recount horror

TERROR SURVIVORS: Students of Army Public School in Peshawar, show the bullet marks, which are the reminders of the nightmare they experienced in December last year. –Videos and photos by Mohammad Ali/TIMES OF OMAN

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Survivors of the terror attack on the Army

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Public School in Peshawar were in Muscat on Oman government’s invitation. The schoolboys recounted their close encounter with death on that fateful day

RAHUL DAS rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Fifteen-year-old Tofail Khan, a survivor of the Taliban attack on Army Public School in Peshawar, described on Monday how he played dead after being shot in his right leg by terrorists hunting down students.

Tofail Khan, along with 19 students of the Army Public School of Peshawar, who witnessed one of the worst shootouts on a school campus in December 2014, are on a 10-day visit to Oman on the invitation of the Omani government.

“They are accompanied by 18

guardians and four teachers from the school,” said Col Akbar Khan of the Pakistan Army, who is accompanying the team. Among the 20 students, four of them received bullet injuries while the rest got splinter injuries in one of the bloodiest attacks in Pakistan on December 16, 2014.

Col Akbar Khan said that militants rampaged through the army-run school in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s capital and killed 145 people, including 122 students, during their classes. “The militants just fired at the students believing that they may kill them when they grow up. See these

boys, they are so innocent. Can they kill anyone?” asked Col Akbar Khan.

Speaking about the horrific incident, the head boy of the school, Munibulah Shah, said he and his classmates were in the school when the gunmen wearing paramilitary uniforms burst in.

“Someone screamed at us to get down and hide below the desks,” he said, adding that the gunmen screamed something before opening fire. “Then one of them shouted, ‘There are so many children below the school benches, go and kill them,’” said the boy.

Then he saw someone coming towards him. This man was probably hunting for students hiding beneath the benches.

Tofail said he decided to play dead after being shot in his leg.

“They kept on looking for students and pumping bullets into their bodies. I lay as still as I could and closed my eyes, waiting to

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get shot again. Finally, when I rose, I saw piles of bodies lying everywhere.”

Munibulah said that most of the students played dead in order to save themselves from being killed.

“I was taken hostage for few hours,” he said.

The assault began around 10.30 a.m. local time and ended at around 3 p.m.

“The corridors were lined with dead students. The blood of children was everywhere, smeared on the walls, pooled in the corridors and soaked in abandoned clothes. The smell of explosives and charred flesh filled the air,” said eyewitnesses.

Col Khan said that they are in Oman on the Omani government’s invitation. “We are trying to help these young minds erase the memory of December 16,” he said.

During their stay in Oman, they visited several mosques, parks, beaches, and the Pakistan School Muscat.

“We had a wonderful time in Oman and we want to thank the government,” they said before boarding the Oman Air flight to Islamabad on Monday night.

THE RESEARCH COUNCIL

Applied research will boost innovation in energy sector MUSCAT: In a big boost to research, The Research Council (TRC) will sign on Tuesday contracts for projects involving Advanced Technologies Integration Institute with Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres.

The agreement will be signed by His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, Advisor to His Majesty the Sultan and Chairman of The

Research Council and representatives of the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres. The Advanced Technologies Integration Institute aims at carrying out a number of applied researches and encouraging innovation in energy and industry fields by providing the conducive milieu for joint action between the public and private organisations, as well as academia. -ONA

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OMR36.69m

mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works are set to enhance Drake & Scull Engineering’s (DSE) presence in Oman.

Major projects boost tourism plans DSE Oman has secured a series of contracts for works on the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, two five-star hotels in Saraya Bandar Jissah, and an airport hangar facility MEGA PROJECTS: Drake & Scull Engineering (DSE) Oman, will also undertake the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of core MEP systems for two five-star beachfront properties at Saraya Bandar Jissah, near Muscat.–Supplied photos

Times News Service MUSCAT: A series of contracts for a combined value of OMR36.69 million for mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works for the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, two five-star hotels in Saraya Bandar Jissah, and an airport hangar facility has been secured by Drake & Scull Engineering (DSE) Oman.

The scope of the projects for the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre MEP works spans a 3,100seat central auditorium, a 455-seat secondary auditorium; the grand ballroom with 1,350 banquet-style seating and a 500-seat food court with seven-themed food production outlets, in addition to 28 meeting rooms that include nine

rooms formed by sub-dividing the ballrooms, and administration offices for the facility operators and external works. Work on the ambitious project is expected to commence soon with a scheduled completion by 2017.

DSE Oman will also undertake the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of core MEP systems for two five-star beachfront properties at Saraya Bandar Jissah, near Muscat.

DSE Oman’s work on the first hotel complex will cover the main hotel building, seven three-storeyed typical hotel clusters, four one-bedroom villas and four twobedroom villas, apart from a specialty restaurant, a pool juice bar,

and an ancillary building.

DSE Oman will also deliver MEP works for the second fivestar luxury hotel development which will cover the main hotel building, seven villas, a main car park structure and substation and pumping station and LV room, in addition to a pool bar and grill, dive centre, store for pool chemicals and vehicle maintenance. The hotels are expected to be handed over by 2017 and 2016 respectively.

Additionally, DSE Oman will start work on the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of low side heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) and plumbing work for an airport hangar related facility on an ac-

celerated basis and work on the project is aimed for completion by early 2016.

Ahmad Al Naser, managing director of Drake & Scull Engineering LLC, said, “Oman’s real estate sector is making steady advances with the announcement of several new and upcoming promoting projects. A historically important market for DSE, Oman remains an area of strategic growth for the company. It gives us great satisfaction to maintain our strong momentum of securing major projects in all our key markets. We are proud of our historic contribution in the development of Oman’s stunning skyline through our work on some of Oman’s landmark pro-

FLAGSHIP PROJECT

jects. We are extremely confident that the AED350 million win for the four projects will further boost DSE’s presence in the Sultanate and help consolidate our leading position as a major provider of quality engineering services.”

DSE has undertaken several prestigious projects in Oman, including the National Museum of Oman, and the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.

The company is currently working to deliver various projects, including the New Muscat International Airport, the RGO Complex at Hisn Al Shumookh Extension Phase 17 in Nizwa, and the Sohar Refinery Improvement Project in Sohar.

Oman’s real estate sector is making steady advances with the announcement of several new and upcoming promoting projects Ahmad Al Naser Managing director, Drake & Scull Engineering LLC

‘ F E E L T H E B E AT ’

Oman initiative wins regional award Women to get free Times News Service MUSCAT: One of Oman’s flagship projects has been named among the region’s projects of the year by business intelligence service MEED. Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort Project by the Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) has been named as the GCC’s Drake & Scull Leisure & Tourism Project of the Year.

The project’s triumph was announced at the prestigious MEED Quality Awards for Projects 2015, in association with Mashreq, gala awards ceremony held in Dubai at MEED’s Construction Leadership Summit 2015.

Omran’s Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort Project was recognised for being a prime example of a luxury leisure and tourism development,

PRIME PROJECT: Omran’s Alila Jabal Akhdar Resort was recognised for being a prime example of tourism project.–Suplied photo

as well as for promoting sustainability and preserving Oman’s historic architecture and culture.

Located 2,000 metres above sea level alongside the cliff edge of breathtaking Jabal Al Akhdar, the resort comprises 78 typical suites,

6 loft suites and two royal villas.

A state-of-the-art spa and unique food and beverage outlets compliment the magnificent interior design and breath-taking landscape and views.

John Lossifidis, executive vice

president, group head – Corporate and Investment Banking, Mashreq Bank, PSC., the headline sponsor of the awards, praised the winners for their unwavering commitment to the highest standards of quality.

“Adherence to quality standards ensures optimum delivery of a project’s intended benefits, and for this we congratulate the winners for their resolute commitment to project excellence that continues to set the benchmark not just for the region but also for the rest of the world,” he said.

The MEED Quality Awards for Projects 2015, in association with Mashreq, is now in its 5th year and this year was the biggest year to date. “We received a record number of entries, marking yet another successful year for the awards,’’ said Richard Thompson, editorial director, MEED.

heart health check

Times News Service MUSCAT: Following the successful complimentary heart health check-up at Majid Al Futtaim’s City Centre last week, mall visitors at City Centre Qurum can also get the chance to get tested on June 4 and 5 evening.

Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) will provide medical professionals to administer complimentary testing and conduct check-ups for. The checks include blood pressure, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI) to determine if the participating women were at risk for heart disease. In addition, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training sessions will be conducted during the initiative.

HEALTH FIRST: The health camp aims to focus on women.

“We are keen to continue engaging the local community with initiatives that benefit them,” said Watfa Humaid Al Harthy, Mall Manager, City Centre Qurum.

ANNUAL MEETING

Anglo-Omani Society pledges to focus on youth development Times News Service MUSCAT: Through its annual networking events planned for 2015, the New Generation Group (NCG) Anglo-Omani Society held its third networking event for this year at the Bank Muscat head office recently.

The event was held under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said and Jon Wilks, British ambassador to Oman.

Sheikh Ma’an Al Rawahi, New Generation Group co-chairman, delivered a welcome speech briefing the audience about the NGG and its programmes and events.

After that, the British ambassador spoke about the deep-rooted Omani – United Kingdom relations and ways to escalate them.

He also talked about the youth and their future in the Sultanate.

Mark Evan, director general, Outward Bound Oman, addressed the audience and spoke about valuable training courses they deliver to Omani youth.

He briefed the audience about the establishment, programmes, events and training courses of Outward Bound Oman in the Sultanate.

The event concluded with a speech by His Highness Sayyid Faisal Al Said who spoke of the attention Omani youth receive and the role they should play in the Sultanate.

POSITIVE PARTNERSHIP: The event was held under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said and Jon Wilks, British ambassador to Oman.–Supplied photo

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Hidden in-app charges that you need to watch out for

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ave you noticed that children, even toddlers, seem to know their way around mobiles, tablets and computers better than us adults?

When it comes to technology our children are very adept at a very young age which is great because it’s an amazing source of learning and entertainment.

Simon Baldwin, Director of Consumer Marketing at Ooredoo. -Supplied photo

Expensive business Sometimes though, because our children are not always able to make responsible purchasing decisions, their technological prowess becomes an expensive business (always for us, never for our children). Apps are a prime example. There are basically two

types of app on offer from all the app stores; free and paid. Free apps represent around 65 per cent of all the apps on Android, the most popular platform here in Oman, while paid apps represent the rest. To give you some examples of free and paid for, WhatsApp and Facebook are free, whereas Minecraft and Worms 3 are paid. Pretty simple right? - there are free apps and there are paid apps.

Dark side of apps No… look a little closer and you’ll find that your free app probably has a dark side called ‘in app purchases’. App developers, to make money, can’t give away their apps

entirely for free. To make money they need advertising revenue or for users to make follow-on purchases.

Up-selling Advertisers don’t generally touch an app unless there have been huge download volumes, so developers usually give away the core product for free and then up-sell a bunch of new functionality when you start using the free part.

And here’s where it gets costly, because our little angels don’t know this and assume all this new functionality or these ‘gems’ that you need to build a dragon are all free. Then mum and dad

‘Main contractor must ensure mid-day break’ The Ministry of Manpower has also announced two numbers, 80077000 or 24766470, for the public to call if they see any mid-day break violations MID-DAY RULE VIOLATION: On Monday, the first day of the midday break, Times of Oman found workers still carrying out their tasks without any break. – AR Rajkumar/Times of Oman

REJIMON K AND FAHAD AL GHADANI reji@timesofoman.com fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Companies have been warned they face being fined for violations of the mid-day break rule for workers, even if it is a sub-contractor that flouts the regulation.

“We will penalise the main contracting company only. They are responsible to make sure that their sub-contractors are not

violating the rule,” said an official from the Ministry of Manpower.

On Monday, the first day of the commencement of the mid-day break rule, Times of Oman found that workers were still carrying out their tasks without any break.

When contacted, the main contracting company, and an official there said that it had given clear instruction to all their project sites. However, the violation might have occurred due to the negligence from the sub-contracting company’s side.

“We will make sure that the violation is not repeated,” the company official added.

The regulations on occupational safety and health at facilities governed by the Labour Law issued by Ministerial Decision No. 286/2008, Article 16, prohibit the employment of workers at construction sites, or in open spaces, during periods of high temperature, particularly from 12:30pm to 3:30pm in the months of June,

W E E K LY R E P O R T

961 illegal workers identified MUSCAT: As many as 961 workers were found violating the labour law in the last week of May, according to official figures.

The weekly report of the joint inspection team at the Ministry of Manpower has pointed out that the number of workers violating the Labour Law during the period from May 24 to May 30, stood at 961. Out of these, 808 were commercial workers,

66 farm workers and 87 housemaids or those engaged in similar work and their equivalents.

at the Ministry of Manpower are taking the legal procedures against them.

Maximum violations The Governorate of Muscat witnessed the largest number of workers violating the Labour Law with 710, followed by the Governorates of North Al Batinah with 102.

The competent authorities

Deported Meanwhile, the Ministry of Manpower statistics showed that 310 expatriate workers were deported for violating the provisions of the Labour Law and ministerial decisions executing the law. -ONA

July, and August. The ministry also has announced two numbers, 80077000 or 24766470, for the public to call if they see any midday break violations.

Last week, the temperatures at many places in the Sultanate were hovering at around 48 degree Celsius and the global weather predictions have revealed that the summer will be hotter as sea surface temperatures are rising due to the El Nino phenomenon.

start to see all sorts of charges on their credit card statement.

The moral of the story is to not give your password to little Johnny or Jenny and to turn off your mobile’s ability to make in app purchases.

Doing this differs across the mobile operating systems such as Android and iOS, but it’s a worthwhile exercise if you don’t want a shock.

Remember also, that our children probably know how to do this so the best advice is to have a chat with them. There are plenty of apps out there that abuse the in-app purchase system, tons of which are aimed at children. Apple refunded 32 million pounds

to parents whose children had racked up huge bills in the UK last year but there are signs they are losing patience in doing this moving forward.

Simon Baldwin is the Director of Consumer Marketing at Ooredoo.

He has plenty of useful insights and tips that are easy to understand and essential in today’s mobile connected world. This column series provides some tips and tricks for all telecoms users; whether browsing or streaming, using apps or travelling and more. If you want to control costs, get a better picture of how things work or even need tips on security and safeguarding, these columns are for you.

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TUE S DAY, JUNE 2 , 2 015 With such great role models and ambassadors, the PDO and Oman are set for an exciting future in the rapidly changing oil and gas exploration and production industry Raoul Restucci, PDO’s managing director

OMAN

92 PDO scholars taste success in academics The company has prepared a comprehensive policy to support Omani staff seeking release from duty to continue

YOUNG TALENT: The 67 men and 25 women were supported by the PDO in their studies. – Supplied picture

full-time education

Times News Service MUSCAT: Success of the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) depends on attracting and fostering the best young Omani talent, said an official at PDO, as 92 of its scholars graduated after achieving academic success in leading universities at home and abroad.

“These latest academic accomplishments are further evidence of some of the truly outstanding staff we have,” Raoul Restucci, PDO’s managing director said at a

graduation ceremony held under the auspices of Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, minister of oil and gas, on Monday.

The 67 men and 25 women were supported by the company in their studies in subjects such as petroleum engineering, chemical engineering and geology, in addition to project management, economics and law, in Europe, Japan, Australia and Oman.

The official graduation ceremony, held at the Ministry of Oil and Gas, celebrated the first batch of 22 graduates from the pioneering Overseas Grants and Educational Support Scheme which the PDO

introduced in 2011 in response to His Majesty’s Postgraduate Studies Scholarships initiative.

The company prepared a comprehensive policy to support Omani staff requesting a release from duty so they could continue full-time education through other sponsors.

Speaking at the event at the Ministry of Oil and Gas, Restucci said, “With such great role models and ambassadors, the PDO and Oman are set for an exciting future in the rapidly changing oil and gas exploration and production industry.”

More than 2,000 staffers have

successfully qualified through the PDO scholarship scheme since it was launched in the 1980s.

The latest batch of graduates includes two PhDs, 29 Masters of Science, 27 Bachelors of Science or Engineering and 12 Distance Learning degree holders.

The ceremony also marked the graduation of the first batch of MSc graduates from Bergen University in Norway in petroleum technology and the fifth batch of Masters of Science in petroleum and natural gas engineering from the PDO’s joint programme, which was signed with Sultan Qaboos University in 2008.

Restucci said, “The Petroleum Development Oman is proud to offer its staff a first-class, broad and diverse range of study and training opportunities. Of course, to do this, we need strong partnerships with educational institutions at home and abroad, and I would like to thank the Ministry of Higher Education, Sultan Qaboos University, and the German University of Technology in Muscat for their ongoing support for our staff and scholarship programmes.”

The PDO is the major exploration and production company in the Sultanate.

ASSIGNED BY HIS MAJESTY

HM’s advisor to attend Bashir’s swearing-in MUSCAT: Assigned by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sheikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Harthy, State Advisor, headed to the Republic of Sudan on Monday.

Sheikh Al Harthy will participate in the swearing-in ceremony of President Omar Hassan Ahmed

Al Bashir as the president of the Republic for a new presidential term, due to take place in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum on Tuesday. Sheikh Al Harthy will be accompanied by Sheikh Dr. Sulaiman bin Saud Al Jabri, the Sultanate’s Ambassador to the Republic of Sudan during the function. -ONA

S TAT E - O F - T H E -A R T

A1 Minister inspects < FROM

project work at Salalah airport

Before opening of the airport to traffic, the minister inspected the project to ensure the readiness of operators and other stakeholders.

Al Futaisi was accompanied

by Dr Mohammed bin Nasser Al Za’abi, CEO of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), a number of officials and members of the technical committee of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The project includes a passenger terminal measuring more than 65,000 sq metres, which will accommodate two

million passengers per annum in the first stage. It is 4 km long and has a 75-metre wide main runway which can receive biggest aircraft including A 380s.

Air navigation The airport is provided with the latest air navigation and auto landing devices as per international standards and regulations.

The project also has a 57-metre high control tower. The project is designed to provide high quality services to passengers. – ONA

RECRUITMENT OF INDIANS

A1 Migrants rights activist lauds < FROM

Indian government measures

For those who are looking to employ between 50 and 150 Indian workers, the deadline to register online has been set before June 30, 2015.

Employers recruiting between 20 and 50 Indian workers are required to do the needful before July 31, 2015, and for those looking to hire less than 20 Indian workers and get the maximum levy are required to register online before August 31, 2015.

As per the order, as soon as the country-specific employment contract for each ECR country is finalised, the recruitment of the manual attestation based on the category of workers to be recruited, or direct recruitment of individuals by foreign employers or recruitment of unskilled or domestic workers, will be discontinued.

The order also adds that the application for demand approval for such categories of workers (recruitment of individuals/unskilled/domestic workers) can be applied for by foreign employers only through eMigrate system after the foreign employer gets itself registered in the eMigrate system.

An Indian migrant rights activist while talking to the Times of Oman over the phone said that it

is a laudable move from the government side.

“The International Labour Organisation and other global labour rights’ bodies always urge stringent recruitment procedures to avoid risks. A majority of the migrants are duped during the recruitment process itself.

So, the governments should always have a stringent recruitment procedure to avoid pitfalls,” said Rafeek Ravuther, the Indian representative of Migrant Forum in Asia, which stands up for migrants’ rights.

“Through this system, when the government has access to details of both employers and migrants, it will be quite helpful to avoid risks and streamline the recruitment procedures,” said Rafeek, while adding that most Indian workers are still going abroad for jobs without proper contracts.

Meanwhile, an Indian social worker, while welcoming the move said that complicating the recruitment procedures will deny opportunities for Indian migrant workers.

“The aim behind the move might be to streamline the recruitment process and to stop workers from being fleeced by crooked recruitment agents, but when the procedures are com-

plicated, they will miss their chances. Employers will begin to look for workers from other nationalities,” said Shaji Sebastin, a Muscat-based social worker.

A human resource expert in Muscat also voiced the same opinion.

“While I understand the need to regulate employment for Indian nationals coming to Oman and further to ensure that the terms under which they are employed is fair, this system will without a doubt reduce the number of Indian nationals who will be considered for opportunities here.

Further, the timeframe to employ someone will no doubt be extended,” said Tonia Gray, general manager at Competence HR. “As a recruitment company, I do not know which nationality the successful candidate will be until we have identified them as suitable for the role and the client has decided to make an offer.

We could find ourselves going through this expensive process only to find that the application is refused.

“This will also delay the company’s recruitment process, and I believe we will now find clients advising us against considering Indian nationals due to this change,” added the HR expert.

BAN HURTS

A1 ‘Projects affected by curbs’ < FROM

“That is why we depend on expatriate workers. They have the heart to work under these conditions,” added Reem.

“Most Omani youths join the military and others have university degrees and they will not attempt to work in construction sector,” added Reem.

Hussein Al Rahbi, a human resource manager in a construction company, also said that the company’s projects have been affected by this decision.

“We were expecting the ministry to resume issuing visas to construction workers,” said Al Rahbi.

A construction company owner also expressed his discontent over the rule.

“We have contracts with our customers and we have to stick to a time-frame. We feel helpless because we can’t delay the projects,” said Rashid, adding that companies abiding by regulations should be rewarded with some kind of privileges.

“Such rules force companies to engage in illegal procedures and prompt them to hire absconding and unemployed workers in order to push through their projects,” he added.

More than 1,000 expatriate employees, who were on different job

visas, were arrested for working at the Muscat International Airport project, last week.

However, a Majlis Al Shura member supported the move to limit the visas for expatriate workers. “I completely support the move by the Ministry of Manpower,” said Majlis Al Shura member Tawfiq Al Lawati.

“The country’s economy does not benefit from low-paid workers. I would prefer the visas to be issued to skilled expatriates. At least they will pay the rent and live in the Sultanate instead of sending the entire salary back home,” said Al Lawati.

Most of the companies affected by the visa ban are small ones which normally have a high rate of violations in the market, he added.

Meanwhile, a human resource expert questioned the logic of the ban given the number of infrastructure projects in progress and those projected, and the lack of skilled and available local workers.

“Of course, if there are a sufficient numbers of workers then a ban is a sensible idea, but my understanding is that is not the case. Companies who require workers to deliver their projects will fail to meet their deadlines

and possibly be penalised heavily.

The delay in completion will also affect the opening of the project which could in turn severely affect the revenue for the company which requested the project,” said Tonia Gray, general manager of Competence HR. “This ban will affect both government and private sector projects and may even make international contractors think twice about undertaking projects here.

For example, there is the recent issue at the airport where some 1,000 workers were found with in correct visas,” she added.

While applauding the ministry for identifying the problem in the airport project case, Tonia added that the government should issue sufficient and appropriate visas to the contractors to ensure that they can deliver the project on time with the right skilled and experienced workforce.

The government has budgeted an estimated $77.68bn for development projects as part of the 2011-2015 five-year plans, up 113 per cent over the previous fiveyear plan, with the Oman National Railway Project comprising 45 per cent of the total value of all current transportation construction projects.

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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REGION

A further 46 people were wounded in the attack on the Muthanna bases in an area from which security forces and paramilitaries have been fighting to drive out the insurgents in Iraq.

INSURGENCY

IS drives explosives-rigged tank into Iraqi base, kills 38 policemen BAGHDAD/PARIS: IS group militants drove a tank rigged with explosives into a base south of the Iraqi city of Samarra on Monday, killing 38 policemen, military and police sources said.

Also on Monday, UNICEF said in Paris that humanitarian organisations are preparing to launch a fundraising appeal for $500 million (454 million euros) for the crisis created by the IS group in Iraq.

A further 46 people were wounded in the attack on the Muthanna bases in an area from which security forces and paramilitaries have been fighting to drive out the insurgents.

Security forces seized the complex from the militants several days ago and were using it as a

foothold in an offensive aimed at cutting IS militants supply lines from the Samarra area to the western province of Anbar.

Anbar’s capital, Ramadi, was overrun by the insurgents two weeks ago in the most significant setback for Iraqi forces since a USled coalition began bombing the militants last summer.

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi vowed to launch a quick counter-offensive to retake the city but paramilitary groups have taken charge of the offensive and say remaining militant strongholds in Salahuddin province must be cleared first.

In Paris, the announcement came a day ahead of a meeting of the US-led coalition of countries

working to defeat the militant group in Iraq and Syria.

“The humanitarian situation in Iraq is close to disaster! We urgently need extra resources,” Philippe Heffinck, UNICEF’s representative in Iraq, said in a statement in French.

“500 million is really the bare minimum. We’re cutting it down to the bare bone,” he added in later comments said.

Humanitarian aid According to the UN children’s agency, eight million Iraqis are in urgent need of humanitarian aid, in particular the roughly three million people who have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the IS offensive in June 2014.

UN envoy pushes for Yemen talks Progress was made on ‘the date, agenda and framework for the Geneva talks and the parties that attend the meeting’ HARD HIT: Smoke billows from Noqum mountain after it was hit by an air strike, in Sanaa, on Monday. – Reuters

SANAA: Efforts to bring Yemen’s warring factions together to discuss their conflict have made some progress, officials said on Monday, as warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition mounted more air strikes against the dominant Houthi group.

Political sources confirmed on Monday that diplomats were brokering the talks between Houthi and US officials aimed at finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Independent politicians in the Yemeni capital Sanaa said the talks have succeeded in narrowing gaps between the Houthis and the exiled government to pave the way for eventual United Nationsbacked negotiations in Geneva.

“There’s progress in the talks toward an agreement on a long truce and reviving political dialogue,” one politician told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity. The United Nations envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, has also achieved progress in efforts to convene talks in Geneva, Yemeni government spokesman Rajeh Badi said.

He said progress was made on “the date, agenda and framework for the Geneva talks and the parties that attend the meeting” and that a formal announcement was expected within hours. Ould Cheikh Ahmed was in the Saudi capital Riyadh for talks with Yem-

eni President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi, political figures and the government headed by Vice President Khaled Bahah. Before that, he held talks with Houthi leaders in Sanaa.

Saudi planes and artillery on Monday bombed the Houthis’ northern stronghold province of Saada, bordering the kingdom.

Air strikes hit military positions aligned with the Houthis in Sanaa on Sunday, and residents reported the sounds of explosions and anti-aircraft fire continuing into Monday. Warplanes also dropped bombs on Houthi fighters on the outskirts of Aden, a bastion of support for Hadi. — Reuters

“We expect that this will increase by one million more by the end of the year,” predicted Heffinck. Access, however, has been hampered by the fighting and a lack of funding is now even threatening such humanitarian assistance as has been possible, UNICEF said.

As a result, all those organisations currently operating in Iraq will in Brussels on Thursday launch “a fundraising appeal for nearly $500 million to cover relief operations over the next six months”, the agency added.

“We hope that all the countries, western and neighbouring, will respond. The situation is too desperate,” stressed Heffinck.

“If we don’t do it now, we are going to have a major disaster that

will cost much more to the international community,” he added.

Anti-IS coalition meeting Ministers from Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are expected to be among 24 participants attending the anti-IS coalition meeting in Paris. The main focus of the meeting will be the situation in Iraq, where IS seized the city of Ramadi two weeks ago in the biggest blow to the coalition since it began bombarding militant positions in August.

Meanwhile, the United Nations said it would be forced to slash or shut down almost half its aid operations in Iraq without an immediate injection of new funds.

Lise Grande, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq, said the number of people in need of assistance continues to increase as the resources to help them dry up, and she forecast a “summer of discontent”.

A renewed IS group offensive in western Iraq has displaced tens of thousands of people over the past month and many more are likely to flee fighting as Iraqi security forces and paramilitary groups act to regain lost ground.

“We know that in the next couple of months the humanitarian situation is only going to get worse,” Grande told Reuters in an interview on Monday. “Right now our biggest problem is financing: we’re running out of money.” — Agencies

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TUE S DAY, JUNE 2 , 2 015

INDIA

Today’s international students are tomorrow’s world leaders.

They take friendships and loyalties home with them that later become trade links, cultural bonds and diplomatic ties Jo Johnson, UK universities and science minister

DROP IN STUDENTS IN UK UNIVERSITIES

LIGHT RAIN BRINGS RESPITE FROM SWELTERING HEAT A view of Rajpath during rains in New Delhi on Monday. Ninety more deaths were reported from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Odisha due to the heat wave, raising the nationwide toll to 2,338 even as some places like Delhi got respite on Monday from the sweltering weather because of the overcast sky and scattered rainfall. Delhi received light rain which brought temperature down to 37 degrees Celsius from 40.6 degrees Celsius on Monday. - PTI

Must win back Indian students: UK minister LONDON: Britain’s newly appointed universities and science minister has made it his “personal aim” to address a drop in Indian students coming to study at UK universities.

Jo Johnson, who was based in New Delhi between 2005 and 2008 as The Financial Times South Asia Bureau chief, expressed his concern at students from the country being made to feel unwelcome.

“I am concerned that some feel the UK does not welcome students as warmly as we once did and that there has been a decline of student numbers from some of our key partners, most notably India. It is a personal aim of mine to overcome misconceptions about the UK in such important countries,” he said, during his first speech as part of Prime Minister David Cameron’s Cabinet at the British Council’s Going Global conference for international education leaders in London.

“Today’s international students are tomorrow’s world lead-

Modi’s Bangladesh visit to focus on trade, connectivity On the trade front, there will be efforts to spur Indian investment in Bangladesh and an enabling MoU may be signed to facilitate setting up of special economic zones by Indian companies in that country

NEW DELHI: Enhancing rail, road and water connectivity, boosting economic engagement and expanding security cooperation are likely to be major focus areas during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day maiden visit to Bangladesh beginning on Saturday.

The visit is expected to bring a new momentum in overall bilateral ties as it follows Parliament’s approval to a Constitution amendment bill that provides for implementation of the 1974 land boundary agreement between the two neighbours to settle the 41-year-old border issue.

Both sides are likely to sign a number of deals including on en-

EXCHANGING GREETINGS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Nagaland Chief Minister T. R. Zeliang, in New Delhi, on Monday. -PTI

hancing connectivity to ensure greater people-to-people contact.

Modi and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina are set to flag-off the bus service between Kolkata and Agartala via Dhaka and the Dhaka-Shillong-Guwahati bus service.

Revive rail links The two countries are keen to strengthen railway connectivity, particularly to revive railway links which were in existence prior to 1965. The two countries are set to sign a coastal shipping agreement to facilitate sailing of small vessels from India to various ports in Bangladesh which now go through Singapore.

India will also push for involvement of Indian companies in setting up of ports in that country.

The issue of Bangladesh, Bhu-

tan, India and Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement is also likely to figure in the talks Modi will have with Hasina.

India feels improving connectivity with Bangladesh will help linking the Northeastern region with Southeast Asia.

On the trade front, there will be efforts to spur Indian investment in Bangladesh and an enabling MoU may be signed to facilitate setting up of Special Economic Zones by Indian companies in that country.

The current volume of bilateral trade is around $6.5 billion out of which India’s export is around $6 billion. Ties between India and Bangladesh are on an upswing ever since the Hasina government came to power in January 2009 and the Indian side will make every effort to strengthen

the relationship considering its strategic interests.

Bangladesh and India share a 4096-km-long border, most of which is porous, and both the countries are likely to try and find ways to enhance security cooperation, particularly to further contain northeast insurgent groups.

The Hasina government has taken steps against northeast militants who used to take refuge in Bangladesh.

There has been perceptible decline in activities of fundamentalist elements in Bangladesh and Modi would like to further cement bilateral ties with the Hasina government considering India’s strategic interests.

Sharing information Bangladesh security agencies have been sharing information with National Investigation Agency (NIA) in its probe into the Burdwan blast and there has been indication that such cooperation will increase.

Bangladesh has been cooperating with Indian agencies in their probe into supply of fake currency.

Determined to enhance trade ties, both sides are likely to set up seven more border huts to facilitate border trade.

Currently, three such facilities are functioning and another will be added within next few days.

Both sides will also sign the land boundary agreement and the process to implement the pact on the ground would start soon.

Another issue which is likely to figure in talks will be the longpending Teesta Water sharing agreement though External Af-

fairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday had made it clear that the pact will not be signed during Modi’s visit.

The Teesta deal was set to be inked during the then prime minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Bangladesh in September 2011 but was postponed at the last minute due to objections by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee who will also accompany Modi.

Teesta water is crucial for Bangladesh, especially in the leanest period from December to March when the water flow often temporarily comes down to less than 1,000 cusecs from 5,000 cusecs every year.

On the power sector, India is willing to enhance supply by another 500 mega watt.

Currently India provides 500 MW to the neighbouring country.

In their talks, both sides are likely to explore ways to enhance cooperation in security and defence areas.

Invitation Modi will be visiting at the invitation of Hasina who had extended the gesture through telephonic talk and written a letter soon after Modi had led BJP to a landslide win in Lok Sabha elections in May, 2014.

Thereafter, the two leaders had met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York in September last year and then again on the margin of Saarc Summit in Kathmandu in November. In March, 2013, President Pranab Mukherjee had paid a visit to Bangladesh. -PTI

ers. They take friendships and loyalties home with them that later become trade links, cultural bonds and diplomatic ties,” he said.

Negative impacts The number of Indian students coming to the UK fell from 18,535 in 2010-11 to 10,235 in 2012-13, according to a report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Universities have previously warned that negative impacts from the Conservatives’ drive to reduce net migration is harming their recruitment of international students, calling for students to be removed from net migration figures.

Johnson said: “The UK of course values international students who come to this country.

We recognise that competition for the brightest and best students from other countries is intensifying. “We will continue to ensure that our excellent education system remains a magnet for brilliant minds.” -PTI B I L AT E R A L R E L AT I O N S

India, Sweden sign several agreements to boost ties STOCKHOLM: India and Sweden on Monday signed several agreements to boost ties and decided to restart the bilateral strategic dialogue besides finding ways for investment by the Nordic country in India’s defence sector under the ambitious ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The decision to restart the bilateral strategic dialogue was conveyed to President Pranab Mukherjee, who is here on a state visit, the first ever by any Indian head of state, by Swedish Prime Minister Stefen Lofven who called on him along with his cabinet colleagues. It was agreed that the two countries would re-start their strategic dialogue between the two National Security Advisors, Secretary (West) in Ministry of External Affairs Navtej Sarna told reporters here.

Witnessed The President and Swedish Prime Minister witnessed signing of agreements between the two sides which included an Agreement on Visa Exemption for diplomatic passport holders.

The others agreements signed included a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of Sustainable Urban Development, MoU for cooperation in the field of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Letter of Intent with Collaboration in Polar and Ocean Research and two health-related agreements.

As many as 15 agreements between various universities of India and Sweden were signed on the sidelines of the visit at the Swedish foreign ministry. - PTI

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INDIA

Karnataka to challenge Jayalalithaa’s acquittal Acharya, however, claimed that there were glaring arithmetical errors in the voluminous high court judgment, especially with respect to details of assets, loan raised and income earned

Earlier, the cabinet accepted the advice of state special public prosecutor B. V. Acharya and state Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar to appeal against the high court verdict acquitting Jayalalithaa

BENGALURU: In a setback to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa, the Karnataka government on Monday decided to challenge in the Supreme Court her acquittal by the state high court in the illegal wealth case.

“The chief minister (Siddaramaiah) has directed me to file an appeal in the Supreme Court, challenging Jayalalithaa’s acquittal by the high court, “ Law Minister T.B. Jayachandra told reporters here after a cabinet meeting.

Earlier, the cabinet accepted the advice of state special public prosecutor (SPP) B. V. Acharya and state Advocate General Ravivarma Kumar to appeal against the high court verdict acquitting Jayalalithaa.

The 67-year-old AIADMK chief took oath as chief minister for the fifth time in Chennai on May 24 after the single judge bench of Justice C.R. Kumaraswamy upheld her appeal, quashed all charges against her and set aside her conviction and four-year sentence a

J. Jayalalithaa

trial court here handed down to her on September 27, 2014.

Acharya, a former state advocate general, will be the state government’s Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) to argue the case in the apex court.

Though the ruling Congress’s legal cell last month advised the government against appealing to the Supreme Court, as Karnataka was not an aggrieved party to the 19-year-old case, the cabinet endorsed the opinion of its law officials on merit after the apex court ruled that the state was the sole prosecuting agency, following the transfer of the case to the state on November 19,2003, from a Chennai trial court.

“A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court on April 27 directed the state government to appoint an SPP in the long-drawn case as Karnataka was the prosecuting agency on transfer of the case to a Bengaluru trial court, “ Jayachandra said.

The bench, headed by Justice Dipak Misra, remarked that once the case was shifted to Karnataka, the state has no choice but to step into the shoes as a prosecutor.

The court also observed that

Karnataka must understand its responsibilities and ensure smooth and fair prosecution as it “has an obligation to do so”.

Based on merits Clarifying that the decision has nothing to do with inter-state issues, Jaychandra said the cabinet decision was based on merits and the government’s moral responsibility to honour the top court’s observations and abide by its ruling in the case.

The two southern riparian states are locked in a legal battle over the sharing of the Cauvery river water for irrigation and hydel power generation and to supply drinking water from Karnataka’s Yettinahole stream near Kanakapura to Bengaluru rural, Kolar and Chikkaballapur.

The Karnataka High Court, holding the value of Jayalalithaa’s disproportionate assets at Rs.2.82 crore, instead of Rs53.6 crore computed by the trial court, held the amount “not enough” to convict Jayalalithaa on corruption charges.

Justice Kumaraswamy also acquitted Jayalalithaa’s three coconvicts, sentenced to four years

S A F E T Y S TA N D A R D S

Noodle probe widening, brand ambassadors to face music too NEW DELHI: Widening its probe into alleged lapses of food safety standards in Maggi noodles, the government on Monday said it is testing samples from all states and strict action will be taken for any violation, including against brand ambassadors of the famous brand of Nestle.

The tests are being done by the central food safety regulator FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) and the reports are expected to come in the next 2-3 days.

A case has been lodged against Nestle India by UP food regulator FSDA in a local court at Barabanki in Uttar Pradesh over safety standards of its product Maggi, while actors Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta were also separately dragged to court for promoting the ‘twominute’ noodles brand.

“In case of Maggi, we have gathered information. UP Food department has investigated and they have found monosodium glutamate (MSG) and lead. Now, FSSAI has taken up the issue. It will take the action,” Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said here at a press conference organised to highlight the one-year achievements of the ministry.

Nestle has maintained that it does not agree with the UP food regulator’s order and it “is filing the requisite representations with the authorities”.

Elaborating on the issue, Consumer Affairs Additional Secretary G. Gurucharan said: “FSSAI has taken samples from every state. Testing is going on. Not only MSG and lead, all other parameters are being tested.”

He said that some test reports were expected as early as Monday, and the rest could come in the next 2-3 days.

“If any violations are found in the sample report, both FSSAI and the Consumer Affairs Department through NCDRC will take some class action,” Gurucharan said.

On action to be taken against Maggi brand ambassadors, he

IN THE EYE OF STORM: Actress Madhuri Dixit recently met Nestle officials in this regard and said the company has assured her about the quality of the product. - AFP file photo

said, “Yes, they would be liable for action if advertisements are found to be misleading.”

While Amitabh Bachchan on Monday said he no more endorses the brand, Madhuri Dixit recently met Nestle officials in this regard and said the company has assured her about the quality of the product.

“It becomes misleading advertisement if it is found that the product does not have the attributes that the manufacturer professed. And if brand ambassador has promoted that product and said specifically that the product has those attributes.

They are also certainly liable for action,” Gurucharan said.

He further said that if misleading advertisement is established, there is a possibility of filing a class action suit through NCDRC against brand ambassadors.

Commenting on the controversy, Amitabh Bachchan told private news channel CNN-IBN that he does not endorse the brand anymore as “my contract is over.”

He further said he has checked with Nestle on the issue and “whether this is all right and if they are sure... I even put a clause in my contract where I said that I hope you people defend me, legal-

If any violations are found in the sample report, both FSSAI and the Consumer Affairs Department through NCDRC will take some class action G. Gurucharan Consumer Affairs Additional Secretary

ly, if something happens.”

Comments from Nestle India could not be obtained as mailed query to the company spokesperson remained unanswered.

Earlier, Nestle India had however disputed the claim of the UP FSDA saying: “The company does not agree with the order and is filing the requisite representations with the authorities.”

Paswan, however, said National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) under the Consumer Affairs Department has not received any complaints from consumers on the Maggi issue.

“Unless we do not get written complaint, we cannot take any action,” the minister added.

Asked if retailers will be held responsible, Gurucharan said, “If retailers sell Maggi despite being aware of its sub-standard quality, they too will be liable for action.

However, the decisions will be taken by the consumer courts.”

There very few provisions and laws such as Cable and TV regulation Act, FSSAI Act, Consumer Protection Act — which are effective to take action against selling sub-standard products and for misleading advertisements, he added. - PTI

A9

jail and fined Rs10 crore each for allegedly amassing wealth disproportionate to their source of income during her first term as chief minister from 1991-96.

The co-convicts are Sasikala Natarajan, her nephew V.N. Sudhakaran and her aunt J. Ellavarsi.

Sudhakaran is also the disowned foster son of Jayalalithaa.

Acharya, however, claimed that there were glaring arithmetical errors in the voluminous high court judgment, especially with respect details of assets, loan raised and income earned.

“I expected the high court to conform to the trial court judgment, which had convicted Jayalalithaa, “ Acharya said hours after the verdict.

Contended He also contended that Justice Kumaraswamy did not give an opportunity to put forth oral arguments which was prejudicial to the prosecution.

“The court gave me just a day to make submission, which was insufficient.I feel it (the case) should go to the Supreme Court, “ Acharya had maintained. - IANS

T E L A N G A NA L E G I S L AT I V E C OU N C I L P O L L

Lawmaker in jail for trying to buy vote HYDERABAD: Telugu Desam Party(TDP) MLA Revanth Reddy, arrested for allegedly trying to bribe a nominated legislator to vote for his party in election to the Telangana Legislative Council, was sent to 14-day judicial custody on Monday.

The court, however, allowed Reddy to cast his vote in the election to the council from MLAs’ quota before being taken to the prison, Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) Director General A. K. Khan said. With the development causing a deep embarrassment to TDP led by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandra Babu Naidu, the party dubbed it as “a false case aimed at defaming the party”.

On a complaint by nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson, Reddy and two others — B. Sebasitan Harry and Uday Simha — were grilled by the ACB on Saturday and produced before the magistrate on Sunday morning, after which they were remanded to judicial custody.

According to ACB, Reddy and his aide allegedly offered Ste-

phenson a bribe of Rs500,000 as advance, as part of a Rs50-million deal. They had gone to Stephenson’s residence in Secunderabad to hand over the cash when ACB sleuths nabbed them.

After preliminary investigations, an FIR was lodged against them under Section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC. Cash worth Rs500,000, said to be the advance amount for the deal, was recovered.

TDP sought to turn the table on the TRS by accusing the ruling party of indulging in “unethical practices. The party also shot a letter, signed by all its Telengana MLAs, to the Chief Election Commissioner demanding postponement of council polls.

The TDP accused Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, who also heads TRS, of luring MLAs and elected representatives from other parties to join his party by offering them money or threatening them with illegal methods like tapping phones and snooping on them. - PTI

DUPING INVESTORS

Five suspects arrested in West Bengal ponzi scam NEW DELHI: Five suspects were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday in the ponzi scam case related to Win Realcon which has allegedly duped gullible investors by siphoning off their deposits worth crores.

Mahitosh Ganguly, Joy Bhowmick, Rajib Debnath, Partha Pratim Roy and Raju Dey all linked with the company Win Realcon were arrested on Monday from West Bengal, agency sources said.

They said company allegedly lured investors offering them attractive interest rates on their

deposits and after collecting crores of rupees the company did not repay them. A complaint was lodged against Win Realcon in November 2014.

Earlier this year, the office and residence of the company officials in different parts of North 24 Parganas district were searched.

Other than five cases against Saradha Group, cases have been registered against at least half a dozen non-Saradha companies by the CBI. These cases were registered as per the Supreme Court order asking the CBI to probe the operations of chit fund firms. -PTI

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TUE S DAY, JUNE 2 , 2 015

PAKISTAN

Supporters of Wali Khan, the winning candidate in the local elections, were celebrating his victory by dancing to drums and aerial firing, which infuriated supporters of the losing candidate Kifayat Ullah, local administration official

CAREER MOVE

PAKISTANI MIGRANTS RESCUED A crew member of a Greek Coast Guard patrol boat throws a towing rope to a dinghy with Pakistani immigrants during a rescue operation in Turkish territorial waters in the Aegean Sea between the Turkish coast and the island of Kos, Greece, early on Monday. The influx of immigrants and Syrian refugees onto the tourist island continues. — Reuters

Actress Urwa declines lead role in Bollywood film ‘Azhar’ KARACHI: Pakistan film Na Maloom Afraad actress Urwa Hocane, says she would “love to do meaty characters in Bollywood, otherwise she is happy here in Pakistan.”

Asserting this fact the actress added, “I am getting a couple of offers from Bollywood but I just don’t want to cross the border for the sake of it.”

According to the Pakistani actress, she declined to play the lead role in Ekta Kapoor’s latest production Azhar because of the bold scenes. “I don’t want to do bold scenes, but that was not the only reason, I was also busy working on a local production Jhol,” said Urwa.

The film which is based on former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin will see Emraan Hashmi as the lead male.

She further added, “My commitment was elsewhere and also I didn’t place my efforts at the same level to play a leading female role in Azhar.”

Azhar, she insists, was offered to her two months back, but her character in Jhol was a role more suited to her which is also one of the reasons why she decided to decline the Bollywood film.

Cannot disclose In regards to future film offers from Bollywood, the aspiring young actress replied, “Yes, there are. But for now things are under wraps, I can’t disclose it, for it is in the initial stages.”

For now it seems Urwa is geared more towards local films. Rumour has it the VJ-turned-actress replaced Iman Ali in an upcoming film and will be seen alongside Ali Azmat and Bilal Ashraf. So far the film is being kept under wraps and will hit theatres next year. — Express Tribune

K H Y B E R - PA K H T U N K H WA

Eight dead in poll victory celebrations PESHAWAR: Eight people were killed after local elections in northwest Pakistan when supporters of a losing candidate threw hand grenades at celebrations staged by the winner, officials said on Monday.

The incident, which left another 10 people wounded, happened Sunday in Tank district 250 kilometres (160 miles) south of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.

“Supporters of Wali Khan, the winning candidate in the local elections, were celebrating his victory by dancing to drums and aerial firing, which infuriated supporters of the losing candidate,” senior administration official Kifayat Ullah told AFP. “The loser’s supporters threw hand grenades at the celebration, killing seven people on the spot.

One died later in hospital.”

A local police official confirmed the incident and toll, saying the scene of revelry turned into one of blood-soaked horror.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa held its first elections to local bodies in 10 years on Saturday. — AFP

HARD TO CATCH: The film which is based on former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin will see Emraan Hashmi as the lead male. — Express Tribune

Mumbai residents come to aid of ailing Pakistani girl Nazia Tarikh Ahmed travelled to India

The donors in Mumbai are angels who extended help in our hour of need. Saba was in total depression when we came here, but has become a happier person, in spite of being bedridden

with only Rs80,000 to treat her 15-yearold daughter Saba.

Following a report

by Indian newspaper ‘Mid Day’, locals raised money for her

Nazia Tarikh Ahmed Mother of under treatment girl Saba

KARACHI: Residents of Mumbai have raised Rs450,000 for the treatment of a Pakistani teenage girl suffering from Wilson’s Disease.

Nazia Tarikh Ahmed travelled to Mumbai from Karachi

with only Rs80,000 to treat her 15-year-old daughter Saba.

Following a report by Indian newspaper Mid Day, residents of Mumbai raised money for Saba’s

treatment at Jaslok Hospital.

“Soon after the article was published, total strangers approached the hospital with donations,” Dr Abbha Nagral, Liver Special-

ist and Senior Gastroenterologist at Jaslok Hospital, who is treating Saba, said.

“We managed to raise Rs450,000 which enabled us to

sustain the medical expense of her treatment,” he added.

Nagral further said Saba is responding well to medication.

“Though she has her frequent ups and downs, there is an overall improvement in her health,” her mother said.

“However, she still has a long way to go and will require lifelong medication,” Nazia said.

Nazia is raising her three children as a single mother after her husband remarried and left them.

“The donors in Mumbai are angels who extended help in our hour of need. Saba was in total depression when we came here, but has become a happier person, in spite of being bedridden,” the mother of three said.

According to Shabia Walia, a social worker from the Bluebells Community, a donor, Kersi Dubash, was the first to donate money to the hospital.“I have a textile business in Pakistan and visit the country often. I am just returning the love and affection I get there,” he said. — Express Tribune

R E C O N C I L I AT I O N P R O C E S S

Should handover Afghan militants to Kabul: Lawmaker ISLAMABAD: Pakistan should handover members of the Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network to Kabul in an effort to help strike a peace deal in the war-ravaged country, the chairman of National Assembly Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs upheld on Monday.

“We should not have any problem in handing over the Afghan Taliban or members of Haqqani network to Afghanistan if this helps the reconciliation process,” Awais Ahmed Khan Laghari told reporters.

However, Laghari clarified he had no information whether any Afghan Taliban commanders were in Pakistan’s custody.

“If they are in Pakistan, we must hand them over to Kabul because the objective of both the countries is to bring peace,” the chairman emphasised.

Laghari’s statement comes a day after Afghan President Ashraf

In a letter written to the Pakistani leadership on Sunday, Ghani urged Islamabad to place Taliban leaders in Quetta and Peshawar under house arrest and detain members of the Haqqani network Ghani sought a tough action from Pakistan against the insurgent group, which in recent weeks intensified its spring offensive in the war-torn country. Pakistan has always denied it is sheltering any Taliban commanders.

Relations between Pakistan and

Afghanistan have shown improvement since unity government formed in Kabul.

Trust gap However, the committee’s chairman cautioned that a lot still needs to be done to bridge the trust gap between the two countries.

Further, the chairman of the foreign relations committee strongly condemned a recent statement given by the Indian defence minister that his country would neutralise terrorists through terrorists.

Security Council “Had this statement been made by any Pakistani official, the international community particularly the west would have already moved the UN Security Council,” he said, criticising the role of powerful countries for condoning such anti-Pakistan remarks by Indian ministers. — Express Tribune

REGIONAL INSURGENCY: Smoke and flames rise from fuel trucks after an overnight attack by the Taliban on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, on July 5, 2014. — Reuters file photo

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BID TO SOOTHE CONCERNS

Nuclear deal would ‘roll back’ Iran military: US DOHA: A nuclear deal with Iran will significantly roll back Tehran’s military capability, US VicePresident Joe Biden’s national security adviser told a conference in Qatar on Monday.

Dr Colin H. Kahl, speaking at the US-Islamic World Forum in Doha, said the current deal being hammered out was the best on offer, despite many sceptical voices in the US and elsewhere.

“Under the deal we are negotiating... Iran’s military capability will be substantially rolled back,” said Kahl at the meeting. “The deal we are negotiating makes us and the region safer.” The ongoing talks to finalise a nuclear accord between Iran and world powers, including the United States, are deadlocked weeks ahead of a deadline.

Negotiations at the weekend in Geneva, Switzerland, failed to bridge differences between Washington and Tehran, especially over the crucial issue of inspections of military sites.

Other sticking points remain, including the possible military dimensions of the Iranian nuclear programme and the demands by the P5+1 group for UN inspections of Iranian military bases. — AFP R A M S I N T O B U S S TAT I O N

69 killed in Nigeria tanker accident LAGOS: Sixty-nine people burnt to death in southeast Nigeria after a petrol tanker lost control, rammed into a busy bus station and burst into flames, the Red Cross and police said Monday.

“The lorry lost control and ran into a motor park (bus station) near (a) roundabout in Onitsha,” the commercial capital of Anambra state, area police spokesman Uchenna Ezeh said of Sunday’s crash. A senior Red Cross official in the Nigerian capital Abuja said the agency’s staff responded to the disaster immediately, navigating charred debris in an effort to care for the victims.

Confirmed The official said staff on the ground in Onitsha had confirmed 69 deaths so far but several others were being treated for severe burns and the toll may rise.

It was not immediately clear what caused the lorry’s driver to lose control but Ezeh said there was no sign of foul play. — AFP

Health activists have lobbied for years for stronger restrictions on smoking in China, the world’s largest tobacco consumer, and authorities are now considering further anti-smoking measures nationwide

BEIJING: Red-uniformed volunteers, propaganda banners and no-smoking signs sprinkled China’s capital city on Monday as Beijing unrolled ambitious new curbs on a popular habit that has taken a serious toll on the country’s health.

Health activists have lobbied for years for stronger restrictions on smoking in China, the world’s largest tobacco consumer, and authorities are now considering further anti-smoking measures nationwide.

Under the new rules in Beijing, one of the world’s most populous cities with 21.5 million people, anyone who violates a ban on smoking in restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals and in certain outdoor public places must pay a 200 yuan ($32.25) fine. That is 20 times the current, albeit seldom enforced, penalty.

Named, shamed Anyone who breaks the law three times will also be named and shamed on a government website. And businesses can be fined up to 10,000 yuan ($1,600) for failing to stub out smoking on their premises.

Smoking has created a serious health crisis in China, where more than 300 million smokers have made cigarettes part of the social fabric, with millions more exposed to secondhand smoke, heightening the rate of respiratory and heart diseases.

80 US cents More than half of Chinese smokers buy cigarettes at less than five yuan (80 US cents) a pack - a small fraction of the cost in Western countries.

The market is dominated by the state-owned China National To-

RESOLUTE EFFORT: This picture taken on Sunday shows a group of people dancing to popularise anti-smoking measures before giant “no smoking” banners at the national stadium, better known as the “Bird’s Nest, in Beijing, China. — Reuters

Beijing launches cigarette smoking ban

Under the new rules in Beijing, one of the world’s most populous cities with 21.5 million people, anyone who violates a ban on smoking in restaurants, hotels, schools, hospitals and in certain outdoor public places must pay a 200 yuan ($32.25) fine. That is 20 times the current, albeit seldom enforced, penalty

bacco Corp, by far the largest tobacco company in the world. Tobacco sales are estimated to make up 7-10 per cent of government revenue and the industry provides thousands of jobs.

Oil tanker “When you are looking at trying to combat tobacco use in China you are almost talking about trying to slow down and turn around an oil tanker,” said Shane MacGuill, a tobacco analyst with research firm Euromonitor International. At an event to promote the ban on Sunday, Beijing authorities draped Bird’s Nest Stadium, built for the

CONFLICT: A protester walks past a burning pro-Russian Ukrainian rebels’ tent camp near the trade union building in Odessa on May 2, 2014. — Reuters file photo

ty to the war, it would drag Russia into allegations of war crimes and potentially trials at the International Criminal Court, which Ukraine’s foreign minister has said Kiev wants to join.

Party to conflict Whether or not to declare Russia a party to the conflict is the domain of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is the guardian of the Geneva Conventions setting down the rules of war, and considered a reference in the United Nations.

Last July it declared the war to

Cigarette consumption is still on the rise with about 5.8 trillion cigarettes* smoked worldwide in 2014. China and Eastern and Southern Europe consume the most cigarettes per person

Cigarettes smoked per person per year (age 15 years or older, 2014) Montenegro

be a civil war, a “non-international armed conflict”.

The ICRC has not announced any new designation and a spokeswoman declined to say if its advice had changed in private.

“We are following developments on the ground very closely and will continue to do so, but at this time we prefer to keep this subject as a matter for our direct dialogue on IHL (international humanitarian law) with the parties involved in the conflict,” ICRC spokeswoman Jennifer Tobias said in a written reply to Reuters. — Reuters

2008 Olympics, with giant banners bearing a no smoking sign.

Dozens of middle-aged women volunteers performed a choreographed dance to promote the campaign, including three handsignals the government recommends locals use to encourage others not to smoke.

One of the signals is a mock cough, and another depicts a time-out sign with one palm over the other.

On Monday, enforcement of the bans appeared to be spotty in local restaurants and public places.

Some bore no smoking signs explaining the new rules. — Reuters

4,124.53

Belarus

3,830.62

Lebanon

3,023.15

Macedonia

2,732.23

Russia

2,690.33

Slovenia

2,637.03

Belgium

‘Increasing evidence of Russian hand in Ukraine’

Very hard to prove The pair were charged with terrorism by Ukrainian authorities, putting them “between a rock and a hard place”, Simonovic said.

“It is very difficult to prove whether they are servicemen or not. That is why mostly we are speaking about ‘fighters’ of the Russian federation,” said Armen Harutyunyan, head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

If Moscow is proven to be a par-

WORLD

Beijing rolls out stringent curbs to check smoking

UN NEWS CONFERENCE

GENEVA: A separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine is revealing increasing evidence, but not yet conclusive legal proof, of Russian state involvement, senior United Nations human rights officials said on Monday.

“We are speaking about increasing inflow of (unofficial) fighters and increasing evidence that there are also some (Russian) servicemen involved in fighting,” Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Simonovic told a news conference in Geneva.

Russia denies Western accusations that it is backing pro-Russian rebels with arms and troops.

On May 21, UN officials interviewed two Russians captured in eastern Ukraine. The two men believe they should be treated as captured servicemen, but Russia says they are former soldiers who had left the military.

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2,353.28

Luxembourg

2,283.55

China

2,249.79

Bosnia

2,233.46

Czech Republic

2,194.01

Kazakhstan

2,156.59

Azerbaijan

2,114.33

Greece

2,086.09

South Korea

2,072.57

Austria

1,987.52

Jordan

1,855.05

Ukraine

1,853.66

Estonia

1,774.60

CHINA Population 1.39 billion (2014)

Smokers: 284,837,000 One in five Chinese

Average: 6 cigarettes per day Every year 1,384,200 people are killed by tobacco-caused disease in China.

Equivalent to one person dying every 23 seconds

*5.8 trillion = 5,800,000,000,000. Estimates are of legally sold machine-made and roll your-own cigarette consumption Source: Euromonitor International, The Tobacco Atlas

Graphic News /

Graphics

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Putin seems to be playing a long game

T

he release of a list of 89 European figures that the Kremlin will no longer allow into Russia has drawn an angry response from EU leaders, while confirming Russia’s utter lack of interest in winding down the confrontation with the West over Ukraine. No surprise there. Nato’s supreme commander, General Philip Breedlove, recently claimed that Russia was sending more troops into south-east Ukraine, indicating that a fresh offensive aimed at expanding rebelheld territory is on the way. If that happens, all hope of re-establishing some kind of working relationship between the West and Moscow — if only over the common scourge of terrorism — is doomed in any case.

The Kremlin may therefore feel it has nothing to lose now by ratcheting up the dispute with the West. The list of personae non grata, meanwhile, provides a glimpse into the mind-set of the Putin regime. For all the furore here over Nick Clegg, the list suggests Britain is a sideshow in Russian eyes. Only seven names from this country appear on it, including such obvious suspects as the head of MI5.

By contrast, the three tiny former Soviet Baltic states supply a whopping 20 names and an almost equal number come from Poland.

Add to that another 13 from Scandinavia, and that total is well over half of the entire list. Russia’s continued hostility to the nearby countries it once controlled is laid bare. It is hardly surprising that leaders in Warsaw, Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius are the most alarmed in Europe about Russian actions in Ukraine. As Russia-West relations remain stuck in permafrost, the big question is which side will blink. For now, as the robust response to the blacklist indicates, the US-European camp looks united in its determination at least to keep Vladimir Putin in diplomatic quarantine. No invitation for him to come to Dresden for the G7 summit. The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, has called a return to the old G8 format that included Russia “unimaginable”, until the Kremlin changes course on Ukraine.

However, Putin is playing a long game. Western leaders are singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to condemning the Kremlin blacklist, but more important, unity over economic sanctions on Russia continues to fray, including within Germany itself. The crisis in Greece has given Russia new room to manoeuvre in the Balkans.

Then, while there is persuasive talk of how Russia’s economic decline must eventually curb its great-power pretensions, Russia’s economic woes are nothing compared with Ukraine’s. The economy there is in such a mess — a point often missed amid the focus on the war in the east — that it could bring an abrupt end to the whole experiment of a pro-Western government in Kiev. No wonder plausible-sounding voices across the Continent are making a case for quietly easing the sanctions regime, recognising realpolitik in Ukraine — Russia’s de facto annexation of chunks of the south-east — and getting back to business with Putin, if only to use Russia’s good offices with the Assad regime to get a peace initiative for Syria off the ground.- The Independent

ECONOMICS

A time bomb is ticking fast in liquidity market NOURIEL ROUBINI

The murder most foul

A

large number of relatives of those slain in the latest attack on buses in Balochistan are picketing the Governor’s House in Quetta. They have brought with them the bodies of 16 out of the 20 who died on the night of May 29. The attack had a number of features that mark it as different from some others. Firstly, there was no immediate ownership of the attacks, while similar attacks have usually been swiftly claimed by one or other of the terrorist groups.

Secondly — the victims. All were reportedly Pakhtun, and they were selected by their killers on that basis, rather than on the basis of sectarian adherence which again has characterised previous mass killing of bus passengers. Thirdly — the number of attackers. Reports speak of as many as 40, and of at least two roadblocks being set up to spring the trap on the bus. As is usual Frontier Corps officers are carrying out search operations in the area, along with helicopter support and special forces. Two ‘miscreants’ are said to be dead and weapons and ammunition recovered.

Yet another mass slaying in Balochistan, and questions must be asked and answered as to why the provincial government or the various security forces have not worked out a comprehensive security plan for transport, especially inter-city buses, in the province. At the very least, consideration should be given to running a convoy system for buses. This is unlikely to be popular with bus operators, but it is an effective way of offering protection to large groups of people, and has been used on a number of occasions in the recent past in Gilgit-Baltistan. Currently, security on the roads is reactive rather than proactive, which leaves the door wide open for those with murder in mind.

This attack must also be seen as an intelligence failure. Groups of up to 40 armed men are visible, and they would have required several vehicles to transport themselves to the site of the ambush. And nobody noticed anything unusual happening? A whiff of collusion perhaps, or at least some grave suspicions. - The Express Tribune

Are the rich and powerful in India beyond the law?

Who says that law is equal for all in India? Theoretically it is so as it is enshrined in the Constitution of the country and in the law text books. In practice, however, it is not so. If one is rich, famous, powerful and well connected, then one can get away even with a murder. The acquittal of Jayalalithaa and the manner in which the law was bent to accommodate Bollywood superstar Salman Khan are two glaring recent examples of how far the law is equal for all in India. In case of the cine star, his connections and money power came to play a critical role in keeping him out of jail.

And, how could the law keep J. Jayalalithaa in jail and out of power, when the ruling party of the country is in such desperate

need of her support in the upper house of Parliament?

K. K. Somasundaram Ruwi

Punishing austerity is leading Greece nowhere Greece, which has been at the centre of Europe’s present financial woes, is currently facing a serious political disintegration where neither pro-austerity nor the anti-austerity groups are realising the country is fast getting sucked into a vortex of cataclysm from which it may probably never recover. There exists a perceptible undercurrent of xenophobia in Greece — a deep resentment against the migrant workforce. The hidden anger of the people and the realities of the economic restructuring are becoming palpable with

The combination of macro liquidity and market illiquidity is a time bomb. So far, it has led only to volatile flash crashes and sudden changes in bond yields and stock prices

A

paradox has emerged in the financial markets of the advanced economies since the 2008 global financial crisis.

Unconventional monetary policies have created a massive overhang of liquidity. But a series of recent shocks suggests that macro liquidity has become linked with severe market illiquidity. Policy interest rates are near zero (and sometimes below it) in most advanced economies, and the monetary base (money created by central banks in the form of cash and liquid commercial-bank reserves) has soared doubling, tripling, and, in the United States, quadrupling relative to the pre-crisis period.

This has kept short- and long-term interest rates low (and even negative in some cases, such as Europe and Japan), reduced the volatility of bond markets, and lifted many asset prices (including equities, real estate, and fixed-income private- and public-sector bonds).And yet investors have reason to be concerned.

Their fears started with the “flash crash” of May 2010, when, in a matter of 30 minutes, major US stock indices fell by almost 10 per cent, before recovering rapidly. Then came the “taper tantrum” in the spring of 2013, when US long-term interest rates shot up by 100 basis points after then-Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke hinted at an end to the Fed’s monthly purchases of long-term securities.

Likewise, in October 2014, US Treasury yields plummeted by almost 40 basis points in minutes, which statisticians argue should occur only once in three billion years. The latest episode came just last month, when, in the space of a few days, ten-year German bond yields went from five basis points to almost 80. These events have fuelled fears that, even very deep and liquid markets such as US stocks and government bonds in the US and Germany may not be liquid enough. So what accounts for the combination of macro liquidity and market illiquidity?

For starters, in equity markets, high-frequency traders (HFTs), who use algorithmic computer programs to follow market trends, account for a larger share of transactions. This creates, no surprise, herding behaviour. Indeed, trading in the US nowadays is concentrated at the beginning and the last hour of the trading day, when HFTs are most active; for the rest of the day, markets are illiquid, with few transactions. A second cause lies in the fact that fixed-income assets such as government, corporate, and emergingmarket bonds are not traded in more liquid ex-

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Tradition is a guide and not a jailer W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM

changes, as stocks are. Instead, they are traded mostly over the counter in illiquid markets.

Third, not only is fixed income more illiquid, but now most of these instruments which have grown enormously in number, owing to the mushrooming issuance of private and public debts before and after the financial crisis are held in open-ended funds that allow investors to exit overnight. Imagine a bank that invests in illiquid assets but allows depositors to redeem their cash overnight: if a run on these funds occurs, the need to sell the illiquid assets can push their price very low very fast, in what is effectively a fire sale.

Fourth, before the 2008 crisis, banks were market makers in fixed-income instruments.

They held large inventories of these assets, thus providing liquidity and smoothing excess price volatility. But, with new regulations punishing such trading (via higher capital charges), banks and other financial institutions have reduced their market-making activity. So, in times of surprise that move bond prices and yields, the banks are not present to act as stabilisers.

In short, though central banks’ creation of macro liquidity may keep bond yields low and reduce volatility, it has also led to crowded trades (herding on market trends, exacerbated

by HFTs) and more investment in illiquid bond funds, while tighter regulation means that market makers are missing in action.

As a result, when surprises occur for example, the Fed signals an earlier-than-expected exit from zero interest rates, oil prices spike, or eurozone growth starts to pick up the re-rating of stocks and especially bonds can be abrupt and dramatic: everyone caught in the same crowded trades needs to get out fast.

Herding in the opposite direction occurs, but, because many investments are in illiquid funds and the traditional market makers who smoothed volatility are nowhere to be found, the sellers are forced into fire sales.

This combination of macro liquidity and market illiquidity is a time bomb. So far, it has led only to volatile flash crashes and sudden changes in bond yields and stock prices. But, over time, the longer central banks create liquidity to suppress short-run volatility, the more they will feed price bubbles in equity, bond, and other asset markets.

As more investors pile into overvalued, increasingly illiquid assets such as bonds the risk of a long-term crash increases. This is the paradoxical result of the policy response to the financial crisis. Macro liquidity is feeding booms and bubbles; but market illiquidity will eventually trigger a bust and collapse. - Project Syndicate

each passing day. Punishing austerity has led Greece nowhere. We have seen its society breaking down, people in large numbers forced to come out into the streets, strikes galore, the number of homeless multiplying, drug addiction, HIV cases spiralling upward, healthcare collapsing, and many areas turning into ghettos.

Joseph Desilva Al Ghubra

Political will is needed to end the bane of terrorism The war on terror has failed because the fundamentals of the campaign were wrong. Killing terrorists does not ensure terror is dead. What is needed is a political will to end terror and that was sadly lacking. Even the tactics were flawed. Drones killed

more innocents that terrorists.

Every innocent killed produced two new recruits for Al Qaeda and its franchisees.

Hiren Shah Wadi Kabir

Youth must refrain from habits unsafe for health Promoting healthy practices and health consciousness at an early stage is extremely important.

Admitted, parents and even teachers have a critical role in inculcating this awareness. The youths too need to remain much more vigilant about their health.

They must take care of themselves, lead a more disciplined life and refrain from habits that may jeopardise their health in many ways.

Ajmal Ahmed Ruwi

Letters, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi), by fax (24813153) or by e-mail (times@omantel.net.om)

T I M E S OF OMAN

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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PERSPEC IVE Is David Cameron interim PM? Well, don’t bet on it A

friend of David Cameron’s commented before the election: “I hope he loses.”

The friend had the Prime Minister’s interest in mind, because he thinks that they all go mad if they are in the job for too long. He was thinking not just of his friend’s sanity but of his three children of primary-school age.

It wasn’t to be. For all the confident predictions revealed after the event that the Conservative leadership knew that the polls were wrong, Cameron’s own mood seemed resigned, if not to defeat at least to a difficult situation in a hung parliament. When I travelled briefly with him on his battle bus, I was puzzled, although not puzzled enough, that we seemed to be visiting a lot of Tory-Liberal Democrat marginals. Thus I missed the Tory strategy of Pac-Manning up Lib Dem seats, but I detected a fatalism about Cameron himself. He felt he had fought the best campaign he could, and that, if he fell short, he wouldn’t look back at something obvious that he had done or shouldn’t have done.

When I asked him about the legacy that a second term would allow him to leave, he did not hesitate, but it didn’t feel real. I unkindly suggested he might be remembered as a 10year PM who held three referendums to keep things as they are. “Two referendums,” he said, revealingly forgetting the 2011 referendum on the voting system. He thought keeping things the same would be a successful “conservative” record, but that completing the work of fixing the broken economy, and of reforming education, welfare and housing, would be more of a “revolution”. But there he was at 3am, in the upstairs gym of the Windrush Leisure Centre, where the count was taking place in his Oxfordshire constituency, Witney, when he realised he actually had to start doing it. He was going to win a majority — to become, as Simon Burns, the Tory MP, put it in the opening speech of the new House of Commons, the first prime minister to increase his party’s share of votes and seats since Lord Palmerston in 1857.

Cameron said to Craig Oliver, his soon-tobe-promoted head of communications: “We’d better write an acceptance speech. What will I say?” Oliver said: “Say ‘one nation’. It’s what’s in your heart.”

Thus it began, with words on the steps of

JOHN RENTOUL

Cameron’s requirements are specific. The most important is that he wants to deny tax credits to EU immigrants for four years.

He argues that they add a lot to take-home pay and thus act as a magnet for central European workers

Downing Street laying claim to liberal Conservatism without the Liberals and, last week, a many-nation tour of the European Union.

Some commentators, both inners and outers, like to complain that Cameron hasn’t yet set out his demands for changing the terms of our EU membership, and that the whole thing is just a candy floss designed for show and to leave a sugary taste. They haven’t been paying attention. Cameron’s requirements are specific. The most important is that he wants to deny tax credits to EU immigrants for four years. He argues that they add a lot to takehome pay and thus act as a magnet for central European workers. I am not sure he is right: I think the UK labour market is attractive enough anyway. And Ewa Kopacz, the Polish prime minister, was blunt when she met Cameron on Friday, saying that she would not accept “discrimination against Poles”.

The nub of the negotiations is that EU law allows the nationals of different member states to be treated differently by social security systems, but does not allow “discrimination” by tax systems. Hence the Government’s legal advice that withholding tax credits would probably require changes to EU treaties. Angela Merkel said on Friday that treaty changes were “not impossible”, but they would require all EU members to agree, so Ms Kopacz could yet be important. I don’t know how these negotiations will work out, and it may not make much difference to the immigration numbers if Cameron gets what he wants, but the changes are not cosmetic and the negotiations are not about nothing. The referendum, whether it happens next year (as Ed Llewellyn, Cameron’s chief of staff, is said to prefer) or the year after (supposedly favoured by George Osborne, the Chancellor), will be a momentous event that is unlikely, like AV, to slip the PM’s mind a few years later.

And then what? Are we really to believe what Cameron said in his kitchen at the start of the campaign, that, if he has won the referendum and the economy is in good shape, he would want to put up his feet and watch Boris Johnson and George Osborne slug it out to succeed him? His friend would point out that, by the end of 2017, Cameron’s children will be 13, 11 and seven. - The Independent

Should men who don’t hurt women be thanked?

I

f there’s one thing you count on when you write about feminism and gender issues, it’s that someone on the internet will pop up to say ‘but not all men are bad!!’. And now there is an actual campaign to promote this oh-so-clever observation.

The #BlameOneNotAll campaign, created by Indian media company Mintified, asks women to have their pictures taken holding signs thanking their uncles for not being pervy or their cab driver for not touching them up, to highlight the fact that “not all men are rapists.”

Instead, what the campaign does is vilify the women speaking out about their experiences of sexism, and patronise the men standing proudly on the side of gender equality.

It’s just another example of “Meninists” trying to silence women because what they have to say has bruised their ego. #BlameOneNotAll is an attempt at concentrating on each individuals’ actions rather than critiquing a social structure that has forced millions of girls and women around the world to be subjected to systematic sexism, sexual violence and abuse.

By saying ‘not all’ we’re allow-

VICKY CHANDLER

ing many to excuse themselves from a situation they claim isn’t their problem.

Of course there are many good men, but do they need to be constantly reminded? We don’t need to hand out certificates to congratulate them; the men in the world who love and respect women don’t do it so they can be commended for simply being a decent human being.

The good guys don’t need awarding for making a woman feel comfortable on public transport, or allowing a woman to walk past them without catcalling, or not raping the person they met in a club because she was too drunk to consent.

It’s tiring to have to revisit this situation again, having to defend a woman’s right to speak out about their experiences.

I didn’t realise women were required to catch the names of all the men that have sexually assaulted, harassed or raped them, to make sure they are the only ones in the firing line.

I didn’t know I was supposed to ring up all my guy friends and say “oh by the way I don’t mean you!” when tweeting about my experiences of sexism.

If the supporters of the

#BlameOneNotAll and #NotAllMen campaigns actually focused their time and energy changing the system that props them up, think of the progress that could be made.

If these men were really worried about people thinking that they were a rapist, they would be addressing the behaviours of their fellow men, not attacking the brave women retelling their experiences of sexism and abuse.

I don’t see all men as rapists and misogynists. However, I do hold all men accountable in helping their female friends, colleagues and family fight to change a frightening system where it’s estimated that 1 in 5 women worldwide will be victims of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime.

So rather than thanking the men that haven’t attacked me, I’m going to thank those that have stood beside the women in their lives to fight global prejudice, rape, domestic and sexual violence, female genital mutilation, sex trafficking, and female abuse.

But obviously these men don’t have time to be thanked, they’re too busy being decent members of society. - The Independent

Europe and anti-Europe JOSCHKA FISCHER

S

ince 2008, when the global financial crisis erupted, the European Union has been confronted by a succession of crises: the escalating Greek crisis; Russian revanchism in Ukraine; and the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean (which is inextricably linked to the regional crisis in the Middle East and Africa’s various wars).

These crises have stretched the EU’s powers and institutions up to — and beyond — their limits, which is why Europe’s response has been so mortifyingly weak.

The ineffectiveness of existing institutions and structures in the face of today’s threats is now jeopardizing the EU’s legitimacy, because Europe’s citizens are calling for solutions that the EU obviously is unable and partly unwilling to provide. One consequence is erosion of support for the EU among its member states’ electorates.

And the pace of erosion could accelerate in the next two years. The United Kingdom now seems certain to hold, by 2016, a referendum on remaining in the EU, and a far-left party — determined, as in Greece, to escape the rigors of economic reform — could win Spain’s general election next autumn.

Certainly, events could turn out positively, with the UK remaining part of the EU, and Spain opting for the status quo or a more moderate vision of change than Greece’s Syriza-led government has embraced.

But the worst-case scenario for the EU’s future looks increasingly likely: “Grexit” (Greece leaving the eurozone), “Brexit” (the UK leaving the EU), and a Spanish election result that resembles Greece’s.

Should such a perfect storm occur, the EU’s very existence would be in doubt, because other member countries would consider or begin planning their own post-EU futures.

Indeed, all of the Euroskeptic and nationalist forces in the EU’s member states would strive, with increasing success, to make their respective countries’ withdrawal from the EU the central issue in domestic political debate and election campaigns.

In other words, nearly 60 years of European integration — the entire European project — could be undone.

Europe need not go down this path; but, given EU leaders current failure to acknowledge and rise to the challenges they confront, it seems realistic to assume that it could happen.

The combination of Grexit and Brexit, and its consequences not just for the stability of the eurozone, but for

the continued existence of the EU, is probably the greatest danger that Europe has faced since the Cold War’s end.

Moreover, Europe’s internal crisis is playing out in a dangerous, unstable geopolitical environment.

Though external threats may bolster strategic cooperation among the EU member states, this may not be enough to keep the Union intact, particularly given Russia’s effort to divide Europe by strengthening its nationalist, Eurosceptic, and xenophobic forces.

Preventing the EU from falling apart will require, first and foremost, a strategic solution to the Greek crisis.

Greece needs both money and reforms — rapidly and within the eurozone and the EU. The governments in Athens, Brussels, and even Berlin cannot live with Greece as a failed state and economy.

The continuing poker game between the Greek government and the troika (the European Commission, the European Central Bank, and the International Monetary Fund) hurts all parties involved — and Europe most of all. It can ultimately end only with a renewed bailout of Greece or with Europe’s plunge into disaster.

If Grexit is to be averted (which should be the EU’s highest priority), the challenge posed by Brexit would already look significantly less daunting, given that here the risks are spread much more evenly between the Union and the UK. In fact, the risks are greater for British Prime Minister David Cameron, because it is almost certain that Scotland will not accept a Brexit, placing the UK’s own future in jeopardy.

So, despite Cameron being in a largely self-dug hole, the EU should show some flexibility in its negotiations with Britain over questions that do not concern the Union’s basic principles.

The UK could be offered additional opt-outs from EU policies (such as it now enjoys from the euro). And EU leaders could find a formulation that reassures Britain about the eurozone’s impact on the single market.

If, in addition to dealing effectively with the risks of Grexit and Brexit, the EU can strengthen its unity and determination in addressing the Ukraine crisis and confronting today’s revisionist Russia, it will have succeeded in fending off today’s existential threats.

Indeed, it could even emerge from its coming tests stronger than before. That is not the likeliest scenario today, but it could become so if Europe decides — sooner rather than later — that the consequences of failure must be avoided at nearly any cost. - Project Syndicate

US removes Cuba from terror list

TODAY IN HISTORY

President Obama is to remove Cuba from the list of nations that sponsor terrorism, clearing a major obstacle to restoring diplomatic relations June 2013-Dec 2014: Secret talks between US and Cuba take place in Canada and Vatican – brokered by Pope Francis

CUBA’S TOP TRADE PARTNERS (Imports, % of total, 2013)

December 17: US contractor Alan Gross released from jail in Cuba in return for three Cubans held in US

China

20 15

Spain 7.5

Brazil

May 6: US Treasury grants licenses to American firms operating ferry services to Cuba May 29: Cuba and US prepare to exchange ambassadors

6.5

Canada Mexico

5.3

US

5.1

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

1537

Pope Paul III bans the enslavement of Indians in the New World.

1774

The Quartering Act, requiring American colonists to allow British soldiers into their houses, is reenacted.

1793

Maximillian Robespierre, a member of France’s Committee on Public Safety, initiates the “Reign of Terror.”

1818

The British army defeats the Maratha alliance in Bombay, India.

1859

French forces cross the Ticino River.

1928

Nationalist Chiang Kai-shek captures Peking, China, in a bloodless takeover.

RADIO OMAN’S SUMMER JOURNEY TODAY AT CCC 16,000

CUBAN TRADE WITH THE WORLD ($ millions)

14,000 12,000 10,000

Imports Exports

1991: Collapse of Soviet Union

8,000 1959: Cuban revolution 1961: US imposes 6,000 trade embargo 4,000 2,000 0 1948

60

70

80

90

2000

10 14

Cuban embargo costs US businesses up to $1.2bn a year in lost sales. If embargo is lifted, firms like Pernod Ricard could sell Cuban rum in US market, which accounts for 40% of global rum sales. Only US Congress can end embargo Source: WTO, International Trade Centre

Graphic News /

Graphics

MUSCAT: Radio Oman’s English FM Service is geared to take its listeners on a wild summer journey peppered with a little pampering from experts in skin care. The Road Show, at CCC this evening, promises to take listeners on a thrilling drive with hosts Lakshmi Kothaneth and Abir Tannir. The theme of summer will be given a fun hue with drives in the wadi and make-overs from experts in skin care. Lots of entertainment is in the store with the band ‘Wonders’ providing all the music. Moreover, there will be quizzes with interesting gifts. Oman trading Establishment will offer a Isuzu trooper for the evening, which will take listeners on off-road drives within the capital, concentrating on the wadi near CCC. Lakshmi will accompany three listeners on the drive, during which time she will be in contact with Abir, live on radio. Bahwan Automotive Centre will display different models of Lexus at the venue.

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IS advances against Syrian government forces, rebels ment checkpoint near Hasakeh, killing at least nine regime loyalists”, it added.

Syrian government forces have proved increasingly unwilling to fight IS in areas that are regarded as marginal.

For the regime, “the territories that are vital to protect... are Damascus, Homs, Hama, and the coast,” a security source said.

Following gains in both Homs province in the centre and Aleppo province in the north, IS now controls half of Syria’s land area

BEIRUT: IS militant group seized territory from both Syrian government forces and rival rebels over the weekend further expanding its area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that following gains in both Homs province in the centre and Aleppo province in the north, IS now controlled half of the country’s land area.

Geographer and analyst Fabrice Balanche said that across Iraq and Syria, the militant group now controlled nearly 300,000 square kilometres (115,000 square miles), an area the size of Italy.

Control In Aleppo province — on Syria’s border with Turkey — IS has expanded its control at the expense of rival rebel groups.

IS captured the village of Suran on Sunday taking them to within 10 kilometres (six miles) of the border, the Observatory

DESTROYED: People gather at the scene after Syrian government forces allegedly dropped barrel bombs on the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, on Friday. – AFP

said. Three days of heavy fighting left 30 IS militants and 45 rival rebels dead, the Britainbased watchdog said.

On Monday, the group advanced towards the town of Marea, which lies on a key supply route from Turkey for its rebel opponents.

IS previously targeted Marea in April, detonating two car bombs and killing 15 rebel fighters, but it was unable to take the town.

In central Syria, IS ousted government forces on Saturday from a strategic crossroads south of the ancient oasis city of Palmyra.

INTERNAL STRIFE

No budget “We don’t have a budget,” said Colonel Abu Breeda, deputy head of Libya’s police unit combatting illegal immigration.

“I am the head of the department but what’s the point? Salaries? Nothing. There are delays everywhere.”

The economy is essentially being hit on two sides. The dinar currency has lost 35 per cent of its value against the dollar since January alone. Oil production, meanwhile, has fallen to 400,000 barrels a day, or a quarter of what was the case before protests toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Libya has earned only $5.5 billion so far in oil revenue fighting between the rival factions and IS militant group attacks have shut down major oilfields and ports, said Husni Bey, head of one of the biggest private firms and importers. But the country needs $3.5 billion every month, he said.

The internationally recognised

Anbar provincial capital Ramadi from Iraqi government forces.

That defeat forced Baghdad to call in militia forces.

An Iranian officer was killed last week while advising Iraqi forces on their campaign to recapture Ramadi, Iranian state media reported on Monday.

In northeastern Syria, IS has advanced to within two kilometres (little more than a mile) of the provincial capital of Hasakeh, the Observatory said.

On Monday, “an IS militant blew himself up at a pro-govern-

US court rules in favour of woman denied job over scarf WASHINGTON: The US Supreme Court on Monday ruled in favour of a woman who sued after being denied a job at an Abercrombie & Fitch Co clothing store in Oklahoma because she wore a head scarf for religious reasons.

On a 8-1 vote, the court handed a victory to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), a federal agency that sued the company on behalf of Samantha Elauf. She was denied a sales job in 2008 at an Abercrombie Kids store in Tulsa when she was 17.

The legal question before the court was whether Elauf was required to ask for a religious accommodation in order for the company to be sued under the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which, among other things, bans employment discrimination based on religious beliefs and practices.

The court, in an opinion by Justice Antonin Scalia, ruled that Elauf needed only to show that her need for an accommodation was a motivating factor in the employer’s decision.

“A request for accommodation... may make it easier to infer motive, but it is not a necessary condition of liability,” Scalia wrote.

Justice Clarence Thomas was the sole dissenter. He said that “mere application of a neutral policy” should not be viewed as discrimination.

Elauf was wearing a head scarf, or hijab, at the job interview but did not specifically say that she wanted the company to give her a religious accommodation. — Reuters

CORRUPTION SCANDAL

Libya edging closer to economic collapse as currency dives TRIPOLI: Libya’s public finances, wracked by a dramatic loss in oil revenue that has been exacerbated by a power struggle between rival governments, are foundering.

The crisis has prompted the authorities in Tripoli, who control much of western Libya, to plan cuts to petrol subsidies, to delay public salary payments and to ban on imports from cars to steel. And it has already been forcing the central bank - which is treading a fine line between rival governments and funds the whole country - to burn through its foreign reserves. Libya needs $30 billion to fund imports annually and typically spends $40 billion on its budget.

“Libya is on the verge of economic and financial collapse,” UN Special Envoy Bernadino Leon, who has been trying to end a power struggle between the two governments, said last week.

Since last year, the central bank has frozen year infrastructure projects, limited spending to basic public salaries and food and petrol subsidies.

This has led civil servants, the biggest workforce in Libya, now to say they have not been paid for at least two months and accuse the central bank if not providing local lenders with liquidity to issue paychecks.

The checkpoint and nearby village of Basireh lead south to Damascus and west to Homs, as well as east to IS-controlled areas of Iraq.

“The road is now open (for IS) from Palmyra to Anbar province in Iraq, without any obstacles,” said local activist Mohammed Hassan Al Homsi.

IS overran Palmyra on May 21 after a bloody advance across the desert from their stronghold in the Euphrates valley to the east.

The city’s fall came hot on the heels of the militants’ capture of

Severe shortage Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said the government was suffering from a severe shortage of military personnel both because of heavy battlefield losses and because of difficulties recruiting replacements.

“The armed forces and pro-government militia are unwilling to fight in areas where the local population isn’t also fighting,” he said.

A pro-regime Facebook page publishing news from the President Bashar Al Assad heartland of Latakia lamented the “thousands of martyrs and wounded” that coastal provinces had suffered during the war, demanding that other areas take up arms so that minorities would not carry the burden alone.

Analyst Aron Lund said that IS and its Syrian government and rebel opponents were engaged in a bloody multi-front war in which there would be no winners.

“Cities will be taken and retaken, and battles will be won and lost, until we all lose track,” he said.

“But you cannot win a war like Syria’s any more than you can win a plague or an earthquake.” — AFP

VERDICT

Libya is on the verge of economic and financial collapse,” UN Special Envoy Bernadino Leon, who has been trying to end a power struggle between the two governments, said last week. – Reuters

government of Prime Minister Abdullah Al Thinni sits in the eastern town of Bayda while the parliament uses a naval base in Tobruk. Some 1,200 km (750 miles) to the west, a rival faction from Misrata and other western regions called Libya Dawn seized Tripoli in August, reinstating a previous assembly and setting up an alternative parliament.

Import banned This government recently banned the import of 32 goods for six months. The list includes anything from cars, carpets to construction materials such as cement and as well as fruit juices, energy drinks and even the national passion Harissa, a hot pepper paste. But the ban has so far failed to halted a decline of the dinar which lost further ground this week on the black market as people ramped up food shopping ahead of the holy month starting in mid-June. Libya imports most of its food.

A dollar now buys up to 2.17 dinars on the parallel market, compared with the official rate of 1.3.

Much of the country’s import financing is conducted through Tripoli where banks have their headquarters - even for goods delivered to eastern ports. Banks in the main eastern city Benghazi offer only limited services and struggle with liquidity shortages due as the city is a war zone. “A currency devaluation is a must sooner or later,” said Husni Bey, head of one of the biggest private firms and importers. A rate of 2.5 would be more realistic. — Reuters

Stung by Fifa furore, Qatar denies wrongdoing in 2022 world cup bid DOHA: “It will blow over” tends to be Qatar’s unofficial response to criticism of its World Cup bid, but with a Fifa corruption scandal exploding onto the world’s front pages, the Gulf country has glumly realised it may have a real fight on its hands.

Super-rich Qatar would suffer no economic pain if it lost the right to host the world’s top soccer event. At stake is influence, including its use of sport as a platform to operate on the global stage, opening doors to finance, media, diplomacy, property and tourism.

Years of allegations in the vote that won it the 2022 cup mean Qatar has struggled to convince world opinion of the justness of its cause.

Work harder Now Qatar must work even harder to protect its brand after US prosecutors charged nine international soccer officials with corruption and Swiss authorities announced their own investigation into the award of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. In Doha there is resentment at the prospect of having to spend the next seven years fending off allegations of sleaze, and a feeling the country is being made a scapegoat. Some suspect anti-Arab bias. Others blame countries sore at losing hosting rights to Qatar. “The attack on Qatar’s World Cup is racist,” foreign minister Khaled Al Attiyah was quoted as saying on the Twitter account of the editor in chief of Qatar’s pro-government newspaper, Al Sharq. “Hosting the tournament is not only in our interest but in the interest of all Arabs.”

Former prime minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani told America’s Fox News on Sunday that attention was on Qatar rather than Russia, which hosts the 2018 cup. “Is it because it’s an Arab, Islamic, small country? That’s the feeling of the people in the region,” he said, adding Qatar won the rights fairly and cleanly. The charges, he said, came from countries that had lost the cup.

Qatar beat Australia, Japan, the United States and South Korea.

The decision to stage the tournament in country where daytime summer temperatures rarely fall below 40 Celsius (104°F) startled many in global sport. Also critical were rights groups highlighting harsh working conditions in Qatar’s construction sector. In private, Qatari officials sound resigned, but resilient. Qatar man-

FAIR AND CLEAN: A handout computer generated image made available on November 24, 2014 shows how the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha would look after its renovation ahead of the 2022 World Cup. – AFP/HO/ Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy

Hosting the tournament is not only in our interest but in the interest of all Arabs Khaled Al Attiyah Qatari foreign minister

ages criticism daily, said a senior Gulf source who declined to be named. “It comes with the territory, we’re under attack all the time.

It doesn’t faze us.”

Qatar’s sports diplomacy has been persistent. Year after year, Qatar denied wrongdoing in its 2022 bid, while also pursuing global influence, including in sports.

It owns France’s Paris SaintGermain club, sponsors top European clubs, acquired football television rights for its Al Jazeera Sport channel, hosts of a slew of international sports events and runs a football training network in poor countries. But the latest crisis raises the stakes, even if the business impact of a loss of the cup would be limited. More serious is the potential impact on the country’s image.

Ben Sturner, chief executive of US sports marketing company Lever Agency, said it would be “tough” for Qatar to restore that image.

Pressure on Qatar increased in 2013 when Britain’s Guardian newspaper said dozens of Nepalis had died while working on World Cup related projects. Qatari and Nepali officials denied the report.

In 2014 Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper alleged Qatari former Fifa executive committee member Mohamed bin Hammam had lobbied on behalf of his country for the 2022 rights. Qatar says said bin Hammam played no official or unofficial role in Qatar’s 2022 bid committee. On Friday, Qatar’s organising committee said it had made its bid with integrity but would comply with further investigations.

Analysts say simple denials are not a viable strategy. “It’s not good enough,” said James Dorsey, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore. They have never given chapter and verse of what their dealings were with bin Hammam.”

Dorsey said the Qataris “never expected this, which was naive.

And when it started they basically felt they couldn’t win, so they figured they would let it would blow over, despite being warned it won’t blow over.” Theodore Karasik, a UAE-based geopolitical analyst, said Qatar and its advisers “should have been preparing for this day for a long while now. All indicators showed that the Fifa scandal would not exempt Doha.” Qatar’s reputation as a regional political mediator could be harmed, analysts and diplomats say, but legal terms between Fifa and Qatar mean there is little chance of it losing the cup.

They note that Qatar in 2014 approved better treatment of migrant workers, making firms set up bank accounts for workers, pay wages electronically and stop midday outdoor work in the summer heat.

Some Qataris would not miss the tournament if it went. “I will be the first to celebrate if the cup gets taken away from us,” said one executive. “It’s only brought us traffic and headaches from the international media.” — Reuters

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015 The helicopter that carried US Secretary of State John Kerry to Geneva airport takes off after he was flown to Boston on board a US military C-17 transport aircraft on June 1, 2015. US Secretary of State John Kerry left Switzerland on June 1 in the afternoon for Boston, where he will be treated for a broken leg suffered in a cycling accident. — AFP

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Bad weather forces Solar Impulse to make unscheduled Japan stop Solar plane forced to postpone Pacific crossing A record-breaking attempt to cross the Pacific Ocean in a solar-powered plane was aborted after bad weather forced Solar Impulse 2 to make an unscheduled stop in the Japanese city of Nagoya

Mission controllers determined on

Solar Impulse 2 is attempting to circle the globe using only solar power

Monday that weather over the Pacific that the plane would encounter as it May 30, Nanjing: Plane takes offNanjing: at 18:39GMT May 30, Plane takes off at 18:39GMT

neared Hawaii made the flight too

Phoenix Nanjing-Hawaii: 8,200km.

6 days/nights. 120 hours 7

risky and diverted

1

it to Japan

NAGOYA (JAPAN): The recordbreaking Solar Impulse 2 landed in Japan on Monday on an unscheduled stop after mission controllers decided the weather was not right for the sun-powered plane to cross the vast Pacific Ocean.

The high-tech aircraft touched down at an airport in Nagoya, central Japan, at around 1450 GMT, an AFP correspondent at the scene said.

A live stream from mission control in Monaco showed flight controllers erupting in cheers and applause as the plane touched the tarmac in central Japan.

The plane and its solo pilot had set off from Nanjing in China more than 40 hours earlier, bound for Hawaii, a distance of some 8,500 kilometres (5,250 miles) that it was expected to cover in a six-day, six-night non-stop flight.

But mission controllers determined earlier Monday that weather over the Pacific that the plane would encounter as it neared Hawaii made the flight too risky and diverted it to Japan.

Pilot Andre Borschberg, 62,

PA C I F I C OCEAN

5

3 4

Jun 1, Nagoya: Bad weather forces landing

Hawaii-Phoenix: 4,700km.

4 days/nights. 100 hours

Time

Distance

JOURNEY SO FAR 1 March 9. Abu Dhabi (UAE) - Muscat (Oman)

441km

13hrs 1min 15hrs 20min

2 March 10. Muscat - Ahmedabad (India)

1,485km

DIVERTED: This handout picture taken by Solar Impulse 2 pilot Andre Borschberg shows a section of

3 March 18. Ahmedabad - Varanasi (India)

1,215km

13hrs 15min

the solar powered plane as it flies over the Nagano mountain region in direction of Nagoya, Japan on Monday. — AFP/Andre Borschberg

4 March 19. Varanasi - Mandalay (Myanmar)

1,398km

13hrs 29min

who had spent much of the day in a holding pattern over the Sea of Japan (East Sea), headed south towards Nagoya, where he was met by a skeleton support crew.

“On my way to Nagoya disappointed for not continuing but very thankful to the Japanese authorities for their support,” he had tweeted earlier.

Bertrand Piccard, the initiator of the mission, said earlier in the day that what had been great conditions at take-off had deteriorated. “When we took off from China it was quite clear we could cross the (weather) front,” Piccard said on a live video posted on YouTube. “It was almost easy, I would say, the weatherman was

BANGLADESH

Rana Plaza owner among 41 charged with murder DHAKA: Bangladeshi police on Monday charged 41 people including the owner of the Rana Plaza factory complex with murder after the building collapsed killing more than 1,100 people in 2013.

A court in Dhaka formally accepted charges against Sohel Rana, 35, and the others in connection with the country’s worst ever industrial disaster.

“We’ve charged 41 people including the owner of the building, Sohel Rana, with murder over the collapse of Rana Plaza in April 2013,” lead investigator Bijoy Krishna Kar told AFP, adding that all face the death penalty if convicted.

Among those charged are seven owners of factories housed in the complex and 12 government officials responsible for safety and inspections.

Rana’s parents, who jointly owned the building with him, and the mayor and councillor of the town where it was located, were also charged with murder.

Police asked the court to issue arrest warrants for 25 people including six government officials after they absconded.

“It is the biggest industrial disaster in Bangladesh’s history. And all 41 of them have collective responsibility for this mass killing of more than 1,100 innocent people,” Kar said.

Rana became Bangladesh’s public enemy number one after survivors recounted how thousands of them were forced to enter the compound at the start of the working day despite complaints about cracks appearing in the walls.

He was arrested on the western border with India as he tried to flee the country in the days after the April 24 disaster.

Rana and 17 others were also charged with violating the building code, for extending the sixstorey structure -- which was initially approved as a shopping centre -- into a nine-storey factory complex.

“Rana Plaza was built flout-

Kalaeloa

6 2

NO ESCAPE: In this photograph taken on April 28, 2013, Bangladesh property tycoon Sohel Rana, centre, is presented at a press conference at the Rapid Action Battalion headquarters, in Dhaka. — Reuters/Str/file photo

NATIONAL TRAGEDY: In this photograph taken on April 29, 2013, cranes operated by Bangladeshi Army personnel are pictured at the scene following the April 24 collapse of an eight-storey building in Savar, on the outskirts of Dhaka. — AFP stringer/files

ing construction rules and it was extended without proper structural changes.

“And when it was turned into a factory complex, it was loaded with heavy machinery such as a generator.

“No wonder the building collapsed,” Kar said.

“That illegal extension violating all construction (regulations) was the seed of this massive disaster,” Kar said on Sunday.

Police announced last year

they were set to charge Rana, but the process was held up after police needed government approval to frame charges against a dozen government officials included in the 41, a standard requirement in Bangladesh.

Safety problems The disaster highlighted appalling safety problems in Bangladesh’s $25 billion garment industry, the world’s second largest after China’s. — AFP

very confident. “Now the window has closed. The front is too thick, too big. The plane would have to go through big layers of cloud.

“The only safe decision is to stop in Nagoya, wait a few days before carrying on.”

Speaking to AFP in Monaco, he admitted the setback was disappointing, but said speed was never the most important thing.

“The round-the-world trip is not going as fast as we would like, but speed is not the objective. The goal is to arrive,” he said.

Despite having been cut short by several days, the flight from China had already notched up at least one first -- Solar Impulse 2 became the first plane to fly day and night powered only by sunshine.

5 March 29. Mandalay - Chongqing (China)

1,459km

20hrs 29min

6 April 21. Chongqing - Nanjing (China)

1,344km

17hrs 22min

7 May 31. Nanjing - Kalaeloa, Hawaii (US)

8,200km

Aborted

Source: Solar Impulse

A small ground crew was waiting in Japan to deal with the unplanned landing, with the bulk of the technicians expected to arrive on Tuesday from Nanjing.

The aircraft will have to be tied down overnight to ensure it does not get buffeted by any wind.

The support team will be bringing an inflatable hangar to protect Solar Impulse as it awaits a weather window to make the journey across the Pacific to Hawaii.

The flight from Nanjing to Hawaii was scheduled to be the longest section of the maiden solarpowered global circumnavigation

Graphic News /

Graphics

of the globe, which is an attempt to promote green energy.

The journey began in Abu Dhabi in March and was originally intended to be for 12 legs, with a total flight time of around 25 days.

But the mission team had always had back-up plans in case the Nanjing-Hawaii flight did not go smoothly, with five airfields in Japan identified. Speaking on Saturday hours before the departure from Nanjing, Borschberg told reporters the plane could land in Japan in case of technical problems, but the open ocean offers no such possibility. — AFP

B

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Muscat 6,411.15 + 23.30 + 0.36%

Dubai 3,941.78 + 18.54 + 0.47%

Abu Dhabi 4,561.36 + 33.73 + 0.74%

Kuwait 6,285.14 - 7.32 - 0.12%

Saudi Arabia

9,693.58 + 4.89 + 0.05%

Bahrain 1,360.42 - 3.25 - 0.24%

Qatar 12,176.49 + 128.23 + 1.06%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.34 Pound ...........................................1.68 Indian Rs ..............................165.10 Pak Rs ...................................260.55 Bangla Taka.......................199.52

Indian Rs .................................. 165.30 Pakistan Rs ............................ 263.25 Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 348.00 Bangla Taka.............................201.70 Phil Peso ..................................... 115.15

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......15.25

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$63.39 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$62.93 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) .........$65.41 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$62.50 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........ $58.67 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$59.65

* Rates as of Jun 1 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of Jun 1 Source: Bank Muscat

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ....... 14.70 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ........... 144.00 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............136.50 * Rates as of Jun 1 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

‘Opec’s move to retain output affecting interest of members’ Oil body’s decision against cutting output to defend market share was not in line with the organisation’s stated mission and objectives, said Oman’s minister of oil and gas

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Refusal of the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries to cut output has not served the purpose for which it was established, said Oman’s minister of oil and gas, as Opec ministers convened in Vienna on Friday.

“I think the oil sector has not been served by the decision of Opec,” Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy told reporters after the official graduation ceremony of Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) scholars at the ministry’s headquarters on Monday.

Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy. — Times file picture

Opec’s 30m-barrel target The minister said that Oman is not an Opec member and he can-

not dictate a policy to the oil body, but noted that the decision against cutting output to defend market share was not in line with the organisation’s stated mission and objectives.

“Opec was created to safeguard the exporters and to get values for their member states. In my opinion… the current policy of Opec is not serving that,” said Al Rumhy, ahead of the 167th ordinary meeting of Opec member states.

Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries refused to cut output to shore up prices at its last meeting in November 2014 and kept its official joint production target at 30 million barrels per day (bpd).

The decision led to further decline in oil prices. Several dele-

gates have said that Opec is unlikely to change its production ceiling in the upcoming meeting.

Refinery in Indonesia Asked about reports that Oman plans to build a new oil refinery in Indonesia, Al Rumhy said, “We are talking to one of the sponsors of a refinery.” “We have no intention of building a refinery in Indonesia as a country,” the minister said, adding that the Indonesian official may have been misquoted.

“I do not know. You have to ask him,” he added.

An Indonesian newspaper recently quoted Indonesian Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Sudirman Said as saying that Oman is interested in building a new oil refinery in the country’s Riau province.

Storage facilities The report said that Oman would supply the required crude oil for the refinery and develop storage facilities, and could later expand into petrochemicals.

“It has prepared $7 billion in total and is now in the process of obtaining a permit. The groundbreaking ceremony of the refinery project is expected to be as

early as next year,” the Indonesia minister was quoted as saying following his meeting with a senior Omani official.

Total’s pull out When asked why French oil and gas giant Total decided to pull out of the offshore block 41, Al Rumhy said, “Total did some evaluation, and they found out that it is too risky (at) this time, and they decided to pull out.”

Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas, had said earlier that Total withdrew from the exploration project after failing to make commercially attractive discoveries.

Iran gas pipeline Commenting on the project for building a 260-kilometre long pipeline that will carry Iranian gas to Oman, Al Rumhy noted that there is a lot of technical work that needs to be carried out before the route is determined.

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B2

TUE S DAY, JUNE 2 , 2 015

MARKET STOCK MARKET

Brokerage houses back Phoenix Power share offer Times News Service MUSCAT: Research analysts of various brokerage houses in Oman have strongly recommended subscription to the initial public offering (IPO) of Phoenix Power, with an expected listing of the share between 130 baisas and 144 baisas on the Muscat bourse.

Phoenix Power Company, which floated a OMR56.3-million initial public offering on May 10, will close subscription on June 8. The issue price is 110 baisas per share.

It will be listed on June 22.

Research analysts highlighted the strategic importance of the largest power plant to the country’s power sector, stable business

profile, attractive dividend yields and proven track record of the strong group of committed founding shareholders as key factors underpinning the positive investment case for the IPO. “We believe that Phoenix Power (under transformation) offers 30 per cent upside to the issue price of 110 baisas. We have arrived at a one year target price of 143 baisas per share using a blended DCF and DDM methodology,” said Oman Arab Bank - Investment Management Group (IMG).

The shares have been priced at 110 baisas per share, inferring a total offer size of OMR56.3 million and an expected market capitalisation on listing of OMR161 million.

The share offer is available for both Omanis and foreign residents. The primary issue is divided into two categories, on the basis of size of subscription.

Allotment of shares As many as 65 per cent is reserved for the first category, who apply for shares between 1,000 and 600,000, while the second category is institutions and high-net worth individuals who apply for shares between 600,100 and 51,191,000.

“Considering the support of strong founders, experienced management and an attractive dividend yield we recommend to subscribe to the IPO with a target price of 130 baisas providing an

CONFERENCE

Growth without effective governance causes corporate failures, say experts Times News Service MUSCAT: Speakers at ICAI conference said that the growth is important for any dynamic organisation but growth without ensuring ethical behaviour and effective corporate governance has caused corporate frauds, thus wiping out billions of dollars of investors’ money.

“Growth to be sustainable and stable, must be deep rooted on the ground of sound corporate governance,” they concluded, at the two-day 7th Annual International Conference organised by the Muscat Chapter of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India titled ‘Growth and Governance – Role of Accounting Professionals’.

The conference, which was inaugurated by Nasser Khamis Al Jashmi , the undersecretary of Ministry of Finance, was attended by large number of auditing and finance professionals and delegates from Oman and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

J. S. Mukul, Indian ambassador to the Sultanate, said that the role played by the Indian Chartered Accountants working in Oman in various capacities reinforcing India’s image as a hub of talent, the standing and reputation of the In-

from analysts on the strength of the offering. It is pleasing to see a positive analyst consensus which reflects the sentiment of the investors we’ve met so far, both Omanis and non-Omanis.”

“We’re positive that investors will appreciate the offer, not just on a scale of returns on investment, but also to leverage the opportunity offered by the sector,” he added.

‘Fair value’ “We estimate a fair value of 129 baisas for Phoenix Power based on a two-stage discounted cash flow valuation model that assumes a higher discount rate for the company post PPA termination,” noted Fincorp.

United Securities also said; “With a strong offering such as this and based on our market research, the company’s background and potential growth, we estimate a target price of 137 baisas for Phoenix Power. We recommend investors to invest in this opportunity based on the scale of returns.”

“We strongly recommend investors to ‘subscribe’ to the Phoenix Power offer as we estimate a target price of 142 baisas, based on the offer strengths and our analysis,” added National Bank of Oman.

As the largest power plant in Oman, the contracted plant’s power capacity of 2,000 megawatt represents 27.8 per cent of the main interconnected system.

Meethaq to fund Muscat Grand Mall expansion Tilal Development Company and Bank Muscat Meethaq

dian community as a whole in the Sultanate. of Oman.

“Indian Chartered Accountants are in great demand in the region and in the world as they are educated and trained by the ICAI to handle and operate in complex business situations and different regulatory environment,” the ambassador added.

Devaraja Reddy, the vice-president of ICAI lauded the efforts of the Muscat Chapter and emphasised upon the governance as a pillar of the organisational edifice.

The star speaker of the conference was Shiv Khera, the renowned motivational speaker and the author of the bestseller book “you can win” which has sold more than 3.2 million copies worldwide. The In his speech,

Shiv Khera said that the organisations should not create ‘Managers’ who cannot lead but rather ‘Leaders’ who can manage”.

Khera also emphasised on the development of skills and stated that lower level managers may require 90 per cent of technical skills and 10 per cent people skill but as they grow towards the leadership positions, this completely reverses therefore, to be an effective leaders, the managers should develop their people skills and not only update their technical skills.

The other eminent speakers who addressed the conference included T. N. Manoharan, P. R. Ramesh , Bader Al Hashmi, Anjana Vivek , Sanjeev Trivedi and Sandeep kunte and Bajrang Bagra.

INVESTMENT

Abraaj seeks more exits from Gulf LONDON: Abraaj Group, a buyout firm focused on emerging markets, plans to exit more Gulf investments after selling a stake in an Egyptian medical business last month.

“We’ve a significant portfolio of assets in the Gulf region that we’re focused on exiting over the next 12-18 months,” Ahmed Badreldin, partner and regional head of Middle East and North Africa, said in an interview in London.

Buyout firms in the Middle East and Africa are taking advantage of

upside of 18.18 per cent from the issue price of 110 baisas,” noted Shurooq Securities.

Echoing a similar view, Al Maha Financial said; “We value Phoenix Power at OMR0.144 per share and recommend investors to ‘subscribe’ to the offer with an upside potential of 30.5 per cent from the issue price of OMR0.110, in view of the expected listing gains and attractive dividend yields.”

Peter Jones, executive managing director of Phoenix Power, said: “The recommendations for the Phoenix Power IPO are a reflection of the confidence of the analyst community in the business potential of Phoenix Power. We have received positive feedback

rising asset values to exit investments, including those acquired before the 2008 global financial crisis. Abraaj sold 80 per cent of its stake in Egyptian diagnostics provider Integrated Diagnostics in an IPO on the London Stock Exchange which valued the company at about $670 million.

“The IDH listing has proven that you can successfully list an Egyptian company in London and that London is still a preferred venue for investors seeking exposure to high quality businesses

in growth economies,” Badreldin said. Abraaj and Dubai lender Emirates NBD are considering an IPO of credit-card processing unit Network International, people familiar with the plan said May 19.

The firm’s other Gulf portfolio includes investments in companies such as Dubai-listed low-cost carrier Air Arabia and Dubai-based Stanford Marine Group.

Abraaj, which is also active in Sub-Saharan Africa, is focused on countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. - Bloomberg News

Islamic Banking sign agreement worth OMR30 million for the project

DEAL: The agreement was signed between Eng. Abdul Rahman Barham and Sulaiman Al Harthy. – Supplied photo

Times News Service

we sign this strategic collaboration with the Sultanate’s pioneering Islamic bank – Bank Muscat’s Meethaq. Following this financing agreement, we will be all set to undertake our development plans for the Tilal Complex. With the second phase of expansion, Muscat Grand Mall is adding additional space. The new growth plans also include doubling the parking space area and expanding the entertainment options in order to deliver a truly world-class shopping and entertainment destination in the Sultanate.”

MUSCAT: In a significant step forward towards the development of Tilal Development Company’s premier project — the Tilal Complex, an agreement was signed on Monday between Tilal Development Company and Bank Muscat Meethaq Islamic Banking worth OMR30 million to finance the expansion of Muscat Grand Mall and the Millennium Executive Apartments at Tilal Complex.

The agreement was signed by Engineer Abdul Rahman Barham, board member of Tilal Development Company and Sulaiman Al Harthy, group general manager - Meethaq Islamic Banking. Also present at the signing ceremony were Hassan Jaboub – general manager at Tilal Development Company, Girish Koli - chief financial officer at Al Madina Real Estate Company as well as key executives from Tilal Development and Meethaq.

Engineer Abdul Rahman Barham, board member of Tilal Development shared his thoughts at the signing ceremony. He mentioned, “Today marks a significant day for us at Tilal Development as

Muscat airport Sulaiman Al Harthy, group general manager - Meethaq Islamic Banking, said: “Meethaq is proud to be associated with the prestigious expansion of Muscat Grand Mall and Millennium Executive Apartments at Tilal Complex. The financing agreement further reinforces Meethaq strategy to attract customers through innovative Sharia-based products and services.

With this agreement, Meethaq has once again taken the lead in offering banking products and services to finance assets which are in line with Sharia principles.”

With the new Muscat International Airport terminal under construction and the number of tourists projected to increase exponentially in the Sultanate, projects such as the Grand Millennium Muscat Hotel and the residential complex by Tilal Development Company will be on track to provide a premier lifestyle destination for both tourists and residents.

The Tilal Complex is the first mixed-use development in the Sultanate of Oman. Muscat Grand Mall is currently home to over 142 retail outlets, 30,000 square metres of commercial offices where the Ooredoo headquarters are located, a residential complex of 250 freehold apartments and 115 four-star hotel apartments and a rooftop garden.

Commenting on this strategic announcement, Hassan Jaboub – general manager of Tilal Development said, “Home to a large number of international brands that have secured their first presence in Oman with Muscat Grand Mall, it is no surprise that the Tilal Complex has become the lifestyle centre for residents in the Sultanate.”

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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MARKET

Ominvest and ONIC merger gets approval and increase the valuations of the merged entity.

ONIC said that the merger consideration for the company’s shareholders being 1.052 shares for every one share held by each shareholder of the company and to authorise the board of directors to determine the effective date of the merger.

Ominvest’s EGM was attended by 92% of the shareholders, while ONIC’s EGM was attended by 83% of the shareholders and all them voted for the merger

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s maiden merger between two prominent investment holding companies –Oman International Development and Investment Company (Ominvest) and Oman National Investment Corporation (ONIC) Holding – has been approved by the shareholders in separate extraordinary general meetings (EGMs) which took place on Sunday.

Ominvest’s EGM was attended by a record 92.17 per cent of the shareholders and all those in attendance voted for the merger, while ONIC’s EGM was attended by 83.06 per cent of the shareholders and all those in attendance voted for the merger.

The merger is subject to all applicable legal and regulatory approvals, said an Ominvest release.

Khalid Al Zubair, chairman of

Ominvest, said that the merger between ONIC and Ominvest is a historic event and would help create one of the largest and most successful investment companies in Oman. He added that the merged entity would be instrumental in further promoting economic growth in Oman and creating job opportunities for Omani nationals.

Sheikh Hassan Al Nabhani, chairman of ONIC, stated that the merger would create substantial and sustainable value for all the stakeholders, including all shareholders, customers, employees and the society at large.

He explained that the merged entity will have substantial interests within the banking, insurance and leasing sectors and a diversified portfolio of quality investments in other key growth sectors within Oman and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

Abdulaziz Al Balushi, chief executive officer of Ominvest, explained that the merged entity would be supported by a more diversified, stronger and highly respected shareholder base. He added that merger is estimated to create significant synergies and realise new growth opportunities

within the next few years, thereby enhancing value for all shareholders. Al Balushi highlighted that the merger will also result in a bigger and better management team and will enable to attract and retain smart talent.

Anwar Al Jabri, managing director of ONIC, stated that the merger would create a large and well diversified business in terms of core activities across sectors and markets and enhance the quality of earnings. He added that the merged entity would have a much stronger balance sheet, improved cash flows, lower funding cost and better return on capital for the shareholders.

Market capitalisation Al Balushi and Al Jabri shared the view that the merged entity will have a much larger market capitalisation, bigger stock float and increased share liquidity in the stock market. They added that the merged entity will also launch initiatives to generate significant fee-based revenues to reduce volatility of earnings across business cycles. They expected that the above attributes will attract significant interest from local, regional and int’l investors

IN-HOUSE SHIP MANAGEMENT

OSC inducts Habrut vessel Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Ship Management Company (OSMC), the operating arm of Oman Shipping Company, announced its technical management of its 2012 built VLCC ‘Habrut’ on June 29, 2015 in Oman.

The ship is a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), which is 333 meters long, 60 meters wide and

has a cargo capacity of 319,000 tonnes (DWT). Habrut is the 28th vessel that inducted into OSC’s in-house ship management in the last 18 months.

It is considered a tremendous

step for OSC, where the DWT of the in-house managed fleet has gone up from 72,000 tonnes to 4.4 million tonnes, ranging from 7 technically managed vessels in 2011 to the present 28 vessels.

Rise in capital Ominvest said that the company’s shareholders have approved a proposal to increase paid up capital from OMR37.04 million to OMR55.29 million by way of allocating ONIC shareholders proportionately in connection with the merger. Also, the company’s authorised capital will be increased to OMR90 million from OMR50 million.

The proposed merger will create one of the biggest investment conglomerates with investments spread across diversified business sectors including banking, leasing, insurance and industries, said Gulf Baader Capital Markets in a research note.

“We believe that the combined entity would be in a strong position to achieve several economies of scale in their respective operating business segments and create value for the shareholders over the medium to long term perspective,” the report added.

The merged entity will emerge as a stronghold in the financial sector with two major subsidiaries namely Oman Arab Bank (51 per cent stake) and National Life and General (98 per cent stake), added the report.

ROAD PROJECT

Galfar board rejects compensation offer Times News Service MUSCAT: Galfar Engineering and Contracting on Monday said that its board has decided not to accept a settlement offer for Muscat Expressway and Central Corridor road project.

The compensation offer was for cost escalation while building the Muscat Expressway.

“The company has received an offer letter from the Muscat Municipality, regarding settlement of Muscat Express Way and Central Corridor road projects. Based on an independent detailed technical and legal advice, the board decided not to accept the offer and to pursue options for the way forward,” Galfar Engineering said in a disclosure statement on MSM website.

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B4

TUE S DAY, JUNE 2 , 2 015

MARKET MSM index edges up Oman & Emirates Investment Holding was the highest gainer on Monday and closed higher by 2.78 per cent while Ahli Bank, which lost 0.93 per cent in value was the top loser for the day

ment Holding, Gulf Investment Services, and Al Anwar Holding increased by 2.78 per cent, 2.35 per cent, 2.31 per cent, 2.26 per cent, and 1.72 per cent respectively. Prices of Ahli Bank and United Finance declined by 0.93 per cent, and 0.74 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 8,321.64 points, up by 0.03 per cent. Construction Material was the only stock from the sector which had a change in price. The stock closed at OMR0.039, with gain of 2.63 per cent.

Services Sector Index was up by 0.52 per cent before closing at 3,485.49 points. Sohar Power, OIFC, Sembcorp Salalah, Omantel, and Sharqiya Desalination were up by 2.70 per cent, 1.68 per cent, 1.22 per cent, 1.20 per cent, and 1.17 per cent respectively.

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................ 6,411.15 ...............6,388.41 .................... 6,411.15 ................... 6,387.85................. 23.30 ...................0.36 Financial Index ..................................... 7,746.72 ................7,717.96 ....................7,746.44 ....................7,713.49................. 32.95 ................... 0.43 Industrial Index ................................... 8,322.08 ............... 8,318.75 ................... 8,321.64 ....................8,318.75....................2.89 ...................0.03 Services Index ...................................... 3,485.49 ...............3,468.15 ................... 3,485.49 ................... 3,467.60.................. 17.89 ...................0.52 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................992.57 .................. 990.16 ...................... 992.57 ...................... 990.27....................2.30 ...................0.23 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 19,230,864 ................. 6,343,724 ................. 1,329 ...............14,835,694,941 ................ 16 ........................2 ....................22 .........................40

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, JUNE 1 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 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 2,951,235 ......329,050...................130 ............0.109 ........... 0.113............0.108............0.111..............0.108 ........... 0.003............. 2.778 ................0.112 ...............0.111................... 0.112 ................... 13,528,125 .........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER............................................................ 1,403,481 ......533,305......................13 ........... 0.370 ...........0.380 ...........0.370........... 0.380 .............0.370 ............0.010 ............. 2.703 ................0.380..............0.380...................0.386...................83,983,800.........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL...............................................24,655 ...............2,142........................8 ........... 0.086 ...........0.087 ...........0.086........... 0.087 .............0.085 ........... 0.002............. 2.353 ................0.087..............0.086...................0.088...................15,225,000 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ............ 40,242 ...............5,347........................8 ............0.130 ........... 0.134 ...........0.130............0.133 .............0.130............ 0.003.............2.308 ................0.134 ..............0.134...................0.137 ...................11,970,000 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 346,191 ............46,948.....................22 ............0.133 ........... 0.137 ...........0.133 ............0.136 ............. 0.133............ 0.003............. 2.256 ................0.136 .............. 0.136...................0.137 ....................8,002,678 ..........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 981,940 .........232,099...................287 ........... 0.235 ...........0.240 ...........0.234........... 0.236 .............0.232 ........... 0.004............. 1.724 ................0.240 .............0.239...................0.240 ..................30,798,000.........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 631,063 ..........152,614..................... 47 ........... 0.238 ...........0.245 ...........0.238........... 0.242 .............0.238 ........... 0.004..............1.681.................0.242............. 0.240...................0.242 ..................48,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH...................................................6,117 .............15,259........................5 ........... 2.470 ...........2.500 ...........2.470........... 2.495 .............2.465 ........... 0.030..............1.217.................2.500 ............ 2.500...................2.710 ..................238,165,702 ........1.000 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 596,330 ......1,004,312................... 121 ............1.670 ............1.710............1.670 ............1.685 ............. 1.665............ 0.020............. 1.201 ................1.700 .............. 1.700................... 1.710 ................1,263,750,000 ......0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION ................................56,050 .......... 193,373........................6 ........... 3.450 ........... 3.450 ...........3.450........... 3.450 ............. 3.410............ 0.040..............1.173.................3.450..............3.450...................3.600 .................. 33,741,745 .........1.000 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 3,863,549 ... 2,119,405...................255 ........... 0.544 ...........0.550 ...........0.544........... 0.548 .............0.542 ........... 0.006............. 1.107.................0.550..............0.550...................0.552................ 1,255,918,783 ......0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 182,871 .......... 143,057......................14 ............0.776 ........... 0.788 ...........0.776 ........... 0.784 ............. 0.776............ 0.008..............1.031.................0.780.............. 0.776...................0.780..................510,340,276........0.100

MUSCAT: Supported by gains in financial and service sector stocks, MSM30 Index broke out from the narrow trading range and closed at the highest level in last 10 weeks. The benchmark MSM30 Index finished the day at 6,411.15 points, gaining by 0.36 per cent.

The MSM Sharia Index also gained by 0.23 per cent before closing at 992.57 points. Foreign investors were the major buyers in the market on Monday.

Bank Muscat was the most active stock in terms of volume as well as turnover. Oman & Emirates Investment Holding was the highest gainer on Monday and closed higher by 2.78 per cent while Ahli Bank, which lost 0.93 per cent in value was the top loser for the day.

A total number of 1,329 trades were executed during the day’s trading session generating turnover of OMR6.3 million with more than 19.2 million shares changing hands. Out of 40 traded securities, 16 advanced, two declined and 22 remained unchanged.

Foreign investors were net buyers for OMR2.07 million while domestic investors were net sellers for OMR1.97 million worth of shares followed by GCC and Arab Investors who sold OMR93,000 worth of stock.

Financial Index closed at 7,746.44 points, up by 0.43 per cent. Oman & Emirates, Al Madina Takaful, Sharqiya Invest-

Mashreqbank revenue rises

Mashreqbank, Dubai’s thirdlargest lender, has increased revenue at its consumer unit by about 25 per cent this year as it attracts more wealthy customers and owners of small and medium-sized businesses.

Higher income from fee-generating divisions like foreign exchange and bancassurance have added to improved growth at the wealth management and SME banking units, said Farhad Irani, head of retail banking at Mashreq. That’s countering a slowdown in traditional income drivers for the bank such as mortgages and credit cards. Mortgage lending is “flat lining,” consumer borrowing has slowed and margins have fallen, Irani said.

“The business is changing,” Irani said on Sunday in an interview in Dubai. “Our top line is growing 25 per cent year- on-year and our bottom line is growing 15 per cent year-on-year in the first four months, which is great. But the lending side of the business has slowed considerably and margins are falling there.”

Retail banking is the secondlargest contributor to Mashreq’s revenue, making up about 19 per cent, according to data compiled

by Bloomberg. The value of mortgage deals in Dubai fell two per cent in the first four months of the year, according to data from the Emirate’s land department.

OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING ............................................................20,686 ...............9,558........................2 ........... 0.460 ...........0.464 ...........0.460........... 0.462 .............0.460 ........... 0.002............. 0.435 ................0.464..............0.464...................0.492...................80,121,542 .........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE .................................63,500 .............19,050........................4 ........... 0.300...........0.300 ...........0.300 .......... 0.300 .............0.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.300 ............ 0.290...................0.300 ..................30,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................84,794 ...........131,757......................14 ............1.575 ........... 1.575............1.545 ............1.555 ............. 1.555............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.555 .............. 1.545...................1.555 ..................311,000,000........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 742,738 .........233,225......................15 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.314 ........... 0.314 ............. 0.314............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.314 ..............0.312...................0.314..................420,983,019........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 345,614............ 47,004......................18 ............0.136 ........... 0.136 ...........0.136 ............0.136 ............. 0.136............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.136 .............. 0.135...................0.137 ................. 272,042,539 .......0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY............................................ 135 ..................294........................1 ............2.180 ........... 2.180 ...........2.180........... 2.160 .............2.160 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.180..............2.170...................2.240 .................193,752,000........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ............................................................ 79,778 ............ 43,878......................16 ........... 0.550 ...........0.550 ...........0.550........... 0.550 .............0.550 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.550..............0.546...................0.560 ................. 181,979,991 ........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 1,094,060.........87,538..................... 63 ........... 0.080 ........... 0.081 ...........0.079........... 0.080 .............0.080 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.080..............0.079...................0.080 ...................16,572,111..........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ................3,000 ...................651........................1 ............0.217 ........... 0.217 ...........0.217 ............0.217 ............. 0.217............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.217 ..............0.216...................0.220 ...................4,557,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 203,909 ............ 87,681........................5 ........... 0.430 ...........0.430 ...........0.430........... 0.430 .............0.430 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.430..............0.424...................0.430 ................. 127,371,883 ........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ............................2,000 ..................500........................1 ........... 0.250 ...........0.250 ...........0.250........... 0.255 .............0.255 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.250..............0.246...................0.249 ..................31,848,980 .........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 263,200............ 31,791..................... 34 ............0.122 ........... 0.124 ...........0.120............0.121 ............. 0.121............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.124..............0.122...................0.124....................3,630,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ................................................................ 1,080 ..................300........................1 ........... 0.278 ...........0.278 ...........0.278........... 0.275 .............0.275 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.278..............0.272...................0.284 ................ 424,800,350 .......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ......................................... 1,900 .................. 627........................3 ........... 0.330 ...........0.330 ...........0.330........... 0.338 .............0.338 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.330..............0.332...................0.338...................95,347,925 .........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 2,544,060 .....474,299..................... 79 ............0.186 ........... 0.189 ...........0.186 ........... 0.186 ............. 0.186............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.186 ..............0.186...................0.189..................268,107,840........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ....................................................... 6,462 ...............2,585..................... 10 ........... 0.400...........0.400 ...........0.400 .......... 0.400 .............0.400 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.400............. 0.400...................0.414.................. 24,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 333,003 ........... 65,068......................19 ............0.195 ........... 0.196 ...........0.195 ............0.195 ............. 0.195............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.196 .............. 0.196...................0.197..................131,603,049 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 464,860............90,766..................... 23 ............0.195 ........... 0.196 ...........0.195 ............0.195 ............. 0.195............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.196 .............. 0.196...................0.197..................139,309,236........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 161,075 .............83,138..................... 48 ............0.514 ...........0.520 ...........0.506............0.516 ............. 0.516............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.520.............. 0.516...................0.520 ..................27,090,000.........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 216,667............ 29,346......................12 ............0.134 ........... 0.136 ...........0.134............0.135 ............. 0.136............-0.001 ........... -0.735................0.136 .............. 0.133...................0.136...................41,953,267 .........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 153,584............ 32,565........................4 ............0.216 ........... 0.216 ...........0.212........... 0.212 .............0.214 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.935 ...............0.212..............0.210...................0.212..................302,107,663........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 17,869,829......6,248,529 ...........1,289 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......33........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 245,337 .............. 9,571..................... 10 ........... 0.039 ...........0.040 ...........0.039........... 0.039 .............0.038 ............0.001 ............. 2.632 ................0.039..............0.039...................0.040 ................... 3,315,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE......................................................35,000 ...............4,970........................2 ............0.142 ........... 0.142 ...........0.142........... 0.142 .............0.140 ........... 0.002............. 1.429 ................0.142..............0.142...................0.147...................35,729,823 .........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,044,918 ........ 76,274......................15 ........... 0.072 ........... 0.073 ...........0.072........... 0.073 .............0.072 ............0.001 ............. 1.389 ................0.073..............0.073...................0.074..................109,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ...................................................2,400 ...............1,209........................3 ........... 0.504 ...........0.504 ...........0.502........... 0.508 .............0.508 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.504..............0.502...................0.510...................80,010,000.........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .........................................................2,900 .................. 160........................1 ............0.055 ........... 0.055 ...........0.055........... 0.054 .............0.054 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.055..............0.054...................0.055....................6,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING....................................26,500 ...............2,598........................8 ........... 0.098 ...........0.099 ...........0.097........... 0.098 .............0.098 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.099..............0.098...................0.100.................... 7,370,384 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 1,357,055..........94,781..................... 39 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 6........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 .......................... 3,980 .................. 414........................1 ............0.104 ........... 0.104 ...........0.104........... 0.104 .............0.104 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.104..............0.104...................0.108...................31,485,908 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: ...................................................................................... 3,980 .................. 414........................1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

— United Securities/Bloomberg News

INDIAN MARKETS

C O M M E N TA RY

Next wave of economic diversification Sensex advances; in GCC needs adoption of a new model rupee appreciates The decline in oil price has significant implications on macroeconomic policies of GCC DR SHANMUGAM BALAJI*

T

HE turbulence in oil price threatens to distract the long-term goal of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies in promoting diversified and sustained growth, beyond the dependence of oil and gas. The decline in oil price has significant implications on macroeconomic policies of GCC. The cyclical impact can be weathered through structural adjustments and policy responses. Such policy responses can accelerate and deepen the diversification, prosperity and growth achieved during the days of windfall. The efforts initiated during the last oil price crisis in late 90s, to diversify the economy has yielded positive results with strong growth of non-oil sector both vertically and horizontally — petrochemicals/metals to aviation/tourism. Though this is not adequate, it is not marginal at the same time.

The growth story of GCC, in the last 15 years, is a statedriven investment growth, this may turn into a drag, if the same model is to be continued in the present economic climate. The state-led growth has created

huge infrastructure facilities, industrial base, low-inflation economy, sound business climate and expanding education sector. This sets ideal ground for the private sector and foreign direct investment to lead the next wave of diversification and growth with state playing a supportive role in shaping the business environment.

State-owned enterprises have been crowding out the private sector investment in major industrial segments of comparative advantage in GCC. This is normal and in most emerging economies, state-owned companies led the way. Yet they encouraged and provided space for the private sector, both in the growth and through divestment route, once the base is set and private sector gains momentum.

Presently, majority of the private sector businesses in the GCC are focused on less riskier sectors like construction, retail, trading and healthcare.

Recent research report by IMF points to two important factors affecting the private entrepreneurial drive in riskier tradable sector in GCC. Non-tradable (locally

rendered services like retail and construction) is less risky and more profitable and they benefit from government spending, while easy availability of low wage foreign labour has helped them to gain larger rents in this segment.

Attractive public sector jobs discourages nationals from pursuing entrepreneurship and private sector jobs.

Also, majority (70 per cent) of private business in GCC are family companies. In the process of transition from state-led growth, the role that can be played by family-owned companies needs to be respected and encouraged.

The widely accepted view of the business theorists/specialists is that family business investment time horizons are longer and they think long term. This fits well with needs of the economy in pursuit of diversification. The diversification efforts needs long-term outlook rather than the short term view of market stressed public companies.

The Economist magazine in its report on family business argues that family companies are likely to remain a significant feature of global capitalism for the foreseeable future. Family companies are not just surviving but flourishing and have done well even in the sophisticated modern societies.

Initiatives will have to be taken to provide a larger role to private sector in the further development of industries enjoying comparative advantage which has so far been major domain of the state-owned companies. The policy incentives to encourage them to diversify into sectors beyond these areas, based on di-

versification models successfully implemented in resource based economies like Mexico in the West and Malaysia in the East, is critical. The low skill sectors like logistics, tourism is unlikely to contribute towards development of high skill high income jobs.

Along with them, attracting FDI in diversifying the economy into the new sectors is essential.

FDI, apart from bringing in technology, managerial expertise, marketing skills will have multiplier effect on developing entrepreneurial skills and increase the risk appetite of domestic private enterprise. When the government surplus is eroding fast, foreign capital can contribute to the growth and diversification. GCC states are attractive destination for FDI — with lower tax rates, simplified and easy procedures, industrial/free trade zones, competitive energy price and increasing working age population. The small market size and lack of high skilled local population are major limitations.

Addressing these issues through appropriate policy measures is important for attracting FDI and increasing private sector role.

Government, business and citizens have to form a perfect triangle to ensure intergenerational equity of the resources and build a diversified economy. In the next wave of diversification, relegation of the government’s role, in non-oil sector, to that of a policy formulator is natural and unavoidable. * The writer is an investment professional based in Muscat. The views expressed in the article are personal and not that of Times of Oman.

MUMBAI: Indian equities advanced for a second day amid speculation the central bank will cut interest rates at its meeting on Tuesday after government data showed economic growth remains sluggish.

Larsen & Toubro, the largest engineering company, was the best performer on the S&P BSE Sensex. Reliance Industries, owner of the world’s biggest refining complex, rose the most in four weeks. Maruti Suzuki India rose for a second day after sales climbed 14 per cent in May. Hindustan Unilever, the biggest home-products maker, climbed to a three-week high.

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries slumped the most in six years after its fourth-quarter profit missed estimates.

The Sensex rose less than 0.1 per cent to 27,848.99 at the close, after changing directions at least 14 times. The economy expanded 7.3 per cent in the year ended March from a year ago, slower than the 7.4 per cent median estimate in a Bloomberg survey. Thirty-one of 39 analysts in another survey predict the Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan will cut the repurchase rate by 25 basis points to 7.25 per cent.

“The falling inflation rate has the street believing that a 25-basis point cut is a given,” Vikas Gupta, an executive vice president at Arthveda Fund Management, said by phone from Mumbai. “The governor will also take cognizance of the falling rupee” and the progress of the monsoon, he said. While consumer-price gains eased to a four-month low of 4.87 per cent in April, this quarter’s rebound in oil prices

and a potentially weak monsoon threaten to stoke inflation. India’s June-September rainfall is seen below normal for a second year, potentially hurting crop output and pushing up food costs.

India’s rupee capped its third monthly decline in May, the longest run since 2013, after foreigners withdrew $1.8 billion from local stocks and bonds, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

L&T, Reliance Larsen rallied 3.1 per cent, taking this year’s advance to 14 per cent. Reliance Industries added 2.9 per cent, the most since May 4. Maruti Suzuki gained 2.6 per cent. Hindustan Unilever increased 2.5 per cent.

The Sensex has risen 1.3 per cent this year and is valued at 15.3 times estimated 12-month earnings, versus a five-year average of 14.4. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is valued at a multiple of 12, data compiled by Bloomberg show.

Rupee appreciates The rupee ended 12 paise up at 63.70 against the American currency on fresh bouts of dollar selling by banks and exporters amid huge expectations of a rate cut by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Tuesday.

Strong capital inflows as well as firm local equities also bolstered the overall sentiment despite strong dollar overseas, forex dealers said.

The rupee resumed modestly higher at 63.80 against the weekend closing level of 63.82 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange and strengthened further to hit an intra-day high of 63.58 against the dollar. — Agencies

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ROUND-UP

Powerful Prado promises unparalleled performance Packed with the robust DNA of Land Cruiser bloodline, the Prado takes Toyota’s enviable 4WD legacy way further

MUSCAT: On the highway or off the road, the Prado makes its presence felt. When it arrives on the scene, everyone makes way.

Packed with the robust DNA of Land Cruiser bloodline, the Prado takes Toyota’s enviable 4WD legacy way further. Drivability, reliability and functionality are Prado’s legendary strengths.

Throw in superior on-road and off-road performance and you have the one-of-a-kind Prado, says a press release.

Building on the outstanding legacy of its predecessors the Prado stands apart with bold looks - a macho grille and bumper guard adorned with LED headlamps and clearance lamps.

A taste of real 4WD freedom comes from the Prado’s throbbing

power and thrilling performance.

Its class-leading features include display audio with 9-speakers, steering-mounted audio, Bluetooth and mid controls, Optitron meter with TFT info display and cruise control. Safety features include a rear view camera and driver+ passenger+ curtain+ side (front) + knee (driver) airbags.

Furnished with a host of highend luxury features, the Prado

B5

features leather upholstery, wood grain panelling, chrome-coloured side protection moulding; muffler-cutter; chrome rear-lamp garnish and impressive alloy wheels.

The wide, imposing front-end of the Toyota Prado adds to its gallant appearance. The interior is refined and roomy to accommodate up to seven occupants.

Cushioned seats offer wonderful under-thigh support.

Second-row seats fold in a 40:20:40 split, offer enhanced utility with a slide function and walk-in accessibility for facilitating easy ingress and egress for the third-row seats. The third-row seats, fold in a 50:50 split.

The Prado also offers steering angle display, active headrest, electric tilt and telescopic steering column, side step with illumination, smart entry and start / stop system, parking sensors and retractable outer mirrors (with turn signal).

GOLD SPONSOR

A reassuring combination of active and passive safety systems ensures optimum protection for occupants in a Prado. DAC (downhill assist control), HAC (hill-start assist control), airbags, VSC (vehicle stability control) and A-TRC (active traction control) are some of its advanced protection systems.

Prado’s strong chassis offers excellent impact protection while the long wheelbase and wide wheel track give excellent handling and stability.

Prado’s unparalleled prowess is apparent on either the smooth or the rough. It has the power to hold its own and the performance to make its own path. In short, not much stands in the way of a Prado both on the road and off.

All specifications listed above are standard Toyota equipment.

The above disclaimer is applicable only to 2015 YM / 2015 production vehicles.

NOBLE CAUSE

The Wave community ‘donates blood to save lives’

MUSCAT: In line with The Wave Muscat’s commitment towards supporting the communities, staff, retail tenants and residents came together to donate blood for a noble cause.

Organised in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the annual drive aims to raise awareness on the importance of blood donation as a lifestyle and contribute to increasing Oman’s blood reserves, says a press release.

The Wave, Muscat’s donation drive brings one of the Sultanate’s largest and most vibrant communities together to save lives.

RECOGNITION

Bank Sohar supports mental awareness campaign MUSCAT: With a commitment towards helping improve the quality of life and in recognition of May being the World Mental Health Awareness Month, Bank Sohar participated as the gold sponsor of mental health awareness campaign organised by the Whispers of Serenity Clinic.

The campaign titled ‘Not Alone’ included three key events – a walkathon, an art exhibition and gallery, and a movie night, says a press release.

Commenting on the bank’s sponsorship of the event, Munira Abdulnabi Macki, DGM of Human Resources and Corporate Support at Bank Sohar, said, “Since inception, we have always placed great focus on Corporate Social Responsibility. As a result, we wish to do our part in supporting the community through our sponsorship of Whispers of Serenity Clinic ‘Not

Alone’ campaign, which contributes towards spreading awareness on mental illness to the general public and reduce the stigma associated with it. Campaigns such as these also help dispel myths, provide support, and advocate equal care by encouraging those suffering to seek treatment.”

The ‘Not Alone’ campaign, which is the largest of its kind in Oman, began on May 1 with a walkathon at Muscat Grand Mall that witnessed a large turnout from supporters. The event also included a special art exhibition, music being played by some talented guitarists, and special shawls being sold inside the mall to commemorate the event. In addition, the organisers displayed an educational video to the audience to further increase awareness.

The second event of the campaign, titled ‘Not Alone Art’, was

a special art competition that was aimed at bringing into spotlight the use of art as means of expression for mental illness and therapy. The competition fell into four main categories – performance art, still life (painting), digital art and fashion/textile designs. The winning entries were put on display at the Stal gallery in Muscat for three days, from May 14-16.

The final event of the ‘Not Alone’ campaign, titled ‘Not Alone-Movie Night’, was a special event where a movie on mental health was showcased at City Cinema Al Shatti on May 29.

Thanking Bank Sohar for its sponsorship of the event, Her Highness Sayyida Basma bint Fakhri Al Said, the Owner of Whispers of Serenity Clinic, said: “We are dedicated towards reducing the social stigma around mental illness and through our lo-

cal facilities campaigns, we aim to build a strong mental health network andincrease collaboration across communities. On behalf of our staff, volunteers, and most importantly the families of those we serve, I would like to thank Bank Sohar and our other sponsors for their generous contribution. It is this type of support that goes a long way in making these campaign’s a great success. Together we are truly making a difference for mental health care in Oman.”

Bank Sohar ensures that its contributions are carefully planned and evaluated in order to diversify and reach out to the maximum number of people, especially those in most need of it, offering recipients positive support to make a meaningful change.

As a result, the bank’s CSR initiatives have become central to its operational strategy.

Oriental Group honours staff

S O C I A L I N V E S T M E N T I N I T I AT I V E

Shell conducts training courses for Omanis MUSCAT: Shell Development Oman (SDO) has successfully held two of its training courses’ series this year as part of its ‘Training for Development’ social investment initiative. So far, ‘Finance for Non Finance’ and ‘Business Planning’ courses have been held in Muscat, attended by participants from non-governmental organisations (NGOs), public and private sectors.

The courses were facilitated by SDO and taught by training experts from the relevant fields, says a press release.

SDO’s ‘Shell Professional Courses’ initiative includes a number of courses that target NGOs, the public sector, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and other members of the general public.

These courses have been designed to empower individuals with professional skills ranging from strategic thinking and leadership techniques to confidence building. In 2014, more than 340 Omanis benefited from these training

courses. So far in 2015, about 50 Omanis have been trained in these two courses.

Shell is committed to the social development of Oman and aims to be a responsible corporate citizen of the Sultanate. Shell also implements extensive social investment programmes that contribute to the sustainable development of the country. Rashid Al Sawafi, who

works at Oman’s Ministry of Education, recently attended the Business Planning course.

“The course provided a great opportunity for me to learn the necessary business planning skills – both theoretically and practically.

I believe that Shell was successful in choosing the right topic for this course, the trainer and the curriculum. I’m very satisfied with the

way the course has turned out, and I look forward to future opportunities to be part of Shell Professional Courses,” said Al Sawafi.

Also, commenting on his time at the course, Khalid Al Nadabi, who works at the Ministry of Health, said: “I’m very grateful for the opportunity to attend this course. The business development course is an excellent practical introduction for those planning to start their own businesses. I would definitely recommend this course to a friend.”

In addition, commenting on these courses, Muna Al Shukaili, Deputy External Affairs General Manager and Social Investment Manager at Shell, said: “Shell Professional Courses have been running successfully since 2002.

We managed to train hundreds of Omanis on a range of professional skills across the Sultanate.

"We aim to enhance the career prospects of participants, and we are so happy to hear their positive feedback and comments.”

PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS

PSM holds seminar on special education MUSCAT: The Centre for Special Education (CSE) at Pakistan School Muscat, in collaboration with SAI Group, held a special seminar in the media library at PSM campus.

Manisha Bhatt and Sumita Shanker, the guest speakers, spoke on ‘An Overview of Challenging Conditions’, says a press release.

The event was attended by Adnan Shahzad, chairman Board of Directors, Atta Ullah Niazi, senior principal, Khalid Jadoon, principal, Moeen Nawaz, parent’s committee member, and parents.

Detailed session A detailed session covering all the pivotal aspects and dimensions was held. The parents enlivened the session with their queries which were instantly answered, giving a further deeper under-

standing of the main theme.

The delegation, led by A.V. Manohar from SAI Group, also included Saurab and Vikram.

The guest speakers were award-

ed with souvenirs as a token of thanks by the PSM management.

The session identified that the problem identification and treatment in the child at a treatable

level was a practicable solution.

The event proved to be a great success that was beyond the expectations of the Centre for Special Education team.

MUSCAT: As a recognition of the Oriental Group of Companies to its employees for their role in contributing to the development and growth of the group, Oriental Group organised on May 29 an event to honour its employees, especially those who have been in service for 10-35 years.

The ceremony was held under

the patronage of group chairman Mohamed Awadh Ali AlAjmi, who distributed service certificates and awards to the recipients.

This celebration is part of many events and activities that will be conducted by the group to mark the 40th anniversary of its founding, says a press release.

BODYBUILDING CHAMPIONSHIP

Star Omani bodybuilder does Bank of Beirut proud MUSCAT: Abdullah Al-Hashemi, Bank of Beirut employee and ambitious bodybuilder, was ranked a highly-commendable third in the Oman Bodybuilding Championship, held recently at the Bausher Stadium.

The youngest Omani contestant in a highly competitive field made up of the cream of the bodybuilding world, his contemporaries know Al Hashemi as the man who believes nothing is impossible. His next goal, under the supervision of his coach Fadhil Al Balushi, is to do the bank and the Sultanate of Oman, credit in the Asian Championship to be held in Japan in June. Born in 1993, this 22-year-old’s driving ambition is to be the first World Bodybuilding Champion from Oman, says a press release.

Abdullah is a striking illustration of the Bank of Beirut’s conviction that every single employee helps to create and shape its values every day. The bank actively encourages and supports all staff to combine their talents in various disciplines with their careers. Not only do the employees benefit, but the bank does too with the retention of talented employees, the internal development of future leaders and improved sharing and perpetuating organisational knowledge.

It has also improved employee engagement and productivity, with the bank and its employees alike gaining a broader perspective of the organisation, and how they contribute to, and are valued

within, their workplace.

As a valued employee in Bank of Beirut’s security division, Al Hashemi benefits from the bank’s commitment to having a positive impact on the community and reinforcing the conviction that, regardless of circumstance, no employee’s dream is ever out of reach.

This social initiative is wholly endorsed by Ramy Zambarakji, CEO of Bank of Beirut – Oman.

“By sponsoring Al Hashemi, and systematically supporting various employee engagement activities, we encourage talented individuals to pass on their passion. This is one of the ways the bank connects the commitment of individual employees with its corporate social responsibility agenda. It also helps the bank strengthen its leadership skills and invest in its most talented employees to promote excellence, innovation and loyalty amongst the workforce. We believe that it is talented individuals like Abdullah who will inspire and motivate our other employees to reach for the sky,” he said.

All members of staff at Bank of Beirut are encouraged to approach their managers with their proposals for support in their chosen skills. Each of them is carefully considered and a level of support is then decided upon with the employee. Although Abdullah’s strength lies in a physical pursuit, the bank also supports staff with skills that lie in creative fields such as the arts.

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ROUND-UP Mitsubishi unveils all-new L200, 2016 Outlander before Ramadan Both new vehicles, L200 and facelifted Outlander, represent significant milestones for Mitsubishi in Oman

MUSCAT: Mitsubishi Motors Company, represented in Oman

by General Automotive Company (GAC), announced the launch of an all-new Mitsubishi L200 at a press conference yesterday together with the launch of the new facelifted 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander. GAC also took the opportunity to announce their highly anticipated Ramadan offer for 2015.

Both the all-new L200 and facelifted Outlander represent significant milestones for Mitsubishi in Oman. The L200 marking its first full redesign in nine years while the 2016 Outlander is the first Mitsubishi production vehicle to showcase the brand’s new design language. These aren’t just cosmetic enhancements however, and both vehicles feature a host of important engineering and design improvements that take them to the next level.

Providing his insight on the all-new L200, Nomura Toshiaki, president of Mitsubishi Motors, Middle East & Africa said, “The new L200 has been designed to be even more successful than its predecessor and it does so by showcasing its strengths not just in its obvious commercial use as a pickup vehicle, but also in its ability to maximise driving comfort, sporting features that will bring driving enjoyment and pleasure not normally associated in the commercial vehicle sector.

“It is a vehicle that has truly evolved a long way over five generations of production, non-more so

than the move to the latest incarnation; which epitomises reliability, practicality and durability – now combined with a driving experience that is truly class leading.”

Commenting on the Launch, Mark Tomlinson, the group general manager of The Zubair Automotive Group said, “It is a very special year for Mitsubishi in Oman. After the exceptional performance of the brand during the first quarter of this year, we are now concluding the second quarter with the launch of two outstanding models within our vehicle line-up, the L 200 pickup, which is now in its fifth generation, and the newly refreshed Outlander model for 2016. I am sure that these two models will be warmly welcomed by our Mitsubishi fans, especially considering their launch comes hand-in-hand with our much awaited Ramadan offer for 2015.”

“We are happy to welcome these two important models into our wide-ranging family of Mitsubishi models. The ideal timing of this launch allows our clients to enjoy these amazing vehicles together with the offers provided

by GAC during the holy month; providing them with total peace of mind and a real sense of value in addition to the power, reliability and performance that Mitsubishi vehicles are known for. This is in addition to the professional service and maintenance provided by our highly trained staff across our country-wide branch network in the Sultanate,” added Rajesh Sharma, national marketing manager for GAC.

Beginning from June 1, customers who purchase a Mitsubishi Lancer EX, ASX, Outlander, Pajero Sport, Pajero or L200, will enjoy the benefits of a combination of free insurance, a two year/30,000km service package, free registration and a cash gift of up to OMR1,000.

Furthermore, any customer who walks into the showroom during the offer period stands a chance to win one of six iPhone 6 mobile phones, with one being given out each week for the six weeks of the offer; while any customer that purchases a new Mitsubishi during the offer period will be entered into a special draw with a prize pool of OMR50,000. The offer period will come to a close on July 30.

The Mitsubishi L200 MMC has been producing pickups for 36 years since 1978, selling over four million units worldwide.

The all-new L200, which marks the fifth-generation of the model, is its first full redesign in nine years and is exported to some 150 countries worldwide.

The all-new L200 was been developed to be the ‘Ultimate Sport Utility Truck,’ combining the comfortable interior of a passenger car with the functionality and reliability of a pickup. Muscular, sleek and dynamic styling which evokes the form of a well-honed athlete, the all-new L200 also provides generous interior space, ample payload capacity, and class-leading handling. Its design is streamlined based on advanced computer simulation to slip through the wind with

FESTIVE SEASON

class-leading drag coefficient values that lowers noise and raises fuel efficiency while enhancing both acceleration and handling stability.

The L200 achieves high levels of safety performance through its durable and sturdy chassis and frame structures along with MMC’s own RISE impact safety body. It also delivers quietness and ride comfort on a par with a passenger car thanks to the optimisation of the suspension, the strategic placement of sound insulation, absorption and vibration damping materials. It also built strong to handle brutal work conditions and thanks to its reinforced cargo bed offering generous storage space, it makes for a perfect pick-up for demanding work scenarios.

The L200 accommodates the varying needs and requirements of consumers and is available as a double or single cab and with three engine choices. A new L200 delivers performance amongst the best in its class thanks to improved versions of the well-proven 2.5-litre turbo diesel and 2.4-litre petrol engine used to power its predecessor.

The 2.5-litre turbo diesel is available as a 2WD variant, producing 110PS at 4,000rpm and 20.4Kgm of torque at 2,000rpm, or as a 4WD variant,produces 136PS at 4,000rpm and 33.1Kgm of torque at 2,000rpm. 2.4-litre petrol engine is available in both 2WD and 4WD variants and produces a class leading 132PS at 5250rpm and 20.6Kgm of torque at 4000rpm.

Transferring this power to the road is a smooth-shifting 5-speed

manual transmission. Its solid stick shift provides the ultimate in vehicle control that both inspires confidence and ensures maximum performance regardless of work load.

The Mitsubishi Outlander Unveiled for the first time at the 2015 New York International Auto Show, the new 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander seven seat passenger crossover is the first Mitsubishi production vehicle to showcase the brand’s new design language, featuring Mitsubishi’s new front design concept, labelled ‘Dynamic Shield’.

Aside from the redesigned front fascia, the revised exterior design features of the 2016 Outlander include new front fenders, halogen headlights, LED position lights, LED Daytime running lights, lower door sections, 18-in. alloy wheels, rear fascia and LED taillights. The reconfigured interior includes a redesigned steering wheel, seating surfaces, accent trim, rear folding seat and headliner.

The new Outlander is not just a cosmetic ‘refreshing,’ however, and features an unprecedented number of important engineering and design improvements that increase the level of refinement and overall driving experience. This includes several improvements made to the chassis of the 2016 Outlander such as increased body and suspension structural rigidity, redesigned suspension and an electric power steering, new dynamic front suspension and rear differential dampers.

Additionally, the new genera-

tion continuously-variable transmission, where equipped, offers improved acceleration, performance, shift feel and torque delivery. It even features a noise-isolating windshield and rear door glass, providing more sound insulation throughout the vehicle, together with improved weather stripping and engine compartment trim.

Mitsubishi’s advanced safety systems also adorn the new Outlander and includes 4-wheel ABS with EBD, a brake override system, theft protection system, driver and passenger SRS front airbags, electronic tailgate opener, high mount stop lamp on the tailgate, and a vacuum booster for the brake system.

The new Outlander model is available with two different engines; the Outlander GLX comes with 2.4 L MIVEC, 4-cylinder engine producing 167PS at 6,000rpm and 22.6kgm of torque at 4,100rpm, while the 7-seat Outlander GLS features a 3.0L MIVC 6-cylinder engine producing 230PS at 6,250rpm and 29.8kgm of torque at 3,750rpm. Both engines provide the benefits of the high power output, low fuel consumption, and low exhaust emissions.

Together with its eye-catching new design aesthetic inside and out and over 100 engineering and design improvements, the new 2016 Outlander literally looks, drives and feels like an entirely new vehicle, making it an even more compelling value than before and reiterates its position as a segment-leading vehicle that appeals to buyers that desire value, quality and safety.

PROMOTION

Wattayah Motors gears up for Ramadan with exclusive offers

Ramadan-inspired collection now available at Home Centre MUSCAT: Every year the holy month of Ramadan brings with it the spirit of tradition, togetherness and generosity as millions of families across the region unite in a time for reflection and commemoration.

Home Centre, the region’s leading home retailer, aims to recreate the warmth and richness of the festive season with its new range of must-have furniture pieces, spectacular gifting options, and other household essentials.

Home Centre’s Ramadan inspired collection includes a wide range of classic furniture, arabesque accessories and luxurious ornaments, as well as festive lighting options, artistic wall arts, woven carpets, tableware and

kitchenware. Expect the seasonal collection to include rich textures perfect for glamorous settings, ornate styles that celebrate Arabic designs and a range of stylish trinkets and treasures that can make beautiful gifts for the season, says a press release.

“Ramadan is a special time to focus on important life goals for oneself as well as practising compassion for the less fortunate. It is a particularly important time spent with immediate and extended family. At Home Centre, we cherish the idea of family and traditions and hope to partake in our customers’ rituals by offering them on-trend products to redecorate their homes and celebrate the

beauty of Ramadan with friends and family. Our new collection instore brings in the warmth to create a special ambience at home, perfect for entertaining guests and spending a refreshing, relaxed time with family,” said Mederic Payne, CEO at Home Centre.

Details of the stunning Ramadan range are set to be unveiled in a festive edition catalogue that will be available at all Home Centre stores and online. To complement the flavour of the season, the catalogue will feature a selection of decor inspirations, creative home tips, festive gifting ideas and seasonal recipes for those looking to add elements of colour and variety to their iftar tables during the holy month.

MUSCAT: Wattayah Motors, the exclusive distributor of Volkswagen in Oman, is gearing up for Ramadan with an exciting range of offers beginning in June and continuing throughout the holy month.

Visitors to the Volkswagen Oman showrooms in Azaiba, Sohar, Salalah and Nizwa can take advantage of three-years unlimited mileage warranty, three years or 45,000km free vehicle servicing and three years roadside assistance on all 2015 Volkswagen models - including the CC, Passat, Tiguan and Touareg models - in addition to an exclusive gift to mark the holy month of Ramadan, says a press release.

“Volkswagen have always offered German engineering and

Visitors to the Volkswagen Oman showrooms can take advantage of three-years unlimited mileage warranty, three years or 45,000km free vehicle servicing and three years roadside assistance innovation at surprisingly affordable prices. This Ramadan, a new Volkswagen is even better value with cash gifts across the

entire range. This means that our customers can enjoy the ultimate in driving pleasure and fun for less. When you consider this and our low running costs there has never been a better time to buy a Volkswagen,” said Andrew Squires, general manager of Wattayah Motors.

“Volkswagen models offer affordable innovation – cars that are technologically advanced, designed to make drivers’ lives easier and provide the ultimate in driving pleasure. This Ramadan, Omani drivers can enjoy worldclass German engineering at a lower cost thanks to our comprehensive service packages, combined with generous cash gifts across our entire model range,” he added.

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Zubair ‘Collaborations’ team set up to foster social responsibility The launch of ‘Collaborations’ team comes to enhance the Zubair strategy towards social work, which started two years ago

MUSCAT: The Zubair Corporation launched the ‘Collaborations’ team to be responsible for all voluntary activities and events carried out by the staff of The Zubair Corporation and its subsidiaries for the service of

society in various fields.

The ‘Collaborations’ team was inaugurated by Khalid M. Al Zubair, managing director of The Zubair Corporation, in the presence of a number of employee representing the core team of ‘Collaborations’, says a press release.

The launch of the ‘Collaborations’ team is based on the strategy of The Zubair Corporation to cultivate social responsibility and direct it towards fostering the partnership between the corporation and the community through the corporation’s staff. The name of the team was chosen from one of the five basic pillars of The Zubair Corporation in order to enhance the value of ‘Collaborations’ between the corporation staff and the community and to promote this fundamental human value that holds the very basic fabric of social ‘Collaborations’, sympathy and compassion among people.

SME EXHIBITION

‘Collaborations’ team The team consists of a group of The Zubair Corporation employees from various departments and other staff from its subsidiaries. It aims to hold voluntary activities within the community in various fields and sectors that require voluntary involvement within the Omani environment, through engaging in some of the local, Arab and international events that entail to highlight

voluntary work and ‘collaborations.

Khalid commented: “’Collaborations’ is a basic value of The Zubair Corporation, and in order to foster such qualities it must be instilled in the corporation interaction attitude and upheld as a genuine value in staff attitude and behaviour .

The idea of the team emerged due to the need to strengthen cooperation and partnership with the community and enhance it in both

directions at the internal level among the staff themselves and the external level between the corporation and the community.

“The private sector is in need to find new, innovative and multiple windows toward social responsibility, and the ‘Collaborations’ team is another approach which will enable The Zubair Corporation and its subsidiaries to achieve that responsibility through a num-

ber of steps and initiatives undertaken by the ‘Collaborations’ . This team is based on the ideas and visions of the staff to contribute to the service of the community.

They will implement and supervise these initiatives and touch on the needs of citizens and intensify their work and activities to achieve the theme of the team for which it was established,” he added.

The launch of ‘Collaborations’ team comes to enhance the Zubair strategy towards social work, which started two years ago for forming in social communication department and from which the Social Advisory Committee was formed consisting from some community dignitaries renowned for their voluntary work in the society in all walks of life, cultural, social, sports, health and other areas that open wide doors for the serve of the community and to enable the partnership between the community and the private sector.

SECURE BANKING EXPERIENCE

BankDhofar implements highest security standards

Bank Muscat extends support to Bindera Village exhibition MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of its commitment to the small and medium enterprises (SME) sector, extended lead support to Bindera Village exhibition showcasing SME products and services from Oman and the neighbouring GCC countries.

The two-day exhibition was held under the patronage of Sheikh Sibbaa bin Hamdan Al Saadi, Secretary General of the High Committee for National Day, at Bahja Hall, Qurum, says a press release.

Bank Muscat showcased its najahi suite of products and services, which evoked strong response at the exhibition. najahi offers a major boost for start-up and small businesses in Oman, complementing the government efforts in encouraging Omani youth to embark on entrepreneurial pursuits and thereby make vital contributions to the economy.

The specially designed najahi products include credit facilities not requiring collateral or guarantees for small business segment to establish and develop their business. With najahi, Bank Muscat fulfils the primary need of finance for the small business segment to embark on entrepreneurial ventures.

In the Oman market, there are thousands of small business customers who do not have access to formal credit facility. najahi offers the required facilities and support for micro and small businesses to take their first step confidently in the journey of success as well as encourages youth to join the

MUSCAT: Reaffirming its commitment to provide customers with a safe and secure banking experience, BankDhofar adopts best international practices in the financial sector and employs stateof-the-art technology and highest security standards.

BankDhofar is among one of the very few banks in the Sultanate of Oman that has acquired the prestigious ISO 27001 information security certification since 2009 for its entire Information Technology Division, says a press release.

“BankDhofar undergoes annual surveillance certification audits by an accredited international entity that assesses the ISMS for ongoing compliance with ISO 27001 standard,” noted Dr Tariq Taha,

Assistant General Manager and Chief Information Officer.

The ISO 27001 information security certification also provides assurance and confidence to BankDhofar customers that the confidentiality, integrity and availability of their information are secure in accordance with internationally recognised standards available from the International Standards

Organisation (ISO).

Dr Tariq Taha added: “BankDhofar has a state-of-the-art and robust information technology infrastructure with multiple layers of security measures, thus assuring defence-in-depth strategy.

The bank has implemented proactive security and fraud monitoring systems to detect and prevent security breaches and fraud in realtime. Additionally, in order to continuously mitigate the internal and external threats and vulnerabilities, we conduct on-going security assessment of the technology infrastructure and test our security application, penetration and vulnerability assessment to mitigate potential risks and align with best security practices.”

BankDhofar has been continuously investing in setting up systems and procedures to adhere to best security standards. The ISO 27001 security certification is a clear indication of the strength of the bank’s investments in people, process and technology for enhancing the customer experience by improving security measures. In today’s world, social engineering is one of the greatest threats that most organisations encounter, wherein hackers try to obtain confidential information by manipulating and/ or deceiving people or misguiding society on a large scale. Also, customers need to report any unusual or suspicious activities and inform the bank to ensure safe and secure banking experience.

B E S T P E R F O R M I N G C O M PA N I E S

AIWA awards set to be held on June 10 Bank Muscat showcased its najahi suite of products and services, which evoked strong response at the expo. najahi offers a major boost for start-up and small businesses in the Sultanate

world of entrepreneurship.

The najahi suite of products comprise flexi loan to support working capital, business expansion and other business needs; contractors loan to complete contracted jobs; contractors bill of discounting against bills submitted for completed contracted jobs; specially designed current account facility with dedicated relationship managers and insurance cover for business premises.

Bank Muscat has launched a series of initiatives to strengthen the SME sector in Oman. Serving as building blocks for entrepreneurs, these initiatives assume importance in the backdrop of the priority accorded by the government to develop the SME sector in Oman.

MUSCAT: The stage is set for the AIWA awards for best performing companies, the most high profile event of its kind targeted primarily at the top echelons of the business community in the Sultanate.

The event will be held under the auspices of Nasser bin Khamis Al Jashmi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Finance. United Media Services is organising the AIWA awards for best performing companies, from 7pm onwards on

June 10. In a red carpet awards evening at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, AIWA will felicitate the top performing listed companies in Oman during 2014, says a press release.

Maserati is the presenting sponsor whereas Shell Oman Marketing, Voltamp and ACWA Power Barka are the support partners.

National Aluminium Products Co is the official aluminium extruder for the event. Gulf Baader Capital

Markets is the knowledge partner whereas KPMG is the validation partner for the ranking process used for the awards.

The premium event, with a sitin dinner, will attract more than 250 top business leaders, CEOs and senior government officials from a cross-section of industries, ministries and government bodies.

Forty-four companies have been shortlisted for the awards. Finally, 15 top ranking companies will

receive the coveted trophy. Furthermore, achievements that go beyond the balance sheet will be recognised through special awards including Lifetime Achievement, CEO of the Year, Most Outstanding Corporate Leader, Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility, Excellence in Corporate Leadership, Manufacturer of the Year, Most Promising Islamic Insurance Company of the Year and Best Transformation Leader.

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Bank Muscat claims fund transfer award The 2014 Wells Fargo straight through processing (STP) award recognised 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 award

ceremony was attended by senior bank officials.

The 2014 Wells Fargo straight through processing (STP) award recognised Bank Muscat’s exceptional quality of SWIFT messages on dollar payment and an outstanding 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 automated 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 2014.

A multi-award winning organisation, Bank Muscat’s STP performance has been consistently lauded by the international financial and banking community for several years.

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MEGA PRIZES

Joyalukkas unveils ‘Drive Your Dream’ summer promotion MUSCAT: The globally renowned jewellery retail chain Joyalukkas has announced its summer promotion ‘Drive Your Dream’ to coincide with the peak summer shopping period.

Shoppers will get a chance to win the dream prizes of 12 Audi cars and 3kg of gold on shopping worth OMR50 at any of the Joyalukkas Jewellery showrooms.

This mega winning initiative will be one of the biggest winnings on offer during the summer months.

“Our business is to cater to desires and aspirations of jewellery lovers and with the addition of mega winnings of 12 Audi cars and 3kg gold we now hope to also make their dreams come true. For this summer we have planned exquisite collections, best prices and dream winnings so that shoppers during this peak buying period get the best for their money,” said Joy Alukkas, chairman and MD, Joyalukkas Group.

The Joyalukkas Summer Promotion – “Drive Your Dream” is scheduled up to 8th August, 2015 and in addition to the dream win-

nings of 1 Audi car and 15 gold coins for Oman customers are also being offered the ‘Low Making Charges’ during the campaign period. Customers can buy their favourite jewellery with for low making charges. Joyalukkas has also introduced a host of new summer collections and designs in gold, diamond, polki, pearl, precious stones to meet the demand and expectation of the summer shoppers.

“Joyalukkas Summer Promotion – Drive Your Dream will be one of the biggest winnings this summer to excite the summer shoppers. Our objective is to make this summer special for every shopper at Joyalukkas,” said John Paul Joy Alukkas, Executive Director of Joyalukkas group.

Joyalukkas Summer Promotion – Drive Your Dream is one of the biggest promotional initiatives launched by the Superbrand for jewellery shoppers. The initiative will be simultaneously launched across all Joyalukkas Showrooms in the Middle-East, Singapore and Malaysia.

R E A L E S TAT E S H O W

Indus India Property Pavilion to take part in international expo on June 5 MUSCAT: More than 200 realty projects from India will be presented to discerning customers in the Sultanate at the two-day International Property Expo which is scheduled to be held at Holiday Muscat Hotel in Al Khuwair on June 5 and 6.

Indus India Property Pavilion will be part of the exhibition where reputed property developers from India will showcase their best housing projects to bring the best value for money to the customers, says a press release.

Among the countries participating in the show, India has the biggest pavilion with more than 25 builders making a pan-Indian choice to select their property.

Sponsored by leading realtors such as Flinstone, Bombay, India Property Pavilion offers some of the best deals with opportunity to find the right financier to suit the budget of every customer.

Leading banking institutions will also be part of the expo to support the customers finance their dream home in their home country. According Indus and World Nation Expo, the organisers, this is one of the best opportunities for many Indians in Oman to select the home where they would like to retire to, as this show brings many

of-the-art amenities that offer its occupants a great quality of life.

These comprise a well equipped gym, swimming pool and jogging track for fitness enthusiasts and lush landscaped gardens, a children’s play ground and a club house for recreation.

The grand entrance to the building will make it a prominent landmark in the vicinity. Ample car parking within the premises provides car owners adequate place to park their vehicles.

of the leading and highly reputed builders together on a common platform along with leading banks.

The projects being showcased at the show range from affordable to luxury and the prices are between OMR 2,000 to OMR 3,00,000.

The Flintstone Group The Flintstone Group was formed in the year 2011 by Amit M. Lakhanpal and Rajkumar E. Kandaswamy with a singular vision, to provide affordable housing to citizens of Mumbai and to create an opportunity for investment in real estate. Today, in less than four years, Flintstone Group is an ISO 9001:2008 certified company.

All thanks to the constant efforts made by its team of dedicated staff and its undeterred focus on the products and services that the group creates.

Flint Heights Flint Heights is a project by Orbit Buildcom which is a part of Flintstone Group. Located at Ghatkopar it comprises 3 towers of stilt plus nine storey heights, having luxurious 1, 2 & 2.5 BHK apartments spread across six wings and commercial shops on ground level.

A high quality construction built according to vaastu. The impres-

sive building is exceptionally designed keeping in mind customer requirements, and is the perfect abode for peace and happiness.

The A & E wings at Flint Heights comprise 2 plus 2.5 BHK apartments, C&D have 1 plus 1 BHK apartments and B & F wings will house 1 plus 2 BHK apartments.

The 1 BHK apartments will be of size 603 sq. ft., 2 BHK apartments will have an area of 879 sq. ft & 2.5 BHK apartments will have an area of 1018 sq. ft built up area.

Location advantage Located at just 15 minutes walking distance from Ghatkopar Railway Station and 12 minutes from Ghatkopar metro station, Flint

EMPLOYEE RETENTION

Heights offers excellent connectivity. The eastern express highway too can be accessed within a 5-minute drive from the location, thus providing road commuters an easy access to any part of Mumbai like the international airport which is a mere 20-minute drive or BKC which can be reached in 25 minutes or even SEEPZ which is only 15-minute drive from the location. The project also has close proximity to major malls, restaurants and multiplexes like RCITY Mall and Phoenix Market City as well as to health care facilities like Sarvoday Hospital.

State-of-the-art amenities Flint Heights boasts of the state-

A well built structure Only the best construction material will be used to build Flint Heights, a robust earth quake resistant structure with an acrylic painted exterior.

A building with ergonomic design and having an attractive entrance lobby. A smart property equipped with advanced fire fighting systems, modern lifts with power back-ups, telephone points and cable TV provisions.

The other features of Flint Heights include anodized sliding windows in all flats, attractive main doors, quality granite and glazed tiles used in kitchens, marbonite flooring, plastic emulsion paint for interior finish, concealed plumbing and quality fittings.

A fantastic offer As part of its endeavour to drive pre bookings for Flint Heights, Flintstone Group is happy to propose an amazing, irresistible offer to buyers. The offer is both value for money as well as provides the buyer convenience in making payments as well as support for future resale if desired.

Flintstone provides buyers an opportunity to avail of flats and commercial premises at Flint Heights at a special pricing, which is designed to be significantly lower than prevailing rates in the locality. Payments can be made according to a convenient and transparent easy payment schedule. Buyers would also get the advantage of choosing from more options available now, should they decide to book immediately.

A lock-in period of 18 months would be applicable for all purchases, after which in case the owners decide to sell, Flintstone would also provide them assistance to sell the purchased premises. This makes the entire offer to buy an apartment at Flint Heights extremely attractive, convenient and irresistible.

India Property Pavilion is from 10.45am till 8.30pm. Entry is free.

IMPROVING EFFICIENCY

Bank Nizwa wins coveted award Unikai to revamp its distribution set-up with fleet of Isuzu trucks MUSCAT: Bank Nizwa recently became the first Islamic bank in Oman to be awarded the prestigious ‘Best Employee Retention and Motivation Programme’ award at the annual Middle East Call Centre Awards.

The win highlights the contribution of the bank’s call centre towards its successful two-year journey in providing customers with novel Shari’a-compliant solutions. In addition, the award recognises the bank’s achievement in creating an energetic work environment for employees and enabling them to perform with the highest levels of productivity, says a press release.

Committed to provide the best customer experience, Bank Ni-

zwa’s call centre agents are highly trained, with recruits undergoing an intensive training program in a wide variety of disciplines, including products, processes, technology, soft-skills and on-the-job training. Today, the call centre handles an average of 170,000 inbound calls per year.

“People are the driving force

behind Bank Nizwa’s success, therefore, our efforts were centred on advancing the capacity of employees and their capability in raising awareness on Islamic Finance, while achieving excellence in customer service. Each one of our call centre agents is an expert at providing recommendations regarding the array of Shari’a-compliant products and services on offer and this award is dedicated to their hard work and commitment. While we welcome external recognition, we have rewards and recognition programs of our own for those who excel in what they do and add value to their team members and customers,” said Ikhlas Al Lawati, senior manager at the Bank Nizwa Call Centre.

MUSCAT: United Kaipara Dairies Co. (P.S.C.), popularly known by its brand name ‘Unikai’, is going to rely on Isuzu trucks and chillers to enhance its delivery prowess. Unikai is one of the major dairy food companies in the Arabian Peninsula.

The company since its inception in the year 1977 has been witnessing a rapid growth because of its excellent product quality and availability.

Unikai has been focusing on increasing the consumer satisfaction by delivering fresh products to them at their nearest points of purchase on a regular basis. To achieve this, Unikai is strengthening its distribution with a fleet of brand new modern and reliable Isuzu chiller and dry truck fleet from Vehicle Leasing Company (VLC), in order to meet the growing consumer demand for its products, says a press release.

Unikai has a wide range of dairy products, ice creams and juices and are sold primarily in Oman and UAE, besides select overseas countries. Unikai’s Oman operation has been contributing significantly to its overall business volumes. Unikai laban is one of the most popular products amongst consumers cutting across nationalities especially during the holy month of Ramadan, while Unikai ice lollies, cups and cones are a big hit with children. Unikai

has become a household name in all the markets where ever the brand is present. The entire existing Unikai fleet of distribution trucks in Oman will be upgraded with brand new Isuzu trucks equipped with state-of-the art chilling units from Carrier Transicold–Industry leaders in transport refrigeration solutions that allow for precise control of temperature and humidity, through a special leasing agreement with Vehicle Leasing Company.

VLC is an OTE Group company, specialising in offering customised leasing and transport solutions for leading FMCG companies, fleet operators, banks, EPC contractors, fast food chains etc., and has presence in Ghala, Muscat airport, Salalah, Seeb and Sohar. Value Plus Rent-A -Car, a part of VLC offers daily, weekly, monthly rentals.

Isuzu is not only present in over 100 countries, but also enjoys an overwhelming No. 1 position in many regions. Isuzu is a market leader in Oman and its trucks are

immensely popular because of their unmatched reliability and versatility even while operating on gruelling schedules and delivering more efficient results.

Round-the-clock hours of operation and driving distances from Unikai’s state-of-the-art production facility located in the UAE to delivery locations across the Sultanate even during poor weather conditions in order to maintain the freshness and availability, Isuzu trucks are naturally the preferred choice as they are designed to focus on reducing driver fatigue and improving basic safety through fundamental factors such as excellent visibility and ease of handling. This major shift will not only vastly improve the efficiency of transporting the variety of Unikai products to retail outlets that are widely spread across Oman in ideal refrigerated conditions but also greatly help in maintaining the product freshness and quality throughout the supply chain.

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SKATING CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR NOVEMBER Come November the sports enthusiasts of Sultanate will get to witness a new sport and a new international championship — one that will excite all those who love special sports and send their adrenaline soaring. >C3

It’s Djokovic vs Nadal in quarters The sun was shining again, spectators topped up their tans under clear blue skies but a cold chill circulated around Maria Sharapova as the title holder was frozen out of the fourth round

PARIS: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will clash in a French Open quarterfinal blockbuster in one of the sport’s most-eagerly awaited clashes of recent times.

World number one and top seed Djokovic eased into the last eight on Monday with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 win over France’s Richard Gasquet.

Defending champion Nadal, seeking a 10th Roland Garros crown, saw off unseeded American Jack Sock, 6-3, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.

It was Nadal’s 70th career win at the French Open against just one defeat and his 39th in a row at the tournament he has dominated for a decade.

“It’s the biggest challenge I can have on clay,” said Djokovic who needs a French Open title to complete the career Grand Slam.

“He’s lost just once here in his career.”

On facing Djokovic, sixth-seed Nadal said: “I will have to play my best tennis. “He’s the world number one and is having a great season. It’ll be a complicated match.”

Nadal has beaten Djokovic in the 2012 and 2014 finals in Paris as well as the 2013 semi-finals and holds a career 23-20 edge in headto-head meetings.

Meanwhile, the sun was shining again, spectators topped up their tans under clear blue skies but a cold chill circulated around Maria Sharapova as the title holder was frozen out of the fourth round on Monday.

A day after rain played havoc with the schedule, Sharapova’s hopes of reaching a fourth successive final at Roland Garros were turned to dust by the dynamite forehand of Lucie Safarova, the Czech winning 7-6(3), 6-4.

GIANT KILLER: Czech Republic’s Lucie Safarova celebrates after winning her match against Russia’s Maria Sharapova. – AFP

Sharapova spent the changeovers coughing and spluttering into a tissue but the Russian second seed refused to blame health problems for her earliest exit at the French Open since 2010.

“I’m still a competitor no matter what. I’m going to do everything in order to go out and give it my best, and I think I did the best I could.

Today it wasn’t enough, because my opponent had a different gear than I did,” the 2012 and 2014 champion told reporters.

Sharapova was one of eight grand slam champions in action on day nine with Serena Williams and Roger Federer making sure they did not suffer the same fate as the Russian.

Top seed Williams relied on her famed survival instincts rather than her explosive firepower to extinguish the challenge of fellow American Sloane Stephens 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.

As she came back from a set down for a third match in a row, her exertions turned her hot-pink outfit into darker shade of cerise — but that mattered little to the

Charlene Riva and Myla Rose, what the Swiss produced on court was a masterpiece.

IN QUARTERFINALS: Serbia’s Novak Djokovic gestures during his match against France’s Richard Gasquet. – AFP

fashion-conscious Williams.

“I keep fighting, I never give up,” a grinning Williams summed up.

Fellow 33-year-old Federer also harbours hopes of landing another title in Paris.

In the build-up to his showdown

ORDER OF MERIT

McCullum, Hesson hailed for New Zealand success WELLINGTON: New Zealand’s unprecedented success in reaching the Cricket World Cup final earlier this year has resulted in honours for captain Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson.

Both were appointed Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (NZOM) in the Queen Elizabeth II Birthday Honours list released Monday.

Therese Walsh, head of the New Zealand organising committee for the 2015 World Cup, which was co-hosted with Australia, was made a Dame Companion of the NZOM. The honours were announced as McCullum eyed a series-levelling Test victory over England after leading his side to a commanding position on the third day of the second Test at Headingley.

Hesson said he hoped the accolades would be seen as recognition for the entire New Zealand team, both on and off the field.

“We front the team from a coach and captain’s perspective but we wouldn’t be here receiving this honour without a very good group of cricketers and really good support staff around us.

I feel honoured, privileged and surprised,” he said.

McCullum, who made his international debut in a one-day international against Australia in 2002 and played his first Test against South Africa two years later, said he was “humbled” to

HONOURS: New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum.

be recognised. “It feels funny accepting one of these but I’m sure the rest of the guys will enjoy it too,” he said. “We’re trying to make an impact on sport while we have an opportunity, and leave it in a better space than when we took over.”

New Zealand surprised the cricket world when they went into the World Cup in February as outsiders and were the only unbeaten team in pool play before eventually losing the final to Australia a month later.

McCullum and Hesson have been New Zealand’s captain and

ON A ROLL: Spain’s Rafael Nadal celebrates after winning a point against US Jack Sock during their men’s fourth round of the Roland Garros 2015 French Tennis Open. – AFP

coach since 2012 and in addition to taking the side to the World Cup final for the first time they also led New Zealand to an unprecedented five Test wins in the 2014-15 season.

In the current second Test against England, New Zealand hold a 338-run lead in their second innings with four wickets in hand and two days to play.

England won the first Test by 124 runs at Lord’s.

New Zealand awards honours twice a year -- at New Year and to mark the official birthday of the Queen in early June. - AFP

with French showman Gael Monfils, Federer tweeted a squiggly sketch of the Eiffel Tower.

While his attempt at drawing the famous Paris landmark would not look out of place in the sketch books of his five-year-old twins

Dazzling Federer Resuming the match at one-set all, Federer dazzled Monfils with an array of spine-tingling winners for a 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory that kept him on track for a record 18th grand slam title.

“I’m pumped up to be in the quarters again. It really means a lot to me,” he said.

At 33, Federer would have been relieved with such a swift conclusion to the match because, thanks to Sunday’s rain-curtailed programme, he will be back on court for the third day running on Tuesday for his all-Swiss quarterfinal against Stan Wawrinka.

There could also be two Spaniards in the men’s last eight after seventh seed David Ferrer ended U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic’s run with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 romp.

His next challenge will be ending the 14-match claycourt winning streak of Andy Murray after the British third seed

tamed France’s Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Sharapova’s exit blew open the bottom half of the draw, where Ana Ivanovic remains as the highest seed at seven.

While Safarova produced 19 scorching forehand winners to bamboozle Sharapova, the Russian was also left to rue double faults at key moments.

She produced a pair of misfiring serves in the first set tiebreak, another double saw her go 2-0 down in the second set and a third handed Safarova match point in the 10th game.

While nerves meant the Czech smashed the ball —which took an age to fall from the skies — into the net on her first match point, the 13th seed made no mistake with her second chance.

A blazing forehand winner left Safarova wide-eyed and cupping her face in disbelief.

“Oh my God, I cannot say how happy I am... this is amazing,” she said after booking a last eight date with 21st-seeded Spaniard Garbine Muguruza. - Reuters

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TUE S DAY, JU N E 2 , 2 015

SPORTS

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Kiwis’ victory bid delayed by rain

CRICKET

Only 29 overs were possible on Monday —13 in England’s second innings — before the umpires called off play for the day with the hosts

CUP OF JOY: Pakistani cricketers pose with the trophy at the end of the third and final One-day International match against Zimbabwe at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore. – AFP

putting on 44 for the

Pakistan celebrate Zimbabwe tour but challenges remain

opening wicket

LEEDS: New Zealand’s hopes of forcing a series-levelling win in the second Test against England were dealt a blow after rain washed out most of the fourth day’s play at Headingley on Monday.

The Black Caps thrashed England’s bowlers for quick runs to leave the hosts facing a record chase to win the match.

But England, set a huge target of 455 for victory, were 44 without loss when gentle but persistent rain stopped play.

In all, only 29 overs were possible on Monday —13 in England’s second innings — before the umpires called off play for the day at 4:59pm local time (1559 GMT).

New Zealand will now have a minimum of 98 overs on Tuesday’s final day to take the 10 wickets they need to end the series all-square at 1-1 after their 124-run defeat in the first Test at Lord’s last week.

Adam Lyth, who scored a maiden Test hundred in the first innings, was 24 not out on his Yorkshire home ground.

England captain Alastair Cook, who in the first innings became England’s highest run-scorer in Tests, was unbeaten on 18.

Earlier, New Zealand flayed the new ball all over Headingley as they extended their overnight 338 for six to 454 for eight declared.

In the face of some wayward bowling with the new ball, the Black Caps struck 116 runs in just 16 overs before captain Brendon McCullum called a halt.

England were left needing 455 for victory, with the most any side have made in the fourth innings to win a Test the West Indies’ 418 for seven against Australia at St John’s, Antigua, in 2002/03.

England’s corresponding record is 332 for seven against Australia at Melbourne back in 1928/29.

When McCullum declared, there were 171 overs left in the match but Monday’s rain all but ended England’s slim hopes of victory, with a New Zealand win or a draw now the two most likely results.

BJ Watling resumed on exactly 100 not out after becoming the first New Zealand batsman to score a Test hundred at Headingley.

Mark Craig, 15 not out overnight, was dropped on 23 when a diving Stuart Broad at mid-off

AGGRESSIVE: New Zealand’s Mark Craig was severe on the England bowlers as he scored a half century. – AFP

SCOREBOARD

New Zealand 1st Innings: 350 (L Ronchi 88, T Latham 84; S Broad 5-109) England 1st Innings 350 (A Lyth 107, A Cook 75; T Southee 4-83) New Zealand 2nd Innings (overnight: 338-6) T. Latham c Buttler b Broad 3 M. Guptill c Root b Wood 70 K. Williamson c Buttler b Broad 6 R. Taylor c Stokes b Wood 48 B. McCullum lbw b Wood 55 BJ Watling c Root b Anderson 120 L. Ronchi c Buttler b Anderson 31 M. Craig not out 58 T. Southee c Anderson b Ali 40 M. Henry not out 12 Extras (b-4, lb-6, w-1) 11 Total (8 wkts dec, 91 overs, 449 mins) 454 Did not bat: T Boult Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Latham), 2-23 (Williamson), 3-122 (Taylor), 4-141 (Guptill),

failed to hold a tough chance off James Anderson.

It was estimated dropped catches had cost England 250 runs in the series and 182 in the second innings of this match alone.

Anderson’s second delivery with the new ball removed Watling for 120, third slip Joe Root holding a fine catch.

England’s cause was not helped when Ian Bell failed to move for a chance offered by Tim Southee off Anderson.

Southee cashed in, scoring 20 runs off Broad’s first over including 18 in boundaries off four successive balls.

He swung Broad backward of square for four and then drove the paceman straight back over his head for a superb six.

5-262 (McCullum), 6-315 (Ronchi), 7-368 (Watling), 8-435 (Southee) Bowling: Anderson 23-4-96-2 (1w); Broad 16-1-94-2; Wood 19-2-97-3; Stokes 12-1-610; Ali 16-0-73-1; Root 5-0-23-0 England 2nd Innings (target: 455) A. Lyth not out 24 A. Cook not out 18 Extras (lb-1, w-1) 2 Total (0 wkts, 13 overs, 49 mins) 44 To bat: G Ballance, I Bell, J Root, B Stokes, J Buttler, M Ali, S Broad, M Wood, J Anderso Bowling: Boult 7-0-20-0; Southee 3-1-13-0 (1w); Craig 1-0-1-0; Henry 2-0-9-0 Match position: England need a further 411 runs to win with all 10 second-innings wickets standing.

Toss: England Umpires: S Ravi (IND), Rod Tucker (AUS) TV umpire: Marais Erasmus (RSA)

Southee followed with a bottomedged pull for four then drove the next delivery through the covers for another boundary.

The big-hitting Southee fell for 40, off just 24 balls, when he drove off-spinner Moeen Ali to Anderson at long-on.

But it made little difference with New Zealand hammering Broad, who repeatedly bowled too short and, like many of his team-mates, didn’t use the yorker, for 19 runs in the last over before the declaration.

That over featured three sixes, one a straight drive by Craig and two from tailender Matt Henry, who ended the innings with a pull that sailed high over deep square leg. Craig’s unbeaten 58 not out included 42 runs in boundaries — nine fours and and a six. - AFP

LAHORE: Pakistan gave a huge sigh of relief Monday after Zimbabwe’s high-stakes, high-security tour ended without major incident, the first top-level international cricket in the insurgency-hit country in six years.

Cricket-mad Pakistani fans, starved of action at home since gunmen attacked the Sri Lanka team bus in 2009, packed Lahore’s Gaddafi stadium for the two Twenty20s and three oneday internationals.

The home side dominated, winning both T20s and two of the ODIs, with the third rained off, but the symbolism of the matches mattered far more than the results.

And as the Africans flew out early on Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was already talking up the chances of luring more international teams.

But much remains to be done to convince foreign boards, players and umpires that the country is once again safe to tour.

Zimbabwe are a fairly lowprofile team but they still needed a mammoth security operation — reportedly bigger than for visiting heads of state — with 4,000 policemen guarding the stadium and another 2,000 at the team hotel and on their route to the ground.

Even with these measures in place, a blast hit Lahore during Friday’s second ODI, killing two people, with Pakistani officials giving conflicting accounts.

Police insisted it was a gas cylinder explosion but a government minister said it was a suicide bomber who detonated explosives when challenged by police at a security cordon some 1.5 kilometres from the ground.

Despite the blast, Zimbabwe went ahead with the final ODI and PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan said it was a complete team effort which helped the revival, hailing

It was a tough decision to send the team, especially with opposition by some people in the wake of killings in Karachi, but in the end we are happy that we played a part in the cricket revival. The passion of the people was amazing and for the first time in the sub-continent I saw people clapping for the opposition Alistair Campbell Zimbabwe Cricket the courage of the police.

“I think praise is due to an unknown policeman guarding the team to the government and to every cricket fan who packed the stadium despite security hassles and made this a successful and safe series,” Khan told AFP. Fans waited in blistering temperatures exceeding 40 Celsius to pass through numerous security checkpoints on their way to the ground -- a testimony to the enthusiasm for the return of live action.

Braving fears Zimbabwe pressed ahead with the tour despite scepticism from the international players’ union and

the fact the International Cricket Council (ICC) said it would not send neutral umpires over safety fears.

An attack by militants on a bus in Karachi that left 45 people dead just days before the tour created further doubts, but Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) managing director Alistair Campbell said his country was glad to have played its part in Pakistan’s cricket revival.

“It was a tough decision to send the team, especially with opposition by some people in the wake of killings in Karachi, but in the end we are happy that we played a part in the cricket revival in Pakistan with a safe and successful tour,” he told AFP. “The passion of the people was amazing and for the first time in the sub-continent I saw people clapping for the opposition in a packed stadium.”

Long road to travel PCB is now hoping Sri Lanka will agree to tour, possibly next year.

Sri Lanka Cricket’s interim committee chairman Sidath Wettimuny, who was at the third ODI, said he was delighted at the success of the tour.

“We are really happy that somebody has come to Pakistan to kick off international cricket here,” he said.

“I am amazed with crowd. They have shown that they want to see international cricket and it is a great start for Pakistan.”

But the scars of the 2009 gun and rocket attack, which claimed eight lives, are still raw and Wettimuny was cautious about sending his team to Pakistan.

“It’s too early to say anything. It was important to come here and it was a goodwill gesture on our part. We have always been very supportive of Pakistan cricket.

I will go back and tell our board what I have seen and take it from there,” he said. - AFP

T UESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

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SPORTS Excellence Performance to host Oman Skating Championship Excellence Performance is

We set an immediate goal of bringing all these roller skating enthusiasts together and the best way to do that was to conduct an international tournament

making an attempt to introduce roller skating as an ‘organised sport’ by hosting an international event right here in Muscat

A. SESHAGIRI RAO

Rashid Ibrahim Al Kindi

raoas@timesofoman.com

Executive Director, Excellence Sport

MUSCAT: Come November the sports enthusiasts of Sultanate will get to witness a new sport and a new international championship — one that will excite all those who love specialised sports and send their adrenaline soaring.

We are talking about roller skating — one of the most popular sports, especially with the young boys and girls, all around the globe.

Excellence Performance, a small but successful company that has been striving to organise unique sports events that encourage Omani youth as well as promote the country as a tourist destination, is making an attempt to introduce roller skating as an ‘organised sport’ by hosting an international event right here in Muscat.

And if Rashid Ibrahim Al Kindi, Founder and Executive Director of Excellence Performance, is to be believed, the Oman Skate Championship to be hosted on November 28 will hopefully transform roller skating into a more organised and professional sport in the country.

Asked how the idea of introducing an all new sport and conducting a new tournament has occurred to his team, he was quick to correct the term ‘new sport’.

“It’s a wrong notion that roller skating is considered a ‘new sport’,” Rashid said.

“We too believed that it’s a new sport, a latest craze that is becoming popular with the youngsters.

But we were forced to change our view after conducting a survey.

“We found that there are umpteen number of youngsters who have been practicing this sport for quite some time. Not just in Muscat but other parts of the country as well,” he said.

“The numbers exceed hundreds in each place that we have noticed boys and girls practicing the sport.

In Muscat alone, we see a large number of skaters in places like Seeb, Al Khuwair and Al Amerat.

“The sport is popular with children in Sur, Samayil and beyond.

There are places we have not visited. May be it is equally popular there or may be more.”

Rashid also said his team was encouraged by the response they got from these youngsters, most of whom took to social media, pouring in with their queries as soon as Excellence Performance initiated the survey.

“There is a group of boys and girls who call themselves Oman Boys Skating. They are a bunch who dedicated to the sport. In fact they spent money their own pockets to produce a video for us - on their activities.

“And our first question to all the roller skating enthusiasts was ‘Are you happy with the sport’. The answer was a resounding yes from each one of them.”

“But they also said they are ‘not happy with how and where’ they are practising the sport,” Rashid added. “Their activities are conducted mostly in public places like parks and picnic spots, which, they say, are disturbing to those who visit the places as well as themselves.”

To add to that the issue of safety of these amateur skaters.

“We looked into the aspect of their personal safety and that of others. There is hardly any equipment other than the skates and the facilities at the venues are dangerous. In fact the proper facilities are nonexistent.”

Rashid and his team recognised the need to get the sport organised.

“To achieve that we need an official body that will be supported by the Ministry of Sports Affairs and the government, and recognised by an international skating federation,” he said.

“We need to take measures like conducting events as well as technical, administrative and coaching courses.”

“But that’s a long process and requires some time to get it done.”

“So instead of waiting for things to happen, we set an immediate goal of bringing all these roller skating enthusiasts together and the best way to do that was to conduct an international tournament,” Rashid explained.

ICC PRESIDENCY

Sethi withdraws candidature LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricket chief Najam Sethi on Monday withdrew as sole nominee for the presidency of the game’s world governing body, calling for a top former player to take his place.

Sethi, who quit as chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) last year after a long series of court battles in a power struggle with his predecessor, had been nominated for the post of International Cricket Council (ICC) president.

The ICC was due to consider Sethi’s nomination in their board meeting in Barbados later this month and he would have taken charge for one year from July 1.

But Sethi said the ICC’s recent announcement that the president’s post will only be open to leading former players from July 2016 prompted him to take the decision.

“I have withdrawn my candidature,” Sethi said.

“Since the ICC announcement... I have increasingly felt that it is only fitting that this rule should be implemented straighta-

NOT INTERESTED: Former Pakistan cricket chief Najam Sethi. – AFP

way so that one of Pakistan’s great iconic cricketers should be so honoured.”

The post of ICC president has become largely ceremonial after the body passed reforms last year which made the chairman the head of the organisation.

The role now rotates among member countries who nominate people for the post. Sethi had been due to take over from Bangladesh’s Mustafa Kamal, who had a bitter falling out with the ICC in March. Kamal levelled serious al-

legations against the umpires in Bangladesh’s quarter-final defeat against India in the World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, accusing them of bias towards India and he resigned in protest in April. The post has remained vacant as Bangladesh did not nominate a replacement.

The PCB said it will nominate another candidate in due course.

Former captains Zaheer Abbas, Majid Khan and Asif Iqbal are seen as front runners for the nomination. - AFP

The Ministry of Sports Affairs readily agreed to support their cause and Excellence Performance also got in touch with an international federation to start the process.

“The ministry will be giving us all the logistic support, especially communicating with all the government departments, like ROP, Muscat Municipality and other service organisations, to help us conduct the tournament,” he said.

“Interestingly there are more than two international federations involved with the skating. But we finally approached the Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) because of their close links with the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

“They also readily agreed to help in conducting seminars and workshops for referees and coaches while appreciating our plans to organise the tournament,” he said.

Big challenge Rashid also said organising an international tournament is a big challenge but they are determined to succeed.

“It’s a huge challenge. Bringing in international athletes and involving our own people.

“But we want to do it and do it in a big way because what the ministry will and can do to the sport will

LOVE THE SPORT: The Oman Boys Skating are a bunch of roller

skating enthusiasts who are very dedicated to the sport and according to Rashid Al Kindi want an official status given to the sport so that they can get proper facilities to practice.

depend on the success of the tournament,” he said.

Revealing the details of the tournament, Rashid said: “The event will take place at the ministries area in Al Khuwair and it will comprise three categories — 10km main skating race for men and women above 16 years, 5km junior skating race for boys and girls between 11 and 15 years and a 4km fun race for six to ten years.”

In the main race, the top three in both men’s and women’s categories will get OMR 500, OMR 350 and OMR 150 in addition to gold, silver and bronze medals.

The fourth and fifth placed athletes will be presented with bronze medals.

In the junior section, there will be cash prizes of OMR 150, OMR 100 and OMR 50 besides the medals.

Associate events Rashid also revealed the plans to organise several other events on the sidelines of the Oman Roller Skate Championship.

“There will be three main side events all aimed at giving exposure to the athletes and attracting a large number of supporters,” Rashid said. “We will have a freestyle skating event, where the entries will be by invitation only. Then we will be asking the Oman Athletic Association to bring the top 12 longdistance runners of the country to do a race. That will also help them prepare for the GCC Cross-country Championships scheduled for December or early January.

“We will be also have Saudi twins Hassan and Hussein of ‘Arabs Got Talent’ fame showing their skating skills during the event,” he said.

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TUE S DAY, JUN E 2 , 2 015

SPORTS Impressive Ahmad Al Harthy finishes fourth at Silverstone Only just missing out on a podium result in the threehour Silverstone 500 after a late Safety Car intervention, the 33-year-old and team-mate Daniel Lloyd consolidated fifth in the driver standings and have also increased their lead in the ‘Silver Cup’ classification

IN GOOD CONTROL: Oman Racing Team’s Ahmad Al Harthy exhibited great control while driving on the rain-dampened Silverstone circuit but was unfortunate to have missed a place in the podium. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: Avon Tyres British GT Championship title contender Ahmad Al Harthy delivered an impressive performance during a rain-affected fourth round of the season at Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday, to help secure the Oman Racing Team a highly competitive top four finish.

Only just missing out on a podium result in the three-hour Silverstone 500 after a late Safety Car intervention, the 33-year-old and team-mate Daniel Lloyd consolidated fifth in the driver standings and have also increased their lead in the ‘Silver Cup’ classification.

“I was really happy with the way we raced, we’ve improved a lot and we were so close to a podium finish

this weekend”, said Ahmad. “The Safety Car late on just bunched everyone up and we didn’t have the pace at that point to hold on to third place unfortunately. fourth position, though, gives us good points for the championship and very good points for the team as well.”

Competing at Silverstone for the second weekend in succession, having contested the Blancpain Endurance Series encounter seven days earlier, the pairing went into the latest British GT round in confident mood after qualifying fifth fastest for the race.

Rainfall ahead of race day left the track surface very slippery for morning warm-up but Ahmad, as he has so many times, confirmed

his prowess in the wet after heading the times by 0.5 seconds in the No.2 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3.

Taking the first stint of the race, the Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ooredoo, National Bank of Oman and Al Hashar Group-supported driver made a superb getaway at the rolling start and after moving into fourth out of Copse he then moved into third at Becketts.

Running close behind reigning champion Marco Attard, Ahmad made short work of the BMW on lap two with a stunning move around the outside at Stowe to take second place and he then set his sights on the raceleading McLaren. The Safety Car

was called into action for the first time on lap 14 and so Ahmad took the opportunity to pit for the first driver change while the action fell under caution. Lloyd rejoined in sixth as the Safety Car continued to circulate and with others also electing to make early stops, he was elevated into third.

With just under an hour having elapsed, and with the race still under caution, Lloyd revisited the pits for Ahmad to get back into the car for his second stint — this time fitting slick tyres as the drying line became more prevalent. The action finally resumed on lap 22 with the Oman Racing Team car in 10th position after its second stop and Ahmad immediately started to

close on Attard ahead.

Serving up a near carbon-copy repeat of his earlier pass at Stowe on the outside line, the Omani expertly moved into ninth and proceeded to work his way through into the top four as the race reached mid-distance. Climbing into third place soon after, he then grabbed second position from Jon Minshaw’s BMW at Club on lap 41 as a podium finish looked very much on the cards.

Pitting for the final time with little over an hour to run, Lloyd returned to the driving seat and after rejoining the race in seventh he moved up the order into the top four as other front-runners made their last pit visits. Running with-

in 10 seconds of the podium on lap 59, Lloyd then made it into the top three when race leader Mark Farmer crashed exiting Club.

Triggering the reappearance of the Safety Car with just over half an hour remaining on the clock, the bunching up of the pack worked against Lloyd and after the re-start on lap 65, with 20 minutes to go, he started to be closed down

by Alexander Sims in the Attard BMW. Doing his utmost to keep the faster Sims at bay, Lloyd was powerless to prevent a slip back to fourth — still an excellent result.

“The team did an incredible job with the car again this weekend and with the strategy too”, said Ahmad, “The car was good on the wet tyres, trying to keep them cool was key as the track dried, and then it was a case of the opposite when we switched to slicks — trying to keep the temperature up.

“The car was very well set-up for both conditions and I was very happy with my pace overall, in the wet the pace was amazing and I really enjoyed it. Going into the next round at Spa we’re feeling very positive as we’ve been competitive again this weekend, we’re really looking forward to that.”

There is now a six week break in the British GT calendar with round five of the season, a twohour race, taking place on Saturday, July 11, at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium. Before then, Ahmad — the official ambassador for Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa — will be back in action in the Blancpain Endurance Series on Saturday, 20th June, at Paul Ricard in France.

Driver standings: 5th Ahmad Al Harthy/Daniel Lloyd, 46pts.

Silver Cup standings: 1st Ahmad Al Harthy/Daniel Lloyd, 59pts.

Team standings: 1st Oman Racing Team, 129.5pts.

FOOTBALL

CHEERS XI WIN SUMMER CUP CRICKET TITLE Cheers XI defeated National Gas team by 21 runs to win the Summer Cup cricket tournament. In the final, Cheers XI batted first scored 96 runs in eight overs thanks a well made 52

by Wasim. In reply, National Gas managed just 75 runs. Wasim was declared the man of the match and the series. — Supplied photo

Blatter disgraced Fifa: Warner BERLIN: No one has brought more shame on Fifa than its president Sepp Blatter and he should step aside for a younger leader, the organisation’s former vicepresident Jack Warner has said.

Warner, who has been accused of soliciting bribes as part of a U.S.-led corruption case against senior soccer officials, left jail in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday after he was granted bail, according to local media.

“Why are there no investigations in Asia, or in Europe?”

Warner told German magazine Stern in an interview released on Monday. “Why are there no investigations into Sepp Blatter? No other person has brought so much shame and disgrace on Fifa.”

Warner is among nine Fifa officials and five corporate executives charged by the U.S. Department of Justice with running a criminal enterprise that involved more than $150 million in bribes.

Asked by Stern if he thought 79-year-old Blatter was corrupt, Warner said: “I only know this: he was elected Fifa boss five times in succession. Is he corrupt? I don’t know. If I were his age... I’d retire and pass the presidency of Fifa on to someone younger. But everyone has different ideas of what to do with their lives.”

Once one of the most powerful men in Fifa, Warner surrendered to authorities on Wednesday after U.S. officials sought his extradition.

Prosecutors say Warner solicited bribes worth $10 million from the South African government for them to host the 2010 World Cup and diverted bribes for personal use.

Warner issued a statement protesting his innocence on Wednesday as Fifa reeled from police raids in Switzerland and the U.S. and a second investigation opened by the Swiss authorities into the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.

Warner, who faces 12 charges, including racketeering and bribery, said on Wednesday he was innocent and noted he had left soccer activities four years ago.

The 72-year-old resigned from Fifa after ethics investigations were begun into a meeting he held with former Asian Football Confederation chief Mohammed Bin Hammam where payments were made to Caribbean soccer offi-

Why are there no investigations into Sepp Blatter? No other person has brought so much shame and disgrace on Fifa Jack Warner Former vice-president of Fifa

cials ahead of the election for Fifa president in 2011. (Reporting by Erik Kirschbaum; Editing by Ken Ferris and Giles Elgood) FA official quits Meanwhile, one of the English Football Association’s two independent directors has resigned from Fifa’s anti-discrimination task force following Sepp Blatter’s re-election as president of world football’s global governing body.

Heather Rabbatts said the corruption crisis engulfing Fifa was “disastrous” for its reputation and added it was “unacceptable” that so little reform of the organisation had taken place. Rabbatts had been a member of Fifa’s anti-discrimination task force chaired by Jeffrey Webb, the Fifa vice-president from the Cayman Islands who was one of the seven Fifa officials arrested in Zurich on corruption charges last week.

In her resignation letter to Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke, a copy of which was published by

Britain’s national Press Association agency, Rabbatts said: “I am withdrawing with immediate effect from the Fifa task force against racism and discrimination.

“My willingness to play a part in the development of policies in this area is outweighed by the disastrous effect on Fifa’s reputation of recent events.”

She added: “Like many in the game I find it unacceptable that so little has been done to reform Fifa and it is clear from the re-election of President Blatter that the challenges facing Fifa and the ongoing damage to the reputation of football’s world governing body are bound to continue to overshadow and undermine the credibility of any work in the anti-discrimination arena and beyond.”

Rabbatts also said she would have written to Webb to tell him about her resignation “but as I understand he is currently not available, I am therefore sending this to you in your capacity as secretary general.” - Agencies

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England looking isolated in boycott call of World Cup

ALL SMILES: ‘Sultanate of Oman’ crew celebrate the first ever win in the 2015 Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour’s Austria Cup on Lake Traunsee.

‘Sultanate of Oman’ win 2015 Austria Cup The ‘Sultanate of Oman’ crew, skippered by Leigh McMillan, opened and closed the day with victories, taking their total to six for the competition and earning them the Austria Cup

MUSCAT: Oman Sail’s GC32 “Sultanate of Oman” exceeded expectations when they became the first ever winners of the 2015 Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour’s Austria Cup on Lake Traunsee. With just four days of training under their belts when racing started on Thursday, the team were aiming for a clutch of podium places, but by the end of the second day, they had moved into the lead and spent the next two days building on that progress.

The final day’s racing posed a new set of challenges, starting with a fresher breeze which meant the fleet were able to complete six races, some of them in sufficient wind to ‘fly’ on their foils. The crew, skippered by Leigh McMillan, opened and closed the day with victories, taking their total to six for the competition and earning them the Austria Cup, eight points ahead of second placed Spindrift with Alinghi finishing third.

Over the four days, McMillan’s team scored 14 podium places from the 17 races, emphasising their appetite for foiling and a quick grasp of its principles, but victory still came as a surprise.

“It was a really unexpected start to the GC32 campaign for us,” said McMillan. “We were on the back foot coming into this but had a lot of experience on board from across a variety of campaigns and with the guys being such good friends, it was always going to be enjoyable. That made it a bit easier for us to get out there and get stuck into the racing and just let the racing do the talking. There is still lots to learn but we have really enjoyed the steep learning curve so far.”

GREAT FINAL DAY: Oman Sail’s GC32 ‘Sultanate of Oman’ had a great final day opening and closing the day with convincing victories. – Supplied photos

McMillan paid tribute to the contributions of his crewmates, America’s Cup sailors Alister Richardson and Glenn Ashby, but reserved special praise for his bowman Nasser Al Mashari who, like Pete Greenhalgh and himself, had made a hasty switch from Extreme 40 to GC32 racing without much in the way of preparation.

“We couldn’t have won if Nasser wasn’t absolutely at the top of his game. He only had four days in the boat but he picked it up very quickly. He’s a natural.”

For Al Mashari, the visit to Lake Traunsee was not just about winning but about being part of an exciting new Oman Sail venture.

“It was an amazing start for us on a totally new boat,” he said.

“We had a great spirit on the team so it was an incredible experience for all of us. We are really happy and proud to be able to raise our Omani flag here in Austria at the first ever Bullitt GC32 event.”

With a GC32 Austria Cup medal added to his assorted collection, Glenn Ashby will now return to America’s Cup commitments with Emirates Team New Zealand but is hoping he might return for another event. “We know so much more now than we did at the start of the regatta in terms of boat handling, so I’m sure the boys will be making notes for the next events. It has been a lot of fun racing and I look forward to having another sail on the GC32s down the track,” he said.

The unexpected win was witnessed by Oman Sail CEO, David Graham, who was invited on board for a few races. “I am absolutely delighted for the team,” he said. “They have worked so hard to get the boat here and the crew together - we were a late entry and I am absolutely elated for them.

They have done a fantastic job for the country.”

“You can see when Nasser wins, he can’t wipe that big smile off his face so I would say it has all been thoroughly worthwhile and I’m really pleased with how they raced and how it has all worked out.” The next event on the 2015 Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour is in Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK, from June 24 to 27.

LONDON: England was looking increasingly isolated in its call for a boycott of soccer’s World Cup on Monday as a senior Uefa official cast doubt on the idea and the rest of Europe remained near-silent.

Following Sepp Blatter’s reelection as Fifa president last week, the English Football Association’s chairman Greg Dyke said his organisation would support any boycott led by the Uefa, the sport’s European federation.

However, Dyke stressed England would not stay away from the world’s most popular sporting event unilaterally, and the Uefa official said he preferred a different approach to handling the corruption scandal at the global governing body.

Requesting anonymity, the official cited the decision of newlyelected Fifa vice-president David Gill to quit almost immediately in protest at Blatter’s re-appointment. “The Brits think (a boycott) is the next step, but others — we saw it with what David Gill did — believe the best solution is to withdraw from Fifa,” he said.

“It is more logical than a boycott because you boycott this one, the next one, but then what?”

Britain has been one of Blatter’s fiercest critics since England lost a bid to host the 2018 World Cup. It has stepped up the attacks since U.S. authorities charged nine soccer officials with corruption and Swiss prosecutors announced a criminal investigation into Fifa votes to award the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar respectively.

It remained unclear how much pressure Uefa could exert for change at Fifa or whether its members could field teams at the World Cup if it separated from the global body.

In England — the country that invented the game but has hosted its premier event just once, in

1966, when it also won for the only time — Dyke’s comments have drawn support.

The British government minister responsible for sport said all options including a boycott should be considered, while Gill’s decision received Royal approval from Prince William, who fronted the failed 2018 bid.

But while British newspapers and TV bulletins continued to run Fifa-related articles prominently and talk of a potential boycott, the rest of Europe appeared to have moved on.

The French Open tennis tournament was the big sports news in France, despite the country’s two most powerful soccer officials sitting in opposite camps on the Fifa debate.

While Platini, a fierce critic of Blatter, has led calls for Europe to go its own way, the head of the French federation Noel Le Graet voted for the 79-year-old Swiss for a fifth term, partly because of his country’s good relations with Fifa since being granted the 2019 women’s World Cup. “That is exactly the kind of problem that put Fifa to the state it is in right now,” the official said.

“It is pure vote-catching: ‘Blatter gives me the women’s World Cup, I vote for him’.”

Uefa is holding the emergency meeting on Saturday before the European Champions League final in Berlin, with its response to Blatter’s re-election the only item on the agenda. Few European nations have made any official comment on supporting a boycott.

The head of the Swedish FA Karl-Erik Nilsson said that boycotts were not normally the Swedish way, though he did say that nothing could be ruled out in “special and extreme circumstances.”

“We will lick our wounds and come back with some smart suggestions and ideas to consider,” he said. - Reuters

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India in good hands with Kohli as Test leader, says McGrath With the Indian

Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli is the right person to lead the team and his aggressive approach both on and off the field is a positive sign as long as he is scoring runs, says Australian fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath

cricket team searching for a new coach following the exit of Duncan Fletcher, McGrath said not all good cricketers make good coaches, adding that top teams should look for coach within their country

MUMBAI: Australian fast bowling legend Glenn McGrath believes India’s flamboyant batsman and Test skipper Virat Kohli is the right person to lead the team and his aggressive approach both on and off the field is a positive sign as long as he is scoring runs.

“I think it is a positive. Because you want a leader who is strong, who wouldn’t take a backward step, who would lead by example. But you don’t want to go too far or go overboard crossing the line,” McGrath, who is on a three-city tour as Hardy’s brand ambassador for Sula Selections, told IANS in an exclusive interview here on Monday.

“I think Virat has held himself in good control at the moment. I like the way he has gone about it. He

can back it up with runs with the bat. He is a class batsman as well.

Being aggressive is one thing and can’t back up is another, but Virat can back it up. I think India are in good hands moving forward with him as a leader.”

The retired fast bowler who claimed 563 wickets in 124 Tests and 381 scalps in 250 One-Day-Internationals (ODI) took over as the coaching director of the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai in 2012 from fellow Aussie pace bowling great Dennis Lillee. Speaking on the current young Indian bowling line-up comprising pacers Varun Aaron, Mohammad Shami, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Ishwar

Pandey, McGrath said he is impressed with the present lot and hopes they continue performing even better. “I am impressed with the way they go about it. I always say skill take you so far, attitude will take you the rest away. The attitude of the boys there is second to none. Varun Aaron bowls close to 150 kmph, swings the new ball.

I think Varun has got a a big future.

Iswar Pandey is on the verge of making it into the team. He is doing good and other guys also are doing well,” the 45-year-old said.

With the Indian cricket team searching for a new coach following the exit of Duncan Fletcher, McGrath said not all good crick-

eters make good coaches, adding that top teams should look for coach within their country.

“Coaching is about being, handling your players well. Creating an environment where they can relax and play at their best. We have seen Darren Lehmann who did a great job for Australia. When he came in, there were quite a bit of tensions in the team.”

“He just allowed the boys to relax and just go about the game.

Players respect him and you need that mutual respect. A coach is mainly a man manager than anything else,” McGrath said.

Speaking on whether India should look for a coach from In-

dia or overseas, he said: “Yes, this is an interesting one. I always felt Australia played better with an Australian coach. At the end of the day, it depends who is best for the job. If the current country doesn’t have quality and standard coach, like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh should bring oversees coach. But top teams should look for coach within their country.”

With all new range of cricketing shots coming up these days, specially in the shorter formats of the game, and bowlers getting a hammering from batsmen, the legendary fast bowler believes improvement in skill level, having variety in bowling, specially bowl-

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Former cricketers welcome BCCI move to appoint Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman NEW DELHI: Former India cricketers on Monday hailed the BCCI’s decision to appoint retired greats Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Saurav Ganguly in its cricket advisory committee, terming it a “step in the right direction.”

Tendulkar, Ganguly and Laxman were on Monday inducted into the BCCI’s newly-constituted cricket advisory committee to guide the Board and the national team on various “progressive steps” needed for future challenges.

Legendary spinner Erapalli Prasanna called it a “good idea” and also urged the panel to work its way to unearth talented spin bowlers who will be serving the country for long time.

“The idea is good. They have a huge responsibility at hand. I am a keen follower of Indian cricket and what I find is a tremendous BACK IN ACTION: Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly and VVS Laxman were appointed as the esshortage of effective spin bowlers teemed members of the Cricket Advisory Committee of the BCCI – File photo in the country. Our team can’t do well if the bowling attack doesn’t have good spinners. I expect the said Prasanna. Prasanna’s team- it. But why are the veteran crick- ment. “These legendary cricketers ‘Big Three’ look into this aspect,” mate and 1983 World Cup win- eters of my era like Mohinder have accepted the invitation to be ning wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani Amarnath, who have taught and part of this Committee, which will Prasanna told PTI. The master off-spinner also said: “I’m really glad that they inspired these recently-retired advise the BCCI on various prowants age-group cricketers to in- have been inducted into the advi- cricketers, are forgotten? That’s gressive steps which are needed teract with the trio on a regular ba- sory committee. It’s a move in the my only question,” Kirmani,who to be taken, that will enable Indian seemed a trifle upset with the Cricket to be better prepared for sis. Laxman is already associated right direction.”

But at the same time he raised a board for overlooking cricketers the challenges of the future,” the with Cricket Association of Bengal Board statement added. question on why BCCI was over- from 70’s and 80’s.

(CAB)’s ‘Vision Spelling out their role in the “The President of the BCCI, Jag2020’ Project where he guides looking cricketers of his era who talented youngsters from the east- are eager to still contribute some- mohan Dalmiya, has nominated committee, the BCCI said the Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Gan- three legends’ guidance will be thing to the game. ern state from time to time.

“No doubt, the BCCI is the best guly and VVS Laxman as esteemed sought in preparing the national “Another thing I would want them to do is share their experi- sporting body in the world and members of the Cricket Advisory team for gruelling overseas assignences with cricketers at all levels, they’re looking after their former Committee of the BCCI, with im- ments besides strengthening the starting from grassroot. They have cricketers like no other associa- mediate effect,” BCCI Secretary domestic structure.

“Areas of immediate focus to take Indian cricket forward,” tion. There’re no two ways about Anurag Thakur said in a state-

ing yorkers, and getting the basics right can help them check run flow in the slog overs.

“Skill level plays a big part. Getting the basics right, having control and variety. I think in T20 boys can come in and bowl six totally different balls. Don’t need to land them very well. But you can get away with it. But if you have control, you can be very successful.”

“We have seen examples like Mitchell Starc recently in World Cup and also Lasith Malinga bowling yorkers which these two bowlers deliver very well and no one else can. I think other bowlers don’t attempt bowling yorkers as they are not good enough to bowl perfect yorkers and are taken for runs,” McGrath said.

Speaking about his on-field rivalry with India’s batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, he said, “It was always a good challenge. I loved bowling to Sachin. You can know how good you are after bowling to these class players. I got him out a couple of times and made it hard for him, other times he scored big hundreds.”

With the Ashes series coming up between England and Australia at the end of the year, McGrath believes Australia have a good chance of winning it. “Australians are playing some pretty good cricket.

I am predicting Australia will do very well and win the series.”

On the prolonged controversy in English cricket surrounding sacked batsman Kevin Pietersen, he said, “It’s a dilemma. KP is a class player. There has been lot of friction between him and the team and the England board.”

“A player of his quality would make it tougher for Australia. If he is not playing, it makes it easier for Australia and if he is playing, he will make it tougher for Australia.” — IANS

will be to provide guidance to our national team as we set out to enhance our performance on overseas engagements, provide direction to improve our talent pathway and take steps to strengthen domestic cricket to better prepare our players to handle the rigours of International Cricket,” the BCCI stated.

BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya said he was confident about the trio’s ability to take Indian cricket to new heights.

“I am happy to note that our eminent cricketers have come forward to lend their experience and insights as we work towards a common goal of taking Indian Cricket to greater heights.

“The coming generations are bound to benefit from the guidance that will be provided by these luminaries and will go a long way in strengthening our existing system,” Dalmiya said.

BCCI Secretary Anurag Thakur echoed the sentiment and thanked the three for accepting the BCCI’s offer. “On behalf of all my colleagues in the BCCI, I thank Sachin, Saurav and Laxman for having accepted our invitation to be part of this prestigious committee and I am confident that their invaluable advice will help Indian Cricket regain its leadership position in all formats of the game,” he said.

“Their participation augurs well for the future of the game in our country and the noble intention to ‘give back to the game’, is commendable,” Thakur said. — PTI

Previous final experience key for Barca, says Messi MADRID: Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi believes his side’s recent experience of winning Champions League finals will help in their bid to seal a treble of trophies this season against Juventus on Saturday.

Messi has been in unstoppable form to propel Luis Enrique’s men to a league and Cup double already this season with 58 goals so far this campaign.

However, despite Barca being heavy favourites he warned against writing off a Juventus side that eliminated the Catalans’ fierce rivals Real Madrid in the semifinals.

“The anthem lets you know that it is a different game, a special game for the competition it is,” Messi told Uefa’s media services.

“It is a Champions League final and we have suffered a lot to get here. We know that it won’t be easy to be champions again.

We are playing against a very difficult and powerful opponent,” he said.

“It is a final where anything can happen, but we will prepare in the same way we did for the previous finals.”

Messi is aiming to become the first player to score in three Champions League finals having done so in both of Barcelona’s most recent triumphs against Manchester United in 2009 and 2011. - AFP

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LIFE & STYLE

T U ES DAY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 5

DJIBOUTI:

A SCIENCE-FICTION LANDSCAPE I

hadn’t expected to feel like a movie star. But as our 4x4 manoeuvres past hulking boulders of black volcanic rock as big as cars, I half expect to see Anne Hathaway strolling around the corner in her Interstellar spacesuit, or Bruce Willis drilling away, as he does in Armageddon. So, can’t afford space travel?

Come to Djibouti.

Bordered by Ethiopia, Eritrea and Somalia, Africa’s eighth smallest country sits on the Afar Triple Junction — meeting point for three of the Earth’s tectonic plates – and the result is a fantasy landscape of volcanos, petrified forests, desert plains, salt lakes and pristine coral reefs squeezed into an area one-sixth the size of England. Although it’s been in the news recently, due to its proximity to the conflict in Yemen, the embassies only advise against visits to the Eritrean border.

Exiting the fields of coal-coloured rubble, we pass through flatter plains where goats tot-

ter on their hind legs, hoofing the acacia trees and nibbling nervously around the pin-sharp thorns. Settlements of Afar people, with huts made of branches bent into a dome and a woven mat as a roof, stud the flat land. The end of “town” is marked only by a humble cemetery. The Khamsin wind, blowing in from the Sahara, whips the women’s colourful cloths out behind them like wings.

We drive towards Tadjoura, a gathering of square, white buildings on the north shore of the Bay of Ghoubbet. Its warm sapphire waters are speckled with plankton which bring juvenile whale sharks into the cove. My hostess at the seaside Le Golfe hotel arranges for a fisherman to take me out in his boat to look for them. He slings a couple of snorkels and fins into the bowels of the keel and we power away into the blue. I can’t make out his name amid the roar of the motor, but he speaks a little French so we try to cobble together a conversation. “Je suis un bon

One of Africa’s rugged treasures and its eighth smallest country has volcanos, petrified forests, desert plains, salt lakes and coral reefs

pilot,” he smiles, pointing to his chest proudly. I nod approval.

Deeper and deeper into the bay we go until the first signs of worry start to cross my captain’s face.

“How often do you see the whale sharks?” I ask, a bit concerned now. “Quatre-vingts per cent,” he replies confidently — 80 per cent.

The words are barely out before he’s pointing 20 metres ahead and shouting. I scramble to pull on flippers and a mask, and plop into the water feet first. There, right beside me, is a moving mountain dappled with snowflakes. I don’t want to harass, so I let him swim on but he turns and fins past me again — his small, bright eye look-

ing directly at me. It’s just the two of us swimming side by side.

Just up the road from Tadjoura, a simple handwritten sign instructs us to follow a downhill track to Sables Blancs — a perfect hidden beach where a small, justfinished hotel on the shore awaits its first guests and, out front, a few grass-roof sun umbrellas sit in the sand. I wade in up to my waist and push my goggled face under and I’m shocked — shore reefs as healthy as this are rare indeed. Light-pink corals sprout from rocks, orange anemones do a Mexican wave and there are fish everywhere — triangle-shaped triggerfish with buck teeth, ro-

tund puffers, rainbow-coloured parrotfish. I snorkel until sunset.

The next day, I drive back around the Bay of Ghoubbet to the briny waters of Lac Assal — Africa’s version of the Dead Sea and the lowest point on the continent. Its royal-blue waters are encrusted with clumps of sparkling salt crystals so white you have to screw up your eyes when the sun shines on them. A few hardy Afar men mine its shores and transport the salt to Ethiopia. They have built stalls from shards of flotsam, and balanced delicately on the planks are bags of hand-rolled salt and handmoulded model deer heads for sale. It’s a hard life: temperatures can reach 47 degree celsius. I take a bottle of water and hand it to the young son of one of the sellers. He smiles, takes my hand, drops a few salt baubles into my palm and curls my fingers around them.

My trip ends in the capital, Djibouti City. The outskirts are a terrible industrial sprawl of car depots serving the port, tin-can

middens and plastic bags fluttering like flags from scrawny branches. But then you reach the Old Town — a colonial French outpost of wide, tree-lined boulevards and pastel-coloured façades. Pimped-out minibuses, with tassels trailing from their bumpers, ferry passengers to and from the market, where gaggles of women sit behind small mounds of tomatoes, wilting cabbage and fruit, or fan small ember-filled drums smoking fish. Meanwhile, groups of old men sit on the curb chewing the khat leaves that give a euphoric high.

Near the centre is an ageing open-air Odeon cinema. Its chic Art Deco sign — cast in iron cubes — runs vertically down the side of the building. It’s not open any more, but as I look at the old movie posters peeling from the boardedup walls, I’m half convinced I can spy the curling edges of an Armageddon ad. A fitting end to my mission into space.

-Emma Thomson/The Independent

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O

ne recent survey found that more than 80 per cent of employers worldwide named cultural fit as a top hiring priority.

When done carefully, selecting new workers this way can make organisations more productive and profitable. But cultural fit has morphed into a far more nebulous and potentially dangerous concept. It has shifted from systematic analysis of who will thrive in a given workplace to snap judgments by managers about who they’d rather hang out with. In the process, fit has become a catchall used to justify hiring people who are similar to decision makers and rejecting people who are not.

The concept of fit first gained traction in the 1980s. The original idea was that if companies hired individuals whose personalities and values — and not just their skills — meshed with an organisation’s strategy, workers would feel more attached to their jobs, work harder and stay longer. For Southwest Airlines, screening job candidates based on their willingness to provide a wacky experience for strangers contributed to the fun environment that enabled the company’s financial success.

Likewise, for the investment firm Bridgewater Associates, which seeks to distinguish itself through its pursuit of transparency and honesty, screening out potential hires who couldn’t handle criticism made good business sense.

But in many organisations, fit has gone rogue. I saw this firsthand while researching the hiring practices of the country’s top investment banks, management consultancies and law firms.

I interviewed 120 decision makers and spent nine months observing the recruiting practices of one firm in particular. The professionals I spoke with, who were charged with reviewing applications and conducting interviews, consistently underscored the importance of cultural fit in hiring.

While résumés (and connections) influenced which applicants made it into the interview room, interviewers’ perceptions of fit strongly shaped who walked out with job offers.

Crucially, though, for these gatekeepers, fit was not about a match with organisational values.

It was about personal fit. In these time and team-intensive jobs, professionals at all levels of seniority reported wanting to hire people with whom they enjoyed hanging out and could foresee developing close relationships with. Fit was different from the ability to get along with clients. Fundamentally, it was about interviewers’ per-

WHO DOESN’T FIT IN AT WORK? Across cultures and industries, managers strongly prize ‘cultural fit’ — the idea that the best employees are like-minded

sonal enjoyment and fun . Many, like one manager at a consulting firm, believed that “when it’s done right, work is play.”

To judge fit, interviewers commonly relied on chemistry. “The best way I could describe it,” one member of a law firm’s hiring committee told me, “is like if you were on a date. You kind of know when there’s a match.” Many used the “airport test.” As a managing director at an investment bank put it, “Would I want to be stuck in an airport in Minneapolis in a snowstorm with them?”

Discovering shared experiences was one of the most powerful sources of chemistry, but interviewers were primarily in-

terested in new hires whose hobbies, hometowns and biographies matched their own. Bonding over rowing college crew, getting certified in scuba, sipping single-malt Scotches in the Highlands or dining at Michelin-starred restaurants was evidence of fit; sharing a love of teamwork or a passion for pleasing clients was not. Some (former) athletes fit exclusively with other athletes; others fit only with those who played the same sport. At one hiring committee meeting I attended, I watched a partner who was an avid Red Sox fan argue for rejecting a Yankees supporter on the grounds of misfit.

Selecting new employees based on personal similarities is by no

means unique banking, consulting or law; it has become a common feature of American corporate culture. Employers routinely ask job applicants about their hobbies and what they like to do for fun, while a complementary self-help industry informs white-collar job seekers that chemistry, not qualifications, will win them an offer.

Although diversity in many industries has increased in recent decades, progress in the corporate realm has been slower than expected. Selection based on personal fit can keep demographic and cultural diversity low. In the elite firms I studied, the types of shared experiences associated

with fit typically required large investments of time and money.

Class-based definitions of fit are one reason investment banks, management consulting firms and law firms are dominated by people from the highest socioeconomic backgrounds. Also, whether the industry is finance, high-tech or fashion, a good fit in most American corporations still tends to be stereo typically masculine. Consequently, fit can exclude high-performing candidates — female or male — who are more stereo typically feminine.

Some may wonder, “Don’t similar people work better together?”

Yes and no. For jobs involving complex decisions and creativity,

more diverse teams outperform less diverse ones. Too much similarity can lead to teams that are overconfident, ignore vital information and make poor (or even unethical) decisions.

When it comes to creating a cohesive work force, managers often discount the power of shared experiences on the job, especially working interdependently on a highstakes project. The more time we spend with co-workers, the more similar to them we tend to become.

When hiring, do we really need an additional screen on whether people socialise or party?

Perhaps most important, it is easy to mistake rapport for skill.

Just as they erroneously believe that they can accurately tell when someone is lying, people tend to be overly confident in their ability to spot talent. Unstructured interviews, which are the most popular hiring tools for American managers and the primary way they judge fit, are notoriously poor predictors of job performance.

Fit can work, but personal similarity is not the key. Organisations that use cultural fit for competitive advantage tend to favour concrete tools like surveys and structured interviews that systematically test behaviours associated with increased performance and employee retention. For managers who want to use cultural fit in a more productive way, I have several suggestions.

First, communicate a clear and consistent idea of what the organisation’s culture is (and is not) to potential employees. Second, make sure the definition of cultural fit is closely aligned with business goals. Ideally, fit should be based on data-driven analysis of what types of values, traits and behaviours actually predict on-the-job success. Third, create formal procedures like checklists for measuring fit, so that assessment is not left up to the eyes (and extracurriculars) of the beholder.

Finally, consider putting concrete limits on how much fit can sway hiring. Many organisations tell interviewers what to look for but provide little guidance about how to weigh these different qualities. Left to their own devices, interviewers often define merit in their own image.

Wanting to work with people like ourselves is not new. In the past, employers overtly restricted job opportunities based on sex, race and religion, which is now illegal. But cultural fit has become a new form of discrimination that keeps demographic and cultural diversity down, all in the name of employee enjoyment and fun. -Lauren A. Rivera/The New York Times News Service

TUESDAY, JUNE 2, 2015

C9

ENTERTAINMENT CINEMA SCHEDULE

BAHJA CINEMA San Andreas (Act, Adv) (3D) PG Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino 11:00 am, 5:00, 9:30 & 11:45 pm San Andreas (Act, Adventure) (2D) PG Cast : Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino 1:00, 7:15 pm Mad Max Fury Road (Act, Adv)(3D) 12+ Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron 5:00, 9:15 pm Tomorrowland (Act, Adventure) (PG) Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson 3:00, 9:15 pm Two Faces of January (Rom) (PG12) Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst 1:00, 7:15 pm Maggie (Drama, Horror) (PG12) Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Abigail Breslin, Joely Richardso 3:00, 11:45 pm Jungle Master (Anim, Adv) (2D) PG Cast: Victoria Justice, David Spade 11:15 am Jungle Master (Animation) (3D) PG Cast : Victoria Justice, David Spade, Josh Peck 1:15, 3:15 pm Unfriended (Horror, Thriller) (18+) Cast: Heather Sossaman, Courtney 5:30, 11:30 pm Zanket Al Sittat (PG12) Cast: Hassan El Raddad, Amy Samir 11:00 am, 7:15 pm

3:15 & 9:20pm San Andreas (2D) (Act/Thriller) (PG) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino 11:15 am San Andreas (3D) (Act/Thriller) (PG) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino 5:45, 9:40 & 11:45 pm Gold Class: 2:15, 09:00, 11:15 pm Jungle Master (3D) (Animation) (PG) Cast: Victoria Justice, David Spade 11:30 am & 1:30 pm Always Watching (2D) (Horror) (PG12) Cast: Alexandra Breckenridge, Jake McDorman, Doug Jones 3:15 pm Zanket Al Sittat (2D) (Com) (PG12) Cast: Hassan El Raddad, Amy Samir 5:00 pm Two Faces of January (2D) (Thr) (PG12) Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst 1:15 pm Maggie (2D): (Horror) (PG12) Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Abigail Breslin 7:50 & 11:45pm, Gold Class: 4:30pm

SCREEN 1 Welcome to Karachi (Dra/Com) – PG12 Cast: Arshad Warsi, Nigel Barber 3:30, 6:30, 9:30pm SCREEN 2

Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2D) (Comedy/Romance) (PG) Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Madhavan, Eijaz Khan 6:55 pm, Gold Class: 06:30pm Tomorrowland (2D)(Sci-Fi) (PG) Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson, Hugh Laurie

Tanu Weds Manu Returns (Rom) – PG Cast: Kangana Ranaut, R. Madhavan 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 pm SCREEN 3 Piku (Drama / Comedy) – PG Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan

3:45, 9:45 pm Masss - Tamil (Horror/Comedy/Drama ) – PG12 Cast: Suriya, Nayantara, Parthiban, Samuthirakani 6.45 pm

Mad Max: Fury Road - 3D (12+) Act, Cast : Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron 9:20, 11:45 pm Tanu Weds Manu Returns- 2D (PG) Comedy | Romance Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Madhavan, Eijaz Khan 9:00 pm San Andreas - 2D (PG) Act | Dr | Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario 3:00 pm San Andreas - 3D (PG) Act | Dr Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino, Alexandra Daddario 7:00, 9:15, 11:30 pm Jungle Master - 3D (PG) Animation Cast: Victoria Justice, David Spade 5:15 pm Jungle Master - 2D (PG) Animation 3:15 pm The Two Faces of January - 2D (PG12) Romance | Thriller Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst; 2:30, 5:00 pm Zanket Al Sitat - 2D (Arb) (PG12) Romance | Comedy Cast: Hassan El Raddad, Amy Samir 5:10 pm Maggie - 2D (PG12) Drama | Horror Cast: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Abigail Breslin; 7:10, 11:50 pm Masss - 2D (T) (PG12) Com |Horror Cast: Suriya, Nayanthara, Pranitha 6:00, 9:00 pm

Unfriended - 2D (18+) (Horror | Thriller) Cast : Heather Sossaman, Courtney 4:15, 11:30 pm Tomorrowland - 2D (PG) (Action) Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson 2:50, 6:50 pm

San Andreas – 3D (PG) Act, Drama Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino 6:45, 9:45, 11:45 pm San Andreas – 2D (PG) Act, Thriller Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino 3:45 pm Masss - 2D (PG12) Comedy, Horror Cast: Suriya, Nayanthara, Pranitha 7:15, 08:45 pm Jungle Master - 3D (PG) Anim, Adv Cast: Victoria Justice, David Spade; 3:00, 3:00, 5:45 pm The Two Faces of January – 2D (PG12) Romance, Thriller Cast: Viggo Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst, 4:40, 06:20, 11:35 pm Green Street 3: Never Back Down – 2D (12+) Action, Drama Cast: Scott Adkins, Kacey Barnfield 03:15, 10:00, 11:50 pm The Dinosaur Project - 2D (PG12) (Adventure, Sci-Fi) Cast: Richard Dillane, Peter Brooke 5:15, 08:05 pm

San Andreas (3D) (Act| Adv) (PG) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino 07.30, 09:30, 11.30 pm San Andreas (2D) (Act | Adv ) (PG) 4:00 pm Jungle Master (3D) (Animation) (PG) Cast: Victoria Justice, David Spade

4:30, 6.00 pm Jungle Master (2D) (Animation ) (PG) 8:00 pm Zanket Al Sitat (Arabic)(Rom) (PG12) Cast: Hassan El Raddad, Amy Samir Ghanem; 6:05 pm Tanu Weds Manu Returns (Hindi) (Comedy | Romance) (PG) Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Madhavan 11:30 pm Spooks: The Greater Good (Action (12+) Cast: Kit Harington, Tuppence Middleton, Jennifer Ehle 9:35 pm

San Andreas (2D) (12+) (Act, Drama) 3:00pm San Andreas (3D) (12+) (Act, Thriller) 5:00, 9:15. 11:30pm Maggie (2D) (PG12) (Drama) Breslin; 1:15, 11:45pm Mad Max: Fury Road (3D) (12+) (Action, Adventure, Thriller) 5:00, 7:00pm The Two Faces of January (2D) (PG12) (Romance, Thriller) 12:15pm Unfriended (2D) (18+) (Horror) 2:00, 11:45pm Tomorrowland (2D) (PG) (Act, Mys) Cast: George Clooney, Britt Robertson 12:00, 5:00pm Jungle Master (2D) (PG) (Animation) 11:45 am Jungle Master (3D) (PG) (Animation) 3:30pm Always Watching: A Marble Hornets Story (2D) (PG12) (Horror) 7:15pm Zankat Al Sitat (2D) (PG12) (Rom) 7:20pm Welcome to Karachi (2D) (TBC) (Adventure, Comedy, Crime) 9:15 pm Masss (2D) (PG12) (Com, Horror) 2:15, 9:00 pm

Mad Max: Fury Road (Action) Cast: Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult 7.45 pm; CP No: 1273 (12+) Unfriended ( Thriller ) Cast: Heather Sossaman, Mathew Bohrer, Courtney Halverson 2.00, 6.00 & 11.55 pm CP No: 383 (18+) Green Street 3: Never Back Down (Action/Drama ) Cast: Scott Adkins, Kacey Bamfield 12.00, 4.00 & 10.00 pm CP No: 1382 (12+) Two Faces of January (Rom/Thr ) Cast: Vigo Mortensen, Kristen Dunst 2.00 & 6.00 pm CP No: 1380 (PG12) San Andreas (Action / Thriller) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Alexandra Deddario, Carla Gugino 12.00, 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No: 1381 (PG)

Film Information - 24540856 / Advance Booking - 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

STARS CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776

Masss (Tamil) (Act/ Horror ) Cast: Surya and Nayanthara 3:00, 6:30 & 10:00 pm at Cinema Main Demonte Colony ( Tamil ) (Horror ) Cast: Arulinidhi and Rajesh Thilak 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30 pm at Cinema-2 Bhaskar The Rascal (Mal ) (Rom/Com) Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara and Isha Talwar 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45 pm at Cinema -3, 6-45 & 9-45 Pm Cinema-4 Oru Vadakka Selfie (Mal) (Com) Cast: Navin Pauly, Manjima & Vineeth Sreenivasan 3:45 pm at Cinema -4 NEXT CHANGE : Chandrettan Evideya (Mal )

For More Information 24789032, 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

ACES ON BRIDGE

The rule for discard or ruff

P

rincess Di said, “I don’t go by a rule book — I lead from the heart, not the head.”

She knew the basics of bridge, but did not play while in public life. If she had, she would have known that you need to use your head and to lead following rules and partnership agreements.

This deal features a rule for a later lead. How should the defenders play to defeat six spades after West leads the diamond ace?

In the tournament world, North would have responded with a threediamond cue-bid to show spade support with at least

game-invitational strength.

(This permits North to jump to three spades with a weak hand and four-card support, getting, as advised by the Law of Total Tricks, to the nine-trick level with nine trumps when not holding game-going values.)

South used Blackwood before settling into six spades. (Yes, Roman Key Card Blackwood would have been better because South would have learned that North held the spade queen.)

From South’s use of Blackwood, he is supposed to have second-round controls in both rounded suits. So the defense’s only

chance is to score a trump trick. To stop partner from going wrong, West should continue with the diamond five.

East ruffs with the vital spade nine, which effects an uppercut and promotes a trump trick for West.

When you want partner to ruff, lead a loser, not a winner.

Phillip Alder is combining in May 2016 with Kalos to run a bridge and golf river cruise starting from Bordeaux, France. Details are available on Phillip’s website: www.phillipalderbridge.com.

— By Phillip Alder

MARMADUKE

CROSSWORD

B I G NAT E

Answer to previous puzzle

ACROSS 1 5 8 11 13 14 15 16 18 20 21 23 25 28 30 32 33

Type of luck Crunched muscles Float like a cork Jung’s inner self Mosquito stopper Chemist’s milieu B in chemistry Zoo employees Do the trick Drop — — line Cartoon bear Marshy tract An octopus has eight Dueling weapons Little one Puppy’s bark Hot Springs loc.

34 Long sandwich 36 Maude portrayer 38 Tour — force 39 Pocket 41 Army VIP 43 Diminutive 45 Siamese, now 47 Informal parent 49 Puff of wind 50 River blocker 52 Paddock occupants 54 Campfire fare 57 — and drabs 60 Homer-hitter Mel 61 Promissory note 62 Mideast desert 63 Koch and Wynn 64 Touch of frost 65 Thickening agent

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 17 19 21 22 24 26

Apply makeup Numero — “Lake” in a desert Low-budget films (hyph.)

Harem jewelry Social insect Flower holder Very tired Galley slave’s tool Air rifle ammo Santa — winds Princess perturber Condition Brewer’s supply Talk-show name San Francisco hill Calf-length skirts

27 29 31 35 37 40 42 44 46 48 51 53 54 55 56 58 59

Devoted, as time It may be tidy Golf ball stand Wretched Gateway to the Sahara Officers-to-be Gets stuck (2 wds.)

Welding Mr. Fleming Pub. prosecutor Count — —!

Rural rtes.

Misfortune — take forever!

Vive le —!

Bleat Polite word

BORN LOSER

WITH LOVE

HELEN ROSE June 2

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

KIDSPOT

H E A LT H C A P S U L E

C1 0

TUE S DAY, JUN E 2 , 2 015

FIND-IT-ALL Y O U R B I R T H D AY

BORN today, you are the kind to remain in the shadows, waiting for your chance to step out and shine — and shine you will, for you are likely to spend your early years learning, studying, practicing and preparing yourself for anything that might offer you the key to personal contentment, fame and fortune. You are driven to excel — You insist on doing the best you possibly can, no matter what the task or assignment — and you do not need any external encouragement or positive reinforcement. You are perfectly content to work in quiet solitude, readying yourself for what comes — and you are sure that it will come, eventually! You are confident without being arrogant, and you know yourself quite well.

You may be wildly misunderstood by those who do not know you, for you are never one to reveal too much of your inner self to those with whom you maintain only casual working or personal relationships. You may seem quiet, reserved and inward, but you can, in fact, be the life of the party!

Also born on this date are: Zachary Quinto, actor; Martha Washington, US first lady; Dana Carvey, actor and comedian; Jerry Mathers, actor; Dominic Cooper, actor; Dennis Haysbert, actor; Stacy Keach, actor; Johnny Weissmuller, actor and Olympic swimmer; Marvin Hamlisch, composer; Sally Kellerman, actress; Kyle Petty, auto racer; Sir Edward Elgar, composer; Ron Ely, actor; Pete Conrad, astronaut.

W E AT H E R

M

WORLD

Max 46 Min 31 Max 18 Min 12

Max 38 Min 24

Max 43 Min 33 Max 19 Min 8

Max 43 Min 32

Max 19 Min 13

Max 46 Min 29

Max 47 Min 30

Max 45 Min 28

Max 42 Min 31

Max 40 Min 28

[MAY 21-JUNE 20] Max 34 Min 28

Max 23 Min 15

Max 36 Min 27 Max 15 Min 8

—www.met.gov.om

GULF Abu Dhabi Doha Dubai Kuwait Manama Riyadh

39 45 45 47 42 42

28 27 27 31 27 24

WORLD Athens Baghdad Beijing Berlin Boston Cairo Colombo Frankfurt Hong Kong Istanbul Johannesburg Kuala Lumpur Lisbon Paris Perth Singapore Tokyo Toronto

29 45 33 20 13 33 30 22 30 21 19 30 26 20 21 30 28 16

19 28 17 18 9 16 26 14 26 16 10 25 14 16 15 27 19 10

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

TO MUSCAT (RUWI)

[JUNE 21-JULY 22]

LEO [JULY 23-AUG. 22] Start at the beginning, and see if you can follow the plot of your own adventures as if you were an objective observer.

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Time Time 15:00 Quriyat 16:30 15:00 Sur 18:00 15:00 Jaalan 19:30 TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 06:30 Sohar 06:30 Buraimi 08:00 Buraimi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Buraimi 16.00 Sohar 16.00 Buraimi TO SINAW (Route 52) 17:30 Sinaw

Operating Days Daily Daily Daily

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (Route 36) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 05:30 Sur 06:45 Daily 05:30 Quriyat 08:30 Daily 05:30 Ruwi 10:00 Daily

08:50 11:00 14:30 15:45 17:40 18.35 20:20

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

20:50

Daily

TO AL BURAIMI (Route 41) 07:00 Sohar 07:00 Ruwi 13:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 17:00 Ruwi TO SINAW (Route 52) 07:00 Ruwi

08:55 11:40 20:20 14:55 17:40 19:20 22:15

Daily Daily Daily via Ibri Daily Daily Daily Daily

10:25

Daily

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

VIRGO [AUG. 23-SEPT. 22] You’ll enjoy several available opportunities that present themselves on the social scene, but one especially attracts you.

LIBRA L [[SEPT. [S S 23-OCT. 22] Take care that you don’t let yourself get lost in your own reveries; you must continually be aware of the realities you are facing.

SCORPIO S [[OCT. 23-NOV. 21] A look back at what you’ve accomplished in the past will give you that boost of confidence you’ve been looking for.

SAGITTARIUS S [[NOV. 22-DEC. 21] Others are likely to find what you do far more interesting than you do; perhaps you’d benefit from adopting their point of view!

CAPRICORN [DEC. 22-JAN 19] A slowdown is to be expected, yet it might not actually happen. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

To Yanqul (Route 54) 14:30 Nizwa 14:30 Yanqul

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

To Yanqul (Route 54) 06:00 Nizwa 06:00 Ruwi

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 08:00 Nizwa 08:00 Al Araqi

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (Route 54) 15:40 Nizwa 15:40 Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 07:30 Sur 14:30 Sur

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO SUR (Route 55) 06:00 Ruwi 14:30 Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (Route 62) 06:30 Fahud 06:30 Yibal

10:30 11:15

Daily Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (Route 62) 12:30 Fahud 12:30 Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (Route 100) 07:00 Salalah 20:00 10:00 Marmul 20:30 10:00 Salalah 23:30 19:00 Salalah 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (Route 100) 07:00 Ruwi 19:50 10:00 Marmul 13:15 10:00 Ruwi 22:30 19:00 Ruwi 07:30

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

Daily

TO MARMUL (Route 101) 06:00 Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (Route 102) 15:00 Salalah 07:00

Daily

16:50

SALALAH TO DUBAI (Route 102) 15:00 Dubai 07:00 TO DUBAI (Route 201) 06:00 Sohar 06:00 Dubai 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Dubai 15:00 Sohar 15:00 Dubai

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 07:00 Fujairah 11.45 Daily 07:00 Sharjah 13.30 Daily 07:00 Dubai 14.00 Daily

TO DUBAI (Route 201) 07:30 Sohar 07:30 Ruwi 13:00 Sohar 13:00 Ruwi 15:30 Sohar 15:30 Ruwi

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (Route 204) Dept Destination Arrival Operating Time Time Days 16:00 Sharjah 16:30 Daily 16.00 Fujairah 18.15 Daily 16.00 Ruwi 23.00 Daily

LISTINGS

AQUARIUS [JAN. 20-FEB. 18] You may feel as though you do not have time to accomplish everything on the docket, but you’re misinterpreting several key signs.

PISCES [Feb. 19-March 20] You realie that you’re missing what someone else provided for you in the past, but you may soon have a chance to reconnect.

ARIES [March 21-APRIL 19] You’ll want to keep busy today without attracting too much attention.

You know how to get a lot done while remaining in the background.

TAURUS [APRIL 20-MAY 20] The same old thing doesn’t provide you with the spark that you’re eagerly looking for. Explore less traditional options.

Sunset Sunrise (Tomorrow)

6.49pm 5.20am

High tide Low tide

8:13pm 3:02am

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24783334; Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24782666; Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi: 24702542, Salalah: 23291635; Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra: 24503585; Ruwi 24811715 Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya. Tel: 24787766 Muscat, A Seeb Market. Tel: 24421691 Muscat, Al Khuwair. Tel: 24485740 Muscat, Al Hail South. Tel: 24537080 Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah.

Tel: 23291635 HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre: 24485052 Atlas Hospital: Ruwi: 24811743/ Ghubra: 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic: 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi: 24563641, Azaiba: 24499269, Sohar: 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital: 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory: 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre: 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya: 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic: 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi: 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb: 24420740 Ceregem National Raak: 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic: 24563217 Elixir Health Centre: 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre: 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre: 24472274 Hamdan Hospital: 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC: 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital: 24760100

24 Hrs Emergency: 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar: 26751128, MBD: 24799077, Al Khuwair: 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital: 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital: 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair: 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC: 22004000 ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence: 24569603 Directorate General of Customs: 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries: 24510228 Public Relations Admin: 24560099 ACCOMMODATION Al Bahjah Hotel: 24424400 Al Bustan Palace: 24764000 Al Khuwair Hotel Apartments: 24478171 Al Madina Holiday Inn: 24596400 Al Maha International Hotel: 24494949 Al Fanar Hotel: 24712385 Al Falaj Hotel: 24702311 Al Qurum Resort: 24605945 Azaiba Hotel Apartments: 24490979 Beach Hotel: 24696601 Bowshar Hotel: 24491105 Coral Hotel Muscat: 24692121 Crowne Plaza Muscat: 24660660 Crystal Suites: 24826100 Golden Tulip Seeb: 24510300 Grand Hyatt Muscat: 24641234 Haffa House Hotel: 24707207 Hotel Muscat Holiday: 24487123 InterContinental Muscat: 24680000 Majan Continental Hotel: 24592900 Marina Hotel: 24711711 Midan Hotel Suites: 24499565 Mina Hotel: 24711828 Muttrah Hotel: 24798401

Nuzha Hotel Apartments: 24789199 Oman Dive Centre: 24824240 Park Inn: 24507888 Qurum Beach House Hotel: 24564070 Radisson Blu Hotel: 24487777 Ramee Dream Resort Seeb: 24453399 Ramee Guestline Hotel: 24564443 Ruwi Hotel: 24704244 Safeer Hotel Suites: 24691200 Sheraton Oman Hotel: 24772772 Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa: 24776666 The Chedi Muscat: 24524400 The Treasurebox Muscat Hotel: 24502570 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours): 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot: 24704455, Air Arabia: 24700828, Air France: 24562153, Air India: 24799801, Air New Zealand: 24700732, Biman Bangladesh Airlines: 24701128, British Airways: 24568777, Cathay Pacific: 24789818, Egypt Air: 24794113, Emirates Air: 24404400, Ethiopian Airlines: 24660313, Gulf Air: 80072424, Indian: 24791914, Iran Air: 24787423, Japan Airlines: 24704455, Jazeera Airways: 23294848, Jet Airways: 24787248, Kenya Airways: 24660300, KML Royal Dutch Airlines: 24566737, Kuwait Airways: 24701262, LOT Polish Airlines: 24796387, Lufthansa: 24796692, Malaysian Airlines: 24560796, Middle East Airlines: 24796680, Oman Air: 24531111, Pakistan International Airlines: 24792471, Qatar Airways: 24771900, Qantas: 24559941, Royal Jordanian: 24796693, Saudi Arabian Airlines: 24789485, Singapore Airlines: 24791233, Shaheen Air: 24816565, SriLankan Airlines:

TUESDAY

Min

L O N G D I S TA N C E B U S T I M I N G S ( O M A N N AT I O N A L T R A N S P O R T C O M PA N Y S A O C ) * S U B J E C T T O C H A N G E

Pace yourself, and don’t expect that you’ll get it all done before night falls. You’ll have time to catch up tomorrow.

12.10pm 3.29pm 6.55pm 8.16pm 3.54am

9:16am 2:51pm

SEA STATE: Rough along the Arabian Sea coast with a maximum wave height of 3.0 metres and slight along the rest of Oman’s coast with a maximum wave height of 1.25 metres.

HORIZONTAL VISIBILITY: Good over most of the Sultanate becoming poor during fog patches.

THE NEXT 48 HOURS OUTLOOK: Chances of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches along the Arabian Sea coast.

Max

OMAN

CANCER

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

AIRLINES

ainly clear skies over most of the Sultanate with chances of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea. EXPECTED WIND: Along the coastal areas of Oman Sea wind will be northeasterly light to moderate during day becoming southwesterly light at night and along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea wind will be southwesterly moderate while over rest of the Sultanate wind will be southeasterly light to moderate.

GEMINI You may be expected to complete a job that is usually meant for two or three people, but you should be able to tackle it alone.

PRAYER TIMINGS

24784545, Swiss International Airlines: 24796692, Thai Airways: 24705934, Turkish Airlines: 24703033 MUSEUMS Bait Al Baranda: Corniche (seafront opp fish market), Open from Saturday to Thursday 9am to 1pm and 4 to 6pm Natural History Museum: Al Khuwair, Tel: 24604957, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm; Thursday: 9am to 1pm Museum of Omani Heritage: (former Omani Museum), Madinat Al Alam, Sat-Wed 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday 9am to 1pm, Tel: 24600946 Armed Forces Museum: Bait Al Falaj, Tel: 24312651, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm; Thurs 9-12pm and 3-6pm; Fri 9-11am and 3-6pm. Al Hoota Caves 24498258; Turtle Beach 96550606/96550707 Children’s Science Museum: Shatti Al Qurum, Tel: 24605368, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Oman-French Museum: near Muscat Police Station, Tel: 24736613, Open from Sat to Wed: 8am to 1:30pm, Thurs: 9am to 1pm Bait Al Zubair, Muscat: Tel: 24736688, Al Saidiya St., Muscat museum@baitalzubairmuseum.com Open from Sat to Thurs: 9:30am to 6pm.

National Museum Ruwi: Tel: 24701289, Open from Saturday to Wednesday: 8am to 1:30pm, Thursday: 9am to 1pm Sohar Fort Museum: Tel: 26844758, Open from Saturday to Wed: 8 to 1:30pm Thurs: 9am to 1pm Muscat Gate Museum: at Al Bahri Road, Muscat open from Sat to Wed 8am to 2pm

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

WY406 WY648 WY676 WY682 WY914 BG021 WY916 NL768 TK774 4H583 PK281 GF560 QR1132 EK866 ET624 EY384 FZ041 WY114 WY412 WY658 WY638 4H562 WY902 WY644 WY326 WY686 WY154 WY144 WY678 WY668 WY132 WY674 WY102 FZ043 WY432 WY602 WY346 WY342 WY272 WY202 G9841 WY236 G9114 WY282 EK862 WY242 WY252 QR1128 IX817 EY382 9W530 WY3302 WY604 WY918 WY652 GF562 FZ037 WY372 IX337 WY384 WY822 WY705 WY904 WY634 WY818 BG023 WY670 WY324 WY332 PA950 PK191 WY606 WY906 WY920 FZ045 WY632 WY656 QR1126 WY3304 WY204 WY292 WY264 WY664 WY216 EK864 WY232 WY246 WY610 WY694 GF564 TG507 SV534 G9116 WY374 WY646 FZ047 WY908 RG125 WY386 WY224 WY614 WY338 FZ049 WY124 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 WY254 BA073 WY624 UL205 AI907 WY312 LX242 QR1134 GF566 LH616 EY388 WY910 9W540 AI985 WY662 WY654 WY636 WY928 WY816 WY696 WY612

WEDNESDAY ETA

FLT NO

ARRIVALS FROM

CAIRO 0005 KUWAIT 0005 JEDDAH 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 DACCA 0100 SALALAH 0120 LAHORE 0130 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 ISLAM ABBAD-SIALKOT 0300 BAHRAIN 0325 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 DUBAI 0415 FRANKFURT 0515 AMMAN 0515 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 JEDDAH 0645 SALALAH 0645 KUWAIT 0650 KARACHI 0650 RIYADH 0655 ZURICH 0700 MALPENSA 0705 MEDINA 0710 DOHA 0715 PARIS 0735 JEDDAH 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 TEHRAN 0805 DUBAI 0805 ISLAM ABBAD 0815 LAHORE 0825 JAIPUR 0830 BOMBAY 0835 RAS AL KHAIMA 0855 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 BANGALORE 0910 DUBAI 0930 DELHI 0935 MADRAS 0955 DOHA 1000 MANGALORE 1010 ABU DHABI 1010 TRIVANDRUM 1045 MUKHAIZNA 1050 DUBAI 1115 KHASAB 1115 BAHRAIN 1125 BAHRAIN 1130 DUBAI 1140 COLOMBO 1140 CALICUT 1155 MALE 1210 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 DARESSLAM-ZANZIBAR 1215 SALALAH 1220 ABU DHABI 1220 BANGKOK 1220 DACCA-CHITTAGONG 1230 DOHA 1250 KARACHI 1300 KATHMANDU 1305 SIALKOT 1310 GWADUR 1320 DUBAI 1340 SALALAH 1440 KHASAB 1445 DUBAI 1535 ABU DHABI 1605 BAHRAIN 1610 DOHA 1650 MUKHAIZNA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 TRIVANDRUM 1745 DUBAI 1745 HYDERABAD 1750 DELHI 1750 DUBAI 1800 DAMMAM 1805 BAHRAIN 1810 BANGKOK-KARACHI 1900 RIYADH 1900 SHARJAH 1905 COLOMBO 1915 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2005 MALE 2020 COCHIN 2025 DUBAI 2025 KATHMANDU 2040 DUBAI 2100 MUNICH 2105 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 MADRAS 2135 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 COLOMBO 2155 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 DOHA 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 ABU DHABI 2300 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 BAHRAIN 2340 ABU DHABI 2340 SALALAH 2345 BANGKOK 2350 DAMMAM 2355 DUBAI 2355

WY648 WY406 WY676 WY672 WY682 WY914 WY916 TK774 4H583 PK229 GF560 FZ035 QR1132 EK866 ET624 EY384 WY114 WY412 WY658 WY638 WY902 WY644 WY686 G9841 WY144 WY668 WY674 WY132 WY102 FZ043 WY432 WY422 WY602 WY342 NL768 WY202 WY236 G9114 WY282 WY226 EK862 WY242 IX549 WY252 QR1128 EY382 IX443 QR8550 WY3922 WY652 9W530 WY918 WY604 WY3302 GF562 FZ037 WY372 IX337 PA450 WY822 WY818 WY634 WY904 WY670 WY324 WY332 WY606 WY906 WY920 WY348 G9119 FZ045 WY3304 WY656 QR1126 WY204 WY292 WY264 WY664 EK864 WY232 WY246 WY254 WY610 GF564 WY216 G9116 WY274 WY646 FZ047 WY908 RG125 WY632 WY386 WY614 WY848 WY338 FZ049 AI977 KL441 WY124 9W534 AI973 6.00E+81 BA073 WY624 AI907 WY312 LX242 QR1134 GF566 LH616 WY717 WY328 EY388 WY414 WY910 9W540 AI985 WY662 WY636 WY654 WY928 WY816 WY612 WY696

KUWAIT 0005 CAIRO 0005 JEDDAH 0005 MEDINA 0005 RIYADH 0010 SALALAH 0020 SALALAH 0120 ISTANBUL 0135 DACCA 0200 LAHORE 0215 BAHRAIN 0325 DUBAI 0340 DOHA 0345 DUBAI 0350 ADDIS ABABA 0350 ABU DHABI 0400 FRANKFURT 0515 AMMAN 0635 BAHRAIN 0635 ABU DHABI 0640 SALALAH 0645 KUWAIT 0650 RIYADH 0655 RAS AL KHAIMA 0655 MALPENSA 0705 DOHA 0715 JEDDAH 0735 PARIS 0735 LONDON HEATHROW 0740 DUBAI 0800 TEHRAN 0805 BEIRUT 0805 DUBAI 0805 LAHORE 0825 LAHORE 0830 BOMBAY 0835 HYDERABAD 0900 SHARJAH 0905 BANGALORE 0910 COCHIN 0920 DUBAI 0930 DELHI 0935 TRIVANDRUM 0955 MADRAS 0955 DOHA 1000 ABU DHABI 1010 COCHIN 1020 DOHA 1035 DUQUM OMAN 1035 BAHRAIN 1040 TRIVANDRUM 1045 KHASAB 1115 DUBAI 1115 MUKHAIZNA 1120 BAHRAIN 1130 DUBAI 1140 COLOMBO 1140 CALICUT 1155 LAHORE 1215 KUALA LUMPUR-SINGAPORE 1215 BANGKOK 1220 ABU DHABI 1220 SALALAH 1230 DOHA 1250 KARACHI 1300 KATHMANDU 1305 DUBAI 1340 SALALAH 1440 KHASAB 1445 ISLAM ABBAD 1515 SHARJAH 1525 DUBAI 1535 MUKHAIZNA 1550 BAHRAIN 1610 DOHA 1650 BOMBAY 1655 CALICUT 1710 LUCKNOW 1740 DOHA 1745 DUBAI 1745 HYDERABAD 1750 DELHI 1750 MADRAS 1750 DUBAI 1800 BAHRAIN 1810 TRIVANDRUM 1820 SHARJAH 1905 JAIPUR 1910 KUWAIT 1920 DUBAI 1940 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2005 ABU DHABI 2005 MALE 2020 DUBAI 2025 JAKARTA 2035 KATHMANDU 2040 DUBAI 2100 BANGALORE-HYDERABAD 2105 AMSTERDAM-DOHA 2105 MUNICH 2105 COCHIN 2115 DELHI 2125 BOMBAY 2130 LONDON HEATHROW-ABU DHABI 2140 DUBAI 2150 MADRAS 2200 CHITTAGONG 2210 ZURICH-DUBAI 2225 DOHA 2225 BAHRAIN 2240 FRANKFURT-DOHA 2245 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 2250 KARACHI 2250 ABU DHABI 2300 AMMAN 2300 SALALAH 2310 BOMBAY 2315 BOMBAY 2325 DOHA 2335 ABU DHABI 2340 BAHRAIN 2340 SALALAH 2345 BANGKOK 2350 DUBAI 2355 DAMMAM 2355

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AI986 9W539 SG062 WY657 WY637 WY235 WY281 WY685 WY201 WY643 WY251 WY345 WY271 WY601 WY341 WY431 WY371 WY123 WY325 WY901 WY241 WY667 WY383 BG022 NL769 TK775 4H584 WY331 PK282 EK867 ET625 EY385 FZ042 QR1133 GF561 WY651 WY3301 WY903 4H562 WY603 WY917 WY323 WY669 FZ044 WY633 WY373 WY215 WY815 WY291 WY263 WY385 G9842 WY821 G9115 WY231 WY905 WY605 WY203 WY245 EK863 WY337 IX818 QR1129 EY383 WY311 WY919 9W533 GF563 WY223 WY655 FZ038 WY631 IX350 WY253 WY113 WY693 WY3303 WY663 WY131 WY143 WY645 WY101 BG024 PK192 PA951 WY927 WY405 WY609 WY907 WY675 FZ046 WY671 WY613 QR1127 WY623 WY681 WY647 WY909 GF565 EK865 WY695 WY661 WY653 G9117 SV535 WY913 TG508 WY635 FZ048 WY611 RG126 WY915 FZ050 WY411 WY421 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 UL206 AI974 GF567 LX243 BA072 QR1135 WY673 LH617 EY381

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 AHMEDABAD 0030 BAHRAIN 0055 ABU DHABI 0105 HYDERABAD 0110 BANGALORE 0110 RIYADH 0115 BOMBAY 0115 KUWAIT 0120 MADRAS 0120 ISLAM ABBAD 0125 JAIPUR 0135 DUBAI 0145 LAHORE 0145 TEHRAN 0155 COLOMBO 0155 MUNICH 0200 KARACHI 0210 SALALAH 0215 DELHI 0215 DOHA 0225 MALE 0230 CHITTAGONG-DACCA 0230 LAHORE 0230 ISTANBUL 0230 DACCA 0300 KATHMANDU 0350 SIALKOT 0400 DUBAI 0450 ADDIS ABABA 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0515 BAHRAIN 0715 BAHRAIN 0730 MUKHAIZNA 0730 SALALAH 0740 DACCA 0745 DUBAI 0750 KHASAB 0815 KARACHI 0835 DOHA 0835 DUBAI 0845 ABU DHABI 0900 COLOMBO 0900 TRIVANDRUM 0900 BANGKOK 0905 CALICUT 0915 LUCKNOW 0940 MALE 0945 RAS AL KHAIMA 0945 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 SALALAH 1020 DUBAI 1020 BOMBAY 1025 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 MANGALORE 1100 DOHA 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 CHITTAGONG 1140 KHASAB 1145 COCHIN 1145 BAHRAIN 1215 COCHIN 1215 BAHRAIN 1215 DUBAI 1225 ABU DHABI 1240 CALICUT 1255 MADRAS 1255 FRANKFURT 1320 DAMMAM 1330 MUKHAIZNA 1330 DOHA 1330 PARIS 1345 MALPENSA 1350 KUWAIT 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 DACCA 1400 GWADUR-TURBAT 1405 SIALKOT 1430 SALALAH 1430 CAIRO 1440 DUBAI 1445 SALALAH 1540 JEDDAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 MEDINA 1705 DUBAI 1710 DOHA 1750 DUBAI 1840 RIYADH 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 DOHA 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 1955 RIYADH 2000 SALALAH 2000 KARACHI-BANGKOK 2005 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 ABU DHABI 2045 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 AMMAN 2205 BEIRUT 2215 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 COLOMBO 2305 DELHI 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 DOHA 2330 JEDDAH 2350 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355 ABU DHABI 2355

9W539 AI986 WY657 WY637 WY235 WY281 WY201 WY685 WY643 WY251 WY341 WY601 WY431 WY371 WY123 WY847 WY241 WY901 WY667 TK775 4H584 PK230 WY331 EK867 ET625 EY385 FZ036 QR1133 WY651 GF561 WY3921 G9842 WY603 WY903 WY3301 WY917 WY347 WY669 WY323 FZ044 WY633 WY815 WY291 WY215 WY253 NL769 WY717 WY263 WY385 WY821 WY843 G9115 WY231 WY905 WY605 WY203 WY245 EK863 IX554 WY337 QR1129 EY383 IX442 WY311 9W533 WY919 QR8550 WY655 GF563 WY273 FZ038 WY3303 IX350 PA451 WY113 WY663 WY143 WY645 WY101 WY423 WY153 WY927 WY413 WY405 WY609 WY907 WY675 G9110 FZ046 WY631 WY613 QR1127 WY327 WY623 WY681 WY647 WY909 GF565 EK865 WY695 WY661 WY653 G9117 WY913 WY635 FZ048 WY611 RG126 WY915 FZ050 AI978 KL442 WY817 9W529 6.00E+82 AI908 AI974 WY677 GF567 LX243 BA072 QR1135 WY673 EY381 LH617

BOMBAY 0020 BOMBAY 0020 BAHRAIN 0055 ABU DHABI 0105 HYDERABAD 0110 BANGALORE 0110 BOMBAY 0115 RIYADH 0115 KUWAIT 0120 MADRAS 0120 LAHORE 0145 DUBAI 0145 TEHRAN 0155 COLOMBO 0155 MUNICH 0200 JAKARTA 0215 DELHI 0215 SALALAH 0215 DOHA 0225 ISTANBUL 0230 DACCA 0300 LAHORE 0315 KATHMANDU 0350 DUBAI 0450 ADDIS ABABA 0450 ABU DHABI 0500 DUBAI 0510 DOHA 0515 BAHRAIN 0645 BAHRAIN 0715 DUQUM OMAN 0740 RAS AL KHAIMA 0745 DUBAI 0750 SALALAH 0750 MUKHAIZNA 0800 KHASAB 0815 ISLAM ABBAD 0830 DOHA 0835 KARACHI 0835 DUBAI 0845 ABU DHABI 0900 BANGKOK 0905 CALICUT 0915 TRIVANDRUM 0915 MADRAS 0915 LAHORE 0930 ZANZIBAR-DARESSLAM 0940 LUCKNOW 0940 MALE 0945 SINGAPORE-KUALA LUMPUR 0945 MANILA 0955 SHARJAH 0955 HYDERABAD 1000 SALALAH 1020 DUBAI 1020 BOMBAY 1025 DELHI 1040 DUBAI 1045 TRIVANDRUM 1045 KATHMANDU 1050 DOHA 1100 ABU DHABI 1105 COCHIN 1120 CHITTAGONG 1140 COCHIN 1145 KHASAB 1145 DUBAI WORLD CENTRE-DOHA 1205 BAHRAIN 1215 BAHRAIN 1215 JAIPUR 1220 DUBAI 1225 MUKHAIZNA 1230 CALICUT 1255 LAHORE 1315 FRANKFURT 1320 DOHA 1330 MALPENSA 1350 KUWAIT 1350 LONDON HEATHROW 1400 BEIRUT 1415 ZURICH 1420 SALALAH 1430 AMMAN 1440 CAIRO 1440 DUBAI 1445 SALALAH 1540 JEDDAH 1615 SHARJAH 1615 DUBAI 1620 ABU DHABI 1640 DUBAI 1710 DOHA 1750 KARACHI 1810 DUBAI 1840 RIYADH 1840 KUWAIT 1845 SALALAH 1850 BAHRAIN 1855 DUBAI 1910 DAMMAM 1915 DOHA 1920 BAHRAIN 1920 SHARJAH 1955 SALALAH 2000 ABU DHABI 2015 DUBAI 2025 DUBAI 2035 ABU DHABI 2045 SALALAH 2100 DUBAI 2145 HYDERABAD-BANGALORE 2200 DOHA-AMSTERDAM 2220 BANGKOK 2225 TRIVANDRUM 2230 BOMBAY 2245 MADRAS 2300 DELHI 2310 MEDINA 2310 BAHRAIN 2325 DUBAI-ZURICH 2325 ABU DHABI-LONDON HEATHROW 2330 DOHA 2330 JEDDAH 2350 ABU DHABI 2355 DOHA-FRANKFURT 2355

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EXTRA THE RETURN TO PLAINNESS ON A PLATE

Restaurant food? It’s complicated, thanks to show-off chefs, daft extras and too many ingredients

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espite being a food writer, I find MasterChef unbearable to watch. Run by yapping martinets (“C’mon guys! You’ve got five minutes left!”), it transforms the enjoyable experience of cooking into competitive torture that makes grown men cry. But the main cause of my antipathy is the basis of the show. I’m simply not interested in the fancy food that the participants sweat over.

The expression in culinary circles for such demanding, multiple-ingredient dishes is “cheffed-up”, whereas my favourite food involves the least possible culinary intervention — dishes where the quality of the ingredients is allowed to speak for itself. I admit that the production of a meal consisting of a dozen oysters, followed by carpaccio of beef, might not make nail-biting viewing, but it’s exactly what I want to eat.

Bizarrely, to my mind, cheffed-up stuff wins the Michelin stars and sells glossy cookbooks. To take an extreme example, the recipes in Heston Blumenthal’s latest tome require upwards of 30 ingredients and gadgetry such as a sous-vide machine,

which he believes will be “found in almost every domestic kitchen — in a few years time”. Nevertheless, simplicity characterises not only our own cuisine, with its deep-rooted tradition of roasts, but also the everyday food of France.

Many British visitors must have shared the bafflement I experienced when first eating in the French heartland. The meat course arrived in solitary splendour, so I waited for accompanying vegetables. And waited. And waited. Eventually, the penny dropped. I should add that the pareddown meal was memorably excellent.

Thirty years on, I recall every course.

Despite the strange allure of fancypants cooking, I have some distinguished company in preferring simplicity to complexity in the kitchen. The celebrated motto of Auguste Escoffier (1836-1935), known as “the king of chefs and the chef of kings”, was “faites simple” (do it simply). Quoted admiringly at the start of Elizabeth David’s French Provincial Cooking, it is explained as “the avoidance of all unnecessary complication and elaboration”. Another great book about French

food takes the same approach. In Richard Olney’s Simple French Food (ironically, a far-from-simple book), we learn that one of “the very great delicacies of the table”, described as “the softest of barely perceptible curds held in a thickly liquid, smooth, creamy suspension”, is scrambled eggs.

Olney rails against any tarting up of this classic. “The complication of such rich garnishes as foie gras, game or lobster — seems only to detract from the purity of the thing.” Flying the flag for simplicity on this side of the Channel is the influential chef Alistair Little, who has now forsaken restaurants for a highly regarded deli in west London. In his 1993 book Keep It Simple, he maintained: “Keeping it simple means being pure in effect — finding natural rhythms and balances, allowing food to taste of itself. Simple food does not hide behind a sauce of concealment, nor is it a contrived picture on a plate.” Hurrah!

How my heart sinks in a restaurant when a plate arrives bearing a clichéd artwork of smears and blobs. I wouldn’t want to hang it on my wall, so why should I let it take up residence in my stomach?

Jeremy Lee, a distinguished alumnus of Little’s restaurant who is now chef at Quo Vadis in Soho, continues the tradition of the uncluttered plate. Seething about “the dark forces of embellishment and other indecencies”, he told me of his love for “the simplicity of beautiful produce, which induces an air of comfort

There is an inverse relationship between the quality of ingredients and the preparation time of a restaurant dish. If your ingredients are simple but exceptional, you need do less to them. Inferior ingredients require more fuss and bother and bonhomie in the recipient”. The little sandwich of smoked eel with horseradish cream in grilled sourdough that has topped his menu for two decades could scarcely be simpler.

“The less fuss, the better,” insists Lee. Another advocate of plainness on the plate is Russell Norman, who has built up a five-strong restaurant chain following his success with Polpo. From his tasty book of the same name, queen scallops with lemon and mint dressing and moscardini (baby octopuses in a spicy

BRIEFS

Bursting into laughter could be in your DNA IF YOUR wife immediately bursts into laughter after a humorous moment, while you barely manage to crack a smile, this could be due to her genes. Researchers demonstrated that people with a certain genetic variant smiled or laughed more while watching cartoons or subtly amusing film clips than others.

Those with short alleles of the gene 5-HTTLPR smiled more than people with long alleles, the findings showed.

Frequent eye infections?

Blame your contact lens CONTACT LENSES may be the root cause of frequent eye infections, says a study. Researchers from the New York University identified a diverse set of microorganisms in the eyes of daily contact lens wearers, which resemble microorganisms of their eyelid skin than the bacterial grouping typically found in the eyes of non-wearers.

Low blood pressure before surgery could be deadly PATIENTS WITH low blood pressure before an operation are at an increased risk of death during or after the surgery than those with preoperative high blood pressure, say researchers. “While high blood pressure control is important for long-term health, it does not impose a significant risk of postoperative death,” said the study by the University of Nottingham in Britain. -IANS

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

marinade) make a regular appearance on our dining table. Norman is blunt in his opinions about the cheffed-up tendency.

“I have always had a severe allergic reaction to over-complicated food in restaurants,” he told me.

Norman says: “There is a an inverse relationship between the quality of ingredients and the preparation time of a restaurant dish. If your ingredients are simple but exceptional, you need do less to them.

Inferior ingredients require more fuss and bother.” The same applies to presentation.

“The more a dish looks stage-managed, set designed and worked on, the less appealing it is to me. I like food that looks thrown together.” Exactly. You want food that looks like food not a photo shoot. Asked for a favourite simple dish, Norman came up with Caprese salad — ripe heritage tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, torn basil leaves, extra virgin olive oil and large flakes of sea salt.

“I could happily eat this dish every day of every summer,” says Norman.

The importance of simplicity was echoed by Giorgio Alessio, chef at Scarborough’s Lanterna restaurant, described in one rave review as “deeply splendid”.

“Simplicity allows a chef to show how good his ingredients are,” he told me.

“Having a huge number of ingredients is just showing off. I recently saw a chef on TV who took 15 minutes just to give the ingredients. Amazing.”

-Christopher Hirst/The Independent

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TUE S DAY, JU N E 2 , 2 015

EXTRA BRIEFS

Irina Shayk doesn’t believe in plastic surgery

DESIGNERS CROWDFUND THEIR NEXT BIG DESIGN A clique of fashion designers and brand stewards have turned to crowdfunding, the e-commerce platform that pools backers to underwrite products that do not and may never exist

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nyone who did the “Bus Stop” under the palms at Le Jardin, the Times Square disco, will have no trouble recalling how Stephen Burrows bolted to fame in the early 1970s in a joyous, rainbow carnival of appliqués, nailheads and rippling lettuce hems under the nourishing aegis of Geraldine Stutz at Henri Bendel.

At 71, Burrows could be forgiven if he decided to fold his tent. But instead he is the most recent and famous member of a clique of fashion designers and brand stewards who have turned to crowdfunding, the e-commerce platform that pools backers to underwrite products that do not and may never exist.

Maria Pinto, who was dressing Michelle Obama long before she left Chicago, was one of the first, drumming up $272,523 in a 2013 campaign on Kickstarter that drew 624 backers and enabled a ready-to-wear line, M2057.

Other designers and brand developers, some with multiple campaigns, have included Ivana Lo Stimolo and Gregory Halverson of Anne Fogarty, who raised $30,062; Paskho’s Patrick Robinson, $68,770; Jennifer Chang and Roman Khan of Linjer leather goods, $201,760; the milliner Satya Twena, $262,969; and the

poster boy of fashion crowdfunding, Flint and Tinder’s Jake Bronstein, $1,670,538.

“My goal is $300,000,” Burrows said in a recent interview, still snake-hipped after all these years and sounding upbeat. “Either I reach it by June 6 and get the money, or I don’t reach it and I don’t get the money.” He is collaborating with his housemate Veronica Jones, his buyer at Joseph Magnin nearly 40 years ago.

As of last week, Kickstarter, whose website is hosting Burrows’ venture, reported almost $9,000 in pledges from 27 supporters, with nine days to go. Following the established model, he is enticing backers with a range of “perks,” as they are called, or “rewards.”

On one of Twena’s campaigns, for example, a $99 pledge “bought” a sun hat (and a few extras) that soon after retailed for $225. Pinto lured benefactors with a dress or jacket for a vow of $250, an excellent value by any measure.

For $45, Robinson, late of Armani Exchange and the Gap, promised a tank top. (In an email from Cambodia, Robinson said his second Paskho collection of men’s and women’s urban action wear would be sold through the company’s website beginning in late August.)

By comparison, Burrows’ reward for a contribution of $200 - a handwritten thank-you card and

a signed copy of a book about him - may seem a little thin. (“When Fashion Danced” was available for $24.05 through Amazon.) The card, the book, a scarf, a T-shirt and a ticket to a projected runway show come with a $5,000 donation. The only real article of clothing being dangled, a colourblocked tunic, is part of a package that, at just a thread under $10,000, may require a call to your financial adviser before you click the pledge box.

“Having offered a dress for $197, I learned that the sweet spot for a pledge is $99,” said Halverson, who with his wife, Lo Stimolo, scooped up the lapsed Anne Fogarty trademark for the price of registering it.

Fogarty, who died in 1980, owed much of her career to Dior’s wasp-waisted, multipetticoated New Look, interpreting it in humbler fabrics and simplifying construction. (She was also the author of a stillin-print book, Wife Dressing: The Fine Art of Being a WellDressed Wife, that despite its regressive title has not lost relevance, according to Lo Stimolo.)

Halverson, who helped with the initial public offerings of Prada and Ferragamo while working for Banca IMI in Milan, said, “I paid my son to identify and contact every seller of vintage Fogarty on

Etsy to find out what the name means to them.” He called his foray onto Kickstarter a “break-even exercise” that has helped court investors for a full-scale Anne Fogarty revival crowdfund, companies like Coca-Cola and Microsoft use it mostly or purely as a marketing tool. Given Burrows’ nearlegendary status, it may seem that in hitching himself to Kickstarter, his aim is to build buzz and show that he is at least as up-to-date as Public School’s Maxwell Osborne.

In fact, as noted on Burrows’ plea page, he is “challenged by limited access to capital.” Unlike Shaquille O’Neal, who mustered $458,884 for a video game, he is not one of those crowdfund opportunists who “can’t even pretend to be in financial binds worthy of public contribution,” as Grace McClure of Celery, the preorder platform, wrote in February. If Burrows does not attain his dollar goal, his comeback will be postponed — or cancelled.

“My last collection was financed by rich friends,” he said.

“I pitched my model to numerous investors, but this time no one stepped up. It did and didn’t surprise me. Fashion is a difficult business. Taxing. Tedious.”

Asked if he has a Plan B, Burrows laughed. “I’m sure I’ll think of something,” he said. -Christopher Petkanas/The New York Times News Service

MODEL Irina Shayk doesn’t believe in plastic surgery and says being confident can help women “feel special” at any size.

“I don’t believe in plastic surgery. I believe women have to love their bodies, and that it’s all about confidence. When I do shoots, I say to myself, I love myself. I hope every woman will feel special and be in love with her body, whatever her size,” femalefirst.co.uk quoted Shayk as saying.

Kate Moss feels she’s as famous as Katie Price

SUPER MODEL Moss says her popularity equals that of reality TV stars Kerry Katona and Katie Price. Despite being one of the world’s most in-demand and highest-paid supermodels, Moss considers herself to just be a normal British girl who has made a success of her chosen career — just like Katona and Price, Moss says she’s never been allowed to become arrogant because she’s “from Croydon and if you get above your station someone will knock you down”.

Kendall, Kylie are scared of growing old

REALITY TV stars Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner are terrified with the idea of growing up.

“I’m scared of the day I turn 19. I really don’t want to grow past 18,” 17-yearold Kylie said. Speaking to her 19-year-old sister Kendall, Kylie added: “You’ll be 20 this year, that’s crazy,” Kendall, who is currently forging a career as a fashion model, agreed with her sister and explained that her fear comes from not being able to stop time, which she finds difficult. -IANS

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We have, 2BHK flat in Mabela 7, 2 rooms, sitting hall, kitchen & 2 bathrooms only 200/- R.O. Contact 93782735/ 99208033 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact: 99366624 2 BHK near Medical Darsait R.O 250/-. Contact : 98748925 Room for rent family /ex bachelor/ sharing in Ruwi. Contact : 99777496 4 BHK Villa in Al khuwair. Contact 99792181 Flat in Darsait, Mumtaz behind Ministry of Sport 2 bedrooms, living room, 3 bathrooms & kitchen split 400/- R.O . Contact: 92479515

We have 2 BHK flat in Ghala, 2 rooms, large sitting hall, huge kitchen & 3 bathrooms only 350/- R.O our building no water problem.

Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 2 BR flat for rent in Wadi Kabir Mazoon Building, behind Wadi Kabir Garden, very close to Al Maha petrol pump. Rent RO 275 PM. Call 99440826 Flats in Al Ghubra near 18 Nov .St, 1 bedroom, living room, bathroom, and kitchen with AC 280/- R.O family only. Contact: 92479515 Big flats in Darsait near Al Falaj hotel, 3BHK living room, dining room, 2 bathrooms, Kitchen AC FAMILY only 500/-R.O .Contact : 92479515 2 BHK Apartment for rent near MSQ area. Please contact 92888063

Flat for rent South Ghubrah 3 bedrooms, 3 bath rooms & kitchen with A.C. Contact: 97896982 5000 sqm prime indusial land in Misfah, Bausher, with 550 sqm of covered warehouse and office space, for rent only. Contact: + 968 – 99264162 2 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181 2 BHK Flat in Rex Road. Contact 99792181 3 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact 99792181

3000 sq mtrs Industrial landß, in Barka Sanaiya, with electricity 400KW, shed, staff accommodation and office. Ready to start any kind of factory. Contact 99384255.

1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new flat available at Mabela in front of Modern English School Contact: 96239126 2 bedroom flat for rent in Azaiba near Mitsubishi showroom .

Rent 300/-. Contact : 92447365 Labour Camp for Rent in Wadikabir.

Contact 99792181

2 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

2000 sqm Commercial land for lease in Ghala. Please contact 98154444

1BHK flats at Muttrah near Oman House. Contact: 93231403

Showroom 606 sqm Bousher height. Contact: 94300909

Executive 3 bedroom flat all attached with bathroom, air condition curtains, sitting room and big varanda R.O 400/- Athaiba round about behind bank Muscat Sohar Building way No 4216 HSE No 1067. Contact: Owner 99331413 / 99105169

1 Villa & 4 big apartments of 2/3 BHK with hall, Kitchen & ACs Al Khoudh 6. Tel 97600322 alnehang@gmail.com Flat for rent in Al Hamriyah, 3 rooms & accessories.

Contact: 99341112

Deluxe 1, 2 BHK flats in Darsait, AL Khuwair 1deal for office & residence. Contact 99369081 /99142314 3 rooms with attached bath room, hall Brand new in Mabelah near Sharahe Noor. Contact 99663905/ 99415119 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco. OMR 1,500 Monthly. It has Electricity and boundary wall.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Apartments for rent Ghubra : near Indian School Ghubra & Al Maha International Hotel (2BHK with 5 split A/C units).Contact 99273774 / 99202278 /94652485 Three new Executive flats opposite grand mall 287, 273 & 219 m2 respectively, Elevator available.

Contact: 99207840 Three bedrooms flat, first floor Al Rawdha Street Al Hail North.

Contact: 99207840 Deluxe 3 Room Penthouse with Seaview, ideal for office / residence at Qurum near PDO. Contact: 97721313 / 9507 0421

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR SALE FOR RENT AVAILABLE Furnished flats for rent in Al Buraimi, daily, weekly, monthly.

Contact 97819981 / 93593336

2BHK flat with store room, split A/cs in CBD, Ruwi near QNB. Rent 400/-.Contact 99603696

One BHK flat for rent in Ghobra with attach and common bathroom. For Indian family. Contact 92322096

Showroom for rent 200 m in Al Misfah, Bousher facing the main road. Contact 95202430

Villa for rent - Al Seeb/Al Mawelah - Block 5 - 4 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, Majlis, 2 halls, kitchen and storeroom. split Ac and carpark.

Contact 99564616

New building, residential apartments and offices, in Al Khoud Souq. Contact 95202340

Flat for rent in Ruwi, CBD. Contact: 92820734 1 BHK Flat in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 92275454 Flat or rent in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact: 92277419 For rent new building 2 & 3 BHK flats at Wadi Al Kabir behind Muscat Bakery. Contact: 99338133 Commercial villa 10 BHK Al Khuwair 25 near HTC. Contact: 94300909 1 Bedroom bachelors, sharing K & T in Al Khuwair R.O 100/-.

Contact 95154331 2 bedroom flat new building in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99313274 3 bedrooms flat for rent near NIT Institute Darsait. Contact 93494098 506 sqm space with mezzanine available for rent in Al Wadi Al Kabir. Suitable for carpentry / auto workshop and /or electrical shop.

Interested parties may Contact 24703981 Ghubra near Al Maha hotel & Indian school (2BHK with 5 split ac units). Contact 94652485/ 99273774 / 99202278 Flat with 2 rooms, toilet & kitchen in second floor in Souk Al Khoud behind bank Al Ahli 200/- R.O .

Contact : 99738881

1& 2BHK for rent at Wadi Kabir, Hilal Al Sad and Al Khoud areas .

Contact Office: 24834644 Mobile: 93994401/02/03 If require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through whatsapp or call 99376454 Spacious 2 BHK flats in Ruwi MBD area only on 350/- OMR. Contact – 95122188 / 96441499 Flats for rent in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact : 92800007 3 flats for rent 3 bedrooms include A/C, near the highway (Bowshar Amerat). Contact 97777911 / 95533777

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. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

FOR RENT

1/3 BHK Flat Ghubrah, close to ISG Way 4041, building 4390.

Contact 99319880 Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569 Studio flat Wadi Kabeer 160/-O.R. Contact - 99358589 / 97079146/ 95570288 1BHK flat near star cinema with split A/C 230/- O.R. Contact 99358589/ 97079146/95570288

2BHK at Al Azaiba, 2bedrooms, 1 hall & dinning , 3 bathrooms.

Contact : 99224748 / 99425665

Villa in Al Khuwair and Seeb.

Contact 95250300/ 99119699 / 92125648

2 BHK & studio flat at Darsait 1SM. Contact 99024730

Industrial land for rent in Wadi Kabir 7000 Sq mtrs.

Contact 99354340

Flat for rent 1 & 2 bedroom available behind Zaker Mall Al Khuwair.

Contact - 99530405 Labor camp available with all facilities at Sohar Falaij (Near Sohar Sea port) - Contact – 92982172

Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat.

Contact 99349526

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. Contact 97000155 or 92688692

2,560 sq mtrs industrial land Wadi Kabir Main Road, First line on way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol station or hotel. OMR 990 Thousand Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

2013 LEXUS ES350 for Sale 40,000 km Full Option Gold Color Bought from Bahwan dealership Price: 13,500 Riyals Call: 9291 2660

5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Toyota Yaris 2006, 1.3 cc Automatic, Gray, 101000 k.m, accident free, well maintained & sparingly used by diplomat. All services done through Toyota. Contact 96249208.

Well equiped and running condition Restaurant for sale. Contact: 97710015 / 92934027 near Missfah Khanco Road Cement Factory

Room main road, Al Khuwair R.O 110/-. Contact 97799175 For rent 3 industrial land.

Contact 92702891/ 95490842

Restaurant for sale well running with open area and good parking area. 3 new clearance also in Wadi Kabeer near Mars hyper market.

Contact 99656863

Coffee shop for sale in North Al Ghubra. Contact 95256009

Labour camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99797422

1st floor flat in Amerat Phase 5, 4 rooms, bathrooms (3), kitchen with A/C for family.

Contact 95522405

Flats shops and store for rent in Ruwi, MBD Honda road.

Contact 97293708 / 92433127

FOR SALE

Brand new projectors and sun screens rear projection films for sale.

Contact: 99456456 Port cabin new & refurbished – porta cabin for sale & rent.

Contact: 96723468 / 97775501 / 97775502 We have planned industrial lands in a prime location (Bowshar / Al Misfah) the space 8575 SQ. M for each plot, meter price 120/- OMR only. Contact: 99883338 3 Ton forklift for sale 2003/04 Daewoo forklift for sale.

Contact: 97677133 Running restaurant going for sale in Ibri. Contact: 96774871 Curtain shop for immediate sale South Al Hail with 2 clearance.

Contact: 99041337 Best Investment opportunity in Muscat a brand new furnished show room for electronics building, material mobiles etc available for sale at prime location. Contact : 91710624 / 98873484 Shfandish & tables for sale.

Contact 99368907

MV. SALE

23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 3 floor commercial building in Muttrah behind Police. Generating income of OMR 18 Thousand annually. Neat and well maintained. Built on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops on ground floor and 6 flats. OMR 207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Land Cruiser 2012. #99336093

Hyundai Accent 2004, fully automatic. Contact: 99045803 Peugeot 206-2007 Model, expat driven. Contact 99209285

ACC. AVAILABLE 2 Rooms with separate bathroom & kitchen for executive bachelors.

Gsm 942-888-63 Furnished single room for Exe. bachelor or small family at Rex Road.

Contact 92873832 One room separate bathroom for Indian Executive bachelor near Al Khuwair R/A. Contact: 99659513

558 Sq mtrs residential land in Barka (Al Jenainah) near Lulu and near to school. OMR 32 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Independent flat (1 Bed Room + Bath) is available at Mawaleh (Behind City Centre) for a Non Cooking Executive Bachelor. # 95931004

Ladies beauty parlor for sale in Muttrah, above Ahla Sceps Market.

Contact : 93231403

Family room available at Muttrah.

Contact: 24712088 / 99022790

60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in Misfah, can be changed to Industrial Land. OMR 29 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Shopping center for sale at Bousher by good price 400 m2 with all equipment. Reason for selling part-time. Contact 92916490

Fully furnished room attached bath for Executive bachelor behind Al Meera hypermarket Azaiba R.O 150/-Contact : 99455735 Furnished room available for Executive bachelor in Ghala near Oman LNG building. Contact: 93980990 Excellent room, with A/C kitchen available from June/ July 1st, near ONTC Bus station (Ruwi). #95569740 Contd on pg 7

D4

T U E S D AY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian CA with 15 yrs exp working as Finance Head for MNC looking for suitable job.

NOC available. 94047434

Indian female MBA, 3 Years experience in Admin MIS, Family Visa.

Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com

M.Com, CA (Article ship), 15 years Gulf experience working for suitable position in finance & accounts on visit visa valid up to 10/7/2015.

Contact: 97767828, knowledge of quickbooks, Tally 9, Focus V.5 Email: altabhossain2008@hotmail.com

MBA (international business) from London, 4 years of UK experience in operations with D/L, looking for suitable position. Contact 91710075

Indian female 25 years married, MBA Finance, Diploma in foreign accounting 3 months experience in a CA firm on family visa.

Contact: 95916769 Email: sikhapadoor@gmail.com ACA,ACMA & ACS qualified with rich experience in Finance & Accounts, more than 14 years in gulf, seeks suitable opening.

Contact: 00968-95591523 Email:anush123@hotmail.com

ADMIN

ACCA & B.Com with Noc more than 5 years of experience in accounts & finance looking for a suitable job can join immediately.

Contact: 97012146

Indian Manager is required to work an administrative and real estate valuer in properties office in Shatti al Qurum. He has to be qualified and speaks English with experience in Oman. Contact : 99109094

Indian male, 27 M.Com, MBA, 4.5 years experience in finance & accounts, tally & SAP currently on visit visa. Contact: 93484048

Omani lady HR Manager for a leading metal fabrication company. Min. 5 yrs exp, familiar with Oman labor Laws. Responsibilities – Making HR policies, Training of Omanis, liaising with various Ministries. Contact: operation@khancogroup.com

DRIVER A well reputed steel fabrication & machining Workshop Company in Oman requires forklift operator with valid Oman license.

Contact 92746349 Email: mydeen@midest.com

DRIVER ACCOUNTANT A leading Company in Ruwi looking for Accounts Assistant, B Com with min 3 years of exp. Female candidate preferable. Please send your CV’s to hrruwi2015@gmail.com Assistant Accountant experience: 2 years. Contact: 24703484 / 96918100 Email: om.omanlights@gmail.com

Omani family looking for full time lady driver. Contact: 91401838

EDUCATION Teachers required (B.A, BEd, BSc, and B.ed) for Omani Pvt. School Al Hail (North). Contact 95141554/ 96653118

ENGINEER BEAUTICIAN Urgently required Indian experience beautician, good salary + Accommodation + Food visa Available location Al Hail.

Contact: 92284899 / 92139922 Beautician required with good experience visa available.

Contact: 95867900

CATERING A leading Company in Ruwi looking for Accounts Assistant, B Com with min 3 years of exp. Female candidate preferable. Please send your CV’s to hrruwi2015@gmail.com Looking for a Restaurant Manager for a well known restaurant in Muscat, with atleast 2 years of work experience in Oman. Candidate must have a valid Omani driving license, excellent marketing and communication skills and an eagerness to work. For enquiries and interview Contact: 92978956 or 94027151.

Shawarma /Arabic/Chinese/ cook & helper. Contact 95529970

DESIGNER Urgent required Offset printer / binder / designer. Good experience in printing press industries. Please send C.V to fax: 24453227 Contact: 92872940 Email: kkh104@hotmali. com / mgayaz19@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELPER Wanted full time Indian Housemaid for Indian Muslim family. Should be skilled in preparation of Non-Veg dishes. Preferably from Hyderabad, India. Company visa, good salary + bonus, air –ticket for leave travel provided by company.

Contact 99349924.

An Indian family in Al Ghubra requires a full time living housemaid.

Contact : 97084023 Required looking for full time Housemaid preface Indian / Sri Lanka for Omani family at Mabela, visa available. Contact: 92454170 Urgent required House maid in Mabela. Visa available.

Contact- 95200180.

A leading business group in Oman is looking for Civil Engineers (Diploma/Degree Holders) with 4-5 yrs experience for their Civil Engineering division. Please apply to kumar@muscatsteel.com MEP Contractor in Muscat looking for AC Foreman with minimum 5 years experience in Split AC installation. Contact: 92472326 Email:info@4dengineering.net Construction Company require Civil Engineer, minimum 2 year’s Gulf experience. Contact: 93806556 A reputed water treatment company is looking for 10 years experienced Civil Engineer with driving license.

Knowledge of civil works, QS. Apply : md.mohamed@gmail.com Electrical Engineer having 3 years gulf experience with driving license.

Contact: 24703484 / 96918100 Email: om.omanlights@gmail.com Urgently required Site Engineers & all kinds of civil construction workers for a reputed construction company. Interested candidates can send your CV’s to mohamed@oasisgrace. com, contact 99881459, 24826566, fax: 24812226

IT Urgently required Omani IT Software professional fluent in Arabic and English with 2 years experience email: mhca@mhabibgroup.com, fax: 24564459 Website Graphic Designer, .Net/ Oracle Certified Developer, Systems Analyst, Software Business Developer/Marketer. hr@takweenit.net

MEDICAL

MEDICAL

Male 24, B.Com / PGD having 2 years experience in accounts and inventory field, looking for suitable job, on visit visa. Contact: 94129550

Urgently required a Staff Nurse for a clinic at Hamriya area who has passed prometric exam with 60% or more. Contact: 99031408 Email: ranjitbarua63@yahoo.com Required Nurse for a Clinic in Al Buraimi, S. Of Oman.

Contact: 00968 92737149. Send CV to drpkabbas@yahoo.co.in Urgent required staff Nurse in Mabela. Contact- 95200180.

Urgently required Staff Nurse, Pharmacist and endodontist Female Staff nurse, Pharmacist and endodntist with MOH License/Prometric exam passed with 60% and above.

Contact 24780088, 97374459 Email : karamadental@gmail.com Immediate placement ( with or without MOH) A. Pharmacist 3 nos B. Asst.pharmacist - 2 nos Contact Tel.99338219 , 93240949 Wanted Lady Doctor GP or Gynecologist with MOH license. Immediate opportunity.# 99310590

SALES / MARKETING Required Sales man - 1 Person Qualification. Gulf Experienced Minimum 5 Years with Oman Driving Licence Language - English Education:- Any Degree Further Contact :Mr. Abdul Hameed Nashabat - Mobile No: 97414307 and -92807399 amn@yaqeeneng.com Salesman experienced 5 yrs in Oman, in the field of industrial & oilfield service, garage equipment tools & spares, safety wears & rescue equipments. Please forward your CV to almaadhi.trd@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Required Office Assistant 160+25+Acc, Contact 99454425

MISCELLANEOUS

Sales man Accountant, show room incharge, sports shop.

Email: j_msports@yahoo.com

Wanted experienced female tailor from Philippines. Contact: 99466062

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Vinyl Applicators (preferably for vehicles), Metal Fabricators.

Contact 98918344

SALES / MARKETING Urgently required Advertising & Media Sales Executives with Oman D/L. Trainee positions available for Freshers.

Email: jobs@interacoman.com Urgently required Sales and Marketing Executive for Graphic designing company. Contact: 96727631 mail: smartgraphic518@gmail.com Sales man for electrical and building material Items, experience: 2 years with driving license.

Contact: 24703484 / 96918100 Email: om.omanlights@gmail.com Required Indian Salesman for a Spare parts Company, Good salary package and visa will be offered for suitable candidates. Can send CV on alrabhe@omantel.net.om Furniture company urgently seeks outdoor sales team, attractive salaries for right candidates. Contact: batrading2014@gmail.com

Wanted Female Nurse with or without MOH license for a Polyclinic.

Salary negotiable.

Contact: 97091664, 97327175.

Email: mmcmuscat@gmail.com

Required Sales Staff for a reputed insurance Broker male / Omani.

Contact at 97619595 or send CV to msaif@ace-ins.com website: ace-ins.com

Wanted Nurse for MCT area for GP Clinic Cont: 9670 9401 Required a MOH licensed female Nurse for a private clinic near Al-Suwaiq. Call 93746086

Marketing Representative – General items, Experience: Minimum 2 - 3 years, Should have knowledge about Oman market, Valid Oman Driving License must Forward CV to hr@barikgroup.com

Wanted Nurse for a dental centre in Mawaleh South. Interested may contact 93431024 Email: drasyanaseem@gmail.com

Urgently required out door Sales Executive for furniture company, minimum 5 years experience with Oman D/L. Contact: 93231403

Indian male 26 years having 2 years of experience in financial accountant looking for accountant job.

Contact: 00968 97483234 Indian male M.Com 6 yrs experience in accounts up to finalization in Oman having Oman D/L available to join immediately with NOC. Contact : 98363897 Email: princ9496@hotmail.com Accountant having 8 yrs, experience looking for part time job.

Contact: 99867456 Jordanian, Senior accountant, 34 year old, 12 years experience in the GCC, 7 years in construction & 4 years in hospital having Oman D/L proficient in tally 9.0. Contact 96470036 MBA Indian male looking for suitable position having 2 years working experience as an accountant now in Oman a visiting visa. Contact: 99424803

Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 Over 14 years of gulf experience in Admin /HR /Logistics, fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position.# 95824598 Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement.

Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com

DRIVER Heavy duty driver valid license Omani need job & visa.

Contact: 91139963 Driver looking for job with visa, release available, 5 yrs driving experience. Contact: 96261895 Faruqu.

Light vehicle driver looking for job.

Contact: 91452930 Driver looking for job, light vehicle.

Contact: 95446207 Driver looking for job, with driving license of Oman. Contact : 98007513 Driver 6 yrs exp knowing English, Arabic, Hindi Education B. A. Contact: 99512270 Driver with car 10 years experience part and full time looking for job light driver. Contact: 95897233 Looking for job LTV driver, exp 15 years. Contact: 93183817 Heavy P.D.O license.

Contact: 95606146 Light duty driver seeks job.

Contact : 91122145 / 95992137 Driver with car, 3 years experience part & full time looking for job.

Contact: 97456062 Light Driver needs Job. Contact: 93284327 Driver light. Contact: 91020999

SKILLED LABOUR

Mason, C.C.T.V, Technician, Electrician cum Plumber. Contact: 99383044

ADMIN/HR

Tanzanian male, 25 yrs Accountant successful experience in Tanzania looking for suitable placement in any field. Contact : 96710154 Tunisian lady has Professorship in social and economical sciences and accounting, diploma in Experimental Sciences degree in English for media. Contact 95391050, aysser2013@gmail.com Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting .

NOC available. Contact 96209331 Indian male with total 5 year experience (2 years experience in Accountant cum sales co ordinator in a FMCG Company in Oman) in accounts field and NOC available. Looking for suitable job Contact 92130188 MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in finance/accounts/ auditing. Specialized in accounts payable dept, Oracle app user, proficient in Sap (fico) end user & tally 9.0. lean &six sigma certified trainer on visit visa.

Contact – 91967213 / 99064780 India Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placment. contact 93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com

Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate 1 year exp in Accounts, currently on visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94341848 / Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com Analyst accountant knowledge & skill excel Advance misreport account & finance administration work document oracle advertising knowledge degree MBA, BBM. Contact 91840109/99783953 Email: mohd.rashid19@gmail.com Indian male 25 yrs B.com having experience in accounts for 3 yrs currently on visit looking to job.

Contact: 97937868 Email: rehman.naseer999@gmail.com Part time Accounts job & finalization work Muscat. Contact: 92917448 An Indian lady Chartered Accountant with five years experience (including article ship) on family visa in Oman looking for a suitable job. Please Contact 9621 0347 / 9943 5346, shincycrajan@gmail.com Sr. Accountant M.com (finance) 15 years experience (2years in Oman with a reputed firm) NOC available.

Contact: 92404608 Email: jin_75@rediffmail.com

AUTO CAD/ARCHITECT Indian Female Architect (Interior Design), Knowledge in AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe Photoshop, 3D Max Studio, Adobe in design, Google Sketch up, Adobe Illustrator, Microsoft Office etc.. Currently on family dependent visa up to November 2015.

Contact: 95959494 , E-Mail: rasha.k973@gmail.com Autocad D man, Gulf exp in major projects, knows arch, structural, MEP, NOC available ph: 98225740 Female architect (27) 4 years experience seeking for suitable job in Oman experience in Oman, India & UK. Contact: 96146645 Email: anjuovil@gmail.com

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

DOMESTIC HELPER Housemaid & houseboy, Indian with 4 yrs exp looking for job.

Contact 91299288

EDUCATION English Teacher female (M. A. B. Ed) having 14 years experience with 11 years experience in Oman with reputed Institute and School. Contact: 92289080 / 99318276 Email: babvjosev@yahoo.com

CATERING Indian male/30 years with hotel management degree, 02 years experience in F&B service at 5 star hotel in Dubai and 05 years in American 6 star cruseliner as butler. Contact 91135371

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian male 24 years, Mechanical Engineer,pdms.1 yr experience in pipeline,16years in oman seeking immediate placement # 95775742 Omani Mechanical Engineer, has 3 years experience ,has HSE, H2S, Riggers/Banks men Permit, Drawing / cad, SCBA, Safety Leadership and Initial Fire Response Courses. good with computer and English language looking for suitable job. Contact 99224319-98454500 Indian male 22 Mechanical Diploma holder Engg with HVAC certified, having 1 year exp. seeking suitable position. Currently available on visit visa. Contact - 92835952 Indian female, B.Tech biotechnology with strong computer skills and 2 years experience as associate research analyst (Media Monitoring) in Nasdaq Oman seeking growth oriented jobs. Contact 92044603 /918056169148 or angeline.babithac@gmail.com.

Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

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D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

SALES / MARKETING

Indian male 30 years Mechanical Engineering Diploma with 4+ years of Experience in Fabrication drawings using CAD Software’s in India, now on a visit visa seeking for a suitable placement in OMAN. Will be available till 12/6/15 for interview.

Contact 99013952, vineetf56@gmail.com

B.Com Graduate with 12 years experience in overseas / local purchase, logistics, warehouse seeks suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact: 94657319

An Indian male having rich experience in procurement, Sales marketing and office administration seeking suitable position.

Contact: 93689602

Administration Manager, Male, MBA, 5years experience in MNCs. fardhaan@gmail.com,92700670

Instrumentation Engineer, Indian male having 2 years experience in process instruments and sales seeks suitable placement on visit visa.

Contact: 95954385 Email: irfancisinn@gmail.com

Sr Manager, MBA, 18 yrs professional exp in building material, tiles, sanitary wares, bath, turnkey projects, interiors, modular kitchens, hardwares & tools. Project sales in Gulf countries with GCC license on visit visa looking for job assignment.

Contact 93364846

BE computer science 6 years experience software developer and support Engineering exp sales and management Oman D/L, NOC available.

Contact: 98097722

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Keralite Comp: Engr experienced in BPO on visit seeking any type of job. Email: khais2001@gmail.com, contact 92094926 Sr Manager, B.Tech, MBA, PRINCE-2, British National. 24 yrs exp in EPC Project Management of Oil & Gas, Pipelines, Refineries & Power Plants. Seeking job immediately/on visit/Contact- 0096891263952/ josececy25@gmail.com Toms Davis-Indian, Diploma in Mech Eng, 4+yrs exp in Projects & co-ordination, 1yr exp in HVAC Design & Draughting, Mob-92068508, tomsdavispullan@gmail.com Indian male 28 years Electronics & Instrumentation Engineer 4+ years experience in Industrial automation (SCADA) seeking suitable job.

Contact: 93154156 / 98416190 Network Engineer, Security Engineer with a Bachelor degree seeking a suitable job in a good company.

Contact: 98129846 Sudanese Industrial Engineering & Management, experience 12 years in QA/QC and production. Contact: 94041960 / 94044784, Email: mekkimedani@hotmail.com / mekkimedani78@gmail.com

5 years experienced Q.S ENG with driving license looking for suitable position. Contact: 98142595 Indian male 25, Diploma Civil Engineer 2 years experience insite Engineer looking for suitable placement. Contact: 96750429 Indian female 28 yrs having 2 yrs experience as Estimation and Design Engineer (BMS) with valid Omani driving license seeks suitable placement. Contact: 99047570 Electrical Engineer, 2 years as Project Engineer office works proposals / contracts site jobs installations/ maintenance. Contact: 96209298 English/ Arabic languages

Indian male 23 years Gulf experience HVAC Foreman cum Technician in Oman looking a suitable job , require visa. NOC available.

Contact : 99617767 / 97023455 Email: shankar2244@yahoo.com

Graduate Electrical Engineer having 6 years experience of Gulf and professional license available to join. Contact: 98063081

24 years Indian EEE Diploma with Auto CAD, B.Com completed required any suitable job.

Contact : 94015346 / 93276916

Indian male, (B.E) Electronics and Communication (ENC), 2 years experience in Instrument Engineer and plant supervisor in India.

Contact : 94188216 Email: azeez45ec@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer, Indian, 24 years with piping engineering, autocad & PDMS now on visiting visa seek suitable placement. Contact : 99168054 / 96684345 email: mbkishore@hotmail.com Indian male, B.Tech Mechanical having 4 years experience with QA/ QC / CSWIP looking for a suitable position. Contact: 99447106 Email: dhanubhasi87@gmail.com Indian male B.Tech Electronics Instrumentation, studied till 12th in Oman, presently on family visa seeking suitable position.

Contact: 99639646 / 99067950 Email: prajeeshpp12@gmail.com Electrical Engineer : Indian male 29 years , having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

Indian Civil Engineer (building) available immediately as supply contract. Contact : 95218004 Electrical Engineer 10 years experience in underground cables extension and distribution substation and terrestrial station available in Oman, on visit visa. Contact : 95471606 Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385 Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job. # 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com Sudanese Electrical Engineer, 2 years experience.

Contact: 91211592 Email: aymanhamza1990@gmail.com

Pakistani 25yrs male B.E (Electrical) 3Y-2M exp building maintenance installation construction looking for suitable job. NOC Ready.

Contact: 97240616 Email: fiazhanss@gmail.com

Network / system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job, currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact : 92589502 / 96216397, Email : jeganscareer@gmail.com

Civil Foreman, maintenance, 15 years Oman, 2 yrs Kuwait with Oman driving license.

Contact 00968-96405865 / 91 9464255409 Email: sukhwinder9@yahoo.com

Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847

Electronics Engineer with 4 years experience in product development looking for in instrumentation and industrial automation now in Oman visit visa. Contact : 968 95218030 Email: ronymreji@gmail.com

4 yrs exp (Money Exch. Services & hospitality services in Oman& India) Indian male 27, Graduate in Hospitality Science, fluent in English, Hindi & Arabic seeks job. # 91383167

Indian male B.Tech (ECE), currently working in HCL Chennai India, as Engineer Product Support Officer with 2.5 yrs experience looking for a suitable placementMobile: 92625379 ; Email: mekala.kashyap@gmail.com Sales Engineer (37), 15 yrs (12 yrs Oman) experience in structured cabling fiber optics, data centers, security & AV, Telecom, Network & datacom, OSP, Industrial Connectivity. Contact: 99771815, Noc. Civil Engineer male 13 years exp Indian seeking suitable job.

Contact: +919640973798 Email: firozbakhtiar2@gmail.com Diploma in Civil Engineer with 10 yrs experience, valid Omani driving license, NOC available.

Contact: 94052815.

HOSPITALITY

IT

IT Indian female B.E 2 years of IT experience with IBM – Indian certified in oracle PL /SQL and forms developer seeking job in IT field in reputed company. Contact: 95094189 Email: bijigopu7@gmail.com Indian male BCA, MCA, 2 years experience in software programming knowledge of Java, SQL, NET, C#, ASP.NET, DB2, Oracle. # 99210940 Indian female 27 yrs B.Tech (IT) MBA one years of experience as a software analyst. Contact 91234864 Email: ashwinirathnam2011@gmail. com Indian male, 20+ years experience in IT management, ERP implementation, seeks suitable opening.

Contact: 96101779 Networking technician with driving license, with Noc, having 2 experiences in data & telephone structured cubing EPABX & CCTV installation is looking for suitable jobs. Contact: 96027516 Gulf experienced Software Developer & certified professional in English looking from a Job with vast experience in sales and Management + D/L. Contact 00968 96701312 Email: farhanaslam586@yahoo.com Network system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. Currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact: 92589502 Email: careersjegan@gmail.com

MEDICAL Assistant Pharmacist (Indian female, 28 yrs) with MOH license.

Contact 93022787 / 99108751 Indian female Dentist MOH Oman passed seeking a suitable placement in capital region. Contact– 91377681 hashimsarawat@gmail.com Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian GP Doctor looking for locum / permanent position in the Capital area. Contact 98140024 email:drgpoman@yahoo.com Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female 30 Yrs (Master in Hospital Administration) Lead Auditor ISO 9001:2008 QMS; ISO 14001:2004 EMS Certified Having Total Exp. of 6+ years ( Last 3 Years In Oman ) In Healthcare Administration ,Quality , Training , HR & Healthcare Audit .Well versed In JCI (U.S.A.) Accreditation/NABH Accreditation .

Seeks Opening in Quality /Training / Auditing /HR&A Department.Currently on Family Visit Visa (Received NOC). GSM: 96683277 / 93747007 E-Mail: smsraza819@gmail.com

Software Engineer 6+ Exp.(MCA with Distinction) interested in IT/ Teaching Contact-92656246

Indian Female with over 9 yrs experience with good communication skills seeks jobs in customer service or sales field. Contact : 96108289, shijipaul84@gmail.com

27 years Pakistani male B.Com, IT Nebosh IGC experience in customer services 6 yrs admin, sales, health and safety having valid visa with NOC looking for position in HSE or Admin anywhere.

Contact : 92064233

Indian male, 23 years Graduate – B. Sc Electronics / 1 year experience as Cashier cum Asst. Accountant, Currently in Muscat on visit visa, seeking for a suitable placement in any field . Contact 94154199, Email: navingeorge007@gmail.com

MCA Indian male 24 yrs seeking suitable placement in software / Database support currently on visit visa. Contact 96785261 Email: sudheesh.edakkadan@gmail.com

Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available. #98803439

25 yrs, Omani male, 5 years exp seeking job in IT and AutoCad all info in website.

Contact: najeeb719.weebly.com

13 Years UAE experienced in MNC & reputed firms logistics distribution looking for a suitable placement, on visit visa contact 99838743, gani.dawood@gmail.com

Sr Manager, B.Tech, MBA, Prince -2 from UK. 24 yrs exp in EPC project management of oil & gas pipelines, refineries & power plants. Seeking job immediately / on visit/ Contact: + 00968912639 Email: josececy25@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL/OFFICE Indian male MBA having 10 years experience in Oman as Document controller and 2+ Years experience as Project Assistant / Executive Secretary seeks suitable placement.

NOC available Contact: 95373198, email: sydnvrng@yahoo.com Arabic – English translator having, 3 years experience currently on visit visa seeks translation or Bi-Lingual, Secretarial job. Contact: 96599601 Email: gawadjamal@gmail.com Indian male more than 10 years Gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin (employees visa processes), Secretarial and purchase coordination with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 99709336

SALES / MARKETING Indian male 10 years experience in Welding Supervisor NDT Technician, MIG Welding specialist seeking suitable job. Contact 96771841 Indian male MBA 7 years experience in Hospitality industry, operation, sales & marketing looking for suitable vacancy. Contact 92115860 Email vibin.py@gmail.com Indian male, 32 years having 3 yrs exp in sales & marketing in Oman, holding valid Oman driving license.

NOC available. Contact: 97615497 / +919894436645 Email: faraj7@gmail.com Result oriented male M. Com 25 yrs experience sales marketing, admin building material seeking immediate suitable placement having L /D. Contact : 92882408/ 92715831 Indian female 28 years experience Sales Coordination, Administration, Secretarial and Accounting Software knowledge with Oman D/L. Contact : 96751993 8 years purchase experienced Indian male looking for job. N.O.C. available. Contact: 98161323 Graduate Indian male 25 yrs, looking for a suitable placement for an Executive or Sales support job in a reputed organization.

Contact : 98558648 Email: risham54@gmail.com Salesman cum Driver 6 yrs exp Know English, Arabic, Hindi, Education B.A. Contact: 98522914 33 years male looking for a suitable position holding driving license, sales man by nature, experience in storekeeping, supervision skills, well aware of health & safety management, fluent in English, familiar with MS Office & good communication skill .Contact : 93556794 Email: faisal.khan2092@gmail.com Indian male 5 years gulf experience in Admin / vehicle insurance coordinator and sales having driving license looking for suitable placement. Contact : 95870476 Email: mubaris.abdul@gmail.com Indian male 32 yrs, 6 years experience instore in charge with Indoor salesman looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97385874

Indian 23 years B.Com Graduate, 2 years experience in Sales knowledge of TALLY, ERP & MS Office.

Contact 3134643 Email : syedismailnoor@gmail.com Indian male, 30 yrs, 6 years Gulf experience in shipping operations and customer service, NOC available.

Contact: 93042516 8 years store experience Indian male looking for placement. N.O.C available. Contact: 98456535 Indian male, 30, BSc, Food Science and Quality control, MBA 5 years experience, driving license.

Contact: 93405643 Indian Male, B.Com Graduate, 23, with experience in Sales looking for suitable placements.

Contact - 9837 1144 Indian male, B.Sc (Mathematics) PGDBM (Marketing). 9 yrs of Oman experience in sales in midlevel management, NOC available.

Valid Oman D/L. Contact: 95278838 Email: anup2p4p@yahoo.com Indian male 45+ yrs , 20 yrs exp as sales supervisor in India looking for indoor sales /stores /cashier or any suitable placement can speak Hindi , English, Malayalam, Tamil, kannada can join immediately on visit visa.

Contact 93086105/33016546 Indian male MBA (HR& marketing) 2 years experience in sales seeking suitable position now on visiting.

Contact: 96483964 Indian male Graduate in business management having work experience of 12 years looking for a suitable position. Contact : 93431567 Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermediate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing in Oman. Looking for suitable job.

Contact - 92146864

TOURS & TRAVELS 25 Indian female B.S.C. Fashion Technology. 5 years experience in textile industry as a merchandiser and good in fashion marketing.

Currently available on visit visa, seeking for a suitable job.

Contact 96990368.

Email: simmy.missy@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Male 34 years Mechanical Engineer 3 years of Experience seeking suitable placement immediately contact: 91991435, 93310821 Indian female B.Com graduate, 4years experience in accounts & administration department looking for suitable placement.

Contact 98928220 Mechanical Engineer B.E fresher (QA, QC , Piping & NDT + 1 month practical training in production & oil field) seeking immediate placement currently on visit visa. Contact – 0096896107833, Email albinalbin.thomas@gmail.com Indian Male 58yrs, Oman experience 31yrs in Multifunctional Management, Administration, Business Development, Purchase & Operations, seeking suitable Manager/ Supervisory Position. Visa transfer/ NOC Available. GSM: 95036410 23 yrs old Pakistani bachelor in accounts and marketing 3.5 yrsexp 2 yrsexp in Oman, looking for a job.

Contact- 99374062 Indian Female: MCA, 3 Years Exp. as Asst. Professor, Specialization in C # (sharp).net, Data Comm.& Networking, Knowledge about Web Development, ASP.Net, Oracle, SQL,VB.net.

Seek Immediate Placement. Now on Visit Visa.9588 7051 ashwininakod@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Indian heavy duty driver with 8 years experience in oman available with NOC. GSM : 93601943 GSM : 94496457 INDIAN male, MBA GRADUATE as well as BBA specialized in Finance and Marketing, proficient in Tally.9, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 0091 7025696085, Email : praseed.nandhu@gmail.com Indian Female seeking a job in Back Office and Accountancy, 8+ years proven experience as a dynamic candidate with excellent Excel & Communication skills.Quick learner and Team player. Currently on visit Contact 94093154, 95963281, joyjohn_hhh@yahoo.com Indian Male, Mechanical Engineer 35 years, with 3 years of experience and on visit visa is looking for a suitable Job, Contact: 91991435,93310821 Indian male Oman experience in electrical and plumbing looking for a suitable position.

Please contact 00919591340961, 00917795583924.

MCA IT Professional Indian Female seek placement in Teaching/ Non Teaching field. Presently on visit visa. 9588 7051, ashwininakod@gmail.com 6 years exp. including 4 years Oman exp. with Professional qualification Of CA strategic level I ACCA,B. com(Special). Experienced in financial Report preparation & Worked in ERP, ORACLE & SAP. seeking accountant position. #92008368 , Mujeeb75@ymail.com Young Indian Chartered Accountant, Female, Having 6 years experience in Oman and India. Accounts and Finance Manager, Auditor.

Urgently seeking suitable positions.

Contact-92530131, jobcareer44@gmail.com 23,Male, ACCA with 2.5 years experience in Big6 audit firm and Oil/ Gas,looking for permanent placement in Accounts/Audit. Contact #95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com Indian female MBA Finance currently on visit visa, seeks immediate placement. Phone- 98430089 Civil supervisor-8 year’s experience in commercial and residential building, including portable cabin, natural and artificial play ground’s, and Oxy petroleum field, at sultanate of Oman. GSM :91249005. Mail :sandeep88joseph@gmail.com Indian Male 28yr age having 6year gulf+ Indian experience in HR field.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97914340, Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@ gmail.com ACCA affiliate & Bsc (Oxford Brookes University), 2.5 years experience in oilfield & audit/finance in Big6 firm, seeking permanent placement. Release available. Contact 95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com Indian male 21 Diploma in Mechanical Eng with HVAC certified having 6 yrsexp and seeking job in HVAC field as a supervisor. Currently on visit visa. Contact 92835952/ 92734863 Indian female, B.Com. Knowledge of MS Office &Tally, 4yrs experience in accounting & admin dept. looking for good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220 Indian Male 27, Piping Design Engineer looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll, AutoCAD. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com Sudanese / 29 years old / Bsc English language and Translation / 3 years experience in Oman teaching & translation / have driving license.

Contact 94211377.

Email: hosam.karar.1@gmail.com

D6

T U E S D AY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED Indian Male. 27, Post Graduate, 5+ yrs exp in Oman in Sales & Credit Control, with valid Oman driving License, NOC available, looking for suitable placements. Ph: 9199 3376 Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer .seek suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 MEP Quantity Surveyor-Estimation-Project, 10 Years Experience (3 years in Oman). Having NOC & Oman D/L, looking for suitable job, Contact - 98291626 B.E. Civil Engineer age 27, total 3 years of experience in Mumbai looking for placement asap in oman now on visit visa of 1 month ph 9571 3441 Email. Khatrialeem@gmail.com Sudanese male, 31 year old, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer, 5 years experience in different activities . Mobile No ; +96894549609 Admin Executive, 31, Indian Male, having 9+ years exp. in reputed companies. Seeking suitable placement in any gulf region. Contact +968 99276601 & 97693456. email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com 8 yrs exp Site supervisor cum 2d, 3d Draughtsman (holding Omani driving license) seeking job.

Contact : 93790601 Indian Female, 24yrs, M.COM (Accounts) having 3yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proficiency. Seeking Suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913 Indian Male, 29 years, CCNP, MCITP having Bachelor degree and 6 years of experience in Networking looking for job. 96760618 / varghese.manthara@gmail.com ACCA affiliate, with 2.5 years experience in Big6 audit firm and Oil industry, looking for permanent placement in Accounts/Audit. Release available Contact #95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com B.E Biomedical Engineer, having 5 years of experience in Diagnostics division seeking suitable position.

94151658 Indian Male, 29 years, CCNP, MCITP having Bachelor degree and 6 years of experience in Networking looking for job. 96760618 / varghese.manthara@gmail.com B.E. Civil Engineer from India with 3 years of experience looking for suitable vacancy in oman now on visit visa. Contact 9571 3441, Email . Khatrialeem@gmail.com Indian male 21 IT Eng. networking & computer hardware diploma, 1 year experience, currently on visit visa looking for a suitable job#96036273 email: faizanfarooqui23@gmail.com Indian Female, Commerce Graduate, Total 9 yrs of experience in India. worked as Accounts Assistant and Business executive seeking for suitable placement.

Tel : 96173533/24222457 Email : topranidivya@gmail.com Indian, 32 years, completed M.A. English, M.Sc. Psychology and B.Ed in English. Searching for suitable job in the field of teaching. To Contact: 00968 99869535 Email: sahadkeyi33@gmail.com 8 Years successful experience, SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years. Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license seeks suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED 24 year Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com Female Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary with 27+ experience, worked with top management/Board in financial services with shorthand skills & Omani driving license, seeks suitable placement. call 95941515 26 years Indian male with MBA & PGDFM, Total 3.8 years experience in Administration, seeking suitable placement in any gulf region.

Holding Oman valid driving license.

Contact :94501423 Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking. 1 year sales experience. MSc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license. Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com Iraqi Pharmacist with 15 years experience as regulatory affairs and Marketing Manager seeking job in pharmaceutical co. Mobile 96720441 Finance ACCA Affiliate, 2.5 years experience in audit/finance and oil company in reputed firms. Looking for suitable permanent placement.

Release available. Contact 95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com Sr. Manager, MBA, 18yrs professional exp in Building materials, interiors, tiles, sanitary wares, Gypsum in gulf, seeking job immediately/on visit/ Contact - 93364846 / mgrprofessional@hotmail.com Indian Male 34 years Mechanical Engineer 3 years of Experience seeking suitable placement immediately Contact: 91991435, 93310821 Civil Engineer, Diploma, Male 25, 3 years experience in site, CAD, 3d, MS Project, Seeking job in Oman.

Contact 92875345, jubincivileng@gmail.com Indian female BA graduate. My total experience is 4 and half year in Call Center looking for jobs in admin and HR. Contact : 96089143, Email: sharanjit_kaur2009@yahoo.com Indian female B.ED & BCA looking for a suitable placement in school or admin office, having 5 yrs exp in same field. Contact – 97384206 / rani_sweet786@live.com Electronics and instrumentation Engineer 28 year Indian male, electrical, electronic, industrial, building & automation exp of 4+ yrs in India.

Contact - 93154156 Male, 30 years Accountant, 1 year Oman experience in accountants, finance. Seeking suitable position in Muscat .Can join immediately, NOC available. Email: lalitbls1@gmail.com Call: 97903175 CCNP Network Professional with 6 years experience having Bachelors degree on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 96760618 email: varghese.manthara@gmail.com

Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of MS Office & Tally, 4yrs experience in Accounts &admin dept. looking for good placement in any field.

Contact.98928220 Indian female with MBA (Finance) on visit visa, seeks immediate placement. Phone: 968-98430089 Indian female, IATA, Bsc, Looking for suitable placement.

Contact-95514305, email idraveendranmala@gmail.com Sudanese male, 31 year old, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer, 5 year experience in different activities. Contact; +96894549609 CCNP Network Professional with 6 years experience having Bachelors degree on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact: 96 76 06 18 Indian male, total experience is 5 years in Retail industry. Currently supervisor in Sun and sand sports Muscat City centre. Contact : 96994345.

Email : jsp.jsr85@gmail.com Indian male, post graduate, currently in Oman on visit visa.

Seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92388346 Indian male 60 years old have 30 years Muscat experience in all office works with Omani driving license.

Contact: 99024055 More than Ten years of experience in Sales & Marketing, Advertisement and Credit Control and Logistics& Administration.

Contact 91076608 / 99322748 MCA IT Professional Indian Female seek placement in Teaching/ Non Teaching field. Presently on visit visa. Contact 9588 7051, Email: ashwininakod@gmail Indian male, Engineer, BE Mechanical, having with 21 years of experience in India and 13 years in Oman, In production, project management, quality control and assurance and MR for ISO and API Standards looking out for a suitable placement in Oman. GSM: 00968 97311616.

E-MAIL: fahazasa@yahoo.com Indian male, MBA marketing & finance with B com & diploma in IFRS seeks job.

Contact 99469726 / 99469729 Key Account Executive, Indian male, currently working with a reputed FMCG company Oman is looking for a placement asap, NOC will be given. Valid Omani driving license. Total experience in Oman is 12yrs and particularly in Sales is 8 1/2 years. Contact 95589765 Email : agnelfrancis@yahoo.co.in 25 Indian female, B.Sc fashion technologist, 5 years exp in merchandising, familiar with fashion marketing & designing. Currently available on visit visa, seeking for a visual merchandising job. Contact : 96990368, email jumshi@gmail.com Sudanese male BSC Telecommunications Engineer , 4 years experience in telecom field #97783092, Email: Alrsheed88@hotmail.com

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED Indian male, 28 years, 7 years experience in transporting & heavy equipment renting company. Having Omani driving license seeks suitable positions. Contact 94410485 Civil autocad draughtsman part time work for job mob :96023726 Working as Senior Accountant, 4 yrs.exp.in oman, relevant computer skills, Audit, Accounting upto finalization, valid oman driving license, languages known Arabic, Hindi.

NOC available can join immediately.

Tel: (+968) 96339599, E-mail(ahmedmohdkhan@gmail.com) Piping Design Engineer, Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, Indian, (B.E.) on visit visa, seeking suitable post.

Contact :99534733 Email: rajesh92prince@gmail.com Indian female MBA Finance currently on visit visa.

Seeks immediate placement.

Phone: 968-98430089

Male, 19 years of experience in Finance and Administration currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 99720132/ abidrafi33@hotmail.com Sudanese male BSC Telecommunications Engineer, 4 years experience in telecom field.

Contact : 97783092, Email: alrsheed88@hotmail.com Indian female, B.Com. knowledge of MS Office &Tally, 4yrs experience in Accounts &admin dept. looking for good placement in any field.

Contact: 98928220 Key Account Executive , currently working with a reputed FMCG company Oman is looking for a placement asap, NOC available, valid Omani driving license.

Total experience in Oman is 12yrs and particularly in Sales is 8 1/2 years. Contact 95589765 Email : agnelfrancis@yahoo.co.in Senior IT Professional, Indian Male, more than 17 yrs. of experience in software development(PB, Oracle, SAP ABAP) and IT Support with valid Oman DL and NOC available Contact : 92193867, Email : cp.prasad@gmail.com

ACC. AVAILABLE Bath attached room for rent at Al Amerat. Contact 99008803 Independent rooms in Qurum / Al Hail. Contact 95529970 1BHK available Mumtaz area Ruwi.

Contact: 99269751 Sharing for non-cooking Executive bachelor in CBD area wi fi free, advance deposit. Contact 95934642 Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor - Al Falaj area & for lady at Wadi kabir (Al Maya) 95941515.

Sharing accommodation available opposite Mars at Al Ghubra for Executive bachelor or small family sharing, kitchen.# 94474351 / 96237050 Accommodation available for South Indian family, one bedroom with attached toilet, kitchen, hall in a villa, Al Ghubrah. Contact 99209160 Sharing acc. Available in Muttrah behind Oman house. # 99354340 Sharing family accommodation in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99335057 Room with attached bath, kitchen in Ghala. Contact: 99334770

T U E S DAY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

TOURS

RENT A CAR

TRANSPORTATION Transportation.

Contact: 91310107

Transportation available. Contact: 99867456

Driver with vehicle. Contact 99159277

Transportation. Contact 99077348

Transport to ISWK. Contact 93172589

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Pick & Drop any time. Contact 97014786

Transportation. Contact 99508282

D8

T U E S D AY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

WEBSITE

ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS

WE ARE PROVIDING ACCOUNTING/ AUDITING TAX/ CONSULTING CONTACT: 24 567 251 / 95 498 033

NRI

GOOD NEWS Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at Al Khuwair. Contact 24478618 / 97263637 /93309131 Ayurvedic massage backache, joint pain & neck pain etc.

Contact: 98254909

Ready / under construction apartments / villas. Near guruvayur.

Contact: 00919846877773 Ready / under construction apartments / villas / row houses / shops, available for sale in North / South Goa (India). tel # 95867021 E- mail tonynoronha@rocketmail.com Residential plot 47 cents, also as 10-15 cents plots at Manjapra 15kms from Nedumbassery Airport with calm and beautiful surroundings.

Price IRS.180,000/cent. # 9193 6563

BUSINESS

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 / 99117987 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

COMPUTER

Taimour Ayurvedic Clinic, Ruwi offers genuine & effective treatment for back pain, paralysis, cervical and lumbar spondylitis, osteoarthritis, joint pains, sinusitis, migraine, allergic problems, varicose vein and all other health related problems. Kerala massage and rejuvenation package available. For details please Contact 92197920/ 24799689

MATRIMONIAL Alliance invited for a Hindu Ezhava girl 24 years, 5’ 2”, slim, B.Tech, MBA (Star Makayerium) joining shortly to an international firm for work , reputed family of Thrissur dt. currently settled in Muscat, from parents of well educated & employed Ezhava boys preferably from Thrissur, EKM, Palakkad. Contact : 98986547 We are Muslim family seeking alliance for our son interested families. Contact 97664009 Kerala Nair girl, B.Com, 22 yrs, 5.2” very fair, slim, (Star Uthrattathi) Presently working in infosis, Chennai. Financially sound, from parents of nair boys from Trissur, Palakkad and Eranakulam & Calicut dist. .

Contact :0091 8301865688 email: raveendrandr@yahoo.com

Specialist available for explosive growth in term of restructuring all modules of businesses with over 30 years of experience across continents with a decade in Oman.

Contact 96733578 Email : profitoman@gmail.com

CLASSES

Alliance invited for a Nair girl 24 yrs, 5ft, 1”, fair, slim, B.Tech graduate reputed family of Ernakulam dist. (Star Thiruvonam Sudhajathakam) financially sound, from parents of B.Tech nair boys from Trissur, Palakkad and Eranakulam dist. .

Contact :00919495924302 email: raveendrandr@yahoo.com

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