Times of Oman - November 5, 2015

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FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

Hansen sizzles on opening day of NBO Golf Classic Grand Final >C1

On the occasion of the graduation of the first group of students from the Sultan Qaboos University

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ Oman can only continue her development, and enable her community to cope proficiently and keep pace with all the changes taking place around it, if she has young people of this kind – that is, ambitious young people with strong characters and a deep sense of responsibility and patriotism.

THURSDAY, November 5, 2015 / 22 Muharram 1437 AH timesofoman.com

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House prices and rents set to hold steady Despite falling oil prices, Oman’s

ROP issues guidelines for use of stickers

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scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com

OMAN

Oman Air to hire 1,000 His Majesty confers more employees Oman Civil Order

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Oman Air plans to hire 1,000 more employees by 2017 as the airline is on an expansion spree, a top official from the airline said. The airline is planning to boost its fleet strength from 40 to 57 by 2018 and 70 by 2020. >A4

still looking positive

SCOTT ARMSTRONG

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

property market is

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His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said conferred Oman Civil Order ‘Second Class’ on Dr Abdulaziz bin Othman Al Twaijri, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation. >A6

OMAN

Majlis Al Shura chairman, deputies elected In response to the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos

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bin Said, Majlis Al Shura on Wednesday held its extraordinary session to take oath and elect the chairman and two deputies of the chairman in accordance with the provision of article 58 (bis 12) of the Basic Law of the State. >A7

MUSCAT: Amid doom and gloom across the GCC driven by low oil prices, the Sultanate’s property market is still looking positive to Omani residential buyers and expatriate renters alike, according to the latest data released by one of Oman’s major real estate companies.

ERA-Oman has just completed its fourth quarter ‘Market Overview’, which shows that rents are likely to remain stable, thumbs up if you are an expat renting, but equally healthy residential sales for Omanis wanting to buy are being driven by affordable and accessible finance offered by banks, especially due to growth of Islamic finance. Its eight-page report details where it says are the most popular one and two-bedroom rental locations across Muscat, and what tenants can expect to

INSPIRING YOUNG WINNER

In a first, Omani national bags ‘Unsung Hero Award’ TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Yahya Al Hatmi is the first Omani working in the Sultanate to be recognised with the “Unsung Hero Award”, presented at the Hotelier Middle East ceremony in Dubai.

His seniors are of the view that Al Hatmi has always won people over with his positive attitude and cheerful demeanour. #Omanpride features this inspiring young winner, who believes that the hard work he puts in now will help him climb the corporate ladder at his workplace.

“It does not make a difference whether you are a manager, supervisor or a room attendant.

What counts is the difference you make in your work environment,” said Al Hatmi, who has been working at the Intercontinental Hotel for around two years.

Better performance “Some people come in to work, complete their hours and go home, while others make an effort to develop their abilities and perform better. I believe I would be placed in the latter category because I want to make a difference,” he added.

The “Unsung Hero of the Year” award, according to Hotelier Middle East’s website, is awarded to

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Yahya

Al Hatmi with the award. – Tariq Al Haremi/TIMES OF OMAN

THE HOME OF GOOD NEWS

#OMANPRIDE “the real unsung heroes; those that chop vegetables all day, sweep lobby floors, valet parked cars, clean rooms, and always manage to have a smile on their

face, and have a ‘can do’ attitude”.

Al Hatmi said he always makes enough effort to do his job professionally and always ensures that the guests have a good experience, adding that positive customer feedback had helped him win the award and that he is grateful for it.

When the Times of Oman asked him a sensitive question about being tipped and how he felt about it, he said he tried as much as he could to refuse tips, simply because he is just doing his job.

Although it’s not necessary to tip, guests and customers find it customary and it shows appreciation for the level of service received.

“I try as much as I can to kindly refuse any tips from my customers so that they feel I’m just doing my job. I always tell my guests, ‘This is my job sir/ma’am, you don’t have to give me anything’”, said Al Hatmi.

“Sometimes they keep insisting and when I do take the tip, I just consider it a small token of appreciation based on my service,” he added.

He also mentioned that it does not feel right to take tips from guests when he is getting a fixed salary.

“I always try to be hospitable and treat my guests nicely to gain their loyalty for the hotel and not for tips,” Al Hatmi explained. >A4

ARABIAN SEA

Low pressure to bring rain STAFF REPORTER

MUSCAT: A low pressure system has formed over the south-west of the Arabian Sea and is moving in the north-west direction, a tweet posted by the Public Authority for Civil Aviation, stated.

“There is a feature that we are watching, which is developing off southwest India. It may develop into a tropical depression or a weak tropical cyclone later this

week or weekend. It will follow a track similar to Chapala, but this feature will not be nearly as strong,” Jason Nicholls, senior meteorologist from Accuweather.com told the Times of Oman.

Rain “This low pressure system will bring some rain to Yemen and perhaps southern Oman around Monday or Tuesday of next week,” Jason added.

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H M ’ S R O YA L D E C R E E

Information ministry’s organisational structure approved MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on Wednesday issued a Royal Decree No. 45/2015 approving the organisational structure of the Ministry of Information.

Article (1) approves the Information Ministry’s organisational structure as per the annex attached to the decree.

Article (2) cancels Royal Decree No. 51/97 and all that contradicts this decree or contravenes its provisions. Article (3) says that this decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and comes into force on the date of its issue. — ONA INDIA

POSITIVE OUTLOOK: Rents are likely to remain stable in the Sul-

tanate, according to ERA-Oman’s fourth quarter ‘Market Overview’.

pay, starting from a minimum of OMR350 for a one-bedroom and up to OMR900 for a two-bed room in premium properties.

Good news It also reports good news for property buyers with prices set to maintain their levels, but not rise significantly in 2016. While this is less good news for anyone wanting to make a quick profit, it will encourage more young Omanis to take their first step on the property ladder, especially as banks are helping them achieve that goal through access to lowcost lending.

Hassan Mohammed Juma,

ERA-Oman’s Managing Director, said: “We see the role of the banks as very helpful to sustaining the performance of the property market for the remainder of this year and throughout 2016.

“We manage approximately 1,800 properties and we look at the portfolio we are seeing stability in the rental levels, no drops.

We are still signing contract renewals with no problem. Supply will continue to increase though so we will be monitoring that on a quarter by quarter basis.” ERAOman’s report is in stark contrast to other GCC markets which are experiencing much more volatility due to oil prices. >A7

HM receives thanks cable MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from President Pranab Mukherjee of the Republic of India, in reply to His Majesty’s congratulatory cable on the occasion of his country’s 69th Independence Day anniversary.

In his cable, President Mukherjee expressed his utmost thanks and appreciation for His Majesty the Sultan’s congratulations, wishing His Majesty continuous health and wellbeing. He laid the stress on deep existing relations between the two countries. — ONA

T H U R S DAY, N OV E MB E R 5, 2 0 1 5

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THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

OMAN E M I R AT E S

Flight to Bologna to give business a fresh impetus

Presently, the Omanisation rate is around 62 per cent. However, it is unlikely to cross that in the coming years Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, COO, Oman Air

Oman Air to hire 1,000 more employees by 2017

RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com BOLOGNA (ITALY): Muscat and Bologna have now become closer, with the Emirates airline launching its fourth Italian gateway on Tuesday, following the arrival of the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in Bologna.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive vice president and chief commercial officer, Commercial Operations Worldwide, said the Omani capital will be able to receive a large number of tourists from Italy following the introduction of a direct flight between Dubai and Bologna.

“On the other hand, citizens and residents of Oman can now fly to Bologna via Dubai,” he said after the first flight landed in the capital of the Emilia Romagna region.

Regarding the number of passengers flying to the city, Antinori said he expects double-digit numbers from Oman on every flight.

“This will surely increase in the coming days,” he added. As the capital of the Emilia Romagna region, Bologna has one of the world’s largest and most well-preserved medieval historical centres and is rich in art, culture and commerce.

Located in northern Italy, Bologna is an excellent stepping off point for access to Florence, Pisa and the stunning vistas of Tuscany.

Highlighting the airline’s connectivity with the East, passengers on the inaugural flight travelled through to Bologna from a diverse mix of destinations, including; Dubai, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai and Taipei.

As one of the most industrialised cities in Italy, access to the airline’s network of more than 50 destinations in the Far East, Middle East and West Asia, is expected to further foster business opportunities across the region.

Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, Oman Air’s chief operating officer, said, ‘We are going to fly to

Flights to Bangladesh from Salalah and Sohar planned

more and more destinations in the coming days. When we are flying more, we need more staff. We will recruit more (people)’ Emirates-flight-EK093-landsfor-the-first-time-in-Bologna

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com “Our new daily flight to Bologna combines not only our world-class services, but also convenient access to this important Italian gateway from across our global network.

As the only wide-bodied aircraft to operate from Bologna, we bring to the region an unrivalled customer experience across all three cabin classes,” Antinori stated. “The gateway to Tuscany, Bologna offers inbound travellers with easy access to this vibrant tourism and commercial hub. We are confident that our new daily flight will bring economic benefit, trade and investment to the region, with demand for direct links to and from the Middle East, Asia and Australia more prevalent than ever,” he added.

Speaking at Tuesday’s launch the Mayor of Bologna, Virginio Merola said, “Emirates’ investment in our city honours us and makes us proud of the work that we have done together over the years to position our airport and our city as an international gateway.

Thanks to the countless routes operated by Emirates we now have direct access to many destinations in the East. A benefit not only for the citizens of Bologna, who will travel for business or holidays, but also for the many people from all over the world, who can now get direct links to our territory.”

MUSCAT: Oman Air plans to hire 1,000 more employees by 2017 as the airline is on an expansion spree, a top official from the airline said.

“We are going to fly to more and more destinations in the coming days. When we are flying more, we need more staff. We will recruit more (people),” Abdulrahman Al Busaidy, chief operating officer (COO) at Oman Air, told the Times of Oman in an exclusive interview.

According to the official, at present, the airline has around 6,500 employees.

“By 2017, it will be 7,500,” the official added.

The airline is planning to boost its fleet strength from 40 to 57 by 2018 and 70 by 2020. During the last few months, Oman Air has started new flights to Manila, Jakarta, Goa and Singapore. Since the end of last month, the airline has added Frankfurt and Dhaka to its list of new destinations.

Commenting on the Omanisa-

tion rate at the airline, the official said it is unlikely to go beyond the present level as it’s an international carrier and it needs multilingual employees as it flies to different destinations.

“Presently, the Omanisation rate is around 62 per cent. However, it is unlikely to cross that in the coming years,” COO Al Busaidy pointed out.

In addition to increased frequencies, Oman Air’s winter schedule this year will include a number of flight routes that will benefit from upgrades in terms of the type of aircraft flying on these routes.

Following the introduction of Dreamliner flights to Frankfurt, the Boeing 787s will also be deployed for services between Muscat and Milan from December 1.

The Dreamliner aircraft will also be used for one flight per day between Muscat and Salalah, in the south of Oman, from December 1.

Also within the Gulf region, flights from Muscat to Jeddah and Riyadh will be operated using Oman Air’s award-winning Airbus 330s. The aircraft will su-

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com DHAKA: Oman Air is planning to have direct flights to Bangladesh from Salalah and Sohar, a top official from the airline said.

“By the end of next year, we may have a flight from Salalah to Bangladesh. We are expanding our fleet and we have learnt that Bangladeshis are not only concentrated in Muscat, but also in other cities. So we have plans to launch flights from Salalah and Sohar too, to Bangladesh,” Abdulrahaman Al Busaidy, the airline’s chief operating officer (COO), said.

“Already, our flights connecting Bangladesh and Muscat are full, and we are optimistic that it (capacity) will grow,” COO Al Busaidy said on the sidelines of a press conference in Dhaka.

persede the Boeing 737s on these routes. Flights to Khasab, Oman’s northern enclave will be operated using Embraer 175s. The Embraers will replace the ATR42s, which are currently deployed on

On Tuesday, the airline had announced that the frequency of Oman Air flights to Dhaka from Muscat will be increased from December 1.

From December 1 onwards, there will be flights departing for Bangladesh on Mondays and Wednesdays.

At present, Oman Air operates flights to Dhaka on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

“By March, we plan to have daily flights to Dhaka,” Al Busaidy added.

Regarding tourist visa issues for Bangladeshis travelling to Oman, the official said the airline is currently in talks with the departments concerned in Oman and the issue will be resolved soon.

The launch of the Dhaka service is part of the move to increase in airline’s fleet strength from 40 to 57 by 2018 and to 70 by 2020.

the route and are due to be phased out from Oman Air’s fleet.

Last month, Oman Air was allocated around OMR140 million to invest in the growth of Oman’s flag carrier by shareholders.

Oman Air opens office in Dhaka DHAKA: Oman Air opened its office in the Bangladeshi capital, Dhaka, on the sidelines of marking its new destination to Dhaka. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Hamad bin Khamis Al Aamri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Manpower for Labour Affairs.

The chief guest said that opening Oman Air office in Dhaka is an important step that would contribute in enhancing the bilateral relations between the Sultanate and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Abdulrazaq bin Juma Al Ra’eesi, Oman Air’s Chief Commercial Officer, said that the office has 20 employees

who will assist the passengers in terms of issuing tickets and replying to their inquiries.

Oman Air also has an office in the city of Chittagong.

He pointed out that the operation on Muscat-Dhaka route, which started on October 25, exceeded 90 per cent until yesterday, which makes Oman Air consider increasing the number of flights on this route.

The ceremony was attended

by Omar bin Mohammed Al Balushi, Charge D’affaires of the Sultanate’s Embassy in Bangladesh and Abdulrahamn bin Harith Al Busaidi, Oman Air’s Chief Operating Officer.

-ONA

EVENT

INAUGURATION: The opening ceremony was held under the

patronage of Hamad bin Khamis Al Aamri, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Manpower for Labour Affairs. – ONA

OMANPRIDE

‘Showcase your A1 abilities at work’ < FROM

Chance to win Stereophonics concert tickets Times News Service MUSCAT: Fans of the Stereophonics in Oman are eagerly waiting for the popular UK band to take stage.

“We know that there is just seven days to go for the Stereophonics concert but I can’t wait to see them perform,” said Arun Visruth, an eager admirer of the band.

Stereophonics concert will perform at the Shangri La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa Amphitheatre.

To celebrate the forthcoming performance on November 12 (next Thursday), Times of Oman has teamed up with organisers Alive Entertainment to give

away two fan pit tickets (worth OMR50 each) on each day in the countdown to the performance.

To win, simply like Alive Entertainment Oman’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/aliveoman) , then come to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ timesofoman) and like it (if you haven’t already) and type “I want to see the Stereophonics”.

Of course if you don’t want to leave it to chance, tickets are still on sale at the Mackenzie’s Café & Deli for what promises to be a sell-out show.

Stereophonics concert is being organised by Alive Entertainment in association with HI FM.

Jamal Ali Al Balushi, assistant executive housekeeper, praised the unsung hero for his achievements and his positive work attitude, saying Al Hatmi “shines in the department”.

“During the interview, he was all smiles and giggles. He had the qualities we were looking for. We trained him and taught him the five-star standards followed by the hotel. Now, he tends to VIP guests,” said Al Balushi.

Some people view room attendants or housekeeping as one of the lower forms of employment and look down upon them.

Some also disrespect and belittle their employees.

Al Hatmi said it is like any other job and there is no shame in it. He hopes to progress and climb the executive ladder if he continues to perform the way he currently has.

“It’s better to start from zero.

The lower you start in your career, the more experience you gain,” he said.

He also advised other employees in his position in different fields: “My advice to employees, who are also considered unsung, is to not perform their duties routinely, but rather showcase their abilities while working”.

He continued, “Always smile

It’s better to start from zero. The lower you start in your career, the more experience you gain Yahya Al Hatmi

Omani staff at Intercontinental Hotel

and treat your guests respectfully and well; this will benefit you in your field”.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

OMAN HM CONFERS OMAN CIVIL ORDER ON ISESCO DIRECTOR GENERAL His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said conferred Oman Civil Order ‘Second Class’ on Dr Abdulaziz bin Othman Al Twaijri, Director General of the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ISESCO), in appreciation of his efforts in serving ISESCO and its objectives. The order was handed over

by His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, when he received Dr Al Twaijri in his office yesterday. -ONA

ASSIGNED BY HM

ROHM

Al Mahrazi leaves for Tanzania

Concert to mark Al Bustan Palace’s 30th anniversary

MUSCAT: Assigned by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Ahmed bin Nassir Al Mahrazi, Minister of Tourism, left here yesterday heading to the United Republic of Tanzania to attend the swearing-in ceremony of John Pombe Joseph Magufuli as new President of the Republic.

During the visit, Al Mahrazi will be accompanied by Saud bin Ali Al Raqishi, Sultanate’s ambassador to Tanzania. -ONA

Muscat: To mark the 30th anniversary of the Al Bustan Palace, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel and the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra will organise an exclusive concert on Thursday, November 12.

The event, an evening of classical and romantic music, will feature world-renowned pianist and visiting guest artist Daniel Grimwood.

The concert will also feature

The Finlandia, composed by Jean Sibelius (1865-1957); Piano Concerto in E Flat by Franz Liszt (1813-1886) and Symphony Number 1 in C by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).

The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra will be conducted by Paolo Olmi, along with Daniel Grimwood (Piano). The dress code is national dress with Mussar or a Lounge suit. -ONA

Conference of Islamic culture ministers ends

FRUITFUL DELIBERATIONS: His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said thanked the heads of the participating delegations for the fruitful discussions and related decisions and recommendations. – ONA

The session was hosted by the Sultanate from November 2 to 4

MUSCAT: Deliberations of the 9th session of the Islamic Conference for Culture Ministers, concluded at the Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa yesterday.

The session was hosted by the Sultanate from November 2 to 4, under the theme, “Towards Intermediary Developmental Culture

for the Advancement of Islamic Societies”.

His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture and Chairman of the 9th session of the Islamic Conference for the Ministers of Culture, in his speech at the conclusion of the conference, praised

the efforts made by the ministers of culture participating in the conference in Muscat.

Constructive ideas Such efforts represented in the active and constructive ideas and discussions in order to consolidate an intermediary culture for the advancement of the Islamic communities, as well as relevant topics that will have a good effect in supporting the strategies, plans and development programmes that take the responsibility of advancing the Islamic culture.

His Highness Sayyid Haitham

affirmed that the Muscat Declaration comes with its sober-minded contents to serve the Islamic societies, calling on behalf of the Ministers of Culture in the Islamic World, the Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural ‘ISESCO’ to monitor the implementation of the contents of the Muscat Declaration, in coordination with the member states.

Sayyid Haitham thanked the heads of the participating delegations at the 9th session of the Islamic Conference for Culture Ministers for the fruitful discussions and related decisions and recommendations.-ONA

E M I R AT E S E N V I R O N M E N TA L G R O U P

Omani students set for Dubai debate contest Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s 4th InterCollege Environmental Public Speaking Competition (ICPSC), organised by the Environment Society of Oman, has concluded as four teams claimed victory during the two-day contest.

The winning teams will now represent Oman at the 15th Regional ICPSC, hosted by the

Emirates Environmental Group, which will be held in late November at the Dubai Knowledge Village.

Presided over by Dr. Rawya bint Saud Al Busaidiyah, Minister of Higher Education, 40 teams of college and university students took part in this year’s competition to spread awareness on the different environmental challenges facing the region.

T H U R S DAY, N OV E MB E R 5, 2 0 1 5 The master plan is ready and the work will start in the first part of next year Abdul Samad Momahhed Al Maskari, CEO Al Madina Investment

NEW ROP RULES

ROP guidelines for stickers on vehicles FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A series of rules regarding the decoration of vehicles with stickers has been formulated by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) .

ROP has warned that drivers found violating guidelines will face fines. As per the new ROP rules, motorists will not be allowed to paste stickers on the front and rear windshields, side windowpanes, number plates, rear-view mirrors and on the head or tail lights.

They have also advised motorists to not decorate the hood of the car with fabrics as it may cause fire.

“Motorists should refrain from using undignified and offensive graphics and slogans. The decoration should not change the colour of the vehicle,” ROP tweeted.

The statement also warned motorists that those who fail to comply with the guidelines will have to bear legal consequences.

ROP also tweeted an illustration to describe the parts of vehicles that can be decorated. The illustration explained that stickers can be installed only after making sure that they do not block the line of sight. Some members of the public welcomed the news saying as they have been waiting to decorate their vehicles and express their loyalty to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the country. “I have been saving money to decorate my vehicle in view of the celebration of National Day for the last 10 months,” said Al Abdullah, an Al Khoudh resident.

He added that the whole Sultanate will celebrate this special national day in different ways, including through vehicle decoration. However, Salah Al Hanshi, a Behla resident, said motorists should not misuse the permission granted for decorating vehicles.

“Sometimes I have seen some vehicles (during the National celebrations) with stickers of a football club logo,” said Al Hanshi. This is not acceptable as the authorities have allowed the use of stickers only for the National Day.

OMR72m Seeb complex to boost medical tourism The unit will include a 225-bed tertiary care hospital, 120 key three-star hotel apartments, 300 residential apartments, a fitness centre and a dedicated retail STATE OF ART: The complex will be known as the Al Madina

space

International Hospital and is expected to open in 2018. – Jun Estrada

A. E. JAMES

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A major integrated healthcare complex, with stateof-the-art facilities, such as a tertiary care hospital, a three-star hotel apartment and residential housing units, is slated to come up at Al Hail in the Seeb wilayat.

The unique initiative, which is aimed at attracting medical tourists from within the country and across the region, is being promoted by Al Madina Investment, which plans to invest OMR72 million in the project.

Addressing the media to announce the project, officials from Al Madina Investment said the entire project will include a 225bed tertiary care hospital, 120 key three-star hotel apartments, 300 residential apartments, a fitness centre and a dedicated retail space within the premises.

FULL ARTICLE

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

The multi-use healthcare complex will be called the Al Madina International Hospital and is expected to open in 2018.

“We have been always a market mover when it comes to groundbreaking and innovative investment opportunities here in Oman”, said Khamis Al Kiyumi, vice-chairman and managing director of Al Madina Investment.

“Throughout our journey we have successfully launched investment opportunities in various sectors, such as takaful, lease finance, logistics, real estate, education, and Islamic finance. Today, we are proud to announce a new concept in Oman–the Al Madina International Hospital—an

PDO-GLASSPOINT VENTURE

Solar plant set to aid growth Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman is set to get one of the world’s largest solar plants, which at its peak will be able to generate in excess of one gigawatt (GW) of solar thermal energy.

Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) and GlassPoint Solar have broken ground on their landmark solar project ‘Miraah’. The site preparation and grading for the project, located in the Amal oilfield in southern Oman, began a month ahead of schedule.

Miraah, which means mirror

in Arabic, will harness the sun’s energy to produce steam used in heavy oil production.

The two companies had announced the deal in July.

Efficient delivery Raoul Restucci, managing director of PDO, said “The ground breaking is a significant milestone for PDO and GlassPoint as we progress towards the safe and efficient delivery of Miraah.

I commend the project team and our local contractors for their tireless efforts to not only stay on

track, but pushing forward ahead of schedule”.

“PDO is proud to lead the industry in deploying innovative solutions that allow us to develop our heavy oil while at the same time reduce our energy consumption and costs. Miraah will provide a substantial amount to meet steam demand at Amal, reducing our reliance on natural gas to make steam. The gas saved can be used by other industries to support Oman’s diversification and economic growth strategies,” Restucci added.

R E A L E S TAT E

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be picked in older properties’

Latest reports say that in Qatar the number of vacant properties is going up, in the UAE experts say its market is already feeling the effects combined with a new Federal Mortgage Cap which has seen bank lending reduce dramatically. This week Saudi Arabia’s stock market hit its lowest point in more than two years with one property company contributing to the decline. Outside of Oman, only Bahrain is also seeing relative stability in real estate with only a small decline in rents.

The ERA-Oman report stated, “Currently, residential end user investment saw some stirrings due to continuing consumer interest and banks’ lenience in offering loans and active contribution of Islamic banking.

“There is a hike in credit supply facilitating a drop in the cost of borrowing and increasing demand for residential real estate properties. This is the main cause for house transactions to happen.

“Whereas, the price of residential investment properties is observed to have entered a state of stagnation in the last quarter, with no changes compared to the previous quarter.

“The residential leasing seg-

ment is observed to have entered a state of stagnation in second quarter of 2015 with rents for apartments and villas remaining unchanged compared to last quarter.”

ERA-Oman’s report also highlighted that significant bargains could be picked by tenants who preferred to live in older properties, which were not in prime locations and its predicted that while supply of Grade-A properties coming on to the market would also increase, losses from vacant old properties would not rise.

“In the short to mid-term, we expect that the residential end user investment market will maintain its momentum and the transaction volume of residential sales among nationals is expected to be steady,” said the report.

The picture of stability has been less in other parts of the Gulf, this week Arabian Business covered a new report by real estate consultants DTZ Qatar which stated vacancies in Qatar’s property market had risen due to job losses in the oil and gas sector.

Meanwhile a report by Cluttons on the state of the UAE market said property transactions

were falling across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, pointing to the fact that villa sales were being hit by new Federal Mortgage Cap restrictions. That was echoed in Abu Dhabi’s The National this week by one developer.

The newspaper reported how the chairman of Union Properties, at the launch of its Green Community 3 project, had stated the market there was being affected by the lack of cash and how banks were not providing lending.

ERA-Oman market report also highlight the success of Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs) where expats can purchase properties such as Al Mouj Muscat, Muscat Hills and Barr al Jissah, saying they were ‘Ongoing and well received’.

It predicted the highest demands for units costing under OMR150,000. The effect of the huge Saraya Bandar Jissah project would come into the figures during 2016 and 2017.

ERA Oman also predicted continued growth in the retail sector, highlighting opening such as Avenues Mall, Panorama Mall, Barka Grand Mall, Nizwa Grand Mall and expansion works at Muscat and Qurum City Center malls.

integrated multi-use healthcare complex that will benefit Oman’s economy immensely”, he said.

“The master plan is ready and the work will start in the first part of next year”, said Abdul Samad Momahhed Al Maskari, chief executive officer (CEO) of Al Madina Investment.

This first of its kind initiative in Oman will make available a unified complex, where a spectrum of healthcare options are available that offer patients excellent medical treatment, in addition to a retail space and dedicated fitness-focused facilities.

The clinic will offer family medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology, ENT, internal medicine, general surgery, cardiology, orthopaedics, endocrinology, neurology, dentistry, orthodontics, physiotherapy and radiology, among its specialties.

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OMAN EXTRAORDINARY SESSION

Khalid Al Mawali re-elected as Majlis chairman MUSCAT: In response to the invitation of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Majlis Al Shura yesterday held its extraordinary session to take oath and elect the chairman and two deputies of the chairman in accordance with the provision of Article 58 (bis 12) of the Basic Law of the State.

In accordance with the provision of Royal Decree No. 99/2011, which states that the session will be chaired by the most senior member, the session was chaired

by Salim bin Sa’ed bin Hamdoon Al Malki, Representative of the Wilayat of Barka.

The members of the Majlis re-elected Khalid bin Hilal Al Mawali, representative of Wadi Al Maawil, as the chairman of the Majlis Al Shura 8th Term with absolute majority (59 votes) out of 85 votes at the first round.

Rashid bin Ahmed Al Shamsi and Mohammed bin Abu Bhacker Al Ghassani were elected as deputy chairmen. The new members started the extraordinary session by taking oath to be loyal to His Majesty the Sultan and the country and respect the Basic Law of the State, as well as the laws in-force, to maintain the integrity of the state and the basic pillars of the Omani society, its true value and to carry out their duties whether at the Majlis Al Shura or at its committees or its Secretariat General sincerely.

Five members nominated themselves for the chairman position namely Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Yahya Al Hadabi, Khalid bin Hilal bin Nasser Al Mawali, Dr Saleh bin Said bin Salim Masan, Mohammed bin Salim bin Khalifa Al Busaidi, and Mohammed bin Sulaiman bin Hamoud Al Kindi. – ONA

A8

THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

REGION

We need to stop the flow of funds and weapons and foreign fighters to the extremists. All the members of NATO, including Britain, who took part in the mission to overthrow Gaddafi need to give their help Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, Egyptian President

Russian-built cargo plane crashes in South Sudan, 41 feared killed The cargo plane had been on its way to Paloch, in the north of South Sudan. Three people on board survived the crash

JUAB: A Russian-built cargo plane with passengers on board crashed on Wednesday after taking off from the airport in South Sudan’s capital, killing dozens of people, witnesses said.

An official said three people on board survived.

The precise death toll was not immediately clear after the Antonov-12 B plane turbo prop plane crashed soon after take off, leaving chunks of wreckage, bodies and cargo strewn along a bank of the White Nile River.

WRECKAGE: People gather at the site of a cargo plane crash, on a small island in the White Nile river, close to Juba airport, in the Hai Gabat area, on Wednesday. – AFP

41 bodies The Civil Aviation Authority said the number of dead was still being counted. A Reuters witness saw 41 bodies, some of which were covered by cloth. A police officer, who did not give his name because he was not authorised to speak to the media, also put the death toll at 41.

Another witness counted at least 32 killed.

Presidential spokesman Ateny Wek Ateny told Reuters the plane

was carrying 18 people, including the six foreign crew, according to official documents. He said 15 of them died and three South Sudanese nationals survived, including a child.

“This is the number given to us by the (control) tower,” he told Reuters in reference to those on board. Asked about figures suggesting a higher toll, he said it

could be people killed on the ground but said he had no indication about any such deaths.

Freight company Officials said the plane belonged to freight and logistics firm Allied Services Ltd. Officials at the company could not immediately be reached for comment.

“We have rushed to the site of

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crash which is located near the airport, southeast of Juba International Airport (across) the river,” said the chief executive of the Civil

Aviation Authority at Juba airport, Stephen Warikozi.

“We have secured the site of crash and also we are in the stage of recovering bodies and black box,” he said. “We are still now recovering the dead bodies and we cannot give you the exact number.”

The plane, registration number EY406, had been on its way to Paloch, in the north of South Su-

dan, Warikozi said.

The presidential spokesman said the six crew were comprised of five Armenians and one Russian. He said all the others on the flight were South Sudanese.

Armenia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that five of its citizens who were members of the crew died in the crash. It cited its embassy in Egypt. — Reuters

SPREAD OF EXTREMISM

Britain, NATO must do more in Libya: Sisi LONDON: Britain and other NATO members involved in toppling Muammar Gaddafi must do more to help prevent the spread of extremism in Libya, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi told the Daily Telegraph newspaper ahead of a visit to London.

Also on Wednesday, Egyptian security sources said a car bomb targeting a policeman’s club in Egypt’s city of El Arish killed six people and wounded 10 on Wednesday.

Conflict Britain took part in 2011 air strikes in Libya, which is now caught up in a conflict between two rival governments and their armed factions. That has left a security vacuum that has allowed IS militants to gain ground - a fact

that Sisi also used to defend his country’s human-rights record.

“It was a mission that was not completely accomplished... Libya was left without the leadership when it needed our help most.

Now we have the situation where the will of the Libyan people is being held hostage by militant groups,” Sisi, who is due to begin a visit to Britain on Wednesday, told the paper. “We need to stop the flow of funds and weapons and foreign fighters to the extremists. All the members of NATO, including Britain, who took part in the mission to overthrow Gaddafi need to give their help.”

Sisi said more also needed to be done to tackle the spread of IS militants in Iraq and Syria. “The map of extremism and instability is expanding and not retreating.

We need to reassess our priorities,” he said.

In a separate interview with the BBC, Sisi defended his domestic human rights record, using the example of countries like Libya.

“Don’t forget that we are plagued by terrorism along the 1000 km border with Libya, and Sinai and around Egypt,” he said.

“We need stability so the rest of Egyptian society can survive.”

Human rights groups have accused Egyptian authorities of widespread violations since the army toppled the country’s first democratically elected president, president Mohamed Morsi, after mass protests against his rule two years ago.

“No one is oppressed in Egypt, but we are living through incredible times, “ Sisi said. “Egypt

doesn’t want to become like other countries in the region.

“What about the millions of Egyptians who face hardship every day? What about their human rights? What about the millions of young people who want a job and education? Our friends in the West know that we face monumental problems and if we work together we can find a solution.”

Cameron’s spokeswoman has said “no issues will be off the table” when the pair meet on Thursday.

Meanwhile, IS’s Egypt affiliate, Sinai Province, claimed responsibility for the attack, which it described as a suicide bombing.

The group has killed hundreds of soldiers and police.

Sisi has said militants pose a grave threat to Egypt, the most populous Arab country. — Reuters

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‘Future conflicts will need more integrated approach’

2015 LIST

Modi world’s 9th most powerful person: Forbes NEW YORK: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been ranked as the world’s ninth most powerful person by Forbes magazine in a 2015 list which is topped by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Modi was placed 14th in the 2014 Forbes list of world’s powerful people. Forbes while releasing the list on Wednesday at the same time said governing 1.2 billion people in India requires more than “shaking hands” and that Modi must pass his party BJP’s reform agenda and keep “fractious opposition” under control.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel is at the second spot followed by US President Barack Obama (third) and Pope Francis (fourth) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (fifth). Apart from Modi who is at the ninth position, others in the top ten are Bill Gates at the sixth place, US Federal Reserve Chairperson Janet Yellen (7), UK Prime Minister David Cameron (8) and Google’s Larry Page(10). - PTI

Pranab said the role of the armed forces has expanded far beyond traditional military matters with the revolutions in

CHALLENGES: President Pranab Mukherjee meeting the members and faculties of National Defence College at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Wednesday. - PTI

military affairs and globalisation

NEW DELHI: Future conflicts will require a more integrated multi-state and multi-agency approach as the security of a nation is no longer confined to preserving

territorial integrity but encompasses economic, energy and food security, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said on Wednesday.

Security areas like economic, energy, food, health, environmental and several other dimensions are important for security of a

nation, he said while addressing members of 55th batch of National Defence College.

The members of the team of the course comprise members from all the three armed forces, IAS, IPS and officials from friendly nations.

Recalling the words of former

GANGSTER

Chhota Rajan to be brought to Delhi NEW DELHI: Security agencies have decided to bring arrested gangster Chhota Rajan here with CBI keeping him in custody for initial period before any other police force is allowed to take him for their respective investigations.

Sources said it has been decided that Rajan will not be taken directly to Mumbai from Indonesia, where he was arrested last week.

Security arrangements are being beefed up at the agency headquarters where Rajan is likely to be kept with regular security drills being carried out to identify any possible loop hole in the security apparatus, they said.

The sources said the decision to bring Rajan here was taken during meetings of various stakeholders

FUGITIVE DON: Handcuffed Indian fugitive Chhota Rajan, centre, is escorted by plain-clothed police officers for questioning in Bali, Indonesia, on Tuesday. - PTI/AP

including CBI, central security agencies and Delhi and Mumbai Police. On Tuesday also a meeting of senior officials of Delhi Police Special Cell and CBI took place,

they said adding that during the one-hour long meeting various aspects related to transport and security of Rajan were discussed.

They said the agency team is

M Y S T E R I O U S C I R C U M S TA N C E S

Ex-MP held as daughter-in-law, three grandsons found dead

TRAGEDY: People gather outside the residence of former Congress MP Sircilla Rajaiah as his

daughter-in-law and three grandchildren (inset) died after a fire broke out at their house last night, in Warangal on Wednesday. - PTI

WARANGAL (Telangana): Former Congress MP Sircilla Rajaiah’s daughter-in-law and three grandsons were found charred to death at his residence here under mysterious circumstances early on Wednesday and hours later the Congress leader, his wife and son were taken into police custody for questioning.

Following the incident, 62-yearold Rajaiah, who was nominated by the Congress as its candidate for the Warangal Lok Sabha byelection slated for Novemer 21, was replaced by former union minister Sarve Satyanarayana as the party’s candidate.

Rajaiah’s daughter-in-law S. Sarika and three grandsons seven-year-old Abhinav, and twins Ayaan and Shriyaan, aged three, died on the spot due to burn injuries, police said.

Warangal City Police Commissioner G, Sudheer Babu said Rajaiah, his wife Madhavi and son Anil Kumar — were among those inside their house when the incident happened on the first floor of the two-storey building at Hanamkonda.

A9

“We have taken them to police station for examination (questioning)...no one has been arrested.

After collecting evidence (postmortem report) and facts, we will take further action,” he said.

Probe on Senior police officials said the circumstances that led to the incident are not clear yet and they were probing it from all angles, including that of suicide and murder. The four bodies have been shifted to a Government hospital for conducting post-mortem.

Anil and his parents live on separate floors of the same house.

Asked if it was suicide or murder, Sudheer Babu said, “It’s not that easy to come to a conclusion at this stage immediately. We have a lot of ways to find out, and definitely we will do investigation in a scientific manner.

It’s clear evidence that the death is due to burn injuries... whether burn injuries caused by themselves or someone else caused it... we have to ascertain it through the scientific way.”

Asked if deaths were due to fire

mishap, he said, “There is still no clarity. We cannot say any thing now. FSL (Forensic Science Laboratory) experts are looking into it. Once they complete their examination, we can say some thing.

We are investigating from all angles”.

Earlier, Telangana North Zone Inspector General, V Naveen Chand who visited the spot, said that a gas cylinder was found in the bedroom of Sarika.

Her parents were in the process of lodging a complaint and hence Rajaiah and the two others were taken away for questioning.

As per the contents of the complaint, a case would be registered, he said.

The cooking cylinder was found in the room with its regulator open, police said.

In April, 2014, a criminal case was filed against Rajaiah, Madhavi, Anil Kumar and another woman, at the Begumpet women’s police station in Hyderabad, following a complaint lodged by Sarika, who alleged that her husband and in-laws had been harassing her for dowry. - PTI

waiting for the first available window to bring back the fugitive as ash cloud arising of volcano eruptions near Bali have halted flight operations from there.

The sources said as soon as the flight operations start the team will move out with Rajan.

Rajan, who was arrested in Bali on his arrival from Australia on October 25, is wanted in over 75 heinous crimes ranging from murder, extortion to smuggling and drug trafficking.

Rajan, whose original name is Rajendra Sadashiv Nikhalje, was arrested in Bali on the basis of a Red Corner Notice from Interpol and following a tip off by Australian authorities to the police in Indonesia. - PTI

Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru, while inaugurating the NDC in 1960, the president said, “defence is not an isolated subject.

It is intimately connected with the economic, industrial and many other aspects in the country and is all encompassing”.

“Intensive research and quality analysis in all fields and disciplines is thus a pre-requisite which calls for a holistic approach to studies across a vast spectrum of disciplines,” he said.

He said the role of the armed forces has expanded far beyond traditional military matters with the revolutions in military affairs and globalisation.

“It is clear that future conflicts in the complex defence and security environment will require a more integrated multi-state and multi-agency approach,” the president said.

“There must be a conscious ef-

fort to strengthen the underlying linkages and not divide them into watertight compartments.

“Adopting such an approach will yield rich dividends. At the same time, one must not lose sight of the larger picture and keep the primary objective always in focus,” he said.

Pranab, who has earlier served as Minister for Defence and External Affairs, said the global environment today poses numerous challenges to the world because of its dynamic nature.

“The astonishing pace at which events have unfolded in the recent past could not have been foreseen a decade earlier,” he said.

Pranab said with power relationships constantly changing, a country needs understand, appreciate and adjusts itself to the changes that are taking place around it as otherwise its own security will be seriously jeopardised. - PTI

A10

THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

INDIA

We were not the first to raise the issue (of beef).

It was Lalu who did. We have just responded Sushil Kumar Modi, Senior BJP leader

BJP beef advertisement fuels row Irked by the advertisement, EC bans ads without prior clearance

The ad questioning the ‘silence’ of Nitish Kumar over

NEW DELHI: Apparently taking exception to another “offending” advertisement by the BJP)despite its advisory, the Election Commission on Wednesday ordered a ban on publishing ads by any party or candidate on Thursday, when Bihar goes to poll in the final phase, without being “precertified” by an empowered media panel.

‘repeated insult’ to ‘revered’ cow by his ‘friends’ appeared in vernacular newspapers

Noting that it had directed newspapers not to publish any advertisements which have the potential of promoting ill-will, hatred or disharmony, EC in its fresh advisory said despite the direction certain advertisements of “offending nature” have been brought to its notice which were published in Wednesday’s newspapers in Bihar. - PTI

DEFIANT: Senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi addressing a press

conference in Patna on Wednesday. - PTI

PATNA/NEW DELHI: A controversial advertisement by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanding explanation from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for beef-eating remarks by his “friends” on Wednesday stirred Bihar’s electoral cauldron, with the rival alliance complaining to the poll panel about attempts to “polarise” the election by “promoting communal hatred”.

The BJP, however, defended its action, saying there was “nothing wrong in it”.

The BJP advertisement questioning the “silence” of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over “repeated insult” to “revered” cow by his “friends” everyday appeared in vernacular newspapers in Kis-

hanganj, Saharsa and other areas that will go to poll in final round of assembly election on Thursday.

The ad, with the photograph of a woman cuddling a cow, referred to the purported remarks of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, his party’s vice president Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Karnataka Chief

Minister Siddaramaiah over beef consumption and asked Kumar to “stop politics of vote bank and answer if he agrees with statements of his friends on beef.”

The advertisement quoted Lalu Prasad’s “Hindus also eat beef” remark and Singh’s comment that “it is written in Vedas and Puranas

that saints used to eat beef in ancient times.” It also quoted Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah’s comment that “if I want to eat beef nobody can stop me.”

The advertisement in Hindi with word “beef” highlighted in red, concluded with: Jawab nahi vote nahi (if there is no answer,

no vote). Reacting angrily to the advertisement, the grand alliance on Wednesday approached the EC seeking action against the BJP for trying to “polarize Bihar elections by promoting communal hatred”.

A delegation comprising JD(U) general secretary K. C. Tyagi and Congress spokespersons RPN Singh and Ajoy Kumar on Wednesday met the EC and alleged the advertisement amounted to “seeking votes in the name of religion”.

The BJP, however, defended its action with senior party leader Sushil Kumar Modi saying, “There is nothing wrong in our advertisement on beef issue and asking the chief minister to break his silence on controversial remarks made by the RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, his colleague Raghuvansh Prasad Singh and Karnataka Chief Minister S. Siddaramaiah.”

“We were not the first to raise the issue (of beef). It was Lalu who did.

We have just responded,” Sushil Modi said.. The grand alliance delegation expressed surprise at the latest “divisive” advertisement when two similar ones had been banned by the poll panel last Sunday. -PTI

RISING INTOLERANCE

Adityanath’s comments on Shah Rukh uncalled for: BJP NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday strongly disapproved of Hindutva leader and its MP Adityanath’s controversial comments comparing Shah Rukh Khan with terrorist Hafiz Saeed, terming them “uncalled for” which did not reflect in any way the core belief of the party or Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Heaping praise on the Bollywood superstar, who was also attacked by senior party leader Kailash Vijayvargiya on Tuesday, BJP said there cannot be any comparison between a law-abiding Indian citizen and a terrorist, more so Khan who is a much-loved and respected national.

“His (Adityanath) comments are incorrect and uncalled for.

They do not reflect in any way the core belief of BJP or that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“There cannot be any comparison of any law-abiding Indian citizen with a terrorist like Hafiz Saeed, certainly not Khan who is a much loved and respected Indian national and artiste,” BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli said.

Pushed on a defensive not long after party chief Amit Shah had warned some party leaders against making controversial statements in the wake of the Dadri lynching and beef row, BJP leaders also referred to Union Minister Prakash Javadekar’s condemnation of Vijarvargiya’s comments to make it clear that the party did not approve of them.

Vijarvargiya had on Tuesday accused Khan of echoing the voice of anti-national forces, alleging he may live in India but his soul lived in Pakistan. He with-

ELATED: A Chinese fan presents a special memento to Shah Rukh

on his 50th birthday celebrations in Mumbai on Monday. - PTI

drew his tweets on Wednesday.

BJP secretary Srikant Sharma accused Congress of “sponsoring” the campaign by writers, artistes and scientists against the “climate of intolerance”, saying it was resorting to these tactics to get over its internal leadership crisis and that it had still not reconciled to Modi’s leadership.

“There is peace in the country but disquiet among Congress leaders over the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. So its leadership has resorted to these tactics. It is its intolerance to Modi’s leadership as India is doing well on every front and it cannot accept this.

“So it is sponsoring these protests by so-called writers many of whom had made an appeal to defeat Modi in Lok Sabha elections,” he said.

Veteran actor Anupam Kher, who had criticised the filmmak-

ers returning their awards to protest “rising intolerance” in the country, is set to lead a tolerance debate march to the President’s house to counter it.

The 60-year-old actor said the march will take place on November 7 and will include artists, writers and painters.

“We all have to speak up. Otherwise sometimes lies repeated constantly do tend to sound like truth.:),” he tweeted.

“Will give details about our March to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on 7th by artists, writers, painters etc by tomorrow.:) #ToleranceDebate,” the actor wrote.

The actor also came out in support of his Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge co-star Shah Rukh Khan after Adityanath compared the Bollywood superstar with terrorist Hafiz Saeed for his comments over intolerance in India. - PTI

T H U R S DAY, N OV E MB E R 5, 2 0 1 5

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

Navy begins war games in Arabian Sea KARACHI: Pakistan Navy’s major maritime exercise Seaspark 2015 has kicked off in North Arabian Sea. “The overarching objective of this exercise is to corroborate Pakistan Navy operational plans, assess war preparedness and enhance interoperability with PAF and Pak(istan) Army,” said Rear Admiral Kaleem Shaukat, deputy chief Naval Staff (operations), while briefing the media on Tuesday.

At present, residents of many parts of the country are subject to minimum six-hour a day load-shedding as the government is not generating enough power to minimise the losses due to a high ratio of theft and low-recovery

The government is building three major gas-based power plants and by 2017, when the new plants are functional, we

All operational units According to an official statement issued by Pakistan Navy all operational units of the navy including ships, submarines, aircraft, UAVs, special forces and Pakistan Marines along with elements of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Army are participating in the exercise.

During the exercise, full spectrum of threats would be exercised ranging from conventional to asymmetric, cyber and information warfare domains, it added.

Besides enhancement of operational preparedness, the statement said, the exercise will also focus on seaward defence of the coast and response against emerging non-traditional threats emanating from sea. — Express Tribune

expect to end loadshedding in Pakistan, the prime minister has said

ISLAMABAD: For the first time since taking office, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced December 2017 as the deadline to end electricity load-shedding, amid skepticism within power producers who believe that outages will continue even after the new cut-off date.

“The government is building three major gas-based power

WEAPONS SEIZED

Pakistani paramilitary officials examine seized weapons and ammunition on display for the media in Khyber Agency on Wednesday. Authorities in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber tribal district seized a large cache of heavy weapons and ammunition during various raids against militants. — AFP

C H A N G E I N W E AT H E R

Hailstorm hits capital

Continue “This rain spell will continue for a few days,” Director General

PAKISTAN

Sharif sets December 2017 deadline to end power cuts

S E A S PA R K 2 0 1 5

ISLAMABAD: The weather in the capital changed pleasantly as it was hit by heavy rainfall and hail.

Heavy rain and hailstorm lashed through scattered areas of Islamabad bringing down the mercury level.

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A1 1

Met Office Ghulam Rasool said.

“As it is the last leg of the prevailing weather system, thunderstorms and hailstorms are expected to continue till Thursday morning,” he added.

Flight delays Further, flights departing from Islamabad airport were delayed owing to the hailstorm, a CAA official said. — Express Tribune

plants and by 2017, when the new plants are functional, we expect to end load-shedding in Pakistan,” the prime minister said, while addressing the Second Pakistan Investment Conference in Islamabad on Wednesday.

The premier further that the government’s focus was not just limited to ending load-shedding, adding that it was aiming to lay the foundations of a robust energy sector that would meet the country’s needs for the next two decades.

The prime minister had so far refrained from announcing any deadline to end load-shedding during his ongoing tenure unlike his brother, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, who had earlier made ambitious statements about ending the energy crisis.

However, the premier had previously said that load-shedding would end before his government’s tenure expired.

At present, residents of many parts of the country are subject to minimum six-hour a day loadshedding as the government is not generating enough power to minimise the losses due to a high ratio of theft and low-recovery.

Meanwhile, while speaking at the same platform, Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said the government has also undertaken execution of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) power plants that will produce 3,600 megawatts electricity at a rate of seven cents per unit.

On the other hand, power producers remain skeptic.

“The list of electricity genera-

tion projects that the government wants to complete is fantastic but all of them will not come online by 2017,” said Chief Executive Officer of Orient Power Company Nadeem Babar.

He said with the increase of supply, demand will also increase due to shifting of in-house power generation to grid power Babar said that as compared to India’s 952 units per capita electricity consumption, Pakistan’s per capita consumption was suppressed at 495 units per person, which will pick up once generation increases.

Leaking bucket Babar also said that the country’s distribution network was like a leaking bucket and the more we produce, the more the electric-

ity losses, bringing the energy sector’s financial viability under question. He said by 2017, there will be cyclical load-shedding of a minimum of four-hours a day.

“I don’t know whether Babar’s estimates are misplaced or well placed,” said Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Asif, while avoiding a response to the pertinent points raised by the power producer.

However, Secretary Water and Power Younus Dagha said that in last nine months, his ministry reduced line losses from 19 per cent to 18.2 per cent and improved bills recovery from 88.6 per cent to 90 per cent.

Utilising the opportunity to highlight his government’s performance, Prime Minister Nawaz said that the results of recent local bodies’ elections and by-elections indicated that people of Pakistan do acknowledge and appreciate the tough choices his government made while undertaking reforms.

The prime minister also expressed willingness to have peace and security within borders and beyond.

“We want friendly relations with all nations in our region and the world at large,” he said.

— Express Tribune

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Location: Wadi Al Arbaeen/Photo: Geril Ventura

READERS’ FORUM Next US president needs to reestablish supremacy This refers to the online story, Plane crashes in South Sudan, dozens killed (November 4). Within a gap of a few days, two Russian planes have crashed. In the Egypt air crash, IS militants claimed downing the aircraft. I believe some other terrorist group will make the same claim in South Sudan, which is also a conflict zone. I am pretty sure Moscow intends to use these incidents as a pretext for further interventions. It seems that under US President Barack Obama, the unipolar world has given rise to conditions where other powers act to impose their will. I hope the next US president is a military hawk who Scan this QR code to send letters to the reestablishes America as the single power Readers’ Forum, to be able to dictate crisis solutions. containing not more — Rodney Sylvester, Ruwi than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi).

ADAM MINTER

As in so many other things, China’s seeking to play a leading role in 21st century science.

And it’s using a familiar weapon: money. Last week, Chinese physicists announced that they’d completed the initial design for a massive high-energy particle collider, operational around 2025 bit.ly/chinascienceambition

A lot depends on Joe Root if England are to win the match

This refers to the news story, England stumble in run chase (November 4). It’s truly heartening to see Pakistan come back in the last Test match. However, I believe if top batsman Joe Root dictates the innings, it’s very likely that the match will end in a draw or, if he finds a top order partner, England might as well go on to win the match.

Root is a great batsman and I don’t think the Pakistani attack has the capability to break his defences. — Rehanul Haq, Muscat

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others AYN RAND

Learning from the Chinese experience

T

he news that Chinese Military Commission’s Vice-Chairman Fan Changlong will be visiting Pakistan and India next month is an interesting development.

Although the vice-chairman’s ministry deals with intelligence and operations related matters, the visit reflects the growing clout and confidence of China and its desire to deepen relations with Pakistan and, simultaneously, make efforts at improving relations with India.

This visit demonstrates that its strong strategic partnership with Pakistan is not an impediment in the way of building better ties with India.

The message repeatedly conveyed by the Chinese leadership at different forums is that its primary focus is on economic development and internal stability for which it seeks good relations with all its neighbours. These high-level visits and occasional pronouncements serve to reassure the world that while it is modernising its three services and upgrading its nuclear capabilities, these are not directed against any country, but meant primarily for self-defence.

To what extent will these statements be accepted at face value is another matter as it is fairly obvious that in the longer term, the Chinese military’s modernisation is designed to counter US military dominance. While it is in India’s interest to keep the strategic rivalry alive to benefit from support from Washington and the West, it does value its relations with China as mutual trade between the two countries has crossed $70 billion.

These developments indicate how much China and India have improved their relations in the last few years. It is not that they have solved their border dispute or overcome their strategic divergence. But they engage positively and cooperate where interests converge to advance the larger goal of building their economies and achieving political stability.

The Chinese leadership has deliberately avoided any proactive role in regional disputes that do not affect the countries directly. But as China’s power grows, this policy could change. Already, a glimpse of this was witnessed when the Chinese leadership hosted talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban. It goes to their credit that the Chinese commanded respect from all the stakeholders. The question now arises: is Fan Changlong’s visit a pre-

cursor to China’s role as a stabiliser in a volatilityprone South Asia? In all probability, during his visit to India, he will try to allay any fears regarding the CPEC and will probably explore the possibility, if any, of Beijing playing a role in reducing tensions between the two countries.

China realises the dangers inherent in South Asia and how these could affect Afghanistan, where the situation is already getting messy. Any conflagration between India and Pakistan will have a spillover effect and place China in an awkward position.

While Pakistanis of all strata are generally appreciative of China’s policy of harmonising relations with neighbours to focus more on internal development and prosperity, they have not been successful in applying this approach in their own context.

Of course, for this state of affairs, the blame rests equally on our neighbour.

There are lessons for Pakistan and India in this approach. If they cannot solve their intractable problems in the near future, at least they can stabilise the situation on the border, engage more robustly in trade and commerce, and maintain contact at the political level so that greater attention could be given to addressing challenging problems facing the people. But with the BJP’s intransigent attitude and the Pakistani establishment in no mood to show flexibility, relations remain frozen, which portends danger.

India has developed the Cold Start doctrine and Pakistan’s riposte is the introduction of tactical nuclear weapons. Realising that threatening a nuclear Pakistan with conventional raids is not enough, India is producing its own version of tactical nuclear weapons. And the two countries are not on speaking terms, and Pakistan, despite its best efforts, does not have full control over extremist elements. In all this, the role of the US has not been helpful. If relations were to improve, there would be relatively greater chance of moving towards some form of solution.

Clearly, the present policy of both countries has resulted in greater hardship for the Kashmiris and pulled the two countries further apart. It diverts Pakistan’s scarce national resources towards military build-up and intrinsically weakens its economy and political development, apart from diverting focus from combating terrorism. Our policy also further increases the civil-military imbalance with external security taking precedence over internal stability and peace. - Express Tribune

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES OCTOBER 2000 OCCI economic committee meets MUSCAT: The OCCI economic committee held its first meeting of the year under the chairmanship of Jamil bin Ali Sultan, vice president of the chamber who is also chairman of the committee. The meeting was attended by members of the private sector in the committee. The committee discussed the prerogatives of the committee and regulation of committees. It also touched on the service offered by the chamber to businessmen in various fields, including consultancy and economic research.

PICTOGRAPH

OMAN’S GOAT POPULATION 2012

1,788,600

2013

2014

2,085,200 2,126,900

0

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

1914: France and Great Britain declare war on Turkey.

1935: Parker Brothers company launches “Monopoly,” game.

1940: President Franklin D. Roosevelt is re-elected for third term.

1968: Richard Nixon is elected 37th president of the United States.

2007: Chang’e 1, China’s lunar satellite, begins orbit of moon.

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

T H U R S DAY, N OV E MB E R 5, 2 0 1 5

A1 3

WORLD Greece relocates 6 migrant families to Luxembourg Smiling parents holding young children posed for ‘selfies’ with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn beside a Greek airliner on the runway before boarding the flight from Athens

ATHENS: Greece relocated six asylum-seeking families to Luxembourg on Wednesday, the first such transfer from its soil under an European Union plan to ease the burden on nations inundated by an influx of hundreds of thousands of refugees.

Smiling parents holding young children posed for “selfies” with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn beside a Greek airliner on the runway before boarding the flight from Athens, live footage showed.

“Thirty in the face of thousands who have fled their homes in Syria and Iraq is a drop in the ocean,” Tsipras said.

“But we hope that this becomes a stream, and then a river of humanity and shared responsibility, because these are the principles upon which the European Union was built.”

GOOD TIDINGS: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, second left, and European Parliament President Martin Schulz, left, meet with a group of Iraqi refugees at Athens airport on Wednesday, prior to the refugees’ departure for Luxembourg. — AFP/PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE/ANDREA BONETTI

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About 86 people have already been transferred directly from Italy to Sweden and Finland under the scheme. But some EU member states have not signed up to it, citing a lack of resources and infrastructure or fears their stability could be at risk from taking in large numbers of migrants.

“The relocation of Iraqi and Syrian refugees that we saw today is an encouraging signal we are moving in the right direction,” European Parliament head Martin Schulz said during a visit to Athens.

“It is not sufficient that (only) eight states of the EU are participating in the relocation.

This is a common challenge.”

The two-year, $852 million, relocation scheme is funded by the 28-member European Union.

More than 590,000 refugees have entered crisis-hit Greece via its long Mediterranean sea boundary with Turkey this year, putting even more pressure on a country struggling to lift itself out of its debt crisis.

On a visit to Athens which coincides with the first bailout review by Greece’s international lenders, European Economic Commissioner Pierre Moscovici said Greece should not let up on reforms because of the migration influx.

“The Commission has but one

compass, that of the growth and stability pact, and rules should be implemented,” he said, speaking through an interpreter.

“Concerning Greece, we have another compass, the adoption of the memorandum of understanding and the (reform) programme.

Nothing should make us loosen these reforms.”

Spent billions Greece has already spent 1.5 billion euros on reception centres and staff to handle the migrants, a government source told Reuters.

It needs 100 million euros for identification and relocation, the source said.

EU leaders approved the transfer of about 160,000 asylum seekers from Greece and Italy in September, after crisis talks marred

by bitter disputes over how to share the burden.

However, the death toll from drowning among refugees making the short but dangerous crossing from Turkey to Greece’s outlying eastern islands is now rising again as the seas have got rougher and temperatures drop as winter approaches.

From the beginning of the year until October 29, at least 435 people died, including many children.

Such danger could be avoided if refugees were registered and entered legal relocation schemes from Turkey itself, Tsipras said.

Five more people, three of them children, died in an overnight sea crossing from Turkey to the island of Lesbos, which has received the bulk of refugees coming from Turkey. — Reuters

NIGHTCLUB FIRE

Romanian PM Ponta quits after protests BUCHAREST: Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta quit on Wednesday, in a surprise move that will probably produce a new cabinet led by a technocrat, after street protesters demanded resignations over a deadly fire in a Bucharest nightclub at the weekend.

Ponta is the country’s only sitting premier to face a trial for corruption, and he was already under pressure to quit from the political opposition and President Klaus Iohannis, who defeated him in last November’s presidential election.

His departure might lead to a political realignment, although the coalition of three mainly leftist parties that form a majority in parliament showed no signs of a split.

Elections due next year New elections are not due until December 2016.

After an emergency coalition meeting, their leader, Liviu Dragnea, said the priority was “to preserve stability” of the country.

The next prime minister may not come from the party’s ranks, Dragnea said.

“It would be very hard to propose and support a political person as prime minister anymore, he said.

Iohannis, the former leader of the opposition Liberals, has said his aim is to bring his party to power.

The constitution allows him to nominate a new premier, who then needs to win a vote of confidence in parliament.

Early elections appear unlikely, although the risk does exist.

They would be held only if parliament failed to approve two prime ministerial nominations by the president in votes of confidence within 60 days of the first nomination.

No such snap poll has been held since the 1989 fall of communism.

Ponta stepped down to take responsibility for a fire in a nightclub on Friday night that had claimed the lives of 32 people by Tuesday and set off protests nationwide.

— Reuters

DEEPENDING TURMOIL

Maldives declares state of emergency ahead of protests MALE: The Maldives declared a state of emergency for 30 days on Wednesday citing a threat to national security, as President Abdulla Yameen sought to shore up his power over the Indian Ocean island nation following a suspected assassination attempt.

The authorities acted after discovering explosive devices near Yameen’s official residence and the main mosque in the capital Male, as well as stashes of weapons believed to have been stolen from army stores.

“Because these would be a threat to the public and the nation, the National Security Council advised taking immediate steps to protect the people of Maldives,” Attorney General Mohamed Anil said in a live televised address.

The imposition of emergency rule, for the first time under a constitution passed in 2008, came two days before a demonstration planned by the main opposition party.

The string of tropical islands, home to 400,000 people and a fa-

The string of tropical islands, home to 400,000 people and a favourite of tourists, has been in turmoil since a September 28 blast on board President Yameen’s launch as it was about to dock at the capital, Male

vourite of tourists, has been in turmoil since a September 28 blast on board Yameen’s launch as it was about to dock at the capital, Male.

Yameen was unhurt but his wife and two aides were injured in the explosion, which the government

quickly concluded was an attempt on his life.

Senior ministers told Reuters the government would only make use of limited powers to restrict the right of assembly. There would no curfew or arbitrary detention.

“Please go ahead with your holidays -- the Maldives are a peaceful country,” Foreign Minister Dunya Maumoon told Reuters. “There has never been a major incident targeting tourists.”

A Western diplomat in Colombo

said European Union members may consider a travel advisory after the order, which comes just before the peak tourism season.

Britain advised its citizens after the order to “take extra care”, when travelling to the Maldives.

A record 1.2 million tourists visited in 2014, accounting for 29 percent of the economy.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had planned the Friday protest to demand the release of ex-president Mohamed Nasheed, jailed in March for 13 years for terrorism in a trial that drew international criticism.

A spokesman for Nasheed said imposing emergency rule showed that Yameen, having locked up his opponents, had lost the support of his allies and could no longer count on the loyalty of the security forces.

“It looks like Yameen has lost control or is losing control,” the spokesman said, expressing concern that the state of emergency could be indefinite.

The US Federal Bureau of In-

vestigation, asked to examine the scene of the boat blast, said it found “no conclusive evidence” that a bomb had exploded, raising doubts over its cause.

Maumoon, however, said Sri Lankan and Saudi Arabian investigators had found traces of high explosives.

The government was “convinced” that the blast was caused by a bomb.

Yameen has acted quickly to crack down on those suspected of disloyalty, with Vice President Ahmed Adeeb arrested in connection with the explosion and several suspects deported to the Maldives from Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

Adeeb’s office in a statement said the move would jeopardise the Maldives’ economic future by forcing other countries to advise their citizens not to visit due to safety concerns.

Adeeb denies any involvement in the blast, which has ratcheted up tension that was already running high after the trial and imprisonment of Nasheed. — Reuters

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Ministry said the second black box which contains the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) was partially damaged and much work was required to extract data from it

DISTRAUGHT: A woman with her baby reacts as she stands near floral tributes for the victims of a plane crash, at an entrance of Pulkovo airport outside St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday. AP/ PTI

CAIRO: Investigators have extracted and validated the contents of the flight data recorder, one of two so-called black boxes recovered from the Russian airplane that crashed in Egypt, Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry said on Wednesday.

The ministry said the second black box which contains the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) was partially damaged and much work was

required to extract data from it.

“Consequently no further comment on the CVR can be made.

Examination of parts on site is continuing,” said the ministry’s statement.

Earlier, IS’s Egyptian affiliate dismissed in an audio message doubts that it had downed the Russian passenger plane over Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, killing all aboard, and said it would tell the world how it did so in its own time.

The Russian-operated Airbus A321M crashed on Saturday shortly after taking off from the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on its way to St Petersburg, killing all 224 people on board.

Statement In Sinai Province, an Egyptian group loyal to IS, said in a statement the same day that it had brought down the airliner “in response to Russian air strikes that killed hundreds of Muslims on Syrian land”.

The claim was dismissed by Russian and Egyptian officials.

Security experts and investi-

gators have said the plane is unlikely to have been struck from the outside and Sinai-based militants are not believed to possess the technology to shoot down a jet from a cruising altitude above 30,000 feet. Russian officials have, however, said the plane probably broke up in the air, leaving open the prospect of some kind of explosion on board.

Asked to comment on those remarks and local press reports that the black box voice recorders had picked up unusual sounds before the crash, Civil Aviation Minister Hossam Kemal said the facts had yet to be established.

“This is all speculation. There is nothing definitive until the investigation commission completes its probe,” he said.

In an audio message posted on a Twitter account used by the group, IS’s Egyptian affiliate insisted it was behind the crash.

The claim could not immediately be authenticated.

“We, with God’s grace, are the ones who brought it down, and we are not obliged to disclose the mechanism of its demise,” the speaker said.

Russia, an ally of Syria, launched air raids against opposition groups in Syria including IS on September 30. - Reuters

SYRIA

Iran says no cooperation with US in ‘fight against terrorists’ DUBAI: Iran will not cooperate with the United States on the “fight against terrorists in Syria”, a top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was quoted as saying by state media on Wednesday.

“Iran will not cooperate directly or indirectly with the US,” Ali Akbar Velayati was quoted as saying on Press TV after a meeting with Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad in Tehran.

“Iran will not accept any initiative regarding Syria without consultation with the country’s government and people,” Press TV also quoted Velayati as saying.

In a meeting with Mekdad on Wednesday, Iran’s foreign minister reiterated Tehran’s position that it believed the Syrian crisis only had a political solution.

“We believe only the Syrian people should decide about their future and others can only facilitate this political process to resolve the crisis,” Mohammad Javad Zarif was quoted as saying by Fars news agency. World and regional powers including Iran and Saudi Arabia met in Vienna this month to discuss a political solution to Syria’s civil war but failed to reach a consensus on the future of President Bashar Al Assad. - Reuters

SOCOTRA ISLAND

Aid rushed to Yemen after cyclone displaces more than 40,000

NATURE’S FURY: Damaged fishing boats are beached in the southern Yemeni port city of Aden on Tuesday, following a tropical cyclone that has slammed into the war-racked country. - AFP

ADEN: Aid flights rushed food and tents to the Yemeni island of Socotra, local officials said on Wednesday, after it was hit by a rare cyclone the United Nations said has displaced 40,000 people there and on the mainland.

Cyclone Chapala killed three people when it made landfall on Monday on Socotra, an isolated island in Yemen that has about 50,000 inhabitants and an exotic mixture of unique flora and fauna.

Another man drowned when the hurricane-force storm reached mainland Yemen’s fifth largest city, Mukalla on Tuesday, sending thousands of families in the region scrambling for higher and drier land. Three Omani planes bearing tents and food and a United Arab Emirates cargo plane with 20 tons of food and blankets have arrived on the remote island in the past 24 hours, the Emirates News Agency reported on Wednesday citing local officials.

“Initial reports suggest more than 40,000 people displaced or temporarily evacuated from coastal areas and at least 450 homes damaged and destroyed,”

the UN aid agency OCHA said, with Socotrans accounting for half of the total displaced.

The storm is set to dissipate as it leaves warm waters and heads inland into Yemen and Saudi Arabia’s desert interior.

Civil defence and recovery efforts are hampered by a sevenmonth war raging in the impoverished country.

Residents despaired of receiving help any time soon.

“There’s been severe damage the people’s farms and homes... two villages have been completely submerged, roads and bridges have been totally washed away by the floods and the government didn’t do a thing,” said Jamal Al Awlaqi by telephone from Ataq, capital of Shabwa province located along the coast and inland.

The Saudi-owned TV channel Ekhbariya reported that the Arab coalition conducted air strikes on seven Houthi-run provinces nationwide on Tuesday.

Security sources said unknown assailants killed two people at a checkpoint in the capital on Wednesday. - Reuters

C O O P E R AT I O N

Poland party for talks with Germany on regional issues WARSAW: Poland’s Law and Justice party, which won last month’s election, does not want to worsen relations with neighbouring Germany but does want talks on issues separating the two countries, the potential new foreign minister said on Wednesday.

“There are a few issues that are dividing us,” Witold Waszczykowski told the public television channel TVP Info.

“For example, in relation to

security in our region, Germany does not share our fears.

“They also do not share our fears over energy problems, and these are the issues that need to be talked over,” said Waszczykowski. Among other reasons, Warsaw needs cooperation from other EU states to sustain sanctions on Russia over its annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula and its role in destabilising eastern Ukraine.

T H U R S DAY, N OV E MB E R 5, 2 0 1 5

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WORLD

One of the most important messages of November 1 is that Turkey needs to solve the new constitution issue as soon as possible Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President

Erdogan for constitutional change The Turkish president aims to transform the previously ceremonial office into that of a chief executive, a Turkish take on a Russian or US-style presidency

ANKARA: Flush with an election victory, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan demanded constitutional change that he wants to gain sweeping powers, and vowed to “liquidate” Kurdish guerrillas in a defiant speech that gave no quarter to those hoping for conciliation.

Three days after the AK Party he founded won back the mandate to govern alone in a surprise landslide, Erdogan used Wednesday’s speech to make clear military action in the largely Kurdish southeast would not end any time soon.

The election victory also puts him closer to his dream of changing Turkey’s constitution to consolidate power in the hands of the presidency, a move his opponents

fear would enable an already authoritarian leader to govern unchecked.

Turkey’s dominant political figure, Erdogan served as prime minister for more than a decade before being elected president last year.

He aims to transform the previously ceremonial office into that of a chief executive, a Turkish take on a Russian or US-style presidency.

That goal was set back when the AKP lost its parliamentary majority in June but is again within reach after Sunday’s surprisingly strong comeback in an election rerun.

He said Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu would consult opposition leaders on rewriting the constitution, and he would back any

parliament decision to hold a referendum on changes.

“One of the most important messages of November 1 is that Turkey needs to solve the new constitution issue as soon as possible,” Erdogan said in a speech to hundreds of “muhtars”, local administrators generally loyal to the government.

“I hope that opposition parties will not fail to contribute to the work on this.

If they try to block it, they will give account for it at the next election in four years.”

He did not directly refer to presidential powers, but has long made clear those were the changes he seeks.

“The executive presidency is

CONFLICT

Syria army regains control of Aleppo supply route as US criticises air raids AMMAN/WASHINGTON: The Syrian army regained control of a road southeast of Aleppo on Wednesday, taking back the government’s only supply route into the city from IS militants who had seized it last month.

State TV said army forces took full control of the road which runs from Aleppo through the towns of Khanaser and Ithriya and links up with the cities of Hama and Homs further south.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group confirmed the report.

The road is the army’s supply route to government-held western parts of Aleppo, home to around 2 million people.

State TV rolled live footage of the road being reopened.

Cheering Syrian soldiers crowded around a reporter who declared: “The buses did not wait until tomorrow morning” to begin using the road again, as a handful of vehicles drove behind them.

SUCCESS: Syrian pro-government forces ride on tank on the only

road into the government-held side of Aleppo. — AFP

IS said late last month it had taken control of most of the Syrian army checkpoints on the road and seized large caches of ammunition from army outposts in the

area. Areas around Aleppo have seen weeks of heavy fighting after Syrian troops backed by Hezbollah and other allied fighters launched an offensive to retake

surrounding territory from rebels and extremists.

Meanwhile in Washington, the top US diplomat for the Middle East Anne Patterson told a congressional committee that 85 to 90 per cent of Russian strikes in Syria have hit the moderate Syrian opposition.

Anne also told a House of Representatives hearing that President Barack Obama is considering additional ways to “intensify” the campaign against IS, which has seized swaths of territory in Syria and Iraq.

“The president is looking at a number of other efforts to intensify our efforts in this battle,” she said.

The Obama administration last week announced it would send fewer than 50 special operations forces into Syria in an advise and assist capacity, weeks after Russia escalated its involvement in the conflict with its own air strikes. — Reuters

as important as the new constitution for Turkey’s growth,” Deputy Prime Minister Yalcin Akdogan, a long-standing Erdogan advisor, said on Tuesday.

“This is one of the issues on which we will not give up.”

With an election cycle stretching back almost two years now behind him, many Turks wondered whether Erdogan would tone down his combative leadership style and adopt a less polarising tone. Wednesday’s speech suggested not.

“For whoever wants to make life unbearable for us, we will make life unbearable for them,” he said, in apparent reference to violence between the security forces and

Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants in the southeast.

He pledged to continue operations against the PKK until every last insurgent was “liquidated”.

Turkey launched military action against the Kurdish insurgents in July in response to what it said was a surge in attacks on the security forces.

Two soldiers and 15 militants were killed in clashes on Wednesday, the general staff said, a day after the military carried out new air strikes on PKK camps. A 20-yearold man was shot dead in the town of Silvan, where authorities ordered a round-the-clock curfew in three neighbourhoods for a second successive day. — Reuters

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Muscat 5,941.58 - 6.79 - 0.11%

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Abu Dhabi 4,263.63 - 58.53 - 1.35%

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7,035.46 + 80.35 + 1.16%

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CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.34 Pound ........................................... 1.67 Indian Rs .............................170.04 Pak Rs ...................................269.32 Bangla Taka......................200.40

Indian Rs .................................. 170.00 Pakistan Rs .............................273.50 Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 364.00 Bangla Taka........................... 202.30 Phil Peso .................................... 121.05

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......14.40

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........ $45.87 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........ $45.67 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ......... $46.71 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) .........$44.17 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........ $50.37 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ......... $47.72

* Rates are as of Nov. 4 Source: Bank Muscat

Oman confident of winning case on anti-dumping An anti-dumping lawsuit has been filed by the US against Oman and four other countries for selling steel pipes below its fair price

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman is confident of winning an anti-dumping case against a local steel pipeline manufacturer in the United States, said a top-level official at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

An anti-dumping lawsuit was filed by the United States against Oman and four other countries for selling steel pipes below its fair price. The lawsuit, filed by the Department of Commerce, follows allegations on dumping against these countries by US steel manufacturing firms.

“This is due to a misunderstanding of some of the US regulations by the local companies,” Ahmed Hassan Al Dheeb, undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, told journalists on the sidelines of an event here on Tuesday.

Al Dheeb said the lawyers of the company would defend the case and the first two to three similar cases were won by Oman in earlier occasions.

Al Jazeera Steel Al Jazeera Steel in a stock market disclosure early this week said that the US authorities had chosen for investigation period between July 2014 and June 2015.

A US International Trade Com-

Ahmed Hassan Al Dheeb, undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry

mission circular earlier said that the investigation would be for circular welded carbon-quality steel pipes. The US steel pipe makers, which lodged a complaint against dumping, are Bull Moose Tube Company, Exltube, Wheatland Tube Company and Western Tube and Conduit.

Referring to dumping issues

THIRD SME EXPO

SMEs are receiving fast-track services: Manpower minister ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are receiving fast-track services and good support, said Oman’s minister of manpower, adding that some manpower rules are being revised from time to time based on the market requirements.

The SME sector helps Omanis become an employer and also creates new jobs for locals so it is important to support them, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri told reporters on the sidelines of the third SME Expo, which was inaugurated at the Oman International Exhibition Centre on Tuesday.

Sustainable economy “We do have windows for them to help them, and we give the opportunity to them to get clearance and get expatriates,” the minister said, adding that SMEs are receiving ‘fast-track’ services as they are the backbone of the economy.

Commenting on whether the new manpower regulations have affected the SMEs and the economy, Al Bakri said that the economy is sustainable and small and medium businesses have not been affected. Efforts are un-

derway to create more and more SMEs, he noted, adding, “We allow them to invite expatriates to work with them, but we need to be driven by the Omani people.”

Asked whether the two-year visa ban rule will be revised to support SMEs, the official said, “Definitely. That is revised from time to time according to need.”

Revising rules “We do have a committee following up their needs and requirements,” he said and added that rules are revised according to the needs and based on the decision of the committee.

One hundred and forty SMEs from 15 different fields have participated in the third SME Expo, which aims at developing the capacity and skills of Omani entrepreneurs and help them showcase and promote their services and products.

The exhibition, which concludes on November 7, also helps promote support for local brands and services.

The exhibition is organised by the Public Authority for SME Development (Riyada), the Public Authority for Craft Industry, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), Al Raffd Fund and the Oman International Exhibition Centre. >B2

faced by Omani cement producers, Al Dheeb said that the companies will have to prove that these are dumping. “There are certain procedures to prove that it was a case of dumping.”

Omani companies have been complaining of dumping by its counterparts from neighbouring United Arab Emirates (UAE) due to oversupply. Al Dheeb said that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has created a separate department for looking into dumping issues.

Incentives to industries Referring to the recent oil price fall and the consequent plunge in government revenue, he said the authorities would not discontinue incentives given to industries.

However, he noted that some of the projects will be affected in the aftermath of low oil income.

Talking about the rise in natural gas price supplied to industries, Al Dheeb said the government had conducted a study on the impact of such a hike and found that the maximum impact would be only 7-8 per cent.

He also noted that the export development agency of Oman has been taking several measures to enhance exports, which include trade exhibitions in several countries. Ithraa will be conducting an Omani products exhibition in Uganda, after a series of such successful exhibitions in several Gulf countries, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

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* Rates as of Nov. 4 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......13.90 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ........... 135.00 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............128.50 * Rates as of Nov. 4 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

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OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,955.93 ...............5,941.58 ................... 5,941.58 ...................5,948.37.................. -6.79 ...................-0.11 Financial Index .....................................7,339.62 ............... 7,315.37 ....................7,324.81 ....................7,316.67.................... 8.14 ................... 0.11 Industrial Index ....................................7,303.07 .............. 7,292.28 ................... 7,292.28 ................... 7,297.92.................. -5.64 .................. -0.08 Services Index .......................................3,277.70 ...............3,275.12 ................... 3,276.09 ...................3,274.53.................... 1.56 ................... 0.05 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................912.54 .................. 911.06 ....................... 911.06 ....................... 911.31.................. -0.25 .................. -0.03 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 11,201,686 ...................2,617,084 .....................746 ................14,734,012,712 ................ 17 ........................7 ....................20 .........................44

The top gainer, Oman Education & Training, closed higher by 6.29%, while the top loser of

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4

the day, BankDhofar, was down by 1.64% 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: Despite renewed retail interest in investment holding companies, MSM general index inched down by 0.11 per cent on Wednesday amid dull trading to close at 5941.58 points. The marginal drop in index was driven by decline in prices of index heavyweights BankDhofar and Raysut Cement with thin trading volumes. Sharia index was relatively flat at 911.06 points.

Al Anwar Holding was the most actively traded stock in terms of volume, while Bank Muscat remained as the most active in terms of turnover. The top gainer, Oman Education &Training, closed higher by 6.29 per cent, while the top loser of the day, BankDhofar was down by 1.64 per cent.

As many as 746 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating turnover of OMR2.61 million with 11.20 million shares changing hands. The advance decline ratio was in favour of the gaining trend with 17 out of 44 stocks closing higher, while seven stocks declined. Prices of 20 stocks remained unchanged.

Foreign investors were net sellers to the tune of OMR562,000 while Omani investors were net buyers of shares amounting to OMR334,000 followed

by GCC and Arab investors at OMR229,000.

Financial Index closed higher by 0.11 per cent at 7,324.81 points.

Oman & Emirates, Sharqia Investments, Al Anwar Holding, Gulf Investment Services and Bank Sohar increased by 3.77 per cent, 3.48 per cent, 2.13 per cent, 0.98 per cent and 0.57 per cent, respectively. Prices of BankDhofar, Muscat Finance, Takaful Oman, and HSBC Oman declined by 1.64 per cent, 1.43 per cent, 0.91 per cent, and 0.85 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index also declined by 0.08 per cent and closed at 7,292.28 points. Construction

Materials, Oman Textile Holding, Oman Fisheries, Al Hassan Engineering, and Oman Flour Mills increased by 2.86 per cent, 2.70 per cent, 1.72 per cent, 1.12 per cent, and 0.85 per cent, respectively. Raysut Cement was the only stock that registered a decline from the industrial sector companies and was down by 0.89 per cent before closing at OMR1.115.

Services Index inched up by 0.05 per cent to close at 3,276.09 points. Oman Education & Training, National Gas, Phoenix Power, OIFC, and Ooredoo also increased by 6.29 per cent, 3.14 per cent, 0.66 per cent, 0.54 per cent, and 0.52 per cent, respectively.

Prices of Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) and Renaissance Services declined by 0.61 per cent and 0.59 per cent, respectively.

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

OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING............ 34,480 ............... 3,783........................8 ............0.109 ........... 0.110............0.109............0.110 .............0.106 ........... 0.004............. 3.774 ................0.110 ..............0.109...................0.110 ...................13,406,250 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 273,852 ............32,571..................... 27 ............0.118 ........... 0.120 ...........0.118 ............0.119 ............. 0.115 ............ 0.004............. 3.478 ................0.120.............. 0.119...................0.120................... 10,710,000 .........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ................................................................5,071 ................1,661........................5 ........... 0.326 ...........0.328 ...........0.326........... 0.328 ............. 0.318.............0.010 ............. 3.145 ................0.328..............0.322...................0.328 ..................16,400,000.........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 2,411,280 ......462,628................... 138 ............0.190 ........... 0.193 ...........0.189 ........... 0.192 ............. 0.188............ 0.004............. 2.128 ................0.193 ..............0.192...................0.193...................28,814,400.........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 1,173,368........121,127......................18 ............0.103 ........... 0.105 ...........0.103........... 0.103 .............0.102 ............0.001 .............0.980 ................0.103 ..............0.103...................0.104.................... 6,060,851 ..........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............. 80,500 .............23,091......................19 ........... 0.286 ...........0.287 ...........0.284 .......... 0.287 .............0.285 ........... 0.002............. 0.702 ................0.284..............0.284...................0.287....................6,027,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 509,211 ............ 90,095..................... 28 ............0.177 ........... 0.178 ...........0.176 ............0.177 ............. 0.176.............0.001 ............. 0.568 ................0.176 .............. 0.176...................0.177 ..................255,134,880........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 1,057,168 ....... 196,633..................... 74 ............0.186 ........... 0.186 ...........0.186 ........... 0.186 ............. 0.185.............0.001 ............. 0.541 ................0.186 ..............0.186...................0.187...................37,200,000.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO......................................................................... 81,095 .............62,518......................13 ............0.768 ........... 0.772 ...........0.768 ........... 0.772 ............. 0.768............ 0.004............. 0.521 ................0.772 ..............0.768...................0.772................. 502,528,946 .......0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 197,022............ 49,847........................6 ........... 0.253 ...........0.253 ...........0.253........... 0.253 .............0.253 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.253..............0.253...................0.255...................25,300,000.........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY..................................... 25,000 ............48,500........................4 ............1.940 ........... 1.940 ...........1.940........... 1.940 .............1.940 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.940..............1.850...................1.940..................174,018,000........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 365,000 .........164,250..................... 10 ........... 0.450 ...........0.450 ...........0.450........... 0.450 .............0.450 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.450..............0.440...................0.450..................148,892,720........0.100 OM0000001889............SALALAH MILLS............................................................. 4,521 ............... 6,736..................... 10 ............1.490 ........... 1.490 ...........1.490........... 1.490 .............1.490............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.490 ..............1.400...................0.000 .................. 71,762,965 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 204,650 ........... 12,348......................14 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.060........... 0.060 .............0.060 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.060..............0.060...................0.061...................12,429,083 .........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ............................................10,000 ...............4,120........................1 ............0.412 ........... 0.412 ...........0.412 ........... 0.412 .............0.412............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.412 ..............0.410...................0.412...................25,216,160 .........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................79,838 .............. 8,004........................8 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.101............0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.101 ..............0.100...................0.101 ....................3,000,000..........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 173,205 ........... 21,602......................18 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.124............0.125 ............. 0.125............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.124..............0.124...................0.126...................38,845,618 .........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,059,842 ...... 568,125..................... 36 ........... 0.536 ........... 0.538 ...........0.536........... 0.536 .............0.536 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.536..............0.536...................0.540 ............... 1,228,416,912 ......0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. ...... 30,300 ............ 59,388........................9 ............1.960 ........... 1.960 ...........1.960........... 1.960 .............1.960 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.960..............1.960...................2.145..................135,240,000 .......0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ....................5,000 ...................515........................1 ............0.103 ........... 0.103 ...........0.103........... 0.103 .............0.103............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.103 ..............0.099...................0.103...................20,600,000 ........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 253,775............22,098......................16 ........... 0.088 ...........0.088 ...........0.086........... 0.087 .............0.087 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.087..............0.086...................0.087...................25,228,315 .........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ....................................................... 3,864 ............... 1,669........................7 ........... 0.432 ...........0.432 ...........0.432........... 0.440 .............0.440 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.432..............0.432...................0.448 ..................26,620,000.........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER................................................................ 4,140 ............... 1,573........................3 ........... 0.380 ...........0.380 ...........0.380........... 0.380 .............0.380 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.380..............0.350...................0.378...................83,983,800.........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL...............................................79,950 ............... 6,796........................9 ........... 0.085 ...........0.085 ...........0.085........... 0.085 .............0.085 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.085..............0.084...................0.085...................14,875,000 .........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 226,133 ..........101,758..................... 52 ........... 0.450 ...........0.450 ...........0.448........... 0.450 .............0.450 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.450..............0.448...................0.450...................23,625,000.........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 257,823............ 43,620......................13 ............0.170 ........... 0.170 ...........0.168 ............0.169 ............. 0.170............-0.001 ........... -0.588 ...............0.168 ..............0.168...................0.170...................49,120,023 .........0.100

Dubai stocks fall Dubai stocks declined the most since August led by real estate companies and banks, putting the benchmark index about 1 percent off a bear market.

The DFM General Index dropped 2.7 per cent to close at 3,426.74, the lowest level since Aug. 24. It was the worst performer among more than 90 gauges tracked globally. Emaar Properties led the retreat with a 5 per cent slide, the biggest in two months. Dubai Islamic Bank fell 4.2 per cent to the lowest in six months.

Dubai’s index declined for three straight months after a collapse in the price of crude battered economies in the oilproducing nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council. While Dubai doesn’t depend on crude directly, the capital of UAE relies on income from oil to fund government spending. S&P last week cut Saudi Arabia’s credit rating to A+. – United Securities/Bloomberg News

OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 115,704 ...........188,161.....................20 ............1.630 ........... 1.630 ...........1.625 ............1.625 ............. 1.635............-0.010 ........... -0.612................1.625 .............. 1.625...................1.635 ................ 1,218,750,000 ......0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 378,208 ........... 43,872......................11 ............0.116 ........... 0.116............0.116 ............0.116 ............. 0.117 ............-0.001 ........... -0.855 ...............0.116 .............. 0.116................... 0.117 ................. 232,036,284 .......0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ...........................................................9,146 .............10,185........................4 ............1.115 ............1.115 ............ 1.110 ............1.115.............. 1.125 ............-0.010 ........... -0.889 ............... 1.110 ...............1.110................... 1.125 ................. 223,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ..............................................................54,032 .............12,968........................2 ........... 0.240...........0.240 ...........0.240 .......... 0.240 .............0.244 ...........-0.004 ............-1.639................0.240 ............ 0.240...................0.246 .................370,734,851 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 9,163,178....2,370,241...................584 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......30........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000002580 ...........OMAN EDU. & TRIN. INV. HOLDING.................... 27,455 ...............5,097........................3 ............0.182 ........... 0.192 ...........0.182........... 0.186 ............. 0.175.............0.011 ............. 6.286 ................0.182 ..............0.182...................0.192...................13,020,000.........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 207,000 .............. 7,452........................4 ........... 0.036 ...........0.036 ...........0.036........... 0.036 .............0.035 ............0.001 ............. 2.857 ................0.036..............0.035...................0.036....................3,060,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING ................................... 186,310 .............70,810..................... 47 ............0.374 ...........0.382 ...........0.374........... 0.380 .............0.370 ............0.010 ............. 2.703 ................0.378..............0.378...................0.382 ...................2,280,000..........1.000 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .........................................................9,000 ...................531........................3 ........... 0.059 ...........0.059 ...........0.059........... 0.059 .............0.058 ............0.001 ............. 1.724 ................0.059..............0.057...................0.059.................... 7,375,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................... 61,720 ............... 5,531........................9 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.089........... 0.090 .............0.089 ............0.001 ............. 1.124 ................0.089..............0.087...................0.089.................... 6,768,720 ..........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS .................................................23,500 ............. 11,145........................3 ............0.474 ...........0.480 ...........0.474........... 0.474 .............0.470 ........... 0.004............. 0.851 ................0.480..............0.474...................0.500 ..................74,655,000.........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 250,498 ........... 38,290..................... 37 ............0.152 ........... 0.153 ...........0.152 ............0.153 ............. 0.152.............0.001 ............. 0.658 ................0.153 .............. 0.153...................0.154..................223,778,023........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 836,310 ........... 64,401......................31 ........... 0.077 ........... 0.078 ...........0.077........... 0.077 .............0.077 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.078..............0.077...................0.078..................115,500,000........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK................................................41,500 ...............3,083........................4 ............0.075 ........... 0.075 ...........0.074........... 0.074 .............0.074 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.074..............0.074...................0.075...................74,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ............................. 30,000 ...............3,270........................3 ............0.109 ........... 0.109 ...........0.109........... 0.109 ............. 0.110............-0.001 ........... -0.909 ...............0.109..............0.108...................0.109...................10,900,000.........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE......................................................59,000 ...............8,142........................2 ............0.138 ........... 0.138 ...........0.138 ............0.138 .............0.140 ...........-0.002 ........... -1.429 ...............0.138 .............. 0.138...................0.000 ..................34,723,349 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 1,732,293 ....... 217,751...................146 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ...... 11........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ......................................... 102,607 ............10,261........................3 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.095 ........... 0.005............. 5.263 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.103...................31,964,268 .........0.100 OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...........................5,198 .................. 577........................1 ............0.111 ............0.111 ............ 0.111 ............0.111.............. 0.111 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................ 0.111 ...............0.111................... 0.115 ................... 33,605,151 .........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ................... 198,410 .............18,254......................12 ........... 0.092 ...........0.092 ...........0.092........... 0.092 .............0.092 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.092..............0.092...................0.000 ..................29,822,868.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 306,215 ............29,091......................16 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 3........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

SME EXHIBITION

< FROM

B1

Boost to local products

SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS: The SME sector helps Omanis to become employers and also creates new jobs for locals so it’s important to support them, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, Minister of Manpower, told reporters. - A. R. RAJKUMAR/Times of Oman

Speaking to Times of Oman, Khalifa Al Abri, acting chief executive officer of Riyada, said that the annual exhibition is a platform to support small and medium enterprises and help them market their services and products.

It also allows the people in

the Sultanate of Oman to get acquainted with local products and encourages them to start buying Omani products and use the services of Omani companies.

The participating small and medium enterprises in the SME exhibition represent various

sectors such as green economy, craft industries, medical services, training services, hospitality services, e-services, travel and tourism services, food products, fashion accessories, incense, frankincense as well as restaurants and cafes.

T H U R S DAY, N OV E MB E R 5, 2 0 1 5

B3

MARKET ELECTRICITY

$65b power contracts awarded in Middle East 27,985MW of new capacity is needed as a result of its fast growing population.

While Saudi Arabia and Kuwait will require additional capacity of 20,239MW and 5,758MW respectively, the actual new build requirement will be much higher because of the need to replace or upgrade existing units on account of age, MEED says.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Major power contracts worth more than $65 billion were awarded throughout the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region between September 2014 and September 2015, according to Mena Power 2016, the latest market intelligence report from MEED Insight.

More than 22 per cent of these contracts are represented by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Approximately 87 per cent of the total power investments have been channeled into generation projects and the remaining 13 per cent into transmission systems and distribution systems.

INCREASING DEMAND: Approximately 87 per cent of the total power investments have been channelled into generation projects and the remaining 13 per cent into transmission systems and distribution systems. – Bloomberg News

scoe, MEED’s power and water editor explained, “While several governments have taken steps to reform subsidies in an attempt to curb consumption in the wake of lower oil prices and rising subsidy bills, there can be no let-up in the drive to build new capacity to cope

Additional demand The report estimates that installed generating capacity across 14 nations analysed needs to rise by 143,221MW by 2020, an increase of about 50 per cent on the current level, to meet demand forecasts.

Author of report, Andrew RoBANKING

with the additional demand and restore reserve margins to at least 15 per cent.”

Key factors driving up the demand for power include robust industrial growth, rise in population and increase in housing and essential infrastructure investments

across various sectors. In the GCC, peak demand growth averaged 8.4 per cent in 2014, while for the entire Mena it was slightly higher at more than 9 per cent.

Looking ahead, the largest requirement for power will be in Egypt, where an estimated

Key challenge “With some of the region’s governments facing the prospect of doubling generation capacity by 2020, a key challenge will be securing financing to cover the significant investment required,” says Roscoe.

As mentioned in the report, faced with a shortage of readily available gas supplies, governments are turning to alternative energy to bolster capacity-building programmes.

The GCC’s first nuclear power plant is nearing completion in Abu Dhabi, with Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia also planning major

NEW YORK: As China’s growth sputters, the troubles at Standard Chartered are another bad omen for what were once Asian economic darlings.

The bank, which generates most of its income in the region, had gambled on success in emerging markets such as India, which instead saddled the lender with delinquent loans. As a result, the company which opened its offices in Mumbai under Queen Victoria is now axing 15,000 jobs and is asking investors for $5.1 billion.

“Standard Chartered are Asian specialists and are in all the main markets in the region, so in looking at them you can get a good sense for credit direction and lending appetite,” said Mark Holman, chief executive officer at TwentyFour Asset Management in London, which oversees £5 billion ($7.7 billion).

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

head of corporate and business banking for HSBC Bank Oman.

This, combined with the fact that 78 per cent of firms in Oman employ five people or fewer and therefore account for less than 10 per cent of total employment nationwide, demonstrates the opportunity that these businesses have to make a material contribution to the growth and diversification of the economy in Oman.”

The fund continues to be open to new and existing importing and exporting customers who are based in Oman, and have cross-border trading requirements or aspire to grow internationally

Times News Service Corporate debt defaults For now, Asia still has fewer corporate debt defaults than other developing countries, but rising leverage from India to Indonesia point to the risk of further non-payments.

More stringent conditions from banks like Standard Chartered are slowing loan growth in the region, exposing more fissures in the corporate credit market.

“The bank’s struggle reflects the slowdown in Asian growth, higher bad debts, falling profit margins and weakening emerging-market currencies which hurt its earnings as it reports in US dollars,” said David Marshall, senior analyst at CreditSights Inc. in Singapore.

Like other developing nations, Asian companies took advantage of low interest rates. - Bloomberg News

MUSCAT: HSBC Bank Oman on Wednesday said that it is doubling the size of its International Growth Fund, which is focused ADDITIONAL FUNDS: HSBC is committing an additional OMR20 million to Oman’s international on small and medium enter- and internationally aspirant small and medium enterprises, bringing the total value of the fund to prises (SMEs) and was initially OMR40 million. - A. R. RAJKUMAR/Times of Oman launched last year.

HSBC is committing an additional OMR20 million to Oman’s head of commercial banking, enable international and interna- business banking team.

“International and internainternational and internation- HSBC Bank Oman, said, “Last tionally aspirant SMEs in Oman tionally aspirant SMEs play an ally aspirant SMEs, bringing year, we launched this first fund of to thrive,” he noted. important role and have a unique the total value of the fund to its kind in Oman in the knowledge opportunity to increase their conOMR40 million. The fund con- that SMEs are critical to the fu- Range of sectors tinues to be open to new and ture of Oman’s economy and that “Our initial fund has been allocat- tribution to the local economy. existing importing and export- supporting their growth and pros- ed across a range of sectors, such Industry research reports that as those supporting oil and gas, as SMEs represent over 90 per cent ing customers who are based in perity is vital.”

“Today, we are reaffirming this well as construction and general of the total number of registered Oman, and have cross-border trading requirements or aspire commitment and are confident trading, for example, foodstuffs,” firms in Oman but the combined contribution to GDP (gross dothat the unique combination of added Morrison. to grow internationally.

The fund continues to be ad- mestic product) is only around Announcing the launch, Iain our local knowledge and internaMorrison, general manager and tional expertise will continue to ministered by HSBC Bank Oman’s 15 per cent,” noted Daniel Felton,

F E N C H U R C H FA R I S I N S U R A N C E

Fenchurch insurance starts Oman operations MUSCAT: Fenchurch Faris Insurance Services, a joint venture between the OHI Group of Companies and Fenchurch Faris, Greece, announced the launch of its Oman operations on Tuesday.

The launch ceremony was held at the Chedi, Muscat, was inaugurated by Ahmed B. Hassan Al Dheeb, undersecretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry in the presence of company officials and guests.

This milestone marked the beginning of Fenchurch Faris’ operations in Oman, building on its legacy of three decades as insurance consultants and brokers.

The company will transact direct and wholesale insurance brokering services for the Omani market.

Fenchurch Farishas a successful track-record as an independent insurance and reinsurance broker operating in the Middle East and Africa, with offices in Athens, Kuwait, Amman, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Riyadh and now Muscat.

The OHI Group is a premier

HAVE YOUR SAY

HSBC Bank Oman doubles small unit fund to OMR40m

StanChart bad loans show cracks in Asian economies

Times News Service

nuclear power programmes.

Dubai and Egypt are set to join Morocco in adding coal-fired power plants to their generation mix, while Jordan is exploring oil shale as an option.

A key feature of the report is the emergence of renewable energy into the region’s power sector.

“The year 2015 will be remembered as the year renewables finally made a breakthrough on a large-scale in the MENA region,” says Roscoe.

The Mena Power 2016 report provides a comprehensive country-by-country review of the regional power sector with in-depth analysis on supply and demand, projected investment levels, the role of the private sector and the search for alternative energy.

corporate house in the Sultanate, with its business interests ranging from contracting, telecommunications, hospitality, broadcasting, real-estate, communications, and information technology solutions to marine, petroleum, and energy services in the core industrial sector. For over three decades, guided by the group’s philosophy of the ‘Power of Partnerships’, the OHI Group of companies has created some of the most enduring and successful partnerships.

Joint venture This joint venture will see Fenchurch Faris Insurance Services offer direct and wholesale insurance broking services to meet the growing needs of clientele in Oman.

The new company is headed

by S. Ramasubramanian, who joins Fenchurch Faris with over 25 years of experience in the insurance field. Ramasubramanian is an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute in London (ACII) and a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of India (FIII).

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

‘Growth Series’ seminars “At HSBC Bank Oman, supporting SMEs is not just about financing.

There are other solutions that a bank can offer, including cash management, corporate cards, online banking and more. In addition, and perhaps most importantly, educating SME owners and providing them with access to the right information is critical in helping them to achieve their growth ambitions,” added Felton.

“Our quarterly ‘Growth Series’ seminars have been very popular with our SME clients, helping to share useful industry information as well as providing direct access to industry experts,” he said.

HSBC Bank Oman provides access to a wide range of business products and services for SMEs through to large corporates.

Corporate financing solutions, including trade, treasury, global payments and cash management, corporate credit cards, custody, clearing, and time deposits are available to more than 10,000 corporate clients across the county.

HSBC Bank Oman is part of a global network of 6,100 offices in 72 nations and territories in Europe, Asia, North and Latin America, and Middle East and North Africa.

THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

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Zubair SEC offers retail business opportunities This is an effort to promote a wider span of

G L O B A L H A N D WA S H I N G D AY

Pizza Hut highlights importance of hygiene

business opportunities for entrepreneurs and build genuine commercial partnerships through the Zubair Group of companies in collaboration with Oasis Logistics

MUSCAT: Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) has announced, in collaboration with Oasis Logistics, one of the Zubair Group companies, the allocation of a wholesale business opportunity for members of Zubair SEC. The centre announced at the beginning of October the launch of its third round of the Direct Support Programme with an additional distinctive scheme, which is the allocation of a wholesale business for a seat out of the 10 winning seats of the programme for 2016.

This step was taken by the centre in an effort to promote a wider span of business opportunities for entrepreneurs and build genuine commercial partnerships through the Zubair Group of companies, says a press release.

'Wholesale business' seat The idea was developed in collaboration with Oasis Logistics, to provide a wholesale market contract for Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG). The entrepreneur winning this contract will be adopted

by Oasis Logistics who will cover most of the operational costs including the wholesale shop with reasonable storage area, which

may be rented or owned by the winning entrepreneur. Earlier, the centre carried out a study on the local market and concluded that such projects will be successful due to the extreme market need for such warehouses and shops specialising in consumption goods.

Support dedicated

by Oasis Logistics The support to be provided by Oasis Logistics will include a range of logistical support such as providing shop interior design, planning the complete commercial identity to be introduced to the local market, as well as the provision of products to be sold in the wholesale market.

The company will also allow for a flexible payment method, in addition to paying 50 per cent of the rent and operating cost up to OMR500 monthly, and the entrepreneur will be provided with capacity building sessions in inventory management.

“Oman Oasis being a market leader in packaged water segments always believes in social responsibility as one of the focus areas and always encourages local talents in all fields. We are really happy

to join hands with Zubair SEC for encouraging local entrepreneurs to do a start-up collaboration,” says N. S. S. Subramanian, general manager of Oasis Water Company.

Role of Zubair SEC On the other hand, in addition to the logistical support provided

by Oasis Logistics, the winning entrepreneur will receive from Zubair SEC an inclusive supervision during the design stage of the corporate identity and will follow up on the business performance of the start-up. Zubair SEC will also support the winner in choosing the right location for the wholesale shop and provide the necessary training in marketing and sales.

Moreover, the specialised team in the centre will follow up on the continuity and sustainability of the business.

Adel Al Hubaishi, senior adviser at Zubair SEC, said: “This cooperation between Zubair SEC and Oasis Logistics comes to emphasis the determination of The Zubair Corporation to provide real opportunities for small entrepreneurs in line with its strategic vision in supporting this important and promising sector. Zubair SEC worked with Oasis Logistics to formulate

an integrated adoption model that provides all necessary elements for the success of such project.

“The adoption model was based on market analysis performed by both parties. We, in Zubair SEC, are pleased to provide all the help and support necessary for the success of such start-ups, as entrepreneurs today require various types of support that exceed financial grants or equities to a fully integrated genuine support based on sound direction and real business opportunities.”

Role of the entrepreneur winning the contract Zubair SEC indicated during the launch of the third round of the Direct Support Programme some of the responsibilities to be carried by the winner of this wholesale contract. These responsibilities include allocating the project site, obtaining the required licenses, recruiting employees, project maintenance, building local business network and establishing business relationships with restaurants and the community in general in the area the business will operate through.

The last date to apply for the Direct Support Programme is November 20.

MUSCAT: Pizza Hut reinforced hygiene as a pillar of its food safety culture by participating in the Global Handwashing Day, an annual initiative by World Health Organisation, observed on October 15. The Global Handwashing Day is a commemoration of international efforts for a healthier and more hygienic future.

In observance of the Global Handwashing Day, 34 Pizza Hut outlets across Oman reaffirmed their commitment to maintain high level of hygiene and deliver ‘trust in every bite’ to customers. A specially designed hand washing station, equipped with anti-bacterial soap, sanitiser, warm running water at 38 degrees Celsius, tissue and a foot-pedal dustbin, was installed at Pizza Hut outlets in Oman, says a press release.

“Hand washing is an integral part of our quality assurance practice. We adhere to the 20-second hand wash rule, post the application of anti-bacterial soap, followed by a warm water rinse, patting the hands dry with a tissue and using the same to close the water tap. This practice is crucial for the restaurant business, before and after food service, as it keeps germs and diseases at bay,” stated Alex Chacko, quality assurance manager, Pizza Hut Oman.

More than 250 internal audits

were conducted within Pizza Hut. In addition, unannounced swab testing was carried out by Atyab Foodtech, a leading ISO 17025 certified food technology and research institute; appointed to assess the restaurant chain’s commitment to hygiene standards.

“Cleanliness and hygiene are important to Pizza Hut not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because hygiene is a pillar of development and health.

Hand washing is an easy and affordable practice that prevents infections and saves lives. At Pizza Hut, we work towards delivering customer experience that surpass all expectations. In doing so, we try to set measurable goals with respect to product, people and the planet. As part of this commitment, the observance of Global Handwashing Day, aims to instil handwashing awareness to raise the food safety culture in our outlets,” stated Yogesh Shah, general manager, Khimji Restaurant Division.

The first-ever Global Handwashing Day was held in the year 2008, a day that calls for improved hygiene practices. Global Handwashing Day is at the centre of a week of activities that mobilise millions of people in more than 20 countries across five continents to wash their hands with soap.

SPECIAL OCCASION

Majan University College celebrates 20th anniversary MUSCAT: Under the auspices of Dr Rawya bint Saud Al Busaidiyah, Minister of Higher Education, Majan University College supported by National Bank of Oman celebrated 20th anniversary of its inception recently at the Hotel InterContinental Muscat gardens.

The establishment of the college in 1995 as the first private higher education marked an era of close partnership in higher education between the public and private sectors. The institution began as the College of Administrative Sciences with 140 students and just one course.

Currently, Majan University College offers quality programmes with robust quality assurance systems at the graduate level in Business Studies, Information Technology and English language with over 3,750 students.

It also offers post graduate

programmes in business administration, international human resource management as well as an MSc. in Computer Science with (5) pathways, says a press release.

A large turnout of dignitaries, senior officials, Majan Alumni, Majan staff members and former employees were in attendance at the high profile occasion.

Dr Rawya appreciated and thanked the college for its efforts in building a generation able to contribute to the nations’ manpower. Sheikh Nasr Al Hosni, vice chairman of the Board of Directors thanked the current and previous Boards of Directors for their support.

Dr Maha Kobeil, dean of the College noted the significant contribution of qualified and skilled human resource to the private and public sectors. She applauded the unique atmosphere of collegiality

GATHERING: A large turnout of dignitaries, senior officials, Majan alumni, Majan staff members and

former employees were in attendance at the high profile occasion. – O. K. Mohammed Ali/ TIMES OF OMAN

and professionalism in the college set by staff as well as students.

The highlights of the event included video presentations showcasing the two-decade history of Majan University College; featuring the Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire and

N E T W O R K E X PA N S I O N

college’s former deans reflecting their experiences in Majan; a representative group of Majan Alumni shedding light on their memories and learning experiences in the college, along with a couple of Majan’s prominent partners and stakeholders reminiscing on the

past and present.

An equally interesting live illustration titled ‘The sand narrates the story of Majan’, was presented

by Shayma Al Mughairi, a young Omani artist, which brought to light the journey of education in Majan through the years.

A subsequent video titled ‘Majan through the Years’ featured developments in the college from 1995 to 2015 through brief narrations from members of the college community.

Another key highlight of the event was the recognition and award certificates handed to 27 long serving members of staff, in appreciation and commendation of their loyalty, dedication and outstanding service to the college.

Majan University College also honoured and appreciated the local media for being instrumental in featuring the educational progress in Oman.

The event concluded by the preview of the new website of the college and a raffle draw. The evening rounded off with guests having dinner while listening to live music played by Bader Al Busafi and Sophi Al Busaidi.

HIGH PERFORMANCE

Al Hashar Koba batteries continue to be customers’ preferred choice

Al Madina Takaful opens customer experience centre at Avenues Mall MUSCAT: Al Madina Takaful, Oman’s first Islamic insurance provider, opened its new customer experience centre in Oman Avenues Mall, reaching out to customers, closer to where it’s convenient and comfortable. This new centre is part of Al Madina Takaful’s all round approach to be where its customers is.

Al Madina Takaful has been finding new ways to bring about immeasurable ease by being con-

veniently located and easily accessible. This new customer centre is designed to aid the process of choosing the right insurance and get to know more about the different product offerings, while existing customers can renew their policies and seek assistance.

“With this new customer experience centre, we bring ease and convenience to our customers. We are committed to bringing convenience to the process

of choosing insurance and this is another way in which we can be closer to our customers,” said Usama Al Barwani, deputy CEO and secretary of Board of Directors, Al Madina Takaful.

Apart from this new centre, mInsurance, Oman’s first mobile app by Al Madina Takaful and yet another new branch in Ruwi are some of the other ways in which Al Madina Takaful has been expanding its reach to its customers.

MUSCAT: The technologically superior, ISO 9001/ 14001/ 16949-certified Koba batteries, distributed in Oman by automotive giant Al Hashar, continue to be the preferred choice of discerning customers, owing to a host of unparalleled features including zero maintenance, extra durability, fool-proof safety and enhanced starting power, to name a few.

“Choosing Koba is choosing peace of mind,” an Al Hashar spokesperson commented, adding, “The ultra high performance Koba batteries could easily get ahead of competition due to their high innovative quotient as reflected in its power-packed features that ensure utmost customer satisfaction.” Koba’s highly optimised X-Frame Grid Technology improves overall battery performance, and in particular ensures fast and powerful start, while the advanced grid protection feature extends battery life significantly. The optimised grid structure also prevents grid growth and short circuits. XFrame Technology also makes production process more ecofriendly, says a press release.

The batteries are maintenancefree; and since they use CalciumTin alloy they are corrosion-free as well, which also significantly reduces self-discharge. Further, the enveloped separator design for low electric resistance boosts starting power by as much as 30 per cent and eliminates internal short, while the advanced Center Lug technology and cast-on-strap features minimise outside impact and vibration, he said.

Extended durability is achieved through using ultra micro-fibre special tissue, while hot melt glue helps resist vibration. Moreover, Koba batteries are protected from acid leakage, sparks inflow and gassing by using state-of-the-art special sealed cover. The batter-

ies come with an innovative handle design facilitating easy transportation and installation.

Another innovation is the Magic Eye Indicator that helps easy monitoring of charging state.

Manufactured by the Seoulheadquartered ATLASBX Co, Ltd, Koba batteries enjoy high customer loyalty in the Sultanate. Koba batteries are available at all Al Hashar outlets and dealer network across the Sultanate and cater to various applications including automotive (including heavy truck), industrial and marine. They suit all global standard specifications such as JIS, DIN and BCI. Founded in 1944, the multiple award-winning ATLASBX is considered a pioneer in manufacturing maintenance-free batteries, and today the company is a major player in the automotive batteries industry. ATLASBX has been manufacturing maintenance free batteries for the global market since 1980, and KOBA is one of its most reputed brands.

As a market leader, ATLASBX bagged the Korean government’s Export Awards in 1985, 1997, 2005, 2007, and 2008.

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THU RSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

ROUND-UP 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe named ‘Best Large SUV’ The vehicle strongly resonated amongst MECOTY’s independent jury panel, which this year consisted of 12 of the region’s auto journalists and editors

DUBAI: The 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe was named the ‘Best Large SUV’ at the 2015 Middle East Car of the Year (MECOTY) Awards, held recently at Dubai’s Raffles Hotel.

The 2015 model was completely redesigned for today’s active families to offer a great range of features and components to help keep them safe, connected and on the road for the long haul, says a press release.

The vehicle strongly resonated amongst MECOTY’s independent jury panel, which, this year, consisted of 12 of the region’s auto journalists and editors. As for the selection criteria, they were based on several scoring parameters including design and quality; han-

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dling and drivability; safety and durability; performance and capability; technological innovation; emotional appeal and driver satisfaction; value for money; comfort and practicality; environmental friendly; and regional appeal.

All nominated vehicles were test driven by the jurors to ensure precise and accurate scoring.

“The 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe has been developed to meet the needs of our Middle East customers, and being awarded MECOTY’s ‘Best Large SUV’ is further proof that

‘RACY DESI’

the Tahoe delivers by providing the perfect blend of contemporary design and legendary capability and performance, no matter where our customers go or what they do,” said Abdallah Madhoun, Regional Sales & Marketing manager, Chevrolet Middle East. “MECOTY’s judging panel comprises some of the Middle East’s top auto industry experts and media.

These credible experts continue to move the needle of influence when it comes to motoring trends and products.”

The 2015 Tahoe incorporates a slew of new safety technologies – including a radar – that contribute to 360 degrees of crash avoidance and occupant protection. Standard and available features include forward collision alert, front park

assist, lane departure warning, lane change assist, rear cross traffic alert and adaptive cruise control. The model also offers the segment’s only front-seat center air bag, in bucket-seat models.

This is the latest accolade for the 2015 Tahoe, including being named Best Buy of the Year among full-size SUVs according to Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com, one of the 15 Best Family Cars by Kelley Blue Book and a 2015 Most Popular on Edmunds.com (Large Traditional SUV).

All 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe owners will receive a new level of customer experience courtesy of Chevrolet Complete Care. The comprehensive aftersales package promises additional value with competitive and transparent maintenance pricing; one-hour servicing; 2 days advanced booking; a regional 3-year/100,000-km warranty; and 4 years of regional 24x7 roadside assistance.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest automotive brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and pickups a year.

Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, high quality and outstanding value. Chevrolet also offers customers a high-level aftersales service experience through Chevrolet Complete Care.

ACCOLADE

Takaful Oman CEO wins Asian Women Leadership Award MUSCAT: Sayyida Rawan Ahmed Al Said, managing director and CEO of Takaful Oman Insurance Company, won the highly acclaimed ‘Asian Women Leadership Award’ at the World Leadership Congress held recently at the Taj Palace, Dubai, UAE. The award identifies and celebrates the outstanding leadership and achievements demonstrated by women leaders who are reflected by their distinct innovations and initiatives in various private/public sectors and entrepreneurship, says a press release.

As managing director and CEO of Takaful Oman, one of the fullfledged Islamic insurance providers in the Sultanate, Rawan’s leadership acumen and contributions are reflected in the success and rapid growth of the company.

The company increased its customer base across all product of-

ferings and also became the first listed company in the GCC to achieve breakeven the first year of commencing operations.

“It is an honour to be recognised and awarded the ‘Asian Women Leadership Award’. I am humbled by this honour and grateful for the privilege to be able to achieve this success. I thank my team for supporting and contributing to this achievement and I hope many more women in the Sultanate achieve this distinction,” said Rawan.

This award recognises Rawan’s contributions, leadership skills and acknowledges her achievements in making a difference to society, people, the industry and the community as a responsible citizen. The company’s stellar performance and other major achievements like winning prestigious regional awards bear testimony to this win.

I N F O R M AT I V E S E S S I O N

OAB executives take part in workshop

Seven top comedians entertain audience MUSCAT: GCC’s finest standup comedians set the stage on fire, at the Hormuz Grand, recently.

The event coined as ‘Racy Desi’ staged seasoned talents from India, Pakistan, UAE, Oman and Bahrain. The event, organised by Gazelle International, was packed with entertainment and humour, says a press release.

“We had a lineup of seven talented comedians who entertained the crowd with ‘Hinglish comedy’,” stated Adnan Nalwala, who was the headliner at Racy Desi.

Raised in Oman by Indian parents, studied in the US and having lived in over seven countries, Adnan has the deft of churning social subjects into humour.

Adnan who has both management and creative skills, is an entrepreneur during the day and a comedian during the night. He is the executive director, Strategy and Investment, Al Ansari Group of Companies. He has performed at several shows in India and Dubai and has shared the stage with several leading artistes in the industry. Adnan received his Bachelor of Science in supply chain management from Arizona State University and graduated with honours and completed Masters in business administration from Boston University with a specialisation in strategy and business analysis.

“I think we have something really special with the lineup of Racy Desi. We had seven brilliant comedians perform. The troop compris-

es Junaid Akram, the Internet sensation and master of wit; Dr Amit Asudani, an orthodontist who can make you smile in more than one way; Manju Nath, a hypnotherapist but tends to mesmerise the crowd with his humour; Rushdy, an accountant who spreads laughter at night when he is done with his spread sheets; Salman Qureshi, co-founder of Dubai Laughing and arguably one of the best comedians in the UAE and Imran Al Aradi, Bahrain’s leading RJ and one the prominent comedians in the Middle East. It was an absolute delight to share the stage with these comedians. We have plans of taking this show to other GCC countries and even India,” stated Adnan.

Amit Sampat, director, Gazelle International, said: “As soon as I heard the concept from Adnan, I was eager to bring this show to Oman, which has a growing appetite for performing arts, specially comedy. We are planning to organise similar events with different concepts and will frequently be conducting events in Oman. Watch out for our upcoming events.”

Gazelle International is a 15-year-old local event management company. As one of the top event companies in Oman, Gazelle has conducted a variety of events like Muscat Festivals, concerts, road shows, seminars and much more. Gazelle International handles a variety of specific event-related services in Oman, UAE and India.

MUSCAT: A number of executives and managers from Oman Arab Bank (OAB), the pioneering financial organisation in the Sultanate, participated in the workshop titled: ‘Leading Culture of Change in the Work Environment’.

‘Marcus Child’, an internationally renowned motivational speaker, led the workshop. It aimed at motivating the bank’s leaders and decision makers to become role models in a changing work environment, and to adapt to any potential changes within the work environment, along with maintaining high performance efficiency and service quality, with effective communication between management and employees, says a press release.

Held recently at Bait Al Zubair, the workshop highlighted certain themes focusing on the participants’ leadership of institutional performance, including the importance of achieving self-satisfaction by the participants, and how the same can be reflected on

their performance, as well as the importance of adhering to the work environment values, and to show flexibility in the face of any potential changes that the organisations may encounter, including the organisational expansion.

It also shed light on the importance of change and innovation in the work environment and staff motivation and their positive impacts on the internal workplace environment as well as the overall interaction with the bank’s customers.

The workshop also stressed the importance of focusing on the employee satisfaction, and how a leader can instil positive attitude into their teams and create a healthy and productive workplace environment.

The speaker explained to the participants how to utilise certain effective psychological tools for the purpose of building a positive personality which, in turn, can promote the conception of change in behaviour patterns and help adapt to the same, citing a number

of case studies conducted on certain international organisations in this regard.

In his comment on the significance of participation by the bank’s senior executives, Al Salt Al Kharousi, head of Corporate and Institutional Banking, said that the workshop was specifically targeted at the senior leadership executives from various departments across the bank.

He added that it was a great opportunity to host Marcus Child who has an impressive reputation for enabling corporate change through people and for helping people in management and service embrace change positively and successfully.

He concluded by saying that the workshop helped participants to learn how emotion, commitment and engagement impacts them as individuals and how this has a positive effect at work especially on the managers who are considered as role models for their teams on all the professional and human levels.

SUPPORT

Waljat College signs agreement with OCA MUSCAT: Waljat College of Applied Sciences (WCAS) signed an MoU with Oman Cancer Association (OCA) to extend whole hearted support for a noble cause by conducting workshops, seminars, awareness activities in collaboration with OCA in the college.

The MoU was signed recently,

by Yuthar Mohammed Al Rawahy, founder and chairperson of OCA and Dr Shankar Lal Gupta, dean, Waljat College of Applied Sciences. The initiative was taken by Vikash Sharma and Arbind Kumar Choudhary, in-charge, Health and Safety Club, WCAS, says a press release.

“It is the need of time to create a sense of belongingness and patriotism among the youth.

“Every year the number of par-

ticipants is increasing in the annual Pinkathon event.

“But still it is felt necessary for a larger part of society to partici-

pate in it,” stated Rawahy.

She also expressed her pleasure that WCAS is one among the first technical college in Oman that has came forward and joined hands with OCA for the noble cause. Speaking on this occasion Gupta stated that not only the students but the faculty members of WCAS will actively get involved in large number in all the activities initiated by OCA. “This year a team of 40 students and staff participated in Pinkathon. By signing the MoU we are feeling greater responsibility towards serving the society,” said Gupta.

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SPONSOR

Bank Sohar extends support to SMEs Trade Exhibition MUSCAT: In line with the government’s initiatives to boost the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector within the country and as part of its support to the SMEs in the Sultanate, Bank Sohar is participating as a sponsor of the ongoing third edition of ‘SMEs Trade Exhibition’, as the only banking representative.

The exhibition focus is to develop the capacity and skills of Omani entrepreneurs by showcasing and promoting their services and products, says a press release.

The conference and exhibition which will conclude on November 7, is being organised by Public Authority of SME Development (Riyada), Public Authority for Craft Industry, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI),

Al Raffd Fund, in addition to Oman International Exhibition Centre. The exhibition opened on November 3, under the patronage of Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser Al Bakri, Minister of Manpower.

The opening ceremony was attended by members of the executive management from Bank Sohar, including Rashad Ali Al Musafir, acting CEO, Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, Senior AGM of Marketing and Customer Experience, Nandakumar R., Senior AGM, SME Corporate, Talal Al Zedjali, senior chief manager of Micro and Small Enterprises and Abdullah Hamed Al Mahmoodi, chief manager, Events and Promotion.

Commenting on the bank’s sponsorship and participation, Al Musafir said, “This sponsorship

comes as part of our continued support and commitment towards the development and growth of the SME sector within the Sultanate.

We, at Bank Sohar have always demonstrated our support and en-

gagement towards the initiatives from the government to support the SME sector due to the importance and positive impact the sector has on the local economy.

However, our involvement in the

Renault Safrane comes with enhanced features The Safrane name has become synonymous with quality, durability and performance

MUSCAT: Renault from Suhail Bahwan Automobiles comprises a prestigious lineup of vehicles that include the sleek and new Renault Fluence and the strikingly good looking Renault Safrane, which now comes with a host of enhanced features The SUV range comprises the Renault Duster and the Renault Koleos. Their newly launched Renault Captur and Renault Symbol is a rave amongst auto enthusiasts.

Safrane provides a smooth and luxurious drive The Renault Safrane V6 fitted with an automatic six-speed transmission comes equipped with the Carminat TomTom navigation system, a solution as efficient as it is easy to update and use, with the intuitive joystick.

The hands-free card allows you to open and close the doors as well as start the engine, without even leaving your pocket. Bluetooth technology allows you to make calls in perfect safety.

For easy manoeuvring, the re-

verse parking camera displays obstacles on the colour screen, while the parking brake is activated automatically when the engine is turned off. On board the Safrane, technology is also harnessed to provide onboard pleasure in the form of the Bose audio system giving you larger-than-life sound.

Upbeat styling and features The Safrane name has become synonymous with quality, durability and performance. With the next generation Safrane, there is a growing buzz and excitement around the Renault range as the Safrane is a generously-dimensioned saloon car.

Its nicely balanced proportions, fluid and elegant lines sweeping over the broad shoulders denote a powerful presence. A carefully engineered blend of comfort and performance, and a choice of modern engines, the Safrane has an efficient new chassis including the Nissan multi-link rear suspension arrangement for enhanced ride comfort and driving pleasure.

Additionally, it also comes with

an athermic windshield, electric mirrors with memory function, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, tri-zone climate control, deadlocking with an anti-intruder device, electric rear windows with antipinch, Bose CD/MP3 stereo with 10 speakers, Bluetooth, Renault keyless smart card, panoramic sunroof, cream leather seats, power front seats with massage, integrated rear sunblind, as well as front and rear parking sensors.

Items such as HID headlights, 18inch alloy wheels and an electronic parking brake. Some engines will settle for flattering performance, the V6 engine adds nobility, flexibility and power; the engine has generous torque available from low engine revs and across a very broad range of uses. This technology is accompanied by reduced consumption, compared to conventional automatic gearboxes.

Bespoke interior Renault Safrane combines unique facilities for a complete sense of well-being. The driver’s seat has multiple settings for optimal com-

fort. Thanks to its pneumatic aircushion system, it will massage the driver’s back, according to the mode and intensity of their choice, in perfect silence. The Safrane also offers an innovative system of air quality management. Its toxicity sensor prevents polluted air entering the passenger compartment, while it’s combined pollen and active carbon filter removes these particles from the air.

The system also includes a Samsung Super Plasma bi-mode ionizer, which ensures clean and calming air, as well as a fragrance diffuser for a touch of subtle ambiance. Finally, the tri-zone air conditioning gives each passenger personalised thermal comfort.

The fabric seats boasts of elegance and functionality that make a perfect match. The 3.5 V6 Safrane has a silent cabin with negligible wind noise.

The Cabin is well equipped for a luxury drive, from leather seats to the Bose system. What really does impress in the economy car’s cabin is the massaging driver’s seat with the option of electric heating and cooling as well.

Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is largely committed to supporting Renault Oman’s growth in the Sultanate through major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services in Oman. With a national network of more than 80 showrooms, service centres and parts outlets, SBA has further built upon its legacy of trust, excellent customer service and providing value for money to each of its customers.

‘LET’S GO GREEN’

Bank Muscat launches paper recycling initiative MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and commitment to partnership in sustainable development, launched a unique paper recycling and waste disposal programme at the head office.

The launch ceremony of the ‘Let’s Go Green’ environmental protection campaign, coinciding with the Omani Tree Day, was held in the presence of the management team members and representatives of the HSE and facilities management departments.

The new initiative launched in association with a local daily, is aimed at facilitating a secure recycling and disposal process for paper waste, says a press release.

As part of the ‘Let’s Go Green’

campaign, new ‘secure’ bins have been placed in the bank to dispose paper waste.

All paper waste is shredded before being collected by the paper recycling team.

The ‘Let’s Go Green’ activities launched by Bank Muscat as part of its CSR initiatives are aimed at

promoting sustainable development in Oman.

The bank strives to raise environmental awareness by bringing about positive behavioural change towards environmental protection through activities such as paper recycling which reduces felling of trees resulting in

conservation of forests.

The bank accords balanced consideration to environmental, social and economic issues when pursuing development goals benefiting the country and people. The programme highlights that everyone ought to take responsibility for preserving the environment.

SME sector is more than providing financing, we also offer SME clients guidance and help wherever required, and work together with them to ensure their business is a success.

“In doing so, each successful SME established contributes towards an improvement of the economy as a whole and the sustainable growth of the sector.”

The exhibition is seeing participation from 140 SMEs from across 15 different fields.

As part of the sponsorship, Bank Sohar has been given three stalls that have been dedicated by the bank to three entrepreneurs whom have obtained financing from Bank Sohar, to showcase the projects and business they have established as well as sell the products

and services they offer.

“We have had numerous success stories so far with our SME financing programme with some of our entrepreneurs having even successfully witnessed development and growth in their business and even expanded their operations.

Aside from supporting and helping our three valued SME customers showcase their products at the event, the expo, as a whole, also offered us the ideal avenue for networking; providing us with an opportunity to offer our assistance to even more young and upcoming entrepreneurs. I would like to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to attend the exhibition and show their support to this very important sector within the country,” added Al Musafir.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

First Omanexpo international trade show ends in Iran MUSCAT: Leading exhibitions and conferences organiser Omanexpo concluded its first International Trade Exhibition Iran, held recently at the Khuzestan International Exhibition Center in Khuzestan, Iran.

The products and services at the exhibition ranging from beauty, skin treatment, food, steel, industrial, packing and packaging items, power cables wires and transformers, pipes and fittings, safety wear to general mechanical engineering, oil and gas, consultancy, banking and financial services, were an attractive ‘comeon’ to more than 6,000 visitors welcomed by Omanexpo and coorganiser Khuzestan International Exhibitions Company (KIEC), says a press release.

About 65 companies occupied the 2,850-square metre exhibition space, almost half of which were Omani companies under the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Public Establishment for Industrial Estates umbrellas. The other half represented companies from

Brazil, Bulgaria, Italy, Jordan, India, Palestine, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bangladesh, and the UAE. A number of companies reported signing business contracts onsite.

“This is our first participation in any exhibition in Iran. We received a good visitor response to our stand, which is an encouragement for us to participate in the next edition,” commented an executive from Voltamp Power, Oman.

Rahim Jalilli, MD, KIEC, said: “It is my honour to work handin-hand with Omanexpo, who has seen the opportunity our rich country offers and who has paved the way for companies to take advantage of the emerging business and investment opportunities that Khuzestan province presents.”

Nader Abbas, GM, Omanexpo, remarked: “We are glad with the outcome of our first international venture outside the GCC area. This is a stepping stone towards our geographic expansion plan to Asia and Africa. The next two years will see more of these events outside Oman.”

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THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

ROUND-UP

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Come to ‘Big Weekend’ to pick top quality used cars With over 100 carefully selected pre-owned cars on offer, the event, starting today, offers an opportunity for customers to buy a high quality Audi, Volkswagen or Mitsubishi at unbelievable prices

MUSCAT: General Automotive Company (GAC) and Wattayah Motors have joined forces to launch the Big Weekend used car event.

With over 100 carefully selected pre-owned cars on offer, the event offers an opportunity for customers to buy a high quality pre-owned Audi, Volkswagen or Mitsubishi at unbelievable prices.

The event will be held today, tomorrow and the day after and during this weekend customers will be offered superb part exchange prices as well as cash gifts of up to OMR1,000 on all cars, says a press release.

There will be a wide range of cars available, ranging from the

Volksagen Polo small family sedan, through the world famous Pajero to the luxurious Audi A6. There is something for everyone to suit all tastes and budgets.

The three-day promotional offer has been devised to meet the growing demand across the Sultanate for quality pre-owned cars. The event will ensure that customers can buy with confidence as all pre-owned models of Wattayah Motors and General Automotive Company in Oman are put through rigorous testing programme by trained engineers.

During the event customers will be able to take advantage of instant part exchange valuations

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and review finance options to suit their own personal requirements.

Each vehicle on sale goes through an extensive interior, exterior and mechanical inspection so that the quality is guaranteed across the range ensuring customers can buy with absolute confidence.

Commenting on the launch of the promotion, Andrew Squires, general manager of Volkswagen said, “Many of our customers prefer to save money in buying a preowned vehicle but still require the quality and reliability confidence of buying new. The Big Weekend event offers exactly this, as all of our cars are quality checked to ensure customers are buying the same quality of a new car but at

used car prices. Not only are our vehicles checked for mechanical and bodywork integrity but also mileages and service histories are also validated taking out the worry of buying a used car. This is further supported by all cars sold being offered with a minimum of a 12-month warranty.’’

Great choice He also added, ‘’I am delighted that three exceptional brands in Mitsubishi, Audi and Volkswagen have come together over a long weekend to no just offer great products but also great choice. I believe that we have a car to meet most customer’s requirements and I know that we will not disappoint.’’

BENEFITS

Sky Jewellery launches special Diwali promotion MUSCAT: Gold jewellery purchase during the Diwali season becomes totally hassle-free at Sky Jewellery due to the exclusive provision to book your favourite Diwali jewellery with just 10 per cent advance.

By booking in advance the customers are privileged to get additional benefits. They can enjoy the lowest gold rate for their favourite jewellery designs, and if the rate goes higher than the booking rate, customer can get the lowest of the two rates. In case the rate is going lower than the booking rate they get the lower of the two. Pre-booking offer also includes instant free gifts/ gold coins on purchase, says a press release.

“Far beyond the expectations every Sky showroom has also arranged exclusive fast track counters enabling the customers to finish their purchase hasslefree within five minutes,” said Babu John, managing director, Sky Jewellery.

Fifty one tola bars are at grab for winners along with free gold coins and gifts. The lucky draw will take place on November 15.

Thirty six lucky winners will have the chance to bag the 51 tola

gold bars as well. Besides, all gold and diamond purchases come along with free gold coins. Every OMR100 worth jewellery purchase will entitle you for a free gold coin and gold jewellery purchase worth OMR800 will give you one gram gold coin free. Gold coins of all denominations come without any making charges.

Gold exchanges will not have any deductions and full value is assured on all old gold transactions.

To enhance this Diwali celebration, customers purchasing diamonds worth OMR250 are privileged to enjoy festive discounts along with free 2g gold coins, free 12g gold on diamond purchases worth OMR1,000, and all exclusive Diwali diamond designs will benefit you with an instant 10 per cent cash back as well.

“Amazing array of offers like full value for all exchanges, making charges free on all gold coins, easy payment plans with major banks and easy purchase plan and other exclusive tie ups with major credit cards during the season extend the best offers during the season. So it becomes a celebration more of the heart and rightly called ‘Dilwale – Diwali’ with Sky Jewellery,” added Babu John.

PROMOTION

SUFI MUSIC

BankDhofar unveils new credit card offer

‘Char Yaar’ enthrals Muscat audience

MUSCAT: Adding to the wide array of exclusive services and special offers available to its customers, BankDhofar launched a new offer to their credit card holders, giving them free access to Oman Air lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, Thailand, says a press release.

Ali Taqi, head of Cards Services Centre at BankDhofar, said: “The offer is available to all Visa and MasterCard Infinite (Al Riyadah), Platinum, Gold and HAWA credit cards. All they need to do is present their BankDhofar credit card and enjoy the lounge facilities at the international departure terminal.”

Oman Air lounge at SuvarnabACCOLADE

MUSCAT: Presented by Minara recently at the Oman Auditorium, the world-renowned quartet ‘Char Yaar’ enthralled the audience with their spell binding performance. To lovers of poetry and connoisseurs of Sufi music, the evening was an enriching and deeply moving experience.

“Sufi is one of the oldest and most spiritual forms of expression. Sufism is mainly about connectivity and unity or giraha lagana,” explained Dr Madan Gopal Singh of ‘Char Yaar’.

He demonstrated this vividly through intertwining the works of Bulleh Shah, Bertolt Brecht, Rumi and John Lennon - poets separated by cultures, continents and centuries, but linked in thought. By explaining the context and deep meaning, each composition that he presented in his mellifluous voice became meaningful and thought provoking. The magic was complemented by Deepak Castelino on the guitar and banjo and lending his voice as well, Pandit Pritam Ghoshal on the sarod, Gurmeet Singh on the tabla.

Kathak dancer Ipshita Misra added colour with her flawless and graceful movements. The prolonged standing ovation for ‘Char Yaar’ at the end of the grand finale, said it all.

The guest of honour, Indian Ambassador Indramani Pandey, commended the Indian Social Club Charity Wing for their dedication to the cause of bettering

Shah Nagardas achieves best sales award

lives for blue collared workers. Dr Sathish Nambiar, chairman of the Indian Social Club, stated: “The tremendous amount of support received by the Charity Wing is an affirmation of the love, respect and happiness that has been experienced with the advent of this body. Kudos to them. During the short span of time that they have existed, they have made a real difference in the lives of so many. An observation from an enthusiastic guest sums up the response to the evening ‘the best two hours I have spent this year’.

‘Char Yaar’ in turn were impressed by the beauty and hospitality of Oman and the enthusiasm and knowledge of the discerning Muscat audience. “We would love to come back,” they said at the end of the performance.

The curtains came down with a vote of thanks to the many supporters and well-wishers who make it possible to bring such high quality events to a discerning audience.

MUSCAT: Shah Nagardas Manji & Co. was recently awarded Best Sales Achievement Award by Case Logic & Thule Group.

Laurent Brusacoram & Arnaud Dumont presented the award to Chetan Shah and Jitu Shah at a conference held in Dubai recently.

This is the third award received by Shah Nagardas in five years from Case Logic, says a press release.

Thule was established over 70 years ago in Sweden. Case Logic is part of Thule group based in Malmo – Sweden. They are known for making cases that provide solutions to help you follow your passions and simplify your life! The spirit of innovation is still core to their business today. The Thule Group has over 3,000 employees at more than 50 production and sales locations all over the world.

humi Airport offers an oasis of calm, serenity and exceptional comfort. It is located conveniently on the second floor junction between concourse G and concourse E of the international departure terminal.

BankDhofar credit card holders

can now enjoy world-class lounge services that include: a professional team of customer service agents, an extensive selection of snacks from a buffet counter, a quiet relaxation lounge area with recliner chairs and dimmed lighting, daily varieties of international

newspapers and magazines, full HD satellite TV entertainment system, shower rooms with towels and toiletries, free wireless Internet access, business centre facility and an adjacent facilities for prayer rooms.

In addition to Oman Air lounge at Bangkok International Airport, BankDhofar credit card holders also have free access to Majan Lounge at Muscat International Airport and Al Luban Lounge at Salalah International Airport. Both lounges offer an exceptional standard of hospitality and comfort, all within a uniquely modern ambience which retains key elements of Omani culture and heritage.

PROPERTY SHOW

Godrej Properties’ roadshow to offer top projects in three Indian cities tomorrow MUSCAT: Godrej Properties has come to Muscat once again to launch an attractive and unique offer for their projects in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad.

The exclusive property roadshow is set to be held tomorrow and the day after at Haffa House Hotel, Ruwi, says a press release.

Godrej Properties brings the Godrej Group philosophy of innovation and excellence to the real estate industry. Each Godrej Properties development combines a 118-year legacy of excellence and trust with a commitment to cutting-edge design and technology. Godrej Properties is currently developing residential, commercial and township projects spread across 10.25 million square metres (110.30 million square feet) in 12 cities. In the last three years, Godrej Properties has received over 100 awards and recognitions, including the ‘Most Reliable Builder for 2014’ at the CNBC Awaaz Real Estate Awards 2014, ‘Innovation Leader in Real Estate’ award at the NDTV Property Awards 2014 and ‘Popular Choice - Developer of the Year’ award by ET NOW in 2013.

The property road show remains the number one choice for those interested in buying property and it is hard not to see why Godrej is still going strong - with great deals, exciting offers, the best living conditions to choose from. The exclusive road show in Muscat makes it a perfect platform for providing buyers and investors with a ‘never before one stop shop’ opportunity to buy/invest in properties in these three cities.

Meet and interact with India’s top real estate developer presenting the finest properties with attractive, affordable investment options in Mumbai starting from INR 2.45 million; an offer so irresistible that you cannot ignore.

The road show has been designed to help the Indian expatriates of the Sultanate providing with information about the upcoming

projects and latest trends in the real estate sector. This is a rare opportunity that Godrej properties brings to the Sultanate of Oman. Ongoing and upcoming residential projects in these three cities will be showcased under one roof.

“We are very excited in having this roadshow in Muscat. We believe that all our properties do provide our customers with attractive offers, luxurious living spaces, large residential townships and contemporary lifestyle in a green and natural environment,” said Godrej Properties’ local channel partner.

Some of the projects that will be showcased are: Godrej Vihaa, Badalpur, Mumbai: Attractive prices starting from INR 24.5 lacs. Excellent venture of Godrej Vihaa for providing a classic living experience in Badlapur near the metropolitan city of Mumbai. The property values of Mumbai are prevailing in huge ranges which most people could not afford. Therefore to facilitate all sorts of people for owning their residential property in affordable ranges have chosen this location. The region remaining in neighbourhood of Mumbai provides best connectivity options to various famous destinations and landmarks. Therefore travelling to educational institutions, hospitals, shopping malls, restaurants will not be complex for the individuals. Vihaa provides the best living environment to assure secured lives, in this gated community appropriately.

The Trees, Vikhroli, Mumbai: Today, Vikhroli and Godrej are synonymous to the citizens of Mumbai, and Vikroli is a suburb in transition, undergoing an exciting new renewal.

The Trees by Godrej Properties is situated a stone’s throw from Godrej Platinum and aims to be the new face of Vikhroli, offering a well-connected mixed development with commercial, retail, hospitality and residential spaces conceived with good living and sustainability in mind.

Godrej Prana, Undri, Pune – 1,2,2.5 & 3 BHK residences with prices starting from INR 33 lacs.

This project is strategically located in Undri and offers excellent connectivity to Pune railway station, Nagar road, Pune-Kolhapur Highway, IT hubs and the city centre. It is in close proximity to major urban areas like NIBM, Hadapsar and M.G. road. Godrej Prana is being developed in the picturesque backdrop of hills and sloping meadows Godrej Infinity, Keshavnagar, Pune - 1, 2 , 3 BHK residences with prices starting from 41 lacs.

This property is a 43 Acre residential development located on the banks of the Mula-Mutha river, in Keshavnagar, Pune. The township will offer a holistic lifestyle to its residents and will come with a fully equipped clubhouse, swimming pool, state of the art gym, kids play areas, jogging and cycle tracks along with a beautifully landscaped central green area of 2 Acres in its Phase 1 offering.

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SECTION

CAPTAIN KOHLI EXPECTS TRUMP-CARD ASHWIN TO DELIVER AGAIN >C4

SPOR

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YOUR GAME

INSIDE LIFESTYLE

REDISCOVERING CLASSICS >C7

Hansen sizzles on opening day Oman’s amateur golfers also got the 36-hole NBO Oman Amateur Final underway playing on the same course as the professionals with Azaan Al Rumhy taking the lead with a round of 81 to move eight shots clear of nearest rival Ali Hameed

MUSCAT: Denmark’s Joachim B Hansen shot a spectacular 6-under 66 to take the early lead on a day of low scoring in the opening round of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at the stunning Almouj Golf in Muscat while current Road to Oman Rankings leader Ricardo Gouveia opened with an impressive bogey-free 67 to lurk just one stroke behind.

“It was perfect, just the opening round I wanted to put me in a good position for the next three days,” said Hansen, who is currently 17th in the Road to Oman Rankings and in with a great chance of finishing in the all-important top 15 to secure promotion to The European Tour.

“I’ve found something good in my swing — it’s working really well ball striking-wise and the putter keeps rolling.”

Hansen was in an all Dane group with good friends Mads Søgaard and Jeff Winter on a day when the infamous coastal wind at Almouj Golf declined to make an appearance which made for some low scores across the board.

“It was good fun,” he said. “I think we were all a bit nervous when we started but in the end we had three good rounds — Mads shot level par, Jeff was 2-under; so it was a great start.”

Hansen has previous experience of battling it out for a Grand Final title, having narrowly missed out to Epsen Kofstad in Italy during his debut season on the Challenge Tour in 2012. He finished fourth

I plan to stay patient and take it one shot at a time. It’s quite big to win a Grand Final, it’s the last tournament of the year so there are probably more emotions involved than in the other tournaments we play during the year but I’ll stay calm Joachim B Hansen, Denmark on the Rankings that year to seal promotion to The European Tour, where he played for two seasons.

But despite having experienced the big time, he insists there is no added weight of expectation on him to secure promotion this week.

“I don’t think there’s any more pressure. I just really want to get back to The European Tour and do well there,” he said.

“I plan to stay patient and take it one shot at a time. It’s quite big to win a Grand Final, it’s the last tournament of the year so there are probably more emotions involved than in the other tournaments we play during the year but I’ll stay calm.”

Gouveia, meanwhile, got off to the perfect start in his bid to be crowned European Challenge Tour Number One. The Portuguese showed the kind of consistency which has seen him sit atop the Rankings for much of the season with a blemish-free round.

“I hit the ball really well today and holed a few good putts that kept the momentum of the round going,” said Gouveia who is 115th in the Official World Golf Ranking making him the highest ranked Portuguese player of all time. “I missed one shot, which could have resulted in a bogey, but it didn’t so it was pleasing to start off with a good round.

“I enjoy conditions like this

here. We’re all really happy to play here for the Grand Final.”

OMAN CHALLENGE: Oman’s Azaan Al Rumhy, Hamad Al Rumhy and Ali Hameed, who are participating

in the NBO Classic Amateur Final. – Supplied photos

without much wind but I assume there will be more wind coming in the next few days!”

The 23 year old is just €3,980 ahead of good friend Sebastien Gros in the Rankings and the Frenchman also got off to a solid

OPENING CEREMONY

NBO chairman officially opens Grand Final at Almouj Golf

CEREMONIAL INAUGURATION: Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Services, wins applause after he hits a ceremonial tee shot from the first hole to inaugurate the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final at the Almouj Golf. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: The curtain on the 2015 NBO Golf Classic Grand Final was officially raised Wedenesday morning in an opening ceremony led by Mohammed Mahfoudh Al Ardhi, Chairman of NBO, and attended by Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Services and Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed Al Mardouf Al Saadi, Minister of Sports Affairs.

The prestigious event at Almouj Golf in Muscat marks the

climax to the European Challenge Tour golf season, with the top 45 players on the Road to Oman Rankings competing for a €375,000 purse of which the winner of the tournament will receive €64,000.

In addition to the bumper prize fund, the top 15 players on the Rankings at the conclusion of play will be promoted to play on next season’s European Tour, making this a potentially life-changing tournament for the players this

week, all of whom have a chance of making the top 15.

The tournament was first hosted at Almouj Golf in 2013 but after two highly impressive editions as the penultimate event on the European Challenge Tour Schedule it has been elevated to become this year’s crucial season-ending finale, while the rebranding of the Challenge Tour Rankings as the ‘Road to Oman’ has kept the Sultanate in the media spotlight for throughout the year. >C5

start at Almouj Golf, shooting 3-under 69 to lie in a share of sixth place, but Gouveia insists he’s focussed only on his own game.

“I’m only looking at the top of the leaderboard — that’s my goal, to win the event. I just want to keep

up with the lead,” he said before extolling the virtues of Almouj Golf as a fitting stage for the climax to the Challenge Tour season.

“It’s a great venue for this tournament and it was a good move by the Challenge Tour to come over

Azaan leads Amateur Final Oman’s amateur golfers also got the 36-hole NBO Oman Amateur Final underway playing on the same course as the professionals with Azaan Al Rumhy taking the lead with a round of 81 to move eight shots clear of Ali Hameed.

“It’s a great experience for us to play on the same course as the professionals this week,” said Azaan.

“It’s the first time there has been an event only for Omanis and we must thank NBO, the Oman Golf Committee and Almouj Golf for giving us this opportunity.”

Fifteen-year-old Fahad Al Kitani, the youngest of the six players taking part in the NBO Oman Amateur Final, impressed with a round of 94 off the Championship tees while former Oman National Team Member Mohammed Mawly, the oldest of the bunch shot 99 and joked: “It’s been a long time since I’ve walked 18 holes of a golf course so I’m a little tired but I’m looking forward to doing it all again tomorrow.”

The second round gets underway at 7.30am on Thursday at Almouj Golf, Muscat with the second round of the NBO Oman Amateur Final commencing at 10.30am.

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THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

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Aston Martin picks Ahmad for Vulcan demo in Dubai Aston Martin throughout the Middle East, but also my racing career with the brand too. I’d like to say a very big thank you to all at Aston Martin for this opportunity.”

The awesome Aston Martin Vulcan — named after the iconic Royal Air Force military aircraft which used to be stationed at Gaydon in England, Aston Martin’s modern day headquarters — is powered by an immense 7.0-litre V12 engine producing an eye-watering 800bhp through the rear wheels.

The Omani racing driver, who is brand ambassador for Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa, will become one of a select few individuals to have had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the incredible track-only car

MUSCAT: Successful sportscar racer Ahmad Al Harthy has been hand-picked by prestigious automotive giant Aston Martin to get behind the wheel of the manufacturer’s brand new Vulcan hypercar for a special public demonstration in downtown Dubai on Thursday.

The Omani racing driver, who is brand ambassador for Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa, will become one of a select few individuals to have had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the incredible track-only car which was officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

First Arab As the first Arab to be entrusted with the immense 200mph-plus Vulcan, the 34-year-old feels, quite rightly, very proud to be demonstrating the car later today at Emaar Square in the shadow of the world renowned Burj Khalifa skyscraper.

TRACK-ONLY CAR: The awesome Aston Martin Vulcan is named after the iconic Royal Air Force military aircraft which used to be stationed at Gaydon in England, Aston Martin’s headquarters. – Supplied photo

Al Harthy not to take part in Porsche GT3 Cup T.K. MOHANDOSS

sportseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman’s ace racer Ahmad Al Harthy will not take part in the Porsche GT3 Cup this season. This was confirmed by the illustrious Sultanate racer on Wednesday.

To be recalled, Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy represented Al Nabooda Racing last season, where his combination with Clemens Schmid just missed

“I am incredibly proud to have been chosen by Aston Martin to drive the Vulcan during this very special demonstration in Dubai, it really is a huge honour and under-

the third successive title for the team and had to settle for the runners-up spot.

According to information received from the United Arab Emirates, Al Nabooda Racing have linked 2013-14 individual champion Zaid Ashkanani with talented Swiss driver Jeffrey Schmidt as they look to celebrate a 10th season in motor racing by reclaiming the team title in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East.

lines the fantastic relationship we have established with the Aston Martin brand”, said Ahmad.

“To be entrusted with the Vulcan is very humbling for me, very

Reacting to a Times Sport query, Ahmad said: “I will not be doing the Porsche event this time as I am tied up with Aston Martin.”

Ahmad, who will be taking part in an Aston Martin promotional event in Dubai, said he will not be away from action.

“We have big plans for the fresh season and the exciting news will be out soon,” Ahmad said.

few people have had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of this amazing, and extremely valuable, new car. This event will be a great way to not only promote

Special event Notably, the Aston is the most powerful normally aspirated car in production and will be limited to 24 examples which each carry a price tag of $2.7 million (£1.8 million).

Constructed of carbon-fibre and similar lightweight materials, the Vulcan meets full FIA safety regulations and features carbon ceramic brakes, limitedslip differential and six-speed sequential gearbox.

Following its launch in Switzerland earlier in the year, the Vulcan made its global dynamic debut in the UK during the summer as part of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in the hands of factory Aston Martin racer Darren Turner.

Looking ahead to the Emaar Square event, Neil Slade, General Manager of Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa, said: “This special event in Dubai is very important for Aston Martin globally, as well as in the Middle East, and it was a natural choice to select Ahmad to drive and showcase the Vulcan due to his racing experience and strong links with our brand.”

“Ahmad is a key part of the Aston Martin family and his profile in the Middle East brings a great deal of added attention to what we are doing in Emaar Square,” the Aston Martin official added.

“The Vulcan is a spectacular car and will undoubtedly raise many eyebrows when Ahmad gets behind the wheel later today.”

I am incredibly proud to have been chosen

by Aston Martin to drive the Vulcan during this very special demonstration in Dubai, it really is a huge honour and underlines the fantastic relationship we have established with the Aston Martin brand Ahmad Al Harthy

Oman racing star

GOLF

Yousef to represent Oman at Pan Arab golf championship

EAGER TO TAKE PART: Yousef

Al Balushi. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: Yousef Al Balushi is all set to represent Oman in the Pan Arab Championship in Tunisia beginning on Thursday at the Golf Kantaoui compound in the Tunisian city of Sousse. Around 100 golfers from 13 countries will vie for the coveted trophy in the senior championship.

Oman will miss the services of its in-form golfer Azzan Al Rumhy, who is busy playing in the NBO Golf Classic Amateur Final in Muscat.

Yousef, who is the lone representative from Oman in the competition, said: “I am eager to take part in the competition and proud to represent Oman. I have prepared well. It’s going to be a tough competition.”

The Omani will face competitors from Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Jordan, and Lebanon. Yousef had reached Sousse on Tuesday and underwent a practice session on Wednesday.

He said: “It is necessary to get a feel of the course before I go out for the competition. I practised well and now I am ready to face the challenge.”

Oman Golf Committee (OGC) chairman Mundhir Al Barwani said: “This is a great opportunity for Yousef to make his presence felt at the Arab level, which is quite challenging. I am sure he will enjoy the challenges ahead in Tunisia.”

VOLLEYBALL

Mogaveera Cup begins today MUSCAT: The Mogaveera Cup volleyball tournament, organised by Mangalore Spikers under the patronage of Muscat Mogaveers Koota (MMK) and in association with Muscat Sports Club, will kick-off at 7 p.m. today.

Mangalore Spikers are organising the event under the sponsorhip of Bhuvanendra Kidiyoor of Kediyoor Hotels Pvt. Limited, Ashish Kumar of Muscat Parts Centre LLC, Mahabal Mendon of Al Majadeif International LLC, and Girish Kanchan of Al Kaif Trading.

Star attraction of the tournament Anup D’Costa, an Indian national player, Ashwal Rai, a state level player, and Dhanraj have already arrived in Muscat on Tuesday.

In all 10 teams from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Pakistan, Oman and Indian Teams from Oman have confirmed participation in this tournament. A spectacular show of volleyball action is going to be witnessed on two nights which is going to be a thrilling experience to one and all.

T H U R S DAY, N OV E MB E R 5, 2 0 1 5

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SPORTS Al Attiyah eyes Bin Sulayem record at his ‘favourite’ rally of the November 5 to 7 rally, Nasser Al Attiyah, who had

title in Jordan, said

SPECIAL RALLY: Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah, second right front row, speaks during a press conference on the eve of the Oman International Rally at Hormuz Grand Hotel on Wednesday. – SHABIN E./Times of Oman

‘this is my favourite rally event because of it’s unique and challenging terrain’

A. SESHAGIRI RAO

raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Describing the Oman International Rally as his ‘favourite’ rally, Qatari great Nasser Al Attiyah expressed delight in arriving in the Sultanate to take part in the ‘special’ event that is making a return to the Middle East Rally Championship (MERC) after a gap seven years.

Speaking on the eve of the November 5 to 7 rally, Nasser Al Attiyah, who had already sealed the title — his 11th MERC crown — in Jordan, said: “I was very happy when they declared that Oman rally will be returning to the Middle East championship. This is my favourite rally event because of it’s unique and challenging terrain.”

The multi-talented Qatari, who has to his credit two Dakar Rally and a World Rally Championship 2 (WRC2) crowns to add to his 2012 Olympic trapshooting bronze medal, said: “I have been in this sport for more than 28 years, taking part in cross-country, Darkar Rally, WRC and Middle Rally championships. But I have special liking for Oman Rally.”

Malaysia to play in Palestine: minister KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will proceed to play next week’s World Cup qualifier in Palestine but have the option to withdraw upto 24 hours before arriving in Hebron if safety becomes an issue, the country’s sports minister said on Wednesday.

Speaking on the eve

already sealed the

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

OAA to host cross-country championship in 2016 MUSCAT: The Oman Automobile Association (OAA) is planning to organise an international cross-country championship next year.

OAA board member Brig.

Jamal Al Tai revealed this on the sidelines of a press conference organised on the eve of the Oman International Rally on Hormuz Grand Hotel on Wednesday.

“It has been our endeavour

Al Attiyah, who also took part in the last Oman International Rally organised back in 2007, explained: “Oman Rally is completely different and it’s very special. It’s very challenging terrain — with sections in on flat tracks, the mountains and on the coast.

“It is also very challenging because it’s very technical. Speed alone is not sufficient. For a driver to succeed here he needs skill and he was to be technically good,” he said adding: “We have to really thank the Oman Automobile Association and all others who are involved in bringing this back into the MERC fold.”

to oraganise more and more motorport events. In the recent times, we have organised competitions in various disciplines, including rallies, motocross and drift races.

“Now we are planning to host an international crosscountry championship. If everything goes to according plan we will have that next year and that will run from Salalah to Muscat.”

Asked if there is enough motivation to compete for top honours, especially after winning the championship, he said: “Of course, I am here compete and compete well. And to win.”

“I have won 59 rally events on the MERC circuit. I want to win here and match (Mohammed) Bin Sulayem’s record,” he said referring to UAE rally legend’s 60 victories.

Fellow Qatari Abdulaziz Al Kuwairi, who is behind Al Attiyah in the championship, while echoing the the latter’s views on the uniquenesss of Oman Rally, said: “Nasser had already won the championship.

Now we are in the second place. We

came here to win and hopefully we will achieve that target.”

Kuwait’s Salah Bin Eidan also described Oman Rally as a very rich event with a lot of beautiful stages and expressed his delighted to be competing in the rally.

Local driver Zakariya Al Oufi, meanwhile, said his focus is on local championship. “My concentration is on the local championship because there will be double points in the Group N,” he said.

Admitting the competition will ‘tough’, he said: “It’s a tough event.

No two opinions about. To win here first you need to finish the rally,” he said to make his point on the difficulty of the rally.

Meanwhile, Oman Automobile Association (OAA) Managing Director Sulaiman Al Rawahi said: “It has been a big challenge for all us to make this rally happen. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible with their hard work and dedication.

“I would also like to thank all the sponsors who have come on board to support the rally.”

Clerk of the course Ahmed Al Zadjali spoke about the difficulty in readying the stages. “It was a big challenge. There has been tremendous development all around the country. So it was difficult to prepare the stages and also the recent rains washed out half of the stages we had in mind.”

“But we have managed to prepare suitable stages for the event and with safety as our top priority,” he said.

Malaysia had written to FIFA three times to request the November 12 Group A match be moved to a neutral venue after a month of violence in the Palestinian territories but minister Khairy Jamaluddin said the fixture would now go ahead as planned. - Reuters

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THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

SPORTS

India eye redemption in Tests under Kohli India failed to make use of the home advantage in the limited-overs games while the South Africans displayed remarkable adaptability to emerge the better of the two teams so far

MOHALI: Outwitted in both the T20 and the ODI cricket series, India will seek redemption in the Test format by trying to spin a web around the formidable South Africans in the four-match series starting here from Thursday.

India failed to make use of the home advantage in the limitedovers games while the South Africans displayed remarkable adaptability to emerge the better of the two teams so far. In Thursday’s match, Virat Kohli’s men would take the field without pace spearhead Ishant Sharma, who is serving a one-match ban for his aggressive outbursts during the away series against Sri Lanka.

Therefore, India will be relying heavily on their spin brigade to out-manoeuvre the potent opposition batting, which has been sublime to say the least.

With Ravindra Jadeja back in the mix of things, Kohli will be looking to go with three spinners at the PCA track, hoping to pose a threat to the visitors.

Premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who missed the last four ODIs with a side strain he suffered in the opening game in Kanpur, seems to be fit and raring to go.

HOPEFUL: India captain Virat Kohli exercises during a practice ses-

sion on eve of first Test match against South Africa in Mohali. - PTI

Having been India’s strike bowler in the Test series win in Sri Lanka, Ashwin, who bagged 20 wickets against the Island nation, will be key to the home team’s chances with opposition players like Faf du Plessis and Dean Elgar acknowledging the in-form spinner’s threat.

Team Director Ravi Shastri though has asserted that even Amit Mishra and Jadeja, who has been in stellar form in the current Ranji season, will be crucial to the home side’s fortunes.

Playing for Saurashtra, Jadeja, whose last Test appearance was against England last year, has bagged 38 wickets in four games to win back the selectors’ trust.

His left-arm slow bowling, combined with Mishra’s leg-spin and

Ashwin’s offies could turn out to be the much-needed winning formula for the hosts on what seems to be a track that will favour the home team’s strength.

On the batting front, India will be spoilt for choices on with Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma fighting it out for the toporder slots.

Speaking highly of Dhawan and his 187 against Australia at the same venue in 2013, Shastri said, “Getting runs at a venue in your last Test match, nothing like it.

But the biggest mistake people make is that they mix Test and ODI form. Test match form he comes back at the back of two Test hundreds, so he is very much in form,

he is hot.

“That 187 against Australia will certainly be in his mind. Competition for places, nothing like it.

It goes to show everyone is on his toes, nobody will rest on his heels.

If you miss out somebody else will grab the opportunity. It’s healthy.”

South Africa, on the other hand, will be a tad worried about the form of Hashim Amla, who takes over as captain for the Test format.

In contrast, ODI captain AB de Villiers, termed Superman by former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar, seems to be in the form his life and his wicket will certainly be a prized scalp for the Indian camp. South Africa rode on three ODI hundreds from their skipper to clinch the five-match series 3-2, while they won the three-game T20 rubber by a 2-0 margin.

Dean Elgar, Stiaan van Zyl and Faf du Plessis also add muscle to their batting while Temba Bavuma is expected to fill in the large shoes of Jean-Paul Duminy, who is still recovering from his hand injury picked during the third ODI. The Proteas attack rests on the broad shoulders of speedster Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel while the spin force is led by the in-form Imran Tahir. Tahir is not unfamiliar with sub-continent tracks and after making an impression for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL has become South Africa’s trump card on a turning wicket.

The Amla-led squad will also be tempted to field an extra spinner even if it’s the inexperienced offies in Simon Harper and Dane Piedt.

With numbers on their side, the world No.1 South Africa start favourites on paper but considering that India are playing in their backyard, the series could well be an evenly contested battle.

The Proteas are on a roll with a formidable run in the last seven years in the longer format and are looking to become the first international team to win in every format in India. Even the head-to head count tilts comfortably in favour of South Africa as they lead with a 13-7 margin in 29 matches. - PTI

KOHLI’S MAN

GO-TO-MAN: India’s Ravichandran Ashwin bowls in the nets

during a practice session ahead of their first Test cricket match against South Africa, in Mohali. – Reuters

Trump-card Ashwin ‘will deliver again’ MOHALI: Ravichandran Ashwin has emerged as one of the world’s top spinners in the last couple of years and the lanky off-spinner will again be India’s go-to bowler in the four-match Test series against South Africa, home captain Virat Kohli said on Wednesday.

The 29-year-old from Chennai has been India’s main strike bowler in recent times, claiming 21 wickets in the recent threetest series in Sri Lanka to walk away with the man-of-the-series award.

India’s limited pace option means Ashwin will once again be expected to take the bulk of the South African wickets in the four-match series starting on Thursday and Kohli is confident the tall spinner will deliver again.

“For the last two to three years, he has been the go-to man in test cricket,” Kohli told reporters on the eve of the first match.

“Even in conditions that suit you, you have to pitch the ball in the right area and you see him taking five-six wickets consistently in those conditions. He is definitely someone who has taken his game to the next level.

“The way he bowled in Sri Lanka, he proved he is among the top two-three spinners in the world.”

Ashwin, who has taken 145 wickets from 28 Tests, is known for his guile and control, best exemplified in his ‘carrom-ball’ which he flicks with his finger.

“He is certainly believing in himself a lot more now and is a match-winner for India. He is that main bowler (for the team),” Kohli added.

The Indian captain will play a similarly crucial role for the hosts being the team’s batting mainstay. Many, however, feel the mercurial Indian captain needed to be more in control of his emotions while leading the side.

Kohli said Test captaincy has helped him mature but it would be wrong to say he has drastically changed.

“The only things that has changed is that I have got 40 grey hairs in my beard,” said the feisty 26-year-old top order batsman.

“Obviously you do make mistakes and you learn from them along the way. I thought I was wasting too much energy in being too expressive on the field at times.

“You get smarter with age and with the amount of games you play at the highest level and that has happened with me as well. So it’s not something very unnatural and I have not changed in a massive way. - Reuters

TEST SERIES

Australia go with Hazlewood over Siddle for first Test SYDNEY: Josh Hazlewood will be Australia’s third pace bowler in this week’s first Test against New Zealand after Peter Siddle was named 12th man on Wednesday.

Both seamers were in the squad for the match, which starts in Brisbane on Thursday, but it is Hazlewood who will join Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc in the pace attack at the Gabba.

Australia captain Steve Smith told reporters in Brisbane on Wednesday that Siddle would be frustrated not to be included.

Disappointing “It’s obviously disappointing for him,” said Smith.

“He bowled extremely well in the last Test match at the Oval but that’s the team we’ve gone with.”

Siddle, 30, had fought his way back into the side during the Ashes series in England last year and his match haul of 6-67 helped Australia to a thumping innings and 46-run consolation victory in the fifth Test.

Hazlewood, six years Siddle’s junior, took 16 wickets in four Tests against England last year but, low on confidence and struggling with the intense pressure of the Ashes campaign, was rested for the fifth Test.

With more height and bounce to his bowling than Siddle can offer, Hazlewood’s five-wicket haul on

Black Cap Bracewell gets the nod for Brisbane Test SYDNEY: New Zealand will be hoping Doug Bracewell can revive his form of 2011 after he was named as the third seamer in Brendon McCullum’s pace attack for the opening Test against Australia in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Although his stock is not nearly as high as fellow quicks Trent Boult and Tim Southee, Bracewell’s match-winning performance against Australia in Hobart four years ago will always give him a special place in New Zealand’s Test history.

In only his third outing, Bracewell took a match haul of 9-60 and the wickets of Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Michael Hussey in one dizzying spell as the Blacks Caps won their first Test on Australian

debut against India at the Gabba last year also clearly played a part in his selection ahead of Siddle.

“Josh Hazlewood had a lot of success out here last year against

NO ILLUSIONS: B. McCullum

soil since 1985. The 25-yearold has not entirely fulfilled the potential he displayed at Bellerive Oval but his recent performances have been strong enough for him to be preferred to Matt Henry for the first test, which starts on Thursday.

“It was a bit of a coin toss with them but we were comfortable either way,” McCullum told reporters at the Gabba

India,” added Smith.

Smith had expected to lead Australia into a series for the first time in Bangladesh last month only for the trip to be postponed indefinite-

on Wednesday. “They’re both very similar bowlers. We just thought Doug was bowling a touch better at this time.”

McCullum also confirmed that all-rounder James Neesham would bat at number six ahead of wicketkeeper BJ Watling.

Unbeaten in seven Test series since 2013, New Zealand are widely viewed to have their best chance in a good while to secure a second series victory on Australian soil to go with the Richard Hadlee-inspired 1985 triumph.

“It’s been a while and nice to know when you enter a series against Australia that you’ve got three tests, to Test yourself against one of the best teams in the world,” McCullum added.

“We’re under no illusions how difficult our task is but we’re in a

ly because of security concerns.

The 26-year-old, who took over as full-time captain after Michael Clarke retired in the wake of the Ashes defeat, confirmed he would

good space. I’m pretty confident our guys will play well and if we are beaten then we’ll make it bloody tough for them to do so.”

Hadlee was at the Gabba on Wednesday, 30 years after he took 15 wickets to fire New Zealand to their only win at the ground. While the pace bowling great made the hosts slight favourites for the series, which continues after Brisbane with tests in Perth and Adelaide, the 64-year-old liked what he saw in the 2015 New Zealand side.

“Test cricket particularly needs some sort of revival,” he told reporters.

Team: Tom Latham, Martin Guptill, Kane Williamson, Ross Taylor, Brendon McCullum, James Neesham, BJ Watling (wicketkeeper), Mark Craig, Doug Bracewell, Tim Southee, Trent Boult. - Reuters

drop down a spot to play at number four in the batting order to make way for Usman Khawaja at first drop.

Australia will be looking for some big performances at the

heart of the new-look batting order from Smith, who averages 56.27 with the bat after a stellar couple of years.

“As a leader, my philosophy is to lead from the front,” said Smith, who scored centuries against India in all three matches as stand-in skipper for the injured Clarke last season. That was what I tried to do last year when I got the chance to captain. I’d like some more success like that.”

First task His first task as permanent skipper is to defend Australia’s long unbeaten record in Brisbane, which stretches back to a loss to the West Indies in 1988, against a confident New Zealand team.

Smith made it clear that despite extending an invitation to the New Zealanders to share a drink after the match, Australia would not be adopting Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum’s approach to the game. “They’re playing that nice-guy act again but we’re going to continue playing that hard and aggressive cricket,” Smith said.

Team: David Warner, Joe Burns, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (captain), Adam Voges, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazelwood, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle. - Reuters

T H U R S DAY, N OV E MB E R 5, 2 0 1 5

NBO GOLF

NBO chairman opens Grand Final

Malik strikes twice as England chase victory

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ODI

Sri Lanka ride Perera’s blitz to clinch series

SCOREBOARD

< FROM

Mohammed Mahfoudh Al Ardhi said: “It is my pleasure to welcome you all to the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final — four days of professional golf of the highest quality, here at Almouj Golf, Muscat, Oman, in spectacular surroundings.

“In hosting the NBO Golf Classic in 2013 and in 2014 we impressed many people in the golf world, not least the players, their managers and officials of The European Tour and the Challenge Tour.

“The overwhelming success of the two tournaments earned Oman the respect of all who attended the two events which led directly to the introduction of the ‘Road to Oman’ concept.

In demonstrating that we could organise such a world-class enjoyable tournament we were able to utilise the opportunity to promote Oman to international corporate businesses and to promote golf tourism and tourism in general and show the world what the Sultanate has to offer.

“The 226 players who came to Amouj Golf to compete in the tournaments in 2013 and 2014 from all around the globe, left Muscat with glowing praise of the event, the golf course, the organisation, the Omani people and the Sultanate itself.

“It was a chance for us to showcase Oman to the world and we grasped the challenge enthusiastically. Those players, their families and supporters, officials and spectators took away some memorable moments which have enhanced the reputation of Oman as a mustvisit destination.”

Meanwhile NBO also signalled its commitment to helping to grow the game of golf at grassroots level in the Sultanate by hosting the first ever amateur event only for Omani amateurs.

Following the opening ceremony the distinguished guests were given a guided tour of the tournament venue, media centre and public village before Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon got involved in the golfing action by hitting a ceremonial shot off the first tee.

SPORTS

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Alastair Cook was 17 not out with Joe Root on six after Moeen Ali and Ian Bell were dismissed by Shoaib Malik in the space of two overs

SHARJAH: England were 46 for two wickets against Pakistan at the close of the fourth day in Sharjah on Wednesday, chasing a target of 284 to win the third and final Test and draw the series.

Captain Alastair Cook was 17 not out with Joe Root on six after Moeen Ali and Ian Bell were dismissed by Shoaib Malik in the space of two overs.

Having taken a first innings lead of 72, England finally dismissed Pakistan for 355 in their second innings, with opener Mohammad Hafeez making 151.

Pakistan, who have never lost a series in the United Arab Emirates since their home matches were

GOOD KNOCK: Mohammed Ha-

Pakistan 1st innings: 234 (Misbah-ul-Haq 71; J. Anderson 4-17) England 1st innings: 306 (J. Taylor 76; S. Malik 4-33) Pakistan 2nd innings: M. Hafeez c Bell b Ali 151 A. Ali run out 34 S. Malik lbw b Anderson 0 Y. Khan lbw b Broad 14 R. Ali b Anderson 0 Misbah-ul Haq lbw b Broad 38 A. Shafiq b Broad 46 S. Ahmed b Patel 36 Y. Shah c Broad b Rashid 4 W. Riaz run out 21 Z. Babar not out 0 Extras (b-6, lb-5) 11 Total (all out, 118.2 overs) 355 Fall of wickets: 1-101, 2-105, 3-146, 4-152,

5-245, 6-257, 7-312, 8-319, 9-354, 10-355 Bowling: J. Anderson 26-8-52-2, S. Broad 23-6-44-3, S. Patel 19-1-79-1, M. Ali 21.2-172-1, A. Rashid 29-3-97-1 England 2nd innings: M. Ali lbw b Malik 22 A. Cook not out 17 I. Bell b Malik 0 J. Root not out 6 Extras (nb-1) 1 Total (for 2 wickets, 22 overs) 46 Fall of wickets: 1-34, 2-34 Bowling: R. Ali 2-0-13-0 , W. Riaz 2-0-10-0 (nb-1), Z. Babar 9-2-11-0, S. Malik 7-3-8-2, Y. Shah 2-0-4-0 Umpires: Chris Gaffaney and Bruce Oxenford TV umpire: Paul Reiffel Match referee: Andy Pycroft

feez celebrates his 150. – Reuters

moved there in 2010, won the second test by 178 runs after the first was drawn.

They struck two heavy blows in the last session when Malik, playing in his last test, dismissed Moeen Ali and then Bell in quick succession with the score on 34.

Moeen, who has been unable to make a success of his role as opening bat, fell leg before for 22 and Bell lost his off stump without scoring. Root, who survived a controversial leg-before decision

as Pakistan used up their final DRS review, stayed in until the close along with Cook, and at least one of them must make a big total if England are to score the 238 runs still needed.

Earlier, Hafeez (151) struck his ninth Test century to help Pakistan consolidate their position after losing nightwatchman Rahat Ali for a duck.

England challenged the umpire’s not out verdict against Hafeez on the first ball of the day off leg-spinner Adil Rashid but could

not get it overturned. Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow missed a stumping chance in the same over and later Stuart Broad dropped a tough return catch from him.

Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq shared a fifth-wicket stand of 93 with Hafeez and when Malik grabbed his two wickets Pakistan became firm favourites to win the series if not the match as well.

“We’re very happy with the total on the board and we’re very confident of winning the game,” Hafeez told Sky Sports. — Reuters

COLOMBO: Opener Kusal Perera fell for 99 but his freeflowing knock powered Sri Lanka to a comfortable eightwicket win in a rain-hit second one-day international against West Indies on Wednesday as the hosts sealed the series with a match to spare.

Needing 225 in 38 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis system, Sri Lanka reached the target with nine deliveries to spare thanks to an unbeaten knock of 81 from Lahiru Thirimanne.

Sri Lanka lost Tillakaratne Dilshan (17) early but man-ofthe-match Perera and Thirimanne ensured there were no hiccups with a second-wicket stand of 156. Perera, who hit six fours and four sixes during his 92-ball innings, suffered severe cramps as he closed in on his third ODI hundred.

Visibly in pain Perera went for a hook shot off paceman Ravi Rampaul on 99 but much to the disappointment Brathwaite safely held on to the top edge. Dinesh Chandimal and Thirimanne took Sri Lanka home with an unbroken partnership of 29 runs.

Earlier, a blistering 83 off 70 balls from opener Johnson Charles gave West Indies a strong start. - Reuters

SAILING

Oman Sail’s Women’s Sailing Initiative successful MUSCAT: Oman Sail has successfully trained over 40 Omani girls aged 8-12 from government schools as part of the ‘Women’s Sailing Initiative’ in partnership with Occidental of Oman, Inc (Oxy Oman). At a special ceremony held at Oman Sail’s headquarters attended by parents, Oman Sail coaches and mentors, Oxy Oman’s representatives recognised the achievements of the newly-certified instructors and schoolgirls.

Designed to empower the sporting ambitions of Omani women, the first phase of the programme armed six female sailors with the necessary skills and knowledge to become certified instructors.

Local schoolgirls were then introduced to the sport in the second

GOOD INITIATIVE: Oman Sail has successfully trained over 40

Omani girls aged 8-12 from government schools . – Supplied photo

part of the initiative in an effort to broaden their horizons and begin shaping the next generation of Omani female sailors.

“The programme has taught young Omani girls and women the

benefits of an active lifestyle and set them on the path to what could be a prosperous sporting career,” said Hussam Al Nabhani, Vice President of Corporate and External Affairs at Oxy Oman. “We

hope our partnership with Oman Sail sets the standard as a shining example of how to innovatively enact social change to benefit people across the Sultanate.”

David Graham, Oman Sail CEO, said, “We thank Oxy Oman for sharing our vision in helping develop women’s sport in Oman. Together we can change the individual lives of young women across the country. The commitment shown by the girls in this programme proves the potential for women to succeed in the sport of sailing.”

Newly-certified instructor, Marwa Al Khaifi, said, “I have to thank Oxy Oman and Oman Sail for the chance to learn sailing and develop as a person. Sailing has changed my life and I have seen first-hand how

participating in sport and healthy activities can have a positive impact on women in Oman. The children joining the programme are incredibly lucky to have this opportunity and gain valuable skills while having fun. This is the first step in a long and exciting journey that I have seen can lead to great things and the chance to represent my country on the water.”

The female sailors now have the opportunity to join Oman Sail’s Women’s Programme, established in 2012 to promote the sport as a fun and healthy activity for women. Operating the first and only allfemale sailing team in the region, Oman Sail is working towards further building and expanding the team into new classes and races.

HOCKEY

OMAN HOCKEY VETERANS TO PLAY IN BAHRAIN

Oman veterans hockey team, under the patronage of Oman Hockey Association (OHA), will be participating in the Bahrain Six-A-Side Hockey Tournament on Friday. According to Oman Veterans Hockey Committee Chairman Mohammed Shambeh Al Raisi, the team have prepared well for the tournament and are hoping to achieve good results in Bahrain. Earlier this year, the team had played in a similar tournament in Egypt where they won second place. — Supplied photo

UTSC Oman for Bahrain tourney MUSCAT: UTSC an all-encompassing and inclusive movement for sport will take part in the Bahrain Hockey 6s tournament scheduled to commence on Friday.

This tournament is being hosted by the Bahrain Hockey Association under the patronage of Bahrain Olympic Committee.

In the spirit of promoting hockey and as a long time supporter of hockey in the Middle East, the event will feature has representations from from Oman, Dubai (UAE), Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the home team.

The guest of honour at this year’s Bahrain Hockey 6s is field hockey icon, Olympian, former Indian Hockey captain and renowned field hockey coach Jude Felix Sebastian, better known as Jude Felix.

UTSC Oman through this participation aims at promoting the social, physical and cultural welfare of its members and players.

The tournament includes two Omani teams, thereby, showcasing the interest and enthusiasm of Omanis in this sport. Hockey

UTSC OMAN: Members of Team UTSC Oman who will take part in the Sixes Hockey in Bahrain. – Supplied photo

is fast gaining recognition and acceptance as a popular sport for young Omanis and Indians. The Association has endeavored to carry the spirit and pride of this sport in Oman with many of its members participating in regional and international competitions.

The UTSC team playing in Pool C along with Dadabhai Saudi and

Bahraini Hawks will be led by Javis Ahmed, which includes four Omani national players of repute Hussain Ali Mubarak, Khalid Juma Salim Hamood, Asharaf Talib, Alu Salim Humaid to name few. The team is being supported

by Formula 3 Adhesive Products and will be managed by Lijihas Hussain and Siraj Puthalath.

C6

THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

SPORTS

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HAKA ALL AROUND: Students perform a Hakka for New Zealand’s All Blacks after their arrival at a parade and official welcome for the team in Auckland on Wednesday . – AFP

Haka fest in Auckland as rugby world champions arrive home four years ago,” McCaw told the cheering fans.

“We knew the challenge was going to be a big mountain to climb ... but getting home this morning has certainly made all that hard work worthwhile.

“We heard that this country was going pretty nuts on Sunday morning and now we can all smile for the next four years knowing we are world champions.”

Captain Richie McCaw had the Webb Ellis Cup clutched in his hands as the players entered the terminal to be greeted by some 4,000 fans, many of whom had been in position for hours, chanting “All Blacks! All Blacks!”

WELLINGTON: World champions New Zealand were welcomed home by chanting crowds and a string of hakas on Wednesday as the All Blacks embarked a threeday journey around the country to celebrate their third Rugby World Cup triumph.

The festivities began at Auckland airport even before the doors of the Air New Zealand jet had opened when a group of ground crew in high visibility vests performed a haka, the traditional Maori war dance, on the tarmac.

Captain Richie McCaw had the Webb Ellis Cup clutched in his

TOAST OF THE NATION: All Blacks captain Richie McCaw holds the Webb Ellis Cup during a public event celebrating the victory by the New Zealand team at the recent Rugby World Cup in Auckland on Wednesday . – Reuters

hands as the players entered the terminal to be greeted by some 4,000 fans, many of whom had been in position for hours, chanting “All Blacks! All Blacks!”

Another haka performed by Maori in more traditional garb later welcomed the squad to Victoria Park in the centre of the city for a welcome ceremony, where

the players signed autographs and took “selfies” with fans.

As the All Blacks took their place on stage, a group of schoolgirls performed another Maori

welcome followed by a third haka of the morning from their male counterparts.

“The boys left eight weeks ago on a mission that started perhaps

CRICKET

FOOTBALL

Jazz Boys host FRiENDi Mobile Challenger Cup tourney draw

MUSCAT: The draw for the 18th edition of FRiENDi Mobile Challenger Cup, being organised by Jazz Boys Cricket Club, was held at the Palm Restaurant in Al Khuwair on Tuesday.

Joseph Rajan, Brand Manager of FRiENDi Mobile, and Anisha Pervin of AFMNC, presided over the draw ceremony.

With 16 teams registered for the tournament, the organiser regretted that they were not able to accommodate more than 10 other

Greatest side Hailed as the greatest side to have played the game, New Zealand were the first team to win the World Cup three times and the first to retain the trophy after their 3417 victory over neighbours Australia at Twickenham last Saturday.

The festivities will continue with a street parade and reception in Christchurch on Thursday and more celebrations in the capital Wellington on Friday.

For the likes of World Player of the Year Dan Carter, centres Ma’a Nonu and Conrad Smith, as well as veteran hooker Keven Mealamu, the trip will be a valedictory tour as all have played their last match for the country.

McCaw has yet to confirm whether or not he will be retiring after a record 148 Tests for New Zealand but Smith thought the future of the All Blacks brand was safe.

“It’s been a dream come true,” Smith said of his 94-match international career. “I’ve loved it but it’s time for the young fellas to take over. And they’ll do a good job so that makes it a bit easier.” - Reuters

teams who wanted to participate due to time and schedule constraints.

The Challenger Cup will be conducted in the coming two weekends at the Ghubrah Power Plant Ground. The draw was witnessed by the managers and captains of the respective teams followed by a briefing from the sponsors.

The tournament is mainly sponsored by FRiENDi Mobile, Danube, Abdul Fatah Mohd Noor

Co, Cluttons, National Metal Cans, Al Hajiry Group, The Body Shop and Al Faisal.

1st round fixtures (Friday): Royal Strikers vs Mangaloreans (6.30 am), Mobile Point Ruwi vs SS Friends (7.30 am), Ashes vs AKCT Muscat (8.30 am), Al Dasser Friends vs Masters XI (9.30 am), National Gas vs Asfandyar XI (10.30 am), Indian XI vs FAP UTSC (1.30 pm), Future CC vs Darsait XI (2.30 pm), Attic Outdoors vs Tely Boyz (3.30 pm).

Whistles from Real crowd but Benitez focuses on pre-quarters MADRID: Real Madrid struggled for long spells in their 1-0 win over Paris Saint Germain and there were whistles from the Bernabeu crowd but coach Rafa Benitez said the most important thing was reaching the Champions League last 16.

Benitez’s side are still unbeaten this season in all competitions but they rode their luck against PSG who dominated especially in the first half and Real scored through Nacho Fernandez from one of their few chances after 35 minutes.

“We have played against a strong side in PSG and I am happy because we have qualified which is what is important,” Benitez told reporters.

“We won, we were able to battle and we are now first in the group without conceding a goal, which are reasons to be positive against a difficult rival.”

Real handed PSG to their first loss of the season in all competitions and are through to the knockout stage with 10 points from four games, three more than the French side. Still there were whistles from some fans who were expecting more from the 2014 winners. “We must reflect on what we didn’t do well in the first half and a lot of things in defence,” said Benitez. - Reuters

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Culture LIFESTYLE

T H U R S DAY, N OV EMB ER 5, 2 0 1 5

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

REDIS COVE R CLAS ING SICS Multi -talen ted ar a spe tiste, ll on m Dipti u s Rava ic lov rendi l, cas e rs wit tions ts h of old h e r bea Hindi u t iful ямБlm s debu ongs t albu in her m, Cla sSix R eload ed Photo

g ra p h

Story : T y: Cou .A. Ameer udhe r t e sy en of Dip t i R av al

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THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

LIFESTYLE

D

ipti Raval is living her dream now.

She is busy receiving calls and text messages two months after the release of her first album, ClasSix Reloaded.

Music lovers in Oman have found a new star who casts a spell on them with her beautiful rendition of old Hindi film songs.

For Dipti, however, the album is a tribute to the legendary singers. “I grew up listening to Lata Mangeshkar, Mukesh, Asha Bhosale, Kishore Kumar and Geeta Dutt. They are my idols since childhood. It gives me immense pleasure to dedicate my first album, ClasSix Reloaded, to those luminaries,” says Dipti.

All the six songs featured in the album have stood the test of time, and the magical melodies evoke memories of the golden era of Bollywood music. The iconic singers occupy a special place in the hearts of Hindi music lovers all over the world. “It was a real challenge to sing those ever-green songs. I practised them many times over before I travelled to a studio in Mumbai, India,” she says.

Dipti has been dreaming of a career as a singer since childhood. She began to learn the nuances of music from the age of six, and performed Bhajans (devotional songs) on the radio. Her passion for Hindi film music grew stronger even as she continued her tryst with classical music.

“I love all musical genres but I got special energy when I rendered Hindi film songs,” she confesses.

She came to Oman in 1992 and the peaceful country gave her positive energy to pursue her passion vigorously. Her perseverance paid dividends when she launched ClasSix Reloaded on August 28, 2015.

“When I stood in front of the microphone at the state-of-the-art recording studio in Mumbai, I got a rare energy and I was able to give a creative touch to my rendition. I could sing one song each day.

When I finished the task after six days, I was over the moon,” says Dipti.

Dipti had the same feeling four years ago when she got an opportunity to sing in the presence of Asha Bhosale, another legendary Hindi playback singer.

“It was during a private function in Muscat in 2011. I got an opportunity to sing Asha Bhosale’s songs at a function graced by her. The versatile singer congratulated me after each song. It was an unforgettable day in my life.”

Though she made a mark as a singer,

CLASSICS DIPTI “RELOADED” Lag Jaa Gale (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar Film: Woh Kaun Thi, 1964) Kahin Door Jab Din Dhal Jaaye (Singer: Mukesh Film: Anand, 1971) Haule Haule Saajana (Singer: Asha Bhosale Film: Sawan Ki Ghata, 1966) Ek Ajnabee Haseena Se (Singer: Kishore Kumar Film: Ajnabee, 1974) Ai Dil Mujhe Bata De (Singer: Geeta Dutt Film: Bhai Bhai, 1956) Bahon Me Chale Aao (Singer: Lata Mangeshkar Film: Anamika, 1973) Dipti is passionate about dancing, drawing and nurturing artistic talents among youngsters. She is the women’s wing co-ordinator of Indian Social Club’s Gujarati Wing and one of the founders of Muscat Kalakaar Parivar (erstwhile Muscat Kathiyawadi Parivar), which organises cultural events in Muscat. MKP’s recent live show featuring Bollywood singer Javed Ali at the Qurum Amphitheatre was a huge success. “I am an artiste and I want to promote youngsters. MKP is in the forefront of fostering the talents,” she says.

Dipti and her team visits labour camps, where blue collar workers live, to organise musical events on Thursdays and Fridays.

“Art of Living Foundation members visit camps where workers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh live and organise musical shows. The aim is to bring happiness in their lives. I have performed in 36 camps from Muscat to Salalah. We will resume the programme during winter. I am so happy to entertain the labourers.”

Following the excellent feedback for ClasSix Reloaded, Dipti now plans to launch the second part of the album. “I thank music lovers in Oman for their support. I am seriously thinking about producing the second part of the album that will feature songs by Mohammed Rafi and Manna De.” - ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

T H U R S DAY, N OV E MB E R 5, 2 0 1 5

C9

LIFESTYLE H O L LY W O O D

BUY

WEEKEND UPDATE

WATCH

Spectre

Diwali sweets from Puranmal

(in theatres now) Scan for details

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PLAY

LISTEN

James McAvoy to Star in ‘Submergence’

Actor James McAvoy will star in filmmaker Wim Wenders’s romantic thriller Submergence, which begins shooting in March in Europe and Africa. The story of the film is based on author J.M. Ledgard’s 2011 novel of the same name. Submergence centres on two lovers, immersed in life or death situations and separated by thousands of miles, who find solace in memories of their intense romance the previous Christmas after a chance meeting on a beach on the Atlantic coast. One is enduring captivity by fighters in Somalia, while the other is exploring the greatest depths of the ocean floor from her submersible.

McAvoy next stars as Victor Von Frankenstein in Victor Frankenstein.

Sarah Michelle Gellar Not Worried About Wrinkles

Never Forget You Learn piano, guitar, violin and

by MNEK and Zara Larsson

keyboard from Talentz Scan for more information

Scan to watch the video

Emotional Rollercoaster of a Student SALEH AL-SHAIBANY

SO TO SPEAK What do you think?

Scan below to have your say on Facebook/TimesofOman

I

knew right away that I let down one of my students when I let her walk out of my class.

I often take pride to listen to every word a student tells me.

I also trained myself to look for any sign of despair in their faces.

But not that time. I let my own emotional turmoil get the better of me. She said something that I should have taken the time to listen but did not.

When I realised what I did, pangs of guilt started to bite deep in my consciousness. I called her but she did not pick her phone.

I rushed through the corridors, nearly colliding with students who were hurrying to their classes, desperately searching for her. I walked to the library, cafeteria, and all the places students hang around after classes but she was not there. I knew I would fail her if I did not attend to her problem on the same day.

It had nothing to do with academics because she was good enough to pass her exams. There was something in her body lan-

guage that I totally ignored. I realised it was a cry of help though she did not shed a tear.

I finally traced her in the car park. She was sitting alone. She buried her face in her hands. I felt a tug of emotion when I saw her like that and felt somehow responsible for her problem. I am not sure if she knew I was there when I stopped next to where she was sitting. I needed time to come up with the right words because I knew a question like “what’s wrong?” would not open up her feelings. It was moments like those that a teacher like me would not know exactly how and where to begin. It was all about the first approach. Should I place my hand on her shoulder hoping that the gesture would connect with her emotion? Or should I find the right words and hope there would be enough gentleness in my voice to assure her that I was there to help?

I decided to do neither but walking away was never an option for me. What I did next was not inspired by impulsiveness

I knew a question like “what’s wrong?” would not open up her feelings. It was moments like those that a teacher like me would not know exactly how and where to begin. It was all about the first approach but from indecisiveness that was laced up by a string of insecure emotions. I sat there next to her. I listened to her sobbings and waited patiently. Perhaps I could not trust what I was going to say thinking it might make it worse or just simply I needed her to make the first move. When she

finally removed her hands from her face, she showed no surprise to the fact that I was sitting next to her. However, she did not look my way but focused her tearful eyes at a spot on the ground. I am not sure why but student and teacher sat there out in the open for quite a long time without saying a word to each other. Later on I realised it must have been fifteen minutes until she got up and walked away.

She left me sitting on the same spot wondering if I should have said something to make her feel better. But in all honesty, I was just lost for words. I was still there when she came back five minutes later and said just three words with a faint smile on her lips. It was “thank you, Sir.” It took me a full minute to realise what it meant. It did not hit me right away. When it did, I was thankful that she was not around to see my eyes were lined up with tears. The fact that I was just there in her moment of need, without any exchange of words, was all she needed from me.

Actress Sarah Michelle Gellar says she doesn’t care what people say about smiling causing wrinkles.

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer star, 38, has created a new company Foodstirs, which offers convenient and healthy ways to bring families together in the kitchen. While talking to The New Potato site about it, she also shared her beauty secret. “Honestly, I don’t care what they say about smiling causing wrinkles, happiness is my key to everything,” said Gellar.

J.K. Rowling’s Death Fears

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling is worried she will die before she finishes writing her new children’s books. The 50-year-old is busy working on new material and revealed she has “so many ideas” to put down on paper - but she fears she won’t have the time to realise her ambitions. “I sometimes worry I’ll die before I’ve written them all out. That’s my midlife crisis - that I will leave this earth without having written them all,” Rowling said on a radio show. — IANS

C10

THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

FIND-IT-ALL

PRAYER TIMINGS

@SHATTI

@MGM

@BURAIMI

@RUWI

SHATTI The Last Witch Hunter (Action)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood 2:30, 9:30, 11:45 pm Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension (Horror)- (3D)(15+) Cast : Chris J. Murray, Brit Shaw, Ivy George 6:00 pm The Martian(3D) (Adventure, Sci-Fi) (PG) Cast : Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain 6:45 pm Apocalypse (Horror)(2D)(18+) Cast : Leo Gregory, Sean Cronin 11:45 pm Goosebumps (Action, Adventure) (3D)(12+) Cast : Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush 2:30, 7:00, 9:15, 11:30 pm Burnt (Comedy, Drama) (2D)(12+) Cast : Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller 4:00, 7:45 pm Guardian Angel (Action, Drama) (2D)(12+) Cast : Vahik Pirhamzei, Bokeem Woodbine 4:45, 9:45 pm Coconut: The Little Dragon (Animation) (2D)(PG) 2:15 pm The Program (Biography, Drama) (2D)(PG12) Cast : Jesse Plemons, Lee Pace, Ben Foster 4:45, 9:45 pm MUSCAT GRAND MALL He Named Me Malala : 2D (Doc) PG Cast : Malala Yousafzai, Ziauddin Yousafzai, Toor Pekai 01:15, 05:30 & 07:30PM Gold Class : 06:45PM Goosebumps : 3D (Action | Comedy) (12+) Cast : Jack Black, Dylan Minnette 09:15PM Gold Class - 02:00PM The Last Witch Hunter : 2D (Act| Adv) PG12 Cast : Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood 3:15, 07:15, 09:30 & 11:45PM

Goosebumps (Action, Adventure) (3D) (12+) Cast : Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush 2:30, 7:00, 9:15, 11:30 pm

He Named Me Malala : 2D (Doc) PG Cast : Malala Yousafzai, Ziauddin Yousafzai, Toor Pekai 01:15, 05:30 & 07:30PM Gold Class : 06:45PM

BURAIMI Spectre– 2D (Adventure, Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, 11:59PM The Last Witch Hunter – 2D (Action, Adventure, Fantasy) (PG12) Cast: Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood 3:30, 6:30, 7:30, 9:30, 11:30PM Hotel Transylvania 2 – 3D (Animation, Comedy, Family) (PG) Cast: Selena Gomez, Adam Sandler, 2:45, 5:00PM Guardian Angel– 2D (Action, Drama) (12+) Cast: Vahik Pirhamzei, Bokeem Woodbine, Justine 3:00, 4:30, 5:30, 11:50PM Shandaar– 2D (Romance, Comedy) (PG) Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kumud Pant 6:45PM Ennu Ninte Moideen – 2D (Romantic | Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathi Menon 8:30PM

Goosebumps - 3D (12+) Act, Adv, Com Cast – Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, 04:30, 06:45, 09:45 PM Coconut: The Little Dragon – 3D (PG) Animation Cast - Max Von Der, Dustin Semmelrogge 02:45 PM

6.30, 11.45 PM Screen 3 Pyaar Ka Punchnama-2 (Drama ) – PG12 Cast : Kartik Aaryan, Nushrat Bharucha, Sunny Singh Nijjar, Sonalli Sehgall, Ishita Sharma.

3.45, 6.30, 9.00, 11.45 PM

AZAIBA Spectra – 2D (PG12) Act, Adv, Thr Cast – Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes 12:01 AM(Midnight) He Named Me Malala – 2D (PG) Documentary Cast – Malala Yousafzai, Ziauddin Yousafzai 06:15 PM The last Witch Hunter – 2D (PG12) Adv Cast – Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood 03:00, 04:45, 08:45, 11:45 PM Shaandaar – 2D (PG) Comedy, Romance Cast – Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kumud Pant 03:15, 06:00, 09:00, 11:00 PM Ennu Ninte Moideen – 2D (PG12) Thriller Cast – Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathi Menon, Saikumar 06:45, 08:45 PM

RUWI Screen 1 Shandaar (Comedy/ Drama ) – PG Cast : Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kumud Pant.

2.30, 8.30 PM Jazbaa (Action / Drama ) – 12+ Cast : Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Irrfan Khan, Shabana Azmi, 5.30 PM Spectre (Action) – PG12 Cast : Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, 12.00 Midnight Screen 2 Jazbaa (Action / Drama ) – 12+ Cast : Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Irrfan Khan, Shabana Azmi, 3.45, 9.15 PM Shandaar (Comedy/ Drama ) – PG Cast : Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kumud Pant.

SUR Spectre 007 (Action | Adventure ) (PG12) Cast: Daniel Craig, Christopher Waltz 11:59 PM Guardian Angel (Action | Drama) (12+) Cast: Vahik Pirhamzei, Bokeem Woodbine, Justine 4:30, 9:30, 11:30 PM Apocalypse (Horror) (18+) CP# Cast: Leo Gregory, Sean Cronin 04:15, 6:00, 7:45, 09:45 PM Ennu Ninte Moideen (Mal) (Rom) (PG12) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathi Menon 06:40 PM

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

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

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

20:50

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

Minimum

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

Daily Daily

08:40 11:00

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

Marmul

Daily Daily Daily Daily

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

10:45 19:00

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

50-80%

07:00

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

15:00

Salalah

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) 08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

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

SAMAY SANDEEP November 5, 2012

DANIA ANN November 11, 2009

ANANYA ANIL November 6, 2009

DHANYA HIRIYANNA November 6, 2006

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

LISTINGS

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)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

06:00 14:30

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100)

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

Programmes are subject to change

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

Daily Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ennu Ninde Moideen (Mal) (Drama) Cast: Prithviraj, Parvathi Menon, Bala & Lena 3-30, 6-30, 9-30 pm Cinema Main 10 Endrathu Kulla (Tamil) (Act ) Cast: Vikram, Samantha & Jackie Shroff 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -4 Bruce Lee (Telugu) (Act) Cast : Ram Charan Teja & Rakul preet Singh 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm at Cinema -3 Naanum Rowdy Dhaan (Tamil) (Act/Rom) Cast Vijay Shethupathi and NayanThara 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 at Cinema -2 NEXT CHANGE: Vedalam (Tamil) Thoongavanam Prem Ratan Dhan Payo ( Hindi)

Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

STAR CINEMA

0

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

Jem and the Holograms ( Drama / Fantasy) Cast : Stefanie Scott, Molly Ringwald, Ryan Guzman 3.15, 7.30, 9.45 & 11.55 pm, CP No: 2916 (PG12) The Guardian Angel (Action / Crime / Drama) Cast: Numan Acar, Volker Albers, Loyd Bateman 3.45, 5.30 & 7.45 pm, CP No: 2894 (12+) Apocalypse: ( Horror ) Cast: Leo Gregory, Sean Cronin, Brian Woodward 10.00 pm, CP No: 2895 (18+) The Culling: (Horror / Thriller) Cast: Jeremy Sumpter, Elizabeth Di Prinzio, Brett Davern 6.00 pm, CP No: 2578 (18+) The Last Witch Hunter (Action /Adventure/ Fantacy) : Vin Diesel,Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood 1.15 pm, CP No: 2816 (PG12) The Curse of Downers Grove ( Drama / Horror / Mystery) Cats: Kevin Zegers, Penelope Mitchell, Bella Heathcote 2.00 pm, CP No: 2867 (15+) Spectre (Action / Adventure / Thriller) Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes 12.01 am (Date 06/11/15) CP No : 2915 (PG12)

WITH LOVE

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

32 23

SALALAH Spectre (2D) (PG12) (Act/Adv/Thr) Cast: Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, 12:01AM Midnight Show The Last Witch Hunter (2D) (PG12) (Act) Cast: Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood 12:45/04:35/06:35/09:15/11:35PM Jem and Holograms (2D) (PG12) (Adv) Cast: Aubrey Peeples, Stefanie Scott, 11:55AM/04:45PM He Named Me Malal (2D) (PG) (Doc) Cast: Malala Yousafzai, Ziauddin Yousafzai 10:15AM/12:45/07:00PM Coconut: The Little Dragon (3D) (PG) (Animation) 11:00AM/05:00PM Goosebumps (3D) (12+) (Action/Comedy) Cast: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush 10:45AM/02:30/02:45/06:45PM Shandaar (2D) (PG) (Romance/Comedy) Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kumud Pant 02:00/08:55PM Ennu Ninte Moideen (2D) (PG12) (Malayalam) (Romantic/Thriller) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathi Menon 08:45PM

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

SOHAR The Last Witch Hunter - 2D (PG12) Action Cast: Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood 04:15, 09:30, 11:45 PM

Shandaar - 2D (PG) Romance| Comedy Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kumud Pant 04:15 , 06:45 , 09:00 PM Ennu Ninte Moideen - 2D (M) (PG12) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathi Menon 8:45 PM Goosebumps - 3D (12+) Action | Comedy Cast: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush 02:45 , 09:15 , 11:15 PM Coconut: The Little Dragon - 2D (PG) Animation 02:30, 07:00 PM Burnt - 2D (12+) Comedy| Drama Cast : Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, 04:45 , 06:00 PM Goosebumps - 2D (12+) Action | Adventure Cast : Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush 07:00 PM Jem and Holograms - 2D (PG12) Adventure | Drama | Fantasy Cast : Aubrey Peeples, Stefanie Scott, Aurora Perrineau 02:30 , 04:45 PM Spectre - 2D (PG12) Action |Adventure |Thriller Cast : Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) 16:30 18:00 19:30

The Last Witch Hunter – 2D (Action, Adventure, Fantasy) (PG12) Cast: Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood 3:30, 6:30, 7:30, 9:30, 11:30PM

Pan : 3D (Adventure | Fantasy ) (PG) Cast : Levi Miller, Garrett Hedlund, 11:00 & 03:00PM The Walk : 3D (Adventure | Bio ) (PG) Cast : Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 12:45PM & 05:10PM Gold Class : 04:25PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Spectre (Action) – PG12 Cast : Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes 12.00 Midnight

BAHJA CINEMA

11:59

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68. www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman

Destination

11.55pm 3.08pm 5.31pm 6.43pm 4.58am

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

T H U R S DAY, N OV E MB E R 5, 2 0 1 5

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LIFESTYLE Al Bustan Palace All Set to Celebrate 30th Anniversary

GHAWI BAZAAR

BUY LOCAL: OUD OIL

Photography: Shabin E & Supplied

Perfumes play an important role in the lives of the people in the Middle East. Exotic fragrances are appreciated not just for the aromatic notes but also for the integral role it plays in Arab societies.

O

man’s iconic Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, will celebrate its 30th anniversary in November.

The festivities will also commemorate the Sultanate’s 45th National Day. For the record, Al Bustan Palace was officially opened in 1985 on the occasion of the first GCC Summit to take place in the Sultanate.

In the last 30 years, it has set the standard for luxury hospitality in Oman and helped transform Muscat into a must-see destination.

To mark the beginning of the festivities, the national emblem will be displayed at the hotel.

On November 12, an exclusive concert will be held to celebrate the combined 30 years anniversary of the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra and the hotel. It will be an evening to cherish for music lovers as Classical and Romantic Music, including the virtuosic First Piano Concerto in E flat by Franz Liszt,

will reverberate the Oman Auditorium. World-renowned pianist and guest artist Daniel Grimwood will lead the concert.

The programme will also include Beethoven’s First Symphony. Tickets will go on sale from November 1 at the hotel.

Guests will get an opportunity to taste finest culinary delights of Oman and the magic of the Arabian Nights at Al Khiran Terrace.

The all-day dining venue overlooking the infinity pool and the beach front, will dress up for an Omani feast each Thursday night throughout November.

Guests will be invited to dine in an authentic Omani ambience, surrounded by the pool, garden and the sound of a traditional kanoun player.

Another highlight of the celebration is an exclusive, limited 30th anniversary package to discover the ‘Secrets of the Palace’. It will help those who wish to explore the life of the palace and discover all of

On November 12, an exclusive concert will be held to celebrate the combined 30 years anniversary of the Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra and the Al Bustan Palace

its secrets and history. Giving back to the local community is one of the strongest pillars of the brand’s social responsibility programme, Community Footprints.

Teams at Al Bustan Palace will take part in a series of activities to help the local community. They will mobilise skill-based volunteering and resources to make a difference.

Proceeds from the Omani traditional buffet on Thursday nights at Al Khiran Terrace will be donated to Al Khoud Child Care Centre, to support the hotel’s commitment to child wellbeing. The anniversary year will also see the beginning of a huge renovation project which will be completed by the end of 2016. The project will introduce new experiences to Muscat’s rich social, cultural and culinary scenes.

The hotel will remain open while pacing renovations in several phases throughout the low season.

- lifestyle@timesofoman.com

FA S H I O N

Photography: Supplied

Splash Showcases This Year’s Autumn and Winter Collection International value retailer, Splash, showcased its latest autumn and winter collection at a grand function held in Dubai recently.

The Splash Café Society, a space that brought a section of people who connect through their mutual love for fashion, travel and music, was a glamorous one which saw the Bespoke Military and Retro Futuristic trends coming together to create the ultimate look for a jet setting individual. Effortless pieces, structured look and the retro chic silhouettes were dominant on the runway that was seen across the fashion weeks in the past days.

Raza Beig, CEO Splash & Iconic said, “Harnessing the power of simplicity, classic and utilitarian in fashion, this season we have embraced two classic trends namely Military and Retro with a modern spin. The collection defines a well read, travelled person who was part of the very

niche cult called Café Society. The show is a way of showing our supporters and consumers the creativity that the brand imbibes, not just in our collection but in the way we conceptualise a theme that breaks boundaries and presents fashion like never before.” The venue was Madinat Jumeirah where the guests were welcomed into a pre-function area that was designed as a café with heavy French and retro influences.

A café deemed fit for hi-flyers, the guests relaxed and soaked in the luxurious ambience. As many as 25 top models sashayed down the runway in a surreal set that came to life with the energy from the audience.

The collection presented on the runway will be available in stores while most looks from the catwalk will be available on landmarkshops. com/splash. You can revisit moments from the show by tuning into Youtube.com/SplashFashion.

WHAT Agarwood oils, also known as Oud in Arab countries, is a popular fragrance in the Arabia region. A resin from the Aquilaria tree, it is valued for its distinct and mysterious aromatic smells and should not be confused with Bakhoor. The Aquilaria tree produces this dark aromatic resin as part of its natural defence mechanism when infected or introduced with fungus (Phialophora Parasitica). This can be a natural or an artificial process. The greater the age of the infection, the higher the grade of Oud oils. Oud has always found big takers across most Arab countries.

WHERE Aquilaria species that produce natural agarwood are found throughout Asia, in South, and Southeast Asia.

The sub-continent of India has been the primary source of agarwood for centuries, and agarwood cultivation was slowly introduced and extended to Indonesia and Malaysia.

HOW MUCH Oud oils are graded into AAA, AA, A. AAA is the purest of blends, high quality and priced highly. A tola could go as high as OMR600 or more. AA is pure oils of good quality, and are generally five years old. A tola could be in the range of OMR200 to OMR300. A is usually the freshest blend of oils, and are usually cheaper than AAA or AA. (A tola is sold in the range of OMR30 to OMR100.

Have a favourite Omani product or shop?

Tell us about it: ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

C12

THURSDAY, NOVEMB ER 5, 2015

LIFESTYLE BAIT AL ZUBAIR MUSEUM Bait Al Zubair (House of Al Zubair) is a private museum that opened its doors to the public in 1998. It is totally funded by its founders, the Zubair family. The museum displays the family’s collection of Omani artefacts, which is considered to be the finest that is privately owned. Bait Al Zubair exhibits two magnificent old canons presented by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the museum on the occasion of its opening. The main museum building, Bait Al Bagh (house of gardens) showcases information regarding the Al Busaidi Dynasty. Bait Dalaleel next to it symbolises the true essence of vernacular architecture in Oman. Bait Al Oud (grand house) exhibits early European maps of the Arabian Peninsula, typical Muscati furniture, early prints of the Arabian Peninsula and photographs of Muscat with an exhibit of historic cameras.

Website: baitalzubairmuseum.com E-mail: museum@baitalzubairmuseum.com +968 2473 6688 Opening hours: Saturday - Thursday, 9.30am to 6.00pm

Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art Ghalya’s Museum of Modern Art, opened in 2011, is a dream project of Her Highness Sayyida Dr Ghalya bint Fahr bin Taimour Al Said.

Located near the Muttrah Fort, the Old house is a group of typical Omani houses from the period of 1950 to 1975 that tell the story of the Omanis and their deeply rooted heritage, customs and traditions. The Wedding, the Kitchen and Display Rooms, the Mother and Children’s Room, the Winter Room and the Majlis (Living Room) describe the earlier Omani lifestyle. The strikingly modern, minimalist Art Gallery within the traditional Omani house showcases Omani and International modern artists to the world.

Website: ghalyasmuseum.com E-mail: info@ghalyasmuseum.com +968 2471 1640 Opening hours: Saturday - Thursday, 9.30am to 6.00pm STAL GALLERY & STUDIO Stal Gallery and Studio is a purpose designed visual arts studio and exhibition space in Al Khuwair. It aims to promote the creation, appreciation and engagement of visual arts in all media in Muscat and the surrounding region. The gallery is committed to promoting a contemporary visual arts programme with a balanced focus on promoting new work and supporting the development of artists while simultaneously affirming and challenging the public’s appreciation and understanding of contemporary and innovative approaches to the visual arts.

It develops projects in collaboration with artists, and is itself a site of artistic production with an associated dedicated residential artists’ studio.

TOP 5 PLACES TO PURCHASE ART IN OMAN

BAIT MUZNA GALLERY Bait Muzna Gallery was founded by Sayyida Susan Al Said in 2000, in a three-storey traditional Omani house.

Located in the old city of Muscat, the space has been renovated into a modern, trendy space for future art and culture. The Gallery exhibits artwork including mixed media paintings, sculptures, photography, installation and concept art. Bait Muzna Gallery promotes culture and art within Oman, and places Omani art on the international arena. It also creates a strong and productive connection between the artists of Oman and the international art world. The beautiful and historic location, and the art displayed make the Gallery a cultural and artistic epicentre.

Website: baitmuznagallery.com E-mail: art@baitmuznagallery.com +968 2473 9204 Opening hours: Saturday - Thursday, 9.30am to 7.00pm

Website: stalgallery.com E-mail: info@stalgallery.com +968 2460 0396 Opening hours: Sunday - Thursday, 10am to 6.00pm (by appointment on Friday and Saturday)

GALLERY SARAH Gallery Sarah is part of the Bait Al Zubair Museum and offers an array of paintings and photographs by up and coming and already established local and international artists. Gallery Sarah, set up in memory of Sarah White who passed away in 2013, is a commercial art space. It enables artists and photographers to sell their work locally and internationally. Gallery Sarah is working with collaborating local artists and photographers, and invites them to register and exhibit their work at the gallery and online to an international audience.

Website: gallerysarah.com E-mail: info@gallerysarah.com +968 2208 4747 Opening hours: Saturday - Thursday, 9am to 6.00pm

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SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

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VACANCY

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CARGO

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T H U R S D AY, N OV E M B E R 5 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

ISD, walking distance, 2 BHK, recently renovated flat, new and well maintained building. Ideal for Keralite / South Indian family, 350/- per month, including air conditioners and maintenance. Contact: Iqrar on 99076557.

Available from 1st November.

Readymade office space for rent (100sm) in Bank Melli Iran building, MBA area, Ruwi, opposite Center Point. Contact: 99011352 5 Bedroom Luxury Villa in Al-Ansab Phase 3. Contact 99417023

New flats for rent Darsait Al Sahel.

Contact: 99311525 / 92533356 1BHK R.O 180/- & 2BHK R.O 220/near Medical Muttrah House.

Contact: 98748925

02 BHK Commercial / residential (with split AC) flat at Honda road.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241

02 BHK Residential flat opposite to Al Nahda Hospital. Contact 99342733 / 99795241

For rent Seeb 1 room, 2 rooms, 3 rooms , with all supplements, including water electricity and sewage also. We provide the following services free plumber and electrician 2 cleaner for garbage our price on your hand, just call on Farahat: 98020768 Hilal: 96541283

Sohar: 3BHK AND 4BHK FLATS, R.O 200 and R.O 215 respectively.

(New Building with CCTV camera with Split A/C). Contact 99881426 / 92123699

1000 sqm Industrial land with compound wall & 2 rooms at Misfah.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241

2 bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality.

Contact: 92584715 / 24700120 Room in Al Mwalih very close to Wave. Contact: 95192927 Flat in Sohar Al Traif. Contact : 92853555 / 94222386 2 BHK flats for rent near PDO Gate No.2 with spilt AC. #94057023

NEW WAREHOUSE FOR RENT at Ghala Ind. Area. 800 & 2500 approx sqms Near Hotel Al-Madinah Holiday.Ghala. Container can enter. Immediate access to roads & highways.

CONTACT : 94583320

1/2, B/R – Res / commercial directly from owner near Bank Muscat, Bausher. Contact 92158031 Flat for rent at Wadi Al Kabir next Al Hassan.co, 2 bedroom, 3 WS, 1 sitting room. Contact: 99210008

Budget flats 1,2,3 BHK at Wadi Kabir, Darsait, Ruwi, Wattaya & Al Khuwair.

Contact: 95282986 / 99472457/ 99349262 / 24707340

Shops for rent behind buildings good for offices + stores area 11x4 MT behind Sultan Center Al Amerat R.O 250/- PER Month. Contact: 92877449

Dental clinic in Buriami for sale or rent have excellent condition & excellent location was unoccupied.

Contact 968 98379121

1000 sq mtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for wane house, work shop etc. Contact 24700120 / 92584715

Villa at Al Khuwair having six bedrooms, six bathrooms, sitting, dinning, hall, kitchen. etc Contact 24833972/ 24833974/ 99367448 Villa & flats for rent with facilities in Al Amerat (Al Atkefah).

Contact: 97749771 / 99425184

Room available for bachelor or family at Al Hail near Seeb stadium.

Contact: 93077789 / 97982399 Two villas for rent in Mumtaz area and one villa in Mawaleh next to the WAVE. Contact: 97296105

One room for bachelors at W/ Kabir R.O 110/-. Contact: 99384640

Flat 3 bed, 1 Majlis, Hilat Sad rent RO 300, opp. Al Nahdha Hospital, near Abu Zaki bldg. contact 99489548

2BHK new bldg at Ghala with A/C 350/-R.O. Contact: 99024730

4 BHK villa Azaiba, behind Sultan Center. Contact: 94300909

Villa for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95562646

2 BHK & 1BHK flat in Tilal Bowsher.

Contact: 94300909

1BHK Near Al Nahdha hospital Ruwi R.O 200/-. Contact: 99617786

6 BHK villa in Al Khuwair next to Taimoor Mosque. Contact: 94300909

3BHK flat for rent at Muttrah.

Contact: 99423596

New building 1BHK, 3BHK with lift and A.C behind Muscat bakery Wadi Al Kabir. Contact: 92103604 / 92308325

2 BHK flat available for rent in Darsait. Contact: 99357586 Shop for rent at Barka.

Contact: 99388898

6 bed rooms for rent in Al Khuwair 33 for family only rent 500 R.O. Contact: 99366624

Fully furnished office space in As - Assalah Tower Ghobra.

Contact 98202001 2 BHK near Oman house behind Khimji H.O. Contact: 95865686 Available 1 BHK & 2 BHK flats at Ghala Industrial area, Coco Cola road (for family/ Exec bachelors).

Contact 92854747 Villa in Arjan complex near Seeb stadium 4BHK, 1 living room, 1 majles, 1 extra room in ground floor.

Contact 93219597 Unfurnished Villa 5 B/ R @ Madinat Al Ilam, Fully Furnished Villa 5 B/R @ Madinat Al Ilam Executive Fully Furnished 1 B/R Apartment at Al Khuwair 33. Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC. 24834888 / 99249069 / 92888376/ 99436312.

Email: info@alshahiintl.com 1BHK new bldg with A/C curtains near Khimji Mart MBD. Contact: 99061408 / 99024039 2BHK Ghubra R.O 300/-.

Contact 92144045 600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details. Contact: 91214849/ 99364735

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DAILY GUIDE

Running furniture showroom for urgent sale.

Ladies beauty parlor ƐĂůĞ Ăƚ DƵƩ ƌĂŚ͘

Contact - 91135930

FOR SALE Fully equipped aluminum work shop with office room & workers accommodation, barka industrial area. Contact: 93861300 Food stuff shop for sale at wadi hathat near bank Muscat (39sy).

Contact 91818184 Building Materials shop for sale in prime location at Al Amerath near to Sultan Center. Contact 91127809 / 99008803

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

NRI Immediate sale , 2BHK 1126 sq ft in Sahakar Nagar Pune available amenities including swimming pool, gym, 24 hrs security, piped gas covered parking, Building built by reputed Amit Builders. Contact: Waghmare 0091 9423580779 Vandana : 91396500

FOR RENT New Building in Muttrah, 2 B/D room flat + Sitting Room,3 Baths+ Kitchen with split unit Ac’s. Behind Khimji’s main office/opposite to Oman House Call 99419712 Al Mawalh villa for rent 17 bedrooms, all attached toilet, 2 big hall, 1 big kitchen, outside 1 kitchen 1 PVT room near (Mac Donald).

Contact: 99654252 / 95566475 1 BHK for rent at Al-Khud in Baskin Robbins Building. R.O. 200.

Contact: 94194876, 99478492 Flats and shops for rent in Ruwi, MBD Mumtaz area. Contact : 97293708 / 92433127 Flats in Wadi Kabir. # 99376454 New flats for rent At Darsait near to Ministry of Sports, Mumtaz area the flats includes1 living room, 2 bedrooms, Kitchen, 3 toilets, every rooms with split A/C, high quality finishing, rent RO 340 /-.

Contact: 00968 92225523 Brand new residential flats in Wadi Kabir near Muscat football club, have 2 bedroom family hall, 2 toilets, Kitchen with spilt AC for 250/- R.O. #95999904 / 98585889 / 92383886 Showroom / storage / office space (area 290 SQM, 6 M Height) available 4 R.O PER SQM, facing Al Mina Street, near Darsait Lulu. Contact: 99360631/ 96760819/ 24711184 1BHK flat spilt with A/C Al Khuwair, 230/-. Contact: 99358589 / 95570288

FOR HIRE WITH OPERATORS 1. Back Hoe Loaders (Shovels): 5 Nos 2. 10 Tons Vibratory Roller Compactor: 1 No. 3. 42 Mtrs. Concrete Pump Putzmeister: 1 No. 4. 45 Cbm Tippers: 2 Nos 5. 50 M height, 50 Boom tower cranes: 5 Nos.

Please contact – Mr. Ravi on 96529679 Email – ravi@alliedoman.com / narayan@alliedoman.com

Immediate sale of well running pharmacy at prime location.

Contact 99627621 , 99516236 Shop for sale network accessories, shop in Honda road Ruwi. Contact 99481931 Ladies tailoring shop for sale in Ghubra. Contact: 93941622 Comm. & Res land in the heart of Ruwi 2400 sq mtr for sale.

Contact : 91155779 Comm. & Res land in Darsait, opp.

Pakistani School, 900 sq mtr for sale.

Contact: 91155779 Comm. & res. land for investment for 25 years in Ghala heights.

Contact: 91155779

CLASSES

Comm. & Res land in Ghala heights 400 sq mtr for sale. Contact 91155779

WEBSITE

ACC. AVAILABLE

Single room for rent at Mumtaz area. Contact: 96916398 / 95212017

COMPUTER

1 room with bathroom for rent in khuwair with ac, RO 120 not negotiable. Contact 92724472

Sharing accommodation available for an Executive Bachelor in Al Khuwair (near Zawawi Mosque).

Contact 92138451 or 93883755.

Sharing accommodation at Ghubra, opp. Mars hyper market for bachelors, spinsters or couple .

Contact: 93289109 after 3 pm Single bhk flat available in Honda road Ruwi. Contact 24833972/ 24833974/ 99367448 Room for rent available in a flat for Executive bachelor at Azaiba behind Al Meera Hypermarket Azaiba with attached bath with Cot & A/C, rent RO 175/- per month including Water & Electricity. Contact 96404166 / 97433992

Ph # 24480800 / 99347202

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

4 bedrooms, 2 living room, 3 bathrooms, 1 kitchen with ac in Khuwair asking 500 not negotiable.

Contact 92724472 Single room for expat Indian bachelors near Al Aktham restaurant Al khuwair for RO 120. Water and electricity included.

Contact:98803261

We , Nithesh Kumar Kollira Kariappa (name of father as per the passport holder of Indian passport No F 9283485) and Amitha Kumari Nithesh Kumar (name of mother as per the passport holder of Indian passport No. J 7051222) having permanent address in Kuttandi Village & Post , Virajpet Talak, S. Kodagu 571218 , Karnataka, India (complete postal address in India) and presently residing at the following address in Muscat, P.B No. 1142 P.C No. 114, Sultanate of Oman , hereby solemnly affirm and declare to change the name of our child Master Mukul Muthanna Kollira Nithesh (name as per present passport), holder of Indian passport No. K 8344272 date of issue 15/11/2012 issued at Bangalore. The name of our child will be henceforth known as Mrudun Muthanna Kollira Nithesh (new name for all purposes).

Any objection towards change of name of our minor child may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, PB No. 1727, PC 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

IELTS & TOEFL Academic / General Target Band 8 TQT Institute.

3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sitting room, Kitchen & store including utilities bills at Al hail.

Contact 92817777

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

Bachelor accommodation Ruwi Tower R.O 75/- Contact: 95084850

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

Furnished room available in Ruwi.

Contact: 92435784

MATRIMONIAL

ACC. AVAILABLE

Big room available near Hamriya R/A for Muslim couple / small family / Executive bachelor rent 150/- per month including W+ E. Contact 99495131 Sharing accommodation available for family near Ruwi Church.

Contact: 92308110 / 92837206

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Nair girl, 24 yrs, MBA fin – Mar, now working looking for Nair boy.

Contact: 93067505 (After 6pm) Kerala Nair girl 28 years (M.Tech) looking suitable alliance.

Contact: 0091 9446303209 Seeking alliance for our son from Muslim families.

Interested families Contact: 99889590

CHANGE OF NAME

LOST WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

LOST Usman Numbarath Ibrahim has lost Indian Passport No. K3889652.

Finder please handover to ROP.

Rajesh Narakathil Balakrishnan has lost Indian Passport No. M2924237. Finder please handover to ROP. Mohammed Mazahar has lost Bangladesh passport No AG 0179682. Finder please handover to ROP. Ishak has lost Indian Passport No. H 6533377. Finder please handover to ROP.

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

^/dh d/KE s Ed A Leading Earthmoving company requires: ͻ HR MANAGER ͻ KhEd Ed ͻ Yh Ed/dz ^hZs zKZ ͻ &KZ D E^ ͻ ^ > ^ Θ D Z< d/E' ͻ , sz / ^ > D , E/ ^ ͻ hdK > dZ/ / E^ Experiences 5+ years with Relevant YƵĂůŝĮ ĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ƐĞŶĚ s ƚŽ earthmoving.recruitment@gmail.com

Wanted female Gynecologist, female Staff Nurse – 2 no., Dental Asst, female Lab Tech from India or Filipino with MOH license & data flow for Al Saadi Specialized Medical Centre in Mussana.

Contact 92025033, dr.srinivas76@gmail.com

ADMIN/ HR Female Receptionist required for play area in Azaiba. Must be energetic, speak good English, and be good with children. Start date midNovember. Sponsorship available.

Email CV to playareaom@gmail.com Young Omani PRO: deemaild@gmail.com

ACCOUNTANT Required Accountant Arabic or Indian. Please send CV to: alothman_oman@yahoo.com Required Junior Accountant cum Office Coordinator for small construction company. Send CV: arabianhomellc@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELP Wanted Sri lankan Housemaid full time for Indian family from Delhi.

Should have release. Visa, food, accommodation will be provided.

Should have good references. Should know English and household work including baby sitting.

Contact-99665145 / 99274857 Urgently required a Baby sitter in Ruwi for an Asian family from 8 30 morning to 7 evening.

Contact 96511169 Wanted Indian Housemaid Hindi speaking for an Indian family with cooking experience for part time.

Contact: 93228657

DRIVER Wanted a lady driver from Muttrah to Darsait. Call 99426100 Required 2 Expatriate Drivers for manpower supply company with Oman driving license.

Contact 94148972 / 94148970

DESIGNER Urgently required part time Graphic Designer with 3 to 4 years experience in graphic designing, Photoshop, Illustrator, flash.

Email: mhca@mhabibgroup.com

EDUCATION

^/dh d/KE s Ed REQUIRED SALES EXECUTIVE for furniture & building material, minimum experience 5 yrs.

Send CV at Email : careeroman@yahoo.com

Wanted urgently A well known family in Oman urgently needed an experienced Indian female part time or full time Nursing Assistant to take care of their Mother recovering from stroke.

Contact 99717791 or 94084335

ENGINEER/TECH/MECH Technician (3 No’s Omani Nationals) Experienced in Automobile Electricals with Valid Driving License 1-2 years of experience. Immediate Joining. Forward CV’s to careers@rayoman.com Experienced construction Civil Engineer with qualification (attested) certificates & with Omani driving license. Contact: 99601004 email:slayhawk@yahoo.com

IT Required Software Support Engineer for IT Company with minimum 2 years experience.

Contact : 99016180 /98825805 Email: info@rns-group.com

MANAGER Construction Manager with a mechanical background required for an ongoing project with experience in construction projects of minimum 5 - 8 years required urgently. Professional personnel well versed in planning and execution kindly apply on an immediate basis email tgi17@omantel.net.om

MEDICAL Required licensed lady G.P .or Gynecologist male Asst. Pharmacist, lab technician for a clinic in Salalah. Contact: 93129219 Email: clinincrecruitment@gmail.com Wanted Gynecologist with MOH license of minimum 3 years experience for reputed medical center in Seeb. Interested candidates please send CVs rttfravi@yahoo.com Contact: 99062817 / 91274373 Wanted Dentist for a clinic in Ruwi with or without license. Send CV to farayil@hotmail.com Required female Nurse with MOH license for a private a private clinic in Bowsher area, Muscat.

Contact 92189807

A well known private school is in need of Science, Maths & English Teachers. Contact: 96910649 Email: staffing.oman@gmail.com

A reputed Wellness Center is looking for MOH licensed or Prometric Passed Physiotherapist, Nurse and Occupational therapy.

Please send your CV to : hr2015.oman@gmail.com

Looking for Tutor of 10 th grade student, main subjects are Maths & all Sciences. Tutor will be required to teach at the student home if possible. Contact 97915667.

Required General Physician, Gynecology, Dentist, Pharmacists, Lab technicians, Nurses.

Contact: 95133572 Email: kunoozghala@gmail.com

Science, Maths & English Teachers are required in a private school in Al Ansab. Send your CV at Email : 94540479, aleithar@hotmail.com

ENGINEER/TECH/MECH Sales Engineer: Mechanical Engineering holder with 2-4 years’ Exp. in Sales, preferably in Metal fabrication Company. Omani D/L is a must. Contact: recruitment747@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 Leading construction company requires experienced Site Engineer and QA/QC Engineer for residential/ commercial project. Require NOC. Send your CV : degree.engineer2015@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Required Sales coordinator (Preferably Filipino). Required Insurance Sales Executive to handle insurance product sales in Muscat region. Graduate preferably with driving license and with 2-3 years experience in insurance product sales. Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com or call 99450811 Sales Executives required for leading trading company engaged in sale of oilfield supplies, tools, safety products, automobile, industrial, electromechanical spares, pump sets and generators, for Salalah and Sohar branches. Diploma holders with GCC experience, good communication and D/L apply to hraljaddgroup@gmail.com Required Marketing Executive, 2 yrs experience.

Contact 91120552

DĂƌŬĞƟ ŶŐ ŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƚŽƌ >ĞĂĚŝŶŐ ŶĂƟ ŽŶĂů ůĂǁ Į ƌŵ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞƐ

WANTED Civil Engineer (Building Construction) 2 Nos

Ă DĂƌŬĞƟ ŶŐ ŽŽƌĚŝŶĂƚŽƌ͘ dŚĞ ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞ ƐŚŽƵůĚ ŚĂǀĞ Ă ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ďĂĐŬŐƌŽƵŶĚ ŝŶ ŵĂƌŬĞƟ ŶŐ ;ůĂǁ Į ƌŵ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝƐ ƉƌĞĨĞƌƌĞĚ ďƵƚ ŶŽƚ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞĚͿ͘

Qualification: BE in Civil Engineering Electro Mechanical Engineer (Building Services)1 No. Qualification: BE in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Send detailed resume to sskpvr@gmail.com

dŚĞ ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ŝŶŝƟ ĂƟ ǀĞ͘ dŚĞ ŝĚĞĂů ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞ ǁŝůů ŚĂǀĞ ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ ǁŽƌŬĞĚ ŽŶ Žƌ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚ ƐŽĐŝĂů ŵĞĚŝĂ ĐĂŵƉĂŝŐŶƐ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽĮ ĐŝĞŶƚ ŝŶ ƵƐĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ƐŽĐŝĂů ŵĞĚŝĂ ƉůĂƞ ŽƌŵƐ͘ dŚĞ ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞ ŵƵƐƚ ŚĂǀĞ ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ǁƌŝƟ ŶŐ ĂďŝůŝƟ ĞƐ ; ŶŐůŝƐŚͿ͘

WůĞĂƐĞ ƐĞŶĚ Đǀ hr@alalawico.com

hZ' Ed>z Z Yh/Z z Z Whd >> KDW Ez /E KD E SPARE PARTS SALESMAN (Indoor) Diploma holder with 02 years experience. Good communication and negotiation skill, Computer knowledge, age not more than 35 years.

Arabic speaking is an additional advantage.

SALES EXECUTIVE (Outdoor) Diploma in Mechanical field with 5 years experience in tools, hardware, building materials, safety products, good grasp in local market with Oman driving license.

Interested candidate may send their CV’s with recent photographs urgently to -

info@gapmct.com

SITUATION VACANT Looking for Dynamic and talented individuals with minimum ϱͬϳ LJĞĂƌƐ͛ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ KŵĂŶͬ ' ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉŽƐŝƟ ŽŶƐ͘ ϭ͘ LJ͘'ĞŶĞƌĂů DĂŶĂŐĞƌͲ WƌŽũĞĐƚƐ ŝǀŝƐŝŽŶ͘ D Žƌ ĞƋƵŝǀĂůĞŶƚ ǁŝƚŚ ϳ LJĞĂƌƐ͛ džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƐĞŶŝŽƌ ƉŽƐŝƟ ŽŶ͘

2. Contracts Manager.

W' /Ŷ /ŶƐƚƌƵŵĞŶƚĂƟ ŽŶͬ ůĞĐƚƌŽŶŝĐƐ Θ dĞůĞĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ͕ DŝŶŝŵƵŵ ϱ zĞĂƌƐ͛ džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ ƐĞŶŝŽƌ ƉŽƐŝƟ ŽŶ͘

ϯ͘ &ƵƌŶŝƚƵƌĞ &ĂĐƚŽƌLJ DĂŶĂŐĞƌ͘ DŝŶŝŵƵŵ ϱͬϳ LJĞĂƌƐ͛ džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ͘ Candidates with Oman/ GCC experience, with Valid GCC Driving License, tŚŽ ĐĂŶ ũŽŝŶ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞůLJ͕ ĂƉƉůLJ ǁŝƚŚ ĐŽŶĮ ĚĞŶĐĞ ƚŽ͙​͙ ŵŚƉŽƐŝƟ ŽŶƐΛŽƵƚůŽŽŬ͘ĐŽŵ

A LEADING FACILITIES MANAGEMENT COMPANY REQUIRE

CHIEF ACCOUNTANT * AGE : BETWEEN 35 TO 45 * QUALIFICATION : INTER. CA/ ICWA * EXPERIENCE : SUFFICIENT EXPERIENCE IN ACCOUNTS, FINANCE AND PURCHASES

SEND YOUR CVs TO hrdept191@yahoo.com SALES / MARKETING Required Marketing person for manpower supply company with minimum 2 yrs experience & GCC/ Oman driving license. Contact 94148970 / 94148972. Send CV at Email : rastllcmuscat@gmail.com Indian Salesman required for printing press with minimum 3 years experience and should have knowledge of English – Hindi language with GCC driving license. Contact: 96917952 Email: swapneelbhatt@gmail.com Required employee for travel agency with the exp in Saham.

Contact :93655939 / 93687666

Omani / Expats, male / female required for gift articles shop with minimum 2 years experience and should have knowledge of MS Office English & Arabic language.

Contact: 96917952 Email: swapneelbhatt@gmail.com Smart & energetic sales person with Omani/ GCC & driving license, ready to join. Kindly send Cv at Email : hhabsi55@gmail.com Dynamic sales girl, wanted for book and stationary shop, fluent in English and having basic computer literacy. Contact 92771610

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE ACCOUNTANT, Indian male 28 years, 6 plus years of GCC experience up to finalization, presently working in Oman as an Accountant, seeking for a suitable job, NOC available, Contact: 95089869 E-Mail: anuchunda@gmail.com Indian Chartered Accountant having 7 year experience in MIS, Budgeting, Taxation, ERP, Cost Accounting, Liasing with Big 4 Auditors, Cash Flow etc. working as Asst. Manager Finance. NOC Available; # 91789950 Email: igneshmlazar@gmail.com / MBA International Business in finance and operations Indian male 24, (3 months visit visa) seeking immediate placement.

Contact 968 97489409 / Email: abhay8168@gmail.com CMA & CIA professional Finance Manager with 10 years middle eastern experience, inclusive of Managerial experience with leading F&B companies. For further information, kindly Contact: + 971566561199 Email: babaa-shabir@hotmail.com Indian female, B. Com, MCA, with 4 yrs experience in teaching, looking for any suitable teaching/HR/Admin post. Currently on visit visaContact 92033720 ; Email: deepss22@gmail.com Part time Accountant services available to handle all accounts related work up to finalization on monthly basis. Contact: 96247295 Chief Accountant, 12 years Oman experienced looking for suitable placement. Contact: 99513082

Sr. Accountant with 14 yrs experience, 2 yrs in Oman capable of handling all accounting functions. NOC available. Contact: 92404608 Email: jin_75@rediffmail.com Fresher 24 years B.Com Graduate, Tally 7.2 & ERP-9, looking for a suitable placement in Accounts.

Contact: 97219505 Chartered Accountant with ICWA Inter having 5 years experience in Finance, Accounts, Costing, Budgeting, Audit, Insurance, Treasury & Banking operations - NOC Available + Oman Driving License Contact :97881548 Email-financecost2@gmail.com Indian male 25 years B.Com MBA 2 years experience in accounts looking for suitable job.

Contact: 99299471 / 96589605 Indian male 32 years, B.Com Accountant 5 yrs experience in Oman seeking suitable vacancy.

Contact : 94410485 Male 28 yrs, MBA with 3 years experience, holding a valid GCC driving license seeking suitable opportunity. Contact: 93407095, Email: syampdm@gmail.com Indian male B.Com Graduate with 2+ years experience in Accounts & Administration looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 96923391 Accountant, Indian Male, 24 yrs, B. Com Graduate 1 year experience as Accountant in India. Now on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94129716; thanoof5736@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ADMIN

Finance Manager, 12 years experience in leading Construction and manufacturing companies (9 years in Oman) have strategic vision and proven leadership ability. B.Com, CPA- USA & modern accounting certificate from “AUC”. “NOC” in hand. Contact: 97220505

Indian female BA experience in administration operations, business development excellent MS office skills looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94231020

Sri Lankan CIMA finalist Accountant 6 yrs exp accounting, finance, auditing immediate join & NOC. Contact: 95522109 Part time accounting finalization audit. Contact: 98157999 Sudanese, Masters degree in Economics, 8 years experience in procurement and finance.

Contact: 94524060 Senior Accountant, Indian male, 18 years experience, currently on visit, seeks immediate and suitable position. Contact- 98569025, 97498809.

Email - hilariankj@gmail.com Sr. Accountant 12 years experience 6 years in Oman, NOC available D/L Oman seeking placement. #91127809 / Email: lyjuvs@yahoo.com Indian male Accountant with twelve years experience currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact : 96148421 Email: jijokurianp@gmail.com Part time Accountant Sr. Accountant doing all type of accounting works up to finalization. # 91127809 Indian female 3 yrs experience in M.B.A HR, Admin & banking looking for suitable opportunity.

Contact: 94425585 ACCA member / B.Com (3.7 years experience) looking for Accounts / Audit job. Contact: 97769145 Email: mnnaem02@gmail.com Indian female 5+ yrs Oman exp in Accounts tally looking for suitable placement in W.K to Qurum area.

Contact: 95580416 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 Accountant Indian female having 5 years exp in finalization, audit and administration in GCC presently in Muscat seeking suitable position.

Contact 97323574 Email: sreeja@236@gmail.com Indian male 8 years experience having B.Com and MBA ready to work in HR customer service, Admin banking & related field.

Contact : 97436890 / 96939803.

Email: girimub@gmail.com 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 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

ADMIN Looking for job Admin / HR. Release available.

Contact 94229041

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 MBA (Graduate, Indian male, 19 years, Gulf experience (6 years Oman) in HR & Administration, seeking suitable job, immediately available with NOC. Contact: 99103763 / 99519841 Indian male looking for a job as a HR/Automobile Admin having experience of more than 6 years, Omani driving license. Contact 97409450 Indian male, 29 years B.sc with PGDCA.1 year experience in sales & 3years experience as computer professional. Looking for any suitable job. Presently on visit visa.

Contact:93262319.

Email : sonysdas1986@gmail.com HR/ Admin / Operation / Accountant Indian male having 13 years experience in Oman on visit visa looking for suitable job NOC available can join immediately. D/L Available. Contact: 96055815 Email: shaiks111@gmail.com HR/ Recruitment specialist with 8 years Oman experience in entire gamut of HR functions like resource planning , recruitment , HR policies & procedures, performing appraisal, expatriate affairs , exit interviews & ticketing. Contact 93825307 Email: javthath@rediffmail.com MBA graduate seeking a suitable position in/as Administration/ Secretary/Front office.

Contact 94627227 Indian 28 ,MBA (HR) with 4 + yrs exp in MPP, Recruitment, HR, Generalist, t&d, Appraisal, Admin & other areas, working in Muscat. NOC available. Contact - 94654626 E-MAIL:-sharique.sajjad@gmail.com Young Indian Male with post graduate UK degree in business admin, 4 years Oman experience in administration & purchase in electromechanical/civil contracting company.

NOC available. Possess valid Oman Driving License.

Contact: 94400671 26 yrs male, MBA, 3+ years experience in Administration in MNC, seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95041201 Email: noyel55@gmail.com Executive Secretary / Admin Officer female Indian 8 years experience in Oman. Contact: 96684705 Omani national looking for Sr. Manager position having experience in banking for 28 years in Audit customers service, finance credit, Administration HR worked as a Branch Manager products service age 45 years. Contact: 99213754 A well experienced manager in Admin/ HR, transport and real estate with computer skills and Oman driving license seeking suitable placement. Contact: 98864937 HR/ Recruitment specialist with 8 years Oman experience in entire gamut of HR functions like resource planning, recruitment, HR policies & procedures performance appraisal, expatriate affairs, exit interviews & ticketing.

Contact 93825307 Email: javthath@rediffmail.com

T H U R S DAY, N O V E M B E R 5, 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ARCHITECT

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Architect, female 23 one year experience with valid Omani driving license, under family visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 92670199 Email: tkhaleque92@gmail.com

Procurement, contracts and tender HEAD in construction civil & MEP 20 years vast experience in Oman with big MNC , seeking suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact: 93737496

Architect (BSC), female 23 one year experience with valid Omani driving license, under family visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact 92670199 Email: tkhaleque92@gmail.com

Omani Mechanical Engineer/ GPA-3.49 graduated in 2013.

GSM#95276154 / 99201710

Indian, Architect male 25, two years experience in UAE design, tender, site inspection with strong knowledge in AutoCAD, Photo shop Microsoft office looking for a suitable placement. Contact 91382038 Email: umar16.arch@gmail.com Architecture Structural Draughtsman having 5 years Oman experience, NOC available.

Contact 97312627 Architect with bachelor degree 4 years experience in architectural design (interior & exterior) professional in (3D Max- Archicad - AutoCAD Photoshop). Contact 96041201 Email: amer.yousfan@gmail.com

DRIVER Pakistani male light vehicle driver looking for job. Contact: 96393805 30 years old Pakistani driver seeking job in Oman, available Omani license. Contact: Gulzeb 93806381

Looking for light duty driver.

Contact: 92602182 Searching heavy / light driver job with Qatar and Saudi GCC license.

Has 8 years of experience in Qatar readymix and Almarai Company, Saudi Arabia.

Contact: 96080988 Looking for job as light driver 3 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 97311715 Light driver. Contact: 95084826 Pakistani, light driver looking job exp, 4 years. Contact: 96346582 Driver with car able to do documentation work and delivery.

Contact: 95365938 Driver job wanted.

Contact: 99343782 Light driver looking for job 7 years exp. Contact: 94208089 Looking for driving job.

Contact: 98219182 Light driver. Contact: 96313100 Light duty driver seeks placement.

Contact: 94435912 / 92439315 Pakistani Driver wanted job, with 3 years experience.

Contact: 94356465 Light driver for job 5 yrs exp.

Contact: 92171166

DESIGNER 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 Creative Designer with 8+ years experience in web, graphic, video editing, outsourcing looking for a suitable placement in a reputed company. Contact 97276004

DRAUGHTSMAN Autocad d/man, exp in arch, struct, now in visit visa PH : 91146914 Auto CAD Draftsman having vast local experience in architectural structure and mechanical HVAC also , looking for good placement.

Contact: 98147600 Email: sahil-shahmohd@yahoo.com Auto cad d/man, exp in MEP, Arch, on visit visa. Contact :97422351 Indian male diploma Civil (Draftsman) 2 years experience in AutoCAD, looking for suitable post.

Contact: 91146914 Email: shafnas456@gmail.com

YƵĂůŝĮ ĐĂƟ ŽŶ D WDW Ɛŝdž ƐŝŐŵĂ ;' Ϳ ŽƵŶƚƌŝĞƐ ĞdžƉŽƐƵƌĞ ĂŶĂĚĂ Θ DŝĚĚůĞ ĂƐƚ͕ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ ĂŶLJ ;ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ ŝŶ ďĂŶŬ͕ ƚĞůĞĐŽŵ͕ ƚƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ͘ EĂƟ ŽŶĂůŝƚLJͲ ĂŶĂĚŝĂŶ͘ KŶ ǀŝƐŝƚ ŝŶ KŵĂŶ͘

Contact - 97203531 ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

B tech Mechanical Engineer, Indian male, 33 yrs, having 10 yrs Exp includes 6 yrs in GCC, Having Oman D/L. Seeking Suitable placement.

Contact : 96978380, prajithks@gmail.com.

Indian male , 23 yrs, postgraduate Mechanical Eng. (M.Sc, UK), 1 year sales exp, having Oman DL, seeking for suitable employment in reputed firm. Contact: 91419764 Email: z.enggoman@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer: Indian male 29 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres), seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

M.Tech (NIT) Mechanical Engineer (Indian male), 28 on visit, 4 years experience, looking for suitable placement in Electromechanical / Sales / Marketing. Contact: 98791735 Email: anilengandiyur@gmail.com

B.Sc Civil Engineer, 10 years experience building construction, 7 years in Oman with valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 93493547 Searching for Civil Draftsman job 10 years of experience. N.O.C available. Contact: 00968 97612846 Indian male, 24 yrs B.Tech Civil, having 2.5 yrs Gulf experience in site execution operations & structural designs coordination, looking for suitable placement currently in Muscat on visit.

Contact: 98600130 Email: malayparikshit@gmail.com

Light driver. Contact: 94365229 Bangladeshi driver need job.

Contact : 97106424

WƌŽũĞĐƚͬ WƌŽŐƌĂŵ DĂŶĂŐĞƌͬ &ŝŶĂŶĐĞ ƉƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů

Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience as HVAC Design Eng. Revit MEP looking for suitable job consultancy or construction.

Contact: 90150913 Email: rahamanechengg@yahoo.com Indian male 25 yrs MBA logistics, 2 yrs experience in export & import, storekeeping, transportation, procurement, goods & service etc currently in Muscat on visit visa for 3 months, till Dec 28th, seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 93772901 / 95309001, E Mail : araj2378@gmail.com Indian Male 22yrs, B.Tech Mechanical Engineer currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Gsm:9661 8390 B.Tech mechanical Engineer, 24 yrs, 2 yrs exp seeking job on visiting visa.

Contact: 93523752 Email: binunechikkadan@gmail.com BE CIVIL, Indian M29, 5 yrs exp. having DL & NOC, looking for suitable position. Contact: 94576233 Email: suhailmullah@gmail.com B.SC Civil Engineer, road construction field with 12 years experience in Oman. Contact: 92200485 Indian Diploma Engineer NEBOSH qualified with valid Oman D/L seeks placement in HSE. Contact: 97066980 Civil and MEP Procurement Engineer total 16 years experience, NOC available. Contact: 93083013 (B.E) Civil Engineer 3 yrs of exp. on (residential) site M.S. Office AutoCAD, visit visa till DEC. looking for suitable job. Contact: 96692175 Email: nazarrizvi1@gmail.com Sudanese female with bachelors degree from Caledonian College of Engineering IELTS (7.0) looking for a job in the teaching field.

Contact: 92210958 Civil Engineer 6 years experience in materials & structural valid D/L 3 yrs supervision work in Oman.

Contact: 96086214 Indian male 23 bachelors degree in Civil Engineering 1 year exp knowledge in quantity surveying, presently on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 00968 94657347 Email: mohammedkenz7@gmail.com Sudanese Geologist 3 years experience in mining and geotechnical.

Contact : 97612807 B.Tech Mechanical Engineer 25 years Indian male 3 years experience in HVAC in India, NOC available ready to join. Contact: 94760763 Email: muzafferali.mohammed@ gmail.com Diploma Civil Engineer, Indian male 29 having 5 years experience in construction field & Autocad in Oman, having valid driving license looking for suitable job in reputed firm. Contact: 93746877 Email: jackybosko@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer 16 years experience India – 10 yrs, Oman – 6 yrs.

NOC available. Contact : 96533493 M.S.C HSE Engineer 8 yrs experience in oil & gas fields, hold N.D.T level 2 Master in Radiation protection. Contact: 95058541 Fresh Graduate female Electrical Engineer, Graduated with distinction had training in leading companies, excellent knowledge and interested in protection. Contact: 98133281 Diploma computer B. Sc Electrical and Electronic Eng, IT ISP Network control server management 4 years experience in Bangladesh wanted visa. Contact: 96524904 Civil Engineer (B.Tech) Indian male, 25 yrs having 2 yrs experience in handling civil projects with strong knowledge in Auto Cad , 3ds Max seeking suitable placement as Junior Project/QA/QC Engineer, currently on visit visa.

Contact: 96081437 Email: vibijvenugopal90@gmail.com B.E Mechanical Engineer Indian male 27 years having 4 years experience including 2 years GCC experience, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 90156984 Email: noorullahanas@gmail.com Electrical Engineer Indian Male 2.5Years Experience Looking for suitable Job. Contact:91845173 Email:er. joshidhaval@gmail.com HSE Engineer, Indian 26 years B.Tech Mechanical Engineering Nebosh IGC qualified 5 years exp in O & G on visit visa.

Contact: 94135234 Email: labythomas@gmail.com

EDUCATION Indian female M.Sc Botany, B.Ed , M.Ed , 5 years experience in teaching with good communicating skills on visit visa. Contact: 92890074

HOSPITALITY Dutch male qualified commercial pilot (Faa-ME-IR certified) is looking for job openings in middle east. rutjestom@outlook.com

IT Female 26 yrs, MBA (HR) 3 yrs experience in IT , seeking suitable placement. Contact: 94769794 Male, 31 years, M.I.T, CCNA, 9 years exp in Qatar as assistant IT manager, network administrator, server management and knowledge of developing website, Qatar D/L. Contact: 0097477237607, 00968 97683849 Email:mohsin2022@gmail.com

MEDICAL Female Nurse (Indian) looking for a suitable job in Capital area.

Contact: 98843139 Indian male Lab Technician seeking for job prometric passed with 70%. Contact: 97985325

MISCELLANEOUS IT IT Lecturer, Indian male 30yrs,MSc Computer Science (on visit ) 7 yes experience in Teaching Contact: 99842554, email: riazkalleli@gmail.com Hardware & net working, 2 years exp. Contact: 96244031 Oracle ADF Developer: Msc (IT), 2 yrs of Experience in Software Development (Oracle ADF, sql, pl/sql), Oracle OCA & SQL Expert, Currently on visit visa. Contact : +968 93755858 / 92141644. Email : shiralkarmuzammil@yahoo.com Network Professional, CCNP with 6 years experience and Bachelors degree on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact: 96760618, varghese.manthara@gmail.com Indian male , IT professional, 8 yrs experience including GCC in windows server, computer hardware, networking & office administration seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 95994227 Looking for computer net working / IT net working job I have done M.Sc (IT) and CCNA certified MCSE Training at Server (2012, 2008), also having more than 1 year experience working as IT officer.

Contact : +968 94153542 Email: shahzadmahmood51@yahoo.com

24 years Indian female MSC Biotechnology 1 year exp.in clinical microbiology, worked in ICRISAT for project work as Trainee, looking for suitable job.

Contact: 92619048 Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com Indian male 29 B.Com MBA , 5 years Gulf exp in oil & gas as planner on visit visa seeking suitable placement in similar or sales / marketing.

Contact: 93179096 Email: prasanthta@gmail.com Indian male, 38 years, 17 years experience in Oman, with valid Oman 2 wheeler license & own Bike, seeks suitable position.

Contact: 92287226 Sudanese lawyer with experience 10 years in Judiciary in Khartoum.

Contact: 94458976

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Sudanese General Manager, 15 years experience MBA from U.K experience in telecom and oilfield.

Contact: 90182803 Indian male - 15 yrs Gulf Exp as Warehouse/Store - Manager in Foodstuff, on Visit visa with Oman D/L. Contact No. 94543064 Email: Khanmujahidulla@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING MBA qualified sales and marketing candidate having an experience of 3.5 years available in Oman on Visit visa seeks placement.

Contact: 97436706 Email: shusamuel0001@gmail.com Sales Executive DCS 12 years experience out door and indoor Gulf UAE and Oman L/D license of Oman English, Urdu & Arabic. Contact: 91038343 17 years Gulf experience in Purchasing / logistic and Import, export with valid driving license in Oman. NOC available. Contact: 97829152 Indian male 22 years B.Com Graduate currently in Oman on family visa, looking for a job, particularly in sales . Also possess a valid Oman driving license. Contact: 98504698 Indian Male-MBA Marketing having 12Years Experience (3Yrs UAE & 9Yrs India) in Banking & Insurance sector. Seeking suitable placement.

Presently on Visit Visa.

Please contact: 92009780 Email: zamannoor1978@gmail.com Indian (m) 20 years experience in Purchase / sales / stores seeking good placement. Contact: 98545907 MBA& B.Com Graduate Indian, 1 year experience looking for job marketing & sales. Contact: 97138592 Email: mohammedathish24@gmail.com Fresher MBA Marketing & finance looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 99434489 / 91127809 Sales Manager modular kitchen & furniture, 46 years Indian.

Contact: 94522616 Male, MBA Graduate with 3 years experience in Sales & Marketing on visiting visa looking for job.

Contact: 93242927 Indian, female 28 yrs, B.Com, 7 yrs call center/marketing experience, currently on visit, seek suitable placement. Contact Rashmi 96746698.

Purchase experienced 8 years in Construction Company Indian male 45 yrs, release & D/L available.

Contact: 90268183 / 96987234 Marketing Executive/Merchandiser, Omani License, BA 8 years Experience in Multinational Groups.

Contact 97601343

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Looking for job, steel, fabricator & helper. Contact : 93015630 Looking for job, Mason, carpenter, election and helper. Contact: 93015630

TOURS & TRAVELS Indian female 24 yrs, Bachelor in Travel & Tourism and 2 year exp in Oman as ticketing executive.

GDS-Sabre, Amdeus, Galilio. seeking suitable job. Contact- 95610789

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin, Secretarial and purchase with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact: 95149624 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT: Indian male, Graduate & CA Article ship completed. 18 Years of experience.

Currently on visiting visa. seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97498809, 98569025, Email: hilariankj@gmail.com Indian male, B.E. mechanical, 16 yrs experience, for Quotation, Tender, Accounts, Business development, Sohar Area, Part Time.

Mb. 94215208 25 yrs male, BA English as Master in Digital Animation, 5 yrs exp. in character animation specialized in autodesk & software knowledge seeks suitable placement.

Contact 97917356 9 years experience in construction Purchase seeking suitable placement immediately, NOC available.

Contact: 97332401 Digital marketing / ad words/ analytics / SEO expert, exp 5 yrs (male) certified) , (visit visa).

Contact: 93594114 (visit visa).

Email: abeyre@gmail.com Hotel exp 4 years F+ B (service) visit visa expires 13/11/2015, B.A Hotel Management. Contact: 91987013 / 96971643 Email: shinekls34@gmail.com Kerala Electrical Technician, foreman cum Storekeeper (Electrical).

Contact: 93563744

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T H U R S D AY, N OV E M B E R 5, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

TOURS

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

M.V.FOR SALE Mercedes Benz E 280, 2008, 118000 km (Expatriate driven), price: negotiable , Mulkiya expiry January 2016 , color silver. Contact: 24810416 / 24810598

RENT A CAR

For sale Mitsubishi Galant 2003 model saloon car, expat leaving.

Contact 99783962 Nissan Altima 2.5S, 2012HY, excellent condition dealer maintained.

Contact: 97717152 Hyundai Santafe No.1 2015, K.M 5600 only, still in warranty.

Contact: 99666059 Hyundai Veloster No. 1 2015, 3000 km under warranty, full service, full Insurance. Contact: 96645709

Ware house space for rent at Ghala and Barka up to 20000/- Sqm. Contact: 99509460 / 93731363

MANPOWER

Hyundai Tucson No. 1, 2-4 C.C, 2013 model K.M 127000. # 99666059

Best Rates for Saloon.

Tel: 99826300 / 97869042, rentacar@modernreem.com

DRIVING

Nissan Tiida No. 1, 1.8 C.C, 2014 Model K.M 50000 still in warranty. Contact: 96645709 Tucson automatic 2007 – V6, R.O 2000/-. Contact: 99384640

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 99508282 Pick & drop. Contact: 96692774 Transportation any time Al Ghoubra. Contact: 97681599 Driver with car. Contact: 92279370 Transportation. Contact: 94087276

Learn driving with professional.

Contact: 94022250

Transport. Contact: 94510847

TRANSPORTATION Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

T H U R S DAY, N O V E M B E R 5, 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SITUATION WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Civil Engineer B.Tech with Iosh, Nebosh certification having valid Omani driving license looking for suitable job. Contact: 93631625 Mechanical Engineer (UK), 28 years, male having 3.5 years experience, looking for suitable placement with valid Oman driving license NOC available. Immediate availability Contact: +968 97612297 Email: ymirza11@caledonian.ac.uk BE Mechanical Engineer, 23 years, Indian male on visit available for immediate placement please contact: 96145820 or arunsankar.10.92@gmail.com BSC (Hons) Civil Engineer with Oman work experience and valid driving license looking for immediate placement in consultancy or construction firm currently on visit visa. Contact: 91181680 Indian Electrical Engineer B. Tech, female 24 seeking job. presently in oman having 2 year experience in design and estimation of Ht &Lt projects. Contact number 96897436557, Mail id : sibinanoop1@gmail.com Accountant , Indian (Kerala) male, more than 09 years experience in Qatar (02 years) and New Delhi experience upto finalization of Accounts & expertise in using Tally ERP-9, MS Office (Word & Excel). Currently on visit visa, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 97864890 / 97268429 Email: vinodthomas80@gmail.com Young 24 yrs, ACCA affiliate , advanced diploma in Accounting business, seeking suitable placement in accounts finance or audit with valid driving license. Contact: 92430152 Email: rau_day@yahoo.com Part time accountant, senior accountant, doing all type of accounting works, up to finalization. contact.95254864 Indian Diploma Engineer, NEBOSH Qualified with valid oman D/L, Seeks placement in HSE. Contact: 97066980 Indian male 23yr BA TTM(Travel and Tourism Management) with Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Logisitics and Shipping Management, exp in Logisitics (CHA) seeking in suitable placement, currently on visit visa(Oman) contact;90291092 email:iyas.adhur@gmail.com Sudanese / civil engineering Diploma / 5 years experience / deal with most popular computer programs / good in English / fluent in Arabic. Contact: 96995670 Indian male 26 years, 4 years experience as system and network engineer. B. Tech graduate. Looking for suitable opening. Contact:93125669, Email:amritrajgt18@gmail.com MALE ACCOUNTANT, age 25 years, ACCA UK finalist with 4 years experience in accounting & audit in Pakistan, now in Muscat on visit visa seeking suitable placement. Contact 90197029, muzammalhafiz16@gmail.com Indian male, 1 Year Experience in Logisitics (CHA) field. Qualification BA Travel and Tourism Management with Advanced Diploma in Supply Chain Logisitics and Shipping Management. Currently On Visit Visa Oman, seeks suitable placement. Contact :90291092

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, E-mail:anzarkutty1975@gmail.com Syrian architect have years and half experience in oman looking for work, full time perfect in architectural programs 3d max , auto cad , Photoshop , and sketch up. for contact : 0096897482871 Female, Indian, 35 years, Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) fresh graduate with BSc looking for positions in Front Office, administration office, or any suitable positions in hospital, polyclinic, companies or Institutions. Contact 90236481.

Indian Male 47 years MBA-Operations Management with total 25 Yrs exp inclusive of 9 yrs in Oil & Gas sector in Oman, having valid Omani D/L & NOC, seek challenging position in SCM/Logistics/Procurement.

GSM-94236414. Mail id – dialindia33@gmail.com Well experienced management finance specialist having 18 years experience available for placement.

Contact.95602518 23, Male, ACCA Affiliate, OBU Bsc, 2.5 years of experience in audit and finance in Big 6 Firms, Looking for permanent placement in similar field. Release NOC available. Contact: 95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com 22, Male, Indian, BBA (Marketing), 1 year experience in India, Looking for suitable placement in Sales and Marketing. #91897046, azzamsiddique1@gmail.com Indian Male,27,ACCA Part Qualified,B.COM with 7+ yrs exp in receivables and credit control in Oman looking for suitable placements. NOC available. # 9657 4343.

Indian Female, Science Graduate, 3 years Experience in Teaching back home. Looking for a suitable job opportunity as a teacher, in Schools in Muscat Region. Contact : 96431456 / 95704814 Looking for a suitable job as Jr. Accountant/ Jr. Administration in a reputed company. NOC Available.

GSM # 93004738.

ACCOUNTANT, Male, 8 years experience, presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available, seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 Chemical Engineer Indian 2 years of experience in production field Contact: 91247222 Email:sahadpoonchola@gmail.com Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 91033395 Indian female, MBA, 25yrs Having 4yrears of experience in MNC, hands of experiences in recruitment and administration, flexible for any suitable job placements currently in visting visa. Contact Tel : 98864639 Email : neethuvijayan06@gmail.com Indian Male, 25, Chartered Accountant, working with ICICI Bank India.

On a Visit Visa in Oman. Staying with parents at Azaiba. Ph: 24492638.

Email: shyamal008@gmail.com

B.E. Electronics Engineer, Indian male 22 years, seeking suitable job, currently on visit visa.

Contact 99226928, E mail : sanath301@gmail.com

Indian Male, 26 Yrs, Business Management, 6 years in Oman.

Knowledge of MS Office and Arabic Language. Seeks suitable position.

Contact 93931935

Sales/marketing, Indian male 35, years, having13 years experience, in that 6 years experience of KSA seeks for suitable placement, on visit visa contact: 95954786, Email:syedhameeduddin16@ gmail.com

Indian Mechanical Engineer, 30, having 8yrs of UAE Sales/Business Development. experience in Electromechanical and Irrigation sectors. Contact no+971558763220 email id-sangowri@outlook.com

Indian male having 11 yrs experience 4 yrs in Oman in purchase, stores & logistics, having valid Omani D/L and N.O.C in Hand, looking for suitable position any where in Oman. Contact : 92369700

Indian male, with finance and Law degree, having more than 25 years of experience in Finance/ Accounts / Audit (5 years of Oman experience) seeks suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 98421619.

E-mail: talemadhamu@yahoo.com.

Indian male, 22 yrs, BBA, Travel & tourism brought up in Muscat, seeks suitable placement in Sales & Marketing.

Contact 93519369 Engineer- Mechanical 4 years experience looking for vocational instructor/lecturer/technical mechanical engineer jobs.

Contact : 95598477/93211870, Email: rajeesh4me@gmail.com

Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 Indian male 22yr BBA with LOGISTIC Diploma, exp in tally and data entry seeking in suitable placement.

Contact; 90151739 email shakeeb.mp280gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED Indian male 33 yrs, BCA ,10 years experience (India & Oman) IT Support, System administrator/ Supervisor looking for suitable Job.#95448561.

Pakistani General Salesman with 6 years of experience looking for suitable placement with valid Omani driving license.

Contact: 92942088

Sudanese /Diploma in civil engineering/5 years experience/ good computer’ skills / English & Arabic/Mobil 96995670

Dynamic, Indian Chemical Engineer (NIT) with 1 yr experience in business development and holding Oman D/L , seeks suitable opportunity.

Contact: 96141612 Email: anjana.nanda@outlook.com

Senior Accountant ,NOC avaliable,5yr.exp.in oman, Accounting upto finalisation, computer skills tally9, Sage ERP accpac 500(6.0A), Vcams , Audit ,valid oman driving licence, languages known english , arabic, hindi. can join immediately.

Tel: (+968) 96339599, E-mail(ahmedmohdkhan@gmail.com) Sudanese male , 31 year old , have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer, 7 years experience in building construction and electrical production plant.Contact 94549609 Site supervisor (Aluminium Division ) With Driving License, Fluent in English , Arabic, Well knowledge of Oman Areas Looking for suitable placement. Cell# 97950869 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).

Contact me on 93488914, emailKaarthickshankar@gmail.com Indian male, B.E. Mechanical, 16 yrs experience, for Quotation, Tender, Accounts, Business development, Sohar Area, Part Time.

Contact 94215208 Admin, having 10+ years experience in Admin/HR/Logistics/Time Keeper, in reputed companies.

Presently working in Muscat. (NOC Available) Contact- 94369965, mail - satya1528@gmail.com IT Lecturer , Indian male 30yrs,MSc Computer Science(on visit) 7 years experience in Teaching is looking for college or school.Contact:99842554 Email:riazkalleli@gmail.com Msc (IT), 2 yrs of Experience in Software Development (Oracle ADF, sql, pl/sql), Oracle OCA & SQL Expert, Currently on visit visa. Contact : +968 93755858 / 92141644, Email : shiralkarmuzammil@yahoo.com Male 25 years, B.E. Mechanical with CSWIP 3.1 and ASNT level 2, 3 yrs. of experience in QC in oil and gas industry. Currently working in Oman, NOC available. M: 91262792. vignesh1503@yahoo.com Indian Female Accountant 5 Years of Experience in Accounting Tally, Sales coordination,and Admin, Currently on Visit Visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact :95684179 Sudanese / 30 years old / M.Sc. Logistics Management /English & Arabic/ logistics - procurement inventory planning / 91270881 Indian (Bangalore), internal auditor / senior accountant having (Gulf) 8 years, (India) 15 years experience, presently on employment visa seeking suitable placement in Salalah / Muscat.

Contact 968 94765948, email:amituppin@gmail.com Indian male, 19 years experience in purchase, material coordinator in building/pipe line construction & factory production field. have good computer skills & driving license and NOC, looking for a suitableplacement. mr.victor2015@hotmail.com Contact: 99008101

Logistic Executive BBA with logistic diploma experienced in Tally, MS Excel, daty entry seeking suitable position.

Contact: 90151739 Email: shakeeb.mp280@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT/ACCOUNTANT, with 8 years experience in Accounts ( 5 Years in Oman) in a Trading Company, capable of handling all accounting , Banking, L/C, import &Finalization with Driving Licence. Noc Available seek Suitable Placement.GSM-98184170.

B.A Economics, Indian male, 12 years experience in teaching, both academic & Quran, looking for an opportunity. Contact 9845 6432, 9967 8470 Sudanese female, B.sc on account.16 years experience. Good in working out financial report break down of monthly and annual budget’s. follow up tax files and social Insurance costingard feasibility study. Email: amani.eltayeb@hotmail.com, mobile:92037605 Indian Female 10 years as cook in Muscat, Oman . South Indian, Gujarati special food, Looking for part time. Contact 96710189 Indian female,33 yrs MSc,BEd with computer knowledge having 3yrs experience in teaching,looking for suitable job on visit visa.Contact: 9704 2806 Mail:poornimaajith11@gmail.com INDIAN MALE accountant, 12 years experience in accounting with tally also, looking for a suitable placement.

Contact . 98983122 MALE ACCOUNTANT, age 25 years, ACCA UK finalist with 4 years experience in accounting & audit in Pakistan, now in Muscat on visit visa seeking suitable placement. Contact 90197029, muzammalhafiz16@gmail.com Indian male 23 years old graduate with one year experience in Sales & Marketing with valid Oman driving license seeking suitable opportunities. (NOC available).

Contact: +968 98240510 , Gmail: affanahamed0@gmail.com Maintenance Engineer, Indian, male, DME, 36 years of age with 16 years of experience in machine maintenance and handling machine breakdowns, currently on visit visa seeking suitable position. Contact: 92180933; email: rramesssh@yahoo.com Advertising/media executive with 15 years gulf experience with oman driving license. Seeks good opening. 93031168.

8 years purchase experience in construction company Indian male 45 yrs, looking immediate placement . Release NOC, valid Oman driving license available.

Contact: 98456535 B.Tech, MBA (Marketing), PGDM (IB) having 9 years of experience in sales & marketing/ business development seeking for suitable position. Valid Driving License Phn-97043494

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080 Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact: 96236476 Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact: 93769089 / 95323517 House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage steambath, obesity, Spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 98342990 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 *Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 We are providing services like Auditing, Accounting, Taxation, Company Formation & Project Feasibility Study. ASAS AUDIT & CONSULTANCY. Contact at 91720465/94319719/24602222 Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 Cleaning & Carpet Shampooing, Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99884591 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722 Maintenance electrical, painting, plastering, partition. #98767559 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064 Split window unit A/ C servicing.

Contact 94694472 Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center LLC. #99344723 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & antitermite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130

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T H U R S D AY, N OV E M B E R 5, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624