Times of Oman - November 2, 2016

WEDNESDAY

November 2, 2016 2 Safar 1438 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

At the Opening Session of the 10th Summit of the Co-operation Council of the Arab Gulf States in Muscat, 1989

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ As part of our support for our Arab joint work, we welcome the positive efforts which have brought a new spirit of detente and co-operation among the Arab States.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 210 | 36 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

MEDICS WANT NEW LAW FOR TERMINAL PATIENTS Doctors who face potential legal action if they opt not to resuscitate patients should be shielded by the law, it has been proposed Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Proposals to protect doctors from legal action if they choose not to resuscitate critically ill patients have been drawn up in Oman.

Doctors who face potential legal action if they opt not to resuscitate patients should be shielded by the law, according

to the Omani National Bioethics Committee.

The proposals took two years to draft and include inputs from medics, the bioethics committee and religious affairs officials.

Doctors in the Sultanate are becoming increasingly scared of opting to not resuscitate, as families take them to court when they believe their loved ones

have not received proper care, according to the committee.

The reality, according to doctors, is that in these cases attempting to resuscitate could actually kill the patient.

The draft will soon be sent to the Ministry of Health for consideration, but is drastically different from the universal Do Not Resuscitate option where the patient can opt out of receiving medical treatment in the event of their heart stopping, effectively allowing a “natural death”.

The Oman proposals would only cover patients who are terminally ill or may be seriously injured through the resuscitation process. >A4

His Majesty sends cable of congratulations MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to President General Michel Aoun of the Lebanese Republic on the occasion of him being elected as a new President for the Republic.

In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes of good health, happiness and a long life, praying to Allah the Almighty to grant him success to achieve aspirations of stability, progress and welfare for the brotherly people of Lebanon.

His Majesty the Sultan wished the good relations between the two countries further progress to serve interests of the Omani and Lebanese brotherly peoples. -ONA TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Tourism set to grow

CRIME

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Passenger traffic in Oman is projected to grow from 8 million to 21 million over the 2015 to 2035 period at an annual compound average growth rate of 5.2 per cent. >A3

Family and friends of murdered waitress devastated by loss

PAKISTAN

REJIMON K CHIEF REPORTER

Imran Khan backs off

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Relatives and friends of Pinky Pamittan – the Filipina waitress who was sexually assaulted, murdered and dumped in a wadi in Muscat – have spoken of their heartbreak at news of her death.

Jemyca Cruz Pamittan, a cousin of Pinky, said: “We were devastated when we heard the news.

We never imagined that something like this would ever happen to any member of our family.

We are angry and sad at the same time because we can’t do anything except to support each other and pray for her soul.

“Whatever reasons they have to do this to her, it is unacceptable. It

LEBANON

2 Thousands participate in cancer walkathon hurts to know what horrible things they did to her. My cousin is a kind and loving woman. She has a kid who waits for her to come back home alive, a husband who loves her and a family who adores her.

“I hope the Oman Government and the Philippine Embas-

sy will do everything they can to catch all the suspects involved in this crime.”

Romelyn Lasic-Guillermo, another cousin of Pinky, said that the murdered hotel worker had gone to Oman to send money home to her family. >A4

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CHECK THE VIDEO ONLINE @TIMESTV

Instead of the protest, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan said he would hold a ‘celebratory’ rally, following a decision by the Supreme Court to pursue a case linked to Sharif. >A9

MARKET

No rate ceiling hike

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There is no move to increase interest rate ceiling on personal loan of commercial banks in Oman, the country’s central bank chief said. >B1

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

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

280km

off the coast of Sur was the epicentre of the quake that was recorded by SQU’s earthquake monitoring centre at around 7.02pm on Monday

OMAN NOT AFFECTED

SQU centre records 5.4 Richter earthquake off the coast of Sur Times News Service MUSCAT: An earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale was recorded at the Sultan Qaboos University’s earthquake monitoring centre at around 7.02pm on Monday.

An official at the centre said the earthquake did not affect any parts of Oman.

“The epicentre of the earthquake was some 280 kilometres away from Sur. “There was, however, no tsunami alert in Oman,” officials said.

Dr Issa El Hussain, director, Earthquake Monitoring Centre, Sultan Qaboos University, said there were plans to instal more than 62 seismic monitoring stations all over Oman.

“The work on this will begin next year,” he said.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

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‘Oman tourism to grow at 5% for next 20 years’ IATA says passenger traffic in Oman will grow from 8 million to 21 million over the 2015 to 2035 period

RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman is performing better than its regional neighbours in terms of tourism, a senior official from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said.

This is despite the fact that there has been a drop in the projected figures for the next 20 years by IATA. Passenger traffic in Oman will grow from 8 million to 21 million over the 2015 to 2035 period.

“That is an annual compound average growth rate of 5.2 per cent,” said Chris Goater, manager, Corporate Communications, IATA. In 2014, IATA had projected

that Oman will grow at 6.2 per cent on average for the next 20 years and by 2034, it will be see approximately 22 million passengers.

“The reduction in our longterm passenger forecast for Oman stems mainly from a reassessment of the macroeconomic forecast in recent updates, following the decline in oil prices seen over the past few years. The key point is that a 5.2 per cent growth over the next 20 years is still strong and above the regional and global averages (4.8 per cent and 3.7 per cent, respectively),” Goater told the Times of Oman.

The projection was reached using an econometric model that includes elements, such as population growth, economic and in-

H E L D BY S O M A L I P I R AT E S

Crew of Omani vessel captured in 2012 released REJIMON K CHIEF REPORTER

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: The non-payment of a “large ransom” delayed the release of 26 hostages held by Somali pirates for nearly five years, according to a representative from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which flew the freed sailors to Nairobi.

The hostages were crew members of the FV Naham 3, an Omani-flagged fishing vessel, which had been hijacked by the Somali pirates, off the coast of Seychelles in 2012.

They were released on October 22.

“Unfortunately for them, the vessel had a little financial value and it sank after they were captured. And the pirate groups, which took them hostage, used to charge huge ransoms for the release.

“In this case, that sort of money was simply not available... and so there was very long period while they were in custody and as the captors got used to the idea that they will not get a large ransom for these 26 sailors,” Alan Cole, the head of UNODC’s Global Maritime Crime Programme, said.

According to the Hostage Support Partners (HSP), the Omani flagged fishing vessel was hijacked on March 26, 2012 roughly 65 nautical miles south of the Seychelles.

Of the original 29-member crew, one died during the hijack-

ing and two more succumbed to illness during their captivity.

The remaining 26 crew members spent much of their captivity on land in Somalia. The crew of the Naham 3 consisted of members from Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.

“They have spent over four and a half years in deplorable conditions away from their families,” said John Steed, coordinator of the Hostage Support Partners (HSP) for Oceans Beyond Piracy.

The crew of the Naham 3 were held for 1,672 days. They were held for the second longest period

by Somali pirates after the four hostages of the FV Prantalay 12, were released last year by HSP. Their road to freedom has been long and filled with peril. The Naham 3 was originally tethered to another hijacked vessel, the MV Albedo taken in November 2010 (and released by the HSP in 2013). When the MV Albedo began to sink, with its crew onboard, the crew of the Naham 3 courageously assisted in their rescue by jumping into the ocean to save the drowning seafarers.

Over a year after its capture, the Naham 3 sunk and the crew was brought ashore, where they were subject to much greater risks.

N AT I O N A L F O U N D AT I O N D AY

South Korea embassy’s new building opened DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Celebrations for the Korean National Foundation Day and the inauguration of the new building of the South Korean embassy in Oman were held on Tuesday. Held under the patronage of Dr. Ahmed Al Saeedi, Minister of Health in Oman, the event drew several high profile guests from government organisations, as well as from various other embassies in Oman.

Ambassador of South Korea Kang Doho said, ‘Apart from celebrating our National Day, today is also a day of great celebration as we officially stand at the new

Korean Embassy building, which owes its existence to all of you.

And now this Korean traditionally-shaped building made of beautiful Omani marble will remain here forever as a symbol of friendship and great momentum in Korea-Oman relations. Since my arrival in the great country of Oman last May, I have been very much impressed and have witnessed every day in every corner of Muscat this tremendous achievement with political stability, economic prosperity and a great contribution to regional security and peace under the inspiring leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the devotion of the Omani people.”

come development, demographics, cost factors, and regulatory environment. “The dip in global oil prices leading to austerity measures and a lack of new-build projects in Oman has spurred one-way air ticket sales. I think that is one of the reasons the IATA has scaled down the projections figures for 2016,” a country manager for a leading airline said.

IATA expects 7.2 billion passengers to travel in 2035 worldwide, a near doubling of the 3.8 billion air travellers in 2016, it said in its 20year air passenger forecast, which was released recently.

The forecast for passenger growth confirms that the biggest driver of demand will be the AsiaPacific region. It is expected to be

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the source of more than half of the new passengers over the next 20 years.

China will replace the United States as the world’s largest aviation market (defined by traffic to, from and within the country) around 2024.

India will replace the United Kingdom for third place in 2025, while Indonesia will enter the top 10 at the expense of Italy.

Regarding Middle East, it said it will grow strongly (4.8 per cent) and will see an extra 244 million passengers a year en route to, from and within the region by 2035. “In general, the Middle East is set to grow quickly and relatively speaking benefit more from many of the above factors vis-a-vis other global regions,” Goater said.

The five fastest-growing markets in terms of additional passengers per year over the forecast period will be: China (817 million new passengers for a total of 1.3 billion); US (484 million new passengers for a total of 1.1 billion); India (322 million new passengers for a total of 442 million); Indonesia (135 million new passengers for a total of 242 million) and Vietnam (112 million new passengers for a total of 150 million)

OWNERS CONCERNED

‘Scrapping NOCs to have negative impact on SMEs’ SYED HAITHAM HASAN

Haitham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Scrapping the practice of employers awarding No Objections Certificates (NOCs) to departing employees could hurt Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and many argue that loopholes in the law must be covered instead of abolishing it altogether.

Several SME owners in Oman have raised concerns that scrapping the NOC law may backfire as employees will tend to change employers swiftly providing no security to employers.

According to most employers, such uncertainty is unwelcome in already challenging times, where SMEs are struggling to compete with larger organisations that could easily cut profit margins and provide better incentives to employees. This would empower larger organisations, which would act as lucrative destinations for high performing SME employees and are likely to cause a brain drain from smaller companies.

Ahmed, who runs a service company in the oil and gas sector, said lifting the law completely would be chaotic for Omani markets.

“It is very hard to keep a good

employee at an SME, especially when a large organisation comes knocking. Everyone wants a better pay and facilities, but SMEs in Oman can’t afford to do that. If this practice is scrapped, larger companies will employ the best expat talent and we will be left with little expertise, therefore the larger companies will win most contracts and SMEs will hardly survive,” he explained.

He added that the government policy must be such that SMEs can compete with large organisations, rather than existing due to forced government laws, referring to the government regulation of providing a certain percentage to local SMEs. Most experts worry that although an open market will attract exceptional talent from around the world, larger entities stand to benefit the most from this, which in turn will give them an undue advantage over smaller institutions.

“Most SMEs need the NOC law if they have to retain their employees, because both in terms of career growth and incentives, larger organisations are always rated higher in an employee’s view,” said an SME owner that deals in engineering products.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

OMAN

Massive participation in cancer walkathon Oman Cancer Association had launched a ‘Pink Ribbon’ initiative back in October to create greater awareness in the country

EAGER: Organised at the Qurum Natural Park, the walk drew a large number of people—students,

working professionals, women, men and children—who all came together for a noble cause, to spread awareness about cancer. — Shabin E

STAFF REPORTER

MUSCAT: Thousands of people from all walks of life, dressed in pink and blue t-shirts attended the cancer awareness walkathon on Tuesday, which was organised by the Oman Cancer Association (OCA), as part of its Pink Ribbon initiative.

Organised at the Qurum Natural Park, the walk drew a large number of people—students, working professionals, women,

men and children—who all came together for a noble cause, to spread awareness about cancer.

Hasna, a student at one of the Indian Schools, who came with a group of friends to the walk, said, “I am really excited to be part of this walkathon, it’s my first time and I am here with many friends of mine, we all decided to come together and help raise awareness about the cause of cancer. I think the Oman Cancer Association is doing a commendable job on its part and such walkathons need to be organised more frequently, I am looking forward to it.”

An annual event, which is held to increase awareness on cancer among people living in Oman, the walk is a very anticipated event.

Last year’s walkathon registered well over 7,000 participants.

OCA had launched a ‘Pink Ribbon’ initiative back in October to create greater awareness

in the country.

Adam, another attendee, who works for a private company in Oman, came with his wife and little daughter.

“It’s my second time at this walkathon and I like taking part in every such initiative which is organised, it’s a great feeling where we see so many people joining hands for a truly good cause.

It gives out a strong message that Oman wants to bring about change. I can still see so many people, who are stuck in traffic and are trying to get to the venue to be part of this great initiative, this is amazing.”

“We had been creating awareness at a number of the malls—at the Muscat Grand Mall, Muscat and the Qurum City Centre, Al Mouj Muscat, the Oman Avenues Mall, where we advocated for cancer awareness, prevention and control and also talk to people on a

one-to-one basis,” said Dr. Wahid Al Kharusi, chairperson of OCA. The annual walkathon, which is now in its thirteenth year, started at the park after 4pm. T-shirts, caps, mugs and other merchandise were also placed on sale before the event.

Al Kharusi reiterated the need for raising awareness about preventative measures against cancer.

All proceeds from the walkathon will be donated to Dar Al Hanan, an association dedicated to helping young children with cancer.

Dar Al Hanan is an outreach programme that serves the needs of children with cancer and their families, who are residing outside of Muscat. The centre first opened in 2011 and always has 12 families under their care. They offer three meals a day and a shuttle service to and from the hospital.

M E N TA L H E A LT H

‘Not Alone’ awareness project launched DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Mental health projects need to be supported for the benefit of the society at large, Her Highness Sayyida Basma Al Said, owner and founder of the Whispers of Serenity Clinic said.

Emphasising the support that needs to be extended to mental health projects under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes of companies in Oman, she said, “Companies and organisations need to realise that they need to back initiatives linked with mental health which benefit the society at large.”

Speaking on the sidelines of a press conference held on the Mental Health convoy, she said that every year they face dilemma with sponsorship and funding.

“Every year, we face the same dilemma of looking for sponsors

and I think people need to know that such initiatives are equally important as anything else going on the country, they help society.”

With the convoy, 20-member squad will travel across the Sultanate from Musandam to Dhofar, to help create awareness about mental health issues, under the ‘Not Alone’ initiative, it

was announced.

Starting from December this year, until May 2017, the campaign will go to at least six different locations in Oman, one each month, and conduct talks, workshops and one-to-one sessions on mental health with people living in those areas.

The 20-member team will con-

ARTISTIC FLAIR.

Times News Service

Talent The shields were distributed among the winners of the first round by the chief guest, which was held on October 25 in which the students from each grade and section took part to exhibit their talent on the canvas.

They then qualified for the sec-

< FROM

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Culprits should be punished, says friend

“Our family needs justice. We need help to resolve this as soon as possible. Pinky had a good heart. She went to work abroad to support the needs of her son in the Philippines.

We are hopeful that justice will be delivered,” the cousin added.

Pinky, who was working as a waitress in a hotel in Qurum, had gone missing last week. Last Thursday the hotel management reported her missing at Baushar police station.

Police in Baushar launched an investigation and her body was found dumped in a wadi behind the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque on Friday.

“Initial reports suggest that she was kidnapped and raped,” the police told Times of Oman on Monday.

The police official also added that a number of men have been detained over the alleged sexual assault and murder of Pinky.

Precy Bautista Pamittan, younger sister of Pinky, who is still in shock, said: “I am crying…I can’t

say anything right now.”

Speaking from her home in Amman, Jordan, Pinky’s mother Alice Pamittan, said she is coming to Oman to get details of her daughter’s death and the case against the accused.

She said that on Tuesday she will be approaching the Oman embassy in Amman to get a visa.

Pinky was about to celebrate her 32nd birthday on November 6.

“She was my good friend. We came to Oman together. It is shocking to hear about the tragedy.

The culprits should be punished.

She was a loving woman,” Ardee Saul, Pinky’s friend in Muscat, told Times of Oman.

An official at the hotel had told the Times of Oman that one of their employees was missing and that they had lodged a case with the police last Thursday.

Her stunned friends and relatives back home have called for support under the hashtag #JusticeforPinky on Facebook and other social networking sites.

H E A LT H C A R E S E C T O R

< FROM

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‘It’s a guided decision, not a blank check to doctors’

Dr. Ahmed Badawy, Secretary General of the National Bioethics Committee (NBC), stated that this will help protect doctors.

“When somebody challenges you in court, you can use the document and you are covered.

“This is a medical treatment for doctors to assess the patient. Only the doctor will decide on whether or not to resuscitate.

“The DNAR document has taken less than two years to produce.

It went through four stages of approval; medical, law, Sharia and multiple medical reviews.

“This is a very sensitive issue about life and death. When an Omani patient goes from Royal Hospital to SQUH, there will be different protocols,” he said, adding that he hoped it would become the uniform standard for all hospitals in the country.

“Sometimes when the patient is in terminal illness with cancer all over the body and they are choking, when you resuscitate, you are going to finish him, you’re killing him because their condition is very bad.

“Medically, this is very important because the lungs and the kidneys are all dead. When you try to resuscitate some patients on the advice of the family, you are actually killing them” Dr Badawy added.

He said that at the moment doctors are afraid to not resuscitate their patients.

“What has happened now is that the doctors are afraid and so everybody is resuscitating their pa-

tients. Otherwise, they will be told that they are killing the patient if they don’t resuscitate. This will cover them.” he added.

Dr Zahid Al Mandhari, Senior Consultant at the Oncology Department of the Royal Hospital, has also been working on the document. He says that it gives legal and religious backing to the doctor’s decision regarding resuscitation.

“It’s a guided decision, not a blank check to doctors. The central committee included lawmakers, so not to resuscitate for certain conditions will not be a criminal offence,” Dr Mandhari said.

Dr. Mandhari stressed that the proposals are NOTa free pass for doctors.

“It has been studied religiously, legally and medically. I was proud to see how well balanced this document was. I won’t be surprised to see neighbouring countries adopting or referencing this document in the future.” he said.

Lawyer Hassan Mohsin, founder of Hassan Bin Mohsin Bin Abdul Ghani Advocates and Legal Consultancy, said the law as it stands now is quite clear.

“Not saving someone is a criminal offence. Doctors must give assistance and support to their patients. It is their duty,” Hassan said.

“The doctor’s innocence or guilt is based on the judgment of the Higher Medical Committee. If the committee decides that there is no fault, then case won’t be carried to court.”

I N PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H O M R A N

‘Artist in Me’ exhibition held at Pakistan School Muscat MUSCAT: A vibrant and colourful art exhibition and competition entitled, “Artist in Me,” was held at the Pakistan School Muscat to help students exhibit their creative and artistic flair.

The Principal, (Junior school), Pakistan School Muscat, Munazza Ghafoor formally welcomed the Chief Guest, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Adnan Shehzad, members of the board, Senior principal Attullah Niazi, Principal Khalid Jadoon, parents and other dignitaries.

sist of experts from the Whispers of Serenity Clinic, headed by Sayyida Basma, psychologists, doctors, bloggers, members of the media and volunteers, who will all travel to Sur, Sohar, Salalah, Musandam, and Nizwa among other locations to promote the ‘Not Alone’ initiative.

Conceptualised by Sayyida Basma and her team, the idea for the convoy first came after a struggle of getting people to understand and accept that people going through mental health issues and the importance of seeking help.

“The aim of this convoy is to reach the people, who can’t otherwise come to us for therapy and counselling. There is still so much stigma attached to this issue and, it is hard for people to even acknowledge that they may be struggling with certain areas in their life,” said Sayyida Basma.

MURDER

CREATIVITY: The second

round was held live and the winners were selected by the chief guest Ibrahim Gillani who was also the chief judge.

ond round of the competition. The second round was held live and the winners were selected by the chief guest Ibrahim Gillani who was also the chief judge, along with Austin Chaba, who was the second Judge.

The winners were handed trophies and the winners from the Centre of Special Education were also presented with gift hampers,

along with the trophies from the chief guests.

The first three position holders from the senior section got a special voucher of worth OMR75 to attend a one day-workshop at Gailani Art Retreats, along with the art teacher, Sadaf Naqvi and a book written by Gillani.

Parents also exhibited their artistic skills on canvas and won trophies at the event; a special performance was given by the SNK Crew and a very entertaining magic show was also presented before the excited audience. A very captivating slide show depicting the beginning and the journey of an artist enthralled the audience. A variety of stalls for food and face painting added colour to the already spectacular event.

The programme ended on a profound note with the address of the chief guest, followed by the national anthem.

Latest attraction: Al Baleed Resort Salalah set to open on Thursday Times News Service MUSCAT: One of Oman’s most luxurious hotel will finally open its doors tomorrow, and already the bookings are flowing in, according to the Anantara team.

Ahead of the opening, CEO of Omran James Wilson said, “We are delighted with the opening of Anantara Salalah. This hotel has been developed in partnership with Omran and Mohammed Barwani and is a good example of Omani private sector investors partnering with Omran, the master developer of tourism projects in Oman.

Land of Frankincense “With its world class beach, low rise development and located next to the Al Baleed Archaeological Site, Al-Balid UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Land of Frankincense, we are sure this beach resort will add significantly to the

LUXURIOUS: The resort brings a

new level of luxury and refinement to the region.

upscale tourism offering in the Dhofar region.

Good development It has been a good development and delivery experience, working with Mohammed Al Barwani group and the executives of Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Rawas, Advisor to His Majesty the Sultan for Cultural Affairs,” Wilson said.

“We have seen bookings coming in strongly from Germany for the

coming months along with France, Italy, Switzerland and the UK. GCC business is picking up very quickly now that we have opened all our online channels and within Oman we are inundated with requests for leisure bookings as well as corporate and groups,” said James Hewitson, general manager of the resort.

“We have a special offer available on Anantara.com of 20 per cent off room rates as our opening offer.

“The team has reached almost 280 people on board with 70 Omanis occupying various roles from Hotel Manager, senior department heads, middle management and line staff (25 per cent).

“I have been impressed with the local workforce from Salalah who without any formal hotel training have demonstrated a great passion in their training and demonstrate the warm hospitality that you find when entering any Omani’s home,” he added.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

HIV rates up by 25% Last year a total of 142 cases were registered with the Ministry of Health, in which 95 cases were males and the remaining 47 were females

TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: AIDS/HIV rates in Oman increased by over 25 percent in 2015, according to the Ministry of Health.

Based upon data from the Ministry of Health’s Annual Health Report for 2015, HIV among Omanis rose by 26.7 per cent in 2015, compared to 2014. A total of 142 cases were registered with the ministry, in which 95 cases were males and the remaining 47 were DISCUSSION

Conference focussing on children opens at SQU Times News Service MUSCAT: Dr Yahya bin Bader Al Maawali, undersecretary for the Ministry of Social Development and the patron of the Children First Association conference said it reflects the important role played by civil community associations and other organisations in the protection of children’s rights.

The meet opened at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) on Tuesday, “The conference also seeks to discuss and deal with the protection, legislation, laws and educational and cultural dimensions that should be shared and implemented by all the institutions and the cooperation between them to find the appropriate procedures to ensure the required protection for children,” Maawali noted.

At the opening ceremony, Her Highness Dr. Mona bint Fahad Al Said, SQU assistant vice chancellor for International Cooperation, and chairperson of Children First Association, welcomed the audience and indicated that the real wealth of any nation is represented in its human resources, which lead to advancement and development in various fields.

Dr. Ibrahim bin Sultan Al Harthi, assistant professor at the Psychology Department, and chairman of the organising committee for the conference, said the Association is a platform for discussing children’s issues in the Omani society.

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females. The majority were men and women between the ages of 25 and 49 years old. As of the end of 2015, 130 HIV victims were receiving treatment in Oman, while 12 died from the virus.

Dr Mohammed Baqi, head of department at the Surveillance, Disease Control and Epidemiology in DGHS, Dhofar, said, “I think increasing the detection rate is an important reason here.

People now are more confident and more motivated to be tested, due to increased awareness and improved privacy and confidentiality measures in the health system. Additionally, the benefits of early diagnosis and early treatment are now being stressed.

This has led the patients to go for testing and therefore, more cases are detected.

“Of course, other reasons, such as the increase in number of sexrelated transmissions, vertical transmission from mother to child, and drug abuse are all still valid and have to be addressed in this regard.”

“Children can be affected in many ways: from mother to child during pregnancy and delivery, via breastfeeding, particularly in untreated or medically undetected mothers.”

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M U S C AT M E D I A G R OU P I N I T I AT I V E

‘I Love the Sultan’ campaign received enthusiastically at Bangladesh school DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman MUSCAT: With news of the ‘I Love the Sultan’ campaign having spread to most of the schools in Oman, students are excited to become part of this massive project.

The Muscat Media Group’s (MMG’s) latest stop was at the Bangladesh School Muscat, where students wanted to actively participate in the nationwide campaign.

“I love The Sultan” is an innovative digital campaign that will create a portrait of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said using the names of hundreds of thousands of residents, Omani and expatriate alike.

Anyone who registers will also be entered into the biggest-ever draw from MMG, with OMR25,000 worth of gifts to be won.

These include a brand new Nissan Xtrail, diamonds, several iPhone7s, a luxury family holiday thanks to the major sponsorship partners, including Suhail Bahwan automobile, Malabar Gold & Diamonds and Sheraton Oman hotel.

The portrait will be published in the National Day edition of the Times of Oman and uploaded on all its social media platforms and website.

“This is a great opportunity for

42,225 register on Tuesday for campaign

TRIBUTE: ‘I love The Sultan’ is an innovative digital campaign that

will create a portrait of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said using the names of hundreds of thousands of residents, Omani and expatriate alike. – Photo by Shabin E.

us to express our gratitude and love for our beloved leader His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the benevolent ruler of this great country. We are, and will always be eternally grateful for all that he has done and continues to strive for. Life for us has been peaceful due to his kindness, we can never thank him enough,” said Rtd Lt. Col. Mahmud Ul Alam, principal of the Bangladesh School Muscat.

While addressing the large gathering of students at the Bangladesh School Muscat, Richard Pakenham, chief sales and marketing officer at MMG, said, “Celebrating 46 years of His Majesty’s kind, generous and visionary leadership, we have come up with a very

creative campaign which involves everyone living in this country.”

“His Majesty the Sultan has given all of us this wonderful opportunity to live and work in this beautiful country; we are truly blessed to have that privilege. This campaign is an opportunity for all of us to express our gratitude to the noble ruler by registering our names to appear in a large portrait of His Majesty, which will appear in our newspapers and all of our social media platforms this National Day. Pakenham encouraged everyone to register their names, “We want to see your names on it, so make sure you register and ask your parents, families, friends and neighbours living in this country

To include their names in His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s portrait for the 46th National day, 42,225 people registered yesterday. On Facebook, 55,638 people viewed it while the website recorded 4,750 page views.

to do the same, so that all of our names can go in the portrait. The portrait will be converted into a mural and will be displayed in a prime location at an exciting venue somewhere in Oman and will be there for generations to witness.

A6

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

OMAN A N N UA L D AY

AL ROWAS RECEIVES DIGNITARY

Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Rowas, Advisor of His Majesty the Sultan for Cultural Affairs received in his office yesterday Dr. Richard Schmierer, Chairman of the Middle East Policy Council’s Board and Dr. Thomas Mattair, Executive Director of the Middle East Policy Council. -ONA

Royal Guard new recruits graduate MUSCAT: The Royal Guard of Oman (RGO) celebrated at the RGO parade ground today its Annual Day, which falls on 1st November every year and the graduation of new recruits under the patronage of Lt. Gen Said bin Ali Al-Hilali, Head of Internal Security Service (ISS).

The ceremony began by playing the Royal Anthem upon the arrival of the chief guest to the parade ground. Then, he inspected the front column of graduates.

The chief guest handed over certificates to top graduates. He also pinned special service medals on RGO personnel in recognition to their efforts in serving

Top new recruits get awards MUSCAT: Maj. Gen Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Junaibi, Commander of the Royal Guard of Oman (RGO) handed over at the RGO Command yesterday awards to top new recruits and certificates to graduates.

RGO and their dedication in serving the country, His Majesty; the Supreme Commander of Armed Forces, as well as their

Maj. Gen Al Junaibi and the attendees watched a documentary on stages of training.

The ceremony was attended

by RGO senior officers, noncommissioned officers and personnel. -ONA

dedication in carrying out their national sacred duty.

The graduates chanted the RGO anthem and proclaimed

thrice Long Live His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.

The ceremony was attended by their highnesses, chairmen of the State Council and Majlis A’Shura, ministers, commanders of the Sultan’s Armed Forces, military and security departments, honourable members of the State Council, judges, senior officers at SAF, RGO, Royal Oman Police (ROP), other military and security departments, military attaches, RGO retired commanders, senior officers, commissioned and non-commissioned officers and personnel. -ONA

Majlis Office reviews work plan of panels The Office reviewed a number of incoming ministerial replies including the reply of the Chairman of National Ferries Company on the

DELIBERATIONS: Majlis A’ Shura Office’s 27th meeting of the first annual session of the 8th term

under the chair of Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali. – ONA

harm incurred by taxi drivers from Mwasalat buses

MUSCAT: Taxi operators’ losses due to Mowasalat buses were among the issues on the agenda of Majlis A’ Shura Office’s 27th meeting of the first annual session of the 8th term under the chair of Khalid bin Hilal Al Maawali.

The Office reviewed a number of incoming ministerial replies including the reply of the Chairman of National Ferries Company on the harm incurred by taxi drivers from Mwasalat buses.

The company said that it conducts a study to set up a company for managing the taxis that cover the airport, the shopping malls and on-demand service. He pointed out that these taxis will be absorbed and that this will ensure better services.

The Office also reviewed the work plans for the Economic and Financial Committee, the Health and Environment Committee, the Social Development and Services Committee, the Food and Water Security Committee and the Education and Scientific Research Committee during the second annual session of the 8th term.

The Office also reviewed the letter of the chairman of the Eco-

nomic and Financial Committee on the proposed themes for the statement of the Minister of Commerce and Industry, the presentation of the Chairman of SEZAD, which included the themes approved by the Committee.

The Office also reviewed the reply of the Minister of Information and Chairman of Oman Establishment for Press, Publishing and Advertisement on the question addressed to him about issuing 18 variation orders and the increase in the cost of the service building. The Minister of Information said that the variation order No. 2 includes many works, which resulted in increasing the cost.

The Office also reviewed the reply of the Minister of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources on the measures taken after hosting him by Majlis A’Shura. The reply indicated that the services rendered and supervised by the Ministry are provided by the Customer Service Department, which refer the services to the relevant departments at the Ministry.

The Office also reviewed the letter of the Education and Scientific Research letter about the contribution of Majlis A’Shura to enhancing esteem and preservation of Arabic language. The reply included not to exempt students at the private schools form studying Arabic language, Islamic education and social studies, fol-

Budget issues discussed MUSCAT: During its second regular meeting of the 1st and second annual sitting of the 8th term under the chair of Saleh bin Said Masan, Head of the Economic and Financial Committee the Economic and Financial Committee at Majlis A’Shura yesterday reviewed its study on the draft state budget for 2017 which was referred by the government.

During the meeting, the members of the Committee shared views on the importance of linking the state budget for the fiscal year 2017 with the 9th five-year plan (2016-2020) and the basic social and economic pillars. They stressed also

lowing the results of the Omani students at PIRLS International Test and low performance in reading and writing.

The Office also discussed a number of parliamentary means and tools that were presented by members including the proposals for draft laws, interpellation re-

the importance of taking into consideration the criteria for prioritising the development projects, the overall world economic developments, the performance of the national economy and oil price estimates in the light of the sharp fluctuation of oil prices.

On the other hand, a working paper alongside with certain indicators by the Secretariat General have been presented on the draft state budget for 2017. The indicators include the state revenues, public expenditure, government investments in companies, the current deficit and sources of financing the deficit. -ONA

quests and their desires.

The Office also reviewed the letter of the Head of the Scouting Association for Arab parliamentarian which indicated receiving an invitation to take part at the 28th scouting Arab conference that will be held in Muscat during the first week in November. -ONA 4 6 T H N AT I O N A L D AY

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Biker sets out on ride across Oman MUSCAT: Dr. Omar bin Hilal Al Mamari, chairman of Muscat Motorcycle Club who is a Guinness Record holder for a non-stop riding of the longest distance on a motorcycle in 24 hours proceeded, yesterday, on a tour of the governorates.

The ride kicked off from Avenues complex in Muscat to Dhofar Governorate and then to the rest of the Sultanate’s governorates crossing 5,000 kilometres in 18 days.

Celebration On November 19 he will return to Muscat Governorate where a celebration to honour him will be organised in the presence of some 500 motorcycle riders from Oman and the GCC States.

The initiative coincides with the celebrations of the 46th National Day and will include lectures on the significance of national initiatives in all governorates during the ride. —ONA

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

A7

REGION Iraqi forces battle IS on outskirts of Mosul

Iran’s court issues verdict in Saudi embassy attack BEIRUT: Iran’s judiciary has issued verdicts for 20 people accused of storming Saudi diplomatic missions in January and will announce them in the near future, an official was quoted as saying by the judiciary news agency on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic relations with Iran after protesters stormed the kingdom’s embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad in response to Riyadh’s execution of a cleric. The Iranian government condemned the assault and

Soldiers of the elite Counter Terrorism Service entered the state television station in Mosul, the first capture of an important building in the IS-held city

EAST OF MOSUL: Iraqi forces battled IS fighters on the eastern edge of Mosul on Tuesday as the two-week campaign to recapture the militants’ last main bastion in Iraq entered a new phase of urban warfare.

Artillery and air strikes pounded the city, still home to 1.5 million people, and residents of the eastern neighbourhood of Al Quds said the ultra-hardline militants had resorted to street fighting to try to hold the army back.

Soldiers of the elite Counter Terrorism Service (CST) also entered the state television station in Mosul on Tuesday, the first capture of an important building in the IS-held city since the start of the offensive about two weeks ago, the force commander, Lieutenant-General Talib Shaghati, said.

“This is a good sign for the people of Mosul because the battle to liberate Mosul has effectively begun,” Shaghati said.

Iraqi troops, security forces, militias and Kurdish peshmerga have been advancing on several fronts towards Mosul, backed by USled troops and air forces. Special forces units sweeping in from the east have made fastest progress.

“We are currently fighting battles

RULING

UP IN FLAMES: Tribal fighters walk as fire and smoke rises from oil wells set ablaze by IS militants before fleeing the oil-producing region of Qayyara in Iraq, on Tuesday. – Reuters

on the eastern outskirts of Mosul,” CTS Lieutenant-General Abdul Wahab Al Saidi said. “The pressure is on all sides of the city to facilitate entry to the city centre.”

He said CTS forces had cleared IS fighters from most of the eastern district of Kokjali, close to Al Quds, on Tuesday, “so now we are inside the district of Mosul”.

Blackish grey smoke hung in the air east of the hasrliners’ stronghold and the regular sound of outgoing artillery fire could be heard, said a Reuters reporter near Bazwaia, about five km (three miles) east of Mosul.

Inside the city, residents speaking to Reuters by telephone said they heard the sounds of heavy clashes since dawn. One inhabitant of Al Quds district at the city’s eastern entrance said bullets were fizzing past and hitting the walls of houses, describing the explosions as “deafening and frightening”.

Many people in the area have stayed indoors for the last two days. “We can see Daesh (IS) fighters firing towards the Iraqi forces

and moving in cars between the alleys of the neighbourhood. It’s street fighting.”

One witness said he saw nine cars, laden with families and furniture, heading from the eastern half of the to the west bank of the Tigris River to escape the encroaching frontline.

Away from the eastern fringe of the city, however, traffic was relatively normal, markets were open, and IS fighters were patrolling as usual.

Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi said on Monday that Iraqi forces were trying to close off all escape routes for the several thousand IS fighters inside Mosul.

“God willing, we will chop off the snake’s head,” Abadi, wearing military fatigues, told state television. “They have no escape, they either die or surrender.”

Commanders have warned that the fight for Mosul, which could be the toughest of the decadelong turmoil since the US invasion which overthrew Saddam Hussein in 2003, is likely to last for months.

The United Nations has said the Mosul offensive could also trigger a humanitarian crisis and a possible refugee exodus if the civilians inside in Mosul seek to escape, with up to 1 million people fleeing in a worst-case scenario.

The International Organisation for Migration said that nearly 18,000 people have been displaced since the start of the campaign on October 17, excluding thousands of villagers who were forced back into Mosul by retreating militants who used them as human shields.

UN human rights spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said IS fighters tried to force another 25,000 civilians from a town south of Mosul back towards the city on Monday. Most of the trucks carrying them turned back under pressure from patrolling aircraft, she said.

Not all those heading back were doing so under duress from the militants, according to Mosul residents who said people were streaming in from the south as military operations edged closer to the city. — Reuters

President Hassan Rouhani asked the judiciary to punish the protesters and prevent further attacks.

The Mizan news agency quoted a judge as saying that the verdicts for 20 defendants had been issued and “will be announced soon.” He did not give the names of the 20 and did not say whether they had been convicted or not. Iran’s judiciary announced in April that more than 100 suspects had been arrested over the attack on the Saudi missions and 48 charged. All were released on bail. — Reuters

A8

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

INDIA

Prashant Kishor, along with SP leader Amar Singh, met Yadav at his Delhi residence on Tuesday evening, apparently to discuss the possibility of an alliance before the poll dates are announced.

Development only way to solve India’s problems: PM Linking skilling with his ‘Make in India’ initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said people with sufficient skills can help boost the country’s economy

RAIPUR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday made a strong pitch for development saying it is the only way to solve the problems that India is facing and urged state governments and local governing bodies to work in tandem to make the country poverty-free.

He also said skilled youth can pull themselves out of poverty and help fuel the engine of growth.

“Development in all spheres is the one and only way to solve the problems faced by the country. In the states wherever we are getting an opportunity, and in the country, we are trying hard to move ahead on the path of development with full commitment.

The full stress of our government is on uplift of poor,” he told a gathering on the opening ceremony of Chhattisgarh Rajyotsav — the 16th foundation day celebrations at Naya Raipur.

Eradicate poverty Pitching for empowerment of the poor, he said, “The Centre, states, municipalities and panchayats should work together to eradicate poverty. We have to work shoulder-to-shoulder to tackle the menace.” He said the Centre

MAKING A POINT: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses Rajyotsav Mela 2016 at Naya Raipur on

Tuesday.

jungle safari he inaugurated here, he said states with ecotourism potential can help provide employment to a large section of people.

He said value addition to the produce of farmers was another way to help enhance their earning.

During his visit to the jungle safari, Modi also clicked pictures of a tiger in the zoo.

Earlier in the day, he dedicated to people the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) developed under public transport service facility between Raipur and Naya Raipur.Thereafter, he unveiled a statue of Jan Sangh idealogue Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay here and dedicated the two-km-long ‘Ekatm Path’ constructed between Naya Raipur railway station and Capitol Complex.The Prime Minister also launched ‘Saur Sujala Yojana’ which aims to provide solar pumps to 51,000 farmers for irrigation in state.

- PTI

is observing 2016 which is Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay’s birth centenary year as Garib Kalyan Varsh for the uplift of the poor.

Linking skilling with his ‘Make in India’ initiative, the prime minister said people with sufficient skills can help boost the country’s economy.

“Poor youth with sufficient opportunities, training, skills and tools can pull themselves and others out of poverty,” he said.

He pointed out the government’s initiative on skill development that is helping youths to enhance their capability and skill.

“The country has large youth population. They have immense power and if they get opportunity they can change the world. Making them, particularly the poor, skilled will help them shape their future and enhance their dignity,” he said.

On the issue of Centre-state relations, Modi said the govern-

ment believes in cooperative federalism, where states compete with each other in implementing new schemes. “The Centre wants a healthy competition among the states in the areas of development and better performance, assuring that his government is committed to support and encourage each and every state for their development,” he said.

He also said the Centre will not discriminate among states in providing funds for development. Underlining the importance of value addition for the economic development of farmers in the country, he said, “The Centre wants the farmers should get high production and better price for their produces. Besides, value addition can also helps the farmer in a great way. Chhattisgarh has taken up good initiatives that enable value addition for farmers.”

Talking about government schemes, Modi said, “The Centre

and state governments run several schemes, but most people do not have information about them. Mothers don’t know about vaccination for their child due to illiteracy. In view of that, the Centre has launched ‘Mission Indradhanush’ Scheme to cover all the children, who were left out or missed out on immunisation, in every nook and corner.”

“Similarly, the Centre has floated Ujjwala scheme to empower women of poor household and protect their health. In the next three years, LPG connections will be provided under the scheme to five crore families,” he said, adding this scheme is purely meant to make the country poverty-free.

Referring to the new crop insurance scheme launched by the Centre, he said there is a need to make agriculture more viable so that even a small piece of land can yield more.

Appreciating the concept of

Ecotourism Lauding Chief Minister Raman Singh for his development initiatives and schemes, he said states like Chhattisgarh, which have potential for ecotourism, can generate employment by investing little capital in its development.

“I visited jungle safari and Ekatma Path. Chief Minister (Raman Singh) was telling me about all these development projects... I see great scope for tourism in Chhattisgarh.

It shows how a relatively smaller state which is Naxal-affected can achieve heights of development in a short span of time,” he said adding that its impact will benefit generations to come.

“At investment far less than what is required for setting up an industrial unit, concepts like jungle safaris can be big money spinners for small states like Chhattisgarh,” he said. Modi said others indirectly involved with ecotourism like autorickshaw drivers, fruit sellers and ‘chai wallahs’ can enhance their earning. - PTI

VOTE BANK POLITICS

BJP rejects demand for judicial probe into SIMI encounter NEW DELHI: BJP on Tuesday rejected the demand for a judicial probe into the killings of eight Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) operatives in a police encounter and said the practice of seeking inquiries into deaths of terrorists for vote bank politics should end.

It also targeted Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi for “denting the morale” of uniformed forces alleging it was at his behest that senior party leaders were questioning the SIMI encounter.

At a press conference, BJP National Secretary Shrikant Sharma repeatedly referred to Congress as “Italy Congress”, an apparent reference to its president Sonia Gandhi’s Italian origin, and claimed there was mourning in the Opposition party over the deaths of SIMI “terrorists” while the BJP congratulates brave policemen who gunned them down.

“The Italy Congress leaders are mourning. Why does the Congress have so much sympathy for terrorists whether they belong to SIMI or Lashkar-e-Taiba. This is not the first time they are doing it. They had questioned the Batla House encounter too,” he said.

Suggesting that the Opposition party was doing so with an eye on Muslim votes, he said it considered the community as a “vote bank factory” and was insulting them with its stand on these alleged terrorists.

Sharma noted that senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh had hinted at the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh involvement in the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 as he accused the party of repeatedly defending terrorists. “Rahul Gandhi, why are you practising politics of hate and vote bank? What is your enmity with sepoys?... We challenge you to rival us in developmental politics,” he said. -PTI

CONFERENCE

India reaffirms commitment to global tobacco-control treaty NEW DELHI: India reaffirmed on Tuesday its commitment to a World Health Organization (WHO) tobacco-control treaty, despite lobbying from its $11 billion industry that opposes some measures in the treaty that will be discussed at a conference next week.

Delegates from about 180 countries will attend the November 7-12 conference near New Delhi on the only global anti-tobacco treaty, called the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).

The treaty aims to deter tobacco use that kills about 6 million people a year, including about a million in India. Reuters reported last week that tobacco industry groups were lobbying the government with letters and signature campaigns to safeguard the interest of farmers and to ensure that no “unreasonable” proposals are adopted at the conference.

The Tobacco Institute of India (TII), the cigarette industry body, said in September 28 letter to the government that “there is no obligation on any signatory to the FCTC” to comply with its provisions. The government response to those letters has not been made public but on Tuesday, the health ministry published half-page no-

The tobacco industry has been at odds with the federal government this year over a rule requiring makers to print bigger health warnings on packages tices in several newspapers to say India would apply the treaty’s provisions. “India reiterates its commitment to the full implementation of WHO FCTC,” the ministry said in the notice, that included a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The government said in the notice that tobacco “drains the economy” of nearly $16 billion a

year. The TII, which represents cigarette makers including ITC , part-owned by British American Tobacco, and Philip Morris International’s local partner, Godfrey Phillips, declined to comment about the government notice.

Last week, tobacco farmers protested outside the health ministry and the WHO regional office in New Delhi asking the government to boycott the conference.

More than 100,000 farmers also sent the government a petition seeking protection from FCTC rules.

Tobacco groups want India to include farmers in its official delegation. A health ministry official said last week the government would not agree to their requests.

The tobacco industry has been at odds with the federal government this year over a rule requiring makers to print bigger health warnings on packages.

The WHO FCTC conference decisions, designed for implementation at national level by signatories, have a direct bearing on the nearly $800 billion global tobacco industry.

Topics for debate at the conference include alternative livelihoods for tobacco farmers and ecigarette regulation. -Reuters

U T TA R P R A D E S H A S S E M B LY P O L L S

Congress’ poll strategist Kishor meets Mulayam amid talk of possible poll pact NEW DELHI: Congress’ poll strategist Prashant Kishor on Tuesday held a two-hour meeting with Samajwadi Party supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, who is trying to cobble together an alliance of like-minded parties ahead of Uttar Pradesh assembly polls due early next year.

Kishor, along with SP leader Amar Singh, met Yadav at his Delhi residence on Tuesday evening, apparently to discuss the possibility of an alliance before the poll dates are announced.

Sources close to the development confirmed that Kishor met Yadav. There was talk in political circles that Yadav spoke with Janata Dal (United) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who is also in Delhi. However, there was no immediate confirmation. Kishor had managed Nitish Kumar’s successful assembly poll campaign last year.

Last week, Mulayam’s younger brother and state SP chief Shivpal Singh had met JD(U)’s K. C. Tyagi and Rashtriya Lok Dal

chief Ajit Singh to invite them to SP’s 25th anniversary in Lucknow on November 5. Shivpal had said Lohiaites and followers of Charan Singh should join hands to beat BJP in UP. SP, which was initially part of Bihar’s grand alliance, had walked out of it after it was offered only a handful of seats to contest the assembly elections there. The grand alliance of JD(U), Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress had, however, scripted a glorious electoral victory, defeating the BJP-led NDA. - PTI

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A9

PAKISTAN

ECONOMIC CORRIDOR PROJECT

First Chinese shipment rolls into Sost dry port in Gilgit-Baltistan GILGIT: Hundreds of Chinese trucks loaded with goods rolled into the Sost dry port in GilgitBaltistan on Monday as a multibillion-dollar project between Pakistan and China formally became operational.

The shipment arrived more than two weeks after the first Chinese ship docked at Gwadar port that is the centre of the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The corridor is about 3,000-kilometre long consisting of highways, railways and pipelines that will connect China’s Xinjiang province to the rest of the world through Gwadar port.

The first consignment, loaded on 150 to 300 trucks, was received

by G-B Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman and the commander of the Force Command Northern Areas Major General Saqib Mehmood, who had especially flown in to be at the historic occasion.

“This is going to be the fate changer for our country,” said Rehman after the ceremony at the Sost dry port, which has recently been handed over to the National Logistics Cell (NLC) for a period of 20 years.

“We will thwart conspiracies being hatched against CPEC,” he said in a veiled reference to India which has publicly opposed the multibillion-dollar project dubbed ‘game-changer’ and ‘fate changer’ not just for Pakistan but for the entire region.

A senior government official said the shipping containers carrying the Chinese goods would be escorted to Gwadar in small convoys.

“The first convoy left Gilgit today (Monday) for its destination,” the official told The Express Tribune wishing not to be named.

“Personnel of army, police and special CPEC force are providing foolproof security to the convoy,” added the official, who is privy to the development.

“Some of the Chinese shipping containers were unloaded at Sost dry port where the goods were reloaded on to Pakistani containers for onward journey to Gawadar.”

As the convoy drove through Danyor town in Gilgit via Karakoram Highway, residents lining

both sides of the road waved to the truckers.

The trucks were festooned with banners having pictures of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.

“Wish you best of luck,” said a resident as he prayed for the success of the project.“Long live Pak-China friendship,” said another resident.

Earlier this year, Beijing donated to the G-B government 25 vehicles equipped with modern security gears for the security of convoys coming from China.

The G-B government has also installed 285 high-resolution closed-circuit cameras with night vision capability to keep an eye on miscreants. - Express Tribune

HISTORIC OCCASION: The first consignment, loaded on 150 to

300 trucks, was received by G-B Chief Minister Hafeezur Rehman and the commander of the Force Command Northern Areas Major General Saqib Mehmood, who had especially flown in to be at the historic occasion. - Express Tribune

Imran Khan backs off from threat to shut down capital Instead of the protest, Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf leader Imran Khan on Tuesday said he would hold a ‘celebratory’ rally, following a decision by the Supreme Court to pursue a case

BRIEFING: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Imran Khan, centre, addresses supporters outside

linked to Sharif

his residence in Islamabad on Tuesday. Imran has abruptly called off a planned “lockdown” of the capital after the Supreme Court paved the way for an investigation into allegations of corruption against the prime minister’s family. - AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani opposition leader Imran Khan backed down from a threat to paralyse the capital on Wednesday, a move likely to ease tension that has spilled over into violence in the run-up to the planned protests.

Khan’s vow to “shut down” Islamabad to press a demand for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to resign or face a corruption inquiry had sparked a citywide ban on gatherings and the arrests of hundreds of opposition activists accused of defying the ban.

Instead of the protest, Khan on Tuesday said he would hold a “celebratory” rally, following a decision by the Supreme Court to pursue a case linked to Sharif.

“We will hold a massive gathering in Islamabad tomorrow at the parade ground to celebrate this victory,” Khan told media outside his plush home on the edge of the capital. In a bid to resolve the crisis, the Supreme Court said it would form a judicial commission to probe allegations stemming from the “Panama Papers” leaks about the Sharif family’s offshore wealth.

Khan had previously rejected the city High Court’s order to hold

Nisar hails Imran’s decision to back down from siege ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has termed PTI chairman Imran Khan’s announcement to postpone his party’s November 2 ‘Islamabad siege’ “a victory for Pakistan”.

“The development doesn’t mean a victory or defeat for anyone. If it is a victory, it is the victory of the people,” Nisar told reporters in Islamabad on Tuesday.

“I call it Pakistan’s victory because Pakistan’s victory is in peace, democracy, rule of law and trust in our (national)

his protests on Islamabad’s parade ground, vowing to paralyse the capital with a turnout of a million protesters.

The tension unleashed fears Pakistan’s economic recovery could be jeopardised if there were

institutions.”

Nisar apologised to the “political workers who faced problems due to road blockades”. He, however, justified the government’s action, saying it was done to “prevent Islamabad from turning into a battleground”.Nisar praised the country’s courts “for maintaining law and order”. “The courts in the country gave impartial orders which are laudable,” he said.

“The postponement of the sit-in will send a good message to international community

a prolonged crisis that could even draw in the powerful military, which has a history of meddling in politics and overthrowing civilian governments.

There have been daily clashes between police and supporters of

KARACHI

At least 12 killed in blast at Gaddani ship-breaking yard ISLAMABAD: At least 12 Pakistani workers were killed and more than 50 injured on Tuesday by huge blast in an oil tanker at a ship-breaking yard, trade union officials said, adding that the death toll could rise.

The leader of a ship-breaking workers union said a big explosion and fire engulfed the vessel moored in Gaddani, 45km northwest of the port city of Karachi. “Things are really bad here,” union president Basheer Mehmoodani told Reuters by telephone.

“There’s an unclear number of workers said to be trapped in the burning ship.” It was not clear what caused the blast. Firefight- ACCIDENT SITE: Bystanders gather around the wreckage of a ers were called from Karachi but burning ship after a gas cylinder explosion at the Gadani shipthey proved ineffective given the breaking yard, some 45km west of Karachi on Tuesday. - AFP size of the blaze, he said.

Nasir Mansoor, a representative of the National Trade Union there is nothing fire-fighters can out basic protective gear. The Federation of Pakistan, said the do except to wait for it to die out Gaddani ship-breaking industry explosion was so big it blasted as they lack foam required douse has fallen on hard times recently and employs about 9,000 workers, pieces of metal two kilometres it,” Mansoor said.

Labourers in Gaddani often fewer than in boom years at the (one mile) away.

“The blaze is still raging and work in poor conditions with- end of the last decade. -Reuters

as Turkish president is also willing to visit Pakistan,” the minister added.

In response to a question on PTI’s celebratory rally on Wednesday, Nisar said permission had so far not been granted in this regard.

“I have invited Islamabad and Rawalpindi administration after this presser to decide about the future strategy.”

The administration will also meet PTI leader in view of the court orders, and an official announcement will be made later, he added. - Express Tribune

the cricketer-turned-politician in the lead-up to Wednesday, while the government has cracked down on workers of his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party.

Authorities have arrested scores of party supporters and

shut a major motorway leading from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Khan’s political heartland.

After the Supreme Court decision, officials said the highway barriers would be cleared.

Authorities said they wanted to prevent a repeat of Khan’s protests in 2014 that paralysed the city’s government quarter after he rejected Sharif’s election win a year earlier.

Party officials said two supporters died after clashing with police blocking their route to Islamabad.

Pakistan’s soaring stock market, which took a hit in recent days on the prospect of the protests, bounced sharply after Khan’s decision to call them off.

Khan had accused the police, judiciary and other government bodies of conspiring against him, besides claiming to have been under virtual house arrest.

But ruling party officials painted Khan as a desperate politician seeking to revive his flagging popularity by setting up a violent confrontation in the capital.

Khan’s retreat has left him politically weaker despite his effort to portray the Supreme Court decision as a political victory, said Michael Kugelman, a South Asia specialist at Washington thinktank the Woodrow Wilson Centre.

“The problem is in recent days Khan had focused more on the need to get Sharif to quit, and that clearly isn’t happening,” Kugelman said.

Khan’s Supreme Court challenge stems from documents leaked from the Panama-based Mossack Fonseca law firm that appeared to show that Sharif’s daughter and two sons owned offshore holding companies registered in the British Virgin Islands.

Sharif’s family denies wrongdoing and there was no mention of Sharif himself owning any offshore companies. The ruling party had said it would participate in an investigation, but rejected the opposition’s formula focused on Sharif’s family. - Reuters

A L L E G AT I O N S D E N I E D

Dr Asim granted bail in terrorism facilitation case KARACHI: Sindh High Court on Tuesday granted bail to Dr Asim Hussain in a case related to sheltering and treatment of criminals at his private health facilities.

The order was passed by the fifth bench passed four benches earlier had declined to hear bail pleas of Dr Asim and others.

Rangers had registered a case against Dr Asim at the North Nazimabad police station, accusing him of sheltering and treating injured terrorists belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and gangs based in Lyari at his private hospitals. MQM leaders Wasim Akhtar and Abdul Rauf Siddiqui and Pak Sarzameen Party president Kaimkhani were also charged in the same case. Earlier, Dr Asim denied the allegations as bogus and fake as they lacked any plausible evidence. After much back and forth, a new bench of the SHC was constituted to hear the bail application of Dr Asim and others in the case relating to alleged sheltering and treatment of ‘terrorists’ at his private health facilities in Karachi.

In June, a government official testified before an accountability court in a corruption case, involving more than Rs400 billion, against former petroleum minister Dr Asim and others. Emaduddin, a section officer at the provincial revenue department, deposed before the accountability courts’ administrative judge Saad Qureshi that Dr Asim was allotted more than 25 acres in Korangi and around two acres in Malir.

The revenue official also corroborated the prosecution claim of having obtained the copies of allotment documents from his department. - Express Tribune

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WORLD DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE ARRIVE ALIVE

INDONESIA

Inmates perform rock concert behind bars BALI (INDONESIA): In a prison courtyard on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, the eight inmates that make up the band “Children of Iron Bars” rock the audience with their anti-drug hits.

Known as “Antrabez” in Indonesian, the band was formed behind the bars of Kerobokan Prison in July, bringing together six men and two women serving sentences of three months to four years for drugs. “People out there can say that we’re the garbage of society,” said the band’s founding member and guitarist Oktav Sicilia, 35, who is serving three years for possession of drugs. “But sometimes, garbage is useful - when we recycle garbage, sometimes we create a better product.”

The prison’s rehabilitation programme, mandated under Indonesian law for people caught with small quantities of drugs, provides the band with their instruments. Authorities hope their success will showcase the benefits of such programmes in a country with strict penalties for drug-related crimes, including the death penalty. Finding time to practice as inmates in a mixed gender group is difficult, Sicilia said, with the band sometimes performing without all members.

During a concert at the jail on Saturday, the band performed for fellow inmates, prison guards and media without their bassist. But despite the struggles, the band continues to push forward, looking to raise enough funds to release their album “Time To Change”. They recently released two music videos, one titled “Be Grateful For Your Experiences” featuring a black and white montage of prison life. The video’s director, Erick Est, said he was contacted by the head of Kerobokan Prison, Slamet Prihantara, to help the group. — Reuters SOUTH KOREA SCANDAL

Prosecutors arrest President Park’s friend SEOUL: The woman at the centre of a scandal that has plunged the South Korean presidency into crisis was held for a second day on Tuesday after being detained overnight to answer allegations of exerting inappropriate influence in state affairs.

Prosecutors have said they are investigating whether Choi Soon-sil used her friendship with President Park Geun-hye to gain access to classified documents that enabled her to influence government matters and benefited personally through non-profit foundations.

The growing scandal has sparked public anger and sent Park’s approval rating to a record low, with thousands of protesters gathered in Seoul on Saturday night calling for her to step down. Park accepted the resignations of eight of her top aides over the weekend.

Choi, 60, arrived at the prosecutor’s office on Tuesday morning in handcuffs and a surgical mask and wearing a dark coat, escorted by correctional officers. A prosecution official and her laywer said she had been detained late on Monday.

Although Choi was being questioned at another location, a man used a heavy construction excavator to smash the front entrance of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office building in Seoul, injuring a security guard, in an apparent act of protest against Choi. He was arrested by police.

According to Han Jeung-sub, a senior official at the Seocho Police Station, the 45-year-old man told police: “Choi Soon-sil said she had committed a crime she deserves to die for, so I came here to help her die.”

Prosecutors have asked eight banks for documents related to Choi’s financial transactions, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reported, citing unnamed financial industry officials. — Reuters

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WORLD

China debuts J-20 stealth fighter in show of strength Airshow China offers Beijing an opportunity to demonstrate its ambitions in civil aerospace and to underline its growing capability in defence

ZHUHAI (CHINA): China showed its Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter in public for the first time on Tuesday, opening the country’s biggest meeting of aircraft makers and buyers with a show of its military clout.

Airshow China, in the southern city of Zhuhai, offers Beijing an opportunity to demonstrate its ambitions in civil aerospace and to underline its growing capability in defence. China is set to overtake the US as the world’s top aviation market in the next decade.

Two J-20 jets, Zhuhai’s headline act, swept over dignitaries, hundreds of spectators and industry executives gathered at the show’s opening ceremony in a flypast that barely exceeded a minute, generating a deafening roar that was met with gasps and applause and set off car alarms in a parking lot.

Assertive stance Experts say China has been refining designs for the J-20, first glimpsed by planespotters in 2010, in the hope of narrowing a military technology gap with the United States. President Xi Jinping has pushed to toughen the armed forces as China takes BOOSTING TIES

Malaysia, China sign deals on navy vessels BEIJING: Malaysia has agreed to buy four Chinese naval vessels and pledged with Beijing to handle South China Sea disputes bilaterally, a Chinese official said on Tuesday, in what could be China’s latest counter to US influence in the region.

The vessels are known as littoral mission ships, small craft that operate close to shore. Two will be built in China and two in Malaysia, Malaysian state media reported after a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and his visiting counterpart Prime Minister Najib Razak. The move marks Malaysia’s first significant defence deal with China at a time of rising tension in the South China Sea. “Leaders of the two sides agreed to further advance the proper settlement of the South China Sea issue with dialogue through a bilateral channel,” Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin told reporters at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People where Li and Najib met. — Reuters

MILITARY MIGHT: China unveils its J-20 stealth fighter on an air show in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China, on Tuesday. – China Daily/via Reuters

a more assertive stance in Asia, particularly in the South China and East China seas. “It is clearly a big step forward in Chinese combat capability,” said Bradley Perrett of Aviation Week, a veteran China watcher.

State-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) was also bullish on China’s appetite for new civilian planes, estimating the market would need 6,865 new aircraft worth $930 billion over the next 20 years.

The COMAC forecast - similar to long-term outlooks from wellestablished rivals Boeing Co and Airbus Group - said China would make up almost a fifth of global demand for close to 40,000 planes over the next two decades.

After screeching onto the Zhuhai stage as a pair at low-level, one of the J-20s quickly disappeared over the horizon, leaving the other to perform a series of turns,

revealing its delta wing shape against bright sub-tropical haze.

It was China’s second successive display of stealth at the biennial show, following the 2014 debut of the J-31.

But analysts said the brief and relatively cautious J-20 routine - the pilots did not open weapon bay doors, or perform low-speed passes - answered few questions.

“I think we learned very little.

We learned it is very loud. But we can’t tell what type of engine it has, or very much about the mobility,” said Greg Waldron, Asia Managing Editor of FlightGlobal. “Most importantly, we didn’t learn much about its radar cross-section.”

A key question whether the new Chinese fighter can match the radar-evading properties of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor air-to-air combat jet, or the latest strike jet in the US arsenal, Lockheed’s F-35. The F-22, developed

A1 1

for the US Air Force, is the J-20’s closest lookalike.

But the mere display of such a newly developed aircraft was a revealing signal, others said.

“It’s a change of tactics for the Chinese to publicly show off weapons that aren’t in full squadron service yet,” said Sam Roggeveen, a senior fellow at the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, “and demonstrates a lot of confidence in the capability, and also a lot of pride.”

Other aircraft on display on Tuesday alongside the latest Chinese weapon systems, radar and drones, included the Xian Y-20 strategic airlifter, and what organisers say is the largest amphibious plane now in production - the AG600.

The flying boat is officially promoted as a fire-fighting or search and rescue plane. But analysts note the AG600 - first unveiled 10

days after a Hague tribunal ruled against China’s claim to parts of the South China Sea in July - is well suited to resupplying military outposts in the disputed area.

A model of a wide-body jet being developed by COMAC and Russia’s UAC was also on show, revealing design details such as wingspan and cruising speeds for the first time. Airbus and Boeing dominate the wide-body segment.

Notably absent from the airshow schedule, though, was the 150-seater COMAC C919 passenger jet, which has been beset by delays and is now running three years behind original plans.

COMAC said at the show that China Eastern Airlines will be the launch customer for the C919, which may take its first test flight later this year or early 2017, and that it had clinched 23 new orders for its C919, taking total firm orders to 570. — Reuters

WA R P L A N E S

Indonesia still in talks to buy Sukhoi Su-35 JAKARTA: Indonesia is in talks to buy “nine or 10” Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets from Russia, an Indonesian defence ministry official told Reuters on Tuesday, without giving a timeline for any deal.

“We are still negotiating,” Leonardi, head of the defence facilities at Indonesia’s defence ministry who goes by one name, said by telephone. “We are still bargaining, ‘how much do you want to sell them for?’.” Indonesian defence minister Ryamizard Ryacudu said in May the Southeast Asian country would buy eight Russian Sukhoi Su-35 jets this year, but the planned purchase has not materialised.

Rival Western companies are still trying to wrest the deal to supply Indonesia with fighter jets away from Russia’s Sukhoi, two people familiar with the talks said, asking not to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The award has not been finalised and it is seen as a test for efforts by Indonesian President Joko Widodo to enforce more transparency in big-ticket deals, they said. Hundreds of companies including Lockheed Martin of the United States, Sweden’s Saab and Indonesian state weapons maker PT Pindad will be represented at an Indo Defence exhibition, which will be held in Jakarta from November 2 to November 5.

The country’s biggest annual defence show will come weeks after Indonesian warplanes staged large-scale exercises on the edge of a South China Sea area claimed

by Beijing. While Indonesia is not part of the dispute over the South China Sea, it objects to China’s inclusion of waters around the Natuna Islands within its ‘nine-dash line’, a demarcation line used by China to show its claims there.

Indonesia’s total defence spending has risen 77 per cent over the last four years to 108.7 trillion rupiah ($8.3 billion), though it is expected to dip to 108.0 trillion rupiah next year, according to official data. — Reuters

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Philippine special envoy Fidel Ramos resigns MANILA: The Philippines’ former president Fidel Ramos has quit his job as special envoy to China, aides said on Tuesday, but the government has yet to act on his resignation, weeks after the current Philippine leader visited Beijing.

President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Ramos, a mentor who he said persuaded him to run for office, as special envoy to China to help repair ties soured by an international arbitration case in a maritime territorial dispute which went in Manila’s favour in July, sparking outrage in Beijing.

Ramos’s decision to quit a job he had barely started was due to the progress made during Duterte’s visit, including what appears to be an end to China’s blockade of a disputed fishing zone.

“He has done his job,” a Ramos aide told Reuters. “President Duterte has visited Beijing and our fishermen are back in the disputed Scarborough Shoal. He has accomplished his mission.”

The aide declined to be named because he was not authorised to

JOB DONE: Former Philippine

president Fidel Ramos. – Reuters File

speak to the media. Ramos’ office said an official statement would soon follow. Ramos, an 88-yearold statesman widely respected in a country he led from 1992-1998, was quoted by GMA News Online as saying his China role was only to “break the ice”.

Ramos is a supporter of Duterte but has recently turned critical of

Ramos’s decision to quit a job he had barely started was due to the progress made during Duterte’s visit, including what appears to be an end to China’s blockade of a disputed fishing zone. As his first step towards softening ties with China, Ramos spent five days in Hong Kong in August meeting “old friends” - a diplomat and an academic - and described his trip as an “ice breaker”.

the maverick leader. In a newspaper column, he described Duterte’s first 100 days in office as a “huge disappointment and letdown”, an assessment that contrasts starkly with popular opinion.

Ramos said Duterte had spent too much energy on his war on drugs and neglected poverty, the environment and rising living

costs and he described the president’s hostility and mixed statements towards old ally the United States as “discombobulating”.

But a Ramos aide on Tuesday said the resignation had nothing to do with his view on Duterte’s performance.

“Please, do not put meaning into this, he remains a team Phil-

ippines player,” the aide said.

The government gave little comment on the circumstances behind Ramos’s resignation.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Ramos “was instrumental in the softening of ties”, while presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said it was Duterte’s decision whether or not to accept the resignation. As his first step towards softening ties with China, Ramos spent five days in Hong Kong in August meeting “old friends” - a diplomat and an academic - and described his trip as an “ice breaker”.

The two countries had previously had no high-level contact for five years.

Ramos never made it to China, however. His office in September said a trip there had been postponed. A few weeks later, Duterte went to Beijing himself, accompanied by about 200 businessmen, and plenty of fanfare.

“I still consider myself a part of the Duterte team whether they like it or not,” Ramos was quoted as saying by local media. — Reuters

D E M A N D F O R R E S I G NAT I O N

Mandela Foundation rebukes Zuma, calls for leadership change JOHANNESBURG: The foundation set up to guard the legacy of the late Nelson Mandela on Tuesday blamed South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma for the “wheels coming off” Africa’s most industrialised nation and urged a change in political leadership.

Since coming to power in 2009, Zuma has survived a string of corruption scandals almost unscathed.

But South Africa has had to bear the cost of his antics as investors worry about its political stability, business climate and rule of law.

The non-profit Nelson Mandela Foundation, whose board consists of 10 prominent South African academics, politicians and journalists, called on the African National Congress (ANC), the liberation movement once headed by Mandela and now led

by Zuma, to change its leader-

ship. “We call on the governing party to take the steps necessary to ensure that the vehicle of state be protected and placed in safe and capable hands,” it said in a rare statement entitled: “Time to account for crippling the state”.

Zuma’s spokesman did not answer a phone call seeking comment. Several ANC members have called for the 74-year-old to quit but the ANC’s top echelons have backed him. In August municipal elections the ANC suffered its worst losses since taking power when apartheid fell in 1994.

Opposition parties and civic groups are planning to march in the capital Pretoria on Wednesday to demand, among other things, that he resign.

In a blow to Zuma and the ANC, Ndileka Mandela, a grandchild of Mandela, backed the foundation’s

GROWING OPPOSITION: South African President Jacob Zuma in

Cape Town, South Africa on October 26, 2016. – Reuters File

stance. “As Grandad always said, if the ANC does what the apartheid government did, you have every right to do what we did to the apartheid government,” she said.

“That statement could never be more true than now with what we are seeing happening.”

But Zuma has shown no signs of stepping down before his second

and final term as president is up in 2019, despite corruption scandals damaging him both financially and politically.

In March, the Constitutional Court ordered him to repay some of the $16 million spent on enhancing his Nkandla home in rural KwaZulu-Natal province. But Zuma weathered a motion of noconfidence in parliament over the scandal and has since paid back more than $500,000.

The Mandela Foundation said the court ruling over Nkandla was an example of how Zuma had failed to uphold the constitution. “It is increasingly a national consensus that he has failed the test,” it said.

Zuma is also entangled in a scandal around the alleged political influence of a trio of wealthy brothers.

About a hundred protesters chanted slogans against Zuma outside a court in Pretoria where his lawyers were trying to delay the release of a report on the matter.

The president also faced accusations of meddling after fraud charges against Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan were unexpectedly dropped on Monday.

Near record unemployment and a stagnant economy have exacerbated discontent with Zuma’s government, which also failed to end weeks of often violent student demonstrations over the cost of university education. The Mandela Foundation said it had seen a weakening of law enforcement bodies under Zuma and supported “the demand to hold to account those responsible for compromising our democratic state and looting its resources.” — Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

WORLD

Brother, we don’t care about your red line.

It’s the people who draw the red line. What importance does your line have.

Binali Yildirim, Prime Minister of Turkey

Clinton’s camp assails FBI director, presses for details The FBI announcement 11 days before the November 8 presidential election blindsided Clinton, who had extended her lead over Trump in opinion polls

WHITE PLAINS (NEW YORK): Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign ratcheted up the pressure on FBI Director James Comey on Tuesday, saying that if he released inconclusive information about the Democratic candidate, he can do the same for her Republican rival.

A week before Election Day, the Clinton campaign was working to contain damage from Comey’s announcement on Friday of new emails that might pertain to a previously completed investigation into Clinton’s use of a private server while she was secretary of state. Republican Donald Trump seized on the revelation, which indicated no wrongdoing on Clinton’s part, intensifying his criticism of a rival he has long dubbed “Crooked Hillary” and welcoming

GARNERING SUPPORT: US Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton waves at supporters

during a campaign rally at the Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, on Monday.. – AFP

a slight improvement for him in a new ABC/Washington Post poll on Tuesday. Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook questioned why the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s director had not released any information about its investigation into Russia’s role in the US election or ties to Trump and his senior aides.

“If you’re in the business of releasing information about investigations on presidential candidates, release everything you have on Donald Trump. Release the information on his connections to the Russians,” Mook said on CNN. “It is mind-boggling, and Director

Comey needs to answer this.”

Law enforcement officials have been investigating Russia’s role in the presidential campaign and any ties to Trump or his senior advisers, but have found no conclusive, direct link, the New York Times reported on Monday. The United States has blamed Russia for cyber attacks on Democratic Party organisations.

The Clinton campaign has been furiously pressing the FBI to provide details on the new trove of emails, which Comey said may or may not be significant in the case.

Little is publicly known yet about the emails, other than that they

AGGRESSIVE FOREIGN POLICY

Ukraine to investigate cash-rich politicians, officials KIEV: Ukrainian authorities will investigate politicians and officials who declare cash assets of more than $100,000 and will impose prison sentences of up to 15 years on any found guilty of wrongdoing, General Prosecutor Yuriy Lutsenko said on Tuesday.

His announcement came after Ukraine completed a landmark anti-corruption reform on Sunday obliging tens of thousands of officials, all the way up to the president and prime minister, to declare their wealth in an online database.

Although a Western-backed government came to power two years ago promising reform, corruption remains entrenched. Declarations of millions of dollars in cash, expensive Swiss watches and luxury cars have shocked many in a country where the average monthly salary is little over $200.

“The online declaration is not the end of the process, but only the beginning,” Lutsenko told a briefing, adding more than half of the lawmakers in parliament had declared possession of more than $100,000 in cash.

The authorities will also look into the tax affairs of those who reported receiving gifts of over $10,000 or said they had over $100,000 in the bank, he said.

Lutsenko’s family may not be immune from investigation. His wife, herself a lawmaker, declared owning $280,000 and 50,000 euros ($55,120) in cash, as well as a smaller amount in the local hryvnia currency. — Reuters

DETENTION OF JOURNALISTS

MI5 chief sees increasing threat from Russian cyber-attacks LONDON: Russia is pushing its foreign policy in increasingly aggressive ways including cyberattacks and espionage, posing a growing threat to Britain and the rest of Europe, the head of Britain’s internal intelligence agency MI5 has said.

As finance minister Philip Hammond unveiled the country’s new five-year cyber security strategy and hinted at threats from Russia in a speech, the Kremlin dismissed the allegations as untrue and challenged its critics to produce evidence. MI5 Director General Andrew Parker said Russia had been a covert threat for decades, but what differed now from the Cold

were found during an unrelated probe into Anthony Weiner, the estranged husband of top Clinton aide Huma Abedin.

In an effort to shift the focus back to Trump’s vulnerabilities, the Clinton campaign released a provocative new ad raising the specter of a possible nuclear war if Trump is elected president, and Clinton emphasised the message that Trump has a bad temper and an overly cavalier attitude toward nuclear weapons at rallies in the battleground state of Ohio on Monday.

The FBI spent a year investigating Clinton’s use of a private email

server, instead of government systems, while she was secretary of state from 2009 to 2013.

Comey concluded in July that while Clinton and her staff had been “extremely careless” in handling classified information, there were no grounds for any charges.

Comey has said he released more information about the investigation than is typical because of election year sensitivities.

“If Director Comey was so concerned about how information would be handled and about the reputation of the FBI, why did he release this letter that was full of innuendo and absolutely no facts?” Mook said on CNN, referring to Comey’s letter to members of Congress on Friday.

The New York Times also assailed Comey, accusing him in an editorial in its Tuesday edition of sending “a brief, inscrutable, election-shaking letter” in a “breathtakingly rash and irresponsible decision.”

The FBI announcement 11 days before the November 8 presidential election blindsided Clinton, who had extended her lead over Trump in opinion polls after the release last month of a 2005 video in which the Republican bragged in vulgar terms about women.

Opinion polls show Clinton’s lead has narrowed slightly since early last week. It was not known if the email controversy would hurt her support.

Clinton held a 5-point lead over Trump in the latest Reuters/Ipsos poll, supported by 44 per cent of likely voters, compared with Trump at 39 per cent. — Reuters

ANTI-GRAFT REFORM

War era was that there were more and more methods available for it to pursue its anti-Western agenda.

“Russia increasingly seems to define itself by opposition to the West and seems to act accordingly,” he told the Guardian newspaper in an interview published on Tuesday. “It is using its whole range of state organs and powers to push its foreign policy abroad in increasingly aggressive ways, involving propaganda, espionage, subversion and cyber-attacks.

Russia is at work across Europe and in the UK today.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Parker’s words “do not correspond to reality”.

“Until someone produces proof, we will consider those statements unfounded and groundless,” he said.

Hammond, at a technology conference in London, outlined Britain’s strategy to boost its cyber security defences, part of a previously announced £1.9 billion ($2.3 billion) plan.

He said the government would strengthen its defences against attacks to protect its services and the economy, and would encourage industry to do the same to prevent cyber attacks. “So we will not only defend ourselves in cyberspace, we will strike back in kind when we are attacked,” he said. — Reuters

Turkish PM rejects Europe’s ‘red line’ on press freedom ISTANBUL: Turkey’s prime minister said he had no regard for Europe’s “red line” on press freedom on Tuesday and warned Ankara would not be brought to heel with threats, rejecting criticism of the detention of senior journalists at an opposition newspaper.

Police detained the editor and top staff of Cumhuriyet, a pillar of the country’s secularist establishment, on Monday, on accusations that the newspaper’s coverage had helped precipitate a failed military coup in July.

The United States and European Union both voiced concern about the move in Turkey, a NATO ally which aspires to EU membership. European Parliament President Martin Schulz wrote on Twitter that the detentions marked the crossing of ‘yet another red-line’ against freedom of expression in the country.

“Brother, we don’t care about your red line. It’s the people who draw the red line. What importance does your line have,” Prime

Minister Binali Yildirim told members of his ruling AK Party in a speech in parliament.

“Turkey is not a country to be brought in line with salvoes and threats. Turkey gets its power from the people and would be held accountable by the people.”

Cumhuriyet vowed “we will not surrender” in a front-page headline. Dozens of people staged a vigil in front of its Istanbul offices overnight, some wrapped in blankets as they slept on benches while police guarded barriers outside. “Even if Cumhuriyet’s executives and writers are detained, our newspaper will continue its fight for democracy and freedom to the end,” it said in a defiant editorial which described the arrests as the start of an attempt to close the paper.

It said its pages had repeatedly warned that Gulen’s movement represented a danger to the Republic and wanted to abolish secularism. The paper said it had in the past been tar-

geted by prosecutors and judges aligned with Gulen.

Turkey’s authorities have bristled at the Western reaction to the abortive coup, in which rogue soldiers used fighter jets and tanks to attack parliament and other key buildings, killing more than 240 people, many of them civilians.

They see European leaders as quick to condemn widescale purges of suspected plotters, but reluctant to accept the gravity of the putsch and the threat to the state.

“We have no problem with press freedom. This is what we can’t agree with our European friends. They always bring up press freedom when we take steps in our fight against terrorism,” Yildirim said.

He said Turkey could draft a “limited measure” to bring back the death penalty if a political compromise could be reached on the issue, a move that could spell an end to its efforts to join the European Union. — Reuters

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READERS’ FORUM Beauty has an address, definitely!

This refers to the Facebook video post The crashing waves at the beachfront and the seabirds perched on rocks are definitely worth the trip (November 1). We had been there last year in December, Mirbat has a special atmosphere, beauty has an address, definitely!

— Inge Van der Wijk, via Facebook

Scan this QR code to send letters to the Readers’ Forum, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com).

Unscrupulous elements want to create fear amongst people This refers to the news Filipina expat body found, rape and murder suspected (November 1).This is totally unheard of in Muscat.

Some unscrupulous elements want to create fear amongst people. The perpetrators ought to be given the harshest of sentences.

— Ashwin G Rao , via Facebook

JEFFREY D. SACHS

The big disappointment in the world economy today is the low rate of investment. In the years leading up to the 2008 financial crisis, growth in high-income countries was propelled by spending on housing and private consumption. When the crisis hit, both kinds of spending plummeted,

Criminals behind this must receive examplary punishment This refers to the news Filipina expat body found, rape and murder suspected (November 1).The criminals behind this must receive exemplary punishment This is a Muslim country where people give utmost respect to women. I hope this type of incidence will not happen again.

— Deserti Robin, via Facebook

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.

MAHATMA GANDHI

North Carolina is the real bellwether state M

ichelle Obama, making her first joint campaign appearance with Hillary Clinton in North Carolina on October 27, suggested the state is ground zero in this election.

That’s routine rhetoric; it also may be true.

In the maze of colour-coded maps and exit polls on Election night, North Carolina will send a resounding message. The state, which voted for Barack Obama eight years ago and for Mitt Romney in 2012, is a must-win for Donald Trump. If Clinton wins, she’s probably off to a night that will resemble Obama’s 2008 victory.

The Senate race is one of a half-dozen that will decide the critical question of which party controls the chamber. There’s also a governor’s race, mired in controversies over discrimination and voting rights for minorities, with important implications for the state and perhaps the nation. Demographics are destiny in this purple state. In 2008, a little more than half of the voters were born in-state and Obama was defeated among that group; he won by taking those that had moved to North Carolina.

This year, more than half of the electorate will be voters who’ve moved to the state, and a good percentage will be college-educated. Both characteristics advantage Democrats. The Republican legislature and an acquiescent governor passed restrictions on voting in 2013. Some of these were thrown out by courts but some remain, and there is speculation the limits could depress the turnout of black voters and the young, two groups that are likely to be predominantly in the Democratic camp. In the 2012 election, when Obama didn’t make an effort in the state, there was a 10 per cent drop in the number of 18- to 29-year-old voters, and the black vote was down slightly. The top priority of Democrats is to reverse that this time.

Michael Bitzer, a political science professor at Catawba College in Salisbury who tracks this closely, estimates that early voting is up about 7 per cent from four years ago, but so far Democrats are underperforming targets. The big jump from 2012 is among unaffiliated voters, which Bitzer says, are the “wild card” in these calculations.

Democratic strategists insist the shortfall is being remedied with a huge targeting and get-outthe-vote effort this week, aided by the personal appearances and messages from both the president and the first lady. With a little more than a

week to go, Clinton appears to be up about three to four points, though that was before the news at the end of the week that the Federal Bureau of Investigation had reopened the inquiry into her use of a private e-mail server as secretary of state.

Democratic Attorney-General Roy Cooper is a little ahead of the incumbent governor, Pat McCrory, and the Senate contest between the moderately liberal state legislator, Deborah Ross, and the twoterm incumbent conservative Republican Richard Burr, is a toss-up.

Both parties and their allied outside groups rate North Carolina a priority. Far more than $100 million will be spent on these races, and the airwaves are inundated with competing messages. This is especially important for Republicans, as the Democrats have an advantage in the ground game, identifying and turning out their voters.

Clinton is not especially popular in the state, but Trump is a pariah in Republican-leaning venues such as Cary, in the heart of the technology-driven Research Triangle, and parts of the financial sector in Charlotte. It was no accident that the first campaign joint appearance with the first lady was at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. Both politicians in the state and a recent focus group in Charlotte suggest Michelle Obama may be the most popular figure in North Carolina and elsewhere, and the most effective Trump critic.

McCrory, elected four years ago, is the former mayor of Charlotte. He espoused a pro-business agenda and was a bit to the right of centre like previous Republican governors. But he was captured by the rising right-wing forces in the Republican Party and went along with the voting crackdowns, infuriating black voters. The backlash has been huge: The state has lost business, and professional and college athletics are boycotting events. It’s a loser for McCrory and Republicans, who now hope that the devastation of Hurricane Matthew a few weeks ago has distracted attention. Both the Republican and Democratic campaign committees are putting every possible resource into the Senate race; the next Democratic Senate leader, Chuck Schumer of New York, even demanded resources be moved from places such as Florida to North Carolina. - Bloomberg View

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES OCTOBER 2001 Impressive show marks end to Philippine School Day MUSCAT: The Philippine School Muscat(PSM) concluded its annual day celebrations with demonstrations with impressive performances. PSM’s 12th Recognition Day was held on the Ghala sports compound at 4.30pm on Wednesday. The theme of the occasion was ‘Intercultural influences on the development of various creative dances’.

The pupils were dressed up in flamboyant costumes appropriate to the theme of their dances. The ceremony started with the customary parade of the participants around the Ghala basketball court.

Scan this QR for full story online

PICTOGRAPH CRUISE SHIPS VISITORS IN OMAN (BY NATIONALITY) (January 2015 - January 2016) 2015 Europeans 96.6%

Americans -70.8%

Africans -39.5%

TODAY IN HISTORY INVITATION TO WRITERS We invite our readers to write articles on topics related to Oman. The articles should not exceed 800 words.

Send us your article along with your picture to akhtar@timesofoman.com

1903: London’s Daily Mirror newspaper is first published.

1947: Howard Hughes’ Spruce Goose flies for the first and last time.

1963: South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem is assassinated.

2000: First resident crew arrives at the International Space Station.

2016 17,822 35٫043

4,259 1٫242

870 526

TOTAL Asians -63.7%

Oceanians -35.0%

5,551 2,017

29,082

580 377

39,205

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

A 14

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

LIFESTYLE LEISURE

O M AN I S LI KE AN ANC I EN T FA B L E. I T I S F I L L ED W I T H STOR I ES OF HISTORY, LEGENDARY BATTLES, AND CULTURAL TREASURES. APART F R O M H AVI N G A R I C H HI STORY, T HE C OU N T RY’ S GEOGRAPHICAL AREA IS ALSO VAST. EVERY GOVERNORATE OF THIS MAGNIFICENT NATION HAS ITS OWN STORY, ITS OWN CULTURE, AND ITS OWN HISTORY TO SHARE. FLOATING IN A SM ALL P E NI NSU LAR R EGI ON OF T HI S M AJ EST I C A R A B I A N LAND , I S TH E I C O NI C T EL EGR A PH I S LA N D .

STORY SHRUTHI NAIR

W

hile residing at Atana Musandam, I was taken for a dhow cruise. The sea off the shore of the Musandam peninsula was filled with interesting sights such as dolphins, huge mountain walls, and scattered villages on different coasts, but it was the Telegraph Island, a rocky landmass in the middle of the very salty sea (due to Elphinstone) that, according to me, was the highlight of the cruise. All I saw initially was a small rocky island with a few tourists clicking pictures, only to discover more later when our tour guide showed us the fascinating bigger picture.

In the 19th century, Telegraph cables, also known as Victorian Internet at that time, was the fastest means to transfer a message from one place to another. In 1864, the Telegraph Island became a crucial hub as British Naval Forces were stationed there, in order to transmit messages from London to Karachi. The Musandam enroute held almost 2,400 kilometres of telegraph cables as it was agreed between the India, Turkey, and Ancient Iran governments that they would join their land telegraphs using underwater cables through the Gulf.

The Telegraph Island on Jazirat Al Maqlab was essentially a repeater station wherein signals coming from London or India could be repeated and transmitted thereon. The island was used for this purpose for three years and in 1868, the cable was diverted to Henjam and Jask in Iran.

The island, although abandoned since then, remains an important landmark for Oman in the middle of the vast ocean reinstating the fact that the Sultanate of Oman is and was a significant land of wonders and revolutions.

-shruthi@timesofoman.com

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

WEATHER

TEMPERATURE

HUMIDITY

32 - 21 61-36% 0

0

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

ON THE BALL

Want a Career in Sports?

There’s Plenty to Choose from

Y

BRIEF

Turkish Airlines launches an innovative inflight safety video In order to enhance security and passenger protection during air transport operations, Turkish Airlines, Europe’s best airline for six consecutive years according to Skytrax, produced a new inflight safety video featuring filmmaker and social media phenomenon Zach King.

With the significant growth in the number of first time or irregular travellers over the recent years, Turkish Airlines, the airline that flies to more countries than any other airline, chose to leverage illusions to improve the safety level onboard. The main purpose of the video is to keep passengers’ attention high during the explanation of important safety procedures using the power of magic. Watching the film, passengers are flipped between reality and illusion, with King bringing key aspects of inflight safety to life through his signature digital slight of hand tricks.

-lifestyle@timesofoman.com

and Science is set to introduce Oman’s first sports science course come January 2017.

“We want this course to help people reach a level where they can live off of this,” explained Dr Aleksandar Djordjevic, the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education at MCBS. “Sports is a big industry, and not just having the knowledge in your legs but in your head as well, means there is a plethora of opportunities for people,” he said. “With this course, you have a window of opportunities to be supportive in many jobs. You could be a coach, a sports consultant for clubs and it’s a nice addition to sports journalism.”

One of these jobs is sport marketing, a role that Saurabh Advant thrived in when he worked at Dubai Sports City.

As a social media executive, Advant worked personally with former Real Madrid and Spain legend Michel Salgado and his Spanish Soccer School, as well as the ICC Academy, run in direct conjunction with the International Cricket Council.

“When you are working with such people, you cannot look at them as if they are sports stars because that comes in the way of your job,” he explained. “You have to think about them as another human being. How would they be as a boss, how would they be as a dad?

“This is a job where you have to dedicate yourself completely to work, you cannot think of what you are going to do in the evening because you never know when you might be called in,” adds Advant, who also worked at the Els Club, a golfing club part-

LIFESTYLE

L U X U RY S TAY

W With Gautam Bhargav Viswanathan ith Gauta Viswanathan

ou might not always be the one smashing a sumptuous volley into the back of the net or scoring the final point in a game, but you could be the doctor checking up on the LA Lakers players to see if everyone is shipshape after the final whistle has been blown.

Or Manchester United, as it was in the case of Dr Zarshis Avari. A recent graduate of the University of Sydney, Dr Avari was part of the medical team that shadowed the Red Devils when they travelled Down Under for their pre-season preparations in 2013.

“Physiotherapists show the players the correct techniques of various exercises to prevent injuries and they’re also the first port of call when a player does get injured,” he explained. “I learnt the importance of teamwork and communication. The players have an entire team of doctors who all work together in ensuring that the players are in peak physical condition at all times. Being a supporter of the club didn’t help, though.

“Sometimes I would tend to forget what I had to do so I would just stare at the player in a blank fashion,” he recalls. “The player would know what was going on because they’ve seen that reaction a lot of times.

“I really wanted an autograph,” he adds wistfully. “I was even thinking of sneaking one in but my professional side told me ‘you might get thrown out’.”

Sports science is a field that is evolving across the globe, and the Modern College of Business

11.55pm 3.09pm 5.33pm 6.44pm 4.56am

A1 5

owned by South African golfer Ernie Els. “In the Middle East, where the weather is not often great, you have most golfers teeing off at about seven in the morning, so you need to ensure you are there by 6:45,” he revealed.

While my colleagues have chosen different fields of sports to get involved in, my passion for writing took me the way of journalism. I am extremely fortunate to be doing what I do, and there have been some brilliant memories along the way.

I am honoured to have met so many superstars, including former Arsenal legend Fredrik Ljungberg, Pakistan’s Azhar Mahmood and Shoaib Akhtar, Dutch footballer Edgar Davids, legendary Argentina midfielder Javier Zanetti, the world’s number one badminton star Saina Nehwal, and even FIFA’s Vice President, Prince Ali of Jordan.

I honestly believe that being part of sports is the closest you can come to playing it without actually doing so, and what unites everyone mentioned in this article is a love for sport.

Deep down, most sportspersons are really genuine people, and I am so glad I am now part of this world.

It’s been a job that has seen me up at 6am to travel to a match, that’s seen me leave work at 3am after covering a game live, one that has made me cancel plans because I am needed to provide live website commentary, and so many other fond memories that I will forever cherish.

And some people have the nerve to call this work.

— gautam@timesofoman.com

A New Luxury Beachfront Tent Experience at Al Bustan Palace Waking up to the sound of the waves crashing on the beachfront is now possible at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel as it introduces a premier luxury tent experience. Travellers can now upgrade their stay at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, to an overnight in a luxury Canvas Club tent located on the remote beach-

front of the hotel. The experience includes an overnight in the fully equipped, family tent located a stone’s throw from the hotel. The Canvas Club Tent Upgrade Packages includes OMR100 net supplement from any room category or Junior Suite and OMR50 net supplement from an Executive or Presidential Suite.

It includes overnight in the tent, turndown service and breakfast at Al Khiran Terrace. Breakfast in the tent is offered with a supplement. Guests can pair their Canvas Club tent experience with a unique dining option too. For reservations mail albustan@ritzcarlton.com +968 2476 4205 —lifestyle@timesofoman.com

A16

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

LIFESTYLE

A Stroll Through the Orchards STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL PHOTOS MEHDI TAGHAVI

O

n the Western slopes of the Hajar Mountains, the oasis-like village of Wakan perches 2,000 metres above sea level overlooking Wadi Mastal near Nakhal in Al Batinah South. The farming community harvests pomegranates, corn, apricots, dates, and more, and have generously opened their land to tourists who can enjoy a 30-45 minutes hike along the

paved walkways that wind through the lush greenery, leading to the starting point of the Jebel Akhdar Nature Reserve (a hike to Jebel Akhdar would take an additional four hours over uneven terrain).

At only an hour-and-a-half from Muscat, the cool mountain air and tranquil environment make it the best place for a quick hike.

How to Get There: Take the Expressway to the end and turn to-

wards Nakhal and Rustaq. 5-10 minutes passed Nakhal, turn left in front of a watertower and follow the road towards Wadi Mistral.

The paved road will wind up the mountain and continue un-paved to Wakan Village at the top of the mountain. You need an AWD or FWD vehicle to make the assent.

Best Times to Go to Wakan Escape the heat in the summer time, or visit in February and March to see the Cherry Blossomlike blooms of the apricot trees.

Average Summer Temperature: 25C and cloudy.

What to Bring Bottled water, lunch or snacks (there are no restaurants in the area), and a camera.

Courtesy The village is home to local inhabitants and the orchards are their livelihood. Appreciate and respect the villagers by not diverting from the path or taking fruit or produce. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;felicia@timesofoman.com

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

MARKE

CRUDE OIL PRICE FALLS

Oman Crude (January delivery) declined by $1.33 to $45.99 per barrel, said Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME). The average price of Oman Crude (November delivery) stabilised at $43.92 per barrel, 10 cents lower than October delivery. – ONA

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

Muscat 5,477.70 - 3.74 - 0.07%

Dubai 3,330.62 - 1.79 - 0.05%

Abu Dhabi 4,301.31 + 1.13 + 0.03%

Saudi Arabia

6,015.25 + 3.03 + 0.05%

Kuwait 5,411.63 + 10.56 + 0.20%

Qatar 10,177.24 + 4.29 + 0.04%

Bahrain 1,148.83 - 2.34 - 0.20%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.34 Pound ...........................................2.10 Indian Rs ............................. 172.98 Pakistan Rs ........................267.59 Bangla Taka......................200.88

Indian Rs ...................................173.20 Pakistan Rs .............................272.00 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.55 Phil Peso ................................... 125.65

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......16.35

Oman Crude............. (Spot) .........$45.51 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$45.26 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$46.99 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$44.93 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$48.68 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........ $46.72

* Rates are as of November 1 Source: Bank Muscat

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ....... 15.70 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 154.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............145.25 * Rates as of November 1

* Rates as of November 1 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

FOUR-YEAR DEAL

PDO signs $200m-contract with Oman-based pipe manufacturer Times News Service MUSCAT: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the Sultanate’s largest oil producer, has signed a $200 million pipe supply contract with an Omani firm as part of its in-country value (ICV) strategy to retain more of the oil and gas industry’s wealth in the Sultanate.

The four-year deal will mean the Gulf International Pipe Industry (TMK-GIPI) mill based in the Sohar Industrial Estate will manufacture a variety of pipelines sized six to 24 inches in diameter

for both PDO and other operators.

TMK-GIPI is the first manufacturer of high-pressure steel line pipes and casing pipes in Oman and its production plant is also the first in the region to make high pressure 24-inch electric resistance welded (ERW) steel pipes.

As a result of the contract award, the company will expand its current production range and introduce a new manufacturing line for small pipeline categories to cater to high demand for such sizes from PDO and the rest of the oil and gas industry.

The agreement marks the successful implementation of one of the business opportunities launched by PDO for Omani businesses at the major ICV Blueprint Strategy Summit in Muscat in December 2013.

This laid down a framework for the development of a robust and sustainable local supply chain for the sector.

“We are delighted to sign this contract with TMK-GIPI, which will see an Omani factory manufacturing piping both for PDO and other operators. As well as boost-

ing ICV, there is also a fantastic opportunity for this state-of-theart plant to supply its products and services across the region,” said Raoul Restucci, managing director of PDO. “This deal makes concrete our commitment outlined at the ICV conference three years ago to do everything we can to leverage the collaborative efforts of the oil and gas sector to progressively and effectively develop a competitive Omani supply chain.This is vital for the development of jobs, training and skills for nationals,

‘No change in ceiling on personal loan rate’ The ceiling on personal loan interest will remain at 6%. Banks have posted a 10% growth in personal loan portfolio till June.

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: There is no move to increase interest rate ceiling on personal loan of commercial banks in Oman, despite a general increase in interest rate in the financial system, the country’s central bank chief said.

The maximum interest rate a commercial bank can charge from a customer for personal loan is fixed at 6 per cent by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO). In fact, majority of Omani banks are offering personal loans at the ceiling rate, or at less than 6 per cent.

“The ceiling on personal loan PRESENCE IN TEHRAN

Bank Muscat set to open representative office in Iran TEHRAN: Bank Muscat and two other foreign banks are opening up representative offices in Iran as the country seeks to boost investment after reaching an international sanctions deal last year, a central bank official said. Apart from Bank Muscat, Woori Bank of South Korea and India’s UCO Bank are all in the process of establishing a presence in Tehran, Central Bank vice governor Peyman Ghorbani said on Tuesday in an interview. He declined to give further details.

Major European banks have kept their distance from Iran, despite its nuclear deal with world powers, for fear of running foul of remaining US sanctions. Central bank governor Valiollah Seif said progress with foreign banks has been “slow,” the state-run Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Austrian and Iranian bankers met in Vienna in September to discuss the resumption of trade financing, people with knowledge of the plans said at the time. Austria’s top three banks, Erste Group Bank, UniCredit Bank Austria and Raiffeisen Bank International, would be among the participants, according to the people, who asked not to be identified. — Bloomberg News

will stay until we see it is necessary. We don’t think the interest rate at the moment is on the higher side across the globe,” Hamoud Sangour Al Zadjali, executive president of the Central Bank of Oman, told Times of Oman.

“So, the 6 per cent interest ceiling is a reasonable rate for both borrowers and lending institutions.”

The Sultanate’s conventional banks have posted a robust 10.44 per cent growth in aggregate personal loans, or consumer loan portfolios, which stood at OMR7,680.96 million by the end of June 2016.

“The growth (in personal loan portfolio) is stable and the banks are still below their limits,” noted

the CBO chief.

Al Zadjali also noted that there is no need to restrict the growth as the banks are cautious and the aggregate personal loans are below the limit fixed by the CBO. Growth in personal loan The growth in personal loan was attributed to the tendency among more and more customers availing of loan due to fear that interest rate may rise in the coming months. Besides, a lot of people take personal loan to fund their small businesses as it is faster to get consumer loan (compared to bank funds for business purpose).

The aggregate personal loan portfolio of Omani banks constitutes 39.7 per cent of total bank credit of OMR19,348.14 million, as of the end of June 2016, according to the latest quarterly report released by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO).

The CBO quarterly report said that on an incremental basis, the flow of credit to consumers resulted in an additional disbursement of OMR725.95 million in

the last 12-month period ending in June 2016.

Ironically enough, the growth in demand for personal loans was in the double digits, although new employees taking up jobs declined in the aftermath of an economic slowdown caused by sluggish oil prices. By the end of December 2015, the aggregate personal loan portfolio of Oman’s conventional banks was OMR7,333.80 million, or 40 per cent of total credit.

In fact, personal loans are the key revenue drivers for the Sultanate’s financial institutions, due to their high interest margins (compared to corporate lending).

CBO stipulates an upper ceiling of 35 per cent of a bank’s total credit portfolio as personal loans, and another 15 per cent as mortgage financing. The apex bank also lowered the debt burden ratio a number of years ago by fixing the portion of salary that is applied for loan repayments of borrowers to 50 per cent and 60 per cent for personal and housing loans, respectively.

increasing investment in the Sultanate generally and ensuring the ongoing prosperity and diversification of its economy.”

TMK-GIPI was established as a limited liability company in Oman in January 2007 and has an Omanisation employment rate of 45 per cent.

The $110 million factory’s annualproduction capacity exceeds 250,000 metric tonnes per year and the facility boasts technology exceeding stringent international and the specific requirements for oil and gas companies.

“We are honoured that this contract will build on our longterm partnership with PDO. We are committed to developing our investments in Oman and to supporting PDO in achieving its long-term goals,” said Vladimir Shcherbatykh, chief executive officer of TMK-GIPI. “It is a great opportunity for TMK-GIPI to work more closely with PDO, which will allow us to reach our common goals in terms of the ICV programme and to work together for the betterment of Oman.”

U LT R A - L O W L AT E N C Y N E T W O R K I N G

Omantel to connect Africa to Asia with subsea cable systems Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) will interconnect two sub-sea cable systems to deliver ultra-low latency networking between Asia and Africa.

Specifically, Omantel Wholesale will interconnectthe Gulf to Africa (G2A) and Silk Road Gateway-1 (SRG-1) cable systems to deliver ultra-low latency networking between Asia and Africa. The cable systems connect some of the fastest growing markets in the world with robust and geographically diverse terrestrial and undersea cable infrastructure, according to a press release.

Omantel Wholesale has deployed these cable systems to create new ultra-low latency route options for customers and offer global connectivity in these rapidly developing regions. It is supporting the economic growth of Central Asia and Africa while finding new ways to connect end

users around the globe.

SRG-1 connects Oman to Pakistan with onwards connectivity to Afghanistan, China, Iran, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan.

G2A connects Oman to Somalia via two redundant landing stations in Puntland (Bosaso) and Somaliland(Berbera). The system provides onward connectivity to Ethiopia and will also help connect Oman with Kenya, Mogadishu and South Africa in later phases.

“We are the only provider in the world that is able to offer rapid access between Asia and Africa via geographically diverse routes. The development and interconnection of G2A and SRG-1 demonstrates our commitment to delivering an ultra-low latency networking in unique and challenging markets. We are supporting the growth of trade between China and Africa with new diversity and high performance networks,” said Talal Said Al Mamari, CEO of Omantel.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

MARKET Dubai hires HSBC to help raise $3 billion

THIRD-QUARTER

BP profit falls by 49% on low oil refining margin

Islamic and conventional financing

LONDON: BP reported a 49 per cent decline in third-quarter earnings after crude prices fell and refining margins shrank.

Profit adjusted for one-time items and inventory changes dropped to $933 million from $1.8 billion a year earlier, the Londonbased company said on Tuesday in a statement. That beat the $719.2 million average estimate of 14 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

DUBAI: Dubai hired HSBC to help raise $3 billion to finance the expansion of its airports.

Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport will grow to serve 146 million passengers by 2025, according to a statement on the website of the Dubai Media Office.

The Dubai Department of Finance, the Investment Corp. of Dubai and Dubai Aviation City Corp. are working to raise Islam-

Year-on-year fall BP’s earnings have fallen year-onyear for nine consecutive quarters, piling pressure on Chief Executive Officer Bob Dudley to rein in spending and sell assets without jeopardising future growth. Oil’s rally following the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ September decision to cut output is fading and BP and its peers will need to continue cutting spending so they can maintain dividend payouts. The company will trim capital expenditure to about $16 billion this year, compared

Dubai Department of Finance, the Investment Corp. of Dubai and Dubai Aviation City Corp. are working to raise

ic and conventional financing.

World’s biggest hub Dubai plans to develop Al Maktoum Airport into the world’s biggest hub with a capacity of about 220 million passengers and Emirates airlines plans to move to the facility in 2025.

Tuesday’s announcement comes days after the UK government decided to expand London’s Heathrow airport following years of debate. — Bloomberg News

NEW HUB: Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport will grow to serve 146 million passengers by 2025.

— Bloomberg file picture

with a previous estimate of less than $17 billion.

Good progress “We continue to make good progress in adapting to the challenging price and margin environment,” Chief Financial Officer Brian Gilvary said in the statement. “At the same time we are investing in the projects, businesses and options to deliver growth in the years ahead.”

BP is renegotiating contracts and reducing the size of projects to lower costs, and plans to maintain 75 per cent of all cost cuts even when prices rise in the future. Organic capital expenditure for 2017 will be in the range of $15 billion to $17 billion.

Exxon Mobil said on October 28 its production sank to a seven-year low. The company warned it may be facing the biggest reserves revision in its history as it extended a run of profit declines. Chevron posted its first profit in a year though production fell short of expectations. — Bloomberg News

OMAN STOCKS

Foreign selling pulls down index MUSCAT: Foreign selling pressured the MSM30 Index, which ended at 5,477.70 points, down by 0.07 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index remained unchanged at 841.07 points. Ooredoo was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. The top gainer was Al Izz Bank, up by 3.17 per cent, while Gulf Investment Services was the top loser, down by 2.80 per cent.

As many as 347 trades were executed on Tuesday, generating a turnover of OMR2.32 million with 8.21 million shares changing hands. Out of 42 traded securities, seven advanced, 13 declined and 22 remained unchanged. Omani investors stayed net buyers for OMR533,000 followed by GCC and Arab investors for OMR121,000 while foreign investors continued to be net sellers for OMR654,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index retreated 0.09 per cent to close at 7,090.57 points. Al Izz Bank and HSBC Bank gained 3.17 per cent and 0.89 per cent, respectively. Gulf Investment Services, Al Madina Investment, Taageer Finance, Al Sharqia Investment and Oman United Insurance declined by 2.80 per cent, 1.85 per cent, 1.82 per cent, 0.87 per cent and 0.69 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index remained flat at 7,087.90 points. Al Maha Ceramics and Raysut Cement gained 0.41 per cent and 0.33 per cent, respectively. Oman Fisheries, Galfar Engineering and Oman Chlorine declined by 1.69 per cent, 1.06 per cent and 0.80 per cent, respectively.

Services Index ended negatively at 3,022.68 points, down by 0.16 per cent. Port Services, Oman Telecommunications Company and Al Suwadi Power increased by 2.16 per cent, 0.68 per cent and 0.53 per cent, respectively.

Ooredoo Oman, Phoenix Power and Sembcorp Salalah declined by 1.85 per cent, 0.71 per cent and 0.41 per cent, respectively.

StanChart shares fall Standard Chartered shares plunged the most since June after third-quarter profit missed analyst estimates on a drop in revenue at all four of its divisions, and executives said the economic environment remains challenging.

Shares fell as much as 7.2 per cent in London trading. Adjusted pretax profit was $458 million, compared with a loss of $139 million a year earlier, the London-based lender said in a statement on Tuesday. That missed the $520 million average estimate of six analysts surveyed by Bloomberg News.

Chief Executive Officer Bill Winters is looking to show he’s stemmed the bank’s losses and is on the way to restoring the dividend, after a sharp drop in revenue and surging loan impairments last year drove the Asiafocused lender to its first annual loss since 1989. In August, the bank said it would probably miss a future profitability target set only last year because of an uncertain regulatory and economic environment.

The result “shows that things are still tough in the operating environment and the overall economy remains fragile,” said Hugh Young, Asia managing director of Aberdeen Asset Management, Standard Chartered’s third-largest shareholder. “He and team are definitely on the right track, but my goodness it ain’t easy.”

Revenue slipped 5.9 per cent to $3.47 billion. Corporate and institutional banking, its largest division, posted a 7.5 per cent drop in revenue, while retail banking fell 1.1 per cent.

Statutory pretax profit, which included $141 million of restructuring costs, fell 64 per cent to $153 million in the third quarter.

Operating expenses declined 4.5 per cent from a year earlier to $2.39 billion, and the company said it remained on track to deliver more than $1 billion in cost cuts this year.

Losses on bad loans and other investments fell by more than half to $660 million in the quarter, according to the filing. That was more than the $612 million analysts had estimated. In 2015, impairments surged to a record $4 billion when the commodity market crashed and growth stalled from China to India.

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 5,494.02 ............... 5,477.70 ....................5,477.70 ................... 5,481.44...................-3.74 .................. -0.07 Financial Index .....................................7,105.86 ...............7,090.43 ................... 7,090.57 ................... 7,096.93.................. -6.36 .................. -0.09 Industrial Index ....................................7,092.66 ...............7,086.60 ....................7,087.90 ....................7,087.55....................0.35 ...................0.00 Services Index ...................................... 3,032.94 .............. 3,022.68 ...................3,022.68 ................... 3,027.53.................. -4.85 .................. -0.16 MSM SHARIAH INDEX...................... 842.97 ..................840.67 .......................841.07 ...................... 841.07....................0.00 ...................0.00 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 8,210,393....................2,320,204 .....................347 ................17,214,981,685 .................. 7 ......................13 ....................22 .........................42

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 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 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION .........................53,473 ............ 12,602......................12 ........... 0.235 ........... 0.237 ...........0.235........... 0.236 ............. 0.231............ 0.005............. 2.165 ................0.235..............0.236...................0.238...................22,429,440.........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ......................... 40,500 ............ 60,250......................12 ............1.500 ........... 1.500 ...........1.480........... 1.490 .............1.480.............0.010 ............. 0.676 ................1.480 ..............1.480...................1.495 ................ 1,117,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 200,000............97,557........................7 ........... 0.486 ...........0.490 ...........0.486........... 0.488 .............0.486 ........... 0.002............. 0.412 ................0.490..............0.450...................0.490 ..................25,620,000.........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ...................................................... 110,220.......... 167,960......................12 ............1.525 ........... 1.525 ...........1.520............1.525 .............1.520............ 0.005............. 0.329 ................1.520 ..............1.520...................1.525 ................. 305,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ...............................................................2,000 ...............1,232........................2 ............0.616 ........... 0.616 ...........0.616 ............0.616 ............. 0.616............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.616 ............. 0.000...................0.616 ...................33,880,000.........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY.........................................1,865 ...............2,807........................1 ............1.505 ........... 1.505 ...........1.505 ............1.505 ............. 1.505............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.505 ............. 0.000...................1.505..................134,998,500 .......0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 191,884............84,429.....................22 ........... 0.440...........0.440 ...........0.440 .......... 0.440 .............0.440 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.440..............0.420...................0.440 .................145,583,992........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................ 38,000 ............... 5,814........................7 ............0.153 ........... 0.153 ...........0.153 ............0.153 ............. 0.153............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.153 ...............0.151...................0.158...................45,320,693.........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ..................................................154 .....................26........................1 ............0.170 ........... 0.170 ...........0.170 ............0.171 ............. 0.171 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.170 ..............0.170...................0.175 ................... 10,465,931 .........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 476,028 ..........197,067......................13 ............0.410 ........... 0.414 ...........0.410........... 0.414 ............. 0.414............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.414 ..............0.414...................0.416................ 1,033,447,607 ......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ............................................ 300 .....................66........................3 ............0.219 ........... 0.219 ...........0.219........... 0.219 .............0.219............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.219 ..............0.219...................0.235................... 65,432,311 .........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 1,394,117........195,196..................... 27 ............0.140 ........... 0.141............0.140........... 0.140 .............0.140 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.140..............0.140................... 0.141 ................. 224,629,908 .......0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY .......................................................5,000 .............. 2,260........................2 ........... 0.452 ...........0.452 ...........0.452........... 0.450 .............0.450 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.452..............0.450...................0.456...................27,225,000.........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER....................................................................530 ...................137........................1 ........... 0.258 ...........0.258 ...........0.258........... 0.258 .............0.258 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.258..............0.258...................0.000 ..................57,020,580 .........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL...............................................35,100 ...............2,387........................5 ........... 0.068 ...........0.068 ...........0.068........... 0.068 .............0.068 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.068..............0.067...................0.068...................11,900,000 .........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................. 52,000 ...............9,932........................3 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.191 ............0.191 ............. 0.191 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.200 .................128,903,499........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 161,590 ............ 26,657......................14 ............0.165 ........... 0.166 ...........0.164............0.165 ............. 0.166............-0.001 ........... -0.602 ...............0.165 ..............0.164...................0.165 ...................28,875,405 .........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 100,000 ...........28,800........................1 ........... 0.288 ...........0.288 ...........0.288........... 0.288 .............0.290 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.690 ...............0.288..............0.281...................0.288 ..................28,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 678,645 ........... 94,505..................... 23 ............0.140 ........... 0.141............0.139 ............0.139 .............0.140 ...........-0.001 ............-0.714................0.139 .............. 0.139...................0.140..................203,301,603........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT .....................................33,000 ............... 1,749........................4 ........... 0.053 ........... 0.053 ...........0.053........... 0.053 .............0.054 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.852................0.053..............0.053...................0.054 ..................10,979,023 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 1,422,028 ..... 904,542......................13 ........... 0.644 ...........0.644 ...........0.636........... 0.636 .............0.648 ...........-0.012 ........... -1.852................0.636..............0.640...................0.648..................414,000,530 .......0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES .......................... 43,000 ...............4,479........................6 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.104........... 0.104 .............0.107............-0.003 ........... -2.804 ...............0.104..............0.104...................0.107.....................6,119,695 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 5,039,434 ...1,900,455....................191 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......22........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 108,000 ..............6,984........................5 ........... 0.064 ...........0.065 ...........0.064........... 0.065 .............0.063 ........... 0.002............. 3.175.................0.065..............0.064...................0.065...................65,000,000.........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 192,800 ............21,786........................7 ............0.113 ........... 0.113............0.113 ............0.113 ............. 0.112.............0.001 ............. 0.893 ................0.113 .............. 0.112................... 0.113 ..................226,035,345 .......0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ................................................... 44,000 ...............8,404........................3 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.191 ............0.191 .............0.190 ............0.001 ............. 0.526 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.194.................. 136,451,611 ........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS .................................................68,542 ............44,964........................5 ............0.656 ........... 0.656 ...........0.656........... 0.656 .............0.656 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.656..............0.636...................0.656..................103,320,000 .......0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE............................................................286 .....................31........................1 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.110 ........... 0.120 .............0.120 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.110 ...............0.111...................0.124...................32,005,869.........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 431,103.............53,778..................... 27 ............0.125 ........... 0.126 ...........0.124............0.125 ............. 0.125............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.124..............0.123...................0.125...................15,234,375 .........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ..................................................................... 50,000 ...............9,200........................1 ............0.184 ........... 0.184 ...........0.184........... 0.184 .............0.184 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.184..............0.170...................0.184................. 262,206,650 .......0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 154,449 ............12,201........................9 ........... 0.079 ........... 0.079 ...........0.079........... 0.079 .............0.079 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.079..............0.078...................0.080 .................118,500,000........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ...............................86,115 .............13,804........................5 ............0.160 ........... 0.162 ...........0.160........... 0.160 .............0.160 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.160..............0.160...................0.166...................16,000,000.........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH............................................... 22,000 ...............5,392........................2 ........... 0.246 ...........0.246 ...........0.245........... 0.245 .............0.246 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.407 ...............0.245..............0.236...................0.246 .................233,870,128........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 204,400 ...........44,755........................4 ........... 0.220...........0.220 ...........0.214........... 0.219 .............0.220 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.455 ...............0.214..............0.214...................0.220 .................415,925,107 ........0.100 OM0000002341............OMAN CHLORINE....................................................... 20,000 ...............9,880........................6 ........... 0.494 ...........0.494 ...........0.494........... 0.494 .............0.498 ...........-0.004 ........... -0.803 ...............0.494............. 0.000...................0.494 ..................33,643,208.........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 189,664.............21,668..................... 23 ............0.115 ........... 0.115............0.113 ............0.114 ............. 0.115 ............-0.001 ........... -0.870 ...............0.113 ...............0.113................... 0.114 ...................10,260,000.........0.100

— United Securities/Bloomberg News OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 412,949 ........... 38,588..................... 27 ........... 0.094 ........... 0.095 ...........0.093........... 0.093 .............0.094 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.064 ...............0.095..............0.094...................0.095...................26,968,199 .........0.100

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

OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................10,250 .................. 595........................2 ........... 0.059 ...........0.059 ...........0.058........... 0.058 .............0.059 ...........-0.001 ............-1.695................0.058..............0.057...................0.059....................7,250,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE ................................................. 1,144,769........123,815......................21 ............0.108 ........... 0.110............0.108........... 0.108 ............. 0.110............-0.002 ............-1.818................0.110 ..............0.109...................0.110 ................... 27,387,720 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 3,139,327 ...... 415,846...................148 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......16........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

B3

MARKET THIRD-QUARTER

Shell reports profit growth LONDON: Royal Dutch Shell said third-quarter profit rose 17 per cent after its acquisition of BG Group boosted oil production, helping to counter a slump in prices.

Profit adjusted for one-time items and inventory changes advanced to $2.79 billion from $2.38 billion a year earlier, The Hague-based Shell said on Tuesday. That beat the $1.79 billion average estimate of 14 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg.

Higher cash flows CEO Ben Van Beurden, who completed Shell’s record purchase of BG Group in February, has vowed to boost savings from the acquisition and use higher cash flows to safeguard the dividend following a two-year slump in crude.

While the purchase increased Shell’s production from Australia to Latin America, it also forced the company to take on billions of dollars of debt at a time when oil prices were low. — Bloomberg News

Oman UAE Exchange to offer real time bank credit facility Currently, it is offering real time bank account credit facility in India. It will offer the same to Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman UAE Exchange is in the process of offering real time bank account credit facility to any bank in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan. Currently the remit-

ECONOMIC SEMINAR

Forum to focus on opportunities in oil and gas sector Times News Service MUSCAT: The Omani French Friendship Association (OFA), established in collaboration with the French Embassy, will be hosting its first event in Muscat.

The economic seminar titled ‘From Crisis to Opportunities’ in Oil and Gas industry will be held on the November 6, 2016, at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, Muscat between11am and 1:30pm.

The seminar will focus on the current impact of the oil prices, share insights on how the public and private sectors can address the impact and also seek to gain perspectives on the way forward.

Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, minister of Oil and Gas will preside over the event as the key speaker with an eminent panel comprising of corporate heads from leading oil and gas companies in Oman.

Speaking in preparation for the seminar, Roland Dubertrand, Ambassador of France to Oman said, “It’s my pleasure to participate in the first Omani French Friendship Association (OFA) economic event on the theme of ‘From Crisis to Opportunities -Oil & Gas industry’. Indeed the issue is particularly crucial for the Sultanate regarding the negative impact of the current relative low oil and gas prices.”

“Thanks to the high level of speakers and with the participation of Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, minister of oil and gas, this event will be the right place to raise a few recom-

mendations on how public and private sectors can weather the consequences of the crisis but also push for a more active way of diversification,” he added.

The event is actively supported by Bahwan CyberTek Group, Omantel, Suhail Bahwan Group and Duqm Refinery, Oman Oil Company, Truckoman Oi l& Gas Services and Air Liquide.

‘Opportunity and innovation’

Hind Bahwan, chairperson of OFA, said “It is my pleasure to welcome you to the Omani French Friendship Association.

Under the auspices of Dr Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy and the esteemed panelists, I am delighted that you are able to participate in the ‘From Crisis to Opportunities’ seminar. I believe that a crisis is an accelerator for opportunity and innovation. Organisations will increasingly be pressed into re-inventing and evolving their business models where technology will play a significant role. The OFA would like to establish itself as catalyst for collaboration where partners can initiate innovation and deliver value at various economic and social levels.”

OFA is a non-profit organisation which aims to strengthen the friendly Omani-French relationship through the development of trade, economy, social and cultural exchanges.

This is OFA’s first economic seminar and is expected to include active participation from both private and public sector.

tance brand has this facility with four banks in India, wherein along with real time account credit, it offers SMS notification on money being credited. The service has been initiated to Bangladesh and is soon to be launched for Pakistan too, according to a press release.

Once it is on, customers can access this service from any of the 54 branches in the Sultanate. The latest link to this network being the newly-inaugurated branch in Panorama Mall. While new outlets strengthen the expansion drive, the remittance leader is enhancing customer experience by renovating the existing ones to global standards. The branch in Avenue Mall is the latest example in this process.

“As a group, we have kept our customer at the epicentre of all our activities as we understand the importance of customer centricity in the success of our business.

Along with branch expansion and kiosk implementation, the instant account credit facility offering is expected to bring more convenience to the customers.

We leave no stone unturned in enhancing customer experience. In this direction, we have embarked on an ambitious journey of total digitalisation, across our units,

world over. Oman UAE Exchange has been an active link in the process. Along with strengthening the network of brick and mortar outlets, Oman UAE Exchange is also poised to implement selfserved electronic kiosks. With the support of regulators with progressive thought process, I am sure Oman UAE Exchange will deliver the best to customers and partners as has been the tradition of our group since over three decades,” said the group chief executive officer of UAE Exchange, Promoth Manghat.

“We have always brought the best to our customers in the Sultanate. We have invested in technology, strengthened processes and enhanced customer service.

To implement instant bank account credit facility, we are partnering with banks across India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. This will enable real time money trans-

fer to customers with SMS notification on account credit. In due course it will be made available across all banks. Meanwhile,the new branch is part of our aim to be the trusted neighbourhood brand for our customers. We also initiated the branch renovation drive.

All outlets will get a makeover to global standards, the Avenue Mall branch being the latest one,” said Boban M P, chief executive officer of Oman UAE Exchange.

Along with branch expansion and kiosk implementation, offering the instant account credit facility is expected to bring more convenience to the customers, who trust Oman UAE Exchange to send money home. They can avail the quality service from any of the 54 branches, which are undergoing renovation. The inauguration was attended by dignitaries, special invitees, senior officials of the group and the media.

B4

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

FEATURE

LIQUIFIED NATURAL GAS GIANTS EYE ASIA Singapore wants to use its geography and stature as Asia’s oil-trading centre.

It is also aiming to become a leader in LNG in a region that accounted for more than 70 per cent of global demand in 2015.

S

ingapore, which is vying to become a regional centre for the trading of liquefied natural gas in Asia, picked Royal Dutch Shell Plc and Pavilion Gas Pte Ltd. as its next suppliers of the fuel.

The companies will have exclusive rights to sell 1 million metric tonnes of LNG annually for up to 3 years, with imports beginning in 2017, the city-state’s Energy Market Authority said in a statement.

The country will also consider spot purchases of the supercooled fuel and piped natural gas on a case-by-case basis, S. Iswaran, the Minister of Industry, said at the Singapore International Energy Week conference recently.

Singapore wants to use its geography and stature as Asia’s oil-trading centre to also be a leader in LNG in a region that accounted for more than 70 per cent of global demand in 2015.

The nation has built a receiving terminal while the state-owned invest-

ment company set up Pavilion Energy Pte in 2013 to trade the fuel.

It is drawn firms from Glencore Plc and GAIL India Ltd. to open trading desks in the country, and Singapore Exchange Ltd. has started futures and swaps linked to an index of spot LNG prices.

Shell and Pavilion were chosen because they “offered flexible and competitive pricing not just indexed to oil but to different options on the table,” Iswaran said.

“One of the considerations in looking at the next tranche was the offering of flexibility in terms of price indexation. And indeed they have put forward some flexible options, and endusers have responded to these offers.”

The exclusive licenses will expire either after three years or if the companies import more than 1 million tonnes in a year, according to a statement from the Energy Market Authority. Beyond that

the companies will still be able to import LNG into Singapore but will not be guaranteed exclusivity, Darius Lim, a Pavilion spokesman, said by e-mail.

Natural gas can be cooled and liquefied to transport it on tankers between areas difficult to link by pipeline. LNG traded in Asia - where sellers such as Qatar and Indonesia ship fuel to buyers including Japan or China - has traditionally been pegged to crude prices. That is because the region lacks a benchmark similar to Henry Hub in the US, which the country’s burgeoning LNG exporters use in sales contracts.

Growing demand A previous contract to supply LNG to Singapore was won by BG Group Plc. The company was acquired by Shell in February.

Under that deal, BG was to supply 3 million tonnes of LNG annually over 10 years starting in

2013. The island nation, which generates 95.5 per cent of its electricity using natural gas, imported 1.2 million metric tonnes of LNG last year, a drop of 14 per cent from 2014 because of lower power demand, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

LNG consumption may rise to more than 3 million tonnes annually from 2022, and surge to 11 million tonnes a year by 2030 as its contracts to receive natural gas via pipeline from Malaysia and Indonesia expire, BNEF analysts including Maggie Kuang said in a report.

Annual imports of LNG in Southeast Asia totaled 3.8 million tonnes in 2015, and are expected to jump to 16.8 million tonnes by 2020, with growth accelerating even more thereafter as national resources are depleted, according to BNEF. By 2030, total LNG demand in the region will reach more than 50 million tonnes a year.

Changing market The plunge in commodity prices over the past two years has prompted changes in the LNG market, allowing for an expansion of the spot market as some buyers seek to resell shipments and the fuel’s price relationship with oil is weakened.

“Singapore will carry out a consultation starting this quarter on spot LNG imports,” Iswaran said. “Our hope is that we should be able to get something moving on this next year.”

Singapore is home to more than 25 LNG trading desks and it is estimated that about 2,000 cargoes transit near the country each year. Singapore LNG Corp., which operates the city-state’s first receiving terminal, has three storage tanks at its Jurong Island facility.

Spot LNG in Singapore rose to $6.119 per million British thermal units last week, climbing to trade above $6 for the first time since January.

– Bloomberg News

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B5

ROUND-UP

All-new 2017 Chevrolet Malibu redefines style and dynamism The new Malibu is a completely restyled midsize sedan engineered to offer more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features than ever

MUSCAT: Offering impressive safety, exceptional efficiency and seamless connectivity, Malibu is thoughtfully engineered with everything you expect and more.

Malibu brings a sense of drama to everyday driving. Windswept body lines and an agile stance give this midsize car a sleek look while helping to provide a surprisingly sporty ride.

With bright and eye-catching available LED daytime running lamps and available LED taillamps, Malibu offers the perfect blend of form and function, says a press release.

Malibu has a spacious interior

carefully tailored to your needs and the needs of your passengers.

An intuitive centre console puts controls where you need them, while built-in USB ports and an available offer plenty of options for keeping your compatible devices connected and charged.

Watching out for you Available active safety technologies like low speed forward automatic braking and lane keep assist work to help you prevent collisions before they happen. In the event of a collision, Malibu comes with a comprehensive air bag system and high-strength steel body struc-

ture to help protect you. It also offers OnStar Automatic Crash Response to contact emergency services on your behalf.

The 2017 Chevrolet Malibu comes with a comprehensive air bag sensing system that will deploy air bags in a collision from any direction. In the event of an impact, a high-strength steel safety cage provides impressive protection.

Malibu offers a built-in system to help encourage safe driving habits, and with its industry-first in-vehicle report card, teen driver can let parents know how their teenager drove

DUBAI CHAMBER CSR LABEL

the vehicle and help them as they continue to coach their new drivers.

Compatible with your life With an intuitive and customisable available Chevrolet MyLink display offering support for Apple CarPlay, the new Malibu helps keep you connected to the entertainment you love and the information you need.

With the available Chevrolet MyLink display, Malibu offers more advanced ways to connect, like support for Apple CarPlay, which is a smarter way to use your

iPhone to make calls, listen to music, get directions and more on the touch-screen display.

Malibu is the first car in its class to offer built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi, giving you and your passengers a strong and reliable way to connect up to seven devices to the Internet via available Wi-Fi. Rear seat reminder Activated when a second-row door is opened and closed during or just before a trip, this new feature reminds you to check the back seat with five audible chimes and a message in the

driver information centre.

The new Malibu is a completely restyled midsize sedan engineered to offer more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features than ever.

OTE Group is the exclusive distributor for Chevrolet in the Sultanate of Oman. It offers class-leading vehicle ownership experience and provides comprehensive aftersales service. With a nationwide network of showrooms and service centres, OTE Group ensures that Chevrolet customers are never far from their favourite brand.

NEW CULINARY HEAD

Alpen Capital recognised again Hormuz Grand Hotel appoints for its commitment towards CSR award winning executive chef MUSCAT: Alpen Capital (ME) Limited, Dubai was recognised for the fifth consecutive year with the Dubai Chamber CSR Label. Majid Saif Al Ghurair, chairman, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry presented the award to Sameena Ahmad, managing director, Alpen Capital, at a ceremony held at the chamber head office recently.

Alpen Capital’s CSR framework is an integral part of its business strategy and is reflected in its approach towards employees, vendors, the larger community as well as the environment. Alpen Capital has always shown a strong commitment to inculcating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability practices as a part of its everyday work life. In addition to enhancing its ongoing CSR practices, the organisation also looks at new ways to reach out to the community at large, says a press release.

“The Dubai Chamber CSR Label was designed to provide recognition for companies implementing outstanding CSR and sustainability practices in the GCC region. We are delighted to recognise Alpen

Capital (ME) Limited for the fifth consecutive year with the CSR Label for their ongoing involvement in the field of sustainability and CSR. The CSR Label is the first voluntary standard on CSR and sustainability tailored to the Middle East. As such, it aims to contribute towards building a more responsible and sustainable regional business community,” said Al Ghurair.

“We are honoured to be recognised with the Dubai Chamber CSR Label once again. Throughout the year, we run several initiatives creating an im-

pact on employee well-being, environmental conservation, sustainability practices as well as philanthropy.

Our employees play an important role in making our CSR efforts a reality by volunteering to take part in all the activities and lending their support to those in need.

“The CSR Label has provided us with a yardstick to measure our activities and seek continuous improvement and I thank the Dubai Chamber for this wonderful initiative," said Rohit Walia, executive chairman, Alpen Capital (ME) Limited.

AT H L E T I C S

MUSCAT: The busy and well equipped kitchens of Hormuz Grand Hotel, Muscat have a new head fashioning creations that are unparallel in looks and flavours.

Executive chef, Luke Borg has recently landed in Oman bringing with him years of international experience that will impart a distinct flair to Muscat’s dining scene. This is the chef’s first appointment in the Middle East, says a press release.

A passion for working with food is inherent in Luke as he hails from a family that owns a hotel and catering business. His father also runs a confectionary in Malta. Young Luke developed a love for the profession at an early age. He began gathering experience by working in restaurants in the UK, Sweden and Sicily and enhanced his skills by completing his gastronomy studies at the University of Malta and getting an additional University Master Studies degree in tourism.

Most recently, he has achieved his Master Chef official degree.

Amongst his many achievements,

Chef Luke has won the European Silver Spoon Award, European Chef of the Year and many accolades as captain of the Maltese National Team.

As executive chef at the Hormuz Grand Hotel, Muscat, Luke will oversee all the outlets at the hotel that include Qureshi Bab-Al-Hind, The Straits, the Hub and The Vault along with in-house and banqueting operations. The chef will also be at the helm of a new concept restaurant scheduled to open later this year.

Over the past couple of years, the

property has created a distinct position for itself in the food and beverage circuit and is synonymous with good food with each outlet offering guests a unique dining experience.

“I was very excited about coming to a beautiful country such as Oman. It is always challenging to conceptualise what more can be done to elevate what is already in place. I have come to realise that the hotel has already set a high benchmark in the industry with top food reviews from in-house guests and visitors. I look forward to the hotel acquiring many more accolades in the months to come,” said Chef Luke.

On the appointment, Christopher Pike, general manager stated, “Our food and drink offerings in terms of quality have always been an area of no compromise for us. Bringing in a chef of Luke’s calibre will give a fresh new perspective to what we have to offer and an exciting beginning for what is to come.

We are very pleased to have him as part of our team.”

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Annual sports meet held at IS Jalan

Golden Tulip Nizwa donates wheelchairs

MUSCAT: Indian School Jalan held its 25th Annual Sports Meet on the school premises recently.

Anamika Sharma, principal, declared the two-day meet open.

The heats and finals of various events were held on the same day in which the students participated with great sportsman spirit and enthusiasm, says a press release.

The valedictory ceremony of the sports meet was held on the second day. In the grand march past that marked the beginning of the ceremony, Saiyed Ali Sibtain Naqvi, sports consultant, International Coordinator received salute from the student cadets. The principal welcomed the dignitaries and the parents who had come to encourage the participants. The chief guest shared some of his achievements that motivated the young athletes. He also appreciated the warm welcome he received and

MUSCAT: Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel, in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development, donated a number of wheelchairs for families registered under the social development scheme.

The initiative is in line with Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotels’s overall objective of philanthropy within Al Dakhiliyah region which aims at developing the social community and to take care for some of the needs required by families under the social development scheme, says a press release.

Golden Tulip Nizwa has always been committed to support the society and contribute wherever possible to the wellbeing of its stakeholders. The wheelchairs were handed over by Sandeep Jaitly, general manager of Golden Tulip Nizwa hotel to Marhoon bin Mahfood Al Nabhani, general manager of Ministry of So-

appreciated the effort the school had taken to organise the event.

Rizwan Malick, president, SMC presented a brief profile of Sibtain Naqvi. Ground displays like sari drill and Zumba dance performed by the students mesmerised the spectators. As the school is celebrating the 25th year of its establishment, P. C. Fakruddin, treasurer gave a preview of the silver

jubilee celebration and introduced the representatives of various subcommittees for organising events throughout the year.

When being honoured by the school management committee, the chief guest announced that he was donating 20 hockey sticks and T-shirts to the school, which brought loud applause from the spectators.

cial Development in a ceremony attended by Nasser Al Hadidi, representative from Ministry of Social Development and officials from the ministry.

This event was coordinated by Neeti Raj Sharma, talent development manager and Ali Al Hadidi, administration manager.

Jaitly commented, “As part of our ongoing corporate social responsibility programme, we con-

stantly seek to provide a helping hand to various segments of the local community. Golden Tulip Nizwa remains committed to supporting the local community with the support of Ministry of Social Development."

Marhoon Al Nabhani, expressing his gratitude said, “We are extremely thankful to Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel for their generous contribution towards the society.”

B6

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

ROUND-UP New Koleos embodies power and adventure

H E A LT H AWA R E N E S S

Known for its

Al Hayat to celebrate National Day with special focus on health

style, comfort and advanced technology, the charismatic SUV embodies Renault’s high-end vision and delivers all that is expected of a D-segment SUV

MUSCAT: Renault Oman, from the house of Suhail Bahwan Automobiles (SBA), launched the all-new Renault Koleos in the Sultanate recently.

Known for its style, comfort and advanced technology, the charismatic SUV embodies Renault’s high-end vision and delivers all that is expected of a D-segment SUV. The new Renault Koleos delivers a blend of robust SUV cues and the refinement and features associated with large saloon cars.

New Koleos features proven powertrain and technologies. The XTronic automatic transmission was chosen to meet the needs and expectations of drivers, says a press release.

Explaining that new Koleos exudes an inner strength, a spokesperson for Renault Oman said, “It stands out for its powerful, muscular exterior lines, unparalleled four-wheel drive technology, and all-terrain ability, thanks to ground clearance of 210mm. Its record cabin space, the extensive range of equipment it proposes and its carefully-appointed interior position

Renault Koleos as a reference in its class for comfort and refinement.”

Expressing delight at launching the new vehicle, the spokesperson said, “Renault Koleos comes at a time when SUVs are enjoying strong growth in Sultanate.”

In keeping with the Renault design strategy, new Renault Koleos is covered by design pillar ‘Explore,’ which stands for robustness and a taste for adventure. It was the pursuit of these qualities that inspired Renault’s designers to give new Renault Koleos taut, powerful, muscular lines. It features classic SUV design cues: door protective mouldings, largediameter two-tones alloy wheels with diamond effect, and aluminium roof bars.

The 2.5-litre petrol engine is an atmospheric, four-cylinder, 16-valve powerplant with double overhead camshafts. Power is 170hp (126kW) at 6,000rpm, with peak torque of 233Nm at 4,000rpm.

The X-Tronic automatic transmission was designed to enhance driving enjoyment and reduce fuel consumption compared with conventional automatic transmissions.

New Koleos’ X-Tronic transmission performs like a multi-ratio automatic whenever the driver needs to accelerate briskly.

Very easy to use, a control switch situated to the left of the steering wheel enables the driver

Protective interior New Koleos’ SUV genes are similarly prominent inside the cabin.

Redolent of comfort, quality and strength, its elegant, protective interior is in perfect harmony with the model’s exterior lines.

An elevated driving position offers excellent visibility. Compared to a traditional sedan, the new Koleos’ driving position is 150mm higher, a reassuring feature that is highly prized by SUV buyers.

New Renault Koleos comes with an extensive range of smart, practical accessories that enhance the model’s robust styling and add to its distinctive character: A fully-integrated sill extension pack, removable tow bar (no tools required), a range of roof-mounted carrying accessories, including QuickFix roof bars, chrome door mirror covers and front and rear air deflectors,

door and boot sill guards, a comprehensive choice of boot organiser and load protection accessories.

Locally relevant innovation The new Koleos has been conceived to be marketed on every continent, which means its equipment specification is adapted to suit the different climates and parts of the world where it will be driven. For use in hot climates, for example, it can be specified with a remote engine start function that allows occupants to be welcomed by a cooled interior. These functions can be pre-programmed using the R-LINK 2 system. The new Koleos is available with a cabin-air filter that cuts pollen, dust and unpleasant odours by around 60 percent.

Tested to last Prior to its release, new Koleos underwent 1,100,000km of intensive testing at Renault’s test centres (equivalent to more than 3,300,000km in real-world conditions in terms of wear) to confirm its durability. Similarly, 20 preproduction vehicles covered more than one million kilometres.

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

MUSCAT: Al Hayat International Hospital, Al Ghubra is celebrating the 46th National Day in a unique manner befitting the momentous occasion, says a press release.

Dr K. P. Raman, chairman and senior consultant Cardiologist, Al Hayat International Hospital, said, “We are honoured to celebrate the 46th National Day of the Sultanate of Oman. Under the wise and visionary leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Sultanate of Oman has achieved tremendous progress in all spheres, in a very short span of time, especially in healthcare care. The 46 years of peace, progress and prosperity in Oman, thanks to the far sighted vision of His Majesty, are best described as 46 years of greatness and we pray for the continued well being and good health of His Majesty.

“Provision of quality healthcare in Oman is a cause dear to His Majesty and Al Hayat is committed to bringing the best in health care in the world to the Sultanate. Each year, Al Hayat celebrates the 46th National Day adopting different themes and this year, we have decided to celebrate it in a manner benefiting the nation, its citizens and residents, by adopting the motto ‘Let’s unite for a healthy Oman’.”

Elaborating on the observance, Raman added, “Diabetes is show-

ing an alarming increase in Oman in terms of the number of people being affected and the time has come for all in Oman to unite to fight this life style disease.

“We have launched our free diabetes screening campaign on November 1, to draw the attention of all and keep diabetes firmly in the public spotlight. Our free screening for diabetes includes free tests involving height, weight, body mass index (BMI), random blood sugar, blood cholesterol, and free group counselling at the end of the campaign (for people whose RBS is high newly diagnosed).”

“The programme will be running from November 1 to 30 from 2pm to 5pm, on our hospital premises in Al Ghubra,”he added.

For National Day and Diabetes Day Al Hayat is offering: 1) Free basic cardiac health screening (Height, weight, body mass index, random blood sugar, cholesterol, group counselling).

2) Special cardiac health check package 1 is offered at OMR50 (ECG, screening ECHO, Lipid profile, Thread Mill Test (TMT), blood sugar fasting, creatinine, Cardiology consultation) 3) CT Coronary Angiogram at OMR100 4) ECHO, TMT is offered at OMR25 each.

All the above mentioned offers will be valid till December 31.

HANDICRAFT EXHIBITION

E X PA N S I O N

Merge FM reaches Dhofar, Dakhiliyah and Buraimi MUSCAT: Merge 104.8, Oman’s most local and dynamic English FM station and a pioneering Sabco Media product has announced the expansion of its broadcast to reach Dhofar, Dakhiliyah on 104.8 FM and Buraimi on 103.4 FM. The station’s popularity and widespread national success since its establishment in 2011 is now set to a new level as it reaches 3.3 million representing 80 per cent of Oman’s total population. This expansion is to actively engage all segments and demographical components of Omani society into the Merge experience, and ultimately cover the entire Sultanate, says a press release.

Commenting on the expansion, Eihab Abutaha, CEO at Sabco Com-

to select one of the three modes: 2WD, 4WD AUTO or 4WD LOCK. The stylish body colours and wheel designs selected for new Koleos ensure an elegance. It is available in seven metallic body colours: ultra silver, universal white, metallic grey, metallic black, mineral beige, meissen blue. Three alloy wheel designs: silver grey “Esquis” (17 inches), silver grey “Taranis” (18 inches), two tones with diamond effect “Argonaute” (18 inches).

munications Group stated, “We are very proud to mark this milestone in Merge’s history, as it is a testament to the stations dynamic flair, operational innovation and market success. The expansion confirms our commitment to effectively contribute to the diversity of the Omani society, and we look forward to further enhancing our listeners base and experience. The announced expansion further compliments our current broadcast reach in the capital Muscat and Batinah as well as worldwide streaming on www. radiomerge.fm.”

Inspired by the rich mix of the Omani society, the leading station merges cultures, music and fun to deliver rich content, served with a fresh local flavour.

TSC celebrates women’s role in society MUSCAT: The Sultan Center (TSC) organised a handicraft exhibition for the Omani Women’s Association as part of continuous efforts to support and enhance women’s role in community development.

The event was held recently at TSC’s wholesale centre in Al Khoud. It was inaugurated under the auspices of Hilal Al Sarami, member of the Shura Council, says a press release.

Reiterating TSC’s commitment to supporting women, Mahmoud Al Sheikh, TSC manager said, “We have always reached out to the local community with substantial support that includes assisting aid organisations to gain better reach for their initiatives.

This time around our focus was directed at emphasising the vital role that women play in Omani

society; and as the exhibition has so vividly demonstrated, that role is vast and extensive.”

Expressing gratitude to TSC for its continuous support, Wafaa Al Ameri, member of Omani Women’s Association said, “We thank TSC for its committed support that has always made our

endeavours that much more effective. We are immensely grateful to them for lending us the Al Khoud wholesale centre as the venue for the exhibition. All proceeds from the exhibition will go towards the endeavours of the association.”

The event showcased a vibrant array of exquisitely crafted hand-

made goods including toys, accessories, fabric, cosmetics and even food. Among the days’ highlights was a blind artists’ painting expo which featured live demonstrations from visually impaired artists. TSC’s Oman management distributed trophies to the association at the end of the event.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

ROUND-UP

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Bank Muscat named ‘Oman’s Most Trusted Brand’ in banking segment Yahya bin Said Al Jabri, chairman of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), presented the award to AbdulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive, at the ceremony attended by dignitaries and senior executives of the corporate sector

MUSCAT: In recognition of distinctive brand-building initiatives, Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has won Oman’s Most Trusted Brand award in the banking segment in the annual Best Brands in Oman survey conducted by a leading business magazine.

Yahya bin Said Al Jabri, chairman of the Special Economic Zone at Duqm (SEZAD), presented the award to AbdulRazak Ali Issa,

chief executive, at the ceremony attended by dignitaries and senior executives of the corporate sector.

Recognition AbdulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive, said, “Bank Muscat is delighted to be voted once again as Oman’s Most Trusted Brand. The recognition is a tribute to the largest banking family in Oman which has endorsed Bank Muscat as a community brand. The emotional

chord emanating from the brand has helped Bank Muscat products and services to evolve over the years in tandem with specific customer requirements.”

AbdulRazak Ali Issa added, “Epitomising the distinct Omani heritage, the Bank Muscat brand has evolved over the years to become a towering presence not only

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in the banking sector but in all arenas of the Sultanate. Bank Muscat has adopted innovative ways to consistently build the brand and thereby sustain customer loyalty and growth in business. As a forward looking financial institution, the bank strives to establish its leadership role in all realms of activities.”

The brand recall for Bank Muscat in the survey was among the highest compared to previous years. The top management and popular choice survey respondents included Omanis and expatriates who endorsed Bank Muscat.

The survey findings were mainly based on unaided recall, which implied superb brand exposure, indicating a clear competitive advantage in the brand space.

In the top management category, a cross-section of executives at the level of chairmen, CEOs and general managers across industries were asked to spontaneously recall one brand in each category. In the popular choice category, a crosssection of people across Muscat were randomly selected from jun-

ior executives to senior managers to ensure a healthy mix of survey respondents, including Omanis, Asian, Western and Arab expatriates. The Bank Muscat brand is reckoned as a prolific innovator wherein the first association is the element of innovation. Catering to the Sultanate’s traditional as well as tech-savvy, young population, Bank Muscat has adopted innovative ways to build the brand.

New trends in the field of branding adopted by Bank Muscat reflect that the institution is moving away from the traditional line to non-conventional utlisation of media, including social media.

Bank Muscat is a trendsetter in this field. The brand is synonymous with reliability, trustworthiness and a pioneering spirit.

Bank Muscat is a modern icon of banking excellence marked by consistent innovation and strategic marketing initiatives.

Exciting and inspiring brand touch points offer a unique banking experience for the largest banking family in Oman.

B8

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

ROUND-UP

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Badr Al Samaa hospitals in Ruwi and Al Khoud accredited by JCI Badr Al Samaa Healthcare Group will declare and celebrate this achievement of Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation to Badr Al Samaa Hospital, Ruwi and Badr Al Samaa Hospital, Al Khoud at a function to be held in InterContinental Muscat today

MUSCAT: Badr Al Samaa Hospital, Ruwi and Badr Al Samaa Hospital, Al Khoud have been accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI) USA. Joint Commission International is one of the highest quality award certification bodies in healthcare sector. It focuses on quality of clinical and non clinical operations and identifies measures and shares best practices in quality and patient safety.

Badr Al Samaa Healthcare Group will declare and celebrate

this achievement of Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation to Badr Al Samaa Hospital, Ruwi and Badr Al Samaa Hospital, Al Khoud at a function to be held in InterContinental Muscat today, says a press release.

The chief guest for the event will be Dr Sultan bin Ya’rub Al Busaidi, adviser of Health Affairs, Ministry of Health, Sultanate of Oman and guests of honour will be Dr Mazin Al Khabori, director general of Private Health Establishments, Ministry of Health and Indra Mani

SPECIAL OCCASION: (Left to right) P. A. Mohammed, Abdul Latheef and V. T. Vinod, board of directors of Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals during the press conference. – Shabin E./TIMES OF OMAN

Pandey, ambassador of India to Sultanate of Oman in the presence of the board of directors of Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals.

The event will also be attended by dignitaries from various ministries, members of the media, corporate officials and representatives of different social organisations.

“Badr Al Samaa since inception strives to bring technological advancements and the highest qual-

ity in patient management and it is with our team commitment and effort helped us to achieve prestigious JCI accreditation,” said board of directors Abdul Latheef, V. T. Vinod and P. A. Mohammed.“We are the only medical establishments with JCI accreditation, who are able to provide treatments to the public at the most affordable rates across GCC countries,” they further added.

Badr Al Samaa Hopital, Ruwi

AWA R D

and Al Khoud become the third and fourth hospital in the group in the Middle East to achieve this highest quality accreditation. Al Hilal Hospital Muharraq and Al Hilal Medical Centre Riffa in the Kingdom of Bahrain have been accredited by JCI recently. Both establishments are part of Badr Al Samaa healthcare group.

JCI accreditation is a recognition of Badr Al Samaa’s efforts to

keep up with the international standards through inducting the latest technology and to provide an affordable quality healthcare delivery system thus upholding its motto: More than healthcare …

Humane care.

The purpose of JCI is to promote specific improvements in patient safety and quality and function as the foundation for healthcare organisations to gauge and enhance their performance, by highlighting problematic areas in hospital functioning, describe evidence and provide expertbased solutions to these problems.

Recognising that sound system design is intrinsic to the delivery of safe, high quality healthcare, the goals focus on system-wide solutions, wherever possible.

The comprehensive accreditation process is designed to: Ensure a safe environment that reduces risk for care recipients, set benchmarks for quality and patient safety; stimulates and demonstrates operational process improvement through a reliable process; improves outcomes and patient satisfaction, and reduces costs through standardised care.

A R A B I C R A D I O S TAT I O N

NBO named GCC Best Employer Brand Al Wisal FM expands MUSCAT: National Bank of Oman (NBO) has been named GCC Best Employer Brand at the annual GCC Best Employer Brand Awards 2016 held in Dubai.

The award recognises and rewards top organisations that believe in consistent improvement in HR policy by measuring organisational health and inculcating values that help to achieve the vision and also being a social and equal opportunity employer and developing and nurturing future leaders, says a press release.

Commenting on the award, Ahmed Al Musalmi, chief executive officer of NBO, said, “We are delighted to win this prestigious accolade which is a testament to the focus and efforts we place on attracting leading talent, driving a high performance and valuesbased culture and supporting our employees further their careers.

NBO believes that people are the

its broadcast coverage

foundation of its success, which is embedded its HR strategy towards making NBO the Bank of Choice for its employees, shareholders, customers and community.

“This latest success is a result of the outstanding work of the

entire NBO team across all levels of the organisation, who have ensured that employees at various levels of the bank are well taken care of and developed to further their career aspirations.”

Nasser Al Hajri, general man-

LU C K Y D R AW

SPONSOR

Ooredoo extends support to first Oman Schools League MUSCAT: Creating an enriching platform for footballing talent across the Sultanate, Ooredoo is sponsoring the first-of-its-kind Oman Schools League to inspire youth through the power of sports.

The tournament, which is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, will see 5,250 students from 180 public and private schools faceoff from September 2016 to May 2017. Launched during a special signing ceremony held under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said, director general, Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa), the nationwide league is the first-of-its-kind aimed at cultivating the talent of children aged 15-18 years old.

Kumail Al Moosawi, Chief People and Corporate Affairs officer at Ooredoo, commented on the competition, saying, “Our sponsor-

ager - Chief Human Resources Officer and head of Corporate Affairs at the NBO, added, “It is an honour to receive such an esteemed accolade. We take pride in attracting and recruiting the best talent and we are focused on developing their skill-sets through our dedicated training arm, the Academy of Excellence. We are committed to providing long-term career progression plans for our talented employees and to fostering a working environment that is conducive to helping our employees unlock their full potential. This award will make us more determined to push our sustained efforts further to make NBO stand-out as the employer of choice in the Sultanate.”

The event, held at The Address Dubai Mall, Dubai, was hosted by Employer Branding Institute in Dubai to celebrate ‘Best Talent and Excellence in Building the Employer Brand’.

ship of the Oman Schools League reflects our commitment to sports-based youth developmental projects that promote healthy lifestyles, personal growth and teamwork. Football is Oman’s national pastime and it is important that we provide youngsters with the training, competition and social investments needed to reach their full potential. Through our partnership with the Ministry of Education, we are not just empowering them with this opportunity but bringing communities across the Sultanate together through our love of the beautiful game.”

The Oman Schools League will be organised in two legs with regional qualifiers held in 12 stadiums and clubs across the nation to determine who will play in the final round in Muscat. A number of workshops and seminars will be run for the duration of the competition to develop the coaching,

refereeing, and sports medicine skillsets of participants.

A number of exciting prizes are awaiting top teams and players. For the regional qualifiers, OMR700, 21 gold medals and a trophy will be given to all first place teams. Second placed teams will receive OMR500 and 21 silver medals, while third placed teams will win OMR200 in prize money and bronze medals. First place winners of the finals are set to receive a league cup, 21 gold medals and free artificial grassing for their school pitch. First runners-up will be given OMR2,000 and silver medals while bronze medals and OMR1,000 have been reserved for the third placed finishers. Prizes and an award of OMR100 will also be given to the ‘Best Player’, ‘Best Goalkeeper’, ‘Best Coach’, ‘Best Fan Group’, ‘Best Photographer’, and ‘Best Administrator’ during the tournament.

MUSCAT: Al Wisal, Oman’s leading Arabic radio station and a dynamic key pillar under the Sabco Media’s umbrella, announced that it has strategically augmented its geographical broadcast coverage capacity to include the Governorates of Buraimi, Musandam, Dhahirah and Dakhiliyah.

The people of the Buraimi can now enjoy Al Wisal’s programming on 100.7 FM while it broadcasts in Musandam on 102.2 FM, in Dhahirah on 105.4 FM and in Dakhiliyah on 107.1 FM, says a press release.

With the broadcast expansion representing a key development for the leading station, Sabco Media’s expansions is to actively engage all segments and demographical components of Omani society into the Al Wisal experi-

ence, and ultimately cover the entire Sultanate.

Commenting on the expansion, Eihab Abutaha, CEO at Sabco Communications Group stated, “Our expansion into Governorates of Buraimi, Musandam, Dhahirah and Dakhiliyah will allow for a greater and more diverse audience base to tune in to Al Wisal’s rich, entertaining and socially responsible content and programming, which has garnered vast national support and popularity since it started its broadcasting back in 2008. We are completely proud of the overwhelming support we have received from our listeners and all sectors of society.

It further compliments our current broadcast reach in the capital Muscat, Batinah and Dhofar and our expansion last year into North and South Sharqiyah.”

MOBILE BANKING

Al Felaij picks raffle draw winners

Swift utility bill payments with Bank Sohar’s app

MUSCAT: Al Felaij Watches, one of the leading Swiss made watch retailers for the last two decades in the Sultanate conducted a month long promotion that concluded recently.

The customers who purchased OMR50 and above got a raffle coupon which enabled them to participate in the raffle draw to win three Samsung tablets. The raffle draw took place in Sabco Centre branch in Al Qurum in the presence of Masood from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, says a press release.

The three winners were Fathma Al Amri, Fathma Ahmed Al Rawahi and Bakhshish Sing.

MUSCAT: Bank Sohar’s OneMinute Mobile Banking app has been steadily growing in popularity with the bank’s customers since its launch in June.

With its simplified interface and feature rich capabilities, the app offers users increased convenience and an enhanced banking experience. Among its key features is the convenient integration of bill payment that covers electricity, water, internet, telephone, and mobile phone bills directly from the app; all while sporting the very latest in mobile banking technology and advanced security capabilities, says a press release.

Mujahid Said Al Zadjaly, DGM of IT and Alternate Channels at Bank Sohar said, “The bill payment feature of the app allows users the convenience of paying all their utilities on the go with the assurance of advanced security provided by our app.

Moreover, it covers all major service providers and has been directly integrated with OIFC to ensure reliability, conveni-

ence and ease of payments.”

In order to utilise the bill payment feature, customers will first need to add and register the biller into the app by selecting the ‘bill payment’ option in the main menu followed by selecting the ‘add biller’ option at the bottom of the screen. Once the ‘service type’ and ‘biller name’ have been selected from the drop-down menus and a biller nickname has been inserted, the users will need to fill in the key details depending on the utility or service. This will include user specific details as required.

These details will then be verified and a one-time password (OTP) will be sent via SMS will be sent to complete the biller registration process.

Once the desired service or utility has been registered, payments can easily be made by selecting the desired one from the list of registered billers and entering the amount that the user wishes to pay. As with the bill registration process, the payment will be completed after receipt of an OTP.

FUN FILLED ACTIVITIES

Aster Oman’s Best Smile contest tomorrow MUSCAT:Aster Al Raffah Polyclinic, Ruwi (Aster Oman) with the support of the Ministry of Education, has invited all children between the ages 3 and 12 to the Best Smile contest. This event will take place tomorrow from 5pm to 9pm at the polyclinic.

All the children present will be captivated and entertained with a host of fun filled and delightful activities like a breathtaking magic

show, a colourful face painting booth and a groovy photo booth.

Along with these entertaining activities, the children will have the chance to get a free dental checkup at the clinic. This new and exciting initiative is open to both expatriate and government school children, says a press release.

In order for your child to win the Best Smile contest, you just have to follow these quick and

easy steps. Step 1 – Follow Aster Oman on Instagram @asteralraffahoman. Step 2 – Post a smiling picture of your child from the Best Smile Contest event, on Instagram and tag @asteralraffahoman in it. The post with the most number of likes will be given the Best Smile award along with a very exciting surprise gift. Voting starts tomorrow and goes on until November 6.

C

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MUNA NOOR TO SUPPORT MUSCAT RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB >C2

SPOR YOUR GAME

S

PLAIN SAILING FOR TOP THREE AHEAD OF NBO GOLF CLASSIC Jordan Smith, Alexander Knappe and Ryan Fox tee it up at this week’s NBO Golf Classic Grand Final all hoping to top the Road to Oman Rankings following the final event of the season on the European Challenge Tour. >C3

Saham to start HM’s Cup defence against Bidiya

MENA TOUR GOLF

The 2016-17 edition WINNERS ALL: Muscat Hills round winner Tyler Hogarty, Order

of Merit topper Craig Hinton and top amateur Rayhan Thomas with His Highness Al Rawy Kais Al Said. – Supplied photo

of Oman’s premier football tournament

MENA Tour: Hogarty wins at Muscat Hills MUSCAT: Tyler Hogarty held his nerve when it mattered most to win the season-ending Tour Championship as England’s Craig Hinton walked away with the coveted MENA Golf Tour Order of Merit title on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old South African closed with a five-under 67 to reach 12-under for the tournament, sealing his maiden win on the tour a good two shots over England’s Luke Joy, who staged a compelling fight-back with a blistering back nine 30 en route to a course-record equaling 66.

Sweden’s Per Barth occupied solo third on nine-under after carding final round 67, one clear of England’s Jordan Garnish and two off Stuart Archibald who matched Joy’s low score of 66.

“Obviously, I feel delighted to get over the line this time around after coming close to winning on so many occasions,” said Hogarty after receiving the winner’s trophy from His Highness Al Rawy Kais Al Said, CEO and Chairman of Muscat Hills.

Hogarty, who also received a cheque for $18,000, making it the biggest payday of his professional career. Second-placed Joy pocketed $12,000, taking his

will kick off on November 17

A. SESHAGIRI RAO

overall earnings during the season to $ 38,355. England’s Hinton finished in a tie for 25th on two under after a final round 69, but it was enough to land him the Order of Merit title with a total earnings of $39,338.

England’s Todd Clements returned a 68 to win the amateur division at seven-under, but it was India’s Rayhan Thomas who comfortably topped the order of merit standings with 329 points, well ahead of England’s Benjamin David (231 points).

The top three professionals on the Order of Merit and the leading amateur will be invited to compete in the 2017 Omega Dubai Desert Classic Tour results: 1. Tyler Hogarty (South Africa) 12-under; 2.Luke Joy (England) 10-under; 3.Per Barth (Sweden) 9-under Leading amateur: Todd Clements (England) 7-under Order of Merit standings: Professionals: 1. Craig Hinton (England) $39,338 (Dh145,000); 2. Luke Joy (England) $38,355; 3. Zane Scotland (England) $34,195. Leading Amateur: Rayhan Thomas (India) 329 points Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award (MENA Division): Leading professional: Ahmed Marjan (Morocco); Leading amateur: Othman Almulla (Saudi Arabia)

raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Defending champions Saham as well as record nine-time winners Fanja are expected to have easy outings in the first round of 2016-17 His Majesty’s Cup Football Championship, which is scheduled to kick off on November 17.

Title holders and two-time champions Saham were drawn to face Oman Football Association (OFA) First Division League side Bidiya when the draw ceremony of the Sultanate’s premier sporting event was conducted under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Fatik bin Fahr Al Said, SecretaryGeneral of the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, at the Grand Millennium Hotel on Tuesday.

Fanja, whose last of nine titles came in 2014, were meanwhile drawn against another First Division team, Al Ittihad. The first round matches are scheduled to be played across the Sultanate on November 17, 18 and 19.

OFA chief Sheikh Salim Al Wahaibi while thanking the private sector for supporting the event, especially main sponsors Qatar National Bank, said: “I think there were some interesting match-ups. I should say the draw was fair to everybody.”

INTERESTING MATCH-UPS: His Highness Sayyid Fatik bin Fahr Al Said, left, presided over the draw

ceremony of 2016-17 His Majesty’s Cup Football Championship at the Grand Millennium Hotel on Tuesday. – ISMAIL AL FARSI/Times of Oman

Saham Club chairman Adil Al Farsi was visibly happy with the draw and said: “With all respects to Bidiya, I think we will have an easy first round match. We are hoping to start our title defence with a win.”

“But our main target is to reach the final. Hopefully we will achieve that goal and go all the way to defend His Majesty’s Cup,” he added.

Fanja for change Fanja Club vice-chairman Ahmed Al Busaidi refused to take their first round opponents lightly.

“There are no easy teams in HM’s Cup. Even small teams can make life difficult for the experienced sides because of the prestige involved with the tournament.

Due to the nature of the format

(knockout matches), the smaller teams will be looking to play defensive game and take the match into the penalties. So it’s not going to be easy,” he added.

Asked whether Fanja, who also won nine league titles but are currently languishing in the ninth place in the ongoing Omantel Professional League, are capable of aiming for the title, he said: “We are now looking to improve our set up. We have already decided to end our contract with Portuguese coach (Manuel José Alves Ramos).

Assistant coach Suleiman Al Mazroui (former Oman national goalkeeper) will guide the team in the coming months.”

“We are also planning to bring in four new players.. two from outside,” he said.

“Hopefully the new people and system will work for the team.”

Meanwhile, Dhofar, who will be hoping to match Fanja’s record nine titles, will start their campaign against former champions Seeb while fellow Salalah giants Al Nasr will play their first match against Al Shabab.

HM’s Cup 1st round matchups (to be played on November 17, 18, 19): Al Wusta vs Jalan, Rustaq vs Al Nahdha, Saham vs Bidiya, Al Arouba vs Bausher, Salalah vs Al Hamra, Muscat vs Al Bahla, Ahli-Sidab vs Al Mudhaibi, Yanqul vs Suwaiq, Majees vs Oman, Sur vs Al Salam, Sohar vs Mirbat, Al Musannah vs Al Khabourah, Fanja vs Al Ittihad, Nizwa vs Al Ittifaq, Dhofar vs Seeb, Al Nasr vs Al Shabab.

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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

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BRIEFS

Khalid Soomar claims third place in Sharjah

Muscat Rugby Football Club gets Muna Noor’s support MUSCAT: Successful Omani business Muna Noor, has signed a sponsorship deal that will help to support the Muscat Rugby Football Club (MRFC) junior, senior and veterans squads whilst raising team profiles throughout the nation and the Gulf Conference and Gulf Premiership. Alex Maxton, Captain of Muscat Rugby Football Club adds, “we are delighted to welcome Muna Noor as our new platinum sponsor for the 2016-17 season.” Grant Phipps, Muna Noor’s Group General Manager says, “we are very proud to support and be part of this important local club and look eeing the MRFC teams flourish over the next year. Muna Noor wishes all players a great season ahead.”

GOOD SHOW: Oman’s Khalid Al Soomar in action.

MUSCAT: Oman’s rally driver Khalid Soomar and his co-driver Issa Al Wardi clinched the third position in the fourth round of UAE Rally Championship in Sharjah. The experienced Khalid Soomar driving Mitsubishi Evo 7 finished the rally in 27 minutes and 6 seconds and was very close from achieving second spot.

However, he was hampered by three punctures through the four stages, which forced him to settle for the third place.

The organising committee of the rally cancelled the fifth stage due to rough route and accidents, which also involved Omani racers, Humid Al Waeli (co-driver Mohamed Al Omeiri).

Sheikh Abdullah Al Qasimi clinched the first place.

Finishing fourth was Hamad Al Qasimi (co-driver Mohammed Al Mazroui) driving a Mitsubishi Evo 8. Faisal Al Rashidi (co-driver Waleed Al Rashidi) finished fifth in his Subaru Impreza eight second behind Hamid.

In all 13 drivers, including four from Oman, took part in the fourth round of the UAE Rally.

The rally was attended by Falah Al Falahi, member of board

of directors of Oman Automobile Association and Anwar Soomar, OAA advisor, and a number of former members of Oman Rally Championship.

After winning the third position Soomarsaid, “I am really happy to win the third place in my first attempt in UAE and would like to thank everyone and my co-driver Issa Al Wardi for his effort. Special thanks to my sponsor Target for their sponsorship this year.”

Faisal Al Rashidi was satisfied with his position and performance this time as the stages were too short and there was no chance to do more about it and the road was rough, therefore he wanted to finish the rally in a safe manner. “I would Like to thank Said Al Tobi, my sponsor, who has joined us at the race in UAE and also my other sponsors Mohsen Al Salmi and Rashid Al Salmi for their sponsorship and support to my team,” said Faisal after the fourth round.

Rally driver Hamed Al Qasimi who took the fourth place was having few problems in the car but ended the rally safely and sound.

Brathwaite gives Windies hope of consolation win SHARJAH: Kraigg Brathwaite carried his bat for an unbeaten 142 to put West Indies in a strong position to beat Pakistan in the third and final Test in Sharjah on Tuesday. Opener Brathwaite occupied the crease for more than eight hours to lead the touring side to 337 in their first innings and they then reduced Pakistan to 87 for four at the close on day three. West Indies captain Jason Holder took three early wickets as Pakistan collapsed to 48 for four but Azhar Ali (45 not out) and Sarfraz Ahmed (19 not out) dug in to build a lead of 31 runs for their side. Brief scores: Pakistan 1st innings 281 (S. Aslam 74, Misbah-ul Haq 53, Y. Khan 51, S. Ahmed 51; D. Bishoo 4-77).

West Indies 1st innings 337 (K. Brathwaite 142 no, R. Chase 50, S. Dowrich 47, D. Bishoo 27, M. Amir 3-71, W. Riaz 5-88).

Pakistan 2nd innings 87 for 4 (A. Ali 45 batting, Holder 3-10).

Karunaratne century gives Sri Lanka huge lead HARARE: Dimuth Karunaratne scored a century as Sri Lanka extended their lead over Zimbabwe to 411 runs before rain and bad light ended play on the fourth day of the first Test on Tuesday. Sri Lanka had moved on to 247 for six when play was called off around 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled close. Brief scores: Sri Lanka 1st innings 537 (U. Tharanga 110no, K. Perera 110, K. Silva 94, D. Karunaratne 56, A. Gunaratne 54; G. Cremer 4-142).

Zimbabwe 1st innings 373 (G. Cremer 102no, P. Moor 79). Sri Lanka 2nd innings 247 for 6 (D. Karunaratne 110). - Agencies

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2016

C3

SPORTS Plain sailing for top three ahead of NBO Golf Classic The opening round of the 2016 NBO Golf Classic Grand Final gets underway at Almouj Golf, Muscat on Wednesday at 8am

MUSCAT: Jordan Smith, Alexander Knappe and Ryan Fox tee it up at this week’s NBO Golf Classic Grand Final all hoping to top the Road to Oman Rankings following the final event of the season on the European Challenge Tour.

Smith won last week’s Ras Al Khaimah 2016 Golf Challenge to regain the Road to Oman lead and move 32,000 points ahead of Knappe in the Rankings.

However, with so many points on offer this week at Almouj Golf, third-placed Fox could also take top spot with a victory, and the trio embarked on a friendly chipping contest on an Oman Sail catamaran on Tuesday, hitting balls off the deck as the boat sailed alongside the stunning 18th hole of the Greg Norman-designed course.

That final hole will be the scene of much drama this week, with the top 16 in the Rankings earning European Tour cards on Saturday night, and though the top three have long secured their status in next year’s Race to Dubai, the prestige of topping the Road to Oman is enough of a fillip to motivate all of them.

Englishman Smith has been the form player on the Challenge Tour this year, topping the Rankings for 15 of the 26 weeks and winning

CONFIDENT TRIO: Jordan Smith, Ryan Fox and Alexander Knappe having stroll head of the NBO Golf

Classic Grand Final of the European Challenge Tour in Muscat, Oman. - Supplied photo

twice, and he looks to be in irresistible form heading to Muscat after victory in the United Arab Emirates at the weekend.

“Holding onto that Rankings top spot is key, that’s the goal,” said the 23 year old. “I definitely am confident I can do that, and if I carry on this week how I did last week then I’ll be very happy.

“It would be the perfect end to a great year, and the Challenge Tour has definitely boosted my confidence ahead of the European Tour, and I’m a far better player now than a year ago, I’ve learned so much. Obviously I’m coming here with some good form and I’m looking forward to getting on with the week ahead and enjoying it — it will be very fun to play with Alex and Foxy, have a bit of a chat and a laugh on the way round and enjoy it. I’m just looking to do more or the same as I did last week. I’ll have my coach here, my mum’s

coming out on Thursday, so it will be nice for them to be here as I round off the year.”

With the players going out in Rankings order for the first round, the top three will play together, adding to the potential competition, though Germany’s Knappe insists it has been a good year regardless of this week’s outcome.

“I’m very happy with this season,” said the 27 year old. “Last year I struggled with my back but this season has been so great for me, and I can’t really think how it can get any better — yes, finishing top of the Rankings, but that’s not really in my hands.

“I think I’m about 30,000 behind Jordan so I think I really have to win it to have a chance, and with 46 players here I have to play really well to do that, but if I’m in the top three I’ll still be very happy. I’m a little bit tired, the body feels a bit week, and maybe

playing last week was a little mistake. But if I can get back into my rhythm, my zone, my focus, then I will have a chance to play well.”

New Zealand’s Fox suffered the ultimate heartbreak last year, dropping out of the European Tour spots on the final day here in Oman, so he is looking forward to a happier week this time around.

“I’m definitely a lot more relaxed this week than I was last year — a nice little boat trip helps that,” said the 29 year old.

“I’d love to play well, and even top the Rankings — it is mathematically possible, but Jordan and Alex have been playing some fantastic golf and it would almost feel wrong for them not to finish one and two, but it’s nice to be here and have a little less stressful week than I did last year.”

The opening round gets underway at Almouj Golf, Muscat on Wednesday at 8am.

OMAN FOOTBALL

OFA to review Lopez Caro’s contract A. SESHAGIRI RAO

raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman national team coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro may be on his way out as the Oman Football Association (OFA) has decided to ‘review his contract’ in the coming days.

Lopez Caro, a former Real Madrid manager, has took over the reins of Oman team back in January following the sacking of Frenchman Paul le Guen. But the Spaniard has come under fire after a string of not so impressive performances by the national team, leading to speculation that new OFA board under chairman Sheikh Salim Al Wahaibi will soon show the exit to the Lopez Caro.

Sheikh Salim, whose manifesto included raising the level of national team’s performance, however rejected the talk that OFA board is looking to oust the coach

Juan Ramon Lopez Caro

but instead said: ‘we will only be reviewing his contract’.

“It is a normal procedure. It’s time to review the performance of the team in the past months and assess the coach’s contribution,” Sheikh Salim said.

“His (Lopez Caro’s) current contract will end in January. So that will also come up for discussion and we will have to review that as well,” he said. Sheikh Salim was also quick to add: “I am not saying he will go or he will stay. But what I want to say is that we will review

the performance of the team as well as the contract of the coach.”

The OFA chief said the review will be done after the forthcoming away friendly matches against Japan (November 11) and Myanmar (November 14).

“We will be playing a strong team like Japan and that will be followed by a match against Myanmar. After that there won’t be any FIFA Days till the next round of Asian Cup qualifiers, which will start in March. These two friendly matches will be our last chance to assess the full-strength team against strong opponents.”

“Since there is not much time before the Asian Cup qualifiers, we need to sit down, assess the situation and plan for the future.”

Lopez Caro took over the team with just two matches left in the second round of the joint 2018 World Cup and 2019 Asian Cup qualifiers. Though his stint started

with a narrow 1-0 win over Guam, Oman lost their final group qualifier to Iran 2-0 which ended their World Cup qualifying dream.

The Spaniard then took the team to Northern Ireland for a training camp, during which the Sultanate squad were routed 4-0 by their hosts in an international friendly match while in recent friendlies they struggled to hold Bahrain and Jordan in 2-2 and 1-1 draws respectively.

New technical director Meanwhile, it is learnt that OFA is scrutinising the applications of three Omanis for the post of Technical Director following the resignation of Australian expert Jim Selby.

Former Oman national team coach Khalid Al Lahori is among those who is hoping to take up the job, the others being Ahmed Al Balushi and Hisham Al Adwani.

TENNIS

Fatma advances in Morocco MUSCAT: Omani star tennis player Fatma Al Nabhani found success both in the singles and doubles competitions of the $10,000 Casablanca ITF Pro Circuit tournament in Morocco on Tuesday.

The Omani moved into the second round of the singles and the quarterfinals of the doubles in the company of Spanish lass Olga Parres Azcoitia. In the singles, Fat-

ma defeated Amandine Cazeaux in straight sets 6-3, 6-3. In the second round match to be played on Wednesday, Fatma will take on Spain’s Marta Garcia Gausi.

In the doubles first round match, Fatma and Olga defeated local duo of Lamioe Aziz and Oumaima Aziz 6-1, 6-1. In the quarterfinals, Fatma and Olga will face Inasse Hamouti of France and Kerstin Peckl of Austria.

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Twin Villa for sale in Azaiba near Sultan Centre. Each side has three floors, five bedroom plus maid room. Each room has it’s own bathroom and one extra toilet between dining and sitting room. The villas are now about 5 years old and very clean and well maintained. It has split A/C’s.

OMR 215,000 each villa.

Telephone: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 Shop for sale in Al Ghubrah.

Contact: 99030180/ 97003247

Mobile phone shop for sale in Hamriya. Contact: 99342568

Beauty parlour for sale in Ruwi.

Contact: 92430239

Running beauty parlour in Mabelaw prime location for sale.

Contact: 93550555 / 96789862

Industrial land in Rusail.4000 sqm. Contact 99323957 / 95490842.

Used & refurbished porta cabins, toilets unit available for sales. Contact: 99215560 Email: omegaunitedoman@gmail.com

BUILDING MATERIAL SHOP FOR SALEWell-furnished running building material-electrical shop (4 shutter / 200sqm) in Al- Khoudh- 6, for immediate saleshop with stock or stock only. Serious buyers may please Contact: 94320909

Running restaurant for sale Al Khuwair area.

Contact: 92660947 Coffee shop at Al Hail.

Contact: 94488260 3 BHK flat in Greater Muttrah, Dar AlMaha for sale.

Contact 95061994 Branded safety products for sale.

Contact: 99763434

Sparing used dental chair for sale.

Contact kumar 99570284 ansari 92616343 Restaurant for sale : well equipped and furnished restaurant is looking for managing partner / for sale in Ruwi, Muscat.

Contact: 24816082 / 94427373

RESTAURANT for sale in Ruwi.

Contact: 99378964 Land for sale in the village of Bimmah on the coastal road Qurayat/ Sur with a space of 604 square meters for an attractive price.

Contact 92905222 Good Condition Sanyo washing machine, semi automatic, RO 30 for sale in MBD Contact; 99737812

ACC. AVAILABLE 1 BHK Apartment for rent in Al Khoud Shabiya near Mazoon mosque for rent (next to Al Khoud medical center and squ).

Contact : 93913224 Furnished rooms available at Ruwi. Contact: 91214897 Furnished room available with attached bath and balcony in MBD area. Contact: 96275098

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

BUYING Buying cars for cash.

Contact 90202090

WANTED Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each. Contact 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 /93203778

ACC. AVAILABLE

Single room with separate bathroom for non- cooking bachelor, Rex Road. Contact: 98209132

Well furnished single / sharing for EXE. Bachelor at Rex Road (Kannada, Telugu, Tamil).

Contact: 92873832

Room available for executive bachelor near Hamriya Roundabout. Contact 93590332 and 97443614.

Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for executive bachelor Opp. O.C. Centre Ruwi Call : 90611670

Single room, toilet and sharing kitchen available for rent in Azaiba. Contact: 96755127

Furnished room in ruwi and azaiba for rent for executive bachelors. Gsm 99058344

Wanted Partner for running building construction company.

Contact: 71100641 A business group located in Musanna inviting partners for there business development. Contact those who are interested to invest as a Working/ sleeping partner.

Mobile 00968 93797900.

MV SALE Suzuki swift desire, model 2013.

Contact: 99602748 Dihatsu Terrios Trend 4WD, 2012 Registration, dealer service registration up to August 2017.

Contact No: 92812144

MATRIMONIAL Nair girl 165cm/32 yrs, MBA excellent family background seeks alliance from well placed professionals 38 yrs or below.

Contact : 91207003.

Parents of Pakistani Muslim girl, 22, student of 4th year of doctorate of pharmacy, seek suitable alliance. Cell: 99609762 Email: abubinat5@gmail.com Tamil Hindu boy, 30 years, working as Marketing Executive in a reputable organization is seeking for Hindu Tamil Girl preferably working in Muscat. Serious discussion, please contact 99438477 Marriage makers widow/ divorce/ new for Indian Kerala & Indian Muslims. Contact: Whatsapp: 00968 98796982 & calling 98604960 Ezhavaboy age 28 height 174cm Star anizhamBTech working in Oman Seeks suitable alliance.

Contact 99430227

SITUATION LOSTWANTJamat Ali has lost Pakistani passport No HK 1796382. Finder please handover to ROP. Azad Miah has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. BJ 0316728. Finder please handover to ROP

D4

W E D N E S DAY, N OV E M B E R 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

SIT. WANTED

Reputed mineral water company required the following HEAVY/LIGHT DUTY DRIVERS VAN SALESMAN

ACCOUNTS

with Omani driving license

SALES SUPERVISOR/SALES KͳKZ /E dKZ with Omani driving license , >W Z^ ͳ džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ϯ ƚŽϱ LJĞĂƌƐ

Contact - 90372638 tĂŶƚĞĚ &ĞŵĂůĞ 'LJŶĂĞĐŽůŽŐŝƐƚ ͕ Female GP and One Female Dental ƐƐŝƐƚ ĂŶĚ &ĞŵĂůĞ >Ăď dĞĐŚŶŝĐŝĂŶ͕ ƐƐƚ WŚĂƌŵĂĐŝƐƚ͘ ;&ƌŽŵ /ŶĚŝĂ Žƌ WŝůŝƉŝŶŽ Ϳ͘ tŝƚŚ Žƌ ǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ DK, >ŝĐĞŶƐĞ ĂŶĚ ĂƚĂ &ůŽǁ ĨŽƌ ů ^ĂĂĚŝ ^ƉĞĐŝůŝƐĞĚ DĞĚŝĐĂů ĞŶƚƌĞ͕ DƵƐĂŶŶĂ͘

SALES / MARKETING

Contact # 91262604, ŵĂŝů / ͗ ĐŚŝůůĂƉĂůůŝϳϲΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

Required Sales man, Tailor, Barber. Contact: 91114884

ADMIN SECRETARIAL / OFFICE

Looking for Omani PRO for Shipping and Custom Clearance company in Sohar. Experience in same field as added advantage. Contact:- 97179292,94681689,Email:operations@arabianseabridge.com

Wanted Office clerk having two years experience.

Contact: 92891888

TOURS /TRAVELS ACCOUNTS Travel agency looking for Staff on urgent basis.

Email: hmallawati@hotmail.com

Required part time female Accountant with Tally experience (location: Al Wadi Al Kabir, Muscat) Email: orchidmct@gmail.com / printoman24x7@gmail.com

SIT. WANTED

Accountant 2-3 years experience.

Candidate should be Indian, English speakers. NOC is a must.

Email: mohammad.jwabreh@ bearingcitysc.com. Fax: 24509312

ACCOUNTS Indian male B.Com having 10 years experience (5 years in KSA) with valid Oman driving license.

Accounting (Tally), marketing& customer service. Looking for suitable positions. Contact 95352176, shences1980@gmail.com

CATERING Restaurant waiter, cook and helper. Visa available.

Contact: 95212017

12 yrs Oman exp Chief / Senior Accountant seeks job immediately available with release/NOC and D/L available. Contact: 97385562

Urgently required Cooks:required for a well reputed company in Sohar - South Indian, North Indian and Pakistani cooks. Contract No’s 97995702, 96041391,92945670, Office no 22092638, Email nitsohar@gmail.com, Website: www.alistiqamah.net

Part Time Accounting, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Monthly Reports, Accounting set up for new companies, GSM : 96975454, email: ibfc.gcc@gmail.com Female Accountant, B.Com Graduate with 10 years experience in Oman with D/L looking for suitable position. Contact 91443796

Kerala cook bachelor or family.

Contact: 93102906 Wanted Waiter for a Restaurant with motorbike license for delivery.

Contact 95061994

MEDICAL

MISCELLANEOUS

DESIGNER

Urgently required Orthodontist and Arabic speaking Pediatrician for a reputed poly clinic. Send the CV to manageribnalhaitham@ yahoo.com or Contact: 96721709

Part time Data Entry Operators required urgently with good typing speed and knowledge in Ms Office.

Contact 97152920

Required a Graphic Designer knowledge of Photoshop, Coral, preference (Indian) persons, fresher can also apply. Send CV at suroordigital@gmail.com Contact: 96440587 / 95338210

DOMESTIC HELP Wanted Housemaid 6 am to 6 pm for South Indian family in Darsait Salary 200+. Contact 99864290, 98564647

DRIVER

Required General practitioner & MD specialist MOH license for medical centre at Azaiba, Muscat.

Contact: 91960401 Email: n_thanigaimani@yahoo.com Require Staff Nurse with MOH license for a clinic in Suwaiq Walayat. Contact 99024386, Email : dr.irfanali@hotmail.com Required male female GP, Administrator for a Polyclinic at Ibra.

Contact 71100596, joharaajmal2016@gmail.com

Urgently required delivery driver, with valid Oman motorcycle license, at least 1-2 years experience in delivery. Contact 24694905

Wanted Dentist, GP & Nurse with or without MOH. Contact : 95042101 or send CV to Email : azad.a.asif@gmail.com

Required light driver present in Oman, RO 170/- + accommodation + food. Contact: 99454425

Fusion Medicare Polyclinic, Muscat wants GP, staff Nurse holding MOH license & Receptionist (Omani) Contact 97698004 email: medicare@fusionlogicoman.com

Wanted Driver for heavy (sewage vehicle) and light vehicle with valid Oman driving license.

Contact: 97991654 / 97991652 Kindly send CV at Email: construction@remasalseeb.com / remaschandran2020@gmail.com

DRAFTSMAN Draftsman with Oman experience needed to work on consultancy office in Muscat, send CV & works to: hr@touchcdc.com.

Contact : 99441122

ENG./TECHNICIAN Well experienced HVAC Mechanical Engineer required with 3-5 yrs working experience in Airconditioning field, having driving license is preferable. Send CV to nationalhvac.mep@gmail.com Fax: 24799442

MANAGER Looking for Manager with 5 yrs exp marine services & logistic company. Any Nationalities preferred. Contact: 91349823 / 93212373 Email: info@salalahglobal.com

Required General Physician, Gynecology & LAB & X ray Technician. Contact: 99681325 Email: altaqwamedicalcentre@gmail.com Wanted Staff Nurse with MOH license immediately for a private clinic in North Bathinah.

Contact: 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com Wanted female & Male Nurse with or without license (good salary, food & accommodation with other benefits.

Contact 92989109, medicoport@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Required Indian female: Investment Manager – Offer (10001800) RO & depend in experiences & getting projects. Secretary of office trade offer (750) RO. Email : joboman2017@gmail.com Urgently required experienced photo and videographer / editor for a photo studio. Send CV to fax: 24472434 Contact: 92336576 Email: bluestarnational@gmail. com

Urgent required : Store labors.

Candidate should be Indian, English speakers. NOC is a must.

Email: mohammad.jwabreh @bearingcitysc.com, Fax: 24509312

SKILLED LABOUR Required Experienced Auto Electrician and Automobile Mechanic for a reputed service station.

Contact : 91232638 hashim@ramainvestment.com

SALES / MARKETING Required sales and marketing executive for a 4-star hotel in muscat.candidate with excellent communication skills and having 3+ years experience need apply. driving license will be an advantage. email: hoteljobsmuscat@gmail.com Required well experienced dynamic candidate in Real Estate Evaluation Field beside Building Management Techniques.

Contact 91246444, Email: rescooman@gmail.com Urgently required Sales person for a office stationery company in Al Khuwair, with valid Omani driving license. Send CV to 24488120 / Contact: 99771127 Email: kktrdg@hotmeil.com Required Salesman for advertising company with GCC D/L. Send CV at suroordigital@gmail.com Contact: 96440587 / 95338210 Sales & Marketing, Customer Support, with excellent communication skills, knowledge of Musical Instruments and a passion for music! Interested?

Call Tunes: 24489847, Email: info@tunesoman.com C.C.T.V Camera Technician, Building Material Salesman, Electrician cum Plumber and Maintenance Supervisor with D/L. Contact: 99383044 Indian Salesman indoor, knowledge in English & Arabic.

Contact: 93326636

Part Time Accountant.

Contact: 99882790 Indian Accountant having 8 years experience in Accounts (5 years ) in Saudi, Oman driving license excellent knowledge in tally, focus, quick books & MS. Office, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 93878624 Email: arunjames88@gmail.com Indian Senior Accountant, B com, Having 8yrs Experience in Oman, Up to Finalization, Oman D/L, Release Available, Contact - 93484122 Indian male, B.Com, having 28 yrs experience in Accounting field (18 yrs in KSA) worked in construction company, excellent knowledge in Tally, NOC available.

Contact 92641601, sreekumarppillai@gmail.com MBA professional Indian, 28, 5 years experience in business having valid Omani D/L & visa, NOC available after 3 months.

Contact: 96718915 Email: azim.s7@gmail.com MBA B.Sc, Food Science and Quality control 7 years experience in Oman (driving license) available.

Contact: 94401183 / 97632020 Indian male, 26 yrs, on visit visa, B.Sc Mathematics 4 years experience as an Accountant seeks suitable job.

Contact: 98615171 / 95374978.

Email: worksite.tinson@gmail.com Indian female MBA, 3 years experience seeking suitable job.

Contact: 99257214 Sri Lankan Senior Accountant having BBA, MBA,CA Foundation with 6 Years (2.5 Years in Oman)of experience up to finalization of accounts, Oman D/L, Release Available Contact 93598736 Indian (M) MBA (F) more than 6 years of experience in accounts, proficiency in various A/C software, SAP(F1/CO) seeking for suitable placement. Contact: 95920740, Email: abdulhameed1527@gmail.com Indian male, 27 yrs, B.Com Graduate, having 5 yrs experience in Oman & 2 yrs in India as Accountant, Tally ERP 9, NOC available, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98470441 Email: soorajv2efa@gmail.com

12 Yrs Exp Accountant worked in Construction, Cont & Trad Cos. worked on Oracle / Orion / Tally/ Epromis, ERP s/w with Valid D/L – (NOC/Release available).

Contact 92194086

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

Indian/MBA/male Chief Accountant 18Yrs Experience, MIS, C.Flow, Budgeting, ERP, Cost accounting &Liasing with auditors. NOC available.

Contact: 92254691/97826674 email: khader2305@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

12 Yrs Exp Accountant worked in Construction, Cont & Trad Cos. with Valid D/L – (NOC/Release available).

Contact 92194086 Indian male, B.Com, MBA in Finance, 4 yrs in Larsen & Tourbo, 26 yrs in Oman, English/ Arabic speaking with driving license. NOC available. Contact 95588565 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 Chief Accountant / Senior Accountant having 16 years experience can handle accounts up to finalization, MIS, C FLOW, Budgeting, ERP, Costing & liasing with auditors, looking for suitable position. NOC available.

Contact: 97205058 / 94885686 Indian female 23 yrs MBA, Finance and HR, currently on visit looking for suitable job. Contact: 93305002 / 99048224 Email: manjusharavindren@gmail.com Accountant Assistant B.Com Graduate with 2 yrs experience in Accounting. Contact: 94736742 Omani female Accountant, 32 years, having 10 years exp in admin/accounts seeks suitable placement. Contact: 93295953 Accountant Sri Lankan National Inter CA 3 yrs exp in finance ready to join immediately.

Contact: 79049355 Email: ahamedfiham777@gmail.com Indian female 28 yrs B.Com 4 yrs experience in MNC’s currently in Muscat seeking suitable placement in Finance / Admin.

Contact :94743790 Accountant Indian female B.Com, tally 5 years experience 2 years in Oman. Contact: 99139188 Indian female 26 yrs, MBA finance 2 yrs exp with MNC. Email: rilooozmali@gmail.com.

Contact : 90551366.

28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact : 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Accountant 8 Years Experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084 Indian female, 26 years,brought up in oman,M.COM(FINANCE) CA Foundation(CPT),CA INTER(DOING) presently on family visa seeking for immediate and suitable placement.

Contact -97174201/99663957 Email-anishasasi@gmail.com MBA Finance 20 yrs of MNC (MEP) experience thorough knowledge in preparation of financials, budgeting, fore casting, audit, trade finances, cash flows, guarantees, income tax, project (cost control) & ERP implementation with NOC seeks suitable placement. Contact 96280551 Email: ramu2587@hotmail.com Certified Public Accountant (Filipino, Male, 27-yrs-old) with four years experience, seeking suitable placement in accounting/ audit, currently on visit.

Contact; 94959606, email: czesar.42@gmail.com 7 Years experience as Financial Analyst, MBA in finance. Responsibilities- research contributor, financial statement analysis, generating MIS & efficiency report, managing TAT, business & clients.

On visit visa in Muscat.

Contact 90191628 / 96175780 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

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 8 yrs exp. in Admin & Accounts (3 yrs in Oman), MBA, exp. in Tally ERP 9, Indian (F) seeks placement.

Contact 97243806 ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance. Contact 99284193 Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394 Accountant B.com Indian male 12 yrs exp seeks suitable job.NOC available . Contact : 91212471 Email: rennyj6@gmail.com 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 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 Indian (M), 31 yrs, M Com 9 yrs experience in Oman, looking for Manager or Executive position in Fin & Accounts, NOC Available.

Contact 968 96166178/ +919768537435: mohammednajeem@yahoo.com

ADMIN Omani, male, 26 yrs experience looking for job in reputed Companies as PR, having experience at airport / Emigration, Ministries/ Manpower with Oman D/L. Contact 95445779 MCA, Indian female, holding driving license, seeking suitable job in administration or computer.

Contact: 99466062 A young dynamic with NOC & 12 years experience of purchase sourcing logistics & IT Admin looking urgent placement with D/L Oman.

Contact: 92204552, Email: ikroyal@yahoo.com Indian 44 yrs with 21 yrs experience in Admin business development marketing publicity promotion, customer relations.

Contact 96746735 Indian female M.Tech wireless technology experience in teaching, looking for suitable placement / Admin jobs. NOW on family visa.

Contact: 97485944 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 Egyptian woman resident, considerable experience in the Administration and Secretarial Executive for company.

Contact : 97221126 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have vocational M.B.A diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time.

Contact: 95933288 Graduate (female), 5 yrs experience in administrations looking for suitable placement (visit visa).

Contact 98277037 Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817

W E D N E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED An experienced Chartered Accountant with over 25 years in varied industries, presently working with a reputed group in Muscat, looking out for a suitable change.

ARCH./ INTERIOR DEC. British Citizen Senior Architect, Managing Director, Chief Architect 14 years experience, V Ray 3D, AutoCAD BOQ, master degree on architectural design.

Contact: 92480035

; ůĞĐƚƌŽŶŝĐƐ Θ dĞůĞĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟ ŽŶͿ͕ D ;DĂƌŬĞƟ ŶŐͿ͕ /ŶĚŝĂŶ ŵĂůĞ͕ ϯϬ LJƌƐ͕ ϳ LJƌƐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ KŵĂŶ ŝŶ ^ĂůĞƐ͕ DĂƌŬĞƟ ŶŐ Θ WƌŽũĞĐƚƐ͕ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƐƵŝƚĂďůĞ ƉůĂĐĞŵĞŶƚ͕ ǀĂůŝĚ KŵĂŶ ͬ>͕

96491030

NOC AVAILABLE Contact - 98518776

DRIVER

,ŽƐƉŝƚĂůŝƚLJ ƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů /ŶĚŝĂŶ͕ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ĂƐ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů DĂŶĂŐĞƌ ŝŶ Ă ůĞĂĚŝŶŐ ,ŽƚĞů ŝŶ DƵƐĐĂƚ͘

Driver available with Car Hyundai Creata model 2016 pick & Drop or permanent. Contact: 95983125 Bangladeshi, light driver looking for job, 4 yrs exp. Contact: 92681457 Light driver looking for job, exp 5 years. Contact: 94208089 Looking for driving job language English, Arabic & Hindi.

Contact: 95283531

ϭϴн LJĞĂƌƐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ DŝĚĚůĞ ĂƐƚ & /ŶĚŝĂ͘ tŝƚŚ ƌĞůĞĂƐĞ ͬ EK ͕ ƐĞĞŬŝŶŐ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů DĂŶĂŐĞƌ ͬ KƉĞƌĂƟ ŽŶƐ MĂŶĂŐĞƌƐ ũŽďƐ ŝŶ ,ŽƐƉŝƚĂůŝƚLJ ƐĞĐƚŽƌ͘

Contact - 968 99589495, Email : mct2016job@gmail.com

Driver, 8 yrs exp. seeks placement.

Contact: 98197212

Architect Engineer seeking for suitable job, 8 years experience.

GSM : 96075000, Email : haytham_201046@yahoo.com

Experienced driver available with 4WD willing to work fulltime / part-time, familiar with all tourist destinations in Oman.

Contact: 24814231 / 91941545

Young Mechanical Engineering Graduate with six months internship looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97945161 / 71033760 Email: iancardoz11@gmail.com

DESIGNER/ DRAUGHTSMAN

Looking for driving job.

Contact: 93798802

HSE Engineer 10+ years experience having NOC & valid driving license GSM: 97717468

Interior design Engineer looking for a job, 6 years experience.

Contact: 91291502

Wanted job for surveyor, driver experience 2 years.

Contact: 97060510

Indian Female, Auto Cad draftsman civil with 3ds Max & rivet, 4 yrs exp.Looking for suitable vacancy in Muscat now in visit visa .

Contact: 95601266

Searching job for light driver, experience, 4 yrs. Contact: 92458526

Tunisian girl looking for job in media field, has 8years experience in publishing Contact 97816917

5 years exp D/L (GCC) looking for job. Contact 98077904

AUTOCAD D MAN, 3 yr DCE, ITIi, experience in arch 2d,3d ph : 99506977 Free lance / part time autocad works / make boq 2d /3d arch , structural, shop drawings interior drawings. Contact 97103168 mkgroupoman@gmail.com AUTOCAD freelance / part time , ARCH,MEP, 2D,3D, shop drawing, Bill of QTY PH : 97103168, mkgroupoman@gmail.com Senior Graphic designer 13 years experience, printing production, QC, presentation high skills, bilingual.

Contact: 79060552 Senior Structural Draftsman having 7 years Gulf experience total (12 years) seeking a job, NOC available. Contact: 97612846 Email: kaleem_1273@yahoo.com ITI Draughtsman (civil), looking for job in Draughtsman (civil) fresh worker, course passed in 2012, 3 years Indian experience , Now in Oman present for 15 days now worked in mobile phone servicing in Oman. NOC available. Contact: +968 98461050 / 96169632 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 Heavy duty driver looking job 15 yrs experience in GCC Know English, Hindi & Arabic.

Contact: 98571413 / 95464051 Experienced Indian driver with valid Oman light & heavy license.

Contact: 94201010 Looking for driver job exp 4 years knows English, Arabic, Hindi & Education B.A. Contact: 94928736 Indian driver looking for job.

Contact: 93729371 Light duty driver, with 5 yrs experience. Contact: 97941771 Looking for driving job, 6 years experience, NOC available.

Contact: 98903498 Looking for driver job, 9 yrs exp.

Contact: 96216699 Experience 4 years in hardware and Aramex. Contact: 97006867 Driver available with car seeks placement. Contact 96524904 Driver, 5 years exp.

Contact: 95746203

One year experience in heavy D/L, looking for job. Contact: 94397006

3 years experience heavy & oxy license driver looking for job.

Contact: 97363138 Experience heavy driver, looking for job. Contact: 91493829 Bangladeshi male light driver experience 16 years need job.

Contact: 99165961 Driver available for job.

Contact: 96381406 Indian Driver light need job.

Contact: 96693613 18 yrs exp driver seeks job.

Contact: 95541940 Looking for job exp having driving license. Contact: 97363138 Driver looking for job.

Contact: 95892363

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Construction Machinery repairs Engineer, 5 years, driving license, Contact - 94001961 Indian male, B.E Mechanical with 2 years experience as Maintenance Engineer in Cochin Refinery and 1 year experience in Chevrolet seeking job. Ph number: 97964862, Email:jossyabraham20@gmail.com 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 Graduate Civil Engineer 20 yrs GCC experience with Omani D/L, seeking job NOC available.

Contact: 98621645 Email: imtiazcv@gmail.com Indian male 24 ,B.E ( E.C.E ) graduate with 3 years of experience in the fields of BMS and Low current systems and has good knowledge about Electronic Security Systems, currently working in Oman, NOC Available. Contact: 94737033/ mohdmuhafez45@gmail.com Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 92279784 Electrical Engineer, 24 yrs, Indian Male, Fresher, Training Undertaken in Electrical Draughtsman, Fire Alarm, Fire Fighting and Industrial Automation. Contact: 94989767, Email: Junaiz987@gmail.com Indian male, Structural Engineer looking for job in structural design field. Having 6 years of experience in design field. Residing in Muscat.

Contact - 91176187 Email: syam036@gmail.com

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Contact # 96654216 Male -FMCG DISTRIBUTION PROFESSIONAL ,MBA MARKETING ,10 years Managerial experience in GCC /OMAN looking for Divisional Manager position. NOC /DL available.

Service Engineer three years experience in Oman with license.

Contact: 94180383, Email: khalid_khogli@hotmail.com Mechatronics Engineer with NEBOSH and three years experience in Oman with license.

Contact: 94180383, Email: khalid_khogli@hotmail.com B.Sc. Mechanical Engineer with 6 years Gulf Experience in Oil & Gas, MEP and HVAC. GSM:92730137 HSE Engineer, NEBOSH IGC and IOSH certified, having 3 years experience looking for a suitable position. NOC available. Please contact +968 91476537.

Mechanical Engineer, Indian, 5 yrs Experience, Automobile Diploma, HVAC, On Visit Visa, Contact – 93042025 Male, 25 yeas Diploma Instrumentation and Control Instrument Technician, 2 years experience, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 96946408 Email: anfeeranfu4@gmail.com Planning Engr. 7 yrs exp. valid D/L looking for suitable placement.

NOC available. Contact 76060479 Indian male 28 BE Electrical & Electronics Engineering with 4 years of experience presently on visiting visa seeking suitable placement. Contact: 92757534 Email: arundevd588@yahoo.com Indian male B-Tech instrumentation with 3 yrs exp in maintenance field looking for suitable position.

Contact: 0091-9633142249 / 92115535, Email: vishnuprvr@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Engineer male 6 years experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 95376205 Civil Engineer looking for a job, 3.5 years experience in Oman in building construction and infrastructure have Omani license.

Contact: 98826802 / 94903195 Email: eng.mn12@gmail.com B.Sc (Hons) & B.Tech (Electronics & communication) 2.5 years experience as B.T.S & microwave link installation & commissioning engineer currently on family visit visa. Contact: 96756964 Indian male 21 years fresher Diploma Mechanical Engineer with Automation in ACC, PLC. Contact: 92162445 B.Tech Mech. 3 years experience Mech/ HVAC design looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 93965156 BS Mech 21 years experienced in Mech / HVAC design & supervision looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 92562564

Marketing & sales

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Moroccan female University Degree, 10 yrs exp in Media Marketing & sales, constructions in Oman/ Dubai with D/L & car.

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

Contact 98942289 ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Contact -92405181

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. AutoCAD Civil Draughtsman with diploma in Civil Engineering, more than 8 yrs exp in Oman, valid D/L, NOC available. Contact: 96785348 / 93129804

Architect Sudanese female 7 years experience design site work, interior design programs AutoCAD archicad.

Contact: 71190409 / 94078945

džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ /d WƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů

Indian male 26 years Mechanical Engineer with 2 yrs exp in Oman.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact - 91328079 Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine.

Available NOC release.

Contact 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Indian male Civil Engineer 1.6 yrs exp, having Omani D/L, looking for suitable position. NOC available. Contact – 92157694 / mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Diploma in Mechanical Engg, 10 years exp in steel fabrication site work with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 94696192 Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrs exp seeks suitable position in a reputed company. NOC available.

Contact 96789711 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 Mechanical Engineer 7 years exp in oil & gas (PDO) piping / pipeline.

Contact: 90106204 Email: shivcb600@gmail.com Indian male on visit visa, Diploma in Mechanical Engineering having one year experience in Automobile field, looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97145322 / 79065670 Email: rolwin26@yahoo.com Project Engineer (Electrical) 6 years experience in OHL distribution & primary substations, Arabic nationality driving license. NOC available. Contact : 99410588 / 99007049 Civil Engineer 8 years experience Quantity Surveyor civil in Oman, looking for a job around 21 years experience in civil works.

Contact: 92801589 B. Tech Civil 6 years experience in Oman driving license (valid Oman). Contact: 90108915 Diploma in Civil Engineer having 8 years experience in Oman with driving license release available, seeks suitable placement, post Site Engineer. Contact 95387537 Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer (B.E) residing in Oman looking for suitable job.

Contact: 98530806 / 99362006 Architecture Engineer 3 years exp archicad AutoCAD, 3Ds MAX seeking for a job. Contact: 96351385 B.Tech Indian male 22 yrs highly skilled in telecommunication looking for Entry level Engineer currently Oman resi visa & have driving license. Contact: 91954748 Email: nedtz007@gmail.com Electrical & Electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit.

PH: 93837973 Civil Engineer (Indian male) 5 years experience in Oman with valid Omani driving license & NOC looking for suitable opportunity.

Contact: 93101283

B.Tech Civil with 6 years experiences (2 years experience in Muscat) with driving license.

Contact: 93050252 / 98286891

Indian male Mechanical Engineer having knowledge in fire Alarm and fire fighting system & AutoCAD with valid visa and NOC available. Contact: 968 90355201 Email: jkkannan6@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer (Diploma) with 4 years experience (2 years in Oman & 2 years in India) having driving license, release available.

Contact: 98404869 Email: muhammedfahis18@gmail.com

Indian female B.Com having 3 years experience in MS Office programs and Tally ERP 9, currently on family visit visa.

Contact: +968 91968254 Email: krishnapriyas206@gmail.com

B. Tech Mechanical HVAC site Engineer 4 years experience, currently on visit. Contact 92837696 / mdabdulather@gmail.com 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

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: 92157694. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Civil Engineer Project Manager 14 years exp, 11 yrs in Oman PMP FDC Contract Management experience independently handling Civil works familiar with Oman regulating looking for senior level position, local release available.

Contact: 98826815

Filipino Male Fire Inspector/Safety Officer/Instructor Experience in Oil/Gas Petrochemicals With NFPA, IOSH, NEBOSH Seeking for suitable placements.

Contact: 91274080, 98900346

Indian male 27 years civil Engg (Project Coordinator) 6 years experience in Oman looking for suitable position NOC release available. Contact: 95071223

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) on visit visa looking for suitable job, has certificate of rewit MEP. Contact: 97923238 Email: vvikhil4@gmail.com

Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912

Mechanical Engineer, Indian, Male, 30yrs. Experienced in Steam turbines and Thermal Power house seek employment.

Contact - +91 8130553668 or mohamedshah7@gmail.com

Civil Engineer seeking job in Oman with 2 yrs experience in Pakistan with a consultant firm. Interested in contractor &consultant both. Contact: 00968- 71152135 Email: omerraza102@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience BOQ estimating, building good knowledge computer AutoCAD also.

STP plant experience 3 years Quantity surveyor. Contact: 94932724 Civil Engineer, B.Tech, Indian male with one year of Oman experience seeking suitable position. NOC available from current employer.

Contact: 91702450 Email: tijoct2015@hotmail.com 18 years experienced Indian Civil Engg. residential, commercial, high rise industrial buildings) with transferable visa. Contact: 92855910 Email: jk2_anu@yahoo.co.in Indian male 44 yrs, 21 yrs experience Mechanical Engineer proficient in Admin, Sales, marketing very good written oral communication. Contact: 96746735 Indian male 8 years experience in electrical field with managerial, office, site supervision, fault debugging and exposure to electrical devices now in visiting visa.

Contact: 90181566 Email: jittoandrewsnesto@gmail.com Civil Engineer roads / highways 07 years Oman experience in well reputed companies, available with N.O.C from sponsor valid GCC Oman driving license light.

Contact: 95994968 / 94111957.

34 years, Pakistani with qualification of B.Tech pass Civil Engineering searching for job, total experience 13 years with 8 years in Oman, NOC available valid driving license. Contact : 96136220 Indian male, B.E Mechanical with 2 years experience as Maintenance Engineer in Cochin Refinery and 1 year experience in Chevrolet seeking job. Contact : 97964862, Email :jossyabraham20@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Structure Engineer with 4 years experience looking for suitable job with D/L.NOC available. Contact: 97906770 Pakistani male 30, Diploma in Civil 12+ years exp 9 years in KSA looking job for Surveyor have visa with NOC driving license.

Contact: 97255028 Email: leo_khurais@yahoo.com Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. Contact: 98921022 B.E Mech Engineer, Indian male, having 2 yrs experience in Mechanical Engg seeks suitable position. Contact: 98827544 Email: sibi.a.b.varghese@gmail.com Mechanical/ Piping Engineer (B.Tech.) on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 94703350 mail: nadeembcoolboy@gmail.com

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

EDUCATION/TRAINING Indian female MSC. Chemistry B.ED, SET, PGDCA, 3 years experience in teaching looking for suitable placement. Contact: 90865638 Email: binigneeh@gmail.com Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. Contact 99739415 / 92091528 Indian female 24. Masters in Computer science engineering, seeking job in colleges, schools and institutes. Having in good skill in teaching and advanced technologies. Contact : 93356858 Email id : annielino11@gmail.com Indian female 27 TGT in Computer Science having 2 years experience in CBSE school seeking for suitable teaching opportunity in schools or colleges. Contact: 96410225 / 99105854 Email: anitha.mathew.anna@gmail.com Mathematics Lecturer , Indian Female, M Sc Mathematics from a Prestigious University, B.Ed qualified, distinction holder with 6 yrs teaching experience in colleges.

Contact : 91360147.

HOSPITALITY Indian male, 24 yrs (Diploma in Hotel Management) 2 years experience in Hospitality industry (Front office Management) looking for suitable placement on visiting visa. Contact: 97937504 Email: febinpalathingal01@gmail.com Indian male 31yrs old with hotel management degree, 03 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.

Indian male BA & LLB IATA cargo having 10 years experience as lawyer in Indian, currently on visit visa seeking placement.

Contact 99068790 Email: meltoma@gmail.com

IT Indian female M.Sc Computer Science seeking suitable placement in Muscat area. Contact 98660672 Female, master in mass communication, B.Ed, experience in media channel and teaching PH : 99362024 Indian male 4 years experience in IT as Programmer / Web Support/ CCNA/ Network on visit visa seeking placement. Contact 93069694 Email: mrabrar14@gmail.com

D6

W E D N E S DAY, N OV E M B E R 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 WANTED IT

MISCELLANEOUS

MEDICAL

IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India.

Contact 94672759

Store keeping field more than 10 years exp in GCC looking for suitable job. Contact: 90198237 Email: omarshar79@gmail.com

Indian female Nurse with more than 10 yrs experience, MOH license, dataflow looking for job in Muscat. Contact: 90704174

Indian Male, 25 years old, born and brought up in Oman B.COM(Finance),MBA(Marketing) with Valid Omani Driving License seeking suitable placement.

Contact 94170219/99621400 Email:mahimmatha2016@gmail.com

Female GP 8 yrs experience in Oman needs suitable placement in Muscat area with NOC available.

Contact: 96047987

MSC IT, male, 2 yrs exp in .NET, PHP, HTML, CSS looking for suitable position. Contact : 98143759 Indian male, 36 years, D.E.C.E, having experience in CCTV, video door phone, access control system, EPABX, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 92402360 / 95305776 Oracle DBA/ EBS developer, 9+ years experience in IT, Banking, financial, supply chain domain, currently in Muscat, NOC available.

Contact: 96494216 Indian male B. Tech IT having 4years experience in Project Management, web designing& Development. Now in Oman on visit visa. Contact 93528971, abhishekv97@gmail.com 5 years experience as IT Administrator at Bangalore now available in Oman. Contact: 98406241 / 99079014

Indian male, 29 yrs, Diploma in Polymer Technology & Fire Safety,7 yrs of experience in Polymer Production Supervisor (Plastic & Rubber Industry).Seeking suitable placement. Contact : 9818 8418 Indian Kerela, 27 yrs with 4 yrs experience in Oman valid D/L looking suitable job have visa. #98626682 Indian male 29, 6 years exp at East Africa, seeking for store keeper or related job. Contact: 99695002 Indian male, 21 yrs seeking suitable placement urgently.

Contact: 96281754 / 94191684

Filipino male Medical / Sales representative with 3 yrs experience is looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: 92610394 Dr.Ayman Abduljalil Ali, E.N.T Specialist (Otolaryngologist), Yemeni-male, looking for job.

Mobile: 00201096542706, Email: aymanjalilorl@gmail.com Indian female Nurse 9 yrs experience / Gulf experience prometric 70% & dataflow completed looking for suitable job in Muscat.

Contact: 96739298

MANAGER / SUPERVISOR

Crane operator need job.

Contact: 90604607

Young Male Graduate Over 15 Years experience Gulf Oman-4 in HR & Admin., Senior Level looking suitable placement 90622264

9 year experienced industrial painter and sand blaster with Oman driving licence. NOC available.

Seeks suitable placement. Contact ZakeerHussain 96681934.

Male FMCG retail store and ware house Manager, 4 years experience in South Africa , experienced language trainer with MA English, B.Ed on visit visa . Contact: 93531726

IT Support Engineer, exp 4 yrs in Dubai & 1 yr in India.

Contact: 94832244

Indian male, 28, post graduate, 6+ yrs exp in Oman in sales (back office) & credit control with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable placements. NOC available.

Contact: 92066 523

Operations Manager 15 years experience in banking & currency exchange looking for a suitable position. Contact: S .S. Hussain 92874739 / 95884239 Email: syshhu14@gmail.com

Over 9 years experienced (7 years in Oman) IT support professional looking suitable opportunities (NOC available).

Contact: 97689128 Email: dd_mcp@hotmail.com

B.Com,IICL Certified Container Inspector(No.150850),Visit Visa, Six months experience, need placement. Phone 90880935,99023279, Email solexyesudas@gmail.com.

Manager - Business Development, Advertising and Marketing, Facility Management, Operations, Client Sericing, Brand Building.

Contact +968 93031168

Omani 27 m, IT Support Engineer seeks placement 7 yrs excellent exp, networking hardware, software. Contact: 95356166

Indian male 40 years BSc degree, 16 yrs experience, 6 yrs in GCC in store keeping & material coordinating seeking suitable placement. Contact: 98966849

Female, master in mass communication, B.ed, experience in media channel and teaching.

Contact : 92005509 Indian male, 27 years, bachelor in IT, having experience in PHP DEV, networking, IT support, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 98825722 Email: ajaybin.joy@gmail.com

IT Engineer Graduated from Bangalore reputed university 1.5 yrs of of experience in software skilled in Php html CSS Jquery on visit visa. Contact: 91213391 CFA level 1 cleared (pursuing level 2) MBA operations research, female, 5 yrs experience as Analyst, have a valid Oman driving license, looking for related openings.

Contact 95818892 Indian Male, MCA Graduate, 15 yrs exp in ERP, CSM Certified, seeking suitable role.NOC Available.

Contact : GSM : 90189284 Email: meetlibran@gmail.com Indian male 4 years experience in IT as Programmer / Web Support/ CCNA/ Network on visit visa seeking placement.

Contact 93069694 Email: mrabrar14@gmail.com

LOGISTICS Indian Keralite male, 27 yrs, B.Com Tally logistics Management passed 3 years experience in Oman presently working in Muscat Municipality looking for suitable placement valid Oman driving license have release available.

Contact: 93826450 / 99656398 Email: renjith78078@gmail.com Indian male, MBA logistics, 1 year experience in India, in Muscat on visit visa looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 99489439 Email: christyjoy92@gmail.com

Sudanese male bachelor geology and mining with 3 years experience in MUD logging and training in soil investigation. Contact 92956848 BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com 21, Indian female B.com graduate on family visa looking for immediate and suitable placement. Holds valid Omani Driver’s license.

Contact: 97208869 Filipino Graphic Designer / I.T. looking for a suitable job with 10 years experience. Very good in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Photography, Knowledge in CCTV & Access Controls. Call 79042628.

MEDICAL Veterinary Doctor: Indian Female looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 96906534 /99014885, Email: monishmajeed@gmail.com Medical codes: CPC, ICD, 10 certified M.Sc biotechnology, holding 4+ years of experience seeking suitable or related job currently in Muscat, 28 years.

Contact: 94720323 Indian female Assistant Pharmacist working in Oman seeking suitable placement. Contact no.

97498809, 99769743 Email-ishitasimon12@gmail.com

Indian male MBA 14 yrs experience in business development seeking managerial roles driving license, NOC available. Contact: 93956234

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE India PG diploma in Business Administration, 24 year experiences (22 years in Oman) in diverse field handling office administration independently, Sales and Marketing, highly motivated, hard working skillful and willing to work in challenging environments seeks suitable placement. Having valid Omani driving license.

Contact 99120500 Indian male 29 years, D.C.E / B.C.A experience 9 years Secretary / computer operator.

Contact: 94955438 Indian male, Executive Secretary with 17 years experience seeking suitable position, release available. Contact: 94142594 Secretarial & Office: Indian(F), MBA in Finance, 2 years experience as Associate in Branch Operations (Record Keeping, Desk job)on family visa.

Ph: 93186865 ; email: ddthoppil@gmail.com Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Contact 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

SALES / MARKETING Sales professional (Graduate) additional qualification CCNA & MCSE having more 10 years experience in handling IT hardware, Networking & security products (project based) and experience in Education and training Industry in Oman, seeking employment in relevant IT companies. Contact: 99353209 Indian male MBA and Diploma in management from Australia.

On visit visa, looking for a suitable job in sales & marketing.

Contact – 71189884 Indian male, Graduate, 11 years experience in Oman seeks job in sales & marketing.

Contact: 96367331 Filipino, Male, 29 yrs old. With 4yrs experience in administrative and clerical work and 2yrs in food and beverage industry and sales.

Looking for suitable job. Address:Al khoud,Muscat GSM:+96897493101 Email:zefmercado@yahoo.com NOC available Indian male, 30 yrs, MBA (marketing), BE, (ECE), 7 yrs exp in Oman in sales, projects & marketing seeks suitable placement, valid Oman D/L. Contact: 98518776 MBA (UK), raised in Oman & with 2 yrs work experience holding valid Oman driving license, seeks job in sales / business development. Contact: 99513132 India PG diploma in Business Administration, 24 year experiences (22 years in Oman) in diverse field handling office independently administration, Sales and Marketing, highly motivated, hard working skillful and willing to work in challenging environments seeks suitable placement. Having valid Omani driving license.

Contact 99120500 Looking for Salesman or driving job in Muscat or Salalah area.

Contact: 98420078 Indian female 29 years Post Graduate with computer Knowledge 2 years of Oman experience in coordinator & 5 years of experience in customer service, client relation officer with excellent communication skill seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95337665 Client Relations and Sales Professional with 8 years in the Business Process Outsourcing industry, looking for suitable opportunity in Muscat.

Contact +96879050752 Indian male 26, MBA in Marketing, 4 years experience in sales and marketing with valid GCC D/L Now in visiting visa looking for challenging opportunities.

Contact: 98666324 Email: ajithvjames@gmail.com Indian male with 6 years experience in sales in oman. NOC available, looking for suitable placement. Contact 95364128 Resident in Oman 18 years, 10 years experience in setup marketing plans and strategies, sales, import & logistics, procurement, Omani government tenders, organizing projects & events, import fireworks for festivals, NOC available, have car. Contact 94123939.

Email: 002015r@gmail.com 15+ Experienced in Sales & Marketing, Modular Kitchen & Furniture with NOC & Valid License @ 96239126 10+ Years Exp , 8 years In UAE , in Logistics ,Warehouse & Inventory looking for Job. Contact Number -00968 98096086 Indian Male, MBA marketing 5 yrs exp. in sales & 4 yrs in FMCG sector, looking for best opportunity.

NOC available. Conatct 96001877 Indian male 28 yrs, Sales Engineer 3 years experience in Oman looking for suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact: 93938727 Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India. +918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Indian 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 1 yr exp in sales automotive (TBL) looking for best opportunity , NOC available.

Contact# 97793879 Email: shyampkn@gmail.com Oil & gas experienced Indian lady with 6 years in sales & marketing to PDO and having valid Omani driving license. Contact 96143430 / 99875919 Indian male 26 years of experience of sales & marketing in surgical and laboratory equipments.

Looking for good replacement.

Contact – 92015894 /95774854 Indian male age 24, B.Com. having 2 year experience and currently in visit visa. Looking for suitable placement in Sales, Marketing & finance. Contact: 90766307 Email: shhaazz.007@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 Indian Origin, Portuguese Nationality male MBA (Marketing) excellent English vast multi-tasking experience 29+ years in Admin HR/PR Logistics sales facility management with Oman driving license seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94034168 Email: sheriagnes@gmail.com Indian male 26 yrs, Graduate, 3 years experience with Air India seeking suitable opportunity with reputed firms. Contact: 98847095 BBA Bachelor of business administration exp in custom clearance procedure, also done international logistics management & Nimb National Institute business management (US) certification all documentation work related logistics. contact – 91949050 / akram.chaush001@gmail.com

SKILLED LABOUR Indian male, 29 yrs, working as forklift operator in Oman, 3 yrs experience in Dubai and 4 yrs experience in Oman. Noc/ release available, having forklift operator license, looking for suitable placement. Contact 97833280

TOURS & TRAVELS Polish Nationality, with big experience in travel and tourism management, fluent in Polish, German, English, fully proficient in computer, looking for job.

Contact 90795500 or 96149719

MISCELLANEOUS Document control, office admin, sales coordinator, Indian male, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 97906386 / 99073690 Indian Male Store Keeper and Sales Person have Four Years Good experience searching for suitable Job. E-mail Id ajinantony9@gmail. com, Contact: +918056761888, GSM +9695694990

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female Nurse with MOH License, looking for suitable placement in Muscat.

Contact: 95537685.

Pakistani experienced driver available, fluent in English Oman experience. Contact 92415746 Indian Male 23 yrs B.E Mechanical with 02 years experience, Currently on visit seeking for suitable job. Contact : 79063064, Email id : sayedwasif@gmail.com Bangladeshi male, University M.Com, working as an Administrator cum Accountant in Oman since last year; Tally ERP9, searching better job. Phone:94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com Indian Male 22 years B.com graduate well versed English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam, Holding a valid Oman driving License searching for a suitable placement.

Contact : 96799287 B.Com, 2 yrs experience in Oman, Indian Male, 25 yrs with Driving License. Handling day today accounts activities upto finalization.

Proficient in Tally. Looking for suitable placement. Ph. 91470665 Bangladeshi Male, University M.Com, Working as an Administrator cum Accountant in Oman since last year; Tally ERP9, searching better job. Phone: 94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com Indian male, MBA Finance & Marketing 28 yrs,6+ Exp, with oman D/L & NOC, Hospital, Pharma, Herbal, FMCG, F&B Marketing , construction A/c & sales , Contact 93379044 Bangladeshi Male, University M.Com, Working as an Administrator cum Accountant in Oman since last year; Tally ERP9, searching better job. Phone: 94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com Indian Male, 24 years, B.com, MBA (Finance) with overall 3 years experience in accounts/finance field.

On Visit Visa.Contact:90115058/ safwanmeadows@gmail.com Indian Male 6 years’ experience in Sea and Air Logistics of import and export documentation and clearance with valid “G” card.

Looking for suitable openings in shipping and Logistics.

Contact:- 91330415 / 99864348 Indian female, M.Sc. B.Ed SCIENCE TEACHER, IELTS Qualified, having 2yrs experience seeking suitable placement.

Contact 90670400, 93694636 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 Female, B.Com with 9 years experience currently working in an hospital visa seeks suitable placement preferably in Accounts or Admin in and around Al Khuwair. Contact 93675079.

Indian Male, Kerala,B.Com, having 4-years of experience in OMAN, with Valid Oman Driving License, looking for a suitable job in Sales, Accounts & Administration. email:- jobhuntmuscat@gmail.com

28,male, ACCA finalist, BSc Honors, have 4 years of professional experience in Accounts, handling work of 15 companies independently.NOC available, seeking for permanent replacement at a Senior Position,GSM-97654769,email id-abdullah.nooralam@gmail.com

33 years Indian Male MSC, MBA-HR having 8.5 yrs experience (HR / Payroll / Admin) with Oman valid DL. Seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/ backend jobs.

Contact:00968-99322978

Indian male B-Com Graduate, 1.5 Year exp. in various office works, Valid Oman driving license, looking for any suitable post.

Contact: 95322175 / 91987965

Indian Male, age 23, B.E. in Mechanical engineering. Looking for suitable job. Oman D/L available.

Contact 93027183 B.E Mechanical Engineer, Indian.

Currently on family visit OMAN. Looking for job in various mechanical fields of production, manufacturing, technical and designing.

Contact 92113987,email : mohammedthanzeel@gmail.com Omani Male 35 years have an experience more than 10 years as a PRO , Looking for a placement as PRO and Admin job, Driving license is available. Contact : 98098089 Senior sales executive. Experience in trading industries with thorough knowledge of Oman market and wide customer contacts.

Driving license and NOC available, seeks senior position. #98487311

Indian male network cabling technician (19-years gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact: 0091-8089909265 (India), Email: mohithavp@gmail.com Indian male 29 years MBA, B.Com having 8 years experience in Gulf and India as a HR and Admin looking for suitable placement.

Contact : 97914340.

Email: kvraj30@gmail.com BE in Mechanical Engineering (fresher) and diploma in HVAC designing and drafting, looking for a job in the field of mechanical and HVAC. Email: abdulquddusruknuddin@gmail. com +968 90834846 Indian male 28, Heavy Driver having one & half year experience with release letter looking for a suitable placement.

Contact : 91242867

W E D N E S DAY, N O V E M B E R 2 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

RENT A CAR

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED Highly Qualified male wanted decent driving job.

Contact: 91243132 SHAIKH FAHAD, Indian, B.Com, gold jewellery & other sector work experience 3 years India and Oman as a Sales cum Cashier & management of the shops.

Contact 0096898718428

RENT A CAR

Indian male 33 yrs, MBA-HR with 10.8 yrs. exp. in Recruitment, Training, PMS, OD, Sites-HR and Omani nationals development, seeking a job, NOC available.

Contact saiprasad_18@yahoo.com 94179499 Pakistani male looking for part time cleaning work.

Contact 96710189 Indian female 10 years exp as cook in Oman . south Indian & Gujarati special .looking for job.

Contact 95795971 Indian male auto cad draughtsman (Civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job.

Contact : 00968 99070584, E mail: remluvp@gmail.com PROCUREMENT OFFICER, Indian-Male 34yrs,M.Com with 14 yrs work Exp.( 8 yrs in Oman ) working in Construction Co LLC( for ROAD,CIVIL,ELECTRO-MECHANICAL & Others Projects ) and having valid LT D/L, NOC/Local release available & ready to join within a week-M:+919440810180 Email: nagauae@gmail.com Indian/male (26)/ MBA/2 years experience in procurement, coordination and distribution management, with valid Oman license available for immediate joining. Contact: 92536194, email:suhailbs@gmail.com Post graduate in power systems (transmission &distribution) electrical engineer, experience in substation, MV, LV systems. power and oil & gas projects, having valid oman driving license, presently working in Muscat- NOC available.

Contact : 94669679 mail: prsabarish@gmail.com

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver.

Contact 99839898

DRIVING

TRANSPORTATION

Indian Female Nurse with MOH Licence. Looking for suitable placement in Muscat. #:95537685.

Transportation available, pick & drop. Ruwi, Al Khuwair, Azaiba & Al Hail. Contact - 94297820

Safety officer : 3+years of experience in construction and industrial safety, B.E (Electrical and electronics engineering), nebosh, IOSH, DHSE, first aid. Contact : +97474018995, email:midhunmich@gmail.com

Transportation. Contact: 99664703

28,male,ACCA finalist, BSc Honours, have 4 years of professional experience in Accounts, handling work of 15 companies independently.NOC available, seeking for permanent replacement at a Senior Position,GSM-97654769,email id-abdullah.nooralam@gmail.com

SITUATION NRI WANTHouse & 8 cents, Koduvayur, Palakkad for sale exchange with properties in Kottayam, Ernakulam district extra funds 1 Crore available. Contact: 94627458 *Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

House shifting and transport.

Contact: 96737158 Pick & drop available 24 Hrs. Contact: 98522914 Transportation. Contact: 94087276 Transportation. Contact 94510847 Transportation. Contact 92015894

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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W E D N E S DAY, N OV E M B E R 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 WANTED COMPUTER/WEB./ EDU./CLASSES

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

Tel: 95244310

SITUATION WANTED TOURS

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 WANTSERVICES WE SERVE OMAN

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

SERVICES tĞ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ůĞĂŶĞƌƐ͕ Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ General cleaning etc. ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> Contact : 94277020

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 Split unit & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance - Barka, Mabela, Ruwi area.

Contact 96236476 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

WĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů Θ BƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ăůů ŬŝŶĚƐ ŽĨ ƉĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ͬ MĂƌďůĞ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ ŵŽŶƚŚůLJͬ YĞĂƌůLJ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘ Contact: 98814733 /98814740 ů ,ƵƐŶ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ >͘>͘

Window unit & split unit A.C servicing & repairing - Barka, Mabela, Ruwi area. Contact: 99557080 Split unit & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance Barka, Mabela, Ruwi area.

Contact 95323517 Marble polishing & crystallization, building cleaning floor, floor polishing, carpet, sofa shampooing, pest control, anti termite, shifting maintenance.

Contact: 99504275 Painting & plumbing work.

Contact: 95963682

Marble Crystallization & Grinding, Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact 92705130

Affordable rates all types of curtain blind. Contact 99539521/ 95615642

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013

Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center L.L.C. # 99344723 We undertake new construction & maintenance & gypsum works.

Contact 92711506, ammarayyub@gmail.com

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing,Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact 24810137, 99450130

Enjoy Camping in Wahiba desert & all over Oman & tour.

Contact: 92226866 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTSERVICES Carpet & Sofa Shampooing General Cleaning & Polishing Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 24707833

SITUATION WANTFOR LADIES Romantic Beauty Parlour Special packages, Facial, Eyebrow, Haircut, Waxing or Henna, 15 RO. Contact- 99410160/99467033

MANPOWER