Times of Oman - February 8, 2016

MONDAY

February 8, 2016 29 Rabi Al Thani 1437 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

To the students of Sultan Qaboos University, 2000

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ We acquire our knowledge from those who have gone before us, whose endeavours, thoughts, deductions and concepts led them to gain knowledge about the world around them.

Founded 1975 . Volume 40 No. 297 | 40 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

Muttrah Souq traders at risk of losing everything Many traders have no insurance to cover them against flood or fire and brokers admit they are reluctant to cover Souq businesses

OMR200,000 inside it. He said his firm was denied insurance and that many others like him are totally unprotected.

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: It is renowned as one of the oldest marketplaces in the Arab world, but shopkeepers at Muttrah Souq face a very modern problem - they cannot get insurance for their businesses, leaving them at risk of losing everything.

Counting the cost is Mazrook Keethadath, the shop manager of the Muttrah warehouse that was gutted last week with goods worth

Traditional marketplace Some 1,000 shopkeepers make their trade inside the traditional marketplace which is more than 200-year-old and attracts thousands of tourists every year.

“Citing risks, they denied insurance coverage. Now, in the accident, I have lost goods worth

NO INSURANCE COVER: Companies are reluctant to provide insur-

ance cover to shops in Muttrah Souq. -Supplied photo

OMR200,000,” Mazrook, who has been resident in Oman for the last 25 years, said. “Majority of the shops in this Souq are not insured.

Companies are reluctant to provide coverage,” Mazrook added.

Brokers in Oman confirmed to Times of Oman that the Souq is a

major headache and that insurance companies are reluctant to provide cover.

“Both fire and flood risk are too high in that area. Providing an insurance coverage to the shops in Muttrah Souq is not at all practical. Long back, a study conducted

R O YA L O M A N P O L I C E WA R N I N G

48-hour detention for driving on shoulders FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com

MORNING MINUTE

MUSCAT: Drivers found using road shoulders will be detained for 48 hours and then referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has warned motorists in a tweet.

A shoulder often serves as an emergency stopping lane, and is a

reserved lane for emergency services like ambulances etc.

“It has been noticed that some motorists drive on the road shoulders trying to escape from traffic congestion, which is considered a traffic violation,” said the ROP in its tweet.

The tweet was welcomed in the social media by many individuals believing that such behaviour leads to more traffic congestion.

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

An avid Youtuber

1

An avid Youtuber aims to prove that there is a beauty in being different. >A3

OMAN

Business groups upbeat

2

Business groups are upbeat on the benefits of the major networking conclave. >A5

MARKET

Oman’s gas production

3

Oman’s natural gas production and imports rose 5.6 per cent.>B1

Sayyida Mona to be the guest of honour at .Open Minds

A6

O F F I C I A L D ATA

Oman lost $14b in revenue due to low oil prices in 2015 SALEH AL SHAIBANY

saleh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman lost $14 billion worth of revenues in 2015 compared to a year earlier due to low oil prices, official statistics show.

The government produced around 981,000 barrels of crude oil per day last year compared to 943,500 barrels per day in 2014.

Oman sold its oil at an average price of $56.5 per barrel in 2015, which was 45 per cent less than the previous year, according to the National Centre of Statistics and Information (NCSI).

In 2015, Oman based its budget at the oil price of $85 per barrel with a deficit of OMR2.5 billion.

The government has not finalised the actual deficit in 2015 but it is expected to be considerable more than the planned one.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has already cautioned Oman to make urgent steps to secure the future of its fiscal budget.

It had urged the government to embark on the long-term eco-

CBO Executive President Hamood Sangour Al Zadjali.

nomical sustainability plans.

The IMF also urged Oman to cut its wages bills on the public sector. In the Arab Spring of 2011, it encouraged the government to create more economic security for Omanis.

This year, Oman has already shown its commitments by reforming the subsidies with hikes in taxation and fuel prices.

Oman had a fiscal deficit of 15 per cent last year and in 2016 the deficit is expected to be 17 per

cent as the low oil price eats into export earnings and blows a hole in the country’s budget.

Central Bank of Oman’s Executive President Hamood Sangour Al Zadjali said earlier that the government is able to absorb the losses from the foreign exchange reserves. He also dismissed speculations that Oman will ditch the dollar peg.

With breaking-even crude oil prices of $75 per barrel for the 2016 budget, Oman will need to dig deep into the reserves to come up with financial discrepancy to wipe out the OMR 3.5b deficit.

“If everybody is patient and stick to their lane, then traffic congestions will be less and the time drivers have to spend in jams will be also less,” said Sanad Al Rahbi, a motorist based in Muscat.

He added that everybody feels that he is busy and only his time is precious neglecting others. “Such motorists should take the issue a bit serious and start respecting the road ethics and adhere to the

traffic rules,” said Sanad.

Like Sanad, Salim Al Shukaili, a motorist based in Nizwa also asked ROP to deal more sternly with such violators. “It’s not only those driving on the road shoulders but others who keep changing lanes while getting stuck in traffic. This is really bad and leads to more delays for other motorists as they get stuck on the road,” said Al Shukaili. >A6

by a Norwegian firm had stated that Muttrah Souq is in Orange Zone, the worst one, for flood risks. Same is the case of fire risk too,” a senior official from an insurance firm, said.

“There is no separation between shops in the Souq. Entry for fire engines into the area is not easy. If we categorise the safety levels for the shops in Souq, then they will be falling in category 3, the worst one,” the insurance firm official said.

Meanwhile, another insurance company official said the identification of property ownership is quite difficult in Muttrah Souq.

“Those who approach us fail to provide the actual identity of the property owner. That makes it very difficult for us to insure and fulfil claim when something happens,” the insurance company official added.>A6

A2

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

OMAN

Our choice has become limited now with the United Airways no more flying to Bangladesh Nirmal Kumar Das, Bangladeshi expat in Oman

German tech firm comes to aid of Omani innovators SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERY

Motius, a high-

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

tech research and development

the pool is very young and very close to new technologies and new research, which allows the company to be very innovative, Bahrouni explained.

The company’s objective is to involve Omanis in various stages of the development of a product, in order to make a meaningful contribution to the local community and add value to the country.

Commenting on the processes involved, Bahrouni said that the Research Council selects some of the ideas from entrepreneurs in Oman and allocates resources to them.

Motius helps to transform those ideas into actual products, and then companies can be founded to sell those products, he said, adding that Motius will afterwards become a technical partner of those companies.

company headquartered in Munich, which is now helping Omani innovators transform their ideas into unique products

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: When Oman-born Zièd Bahrouni read an article about the Sultanate’s ambition to become an innovation hub in the Gulf region, he was inspired to contribute to this worthwhile mission.

While studying in Germany, he co-founded Motius, a high-tech research and development company headquartered in Munich, which is now helping Omani innovators transform their ideas into unique products.

The company, which solves technical problems and develops products for international customers, was established in Germany three years ago and entered Oman’s market a few months later through representation by Genius Solutions, a 100 per cent Omani-owned technology solution provider.

Motius is now cooperating with Oman’s Research Council to turn the ideas of Omani talents into realities, and is currently working on two projects funded by the

HELPING HAND: The company’s meeting with an Omani innova-

tor. - Supplied photo

council, which combine Omani traditions and values with stateof-the-art technology.

New projects The projects involve the development of a bread making machine to make traditional Omani Khubz, as well as the creation of an intelligent prayer mat, Bahrouni, Motius’ managing director, told Times of Oman.

The Khubz making machine is an automatic bread maker, while the intelligent prayer mat teaches children how to pray by correcting their mistakes in real time and in a game environment, using a camera and the latest technologies for gesture recognition and

gesture analysis.

Both projects are the first of their kind and among the first projects being funded by the Research Council, Bahrouni said, adding that the company wanted to be involved from the very beginning of the process.

Pool of talents According to Bahrouni, what makes Motius different from other companies is that it does not work with fixed employees, but instead has a pool of elite senior students, academic researchers and young engineers.

In addition, students at the end of their studies account for a large portion of this group, so

Project specification He noted that as some project ideas may not be clear, the first stage would involve project specification, during which the customer or innovator is involved in working out an exact project.

After planning and developing a proposal for a solution, a comprehensive plan is prepared and the work on the project starts after it has been accepted.

Bahrouni pointed out that the prototype is then developed in Germany and the finished product is to be sent to the customer, based on which a company can be formed.

Mass production In order to bring added value to the economy, the mass production would take place in Oman, as the machines will be built in a manCRIME

ner that allows for the products to be manufactured in Oman, with technologies supplied by Motius.

The intellectual property is owned by the innovators, themselves,while the Research Council takes care of patent issues, the young entrepreneur said, adding that Motius can support them in doing so.

Staying true to his roots, Bahrouni believes it is important to use local resources.

If a venture or a company is supposed to be established in Oman, its management should be a local, he said.

Local understanding He believes that local people have a better understanding of the market and the sensitivities, which facilitate the implementation of projects. At the same time, they contribute technically to the project, he added.

Bahrouni noted that innovators gain experience through involvement in the project, as Motius is in favour of hands-on work, rather than theoretical training.

Asked if the company also supports its customers in marketing, he said that Motius is focused on research and development, but can provide consultancy on such matters, given its experience.

Approaching Motius According to Bahrouni, innovators can directly approach the company, as representatives are available in the Muscat office, while he is based in Munich and frequently travels to Oman.

In addition to cooperation with the Research Council, Motius offers its services to private customers and a number of companies, helping them design projects, digitise their processes, build apps and solve specific technical problems. The company has been operating successfully in Germany, and its customers include BMW and Bosch.

P R I VAT E C A R R I E R

Bangladeshi airline suspends operations Times News Service MUSCAT: A private carrier of Bangladesh, United Airways, has suspended flight operations due to unavailability of aircraft. “As soon as the aircraft becomes serviceable, flights will resume,” the airline said in a posting on the Dhaka Stock Exchange on Thursday.

United Airways flies to Dhaka in Bangladesh three days a week from Muscat on Airbus 310 which has around 250 seats (all economy).

“Our choice has become limited now with the United Airways no more flying to Bangladesh,” said Nirmal Kumar Das, a Bangladesh expatriate living in Oman for the last 20 years. Das said he now has to depend on Oman Air or Biman Bangladesh for his flights to Bangladesh.

“Their service was good but sometimes, the flight used to get delayed from Muscat,” he said.

This is not the first time the private carrier has suspended its flight operations. Domestic and international flights of the airline remained suspended for several days in September 2014 following a conflict among its directors.

Launched in 2007, the private airline fleet of Bangladesh consists of 11 planes, including one Dash 8, three ATR 72s, five MD 83s and two Airbus A310s and operates international flights to Muscat, Jeddah, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Kathmandu and Kolkata in India.

A travel agent said they had given refunds to all the people who had approached them after the flight cancellation started.

“While some people bought tickets for other airlines, others claimed the refund money as United Airways, the largest private airliner of Bangladesh cancelled their flights from Muscat,” a travel agent said.

In September 2014, it had to suspend operations for three days due to financial crisis.

GOODWILL TRIP

Three persons arrested for trying to smuggle khat Times News Service MUSCAT: Three persons, all of Arab nationality, were taken into custody in Dhofar for attempting to smuggle 1,564 packets of khat as they approached the Omani coast on board a fishing boat, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) reported.

The ROP reported that the accused have been referred to the Public Prosecution.

Everyone is encouraged to report to the ROP any suspicious activities related to attempts to smuggle drugs into the country, either through the hotline 1444 or the emergency number 9999.

Last month, the ROP launched an anti-smuggling action film, as they adopted Hollywood-style tactics to raise awareness to stress that everyone has a responsibility in fighting crime.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, a ROP official earlier called smuggling on the coasts “the biggest problem the police face.”

“One of the major problems Oman faces comes not from within the country, but from outside,” he stated.

He said that the security of the nation is not only a responsibility of the police, but of all. “The citizen is an ally in ensuring security and cooperating with police officers, under the banner that at some level, we are all police officers,” said the official.

21 expats arrested In another development, the ROP reported that police in Buraimi have arrested 21 foreigners of various Asian nationalities. Eleven among them are accused of illegally entering the country, four had their residence permits expired and six had fled their work places, ROP reported.

BOOSTING TIES: The Sankalp, the 5th Advanced Offshore Patrol

Vessel of Indian Coast Guard, was built by India’s Goa Shipyard Limited and commissioned on May 20, 2008. – Supplied photo

Indian Coast Guard ship to visit Muscat Times News Service MUSCAT: Indian Coast Guard ship Sankalp is scheduled to visit Oman from February 9 to 13. ICGS Sankalp will be on a goodwill visit to Muscat, in a step to further emphasise the existing cooperation in defence and security between India and Oman.

The visit also aims at improving cooperation with the Royal Oman Coast Guard. The ship is on a four- nation overseas deployment tour in the GCC, with Muscat being the final port, prior to her return to India. The Sankalp, the 5th Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Indian Coast Guard, was designed and built by India’s Goa Shipyard Limited and commissioned on May 20, 2008.

‘Sankalp’, meaning Determination, is symbolic of the Indian Coast Guard’s will and motivation to strive for excellence.

The Sankalp has 16 officers and 97 personnel on board, under the Command of Deputy Inspector General Mukul Garg.

The ship is based in Mumbai, under the administrative and operational command of Coast

Guard Regional Commander (West), Mumbai.

The 105m long Sankalp, equipped with state of the art navigational and communication sensors, is capable of deploying Advanced Light Helicopters and Chetak helicopters.

Operating at normal speeds, she has an endurance of 6,500 nautical miles and can remain at sea for 25 days without refuelling, thus sailing up to her motto – ‘Extending the Horizon’.

The Sankalp has been extensively deployed on the western seaboard from Gujarat to the Kerala coast, the International Maritime Boundary Line patrol, and surveillance off the Lakshadweep and Minicoy group of Islands.

The ship has also visited many foreign ports on goodwill visits during overseas deployments, which include a maiden voyage by a Coast Guard vessel to Australia.

The visit of ICGS Sankalp to Oman is the third visit by an Indian Coast Guard Ship to Oman in the last three years. Including the ICGS Samudra Prahari and ICGS Vijit, which visited Muscat port in Mar 2013 and Jan 2015, respectively.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY SHARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

Share your world with us on Instagram

A3

OMAN

‘Being different is a beautiful thing’

Water research plan okayed

Youtuber Ashwaq

MUSCAT: Chaired by His Highness Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq Al Said, Advisor of His Majesty the Sultan and Chairman of The Research Council (TRC), the TRC Board has approved a proposal to establish a strategic research programme on water related research.

Saif Al Maskery’s web-series,

Times News Service

First meeting of 2016 The approval came at the first meeting of the TRC 2016 held on Sunday at the headquarters of TRC in Al Othaiba and as part of a move to implement the recommendations of the third Sultan Qaboos Science Chairs Symposium, organised by the Sultan Qaboos Higher

#Perspectives, is a social experiment in which she asks random questions to strangers and

WORLD SUMMIT

documents their answers which show how people think differently

TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Being different is part of a person’s uniqueness and often some people are not accepted for who they are due to their different lifestyles, thoughts and opinions.

This forces them to hide behind a mask to fit into certain sections of society or community. #Oman Pride features an ambitious Youtuber, Ashwaq Saif Al Maskery, who aims to prove that there is an assured beauty in being different and hopes to be part of the global community of Youtubers who inspire their followers.

“I want to show people that there is no harm in being different, that’s how we were made as humans,” said Al Maskery.

“Everyone lives different life experiences and we should respect their perspectives in life, whether we agree with them or not,” she added.

Her web-series, #Perspectives, is a social experiment in which she

TRC BOARD MEETING

asks random questions to strangers and documents their answers which show how people think differently about various subjects.

“Each episode features one question posed to people, with the different answers that it elicits.

People really enjoyed it, so I decided to film season two in Oman,” she explained about the first season of #Perspectives which was filmed in the United Kingdom.

Fearing “oblivion,” Al Maskery said one of her goals is to “influence people positively” so that she wouldn’t be forgotten.

Life goals She said, “One of my ultimate life goals would be to reach as many people as possible and make them smile. That would mean the world to me.”

“I want to inspire people to believe that they can do whatever it is they set their mind to do.

“I would ask people to experiment and try new things in life.

If they enjoy it then they should go for it. If they don’t, then they shouldn’t continue with it because they would probably be not so good at it,” she added, with some words of advice.

Al Maskery is a strong believer in uniqueness and individuality.

In a society or a community that hardly ever supports a person’s creative or unusual goal target which is not a prime money making plan, is something one comes across very commonly.

“I want to remind people that you don’t have to study something to go and pursue it,” she said.

“Just do what you love, because that would be your greatest motive to continue doing it. Do it for yourself because you love it; not for the views, the fame or the money because you wouldn’t be able to give it your everything and people will be able to see right through you,” added Al Maskery.

To follow Ashwag’s Youtube channel: Shog AL Mas Twitter: @ElShog

Civil Service Minister to take part in Dubai event MUSCAT: Delegated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Service will take part in the World Government Summit due to be held in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates on Monday.

The three-day summit will be held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, United Arab Emirates Vice President, Prime Minister, Ruler of Dubai.

3,000 participants More than 3,000 participants from 125 countries will take part in the summit. Leaders, ministers, senior officials and experts from various countries around the world and international organisations will deliver speeches to explore means of developing government work according to latest developments and future trends. -ONA

Centre for Culture and Sciences.

The Board granted approval, in principle, of a proposal to establish the Environmental Excellence Centre, in response to the need in the Sultanate to create a specialised centre in environmental industries, to include the study of the added value of waste.

Be’ah proposal The step was proposed by Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (Be’ah), to become a centre that provides innovative solutions and modern technologies for waste-related environmental challenges, and in order for it to be a platform to improve the capabilities of the environmental sector in

the Sultanate, to keep pace with global capabilities.

Summary report Board members were also briefed on the summary report on the progress of the strategic research programme on developing an integrated management for the Dubas Bug research Programme.

They heard a follow up to the execution of the decisions of the third TRC Board meeting for the year 2015, including results of the second call of the Open Research Grant Programme for the year 2015, and the report of the eighth meeting of the International Advisory Board, which was held last October.

A4

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

For detailed coverage log on to www.timesofoman.com

HIGHLIGHTING HERITAGE: ‘1001 Inventions’ has certainly surprised visitors to the Muscat Festival. – Talib Al Wahibi

1,001 surprises for visitors ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com

‘1001 Inventions’, focuses on the scientific heritage of the ancient Golden Age of Islamic civilisation, which produced Arab intellectuals

MUSCAT: Did you know that the camera on your mobile phone was inspired by a Muslim intellectual called Ibn Al Haytham? That a scholar called Al Mawsili invented a way to treat the eye disease cataract, a technique which is still applied in hospitals today?

That Muslim doctors invented medicines that eventually reached the West and influenced pharmacists there? And that the word ‘traffic’ comes from the Arabic word ‘taraffaqa’?

These and many other inven-

tions are showcased at the global exhibition, ‘1001 Inventions’, one of the highlights of the Muscat Festival this year, being held at Al Amerat Park.

It focuses on the scientific heritage of the ancient Golden Age of Islamic civilisation, which produced Arab intellectuals and scientists like Al Razi, Ibn Sina, Ibn Al Haytham and others. The interactive displays as well as the staff, each of which portray an old inventor, introduce visitors to the significance of these age-old inventions which laid the foundation for many items we use today.

‘Abbas Ibn Farnas’, who was

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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

known to have invented wings to be able to fly, told the Times of Oman that this is the first time the exhibition is being held in the Sultanate and that it was received very well by the public.

“Many people like this exhibition, as it is both educational and interactive”, he said. “But it is also funny, as there are games children can enjoy here,” he said.

‘Ibn Farnas’ said that foreign visitors are often surprised to see such an exhibition in Muscat. “Many families visit more than once, as there is so much to see,” he said.

‘1001 Inventions’ has certainly surprised visitors to the Muscat Festival. Alaa Ali, an Omani, expressed her surprise at this exhibition.

So much to learn “I like it as there is so much to learn about these intellectuals who created something to make our lives better. I was not aware of these inventions having come from the

Muslim civilisation,” she said.

Charry Deleon, a Philippine national, said she and her children very much enjoyed it.

“This is all new to me and my children love to play the games here. I am looking forward to go to other halls,” she said.

Justine King from France said such an exhibition is necessary to remind us of our heritage.

“I think we have a lot to learn about what happened in the past in this part of the world. We tend to forget about where the inventions came from. The younger generation can particularly benefit from this exhibition,” she said.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

Tweet all about it

Indian music director duo excited about Oman debut RAHUL DAS

has been scoring music for Hindi films for a long time now. They are among India’s top music composers, having scored for more than 100 films including Chak De India, Band Baaja Baaraat, Kurbaan, Heroine, Fashion, Aaja Nachle, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Fashion and Iqbal among others.”

rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: World famous Indian music director duo, Salim Sulaiman, who performed in the opening ceremony of the Fifa World Cup in 2010, is excited about their Muscat event this month.

The sensational musician brothers, who have composed music for more than 100 Bollywood films and television shows, will make their Oman debut at the City Amphitheatre, Qurum on February 19.

In an exclusive interview, the bothers said that they are excited, humbled and really looking forward to the Muscat event.

So much love “The people of Muscat have been giving us so much love ever since our songs hit the charts. We really owe them a great concert and we are happy to have this opportunity to give back love through our concert,” they told the Times of Oman.

One of the Bollywood’s hottest music directors, the duo said they will be performing some of their biggest hits from Chak De India, Kurbaan, Band Baaja Baarat, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Fashion, etc.

“We will also sing some of our Sufi devotional songs like Bismillah and Allahu Akbar, some old melodies from the 60s and 70s and end with a Punjabi dance mix. This is very special to us and we will make sure that the people of Muscat remember this concert for a long time to come,” they said.

Regarding their career in music, the brothers said they started their career as teenagers.

“Making music happened to us very early and we never realised that this passion would turn into our profession.

“We both grew up listening to similar artistes. We chose our instruments in such a way that we complemented each other and EVENT

Architecture, engineering forum begins MUSCAT: First Forum of Architecture and Civil Engineering of the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) Architecture and Civil Engineering Group was organised under the auspices of Eng. Salim bin Hamad Al Kymani, CEO of Parson International Company Parson and in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Khalifa Al Jabri, Head of the Civil and Architectural Engineering Department.

Raising efficiency Dr. Shaham Rajab Al Allush, Assistant Professor of Civil Architecture Department and the group’s supervisor said that this event is part of a series of student activities aimed at raising the efficiency of university graduates, to activate the student’s role in university life, and to promote interaction between the university and companies and professional institutions. The activities lasted for a day. -ONA

OMAN

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

FEBRUARY 19

Salim-Sulaiman concert will have an ensemble of 25 musicians performing on stage.

made music together,” they said Regarding the way Bollywood music and expectations from music composers have changed since they joined the industry, they said the film industry keeps going through different phases.

“We as composers have always followed our hearts when it comes to composing. We always believed in making a good song rather than a hit song. We have never ever succumbed to any pressure,” they added.

Hollywood film On being roped in to compose for the Hollywood film Sold, they said they got a call one day from film maker Jeffery Brown and that was it. “We loved the story and everything else followed,” they added.

Regarding songs close to their heart, they named Ali maula and Yeh haunsla as being two very special numbers.

Akshay Chowdhary, Director of Light & Shadow Enterprises, said, “We are extremely happy to bring to Oman the dynamic duo that

Top singers The Salim-Sulaiman concert will have an ensemble of 25 musicians performing on stage. “Some top singers from Bollywood, including top female singer Shweta Pandit, will be accompanying them,” Akshay said.

Steeped in a family tradition of music as the sons of composer and veteran of the film industry Sadruddin Merchant, Salim mastered the piano at the Trinity College of Music in London while Sulaiman took up tabla training with legends such as Taufiq Qureshi and Ustad Zakir Hussain.

They have also composed several records incorporating cinematic, folk, electronic and Sufi influences to their music. “They have really redefined the music scene in India,” Akshay Chowdhary said.

Light & Shadow Enterprises The programme is being brought to Oman by the Sultanate’s event management agency, Light & Shadow Enterprises.

The presenter of the concert is Minara, a product of Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives (AVOD) S.A.O.G. “Over the years, we have made the effort to redefine entertainment in Oman.

Concerts such as Temptations Reloaded with Shahrukh Khan and Katrina, Akon’s Live Concert and Salman Khan’s event which we have done in the past have proved our organisational skills, set up abilities, production calibre and eye to detail. Continuing the tradition, we want this to be the biggest concert of the year,” said Akshay Chowdhary.

A5

Business groups upbeat on B2B Participants of the Back to Business (B2B) event are appreciative of the opportunities the events brings to businesses

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: With just a day to go for Tuesday evening’s Back to Business (B2B) event, representatives of business groups are upbeat about the benefits of this major networking conclave.

Four of them who shared with the Times of Oman their views on the event were all appreciative of the opportunities the events brings to businesses.

“It’s the people who do business, and this event brings people together. B2B enables businesses to achieve focused, practical oriented

interaction in a friendly environment. It’s a must attend for business leaders in Oman,” Susan Rae, the chairperson of the Australian Business Group Oman (ABGO) said. Maggie Jeans from the British Business Forum Oman said business is about networking.

“This event brings together all the business groups to give companies the opportunity to make new contacts,” she added.

This year, we have the added stimulus of having the TED leadership theme and Drew Dudley as a speaker ,” she further said.

Galina Prokhina, from the Oman

American Business Centre, said over the past three years, B2B has evolved into a networking event platform which attracts various shareholders in Oman.

“This year, specifically, we expect to have more local SMEs and social media activists to be present. Attending the event this year will provide you with the added opportunity to hear our guest speaker Drew Dudley on how everyday leadership can change your life,” Prokhina said.

Around 400 to 500 participants are expected to attend the B2B networking event.

A6

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016 Citing rain and flood, a few years back, they started to deny insurance. Due to climate change, every year, we are experiencing two or three rains and floods Hussain Juma Al Balushi, representative of the merchants in Muttrah Souq

OMAN

Bait Al Zubair brings together Omani and Italian musicians byists’ Association. At the same time, it is a starting point for closer artistic cooperation between Italian and Omani musicians who share not only a true love for music and for their cultural and artistic heritages, but also a strong desire to share with us some of the melodies and rhythms characteristic of their music traditions.”

The musicians featured in this unique event are from two countries that are apparently different in culture, but have great similarities that emerge in music

Times New Service MUSCAT: Bringing together some of the finest musicians from Oman and Italy, Bait Al Zubair is supporting a new musical collaboration between the two countries.

Partnering with the Omani Oud Hobbyists’ Association and the Italian Quintet “Nomos” with Emanuele Buzi, the two ensembles will perform famous melodies from Italian lyrical opera, such as Rossini and Verdi, to contemporary music from Mor-

UNIQUE EVENT: The combination of European plucked string

instruments, the mandolin and guitar with the oud, in the context of the traditional music of Oman, can be seen as representing a significant dialogue between cultures. – Supplied photo

ricone, among others, and traditional Omani pieces, along with selections the two groups will perform together.

In the words of the Ambassador of Italy to Oman, Paola Amadei,

“The concert ‘The Sounds of Italy and Oman’ is the result of a collaboration I have promoted between the Conservatorio di Palermo, one of the most ancient Italian music academies, and the Oud Hob-

Two worlds meet and merge The musicians featured in this unique event are from two countries that are apparently only different in culture, but have great similarities that emerge in music - Italy and Oman.

The two worlds meet and merge through a repertoire of popular music with ancient roots for the acoustic guitar, Italian mandolin and the Arabian Oud. The “Oud Hobbiysts’ Association”, founded in 2005 under the auspices of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, seeks to preserve and promote the musical heritage represented by the oud, an instrument particularly dear to Omanis.

The musicians of the “Oud Hobbyists’ Association” who will participate in the concert are Nibras Al Mullahi on the Oud, Wahab Al Dhanki, Kanun, Tahra Al Balushia, Violin, Nasser Al Kindi, Violin, and Ahmed Al Siyabion the Omani Percussion.

EMERGENCY USES

Quintet “Nomos” was established in 2011 by Emanuele Buzi, one of the most famous and talented mandolinists on the international scene - and includes, Raffaele Pullara, Mandolin, Mauro Schembri, Mandolin/Mandola, Flavio D’Ambra, Guitar, Giovanni Gonfaloni, Guitar, and Andrea Scimè, Double Bass.

The Ensemble is strongly supported by the Conservatory “Vincenzo Bellini” of Palermo, one of the oldest Italian conservatories and one of Italy’s most active chamber music groups.

The combination of European plucked string instruments, the mandolin and guitar with the oud, in the context of the traditional music of Oman, can be seen as representing a particularly rare and significant dialogue between cultures.

The concert is made possible thanks to the support of the Italian Embassy in Muscat, Bait Al Zubair Foundation, Oman Arab Bank, ValvitaliaSpA, Al Nahdha Overseas L.L.C., and Sering International.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

.OPEN MINDS

Her Highness Sayyida (Dr) Mona bint Fahd Al Said.

Sayyida Mona to grace .Open Minds forum Times News Service MUSCAT: Her Highness Sayyida (Dr) Mona bint Fahd Al Said, assistant vice-chancellor for international cooperation, will be the guest of honour at the .Open Minds forum, which will be held at the Ballroom of the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah on February 10 and February 11. The .Open Minds thought leadership forum will see top global speakers, including entrepreneur Chris Gardner, Princess Beatrice of York, Dutch football legend Ruud Gullit and other thought and change leaders.

The event is being presented by Areej Vegetable Oils and Derivatives (AVOD). Merge and Al Wisal are the event’s radio partners and the Times of Oman and Al Shabiba are the media partners. For more information and registration, contact: 99620757, 95122430.

MUTTRAH SOUQ

< FROM

A1 ‘ROP should act tough against violators’ A1 ‘Perishable goods should not be stored’

He added that ROP should impose more fines and act tough against such violators.

“However, some might have an emergency case but they have to show proof once found guilty for driving in that lane as it is for the ROP to decide whether the case is fit for consideration,” said Al Shukaili.

Moreover, this lane is also used

< FROM

by ambulances whenever they transfer patients in an emergency case to hospitals.

“How many cases were stuck and delayed because of the misbehaviour of such motorists,” said Omar Al Wahaibi.

He added that such cases cannot bear any delay and should reach hospital as soon as possible.

“ROP has to question such viola-

tors legally in case their behaviour leads to serious end,” said Al Wahaibi.

A reliable source at ROP explained that the reason for driving on the road shoulders is a violation and yellow lines are sign for the end of road allocated for public use. “Such violators driving on the road shoulders show disrespect for others as the road shoulders

is allocated for everybody in case they face emergencies on road,” said the source.

He added that some years back, Public Prosecution in coordination with ROP issued a statement that driving on the road shoulders is a violation and the case should be registered with the public prosecution and the violators status would be decided by the court.

NBO

SME award Times News Service MUSCAT: The National Bank of Oman (NBO) has announced the launch of the second edition of its Innovation in SME Award for students, a competition designed to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs and support Oman’s wider economic diversification agenda.

Moreover, the nature of the stock is also a big problem. If they are stocking risky items, then they should follow all kinds of safety measures set by the police. They do not do so and therefore, we cannot insure them,” the insurance company official said, adding that the stock is also a floating one, which is not audited properly in case of majority of the shops and warehouses in Muttrah Souq.

Hussain Juma Al Balushi, representative of the merchants in Muttrah Souq, said they are cursed to suffer these accidents when they are not covered by insurance companies.

“Citing rain and flood, a few years back, they started to deny insurance. Due to climate change, every year, we are experiencing two or three rains and floods. Already, we are suffering huge losses in rains and in addition to that, these kind of fire accidents also cause immense damage and loss,” Al Balushi added.

Meanwhile, Tawfiq Al Lawati, Majlis Al Shura member from Muttrah, said the concerned authorities should step in to help the traders in Souq.

“Redesigning the souq can resolve the issue to an extent. In addition to that, traders should also be aware of the risks. Why do they stock items worth thousands of rials in Muttrah itself? Why can’t they move it to Wadi Kabir or other areas? Risk can be avoided up to an extent if the traders act in a logical fashion,” the Shura member said.

Around 1,000 shops are nestled in Muttrah Souq, one of the oldest markets in Oman, dating back about two hundred years.

Muttrah Souq is a prototype of old Eastern markets, characterised by narrow winding alleys roofed with wood where handicrafts like silverware, daggers, traditional clothes, new apparel and shoes, in addition to the famous Omani sweets (Halwa), spices and braziers are sold.

NETWORK UPGRADE

Omantel regrets temporary service outage Times News Service MUSCAT: In order to enhance the customer experience, Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) would like to draw its customer’s attention that an upgrade of intelligent Network will be carried out on Tuesday (February 9, 2016) from 1:00 am to 3:00 am.

A temporary service outage may be experienced by our valuable customers during the upgrade.

Omantel regrets any inconvenience this may cause and thanks its customers for their understanding.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

REGION

Turkey has kept an open-door policy to civilians fleeing Syria throughout the conflict but is coming under growing pressure from Europe to stem the flow of migrants, and from the United States to secure the border more tightly.

Syrian forces step up assault on Aleppo Turkey delivers aid as tens of thousands amass on Syrian side of border; UAE says ready to send ground troops

ONCUPINAT (TURKEY)/ BEIRUT: Aid trucks and ambulances entered Syria from Turkey on Sunday to deliver food and supplies to tens of thousands of people fleeing an escalating government assault on Aleppo, as air strikes targeted villages on the road north to the Turkish border.

Russian and Syrian forces intensified their campaign on rebelheld areas around Aleppo that are still home to around 350,000 people and aid workers have said the city - Syria’s largest before the war - could soon fall. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war, said air strikes, thought to be from Russian planes, hit around the villages of Bashkoy, Haritan and Kfr Hamra north of Aleppo on Sunday, the latter two lying near the road to Turkey. Russia’s intervention has tipped the balance of the war in favour of President Bashar Al Assad, reversing gains the rebels made last year. Advances by the Syrian army and allied militias, including foreign fighters, are threatening to cut off rebel-held zones of Aleppo.

“In some parts of Aleppo the Assad regime has cut the northsouth corridor... Turkey is under threat,” Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted by the Hurriyet newspaper as telling reporters on his plane back from a visit

FOOD AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES: Ambulances enter Syria from Turkey at Turkey’s Oncupinar border crossing on the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern city of Kilis, Turkey on Sunday. – Reuters

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

VIDEO

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

to Latin America. Turkey’s armed forces had the full authority to counter any threats to its national security, he said, although senior government officials have said the NATO member does not intend to mount any unilateral incursion into Syria. Powers in the region, which, like Turkey, want to see Assad removed from power, have expressed readiness to intervene with ground forces provided it is part of a co-ordinated international effort.

UAE ground troops The United Arab Emirates (UAE) said on Sunday it was ready to send ground troops to Syria as part of an international coalition to fight against IS militants.

Saudi Arabia said last week it was ready to participate in any ground operations in Syria if the US-led coalition decided to start such operations.

Syria would resist any ground incursion into its territory, its foreign minister said on Saturday.

Taking full control of Aleppo would be a huge strategic prize for Assad’s government in a five-year conflict that has killed at least 250,000 people across the country and driven 11 million from their homes. It could also push a massive new wave of refugees to the Turkish border.

Turkey has kept an open-door policy to civilians fleeing Syria throughout the conflict but is coming under growing pressure from Europe to stem the flow of migrants, and from the United States to secure the border more tightly. It is already sheltering more than 2.5 million Syrians, the world’s largest refugee population. But at the Oncupinar crossing, which has been largely shut for nearly a year, the newest arrivals were being shepherded into camps on the Syrian side.

“If those (refugees) have come to our door and they have no other choice and if needed we will let those brothers in, we have to do that,” Erdogan was quoted as saying. Aid officials at the Oncupinar

A7

border crossing said their efforts for now were focused on getting aid to the Syrian side of the border, where Turkish agencies have set up new shelters. “We’re extending our efforts inside Syria to supply shelter, food and medical assistance to people. We are already setting up another camp,” an official from the Turkish Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), which is funded by donations and carries out humanitarian work inside Turkey and abroad, told Reuters. “At the moment all our preparations are to make sure these people are comfortable on the Syrian side of the border.”

At a camp at Bab Al Salama, inside Syria and across from Oncupinar, children played in the muddy lanes between rows of tents lashed by rain. Some were ripped and caked with mud, but others appeared to be newly set up.

A flag of the opposition Free Syrian Army fluttered over the road leading out towards the Syrian city of Azaz along which many of the displaced have travelled in recent days. Opposition fighters armed with Kalashnikovs wandered nearby. — Reuters

STRENGTHENING DEMOCRACY

Algerian lawmakers pass proposed reforms ALGIERS: Algerian lawmakers passed constitutional reforms on Sunday proposed by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika after the 2011 protests, including reinstating a two-term limit for the presidency and boosting parliamentary powers.

Government officials said the amendments fulfilled Bouteflika’s promises to strengthen democracy, but opposition leaders dismissed them as superficial tweaks to a system long dominated by the ruling FLN party and the military.

The FLN along with the RND and other pro-government parties hold a majority in both chambers of the parliament and 499 out of

517 lawmakers present voted in favour, with 16 abstaining.

Several opposition parties boycotted the vote.

“The reforms we have started allow us to move to a new political and constitutional phase, based on democratic principles,” Bouteflika said in a statement read by the senate chief on his behalf.

Approval of the reforms should prompt the naming of a new government cabinet by Bouteflika, an independence-era veteran whose has rarely been seen in public since suffering a stroke in 2013 despite re-election in 2014 to a fourth term. — Reuters

A8

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

INDIA

We do not want youths to become job seekers.

We want youths to become job creators Narendra Modi, Prime minister

CRIMINAL CASE

Congress posts FAQs on website to clear air on Herald issue NEW DELHI: Congress has come out with a set of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ to present its side of the story regarding the National Herald issue as the party said that the Gandhis have not benefited financially from Young Indian Ltd. The party also dismissed as “absolutely false” the claim that Young Indian (YI) Ltd, the company formed in the wake of financial troubles concerning Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), was a “real estate company”.

Congress also underlined that there is no restriction in law on political parties giving loans and the Election Commission had issued a clear order in this regard in November, 2012.

Complaint dismissed “BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had sought derecognition of Congress on this ground but his complaint was dismissed by a full bench order of the Election Commission” at that time, AICC said.

On whether Sonia or Rahul Gandhi benefited financially from

Young Indian, it said, “No. As directors or shareholders of Young Indian, a non-profit, Section 25 company, they are prohibited by law from drawing (and have not drawn) any financial benefits from the company.”

It also denied that any assets were transferred from AJL to YI. “All the assets and the income of AJL remain with the company.

Not a single paisa has gone to YI, YI directors or YI shareholders,” it said in the FAQs on its website under the heading, ‘National Herald’.

It rejected as “false” the claim that YI was created to usurp the property owned by AJL. “On the contrary, Young Indian, being a non-profit Section 25 company, as the major shareholder AJL, in fact, enhances the safeguards on the properties of the AJL,” it said.

On the claim by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley that YI is a real estate company, it said the statement was “absolutely false”.

“Absolutely false. YI does not own a single real estate asset or

IN TROUBLE: Congress President Sonia Gandhi and party Vice

President Rahul Gandhi leave the Patiala House Courts after a hearing in National Herald Case in New Delhi. - PTI file photo

immovable property. AJL continues to own all its assets. The allegation is, therefore, completely baseless,” it said. Congress also denied claims that YI now owns the property of AJL. “No, both Young India and Associated Journals Ltd are separate entities. All assets and properties

of AJL continue to remain with AJL. This allegation is akin to falsely alleging that a shareholder in Indian Hotels Ltd. has rights on hotel properties of the Taj Group and owns a particular hotel or can move into it!” the party said.

On the justification behind Congress giving loans of Rs90 crore to

AJL, the party maintained it has financially supported AJL over several decades through the financial ill- health of the company.

“This reflected the party’s commitment to support AJL, the voice of the freedom movement,” it said.

No commercial bank was willing to lend a single rupee to AJL due to the negative worth of the company, its “meagre income and its overleveraged” balance sheet, it said.

According to Swamy’s complaint, all who are named in the case were directors of YI, a company that was incorporated in 2010 and took over the “debt” of AJL, the publisher of National Herald.

‘Political move’ Sonia and Rahul last week moved the Supreme Court seeking the quashing of the criminal case and summons issued to them and five others on several grounds, including that the complaint by Swamy in the National Herald case was a “political move” aimed to “defame” them.

Congress also denied claims that YI now owns the property of AJL.

Modi blames Congress for project delays, cost overruns SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

ARTICLE, PHOTOS

Prime Minister

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

Narendra Modi said a new work culture of conceiving and completing projects before time is needed to boost economic growth

PARADIP (Odisha): Sharply criticising project delays of the past that lead to huge cost overruns, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said a new work culture of conceiving and completing projects before time is needed to boost economic growth.

Rejecting opposition Congress’ charge that projects he has been inaugurating in recent months were all started during their time, he said as prime minister he would have been happy if the projects were completed 15 years back and led to creation of jobs.

Dedicating to the nation Indian Oil Corp’s Rs34,555-crore refinery here, Modi said the government is targeting reduction in oil import dependence by 10 per cent

ELATED: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves at the crowd during his visit to Jagannath temple in

Puri on Sunday. - PTI

by 2022 by creating policy environment that supports raising domestic output as well as by mixing bio-fuels like ethanol in auto fuels.

“It is very natural that I am happy to inaugurate projects. But as prime minister of a country, I don’t feel happy at all. I would have been happy if these works would have been completed 15 years back, when lakhs of people here would have got jobs,” he said.

He added that projects in the

country face obstructions in the form of court proceedings, tender process and sometimes agitations, making them very costly.

Development “For the development of the country, we all — citizens, bureaucracy, industry and policy makers, have to give birth to such a culture where projects start on time, progress within the scheduled time, and finish within the pre-decid-

ed time so that country gets the benefit, the benefit comes before scheduled time,” he said.

The government, he added, was “trying to bring in this change so that there is no serious loss to the exchequer because of delay.”

Initiatives have to be futuristic and completed before the designated time period.

“Delays shouldn’t occur,” he said, adding that in the past, ideas originated 50 years back, would

take 10 years to put them on paper and conceived, a similar number of years to lay foundation stone and many more years before it is completed.

Modi said the Paradip refinery, whose foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in 2000, will create lakhs of jobs as it will manufacture raw material for several industries, including plastics.

The government is promoting skill development, providing finances to youth under the MUDRA scheme and giving incentives under ‘Start Up India, Stand Up India’ initiative.

“We do not want youths to become job seekers. We want youths to become job creators,” he said, adding that under the MUDRA scheme, Rs1 lakh crore has been given so far.

Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Ltd (MUDRA) is a new institution set up by the government to provide funding to the non-corporate, non-farm sector income generating activities of micro and small enterprises whose credit needs are below Rs1 million. With the country dependent on imports to meet 79 per cent of its oil needs, Modi said oil imports have to be reduced. - PTI

“No, both Young India and Associated Journals Ltd are separate entities. All assets and properties of AJL continue to remain with AJL. This allegation is akin to falsely alleging that a shareholder in Indian Hotels Ltd. has rights on hotel properties of the Taj Group and owns a particular hotel or can move into it!” the party said.

On the justification behind Congress giving loans of Rs 90 crore to AJL, the party maintained it has financially supported AJL over several decades through the financial ill- health of the company.

“This reflected the party’s commitment to support AJL, the voice of the freedom movement,” it said.

No commercial bank was willing to lend a single rupee to AJL due to the negative worth of the company, its “meagre income and its overleveraged” balance sheet, it said.

According to Swamy’s complaint, all who are named in the case were directors of YI, a company that was incorporated in 2010 and took over the “debt” of AJL, the publisher of National Herald. - PTI RECORD TIME

IIM-Lucknow achieves 100% final placement LUCKNOW: The Indian Institute of Management-Lucknow on Sunday said it has achieved 100 per cent final placement for its 30th batch of 446 students in a record time of just over three days.

The recruitment drive saw participation from over 160 domestic and international recruiters, a release by the institute said.

The highlight of the placement season was participation of esteemed firms like Alvarez & Marsal, BlackRock, Advisors, MasterCard and o3 Capital which marked the ascent of IIM-L as a preferred recruitment destination for marketing, finance and consulting roles in the country, it said.

Top segments The top four segments based on roles offered were sales and marketing (25 per cent), finance (22 per cent), consulting (21 per cent) and business development including some extremely sought after and niche profiles in the finance domain. The rest of the offers came from domains such as operations/ supply chain, general management (7 per cent), systems/IT (10 per cent), market research, analytics and Human Resources.

Some of the top recruiters across different sectors were Accenture, Aditya Birla Group, Amazon, Avendus, Flipkart, Hindustan Unilever, P&G, TAS and The Boston Consulting Group, the release said. - PTI

FIRST COUNTRY

Made-in-India vaccines for deadly Zika virus all set for testing NEW DELHI: The irony is complete, India has no reported cases of the dreaded Zika virus infection, but is the first country in the world to have ready for testing not one but two vaccines against the virus that is causing nightmares in The Americas.

Whether the Zika breakthrough from India becomes a full-fledged vaccine or not will be known later, but for the first time an Indian company has been nimble, fast and foresighted to beat the western pharma giants on their own game.

One will have to wait and watch to see how the patent battle is fought, on this occasion the dice is already loaded in India’s favour.

This huge globally significant ‘Zika biotech moment for India’ could not have come at a more opportune time, the country is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the setting up of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) which started in 1986, under the leadership of the tech savvy late prime minister Rajiv Gandhi.

The then land of snake charmers, elephants, and the ‘Hindu rate of growth’ has now transformed into innovation hub with current Prime Minister Narendra Modi another tech-savvy, science loving leader who has given the big challenge of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Startup India’. The Zika virus vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited, Hyderabad

goes well beyond the prime minister’s catchy slogans as it is truly a ‘made in India’ by Indians moment and the patent on the product is also Indian.

Unbelievable story The unbelievable story of the Zika virus vaccine breakthrough actually begins in 1996 with the remarkable tale of a middle class Tamilian farmer’s son who trained to be a molecular biologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in USA deciding to come back to India.

Krishna Ella, now the chairman-cum-managing director of Bharat Biotech was then egged by his mother to return to his motherland from USA. Ella recalls his mother saying, “Son, you only have a 9-inch stomach and how much ever money you make, you can’t eat more than that.

You come back and do whenever you want, I will see to it that you get food! As long as I am alive, you will not starve.”

Then ‘start-ups’ were not sexy, yet Ella took the risks and today he commands a $100 million company that specialises in vaccine production. Having mastered the making of the world’s cheapest hepatitis-B vaccine and the bulk supply of the oral polio vaccine of which Ella says he has supplied 3.5 billion doses among several other vaccines. Ella’s company also part-

BREAKTHROUGH: A journalist takes images of a presentation on

the Zika virus at a press conference in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Vaccines and bio-therapeutic manufacturer Bharat Biotech said it was developing two candidates for vaccines for Zika infection.-AFP

nered with Indian government to make the first-ever Indian-made vaccine called ‘Rotavac’, a vaccine against an infectious diarrhoea disease caused by Rota virus that afflicts children. Ella being a scientist himself invests a lot in research and development and that is probably what led him start work developing vaccines against Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Chikungunya both viral diseases that are mosquito borne.

Yet many believe the DBT has not lived up to its expectation in recent times since the most urgently-needed National Biotech

Regulatory Authority India Bill has been pending with the Parliament almost shackling the sector to a huge slow down.

The one big success from the DBT was the piloting of the introduction of the genetically-modified variety of cotton called Bt Cotton more than a decade ago, the first and only GM plant India has embraced.

The country then dithered when it debated the introduction of Bt Brinjal but then taking a moral high ground placed a ‘moratorium’ on its introduction.

Today the government tech-

nocracy of the biotech sector is unable to take a decision whether Indian farmers should be given an opportunity to grow GM Mustard, even as the country spends scarce foreign exchange importing edible oils. The Indian biotech sector is today worth about $7 billion and according to the National Biotechnology Development Strategy unveiled a few weeks ago, the target is to make it into a $100 billion industry by 2025.

However, for that to happen relevant legislations need to be passed post haste.

In addition, what needs to be ensured is that executive powers come back to rest with the executive.

India may be the only country in the whole world where the Supreme Court has been deliberating for several years on whether genetically modified crops are good or bad for the country.

It is for governments to decide on such important national policies, not judges of the apex court howsoever learned they may be.

Ultimately, trust has to be rested with experts by putting in place an impartial and transparent regulatory system.

The real test of the government on whether it truly supports the Indian biotech sector would become tangible if it understands the huge first mover advantage that Bharat Biotech has given to

India through its foresight and disease forecasting ability to position a Zika virus vaccine well ahead of others. As Union Science Minister Harsh Vardhan is fond of saying ‘IT’ meant ‘India Today’ and on the same lines ‘BT’ means ‘Bharat Tomorrow’ and for that to happen the ball is really in Prime Minister Modi’s court who can use his good offices to push for early assessment of the Indian Zikavac vaccines.

Support Ella requests that Modi himself intervene by supporting a project which embodies all of what Modi stands for ‘Make in India; Start-up India; healthy India’, he believes the visionary prime minister that Modi is, could use the first mover advantage that Bharat Biotech has given to India for what he describes ‘vaccine diplomacy’.

Ella suggests that if Modi, who is known for his out-of-box foreign policy initiatives, can now win lots of diplomatic Brownie points by transferring the technology to a friendly country like Brazil which is reeling under the impact of the Zika epidemic.

Since as they say ‘a friend in need is friend indeed’ and today both South and North America could hugely benefit by India’s large hearted magnanimity to mitigate a global health care emergency. - PTI

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

INDIA

Congress ‘intolerant’ towards mandate of people: Venkaiah Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu was

(There is) International slow down, China is going negative and India is moving forward...where is the question of finding excuses?

reacting to Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments that the PM should stop making excuses and start running

M. Venkaiah Naidu

the country

Parliamentary Affairs Minister

HYDERABAD: Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday accused the Congress of being “intolerant” towards mandate of people and indulging in excuses to block the bills and the Parliament proceedings. “... there is no excuse at all...Congress should stop making excuses and blocking the bills.

Obstruction and blocking of the bills is blocking progress of the country. And it is Congress which is making excuses saying we are being not consulted,” the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister said.

“We never ignore anybody, we are consulting all parties. Umpteen number of times, Congress has been spoken to. Even prime minister has invited Congress president and even I have been to the house of Congress President twice...there is no question of ignoring,” Venkaiah said.

Inherited “What we inherited from Congress party is fiscal deficit, revenue deficit, trade deficit, current account deficit and above all trust deficit.

Now those deficits are over and

India is moving forward and they should recognise that and should not find excuses to block the bills and block the Parliament,” he said.

The senior BJP leader accused the Congress of being “intolerant” to people’s mandate and asked the party to realise it and support the government.

“They (Congress) should function democratically and they should understand the spirit of democracy and respect mandate of people. They are intolerant towards the mandate of the people.

Mandate is for Modi, mandate

A9

is for development and mandate is for good governance,” he said.

Let the Congress also realise this and support the government, instead of bringing lame excuses, Venkaiah said. He sought to know where are the excuses (from the government side). Prime Minister Narendra Modi is moving ahead and now international recognition and respect has come to India, he stressed.

Venkaiah said worldwide economy has slowed down, but India is moving forward. India is the most favourite destination, according

to World Bank, ADB, IMF, World Economic Forum and everybody is saying with one voice. “(There is) International slow down, China is going negative and India is moving forward...where is the question of finding excuses?” the Union minister asked.

Comments He was reacting to Congress vicepresident Rahul Gandhi’s recent comments that the PM should stop making excuses and start running the country. Social security measures are being taken up, he said, adding that 20 crore bank accounts were opened and PM crop insurance scheme has been launched. On the forthcoming Budget session, he said, “In the upcoming Parliament session my priority is GST bill, Real Estate Development bill, Bankruptcy bill.

There are few more bills. I only hope the Opposition parties also join hands together to pass these progressive bills which will help the country,” Venkaiah said.

The GST in fact will increase the GDP by 1.5 to 2 per cent. That being the case, I don’t think why anybody should oppose the bill, except for political reasons, he said.

“Obstructing the bill is obstructing the progress and growth of the country and affecting the poor and common people. I hope the political parties understand this and come forward to support,” he added. - PTI

KIDNAPPING

Indians taken hostage by IS in Mosul are alive: Swaraj NEW DELHI: The 39 Indians taken hostage by IS more than one-and-a-half-years ago from Mosul in Iraq were alive, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj told their families here on Sunday, based on her recent meetings with Arab and Palestinian leaders who indicated to this effect.

Swaraj, who had sought a meeting with the families which is the ninth since the abduction of these Indians in June 2014, also assured them that the government was “fully and continuously engaged” and “every possible effort” was being made to ensure their release.

According to official sources, the minister told them that during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the leader informed her that the “Indians are alive and made to work” in war-torn Iraq as per his government’s intelligence information.

The minister also referred to her visit to Bahrain on January 23 for the first India-Arab League Cooperation Forum and said during the meeting, a declaration was adopted which said, “The two sides expressed concern at the kidnapping of 39 Indian workers in Mosul in Iraq in June 2014 and 3 Indian workers in Sirte in Libya in June 2015”. - PTI

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Mehbooba can’t keep guessing on government formation: Omar JAMMU: With no government in place in Indian-administeredKashmir for exactly a month, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah on Sunday said PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti cannot keep the entire state “guessing” and must form a new government or be bold enough to snap alliance with BJP and face polls.

The former chief minister also made it clear that his party National Conference(NC) is not ready to support BJP in case the PDP-BJP alliance snaps.

He also wanted Mehbooba to clear the air on the Jammu and

Kashmir-specific Confidence Building Measures(CBMs) that she wants the Modi government to commit to create an atmosphere congenial for formation of the new government.

“Mehbooba Mufti has been quiet for long and she can no longer remain silent. She must clarify her stand on two-three issues and clear the air as to what are those CBMs and how long she will wait for those Confidence Building Measures and why did the need of CBMs suddenly arise after the demise of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed,” he told reporters on the side-

lines of a function here.

Omar said that National Conference has been telling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) time and again that if they are not ready to form the government, they should be bold enough to break the alliance.

“We will go back to the people, but I am unable to understand the way of their leadership. They ask for Confidence Building Measures, but I am not sure that within the party people know or not, but outside nobody knows what they have asked for,” he said.

He said that even BJP was not

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

aware of what PDP was asking for.

“Even as BJP has said that please clearly tell us what you are asking for, so we too would want to know what are the CBMs which Mehbooba Mufti is asking for, and did they keep a timeframe, a deadline,” Omar said.

Ongoing stalemate When asked what could be the reason for the ongoing stalemate over the government formation and whether the PDP president was scared to lead the state, Omar said, “I don’t want to say whether she is scared or not.

“I want to say that she is a leader and she has to lead and she cannot follow, even if she is not ready to lead the state as of today then with conviction she should announce but she is not even saying no and not yes and has kept the entire state guessing”.

Omar said that although an elected government is not in place, the alliance between PDP and BJP is still intact.

“The agreement as far as our knowledge is concerned, the alliance (between BJP and PDP) still exists. We haven’t heard either from BJP or PDP that alliance has

been broken, so the alliance exists and if the alliance exists, then why not government (is formed).

“Agenda of the alliance was formed and Mufti sahab was made the chief minister. What has changed in the past ten months that today even though they have numbers in the assembly they are not ready to form the government”, he said.

Jammu and Kashmir has been without a government since the demise of Mehbooba’s father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7. The state came under Governor’s rule the next day. - PTI

A10

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016 The Indians would love to visit Pakistan in larger numbers...so both sides need to grow up and make the process less cumbersome Barkha Dutt, Indian TV journalist

PAKISTAN

KILLINGS

ONE FOR THE ALBUM

Police register report against PM’s top aides

Pakistani weightlifters pose for a photograph during the 12th South Asian Games in Guwahati, India, on Sunday. — PTI

ISLAMABAD: Police registered a criminal case on Saturday against top aides of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in connection with the killing of two PIA workers as signs of discord appeared within the ranks of Pakistan Airlines Pilots Association (Palpa) over the ongoing strike against the government plans to sell off the national flag carrier.

Police registered a first investigation report (FIR) against several federal government officials, including Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid, Privatisation Commission head Muhammad Zubai on the complaint of PIA Joint Action Committee Chairman Sohail Baluch.

PIA official Asif and another official Mama Maqsood have also been nominated in the FIR which includes charges of murder and attempted murder.

“A case has been registered on the court orders. Sohail Baluch is the complainant in the FIR,” confirmed District Malir police official Rao Anwar. — Express Tribune

‘Benazir murder shocked Nawaz’ saying, “the non-inclusion of Pakistani players (in IPL) is a matter of shame.” Earlier, the session began with columnist Ghazi Salahuddin commending the award-winning journalist for her book’s ‘scoop’: the secret ‘deniable’ meeting between the Indo-Pak premiers on the sidelines of the 2014 Saarc summit in Nepal.

This incident, amid other anecdotes, was narrated by Indian TV journalist Barkha Dutt during the launch of her book, ‘This Unquiet Land’, during the 7th Karachi Literature Festival on Saturday

KARACHI: One of Benazir Bhutto’s bitterest foes, Nawaz Sharif, was visibly shaken after the killing of the Pakistan Peoples Party leader as he flew in to Larkana following her assassination in December 2007. It seemed like a watershed moment for him.

This incident, amid other anecdotes, was narrated by Indian TV journalist Barkha Dutt during the launch of her book, This Unquiet Land, on the second day of the 7th Karachi Literature Festival Saturday morning.

Barkha was sure about Nawaz’s

reaction, because she had hitched a ride with the two-time prime minister from Lahore to Larkana.

When an audience member asked the journalist to share anecdotes about her experiences in Pakistan, she said once after interviewing Benazir’s husband, and future president, Asif Ali Zardari, she was told that nothing was recorded due a technical glitch.

Barkha then went back to Zardari and for the first time saw his famed temper boil over as he threw the mike away and got really angry.

“After initially refusing to re-

ICON: Supporters of slain premier Benazir Bhutto gather on the

sixth anniversary of Bhutto’s assassination, at a rally in Lahore on December 27, 2013. — AFP file photo

record, he finally came around, thanks to my persistence,” remembered Barkha. Barkha also informed the audience about how she came to Pakistan following the Abbottabad raid in 2011.

“I wasn’t getting a visa so I tweeted (then interior minister)

Rehman Malik about it and then got it,” she recalled, saying the move later became controversial.

Even before an audience member finished his question about India’s ‘biased policy towards Pakistani players in the Indian Premier League (IPL),’ Barkha cut him off,

Modi’s Pakistan policy Describing Narendra Modi’s Pakistan policy as unconventional, Barkha said the Indian premier manages to surprise both his critics and supporters when it comes to Delhi-Islamabad relations.

“This proves that he’s not playing to the script when it comes to Pakistan,” said Barkha.

She explained this philosophy better by answering a question later, saying “the BJP is strident in opposition and innovative in government.”

Criticising dynastic politics in both countries, Barkha said the present-day Bhuttos and Gandhis are out of sync with the changing electorate, adding that the Con-

gress (like the PPP in Pakistan)has no immediate future in politics.

When asked by the moderator to comment on rising extremism in her country, Barkha negated the notion saying “everything is amplified.” She admitted that intolerance has risen in the country but it is more than intolerance for the other religion, it is for any other point of view. It is now near impossible to have a civil conversation about anything owing to the ‘social media mobs’. “Intolerance of the other’s point of view” has increased, she said.

India’s future safe However, she acknowledged that India’s future is safe since people always push back the intolerance, thus ensuring that the state hovers in the centre and not towards any extreme.

Salahuddin lamented this lack of collective sense in Pakistan, saying the way Indian civil society came out to the streets in protest after the 2012 Delhi bus rape incident can never be replicated in Pakistan. — Express Tribune

COUNCIL OF ISLAMIC IDEOLOGY

Leading clerics scramble to grab seats on advisory body ISLAMABAD: Influential religious scholars from across the country have begun muscling their way into acquiring a seat on the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) upon the retirement of 10 members of the advisory body, it emerged on Saturday.

A senior official of the council

said that seven members retired on January 22 and three will retire on March 2. The council is a constitutional body which offers recommendation to parliament regarding Islamic laws.

Currently, Maulana Muhammad Khan Sherani of JUI-F is the chairman of the 20-member

body. Members are handpicked by the Prime Ministers Office for appointment on the council for a period of three years.

The offer of a lucrative salary package and the perks of protocol, expensive cars allure clerics from all schools of thought to vie for a seat. — Express Tribune

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

A1 1

ASIA P O S T WA R

CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS

Lion dancers carry their costumes on the Eve of the Chinese New Year celebrations in Manila’s Chinatown, Philippines on Sunday. - Reuters

UN rights chief meets Lankan Tamil leaders COLOMBO: The UN human rights chief travelled to Sri Lanka’s Northern Province on Sunday and met with ethnic Tamil leaders who sought his help in finding out the fate of over 4,000 civilians reported missing during the brutal civil war.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, who is in Sri Lanka on a four-day visit, met Northern Governor HMGS Palihakkara and Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran.

“The discussions very much focused on the challenges and the problems faced, plans and achievements in connection with the region and people who aspire to see more information in terms of those missing and detained,” Hussein told reporters. During his meeting with Wigneswaran in Jaffna, the issue on political prisoners was discussed.

Wigneswaran later said Hussein’s visit to the North has given some hope for the political prisoners. The UN official assured that he will raise their concerns with the government in Colombo. “These discussions will continue today and tomorrow with the highest positions of the state,” Hussein said.

According to UN figures, up to 100,000 people were killed in the three-decade long civil war with hundreds still missing. - PTI

M A L AY S I A

Filmmaker seeks to rekindle lost pride in soccer KUALA LUMPUR: In a country that pays as much attention to England’s soccer Premier League as it does to local politics, one film director is seeking to rekindle lost pride in a national game that has languished in the doldrums for four decades.

Top-grossing Malaysian filmmaker Chiu Keng Guan’s new movie Ola Bola! opened on January 28 in cinemas nationwide with the tagline “You Will Believe Again”. Belief, however, is in weak supply among footballmade Malaysians as the country slides down the global rankings of governing body FIFA. “I want to bring back the golden era. We have to believe in something to go further,” said Chiu, whose last movie The Journey raked in 17 million ringgit ($4.12 million) and set a Malaysian box office record in 2014. Malaysia reached the zenith of its success in 1972 when it qualified and played in the first round of the Munich Olympics, beating the United States 3-0 but losing to 0-3 to West Germany and 0-6 to Morocco.

The match that defined the “Golden Era”, however, was Malaysia’s 2-1 victory over South Korea before thousands of ecstatic fans that earned them a spot in the 1980 Moscow Olympics — a tournament that, alas, they ended up not attending.

Malaysia sat 171st in world rankings in January, nearly 100 spots adrift from 79th place in 1993. Fans blame decades of mismanagement by football authorities. - Reuters

120 still trapped in rubble as Taiwan quake toll rises to 26 SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

VIDEO

At least 26 people are

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

known to have died in Tsai Ing-wen, elected president in elections last month, will also visit Tainan the same day.

Tainan Mayor William Lai told reporters about 120 people are believed still missing in the debris, with efforts focusing on some 30 people who are closest to the rescuers and lighter equipment like drills being used.

The extent of damage to the Golden Dragon Building has raised questions.

the quake with most found in the collapsed Wei-guan Golden Dragon Building in the southern city of Tainan

TAINAN: Rescuers pulled more survivors from a collapsed apartment tower in Taiwan on Sunday and kept searching for about 120 people still believed trapped in the rubble a day after a strong earthquake shook the island.

Those found alive include a 20-year-old identified by Taiwan media as Huang Kuang-wei and another man in his 20s surnamed Kuo, who was able to walk out of the wreckage, supported by rescuers. Both were sent to hospital.

Firefighters, police, soldiers and volunteers combed through the ruins, some using their hands, watched anxiously by dozens of the victims’ family members who wore thick jackets, woollen hats and scarves to combat the winter chill.

Medical staff with empty gurneys waited nearby.

“She’s not answering my phone

LUCKY: Rescue workers carry a woman on a strecher from a collapsed building after an earthquake in Tainan, Taiwan, on Saturday. -PTI/AP

calls... I am trying to hold my emotions and stay strong. I’ll do that until I find her,” said a woman surnamed Chang, 42, waiting to hear from her 24-year-old daughter who lived on the fifth floor of the complex.

Another lady, who gave her family name as Li, said she thought a friend she met at a Buddhism class two years ago lived in the collapsed building. She has her cellphone number but has not called it, Li said.

“I’m afraid to. I’m afraid I’ll cry,” she said. At least 26 people are known to have died in the quake, which struck at about 4am on Saturday, at the beginning of a Lunar New Year holiday, with most found in the collapsed Wei-guan Golden Dragon Building in the southern city of Tainan.

Around 120 people are still beneath the rubble of the commercial-residential block, with most them trapped deep in the wreckage, the government said.

Bodies continue to be found, including those of two sisters, aged 18 and 23, Taiwanese media reported. The building’s lower floors pancaked on top of each other in the 6.4 magnitude quake and then the whole structure toppled, raising immediate questions about the quality of materials and workmanship used in its construction in the 1990s. President Ma Ying-jeou is scheduled to visit the disaster zone on Monday, the first day of the Lunar New Year.

Poor construction Liu Shih-chung, Tainan city government deputy secretary general, said television footage of its ruins suggested the possibility of structural problems related to poor-quality reinforced steel and cement.

However, city officials have said it is too early to say for certain if poor construction was a factor in the collapse.

Authorities said the building had 96 apartments and 256 registered residents, though more people were inside when it collapsed.

Rescuers wearing red and yellow overalls have pulled more than 240 survivors from the ruins and inserted huge supports under slabs of leaning concrete as they searched for additional survivors.

Buildings in nine other locations in the city of 2 million people had collapsed and five were left tilting at alarming angles. - Reuters

O N L I N E WA R N I N G

Malaysia’s new Twitter police target critics of prime minister KUALA LUMPUR: Digitally savvy Malaysian police have been taking to social media to issue warnings to critics of scandal-hit Prime Minister Najib Razak in an unusual online campaign that critics say is unlikely to work.

Najib is facing the biggest political crisis in his seven-year premiership over a multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and over deposits of $681 million in his private bank account.

Denial Najib, chairman of the 1MDB advisory board, has denied any wrongdoing and says he did not take any money for personal gain.

Attorney General Apandi Ali last week closed investigations of Najib and said the $681 million was a donation from a Saudi Ara-

bian benefactor and most of it had been returned.

That has not stopped Malaysians taking to social media to voice their exasperation.

A caricature of Najib was widely shared recently.

The police responded within hours, with an online warning to the artist who drew it, Fahmi Reza, telling him they were watching his Twitter account and he should use it “prudently and in line with the law”, he said.

“The ruling elite of this country has always been intolerant to dissent. They’re always afraid of losing their throne,” Fahmi said.

“But the people have changed.

The culture of protest and resistance is growing stronger.” Fahmi was not the first person to be warned over social media comment as the police for the first time

make use of Twitter to identify people who are being watched and caution them about repercussions.

“Action will be taken against individuals who spread false information,” is a typical warning to appear on Twitter, often accompanied by the Twitter handle of the person it is being directed at.

Responding to criticism of the attorney general’s decision to drop the investigations of Najib, police told another Twitter user: “Investigations will be carried out on the posts made by the owner of this Twitter account”.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that the Twitter account issuing the warnings was an official Malaysian cyber unit account but she declined to comment on specific warnings, such as the one issued to Fahmi.

She referred queries to the head

of the police cyber unit but he declined to make any immediate comment. The Home, or interior, Ministry which is in charge of the unit, did not respond to a request for comment. ‘Naive’ Najib has taken steps that critics say are aimed at stemming opposition.

He sacked a deputy prime minister who was critical of him, replaced a former attorney-general and authorities have suspended some media and blocked websites.

Asked to comment on criticism of suppression of dissent, Minister of Communications Salleh Said Keruak said police and the communications regulator were enforcing the law.

“It is not a crackdown. We are just doing the ordinary enforcement,” he said, adding that authorities had taken action in nearly 3,000 cases last year under a tel-

ecommunications and multimedia act.

Criticism Najib’s Facebook page has over the months been flooded with criticism and calls on him to resign.

A former cabinet minister, Rafidah Aziz, said in a Facebook post on Monday that cracking down online would not work.”It is so very naive to think that shutting down blogs and intervention in social media will actually stop people from talking,” she said.

Salleh said the authorities took the law seriously. “It is an offence... to upload any comment, request, suggestion or other communication which is obscene, indecent, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass another person,” Salleh said. - Reuters

UNUSUAL CAMPAIGN: Malaysia’s Prime Minister Najib Razak is facing the biggest political crisis in his seven-year premiership over a multi-billion dollar scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad and deposits of $681 million in his private bank account. - Reuters file photo

A12

T IME S O F O MAN

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

#TRENDING ONLINE HOT PICKS MOST READ

MOST SHARED

TIMESOFOMAN.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/TIMESOFOMAN

TOTAL VIEWS

TOTAL PAGE LIKES

45,588,290

306.422

1 Will school buses be publicly

1 Oman is facing possibility of

run in Oman?

local, expatriate brain drain

timesofoman.com/Oman

timesofoman.com/Opinion

2 Drone footage captures the

Taiwan earthquake aftermath facebook.com/timesofoman/

3 Lulu to open new outlet in

Suwaiq today

Founder: Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman / Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Anees bin Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Officer: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali EDITORIAL Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24813153 E-mail: editor@timesofoman.com ADVERTISING Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24812624 E-mail: advertising@timesofoman.com CIRCULATION Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24818270 E-mail: circulation@timesofoman.com

timesofoman.com/Oman

4 Great for Muscat tourism 2 Royal Oman Police clarifies

as three cruise liners dock in Port Sultan Qaboos at the same time

rule on family joining visa

timesofoman.com/Oman

facebook.com/timesofoman/

3 Royal Oman Police aims for

clarity over No Objection Certificate

5 Only 47% of graduates get

timesofoman.com/Oman

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

jobs in Oman

timesofoman.com/Oman

4 Top Omani speakers to share

.Open Minds stage

timesofoman.com/Oman

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/OPINION

5 Lulu to open new outlet in

Suwaiq today

timesofoman.com/Oman

LEONID BERSHIDSKY MOST POPULAR VIDEO

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/VIDEOS

UN group’s unjustified protection of Assange Noah Feldman

British astronaut Tim Peake plays ping pong in space to teach school children how liquids behave in space.

By so openly declaring their allegiance to Hillary Clinton, with her bird-in-hand approach, Democratic Party’s leaders are pushing away people who could have been its future. What they think of as unity, those attracted to Bernie Sanders’ idealism see as another sign that the game is rigged

TWEET WE LIKE @PJHB999 Just posted a photo @ In Muscat, Oman https://www. instagram.com/p/BBfJReRzEgV/

MAC MARGOLIS INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY

INSTAGRAM.COM/TIMESOFOMAN

With Zika, stocks of travel companies have already slumped ‘after US healthofficials warned pregnant women and those planning pregnancies against visiting affected areas such as Brazil, Puerto Rico and Barbados’, which is particularly bad news for recession-ridden Brazil

«

SHARE THIS!

Photo: Johnson Varghese

READERS’ FORUM Wrong to suspend Jet Airways crew over Nigam song This refers to the news Jet Airways suspends five cabin crew over Sonu Nigam’s in-flight singing (February 6). The suspension of the crew by the authorities is really unfortunate. It is too harsh to punish the crew for allowing Sonu Nigam to sing in the flight. This should be considered as an occasional incident as it was only a short time in-flight entertainment. The passengers were lucky to listen to Sonu live on board a flight. Though the announcement and inter-phone systems in a flight are tools for safety information, the singer was allowed to use it with the permission Scan this QR code of the crew members. The crew should be to send letters to the spared from punishment as no passenger Readers’ Forum, has complained against the incident. containing not more than 200 words with — P. A. Jacob, Muscat

JACEK ROSTOWSKI

Populist leaders share the Russian revolutionary Vladimir Lenin’s belief that ‘politics must take precedence over economics.’

Indeed, they value it over every other kind of policy consideration.

Politics is not a means to an end, but the air they breathe, and policies are merely instruments in their endless struggle to stay alive

full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com).

Players indulging in foul play should not be part of official teams This refers to the news Pakistan’s Shah banned for three months for doping offence (February 7). For the past few years, every now and then, Pakistani cricket players have been banned or suspended for one thing or the other. It is a pity to see a small number of individuals tarnishing a great sport playing nation just for a bit of more fame. Instead of reinstating such players by saying they have moved on, they should never be part of national teams. — Khalid Dildar, Seeb

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com Patience has its limits. Take it too far, and it’s cowardice.

JEAN PAUL RICHTER

I

n an astonishing report, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has accused Sweden and the UK of arbitrarily detaining Wikileaks founder Julian Assange because of a sexual-assault investigation against him in Sweden.

To be sure, it’s unknown whether he’s guilty of the charges. Likewise, it’s impossible to know whether Assange criminally conspired with US Army Private Bradley Manning to steal classified material, or whether Assange and Wikileaks simply published that material in a manner that should be protected by the First Amendment.

But what seems highly likely is that Assange’s detention is anything but arbitrary — it’s because of the investigation of serious crimes.

The working group, which is under the high commissioner for human rights, only Friday made public the report it wrote in December.

It recites the basic facts: Swedish prosecutors began to investigate Assange in 2010 “based on allegations of sexual misconduct,” which is a bit of an understatement because the charges were for rape. The prosecutors issued an international arrest warrant. Assange was detained by British authorities in Wandsworth Prison, and apparently held in isolation for 10 days. Then Assange was put under house arrest in the UK for 550 days. Given that he was a flight risk, home detention seems like a proportionate and humane response to the situation, not a rights violation.

In the meantime, Assange sought asylum from Ecuador — not on the grounds that he shouldn’t be prosecuted for rape in Sweden, but on the speculative grounds that from Sweden he might be extradited to the US where he would be prosecuted for conspiring with Manning. He’s been in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London ever since.

To be sure, Assange isn’t under indictment in the US — not even a sealed indictment, federal prosecutors have said. A Department of Justice investigation of his conduct is ongoing. His Ecuadorean asylum is thus a way for him to escape the sexual-assault charges in Sweden.

So what’s arbitrary about all this, according to the working group? Assange spent 10 days in prison, more in house arrest and is now in the Ecuadorian Embassy. But a legally legitimate arrest

warrant was issued for him. And he was a flight risk. Under those circumstances, house arrest wasn’t arbitrary, and was surely quite reasonable when compared with prison. His “detention” in the embassy is an attempt to avoid a valid warrant.

Formally speaking, it probably isn’t detention at all — and it’s certainly not arbitrary.

The basis for the working group’s conclusion is that “Sweden is obliged by applicable law and Convention obligations to recognise the asylum granted to Assange, and no exceptions apply.” The reason Sweden is supposed to recognise Ecuador’s asylum offer is that, in the judgment of the working group, “Mr. Assange faces a serious risk” of being extradited to the US What would happen to Assange in the US? According to the working group, all that matters is that according to Ecuador, Assange faces “a wellfounded risk of political persecution and cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment.”

So there’s the complete logic of a working group’s report: Assange might be charged with a crime in the US Ecuador thinks charging him with violating national security law would amount to “political persecution” or worse. Therefore Sweden must give up on its claims to try him for rape, and the UK must ignore the Swedes’ arrest warrant and let him leave the country.

Sweden responded to inquiries from the working group by explaining, very reasonably, that there was no extradition order before it. And if it had one, it would make sure it could extradite Assange to the US in a way that was consistent with its international obligations before it did so.

What’s more, Sweden pointed out that international law doesn’t recognise a right of diplomatic asylum in an embassy, like the one Assange claims. It added that no one thinks it’s a good grounds for asylum for someone charged with a nonpolitical crime like rape.

All this is legally correct. So is the British government’s explanation to the working group that it doesn’t recognise diplomatic asylum, and that Assange’s residency in the Ecuadorian Embassy to escape arrest itself violates UK law. — Bloomberg View

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES FEBRUARY 2001 Oman, Morocco to boost cooperation MUSCAT: The Omani-Moroccan joint committee held its first session meeting at Al Ghubrah guest house here yesterday under the chairmanship of His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Ali Al Said, minister of natural heritage and culture; and Mohammed bin Isa, Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister. Sayyid Faisal welcomed the guest and his delegation wishing the joint committee success. He also stressed the depth of bilateral relations. He hoped that the committee would achieve cooperation in economic and trade fields between the two countries, nothing that the two countries had previously cooperated in education and renovation of Omani historical landmarks.

Scan this QR for full story online

PICTOGRAPH NEW REGISTERED GOVERNMENT VEHICLES IN OMAN From September to November, 2015 September

October

November

183 148 148

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

1904: In a surprise attack at Port Arthur, Korea, the Japanese disable seven Russian warships.

1943: British General Orde Wingate leads a guerrilla force of “Chindits” against the Japanese in Burma.

1971: South Vietnamese ground forces, backed by American air power, begin Operation Lam Son 719, a 17,000 man incursion into Laos that ends three weeks later

0 Source National Centre for Statistics and Information

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

A1 3

SPECIAL

The price for fertiliser has surged as it is imported and the kwacha has been sliding against the dollar, losing 63 per cent in the past 12 months.

2.8M

FACE HUNGER AS DROUGHT AND FLOODS HIT MAIZE CROP IN MALAWI

FUND-CRUNCHED: A Malawian trader counts money as he sells maize near the capital Lilongwe, Malawi last Monday. Floods and an El Nino-triggered drought have hit the staple maize crop, exposing the

fragility of Malawi’s progress, which was partly rooted in a fertiliser grant for small-scale farmers that the government, now starved of donor funds, can ill afford. – Reuters

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTOS

Focus on basic food

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

security hampered wider development; subsidy for smallscale farmers at risk as aid taps run dry

LILONGWE: As she walks along a dirt road in central Malawi, Louise Abale carries her precious maize wrapped in a brightly coloured cloth and balanced on her head.

Because of drought in Malawi and across southern Africa the grain has doubled in price in the space of a year, and now costs around $0.28 (200 kwacha) a kilo.

Like many, Abale is struggling to pay for maize, a staple of the diet, and says her own - stunted - crop will not be ready for harvest for two months. “It’s too expensive, I have almost no money,” she said.

In all 2.8 million people in Malawi, or 17 per cent of the population, now face hunger, according to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

Drought and floods have hit the maize crop, exposing the fragility of gains which had seen Malawi’s rates of malnutrition slashed in the past two decades.

Starved of donor funds That progress was partly rooted in a fertiliser grant for smallscale farmers. But now the government, starved of donor funds following a graft scandal over two years ago, can ill afford such payments and says it must scale down the programme.

Ironically, policies aimed at ensuring basic food security are partly to blame for a cycle of rural poverty and aid dependency in this landlocked African nation, leaving the population vulnerable to climate shocks, economists say. “There is no doubt that the fertiliser subsidy was only feasible due to donor support,” said Ed Hobey, an analyst at Africa Risk Consulting. “At best, it was unsustainable without continued donor support, at worst, it was an illusion built on aid.”

Launched in 2005, the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) provides qualifying farmers —

LATE RAINS: Subsistence farmer Nelson Sikanawawe walks through his field of maize after late rains near the capital Lilongwe, Malawi

last Monday. – Reuters

those with limited income but a plot of productive land - with two coupons which can be redeemed for two 50-kg bags of fertiliser. The recipients make a modest contribution, with the government footing most of the bill.

Because the government is subsidising the production of maize - the main source of calories for many poor households — it also bans the export of the grain.

The programme is credited by the government and some aid agencies with lifting maize production and cutting hunger.

The data appear to back that up.

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says the percentage of Malawi’s malnourished population fell to 21.8 per cent in 2012-14 from 45 per cent two decades earlier.

But FISP’s role here is difficult to untangle as most of those gains were made before 2005. Still, there is evidence of benefits, including indirect ones. Stunting among Malawi children — a key nutrition measure — fell to 42.4 per cent in 2014 from 49 per cent in 2002.

But the programme has also had unintended consequences.

The focus on food security, including the ban on maize exports, has discouraged investment in more productive commercial farming methods.

Concern “Our concern with the export ban is that it limits the scope to expand production among more medium and large-scale farms if they are unable to market the surplus,” said Richard Record, World Bank Senior Country Economist, World Bank in Malawi.

In the long run such a ban stunts food production, especially in an age of increasingly high-tech farming, economists say.

FISP also diverted state funds from other areas.

In all, FISP has accounted for as much as 9 per cent of government expenditure and over half the agricultural budget, leaving scant funds to invest in rural transport links and other projects that would benefit the countryside.

“The FISP was not matched by

increased investment in rural infrastructure especially roads and irrigation,” said Hobey of Africa Risk Consulting.

This retards development of other sectors in the farm value chain, such as canning, which can kick-start industrialisation, economists and analysts say.

Initially FISP met its objective: providing calories to the rural poor. Between 2007 and 2014 Malawi produced bumper maize crops, with surpluses recorded since 2007 — until last year.

A study in the The American Journal of Agricultural Economics found a 15 per cent boost in maize production under FISP coincided with a 15 per cent decrease in the amount of land devoted to the grain. This suggests small-scale farmers diversified to cash crops such as tobacco and cotton.

Today FISP is no longer viable, government officials and analysts say. Donor funds for the budget have dried up in the wake of a scandal over two years ago dubbed “cashgate”, in which state officials siphoned millions of dollars.

“We are going to have to be scaling down expenditure on FISP, we are reacting to diminishing resources of funds for the budget,” Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe told Reuters. Belt tightening is underway, though the number of FISP recipients has remained unchanged at 1.5 million.

Instead of paying $0.70 (500 Malawian kwacha) toward the two 50kg bags of fertiliser subsidised, Gondwe said farmers would now pay 3,500 kwacha. The cost of a bag is around 20,000 kwacha.

Unaffordable Several subsistence farmers interviewed by Reuters in their fields said they could not afford the 3,500 kwacha, let alone the full cost.

The price for fertiliser has surged as it is imported and the kwacha has been sliding against the dollar, losing 63 per cent in the past 12 months.

Gondwe said the programme this financial year would cost 54 billion kwacha instead of an original estimate of 40 billion, plus an additional 8 billion rand for seeds.

To be sure, FISP has helped individual farmers, such as Salome Banda. Five years ago, Banda made the transition from subsistence farming to producing a surplus of maize for market because she received the grant once.

“I have not had it since 2010 but I can buy my own fertiliser now,” she told Reuters as she stood proudly by 50kg bags of her maize stacked in a warehouse north of Lilongwe. She said one FISP grant tripled her production that season.

For others, the benefits have not translated into such gains - and even Banda, while she produces surpluses, has hardly made the leap to more productive, technical farming.

“When I got FISP, I fed all my children,” said Matezenji Watsoni, a 35-year-old mother of seven, as she waited outside a World Food Programme relief station in a rural Lilongwe suburb for a 50kg bag of maize.

“But this is the third year I have not had it, and it has brought hunger to my house,” she said.

This year a perfect storm is brewing after a decade of maize surpluses turned into a deficit of 225,000 tonnes in 2015, in a country that consumes 3 million tonnes annually. The harvest this season looks set to be even worse.

Another unintended outcome of the FISP is that by subsidising peasant farming, people have an incentive to remain on the land, adding to rural population pressures. Late rains have clothed central regions in simmering shades of green but this idyllic image belies the late start to the summer planting season and the grinding poverty of rain-fed, hand tilled agriculture.

Malawi, which has done little to industrialise, is also barely urban.

In 1990, 88 percent of the population was rural, a number that was 84 per cent in 2014, according to World Bank data. Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole is 63 per cent rural.

Asked about industrialisation, finance minister Gondwe, a jovial septuagenarian, looked almost bemused. “It will take time to industrialise. But don’t forget this country cannot even make a needle. So to base your policy on that probably is asking too much.” — Reuters

A 14

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

GLOBAL EYE

FRANCE: Waves crash against the sea front in Wimereux as strong winds battered northern France, on Sunday. — Reuters

UNITED STATES: Members of the US military drive past Levi’s

Stadium before NFL Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, California, United States, on Saturday. — Reuters

CHINA: A passenger walks inside a station of the Subway Line Number 1 on the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year, in Beijing, China, on Sunday. — Reuters

INDIA: Brides pose for a selfie as they wait for the start of a mass marriage ceremony in Ahmedabad, India, on Sunday. A total of 84 Mus-

lim couples from various parts of Ahmedabad on Sunday took wedding vows during the mass marriage ceremony organised by a Muslim voluntary organisation, organisers said. — Reuters

TUNISIA: Tunisian soldiers particpate in an exercise along the

frontier with Libya in Sabkeht Alyun, Tunisia on Saturday. — Reuters

UNITED STATES: A general view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the skyline of downtown San Francisco prior to Super Bowl 50 between the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. — Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Reuters

BRAZIL: Revellers parade for the Unidos do Peruche samba school

during the carnival in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday. — Reuters

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

A1 5

WORLD

North Korea’s state news agency carried a still picture of a white rocket that closely resembled a previously launched rocket, lifting off.

North Korean long-range rocket puts ‘satellite’ into polar orbit SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

VIDEO

South Korea, US to

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

discuss deploying THAAD missile defence as China voices ‘deep concern’

SEOUL: North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Sunday carrying what it called a satellite, but its neighbours and the United States denounced the launch as a missile test, conducted in defiance of UN sanctions and just weeks after a nuclear bomb test.

The US Strategic Command said it had detected a missile entering space, and South Korea’s military said the rocket had put an object into orbit.

North Korea said the launch of the satellite Kwangmyongsong-4, named after late leader Kim Jong Il, was a “complete success” and it was making a polar orbit of Earth every 94 minutes. The launch order was given by his son, leader Kim Jong Un, who is believed to be 33 years old. The launch prompted South Korea and the United States to announce that they would explore the feasibility of deploying an advanced missile defence system in South Korea, which China and Russia both oppose, “at the earliest possible date.”

Cheering North Korea’s state news agency carried a still picture of a white rocket that closely resembled a previously launched rocket, lifting off. Another showed Kim surrounded by cheering military officials at what appeared to be a command centre.

North Korea’s last long-range rocket launch, in 2012, put what it

BEAMING WITH SUCCESS: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, centre, watches a long-range rocket launch into the air in North Korea, in this photo released by Kyodo on Sunday. – Reuters/Kyodo

called a communications satellite into orbit, but no signal has ever been detected from it.

“If it can communicate with the Kwangmyongsong-4, North Korea will learn about operating a satellite in space,” said David Wright, co-director and senior scientist at the Global Security Program of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

“Even if not, it gained experience with launching and learned more about the reliability of its rocket systems.”

The rocket lifted off at around 9:30am Seoul time (0030GMT) on a southward trajectory, as planned. Japan’s Fuji Television Network showed a streak of light heading into the sky, taken from

a camera at China’s border with North Korea.

North Korea had notified UN agencies that it planned to launch a rocket carrying an Earth observation satellite, triggering opposition from governments that see it as a long-range missile test.

The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Sunday to discuss the launch, at the request of the United States, Japan and South Korea, diplomats said.

Isolated North Korea had initially given a February 8-25 time frame for the launch but on Saturday changed that to February 7-14, apparently taking advantage of clear weather on Sunday.

VIOLENCE

Sudanese migrant stabs Israeli soldier, shot dead OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: A Sudanese migrant in Israel stabbed and wounded a soldier in an apparent act of solidarity with Palestinians and was shot dead, police said.

If that motive is confirmed, it would be the first such attack by a foreigner during a four-monthold surge of Palestinian street violence fuelled in part by anger at perceived Jewish encroachment on a occupied Jerusalem mosque.

In the occupied West Bank, a tent used as a synagogue near an Israeli outpost was the target of a suspected arson attack.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called at the weekly meeting of his cabinet on Sunday for international condemnation of “this heinous act” and said it should equal the outcry over the desecration of mosques by suspected Jewish militants in recent years.

Police, commenting on the stabbing in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, said the suspect lightly wounded a soldier at a bus

RISING TENSIONS: An Israeli soldier aims his weapon during

clashes in the occupied West Bank town of Qabatya, near Jenin on Saturday. – Reuters

station and fled, pursued by another soldier who shot him.

“The behaviour, the location, the flight, the targeting of a soldier - all of these add up to a nationalistic attack,” Ashkelon police chief Shimon Portal told reporters,. Before he died, the wounded suspect “mumbled a few unclear statements in Arabic but otherwise did not say a word,” Portal said. A police spokeswoman

said efforts to identify the suspect “thus far” had determined he was Sudanese. She did not elaborate on what he had been doing in Israel.

Thousands of Sudanese have entered Israel illegally through neighbouring Egypt in recent years, some seeking work and others asylum. Israel’s efforts to repatriate them have been hampered by the fact it has no ties with Sudan. — Reuters

RELEASED

Australian woman kidnapped in Burkina Faso freed in Niger NIAMEY: An elderly Australian woman kidnapped with her husband in Burkina Faso by a group affiliated to Al Qaeda has been freed, neighbouring Niger’s President Mahamadou Issoufou said on Saturday.

Issoufou presented the woman, Jocelyn Elliott, at a news conference in Dosso, southwestern Niger, and said authorities were intensifying efforts to secure the release of her husband.

The pair were seized on January 15. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb said on Friday it had kidnapped the couple and would release the woman unconditionally due to public pressure and

guidance from Al Qaeda leaders not to involve women in war.

The circumstances of her release and how she arrived in Niger were not immediately clear.

Grateful For over 40 years, Dr Ken Elliott and his wife, who are in their 80s, have operated a 120-bed clinic in the town of Djibo near Burkina Faso’s border with Mali.

Their children in Australia said they were “deeply grateful for the safe release of our mother Jocelyn”.

“We are trusting that the moral and guiding principles of those who have released our mother

will also be applied to our elderly father who has served the community of Djibo and the Sahel for more than half his lifetime,” they said a statement.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull thanked the governments of Niger and Burkina Faso for their assistance and confirmed that his government had spoken to Jocelyn Elliott following her release.

The Elliotts were abducted from the town the same day Al Qaeda fighters raided a restaurant and hotel in Burkina Faso’s capital, Ouagadougou, and killed 30 people, many of whom were foreigners. — Reuters

North Korea’s National Aerospace Development Administration called the launch “an epochal event in developing the country’s science, technology, economy and defence capability by legitimately exercising the right to use space for independent and peaceful purposes”.

The launch and the January 6 nuclear test are seen as efforts by the North’s young leader to bolster his domestic legitimacy ahead of a ruling party congress in May, the first since 1980.

North Korea’s embassy in Moscow said in a statement the country would continue to launch rockets carrying satellites, according to Russia’s Interfax news agency.

South Korea and the United States said that if the advanced missile defence system called Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) was deployed to South Korea, it would be focused only on North Korea. South Korea had been reluctant to discuss openly the possibility of deploying THAAD. “North Korea continues to develop their nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes, and it is the responsibility of our Alliance to maintain a strong defense against those threats,” General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, US Forces Korea commander, said in a statement. “THAAD would add an important capability in a layered and effective missile defence.”

China, South Korea’s biggest trading partner, repeated what it says is “deep concern” about a system whose radar could penetrate its territory. South Korea’s military said it would make annual military exercises with US forces “the most cutting-edge and the biggest” this year. North Korea objects to the drills as a prelude to war by a United States it says is bent on toppling the Pyongyang regime.

The United States has about 28,500 troops in South Korea.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States would work with the UN Security Council on “significant measures” to hold North Korea to account for what he called a flagrant violation of UN resolutions on North Korea’s use of ballistic missile technology. South Korea’s navy retrieved what it believes to be a fairing used to protect the satellite on its journey into a space, a sign that it is looking for parts of the discarded rocket for clues into the isolated North’s rocket pro-

gramme, which it did following the previous launch. China expressed regret over the launch and called on all sides to act cautiously and refrain from steps that might raise tension. China’s Foreign Ministry said late on Sunday that it had summoned the North Korean ambassador to “make representations and make clear China’s principled position”.

China is North Korea’s main ally, but it disapproves of its nuclear weapons programme.

Russia, which has in recent years forged closer ties with North Korea, said the launch could not but provoke a “decisive protest”, adding Pyongyang had once again demonstrated a disregard for norms of international law.

“We strongly recommend the leadership of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea think about whether a policy of opposing the entire international community meets the interests of the country,” Russia’s foreign ministry said in a statement. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the launch and urged North Korea to “halt its provocative actions”.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye said it was an unforgivable act of provocation. Australia condemned what it called North Korea’s dangerous conduct while Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the launch was “absolutely unacceptable”, especially after the North’s nuclear test last month. North Korea has said that its fourth nuclear test was of a hydrogen bomb. The United States and other governments have expressed doubt over that claim.

North Korea is believed to be working on miniaturising a nuclear warhead to put on a missile, but many experts say it is some way from perfecting such technology.

It has shown off two versions of a ballistic missile resembling a type that could reach the US West Coast, but there is no evidence the missiles have been tested. — Reuters

A16

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

WORLD

Tablet lovers add dd us on Google +

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY ADD IN GOOGLE+

France restricts blood transfusions from travellers over Zika outbreak Meanwhile, a Reuters/Ipsos poll shows that the outbreak is discouraging many Americans from traveling to Latin America and the Caribbean, with 41 per cent of those aware of the disease saying they are less likely to take such a trip.

Airlines and cruise ship operators have yet to report drops in bookings because of Zika, and analysts have downplayed the impact that newly sedentary parents-tobe could have on their revenue.

Someone who comes from a zone where there is Zika cannot give blood for 28 days, said French Health Minister Marisol Touraine on Sunday

PARIS: Travellers coming back from any outbreak zones of the Zika virus will need to wait at least 28 days before giving blood to avoid any risk of transmission, French Health Minister Marisol Touraine said on Sunday.

Zika, which is rapidly spreading through the Americas and has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organisation (WHO), is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites.

However, Brazil in the last week

SAFETY MEASURES: A municipal health worker checks a water tank for mosquito larvae inside a

home as as part of the city’s efforts to prevent the spread of the Zika virus vector, the ‘Aedes aegypti’ mosquito, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on Saturday. — Reuters

announced two cases of transmission through blood transfusions from infected donors.

“Someone who comes from a zone where there is Zika cannot give blood for 28 days,” Touraine said in an interview with Europe

1 radio, news channel iTele and Le Monde daily. She also advised pregnant women to inform the authorities if they had travelled to any of the zones.

Eighteen cases have been reported in travellers in France,

Touraine said. The mainland part of the country has been spared by the virus, but it has hit some of its overseas territories such as the Caribbean islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe, and French Guyana which neighbours Brazil.

Two-thirds of Americans Still, awareness of the mosquitoborne virus has surged to nearly two-thirds of Americans, according to the poll of 1,595 adults in the United States conducted February 1-5. That compares with 45 per cent who had heard of Zika in a Reuters/Ipsos poll from late January.

“I am actively trying to get pregnant with my husband, so I am a little bit concerned,” said Erica, a respondent who said she was bitten by a mosquito during a January trip to the US Virgin Islands, where Zika has been reported.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised pregnant women to avoid travel to areas with an active outbreak of Zika, and the World

Health Organisation has declared an international emergency over the disease. Erica, who asked only to be identified by her first name for personal reasons, said she no longer plans to visit Jamaica this summer to celebrate her wedding anniversary.

“We’ve definitely gone back to the drawing board on that,” she said, referring to the island, which is on the CDC warning list.

Of those aware of the virus, 41 per cent said they were less likely to travel to Puerto Rico, Mexico or South America in the next 12 months because of Zika, the poll found. Some 48 per cent said Zika had not changed the likelihood of their visiting those destinations, while others did not know.

Six out of 10 Americans aware of Zika said the virus concerned them, including 18 percent who said they were very concerned, according to the poll.

“It’s contagious, and it’s new,” said respondent Toni Brockington, 42, who lives near Fort Bragg, California, and had considered visiting Mexico before learning about the outbreak.

“The virus, along with the reports of violence and drugs and tourist ransoms, is making it less and less attractive.” — Reuters

U S P R E S I D E N T I A L C A M PA I G N

GOP debate fiasco to cost Rubio in New Hampshire MANCHESTER (US): Republican White House contender Marco Rubio struggled at a debate on Saturday at the worst possible time, potentially confounding his bid to emerge as Donald Trump’s chief rival in New Hampshire and giving hope to three rivals desperate for a strong showing.

Under assault from New Jersey Governor Chris Christie over his level of experience as a firstterm US senator from Florida, Rubio retreated time and again to canned statements from his stump speech and looked uncomfortably rattled for the first time after seamless performances at seven prior debates.

“Marco, the thing is this,” Christie said during one heated exchange early in the night, “when you’re president of the United States, when you’re a governor of a state, the memorised 30-second speech where you talk about how great America is at the end of it doesn’t solve one problem for one person.”

While Rubio recovered later in the debate, the timing of his performance was terrible, coming three days before New Hampshire Republicans register their choices on Tuesday in the nation’s second nominating contest.

The debate at St. Anselm College was the last face-off of the candidates before the vote.

Rubio’s tough moments may breathe new life into the campaigns of Christie, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Ohio Governor John Kasich, three experienced politicians who, like

Marco Rubio

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

VIDEO

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

Rubio, represent establishment Republicans.

All three have suffered from the dominance of front-runner Trump in the Republican race.

They are badly in need of a breakout moment to change the trajectory of the battle in New Hampshire, where the polls show Trump in the lead, Rubio in second and Texas Senator Ted Cruz in third place. Trump did not have his best debate. He looked flustered in a fight with Bush over the use of eminent domain in advancing the interests of public use projects and private industry.

But he seemed to do well enough to possibly win on Tuesday in what would represent his first victory of the 2016 race, erasing the pain from a loss in the Iowa caucus last week. — Reuters

FIGHTING WITH ORANGES

A participant is hit by an orange during an annual carnival battle in the northern Italian town of Ivrea on Sunday. Dressed up as Middle Age kings’ guards, a group of men ride in a horse-drawn carriage and pelt ‘foot soldiers’ with oranges as thousands of people gather to re-enact a Middle Age battle when the townsfolk of Ivrea overthrew a ruler. In a strange twist, instead of swords and cross bows, these days the weapons of choice are oranges. — Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

MARKE

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

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

Natural gas production and imports grow 5.6% in 2015 rels in 2015, from 344.37 million barrels in2014.

While nonassociated gas and imports showed a growth of 6.2 per cent to 32,806 MNCM, associated gas production rose 3.1 per cent to 7,001 MNCM, according to the latest statistics released by NCSI

A E JAMES

ROBUST DEMAND: Natural gas consumption grew in line with growth in crude production from enhanced oil recovery projects. — Times file picture

MUSCAT: Oman’s natural gas production and imports rose 5.6 per cent to 39,806 million cubic metres (MNCM) in 2015, up from 37,687 MNCM in 2014.

Of this, while non-associated gas and imports showed a growth of 6.2 per cent to 32,806 million

cubic metres , associated gas production rose 3.1 per cent to 7,001 MNCM, according to the latest statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

A sizable portion of natural gas in Oman is used by various mega

businesseditor@timesofoman.com industrial projects, which stood at 22,036 MNCM last year, against 21,169 MNCM in 2014.

Natural gas is also used in oil fields, either for producing steam water or for reinjection, with as much as 8,773 MNCM in natural gas being used in oil

SEND US YOUR VIEWS AND COMMENTS www.facebook.com/timesofoman

fields, against 7,838 MNCM units consumed in 2014.

Additionally, natural gas consumption grew in line with growth in crude production from enhanced oil recovery projects.

Overall crude oil production grew by 4 per cent to 358.10 million bar-

Other major consumers Other major consumers of natural gas in Oman include power producers, small-scale industries and liquefied natural gas plants.

Natural gas used by power and desalination plants stood 4.1 per cent higher, at 8,324 million cubic metres , for 2015.

The Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP) estimates gas consumption in the electricity and water desalination sector to rise substantially in the next five years, mainly due to a robust growth in capacity to support the growing demand for power and water.

While the national demand for gas will rise sharply over the coming five years, the rate of increase is by no means evenly distributed, with requirements set to spike in some regions, officials noted.

Also, several mega industrial projects are waiting for natural gas commitments from the Oman government, prior to proceeding with their proposed expansion programmes.

In fact, the Ministry of Oil and Gas is responsible for supplying gas to various consumers and the obligations are set out within the agreements.

GCC BOURSES

Gulf stocks end lower DUBAI: Stocks across the Gulf fell, following a drop in global markets, as traders cashed in on gains after a gauge of the region’s biggest companies climbed to a three-week high.

The Bloomberg GCC 200 Index, which tracks some of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) largest companies, slipped 0.8 per cent from the highest level since January 11. The Tadawul All Share Index was the region’s biggest decliner as it retreated 1.3 per cent, followed by ADX General Index with a 0.9 per cent drop. The MSCI World Index lost 1.6 per cent on Friday.

Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index posted its first slide in three days. Jabal Omar Development Co. and Saudi Basic Industries Corp. led the drop, falling 2.3 per cent and 1.2 per cent, respectively. Dubai’s DFM General Index decreased 0.7 per cent, the first decline in three days, as trading volumes slid to about two-thirds of the 12-month daily average.

Qatar’s QE Index lost 0.7 per cent, led by Industries Qatar, the country’s biggest petrochemicals company by revenue. It retreated 2.8 per cent after reporting a 30 per cent plunge in profit for 2015.

Kuwait’s SE Price Index gained 0.2 per cent and Bahrain’s Bourse All Share Index was little changed. — Bloomberg News

B2

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

MARKET Ministry issued 843 industrial licences in 2015 These licences were valued at OMR9.31 billion in 2015. In 2014, 754 licences were issued Engineer Mohamed bin Said Al Mahrouqi. – Supplied photo

Times News Service MUSCAT: As many as 843 industrial licences were issued in 2015 with a total investment of OMR9.31 billion compared to 754 licences in 2014, according to the data supplied by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Engineer Mohamed bin Said Al Mahrouqi, acting secretary of industrial register at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said that the number of industrial registers (under issuance) during 2015 recorded a significant increase.

“One hundred and sixty-three

industrial registers for existing projects were recorded during 2015, with a total investment of OMR427.12 million compared to 169 industrial registers for the existing projects recorded in 2014 with a total investment of OMR209.22 million,” he added.

Mohamed Al Mahrouqi indicated that the Ministry of Commerce and Industry seeks to attract various industrial investments through the incentives it provides for investors in the industrial sector.

The Sultanate of Oman enter-

tains promising investment opportunities in the industrial sector. It also provides various raw materials, qualified human resources and many other essential elements that can give this sector an opportunity to grow constantly and gradually.

This is an objective sought after by owners of companies and factories; in addition to investors who will be able to take their decisions according to a vision based on sound and correct bases to achieve strategic goals of the Sultanate.

These goals include spreading an umbrella of security and supporting the economic boom through diversifying the sources of income and promoting investment. The ministry is now working on simplifying the procedures through its electronic portal ‘Invest Easy’.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

O M A N I N D U S T RY D AY

Award winning factories will be honoured on Industry Day Industry said: “The ministry officials thought that it is appropriate to distribute the Sultan Qaboos Industrial Excellence Award this year in conjunction with celebrating Oman Industry Day.”

Times News Service MUSCAT: Ministry of Commerce and Industry will celebrate Oman Industry Day on Tuesday. This day is being celebrated every year on February 9 to mark the Royal visit of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the Rusayl Industrial Estate on February 9, 1991.

The ministry pays great attention to celebrating this occasion annually through holding an annual open meeting in which the minister of commerce and industry meets manufacturers and the parties interested in this sector.

In conjunction with celebrating Oman Industrial Day, the factories winning Sultan Qaboos Industrial Excellence Award for the best five factories this year, will be honoured.

Held at Barr Al Jissah Resort, the celebration will be patronised

by Lieutenant-General Hassan bin Mohsen Al Shariqi, Inspector General for Police and Customs.

It will be attended by some ministers, advisor, undersecretaries and others associated with the industrial sector.

Opinions of manufacturers The celebration aims to closely identify the latest developments related to the industrial sector in the Sultanate. During the cel-

Nahla bint Abdul Wahab Al Hamdiah. – Supplied photo

ebration, authorities will listen to opinions of manufacturers about the important challenges and obstacles facing the industry in Oman. They will also discuss possible solutions and proposal for developing the industrial sector.

The authorities will also seek to reply on their inquiries that lie within the scope of the ministry, refer the inquiries related to external entities to the concerned parties and follow up with these entities so as to find solutions.

Engineer Nahla bint Abdul Wahab Al Hamdiah, director general at the Directorate General of Industry in the Ministry of Commerce and

Two celebrations “The decision of combining the two celebrations was taken early last year. Since the last edition of Oman Industrial Day, coordination has been made to form committees as well as technical and administrative working teams to organise the two occasions. Efforts are still being exerted and work is still in progress to organise the event well as usual,” she explained.

“A workshop entitled ‘Ways to deal with challenges facing the industrial sector’ brought manufacturers from various industrial sectors together. A seminar that reviewed the investment opportunities in the industrial sector has also been held. It was attended by representatives from the Gulf Organisation for Industrial Consulting; in addition to a selected group of investors and persons interested in the industrial sector. Such events were also accompanied by some activities held in the industrial estates and organised by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates,” Al Hamdiah said.

I N V E S T M E N T S T R AT E G Y

GlassPoint appoints local CSR and sustainability firm Times News Service

DEAL: Sustainable Square will work with GlassPoint to establish its social investment strategy and launch new programme that best serve Omani and the people. - Supplied photo

MUSCAT: GlassPoint Solar, makers of solar steam generators for the oil and gas industry, announced a strategic partnership with local Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability experts, Sustainable Square Oman.

Sustainable Square will work with GlassPoint to establish its social investment strategy and launch new programme that best serve the Sultanate and the Omani people.

“We are committed to creating long-term value for Oman that extends well beyond our solar oilfield projects,” said GlassPoint president and chief executive officer Rod MacGregor.

“It’s important our social re-

sponsibility strategy aligns with GlassPoint’s vision and that of our stakeholders so we can contribute where it’s needed most. By partnering with local experts embedded across Oman’s CSR landscape, we will be able to maximise our investment and create impactful projects to benefit Oman’s society, environment and economy,” he added.

Led by Corporate Social Responsibility expert and rising Omani entrepreneur, Shaima Al Lawati, Sustainable Square will provide GlassPoint with the support and insight needed to enhance the positive impact it brings to the country. Shaima and her team have a successful track record of developing differentiated, results-driven CSR initiatives for

global businesses in Oman and the Gulf region.

Robust CSR programme Al Lawati, who serves as Sustainable Square Oman’s founding partner and senior sustainability and social investment advisor, commented: “We are excited to have this opportunity to work closely with GlassPoint and develop a robust CSR programme from the ground-up.”

“As a small Omani enterprise, we appreciate the support we receive from our partners and the growing prominence social investment has in generating business returns. We are committed to developing a niche-localized CSR program that will improve

GlassPoint’s business operations, optimize their internal processes and enhance the well-being of our communities,” Al Lawati added.

GlassPoint is currently building one of the world’s largest solar plants with Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).

Named Miraah, which means mirror in Arabic, the project will harness the sun’s energy to produce steam used to extract heavy and viscous oil at Petroleum Development Oman’s Amal field in south Oman.

Miraah will save 5.6 trillion British Thermal Units (BTU) of natural gas each year, resulting in significant energy savings that support economic diversification and job creation.

NEW ROLE

Salwa Al Shahaibi promoted as leasing manager of Hamptons Times News Service MUSCAT: Hamptons International & Partners has promoted Salwa Al Shahaibi to the position of Leasing Manager in the Muscat – Oman office. This also comes a few months after winning the prestigious award for Real Estate Woman of the Year.

In her new position, Salwa will be responsible for overseeing her leasing team, marketing and negotiating lease transactions and agreements for property in Muscat, overseeing completion of all necessary paperwork and ensuring high levels of customer service. She will also assist the head of agency, Daniel Sellu, in the overall performance of the leasing department in Hamptons.

Underscoring the initiative to encourage and support Omanis, Hamptons International has always stood by the belief in practice of strengthening the local workforce by training them in various lines of service and enhancing their knowledge and skills.

With over nine years of experience in the real estate sec-

tor, Salwa is the recipient of the Real Estate woman of the year award 2015. She is considered an expert in her field with exceptional knowledge in the concepts, practices, and procedures of the Oman leasing market.

Commenting on this executive decision, Benjamin Cullum, general manger of Hamptons International said: “It gives me great pleasure to reward hard work and loyalty and Salwa’s promotion is a case in point. Her immense potential has been tried and tested over the years of her tenure in the company and her promotion is well deserved.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

B3

MARKET NEW BRANCH

Gulf Finance opens office in Jeddah Times News Service MUSCAT: Opening of the new head office and branch in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, marks the third anniversary of Gulf Finance’s presence in the Kingdom.

Gulf Finance has become one of the leading providers of Shairacompliant finance to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Saudi Arabia focusing on heavy equipment, plant and machinery.

The company first established a presence in Jeddah in 2012 and expanded into the central region with a new branch in Riyadh in 2015. Gulf Finance currently employs over 40 staff, of which 60 per cent are local Saudi employees.

It has over 200 clients in a range of sectors such as contracting, manufacturing, industrial, property, logistics and retail and has successfully grown its asset book to over 200 million Saudi riyals as of December 2015.

Thamer Jan, Chairman of the board of directors, Gulf Finance Saudi Arabia, said: “Our new office in Jeddah extends our reach in Saudi Arabia and allows us to penetrate further into the SME fabric, where small businesses are estimated to account for 90 per cent of registered business and 60 per cent of employment.”

SME sector can help a nation weather crisis: Entrepreneur room but there is the necessity to do so. In the context of diversifying the economy, there has to be an SME layer that is export-oriented.”

Oman-born entrepreneur said that the strong small and medium enterprise sector plays a key role in economic diversification STRESS ON INNOVATION: Zièd Bahrouni, an Oman-born entrepre-

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

neur, the co-founder and managing director of Motius, decided to enter the Omani market to contribute to the country’s mission of becoming an innovation hub in the Gulf. – O. K. MOHAMMED ALI/Times of Oman

MUSCAT: A strong small and medium enterprise (SME) sector can help a country in times of financial crisis and plays a key role in economic diversification, says Zièd Bahrouni, an Oman-born entrepreneur.

Bahrouni, the co-founder and managing director of Motius, a high-tech Research & Development (R&D) company in Germany, decided to enter the Omani

market to contribute to the country’s mission of becoming an innovation hub in the Gulf region.

Motius, which solves technical problems and develops products for international customers, is represented in Oman through Genius Solutions, a 100 per cent Omani-owned technology solution provider.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Bahrouni said many countries as-

elham@timesofoman.com

RESIDENTIAL SALES

pire to become an innovation hub and it requires good and marketoriented ideas, funding and R&D ability. Oman is building its R&D capacity, and good ideas and funding are available, he noted, expressing the hope that companies like Motius would help expand the R&D capacity in the Sultanate.

Asked if there is room for more technology companies in Oman, Bahrouni said, “Not only is there SURVEY

Iran to benefit from trade in South Asia

SALES DROP: End-users, rather than investors, were the predominant buyers of villas and townhouses, with a clear preference for smaller 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units, rather than large villas, accroding to a report by Asteco. - Supplied photo

Dubai real estate prices decline by 11% in 2015 Times News Service MUSCAT: Dubai’s residential sales across-the-board declined in 2015, with villa sales prices down year-on-year by 11 per cent and apartments by 8 per cent, according to a report by Asteco, a leading real estate consultancy.

Villas on Palm Jumeirah recorded price declines of 13 per cent over the year, dropping to Dh2,475 per square feet on average and The Meadows was also down 15 per cent to Dh1,150, says the study, which provides a review of last year and 2016 outlook.

A total of 13,500 apartments and 800 villas were added to Dubai’s residential real estate supply in 2015, and a further 22,000 apartments and 7,700 villas are scheduled to be delivered in 2016, with downward rental rate pressure likely to continue through to 2017, says the report.

The report flags the impact of delayed project delivery in 2015 and a large pipeline for 2016, coupled with the demand slowdown

and continued low oil prices, as an indicator of market prospects this year, with both rental rates and sales prices coming under further pressure.

“However, if we look to the medium and long-term, the outlook is more positive with demand more than likely to grow in line with the progress of key infrastructure projects currently underway, such as Dubai World Central Airport and Expo 2020,” said John Stevens, managing director of Asteco.

Villas and townhouses End-users, rather than investors, were the predominant buyers of villas and townhouses, with a clear preference for smaller 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom units, rather than large villas. New communities such as Mudon and Arabian Ranches Phase 2 saw improved levels of activity, offering better-priced yet good quality alternatives to some of the more established areas.

At the high end of the apart-

TALKS WITH FOREIGN INSURER To further strengthen cooperation between Export Credit Guarantee Agency of Oman and N.V. Nationale Borg-Maatschappij of The Netherlands, officials discussed credit insurance and ways to strengthen cooperation. — Times News Service

ment market, Jumeirah Beach Residence was down 16 per cent to Dh1,370 per square feett and apartments on the Palm Jumeirah dropped 14 per cent to Dh1,720 per square feet on average.

Villa rentals were down 9 per cent on average year-on-year, but Al Barsha recorded an increase for three-bedroom villas, up 9.2 per cent to Dh213,000 per annum while in Mirdiff similar properties rose 4.2 per cent to Dh138,000.

The biggest falls came in Jumeirah and Umm Suqeim where three-bed villas dropped more than Dh50,000 or 20 per cent on average to hit Dh195,000, while larger four-bedroom homes in Arabian Ranches and Jumeirah Park were also down 19 per cent to Dh243,000 and 15.5 per cent to Dh145,000 respectively.

“With fresh new supply entering the market, this is forcing property owners, especially of older independent villas, to become increasingly competitive on pricing,” remarked Stevens.

MUSCAT: Iran stands to gain the most from the growing integration of commodity-related trades within South Asia (IndiaPakistan-Iran), according to 34 per cent of respondents to a Gulf Intelligence Industry Survey of 250 energy professionals operating in the Middle East.

The lifting of sanctions on Iran on January 17 will have a far-reaching impact on both political and energy dynamics within South Asia and the wider Silk Road, which stretches from Beijing to Lagos. Iran is highly ambitious about its plans.

- Times News Service

Time of crisis Highlighting the importance of strong small and medium companies, he noted that Germany is a country most known for its SME layer and it has been witnessed what this section could do during the crisis in the last few years.

Germany has one of the best performances in the financial crisis in the world because of these companies and that has shown to the world and especially the Gulf states why these companies are so important when it comes to diversifying the economy, he commented.

In addition, he said Germany is a good example when it comes to the link between the industry and the academic world, which has a lot to do with the fact that there are a lot of industries in Germany.

It is a chicken and egg situation, Bahrouni said, adding that the more industries you have, the more universities you have, and so is the situation the other way around. He also emphasised the importance of hands-on training, which can complement theoretical training.

Asked about the characteristics of a good business idea, Motius’ managing director noted it is one that has a market and succeeds financially. A company should be high-tech, export-oriented, innovation-oriented and should create job opportunities, he added.

Bahrouni also said in his opinion, the missing financial success at the beginning should be more tolerated here than in other countries because the goal is more long-term and the country could sustain the lack of financial success in the initial stages.

Expansion plans Commenting on Motius’ future plans, he said the company plans to expand in Oman and is also considering expansion in the region as well. Bahrouni added that Oman still remains the company’s focus, and will probably continue to be so. He said it is his pleasure to contribute to the Sultanate’s efforts to become an innovation hub.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

B4

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 5,299.26 ...............5,234.21 ...................5,298.60 ...................5,240.49.................. 58.11 ....................1.11 Financial Index .................................... 6,574.22 .............. 6,482.55 ................... 6,572.99 ...................6,498.53................. 74.46 ................... 1.15 Industrial Index ....................................6,552.71 .............. 6,508.29 ....................6,551.85 ................... 6,515.43................. 36.42 ................... 0.56 Services Index .......................................2,959.31 .............. 2,932.78 ...................2,959.29 ................... 2,933.18.................. 26.11 ................... 0.89 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................821.89 .................. 812.74 .......................821.87 ...................... 814.92....................6.95 ................... 0.85 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 27,288,330 ................. 4,383,188 ..................1,368 ................15,656,575,375 ................27 ........................4 .................... 11..........................42

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7 ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

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

OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION .........................73,492 ...............9,554........................7 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.130........... 0.130 .............0.120 ............0.010 ............. 8.333 ................0.130 .............. 0.125...................0.130...................12,355,200 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 1,763,352 ......255,642...................103 ............0.137 ........... 0.148 ...........0.137 ............0.145 ............. 0.135.............0.010 ............. 7.407 ................0.148 ..............0.148...................0.000 ..................42,144,398.........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 1,412,150..........87,047..................... 87 ........... 0.059 ...........0.063 ...........0.059........... 0.062 .............0.058 ........... 0.004............. 6.897 ................0.062..............0.061...................0.062 .................. 17,978,799 .........0.100

MSM index ends higher

OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 457,305 ............43,019......................21 ........... 0.092 ...........0.097 ...........0.092........... 0.094 .............0.090 ........... 0.004.............4.444 ................0.096..............0.096...................0.098................... 11,456,250 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 364,016 ........... 20,699......................21 ........... 0.056 ...........0.059 ...........0.056........... 0.057 .............0.055 ........... 0.002............. 3.636 ................0.057..............0.057...................0.058................... 11,807,629 .........0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT .................. 21,815 ...............2,458........................5 ............0.112 ........... 0.114............0.112 ............0.113 ............. 0.110............ 0.003............. 2.727 ................0.114 ...............0.113................... 0.115 ...................22,600,000 ........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 4,813,427 ......842,708...................203 ............0.169 ........... 0.177 ...........0.169 ............0.175 ............. 0.171 ............ 0.004............. 2.339 ................0.175 .............. 0.175...................0.176 ...................26,263,125 .........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ...........................................................9,712 ...............8,974........................2 ........... 0.924 ...........0.924 ...........0.924........... 0.924 .............0.904 ........... 0.020............. 2.212 ................0.924..............0.928...................0.992 ................ 184,800,000 .......0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 506,818 ............48,198..................... 33 ........... 0.094 ...........0.096 ...........0.094........... 0.095 .............0.093 ........... 0.002..............2.151.................0.095..............0.095...................0.096....................8,550,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 2,744,085 ......529,420..................... 84 ............0.188 ........... 0.194 ...........0.186 ........... 0.192 ............. 0.188............ 0.004............. 2.128 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.192...................38,400,000.........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 911,250..........236,925......................17 ........... 0.260...........0.260 ...........0.260 .......... 0.260 .............0.255 ........... 0.005..............1.961.................0.260............. 0.260...................0.265..................401,629,422........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 486,500 .........320,542......................16 ........... 0.660 ...........0.660 ...........0.656........... 0.660 .............0.648 ............0.012 ............. 1.852 ................0.656..............0.652...................0.656..................429,623,192........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 723,574 ......... 319,255..................... 58 ........... 0.440...........0.446 ...........0.440 .......... 0.442 .............0.434 ........... 0.008............. 1.843 ................0.444..............0.444...................0.446 ............... 1,012,985,588 ......0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................ 30,000 ...............8,520........................1 ........... 0.284 ...........0.284 ...........0.284 .......... 0.284 .............0.280 ........... 0.004............. 1.429 ................0.284..............0.284...................0.286 ..................84,124,686 .........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 410,897 ........... 29,393..................... 34 ............0.071 ........... 0.074 ...........0.070........... 0.072 ............. 0.071.............0.001 ............. 1.408 ................0.073..............0.072...................0.073...................12,600,000.........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 193,732 ..........280,652..................... 33 ............1.435 ........... 1.460 ...........1.435 ............1.450 .............1.430............ 0.020............. 1.399 ................1.460 ..............1.460...................1.480................1,087,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 1,896,700 ......297,926................... 137 ............0.155 ........... 0.159 ...........0.155 ............0.157 ............. 0.155............ 0.002............. 1.290 ................0.155 .............. 0.153...................0.156................. 226,306,080 .......0.100

Port Services, up 8.33 per cent was the top

OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 463,934 ..........126,736..................... 32 ........... 0.273 ........... 0.275 ...........0.272........... 0.273 .............0.270 ........... 0.003..............1.111 .................0.272..............0.272...................0.273..................366,013,898........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 305,500 ............61,105......................12 ........... 0.200...........0.202 ...........0.200 .......... 0.200 ............. 0.198............ 0.002............. 1.010 ................0.200 ............ 0.200...................0.206 ................. 20,000,000 ........0.100

gainer while Al Jazeera, which declined by 2.44

OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 452,200............55,538..................... 35 ............0.122 ........... 0.124 ...........0.122............0.123 .............0.122 ............0.001 .............0.820 ................0.123 ..............0.122...................0.124...................38,224,088.........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................10,000 ...............3,900........................3 ........... 0.390 ...........0.390 ...........0.390........... 0.390 .............0.388 ........... 0.002............. 0.515 ................0.390..............0.380...................0.390 ..................20,475,000.........0.100

per cent, lost the most on Sunday

OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............83,000 ............ 23,827......................14 ........... 0.285 ...........0.293 ...........0.285........... 0.287 .............0.286 ............0.001 ............. 0.350 ................0.291 ............. 0.290...................0.291....................6,027,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................... 1,000 ..................304........................1 ........... 0.304...........0.304 ...........0.304 .......... 0.304 .............0.304 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.304............. 0.300...................0.304 ..................15,200,000.........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ............................................................................126 .....................23........................1 ............0.185 ........... 0.185 ...........0.185 ........... 0.186 ............. 0.186............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.185 ............. 0.000...................0.185..................265,056,723........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ................................................. 500 .................. 120........................1 ........... 0.240...........0.240 ...........0.240 .......... 0.265 .............0.265 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.240 ............ 0.260...................0.264 .................. 16,219,132 .........0.100

MUSCAT: Supported by local institutional buying, the MSM 30 Index advanced 1.11 per cent to close at 5,298.60 points. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 821.87 points, up 0.85 per cent.

Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Port Services, up 8.33 per cent was the top gainer while Al Jazeera was the top loser, with loss of 2.44 per cent.

As many as 1,368 trades were executed on Sunday, generating turnover of OMR4.4 million with 27.3 million shares changing hands. Out of 42 traded securities, 27 advanced, four declined and 11 remained unchanged.

At the close of the session, Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR258,000 worth of shares, while GCC and Arab investors switched to net sellers at OMR176,000 followed by foreign investors, who were net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR82,000.

Financial Index rallied 1.15 per

cent to finish at 6,572.99 points.

Al Izz Bank, Oman & Emirates Holding, Al Madina Investments, Global Financial Investment and Al Anwar Holding gained 4.76 per cent, 4.44 per cent, 3.64 per cent, 2.73 per cent and 2.34 per cent respectively.

Takaful Oman and Gulf Investment Services declined 1.83 per cent and 1.04 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index ended positively at 6,551.85 points, up 0.56 per cent. Oman Fisheries, Galfar Engineering, Al Hassan Engineering, Oman Textiles and Raysut Cement gained 7.55 per cent, 6.90 per cent, 5.88 per cent, 2.27 per cent and 2.21 per cent respectively.

Al Jazeera Steel and National Aluminium declined 2.44 per cent and 1.42 per cent respectively.

Services Index gained 0.89 per cent to close at 2,959.29 points.

Port Services, Renaissance Services, OIFC, Ooredoo and Omantel gained 8.33 per cent, 7.41 per cent, 2.13 per cent, 1.85 per cent and 1.40 per cent respectively. - United Securities

OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 206,830 ............15,466.....................20 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.076 ...........0.074........... 0.075 .............0.075 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.075..............0.075...................0.076....................2,250,000..........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ...........................................................497 .................. 212........................2 ........... 0.424 ...........0.430 ...........0.424........... 0.430 .............0.430 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.430..............0.430...................0.470...................26,015,000 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 223,226 ............21,199........................9 ........... 0.095 ........... 0.095 ...........0.093........... 0.095 .............0.096 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.042 ...............0.093..............0.093...................0.095.................... 5,590,106 ..........0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ............. 111,000 .............23,213......................12 ............0.211 ........... 0.212 ...........0.208 .......... 0.209 .............0.212 ...........-0.003 ............-1.415 ................0.208..............0.205...................0.208 ................... 7,016,433 ..........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 1,154,409 ......184,905......................81 ............0.160 ........... 0.162 ...........0.159 ........... 0.160 .............0.164............-0.004 ........... -2.439 ...............0.159 .............. 0.155...................0.159................... 19,983,674 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 19,831,047.....3,857,479 ............1,085 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......30........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 3,097,143 ...... 175,262....................115 ........... 0.057 ...........0.058 ...........0.055........... 0.057 .............0.053 ........... 0.004............. 7.547 ................0.057..............0.056...................0.057.................... 7,125,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 136,501 ............... 9,795.....................20 ........... 0.070 ........... 0.074 ...........0.070........... 0.072 .............0.068 ........... 0.004............. 5.882 ................0.071 ..............0.070...................0.071.................... 5,414,976 ..........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 225,000 ............14,814.....................20 ........... 0.065 ...........0.066 ...........0.065........... 0.066 .............0.063 ........... 0.003............. 4.762 ................0.065..............0.065...................0.066...................66,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING ....................................... 1,000 ..................360........................1 ........... 0.360 ...........0.360 ...........0.360........... 0.360 .............0.352 ........... 0.008............. 2.273 ................0.360..............0.360...................0.364 ...................2,160,000 ..........1.000 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 3,238,854......236,046..................... 85 ........... 0.070 ........... 0.075 ...........0.070........... 0.073 .............0.072 ............0.001 ............. 1.389 ................0.073..............0.073...................0.074..................109,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 159,059............... 4,613......................13 ........... 0.029 ...........0.029 ...........0.029........... 0.029 .............0.029 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.029..............0.028...................0.029 ...................2,465,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ...................................................... 500 ..................204........................1 ........... 0.408 ...........0.408 ...........0.408........... 0.408 .............0.408 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.408..............0.408...................0.000 ................. 64,260,000 ........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE..................................................... 20,000 .............. 2,500........................1 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.125 ............0.125 ............. 0.125............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.125 ..............0.123...................0.126...................31,452,309 .........0.100 OM0000001723 ............OMAN ORIX LEASING .............................................. 20,000 ...............2,560........................1 ............0.128 ........... 0.128 ...........0.128........... 0.128 .............0.128............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.128 .............. 0.125...................0.128................... 30,897,157 .........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 550,334 ........... 78,638.....................20 ............0.142 ........... 0.143 ...........0.142........... 0.143 .............0.143............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.143 ..............0.143...................0.144..................209,152,009........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE .................................5,780 .................. 621........................4 ............0.106 ........... 0.108 ...........0.106........... 0.107 .............0.109 ...........-0.002 ............-1.835................0.106..............0.106................... 0.111 ...................10,700,000 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 7,454,171 ....... 525,413...................281 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ...... 11........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ........................3,112 .................. 297........................2 ........... 0.096 ...........0.096 ...........0.095........... 0.096 .............0.096 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.095..............0.095...................0.180....................31,119,515..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .......................................................................................3,112 .................. 297........................2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

ECONOMY

China’s foreign exchange reserves drop to $3.23 trillion ligence. That’s more than seven times the amount of cash that left in 2014. The PBOC has stepped up efforts to stem the exodus, warning speculators that they will be punished. It intervened in the Hong Kong market last month after the yuan’s offshore exchange rate sank to a record 2.9 per cent discount to the onshore rate.

Apart from selling dollars, the monetary authority also gave guidance to some Chinese lenders in the city to suspend yuan lending to curb short selling, a move that contributed to the overnight interbank lending rate surging to an all-time high of 66.8 per cent on January 12.

BEIJING: China’s foreign-exchange reserves shrank to the smallest since 2012, indicating that the central bank sold dollars as the yuan’s retreat to a five-year low exacerbated depreciation pressure.

The world’s largest currency hoard declined by $99.5 billion in January to $3.23 trillion, according to a People’s Bank of China (PBOC) statement released on Sunday. The drop was less than a survey’s median estimate of a $120 billion loss. The stockpile fell by more than half a trillion dollars in 2015, the first-ever annual decline.

Policymakers fighting to hold up the weakening yuan amid slower economic growth, plunging stocks and increasing outflows have been burning through the reserves.

CAUTIOUS APPROACH: Apart from selling dollars, the People’s Bank of China also gave guidance to

Devaluation of currency The draw-down has continued since the central bank’s surprise devaluation of the currency in August, when the stockpile tumbled $94 billion, a monthly record at the time.

“While the remaining reserves represent a substantial war chest, the rapid pace of depletion in re-

some Chinese lenders in the city to suspend yuan lending to curb short selling. – Bloomberg News

cent months is simply unsustainable,” said Rajiv Biswas, Asia-Pacific chief economist at IHS Global Insight in Singapore.

“Domestic private investors and global currency traders see a one-

way bet against the currency. This has resulted in large-scale private capital outflows since early 2015 as expectations mount that the PBOC will eventually be forced to capitulate once its reserves are

sufficiently depleted.”

Capital outflows increased to $158.7 billion in December, the most since September and were $1 trillion last year, according to estimates from Bloomberg Intel-

Yuan outlook The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey is for the yuan to drop to 6.76 a dollar by the end of this year, with Rabobank Group the most pessimistic with a 7.53 prediction.

The currency has declined 1.24 per cent so far this year, closing at 6.5755 in Shanghai on Friday. Chinese financial markets are shut for the Lunar New Year holiday.

China’s top economic planner said that the objective for this year is for an expansion in the range of 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent. The 6.9 per cent growth in 2015 was the slowest in 25 years.

Exports probably declined for the seventh straight month in January, according to the median estimate in a survey before data due on February 15. China increased its gold hoard in January, raising its holdings to 57.18 million ounces at it looks to diversify its foreign-exchange stockpile.

“The smaller decline in the reserves suggests that some capital outflow restrictions imposed in January worked," Shen Jianguang, chief Asia economist at Mizuho Securities Asia in Hong Kong, wrote in a note, adding that he estimates the drop in February will be ‘much smaller’. - Bloomberg News

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

B

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

SECTION

SLOW DOWN ENJOY THE RIDE

E-

IMES TECH STUFF

Amazon to open 300 physical bookstores

BLACKBERRY FIRES 200 STAFF IN PROFIT PUSH BlackBerry fired about 200 employees in Florida and Ontario as the smartphone and software maker continues its efforts to trim costs. The job cuts include 75 people at its location in Sunrise, Florida, according to information posted by the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity on its website. BlackBerry had 6,225 employees in February 2015, the company said in a filing at the time.

— Bloomberg News

T E C H U P D AT E S

Microsoft acquires start-up application firm SwiftKey Microsoft has agreed to buy UK start-up SwiftKey, the application company best known for its free software that replaces the default keyboard on phones and tablets manufactured by Apple and Alphabet. The FT reports the deal was agreed for about $250 million, citing people familiar with the matter. SwiftKey is one of the most popular alternative keyboards on the iOS and Android mobile platforms, installed about 300 million times across both.

It uses machine-learning to predict the ends of sentences as a user types, and after initially charging a small fee for downloads is presently monetised through in-app payments for features such as different colored themes to suit customer tastes. Crucially perhaps for Microsoft, it does not currently support the Redmond, Washington-based company’s Windows Phone or Windows 10 platforms. The market for third-party keyboards became more attractive to software makers since Apple first allowed such products to be installed directly into its iOS mobile operating system in 2014. Prior to this, developers were not allowed to replace the default keyboard on the iPhone or iPad. — Bloomberg News

Nvidia wins trial brought by Samsung over chip patent Nvidia won a scaled back patent-infringement trial brought by Samsung Electronics over computer-memory chip technology, potentially tipping the scales in a fight between the two over royalties for computer graphics. Nvidia fended off a claim that it infringed a patent owned by Samsung, in a federal jury trial in Richmond, Virginia, said Friday. The case had originally started with four Samsung patents and was whittled down to just one after Samsung dropped one patent before trial and the judge ordered a mistrial on two others. “We are pleased with the outcome of this case, which reflects the jury’s careful attention to the facts and the law that applied,” said Hector Marinez, an Nvidia spokesman.

Samsung filed the complaint in November 2014 in retaliation for patent-infringement claims lodged by Nvidia. While this trial was over memory chips, the dispute began after two years of licensing talks failed over graphics processors needed to play games and watch movies on smartphones and tablet devices, Nvidia has said.

Nvidia is trying open up new revenue streams by forcing rivals to pay for what that company says are unique products its researchers invented and designed. Samsung is countering by arguing that Nvidia is using its inventions in memory chips without permission. Computer graphics cards powered by Nvidia’s chips also depend on the amount of memory semiconductors attached to them. Those memory chips are are made by Samsung and its competitors. — Bloomberg News

Even if the stores don’t materialise on that scale, Amazon will still be far more bricks and mortar than people generally imagine. Amazon has about 120 million square feet of merchandise warehouses and computer data centres around the world — roughly the equivalent of 700 Wal-Mart supercentres

SHIRA OVIDE

I

t seems silly for a company born in cyberspace to risk the mortal combat of physical stores, where profit margins are pitiful and annoyances are high. Yet Amazon.com, the world’s biggest online retailer, has its eye on opening perhaps 300 to 400 physical bookstores, according to the CEO of a big mall owner.

Even if the stores don’t materialise on that scale, Amazon will still be far more bricks and mortar than people generally imagine. Amazon has about 120 million square feet of merchandise warehouses and computer data centres around the world — roughly the equivalent of 700 Wal-Mart supercentres. Amazon is opening company store-plusmailroom centres on college campuses, and it is adding to its network of small warehouses to help with a fledgling service delivering toothpaste and batteries in a couple of hours in some cities.

It’s fair to say few people truly know what Amazon’s goals are with its physical stores. To believe in Amazon is to give it the benefit of the doubt when it pursues projects that seem ill-advised or out of character. Often the odd ideas pan out — as computer services rented

by the hour became the successful Amazon Web Services operation.

Sometimes the fliers Amazon takes crash and burn. See, for example, Amazon’s Fire smartphones.

Seattle headquarters Amazon has been tiptoeing into stores since last fall, when it opened a bookstore a short drive from its Seattle headquarters. In most cases, Amazon doesn’t need a physical showcase for its wares. The company is leaping ahead even as traditional retailers are finding e-commerce is much harder than Amazon made it look.

But as Amazon expands its inhouse electronics line from just its Kindle readers into full-fledged tablets, TV set-top boxes, digital assistants that can order pizza and computers in the kitchen, perhaps the company is finding it needs to show people in person how Amazon hardware works in tandem with its shopping and digital media offerings.

In the Amazon Seattle store, for example, the selection tilts more toward Amazon gadgets than to books.

Bloomberg’s Spencer Soper reported store shoppers can ask Echo — Amazon’s voice-activated speaker — to read aloud the electronic books sold on Amazon. (Don’t worry, moms and dads. Echo’s creepy com-

puter voice won’t displace you from bedtime story duties.)

Physical stores may also be part of Amazon’s solution to its thorniest problem: Merchandise bought online still needs to travel through physical distribution networks. And that is a slog. Small Amazon inventory hubs have been a central plank in Prime Now, the service to deliver some goods to Prime members in one to two hours. If at least some Amazon stores also serve as centralised package pickup centers or warehouses to stow inventory closer to shoppers’ homes, it could ease burdens on Amazon’s overloaded distribution networks.

There are existing models for this approach. Amazon has deals with dozens of places to host Amazon Lockers, which are mini package pickup centers in spots like convenience stores and parking garages.

Amazon will also have this year more than a half dozen physical stores on university campuses, to serve in part as de facto package pickup centers for students who make Amazon purchases. The University of Pennsylvania said it found almost half of all packages in its student mailrooms were Amazon deliveries.

Having more centralised package pickup spots is especially useful

in urban areas where people may not be able to have items delivered while they are away from home.

Existing apparel retailers and big box stores like Best Buy are already making their stores and ecommerce work hand-in-hand by letting people buy online and pick up in stores, or check out items in stores and then order online.

Inevitable comparisons Every time a technology company wades into brick and mortar, inevitable comparisons are made to Apple and its highly successful chain of retail stores, which started opening in 2001. In the 12 months ended in September 2014, Apple sold more than $21 billion worth of merchandise in its retail stores, or 12 percent of the company total sales in that period. Amazon and Apple are different animals, of course, and that makes stores less of an obvious foray for Amazon. Yet Apple stores turned out to be an important place for the curious to try unfamiliar Apple products and new ideas like digital music and smartphones, plus highly visible symbols of Apple’s coolness to build consumer loyalty.

If Amazon can borrow from those goals — plus get help with its physical growing pains — then stores are a flier worth taking. — Bloomberg News

LinkedIn shares decline after sales outlook trails estimates LinkedIn shares posted their biggest ever decline after the professional networking site forecast a year of slower revenue growth amid signs of weakness in sales of advertising and marketing tools. Revenue will be about $820 million in the first quarter, and $3.6 billion to $3.65 billion for 2016, the company said in a statement on Thursday. That missed analysts’ average estimate for $867.1 million and $3.9 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. LinkedIn had 414 million users in the fourth quarter, up from 396 million in the prior period. The shares of Mountain View, California-based LinkedIn fell as much as 43 per cent to $110.01, the biggest decline since the company’s initial public offering in May 2011. Analysts almost across the board either lowered their price targets, their recommendation or both. A few analysts admitted to being wrong about the company’s prospects and strategy. While Chief Executive Officer Jeff Weiner has made investments to diversify the business, like acquiring education website Lynda.com for $1.5 billion last year, it will be a while before those efforts contribute meaningfully to revenue. In the meantime, LinkedIn is facing a slowdown in its marketing- services business, which companies use to find potential customers, show them ads and relevant information and generate sales leads. Sales to recruiters, who use LinkedIn to find candidates for jobs, are also slowing. — Bloomberg News

B6

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

ROUND-UP All-new 2016 Toyota Corolla with MultiDrive 7S launched in Oman

To the many enthusiasts in the automotive industry, the 11th generation of the world famous Toyota Corolla is no less than an icon

MUSCAT: The 2016 Toyota Corolla with MultiDrive 7S Transmission has been launched in Oman. Now Toyota customers will experience what it means to ‘Drive Smooth and Save Smart.

To the many enthusiasts in the automotive industry, the 11th generation of the world famous Toyota Corolla is no less than an icon. Not only does it have a legendary reputation, it offers a truly impressive resale value even after years of use. Corolla enthusiasts have an added sense of excitement to know that the 2016 Toyota Corolla is now available in

Oman with MultiDrive 7S transmission, says a press release.

Toyota, a technology leader in many countries, has innovated the 2016 Corolla to deliver a very smooth, yet powerful driving performance topping it up with class leading fuel efficiency.

“Now there will be more funfilled driving trips and less visits to the gas station, chuckled a proud new owner adding, “It is really a smoother, silkier drive…one that lasts longer, goes farther on the same amount of fuel…yeah…I am living it and loving it!”

The new MultiDrive 7S continuously variable transmission meticulously controls the speed and shifting pattern to realise excellent power train performance while ensuring a powerful and linear acceleration. It also has a 7-Speed sequential shiftmatic mode with manual gear shifting-like characteristics that give the driver complete control when required.

Making a strong design statement with its unique visual signature, the 2016 Corolla MultiDrive 7S signifies Toyota’s brand evolution. The Corolla’s design theme combines clean lines and balanced proportions to give it an immediate visual impact. It tapers at the front and rear of the vehicle to help

emphasise the wheel arches and wheels-to-the-corner stance.

The bars of the grille on the 2016 Corolla extend into the sleek LED-adorned trapezoidal headlamp clusters to give the car a broad, thrusting nose. The flanks sport character lines that emphasise the Corolla’s rear arches and the kicked-up leading edge of the

side glass. At the back, protruding wraparound tail-lamp clusters and a chrome bar contribute to a wedge-like rear three-quarter profile. Adding to the style quotient is a trendy rear spoiler.

The design lends itself to an even more spacious cabin that offers refined comfort and class-leading legroom with abundant storage

space. Also, the interior looks upmarket thanks to the piano-black finish to the infotainment system, a soft-touch dashboard and sophisticated dark grey accents.

Under the bonnet lies a powerful 2.0 litre engine mated with Multi Drive 7S transmission that ensures smooth shifting and high fuel efficiency. Corolla is also available with a 1.6 litre engine.

This particular model comes with all the safety, comfort and convenience specifications that add to customers’ delight — including ABS with EBD and brake assist, airbags, cruise control, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a 6.1” display audio system that can play CDs, DVDs, USB devices and has a bluetooth connection.

In fact, the name ‘Corolla’ represents the peak of Toyota’s renowned quality engineering, design evolution and value-formoney focus. This is unmatched in its class. That said, customers are to be thanked for their faith in Toyota and for making it a best-seller in the region.

Engineered to provide high active and passive safety standards, the Corolla also offers enhanced pedestrian impact protection.

The adoption of numerous en-

ergy absorbing components offer significantly improved pedestrian protection in the event of a frontal impact.

For occupant protection, impact-absorbing structures have been adopted for the interior part of the pillar areas to ensure cabin safety. To help reduce the impact of a collision on occupants, the 2016 Corolla MultiDrive 7S is equipped with SRS airbags for the driver and front passenger.

In addition to the above, the 2016 Corolla also features other class-leading features such as LED projector headlamps with integrated-type daylight running lights, smart entry system with push button start , 3.5’’ TFT multi-information display, retractable outer mirrors with turn signals and chrome garnish, audio + MID controls on steering wheel, cruise control and moonroof, amongst others.

The 2016 Corolla MultiDrive 7S invites you to any Toyota showroom to take a closer look.

In Oman, the nationwide parts and service network of Saud Bahwan Automotive supports Toyota outstanding product quality. No wonder then that today, Toyota is one of the most trusted and well-known brands.

PROMOTION

RECOGNITION

Aftershock offers exciting BankDhofar achieves ISO 27001:2013 re-certification free gifts on every purchase The ISO 27001 re-certification has enabled us to build a successful and best-in-class information security management system, which leads to an increased protection of our customer information. The ISO 27001 certification is a clear indication of the strength of our investments in people, process and technology for enhancing the customer experience by improving the security measures Dr Tariq Taha

Assistant general manager and chief information officer at BankDhofar

MUSCAT: In recognition of its commitment to provide best-inclass banking services through adopting best security practices and employing latest technology in the financial sector, BankDhofar has achieved the revised ISO/IEC 27001:2013 Information Security Re-Certification for its information technology division and information security department.

The ISO 27001 certification assures BankDhofar customers that the confidentiality, integrity and availability of their information is secure in accordance with an internationally recognised standard available from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), says a press release.

Dr Tariq Taha, assistant general manager & chief information officer at BankDhofar, said: “The ISO 27001 re-certification has enabled us to build a successful and best-in-class information security management system, which

leads to an increased protection of our customer information. The ISO 27001 certification is a clear indication of the strength of our investments in people, process and technology for enhancing the customer experience by improving the security measures.”

The bank has been continuously investing in systems and procedures to adhere to best security standards. A successful implementation of the Information Security Management System (ISMS) reduces the IT related operational risks, builds confidence in the stakeholders, demonstrates increased protection of the information and increases trust between the bank and its customers.

The ISO 27001 accreditation is a formal certification proving that BankDhofar fulfils the highest levels of security and has implemented an ISMS on par with global standards. The standard specifies the requirements for im-

plementing, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining and improving a documented ISMS within the context of the organisation’s overall business risks.

Aspiring to be the best bank in the Sultanate of Oman and the wider Gulf area, BankDhofar works constantly to cater for customers’ needs and requirements, setting the standards for the best customer experience within the banking industry in the Sultanate through creative solutions and innovation.

The combination of the thorough vision of BankDhofar’s executive management, the comprehensive operational strategy that revolves around following best international banking practices and providing best customer experience, as well as commitment to community development and contribution to the growth of the national economy, placed BankDhofar on top of the list of best banks in the region.

MUSCAT: Aftershock announced its much awaited promotion ‘Shop and get stunning accessories and clutch bags on every purchase’, to complement the look. This promotion is for a month and ends on February 29, says a press release.

The store offers stunning collection of dresses, accessories and evening bags to today’s fash-

ion conscious women, this promotion is certainly a great opportunity for the buyers to take home exciting accessories and clutch bags home. To take advantage of this offer, ne can visit the Aftershock showroom at the Oman Avenues Mall.

The Aftershock range includes tops starting from OMR16.9 and dresses starting from OMR22.9.

Aftershock London is a British based designer womenswear brand. It offers an array of casual wear, occasion wear as well as stunning accessories within its womenswear range.

It is firmly established in the fashion market as an aspirational brand delivering the concept of ‘affordable glamour’ and ‘affordable luxury’ to its customers.

NEW SERVICE

alizz Islamic bank introduces new 3D Secure service on debit cards MUSCAT: alizz Islamic bank has announced the introduction of digital commerce 3D Secure service for all its debit cards.

The new service allows alizz Islamic bank customers to shop online securely with their debit cards on any merchant websites that subscribe to the services of ‘MasterCard Secure Code’, says a press release.

3D Secure Service confirms the identity of the customer through a simple check-in process as it provides a password to protect the online transactions, just like using a PIN at an ATM. This password protection system provides extra security on transactions that are processed online.

Commenting on the service, Sadiq Al Lawati, head of eChannels at alizz Islamic bank said: “After launching 3D Secure for our credit cards we have now extended this service to our debit cards. This is the most advanced fraud prevention system that is available at the moment and with this internationally recognised security standard, we further enhance the security of Internet payments by significantly reducing the risks of digital fraud.”

Registration to this service is available when the card holder is processing a transaction online.

3D Secure Service confirms the identity of the customer through a simple check-in process as it provides a password to protect the online transactions, just like using a PIN at an ATM After entering the card details on the merchant page, the card holder will be redirected to the alizz connect page where they can provide their information to create a

User ID and password.

If the user has forgotten their password, they can use the forget password link available on the page to reset the password.

In the circumstance of the account being blocked due to entering incorrect details the customers can call the alizz Islamic bank call centre on 80072265 to unblock the account. alizz Islamic bank continues to enhance its eBanking portfolio by providing customers with the ease of having their banking needs just a click away in a safe and secure environment. This approach is part of the bank’s belief of putting customers’ needs first and their service foremost with the most innovative and convenient Sharia compliant products and services.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

B7

ROUND-UP

Al Suwadi supports local schools Representatives from ASPC went to schools in Barka to distribute smart electronic boards and projectors

MUSCAT: Al Suwadi Power Company (ASPC), which owns and operates the 744MW power generation plant in Barka, worked with the local schools in their community recently to help them set up interactive classrooms and gifted smart electronic boards and projectors, says a press release.

Representatives from ASPC went to Abd Bin Al Julanda Basic Education School in Barka to

distribute four smart electronic boards. The school had organised a small function where the gifts were received by Ali Al Jabry, the assistant principal. This was followed by a demonstration session for the teaching faculty by Yasser Talib Al Balushi, the mathematics teacher. The highly-versatile and advanced boards will help students enjoy the learning process as it allows for a more graphical

presentation of the curriculum. It enables teachers to impart knowledge in a more scientific, communicative and collaborating manner.

Al Suwadi also gifted five projectors for the classrooms of Al Amal Education School at Barka. The projectors would assist the teachers in displaying information and educational material in a way that catches the attention of the young mind. The gifts were received on

RECRUIT QUOTES I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.

— Michael Jordan First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, an objective.

Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. Third, adjust all your means to that end.

— Aristotle If you have made mistakes, even serious ones, there is always another chance for you.

What we call failure is not the falling down, but the staying down.

—Mary Pickford What you have to do and the way you have to do it is incredibly simple. Whether you are willing to do it, that’s another matter.

— Peter F. Drucker

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

SEND US YOUR VIEWS AND COMMENTS

www.facebook.com/timesofoman

behalf of the school by A’mal Al Mawali, assistant principal of Al Amal Education School who expressed her thanks and praised the company for its support.

“At ASPC, we are committed to working closely and support the needs of our community as part of corporate social responsibility. It is important that education is imparted in a more interactive manner to today’s tech-savvy children.

Our effort is a step in that direction. We want our future leaders to benefit from the best that the technology has to offer,” said Navneet Kasbekar, chief executive officer of Al Suwadi Power Company.

Al Suwadi sells electrical power to Oman Power and Water Procurement Company under a 15-year power purchase agreement and practices good corporate governance.

B8

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

ROUND-UP

Love us on Facebook

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Lulu opens new outlet in Suwaiq

EXPANSION: The 16th Lulu hypermarket in Oman was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Muhanna bin Saif bin Salim Al Lamki, governor of North Al Batinah, in the presence of several high-ranking officials from various government departments and representatives from local business communities. – Jun Estrada/TIMES OF OMAN

The new 100,000-sqft Lulu hypermarket will serve the residents of Suwaiq and its surrounding areas with a wide range of products from all over the world

MUSCAT: Middle East retail major Lulu Group has further expanded its presence in the Sultanate of Oman by opening its latest hypermarket in Suwaiq, a coastal town in the north east of the country.

The 16th Lulu hypermarket in Oman was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Muhanna bin Saif bin Salim Al Lamki, governor of North Al Batinah in the presence of several high-ranking officials from various government departments and representatives from local business communities, says a press release.

The new 100,000-sq-ft Lulu hypermarket will serve the residents of Suwaiq and its surrounding ar-

eas with a wide range of products from all over the world. The hypermarket has separate sections for fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and poultry, dairy products, readyto-eat products and a state-of-theart live bakery and hot foods kitchen and a huge area dedicated to department store which includes garment, electronics, IT products, home appliances etc. The product mix in Lulu Suwaiq encompasses a wide selection of premium UK and US goods, including special products air-flown for freshness.

The new hypermarket will have lots of inaugural offers and deals in almost all categories.

Speaking after the inauguration,

Yusuff Ali M. A., chairman of Lulu, said: “Oman has always been a preferred destination for us because of its stable political environment and promising market. We thank His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the people of this country for encouraging us in all our expansion strategies and efforts in Oman. The group will open seven more hypermarkets in various regions of the country in the next two years,” added Yusuff Ali. Nurturing local talent On providing training and employment opportunity to the educated Omani youth, he said: “It is also our endeavour to nurture the local tal-

I N N O VAT I V E T E C H N O L O G I E S

is not going to distract us from the long-term goals of our business in Oman. Despite the signs of fiscal caution, there is no need for residents to press the panic button. The government has initiated comprehensive measures and substantial strategies to tide over the crisis and create a positive impact on the lives of citizens. This is definitely a clear sign that the economy is on track to overcome the challenges and achieve its objectives successfully.”

Other important attendees at the inauguration were Saifee Rupawala, CEO of Lulu Group, Ashraf Ali M. A., executive director, Ananth A. V., Oman Regional Director, and other top officials.

SEASON OF LOVE

Oman Packaging and Material Handling Exhibition opens today MUSCAT: Innovative products and technologies for the packaging and material handling industry will be on display at Opmex 2016 which will open today.

The event, which is organised

by OITE Trade Fairs, is supported by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estate and will showcase solutions of 50 international brands exhibiting from eight countries. Coincided with the exhibition, an executive conference will gather renowned decision makers and thought-leaders, to present and discuss emerging topics in the packaging and material handling, to help industries and trade prosper and develop in Oman, says a press release.

The exhibition links two essential processes in marketing products: Branding and Distribution.

Packaging as it serves two functions, the first to brand a product in a way to appeal to buyers, the other function is to protect the product during shipment from the manufacturer to the store selling it. Packaging is also a function of protection as the product sits on store shelves waiting for consumers to come along and purchase it. Omani companies exhibiting

ent and a proof of this is our strong Omani work force of 2,000 strong that form the nucleus of our operations here in Oman. Our aim in the wake of the aggressive expansion plans is to provide employment to more Omani nationals by the end of 2017,” said Yusuff Ali. Currently Lulu provides best quality training to absorb them in various managerial and specialised sections to Omanis,” he added.

Regardless of the challenges arising from the volatile oil prices, Yusuff Ali expressed optimism on the economic outlook of the country. “We’re very optimistic based on the circumstances in general.

The impact of fluctuating oil prices

packaging related products and technologies at Opmex include Sohar Paper Cores, Industrial Packing International, Technovaa.

While, Season International Trading & Industries, Kimoha, Al Thika Packaging, Wellbound, ÜnlüAlmaliMakina Ltd, Pietribiasi, MelegariManghiSrl, SIAD MacchineImpianti and ACCIAI MELLA are exhibiting from India, Turkey, Italy, Bahrain and UAE. Leading packaging companies showcasing their products and services are: Al Thika Packaging, Industrial Packing International, Season International Trading & Industries Co. (SITCO), Kimoha, Technovaa, Welbound, ÜnlüAlmaliMakina Ltd, Pietribiasi, MelegariManghiSrl, SIAD MacchineImpianti, Sohar Paper Cores and Acciai Mella.

On the other flip, material handling will encompass warehousing and logistic services and equipment as well as processing technologies for fast moving consumer goods (FMCG). Companies such as Khimji Ramdas, Saeed Bin Nasser Al Hashar, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, Oasis Trading & Equipment, Arabian Car

Marketing and Mohsin Haider Darwish are leading companies in Oman who will be exhibiting at Opmex 2016.

Leading material handling and logistics companies showcasing their products and services are Technical Supplies & Services Co., Regionality DMCC, TVH, JASPA, Saeed Bin Nasser Al Hashar, Business International Group, Khimji’s Storage Solutions, Al Jenaibi International Automobiles, International Equipment & Contracting Company (IECC), Suhail Bahwan Automobiles (SBA) and Saud Bahwan Group.

Toyota forklifts from Toyota Industrial Equipment, the world’s leading brand of material handling equipment with over 2.5 million units sold in over 200 countries. The all new 8FB series in electric powered forklifts with more advanced features is latest feather in the cap.

Thermo-King’s transport refrigeration range sets new industry standards for reliability, performance and efficiency. The new TSeries and the CE/V series ranges have been specially developed to exceed customers’ expectations in truck refrigeration.

P R E S E R V I N G L O C A L C U LT U R E

JLG, another word class brand from USA is a leading manufacturer of access platforms in the world.

With state-of-the-art engineering and versatility in design, the company is dedicated to meet the challenging and increasing demand of reaching heights safely, effectively and quickly.

Worldwide, Palfinger stands for the most innovative, reliable and cost-effective lifting solutions for use on commercial vehicles and in the maritime field. The core product is the Loader Crane.

In Oman, Toyota, Thermoking, Palfinger and JLG access platforms are backed by unmatched nationwide service and parts network of Saud Bahwan Group.

Business grows by increasing products outreach to regional and global customers, and creating new markets depends heavily on how products are packaged, handled and delivered to these customers. It is a very critical process that cannot be fragmented, and it’s an innovation domain that prospers to ease its complications for manufacturers, marketing and operation managers to achieve their objective of sustainable business growth.

Big Valentine’s Day celebration planned at InterContinental MUSCAT: Valentine’s Day is here again and love is on the menu at InterContinental Muscat. Enjoy the most romantic celebration of the year with memorable dining experiences, says a press release.

Latino beats Trader Vic’s celebrates Valentine’s Day in style paired with Latino beats from ‘Ire Band’ promising you an unforgettable night.

Enjoy a four course dinner with a choice of Lobster mango-avocado salad with Tahitian sauce or teriyaki chicken in crispy California maki roll as a starter, raspberry sorbet, mixed seafood bouillabaisse with stuffed mushroom risotto rice or honey pepper sesame beef stir fry on a bed of crispy noodle as the main course, and to finish it off with Rose scented panna cotta with mixed berries compote, inclusive lover’s cocktail for two.

Musandam Café and Terrace Restaurant will make the night truly magical — enjoy the sumptuous Valentine seafood dinner including a complimentary selected beverage in the invit-

ing indoor dining space or the wide-open outdoor along with live piano music.

Al Ghazal offers a three course dinner for two with complimentary selected beverage. Dance the night away to the sound of DJ Junior.

Italian dinner Or relax in Tomato Restaurant with two romantic venue options — be it in the restaurant or pool island with beautiful romantic views of our gardens and let Chef Marco spoil you with his tantalising mouthwatering Italian dinner set menu, Scallop bruschetta with basil and ginger, Pan-fried red snapper with cauliflowersaffron puree and sweet and sour caponata, duo of prawn and beef served with purple potato, zucchini spaghetti and truffle sauce, chocolate heart and berries with strawberry coulis including complimentary selected beverage.

Don’t forget to order famous Valentine’s cake at the Majlis Al Shams for your loved one.

The InterContinental Muscat also offers Valentine’s Day room package.

AFFORDABLE LUXURY

Meethaq extends support to traditional shooting contest

Charm your loved ones with Liali’s Valentine’s Day ideas MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, extended support to the annual traditional shooting competitions which concluded in the wilayat of Saham under the auspices of Sheikh Muhanna bin Saif Al Lamki, governor of North Batinah.

Shooting enthusiasts from different governorates participated in the popular contest, says a press release.

The support to the event comes within the bank’s strategy to pro-

mote and preserve the country’s traditions, heritage and culture. As the nation’s leading Islamic financial institution, Meethaq seeks to utilise opportunities in reaching out to people and familiarising them with the country’s heritage and traditions. In recognition of the support to the event, the bank was honoured in the concluding ceremony of the competition.

Sultan Al Maamari, Meethaq Branch manager in Saham, received the memento from the guest of honour on the occasion.

Aimed at supporting activities linked to the country’s traditions, heritage and culture, Meethaq remains committed to shouldering its developmental and social responsibilities within the framework of cooperation and support to all segments of society.

The bank seeks to set an example in extending support to showcase Oman’s heritage and culture as part of activities to develop the country as a favourite destination and thereby promote its tourism potential.

MUSCAT: Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love and bonding that you share not only with your partner but also your family and friends.

Make your loved ones feel special with Liali’s beautiful gift ideas that complement every relationship. Affordable luxury to suit every budget, Liali’s Valentine special designs are here to leave a lasting impression.

So, whether you fancy diamonds, gold or coloured stones for your gift of love, Liali’s Valentine’s collection is your personal expression for your special someone, says a press release.

Complete with hearts, diamonds and superior craftsmanship, the new range boasts of scintillating diamonds strewn together in strings of designer excellence to form pendants, bracelets, bangles and rings. Whether it’s the Love Bands a set of two rings that can be worn together starting at OMR540, or the intricate pave settings of the Midnight Rose Collection starting at OMR726, each design in the Valentine collection is poised brilliant to carry off an ethnic, western or even a cocktail soiree with equal élan and is sure to last long after the flowers and chocolates are gone.

Gold symbolises everlasting love, so move over handbags and perfumes and shower your loved one with a valuable investment in precious gold. For the romantic at heart and gesture, Liali offers adorable ‘heart’ pendants starting at OMR70.

The celebration of Valentine’s Day is incomplete without flowers and chocolates. Liali celebrates the day of love by offering its customers a delicious box of chocolates on a purchase of over OMR100 and will arrange to send a gorgeous bouquet of red roses to your beloved on the purchase of over OMR500.

C

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

SECTION

YASIR SHAH BANNED FOR THREE MONTHS FOR DOPING OFFENCE

SPOR YOUR GAME

>C3

INSIDE LIFESTYLE

THE ITALIAN BEAUTY >C5

S

G R A N D C E L E B R AT I O N S

Stage set for warm send-off to Oman national team and inauguration of cricket infrastructure Sports Reporter

Working hard to get back to rhythm: Jatinder ‘Jatti’ to friends and teammates, ‘Mr. Consistent’ to the media and for some ‘Oman’s Kohli’, Jatinder Singh has come a long way since the days of being a promising school cricketer

T.K. MOHANDOSS sportseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: He might have struggled a bit since that exhilarating performance in Ireland and Scotland in the successful ICC World T20 Qualifier campaign.

But this young man is highly ambitious and determined to take a large chunk of responsibility in Oman’s campaign in the Asia Cup qualifying campaign this month and also next month’s all-important World T20.

‘Jatti’ to friends and teammates, ‘Mr. Consistent’ to the media and for some ‘Oman’s Kohli’, Jatinder Singh has come a long way since the days of being a school cricketer.

Now considered the backbone of Oman national team, Jatinder has proved time and again that he can hold the innings together with confidence and perseverance.

In Ireland and Scotland with former England star Derek Pringle as a technical advisor, who gave insight into local conditions, Jatinder along with Zeeshan Maqsood and Zeeshan Siddique had stood tall in their ambitious quest.

If Jatinder was consistent throughout, the two Zeeshan’s had proved their prowess to steer Oman to victory on many occasions. To be precise Zeeshan Siddique was the crucial man in making Oman realise their dreams with a match-winning performance against Namibia.

No wonder many call him ‘Man Namibia’ now.

However, Jatinder stood out amongst all after aggregating 213 runs in seven matches and also getting a mention worldwide.

The Indian School Muscat’s Alumni also mentioned that he rated his 65 (off 56 balls) in Oman’s famous victory over The Netherlands at the Qualifier as the best.

However, in recent tours to the UAE and Rajkot, Jatinder did not do much to get noticed as during the Qualifier.

Speaking to Times Sport,

Jatinder said that there was indeed a dip in form and is working hard to improve.

“Well, I am working hard to maintain my form,” he said, adding: “I did miss few good knocks in the UAE and Rajkot, but I am pretty confident and will capitalise in the T20 Asia Cup and T20 World Cup qualifiers.”

Jatinder understands his importance in the middle overs and said he will deliver his best once again. “Preparations are going pretty well. Everybody is working really hard and putting in tremendous efforts on the field. As we are going for the tournament quite early, this will benefit us a lot,” Jatinder, who credited the conditioning camps at Cork County Club in Ireland well ahead of the Qualifier for the team’s success, said.

Jatinder said that he has a positive mindset. “At this moment I am staying positive, mentally strong, keeping cool and working hard in the nets and I will definitely make an impact.”

That comment reflected on Jatinder’s determined attitude and he has one chance to prove himself before his passionate fans when the national team takes on the visiting MCC on Monday evening, which incidentally will be part of the warm send-off for Oman national cricketers. On Sunday playing for Muscat CT he was out cheaply.

On behalf of the team, Jatinder remarked, “Team is pretty confident, everybody is charged up in the camp. There are positive vibes. Everybody is looking fitter and better. We are confident of doing well.”

This time around Jatinder also has senior campaigner Adnan Ilyas, who missed out on qualifiers, on his side and it is strongly believed that the duo can do wonders for the team.

Going into Asia Cup and World T20, Jatinder is once again on a dream sojourn hoping that he can make a long lasting impression.

Who knows a terrific show can also open doors to bigger leagues of world cricket.

MUSCAT: Stage is set for a glittering send-off for the Oman national cricketers as Oman Cricket has arranged plethora of activities at the Ministry of Sports Affairs ground in Al Amerat.

The colourful setting at Al Amerat ground will be graced by the presence of Minister of Sports Affairs Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed Al Mardhouf Al Saadi and Oman Cricket Patron-in-Chief His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.

Adding spice to the evening will be a T20 warm-up game for the India-bound national team against strong-looking Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), who are enjoying a successful tour. However, MCC lost to Muscat CT on Sunday, thanks to Sudeep Chawla’s ton.

The evening will also witness the official unveiling of the new cricket infrastructure at Al Amerat. Sayyid Haitham and Sheikh Saad Al Saadi will officially open the floodlight facilities at the venue and mark a new beginning for Oman Cricket.

Also to be present will be the Wali

Oman Cricket Patron-in-Chief Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said and Minister of Sports Affairs Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed Al Mardhouf Al Saadi will officially unveil the floodlit facilities at the Al Amerat cricket ground and also present official jerseys and kits to national team

of Al Amerat and other top dignitaries. Speaking to media the other day, Oman Cricket’s Pankaj Khimji had said that ten wickets at the first ground are already put to use and the second ground too has an additional 10 pitches.

Games of the second ground are likely to begin soon. Practice facilities with 12 more pitches are also being set up. After the official unveiling of the facilities, the national cricketers will be provided with official jerseys and kits for their ambitious tour.

BDM is sponsoring the kits for

the team and Samsonite (Khimji) is providing the players with special baggage. Ketan Mehta (Synergy) has designed the jersey and logo for the player kits.

Ready for the show Speaking to Times Sport Oman Cricket General Secretary Madhu Jesrani said: “Everything is in place for tomorrow’s (Monday) event and we are ready.”

Madhu Jesrani said that it will be high profile event with leading dignitaries taking part and a great cricket match to follow. “Royal Oman Po-

lice will be in hand to help visiting spectators. We are hoping for a large turnout (more than 5000 cricket enthusiasts) and special parking arrangements have been made close to the ground,” said Madhu.

“Seating arrangements have been made for special guests and the others can opt for the hill slopes all along the ground to make themselves comfortable,” he added.

“Special refreshments stalls will be put at the venue and a DJ has been arrange to belt out music and keep the spectators entertained throughout the evening,” he said.

Madhu also said that there could be representation from International Cricket Council as well.

Meanwhile, former India women’s cricket team captain Anjum Chopra will also be present.

“I thank MCC for visiting Oman at the appropriate time and provide the national cricketers with muchneeded match practice,” he said.

“The inauguration of floodlights will begin at 6 pm followed by unveiling of team jersey and the Asia Cup, World T20 plans. The match will begin at 7 p.m.” Madhu said.

C2

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

SPORTS

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

Kiwis need power hitters to step up in final ODI against Australia New Zealand’s top

Santner a doubt as Sodhi brought in

order of Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum and Kane Williamson have put down foundations, though they have also been guilty of getting out at times when they should have consolidated

WELLINGTON: New Zealand need more runs from the middle order and must build on partnerships when they get started to boost their chances of beating Australia in the final one-day match in Hamilton on Monday.

Australia levelled the threematch series on Saturday with a four-wicket victory in Wellington, where Mitchell Marsh and John Hastings put on an unbroken seventh-wicket partnership of 86 that saw them home after some nervous moments following a midorder collapse.

Despite New Zealand taking four top-order wickets for 22 runs, and two in the middle order for six, their 281 was not enough of a tar-

NOT FIT: Mitchell Santner complained of a sore right foot and is likely to miss the final ODI.

WELLINGTON: New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell Santner is in doubt for the final One-day International against Australia in Hamilton on Monday after complaining of a sore right foot following the second game in Wellington.

The 24-year-old Santner was New Zealand’s best player in Australia’s four-wicket victory, that levelled the threematch series, scoring 45 not

get to defend after a century opening stand from David Warner and Usman Khawaja.

New Zealand’s top order of Martin Guptill, Brendon McCullum

out and marshalling his side to 281-9 and then taking 3-47 with his left-arm spin.

Leg spinner Ish Sodhi has been brought into the squad as precautionary cover, should Santner not be fit enough to play at his home ground at Seddon Park.

A decision on Santner’s fitness would be made just before the match, New Zealand Cricket said in a statement on

and Kane Williamson have put down foundations, though they have also been guilty of getting out at times when they should have consolidated, while Henry Nichol-

Sunday.

Santner, who only made his international debut last year, is quickly impressing as an automatic selection in all formats of the game with his fluid batting and handy left-arm spin.

He has scored 35 and 45 in the two matches of the series, without being dismissed, and guided the tailenders through to the end of New Zealand innings in both matches. - Reuters

ls scored a composed 61 in the first game at Eden Park.

However, the engine room of the lower-middle order, where the team’s power hitters are, have not

produced the volume of runs expected of them.

Grant Elliott (21 and 32), Corey Anderson (10, 16) and Luke Ronchi (16, 19) have all failed to kick on at a time when the team were seeking attacking momentum in the final 15 overs.

In the first match at Eden Park, Ronchi was the last of the trio dismissed in the 45th over. In Wellington, all three were back in the pavilion by the 41st. All had spent time establishing themselves before falling.

That has left the bowlers and the improving Mitchell Santner to close out their innings. The rookie all-rounder has demonstrated how comfortable he is in international cricket despite only making his debut last June.

Santner, who turned 24 on Friday, has innings of 35 not out and 45 not out, and combined with the fast bowlers to add 44 runs in 32 balls in Auckland and 76 runs in 58 balls in Wellington.

While New Zealand scored 307 in the first game, which they won by 159 runs after Australia slumped to 41-6 in nine overs, the score on Saturday was barely competitive, despite Santner suggesting it might have been enough.

“In our innings we lost wickets at key times when we were trying to build partnerships but we did all right to get to 280 which was reasonably competitive,” he told reporters.

“We were in a pretty good spot when they were six down ... and knew if we got one more we were right in it. Fair play to Mitch and John, that was a serious partnership.” - Reuters

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

ODI

Australia’s Richardson returning home, Paris joins team WELLINGTON: Australia pace bowler Kane Richardson is to return home for further examination on a back injury and has been replaced by Joel Paris in the squad for their final oneday match against New Zealand in Hamilton on Monday.

Richardson, 24, did not play in Australia’s four-wicket victory in the second match in Wellington on Saturday. “Kane Richardson’s back pain hasn’t subsided sufficiently to take part in the final ODI in Hamilton,” a Cricket Australia spokesperson told Australian reporters in Wellington on Sunday.

Paris has just finished playing a Sheffield Shield match for Western Australia against New South Wales in New Zealand.

Richardson joins a long list of injured Australian pace bowlers with Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins both long-term injury concerns. Nathan Coulter-Nile is also sidelined, though James Pattinson, who has been complaining of shin soreness, has joined up with the Test squad.

Aaron Finch and all-rounder James Faulkner are suffering from hamstring injuries. - Reuters CRICKET

BCCI to convene SGM before responding to top court MUMBAI: Cornered by the Supreme Court’s latest missive to “fall in line” with the recommendations of the Justice R M Lodha Committee, the BCCI on Sunday decided to convene a Special General Meeting before responding to the apex court.

BCCI President Shashank Manohar, himself a lawyer by profession, attended the meeting of its legal panel here comprising P S Raman (Tamil Nadu, chairman), D V S S Somayajulu (Andhra) and Abhay Apte (Maharashtra), along with treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary.

It is learnt, that in the meeting, it was decided that an SGM would be convened at the earliest to get the views of the BCCI’s various affiliates before it responds to the Supreme Court on the issue.

As per the BCCI’s Memorandum of Rules and Regulations 21 days’ notice has to be given to convene an SGM, but the President has the discretionary powers to direct the secretary to convene an SGM “at shorter notice in which case as a notice of at least 10 days shall be given.” - PTI

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

C3

SPORTS WARM WELCOME FOR OMAN WOMEN’S ENDURANCE TEAM Oman national women’s team who won the bronze medal at the first GCC Endurance Championship for Women in Doha returned home to a warm welcome. The team, comprising Tamadhur Al Balushi, Shams Al Mudhafar, Dhuha Al Mudhafar, Aida Al Saleemi, Ghanima Al Shekaili, Turkia Al Balushi, Mazyoona Al Ghabshi, Salsabeel Al Mudhafar and Su’ad Al Faraji, received at the Muscat International Airport by Oman Equestrian Federation officials Dr. Juma bin Rashid Al Mashaikhi and Ahmed bin Saif Al Abri. — ONA

LA LIGA

Barca regain three-point lead with win at Levante

Oliver, Asta win at Festival Triathlon turned ‘Duathlon’ Owing to the high tides, Oman Triathlon Team were forced to turn the Triathlon into a ‘Duathlon’ by cancelling the swim section

Sports Reporter MUSCAT: High seas and low, read lack of, support had impacted the Muscat Festival Triathlon but a determined Oman Triathlon Team and equally enthusiastic triathlon enthusiasts made the annual event a grand success on a

‘windy and cool’ Friday.

Owing to the high tides, the Oman Triathlon Team, who were already affected by the Festival organisers’ reluctance to support the event, were forced to turn the Triathlon into a ‘Duathlon’ by cancelling the swim section while including an additional sprint session to the programme.

The changed format saw the participants in the Olympic category start with a 10km run and then taking part in the 40km bike before concluding with a 5km run.

In Sprint category, it was 5km run and 22km bike followed by 2.5km run. In the Olympic category Oliver Boast took the top honours

in the men’s section followed by Suleiman Al Alawi and Karl Street in that order. Asta Parker emerged the women’s winner while Jolanda van Schaijk and Patricia finished second and third respectively.

Gibbs, Hart shine David Gibbs won the men’s event in the Sprint category while Ahmed Al Falahi and Bert Michels settled for second and third places respectively. Sally Hart won the women’s title ahead of Ania James.

Oman Triathlon Team thanked all the participants for making the event a great success while making a special mention of contribution made by the individuals, mar-

CRICKET

Yasir Shah banned for three months for doping offence DUBAI: Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah has been given a threemonth ban after pleading guilty to an inadvertent doping offence, the International Cricket Council said on Sunday.

The 29-year-old’s urine sample, provided in an in-competition test conducted on November 13, was found to contain the presence of chlortalidone and he was subsequently provisionally suspended in December.

Chlortalidone is a diuretic drug which features in the World AntiDoping Agency’s (WADA) list of prohibited substances. Shah pleaded guilty to the charge and said he had mistakenly taken his wife’s blood pressure medication which contained the banned substance.

“While making the decision, the ICC accepted that Shah had inadvertently ingested the ‘specified substance’ for therapeutic reasons, specifically to treat his blood pressure,” the ICC said in a statement. “He was able to sat-

Yasir Shah.

isfy the ICC through evidence and submissions prepared on his behalf by the Pakistan Cricket Board that he had no intention to enhance his sporting performance or to mask the use of another performance enhancing substance.”

Shah’s sample was taken in Abu Dhabi which hosted the second match of Pakistan’s one-day series against England and the ban will rule him out of the World Twenty20 in India, starting from March 8.

A wily leg-spinner who has

bagged 76 wickets in 12 tests, Shah has also played 15 onedayers and can return to playing cricket again on March 27.

Shah said his case should be a reminder for all cricketers that they have to take responsibility and be extra cautious towards what goes into their body.

“I assure all fans and followers of the Pakistan cricket team that I have never taken a performance enhancing substance nor have I ever had the intent of masking any such substance,” he said.

“I have always been careful to check my medication with doctors and medical support staff to ensure it does not contain any substance on the prohibited list.

“However, I acknowledge that I should have taken extra precautions to ensure that my blood pressure medication was stored separately from my wife’s medication so that there was no possibility of my wife’s medication being mistaken for my own.” - Reuters

shals and the timekeepers.

“The event changed from Triathlon to a Duathlon as the sea was not happy! Sorry to those who spent hours in swim training but many events are coming don’t worry!,” said Oman Triathlon Team member Suleiman Al Alawi. “Also, sorry for no prizes. We were happy to have the Triathlon as part of the Muscat Festival. But we got nothing from the Festival.”

Results: Olympic category: Men: 1 Oliver Boast, 2 Suleiman Al Alawi, 3. Karl Street. Women: 1 Asta Parker, 2 Jolanda van Schaijk, 3 Patricia.

Sprint category: Men: 1 David Gibbs, 2 Ahmed Al Falahi, 3 Bert Michels. Women: 1 Sally Hart, 2 Ania James.

MADRID: Barcelona cruised to a 2-0 win at Levante with Luis Suarez scoring his 36th goal of the season on Sunday to regain their three-point lead over Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Bottom team Levante might have snatched at least a deserved point with better finishing against Barca, in lackadaisical mood after their 7-0 demolition of Valencia in the King’s Cup on Wednesday. Levante central defender David Navarro gave Barca a fortunate lead in the 21st minute when he turned an Andres Iniesta cross meant for Lionel Messi into his own net.

The visitors had to wait until the second minute of added time to make the result safe when Suarez finished off a fast counter-attack with his 20th Liga goal as Levante tried to snatch an equaliser and were caught off guard.

Barcelona, with a game in hand, have 54 points to Atletico’s 51 after a 3-1 win over Eibar on Saturday.

Real Madrid are third with 47.

Barca might have been a goal up after two minutes when Messi had the ball in the net from Iniesta’s pass into the box but it was overruled for offside — a harsh decision as television replays showed. - Reuters

ISC TENNIS

Ayaan, Shlok, Hassan win MUSCAT: Ayaan Malhotra, Shlok Ail and Hassan Haider advanced to the second round of the boys under-18 singles at the ISC/Muscat Pharmacy Open Junior Tennis Tournament. Ayaan Malhotra won his first round match of the boys U-18 singles bating Eyad Al Khanjari 8-5.

In other first round matches of the under-18, Schlok Ail defeated Gareth Maclure 8-4. Hassan Haid-

er overcame Sultan Suhail Musa with an 8-4 verdict. The Maclure siblings enjoyed mixed fortunes.

Ethan won his first round of the U-18 singles with a 8-1 victory over Aanvik Singh and saved the blues for the Maclures before Gareth went down in his match.

Meanwhile, the organisers issued a correction stating Praneeth Raj defeated Ali Al Busaidi 8-2 and not as reported earlier.

C4

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

SPORTS SWIMMING

COACH LOPEZ CARO BEGINS TRAINING OMAN NATIONAL SQUAD

Oman national football team’s newly appointed Spanish coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro started his first training camp with the team at the Seeb Sports Stadium on Saturday. The former Real Madrid and Saudi Arabia coach, on a one-year contract with the Oman Football Association (OFA), will be preparing the Sultanate’s squad for their remaining two World Cup/Asian Cup joint qualifiers. In the Group D qualifiers of the 2018 World Cup/2019 Asian Cup, Oman have 11 points against group toppers Iran’s 14. Oman need to win both their remaining matches to clinch the direct berth into the next round of the World Cup qualifiers — first against Guam at home at March 24 and an away outing against Iran on March 29. — ISMAIL AL FARSI/Times of Oman

SCAN THIS FOR

MORE PHOTOS

Oman swimmers bag 16 medals at GCC championships MUSCAT: Omani athletes bagged a three medals, two gold and one bronze, to conclude their participation in the 13th GCC Short Course Swimming Championships in the Qatari capital of Doha with a total of 16 medals.

Oman’s final tally of medals included ten gold, five silver and one bronze. Oman Swimming Association chief Taha bin Sulaiman

Al Kishri, who is also the chairman of the championships Organising Committee and chairman of both the Arab swimming federation, attended the closing ceremony along with Khalil Al Jabir, chairman of Qatar Swimming Association, and Faisal Sowar, Secretary of Bahrain Swimming Association and presented the championship trophy eventual winners Qatar. - ONA

CRICKET

Landscape Architecture win

OC’s Level 0 umpires course Landscape MUSCAT: Oman Cricket will conduct a Level 0 course for cricket umpires from February 20 to 25 as part of its development programme. The course, based on the MCC Laws of Cricket, will be conducted by A. R. Srinivasan, an experienced umpire who had officiated in over 50 matches in ICC and ACC conducted tournaments.

The course will take place at Al Falaj Hotel starting on February

20 from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm followed by classes from February 21 to 25 (from 7.00 pm to 9.45 pm).

Interested candidates may register their names with Oman Cricket on or before the February 17 along with passport and national ID Resident Permit copies, two passport size photographs and course fee of OMR. 25. For further details contact Iqbal Ariwala or Ajith D’Costa (24787085/2478087).

Architecture scored 185 for three in 20 overs. In reply, Al Maddah were bowled

D DIVISION: Professional Trading. – Supplied photos

GME STARS: From left, Sajeev, Amal Raj, Shafeek.

F DIVISION: Oasis Water celebrate their victory.

F DIVISION: Bahihi players pose for a group photo.

out for 102 in 15 overs

MUSCAT: Landscape Architecture eased to an 83-run victory over Al Maddah in an Enhancesponsored D Division cricket match at the Municipality Ground II on Friday.

Batting first, Landscape Architecture scored 185 for the loss of three wickets in 20 overs. Prasad Peruli top scored with an unbeaten 88. In reply, Al Maddah were bowled out for 102 in 15 overs.

Mohammed Ithesham claimed four wickets for Landscape.

Brief scores: Landscape Architecture 185 for 3 in 20 overs (Prasad Peruli 88 n.o.) bt Al Maddah 102 in 15 overs (Nikhil 33; Mohammed Ithesham 4/14).

Points: Landscape Architecture – 3, Al Maddah - 0.

Professional Trading win In another Enhance-sponsored D Division match, Professional Trading defeated Carillion Alawi by nine runs. Batting first, Professional Trading managed to score 170 for six in 20 overs. In reply, Carillion Alawi scored 161 for nine in 20 overs.

Brief scores: Professional Trading 170 for 6 in 20 overs (Rasik E.P. 46 n.o,; Issam Othman 2/26) bt Carillion Alawi 161 for 9 in 20 overs (Yusuf Zoher 59; Sujash K.R. 3/30). Points: Professional Trading – 2, Carilion Alawi- 0.

Majees A down Falcons In an E Division match, Majees

A recorded a 15-run win over Enhance Falcons. Batting first, Majees A scored 178 for eight in 20 overs. In reply, Enhance Falcons were restricted to 163 in 18.4 overs.

Brief scores: Majees A 178 for 8 in 20 overs (Adnan Mehboob 46; Santosh Kumar 4/27) bt Enhance Falcons 163 in 18.4 overs (Sparsh Agarwal 41; Adnan Mehboob 3/39). Points: Majees A – 2, Enhance Falcons - 0.

Easy for GME In another E Division match, Global Money Exchange (GME) defeated Ibrahim Kishri by 63 runs. Batting first, GME scored 221 for seven in 20 overs. In reply, Ibrahim Kishri were bowled out for 158 in 16.3 overs.

Brief scores: Global Money Exchange 221 for 7 in 20 overs (Amal Raj 58, Sajeev S 57; Mohammed Wasim 3/20) bt Ibrahim Kishri 158 in 16.3 overs (Afzal Mirza 57; Anurag P. 2/28).

Points: Global Money Exchange – 3, Ibrahim Kishri - 0.

Bahihi win against MCCC In an F Division match, Bahihi defeated Muscat Cricket Coaching

Centre (MCCC) by three wickets.

Batting first, MCCC scored 123 for nine 20 overs. In reply, Bahihi scored 125 for four in 13.3 overs.

Brief scores: MCCC 123 for 9 in 20 overs (Bhavesh Mehta 51) lost to Bahihi 125 for four in 13.3 overs (Murad Khan 41 n.o., Rahul Ramachandran 41 n.o).

Points: Bahihi – 3, MCCC - 0.

Oasis Water beat OUA Travel In another F Division match, Oasis Water defeated OUA Travel by 20 runs. Batting first, Oasis Water scored 168 for six in 20 overs. In reply, OUA Travel were bowled out for 148 in 18.5 overs.

Brief scores: Oasis Water 168 for 6 in 20 overs (Nazar Karikalakath 58; Shafeeq 3/35) bt OUA Travel 148 in 18.5 overs (Ratheesh P. 6/19). Points: Oasis Water – 2, OUA Travel - 0.

Ahli Bank too good for NBO In an H Division match, Ahli Bank registered a six-wicket win over National Bank of Oman (NBO).

Batting first, NBO scored 138 for nine in 20 overs. In reply, Ahli Bank scored 141 for four in 18.4 overs.

Brief scores: NBO 138 for 9 in 20

overs (Ramesh V. 45; S.M. Imran 4/31) lost to Ahli Bank 141 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Imran S.M. 57 n.o.; Zafar Iqbal 2/16).

Points: Ahli Bank – 2; NBO - 0.

Al Ansari edge Axis Group In another H Division match, Al Ansari defeated Axis Group by 32 runs. Batting first, Al Ansari scored 193 for six in 18 overs. In reply, Axis Group scored 161 for eight in 18 overs.

Brief scores: Al Ansari 193 for 6 in 18 overs (Sohail Khan 82, Ameet Sampath 57) bt Axis Group 161 for 8 in 18 overs (Vineesh Raj 43; Adnan Nalwalla 3/20).

Points: Al Ansari – 2, Axis Group - 0.

HFP edge Bronze Rock In an I Division match, HFP defeated Bronze Rock by three wickets. Batting first, Bronze Rock scored 160 for nine in 20 overs. In reply, HFP scored 163 for seven in 19.2 overs.

Brief scores: Bronze Rock 160 for 9 in 20 overs (Suman Bhowmick 60; Jobin Thomas 2/13) lost to HFP 163 for 7 in 19.2 overs (Nikhil Thekkan 57 n.o., Mohammed Amran 3/29). Points: HFP – 2, Bronze Rock - 0.

C

LIFESTYLE

SECTION

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

Gear WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

THE ITALIAN BEAUTY

I

f amongst all, there was one thing to be picked out about Italians, it would be their devotion to finesse. Their love for arts and beauty, is reflected in anything that comes out of the lo Stivale — the heart of the Mediterranean.

From sulptures to paintings, to piazza, pizzas and even soccer — all portray the Italians’ penchant for perfection, in their unexampled designs, quality, and flavour.

Ahh, and how could we forget their cars; exemplars of the very best engineering – the homeland of Ferrari.

Every Italian designed car, with its lines, curves, and grace, captures instant marvel, that makes it a lot more exciting than any other; one that makes you think it’s not of this world, and looks fast even when it is not moving.

And so the other day when we got a chance to lay our hands on one of the best Italian creations, excitement peaked, and joy knew no bounds. From the house of Maserati, the car was envisioned to offer a unique conjunction of elegance and sportscar verve, drawing on the iconic brand’s design tradition.

Its sleek silhouette defined by the prominent Maserati grille with concave vertical fillets and

the trident badge sitting in the middle, the Maserati Ghibli S Q4, pays homage to the GranTurismo and the famous Maserati icon from the past, the historic A6 GCS Berlinetta.

The Ghibli’s exterior is another example of Maserati’s simple yet brilliant design. The premium executive sedan is scaled down version of its bigger sibling, the Quattroporte. Relatively compact for its class, the Ghibli S Q4 is brilliantly rendered, with a deep shoveled nose, sleekly sculpted fenders, and a pert rear end with a roofline.

The aggressive front headlights accentuate the overall dynamic design. Especially when glowing in the dark, it looks as if the devil itself is staring at you. Incorporated in the headlight units, the LED indicator lights replicate the distinctive motif of Maserati’s three signature side air vents.

Sitting in the driver’s seat of the Maserati Ghibli S Q4 imparts a sense of total control. The threespoke leather-clad steering wheel, with controls for interacting with the main multimedia functions, frames a simple but striking instrument panel. The large speedometer and tachometer have elegant white backlighting and are separated by a 7-inch TFT display that shows the car’s dynamic data.

The front bucket seats are ample and plush. The all-electric front seat adjustment system helps to achieve the optimal driving position in terms of height, depth and the angle of the back and seat, and also includes four different lumbar support settings. The optional pedal height adjustment system, operated by a control in the front of the driving seat, allows the precise positioning of the accelerator and brake pedals.The centre of the dashboard is dominated by the traditional Maserati clock with blue face and aluminium details and the large 8.4-inch display of the Maserati Touch Control, the access portal for the entertainment technologies and control center for most of the onboard devices.

The elegant but sporty soul of the Ghibli is highlighted in the dark mirror (high-gloss) trim, with five options. The sporty feel of the carbon fibre finish can be combined with the Active Shift gearshift paddles, mounted behind the steering wheel and integrated into the steering column, and the sporty brushed steel pedals.

For those seeking even greater luxury, the entire interior— seats, dashboard, doors and centre console — can be upholstered in even higher premium quality, with multiple combinations of materi-

TECH SPECS Maserati Ghibli S Q4 (AWD) Engine 3.0L Twin-Turbo V6 Transmission Eight-Speed ZF Automatic Power 404bhp, 550Nm (1750rpm) Performance 0-100kph: 4.6 seconds Top Speed 283kph Trunk Capacity 500ltr Fuel Tank Capacity 79.8ltr Curb Weight 1,870kg Authorised Dealer Al Fardan Motors, Azaiba +968 2452 3014, +968 9882 9993

Astonishing look, awesome power, and carrying the Maserati moniker, the Ghibli S Q4 definitely makes a bold statement and is a solid alternative to German sedans.

Story Faisal Mohammed Naim

al, design, and stitch. It is the rear compartment that annoys a bit, with the seats a bit too flat, and the leg space really tight despite the car having a long wheelbase.

Perhaps it is the big 80ltr fuel tank and an even bigger 500ltr boot that are to be blamed for it (or not really. Good thing they are big).

Also, Ghibli is an executive sedan, and there is the Quattroporte for more rear space.

While the Ghibli looks and feels amazing, driving it is an even better experience. The all-wheel drive sedan is powered by a 404bhp Ferrari-tuned 3.0ltr twin-turbo V6 engine with 550Nm of torque.

The acceleration is responsive, and holds power throughout the range, giving all the snappy drive you’d want from a car that can also fit your family.

The innovative ‘On demand’ all-wheel drive system combines maximum driving pleasure with enhanced safety on all road surfaces. In normal conditions, the rear-wheel drive system transfers the power of the V6 to the road, but if the road surface turns slippery or the wheels lose grip, the system instantaneously (within 150 milliseconds) transfers the necessary drive force to the front wheels.

The Ghibli is wide and stable with ample grip. You can go real

fast and feel secure doing it, with the four-wheel-drive system seamlessly handling changing traction conditions. There’s also a choice of driving modes, from economy, normal, and sport to a mode with all stability control turned off. To make matters sportier, the S Q4 features a limited-slip diff, and Maserati’s performance oriented Skyhook variable dampers, and a sport exhaust. Ripping through tight coastal roads, or accelerating on the freeways, the Ghibli’s exhaust soundtrack is total aural ecstasy. On-board entertainment is highlighted by the new 900W, 10-speaker and additional sub-woofer, Harman Kardon audio system which comes as a standard feature that will incorporate both the subwoofer and 12-channel amplifier. The Ghibli has the option to upgrade to the premium Bowers & Wilkins system, with a 16-channel 1,280-watt amplifier and 15 speakers, featuring the ‘Clar-Fi’ function designed to improve the audio of compressed music files (now that’s really something).

Maserati adds its own form of flare to the offerings. With the Ghibli S Q4, there’s thrill of the powerful drive, pleasure of good looks, and of course the unsurpassable charm of flirting with an Italian.

— faisal@timesofoman.com

C6

MONDAY, FEBRUA RY 8, 2016

FIND-IT-ALL

PRAYER TIMINGS

@SOHAR

@SUR

@SALALAH

3.15,8.55, 11.15PM Intruders (English) (Drama) (15+) Cast: Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, Jack Kesy 5.15, 9.45PM Wild Horses (Crime| Drama) (PG12) Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco 7.00PM. Alvin and the Chipmunks – The Road Chip (Animation) ( PG) Voice over: Jason Lee, Jessica Ahlberg, Josh Green 5.45PM

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI The Finest Hour - 3D (Action) PG12 Cast : Christopher Whitelaw, Casey Affleck 2:45,9:00 & 11:45PM The Finest Hour - 2D (Action) PG12 7:00PM Jane Got A Gun - (Action| Drama) 12+ Cast: Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor 5:00,9:45 & 11:30PM Ghayal Once Again - (Action) PG12 Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra, Om Puri 3:00 & 9:15PM Ashby - (Comedy) 15+ Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff 3:15 & 7:00PM Intruders (Drama | Horror | Thrille) 15+ Cast: Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, Jack Kesy 11:45PM Concussion (Biography | Drama | Sport) 12+ Cast : Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks 5:30PM Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (Animation) PG Voice over: Jason Lee, Jessica Ahlberg.

5:15PM Ride Along 2 (Action | Comedy) 15+ Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart 7:15PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Wild Horses - 2D (PG12) Crime| Drama Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco 12:15, 3:30, 11:45 PM The Finest Hour - 3D (PG12) Action | Drama Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 2:15, 9:30, 11:30 PM Gold Class - 3:30, 8:45,11:00 PM Everything About Her - Taglog (TBC) 12+ Cast: Angel Locsin, Xian Lim, Vilma Santos 4:30 PM Ride Along 2 - 2D (15+) Action | Comedy Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart 7:15 PM

SOHAR

Bangalore Naatkal - 2D (T) (TBC) Comedy Cast: Arya, Sri Divya, Bobby 6:45 PM

Ghayal Once Again (Hindi)) ( PG12 ) Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra , Om Puri 3.15,8.55, 11.15PM

Ghayal Once Again - 2D (PG12) Action Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra , Om Puri 9:00 PM Gold Class - 6:15 PM Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip 2D (Animation) (PG) Voice over: Jason Lee, Jessica Ahlberg.

12:00, 5:30 PM Capture the Flag - 3D (PG) Action| Comedy Voice over: Dani Rovira, Michelle Jenner 1:45, 7:30 PM PANORAMA MALL The Finest Hours (Action)(MX4D)(PG12) Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 3.30, 6.15, 8.30, 10.45 PM The Finest Hours 3D (Action, Drama) (PG12)-VIP LOUNGE 3:30, 6:15, 11:00 PM The Finest Hours 3D (Action, Drama) (PG12) 4:30, 9:15, 11:30 PM Everything About Her (Tagalog) (TBC) Cast: Angel, Xian Lim, Vilma Santos 6:45PM Alvin & The Chipmunks – The Road Chip (Animation,) (2D) (PG) 2:30, 6:00 PM

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

16:30 18:00 19:30

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Sur Sur

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

Daily Daily

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

Daily Daily

Marmul

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

08:40 11:00

07:00

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

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

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

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

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

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

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com Intruders: (Horror / Thriller) Cast: Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, Jack Kesy 4.00, 10.00 & 11.55PM CP No: 316 (15+) Wild Horses: (Crime / Drama) Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco, Josh Hartnett 4.00, 10.00 & 11.55 PM. CP No: 318 (PG12) Ashby (Comedy / Drama / Romance) Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff, Emma Roberts 2.00. & 6.00 PM. CP No: 317 (15+) Capture the Flag: (Animation / Adventure) 2.00. & 6.00 PM. CP No: 315 (PG) Standoff: (Thriller) Cast: Thomas Jane, Laurence Fishburne 8.00 PM. CP No: 138 (12+) Ride Along 2: (Action / Comedy) 8.00 PM. CP No: 112 (15+)

STAR CINEMA

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Adi Kapyare Koottamani ( Mal) ( Drama) Cast: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Mukesh, 6:30PM at Cinema Main, 3:30 & 9.30PMCinema 2 2 Countries (Mal) (Com) Cast: Dileep & Mamta Mohandas 3:30& 9:30 at Cinema Main, 6.30PM Cinema -2 Ghayal Once Again (Hindi) (Action) Cast : Sunny Deol & Anchai Munjai 6:45 PM at Cinema- 3 Visaranai (Tamil) (Thriller) Cast: Dinesh, Anandhi 3:45 & 6.45PM at Cinema -4 Airlift (Action / Thriller) –12+ Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 3.45 & 9.45PM at Cinema 3 Irudhi Suttru (Tamil) (Sports) Cast: R. Madhavan & Ritika Singh 6:30PM at Cinema -4 NEXT CHANGE: PAVADA (MAL) SANAM RE (HINDI) MIRUTHAN (TAMIL) Programmes are subject to change

BLESSING JEYARAJ February 8, 2013

PRAISE JEYARAJ February 8, 2013

NOUSHAD KAYAKOOL February 8, 2011

NIRANJAN GANESAN February 8, 2008

Minimum

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

30-60%

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

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 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

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

The Finest Hours (3D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 11:35AM, 2:45, 6:45, 9:30 &1 1:30PM Capture The Flag (3D) (PG) (Animation) Voice over: Dani Rovira, Michelle Jenner 11:00AM & 4:45PM Ashby (2D) (15+) Comedy | Drama) Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff 11:45AM & 6:45PM Jane Got A Gun (2D) (12+) (Action| Drama) Cast: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton 12:45, 5:00 & 11:45PM Ghayal Once Again (2D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra , Om Puri 2:05, 7:00, 9:00 &1 1:15PM Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2D) (PG12) (Mal) Cast: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Mukesh, 8:45PM Airlift (2D) (12+) (Drama, History, Thriller) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 4:15PM Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) (PG) (Animation) 2:00PM

0

Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

Nizwa Ruwi

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

06:00 06:00

SALALAH

BAHJA CINEMA

Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100)

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

10:25

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

07:00

The Finest Hours – 3D (Action/Drama) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck 3:30, 7:30, 11:30PM Jane Got A Gun – 2D (Action/Drama) (12+) Cast: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton 5:45, 9:45PM Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip – 2D (Animation) (PG) Voice over: Jason Lee, Jessica Ahlberg 5:15PM Intruders – 2D (Drama/Horror/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, Jack Kesy 5:30, 9:30, 11:45PM Wild Horses – 2D (Crime/Drama) (PG12) Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco, Josh Hartnett 3:30, 7:00PM Ghayal Once Again – 2D (Drama) (TBC) Cast : Sunny Deol & Anchai Munjai 3:15, 7:15, 11:15PM Adi Kapyare Kootamani – 2D (PG12) Cast: Dhyam Srinivasan, Namitha, Aju 9:00PM

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

24 14

BURAIMI

WITH LOVE

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

Daily Daily Daily

SUR The Finest Hours 3D (English) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 3.00,7.30,11.30PM. Ghayal Once Again (Hindi)) ( PG12 ) Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra , Om Puri

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

RUWI Screen 1 Ghayal Once Again (Action) –PG12 Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra, Om Puri 3.30, 6.30, 9.30PM Screen 2 Sanam Teri Kasam (Romance) –PG12 Cast: Mawra Hocane, Vijay Raaz 3.45, 6.45, 9.45PM Screen 3 Airlift (Action / Thriller) –12+ Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 3.45, 6.45, 9.45PM

Airlift - 2D (12+) Drama | History | Thriller Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 4:30PM Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip 2D (PG) Animation Voice over: Jason Lee, Jessica Ahlberg.

4:45PM The Finest Hour - 3D (PG12) Action | Drama Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 2:45, 9:00, 11:45PM The Finest Hour - 2D (PG12) Action | Drama 7:00 PM Ashby - 2D (15+) Comedy | Drama | Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff 2:45, 5:00PM Ghayal Once Again - 2D (PG12) Action Cast : Sunny Deol & Anchai Munjai 2:30, 6:30, 9:15, 11:15PM Wild Horses - 2D (PG12) Crime| Drama Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco 2:30, 9:45PM Jane Got A Gun - 2D (12+) Action| Drama Cast: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton 7:00, 11:30PM Adi Kapyare Kootamani- 2D (M) (PG12) Cast: Dhyam Srinivasan, Namitha , Aju 8:55PM Intruders - 2D (15+) Drama | Horror | Thrille Cast: Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, Jack Kesy 5:00, 11:45PM Bangalore Naatkal - 2D (T) (TBC) Comedy Cast: Arya, Sri Divya, Bobby 6:45 PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Adi Kapyare Kootamani (Mal) (2D) (PG12) Cast: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Mukesh, 9:20 PM Airlift (2D) (Drama | History) (12+) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 6:00, 11:30 PM

AZAIBA Wild Horses (2D) (Crime) (PG12) Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco 2:45, 4:30, 6:30, 11:45 PM Capture The Flag (2D) (Animation) (PG) Voice over: Dani Rovira, Michelle Jenner 2:30, 4:45 PM Ghayal Once Again (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (PG12) 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 10:00, 11:30 PM Sanam Teri Kasam (Hindi) (2D) (PG12) Cast: Mawra Hocane, Vijay Raaz 3:00, 8:30 PM Bangalore Naatkal (Tamil) (2D) (TBC) Cast: Arya, Sri Divya, Bobby 6:30, 8:30 PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Jane Got A Gun (2D) (12+) (Action| Drama) Cast: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton 12:45, 5:00 & 11:45PM

Jane Got A Gun (Action, Drama) (2D) (12+) Cast: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton 2:30, 9:45, 11:45 PM Ghayal Once Again (Action) (2D)(PG12) Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra, Om Puri 3:30, 6:15, 8:45, 11:15 PM Ashby (Comedy, Drama) (2D)(15+) Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff 4:15, 7:45 PM Ghayal Once Again (PG12)-VIP LOUNGE Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra, Om Puri 8:30 PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Destination

12.26pm 3.39pm 6.02pm 7.14pm 5.28am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

CINEMA SCHEDULE

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE Guide to DIY Car Cleaning

a soft, absorbent waffle-weave microfibre towel. Experts recommend weekly washing.

Keeping your car clean is important for your car’s long life. Assigning the task to others won’t help much. After all, looking after your car is well worth it when it’s time to re-sell.

Story Faisal Mohammed Naim

K

eeping your car clean pays: not only the car looks beautiful as ever, it also increases the external life of the car by years, the value of which you will realise, when you sell it.

Frequently washing and waxing your vehicle is the best way to maintain the exterior paint finish of the car for years to come — but only when you do the job of cleaning it yourself. Yes, you heard it right: Yourself. If you thought hiring someone to wash your car every morning would keep matters perfectly in order, well think again.

Instead of doing any good, that cleaner is actually deteriorating your car’s finish drastically, by first washing it with cheap detergent; dish washing liquid in most instances, and second using a dirty coarse cloth to wipe the water off afterwards. The soiled cloth not just wipes the water off, but also gifts your car enough swirls and scratches with enough dirt trapped in the rug, having been used on N number of cars since early morning.

And don’t even rely on those automatic washing centres: those heavy rubber flaps doing a swish job on your car’s armour also does much damage to the car paint creating

visible swirl patterns, pretty permanent in nature, and taking of the sheen very fast.

The reality is that there are only two ways to effectively clean your car. Either have it washed manually under your supervision, ensuring only good quality products are used, or, (and this is the better one, giving you supreme satisfaction) do it yourself.

Ask any real car lover, and they would tell you how they spend a few hours every weekend with their car — cleaning and polishing it. And it is not at all that difficult as you think.

You could even opt to carry the washing/cleaning process in steps, dividing the various procedures week-wise. Some could even be employed monthly or annually.

Three simple car wash rules: 1. Use only good quality products like Meguiar’s, Mothers, or even the cheaper but still good ones like Formula 1 and Turtle. They’re ideal for removing dirt above and below the surface, eliminating swirls and other imperfections and leaving a high-gloss shine. Using cheap unbranded products could severely damage the paint of your car (as most wash stations do).

2. Before starting any cleaning

process, always ensure your car is parked in a cool, shady place. Sun rays are a killer for both the car and your skin. For best results, the car’s surface should be no more than warm to the touch.

3. Have a good stock of microfibre towels at hand for washing and drying the car, and for applying and removing car wax and related carcare products. A microfibre towel is gentler to a car’s finish than a cotton towel or chamois, which could mar the finish, creating slight scratches or ruts that accumulate over time.

To keep the car’s paint shining like new, follow the following four-step process: Washing The most critical of the four steps, it involves removing loose contaminants — the real culprit, gradually accumulating on the surface of the finish, creating a gritty residue that causes scratches.

Wash the car thoroughly, using the car-wash, working from the top down and utilising a lamb’s wool or microfibre washing mitt.

Re-dip the mitt in the bucket after each panel of the car is washed.

That cleans the mitt and ensures that you’re again working with fresh suds. Dry the car thoroughly with

Frequently washing and waxing your vehicle is the best way to maintain the exterior paint finish of the car for years to come – but only when you do the job of cleaning it yourself.

Cleaning Next, inspect the paint, searching for above-the-surface bonded contaminants such as a thin film of tree sap, bird droppings or pollen and below-the-surface defects such as swirls, or oxidation caused by the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

Use a clay bar designed for car care (such as Meguiar’s Smooth Surface Clay Kit or Mothers California Gold Clay Bar Kit) to shear off and remove the contaminants if any present. Rub it over the affected area, kneading and turning it to expose a clean area when necessary.

For below-the-surface defects, you can use a cleaner with mild abrasives (such as Meguiar’s Ultimate Compound or Mothers California Gold Pure Polish). Use a microfibre cloth or foam applicator pad to apply it, using small circular, overlapping strokes. Never apply hard pressure.

Cleaning a section of the vehicle at a time, remove the cleaner with a microfibre towel that you’ve folded into fourths. Use one side to break up and wipe away the hazy product, then flip the towel over to a clean side to remove any additional residue. Your paint should now feel smooth and should be free of swirls and defects.

If upon the initial inspection you do not find any defects — either above or below the surface – you can skip the cleaning step altogether and go straight to polishing and waxing.

Polishing Polishes and glazes add lustre but do not protect the finish, so using them is entirely optional, especially since clear-coat finishes are highly resistant to oxidation. Even years-old cars generally retain their shine to the day.

Nevertheless, the polish can restore the natural oils your paint once had, making the car’s surface even more reflective and shiny. Using a polish or glaze once a year may be

helpful. Apply the polish using small circular, overlapping strokes with a microfiber cloth or foam applicator pad on one section of the car at a time, removing the polish with a microfiber towel after the product becomes hazy. Don’t allow the polish to dry completely. Trying to remove dry polish will almost certainly result in scratches to the finish.

Waxing For protection, you need to apply a car wax, and experts recommend it at least once every three months.

There are varieties of wax that could be used much more frequently, some even every few days.

The newest synthetic polymerbased waxes (such as Meguiar’s Ultimate Wax, Mothers California Gold Synthetic Wax and Turtle Wax ICE Premium Care Liquid Wax) generally provide longerlasting protection and are easier to use in the sun than older-style carnauba-based waxes. Normally, the newer liquid or paste waxes provide the longest-lasting protection — usually three or four months if the car is kept in a garage and not exposed to a harsh environment.

Spray waxes (such as Meguiar’s Ultimate Quik Wax, Mothers California Gold Spray Wax and Turtle Wax ICE Premium Care Spray Wax) are designed for quick application but generally don’t offer the same longlasting protection as the liquids or pastes, and better be used as booster between the quarterly applications of the liquid or paste waxes.

Caution for Matte Finishes Except for washing with a car wash product, nothing should be done to or applied to a car covered in a matte paint with flat finish. The matte finish also can be cleaned in a brushless automated car wash as long as the machine does not apply any shine agents.

And as with glossy finish, it is important to clean bird droppings, tree sap and other surface contaminants from a matte paint finish immediately.

—faisal@timesofoman.com

C8

MONDAY, FEBRUA RY 8, 2016

LIFESTYLE

WHEN THE WEATHER IS WINDY Our cars frequently get dirty in the cold windy weather. Besides washing, everytime they get dusty from a drive or lying in the garage, the best way to clean the dust off is to follow these tips and keep them spic and span.

Salt: Great on Steaks But Not on Paint If you don’t remove it, road salt can corrode the body, wheels, and undercarriage of your vehicle. So make sure your entire car gets a good scrub-down.

Get Plenty of Fluids Windy weather can take a toll on all the fluids in your vehicle. Be sure to keep a periodic check and top-up whenever needed.

The Wiper Act Chances are your windshield wipers could be damaged by now after years of negligence. They have lived their life; so it’s time to install a new pair.

Let in Some Fresh Air Your car’s air-filter stops dirt, pollen, and other particles from getting into the ventilation system, which makes the filter clogged over the time. Be sure to regularly check and clean or replace whenever necessary for efficient working of the car engine. Let it breathe easy.

Wash Behind the Gears Don’t actually mess with the gear stick, but do make sure you wipe the interior properly; even spots you don’t typically see, such as under the rubber cup holder inserts.

And While You are at It You may also want to check the condition of your tyres, change the oil, and try a bottle of fuel system cleaner to really get all those cobwebs out.

Source: 100things2do.ca

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M O N DAY, F E B R UA RY 8 , 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D7

D2

M O N DAY, F E B R UA RY 8 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

High quality Warehouses for rent at Mizfa 550 sqm to 3400 sqm.

Flat for rent in CBD area - Ruwi Two rooms and a large hall

Contact

96046951 / 99332291

•Office spaces for rent in Al Hail on the main road On the same building of Al Khamis Shoes at Al Hail

STORE FOR RENT

1 BHK and 2BHK Flats with Split ACs Opp. to MOD Near Lulu Darsait CONTACT :

93202733 We have staff accommodation in Bowshar 30 to 40 people can stay easily commercial building.

Contact: 93782735/ 99208033 We have 2 BHK flats, office available in Ghala, Azaiba new building.

Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 We have 150 sqm offices in Ghubra prime location already partition done rent 650/- O.R. Contact: 93782735/ 99208033

500 sqm store with 200 sqft office & 200 sqm covered shed for rent at Mabella Ind No-11 on main road, direct from owner.

One / two B/R , RES / Comm flat near Bank Muscat Bausher directly from owner. Contact: 92158031 3 & 2 Bedroom Townhouse with Swimming pool, free Wi-Fi for Rent near British Council in Madinat Sultan Qaboos. Contact: 92197959 / 92502497.

WAREHOUSE AVAILABLE

FOR RENT IN BALADIA SANAYAH AMIRAT (Floor area 600sqmtrs and mezzanine of 500sqmtrs) 1100sqmts fully cover warehouse Θ ƐƚĂī ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƟ ŽŶƐ Please contact: G.S.M

99417229/92621039

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

OFFICES PRIME LOCATIONS: AT: WALJA - HAMRIYA – SEEB - BARKA

CALL: 99332242

We have 2BHK flat in Ghubra near Indian School 325/- R.O Contact: 93782735 / 99208033

in Bareeq Al Shatti building Spacious 2 BHK with sea view, split A/Cs, fixed wardrobes, kitchen appliance.

Near Opera Gallery.

Rent RO.900/- negotiable.

Contact - 94084335 / 96920789

Contact Person Mr.Mudassir :99314330 Mr.Joao Pereira: 99435952

OFFICES & SHOWROOMS MAIN ROAD PRIME LOCATION: BARKA - OPPOSITE MARS

CONTACT - 99278002

We have 1 BHK, 2BHK flats for rent in Mabela 7, 1BHK 175 RO, 2 BHK 200/- RO, new building.

Contact: 93782735 / 99208033

24707088, 98283896

Of area 500 Sq mts with well equipped kitchen and dining facility on Ground Floor at DARVESH Building, Near Royal Hospital.

Contact No: 96177505

FLATS FOR RENT

1100 SQ MTR free industrial land for all purpose is available with compound and furnished office in Barka Contact:

RESTAURANT AVAILABLE FOR RENT

•2 bed room flats in Qurum 29 for rent next to ABA New building -split AC - Good location

Luxury flat for rent

INDUSTRIAL LAND FOR RENT (BARKA)

khamisco@alkhamis.com.om

CALL:

99332242 khamisco@alkhamis.com.om

We have shops for rent in Ghala.

Contact: 93782735 / 99208033

WAREHOUSE FOR RENT 300 SQM- 6 M high at WadiKabir

Contact 99711949

Perfect 5 BHK villas in Azaiba RO 800/-. Contact: 94232344 Office for rent located in Prime location of Azaiba Main Highway.

Contact: 92197959 / 92502497.

Showroom, readymade office with ACs & free internet 2 B/R flats with split ACs & free internet available at Al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket.

Contact: 99460330 2 Bedrooms Flat for rent located in Prime location of Al Khuwair.

Contact: 92197959 / 24527852.

Villa in Al Khoud for staff accommodation, like nurses or teachers can accommodate 30 to 35 people.

Rent RO.1200/-. Contact - 91178282 FULLY RENOVATED 5 BHK VILLA For Rent in Azaiba, behind Al Sawa Towers. WITH Majlis, Living room, Dining, Kitchen, Laundry, Store.

CONTACT: 93332444, 95166141 1 BHK Ghubra R.O 250/.

Contact: 97799175

2BHK flat at Darsait nearby Indian School RO 290/-. Contact: 94232344 Flats for rent at Mawaleh near Omantel main office opposite Lulu bandar comprises 3 rooms, 2 toilets and one kitchen OMR 250/- Per month. # 93131497 or 99203435 Commercial office at prime location in Azaiba for rent. 171sq.mtr.

Contact:- 91398925

4 BHK villa in AL Khuwair RO 525.

Contact: 94232344 Flat in Wadi Al Kabir 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 family hall, kitchen & 3 bathrooms. Contact: 99277787 3 Bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact 95755953 / 95555162 2 Bedroom centrally air conditioned flat in CBD prime location.

Contact: 24714625 / 93527328

M O N DAY, F E B R UA RY 8 , 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT

BUILDING MATERIAL SHOP FOR SALE Running shop with paint machine for sale in kadra Ͳ

WƌŝŵĞ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ ŐŽŽĚ ĚĂŝůLJ ƐĂůĞƐ 260 Square meters Warehouse facility ^ƚĂī ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƟ ŽŶ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ƉĂƌƟ ĞƐ ŵĂLJ ĐĂůů 9322 3382 or mail to cs@mpesllc.com

FOR RENT Flat for rent in Wadi Al Kabir next 5 Al Hassan company, 2 bed room & 3 toilets. Contact: 99210008

3 BHK flat near Darsait ID medical.

RO 420/- Contact – 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288

2 BHK Ghubra R.O 300/-.

Contact: 92144045

1000 sqm industrial land with compound wall & two rooms at Misfah. # 99342733 / 99795241

1,2 BHK Darsait. Contact: 92144045 Flat in Hamriya. # 99341112 1000sqmtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc.

Contact 24700120 / 92584715

Family flats in Wadi AL Kabir, Hamriya, Muttrah, Al Khuwair, Ghubrah, Bowshar, Al Hail North & Al Seeb.

Contact: 95250300 / 92125648 2 BHK Flats for rent, Muttrah near Oman house S/ AC. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 2 clean & spacious flats with A/C, first flat is behind City center Al Seeb consist of 2 bedroom and living room second flat is in Al Khoud 3 consist of 1 bedroom and living room. Contact: 93366421

2 BHK in MSQ opposite Al Fair with split AC. Contact: 96708000

02 BHK Commercial / Residential (with split AC) flat at Honda road.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241

2 BHK in Bareeq Al Shatti with split AC. Contact: 96708000

1BHK Wadi Kabir R.O 200/-.

Contact: 92144045

Villa is composed of 5 bedrooms and sitting toilets and 5 living room, kitchen and Seeb (North Al Hail). Contact: 91130875

1,2,3 BHK. Contact : 92144045

Flat with 3 bed rooms, sitting room, dining room, store, kitchen, 3 toilets Al Ghubra, opposite Chedi Hotel. Contact: 99321264

Shop for rent near Al Nahdha Hospital. Contact: 97380548 / 99680499

Flats & offices for rent in CBD Ruwi. Contact: 92820734 / 95345909

Two bedroom flat in Al Ghubra near Oman Oil of 18 November street. OMR 330 Monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

One bedroom flat with big balcony in al Ghubra near Oman Oil of 18 November street. OMR 280 Monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955

Shop / office nr Oman house & Khimji H.O Muttrah.

Contact: 99233116

Four bedrooms villa in Al Athaiba 300 m away from Shell Petrol Station in an excellent condition.

Contact: 97755586

Brand new deluxe flats located near Seeb flyover on the right hand side the main road coming from the Seeb palace round about, 2 bedrooms family, hall, kitchen, 3 toilets & split unit. Contact: 97755586 1 & 2 BHK Ruwi C.B.D. #99024730

1BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/-.

Contact: 92144045 2 bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality.

Contact: 92584715 / 24700120

Villa 2 room, 1 sitting room, 1 lobby, 2 bathrooms at South Mawalleh behind Discount Supermarket. # 92757673 / 99388138 Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi MBD Honda road.

Contact: 92433127 / 97293708 Available in Haima two shops with 500 SQMTR work shop at the back facing main road next to Zawawi Service Centre. Contact : 99087329 / 96228586 Flat for rent in Al Ansab 1, 2 rooms, living room, kitchen & A/C. Contact: 91256340 1& 2 BHK flats for rent at Hamriya Wadi Adai, Al Khoud, Mabela & shop at Al Khoud & land line Contact: 24834644 GSM 93994401/02/03 3 lines New flat in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact: 98185135 1&2 BHK flat in Walja.

Contact: 98218279

Single room attach bath with kitchen in Muscat 100/- R.O. Contact: 95094028 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 96571151 02 BHK Residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241 Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454 1BHK flat near Star Cinema 220/Contact 99358589 /95570288 Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi, MBD area & Honda road.

Contact: 92589235/ 94579531 Flats two bed room for rent in Al Khuwair. Contact: 96571151 New flats for rent at Darsait near to ministry of sports, Mumtaz area the flats include 1 living room, 2 Bedroom, kitchen, 3 toilets every room with split A/C & high Quality finishing, rent per flat is R.O 340/-.

Interested candidates please Contact: 00968- 92225523 2 bedrooms, kitchen, toilet, car park R.O 220/- & 1 bedroom, kitchen, toilet R.O 140 in Al Khuwair. Contact: 95154331 3BHK flat for rent in Ghubra.

Contac: 99328070 Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. Contact: 9405178997201688 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud. Contact: 9405178997201688

FOR RENT Commercial flats of 3 & 2 BHK in Al Ghobra North 18 Nov street RO.650/- & 450/- # 91776665 600 M2 showroom or office in Bousher in front of Dolphin complex. RO.3.5 per m2. # 91776665 Brand new 4 BHK villa in Al Fai compound Al Khoud. RO.475/Contact – 91776665 Luxury villa of 5 BHK in Al Khuwair 33 RO.650/Contact – 91776665 Villa of 3 BHK and sitting area in Al Ghobra North. RO.525/Contact – 91776665 Luxury and brand new semi furnished 2 BHK flat in Remalbowsher. RO.550/Contact – 91776665 Spacious 1 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with all split A/C’s and parking.

RO.300/-Contact – 91776665 Flats in Darsait.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Flats in WadiKabir.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact - 94051789-97201688

FOR SALE Running carpentry workshop with CNC machine and 5 skilled labours in Barka industry area.

Running Aluminum workshop with three skilled labours in Barka industry area

Contact: 98084356 FOR SALE Carpentry workshop with all basic equipments, tools, amenities and a work force of 15. Total area 1600 SQ.M and a built up area of 800 SQ.M. Accommodation for workers within the compound. Excellent goodwill and reputation created in the market since the last 14 years.

Contact 95219895 or Email: mci.carpentry@yahoo.com Fire rated portacabins and steel caravans. ContacT: 94058574 Ladies Beauty parlour for sale.

Contact: 96392978 / 96700192

CONTD ON PG 6

ACC. AVAILABLE

Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. #94051789-97201688

Fully furnished room with attached bath for Executive bachelor, behind Al Meera hypermarket, Azaiba 150/R.O. Contact: 99455735

Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

Single room attached bath, kitchen in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99336206

Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

Accommodation for couple or working lady, near Al Nahda hospital. Contact 95871148

Duplex villa in Qurum 29.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

CONTD ON PG 6

D4

M O N DAY, F E B R UA RY 8 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT Looking for experienced Sales Executive, Driver for joinery & Décor Company.

Interested candidates in similar field with driving license

Contact: 99328494 Email: malsinani@tibiaan.co.om

Senior Management Executive An Omani Road Construction Contracting Company Seeks GM/ Senior Contract Manager.

Mail : info@anwaarfahud.com GSM 94293031 Wanted female GP, female Gynecologist, female Staff Nurse, female X- Ray Technician With MOH license for Al Saadi Specialized Medical Centre in Musanna.

Contact -91262604 Email: chillapalli76@gmail.com

ADMIN Required urgently an Indian Junior Legal Consultant /Lawyer for a reputed Law Firm in Muscat &Sohar. Candidates should have 3-5 years local experience in Oman as Legal Consultant/ Lawyer with good knowledge of Computer & should be fluent in English. Email C V to shejaanil66@gmail.com Required urgently a Legal Consultant/ Lawyer for reputed law firm in Sohar, Muscat. Candidates should have 5-7 years experience as a Legal Consultant/ Lawyer with good knowledge of Computer & should be fluent in English both written & spoken.

Email C V to shejaanil66@gmail. com or Contact 99153620 between 8am to 1pm & 2pm to 5.30 pm on Sunday to Thursday

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

URGENTLY REQUIRED Well reputed modular kitchen showroom looking for 1. Showroom Manager 2. Marketing & Sales man 3. Store keeper 4. Office boy

Minimum 2 years experience & Oman valid D/L& NOC. Contact - 98431694 / info@ik.om

SITUATION VACANT 1. Marketing Executive (having experience in building material trading , sanitary wares , kitchens , doors)

2. Lawyer (Indian - female) - awareness of Omani laws / excellent interpretation / able to translate , review , direct , and advise 3. Procurement Coordinator – Having minimum 2 year experience in procurement job

Email- rgeorge@omantd.com - atalibus@omantd.com

REQUIRED GENERAL MANAGER For a leading Insurance Broking Company in Oman for immediate appointment.

Candidate with Insurance Qualifications, good experience and market knowledge with proper documents for local transfer may send C.V. to

email: iscoman@omantel.net.om DOMESTIC HELP Required Cleaners & office boys.

Contact 24707833 Keralite house maid required for 3 hrs evening part time job at Ghubra.

Contact:92448315 Housemaid required for Keralite family. Contact 95405033 Indian family urgently needs a full time Housemaid who knows cooking. Should be skilled in preparation of Non-Veg dishes.

Preferably from Hyderabad, India.

Company visa, good salary + bonus, air –ticket for leave travel provided by company. Contact 99349924

MEDICAL Required X RAY Technician, Lab Technician, General Practitioner, Gynecology, Staff Nurses.

Contact: 95133572 Email: kunoozghala@gmail.com Required male Nurse part / full time to take care of male, 95 yrs old. Contact 99333292, Email : topraniav@gmail.com Urgently required for a Medical Centre in Muscat & Salalah GP Doctor, Pediatrician (male / female) Gynecology, Nurses (male / female) with or without MOH license, salary negotiable. Send your CV : moc.hrd2015@gmail.com or contact 92681842

DRIVER SKILLED / UNSKILLED

Required experienced Accountant for group of restaurant.

Visa available. Contact: 99190190 Audit Assistants.

Email: aoabmuscat@gmail.com Accountant with knowledge of Tally. Driving license preferred.

Send C.V to info.rsttllc@gmail.com QHSSE ADVISOR - International Oilfield Services Company requires a NEBOSH qualified QHSSE Advisor (Omani National) to ensure continual improvement in our Muscat base. Main duties to include Journey Management, supporting implementation of policies and procedures, mentoring staff, training coordination, reporting, audit & inspection and risk assessment. Submit CV to mejob@interwell.com

CATERING Required Cook, Omani food & continental experienced. Visa available. Contact: 99190190

BEAUTY Urgently required a Gulf experienced professional hair dresser cum beautician (lady) for a reputed beauty salon, immediate appointment. Contact: 99816262 / 98557585 Fax: 24796211 Email: skin.hair.makeup@gmail.com Wanted experienced beautician and hairdresser for the reputed ladies beauty center at Qurum.

Contact: 97453246 Email: souzawilfred@gmail.com Beauty expert required to work in Salon in Al Amerat.

Contact: 93336061

Reputed organization is looking for heavy duty drivers for trailers Omani / expat (3 nos) and outdoor Sales Executive for hardware and general trading with valid D/L (1 no).

Send your CV on ocm@theocmgroup.com

ENGINEER/TECH/MECH Wanted: HEAD OF QA/QC & SALES ENGINEERS : Candidates with Minimum 5-7 Years Experience in one of the leading manufacturing company in Sohar Industrial Area, suitable candidates send their CV to the below email : soharcreative@gmail.com Require LAB TECHNICIAN ,The desired candidate must be a graduate/diploma in Civil Engineering with minimum experience of 3 to 5 years as Lab Technician having Experience of testing construction materials on Building/ Road projects. Send your CV to: rakesh@uniqueom.com.

Wanted A/C Technician with local experience.

Contact : 95779616

IT Required Electrician ITI experienced in L.T works or M.E.P with MEDC license. Contact: 99364007 / 99454425 Developers needed with experience in .net, C#, EF Code First, WCF, MVC 4/5, WebAPI, SQL and WF 4.5 must. Work from home role for an Australian company.

Send resume to Email: atif.saad@mis.technology

MEDICAL

Chinese / Arab/ Grill, Cooks.

Contact: 95529970

SALES / MARKETING

SALES / MARKETING Required Marketing Executives.

Send your CV Email: ocean@omantel.net.om

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male MBA finance / marketing 34 yrs, 7 years experience in India Accounts / Administration / office jobs currently in Muscat on family visa. Contact: 98104991 Email: sureshkr01@gmail.com Indian male, 26 with MBA (Finance / Marketing) having 2 years experience in (Accounts / Finance) on visit visa looking for suitable position immediately joining available.

Contact: 92989197 Email: abdulqhizer2004@gmail.com Indian female Accountant 8 yrs exp in Oman. Contact: 93726921 Professional Accountant with Pakistani Nationality having an experience of oracle ERP seeking a suitable placement in Muscat Oman. Contact: 91405182 Email: muaz777@gmail.com Indian male, MBA in finance with more than 6 years of experience, proficiency in accounting software like tally, focus SAP (FICO) etc seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98665219 Email Id: abdulhameed1527@gmail.com Indian male 12 yrs exp in accounts location Sohar .

NOC available. Contact :91212471, Email: rennyj6@gmail.com Bangladeshi male having MBA (finance) & M.com (accounting) with 2 yrs exp. looking for suitable placement have valid D/L & NOC. Contact :968 92491009, Email: rasubiswas4@gmail.com Indian female B.Com, ACCA affiliate fresher seeking for job in Auditing finance & accounting in family visa holding Oman driving license.

Contact: 92264638 / 99858867 Email: mira.somya@gmail.com Pakistani male 11 yrs experience in accounts, finance looking for suitable job. Contact: 91479315 Email: bilalnazir65@hotmail.com Finance Manager 22 years Oman experience available. Transfer possible. # 95631834 / 91302906 Indian Accountant with experience in financial/cost accounting, Administration, HR and Material Management in construction (more than 30 years) seek suitable placement. Contact 98598099

Wanted Driver. Contact 91025698

CATERING Demi Chef needed urgently for seafood and fish and chips 2 male Filipino Waiter needed urgently with experience. # 92382239 / 98260306

Wanted A/c Mechanic, Electrician / Plumber, Carpenters, Driver. Contact 94147874 / 97014234, globalaccessunited@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED

Wanted female Ayurvedic therapist with or without MOH. Contact: 97263637 / 93309131 Wanted urgently lady Doctor GP or DGO for immediate appointment. Contact : 99310590 Email: tjmaluke@gmail.com

Office furniture Sales Executive with minimum 5 years experience & valid Omani driving license, should have experience in handling office furniture projects, Tenders & Retail. Candidates should have NOC from the current employer. Interested candidates can apply by mail: info@smartvisionoman.con Fax: 24818818 Urgently required Marketing Executive with driving license for sales of furniture. Contact: 97164554 / 99452755 Email: aliasgar.tarwadi@yahoo.com Wanted marketing personnel for acquiring Premium customers for MNC. Should have communication/sales skills and must possess Oman D/L. Contact 96545020.

Urgently required Marketing Executives with driving license for sales in artificial grass & steel fabrication. Contact 99104577 Email: info@greencover.net Delegate must hold a driving license. To fill the shelves of shops (merchandiser) one year experience in similar field, good salary, allowances an employment contract # 24810474 / 95872588 Experienced Sales Executive required for Restaurant Marketing.

Send CV : Deepak@jashnoman. com, call 96500750 Employee marketing company engaged in the design, promotion and advertising is required.

Contact: 96656972 / 99719973 Urgently Required Steel Fabricated Products Salesman with an experience in steel fabrication, MUST have Oman driving license, and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com

B.Com 32 yrs male Accountant having 8 yrs Oman experience in Construction Co. seeking immediate change (NOC available).

Contact: 98624850 Indian male 7 yrs Oman exp, tally ERP 9, Accounting, Inventory controlling & IT Supports seeking suitable job. NOC Available. B.Com, PGDCA. location Sohar having Oman D/L. Contact 98317698, Email: sukuanilkumar@gmail.com Indian male 25 B.Com IATA diploma 2 yrs exp in accounts, good looking currently in Oman, NOC available. Contact: 99323841 Email:rohitpanam@gmail.com Indian male 32 yrs having 8 years experience in Oman looking for suitable placement NOC & Oman D/L available (release available if required). Contact: 98093515 Indian male having good experience in accounts and in accounting and in accounting software’s ready to join immediately Contact +91 9444965126

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687 Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa.

Immediately available.

Contact – 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com Indian male, 28, Post Graduate, 6 years exp. in Oman in Sales and Credit Control , with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable placements.

NOC available. Ph: 9206 6523 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com B. Com Diploma Computer 3 years experience as an Accountant Indian male (25) seeking placement Accountant / Admin / sales on visit visa. Contact: 98437731 Email: faisalcpsy@gmail.com Indian Male Accountant 10yrs Exp. in OMAN Retail & Furniture Co. (Release Available) GSM.92564955 15 years experienced in finance & treasury management CPA, CMA, ACCA, MBA, qualified Chartered Accountant available for immediate joining as head of finance, financial advisor, financed consultant. Contact: 94872345 Email: mfta27@gmail.com Indian male - M Com and More than 5 year experience in Finance and Accounting seeking suitable placement immediately. Now in Oman on visit visa.

Contact:97724457 / 99886476 nidhink85@gmail.com Indian accountant professional with 3 years experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable job openings. Contact: 92390604 Email: sachinkokkatt@gmail.com M.Com & MBA finance Indian 10 years of experience in finance & accounts up to finalization currently available in Oman.

Contact: 90501642, Email: bobykkj@gmail.com Indian male, B.Com with 6 years experience as an Accountant, looking for suitable placement.

Mob: 93903458 , Email : Akkandyrijesh@gmail.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 Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement.

Contact : 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com Presently working as Senior Accountant having 16 years experience in Oman with Oman D/L looking for new placement, NOC available.

Contact : 95060390 Indian male ,34yrs B.com MBA (Awaiting result), with 8 yrs experience in accounts with license looking for suitable position. Immediate joining and NOC available. Contact -97463145 or joseph12a3@gmail.com Indian male, B.Com with 6 years experience as an Accountant, looking for suitable placement.

Mob: 93903458 ,Email : Akkandyrijesh@gmail.com

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

Finance & Accounts Indian male 35 years B.Com MBA (F) 7 years experience tally ERP9 with valid D/L family visa.

Contact: 93257426 / 95230114 Email: sibigeorgep@gmail.com

Indian male 30 yrs, B. Com, 6 yrs accounts exp in East Africa & 1 yr exp in Oman, NOC available looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 94613626 Email: sharis.saheer@gmail.com

Indian male B.Com with 1 year experience in Oman as Account having driving license seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 93415880 Email: nithin_thomas1992@hotmail.com

Indian female Accountant B.Com P.G.D.C.A Tally 8 years exp in Oman. Contact: 93726921

ENIOR ACCOUNTANT-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to finalization. Currently employed in Oman. Having D/L & NOC. Mob: 94122464, Email: cammk13@gmail.com

Part time accounts qualified experience accountant.

Contact: 91126314

A young CA (ACA & ACCA qualified) with 4 years experience in one of top audit firms in UK & KSA seeks suitable placement in Oman. Contact: +44 7480 1196 74/ +968 93595050 email: Kamran hkamran112@gmail.com Indian male, MBA (finance), 1 year experience in Oman having Oman D/L and NOC on visit visa looking for a suitable job. Contact: 94103975 Part time Accountant, up to finalization, looking for job after 5pm (location prefer – MSQ to Al Hail). Contact: 95694737

ADMIN Indian female Graduate over 6 years experience in Admin operations support with excellent communication skills looking for suitable job. Contact: 94231020 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288 Indian female, M.Tech electronics 6.5 IELTS experience as VLSI / Electronics project trainer & institute administration currently in family visa. Contact: 90195131 /24551290 Email: chinj.89@gmail.com Indian male MBA 33yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking full time suitable placement in Administration/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics.

Holding valid D/L. Contact 99054786 Pakistani male 7 yrs experience in purchase & HR looking for suitable job with valid Oman driving license.

Contact: 91020279, Email: afaiz7345@gmail.com Indian male, Graduate having more than 10 years experience in logistics & freight forwarding with GCC license, looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 91714980 Email: medileep@gmail.com Omani, male, 20 yrs exp. in PR, Admin etc. seeks suitable placement. Contact 91221773 Looking for H.R Admin Assistant post or any related position, currently on visit visa, available for immediate placement Qualification MBA H.R. Contact: 94665450 Email: paulwesleywilliaams@yahoo.com young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O , Clerk helper supervisor Admin supervisor , H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license looking for H.R position or P.R.O license . Looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288 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 Filipino male with 13 years HR and Administration managerial experience. MBA & CIPD holder. Currently looking for job in Oman. Interested employer pls call 97728418.

Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235 Indian female, Masters in HR, having 4 + years Oman experience in media management and HR, looking for openings in HR, Education, Admin, Corporate communications. Contact 98252030 Indian female PGDHRM MSW having 5+ experience in HR Assistant Administration customer support good computer skill DOA, CIT Tally now on family visit visa looking for suitable position. Contact: 95352527 Indian Gulf experienced in construction site admin, HR and Store keeping on visit visa seek suitable placement. Contact 92196001 Indian female 27 yrs with 5 yrs HR /Admin experience seeking suitable placement with valid Oman driving license.

Contact: 98236033

ARCHITECTURE Indian female diploma in architecture having 5 years of working experience in Oman (Engg Consultancy having valid Oman driving license. Contact: 96683293

M O N DAY, F E B R UA RY 8 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED BEAUTY Beautician, Indian exp. required visa. Contact 95175192

CATERING

øÖ Ù® Ä ã à ãÊ ÖÙÊò® ã «ÄÊͲ ÊÃà ٠® ½ çÝ®Ä ÝÝ Ýʽçã®ÊÄÝ͕ ¥ Ý® ®½®ãù͕ ZW ó®ã« / ãÊʽÝ͕ ò®Ý ÊÄ ¥®Ä Ä ® ½͕ ,Z͕ ٮݻ Ι ¦ Ä Ù ½ Ã Ä ¦ à Äã͕ ¦ç® Ýã ÙãçÖÝ Ι Ù ÝãÙç ãçٮĦ͕ ÖÙÊ ç ã ò ½ÊÖà Äã͘ ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ʹ ϵϲϱϬϬϳϮϵ EŵĂŝů͗ Ŭ͘ƉƌŽĮ ƚŽŵĂŶΛ ŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

Finance / Project/ Program Manager Professional YƵĂůŝĮ ĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ͗ D ͕ WDW͕ ^ŝdž ^ŝŐŵĂ ŽƵŶƚƌLJ džƉŽƐƵƌĞ ĂŶĂĚĂ Θ DŝĚĚůĞ ĂƐƚ͕ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ ĂŶLJ ;ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ ŝŶ ĂŶŬƐ ;/ƐůĂŵŝĐͿ dĞůĞĐŽŵ dƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚ EĂƟ ŽŶĂůŝƚLJ ĂŶĂĚŝĂŶ͕ In Person Interview on Sundays Contact: 97203531, +923042955747

^Ö ® ½®Ýã ò ®½ ½ ¥ÊÙ øÖ½ÊÝ®ò ¦ÙÊóã« ®Ä ã Ùà ʥ Ù ÝãÙç ãçٮĦ ½½ ÃÊ ç½ Ý Ê¥ çÝ®Ä ÝÝ ó®ã« ϯϬ ù ÙÝ Ê¥ øÖ Ù® Ä ͕ çÝ®Ä ÝÝ Ýʽçã®ÊÄÝ͕ à Äç¥ ãçٮĦ͕ ãÙ ®Ä¦͕ ÖÖ½® ã®ÊÄÝ͕ ÖÙÊ ç ã ò ½ÊÖà Äã͘ ÊÄã ã ʹ ϵϯϯϰϯϮϱϭ ͬ ƉƌŽĮ ƚŽŵĂŶΛ ŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

IT

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. DRIVER Looking job for driving with car.

Contact: 90436094 Looking for job car driver.

Contact: 98388947 Light driver looking for job experience 8 years. Contact: 94297563 Light driver. Contact: 99141481 Light driver looking for job.

Contact : 95494310 Light driver 10 years experience looking for suitable job, can speak English, Arabic & Hindi.

Contact: 92360040 Driver, 2 yrs exp looking for suitable placement. Contact: 97133246 Light driver need job knows Arabic & Hindi. Contact: 95145988 Looking for job driver K.S.A 7 years Oman, 5 yrs, education S.SC. Contact: 93940319 Light duty driver looking for job, 5 years exp. Contact: 97170619 Indian Keralite male 25 yrs, light driver looking for job.

Contact: 91616786 Indian light driver having 2 years experience in Oman knowing language English, Hindi & Arabic, seeks job. Contact: 97366822 Light duty driver looking for job.

Contact : 95827886 Looking job L.T.V with car, without car. Contact: 94436276 Driver, 5 years experience in Oman looking for job.

Contact : +968 99139890 Driver with car, full time / part time job. Contact: 96320385 Driver with land cruiser, Indian seeks placement.

Contact: 99725003 Light driver need job knows English, Hindi & Arabic.

Contact: 92820309 Job for driving. Contact: 98982410 Pakistani male light driver 10 yrs in UAE & 1 yr in Oman.

Contact: 93709393

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Civil AutoCAD Draughts man 5 years experience on visit visa.

Contact: 99759284 Email: ahmedimran945@gmail.com Interior Designer 4 years experience design and supervision skills (3D Max, AutoCAD Photoshop.

Contact: 95946737 Email: yassalnajjar@gmail.com

EDUCATION

Process Engineer Chemical Engineer, MBA certified in supply chain (MGT) 6 years experiences in operation. Contact: +968 94690325 Email: phahad.hashim@gmail.com HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+ Diploma Safety + NEBOSH+ OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement. Contact :97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com UPS Technician Electronics, Electronic technician, Solar power products 11 years experience in power electronics looking for job Oman.

Contact: 99680821 Email: joshypulikkottil@gmail.com Indian male Electrical Engineer with MBA (Mktg) having 4 and half years experience in technical commercial and marketing fields with valid GCC D/L, NOC available seeking placement.

Contact: + 968 96547828 Email: deva0234@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) with 2 and half years experience Indian male 24 years in visit visa. Contact: 96620482 / + 91 9605423272 Email: bijumonps@gmail.com Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact – 96789711 HSE Engineer B.Tech (safety & fire) M. Sc 8 years experience Indian 31 years presently occupied on notice period available with clean NOC, holds Oman driving license & owns car. Contact: 94616721 Email: aibelg19@gmail.com Technical Analysis Trainer with automated trading system (NSE) looking for a job. Contact: 91285811 Diploma in Civil Engineering having an experience 16 years (8 years in Oman) looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 95900744 / 98028329 Email: skalam744@gmail.com B.E .Mechanical Engineer Indian over 4 yrs of exp in HVAC design auto cad drafting on visit visa.

Contact 90305596, Email: shaikrizwan330@gmail.com Mechanical Eng. Diploma 31 years experience (22 Oman) Steel fabrication, steel furniture, Powder coating, Production and Planning.

Machine shop, looking for Managerial position in Sohar. Contact 99314899 Seeking for Job: Male Bachelor of Science In Industrial Technology Graduate Job Exp.6yrs water safety rescue/lifeguard/scuba diving Contact: 96094260 / 96023570 Indian male 26 yrs have 6 yrs exp in technical assistant in tyre production, visit visa at Ruwi.

Contact: 92600859 Indian female (22) BE Computer Science & pursuing MBA in symbiosis, looking for a job in HR & IT with 2 years experience in IT field.

Contact: 9649477 / 96043223

Indian Lecturer Lady, MTECH with 5+ years teaching experience in Electrical engineering - RUWI95073922 / chithrarakeshkumar@gmail.com

Male 38 yrs Graduate 07 years experience indoor / outdoor electronic field with D/License & NOC available (as per new rule).

Contact: 92453375

Looking for part time tutoring on Mathematical & Statistics.

Contact: 99229700

Chemical Engineer Sudanese male 29 yrs. Master degree in chemical engineering , Experience 1 yrs and 2 months OSHA Course ,HACCP Course , look for suitable job in Oman. Contact 96533430

Indian : female – MBA in foreign trade ,BE Computer Science, sap trained bi/bw with one year experience seeking for job.

Contact 90228586 email:fathimasha16@gmail.com teaching also preferred.

DOMESTIC HELP Housemaid & Driver, valid GCC D/L (couple) overseas looking for job. Contact 95175192 Housemaid (overseas) Indian family looking for job.

Contact 99531802

Indian male, Age 22, B.Tech, Mechanical Engineer, seeking for job on any position presently on family visa. Contact 94597785 Highly experienced Indian Civil Engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact 95715278 Mechanical Engineer , having 10 years experience in QMD (piping, steel structure, static & rotary equipments) ASNT-L-II ( UT/ RT/PT/DPT) & Visual inspection, material inspection, finalization of handing over documents, available on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact: 95415062 / 92838396

B.Sc Civil Engineer, 27 yrs Oman experience as Project Manager, Structure Engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC / LOCAL transfer available.

Contact: 99349578 Email: farooqatm@hotmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact: 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com Iraqi Architect with 10 years of experience in Engineering designs and Construction Supervising professional in 3Ds Max, AutoCAD Photoshop. Contact: 96011716 Civil Engineer 4 years experience (Site Engineer). Contact: 94703391 Soft ware Engineer available, 1 year experienced in Oracle –DB, VB. Net, SQL. Interested contact: 97440378 Indian male 30 yrs ( I.T.I Fitter) 8 years Gulf experience in U.A.E Steel Structural fabrication foreman in oil field presently on visit visa in Oman needs immediate placement. Contact: 92456027 Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Indian male, Electronics Engineer with 16+ yrs experience in ELV systems looking for suitable position in Sales, Business Development or operations, having valid license & local release. Contact 98143907 or mazher2005@yahoo.com Sudanese Civil Structure Engineer, 3 years experience with residence and Omani license, good at AutoCAD Etabs Staad.

Pro looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97906770 Mechanical Engineer, Experience in the power plant and any types of the Mechanical work, looking for mechanical jobs.

Contact: 92827254 /94641669

Civil Engineer 11 years experience in construction having driving license & NOC. Contact: 94194399 Email: shiblyrock@gmail.com Civil Engineer 6 years experience, 4 years in Oman, driving license available. Contact 92553263 Electrical Testing Engineer (B.Tech) having 7 yrs Gulf experience expertise in testing pre-commissioning commissioning of electrical systems, currently on visit visa seeks suitable job in Muscat.

Contact: 90188231 Mechanical Engineer male 26 yrs, with 4 yrs of experience in manufacturing oil & gas retail, brand promoting, marketing, logistics having valid Omani D/L seeking for a suitable placement. Contact: 97098676 Email: ja237le@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Procurement Engineer (27 years single male with Oman Driving License) having 7 years experience (UAE 2, Oman 3) with expertise in MEP, Water, Electromechanical, Instrumentation seeking suitable placements. Contact 95852033, mail: hemal1988@gmail.com Indian Electrical Engineer Btech, female 24 seeking job, presently in oman having 2 year experience in design and estimation of Ht &Lt projects. Contact 968 97436557, Mail id : sibinanoop1@gmail.com Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975518 Diploma in Mechanical Eng piping system in AutoCAD work, 21+ years experience with Driving license. Contact: 95267113 Email: rkakkaryil@gmail.com 7 years teaching experience in Political Science at University level, 5 years experience as Intellectual property lawer 20 years experience of Arabic / English visa versa , translation / interpretation / Editing , 20 years of experience in management, Tri lingual (Arabic / English / French) Contact : 92175153 B.Tech Civil, 25 yrs female, 3 yrs exp in qty survey have valid GCC license. Contact: 91309475 Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97667113

Diploma Engineer (Civil) looking for job 7 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 93017821 Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com B.Tech Chartered Electrical Engineer, AMIEI with 5 years of experience in electrical power transmission and distribution in industrial, residential & commercial sectors. Expertise in load designing BOQ, Estimations, transformer and switchgear selections. Leadership skills in project execution & management. Contact: 94638744 Email: ceng.shaz@gmail.com Civil Engineer (BE) having total 5 years experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available Contact# 94450270 Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im Bachelor Civil Engineer 6 Years in Oman experience Valid Driving License seeks suitable placement Phone 97619722 Email – golamrob@yahoo.com Mechanical Engineer with 3 Yrs experience in international Oil & Gas company looking for job Contacts: Tel: 90164236 Email: mustafaoshi-62@hotmail.com Sudanese Architectural Engineer 2 years experience in Oman, Revit, AutoCAD 3Ds max Archicad looking for suitable job. Contact: 94722356 Email: maya40999@hotmail.com Sudanese Telecom Engineer, 5 years experience, 3 years in Oman PMP certificate.

Contact: 93391008 Email: momen.awadallam@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Hotel Management Degree holder, Indian Male, with 4 years work experience (Kuwait & India) looking for “Supervisor” position in F&B Department. Contact 96278739 or email anand786x@yahoo.com Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/ Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/ COO/CEO/Business Head. (NOC available) Contact: 96059470

IT Indian male 23 years PG diploma in Petroleum Engineering & B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering seeking employment as Entry level field engineer.

Contact: 95084905 / 95880127 Email: vijith2573459@gmail.com MEP Engineer 5 years exp in Gulf driving license NOC. Contact: 97838220 Civil Engineer (Diploma) having 11 years experience in building construction, looking for a suitable placement , having Oman driving license. Noc available.

Contact: 95075365 Email: azharraaz@gmail.com Electrical Engineer B.Tech with 4 yrs experience in India available on visit visa looking for suitable placement. Contact: 94741401 / 97239852 Email: sobinthomask05@gmail.com Indian female civil engineer B.Tech having 3 years experience sound knowledge of software, REVIT STAD PRO structural detailing currently on family visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95345591 Indian male diploma in Mechanical Engineering have 12 years experience in oil and gas in GCC on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 92932763 Email: pnpraveen@yahoo.co.in

10 years experience in Dubai & Bangladeshi as a BSC Engineer on structural designer & construction having Dubai municipality approval & driving license. Contact: 91206763 Future 008801758846027 Email: engr.masud.civil.@gmail.com Diploma in Electronics, 2 years exp in telecommunication.

Contact: 94519571 Email: telecommunicationvishnumadhull @gmail.com Indian female diploma in tool & die making with 1 1/2 years experience looking for suitable job. Contact : 94743992 Email: selveena054@gmail.com Electrical Engineer with 18 years exp in UAE. Contact: 98148034 Email: shassalih66@gmail.com 7 Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the field of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598 Indian female, 31 yrs, 7 yrs experienced as AutoCAD civil draftsman (2 yrs experience in Oman) currently in Oman seeks suitable.

Contact 96789441 Email: simi5304@gmail.com Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement. Contact:- 95042656

IT Service Desk Management with 3 years experience now on visit visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 95917613 Email: shithin.kanakadas@gamil.com Indian male 3 years experience in IT as Linux Administrator and 1 year experience in Amazon EC2, cloud at Wipro technologies Bangalore looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 92889678 Email: amalpathikal@gmail.com

Indian Male, IT System Engineer having 4 yrs of experience in system administration.CCNA,MCSE, Linux. Looking for suitable job.Contact :91272867 Indian male, MCA, 15 years experience in Oracle, developer, Orion Sage ERP, 5 years in Oman working as IT In charge, with NOC release and transferable visa.

Contact: 95398567, Email: anasa4@gmail.com

LOGISTICS Indian Male, 36 years, over 16 years’ Stores, Logistics and Import Export experience with US based MNC, seeks suitable placement.

Mob: 9822 6568

MANAGER Procurement Manager / Commercial Manager / G.M Indian male having 26 years of experience in Import, procurement, logistics, Commercial activities, Warehousing, TRD & Sales. Contact: 90502724 Email: tk.sasi@gmail.com Office Manager / personal Assistant with extensive experience in overall admin, commercial activities, purchase, accounts with driving license seeks suitable change. Local release available. Contact 99168054 Store Incharge / Store keeper 8 years experience in Oman, NOC & release is available looking for good job. Contact: 98178804 / 96703816 The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualified to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash management of the company & marketing projects & investments& tenders & real estate. Contact 92385033 MBA (marketing) with 17 years experience in freight forwarding/ logistics industry in GCC & Oman.

Presently working as branch manager in Muscat. Looking for a suitable position. Release and NOC available. Contact: 99856331 The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments & transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact: :- 92385033 Indian male, with experience in operations management, information security, purchase & stores mgmt, hold UAE driving license, on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact 91904541 Email: naushers@yahoo.com Camp Supervising 6 years looking for a good job. Contact: 98178804 / 96703816

MEDICAL Indian male Nurse Prometric 70% with MOH license. Smart & fluent in English. Ready for immediate joining. Contact – 92194649

SAP / ABAP certified Indian female (30), BCA, MCA, ASP. Net certification having 2 yrs of experience family visa, seeking placement.

Contact: 99109121 Email: ashamaryphilip@gmail.com

Female Nurse Indian, total 15 yrs experience, 6 yrs in KSA, prometric passed with 66% ready to join immediately. Contact: 95525004 / 98146565

Indian female, B.Tech graduate, with one and half years experience as ‘web developer’ interested in web development and has experience working in HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript and Photoshop.

Contact : 9592 7075, e-mail id: mariarosejacob90@gmail.com

Indian,Kerala,Msc-Nursing, Female,Experience-4Years-Medical Surgical ward & OP,Pro -metric completed-On Family joining visaimmediate joining-Muscat, looking - Infection Controller,Staff nurse, Nurse Educator.Cont.93591681rajina99@gmail.com

Sudanese Male 29 yrs B.Sc Computer Science, diploma computer engineering 6 yrs. experience , DBA oracle PL-SQL, Oracle SQL developer, MS sql-server ,visual studio vb, network ,driver license Oman. Email: chastity643@gmail. com , Mob: 91415886

Indian male GP Doctor looking for suitable post. Dataflow & prometric completed. Contact: 90377433 An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact 96436517 /97396088

D6

M O N DAY, F E B R UA RY 8 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/COMPUTER/WEBSITE

FOR RENT MISCELLANEOUS

SALES / MARKETING

MISCELLANEOUS

Filipina lady very urgently looking job only in boutique, release available ready to join immediately.

Contact: 97122152 / 91240759

Indian male 27 yrs, B.Com, tally 4 years sales exp in electrical & building materials with valid D/L. Contact: 98462052

Bangladeshi Male, University M.Com, Working as an administrator in Oman; searching better job.

Phone:94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com

Sh. Carpenter, steel fitter, helper, seeks visa. Contact 95175192, email : oman.manpower@yahoo.com

Marketing exceutive BBA, MCOM, Tally, exp in accouting (can continue in current visa) ph : 98269281

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Major in Animal Science, Male, 5yrs experience in poultry farm, seeking for job.

Contact 96093752.

Sudanese male 43 PHD Business Management DiPCii, CITIP, ARM54, 12 years experience in insurance field, seeking insurance post or risk management or teaching in University.

Contact: 96796630 Email: brhomalkhoozamy@yahoo.com A Filipina lady having experience in call center, airline booking and reservations, secretarial and real estate is now looking for a job in any fields. Contact: 93839304 Indian female on visit MBA (International Business- Marketing & Logistics), BE (Computers & Science Engg.) Trained in SAP-BI/ BW with 1 year experience seeking for job Contact: 90228586 Email:fathimasha16@gmail.com Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement.

Gsm 98805474

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE A dynamic professional, female,MBA,8 yrs MNC exp in Purchase, Secretary, Sales Coordination, Office Assistant, Logistics, Petty Cash, Stock, Dispatch, Project management, Documentation, residing in oman with valid NOC from current company, looking for suitable job, ready to join immediately. Contact:-phone:-94157662 Email: shiji4123@gmail.com Indian male experienced Office Asst with D/L looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97718658

26 years male MBA in Marketing & Finance Graduate having 2 years exp in sales & marketing in Mitsubishi Motor seeks suitable placement. Contact: 94676974 Email: dabdulmuqsit@gmail.com Male 38 yrs Graduate 07 years experience indoor / outdoor electronic field with D/License & NOC available (as per new rule).

Contact: 92453375 MBA with 18 years of experience in Procurement, 2 years in Sohar, Oman driving license, looking for suitable position.M:94047501, ahmed16071974@gmail.com Indian male plumbing sanitary ware & building materials experience in outdoor sales (9 years) with valid D/L UAE. Contact: 98723456 Indian male diploma in logistics management looking for an opening, presently in Oman on visit visa. Contact: 93373421 Indian male, MBA Marketing having 9 years’ experience in India in marketing is seeking suitable placement. Currently in Muscat on business visa.

Contact: 92417523 Indian male, BBM, MBA, having 3 years experience in Sales looking for suitable job. Contact: 92796046 Indian male B. Pharm 15 years sales experience MOH Pharmacist license driving license looking for opportunities in Pharmacy or Sales and marketing can get NOC. Contact: 99694865 MBA graduate having 6 years exp in Sales & Marketing, 4 years with PEPSI, India, having international driving license permit seeks suitable placement. Contact : 95308167, Email : samir.pag@gmail.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192

SALES / MARKETING Indian sales marketing professional highly experienced in business development in ME India and Africa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97897611

Indian male, MBA Marketing having 2.5 years Sales experience immediately looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91415145, Email: shariqs88@gmail.com B.Com male 2 yrs experience in sales Computer knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98371144 email: nabilnazar22@gmail.com

Indian Male, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” , looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. Contact: 90182494, Manojmallya999@gmail.com Indian female 25 yrs, MBA HR & Marketing, with one and half years experience as accountant and 6 months experience in teaching, now on a visit visa, seeking suitable position. Contact: 99624044, mail: np.neethu1@gmail.com.

Indian Male, 27 Years, MBA Finance pursuing, BCA, 6 years working in Airline Cargo Operations, Airline Passenger Ticket Auditing domain, looking for a suitable placement, currently on visit. email: jeevamal89@gmail. com, Phone:- 91713489

Indian Male, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” , looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. Contact: 90182494, Manojmallya999@gmail.com

Assistant Manager – Planning (B.Tech EEE): Indian Male, over 10 years( 7+ Yrs in Oman & UAE) of experience in Project Planning & Scheduling, Liaison & Coordination, Budgeting and Client Interaction. Seeking a suitable Job in Muscat. Contact – 00971503529608, Email Id: saravananbe44@gmail.com

Bangladeshi Male, University M.Com.Working as an Administrator cum Accountant in Oman; searching better job.

Phone:94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com

MBA (F), B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for full or part time job. presently on family visit visa. Contact :- 96259171. Email:bhumicapandya@gmail.com Assistant Manager – Planning (B.Tech EEE): Indian Male, over 10 years( 7+ Yrs in Oman & UAE) of experience in Project Planning & Scheduling, Liaison & Coordination, Budgeting and Client Interaction. Seeking a suitable Job in Muscat. Contact – 00971503529608, Email Id: saravananbe44@gmail.com Diploma in civil engineering having an experience 26years (22years in Oman) experience in Estimator / quantity surveyor looking for a suitable placement.

Willing to join immediately Contact : 96328687.

Indian B.Tech 37 years Project Engineer , 12 + years experience in construction, maintenance of STP, Pumping stations, sewer lines, drinking water distribution and service reservoirs & pipe lines.

Contact: 99364007 / +91-887422635 Email: mdzubair01@gmail.com

TECHNICIAN /MECH. Indian female, MBA in Garment Manufacturing Technology, having over 8years exp in Merchandising & Marketing, worked for brands Zara, H&M, DKNY, Even & Odd, Soya Concept & many more, now on family visa looking for a suitable position.

Pls contact: 95604511. email: richagandhi25@gmail.com

Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license call Ph:+968 99450811 Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com

TOURS/TRAVELS Indian male 4 years sales experience & Business development look forward for suitable position.

NOC & Oman D/L available.

Contact: 97198976 Email: qubaisakhan@gmail.com Indian male Plumbing, sanitary ware & building materials, experience in outdoor sales, with valid D/L UAE. Contact: 98723456 Indian male, Graduate, experienced Sales person (FMCG) with valid UAE driving license, on visit seeks suitable position. Contact 92419491 / 94881950, Email : pranilpp76@gmail.com Marketing Executive, BBA, M.Com, Tally, Peachtree, Dip in logistics, knowledge in accounting assistant , can work in current 2 yr visa. Contact : 98269281 Indian male 23 Graduate with 1 year experience with valid Oman driving license looking for a placement. Contact: 93379169 Indian male 26, with more than 3 years experience in Counter Sales & Marketing with valid N.O.C Cont: 94704522, 97826454 & Emailmd.noman.mansoori@gmail.com

Indian male 26 yrs, 7 yrs experience in airfare, audit, air ticketing well verse with Microsoft Office Windows application seeking for suitable position.

Contact: 94894170 / 95618311 Indian male 26, on vist visa, 2+ yrs of experience with UAE D/L, IATA-FIATA,BBA looking for any suitable job. Contact 91324567

MISCELLANEOUS Indian female, B.Tech graduate, with one and half years experience as ‘web developer’ interested in web development and has experience working in HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript and Photoshop.

Contact 9592 7075, e-mail id: mariarosejacob90@gmail.com Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/networking/server, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/ Network/Server support. #92607532

Indian male, experienced Sales Executive with D/ L seeks suitable placement. Contact: 97853426

Indian Male, 26 years, with 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” , looking for suitable placement. Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. Contact: 90182494, Manojmallya999@gmail.com

Experienced Indian male with Oman driving license and NOC looking for sales & marketing or purchase jobs. Contact: 97360689

B.Com 5yrs experience good command on tally, Excel sheet on family visa. Contact: 98002428 Email: lubnakanwal36@gmail.com

SIT.WANTED

IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/ networking/server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support.

Contact 92607532.

Light Driver looking for job.

Contact:99594946 Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 26 years old (male) with 4 years experience as Mechanical engineer , Sales engineer and Call center agent seeking suitable placement.

Contact: +968.90644235

Bangladeshi Male, University M.Com Working as an Administrator cum Accountant in man; searching better job. Phone:94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com MBA - (F), M.Com, B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for part time or full time job. Presently on family visa. Contact :- 91892264.

Email:- yv.dixit@yahoo.com Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Sales administrator in Oman; searching better job.

Phone:91997605, email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com Searching a land surveyor job fully know latest instrument of Survey GPS and Total station two year OMAN experience.NOC Available. Contact +96894144052, Email- wasifnaz 313@yahoo.com

Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Store keeper in Muscat; searching better job.

Phone:91997605, email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail. com

Indian Female, BE Electronics and Communication, having oman experience looking for full time or part time job. Ready to join immediately, currently on family visa.

Contact : 92115948 / 99327912

Electrical Engineer with 11 years experience in Electrical Design (LV&HV) Villas , apartments , seek part time jobs.

Contact -91403412

Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/networking/server, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/ Network/Server support.

Contact 92607532

Indian male 25 yrs, MBA (Finance, Marketing), Overall 2 yrs exp in Accounts/Finance field, On Visit Visa. Immediately available.

Contact - 92989197/94786544. abdulqhizer2004@gmail.com

in Azaiba and Ruwi

9 yrs exp Site Engineer in Civil & Shade Structure. 2d, 3d draughtsman (holding Oman driving license) seeking job. #90139903

Indian Mech Engineer, 9+ years of Saudi experience in HVAC, MEP oil & gas and hospital projects with valid Saudi driving license can join immediately. Contact: 99364007 / +966-505899608 Email: shuebmech@gmail.com

Pakistani Male having 6 years Experience Valid Omani Driving license working as a Transport Manager looking for a suitable position. salary is negotiable. mail: mohdnaveed043@gmail. com, Mob: +96893363316 / 94202746

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

Indian male 34 Yrs., Dual MBA Finance and marketing With IT skills, 7+ yrs. of experience, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 94879615, Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com B.TEC ( IT) . 24 years, 2 Years of experience in technical support, software development, networking, troubleshooting and managing. seek suitable placement. Contact GSM- 98184170

earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

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

AVAILABLE ACC. AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting.

Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

FOR SALE Dental X- Ray Almost new for sale.

Contact: 91232778 Used supermarket shelvings .

Contact: 97752395 / 97752395 Expat leaving household items for sale, 3 ACS, fridge, gas cylinder, 5 computer tables & sofa bed and other. Contact: 94412557 3BHK flat for rent / sale at Dar Al Maha (Greater Muttrah).

Contact: 99321792

Hail Independent rooms RO 140/& 160/-. Contact 95529970 Room for rent with attach B/R & kitchen for R.O 75/- without Elect/ water, near BP Petrol Pump Mabellah . Contact: 91516775 / 99772515 Sharing accommodation near Hamriya flower shopping supermarket. Contact: 98985763 Single room attached bath at Mumtaz area. Contact 95212017 / 90562744 Furnished room available for Executive bachelor in Ruwi area.

Contact: 99054542 Furnished room for an Indian in Al-Khuwair33 - 95234062 Room with kitchen, bath available in Ruwi for a couple or single working lady. Contact: 91450718 / 91429608

Running family restaurant for sale / rent in Wadi Kabir with party hall, total capacity around 200 people around 300 sq mtrs.

Contact: 95061994

Accommodation available at Al Hail Keralite family only.

Contact: 96234708

Excavation contracts worth RO 2 million + Big Volvo Excavators & 2015 Astra 5 tippers for sale.

Contact: 99120532 / 98867530

Furnished bedroom with attached bath and kitchen, separate entrance available for Executive bachelor for R.O 150/- per month all inclusive in a villa OPP star cinema. Contact: 99314807

Restaurant & Coffee Shop for sale in Ghala area. For details contact 99072003

A big room available for Muslim couple / small family executive bachelor near Hamriya R/A rent 130/- OMR, including water / Electricity. Contact: 99495131

Electronics service Technician , 4 Years experience as Electronics service engineer. Knowledge in all type of Electronics items. Looking for suitable placement.

GSM- 99105043

Well running restaurant with 100 mess for sale at Misfa.

Contact: 95212017 / 99608600

22, Indian BBA graduate, 1 year experience, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 91881053

Light Duty Driver Professional, Indian male having 5 years of experience with valid Oman driving licence.NOC Available.

Contact 91652481

Marble factory for sale location Misfah. Contact: 98586828 Restaurant items for sale.

Contact: 96772479 /98428507

Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for executive bachelor opposite OC centre Ruwi. Call: 92273779

Highly experienced mechanical/ steel structural fabrication engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 99860714, hussain20173@gmail.com.

Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439

Supermarket for sale in Amerat (5) for part-time workers does not have required 35/000 retractable negotiate. (Omani National) Contact 96656972 / 99719973

Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested please Contact: 92680041 Mr. Altaf

Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Store keeper in Muscat; searching better job.

Phone:91997605, email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail. com

Porta cabin for sale in Misfa.

Contact: 99442438 / 96578799

Ghubra. Beautiful Room. Indian Lady/Couple/Bachelor. Non-cooking, Vegetarians.

Contact 99283938

M O N DAY, F E B R UA RY 8 , 2 0 1 6

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

TOURS

SITUATION WANTTOURS ED

RENT A CAR

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636

DRIVING

NRI Flats for sale Kerala Trichur fully furnished 3BHK flat 1575 sq ft ready to occupy. Contact: 99073124

We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

For sale 2 BHK with full furniture interior near St. Blaise School Church Amboli Andheri West Mumbai.

Contact: 95434412

MANPOWER

Ready to occupy flat, 3BHK 1600 sq ft 1No & 3 BHK 1200 sq ft 1No. at heart of Trichur N.H road frontage.

Contact: 99073124 Located about 1/2 km behind Cherplasseri town bus stand (Palakkad) 8 cents or 16 cents of residential plot for sale @ 3 lakh per cent.

Contact 97375638.

MV SALE Experienced 10 Shuttering carpenters, 10 Steel Fixers and 10 mason to ready to joined with our organization with release & NOC. Salary will be fair, food and accommodation is available.

Contact 90234289 / 91496549 / 24494900

BUYING Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

Toyota Haice delivery van 2015 model, high roof in condition.

Contact: 99471699 / 95339183 / 94082616 Hyundai Santafe 2010 model, 2.7 litres, Black Colour, Expat driven, well maintained, 86000 kms.

Contact - 93304439.

GOOD NEWS Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at AL Khuwair. Contact: 24478618 / 97263637 / 93309131

GOOD NEWS

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver.

Contact: 99839898

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).Contact: 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

TRANSPORTATION Transportation in Muscat.

Contact: 96004045

WANTED

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation. Contact :98505294 Transportation.Contact: 99099714

IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area. Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up.

Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

Transportation Al Khuwair.

Contact: 92711421 Transportation. Contact 92015894

Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

D8

M O N DAY, F E B R UA RY 8 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

MATRIMONIAL DĂƌďůĞ Ɵ ůĞƐ ŐƌŝŶĚŝŶŐ Θ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ͕ DŽƐĂŝĐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ŐƌŝŶĚŝŶŐ Θ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ͕ ĐĂƌƉĞƚ ƐŚĂŵƉŽŽŝŶŐ͕ ƐŽĨĂ ƐŚĂŵƉŽŽŝŶŐ͕ ƉĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů ƚƌĞĂƚŵĞŶƚ Θ ŐĞŶĞƌĂů ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽĨ ǀŝůůĂ Θ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ Express Building Cleaning Services.

Contact 98480070 / 94134784

Keralite Hindu Ezhava Parents invites suitable alliance for their son 26 yrs, Nakshtaram Rohini employed in Muscat.

Girl, resident of Oman is preferred.

Please write to: satishkumar@altesoman.com

CHANGE OF NAME Ain Al Zaman International For Trad & Cont joint company which is recorded under the commercial register in directorate general for trade industry number 1120502 is going to change its name to Ain Al Zaman International For Trad & Cont L.L.C company. This is to inform anybody who concerns about that.

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ General cleaning etc. ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> Contact : 94277020 LEGAL SERVICE Ŷ /ŶĚŝĂŶ ůĂǁLJĞƌ WƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ Ăůů ůĞŐĂů ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ŝŶ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŵĂƩ ĞƌƐ͘ LĂďŽƵƌ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ͕ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ ĂŐƌĞĞŵĞŶƚƐ͕ >> ĨŽƌŵĂƟ ŽŶ͕ ůĞŐĂů ŚĞůƉ ĨŽƌ ƐƚĂƌƟ ŶŐ ŶĞǁ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ŝŶ KŵĂŶ͕ ŝǀŝů͕ ĐƌŝŵŝŶĂů ĐĂƐĞƐ͕͘ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ͘ /ďƌĂŚŝŵ ů DĂƐƐĂůŚŝ͘ůĞŐĂů ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂŶĐLJ Sarafudheen, >> ͕ D ͕ LĞŐĂů dvisor DƵƐĐĂƚ͘ GSM: 97351649

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

FURNITURE SHIFTING Maintenance, Dismantling, Packing, Shifting & Fixing furniture with expert technicians.

Pest Control Treatments Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 99344723

Contact: 99041337

Cleaning & Carpet Shampooing Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 99344723

Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble.# 24793614/ 99314807

Building maintenance.

Contact: 96173326

A/C maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing.

Contact 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

Marble, Grinding, Crystallization.

Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 99344723

Cleaning services sofa, carpet, shampoo old house or new house.

Contact: 92179395

Ahmed & Abbas Sons Ali Qasim joint company which is recorded under the commercial register in directorate general for trade industry number 3050700 is going to change its name to Ahmed Ali Qasim Al Ajmi for Trad joint company. This is to inform anybody who concerns about that.

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.

Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

SERVICES Split A/C servicing R.O 10 only. Contact: 94217681 / 99210141 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130

House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability