Times of Oman - January 3, 2017

TUESDAY

January 3, 2017 4 Rabi Al Thani 1438 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the 26th National Day, 1996

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’

MORNING MINUTE

Every Omani must contribute to his maximum potential to the creation of a suitable environment and fertile soil that will enable Oman to go forward to its promising future.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 257 | 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

SUPPORT FOR GRADUAL END TO SUBSIDIES

M U S C AT I N T E R NAT I O NA L A I R P O R T

Travellers to pay 300 baisa for airport use RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: All passengers departing from the Muscat International Airport will have to pay additional 300 baisa for Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS) soon, according to airlines and travel agents.

Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS) are the range of services that help different airlines to share common areas on or off airport simultaneously.

“This includes the computers at check-in counters, gate podium positions and so on,” a senior official of an Indian airline operating in Oman said.

Times of Oman had already reported that all international passengers departing from Oman Airports will have to pay a security fee of OMR 1.

“The plan was to enforce the security fee from January 1, 2017, but the proposed implementation of security charges have been postponed until mid-January,” an airline official said.

The new charges – OMR1 for security and 300 baisa for CUPPS will be added to the cost of tickets.

“Both the charges are not unique. A large number of countries have already introduced

600

baisa will be the charge once the operation at new Muscat International Airport terminal starts Staff Reporters security fee and CUPPS charges long time back,” a senior official of an airline said.

And once the commencement of operations at the new Muscat International Airport passenger terminal starts, the CUPPS charges will be increased to 600 baisa per departing passenger.

The circular was issued by Samer Ahmed Al Nabhani, GM Commercial Operation, OAMC.

Oman government spends millions on subsidies every year, widening its budget deficit

MUSCAT: Government plans to review and gradually cut back on the hundreds of millions of rials it pays every year in subsidies to support Oman’s population have been supported by economic experts.

In Monday’s extensive budget announcement from the Ministry of Finance one

of the strategies to get Oman’s cash flow under control was ‘Reviewing and rationalising government subsidy in order to direct such subsidy to needy citizens. However, the subsidy will be cut gradually’.

That was one of a host of measures announced as the ministry revealed this year Oman would run OMR3b deficit, with the 2017 budget

FOREIGN MINISTRY

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

WORLD

Ministry bans tobacco ads

IS claims responsibility ‘Outstanding debt of for Turkey shooting OMR7.4b reasonable’

1

2

Tobacco products can no longer be “advertised” in supermarkets and shops under new rules, a senior official of the Ministry of Health has said. In 2016, the ministry had banned advertising of tobacco products on radio, television, newspapers and online publishing houses. >A3

including OMR395m allocated for state support in the form of subsidies. Experts agree that a gradual removal of subsidies is needed to help Oman in difficult times. Last year, in a bid to save money, the government decided to cut OMR100m worth of subsidies for large commercial, government and industrial users from January 1, 2017. >A6 See also >A5

IS claimed responsibility for a New Year’s Day mass shooting in a packed Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people, an attack carried out by a lone gunman who remains at large. It described the Reina nightclub as a gathering point for Christians celebrating their “apostate holiday”. >A11

Oman criticises terror strikes

MARKET

MUSCAT: The Sultanate strongly condemned the blasts in Manama, Baghdad and Istanbul, said a statement of the Foreign Ministry yesterday.

3

Although the Sultanate’s debt to gross domestic product ratio has risen to 29 per cent, a higher borrowing rate to manage the budget deficit is needed to sustain economic growth, according to financial experts. The outstanding debt of the country was OMR7.4 billion. >B1

Bus to educate children on ways to keep the environment clean

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Innocents killed The blasts, which are against all religions and human norms, resulted in the death and injury of many innocent people. >A6

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

THE BRIEFING Region

IS kills 24 in Baghdad, cuts road to Mosul An IS car bomb killed 24 people in a busy square in Baghdad’s sprawling Sadr City district on Monday, and the militants cut a key road north from the capital to Mosul, their last major stronghold in the country.

Three bombs killed 29 people across the capital on Saturday, and an attack near the southern city of Najaf on Sunday left seven policemen dead. Monday’s blast in Sadr City hit a square where day labourers typically gather. >A7

INDIA

‘Don’t vote on caste lines, rivals busy saving black money’

OMAN

Khoula hospital building inaugurated Built at a cost of OMR8 million, the Ministry of Health celebrated the opening of new building of Khoula hospital, yesterday.

The new building has been constructed over a total area of more than 11, 000 square metres donated by Suhail Bahwan Group.

Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health presided over the inaugural ceremony of the project. The building comprises three main departments which are the out-patient clinics (neurosurgery clinic, plastic surgery clinic, hand surgery, general surgery and foot & diabetic foot clinic), rehabilitation and physiotherapy department and day-care surgery department. These sections are new additions to the healthcare services delivered by the ministry in general and by Khoula Hospital in particular. >A6

A brief summary of the top inside stories of different sections of the Times of Oman.

OMAN

Met office predicts fog across Oman regions Fog is predicted over Buraimi, Al Dahirah, South Al Sharqiyah, the coastal areas of Dhofar, Al Wusta and Musandam, according to a statement issued by the Sultanate of Oman’s Meteorology Department on Monday. >A4

OMAN

Rates dip as tough time takes toll on hotels For latest updates and live coverage log in to www.timesofoman.com

Luxury hotel rates in the Sultanate have fallen by nearly 40 per cent this winter, owing to the challenging economic situations and a drop in demand. >A4

BUSINESS

Registration of three firms cancelled by CMA The board of directors of the Capital Market Authority has approved the deregistration of three companies operating in securities. The companies are Al Tawasul Financial and Investment Services, Al Shurooq Securities and Rasmala Investment Oman Branch. >B1

Heavy smog that blanketed parts of China at the weekend cleared somewhat on Monday, with flights in Beijing back to normal, but it was likely only to be a brief respite with more choking smog expected to return to the wintry north within 24 hours. Weather forecasts on Monday showed the smog would return to Beijing and nearby Tianjin city from Tuesday. >A11

BUSINESS

Telecom shares decline continues on MSM

Urging people of Uttar Pradesh to rise above caste considerations in the upcoming Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attacked rival parties, saying those preoccupied with saving black money and their families cannot bring development. >A8

Around 60 people have been killed in a bloody prison riot sparked by a war between rival drug gangs in the Amazon jungle city of Manaus, officials said on Monday, in some of the worst violence in years in Brazil’s overcrowded penitentiary system. Manaus’ Em Tempo newspaper reported that several of the dead had their decapitated bodies thrown over the prison wall. >A12

Shares of two telecommunication service providers in Oman have dropped further on Monday, after a severe drop in value on the previous day following an increase in royalty paid by these firms to 12 per cent of revenues in 2017 from 7 per cent earlier. Omantel shares dropped by 2.07 per cent to close at OMR1.42 and Ooredoo shares fell by 1.96 per cent to 600 baisas. >B1

with its new vision,

The Oman Football Association (OFA) board has named former star player Badr Al Maimani as the assistant coach of Oman under-23 football team. According to a statement issued by the OFA, Badr Al Maimani will be assistant to head coach Hamad Al Azzani. >C1

It’s barbecue season in Muscat While no one knows for sure the origin of barbecue we all know that barbecue is not just about devouring huge chunks of hot eats off the grill, it is an experience by itself. Traditionally prepared over hot burning charcoal; marinated meat, chicken, sausages, prawns, fish, cubed cottage cheese, and a host of root and starchy vegetables are just some of the different types of food that can be grilled. >A14

Pakistan’s annual inflation rate eased to 3.70 per cent in December from 3.81 per cent in November, the Bureau of Statistics said on Monday.

On a month-on-month basis, prices decreased by 0.68 per cent in December compared with November, the bureau said. >A9

awareness in society,

Dhofar Club have named Portugal’s Manuel Ramos as the coach after parting ways with Egyptian Hamza Al Jamal.Dhofar Club made the announcement on Monday after club chief Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed Al Rawas and Ramos signed the deal. >C3

LIFESTYLE

Inflation eases to 3.70% in December

campaigns to create

Portugal’s Ramos named Dhofar coach

Al Maimani named U-23 assistant coach

PAKISTAN

its road safety

SPORT

SPORT

60 killed in Brazil jail riot: State official

ORSA will continue

D H O FA R

12,035 visit Frankincense Land sites SALALAH: As many as 12,035 tourists visited the Frankincense Land sites in the Governorate of Dhofar last December, according to the statistics released by the Department of Frankincense Land Sites in the office of His Majesty the Sultan’s Advisor on Cultural Affairs.

While Al Baleed Archaeological Park and Museum of the Frankincense Land received 7,435 visitors, Samharam archaeological sites received 3,305 tourists. Wadi Dokka received 828 visitors and Wabar site received 467 visitors. -ONA

OMAN’S FORMER ASSISTANT GRAND MUFTI PASSES AWAY

Former Grand Mufti Assistant and Islamic Scholar Shaikh Said bin Khalaf Al Kharusi died on Sunday at the age of 92. Originally from Nakhal, Shaikh Said AlKharusi became Assistant Mufti in 1987 and resigned in 2010.

D H O FA R M U N I C I PA L I T Y

entitled ‘Conscious Society, Safe Roads’

HASSAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan @timesof Oman.com

Biggest threat “Despite the improvements made over the past years, car accidents remain the biggest threat to our society, to our youth and our children,” he explained.

Recent figures from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) stated that 3,793 road accidents were reported, as of November 2016.

The NCSI recorded 616 fatalities as ofthe end of November.

“That’s almost two people dying every day in roads accidents.

Choking smog likely to hit Beijing today

WORLD

Plea to make child car seats mandatory

MUSCAT: Making the use of child car seats a legal requirement in the Sultanate will be a major goal of the Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA) in 2017, its CEO Ali Al Barwani said.

“OSRA will make every effort in 2017 to ensure child car seats are mandatory in cars on Omani roads,” said Al Barwani.

He promised that ORSA will continue its road safety campaigns to create awareness in society, with its new vision, entitled‘Conscious Society, Safe Roads’.

WORLD

Worst of all, we know these accidents could have been avoided,” Al Barwani noted.

“With that in mind, ORSA decided to rework its strategy to focus on the right issues,” he added.

Cross road safely “We might have taught our children to cross the road safely and our youth to drive without using a mobile phone, but we also want to be ready for the challenges our children and our grandchildren will face,” he explained.

Al Barwani declared that in 2017, ORSA would “widely work” with school students, youth, families, the community and businesses. “We will encourage all to share knowledge that can save lives,” he said. Six years ago, three boys were speeding at 190km/h when the driver of the car lost control and crashed into a mountain.

Two of the boys miraculously escaped the near-fatal accident, but the third in the group never walked again.

Uthman Al Kithairi was only 21 when the fatal accident in Yanqul took away the use of his legs. The

young Omani man suffered a broken back and a spinal cord injury.

“My body was bent over the vehicle’s metal. We were not wearing seat belts,” he recalled, adding that seat belts would possibly have saved him from becoming disabled. Citing his example, Kithairi called upon motorists to be cautious. “Even if you are following the traffic laws, some irresponsible driver could kill you,” he warned motorists. He said it still hurts him when he meets the family of his friend who was driving the car at the time of the accident.

“I can see the regret in their eyes for a mistake they did not make.

They feel responsible for their son’s mistake,” Kithairi said.

“We used to speed and drive carelessly, but nowadays drivers are distracted by mobile phones and social media apps, like Snapchat and Whatsapp, which are as dangerous as speeding,” he said.

The young man, however, is coping well with his disability.

Kithairi works at the Rochester Wellness Rehabilitation Center and funds his management studies at the Arab Open University.

Pact signed for water park, hotel, restaurants in Salalah DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com SALALAH: A recreational area with a five star hotel, a mall and five wedding and conference halls will open in Salalah, the Dhofar Municipality tweeted yesterday.

According to the tweet, Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar signed an agreement for an investment project for the water park in Salalah and to open a hotel and world class restaurants in the municipality’s recreation centre in the Ittin area, the site where the Salalah Festival is held annually.

The agreement was signed yesterday with Al Wasl Group for development and Investment, in the presence of other dignitaries.

It also includes the execution of the second phase of the Salalah Water Park and maintenance and operations of the project for 25 years. The first phase of the water park is currently under construction. The project will include six

types of water rides, a restaurant, a coffee shop, an administration building, parking lot and green areas.

The contract also consists of a massive 50,000 sqm project which will also open next to the

park. This will have a 5 star hotel with 148 rooms, meeting rooms, restaurants and coffee shops, a shopping mall with 218 retail stores, five halls for weddings and conferences, among other amenities.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

OMAN

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Ministry Stal Gallery to screen local artists bans ads of tobacco from shops S C R E E N I N G I N T H E YA R D

Times News Service

14 per cent of Omani males and half a per cent of the females use tobacco products, according to a survey

Times News Service MUSCAT: Tobacco products can no longer be “advertised” in supermarkets and shops under new rules, a senior official of the Ministry of Health has said.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Dr Jawad Al Lawati, senior consultant and rapporteur for the National Tobacco Control Committee at the Ministry of Health (MoH), said several malls and outlets have already started removing tobacco products from shelves where these were prominently visible to everyone.

“Of course, they are free to sell tobacco products, and there is no problem with that. However, they cannot advertise or put up huge pictures of people smoking just about anywhere,” he clarified.

According to a survey, 14 per cent of Oman’s male population and half a per cent of the female population uses tobacco products. “Smoking is very bad for health as it causes various diseases. Any kind of restriction on selling or advertising tobacco will help raise people’s awareness and contribute towards reducing the burden that diseases caused by tobacco cast on the society,” he

said. Citing records, Lawati noted that 40 to 60 per cent of deaths in Oman occurred due to noncommunicable diseases, such as cardio-vascular conditions, including coronary heart disease and various kinds of cancer.

In 2016, the ministry had banned advertising of tobacco products on radio, television, newspapers and online publishing houses.

The circular, issued on April 5, 2016, was in keeping with the Press and Publications Law issued through the Royal Decree No.49/84 and the Royal Decree No.20/2005. Under these decrees, Oman agreed to join the World Health Organisation’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

Health experts welcomed the recent ban on tobacco advertising, terming it a positive move to curb the habit of smoking in Oman. “It is well known that tobacco is causing a lot of health issues, impacting not only the smoker, but also others inhaling passively. Banning tobacco advertising will raise awareness among people,” said Dr Pradeep Maheshwari, Specialist, Internal Medicine, at a private hospital.

MUSCAT: Stal Gallery will screen Banksy’s critically acclaimed film, “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” on Thursday to encourage unsung local artists and give people a chance to appreciate forms of art that they are not used to.

The event, ‘Screening in the Yard,’ aims at generating public interest in contemporary art and contemporary films.

It attempts to affirm and challenge the public’s appreciation and understanding of what contemporary is, according to a press release issued by the gallery.

The gallery is committed to engaging with the community,

MUSCAT: A OMR3.755 million project has been signed between the Ministry of Manpower, Information Technology Authority (ITA) and Nortal, to develop a system for work licencing and permits.

The project will help in simplifying and streamlining procedures to create transparency with customers when delivering services provided by the ministry.

Dr. Salim bin Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, CEO of ITA, believes the project is an important step in the transformation of the government, in providing e-government (electronic) services.

“This project is important, as it will serve a wide cross-section of citizens, and is a quantum leap in transforming actions and transactions from the traditional method, to the electronic standard of quality and reliability,” Dr Al Ruzaiqi said.

hassan@timesofoman.com

According to Mwasalat, the bus will be equipped with the most advanced interactive technology to enhance the public’s understanding of environmental issues.

Asked why the bus will be running on diesel despite its environmental message, Al Bulushi stated, “It is not easy in this part of the world to use electric vehicles because the air conditioning systems require lots of energy.”

The Mwasalat CEO urged oilproducing companies to provide higher-quality diesel.

“In Europe, they use diesel engines with very low emissions.

Moreover, it is very difficult to drive long distances while dependent on a battery or electricity. “These buses have large engines,” he added.

F O U N D I N N I Z WA S H O P

390 boxes of cheese destroyed MUSCAT: More than 390 boxes of cheese were destroyed by the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) in a shop in Nizwa after they found a rotten cheese being sold at the shop.

The PACP said it had received a complaint from a consumer over detecting puffiness and change in the colour of a cheese product that he had purchased

from the commercial shop. Following the report, PACP officials pulled a sample from the cheese and found out rottenness in the sample in addition to high rate of bacteria.

Beauty products In another case, PACP officials in Sohar caught an expatriate worker who was displaying 835 expired beauty products for sale.

The products included makeup

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MUSCAT: Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs received copies of credentials of Atilay Ersan, appointed-ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Sultanate and Dr. Khaled Saleh Ali, appointed-ambassador of the Yemeni Republic to the Sultanate.

This happened when Alawi received them in his office yesterday.

Alawi welcomed the ambassadors, wishing them success in their tour of duties, and the bilateral relations between the Sultanate and their countries further progress and growth in various spheres to serve the joint interests. — ONA

Times News Service

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

Times News Service

HAVE YOUR SAY

Alawi receives credential of ambassadors

OMR3.7m deal signed for work licencing system and permits

Unique bus brings environmental education to children across Oman

Mwasalat CEO Ahmed Al Bulushi noted that the upcoming bus will be 12 meters long.

“This is the first bus of its kind in the region, and we are calling on companies to join the project as part of their CSR,” an official at Beah declared.

The custom-built bus has been designed to travel over long distances with ease.

enhancing the audience’s cultural experiences through different spaces and a variety of media. At this event, the gallery would appeal to the youth, the marginalised street artists and future creators by screening Banksy’s film in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion

featuring artists and writers. It will be moderated by award-winning Omani film maker, Muzna Al Musafir. The parallels between the content of the film and the context of the Omani art scene will be explored and examined.

Towards the end, the discussion will be opened to the audience.

The film screening will take place at Stal Gallery’s yard on Thursday, 5th January, starting 7:00 pm.

YEMEN, TURKEY

GOVERNMENT SERVICES

I N I T I AT I V E

MUSCAT: For the first time in Oman, a bus, valued at OMR190,000, will travel across the Sultanate next year to educate children on ways to keep the environment clean.

The Oman Environmental Services Holding Company, Beah, signed an agreement with public transport company Mwasalat, Monday, to supply, operate, and maintain the bus.

“The bus is expected to be ready for service by the end of 2017 and to start operating in the first quarter of 2018,” said Tariq Al Amri, CEO of Beah.

Al Amri revealed in an exclusive interview with the Times of Oman that four more buses are expected to be operational by 2020. “We are planning to have a fleet of buses visit schools and educate children on good habits for protecting the environment across Oman,” he remarked.

The bus will employ interactive educational methods to help children understand and enjoy learning about the environment, according to a press release.

Al Amri said the bus will also take part in the Muscat and Salalah festivals as well as religious celebrations to promote concern for the environment amongst children and adults.

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and soaps. “When asked, the accused said he did not notice the expiry date,” PACP said.

The court issued him a fine of OMR10,000 in addition to destroying the confiscated products.

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The project will run for two years and include a three-year follow up for technical and maintenance work SIGNING: Dr. Salim bin Sultan Al Ruzaiqi, CEO of ITA, believes the project is an important step in the transformation of the government, in providing e-government (electronic) services. — ONA

The project will also raise the level of staff work at the ministry, in order to deal with electronic services for the project.

According to Dr. Al Ruzaiqi, this will also reduce the amount of proceedings and official documents related to obtaining the required work permits.

The Information Technology Authority will ensure the success of this project through follow-up and supervision of the implementation, as well as providing the required counselling. The Commission will work to harness all technical capabilities, including central initiatives and infra-

structure projects adopted by the success of this project,” Dr Al-Ruzaiqi added.

The aim is to develop an integrated framework, in accordance with the highest standards and principles using the best information and tools necessary to organise the workforce in Oman.

The project will run for two years and include a three-year follow up for technical and maintenance work.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

OMAN QUAKE-HIT REGION

Expatriate student helps children, elders during her Nepal journey

Met office predicts fog across Oman regions Since last

GAUTAM VISWANATHAN

gautam@timesofoman.com

Wednesday, fog has

MUSCAT: “You learn so much from the people you help when you volunteer, and it is a really humbling experience.”

This was the New Year message from 16-year-old Aditi Selvaraj, who recently returned from a trip to Nepal where she spent two weeks volunteering with children and the elderly in the rural region of Chitwan.

The American British Academy student in Muscat also shadowed doctors who worked at the local hospital, which had been affected by the earthquakes that rocked Nepal in April and May 2015.

“I’ve been wanting to go on a volunteer project for a while, and my friend found this online,” she said, speaking to Times of Oman. “We were debating between Nepal and Ghana, and what made us choose Nepal was that we would be working in a hospital that was actually affected by the earthquake.

“We all saw this happen on TV, so we wanted to help out in any way we could,” she said. Aditi also made an impassioned request to residents in Oman, asking them to donate their time towards a worthy cause.

“It is really, really important to volunteer,” she said. “When we were talking to the patients, most of their medical conditions have returned over the years, and they can’t get more help because they have to use their money to rebuild their homes for their families. It really makes you think about how privileged you are.

“In this hospital that we visited, they had only two X-ray machines for the entire hospital, and one of them broke down while we were there,” recalled Aditi. “They said they were not going to fix it because that was not a top priority for the hospital, since they just don’t have the funds for that.

“They don’t have a lot of facilities because of the earthquake,” she added. “The hospital had six floors, and when you went onto the third floor, it was shocking because you could see the collapsed roof and the rubble on one side, and 30 beds for patients on the other.

“Let’s say you are on a transplant list, but that’s become about five times longer because they don’t have the machines to deal with those whose organs are failing.”

She is looking to pursue her higher education in medicine, and hopes her volunteering in

disrupted traffic in the northern parts of Oman

Times News Service

CHARITY WORK: Aditi Selvaraj (centre with glasses) spent two weeks volunteering with children and the elderly in the rural region of Chitwan.

Nepal will form the foundation of her career. “We helped out in the paediatrics department, and then on other days we had outreaches to schools and old-age homes,” she added. “On one of the days, we had a dental outreach programme where we taught kids how to brush their teeth.

“Every child at that school also received medical checkups, so we were first taught by the doctors how to check for jaundice, colds and infections, and then we’d take the medical boxes to the schools and help the doctors there, so that way every student at this rural school in Nepal received a free check-up.

“We went to the old-age homes and helped the residents there with their activities, and we helped them clean and helped set up their bedding for them,” Aditi said. “These may have been basic things, but it would have put a strain on them, otherwise.”

Aditi’s mother Asha is a lecturer at Oman Dental College, and says it is important that people in Oman volunteer to gain very valuable life experiences.

“I think that sometimes, because we live in Oman where everything is quite safe and secure, you get to see and learn so much when you volunteer in a hospital or a charity organisation, because it puts your life into perspective,” she said. “I would recommend people give as much time as they can spare, even if it is only a half an hour to people who need it, because we all need to give back to those who are less fortunate than us.”

MUSCAT: Fog is predicted over Buraimi, Al Dahirah, South Al Sharqiyah, the coastal areas of Dhofar, Al Wusta and Musandam, according to a statement issued by the Oman Meteorology Department on Monday. Since last Wednesday, fog has disrupted traffic in the northern parts of Oman.

Yesterday, motorists were advised by Royal Oman Police (ROP) to drive cautiously, as fog enveloped many parts of North and South Al Batinah. In the UAE, heavy fog has resulted in delays and diversions of flights.

TOURISM SECTOR

Rates dip as tough time takes toll on occupancy of hotels SYED HAITHAM HASAN

haitham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Luxury hotel rates in Oman have fallen by nearly 40 per cent this winter, owing to the challenging economic situations and a drop in demand.

Data provided to Times of Oman by leading hotels, on condition of anonymity, indicate that hotel occupancy levels have fallen by at least 10 per cent during the winter season, leading to a revision of rates by the management.

“Due to the worsening economic situation around the world, and low oil prices in the region, overall sales in room rates in 4 and 5 star properties continue to decline,” said a statement from a hotel.

Vision 2040 The Ministry of Tourism has recently revealed its Vision 2040, and aims to double the number of tourists visiting Oman, to nearly five million per year. This would create opportunities for hotels to add more rooms to accommodate the influx of tourists that is planned, however, hotels say that although supply has been increasing steeply, demand has not been rising fast enough and, therefore, changes in prices will continue.

“The additional hotel room inventory, entering in the year, which is mainly in Muscat, did put more pressure on hotels to review product-price-value offers,

and is expected to continue to go forward,” the statement said.

According to Sunil Prabhakar, CEO of Travel Point, occupancy rates have declined and prices have followed. “We estimate that occupancy rates have fallen below 60 per cent and, therefore, hotels have decreased prices. The drop in rates has been high, up to 40 per cent, which does not happen if hotel occupancy levels are above 65 per cent,” he said.

Decline in revenues Previously, the National Centre for Statistical Information (NCSI) reported a decline of 36 per cent in hotel revenues in the first half of 2016. The report further suggests a decrease in the number of tourists visiting Oman, with tourist arrivals dropping 19 per cent, when compared to the same period in 2015.

Maaz Firdous, a consultant at Al Iskaan Engineering and a regular visitor to hotels around the region, said revised prices are not just a welcome move, but a necessity.

“While many see it only as a good move, I believe it is necessary to revise prices. Hotel rates in Oman are higher than many European countries. We need to attract more people, and with such high rates, even our exceptional potential is not enough to woo visitors to Oman,” he said.

“In my opinion, this is the best

time to book a room in hotels around Oman. I doubt if prices or temperatures will stay this low for long,” he added The travel industry has declined due to the economic slowdown and geo-political instability in the region. Regional airlines have seen huge drops in passengers, with Emirates and Etihad posting declining revenues and resorting to restructuring to improve profitability.

Aamir Patel, a chartered accountant, said that times are challenging, and lowering rates of rooms and hotel facilities is going to make Oman a competitive destination.

“I have booked a 5 star hotel for New Year’s Eve, and it cost me nearly 30 per cent less than last year. Certainly, this is the cheapest I have paid to stay in a hotel in Oman. As more hotels are built, tourists will have more options in Oman, and this will lead to more competitive rates.

The overall results will be that more tourists consider Oman as their holiday destination, without digging deep into their pockets just for a luxury hotel stay,” he said.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

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LEVY

Despite austerity, Oman Sultanate to get from commited to investment OMR310m expat visa fees Not touching the investment expenditure will help the economy. It means that existing projects will continue, and new projects will come to Oman, especially when global oil prices begin recovering, Samra Al Harthy, an economist from the State General Reserve Fund, told Times of Oman

In the 2017 state budget, investment expenditures are set at OMR2.665 billion, compared to OM2.670 billion in 2016

REJIMON K.

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Austerity runs deep in the 2017 state budget, but Oman is committed to continue investing in itself, using cash that is protected in this year’s allocation.

In the 2017 state budget, investment expenditures are set at OMR2.665 billion, compared to OM2.670 billion in 2016.

“Not touching the investment expenditure will help the economy. It means that existing projects will continue, and new projects will come to Oman, especially when global oil prices begin recovering,” Samra Al Harthy, an economist from the State General Reserve Fund, told Times of Oman.

Data from the state budget reveals that aggregate revenues are estimated at OMR8.7 billion, increasing by 18 per cent, as compared to projected actual revenues for 2016.

These revenues consist of oil and gas revenues of OMR6.11 billion, representing 70 per cent of total revenues. Non-oil revenues are estimated around OMR2.59 billion, coming to some 30 per cent of total revenues.

Dr Fabio Scacciavillani, Chief Economist of the Oman Investment Fund, said the government is moving in the right direction, even though there are constraints.

“Leaving the investment expenditure untouched can be seen as a positive move. This will help the economy. As oil prices are recovering globally, we can be optimistic,” the economist added.

According to the budget report, spending on development

HARDSHIPS: The construction sector, the largest employer in Oman, faced unprecedented hardships

during 2016.

projects is estimated at OMR1.2 billion, representing the amount to be paid during the year, as the actual work progresses.

The report adds that spending on development projects has been considered something not to be reduced, as the purpose is to ensure the completion of all ongoing projects without delay, and assure timely payments are made.

Meanwhile, Shahswar G Al Balushi, CEO of Oman Society of Contractors, said that leaving the investment expenditure untouched is not going to result in great benefits.

“We understand the fact that government is running short of funds. So, it couldn’t increase the investment expenditure for 2017,” Shahswar said, adding that existing projects can be completed successfully, but there is little hope that new projects will be launched. “A large chunk of OMR1.2 billion has been set aside for developmental projects in 2017, though it will be depleted in

paying the pending bills. In 2016, OMR1.2 billion was set aside for development expenditures. But it was depleted in five months. Since then bills have been pending. This 2017 amount will be soon,” Shahswar said, adding that the recovering oil price might help to overcome the crisis.

Meanwhile, Mubeen Khan, chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in Muscat, said much depends on the recovery of oil prices this year.

“Once the $70 level is reached, I expect business sentiments in Oman to become extremely positive, and this will boost confidence. I believe that not only job losses will end, but new rounds of recruitment may start,” Mubeen added. The construction sector, the largest employer in Oman, faced unprecedented hardships during 2016, as the softening of global oil prices forced the government to delay many projects, whereas an ongoing liquidity crunch followed the higher bor-

RIGHT DIRECTION

Experts welcome move to amend Income Tax Law REJIMON K.

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Experts have hailed the Omani government’s decision to amend the Income Tax Law this year to raise up to OMR400 million and termed it a move in the right direction.

“Oman should amend the Income Tax Law, bring more companies under the tax net and also move ahead on implementing the increased corporate tax on companies,” Dr Anchan CK, an investment advisor in Muscat, said.

In Oman’s 2017 State Budget, the government has estimated it can raise OMR400 million by imposing income tax on companies and establishments.

Under the chapter, ‘Revitalising non-oil revenues,’ the State Budget proposes amendment in the Income Tax Law, review of tax exemptions granted to companies and establishments and induce efficiency in tax collection. It also seeks to activate monitoring and follow-up measures.

“Corporate income tax has boosted revenue over the past 10 years. In 2016, this tax amount grew from OMR180 million to OMR350.7 million. Clearly, it can increase significantly as the current figure is a pittance and not reflective of the large profits made by companies. There is still a large scope and companies need to come forward and support the government in this hour of need,” Dr Anchan added. Last year, the country had debated raising the corporate tax from 12 to 15 per cent. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) had proposed several taxes in Oman to overcome the economic crisis.

RAISING TAX: In Oman’s 2017 State Budget, the government has estimated it can raise OMR400 million by imposing income tax on companies and establishments.

I don’t think it will have an impact on customers.

Limiting tax exemptions granted to companies and establishments will be a good move. It would help government garner more money Philip K Philip, Group CEO of Muscat Insurance Philip K Philip, group CEO of Muscat Insurance, said the government needs to levy taxes on companies in Oman and a three per cent additional corporate tax is not going to hit companies hard.

“I don’t think it will have an impact on customers,” Philip said, adding, “Limiting tax exemptions granted to companies and establishments will be a good move. It would help government garner more money.”

Mubeen Khan, chairman of

the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India in Muscat, said the expected 15 per cent tax rate would be one of the lowest corporate income tax rates in the world.

“I don’t think it will put companies in any trouble. Oman also has the world’s simplest Income Tax Law with no personal income tax,” he added.

In October, the IMF had said Oman needed to slash spending by nearly 35 per cent to balance its fiscal budget in 2016.

rowings, plus visa restrictions and other problems made life difficult for the industry.

According to reports, the sector currently accounts for some six per cent of the country’s GDP, as the government, in recent years, invested heavily in improving infrastructure and boosting economic activities, thus creating a boom for the sector.

Thousands of workers were laid off in 2016 in the construction sector, and many are still stranded without salaries, as company bills are being held within the government.

However, the industry, which has been growing at double digit rates for a number of years, suddenly felt the pressure in the second half of 2015, as declining government revenues squeezed the budgets of many planned and ongoing projects.

As per an estimate by Deloitte, the total value of projects planned and under construction in Oman stands at $163.5b.

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Oman expects to generate around OMR300 million as fee on expatriate licences in 2017, the state budget data released on January 1 reveals.

Detailing the tax and fee revenues in the 2017 state budget, the Ministry of Finance says that OMR310 million is expected to be collected as fee for non-Omani labour licenses.

In 2017 state budget, the aggregate revenues are estimated at OMR8.7 billion, increasing by (18 per cent) as compared to projected actual revenues for 2016.

These revenues consist of oil and gas revenues of OMR6.11 billion, representing (70 per cent) of total revenues.

Non-oil revenues are estimated around OMR2.59 billion i.e. (30 per cent) of total revenues, such revenues are to be collected.

However, more details on how the OMR310 will be raised is not mentioned in the budget report.

Wait and see An official from Royal Oman Police (ROP) said that the Ministry of Manpower will decide on the fee and ways it has to be implemented.

As it is not clear, an official from a construction company said that they have to wait and see on how it will affect them.

“Last year, the government had increased the visa renewal fee by 50 per cent. Now, whether they

will increase it again or have some other fee structure, we have to wait and see,” Sunil Kumar KK, a senior official at Najmat Al Fujairah Trading Construction Company, said.

Job visa fees Last year in November, the Ministry of Manpower had announced that job visa fees for expatriate workers will be increased by 50 per cent.

The fee to obtain a new visa or to renew the same for an expatriate worker was increased from OMR201 to OMR301.

For domestic workers, camel herders and farm workers, the fee was also changed.

Mohammed Furqan, an expatriate worker from Bangladesh, said that as he is working with a small company, the employer is forcing him to pay the new fee.

“Already he is pushing us to pay the increased fee. Now, if the government is again going to increase the fee, then it would eventually fall on us and become an extra burden,” the worker added.

Oman’s population touched 4,546,830 by the end of November, marking a 0.3 per cent increase over September figures, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The number of Omanis stood at 2,465,768 who constitute 54.2 per cent of the total population, while the number of expatriates stood at 2,081,062.

A L I JAV E D

Pakistan envoy meets literary personalities Times News Service MUSCAT: Ali Javed, Ambassador of Pakistan to Oman, met Said Muhammad Al Saqlawi, President Oman Association for Writers and Literati on Monday, as well as Juman Al Saqlawi, currently enrolled in a Ph. D programme at Imperial College London.

They meeting, lasting for more than 90 minutes, focussed on mat-

ters of mutual interest, including, writers, poets and intellectuals.

Relations Javed presented a comprehensive briefing on the status of PakistanOman ties, entitled, “Communality of Strategic Vision – Peace for Prosperity”, in the presence of Hilal Marhoon Al Maamary, Omani intellectuals, historians, academics and members of the media.

A6

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

OMAN D H O FA R U N I V E R S I T Y

Project to ease traffic jams SALALAH: A group of Omani students at the College of Engineering, Dhofar University, have designed a project that can address the traffic flow in real time and provide practical solutions to congestions.

The project uses IT&C in the collection of data in real time and analyses them. Based on the analysis, the system develops a solution that facilitates smooth traffic flow.

The system includes a traffic light control system at a standard crossroad and pedestrian walkways. It has the ability to connect with GPS supported by satellites and communicate using GSM networks. It aims at creating quick solution in emergency cases, such as a traffic accident at the crossroads freezing the traffic completely. The system will automatically communicate with the central traffic control system through SMS that includes all information about the time and place of accident. -ONA

MINISTER OF INTERIOR

PA R A D E

Heads of Municipal Councils take oath MUSCAT: Governors, heads of the Municipal Councils in the governorates took oath yesterday before Sayyid Hamoud bin Faisal Al Busaidi, Minister of Interior, according to the Article (10) of the Municipal Councils Law. The governors who took oath were Sheikh Yahya bin Hamoud bin Hamad Al Ma’amari, Governor of North A’Sharqiyah, Sayyid Khalifa bin Al Murdas bin Ahmed Al Busaidi, Governor of Musandam, Sayyid Ibrahim bin Said bin Ibrahim Al Busaidi, Governor of Al Buraimi, Dr. Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Hilal Al Sa’adi, Governor of A’Dakhiliyah, Sheikh Muhanna bin Saif bin Salim Al Lamki, Governor of North Al Batinah, Sheikh Hilal bin Said bin Hamdan Al Hajri, Governor of South Al Batinah, Sheikh Abdullah bin Mustahail bin Salim Shamas, Governor of South A’Sharqiyah, Sheikh Said bin Hamyar bin Mohammed Al Shihi, Governor of A’Dhahirah and Sheikh Me’athad bin Mohammed

CEREMONY: The Minister of Interior met the governors and thanked them for their appreciated ef-

forts made during the first term of the Municipal Councils. – ONA

bin Abdullah Al Ya’aqoubi, Governor of Al Wusta.

The Minister of Interior met the governors and thanked them for their appreciated efforts made during the first term of the Municipal Councils. He also asked them to convey his thanks and appreciation to the outgoing members of the Municipal Councils, praising for their efforts exerted during their membership at the Council.

Sayyid Faisal wished the gov-

ernors and current members of the Municipal Councils success in carrying out their roles. He also urged them to exert efforts in serving the country and citizens.

The meeting was attended by Eng. Khalid bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Eng. Mohsen bin Mohammed bin Ali Al Sheikh, Chairman of Muscat Municipality, Head of the 2nd Term Municipal Council in the Governorate of Muscat took

oath before Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud Al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of Royal Court.

The Minister of Interior met at the General Diwan of the Ministry yesterday with the Head and members of the Main Committee for the Municipal Councils 2nd Term Elections.

Sayyid Hamoud thanked them for their roles in facilitating the electoral process. He also valued their efforts in succeeding this national event. -ONA

ROP to mark annual day on January 5 MUSCAT: A function will be organised for the graduation of cadets on Thursday.

On January 5, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) will also celebrate its annual day at the parade ground in the Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences in the Wilayat of Nizwa.

The function will be held under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Munthir bin Majid Al Said, Head of Liaison and Coordination at the Royal Office.

The ceremony will be attended by ministers, advisers, commanders of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) Corps, the ROP and security departments, members of the State Council and Majlis Al Shura, judges, directors of government institutions, sheikhs and dignitaries in the Governorate of A’Dakhiliyah and parents of the graduates. -ONA

OMR8 MILLION

Banking sector sound Khoula Hospital in Oman, says Sangour building opened State Council’s Economic committee hosted Hamoud bin Sangour Al Zadjali, Chief Executive President of the Central Bank of Oman and a number of bank officials to discuss the economic and banking sectors

MUSCAT: Hamoud bin Sangour Al Zadjali, Chief Executive President of the Central Bank of Oman and a number of bank officials were hosted by the State Council’s Economic committee to discuss the financial, economic and banking conditions in the Sultanate.

They discussed cooperation and coordination between the Central Bank of Oman and other central banks in the GCC States, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The economic committee is in-charge of studying the development of capital markets and banking sector.

The meeting of the second annual session of the 6th term was held under the chair of Dr. Said bin Mubarak Al Mahrami, the sub-committee of the committee members.

The Chief Executive President of the Central Bank of Oman affirmed that the banking sector condition in the Sultanate is re-

fort to develop the banking sector and enhance its role in keeping pace with the economic development to achieve the comprehensive development as outlined

by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

He enumerated a number of factors that led to financial stability in the Sultanate on the foremost of which are the control over the monetary policy, risk-based management, implementation of Basel Committee requirements, developing advanced system for payment and settlement, following policies that support growth and containing inflationary pressures.

He pointed out that the gross Hamoud bin Sangour Al Zadjali, Chief Executive President of the balances of the commercial banks is growing with improvement in Central Bank of Oman. capital adequacy ratios. The assets of the banks operating in the assuring. He pointed out that the Sultanate increased to OMR29.8 commercial banks in the Sultan- billion as of the end of October ate operate in accordance with 2016. The committee also reviewed other items on the agenda the laws and regulations in force.

He affirmed that the CBO is and took necessary decisions tokeen on doing every possible ef- wards them. -ONA

A1

The new building has been constructed over a total area of more than 11, 000 square metres donated by Suhail Bahwan Group. – ONA

It is worth mentioning that outpatient clinics started operating almost one month back while work at the rehabilitation and physiotherapy department and day-care surgery department started yesterday. —ONA

S U B S I D Y W I T H D R AWA L

OMAN

< FROM

MUSCAT: Built at a cost of OMR8 million, the Ministry of Health celebrated the opening of new building of Khoula Hospital, yesterday.

The new building has been constructed over a total area of more than 11, 000 square metres donated by Suhail Bahwan Group.

Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Saidi, Minister of Health presided over the inaugural ceremony of the project.

The building comprises three main departments which are the out-patient clinics (neurosurgery clinic, plastic surgery clinic, hand surgery, general surgery and foot & diabetic foot clinic), rehabilitation and physiotherapy department and day-care surgery department.

These sections are new additions to the healthcare services delivered by the ministry in general and by Khoula Hospital in particular.

Moreover, they confirm to the principle of social responsibility among private sector institutions in supporting the multigovernment projects.

Terror blasts condemned

While the Sultanate affirmed its permanent stand with brothers and friends against terrorism, it renewed its firm refusal of all forms and types of terrorism anytime and anywhere.

The Sultanate’s government expressed sincere condolences to the governments of Bahrain, Iraq and Turkey and families of the victims and wishes speed recovery for all the injured. -ONA

< FROM

A1 Deregulation of fuel prices

a positive step, says expert

“There are significant budgetary savings that can be gained from further subsidies reform in Oman. The liberalisation of fuel prices was a positive and critical first step. Further reform will be necessary,” His Highness Dr Sayyid Adham Al Said, Assistant Professor of Economics at Sultan Qaboos University and Managing Partner of The Firm, told Times of Oman.

“The key word is gradual and not sudden. Moreover, it is important to communicate any reforms clearly and precisely, advising the public of costs and benefits and timeline,” he added.

According to the expert, current subsidies are warranted as they act as a buffer during difficult economic times.

Better economic times “Generally speaking subsidies should be removed during better economic times so as not to cause further disruption, while wasteful, current subsidies are likely to shore up consumer spending in the immediate short run. While business benefits too, it is prudent to get them realistically competitive based on true international costs,” he added.

According to the decision, the new tariffs for 10,000 businesses in the country who use at least 150 Mwh annually, came into effect on January 1.

Complete removal “Complete subsidy removal is essential over the medium and long term. Immediate removal of all subsidies would have adverse economic and social effects especially on economically pressed.

Gradual removal and targeted subsidies where they are most needed,” the expert said, adding

that while budgetary concerns place pressure on sustaining subsidies one should caution against haste removal of subsidies without clear economic and social safety nets.

In November 2016, Oman’s Minister of Oil and Gas Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy had also said that government subsidies must be targeted at the poor instead of subsidising those who have no need of them.

“General subsidy cuts are unfair to residents as they are harsh on people with less income levels,” said Dr Al Said.

Citing his example, he mentioned that he himself is eligible for subsidies from the government that he doesn’t require.

Meanwhile, Joby Joseph, a senior Chartered Accountant in Muscat said that he also recommended a gradual removal of subsidies.

“But this should not be done all of a sudden, as that would create a lot of imbalances and noise especially from the socially and financially backward people. This is because subsidy withdrawal is ultimately absorbed by the general public or citizens of the country,” he said.

OMR400 million subsidies “Although it is true that the government is not in a position to afford the OMR400 million subsidies but then the implementation of the removal of subsidies needs to be done in a time-bound and concrete manner in phases to address the issue.

“There should also be an additional cushion for financially backward people,” he added.

The chartered accountant also said that the rich and poor getting the same level of subsidies needs

to be taken care of, adding “have and have-nots are enjoying the same level of subsidies, so maybe the government should implement this with high level planning and in a phased manner to also minimise the impact on the poor.”

Dr Anchan, an investment advisor in Oman, said that like any other Middle East country, Oman is also facing challenges over the volume of oil and non-oil revenues, rates of economic growth, financial position of the government and its monetary policy, the size of the savings versus investment rates, rates of oil production and prices expected during the current year, 2017.

Non-oil revenues “In addition to increased non-oil revenues, Oman’s government should introduce new taxes, cutting fuel and energy subsidies, and slowing down on the government’s rising wage bill to cope with the global oil crisis,” he said, adding that Oman has been cutting state subsidies and introducing other austerity measures to curb a budget deficit of OMR4.02b in the first seven months of 2016, up from a deficit of OMR2.39b the previous year.

Loai Bataineh, CEO, Ubhar capital, said that he also believes that subsidy should go to the needy and it is unfair to have equal subsidies for both who can easily afford an item and those who can’t.

“Subsidy should go to the needy. I think the budget is good and well planned at oil price per barrel at a decent rate. Only thing missing are the details. For example I would want to know where the government is planning to invest the money that has been kept aside for investment,” he said.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

A7

REGION PROBE

Israeli police to question Netanyahu over receiving alleged gifts OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Police are expected to question Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his official residence in occupied Jerusalem on Monday on suspicion of receiving gifts from businessmen in breach of his role as a public servant, Israeli media reported.

The move was authorised by Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit, who decided after a pre-

liminary probe that there was sufficient evidence for a criminal investigation, Haaretz newspaper reported. The questioning will take place on Monday evening, Israel Radio said.

The police and Justice Ministry would not confirm when the interview would take place or the nature of the investigation, details of which have appeared in the media

in recent days. Netanyahu’s office has denied any wrongdoing.

“All the supposed affairs will turn out to be fiction,” his family spokesman said on Monday. “We are repeating: there will be nothing, because there is nothing.

Photographers were camped outside the heavily guarded residence, hoping to get pictures of investigators arriving. Black screens

were erected inside the gates of the property to block the view. Haaretz and other newspapers said the probe related to gifts worth “hundreds of thousands of shekels” given to Netanyahu by Israeli and foreign businessmen.

Channel 2, a commercial network, said the investigation was one of two cases now open against the prime minister, although it said de-

IS kills 24 in Baghdad, cuts road to Mosul The ultra-hardline group had targeted a gathering. Sixtyseven people were wounded in the blast

BAGHDAD/TIKRIT: An IS car bomb killed 24 people in a busy square in Baghdad’s sprawling Sadr City district on Monday, and the militants cut a key road north from the capital to Mosul, their last major stronghold in the country.

An online statement distributed by Amaq news agency, which supports IS, said the ultra-hardline group had targeted a gathering. Sixty-seven people were wounded in the blast.

US-backed Iraqi forces are currently fighting to push IS from the northern city of Mosul, but are facing fierce resistance. The group has lost most of the territory it seized in a blitz across northern and western Iraq in 2014.

Three bombs killed 29 people across the capital on Saturday, and an attack near the southern city of Najaf on Sunday left seven policemen dead. Monday’s blast in Sadr City hit a square where day labourers typically gather.

Nine of the victims were women in a passing minibus. Their charred bodies were visible inside the burnt-out remains of the vehicle. Blood stained the ground

DEADLY EXPLOSION: Iraqi security forces and passers by inspect a charred vehicle on the site of a

bomb attack in Sadr City, on Monday. – AFP

nearby. A separate blast near a hospital in central Baghdad killed one civilian and wounded nine, police and medical sources said.

“The terrorists will attempt to attack civilians in order to make up for their losses, but we assure the Iraqi people and the world that we are able to end terrorism and shorten its life,” Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi told reporters after meeting with visiting French President Francois Hollande.

Hollande, whose country has faced a series of militant attacks in the past two years, said French soldiers serving in a US-led coalition against the militants in Iraq

were preventing more mass killings at home.

Since the drive to recapture Mosul began on October 17, elite forces have retaken a quarter of the city in the biggest ground operation in Iraq since the 2003 USled invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein. Abadi has said the group will be driven out of the country

by April.

Clashes continued in and around Mosul on Monday. The counter-terrorism service (CTS) blew up several IS car bombs before they reached their targets, and linked up with the Rapid Response forces, an elite Interior

RUNNING OUT OF RESOURCES

IS’s capability waning in east Mosul: US general ERBIL: The declining effectiveness of IS attacks against Iraqi forces in eastern Mosul suggests the militants are starting to run out of resources with the campaign in its third month, a US general told Reuters.

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

The second phase of the campaign, launched last week following nearly a month of deadlock, has pushed IS out of several more areas in eastern Mosul despite fierce resistance. Iraqi forces have yet to enter the west.

“They’ve got a finite amount of resource that are on the eastern side and the fact that their capability is waning indicates that those resources are starting to dwindle,” US Army Major General Joseph Martin, head of ground forces for the US-led coalition fighting IS, told Reuters on Sunday.

Sophistication “I see the commanders’ reporting coming in and I see the exquisiteness of their SVBIED (suicide vehicle borne improvised explosive device) system, the sophistication of their SVBIEDs continuing to get lower and lower, the boom of the different IEDs continuing to have a lower yield - all tell me that the enemy’s capacity is diminishing over time.

We see that as a positive indicator,” he said in a phone interview from Baghdad.

Daily suicide attacks and road-

JUBILANT: A member of the Iraqi special forces Counter Ter-

rorism Service flashes the sign for victory as they advance in Mosul’s eastern Al Karamah neighbourhood on Monday. – AFP

side bombs, along with snipers and mortars, have been the most lethal IS tactics in resisting the 100,000-strong Iraqi force.

Despite being pushed back in Mosul, the militants have continued to launch deadly bomb attacks in other parts of the country, including at least twice in the heavily fortified capital Baghdad over the past three days.

An arms monitoring group said last month that the militants had been producing weapons on a scale and sophistication that matched national military forces and had standardised production.

The technical precision of their work means it could not be described as “improvised” weapons production, it said in a report.

Martin, who took up his post in mid-November, said it was difficult to know how much ordnance IS has stockpiled in Mosul.

“They’ve had two years to prepare for this defence and so I don’t know how much stuff they have stored inside mosques, inside of schools, inside of hospitals,” he said.

The coalition shelled a mortar

tube on Sunday located between two schools in eastern Mosul, and last week hit a van carrying IS fighters in a hospital parking lot, possibly incurring civilian casualties.

Martin said the militants were regularly using municipal facilities for military means, including transporting weapons in ambulances. “As they lose capacity, they never cease to amaze me at the level they will take their despicability. They have done some things during the course of this campaign that I thought, ‘It surely can’t get any worse than that’,” he said.

The coalition has bombed all five bridges connecting east and west Mosul, forcing IS to transport casualties across the Tigris River by boat.

Along with Iraq’s air force, the coalition is striking some militant positions in the west but for now, Martin said, “our focus principally is on the east side”.

He said the Mosul campaign was on track, but “in terms of timeline, we’re on Iraqi time. This is going to take some time.”— Reuters

Ministry unit, said spokesman Sabah Al Numani.

CTS was also clearing North Karma district of remaining militants, the fourth area the unit has retaken in the past week, he said.

IS targeted military positions away from the main battlefield, killing at least 16 pro-government fighters and cutting a strategic road linking the city to Baghdad. Militants attacked an army barracks near Baiji, 180km (110 miles) north of the capital, killing four soldiers and wounding 12 people, including tribal fighters, army and police sources said. — Reuters

tails of the second remained unclear.

Netanyahu, 67, has been in power on and off since 1996. He is currently in his fourth term as prime minister and will become Israel’s longestserving leader if he stays in office until the end of next year.

He and his wife, Sara, have weathered several scandals over the years, including investigations into the misuse of state funds and

an audit of the family’s spending on everything from laundry to ice cream. They have denied any wrongdoing. Netanyahu is not the first prime minister to be questioned in a criminal case.

Ehud Olmert, who held office from 2006 to 2009, is currently serving 18 months in prison after being convicted of breach of trust and bribery in 2014. — Reuters

A8

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

INDIA

People of the state have already seen politics of caste and family... For once rise above caste and vote only for development in the elections and see whether Uttar Pradesh changes or not Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

Don’t vote on caste lines, rivals busy saving black money: Modi Top court bans politicians from using religion, caste to win votes

Targeting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the two never see eye-to-eye on any issue but are now together demanding his removal as he is working to root out black money

LUCKNOW: Urging people of Uttar Pradesh to rise above caste considerations in the upcoming Assembly polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday attacked rival parties, saying those preoccupied with saving black money and their families cannot bring development.

Targeting Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party (SP), the prime minister said the two never see eye-to-eye on any issue but are now together demanding his removal as he is working to root out black money.

“Have you ever seen SP and BSP

RALLY: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing BJP Parivartan Rally in Lucknow on Monday. - PTI

together..if SP says it is sunrise, the BSP will say it is sunset. After so many years both have come together on an issue and are saying Modi ko badlo (change Modi), Modi ko hatao (remove Modi) but Modi is saying change your notes, remove black money,” he said at party’s Parivartan Rally here.

The prime minister also took a swipe at Congress saying, “There are some parties which are nowhere in picture. There is one party which has been trying in vain for the last 15 years to establish the son.”

There is another party “whose worry is where to keep money. It is looking for banks far and wide,”

the prime minister said in an apparent swipe at Mayawati-led BSP, which has come under scanner for alleged huge bank deposits post demonetisation.

“There is this third party which is using all its strength to focus on the family’s fate,” he said referring to the feud in Mulayam Singh Yadav’s clan.

“People of UP have to decide if a party whose leaders are busy in saving their money will be able to save UP. Or the party which is completely occupied in family (infighting) will be able to save UP. “Somebody has to save money, somebody has to save family but it is only us who are here to save

UP,” the prime minister said.

He also came down heavily on Samajwadi Party government in the state, alleging that it was doing politics at the cost of development and has no time to procure paddy from farmers despite the Centre’s support.

Elated over the turnout at the rally, he said not just BJP, but the state’s development had been “exiled” for 14 years and the situation will change soon.

“People of the state have already seen politics of caste and family... For once rise above caste and vote only for development in the elections and see whether UP changes or not,” Modi said. - PTI

NEW DELHI: India’s top court on Monday prohibited politicians from using religion and caste to garner votes, a verdict that could force political parties to change their strategy in upcoming elections.

“No politician can seek vote in the name of caste, creed or religion,” said Chief Justice T.S. Thakur in an order, adding that election process must be a “secular exercise”.

India is officially secular but political parties have traditionally used religion and caste as the main criteria to select candidates and to appeal to voters.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has for years fought elections on a nationalist agenda, with party members in the past being accused of making anti-Muslim statements to polarise voters.

The court ruling comes just weeks ahead of a state election in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state where the two issues of religion and caste generally dominate campaigns.

Results of the election will be important for Modi’s expected bid for a second term in 2019. State elections are also

RULING: The majority view

of the seven-judge Supreme Court bench held that elections would be void if a politician made an appeal for votes on the basis of religious sentiment. - Reuters file photo

due this year in the states of Punjab, Uttarakhand, Goa and Manipur. The Supreme Court, ruling on a petition filed by a politician in 1996, wrote in its opinion that the secular ethos of the constitution had to be protected.

The majority view of the seven-judge Supreme Court bench held that elections would be void if a politician made an appeal for votes on the basis of religious sentiment. - PTI

FA C I L I T Y

Non-resident Indians need to show scrapped notes to customs at airport NEW DELHI: NRI’s and Indian nationals abroad can deposit up to Rs 25,000 of the demonetised currency during the 3-6 month grace period, but only if they show the junked notes to customs officials at the airport and get declaration form stamped.

The declaration will have to be submitted at specified branches of the Reserve Bank while depositing the junked currency, a finance ministry notification stated.

While the 50-day window for such deposits at banks or post offices ended on December 30, the government has offered a grace period for those who were abroad.

The window for Indian nationals who were travelling abroad is till March 31 and for Non-resident Indian(NRIs), it is June 30, 2017.

This facility, however, is “subject to the Foreign Exchange Management (Export and Import of Currency) Regulations, 2015. As per these regulations, bringing back such currency into the country is restricted to Rs 25,000 per person”.

Those returning from Nepal and Bhutan are not permitted to carry specified bank notes (SBNs) of old 500 and 1,000 rupee notes.

“For the period from up to March 31, 2017 or June 30, 2017, as applicable, a declaration form will need to be filled by resident Indians and non-resident Indians coming to India and carrying

GRACE PERIOD: A woman waiting to exchange demonetised Indian currency at the closed gates of Reserve Bank of India in Bangalore on January 2, 2017. The window for Indian nationals who were travelling abroad is till March 31 and for Non-resident Indian(NRIs), it is June 30, 2017. - AFP

SBNs for depositing these SBNs in the specified offices of RBI in India,” the notification said.

“At the airport/land customs stations etc on entry, Customs stamp on the said forms shall be affixed and the same shall be submitted along with other documents to RBI offices.”

A one-page form has been worked out for the purpose. Since the form to be filled in by the passenger bearing the customs stamp will be crucial in subsequently facilitating the deposit of SBNs

at the specified issue offices of RBI, the finance ministry asked the customs formations to keep a copy of the same, preferably in a scanned format.

“The customs officer shall strictly count the number of notes and tally the total amount mentioned before stamping the form submitted by the passenger,” the notification said.

The ministry said since it is a facilitation step to enable resident and non-resident Indians to deposit SBNs when they arrive in

India, measures should be taken to make passengers and airlines aware of the new dispensation.

“While discharging the above task, care may be taken that due courtesy is extended to the declarants and that no unnecessary inconvenience is caused,” it said.

The government had declared 500 and 1,000 denomination bank notes as illegal tender from November 9, 2016.

Subsequently, the president approved the promulgation of the Specified Bank Notes (Cessation of Liabilities Ordinance) Ordinance, 2016 on December 30.

“The ordinance imposes penal liabilities on the holders of SBNs after the specified date,” the notification said. It makes holding, transfer and receiving of the demonetised notes a criminal offence, punishable with a fine of Rs10,000 or five times the cash held, whichever is higher.

“The details of the declaration and statements that are required to be submitted along with the SBNs at the time of deposit in RBI issue offices will be separately announced by RBI. Any false declaration will invite a fine of Rs 50,000 or five times the amount of the face value of the SBN tendered, whichever is higher,” a ministry statement had said after the Ordinance was promulgated on Friday. - PTI

N UC L E A R - C A PA B L E

India successfully test fires Agni-IV missile BALASORE (Odisha): India on Monday successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable strategic ballistic missile Agni-IV with a strike range of 4,000km as part of a user trial from a test range off Odisha coast.

Supported by a mobile launcher, the surface-to-surface missile was flight tested from launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Dr Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, at about 11.55 hours, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sources said. Describing the trial as successful, they said this was the 6th trial of the indigenously developed Agni-IV missile which met the mission objectives.

The last trial conducted by the specially formed strategic force command (SFC) of Indian

Army on November 9, 2015 was also successful.

The sleek missile having 4,000km strike range is a two stage missile.

It is 20 metre-long weighing 17 tonnes. “The sophisticated surface-to-surface missile is equipped with modern and compact avionics to provide high level of reliability,” DRDO sources said.

Agni-IV missile is equipped with state-of-the-art Avionics, 5th generation on board computer and distributed architecture.

It has the latest features to correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances.

The most accurate Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and supported by highly reliable redundant Micro Navigation System (MINGS),

ensures the vehicle reaches the target within two digit accuracy, they said.

The re-entry heat shield can withstand temperatures in the range of 4000 degree centigrade and makes sure the avionics function normally with inside temperature remaining less than 50 degree centigrade.

Ballistic missiles like Agni-I, II and III and Prithvi are already in the arsenal of armed forces, giving India an effective deterrence capability.

Radars and electro-optical systems had been positioned along the coast of Odisha for tracking and monitoring all the parameters of the missile, the sources said, adding two Indian naval ships anchored near the target area to witness the final event. - PTI

BLASTOFF: Agni - IV, the 4,000km range Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile, is successfully launched at Wheeler Island off the coast of Odisha. - PTI file photo

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B U R E AU O F S TAT I S T I C S

Pakistan inflation eases to 3.70% in December ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s annual inflation rate eased to 3.70 per cent in December from 3.81 per cent in November, the Bureau of Statistics said on Monday.

On a month-on-month basis, prices decreased by 0.68 per cent in December compared with November, the bureau said.

Average inflation for the JulyDecember period stood at 3.88 per cent, compared with the same period last year.

The steepest rise in year-onyear prices was seen in the prices of gram flour andpulse gram. The steepest drop in year-on-year prices was in the price of onions, tomatoes and chicken. - Reuters

PAKISTAN

Bilawal’s plan to revamp party stops in its tracks Asif Ali Zardari is not just Pakistan Peoples Party’s ‘patriarch’, he is the one who wields power, according to insiders. Bilawal may be the party’s chairman, but it is Zardari who is calling the real shots

REGISTER MARRIAGE

Senate body approves Hindu marriage bill ISLAMABAD: Senate’s Functional Committee on Human Rights unanimously approved on Monday the much-anticipated Hindu Marriage bill, 2016.

The approval will allow the community register marriage and legally pursue cases of separation.

The committee approved the bill during a meeting with Senator Nasreen Jalil in the chair.

On September 26, the National Assembly passed the landmark Hindu Marriage Bill, which seeks to address key issues of the Hindu community, including matters relating to the registration of marriages, divorce and forced conversions. The absence of a legal mechanism for registration and other aspects of marriage had been creating problems for the Hindu community, especially women and members of the marginalised lower castes in getting travel and identity documents. - Express Tribune

CONCILIATORY APPROACH: At the recent rally in Garhi Khuda Bux, co-chairperson of Pakistan

KARACHI: Asif Ali Zardari’s homecoming has apparently dashed all hopes for a ‘repackaged’ Pakistan Peoples Party that his young son, Bilawal Bhutto, has been working for in a frantic effort to revive the party’s sagging political fortunes.

Zardari is not just the party’s ‘patriarch’, he is the one who wields power, according to insiders. Bilawal may be the party’s chairman, but it is Zardari who is calling the real shots.

Before Zardari’s return from self-exile, Bilawal was mounting relentless verbal attacks on the ruling PML-N, creating an impression that the PPP would give up the moniker of ‘soft-opposition’. But that doesn’t seem happening. And some PPP leaders who had pinned hopes on Bilawal are disillusioned now.

“Bilawal and Zardari differ on what policy the party should pursue on different issues,” a PPP leader said.

At the recent rally in Garhi Khuda Bux, Zardari said unequivocally that his party would not seek

People’s Party Asif Ali Zardari said unequivocally that his party would not seek to topple the beleaguered government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. - AFP file photo

Sindh by-polls: PPP welcomes PTI’s election challenge ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Peoples Party welcomed Imran Khan’s decision to field PTI candidates against former president Asif Ali Zardari in Nawabshah and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in Larkana.

The PPP had announced on December 27 of last year that Zardari will contest by-elections from NA-213 Nawabshah, which is the seat of his sister Azra Pechuho, while

to topple the beleaguered government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Zardari’s conciliatory approach broke the momentum generated by Bilawal in the runup to December 27 when, many

DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

NEW BOOMTOWN: This photograph taken on February 12, 2013 shows the residential area of Gwadar port. Unless the water problem is tackled with a head-on approach, Gwadar might end-up becoming a ghost town - AFP file photo

Gwadar port city suffering from crippling water scarcity ISLAMABAD: Imagine a deepsea port where, while so-called development experts enjoy a breath-taking view from their regal five star hotel rooms located on the grand Koh-e-Batil hill, indigenous fishermen are left with little choice except migrating permanently to far-flung harbours.

Imagine a place where one of the most expensive commodities is a bottle of fresh water and though every now and then one finds a convoy of trucks escorted by military vehicles, fresh water tankers are scarce and expensive.

Yes, this is the new boomtown – Gwadar smart port city – a project that is expected to open new vistas of bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and China.

Through sheer courage, native people of Gwadar have shown resilience as never exhibited before. However unless the water problem is tackled with a head-on approach, Gwadar might end-up becoming a ghost town.

The Ankara Kaur dam has dried up and the desalination plant has failed to work. The Mirani dam built over river Dasht can help deescalate the situation but it was never planned to meet the future water demands of this port city.

Today Gwadar has a population of 0.12 million compared to a mere 5,000 back in year 2000 and

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if the population of Gwadar surpasses the 2 million mark in the next five years, average water requirements would be around 200 million gallons per day.

Mirani dam, however, was intended to manage a demand of less than 10 million gallons per day. Gwadar Development Authority (GDA) has already commissioned a study to plan expropriation and resettlement of old Gwadar population.

At present, there is no strategic plan to improve socio-economic conditions of local population nor are any blue prints of a larger capacity – building programme to train them for future expected jobs.

Previously in the construction of coastal highway link from Karachi to Gwadar, hardly any local population was hired.

The same episode might be repeated in future if appropriate steps are not taken to enhance the skill set of the local labour force.

The first phase in the development of Gwadar involves completion of an international airport and other port facilities by the year 2017.

However, Gwadar smart port city master plan has not yet been finalised and recently GDA has stopped issuing any more NOCs to housing authorities last month

after newspapers were flooded with residential schemes.

As tap water is accessible to only 5 per cent of the population, urban planning in general and water planning in particular is extremely important to mitigate risks rising from a plethora of such housing projects.

The Gwadar master plan 2005 assumed an over simplistic view of these resource management problems – using a classic reductionist approach instead of a more inclusive and systems perspective.

For hundreds of years, Gwadar has been a hub of smuggling and human trafficking but now Gwadar’s most trafficked areas are being dominated by new ‘development’ actors who tell a totally different story.

Thanks to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Gwadar port development project will benefit not only local people but masses at large living in China, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.

The venture might be the biggest one in its 3,000 year history but only a holistic approach to port planning will ensure that the tale of Gwadar will have a happy ending – helping locals transform their lives and those of other ordinary people living in Central and South Asian region. - Express Tribune

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari will contest elections on NA-204 Larkana, the seat of Ayaz Soomro.

“The PPP upholds and welcomes the democratic right of Imran Khan to contest elections against its leaders anywhere and at any time in the country and the Party looks forward to a healthy democratic electoral contest,” said PPP spokesperson Senator Farhatullah Babar in a

expected, he would announce the launch of a movement against the government. During the PPP’s week-long ‘foundation day’ celebrations in Lahore, Bilawal had frequently talked about challeng-

statement on Sunday.

Senator Babar urged Imran Khan to firmly stand by his public pronouncement and not go back on it.

He said that if Imran took back his words then he would expose himself to the charge of making U-turns, which has been labelled on him. He said it was an opportunity for the PTI chief to prove that he has jettisoned his past label of making U-turns. - Express Tribune

ing the rule of ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, dislodging ‘Takht-e-Raiwind’, and ousting ‘Nawaz Sharif’. His supporters were charged up for an anti-government movement, but Zardari’s announcement left

them disillusioned. Independent observers believe Zardari doesn’t want to rock the boat – instead he is strengthening the incumbent parliament. Interestingly, Bilawal’s ambitious plan to revamp and reenergise the PPP by pumping ‘fresh blood’ into the party’s cadres has also stopped in its tracks.

However, PPP’s old guards insist there is commonality of views between the father and the son.

“They (Zardari and Bilawal) are two sides of the same coin,” said Khursheed Shah, the opposition leader in the National Assembly.

“We will follow Bilawal who is the chairman of our party.

But we will seek guidance from Zardari, who is a seasoned politician,” Shah said.

He sought to quash the impression that Zardari was calling the shots in the party.“It’s the chairman (Bilawal) who gives the final approval to all decisions,” he said and insisted that the party would soon launch a ‘phased movement’ against the government.

According to sources, the party believes the current situation is ‘critical’ and warrants ‘quick decisions’.

“Zardari feels Bilawal cannot handle the party matters independently,” one source said.

“This is why he has taken up the guidance role.”

Insiders say the party thinks the father and son duo would strengthen the PPP as a real opposition party in parliament.

“The PPP wants to check the growing influence of Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf” one source said. “The PPP leadership fears that Imran might take over the slot of opposition leader in the next elections.”

Reports also suggest that the PPP actually wants to build pressure on the government to win some concessions on the ongoing actions of federal agencies against PPP politicians in Sindh, especially in Karachi. - Express Tribune

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

WORLD ROADMAP

FLOODS HIT THAI PROVINCE

Children paddling through a flooded neighbourhood after heavy rains in the southern Thai province of Narathiwat. — AFP

Thai election won’t happen this year, says legislator BANGKOK: Thailand will need to delay a planned general election until 2018 to allow time to pass the necessary laws, a member of the military government’s national assembly said on Monday.

But a spokesman for the government said it remained on track for an election this year as set out in its roadmap to restore civilian rule.

The junta toppled an elected government in 2014 in a bid to enforce calm in a country divided by more than a decade of conflict between a military-backed royalist establishment and populist political forces. Somjet Boonthanom, a member of the militaryappointed National Legislative Assembly (NLA), told Reuters that elections would likely be delayed until March or April 2018. “This is not a postponement but because of the intricacies involved in drafting election laws, elections will not happen this year,” he said.

Until now, the junta has said it is sticking to plans for an election in late 2017. “As far as the government is concerned, we are on track with the roadmap. The NLA’s opinions are their own,” said Major General Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the prime minister’s office. — Reuters

NORTHWESTERN BORDER

Myanmar vows action on police abuse after video of beating YANGON: Myanmar has promised to take action against policemen who beat Muslims after footage of villagers being treated violently appeared online amid tension over a government crackdown aimed at rooting out suspected insurgents.

Troops have poured into Rakhine State on Myanmar’s northwestern border with Bangladesh since gunmen attacked border posts on October 9, killing nine officers.

The Myanmar army sweep has sent some 34,000 members of the Rohingya Muslim minority fleeing into neighbouring Bangladesh, the United Nations says.

Residents and rights groups accuse security forces of abuses during the operation including summary executions and rape, which the government of Aung San Suu Kyi denies.

In footage shared widely on social media and aired by Myanmar broadcasters, several policemen appeared to beat and kick two villagers during an operation in which dozens of Rohingya Muslims were told to line up for questioning. The video offers a rare glimpse into the region that has been cut off to aid workers and other outsiders since October.

Suu Kyi’s office confirmed the authenticity of the footage, which it said was shot by a member of the police during a clearance operation on November 5 in northern Rakhine State. “Action will be taken against police who allegedly beat villagers,” the office said in a statement issued late on Sunday.

Police were acting on a tip-off that gunmen who attacked police two days earlier were being sheltered in the village, called Kotankauk, the office said.

The office identified four policemen by name, including the leader of the operation and one it said could be seen beating villagers in the video. “Further investigations are being carried out to expose other police officers who beat the villagers,” it said.

A senior police officer in the capital of Naypyitaw told Reuters authorities detained four policemen on Monday on suspicion they were involved in the beating.

The officer declined to be identified as he is not authorised to speak to media.

The violence in Rakhine State has renewed international criticism that Nobel Peace Prize winner Suu Kyi has done too little to help members of the Muslim minority, who are denied citizenship in predominantly Buddhist Myanmar. The government has blamed militants with links to hardliners overseas for the October 9 attacks.

State media has reported at least 86 deaths in the security force operation that followed. — Reuters

After brief respite choking smog likely to hit Beijing Authorities have been issuing smog alerts across the north since midDecember, prompting orders for hundreds of factories to scale back production or close outright

BEIJING: Heavy smog that blanketed parts of China at the weekend cleared somewhat on Monday, with flights in Beijing back to normal, but it was likely only to be a brief respite with more choking smog expected to return to the wintry north within 24 hours.

Weather forecasts on Monday showed the smog would return to Beijing and nearby Tianjin city from Tuesday. It was expected to persist until Thursday in Hebei, the heavily industrialised province that surrounds the capital, and Henan and Shandong provinces as the region battles freezing temperatures.

Authorities have been issuing smog alerts across the north since mid-December, prompting orders for hundreds of factories to scale back production or close outright and for restrictions on motorists to cut emissions.

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

A pollution index that measures the average concentration of small breathable particles, known as PM2.5, dropped to just over 100 micrograms per cubic metre in Beijing early on Monday from more than 500 on Sunday night.

The safe recommended level of PM2.5 is 10 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the World Health Organization.

A customer service staff member at the Beijing Capital International Airport said flights were returning to normal. Smog on Sunday caused hundreds of flights to be cancelled and highways to shut, disrupting the first day of the New Year holiday.

On Monday, the Beijing government maintained its orange alert for heavy pollution and a ban on heavy-duty construction trucks from using the roads.

An orange alert is the secondhighest level in a four-tier pollution warning system adopted

POLLUTION: A building appears through a thick layer of fog in Yangzhou, in China’s eastern Jiangsu province. Below: Heavy smog is

seen among the mountains from an aircraft, over north China’s Hebei province, China, on Monday. – AFP/Reuters

by Beijing when China, worried that its heavy industrial past was tarnishing its global reputation and holding back development, declared a “war on pollution” in 2014.

Despite that declaration, public anger is mounting about pollution and what many Chinese see as government talk, but little action, to end it.

That anger has occasionally spilled over into protests.

Late on Sunday, the Ministry of Environmental Protection said 62 northern cities had issued yellow, orange or red alerts.

Some highways to Beijing and Tianjin were re-opened as motorists headed home at the end of the long weekend, state television reported later on Monday.

But 20 highways remained closed in Shandon province, as heavy smog persisted.

State television also reported that some factories in Hebei province’s heavy industry hub of Tangshan, including a coal-fired power plant of Datang Power International, and several steel mills, were found to be violating the curb on operations.

The latest bout of air pollution began on Friday. China has struggled to tackle the problem effectively after decades of breakneck economic growth, much of it based on heavy industry and the coal-fired power sector. — Reuters

LOW VISIBILITY: Cars cross a bridge through a thick layer of fog in Yangzhou, in China’s eastern Ji-

angsu province on Monday. Thick fog reduced visibility in the city, sometimes down to 50 metres. – AFP

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WORLD CHICAGO

SWANS IN HYDE PARK

Obama to deliver farewell address on January 10

Swans swim in Hyde Park in central London, Britain, on Monday. — Reuters

HONOLULU: US President Barack Obama will deliver a farewell address on January 10 to reflect on his time in office and say thank you to his supporters, he said in an email statement released on Monday.

Obama, noting that the first president of the United States, George Washington, had penned a farewell address in 1796, said he would deliver his speech in his hometown of Chicago. “I’m thinking about (the remarks) as a chance to say thank you for this amazing journey, to celebrate the ways you’ve changed this country for the better these past eight years, and to offer some thoughts on where we all go from here,” he said.

Republican Donald Trump will be sworn in to office on January 20.

Obama, who campaigned hard for Trump’s Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton, has sought to ensure a smooth transition of power despite major policy differences with his successor. He also leaves his party without a clear figurehead as he leaves the White House.

“Since 2009, we’ve faced our fair share of challenges, and come through them stronger,” Obama said in the email, likely foreshadowing a theme for his speech.

“That’s because we have never let go of a belief that has guided us ever since our founding - our conviction that, together, we can change this country for the better.” — Reuters INTERVIEW

UK’s Labour leader likely to quit before next election LONDON: The leader of Britain’s opposition Labour party, Jeremy Corbyn, could step down before the next national election in 2020 if its poor opinion poll ratings do not improve, the head of its biggest union backer said in an interview published on Monday.

Labour has consistently placed a distant second in opinion polls and a survey by YouGov in December had the party on 25 per cent, its lowest since September 2009, versus 42 per cent for Prime Minister Theresa May’s Conservatives.

Parliamentary election The next parliamentary election is due in 2020. “Let’s suppose we are not having a snap election. It buys into this question of what happens if we get to 2019 and opinion polls are still awful,” Corbyn supporter Len McCluskey, head of the country’s biggest union and Labour’s largest financial backer Unite, was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror.

“The truth is everybody would examine that situation, including Jeremy Corbyn and (Labour finance spokesman) John McDonnell... These two are not egomaniacs, they are not desperate to cling on to power for power’s sake.”

Left-winger Corbyn was reelected Labour leader in September after a challenge from one of his lawmakers that exposed sharp divisions between the party’s elected representatives and grassroots supporters. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on McCluskey’s remarks.

Poor poll ratings May, appointed prime minister in July last year after Britain’s vote to leave the EU forced the resignation of David Cameron, has said she does not intend to hold an early election. But Labour’s poor poll ratings and a court battle over whether parliament’s approval is needed to begin EU divorce proceedings have increased speculation she could seek to boost her slim majority in parliament by calling a snap vote.

Corbyn has repeatedly said Labour is ready to fight an early election. His party faces an upcoming electoral test after lawmaker Jamie Reed, a vocal critic of Corbyn, said last month he would step down at the end of January.

The area in northern England that Reed represents voted strongly in favour of Brexit.

In a December election for a vacant Conservative-held parliamentary seat, Labour slipped from second to fourth place. — Reuters

IS claims Istanbul attack, gunman remains at large The militant group has been blamed for at least half a dozen attacks on civilian targets in Turkey but this is the first time it has directly claimed any of them

CAIRO/ISTANBUL: IS claimed responsibility on Monday for a New Year’s Day mass shooting in a packed Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people, an attack carried out by a lone gunman who remains at large.

It described the Reina nightclub, where many foreigners as well as Turks were killed, as a gathering point for Christians celebrating their “apostate holiday”.

The attack, it said, was revenge for Turkish military involvement in Syria.

“The apostate Turkish government should know that the blood of Muslims shed with airplanes and artillery fire will, with God’s permission, ignite a fire in their own land,” the IS declaration said.

There was no immediate comment from Turkish officials.

The militant group has been blamed for at least half a dozen attacks on civilian targets in Turkey over the past 18 months but, other than targeted assassinations, this is the first time it has directly claimed any of them. It made the statement on one of its Telegram channels, a method used after attacks elsewhere.

NATO member Turkey is part of the US-led coalition against IS and launched an incursion into neighbouring Syria in August to drive the radical militants from its borders, sending in tanks and special forces backed by fighter jets.

Foreigners Nationals of Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Lebanon, Libya, Israel, India, a Turkish-Belgian dual citizen and a Franco-Tunisian woman were among those killed at the exclusive nightclub on the shores of the Bosphorus waterway. Twenty-five of the dead were foreigners, according to the state-run Anadolu news agency.

Police distributed a hazy black-

PAIN AND GRIEF: Relatives react at the funeral of Busra Kose, a victim of an attack by a gunman at Reina nightclub, in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday. – Reuters

and-white photo of the alleged gunman taken from security footage. State broadcaster TRT Haber said eight people had been detained in Istanbul.

The authorities believe the attacker may be from a Central Asian nation and suspect he had links to IS, the Hurriyet newspaper said. It said he may be from the same cell responsible for a gunand-bomb attack on Istanbul’s main airport in June, in which 45 people were killed and hundreds wounded.

The attack at Reina, popular with Turkish celebrities and wealthy visitors, shook Turkey as it tries to recover from a failed July coup and a series of deadly bombings in Istanbul and elsewhere, some blamed on IS, others claimed by Kurdish militants.

Around 600 people were thought to be inside when the gunman shot dead a policeman and civilian at the door, forcing his way in then opening fire with an automatic assault rifle. Witnesses said he shouted slogans.

Some at the club jumped into the Bosphorus after the attacker

began shooting at random just over an hour into the new year.

Witnesses described diving under tables as he walked around spraying bullets. The attacker was believed to have taken a taxi from the southern Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul and, because of the busy traffic, got out and walked the last four minutes to the entrance of the nightclub, newspaper Haberturk said.

He pulled his Kalashnikov rifle from a suitcase at the side of the road, opened fire on those at the door, then threw two hand grenades after entering, Haberturk said, without citing its sources.

It said six empty magazines were found at the scene and that he was estimated to have fired at least 180 bullets. Security services had been on alert across Europe for new year celebrations following an attack on a Christmas market in Berlin that killed 12 people. Only days ago, an online message from a pro-IS group called for attacks by “lone wolves” on “celebrations, gatherings and clubs”.

In a statement hours after the shooting, President Tayyip Er-

dogan said such attacks aimed to create chaos and destabilise the country. Four months into its operation in Syria, the Turkish army and the rebels it backs are besieging the IS-held town of Al Bab. Erdogan has said he wants them to continue to Raqqa, the militants’ Syrian stronghold.

Crackdown Turkey has also been cracking down on IS networks at home. In counter-terrorism operations between Dec 26-Jan 2, Turkish police detained 147 people over links to the group and formally arrested 25 of them, the interior ministry said. The New Year’s Day attack came five months after a failed military coup, in which more than 240 people were killed, many of them in Istanbul, as rogue soldiers commandeered tanks and fighter jets in a bid to seize power.

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

curity apparatus. The government says the purges will make the military, police and other institutions more disciplined and effective.

Turkey has seen repeated attacks in recent weeks. On December 10, two bombs claimed by Kurdish militants exploded outside a soccer stadium in Istanbul, killing 44 people. A security guard who survived that attack was killed at Reina.

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

IS’s Amaq website said the group was behind a car bomb attack that killed 11 people and wounded 100 in the city of Diyarbakir in November, but Turkish authorities denied this and said Kurdish militants carried out the attack. The Russian ambassador to Turkey was shot dead as he gave a speech in Ankara on December 19 by an off-duty police officer who shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo”. — Reuters

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

WORLD GRAFT PROBE

Daughter of South Korean president’s friend Chung Yoo-ra held in Denmark SEOUL: The daughter of one of the central figures in a South Korean influence-peddling scandal that led to President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment will face extradition proceedings in Denmark after Danish police arrested her on an Interpol request from Seoul.

Danish police said they had held Chung Yoo-ra on Sunday evening in the northern Danish city of Aalborg after identifying her as someone “wanted by the police for extensive financial economic crime in South Korea”.

Chung, a 20-year-old equestrian competitor, is the daughter of Choi Soon-sil, a friend of Park accused of colluding with the president to pressure businesses to contribute to non-profit foundations.

The scandal has drawn hundreds of thousands of protesters onto the streets of Seoul for weekly demonstrations, and could result in Park, 64, becoming the first democratically elected South Korean leader to leave office early.

Yonhap News Agency later reported that South Korean police had already requested Chung’s extradition. The two countries have an extradition treaty.

Chung trains for equestrian events in Germany. South Korea’s foreign ministry had been working to invalidate Chung’s passport and authorities had asked German prosecutors for information about her whereabouts and assets.

Park, whose father ruled South Korea for 18 years after seizing power in a 1961 coup, has denied wrongdoing but apologised for carelessness in her ties with Choi, who is facing her own trial. Choi also denies wrongdoing.

Impeached Park was impeached by parliament on December 9. The Constitutional Court must confirm or overturn the impeachment and has months to decide.

As part of their investigation, South Korean prosecutors are trying to ascertain whether Samsung P H O N E TA X P R O B E

Afghanistan minister suspended KABUL: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani suspended his minister for telecommunications and information technology on Monday while he is investigated over a levy on mobile telephone charges, officials said.

The removal of Communications Minister Abdul Razaq Wahidi adds to a lingering political crisis in Afghanistan, heightened in November when parliament passed no confidence votes against a number of ministers over poor performance and budgetary issues. Yasin Sameem, a spokesman for the communications ministry, said the decision to suspend Wahidi was taken after an audit into the collection of a 10 per cent tax on mobile phone top-ups imposed in 2015.

He said the president’s office, which has declared the fight against graft as a top priority, felt the ministry had not cooperated sufficiently with an investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the levy. — Reuters

wanted her for questioning and that her mother had been arrested in the same case, according to Danish police.

A Volkswagen vehicle and horse-riding equipment were found at the house where Chung and her party were arrested, according to South Korea’s JTBC TV channel.

Lee Kyung-jae, a lawyer representing both Choi and Chung, said the daughter would cooperate.

“When Chung Yoo-ra returns I will ensure that she fully cooperates with the special prosecution’s investigation,” the lawyer told the Yonhap News Agency.

Danish police said three other adults and a child were with Chung at time of the arrest but said none of them were wanted by the police.

Chung is known to have a young son. Chung would appear before a Danish court on Monday, with prosecutors requesting detention until formalities around the extradition had been completed.

IN TOUBLED WATERS: South Korea’s Chung Yoo-ra, then known as

Chung Yoo-yeon, bites her gold medal as she poses after winning the equestrian Dressage Team competition at the Dream Park Equestrian Venue during the 17th Asian Games in Incheon September 20, 2014. – Reuters File

Electronics sought favours from Choi and Park in return for funding some of their initiatives. An element of the investigation has been Samsung’s sponsorship of

Chung’s riding career. Chung told Danish police she was staying in Denmark for equestrian-related work. She said she was aware that the South Korean authorities

Confirmed Chung’s arrest was first reported by the JTBC channel, which said on its website that its journalists had alerted Danish police to Chung’s presence there. Danish police confirmed the arrest happened after a tip-off from a South Korean journalist.

A video on JTBC’s website showed a person identified as Chung in a heavy hooded parka being led to a police car. The person’s face could not be seen.

Chung became a figure of public ire in South Korea last year after it emerged that she had received special treatment from the prestigious Ewha Womans University, where her admission was subsequently cancelled.

News of Chung’s arrest came a day after Park broke a month-long silence over her alleged role in the corruption scandal, publicly denying charges of wrongdoing and describing the accusations against her as fabricated and false. — Reuters

60 killed in Brazil jail riot The riot began late Sunday and was brought under control by around 7 am on Monday

BRASILIA: Around 60 people have been killed in a bloody prison riot sparked by a war between rival drug gangs in the Amazon jungle city of Manaus, officials said on Monday, in some of the worst violence in years in Brazil’s overcrowded penitentiary system.

The head of security for Amazonas state, Sergio Fontes, told a news conference that the death toll could rise as authorities get a clearer idea of the scale of the rebellion sparked by a fight between rival drug gangs.

Manaus’ Em Tempo newspaper reported that several of the dead had their decapitated bodies thrown over the prison wall.

The riot began late Sunday and was brought under control by around 7 am on Monday, Fontes said. Authorities were still counting the prisoners to determine how many had escaped, he added.

Criticise International watchdog groups sharply criticise Brazil for its prison system, where overcrowding is the norm and deadly riots routinely break out.

The massacre was the latest clash between inmates aligned with the Sao Paulo-based First Capital Command (PCC) drug gang, Brazil’s most powerful, and a local Manaus criminal group known as the North Family.

The Manaus-based gang is widely believed to be attacking PCC inmates at the behest of the

Rio de Janeiro-based Red Command (CV) drug gang, Brazil’s second largest.

Security analysts have said that a truce that held for years between the PCC and CV was broken last year, resulting in months of deadly prison battles between the gangs and sparking fears that chaos will spread to other prisons. In the latest riot, a group of inmates exchanged gunfire with police and held 12 prison guards hostage late on Sunday in the largest prison in Manaus, an industrial city on the banks of the Amazon River, Globo TV reported. Fontes said that 74 prisoners were taken hostage during the riot, with some executed and some released.

Video A video posted on the website of the Manaus-based newspaper Em Tempo showed dozens of bloodied and mutilated bodies piled atop each other on the prison floor as other inmates milled about.

Brazil’s prison system is precariously overcrowded and conditions in many institutions are horrific.

That has sparked a rash of deadly riots in recent years.

Sunday’s riot was the deadliest in years. A 1992 rebellion at the Carandiru prison in Sao Paulo state saw 111 inmates killed, nearly all of them by police as they retook the jail. — Reuters

THAILAND

French tourist bitten by crocodile while taking selfie BANGKOK: A 41-year-old selfiecrazed French woman tourist was bitten by a crocodile while posing for a memorable snap with the ferocious reptile in Thailand’s Khao Yai National Park.

Muriel Benetulier wanted to be photographed with the crocodile and tried to get close to the reptile.

She squatted near the crocodile and had a photo taken.

But as she was getting up, she tipped to one side and the crocodile snapped her left leg, authorities at the national park said. She suffered a severe bite wound, said Thanya Netithammakul, head of the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.

He said the incident was reported by the park chief, Kanchit Srinoppawan. Thanya said that tourists nearby said Benetulier visited the park with her husband and the couple came across a crocodile lurking in the water.

Muriel has been taken to a nearby hospital, Bangkok Poast reported.

Thanya said signboards were put up warning visitors about the crocodiles. — PTI

DANGEROUS SNAP: French national Muriel Benetulier is transported on a stretcher by Thai Park Rangers after she was bitten by a

crocodile in the Khao Yai National Park. Right: Benetulier, left, lies on a stretcher as she speaks with a Thai park ranger, right, at a local medical facility. – AFP

M E E T I N G T O D AY

South Korea considers ‘measures’ as China blocks charter flights

MOVE TO KNOW REAL INTENTION: Yoo Il Ho, South Korea’s finance minister. Il-ho said on Sunday he would look into whether China’s decision, which came ahead of a traditional surge in Lunar New Year travel, was “related to” the planned deployment of a US antimissile system in South Korea. – Bloomberg News

SEOUL: South Korea’s government and airline companies will meet on Tuesday to discuss China’s rejection of applications by Korean carriers to add charter flights between the two countries for early this year, a government official said on Monday.

South Korean Finance Minister Yoo Il-ho said on Sunday he would look into whether China’s decision, which came ahead of a traditional surge in Lunar New Year travel, was “related to” the planned deployment of a US anti-missile system in South Korea.

Yoo told reporters there were “several suspected cases of nontariff barriers” following last year’s decision to deploy the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) system and South Korea needed to determine China’s “real intention”.

China’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a holiday, while China’s Civil Aviation Administration was not immediately reachable. China worries that the THAAD’s powerful radar can penetrate its territory and has objected to the deployment, which South Korea and the United States say is aimed solely at countering any threat from North Korea.

South Korean carriers Asiana Airlines, Jeju Air and Jin Air, an affiliate of Korean Air Lines, said their applications for charter flights to China were rejected for January and February, with no reason given. “It is regrettable,” a spokesman at Jeju Air said.

The companies already operate scheduled flights to China but wanted to add charter flights at busy times. The transport min-

istry had sent a letter to China’s ministry seeking cooperation on the proposed flights and it would also meet the companies to ponder a next step, a ministry official said.

“We will hold a closed-meeting with major airline affiliates tomorrow morning to discuss measures,” the ministry official said, without elaborating on what type of measures might be considered.

China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines had asked South Korea to hold off on approving their applications to add charter flights in January, citing “a situation in China”, said the official who is not authorised to speak to media and declined to be identified. A China Eastern press official denied that it had asked South Korea to hold off approving applications to add charter flights.

A China Southern media official

was not immediately available.

The Korea Tourism Organization said charter flights typically accounted for 4 to 5 per cent of available seats between the two countries.

“Travellers can switch over to regular scheduled flights, so we do not expect huge losses,” said Han Hwa-joon, China team director.

Shares in South Korean cosmetics-related companies and airlines dropped on news reports of the charter denials. Korean cosmetics are a hot-selling item for visitors from China, South Korea’s biggest source of tourists.

Shares in cosmetics maker Amorepacific Corp were down 5 per cent on Monday, their biggest daily percentage loss since October 25 and Korean Air Lines Co Ltd shares fell 2.2 per cent to their lowest level since July 14. — Reuters

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

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Educating Syria’s rebuilders Gordon Brown

I

n Aleppo, the devastated Syrian city and former rebel stronghold that has now been retaken by Syrian government forces, there was a glimmer of hope even as the bombs were falling.

Amid the ruins, learning endured, as 15 young Syrians prepared for their university exams.

They could not walk to a college campus, because so many of the country’s universities have been reduced to rubble. But they could still earn their degrees, thanks to a unique online programme made available by the University of the People (UoP).

Every week, the Syrian students participate in online courses alongside pupils and instructors from around the world. Through these virtual classrooms, they pursue their chosen degree in business administration, computer science, or health science. The courses are so well prepared that many of these highly motivated students will be invited to attend Western universities later in their studies.

The UoP’s programme has been a rapid success.

Its enrollees currently include 500 Syrians – half of whom are still holed up in their war-torn homeland, while the other half are refugees – and 6,000 other students, from almost 200 countries.

The UoP’s inventive model was developed by the education entrepreneur Shai Reshef, and has been endorsed by some of the world’s most renowned academics.

The model’s benefits extend far beyond quantifiable metrics such as enrollment numbers or matriculation figures. The UoP provides an invaluable good: hope for the future, and the means to prepare for it. This is not something that can be airdropped or delivered by a humanitarian convoy.

Education is a basic human right, and in regions riven by chaos, it can nurture a sense of normalcy for the many, not just the few.

In two months, on March 1, displaced and refugee students will receive even more help, with the launch of the Platform for Education in Emergencies Response, a new online service that connects college-ready students with higher-education institutions and sponsorship opportunities around the world.

PEER, which is partly funded by former New York University President John Sexton’s education charity, Catalyst, will be administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

With this new service, refugee students can post their CVs online for university admissions offices to peruse, and the universities themselves can list all of their academic and cultural offerings and terms. This will help match the right students

with the right schools, and the IIE will also provide a tutoring and counselling service – online and offline – for students seeking opportunities to study abroad.

We already know that, on average, refugees spend at least ten years away from their home country. If they are deprived of an education during that time, they will have few employment opportunities in the future.

Not providing an education for displaced people has been one of our humanitarian-aid system’s biggest failures. We have focused only on the short term – the first few weeks of people’s displacement, when supplying food and shelter are paramount – and not on the big picture.

But, thanks to inspired leadership by former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres – who will now be the UN’s ninth Secretary-General – and current Commissioner Filippo Grandi, the UN Refugee Agency is now making education a high priority.

Syria once had the highest-quality universities in the region; now, a half-million students who would have attended them cannot do so because of the civil war. But with support from global-governance institutions and programmes administered by nongovernmental organisations such as the UoP and the IIE, those displaced youths could now gain an education lifeline.

Many of them have been bunkered down in Aleppo, which has just been evacuated. But that does not mean that they are safe. Whether they end up in Idlib province or somewhere else, they will still be threatened by Syrian government bombs.

As their nightmare continues, we must at least provide them with the education and training they will need for the future.

When the day comes that Syrians can finally begin to rebuild their country, they will need qualified people. That is why philanthropists in the United Arab Emirates, and across the Middle East, are supporting the invaluable, ongoing education initiatives described here, as well as establishing scholarship funds to provide more help from within the region.

When I recently met a 14-year-old refugee in Beirut who yearned to go to school, I asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up. He replied that he wanted to be an engineer.

That is not a particularly popular profession among today’s youth, so I asked him why. “I want to rebuild Syria,” he said.

With the help of initiatives like the UoP and PEER, thousands of young Syrians will someday be able to play their part in their country’s reconstruction as well. - Project Syndicate

READERS’ FORUM Tanfeedh can help Sultanate’s future economy This refers to the #Trending page article Tanfeedh: The living, breathing programme(January 1). Oman being home for talented individuals with diverse calibre, the concept of Tanfeedh must be embraced by the youth and take as a challenge to divert its key objectives to reality. With this initiative the foundation has already been laid to turn the potential of the country to take up the next course of actions from its original context.

The author has touched upon an important element of the country’s tireless drive Scan this QR code towards every aspect of development to send letters to the wherein the significance of human potenReaders’ Forum, tial is very crucial. Tanfeedh is simply an containing not more than 200 words with opportunity for the youth to explore its perfull name, address ceptions further and how they can help the and telephone nation to remain in a sustainable growth. number, may be sent It is vital that the expertise of national by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com). talents are to be best utilised to seize the prevailing and future opportunities in every aspect of progress. Keeping this mind, the Tanfeedh programme has been emphasising on the long term involvement of human potential and how they can help fine-tuning the Sultanate’s future economy.

— Ramachandran Nair, Ruwi

QUOTE OF THE DAY The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.

ALBERT EINSTEIN

American foreign policy is at a crossroads. The United States has been an expanding power since its start in 1789. The country battled its way across North America in the nineteenth century and gained global dominance in the second half of the twentieth. Now it is facing China’s rise and India’s dynamism

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES JANUARY 2002 Majlis Al Shura education committee holds meeting MUSCAT: The Majlis Al Shura education committee held a meeting yesterday to review its report and recommendations on admission of Omani students in medical colleges. The committee’s study was meant to look for various alternatives to increase the number of students admitted to the colleges of medicine at Sultan Qaboos University(SQU) abroad. The committee hosted Badr bin Mubarak Al Busaidy, director of Oman Medical College’s Administrative and Financial Affairs Department.

PICTOGRAPH

ELECTRICITY GROSS PRODUCTION AL SHARQIYAH (in Gigawatt/hour) 2016 August

September

932.7 820.5

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

1959: Fidel Castro takes command of the Cuban army.

1993: George H. W. Bush and Boris Yeltsin sign the second Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START).

1996: The first mobile flip phone, the Motorola StarTAC, goes on sale.

0

1999: Mars Polar Lander launched.

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

LIFESTYLE DINING

WISH UPON A

Story Ashish Dubash

W

hile no one knows for sure the origin of barbecue we all know that barbecue is not just about devouring huge chunks of hot eats off the grill, it is an experience by itself. Traditionally prepared over hot burning charcoal; marinated meat, chicken, sausages, prawns, fish, cubed cottage cheese, and a host of root and starchy vegetables are just some of the different types of food that can be grilled.

Talk of barbecue and I transport back to yesteryears when I had the opportunity to eat Nairobi’s traditional barbecue in an exotic setting at Kenya’s Safari Club. A whopping 13 types of meat were served, and I was awestruck by the sheer enormity of the platter, much before I tasted them. There was a huge wooden plate in front of each diner.

We were almost 300 in total and each of us were served by around 20 chefs who were at the barbecue pits, preparing meat ranging from camel and ostrich to crocodile, lamb and chicken, to name a few. There was also a huge stage featuring 15 to 20 African performers, who were dancing to some energetic African beats. What an ambience it was. A cool climate, piping hot BBQ, and some finest dance performances.

Each time the piping hot BBQ meat was

brought to our table, served on skewers, it was like a wish upon a grill. The chefs would cut off generous portions of meat onto our wooden platters and we couldn’t wait longer to dig into the flavourful delights . It was an appetising ecstasy indeed and the chefs lingered around to make sure that every bite was savoured with relish.

But what caught my attention was the camel meat spread. While I have been in Oman for more than two decades, I never got a chance to sink my teeth into this delicacy before and it was my first time, in the wilderness of Kenya.

While it was new to my palate, my culinary curiosity was so overwhelming that I went ahead and tasted crocodile meat; it is like a mixture of chicken and fish.

I have many memories of barbecue gatherings and while each time I get nostalgic about my barbecue sojourns, come winter and Muscat too gets all set for some perfect barbecue outing.

There is no dearth of an ideal location here though beach barbecue is more prevalent. So as your charcoal heats up, have a lovely salad such as potato or a Waldorf salad as a starter, and then watch the chicken sausages sizzle as you light the grill.

Marinate the sausages with tomato ketchup, salt, and a dash of pepper or rub in some chicken tandoori masala for

added flavours. For chicken, marinate with yoghurt, tandoori chicken masala, ginger-garlic paste, salt and lemon juice and leave it overnight for the masalas to soak in the chicken pieces.

Once the griddle is hot, place the chicken pieces on the grill and brush oil onto the meat. Turn it over and let it cook. Add a dash of lemon.

Grilled corn is delicious and once ready, you can add some salt, a little chilli powder, butter and some lime on it.

Vegetarians can marinate some cottage cheese in yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, a little garam masala powder, coriander powder, salt, and some chaat masala.

Mix all the ingredients and add pieces of paneer, pieces of squared capsicum and onions. Let it all stand for a few hours till all the spices seep into the paneer.

Take a skewer and place the capsicum, onion, paneer, onion and capsicum and let it cook on the grill. Once done sprinkle some chaat masala and a few drops of lime on it.

There are plenty of other ways to create a delicious marination.

All you need to do is just be a little more creative. So go on a barbecue binge and have an impromptu gathering in Muscat’s finest weather now.

— ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

with chicken and refrigerate for 24 hours to make sure the meat is well coated.

For prawns You can marinade your seafood with lemon, garlic, and salt

Recipes for marination For chicken Marinade/sauce Ingredients 2 tablespoons honey 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for the grill 2 medium garlic cloves, minced 1/2 teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, butterflied 1 lime, cut into 4 wedges Preparation Combine the honey, mustard, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper to taste in a bowl

For lamb chops Marinade/sauce Ingredients 1 small onion, cut into chunks 4 canned tomatoes 1/2 cup olive oil 4 large garlic cloves 2 tablespoons red vinegar 1 tablespoon paprika 1 tablespoon dried thyme 1 tablespoon coriander powder 2 teaspoons cumin powder 2 teaspoons salt 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 8 lamb loin chops, 11/2 inches thick Olive oil Preparation In a food processor, process the marinade ingredients until very smooth, for about one to two minutes. Arrange the chops side by side. Pour the marinade over the chops and turn to coat them on all sides. Cover with a plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for three to five hours.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

WEATHER

T H I S

TEMPERATURE

HUMIDITY

29 - 17 87-39% 0

0

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

W E E K E N D

12.16pm 3.18pm 5.38pm 6.53pm 5.29am

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LIFESTYLE

E A T

A T …

Where: D’Arcy’s Kitchen Must Eat: Full English Breakfast Price: OMR 5.700 What Is It? The Full English Breakfast, at D’Arcy’s, includes baked beans, turkey bacon, sausages, and hash browns with choice of eggs, along with bread, fresh juice, and tea.

The freshly toasted bread goes well with omelette with stuffing of one’s choice. You can choose from onion, mushrooms, and cheese. The sides of beans, toast, sausages are fresh and perfect for the mornings.

D ’ A R C Y ’ S

Also Try Another breakfast treat is the French toast. They are slices of bread dipped in a beaten egg and dairy mixture and then pan fried. It is served with maple syrup, freshly whipped cream and fruits of the season.

D’Arcy’s, Eggs Benedict is another good choice. It is home-made English muffins topped with smoked salmon, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce and served with hash browns, and grilled tomatoes. They also have good wraps, sandwiches, burgers, soups, and desserts.

If you are there for lunch try the grilled chicken platter. Called Grilled Chicken Alana it is flourcoated strips of chicken breast marinated with rosemary, Tabasco, oregano, and Parmesan cheese and grilled to perfection.

For a perfect dinner go for Braised Lamb Shank. It is tender lamb shank, slowly cooked in its own stock with a blend of rosemary, fresh herbs, onions, celery, carrots, and garlic and served on a mound of creamy mashed potatoes, with green peas, and baby carrots.

You can also try Halloumi Cheese and Bean Salad. They are golden, crispy halloumi, mixed with butter beans, red beans, black olives, mint leaves, and sliced red onions, and tomatoes tossed in balsamic, honey, and mustard dressing. For desserts try apple-berry crumble with vanilla ice cream.

Also try Sticky Toffee Pudding, a modern British ‘classic’ sponge cake made with finely chopped dates and covered in toffee sauce.

What’s Special The best part of having breakfast at D’Arcy’s Kitchen in Shatti Al Qurum is its location. During winter you can enjoy the morning breeze and have a hearty breakfast. They also have a branch in Madinat Qaboos.

—swati@timesofoman.com Location D’Arcy’s Kitchen Shatti Al Qurum +968 2460 0234

Photos supplied

N E W F L AV O U R S

Innovative Twists to Our Favourite Sandwiches HOWEVER you stack ‘em or slice ‘em, everyone loves a good sandwich — especially when it incorporates healthy ingredients.

People everywhere are looking for quick solutions on making healthy diet choices, and many will be happy to hear that this doesn’t require a whole meal overhaul. Here are some fun twists on sandwich classics that can help you incorporate easy ingredients for guilt-proof lunch solutions.

Peanut butter and jam quesadilla: To cut down on the high fat, calorie and sugar counts in typical peanut butter and jelly, substitute in almond butter paired with fibre-full fresh strawberries and bananas. Wrap it all up in a whole wheat tortilla to cut carbs, throw it on a skillet and make your taste buds sizzle.

Wild turkey: According to a recent study, turkey takes the cake for being the most popular sandwich, but can sometimes get a bad rep if it’s piled up with fatty toppings. For a healthy new take on the classic club, ditch the fattening mayonnaise and bacon and trade it with almond butter

and apple slices instead. This healthy upgrade also lends some crunch and sweetness to your sandwich. Look for turkey that is lower in sodium and fat, without sacrificing flavour.

Green grilled cheese: Get your daily dose of greens and dairy with this healthy spin on everyone’s greasy, guilty pleasure. Pack

your grilled cheese with avocado, spinach, pesto, and parsley for a substantially more nutritious and flavourful sandwich. Better yet, substitute your go-to, boring deli cheese, with goat cheese, which is extra creamy and surprisingly low-cal. Feel free to experiment with any of your favourite veggies — it’s what’s on the inside that counts, right? - NewsUSA

A16

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

LIFESTYLE ONE INGREDIENT NGREDIENT

FIVE WAYS

BOK CHOY ORIENTAL RICE

BOK CHOY SOUP WITH WON TON

BOK CHOY SALAD

BOK CHOY WITH CHICKEN

BOK CHOY SWEET AND SOUR

Sauté 2 teaspoons minced ginger, 2 large garlic cloves, minced in 2 tablespoons of oil. Now add 1/4 cup chicken stock and 3 tablespoons soy sauce. Add 3 cups sliced mushrooms, 2 cups sliced bok choy, 1 cup diced bell pepper, 1 cup diced carrots, 1 1/4 cups sliced water chestnuts, and 4 cups cooked brown rice. Cook until vegetables are tender, adding 1/4 cup chicken stock or more if required. Add 1 cup chopped green onions and 1 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds.

In a large pot bring 12 cups of water to boil.

Add 12 ready-made raw won tons. Bring to boil again. Add 1 more cup of water. Bring to boil once more. When won tons float on the top, remove and strain. Rinse under cold water. Bring 6 cups chicken stock to boil in pot. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce and 1/2 head bok choy sliced thin. Boil for 1 minute. Add 1 scallion, cut into 1 inch pieces and 250g thinly sliced chicken. Drop won tons gently into soup from strainer. Add 1 tablespoon sesame seed oil. Boil 1 minute.

Mix 1/4 cup oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover. Shake well. Toss with 6 cups torn bok choy, 1/3 cup walnut halves, and 1/4 cup raisins.

Take 227g chicken thighs without bones and slice the chicken; add 3/4 tablespoon soy sauce and 3/4 tablespoon cornstarch, and mix; set aside for later use. Heat the wok add 4 tablespoons oil; stir fry 455g bok choy, with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup water until it becomes limp. Keep aside.

Heat the wok add 4 tablespoons oil, stir fry 1 slice ginger root, and 4 slices garlic until fragrant, stir fry the chicken slices until cooked. Add 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon cornstarch, 1/4 cup water, turn heat to high and stir quickly to mix. Remove and place on top of the bok choy.

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a skillet, add 1 head bok choy, trimmed, and cut into 1” pieces and 1 sliced sweet onion. Cook and stir over high heat for 1 minute.

Blend 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup red vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root; add to skillet. Mix well. Cover and steam for 1 minute. Combine 1 tablespoon soy sauce and 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1/2 cup water. Add to skillet. Cook and stir until thickened.

— lifestyle@timesofoman.com

FOOD NOTE

Pickled Vegetables to Give Your Food New Flavours

What makes a delicious dish even more delectable? Is it the perfect recipe, or is it the perfect amount of heat, or maybe it is the right kind of spices that differentiate a yummy dish from an insipid one. When one seriously comes to think of it, it is actually a combination of all these. Each ingredient has a unique quality to itself that complements the other in a way that one can’t fully do the job on its own.

We often come across food items that have a slightly sour taste that acts as a sort of a tongue twister. These indispensable ingredients constitute the major portion of a pickle too.

The best thing about these is that though these are common their use can’t be profound. A tad bit of sour tasting ingredients can do the job just fine.

Now, since we have established their importance in turning a bad-tasting dish into a mouth-watering one, no kitchen, whether professional or at home, is complete without these pickled vegetables. These natural, healthy products not only provide more options when cooking but also work perfectly as snacks, antipasti or toppings for bruschetta, and pizza.

The list of the most famous pickled vegetables is a long one.

Banana, pepper, capers, mushrooms, pepperoncini, sweet roasted red pepper, artichokes hearts, and many other such delicious vegetables contribute to the dishes that we love to savour so much.

Anything that is natural and fits the surviving needs of a human body is the best thing to be included in the list of ingredients that one should store in his/her kitchen. Having said that, it is vital to give a glance to the benefits that these project for us when added or used in cooking food.

In a world that is constantly inventing and adding newer chemicals to all the things one could possibly imagine, if one can avoid the processed food and find the all-natural products in the market, it is truly a blessing for the body.

The prime advantage of all-natural products is that there are no added preservatives that could possibly harm your intestines and liver while these organs are trying to digest the food.

Low salt olives are all-natural food items that are lower in salt content and it is beneficial for not just people with high blood pressure, but also for everyone as a preventive method.

—Artipot

IN THE REGION

Intersect by Lexus makes its Mark in Dubai

GO FOR Friday Brunch A Friday brunch like no other, accompanied by live music and amazing vibes.

Every Friday, from 1pm–4pm Wednesday Brunch Experience An evening brunch, accompanied by live music, good vibes and great food.

Every Wednesday, 7pm – 11pm

Since it stepped onto the Dubai dining scene, the award-winning Intersect by Lexus has made its mark within the culinary and design worlds, cementing its position as one of the most creative and contemporary spaces in the region.

The concept of ‘Feel-Good Food’ has been at the core of the cuisine at Intersect by Lexus, focusing on the use of organic ingredients, high quality produce, and modern cooking techniques to create both healthy and delicious dishes.

“To best describe the cuisine we call it ‘feel good food’ because none of the dishes are heavy or overcomplicated so they leave guests feeling nourished and invigorated.

The cuisine is cosmopolitan with the main focus on high quality and

fresh ingredients and their natural flavour,” explains General Manager Benjamin Nicholas.

“We stay away from using heavy or unhealthy ingredients and focus instead on creating the same rich flavours using nutritious ingredients like nuts and herbs.”

The simple yet sophisticated gourmet dishes from its ingenious kitchen are nothing short of spectacular and innovative.

From mouth-watering mains like seared scallops with butternut squash and samphire, or the French quail with braised freekeh, raison jus and walnut croutons and sensational starters like beetroot and barely risotto, or the chickpea and hazelnut salad.

The eatery also offers a selection

of fresh juices, like the homemade spicy passion fruit lemonade, and the rehydrating cucumber and ginger juice, along with ‘organic coffee from Raw and other special teas.

The space offers the cosmopolitan scene of Dubai a bit of culture and design, in line with the attention to detail and precision that is synonymous with Lexus – emulating the modern, luxurious lifestyle it represents.

The exciting line up of promotions continue this year so guests can enjoy the trendy Wednesday Evening Brunch, the popular Friday Brunch or the delicious daily Business Lunch.

Spend your time indulging in cuisine, craftsmanship and creativity at Intersect by Lexus.

— lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Business Lunch Fine dining and quality networking Every Sunday to Thursday, from 12-3pm Location DIFC, Gate Village 7 For reservations +9714 355 9524 Facebook facebook.com/ IntersectByLexusDubai Instagram instagram.com/ intersectbylexusdubai Website lexus.ae

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

MARKE

EUROPEAN STOCKS GAIN European stocks advanced, erasing earlier losses. The Euro Stoxx 50 index was 0.4 per cent higher as of 9:40 am in London, while the UK and Swiss markets remained closed for a holiday. The DAX index in Germany jumped 0.8 per cent. – Bloomberg News

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

Muscat 5,700.21 - 44.38 - 0.77%

Dubai 3,538.87 + 7.80 + 0.22%

Abu Dhabi 4,533.87 - 12.50 - 0.27%

Kuwait 5,775.35 + 27.26 + 0.47%

Saudi Arabia

7,247.34 + 9.39 + 0.13%

Bahrain 1,209.19 - 11.29 - 0.92%

Qatar 10,428.65 - 8.11 - 0.08%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.44 Pound ..........................................2.08 Indian Rs ............................. 175.87 Pakistan Rs .......................266.67 Bangla Taka......................202.43

Indian Rs ...................................176.85 Pakistan Rs ............................. 271.20 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka............................. 204.11 Phil Peso ...................................129.00

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

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$54.69 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$53.99 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) .........$55.75 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) .........$54.74 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$56.82 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$53.72

* Rates are as of January 2 Source: Bank Muscat

* Rates as of January 2 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

‘Oman’s outstanding debt at OMR7.4b is reasonable’ Ministry of Finance on Sunday said the total outstanding debt of the country stood at an all-time high of OMR7.4 billion, or 29 per cent of the GDP, by the end of 2016.

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Although the Sultanate’s debt to gross domestic product (GDP) ratio has risen to 29 per cent, a higher borrowing rate to manage the budget deficit is needed to sustain economic growth, according to financial experts.

The Ministry of Finance on Sunday said the total outstanding debt of the country stood at an all-time high of OMR7.4 billion, or 29 per cent of the GDP, by the end of 2016. The Sultanate plans to borrow OMR2.1 billion from the overseas market and another OMR400 million from the domestic market this yearto meet its projected deficit of OMR3 billion.

“This ratio is reasonable when compared to other developing countries,” stated Davis Kallukaran, managing partner of Crowe Horwath Oman. Also, the debt service coverage ratio will be on par with any other developing country, he added.

According to Kallukaran, a deficit in the budget and inflationary

HARD CASH: Oman plans to borrow OMR2.1 billion from the overseas market and another OMR400

million from the domestic market this yearto meet its projected deficit of OMR3 billion. — Times file picture

Last year, the Oman government relied on borrowing from external sources to avoid crowding out the private sector and allow it to meet its financing needs. trends are essential to sustain the growth of the economy. “It is a wise decision to borrow money to support growth.”

Debt-GDP ratio in the Gulf Echoing a similar view, Kanaga Sundar, head of research at Gulf Baader Capital Market, said the average debt-GDP ratio for the Gulf region is estimated at 21 per cent. “Within the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), Bahrain has

the highest level of debt at close to 70 per cent of its GDP, while Qatar’s ratio is around 50 per cent;for the remaining countries in the region,it is in the range of 15-30 per cent,” noted Sundar.

He also pointed out that the government does not want to reduce liquidity inthe domestic market as it relies on external borrowing to fund developmental projects and meet expenses charged to the budget.

ECONOMY

Manufacturing industry in India to shrink in December MUMBAI: A private gauge indicates that India’s manufacturing sector will shrink for the first time in a year as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unprecedented clampdown on cash hurts demand.

The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index was at 49.6 in December, a report showed on Monday, the lowest since December 2015. A number below 50 indicates a contraction.

Shortages of money “Shortages of money in the economy steered output and new orders in the wrong direction, thereby interrupting a continuous sequence of growth that had been seen throughout 2016,” economist Pollyanna De Lima wrote in the report. “Cash flow issues among firms also led to reductions in purchasing activity and employment.”

A continued slowdown will strip India of its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing big economies and risk a political backlash against Modi.

Purchasing Managers’ Index data is due from India’s key services sector on Wednesday before focus shifts to the government’s first official growth estimate for the year through March.

New work and production fell slightly but recorded the first decrease in a year Payrolls decreased marginally; vast majority

FALLING DEMAND: The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing

Managers’ Index was at 49.6 in December, a report showed on Monday, the lowest since December 2015. — Bloomberg file picture

of panelists signaled unchanged workforces Input cost inflation accelerated “January data will be key in showing whether the sector will see a quick rebound,” De Lima further said.

Other recent data also mirror the stress. Motorcycle maker Bajaj Auto’s total sales slipped 22 per cent in December, the steepest fall in at least 21 months.

Motorcycle sales — a key indicator of rural demand — declined 18 per cent. India’s biggest automaker by volume, Maruti Su-

zuki, reported a 4.4 per cent drop in domestic December sales, the first decline in six months, while overall sales fell one per cent from a year earlier.

India’s economy will grow 6.9 per cent in the year through March, according to the median estimate in a Bloomberg survey published late last month. That’s slower than the 7.3 per cent predicted by a survey in November and the previous year’s 7.6 per cent actual expansion.

— Bloomberg News

More fiscal discipline However, Sundar acknowledged that the government must plan for debt servicing by limiting non-priority public spending and bringing in more fiscal discipline.

Last year, the Oman government relied on borrowing from external sources to avoid crowding out the private sector and allow it to meet its financing needs.

Crowding out is a situation that arises when public sector spending drives down or even eliminates private sector spending.

A higher deficit in the 20152016 period led to a rapid growth in debt. “Consequently, the debt service ratio will increase in the coming years,” noted the ministry.

Borrowing in 2016 The Omani government issued in-

ternational bonds worth $4 billion and received a syndicated loan of $5 billion last year.

Further, Islamic bonds or sukuk worth OMR500 million were issued and loans worth $2 billion provided by an export credit agency.

Subsequently, borrowing from domestic and external sources and issuance of Islamic bonds, development bonds and treasury bills accounted for 72 per cent of the total funding. The remaining 28 per cent was covered by drawing funds fromthe reserves.

Despite the enormous challenges for the budget, the government was able to obtain funding by borrowing mainly from external sources.

Kannan Rajagopal, general manager of the Global Omani Investment Company, said the oil price assumption of$45 per barrel is a reasonable consideration.

“I expect the oil price to recover this year, and it will rule above the budget price, which will help reduce the estimated deficit.”

In a similar vein, Kallukaran explained that the budget revenue had been calculated on the basis of oil being reasonably priced at $45 per barrel.

Oman Crude is currently hovering at a price of $54 per barrel, which indicates 20 per cent growth over the budget price. This will help reduce the deficit. “The government also did not reduce its capital expenditure, which shows that employment opportunities will continue.”

Actual fiscal deficit The actual fiscal deficit for 2016 amounted to some OMR5.3 billion, increasing by 60 per cent over the estimated budget deficit.

This high deficit is driven by the difference between the actual oil price achieved and the expected oil price and the increase in government expenditure.

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......14.25 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............139.50 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 131.00 * Rates as of January 2 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

C A P I TA L M A R K E T AU T H O R I T Y

Registration of three firms cancelled Times News Service MUSCAT: Registrations of three companies engaged in securities market have been cancelled by the Capital Market Authority .

The companies are Al Tawasul Financial and Investment Services, Al Shurooq Securities and Rasmala Investment Oman Branch, according to a press release. The deregistration was approved based on request by the companies. The number of the licensed companies to operate in securities in the Muscat Securities Market is now 17.

M U S C AT B OU R S E

Telecom shares decline further Times News Service MUSCAT: Shares of two telecommunication service providers in Oman have dropped further on Monday, after a severe drop in value on the previous day following an increase in royalty paid by these firms to 12 per cent of revenues in 2017 from 7 per cent earlier.

Omantel, Ooredoo shares Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) shares dropped by 2.07 per cent to close at OMR1.42 amid 311,000 shares changing hands, while Omani Qatari Telecommunications Company (Ooredoo) shares fell by 1.96 per cent to 600 baisas after a trading of 1.66 million shares on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) on Monday.

Ooredoo shares plunged by 7.27 per cent, while Omantel shares dropped by 4.29 per cent on Sunday. > MSM review on B2

B2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MSM index MUSCAT SECURITIES ends lower MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,714.06 .............. 5,692.26 ....................5,700.21 ................... 5,744.59............... -44.38 .................. -0.77 Financial Index ..................................... 7,787.99 ............... 7,750.63 .................... 7,751.35 ....................7,739.21..................12.14 ................... 0.16 Industrial Index .................................... 7,429.51 ............... 7,413.36 ....................7,413.36 .................... 7,417.21.................. -3.85 .................. -0.05 Services Index ...................................... 3,006.48 .............. 2,998.23 ................... 3,003.15 ...................3,029.60................-26.45 .................. -0.87 MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 865.14 ..................856.93 .......................858.83 .......................865.14...................-6.31 .................. -0.73 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 8,493,348 ...................2,362,479 .....................595 ............... 17,376,900,099 .................. 8 ......................11 ....................20 .........................39

As many as 595 trades were executed on Monday, generating turnover of OMR2.36m

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 2

with 8.49 million shares changing hands.

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

MUSCAT: Oman’s telecom sector continued to weigh on the MSM30 Index which closed at 5,700.21 points, down 0.77 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index declined 0.73 per cent to end at 858.83 points. Bank Nizwa was the most active in terms of volume and Ooredoo led in terms of turnover. Up 2.78 per cent, Al Madina Takaful was the top gainer, while HSBC Bank was the top loser, down 3.20 per cent.

A total number of 595 trades were executed on Monday, generating turnover of OMR2.36 million with 8.49 million shares changing hands. Out of 39 traded securities, 8 advanced, 11 declined and 20 remained unchanged. At the session close, Omani investors were net buyers for OMR176,000 while GCC & Arab investors remained net sellers for OMR145,000 followed by Foreign Investors for OMR31,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index ended positively at 7,751.35 points, up 0.16 per cent. Al Madina Takaful, Ahli Bank, Al Madina Investments, Bank Nizwa and Gulf Investment Services gained 2.78 per cent, 2.63 per cent, 1.72 per cent, 1.14 per cent and 0.88 per cent respectively. HSBC Bank, Muscat Finance, Oman & Emirates, Takaful Oman and NBO slid 3.20 per cent, 0.80 per cent, 0.75 per cent, 0.57 per cent and 0.42 per cent respectively. Industrial Index closed at 7,413.36 points with marginal loss of 0.05 per cent. Oman Fisheries, Galfar Engineering and Oman Cement increased 1.61 per cent, 1.06 per

cent and 0.84 per cent respectively. Raysut Cement and Al Jazeera Steel 2.03 per cent and 0.41 per cent decreased respectively.

Services Index had strong loss of 0.87 per cent to end at 3,003.15 points. Omantel, Ooredoo and Phoenix Power lost 2.07 per cent, 1.96 per cent and 0.67 per cent respectively.

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

OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 260,082 .............19,191.....................20 ........... 0.073 ........... 0.075 ...........0.073........... 0.074 .............0.072 ........... 0.002............. 2.778 ................0.074..............0.073...................0.074...................12,950,000.........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 450,100 ............26,431.....................24 ........... 0.059 ...........0.059 ...........0.058........... 0.059 .............0.058 ............0.001 ............. 1.724 ................0.058..............0.058...................0.059...................12,221,932 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ...........................14,000 ............... 1,610........................4 ............0.115 ........... 0.115............ 0.115 ............0.115 ............. 0.114.............0.001 ............. 0.877 ................0.115 ...............0.115................... 0.118 .................... 6,766,970 ..........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ............................................................50,625 ............ 24,192........................4 ............0.476 ........... 0.478 ...........0.476........... 0.478 .............0.474 ........... 0.004.............0.844 ................0.478..............0.450...................0.478.................. 158,157,155 ........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ................................ 23,000 ...............7,406........................1 ........... 0.322 ...........0.322 ...........0.322........... 0.322 .............0.322 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.322..............0.322...................0.328 ................. 32,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE..................3,000 ..................600........................1 ........... 0.200...........0.200 ...........0.200 .......... 0.200 .............0.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.200 ............ 0.200...................0.201.................. 40,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 668,224 ......... 127,043..................... 35 ............0.190 ........... 0.191............0.190........... 0.190 .............0.190 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.190..............0.190................... 0.191 ...................33,250,467 .........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES .................................52,350 ...............8,912........................8 ............0.170 ........... 0.171............0.170 ........... 0.170 ............. 0.170............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.171 ..............0.170................... 0.171 ...................50,356,326.........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ..............................................................99,566 ............ 46,995........................7 ........... 0.472 ........... 0.472 ...........0.472........... 0.472 .............0.472 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.472..............0.472...................0.474................ 1,178,230,122 ......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES .............................................417 .....................96........................1 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.230........... 0.240 .............0.240 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.230..............0.235...................0.240 ..................71,706,642 .........0.100

Dollar recovers The dollar recovered from a two-week low against a basket of six major currencies on Monday, though trade was thin with many markets closed for the New Year holiday. The greenback had soared to 14-year highs in December, boosted by market expectations that the US Federal Reserve will hike rates as many as three times this year, and that President-elect Donald Trump will stoke growth and inflation with a programme of fiscal expansion. The dollar finished the year with an almost 4 per cent annual rise, the fourth consecutive year of gains But the index that measures the currency against six major rivals lost more than 1 per cent during the last three days of last week, its weakness exacerbated on Friday during a flash surge for the euro in low volumes of trading in Asia.

The single currency jumped two full cents to as high as $1.07, before quickly retreating, prompting analysts to draw parallels with a “flash crash” in October that briefly knocked almost 10 percent off the value of Britain’s pound. — United Securities/Reuters

OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR.................................................................. 35,762 ............... 5,730........................4 ............0.160 ........... 0.161............0.160........... 0.160 .............0.160 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.161 ..............0.160................... 0.161 ..................256,719,895 ........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ................................................... 168,616 ............ 82,622..................... 10 ........... 0.490 ...........0.490 ...........0.490........... 0.490 .............0.490 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.490..............0.480...................0.500 ..................29,645,000.........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER....................................................................350 .....................80........................2 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.225........... 0.230 .............0.230 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.225..............0.225...................0.230 ..................50,832,300.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER.................................................... 8,843 ............... 1,592........................1 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180........... 0.180 .............0.180 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180.............. 0.178...................0.180.................. 121,479,737 ........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ......................................................................33,679 ..............17,176........................3 ............0.510 ........... 0.510 ...........0.510 ........... 0.510 ............. 0.512............-0.002 ........... -0.391................0.510 ..............0.510...................0.516 ..................324,253,353 .......0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 274,770 ............67,334......................11 ........... 0.245 ...........0.246 ...........0.245........... 0.245 .............0.246 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.407 ...............0.245..............0.245...................0.250 ..................30,600,000.........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ...................................75,000 ............. 17,774........................4 ........... 0.236 ........... 0.237 ...........0.236........... 0.237 .............0.238 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.420 ...............0.237..............0.235...................0.237..................349,523,162........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 172,579.............25,772......................11 ............0.148 ........... 0.150 ...........0.148 ........... 0.149 .............0.150............-0.001 ........... -0.667 ...............0.149 ..............0.148...................0.149.................. 217,927,618 ........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 1,663,319.......998,640................... 183 ........... 0.600 ........... 0.612 ...........0.598........... 0.600 ............. 0.612............-0.012 ............-1.961................0.604..............0.600...................0.604 .................390,566,538........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ....................................................... 20,000 ............29,000........................2 ............1.450 ........... 1.450 ...........1.450 ............1.450 .............1.480............-0.030 ........... -2.027 ...............1.450 ..............1.420...................1.480................. 290,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 311,000..........441,437......................71 ............1.400 ........... 1.430 ...........1.400........... 1.420 ............. 1.450............-0.030 ........... -2.069 ...............1.420..............1.420...................1.430................1,065,000,000......0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 4,385,282 ..1,949,632...................407 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......21........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 100,381.............19,622........................4 ............0.196 ........... 0.196 ...........0.190............0.195 .............0.190 ........... 0.005............. 2.632 ................0.190..............0.190...................0.192..................277,882,048........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 290,408 ............ 18,181......................17 ........... 0.062 ...........0.063 ...........0.062........... 0.063 .............0.062 ............0.001 ..............1.613.................0.063..............0.062...................0.063.................... 7,875,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 2,290,046 ..... 203,771......................81 ........... 0.089 ...........0.090 ...........0.087........... 0.089 .............0.088 ............0.001 ..............1.136.................0.087..............0.087...................0.088..................133,500,000........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 170,267 ............16,192......................17 ........... 0.094 ...........0.097 ...........0.094........... 0.095 .............0.094 ............0.001 ............. 1.064 ................0.095..............0.094...................0.095................... 27,548,161 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............58,450 .............16,720........................5 ........... 0.286 ...........0.287 ...........0.286........... 0.286 .............0.286 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.286..............0.282...................0.286 ...................6,006,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING .........................................100 ..................200........................1 ........... 2.000...........2.000 ...........2.000 .......... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.000 .............1.950...................2.000 ................ 190,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .....................66 ....................... 9........................1 ............0.138 ........... 0.138 ...........0.138 ............0.138 ............. 0.138............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.138 .............. 0.138................... 0.141 ...................12,420,000.........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ................................................................6,000 ...............1,380........................1 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.230........... 0.230 .............0.230 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.230..............0.230...................0.240 .................436,816,322........0.100 OM0000003083 ...........AL KAMIL POWER .............................................................322 .....................92........................1 ........... 0.285 ...........0.285 ...........0.285........... 0.312 .............0.312............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.285..............0.285...................0.000 ..................30,030,000.........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE .....................................................2,000 ..................248........................2 ............0.124 ........... 0.124 ...........0.124........... 0.122 .............0.122 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.124..............0.123...................0.124...................30,937,980 .........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 558,582 ............41,516..................... 32 ............0.075 ........... 0.075 ...........0.073........... 0.074 .............0.074 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.074..............0.073...................0.074...................74,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 305,849 ............55,053........................6 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180........... 0.180 .............0.180 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180.............. 0.181...................0.185.................. 128,593,141 ........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ................................ 5,383 .................. 933........................2 ............0.174 ........... 0.174 ...........0.173 ............0.173 ............. 0.174............-0.001 ........... -0.575 ...............0.173 .............. 0.173...................0.180...................17,300,000 .........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING............ 32,500 ...............4,293........................4 ............0.133 ........... 0.133 ...........0.132 ........... 0.132 ............. 0.133............-0.001 ........... -0.752 ...............0.132 ..............0.130...................0.132...................16,087,500 .........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE......................................................20,092 ...............2,491........................5 ............0.124 ........... 0.124 ...........0.124........... 0.124 ............. 0.125............-0.001 ........... -0.800 ...............0.124..............0.122...................0.124...................33,072,732 .........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 263,000 ............31,886........................7 ............0.122 ........... 0.122 ...........0.120............0.121 ............. 0.125............-0.004 ........... -3.200 ...............0.120..............0.120...................0.122..................242,037,848........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 4,103,446......412,587................... 186 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......16........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

M O N E TA RY P O L I C Y

New bank regulations are not capital controls: Economist BEIJING: China’s new regulations on cash transactions and overseas transfers are not capital controls, according to a central bank researcher cited by the official Xinhua News Agency.

New requirements published by the People’s Bank of China on Friday stoked concern that the government is imposing capital controls in a disguised form, Xinhua reported late on Sunday.

Not capital control “It is not capital control at all,” Ma Jun, chief economist of the central bank’s research bureau, told the state-run news service. The $50,000 annual foreign exchange purchase quota for individuals is

unchanged, and the rules won’t affect normal activities such as business investment and operations abroad or overseas travel and study, Ma said.

Ma’s comments follow the annual Jan. 1 reset of the $50,000 limit for individuals, which may potentially aggravate capital outflow pressures that have been intensifying after the yuan suffered its steepest annual slump in more than two decades.

The PBOC said Friday it will tighten rules for banks to report cross-border customer transactions starting July 1 as part of stepped-up efforts to curb money laundering and prevent terrorism financing.

Assume responsibility Financial institutions will assume responsibility for reporting and there will be neither extra documentation nor official approval procedures for businesses and individuals, Ma said.

The PBOC said on Friday it will require financial institutions to report any cross-border transfers of 200,000 yuan ($28,800).

Officials say they want more timely data on individuals to track risks arising from increasing cross-border transfers, according to a statement.

Middle class and wealthy Chinese have been converting money into other currencies to protect against devaluation, putting

downward pressure on the yuan.

The currency started last year by roiling global markets, with a weaker-than-expected fixings in January creating panic about currency policy and spurring outflows, and finished 2016 near an eight-year low.

China’s foreign reserves, the world’s largest stockpile, fell to a five-year low of $3.05 trillion as of November.

The $99 billion drop last January, the largest in 2016, followed the last reset of the quotas. Data scheduled for release on Jan. 7 will show the hoard fell to $3.01 trillion, according to the median estimate of economists surveyed by Bloomberg. -Bloomberg News

Ma Jun, chief economist of the central bank’s research bureau.

— Bloomberg file picture

GROWTH FORECAST

Samsung warns of slow growth SEOUL: Samsung Electronics sees growth slowing in key markets and uncertainties increasing around trade protectionism and currency fluctuations.

In his annual New Year’s speech Monday, Samsung Vice Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer Kwon Oh-hyun urged employees to learn from costly failures as the consumer electronics giant seeks to recover

from 2016’s bruising debacle surrounding the Note 7 smartphone.

“We should not compromise with even the tiniest problems in product quality,” Kwon said at the in Suwon, South Korea. “Let’s recover our pride by improving manufacturing processes and safety inspections.”

The Note 7’s tendency to catch fire prompted a global recall and the marquee product was even-

tually scrapped. The fiasco cost the world’s largest smartphone maker more than $6 billion and pushed profits at its mobile business to a record low in the third quarter. The company was also embroiled in allegations being investigated by South Korean prosecutors that the merger of its two affiliates in 2015 may have received favourable government treatment. — Bloomberg News

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

B3

MARKET STOCK MARKET

India’s Sensex marks 2017 start with a 31-point loss MUMBAI: In a listless trading on Monday, the Sensex closed with a marginal loss of over 31 points at 26,595 on the first trading day of 2017 as banking stocks felt the heat due to worries that the lending rate cuts will hit their bottom line. Investors started taking profit that made mood downbeat.

There was accelerated selling after the manufacturing sector contracted in December, hit hard by demonetisation, and fresh weakness in the rupee.

Weak sentiment Opening on a weak note, the Sensex shuttled between 26,720.98 and 26,447.06 and settled lower 31.01 points, or 0.12 per cent, at 26,595.45.

The gauge had gained 415.78 points in the previous two straight sessions. The 50-share Nifty edged down by 6.30 points, or 0.08 per cent, to close at 8,179.50. It shuttled between 8,212 and 8,133.80 intra-day.

“The new year got off to a rocky start, with markets trying to gauge the impact of the Prime Minister’s credit sops and bank rate cuts. Lenders, including NBFCs, recovered though and the weak PMI figures could not rein in the pullback, presumably having already priced in soft macros pertaining to the note ban period,” said Anand James, Chief Market Strategist, Geojit BNP Paribas Financial Services.

In the banking space, HDFC Ltd emerged as the top loser by falling 3.45 per cent, followed by SBI 2.46 per cent and ICICI Bank 1.37 per cent. - PTI

State Bank of India expects acceleration in loan growth The state-run lender cut lending rates based on the marginal costs of funds by 90 basis points across all tenures on Sunday

MUMBAI: State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest lender, is predicting an acceleration in loan growth from a 25-year low after slashing borrowing costs to the lowest level in at least six years.

The state-run lender cut lending rates based on the marginal costs of funds by 90 basis points across all tenures on Sunday. Other banks including Union Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and IDBI Bank also cut their MCLR rates after a surge in deposits following a cash ban in the country brought down the cost of funds.

Deposits have surged Deposits have surged at a faster pace at Indian banks than loan growth after people started turning in Rs500 ($7.35) and Rs1,000 notes that are no longer legal tender following a Nov. 8 decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ban high-value currency notes, effectively cancelling 86 per cent of cash in circulation. This jump

IHS MARKIT REPORT

WAITING TIME: Deposits have surged at a faster pace at Indian banks than loan growth after people started turning in Rs500 ($7.35)

and Rs1,000 notes that are no longer legal tender following a November 8 decision. — Bloomberg file picture

in deposits has cut the cost of funds for lenders, State Bank of India Managing Director Dinesh Khara said. “The cut in lending rates will give an immediate boost to consumer loan growth and its ripple effect should have a positive impact on loan demand from companies,” Khara said in a telephone interview on Monday.

Loan growth at Indian lenders in the year to November 25 fell to 5.8 per cent, the slowest pace of growth since 1992, data compiled

by Bloomberg shows.

State Bank of India fell 2.6 per cent to 243.65 rupees at 12:55 p.m. in Mumbai, making it the secondbiggest loser on the 10-member BSE Bankex Index that dropped 1.5 per cent. Punjab National Bank

lost 1.4 per cent and ICICI Bank declined 1.8 per cent.

Modi’s cash ban prompted economists to cut India’s growth forecast and a private gauge indicates that India’s manufacturing sector will shrink for the first time in a year. The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index was at 49.6 in December, a report showed on Monday, the lowest since December 2015. A number below 50 indicates a contraction.

It will take a lot more than interest rate cuts “to boost credit demand as demonetisation took the wind out of the sails of many sections of the economy,” Payal Pandya, a Mumbai-based analyst at Centrum Wealth Management,

said by phone. “Hopefully by early 2018 we could see loan growth coming back strongly as the economy comes back on track.”

Borrowing costs The reduction in borrowing costs means net interest margins at the banks will “come under pressure,” Morgan Stanley analysts lead by Sumeet Kariwala said in a note on Monday.

Large private sector banks are expected to follow state-owned lenders in cutting lending rates, according to the note.

A five basis point fall in the net interest margin will reduce the industry’s net income in the year ending March 2018 by four percentage points, according to esti-

mates by analysts led by Aashish Agarwal at CLSA India Pvt. Shares of non-bank mortgage finance companies including Housing Development Finance Corp. and LIC Housing Finance Ltd. fell most in more than a month on expectation of slower loan growth and narrowing net interest margins. HDFC fell 3.4 per cent while LIC Housing dropped 5.5 per cent.

Mortgage finance companies are expected to see significant rise in requests from customers for transferring their loans to banks that are offering lower interest rates and hence their loan growth and lending margins will fall from “lower portfolio re-pricing,” the Morgan Stanley note showed.

— Bloomberg News

ECONOMY

China’s central bank advisor calls for growth target range of 6-7 per cent

A Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 54.9 in December, IHS Markit said on Monday. — Bloomberg file picture

EU manufacturing expanded last month BRUSSELS: Euro-area manufacturing expanded last month at the fastest rate since April 2011, in a sign that the currency bloc’s recovery is intact heading into 2017.

A Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed to 54.9 in December, IHS Markit said on Monday.

The reading matches the initial estimate on Dec. 15 and was up from 53.7 in November. Higher import costs resulting from a weaker euro, combined with increased global commodity prices, led to the sharpest inflation for average purchasing costs in more than five-and-a-half years.

The European Central Bank (ECB) has extended its stimulus programme until at least the end of the year as it strives to return consumer-price growth to its goal of just under 2 per cent.

While inflation looks set to accelerate in coming months, officials are concerned that core

prices — excluding energy and food — have so far shown no convincing upward trend.

“Euro-zone manufacturers are entering 2017 on a strong footing, having ended 2016 with a surge in production,” said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at IHS Markit. “Policy makers will be doubly-pleased to see the manufacturing sector’s improved outlook being accompanied by rising price pressures.”

PMI readings rose in all seven of the countries in the survey, with growth strongest in the Netherlands and Austria. Germany’s gauge was at the highest in three years, France’s in more than five years, and Spain’s in 11 months. Italy’s pace of growth improved and Greece’s contraction eased.

The euro fell after German data were published and extended declines following the euro-area report. — Bloomberg News

BEIJING: China should set a more flexible 2017 economic growth target to give policy makers more room to enact reform, according to Huang Yiping, an advisor to the People’s Bank of China (PBOC).

He proposed a range of 6 per cent to 7 per cent for this year, compared with the 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent objective in 2016, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Last year’s target, the first range in two decades, was down from 7 per cent for 2015.

The country’s leaders also have a longer-term objective. President Xi Jinping has said he wants expansion to average at least 6.5 per cent in the five years through 2020 to achieve the Communist Party promise of building a “moderately prosperous society” by that year with gross domestic product and income levels double those of 2010.

“The 6.5 per cent target is just an

for pro-growth efforts and give policy makers more room to focus on reforms.”

Huang said a large number of “zombie companies” remain economically inviable yet still manage to survive on government and bank assistance, bringing down the overall efficiency of resource allocation in the economy.

Huang Yiping, an advisor to the People’s Bank of China. — Bloomberg file picture

average rate,” Huang, an economics professor at Peking University, told Xinhua in an interview published late on Sunday. “As long as employment is stable, a slightly wider growth target range in the short term will reduce the need

Smooth re-balancing In addition to slowing growth and rising debt, top officials are also trying to manage a smooth re-balancing from the old growth drivers such as manufacturing and construction as new ones like consumption struggle to compensate.

Meanwhile, policy makers are focusing more on safeguarding the financial system.

Preventing and controlling financial risk to avoid asset bubbles will be a priority for 2017, along with deepening supply-side structural reform, top party officials

said recently after their annual gathering of the Central Economic Work Conference to decide on policy goals.

Xi is open to growth below the 6.5 per cent target due to rising debt and concern about an uncertain global environment after Donald Trump’s US election win, a person familiar with the situation told Bloomberg News last month. Hitting the target isn’t needed if doing so is too risky, said the person, who asked not to be named because the discussions were private.

China is poised to abandon its longer-term growth target in the next two years as leaders push to contain asset bubbles and financial leverage, Yao Wei, chief China economist at Societe Generale SA in Paris, wrote in a report last week. She said the 6.5 per cent goal will likely be lowered to a range of 6 percent to 6.5 per cent, or even 5.5 per cent to 6.5 per cent.

— Bloomberg News

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B4 TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

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B5

ROUND-UP ART AND LITERARY CONTEST

MELC co-founder bags Kerala Wing youth festival competitions best doctor accolade set to be held from January 3rd week Dr Maria Clara Arbelaez, MELC’s co-founder, Medical and Scientific director, an international authority on corneal and refractive surgeries, was awarded the title as Best Doctor in private sector in Oman introducing scientific research for her sterling contributions to the advancement of eye care research

MUSCAT: Muscat Eye Laser Center (MELC), the most premium private eye care facility in the capital region, is the recipient of one of the Health Ministry’s highest accolades for excellence in the private healthcare sector in the Sultanate.

Dr Maria Clara Arbelaez, MELC’s co-founder, Medical and Scientific director, an international authority on corneal and refrac-

tive surgeries, was awarded the title as Best Doctor in private sector in Oman introducing scientific research for her sterling contributions to the advancement of eye care research, says a press release.

The prestigious twin awards reinforce the Muscat Eye Laser Center’s long-standing reputation as an unrivalled provider of top quality vision correction services. By leveraging on a world-class combination of professional expertise, cutting edge technology, state-of-the-art equipment and unmatched levels of patient safety, Muscat Eye Laser Center continually delivers superior results for its patients.

The awards, instituted by the Directorate General of Private Health Establishments, underscore the ministry’s efforts to nurture the growth and development of a competent, vibrant and quality-driven private healthcare sector that complements government

healthcare institutions in the delivery of cost-effective services to the general public.

Evidence of this commitment was reflected in the presence of Dr Sultan bin Yarub Al Busaidi, Adviser of Health Affairs at the Ministry of Health, as the chief guest at the awards ceremony. High-level officials of the Ministry of Health, and representatives of leading private hospitals and clinics were also in attendance at the ceremony, which was held at the Muscat Holiday Hotel in Al Khuwair.

Dr Arbelaez who co-founded MELC along with Sameer Al Awam in 2002, is a highly acclaimed medical professional of national and international repute.

She is best known for her research work in the field of corneal and refractive surgery, having presented numerous papers at prestigious international forums over the past two decades.

Dr Arbelaez has also successfully performed over 58,000 surgeries over a professional career spanning several decades.

Welcoming the accolades, Dr Arbelaez said, “The awards are a testament to Muscat Eye Laser Center’s commitment to excellence in the delivery of patientcentred care on par with wellestablished international surgical eye care service providers. This recognition gives further impetus to our ambitions to evolve into a Center of Excellence in corrective vision services in the region.”

The renowned eye care centre, which operates its flagship clinic in the upscale regions of Shatti Al Qurum and Al Mouj in Muscat, was conferred the ‘Best Eye Clinic in Oman’ for 2016 at the Annual Awards Ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Health to recognise excellence in the private healthcare arena.

MUSCAT: The Kerala Wing of the Indian Social Club Oman has decided to hold its art and literary competitions for all age groups and is open for all Indians residing in the Sultanate.

The various competitions gauging the participants’ talent in dance, music and literature will be held in various venues starts from third week of January 2017. Application forms, item schedule, rules and regulations are available at Indian Social Club office at Darsait and also can be downloaded from the Kerala Wing’s website, says a press release. Last date for the submission of application forms will be January 10, says a press release.

The winners of the various competitions will be awarded with trophies and certificates.

Eminent panel of judges from India as well as Oman will choose the best performers in each category. To encourage participants as a team from a school, rolling trophy will be awarded to the school that scores the maximum. The participants will be informed on the dates for various

items over telephone and the details are also updated regularly on Kerala Wing website.

Painting, drawing and literary events like poem writing, essay writing short story writing in both English and Malayalam languages will be held separately at Indian Social Club Hall at Darsait. Spot entries are available for these events.

This is the largest competition in terms of participation and candidates from all parts of the Sultanate have entered, claimed the organisers.

The competitions are being held on the lines of the famed youth festivals held in Kerala and a high voltage contest is expected in all the sections — sub-juniors, juniors, seniors and adult.

The Kerala Wing of the Indian Social Club founded in the year 2001 is a unique organisation in the socio-cultural scenario of Sultanate of Oman. The organisation is an alert respondent to the expat community in Oman and is active in the humanitarian and socio-cultural activities in Oman.

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“It is powered by a 1.4L, 4 Cylinder, CVVT Engine generating 108 hp @ 6300 rpm, Torque:14 kg-m @ 4200 rpm,” pointed out an enthusiast, “And that is a compelling factor behind its performance!”

With its sport-tuned suspension and quick steering, the Rio delivers agile handling around a turn.

While its ride is on the firmer side, the Rio’s handling is quite nimble, with steering that responds well to driver input. Currently, the stylish Rio can be owned with an equally delightful offer, says a press release.

“Customers can choose any one option and enjoy either a cash gift of OMR900 or a service package for 2 years/30,000km, insurance of 1 year and cash gift of OMR550,” the spokesperson explained, “The time to do it is now, since this limited period offer will end.”

In the words of an industry expert, “At its price point, the Rio delivers on a commendable interior quality and handsome styling, rivalling the cabins of pricier subcompact cars.”

The Kia Rio opens with a smart key into a cabin decked-out with attractive styling and quality materials. The Rio dashboard layout lends itself to easy-to-read climate and audio controls. It is adorned with a Radio/CD/MP3 USB/AUX and bluetooth capable audio system with 4 speakers. It also offers

auto cruise control. The comfort factor is heightened with Rio’s attractive cloth upholstered seats that are spacious - offering plenty of head and legroom. The front seats also offer a good amount of bolstering and remain comfortable during long trips. There also is a cool glove box and a sunroof to pack every ride with tons of fun!

Safety-wise,the Rio offers advanced features such as Antilock Braking System (ABS), ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and

a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System. Rio’s Projection Headlamps & LED Positioning Lamps with Escort Function, light up the path clear and bright, thus adding to the peace of mind of the driver.

The LED Rear Combination Lamps set up its unique profile.

The Rio sedan has 13.7 cubic feet of trunk space, and its 60/40 Split Seats fold flat to expand usable storage space and to make loading cargo easy. The Rio hatchback has a cargo capacity of 15 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 49.8 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

That’s significantly more cargo space than most hatchbacks have.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Rio the top rating of good in the moderate overlap, rear crash protection, and roof strength tests. It earned five stars in the side crash test.

Reliable International Automotive, the distributor for Kia in Oman provides a rewarding ownership experience for customers.

Al Hashar showcases Liqui Moly lubricants MUSCAT: The Liqui Moly Lubricants stall received a warm and spirited response at the recently concluded Oman Motor Show 2016, held at the new Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre in Muscat. Over 30,000 motoring enthusiasts visited this edition.

The technologically superior Liqui Moly is globally reputed as a pioneering, award-winning and exceptionally proven brand.

Distributed by Al Hashar in Oman, Liqui Moly product range includes lubricants for cars, commercial vehicles, construction and mining equipment apart from additives, car care products, repair and service products, adhesives, sealants, special lubricants for boats and motorbikes.

Developed and tested at Liqui Moly’s own laboratories, and

manufactured only in Germany, Liqui Moly motor oils are officially approved (certified OEM) by all major car manufacturers for their proven benefits in lengthening engine life. They protect the engine and reduce wear caused by build-up of oil sludge due to high sulphur content in fuel.

Liqui Moly oil products available in Oman include the Synthoil Energy 0W/40, Super Leichtlauf 10W-40, Synthoil Race Tech GT110W-60, Formula Super 20W-50, Synthoil High Tech 5W-40, Leichtlauf Special AA 5W-30, Top Tec 4200 5W30, Hydraulic Oil HLP 68, and the ATF III (yellow).

Liqui Moly products are available at all the Al Hashar outlets and through an extensive dealer network across the Sultanate.

B6

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

ROUND-UP SBG vice chairperson meets its employees

MUSICAL PROGRAMME

Congratulating the employees for their team work and

Balabel Group to hold mega event in Sohar

achievements over a challenging 2016, Amal Suhail Bahwan wished all employees and their families very fruitful and successful New Year

MUSCAT: To mark the wellbeginning of 2017, Amal Suhail Bahwan, vice chairperson, Suhail Bahwan Group (SBG), visited the business units and service divisions of the group at the group’s headquarters Al Rawaq building and personally conveyed her New Year greetings to employees.

Congratulating the employees for their team work and achievements over a challenging 2016,

Amal Bahwan wished all employees and their families very fruitful and successful New Year, says a press release.

She said, “The arrival of a new year is not just about a change in

calendar but an opportunity to make positive changes in your work, career and your personal life. Let us begin the year with a pledge to work together with the best of our abilities, hard work

and perseverance and make 2017 a successful year.”

Staff members were motivated by her visit and joined her in wishing everyone a very prosperous year ahead.

T O K E N O F A P P R E C I AT I O N

Many actors and singers from Bollywood such as Shabbir Kumar, Sweety Chhabra, Awedhesh Mishra, and Bavana Pandit will also participate in the show cultural relationship between the expat Indians living in Sohar and Omani nationalists.

The fans all over Oman are very much excited about his visit and the upcoming event.

ACHIEVEMENT

Special Olympics Oman honours Bank Sohar MUSCAT: In recognition of its continued support, Bank Sohar was recently honoured and presented with a token of appreciation by Special Olympics Oman.

The honouring event was held recently at the Nadi Al Shafaq Hall under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Assad bin Tariq Al Said. Representing Bank Sohar at the event and receiving the token on its behalf was Munira Abdulnabi Macki, GM of HR and Corporate Support at Bank Sohar, says a press release.

Commenting on its continued support of Special Olympics Oman, Munira said, “At Bank Sohar we always embrace values that place people first and are committed towards helping people of all abilities be valued, productive and successful members of our communities. In line with this ideology, we believe that people with special needs have the same right to compete and achieve. Special Olympics Oman is a very special organisation that has made this a reality, helping break down barriers and encouraged a whole new attitude towards those with special needs; and we are glad to be in a position to continually support their activities.”

The event began with a recitation of the Holy Quran and a poetry recital. A video was then played showcasing the achievements of Special Olympics Oman and its athletes, which was followed closely by a speech by the family of one of the athletes of the Special Olympics. There was even a stunning capoeira performance by some of the athletes, followed by a speech by His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said, chairman of Special Olympics Oman, and a special scouts show by the students of Alttarbia Alfikria School.

The event concluded with the bank receiving a token of appreciation for their support of Special Olympics Oman and other NGOs in the sector.

“We are truly honoured to have received this token of appreciation. That being said, we believe that the true honour lies with Special Olympics Oman, whose

MUSCAT: Balabel Group is planning to organise a mega event in Sohar. Ravi Kishan, an Indian actor and television personality who works in Hindi, Bhojpuri cinema will be the lead of the show.

Many actors and singers from Bollywood such as Shabbir Kumar, Sweety Chhabra, Awedhesh Mishra, Dilshad, Bavana Pandit will also participate in the show, says a press release.

Ravi Kishan has arrived in Sohar along with his family to start his opening days of 2017 exploring the beauty of Sultanate of Oman, and to spend time with his friend Deepak Kumar, chairman of Balabel Al Batna International.

He reportedly claimed to be very impressed with the existing

We are truly honoured to have received this token of appreciation. That being said, we believe that the true honour lies with Special Olympics Oman, whose invaluable work has helped prove that everyone, can represent their country at an international level and make their families and communities proud Munira Abdulnabi Macki

GM of HR and Corporate Support at Bank Sohar

invaluable work has helped prove that everyone, can represent their country at an international level and make their families and communities proud. We encourage other local businesses, community groups, individuals and entities that can contribute, to do so, in support of this fantastic organisation,” added Munira.

Over the past nine years Bank Sohar has made significant contributions towards community development across the Sultanate as well as several other causes across

various fields; always placing great importance on the development of the society. The bank has also strongly supported those organisations and initiatives that selflessly serve the community and provide resources for people with special needs or make meaningful contributions that benefit the community as a whole. Bank Sohar also endorses social development and environment friendly practices in all facets of its business and designs its products, services and CSR programmes in line with its

drive towards excellence.

Furthermore, the bank also strives to ensure that its contributions are carefully planned and evaluated in order to diversify and reach out to the maximum number of people especially those in most need of it, offering recipients positive support and making a meaningful change. During this year bank Sohar supported more than 25 organisations around the Sultanate under its social responsibility programme. The bank has also, over the years, extended its supported a broad range of charitable organisations across the Sultanate ranging from child care centres and charity organisations to association that offer support to the differently abled of our community and those suffering from terminal illnesses.

The Special Olympics Oman Association formerly known as Al Amal Association manages and organises activities and programmes pertaining to Intellectual Disability and the Special Olympics in conjunction with the Ministry of Social Development. Established in 2010, the association’s objective is to establish specialised centres for improving the behavioural skills for the intellectually disabled and to develop them into dynamic professionals. Through the association, individuals have the opportunity to develop social, cultural and interactional skills that will help them in their society.

Aster Al Raffah Hospital successfully performs PCL reconstruction surgery MUSCAT: Since its inception in 2009, the orthopaedic department at Aster Al Raffah Hospital has provided diagnoses and treatments for a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders, including both simple and complex surgeries.

One such surgery was recently performed by the team of Dr Chetan Salian (Specialist in Arthroplasty and Arthroscopic surgery) and Dr Rakshith Sannegowda (Specialist in Arthroplasty and Arthroscopic surgery) on a 21-year-old patient, Mohammed Al Harthi, who presented a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) coupled with an avulsion of the posterior root of the medial meniscus, says a press release.

According to Dr Salian, “The injury was unique to begin with because the incidents of a PCL tear are few and far between compared to the more common Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries that youngsters get from playing football. A second reason was that the injury was also sustained by the meniscus and in order to prevent the onset of arthritis in the patient, we had to make sure that every effort was made to salvage the meniscus.”

The PCL is one of the four main ligaments of the knee joint that provides it with stability during running, jumping or other high intensity sport activities.

The primary role of the meniscus is to help uniformly distribute the load in the knee joint, and help preserve the joint cartilage.

“An arthroscopic reconstruction of the PCL was performed in order to repair the tear in the PCL. The procedure in itself contained a high degree of risk since a crucial tunnel had to be made at the back of the knee and close to vital structures such as the artery and nerve of the leg. The meniscus on the other hand was repaired using a novel technique that involved making a separate tunnel through

Dr Chetan Salian (Specialist in Arthroplasty and Arthroscopic surgery) and Dr Rakshith Sannegowda (Specialist in Arthroplasty and Arthroscopic surgery) performed the surgery on a 21-year-old patient, Mohammed Al Harthi, who presented a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) coupled with an avulsion of the posterior root of the medial meniscus the bone,” said Dr Sannegowda.

“I would like to thank the team of doctors and nurses at the Aster Al Raffah Hospital for their excellent service in repairing my injury and setting me up on a path to make a full and pain free recovery,” said Mohammed.

Both Dr Salian and Dr Sannegowda are specialists in arthroscopic surgeries, and possess over two decades of collective experience in the field. Through their skills and expertise, they were able to perform both the procedures within the stipulated time under the tourniquet, and the patient made a complete postoperative recovery.

Since 2009, Aster Al Raffah Hospital has been a leader in providing expert healthcare services, across multiple specialities.

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ROUND-UP

S P R E A D I N G AWA R E N E S S

Primewell tyres takes initiatives towards road safety MUSCAT: One amongst Eint Automotive’s most preferred tyrebrands, Primewell has always had a keen focus on spreading awareness on road safety.

With its local dealer sharing the same beliefs, principles and vision to propagate this awareness further, Primewell and Eint Auto have together taken various initiatives towards this cause, says a press release.

The road safety drive starts with ensuring that all cars are equipped to take-on the roads. Tyres form the main point of contact between any vehicle and the road and therefore have a direct impact on road safety. Primewell endeavours to educate motorists on tyre maintenance as the basis of road safety with a special emphasis on maintaining tire pressure, while simultaneously educating the drivers on tyre condition, upkeep and safety.

A tyre with the right balance of air pressure also diminishes the rolling resistance of the vehicle, which in turn enhances fuel efficiency thereby leading to better

mileage. A dynamic team of experts enthusiastically spread awareness on the importance of tyre safety, teaching customers quick, easy and effortless steps to keep track on the quality of their tyres.

Tyre bursts or blowouts, sudden punctures on highways and other such accidents not only put the drivers at risk but also other motorists and pedestrians too. During the past year, the country has noted several accidents caused due to poorly maintained tyres that have given way.

Tyre tread A country where winter rains are common, another important factor to take into consideration is tyre tread. It is important to ensure that the tyres are ready for winter and wet weather and drivers are encouraged to do a monthly check on their tyres to make sure the tyres have enough tread to control the vehicle in wet conditions and avoid aquaplaning at high speeds which could lead to disastrous consequences.

Primewell tyres use an innovative simulation software that delivers more precise tyre performance. They have an optimised carcass tension technology that advances balance when handling wet and dry surfaces. Primewell tyres are made from a superior pattern design filled with four circumferential ribs. This feature contributes to comfort, stability and handling of the vehicle.

Primewell tyres also feature a new tread compound that supplies outstanding manoeuvrability and grip. They have a circumferential

centre rib that enhances their lateral traction. Apart from its keen focus on road safety, Primewell’s various certificates speak of its concern to society and the environment at large. Primewell’s ISO 14001 endorsements addresses ‘Environmental Management’.

Primewell, as an international brand, undertakes all such initiatives to minimise harmful effects on the environment caused by its activities and to achieve continuous improvement of its environmental performance.

“As dealers of prestigious brands

Toyota Yaris 2017: Easy to own with benefits

Yaris is a well-known name and is one of Oman’s favourite Toyota models. It is available in two body types, the sedan and the hatchback MUSCAT: There is some very good news for those who have been looking forward to purchasing enhanced and improved Yaris models, with Multi Drive 7S transmission.

According to the spokesperson, “Toyota’s popular 2017 Yaris models, equipped with a Multi Drive 7S Transmission offer a drive that is silkier, smoother and even more fuel-efficient. They are now easier to own than ever before, with the benefits of the currently running offer.” “Up to OMR1,100 are be-

ing made available to Yaris customers, under the promotional scheme. Hence all they have to pay is down payment starting at OMR250 to buy a Yaris after accounting for and factoring-in all the cash gifts and benefits,” the spokesperson added.

(Terms and conditions apply; exact details are available at the showroom). Yaris is a well-known name and is one of Oman’s favourite Toyota models. It is available in two body types, the sedan and the hatchback.

A familiar sight on the roads and highways, the Toyota Yaris Sedan is a stylish and sleek car that can be spotted zipping deftly across the highways. Vigorous and responsive 1.5 & 1.3 litre engine variants power Yaris sedan. Not only do the engines deliver a great performance, they do so with high fuel efficiency, delivering a very economical cost of ownership.

Yaris features a Euro-inspired exterior stands apart as a truly unique Toyota packed with all the features any owner would want. Its sleek styling has all the right curves, and available projector-beam headlights and an oversize blacked-out grille add

attitude. Available LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) features an accent light bar for added eye-catching style. With its rear spoiler, integrated fog lights and 16-in. machined alloy wheels, Yaris is always ready to show off its sporty side.

As per an online site, “Good times are coming once you sit inside a Yaris. Available white stitching on the seats grabs your attention, and available pianoblack accents on the gearshift surround and steering wheel add an extra touch of class. That’s why Yaris comes standard with a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift lever.”

The 2017 Yaris sedan is powerdriven by a newly developed 1.3L, 4 Cylinder, 16V DOHC - EFi, VVTi Engine. The new engine churns out enhanced 98 HP Power on 1.3 L engine variant- as against 84 HP in the earlier models. There also is enhanced Torque on 1.3 L engine variant - 12.5 Kg-m as against the previous 12.3 Kg-m of torque.

The 2017 Yaris sedan is also equipped with Vehicle Stability Control, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), a rear fog lamp and Bluetooth mobile con-

nectivity - among others.

The spokesperson adds that the new Multi Drive 7S continuously variable transmission in the new Yaris models meticulously controls the speed and shifting pattern to realise excellent power train performance while ensuring a powerful and linear acceleration. It also has a 7-speed sequential shiftmatic mode with manual gear shifting-like characteristics that give the driver complete control when required.

The new Yaris Multi Drive7S models invite everyone to visit any Toyota showroom to take a closer look.

All specifications listed above are standard Toyota equipment.

Safety kit (fire extinguisher, warning triangle, tyre pressure gauge & first aid kit) is a dealer installed non-Toyota item provided on Toyota models as standard equipment. The vehicle specifications may change without prior notice.

In Oman, the nationwide parts and service network of Saud Bahwan Automotive supports Toyota’s outstanding product quality. No wonder then that today, Toyota is one of the most trusted and well-known brands.

As dealers of prestigious brands like Primewell which patronises all such CSR initiatives, road safety in particular, has always been something we focus at quite intensively Raj Nair,

Business Unit Head, Eint Automotive Tyre Division

like Primewell which patronises all such CSR initiatives, road safety in particular, has always been something we focus at quite intensively,” said Raj Nair, Business Unit Head, Eint Automotive Tyre Division. “We endeavour to make Oman’s road safer for all. Our long standing relations with Primewell and shared vision have helped us to be of service to the country.”

A successful division of the WJ Towell Group, Eint Automotive has established itself as a leader in the auto care aftermarket segment and has a rich database of customers. Its years of experience in the industry are coupled with a strong sense of dedication to serve the needs of the market with utmost excellence. It caters to the distribution, retailing and marketing of the most well-known international brands in the automotive aftermarket products sector. With a specialised division dedicated to the service and sale of tyres, Eint Automotive has an extensive range to suit the varying needs and preferences of their customers.

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ROUND-UP

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Bank Muscat committed to najahi as trusted partner for small businesses Facilitating financial inclusion, Bank Muscat najahi products and services have created a benchmark, helping micro and small businesses to overcome hurdles and chart successful ventures with proper planning, financial discipline and prudent management

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in line with its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and commitment to partnership in supporting Omani youth to embark on entrepreneurial ventures, has reiterated its focus to enhance the role of najahi as the trusted partner of micro and small businesses across the Sultanate.

Extending a helping hand to micro and small businesses across Oman, najahi centres are available at Bank Muscat head office at Airport Heights and branches in Ruwi Rex Road, Al Khuwair Souq, Seeb

Souq, Barka Souq, Sohar Main, Buraimi, Ibri (Jubail), Sur Al Afiya, Nizwa Firq and Salalah Corporate, says a press release.

In step with responsible banking, the focus of Bank Muscat is clear – create a sustainable financial platform for the nation and people and thereby contribute to the country’s progress and development. najahi extends both financial and advisory support to micro and small businesses to take wings and achieve their business dreams.

Facilitating financial inclusion, Bank Muscat najahi products and services have created a bench-

mark, helping micro and small businesses to overcome hurdles and chart successful ventures with proper planning, financial discipline and prudent management.

Securing credit without collaterals and accessing innovative banking services have been hurdles faced by micro and small businesses. The specially designed najahi products mainly include credit facilities without collaterals to develop and grow micro and small businesses. With najahi, Bank Muscat fulfils the primary need of finance for the micro and small business segment.

The najahi suite of products include the value added najahi Current Account, najahi Flexi Loan to support working capital, business expansion and other busi-

ness needs; najahi Business Credit Card; najahi Contractors Loan to help complete contracted jobs; najahi Contractors Bill Discounting to get immediate funds after completing contracted jobs and najahi PoS Receivables financing for customers who use PoS machines for their sales.

The value added najahi Current Account offers differentiated services, including Business Debit Card, branded cheque book, priority queuing at branches and online banking services.

The najahi Business Debit Card offers a daily withdrawal limit of OMR1,000. The higher withdrawal limit helps customers to meet day-to-day cash requirements. najahi customers can also avail multiple debit cards on the same ac-

RECOGNITION

count allowing authorised persons to make transactions on behalf of the company.

Priority queuing facility is available for najahi customers at branches.

Maintaining cash flow is a challenge faced by small businesses.

Addressing this critical need, Bank Muscat launched the first-of-itskind najahi Flexi Loan facility.

This facility gives customers the freedom to choose when to avail the loan and for what period. Customers pay interest only when they avail the loan and not when the facility is granted.

For very short term financing, the bank has launched najahi point of sale (PoS) receivables financing. The specially designed shortterm finance facilitates the work-

ing capital requirements of small businesses and helps maintain the cash flow.

The key features of najahi PoS receivables financing include short tenor (ranging from one to six months) with daily installment repayments. A small amount is automatically deducted daily from customers’ bank account to repay loan. The evergreen facility allows najahi customers to keep repaying and replenishing the loan, thereby ensuring assured cash flow.

As with other najahi credit facilities, customers are not required to provide any collateral guarantee for PoS receivables financing. The convenience and speed of najahi PoS receivables finance help customers to meet their urgent requirement of funds. In a quick and hassle free process, najahi customers with 1-year PoS track record are eligible to avail the collateralfree finance.

Bank Muscat has launched a series of initiatives to strengthen the SME sector in Oman. Serving as building blocks for entrepreneurs, these initiatives assume importance in the backdrop of the priority accorded by the government to develop the SME sector in Oman.

I N T E R NAT I O NA L W O R K S H O P

Alizz Islamic Bank named ‘Housing Finance Firm of the Year’ for 2016 MUSCAT: Alizz Islamic bank was named ‘Housing Finance Firm of the Year’ for 2016 in the 2nd Edition of the Oman Real Estate Awards, which was organised by the Oman Real Estate Association under the auspices of His Highness Sayyid Taimur bin Asaad bin Tariq Al Said.

Mohammed Al Ghassani, head of branches - Alizz Islamic Bank, collected the awards in the presence of senior executives and dignitaries at an exclusive ceremony at the Grand Millennium Hotel Muscat. There were 17 categories of awards and 19 winners. The award ceremony highlights the accomplishments of the real estate industry and the role it plays in the development of Oman, says a press release.

Under Ijarah muntahiabittamleek, which literally translates to “Lease ending with ownership transfer”, Alizz Islamic Bank buys the property from the seller and leases it out to the customer with a promise to sell it at the end of the lease term. The option, which gives customers a host of benefits and facilities, is open to Omani nationals and resident expatriates, whether salaried or self-employed, and requires simple documentation with fast and easy approval process. The settlement term can be up to 25 years with maximum financing of 80% of the property value or OMR450,000 and is

Waljat College set to organise workshop on relationship marketing and its challenges available for existing properties.

The minimum salary required is OMR300 only for government employees and OMR350 for private sector employees.

Another Sharia-compliant option is ‘Forward Ijarah’ home finance in which ‘Alizz’, in its capacity as ‘lessor’, constructs the property at the customer’s request and leases it out to the customer after the completion of construction for a certain period of time and against a rental amount.

Once the customer has met all obligations under Forward Ijarah contract, the bank will transfer the ownership of the property to the customer.

This option too is open to Omani nationals and resident expatriates, whether salaried or self-employed, and requires simple documentation with fast and easy approval process. Financing is available for up to 25 years and 80 percent of the property value. It is also available for properties under construc-

tion. The maximum financing option is again OMR450,000 while the minimum salary required is OMR300 for government employees and OMR350 for private sector employees.

‘Alizz’ offers home and real estate financing options to small, medium and large enterprises. It delivers Sharia-compliant products catering to the different needs of customers, helping them complete their transactions easily and quickly using cutting-edge technology.

E X T R AO R D I NA RY C R E AT I O N

Experience extraordinary with Pizza Hut’s ‘X-treme Pizza’ this festive season MUSCAT: Pizza Hut Oman invited pizza fans to indulge in its allnew extraordinary creation - the X-treme Pizza this festive season.

Available at Pizza Hut outlets throughout the Sultanate, the Xtreme pizza as the name suggests - is extreme in size, variety and taste; and is available for dine-in, delivery and take-away customers, says a press release.

A revolutionary new pizza, the X-treme pizza is a result of Pizza Hut’s focus on innovation and growth; and comes with some of the company’s most popular signature toppings in one pizza (vegetarian options included), namely the Pepperoni, Super Supreme, Very Veggie and Margherita. That’s not all, an 18 inch pizza available for just OMR6.800 (taxes as applicable), the X-treme Pizza can be upgraded to an Xtreme Meal priced at OMR8.400 (taxes as applicable) that includes all-time favourites such as garlic bread, potato wedges, large salad, 2.25 litre Pepsi - making it even more perfect for an entire family or group of friends.

“The fast-food category is seg-

The X-treme pizza is extreme in size, variety and taste; and is available for dine-in, delivery and take-away customers

mented by occasions; and we dominate the ‘shared meal’ occasion segment with our traditionally sized pizzas. The addition of a pizza that is almost double the size as compared to a regular ‘large’ pizza, at nearly the same price, is thus a win-win situation for our valued customers,” said

Sachin Malhotra, COO, Khimji Ramdas Lifestyle Group.

He added, “We invite them to taste our new X-treme pizza and experience an explosion of lipsmacking flavors. And assure them that whether they are picnicking with family and friends this winter, or throwing a party this festive

season - the X-treme pizza is sure to make meal times easy and fun.”

Yogesh Shah, general manager, Khimji Restaurant Division averred, “The backbone of our business is our customers and everything we have developed or are developing is focused on making their experience at Pizza Hut great, each time. Apart from our flavours and taste, it is our customisation and innovation stance that makes our pizzas popular throughout the Sultanate. We are thus confident that the X-treme pizza will be well-received and enjoyed by one and all.”

Pizza Hut’s X-treme Pizza will be available for a limited period.

MUSCAT: Waljat College of Applied Sciences (WCAS) is organising a two-day international workshop on Relationship Marketing (IWRM) and its Challenges on February 21 and 22.

The key resource person for the workshop is an imminent speaker from Winnipeg University Prof. Satyendra Singh. Prof Singh has rich academic experience to his credit. He has PGDip (Research Methods) and PhD (Industrial Marketing) from Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, England and MBA (International Business) from Maastricht School of Management, Maastricht, Netherlands, says a press release.

He has been a keynote speaker in many conferences and workshops across the world. The other resource persons for the workshop are well known industrialists and professionals from Oman who will be sharing their experiences and enlightening the participants on the importance and challenges of relationship marketing.

Relationship marketing is a significant element of business strategy given a great deal of attention as it is a core corporate philosophy that strengthens the cash flows of organisations positively in the long run. Relationship marketing basically suggests that for any business or an organisation to survive, it must maintain a good rapport with its customers.

IWRM will draw attention to the importance of maintaining good relationship with the current customers and acquiring more customers. Relationship marketing is an important aspect of customer relationship marketing which establishes a bond of customers with the firms which leads to healthy long-term relationship between the two parties.

Prof. S.L. Gupta, dean - WCAS said, “Relationship marketing is applied in almost all the business sectors. It is extensively used in retail financing, banking, airline industry, tourism industry, construction and real estate and in

almost all possible business sectors. Professionals from private sector, government sector, and different ministries can participate in this enriching workshop on ‘Relationship Marketing and its Challenges’ which has high relevance in current environment where diversification is the key term Oman and many other countries are emphasising on.

Maintaining a good relationship with the existing customers and developing new customers is becoming a challenge.”

The workshop aims to empower the ones who work with customers and also those responsible for customer management systems to understand, develop and implement a CRM system within their organisation.

The sub themes of the workshop are Introduction to relationship marketing, theory and its value, kinds of relationships, electronic vs. human, customer life cycle and its management, relationship development strategies, understanding customer related data/analytic.

The workshop will also include case studies, group exercises and presentations.

This workshop is aimed at the professionals working in different sectors of service industry, academicians and the students who are exposed to the practical challenges in maintaining the customer relationship. The workshop will be coordinated by Sultan Khan and Dr Seema Varshney, Department of Management, WCAS.

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FEDERER MAKES SMOOTH RETURN IN HOPMAN CUP Roger Federer showed no signs of rust in his first competitive match for six months when he outclassed Dan Evans 6-3 6-4 at the Hopman Cup on Monday. >C3

Elgar ton leads Proteas Badr Al Maimani Oman fightback at Newlands named U-23 team’s FOOTBALL

SCOREBOARD

South Africa 1st innings: S. Cook c K. Mendis b Lakmal 0 D. Elgar c K. Mendis b Lakmal 129 H. Amla b Kumara 29 J. Duminy c K. Mendis b Kumara 0 F. du Plessis c Mathews b Herath 38 T. Bavuma c Tharanga b Kumara 10 Q. de Kock not out 68 K. Abbott not out 16 Extras (lb-2, nb-1, w-4) 7 Total (for 6 wickets, 90 overs) 297 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-66, 3-66, 4-142, 5-169, 6-272 To bat: V. Philander, K. Maharaj, K. Rabada Bowling: S. Lakmal 21-3-69-2, N. Pradeep 15.4-3-46-0, A. Mathews 14-3-30-0 (w-1), L. Kumara 17-1-86-3 (nb-1, w-3), R. Herath 14.2-3-34-1, D. de Silva 8-0-30-0 Umpires: Aleem Dar & Rod Tucker TV umpire: Bruce Oxenford Match referee: David Boon

Elgar scored a careerhigh 129 and shared a 103-run partnership with De Kock to lift the home side into a handy position after they had struggled early on

CAPE TOWN: Dean Elgar’s century and a quickfire unbeaten 68 from Quinton de Kock lifted South Africa to 297 for six on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Newlands on Monday.

Elgar scored a career-high 129 and shared a 103-run partnership with De Kock to lift the home side into a handy position after they had struggled early on.

The opener went past his previous top test score and his ton came up off 186 balls before he was caught by wicketkeeper Kusal Mendis off Suranga Lakmal half an hour before the close.

De Kock, whose runs came off 90 balls, will resume with nightwatchman Kyle Abbott unbeaten on 16. Teenager Lahiru Kumara claimed three wickets, including two in the same over, after he was brought into the side following Sri Lanka’s 206-run defeat in the first test in Port Elizabeth.

But the touring side will feel

JUBILANT: South Africa’s Dean Elgar celebrates scoring a century

on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka. – AP/PTI

they did not take full advantage of the seamer-friendly track as they took as many wickets in the second two sessions as they had before lunch when South Africa were teetering on 69-3 after losing the toss and being put into bat.

There was an immediate breakthrough before the home team had scored a run with Stephen Cook, who made a century and was

named man of the match in the first test, out to the fourth ball of the game. He pushed at a rising delivery from Lakmal and got a faint edge to Mendis.

The 19-year-old Kumara dismissed Hashim Amla and JP Duminy in the same over just before lunch.

Amla, continuing his indifferent form, was clean bowled for 29

F I NA L T E S T A G A I N S T PA K I S TA N

Aussies out for clean sweep and not for early India preparation SYDNEY: Steve Smith’s sole aim will be to keep Australia in the winning habit when they take on a Pakistan side contemplating the imminent departure of their most successful captain in the dead rubber Sydney Test this week.

With a first Test series win of the season already in the bag after the dramatic victory in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, Australia have continued the reconstruction of their team ahead of February’s four-Test tour of India.

The recall of Steve O’Keefe for a twin-spin attack and inclusion of debutant batting all-rounder Hilton Cartwright gives Australia the look of a team getting an early start on preparations for a tour of the sub-continent.

Captain Smith, however, is well aware that little more than a month ago Australian cricket was in crisis after the home series loss to South Africa and his sights are firmly on victory and securing a 3-0 triumph over Pakistan.

“The selectors probably have an eye on India and the guys that are a possibility to be there,” Smith told reporters on Monday. “(But) you can’t think too far ahead. The conditions are completely different, it’s a different kind of spin that you get out here compared to India.

“We’re just focused on this test match at the moment, hopefully we can have a clean sweep.”

Misbah-ul Haq was so upset by the nature of the innings and 18-run defeat in Melbourne — a loss that ended his hopes of leading Pakistan to a first ever tour triumph in Australia — that he considered retiring from Tests immediately.

The 42-year-old, who been considering hanging up his bat for more than a year and has scored only 20 runs in four innings in the series, ultimately decided to lead his country into the match but the end cannot be far away.

“You have to fight as a sportsman and that’s important for me also,” he told reporters on Monday.

“Everyone, from the support staff to the players are up for that, so I’m also up. I need to play at my best.”

SUGGESTIVE TALK: Pakistan batsman Younis Khan, left, speaks with coach Mickey Arthur during a training session at the SCG. – AFP

Ahead of India tour, Aussies to train in ICC’s Dubai academy SYDNEY: The Australian cricket team will have a preparatory camp at ICC’s state-of-the-art academy in Dubai ahead of next month’s tour of India in an attempt to reverse its dismal fortunes in the subcontinent.

“India is not going to be the same everywhere. What they can do in Dubai is do a lot of different preparation with different types of pitches,” Cricket Australia’s high performance general manager Pat Howard was quoted as saying by Australian media.

Australia have not won a Test in India since 2004, and the camp has been organised

Pakistan will also be looking for better from another veteran batsman in Younis Khan to bolster a line-up that has shown a worrying fragility in their last few Test matches.

As in Melbourne, the weather will be a factor with rain forecast at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for

to help avoid a repeat of the disastrous tour in 2013 when the tourists were whitewashed 0-4.

“The ICC have done a really good job where they’ll have different pitches of the cities... So it’s not just spin pitches, there are different types,” said Howard.

“We cannot copy what we are going to get. It’s all about the mindset that we’re going to adapt.

“We can’t get practice against (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja either.”

The first Test of the fourmatch series begins in Pune on February 23. - PTI

all five days from Tuesday.

Head groundsman Tom Parker has promised a bit of traditional SCG turn, which is good news for O’Keefe and off-spinner Nathan Lyon but might also provide fitting conditions for Pakistan legspinner Yasir Shah to show the full range of his powers. - Reuters

and five balls later Duminy gloved a quick leg-side delivery to be caught for a duck after an acrobatic leap by Mendis.

In the second session, captain Faf du Plessis was the only wicket to fall, making 38 in a 76-run partnership with Elgar that launched South Africa’s fightback. He was caught at first slip by Angelo Mathews off the left-arm spin of Rangana Herath.

After tea, Temba Bavuma, who twice went out cheaply in the first test, was caught for 10 trying to flick a delivery over the field but taken at square leg by Upul Tharanga off Kumara.

Elgar followed with a thick edge off the second new ball but not before seeing his team into a relatively strong position. - Reuters

assistant coach

MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association (OFA) board has named former star player Badr Al Maimani as the assistant coach of Oman under-23 football team.

According to a statement issued by the OFA on Monday, Badr Al Maimani will be assistant to team’s head coach Hamad Al Azzani.

“The decision to appoint Badr Al Maimani as assistant coach of Olympic (U23) team comes within the association’s strategy of utilising the services of talented Omani nationals,” the OFA statement said.

Badr Al Maimani, who played a vital role in Oman’s maiden and only Gulf Cup triumph in 2009, has been, and still is, a very popular football star.

He brings with him rich experience after having played for the national team for a long time.

At club level, he represented Al Musanna Club, Muscat Club,

Riyadh Club of Saudi Arabia, Al Ahli of Qatar, Al Ittifaq Club of Saudi Arabia.

After his playing days, he worked as an assistant coach with Fanja Club and he also served as the assistant to the director of the first national team.

Competitions panel meets Meanwhile, OFA’s Competitions Committee held their first meeting of the year under the chairmanship of Mohsin bin Hamad Al Masroori on Monday.

The meeting discussed a number of issues on the agenda including the remaining activities of the 2016-2017 season.

The meeting also discussed the commencement of the second phase of Omantel Professionals League, the qualifying matches of the age group leagues and took the appropriate decisions with their regard.

COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE MEETING: The panel under chair-

manship of Mohsin Al Masroori holds meeting. – Supplied photo

C2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

SPORTS

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

COURT ORDER

MOTORSPORT

Formula One waits for Mercedes announcement LONDON: The time for talking is fast approaching as Mercedes start a new year with Formula One waiting for a big announcement about who is going to replace retired world champion Nico Rosberg alongside Lewis Hamilton.

The team made clear before the Christmas break that they would have nothing to say before the full return to work on Tuesday.

There is evidence, however, to suggest the decision is all but made. According to the motorsport.com website, Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas was at the Mercedes factory at Brackley before Christmas to meet team engineers and try out the cockpit

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

of the 2017 car. Bottas has raced for Mercedes-powered Williams since his Formula One debut in 2013 and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, a former Williams shareholder, has also been involved with the 27-year-old’s management team.

The Finn is the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Rosberg, who quit unexpectedly last month only five days after winning his first title, but other elements may need to slide into place before a deal can be announced. One would be for Felipe Massa to agree to abandon his announced retirement and return to Williams as Bottas’s replacement. - Reuters

Office-bearers of KCA quit following top court directive KOCHI: Kerala Cricket Association president T C Mathew, secretary Ananthanarayan and other office-bearers who have “cumulatively or separately completed nine years in office”, on Monday quit their posts following the Supreme Court directive to BCCI to implement the Lodha Panel reforms.

A meeting of the KCA held here appointed B. Vinod as new president and Jayesh George as secretary of the association, KCA sources said. The changes were brought hours after the Supreme Court removed BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke.

Mathew, who has served the KCA as an office-bearer for nearly two decades, is also a BCCI vice-president.

In a fix BCCI is in a fix over who to nominate among its five vicepresidents as the acting chief of the beleaguered cricket body.

At the moment, veteran Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) official CK Khanna, who is vice-president from Central Zone and VP for third time, is the senior most.

However, observer for DDCA Retd Justice Mukul Mudgal, in a scathing report submitted to Delhi HC, termed Khanna as a “pernicious influence”.

It is unlikely that Fali S Nariman and Gopal Subramanium won’t take into cognisance the observations of a legal luminary like Justice Mudgal.

Apart from Khanna, there is Gautam Roy of Assam Cricket Association. However, both Khanna and Roy have been part of their respective state association for more than a decade and will have to go into compulsory cooling-off period.

Ditto for G Ganga Raju, who had a decade long tenure at Andhra CA and may have to go for cooling-off. As of now there is no clarity on Saurav Ganguly’s position as he is not a vicepresident and hence could be ineligible for the post.

As of now, BCCI CEO Rahul Johri is likely to look after the day to day function along with GM MV Sridhar. - PTI

STUMPED: A file photo shows ousted BCCI chief Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke interact-

ing with media at the BCCI Headquarters in Mumbai on Saturday. – PTI

Beleaguered BCCI honchos accept top court’s verdict Thakur and Shirke were told to quit office

by Supreme Court, which held that it was mandatory for the BCCI to implement the Lodha Committee recommendations

NEW DELHI: Given the marching orders by Supreme Court, the sacked duo of BCCI President Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke said they will abide by the directive even though they made their skepticism with the verdict quite apparent.

Thakur and Shirke were told to quit office with immediate effect by an irate Supreme Court, which held that it was mandatory for the BCCI to implement the Lodha Committee recommendations on administrative reforms in toto.

The court ruled that, for the time being, the senior-most vice President of the BCCI will act as the stand-in President and the joint Secretary would carry out the Secretary’s functions. DDCA Vice President CK Khanna, 64, is among the seniormost VPs in the Board right now.

The apex court also issued a contempt notice to Thakur seeking his response as to why he should not be held liable for obstructing the implementation of the Lodha reforms, which were first made mandatory on July 18 last year.

‘All the best’ Thakur took a subtle dig at the order saying that if the apex court feels the cricketing body will do well under the guidance of retired judges, “I wish them all the best”.

“For me it was not a personal battle, it was a battle for the autonomy of the sports body. I respect Supreme Court as any citizen should. If Supreme Court judges feel that BCCI could do better under retired judges, I wish them all the best. I am sure Indian cricket will do well under their guidance,” said Thakur.

He reacted to the Supreme Court order by putting up a video clip on social media. “My commitment to the best of Indian cricket and autonomy of sports will always remain,” he said.

Thakur was BCCI joint secretary and secretary before being elected president in May 2016.

The BJP MP has also served as Himachal cricket boss for more than a decade.

“I had the honour of serving Indian cricket. Over the years, Indian cricket saw its best in terms of

administration and development of the game. BCCI is the best managed sports organisation in the country with defined procedures.

India has the best infrastructure built and maintained by state association with help of BCCI. India has more quality players than anywhere in the world.

‘Absolutely fine’ Shirke, on the other hand, said he is “absolutely fine” with the Supreme Court order but hoped that the Board does not lose its international standing owing to the administrative upheaval here.

“I have no reaction to that (to his sacking). If that is the Supreme Court order, I cease to be secretary. It cannot get any simpler than that. My role in BCCI is over,” said Shirke shortly after Supreme Court removed him and president Anurag Thakur as the office-bearers of the BCCI. “At the end of the day, the BCCI comprises of members. It is not about me or the president. It is about the members.

“I have no reason to go into history. History can be judged by people differently. I have no personal attachment to the post. In the past also I have resigned and I have lots of other things to do. I came back to the Board as there was a vacancy and I was elected unopposed. Now it has come to this (the Supreme Court). I am completely fine with it and I have no regrets,” said Shirke from the UK. Shrike hoped the Board does not lose its powerful position on the global stage. “I hope the new dispensation continues the good work done by the BCCI,” Shirke added.

‘Logical consequence’ Justice R M Lodha, who headed the three-member panel formed

by Supreme Court to suggest structural reforms in the BCCI, said it was only a matter of time for the recommendations to be implemented.

“This is a logical consequence because once the reforms were accepted by the Supreme Court, they had to be implemented.

There were obstructions and obviously this had to happen and it has happened,” said Lodha.

“One should understand that

once the order of the Supreme Court has come, it has to be obeyed. It is law of the land. It is victory for cricket. The game will flourish. Administrators come and go but the game goes on,” Lodha added.

The Supreme Court bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, said that Nariman and Subramanian will complete the task in two weeks and the matter for passing the direction for nominating the persons in committee of administrators will be taken up on January 19.

Meanwhile, the cricketing fraternity led by former India spinner Bishan Bedi hailed the apex court’s verdict.

“This is a landmark judgement.

It is good for Indian cricket and it will be back on track. There is light now and we are thankful to the Supreme Court. I don’t have to get into debate. This is full and final. This is going to be great news for Indian sports and cricket in particular. If you are watching IOA, it is in shambles. That will be clarified too,” said Bedi.

Most opposed The Lodha committee recommendations on one state one vote was one of the most opposed by the BCCI, especially its affiliate Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). Sharad Pawar, who resigned as MCA president last month to adhere to age cap of 70 years recommended by the Lodha, was left disappointed after the Supreme Court order on Monday.

Implementing one-state onevote would mean Mumbai, Maharashtra and Vidarbha will have to right to vote on rotational basis.

“It is the saddest day for Mumbai cricket. Mumbai cricket has produced so many international stars and done so much for Indian cricket (including record 41 time Ranji champions). The decision to keep Mumbai away from voting is painful,” said Pawar.

Veteran administrator Niranjan Shah, who is secretary of Saurashtra Cricket Association, said there was no option other than implementing the Lodha reforms.

Tamil Nadu Cricket Association secretary Kasi Viswanathan too concurred with his Saurashtra counterpart, saying the body will adopt Lodha recommendations.

Brijesh Patel, secretary of the Karnataka State Cricket Association, said they were awaiting a copy of the Supreme Court order.

However, rattled by the verdict, senior BCCI Vice-President Gokaraju Ganga Raju on Monday made it clear that his association Andhra CA will implement Lodha Reforms with immediate effect. - PTI

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

C3

SPORTS Ferrer and Muguruza break Aussie hearts

FOOTBALL

David Ferrer sent local favourite Bernard Tomic packing with an

Portugal’s Ramos to coach Dhofar

easy 6-3, 7-5 win in the opening round of the Brisbane International

BRISBANE: David Ferrer sent local favourite Bernard Tomic packing with an easy 6-3, 7-5 win in the opening round of the Brisbane International on Monday.

The eighth-seeded Spaniard capitalised on Tomic’s poor serve, breaking the flat-looking Australian three times to clinch the first set at the Pat Rafter Arena.

They traded service holds through the second set until the final game when Tomic’s eighth double fault sealed Ferrer’s comprehensive win.

“All tennis players have pressure, but at this moment of my career, I need to enjoy these types of matches on Centre Court,” Ferrer said.

“I am 34 years old, 35 next

EASY OUTING: David Ferrer of Spain serves during his match against Australia’s Bernard Tomic at the Brisbane International on Monday. – AFP

month, so I hope I will play a little bit longer,” added the Spaniard who faces another Australian, wildcard Jordan Thompson, in the second round.

Nicolas Mahut staged a brilliant comeback against Stephane Robert to win the all-French contest 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Nicolas Mahut will meet the winner of the clash between seventh seed Grigor Dimitrov and Steve Johnson.

In the women’s event, fourth seed Garbine Muguruza staved off Samantha Stosur’s spirited comeback, prevailing 7-5, 6-7(2), 7-5 in a three-hour battle that ended in disappointment for the partisan crowd.

The 2016 French Open champion saved three set points to surge ahead and broke Stosur twice early in the second set.

Stosur mounted a strong reply, racing into a 4-2 lead in the de-

TENNIS

cider before Muguruza staged a comeback of her own to book her place in the second round against Daria Kasatkina.

Sixth seed Elina Svitolina eased into the second round with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Olympic champion Monica Puig.

“My game was quite solid. I didn’t do so many unforced errors, which is good, because with couple of changes it can happen,” the world number 14 said. - Reuters TENNIS

‘Happy’ Federer makes smooth return to action in Hopman Cup

Bopanna looks to end Grand Slam drought

PERTH: Roger Federer showed no signs of rust in his first competitive match for six months when he outclassed Dan Evans 6-3, 6-4 at the Hopman Cup on Monday.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner underwent knee surgery in February and, after missing the French Open with a back injury, announced in July that he needed extensive rehabilitation and would be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Federer walked out to a standing ovation from more than 13,500 fans at the Perth Arena and breezed to an easy win over Evans, putting Switzerland 1-0 ahead in their match against Britain in the mixed team event.

“The standing ovation coming in, it was very special. I’m here now enjoying and looking forward to the week of course,” the 35-yearold said in a courtside interview.

Asked what keeps him going, Federer said; “I guess it depends also on how you get hurt. I got hurt filling up a bath for my children.

It’s not really the way I wanted to leave this game.”

CHENNAI: Rohan Bopanna has struggled to achieve success at the Grand Slams after his maiden appearance at the U.S. Open final in 2013 and the seasoned Indian is hoping to end the drought at the Majors having teamed up with singles world No. 22 Pablo Cuevas for the 2017 season.

Bopanna said winning a Grand Slam was his dream and the new partnership gives him hope. He made the US Open final with Aisam-ul Haq Qureshi of Pakistan in 2010 and after that he has three semifinal appearances — Wimbledon (2013, 2015) and US Open (2011) at the Grand Slams. Cuevas won 2008 French Open with Luis Horna and has five ATP singles titles to his credit in eight finals.

“It’s a dream to win a Grand Slam, hopefully it (new partnership) will make a difference. I have always liked the way he plays the game. He has experience of playing at high level, so it’s a good chance for me to do well,” Bopanna said. - PTI

NO SIGNS OF RUST: Roger Federer of Switzerland hits a return

against Dan Evans of Britain during their fourth session men’s singles match on day two of the Hopman Cup in Perth. – AFP

The former world No. 1, who has slipped to 16th in the rankings, said he enjoyed the time out but had started to miss tennis.

“You can’t be more happy to return back on a Centre Court, taping your ankles, tying your shoes and walking out and getting that kind of welcome,” he said.

Federer has not won a Grand

Slam title since Wimbledon in 2012. “It would be nice to win another one, of course I’d even take two-three-four,” he said.

“It’s tough at the top. A lot of good guys are there right now, a lot of young guys are coming up too. The gap’s definitely not very big but I gave it chance. Let’s see what happens.” - Reuters

TENNIS

Just retired Devvarman berates AITA CHENNAI: Launching a scathing attack on the All India Tennis Association (AITA), the just-retired Somdev Devvarman on Monday said the federation was not interested in creating a good system to help players and advised talented kids to go abroad for training.

Addressing the media on the sidelines of Chennai Open, Somdev made his remarks when asked if he feels let down by AITA. “I never expected from them, so there was no question of being let

down. They were not interested in helping, in creating a culture and system and I realised that pretty quick. I was called for Davis Cup in 2007 and was stranded at the airport and then I realised they were a bunch of...,” Somdev, who had also led a players revolt, said.

“My coach advised me to keep those people aside and don’t blame anyone else. I did not want to rely on the unreliable.”

He made these comments moments after saying that he won’t

criticise AITA more since he won’t get any assignment from them if he keeps doing that.

But he asserted that the kind of game he played and the experience he has, he can make a difference to Indian tennis.

“If I keep criticising AITA, I won’t get a call from them. I am still weighing my options. I have done a lot of good things, the work ethics, I have a lot to offer,” Somdev said.

“There was criticism about

my game style but not one can criticise the way I fought on the courts,” he added.

He also had a suggestion for young players, who aspire to make it big and eulogised the college tennis in US, where he won two NCAA titles and earned a degree as well.

“The work culture is very nice.

You stay away from distractions especially when you are an Indian kid and you are good, it’s good to not be here,” he said. - PTI

MUSCAT: Dhofar Club have named Portugal’s Manuel Ramos as the coach after parting ways with Egyptian Hamza Al Jamal.

Dhofar Club made the announcement on Monday after club chief Sheikh Ali bin Ahmed Al Rawas and Manuel Ramos signed the deal.

The Omantel Professional

League (OPL) side have, meanwhile, said they have amicably parted ways with Egyptian coach Hamza Al Jamal after the conclusion of the first phase of the current OPL season. The club management has also recruited local coach Mohammed Aufait Al Hadhari as an assistant coach. - ONA

C4

TUESDAY, JANUARY 3, 2017

SPORTS

OMAN CRICKET

D DIVISION: New Prism celebrate their victory over Sayarti.

E DIVISION: Al Fairuz players pose for a group photo after defeating Enhance Falcons. – Supplied photos

Enhance Oman, New Prism, Al Fairuz, Euro Poles win MUSCAT: Enhance Oman defeated Raha CT by 25 runs in an Oman Cricket Premier Division match during the last weekend.

Batting first, Enhance Oman were all out for 151 in 20 overs.

Khawar Ali top scored with 66 runs. Syed Tariq Hussain claimed three wickets for Raha.

In reply, Raha CT were restricted to 126 for eight in 20 overs.

Abdur Rehman top scored with 58. Nester Dhamba claimed four

wickets for Enhance Oman.

Brief scores: Enhance Oman 151 in 20 overs (Khawar Ali 66; Syed Hussain 3/45) bt Raha CT 126 for 8 in 20 overs (Abdur Rehman 58; Nester Dhamba 4/23).

Points: Raha CT – 0, Enhance Oman – 2.

Easy for New Prism In a D Division match, New Prism recorded a 10-wicket victory over Sayarti. Batting first, Sayarti

scored 149 for nine in 20 overs.

Jitendra Desai and Rakesh Sudakhar claimed two wickets each for New Prism.

In reply, New Prism raced to 150 without loss in just 12.4 overs.

Salim Shiekh top scored with an unbeaten 114.

Brief scores: Sayarti 149 for 9 in 20 overs lost to New Prism 150 for no loss in 12.4 overs (Salim Sheikh 114 n.o). Points: Sayarti – 0, New Prism – 3.

Al Fairuz beat Falcons In an E Division match, Al Fairuz defeated Enhance Falcons by 10 runs. Batting first, Al Fairuz scored 168 for eight in 20 overs.

Satham Hussain top scored with 74 runs.

In reply, Enhance Falcons were restricted to 158 for eight in 20 overs. Girish, Manikandan and Satham claimed two wickets apiece for Al Fairuz.

Brief scores: Al Fairuz 168

for 8 in 20 overs (Satham Hussain 74) beat Enhance Falcons 158 for eight in 20 overs (Girish 2/23).

Points: Enhance Falocns – 0, Al Fairuz – 2, Euro Poles down Aster In a J Division match, Euro Poles registered an eight-wicket win over Aster Hospitals.

Batting first, Aster Hospital were bowled out for 86 in 17 overs.

Aneesh Devakumar, Mari Raja,

Defoe frustrates Liverpool, Aguero scores in City win Ten-man Manchester City moved up to third as they beat Burnley 2-1 at home

LONDON: Liverpool dropped two points in the Premier League title race as Jermain Defoe converted two penalties to earn struggling Sunderland a 2-2 draw against them at the Stadium of Light on Monday.

Ten-man Manchester City moved up to third as they beat Burnley 2-1 at home — Gael Clichy and substitute Sergio Aguero scoring second-half goals after Fernandinho had been shown a red card before the interval.

Hull City’s relegation worries intensified when they lost 3-1 at West Bromwich Albion despite taking the lead, while Middlesbrough eeked out a point against champions Leicester City in a drab 0-0 draw at the Riverside Stadium.

Everton manager Ronald Koeman enjoyed a 3-0 victory over his former club Southampton, although the goals scored by Enner Valencia, Leighton Baines and Romelu Lukaku all came late on.

ON THE DOUBLE: Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe gets past Liverpool’s Simon Mignolet during their Pre-

mier League match at the Stadium of Light on Monday. – Reuters

With leaders Chelsea not in action until they play Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, Liverpool had the opportunity to close the gap on Antonio Conte’s side to

three points and looked poised to do so as they twice took the lead.

Daniel Sturridge’s flicked header gave Liverpool a 19th-minute lead but Defoe levelled six minutes

later after Ragnar Klavan tripped Didier Ndong.

Sadio Mane’s close-range finish in the 72nd minute looked to have sealed the points for Liverpool but

Mane was penalised for handball six minutes from time and Defoe kept his cool to dispatch another penalty to take his league goal tally to 11.

“I don’t know exactly what I saw,” Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said of his team’s display.

“We can play better football.”

Fernandinho’s 32nd-minute lunge on Burnley’s Iceland midfielder Johann Berg Gudmundsson was deemed two-footed by referee Lee Mason and he did not hesitate to show a red card to the Brazilian who has been sent off three times in his six games.

Burnley were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage though and City actually improved after the break when David Silva and Aguero were introduced off the bench.

Clichy, who had managed only one league goal in more than 100 Premier League games for City, gave his side the lead in the 58th minute with a precise shot past Burnley keeper Tom Heaton.

Four minutes later Aguero grabbed his 11th league goal of the season with a superb finish from a tight angle.

Ben Mee halved the deficit 20 minutes from time and there were a few late jitters as Manchester City held on.

Sixth-placed Manchester United are at West Ham United in the day’s late kickoff. - Reuters

Maheshwaran and Jacob Raja claimed two wickets apiece for Euro Poles.

In reply, Euro Poles smashed 88 in just 6.5 overs losing two wickets in the process.

Iyappan top scored with an unbeaten 27.

Brief scores: Aster Hospital 86 in 17 overs (Mari Raja 2/2) lost to Euro Poles 88 for 2 in 6.5 overs (Iyappan 27 n.o). Points: Aster Hospital – 0, Euro Poles – 3.

FOOTBALL

Benik Afobe puts Bournemouth ahead of nation KINHASA: Bournemouth striker Benik Afobe has pulled out of the African Nations Cup finals to stay with his Premier League team despite recently switching his allegiance from England to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Congolese football federation (Fecofa) on Monday confirmed Afobe’s withdrawal from a 31-man preliminary squad, who have gathered in Yaounde, Cameroon for pre-tournament preparations.

“Afobe has forfeited from the tournament,” said media officer Gerard-Desire Angengwa without offering any reason.

British media reported that Afobe had told the Congolese coach Florent Ibenge he wished to consolidate his place in the Bournemouth starting line-up after scoring against Swansea City in a 3-0 away win on Saturday.

“The manager showed faith in me by starting me and I wanted to repay him with a goal, so I’m happy,” the 23-year-old told his club’s website after the victory on New Year’s eve.

Afobe now has two goals in his last three starts for the Cherries but could be banned from playing for his club for the duration of the three-week tournament, which starts on January 14, if the Congolese football federation take up the issue with FIFA. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

Shanghai fans cheer as Brazilian star Oscar arrives in China

ROUSING RECEPTION: Brazilian star Oscar is escorted as he arrives

at Shanghai airport on Monday. – AFP

SHANGHAI: Brazilian international midfielder Oscar was cheered by supporters of his new Shanghai club on Monday where some media reports said he would earn nearly $500,000 a week, making him the highest-paid player in the world.

Financial details of Oscar’s transfer to Shanghai SIPG from English Premier League club Chelsea have not been released, but media reports have suggested Shanghai paid 60 million euros ($62.6 million) to lure the

25-year-old to the Chinese super league club.

Fans wearing the team’s red and white colours shouted “Oscar, Oscar!” when the Brazilian arrived at Shanghai’s international airport on Monday. He stopped to sign autographs before being led away by team officials.

“I think it will definitely enhance the team’s capabilities,” Shao Lei, a 30-year-old SIPG supporter, said of the latest Brazilian to sign with the Shanghai club.

“Our goal is to strive for the

championship, nothing else,” he told Reuters Television.

The figures cited in British media reports would make Oscar the world’s highest paid player at about £400,000 a week ($490,760).

However, he could be eclipsed

by Carlos Tevez when the Argentine signs a huge contract with Shanghai Shenhua that could earn the striker £615,000 a week, according to media reports.

Shanghai SIPG finished third in the 2016 Chinese Super League season, which ran from March to

the end of October, 12 points behind champions Guangzhou Evergrande and five behind secondplaced Jiangsu Suning.

Oscar scored 38 goals in 203 appearances for Chelsea and lifted the Premier League, League Cup and Europa League titles during his four-and-a-half-year spell at the club.

He will link up with compatriots Hulk and Elkeson who are already plying their trade at Shanghai SIPG, led by former Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas. - Reuters

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

VACANCY

D2

CARGO

D7

All Cartridges also available on UNBEATABLE prices All HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Samsung Cartridges also available.

Ruwi: 24 792 792 Sohar: 2684 2420

GOOD PRICE!!!

HP 2130 3in1 Printer RO 10.900 only

GOOD PRICE!!!

D4

GOOD PRICE!!!

Available on UNBEATABLE prices

GOOD PRICE!!!

GOOD PRICE!!!

GOOD PRICE!!!

RENT

GOOD PRICE!!!

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 3, 2 0 1 7

SECTION

GOOD PRICE!!!

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D2

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 7 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

AN EXISTING FARM FOR RENT in the Wilayat of Barka, with an area of 45 acres, out of which large area is planted with fodder and 7 acres are planted with vegetables. It has also 14 greenhouses as well as 3 artesian wells and a plowing tractor ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĐƵƫ ŶŐ ĂŶĚ ďƵŶĚůŝŶŐ ƚŽŽůƐ ĂŶĚ plowing equipments with their accessories. dŚĞ ĨĂƌŵ ŚĂƐ Ă ŐŽŽĚ Į ŶĂŶĐŝĂů ŝŶĐŽŵĞ͘

Contact: 99340378

Flat for rent in Al Ghobra, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 1 family sitting room, 1 kitchen. RO 400/Contact - 95919059

Two bedroom flat available, Show room near Honda.

Contact: 99022675 Room for rent near Al Daser Rex Road, Ruwi. Contact: 99797645 Shop for rent W. Kabir Industrial, flat for rent W. Kabir near Muscat Bakery. Contact: 99338133 A steel workshop in Sohar is looking for long lease contract for its existing welders. Interested party can select welder skills as per their needs. Call: 95414309 / 97130671 Apartment for rent, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, dining room & kitchen in Muscat, Sidab.

Contact: 91936630 / 24739181

1. 2 BHK, M.B.D, R.O 250/-, 260/-.

Contact: 92144045 /97799175

1 Bedroom first floor apartment with sitting & 1 baths + kitchen close to Indian school maintenance just finished near to Maya supermarket Wadi Al Kabir.

Contact: 99485834

2 BHK Ghubra R.O 325/- .

Contact:92144045 / 97799175

House for rent in Mabelah.

Contact: 99005364

OFFICE PROPERTY FOR SALE/RENT

Flat for rent in Al Bustan. 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen & 1 hall. Contact - 99379950 Villa for rent Ameratphase (fifth/1) Majlis , hall , kitchen . 5 bedrooms &7 bathrooms (spilt unit AC)RO 400/- per month we prefer families. Contact: 99203458

For rent with good price for families and brides amazing flats at Wadi Al Kabir and Sidab with reasonable rent. Contact: 95755953 / 95555162 DAYS AWAY FROM DELIVERY - PREMIUM OFFICE SPACE AT PRIME LOCATION AT BAUSHER ON 2ND FLOOR BUILD UP AREA – 163 SQ. MTRS. SALE PRICE RO.1,050/- PER SQ. MTR -RENT PER MONTH RO.10/- PER SQ. MTR. OPTIONS WITH OR WITHOUT FURNITURE.

Family flats in Wadi Kabir MBD Hamriya Ruwi Al Khuwair, Ghubrah, Bowshar, Azaiba, Al Hail & Amerat. #95250300 / 92125648

PREMIUM VILLA FOR SALE SANTINI A3 TYPE 2 STOREY VILLA WITH 4 BEDROOMS PLUS MAID ROOM AT AL MOUJ PHASE 4.

GREAT LOCATION WITH CUL DE SAC FOR PARKING. PURCHASE OPEN TO NON-OMANIS AS WELL.

Warehouse for rent area (42) SQM (8 meters clear height) in Al Misfah, opposite to Oman Cement factory also available workshops (70 SQM). Contact: 96041560 Flats for rent near Indian school in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99777122 Villa Boushar, 5 BHK 500/- R.O. Contact: 95202430 1 BHK new Bldg with A/C curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact: 99024039 First floor three bedroom flat al Khuwair near technicalcollege are 216 SQ meters, three toilets, sitting dinning and family lounge family only. Contact: 99207840

CONTACT NO. 91257475 Flats family new to the Amerat behind Oman oil. Contact: 95250300 / 92125648/ 99119699

Flat for rent Darsait 3 BHK, bathroom, kitchen &spilt A/Cs, 320/- R.O. Contact: 91093331

2 B/R & 3B/R furnished, unfurnished with split ACs a free internet available at Al Khuwair near KM hypermarket. Contact: 99460330

Optical shop for rent / sale a new well running optical shop located in a prime location in Al Khuwair sale/ rent. Contact: 99008865

Room for rent in Qurum near Mars hypermarket for small family.

Contact: 95711449 / 96570147

One / Two, B/R flats in new building near Dolphin near dolphin complex, Bausher directly from owner.

Contact: 92158031

2 BHK R.O 180/- behind Bahwan building near Khimji. H.O. Contact: 95865686

Brand new 1 & 2 BR flat in Walja.

Contact: 99713489

Spacious 2 BR in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99713489 2bed room flat in Azaiba, behind Zubair. Contact: 96788070 1-4 bedroom villa at Al Ansab.

Contact: 96788070 6 Bedroom villas available for rent at North Al Hail, near Wave, complex with swimming pool and Gym. Contact: 99833747 1 BHK, 2 BHK flats available for rent in Prime MBD (South) area (near spar) with excellent maintenance. Contact: 99338401 / 99703564 Brand new showroom at heart of Azaiba city for rent.

Contact : 98294753

1, 2 BHK WadiKabir.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175 Shops for rent at WK near primary IND SCH, Big shop monthly rent R.O 400/- including ceiling space small shop monthly rent 250/-, pent house1 room , 1 toilet, hall 150/-. Contact: 99445880 Abdullah 2 BHK Mumtaz. Contact: 92144045 / 97799175 3 bedrooms, flats available near Indian School Seeb.

Contact: 97479041 3 BHK villa MadinatSultan Qaboos, R.O 550/-.

Contact: 97799175 /92144045 Residential & commercial flats in a new building, at Muttrahfor office or shops any kind of commercial activates. More details.

Contact: 99364735/ 95729711

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 3, 2 0 1 7

D3

DAILY GUIDE

- New Brand Building in Bowsher for sale

FOR SALE Contact Hood: 91155779 - Twin villa in Azaiba & Ghubra for sale - Commercial/ Residential khuwair for sale.

Land in Al

FOR SALE 1. Porta Cabin 2. Book Loader (New Holland) 3. Water Tanker (Hino 2000 Gallon) 4. Roller (JCB 3 Ton) 5. Roller (JCB & Wacker, 1 Ton) ϲ͘ ^ĐĂī ŽůĚŝŶŐƐ 7. HDPE Duct Pipes (300 mm to 1800mm) 8. Tower Hoist

Contact 93990154

FOR SALE 2014 MODEL VOLVO PENTA 650 KVA GENSETS (02NOS) 2000 KVA (01 NO) VOLTAMP TRANSFORMER CONCEALED PANEL SYSTEM FOR ABOVE. ALL ITEMS HARDLY USED IN A COMPLETED PROJECT OF 2YRS AND CAN BE REUSED. ONLY SERIOUS BUYERS CONTACT GSM :

NRI

92886778/99455690

FOR SALE

6.5 cents of Land Sq Plot In Ravipuram Near Ernakulam Shipyard in MG Road, behind Chaitanya eye clinic Expected Price – INR 30 Lakhs per cent Ƶƚ EĞŐŽƟ ĂďůĞ Only Genuine Buyer Contact Oman – 968-94102519 Contact Kochi – 91 85477 01946 Suitable for 3 Storey building & Žĸ ĐĞ WƌĞŵŝƐĞƐ͘

FOR RENT 1 bed room, bathroom, kitchen in Al Hail South R.O 120/- Monthly.

Contact: 93993354 New flats for rent at Al Ghubra near to Atlas Hospital, opposite to Panorama mall. Interested candidates Contact: 00968 – 97093283 1 bedroom attached kitchen, toilet for family in Al Khuwair RO 130/-.

Contact: 95154331 2BR flat- luxury fully furnished at Al Khuwair, 1 BR flat – luxury fully furnished at Al Khuwair, 5 BR villa fully furnished at Azaiba, 4 BR villa unfurnished at Azaiba, 5 BR duplex, 4 bathrooms – Qurum heights, 5 Br villa, 6 bathrooms – Madinat Sultan Qaboos (brand new), 5 BR villa at Al Hail. For short or long term lease contract. Contact Atlas Real Estate & Rent a car : 99436312 / 94617563 / 92888376

3BHK Flat, Ghubra SG. Contact 99319880 2 BR flat in Ruwi Market.

Contact: 92705331 2 BHK Azaiba R.O 300/-.

Contact:92144045 / 97799175 1BHK flats at Al Khodh near NBO. Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 New apartment flat for rent, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms & kitchen, behind Indian School, short way to Lulu Darsait & Muttrah traditional Soqu. Contact or Whatsapp: 91013331 Villa for rent at Saal (Misfah) @200/-. Contact 94215208 Flat for rent 2BHK split A/c near Kuwaiti Mosque in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 Flat for rent, 3 bed rooms with 2 bathroom, kitchen near Al Hanan Private School in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99718875 Villa in Al Khuwair 33, 6 bedrooms, hall & sitting room R.O 800/-. Contact: 93993354 Apartment 3 bedrooms, sitting room, balcony at Al Ansab R.O 360/- monthly. Contact: 93993354

New villa for rent in Azaiba 18 November Street. 6 Bedrooms, 2 kitchens & 7 toilets. To view the villa contact - 95919059 Apartment for rent three rooms and a hall - kichen-4bath-Next to City Centre Almwalh.

Contact 99336776 Flat for rent 2BHK split A/c near Oman house in Muttrah .

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 Villa for rent 2 brand new luxurious villas (No 411 & 413) for rent in Azaiba, Each villa with 6 bedrooms, servant quarters, 2 kitchens with all modern amenities which includes split A/C, dish washers, oven, ETC , Way No 4491 / 4405 .

Contact: 99462980 Villa for rent in South Mabellah, 3 bedrooms, sitting room, family Lounge, kitchen, three Toilets Contact 92212212 between 10 AM to 5 PM New 3 story 4 bedroom villa in Al Hail near to radio station. The spacious master bedroom has a sea view. It has a maids room.

All bedrooms have bathrooms and one extra bathroom between dining and sitting room. It has split A/c’s. 6 months advance payment required. Price is OMR 750 monthly.

Telephone: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955. No Brokers Please.

Brand new luxury 3 BHK apartment for sale in South Bangalore, Bannerghatta main road, near Dairy Circle. Contact: + 968 99337995

FOR RENT New flats for rent at Darsait near to ministry of sports, Mumtaz area the flats includes 1 living room , 2 bedrooms, kitchen, 3 toilets, every room with split A/C & high quality finishing. Rent per flat is RO 320/-.

Interested candidates please Contact: 00968 – 92225523 Flats & shops for rent at Ruwi Honda road Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127 Villa complex for lease renovated deluxe villa complex with separate three flats , location AL Ghobra north ( near tourist hotels) is available for lease. Contact: Ali : 99411607, Luoy : 92466266

FOR SALE

ACC. AVAILABLE

MV SALE 2008 Model Hyundai Tucson 93,000 KM expatriate driven in very good condition & Accident free for Sale .Serious buyers contact Mobile: 91793079 Toyota Corolla, 2009,1.800cc.

Contact: 97692959 Nissan Pathfinder, 2015 Model brown colour, 65k Mulkiya valid till 21 Aug 2017 for immediate sale.

Contact: 92820174

7D Cinema for sale 6 seat hydraulic, 7D cinema full system for sale.

Contact: 99737527

Toyota Corolla 2016, white colour 8000 km, 4300 R.O. Contact 92811110

Villa Shatti Al Qurum area 920 SQM. Contact: 95202430

BUYING

Well running reputed travel agency for sale. Contact: 97992388 Twin Villa for sale in Azaiba near Sultan Centre. Each side has three floors, five bedroom plus maid room. Each room has it’s own bathroom and one extra toilet between dining and sitting room. The villas are now about 5 years old and very clean and well maintained. It has split A/C’s. OMR 215,000 each villa. Telephone: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

No Brokers Please.

Dental clinic for sale in Seeb.

Contact: 92882209 / 96373097 400 square meters residential land in Al Ghubra south near Millenium Hypermarket. OMR 134 thousand. Telephone: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

No Brokers Please.

603 sq mtrs residential land in Al Hail North Block 45 NE near Radio station. OMR 96 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 - or 97509955. No Brokers Please Industrial land AL Misfah Boushar area 30.000 SQM attractive location. Contact: 95202430

SITUATION WANTFOR LADIES

Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

ACC.WANTED Wanted a single room for Senior Executive Bachelor in Ruwi area.

Contact: 93708595 Wanted a family shared accommodation for Senior Executive Bachelor in Ruwi-Wuttayah area.

Please contact: 93708595

FOR SALE Empty shop / laundry near Camelia café. Contact: 92868123 / 92841089 Ice cream Shop, Prime location, Ruwi for sale. Contact: 92150455 BUILDING MATERIAL SHOP FOR SALEWell-furnished running building material-electrical shop (4 shutter / 200sqm) in Al- Khoudh6, for immediate sale- shop with stock or stock only. Serious buyers may please Contact: 94320909 Industrial land in Rusail.4000 sqm.

Contact 99323957 / 95490842.

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact: 97128083 Transportation.Contact: 96968411 Driver with car transportation available. Contact: 95396905 Picking & drop Ruwi to Rusail.

Contact: 98957524 / 91287470

Furnished room for Executive Bachelor near OK Center, RUWI. Contact - 99591669

Transportation. Contact: 99099714

Furnished room spacious, separate entrance, attached bathroom forexecutive bachelor, working lady near Al Nahda hospital.

Contact: 93799511

Transportation.Contact 94087276

Furnished room CBD area for Executive bachelor free Wi-Fi, advance deposit. Contact: 90631572 One big room attached bathroom, sharing, kitchen near OK center Ruwi. Contact: 99716056 Room for rent near Hamriya R/A for executive bachelor, Sharing kitchen. Contact 99640850, 97983501, 97443614 Furnished rooms with kitchen at ruwi. Contact : 91214897

Transportation. Contact: 94297820

Transportation. Contact 92015894

CHANGE OF NAME I, Preshit Prabhakar Patil aged 45 years residing in Oman P.O Box: 795 holder of Indian passport No. Z 3130002 issued at Muscat on 01/06/2015 hereby make oath / solemnly affirm and state as follows: As present my name is Preshit Prabhakar Patil having passport number Z 3130002 issued at Oman on 1/06/2016 would like to change my new name as Prashit Prabhakar Paatil. This affidavit for correction spelling on my name in my passport only.

Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each. Contact 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 / 93203778

We Mohamed Sulthan Riboy (name of father as per the passport holder of Indian passport No. H 8605704 and Ayshal Beevi (name of mother, holder of Indian passport No. G 5293840) having permanent address in No. 82, Road No. 11, main Road, Krishnapuram- PO, Kadayanallur- 627759 (complete postal address in India) and presently residing at the following address in Sohar, PB No. 459 PC No. 322, Sultanate of Oman, hereby solemnly affirm and declare to change the name of our child Miss Aafia Khalisah Mohamed Sulthan Riboy (name as per present passport), holder of Indian passport No. K3008575 date of issue 21/02/2012 issued at Madurai. The name of our child will be henceforth known as Aafia Mohamed Sulthan Riboy(new name) for all purposes. Any objection towards change of name of our minor child may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, PB No. 1727, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

LOST

LOST

AVAILABLE House shifting and Transport.

Contact: 96737158 Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

WANTED

Sreekanth Parthi has lost India Passport No. G 5690757. Finder please handover to ROP

Alamgir has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AA 3324628.

Finder please handover to ROP

D4

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 3, 2 0 1 7 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

Urgently Required Interior designer (female) for promoting various types of processed and design glass in the local market.

Minimum 5 years experience with valid driving license is preferred.

Interested candidate may please send their CV to

vaccancyabn@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Petrochemicals specialist, worked in oman oil company, octal petrochemicals, truckoman, MBA 18 yrs experience specialized in procurement /commercial/ purchase / logistics /production planning & sound knowledge of technical requirement with NOC available.

Contact:97813849

ZĞƉƵƚĞĚ ŵŝŶĞƌĂů ǁĂƚĞƌ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞĚ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ HEAVY/LIGHT DUTY DRIVERS VAN SALESMAN with Omani driving license

SALES SUPERVISOR/SALES KͳKZ /E dKZ with Omani driving license , >W Z^ ͳ Experience 3 to5 years

Contact - 90372638 MEDICAL

ACCOUNTS Accountant with experience in Tally and finalization independently. Good English communication skill. Send CV to arabhealth@alhakkim.com Graduate in Commerce with 10 years experience, must have Oman working experience with valid Oman driving license. Interested candidates send resume to hr@aljood-oman.com

DOMESTIC HELP Indian Nepali house maid required urgently for doctors family, SQU hospital, Muscat.

Contact: 96933593 Full time Malayalee housemaid required for a Keralite family.

Contact: 92103688

DRIVER Wanted expert Driver.

Contact: 97165972

ENGINEER Excellent Grade Company requires a Diploma holder Civil Engineer/ Supervisor with 5 years experience in building construction. Please contact 99346265 or send your CV to md.artllc@gmail.com Urgently required senior QS (tendering) and safety officer with minimum2 years Gulf experience for a reputed construction company. Canforwardyour CVs to hr@oasisgrace.com.

Contact: 24826566 / 99881459 Urgently required civil QA/QC candidates for areputed construction company, kindly Send your CVs to hr@oasisgreace.com Contact: 24826566,Fax:24812226 / GSM: 99881459

EDUCATION/TRAINING Required English Tutor (freelancer) for a construction company for teaching conversant English. Send your CVs to hr@oasisgreace.com Contact: 24826566 Fax: 24812226 GSM: 99881459

MEDICAL Urgently required Internist, Orthodontist, Physiotherapist & Lab Technician for a reputed medical center in Salalah.

Contact 99714300 Email - hrmdimc2010@gmail.com Urgently required for Doctor, Staff Nurse & Lab Technician with or without MOH license.

Contact: 93824902 Required female Dentist, Nurses, Pharmacist, Lab Technician for a Polyclinic at Ibra.

Contact 71100596, joharaajmal2016@gmail.com

Urgently needed female dermatologist (priority for Omani) with minimum five years experience.

Please send CV to elixirhealthcenter@yahoo.com, P.S details of salary and benefits will be sent after submitting the CV.

MISCELLANEOUS

Indian male 48 years, B.Sc., MBAoperations management with total 25+ yrs of exp inclusive of 10 yrs in oil & gas sector in oman, having valid Omani D/L & NOC, seeks challenging senior position in logistics/procurement/supply chain management. Contact 94236414. mail id – jayamurli@gmail.com Male with 3 years exp in Oman construction co. looking for a job in admin / accounts on urgent joining release NOC available.

Contact: +968 94574596.

Indian male, B.com graduate well versed in English, Hindi, Malayalam holding a valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 96799287

CCT.V Camera Technician, Electrician cum plumber with D/L, building material Salesman.

Contact: 99383044

5.5 years Experience in Hospitality and Hotel Industry with Good English communication skills, B.A Graduate, 28 yrs old, is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.(In Visiting visa). Contact No:90146616

IT Marketing Executive (Required experiences +driving license) Maintenance person with driving license. dreamstravel66@gmail.com

Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer looking for job in mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact : 9586 1251, Email : zufarajaib@yahoo.com

Insurance broker looking to recruit commission based sales people if monthly targets achieved,bonus will be paid in addition to commission, If you are interested to work with us , send your name & phone to this email: admin.cis@capitalinsuranceoman. com / info@capitalinsuranceoman.com

Internal auditor/Accountant : B.Com /CA Inter having 7 years experience under chartered accountant in India and 10 years as internal auditor/ accounts manager in Oman, well versed with tally and MS Office, seeks suitable placement. Contact 0091 9611751081, email id kotianmukhesh@yahoo.co.in, whatsapp : 00968 91358384.

SALES / MARKETING Required Sales Manager / Working partner to run a building material shop, having minimum five years experience in same field. Mail to rajeevnarendran@gmail.com Urgently required Sales & Marketing person for a computer shop at Ruwi (IT Knowledge), Oman Driving License will be an advantage. (Preference for Keralite). Contact: 98048900.

Email: infor@smartpointcomputer. com Urgently Required Marketing Executive for a contracting Company in Sohar Minimum 3 years experience, driving license 99437086, 97745786, md@alrasen.com Sales & Marketing Lady, with musical skills for the Guitar Center Showroom in Al Khuwair.

Tel. 24489847 info@guitarcenteroman.com A leading Trading group is looking for sales executives with driving license & release / NOC. Email CV to alhajoil@omantel.net.om or Fax: 24701683 Looking for an Expat staff, with experience in Oman in real estate field. Email: aburashid94dd@gmail.com

TECHNICIAN Well Known Automobile Service Company in Oman looking for Service Technicians / Mechanics and Electricians. Interested please send resumes to vyasan.united@gmail. com .Contact. 00968-91411657 Audio Visual Technician for Audio visual installation works and live events. Tel 24489847, info@tunesoman.com

5.5 years Experience in Hospitality and Hotel Industry with Good English communication skills, B.A Graduate, 28 yrs old, is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.(In Visiting visa). Contact No:90146616 Filipino, Female, 37 year old, having 9 year experience in Office Administration, looking for Admin/HR related jobs, on visit visa.

Contact@96209384. Email: rechie. labandria@gmail.com 22 years, B.Com, graduate male ‘fresher’ well versed in English, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam with Oman Driving license looking for a suitable job.contact:96799287 5.5 years experience in Hospitality and Hotel Industry with Good English communication skills, B.A Graduate, 28 yrs old, is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.(In Visiting visa). Contact :90146616 PROCUREMENT OFFICER, Indian-Male 34yrs,M.Com with 14 yrs work Exp.( 8 yrs in Oman) working in Construction Co LLC( for ROAD,CIVIL,ELECTRO-MECHANICAL & Others Projects ) and having valid LT D/L, NOC/ Local release available M:+96 94064650 / 919440810180 Email: nagauae@gmail.com

ADMIN Omani lawyer & legal adviser experience in Business administration,HR, staff training.

Contact: 97243393 Email: mum30033@yahoo.com Omani male (HR or PRO) having 06 years experience and have diploma in business management looking for a suitable position.

Contact: 99460164 Indian male having 25 years of experience working as Store Incharge in a leading automobile dealer, seeks suitable job.

Contact: 99730141 7 years experienced in Administration & Sales with valid Oman driving license searching for a suitable job. Contact: 93347156 Omani experience on reception, admin PRO seeks job.

Contact: 96495545 / 96184616 Administrator B.Com with D/L on release, 30 years India & Gulf experience in office. project documentation & logistics.

Contact: 92324789 / 97281023 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have vocational M.B.A diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time.

Contact: 95933288

ACCOUNTS Indian Accountant having 13 years experience in accounts in Oman & 6 years in India, Oman driving license excellent knowledge in Tally & MS Office, Seeking suitable placement Contact: 79039690 Email: thomas.mahesh@gmail.com Experienced business development investment consultant with 10 years experience in the financial management field, holds a masters degree in finance and management from the UK. Contact: 90157073 Qualified Chartered Accountant & ACS 10 +years Managerial experience, working in Bank, looking for suitable opening, Open to any GCC, MBL: +968-90788509, Email: kartirevy@gmail.com Experienced indian accountant 24 years,Mcom,BBA and having accounting diploma certificate from IAB .Currently on family visa in oman,seeking suitable job opportunities.Contact : 99076506 Email: rebi.rsf@gmail.com Finance/M.Com Accountant 5+ yrs of exp including GCC seeking for suitable placement. #91329254 aneeshkrishnan007@gmail.Com Finance / Account professional 18 yrs Oman experience can work independentor head the division looking for opening.

Contact: 92168401 / 92787747 Indian male having long track proven record in all aspects of all management, rich in project management, business development &expansion and finance control, 16 years of experience in GCC and India, looking for suitable managerial post. NOC available.

Contact:95207317 Email: mehulmodha@hotmail.com Accounts & Admin 3 years experience in GCC, BBA graduate, Indian male 29 yrs, looking for suitable placement. Contact: 79103778 Internal audit ACCA (finalist) 14years of experience including Gulf in internal audit field, on visit visa. Contact: 95916716 Email: usman.eshaal2016@gmail.com Pakistani, ACCA (Finalist), M.A & B.Com, DL and NOC available, seeking a relevant position.

Contact: 94066698

Looking for a land surveyor job fully know latest instrument of Survey GPS and Total station 5 year OMAN experience.NOC Available. Contact +968 94144052, wasifnaz 313@yahoo.com

Male Accountant(B.Com) having 2 years exp. Contact: 90357503

Pakistani experienced male NOC available, masters in economics with valid omani DRIVING LICENCE fluent in english, needs any suitable job like accounting, teaching, management, marketing or decent driving. Contact: 91243132

Sales & Accounts Manager, Indian male having long track proven record in all aspects of finance, total 9 years experience in GCC, NOC available, Ready to join immediately Mob-97200823 Emaildhirenbapodra@outlook.com

B.Com, 2 yrs experience in Oman, Indian Male, 25 yrs with Driving License. Handling day today accounts activities up to finalization.

Proficient in Tally. Looking for suitable placement. Ph. 91470665

Highly Experienced Finance Manager, CPA, ACCA-UK. MBA-USA , Professional of Banking , Audits ,ERPs Sap , Management as Team Leader and Problem Solver call 94 504505 /94403270

Finance Controller, 17 years experience in accountant, procurement.

NOC available: 99251087

ACCOUNTS MBA ( Finance) Australia, 14 years experience (world bank, U.S Based company) specialized in cost cutting , revenue maximization, financial model, budget & forecasting, internal control, risk management, Omani driving license. Contact: 93978614 Email: sjamil72@yahoo.com Accounts Manager looking for job in accounts or finance, 4 years Oman exp with accountancy degree & Omani D/L with NOC available.

Contact: 95661169 Email: moshin_zaman4u@hotmail.com MBA Finance Indian 25 Male 2 years experience seeking opportunities in Finance sector. Immediately available.Contact:92498840 sachu_0318@yahoo.com Indian (M), Qualified CPA, CMA, CIA (USA), MBA (Finance) & M.Com, 15 years’ experience in Finance, Accounting & Audit, (3 years in Oman) looking for suitable Senior/Middle level position in Finance/Accounting/Audit. NOC available.

E-mail soji_ansu@yahoo.com, mob – 91595436 Experienced business development and investment consultant with 10 years experience in the financial management field. Holds a masters degree in finance and management from the UK. Contact : 90157073 Indian Male 32, B.com Graduate with 10 years experience in Accounts & Sales, 7 years in (Muscat) Oman & 3 years in India with valid Oman driving License ready to join with NOC. GSM: 96216104 Email: yensajaz@gmail.com Indian Chartered Accountant 14+ years experience in Accounts & Finance working in Muscat looking for suitable change with Oman driving license and NOC Available.

Contact: 97728130 Email : vinoth77ca@gmail.com Indian CA 20+ years Gulf experience, finance / accounts external Audit MIS budgets cost / internal control cash flow Oman tax finalization Oracle / Tally seeks job, NOC available with valid D/L. Contact: 99104151, 95140332 Chartered Accountant Indian B.Com, CA , CIA 10+ years experience Tally, Focus, Sap, Oracle.

Contact: 94641805 Accountant male holder of Diploma Chartered Accountancy Inter have 4 years experience in finance, available at Muscat, join immediately. Contact: 79049355 / 99220572 PG in commerce male more than 8 yrs experience in purchase in Oman D/L, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 99145776 Accounts Executive B.com and MBA (finance) India, 4 years experience (per forms accounts payable&accountreceivable function,recording all receiptsand payment activities on daily basis, bank reconciliation statement.

Now in Oman on visit visa.

Contact: 91066314 Email: seenimdb3@gmail.com Part time Accountant Indian B.Com Senior Accountant more than 25 years experience in Oman upto finalization of Accounts and training accounts through tally soft ware. Contact: 93064975 Accountant with experience in Tally and finalization independently. Good English communication skill. Send CV to arabhealth@alhakkim.com Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly basis and finalization works.

Contact: 96247295 Indian male 22 B.Com looking for job in accounting or data Operation special interest in accounts will be happy to hear from you.

Contact: 90758030 Email: uttiawesome@gmail.com Finance Manager B.Com, CA, CIA, 10+ years experience Indian.

Contact: 94641805 Accountant 5 years experience with NOC Contact: 90590040 Finance manager, MBA finance 21 yrs of MNC contracting experience, looking for a job thorough knowledge in MIS Ext/ Int Audit, tax budget, trade finance, system implementation etc.

Contact: 94652975 Email: ramu2587@hotmail.com

Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job. Contact 93953613, Email-allen.mathew83@gmail.com Indian male age 26, Accountant one year experience in accounts looking for suitable job. Contact Email: anishkhan991867@gmail. com Mobile: +968 9565 9415 Indian (M) MBA (f) more than 6 years of experience in accounts, proficiency in various A/C software SAP (F1/CO) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact: 95920740 Email Id: abdulhameed1527@gmail.com

DESIGNER/ DRAUGHTSMAN AutoCAD Draftsman 9 years Gulf experienced. Contact: 93528255 Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman.

Please Contact: 96489798, (+974) 66653780 Free lance / part time autocad works / make boq 2d /3d arch , structural, shop drawings interior drawings. Contact 97103168 mkgroupoman@gmail.com INDIAN male Civil Draughtsman/ Designer with 8 years’ experience (6 years in Oman and 2 years in India) seeks placement. NOC available. Contact 96796138.

AutoCADcivil 3D draftsmen having 5 yrs highway draughting 5 yr sarchest, drafting looking for suitable job. Contact: 93243262 knowledge of site measurement Free lance Autocad works experienced (arch, struct, MEP, shop drw) rate a0/a1 sheet ( 10-17 OMR) ph : 97103168.

Indian male, having wide experience of 4 years in GCC & 5 years in India for 3 D interior &exterior designing , AutoCAD drafting & NOC available &ready to join immediately. Contact: 91282841 Email: thankijb@gmail.com Indian male experience Graphicdesigner and VFX artist on visit visa Ruwi. Contact: 97792661 Email: georgejosec5@gmail.com Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR. PH : 92279784

DOMESTIC HELP Looking for full time caretaker or Housemaid. Contact: 93904732

DRIVER Driver looking for job.

Contact: 91788481 / 92231714 Driver with car. Contact: 99716938 / 96048707 Indian light driver having 2 years experience in Oman, know language, Hindi, English & Arabic need job. Contact: 97366822 Bangladeshi Male, 1 yr exp, D/L. Contact: 95496766 Pakistani light driver job, 7 yrs exp. Contact: 92754283 Driver with car, 6 years experience. Contact: 93961503 / 96448004 Male 40 yrs, 15 yrs exp, D/L seeking job (Sales & driving) English, Hindi, Arabic. Contact: 97003340 1 years exp D/L male 28 yrs, looking driver job. Contact: 94338977 Driver job wanted. Contact: 96393082 Driver with car have good experience in Oman. Contact: 94039796 Indian male 42 yrs UAE , QTR 24 years road work experience looking for good post, with driving license, on visit visa. Contact: 91177203 Driver with 2 years experience in job looking for job. Contact: 93374969 / 93721242 Looking for job light driving.

Contact: 93779819 Looking for job exp having driving license. Contact: 97363138

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 3, 2 0 1 7

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED Sr. Accountant with SAP/ERP. 11yrs experience in Accounts & Finance in Gulf.

5years in reputed Oil & Gas company; &ŝŶĂůŝnjĂƟ ŽŶ Θ ŽŶƐŽůŝĚĂƟ ŽŶ &^͕ D/^͕ Audit, Budget, AP & AR, Tax, etc., /ŶĚŝĂŶ DĂůĞ͕ WŽƐƚͲŐƌĂĚƵĂƟ ŽŶ͕ Oman D/L and NOC available.

Please contact: 931 42923 ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

DRIVER Looking for driving job with care Honda accordwithoutcar have experience 5 years & language know Hindi & Arabic.

Contact: 97747243 Gulf experienced Indian Driver with valid heavy / light Oman license seeks any suitable driving or other job. Contact: 94201010 Driver with Oman driving license, looking for job. Contact: 94235254 Driver with car. Contact: 91355972 Pakistani male light driver with 6 yrs exp in Oman.

Contact: 92171166 Pakistani male light vehicle driver looking for job.

Contact: 96651070 Looking for any driving job.

Contact: 98549627 Driver (Light vehicle) four year experiences in Oman.

Contact: 96961249 Bangladesh male light driver exp 16 years A.G 48 years, looking for job. Contact 99165961 Light vehicle driver 4 years exp know, Hindi, English and Arabic.

Contact:98522914 Light driver 3 yrs exp.

Contact: 95939050 Light vehicle driver with 10 years experience requires placement.

Contact: 94554216 Looking for light vehicle driving job, 4 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 93464395 Light duty driver, 3 yrs exp, seeks placement. Contact: 97829730 Light duty driver seeks placement. Contact: 96381406 Heavy duty driver seeks placement. Contact: 94939865 / 79039204

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Civil Engineer, B.Tech, Indian with 1 year experience in Oman seeking suitable placement, NOC available from sponsor. Contact: 91702450 Email: tijoct2015@hotmail.com Civil Engineer 10 years experience working in International company, Infrastructure & building construction having Omani driving license.

Contact: 96616396.

HSE manager, Indian, GradIOSH, IDIP Nebosh, 19+ years experience EX- Indian navy driving license , NOC available , seeks placement.

Contact: 94401830 Email: hseoman101@gmail.com Civil Engineer, 6+ years withOmani D/L,NOC or local release available.

Contact: 91693008 Egyptian architect, professional user 3D Max Cad Revit, 5 years experience. Contact: 92023325 A B.Tech instrumentation Engineer with one year experience in India on visit visa seeks openings contact. mob. 91277256 Email: manzu.fisat@gmail.com Arch’l Site Engineer more than 15 years exp in Saudi Arabia & Oman (finishing & marble field).

Contact: 91220168 Indian male age 50 , B.E civil having 26 years exp as R.E and QA/QC Good knowledge in building construction , working as R.E , Most of the Govt (MOE) and PDO projects , approved R.E of MOE &approved QA/ QC of PDO, looking for suitable placement at present I am in notice period available for immediate joining.

Contact: 90933946 / 94156495 (WA) BEMechanical Engineer, 22, Indian malefresher, looking for opportunity in mechanical field trained in HVAC & fire lighting.

Contact: 97489256 Email: abdulmgid.ak@gmail.com Indian male 23 fresher, Mechanical Engineer looking for job in mechanical field special interest in HVAC and MEP, will be happy to hear from you.

Email: mdajaib@yahoo.com Mechanical Engineer, B.Tech,male,Indian, having 1 year experience, on visit visa seeks suitable job. Contact: + 96894959233, +96897474225 Email: anandsunil94@gmail.com

Electrician Indian male 9 year’sexp, seeking suitable position currently in visit visa.

Contact: 94736540

B.SC Civil Engineer with 6 years experience in managing supervising&planning in Oman.

Contact:96086214 Email: engmohamedosman@outlook.com

Sudanese civil Engineer master holder with 6 years experience.

Contact: 99636424

Electronicsand Communication Engineer, male 24,1 yearexperience as Junior & network Admin in India,on visit visa, looking for job.

Contact: 90107380 Email: anoojgkrishnan@gmail.com Civil Draftsman 6 years experience in Oman male.

Contact: 98121513 Email: wasilansari2600@gmail.com Project manager – Electrical, Indian B.Tech electrical &, electronics 19 years of experience in HT & LT network projects (9 years in Oman).

Driving license & NOC available, seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 96258810 Email: bharathj1976@gmail.com Civil Engineer B.Tech, M. Tech Indian with 2 years experience in India (Sobha city) seeking suitable placement currently visit visa.

Contact: 90104058 Email: sibin089@gmail.com Indian Engineer 25, B.E& Diploma in HSE with 3 years India exp, on visit Visa available to join immediately Contact: 93472629.

Email: jithujay.in@gmail.com

Indian Male, with 8+ years experience in sales, currently in visit visa and seeking suitable placement. Contact 90181557

IT and Network Engineer with Omani license certified CCNP, MCSA and MCSE. Contact – 97069110 Indian male Keralite post graduate diploma and graduate CCNA & MCSA certified have 5 years experience in software & hardware technical support. Contact: 93988511 Contact: vimalkanthkv@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING

MBA (UK), raised in Oman & with 2 yrs work experience holding valid Oman driving license, seeks job in sales / business development. Contact: 99513132

Looking for suitable placement.

Mechanical Engineer sales, oil & gas 5years experience in Oman.

Total 15yrs exp. N.O.C & D/L available. GSM 98481039, Emailanand27kumar@gmail.com

Lebanese man, lookingfor job Marketing&sales, Ihave licenseNOC, 10 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 91308319

33 Indian male, Graduate with 11 years Oman experience in sales & hospitality, looking for a job with NOC. Contact: 90307873

MISCELLANEOUS Accomplished PR professional vast experienced developing & executing campaigns, events promotions along managing media relations.

Contact: 99868330 / 93629688 Email: riasatrazi@gmail.com

Indian male 24 yrs exp in various trading including purchases sales marketing and handling overall business looking for suitable opportunity NOC&release available.

Contact: 99259543 / 92106768

Indian Female, completed graduation with 4 years of work experience in India and 8 months of work experience in Oman, currently on family visa looking for suitable job position.

Contact- 94647421.

Accomplished marketing sales professional vast experienced expert presenter, negotiator closer.

Contact: 99868330 / 93629688 Email: 1234.noreen@gmail.com

Graduate female, with driving license, looking for a suitable position. Contact: 96234434 MBA B. Tech (Information Technology) male technical course M.S office,Computerhardware, 4 months exp. Contact:93965132 / 99040662 Email: mshihab27@gmail.com Civil Eng B.SC holder 6 yrs exp in Oman having D/L. Contact: 93654862 Electrical B.Tech Indian 26, 3 years exp in PLC/ SCADA IND. automation &supervision.

Contact: 97207570 / 90481773

Electrical Engineer with experience, 9 years in Oman.

Contact: 98148034 Keralite (m) Electrical Engineer seeks placement.

Contact: 92757534 Email: arundevd588@yahoo.com Looking for Civil Engineer job, with 5 years experience in ministry project, good command in AutoCAD MS Excel and establishing BOQs. Contact: 97478804 HSE / Safety professional having more than 15 years of experience in oil & gas airport & building construction safety seeking suitable position in HSE. Contact: 99206389

HOSPITALITY Looking suitablepost in hotels / resorts, Gulf experienced total 16 years, 8 years as GMoperations, MBAhotel management, bachelor in tourism & science Cambridge IELTS (6.5) Contact: Email: umar_in@rediffmail.com or rajeevnarendran@gmail.com Front Office Manager with over 20 years of experience in the Middle East & preopening expertise with hospitality giants like Burj Al Arab, Address hotels &Millennium looking for similar opportunities.

Contact: 96383636

IT Indian / Female (29) married.

MCA, 2+years of experience in software development Accenture, Bangalore. IT skills include Dot Net, SQL server 2008, ASP.Net, excellent communication skills with Omani DL looking for a suitable job. Mb: 94057790; Email: geetika.pesit08@gmail.com

abdallah.baloch@outlook.com Contact: 96116969

Senior Network Engineer (USA Citizen) network design &implementation,network config& maintenance CCNA, CCNP, CCIE (WR). Contact: 90350262 Email: ammar.eng@gmail.com

Master in Civil Engineering with 5 years Gulf exp. Contact: 96658456

Biotechnology Engineer with valid Oman D/L job suitable placement. Contact: 92839983

With 3 years experience in a renowned Oil ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ; ŝƌ ĐƌĂŌ ƌĞĨƵĞůŝŶŐ ĞƋƵŝƉŵĞŶƚƐ Y ͕ ŝŶƐƚƌƵŵĞŶƚĂƟ ŽŶ W ĞůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů ƐLJƐƚĞŵƐͿ 1 year on job training at sea port (electricaland PLC systems) Having and HSE, IT and management trainings.

SALES / MARKETING

Indian male 25, BSC with more than 2 years experience in India as sales & marketing searching for suitable vacancy currently on visit visa. Contact: 96332519 Email: ashrafajeesh@gmail.com

Indian male 26 years Mechanical Engineer with 2 yrs exp in Oman.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact - 91328079

ůĞĐƚƌŽŶŝĐƐͬ /ŶƐƚƌƵŵĞŶƚĂƟ ŽŶ Engineer

IT

Indian male BE mechanical engineer CSWIP, 4 years gulf experience in visit visa having Qatar driving license. Contact: +968 96550807 Email: vishnusohanlal@gmail.com

Indian female, MCA,BCA, oracle certified 6month training in data warehousing PHP, SQL,PLAQL, UNIX, seeking job at good company. Contact: 95694330 Email: monakashyap001@gmail.com

B.Sc Civil Engineer 5+ years experience in Building construction & Steel structural building with having valid D/L. Contact: 93850440/ shahadat033@gmail.com

Contact # 92839516

Bachelor degree (B.techin electronics and telecommunicationsand CCNA certified network supportengineer 1 .5 years experience seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 90253746 Email: sreejilalnt2424@gmail.com

Indian male 28 civil engineer 1 year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 99206630 / 94471305

Indian male 24 fresh mechanical engineer looking for a job in mechanical field special interest in QA, QC NDT on visit visa.

Contact: 93487822

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

Indian female B.Tech Civil engineer having experience as quantity surveyor and having knowledge in primavera , 3DS Max, AutoCAD etc seeking for a suitable job.

Contact: 95737185 Email: elizabethvinod8@gmail.com

BE mechanical Eng, PG diploma in piping &plant, immediately available, on visit visa. #95486659 Email: akashmw50@gmail.com

Fresher cloud Engineer.

Contact: 98207829

Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India, holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer (Indian) diploma 13 years exp (4 yrs Oman) valid Oman driving license, NOC Available seeking suitable placement. Contact: + 968- 98858299 /+ 91- 7012968344 Email:jm_thomas23@yahoo.com

Civil Engineer looking for a job 6 years experience in building construction post Site Engineer.

Contact: 93304128

Indian female M.Tech biotechnology seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 91287047 Email: valliammai1000@gmail.com

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

HSE Officer 6 yrs experience in building construction safety seeking suitable position currently on visit visa. Contact: 90595885 / 71140487

Experienced IT Professional with over 20 years in Oman.

Can manage ERP systems, Hardware, Network, Wi-Fi and Biometric Devices.

2nd mate Officer, Indian 10 yrs experience in Tanker / chemical vessels, looking for an on shore job / port operations / TWG master. Contact: 94972789 Purchase Executive 9 .5 years experience in construction purchasein Oman seeking a suitable placement, NOC available.

Contact: 94274104 Purchase Executive 10 years experience in construction purchase seeking a suitable placement, NOC available. Contact: 97332401 British National, 34, M.B.A young & energetic male, looking for any managerial position in Oman, having 12 years of experience in managing different types of businesses. Contact: 96056963 Email: asim_shah199@yahoo.com

MEDICAL Indian male Nurse with 9 yrs experience MOH license with NOC and Oman D/L, seeking job.

Contact: 98152546 Indian lady, BSC Nurse with MOH seeking job. Contact: 92726762 Indian female MOH Dietitian working in Muscat NOC available well experienced. Contact: 90996037 Email: nabanitasaha12@gmail.com Female Dentist Indian with MOH license & NOC looking for a job in Muscat. Contact-96035981

MANAGER / SUPERVISOR Purchase Officer / Manager 16 years GCC experience in construction (civil& MEP) seeks suitable placement, NOC available.

Contact: 99109533 CEO, Managing Director, Senior level manager, A senior level business developments executive with 18 Years of experiences in USA, Africa, GCC, with MBA from Texas A&M,USA) Contact - 92010247 NOC-Obtained professional with 30 years experience (Oman) in Purchase, Warehousing, and Logistics managerial roles seeks suitable placement-Contact 99022102

Diploma electronic &communication EPAXtelephone service &installation, EPAX sales telephonesystem. Contact: 91478201 Looking for job sales executive good experience in scaffolding and foam work. Contact: 99592382 / 93222482/ Suresh Marketing sales (Driver) Sohar preference N.O.C available .

Contact: 96953996 Indian male (28) B.Com last position 6+ yrs experience in sales & business development immediate joining, on visit visa.

Contact: 92686168 W.H.APP +918087894270 Email: fernandesjackson_jom@yahoo.com Indian male masters in Petroleum Engineering with 1 year Oman experience in sales & marketing holding D/L, currently on visit visa looking for oil / gas industry field related or sales related job.

Contact - 93789123 INDIAN male, BBA with 4 years experience in SALES & MARKETING, holding omani driving license. seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95607037 Email: raaz0jannat@gmail.com.

Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India. +918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Indian Kerala 35 years male, 4 years working sales man for building material hare D/L seek suitable placement. Contact: 99858456 / 96314974 Email: prasanthsmt@gmail.com Indian male valid Omani driving license 15 years experience in Oman fluent in English,Arabic, Hindi & Malayalam NOC available looking for suitable placement in sales driver pest. Contact: 97012317 Multinational FMGC experienced, qualified Sri Lankan lady seeking employment in Muscat. Marketing, Brands, Sales, Communication. Oman exp& DL available.

98250829

Experienced Global Relationship Manager with 10 years experience at the world’s leading banks. Handled the custody and FX accounts of key clients worth millions of dollars.

Email:ahmedmarzouk17@ymail. com or call 97392155

Sales professional (Graduate) with additional qualification MCSE & CCNA having more than 10+ yrs of experience in handling IT hardware, Networking & Security Products (project based) and experience in education and training industry in Oman, seeking employment in relevant IT companies. Contact: 99354209

Project Manager (interiorfit outs)in shops,offices,restaurantetc having 10 years experience looking to work in a reputed firm, NOC available.

Contact: 94274437

Oil & gas experienced Indian lady with 6 years in sales & marketing to PDO and having valid Omani driving license. Contact 96143430 / 99875919

SKILLED LABOUR 7 years experience in aquaculture shrimp farming construction light license NOC. Contact: 92635313 Male 42 Electricians & plumber, looking for job NOC available.

Contact: 98081227

TRAVELS/TOUR Reservation & ticketing staff, IATA passed 24 yrs, Oman 1 year experience, 3 years experience in India. Contact: 94791341 & 0091 11 9656724483 Email: anasp555@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Male Accountant, MBA (Finance) 5 years Experience including UAE and India up to finalization Available immediately (On Visit) Contact: 91704866 Email: anees0989@gmail.com Indian Male 23 years B.com graduate Holding a valid Oman driving License searching for a suitable placement, currently on visit visa. Contact: 94175848.

Indian male (26) MBA 2 years experience in procurement, coordination and distribution management. With valid Oman license.

Availablefor immediate joining.

Contact: 92536194 EMAIL: suhailbs@gmail.com Indian male 34 years, MBA-HR with 10.9 years exp in Recruitment, Training, PMS, OD, Sites-HR and Omani nationals development, seeking a job, NOC available.

Contact saiprasad_18@yahoo.com 94179499 CIVIL/QS ENGINEER: B. Tech, Indian Female with 3 years’ experience in Oman, with D/L. Seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 91361356/92882797 Bio- MedicalEngineer (M.Tech) Indian 27 yrs, 1 plus years of research experience looking for a suitable job. Email: amluprasannan@gmail.com Electronics Systems Engineer (UK Graduate ) with skills in robotics , programming languages, IC, PCB design seeking suitable position , Indian female on visiting visa. Contact: 97848075 Email: s.dinesh1508@gmail.com Indian female PhD, M.Phil, M.A in English, B.Ed., Diploma TESOL,16 years teaching experience seeks suitable teaching, editing or relevant job. Contact: 92245591, 95221665 B.Com, 2 years experience in Oman, Indian Male, 25 yrs. with Driving License. Handling day today accounts activities upto finalization. Proficient in Tally.

Looking for suitable placement.

Ph. 91470665 BE/Diploma Mechanical Engineering with 4 years exp. in Oman, Looking for suitable positions.

NOC available. Having valid driving license Contact-99335742 INDIAN male, BBA graduate and diploma in IATA Cargo Supply Chain and Transport Modes with DGR Initial Category 6.Holds Omani driving license. Presently in family visa, seeks suitable placement in Cargo section.

Contact :-96370022 IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3+yrs exp. in IT, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 91496939.

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T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 7

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SALES / MARKETING Indian Male, 11 years’ experience as an Senior Accountant looking for part time Accounting job up to finalization of Accounts. Software knows MS office, Tally9 ERP MOBILE: 93884951Email:mehreenraiz@gmail.com

Indian Male 23 years B.com graduate Holding a valid Oman driving License searching for a suitable placement, currently on visit visa. Contact: 94175848.

Indian male BE Mechanical Engineer with two and a half years experience in production department, searching suitable job.

Contact no: 9500927480

Indian/male(26)/MBA/ 2 years expereince in proccurement,cordination and distribution management.With valid oman licenece. Available for immediate joining. Contact: 92536194 EMAIL:suhailbs@gmail.com

Indian Male (25), BSc Electronics, M.B.A seeking suitable openings, Having 3 years’ experience in, sales and Marketing of financial products with Oman Driving License. Contact - 94774550

Indian male, 24 yrs, looking for professional job my qualification is Diploma in Electronics, having 3 years of Exp and i am having Gulf driving license you can contact me on : - +96897017866.

Fresh B.Com Graduate in visit visa looking for a job. CONTACT: 93518923 / 99075027.

Email: sheikcok@yahoo.com

Indian female PhD, M.Phil, M.A in English, B.Ed, Diploma TESOL,16 years teaching experience seeks suitable teaching, editing or relevant job. # 92245591, 95221665

Indian male, 26 years of age, mechanical engineer .B.Tech from Trivandrum engineering college 2013. M.Tech from NIT Warangal .Specialty, Materials and Systems Engineering Design. Looking for suitable placement, #99753809 Electrical Engineer (Indian) B.E in Electrical and 3.6 years of experience. Have experience in construction field. Seeking for a suitable job. NOC available.

Contact: 91120129 Email: mpshareef313@gmail.com PG male 10 years experience purchases D/L & NOC also, looking suitable any job.

Contact: 99145776 Indian male 23 Fresher. Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC &MEP.Contact : 9586 1251 Email : ajaibmd39@gmail.com Building maintenance foreman (all-rounder).10.year gulf Experience with Oman Driving License.90858522.

A Filipino female searching for a job, with visit visa exp February 2017.hospitality and sales job will be a Good offer to me.

Contact no:98271658 Indian female looking for an accounts part time job. area preferred Ruwi/CBD/MBD/ wk.contact-95482970.

Indian Male B-com graduate, 1.5 Year exp. in various office works, Valid Oman driving license looking for any suitable post.

Contact: 95322175 / 91987965 INDIAN male, BBA graduate and diploma in IATA Cargo Supply Chain and Transport Modes with DGR Initial Category 6.Holds Omani driving license. Presently in family visa. Seeks suitable placement in Cargo section.

Contact- 96370022

Indian male 23 Fresh Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : mdajaib@yahoo.com Indian Male (25), BSc Electronics, M.B.A seeking suitable openings, Having 3 years’ experience in, sales and Marketing of financial products with Oman Driving License. Contact 94774550 Indian Male age 23) an i am looking for suitable job my qualification is Diploma in Electronics an i am having 3 years of experience in the hardware an networking field an i am having Gulf driving license you can contact me on : - +96897017866.

Indian/male (26)/CA finalist and b.com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa. available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321, email: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com Indian/male(26)/ca finalist and b.com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa, available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321 email: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com Indian female, holds masters in business administration (MBA) & LLB, 2 yrs oman experience as hr & admin, seeks suitable placement in jobs @ Sohar, Falaj.

Contact 96541959 Indian Male, 26 years. B. Tech (Civil) Having 4 years experience as Project Engineer ¸ Site Engineer & Quantity surveyor. Good knowledge in Planning and arranging works and sites. Estimation, drawing, Billing and project management.

AUTO CADD, STAAD, MS Office and various software packages. #99334770/ 997 43 709

Indian male 34 yrs, MBA-HR with 10.9 yrs.exp. in Recruitmen t,Training,PMS,OD,Sites-HR and Omani nationals development, seeking a job, NOC available.

Contact saiprasad_18@yahoo.com 94179499 Electrical and electronics engineering graduate, 23yrs Indian male, NOC available, 2 yrs site experience in industrial and commercial building sites(MEP ELECTRICAL), expert in autocad, etap, ms office, electrical engineering design, fluent in English and Hindi, exp in handling a team of 20 workers, ph:92201939.

33 years Indian Male MBA-HR & MSC having 8.9 yrs Exp (HR- operation/ SAP/ Admin) with Oman Driving License. Seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/backend jobs.

Contact:+968 99322978 /94129291 Indian male, 23 Fresher, Graduate Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact: +968 9748 9256 Email: abdulmajid.ak@gmail.com Male Accountant, MBA (Finance) 5 years Experience including UAE and India up to finalization Available immediately (On Visit).

Contact: 91704866, Email: anees0989@gmail.com Indian female B.E (I.T) Good experience in documentation and CRM. Having good communication skills. Seeking for job from reputed organization. Previous experience in Oman and India.

Contact - 97301058, 97136975.

Indian male 23 Fresh Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact : 9586 1251, Email : mdajaib@yahoo.com Indian Male 15 years gulf experience in HR / Admin Assistant, Purchase, Office Coordinator with good computer skills seeking employment for suitable position. Holding valid Oman Driving license. Contact 99709336 Indian Male,B.COM having 4+Years of experience in OMAN with Valid Oman Driving License.

Experienced in Accounts & Sales, looking for an opportunity in Sales or Accounts. Mob:- 94106834 email:- jobhuntmuscat@gmail.com.

Indian, male, BBA graduate and diploma in IATA Cargo Supply Chain and Transport Modes with DGR Initial Category 6.Holds Omani driving license. Presently in family visa. Seeks suitable placement in Cargo section. #96370022

Indian Male 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

Pakistani male 25 y, fluent in English, valid oman driving license experience of pak. & oman. Needs suitable replacement like teaching, administration, documents controller, sales and marketing, rent a car field and personal Assistant etc. aamirkhan_7860@yahoo.com.

Contact 94908725

Indian male, M.Com, B.Com, looking for suitable opening, now on visiting visa.

Contact79103798, email- malikfaheem284@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer/ HVAC/ Indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visit visa. email:nishadphoenix@gmail.com Contact: 90957740

Good knowledge in Planning and arranging works and sites. Estimation, drawing, Billing and project management. AUTO CADD, STAAD, MS Office and various software packages Contact 99334770 /997 43 709

Indian/male (26)/ca finalist and b.Com/3 years expereince in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa.

Available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321 email: shahir.Usman.Su@gmail.Com

Indian female, 27 years, MBA in Finance, currently pursuing ACCA, having 10 months voluntary job experience as accountant looking for suitable placement. #94388910, E- mail Id: sowmya.vs1989@gmail.com

Indian/male(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

Young professional, Energetic looking for Finance/Audit Job. BSC (Accounting) ACCA (Affiliate), CAT (Affiliate). Currently working in GOV. Experience of 4 Years .

NOC available. saleemraza218@gmail.com

Accountant. Having 9 years experience in accounts in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat (NOC Available).

GSM. 00968-93528057, Email waheed.murtaza@yahoo.com B. Tech in electrical and electronics engineering, 23yrs Indian male, 2yrs exp (MEP ELECTRICAL ), NOC available, expert in electrical engineering design, autocad, ETAP, MS Office. Contact ph:92201939 email:nabilism4@gmail.com Indian male Staff Nurse completed BSc nursing, having three years of experience in medical ICU having Oman license and NOC, seeking suitable situation.

Contact 94932245 Indian male, 23 yrs, looking for suitable job my qualification is Diploma in Electronics an i am having 3 years of experience in the hardware an networking field an i am having Gulf driving license.

Contact me on : - +96897017866.

Mechanical Engineer/ HVAC/ Indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visit visa. email:nishadphoenix@gmail.com Contact: 90957740, email: nishadphoenix@gmail.com Indian male 22 B.com looking for job in ACCOUNTING OR DATA OPERATION special interest in Account’s will be happy to hear from you. C#+90758030, Email : uttiawesome@gmail.com Indian male 34 yrs, MBA-HR with 10.9 yrs.exp. In Recruitment, Training, PMS, OD, Sites-HR and Omani nationals development, seeking a job, NOC avl.contact 94179499 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com Indian male B-com Graduate1.5 Year exp. in various office works, valid Oman driving license. Looking for any suitable post .Please contact: 95322175 / 91987965 INDIAN MALE (26)/CA-inter and b.Com/3 years expereince in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa.

Available for immediate joining.

Contact 98078321 EMAIL: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com 27 years, Indian male looking for a senior mobile application developer job in Oman. 5+ years of experience as a software engineer, am available in Muscat till Dec 19th. arunkumar6207@gmail.com, +968 9600 3057, +91 8019897589 Indian male, 26 years, B-Tech Graduate with 3 years experience in Oman& 2 Years experience in india as Civil Engineer in a reputed construction company. Looking for suitable jobs.NOC available.

Seeking immediate placements.

Contact: 96179737/ 97076972, email:robinsj.sj@gmail.com PROCUREMENT OFFICER, Indian-Male 34yrs,M.Com with 14 yrs work Exp.( 8 yrs in Oman) working in Construction Co LLC( for ROAD,CIVIL,ELECTROMECHANICAL & Others projects) & having valid LT D/L, NOC/Local release available to join immediately M:+968 94064650 Email: nagauae@gmail.com A Filipino female searching for a job, with 3month visit visa.exp January 2017.hospitality and sales job will be a Good offer to me.

Contact no:98271658 Looking for a part time accounting & admin job, having 32 years of experience. Contact 9919621.

Indian male Mechanical Engineer, 1 year Omani Experience + 2 Years of local experience, NOC available, looking for suitable position. Contact +96896089598 Email: fasinizami@gmail.com Indian Male , M.Com , 6 years experience in the field of accountance Good knowledge in SAP, Tally, MS office and Excel seeks suitable placement. Contact 92859733 Sri Lankan Male Mechanical Engineer, 1+ year of Omani experience, NOC available, Omani driving license, looking for suitable position.

Contact No: +96893903463 Email: zaf1096@gmail.com Indian female B.E (I.T) : Good experience in documentation and CRM. Having good communication skills, seeking for job from reputed organization. Previous experience in Oman and India.

Contact - 97301058, 97136975.

Electronics & Communication Engineer, 23-year-old Indian on family visa, BE-ECE graduate looking for suitable placement in networking, hardware and electronics field. Contact: 95148894, 99726963.

Email: sadathali0003@gmail.com MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER 3 years experience in production industry, B. Tech in Mech Engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified.

Contact arn9895@gmail.com, Mob 00919895233155 Indian male, 24 years, B.com, MBA(Finance) with overall 3 years experience in accounts/finance field. Interested in sales field also.

On Visit Visa. Contact: 90115058/ safwanmeadows@gmail.com HSE Engineer, 4 yrs of experience in construction, Bachelor of Engineering (EEE), Nebosh, IOSH, DHSE, First Aid. Contact +97474018995, Email:midhunmich@gmail.mom Indian male, B.com graduate well versed in English, Hindi, Malayalam holding a valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 96799287 Indian/ male (26)/ MBA/2 years experience in procurement, coordination and distribution management, with valid oman license available for immediate joining. Contact: 92536194 email: suhailbs@gmail.com Indian male Auto cad Draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job.

Contact: 00968 99070584, Email: remluvp@gmail.com Masters(M.Sc) in Applied Psychology, Specialisation in Counseling, Indian Female 24 Years of good calibre in teaching and counseling with reasonable practical experience in some reputable schools and colleges, looking for an appropriate opportunity in related field.

Contact : 0096899133896; afsh.shariff@gmail.com.

Mechanical Engineer/HVAC / Indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visit visa.

Contact: 90957740, email: nishadphoenix@gmail.com Indian male, 23 yrs, looking for suitable job my qualification is diploma in electronics an i am having 3 years of experience in the hardware and networking field an i am having gulf driving license.

Contact me on : - +96897017866.

Electronics And Communication Engineer: 23 Indian BE-ECE graduate 2016, looking suitable placement networking, hardware and electronics field, on family visa Contact:95148894,99726963,Email: sadathali0003@gmail.com Indian/male(26)/CA finalist and b.com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa, available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321, EMAIL: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com Senior Sales Executive, experience in trading industries with thorough knowledge of Oman market and wide customer contacts.

Driving license and NOC available.

Seeks senior position.

Contact: 98487311 Indian/male (26)/CA - inter and b.com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa, available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321 email: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : zufarajaib@yahoo.com Indian Female Nurse with MOH License, looking for suitable placement in Muscat. #95537685.

An expatriate Indian female, graduate with 4 years experience in e-learning and ITes and 3 years experience in financial consulting and analysis seeks suitable placement. Email : write2nishanair@gmail.com, Contact - 00968-93994505 Indian male with Shorthand & Computer Skills also having 23 Years Gulf Experience is looking for suitable placement. NOC available. GSM No. 97227062

Mechanical engineer/hvac/ indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visitvisa. # 90957740, email:nishadphoenix@gmail.com Indian Male (25), BSc Electronics, M.B.A seeking suitable openings, Having 3 years’ experience in, sales and Marketing of financial products with Oman Driving License. Contact 94774550 Indian male, Engineer, Procurement Officer, Construction. 23 years experience in Automobile Supply Chain, Production Planning, IT - Delivery Management, Business Analysis and Operations set-up. Contact: 90215985.

HSE Engineer, 4 years of experience in construction certifications, bachelor of engineering(EEE), Nebosh, Iosh, Dhse, First Aid. Contact :+97474018995, email:midhunmich@gmail.com MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER, 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified.

Contact arn9895@gmail.com Mob 00919895233155 Indian male, M.Com, 6 years experience in the field of accountancy and Stores. Good knowledge in SAP, Tally, MS office and Excel seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92859733 Indian Male with 23 Yrs. experience in Secretarial Job and Administration is looking for opening in Oman. NoC available.

Contact 97227062 MECHANICAL ENGINEER, Indian Male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures. Aware of int.

Standards, B tech in Mech engg.

Contact-rahulkunnath23@gmail. com, Mob-00917350860889 Indian male, having three years of experience in medical ICU and oman license. Seeking for suitable situation as staff nurse.

Contact 98416393 Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP will be happy to hear from you. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : zufarajaib@yahoo.com Indian Male B-com graduate, 1.5 Year exp. in various office works, Valid Oman driving license Looking for any suitable post.

Contact: 95322175 / 91987965 Indian Graduated MBA from UK, Seeking for suitable position in Sales & Marketing, 3 years experience. Mob. 99642275, Email: Navas.shereef13@gmail.com 25 years male from India looking for job having 3 yrs exp in contracting and trading co. release or NOC available, for immediate joining. Contact :+968 94574596 29 yrs old Graduate(Male), 6 years Experience as an Office Assistant with Good English communication skills, is looking for a job in Muscat. (In Visiting visa).

Contact No:93271163 Email-ranjithraj08@gmail.com Indian male,28 yrs old, B.A Graduate, 6 years Experience in Hospitality and Hotel Industry with Good English communication skills , is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.

(In Visiting visa) # :90146616 Indian Male 48 years, B.Sc., MBAOperations Management with total 25+ Yrs of exp inclusive of 10 yrs in Oil & Gas sector in Oman, having valid Omani D/L & NOC , seeks challenging senior position in Logistics/Procurement/SCM. GSM-94236414, Mail id – jayamurli@gmail.com Indian Male age:- 23) an i am looking for job an my qualification is Diploma in Mechanical an i am having 4 years of experience in the Quality Supervisor And CNC Machine Operator, GSM: 97017866.

Indian/male (25)/ post Graduate/3 years experience in sales and marketing(Dubai), on visit visa. available for immediate joining. Contact: 93887916, email: shamji3851@gmail.com Pakistani Male having 6 years experience working as a Store Incharge, looking for a suitable position. salary is negotiable. Email : usman.saleem84@yahoo.com, Mob: +96894611858 / 95480426

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 3, 2 0 1 7

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

SITUATION WANTED TOURS

SITUATION WANTED Indian male, 29 yrs, Graduate, 6 years Experience as an Office Assistant with Good English communication skills, is looking for a job in Muscat. (In Visiting visa).

Contact No:93271163

Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP will be happy to hear from you. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : zufarajaib@yahoo.com

Indian male, 28 yrs old, B.A Graduate, 6 years Experience in Hospitality and Hotel Industry with Good English communication skills , is looking for a suitable job in Muscat, on Visiting visa.

Contact : 90146616

33year Indian Male MBA-HR & MSC having 8.9yrs Exp (HR-operation/ SAP/ Admin) with Oman Driving License, seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/backend jobs.

Contact:+968 99322978

Indian male, 29 yrs old, Graduate,6 years Experience as a Coordinator in Reputed Firm with Good English communication skills, is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.(In Visiting visa) # 93042492

Indian/male (26)/CA- inter and B.Com/3 years experience in audit & assurance services, financial reporting & analysis on visit visa, available for immediate joining.

Contact: 98078321 email: shahir.usman.su@gmail.com

Indian Male 23 years B.com graduate Holding a valid Oman driving License searching for a suitable placement, currently on visit visa. Contact : 94175848.

SriLankan Quantity Surveyor male, 25 Years, over 5 year Exp. (3 Yrs. in Oman), NOC available, looking for suitable position. # 98436414, Email: Hassaan.mt@live.com Finance & Audit Manager Available CPA, MBA-USA ACCA ,Oman Experienced , Expert in Profit Maximizations , Business Developments, All Banking Facilities , ERP- Accounting Software , Internal / External Audits & Controls , with Best Solutions of Business Problems ,NOC available & Driving License Call 94886226 Indian male Executive Secretary (To Top Management) having 10 years experience in Oman. Also well experience in HR Executive & Admin related jobs. Local release & Oman driving license available, seeking for immediate suitable placement. Contact 92215110; email: hellosajans@gmail.com Indian male Accountant 3 years good working experience doing accounts with tally and excel searching for suitable job. E-Mail : contactanand31@gmail.com, GSM : 95694990

Mechanical Engineer/HVAC/Indian: 1year experienced mechanical engineer with piping engineering & quality control certification, on visit visa. email: nishadphoenix@ gmail.com, Contact: 90957740, email: nishadphoenix@gmail.com Expat with 13 yrs experience in sales and marketing, seeking suitable placement. #92100116 Indian male 29 years old on visit looking for a suitable position in air ticketing and tours, overall 10 years of experience, 6 years experience in gulf. On visit, ready to join immediately. # 97189669/ info.awaiz2015@gmail.com Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer looking for job in Mechanical field special interest in HVAC & MEP will be happy to hear from you. Contact : +968 9586 1251, Email : zufarajaib@yahoo.com B.A Graduate, 28 yrs old, is looking for a suitable job in Muscat.

(In Visiting visa , 6 years Experience as a Coordinator in Reputed Firm with Good English communication skills,). # : 93042492 Pakistani male, looking for a suitable placement as Document Controller, Computer Operator.

Contact 93919064

SITUATION WANTGOOD NEWS

MANPOWER

ENJOY YOUR VACATION!!! ǁŽƌƌLJŝŶŐ ĂďŽƵƚ LJŽƵƌ ĐĂƌ͍ ,ĞƌĞ ŝƐ Ă ƐŽůƵƟ ŽŶ ĨŽƌ safe parking and cleaning your car when you ĂƌĞ ĂǁĂLJ ŽŶ ǀĂĐĂƟ ŽŶ͘ &Žƌ ƉĞŽƉůĞ ƚƌĂǀĞůůŝŶŐ ĨƌŽŵ ĚŝƐƚĂŶƚ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ͕ LJŽƵ ĐĂŶ ũƵƐƚ ĚƌŽƉ Žī your keys to the car care team and peacefully check into the airport. Your vehicle will be ǁĂŝƟ ŶŐ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ĂŝƌƉŽƌƚ ŽŶ LJŽƵƌ ƌĞƚƵƌŶ͘

We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman.

Contact 99839898

Contact: 96964767

SITUATION WANTED COMPUTER/WEB./ EDU./CLASSES

Ayurvedic treatments & massage – Ayurvedic Clinic Al Khuwair.

Contact 97263637 /93309131 Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic clinic, 18th November Street Al Ghubra (North). # 99639695 / 97397320 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

SIT.WANTED 29 yrs old Graduate (Male), 6 years Experience as an Office Assistant with Good English communication skills, is looking for a job in Muscat, (In Visiting visa).

Contact 93271163 B.E Mechanical Engineer, Indian, Currently on family visit OMAN, looking for job in various mechanical fields of production, manufacturing, technical and designing.

Contact :92113987,email : mohammedthanzeel@gmail.com MECHANICAL ENGINEER, Indian Male,26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int.

Standards, B tech in Mech engg Contact-rahulkunnath23@gmail. com, Mob-00917741032368 Indian female B.E (I.T) : Good experience in documentation and CRM. Having good communication skills. Seeking for job from reputed organization. Previous experience in Oman and India.

Contact - 97301058, 97136975.

MATRIMONIAL R.C boy, 29 years KothamangalamDiosees 180 cm working Muscat (FMCG) invited suitable proposal.

Contact: 92397926 Viswakarma boy 33 years Trissur Own Business,seeks suitable alliance. Contact: 97363585 Sunni Muslim (Urdu) girl B.E, M.B.A 26 years invites alliance from Tamil Nadu Bengaluru.

Contact: 99502581 Nair boy, 26 yrs Revathy, Alleppy dist, B.Tech working as planning / project Engineer in Oman, 4 yrs seeks suitable alliance. Contact: 94232342 / 99065898

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

DRIVING

in Azaiba and Ruwi

We undertake new construction & maintenance & gypsum works.

Contact 92711506, ammarayyub@gmail.com

earn in two months tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

Safety items New Year gift diaries, pen printing.

Contact: 98604960 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

CONTD ON PG 8

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

Specialist for road test drum and slope. Contact 94022250

Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. Contact: 98294551

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D8

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 3 , 2 0 1 7

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

RENT A CAR

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ General cleaning etc. ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> Contact : 94277020

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ͬ Marble polishing monthly/ Yearly contracts available.

Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C Installation & maintenance for Modular Kitchen, UPVC Doors & Windows, Furniture, Electrical & Air-conditions Contact @ 92383882/91443786

Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center L.L.C. # 99344723 Caret & Sofa Shampooing General Cleaning & Polishing.

Ocean Center L.L.C. # 24707833

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

Marble Crystallization & Grinding, Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 92705130

Marble / granite sales, fixing lean polishing. Contact: 98604960

House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013

A/C maintenance & Servicing, Fridge / Washing Machine / dish washer repairing, 2) Painting and cleaning service, Electrical & Plumbing. # 94147874 / 24504281, mail:globalaccessunited@gmail.com

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting.

Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

WE SERVE OMAN

Pestcontrol, water proofing.

Gulfa International L.L.C. Contact: 92326955