Times of Oman - June 2, 2016

THURSDAY

June 2, 2016 26 Sha’aban 1437 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

MORNING MINUTE

On the occasion of the 7th National Day, 1977

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ Encouragement is to be given to private investors to participate as our national enterprises continue to develop and expand.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 87

| 40 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

I TA LY

His Majesty sends greetings MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to President Sergio Mattarella of the Italian Republic on the occasion of his country’s National Day. In his cable, His PRIMARY SECTION

Early summer vacation for ISM students REJIMON K

PETROL PRICE HIKE FUELS FRUSTRATION AT PUMPS FUEL SALES Long queues of vehicles were seen at petrol stations with staff on their toes as the

(in thousand litres) Variation

Diesel

52%

Super Regular

Total

1,383.2 350.0

deadline for midnight fuel price hike neared

Total

1,233.0 304.2

Total

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Filling stations reported a staggering 50 per cent rise in sales on Tuesday as thousands of frustrated motorists battled to beat the midnight fuel price increase deadline.

Some stations ran out of fuel and long queues of drivers waited for more than an hour to fill their tanks ahead of the price hike.

Sales figures revealed by one station chain reveal that 50 per

cent more fuel was sold in the 24 hours leading up to the price hike when compared to the previous day’s sales.

The company raked in an extra OMR14,276.584 by selling Regular grade and OMR44,508.148 by selling Super grade ahead of May 31 midnight hike, compared to sales on May 30.

The 21 baisas increase in regular petrol (M90), 19 baisas in super grade (M95) and 19 baisas in diesel led to long queues at filling stations all over Oman prompting

station officials to shut down operations as they ran out of stock much earlier than expected.

939.3 Total 981.3 784.0 269.3 251.1 647.9 517.0

Total

810.6 697.6 277.9

15.8 22.0 51.8 May 31 Dec 31 Jan 14 2015 2015 2016 Source: Siraj Al Jazeerah Projects

397.2 135.3

231.1

30th 31st May 2016

Graphics

Huge rush “As the prices were announced on Tuesday afternoon, motorists rushed to fill their vehicles at the cheaper price. In all our filling stations, long queues were present by evening. By 10pm, many of our fuel stations ran out of stock,” Rajeev KR, the senior official at Siraj Al Jazeera Projects, a fuel sales company in Oman, said.

This month, the price of revised regular petrol (M90) is 170 baisas per litre, super graded (M95) is 180 baisas and diesel is 185 baisas while in May it was 149 baisas, 161 baisas and 166 baisas, respectively.

According to the sales charts of 34 fillings stations, the fuel company witnessed over a 50 per cent increase in sales of M90 and M95 within 24 hours. >A6

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Around 4,700 primary and kindergarten students at Indian School Muscat (ISM) can enjoy an early summer holiday as the school authorities have decided to close classes from June 6.

Holiday “Due to rise in temperature, we are announcing an early summer holiday for primary and kindergarten students,” Srinivas K. Naidu, the ISM Principal, said.

For primary and kindergarten students, the holidays will begin on June 6. As per the earlier schedule, the closing day was on June 19.

There are 4,625 students at ISM in both sections. >A6

Dhank farm blaze doused

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Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere greetings and best wishes of good health and happiness to President Mattarella and the Italian people further progress and prosperity. -ONA TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

New mobile app for car registrations

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Motorists can now renew their car registrations via their smartphones, thanks to the ROP’s new app. >A2

REGION

Saudi Arabia gives death sentence to 14

2

Saudi Arabia sentenced 14 people to death for terrorism. >A8

MARKET

‘Oman attractive to set up business’

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Oman is one of the best countries for business, said the Octal chief. >B1

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 Merger or no merger, the existing loan interest rates will not be affected. As SBI and its associate banks run on the same IT support system, the transactions will also not be affected Piyus Kumar, chief executive officer of SBI in Oman

OMAN M O N E Y M ATT E R S

State Bank of India chief in Oman allays fears on merger REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: The proposed merger of State Bank of India (SBI), the largest Indian public sector bank, with its associate banks will not have an impact on its customers in Oman, a senior official from the bank said.

“The merger will not affect customers. Merger or no merger, the existing loan interest rates will not be affected. As SBI and its associate banks run on the same IT support system, the transactions will also not be affected,” Piyus Kumar, the chief executive officer of SBI in Oman, told Times of Oman.

“Loan interest rates are reset

only according to the loan agreement on periods mentioned in it.

The merger will not affect loan interest rates,” the CEO said, adding that there may be cosmetic changes to the online platform.

The move is expected to improve its treasury operations and cut redundancies, as SBI is planning to merge State Bank of Bi-

kaner and Jaipur, State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of Patiala, State Bank of Mysore and State Bank of Hyderabad.

“We will post notifications for the public through newspapers and online media when the merger happens,” the CEO added.

In India, SBI chairperson Arundhati Bhattacharya said the

prime goal of the merger is improving the efficiency of the bank.

“By merging various associate banks with the SBI, we hope to create a formidable organisation. All stakeholders, including employees and shareholders, will equally benefit from the move,” she said.

Meanwhile, Suresh Kumar S, a Muscat-based Indian business-

B U R J A’ S A H WA T O S O H A R P O R T

Mwasalat to launch new service MUSCAT: Mwasalat will soon launch a twice daily direct service from Burj A’Sahwa to Sohar Port. The first trip will start from Burj A’Sahwa at 6:00am and ar-

rive at 08:20am, and the second trip will depart at 14:40pm and arrive at 17:00pm. One way fare will be OMR1.6 and return trip will cost OMR2.9. -ONA

man who has loans and transactions with SBT, said he is happy to know that the merger will not affect his company.

“I have personal loans in SBT. I was worried whether the merger will affect us or not. If bank officials are saying that we will not be affected, then we are happy,” Suresh added.

NOTICE

Photograph not needed for driving licence, renewal: ROP Times News Service MUSCAT: Both Omani and expatriate motorists do not have to produce their passport size photo while renewing their driving licence, Royal Oman Police (ROP) said in a notice uploaded on its official twitter handle.

“Motorists do not have to produce their passport size photo.

However, those who are applying for learners licence and those who want to convert their foreign licence should have to produce their photo,” the ROP said in the notice.

“Passport size photo should be in white background,” it added.

Car registration renewal Motorists in Oman can now renew their car registrations via their smartphones, thanks to the recently updated app by Royal Oman Police.

People can also send inquiries about passport requests.

The ROP said in a tweet that the app features new services including phone numbers of police stations and their location via GPS. The app also includes latest news about the police.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

3,335

OMAN

15-hour fight controls blaze in Dhank farm

was the number of fires in Oman in 2014. Twenty three per cent of these were in residential buildings

NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Pakistani schools in Sultanate to improve facilities, ensure excellence SHAHZAD RAZA

shahzad@timesofoman.com

The fire, which broke out at about 9pm on Tuesday, continued until the afternoon on Wednesday

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Firefighters fought for 15 hours beginning Tuesday night to extinguish a massive blaze at a farm in Dhank, some 312km from Muscat.

The fire, which broke out late on Tuesday night, continued to rage until Wednesday afternoon.

According to tweets by the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA), the fire began at about 9pm on Tuesday.

“Water tankers, with a capacity of 10,000 gallons, were rushed to the site,” the PACDA tweeted.

No casualties were reported.

The announcement by authorities about putting out the fire was praised by the public, with many lauding the authority’s efforts and praying for the well-being of the fire fighters.

Last week in Izki, five people were injured in a fire, and earlier in May a massive fire damaged four warehouses in Al Ansab.

There were three fires reported in Oman over a 24 hour periodduring the second week of May. According to experts, it is common for the number of fires to in-

crease in summer, however, a lack of safety precautions is the main cause of fires.

In March, Colonel Said Al Asmi, assistant general manager for operations at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), said that fire threats remain a major challenge for businesses in Oman, especially in summer.

“The unorganised and poorly marked storage of cables and flammable materials in many buildings raise the risk of damage by fire,” he said.

Oman records a fire incident every three hours, according to a

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

2015 report by the National Centre for Statistics and Information.

Reports show that 3,335 fires were reported in Oman in 2014, with 23 per cent of these fires occurring in residential buildings.

Also in 2014, 755 house fires, 55 building fires and 57 apartment fires were reported.

AV I AT I O N

Oman Air launches new service to Iran TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

to Mashhad will boost Oman’s economy as well as gain monetary returns by solidifying the commercial activity and relationship between the two countries.

tariqh@timesofoman.com

TEHRAN: Oman Air completed its first maiden flight to Mashhad, Iran, a new route launched by the national airline which seeks to enhance current relations between the Sultanate and the Islamic Republic.

The route was inaugurated

by Mohammad Jawad bin Hassan, Advisor to the Minister of Finance with the presence of top officials from Oman Air, at Muscat International Airport where a cake cutting ceremony took place.

“No doubt that the launch of this route culminates the strong relationship between the govern-

MASHHAD CALLING: Oman Air will fly daily to Mashhad. – File photo

ments of the Sultanate and the Islamic Republic of Iran,” said Mohammad Jawad.

“In addition to expanding commercial activities and economic

movement it was agreed between both governments that Oman Air will fly daily to its new destination,” he added.

He also said that daily flights

Second destination in Iran This is Oman Air’s second destination to Iran following their route to Tehran in 2012.

Flights from Mashhad will leave Muscat International Airport at 2pm local time and arrive at Mashhad International Airport at 5:15pm local.

Return flights will be at 9:45pm local from Mashhad and arrive to Muscat at 11:50pm local time.

Oman Air will launch their Mashhad office on June 3, 2016.

MUSCAT: Parents of Pakistani schools in Oman can expect increased efforts by the newly-elected Board of Directors to ensure academic excellence and new facilities to strengthen the existing infrastructure and create a more conducive environment for teaching and learning.

This was stated by Muhammad Adnan Shahzad after being reelected Chairman BOD, Pakistan School Muscat.

“We will be focusing on further upgrading academic excellence in terms of quality, as well as educational objectives, by initiating teachers training programmes and providing conducive environment for students. Increasing the depth of leadership qualities to middle and lower management through the delegation of power, as well as providing purpose built facilities to Pakistani schools in Mussana, Seeb and Nizwa, will be among our top priorities. We will also construct a college block in PSM to reduce student size per classroom,” he explained, in comments to Times of Oman.

Parents of Pakistan School Muscat elected the new Board of Directors in a keenly contested election, that saw over 63 per cent voter turnout. After the Board’s election, Muhammad Adnan Shahzad was once again elected Chairman by the directors, defeating Asghar Ali, the other candidate, in a 6-3 vote.

Adnan has become the first Board Chairman of PSM to be elected for a second successive term.

In all 14 candidates contested the election for the six seats on the board. The winning candidates were Asghar Ali (122 votes), Adnan Shahzad (80), Rizwan Aziz (75), Muhammad Usman Lakhan (73), Mohammad Hafeez Malik (66) and Sumara Asif (66). The other three voting members on the PSM Board are Naeem Ahmed Tiwana, president School Management Committee (SMC) Pakistan School Salalah, Chaudhry Mohammed Aslam Gondal, president SMC Pakistan School Musannah and Ataullah Khan Niazi, senior principal Pakistan Schools System in Oman.

According to election commissioner Mohammad Ziaul Haq Siddiqui, 802 parents cast their votes out of the registered 1256, with only four votes being disqualified for procedural errors.

Smooth election “The whole election process went on quite smoothly and we are extremely proud of the fact that we were able to hold an impartial and transparent election witnessed

by Ministry of Education officials and monitored by independent observers from various walks of life.

There wasn’t even a single complaint, as all the candidates signed the document soon after the results were announced. In fact, we received effusive praise from ministry officials for the transparent election,” Zia added.

Talking about his future plans, Adnan said, “During our first term, we established parents’ councils for the first time in the history of PSM. There will be an increase in

We will be focusing on further upgrading academic excellence in terms of quality, as well as educational objectives, by initiating teachers training programmes and providing conducive environment for students M. Adnan Shahzad

Chairman BOD, Pakistan School Muscat

the number of parents in the councils. We will set professional criteria for the formation of these councils, including the mandate for their smooth functioning. We are going to form SMC for Pakistan School Muscat,as at other branches. At the same time, we will try to incorporate representatives of all SMCs into boards to enhance the harmony among branches.”

He said the board was thinking of expanding counselling services for students, in terms of career and behavioural management. Talking about their main achievements in their previous two-year term, Adnan said, “We take pride in providing highly qualified teachers for all schools, as well as regular principals who are master trainers.

We delivered key infrastructure projects for all schools, especially PSM library, the PSM grassy cricket ground and sports facilities, completion of facilities for Sohar school, self sponsored administrative block of PS Salalah by Naeem Ahmed Tiwana and his friends, the conversion of PS Seeb from a Montessori school to middle school up to class 8 in just two months, and then to high school up to class 10 within two years. We are also proud of producing best academic results matching the International Stream, as well as Federal Streams.

We further undertook centralisation of internal exams from class 5 to 12.”

PA K I S TA N I N T E R NAT I O NA L A I R L I N E S

New Salalah flights planned Times News Service MUSCAT: Salalah will soon be connected by direct air service to Pakistan, a senior official of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) said on Wednesday.

Shahzad Paracha, country manager of PIA Oman, said that they are planning to to connect Salalah with Islamabad, Lahore and Sialkot.

“We are hopeful that we will be able to fly to Salalah once new aircraft joins our fleet this summer,” he told Times of Oman on Tuesday. He also said this will benefit some 40,000 to 50,000 Pakistani nationals who reside in Dhofar governorate of Oman.

“Now, they have to change flights either in Muscat, Doha, Dubai or Sharjah,” he noted.

Shahzad Paracha, country manager, PIA Oman

PIA operates as many as 16 weekly flights from Muscat to Pakistan, covering major destinations such as Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore, Sialkot, Peshawar, Gwadar and Turbat with direct service.

“We are also planning to increase our Muscat service, but it depends on the number of new aircraft that we get this summer,” he said.

The airline has nearly doubled its Oman operations in recent years, increasing its weekly flights from eight in 2014 to the current 16.

Also, the airline has recently added state-of-the-art Boeing 777 airplane to its flight operations in Oman.

Direct flights from Salalah will also benefit Bangladeshis and Indian expatriates, who can reach connecting flights from Pakistan.

“Our connecting flights are quite convenient with competitive fares that attract international passengers from these communities,” he added.

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

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Well educated Omanis just 10% of private sector Ministry of Manpower figures recorded only 3,898 Omanis with higher education degrees working in senior positions in the sector at the end of 2015, compared to 21,459 expatriates with the same education levels Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman needs to diversify the nationalities of expatriates in the private sector’s senior positions, Majlis Al Shura members said, arguing that failing to do so poses a danger to Omanisation policies.

This was discussed recently during a meeting to discuss Al Shura’s study on “Omanisation challenges in leading and super-

visory positions in the private sector,” which aims to attract the local workforce to the private sector.

The Youth Committee of Al Shura Council said that, at present, Omanis working in the private sector in technical, managerial, leading and supervisory jobs make up only 11.5 per cent of total Omanis in the sector.

Some 76 per cent of Omani job seekers with higher education degree believe that the expatriate workforce “negatively affects” the opportunities for Omanis to obtain jobs.

The study also showed that the Omanisation rate in the country’s public sector has stood at 86.6 per cent.

However, according to the Al Shura Council twitter handle, the capacity for employment in the government sector is limited, as current and future employment trends depend on the private sector due to its continuous growth and expansion.

Omanis with higher education degrees occupy only 10.3 per cent of senior positions in the private sector.

Further, Ministry of Manpower figures recorded only 3,898 Omanis with higher education degrees working in senior positions in the

sector at the end of 2015, compared to 21,459 expatriates with the same educational levels.

Nevertheless, Omanis with no degrees or below diploma level make up 29 per cent of the total senior positions of workforces in the country’s private sector.

Members of the committee argued that wages and incentives in junior positions in the private sector are relatively low, compared to government jobs.

Further, it was noted that only 8 per cent of Omani job seekers who hold higher diplomas prefer working in the private sector, according to figures released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

Also, more than 128,000 expatriates who hold higher education degrees work in Oman’s private sector, according to the Public Authority of Manpower Register.

The Youth Committee, chaired

by Mohammed Al Busaidi, has issued a number of recommendations to provide more job opportunities for the local workforce.

The suggestions included having a database on the number and salaries of expatriate workers in the private sector who are in charge of technical, managerial, leading and supervisory jobs.

EXPERT

‘Genetic disease rate high in Oman’ MUSCAT: The average genetic diseases rate in Oman is between 5.4 per cent to 7 per cent in the new live births; above the world average which is not more than 4.5 per cent, said Dr Musallam bin Said Al Araimi, Senior Molecular and Community Geneticist at the

National Genetic Centre.

He added that 37 per cent of the newborn mortality and premature newborn are due to severe genetic disorders. He added that genetic disorders are the reasons for 10 per cent of the newborn mortality and 52 per cent for old-

er children in Oman. He said that more than 300 types of genetic diseases have been recorded in the Sultanate. 3.5 to 4.7:1000 live births have blood hereditary diseases and 60 per cent of the Sultanate’s population have genes for genetic blood disorders. -ONA

OMAN

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 Last year, we recruited more than 40 Omani colleagues in supervisory and managerial posts, and we look forward to adding to this number Clive Freeman, COO, Landmark group Oman group

OMAN O N E - D AY T R I P

ANNOUNCEMENT OF RAMADAN

Qatari PM to visit Sultanate MUSCAT: Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister, Minister of Interior of Qatar will arrive on a oneday visit to Oman on Thursday.

The Qatari PM and his accompanying delegation will be received by His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers and others.

The Qatari premier will be ac-

companied by Ali Shareef Al Emadi, Minister of Finance, Sheikh Ahmed bin Jassim Al Thani, Minister of Economy and Commerce, Jassim bin Saif Al Sulaiti, Minister of Transport and Communications, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Rumaihi, Minister of Municipality and Environment, Ali bin Fahad Al Hajri, Qatari envoy to Oman besides a number of high level officials. -ONA

Moon sighting panel meets on June 5 FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timeofoman.com MUSCAT: With Ramadan around the corner, Oman’s Moon Sighting Main Committee, led by Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Salmi, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, will meet on June 5 evening.

Members of the committee

include His Eminence Sheikh Ahmed bin Hamad Al Khalili, Grand Mufti of the Sultanate, Sayyid Harbi bin Hamad bin Saud, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, Eng. Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior, Sheikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Siyabi, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme

Court, Sheikh Ahmed Al Khatib, Judge of the Supreme Court in Salalah. According to the calculations of Astronomical Affairs at the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs for the sighting of moon for the Holy Month of Ramadan 1437 AH, the moon may be visible in all the governorates on Monday and Ramadan is expected to start on Tuesday.

Oasis Mall to create 350 new jobs in Oman Oasis Mall, 8th for the Landmark group,

Omanisation ranks highly in our agenda. We have also developed a plan to create more managerial roles for our Omani colleagues

encompasses a wide selection of brands and categories in a compact, shoppingfocused format offering value for the money

Clive Freeman

MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

COO, Landmark group Oman group

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oasis Mall, a brand new shopping destination, opening in Al Khuwair on June 16, is expected to create 350 new jobs.

It is a venture of the Landmark Group, a leading Retail and Hospitality conglomerate in the Middle East, Africa and the Indian subcontinent.

“With Oasis Mall, our focus is to provide our customers with a neighbourhood shopping destination,” Clive Freeman COO, Landmark Group Oman told Times of Oman in an exclusive interview.

“Our mall provides a wide range of services, retail and dining offering and an entertainment centre.

So there is something for each member of the family. It will be a one stop destination for our customers,” he added.

Oasis Mall, 8th for the Land-

mark group, encompasses a wide selection of brands and categories in a compact, shopping-focused format offering outstanding value for money.

According to Clive, Oasis mall will have 38 stores which are spread on two floors.

Mall’s strength lies in multiple and diverse anchor stores including Home Centre, Babyshop, Splash, Shoe Mart , Lifestyle & the fastest growing electronics chain at E-max .

Babyshop and Mothercare offer adorable options for the mall’s youngest shoppers.

Oman’s fashion enthusiasts can satisfy their thirst for the latest trends at stores such as Splash, Max, New Look, Koton, and Iconic amongst others.

Other concepts available at Oasis Mall include Fun City which will provide children and young adults with a variety of fun activities in specially created learning and play zones, a food court which features a delectable spread from fast food to cafes.

McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Star bucks etc are some of the food outlets available in the food court.

Oasis Mall will also bring in regional themed cuisine with different brands.

“The Al Khuwair area has been a popular destination for the Group’s brands. When we got an opportunity to build a mall, we felt that it was an ideal location to extend our offering to our loyal customers in this community,” Freeman said.

Mall also has an atrium area

where they plan to organise different kind of events for promotions and also to showcase various things in the mall.

According to him, Landmark Group is operating in Oman for the last 24 years and they have 87 stores in Oman.

According to Freeman, Landmark Group has done a research on the area before setting up the building. “As per our study this is one of the best areas to establish a community mall,” Freeman said.

According to the COO, the mall will creatine 350 job opportunities.

Speaking about the Omanisation Clive said, “Omanisation ranks highly in our agenda. We have also developed a plan to create more managerial roles for our Omani colleagues.”

“Last year, we recruited more than 40 Omani colleagues in supervisory and managerial posts, and we look forward to adding to this number,” he added.

Freeman also said that the establishment of Oasis Mall is the reflection if the opportunity and growth potential in Oman.

“This kind of development gives lot of opportunity in terms of Omanisation and developing managerial roles for the Omani nationals,” Freeman said. Speaking about Landmark Oman’s future plan, Freeman said, “We are setting up new malls in Sohar and Salalah and it is expected to open in the first quarter of 2018.”

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

RUSH FOR FUEL

A1 Petrol station employees had < FROM

tough time serving customers

On May 30, the company sold 397,262 litres of M95 while they sold 697,625 litres of the same on May 31.

Similarly, on May 30, while the company sold 135,313 litres of M90, they sold 231,129 litres on May 31.

“In regular and super sales, there was an increase of 52 per cent and 54 per cent respectively,” the senior official said, adding that at many of their stations, it was a chaotic situation.

“Our employers had a tough time running here and there,” the senior official added.

Mohammed Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, who manages a petrol pump at Ghala, said he reckoned a thousand motorists lined up in front of his petrol station between 7pm and midnight.

Meanwhile, motorists said that they had not seen such a rush at fuel stations in the past in Oman.

“I had a bad time yesterday in filling my vehicle. I waited for my

turn at a fuel station. After realising that it would take a long time, I then changed my plan and went to another one. There, I waited for at least one hour,” Sunil Sudevan, a marketing executive said.

Another motorist said he couldn’t take fuel because by the time he reached the filling station it had closed as it ran out of stock.

“It was a late night drive from Ibri to Muscat. I didn’t think of filling fuel on the way. By the time I reached Muscat, I saw long queues at fuel stations in Muscat.

When I approached one in Seeb, they were out of stock. I filled fuel this morning only,” Rajendaran Ravi, an automobile parts salesman in Muscat, said.

According to the new price, consumers are forced to pay around 50 per cent per litre extra for regular petrol this month compared to the price before regulation on fuel was lifted in January.

Prior to the government lifting the regulation, the price of regu-

lar petrol in Oman was 114 baisas, while for super grade it was 120 baisas, and for diesel it was 146 baisas.

Now, just five months later, consumers have to pay around 49 per cent extra per litre of regular petrol, 50 per cent extra for super grade, and 26 per cent extra for diesel. Oman had deregulated its oil prices on January 15 this year as part of the austerity measures aimed at plugging the deficit.

On January 15, the price of super unleaded petrol was revised from 120 baisas to 160 baisas per litre. For regular it was raised from 114 baisas to 140 baisas per litre and for diesel, it was made raised to 160 baisas from 146 baisas per litre.

Meanwhile, economists feel that the petrol hike directly or indirectly affects all the major sectors like transportation, textiles and the auto industry.

“This affects the prices of essential commodities which are

transported on a daily basis,” said a Muscat based financial expert, N Gurumurthy.

He added that given the slide in oil prices, the rise in petrol prices is an option that can help reduce the fiscal deficit.

“But compared to other countries it is still the lowest in the world,” he said.

A marketing executive in Muscat said that his company officials find it hard to pay the fuel cost to him as the prices keep rising every month.

“A lot of travel is needed for my job. The company pays my fuel bills. But, nowadays, they seem reluctant when they have to bear the extra cost as the prices keep rising,” Suresh Kumar S, the marketing official, added.

Fuel subsidies for 2015 were estimated to be OMR580 million, and with deregulation the government will be able to save that money, which is expected to be of great help in reducing the deficit.

H O L I D AY S C H E D U L E

A1 Middle and higher sections < FROM

of school to remain open

“The ministry in Oman had announced early holidays for their schools and decision for private schools were left to us. We discussed with the management committee and have decided to announce early holidays for small children,” the principal said, adding that for middle and higher section students they will continue as per the earlier schedule as they have to meet the class days

according to norms.

Meanwhile, other Indian schools in capital city said that they still not have initiated any such plans.

Summer heat “There are calls from parents, we have to think about it,” an official from an Indian School in Muscat, said. Two days ago, to protect schoolchildren from the summer

heat, the Board of Directors of Indian Schools has directed the principals of all 19 Indian schools to restrict outdoor activities to ensure that children are not exposed to excessive sunlight.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education in Oman had declared early summer vacations for students from grades one to four due to heat wave conditions prevailing in the country.

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

OMAN ASSIGNED BY HIS MAJESTY

New mosque to be opened in Bukha MUSCAT: Assigned by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Shehi, Minister of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources will open on Friday the Sultan Qaboos Mosque in the Wilayat of Bukha in the Governorate of Musandam.

The mosque is built over an area of 12,536 square metres and the construction area 3, 836

square metres. The remaining area includes the landscaping, green areas, external works and parking. The mosque consists of the main prayer hall that can accommodate 1,088 worshippers and a room for imams and preachers of the mosque, in addition to prayer hall for women that accommodates 120 worshippers.

The mosque has a library, four

classrooms, maintenance office, and management office and guard room. The mosque includes three class halls, two large 6.46 meters minarets, with 636.30 metre domes, parking, green spaces and a small garden for children.

Sultan Qaboos Mosque in the Wilayat of Bukha is one of the landmarks of the blessed Renaissance in the Wilaya. -ONA

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

REGION AT TA C K S I N Q AT I F

Saudi sentences 14 to death over terrorism RIYADH: Saudi Arabia sentenced 14 people to death for terrorism on Wednesday after they were convicted of attacks on police in Qatif in the Eastern Province, scene of past anti-government protests, their lawyer said.

Another nine people were given jail sentences of three to 15 years and one was acquitted, their defence lawyer, who asked to remain anonymous, told Reuters.

Arabiya TV said the charges had included opening fire on security forces and civilians, causing several deaths and destruction of property.

They were also accused of peddling drugs and armed robbery against shops and cars.

The defence lawyer said he intended to appeal the rulings.

Shooting at police The 24 defendants -- most in their 20s -- had been held for about four years and accused of carrying weapons and shooting at police, he said.

During 2011-14 protests, around 20 civilians and several police officers were killed.

EGYPT OPENS RAFAH CROSSING

People wait for travel permits to cross into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing after it was opened for four days

by Egyptian authorities, in the southern Gaza Strip on Wednesday. — Reuters

Arabiya TV said the charges had included opening fire on security forces and civilians, causing several deaths and destruction of property

A spokesman for the Saudi justice ministry could not immediately be reached for a comment on the report, first broadcast by the Dubai-based Al Arabiya TV. On January 2 Saudi Arabia executed four members of a minority community convicted of similar crimes alongside 43 majority community members accused of carrying out attacks for Al Qaeda a decade ago. — Reuters

King Abdullah swears in new cabinet to prepare for polls has operated legally in Jordan for decades, to participate in the election after the authorities closed many of its offices and encouraged a splinter group to legally challenge the main movement’s licence to operate.

Western diplomats and independent politicians say the absence of the group, which has strong grassroots support in urban centres, could undermine the election.

Hani Mulki was appointed by the King on Sunday to replace Abdullah Ensour. Elections must be held within four months under the constitution

AMMAN: Jordanian King Abdullah swore in a new government led by a business-friendly politician on Wednesday, charging him with preparing for parliamentary elections by September and pushing legislation to spur sluggish growth.

Hani Mulki, 64, who has held a string of senior diplomatic and ministerial posts, is a former chief commissioner of Jordan’s economic zone in the Red Sea port city of Aqaba.

Near end of term He was appointed by the king on Sunday to replace Abdullah Ensour shortly after the King dissolved parliament as it neared the end of its four-year term.

NEW LOOK: A handout picture released by the Jordanian Royal Palace on Wednesday shows

Jordanian King Abdullah, left, shaking hands with members of Jordan’s new government at a swearing in ceremony in Amman. — AFP /JORDANIAN ROYAL PALACE/YOUSEF ALLAN

Elections must be held within four months under the constitution.

Official sources said the government is expected to maintain traditional support for US policies in the region and continue with International Monetary Fundguided reforms.

Long-serving Foreign Minister Nasser Joudeh and Finance Minister Omar Malhas, who is

negotiating a new programme with the IMF, kept their posts in a 28-member cabinet dominated by a mix of technocrats and conservative politicians who held sway in previous governments.

Mulki will be overseeing preparations for elections that have long been marred by accusations of meddling by the authorities and the powerful security forces.

Jordan’s main political oppo-

sition comes from the Muslim Brotherhood movement but it faces increasing legal curbs on its activities, leaving mostly pro-monarchy parties and some independent extremists and politicians to compete in these elections, political analysts say.

The Brotherhood, wants sweeping political reforms in Jordan.

Analysts say it could be difficult for the Brotherhood, which

Radicalisation Western donors have pushed Jordan’s authorities to widen political representation to stem radicalisation among alienated and unemployed young people in poor overcrowded areas.

Hundreds of them have already joined extremists in Syria and Iraq Abdullah also charged Mulki in a letter of appointment to help spur investment, especially from Saudi Arabia, which has shown interest in investing in the debtladen kingdom that official sources say is tied to Amman becoming more supportive of Riyadh’s regional policies.

Jordan’s finances have been hit by a drop in Gulf aid which traditionally tops up its coffers and worsened investor confidence hit by regional uncertainty.

The economy has also been strained by a flood of refugees from the five-year-old civil war in neighbouring Syria. — Reuters

U N I C E F WA R N I N G

‘Children in Falluja face extreme violence’ BAGHDAD: At least 20,000 children remain inside besieged Falluja, IS stronghold near Baghdad, facing the risk of forced recruitment in the fighting and separation from their families, the United Nations’ children’s agency said on Wednesday.

“We are concerned over the protection of children in the face of extreme violence,” UNICEF Representative in Iraq Peter Hawkins said in a statement.

“Children face the risk of forced recruitment into the fighting” inside the besieged city, and “separation from their families” if they manage to leave, he added.

Backed by militias and air strikes from the US-led coalition, the Iraqi armed forces launched on May 23 an offensive to recapture Falluja, 50 kms (32 miles) west of Baghdad.

First city to fall to IS The assault on Falluja has begun what is expected to be one of the biggest battles ever fought against IS. Falluja was the first Iraqi city that fell under control of the ultra-hardline militants, in January 2014.

About 50,000 civilians remain in the city, according to the United Nations.

Iraqi security forces operating in Falluja separate systematically men and boys over 12 from the families to probe possible links with IS. — Reuters

FLIGHT MS804

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French ship detects signals from EgyptAir jet black box CAIRO/PARIS: A French search vessel has picked up signals from one of the black boxes of EgyptAir flight MS804, Egyptian and French investigators said, a potential breakthrough in efforts to uncover why it plummeted into the Mediterranean last month.

Search teams are working against the clock to recover the two flight recorders that will offer vital clues to the fate of the plane that crashed en route from Paris to Cairo on May 19 killing all 66 people on board.

Without the black boxes, say investigators and aviation disaster experts, there is not enough information to determine what went wrong or whether the plane was brought down deliberately.

The recorders are designed to emit acoustic signals for 30 days after a crash, giving search teams fewer than three weeks to spot them in waters up to 9,840-feet (3,000 meters) deep, which is on the edge of their range.

The Egyptian investigation committee said on Wednesday

TRAGEDY: Recovered debris of

the EgyptAir jet that crashed in the Mediterranean Sea is seen in this handout image released May 21, 2016 by Egypt’s military. — Egyptian Military/Handout via Reuters/File photo

that the search was intensifying ahead of the arrival of another vessel, the John Lethbridge, from Mauritius-based company Deep Ocean Search to help retrieve the devices. That ship is expected to arrive within a week, it said.

“Search equipment aboard French naval vessel Laplace... has detected signals from the seabed of the search area, which likely belong to one of the data boxes,” the Egyptian committee said in

its statement. France’s aviation accident bureau BEA confirmed that the signal had come from one of the recorders.

The Laplace has equipment from ALSEAMAR, a subsidiary of French industrial group Alcen, which can pick up black box pinger signals over long distances up to 5 km (3 miles) and was contracted by the Egyptian investigators last week.

Egyptian investigators have said that the EgyptAir plane did not show any technical problems before taking off and the pilot made no distress call to air traffic control. There has been no claim of responsibility for the crash.

The jet transmitted a series of messages in the minutes before it crashed showing a rise in temperature at the co-pilot’s window and smoke on board, but investigators say these shed little light on the cause.

There are also conflicting reports of the plane’s last moments as it crossed from Greek to Egyptian airspace. — Reuters

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INDIA

Modi releases first ever plan for disaster management The new plan is significant because India is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world and some 200 million Indians are likely to be exposed to natural

LAUNCH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Home Minster Ra-

jnath Singh and MoS Kiren Rijiju at the release of the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), first ever national plan prepared in the country, in New Delhi on Wednesday. - PTI

disasters by 2050 because of rapid urbanization

NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday got its first national plan to manage disasters with an aim to make the country “resilient” to and reduce mortality from deadly calamities with effective management and prevention policies.

The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), unveiled by

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is based on the UN’s Sendai framework, a 15-year blueprint signed last year to reduce deaths and economic losses from disasters the world over.

The plan is based on four priorities as were outlined by the UN framework. These include understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response during and in the aftermath of a disaster.

DEMANDING ROLLBACK

Opposition parties attack government over fuel price hike NEW DELHI/CHENNAI: Opposition parties on Wednesday attacked the Modi government over the hike in prices of petrol and diesel with Rahul Gandhi wondering whether these are the “promised acche din” and Jayalalithaa demanding immediate rollback.

The ruling Trinamool Congress in West Bengal termed the price hike as a “burden” on general public while the CPI-M stoutly opposed the increase, the third in a month.

“The Modi government increased petrol and diesel prices for the 3rd time in last one month.

Is this the promised #AccheDin” (good days), the Congress Vice President said on micro-blogging site Twitter.

At the AICC briefing earlier, party spokesperson Sushmita Dev targeted the government for raising the prices of petrol and diesel. “This insensitive government has not even spared the women of the household already reeling under high prices of dal and vegetables and has dealt a double blow by increasing the cost of non-subsidised LPG cylinder by Rs21 and commercial cylinder by Rs37”, she said.

She said while the present price of diesel (in Delhi) is Rs 53.93 per litre and that of petrol and Rs 65.60 per litre, they should have been Rs 21.66 and Rs 25 respectively as per the decrease in international crude prices.

Taking a jibe at the government’s tagline on its second anniversary that “desh badal raha hai,” she said what was actually happening was that the common man was being burdened with rising prices.

In Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa demanded rollback of the latest hike, saying it would lead to increase in prices of essential commodities.

“I have pointed out many times that the Price Fixation Policy followed by Oil Marketing companies is wrong. The price of petrol and diesel has now been increased based on this wrong policy,” she said in a statement.

I have pointed out many times that the Price Fixation Policy followed by Oil Marketing companies is wrong. The price of petrol and diesel has now been increased based on this wrong policy J. Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu chief minister

The bi-monthly determination of fuel price based on the rupeeUS dollar exchange rate was “not the right policy”, she said pointing to the petrol price hike by Rs 2.57 a litre and diesel by Rs 2.35 per litre.

“Due to the hike in petrol and diesel prices, freight charges will increase and the prices of essential commodities will go up, affecting the ordinary people. I urge, the hike announced by the Oil Marketing companies should be withdrawn,” she said. In Kolkata, Trinamool Congress said the fuel price hike was a fresh “burden” on the people. - PTI

S E PA R AT E I N C I D E N T S

Lightning strikes kill 15 in Odisha BHUBANESWAR: At least 15 people were killed and eight others injured in separate lightning incidents in Odisha on Wednesday, police said.

While four persons were killed as lightning struck at three places in Kendrapara district, four others were killed in Ganjam district, they said. Among the other

deaths, three were reported from Jatni area near Bhubaneswar and two each in Mayurbhanj and Bhadrak districts, police said.

The victims were either working in open field or sheltered under tree when they were struck by thunderbolts in different parts of the state which was hit by a squall, police said. - PTI

“This is the first ever national plan prepared in the country,” a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office said, adding it has a “regional approach...beneficial not only for disaster management but also for development planning”.

The new plan is significant because India is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world and some 200 million Indians are likely to be exposed to natural disasters by 2050 because of rapid urbanization and the extreme weather stemming from climate change, according to a

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World Bank report.

Many Indian cities recently faced deadly natural calamities including in floods in Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra and Assam that left thousands of people dead and losses to properties worth billions of rupees.

The key to battle such deadly events depends on an effective preparedness, including early warning systems and strong infrastructure. The country’s disaster management has always come under the flak despite the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) — in place.

But at state-level disaster management and mitigation has always been lax. The new plan involves all stakeholders including state governments and other government agencies.

It sets out targets that will enable disaster managers to reduce possible damage to infrastructure and any disruptions to basic services, including health and education facilities. It also lays down guidelines to increase access to early warning systems and disaster risk information for the public.

The “vision”, the statement said, is to “make India disaster resilient, achieve substantial dis-

aster risk reduction, and significantly decrease the losses of life, livelihoods, and assets - economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental”.

This will be done by maximizing the disaster-fighting abilities at all levels of administration and the communities, according to the plan that lays stress on a greater need for information, education and communication activities.

It also sets out to reduce disaster risk by mainstreaming its requirements into the overall developmental plans.

“The NDMP is a dynamic document in the sense that it will be periodically improved keeping up with the emerging global best practices and knowledge bases in disaster management,” a home ministry statement said.

Experts hailed the plan as a leap forward with stress on protecting people and properties.

But some appeared cynical about its proper implementation.

“It is good. But the key lies in its implementation. Its effectiveness will be determined by its implementation and not what lies in the blueprint,” said Mahesh Upadhyay, a disaster management expert, who has on many occasions consulted with the NDMA. - IANS

BOOSTING TRADE

India, Morocco launch Chamber of Commerce RABAT (Morocco): India and Morocco on Wednesday launched the India-Morocco Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IMCCI) here to accelerate the pace of economic development between the two countries. The chamber was jointly launched by visiting Vice President Hamid Ansari and Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane at a function here.

Speaking on the occasion, Ansari said that a Chamber of Commerce and Industry did not exist because “we took things for granted”. He said that the world is changing and it has become a globalised world. “We do need bodies like the IMCCI,” he added.

Ansari said, “It is a testament to the growing importance of commercial engagement between our two countries”. He said that the IMCCI should focus on the requirements of both sides. An official spokesman said that bilateral trade between the two countries stood at $1.26 billion in 2015 with Indian exports forming roughly 25 per cent of the trade volume. He said that Morocco has emerged as a favoured destination for investments by Indian firms adding that Indian companies have cumulatively invested more that $320 million in Morocco, including in the flagship project, the Indo-Maroc Phosphore SA joint venture. - PTI

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 Notwithstanding an unsupportive global environment, I firmly do believe that India has the potential over the next year or two to improve upon this growth rates and continue to retain its position as the world’s fastest growing economy Arun Jaitley, Finance minister

INDIA

India’s growth curve to accelerate further: Jaitley Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said progrowth policies have helped GDP grow at faster-than- expected 7.9 per cent in the January-March quarter, and 7.6 per cent for the entire 2015-16 fiscal

TOKYO: Highlighting India as the world’s fastest growing major economy despite an unsupportive global environment, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday said good monsoon, GST passage and higher spending will accelerate the upward curve in the coming years.

“When globally the going is good most countries do well. It is when the world is slowing down and world environment is not only unsupportive but at times obstructive, for an economy to grow is most challenging,” he said.

ONE FOR THE ALBUM: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with Indian and Japanese top Executives and

CEOs during a meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday. - PTI

Pro-growth policies have helped GDP grow at faster-thanexpected 7.9 per cent in the January-March quarter, and 7.6 per cent for the entire 2015-16 fiscal, Jaitley said, asserting that these are not “stray figures” and an analysis of the pattern shows inherent strength in the Indian economy.

“To grow at this rate in the midst of an unsupportive global environment is itself significant,” Jaitley said addressing a conference here before heading for Osaka. Stating that global unpredictability impacts India, he said the shrinkage of global trade as well as

fluctuations in currencies has adversely effected the economy. Besides, drought for two consecutive years in parts of the country also impacted the growth prospects.

Potential “Notwithstanding an unsupportive global environment, I firmly do believe that India has the potential over the next year or two to improve upon this growth rates and continue to retain its position as the world’s fastest growing economy,” he said.

Going forward, “reform process is going to continue. Hope-

fully, Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill is passed (in ensuing monsoon session of Parliament), which has the potential to add to GDP growth. Also, our infrastructure and rural spending will add to that,” he said commenting on the latest GDP numbers.

A good monsoon this year, as forecast, “would mean an increase in agriculture production, more purchasing power and rural demand,” he said.

“Better monsoon, when rural demand increases, will cumulatively push up growth.”

The GDP expansion in January-

March period bettered 7.2 per cent of December quarter and helped extend the lead over China, which grew 6.7 per cent in the March quarter — slowest in the world’s second largest economy in seven years.

“In the midst of global slow down our per capita income increased by 7.4 per cent. We met our target of fiscal deficit. What is more significant, revenue deficit has been down to 2.5 per cent,” Jaitley said.

On external factors, he said oil and commodity prices effect the Indian economy.

“India being a net buyer has benefited from the regime in last over a year. And if the prices remain within the current range we have the ability to absorb although if there is any undue increase in prices its impact on both inflation and savings would be noticeable,” he said. He said the GDP figures released on Tuesday have shown that there was an increased consumer spending which has its impact on the private sector as increased demand will enable them to fill up their capacities.

“Starting this week the fresh monsoon season in India begins and by all indications this is going to be a good season for monsoons. In last 100 years, India has never had three years of bad monsoons in a row. Met dept projections indicate it will be a bumper monsoon,” he said. - PTI

AUTHENTICITY QUESTIONED

Dadri report sparks fresh political sparring LUCKNOW/NOIDA: The Dadri lynching sparked fresh political sparring on Wednesday after details of a forensic report on a meat sample that led to the attack surfaced with BJP leaders from Uttar Pradesh targeting the ruling Samajwadi Party after Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav questioned its authenticity.

With a clarity from where exactly the meat sample was found yet to emerge, a report prepared by a forensic lab in Mathura concluded that it was beef, eight months after the attack set off a fierce debate over intolerance and political slugfest. The meat was said to have been found in a garbage dump outside the victim’s house while some reports said it was recovered from the freezer inside.

The finding was in contrast to the preliminary report of an enquiry by the Uttar Pradesh Veterinary department which said the meat over which Mohammad Akhlaq, 52, was lynched on September 28 last in Dadri on rumours that his family stored and ate beef was mutton of ‘goat progeny’.

With UP headed for a crucial assembly polls next year, BJP MP Yogi Adityanath hit out at the Samajwadi Party(SP)for questioning the authenticity of the report, alleging they only want votes.

He also demanded registration of cow slaughter case against Akhlaq’s family. - PTI

POLLUTION

Green tribunal notice to centre on Taj turning yellow NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal has asked the Centre to respond to the plea of an environment enthusiast alleging that largescale burning of municipal solid waste in Agra was turning the Taj Mahal yellow.

The green panel also restrained civic authorities from burning municipal solid waste and other waste in open in Agra and the areas around the eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone.

A bench headed by NGT Chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar issued notices to Ministry of En-

vironment & Forests, Ministry of Urban Development, Uttar Pradesh government, Central Pollution Control Board and others while seeking their reply in two weeks.

The order came on a plea filed by Agra resident and green activist D. K. Joshi, who claimed a joint study

by IIT-Kanpur, Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Wisconsin had revealed that “brown and black carbons along with dust” were responsible for giving yellow tinge to the 17th century white marble monument.

Subsequent to the report, the parliamentary standing committee on environment passed several directions to the Agra administration to curb pollution in the city.

“According to a study carried out by Ajay Nagpure, the burning of MSW releases a high amount of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), which is responsible for damaging the aesthetics of a culturally important monument, like the Taj Mahal,” the plea, filed through advocate Rahul Choudhary, said.

It said that one of the major threats to the Taj Mahal was the high level of particulate matter (PM) which was being released into air due to large scale burning of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the city.

The plea contends that civic bodies in Agra were blatantly violating Solid Waste Management Rules as more than 2,000 metric tonnes of solid waste per day was being dumped in various part of the city besides plastic waste which was being consumed by stray animals. - PTI

MAJESTIC: In this photograph taken on December 4, 2010, tourists visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. - AFP

MAHARASHTRA

Ammunition depot fire toll climbs to 19 PULGAON (Maharashtra):Three more bodies were on Wednesday recovered from the site of the fire mishap at the Central Ammunition Depot at Pulgaon in Maharashtra, taking the death toll to 19.

“Three bodies charred beyond recognition have been recovered from the accident site today,” Defence sources said.

All the three belonged to Defence Security Corps, the sources added. Seventeen persons includ-

ing a senior CAD official were Tuesday rushed to the Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital in Sawangi Meghe as they sustained injuries in the blaze that broke out at one of Asia’s biggest ammunition depot, which houses the largest stockpile of weapons in the country. Three of the injured were airlifted to Army Hospital in Pune on Wednesday, a hospital spokesperson said. They include Deputy Commandant of the CAD, Colonel

Ganendra Singh and two other officers -- Sharad Yadav and Jagdish Chandra. Yadav has suffered some injuries on his face and arm caused by flying splinters and Chandra suffered burn injuries, the spokesperson said. The Army has instituted an inquiry into the incident. Parrikar had said that there was no sabotage involved in the fire at the ammunition depot but the exact cause would be known only after inquiry. - PTI

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

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PAKISTAN

E L E C T I O N C O M M I S S I O N O F PA K I S TA N

Shahbaz the richest, Qaim the poorest chief minister ISLAMABAD: Judging by their declared assets, Shahbaz Sharif is the richest, while Qaim Ali Shah is the poorest of all provincial chief ministers.

Shahbaz owns more assets than those of the three chief ministers’ combined, according to the asset details of provincial lawmakers released by the Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday.

The assets of Shahbaz and his two wives are worth Rs520.75 million. He owns two flats in London worth Rs147 million and Rs70 million shares in two factories, including Hudaibiya Paper Mills.

He was also gifted a Toyota Land Cruiser worth Rs1.4 million.

His net wealth is Rs240 million.

Interestingly, his wife Nusrat Shahbaz owns assets worth Rs277 million, including properties at eight different places in Kasur and

Sheikhupura. His second spouse, Tehmina Durrani, owns assets worth Rs9.1 million.

Second richest Similarly, Khyber-Paktunkhwa chief minister Pervez Khattak is the second richest with Rs270 million assets. His wife also owns 53 tolas of gold worth Rs2.6 million and around Rs6 million in cash – Rs4.3 million in hand and Rs1.6 million in banks.

The declared assests of Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri are worth Rs110 million while Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has assets worth Rs20 million, making him the poorest among his counterparts.

Zehri’s predecessor Dr Abdul Malik Baloch owns Rs40 million assets. Majority of provincial assembly members have mentioned

immovable property in the name of their parents, spouses, or showed it as being inherited from ancestors.

Punjab Assembly’s Opposition Leader Mian Mehmoodur Rasheed owns assets worth Rs21.5 million, Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has assets of Rs50 million, Moonis Elahi, son of Punjab’s former chief minister Pervaiz Elahi, owns assets of Rs650 million.

Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon reportedly own assets of Rs27.9 million. Punjab MPA Rana Mashood Ahmad owns three plots in the name of his wife of Rs136 million. Besides, he also runs a business in Lahore with capital amount of Rs85million. He has 150 tolas of jewellery and Rs29 million in a bank – in the name of his spouse.

Sindh former chief minister

Arbab Ghulam Rahim has a Land Cruiser of Rs12 million. He also owns buffaloes worth Rs33 million and goats worth Rs3.5 million.

Another member of the Sindh Assembly, Sharmila Faruqui owns 135 acres of land in Thatta.

This land was a ‘gift’ from her mother while she also has 100 tolas of gold and gems inherited from her ancestors. Besides, 200 tolas of gold were also presented to her by her parents and in-laws on her marriage. She also owns Rs4.8 million in cash and bank account.

As per details, Sindh Assembly Speaker Shehla Raza has Rs11,000 in cash and Rs40 million in her bank. Raza has, however, avoided sharing other details of her assets.

PPP’s Owais Muzaffar has submitted a detailed report of his assets, which include agriculture land in Thatta and a house in La-

hore. Apart from other businesses, he has invested 5.5 million UAE dirham in Barkat Investment, 9.5 million dinars in Dubai and 1.7 million dinars in Sudan.

In the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly, Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf’s Ali Amin Gandapur owns assets worth Rs85 million.

He has a bullet-proof vehicle worth Rs8 million and gold worth Rs18 million. Sardar Hussain Babak of the ANP owns a Prado worth Rs3.2 million, 25 tolas of gold, 100 kanal agricultural land of Rs30 million and 200 kanal land worth Rs25 million. -Express Tribune

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Projects worth $30b already finalised under CPEC: Iqbal Iqbal said that making $30 billion CPEC portfolio active in a limited period of one year was a big success for the country and it shows that there were no bureaucratic hurdles

STRATEGIC INITIATIVE: This file photograph taken on April 13,

in the way of swift

2016, shows a general view of the dockside at the port of Gwadar, some 700km west of Karachi. - AFP

implementation

ISLAMABAD: Projects worth $30 billion out of a total portfolio of $46 billion have been initiated in the last one year, said Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal, adding that there was no bureaucratic hurdle in the implementation of ChinaPakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) schemes.

The financing arrangements for $30 billion CPEC projects are either finalised or are at various stages of approval, said Iqbal while addressing a press conference a day after the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting.

The minister said that most of the $30 billion active portfolio is in the private sector while financing agreements of road infrastructure projects of the public sector have also been signed.

Iqbal said that making $30 billion CPEC portfolio active in a limited period of one year was a big success for the country and it shows that there were no bureaucratic hurdles in the way of swift implementation. Iqbal’s comments came amid pressure to set up a CPEC authority for swift implementation of the projects that started under Chinese president’s strategic initiative, One-Belt OneRoad. The purpose of the pro-

posed CPEC authority is said to fast-track approvals and monitoring of these schemes.

However, the federal government has already turned down the request on the ground that it would add another bureaucratic layer. Iqbal said that Gwadar port projects including New Gwadar International Airport and Eastbay Expressway have been forwarded to the Chinese side for financial approval. He hoped that this process would be completed in the next three months and work would begin soon.

According to Iqbal, the government has allocated Rs125 billion ($1.2 billion) for carrying out work on CPEC schemes during the new fiscal year 2016-17. “However, the allocations remain far less than the actual requirements.

“An amount of Rs60 billion has also been allocated for two LNGfired power plants being set up in Punjab,” Iqbal added, hoping that these two projects would be completed by May next year.

He said in the last three years, 610 projects costing Rs747 billion have been completed.

The minister said that the 1,320MW Port Qasim power project would be completed by September next year while the Thar Coal mining projects would be

operational by 2018.

To a question whether Chahbahar Port of Iran was a threat to Gwadar port, the minister said that Pakistan does not feel threatened by any project.

For the outgoing fiscal year, the federal government had allocated Rs700 billion for PSDP spending while the four provinces allocated Rs814 billion, bringing the total outlay to Rs1.514 trillion.

However, the Planning Commission on Monday informed the NEC that the spending would remain close to Rs1.401 trillion.

Iqbal insisted that the Rs114 billion lesser spending than approved budget was not actually a cut but a result of administrative weaknesses, legal issues and capacity constraints.

Contrary to this claim, the International Monetary Fund had reported about a year ago that the federal PSDP spending would remain lower than the Rs700 billion allocation. The minister said that due to less spending the ministries actually surrendered the surplus funds allocated for the outgoing fiscal year.

This nullifies the case of seeking a trillion-rupee federal PSDP after the ministries and corporations were unable to spend half a trillion rupee fund. - Express Tribune

DECLARED ASSETS: Shahbaz

owns more assets than those of the three chief ministers’ combined, according to the asset details of provincial lawmakers released by the Election Commission of Pakistan on Tuesday.

- Express Tribune

REACTION

US drone strikes on Pakistani territory must stop: Raheel ISLAMABAD: Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Wednesday said US drone strikes on Pakistani territory are regrettable and must stop as they are a threat to the sovereignty and security of the country, Express News reported.

“US drone strikes in Pakistani territory are regrettable and must stop,” said General Raheel while speaking to the media after President Mamnoon Hussain’s address to the joint session of Parliament.

General Raheel Sharif was present at the session marking the start of the new parliamentary year along with the navy and air force chiefs. Regarding the ongoing war on terror, General Raheel said, “The war on terror will be completed at any cost.” He also lauded the efforts of those participating in Operation Zarb-e-Azb. Earlier, the army chief warned the recent US drone strike targeting late Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was detrimental to bilateral relations between the two countries.

The army chief’s reaction came during a meeting with the Ambassador of US David Hale at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, a statement issued by Inter Services Public relations (ISPR) said.

- Express Tribune

GROWING DEBT PILE

Budget books fudge foreign loan figures to deflect criticism ISLAMABAD: While the government will borrow roughly $10 billion in foreign loans in the next financial year, the budget documents to be presented in National Assembly on Friday only mention $6 billion in borrowings, apparently to deflect criticism against the growing debt pile.

The finalised foreign borrowings plan for 2016-17 excludes all publicly guaranteed loans, borrowings obtained previously to inflate forex reserves and foreign short-term commercial loans, sources told The Express Tribune.

These exclusions will understate the country’s external debt pile by

as much as $4 billion in a single year. By including these borrowings into the total foreign economic estimates of next fiscal, the accumulated loans would be close to $10 billion — the highest ever borrowings in a single financial year.

The sources said most of the loans from China have been excluded from Estimate of Foreign Assistance Book 2016-17 that the Finance Ministry will table in the lower house of parliament along with the other budget documents.

Against original estimates of $3.1 billion Chinese loans being obtained in the outgoing fiscal year, the government has now pro-

jected only $594 million borrowings from China in 2016-17.

This shows a reduction of 513 per cent or $2.5 billion over the previous year.

Foreign currency reserves The $594-million figure appears highly unrealistic, as Islamabad has started work on billions of dollars worth of defence and power projects with China’s cooperation.

The sources said another $1 billion in China Safe Deposit loan, which is part of Pakistan’s foreign currency reserves held by the central bank, has been excluded from the estimates. To a question if Is-

lamabad had decided to return this loan, State Bank spokesman Abid Qamar said the $1 billion loan was obtained by the federal government and it would be in a better position to explain this.

Another loan of over $1.2 billion to be obtained for building 2,200MW nuclear power plants in Karachi, known as K2 and K3, has been excluded not only from the next fiscal’s estimates but also from the outgoing year’s estimates.

China signed an agreement to provide about $6.5 billion in loan for K2 and K3 plants, and Islamabad has already received about $1.5 billion under this head.

The total foreign economic assistance for the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), which manages these plants, is shown at just $126 million for the next fiscal. For the outgoing year, PAEC’s original foreign loans were estimated at $1.4 billion.

The government also has decided to exclude short-term foreign commercial borrowings from next year’s loan estimates.In the outgoing fiscal, the government borrowed $1.4 billion from foreign commercial banks without competitive bidding.

In the words of Finance Secretary Dr Waqar Masood, these

short-term loans were meant for “balance of support and budget financing”. Growing public debt has severely limited Pakistan’s loan repayment ability, forcing the government to reschedule payments every year. In 2016-17, borrowings from the Asian Development Bank are projected at $1.1 billion.

The World Bank is expected to give fresh loans worth $1.5 billion while loans from the Islamic Development Bank may go down drastically to about $465 million. A Finance Ministry official claimed the foreign loans have been excluded from the estimates as they were double counted. - Express Tribune

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ANTHONY BURGESS

Financing health, education for all I

n 2015, around 5.9 million children under the age of five, almost all in developing countries, died from easily preventable or treatable causes. And up to 200 million young children and adolescents do not attend primary or secondary school, owing to poverty, including 110 million through the lower-secondary level, according to a recent estimate. In both cases, massive suffering could be ended with a modest amount of global funding.

Children in poor countries die from causes – such as unsafe childbirth, vaccine-preventable diseases, infections such as malaria for which lowcost treatments exist, and nutritional deficiencies – that have been almost totally eliminated in the rich countries. In a moral world, we would devote our utmost effort to end such deaths.

In fact, the world has made a half-hearted effort.

Deaths of young children have fallen to slightly under half the 12.7 million recorded in 1990, thanks to additional global funding for disease control, channeled through new institutions such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.

When I first recommended such a fund in 2000, skeptics said that more money would not save lives. Yet the Global Fund proved the doubters wrong: More money prevented millions of deaths from AIDS, TB, and malaria. It was well used.

The reason that child deaths fell to 5.9 million, rather to near zero, is that the world gave only about half the funding necessary. While most countries can cover their health needs with their own budgets, the poorest countries cannot. They need about $50 billion per year of global help to close the financing gap. Current global aid for health runs at about $25 billion per year. While these numbers are only approximate, we need roughly an additional $25 billion per year to help prevent up to six million deaths per year. It’s hard to imagine a better bargain.

Similar calculations help us to estimate the global funding needed to enable all children to complete at least a high-school education. UNESCO recently calculated the global education “financing gap” to cover the incremental costs – of classrooms, teachers, and supplies – of universal completion of secondary school at roughly $39 billion. With current global funding for education at around $10-15 billion per year, the gap is again

roughly $25 billion, similar to health care. And, as with health care, such increased global funding could effectively flow through a new Global Fund for Education. Thus, an extra $50 billion or so per year could help ensure that children everywhere have access to basic health care and schooling. The world’s governments have already adopted these two objectives – universal health care and universal quality education – in the new Sustainable Development Goals.

An extra $50 billion per year is not hard to find.

One option targets my own country, the United States, which currently gives only around 0.17 per cent of gross national income for development aid, or roughly one-quarter of the international target of 0.7 per cent of GNI for development assistance.

Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom each give at least 0.7 per cent of GNI; the US can and should do so as well. If it did, that extra 0.53 per cent of GNI would add roughly $90 billion per year of global funding. The US currently spends around 5 per cent of GDP, or roughly $900 billion per year, on military-related spending (for the Pentagon, the CIA, veterans, and others). It could and should transfer at least $90 billion of that to development aid. Such a shift in focus from war to development would greatly bolster US and global security; the recent US wars in North Africa and the Middle East have cost trillions of dollars and yet have weakened, not strengthened, national security.

A second option would tax the global rich, who often hide their money in tax havens in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Many of these tax havens are UK overseas territories. Most are closely connected with Wall Street and the City of London.

The US and British governments have protected the tax havens mainly because the rich people who put their money there also put their money into campaign contributions or into hiring politicians’ family members. The tax havens should be called upon to impose a small tax on their deposits, which total at least $21 trillion. The rich countries could enforce such a tax by threatening to cut off noncompliant havens’ access to global financial markets. - Project Syndicate

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JUNE 2001 Japanese peace garden inaugurated MUSCAT: Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Foreign affairs, on behalf of Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, minister responsible for foreign affairs, yesterday declared open the Japanese Peace Garden (Nihon Heian Teien), - the first authentic Japanese garden in the Arabian Peninsula at Naseem Garden. Busaidi after symbolically opening the plaque also toured the aesthetically developed garden along with the dignitaries.

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014 100

99

95 95 MAXIMUM

95

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1818: The British army defeats the Maratha alliance in Bombay, India.

1883: The first baseball game under electric lights is played in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

MINIMUM 10

6 0

1924: US grants full citizenship to American Indians.

1946: Italian citizens vote by referendum for a republic.

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016 The Taliban have made considerable gains in various parts of the country since the departure of most foreign combat troops at the end of 2014, and both government forces and the militants have suffered heavy losses in fighting.

Five killed as Taliban storm Afghan court The attack came days after the Taliban, who are fighting to topple the government of President Ashraf Ghani, vowed to seek revenge for the execution last

ON GUARD: Afghan security force personnel stand alert at the entrance to a provincial court in Ghazni on June 1, 2016, after a group of Taliban gunmen targeted the building. - AFP

month of six Taliban prisoners

KABUL/DUSHANBE: Taliban insurgents stormed a court in the Afghan city of Ghazni on Wednesday, clashing with police for at least an hour in an attack in which 10 people, including all five of the militants, were killed, police said.

The attack came days after the Taliban, who are fighting to topple the government of President Ashraf Ghani, vowed to seek revenge for the execution last month of six Taliban prisoners.

The raid began when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate of the court and four more attackers fought their way inside, sparking an hour-long battle with police, said city police chief Aminullah Amarkhil.

“Four civilian visitors and a policeman were killed in the attack but our forces were on high alert and shot dead the other bombers

in no time,” he said.

The court building in the city, 150km (southwest of Kabul, was damaged, he said. Spokesmen for the Taliban were not available for comment. The militants had vowed revenge for the hanging on May 8 of six Taliban prisoners convicted of terrorism offences, as part of a tougher security policy in retaliation for an April suicide attack in Kabul in which 64 people were killed.

The Taliban have made considerable gains in various parts of the country since the departure of most foreign combat troops at the end of 2014, and both government forces and the militants have suffered heavy losses in fighting.

The United States killed the leader of the Taliban in a drone attack in southwest Pakistan on May 21 but the death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour has had no discernable impact on the violence.

In another incident on Wednesday, a roadside bomb killed a top police administrator and wounded

four policemen in the relatively peaceful northern province of Balkh, officials there said.

Security threats Meanwhile, Tajikistan has boosted troop numbers on its frontier with Afghanistan, the border guard service said on Wednesday, due to security threats from armed smugglers, kidnappers and insurgents.

Tajikistan, the poorest country in the former Soviet Union, is worried about militant groups based in conflict-ridden Afghanistan trying to open a new front in their war. The border area is also a major route for narcotics from Afghanistan, the world’s main producer of opium used to make heroin, into Central Asia and on to Russia and Europe.

To address the threats, Dushanbe has sent more troops to the border and set up dozens of new outposts, border guard service spokesman Muhammad Ulugkhodzhayev said. - Reuters

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HEAVY RAINFALL IN FRANCE

French firefighters on small boats evacuate residents from a flooded area after heavy rainfall in Nemours, France, on Wednesday.

— Reuters

Zimbabwe lobbies for on ivory trade HARARE: Zimbabwe is seeking support from its neighbours to be allowed to engage in international trade in ivory and will not burn its 70 tonnes of ivory stocks as Kenya did last month, the environment minister said on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe and Namibia are bidding to open up international trade in elephant ivory, against initiatives led by Kenya for a complete global ban.

Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri told diplomats from the Southern African Development Community that Zimbabwe was counting on their support at the next UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in September.

Stop poaching Muchinguri-Kashiri said banning trade in ivory would not stop poaching and gave the example of how the rhino population remained under threat 40 years after trading in the rhino horn was outlawed by CITES. “There is no tangible evidence that trade bans have ever saved a species from extinction,” Muchinguri-Kashiri said. — Reuters

RARE INCIDENT

Newly built refugee shelter set on fire in Austria VIENNA: A building in northern Austria that was due to house dozens of asylum seekers was deliberately set on fire, the Red Cross said on Wednesday, a relatively rare attack on a refugee centre in a country that has taken in many migrants.

The new wooden building in the town of Altenfelden, near Austria’s borders with Germany and the Czech Republic, caught fire overnight. The Red Cross, which owns the building, later said arson was the cause.

“It was a shock for us,” Red Cross spokesman Stefan Neubauer said, adding that 48 people had been due to move into the building in two weeks’ time.”It was an act of vandalism with which we have not been confronted yet.”

Wooden buildings are being used as a cheaper form of accommodation in Austria, which last year took in 90,000 asylum seekers, more than 1 percent of its population, and has scrambled to house them in decent conditions.

Arson Police said two fire sources had been found at the building’s external walls, adding that arson was the presumed cause of the blaze.

Austria’s Interior Ministry said an investigation was under way and referred to a report last month showing a rise in farright crimes in 2015. “There can be no tolerance for extremist criminal acts,” Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka said in a statement.”Violence against those seeking protection is not the solution and is a breeding ground for radicalisation.”— Reuters

US-backed forces open front against IS in northern Syria The operation, which began on Tuesday after weeks of quiet preparations, aims to choke off the group’s access to Syrian land along the Turkish border that the militants have long used to move foreign fighters back and forth to Europe CONFLICT: People walk towards the last checkpoint, which is controlled by Syrian government forces,

WA S H I N G T O N/ B E I R U T : Thousands of US-backed fighters opened a major new front in Syria’s war, launching an offensive to drive IS out of a swathe of northern Syria it uses as a logistics base, and were reported on Wednesday to be making rapid progress.

The operation, which began on Tuesday after weeks of quiet preparations, aims to choke off the group’s access to Syrian land along the Turkish border that the militants have long used to move foreign fighters back and forth to Europe.

“It’s significant in that it’s their last remaining funnel” to Europe, a US military official told Reuters.

A small number of US special operations forces will support the push on the ground, acting as advisers and staying some dis-

while waiting for permission to leave the besieged area of Moudamiya Al Sham, in the suburbs of Damascus, Syria on Wednesday. — Reuters

tance back from the front lines, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss military planning.

“They’ll be as close as they need to be for the (Syrian fighters) to complete the operation.

But they will not engage in direct combat,” the official said.

The operation will also count on support from US-led coalition air strikes as well as from groundbased firing positions across the border in Turkey.

Driving IS from its last remaining foothold at the Turkish border has been a top priority of the USled campaign against the group.

The group controls around

80 km (50 miles) of the frontier stretching west from Jarablus.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said US-led air strikes in support of the ground operation killed 15 civilians including three children near Manbij in the last 24 hours.

The Observatory’s reporting is based on an activist network in Syria.

It said the Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) alliance, the force that is conducting the assault to capture the tract of land known as the Manbij pocket, had taken 16 villages and were at a distance of 15 km (9 miles) from Manbij town itself.

The US officials said the operation would be overwhelmingly comprised of Syrian Arabs instead of forces with the Kurdish YPG militia, who will only represent about a fifth or a sixth of the overall force.

This is seen as important to NATO member Turkey, which has opposed any further expansion of Syrian Kurdish sway at the frontier.

Ankara sees the Syrian Kurdish YPG fighters -- who already control an uninterrupted 400 km (250 mile) stretch of the border -- to be terrorists and has been enraged

by US backing for the militia in its battle with IS in Syria.

However, the Observatory said the Kurdish YPG militia made up the majority of the fighters taking part in the SDF assault.

A US official said Turkey supported the offensive. SDF and YPG officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

The US officials told Reuters the YPG would only fight to help clear IS from the area around Manbij.

Syrian Arab fighters would be the ones to stabilise and secure it once IS is gone, according to the operational plans.

“After they take Manbij, the agreement is the YPG will not be staying... So you’ll have Syrian Arabs occupying traditional Syrian Arab land,” the official said.

In Ankara, a Turkish military source said Turkey was not contributing to the operation.

Ankara had been told by Washington about the push but could not back it because of the involvement of Kurdish YPG fighters and because it was beyond the range of artillery stationed in Turkey, the source said.

The operation is happening ahead of an eventual push by the US-backed Syrian forces toward the city of Raqqa, the IS defacto capital in Syria and the prime objective in Syria for US military planners.

The US military official said depriving IS of the Manbij pocket would help further isolate the militants and further undermine their ability to funnel supplies to Raqqa.

US President Barack Obama has authorised about 300 US special operations forces to operate on the ground from secret locations inside Syria to help coordinate with local forces to battle IS there.

In a reminder of the risks, one US service member was injured north of Raqqa over the weekend, the Pentagon said. — Reuters

TIES WITH REMAIN UNAFFECTED

No one can dictate on Philippine foreign policy: new FM MANILA: The Philippines will not distance itself from its longtime security ally, the United States, but neither will it be a lackey to any foreign power, incoming Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay told Reuters on Wednesday.

In his first interview with the foreign media since being appointed by President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, the lawyer by training sought to underline the Philippines’ independence in dealing with disputes with China over the South China Sea. “We should not be a lackey of any nation,” Yasay said in Manila, the day after Duterte named his cabinet.

Under outgoing President Benigno Aquino, the Philippines moved closer to Washington, in

turn straining ties with China.

Yasay said relations with China should improve.

“For as long as it (China) adheres to the rule of law, respects our territorial integrity and sovereignty...we should continue to make sure that our friendship and relationship would be stronger,” he said.

Duterte, the tough-talking mayor who takes office on June 30, said on Tuesday that the Philippines would not rely on Washington, signalling a potential shift in approach to the South China Sea and broader security issues.

“He was simply articulating the position that, according to the constitution, we are supposed to carry an independent foreign policy,” Yasay said of Duterte’s remarks.

Yasay added that the presidentelect would honour existing treaties with the United States, including the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement that allows US troops increased access to local bases.

US President Barack Obama called Duterte on May 17 to congratulate him on his election win.

“That was a very strong indication about our friendship with America not being affected, and will not be affected by his election,” Yasay said. At the same time, Duterte has not ruled out renegotiating agreements in the future if it was deemed necessary.

“When he said he is committed to agreements we have entered into...he does not discount the possibility that in the future, if it is

determined that there is a need to further negotiate on these agreements on the basis of pursuing the mutual interest of both countries, we should not hesitate to do so,” Yasay said.

The Supreme Court this year upheld the constitutionality of the agreement that lets the United States build warehouses and logistics hubs anywhere in the Philippines. Washington is also helping its former colony to bolster its defences, providing three Hamilton-class cutters, radar equipment and a research ship that will arrive in July.

The build-up is part of an effort by the Philippines to strengthen its claims in the disputed South China Sea, where China has been constructing artificial isles. — Reuters

CRACKDOWN: Philippines’ President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, centre, meets his National Security officials in Davao City, southern island of Mindanao on June 1, 2016. Philippine president-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s war on crime appears to have begun ahead of him taking office, rights activists said Tuesday as they voiced concern over a spate of police and vigilante killings. — AFP/KING RODRIGUEZ/DAVAO CITY MAYOR’S OFFICE

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

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Brexit camp eyes Australia-style immigration system after vote Senior members of the Out campaign including former London Mayor Boris Johnson and Justice Secretary

Decision to leave EU will have dramatic effect: Sigmar

Michael Gove said immigration postBrexit would be based on job and language skills WARNING: Trades Union Congress General Secretary Frances O’Grady speaks during the launch

of a poster campaign urging voters to remain part of the European Union, in London, Britain, on Wednesday.— Reuters

LONDON: Britain would extend an Australian-style points-based immigration system to European Union citizens if it votes to leave the bloc, the “Out” campaign said on Wednesday, ratcheting up the pressure on a key issue ahead of the June 23 referendum.

Two polls on Tuesday showed Britons have moved towards voting to leave the bloc after official figures published last week put net migration at the second highest level on record last year.

A YouGov poll published on Wednesday put both sides level on 41 per cent, unchanged from its previous survey.

Senior members of the Out campaign including former London mayor Boris Johnson and justice secretary Michael Gove said immigration post-Brexit would be based on job and language skills.

“Migration brings many benefits to Britain - culturally, socially and economically,” they said in a joint statement.”We want Britain

to continue to benefit from migration. But if we are to welcome more people to Britain then the public must be reassured that we have control over who comes here.

“Our membership of the EU means we don’t have control.”

Prime Minister David Cameron, who supports an “In” vote, has come under fire during the campaign for failing to deliver a promise to keep net migration to the “tens of thousands”.

The figures released last week put net migration at 330,000 in 2015. Of those, a net 184,000 came from the EU, which mandates freedom of movement.

Britons’ choice on whether to remain in the 28-member EU has far-reaching consequences for many aspects of British life and beyond.

Immigration is one of the key battlegrounds in what is becoming an increasingly bitter debate.

Supporters of EU membership

have complained the Out campaign has failed to offer any concrete proposals as to what life would look like if Britain left the bloc.

Setting out its plans, the Out campaign said there would be no change for Irish citizens, who can

live and work in Britain, while those EU citizens already lawfully resident in Britain could remain and be granted indefinite leave.

But by the next national election in 2020, the Out campaign said it would have extended a pointsbased system where EU citizens

BERLIN: Germany’s ViceChancellor warned of serious economic and political costs if Britain were to leave the European Union after a June 23 referendum on membership, saying on Wednesday it would also damage confidence in the bloc.

Most mainstream German politicians have outlined the benefits of keeping Britain, an ally in several areas of EU policy, in the bloc although they are wary of being seen to tell Britons what to do.

“The weight of the EU but also confidence in the cohesion and the steadfastness of the EU would diminish dramatically,” said Social Democrat Sigmar Gabriel, also Economy Minister in conservative Chancellor Angela Merkel’s coalition.

The economic effects

would be treated like any other and admitted on the basis of their suitability for a job.

“To gain the right to work, economic migrants will have to be suitable for the job in question,” they said.”For relevant jobs, we

Sigmar Gabriel

would be serious both for Britain and Europe but the political costs would be even greater, he said.

“Europe would be taken less seriously,” he said, pointing in particular to a possible vacuum in the Middle East if the United States gradually stepped back from that region. — Reuters

will be able to ensure that all those who come have the ability to speak good English.” The In campaign said in response that any move to take Britain out of the EU single market would damage the economy. — Reuters

B

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MARKE

OMAN CRUDE DROPS Oman oil price (August delivery) fell 73 cents to $45.91 per barrel, said Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME). The average price of Oman Crude (June delivery) stabilised at $39.40 a barrel, $3.06 higher than May delivery. - ONA

Muscat 5,820.26 + 9.30 + 0.16%

Dubai 3,301.57 - 12.15 - 0.37%

Abu Dhabi 4,263.97 + 13.77 + 0.32%

Saudi Arabia

6,457.95 + 9.53 + 0.15%

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Kuwait 5,374.47 - 25.86 - 0.48%

Qatar 9,577.79 + 39.02 + 0.41%

Bahrain 1,105.29 - 6.27 - 0.56%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................. 2.31 Pound ............................................1.78 Indian Rs .............................. 174.31 Pak Rs ....................................267.67 Bangla Taka........................201.61

Indian Rs ...................................175.05 Pakistan Rs .............................272.00 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.50 Phil Peso ....................................121.00

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......15.55

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$44.58 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$44.28 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ..........$47.18 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........ $44.73 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$49.38

* Rates are as of June 1 Source: Bank Muscat

West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$48.64

* Rates as of June 1 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......14.95 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 146.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............ 138.00 * Rates as of June 1 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Oman attractive to set up business, says Octal chief

BANK OFFICIAL

Rashad Ali Al Musafir. – File picture

Bank Sohar’s acting CEO submits resignation

Investment

Times News Service

make it one of the

MUSCAT: Bank Sohar said that its general manager and acting chief executive officer Rashad Ali Al Musafir has submitted his resignation due to personal reasons.

“The board resolved to accept the resignation. Al Musafir will serve his notice period and the board will appoint a suitable replacement before end of that period and will make necessary disclosures to the market as required under the applicable laws and regulations,” said a disclosure statement posted on MSM website.

best countries to

ENERGY MARKET

Oil set for longest losing streak RIYADH: Oil slipped a fourth day, heading for the longest run of declines since April, as Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) ministers gather in Vienna ahead of a meeting on Thursday to discuss production policy.

Futures fell as much as 1 per cent in New York, after declining 0.9 per cent the previous three sessions. Canadian oil-sand producers, including Suncor Energy, began resuming operations after wildfire threats eased, while supply disruptions continued to reduce output in Nigerian and Libya.

- Bloomberg News

incentives, easiness in doing business and global logistics connectivity

establish business,

potential of Oman’s young labour force; young professionals who could be trained to a high level, and that is what we are doing today,” said Barakat. “Right now, some of the top supervisors in our factories in the United States and in Saudi Arabia are from Oman,” he noted.

said Nicholas Barakat, Octal chief

MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman’s investment incentives, easiness in doing business and global logistics connectivity make it one of the best countries to establish business, said Nicholas Barakat, chief executive officer of Octal — a leading manufacturer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that invested over $700 million in Salalah way back in 2006. PET products are used for packaging applications.

“Oman’s rule of law, access to raw materials, talent, ease of doing business and global logistic connectivity makes it one of the best places in the world to establish a business and export from,” Barakat told the ‘Times of Oman’ in an exclusive interview.

“These were the factors that attracted Octal to set up in Oman,” he said. According to Barakat, the availability of local, bi-lingual talent also influenced Octal’s decision to establish operations in Oman.

“We saw the clear benefit and

Ithraa’s support Octal offers food grade polyethylene copolymer resins for carbonated water and beverages, hot fill, oil and water containers, and pharmaceutical material packaging, as well as heat set blow moulding applications and polyethylene sheets.

With support from Ithraa, Octal started operations in 2006 with an investment of more than $700 million. “Ithraa introduced us to the investment opportunities available in Oman, which aided our decision-making, and we decided to establish our facility in the Salalah Free Zone,” Barakat said.

“We import one million tonnes of raw materials and export one million tonnes of products each year,” he added.

“From Salalah, we need just 14 days to reach NewYork, 21 days to the US west coast and 7 to southern Europe, so it is a great location with excellent shipping connectivity,” Barakat explained.

OIL PRODUCTION

Oil market moving in right direction: Opec ministers VIENNA: The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) ministers gathering in Vienna for the group’s biannual meeting said the oil market is moving in the right direction as a supply glut dissipates.

While Saudi Arabia — the architect of the Opec’ current policy — remained silent, ministers from the United Arab Emirates and Nigeria signaled that the strategy of letting low prices eradicate surplus production is working.

“From the beginning of the year until now, the market has been correcting itself upward,” UAE Oil Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei told reporters in Vienna on Tuesday. “The market will fix itself to a price that is fair to the consumers and to the producers.”

Those comments, echoed by his Nigerian counterpart, suggest renewed optimism among producers after oil prices rose more than 85 per cent in New York since touching a 12-year low in February. There were still signs of division in the group, with Venezuelan Energy Minister Eulogio Del Pino saying the price recovery had more to do with unexpected supply disruptions than a successful Opec strategy.

Market trend Forecasters including the International Energy Agency and Goldman Sachs say the crude

Saudi to seek restoration of Opec unity after Doha failure RIYADH: Saudi Arabia will use this week’s Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) meeting to repair relationships with fellow producers after the failure of an April accord to freeze crude output in Doha.

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy Khalid Al Falih will reassure other members his nation would not flood the oil market and may be open to the reintroduction of an overall production target for the group, the people said, asking not to be identified because information is not

glut is finally dwindling as the Saudi approach of squeezing high cost suppliers — opposed by most Opec members when it was unveiled in late 2014 — finally pays off. The group is unlikely to change direction this week.

“I think the market trends are better now” and the sense of urgency that spurred producers to

public. There’s no indication that Saudi Arabia is seeking to change current production volumes, they said.

The change of tone from Riyadh comes as ministers from the Opec gather in Vienna for the first time since the acrimonious Doha meeting. The talks in the Qatari capital failed because Saudi refused to freeze production unless Iran joined the initiative. Opec’s meeting in December also ended in disarray as the group abandoned its 30 million barrela-day target. - Bloomberg News

mull an agreement to freeze the production in April has dissipated, Emmanuel Ibe Kachikwu, Nigeria’s minister of state for petroleum resources, told reporters in Vienna.

While prices are moving “in the right direction, I think it needs more acceleration of the pace,” he said. - Bloomberg News

Octal has created 550 jobs and more than 95 per cent of its products are exported.

“We use state-of-the-art technology to help us produce products at a low cost, with a minimal environmental footprint. When compared to others, we consume 65 per cent less electricity and generate significantly fewer carbon emissions to produce the same products,” he added.

Discussing on the Octal workforce, Barakat remarked: “Most of our team members are from Salalah. They are young, motivated and ambitious. And they want to stay, grow and make their careers in Dhofar.”

According to Taleb Al Makhmari, Ithraa’s director general of Marketing and Media, Oman is the ideal location for businesses interested in the growing and emerging markets of the GCC, Africa and Asia.

“Octal recognised the benefits of setting up a plant in Oman and reaping the commercial benefits today. They are a global player and we are proud of what they have achieved,” added Al Makhmari.

Recently, Ithraa received a prestigious award for its excellence in investment promotion. A panel of international experts at the annual investment meeting held in Dubai recognised Ithraa’s

work in attracting and helping establish Octal’s greenfield plastics project in the Salalah Free Zone.

“The annual investment meeting panel scrutinised the IthraaOctal case study using a strict set of criteria that included size and type of inward investment, job creation, innovation and technology transfers, exports, import substitutions, local linkages, sustainability and eco-friendliness,” explained Al Makhmari.

Exporting worldwide By receiving the award, Ithraa has demonstrated exceptional dedication to support companies, like Octal, in finding a strong business base in Oman and exporting to 140 markets worldwide.

“We were thrilled to receive this accolade, as it recognises the outstanding inward investment and export promotional work we do with our partners in government and the private sector,” said the Ithraa Director General.

“We are absolutely committed to supporting local and international businesses to succeed and the annual investment meeting award is a testament to our continued innovation to develop these relationships. Indeed, foreign capital is crucial for Oman’s future growth and we work hard to attract international investors,”

added Al Makhmari.

Ithraa’s success is based on its clear international strategy with its bespoke approach to different markets and sectors, crucially supported by a range of private and public sector partners. The award underscores Oman’s outstanding business offer and further enhances its global recognition as a great place to do business and as an investment destination.

“Team Ithraa is in discussions with businesses from all over the world to set up a base here. The results of their work generate jobs and create commercial opportunities for the people of Oman. The importance of Ithraa’s work cannot be overstated. Winning a prestigious AIM award is a great honour and well deserved,” said Octal chief executive. “Being shortlisted for an annual investment meeting award, even better, winning one, is proof to colleagues and clients that our work has been judged to be among the best in the world. It is a great morale booster for Ithraa and Oman’s business community,” added Al Makhmari.

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B2

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 5,826.50 ...............5,810.80 ...................5,820.26 ................... 5,810.96....................9.30 ................... 0.16 Financial Index .....................................7,439.23 ............... 7,412.79 ....................7,433.54 ................... 7,414.26..................19.28 ...................0.26 Industrial Index .................................... 7,178.96 ............... 7,168.37 ....................7,173.23 ....................7,167.60.................... 5.63 ...................0.08 Services Index ...................................... 3,266.88 ...............3,254.75 ................... 3,260.47 ................... 3,254.75.................... 5.72 ................... 0.18 MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 874.14 .................. 872.75 .......................873.17 ...................... 872.77....................0.40 ................... 0.05 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 8,027,569 .................... 2,021,603 .................... 499 ................ 17,031,931,744 .................. 9 ........................5 ....................24 .........................38

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, 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 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 429,735 ..........126,738..................... 49 ........... 0.290...........0.299 ...........0.289........... 0.295 .............0.285 ............0.010 ............. 3.509 ................0.291 ..............0.292...................0.295................... 85,742,051 .........0.100

MSM index recovers

OM0000002341............OMAN CHLORINE....................................................... 50,000 ............25,000........................5 ........... 0.500 ...........0.500 ...........0.500........... 0.500 .............0.486 ............0.014 ............. 2.881 ................0.500............. 0.000...................0.500 ..................34,051,830 .........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 270,282 ........... 28,375........................6 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.104........... 0.105 .............0.103............ 0.002............. 1.942 ................0.104..............0.103...................0.104..................210,032,843........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 528,604 ..........123,551..................... 53 ........... 0.232 ...........0.235 ...........0.231 ........... 0.234 .............0.230 ........... 0.004............. 1.739.................0.234..............0.234...................0.235................... 35,117,550 .........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ..........................30,080 .............48,518........................9 ............1.610 ............1.615............1.600............1.615 .............1.600 ............0.015 ............. 0.938 ................1.600..............1.600................... 1.615 ................ 1,211,250,000 ......0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ...................................................... 129,786 .......... 159,907......................15 ............1.230 ........... 1.235 ...........1.230........... 1.230 .............1.225............ 0.005.............0.408 ................1.230..............1.230...................1.240................. 246,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............30,966 ............... 7,729......................16 ............0.251 ........... 0.251 ...........0.249........... 0.250 .............0.249 ............0.001 .............0.402 ................0.250..............0.248...................0.250 ...................5,250,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY......................................80,406 ...........141,515........................7 ............1.760 ........... 1.760............1.760 ............1.760 ............. 1.755 ............ 0.005............. 0.285 ................1.760 .............. 1.760................... 1.770 ..................157,872,000........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................59,087 ............ 30,439........................7 ............0.512 ........... 0.516 ...........0.512 ............0.516 ............. 0.516............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.516 ..............0.510...................0.516 ...................28,380,000.........0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS .................2,200 .................. 506........................2 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.230........... 0.250 .............0.250 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.230..............0.235...................0.248 ...................8,392,863 ..........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN .................................. 70,000 ............. 17,150........................5 ........... 0.245 ...........0.245 ...........0.245........... 0.245 .............0.245 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.245..............0.241...................0.245 .................361,321,412 ........0.100 OM0000001509............DHOFAR INT.DEV.AND INV. HOLD............................399 .................. 164........................1 ............0.410 ........... 0.410 ...........0.410........... 0.400 .............0.400 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.410 ..............0.380...................0.400 ..................98,560,000.........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 261,250 ............51,729........................6 ............0.199 ........... 0.199 ...........0.198 ........... 0.198 ............. 0.198............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.198 ..............0.190...................0.198...................39,600,000.........0.100

Renaissance Services was the top gainer,

OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 169,000 ............79,768........................7 ........... 0.472 ........... 0.472 ...........0.472........... 0.472 .............0.472 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.472..............0.450...................0.472.................. 156,171,919 ........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 306,914 ............ 19,313......................18 ........... 0.063 ...........0.063 ...........0.062........... 0.063 .............0.063 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.062..............0.062...................0.063................... 13,050,537 .........0.100

up by 3.51 per cent, while Gulf Investment

OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 141,336 .............29,019......................19 ........... 0.205 ...........0.207 ...........0.204 .......... 0.205 .............0.205 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.204 .............0.203...................0.204 ..................25,604,082.........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 115,000............ 25,970........................7 ........... 0.226 ...........0.226 ...........0.224 .......... 0.226 .............0.226 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.224............. 0.224...................0.226 .................. 13,832,166 .........0.100

Services, down by 4.17 per cent, lost the most

OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 470,638 ........... 63,265.....................42 ............0.133 ........... 0.136 ...........0.132 ........... 0.134 .............0.134............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.133 ..............0.132...................0.133...................12,060,000.........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,335,199....... 520,743..................... 67 ........... 0.396 ...........0.396 ...........0.390........... 0.390 .............0.390 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.390..............0.390...................0.392..................973,537,601 ........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 1,125,000 ......198,000......................12 ............0.176 ........... 0.176 ...........0.176 ............0.176 ............. 0.176............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.176 .............. 0.175...................0.176 ..................282,391,884........0.100

MUSCAT: Shares on the Muscat bourse recovered marginally on scattered support from retail investors. The MSM 30 Index ended on a positive note after six consecutive losses to close at 5820.26 points, up by 0.16 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index marginally grew by 0.05 per cent to close at 873.17 points.

Galfar Engineering was most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover. Renaissance Services was the top gainer of the day, up by 3.51 per cent, while Gulf Investment Services was the top loser, down by 4.17 per cent.

As many as 499 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating turnover of OMR2.02 million with 8.03 million shares changing hands. Out of 38 traded securities, nine advanced, five declined and 24 remained unchanged.

Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR432,000 worth of shares followed by GCC and Arab investors at OMR121,000. Foreign investors, who were net sellers, sold shares

amounting to OMR554,000.

Financial Index to close at 7433.54 points, up by 0.26 per cent. HSBC Bank Oman and Al Anwar Holding increased by 1.94 per cent and 1.74 per cent, respectively. Gulf Investment Services was the loser and was down by 4.17 per cent to close at OMR0.115.

Industrial Index gained by 0.08 per cent to close at 7,173.23 points.

Oman Chlorine, Raysut Cement, Gulf International Chemicals and Oman Cables increased by 2.88 per cent, 0.41 per cent, 0.40 per cent and 0.28 per cent, respectively. Galfar Engineering was the only loser in the sector and was down by 0.94 per cent to close at OMR0.105.

Services Index closed at 3,260.47 points, up by 0.18 per cent. Renaissance Services and Oman Telecommunications Company increased by 3.51 per cent and 0.94 per cent, respectively.

Port Services, Oreedoo Oman and Al Maha Petroleum has declined by 3.61 per cent, 1.06 per cent and 0.33 per cent, respectively. – United Securities

OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY .......................................................2,200 ..................924........................1 ........... 0.420 ...........0.420 ...........0.420........... 0.420 .............0.420 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.420..............0.420...................0.430 ..................25,410,000 .........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER................................................................2,050 .................. 621........................3 ........... 0.300...........0.304 ...........0.300 ...........0.318 ............. 0.318............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.302..............0.302...................0.310...................70,281,180 .........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL.................................................5,000 .................. 370........................1 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.074 ...........0.074........... 0.074 .............0.074 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.074..............0.073...................0.074...................12,950,000.........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .....................................................8,215 ............... 3,417......................18 ............0.416 ........... 0.416 ...........0.416 ............0.416 ............. 0.416............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.416 .............. 0.416...................0.418...................21,840,000.........0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. .......36,574 .............54,961........................8 ............1.510 ........... 1.510............1.500............1.505 ............. 1.510............-0.005 ........... -0.331................1.500..............1.490...................1.500..................103,845,000........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 1,462,752 .......153,168..................... 56 ............0.106 ........... 0.106 ...........0.104........... 0.105 .............0.106 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.943 ...............0.104..............0.104...................0.105...................30,447,967 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO.........................................................................26,438 .............19,670........................2 ............0.744 ........... 0.744 ...........0.744........... 0.744 ............. 0.752............-0.008 ........... -1.064 ...............0.744 ..............0.744...................0.752................. 484,302,507 .......0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION .........................10,000 .............. 2,400........................1 ........... 0.240...........0.240 ...........0.240 .......... 0.240 .............0.249 ...........-0.009 ............-3.614................0.240 ............ 0.240...................0.248 ..................22,809,600.........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ...........................60,470 ...............6,955........................4 ............0.117 ........... 0.117............ 0.115 ............0.115 .............0.120 ...........-0.005 ........... -4.167 ...............0.115 .............. 0.110................... 0.115 .................... 6,766,970 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 7,219,581 ....1,939,883...................447 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......29........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 310,000 ...........48,002......................16 ............0.154 ........... 0.155 ...........0.154 ............0.155 .............0.154.............0.001 ............. 0.649 ................0.155 ..............0.154...................0.155 ..................226,703,226 .......0.100 OM0000001152 ............OMAN NATIONAL ENGINE. INVT. ........................ 3,473 .................. 688........................1 ............0.198 ........... 0.198 ...........0.198 ............0.195 ............. 0.195............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.198 ............. 0.000...................0.197...................19,500,000 .........0.100 OM0000001228............OMAN HOTELS AND TOURISM ...............................1,510 ..................906........................1 ........... 0.600 ...........0.600 ...........0.600............0.616 ............. 0.616............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.600..............0.556...................0.672...................33,880,000.........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ................... 94,050 ...............3,006........................6 ........... 0.032 ...........0.032 ...........0.031 ........... 0.032 .............0.032 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.031 .............. 0.031...................0.032 ...................2,720,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ......................................................... 5,600 .................. 330........................2 ........... 0.059 ...........0.059 ...........0.059........... 0.059 .............0.059 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.059..............0.058...................0.059.................... 7,375,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 354,622 ........... 26,592......................19 ............0.075 ........... 0.075 ...........0.074........... 0.075 .............0.075 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.074..............0.074...................0.075..................112,500,000........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK................................................38,580 ...............2,180........................5 ........... 0.057 ........... 0.057 ...........0.056........... 0.057 .............0.057 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.056..............0.056...................0.057...................57,000,000.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 807,835 ............81,704..................... 50 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 7........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ................................................... 76 ....................... 8........................1 ............0.106 ........... 0.106 ...........0.106........... 0.106 .............0.106 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.106..............0.106...................0.000 ..................33,882,124 .........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ............................. 77 ....................... 7........................1 ........... 0.096 ...........0.096 ...........0.096........... 0.096 .............0.096 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.096..............0.097...................0.099....................31,119,515..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .......................................................................................... 153 ..................... 15........................2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

INDIAN MARKETS

JA K A R TA E X PA N S I O N

Sensex firms up; rupee depreciates MUMBAI: India’s BSE Sensex on Wednesday staged a recovery by rising nearly 46 points to close at 26,713.93 on emergence of buying in telecom, fast moving consumer goods, IT, tech and realty sectors, driven by robust macro-economic data despite a resistance from global headwinds.

The 30-share BSE barometer opened higher at 26,684.46 and hovered between a high of 26,857.25 and a low of 26,671.86

before ending at 26,713.93, showing a modest gain of 45.97 points, or 0.17 per cent.

The 50-share index ended up by 19.85 points to finish at 8,179.95 before once again reclaiming the 8,200 mark during intra-day trade.

Rupee continues to fall Notwithstanding robust macro data, the rupee continued its incessant free fall for a third day against the United States currency

and ended lower by 19 paise at 67.45 on sustained demand for the American currency.

Strong dollar overseas and renewed capital outflows, too, largely weighed on trade. Reversing its two-day downward trend, the domestic currency opened a tad higher at 67.24 from Tuesday’s closing level of 67.26 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market on bouts of dollar selling from banks and exporters. - PTI

Lulu hypermarket makes its first foray into Indonesia Times News Service MUSCAT: Retail major Lulu Group marked its first retail push in the Far East by opening its hypermarket in the capital city of Jakarta, Indonesia.

The group has already announced its plans to invest $500 million as part of its expansion and intends set up 10 hypermarkets in the country in the next three years.

The hypermarket is expected to be one of its kind in the region and will attract large segment of population in the capital city of Jakarta.

Located in the Cakung sub district of East Jakarta with an area of over 200,000 square feet.

“With an initial investment of $300 million in the first phase, we plan to open 10 hypermarkets by the end 2017 and a central logistics and warehousing facility in Jakarta. These projects are likely to generate more than 5,000 job opportunities for Indonesians,”

said Yusuf Ali M A, chairman of the Lulu Group “We also plan to set up contract farming to ensure continuous supply of high quality products and to support the Indonesian agriculture sector,” he added.

The hypermarket was officially inaugurated by Joko Widodo, the President of Indonesia in the presence of Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, governor of Jakarta; Thomas Trikasih Lembong, Indonesian trade minister; Ahmed Ab-

dullah Al Mussali Al Awadi, the UAE’s ambassador to Indonesia, Husin Bagis, Indonesian ambassador to UAE and other ministers and government officials.

During the official visit to UAE last year, the Indonesian President had visited Lulu hypermarket in Abu Dhabi and expressed keen desire to have Lulu in Indonesia. He was impressed by the high standards of operations, quality of products, service and variety of products.

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

B3

MARKET PORT SERVICES

Sohar port opens operations control centre; volume doubles Times News Service MUSCAT: Sohar port announced the official completion of terminal C at its Oman International Container Terminal (OICT), besides opening a new operations control centre (OCC) and a state-of-the-art remote control crane centre.

The new facility allows the remote operation of recently installed quayside cranes that have sufficient reach to load and unload 20,000 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) ships, said a press release. As a taste of things to come, today saw the first visit of a 13,000 TEU vessel to Sohar Port, the MVMSC Altair at 366 metres the largest container vessel ever to visit the Omani logistics hub.

Dr Ahmed Mohammed Salem Al Futaisi, minister of transport and communications and Sultan bin

through direct contact with the truck operators and drivers, reducing waiting times and minimising environmental impact by avoiding unnecessary fuel wastage.

Salim Al Habsi, chairman of the board of Sohar Port and Freezone, secretary general of the Supreme Council for Planning, were present at the function.

The OICT is moving into a new

era of automation in Sohar, in line with continued growth in container throughput that has more than doubled in just eighteen months.

In addition to faster turnaround facilitated through automated load-

ing and unloading systems, OICT now boasts an online truck appointment system.

The new communications software schedules container truck arrival times at the terminal

Mega vessels “OICT is handling more frequent direct calls from mega-vessels at Terminal C where it is capable of handling the latest class of 20,000 TEU containership. The construction of Terminal D will increase our annual handling capacity by four times to six million TEU and construction may start as early as 2018-19,” said Albert Pang, chief executive officer of OICT. In addition to the new quayside cranes, OICT has invested heavily in new rubber-tyre gantry cranes (RTGCs) to further increase efficiency in the stack yards. Container Terminal B is now being fully re-

Global recovery won’t pick up in 2016, says OECD

WORKSHOP

SHARING KNOWLEDGE: The three-day workshop, provided by instructors from the National Training Institute at Riyada’s headquarters in Ghala, also offered a platform for small and medium enterprises to share experience. - Supplied picture

World economy will

PDO joins hands with Riyada to train entrepreneurs, SMEs

expand 3 per cent in 2016, the same pace as last year, and will only improve ‘a little’

Times News Service MUSCAT: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has conducted a training workshop for entrepreneurs and small business owners to improve their sales performance, marketing and customer service.

The company joined forces with Riyada, the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprises Development, to coach 60 of its members in new ways to be more profitable and productive.

The three-day workshop, provided by instructors from the National Training Institute at Riyada’s headquarters in Ghala, also offered a platform for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to share experience, knowledge and best practice with each other.

“Like Riyada, PDO believes that a thriving small business sector is essential to delivering more jobs and prosperity for Oman,” said Abdul Amir Abdul Hussein Al Ajmi, PDO external affairs and value creation director.

“The aim of the workshop was to help the participants become better at marketing their products and services and engage more effectively with their customers.

It is part of package of measures we are deploying to develop the capacity of Omani businesses so that they can compete successfully both at home and abroad,” he explained.

“It is important that the Sultanate’s economy diversifies, and vibrant and dynamic SMEs can play a major role in driving that change,” he added.

Support to SMEs The workshop was supported by PDO’s national objectives programme and was initiated after the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Riyada aimed at strengthening co-operation and collaboration between the two sides on training, business advice and knowledge exchange to help SMEs — firms with up to 100 employees — oper-

ate more successfully.

“Our ultimate objective is to provide solid support to SMEs in order to nurture the entrepreneurial culture in the Sultanate and enhance their contribution to the socio-economic development of the country,” said Khalid AlSafi Al Haraibi, deputy chief executive officer of Riyada.

“We thank our partners at PDO for their outstanding ongoing support in helping us to reach this aim and look forward to working with them in the future on this noble cause,” he adeed.

Last year, PDO awarded contracts worth more than S3.7 billion with nationally registered companies and offered a range of financial, operational, technical and corporate governance support to SMEs. Two business awareness workshops were held to support local vendor development and two others were staged to help local companies which had failed in previous bids for PDO contracts.

OILFIELD DEVELOPMENT

Iran plans oilfield tenders for global energy firms this month TEHRAN: Iran plans to invite international companies to bid for oilfield development rights in June, a government official said, as the Gulf country seeks to revive its energy industry after years of crippling sanctions.

The Oil Ministry will solicit bids in a tender round starting on June 21 and running for a month, state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Tuesday, citing Mehdi Hosseini, chairman of the ministry’s oil contracts revision committee.

National Iranian Oil Company is working on a model investment

constructed as Sohar Food Zone, a dedicated agro-berth with planned facilities for rice, grain and sugar processing. Planning work is also progressing on Terminal D, a massive new container terminal in Sohar that will boast a 1.2 kilometres long jetty once commissioned.

Sohar now handles over one million tonnes of cargo a week and more than 2,500 ships a year.

“It’s hard to imagine that we only saw our first ship here in Sohar a little over ten years ago. The growth in size and efficiency at OICT is phenomenal and we are proud to be able to partner with companies like Hutchison Port to operate our terminals. As we look around this amazing facility today, I am proud to be able to say to all our guests: ‘welcome to the new Gateway to the Gulf,” noted Andre Toet, chief executive officer of Sohar Port.

contract for any development agreements, he said.

Iran is rebuilding its oil and natural gas industries and restoring sales of crude after international sanctions were lifted in January.

Seventy fields The country, which will meet other Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) members this week in Vienna, is targeting an increase in production and exports to pre-sanctions levels. It refused to join other producers in a push to freeze output

at a meeting in Doha in April.

Iran’s oil exports have doubled since the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries last met in December, the Oil Ministry’s Shana news service reported Wednesday, citing Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh.

“This production boost has not only had no negative impact on the market, but rather it has been well absorbed by the market,” the oil minister added..

Benchmark Brent crude, which has gained 33 per cent this year, was 46 cents lower at $49.43 a barrel on Wednesday. - Bloomberg News

next year, said OECD secretary-general

Angel Gurria, secretary-general of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.

– Bloomberg News

PARIS: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) secretary-general Angel Gurria says the global economic recovery would not pick up this year and will improve only slightly in 2017 as trade fails to revive.

The world economy will expand 3 per cent in 2016, the same pace as last year, and will only improve ‘a little’ next year, Gurria said in an interview with Bloomberg Television in Paris. “Overall a rather mediocre, a rather dismal outlook,” the OECD chief said. “Trade is growing at 2 to 3 per cent; it should be growing at 7.”

The remarks underline the lacklustre growth as many emerging markets struggle with a slump in commodity prices and rich economies such as Europe and the United States fail to return to the sort of performance they typically had before the global financial crisis in 2008. The Paris-based OECD releases its semi-annual Economic Outlook at 10.30 Paris time on Wednesday.

Gurria warned UK voters that

opting to leave the European Union in a referendum June 23 will penalise the country economically, wiping the rough equivalent of a month’s wages off potential incomes, according to calculations.

Brexit is “a threat, but mostly it’s a threat to the well-being of the UK,” Gurria said. “It’s like a tax” but one “for which you get nothing in return.”

Low-growth trap The global economy is slipping into a self-fulfilling ‘low-growth trap’ where ultra-loose monetary policy risks doing more harm than good, the OECD warned.

In a highly critical editorial in the OECD’s latest ‘Economic Outlook’, rich world governments bear the brunt of the blame for failing to revive demand and failing overhaul their economies in the wake of the financial crisis in 2008.

According to the Paris-based group, which advises its 34 member countries, too much of the burden of lifting growth has been left to central banks. After pushing in-

terest rates below zero and pumping money into their economies through asset purchases, they are starting to see diminishing returns and their actions could even generate financial-market volatility.

“Monetary policy has been the main tool, used alone for too long,” OECD chief economist Catherine Mann said in the semi-annual report released on Wednesday. “In trying to revive economic growth alone, with little help from fiscal or structural policies, the balance of benefits-to-risks is tipping.”

Mann also said that “negative feedback loops are at work.” Lack of demand, global uncertainties and slow reform progress are deterring investment, while trade growth remains too weak, she said.

Growing distortions “Monetary policy cannot revive near and long-term growth by itself, and distortions are increasing,” the OECD said. Ultra-low and negative rates have stressed bank profitability and created financial strains for pension funds and insurers, while becoming “less potent” in stimulating consumption, it said.

“Fiscal policy must be deployed more extensively and can take advantage of the environment created by monetary policy,” Mann said in her editorial introducing the report. “Governments today can lock in very low interest rates for very long maturities to effectively open up fiscal space.” – Bloomberg News

HAVE YOUR SAY

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B4

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

FEATURE

D

iscussions of inequality often focus on income and wealth distribution.

But what is the right geographic unit to look at when we compare income and wealth?

Inequality has risen in the US and much of Europe, while it has fallen around the world thanks to rapid growth in developing countries.

But perhaps there is a third level that deserves more attention - local and urban inequality. Instead of comparing income levels across the country or the world, maybe we should be looking at the disparities between people who live next to each other.

One reason urban inequality is so important is that this is how most people experience the phenomenon on a daily basis -- in cities, rich, middle-class and poor people are in constant contact.

Experiments and other studies clearly show that people care about their status relative to reference groups, and one important reference group is the people who live nearby. That makes intuitive sense. If some rich person in Switzerland is buying a mansion, I only

perceive it as a statistic on paper, but every time I see someone walk into a restaurant that I can’t afford, it reminds me of my lower economic status.

These effects are visible in aggregate data as well. Economist Ed Glaeser finds a negative correlation between city-level inequality and self-reported happiness.

Does this mean we can make people happier simply by reducing inequality? Not necessarily.

Much of the correlation might be due to other factors. But given the similarity between this aggregate result and the outcomes of psychology experiments, it seems fair to conclude that people do not love living in places with big income disparities.

Income inequality Another reason we might want to focus more on inequality within

cities is that it touches on so many political issues. At the national level, income and wealth disparities are addressed by policies such as minimum wages, taxes and government-provided health care, on which few people have day-today input. But at the local level, inequality is affected by housing policy, zoning, transit, public schools, construction regulations, environmental protection and a host of other issues that absorb a lot of people’s time and attention.

One final reason to focus on urban inequality is that addressing the problem might not be nearly as costly as attacking inequality at the national level.

There is a well-known result in economics called the equityefficiency tradeoff, which states that if you redistribute income from rich to poor, you also make the country as a whole a bit worse off. In the extreme case, creating a society where everyone makes the same amount of money would also impoverish the nation -- not something anyone wants to do. If that trade-off holds at the local level as well, then fighting urban inequality might not be worth the cost.

But there is reason to believe that urban inequality does not force us into the same kind of trade-off as the national kind.

First, there is the aggregate evidence. Glaeser showed in his research that there is a clear negative correlation between local Gini coefficients, which measure income distribution, and median family income -- more equal cities also tend to be richer.

That suggests that there are ways to make cities prosper while also making them less unequal. So what are some steps we might take?

High rent The obvious approach is to reshape cities in ways that benefit the poor. Better transit would make it less of a chore for low-income people reach their jobs, making it easier for them to find work and reducing the likelihood that they will have to move in response to shifts in local demand. More development, especially more housing aimed at low-income occupants, would ease the burden of high rents.

That is especially important at a time when rents are rising quickly across the country.

Would better transit and more low-income housing development make cities poorer? Probably the opposite. Few would argue that excellent subway systems have impoverished New York, Tokyo or London. And intense development allows urban areas to take advantage of agglomeration effects, which are productivity boosts that economists believe come from denser cities.

In other words, density and transit let us escape the harsh logic of the equity-efficiency trade-off. They are pretty close to

being a free lunch. One underused weapon in this fight is land value taxes, which are property taxes with exemptions for development. And there are a host of other incentives that federal and state governments can use to encourage local governments to build more housing, remove more land-use restrictions and create livable urban space for many more people.

These might include affordable housing mandates and incentives, incentives for density, bigger subsidies for urban transit and more.

(In some areas, progressives have resisted policies like these, but let’s hope this attitude is shifting).

Another important question is how to help poor and workingclass people who are pushed out of their homes when rents in cities go up. Now, being forced to move is not entirely a negative, since

Perhaps there is a third level that deserves more attention — local and urban inequality.

Instead of comparing income levels across the country or the world, look at the disparities between people who live next to each other.

leaving bad neighbourhoods is helpful for many low-income people, and since gentrification often improves public services and provides better jobs for those poor people who are not displaced.

But those who are forced to move -- often by the brutal, inefficient process of eviction -- incur huge costs. It’s expensive and timeconsuming to move, to build new networks and to commute from cheaper outlying areas. These costs fall disproportionately on lower-income people, thus increasing inequality.

A natural fix is for the government to offer financial assistance to lower-income people who have to abandon their homes as rents rise. These would be similar to the federal Moving to Opportunity programme, which gives poor people housing vouchers to help them move to low-poverty areas, except they would be aimed at people in areas with rising rents. The relocation assistance could be funded by local taxes on landlords.

So urban inequality is more important than policy makers seem to realise. The national conversation about inequality cannot ignore this key aspect of the problem. Some of the fixes are there; we just have to act on them.

—Noah Smith/Bloomberg News

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

ROUND-UP

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B5

RFCC Cement Tiles wins Omantel’s Award for ‘Best Business Idea of Year’ Siham Said Al Siyabiya, founder of RFCC Cement Tiles, explained that the idea was based on re-using petroleum refineries’ waste to make cement tiles

MUSCAT: Omani researcher and engineer Siham Said Al Siyabiya, founder of RFCC Cement Tiles won an award for the ‘Best Project Idea of the Year 2015’ under the purview of the fourth edition of Omantel’s Business Excellence SME Awards.

This initiative from Omantel celebrates entrepreneurs as well

as Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) for their innovation and highlights their achievements, says a press release.

Sharing more about the winning project and its practicality, Siham explained that the idea was based on re-using petroleum refineries’ waste to make cement tiles. She mentioned that the most important advantage of this business idea is that it is focused on minimising environmental pollutants while creating a useful product.

Siham added, “Manufacturing of cement tiles gained its significance as being the main element in a majority of architectural installations. This industry does not require skilled labour and I learned that the idea can be executed in industrial areas across various governorates with ease. Furthermore, cement tiles are in high demand in Oman as well as in the Gulf region and setting up a manufacturing facility would assist in meeting local and global demand.”

Siham is also confident that her project idea ties together varied social, economic, environmental

as well as industrial elements. In other words, this would not only raise the Omani flag high, but also contribute towards providing meaningful employment opportunities for the local youth.

She commented that the idea of

the project received the 5th place globally in a competition organised by the British magazine International Journal of Engineering Research and Technology as the best innovative project idea which has not been applied worldwide.

Moreover, it was awarded second place in the Sultanate as the best student project on innovations in the Sultanate by the Muscat-based Caledonian College of Engineering.

Recently she got first winner in the Omantel Excellence SME Award in the category of the best project idea in 2015. In addition she was the second place winner in Entrepreneurship Award by the Public Authority for SME Development (Riyada) category of the best project idea 2015.

She added that the project aims to reduce the presence of wastes of petroleum refineries in the Omani environment and the risks caused by those wastes by using them to produce an environmentally-friendly product, create economic income and protect the industrial pollution.

She also highlighted that the

facilities and construction market is growing rapidly as a natural result of population increase, which will lead to the high demand of the product.

Together with a project providing an environmental solution to help reduce this waste and what is caused by pollutants to the environment, where the project works on transforming this waste by handling and using it in producing a mixture that can be used in manufacturing, an environmental friendly product Cement Tiles that provides multiple social, environmental , economic and industrial benefits.

“If I am able to implement the project, it would mean that we can transfer dangerous industrial wastes into an environmentally friendly product. Not to forget to mention the economic benefits that the nation and the community will get from it,” added Siham.

The product manufacturing method is innovative, new, easy and affordable, where the used elements are all local, wherein it depends on using petroleum re-

fineries remnants as raw material and also the product doesn’t get affected by rising raw materials rates, and its quality as same as the biggest local companies product quality in this area, but on the contrary what distinguishes it is that available in a competitive price.

Discussing the timeline where her project will begin, Siham said, “Presently, I am on the lookout for partners who believe in the project and would like to invest in it – be it from the government or the private sector. In the meanwhile, I am also working towards finalising the process of obtaining the necessary permits together with other legal requirements of the project, so that we are fully prepared when the investor(s) are available.”

She commended the attention shown by Omantel in providing material and moral support to the small and medium enterprises, along with the continued support provided by the company to entrepreneurs by backing their abilities and skills, and enabling them to achieve success in their particular fields.

RECOGNITION

I N F O R M AT I O N & C O M M U N I C AT I O N S T E C H N O L O G Y

ICT seminar concludes on high note Nikon D5 Digital SLR receives MUSCAT: An informative, unique and high profile seminar on Information & Communications Technology (ICT), concluded recently at Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort in Muscat. The keynote speakers at the seminar were Jorge Sebastiao and Javed A. Abbasi, says a press release.

Jorge Sebastiao, is an ICT expert and award winning speaker who brings in lot of experience, creativity, structure and innovation to modern ICT applications and solutions. He is senior consultant to many governments and corporates worldwide.

The associate speaker, Javed Abbasi, is a multi-talented visionary, who has nearly two decades of diversified experience in the field of Information & Communication Security. He has been involved in major information security implementations worldwide. Abbasi has also made contributions to the Nasa Asteroid Project. He has also won many international awards Professional Excellence.

The seminar was organised

by Oman Advertising Agency (OmanAd) - Conferences and Seminars Management Division - with the support from Information Technology Authority - Oman National CERT and was titled ‘Expect the Unexpected - Be prepared. Be secured. It was attended by a significant number of attendees, which included members from various government entities, corporates, banking sectors, financial sectors, private organisations and individuals etc.

“The recent ICT security seminar delivered very relevant topics to Oman IT professionals. The experts on the topics shared their insights on the IT security threats facing the industry and urged organisations and participants

Camera GP 2016 Readers Award

to be prepared and be secured,” commented, Mohammed Fuad Adams, head of IT Internal Audit, Bank Nizwa.

“The seminar was very impressive, informative, interactive and beneficial. Moreover, the speakers presented updated and valuable tools and techniques towards ICT Security and was a good platform for all professionals.

We are thankful to the organiser for conducting such useful seminar and bringing the keynote speakers Jorge and Javed to Oman,” commented Mohammed Hilal Al Reyami, AGM & head of Internal Auditor, Dhofar.

“This was our yet another humble endeavour which benefitted Oman’s ICT and IT professionals.

With the encouraging feedback from our participants, we are committed to bring such world renowned expert speakers in future to Oman whose contribution will support ICT security professionals and aspiring students and

an opportunity to attend world class seminars right here in Oman at their doorstep,” added Mini Mary John, project consultant, OmanAd. “The seminar had a correct mix of technical explanations and case studies. It also provided participants with real take home value that they can apply to their profession and individual lives on a daily basis. Plenty of case studies, a hands on approach and demonstrations were used to unravel the fascinating world of ICT. “Moreover, it was an excellent opportunity for the participants to learn and understand from the speakers, the latest tools, techniques and methods being used in ICT security,” claimed the organiser.

The organisers expressed their gratitude to ITA - OCERT, for their continuous support in conducting such seminar, Times of Oman (media partner) and everyone who supported them to make the seminar a grand success.

MUSCAT: Nikon D5 Digital SLR camera became the recipient of the Camera GP (Grand Prix) 2016 Readers Award recently.

The Readers Award is presented to the camera that is selected through voting by users.

Out of the nine times the Readers Award has been presented, Nikon Digital SLR cameras have been the recipients of the award a total of seven times, proving that Nikon cameras are extremely popular with and appreciated by a great number of camera users, says a press release.

“The Nikon D5 is one of the best DSLR cameras in the world and it has been doing very well in the Oman market. The receipt of this award further reinforces our dedication to introduce world class products to our valued customers,” said Rohit Shah, GM, Khimji’s Luxury and Lifestyle (Aalami Stores).

A few outstanding features that drove up customer preference for the D5 are its high-sensitivity

specifications that support a high ISO 102400, while maintaining superior image quality, advanced AF and a touch screen monitor.

D5 is equipped with a newgeneration, 153-point AF system capable of capturing the intended subject under a wide variety of conditions.

Built-in functions and performance respond to a variety of on-site demands and achieve fast workflows. In addition, the camera is available in two versions – one that supports XQD cards and another that supports Compact-

Flash cards.

Earlier this year, the D5 was also the recipient of the TIPA Awards 2016 Best DSLR Professional/Action awards, sponsored by the Technical Image Press Association (TIPA).

Khimji’s Luxury and Lifestyle (Aalami Stores) is home to a variety of international fashion, lifestyle, adventure and sports brands. The Nikon D5 is available at various Khimji’s Luxury and Lifestyle stores (Aalami Stores) apart from leading retailers like Lulu, Carrefour and eXtra.

‘ O T C G O T TA L E N T – 2 0 1 6 ’

OTC event showcases talents of its students 'effect', the mental energiser from Germany, says a press release.

The youth appreciated the new exciting energy drink brand effect® in Oman. After doing sampling at the event, more than 500 youths tasted the brand.

Ashok Kumar, team leader of effect- NMWC, commented that the new taste was really enjoyed by all.

MUSCAT: Oman Tourism College (OTC) organised ‘OTC Got Talent – 2016’, an event to discover college students’ talents, recently. National Mineral Water Company (NMWC) supported the event.

New energy drink NMWC took the opportunity to exhibit the new brand of energy drink

A D VA N C E D F E AT U R E S

WORKSHOPS

Geely redefining ‘Made in China’ cars brands Creative Archive Gathering concludes at Middle East College MUSCAT: Chinese auto-maker Geely is redefining the perception of China-made models.

With its new fleet of cars with advanced features and technologies, and a successful performance globally, Geely has overturned people’s traditional view of Chinese cars. Today, the brand Geely is synonymous with top quality, reliability and safety for all, says a press release.

Closer to home, Geely has won over consumers in the GCC and Middle East region with its product line-up and smart pricing. In Saudi Arabia and Oman, its progress has been much inspiring.

Recently, Geely started its operations in UAE with showrooms and service centres in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah and in the first 10 months of trading in Dubai’s tough auto market, Geely has already sold 600 cars.

Indeed, Geely, the fastest growing Chinese brand, has come of age.

The cars are designed by 300 plus European designers at the Geely R&D centre in Sweden headed by

Peter Horbury, a renowned British Volvo chief designer who came to fame for designing top luxury auto brands. He has been assisting in Geely Design in Europe and Make in China and this has ensured that Geely cars have a high level of quality both in engineering and design.

A spokesperson from Towell Auto Centre (TAC), sole distributor of Geely cars in the Sultanate of Oman, said: “In Oman, Geely has had over four successful years of operations and the brand continues to grow strong among its existing and prospective buyers.

Geely’s entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to innovation and manufacturing efficiency enables it to provide excellent cars that are economical, environment friendly

and energy efficient. Such qualities make Geely compete effectively with its industry peers, as it continues to grow domestically and expand internationally. It consolidates Geely’s global footprint and assists in the Chinese automaker’s efforts to deliver world-class product technologies and attributes at an unbelievable value.”

Geely recently launched its most ambitious car, the Emgrand GT, designed by Peter Horbury that was crowned China’s Car of the Year at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show. It is the first car based on joint architecture developed with Volvo cars, which was bought over by Geely in 2010. Launched in Oman in January this year, the Emgrand GT #SuperSedan is the ground breaking model of Geely that offers quality, comfort, design, safety, performance along with a reasonable price. It has excellent and high quality equipment levels – an area that Chinese cars usually excel in.

Available in Oman with 2.4L and 3.5L engines, the Emgrand GT

meets Geely Total Safety Management System requirements and puts safety at the forefront with regards to both passive and active safety systems. This gives the driver and the passengers’ complete peace of mind at all times.

A Fortune 500 company, Geely (officially Zhejiang Geely Holding Group) is also the acquirer of the Swedish Volvo brand of Cars and Manganese Bronze Holdings - the manufacturers of the London Black Taxis.

The Geely range is known for its global classy appeal, outstanding technology, performance and high-end active and passive safety elements with ISO 9000 and C-NCAP certification. From the design concept to the manufacturing, all Geely models have been developed in accordance with European standards and by using global technological resources.

By bringing the Geely range to the Sultanate, TAC has reinforced its commitment to provide highquality products and services to its customers in Oman.

MUSCAT: The Archive Club at Middle East College (MEC) organised the 3rd Creative Archive Gathering recently.

It was inaugurated by Dr Jumaa bin Khalifa Al Busaidi, directorate-general for Research and Records Circulation, National Records and Archives Authority, Sultanate of Oman, in the presence of other eminent people from the authority, says a press release.

Many events were organised during the gathering, which included an exhibition on information archiving techniques, a workshop on how to record information, which was presented by the National Records and Archives Authority and a lecture presented by Sheikh Salem Al Numani. In addition to these events, there were student presentations that included poetry

and other competitions.

Dr Shamsa Al Musafir,faculty, Centre for Records Management & Archival Studies, MEC, in her address, said: “The gathering comes as a part of the continuous effort from MEC to provide the best to its students. It aims to gather experts and students in the field of Archives and Records Management to present their skill and work in this area of study. The different workshops and lectures that were conducted during the event are evidence of this.”

It is worth mentioning that MEC recently celebrated the graduation of its 5th batch of Archive and Records Management students. The ARM programme was introduced at MEC in 2009, in collaboration with the National Records and Archives Authority.

B6

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

ROUND-UP Toyota Avalon now comes with cashback

LUCKY WINNER

This one-of-a-kind Toyota is now available with many benefits during the on-going Toyota promotion, which ends on July 21

MUSCAT: The 2016 Toyota Avalon is an exceptional sedan with an elegant and refined design. One of the most upscale cars in the class, the Toyota Avalon has an array of sophisticated touches that draw attention.

This one-of-a-kind Toyota is now available with many benefits during the on-going Toyota promotion, which ends on July 21, says a press release.

“You will experience the ‘biggest excitement ever’ when you own an Avalon with a cashback of OMR1,100,” reminds the spokesperson, “That is not all, you are going to be eligible for a grand raffle with four Toyota Prius E. And to top it all, there also a gift voucher for you and your family to spend at a prominent shopping mall.”

Conditions apply, for exact details visit the showroom.

“This offer makes an Avalon so much more tempting to own,” agreed an enthusiast, “A great product with an equally exciting offer – what more is there to ask for!” A coveted model, the Avalon is adorned with many features

and design elements that make it stand out from the crowd.

In Oman, Toyota’s outstanding product quality is supported by the nationwide parts and service network of the Saud Bahwan Automotive.

11TH ANNIVERSARY

Sky Jewellery anniversary celebrations begin today MUSCAT: Sky Jewellery is all set to surprise its customers during the 11th anniversary celebrations in Muscat.

The full swing anniversary celebrations that will kickstart today at 6pm at Ruwi High street showroom will last till June 11 with a grand draw on June 12 for 51 sovereigns, says a press release.

Any customers who turn up for the anniversary ceremonies today from 5pm onwards will have all probability to be selected as the chief celebrity. A lucky customer will be selected from the public as the chief celebrity, who will be welcomed with a bouquet by Babu John, managing director, will officially cut the cake marking the celebrations inaugurated in front of the media, invited guests and

A lucky customer will be selected from the public as the chief celebrity other dignitaries. The celebrity in the limelight can also bag two gold coins as an instant lucky golden gift for being the chief guest of the occasion. Further 11 other lucky customers also will be selected from the gathering to join the celebrity during the ceremonies with an award of half a sovereign each to all of them.

“I always believed in my customers. This has been my vision to share the merit of our success to the society in general but

through such anniversary celebrations of course to our valuable customers. Over the past 10 years whoever have turned up during the anniversary celebrations have literally experienced our commitment and promise in this connection,” stated Babu John, managing director, Sky Jewellery.

“Special anniversary collections in gold, diamonds and polki have been launched. As it is the time of big buying in preparation for the upcoming holiday season, attractive promotional factors also had been added to the anniversary celebrations to benefit the customers to meet the occasion. 10% pre-booking has started to extend the unmatching merit of the lowest gold rate for delivery between June 2 and 11. All

E X PA N S I O N

the purchases are to be rewarded with sparkling free gifts. Every day 25 early bird customers would get free gold coins and special surprises every day during happy hours between 2pm and 5pm,” said Cyriac Varghese, general manager of the group.

Above all these freebies there are also chances for winning 51 gold coins during the anniversary celebrations exclusively at the anniversary outlet in Ruwi.

Diamonds and polki collections have instant cash back with all purchases.

“Highlighted are only some of the offers and we invite all our customers and well wishers to be part of the family get together today and share the joy of winning and succeeding together,” added Babu.

alizz bank to hold first monthly draw for Bushra Prize Savings Account MUSCAT: alizz Islamic bank will conduct the first Shariacompliant Bushra Savings Account cash prize draw next Tuesday. All cash prizes are gifted from shareholders’ funds.

The bank will offer weekly OMR1,000, monthly OMR25,000 and quarterly OMR50,000 prizes as well as a year-end grand prize OMR100,000. One person will be selected for the monthly cash prize, three for the weekly, one for the quarterly and another for the grand prize at the end of the year, says a press release.

Bushra Savings Account is based on the Sharia principle of ‘Mudaraba’ whereby the bank invests customer savings in Shariacompliant financing in order to generate the best possible returns and profits. The customer acts as a capital provider while the bank as ‘Mudarib’ or entrepreneur. All customer funds along with the bank’s own capital will be pooled and invested in Sharia-compliant investment vehicles; with the profits split with the bank and customers according to predetermined ratios.

To qualify for the programme, the minimum opening account balance required is OMR100. To facilitate and expedite their daily transactions, customers should apply for a free debit card. In order to be eligible to for the prize element, a weekly minimum balance of OMR100 must be maintained. The bank will additionally give quarterly profits to the savings account holders.

The account is yet another innovative product that the bank has launched to provide its customers with products that cater to their respective financial needs. It comes with different features and facilities including quarterly profits, a free debit card, online and mobile phone banking services and short text message alerts.

So far 15 winners have been given awarded weekly cash prizes since the Bushra Prize Savings Account was launched. Today, alizz Islamic bank delivers over 26 Sharia-compliant products to satisfy customer different needs and requirements.

EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTOR

Eint Automotive partners with Diamondback tyres

Joyalukkas opens two new showrooms in Saudi Arabia JEDDAH: Joyalukkas Jewellery opened two new showrooms in Saudi Arabia, one in Lulu Hypermarket, Near Event Mall, Makkah Road, Jeddah and second at Dammam Ladies Market, Prince Saud bin Jalawy St., Dammam respectively.

This is as part of its mega expansion plan for this financial year as committed rapid expansion across GCC, India and a couple of new countries, says a press release.

“This compliments my vision to make the brand accessible and available to every jewellery lover in the world,” said Joy Alukkas, chairman and MD, Joyalukkas Group.

Joyalukkas Jewellery is cur-

rently a 120 plus showroom chain network spread across 11 countries around the world. The brand which is one of the world’s largest jewellery retail chains is a part of a multi-billion dollar global conglomerate, which has varied business interests.

10 million customers The world’s largest jewellery retail chain has presence in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Singapore, London, Malaysia and India and will soon open in two new countries. The jewellery retailer currently has a customer base of over 10 million customers

worldwide and offers over 1 million choices in all types of jewellery at each of its showroom.

“Our plan for Joyalukkas Jewellery in this financial year (20152016) includes strengthening our presence across various parts of India and opening our showrooms in cities and towns that we feel is ready for Joyalukkas experience,” said John Paul Alukkas, executive director, Joyalukkas Group.

“My vision for our jewellery business is to ‘ornament the world’ and we will manage this by offering customers the best mix of price, choice, convenience and service” concluded Joy Alukkas.

MUSCAT: Eint Automotive, a part of the WJ Towell Group, has created a distinct reputation for providing world-class tyres to their quality-conscious customers. Their latest partnership with Diamondback, one of the leading tyre brands worldwide, has resulted in the introduction to the local market.

Owing to its scale of operations, well-established position in the market and an excellent image with regard to quality service, Eint Automotive was appointed as the exclusive distributor of Diamondback tyres from Triangle Group Oman, says a press release.

“Diamondback tyres have always been one of our most popular products and we needed a strong distributor who would carry the name of the brand with the same passion as we have,” said David Sun, sales president, Global Business and Market Development Centre for Africa and Middle East.

“We did not have to dig very deep to establish the capabilities that Eint Automotive held and we are delighted to have them as our local distributor.”

The agreement to acquire and commence the distribution operations was signed amidst senior officials of both Triangle Group and WJ Towell Group.

Diamondback tyres offer an extensive line of medium radial truck and passenger tyres with a variety

of application-specific patterns.

A leading group founded in 1976, Diamondback can boast of being a part of the largest tyre producer in China with a current annual production capacity of more than 30 million units. Diamondback includes a range of tyres including truck and bus radial tyres (TBR), passenger car and light truck radial tyres (PCR/LTR), off-road radial tyres (OTR), jumbo OTR, as well as various types of bias tyres and retreaded tyres.

Diamondback dedicates itself to innovation, development and manufacturing of commercial and passenger vehicle tyres for a variety of field applications.

Currently,the brand offers more than 4,000 types. With a rich history giving the brand much credit, its parent company was also the first tyre company in China to

receive the prestigious certification of ‘China World Famous Trademark’ and ‘China Name Brand Product’. Diamondback tyres emerges from a group whose products have passed the stringent performance tests of Caterpillar and Volvo. It also plays a leading role in China’s domestic market, providing OE tyres to more than fifty major Chinese automobile companies.

“We are proud to have been recognised and given the role of being the authorised and exclusive dealers of this renowned brand,” said Raj Nair, business unit head, Eint Automotive, Tyre Division.

“Diamondback tyres come from a group that has earned recognition from its customers worldwide with top quality products which we complement with our excellent service component.”

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‘GOODS MURABAHA & SERVICE IJARAH’

alizz offers Sharia compliant personal finance solutions MUSCAT: alizz Islamic bank offers ‘Goods Murabaha & Service Ijarah’ based personal finance innovative solutions, in furtherance of its continued efforts to help innovate Sharia compliant banking solutions and help customers to pursue their aspirations.

The personal finance options helps customers make their dreams come true and satisfy their needs for a modern lifestyle, says a press release.

Simple process The financing application process could not be simpler. All a customer has to do is to file an application accompanied by a written quotation for the goods the customer

This is one of many custom-designed products the bank provides to its esteemed customers, particularly the youth, in order to help them buy anything they desire. We offer many banking facilities with competitive and affordable rates for everyone Moosa Al Jadidi

Deputy general manager and head of Retail Banking - alizz Islamic bank

wishes the bank to finance. The bank will, based on this request, purchase the goods from the vendor and sell the same back to the customer at mutually agreed profit mark-up and deferred instalments. The price of sale represents the original price of merchandise plus the agreed profit.

The options of the goods can be anything from furniture, household appliances, and construction materials or acquire a wide variety of goods. While on Service Ijarah based the customer can request financing for, education, tie the knot, travel packages, Haj and Umrah and many more.

At alizz Islamic bank, personal finance comes with numerous

Ramadan benefits on Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L existing Nissan owner or his/her immediate family members.

Customers of Nissan

Special EMI rate Customers can avail special EMI rate starting from OMR184 on buying Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L.

Pathfinder 3.5L stand to gain much from the ‘Season of Rewards’ offer, as Nissan Oman is offering a host of attractive value propositions

MUSCAT: Nissan Oman, from the house of Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, has announced exceptional deals for the customers of Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L as part of the ‘Season of Rewards’ Ramadan offer.

Customers of Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L stand to gain much from the ‘Season of Rewards’ offer, as Nissan Oman is offering a host of attractive value propositions.

Making the process of Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L ownership easier

and attractive, Nissan Oman has planned a series of exclusive offers for customers. The offers include attractive cash gift, free periodic maintenance service package, fuel card, free registration, extended mileage warranty.

Customers can also participate in a grand raffle. In addition, there are benefits on purchase of second vehicle in family as well as a part of loyalty scheme, says a press release.

Assured cash gift Customers can avail assured cash gift of OMR1,250 on buying Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L. Scratch and win gifts Customers will get a scratch and win card which will entitle them

to two assured gifts comprising free periodic maintenance service upto lifetime of the car (minimum assured 1 year/ 10,000km PMS; offer includes new service intervals of (10,000km) and free fuel up to OMR1,000 (minimum assured of OMR50).

Extra benefits Buyers can enjoy extra benefits such as free registration, 6 years unlimited mileage extended warranty, loyalty card benefits among others.

Additional benefits Customers stand to enjoy additional benefits on purchase of a second Nissan vehicle in the family. To avail additional benefits under the scheme, the second car can be purchased either in the name of

Suitable financing options SBA has designed some easy and convenient financing options to ease the convenience of owning a Nissan Pathfinder 3.5L. Flexible EMIs can also be tailor made for any individual requirement from in-house auto finance team.

Special interest rate of 2.99% is offered on all Nissan Pathfinder 3.5 Litre variants during the above said campaign period.

Grand raffle Nissan patrons have a chance to win two X-Trails 2.5S 7STR CVT 16 MY in the ‘grand SMS and win raffle draw’ that will be held on June 20 and July 18 at Qurum showroom. Anybody can SMS to 90466 to enter the contest.

Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is largely committed to supporting Nissan’s growth in the Sultanate through major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services in Oman.

7TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Joyalukkas achieves Superbrand status most respected independent brand excellence authorities, strengthening a brand’s image and reassuring consumers and suppliers that they are dealing with the best in a specific category. In the jewellery industry, Joyalukkas has the distinction of being the only brand to have received this honour seven times in a row.

With a presence across the UK, USA, Singapore, UAE, Malaysia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and India at over 120 world-class jewellery showrooms, Joyalukkas has become a household name for variety, quality and value. With unique offerings like the world’s first and only Diamond Cave, a dedicated wedding planning service and the comprehensive Joyalukkas Golden Rewards loyalty programme, Joyalukkas is not only recognised as one of the world’s best brands in the industry but also as the world’s favourite jeweller.

DUBAI: Three decades in operations, Joyalukkas has seen more than its share of accolades and honours, but every award is still celebrated as its first.

“We are ‘super’ thrilled to have been recognised as a Superbrand for the seventh consecutive year.

It is indeed a privilege to receive Superbrand status, but to get this recognition this many times in a row is a remarkable feat we have only our customers to thank for, without their loyalty and support, we would not have the drive to work harder and innovate more so they continue to enjoy the highest level of service and the best choice of quality products.

We thank the Superbrands Council and our patrons for giving us this honour once again,” said John Paul Alukkas, executive director, Joyalukkas Group.

Brand excellence authority Superbrands is one of the world’s LIGHTS AND ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES

Light House offers 70% discount sale MUSCAT: Light House, a leading company trading in lights and electrical accessories, is all set to brighten up the Sultanate.

Marching ahead with its expansion in the Oman market, it has opened its second showroom recently in Honda Road, Ruwi, making it the largest lighting showroom in the area. The first outlet was opened in Al Hail and has been successfully operational since its launch.

As a warm welcome to its customers, Light House pitched upon the perfect gift by offering a 70% sale on its products, which has been on the go since May 28. The sale is a limited period offer that will extend

till Eid, says a press release.

Lighthouse delivers a wide range of products, around 5,000 varieties to choose from at affordable prices.

Light House has plans to launch five showrooms at different locations across the country within a span of three years. With

a professional expertise of over 25 years in the field, the company in collaboration with the some of the most reputed brands like Legend, NOPL, Lume Italia, Lumitek, WISS, promises to bring in world class quality of light products to its customers.

Wall lights, pendant lights, street lights, crystal chandeliers, kids lights, modern lights, solar lights, flood lights, LED lights and sensor lights are some of its striking varieties. Packed with high end light products, Light House provides light products for residential purposes, ranging from small residential homes to multimillion pound mansions. It also has an exclusive collection that caters to the demands of trendy light designs in large commercial developments, restaurants and hotels. Unique lights influenced

by Islamic designs are also in store for the sole purpose of lighting in mosques.

features and benefits for Omani nationals, resident expatriates and businesspersons alike, including financing up to 100 percent of the value of goods. The process itself requires simple documentation, easy approvals and salary transfer.

But most importantly, the customer will get to know the mark-up and instalments before he signs the agreement.

Moosa Al Jadidi, deputy general manager and head of Retail Banking - alizz Islamic bank said: “This is one of many custom-designed products the bank provides to its esteemed customers, particularly the youth, in order to help them buy anything they desire.

“We offer many banking facili-

ties with competitive and affordable rates for everyone.”

He stressed: “The ultimate objective of our products is to satisfy our customers’ needs. We know, of course, that youth constitutes the largest segment of our society and therefore it is incumbent upon us to ensure that our Sharia-compliant personal finance options make their wish a reality on the ground.

Through Murabaha, they can own a car, goods, land and buildings.”

It should be noted that alizz Islamic bank makes available to its customers myriad financing options exceeding 26 products.

Besides, it provides several financing solutions for various business projects.

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Bank Muscat honours Omani forensic doctor for unique achievement at ICC ‘I owe this achievement to the valuable opportunities made available for Omanis to excel in their respective fields by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said,’ said Dr Mohsin Al Amri MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in line with its commitment to support and honour national achievements, felicitated Dr Mohsin Al Amri for his unique

achievement as the first Arab forensic doctor to be appointed in the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague, Netherlands.

Sheikh Khalid bin Mustahail Al Mashani, chairman, led the honouring ceremony at Bank Muscat head office, in the presence of Ab-

dulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive, and top management team members, says a press release.

Congratulating Dr Mohsin Al Amri for the rare achievement, Sheikh Khalid said: “Oman is proud of this great achievement, which reflects on the competence

and high standards of the country’s medical and legal resources.

The gesture to honour Dr Mohsin comes as part of Bank Muscat initiatives to encourage and promote excellence in all fields contributing to the country’s progress and development.”

Dr Mohsin thanked Bank Muscat for the encouraging gesture and said: “The Sultanate under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has recorded spectacular progress and development during the past 46 years. In the field of medicine and jurispru-

dence, Oman has made significant advances and I owe this achievement to the valuable opportunities made available for Omanis to excel in their respective fields by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.”

Dr Mohsin has more than 35 year experience in Forensic Science, DNA Techniques and Biotechnology. He is a DNA fingerprinting and forensic expert. His educational qualifications include PhD in DNA fingerprinting and MSc in forensic science from Strathclyde University, United Kingdom. He has contributed to the establishment of forensic laboratories and DNA database in the GCC countries.

Committed to its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision for the nation and the people, Bank Muscat is proud to have led the way in contributing to sustainable development in Oman with various initiatives. As the nation’s leading financial institution, Bank Muscat aims to provide the momentum for citizens to attain excellence in all arenas and thereby contribute to the development and progress of Oman.

C E L E B R AT I O N

Ooredoo Springboard programme empowers 150 new female graduates MUSCAT: Under the patronage of Mohammed bin Salim Al Toobi, Minister of Environment and Climate Affairs, Ooredoo celebrated the graduation of 150 female public sector employees from the world renowned Springboard programme.

Attended by members of the Ooredoo management team and dignitaries from the Ministry of the Civil Service, the celebratory morning also saw the presentation of prizes for the three best team projects completed during the empowering and confidence-building course, says a press release.

Designed for women by women, this worldwide programme, run

by Ooredoo in collaboration with the British Council, empowers Oman’s female workforce. During the intensive course, women from multiple government agencies and sectors across the Sultanate were taught essential management skills, soft skills, communication,

self-empowerment, and public speaking, to name but a few.

“Ooredoo believes that the Sultanate’s ambitious female population is one of its strongest assets.

They have important roles to play

in business, industry, government, and academia; their achievements helping power Oman’s continued success and prosperity. We welcome progressive programmes like Springboard that help them

fulfil their ambitions and make their aspirations a reality as we work together for a better tomorrow,” said Kumail Al Moosawi, Ooredoo Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer.

The Springboard Programme is an example of successful public-private sector collaboration and and has been supported by the Government of Oman, Ooredoo, the British Council and Oman Publishing House.

It is based on input sessions and community-based project work, which is designed to leave a real impact.

Positive female role models regularly share their success stories with the participants who also benefit from a range of valuable networking opportunities with

women from a variety of sectors.

Activities are supported by a detailed resource-filled workbook with features that include accomplishments by women in Oman.

With a firm and enduring belief in the potential of Oman’s talent pool, Ooredoo offers development programmes, scholarships, sponsorship and internships. It is committed to giving opportunities to Omanis to help achieve its vision to enrich the lives of the people of Oman by providing reliable, innovative and excellent communications services.

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Ali all praise for Summer Sports to spot the talent, who can hopefully be groomed to be future national team players. That’s one of the main objectives of their involvement in the programme,” she added.

The list of activities of the programme, as in the 2015 edition, includes ‘youth activities’, ‘youth camps’, ‘youth tours’ and ‘encourage your team’. There will also be special camps for girls.

Speaking at the launch of the 11th Summer Sports Programme, which will run till August 31, Ali Al Habsi described the programme as a great initiative that is proving beneficial for the country’s children and the youth

A. SESHAGIRI RAO

11TH EDITION: Oman football great Ali Al Habsi, left, poses for a photo along with Ooredoo and Ministry of Sports Affairs after the launch of 2016 Summer Sports Programme at the minstry’s headquarters on Wednesday. – TALIB AL WAHAIBI/Times of Oman

MUSCAT: Football legend Ali Al Habsi has described the Summer Sports Programme, which aims at engaging both Omani and expatriate children and youth in sports activities during the summer break, as a ‘great initiative’ that is benefiting the society in many aspects.

Speaking at the launch of the 2016 edition of the Ministry of Sports Affairs ambitious project at the ministry’s headquarters on Wednesday, Ali Al Habsi said: “I would like to congratulate the Ministry of Sports Affairs for successfully running a programme that benefits the society over the years. Without doubt this is a great initiative by the ministry.”

The Oman national football team

captain, who was present at the launch ceremony as an ambassador of programme’s main sponsors Ooredoo, said: “The programme’s objective itself is commendable as it is aimed at engaging the children and the youth of Oman in sports activities during the summer.

“This programme is very beneficial to society at large. With the schools and colleges closed for summer holidays, the children and youth now have an opportunity to spend their time in a constructive and useful way.”

“It’s not just about engaging the children but developing the right interest in sports.

“Through this programme the children are introduced to differ-

raoas@timesofoman.com ent sports and once they develop the interest, they can further pursue that particular discipline, which I think will be beneficial for the child, the family and the society at large,” he added.

Earlier, Fahd Al Raisi, Director General of Sports Development and Welfare at the Ministry of Sports Affairs, while introducing the Omani-Qatri telecommunication company Ooredoo as the main sponsors said: “We would like to thank Ooredoo for coming forward to be the main sponsor of our Summer Sports Programme this year.

“Like in the previous years, this time too we are hoping to organise a very successful programme.

And like in the past, the activities

will be open to all, both Omanis and expatriates.”

24 sports Giving the details of this year’s activities, programme in-charge and ministry official, Ruqaiya Al Jabri, said: “This will be the 11th year of our programme and we are hoping to have another successful edition of our programme.”

“This year’s programme will officially start on June 5 and lasts till August 31,” she said.

“With the aim of making the programme beneficial for more children and youth, we will be involving more coaches and officials. In all there will be 24 sports activities during the programme,” she added.

“The activities will take place in several places across the Sultanate. The venues include the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex and other sports and youth complex in other parts of the country. We will also be using some of the schools as venues,” she informed.

The ministry official also revealed that this year some of the sports committees will also be involved with the activities, which the main objective of spotting the talented children.

“Some of the sports committees, like bowling committee, will be completely involved in the programme, trying to introduce and promote their respective sports.

The members will also be looking

FRENCH OPEN

CRICKET

Murray, Wawrinka set up semifinal showdown PARIS: Number two seed Andy Murray overcame a bout of French Open ‘dropshotitis’ on Wednesday to beat Richard Gasquet, the last home player in the singles draw, in four sets and set up a semifinal clash with Stan Wawrinka.

Briton Murray played with power and control during the early part of a 5-7, 7-6 (3), 6-0, 6-2 win that maintained a perfect 5-0 grand slam record against the ninth-seeded Frenchman, breaking when Gasquet double-faulted to lose the second game and consolidating to lead 5-2.

But the momentum shifted dramatically in the eighth game when the Scot, stepping further into the court as he tried to force the pace, conceded three points in a row with unforced errors when 0-30 up.

Gasquet broke back in the next game and, as Murray turned increasingly to drop shots that the Frenchman began to read, reeled off the following three games to take a set his opponent had been in the most comfortable of box seats to win.

To the joy of a packed and increasingly animated pro-Gasquet centre court crowd, the pattern of the first set began to repeat itself in the second.

Murray again led 5-2, this time breaking in the sixth game, before his dropshot woes returned.

Gasquet, beginning to dominate as his silky one-handed backhand found its range and throwing in the odd drop shot of his own, duly broke back and took the set to a tiebreak.

But Murray won the breaker 7-3, claiming six points in a row from 3-1 down — including a set-winning drop shot - in what he identified as a turning-point.

“It was very, very important to win the second set because it was a very physical match up to that point,” he said courtside.

This time the Scot maintained his dominance and, reading Gasquet’s serve more easily and bringing his superior fitness to bear, took sets three and four with the loss of just two more games.

Murray knows his opponent in Friday’s semifinal — which will be his fourth in Paris and his 19th in grand slams — may present a tougher challenge.

Ali committed to Reading Later, Ali Al Habsi spoke to Times Sport about Oman national football team’s forthcoming camps and friendlies, and about his future with English championship side Reading FC. With Oman team having no immediate international assignments, coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro has planned a series of camps and a few friendlies as part of their preparations for the Asian Cup third round qualifiers, which are scheduled for next year.

Ali said he will always be available for the national duty though it is not possible to attend all the forthcoming camps.

“I will always be available for the national duty. It is not possible to attend the camps due to my club engagements. But I will surely be playing the international friendly matches which are planned to be played during the FIFA Days,” Ali said.

Asked about his future with Reading FC, he said: “At the moment I am not even thinking about any other options. My present contract with Reading runs till next year and I am completely committed to the team.”

Ali Al Habsi, the first Omani player to play in the English Premier League, moved to Reading FC from Wigan Athletic in mid 2015 on a two-year contract, which runs till June 15, 2017.

IN SEMIFINALS: Andy Murray is ecstatic after reaching the last four stage at Roland Garros. – Reuters

“(Stan) is obviously playing great tennis,” he said. “It is going to be extremely difficult (but) hopefully I can play my best tennis and reach my first final here.”

Starting his match after Murray on Wednesday, Wawrinka finished while the Scot was still on court, beating Spain’s Albert Ramos Vinolas in straight sets.

Easy for Stan Defending champion Stan Wawrinka held off a late charge by Albert Ramos Vinolas to storm into the French Open semifinals with a 6-2, 6-1, 7-6(7) victory on Wednesday.

The third-seeded Swiss, who got off to a slow start in opening rounds of the claycourt grand slam, steamrollered through the first two sets and resisted in the third on Court Suzanne Lenglen to set up a meeting with world number two Andy Murray after the Briton saw off Frenchman Richard Gasquet in four sets.

Wawrinka used his singlehanded backhand to move RamosVinolas left, right and centre and it took the unseeded left-hander more than two sets to adjust.

After breaking back in the third, he forced a tiebreak and even had a set point but Wawrinka saved it and raised his arms in celebration when Ramos Vinolas’s forehand sailed long on match point.

“By the end Ramos played better and I made mistakes. But I’m very satisfied that I won this in three sets,” he said courtside.

While world number one Novak Djokovic only finished his fourthround match on Wednesday after the tie was delayed by rain, Wawrinka is already through to the last four.

After labouring through the first game, Wawrinka crushed Ramos Vinolas to take the first two sets in less than an hour.

He seemed en route to dishing out a drubbing when he broke in the third, but Ramos-Vinolas played longer balls, putting the Swiss on the back foot to send the set into a tiebreak.

A string of unforced errors by Wawrinka meant the Spaniard had a set point at 7-6 but Wawrinka forced a backhand error and won the two remaining points.

Djoko’s $100 million Novak Djokovic had 100 million reasons to celebrate reaching the French Ope — albeit two days later than expected — as players made a mad dash to clear the fourthround backlog created by the fickle Parisian weather.

The Serbian world number one became the first tennis player to bank $100 million in prize money after his 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-5 win over Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut tipped him over the magic number.

However, the fourth-round winner’s cheque is a far cry from the real prize Djokovic has his eyes on this week. What he desperately wants is to get his hands on the Musketeers’ Cup to complete his grand slam collection.

EASY GOING: Stan Wawrinka celebrates after booking his place in the semifinals. – Reuters

After winning a match that was originally scheduled for Monday, began on Tuesday and was finally completed on Wednesday, the 29-year-old will have to play four days in succession if he is to reach Sunday’s title showdown.

“I have the feeling I played three matches against him,” a grinning Djokovic told the crowd after donning a yellow rain hat during his victory speech.

“Yesterday the match was interrupted three times and it wasn’t easy coming here at 9 am and leaving at 7.30 or 8:00 pm.

“So that’s the reason why we should have the roof here. I’m hoping we’re going to have it very soon,” added the Serb after joining athletes such as golfer Tiger Woods and boxer Lennox Lewis in the $100 million club.

Djokovic will be back in action on Thursday to contest his 28th successive major quarterfinal against Czech seventh seed Tomas Berdych, a 6-3, 7-5, 6-3 winner over 2013 runner-up David Ferrer.

In contrast, Austrian tyro Dominic Thiem was enjoying his most successful run at a grand slam after beating Spaniard Marcel Granollers 6-2, 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-4 to set up a last-eight clash with Belgian David Goffin.

With only two hours of play possible over the previous two days as Parisians were hit by monsoonlike showers, the women in top seed Serena Williams’s half of the draw had also been left bogged

down in the fourth round for 48 hours. Hence it was little surprise they were all in a hurry to play catch-up on Wednesday.

No family reunion Williams is no stranger to playing in front of capacity crowds but barely a couple of hundred spectators bothered to turn up at the 15,000-seater Philippe Chatrier Court as she began her tussle against 18th seed Elina Svitolina.

However, one person who was there to witness the champion’s 6-1, 6-1 walloping of Svitolina was her former on-court rival, fourtimes champion Justine Henin.

What Henin thought of her charge Svitolina’s performance is anyone’s guess but unlike the Belgian’s often prickly encounters with Williams, Wednesday’s match ended with the two players sharing a joke and a warm handshake at the net.

However, there will be no Williams family reunion at Roland Garros this year after Timea Bacsinszky ambushed Serena’s elder sister Venus 6-2, 6-4.

“My first win over Venus is — well, it’s just amazing,” the beaming Swiss eighth seed said after reaching the last eight for the second year running.

Describing herself as “a chameleon” who can adapt to “every type of court” she will next face Kiki Bertens after the Dutch outsider downed American 15th seed Madison Keys 7-6(4), 6-3. — Reuters

‘Flawless Kohli capable of breaking Tendulkar’s records’ NEW DELHI: The sheer selfbelief in his ability separates Virat Kohli from the rest and he is very much capable of breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s records with the way he has been batting, feels his childhood coach Rajkumar Sharma.

Sharma doesn’t see a weakness in Kohli’s batting, which has reached the next level with sensational performances in the World T20 and subsequent Indian Premier League (IPL).

“He is in sublime form at the moment. I don’t remember anyone playing for India being as consistent as Kohli. Even internationally, there won’t be many who have shown the consistency Kohli has shown.

With the way he is batting, he is very much capable of breaking Sachin’s records,” Sharma, who watched Kohli lead RCB in the IPL final in Bengaluru on Sunday, said on Wednesday.

There has been no looking back for India’s Test captain ever since the forgettable tour of England in 2014 when he failed to make a single half century in five Tests.

What is Kohli doing differently compared to the time he struggled in England couple of years ago?

“England tour was a bad patch and every player goes through that phase. After that, he worked very hard on his game and the result of that you saw in Australia, the World T20 and now the IPL.” It is known that Kohli not only spend hours batting in the nets, he devotes a substantial time towards his fitness.

“Hard work everyone does but he does smart work with hard work. For example, every one goes back to their rooms after practice but he goes back and spends an hour or two in the gym. He has strict control over his diet even though he is very much a foodie.” - PTI

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India to take on Pakistan in Champions Trophy opener The 18-day tournament in 2017 will run from June 1 to 18 and will also see matches played at the Cardiff Wales Stadium in Cardiff and The Oval in London

LONDON: Defending champions India have been seeded second and will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening cricket match of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy after the two countries were placed in the same group for the event to be held in England.

The Asian powerhouses will go head to head at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on June 4. The 18-day tournament will run from June 1 to 18 and will also see matches

FROM THE FILES: Team India celebrate winning the 2013 Champions Trophy.

played at the Cardiff Wales Stadium in Cardiff and The Oval in London. A couple of days before the all-Asian clash, Australia and New Zealand will lock horns in a repeat of the World Cup 2015 final at Edgbaston.

Event host and 2004 and 2013 finalists England will take on Bangladesh in the tournamentopener at The Oval, which will also

be the venue for a battle between former champions Sri Lanka and South Africa on June 3.

The tournament schedule was announced at The Oval exactly a year before the first ball is to be bowled in the tournament, in which a total of 15 matches — including three knock-out games — will be played over two and a half weeks.

CALLING QUITS

The top eight sides as on September 30, 2015 have qualified for this tournament, with world champions Australia seeded numberone. They head Group A, which also includes fourth seeds New Zealand, sixth seeds England and seventh seeds Bangladesh, who will be returning to this competition for the first time since 2006.

India lead Group B, which also

comprises third seeds South Africa, fifth seeds Sri Lanka and eighth seeds Pakistan.

The top two sides from each group will progress to the semifinals, which will be played at Cardiff and Edgbaston on June 14 and 15 respectively, with The Oval hosting the final. There will be a reserve day for the final.

Announcing the schedule, ICC Chief Executive David Richardson said: “The ICC Champions Trophy is a short and sharp event, which is followed and enjoyed by the spectators and players alike.

“The ICC Champions Trophy 2017 is not just an ODI competition, it carries a great deal of value since it is being played just three months before the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 qualification cut-off date. As such, every point earned here could be crucial.”

In the 2013 event, India defeated Pakistan by eight wickets in a rain-reduced match at Edgbaston and then went on to beat England by five runs at the same venue to win their second ICC Champions Trophy title.

However, in the 2009 event in South Africa, Pakistan beat India by 54 runs at Centurion, which interestingly is their only victory over old foes in a major ICC event. - PTI

CRICKET

Dizzy sends Boof reeling over Australia coaching link SYDNEY: Former Australia fast bowler Jason Gillespie has made it clear that he is not interested in replacing Craig McDermott as bowling coach of the Australia Test side. The 41-yearold, known universally as “Dizzy”, was mentioned as a target to join the Australia staff by head coach Darren “Boof” Lehmann after McDermott stepped down the wake of the World Twenty20 earlier this year.

Gillespie, however, said he had no intention of abandoning his job at English county Yorkshire, who he has led to successive County Championship titles, and heading back Down Under.

“Darren had mentioned on radio in Australia that he’d be keen to get me back into the system over there,” he told the BBC. “I was always going to catch up with Darren when he was over here because he’s one of my best mates, but I got stuck into him a bit because he didn’t need to mention my name on the radio.

“I informed him I wouldn’t be applying for a role so we can end the speculation. I was not offered a job and I have made it very clear that I would not be applying for any role.” - Reuters

SOUNDING SUPPORT

Pakistan’s Azhar backs Amir in England return Kulasekara quits Tests COLOMBO: Sri Lankan pace bowler Nuwan Kulasekara quit Test cricket on Wednesday in order to focus his attention on the sport’s shorter formats, in which he is considered a greater threat with the ball.

“I would like to retire from playing test cricket with immediate effect,” the 33-yearold said in a letter to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

“After much thought, I believe it is the right time to retire and I hope it will allow me to better prepare for ODI and T20 cricket, which I would like to continue playing for Sri Lanka subject to good performance and selection.”

Despite lacking express pace, Kulasekara made the most of his ability to swing the new ball to claim 48 Test wickets since his 2005 debut against New Zealand in Napier.

Kulasekara played the last of his 21 Tests against England at Lord’s two years ago but has been a standout performer in one-dayers, with 186 wickets from 173 matches, and was ranked the top ODI bowler in March 2009. - Reuters

KARACHI: Pakistan paceman Mohammed Amir, who spent time in jail and served a five-year ban for spot-fixing, will be able to handle the pressure of returning to England if he is granted a visa for their upcoming tour, said team mate Azhar Ali. Amir was considered one of the most exciting fast bowlers in the world before a 2010 spot-fixing scandal that resulted in bans and jail sentences for him, former Test captain Salman Butt and fast bowler Mohammed Asif.

The trio were cleared to return to the sport by the International Cricket Council (ICC) last September after serving suspensions.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has requested a visa for Amir, who has already toured New Zealand for a limited over series, played in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh and featured in the World Twenty20 in India since serving his ban.

Azhar had offered his resignation as one-day captain when Amir was brought back into the Pakistan fold but is now keen to move on and says the team will support the 24-year-old quick if he needs it in England. “(What happened in) 2010 is in the past and now we need to look forward,” Azhar told reporters on Tuesday.

“It has been a while now since he has been with us. It could

It has been a while now since he (Amir) has been with us. It could have been tough, had he come in straight on such a tour, but now, after playing with us, things have settled Azhar Ali

Pakistan ODI captain

have been tough, had he come in straight on such a tour, but now, after playing with us for a long time, things have settled.

“Even he isn’t under pressure because he has already made his comeback a few months ago and the toughest phase is over for him,” Azhar said. “I know England was

the place where the incident happened but hopefully he can handle the pressure like he did on his comeback. But still if anything happens, we, as a team, will handle it.”

Pakistan will play four Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20 International in England between July 14 and September 7. - Reuters

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

C3

SPORTS Rooney expects Rashford to make an impact

BOC PREMIER LEAGUE CONCLUDES

Bosher Olympic Centre (BOC) Cricket, just concluded one and half month long BOC Premier League 2016 tournament in same line with Indian Premiere League (IPL). Sheikh Hamad Al Siyabi, Chairman of BOC was the Chief Guest, Sheikh Majid Al Rawahi, Board member of BOC; Sheikh Suleiman, Board member of Bosher Club and Iqbal Arriwala, senior official from Oman Cricket were the esteemed Guest of Honors during final ceremony. Total eight teams participated in the tournament. In the final played between Chennai Super King and Mumbai Indians, the former emerged champions with an 8-run victory. — Supplied photo

Captain Rooney said young Rashford’s ‘attitude is first class ... he could be a real positive for us’

LONDON: England captain Wayne Rooney has backed teenage Manchester United teammate Marcus Rashford to make an impact at the European championship finals starting in France next week.

“The way he’s performed to the end of the season has been incredible, really, for his age,” Rooney told a news conference after a training session on Wednesday.

“He showed what he can do in his first game for England,” added the 30-year-old, who made his England debut at 17 and will lead the side against Portugal in their final Euro 2016 warm-up at Wembley on Thursday.

“His attitude is first class ... he could be a real positive for us.”

Rashford, 18, became the youngest player to score on his England debut in the 2-1 win over Australia at the Stadium of Light last Friday.

The forward scored that goal 138 seconds into what was only his 19th professional match.

England manager Roy Hodgson said that in the end it was a question of whether to take an extra attacker or midfielder in his 23-man squad, rather than the “new boy on the block” having to make his case.

“It certainly was never going to be a case of ‘We’ll put Rashford in for this game and if he does well, CRICKET

Test league system possible by 2019: ICC DUBAI: A two-division league system for Test cricket could be established in three years in a bid to improve standards in the longest form of the game, International Cricket Council ICC) Chief Executive Dave Richardson said on Wednesday.

Discussions with full member nations about a possible competition for Test cricket and its structure have begun and a proposal is expected to on the agenda at the ICC’s annual general meeting in June.

“If you want to create a real champion Test team, you need a competition that provides the same number of opportunities,” Richardson told reporters at the launch of the 2017 Champions Trophy. That means the same number of fixtures, home and away, so that at the end of a league period you can crown a champion team.

“Realistically, with tours and broadcast agreements in place, we’re perhaps looking at 2019 for it to begin.”

The league system is the latest plan to increase diminishing attendances at Test matches following the introduction of day-night matches last year in Australia. - Reuters

O LY M P I C S

Baseball, surfing among five sports set for Tokyo 2020 ‘NEED MOBILITY’: England’s Wayne Rooney, Jordan Henderson,

Adam Lallana and Marcus Rashford pictured during a training session at Watford Training Ground on Wednesday. – Reuters

we’ll take him. If he does badly, we won’t’,” he said. “It’s always been the balance in the squad ... rather than X v Y who play in the same position.”

Hodgson said the mix in his young squad was good.

“If anything, it’s tilted towards an offensive approach but that’s because we believe we have so many players at the moment in midfield and in attack who are really good-quality players,” he said.

“I didn’t want to sacrifice them to shore up with players who maybe might in some ways cover positions slightly better but maybe

don’t have the qualities of the players I’d be leaving out,” he added.

“We believe that defending is very much a team job ... we think it starts from the front and goes right the way through.”

Hodgson said England needed mobility and great running power to be able to do that and his squad, with its younger players in particular, could offer that.

“I believe that if they perform anything like to the level they are capable of performing, we are going to be a hard team to beat,” he said. - Reuters

LAUSANNE: Five sports, including baseball, skateboarding and surfing, are on track to feature at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after the IOC on Wednesday recommended them to attract a younger audience.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) now needs to rubber stamp the inclusion of skateboarding, surfing, sports climbing and karate plus the joint baseball/softball bid at its session in Rio de Janeiro in August.

The IOC Executive Board voted unanimously in favour of the proposal put forward by Tokyo 2020, recommending it as a package, IOC vice-president John Coates told reporters. “This is a very good proposal,” Coates said. “It has a good balance between sports pop-

I S C TA B L E T E N N I S

Saiprem claims U-15 crown MUSCAT: M.V. Saiprem’s fine run at the the Annual Table Tennis Tournament organised by the Indian Social Club and sponsored

by Muscat Insurance Services LLC and Oman United Insurance Company bore fruit when he cornered glory in the boys under-15 singles event.

The final of the boys under-15 singles pitted two of the most talented players at the ISC, M.V. Saiprem and Shounak Kelkar and they did not disappoint. The thrilling final went the distance before Saiprem rallied from two games down to edge to a narrow 12-14, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9, 14-12, 8-11, 13-11 victory over Shounak to lift the title.

Lefthander Shounak, the second seed showed fluency on both flanks and scored winners before the top seed regained momentum.

Shounak went two games up before Saiprem won the next two games to level the score. He saved four game points in the fifth and held on to win the game for a 3-2 advantage in the best-of-sevengames final.

Shounak fought back bravely from 1-6 down in the sixth game and played some brilliant forehand drives to level and take the match to the decider. In a nerve wrecking seventh game, Shounak overcame an early deficit to level at 7-all after which scores went neck-and-neck.

Nerves told on both players as

THE FINALISTS: Boys U-15 winner M.V. Saiprem, right, and

runner-up Shounak Kelkar. – Supplied photo

Shounak gained the first championship point which Saiprem saved and converted the next to gain match point. A brilliant smash saw Shounak save the match but a back hand that went long gave Saiprem another match point which he converted to win the title.

The top seeded duo of Kenneth Vaz and Suhail khan moved into

the semifinal of the men’s doubles after securing a 11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 11-5 victory over Pranav Vinod and P. Sai Saran.

They were joined in the semis by the second seeds, Armaan Sattikar and Subash Pillai who survived anxious moments before outlasting the duo of Karan Negi and Areeb Usman 10, 12, 12-10, 12-10, 11-7 in the quarterfinals.

ular in Japan and those better engaging youth like surfing, skateboarding and sports climbing.”

“We are very excited and very pleased. Tokyo 2020 have done a lot of work in the past two years.”

Under new rules, Olympic host cities can hand-pick sports they want in the Games to join the existing 28 core sports. As part of sweeping reforms initiated by IOC President Thomas Bach in December 2014, future Olympic hosts are being offered the chance to bring in sports that are trendy in their countries to boost ratings and attract greater sponsorship.

Games organisers also wanted sports that were already well established in Japan so new venues would not need to be built and add to ballooning costs while

also shoring up local support for the Olympics. The decision over which sports will be added to the Olympics is only for one edition of the Games and they would need to bid again for inclusion at the next Olympics.

Baseball and softball, which will have each a competition with six teams, last featured at the Games in Beijing in 2008 before being taken off the programme.

Surfing, with 20 men and 20 women athletes, is expected to take place in the sea, instead of on artificial waves. Skateboarding will have two street and two park events with 40 competitors each (20 male, 20 female), while karate will have two events (one men’s and one women’s) for kata and three weight classes for kumite. - Reuters

C4

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

SPORTS

RONALDO STILL EMBODIES PORTUGAL’S HUNGER FOR VICTORY At Euro 2016, aged 31, Cristiano Ronaldo stands before one of his last chances to lead Portugal to a title and star in a major tournament at the national-team level. - dpa

REAL MADRID’S SUPERSTAR STRIKER HOPES TO CLOSE WITH A MAJOR TITLE THE CYCLE OF A GROUP OF TALENTED PLAYERS WHO HAVE SO FAR PROVED UNABLE TO LEAD PORTUGAL TO THEIR FIRST INTERNATIONAL TITLE

C

ristiano Ronaldo’s hunger for victory is enough to make Portugal a force to be reckoned with in France 2016, where the current generation of Portuguese players may stand before its last chance.

Real Madrid’s superstar striker hopes to close with a major title the cycle of a group of talented players who have so far proved unable to lead Portugal to their first international title.

“I am missing a title with Portugal. That would be the culmination of a great career, and I am hopeful,” the ambitious Ronaldo said ahead of Portugal’s sixth Euro in succession.

“I count on Cristiano to guide us during the tournament. We have to make his ambition, his desire to be the best and to win, our own,” said Portugal manager Fernando Santos.

“We are not coming to the Euro just for the ride, we are here to win,” Santos warned.

Cristiano Ronaldo is Portugal’s captain, a role model for their young players and a reference for their veterans.

He may be 31 by now, but he remains just as voracious and retains his extraordinary ability to compete.

“The new generation is good and has helped us to grow. I think we have a promising future,” the

FA C T B O X

THE STAR: Cristiano Ronaldo is the best Portuguese player of all time, ahead of the “Black Panther” Eusebio. However, the man who won the Ballon d’Or three times and is the top scorer in the history of Real Madrid has never been a prolific scorer with Portugal. Once a very powerful player, age has made Ronaldo a bit too slow to cause trouble on the wing. However, his ample array of options before goal, including both feet, his head, free kicks, back heels and more acrobatic efforts, make him a formidable striker.

THE MANAGER: Fernando Santos managed Portugal’s three biggest teams, Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon, before moving on to the Greece national team, whom he led into the Euro 2012 quarter-finals and the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup. He then caught the eye of the Portuguese federation, fresh off an unsuccessful period with Paulo Bento as national team manager. Santos got the team back on track, with the usual dose of solidarity among players that he imposes in his sides.

EURO SCHEDULE: Portugal-Iceland (June 14 in Saint-Etienne); Portugal-Austria (June 18 in Paris); Portugal-Hungary (June 22 in Lyon) BEST RESULTS: Third place at the 1966 World Cup, finalists at the Euro 2004.

Portugal will be a force to reckon with in France 2016. - dpa

Portugal star said.

Portugal will need to combine the experience of many pillars of their team with the power of upand-coming players including 18-year-old gem Renato Sanches, “a wild animal” according to Rui Vitoria, his coach at Benfica.

Veterans like centre-backs Pepe and Ricardo Carvalho and keeper Rui Patricio give confidence to a defence that is increasingly in

need of a fresh approach.

Joao Moutinho is the guiding light in a very able midfield, with youngsters like Danilo Pereira and William Carvalho.

In attack, Cristiano Ronaldo needs to be everywhere to compensate for the poor goal scoring capacity of veteran strikers like Helder Postiga, Ricardo Quaresma, Nani and Hugo Almeida, members of a generation that followed on

Coach Fernando Santos managed Portugal’s three biggest teams, Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon. - dpa

from the one led by Luis Figo.

After their painful defeat against Greece in Lisbon in the final of their own Euro in 2004, Portugal have struggled to qualify for the continental tournament, but they always performed well: they reached the quarter-finals in 2008 and the semifinals in 2012.

“We may not be the favourites, but we are one of the most dangerous teams,” Santos said. - dpa

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Well-known Manga artist from the United Kingdom, Sonia Leong, believes that observation is the key to becoming a successful comic artist.

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THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

C6

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

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SHATTI Me Before You - (2D) (Drama ) (15+) Cast: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Janet McTeer 3:30 & 7:30PM High Strung - (2D) (Drama | Music) (12+) Cast: Keenan Kampa, Nicholas Galitzine, Jane Seymour 5:30 & 9:45PM Go With Me - (2D) (Thriller) ((12+) Cast: Julia Stiles, Anthony Hopkins, Alexander Ludwig, 3:30, 5:45, 9:45 & 11:30PM Elly Ektasho Mato - (2D) (Arabic) (15+) Cast: Ghada Abdelrazek, Abeer Sabry 7:30PM Housefull 3 - (2D) (Hindi | Romantic ) (PG12) Cast: Nargis Fakhri, Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Ritesh Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan 8:45 & 11:30PM Warcraft - (3D) (Action| Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster 3:45, 6:15 & 11:45PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Warcraft – 3D (PG12) Action| Adventure Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster 12:15, 9:15, 11:45 PM Gold Class : 6:15 PM Money Monster – 2D (12+) Crime | Drama | Cast: George Clooney, Julia Roberts 4:30, 11:30 PM Housefull 3 – 2D (PG12) Hindi | Romantic Cast: Nargis Fakhri, Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan 9:00 PM Gold Class : 3:30, 8:45, 11:30 PM X-Men: Apocalypse – 3D (PG12) Action | Adventure |Fantasy Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender 2:15, 6:30 PM The Angry Birds Movie – 3D (U) Animation |

High Strung - (2D) (Drama | Music) (12+) Cast: Keenan Kampa, Nicholas Galitzine, Jane Seymour 5:30 & 9:45PM

Housefull 3 (2D) (Comedy / Drama) –PG12 Cast : Akshay Kumar, Ritesh DeshmukhNargis Fakhri, Jacqueline Fernandez, Abhishek Bachchan 2.30, 5.30, 8.30 & 11.30 PM

Action |Comedy Cast: Peter Dinklage, Tituss Burgess, Jason Sudeikis 12:15, 2:30, 5:00, 7:00 PM

Warcraft - (4D) (Action| Adventure | Fantasy) (PG12) MX4D Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster 3:45, 6:30, 9:00 & 11:30PM Warcraft - (3D) (Action| Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster 7:30 & 11:45PM The Nice Guys - (2D) (Action | Comedy | Crime) (15+) VIP LOUNGE Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling 6:15PM The Nice Guys - (2D) (Action | Comedy) (15+) Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling 3:30PM The Jungle Book - (3D) Adventure) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 5:45PM

PANORAMA MALL Me Before You - (2D) (Drama ) (15+) Cast: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Janet McTeer 5:30 & 9:45PM High Strung - (2D) (Drama | Music) (12+) Cast: Keenan Kampa, Nicholas Galitzine, Jane Seymour 3:45 & 7:45PM Go With Me - (2D) (Thriller) ((12+) Cast: Julia Stiles, Alexander Ludwig, Anthony Hopkins 9:30 & 11:45PM Housefull 3 - (2D) (Hindi | Romantic |Comedy) (PG12) VIP LOUNGE Cast: Nargis Fakhri, Akshay Kumar 8:45PM Housefull 3 - (2D) (Hindi | Romantic) (PG12) Cast: Akshay Kumar,Ritesh Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan 3:30, 6:15, 9:00 & 11:15PM Warcraft - (3D) (Action| Adventure | Fantasy) (PG12) VIP LOUNGE Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster 3:45 & 11:30PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

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16:30 18:00 19:30

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06:45 08:30 10:00

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Sinaw

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16:50 19:30

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Sur Sur

10:20 12:30

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Dubai

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Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

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TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

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Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

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Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om King Liar ( Mal) (Comedy) Cast : Dileep ,Siddique & Madonna Sebastian 6-30 PM Cinema-2; 3-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema Main From Friday : 3-45 Pm Cinema -4; 9-30 Pm Cinema-2 Housefull-3 (Hindi) (Drama\Comedy ) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -3 Jacobinte Swargarajyam ( Mal) (Comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly Renji Panicker 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema-4 From Friday : 6-45 &9-45 pm Cinema -4 Idhu Namma Aalu (Tamil)( Drama) (Only Thursday) Cast : Silambarasan & Nayantara 6-30 pm Cinema Main; 3-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema-2 Iraivi (Tamil) (Comedy\ Drama) (From Friday) Cast: Vijay Sethopathi & Anjali 3-30 pm Cinema- 2; 6-30 & 10-00 pm Cinema Main A.AA (Telugu) (Comedy\\Drama) (From Friday) Cast: Nithin and Samantha 3-00 pm Cinema Main; 6-30 pm Cinema -2 Programmes are subject to change

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SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

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CP No :1136 (12+) Rock the Kasbah (Comedy / Music) Cast: Bill Murray, Leem Lubany, Zooey Deschanel 1.00, 3.00 & 5.00 p.m.

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Housefull 3 (2D) (Comedy / Drama) –PG12 Cast : Akshay Kumar, Ritesh Deshmukh, Nargis Fakhri, Jacqueline Fernandez 11.45 PM

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

BURAIMI Housefull 3 PG12 (Hindi) (Romantic) Cast: Nargis Fakhri, Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Ritesh Deshmukh 3:30, 7:00, 9:15 & 11:15 PM Go With Me 12+ (Thriller) Cast: Julia Stiles, Alexander Ludwig 3:30, 10:00 & 11:45 PM Warcraft PG 12 (3D) (Action| Adventure) Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster.

3:45, 6:30 & 8:45 PM Rock the Kasbah 15+ (Comedy | Music) Cast: Bill Murray, Leem Lubany 5:15, 7:15 & 11:45 PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Go With Me - (2D) (Thriller) ((12+) Cast: Julia Stiles, Alexander Ludwig, Anthony Hopkins 9:30 & 11:45PM

3:45, 5:45 PM King Liar (Mal) (2D) (Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Dileep, Madonna Sebastian, Lal 6:00 PM Houseful 3 (Hindi) (2D) (Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jacquline Fernandes 3:30, 6:15, 7:45, 8:50, 10:30, 11:30 PM Idhu Namma Aalu (Tamil) (2D) (Romance | Comedy) (PG) Cast: Mahesh Babu, Kajal Aggarwal 6:45 PM

AZAIBA X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (Action |Adventure | Fantasy) (PG12) Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender 3:45, 9:00, 11:45 PM Warcraft (3D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster 3:45, 9:30, 11:45 PM The Jungle Book (3D) (Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

Born to Dance (12+) (Action | Sport) Cast : Tia Maipi, Stan Walker, Kherington Payne 5:15 & 10:00PM

BAHJA CINEMA

Cast: Travis Fimmel, Paula Patton, Ben Foster 3:45, 6:00, 9:00, 11:30PM Housefull 3 PG12(Hindi | Romantic |Comedy) Cast: Nargis Fakhri, Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez 3:30, 7:15, 8:30, 11:15PM Me Before You (15+) (Drama) Cast: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Janet McTeer 3:15, 7:15PM Born to Dance (12+) (Action | Sport) Cast : Tia Maipi, Stan Walker, Kherington Payne 5:15, 10:00PM A Aa TBC (Telugu | Comedy | Romance) Cast: Nithin K Reddy, Samantha Ruth Prabhu 9:00PM ( Only from 3rd June) Iravi TBC (Tamil | Comedy / Drama) Cast: Vijay Sethupati , S J Surya, Kamalinee Mukherjee 7:00PM (Only from 3rd June)

@ PANORAMA MALL

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman

Destination

12.10pm 3.29pm 6.55pm 8.16pm 3.53am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

@SHATTI

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES (ROUND THE CLOCK) Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya 24787766, 24787780

Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al Hayat International Hospital, Al Ghubra 22004000, 94267068/97049520 Al Hayat Clinic, Al Hail 22009455

AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE STORY FROM C5

M

anga, the comics created in Japan in the late 19th century, doesn’t need any introduction. The big-eyed, tinymouthed, and round-headed comic characters have emerged as global favourites, cutting across boundaries of age, gender, and nationalities.

The popularity of Manga can be attributed to a number of hardworking artists who have given new dimensions to the comic series, and Sonia Leong is a leading figure among them.

Leong has carved a niche for herself with her first graphic novel, Manga Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, which scooped many awards besides emerging as the best-selling Manga comic book.

The talented artist spoke to Times of Oman during her recent visit to the Sultanate, where she conducted workshops for the British School Muscat students.

KNOW SONIA LEONG

Excerpts:

was Manga Shakespeare:

Sonia Leong is a professional comic artist and illustrator specialising in Manga. She is the Company Secretary of Sweatdrop Studios, a leading UK comic collaborative and independent publisher of Manga. Her works with Sweatdrop include Once Upon a Time, Love Stuffing and Aya Takeo, a full colour comic originally published online. Her first graphic novel Romeo and Juleit (Self Made

How did you fall in love with Manga?

My tryst with Manga began in 2003, though I never formally studied art. Instead, I was encouraged to study business and economics, and I hold a Bachelor degree in both the subjects. But my love for Manga remained intact. I had won Tokyo pop’s first UK Rising Stars of Manga competition in 2005 and NEO Magazine’s 2005 Manga competition, which helped me establish as a Manga artist.

Why did you create Manga version of Romeo & Juliet?

My publisher was inspired by the Buz Luhrman movie of 1986, Romeo + Juliet, starring Leonardo Dicarpio.

The amazing movie version had put things in a modern way. The publisher realised the huge potential for Manga versions of Shakespearean classics, and I was hired to create Romeo & Juliet.

What is the reason for Manga’s popularity all over the world?

I think readers can easily relate Manga characters in their lives.

There are plenty of Manga characters in different styles and subjects.

For example, there are Manga comics that deal with biking, football, and even monsters. It is not just about children’s stuff. There are

Hero). She had won Young Adult Library Services Association ‘2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers’ and ‘Best

How can one learn Manga?

A good Manga artist should be good at drawing. They should understand the importance of proportions and anatomy of characters. Observation is the key to success for any Manga artist. You have to observe people’s movements of the eyes, nose and proportion of the legs.

How was your interaction with the Manga fans at British School Muscat?

I enjoyed it very much. All students were eager to create their own Manga characters though they didn’t know how to go about it. I explained the process in simple terms. The first thing I told them that creating Manga characters is not a tough task. It is all about making simple shapes and simple format that people would under-

H O L LY W O O D

Emilia Clarke wants to be first female James Bond

A

mid rumours that actor Tom Hiddleston is in talks to replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond, Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke has revealed she wants to be the first female to essay the iconic British superspy.

The 29-year-old actress has revealed that one of her biggest professional ambitions is to break new ground by becoming the first woman to star as the iconic secret agent, reports dailystar.co.uk.

“I have a lot of unrealised dreams. I would love to play Jane Bond. My ultimate leading man would be Leonardo DiCaprio. No doubt about it,” Clarke said.

The X Files actress Gillian Anderson hit the headlines last week by suggesting she could replace Craig as 007 and be called Jane Bond.

Clarke is currently promoting her first major leading role in director Thea Sharrock’s Me Before You, which is an adaptation of a romantic novel of the same name written by Jojo Moyes.

Meanwhile, Oscar-winning filmmaker Sam Mendes, who directed the last two James Bond films Spectre and Skyfall, has announced that he will not return to helm another film in the popular franchise.

“It was an incredible adventure, I loved every second of it. But I think it’s time for somebody else,” Mendes said at the Hay Festival

your school and show it to your friends. I think artists should master the basics before breaking them.

You have to observe people and their proportions and learn to draw things realistically.

millions of adult Manga fans who love drama and politics. People are also struck by the realistic proportions of the characters, compared to other comic characters.

Emilia Clarke

2016 in Wales, reports variety.com.

“I’m a storyteller. And at the end of the day, I want to make stories with new characters,” he added.

According to Radio Times, it appears that Eon Productions may have lined up a director to fill Sam Mendes’ shoes for the next instalment in the James Bond franchise.

Although it has yet to be confirmed, the report states that Susanne Bier may currently be the frontrunner to step behind the camera and take the suave British agent on his next major adventure. — IANS

Story or drawing, which one is important in Manga?

One should have a good story, and ability to narrate it well. For example, consider the story of a hero going to an adventure. We have heard many stories like that, but the narration can make the difference. Publishers prefer only good story tellers.

Books for Young Adults 2008’ for Romeo & Juliet.

She also won the Tokyopop’s first UK Rising Stars of Manga competition and NEO Magazine’s Manga Competition, both in 2005.

She had illustrated the Manga Life series of selfhelp comic books (Infinite Ideas), Find True Love and Be Creative. Leong works in other fields such as design,

stand easily. I also told them to be extra careful while putting their panel and speech bubbles in the right place. They began to enjoy the task after learning the tips.

What is your advise to upcoming Manga artists?

Beginners should try to develop short stories. Once you finish the story, print it, fold it, take it to

Should a Manga artist read extensively?

Yes, if a story has to be told well, one needs to do a lot of research. If you are doing science fiction, you have to follow the developments in technology.

You have to try and find out a real life equivalent and fantasy characters so that you can make the story believable. So a good Manga artist should be a good reader.

—ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

film/television, fashion and advertising. She has also authored numerous instructional art books, the latest being Draw Manga: Complete Skills which includes 20 instructional videos.

C8

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2016

LIFESTYLE Meet Matilda of Angry Birds

Fashion Forward Dubai is Back For Its Eighth Edition The region’s definitive fashion platform invites designers to present Spring Summer 2017 collections

A

s the central fashion platform championing Middle Eastern design talent, Fashion Forward Dubai (FFWD) has propelled the careers of many designers, including Hussein Bazaza. The Style.com/Arabia – DDFC Fashion Prize winner debuted his Fall 2016 ready-to-wear collection on the online shopping platform Moda Operandi, after showcasing his works at recent FFWD S7.

“Thanks to FFWD we had the opportunity to be in contact with Moda Operandi and we are glad to be available on their platform. I was very pleased with FFWD Season 7, as usual, and I was especially happy with the new location and found the event to be very professional and well-organised,” said Hussein Bazaza.

Dubai-based fine jewellery and accessories designer, Madiso, unveiled a collection of evening box clutches and statement necklaces on the international platform, Moda Operandi. Additionally, the popular online shopping website didn’t miss the chance to exclusively launch Middle Eastern fine jewellery brand SeeMee. Founder Catherina Occhio delivered an empowering talk at FFWD S7 and created a special collection based on the shape of the heart, which were handcrafted by women who were victims of violence.

Madiha Muzaffar comments, “Madiso has been part of Fashion Forward since Season 2, and the event has always been extremely successful for us. It is a great platform for the fashion industry in this region. FFWD Season 7 had international fashion buyers in at-

tendance, which I believe is a great foot forward, and Moda Operandi, one of the biggest retailer names in the fashion industry, selected us for a trunk show. I’m extremely grateful to Fashion Forward for giving us this platform where we can interact with such huge international names.”

Longtime FFWD participant, Rula Galayini, was picked up by FarFetch during Season 7 and also received an invitation to reveal her signature cuffs at the iconic Galeries Lafayette Haussmann in Paris,

among a select group of 10 emerging brands originating from the Mediterranean in 2015.

Speaking of the event’s growing reputation and international response to participating designers, Bong Guerrero, CEO and co-founder of FFWD said, “With each season, the event has gained credibility and respect amongst designers and industry professionals. We have witnessed multiple success stories over the past four years of contributing designers gaining global recognition and are now stocked with

some of the world’s leading retailers. The accomplishments demonstrate how FFWD acts as a catalyst for international visibility.”

Designer registration for season 8 is now open with limited spaces available.

To participate, designers can register at fashionforward.ae. Designers are advised to register by the closing date, July 15, 2016. Any late entries will be accepted based on availability. The event is from October 20th - 23rd at D3.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com

MAYA RUDOLPH calls herself an ‘old bird’ of showbiz and pays no heed to the ongoing flutter over Hollywood’s gender issues.

The American star, who has voiced the character of Matilda in The Angry Birds movie, feels the “majority of people in the arts don’t care about gender equality”, adding that she always had the freedom to pick her roles.

Rudolph started her career under the arc lights in 1996 with a role in TV series Chicago Hope but rose to fame with her stint in Saturday Night Live. The actress says that in the end, each and every actor is only responsible for what he or she opts for.

"I think the majority of people in the arts don't care about gender equality. Probably (they) all want the same things, but it doesn't change — you can only be responsible for what you can be responsible for and I guess I sort of live in a place where I never felt like I couldn't do anything. So, that never stopped me from anything," Rudolph said.

The actress, with traces of Jamaican origins, added: "You know what, I'm an old bird — I didn't mean to say that because I'm a bird in the movie — but I'm an old bird and I've been around for a while and I've been doing comedy for a long time, and I get asked the same questions about women in comedy for a lot of stuff. So certainly I'm aware."

Rudolph left Saturday Night Live in 2007 and thereon appeared in various TV shows and movie projects, including husband Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice.

She has garnered fame for her acting and comic skills, as well as a musician. Some of her famous projects include films like Grown Ups, Bridesmaids, Grown Ups 2 and Sisters.

Of late, she is being heard as a bird named Matilda in The Angry Birds. Taking the basic structure of Rovio Entertainment's eponymous mobile game, the movie brings the game's action to the big screen in a witty manner.

In the game, angry but cute little birds fight it out with hogs which

have stolen their eggs. It vouches to take the audience back in time, tracing the origin of the battle between the birds and hogs.

The film is supported by Jason Sudeikis as Red, Danny McBride as the volatile Bomb, Bill Hader as a hog, Josh Gad as Chuck, and Peter Dinklage as the Mighty Eagle.

Talking about the character, she said: "Matilda is a bubbly lady who really tries hard to find the positive in the fairly difficult students she has to work with... Now reformed, and donning a zen, peaceful exterior, she uses her experience to help others by leading an anger management class.

"However, all of the birds will learn that Matilda still harbours an inner rage that will come out at the worst - or best - possible moment."

Your character in the film will express anger, but what makes her angry?

"Nothing," she said, adding: "I realise it (anger) probably comes from a place of justice and when things aren't fair; things don't feel right; or when I feel like people are selfish or they put you in a position where you have to do something compromising or people being horrible to each other or hurting."

She shared that "I think I do what all of us do: I think you either try to deal with your feelings or you explode and lose (your patience) and then you have to be a bigger person and say 'I'm sorry, I was wrong and I shouldn't have raised my voice'." She added: "Those are the things I'm practising in my house all the time in terms of teaching my children." - IANS

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T H U R S DAY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

VACANCY

D2

FOR RENT 1. Flat Wadi Kabir / MBD Area 2. Villa @ Muscat Hills 3. Warehouse Ghala 4,000 Sqm

Contact : 9076 5656 / 951 22 666

D4

CARGO

D7

D2

T H U R S D AY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

FURNISHED OFFICES FOR RENT ǀĂŝůĂďůĞ Ăƚ Ă ƉƌŝŵĞ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ ŽŶ Azaiba Service Road (Previously OĐĐƵƉŝĞĚ ďLJ ͛^Ăī Ă &ŽŽĚƐͿ near Al Turky and Mazda showroom.

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ 95215289, 99229263, 93221054

*Tourist visa arranged

ʽ ^ãÊÙ ZÊÊÃÝ

¥ÊÙ Z Äã

ǀĂŝůĂďůĞ Ăƚ Ă ƉƌŝŵĞ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ ŽŶ azaiba service road ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ ŽĐĐƵƉŝĞĚ ďLJ ͛^Ăī Ă &ŽŽĚƐͿ ŶĞĂƌ ů dƵƌŬLJ ĂŶĚ DĂnjĚĂ ƐŚŽǁƌŽŽŵ

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ 95215289, 99229263, 93221054

Spacious 4BHK with split A/C’S, 4 bathrooms & storeroom, near Church roundabout, Mumtaz area.

Rent:R.O 575, Contact:99349672

Villa for rent in South Mabellah, 3 bedrooms, sitting room, family Lounge, kitchen, three Toilets Contact 92212212 between 10 AM to 5 PM.

Office for rent in Al Ansab near bank Muscat. Contact: 99466173

Office 55SQ.Mtrs & 2B/R at Bausher directly from owner.

Contact: 92158031

3 Rooms, 2 Toilets Flat for Rent.

18 November Street. Near Mars Hypermarket and The Chedi.

Ghobrah -Good for Commercial or Residential use. OMR 295/- month.

Call 94477222 Athaiba 2 bed, 1 bath room, sitting, kitchen with split AC behind Zubair Showroom rent 310 R.O. Contact: 99879939 Athaiba 2bed, 2 bathroom, sitting, kitchen with Split a/c behind Zubair show room rent 350/-R.O. Contact: 99879939 Wadi Kabeer Industrial 80 sm show rooms for rent 400/- R.O. Contact: 99879939 Apartment 2 bed room + sitting room with split A/C at Al Ansab heights R.O 300 monthly.

Contact: 93993354 3 BHK, 1BHK with A.C new building behind Muscat Bakery Wadi Al Kabir. Contact: 99338133 / 92103604 Deluxe 1 & 2 bedroom flats, ideal for office or residence at Qurum near PDO. Contact: 97721313 / 95070421 Flat for rent in Ruwi Al Mumtaz area 300/-R.O 2BHK, sitting room, hall, 2 bathrooms, kitchen with A/C Contact: 99268676 / 93294878 / 93294877 Flat for rent in Al Wadi Kabir near to the Kuwaiti Mosque 225 R.O, 1BHK, sitting room, bathrooms, kitchen with A.C. Contact : 93294878 / 93294877 2 BHK available Mumtaz area Ruwi & Ghubra near Al Maha Hotel.

Contact: 99269751

Flat for rent in Al Wadi Kabir near to the Kuwaiti Mosque 300 R.O, 2 BHK, sitting room, 2 bathrooms, kitchen with A.C. Contact: 93294878 / 93294877 Flat for rent in Al Wadi Kabir near to the Kuwaiti Mosque 390/- R.O, 3 BHK , sitting room, three bathrooms, kitchen with A.C. Contact: 93294878 / 93294877 For rent flat in Darsait & Ruwi, Office CBD. Contact: 95345909 / 92820734 Flat for rent in Ruwi Al Walja near to the Honda road RO 200/-, 1 BHK, sitting room, bathrooms, kitchen with A.C. Contact: 93294878 / 93294877

Just 2 OMR / Sqm, Showroom / store for rent Ground floor & basement, area - 1100 Sqm, location Seh Al Ahmer, 20 km to Rusayl.

Contact: 97714433 / 93437982

Shop for rent at Wadi Kabir Industrial area. Contact: 99888390

Flat for rent Al Hail North to the Wave Muscat ground floor with furniture the price RO 250/-.

Contact: 99353433

Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122

Flats in Al Khuwair, Al Ghubra, Azaiba, Wadi Kabeer, Darsait, Hamriya, Al Hail & Seeb.

Contact: 24182000 / 95250300 / 99110600

Flat for rent in Al Khoud, 2 rooms & hall. Contact: 917633665 1BHK Flats for rent, behind Sheraton hotel in Ruwi, rent R.O 250/per month. Contact: 96051941

Flat for rent in Darsait 1BHK. Contact: 99357586 / 97500025 / 97500021

Plot at Barka next to Germany College & next to Aramex Company, next to Bahwan Warehouse, next to Omasco warehouse 37,074 SQM2 required 0.250 Baiza per SQM. Contact: 99888390

Ruwi office space for rent, Saravana Bhava Building.

Contact: 95729549

Flats for rent at Just RO 160/- 2 Bed room, hall, kitchen , 2 toilets, location Seh Al Ahmer, 20 KM to Rusayl, including AC & roof Garden.

Contact: 97714433 / 93437982

Shop in Seeb market. Contact: 24182000 / 95250300/ 99110600

House in North Al Hail with 3 rooms, living room, hall, 4 toilets 300 RO. Contact 99738881 / 99439568

Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688

2 & 3 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair & Ghubra. Contact 99792181

Flats in Ghobrah. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Flats, shops & store for rent in MBD area Ruwi, Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127

Flats in Muttrah. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Offices and Flats in Ghala.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Flat for rent in Al Qurum, 3 rooms & hall. Contact: 91763660

Villa in Seeb near Dreams Resort and close to the sea. Contact: 24182000 / 95250300/ 99110600

5 BHK Villa in Al Khuwair, for Staff Accommodation. Contact 99792181

1BHK at Hamriya near Muscat Pharmacy & 2 BHK at Mawaleh near Mosque Sadiq Al Amin.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

For rent New flats at Darsait Al Sahail. Contact: 99777351 House in Darsait 3 rooms, kitchen, 1 bathroom with A/C. Contact: 95522405 Flats in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688

3 Bedroom well maintained flat (villa Type only 2 flats in villa) in Al Khuwair, behind Al Akhtam Restaurant villa No 1841, Way No 3922--- block no 239.

Contact: 99462980

Flat for rent in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact: 92277419

Flat for rent in Wadi Al Kabeer including 3 rooms with ACs. Contact: 99333639

Villa for rent in Al Khoud, 6 rooms, hall. Contact: 91763665

Villa for rent in Al Ghubrah, 5 rooms, hall. Contact: 91763665 Flat for rent 2 bedrooms in Ruwi Mumtaz area. Contact: 91409667 / 24291500

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35). Contact 94051789 / 97201688

3000 Sqr mtrs compound land in Misfah. Contact 99792181 Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232

Four bedroom two floors luxurious and spacious residential villa in Al Hail North, near to the sea and Oman oil. Each room has its own bathroom. It has splits A/C’s and shaded car park. OMR 750 monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 Villa in Al Khoud consists of 6 bedrooms, 1 sitting & living room. Contact: 91153933 1700 sqr mtrs open Land + small store + garage for Rent in Ruwi.

Contact 99792181 2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. contact 99342661 Shop for rent good location main road behind wholesale hyper market Amerat space 11 MT long, 4 MT Width. Contact: 92877449 Two bedrooms flat in Al Ghobrah near Oman Oil of 18 November Street. OMR 330 Monthly.

Contact 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

4 BHK Villa in Bowsher Heights.

Contact 99792181 Flat for Rent 2 bed room Near ISM muscat Indian Scoole Dar sate Tel : 00 968 95158570 Flats in Darsait. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 /99795241

Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278 1 BHK and 2BHK Flats available near Lulu Darsait (Main road, Opp. to Min. of Defense). Contact : 93202733 Furnished office (61M2) for sale / rent Al Khuwair near Zawawi Mosque. Contact: 95611569 1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair.

Contact: 95154331 Flat in Al Khuwair opp grand mall 4 room 3 toilet + hall kitchen in 3 floor 400. Contact 99420346 Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-. Contact: 99335580 2 BHK flat at Ruwi Mumtaz area RO 320/-. Contact: 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khood.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Villa in Bousher consists of 5 rooms, 1 hall & living room.

Contact: 91153933 Villa in Al Ghubra consists of 5 bedrooms, 1 hall and living room.

Contact: 91153933 Room with 9 bathrooms in Bousher for rent. Contact: 91153933 2 bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality.

Contact: 92584715/ 24700120

T H U R S DAY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

BUYING Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Used office house furniture & electronic items.

Contact: 99834373 / 96642500 Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

NRI 910 sq ft furnished flat at Qupem Goa. Contact: 97094797 NRI selling his properties : Bangalore (Sobha Garnet, 4 bed room apartment), Hosur (25 cents) Cochin (20 cents), Trivandrum (11 cents, opposite to KIMS Hospital), Shertala (20 cents), Kanyakumari (175 cents along National Highway), Nagercoil (3 plots of 11 cents, 100 cents and 20 cents). Send e mail to drkpraman@gmail.com or call Pradeep 94194071 Two properties at Bangalore for sale (1) 3 BHK Senior living apartment with full fledged facilities & services in Ozone Urbana Serene project for the cost price of Irene project. Handover by August 2016. (2) 4 B/R villa (BUA 3600sq.ft, 4 floors, 3 Livings, 5 bathrooms, maid’s room & car park) for sale at JP Nagar. Contact Mrs. Mangala Ph: 97903127, Email: ravichandran.mangala@gmail.com

WANTED Description - used 80 mm UNI interlocking, Quantity 5000 Sq . Mtr. Contact person Mr. Farook Shaikh .

Contact: 00968- 99899724 Email: fairdeal@omantel.net.om Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each. Contact: 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 / 93203778 IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area.

Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up. Mobile no: 92927880/ 99012165

FOR RENT 2BHK Big Size Flat Behind Bank Muscat, Wadi Kabir. Near ISWK. 97826454, 24815012.

Apartment in Al Khoudh consists of 2 room & hall. Contact: 91153933 Flats In Qurum.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 2BHK split A/C for rent Muttrah near Oman House.

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 1BHK Studio flat near Star Cinema RO 180/-. Contact: 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288

FOR SALE Shop for sale, Honda road building materials beside NBO, Ruwi.

Contact: 99018075 Company for sale service& maintenance LLC installation & maintenance of fire fighting systems include ROP license.

Contact: 99433540 Running clinic for sale at Samail.

Contact saemomar@gmail.com / 95498105 Shop for sale at Ruwi high street.

Contact: 98787853 Used & Refurbished Porta cabins, Toilets unit available for sales. Contact: 99215560 Email: omegaunitedoman@gmail.com Working beauty parlor for sale Al Ghubra. Contact: 98178135 Running pharmacy for sale on main road in Barka with Pharmacist. Contact: 99452755 603 sq mtrs residential land in Al Hail North Block 45 NE near Radio station. OMR 95 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 Ladies fashion boutique for sale in Al Khuwair. Contact: 24702870 Villa for sale in Mabela 6 rooms, living room & hall.

Contact: 91763665 Dental chairs for sale sparingly used dental units for sale.

Contact Mr. Ansari 92616343.

Kumar 99570284 Dental clinic for immediate sale doctor going abroad. Contact: 92882209 / 96373097 2 Shops for sale at prime location in Ghobra. Contact: 96381294 Bozlur 6 Villas of six bedrooms each under construction in one compound in Bausher near Muscat Private hospital. Prices range from 165 thousand to 179 thousand for each villa. Each villa has three floors and 369 sq mtrs build up area.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 2 Nos brand new sea water reverse osmosis plants 500m3/ day, containerized in knock down condition with American PD pumps & process pumps for immediate sale. Serious buyers may Contact: 99445367

FOR SALE 400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Mabela Phase 5 Block 2. OMR 165 Thousand.

Contact 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955

Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery. Contact 99328430 HD Scaffoldings, Shuttering Jacks, Wooden Planks, Shuttering wood assorted, Tower hoist (lift), Concrete Mixer, Bending Machine, Steel Fabrication Machinery (Searing/Cutting, lathe & Welding) including tools for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278 Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair. Contact 92881849 /What`s up No 97290565 Urgent sale of steel scrap only serious buyers kindly contact +968 96725423 for viewing the items.

Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter.

Photos can be sent 95865457

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished sharing accommodation available at Walja family / Ex bachelor. Contact: 93223278 Bachelor sharing accommodation available at Misfa.

Contact: 99215560

Mitsubishi Pajero model 2006, full option, 6 cylinders, 3800 CC in a very good condition.

Contact 99376567

Mazda 2 Sedan, 2014 model, metallic silver, automatic, expat lady driven, 44,000 km RO 3,000, negotiable, for sale. Contact: 94619163

Room, bathroom for Executives in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99336206

Double Shutter 80 sq mtrs corner textile shop in Seeb Souq for sale.

Contact 99326339

Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale. Contact 99273774/ 99202278

MV SALE

ACC. AVAILABLE

Luxury Apartments in Boucher (35). Contact 95056808 / 97201688

1No brand new containerized package type STP 100 m3/ day with blower equipments (suitable for camps). Serious Buyers may.

Contact: 99445367

MV SALE

ACC. AVAILABLE Room available for family / bachelor opposite to o.K. Center, Ruwi.

Gsm 942-888-63 Sharing Accomodation avaiable for a working lady near indian school wadikabir.

Contact 99652740 Fully furnished room with access to kitchen is ideal for a bachelor or couple situated in Al Bustan village, and is close to the beach and the hotel.Plz contact 99378964 / 96607448 Furnished accommodation available at Walja with bath & sharing, kitchen for family.

Contact: 99725804 Fully furnished showroom space available at Al Qurum near Sabco Center. 100 sq. m ideal for travel office, money exchange, jewellery, foot wear, perfume shop, Computer Shop etc. Contact: 96108593 Furnished single / sharing room for Exec. bachelor at Rex Road (Kannada, Telugu, Tamil).

Contact: 92873832 Accommodation for Ladies or couple in Ruwi. Contact: 91450718 Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 97167857 Executive lady room & Bathroom in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99336206 Room available with attached bath & balcony for an Executive bachelor near MBD area.

Contact: 95779616

Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794 1 big room with attached bathroom with sharing kitchen available for small Muslim Family, Near Spar, Mumtaz area, Ruwi, Muscat.

Contact 99662698.

1 BHK appartment for rent in Al Khoud Shabiya near mazoon mosque for rent (next to alkhoud medical center and squ) MOB: 93913224 Small old house for rent in Ghobra. Contact: 97165972 Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir Contact 93049849 Furnished apartment for rent, two rooms, majlis, hall, kitchen.

Near Carrefour al-mawalah.

Contact 99336776 Sharing accommodation near ISD. Contact: 99657340 Sharing Accommodation available for working ladies opposite Al Nadhah Hospital. Preferably Indians. Room with seperate toilet and sharing kitchen.RO.90.

Contact 96524717 Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. CONTACT 96202458/96761960 Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested pleasecontact 92680041 Mr. Altaf Room available for Executive bachelor at Al Hail.

Contact 96234708

Audi A3 2003 automatic gear 138,000 kms, Expat driven for RO 600/-. Serious buyers can Contact 96248179

MATRIMONIAL Muscat based Ezhava girl, MCA seeking alliance for Ezhava girl, 25 years working in MNC Muscat, staying with family from parents of professionals in Muscat / UAE. (Preferably from Kannur Distt).

Contact: 99665200 Indian male Roman Catholic 40yrs divorcee working in Muscat.

Seeks suitable alliance from widow/ divorcee/ single.

Contact 96059801.

Parent of Thrissur based Hindu Ezhava girl aged 20, Slim,Atham star, Studying for B. Pharm seeking alliance from well employed Graduates, preferably in Engineering Contact :96425102 Malankara Catholic Male Nurse (28) from Thiruvalla working in Nizwa Private Co. Alliance invites parents/nurses working in Oman.

Contact 968 98267338, 0091 9287215726

CHANGE OF NAME I Sheikh Mahamed Husain (holder of Indian passport No. G 5151274) Son of Sheikh Abdul Karim having permanent residence in H/M 373 Baina (1) Vasco-DA- Gama, Goa (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in Villa No. 480 , Way No. 5106, Al Khuliah Street A Khuwair, Muscat (complete postal address in Oman) intend to change my name from Sheikh Mahamed Husain (old name) to Mahamed Husain (new name) for all practical purpose. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. Box No. 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

D4

T H U R S D AY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

WANTED Excellent Grade Construction Company Requires the following.

Site Manager, Project Engineer, Civil Site Engineer, QS/QC Engineer, HSE Officer, Civil Foreman Interested Candidates send CV to below email-info@durat.om

ACCOUNTS Omani Female required as Asst.

Accountant cum Secretary. English communication and writing, typing skills required. Email CV to: s.safar@celarwater.com, 24613371.

CATERING Wanted Cooks urgently for a Coffee shop, visa ready.

Email : souman7@yahoo.com, GSM : 97158376

DOMESTIC HELPER Wanted experienced Philipino Housemaid with visa release.

Contact: 99466062 House maid for Omani family.

Contact: 99773100 A full time living Housemaid required for an Indian family in Ghobrah. Contact: 97335255

DRIVER Wanted Indian light driver with visa salary R.O 200/.

Contact: 99215560 Email: bvcsmuscat@gmail.com Driver required for a leading Courier company. Send CV to info@atsglobex.com Contact: 00968-97461515 Salary: Negotiable.

Required Omani Driver for a restaurant. Contact 95929911 Wanted a experience Driver for Capital and Interior work.

Gsm : 942-888-63

MAINTENANCE

MEP CAD Draftsmen required, with experience in Pipeline and Electrical drawing for a reputed water treatment company in UAE. Email CV to : s.safar@celarwater.com, 24613371

EDUCATION/TRAINING Medical/Engineering Entrance coaching: Teachers for Chemistry, Physics, Maths & Biology required urgently call 91396893 or email :medengca@gmail.com

ENGINEER/MECHANIC. Urgently required for Construction in Muscat Civil Engineer & Architect with 5-10 years experience with bachelors degree or diploma, good knowledge & a valid Omani driving license. Send your CV to aalamri24@gmail.com Air Conditioning Company required experienced A/C Technician Send CV to nationalhvac. mep@gmail.com Fax: 24799442 Required female Office Assistant with good computer knowledge.

Send CV to Fax: 24799442 nationalhvac.mep@gmail.com Wanted Indian Engineer & Marketing person for steel workshop in Saham. Contact 91339401 Wanted Marine Engineer for yacht in Muscat. # Whatsapp 95887572 Email: alibadawy@gmail.com Civil Engineer, Masons, Helpers, Shuttering, Carpenters, Steel fixers with 5 yrs experience in Oman.

Contact: 97491117 Urgently Required: MEP Manager Engineer- minimum 10years experience with NOC in Oman for immediately join. Interested candidates may call us to our office telephone: 00968- 24696584/ 24696585 or fax: 0096824605955 or email us to sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com Required Electrical Engineer with minimum 5 years Gulf exp. & Electrician with ITI - Industrial & MEDC license. Contact: 99454425

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

MANAGER

Indian male 34 yrs, M.Com – Finance with 5 yrs experience in Accounts in India, presently in visiting visa looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 93671785 Email: jeyan903@gmail.com

For a reputed company Well experienced in building & villas all type of maintenance.

Part Time Accountant, up to finalization of accounts, looking for job after 5 PM (location prefer MSQ to Al Hail). Contact: 90935099

Please send your C V to

hralsom@gmail.com

Accounts part time services, available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly basis.

Finalization and audit works.

Contact: 96247295

REQUIRED Sales mechanical executive

Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394

For industrial trading company With minimum 5 years’ experience.

Omani Driving license

ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance. Contact: 99284193

Kindly forward your CV to omancareers2016@gmail.com

WANTED Female Gynaecologist, Female GP- Two Female Staff Nurse (From India or Pilipino)and One Female Dental Assist and Female Lab Technician.

With MOH Licence and Data Flow for Al Saadi Specilised Medical Centre, Musanna.

Contact # 92025033, Email : dr.srininvas76@gmail.com

IT Required Shop Sales man + Hardware Technician for IT Company with minimum 2 years experience.

Contact: 98825806 / 98825806, Email: info@rns-group.com

MEDICAL Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq. Contact: 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com Urgently required GP Doctor, Gynecologist, Female Nurses with MOH license & NOC for a reputed specialized center based in Muscat. Please forward your CV to alqaimtrd@gmail.com

Wanted driver. Contact: 97165972

DRAFTSMAN

SITUATION WANTED

Urgently required Physiotherapist & Pharmacist for a reputed polyclinic. Send CV to carecare003@gmail.com or call 97706453 Urgently required Pharmacist & MOH licensed female Dentist for a reputed polyclinic. Send CV : manageribnalhaitham@yahoo.com or call 96721709.

Care Medical Centre Al Seeb requires Gynecologist and General Practitioner. Mail CV to:sarita_h23@yahoo.com Wanted Staff Nurse for a dermatology clinic in Muscat .

Must have MOH license and NOC. Attractive salary offered. Email: clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with Dataflow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934 Require a qualified Nurse to take care of an elderly female.

Contact: 99425200

MISCELLANEOUS The following vacancies are urgently required for a printing press in Wadi Kabir General Manager & Sales Representatives with well knowledge and experience in printing press, holding valid Omani driving license. Please send your CV to: aalamri24@gmail.com Urgently required a Painter and a Denter for workshop (Garage).

Contact: 96042322 Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred.

Contact 99273774/99202278 Wanted Steward / Deckhand for Yacht in Muscat, Housekeeping & Guest service duties. Contact: Whatsapp 95887572 Email: alibadawy@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Required Office Assistant with driving license present in Oman.

Salary + food+ accommodation.

Contact: 99454425

Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement. contact 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com

SALES / MARKETING Required smart, young, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3 years sales experience for a reputed manufacturing company in Oman, having its Head Office in Ruwi. Experience in building materials is an added advantage. Omani Driving License and NOC is a must. Attractive remuneration package. Apply with photograph to E-mail: salesjobds@gmail.com Well reputed Kitchen fabrication company required the staff for showrooms as follow.

(1) Sales Manager with valid driving license. (2) Sales Executive (Male) with valid driving license.

(3) Sales Executive (Female) Philippine Secretary (Female) Send the CV’s at “hrik711@gmail.com Required marketing / PR manager for a modern restaurant group in Oman , proficient in illustrator & Photoshop charismatic , proactive , creative & flexible excellent writing / Editing skills degree in relevant area fluent in English. Send CV to marketingpr2016@gmail.com Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each. Contact: 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 / 93203778

Urgently required Printing & Stationary Salesman (minimum 3 years experience in field.

Contact: 93218176 / Email: joboman88@gmail.com Required female person to work at the retail shop/Marketing. Please send your CV on e mail: zeyanaalharmaly@yahoo.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Urgently required Offset Printer (5 years experience in the same and well versed in any related jobs. Contact: 93218176 / Email: joboman88@gmail.com Required Indian Mason – 5 nos., eligibility (minimum 5 yrs experience in road construction field).

Contact: 99882127 Email: georgymv@yahoo.com

TOURS & TRAVEL Urgently required Travel agent (1 position) with 5yrs experience & command on Sabre and IATA. Applicant must be professional and have expertise in Hajj, Umra & Tourism packages. Sound communication skills in English & Arabic will be given preference. Send CVs : hr.muscat2015@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED

Sudanese Accountant, Alexandria University Graduate bachelor of commerce Diploma of Marketing professional photographer worked in PR and social media for 2 years looking for a job in public relations media, social media or marketing.

Contact: 96976240 Indian, Kerala Male B.COM & B.PE, Currently on Visit Visa. Looking for a suitable job in Accounts, Store Keeper, Sales etc. Ready to join as early as possible. Contact: 96988923 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com Accountant 8Years Experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084

ARCHITECT Architect female 5 years experience seeking job.

Contact: 96146645 Email: anjuovil@gmail.com Senior Architect or Designer looking for suitable job, Nationality Syrian. Contact: 94698508 Architect Engineer seeking for suitable job, 8 years experience.

GSM : 96075000, Email : haytham_201046@yahoo.com Indian female diploma architect 6 years exp in Oman Engineering consultancy, valid Oman driving license. Contact: 96683293 / 97750870

ADMIN ACCOUNT. & FINANCE 26 years Gulf experience Indian Finance Manager B.Com, MBA English, Arabic speaking driving license, NOC available. Contact: 99811679 5 Years experienced front office & Banking, Indian male 28 yrs, hotel management Graduate. Searching for suitable position, English, Hindi, Malayalam & Arabic fluent. NOC available. Contact - 91383167 Indian (Male) having 17+years Experience in Trading & Healthcare seeking senior Position in Accounts (11 years GCC Experience ) currently on Resident Visa (NOC Available ) and has a valid Omani Driving Licence. Contact: 91335026; skumartp@gmail.com Indian male age 26, Accountant one year experience in accounts looking for suitable job. Contact Email: Anishkhan991867@gmail.Com Mobile: +968 9565 9415 Part time Accountant Indian Senior Accountant up to finalization Tally 9. Contact: 93064975 Indian female 28 yrs B.Com 4 yrs experience in MNC’s currently in Muscat seeking suitable placement in Finance / Admin.

Contact: 94743790 Indian female, M.Com, DCA having 10+ years experience as Senior Accountant in leading Construction & Trading L.L.C in Muscat seeking suitable job, Oman driving license NOC available. Contact : 91609799 Fresher 24, ACCA Affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or Audit with Oman driving license.

Contact - 92430152 Email - raju.rd619@gmail.com

Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job. Contact 93953613, Email-allen.mathew83@gmail.com Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa.

Immediately available.

Contact 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com Chief Accountant well experienced with reputed group.

Contact : 98803439 / 97413784.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT/Ast. Finance Manager-M. Com FinanceIndian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to Finalization. Experienced in facilitations & banking. Having D/L & NOC. Mob: 94122464, Email: cammk13@gmail.com Accountant 2.5 years exp in Oman, NOC available with valid D/L. Contact: 98870112 Email: rashadmeethal@gmail.com American Certified Manager (6 sigma, CPPM) with MBA, PMP trained having 10 years, UAE cross functional experience in procurement, projects management, supply chain, facilities & Administration with UAE D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact: 90772927 Email: callshebin@gmail.com 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.Contact 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235 Indian, 20 years experience in Oman as Personal Assistant / Office Manager / Executive Secretary / Senior Administrator / Business Development Asst. seeks job change. Release available.

Contact 99168054.

Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288

CATERING Filipino Cabin steward / Linen vallet is looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: +968 91065438 or email: blonglive@gmail.com

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Indian Female, 3yrs exp. In AutoCAD draftsman with 3ds max & rivet,. Looking for suitable placement in Muscat now in visit visa .Contact:95601266 Architectural Draftsmen diploma in construction technology with 6 years experience in drafting and detailing as per British standard in Oman with valid Omani license looking for suitable opportunity Noc available. Call 94375897.

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR PH :92279784 Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman. Please Contact: 96489798, (+974) 66653780.

DRIVER Driver light license looking for job. Contact: 94035746 Looking for driving job.

Contact: 98219182 Looking for driving job 6 months experience. Contact: 93782260 Looking for driving job with Toyota Camry car, driver available with car or without car.

Contact: 97224035 Looking for driving job.

Contact: 99518533 Bangladeshi male looking for driving job. Contact: 98140379 Light driver looking for job Gulf exp.

Contact: 91929556 Driver Pakistani exp 4 years, looking for job. Contact: 94356465 Driver looking for job, 3 years experience. Contact: 97468646 Bangladeshi driver looking for job.

Contact: 97418036 Looking for driving job light 2 years exp. Contact: 91625977 Looking for driving job with G.C.C experience 6 years with car, without car. Contact: 94085449 For light vehicles.

Contact: 92789805 Light vehicle driver. Contact: 95891087

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Civil Engineer, B.Tech, 6 yrs experience with Omani driving license, local release available.

Contact: 91693008 B.E Mechanical Engineer, age 24 with almost 1 year experience as Production Shift Engineer, has achieved training on HVAC Engineering design and has good hands on software like AutoCAD and HAP.Currently in Oman on a visit visa, looking for a suitable placement.Contact: 95065955 email: mjs.jazeb@gmail.com Project Manager Electrical with 6 years experience with EHV & MV substation projects. NOC available.

Contact 91398559 Civil Engineer fresh Graduate with Omani driving license looking for job in any company. Contact: 91745797 / 99190898 Email: alio_abdo@hotmail.com Quantity Surveyor (QS)- Srilankan, 6 years of experience (4 years Oil & Gas in Oman), Contact- 98142760 Procurement Coordinator Indian male 30 yrs B.Com (Computers) 4 years experience in Saudi Arabia Construction Company looking for any suitable position on visit visa till 18 June 2016.

Contact: 0968 98590811 Email: ibrahimhashmi220@gmail.com HSE Officer more than 10 yrs experience in Construction, oil & gas looking for suitable job, NOC available. Contact: 99626821 Instrumentation Engineer, Indian male 25 years having over 2 years experience in calibration, testing and maintenance of field instruments, looking for a suitable position, available in Oman for visit.

Contact: 91228010 Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) Indian male with 1 year experience looking for job, qualifications in QA – QC, HVAC & Piping Engineering. Contact: 90510800 Email: muhammedjaseem07@gmail.com B Tech Electronics and communication,1.5 years experience in India as site engineer in automation system of Reliance, Looking for a suitable job. Currently in India, Contact:-95657292 Civil Engineer (Indian male) 5 years experience in Oman with valid Omani driving license & NOC looking for suitable opportunity.

Contact: 93101283

T H U R S DAY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ůĞĐƚƌŽŶŝĐƐ ĂŶĚ ŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ

E'/E Z With 2 years exp in Telecom sector, currently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ ϵϯϵϭϵϵϰϯ ĂŐŶĞůũĞƌŝŶΛLJĂŚŽŽ͘ĐŽŵ ^ƵĚĂŶĞƐĞ DĂůĞ ϯϱ LJƌƐ ͘^Đ ůĞĐƚƌŽŶŝĐ ^LJƐƚĞŵ ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌŝŶŐ with 11 yrs. Experience in Gov/Private. /^ K ; EWͲZΘ^Ϳ ĂŶĚ ƚŚŝĐĂů ŚĂĐŬŝŶŐ ; , ǀϴͿ ĞƌƟ Į ĞĚ͘ ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ŬŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞ ŽĨ ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƟ ŽŶ ĂŶĚ /d services management. ŵĂŝů͗ ŐĂďĂƌŽŬŝϮŬΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ DŽď͗нϵϳϰϱϬϰϳϱϬϯϰ

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact 96789711

Indian male MBA

With 13 years experience in GCC and Oman. Competent in Sales, DĂƌŬĞƟ ŶŐ͕ ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ŽƉĞƌĂƟ ŽŶ ĂŶĚ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƟ ŽŶ͘ Interested employer please call

Finance & Marketing 25 yrs having 1.9 years of experience Finance & Marketing Contact: 95206140/ 96992013

Indian male, Diploma Engineer with BBA & 16 yrs experience in Oman, worked with MNC in retail (Telecom/ Lubricant sales) and with construction industry handling various products & subcontract projects.

Holding valid Oman D/L, NOC available.

97728418

bonnythomas007@gmail.com

Email:

Contact 96960991, Email : sunap1968@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

HOSPITALITY

Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com

Indian male 31yrs old with hotel management degree, 3 yrs experience in F&B services at 5 star hotel Dubai, 05 yrs in American 06 star cruiseliner has butler. Has Oman driving license. Contact 99859150

IT

MANAGER

An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available. Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com

Indian 25 years BCA Graduate with 3 years IT experience (Desktop Support) seeking suitable job. Contact: 94170892

Workshop Manager having 30 years gulf and abroad experience in plants & machineries, heavy duty trucks, readymix batching plants & crushers, water well drill rigs, rock blasting machineries etc. kindly contact @ 97145088.

Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine.

Available NOC release.

Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com

Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable.

Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com

Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912

HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+Diploma Safety+NEBOSH+OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement, Mob:97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com B.Tech Mechanical Engineer steel fabrication & erection 6 years experience with Oman D/L seeks placement. Contact 97917250 B.Tech Civil Indian, 4 years experience in Oman with D/L. Contact: 90902809, Email: ackn1234@yahoo.com Indian B.E Civil Engineer 1 year Indian 5 months Oman experience seeking Site Engineer position, local release available.

Contact: 96411591 Indian Diploma Civil Engg 3 years Indian exp 6 months Oman exp seeking Site Engineer position, local release available.

Contact 96411950 Indian female on family visa having M. Ttech degree in Biotech seeking suitable placement in any field. Contact: 91287047 Computer Hardware Technician, experienced Indian Male on visit visa seeking for suitable placement as hardware technician and Store Incharge. Contact: 95711667 Civil Engineer, young Indian having almost 2 years experience looking for a challenging position seeks suitable position in Oman/ GCC. Please contact 92718490, Email ID: uvais.pk82@gmail.com Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years having 5 years of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India, holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 mail: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com B.Tech Mechanical Engineer having 8 years exp having Oman driving license seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97841963 Electrical Engineer with 16 years experience in switchgear / transformer / over head lines & trading, looking for sales / procurement & project planning & Execution with NOC & D/L. Contact: 95994727 Email: qurm340@gmail.com Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman.Contact:98921022 B.E Mechanical Engineer, age 33 with 6+ years experience in GCC in MEP building construction field (execution and design of HVAC,firefighting,plumbing), with D/L, NOC available 96978380;prajithks@gmail.com Sr. Electrical Engineer with17+ yrs of exceptional exp in spear heading strategic planning and project management initiatives & executing various high rise residential & commercial building as well as roads and highway project with proficiency in installation, seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization.

Contact 96570891

Sr. Sales & Marketing Specialist

D E ' Z, CIPD HR

Young Indian, Engineering in Bio-technology, Bio-chemical and Chemical, looking for a challenging placement in Oman.

Contact 97607000. Email: sivasankarjayakumar@gmail.com Diploma Engineering Instrumentation Technician, 2 years experience skills calibration & installation etc.

Contact: 98963344 / 96946408 Email: anfeeranfu4@gmail.com

4 years as Network Engineer (CCNA- MCTIP) very good in Arabic & English, having valid license.

Contact: 99813988 Indian male 40 years BSc & diploma in logistics, 16 yrs experience (6 yrs in GCC) in logistics, storekeeping & spare parts, seeking suitable placement.

NOC available.Contact: 98966849

IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India.

Contact: 94672759

SALES / MARKETING

Omani 26(m) seeks placement 6 yrs experience IT specialist.

Contact: 99025044

Construction Machinery repairs Engineer, 5 years, driving license, Contact - 94001961

Indian female M.Sc Computer Science seeking suitable placement in Muscat area.

Contact: 98660672

B.Sc Civil Engineer, MBA experience 5 years (15 months in Oman) English & Arabic, driving license looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 94162443 Indian 24 yrs exp SR civil Engg with NOC, searching suitable job, in any project Supervision.

Contact: 96602718 mishteyaqh@yahoo.co.in Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 92279784 Indian male, Structural Engineer looking for job in structural design field. Having 6 years of experience in design field. Residing in Muscat.

Contact: 91176187 syam036@gmail.com Automobile Mechanic ITI 3 years experience marine mechanical fitter 2 yrs experience.

Contact: 93674847 Indian 14 yrs exp SR MEP – Elect Engg with NOC, searching suitable job, in field PMC, Fire consultants , Testing & com, project supervision.

Contact: 92437865 Email: maimran.mtech@live.com Indian male B-tech 8 years experience as senior electrical project engineer / QC engineer on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94094543 Email: anwar425@gmail.com

EDUCATION/TRAINING Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. Contact : 99739415 / 92091528 Teacher available in Seeb, Al-Mwalah, Al-Hail and Al-Khod Areas. Contact: 93848364 Indian male, M.Tech Graduate in Chemical Process Control Engineering looking for lecturing jobs, currently in Oman. Contact : 98352288 Experienced Indian female Teacher, B.Sc (Botany) & B.Ed on visit seeks suitable placement.

Cont: 98312255 / 94495305 Email: sajnasachu786@gmail.com Indian male in English, M.Phill, B.Ed with 5 years experience in College teaching & good administrative skill is looking for a suitable placement in Education Institutions or offices. Contact: 98260529 / 97297939 Email: samsundarlit@gmail.com

Indian male Graduate 10 years experience in Oman seeks mid management position with trading / automobile organization.

Contact: 92133277 Email: bijuma73@yahoo.com Operations Manager – Interior designing, Indian male, 20 years experience in Interior Decoration, Joinery, Gypsum Works, MEP Works, BOQ preparation, costing, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97608867

Electrical & Electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit.

PH: 93837973

Indian Male, MCA Graduate, 15 yrs exp in ERP, CSM Certified, seeking suitable role.NOC Available.

Contact : GSM : 90189284 Email: meetlibran@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female, 25 Years - MSc Biotechnology, 1yr exp. in Microbiology, Looking for suitable job.

Mobile: 92619048, Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com Nithin Issac (Indian male) bachelor degree & MSW Medical & Psychiatry Hospital experience for 4 years in public relations and one year experience as Psychiatric Social Worker.

Contact 98937662 / 90188131 Email: nithsknur@gmail.com Indian B.Tech 37 years Project Engineer , 12 + years experience in construction, maintenance of STP, Pumping stations, sewer lines, drinking water distribution and service reservoirs & pipe lines.

Contact: 99364007 / +91-887422635 Email: mdzubair01@gmail.com Indian male, 16 years experience in Telecom vas industry on different Vas products, services & Enterprise solutions, looking for managerial position in relevant field, visit visa on hand for three months. Contact: 99744870 / 0091-9959171939, Email: tsbabu@airhub.com BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com Indian male, 28, post graduate, 6+ yrs exp in Oman in sales (back office) & credit control with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable lacements. NOC available.

Contact: 92066 523

MEDICAL Staff Nurse seeking job for nurse with 2 years experience in India with visit visa, passed with 51% Oman prometric. Contact: 91451935 D- Pharm Pharmacist 17 years experience Ayurvedic Panchakarma Masseur’s 3 years experience.

Contact: 93672452 Indian female Dentist specialized Endodontist looking for suitable placement, prometric completed.

Contact: 96410448

With over 25 years in varied industries, presently working with a reputed group in Muscat, looking out for a suitable change.

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ Ͳ ϵϲϰϵϭϬϯϬ

MISCELLANEOUS

Indian male 4 years experience in IT as Programmer / Web Support / CCNA/ Network on visit visa seeking placement. Contact: 93069694 Email: mrabrar14@gmail.com

System IT Engineer with Linux & UNIX System Administration skills transferable visa. Contact: 99109332

Ŷ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ ŚĂƌƚĞƌĞĚ ĐĐŽƵŶƚĂŶƚ

Indian male good experience in Sales, Marketing, Admin & Accounts looking for suitable job.

Contact: 96199690 35 years male, Lebanese holding British passport, 10 years of experience in procurement, Omani Government tenders, setup marketing plans & strategies, importing, Organizing events, management, have car, NOC available.

Contact 94123939 Email: 002015r@gmail.com Indian male more than 10 years experience in Sales and Administration with NOC & D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97205114 Indian Male, MBA marketing 5 yrs exp. in sales & 4 yrs in FMCG sector, looking for best opportunity. NOC available.

Contact: 96001877 Indian male 24 years B.com 2 years of experience in Sales & Office Admin knowledge of Tally ERP 9 & MS Office. Contact: 98613373 / 97359814, Email: syedismailnoor@gmail.com Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India.

Contact: India:-+918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Indian male Graduate with 18 years of Marketing experience presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity.

Contact: 96168687 Email: dhibupaul@gmail.com Indian male 37 years MBA graduate in marketing with 9yrs of experience in UAE in field of brand promotions & marketing with UAE D/L on a visit seeking suitable position. Conatct 95792820

SKILLED LABOR Plumber / Electrician 10 years experienced, NOC available.

Contact: 91636185 20 years experience in Oman S.T.P Operator. Contact: 93089468

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Call: 95244761 Looking for part time job Secretarial / Data Entry / Documentation available every day after 5:00 pm Friday / Saturday full day area preferred Ruwi/ CBD/ MBD / Al Khuwair. Contact: 90414827

Pakistani Male, Land Surveyor with work experience in Dubai Seeks suitable job in Oman.

Contact: 94347288

Filipino I.T. with 5 years experience looking for suitable job in Oman.

Contact: +968 91183514 or email delarama_ryan_t@yahoo.c om

Indian Male, Post graduate with 10yrs experience in gulf & 4.6yrs in Oil & Gas experience with SAP and ERP exposure. Finalisation, MIS, Auditing, Budgeting, AP &AR, Tax, etc., with Oman D/L seeking suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact: 91743376

Indian male 33 years, B.Com, having 6 years experience in Oman.

Tally & ERP looking for suitable placement. Mobile no :98492921

Indian male diploma in automobiles & MBA in insurance motor claim surveyor and processor, looking for a suitable placement in Insurance company 15 years of experience working in Middle East, Dubai & Saudi Arabia.

Contact : 95467981

Indian male with 5 year Oman Sales Experience with valid Oman D/L, looking for suitable position. Mobile:97221624, Email:saileshpkhanna@gmail.com

Indian Male, 23, BBA graduate, fresher on visit visa, looking for a job in sales. Contact: 94032041 Mail: azzamsiddique1@gmail.com IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support/Retail sales.

Contact 91496939 Indian male, 25 yrs, more than 5 years experience in Dubai, Looking for a suitable placement for jobs related to sales, marketing, coordination and support.

Contact: 95140445, syedfaraz97681@gmail.com Indian female, B.Tech Computer Science, 5 years experience in teaching in India currently on visit visa seeking for a suitable position in teaching, IT or administration.

E mail: rincy87@gmail.com Indian Male 47 years MBAOperations Management with total 25 Yrs exp inclusive of 9 yrs in Oil & Gas sector in Oman, having valid Omani D/L & NOC available , seeks challenging position in SCM/ Logistics/ Procurement in any Sector.

GSM-94236414.

Mail id – jayamurli@gmail.com Accountant male Indian, 2 years experience, doing accounts in tally & excel seeks suitable job.

EMAIL – regin1690@gmail.com, Contact +91 7373387282 B.E (Mechanical) 12 years industrial sales, 1 year Muscat experience, presently in India , immediately ready to join. Contact :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com Indian female B.Com, 1 year experience in Oman, experience in wings account package and knowledge of tally. Looking for Accounting job. Presently in Family visa.

Contact: 93491124 & 92054531 Indian male, M.Com, 7 years Oman experience in the field of accounts and valid oman driving license & NOC. Good knowledge in SAP, Tally, Oracle, MS office and Excel seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92859733 ACCA affiliate, B.Sc Degree holder, 3 years experience in audit and finance at Big 6, Male, Looking for suitable placement. NOC release available. Contact:95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com Indian Male, 23, BBA graduate with approx. 2 years experience in India and UAE is looking for job in sales / marketing.

Contact: 94032041; Mail: azzamsiddique1@gmail.com Indian male electrician(EEE ).

Two years good working experience searching for suitable job.

Gmail ; antonyajin15@gmail. com. Antony Ajin.G, Contact: 91 8148336160 / 91 8300136160 Indian Male, 23, BBA graduate, fresher, looking for a job in sales (indoor). No driving license.

Contact: 94032041 Mail: azzamsiddique1@gmail.com Male Indian, 8 years of experience doing desktop engineer, software implementation, system admin, searching for suitable job. Email: thiruvazhimarban.ciet@gmail. com, mobile: +919171447997 / +919894357260

Looking for a part time accounting job, additional experience in admin & store - purchase. #99196621

B.E. (Mechanical) 12years industrial sales one year Muscat experience, Presently in India, Immediately ready to join.

Contact :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com Male, Indian, 25, 5 years experience in Dubai; looking for permanent placement in Oman for jobs related to sales, coordination and marketing. Contact: +971563664701 syed97681@gmail.com Male, 23, with experience in UAE & India, looking for job in sales / marketing. Contact: 94032041 Sr. Accountant, WITH Oman D/L & 8.5 yrs exp, 7.5 yrs Oman & 1 yr India in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, independently handling all accounting, finance, banking, L/C, import, export & finalization seeks placement, srjob12@gmail.com Procurement/Tender & Contract Procurement /logistics & freight Specialist /Oil Field / petrochemical/Engineer /MBA /SAP certify / 15yrs Rich Experience/ Import &export Specialist / Oil Field experience/ coordinator / World Wide supplier network /Noc available Looking for challenging Position Contact: 97813849, Email Id:vved76@gmail.com Male, 23, with experience in UAE & India, looking for job in sales / marketing. Contact: 94032041 Indian Male Accountant. Completed MBA with 1 year experience, good working knowledge in Tally & Excel. Searching for suitable job. Email : jovin8910@gmail. com, Contact : 919715874548 , 918015907437 Indian male electrician(EEE ).

Two years good working experience searching for suitable job.

Gmail antonyajin15@gmail. com, : Contact; 918148336160 / 918300136160 Electrical & Electronics diploma Engineer Indian male 23 years, 2 years experience in Electrical field/good experience in Electronics MCU projects currently in visit visa please do not hesitate to Contact; 93047707 Email: adilm89@gmail.com Indian male 30 yrs, holding valid driving license, having 5 years of experience in sales, looking for suitable position.

Contact # 90552942/94355626 Indian male Diploma in Electronics, having 3 years of experience in the hardware and networking field, also worked in construction company Mabela for 6 months as supervisor, trying to get driving license. Contact: - +96897017866.

Business Management Graduate with 12 years of experience in Oman, Worked with catering, medical, IT groups seeks suitable placement in Finance/purchase/ insurance sector, NOC Available.

Email, saima.gangawali@gmail. com, Mob 94258301 Mechanical Engineer, Indian, Male,5 years experience in GCC & India, looking for permanent placement in Oman. NOC Release Available. Contact: 00968-95140445; noorullahanas@gmail.com Indian male Network Cabling Technician (19-years gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement. mobile no: 0091-8089909265 (India), email: mohithavp@gmail.com

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Indian female (27 yrs) MBA(IT), BCA,CCNA.2year experience in IT operations in Oman. Graduated from Oman with good analytical, communicating & programming skills, presented in international conference, seeking suitable positions. contact:93672143.e-mail id:fathima. shoukath@gmail.com Part- Time Accountant, well experienced senior accountant ,capable of doing all type of accounting works up to finalization, Budgeting, Bank financing requirements, taxation work etc available. Contact : : 98803439 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 Family Visa.

Contact 94093154, 91746890, Email: joyjohn_hhh@yahoo.com Sri Lankan Male, 31 years. 6 years experience as an Accounts Executive, (Languages can speak Urdu/ Arabic, English written & spoken) .

Contacts: 99782930/ lalindra1st@yahoo.com

HSE Engineer, Indian male, 5.5 Plus years experience in Oil & Gas. Working in Shclumberger.NEBOSH, IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE. CONTACT-krish.569@gmail. com Mobile- +91 9867016808

Indian male with 10+ years of working experience (security solutions, event management) on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact 97945269, hkkrishna@gmail.com

Sri Lankan Male, 31 years. 6 years experience as an Accounts Executive, (Languages can speak Urdu/ Arabic, English written & spoken). #99782930/ lalindra1st@yahoo.com

Petrochemicals Specialist, Chemical, MBA 18 YEARS EXPERIENC IN OIL FIELDS COM, RAW MATERIAL , polymer, SPACIALISED IN Procurement /COMMECIAL/ PURCHASE / LOGISTICS / SCM/Planning & sound knowledge of technical requirement for any manufacture plant Forecasting, Distribution, Vendors Development, LC opening/ establishment coordination with NOC available. Contact:97813849

Indian male, M. Com with 3 yr Oman Exp in Accounts with valid NOC & D/L on Visit Visa, available to join immediately . GSM :94744575 BS in Electrical engineering, experience : 6 years in electrical installation and maintenance #99817032, Email : engmmg24@yahoo.com Senior accountant ,NOC available, more than 5 years exp., born & bought up in Oman, Accounting upto finalization, computer skills tally9, Sage ERP accpac 500(6.0A), Vcams , Audit ,valid Oman D/L, languages known English ,Arabic, Hindi. can join immediately. Tel: 96339599, mailahmedmohdkhan@gmail.com

SCM / LOGISTICS/ PROCUREMENT - 25 Yrs exp - Indian Male - Oil & Gas, Manufacturing Sector - Having valid Oman D/L & NOC available. Seeks Challenging senior position. GSM-94236414, Email ID - jayamurli@gmail.com 33 year old Filipina with experience in Tele performance, Manila call centre, now working as Waitress in Qatar seeking suitable post.

Local contact 99022484

Indian Male 28 years, Mechanical Engineer (Diploma) with 2 years’ exp., Automobile ITI NCVT, CSWIP-BGAS Painting QC Grade-2, NDT Level-2, ISO Lead Auditor QA (IRCA), Piping QC & Isometric Drawings, WPS & WPQR, available on Visit Visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact: 90653733, libinthomaslt@gmail.com

ing for a job, currently in Muscat in visit. No: 97210361 / 95357513, Email: sharanshetty3@gmail.com

Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic. Well knowledge of Oman Areas looking for suitable placement. Contact 97950869

Architect Engineer seeking for suitable job, 8 years experience.

GSM : 96075000, Email : haytham_201046@yahoo.com

IT Administrator with 6 yrs of GCC experience, now in Dubai (visit visa).seeking suitable placement in UAE. Contact :00971-565598176, email:aneeshngr@gmail.com

B.E(Mechanical) 12years industrial sales one year Muscat experience ,Presently in India ,Immediately ready to join ,Mobile no :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com

Indian Male, 24 yrs, looking for any type of job, qualification is Diploma in Electronics with 3 years of experience in the hardware an networking field an also worked in construction company Mabelah for 6 months as supervisor, having valid D/L. Contact : - +96897017866.

Indian Male: 23yrs, MBA in Marketing from UK (United Kingdom), look-

Highly experienced mechanical/ steel structural fabrication engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact 99860714, hussain20173@gmail.com.

Electrical & Electronics diploma engineer Indian male 22 years, 2 years experience currently in visit visa. Contact 93047707 adilm89@gmail.com Fresh B.Com Graduate in visit visa looking for a job. Contact: 93518923 / 99075027. email: sheikcok@yahoo.com

Planning Engineer, BE Mech Engg.

Indian Female having total 11 yrs exp in oil & gas projects (8+ yrs in Gulf) with valid Oman D/L, Seeks a Suitable job. Contact: 92456003 Indian Male 48 Yrs with over 25 Years Oman experience in Sales & Marketing with NOC & valid Oman D/L Also Fluency in Arabic, seeks suitable placement. Contact no.: 92210661/99224057 B.S.C in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 Years (Power Plant).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com Indian male,B.Com + Dip. Logistic 2year experience looking for a job in Accounts/Logistics Field. Presently on Visit Visa # 93884951, Email:mehreenraiz@gmail.com Admin Assistant. Having 5 years experience in admin department in reputed companies, presently working in Muscat (NOC Available).

GSM. 00968-98404122, mail panduru.jeevankumar@gmail.com Looking for a part time accounting & admin job. Contact 99196621.

SITUATION WANTED COMPUTER/WEB./ EDUCATION/CLASSES

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. Contact: 98294551

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

WĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů Θ ƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ăůů ŬŝŶĚƐ ŽĨ ƉĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ͬ DĂƌďůĞ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ ŵŽŶƚŚůLJͬ YĞĂƌůLJ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘ ŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ ϵϴϴϭϰϳϯϯ ͬϵϴϴϭϰϳϰ0 ů ,ƵƐŶ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ >͘>͘ Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130 Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing.

Ocean center LLC. # 99344723

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

Split unit A/C & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact: 96236476

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Split unit & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact: 93769089 / 95323517

Split & window A/C servicing, repairing, installation ducted, package etc. Contact Abbas : 98667326

CAD drawings Archi/ MEP CAD – comply BIM. Contact: 91233975

A/C servicing maintenance.

Contact: 92279370

A/C Maintenance & Servicing, Fridge, Washing machine & Dish washer repairing, Painting & Cleaning services, Electrical & plumbing.

Contact 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281 Regular container transportation from Sohar sport to anywhere in Muscat area OMR 100 per container. Contact: 93731363 Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC Contact: 99344723

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC Contact 99344723 House shifting. Contact 99708138 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

Cleaning services, Sofa, carpet, shampoo old house or new house.

Contact: 92179395 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 /94285064 House Shifting Packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013

SERVICES tĞ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ůĞĂŶĞƌƐ͕ Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ĞƚĐ͘ ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ ϵϰϮϳϳϬϮϬ

MANPOWER

T H U R S DAY, J U N E 2 , 2 0 1 6

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

TOURS

SITUATION WANTED BUSINESS ONE STOP SHOP BUSINESS SERVICES Public Relation Service (PRO) Document Clearance, Business setup, Formation new Companies, LLC Companies, Investor Visa, Legal Services.

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

RENT A CAR

Contact Saleh:

96723485 INVESTOR PARTNER REQUIRED For a successfully Catering Restaurant Investor cum Partner is required.

Investor with fixed returns also welcome.

Please contact – 95213273

Email: muscatcoffeeshop@gmail.com

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman Coffee shop for sale 7 visa available at Al Khuwair.

Contact: 98826793

DRIVING

Omani investor has a real estate company in Shatti Al Qurum, looking for a financial investor to participate in the real estate company. For more details contact me by 00968 96225852 Email: aburashid94dd@gmail.com

TRANSPORTATION Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation. Contact: 96538078 Transportation. Contact: 94510847 Transportation. Contact 9508282

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Transportation. Contact 92015894 Transportation required from Qurum to WadiKabir at afternoon only 1 PM. Contact - 99012165

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. Contact 99839898 Al Ibtisama rent & leasing.

Contact: 91374879 / 96627562/ 99382001/ 24751177/ 24751188

GOOD NEWS

RENT A CAR

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steambath, obesity, Spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 97397320 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com

Best Rates for Saloon Contact: 97869042 / 95730550 sales@modernreem.com GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact:24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting.

Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiďŹ eds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624