Times of Oman - January 4 , 2016

40 267

6 085010 120010 FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

At the opening of the annual session of the Council of Oman, 2009

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ We would like to address a word to Omani women and call upon them to take advantage of all the opportunities that have been granted to them, so that they can prove their worth and show that they are capable of overcoming any obstacles that might stand in their way

MONDAY, January 4, 2016 / 23 Rabi Al Awal 1437 AH

timesofoman.com

wtimesofoman.com

facebook.com/timesofoman

HEAVY RAIN IN BURAIMI, SOHAR, MUSANDAM Heavy rains fell in Buraimi, Sohar and Musandam on Sunday, according to the residents.

Streets were waterlogged in Musandam after heavy rains. - Supplied photo See also >A4

twitter.com/timesofoman

blog.timesofoman.com

2016 to be year of austerity for many in Oman Lavish lifestyles will be challenged, and those less well off will be wise to prepare to tighten their belts, say economic experts

Staff Reporters TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

MUSCAT: Austerity will be a lifestyle choice for many in 2016, nationals and expatriates alike, say experts as Oman takes significant steps to get back on a firm financial footing.

That will mean, say commentators, that families must look at their spending, particularly on luxuries, as economic measures.

Especially, the decision to deregulate the price of oil products could hit people’s pockets hard.

On Friday, Darwish bin Ismail Ali Al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, said the government expenditures and

OMAN

Dental clinics in Sultanate under scanner

1

Private dental clinics in Oman are under constant supervision to ensure best services and care for the patients, an official at the Ministry of Health (MoH) has said. >A2

WORLD

MARKET

A hospital for falcons Feeder connectivity

2

Falcons receive premier healthcare facilities at Abu Dhabi hospital. >A13

3

Port of Duqm plans to start a feeder service with Jebel Ali. >B1

BONDING WITH BRUSHES

Lamya finds a niche in make-up world

Lamya Al Mawali, a passionate make-up artist.

revenues for 2016 are estimated at OMR11.9 billion and OMR8.6 billion, respectively, leading to an anticipated deficit of OMR3.3 billion.

And so the government has decided to deregulate the prices of petrol and diesel fuels, as part of the nation’s fiscal reforms.

National savings “The most affected will be the common man, and he can be affected in several tangible ways.

It will affect the socio-economic condition, and national savings will decrease significantly,” Dr Anchan C K, an economic expert and managing director at the

National Budget 2016 In million rials

Thus, over a period of time women begin sharing a close bond with brushes and pencils and develop an artistic adeptness when it comes to making use of makeup palettes on their faces.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Lamya Al Mawali, a passionate make-up artist based in Oman, started her journey about 10 years ago.

Lamya rose to fame after winning the ‘Maxfactor Make-up Artist Hunt 2012’.

This was the beginning, but her venture has been progressing well and creating new milestone every year.

For women, especially in this part of the world, make-up plays a crucial role.

Thus, a lot of attention is often paid to the intricate details that highlight and enhance a woman’s face. It is the portrayal of a woman’s mood and her personality.

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

Skills put to test All these skills were put to test at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa when five finalists, out of the 50 budding make-up artists participating in the threepart competition, displayed their talents at the Maxfactor Makeup Artist Hunt 2012. >A6

World Wide Business House, told the Times of Oman.

“The common man has to start planning as to how he can cope with his monthly expenditures, with limited wages and soaring prices of goods, especially the FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) products such as milk, pulses and vegetables etc. which are daily requirements.

“Thus, in the end, the common man has to compromise with his tastes and go in for less costly products and even cheap alternatives for certain products. Going out with family and friends will no longer be a satisfactory experience as the pinch on the purse far outweighs any culinary gratification one might aspire for,” Anchan added.

However, another economic expert said reducing fuel subsidies is a ‘good step’ which will not only help the government generate additional revenues but also promote appropriate consumption patterns among the people in Oman. >A5

Total

11,900

se 550 Other expen

Gas revenue 1,590

150

Participation and international institutions

400

Subsidies

s

Defence and 3,500 security

Net oil revenue 4,560

Total revenue

Total ppublic expenditure

8,600

8,680 4,600 Civil Ministries

Current revenues 2,400

Capital revenues

20

Capital repayments

30

Net grants

600

Net foreign borrowing

900

Financing from reserves 1,500 Net d domestiic domestic b borrowing i g

300

Total cing finan

Total investmen t

3,300

2,670

Source Ministry of Finance

Graphics hi

Oman braces for challenging 2016

300

Oil production

190

Gas production

90

Interests on loans

1,200 Development expenditure

150

Development expenditure for Civil Ministries

20

Capital for Civil Ministries

700

Oil production

A3 600

G p Gas produc oduc d ti ti o tion

A2

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

OMAN

Around 70 per cent of the violations are related to patient’s safety and infection control Dr Hamood Al Harthy, Head of section, Directorate of Evaluation and Licensing

Dental clinics in Sultanate under scanner to ensure ‘best services’ the inspections are scheduled while some are carried out unannounced. The surprise checks are actually preferred as most of the violations are caught during such checks.

Inspections start as soon as an application is made to open a clinic and continue throughout the life of the clinic, a top Ministry of Health official said Dr Hamood Al Harthy. — Supplied picture

elham@timesofoman.com

Directorate General of Private Health Establishments (DGPHE).

MUSCAT: Private dental clinics in Oman are under constant supervision to ensure best services and care for the patients, an official at the Ministry of Health (MoH) has said.

Inspections start as soon as an application is made to open a clinic and continue throughout the life of the clinic, said Dr Hamood Al Harthy, head of section, Directorate of Evaluation and Licensing of Private Health Establishments,

Initial approval “When an application is made for obtaining a licence, it is sent to a special committee for initial approval. Then, the DGPHE follows as per a step-by-step procedure before issuing a license for the facility and the healthcare professionals,” Al Harthy, who is a specialist in dental surgery, told the Times of Oman.

A primary inspection is done and the applicant has to meet all

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

the requirements and provide all information related to the facility and the staff, the official said.

He added that the directorate general works closely with the municipalities, the Ministry of Manpower, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry when it comes to issuing a permit.

According to the latest statistics, around 737 dentists and specialists are working at about 500 private dental clinics in the Sultanate.

Al Harthy noted that some of

Patient’s safety “Around 70 per cent of the violations are related to patient’s safety and infection control,” he added.

Asked if the directorate general also supervises the prices of dental healthcare services at clinics, the official said that it mainly falls within the ambit of the responsibilities of the Public Authority for Consumer Protection.

“We do not get involved unless there is a huge disparity between the services and the prices,” Al Harthy explained.

‘Reasonable’ costs The official said in his opinion, the dental care services in Oman are priced at a ‘reasonable’ level in general though it depends on the service provider, location of the clinic and some other factors.

He stated that one of the directorate’s responsibilities is to monitor the service providers and make sure that specialised services are provided only by the specialists.

“We also review the price lists to make sure that the services

provided by the facility are within the scope of such service providers and try to make sure that the Arabic translation of the services in the facility’s price list matches with the English version,” he added.

Increasing frequency In addition, Al Harthy said that DGPHE works in collaboration with the directorates of private health establishments in the regions to ensure that inspections are carried out more frequently.

“The number of private dental facilities is almost double the number of the dental clinics in the government health facilities,” he said, adding that DGPHE has now three directorates, concerning quality, licencing facilities and licensing manpower.

There are Continuous Professional Development Programmes to upgrade the staff, Al Harthy stated.

Manned by Omanis Asked about the performance and progress of Omanis in the field of dental practice, he said many government dental facilities are manned by Omanis.

However, the number of nationals is not very high in the private sector as many graduates prefer

to start their career in the public sector to gain some experience, he added.

Private sector Al Harthy believes that there is a need to strengthen the private sector in this field as the demand for private sector facilities is growing and many patients want to avoid long queues in government facilities.

Some services are currently only available at government facilities, he said, expressing the hope that such services will become available in the private sector as well.

The official also said that there is a need for more specialized educational institutes and training centres to complement the existing programmes at the Sultan Qaboos University and Oman Medical Specialty Board.

Insurance Commenting on the fact that dental treatment costs are not covered by insurance, he said it would be good if a decision is made to include them in insurance schemes as some may avoid seeking treatment because of the costs.

Al Harthy said that according to his personal experience, oral diseases are one of the most common problems afflicting Omanis.

SAFETY ISSUES

Key traffic exhibition at Rahab School focuses on safety issues Times News Service

– Supplied picture

MUSCAT: A number of tools used to ensure traffic safety were in focus at an exhibition held here.

Under the patronage of Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Abdullah Al Ibri, deputy governor of Seeb, the assembly, “Our life in safety is more beautiful,” which was organised by the Rahab School for Basic Educa-

tion, was brought to a close. The event was attended by Hussain Al Balushi, director of the Educational Supervision Office in the region of Seeb and a number of heads of schools who participated in the assembly, as well as officials responsible for student matters.

The closure of the assembly included presentation of a number of signs. The signs were presented

by the school’s students, who recommended safety issues to be addressed. In addition, the patron of the event opened the school’s ‘traffic city’ and toured the exhibition which the school had organised.

Also, a number of organisations, such as the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance, demonstrated how to extinguish fires, with the help of a number of

students from the participating schools. In addition, Seeb Police and voluntary organisations in the field of traffic safety displayed security and traffic safety measures.

The assembly aimed to inform students about traffic safety issues and traffic laws, equip them with basic skills that will help them in following security and safety rules inside and outside their school.

M U S C AT M U N I C I PA L I T Y I N I T I AT I V E

– Supplied picture

Muttrah shops feted for abiding by health rules Times News Service MUSCAT: A ceremony to honour a number of shops — ranging from hotels, restaurants and cafes, to barber shops and beauty salons — was held by the General Directorate of Muscat Municipality at Greater Muttrah.

This came as part of the Directorate’s endeavour to promote commercial activities related to health, while clarifying its current procedure to improve standards for the sake of the public’s well being.

This ceremony follows regular monitoring activities carried out by the Directorate, which are expected to continue for a full year.

The shops are being checked regularly and will result in the classification of these establishments.

The General Directorate of Muscat Municipality at Greater Muttrah continues to recognise shops that abide by the laws and regulations of the Municipality. Meanwhile, it corrects those that do not follow health require-

– Supplied picture

ments. Of note, the Directorate has honoured more than 2,000 commercial establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, hairdressers and beauty salons, in the regions of Muscat and Muttrah.

At the end of the ceremony, the Director of the General Directorate, Dr Ibrahim Al Rahbi, handed out certificates to those shops that were recognised as complying with the Municipality’s requirements to serve the public.

Muscat Municipality stresses

that it will follow up on all activities related to the general health of the public, in order to advance standards for safety, especially regarding products and tools that are used to prepare meals. It will also serve as a breakthrough in assuring the cleanliness and etiquette of those working in these shops, by certifying the sources of products that are used while serving customers,as well as monitoring compliance with local rules and regulations.

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

Share your world with us on Instagram

A3

OMAN

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY SHARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

As Oman tightens its fiscal belt, people brace for challenging 2016 Residents say

National Budget 2016 In million rials

they will have to

Total

11,900

se 550 Other expen

Gas revenue 1,590

150

Participation and international institutions

400

Subsidies

s

bear the brunt of subsidy cuts, as

Defence and 3,500 security

manufacturers will pass on the

Net oil revenue 4,560

Total revenue

Total public expenditure

8,600

increases in

8,680

production and

4,600 Civil Ministries

transportation costs to the end-users

Times News Service MUSCAT: Nationals and expatriates say they are bracing for a challenging 2016, as the Sultanate tightens its fiscal belt.

Abu Zaid, an Omani, said that the rising prices could not have come at a worse time.

“I travel from Al Hail to Ruwi twice a day, so it forces me to refill my car every two days or so. My job also requires me to drive to certain assignments. On top of that, I have to pay two car installments for the next four years and am obligated to give my younger sibling and parent a monthly allowance, since I’m the breadwinner,” Abu Zaid said.

He said he hoped the government would refrain from issuing laws that do not make sense and negatively affect the economy, such as the two-year visa ban for expatriates.

Faisal Miran Al Zadjali, a student at one of the colleges in Muscat, said his friends traveling from outside of Muscat in cars would be impacted by the upcoming changes in fuel prices.

Current revenues 2,400

Capital revenues

20

Capital repayments

30

Net grants

600

Net foreign borrowing

900

Financing from reserves 1,500 Net domestic borrowing

Total cing n fina

3,300

Inevitable “However, as an Omani, I believe that people in Oman cannot expect to enjoy the same privileges they were enjoying when oil prices were much higher. Of course, nobody will be happy to pay more for fuel or other goods and services,

2,670

Source Ministry of Finance

300

Abduallah Al Busaidi, a private sector employee, believes that ordinary people will bear the brunt of subsidy reforms, as manufacturers will pass on the increases in production and transportation costs to end-users.

Total investmen t

Graphics

but if you put yourself in the government’s shoes, you will realise that such decisions are inevitable,” Al Busaidi noted.

Maryam Al Shamsi, who works for a private IT company, believes generous welfare benefits have led to some Omanis wasting energy resources for many years.

“So new fuel prices will hopefully lead to better energy conservation in the country and help reduce the number of cars on the roads and, therefore, the traffic. It will also encourage people to use more fuel-efficient cars,” she said.

P S YC H I AT R I C I L L N E S S E S

Campaign to fight stigma of mental illness launched Times News Service MUSCAT: To fight the stigma against mental illness, a campaign has been launched in the schools and colleges of Salalah city in southern Dhofar province.

“The campaign aims to raise public awareness about mental health and fight the tendency of ostracising those afflicted with mental illness,” Dr Hamed Al Sinawi, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) told the Times of Oman.

Given the growing and dramatic changes happening around the globe at various levels, he said, having a conversation about mental well-being and addressing the impact of psychiatric illnesses is of paramount importance.

Quoting the World Health Organisation (WHO) figures, he said, 350 million people suffer from depression worldwide and by the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability throughout the world, trailing only ischemic heart disease.

Fighting stigma “There is emerging evidence that positive mental health and early treatment of mental disorders are associated with improved health outcomes,” he said, but added, “However, stigma attached to mental illness is a major obstacle stopping people from seeking help from mental health professionals, especially in our part of the world.”

In this regard, Dr Mohammed Al Alawi, Senior House Officer at the SQUH, department of behavioural medicine, also presented his research at the national mental health conference in Salalah city. The survey, campaigners said, was an initial step in ‘Your Mental Health’ campaign that aims to raise public awareness about mental health and fight stigma against mental illness.

They said 612 individuals from all over Oman participated in the electronic survey including

– Supplied pictures

59 per cent females. Of the total number of participants, 41 per cent were from Muscat and the rest were from other provinces.

They fell in the age bracket of 15 years to 65 years with about 46 percent aged 15-30 years.

Those who worked in the health sector represented 25 percent of the total respondents while the remaining worked in different sectors, for example, educational, industrial, governmental and students.

Campaigners said the study revealed that one out of three respondents knew someone with symptoms indicative of mental

illness and the overall score that measures the perception towards mental illness was “favourable.”

However, the age group of 1530 years had “less positive” attitude towards mental illness and people with mental disorders compared to the older age groups.

“People working in the health sector had a more positive view towards people with mental illness,” Dr Hamed said.

“Moreover, contact with people suffering from mental illness was associated with more positive attitude towards people with mental health related issues,” he said.

Ahmed Al Harthy, a former government employee, said the new measures would definitely impact ordinary people, especially lower income families.

“However, we should accept the realities and support the government,” he noted, adding that the government should also be transparent and launch awareness campaigns to gain people’s support.

Meanwhile, Rafeeq Ameen, an Indian expatriate, said that the deregulation of petrol prices would stoke inflation.

“Transportation costs will go up

300

Oil production

190

Gas production

90

Interests on loans

1,200 Development expenditure

150

Development expenditure for Civil Ministries

20

Capital for Civil Ministries

700

Oil production

600

Gas production

and this will upset family budgets.

In addition to this, the deregulation of oil product prices will shoot up inflation. When ministries are going to cut expenditures, it will affect projects and eventually lead to fewer job opportunities. Increases in salaries will become a dream and middle-class families will be the most affected. We will have to tighten our belts,” Rafeeq added.

“I feel that, initially, the construction sector may be hit first, and slowly it may expand to other sectors, too. As other Gulf countries are also ina similar situa-

tion, there is no other option than returning to the home country.

Moreover, present conditions in Oman are not allowing for switching jobs,” Rafeeq said, while adding that this will create ripples in the home countries of workers.

Amit, an Indian expatriate in Muscat, believes the impact of the planned measures will only become clear when new fuel prices and the cost of other services, such as registration and renewal of vehicles and driving licences, are announced.

Cost of living to rise “However, all in all, the new measures will lead to a rise in the cost of living in Oman, especially for expatriates,” he said. “As a result, I think more expatriates will decide to leave the country, as they will not find working in Oman as financially rewarding as it used to be.

Obviously, living here will become more difficult for me and my family if I have to spend more and receive fewer benefits from the company that I work for,” Amit said.

Azra Aleem, a Pakistani expatriate, said her family budget would be hit hard if inflation goes up due to the removal of regulations on oil based product prices.

“We have only one single income, the salary of my husband.

We don’t have any other income.

It will be quite difficult to meet all demands. It is doubtful we will continue here,” Azra added.

Sujatha Radhakrishnan, a homemaker in Muscat, said she is worried about the expected price hike in grocery items.

“I have cut down on vegetables and may choose fish more frequently, as it may be cheaper,” Sujatha added.

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

A4

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

OMAN

Sohar residents are reporting about moderate rains in different areas Bader Ali Al Baddaei, Administrator of www.rthmc.com

– Supplied pictures

Caution urged as Buraimi, Sohar, Musandam register heavy rain

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH

According to Oman’s meteorology

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

department, thunderstorm is expected in Madha, Khassab, Dibba and Bukha. The meteorology advisory also adds that rain accompanied by hails and thunderstorms are expected to continue for two more days

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Heavy rain fell in Buraimi, Sohar and Musandam on Sunday, according to residents and weather enthusiasts.

“It rained in Musandam and surrounding areas in the morning.

And in the afternoon, it rained in Buraimi and nearby areas. Later in the evening, it rained in Saham, Al Kabourah and Rustaq,” Bader Ali Al Baddaei, administrator of www.

rthmc.com, a local web-based forum that discusses weather in Oman, told the Times of Oman.

“Sohar residents are reporting about moderate rains in different areas,” the administrator of www. rthmc.com, added.

According to Oman’s meteorology department, thunderstorm is expected in Madha, Khassab, Dibba and Bukha .

The meteorology advisory also adds that rain fall accompanied

by hails and thunderstorms are expected to continue for more two days and is likely to affect Muscat, North and South Al Batinah, Al Buraimi and Al Dahirah governorates.

Meanwhile, the Public Authority of Civil Defence and Ambulances (PACDA) uploaded a flood video to educate public on the dangers of crossing wadis during rain.

Safety experts also urged citizens to exercise caution on roads.

“We are again calling everybody not to risk their lives by driving through fast moving water,” a road safety expert said.

In the recent past, accidents and casualties have been frequent in Oman due to incautious vehicle drivers venturing into dare-devil driving on the slippery roads and while crossing overflowing wadis.

“Citizens and residents should drive slowly in the slippery roads and maintain a distance between two vehicles as they have to think for themselves, their family and their vehicle while driving in wet conditions,” he said.

According to the Directorate General of Meteorology and Air Navigation (DGMAN), a low pressure system, brought on by a trough in atmospheric pressure over the Iran, is likely to bring in rains in different parts of the country for the next three days.

“It started from Musandam and then slowly cover areas like Musandam, South Batinah, Dhairah, Dakhiliyah, South and North of Sharqiyah, as well as the Muscat and Al Hajar Mountains,” a senior official of DGMAN said.

When asked about the measures being taken, a senior official of the Public Authority of Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) said that they always on alert.

“In case of emergency people could contact on phone number 9999,” an official said.

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

Tweet all about it

A5

OMAN

Municipal Council set to discuss proposals on taxis, parking meters Meanwhile, the Municipal Council is set to approve recommendations discussed during the tenth meeting of the third year regarding statements made by the General Authority for Radio and Television, as well as statements from Muscat Festival’s Council, which reviewed the main attractions and activities for Muscat Festival 2016.

Municipal Council is set to approve recommendations discussed during the tenth meeting of the third year regarding statements made by the General Authority for Radio and Television, as well as statements from Muscat Festival’s Council

Times News Service MUSCAT: Recommendations on a wide range of topics, including taxis, handicrafts at Muttrah Souq, and installing parking meters, will be discussed during a meeting of the Municipal Council, according to a statement from the Muscat

Municipality on Sunday.

Meeting is to be headed by Mohsin Al Sheikh, Head of the Council, in which members will discuss the draft for investment listings regarding Muscat Municipality, as well as a draft concerning airport taxi drivers’ contracts, the general situation in Muttrah Souq

KEY ISSUES: This year, Muscat Festival will begin on January 14 and continue until February 13, 2016. — Times file picture

in finding outlets for traditional Omani handicrafts, as well as the necessity of encouraging Omani handicraftsmen to market their products.

The council will also discuss

regulating parking in metered parking areas, along with a follow up on complaints from local residents in West Misfah, who are concerned about industrial expansion in residential areas.

BUDGET 2016

A1 State budget proposes a series of < FROM

measures to boost non-oil income “People are keeping a lot of cars, especially the companies,” said Al Lawati, who asked to be identified by his last name.

“Therefore, introducing subsidy reforms will positively affect the economy as well as the environment and the situation on the ground,” he noted.

Ahmed Al Noamani, an Omani citizen, said the new budget may force him to abandon his gas-guzzling large car.

He said, “It will greatly affect my family and I have to think of a new way to manage my family’s spending. Now, I am thinking of buying a small, fuel efficient car to go for work instead of my sports utility vehicle (SUV).

“My question is: will the government regulate product prices or are we going to suffer the inflation this year? In my opinion, the government should seriously focus on tourism and stop unnecessary spending. They should also better their management skills

The proposed increase in fuel price by about 30 per cent will result in less money in the hands of common man.

and facilitate procedures for investments.”

In a move to shore up non-oil revenues, the state budget proposed a series of measures, including an increase in corporate income tax, to limit tax exemptions, to enhance the efficiency of tax collection mechanisms, to apply the new accounting system for calculating customs duty at all

border posts, to amend the measures applied on exemption from customs duty and to collect fee on clearances and labour cards, to amend electricity and water tariff for commercial, industrial and government usage and to amend the fee disposal of real estate and municipality fee on rents.

Other measures to enhance non-oil income include amendment in fees charged for allocation of land (commercial, tourism, industrial and agricultural), unification of service fee of Muscat Municipality, Dhofar Municipality and other regional municipalities, to amend the fee for registration and renewal of vehicles and driving licence and to amend the fees for some services offered by the ministries and government units.

One economic expert, who did not want to be named, said due to cuts in budgetary spending, there will be less money in circulation.

“As a result, employers get

I N T E R NAT I O NA L P H O T O G R A P H Y C I R C U I T

Photo competition to be launched MUSCAT: Dr Abdul Munem bin Mansour Al Hassani, Minister of Information, will sponsor on Monday the launch of the first Oman International Photography Circuit, at the headquarters of Oman Photography Society for the first time in the Sultanate.

The competition has four circuits that carry the names of Omani wilayats, namely Muscat, Salalah, Nizwa and Sohar. Competitors will compete at four main themes, namely people

lives, nature, black and white and coloured. This elite competition is organised under the umbrella of the International Federation of Photographic Art, Global Photographic Union and International Association of Architectural Photographers (IAAP) and supported

by Oman Photography Society of Sultan Qaboos Higher Centre for Culture and Science.

The competition is expected to place the Sultanate well at the international photography com-

petitions and circuits. It is also expected, from the names of the circuits, to promote for the Sultanate’s rich history and culture, as well as its potentials as a tourism and cultural hub for photography lovers.

The competition aims at creating a competitive environment for the Omani photographers and provide them with the opportunity to share experiences with photographers from different countries of the world. — ONA

lesser business which, in turn, affects their profitability. Obviously, when the top and bottom-line are hurt, employers will find many ways to cut costs. One can see in the budget as to how the government proposes to curb wasteful expenditure. This will have a cumulative effect on every other organisation which will explore ways to reduce their expenditure,” the expert said.

He also added that the proposed increase in fuel price by about 30 per cent will result in less money in the hands of common man.

“People will find ways to cut their expenditure to live within their income. While they may not significantly cut their daily expenditure, they may postpone expenditure on leisure such as travel and tourism. Also, there can be lesser spend on luxury products. I would assume that consumer and life style companies will think of giving more discounts to sustain their sales,” the expert added.

Muscat Festival This year, Muscat Festival will begin on January 14 and continue until February 13, 2016.

The venues for the festival are Al Naseem and Al Amerat parks, Al Hail Beach and the Oman Automobile Association.

Parks such as Naseem Gardens and Al Amerat Park have already been closed to the public since December 1, to make way for preparations for the Muscat Festival 2016.

Month-long extravaganza These parks will remain closed temporarily, as they are the main venues for the month-long extravaganza. During this time, temporary stalls and pavilions for the festival will be set up.

The venues will include amusement areas, rides, children’s shows and an education village.

Most of the budget and tenders for Muscat Festival 2016 have been floated and awarded.

The municipality is in the preparation stage for the month-long extravaganza, and committees have been formed to ensure its success in carrying out new programmes.

Muscat Festival includes a variety of activities, such as entertainment, shopping, sports, social and cultural events. It will also present special entertainment activities for women and children and is expected to attract crowds from throughout the world.

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

A6

OMAN

We encourage travel agents around the world to join us in the promotion of these unique offerings, and eagerly look forward to hearing the feedback and stories of our many delighted guests Stuart Wheeler, CEO of Seawings

INDIAN IDOL WINNER REGALES MUSCAT CROWD Famous Indian playback singer, television actor, anchor and winner of Indian Idol award, Abhijeet Sawant, regaled the Muscat crowd recently with top Bollywood numbers. Purushothaman Kunnummal from Times of Oman took the pictures of this successful concert which was packed to its capacity.

Seawings launches air cruise holiday trips

ECONOMIC COMMITTEE

REVIEWING LAWS: The committee held its third meeting of the first annual sitting of the sixth term, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Harthy, head of the committee. -ONA

SCENIC AERIAL TOURS: Seawings Air Cruise Holidays is a natural extension of the Seawings Lifestyle concierge service, which offers scenic aerial tours and charter flights within Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other surrounding regions. – Photos Supplied

Times News Service

It is a collection of handpicked holidays that combines seaplane excursions with special hospitality experiences at top luxury hotel and resort properties in Oman and the UAE

MUSCAT: Luxury seaplane operator Seawings has launched ‘Seawings Air Cruise Holidays’ in the Arabian Peninsula.

It is a collection of handpicked holidays that combines seaplane excursions with special hospitality experiences at leading luxury hotel and resort properties within Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The seaplane experience includes luxury seating and an exciting water takeoff and landing onboard a spacious Cessna Caravan Amphibian Seaplane.

Additionally, every seat is a window seat, offering unparalleled views of Oman’s natural and man-made iconic landmarks and

the UAE. Seawings Air Cruise Holidays is a natural extension of the Seawings Lifestyle concierge service, which offers scenic aerial tours and charter flights within Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other surrounding regions.

Packages can be modified to highlight the charms of a specific locale within Oman or the UAE, while providing guests an opportunity to experience authentic Arabian hospitality at its best.

All Air Cruise Holiday offerings can be tailor-made, with guests able to enjoy the region according to their own personal tastes, interests and demands. All packages include a combination of luxury seaplane and road transfers with guests able to upgrade room types or extend their stays. “The vision

of Seawings Air Cruise Holidays is to provide people with unique holiday experiences that showcase the very best of what Oman and its neighbours have to offer. Adding to our seaplane experience, Air Cruise Holidays makes the journey as exciting as the destination,” said Stuart Wheeler, CEO of Seawings while speaking about the concept.

“We encourage travel agents around the world, renowned for providing quality lifestyle experiences, to join us in the promotion of these unique offerings, and eagerly look forward to hearing the feedback and stories of our many delighted guests,” he added.

According to Seawings, Air Cruise Holidays can be booked through the Seawings Lifestyle website.

A1

MUSCAT: Majlis Al Shura’s recommendations on some of the provisions of the Income Tax Law issued by Royal Decree No. projects (28/2009), the Foreign Capital Investment Law issued

by Royal Decree No. (102/94), and the Insurance Companies Law issued by Royal Decree No. (12/79) referred by the Council of Ministers, as a prelude to submitting the State Council’s Economic Committee report on these laws to the Office of the Council, were discussed on Sunday.

Provisions The committee discussed the provisions to be amended in these laws, which represent the most important supporting laws for investment and source for in-

come of the non-oil sectors so as to enhance efforts for economic diversification. The committee held its third meeting of the first annual sitting of the sixth term, chaired by Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Harthy, Head of the Committee.

Eng. Hilal bin Mohammed Al Busaidi, CEO of the Public Authority for Mining (PAM) was invited for the meeting. He threw light on the procedures followed

by PAM to regulate the mining sector and answered questions posed by members of committee.

The committee also discussed the topics on the agenda, approved the minutes of its previous meeting, and reviewed the procedures for the implementation of previous decisions. -ONA

PAC P

MAKEUP ARTIST

< FROM

State Council panel reviews income tax, insurance laws

Lamya Al Mawali steals the show

The artists were competing for the top prize, which was two nights’ stay at the Shangri-La Barr al Jissah Resort and one year’s supply of Max Factor make-up, valued at OMR500.

Lamya Al Mawali stole the show

with her smokey-eye look and was crowned the winner by Joelle Mardinian, Max Factor’s regional creative director and star of her own reality show on MBC. Though Lamya had not expected the win, she has now come a long way as a

successful freelance makeup artists who is soon to start her own salon,to be named Flamingo East Beauty Centre.

She is a true inspiration for all Omani women who aspire to do big things and make a mark using

the skills that they are gifted with.

Lamya is an apt example of taking her skills and interests in the right path and enhancing them over time to finally develop them into her source of income and way of life.

N I Z WA

TO ADVERTISE Call: 24726666

ROP to mark annual day tomorrow MUSCAT: Royal Oman Police (ROP) will mark its annual day on Tuesday. His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Supreme Commander, had visited and opened Sultan Qaboos Academy for Police Sciences (SQAPS), on January 5.

Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, will preside over the military parade at the SQAPS in Nizwa and oversee the graduation of new cadets.

The event will be attended by ministers, commanders and senior officers at the Sultan’s Armed Forces, ROP and the other military and security forces, local officials and Sheikhs of A’Dakhiliyah. -ONA

REVIEW MEETING: Dr. Said bin Khamis Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Consumer Protection, held an expanded meeting on Sunday. -ONA

Meeting reviews decontrol of prices of oil derivatives MUSCAT: A meeting was held on Sunday by the Public Authority for Consumer Protection, to study the possible effects of the Council of Minister’s decision to amend the prices of oil derivatives, which will come into effect from the mid of this month.

Dr. Said bin Khamis Al Kaabi, Chairman of the Public Authority for Consumer Protection, held an expanded meeting with directors general and directors of the PACP administrations in the governorates.

The meeting was attended

by Dr. Ali bin Salim Al Qalhati, Deputy Chairman of the Administrative and Financial Affairs at PACP. Action plan During the meeting, a number of issues were discussed including the achievements made in 2015 and the action plan for 2016, as well as the plans and programmes

by PACP to maintain the achievements made for consumers over the past period. -ONA

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

REGION

The arson attack in the occupied West Bank killed three members of a Palestinian family, 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh and his parents Saad and Riham, and helped fuel the fiercest eruption of street violence in years.

Iranian protesters storm Saudi embassy in Tehran

and started fires

plaints. In Iraq, religious and political figures demanded that ties with Riyadh be severed, calling into question Saudi attempts to forge a regional alliance against IS, which controls swaths of Iraq and Syria. Iraq’s top cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali Al Sistani described the executions as an “unjust aggression”.

Despite the focus on Nimr, the executions seemed mostly aimed at discouraging militancy in Saudi Arabia, where dozens have died in the past year in attacks by militants. But Western countries are growing concerned about Saudi’s new assertiveness.

DUBAI/RIYADH: Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran early on Sunday after Saudi Arabia executed a prominent cleric.

Strong rhetoric from Tehran was matched by others across the region, with Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement, describing the execution as “a message of blood” and Moqtada Al Sadr, an Iraqi cleric, called for angry protests.

Iranian demonstrators protesting against the execution of cleric Sheikh Nimr Al Nimr broke into the embassy building, smashed furniture and started fires before being ejected by police.

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani condemned the execution as “inhuman”, but also urged the prosecution of “extremist individuals” for attacking the embassy and the Saudi consulate in the

Sectarian tensions The US State Department said Nimr’s execution “risks exacerbating sectarian tensions at a time when they urgently need to be reduced”, a sentiment echoed by EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini. The State Department also urged Saudi Arabia to respect and protect human rights.

France said on Sunday it deeply deplored the mass execution and said it reiterated its opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances.

In Istanbul, hundreds of protesters, some carrying pictures of Nimr and chanting slogans gathered outside Saudi consulate on Sunday as riot police stood guard.

The four had been convicted of involvement in shootings and petrol bomb attacks that killed several police during protests from 2011-13. More than 20 were shot dead by the authorities in those protests. — Reuters

Demonstrators protesting against the execution of cleric Sheikh Nimr Al Nimr broke into the embassy building, smashed furniture

ANGRY DEMONSTRATION: Iranian riot police stand guard as protesters hold portraits of cleric Nimr Al Nimr during a demonstration against his execution by Saudi authorities, on January 3, 2016, outside the Saudi embassy in Tehran. – AFP

northeastern city of Mashhad, state media reported.

Unruly elements Tehran’s police chief said an unspecified number of “unruly elements” were arrested for attacking the embassy with petrol bombs and rocks. A prosecutor said 40 people were held.

The Saudi and Iranian foreign ministers told Austria they have no interest in a further of heightening tensions between them, a

spokesman for Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz said.

Nimr’s execution sparked angry protests in the Qatif region in eastern Saudi Arabia.

Relatives of Nimr, reached by telephone, said authorities have informed them that the body had been buried “in a cemetery and would not be handed over to the family.

Although most of the 47 men killed in the kingdom’s biggest mass execution for decades were

convicted of Al Qaeda attacks in Saudi Arabia a decade ago, it was Nimr and three others, all accused of involvement in shooting police, who attracted most attention in the region and beyond.

Saudi Arabia on Saturday summoned the Iranian ambassador to protest what it described as hostile remarks emerging from Tehran. On Sunday, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain also summoned Tehran’s envoys to their countries to lodge com-

K I L L I N G O F PA L E S T I N I A N FA M I LY

Israel charges two over arson attack OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israeli prosecutors filed murder charges on Sunday against a man and a minor for an arson attack in the occupied West Bank that killed three members of a Palestinian family and helped fuel the fiercest eruption of street violence in years.

The attack on July 31 killed 18-month-old Ali Dawabsheh and his parents Saad and Riham.

Amiram Ben-Uliel, a 21-yearold from a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank, was charged with three counts of racially motivated murder at Lod court near Tel Aviv. A second Jewish defendant, whose name was withheld due to his age, was charged as an accessory.

Defence lawyers said the pair

had given false confessions under torture in close-door interrogations, an allegation denied by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Shin Bet security agency. “I doubt such confessions will stand up in court,” lawyer Hai Haber told reporters.

“We know there’s no significant external evidence linking the suspects to this incident.”

The attack in Duma village and ensuing Israeli investigation laid bare fissures in Netanyahu’s coalition government, where one ultra-nationalist partner voiced misgivings about the handling of Jewish suspects. Thirteen other Israeli Jews, most of them minors, were also indicted for hate crimes, including assaulting a Palestinian, vandalism of Arab property

and setting fire to a church.

Referred to in Israel as “pricetag attacks”, such offences have usually been carried out in what the attackers say are reprisals for Palestinian violence against Israelis or government curbs on unauthorised occupied West Bank settlement building. Saad Dawabsheh’s brother Naser said he hoped the defendants would receive the maximum penalty, but was sceptical of Israel’s seriousness in prosecuting the case.

“We have no trust in the Israeli judiciary. They would not have launched an investigation were it not for the international pressure on them,” he said, accusing the government of effectively “support(ing) the terrorism conducted by (occupied West Bank)

A7

settlers against our people”. The time it has taken Israel to crack down on the Jewish militants, compared to the speedy and sometimes lethal response by state security forces to similar actions by Arabs, has angered Palestinians, contributing to a wave of stabbings, car-rammings and shooting attacks against Israelis since October 1.

Twenty-one Israelis and a US citizen have died in the latest bloodshed, a number that will rise if police deem a Tel Aviv shooting that killed two people on Friday as a pro-Palestinian attack. The gunman, an Israeli Arab, is at large.

Israeli forces or armed civilians have killed at least 132 Palestinians, 82 of whom authorities described as assailants. — Reuters

VIOLENCE

15 killed in attack on Iraqi military base BAGHDAD: Attacks by five suicide bombers on an Iraqi military base north of Baghdad on Sunday killed at least 15 members of the security forces and wounded 22 others, security sources said.

Two of the bombers detonated their vehicle-borne explosives at the gate of Camp Speicher, a former US base outside Tikrit. Three others detonated their explosives after entering the base, the sources said. IS militant group claimed responsibility for the blasts in a statement distributed by supporters online.

It said it targeted “trainers from the rejectionist army”, a term used by the insurgents.

Iraq is gripped by a sectarian conflict mostly that has been exacerbated by the rise of the ultrahardline insurgents of IS. Camp Speicher became a symbol of the group’s brutality and hatred for Iraq’s majority after as many as 1,700 soldiers from the base were killed in mid-2014 during the militants’ lightning advance across the Syrian border.

Iraqi forces retook the centre of the western city of Ramadi last week, a victory that could help boost Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi, who has been rebuilding the military after stunning defeats in the face of IS. Iraq’s Defence Ministry said IS has stepped up suicide blasts in response to setbacks in Ramadi.

It said in a statement the group had used 22 bombers in two recent failed attacks in Anbar where Ramadi is located. The military responded, killing at least 42 militants including the bombers, the ministry said. — Reuters

A8

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

INDIA

At the moment what has happened is that the prime minister’s personal involvement is at stake... Earlier we could blame the foreign policy, but now fingers will only be pointed at him General V.P. Malik, Former Indian Army chief

B I L AT E R A L R E L AT I O N S

Pathankot attack should not derail peace talks, say experts NEW DELHI: The terror attack at the Pathankot air base may have raised questions on the about-tobe-resumed official dialogue between India and Pakistan, but experts say the best response to such incidents would be to continue the peace process that has just begun.

India has long maintained terror originating from across the border should stop for the peace talks to deliver.

However, the recently resumed dialogue process, and the surprise visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Pakistan on his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif’s birthday, appeared to write new chapters in the annals of bilateral diplomacy.

The attack at the frontline Indian Air Force (IAF) base in northern Punjab, around 30km from the international border, coming within days of Modi’s maiden visit to Pakistan, might have made a dent, but the balanced response from both the countries have raised hopes.

The five terrorists who staged the attack were killed in a gunbat-

militant organisations on that side are not happy with the dialogue,” Jacob said. “India should respond to this attack by enhancing surveillance and defence capabilities and at the same time not calling off the talks,” Jacob said.

tle. Three Indian security personnel were also killed.

Pakistan immediately condemned the attack and expressed its commitment to partner with India to eradicate terrorism.

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while stating that terror will be given a “befitting reply”, added that India wants peace.

Stakes high Former Indian Army chief, General V.P. Malik, described the attack as “minor” and said it was unlikely to disrupt the dialogue process.

He also said that following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Lahore, the stakes are high as the blame or credit will go completely to him.

“We must look at the prime minister’s visit as a strategic engagement; with one engagement everything cannot fall in place,” General Malik said, adding: “The second thing is that this particular event is a minor one; so its impact on the dialogue process will not be much.”

The former army chief also said

ON PATROL: A chopper hovers over the Indian Air Force base that was attacked by militants in Pathankot, on Sunday. - PTI

that the attack could not have been planned following Modi’s Pakistan visit.”Such attacks are planned months in advance...” he said.

Stressing on the requirement of the dialogue process, General Malik said: “At the moment what has happened is that the prime minister’s personal involvement is at stake... Earlier we could blame the foreign policy, but now fingers will only be pointed at him.”

Happymon Jacob, Associate Professor of Disarmament Studies in Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), said that the talks should be continued not only along the formal lines but also through back channels to counter the menace of terrorism.

“Every time a dialogue process is started between India and Pakistan something happens, and this time is no exception. It shows

Security forces battle to secure air force base As night fell, it was unclear whether two or more militants

BRIEFS

Two minors electrocuted during cricket match JAMNAGAR: Two boys were electrocuted to death and six others were injured inside a tent during a cricket match in Gulabnagar area here in the western Indian state of Gujarat, police said on Sunday. The tent was being used as a commentary box, said Inspector A G Thaker. There were 7-8 boys inside, apart from the commentator. “Due to some unknown reason, electric current passed through the metal structure of the tent, giving a huge shock to those inside,” said Thaker. While Raj Dawoodia (11) and Jitesh Mehta (16) died, six others were injured. They were taken to a nearby hospital and were out of danger, Thaker added.

‘Green corridor’ created for speedy delivery of organs

were still at large after Saturday’s predawn raid on the Pathankot air base in Punjab

PATHANKOT/NEW DELHI: Indian security forces battled into Sunday evening to secure an air base near the border with Pakistan, a day after a militant attack that has killed seven military personnel and wounded another 20.

As night fell, it was unclear whether two or more militants were still at large after Saturday’s pre-dawn raid on the Pathankot air base in northwestern Punjab state.

Four attackers have been confirmed killed.

“The area cannot be declared fully sanitised,” Air Marshal Anil Khosla told a news briefing in New Delhi. Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi told reporters he hoped the two believed still to be at large would be “neutralised” overnight.

Without recovering their bodies they could not be confirmed dead.

That contradicted earlier statements by home ministry and army officials who, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the two holdouts had been killed.

The attack by gunmen disguised as soldiers came a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an unscheduled visit to Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in an effort to revive talks between the nuclear-armed neighbours.

Officials said the attack bore the hallmarks of previous suspected assaults by Pakistan-based

Back channel talks Stressing on the need for back channel talks, he said: “There should be back channel talks with the Pakistan Army and ISI as well... Now that they have taken up this ambitious dialogue, it should be concluded.”

From the other side of the border, Yaqoob Khan Bangash, a history professor at Lahore’s Information Technology University, spoke on similar lines, adding that India accepts that the Pakistani state is not behind terror attacks.

“I don’t think the Indian side is going to withdraw from the dialogue process. The Indian side has accepted Pakistan’s argument that all terrorist attacks are not from the Pakistani state. If India had not recognised this argument, they

would not have gone forward with the talks,” Bangash said on the phone from Lahore.

Bangash said the Pakistan Army is largely on board the peace talks, adding that continuing the dialogue will be the best reply to the terrorists.

“There is a constituency in Pakistan that does not want IndiaPakistan peace, but the two governments should not bow down to these entities. If we stop talking, it will encourage them”.

“The government of India should strengthen the hand of Pakistan in fighting terror. The Indian government knows the political government is in support of peace with India,” Bangash said, addding that the two countries should share intelligence.

Bangash also said that Modi’s Pakistan visit had a huge positive impact. That will be one of the factors pushing forward the talks.

“Modi’s visit to Lahore changed the scenario quite a bit. He has shown he is a statesman,” Bangash added. - IANS

BRIEFING: Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi, Air Marshal Anil Khosla, Director General Air Operations and DG Press Information Bureau Frank Noronha, right, during a press conference on terror attack at Pathankot Air base, in New Delhi on Sunday. - PTI

militant groups, underscoring the fragility of recent efforts to revive bilateral talks between the often uneasy neighbours.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

Pakistan has condemned the attack and said it wanted to continue to build on the goodwill created by the impromptu meeting between Modi and Sharif last month.

Gunfire continued into the evening as security forces hunted the remaining attackers in the Indian Air Force base, a sprawling compound that lies just 25km from the border with Pakistan.

In a TV briefing from Pathankot, Air Commodore J.S. Dhamoon said the attackers had burst into a guards’ mess at the air base, where they were preparing breakfast on Saturday morning.

A guard chased after one of the attackers and killed him in the struggle, only to be shot dead by a gunman’s bullet.

The other three attackers were neutralised in the late afternoon, said Dhamoon.

Indian leaders had already praised the armed forces for their heroism in Saturday’s shootout, with Modi saying they did not let the “enemies of humanity” who at-

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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

tacked the base succeed.

But that appeared premature on Sunday, as shooting broke out after midday, sparking a renewed manhunt on the base, from which Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter jets and attack helicopters fly.

Modi returned from a tour of southern India to chair a highlevel meeting with his national security adviser and foreign policy team, the government press office said. Military trucks were seen entering and exiting the walled compound throughout the day, including a demining vehicle.

Lax security Dozens of security guards continued their vigil, while protesters shouted slogans against Pakistan nearby. One of the Indian security men killed in the attack was Subedar Fateh Singh, who won gold and silver medals in the first Commonwealth Shooting Championships held in 1995, the National Rifle Association of India said.

The breaching of the base’s de-

fences has raised questions about lax security on the international border in Punjab, which is a known route for drug smugglers and is less closely guarded than the frontier running through Kashmir.

Five of the seven Indian military reported killed served in the Defence Security Corps, a unit staffed by veterans no longer in active service.

“The casualties were unacceptably high,” said Nitin Gokhale, a defence analyst and journalist who said that intelligence on a possible attack had not been passed on in time to alert sentries at the base.

Police have said the gunmen had earlier hijacked a police officer’s car and driven it to the base.

It took 12 hours for information on the hijacking to be circulated, according to news reports, allowing the attackers to keep the initiative.

In New Delhi, two trains were delayed early on Sunday amid heightened security concerns after officials received information about a possible bomb threat on an intercity train, railways spokesman Neeraj Sharma said.

Trains were deemed safe and were running on schedule by midmorning, Sharma said. - Reuters

INDORE: A 16-year-old girl from Mumbai got a new lease of life on Sunday after the heart of a 20-year-old brain dead woman was successfully transported to a private hospital in Thane within two hours after it reached Indore airport via ‘green corridors’ in less than 10 minutes. Earlier in the day, the heart and liver harvested from Sonia Chouhan, admitted to a private hospital here, were rushed in about eight minutes via ‘green corridors’, created twice with the help of district administration and traffic police, to the city airport. While Chouhan’s heart was flown to Mumbai, her liver was charted out to Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Delhi.

Tourists to enjoy seaplane, helicopter rides in Goa GOA: A sea plane project will soon start in Goa with the aim of boosting the tourism industry by providing visitors the option of explore water bodies in the state through rides on sea planes, helicopters and other amphibious vehicles. “The sea plane project will start on January 6. We have already signed a contract with Mumbai-based MEHAIR company, which will run the sea planes connecting Dabolim airport to different rivers across the state,” State Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said. The facilities would soon be available in Goa to boost tourism, he said.

Intense cold in north India; Leh records -12.6 degree C NEW DELHI: Intense cold conditions prevailed in parts of north India on Sunday as the mercury plummeted to minus 12.6 degrees Celsius in Leh, while Kashmir valley braced up for possible snowfall over two days from Monday. The national capital, however, experienced a relatively warmer day with the minimum temperature settling at 8 degrees Celsius, a degree above the normal for this time of the season. The maximum temperature was recorded at 22.8 degrees Celsius, three notches above the normal. The Valley is currently under the grip of the 40-day harsh winter period known as ‘ChillaiKalan’ which began on December 21 and during which the chances of snowfall are most frequent and maximum. - PTI

DIRECTIVES ISSUED

Monuments’ security staff told to be extra vigilant after terror attack NEW DELHI: Security personnel guarding over 3,600 centrallyprotected monuments and heritage sites in the country have been asked to be extra vigilant and “on their toes” by Archaeological Survey of India, in the wake of Pathankot terror strike.

“We have issued directions to all our field officers across the country to make sure the security staff are on their toes all the time and also extra vigilant, as of now,” Delhi-headquartered ASI’s Additional Director General Shharat Sharma said.

ASI, a heritage body under the Ministry of Culture has some of the country’s oldest archaeological sites under its protection wing.

They include ruins of Sarnath in UP, Nalanda and Vikrmashila universities in Bihar, Hampi in Kar-

nataka, Mughal-era architectural wonders like Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, which attract millions of tourists every year.

“We have a multi-layered security arrangements at various monuments, which include our own security guards, and also home guards, ex-servicemen, besides the state police.

Heritage sites “Though, we have not received any alert from the any security agency about any perceived threat to our monuments, but we have nonetheless asked the security team to exercise extra vigil, given the terror attack in Pathankot,” Sharma said.

“We have 3,686 monuments and sites under the ASI, and there are about 1,500 guards manning

our sites in contractual capacity, besides other security infrastructure...If we get any direction from the police or any security agency, we will reinforce our deployment strength accordingly,” he added.

Among all the heritage sites, only Taj Mahal and Delhi’s Red Fort are guarded by Central Industrial Security Force personnel, Sharma said, adding that CISF “can increase security deployment as per their will.” “We have also not received any alert about any particular monument being vulnerable...we are keeping a watch meanwhile,” he said.

ASI Agra chief Bhuvan Vikram said, “ As of now, we have sufficient number of CISF personnel at the Taj. And we have not received any direction so far with regard to augmenting the security cover.”

Established in 1861, the ASI protects and conserves heritage sites through its various circles spread across the country.

In northern India, those wings include Chandigarh Circle, Dehradun Circle, Patna Circle, Lucknow Circle and Delhi Circle.

Tourist attraction “In our Circle, Jageshwar group of temples and Baijnath group of temples in Almora district attract huge number of tourists, especially from religious people.

“Patrolling has been increased by the state police, and we have asked our security staff to be extra watchful, especially while frisking tourists and checking carry bags,” ASI Dehradun Circle’s Superintending Archaeologist Vasant Swarankar said. - PTI

ON GUARD: CISF commandos guard the Taj Mahal in Agra. Security

personnel guarding over 3,600 centrally-protected monuments and heritage sites in the country have been asked to be extra vigilant and ‘on their toes’ by Archaeological Survey of India, on Sunday, in the wake of Pathankot terror strike. - PTI file photo

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

A9

INDIA

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

India-China ties set for a ‘very active’ year, says envoy BEIJING: Ties between India and China are set for a “very active” year with likely visits of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping to each other’s country even as the relationship remains complex due to the unresolved boundary dispute, the Indian envoy here has said.

India’s outgoing envoy Ashok K. Kantha, who will be retiring on January 6, said 2016 will be marked by high level visits as Modi is expected to visit China to take part in G-20 summit to be held in east China’s Hangzhou city while Xi may visit India to participate in the BRICS summit.

“2016 will be a very active year with two big visits at the highest level. China is hosting G20 summit at Hangzhou and India will host the BRICS leaders’ meeting.

Top leaders are expected to attend the summits,” Kantha, who will be

succeeded by Indian Ambassador to Germany Vijay Keshav Gokhale, told the Indian media here.

The expected high-level trips come in the backdrop of highly successful visits of Xi to India in 2014 and Modi to Beijing last year, reflecting the buoyant state of ties which have seen all round development of cooperation in the last few years including in security and defence areas besides trade and investment, Kantha said.

High levels visits Last year was also marked by high levels visits. This year’s interactions will begin with the visit National Security Advisor Ajit Doval who is expected to be in Beijing on a two-day visit starting on January 5.

He is due to meet his counterpart and China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi and Premier Li Keqiang.

KEEPING VIGIL: Indian Army personnel keep vigil at Bumla Pass on the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh. So far the two sides have held 18 rounds of border talks. - PTI file photo

Doval’s visit is part of the “architecture for strategic communication” set up by both countries, Kantha said. He also clarified that Doval’s visit is not to take part in Special Representative talks on the border issue.

“He is coming for strategic consultations,” Kantha said declining to provide details.

Yang and Doval are designated Special Representatives for border talks. So far the two sides have held 18 rounds of border talks. But

despite the all round progress, it still remains an uneasy relationship due to the unresolved boundary issue, Kantha said.

“It is a complex relationship.

There are issues like the boundary question,” he said without elaborating. “For us the good news is we have been successful in maintaining peace and tranquillity without a bullet fired in three decades and no major standoffs took place at the border last year unlike like 2013 and 2014,” he said.

The two sides witnessed a major standoff ahead of Premier Li’s first visit to India in 2013 soon after he took over office followed by another one during Xi’s visit last year raising tensions at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Ladakh region. The issues were resolved after prolonged negotiations followed by setting up of special mechanism to address the issues

Government to make it easier to do scientific research: Modi Addressing the 103rd Indian Science Congress, Prime minister Narendra Modi said he was encouraging greater scientific collaboration between central and state institutions and agencies as part of cooperative federalism

MYSURU: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday told scientists that the government would make it easier to do scientific research in the country and asked them to keep the five principles of economy, environment, energy, empathy, equity at the centre of enquiry and engineering.

Addressing the 103rd Indian Science Congress here, he also said he was encouraging greater scientific collaboration between central and state institutions and agencies as part of cooperative federalism.

“We will make it easier to do science research in India,” said Modi, as the annual five-day mega science event began at the “Manasa Gangotri” campus of the University of Mysore with over 500 eminent scientists and experts from the country and abroad

SCIENCE CONGRESS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 103rd Indian Science Congress at the University of Mysore on Sunday. - PTI

scheduled to address the meet.

He emphasised on what he called “Five Es”, saying the impact of science would be the most when scientists and technologists keep the principles “Economy, Environment, Energy, Empathy, Equity” at the centre of enquiry and engineering.

Rising challenges The prime minister also told the scientists that the rising challenges of rapid urbanisation must be addressed as it would be critical for a sustainable world. “...Cities are the major engines of economic growth, employment opportunities and prosperity... but, cities account for more than two-thirds of global energy

demand and result in up to 80 per cent of global greenhouse gas emission...,” he noted.

Modi said better scientific tools must be developed to improve city planning with sensitivity to local ecology and heritage and affordable and practical solutions found for solid waste management.

Stressing that a sustainable future for this planet would depend not only on “what we do on land, but also on how we treat our oceans”, he said the government had increased focus on ocean or blue economy.

“We will raise the level of our scientific efforts in marine science,” he said.

Noting that yet another revolution of empowerment and op-

portunities in India had been launched, Modi said, “We are once again turning” to the country’s scientists and innovators to realise the goals of human welfare and economic development.

“Our success spans from the core of the tiny atom to the vast frontier of space. We have enhanced food and health security and, we have given hope for a better life to others in the world,” the prime minister said.

Good governance As the “level of our ambition for our people” was being increased, the scale of the efforts would also have to be increased, the prime minister said. In this context, he referred to good governance and

said it is about integrating science and technology into the choices to be made and the strategies to be pursued. “Our digital networks are expanding the quality and reach of public services and social benefits for the poor,” he said.

Underlining that innovation must also drive the scientific process, Modi said, “We succeeded in bringing innovation and technology to the heart of the climate change discourse.”

“Innovation is important not just for combating climate change, but also for climate justice. We need research and innovation to make clean energy technology available, accessible and affordable for all. We need innovation to make renewable energy much cheaper, more reliable and easier to connect to transmission grids,” he said. The Indian Science Congress is returning to Karnataka after a 13-year hiatus with Mysuru hosting the event after a 34year gap at a time when the University of Mysore is celebrating its centenary.

The Congress’ focal theme is “Science and Technology for Indigenous Development in India” in tune with Modi’s big push for “Make in India” programme.

The Congress comprises plenary sessions, Pride of India Expo, Hall of Pride, genesis symposium, Vigyan Jyot, vision talks, women and children science congress, young scientists awards, science communicators’ meet and public lectures.

According to the organisers, the Congress has attracted 15,000 delegates from across the country and abroad from leading research institutes, PSUs, universities and industry.

Science exhibition Pride of India Expo, one of the biggest attractions, will showcase over 450 institutions from public and private sectors, displaying cutting edge innovations. - PTI

relating to the patrolling of the disputed areas of the LAC. On security issues, India and China have decided to step up cooperation on counter terrorism during the recent visit of Home Minister Singh.

Both sides also decided to set up a high level ministerial mechanism.

A draft agreement on the mechanism is ready and it was expected to be signed when the Chinese delegation comprising of high level interior ministry officials visits India later this year.

The mechanism will address each other’s concerns on terrorism, he said.

Asked whether China has agreed to address India’s concerns relating to terrorist groups in the North East region, Kantha declined to go into details, saying that the two countries have agreed to step up cooperation including on intelligence. - PTI CHEST INFECTION

Mufti Sayeed’s condition still critical

NEW DELHI: The condition of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, who was hospitalised 10 days ago, continued to be “critical but stable” on Sunday with doctors attempting to contain the chest infection.

Seventy-nine-year-old Sayeed, who was airlifted from Srinagar on December 24 and admitted to AIIMS, continued to be in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

Doctors attending to him said on Sunday there was no change in his condition from Saturday.

AIIMS had issued a statement last night in which his health condition was termed as “critical but stable”. Sayeed, who took over as Chief Minister of PDP-BJP coalition on March one last year, was admitted after he had complained of exhaustion due to fever and neck pain and during the course of his medical investigation, the AIIMS doctors diagnosed him of having “decreased blood counts, pneumonia and sepsis”. Sayeed was on high dosage of antibiotics for treatment of infection and oxygen to provide relief to lungs, the doctors said.

Meanwhile, former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday visited AIIMS and enquired about Sayeed’s health from his family members.

“Visited AIIMS to enquire about Mufti Sahib’s health. Prayers for his speedy and complete recovery,” Omar tweeted after meeting Sayeed’s family. - PTI

P O S S I B I L I T I E S I N S TAT E S

Bihar gave Congress opportunity to rearrange plans: Khurshid NEW DELHI: The Bihar experiment and Congress’ impressive showing should lead to possibilities in states where elections are due, feels senior party leader Salman Khurshid.

According to the former external affairs minister, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, where elections are due, are both very challenging propositions.

“Bihar was in many ways the happening of the impossible. The Congress might have been a relatively smaller partner but it made the difference in providing the emotional glue to the alliance,” he says. “In addition, it gives us an opportunity to rearrange its thoughts and plans for the future.

The Shimla spirit gave us the impetus for the UPA and similarly the Bihar experiment should lead to possibilities in the states where elections are due,” Khurshid said.

“Our leadership will look at each combination carefully before giving us the signal,” he adds.

Khurshid says both West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, bound for Assembly polls in 2016 and 2017 respectively, offer opportunities and challenges. “We need to look at the

near picture as indeed the further one. Some fundamentals of our future politics depend on these two states so we have to tread carefully.

Of course it takes two to tango; our potential allies and partners need to take clear positions as well.”

Vast unfinished task Khurshid has recently come out with a book The Other Side of the Mountain in which he aims to “tell the story that remained untold and persuade the people that there is a vast unfinished task to be completed by the Congress one day”.

He says he was “really shattered when some newspapers carried stories (of his book) that suggested some people felt we lost elections because of (then Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh. It would be more sense to say we lost despite him”. Singh, he says, will certainly be reassessed by history.

“He (Singh) was the closest that we have come to the idea of a philosopher-king. Modern politics and its rough riding leaves very little space of a reflective, benign leader in our times but the nation will get tired of loud confrontations and look for mature words

Bihar was in many ways the happening of the impossible. The Congress might have been a relatively smaller partner but it made the difference in providing the emotional glue to the alliance Salman Khurshid Former external affairs minister

of wisdom. “Manmohan Singh will fill that crucial need and imperative of sober and constructive politics. We are indeed lucky to have worked with such a fine and

distinguished leader whose calibre was applauded by the whole world,” he says.

He considers Singh as a great mentor, friend, philosopher and

guide. “His gentleness did not mean he could not be firm when it was necessary. A boss who can make you feel comfortable despite his erudition and stature is a great blessing.

“Sometimes I wonder why we failed him. He was indeed our great chance to create a place in history,” he says.

Khurshid says he thought of writing the book because “our tenure left a lot unsaid due to the noise made by the Opposition which they must indeed be regretting now.”

“The words that were spoken to undermine us will haunt the government every time they attempt something serious,” he says.

The book, published by Hay House, took Khurshid about one year to write.”Most thoughts were still fresh in the mind so I did not feel the absence of notes.”

He rues that social harmony is under stress and institutional integrity under question since the NDA came to power.

“These are worrying signs. The government seems to be shying off stating its clear philosophical positions even as it pretends that

it has a mandate for fundamental changes in society.

But Delhi and Bihar have shown how wrong they are,” he says.

According to him, the NDA came to power “without real substance to offer and that is how they are continuing as well.

Many projects of our time are being show cased as achievements of the NDA without a mention of our government.

The government is obviously quite unclear of how to deal with its tall promises”. He says “parochialism and internationalism can hardly exist together although the prime minister is trying hard”.

“Liberalism is taking a knock in our society and real test will come in the months ahead.

The Idea of India was not an artificial construct of the Nehruvian era will be put to test and in the response of the people will be the future of our society as we have known and cherished it.

“The strategic choice that has to be made by the opponents of majoritarianism will be between uncompromising principles and tolerable accommodation,” he says. -PTI

A 10

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

PAKISTAN CORRUPT AGENDA

Government ‘importing IS militants’, alleges Qadri ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Dr Tahirul Qadri claimed on Sunday the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government was “importing IS militants” to undermine the ongoing military offensive.

“The government is allowing the import of the IS militant group in Pakistan to undermine the ongoing military operation, Zarb-eAzb, against terrorists and their abettors,” the PAT chief said, while addressing the media in Lahore.

Slamming the government over its “corrupt agenda”, Qadri warned the PML-N led government of another sit-in.

The PAT chief also threatened to besiege Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s Jati Umra residence in Raiwind, while demanding justice for the victims of the Model Town tragedy.

“We want peace and stability in Pakistan but some elements are testing our patience,” he said quashing rumours of an alleged deal with the government over the Model Town incident.

Further, Qadri informed his party workers that he went abroad owing to international engagements due to his religious mission.

Qadri said his party will continue to struggle for the restoration of peace and prosperity in the country, adding it was the only reason he did not indulge into politics of agitation after the killing of his party workers in Model Town.

Military courts However, the PAT supremo demanded that the Model Town case should be transferred to military courts, saying justice can only be served if strict action is taken against the perpetrators of terror.

Last month, the PAT had expressed grave concern over the government’s apparent lack of interest in implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) against terrorism. — Express Tribune

Dar turns down proposal to carry out census in phases The proposal to hold the sixth Population and Housing Census in phases was floated in a meeting of the Governing Council of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, according to officials

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Saturday turned down a proposal to hold the upcoming population census in phases while sticking to its original plan to complete the process within a week, as it struggles to exclude Pakistani-card holding Afghan nationals.

The proposal to hold the sixth Population and Housing Census in phases was floated in a meeting of the Governing Council of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), according to officials. However, the chairperson of the council, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, shot down the proposal.

The mover of the proposal was of the view that the census in the country’s sensitive areas should be held separately.

The demographers opposed the move, arguing that the census cannot be done in phases.

The population census has become a politically sensitive issue, as on its basis seats of the National Assembly are decided. Population carries the highest weight of 82 per cent in allocation of financial resources from the federation to the provinces. After population,

CONTROVERSY: Pakistan is conducting the census after a gap of 17 years. It held the last census in 1998. An attempt made by the Pakistan Peoples Party government in 2011 remained unsuccessful after glaring irregularities surfaced in house listing in Karachi and Balochistan. — Bloomberg file photo

poverty and backwardness carries the second highest weight of 10.3 per cent.

Pakistan is conducting the census after a gap of 17 years. It held the last census in 1998. An attempt made by the Pakistan Peoples Party government in 2011 remained unsuccessful after glaring irregularities surfaced in house listing in Karachi and Balochistan.

It was the prime responsibility of PBS to conduct credible census, an official handout quoted Dar as saying. He directed that utmost care should be taken to complete this task in a transparent manner so that the data is credible. Such data, he said, can then form the basis for future planning.

The meeting also discussed the issue of weeding out Afghan nationals from the national exercise who have already acquired Computerised National Identity Cards

(CNICs) through illegal means.

The officials said the Balochistan government complained that the counting of CNIC-holding Afghan nationals as Balochistan citizens would disturb the demographic landscape of the province.

The Baloch feared that this will shift the balance in favour of the Pakthuns as hundreds of thousands Afghan nationals have acquired Pakistani nationality.

However, PBS officials informed Dar that the bureau does not have a solution to this problem, as it will count every person who holds the national identity card.

To address a similar issue in Punjab, the provincial government has undertaken an exercise, called geo-tagging, to identify those Afghans who have obtained Pakistani CNICs. It was suggested the Balo-

chistan government could undertake the geo-tagging exercise on its own.

Boycott The Balochistan government has also not yet appointed its provincial census commissioner as at one-stage it threatened to boycott the census exercise due to the Afghan national issue.

Dar also advised the PBS to take the services of the National Database and Registration Authority and intelligence agencies to identify Afghan nationals, said the officials.

During the meeting, the chief statistician of PBS, Asif Bajwa, gave a detailed presentation on the preparations for the forthcoming census. He said that as per decision of the Governing Council, the PBS adjusted the target dates for preparation of census

According to officials, the Balochistan government complained that the counting of Computerised National Identity Cards-holding Afghan nationals as Balochistan citizens would disturb the demographic landscape of the province

reports by December 2017.

He said the PBS has initiated all preparations and held meetings with provincial authorities to brief them about their responsibility in making the census successful and transparent.

The exercise will begin from March this year.

It was decided that qualified and highly reputed statisticians would be co-opted as members of the technical committee to provide their professional input on conduct of census. The technical committee would meet at least once in a week.

The government has decided that 207,500 people would be engaged to reach more than 165,000 census blocks. The workforce requirement is 60 per cent higher than the 1998 census as the government has increased the number of blocks. - Express Tribune

POLITICS

Government’s tax amnesty scheme invites resistance ISLAMABAD: After initially supporting the government’s tax amnesty scheme through backdoor channels, the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf now seems divided over the issue, as the Pakistan People’s Party joins the chorus against the controversial move.

The government, after getting an assurance from the PTI, decided to introduce a bill in parliament instead of implementing the Voluntary Tax Compliance Scheme through a presidential decree, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Friday.

He said the government dropped the plan to promulgate the presidential ordinance after

getting a call from ‘a senior and honourable PTI leader’.

But soon after the bill was tabled in the National Assembly on Friday, PTI Chairman Imran Khan termed the scheme ‘a tax on honest people’ and announced his party would vehemently oppose it.

Numerical strength This irritated Dar who feels he has been ditched by PTI, finance ministry officials told The Express Tribune. The government enjoys numerical strength in the National Assembly and can get the bill passed even if all parties in the lower house join hands against it.

But it is worried about the political cost it will have to pay due to opposition from all segments of society to the amnesty scheme, the officials said.

PPP Senator Saleem Mandviwalla on Saturday also announced that his party would oppose the amnesty scheme.

“I made a call to Dar after learning that the government was considering promulgating an ordinance to implement the scheme,” PTI lawmaker and financial wizard Asad Umar said.

He said he had urged Dar not to promulgate an ordinance but said this did not mean the PTI would “blindly accept the government’s bill”. — Express Tribune

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

A11

ASIA V I O L AT I O N O F S OV E R E I G N T Y

COLOUR FUN RUN IN MANILA Runners celebrate as they are covered with colour powder during a ‘Colour Fun Run’ in Manila, Philippines on Sunday. -Reuters

Vietnam protests after China lands plane on Spratlys HANOI: Vietnam formally accused China of violating its sovereignty and a recent confidence-building pact on Saturday by landing a plane on an airstrip Beijing has built on an artificial island in a contested part of the South China Sea. Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Hai Binh said the airfield, had been “built illegally” on Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly archipelago, in territory that was “part of Vietnam’s Spratlys”.

China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the complaint, saying that what was a test flight to the newly built airfield on the reef, which China calls Yongshu Jiao, was a matter “completely within China’s sovereignty,” the Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.

The United States said it was concerned that the flight had exacerbated tensions.

Washington has criticised

Disappearance of booksellers sparks protests in Hong Kong Lee Bo, 65, a major shareholder of Causeway Bay Books, ‘vanished’ on Wednesday after he went to fetch books from his warehouse in the city. He is the fifth person linked to the bookstore to have gone missing in the past two months DEMANDING INVESTIGATION: A pro-democracy demonstrator posts a portrait of Causeway Bay

HONG KONG: Hong Kong opposition lawmakers protested on Sunday outside Beijing’s representative office in the Chineseruled city over the disappearance of a bookseller who specialises in publications critical of the Communist Party government.

Lee Bo, 65, a major shareholder of Causeway Bay Books, “vanished” on Wednesday after he went to fetch books from his warehouse in the city, Lee’s wife told Hong Kong media.

She said her husband had called her from a mainland Chinese number to tell her he was safe but would not reveal his location,

Books shareholder Lee Bo and Mighty Current publishing house’s general manager Lui Bo, right, during a protest to call for an investigation behind the disappearance of five staff members of a Hong Kong publishing house and bookstore, during a protest outside the Chinese liaison office in Hong Kong, on Sunday. - Reuters

the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported on Sunday.

She said Lee spoke to her in Mandarin even though the pair usually communicated in Cantonese. Lee is the fifth person linked to the bookstore to have gone missing in the past two months.

Others include Gui Minhai, owner of Mighty Current, the publishing house that owns the bookstore, the South China Morning Post reported.

Missing person reports were

filed for three others, it said.

The disappearances have stoked fears of mainland Chinese authorities using shadowy tactics that erode the one country, two systems formula under which Hong Kong has been governed since its return to Chinese rule from Britain in 1997.

Constitution The city’s constitution guarantees wide-ranging personal freedoms and independent law enforce-

PRECAUTIONARY STEP

China renews its yellow alert on pollution in several cities BEIJING: China on Sunday renewed its yellow alert for pollution in several cities and provinces including the capital Beijing — a city of over 22 million population — asking people to stay indoors and take precautions.

Smog will persist in China from Sunday to Monday morning, the National Meteorological Centre (NMC) said as it renewed its yellow alert for several cities and provinces.

On Saturday night, it issued orange alert which is only next to red for some cities.

China has a four-tier colourcoded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe weather, followed by orange, yellow and blue.

Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Shaanxi, Anhui, Jiangsu, Hunan, Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Sichuan will experience smog from Sunday to Monday morning, the NMC said.

The public have been warned to take protective measures when

HAZE: Visitors feed gulls during a hazy day in Qingdao, Shandong province, on Sunday. - Reuters

engaging in outdoor activities and those who suffer from respiratory diseases are advised to stay indoors, it said.

In Beijing the levels of PM2.5, the smallest and deadliest form of airborne particulate matter, touched 300 on Saturday, regard-

ed very harmful for citizens.

The centre for the first time sounded red alert for smog on December 7 for the first time leading to host of measures including shutting down schools and regulating traffic with odd and even numbers. - PTI

ment. Beijing’s Liaison Office and the Hong Kong Immigration Department could not be reached for comment.

The Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office, an agency of China’s State Council, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. About 60 people marched to the Liaison Office in the financial hub, while pro-democracy lawmakers held a media conference to express concern over the disappearance.

“We have strong reason to believe Lee was kidnapped and smuggled back to the mainland for political investigation,” said Democratic Party lawmaker Albert Ho. He did not elaborate on the reason, but the group called on the Hong Kong government to say whether there was an official immigration departure record for Lee. Secretary for Security, John Lee, said the police would be expanding the scope of its investigation into Lee’s disappearance, although it was not possible to give details about every line of inquiry, broadcaster RTHK reported on Sunday.

The Causeway Bay Bookstore sells paperbacks highly critical of the Chinese leadership in Beijing and often containing details of the private lives of senior leaders and their families.

While the books are banned in mainland China, local media said they are popular with Chinese tourists in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong’s second highestranking official, Chief Secretary Carrie Lam, expressed concern about the case on Saturday.

Concerned “The Hong Kong government is highly concerned about the wellbeing of Hong Kong people in the city and abroad. I know the police are already working on the case,” Lam said. - Reuters

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

China’s construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea and worries that Beijing plans to use them for military purposes, even though China says it has no hostile intent.

Pooja Jhunjhunwala, a spokeswoman for the US State Department, said there was “a pressing need for claimants to publicly commit to a reciprocal halt to further land reclamation, construction of new facilities, and militarization of disputed features.”

“We encourage all claimants to actively reduce tensions by refraining from unilateral actions that undermine regional stability, and taking steps to create space for meaningful diplomatic solutions to emerge,” she said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China used a civil aircraft to conduct the flight to test whether the airfield facilities meet civilaviation standards. - Reuters BLAME GAME BEGINS

Madhesi alliance in Nepal splits KATHMANDU: The agitating Madhesi Morcha, an alliance of four regional parties of southern Nepal demanding amendment to the country’s statute, has split with a major constituent, the Sadbhawana Party, on Sunday announcing a separate protest in the Terai region.

For more than four months, the plains of the Nepal Terai have been simmering with Morcha-led protests against the country’s new Constitution that was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on September 20.

The Morcha has expressed dissatisfaction over the content of the new Constitution, including demarcation of the federal units, and called for an inclusive Constitution and citizenship.

Over 55 people, including agitators and police personnel, have been killed during the four months.

The Sadbhawana Party, one of the four constituents of the Samyukta Loktantrik Madhesi Morcha, was against withdrawing bordercentric protests until a few days ago and its Chairman Rajendra Mahto had been leading demonstrations at border points.

Uprendra Yadav, chairman of the Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum, criticized Sadbhawana’s decision.

“Sadbhawana should not declare protest unilaterally, it is a mistake.” Mahto is currently undergoing treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon, near Delhi, for injuries received in a clash with the police at Biratnagar on December 26. The latest development has raised serious questions over the political acumen of the agitating parties and a blame game has already begun. - IANS

A12

TIMES O F O MAN

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

#TRENDING ONLINE HOT PICKS MOST READ

MOST SHARED

TIMESOFOMAN.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/TIMESOFOMAN

TOTAL VIEWS

TOTAL PAGE LIKES

39,927,499

284,190

1 Rain, hail, thunderstorms

1 #OmanPride: Indian skater

expected to hit the Sultanate

representing Oman wins six medals

bit.ly/rainhainthunder

bit.ly/6medaloman

2 Rain falls in Musandam

Founder: Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman / Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Anees bin Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Officer: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali EDITORIAL Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24813153 E-mail: editor@timesofoman.com ADVERTISING Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24812624 E-mail: advertising@timesofoman.com

bit.ly/musandamrain

3 Deregulation of fuel prices to

create inflationary pressure, say experts in Oman

CIRCULATION Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24818270 E-mail: circulation@timesofoman.com

bit.ly/fuelpricesoman

4 Oman’s state budget focuses 2 Dubai blaze raises questions

on austerity, non-oil income bit.ly/nonoilsector

over skyscraper design bit.ly/skyscraperdesigns

5 Oman faces up to new 3 Oman’s budget cuts

overshadowed by rising deficit

economic reality in 2016

Printed and published by: Muscat Media Group Post Box: 770 Postal Code: 112

bit.ly/economicreality2016

bit.ly/risingdeficit

4 Objectives of Oman’s Ninth

five-year plan reviewed bit.ly/planobjectives

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/OPINION

5 Gold loses sheen, plunges 45%

from record high in 2011

Putin’s Trump card

bit.ly/goldplunge

LEONID BERSHIDSKY MOST POPULAR VIDEO

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/VIDEOS Mwasalat bus collides with a tourist bus in Ghubra.

The EU and its most important institutions have enough support, and enough common sense built into them, to outlive their critics. Now is a moment for retrenchment, not expansion or major progress in unification bit.ly/eu2016prospects

TWEET WE LIKE @hoohbe BASE jumps from a cliff in the UAE and Oman.

Part 2 ,,#wingsuit by @WingsuitGraham http://www.hooh. be/air/wingsuit/5386=blood,-sweat,-and-tears-part-2 …

INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY

JUSTIN FOX

INSTAGRAM.COM/TIMESOFOMAN

Dutch people still ride their bikes everywhere without helmets, let their kids roam around with much less supervision than is customary in the US, travel to all the corners of the earth without fear and are more than twice as likely to be selfemployed as Americans are bit.ly/dutchvsamericans

«

SHARE THIS!

Photo: Shamsul Huda

READERS’ FORUM Mobile app for expatriates a much-needed service This refers to the news story, Indian envoy unveils mobile app for workers in distress (January 3). Indian Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey deserves all praise for introducing a much-needed connection with the embassy and authorities to support the large number of Indian expatriates in Oman. The Indian ambassador has taken a lot of initiatives to mitigate problems faced by the Indian community.

— Lateef Shahdad, Qurum Heights Putin is very right to consider the US among the major threats Scan this QR code This refers to the story, Putin names US to send letters to the among threats in new Russian security Readers’ Forum, strategy (January 2). I agree with what containing not more than 200 words with the Russian president is thinking. The US, full name, address which is the overlord of Europe and dicand telephone tates the policies of the Europe Union and number, may be sent Nato, is bent on encroaching the regions by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, in the periphery of the Eurasian giant — in P.C. 112, Ruwi). a series of provocations. The same is true for the outrageous actions against China in the name of the South China Sea. In my view, there is absolutely no need for such aggressive policies as both Moscow and Beijing are peacefully developing their societies.

The US is employing these bellicose tactics in a bid to overcome the potential economic supremacy of the Eastern bloc.

— Laila Sameer, Seeb

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com I know how men in exile feed on dreams of hope

AESCHYLUS

FAYE FLAM

Physicists don’t discover new particles the way scientists might find a new species of dinosaur.

They’re too small to see and they last just a fraction of a second before disintegrating into a spray of other particles. Those other particles leave tracks in a detector, but the tracks don’t come labelled bit.ly/particlesinphysics

Nina L. Khrushcheva

A

t his annual year-end press conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin was as informal, audacious, and offensive as his favourite American presidential candidate, Donald Trump. He answered a question about the state of the country with a joke.

“How’s life?” one man asks another.

“My life is all stripes, black stripes followed by white ones,” the second man answers. “Now I’m in the black one.”

Six months later, they meet again. ”How’s life?” the first man asks again. “I know it’s all stripes, but which one is it now?”

“It’s black now,” the second man replies.

“Looks like it was white last time.”

The rest of Putin’s press conference was as cynical as this revealing witticism. He repeatedly claimed that Russia and its rapidly collapsing economy are thriving – something not even his most ardent supporters believe.

After 15 years of performances like this one, I am used to Putin’s Orwellian doublespeak – war is peace, ignorance is strength, etc. But on this occasion, he took his bombast to another level.

Putin insisted that the drop in Russian GDP – some 3.7 per cent in the last year – had been caused primarily by plummeting oil prices, offering only a brief mention of the Western sanctions imposed in response to his annexation of Crimea. And while he boasted that Russia has $364 billion in foreign-currency reserves, he declined to note the country’s crippling 12.3 per cent annual inflation rate or that much of those reserves have already been pledged.

Putin’s insistence on the health of the Russian economy calls to mind his own joke. Contrary to his assurances, the current black stripe is likely to seem white in comparison to what is to come. Indeed, earlier this month, a group of Russian economists described the government’s predictions of a rebound next year as sorely “out of touch.”

The annual press conference also provided Putin an opportunity to put Russia’s involvement in Syria in a positive light, and took pains to do so. After all, even with the secrecy that usually surrounds Russian military losses, it will be hard to temper public discontent once the coffins start coming home.

He assured the world that Russia would not be “more Syrian than Syrians themselves,” and he insisted that the United States should not dictate the country’s political process. American

policy in the Middle East has been so incoherent, he says, that it warranted Russian intervention. Putin also suggested – despite all the evidence to the contrary – that Russia’s presence in Syria would not extend beyond the resolution of the conflict. But Russia already has naval and air bases in Tartus and Latakia – assets that Putin is committed to defending.

Indeed, Russia’s annexation of Crimea and invasion of eastern Ukraine suggest that Putin gathers territories; he does not give them up – at least not without getting something in return.

Ukraine clearly remains Russia’s top priority.

By intervening in Syria – a conflict of primary concern to Europe and the US – the Kremlin feels it has acquired leverage over Ukraine’s Western partners. The consequences – including military casualties and the threat of retaliation by the IS extremist group – pale in comparison to the possibility of a grand bargain that secures his gains closer to home.

Putin is so confident that he holds all the cards that he made a point of toning down his usual anti-American bluster. He said he supported US Secretary of State John Kerry’s efforts to address jointly issues “that can be resolved only together,” and that he was ready to “work with any president voted in by the American people.”

There is little question, however, about which US candidate Putin would like to see in the White House. In remarks following the press conference, he praised Trump as “a very colourful, talented person” and the “absolute leader of the presidential race.”

The two men certainly deserve each other.

Both are consummate propagandists and performers. And both are prepared – even eager – to bully, harangue, and lie to get ahead. Compare Trump’s advice from his book How to Get Rich (“When somebody hurts you, just go after them as viciously and as violently as you can”) with Putin’s description of how to fight terrorists (“We will hunt them down and kill them, even in a toilet”).

Trump has built his campaign on ignorance dressed up as strength. His simplistic slogan – “Make America Great Again!” – could have been taken from Putin’s playbook on how to turn incompetence and weakness of character into the appearance of omnipotence and bold leadership.

Putin plans to remain in power for at least another decade. If the US elects Trump as President, it will have a friend in Russia, if almost nowhere else. - Project Syndicate

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES DECEMBER 2000 Qatabi urges members to back up government efforts MUSCAT: Sheikh Abdullah bin Ali Al Qatabi, president of the Majlis Al Shura, chaired the meetings held by the standing committees yesterday at the commencement of the fourth term of the Majlis. Qatabi discussed with the members of the standing committees the priorities for the current term, urging them to give attention to the national interest and work faithfully to activate the role of the Majlis committees to come up with studies and recommendations to provide essential back up for the government’s efforts in various fields and to focus on studying various development sectors.

PICTOGRAPH

PRIVATE HOSPITALS IN THE SULTANATE 2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

13 12 11 10 7

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

1902: France offers to sell their Nicaraguan Canal rights to the United States.

1951: UN forces abandon Seoul, Korea, to the Chinese Communist Army.

1972: Rose Heilbron becomes the first female judge to sit at the Old Bailey in London, England.

0 Source National Centre for Statistics and Information

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016 Rich people line up at the plush hospital, that is delightfully clean sans any unpleasant smell, for routine check-ups of their prized hunting birds or for any complications or surgeries.

SPECIAL

WORLD’S LARGEST HOSPITAL FOR FALCONS PREMIER HEALTHCARE FACILITY: A falcon being treated at an Abu Dhabi Hospital which provides veterinary healthcare services exclusively to the raptors, in Abu Dhabi, on Sunday. – PTI

Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the first public institution in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) providing comprehensive veterinary healthcare services exclusively for falcons

ABU DHABI: Falcons, the majestic-looking raptors symbolising the Bedouin power, receive premier healthcare facilities at the world’s largest hospital of its kind here that has enthusiasts from all parts of the world including from India.

With a patient influx of over 75,000 in the first 14 years of existence since it opened its gates in 1999 and annual figures currently touching as high as 11,200, the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital is the first public institution in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) providing comprehensive veterinary healthcare services exclusively for falcons.

Amazing infrastructure On entering the premises of the sprawling health facility established by Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, one is amazed at the well-planned infrastructure of the hospital that has an examination room, an operation theatre, a Digital Radiography unit, a moulting room and an Ophthalmology unit among others.

Rich people line up at the plush hospital, that is delightfully clean sans any unpleasant smell, for routine check-ups of their prized hunting birds or for any complications or surgeries. “We put the hoods on them so that they do not attack each other,” says technician R Ranjith from Kerala who first trained at the hospital before working there full-time.

He removes the hood from the bird and puts its head under a tube to administer a light anaesthetic gas to make it fall asleep within seconds before going on to examine whether the raptor needs a pedicure or an X-Ray. The hospital performs extensive and exclusive training on falcon and avian medicine and husbandry for veterinarians, veterinary students, and veterinary nurses and assistants from all around the

world including France, Japan, India, Switzerland, USA, UK, Italy and Germany.

While hospital director Dr Margit Gabriele Muller told PTI that the hospital does not have backing from any Indian companies, authorities did not share details of the profits, current funding and the amount on which it was established. “Many falconers bring their birds here during the moulting period for their proper care,” says the tour guide who identified himself as Dennis before opening a heavy door for the moulting cage, a dimly-lit air-conditioned aviary with ample space for the birds to fly around and relax.

Registration Under new directives, a falconer now needs to register his bird and also get the bird a passport to fly to countries like Pakistan where hunting is still permitted.

Only birds allowed in the cockpit if there is lack of seats on board, he adds while flashing out such a passport listing details about the bird’s owner and breed.

Interestingly, the passport does not have a photograph of the Falcon. “That’s because, during moulting season they shed all their feathers and later look very different,” Dennis says.

That leaves one wondering, then how are the birds identified, to which Dennis adds that there are metal rings using which the Falcons are ringed when young and has details like its owner’s name and number.

And if that was not enough, the birds have an electronic chip implanted for tracing them and in determining their identities.

The birds that feature on the emblem of the United Arab Emirates are used for Falconry, now considered as a national sport and status symbol for young Emirati men which was once traditionally used as a way to obtain food. Over the years, the hospital has established a loyal and a wide patientbase not just in the UAE, but also in countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain, according to its website that also points out the hospital started its own Falcon breeding centre in 2011 to breed the birds for its customers.

Pet Care Centre Another feather to its cap was added in 2007 when the hospital opened its Pet Care Centre, marking a major step in becoming a comprehensive animal care centre. It comprises VIP boarding kennels for dogs and cats as well as pet grooming and dog training facilities.

The centre has complete suites for cats and offers owners to leave their pets and go anywhere, without being too heavy on their pockets, Dennis said. — PTI

MAJESTIC-LOOKING RAPTORS: Falcons at the Abu Dhabi Hospital. - PTI

A13

A 14

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

GLOBAL EYE

ARGENTINA: Toyota’s driver Ronan Chabot of France and co-driver Gilles Pillot compete during the 11-km Prologue of the 2016 Dakar Rally, in the province of Buenos Aires, on Saturday. The Dakar Rally, which officially starts on January 3, will see participants race across Argentina and Bolivia in a two-week test of endurance. — AFP

BOSNIA: A man pulls a child on sled during snowfall in Zenica, Bosnia, on Sunday. — Reuters

GERMANY: The Alpine upland in the Allgaeu region near Nesselwang, southern Germany, is slightly covered in snow on Sunday. — AFP/ DPA/Karl-Josef Hildenbrand

UNITED STATES: Overall view of Chase Field as it reflects off glass in the press box as the Arizona State Sun Devils kick a third quarter field goal against the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Cactus Bowl on Saturday. — Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

SPAIN: Costumed participants wait for the start of the celebrations of ‘La Vijanera’ carnival in Silio, in the northern Spanish province of Cantabria, on Sunday. — AFP

RUSSIA: A general view shows the Krasnoyarsk hydroelectric power station, illuminated on the occasion of the New Year and Christmas, on the Yenisei River outside Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Russia, on Sunday. — Reuters

CHINA: A family drives a sleigh on frozen Songhua river beside the Harbin international ice and snow festival in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Sunday. Over one million visitors are expected to attend the spectacular Harbin Ice Festival, where buildings of ice are bathed in ethereal lights and international ice sculptors compete for honours. — AFP

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

WORLD

Britain could support our expectations related to an allied military presence on Polish territory Witold Waszczykowski, Poland Foreign Minister

HISTORY OF GENOCIDE

Kagame bid to seek third term leaves US worried KIGALI: The United States is “deeply disappointed” by Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s New Year’s announcement that he would seek a third term in 2017, according to the US State Department.

Kagame, who has been president since 2000, has effectively been in control since his rebel force marched into Kigali to end the 1994 genocide.

He had been limited to two terms, but Rwanda approved constitutional changes last year that would allow him to stay in power until 2034, if he wins elections.

“The United States is deeply disappointed that President Paul Kagame has announced his intention to run for a third term in office,” John Kirby, a spokesman for the US State Department, said in a statement late on Saturday.

The United States is a major donor to Rwanda and provides military aid. It has long praised Kagame for transforming the nation since the genocide.

Neighbouring Burundi, which shares a history of ethnic fighting with Rwanda, was plunged into chaos in April over President Pierre Nkurunziza’s announcement he would seek a third term, which the opposition criticized as unconstitutional.

“The United States believes constitutional transitions of power are essential for strong democracies and that efforts by incumbents to change rules to stay in power weaken democratic institutions,” Kirby’s statement said. — Reuters

Poland seeks UK help over NATO presence in Europe With hundreds of thousands of Poles living in Britain, Warsaw is one of the EU’s staunchest critics of Prime Minister David Cameron’s proposal to cut benefits for migrants as part of his planned overhaul membership terms

NATO-LED EXERCISE: Troops from Canada’s 3rd Division, composed with a platoon of 3rd Battalion and Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry parachute during a NATO-led exercise ‘Orzel Alert’ held together with the US Army’s 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Poland’s 6th Airborne Brigade in Bledowska Desert in Chechlo, near Olkusz, south Poland on May 5, 2014. — Reuters file photo

WARSAW: Poland could be open to compromise over British demands to limit the rights of European Union migrants if London helps it bolster the NATO presence in central Europe, Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski told Reuters.

With hundreds of thousands of Poles living in Britain, Warsaw is one of the EU’s staunchest critics of Prime Minister David Cameron’s proposal to cut benefits for migrants as part of his planned overhaul of Britain’s EU

membership terms. Cameron has set a deadline of the end of 2017 for an in-out referendum on Britain’s membership of the EU, but recently gave his strongest suggestion yet that he hopes to hold it in 2016.

Cameron left Warsaw emptyhanded last month after a visit to discuss his push, with Poland’s Prime Minister Beata Szydlo saying further talks were needed.

Szydlo’s new conservative government, however, is keen to score a diplomatic victory at a summit of the NATO military alliance due

of Britain’s EU

HEIGHTENED TENSIONS

Turkish hackers block Russian minister’s social network account MOSCOW: A social network account of Russia’s communications minister was temporarily blocked on Sunday in a cyberattack carried out by hackers presenting themselves as a Turkish activist group and parading images of a warplane and Turkish flags.

Russia’s ties with Turkey suffered a severe blow when a Turkish fighter shot down a Russian bomber near the Turkish-Syrian border in November, a move described by Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a stab in the back”.

Minister Nikolai Nikiforov’s Instagram account was blocked by “The Börteçine Cyber Team” hackers, according to screenshots of the accoun.

Instagram, where users post their pictures and videos, later restored Nikiforov’s account and his profile photo, but the minister complained that the technical support team had not reacted to the incident for more than nine hours.

No way of improving ties Putin said he saw no way of improving ties with Turkey’s leadership, while Moscow imposed economic sanctions on Ankara.

Turkish media reports suggested in late December that Russian hackers could be behind recent cyberattacks on Turkish

Minister Nikolai Nikiforov’s Instagram account was blocked by ‘The Börteçine Cyber Team’ hackers, according to screenshots of the account

internet servers handling more than 300,000 websites.

On December 25, Turkish banks reported sporadic disruption to credit card transactions, with local media repeating suggestions that the bombardment of public and financial websites could be coming from Russia, or staged by hacking group Anonymous. — Reuters

W I T H D R AWA L O F S U P P O R T

Catalan secession bid suffers setback MADRID: Catalan far-left party CUP said on Sunday it would not support acting regional head Artur Mas for another term as leader, forcing a fresh round of local elections and weakening an independence movement that seeks a split from Spain.

The drawn-out process of forming a government in Catalonia echoes the political stalemate gripping Spain at a national level following general elections two

A15

weeks ago in which no party was handed a clear mandate to lead.

Kingmaker CUP, a fringe anti-capitalist party, has held the key to the formation of the regional government since September elections awarded a majority to pro-independence parties, but it has repeatedly rejected the candidature of Mas, who heads a centre-right, business-friendly party. — Reuters

to be held in Warsaw in July.

Waszczykowski said the issues were being discussed in tandem.

Asked whether Britain could offer Poland something to soften its opposition to Cameron’s proposal, Waszczykowski said: “Of course.

Britain could offer something to Poland in terms of international security.

“We still consider ourselves a second-class NATO memberstate, because in central Europe... there aren’t, aside from a token presence, any significant allied forces or defence installations,

which gives the Russians an excuse to play this region,” he said.

In 2014, Poland’s then foreign minister said he wanted the alliance to station two NATO heavy brigades - typically between 3,000 and 5,000 troops - on Polish soil in response to Russia’s intervention in Ukraine, where Moscow denies it is actively assisting proRussian rebels.

The alliance is reluctant to permanently station troops in central Europe, with some states wary of violating a 1997 NATO-Russia agreement on the size of forces

the alliance can have in former Warsaw Pact countries, of which Poland is one.

Moscow would almost certainly regard the establishment of a standing NATO presence on its borders as a hostile act.

Some western European allies have also been sceptical about basing large numbers of troops and equipment in Poland at a time when defence budgets are tight and question the military logic of tying down large numbers of troops in one place.

“Britain could support our expectations related to an allied military presence on Polish territory,” Waszczykowski said.

Waszczykowski said Poland wanted to offset the impact of any benefit cuts for its citizens living in Britain by planning to offer a monthly cash payment to families with children, in the hope Polish workers will stay in Poland instead of emigrating.

He said Warsaw opposed any cuts in benefits in Britain that singled out potential recipients based on their origin.

“We’re aware that the British welfare system is very elaborate and that it may not be able to bear it.

We are therefore addressing this by increasing our benefits, and we also want to raise salaries in Poland,” he said.

EU heads of state are due to discuss British proposals at a summit in February.

NATO defence ministers are scheduled to meet next month in preparation for the NATO summit. — Reuters

A 16

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

WORLD

Tablet lovers add dd us on Google +

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY ADD IN GOOGLE+

Refugees reshape German politics The rise of the anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has injected a new element of surprise into the political landscape

BERLIN: For the past decade, German politics has been a relatively dull affair, with Angela Merkel dominating at the national level and the major parties in agreement on all the big issues, from euro zone bailouts and refugees to the phase-out of nuclear energy.

But that may change in 2016, when five of Germany’s 16 states hold elections in the build-up to the next federal vote a year later.

Not only is Chancellor Merkel looking more vulnerable than ever before because of her welcoming stance towards the hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing war in the Middle East, but the rise of the anti-immigrant Alternative for

SURPRISE ELEMENT: Refugees and migrants onboard a dinghy arrive at the village of Skala, on the Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, on Saturday. – AP/PTI

Germany (AfD) party has injected a new element of surprise into the political landscape.

Add to that an unprecedented splintering of the electorate, which means that six parties have a legitimate shot of entering most state parliaments, and Germany’s normally cozy, consensual politics begins to look a bit less predictable, and potentially more divisive, than it has in a long time.

The wild card is the threat of an attack by extremists on German soil, a risk highlighted on New Year’s Eve when authorities re-

ceived a tip that Iraqi and Syrian nationals were planning suicide bombings at train stations in Munich. It could be fatal for Merkel, officials in Berlin acknowledge in private, if such an attack were carried out successfully by people who entered Europe with the flood of migrants, as was the case with two of the men involved in the November 13 attacks in Paris.

Even if Germany is spared such a horror, the refugee crisis will continue to dominate the political debate this year, polarising voters and emboldening Merkel’s oppo-

nents on the right and left.

So far the most damaging attacks have come from her conservative sister party, the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU).

“If we don’t see success in limiting the tide of refugees, we could have a grassroots political tremor in Germany,” said one senior government official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue.

“If Merkel doesn’t deliver you could see the AfD approaching 20 per cent in the polls,” the official predicted.

Currently the AfD is polling between 8-10 per cent, roughly double the 4.7 per cent the party won in the last federal election in 2013, when it narrowly failed to clear the 5 per cent mark needed to enter the Bundestag.

That seems relatively harmless if you compare it to other likeminded parties across Europe, like the National Front in France, the Freedom Party in Austria or the Danish People’s Party, which enjoy more than twice as much support.

But the AfD’s rise looks more significant when one considers that it has occurred against a backdrop of infighting and financial trouble within the party that might have crushed it. In the past half year, the party has weathered the departure of its founder, embarrassing slurs about African reproductive habits from one of its leading politicians, and a party financing law from the government that threatened to strip bare its coffers.

In response to the new law, the AfD asked its supporters for donations and raised roughly 2 million euros in just three weeks, a testament to its drawing power.

In three state elections that are due to be held in March, the AfD’s newfound strength will be on stark display. It is on track to win 7 per cent in the western states of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate and roughly twice that in Saxony-Anhalt in the east.

“In every one of these elections,

the performance of the AfD will be key in determining what constellations are possible,” Torsten Krauel wrote in a front-page editorial in German daily Die Welt last week.

The rise of the AfD and a nascent comeback by the Free Democrats (FDP), a business-friendly, socially liberal party that was the kingmaker of German politics for decades before imploding in the last federal vote, means that there are now three legitimate right-ofcentre parties in Germany, including Merkel’s conservative bloc.

Add to that the three leading parties of the left, the Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and hard-left “Linke”, and German politics looks more fragmented than at any time since reunification in 1990.

Merkel could yet emerge as the big loser from the new German political landscape if she is unable to stem the tide of refugees in the months ahead.

If she is successful, it may be her coalition partner in Berlin, the SPD, who suffer most.

The rise of the AfD and return of the FDP would make it more difficult for the SPD to form leftleaning majorities at the state or federal level, condemning it to second-tier status for the foreseeable future.

And that weakness could turn the SPD into a more confrontational and unpredictable partner for Merkel as the next federal vote in 2017 approaches. — Reuters

S E V E R E W E AT H E R

Britain promises more than £40m to rebuild, improve flood defences LONDON: Britain’s government has promised more than £40 million ($59 million) to rebuild and improve the country’s flood defences that failed to protect thousands of homes over the Christmas holidays.

Homes and businesses across northern England, Scotland and northern Ireland were hit by storms and torrential rains in December, leaving many without electricity and some under metres of water after river levels reached all-time highs.

Prime Minister David Cameron has been criticised by opposition lawmakers for not doing enough to protect the country from severe weather and the Observer newspaper on Sunday said many of Britain’s flood defences were being abandoned or maintained to minimal levels because of government cuts.

In a statement, Cameron announced a package of more than £40 million to improve flood defences after Storm Eva brought gales and torrential downpours to Northern Ireland, Wales, England and parts of Scotland in late December. “I have seen at first-hand the devastation caused by flooding. And that’s why this work to repair and improve flood defences

is so vital,” Cameron said in the statement. He said £10 million would be used to improve the Foss barrier protecting the northern English city of York, which was overwhelmed at the height of Storm Eva. The other £30 million would be spent on defences on other rivers in northern England.

The government would also support charities helping those caught up in the deluge by matching every pound of the first two million pounds raised, he said.

The opposition Labour Party accused the government of complacency and said the funding would not go far enough.

“The government has been woefully complacent about the flood risk, ignoring warnings from its own experts,” Kerry McCarthy, Labour’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs spokeswoman, said in a statement.

“Today’s announcement of £40 million won’t go very far at all... a lump sum of £40 million is a short-term, sticking-plaster approach.” The Observer quoted a document submitted to ministers late last year that said investment in Britain’s flood defences had fallen despite the country seeing “the five wettest years since 2000”. — Reuters

CONSTITUTIONAL CRIMES

Erdogan backs probe against pro-Kurdish opposition leaders ISTANBUL: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said he backs a criminal investigation into leaders of the pro-Kurdish opposition over comments about Kurdish self-rule, saying those who committed constitutional crimes must pay the price.

A Turkish prosecutor opened an investigation into Selahattin Demirtas, co-head of the proKurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), last week after a two-day congress of Kurdish groups called for greater selfgovernance. The probe comes as predominantly Kurdish southeast Turkey experiences some of its worst violence since the 1990s after a two-year ceasefire between Kurdish militants and the state collapsed in July.

“The statements of the HDP leaders are constitutional crimes.

There are investigations started

by prosecutors against them.

These should be followed up,” Erdogan told reporters in comments published by the Hurriyet newspaper on Saturday. “I believe the process that will start with the removal of immunities will have a positive impact on the mood of our country in fighting terrorism,” he said.

As members of parliament, Demirtas and other HDP leaders would normally enjoy immunity from such cases, although they could be prosecuted and have the sentence suspended until a time when they no longer have immunity.

Erdogan urged parliament last July to lift the immunity of politicians with suspected links to militants, after a prosecutor launched an investigation into Demirtas over accusations he “provoked and armed” protesters. — Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM M ON DAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

MARKE

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

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

Port of Duqm plans feeder connectivity The port seeks to connect with Dubai’s Jebel Ali and also other major Omani ports, including CAPACITY TO GO UP: The container terminal can handle 200,000

Sohar and Salalah

containers a year now, which will be enhanced substantially to 3.5 million containers per annum. – Supplied picture

A. E. JAMES

with other major Omani ports, including Sohar and Salalah.

Vermeulan said that the port is trying to maximise benefits from the port by starting early operations, even before completing the entire work. The port has three major terminals – project cargo terminal, container terminal and mineral terminal. The project cargo terminal has been doing well. ”We have doubled the volumes (in 2015) compared to the previous year.”

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Port of Duqm plans to start a feeder service with Dubai’s Jebel Ali in an attempt to commence early operation at its container terminal, which is ready with facilities, said a top-level official of the port.

“One of our goals is to start operations at the container terminal. We have already built an early container terminal with appropriate equipment and trained people,” Reggy Vermeulan, chief executive officer of Port of Duqm, told Times of Oman’ The container terminal can handle 200,000 containers a year now, which will be enhanced substantially to 3.5 million containers per annum. “Now our goal is to work with our partners to start a feeder line.”

However, he noted that the overall economic situation is not easy. “It is harder than a couple of months or years ago. However, we still have 2016 target to have a minimum of one feeder line to service the Port of Duqm. We want to connect with Jebel Ali, which is a major player in the region.”

The port also plans to connect

Mineral exports As far as mineral terminal is concerned, he said, the port plans to start export of minerals for the first time in February this year.

The port has already set up facilities for ‘early operation’ of its break bulk terminal for exporting 50,000 tonnes of dolomite as the first shipment from the port. One shipment is ready to be exported, which is expected in February next year. Vermeulan said the terminal has a capacity to handle 5 million tonnes in the first phase, which can be scaled up substantially in the future.

The commercial quay is divided into three main areas - 300 metres of cargo terminal, 1.6-km

of container terminal and 300 metres for a break bulk terminal.

The 300-metre dedicated break bulk terminal is the last part of a 2.2-kilometre-long commercial quay, which is equipped to export minerals.

Oman Railway Port of Duqm is now working with Oman Railway to substantially enhance mineral exports by transporting products from far off places and storing it near the port.

In fact, a freight corridor is to be developed to connect the Port of Duqm to large regional markets, in a bid to increase the volumes of mineral, container and project cargo shipments.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Oman Rail Company and Port of Duqm Company (PDC) to build the project. Additionally, Oman Rail and PDC will develop a rail industry support cluster on Port of Duqm Industrial land.

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

ENERGY MARKET

Large oil producers set to cut investment again this year LONDON: With crude prices at 11-year lows, the world’s biggest oil and gas producers are facing their longest period of investment cuts in decades, but are expected to borrow more to preserve the dividends demanded by investors.

At around $37 a barrel, crude prices are well below the $60 firms such as Total, Statoil and BP need to balance their books, a level that has already been sharply reduced over the past 18 months.

International oil companies are once again being forced to cut spending, sell assets, shed jobs and delay projects as the oil slump shows no sign of recovery.

United States producers Chevron and ConocoPhillips have published plans to slash their 2016 budgets by a quarter. Royal Dutch Shell has also announced a further $5 billion in spending cuts if its planned takeover of BG Group goes ahead.

Global oil and gas investments are expected to fall to their lowest in six years in 2016 to $522 bil-

$37 a barrel crude price is well below the $60 firms such as Total, Statoil and BP need to balance their books, a level that has already been sharply reduced over the past 18 months

lion, following a 22 per cent fall to $595 billion in 2015, according to the Oslo-based consultancy Rystad Energy.

Two consecutive years “This will be the first time since the 1986 oil price downturn that we see two consecutive years of a decline in investments,” Bjoernar Tonhaugen, vice-president of oil and gas markets at Rystad Energy, said. The activities that

survive will be those that offer the best returns.

But with the sector’s debt to equity ratio at a relatively low level of around 20 per cent or below, industry sources say companies will take on even more borrowing to cover the shortfall in revenue in order to protect the level of dividend payouts.

Shell has not cut its dividend since 1945, a tradition its present management is not keen to break. The rest of the sector is also averse to reducing payouts to shareholders, which include the world’s biggest investment and pension funds, for fear investors might take flight.

Exxon Mobil and Chevron benefit from the lowest debt ratios among the oil majors while Statoil and Repsol have the highest debt burden, according to Jefferies analyst Jason Gammel.

Projects that could be green-lit include BP’s Mad Dog Phase 2, which the company now expects to cost less than $10 billion.- Reuters

ECONOMY

Sultanate’s producer price index plummets 26 per cent MUSCAT: Oman’s producer price index (PPI)-based inflation was down by 25.8 per cent in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter last year, according to data released by National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). However, third quarter producer price index posted a 0.7 per cent rise compared to the second quarter.

Prices of oil and gas products declined by 29.4 per cent yearon-year in the third quarter, while non-oil products’ prices fell by 4.8 per cent.

Non-oil manufacturing and transportable goods registered a price decline of 7.1 per cent and 6 per cent respectively. A 4.9 per cent fall was recorded in the pharmaceutical products as well.

In the third quarter, food, beverages and textiles group posted a fall of 5.9 per cent compared to the same period of 2014. Under this, fish, fruits, vegetables and oils subsegment saw prices tumble by 7.1

per cent, and dairy products by a significant 20 per cent. Bakery and other food products, as well as beverages registered a price fall of 0.9 per cent and 0.1 per cent, respectively, while textiles and footwear prices went down by 0.1 per cent.

Electricity, water rise However, prices of the mining, electricity and water subset registered a rise of 2.9 per cent. Among this set, electricity and water prices rose by 2.7 per cent, along with a 5.1 per cent increase in minerals and stones. Metal products, machinery and equipment segment witnessed a price fall of 9.8 per

cent in the third quarter compared to the same period in 2014.

Compared to the second quarter of the current year, oil and gas products witnessed a price rise of 1.3 per cent, while non-oil products fell by 1.8 per cent in the third quarter. Non-oil manufacturing prices declined by 2.6 per cent, while food, beverages and textiles subset logged a price fall of 1.8 per cent.

Transportable goods witnessed prices going down by 2.5 per cent, whereas metal products, machinery and equipment sub-segment registered a fall of 3.4 per cent in the third quarter compared to the previous quarter. – ONA

B2

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

MARKET MSM index ends higher

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................ 5,418.01 .............. 5,407.20 ................... 5,412.88 ...................5,406.22....................6.66 ................... 0.12 Financial Index ..................................... 6,510.91 ...............6,486.10 ................... 6,500.63 ................... 6,477.27................. 23.36 ...................0.36 Industrial Index .................................... 6,783.76 ............... 6,771.15 ....................6,783.76 ....................6,771.15.................. 12.61 ................... 0.19 Services Index .......................................3,066.72 ...............3,055.62 ................... 3,066.72 ...................3,055.62.................. 11.10 ...................0.36 MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 857.67 ..................855.35 .......................857.58 ...................... 855.36....................2.22 ...................0.26 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 9,472,269 ................... 1,369,094 .................... 443 ................15,788,189,595 .................. 9 ........................3 .................... 13 .........................25

OIFC, up by 6.06%, was the top gainer while Ahli Bank was the top loser, down by 1.53%

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 3 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: Muscat bourse started the year with a positive note with the index edging up by 0.12 per cent to close at 5412.88 points. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 857.58 points, up by 0.26 per cent.

Bank Nizwa was the most active in terms of volume while Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of turnover. OIFC, up by 6.06 per cent, was the top gainer while Ahli Bank was the top loser, down by 1.53 per cent.

As many as 443 trades were executed on Sunday, generating turnover of OMR1.36 million with 9.47 million shares changing hands. Out of 25 traded securities, nine advanced, three declined and 13 remained unchanged.

Arab and GCC investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR87,000 worth of shares followed by foreign investors at OMR21,000.

Omani investors, who were net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR107,000.

Financial Index closed at 6,500.63 points, up by 0.36 per cent. Alizz Islamic Bank, Al Anwar Holding, Bank Nizwa and Oman United Insurance increased by 4.69 per cent, 4.24 per cent, 2.86 per cent and 1.38 per cent, respectively. Ahli Bank, Bank Sohar and United Finance declined by 1.53 per cent, 0.77 per cent and 0.64 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index ended at 6,783.76 points, up by 0.19 per cent. Jazeera Steel Product was the only gainer and was up by 5.88 per cent to close at OMR0.145.

Services Index closed at 3,066.72 points, up by 0.36 per cent. OIFC, Al Jazeira Services and Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) increased by 6.06 per cent, 2.56 per cent and 0.32 per cent, respectively.

Dubai stocks fall Emaar Properties led the decline in Dubai stocks three days after a fire ripped through one of its hotels on New Year’s Eve. Abu Dha-

bi shares also fell. Emaar, which is about 30 percent owned by the Dubai government, dropped as much as 4.4 per cent, before paring its slide to 1.6 percent at the close, the biggest contributor to the DFM General Index’s 0.5 per cent loss. The fire is covered by insurance and Emaar sees “no material impact” because of the blaze, the company said on Sunday. The developer appointed Dutco Group to restore the hotel.

“Emaar’s statement helped halt some of the panic selling we saw at the beginning of the session, but investors still have questions,” said Dubai-based Samer Al Jaouni, the head of institutional business at Menacorp, one of the biggest brokerages in the United Arab Emirates. “The company needs to clarify the amount and percentage of cash flow that this hotel was contributing to Emaar’s hotel portfolio.”

The Address Downtown Dubai hotel, which Emaar developed, owned and operated, caught fire Thursday as the city prepared for its annual year-end fireworks display.

The blaze capped a challenging year for the emirate’s real estate industry, which is struggling with falling property prices amid a slump in oil, just as the dirham’s peg to the dollar makes purchases more expensive for overseas buyers.

Dubai’s real estate and business services accounted for 14 per cent of the emirate’s gross domestic product in the first quarter of 2015, according to the latest government data.

The DFM Real Estate Index retreated as much as 2.8 per cent, the most in two weeks, before trading 0.6 per cent lower.

The gauge sank 25 per cent last year, the most since 2008. Emaar Malls Group, which is about 85 percent owned by Emaar Properties, fell 0.4 per cent on Sunday.

Saudi’s Tadawul All Share Index rose. - United Securities/Bloomberg News

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

OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 1,215,348 ......255,403.....................80 ........... 0.200........... 0.214 ...........0.200 .......... 0.210 ............. 0.198.............0.012 ............. 6.061 ................0.214..............0.213...................0.214.................. 42,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 343,398 ........... 49,533..................... 26 ............0.140 ........... 0.145 ...........0.140........... 0.144 ............. 0.136............ 0.008............. 5.882 ................0.145 .............. 0.145...................0.146................... 17,985,306 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 2,519,364 ...... 432,110................... 127 ............0.169 ........... 0.173 ...........0.168 ............0.172 ............. 0.165............ 0.007.............4.242 ................0.173 .............. 0.172...................0.173 ...................25,812,900.........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 321,896 ........... 30,570..................... 39 ........... 0.094 ........... 0.095 ...........0.094........... 0.095 .............0.092 ........... 0.003............. 3.261 ................0.095..............0.094...................0.095....................8,550,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 302,000........... 96,532......................17 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.314 ........... 0.320 .............0.312............ 0.008.............2.564 ................0.314 ..............0.310...................0.314................... 19,585,367 .........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ................................ 40,000 ...............8,800........................5 ........... 0.220...........0.220 ...........0.220 .......... 0.220 ............. 0.217............ 0.003............. 1.382 ................0.220 .............0.212...................0.220 ................. 22,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ..........................42,618 ............ 66,859......................13 ............1.565 ........... 1.575............1.565 ............1.570 ............. 1.565............ 0.005............. 0.319 ................1.575 .............. 1.570...................1.630................ 1,177,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ............................................................. 600 ..................606........................2 ............1.010 ........... 1.010............1.010 ........... 1.000 .............1.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.010 .............. 1.010...................1.100 ................. 200,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY.............................................. 58 .................. 102........................2 ............1.760 ........... 1.760............1.760 ............1.770 ............. 1.770............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.760 .............. 1.700................... 1.750 ..................158,769,000 ........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES .................................57,500 .............17,480........................4 ........... 0.304...........0.304 ...........0.304 .......... 0.304 .............0.304 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.304............. 0.304...................0.000 ..................90,048,959.........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING .................................. 20,000 ............40,000........................2 ........... 2.000...........2.000 ...........2.000 .......... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.000 ............ 0.000...................2.000 ................ 190,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ..............................................................31,000 .............14,632........................4 ........... 0.472 ........... 0.472 ...........0.472........... 0.472 .............0.472 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.472..............0.470...................0.472................ 1,081,740,266 ......0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 339,400 ............23,758......................11 ........... 0.070 ...........0.070 ...........0.070........... 0.070 .............0.070 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.070..............0.069...................0.070...................20,298,645.........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY .....................................................38,201 .............16,426........................4 ........... 0.430 ...........0.430 ...........0.430........... 0.430 .............0.430 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.430..............0.440...................0.472...................26,015,000 .........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER.................................................... 9,600 ...............1,834........................4 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.191 ............0.191 ............. 0.191 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.210..................128,903,499........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ......................................................4,000 .................. 764........................2 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.191 ............0.191 ............. 0.191 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.000 ................. 136,451,611 ........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR..................................................................10,000 ...............1,560........................2 ............0.156 ........... 0.156 ...........0.156 ............0.156 ............. 0.157............-0.001 ........... -0.637 ...............0.156 .............. 0.156...................0.160................. 224,864,640 .......0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ........................................................57,716 ............... 7,465......................18 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.128........... 0.129 .............0.130............-0.001 ........... -0.769 ...............0.128 .............. 0.127...................0.130...................40,088,677.........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ..................................................................... 49,800 ................9,611........................1 ............0.193 ........... 0.193 ...........0.193 ............0.193 ............. 0.196............-0.003 ............-1.531 ................0.193 .............. 0.191...................0.195 ..................275,031,976 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 5,402,499...1,074,046...................363 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......19........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK................................................74,000 ...............4,934........................4 ........... 0.066 ...........0.067 ...........0.066........... 0.067 .............0.064 ........... 0.003............. 4.688 ................0.066..............0.066...................0.068...................67,000,000.........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 3,868,328...... 277,996..................... 54 ........... 0.070 ........... 0.073 ...........0.070........... 0.072 .............0.070 ........... 0.002............. 2.857 ................0.073..............0.072...................0.073................. 108,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ....................60,170 ............... 1,856........................6 ........... 0.034 ...........0.034 ...........0.030............0.031 ............. 0.031............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.031 .............. 0.031...................0.032 ...................2,635,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001806............MUSCAT NATIONAL HOLDING ................................. 400 .................. 744........................1 ............1.860 ........... 1.860 ...........1.860........... 1.860 .............1.860............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.860 ............. 0.000...................1.860....................9,300,000 ..........1.000 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ........................................................65,085 ...............9,348......................13 ............0.143 ........... 0.144 ...........0.143 ........... 0.144 .............0.144 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.144..............0.144...................0.145..................210,614,610 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 4,067,983 ......294,878..................... 78 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 5........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ........................1,787 ...................170........................2 ........... 0.095 ........... 0.095 ...........0.095........... 0.095 .............0.095 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.095............. 0.000...................0.000 ..................30,795,353 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .......................................................................................1,787 ...................170........................2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OIL PRODUCTION

END CALL SAVE LIVES

CONTRACTOR HIRED

Russian crude output reaches monthly record

A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

MOSCOW: Russia’s crude output set another post-Soviet record in December, a sign that the nation’s producers are withstanding the slump in oil prices, according to Energy Ministry data.

The country’s crude and gas condensate production increased to 10.825 million barrels a day last month, beating the previous record set in November by 0.4 per cent, calculations based on the data show. Output for the year increased 1.4 per cent compared to 2014, exceeding 534 million metric tons, or almost 10.726 million barrels a day, according to the preliminary information e-mailed from Energy Ministry’s CDU-TEK unit.

RESTORATION WORK: Emaar Properties official said the company had hired Dubai-based DUTCO Group as contractor to clear and restore the Address Downtown hotel. – Reuters

- Bloomberg News

Dubai’s Emaar set to restore fire-ravaged hotel on war footing DUBAI: Dubai’s Emaar Properties has hired a local contractor to restore a fire-damaged hotel.

The hotel also said the New Year blaze would have ‘no material impact’ on the company because the building and risk of fire are covered by its insurance.

Fire engulfed Emaar’s 63-storey Address Downtown luxury hotel and residential tower on New Year’s Eve. The fire has been contained and the company and authorities are investigating its cause, Emaar added in a morning statement to Dubai’s bourse.

Experts are asking if cladding layers fixed to the outside of buildings for decoration, insulation or protection may in some cases make them more vulnerable to fire.

In a further emailed statement, Emaar said it had hired Dubaibased DUTCO Group as contractor to clear and restore the hotel.

DUTCO representatives are already on-site and working “roundthe-clock”, the statement said.

“As soon as clearing and assessment work is completed, construction will commence as per a tightly scheduled calendar,” Emaar said.

“The details of the work including the timelines and plans will be revealed in due course.”

Revenue Emaar’s hospitality division accounted for 12 per cent of the firm’s revenue in the nine months to September30, 2015, its financial statements show. The Address Downtown’s nine-month room revenue was Dh87.6 million ($23.85 million), or 18 per cent of the hospitality unit’s total room revenue of Dh490 million.

Emaar’s shares ended 1.6 per cent lower, having fallen as much as 4.4 per cent in early trade. - Reuters

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

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

B3

MARKET C O M M E N TA RY

Energy demand will continue to grow in GCC countries

ANDREAS KYRILIS

E

nergy demand will continue to grow among Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Going forward, the question of how to make optimal use of energy resources is set to become a burning topic — especially

as standards of living become higher, energy demand increases and new supply sources come on stream.

In the Middle East and North African (Mena) region, in particular, the collective annual primary energy consumption — across countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and Qatar — has surged from 310 million tonnes oil equivalent (MTOE) to 395 MTOE in the past five years.

This figure – which represents a 4.5 per cent increase year-onyear – is the result of the rising energy demand of fast-growing populations and the push towards diversification through the development of a strong local industrial base driven by the petrochemicals sector.

Available resources are not

going to be adequately meeting demand domestically in a few years. In addition, there has been a parallel rise in rates of domestic energy consumption and population growth in the GCC, the latter which increased by 4.1 per cent annually from 2000 to 2014. This, of course, makes effectively managing energy – across the region – a pressing concern. Countries should adopt a strategic, holistic approach towards optimising all aspects of the energy sector.

In line with the above, an integrated energy strategy is an imperative necessity for countries looking to extract more value from their resources. As part of the strategy, overarching key principles should be followed.

These include establishing deep

integration between resource utilisation and economic objectives at a national level; shifting some of the focus away from the monetary benefits of hydrocarbon exports; and, building a more diversified economy through investments across the energy value chain.

Nuclear technology More importantly, all important aspects of energy should be observed in a coherent and coordinated manner rather than through individual initiatives – decisions that affect the everyday habits of the public regarding electricity and transportation fuel prices for private and industrial use, installation of energy efficient technologies, building code regulation should

be taken in tandem with the plan for deployment renewable and nuclear technologies and central oil and gas production. This will ensure that all decisions are purposeful and not apply strain on living conditions if other more effective ways of saving energy exist.

To make this happen it is important that all energy-related regulation and policymaking is taking place with strong coordination among the existing policymakers, who in the case of energy can comprise a very broad network representing producers and consumers of energy: industry, commerce, transportation, economic development, and urban development are a few of the sectors that can have a strong influence in national

China’s renewable energy investment to touch $2.2tr China will account for nearly 40% of the world’s renewable energy capacity growth until 2020, says International Energy Authority

MUSCAT: Al Madina Insurance Company operating as the Wakeel of the policyholders’ fund proposed to charge wakala fee on the net revenue of the company.

The aggregate wakala fee for the year 2016 will be 20 per cent of the gross written contribution for all contributors’ in general takaful funds and family takaful funds, said a stock market filing. Al Madina Insurance operating as the mudarib of the policyholders’ fund will charge a mudarib fee of 60 per cent of the net profits generated from the investment of the policyholders’ fund.

OIL EXPORTS

collaborate on renewable energy innovation.

Business opportunity The United Arab Emirates and China are set to be key renewable energy players, with the two countries recently signing a partnership on sustainable development and renewable energy.

in the entire region allowing them easy access to Ericsson’s latest innovation with timely delivery and high quality.

Rafiah Ibrahim, president of Ericsson, Middle East and Africa region, said, “At Ericsson, we are committed to the development of the technology sector in the Middle East and Africa, and we want to champion this region as leaders in the market. We are spurring an increasing networked society in the Middle East as we expand our services and solutions to support the evolving requirements of our customers.”

Regional hub Ericsson Supply Centre is a customer specific solution and it is implemented to further improve assembly of hardware and software based on customer needs. The regional hub will support countries in the Middle East and Africa, and

UTILITY

Abu Dhabi raises water tariff for non-nationals DUBAI: Abu Dhabi Distribution Company raised the cost for water use by customers who are not citizens of United Arab Emirates by 6.6 per cent starting from January 1, according to a tariff list on the utility’s website.

Residents of the Gulf emirate who aren’t citizens will pay Dh10.55 ($2.87) for each cubic metre of water used beyond the level of 5 cubic meters a day, according

‘Wakala’ fee to be charged by Al Madina Insurance

PARTNERSHIP: The UAE and China are set to be key renewable energy players, with the two countries recently signing a partnership on sustainable development and renewable energy. – Supplied picture

“Our largest-ever Chinese contingent represents new business opportunities for both Chinese renewable energy experts in the fast-paced Middle East and North Africa market, and for international investors in China’s strong renewable energy sector,” said Naji El Haddad, group event director, World Future Energy Summit.

According to him, more than 30 Chinese energy exhibiting companies, especially solar power manufacturers — set to include BYD, JA Solar, Jinko Solar, Suntech, Trina Solar and Yingli Solar — will showcase their latest technologies and innovations to an expected 30,000 participants.

Hosted by Masdar, WFES 2016

will be held in Abu Dhabi from January 18 to 21, co-located with International Water Summit.

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

Ericsson opens distribution centre in Dubai MUSCAT: Ericsson has officially inaugurated its Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region’s first telecom equipment hardware and software distribution centre in Dubai South.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the patronage and in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, Dubai Aviation City, and Khalifa Al Zaffin, executive chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation.

‘Ericsson Supply Centre’ for the Middle East region is the first distribution centre globally that will have hardware assembly and software load implemented at the same location.

The globally connected supply centre will bring Ericsson’s global innovation closer to its customers

BRIEFS

MUSCAT: Salalah Mills Company said its board has decided to recommend a cash dividend of 65 per cent of the paid-up capital for the financial year ended December, 2015 (65 baisa per share). - Times News Service

H A R D WA R E & S O F T WA R E

Times News Service

The writer is the principal at the Boston Consulting Group. Views expressed in the article may not represent that of Times of Oman

Salalah Mills to pay cash dividend

Times News Service MUSCAT: Renewable energy investment in China could reach $145 billion per year to 2030, or $2.2 trillion in total, says a recent report by the International Renewable Energy Association.

As one of the world’s largest energy consumers, China will account for nearly 40 per cent of the world’s renewable energy capacity growth until 2020, according to the International Energy Authority.

The World Future Energy Summit has announced that it will host its largest-ever Chinese business delegation, following the United Arab Emirates and China’s recent landmark agreement to

energy policymaking.

Due to the complex nature of the relationships though it is crucial that all stakeholders are aligned around certain key goals at national level (typically economic development/diversification, security of supply, resource sustainability and cost competitiveness). Transparency and clarity around common goals will ensure that there is clear understanding of the purpose behind sometimes difficult changes in the existing regulation (for example, retail fuel prices) and support driving change at national level.

to the tariff list. The price for water use at that level last year was Dh9. dirhams per cubic metre.

The cost for use of water up to 5 cubic metres a day remains unchanged at Dh5.95 cubic metre for non-UAE nationals. Prices for water and power use by nationals remain unchanged.

Middle Eastern states are trimming government spending and subsidies. - Bloomberg News

the setup is based on postponing the hardware assembly to a later stage in the supply chain.

Higher returns The centre concept offers mobile operators higher return on investment (ROI). This is achieved through shorter network rollout time and improved end-customer satisfaction. The center concept strives to achieve flexibility in time, volume and configuration.

The flexibility allows the mobile operator to make decisions at a later stage and thereby adapt to a changing end-customer demand.

The inauguration event was held on December 7 at the Ericsson Supply Centre in the Logistics District in Dubai South, Dubai and was attended by senior government officials from UAE authorities as well as top executives from Ericsson and its partners in the region.

GLOBAL CONNECTION: Ericsson Supply Centre is a customer specific solution and is implemented to further improve assembly of hardware and software based on customer needs. – Supplied picture

Post-sanction crude supplies not to affect prices, says Iran TEHRAN: Iran’s proposed increase in oil production would enter the market gradually after sanctions end and won’t pressure prices, the Iranian Oil Ministry’s Shana news agency has said.

Iran has the potential to boost its oil production by 500,000 barrels a day within a week of sanctions being lifted, and by 1 million barrels shortly after, Shana said, citing Seyyid Mohsen Ghamsari, the head of international affairs at National Iranian Oil Company How much of it enters the market will depend on market conditions, Ghamsari said.

Brent crude slid 34 per cent over the past year as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) increased its output in the face of already rising global stockpiles.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest crude exporter, has led the group in fighting for market share against higher-cost producers such as shale drillers in the US. Opec set aside its output target of 30 million barrels a day at its meeting in Vienna last month. Iran “will try to enter the market in a way to make sure the boosted production will not cause a further drop in prices,” Ghamsari said. -Bloomberg News

B4

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

FEATURE

SAHARA SHREDS DREAMS OF INDIAN INVESTORS

I

n 2004, Khitish Kumar Pandey took Rs10,000 ($150) out of his pension and put it into a savings plan run by India’s embattled Sahara conglomerate. The Sahara agent told him his money would triple in 10 years.

Sahara India Pariwar (family) had become one of India’s most successful companies over the past three decades with this kind of financial alchemy, turning tiny deposits into dreams for small farmers, rickshaw pullers and food vendors with little financial knowledge.

Pandey, a 78-year old resident of the east Indian city of Patna, said the Sahara agent promised him his money would grow to roughly Rs30,000 when the time deposit matured in October last year. His investment documents contained a sample illustration showing how a Rs10,000 deposit would increase to Rs25,940 over 10 years, or about 10 per cent a year.

But when Pandey went to the Sahara ranch to redeem his deposit, the office told him he could have Rs15,000 immediately — if he agreed to transfer the remaining Rs15,000 he was owed to Humara India Credit Cooperative Society, Pandey said.

He has so far not accepted that offer.

Humara is a new Sahara fund-raising vehicle with operational ties to the conglomerate, according to investor documents and interviews with Sahara agents in different parts of India.

“The agent sold me a dream then, and

now he has vanished,” said Pandey, who said he has gone to the Sahara branch office in Patna, the state capital of Bihar, four times over the past few months.

“Every time they always send me back with one assurance or another,” said Pandey. “We are completely helpless. We don’t know who to approach and how to get my money back.”

Sahara and its founder Subrata Roy have been under scrutiny for years over its financial products, including for possible money laundering. Over the past four decades, Roy has built an empire from his small deposit schemes that includes overseas hotels such as New York’s Plaza and London’s Grosvenor House, television stations, a sprawling community resort outside Mumbai, and a stake in a Formula One racing team.

Over the years, Roy has had his picture taken with the likes of Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, David Cameron and the Dalai Lama. But he has spent the last 21 months in New Delhi’s Tihar Jail for not complying with a Supreme Court order to return Rs360 billion ($5.4 billion) to investors who put money in a 2008-11 Sahara time deposit plan.

Pushing for transfers The Supreme Court said the 2008-11 plan violated market disclosure regulations on raising capital, including failure to file a prospectus — a legal document that provides details about a financial product for

The agent sold me a dream then, and now he has vanished. Every time they send me back with one assurance or another. We are completely helpless Pandey A 78-year old resident of the east Indian city of Patna

Subrata Roy Founder and chairman, Sahara India

investors — with the markets regulator.

Selling time deposit plans through loosely regulated credit cooperatives is not illegal in India.

Like Sahara’s now banned 2008-11 scheme, the new deposit plans are sold through the group’s vast network of agents across the country. They collect deposits from investors for a fixed period of time and then promise to return the money at interest rates higher than what banks offer.

In addition to hunting for new customers, Sahara agents and branch officials are also trying to get Pandey and other investors in older Sahara savings plans to switch into the new credit cooperative savings schemes.

Sajan Poovayya, who has litigated corporate and commercial cases before India’s Supreme Court and is a founder of Bangalore-based law firm Poovayya & Company, says Sahara could be violating the law if it is forcing investors to convert their maturing deposits into a credit cooperative plan.

No maturity date Most of the nearly two dozen investors in the old Sahara plans stopped short of accusing the conglomerate of forcing them to convert their plans. But they said Sahara officials refused to allow them to redeem their matured deposits until they agreed to do so.

Most of the savings certificates that

investors showed make no mention of either the maturity date or the interest to be paid on maturity.

Such omissions violate Indian laws requiring companies that run savings deposit plans to clearly mention all the terms, said Ramanand Mundkur, managing partner of Mundkur Law Partners.

A few certificates reviewed did state that investors could expect an interest rate of 10-15 per cent for a one-year deposit. That compares to 7-8.5 per cent offered by commercial banks.

Vimal Kumar Sinha, the head of Sahara’s Patna operations, said some recent Sahara payments to customers were delayed because of the difficulties the company faced as a result of the Supreme Court case.

He declined to comment on individual cases, such as Pandey’s. But, he said, some Sahara agents were probably coaxing investors to convert their savings into another financial plan without the company’s knowledge.

A visit paid to a Sahara branch in India’s second-largest city of Kolkata showed the Kolkata branch has a Humara India sign at the entrance, flanked by banners of Sahara-branded investment products, such as Sahara Life Insurance and Sahara Mutual Fund.

When asked for more information about Humara India, the receptionist directed to Sahara’s head office in Kolkata, the state capital of West Bengal. - Reuters

B

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M ON DAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

SECTION

SLOW DOWN ENJOY THE RIDE

E-

IMES

for improving decision-making — from the local farmer to world-spanning development organisations. But gathering data is not enough.

Information must be managed and evaluated

KEITH D. SHEPHERD

R

apid advances in technology have dramatically lowered the cost of gathering data. Sensors in space, the sky, the lab, and the field, along with newfound opportunities for crowd sourcing and widespread adoption of the Internet and mobile telephones, are making large amounts of information available to those for whom it was previously out of reach.

A small-scale farmer in rural Africa, for example, can now access weather forecasts and market prices at the tap of a screen.

This data revolution offers enormous potential for improving decision-making at every level – from the local farmer to world-spanning development organisations. But gathering data is not enough. The information must also be managed and evaluated – and doing this properly can be far more complicated and expensive than the effort to collect it. If the decisions to be improved are not first properly identified and analysed, there is a high risk that much of the collection effort could be wasted or misdirected.

This conclusion is itself based on empirical analysis. The evidence is weak, for example, that monitoring initiatives in agriculture or environmental management have had a positive impact. Quantitative

analysis of decisions across many domains, including environmental policy, business investments, and cyber security, has shown that people tend to overestimate the amount of data needed to make a good decision or misunderstand what type of data are needed.

Furthermore, grave errors can occur when large data sets are mined using machine algorithms without having first having properly examined the decision that needs to be made. There are many examples of cases in which data mining has led to the wrong conclusion – including in medical diagnosis or legal cases – because experts in the field were not consulted and critical information was left out of the analysis.

Empirical data Decision science, which combines understanding of behaviour with universal principles of coherent decision-making, limits these risks by pairing empirical data with expert knowledge.

If the data revolution is to be harnessed in the service of sustainable development, the best practices of this field must be incorporated into the effort.

The first step is to identify and frame frequently recurring decisions.

In the field of development, these include large-scale decisions such as spending priorities – and thus budget allocations – by governments and in-

Apple has paid $348 million to settle an Italian tax claim. The company paid the full amount the country’s tax authorities had sought after ruling that Apple booked €880 million in profits to an Irish subsidiary from 2008 to 2013 to take advantage of Ireland’s more favourable corporate tax rates. — Bloomberg News

TECH STUFF

Data revolution vital for decision-making

Data revolution offers enormous potential

APPLE PAYS $348M TAX TO ITALY

A small-scale farmer in rural Africa, for example, can now access weather forecasts and market prices at the tap of a screen. If the data revolution is to be harnessed in the service of sustainable development, the best practices of this field must be incorporated into the effort

ternational organisations. But it also includes choices made on a much smaller scale: farmers pondering which crops to plant, how much fertiliser to apply, and when and where to sell their produce.

The second step is to build a quantitative model of the uncertainties in such decisions, including the various triggers, consequences, controls, and mitigants, as well as the different costs, benefits, and risks involved. Incorporating – rather than ignoring – difficult-to-measure, highly uncertain factors leads to the best decisions.

When put in the service of sustainable development, such a model will often involve projecting the impact of interventions on livelihoods and the environment over several dec-

ades. This process is most successful when stakeholders as well as experts are recruited to identify the relevant variables and their relationships.

These participants must be trained to provide quantitative estimates of their uncertainty for the different variables. For example, experts might estimate with 90 per cent confidence, based on available data and their own experience, that farmers’ average maize yields in a given region are 0.52 tonnes per hectare.

Value of information The third step is to compute the value of obtaining additional information – something that is possible only if the uncertainties in all of the variables have been quantified. The value of information is the amount a rational decision-maker would be willing to pay for it.

So we need to know where additional data will have value for improving a decision and how much we should spend to get it. In some cases, no further information may be needed to make a sound decision; in others, acquiring further data could be worth millions of dollars.

This process is repeated until there is no further value in acquiring data and a sound decision – a logical conclusion, based on the information, values, and preferences of the decision-makers or decisionmaking body – is reached.

It provides decision-makers and stakeholders insights into how to improve policies to maximise positive outcomes and reduce risks, such as the possibility of low rates of adoption or limited institutional capacity for effective implementation.

It is not enough simply to assume that the data revolution will benefit sustainable development. Ensuring that it does will require recognising the importance of rigorous analysis in every data-collection effort and the formation of a new generation of decision scientists to work alongside policymakers. – Project Syndicate

T E C H U P D AT E S

Galaxy A offers unmatched style and performance Samsung has announced the launch of the latest Galaxy A smartphones that combine premium design and enhanced camera features. The 2016 Galaxy A Series incorporates Samsung’s latest in innovative design and technology, giving consumers the ability to express their individuality, said a press release.

The Galaxy A is backed by powerful performance and available in threescreen sizes: the 5.5-inch A7, the 5.2-inch A5 and 4.7-inch A3. “At Samsung, we are committed to continued innovation, responding to the unique needs of consumers in the GCC,” said Tarek Al Sabbagh, head of imaging and mobility at Samsung Gulf Electronics. “With the introduction of the latest generation of the Galaxy A, we were inspired by consumer feedback on our original Galaxy A models and made thoughtful and impactful improvements offering consumers a seamless convergence of style and performance for their everyday lifestyles.”The Galaxy A continues the latest Samsung Galaxy design heritage, combining metal and glass to create a beautifully harmonious premium design. The new Galaxy A provides a superior viewing experience with a large screen and thin 2.7mm bezel.

The Galaxy A also comes equipped with an enhanced camera system for both brighter and clearer photos and videos, with Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) preventing image blurring, as well as a 5MP front and 13MP rear F1.9 lens to allow users to take the optimum photos in dark conditions. With Samsung’s Quick Launch feature, double clicking the home button launches the camera in less than a second. Consumers can also take their best selfies yet with unique features including wide selfie, palm selfie and beautifying effects. The introduction of the Galaxy A means that consumers looking for both style and functionality now have three new options in different sizes, with diverse features, which will cater to their varied needs and provide the optimal smartphone experience for their lifestyle. The Galaxy A7, A5 and A3 will first be available in black, gold, pink gold and white colour schemes, allowing for self-expression from the second the device is picked up. The Galaxy A7, A5 and A3 are now available in global markets, and will be available at all major retailers in the UAE in the first week of January 2016. - Times News Service

Seiko creates Astron GPS Solar Dual Time for Novak Djokovic Seiko has come up with a winning solution for the world’s best tennis player. The Astron GPS Solar Dual Time, created especially for the Serbian genius of the court, makes travel across the continents a breeze for the globe-trotting tennis ace, said a press release.

This watch is available in a limited edition at select Seiko outlets worldwide. Over the last year, Novak Djokovic has played in 20 tournaments in 20 cities in 12 countries. Without his Astron GPS Solar Dual Time, which we created especially for him last year, he would have had to adjust his watch manually more than 60 times. With his Astron, however, all he needs to do is to touch a button and see his watch adjust to the local time automatically. His schedule over the coming year looks just as challenging, so when Novak saw the new Astron Dual-Time series, it was a natural choice. It shares all the core advantages of his current Astron, but with a new caliber and a simpler dial design. The new Astron GPS Solar Novak Djokovic limited edition was born. Using just the power of light, every Astron GPS solar watch connects to the GPS network and automatically adjusts, at the touch of a button, to every time zone on earth, showing the time with a precision of one second every 100,000 years. Now, with the new dual-time calibre, one can read not only the time where you are, but also the time in home time zone on a simple 12 hour sub-dial with a separate AM/PM indicator. In addition, the day of the week is displayed in a retrograde display at the 2 o’clock position, with the date at the 4 o’clock position. The date is correct every day until February 28, 2100. Thanks to the electronic setting function in the crown, the watch is simple to operate and a joy to wear. Global travel is stressful. Travel with Astron is a bit less so. With a brown dial and crocodile leather strap, the rose-gold colour highlights and the black ceramic bezel, the new Novak Djokovic limited edition combines sport and elegance in a way that makes the watch perfect for every aspect of Novak’s busy life. Each watch has its own individual serial number and carries Novak’s signature on the case back. - Times News Service

B6

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

ROUND-UP BankDhofar launches new savings scheme

S A F E H O T E L S P R E M I U M C E R T I F I C AT E

Prize draws will be conducted across

The new Savings Scheme 2016 is part of our concentrated efforts to enrich our customer experience and to reward those who save. We strive to provide the best services and products in the market as our banking solutions are customised to suit our customers’ needs and requirements. The new customer rewards programme this year follows the tremendous success of the Savings Scheme 2015 where we saw an improved awareness and emphasis on the culture of saving

BankDhofar branches in all governorates throughout the year MUSCAT: Following the resounding success of its 2015 Savings Scheme, BankDhofar unveiled the new edition of the customer rewards campaign for the year 2016, increasing the number of winners and offering more valuable cash prizes in the weekly and monthly draws, says a press release.

Abdul Hakeem Omar Al Ojaili, Acting CEO of BankDhofar, said: “The new Savings Scheme 2016 is part of our concentrated efforts to enrich our customer experience and to reward those who save. We strive to provide the best services and products in the market as our banking solutions are customised to suit our customers’ needs and requirements. The new customer rewards programme this year follows the tremendous success of the Savings Scheme 2015 where we saw an improved awareness and emphasis on the culture of saving. We did not only increase the number and the value of cash prizes but also added customised winner categories and allocated prizes to cover all governorates and all branches in the Sultanate, ensuring more customers were included in the scheme.”

As per the new scheme, BankDhofar customers who save a minimum of OMR100 in their accounts are eligible to enter the weekly and monthly draws where five lucky winners will win cash prizes worth OMR5,000 (OMR1,000 for each winner) and five more lucky winners will win cash prizes worth OMR10,000 (OMR2,000 for each winner) in the weekly draw. In the monthly draw, one lucky winner will win a cash prize of OMR10,000 while one lucky Al Riadah cus-

Abdul Hakeem Omar Al Ojaili Acting CEO of BankDhofar

tomer will win a OMR25,000 cash prize. Prize draws will be conducted across BankDhofar branches in all governorates throughout the year. Every week the draw will be conducted in one of the governorates and will exclusively include customers from that governorate, allowing more customers the chance to win.

Faisal Hamed Al Wahaibi, Chief Retail Banking Officer at BankDhofar, elaborated on the scheme saying: “For the 2016 Savings Scheme, we have increased the number of winners to 524 throughout the year. The total value of cash prizes has also been increased and we have introduced a new customised prize for Al Riadah customers.”

Khalid Al Amri - head of Retail Products, Business & Segments Department at BankDhofar – also added: “BankDhofar has been investing millions of Omani rials to enrich the lives of customers and promote a culture of saving among

all members of society. Already over 17 million Omani rials worth of cash prizes have been given away to the bank’s customers since the Savings Scheme launched.”

To further enhance their customers’ banking experience, the bank has an extensive network of branches across the Sultanate, in addition to ATM and CDM facilities located in all parts of Oman.

Today BankDhofar is considered one of the leading banks in the region, successfully catering for customers’ needs and requirements, and setting the standard for best customer experience within the Sultanate’s banking industry through creative solutions and innovation.

In recognition of its commitment to customers BankDhofar has received 18 prestigious awards from local and international institutions including: ‘SME Bank of the Year – Oman’ and ‘Website of the Year – Oman” in the ABF Retail Banking Awards 2015, ‘Oman

Domestic Project Finance Bank of the Year’ and ‘Oman Domestic Cash Management Bank of the Year’ in the ABF Wholesale Banking Awards 2015, ‘Islamic Bank of the Year – Oman 2015’ by The Banker, ‘Best Branch Automation Project in Middle East 2015’ by The Asian Banker, ‘Best Islamic Window – Maisarah’ and ‘Best Mobile Banking’ by International Finance Magazine (IFM), ‘Best SME Bank Oman 2015’ and ‘Best Mobile E-Commerce Bank 2015’

by Global Banking & Finance Review, ‘STP Award 2014 for financial payments in Euro’ by German Commerzbank, ‘STP Award 2014 for financial payments in US Dollar” by Citibank, ‘Customer Delight Award’ and ‘Best Business Leader Award’ by MENAA Awards 2015, ‘Best Banking Strategy 2015’ and ‘Best Website 2015’

by The Banker Middle East, and ‘Oman’s Top 20 Largest Corporates Award’ at the OER Finance Summit & Top 20 Awards.

Park Inn Muscat awarded coveted global certification MUSCAT: Park Inn Muscat announced it was awarded the first Safehotels Premium Certificate

by Safehotels Alliance AB in Oman, says a press release.

Safehotels Alliance AB is a Swedish company founded in February 2001 with a home base in Gothenburg. It is the originator of The Global Hotel Security Standard and provides independently verified security and safety certification for hotels and meeting venues with regards to hotel facilities and safety services process, procedures, training and management, security equipment, fire equipment fire procedures and training risk prevention and crisis and recovery management.

“This is another milestone for Park Inn Muscat adding this achievement to our existing Green Key and HACCP certifications. I’m proud of my team for working hard to attain such accomplishments. The safety and security of our guests and employees is our top priority, ” says Rabih Zein, cluster general manager for Park Inn Muscat and Park Inn Duqm.

Safehotels has evaluated the hotel’s existing self-assessment internal hotel security programme through monitoring, reviewing and reporting on the selfassessment hotel database and submittals. The hotel go through a number of criteria including security equipment, staff awareness and training, fire security and first aid.

In December 2014, the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group signed

an agreement with Safehotels, a globally recognised security consultancy. The agreement made Carlson Rezidor the first major international hotel group using the acclaimed independent certification programme to benefit guests, employees and owners.

To ensure all criteria are met, Carlson Rezidor has worked closely with Safehotels to align the brand expectations and selfassessment programme with the Safehotels standard. “By reaching the level of Safehotels certification, it shows the hotel focuses on key elements of guest security relating to personal property and has the right response if ever there’s an accident or any kind of emergency. The certificate shows the hotel is sincere in its guest’s personal well-being. Being audited and certified yearly by a third party strengthen the value of that communication immensely. The Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group has taken the already high level of internal precautions one step further by signing with Safehotels for a global certification of its hotels,” said, Hans Kanold, CEO of Safehotels Alliance AB. The announcement builds on the existing safety and security measures implemented by Carlson Rezidor across all their hotels. The hotel group continues to maintain exceptional standards in its properties, with 24/7 monitoring via a global security operations centre and access to self assessment programme, learning tools and templates for incident response and crisis management.

C O R P O R AT E S T R AT E G Y

Al Hashar holds product training workshop on Ariston MUSCAT: Al Hashar Electronics, the Sultanate’s leading distributor of household appliances, electronics and storage solutions, recently organised a product training workshop on the Italian super brand Ariston. The workshop was attended by Al Hashar Electronics’ in-house retail sales and aftersales teams.

Rajesh Balachandran (key account manager at Whirlpool MEEA DMCC) and Massimo Maggioni (training manager at Whirlpool MEA International) handled the training, says a press release.

“Global brand Ariston is now part of the trusted Whirlpool family. Whirlpool considers product training to be crucial to ensuring best customer support. The training workshop provided the sales and after-sales team at Al Hashar Electronics with smart and ex-

haustive knowledge about the world-class technology used in the Ariston range of products, along with their key features and comparative advantages. A sales team that is well trained in the technology and features of the product they are dealing can enhance the customer experience manifold. Such a sales team can easily suggest prod-

ucts that best fit the specific needs of individual customers,” Rajesh Balachandran said.

According to Rajeev Sharma, general manager of Al Hashar Electronics, “Product training workshops are a regular feature at Al Hashar. In fact, sales training is an important aspect of our marketing plan and a corner stone of

NOBLE CAUSE

pants. In this case, the workshop sought to equip the sales team with relevant product knowhow so that they deliver the right information and product specification to the end users.”

Al Hashar Electronics deals in a wide range of Ariston products including cooking ranges, automatic washing machines (front

LIMITED TIME

Oman Hotels donates to charitable organisations MUSCAT: As a part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives, Oman Hotels and Tourism Company donated OMR9,000 to Oman Cancer Association, Omani Association for Elderly Friends and Al Hayat Association recently.

“We are deeply involved in the social and economic welfare of the nation and its people. As a responsible corporate citizen and a member concerned of the community, the group is proud of the role it has played in assisting many a worthy causes. This year we have selected three organisations namely Oman Cancer Association, Omani Association for Elderly Friends and Al Hayat Association to donate OMR9,000,” said deputy chairman, Awad Faraj Bamkalif.

our corporate strategy. We have a system by which every time a new product or model of our associate brands reaches the market, our employees are provided essential product training.

“The training workshops are evaluated against a KPI framework that measures the level of knowledge absorbed by partici-

and top-loading), freezers, built-in and free-standing kitchen units, and laundry models. Ariston has gained considerable market share in Oman thanks to its eco-friendly technology and a wider selection of models to choose from. Al Hashar Electronics vast distribution network and effective aftersales support offered by qualified technicians across the Sultanate is another factor that contributed to the brand’s growth.

Whirlpool Corp. is a major global appliance manufacturer, with an annual turnover of $20 billion, over 100,000 employees and 70 manufacturing and technology research centres throughout the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Kitchen Aid, Consul, Maytag, Brastemp, Amana, Bauknecht, Jenn-Air, Indesit, Ariston and other major brand names in more than 170 countries.

SOCIAL CAUSE: The officials of Oman Hotels and Tourism Company

hand over the donation cheque to three charitable associations in Oman. - Jun Estrada/ TIMES OF OMAN

On the charity front, Oman Hotels has promoted the cause with diverse humanitarian organisations, individuals and are constant-

ly looking for new ways to give back to the society. Oman Hotels and Tourism Company owns and operate five hotels in the Sultanate.

McDonald’s introduces new variants of its iconic Big Mac MUSCAT: McDonald’s Oman (Al Daud Restaurants ) introduced two new variants of its iconic Big Mac, the Mini Mac and the Grand Mac. As the Big Mac is one of the country’s favourite burgers, the new offerings are sure to excite diners and will be available in all restaurants which started yesterday for a limited time period only, says a press release.

In celebration of original Big Mac, with its succulent two Halal beef patties, crunchy lettuce, onions, soft buns and the coveted Big Mac Sauce, the new Mini Mac is the ‘mini-me’ or small brother of the original and retains all the delicious flavours, while the Grand Mac is the big brother offering a bigger take on the Big Mac for those with bigger hungers.

Ali K. Daud, Development Licensee and president of McDonald’s Oman, commented: “As one of the first double decker burgers ever to be launched by a quick service restaurant, the Big Mac has remained an icon and a signature offering of McDonald’s throughout the decades.”

He added: “Known for its high quality ingredients and distinc-

tive secret sauce which has made this burger what it is today, we’ve now added Mini Mac and Grand Mac in celebration of this classic offering.”

In addition to the launch of the Big Mac Family, customers can also enjoy the return of the delicious chicken strips which will be offered for a limited time only from January 3.

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

B7

ROUND-UP

Toyota Hilux comes with benefits The eighth generation 2016 Hilux is not only a tough vehicle, but an advanced pick-up with stylish cues hitherto found only in SUVs

MUSCAT: The Hilux is one of Toyota’s iconic products sold in over 180 countries. The new Hilux invites everyone to ‘Feel the Toughness and Feel the Comfort’ of the current eighth generation model (both 4x2 & 4x4) — the first full model change in 10 years.

“The Hilux’s performance and safety are greatly upgraded, with a new frame and suspension and other features that are completely new. And it’s tougher than ever…” says an enthusiast.

In the Middle East, the Hilux has led the field for a long time.

Now, the Hilux is available (until

January 21) with service package of three years/30,000km (whichever is earlier, covering three services at 10,000km service interval for petrol models based on normal operating conditions and six services at 5000km intervals for diesel models on 2015 YM/2015 production and 2016 YM/2015 production models. Benefit applicable for all purchases except those made by government organisations and ministries. Please visit nearest Toyota showroom for further details.)

So what makes the Hilux unique?

According to Matt Campbell in CarAdvice, “The 2016 Toyota Hilux could be the most important vehicle the Japanese brand has launched this decade. The Toyota Hilux has long had a reputation for being one of the toughest brutes on the market, and with this, the eighth-generation model, the brand says it has made the unbreakable Hilux even more unbreakable. Toyota has spent six years and covered many kilometres in developing the all-new Hilux, and taken a step up.”

The Assistant Chief Engineer of Toyota Hilux points out the qualities that set the Hilux apart, “Until now, a vehicle’s value was

determined by how ‘tough’ it was.

However, in developing Hilux, we wanted to fundamentally rethink what ‘tough’ means. To realise the development concept, we performed many field tests on various roads, conditions, environments of all over the world.

“The all new Hilux is all about “Redefining Toughness”.”

The eighth generation 2016 Hilux is therefore not only a tough vehicle, but an advanced pick-up with stylish cues hitherto found only on SUVs. The front of the new

Hilux gives a sense that the vehicle is wider than it is.

This is achieved by the horizontal bars that make up the grille and sleek headlamps that wrap around the front of the fenders.

The new Hilux sports a thick, chunky front steel bumper sculpted like a SUV vehicle, front fog lamps, new design alloy wheels and wheel caps, new design rear lamp with chrome garnish apart from new side stripes, which adorn the vehicle.

The vehicle’s interior contin-

RECRUIT QUOTES Life can be pulled by goals just as surely as it can be pushed by drives.

— Viktor Frankl My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.

— Indira Gandhi Happiness is the real sense of fulfilment that comes from hard work.

— Joseph Barbara No great achiever — even those who made it seem easy — ever succeeded without hard work.

— Jonathan Sacks

SEND US YOUR VIEWS AND COMMENTS editor@timesofoman.com webeditor@timesofoman.com

ues the concept of “Tough and Emotional”, and reflects the same attention to detail as the exterior with SUV vehicle styling, accents and ornamentations. The key all new features that keep you comfortable are the auto A/C, steering wheel with audio switches and advanced controls, newly introduced multi-information display (MID), 7” display audio with DVD and many more.

Equal importance has been provided to the technical superiority and safety features of the

new Hilux. The noteworthy features are 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options, newly developed 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine with 148 HP. The all-new Hilux comes equipped with a number of active and passive safety features like Anti-lock Brake System(ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, SRS airbags for the driver and front passenger and knee airbags for the driver.

All specifications listed above are standard Toyota equipment.

Safety kit (fire extinguisher, warning triangle, tyre pressure gauge and first aid kit) is a dealer installed non-Toyota item provided on applicable Toyota model grades as standard equipment. Vehicle specifications may change without prior notice.

Pictures and colours shown may differ from actual specifications of the vehicles. For further details and to ascertain availability of stocks, please visit your nearest Toyota showroom.

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.

B8

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

ROUND-UP

Love us on Facebook

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Bank Muscat najahi creates a benchmark among Omani youth Facilitating financial inclusion, the najahi products and services are today making a vital difference to the performance of micro and small businesses in the Sultanate

MUSCAT: Giving a major thrust for micro and small businesses to play an important role in diversifying the Sultanate’s economy and creating job opportunities for Omani youth, Bank Muscat najahi products and services have created a benchmark.

Facilitating financial inclusion, the najahi products and services

are today making a vital difference in the good performance of micro and small businesses in Oman.

Creating a positive impact on the community and the nation, najahi is helping them to overcome hurdles and chart successful ventures with proper planning, financial discipline and prudent management, says a press release.

Early on, Bank Muscat, in line with its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and commitment to partnership in promoting sustainable development, was quick to identify the opportunities and challenges faced by this vital segment to develop a suite of products and services aimed at helping them perform well.

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 business needs; najahi Business Credit Card; najahi Contractors Loan to help complete contracted jobs; and najahi Contractors Bill Discounting to get immediate funds after completing contracted jobs.

The value added najahi Current Account offers differentiated services, including Business Debit Card, branded cheque book, priority queuing at branches, free access to Maktabi Business Centres

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 account allowing authorised persons to make transactions on behalf of the company.

Priority queuing facility is available for najahi customers at branches as also free access once a month to Maktabi Business Centres in Muscat. najahi customers are required to maintain a minimum ac-

A N N UA L I N I T I AT I V E

count balance of OMR500 to avail the current account facility.

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 the customer the power to choose when to avail the loan and for what period. Customers pay interest only when they actually 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 working 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.

The first-of-its-kind najahi suite of products and services launched

by Bank Muscat as part of its commitment to encourage entrepreneurial initiatives, has become a big hit with micro and small businesses, encouraging Omani youth to embark on entrepreneurial pursuits and thereby make vital contributions to the economy.

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.

D A I LY W I N N E R S

Joyalukkas opens outlet at Global Village ahlibank announces MyHassad winners DUBAI: Joyalukkas has opened its jewellery outlet at the destination where the world comes together – Global Village, Dubai.

This is a yearly initiative by Joyalukkas Jewellery to bring jewellery from around the world to visitors from all over the world, says a press release.

The Joyalukkas outlet in Global Village is located within the Indian Pavilion and will offer a unique mix of jewellery to the millions of visitors coming to experience this multi-cultural entertainment and shopping spectacle with exclusive offers of upto 65 per cent discount for diamond & polki jewellery, upto 50 per cent discount for pearl jewellery, zero making charges on selected gold jewellery, 50 per cent discount on making charge for selected gold jewellery and 10 per cent making charge on selected precious jewellery.

“Global Village showcases the

unique cultures, shopping and cuisines of the world and Joyalukas is a destination that offers jewellery from every nook and corner of the world hence we feel we perfectly compliment the theme of this unique destination,” said Joy Alukkas, chairman

and MD, Joyalukkas Group.

The Joyalukkas outlet in Global Village located within the Indian Pavilion was inaugurated by Sreekumar K. S. Nair, MD, Mac Events in the presence of John Paul Alukkas, executive director, Joyalukkas Group, Sonia John Paul, director,

PROMOTION

Joyalukkas Group and other Joyalukkas officials.

“We are a global jeweller and our intent is to capture the heart of every jewellery lover in the world.

At the Joyalukkas, Global Village outlet the millions of residents and tourists visiting can expect a very unique experience in jewellery shopping,” said John Paul Alukkas.

The Joyalukkas Global Village outlet will showcase jewellery from various parts of the world to give jewellery lovers the opportunity to see and buy unique collections of jewellery in gold, diamond, precious stones, pearl and platinum. The designs showcased include special creations from India, Turkey, Italy, Singapore, Bahrain, China, South Africa and other European countries.

With over a million designs to choose from, the Joyalukkas Global Village outlet will ensure visitors are spoilt for choice.

MUSCAT: ahlibank announced the names of the MyHassad daily prize draw winners.

Saud Saif Hamed Al Hadhrami from Seeb branch, Sulaiman Nasser Al Rushaidi from Barka branch, Khalid Mohammed Said Al Ghailani from Avenues Mall branch and Nasser Sulaiman Nasser Al Mawali from Seeb branch, were the lucky winners of OMR 1,000 each for the week, says a press release.

MyHassad savings account continues to successfully satisfy the existing customers and attract new ones.

Product innovation MyHassad Saving Scheme was introduced in July 2008 as an extension of the bank’s tradition of product innovation. Opening My-

Hassad Saving account is simple and easy. Customers need only to open their MyHassad account with OMR100 for their chance to win OMR1,000 in the next working day’s draw hence their chance to “open today and win tomorrow” continues.

Further enhancements in March 2009 allows customers to participate in the OMR10,000 monthly draw, by maintaining a minimum OMR250 during the month.

Effective from June 2010 customers can also transfer their salaries to MyHassad saving account and will be eligible to enter in the daily, monthly draw as per the balance maintained. This highlights the commitment of the bank to its long-term MyHassad account holders.

RECOGNITION

MGM picks ‘Shop & Win’ winners MUSCAT: In continuation of Muscat Grand Mall’s (MGM) celebrations of the Omani National Day, the mall announced the first three winners of their popular ‘Shop & Win’ promotion. Mohamed Al Maamari, Hussain Al Alawi and Ahmed AbdulRahman were declared as winners of Chevrolet Cruze cars, says a press release.

Hassan Jaboub, general manager of Tilal Development Company commented, “Having recently celebrated our great nation’s 45th National Day, it gives us real pleasure to surprise customers with campaigns such as this, as delighting our customers is at the very core of our business. I would like to thank everyone who participated in the promotion and extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mohamed Al Maamari, Hussain Al Alawi and Ahmed AbdulRahman on being the lucky winners of the Chevrolet Cruze cars.”

Under the promotion, between November 1 and December 31, 2015, customers were eligible for the Shop & Win coupon for every OMR20 purchase at any store within Muscat Grand Mall. With every coupon shoppers had the op-

portunity to win a grand prize of four Chevrolet Cruze cars, which will be given away to lucky winners through draws.

Throughout the holiday season, while adults make the most of the shopping specials from outlets across Muscat Grand Mall, the kids can enjoy a movie at the threescreen City Cinemas, 5D Cinema, get a ride on board the ‘Express Train’ that takes them around the mall or even spend time at WOW Kids or Happy Land - one of the largest entertainment parks for children located inside a mall in Muscat, which keep kids entertained for hours with fun rides, an

attractive jungle themed decor and arcade games.

MGM is Oman’s most dynamic shopping destination. It is the fastest growing lifestyle hub in the Sultanate, offering choice and convenience for shoppers and residents, as part of a combined leisure experience. Boasting more than 142 stores, a three-screen cinema, high-end residences and office space, in addition to hosting the largest food court in Oman, Muscat Grand Mall is also home to leading global brands such as Carrefour, Happy Land, City Cinema, Sharaf DG, HomesRUs, PAUL and Chili’s and Patchi among others.

Petrogas receives coveted international certifications MUSCAT: Petrogas E&P, the exploration and production arm of MB Holding Group of Companies recently received two international certifications - the ISO 14001:2004 - Environment Management System and the OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health and Safety Management System.

The company is now internationally recognised for its high level of standards in Environment Management Systems and HSE in alignment to ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 and monitored with strict parameters that are used globally, says a press release.

As one of the leading exploration and production companies in the Sultanate, Petrogas conducted comprehensive audits that covered every aspect of its business in the Muscat head office as well as field operations in Rima to pursue these certifications.

Dr Mohammed Al Barwani, chairman – MB Holding commended team Petrogas on this achievement. He said “We strive to be on par, if not better than the highest global standards in every facet of our operations. It helps us demonstrate our serious commitment towards the environment

The company is now internationally recognised for its high level of standards in Environment Management Systems and HSE in alignment to ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 we operate in and the health and safety of our employees as well as the community at large. Congratulations to the management and team on this milestone.”

Some benefits of these certifications include awareness and protection of the environment, reduction of accidents and incidences, staying abreast of relevant legislations and reduce the likelihood of prosecution and fines, standardisation of HSE management systems keeping in mind international procedures and rules.

Usama Al Barwani, CEO – Petro-

gas, said, “The ISO 14001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 certifications are globally recognised symbols of our organisation’s ongoing commitment to excellence, sustainability and reliability. Organisations of all kinds are increasingly concerned by achieving and demonstrating sound environmental and occupational health and safety performance to their shareholders, employees, clients and other stakeholders. This is possible by managing the hazards and improving the beneficial effects of their activities, products and services. We are delighted that Petrogas has received these certifications and this further reaffirms our commitment to stringent legislations and measures on these aspects.”

Dr Ghudayyer Al Waheibi, Corporate QHSE Manager, also added in his speech: “Petrogas as a certified company in all its operations continues to hold a competitive edge by upgrading its standards to the level of world class oil producers.”

Established in 1999, Petrogas E&P is the holding company for MB Group’s Exploration and Production assets in Oman, Egypt and the Netherlands.

C

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM M ON DAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

SECTION

ASHWIN DOES NOT HAVE TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENT: RAJU >C2

SPOR YOUR GAME

S

INSIDE LIFESTYLE

TECHNOLOGY PLAYS CUPID >C7

England bludgeon Protea bowlers on day of records

FOOTBALL

HM’s Cup Round of 16 draw today

SCOREBOARD

Stokes bludgeoned the fastest 250 in Test cricket in a 399-

BEN STOKES

England 1st innings (Overnight: 317-5) A. Cook c Morris b Rabada 27 A. Hales c de Villiers b M. Morkel 60 N. Compton c Bavuma b Rabada 45 J. Root c de Kock b Morris 50 J. Taylor c de Kock b Rabada 0 B. Stokes run out ( de Villiers) 258 J. Bairstow not out 150 M. Ali not out 0 Extras (b-12, lb-6, nb-8, w-13) 39 Total (for 6 wkts decl, 125.5 overs) 629 Fall of wickets: 1-55, 2-129, 3-167, 4-167, 5-223, 6-622 Bowling: M. Morkel 29-5-114-1 (nb-1, w-5), C. Morris 28-3-150-1, K. Rabada 29.52-175-3 (nb-7, w-8), D. Piedt 25-5-112-0, S. van Zyl 10-0-43-0, D. Elgar 4-0-17-0 South Africa 1st innings: D. Elgar c Compton b Stokes 44 S. van Zyl run out 4 H. Amla not out 64 A. de Villiers not out 25 Extras (lb-2, w-2) 4 Total (for 2 wickets, 43 overs) 141 Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-85 Bowling: J. Anderson 9-2-24-0, S. Broad 9-2-32-0, M. Ali 9-1-30-0, S. Finn 9-1-30-0, J. Root 1-0-3-0, B. Stokes 6-1-20-1 (w-2) Umpires: Aleem Dar and Bruce Oxenford TV umpire: Rod Tucker Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle

258 runs from 198 balls 30 fours, 11 sixes

run world-record partnership for the sixth wicket with Bairstow, who was 150 not out after scoring a maiden Test century

CAPE TOWN: Brutal batting from Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow broke a host of records as England declared on 629 for six before South Africa replied with 141 for two at the close of play on the second day of the second Test at Newlands on Sunday.

Stokes bludgeoned the fastest 250 in Test cricket in a 399-run world-record partnership for the sixth wicket with Bairstow, who was 150 not out after scoring a maiden Test century.

Hashim Amla (64 not out) and AB de Villiers (25 not out) were defiant at the close as South Africa cut back the deficit to 488 runs.

On a day like few others in test history, England set about the home bowling with abandon, approaching the first session as if it was a Twenty20 game with relentless attacking that never waned.

England resumed on 317-5 but raced to 513-5 at lunch in a morning session of 196 runs before declaring some 30 minutes before tea after amassing the highest firstinnings total in a Test at the rate of some eight runs per over.

Stokes, who was 74 not out over-

JONNY BAIRSTOW

150* runs from 191 balls 18 fours, 2 sixes

night, scored the second fastest double century in Test history, his 200 coming off 163 balls, 10 more than record holder Nathan Astle of New Zealand. England’s previous fastest was by Ian Botham who took 220 balls. The 24-yearold Stokes reached his 250 off 196

balls, beating Virender Sehwag’s former record for India (207), and was eventually run out for 258 after facing 198 deliveries, a knock which included 30 fours and an England-record 11 sixes.

Stokes also set the highest score by a Test batsman at number six,

passing a 39-year-old mark held by Australian Doug Walters.

Horror day He was eventually out in something of an anti-climax as he skied a shot to De Villiers, who dropped a simple-looking catch only to

sweep up the ball and hit the stumps to run out Stokes as he ambled back to the crease. South Africa’s horror day did not end after the declaration, which came when Bairstow got to 150.

Stiaan van Zyl was run out for four in the third over of their first innings, setting off for a quick run but being sent back by opening partner Dean Elgar. Stokes then reminded the hosts of his all-rounder ability with a rising ball which removed Elgar for 44 after a thick outside edge found the diving hands of Nick Compton at backward point.

De Villiers was dropped on five

by Joe Root at second slip, while Amla’s half-century was his first in exactly a year as he battles with poor form and continuing questions around his captaincy. — Reuters

MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association (OFA) will conduct the His Majesty’s Cup Football Championship Round of 16 draw at the association headquarters on Monday.

According to information received from the OFA, the draw ceremony will take place at the Seeb Sports Stadium conference hall at 2.30 pm.

The teams that have booked their places in the lsat 16 stage are Al Shabab, Saham Club, Nizwa Club, Mirbat, Muscat, Salalah, Rustaq, Dhofar, Oman, Suwaiq, Al Wuhda, Al Nasr, Fanja, Sohar, Al Khabourah and Al Arouba.

Fitness course Meanwhile, an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Fitness Couse for Coaches concluded at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher on Sunday.

The course, which started on December 24, attracted 12 participants and was conducted

by OFA Technical Director Jim Selby as well as FIFA and AFC goalkeeping coaches instructor Harun Amor Al Bartmani.

All participants were presented with AFC certificates.

C2

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

SPORTS

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Aussie spinners peg Windies back in Sydney showers More than two hours and 45 minutes of play were lost to rain in a stop-start day at the SCG, where the tourists fell away in the early evening gloom after winning the toss and making a solid start

SYDNEY: Australia’s spinners Nathan Lyon and Stephen O’Keefe took key wickets between rain showers to peg West Indies back to 207 for six at the end of a weatherdisrupted opening day of the dead rubber third Test on Sunday.

More than two hours and 45 minutes of play were lost to rain in a stop-start day at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), where the tourists fell away in the early evening gloom after winning the toss and making a solid start.

Denesh Ramdin, unbeaten on 23, and Carlos Brathwaite (35 not out) will resume on day two if the forecast heavy rain stays away.

The hosts had rolled the dice on the twin spin attack at the SCG for the first time in a decade and got their reward when Lyon and O’Keefe got plenty of turn off a straw-coloured wicket.

Off-spinner Lyon (two for 68) produced a stunning delivery that pitched wide and turned in to take the bail off Jermaine Blackwood’s off stump for 10 and returned after the second rain break to remove dangerman Kraigg Brathwaite for 85.

JUBILANT: Australia’s Stephen O’Keefe, centre, celebrates with teammates after dismissing West Indies captain Jason Holder during

their third Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. – Reuters

Left-arm orthodox spinner O’Keefe (one for 42) then pitched in to have West Indies captain Jason Holder caught superbly at short leg by Joe Burns and claim his first Test wicket on Australian soil.

“It’s good fun to bowl on for spinners,” Lyon, who claimed his 100th Test wicket in Australia, told reporters.

“It’s a big challenge for me, it’s spinning pretty big and it’s got decent bounce. So it’s a challenge for me to try and hit the stumps. I’m enjoying that challenge right now.”

Trailing 2-0 in the three-match series after thumping defeats in Hobart and Melbourne, West Indies had started the day by building on their improved batting performance in the second Test.

After the early loss of opener

SCOREBOARD

West Indies 1st innings K. Brathwaite c Smith b Lyon S. Hope c Nevill b Hazlewood Da. Bravo c Khawaja b Pattinson M. Samuels run out J. Blackwood b Lyon D. Ramdin (not out) J. Holder c Burns b O’Keefe C. Brathwaite (not out) Extras (b-5, lb-1, nb-1)

85 9 33 4 10 23 1 35 7

Shai Hope (9), Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo (33) looked in fine nick as they ushered the tourists to lunch at 92 for one.

Australia’s bowlers emerged from the break re-energised, however, and James Pattinson got the breakthrough when Bravo’s miscued

Total (6 wkts, 75 overs) 207 Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-104, 3-115, 4-131, 5-158, 6-159.

To bat: K. Roach, J. Taylor, J. Warrican.

Bowling: J. Hazlewood 12-2-35-1; J. Pattinson 13-2-41-1 (nb-1); N. Lyon 32-11-68-2; M. Marsh 4-1-15-0; S. O’Keefe 14-4-42-1.

Umpires: Chris Gaffaney, Ian Gould.

TV umpire: Marais Erasmus.

Match referee: Chris Broad.

pull sent the ball flying to Usman Khawaja running in from the deep.

That broke a 91-run partnership and brought Marlon Samuels to the crease looking to break his run of eight Test innings without getting to the 20-run mark.

He failed in farcical fashion

looking for a quick single that always looked like a gamble, left stranded when Kraigg Brathwaite scuttled back to his crease as Peter Nevill broke the stumps.

After a long glare at his partner, Samuels headed back to the pavilion with four runs to his name and the rest of the players and umpires followed in his wake as heavy rain came down on the ground.

Kraigg Brathwaite had brought up his eighth Test half century just before lunch by clipping all-rounder Mitchell Marsh past long leg for two runs off the 78th ball he faced.

He fell 15 runs shy off his fifth Test century when Lyon got a little bit of extra bounce to a delivery which caught the opener’s glove and was snaffled up by Steve Smith at slip. - Reuters

CRICKET

Ashwin does not have to do anything different: Raju HYDERABAD: Praising Ravichandran Ashwin for becoming the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings, former spinner Venkatapathy Raju says his wickettaking ability is amazing and he does not have to do anything different to remain a match-winner.

“He (Ashwin) has got fantastic variations and he adopts himself in three formats of the game which is difficult. I think, in between he tried something which did not click and he came back to his own bowling. We had Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and lot of spinners who were strike bowlers and now I think he is our main strike bowler. Any captain will be more than happy to have him (in the side),” Raju said.

“Bhajji (Harbhajan) did this for long time and Kumble did it for longer time and they all had good support bowlers. So, we have other good support bowlers to support him (Ashwin) very well. He’s number one bowler now. His wicket taking ability is amazing and he’s got very good variations and we should appreciate somebody who is a match winner,” he told PTI in an interview.

Raju added, “I think he doesn’t have to try much and just bowl the way he knows.

People now realise all over the world that he can be a match winner and he’s has been doing that now again and again. ” Off-spinner Ashwin ended 2015 as the No. 1 Test bowler in the ICC rankings issued recently on the back of his strong showing against South Africa in the recent home series.

Ashwin, who took 62 wickets in nine Tests in 2014 including 31 scalps in the four matches against South Africa, became the first India bowler since Bishan Singh Bedi in 1973 to achieve the milestone of finishing the year on top. — PTI

ANXIOUS MOMENTS

BCCI await Justice Lodha Committee report NEW DELHI: Trying to rebuild its tattered image after a spate of controversies, the Board of Control for Cricket in India is anxiously waiting for the Justice Lodha Committee’s report which is set to recommend a host of reforms for the cricket body on Monday.

While the three-member committee comprising Justice (Retd) RM Lodha, Justice (Retd) Ashok Bhan and Justice (Retd) RV Raveendran is set to submit their report to the Supreme Court, the BCCI will be keenly watching the proceedings as to whether the Apex Court makes the recommendations binding or not.

There are reports in some quarters that the panel may recommend that politicians should

not be part of the Board which is run as a society registered under the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act. The executive functionaries are all honorary office-bearers with most of the top state cricket associations being run by either a politician, or a bureaucrat or a heavyweight industrialist.

Barring former India captain Saurav Ganguly, who is the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president and Dilip Vengsarkar, vice-president of Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), none of the top cricketers are running the show in state units.

The second contentious issue that probably will be dealt with in the report is the ‘Conflict of Interest’.

The committee may also sug-

gest making IPL a separate private limited company under section-8 which has to reinvest all its profits. Among the major points on governance structure, it needs to be seen if the all-powerful working committee may be done away with suggestions about having a paid Board of Directors.

The most contentious issue would be the committee’s recommendations on politicians, who occupy top positions in the Board.

Already resentful of any such move, a lot of members in the BCCI have already started saying it is tough to ensure that only ex-players can prove to be good administrators. They feel French football legend and now tainted former UEFA boss Michel Platini is an example of how things may

go haywire even if a top player comes in administration.

If there are sweeping changes suggested which are legally binding, then there could be an administrative shake up just before the marquee ICC World T20.

“Is there a guarantee that former players would do a better job than politicians turned sports administrators? If that is so why did Michel Platini get banned for eight years on charges of financial impropriety,” a senior politician and prominent BCCI official questioned.

“One of the finest and prudent presidents of BCCI was Late NKP Salve. Similarly late Jagmohan Dalmiya was a businessman and IS Bindra, a bureaucrat. Didn’t they make BCCI a financially stable organisation,” he added. - PTI

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

C3

SPORTS Coachless Oman team begin camp with ‘focus on physical training’ OFA chief Sayyid Khalid informed: “It’s business as usual in the preparation or the training of the national team players. The special focus will be on physical training as the detailed search for a new national coach continues”

A SESHAGIRI RAO

raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association (OFA), who are yet to announce the replacement for sacked national team coach Paul Le Guen,

NEW BEGINNING: A file photo of Oman national team players.

have revealed a list of Oman players who will undergo an internal training camp from Monday.

The Sultanate’s soccer governing body once again took to twitter on Sunday to announce the details of the camp as well as the names of the players who are called up for the camp.

It may be mentioned that back on November 19, OFA announced the sacking of Frenchman Le Guen in a simple one line tweet

‘OFA decided to relieve coach Paul Le Guen from his duties as Head Coach of the First National Team’.

Most the 22 players, including three goalkeepers, who are called up for the camp are home based and are scheduled to undergo training till January 12.

When contacted by Times Sport to know who will be coaching the players during the camp and when the new coach will be appointed, OFA chief Sayyid Khalid Al Busai-

di informed: “It’s business as usual in the preparation or the training of the national team players.

“The special focus will be on physical training,” he added, “as the ‘detailed search’ for a new national coach continues.”

Meanwhile, in another tweet, the OFA said: “The OFA board has completed the analysis of the candidates for the post of national team coach.

“The board will take a necessary FOOTBALL

OMAN CRICKET BOARD APPROVES NEW LOGO In an extra ordinary general meeting held at the Al Falaj Hotel on Sunday, Oman Cricket Board officially unveiled the new official logo (inset) after all members present unanimously approved the same. The decision is also expected to get the nod of the Ministry of Sports Affairs according to sources present at the meeting. Oman national players, who will be playing in the World Twenty20 to be held in India in March, will now be sporting the new logo during the matches in Dharamsala, in India. — Supplied photo

‘Leicester can finish top four’ LONDON: Former Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson is backing the Foxes to finish in the top four of the Premier League but insists he can take some credit for their remarkable reverse in fortunes.

The team flourished under new boss Claudio Ranieri and were top at Christmas before settling back to second behind Arsenal after narrowly escaping relegation last season.

“The first half of the season shows they are capable,” he said. “I don’t see any reason why they can’t (stay in the top four). They continue to do exceptionally well and I can take quite a bit of pride in how well things have been set up.” - Reuters

EPL

Chelsea show signs of revival in rout of Palace LONDON: Chelsea began the new year offering signs of a revival as the Premier League champions comfortably beat Crystal Palace 3-0 on Sunday with goals from Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa.

Guus Hiddink’s side began the day in 16th place, three points above the relegation zone after a woeful opening half of the season, but comprehensively outplayed seventh-placed Palace in torren-

tial rain at Selhurst Park.

Hiddink is unbeaten since taking over on an interim basis following the sacking of Jose Mourinho last month, although the win at Palace was his first following draws with Watford and Manchester United over the Christmas programme.

Chelsea’s third win in their last 11 league matches moved them up a couple of places on 23 points, 12

points behind fourth placed Tottenham Hotspur.

While a top-four finish still appears unlikely, captain John Terry said the club is now moving in the right direction again having lost nine of their opening 15 games, having won the title by eight points in May. “This was the Chelsea of last year, the football was first class and we kept the ball in tough con-

ditions,” captain John Terry said.

“A near year, a new start, we just have to keep winning games now.

We are where we are, we knew as a group we had to get better and we have done so slowly and surely and today hopefully is not the last of it.”

Chelsea’s only concern was an injury to Eden Hazard who limped off midway through the first half after signalling to the bench. - Reuters

decision in this regard during the next week.”

The 22-player team, who are called up for the camp on Sunday, includes three goalkeepers Riyad Sabit, Fayeez Al Rusheedi and Mazen Al Kasbi.

The other players are Mohammed Al Musallami, Mohammed Sheiba, Saad Suhail, Ali Al Busaidi, Basil Al Rawahi, Ali Salim, Abdulsalam Amer (defenders), Raed Ibrahim Al Haikal, Hussain Al Hadhari,

Mohsin Jawhar, Ali Al Jabri, Salah Al Yahya’ei (midfielders), Mohammed Al Ghassani, Abdulaziz Al Maqbali, Imad Al Hosni, Mohsin Al Ghassani, Qasim Said, Saud Al Farsi, Said Obaid (forwards).

The OFA terminated Le Guen’s contract after Oman’s 1-2 away defeat to Turkmenistan in a crucial Group D qualifying match of the 2018 World Cup/2019 Asian Cup. Oman, who have 11 points against group toppers Iran’s 14, are in danger of not able to clinch the direct berth into the next round of the World Cup qualifiers, provided Iran win both their next games.

However, Oman still have a chance to clinch the top spot in the group if they defeat Guam and Iran in their next matches in March.

The players called up for camp: Riyad Sabit, Fayeez Al Rusheedi, Mazen Al Kasbi (goalkeepers); Mohammed Al Musallami, Mohammed Sheiba, Saad Suhail, Ali Al Busaidi, Basil Al Rawahi, Ali Salim, Abdulsalam Amer (defenders); Raed Ibrahim Al Haikal, Hussain Al Hadhari, Mohsin Jawhar, Ali Al Jabri, Salah Al Yahya’ei (midfielders); Mohammed Al Ghassani, Abdulaziz Al Maqbali, Imad Al Hosni, Mohsin Al Ghassani, Qasim Said, Saud Al Farsi, Said Obaid (forwards).

C4

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

SPORTS

D DIVISION: OCT Al Hail A after their win ove Al Maddah.

G DIVISION: RAY International who defeated Bank Muscat.

I DIVISION: Douglas OHI celebrate their win against Al Hail B.

OCT Al Hail A get the better of Al Maddah sari scored 125 for four in 15.3 overs.

Vinoth and Sajid scored 33 not out and 26 respectively.

Batting first, Al

Brief scores: Starcare 124 in 17.4 overs (Meesham Ali 30; Adnan Nalwala 3/26) lost to Al Ansari 125 for 4 in 15.3 overs (Vinoth 33 n.o., Sajid 26).

Points: Al Ansari – 3, Starcare - 0.

Maddah managed to score 147 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. In reply, Hail A scored 148 for four in 18 overs

ATTIC OUTDOORS STARS: Tauseef-ul Hassan, Mohammed Shaheed, Sandeep Datta and Usama Bhati.

MUSCAT: OCT Al Hail A recorded an easy six-wicket victory over Al Maddah in an Enhance-sponsored D Division cricket match at the Municipality Ground II during the afternoon session on Friday.

Batting first, Al Maddah managed to score 147 for the loss of seven wickets in 20 overs. Sanaullah and Abdul Rahman scored 35 and 41 runs respectively. Hisham Al Balushi claimed two wickets each for Hail A. In reply, Hail A scored 148 for four in 18 overs. Waleed top scored with an unbeaten 59 for Hail A.

14.3 overs. Touseef claimed three wickets while Usama Rajesh and Sandip grabbed in with two wickets apiece.

In reply, Attic Outdoors scored 78 for four in seven overs. Mohammed Shahid top scored with an unbeaten 52.

Brief scores: Al Maddah 147 for 7 in 20 overs (Sanaullah 35, Abdul Rahman 41; Hisham Al Balushi 2/29) lost to OCT Al Hail A 148 for 4 in 18 overs (Waleed 59 n.o). Points: OCT Al Hail A – 2, Al Maddah - 0.

Attic Outdoors win In another Enhance-sponsored D Division match, Attic Outdoors defeated Mott MacDonald by six wickets at the Municipality Ground III during the afternoon session on Friday.

Batting first, Mott MacDonald were bowled out for 74 in

BAHIHI HEROES: Kishore Krishnan, Shaeer Najeeb, Rahul Ramachndran and Suraj Rao. – Supplied photos

RAY down Bank Muscat In a G Division match, RAY International defeated Bank Muscat by five wickets at the OAC Ground III during the morning session on Friday.

Batting first, Bank Muscat scored 190 for seven in 20 overs with Varun Sirohi and Yousuf Abdul Rahim scoring 34 runs each.

Raghunath claimed three scalps for RAY. In reply, Ray scored 193 for five in 18.2 overs. Ruban Durai and Supriya scored with 47 and 58 runs respectively. Abbas claimed three scalps for Bank Muscat.

Brief scores: Mott MacDonald 74 in 14.3 overs (Touseef 3/17) lost to Attic Outdoors 78 for 4 in 7 overs (Mohammed Shahid 52 n.o). Points: Attic Outdoors – 3, Mott MacDonald - 0.

Easy for Enhance Falcons In an E Division match, Enhance Falcons eased to an eight-wicket victory over Abu Maather at the Municipality Ground IV during the morning session on Friday.

Batting first, Abu Maather scored 145 for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs. Mudassir top scored with 37. Shams-ul Haq claimed three wickets for Enhance Falcons. In reply, Falcons scored 146 for two in 13.4 overs. Jaison Manjila and Sparsh Agarwal scored 70 not out and 48 respectively.

Brief scores: Abu Maather 145 for 9 in 20 overs (Mudassir 37; Shams-ul Haq 3/27) lost to Enhance Falcons

FALCONS PERFORMERS: Jaison Manjila and Sparsh Agarwal.

146 for 2 in 13.4 overs (Jaison Manjila 70 n.o., Sparsh Agarwal 48). Points: Enhance Falcons – 3, Abu Maather - 0.

Bahihi beat Kairali In an F Division match, Bahihi defeated Kairali by seven wickets at the Municipality Ground IV during the afternoon session on Friday.

Batting first, Bahihi were all out for 140 in 19 overs. Suraj Rao top

scored with 56 runs. Fahad Hamza claimed three wickets for Kairali.

Bahihi then managed to bowl out Kairali for 133 in 19.3 overs. Rahul and Kishore picked up four and three wickets respectively in Bahihi’s victory.

Brief scores: Bahihi 140 in 19 overs (Suraj Rao 56) bt Kairali 133 in 19.3 overs (Rahul 4/23). Points: Bahihi – 2, Kairali - 0.

Brief scores: Bank Muscat 190 for 7 in 20 overs (Varun Sirohi 34, Yousuf Rahim 34; Raghunath 3/42) lost to RAY 193 for 5 in 18.2 overs (Ruban Durai 47, Supriya 58; Abbas 3/25). Points: RAY International – 2, Bank Muscat - 0.

Al Ansari defeat Starcare In an H Division match, Starcare defeated Al Ansari by six wickets at the OAC Ground III during the afternoon session on Friday. Batting first, Starcare were bowled out for 124 in 17.4 overs. Meesham Ali scored 30 runs. Adnan Nalwala claimed three scalps for Al Ansari. In reply, Al An-

Douglas OHI edge Al Hail B In an I Division match, Douglas OHI registered a thrilling two-run victory over Al Hail B at the SQU ground during the afternoon session on Friday.

Batting first, Douglas scored 148 for nine in 20 overs with Kashif Hussain top scoring with 40.

Ahmed Said took two wickets for Al Hail B. In reply, Al Hail B managed to score 146 for nine in 20 overs. Taiz Al Balushi top scored with 50 runs.

Suntosh and Viplan claimed two scalps each for Douglas OHI. Brief scores: Douglas OHI 148 for 9 in 20 overs (Kashif Hussain 40; Ahmed Said 2/26) bt Al Hail B 146 for 9 in 20 overs (Taiz Al Balushi 50; Suntosh 2/23). Points: Douglas OHI – 2, Hail B - 0.

Ideal winners In an J Division match, Ideal International recorded an easy ninewicket win over OCT Al Nahda at the SQU ground during the morning session on Friday.

Batting first OCT Al Nahda were bowled out for 80 in 16.3 overs. Sagar and Nikhil claimed three wickets each for Ideal International. In reply, Ideal International scored 81 for one in nine overs. Mohammed Ahmed top scored with an unbeaten 28.

Brief scores: OCT Al Nahda 80 in 16.3 overs (Sagar 3/5, Nikhi 3/9) lost to Ideal International 81 for 1 in 9 overs (Mohammed Ahmed 28 n.o). Points: Ideal International – 3, OCT Al Nahda - 0.

C

SECTION

LIFESTYLE

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

Gear THE SMARTER ONE WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

In today’s smartphone scenario, where looks matter even more as phones are becoming almost identical on performance, HTC has got a definite advantage, having many firsts to its name in the looks and design department Story Faisal Mohammed Naim

S

martphones — they get smarter and smarter by the day. A phone that you buy today will probably have become an outdated one by the time its stickers start fading. They have graduated from being a mere necessity to a must have accessory, and today a phone’s physical appearance and aesthetics matter as much, if not more, as the specs.

More so, the phones are so common on the inside, using common platforms and softwares, and features as the battle of edging out the other gets more and more intense.

Even the Chinese brands like Huawei and Xiaomi are creating a name in the smartphone market based on their performance. Mention any feature and every other set has it — so much are the smartphones at par with each other.

And when it comes to looks, it is HTC that leads the pack by a big margin, having invented and implemented many a successful news in its smartphone models over the years. The success of the brand’s designs is evident clear and loud; even Apple’s latest phones today wear the full metal body frame, which HTC had initiated with its iconic ONE series.

Others followed suit and tried to come up with their own interpretations of new looks, but failed largely – be it the Samsung’s leather back on its Galaxy S5 and Note 3 onwards, which LG also copied to its G4, or the wooden back on Motorolla Moto X (I could only wonder how the phone would age after years of use; if at all used that long which is. All cracked up maybe?).

Like that HTC has many a firsts to its name, and though they may have been adopted by others today, still it was the HTC who came up with them in the first place. The Taiwanese giant also launched the world’s first phone with 2TB microSD card support recently – the ONE ME. Here are a few more reasons that make the HTC a drool worthy option.

All-Metal The HTC One had what the brand labelled as ‘zero gap’ construction and a curved, all-metal body. A new change altogether to smartphone appearance, the concept went on to become hugely popular. Every other smartphone on the market today is boasting of a metal body, except Samsung, for the obvious reason that it is HTC’s arch-rival, and won’t give in at any cost. Apple however, was quick to adopt (or steal?) the all metal outer and the entire iPhone6 series is metal clad.

Front Audio I could never understand why phone makers put audio speakers on the backside, or top and bottom instead of placing them up front. I mean we talk, watch video, or listen to songs, with the facing side up, and then why not have the speakers on the front too? Smartphones specially should have no space crunch, given their large sizes.

Here too Kudos to the HTC. The brand’s trademark BoomSound on their ‘One’ series has two front-facing speakers powered by built-in amplifiers, a rarity in the

smartphone game. The result is super-awesome sound – loud and clear, and though many have stolen the idea, so far nobody have been able to beat the HTC’s sound; not even close.

Second Camera Another most notable HTC-first addition is the second camera on the back, which is used as a depth sensor to shift the focus. The dual cameras can focus on multiple objects simultaneously while snapping a photo, which enables to shift the object focus in the image later on, to get the perfect blur effect.

Also not to forget the Ultra-pixel camera, delivering wonderful results especially in dark conditions, is available only on the HTCs (although it has a hate-love relationship with fans).

Cool Video Feature Called Zoe, it is by far the most innovative part of the camera based on HTC’s pitch. Hitting the shutter button it enables the camera to capture up to 20 photos in a row and 3 seconds of video. The idea is simple: instead of hoping to snap one perfect shot, especially in fast situations, you can opt to choose the most perfect one from a bunch, and get a little moving photo style memento along with it.

Again Apple played thief, and the iPhone6 range is having the same feature, albeit with a different name.

Dot View HTC also made a clever case for the One called Dot View, which flips over the screen and lets you view incoming notifications. When you slip on a Dot View cover, the One’s screen adapts and lets your notifications shine through dozens of tiny holes punched through the cover. You can also double tap the cover to get a quick look at the time, weather, and missed notifications: very clever, very stylish.

BlinkFeed Another great feature in the HTC smartphones is BlinkFeed, an app that lives on the home screen and pulls in news from social networks and several major news outlets. It also syncs with third-party apps like Foursquare and the FitBit fitness tracker.

BlinkFeed used to be the default home screen on the ‘One’ phones earlier, but you now have to swipe over from the home screen to view it, probably done to top the user’s favourite apps over it.

Software Updates Finally, buying an HTC One comes with a big advantage that other Android phone-makers haven’t been able to match yet: the guarantee that you get the latest and greatest software updates for two years. Rivals like Samsung and LG tend to abandon major software updates for their devices whenever a new phone comes out, but HTC keeps updating its previous models with the same software the new model gets.

While it is for sure that HTC does not lag behind its competitors in performance – not one bit, it definitely does look better than the rest. You have got to try. faisal@timesofoman.com

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

C6

PRAYER TIMINGS

FIND-IT-ALL @SHATTI

@PANORAMA MALL

SUR Savva : Heart of the Warrior 3D ( Animation | Adventure | Fantasy ) ( PG ) Voice Overs: Olga Seryabkina 3:30, 6:45 PM Extraction ( Action | Thriller ) ( 12+ ) Cast: Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 6:15, 11:45 PM Point Break (3D) ( Action | Crime) (12+ ) Cast: Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey 7:45 PM The Good The Bad and The Dead (Action) (15+) Cast: Dolph Lundgren, Johnny Messner 5:15, 10:00 PM Diwale (Action | Romance ) (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon 3:15, 8:30 PM Su Su Sudhi Vatmeekam (Malayalam) Comedy) ( PG12) Cast: Jayasurya, Aju Verghese 11:30 PM

@AZAIBA

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Extraction (2D) (Action | Thriller) (12+2) Cast: Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 2:30, 7:00, 10:00, 11:45 PM Joy (2D) (Biography | Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro 4:30, 7:30 PM Point Break (3D) (Action) (12+) Cast: Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 4:30, 9:00, 11:30 PM Dilwale (Action | Crime) (PG12) Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon 3:00, 8:30 PM The Good, the Bad and The Dead (Action | Thriller | Western) (15+) Cast: Johnny Messner, Dolph Lundgren 6:45, 11:30 PM Snowtime (2D) (Animation) (PG) Voice Overs: Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez 2:45, 6:00 PM

8:45PM Gold Class: 5:30PM The Good Dinosaur-3D (Animation) U Voice Overs: Jeffrey Wright 3:45 & 7:30PM

MUSCAT GRAND MALL Extraction (Thriller) 12+ Cast : Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 9:30PM & 11:45PM Gold Class: 3:15 & 8:30PM Love the Coopers - (Comedy) PG12 Cast: Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Ed Helms 11:45AM & 4:15PM The Big Short - (Biography | Drama) 12+ Cast : Christian Bale, Ryan Gosling 6:15PM Snow Time - (Animation | Comedy) PG Voice Overs: Angela Galuppo, Mariloup Wolfe 12:15PM & 5:45PM Point Break -3D (Action | Crime | Sport) 12+ Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 1:45PM & 11:30PM Gold Class: 11:00PM The Peanut Movie - (Animation) PG Voice Overs: Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez 2:00PM Dilwale (Action | Romantic | Comedy) PG12 Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon

PANORAMA MALL The Good, the Bad and The Dead (Action) (2D)(15+) Cast : Johnny Messner, Dolph Lundgren 3:15, 11:30 pm Snow Time (Animation)(2D)(PG) Voice Overs : Angela Galuppo, Mariloup Wolfe 2:30, 5:00 pm Joy (Biography, Drama)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro 6:45 pm Extraction (Thriller)(2D)(12+) Cast : Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 4:00, 8:15, 10:00, 11:45 pm Star Wars (Action, Adventure)(3D)(PG12) Cast : Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac 5:45, 9:00 pm Star Wars (Action)(VIP LOUNGE)(PG12) Cast : Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac 5:15 pm Point Break (Action, Crime)(MX4D)(12+) Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 2:45, 5:45, 8:45, 11:15 PM

Extraction (2D) (Action | Thriller) (12+2) Cast: Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 2:30, 7:00, 10:00, 11:45 PM

The Good, the Bad and The Dead (Action) (2D) (15+) Cast : Johnny Messner, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo 3:15, 11:30 pm

Su Su Sudhi Vatmeekam – 2D (PG12) Cast: Jayasurya, Aju Verghese, Mukesh & Shivada 6:30, 9:15 PM

Point Break (Action )(3D) (VIP Lounge) (12+) Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 3:00, 11:00 pm Dilwale (Action, Romance)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon 2:30, 5:30, 11:30 pm Dilwale (Action) (2D) (PG12) -VIP LOUNGE Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon 7:45 pm Bajirao Mastani (Drama)(2D)(PG12) 8:30 pm

SOHAR Dilwale - 2D (PG12) Action | Comedy Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 3:15, 6:20, 10:45 PM Bajirao Mastani - 2D (PG12) Drama | History Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone 4:30, 10:45 PM Point Break - 3D (12+) Action | Crime | Sport Cast: Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 2:30, 9:15, 11:30 PM Snow Time! - 2D (PG) Animation | Comedy Cast: Angela Galuppo, Mariloup Wolfe 3:00, 4:45 PM The Good, the Bad and The Dead - 2D (15+) Action| Thriller | Western Cast : Johnny Messner, Dolph Lundgren 6:15, 9:30, 11:45 PM Paparazzi - 2D (Arb)(TBC) 4:45 PM Joy - 2D (PG12) Biography | Comedy | Drama Cast : Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro 7:00 PM Love the Coopers - 2D (PG12) Comedy Cast : Diane Keaton, John Goodman, Ed Helms 2:30 PM Ho Mann Jahaan - 2D (Pakistani) (TBC) Cast : Mahira Khan, Adeel Hussain, Sheheryar Munawar Siddiqui 7:30 PM Su Su Sudhi Vatmeekam - 2D (Mal) (PG12) Cast : Jayasurya, Aju Verghese 8:00 PM

Star Wars – 3D (PG12) Action | Adventure Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy 2:30, 9:00 PM RUWI Screen 1 Bajirao Mastani (Romance/Drama) – PG12 Cast : Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh 3.30, 9.30 PM Dilwale (Action/Romance) – PG12 Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 6.30PM Screen 2 Dilwale (Action/Romance) – PG12 3.45, 9.45 PM Bajirao Mastani (Romance/Drama) – PG12 Cast : Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh 6.45 PM Screen 3 Ho Mann Jahan – Pakistani – Urdu - (Musical/Drama) – TBC Cast : Mahira Khan, Sheheryar Munawar, Adeel Husain 3.45, 6.45, 10.00 PM Dilwale (Action/Romance) – PG12 Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 1.00 PM

AZAIBA Dilwale – 2D (PG12) Action, Romance Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhavan 2:00, 5:00, 6:15, 8:00, 11:00, 11:30 PM Bajirao Mastani – 2D (PG12) Drama, History, Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone 2:15, 5:15, 8:15, 11:15PM Point Break – 3D (12+) Action | Crime Cast: Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 4:00, 11:45 PM Su Su Sudhi Vatmeekam – 2D (PG12) Cast: Jayasurya, Aju Verghese 6:30, 9:15 PM Savva: Heart of Warrior – 3D (PG) Animation |Adventure | Fantasy Voice Overs: Olga Seryabkina, Konstantin 2:20, 4:55 PM

BURAIMI The Good, the Bad and the Dead– 2D (Action/Thriller/Western) (15+) Cast: Johnny Messner, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo 3:15, 7:00, 9:45, 11:30PM Point Break – 3D (Action, Crime, Spot) (12+) Cast: Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey, Ray Winston 3:00, 7:30, 11:30PM Savva: Heart of Warrior– 3D (Animation, Adventure, Fantasy) (PG) Voice Overs: Olga Seryabkina, Konstantin Khabenskiy 5:15PM Extraction– 2D (Thriller) (12+) Cast: Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 3:00, 5:00, 9:45, 11:45PM Dilwale – 2D (Action, Romantic) (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon, Varun Dhawan 9:00PM Su Su Sudhi Vatmeekam – 2D (Mal) (Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Jayasurya, Aju Verghese 7:15PM

BAHJA CINEMA

SALALAH Point Break (3D) (12+) (Action/Crime/Sport) Cast: Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey, Ray Winstone 11:45AM, 2:00, 9:35PM The Big Short (2D) (PG12) (Biography | Drama) Cast Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling 1:00, 4:15PM Extraction (2D) (12+) (Thriller) Cast: Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 11:15AM, 3:30, 10:00, 11:55PM The Good, the Bad and The Dead (2D) (15+) ( Action| Thriller| Western) 12:20, 6:30, 11:45PM Dilwale (2D) (PG12) (Action | Romantic) 3:35, 8:15, 11:15PM Bajirao Mastani (2D) (PG12) (Drama/ History) Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone 6:35PM Su Su Sudhi Vatmeekam (2D) (PG12) (Malayalam)(Comedy) 7:15PM Snow Time (2D) (PG) (Animation) Voice Overs: Angela Galuppo, Mariloup Wolfe 10:45AM, 2:00, 5:15PM

STAR CINEMA

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

16:30 18:00 19:30

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

26 16

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

MANN GULANI January 4, 2010

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

70-90%

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Fahud Yibal

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

LISTINGS

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

Daily

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

10:45 19:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 14:30

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

Su Su Sudhi Vatmeekam (Mal) (Comedy\ Drama) Cast : Jayasurya, Mukesh & Shivada 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema Main Dilwale (Hindi) (Act\Com) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol & Varun Dhawan 6-30 pm Cinema -2 Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) (Rom\ Act \ Drama ) Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone & Priyanka Chopra 3-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema-2 Pasanga 2 (Tamil) (Drama \ Comedy) Cast: Surya & Amala Paul 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -3 Thanga Magan (Tamil) (act) Cast: Dhanush, Samantha Ruth & Amy Jackson 6-45 & 9-45 Pm Cinema-4 Soukhyam (Telugu) (Act) Cast: Gopichand & Regina Cassandra 3-45 pm Cinema -4 Next change: Charlie (Mal); Wazir (Hindi ) (Programmes are subject to change)

Minimum

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 20:50

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

The Big Short (Drama / Biography) Cast: Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling 4.30, 7.00, 9.30 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No: 3057 (12+) Savva Heart of the Warrior (Animation / Adventure / Fantasy) Voice Overs: Maksim Chukharyov, Konstantin Khabenskiy, Armen Dzhigarkhanyan 1.30 & 3.00 p.m.

CP No: 3058 (PG) Point Break (Action / Crime) Cast: Edgar Ramirez, Luke Bracey, Ray Winstone 2,00, 4.00 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No: 3051 (12+) Dilwale (Action / Comedy) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan, Kriti Sanon 6.00 & 9.00 p.m.

CP No: 3047 (PG12)

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

WITH LOVE

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Destination

12.16pm 3.18pm 5.38pm 6.53pm 5.29am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

CINEMA SCHEDULE

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE T E C H TA L K

App to the Rescue

Story: Saleh Al Shaibany

There is an increasing trend of young Omanis finding their marriage partners via the social media, breaking away from the traditional matchmaking norms

Y

oung Omanis have discovered quite a unique utility of the social media. They are using the social media network for courtships. The innocent chats blossom into romance and often end up in tying of the nuptial knot.

Parents have hard time separating their sons and daughters from their smartphones. Sometimes they resort to the harsh measure of confiscating the electronic devices, as they feel the device to be causing distraction.

What they might not be aware of is that their children may also be in quest of finding potential partners while they key in. They have a variety of social media applications to choose from. Snapchat and Instagram are among the popular ones; but if one in particular was to be singled out as the courtyard of their romance, it would be the Whatsapp.

Rapid tap in of words starts with a casual “hi”; sets in motion and arrives at “when can we meet?” Emotions intensify, and it finally comes to “we need to make it official”. Between the request of first meeting, and getting serious, are a series of secret rendezvous, at some location, good distance away from their homes.

This is the reason why social media is frowned upon by parents. They tragically (at least for them) come to know that their children, as young as 15, “cuddle” using emoticon signs and share their love, sending heart shapes and kisses, in bed and under the cover of blanket.

Matchmakers having competition The social media romance is directly clashing with traditional matchmaking. The trend of finding suitors by family elders, and friends is on a rapid decline.

Matchmakers who pride themselves for picking the most suitable matches to get them into a happy marriage label the social media romance as “un-Islamic.”

It is also against the local heritage. But the problem is that young people no longer believe in it. To them, “made by matchmakers” marriage is not acceptable. They rather believe in pursuing the one they acquaint with through technology; developing a bond over time.

Parents, on the other hand, want their children to follow in their footsteps by arranging a marriage that is carefully matched up to every last detail.

For the ‘perfect match’ they insist the girl must not see the potential groom until all the formalities are through. Apart from the brief “shy glances” in the parents’ presence, potential couples must only exchange words and make physical contact post the wedding.

But young Omani generation seems to have none of it any longer. They prefer exchanging contacts and starting relationships on the social media. To them an arranged marriage is like picking a fruit in the dark. The other person just may not match their expectations.

They also assert their method is not very different from the tra-

For the new generation arranged marriage is like picking a fruit in the dark. The other person may not match up their expectations. They rather prefer starting relationships on the social media ditional one. Very often, they are introduced with their future partner through common friends on the social media: friends who may already have made the “calculations” that the two may end up together in matrimony.

But why is it that increasingly the social media friendships are blossoming into romance and the traditional art of matchmaking is losing breath in Oman?

The young generation sums it up in two words: Parental restrictions. As the world gets smaller, with technology playing a major role – effecting a change in values and perceptions by bringing people across multiple cultures and societal elements, which were earlier alien to them: questioning and rejection of the prevailing age old traditions and norms has become very popular.

Many Omani parents never allow their daughters to go out without an escort. But on televi-

sion the girls see people intermingling freely and feel bogged down that they cannot experiment with that, even if they wished to.

They then find technology up to their rescue, and resort to emingling; a path that satisfies both their quest for freedom, and their parents’ restrictions. Chatting on Whatsapp or sharing accomplishments on Instagram proves to be a good and safe substitute.

That way, they can argue that they don’t violate the restrictions, because there simply is no physical contact; they do it remaining within the safety of their homes.

Only when things start getting serious, do they begin inventing ways to meet up, mostly with the help of friends.

In many instances, parents do have an idea of what is going on, but they simply choose to turn a blind eye because they know it is impossible to put a stop on it.

However a pressing question in the wake of this shifting trend is: Will the present generation, who finds it perfectly normal to indulge in phone-romance, allow their children to follow in their footsteps?

The famous adage says; “Practice what you preach”, but will the current gen at least preach what they practised? At the moment, they seem to be breaking all the rules of traditional matchup.

Maybe, by the time they become old timers – parents to grown-up children, the concept of courtship may have taken an unknown twist; or maybe some other new super-technology; who knows.

A reporter from Times of Oman has developed an Android based SOS App, MigCall, aimed at reaching out to and help Indian migrants in distress, pan GCC. If you are an Indian citizen working in Oman, and stuck in any crisis or urgent situation, MigCall could prove to be your rescuer. Launched on January 1, at the Indian Embassy Muscat, by Indramani Pandey, Indian ambassador to Oman, the App will prove to be a boon, especially given the large Indian migrant worker population.

Once downloaded from Google Play Store, the App automatically saves 10 Helpline numbers in the user’s phone contacts list – five from their home country India, and five of the host country. The App will connect the user to OWRC (Overseas Workers Research Centre), Emigration protector, NGOs, and MEA (Ministry of External Affairs, India) in India, while in the host country, the users would be able to get access to the Indian Embassy, social workers, blood donors, psychologists, and passport services through the App. If the user registers their home country as India and host country as Oman; five Oman helpline numbers will be saved in addition to five helpline numbers belonging to India. Likewise, if the user registers his home country as India and any of the GCC country as host, then five helpline numbers of that host country are automatically saved in addition to five helpline numbers belonging to India.

In addition to saving numbers, the app will also provide helpline numbers of passport services, counselling services, local police numbers and hospital numbers.

The App will also provide a facility to send an SOS message to one emergency number set in regular intervals as set by the user, and GPS location to the embassy office. Another main feature of the App is that it can also run offline.

The App was ideated by Rejimon K, a senior reporter with Times of Oman and migrants’ rights activist of Indian origin; and materialised by Jose Chacko, an Indian businessman, also based in Oman. The App is popularised and promoted by Indian Embassy in Oman and is supported by Migrant Forum in Asia, a regional network, which stands up for the rights of migrant workers.

At present the App only provides assistance for Indian workers in the GCC countries, but according to Rejimon, the App will soon have versions for other countries as well.

“I consider connectivity as a right for all. It is all the more important for migrants working away from their homes in a foreign land. The App will act as a connecting bridge for those in need; easing of the distress and aiding in effective and timely addressal of their problems and grievances,” Reji added.

Shameer PTK, a Muscat-based social worker, said that the App will be quite helpful for the migrant workers. “Many a times, I have heard migrant workers saying that if they could get in touch with the embassy easily, they would not have to struggle unnecessarily. Now by simply downloading the App, they have an easy access to the embassy. It is a good initiative,” noted Shameer.

The App can be downloaded from the Google Play Store Platform: Android Size: 2.8MB Language: English, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Bengali

C8

MONDAY, JANUARY 4, 2016

LIFESTYLE What Happens Inâ&#x20AC;Ś

AN INTERNET MINUTE 47,000 App downloads 1.3 million video views; 30 hours of video content uploaded

204 million e-mails sent

APPS

20 million photo views; 3,000 photo uploads 2+ million search queries

1,300 new mobile users 6 new Wikipedia articles published

$

$83,000 in sales

639,800 GB of global IP data transferred

100+ new linkedIn accounts

320+ new Twitter accounts; 100,000 new tweets

61,141 hours of online music

Today the number of networked devices = 2 X the global population

6 million Facebook views; 277,000 logins

It would take 5 years to view all video crossing IP networks each second

Source: Google+ | brandlovellc.com

20 new victims of identity theft

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 4 , 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D8

D2

M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 4 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

NEW Flats & Showrooms for Rent 1/2/3 BHK Flats & Showrooms at Muttrah, near Oman flour mills, 10 min. from corniche. equipped with split/ cassette unit ACs, internet points, freeto-air dish connection, CCTV monitored, basement parking. Rent RO.250/350/450 (Negotiable) per month.

Contact : 99229263; 93221054; 95215289

FOR RENT

FLATS FOR RENT

2BHK, 3 washroom Flat with Split Air Conditioners Near Lulu Darsait

In a Luxury Building in Al Seeb Market Near Police station 3 Bedroom flat for rent near ONTC Ruwi. Contact: 99653336 Flats for rent Direct from the owner: 2BHK flats with A/Cs at Ruwi MBD area, Way No. 3526, Pizza Muscat building.

Contact: 99333110 / 24814853 3 bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact 95755953 / 95555162 Wadi Kabir, one bedroom flat.

Contact: 99313274 Villa for office in Al Khoudh / 2bedroom & flat in Wattaya & Azaiba / 3B/R flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99057348 / 99776071 2 rooms, Bathroom, kitchen near Muscat OR 110/-. Contact: 95094028 2bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact: 92584715 / 24700120 1000sqmtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc. Contact 24700120 / 92584715 House in old Muscat town near Bab Al Mathaib, 5 bedrooms, living room & kitchen. Contact 99319829 1 BHK new bldg with A/c curtains, near Khimji Mart, MBD. Contact 99061408 / 99024039 Profs/ Jack. Contact 93219378 2 BHK at Ghala & Al Khuwair.

Contact 99024730 1,2,3 BHK Darsait.

Contact 99024730

Call: 99888007 - 99473500 Residential Commercial building consists of 30 Flats in Al Khoud 6 the following details: 20 flats with 2 rooms and a hall, bathroom and kitchen. 10 flats with room and hall and 2 toilet. Shop 500 square meters. for total 30 Flats rent 7,000 RO per month and rent the exhibition 10 RO per m2 Contact 99314314 500 sqm Basement Godown/warehouse For Rent in Mabela industrial area. CALL: 99366008 / 99236455 Villa at Shatti Qurum for rent.

Contact 99315150 2 Room + hall & kitchen ,3 toilets in Bareeq Al Shatti 750 RO. Contact 99314314 Brand new apartments opp Oman flour mills MUTRAH 1,2,3 BHK with private parking, suitable for bachelors call 95450450 Office / shop NR Oman house & Khimji H.O. Contact: 99233116 2 BHK Flats for rent Muttrah near Oman house S/ AC. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232

CONTACT :

93202733

Luxurious, 2 BHK flat with 3 toilets, store, equipped kitchen, split ACS , Gym, party hall& 24 hours security at Mumtaz area Ruwi rent RO 375/-. Contact: 92622506 2BHK commercial RO 375/-, 350/Contact: 97799175 / 92144045 2BHK Al Khuwair R.O 375/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175 2BHK Ghubra R.O 300/- , 325/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175 1BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/-.

Contact: 97799175 / 92144045 3 BHK flat near Darsait ID medical.

RO 420/- Contact – 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288 7 Bedrooms villa in Ghobrah North. Contact - 96420432 Flat Al Mabelah 2 bedrooms semi furnished near NESTO visiting family also welcome 250/- E & W. Contact: 93533108 / 97653523

1,2 BHK Darsait R.O 300/-, 225/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175

Villa sharing Ghala semi furnished 1 bedroom attached, hall Kitchen sharing 100 +E& W, visiting family also welcome.

Contact: 98518595

Shop for rent 150Sqtr available Gf + Mez office + showroom + store location: Honda road Ruwi.

Contact: 91219880 / 99345044

FLATS FOR RENT Well maintained 2/3 BHK Flats at Wadi Kabir, Near Indian School.

Contact: 99021969 / 24793982

Flat new Al Wadi Kabir. Contact: 92130703 / 99733992

One flats for rent 2 bedroom all with bath al Ghobrah north near Indian school (hot burger restaurant) Tel. 9976610 Flat for Rent 1/2 BHK Flat at Muttrah, near Oman flour mills, 10 min. from Corniche.Equipped with split unit ACs, internet points, free-to-air dish connection, CCTV monitored, basement parking.

Rent RO.250/350 per month.

Contact: 99229263; 93221054; 95215289

10,000 Sqm Industrial Land/ Plot in Sumail - Leveled with Full Drawing and Full Permission from Govt. for only RO 30,000 Contact : 99012201

1BHK flat near Star Cinema 220/Contact 99358589 /95570288

2 BR flat with 1 sitting room, 1 family hall with 3 attach bathroom in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99277787

Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact 94051789-97201688

1& 2 BHK flats for rent at Hamriya Mabela and Al Khoud shop at Al Khoud. Contact: 24834644 / GSM : 93994401 /02/03/3lines Show room / shop for rent area 155 sqm at 600/-R.O shops at 160/- R.O. Contact 97714433 / 92822437 Shop for rent behind building behind whole center Al Amerat good for offices or stores only space 11x4 meters R.O 250/- PER month.

Contact : 92877449 For rent 1bed room flat, near Indian school (ISD) at Darsait.

Contact: 94776771/ 99669216 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details. Contact 91214849/ 99364735 Duplex villa in QURUM 29.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi Honda road Mumtaz.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127

Flats in Darsait.

Contact 94051789-97201688

FOR SALE Used home furniture and household appliances in good condition for sale. (Else 3bhk can be taken for rent along with furnitures.)

Contact: 99738104 Marble factory for sale location Misfa. Contact: 98586828 Beauty Salon for urgent sale in Azaiba prime location behind Al Fardan building. With sponsor and 1 staff and 1 ready visa clearance. Call: 95318629 / 95169411 Luxury villa for sale at Al Hail South building area 375m land area 323, 6 rooms, 3 halls, 7 toilets.

Contact 99839898

Flats in Muttrah. Contact 94051789-97201688

Curtain shop for sale with 2 visas at Muttrah. Contact 91135930 / 93231403

Offices in Ghala. Contact 94051789-97201688

Printing press for sale Mobelah.

Contact: 93478181

Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

A well running coffee shop for sale, at Wadikabir, near KFC. Contact 92772825

Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. #94051789-97201688 Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact 9405178997201688 1,2 BHK Ghubra R.O 300/-, 325/- & 350/-. Contact: 97799175 Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. Contact: 9405178997201688 Open showroom AL Ghobrah 18 November 175SQM & office space Al Qurum next to Al Araimi Complex.

Contact: 94300909 Single BHK flat available in Honda road Ruwi.

Contact - 24833972/ 24833974/99367448

Exercise cycle for sale.

Contact – 92847957 Luxury Apartments in Boucher (35). Contact - 9505680897201688 Mangalorean restaurant at Wadi Kabir & shop at Ruwi for sale.

Contact: 98428507 / 93655003 Villas in Al Khoud. Contact 95056808-97201688 Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact -9505680897201688 3Ton Forklift, Special made for Oman market, Japanese Isuze C240 Engine, Cascade side shifter, High amount exhaust, 3m lifting height, Solid tyres, One year warranty.

Contact: 98883445

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 4 , 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE IELTS PREPARATION Target Band 8.0

Classes for Spoken English TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / SAT Excellent Guidance and Coaching Satisfaction Guaranteed EAGLES INSTITUTE 92325542 | 93657915 | 93657917 | Email: engominst@gmail.com

ACC. AVAILABLE

BUILDING

Furnished sharing accommodation in ruwi near O.K. Center for non-cooking indian bachelor.

Contact - 98805474 Large size room in Al Falaj with attached bathroom for Executive bachelor (non cooking) with A/C, rent RO 150 inclusive Electricity & Water. Contact Mr. Hari : 24821717 / 99657906 FOR RENT 3BHK along with furnitures in Ruwi. Contact: 99738104 Independent rooms in Qurum / Al Hail. Contact 95529970 Semi furnished spacious room with attached washroom separate entrance near Indian school Al Ghobrah for non cooking Executive Indian bachelor.

Contact: 95146361/92657598 Furnished room for indian executive -alkhuwair33. 95234062 Single bedroom flat near Indian School Ghubrah.

Contact 99203954 Single bedroom flat behind German Embassy, near Al Nahdha Hospital. Contact 99203954 Furnished room in new building for working Muslim lady/ Muslim couple only. Location AINT, Darsait. Contact - 99008069 Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan villeage.

Contact 93687466 Single room for expat Indian bachelors near Al Aktham restaurant Al khuwair for RO 120.

Water and electricity included.

Contact 98803261 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sitting room, Kitchen & store including utilities bills at Al hail.# 92817777

FOR SALE MUMTAZ AREA (NEAR RUWI HOTEL)

MV SALE 2008 Model Hyundai Tucson 90,000 KM expatriate driven in very good condition & Accident free for Sale for OMR 4,000/- , Serious buyers contact Mobile : 95137538 Toyota Prado 2008, 4 cylinder single used perfect condition RO 5800/-. Contact: 95885852 Hummer H2 model 2006, 178000 km, Full options Number 1 Army edition.OMR 7200.

Contact -99466773 Chaverlet Epica 2004 model RO -700, for sale. Contact 92194205 BMW 318/ 2003 for sale.

Contact 96364990

NRI Plot for sale Shadnagar Municipality, Mahboob Nagar District, walk able distance to existing colonies, national highway and basic amenities at reasonable price. Contact – 0091 8686631669 Plot, propeties for sale in prime location in pune 95272138, (+918390982975)

ACC. WANTED Looking for single room with separate bathroom in CBD area or MBD area. Contact: 93083279

CONTACT - 99353931

FOR SALE Dozer Kom 355A -3 Dozer Kom 155A- 3 Grader Champion 780 Excavator PC 400 with breaker Man green water tanker 5000 IG All are in good condition

99310448/99612010/95208455

CLASSES

WEBSITE

IELTS & TOEFL Academic / General Target Band 8 TQT Institute.

Ph # 24480800 / 99347202

BULK SALE Hall type & Individual Portacabins (100 nos.) for immediate sale in Muscat area.

Contact 93208398 / 93215830 AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting.

Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

FOR LEASE

Warehouse/ Light Industry Rumais/ Barka Good Quality Property available For lease in Rumais/ Barka Opp Naseem Garden for Warehousing/ Light Industry available 3300 sq mts area @RO 2.500 PER SQ MTR

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi

• Learn in two months • Satisfaction guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

Contact - Vasant

92818099

COMPUTER

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

LOST Mohammed Mir Hossain has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AB 3202244. Finder please handover to ROP Sree Kartik Chandra Mondol has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AC 6642697. Finder please handover to ROP

FOR LADIES Special offer for ladies only, All beautification for 15 RO. Al Doom beauty parlour in Ruwi.

(Home service also) Contact 99619409

Apurbo Kumer has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AE 4668929.

Finder please handover to ROP Asharaf Kannoli Kandiyil has lost Indian Passport No. K 8461268.

Finder please handover to ROP

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

NOTICE Noakhzh Alaejeh Trade (Solidarity) Company announces and restricted to the department of Trade and industry for South Sharqia Governorate under no (1056242). That it was modifying its trade name to United Gulf completion of projects. Any one has objections has to submit the reasons for his objection to the department of trade and industry for South Sharqia governorate.

D4

M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 4 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

The following staff is required by a leading Engineering & Contracting Company in Oman.

Estimation Engineer (1Position) Mechanical Engineer with 5-7years post graduate experience in MS, CS, SS Piping work, HVAC piping, Storage tanks, Vessels and steel structure estimation. Applicant must have commands on AutoCAD, familiarity of budgets and can estimate EPC Projects.

Site Engineer (1Position) Mechanical Engineer with 5years post graduate experience as a Site Engineer in piping or HVAC piping installation works. Applicant must be professional and have expertise in project planning & coordinating with client

Interested Candidate can send their CVs at hr.muscat2015@gmail.com

URGENTLY REQUIRED

Required for reputed Company Marble & Granite field

FOLLOWING STAFFS FOR A LEADING ENGINEERING CONSULTANCY

1. General Manager – 1 no.

2. Marketing Manager – 1 no.

3. Salesman – 2 nos.

4. Salesman – 1 no (for marble showroom) 5. Accountant, B.Com, 5 + yrs experience in Marble & Granite field.

1. DESIGN ENGINEER ROADS AND BRIDGE - BTECH CIVIL +MINIMUM 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

2. SENIOR QUANTITY SURVEYOR

- BTECH CIVIL

+MINIMUM 12YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IS CIVIL & MEP

3. STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

- MTECH STRUCTURE

+MINIMUM 8 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN BUILDINGS

4. ELCTRICAL ENGINEER

Must have knowledge & experience in Gulf, for 5 to 10 yrs with valid GCC driving license.

Interested candidates please apply at address,

- BTECH ELCETRICAL

+MINIMUM 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

5. PROJECT PLANNER – BTECH CIVIL + PSP CERTIFICATION +MINIMUM 12 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE

All the above position required Experience in Huge Medical City Construction

Email : boss4you33@yahoo.com

REPLY IMMEDIATELY EMAIL :- vacancyamec@gmail.com

Tel : 00968 95465656/ 00968 96465656

URGENTLY REQUIRED An Excellent Grade Construction Firm based in Muscat has immediate vacancy for the following position INTERIOR & FITOUT DESIGN DRAFTSMAN Capable to develop details of concept design of id projects, preparation of joinery/ detail drawing. with minimum Of 3 to 5 years GCC Experience with valid Omani Driving License - 1 Nos & Fitout Estimator capable to handle joinery estimation, fitout tender etc, with minimum 3 to 5 years GCC Experience with valid Oman Driving License - 1 Nos Interested Candidates May forward their CV, To

Email - cvomanhr@gmail.com Fax : 2449 5965 ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ENGINEER

SITUATION WANTED

Experienced Accountant required for Restaurant. Contact 96500750

Wanted Chemical Engineer with 5-10 years experience in STP Operations and Maintenance. Also wanted Market Research Expert with experience in Feasibility Studies. Kindly send your resumes to advance@omantel.net.om or Fax us at +968-24792175.

Oman. Contact : 94069402

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

We are looking for Chief Financial Officer, Male 40- 45 years old, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with 5 - 15 yrs. of experience.

Contact: +968 24702133 Email: admin-dept@daud.om

BEAUTY Wanted experienced Beautician & hairdresser for the reputed ladies beauty center at Qurum.

Contact 99791572 / 97453246, souzawilfred@gmail.com Required experience Beautition Contact 99619409

Civil Site Supervisor for telecom tower projects across Oman. Send CV to fyjo@spec-link.com or call +968 9946 7227

MISCELLANEOUS

DRIVER Urgently required Heavy Driver with GCC license for a leading FMCG Co, located at Seeb.

Please forward your CV at Email recruityarek@gmail.com, contact 99719124 Looking for House Driver (Indian) with experience to work in Salalah.

Contact 92322588 / 99653350, Email : sadiq.fm@omantel.net.om Reputed Construction Company require experienced light Vehicle Driver. Contact 95526871 Urgently required 1 experienced House Driver to work in capital area. Contact 93888666 / 24493666 Looking for an Indian experienced house Driver for an Omani family. Interested candidates may call: 96203333 Required driver with car in Sohar.

Contact: 24460287 / 96905535

DOMESTIC HELP Looking for housemaid urgently clearance available good salary yearly ticket.

Contact ravi.ztc@omzest.com TEL 24446920 / 99238121 Wanted Housemaid full-time 6am-6pm, six days a week, for Kerala family in Darsait, near ISD, Salary 200/-.

Contact 98564647 or 99864290 *Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Filipino,29,Male,5years experience Payroll/Payable/Receivables/Document Control.Excellent Communication/AccountingSoftwareSAP /MSOffice skills.

Contact: patrick110486@yahoo. com/95057206

Wanted Market Research Expert with experience in Feasibility Studies. Kindly send your resumes to advance@omantel.net.om or Fax us at +968-24792175.

CATERING Shawarma /Griller helper wanted.

Contact 95529970

Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687

Part Time Job Seekers mail your timejoboman@gmail.com Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com or call Ph:+968 99450811 Urgently required for a reputed company in Oman (Tyre, Battery & Lubricant division) Sr. Executives/Executive-5 nos (Sohar, Nizwa & Muscat), Techno Commercial Professional-5nos, Driver (Omani)-1no. Required minimum 3-5 yrs experience in the same field with market exposure holding valid Omani driving license or GCC. Kindly fwd your CV’s to ashwin@taasintl.org Contact: (+968)93891700 Sales Ladies wanted for Ladies Boutique. Age: 20-35 yrs.

Al Khoudh. Send CV to sameer916@hotmail.com or call 91159905

MEDICAL Urgently required full time female Nurse (with MOH), Receptionist (Omani) for Dental clinic in Muscat (Ruwi).

Candidates in Oman only need to apply. Contact 93582582, abbas@essacogroup.com Staff Nurse required for a reputed dental centre in Muscat. Send the CV to omandentalnurse@gmail.com Wanted Staff Nurses (female) with or without license for a polyclinic near Sohar. Excellent salary and accommodation. Contact: 99006915 Email: alhinaee.clinic@yahoo.com Dreams Clinic - Muscat-Al Khoudh Urgently required Medical Laboratory Technician Salary + Accommodation Minimum 3 Years Experience IN Sultanate of Oman Doctors + Nurses, Salary +Accommodation Minimum 5 years experience in sultanate of oman Contact : towershr70@gmail.com

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Urgently required Lab Tech & Radiologist for medical Center in ruwi interested candidate kindly send short CV bmdcsg@yahoo.com or cont: 95220350

Male Sales Executive wanted: age 24-32 yrs, minimum 2-5 yrs experience in sales, preferably in furniture / interior design / turnkey contracting business. Salary commensurate with experience. Any degree with GCC driving license preferred. Apply to fax : 24560806 careers@teejanequipment.com

Urgently required General Practitioners (male), lab technician, Staff Nurse & Receptionist (female, Arabic & English speaking) for a reputed Medical Centre, Salalah.

Email : hrmdimc2010@gmail.com Canary clinic (GP) MBBS Doctor with 3 years experience MOH license, male or female. Good offer salary. Contact 94395199 Email: canarymoh@gmail.com Wanted GP Doctor with MOH license, job location in Muscat with good salary and benefits. Drop your cv at 0careerhr1972@gmail.com.

Wanted Sales Executive for IVMS, experienced minimum 1 year in the same field. Interested Candidate can email the details to: sameeh@cyclonellc.net Number of Salesman two (any nationality) with at least 4 years of experience in FMCG or house ware accountant (preferably Pilipino) with 2 to 4 years of experience.

Contact: 92802204 Email us your CVs on to: info@alliusie.com

SALES / MARKETING Kitchen cabinet manufacturing company is looking sales person, most have Oman D/L and must know any kitchen designed software and two years experience.

Contact: 93326636 A Chemical trading Company is looking for Salesmen with diploma certificate, 3 years experience, with valid driving license and a car. Send CVs to Greatstar@omantel.net.om Salesman require for building material with driving license & 10 years working experience.

Fax your C.V 24833043.

(Mustafa Hardware Store)

SKILLED LABOR Immediate Requirements for experienced Tailors (Designer wears, casual clothing). Please call for interview 99471085 Looking for experienced construction laborers as a subcontractor for a villa construction in Mawaleh. Contact: 96203333 Urgently required 2 caretakers / cleaners for a building in Capital area. Contact 93888666, Email : arajtrad@gmail.com

SITUATION SIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian lady, bachelor degree in Preparatory Programme (BPP) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), completed training course in MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook from KTI looking for full time / part time job opportunity in Oman.

Contact 92437568, 96795853, Email: linda_navs@yahoo.com

MBA (Banking & Finance) Pakistani male-37 yrs, 15 years experience (12 years in banking Industry with Omani D/L) Seeking suitable position, Contact : 93865002, madeelazhar@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to finalization. Currently employed in Oman. Having D/L & NOC. Mob:94122464, cammk13@gmail.com Chief Accountant looking for full / part time job. Contact : 95598477 / 98803439 Indian male 13 years exp in Accounts & Admin manager with D/L & NOC can join immediately.

Contact: 96055815 Email: skhussainmct@gmail.com 28 years, female, 4 years experience in finance currently in Oman, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 94743790 Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization, consulting & audit works. Contact: 96247295 25 years Oman experienced, who can handle accounts up to finalization, job costing, timely follow for receivable & timely settle payable looking for suitable opening.

Contact : 94070799 B.Com, CA Articleship, 12 yrs experience in Accounts handling accounts upto finalization, having NOC letter & Oman light vehicle driving license.

Contact Prasad: 0091 8129121179 Om Prakash : 98050341 Telecom Engineer with bachelor degree, CCNA seeking suitable job in good company.

Contact 97269189 Male 24 MBA fresher in marketing and finance seeking immediate placement. Contact: 96112920 Indian male B.com accountant job 6 years experience in Oman looking suitable placement. #95741442 navaskamaru944@gmail.com

Indian male Accountant looking for a suitable placement in Salalah/ Muscat. More than 20 yrs experience in Accounting job (upto the finalization of accounts).

8 yrs working experience in Middle East in Dubai, Muscat & Salalah. Contact 91325029 Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa.

Immediately available.

Contact – 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com Pakistani male, 27 yrs, MBA finance having 3 yrs work experience in Accounts & finance in Muscat, Oman on visit visa.

Contact 99685330, Email : hussain_ca87@yahoo.com Part time Accountant with 15 yrs exp. in Accounts Finance, Tax Audit Management.

Contact 95857199 Indian male 10 years experienced Accountant looking for job, Knows up to finalization costing etc, Oman driving license available.

Contact: 91319600 Accountant B.Com 8 yrs exp in UAE, having Dubai D/L looking for a good job. Contact: +968 93546483 & 971567745263 Accountant, Indian male, 16 years experience (10 years in Oman with driving license & NOC) Tally, ERP.9 & focus expert up to finalization.

Contact: 99622639 Email: venugopal39@yahoo.com Accountant Indian female, 26 yrs, B.Com 2 yrs experience in accounting, purchase vouchers, bank reconciliation. Contact: 95690207 Email: pereira.rita08@gmail.com MBA (finance) one year experience in Oman, have Oman license looking for a good job. Contact: 94103975 Indian male, B.Com, 10 yrs Accounts exp in Tally & focus knowledge of Admin, HR, Purchase having NOC & D/L, looking for suitable job. Contact 93086105 Indian male , B. Com, (CA), 30 years, 10 years experience in GCC in Stores / Warehouse and Administration Management, seeks suitable placement. Currently on visit visa. Contact : 94818449; Email: laveen.tilak@gmail.com Chartered Accountant - Indian, 9 yrs + Exp (7 yr in Oman & UAE ) in Finance , Accounts & Auditing , seeking suitable position in Muscat/Dubai, Can Join Immediately, NOC Available, Contact 98707434 / Email: casmart007@gmail.com

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 4 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male 22 BBM graduate with tally certified 5 month experience as accounts officer 2 looking for suitable job immediately now on visit visa.

Contact: 98949120 Email: mohammednazal93@gmail.com Chief / Senior Accountant having 12 years of Oman experience in reputed firms. Looking for suitable placement. Contact – 99513082 Young 24, ACCA affiliate, advanced diploma in Accounting and business, seeking suitable placement in accounts, finance or audit with valid driving license.

Contact: 92430152 Email: rau_dey@yahoo.com B-Com Graduate male 28 yrs seeks suitable job in the field of administration, clerical or accounting related to construction, automobile, hospital admin ,money exchange or project management.

Contact :97892255

CATERING Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

DRIVER Experienced Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic Well knowledge of Oman Areas Seeking Suitable placement 97950869 Indian light driver having 2 years experience in Oman know language Hindi, English & Arabic need job. Contact: 97366822 Indian Driver, 27 yrs experience in Oman & UAE looking for job.

Contact 92488966 / 92345184 Pakistani driver, with 3 yrs, exp looking for job.

Contact: 96342684 Light driver 6 years exp education CO level language English, Arabic, Hindi looking for office driver. Contact: 99640986

Junior Accountant available.

Contact: 99854384 Email: syedimtiaz1234@gmail.com

5 years experience in Oman D/L (driver) seeking suitable placement. Contact: 95274160

Indian male Accountant / Auditor ACCA finalist having 5 years experience in accounting up to finalization & audit experience currently on visit visa. Contact: 91350688 or 99078853

Light driver need job 4 years experience, English , Arabic, Urdu.

Contact : 94208089

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, finance, banking, L/C, import, export & finalization seeks placement. NOC Available.

Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com

Looking for job driver with car.

Contact: 99154473

28/ male MBA – finance /B.com – accountant with 4 years of Dubai / India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 90187483 Email: shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

ARCHITECT Architect looking for freelance work in (design plans and 3dmax).

Contact: 96041201

ADMIN 14 years of Gulf experience in HR/ Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position, NOC available.

Contact: 95824598 Indian Female MBA, 3 Year experience in Admin MIS, Family Visa.

Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com Indian male MBA- UK 18 yrs Gulf exp in Administration/ HR & Public relationship. Fluent in Arabic/ English with D/L. Looking for suitable position. Contact - 99897280 Pakistani female Graduate plus Post Graduate diploma in logistics 6 years experience in shipping, office administration and customer service. Fluent English and very presentable on visit visa.

Contact: 91528567 Indian having more 15 years of experience (7 years in UAE) in construction as site administrates for / document controller / HR assistant / store assistant presently on visit seek suitable placement.

Contact: 92196001/98598099 Indian female, Masters in HR, having 4 + years Oman experience in media management and HR, looking for openings in HR, Education, Admin, Corporate communications. Contact 98252030 Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN 25 years male BA. English , Qualified as mast in digital animation having 5 yrs ex in character animation specialized Auto Desk mago and motion building software knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 97917357

DOMESTIC HELP Full time Malayalee House maid.

Contact: 90178404 / 94451344 / 93000935

Looking for light driving job, 2 years exp. Contact: 91625977

Bangladeshi male 48 yrs, light driver 14 yrs of exp, need job & visa. Contact - 98326656 Driver with experience of 10 years in Oman seeks suitable placement. Contact: 92191698 Driver with new car looking for job.contact: 95873286 Driver (light & heavy duty) valid gulf /Indian) looking job.

Contact: 95175192

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. B.Tech (IT) Indian male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement. Ready to join immediately.

NOC available. Contact: 92462578 email: kiren88@gmail.com Indian Civil Engineer 2 yrs exp in building construction /knowledge in staad PRO primavera / apostille attested certificate seeking immediate placement.

Contact: 96637494 Civil Engineer (BE) male 3 years experience (2 yrs in India) seeks placement, NOC available.

Contact 98639039 Sudanese Architectural Engineer 2 years experience in Oman, Revit, AutoCAD 3Ds max Archicad looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94722356 Email: maya40999@hotmail.com Civil Engineer, 2 years GCC experience seeking job in construction & infrastructure industry.

Contact: 97309549 Civil Engineer (Diploma) having total 11 yrs experience in building construction looking for suitable placement having Oman driving license, NOC available.

Contact 95075365, Email : azharraaz@gmail.com Indian male, 26 yrs, having 5 yrs Gulf experience as pre sales Engineer in IT field, looking for suitable job. NOC available, having Oman driving license with own car. Contact 96929899, Email : umeshreshmiya2@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer with 6 yrs experience in MEP field, seeking for a job, on visit visa with GCC license available.

Contact 98086267, Email : khaleel1586@gmail.com Sudanese Electrical Engg, 1 yr exp. in Generators, on visit visa.

Contact 94768845, Email : mohamedkarrar.mk@gmail.com Mechanical Engg, 7 yrs exp. in Generators, solar sys, HVAC, NOC & D/L available. Contact 97452159, Email : mohamedkarrar.mk@gmail.com Instrument Technician (diploma), Indian male, 24 yrs, 3 yrs experience in reputed oil & gas companies, currently on visit visa, seeks suitable job. Contact: 92007218 Email: ahmed0515@gmail.com

IT

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. BE Electronics, Female with 2 years experience in Oman with Omani D/L. NOC available.

Contact 95143294

Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact – 96789711

Project Engineer, BSc, 6 years experience in Oman, building construction Fluent Arabic, English and good Hindi Release and NOC Available). Tel: 97858589

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1Year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97416564, Email: jovinmathias@gmail.com

Indian male, 25 yrs, Diploma in Hardware & Network Engineering having 4 yrs experience now in Oman, on visit visa seeking suitable placement. Contact 98779754 / 92720311

Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912

B.Tech C.Eng. AMIEI, Electrical Engineer with 5years experience in the field of electrical power system (transmission & distribution) area expertise in design Ele-SLD, preparing BOQ, LS & estimation transformers switchgear selection installation testing & commissioning in all sectors.

Contact: 94638744, EMAIL : ceng.shaz@gmail.com Auto Electrician having experience 15 years Looking for suitable placement. Contact 94142502 Indian male, BE, Mechanical, with trainee level experience at Galfar & autoCAD, Creo, Ansys, certified individual looking for suitable placement in Oman. Contact 91232147, Email : shamil21siraj@gmail.com, Mr. Shamil Siraj.

Fresher Graduate looking for job (Electrical & Electronics Engineering), special course (Simatic P/C).

Contact 97304565 Electrical Engineer: Indian male, 30 yrs having 5 yrs of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India (MRF tyres), holding valid Oman D/L. Contact 92789995, email : akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Diploma in Electrical Engineering with 6 years’ experience in Electrical Automation, Programming, Project, Power, Energy and Supervision in Civil Work.

Currently in Oman and looking for suitable position, Please contact 94873560/92406652.

Indian Mechanical Engineer having 2+ yrs experience in India & Qatar looking for suitable job.

Contact 93828354. Email : shemseer23191@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Engineer with 5 years experienced AutoCAD primavera & GIS Arabic & English language looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 91340584 B, Sc Engineer looking job with visa. Contact: 96136615 Mechanical Engineer (B. Tech) knowledge in HVAC & fire fighting.

Currently in Oman on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 90154793 Email: sangu.vazhoor@gmail.com Mechanic Diesel Engines & Hydraulic , 25 years Experience in Multinational Companies.

M Arshad 91685048 Mechanical Engineer, 28 years, male with 4 years experience in Oman looking for suitable placement with driving license. NOC available. Contact: 968 97612297 Email: ymirza11@coledonian.ac.uk Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im B.E (CSE) Indian male 2 years of experience in IT & Networking presently in visit visa seeks for immediate placement. #93832694 Email: baijupp006@gmail.com Civil structural Engineer 6 years experience Oman license.

Contact: 96380693 Electrical Engineer Indian male BE (Electrical & Electronics) having 3 years of experience, seeking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91917369 Bcs Civil Engineer, 3 years experience, NOC available looking for suitable replacement.

GSM-97409350.

Mail- kamrul07cuet@gmail.com Network Engineer BA: CS with experience CCNA, MCSA. Contact: 92346191 7 Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the field of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598

Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com 23 yrs, Indian male looking for good job electrician & good Indian family driver, have Indian license & office boy ready for NOC, visa transfer, ready to join.

Contact: 92108447/ 96507858 Indian male (B.Tech EEE) 31 yrs having managerial skills AutoCAD quality control electrical fault debugging 6 yrs experience in electric field & good communication skills. Contact: 90181566 Email: jittoandrewsnesto@gmail.com 29 yrs Indian male B.E (ECE) with more than 5 yrs experience in Oman with valid D/L. #96652145 Bachelor Civil Engineer 6 Years in Oman experience Valid Driving License seeks suitable placement Phone 97619722 Email – golamrob@yahoo.com Civil Engineer 5 Years exp 2 years in Oman as QS. Seeking part time job as QS. Contact - 91507508 Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97667113 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, 36 years, Male, Indian, having 16 years of experience in machine maintenance & machine breakdown, worked with reputed companies in India, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact- 99011507 E-mail: rsdengroman@gmail.com Indian female, 31 yrs, 7 yrs experienced as AutoCAD civil draftsman (2 yrs experience in Oman) currently in Oman seeks suitable.

Contact 96789441 Email: simi5304@gmail.com Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975518 Electrical Engineer with 18 years exp in UAE. Contact: 98148034 Email: shassalih66@gmail.com Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement. Contact:- 95042656 Diploma in Mechanical Eng piping system in AutoCAD work, 21+ years experience with Driving license. Contact: 95267113 Email: rkakkaryil@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience as HVAC design engineer rev IT M.E.P AutoCAD. Contact: 91050913 Email: rahmanmechengg@yahoo.com Mechanical Engineer with 3 Yrs experience in international Oil & Gas company looking for job Contacts: Tel: 90164236 Email: mustafaoshi-62@hotmail.com Civil Engineer (BE) having total 5 years experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available Contact# 94450270 Indian female civil engineer B.Tech having 3 years experience sound knowledge of software, REVIT STAD PRO structural detailing currently on family visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95345591 Civil maintenance painting, tile works decor works, plumbing, electric, shop furnishing carpentary works and all other maintenance.

Contact 97897831, 92112094 (Indian, Keralite) Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com

10 years Oman experience ICT Sector, capable of handling large accounts, looking for suitable Senior Executive position.

Contact: 98987654

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact: 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com B.Tech (IT) Indian Male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement.

Ready to join immediately. NOC available. Contact: 92462578

EDUCATION Secondary Computer teacher, 5 years experience in Kuwait, IELTS 6, looking for job at bilingual or English School.

Contact: 96555397722 (viber, whatsapp, skype, imo) Email: samehj.adib@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/COO/CEO/Business Head. (NOC available) Contact: 96059470 Indian male 42 B.A Degree & diploma in hotel management with 16 yrs experience in India Abroad having V/L Oman D/L looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91575956 / 95451547 Email: lijosaju@yahoo.com Dutch male qualified commercial pilot (Faa-ME-IR certified) is looking for job openings in middle east. rutjestom@outlook.com

IT Indian Male, IT System Engineer having 4 yrs of experience in system administration.CCNA,MCSE, Linux. Looking for suitable job.

Contact :91272867 Indian female B.Tech IT with 2 years experienced in HCL presently on family visa.

Contact: 90357203 Email: ammupravda123@gmail.com Indian female, 28 yrs, MCA, B. Com, 3 yrs experience in the field of Computer hardware, ERP Softwares & windows networking where planning, implementing & trouble shooting with multiple platform of OS Microsoft XP / 7/ on visit visa. Contact 95089170, email : anjuretnakar@gmail.com Indian (Keralite) female (25 years) MCA on family visit required suitable placement.

Contact: 90417133 Email: renjitharose04@gmail.com Male 23 years 3 years experience in IT as Linux administrator at reputed MNC looking for a better change. Contact: 92889678 Email: amalpathikal@gmail.com Communication Network CCNA fresh Graduate.

Contact: 98194924 Indian male MCA, Oracle , orion , ERP, 15 years experience , 5 years in Oman with NOC. Contact: 95398567 Email: anasa4@gmail.com Senior IT Engineer Sudanese male 9 years experience in Govt./ Private sectors. Contact: 94675984 Senior IT Engineer Sudanese male 9 years experience in Govt. / Private sectors. Contact: 94874758 B.Tech (IT) Indian Male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement. Ready to join immediately.

NOC available.

Contact: 92462578

NEBOSH, IOSH Indian male HSE officer experience 8 yrs, 6 yrs GCC. Contact: 93235457 Email: srecjithsurcndran3@gmail.com Hardware & net working, 2 years exp. Contact: 96244031

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female, 24 Years - MSc Biotechnology. Worked in International Crops Research Institute For The Semi Arid Tropics for project work as trainee. Looking for suitable job. Mobile: 92619048, Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com 21 yrs, male, Oman experience, 2 yrs, educational qualification S.S.E, languages Arabic, Hindi, with Oman driving license seeks job. Contact 94157194 / 94116029 Indian female 28 years, presently on family visa looking for a suitable post. Contact: 93916523 Email: arya.surendran87@gmail.com Indian female on visit MBA (International Business- Marketing & Logistics), BE (Computers & Science Engg.) Trained in SAP-BI/ BW with 1 year experience seeking for job Contact: 90228586 Email:fathimasha16@gmail.com Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement.

Gsm 9880-5474 Indian female, Masters in Computer Application,26 yrs, 2 yrs of exp in administration, seeking suitable job in administration, IT, teaching, banking etc. Preferably in Muscat. Contact:99417993 dhanyaparumala@gmail.com

MEDICAL 10+ yrs experience as Optical Practice Manager, Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant, BCA seeking for good placement.

Email : udayasuresh87@gmail. com, 99576403 / 91 9962888824 Dentist Indian female with MOH license working in Oman since last 2 yrs & worked in India for 5 yrs is looking for a suitable placement in Sohar urgently. NOC available.

Contact : 94227073 Indian female Dentist prometric passed, 3 yrs experience looking for suitable position in Muscat.

Contact 91429337 / 98631283 An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact: 96436517 /97396088

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualified to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash management of the company & marketing projects & investments& tenders & real estate. # 92385033 Indian male, MBA Graduate, GCC with valid D/L, currently working as branch Manager in Muscat, 4 yrs Oman experience in Admin & HR Executive trainer, customer service, sale supervising accounting, fluent in Arabic, English, Hindi looking for suitable placement.

Release & NOC available.

Contact 97644108, email : basheervision21st@gmail.com Indian HSE Manager Grad IOSH & I Dip NEBOSH with 18 years experience presently working in Oman seeking suitable HSE jobs Oman driving license & NOC available.

Contact: 94401830 Email: hseoman101@gmail.com 25 years Gulf experienced Manager in operations, projects, properties, holding valid Oman driving license, with NOC, looking for suitable opening. Contact: 91283701 Indian male M.B.A with 7 years Oman experience in Insurance sector with D/L, NOC available seeking suitable position.

Contact: 99278672

D6

M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 4 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

SALES / MARKETING

Indian male, with experience in operations management, information security, purchase & stores mgmt, hold UAE driving license, on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact 91904541 Email: naushers@yahoo.com

Indian male B.Com Graduate having 14 yrs Gulf experience in indoor sales and shop management currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement in Oman.

Contact : 94873251 Email: imtiazsulthan@gmail.com

MBA (marketing) with 17 years experience in freight forwarding/ logistics industry in GCC & Oman.

Presently working as branch manager in Muscat. Looking for a suitable position. Release and NOC available. Contact: 99856331

38 yrs, male, Graduate, 7 yrs experience in Sales/ Marketing Electronic field having NOC & D/L. Contact 92453375

Result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years management experience in Oman and other gulf countries looking for a suitable vacancy in hotels, restaurants and catering companies.# 97204636 Indian male 8 yrs exp in Oman working as housekeeping supervisor in star hotel, seeking for a job NOC available. Contact – 91753210 Purchase/Planning & Logistics Manager, MBA (Finance), 14yrs.

Oman Exp. with D/L, NOC available, looking for suitable position.

Contact : 93826090, Email: jskanchan01@gmail.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments& transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact :- 92385033

SALES / MARKETING MBA graduate having 6 years exp in Sales & Marketing, 4 years with PEPSI, India, having international driving license permit seeks suitable placement. Cont : 95308167, Email : samir.pag@gmail.com Looking for immediate Sales & Marketing Job, 10 Years Experience, MBA Peter -93747126/ E-mail forlakei@yahoo.com Indian (keralite) male 25 yrs MBA in marketing & logistics ,2 yrs marketing exp presently in Oman in residential visa (NOC could obtained) with Oman D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact :90263368, Email: getintouchtst@gamil.com Indian male 5 years experience in Store keeping & driving license, release available. Contact: 95197065 Indian male, 25 yrs, MBA, Marketing with 1 yr experience in Sales & Marketing looking for immediate placement. Contact 91945577 B.Com male 5 yrs exp. in sales Oman D/L. Contact: 94824000 Email: sharseem@gmail.com MBA 14 years Experience in Multinational Groups in Sales & Marketing with Omani Driving Licence. M.Z. 96220975 Indian male 23 MBA Marketing and HR with 8 months experience in sales and marketing looking for suitable placement. # 91987119 Email: reny.cherian1@gmail.com Indian male, MBA Marketing having 2.5 years Sales experience immediately looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91415145, Email: shariqs88@gmail.com 30 yr old experienced available with NOC & Oman driving license 6+years experience in chemicals Industry. Contact: 96675065

Looking for driving & marketing job, 4 yrs exp. in Muscat, English, Arabic & Hindi. Contact 99548180 Indian male, 28 yrs, 3 yrs In Oman, B.E. Instrumentation, 5.5+ yrs experience in oil & gas projects, proposals, EPC, sales & marketing preferred, profile – sales & marketing status married can join immediately. Contact 91 9650336344, prashant.colligator@gmail.com Dedicated professional with over 18 yrs experience in sales marketing business development & new product launches with Oman driving license & NOC with 4 yrs experience in Oman looking for suitable openings.

Contact 93575165 / 99254080 Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and Marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, looking for suitable placement.

Contact : 94879615. Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com 5 years experience in Sales currently looking for a placement.

Contact: 93458869 Indian male, MBA Finance & Marketing 28 yrs,6+ Exp, with Driving license, Hospital Phrma Herbal Marketing, construction A/c & sales , F&B industry, Contact : 93379044 Indian male 23 years with 4 years experience in Purchase and Sales, graduate in EC, currently on visiting visa, seeking suitable job in Oman. Contact: 96761020. Email: adikmuthumuttam@gmail.com Sales & Marketing Executive MBA with 3 years experience in sales looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91345727.

Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement. Gsm 9880-5474 Indian Male 32, MBA (Marketing & Finance) with 10 years experience in Marketing of Banking Products & Insurance Industry.

Seeking for a Job in Oman.

Contact: 93576980, 97750460 Email: senthil.cbe83@gmail.com Indian male, 24, MBA Marketing and HR, I year experience. On visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94014073 Marketing Executive/Merchandiser, Omani License, BA 8 years Experience in Multinational Groups. Contact 97601343

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Indian male 40 having 5 years experience in UAE, looking for suitable placement in Oman. Contact: Rethish Kumar: 00968 99282901 / 00968 93988015 Email: rethishkumar@gmail.com Indian male Senior Safety Officer (NEBOSH) 9 years experience, valid GCC license looking for suitable job .

Contact: 96586672 Email: mrudul.v2008@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS

SKILLED / UNSKILLED More than 8 yrs experienced mill with fitter & pipe fitter.

Contact 95600418

Chief Accountant looking for full / part time job. Contact :95598477 / 98803439

37 years, Indian male, X- Ray welder 7 years experience, looking for job on visit visa now. Contact: 91360190 / 98223683

27, male, ACCA finalist, have professional experience up to finalization of accounts, statutory and internal audit, expertise in using tally, focus and oracle software, have 3.5 years exp. in accounts till finalization , seeking for permanent replacement in senior position,GSM-97654769/ 91324962,email idabdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com

Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192 Electrician, plumber (exp gulf / Indian) looking job. Contact 95175192

TECHNICIAN /MECH. Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license call Ph:+968 99450811 Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com

TOURS & TRAVELS Indian female BSC IATA, 14 years exp in travel & tourism in Oman looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 96433490 Email: indu623@yahoo.co.in

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male M.com looking for part time job in accounts including finalization, date entry, financial guidance please contact mobile 97433387 Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/ networking/ server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Light Driver looking for job.

Contact:99594946 Indian, M.Com with 20 years Gulf experience in Marketing Communications, ATL& BTL branding exp. with Oman D/L. Contact 93031168 Indian Male Diploma + MBA in Project Management with 7+ years of experience in Construction company oman as a maintenance supervisor cum site In charge.

Having valid Omani D/L seeking suitable position.

Contact: 90318757 Indian male, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. # 90182494, manojmallya999@gmail.com 31 year Indian male PG in HR with 5 yrs Professional experience in HR in Construction Oil & Gas Oman seeking for a suitable placement(NOC Available).Kindly contact me on 93488914, emailKaarthickshankar@gmail.com Planning Engineer: B.E (Electrical and Electronics Engineering): Indian Male 33 yrs with 10 years of exp. in UAE & Muscat. Skilled in the areas of project coordination, planning & procurements. Contact: 00971503529608 Email Id: saravananbe44@gmail.com Pakistani male: MSc Environmental Engineering, Diploma Hazard risk reduction and Occupation Safety Health Authority, having more than 5 years’ exp. as a Health Safety supervisor looking for a better placement.

Contact: 97682745 email: hussain349@gmail.com

Indian Male Diploma + MBA in Project Management with 7+ years of exp. in Construction company Oman as a Maintenance Supervisor cum site In charge. Having valid Omani D/L seeking suitable position. Contact: 90318757 B.E. Chemical, Total 12 yrs experience, QA/HSE experience in Engg.

Consultancy/ Construction/ ISO Management Systems, Lead Auditor for ISO 9001, 14001 & 18001 seeking suitable placement. NOC Available. Contact: 9415 7131, EMail: samirtrivedi_01@yahoo.com Electronics Technician , 4 Years experience as Electronics service engineer. Knowledge in all type of Electronics items. Looking for suitable placement.

Contact 99105043 INDIAN MALE, 24 years, B.Tech in computer science.3Years of experience in technical support, software development, troubleshooting and managing, seek suitable placement. Contact GSM- 98184170 B.Tech EEE with 4+ years experience in the field of it, networking, ex-tonics etc. Presently working in amazon india development centre as a content quality associate.

Seeking for suitable jobs in oman.

Contact number : +91 9940514005, 0096893116402, Email: mail2nbn@gmail.com Indian Male, 28 Yrs, M.Tech having 5+ years experience (3 Year Industry+2 years Lecturer),Now on visit visa, looking for suitable position. Contact 94885747 Indian, Male, 24years, Bachelor’s degree, Two and half years experience with Oman driving license.

NOC Available. Looking suitable opening. Currently on visit visa.

GSM: 95484101.

Sudanese male 31 years, have 3 years Diploma in Electrical Engineer, 6 years and 1 year in Oman experience in building construction and electrical plants , have oman drive license.

Contact : 94549609 26 Years oman experienced executive in automobiles, showroom & workshop areas seeks suitable replacement. Currently working as general manager in a reputed LLC” Contact +968-2009700 /91494707 Indian Female Electronics System Eng. UK Graduate. Programmer Micro Controller Robot, Eng. Analysis, Instrumentation & Control, Eng. Projects, Integrated Circuit Eng., Electrical and Fluid Drives, Analogue Electronics, Wireless Systems. Seeking suitable post.

Contact: 97848075, s.dinesh1508@gmail.com Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/ networking/server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532

Indian Male, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” looking for suitable placement. Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. Contact: 90182494, Manojmallya999@gmail.com Bangladeshi Male, University MA, 5 years experience in IT sales & marketing working as sales coordinator in Oman; searching better job. Phone:91997605. email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com Indian female, MBA HR & Finance, having 1 year experience, seeking suitable placement. Currently in Oman. Contact: 96052366.

Industrial Automation and Process Control Instrumentation trained Mechatronics Engineer seeking for a suitable job. Also possess GCC driving license.

Ph. 93370528, email: atulverghese@gmail.com.

Sales Executive, Male, 24years, Two and half years experience with Oman driving license. NOC Available. GSM: 95484101.

Post graduate master of social work having 5 years experience at present visit visa seeking suitable opportunity. Contact 99876307 Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant, doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available. Contact 98803439 31 year Indian male PG in HR ,with 5 yrs Professional experience in HR in Construction Oil & Gas Oman seeking for a suitable placement(NOC Available).Kindly contact me on 93488914, emailKaarthickshankar@gmail.com Indian male, 26, BCom with tally, 2-year exp in marketing and 2-year exp as restaurant manager looking for suitable job.

NOC available. Ph. No: 97707953 DME (Diploma in Mechanical Engineering) with overall 7+ year experiences in the field of Industrial and Plant Maintenance seeking placements. Contact 97460974 Bangladeshi Male, University MA, 5 years experience in IT sales & marketing working as sales coordinator in Oman; searching better job. Phone:91997605, email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com Indian female, ME in CSE with 2 years’ experience in teaching seeking suitable Job Opportunity.

Contact: 94263445, E mail – apshinmar@gmail.com HR Manual, Employee Handbook, Recruitment, Training, HR Consultancy, Are you looking for freelancer HR professional.

Contact on 97914669 Indian-male 34yrs,m.Com with 14 yrs exp.( 8 Yrs in oman) working as procurement officer in contg & trdg co llc.( Worked for road,civil,electro-mechanical,corr osion,scaffolding,insulation & Others Projects in Oman ) and having Oman LT D/L, Looking for suitable placement- M:94064650, Email: nagauae@gmail.com 29 year Indian male B-Tech Engineering, with 6 yrs of Professional experience in Manufacturing Oil & Gas Industries seeking for a suitable placement (NOC Available).Kindly contact me on 94628362, emailmahinathdevani@yahoo.co.in

Indian male auto cad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience .Seeking for part time job.Mobile no: 0096899070584 / Email: remluvp@gmail.com Sudanese male, 31 year old, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer 5 year experience in different activities. Contact - 94549609 MBA - (F), M.Com,B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for part time or full time job. presently on family visa. Contact :- 91892264. Email: yashicapandya@gmail.com Indian Male, 26 years, with 7 years of experience in Sales Field in Shipping company in Dubai looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. Contact: 90182494 manojmallya999@gmail.com Looking for Network Engineer Job, NOC Available Can join immediately. Qualification: BE Telecommunication, CCNA, CCNP Voice.

Driving License: Oman, Current Company: Global Solutions, Client: Diwan Experience: 3.5 Years.

Contact – 97312044 / waleedkhan26@gmail.com HR & Admin Executive ( MBA) Indian male 26 year old, with more than 4 years of experiences in HR& Admin (16 month in Oman) looking for suitable placement, NOC available.Contact: +968-98757304 Email: nuroollah789@gmail.com Indian Accounts professioanl with 2 years of experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable job openings Contact: Gsm: 92395449 jaleelcabdul@gmail.com Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. In IT/ networking/server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian male, totally 8+ years experience in IT Assistant, 5 Years in Oman, Looking for a suitable position in Oman, Holding Oman Driving license & also NOC is available. Contact: 98248024, email- bala.abins@gmail.com Indian male, QA/QC Instrument Inspector, 8 years exp in GCC, on visit visa. Contact 92430370 Email: rajeshgcc.kumar@gmail.com, Mechanic Diesel Engines & Hydraulic, 25 years Experience in Multinational Companies.

Contact - 91685048 Indian Male, 28, MBA Finance & Mcom. more than 5yrs exp. in A/c & Finance (Including 2 yrs in Oman), NOC available, Seek Suitable Placement, Contact: 93939421, email: baleeq.ams@gmail.com Planning Engineer: B.E(Electrical and Electronics Engineering): Indian Male 33 yrs with 10 years of experience in UAE & Muscat. Skilled in the areas of project coordination, planning & procurements.

Contact: 00971503529608 Email Id: saravananbe44@gmail.com Indian Expat female, BSc Physics and Tally ERP 9, educated with valid Oman Driving license seeks suitable position. Please contact: 0096894864575 Civil Engineer 5 Years EXP 2 years in Oman as a QS Seeking for part time job as QS. # 91507508

M O N DAY, JA N UA RY 4 , 2 0 1 6

D7

DAILY GUIDE TOURS

SIT.WANTED MBA (F), B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for job. presently on family visit visa.

Contact :- 94704661. Email:bhumicapandya@gmail.com Indian youth BA warehouse manager/sales in Oman 1 year provide NOC, OMAN Driving license holder seeks jobs.94 525213 lojikts@gmail.com.

B Sc. Computer Application + M B A from UK With 3 years of Experience, Mumbai, India Available on Visit Visa (27Years)looking for a suitable Placement. Contact: 94030166/ 96739581 Email ID: asokpanicker1001@gmail.com 31 year Indian male PG in HR with 5 yrs Professional experience in HR in Construction Oil & Gas Oman seeking for a suitable placement(NOC Available).Kindly contact me on 93488914, emailKaarthickshankar@gmail.com Driver Cum Salesman Professional, Indian male having 7 Years of Experience in Oman Having Valid Driving License working as a Office Driver, Looking for a suitable Position, NOC available.

Contact: 99680429 Email:anzarkutty1975@gmail.com Indian male 23yr BA TTM(Travel and Tourism Management) with Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Logisitics and Shipping Management, Experienced in Logisitics (Customs Clearance) seeking in suitable placement, currently on visit visa(Oman) Contact; 90291092 email:iyas.adhur@gmail.com ACCA (Associate Certified Chartered Accountant) with 2 years experience. Looking for opportunities in Finance, Accounts.

Presently Available in Oman for Personal interviews Contact: 96124257, 93692578.

Email at naeemnoe5@gmail.com Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3 yrs exp. in IT / networking/ server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian Male, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office.

Contact 90182494, Manojmallya999@gmail.com Male 27, BCA, Diploma in Networking, CCNA certified engineer, 4 years experience in IT support & networking seeks job.

Contact-90193811 Indian female, 27, food technologist (MSc Food Technology), 2years experience in research and development - instant foods, seasonings. Contact -93987174 email :mayacnair@outlook.com Project Manager in Mechanical Engg. (M.sc.) with 8 years experience in Building Construction, oil & gas seeking job- # 94625598 (nima.azimzadeh@gmail.com) Indian male 24yrs, B. tech in (Computer Science) 4 years of exp in technical support, sales and networking, seeks suitable placement. Contact:- 95955696, email:- mir.jak89@gmail.com

MATRIMONIAL Hindu Nair Malayalee 32 yrs working in Muscat seeking suitable alliance. Contact 98262970 Christian inviting proposals from Orthodox / Jacobite, Marthoma & Roman Catholics grooms of parents for our God fearing and homely daughter (Orthodox) 23 years B.D.S we are looking for well settled boy.

If interested reply on 92336530 / 92800143 Email: kochirikunnil@gmail.com

SIT.WANTED 31 year Indian male PG in HR ,with 5 yrs Professional experience in HR in Construction Oil & Gas Oman seeking for a suitable placement(NOC Available).Kindly contact me on 93488914, emailKaarthickshankar@gmail.com Software Engineer , Oracle EBS R-12 Technical Consultant 9 Years Experience. HRMS/ Payroll, Education, Hotel, Textile, Shipping Container Terminal.

Email: sziahussain@hotmail.com.

Contact 97912264 Indian male 23yr BA TTM(Travel and Tourism Management) with Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Logistics and Shipping Management, Experienced in Logistics(Customs Clearance) seeking in suitable placement.

Currently on visit visa (Oman) Contact; 90291092 email: iyas.adhur@gmail.com

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636

GOOD NEWS AL RAZI AYURVEDIC CLINIC Near Khimji Mart, MBD Area, Ruwi Our Ayurvedic Treatment includes Abhyangam, Kizhi Massage, Shirodhara, Vasti, Udwarthnam 50% Discount on full body massage.

We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

Contact 24814222 or 97112510 for appointment

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage steambath, obesity, Spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 98342990

SERVICES

8 yrs exp 2d, 3d draughtsman (holding omani driving license) seeking job. Contact 93790601 MBA(HR & Marketing) & B.Com, Indian male 28 yrs,2 yrs exp. in Qatar, having oman driving license, currently on family visa (NOC available).looking for hr, admin, assistant accountant, marketing & sales job in salalah.

Contact:98139502 email: subinabraham87@gmail.com Indian male 25 yrs, MBA (Finance, Marketing), Overall 2 yrs exp in Accounts/Finance field, On Visit Visa. Immediately available.

Contact - 92989197/94786544. abdulqhizer2004@gmail.com Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3 yrs exp. in IT/ networking/ server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian male, 28 yrs, E & I Engineering diploma (3 years), 7 years exp.(India, Oman, KSA) in electrical and instrumentation with driving license, looking suitable job #91051803 Indian male 23 yr BA TTM (Travel and Tourism Management) with Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Logisitics and Shipping Management, exp in Logisitics (Customs Clearance) seeking in suitable placement, currently on visit visa(Oman) Contact; 90291092 email:iyas.adhur@gmail.com

Catering for Party & Birthday service Cnt 97196675 Cleaning & Carpet Shampooing, Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Office boys, Cleaning Contracts, General cleaning etc.

Al Mudakhir National Est. LLC Contact : 94277020

House shifting. Contact: 99657644/98518013

Marble grinding resurfacing & ceiling crystallization / polishing general cleaning of villas & flats.

Terrazzo floor scrubbing, ceiling, polishing & buffing.

Contact: 98598280 /94134784

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/ 24792998

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact : 93769089 / 95323517 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D8

M O N D AY, JA N UA RY 4 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

Silver car, car rental at good rate.

Contact: 96166155/93530540 Rental car. Contact: 92516090 25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. Contact 99839898

TRANSPORTATION DRIVING

SITUATION WANTED BUSINESS

FOR HIRE

TRANSPORTATION

Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation. Contact:99664703

7 Ton/ 10 Ton- Trailer Local transport- MCT- UAE

Transportation taxi mini bus.

Contact: 93091106

32 seater toyota bus available on hire basis monthly or yearly contract gsm 99705821

TRANSPORTATION Learn driving with professional.

Contact: 94022250

We will register LLC. trade license for foreign investors and do all actions. Contact: 92833566

Transportation Contact: 99077395

Contact 96609857 Amir Ali Pick & drop anytime in Al Khuwair. Contact 99764307

Transportation. Contact 99508282

Transportation. Contact 96173326 Transportation. Contact 4510847 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909