Times of Oman - September 8, 2016

THURSDAY September 8, 2016 6 Dhul Hijja 1437 AH

6 085010 120010

HM SENDS GREETINGS

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to President Gjorge Ivanov of Macedonia on the occasion of his country’s National Day. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere greetings and best wishes to President Ivanov and his country’s people. -ONA

At the opening session of the 6th Summit of the Co-operation Council of the Arab Gulf States in Muscat, 1985

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ We are conscious of the importance of the interaction of positive aspects of the experiences gained by our States to improve their cooperation in a manner which takes into account the interests of all, which in turn cements the ambitions of our peoples, of which future generations of our Gulf family can be proud.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 168 | 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

AUGUST END

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Medical visas to India surge 222%

Training in Thailand

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A leading luxury hotel chain Al Baleed Resort by Anantara that is about to open in Salalah has sent a team of its Omani staff members to train for a month in Thailand.>A4

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com

WORLD

Detentions in Turkey

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Turkish authorities detained journalists, a politician and a pollster and issued arrest warrants for another 105 people. >A12

MARKET

Investment in hotel

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Oman’s two leading pension funds have decided to invest 20 per cent in the new Crowne Plaza hotel, which is under development. >B1

Holiday Notice There will be no edition of Times Of Oman until Thursday and Hi on September 15 on account of Eid Al Adha holidays.

EID AL ADHA GREETINGS The board of directors and staff of Muscat Media Group extend their heartiest greetings to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said on the advent of Eid Al Adha.

MUSCAT: Indian Embassy in Oman recorded a 222 per cent jump in the number of medical visas issued till the end of August this year, compared with a year ago, data from the embassy revealed.

Until the end of August, 14,585 medical and medical attendant visas had been issued by the Indian embassy. In 2015, it was only 4,530 during the same period.

“Out of the 14,585, we can say that 95 per cent are Omanis, who travel to India for medical treatment. The rest are Yemenis, Bangladeshis and Indonesians,” a senior official from the embassy said.

“Yemenis used to get visas from Sanaa earlier. Following the war, the Indian embassy has closed its operations there. Now, the Yemenis either have to go to Djibouti or come to Oman. For them, it is more comfortable coming to Oman, so they do so and from here they travel to India for treatment,” the senior official added.

Recent reports in India revealed that while the number of medical visas issued in 2014 was 75,671, it surged to 134,344 in 2015, reflecting an almost 80 per cent increase.

“During the first six months of 2016, the number of medical visas issued by India numbered 96,856.

The five important source countries in 2015 were Oman, Bang-

14,585 medical visas and medical attendant visas had been issued by the Indian embassy until the end of August, 2016

ladesh, Afghanistan, Nigeria and Iran,” the report added.

According to Indra Mani Pandey, the Indian ambassador to the Sultanate, Omanis and other foreign nationals travel to India for medical treatment because India has excellent healthcare facilities.

Competent doctors “Indian doctors are well-known for their competence and experience and the cost of medical treatment in India is much lower when compared with other countries,” the ambassador explained.

However, the number of tourist visas issued has declined during the same period from 61,124 to 52,939. >A5

OMAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

STRANDED

Rights awareness drive to be launched soon TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A media campaign will be launched by the end of October by the Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to raise awareness about human rights in the Sultanate in the Musandam Governorate.

OHRC held the first meeting to mark the first annual sitting of the third term and discussed a range of topics, which included issuing approval for sending an awareness convoy to Musandam.

Dr. Obeid Al Shaqsi, secretary general of OHRC, said the awareness campaign will cover a range of topics and will be heard by the governor among other officials in the governorate.

“It will cover many things, such as a meeting with the governor

and other officials in the governorate. They will get a chance to listen to a lecture on human rights and the role of OHRC,” said Al Shaqsi.

The commission also discussed organising a training workshop on the uses of social networking sites and security of community and information to be presented by experts from the Netherlands and the Sultanate.

“We will also hold workshops that deal with issues, such as child rights, disabled’ rights, women’s rights and freedom of expression,” Al Shaqsi explained.

He added that the convoy will also visit a number of places in Musandam, such as the women’s association and hospitals, to spread awareness about human rights. “Those interested are free to join us,” he noted.

Jobless for more than 3 months, expats are stranded in a camp with little food, medicare

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com

Health advisory for Eid Al Adha slaughtering

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SHINAS

Whale’s remains found Staff Reporter SHINAS: A three-tonne whale was found beached and dead in Wilayat of Shinas by fishermen of the area.

The whale was found beached in the village of Dwanij, Shinas by fishermen and was already decomposing by the time they found it. It weighed three tonnes and was four metres long and two metres wide.

Hassan Al Balushi, head of

Fishery Resources at the Department of Fisheries in Shinas said, “A group of fishermen found the decomposed whale on the beach.

We have coordinated with the Department of Environment and Climate Affairs and the Shinas Municipality to go ahead with procedures to remove the whale.”

An official at the Shinas Municipality confirmed the news about the beached whale, adding that they plan to bury the whale’s carcass at sea.>A2

MUSCAT: Dozens of angry workers are stranded in Oman after the company stopped paying wages and failed to renew employment visas.

FOUR PAGES SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT ON ONAM WITH TODAY’S EDITION

MORNING MINUTE

More than 80 expatriate workers at a construction site near Muscat, including 50 without valid labour cards, have been stranded in their camp without a job, salary or proper food and medical support for the last four months.

Some have even resigned – but

the company refused to accept the resignations.

Now, they cannot leave as their visas have expired and they are effectively living in Oman illegally.

“This year, the majority of them got salary only for three or four months. The rest of the salary is pending. We don’t know when the company will clear the dues and when we will be able to send money to our families back home,” one stranded Indian worker, sitting idle for the last three months in the camp as the construction company is lacking projects, told Times of Oman.

Article 51 of the Oman Labour Law says employees who receive their salaries monthly shall be paid once a month at least.

Prasad M K, a legal advisor in Muscat, said that employers are bound to pay salary every month if the job contract cites monthly and the worker has the right to lodge a complaint or to stop working if the employer fails to follow the signed job contract made on the basis of Oman Labour Law. While some of the workers are holding a valid labour card, more than 50 don’t have one, landing them in more trouble. >A4

SHIP SINKS

Oman helps rescue Iranian crew MUSCAT: All 15 crew members were rescued from a sinking Iranian ship after a joint operation between the British Royal Navy and Oman coastguard, naval and air forces on Tuesday.

A search and rescue operation was launched for the 15-member crew of Iran’s Al Zaman Ship which sank 96 nautical miles off the coast of Ras Al Hadd.

The Portland ship of the British Royal Navy, the closet to Al Za-

man vessel managed to rescue the crew after a RAFO plane dropped lifebuoys for them.

The Maritime Security Centre conducts search and rescue op-

erations among other operations related to marine security risks in coordination with the departments concerned in the Sultanate Oman. —ONA

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OMAN CITY CENTRE QURUM

Oman’s first IMAX screen to open over Eid Al Adha Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s first IMAX screen at City Centre Qurum will be opened for the public over Eid Al Adha.

On Wednesday, Majid Al Futtaim Cinemas, the dedicated cinema arm of Majid Al Futtaim, the leading shopping mall, retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa announced the launch of the first IMAX theatre in Oman.

“IMAX presents Hollywood blockbusters like never before, allowing audiences to go deeper into the world’s most innovative

INAUGURATION: Director Clint Eastwood has shot Sully almost entirely with the new ALEXA IMAX® 65mm cameras.

movie-going experience with heart-pounding audio and aweinspiring images in a specially designed auditorium that guarantees complete cinematic im-

mersion,” a senior official at VOX Cinemas said.

They added: “Opening with the biographical drama Sully, IMAX at VOX will offer customers in Oman the world’s best sound and image technology, making them feel like a part of the movie instead of just watching one.”

Exclusively being shown in IMAX theatres, the entire film will expand vertically to fill more of the IMAX screen, delivering 26 per cent more of the image than standard theatres for greater scope and breathtaking image quality to create a truly unique and immersive experience.

E D UC AT I O N C OU N C I L

Workshops on education held MUSCAT: For three successive days the Education Council organised preparative workshops for a seminar on education and trends of development; as well as current and future employment opportunities in the labour market. — ONA CLEAN UP

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A1 Whale “We will take the whale out to sea and bury it in the ocean before the stench and bacteria infect the village,” said the official.

Some countries use explosives to clear the remains of large whales off beaches. The chunks of whale, as a result of the explosion, would make it easier for municipal workers to gather and clean up.

When asked about this, the official said, “No we don’t use explosives… we don’t have explosives anyway. It isn’t permitted in general.”

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

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Home delivery of mail for Al Mouj residents soon tertainment hubs for locals and tourists.

It is currently home to more than 4,000 people belonging to 70 nationalities.

Service will start from September this year and include delivery of both parcels and letters, and at the waterfront development’s apartments, later extending to villas and townhouses

Times News Service MUSCAT: For the first time in Oman, mail will be delivered at the doorstep of the residents of Al Mouj, a community of over 4,000 people.

In collaboration with the Oman Post Company, Al Mouj Muscat will be the first destination in Oman to offer daily door-to-door postal delivery services, adding to its coveted lifestyle.

The service will include delivery of both parcels and letters, and will start from September this year at the waterfront development’s apartments, later extending to villas and townhouses.

Commenting on the new mail service, Nasser bin Masoud Al Sheibani, acting chief executive officer (CEO) of Al Mouj Muscat said, “In partnership with Oman Post, Al Mouj Muscat is delighted to be the first in Oman to be able

DAILY SERVICE: In collaboration with the Oman Post Company, Al Mouj Muscat will be the first destination in Oman to offer daily door-to-door postal delivery services, adding to its coveted lifestyle.

to offer this unprecedented service to our residents.”

New standards “This is yet another customer focused concept, which will be delivered as part of our ongoing commitment to providing new standards of living, leisure and entertainment to residents, visitors and tourists in Oman.”

According to Abdul Malik Al Balushi, CEO of Oman Post, the introduction of the convenience driven service is timely, given the increasing volume of mail that is being generated through the growth of e-commerce.

“We look forward to collaborating with Al Mouj Muscat on this first-of-its kind initiative, and delivering an outstanding direct-tothe-door service to this dynamic community.”

Traditional method However, most other residents of Oman will still have to follow the traditional method of driving to the post boxes to get their mail.

Al Mouj Muscat is Oman’s flagship integrated tourism complex with a package that includes social, residential, retail and en-

Policy review Meanwhile, in pursuant to the Postal Services Regulatory Law No. 71/2012, the Ministry of Transport and Communications and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) held a joint consultation with key stakeholders to review the general policy and certain postal regulatory legislations that were drafted by specialised international consulting firms.

The meeting focused on discussing the principles and outcomes of the studies prepared by the consultant under the supervision of officials from the ministry and TRA. The key principles and results of the general policy aim at furthering the role of postal services in socio-economic development through the gradual liberalisation of the postal market.

This will reduce routine and bureaucracy in supervision and regulation, the promotion of local and foreign investment and encourage operators to improve postal services by using telecommunication and technology on a wider scale so that they become capable of providing hybrid e-commerce services within the next five years in line with the plans and trends of the government.

The meeting took place at the TRA building in Airport Heights.

Representatives from the concerned government entities, postal services providers and some beneficiaries of postal services were present at the meeting.

OMAN ITEMS AIRLIFTED A helicopter of the Royal Air Force of Oman ( RAFO) has transported various commodities for the citizens of Al Jiraifat in the wilayat of Al Hamra, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, as part of the efforts and services of the Ministry of Defence, the Sultan’s Armed Forces and other government institutions to provide basic needs in the remote and mountainous areas of Oman. —ONA

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OMAN Health advisory for Eid-related slaughter

FIRST FRANCHISE IN OMAN

Sumo Sushi & Bento opens first restaurant in Bareeq Al Shatti Mall Staff Reporter

Ahead of Eid, the

MUSCAT: After serving customers all over the Gulf Cooperation Council for more than 16 years, Sumo Sushi & Bento has announced the opening of their first franchise location in Oman by Naranjee Hirjee.

Located in the Bareeq Al Shatti Mall, the restaurant is complete with a sushi bar, unique round seating areas and light marbled tables, which give the restaurant its refined and unpretentious appeal, providing guests with the flexibility to enjoy a dining experience for any occasion.

Ministry of Health has advised the public to adopt preventive measures and follow hygiene norms to avoid contracting the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

FAHAD AL GHADANI

WARNING: The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Muscat Municipality has also called on people to head to the approved municipal slaughterhouses.

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Despite officials urging Omanis to stop slaughtering goats at home and use government-run slaughter houses instead, most people still prefer to slaughter personally as has been the tradition during Eid. Ahead of Eid, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has advised the public to adopt preventive measures and follow hygiene norms to avoid contracting the Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) while slaughtering animals.

The ministry called on the public to ensure that the animals they purchase are free of ticks and that they should not touch or crush or remove ticks by hand. The ministry also added that people should wear protective clothing, gloves and long shoes when handling animals and their tissues.

Inside home However, most nationals find it a must to slaughter inside or beside their houses as the tradition has existed for a long time. Moreover, the Muscat Municipality has tweeted that some precautionary measures should be adopted by the public while slaughtering in-

slaughterhouses. However, for those who prefer slaughtering at home, they should follow preventive measures and also dispose the slaughter waste by putting it in bags and throwing it in designated areas.

they notice any symptoms of the Congo fever.

Normally, symptoms appear after 13 days of infection and include fever, muscle aches, dizziness, neck pain and stiffness, back pain, headache, sore eyes and photophobia (sensitivity to light).

There may also be nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and sore throat early on, followed by sharp mood swings and confusion, in addition to drowsiness and depression after two to four days.

Abdominal pain may concentrate in the right upper quadrant, with a significant enlargement of the liver. Other signs of infection are a fast heartbeat, lymphadenopathy and rash or bruises. Usually, there are signs of inflammation in the liver.

Amerat, Seeb Two new slaughterhouses were opened by the Muscat Municipality in Amerat and Seeb. The municipality stated that the two slaughterhouses will open doors for the public this Eid. CCHF has claimed eight lives in 2016 so far, according to the MoH. The ministry has also urged people to seek medical advice if

Rapid deterioration Patients with serious cases may suffer from rapid deterioration in kidney functions or sudden liver or pulmonary failure after the fifth day.

The ministry also added that all health institutions are observing the highest degree of vigilance and precaution to receive the suspected cases.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever has claimed eight lives in 2016 so far, according to the Ministry of Health. The ministry has also urged people to seek medical advice if they notice any symptoms of the Congo fever

dividually at home. “We know it’s not the same as it was in the past, but still this practice in particular has its own taste. All the families gather in one place and work together,” said Mohammed Khalfan, a resident based in Quraiyat.

He added that he had arranged to follow the municipality’s measures. “I and my family are fully prepared for Eid day. I have bought gloves and long shoes and will make sure to throw the waste in the proper area allocated by the ministry.”

The Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Muscat Municipality has also called on people to head to the approved municipal

OFFER

Veggie menu Head Chef Puneet Katiyal, along with Sumo’s Executive Chefs Tako Rinthiasong and Glenn Sebastian Lacandalo, have collaborated to create a special extended veggie menu, to accommodate the family and owners of Naranjee Hirjee’s personal beliefs and values.

Sumo’s signature menu items include dishes, such as Teriyaki chicken bento (OMR4.9), Salmon tuna tartar (OMR5.4), Miso ra-

men (OMR5.1), and group pleasing sushi and sashimi platters exquisitely presented with the skills and knowledge of Sumo’s sushi chefs.

The menu also includes Sumo’s most popular menu item, the Samurai roll (OMR5.4).

The veggie friendly inspired menu, appropriately titled “Veggie Lovers” includes appetiser options, such as Ginger tofu (OMR2.3) and Japanese dumplings, known as gyoza (OMR2.8).

The menu also offers entrees and sushi rolls, such as a Veggie bento (OMR5.2) and a signature creation called the Forbidden roll (OMR3.5), made with nutrient rich black rice, avocado and a Sumo secret creamy kozo sauce.

Along with the new veggie menu, Oman’s branch has also extended their drinks menu, with a selection of sweet and creamy Frappe options, including Red velvet, Matcha green tea and Pistachio. Guests can also be expected to enjoy Sumo’s original menu of drinks, such as the refreshing and minty Sumojitio (OMR1.6) that showcases a shade of electric blue with fresh green mint leaves.

ATTRACTION: Sumo Sushi & Bento will be open seven days a week from 11am to 11pm, with dine-in, takeaway and delivery services available. Delivery times are 11.30am to 3.30pm for lunch and 7.30pm to 10.30pm for dinner.

A L B A L E E D R E S O R T B Y A NA N TA R A

Omani staff sent for training in Thailand

Staff Reporter GOAL-ORIENTED: Al Baleed Resort by Anantara will feature a distinct Thai flavour in its décor.

LUCKY: The programme, which was launched in July 2016, invites passengers between the ages of 4 and 12 to participate in the campaign and collect a free flight.

Young Sinbad is 250th member of Oman Air club MUSCAT: Oman Air’s Junior Sindbad Flyer Campaign welcomed its 250th member, Aws bin Moawiya Al Rawas, who was presented with his Oman Air passport.

The program, which was launched in July 2016, invites passengers between the ages of 4 and 12 to participate in the campaign and collect a free flight.

Young fliers receive an Oman Air passport which is stamped and signed by the captain on every flight they take and will be awarded a free flight to any destination within the Oman Air network after they accumulate 10 stamps and signatures.

“We are delighted to welcome young passengers on board and we believe that just like adult flyers, there are rewards to be had for children too. We are thrilled with the way the program has been received by our customers,” said Paul Gregorowitsch, CEO

MUSCAT: A leading luxury hotel chain that is about to open in Salalah has sent a team of its young Omani staff members to train for a month in Thailand.

The Al Baleed Resort by Anantara will feature a distinct Thai flavour in its décor and restaurants.

Team members hired to work in the resort, mainly Omanis with little hospitality training, have been put through their paces in Thailand ahead of the grand opening.

The stunning resort offers beachfront and lagoon villas, with

personal swimming pools. The resort, right next to the Al Baleed Archaeological Park’s UNESCO World Heritage site and close to the town of Salalah itself, promises to be the jewel in the crown of Oman’s tourism drive. Naefa Baitmabrak, one of the team members who travelled to Bangkok to learn about Thai food, is a commis chef at the resort. One of 10 children, Baitmabrak cooked for the family from an early age and joined

Anantara to learn the ropes in the kitchen as she plans to open her own restaurant one day.

She said: “I will do it. My signature dish will be fettucine. I already have it all planned out, even the name. I joined here to learn. In Thailand, they taught me how to make Tom Yum soup and the people there were so beautiful. They looked after us really well. I want to learn everything and then take that and begin my own restaurant.

This is a really good way to do that.”

Koukab Sabati, a guest service centre team member, who was also on the Thai training course, said: “It was my first time flying out of Oman. The flight was so long. I was a little scared at the beginning, but the people there are now like my family. They are beautiful. It was very good for us to go and see for ourselves they work.” Final preparations are being made for the resort’s grand opening later this year.

S T R A N D E D E X PAT S

Young fliers receive an Oman Air passport which is stamped and signed by the captain on every flight they take of Oman Air. “We have just welcomed our 250th member into the program and we expect to see numbers continue to grow. We are very much looking forward to seeing the first junior Sindbad Flyer to collect ten stamps and receive a complimentary flight,” he added.

Just like the adult version of the Sindbad Flyer program, the Junior Sindbad Flyer program enables younger passengers to enjoy some of the privileges offered to Oman Air’s customers.

A1 Company officials hope to overcome crisis < FROM

“Some are even having health issues. Whenever, we call the office seeking assistance, they refuse. As we don’t have valid cards, we can’t approach the hospitals,” the worker added. The legal advisor said an expat will have to pay OMR30 at the immigration counter at the airport and OMR18 at the Ministry of Manpower counter for every month they remain in Oman.

“Payment has to be made by the company,” the legal advisor said.

The workers have lodged a complaint with the Indian embassy in Oman and are waiting for a positive outcome.

The majority of the workers had submitted their resignations seeking exit from the company when their labour cards were about

to expire, but unfortunately the company has not accepted their resignations.

“Workers who have not remitted money home due to non-payment of salary said that their families are struggling to make ends meet back home.

“We have children studying, aged parents and all. How can they run the family when we don’t remit money? They are literally starving,” the workers added.

The workers also added that they are also facing a food crisis.

“Food is not at all good. However, as we have to stay alive, we are adjusting with it,” another worker added.

A company which was supplying food for the workers stopped

on August 5 as payments were pending.

“We have to get around OMR30,000 as payment for supplying food for the last five months.

We can’t run it, so, we have stopped it,” the food supply company official said, adding that they have approached legal advisors seeking support.

Meanwhile, a senior official from the company said that economic conditions led to the crisis.

“Due to conditions, we are struggling to get funds released on time from our clients.

“This is affecting the payments for workers. We won’t betray the workers. Conditions are bad. But we are hopeful that we can overcome the crisis,” the senior of-

ficial told Times of Oman. However, Article 54 says that salaries, rights, other benefits and all other amounts due to the employee or his successors according to the rules of this law shall have priority over all the employer’s debts except the maintenance awarded by the Sharia Court.

Oman trade union leaders said that companies cannot leave workers in such a difficult situation.

“Workers’ salary has to be paid on time. It cannot be held back after they resign. It is the company’s responsibility to renew the labour cards. Workers cannot be left in the lurch,” Mohammed Al Farji, board member of General Federation of Oman Trade Union (GFOTU), said.

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

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MEDICAL TOURISM

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A1 Treatment cheaper “There is, therefore, only a nominal increase in the total visas issued by the embassy during this period, compared with last year.

It is therefore obvious that many Omanis, who earlier went to India on tourist visas, have now changed them to medical visas. This trend may change during the remaining four months of the year,” the ambassador added.

In 2015, medical visas were made mandatory for those who were travelling to India for medical needs. A relative of an Omani cancer patient who went to India said they had to travel to India for treatment on an emergency basis.

“We didn’t want it (the treatment) to be delayed. Moreover, the patient was not feeling confident about the consultation here in Oman. So we travelled to India. However, unfortunately, he passed away there because it was too late to treat him,” the relative added.

Dr Rohil Raghavan, director of Lifeline Hospitals in Oman, said for certain treatments, such as those involving Oncology, Neu-

rology and Gastroenterology, the facilities available at hospitals in India are the best and the medics in these fields are highly skilled too. “So, in some cases, which need extra attention, we refer the patients to seek treatment in India,” Raghavan added.

“Earlier, people from here used to travel to Europe. But due to the current situation in Europe and as it is more expensive, people find India is the best option for addressing medical problem,” he stated.

Meanwhile, K T Rabeeullah, chairman and managing director of the Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Group, who is going to open two hospitals in Oman before the end of this year, said they will be have a special desk to facilitate medical tourism for those who need it.

“We have tied up with the Baby Memorial Hospital (BMH) in Kerala. It is one of the best multispecialty hospitals in India, with more than 40 surgical units and 800 beds. Along with us they will be able to meet the medical tourists’ needs,” Rabeeullah said.

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OMAN

People advised to use genuine car spare parts Critical parts, such as brake pads and engine parts, come with no guarantee and can prove to be life threatening in testing situations

SYED HAITHAM HASAN

haitham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Motorists in Oman have been advised not to install unauthorised spare parts in their vehicles.

In 2014, the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) published a report which addressed 1,162 complaints related to tyres and vehicle parts, saying it had confiscated nearly 1,357 parts during checks it conducted.

Most of these parts were far cheaper than genuine parts and

therefore customers found them to be a better alternative.

However, given that such safety critical parts, such as brake pads and engine parts, come with no guarantee and can prove to be life threatening in testing situations.

“Most people install parts from outside the dealership as they are a cheaper alternative, which can pose a risk to consumers as these parts carry no performance guarantee,” said Faisal Mohammed, marketing manager at Audi Oman. He even quoted PACP’s advice to not use them, given the

dangerous consequences.

However, Taufeeq, a private garage owner, said there is no problem in installing parts, which are not critical to the safety or performance of a vehicle and where cost benefits are huge.

“It is fine to install such parts, which are disposable within two to three months and have to be changed anyway, whether genuine or not. They do not affect performance and provide a cost saving of more than 50 per cent,” he explained.

He also said most garage owners do not install parts unrecognised by dealers, especially for vehicular functions that are critical for human life.

Authorised parts’ dealers still suggest that one must not to use these parts as most general consumers are unaware of the applications of the parts and in a bid to get a cheaper deal, they fall prey to bogus parts. A workshop man-

ager at a dealership in Oman said that often private garages install parts that have the name of the official dealer, but are actually fake and people must beware that such parts are equally dangerous.

Several individuals also noted that vehicle performance declined after they got their vehicle repaired.

Suspecting foul play in their case, they had raised concerns over the type of parts garage owners had installed and its detrimental end results.

Aamir Patel, a chartered accountant complained that his vehicle’s performance had decreased ever since he had his car repaired at a private garage for a small repair.

“I had given my car for repair and when I got it back there was a strange engine sound, which was not there before, but the garage owner insisted that it was there from before.”

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OMAN D ATA

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

1.5 million visitors arrive in Oman by end of July MUSCAT: As many as 1.5 million visitors flew into the Sultanate during January until July 2016 while 3.2 million visitors left the country during the same period, according the latest tourism report published by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The GCC nationals topped the list of visitors to the Sultanate, with their numbers touching 557,353 followed by 163,838 Indians, 99,575 Britons and 83,083 Germans. The Omani visitors numbered 82,759.

The number of visitors to Salalah during Khareef “Monsoon season” during this period surged by a whopping 21.4 per cent compared with figures for the same

period last year, according to statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Total visitors rose to 615,948 as of September 5 from 507,225 visitors during the comparable period last year.

Coming to the hospitality industry, the period saw as many as 769,520 guests checking into star (3-5) hotels, generating revenues of OMR98.6 million.

In July alone, inbound visitors numbered 272,000, marking a 27 per cent year on year growth.

The GCC visitors (excluding Omanis) came first at 144,000, forming 53 per cent of the total inbound visitors.

Indian, Omani and Pakistani nationalities formed 10 per cent, 8

logged a year on year growth of 39 per cent with their numbers reaching 300,000. As much as 87 per cent of the visitors were from the GCC countries.

The Omanis formed 72 per cent while Emiratis formed 10 per cent of the total Khareef visitors.

BIG JUMP: The total number of visitors rose to 615,948 as of September 5 from 507,225 visitors during the same period last year.

per cent and 3.5 per cent of the inbound visitors.

The Sultanate’s outbound visitors in July numbered 551,000, with 70 per cent of them being

Omanis. There has been a 46 per cent increase in the number of outbound visitors in July compared with the same month in 2015.

Khareef Salalah visitors in July

Revenues The revenues of top-end hotels in July declined 10 per cent to OMR10.1 million compared with the same month in 2015. Occupancy rate in star hotels too fell 14 per cent to 38.1 per cent during July, compared with July 2015.

Total number of guests in star hotels in the month went down by a whopping 52 per cent to 111,872 guests, the NCSI report said. -ONA

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Dr. Abdul Mon’em bin Mansour Al Hassani, Minister of Information conducted a session of talks with his Chinese counterpart. – ONA

Oman, China agree to boost ties BEIJING: Oman and China agreed to boost cooperation between the two countries and means to enhancing them.

Dr. Abdul Mon’em bin Mansour Al Hassani, Minister of Information conducted a session of talks with his Chinese counterpart at the Information Office of the Chinese Council of Ministers.

During the session, the two sides discussed ways to boost cooperation between the two countries. They agreed to exchange visits among mediamen in both countries to share experiences.

Media relations The Omani delegation also met with senior officials at Xinhua News Agency and discussed with them means of developing cooperation in the future.

The two sides reviewed the Omani-Chinese media relations. During the visit, the Omani delegation toured the exhibition, which displays the development stages of the Xinhua News Agency.

TV station The delegation also visited China Central TV station including the Arab-speaking TV station.

The Omani delegation presented the Sultanate and the Omani interest in the deep-rooted cultural activity in China.

During its visit to China Network and China Magazine, the Omani delegation viewed the media services and activities presented by the network on the local and world levels. The delegation was also briefed on the use of technology in media field.

On the premises of the Chinese Photography Association, the Minister of Information reviewed the participation of Omani photographers with their Chinese counterparts at the international photography competitions. -ONA

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

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REGION SWEARING IN

Egypt’s president appoints six provincial governors, extends influence of military, security forces Five of the six new governors held senior roles in Homeland Security and the military before their appointment by President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, the former

CAIRO: Egypt’s president named six new provincial governors on Wednesday, in a series of appointments that extended the influence of the military and security forces.

Displaced Syrians return from Turkey Jarablus, which had been held by IS, was the first town captured by Turkey’s army and its Syrian rebel allies in an offensive launched on August 24

ISTANBUL: A group of 292 Syrians went back to the Syrian town of Jarablus from Turkey on Wednesday, marking the first formal return of civilians since Ankara launched a military incursion two weeks ago to try to secure the border region, a Turkish official said.

Jarablus, which had been held

by IS, was the first town captured by Turkey’s army and its Syrian rebel allies in an offensive launched on August 24 that aims to sweep away militants and Syrian Kurdish militias from the frontier.

Turkey has said it cleared militants from a 90-km (56-mile) stretch of Syrian territory and has pushed south. It has also said it would support any US initiative to strike IS’s stronghold of Raqqa, further to the southeast. But Turkey’s tactics have drawn criticism from its NATO ally the United States and also from Russia, with which it recently patched up ties.

Washington says Turkish attacks on Kurdish-aligned militias damage a US-backed coalition that is fighting IS. Russia, which backs the government in Damascus, said on Wednesday Ankara’s push south threatened Syria’s sovereignty. “We call on Ankara to refrain from any steps which can further destabilise the situation in Syria,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Nurettin Canikli said Turkeybacked forces may go deeper into Syria after securing a stretch of land along the Turkish border.

Turkey, which hosts three million Syrian refugees, has urged world powers to back plans for a “safe zone” in north Syria to stem the flow of migrants and to allow Syrians to return home.

Although it has failed to win support for the idea, Ankara has pressed on with its offensive to carve out a swathe of territory under the control of the Turkish army and its allies, the Free SyrDROP IN OIL PRICES

Algeria plans spending cuts in 2017 ALGIERS: Algeria’s government plans to slash spending by 14 per cent in 2017, after a 9 per cent cut this year, seeking to adjust to lower energy revenues, according to a government official.

It is also considering increasing subsidised gasoline and diesel prices for a second straight year to rein in rising domestic consumption and lower the import bill, the official said. Oil and gas sales pay for 60 per cent of Algeria’s state budget and make up 95 per cent of export revenues. Attempts to diversify the economy have failed. This year it delayed infrastructure projects and started raising gasoline, diesel and electricity prices for the first time in more than a decade.

To contain next year’s deficit, new taxes could be imposed on local and imported goods, said the official, who asked not to be named because he was not authorised to speak. — Reuters

ian Army, allowing some civilians to return home.

“The formal returns have begun today,” said a spokesman at the governor’s office for the southern Turkish province of Gaziantep, which lies across the border from Jarablus.

He said there were 292 people in the first group of registered returnees, including women, children and the elderly.

More would be allowed to return but only gradually, he added.

“Turkey has supported us in every way until now, and has now saved our homeland,” said Fatima Mahmud, a mother who was among the group, told the Turkish newspaper Milliyet.

The UN has said an area can only be declared a “safe zone” if the protection of civilians can be guaranteed. It has previously cautioned against encouraging returns too soon.

“Currently, conflict lines are too insecure for many of the town’s displaced to return safely,” the UN humanitarian agency OCHA said in a report last week, referring to Jarablus which had a pre-war population of about 27,500 people.

Further south and west of Jarablus, Turkish forces have continued fighting. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said in remarks published on Wednesday by the daily Hurriyet that US President Barack Obama had floated an idea of joint action with Turkey to capture Raqqa, the Syrian city that is IS’s de facto capital.

“Obama wants to do some things together concerning Raqqa in particular,” Erdogan told reporters on his plane that returned early on Tuesday from a summit of G20 leaders in China, where he met Obama, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders.

Erdogan said he was ready to support such a plan, although he said a specific Turkish role would depend on further talks. — Reuters

general who became Egypt’s leader after the army ousted Mohamed Morsi in 2013.

Three of the six positions were previously held by civilians. With

the appointments, only eight of Egypt’s 27 provincial governors now have civilian backgrounds.

Wednesday’s appointments include the naming of former Trans-

port Minister Atef Abdel Hamid, an ex-army officer, as governor of Cairo, a position that has been vacant for six months.

The governors were sworn in on

Wednesday, as was the new supply minister, Mohamed Ali El Sheikh, another former major general whose nomination was approved by parliament on Tuesday. — Reuters

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T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

INDIA THREE PHONE CALLS

Bomb threat at city airport in Kolkata KOLKATA: Security personnel at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here went into a tizzy on Wednesday after receiving three phone calls threatening to blow up the airport.

While the first two calls were made to Lalbazar Police Control room at around 1.15am, the third call was made to Bidhannagar Police commissionerate.

Immediately after receiving the first two calls, bomb squad, sniffer dogs along with Central Industrial Security Force team were pressed into action and the entire airport was thoroughly screened throughout the night, a senior police of-

ficer said. However, “nothing was found”, he said. “Bomb squad, sniffer dogs are checking the airport while CISF personnel are carrying out special scrutiny of the entire place”, he said. “Every passenger and their luggage is being checked.

Vehicles are not allowed to stay near the main entrance for more than two minutes,” he said.

Sleuths at Lalbazar said that one of the two numbers was traced to be of Guwahati circle “but was switched off after the call was made to the Control”. “We are trying to trace the calls on the basis of its tower locations. Our officers are working on it,” the officer said. -PTI

‘GST top priority, tax rates to come down’ Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said Goods and Services Tax will plug the leakages. In the long run it will probably stabilise the tax rate and move them down once effectively implemented

NEW DELHI: According top priority to the implementation of GST, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Wednesday sounded confident on the tax rates coming down once the indirect taxation regime is put in place.

The challenges before the government, he said, is to put public sector banks back on track and continue to operationalise stalled infrastructure projects to further boost economic activity. As regards the implementation of Goods and Services Tax from April next year, the finance minister said, “We look ahead, it’s a very stiff target, we are running against time. I would certainly like to give it a try.”

Plug leakages “It (GST) will the plug the leakages. In the long run it will probably stabilise the tax rate and move them down once effectively implemented,” he added.

Speaking at the event, ‘The Economist — India Summit 2016’, Jaitley said the procedural formalities of collecting proceedings of all the states and sending it to

SPELLING OUT: Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arun Jaitley speaks as American journalist Max Rodenbeck looks on at “The Economist India Summit” in New Delhi on Wednesday. - PTI

the president for ratification are on. Once the assent is granted by President Pranab Mukherjee, the constitution amendment bill will have to be notified. After notification and constitution of the GST Council, he said, there are obviously some pending issues, which the council will have to resolve.

“If you ask me in terms of economic priorities even outside Parliament, I would say that certainly implementation of GST is the top priority, putting the bank on track is a very important priority and the stalled projects, a lot of them have been cleared and this process must continuously go on... I think these are the obvious priorities,” Jaitley said.

Talking about state-owned banks, he said, India is not ready for their privatisation and present characteristics of PSU banks will

continue except for IDBI Bank.

“We are trying to consolidate some of the banks, which may otherwise find it difficult in a competitive environment,” he said.

Privatisation Asked why privatisation in financial space is not taking place, Jaitley said, “In order to reach a particular level of reform you have to evolve into that stage of public opinion... in funding large part of social sector in India, public sector banks, despite competition had a far larger contribution.”

According to Jaitley, the public or political opinion is still to converge to a point where one can start thinking in terms of any form of privatisation in the sector.

“Some selective reforms do take place, for instance, we have announced a policy that government

holdings (in banks) to be brought down to 52 per cent,” he added.

On stressed assets, he said the Centre has initiated a large number of steps to reduce non-performing assets(NPAs).

“There is not a single sector that we have left out in terms of resolving issues... if you were to ask me after the passage and may be possible implementation of GST, while that process is on what would be my priority at the moment, it is certainly the health of public sector banks,” he said.

He also hinted that the government is ready to provide an additional capital over and above Rs25 billion amount announced in the Budget.

“This is over and above whatever assistance from the Budget we are giving towards the capitalisation of banks,” he said. - PTI

R A J D H A N I , S H ATA D B I A N D D U R O N T O T R A I N S

Railways to introduce flex fare system NEW DELHI: Passengers travelling by Rajdhani, Shatadbi and Duronto trains will have to shell out between 10 and 50 per cent more under a dynamic surge pricing system to be introduced from September 9, aimed at raking in Rs5 billion more during the current financial year.

While 10 per cent of the seats will be sold in the normal fare in the beginning, it will go on in-

creasing by 10 per cent with every 10 per cent of berths sold with a ceiling of 50 per cent. Modelled on the dynamic fare system in vogue in the aviation sector, the flexi fare system will be introduced on experimental basis in II AC, III AC, Chair Car in the 3 trains besides Sleeper class in Duronto trains.

First AC and Executive Class have been kept out of the new system of the already prevailing high tariffs.

The base fare for the three premium trains will be on flexi fare system, Railway Board Member Mohammad Jamshed said. There are total 42 Rajdhani trains, 46 Shatabdi and 54 Duronto trains and railways expect to garner about Rs5 billion from the new fare structure in these trains. For II AC and Chair Car, the maximum hike will be 50 per cent while for III AC, it will be 40 per cent. - PTI

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LANDMARK DISCOVERY

Scientists find 30 new genes causing mental retardation ISLAMABAD: A group of Pakistani researchers has discovered some 30 genes causing mental retardation in the local population, paving the way for preventive measures to reduce intellectual disabilities in the future generations.

The landmark discovery has been made by a team of 12 professors from the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Medical University (SZABMU) of Islamabad working in collaboration with scientists from the Netherlands and the US. The groundbreaking research was announced by the Pakistani scientists on Tuesday. Researchers from SZABMU, Netherlands’ Radboud University Medical Centre and University of Maryland School of Medicine had been working on the research for the past five years.

“This is a landmark discovery for Pakistan as mental retardation is comparatively high in the country owing to cousin marriages,” said SZABMU Vice-Chancellor Dr Javed Akram.

The elevated level of endogamy in Pakistan has led to increased prevalence of genetic disorders, including autosomal recessive intellectual disability (ARID) with an average of 1.1 cases of severe ID and 6.2 cases per 100 live births of mild ID. - Express Tribune

The proposal to build a separate transmission line was not good as Turkmenistan’s electricity production was based on gas consumption which would be expensive

EASE ELECTRICITY SHORTAGES: Technicians work on high voltage power lines in Rawalpindi on November 28, 2012. The Casa project will not only ease electricity shortages, but will also replace expensive oil-based electricity in Pakistan and Afghanistan. - AFP file photo

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has already approved a tariff of 9.41 cents per unit for electricity import from Central Asian states

for Pakistan ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has turned down a proposed plan of Turkmenistan to build a separate transmission line for electricity export and asked it to join the Central Asia South Asia (Casa) 1,000-megawatt power supply project.

Pakistan is required to pay transmission line charges under the Casa project to exporters Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan and if the transmission line is used in winter, when electricity will not

United States rules out sanctions against Pakistan

CANDID: US State Department

Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said that the ultimate goal is to see peace and stability in the region. - Express Tribune file

counter-terrorism cooperation, and that includes the sharing of intelligence between India and Pakistan in that regard. That continues; those efforts continue.”

Referring to the remarks made

by Secretary of State John Kerry during his recent trip to India and Bangladesh, Toner said, “The US has had very frank conversations with Pakistan’s leadership and military leadership about the need to focus more efforts on those terrorist groups — all the terrorist groups rather, that are operating from within Pakistani soil- or territory rather.”

“We continue to have that discussion with them. We have seen some efforts to make progress in that regard. We’re going to continue to have those conversations with them as we move forward.

And it’s in Pakistan’s interest, it’s in Afghanistan’s interest to go after these terrorist groups, to root them out, and to destroy them,” Toner said.

He further added that the ultimate goal is to see peace and stability in the region. - Express Tribune

2 1 - P O I N T TA R G E T L I S T

Commerce Ministry sets target to boost exports ISLAMABAD: Amid disappointing performance of the Commerce Ministry and dwindling exports as a consequence, the ministry has set scores of targets to be achieved by the end of this year in a bid to improve its performance.

According to ministry sources, the ministry has prepared a 21-point target list and circulated it among attached departments with the directive for action to meet them by December 31, 2016.

The working paper targets include revamping the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan

PAKISTAN

Turkmenistan’s electricity export proposal turned down

C OU N T E R - T E R R O R I S M O P E R AT I O N S

WASHINGTON: The United States on Wednesday ruled out sanctions against Pakistan saying that the country’s recent counter-terrorism operations were ‘encouraging’.

On being asked if the US would consider placing sanctions on Pakistan for not taking enough action against terrorist networks, the US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said, “I don’t think we’re even at that point…We continue to have conversations with the highest level of the Government of Pakistan.

And our basic point in all of these conversations is that Pakistan must target all militant groups, including those that target Pakistan’s neighbours, and eliminate all safe havens.”

Toner was responding to a question regarding a recent statement by former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad calling for the US to seriously consider the option of imposing sanctions against Pakistan.

“We have been encouraged by some of the steps they’ve taken, some of their recent counterterrorism operations along the border of Afghanistan. And we’re going to continue to work with them to increase those efforts and apply more pressure on these groups. But the suggestion of any kind of sanctions, we’re not there,” he said.

Toner further added that Pakistan authorities continue to assure their intentions to take stronger steps against terrorists.

Reiterating that the US had long encouraged and pushed Pakistan to go after all terrorist groups, including those responsible for the Mumbai attacks, Toner said, “We want to see accountability and justice in the case of the Mumbai attacks. We’ve long encouraged and pushed for greater

A9

(TDAP and signing the underdiscussion free trade agreements with Turkey and Thailand.

Other key targets include monitoring commercial officers, finalisation of e-trade roadmap with legislation and notifications to formalise e-commerce in the country, tabling Geographical Indication Bill in parliament, regular monitoring of attached departments, regular monitoring of implementation of the Strategic Trade Policy Framework and finalisation of brand selection by the TDAP. - Express Tribune

be available from these sources, the charges will come down and the project will become more feasible, according to an official aware of the development.

The proposal to build a separate transmission line was not good as Turkmenistan’s electricity production was based on gas consumption, which would be expensive for Pakistan, the official said.

“Instead of laying an independent transmission line, Turkmenistan should join the Casa power supply project,” he said.

Approved tariff The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has already approved a tariff of 9.41 cents per unit for electricity import from Central Asian states.

This includes energy charges at 5.15 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), transmission charges at 2.91 cents per kWh, Afghan transit fee at 1.25 cents per kWh and wheeling charges for Tajikistan at 0.10 cent per kWh. Pakistan is currently importing

73MW from Iran to meet requirements of Gwadar.

It costs 6.25 cents per unit, higher than 5.15 cents per unit to be paid to Tajikistan.

Total cost of electricity import from Iran amounts to 10.60 cents per unit, according to data provided to Nepra for May 2016.

The Central Asia South Asia Regional Electricity Market is planned to be developed in phases by making institutional arrangements and developing the necessary infrastructure.

It will bring some of Central Asia’s power resources to South Asia, which faces energy shortages and growing demand.

According to officials of the Ministry of Water and Power, the electricity interconnection offers an opportunity to resolve the power crisis and contribute to stability and growth in Afghanistan and give a boost to inter-dependent prosperity in all countries.

The Casa-1,000 project will bring 1,300 megawatts of surplus electricity in summer from Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

It will not only ease electricity shortages, but will also replace expensive oil-based electricity in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

It will turn Afghanistan into a viable transit nation and offer electricity to other countries during off-peak season.

Tajikistan is rich in hydel resources and has more than 1,000 rivers and lakes.

Its energy sector has been showing sustainable growth for the past 15 years. Apart from big plants, there are 20 medium and 40 small hydroelectric power stations in remote mountainous areas of Tajikistan, with capacity ranging from 5 kilowatts to 1,500 kilowatts. - Express Tribune

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T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

WORLD Tensions over South China Sea belie summit cordiality in Laos Philippines said Chinese ships increase near Scarborough Shoal while China said no dredging or building at disputed site STANDOFF CONTINUES: Chinese dredging vessels are purportedly seen around Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea in this still image from video taken by a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft provided by the United States Navy on May 21, 2015. – US Navy/Handout via Reuters/File

VIENTIANE: The Philippines said on Wednesday it was “gravely concerned” that Chinese boats were preparing to build structures at a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, shattering an appearance of cordiality at an Asian summit in Laos.

Officials said talks between Southeast Asian leaders and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang went smoothly. There was no reference during the talks to a recent ruling by an arbitration court in The Hague that invalidated China’s claims to the waterway and has incensed Beijing. But, hours be-

fore the meeting, the Philippines’ defence ministry released photographs and a map showing what it said was an increased number of Chinese vessels near Scarborough Shoal, which China seized after a standoff in 2012.

The ministry’s spokesman told reporters in Manila the pictures were made public because China’s ambassador to the Philippines had denied there was any new activity there. “We believe that this is a precursor to possible building of structures on the shoal,” spokes-

man Arsenio Andolong said, adding that China’s denial was “even more disturbing”.

“We are gravely concerned about this development,” he said.

China said there had been no change in the situation around the shoal and it had not taken any new action there. “Given this situation, some people are hyping the situation by spreading that kind of information,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a daily briefing in Beijing.

China’s embassy in Manila said

in a statement on Wednesday that there had been no dredging or building at the shoal.

“The Chinese side has maintained a number of coast guard vessels for law enforcement patrols in the waters of Huangyan Dao,” the embassy said, referring to the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal. “There are no dredging or building activities there.”

China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Brunei claim parts or all of the resourcerich South China Sea, making it a

hot spot of regional tension. The last four are members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). China has over the past year alarmed other claimants, and outside powers such as the United States and Japan, by reclaiming land on several disputed reefs through dredging, and building air fields and port facilities.

A Philippines official said the release of the pictures and a map showing the ships’ positions was ordered by the defence minister, who was at the ASEAN summit in Vientiane, Laos. But there was no row over the issue at the summit.

“It seems that every country played down the level of conflict, therefore the tone of the meeting was quite friendly and emphasised peace and security within the region,” said Major General Weerachon Sukhondhapatipak, a Thai government spokesman.

China and ASEAN members agreed at their meeting to set up hotlines between their foreign ministries to tackle maritime emergencies in the disputed sea, participants said.

The Philippines’ expression of concern comes after a dispute with the United States, its main ally.

The dispute has become more significant since the Permanent

Court of Arbitration ruled in July that no country had sovereign rights over activity at Scarborough Shoal, a traditional fishing ground for Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese. China has refused to recognise the ruling by the court in The Hague.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte wants China to abide by the ruling but he had pledged not to raise the issue during the meeting in Laos. Instead, he wants to smooth the way for bilateral negotiations and last month sent former President Fidel Ramos as his special envoy to meet Chinese representatives in Hong Kong.

A draft ASEAN communique seen by Reuters on Monday listed eight points related to the South China Sea, but made no mention of the arbitration ruling.

The bloc traditionally shies away from taking a position on thorny diplomatic issues, especially where China is concerned, because of its influence in the region.

Still, a Philippine security official travelling with Duterte said it was a challenge for the government to explain to fishermen why they could not return to the Scarborough Shoal area when The Hague had ruled it was a fishing ground for all. — Reuters

K A Z A K H S TA N

US-Russian crew safely lands after 172 days aboard ISS CAPE CANAVERAL: A US astronaut and two Russian cosmonauts wrapped up a 172-day mission aboard the International Space Station with a parachute descent and landing at dawn on the steppes of Kazakhstan, a NASA TV broadcast showed.

The capsule made a parachute descent southeast of Zhezkazgan, disappearing into a layer of haze as it neared the ground.

It was several minutes until NASA could confirm the landing at 7:13am local time on Wednesday (9:13 pm EDT on Tuesday/0113 GMT on Wednesday).

Station commander Jeff Williams, with the US Space agency, and flight engineers Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka, both with Russia’s Roscosmos agency, pulled away from the Space station at 5:51pm EDT/2151GMT as the ships sailed 258 miles (415 km) over eastern Mongolia, said NASA mission commentator Rob Navias. “I will certainly miss this view!” Williams tweeted earlier on Tuesday, posting a picture of sunlight glinting off the planet.

“Vast gratitude toward my crewmates, ground teams, supporting friends, and family,” Williams added.

The mission comes the same day a US Space probe was cleared for launch on Thursday to collect and return samples from an asteroid in hopes of learning more

BACK ON EARTH: Crew members of the International Space Station, left to right, US NASA astronaut Jeffrey Williams, Russian cosmonauts Alexey Ovchinin and Oleg Skripochka, sit in the module of the spacecraft after landing some 150km to the east of the city of Dzhezkazgan in Kazakhstan, on Wednesday. – AFP

about the origins of life on Earth and perhaps elsewhere in the solar system, NASA said.

Williams, 58, returns to Earth with a career total of 534 days in orbit, more time than any other astronaut in US history and 14th in the world. The Russians remain champions of long-duration Spaceflight, with cosmonaut Gennady Padalka currently the world record-holder with 878 days in Space over five missions.

Before leaving the station, Williams turned over command of the

$100 billion outpost, a project of 15 nations, to cosmonaut Anatoly Ivanishin, who remains aboard the station with NASA astronaut Kate Rubins and Japan’s Takuya Onishi. “We’ll be missing you here,” Ivanishin said during a changeof-command ceremony on Monday. “Have fun riding though the atmosphere ... and have a very safe and exceptionally soft landing.”

A replacement crew is due to launch on September 23 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. — Reuters

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

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WORLD

Indonesia drugs chief plans war on dealers as aggressive as the Philippines in fighting drugs, Waseso said: “Yes I believe so. It can happen because (the drugs problem) in Indonesia is as bad as in the Philippines”.

Inspired by the BUDAPEST: Hungarian prosecutors filed charges on Wednesday against a camerawoman accused of kicking and tripping migrants fleeing police near the southern border with Serbia last year.

Petra Laszlo was fired form her job at N1TV, a television station with nationalist sympathies, after video footage spread online appearing to show her kicking a girl and a young man.

Her prosecution for disorderly conduct comes as political tensions mount over Europe’s migration crisis in the region.

Hungary is holding a referendum on whether to accept EU migrant quotas on October 2, the same say as the far-right Freedom Party is standing in presidential elections in neighbouring Austria.

Prosecutors described how hundreds of migrants broke through a police cordon and out of a holding area and headed toward Szeged, a nearby city in September last year.

Laszlo was directly behind the police officers and filmed migrants as they ran. “While filming she kicked a young man in the shin with a swift kick of the sole of her right foot,

and also kicked young girl around the knee with her right foot,” the prosecutors said in a statement.

There was no evidence of a racially motivated hate crime, they added.

Laszlo was not immediately reachable for comment. Last year she told the daily Magyar Nemzet that she felt remorse over what had happened. “I am practically in shock from what I did, and what was done to me,” Laszlo said. “I am not heartless (or) racist... I am a woman, a mother of small children, who has since lost her job, and who made a bad decision in panic.”

Prosecutors said she had not kicked a man carrying a small child, one of the accusations she had faced during last year’s online furore. “(Laszlo) kicked toward a man carrying a child in his hands, but the kick did not reach the man.

The man carrying the child still fell, because... one of the policemen tried to catch and restrain him, and he lost his balance as he broke free.”

The man, a soccer coach named Osama Abdul Mohsen, went on to Spain where a sports school offered to find him work. — Reuters

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Philippines Budi Waseso, chief of Indonesia’s national anti-narcotics agency, plans to step up law enforcement efforts in one of the region’s biggest narcotics markets

JAKARTA: Inspired by the Philippines “war on drugs”, Indonesia’s anti-narcotics chief plans to aggressively ramp up the country’s fight against drugs by bolstering its police force with more personnel and heavy weaponry.

The Southeast Asian neighbours have both declared a “war on drugs” with Indonesia stepping up executions of drug

WAR ON DRUGS: Indonesian national narcotics agency (BNN) and national criminal police detectives parade foreign and local drug traffickers in Jakarta Wednesday. – AFP

convicts, while the Philippines has launched a brutal crackdown in which hundreds of alleged drug dealers have been killed within months.

Leaders of the two countries will meet later this week in Jakarta and one of the main topics of discussion will likely be ways to wipe out the region’s drug trade.

Budi Waseso, chief of Indonesia’s national anti-narcotics agency (BNN), said late on Tuesday that the agency was in the process of adding weapons, investigators, technology, and sniffer dogs to its arsenal as it steps up law enforcement efforts in one of the region’s biggest narcotics markets.

When asked if Indonesia can be

Mass murder “The life of a dealer is meaningless because (he) carries out mass murder. How can we respect that?,” he added. However, a BNN spokesman said Indonesia would not be as aggressive as its neighbour. “Our punishments have to be in accordance with our law and with national and international standards,” said spokesman Slamet Pribadi.

Since President Rodrigo Duterte took office in June, 2,400 people have been killed in his “war on drugs”. About 900 died in police operations and the rest authorities say were “deaths under investigation”, a term human rights activists say is a euphemism for vigilante and extrajudicial killings.

The campaign has drawn condemnation from organisations like the United Nations, which calls the killings unlawful. But Duterte has refused to back down, promising that “plenty will be killed” before achieving his goal of a drugs-free country. — Reuters

SECURITY MEASURES

Work on Calais wall to stop migrants to start this month

THE JUNGLE: Migrants walk around the northern area of the camp in Calais, France. – Reuters

LONDON/CALAIS (FRANCE): Work on building a wall along the approach road to the French port of Calais to try to stop migrants from jumping aboard trucks bound for Britain will begin this month, British officials said.

Immigration Minister Robert Goodwill told lawmakers that security was being stepped up in Calais, home to the “Jungle” camp

where thousands of migrants fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa hope to cross the English Channel to Britain The camp and a Franco-British border control deal that effectively pushes the British frontier onto mainland France have been hotly debated since Britons voted in a June referendum to leave the European Union. Goodwill said

MEDIA ROW

Germany tells Turkey ‘press freedom is non-negotiable’ BERLIN: Germany said on Wednesday it regarded press freedom as crucial after German broadcaster Deutsche Welle complained that Turkey had confiscated the recording of an interview with a minister at his office in Ankara.

The head of Deutsche Welle on Tuesday described the seizure of the tape of an interview with Turkish Youth and Sports Minister Akif Cagatay Kilic as a “blatant violation of press freedom”.

The tape incident further adds to strains in ties between Germany and Turkey at a time when Chancellor Angela Merkel needs Ankara’s help in managing Europe’s migrant crisis. Her critics

accuse Merkel of turning a blind eye to Turkey’s human rights record to ensure Ankara’s cooperation. A German foreign ministry spokesman said Berlin’s ambassador to Ankara had held “good and constructive” talks with a senior official in the sports minister’s office and that they agreed the incident should not enflame tensions between the countries. “(The ambassador) made clear that for us, for him, for the German government and German media, press freedom is very important,” the spokesman told a regular news conference.

Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert added: “Press freedom is for us... non-negotiable. We

behave (according to this principle) at home and we represent it abroad.”

Following a failed military coup in Turkey on July 15, Germany has expressed concern over the scale of President Tayyip Erdogan’s purges of tens of thousands of officials, judges, soldiers and others believed to have supported the putsch. Turkey has also shut many media outlets.

Deutsche Welle reporter Michel Friedman had asked the minister about the attempted coup, the subsequent mass dismissals and arrests and the media situation before the tape was confiscated, the broadcaster said. — Reuters

the wall was part of a £17 million ($22.75 million) package of security measures agreed by Britain and France in March. “We are going to start building this big new wall as part of the 17 million package that we are doing with the French...

We’ve done the fence and now we’re doing the wall,” Goodwill said on Tuesday.

Shrubbery has already been

cleared on one side of the Rocade road but there was no sign of workers or machinery at the site on Wednesday. A local official said the project would be completed by the end of the year. The wall is expected to be four metres (13 ft) high and to be built along both sides of a 1-km (0.6 mile) stretch of road.

A document shown at a public meeting organised by the Port of

Calais on July 6 showed the wall would be made of smooth concrete to make it harder to scale, but lined with plants and vegetation on the inside to minimise the visual impact. France dismantled the southern half of the Jungle camp in February and March and the government said last week it would shut down the rest, but gave no timeframe. — Reuters

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T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

WORLD Journalists, politician and pollster detained in Turkey Turkish government says crackdown justified by gravity of coup bid while opposition says purge targeting

Fethullah Gulen, a preacher accused by Turkey of masterminding the abortive putsch. – Reuters

Authorities have already detained tens of thousands of people over alleged links with USbased cleric Fethullah Gulen, whose religious movement publicly espouses interfaith dialogue and education, and have made rooting out Gulen’s followers their top priority

innocent critics

ISTANBUL: Turkish authorities detained journalists, a politician and a pollster on Wednesday and issued arrest warrants for another 105 people over suspected links to a US-based cleric blamed for a failed coup on July 15.

Opposition politicians warned the latest wave of arrests may target government critics with no clear links to the religious movement led by Fethullah Gulen, a preacher accused by Turkey of masterminding the abortive putsch. He denies any involvement. Three journalists working for the nationalist Yen-

icag newspaper were detained at their homes and were being held at a sports hall in Ankara, the daily said on its website, describing the men as critics of the Gulen movement.

Turan Yaldir, a former lawmaker from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), was detained in Ankara on similar charges, Yenicag also reported.“Nationalists will not forget those who are doing this merely to sideline political opponents,” Meral Aksener, a senior MHP figure, said in a statement on Twitter.

Aksener this year mounted a challenge to the MHP’s veteran leader but has faced legal stum-

bling blocks and could face expulsion from the party.

The chief prosecutor’s office in Ankara launched an investigation into 105 suspected leaders of cells in 17 provinces said to be responsible for military personnel in what authorities have dubbed the “Gulenist Terrorist Organisation” (FETO), the state-run Anadolu Agency said.

Authorities have already detained tens of thousands of people over alleged links with Gulen, whose religious movement publicly espouses interfaith dialogue and education, and have made rooting out Gulen’s followers their top priority.

The crackdown has alarmed Western allies and rights groups who fear a witch hunt. The body of a teacher who was dismissed last week over suspected Gulenist links was discovered after an apparent suicide, the Dogan news agency said on Wednesday.

Concerns Officials have rejected concerns that their actions are too heavyhanded, pointing to the gravity of the coup plot, in which rogue soldiers commandeered fighter jets and tanks and attacked parliament, killing more than 240 people. Several thousand soldiers have been expelled from the army

and more than 100,000 people, including civil servants, bureaucrats, teachers, soldiers and journalists, have lost their jobs for alleged links with Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999. Turkey wants the cleric extradited. The ruling AK Party, which had long collaborated with Gulen’s movement, may be using the coup to target other opponents, especially from the secular left, said Veli Agbaba, deputy chairman of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).

“We see many innocent citizens - leftists, social democrats, revolutionaries, Ataturkists and those from different faiths - who have nothing to do with this organisation who have opportunistically been suspended or lost their jobs,” Agbaba said in a statement.

Ataturkism refers to supporters of the secular principles promoted by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, who founded the modern Turkish Republic in 1923 on the ashes of the Ottoman Empire.

“Depicting people who have no ties whatsoever to FETO as putschists, replacing them with people from different sects amounts to building a new parallel structure,” said Agbaba. — Reuters

SHADOW CABINET

Australian senator quits over China payments row SYDNEY: An Australian opposition senator quit the shadow cabinet on Wednesday after saying he had failed to declare that a Chinese company had made payments on his behalf for travel and legal bills.

Relationships between politicians and Chinese government interests have become a hot button issue in Australia amid concern that China is intent on gaining extensive commercial assets in the resource-rich country.

Backlash Senator Sam Dastyari, 33, widely viewed as a rising star of the centre-left Labor opposition party, has been fending off a public backlash over the past week after media reported he asked a Chinese company to pay his expenses on a trip.

“I freely admitted that I made a mistake,” Dastyari said as he announced he was quitting his post as manager of opposition business in the Senate. He will remain in the Senate. Dastyari’s political opponents say he broke political donation rules. He has maintained he did nothing improper apart from forgetting to declare a payment. “I made all the necessary disclosures and what I did was within the rules but it was wrong,” he said. — Reuters

ACCUSED OF UNDERMINING TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY

Russia frees prominent Crimean dissident from psychiatric clinic MOSCOW: Russian authorities freed a prominent Crimean dissident from a psychiatric clinic on Wednesday after he was held there for almost a month and subjected to enforced examinations, his lawyer and a colleague said; but he still faces a possible jail sentence.

Ilmi Umerov, deputy head of the Crimean Tatars’ semi-official Mejlis legislature, which was suspended by Moscow after it annexed the

peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, was committed to compulsory psychiatric testing by local authorities in August. Western countries, including Britain and the United States, had called for Umerov’s release, and rights activists had accused Russia of reviving the Soviet practice of subjecting political dissidents to enforced psychiatric treatment.

Authorities have opened a

criminal case against the 59-yearold, who says his mental health is fine, accusing him of making statements that undermine Russia’s territorial integrity by calling in an interview for an end to Russian control of Crimea. If found guilty, he could be jailed for up to five years.

Umerov’s lawyer, Mark Feygin, said his client had been released on Wednesday from the dilapidat-

ed medical facility in Simferopol, the Crimean capital, where he was being held. He noted he still faced a criminal charge however in what he said was a political case and called for him to be pardoned.

Tatars makes up about 15 per cent of Crimea’s population have largely opposed Russian rule in the peninsula and say the 2014 annexation was illegal, a view supported by the West. Moscow says the

overwhelming majority of Crimeans voted to join Russia in a proper and fair referendum.

Nariman Dzhelyalov, acting head of the Mejlis, confirmed the release to Reuters, saying Umerov, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and high blood pressure, would now have to undergo a series of medical tests.

“The doctors said he does not have any psychological problems,”

said Dzhelyalov. “(But) the criminal case against him goes on.”

In the meantime, Umerov is not allowed to leave Crimea.

Separately, a court in southern Russia found four Crimean Tatars guilty of terrorism charges and sentenced them to between five and seven years in jail. All four had pleaded not guilty, saying the charges against them were politically motivated. — Reuters

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READERS’ FORUM VAT- Value addition to Oman This refers to Disadvantages for small units under value added tax regime (September 6). Looking at things from positive perspectives always brings a positive ripple effect. The most important duty for an Omani and expatriate who loves Oman is to participate towards the growth and progress of Oman wholeheartedly. VAT (Value Added Tax), which is an indirect tax on consumption, will diversify income thus supporting Oman and many of the objectives of the government of Oman will be achieved. However, initially, it must be designed effectively and efficiently and it Scan this QR code should be carried out at the right time, on to send letters to the the right consumption and services with Readers’ Forum, the right rates. The result will produce containing not more than 200 words with significant revenues with limited revenue full name, address expenditures. Considering the socioecoand telephone nomic policy reflections initially basic number, may be sent food stuff, health and education might be by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com). exempted from VAT and this will not bring a financial burden on common man. I feel that in a very short time; due to faithfulness of people who love Oman VAT registration will take its place and things will become smooth and pretty giving value addition to Oman.

— Munawar Hameed, Muscat

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Is Germany no more welcoming refugees?

LEONID BERSHIDSKY

Since Vladimir Putin came to power in Russia, people who had made billions in the murky first decade of Russian capitalism have been picked off one by one: jailed, pushed out of the country, forced to give up assets or take part in unprofitable projects.

Now, apparently, it’s Viktor Vekselberg’s turn.

T

his is Berlin’s summer of discontent. Exactly one year ago, Chancellor Angela Merkel’s principled decision to open Germany’s borders to refugees stranded in Hungary impressed millions of people around the world. As ordinary Germans flocked to train stations and border posts to greet people seeking shelter from war, distress, and misery, Germany’s “Welcome Culture” was saluted as a truly inspiring example of humanitarianism.

One year later, the tide has turned – above all against Merkel, now in her 11th year in office. Her credo, “Wir schaffen das” (“We can do it”), inspired thousands of volunteers to open their hearts – and often their homes – to refugees. Now, however, her assertive optimism is confronting a dramatic political backlash.

Sunday’s election in Merkel’s home state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern – widely seen as a test run for Germany’s federal election in September 2017 – was devastating for her Christian Democratic Union. While all mainstream parties suffered severe losses, the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) finished second, winning an unprecedented 21 per cent of the vote and relegating the CDU to third place.

The Mecklenburg result was not an isolated outcome. In March, the AfD, founded in 2013 as a Euroskeptic party critical of the Greek bailout, sent shockwaves through the country when it finished second or third in regional elections in three German states.

Germany’s position in the refugee crisis has transformed the AfD into a staunch anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim movement, supported by disillusioned voters from across the political spectrum.

Current national polls put the AfD’s support at 15 per cent, making it the second strongest party in eastern Germany and the third largest political force overall. Against this background, Berlin’s regional election in two weeks is now fuelling growing concern among Germany’s government coalition, which comprises the centre-right CDU and the centre-left Social Democrats. The two parties’ “grand coalition,” according to recent polls, is grand in name only. Public support for the government has fallen below 50 per cent, and there is much speculation about whether Merkel will seek reelection as her party’s candidate for another term.

Clearly, public dissatisfaction with Germany’s stance on the ongoing refugee crisis is at the root of

this upheaval. Many Germans still favour a compassionate approach toward refugees. But enthusiasm has largely given way to skepticism, anger, and polarization. After a controversial European Union deal with Turkey was put in place to keep refugees out, many Germans wonder whether the political and moral costs of doing business with an increasingly autocratic Turkish leader are too high.

Moreover, spreading disillusionment stems from the confrontation of aspirations with practicalities. For many, Germany’s warm welcome to refugees was unquestionably heartfelt. For others, it was an opportunity to embrace a post-nationalist identity and overcome the weight of the past. But it was never entirely free of self-interest. In particular, the Welcome Culture was at least partly based on anticipated economic and demographic benefits.

In the summer of 2015, a chorus of German business leaders pointed out the long-term advantages of open borders in overcoming the country’s persistent shortage of skilled workers. But the long term means just that, and whatever benefits it may bring have yet to materialise. A recent report points to a sobering fact: all 30 major companies trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange have so far employed a paltry 54 refugees.

Likewise, the cultural impact of absorbing an influx of refugees on this scale is becoming apparent. While many initially embraced the influx as a shift towards a more pluralist and culturally diverse country, the mass harassment of women in Cologne on New Year’s Eve proved a turning point for public opinion. This summer’s wave of extremist-inspired terror further contributed to a widespread sense of insecurity and skepticism regarding the challenges of integrating hundreds of thousands of Muslims (even though many refugees are themselves survivors of terror). In response, Germany’s political class has started to change course. Just last week, Merkel assured the CDU’s executive board that the refugee crisis of 2015 will not be repeated, and that “in the next few months, the most important (thing) is to return refugees.” On Sunday, Germany’s Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière announced a proposal to “send refugees back to Greece.” - Project Syndicate

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES SEPTEMBER 2001 International Literacy Day MUSCAT: The Sultanate will celebrate International Literacy Day today. The Ministry of Education undersecretary and head of the illiteracy eradication committee will give a speech on the occasion. The Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Vocational Training and the Oman Women’s Associations will also organise several programmes as part of the Literacy Day activities.

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PICTOGRAPH

TRADE EXCHANGE BY MAJOR COUNTRIES NON-OIL RE-EXPORTS in million Omani Rial

Oct

2015 Nov

Dec

267.1 215.1

204.9

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1925: Germany is admitted into the League of Nations..

1944: Germany’s V-2 offensive against England begins.

1960: President Dwight Eisenhower dedicates NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama..

1971: The Kennedy Center opens in Washington, DC with a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Mass.

0 Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

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T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

LIFESTYLE CULTURE

COMING SOON TO THE ROHM The new 2016-2017 Season at Royal Opera House Muscat

starts on September 29 with ‘Roméo and Juliette’, a poetic opera, followed by other popular world class operas.

Story Patricia Groves

W

hat better way to open the new 201617 Season at the Royal Opera House than with the world’s greatest love story in song — the opera, Roméo and Juliette. The young soprano known as ‘The Angelina Jolie of Opera’, Nino Machaidze, stars as Juliet. She sings one of the best-loved arias in all of opera — the compellingly beautiful Je veux vivre! (I want to live!).

The brilliant young tenor, Jean-Francois Borras sings Roméo with Nino’s Juliette in four stunning love duets that characterise this sumptuous opera and its inspiring music. September 29 and 30, October 1, 2016, at 7pm.

A wildly popular star, the phenomenal young Palestinian singer who famously came from nowhere to win the 2013 Arab Idol contest, Mohammad Assaf appears in two different shows in early October.

First he is a special guest artist at the ROHM Omani Women’s Day celebrations on October 6, 2016 at 7pm; and then, on October 8, again at 7pm, Assaf will sing in an exciting solo concert. This is an evening for everyone, as Assaf combines the best classical traditions of Arab and Western music in irresistible melodies and soaring song. The amazing talent of

Mohammad Assaf and the deep sincerity that rings out in his voice makes for a moving and unforgettable experience.

And romance returns to the ROHM on October 20 and 22 at 7pm with Richard Wagner’s legendary and stunningly dramatic opera relating the story of a chivalrous knight mysteriously known as Lohengrin. The knight comes in a swandrawn boat to rescue Elsa of Brabant, a noble lady in distress, from an evil pretender to her family’s dukedom. There is one condition. Elsa must never ask the knight’s name and his origin. The knight and Elsa marry; but, do they live happily ever after? An unpredictable ending makes this medieval tale of romance all the more thrilling.

An added bonus is a free presentation at 4pm on October 26 on the secrets of ROHM’s technologies and staging mechanisms, including a demonstration of the amazing operations that transform the auditorium from a Concert Hall for music into a theatre for opera. It’s an engineering marvel that seems like magic.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com Al Kharjiyah St, Muscat Call: +968 2440 3300 rohmuscat.org.om

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

WEATHER

TEMPERATURE

HUMIDITY

36 - 27 84-48% 0

0

PRAYER TIMINGS

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

12.17pm 3.37pm 7.02pm 8.23pm 4.01am

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T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

LIFESTYLE STUNNING VIEWS OF WAKAN VILLAGE

Photos by Purushothaman K.

W

akan is a small village which is located in the Western Hajar Mountains and 2,000 metres above sea level with stunning gardens overlooking the surrounding mountains above and the Wadi Mistal underneath.

Wakan village is officially part of Nakhal Wilayat in

the South Al Batinah Governorate, even though it is located in the border of Al Dhakhiliyah Governorate of Al Hajar mountain range. Residents of Wakan rely on farming and agriculture for their livelihood and the first thing we notice when we reach the beautiful village is the terraced gardens. It is used to cultivate pomegranates, apricots, grapes, and other products.

IN THE NEWS

“Thugs of Hindostan”, for which Yash Raj Films (YRF) has managed a casting coup with megastar Amitabh Bachchan and superstar Aamir Khan, is set for a Diwali 2018 release. Fireworks are likely at the box office. YRF is bringing the two stars together on the big screen for the first time. Vijay Krishna Acharya (Victor), the writer-director of Dhoom: 3”, is teaming up once again with Aamir for the film, a statement said.

“Finally, the moment I’ve been waiting for has come... to work with my icon, Mr Bachchan!

Thanks Adi (Aditya Chopra), Victor, for Thugs of Hindostan. I’m too thrilled to be working with the actor I have admired all of my life. Shoot starts early next year, and the release has been locked for Diwali 2018. Can’t wait to get started! Fingers crossed,” Aamir posted on Facebook on Wednesday. The leading lady of the film is yet to be announced.—IANS

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM THU RS DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

MARKE

MEDINA AIRPORT STAKE Saudi Oger, the construction company owned by Lebanon’s Hariri family, is in talks to sell half of its stake in the company that operates Saudi Arabia’s Medina airport to Turkish partner TAV.

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Muscat 5,783.10 + 13.74 + 0.24%

Dubai 3,517.87 - 26.32 - 0.74%

Abu Dhabi 4,507.20 - 8.21 - 0.18%

Saudi Arabia

6,140.50 - 49.85 - 0.81%

Kuwait 5,413.39 + 13.68 + 0.25%

Bahrain 1,128.04 - 0.08 - 0.01%

Qatar 10,634.90 - 78.32 - 0.73%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.28 Pound ...........................................1.92 Indian Rs .............................. 171.76 Pakistan Rs ........................266.81 Bangla Taka......................200.80

Indian Rs ...................................172.25 Pakistan Rs ............................. 271.00 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.55 Phil Peso ................................... 120.65

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) ........17.25

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$43.54 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$43.54 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$45.52 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$42.44 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) .........$47.64 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$45.20

* Rates are as of September 7 Source: Bank Muscat

* Rates as of September 7 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......16.50 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 163.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 153.75 * Rates as of September 7 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Oman’s 2 pension funds to own 20% of new Crowne Plaza hotel Times News Service

Crowne Plaza, which is on track to open in 2017, is part of the first phase of the Madinat Al Irfan Urban Centre

MUSCAT: Oman’s two leading pension funds have decided to invest a total of 20 per cent in the new Crowne Plaza hotel, which is under development as part of the first phase of the Madinat Al Irfan Urban Centre.

State-owned Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran), the master developer of the Madinat Al Irfan Urban Centre project in Muscat, said its initial Private Placement Memorandum (PPM)

FINANCING

Bank Sohar closes subordinated debt issue of OMR35m Times News Service MUSCAT: Bank Sohar on Wednesday said that the bank has closed a OMR35 million subordinated debt issue, which will boost its tier 2 or supplementary capital.

The debt was bought by pension funds, large Omani corporates and individual investors, the bank said in a disclosure statement posted on MSM website. “The raise will significantly improve the bank’s capital position, allowing it to support the local economy more strongly through greater ability to provide finance for deserving projects,” the bank statement said.

The liquidity situation in the financial market is tightening recently and the loan-deposit ratio in the Sultanate is one of the highest in recent years, said Joice Mathew, head of research at the United Securities.

The Central Bank of Oman has asked banks to raise their capital adequacy ratio (tier one and two capital) in a phased manner in 2014 in line with Basel III norms.

Accordingly, Omani banks will

have to maintain a minimum of 13.25 per cent capital adequacy ratio this year, against 12.5 per cent last year.

This will eventually be raised to 14.5 per cent (which include a 2.5 per cent additional capital buffer) by 2018.

Subordinated bonds, which are normally in long-term nature, will help banks to meet its additional capital requirements for enhancing lending.

Meanwhile, Bank Sohar’s net loans and advances grew by 12.64 per cent - from OMR1.58 billion by end-June 2015 to OMR1.78 billion by the end of June 2016, according to the second quarter financial result posted on MSM website. However, the customer deposits declined by 4.83 per cent to reach OMR1.49 billion by end-June, 2016, as compared to OMR1.57 billion for the same period of 2015.

Bank Sohar earlier raised stable overseas syndicated medium term bank borrowings of $250 million to diversify the funding source and to replace high cost time deposits.

BUDGET DEFICIT

Saudi plans to cancel $20 billion of projects RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is intensifying efforts to shrink the highest budget deficit among the world’s biggest 20 economies, aiming to cancel more than $20 billion of projects and slash ministry budgets by a quarter, people familiar with the matter said.

The government is reviewing thousands of projects valued at about 260 billion riyals ($69 billion) and may cancel a third of them, three people said, asking not to be identified as the discussions are private.

The measures would impact the budget for several years, according to two of the people.

A separate plan includes merging some government ministries and eliminating others, two people said, also speaking on condition of anonymity.

The world’s biggest oil exporter is taking unprecedented steps to rein in a budget shortfall that ballooned to 16 per cent of gross domestic product last year, curtailing fuel and utility subsidies as well as cutting billions of dollars in spending. The International Monetary Fund expects the shortfall to drop to below 10 per cent of GDP in 2017.

Economic shakeup The Finance Ministry declined to comment, while officials at the Ministry of Economy and Planning weren’t available for comment when contacted. Several senior government officials are accompanying Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on an Asian tour.

“The revenue and economic diversification strategy being pursued will only start to yield results over the medium- to long-term,” Raza Agha, VTB Capital’s chief economist for the Middle East and Africa, said by e-mail. “In the short term, it is a question of living with lower oil prices by cutting some capital spending, and financing what’s left via debt sales and drawing down foreign reserves.”

The benchmark Tadawul All Share Index fell 0.2 per cent at the close in Riyadh. The measure has dropped 17 per cent over the past 12 months.

Prince Mohammed is leading plans for the biggest economic shakeup in the kingdom’s history to reduce the economy’s reliance on oil after the plunge in oil prices. His blueprint includes selling a stake in Aramco. - Bloomberg News

agreement for the development has been a successful first stage of its public-private sector partnership approach. Both the funds — the Public Authority for Social Insurance and the Sultan Special Force pension — demonstrated an interest in participation in phase one of Madinat Al Irfan, and when offered the Crowne Plaza proposition both chose to invest, taking a total of 20 per cent of the purchase between them, according to a press release from Omran.

The Crowne Plaza at the Oman

Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC), which is on track to open in 2017, was one of several assets offered for investment in response to private sector interest in involvement with phase one of the Madinat Al Irfan development.

“We had indicated an interest in investing in the major developments Omran and the Ministry of Tourism was planning, so the offer of an investment in the initial phase of Madinat Al Irfan was an attractive one. The investment proposition was low risk because

Omran had done a lot of the development work already, including the award of contract and the financing, so this was a robust choice for us to participate in the flagship project,” said Sheikh Ghasan Khamis Al Hashar, Investment Director of Public Authority of Social Insurance.

“The Madinat Al Irfan Urban Centre is a milestone project in Oman, and one which will have far reaching benefits for residents. We saw this as a fantastic opportunity to become involved, and with the

socio-economic benefits linked to the project, it aligned perfectly with our investment objectives,” he added.

“This kind of public-private sector cooperation is vital when it comes to developments on the scale of Madinat Al Irfan. The breadth of what the project will offer residents and visitors alike will come to fruition through investment from both public and private sector organisations,” noted Salah bin Salim Al Ghazali, chief investment officer of Omran. >B2

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T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

MARKET MSM index ends higher

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................ 5,791.07 ...............5,769.36 ....................5,783.10 ................... 5,769.36.................. 13.74 ...................0.24 Financial Index ..................................... 7,413.07 .............. 7,384.34 ....................7,397.55 ................... 7,390.50.................... 7.05 ................... 0.10 Industrial Index .................................... 7,509.78 ...............7,496.45 ....................7,496.45 ....................7,509.78................ -13.33 .................. -0.18 Services Index ....................................... 3,143.15 ...............3,135.26 ................... 3,143.04 ................... 3,134.93.....................8.11 ...................0.26 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................888.80 ..................887.00 .......................887.00 .......................887.58.................. -0.58 .................. -0.07 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 9,148,362 .................... 2,162,839 .....................538 ............... 17,284,878,109 ................ 12 ........................5 .................... 23 .........................40

As many as 538 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating a market turnover of

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7

OMR2.16 million.

ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: Recovery on the Muscat Securities Market continued on Wednesday with scattered support coming from institutional investors. The MSM30 continued its bullish run to finish at 5,783.10 points, a gain of 0.24 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index declined by 0.07 per cent to close at 887 points. Bank Sohar was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Today’s top gainer was Bank Sohar, up by 1.70 per cent, while Taageer Finance was the top loser, with a loss of 2.46 per cent.

As many as 538 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating a turnover of OMR2.16 million with 9.15 million shares changing hands. Out of 40 traded securities, 12 advanced, five declined and 23 remained unchanged. Foreign investors remained net buyers for OMR345,000, while GCC and Arab investors switched to net sellers for OMR232,000 followed by Omani investors for OMR113,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index gained 0.10 per cent to close at 7,397.55 points. Bank Sohar, Al Izz Bank, Al Batinah Development, Gulf Investment Services and Bank Muscat gained 1.70 per cent, 1.56 per cent, 1.14 per cent, 0.85 per cent and 0.52 per cent, respectively. Taageer Finance, Bank Nizwa and National Bank of Oman declined by 2.46 per cent, 1.30 per cent and 0.41 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index retreated by 0.18 per cent to end at 7,496.45 points. Oman Fisheries moved up by 1.67 per cent, was the only gainer. Oman Cement and Galfar Engineering declined by 1.26 per cent and 0.95 per cent, respectively.

Services Index ended at 3,143.04 points, up by 0.26 per cent. OIFC, Sembcorp Salalah, Phoenix Power, Oman Telecommunications Company and Oore-

doo Oman increased by 1.03 per cent, 0.84 per cent, 0.68 per cent, 0.63 per cent and 0.56 per cent, respectively.

Emerging markets rally Emerging markets rallied for a fourth day as disappointing US economic data prompted traders to rein in bets the Federal Reserve will tighten policy this month.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index headed for the highest in more than 15 months as equities from Taiwan to Russia rose at least 0.7 per cent.

Philippine stocks fell for a third day amid speculation outbursts by President Rodrigo Duterte are hurting investor sentiment. Ten-year bonds in Turkey and Russia advanced.

This year’s gains in emerging markets have gathered pace in September as US services and jobs data cast doubt on the speed of Fed interest-rate increases, prompting investors to seek higher returns in riskier assets. Developing nations also got a boost from signs of stability in China’s economy.

“There is a lot of liquidity being created that has to find a home,” said Tony Hann, the head of equities at Blackfriars Asset Management in London.

“Emerging markets, especially Asia, look good now that fears that China is going into meltdown seem to have receded.”

Investments in exchangetraded funds that buy stocks and bonds in emerging markets extended the longest winning streak in more than a year as inflows exceeded $19.5 billion over the past 14 weeks, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index rose 0.4 per cent to 927.08 as of 2:26 p.m. in London, extending its advance this month to 3.7 per cent. - United Securities/Bloomberg News

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

OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 2,279,124 ......408,285..................... 62 ............0.179 ........... 0.180 ...........0.177 ............0.179 ............. 0.176............ 0.003............. 1.705.................0.178 .............. 0.177...................0.178 ..................287,205,382........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 774,600 ......... 151,504......................31 ............0.194 ........... 0.197 ...........0.194............0.196 .............0.194 ........... 0.002..............1.031.................0.194.............. 0.193...................0.194...................39,200,000.........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ........................... 81,885 ............... 9,728........................7 ............0.119 ........... 0.119............0.118 ............0.119 ............. 0.118.............0.001 ............. 0.847 ................0.118 .............. 0.118................... 0.119 ....................7,002,343 ..........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 279,228 ............41,192........................6 ............0.147 ........... 0.149 ...........0.147 ........... 0.148 ............. 0.147.............0.001 ............. 0.680 ................0.148 ..............0.148...................0.149..................216,465,016 ........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 160,660 .........255,445..................... 25 ............1.590 ........... 1.590 ...........1.585 ........... 1.590 .............1.580.............0.010 ............. 0.633 ................1.590 .............. 1.585...................1.590................1,192,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 279,098 .........202,067..................... 32 ............0.724 ........... 0.724 ...........0.724........... 0.724 .............0.720 ........... 0.004............. 0.556 ................0.724.............. 0.716...................0.724..................471,283,623........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ...............................................7,106 ............... 1,363........................6 ............0.195 ........... 0.195 ...........0.190........... 0.192 ............. 0.191 .............0.001 ............. 0.524 ................0.192 ..............0.192...................0.193................... 11,751,220 .........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 613,715 ..........238,452................... 143 ........... 0.388 ...........0.390 ...........0.386........... 0.388 .............0.386 ........... 0.002............. 0.518 ................0.388..............0.386...................0.388..................968,545,100........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 206,650 ........... 58,895........................6 ........... 0.285 ...........0.285 ...........0.285........... 0.285 .............0.285 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.285..............0.285...................0.287...................28,500,000 ........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ....................................................... 25,000 .............37,500........................5 ............1.500 ........... 1.500 ...........1.500........... 1.500 .............1.500 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.500.............. 1.370...................1.500................. 300,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ......................................................................61,420 ............ 34,272........................9 ............0.558 ........... 0.558 ...........0.558........... 0.558 .............0.558 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.558............. 0.000...................0.558..................354,771,316 ........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 112,814 .............21,427..................... 23 ............0.191 ........... 0.191............0.189 ........... 0.190 .............0.190 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.189 ..............0.189...................0.190...................33,250,467 .........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ...................................2,500 .................. 525........................1 ............0.210 ........... 0.210 ...........0.210........... 0.210 .............0.210 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.210............. 0.204...................0.210...................62,204,873.........0.100 OM0000002846 ...........GULF INV. SER. PREF SHARES ..............................10,000 ...............1,050........................1 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.105 ........... 0.105 .............0.105............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.105 ..............0.105................... 0.115 .................... 9,596,032 ..........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..........................................2,710 ..................640........................1 ........... 0.236 ...........0.236 ...........0.236........... 0.250 .............0.250 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.236..............0.236...................0.247 ..................74,694,419 .........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ...........................................................767 ..................342........................3 ........... 0.446 ...........0.446 ...........0.446........... 0.452 .............0.452 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.446..............0.446...................0.452...................27,346,000.........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER................................................................... 400 .................. 103........................1 ........... 0.258 ...........0.258 ...........0.258........... 0.258 .............0.258 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.258..............0.258...................0.280 ..................57,020,580 .........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL.............................................. 20,000 ...............1,420........................3 ............0.071 ........... 0.071 ...........0.071 ............0.071 ............. 0.071............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.071 .............. 0.071...................0.072...................12,425,000.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 100,000 ............19,900........................2 ............0.199 ........... 0.199 ...........0.199 ........... 0.199 ............. 0.199............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.199 .............. 0.195...................0.199..................134,302,599........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................48,241 ............ 23,059........................3 ............0.478 ........... 0.478 ...........0.478........... 0.478 .............0.478 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.478..............0.478...................0.500 ..................25,095,000.........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 779,505 ......... 190,019..................... 45 ........... 0.245 ...........0.245 ...........0.242 .......... 0.244 .............0.245 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.408 ...............0.245..............0.243...................0.245 .................359,846,631 ........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 245,000 ..........115,640........................8 ........... 0.472 ........... 0.472 ...........0.472........... 0.472 .............0.478 ...........-0.006 ............-1.255................0.472..............0.440...................0.472.................. 156,171,919 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 6,090,423...1,812,828...................423 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......22........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ....................................................... 14,001 .................. 854........................6 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 .............0.060 ............0.001 ............. 1.667 ................0.061 ..............0.060...................0.061.................... 7,625,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 569,272 ........... 36,939..................... 23 ........... 0.065 ...........0.065 ...........0.064........... 0.065 .............0.064 ............0.001 ............. 1.563 ................0.064..............0.064...................0.065...................65,000,000.........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................10,000 ..................890........................1 ........... 0.089 ...........0.089 ...........0.089........... 0.089 .............0.088 ............0.001 ..............1.136.................0.089..............0.089...................0.090 ...................2,670,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................12,960 ............... 3,110........................4 ........... 0.240...........0.240 ...........0.240 .......... 0.240 .............0.238 ........... 0.002.............0.840 ................0.240 ............ 0.240...................0.245 .................229,097,268........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ............................................... 105,450 ........... 66,646........................4 ........... 0.636 ........... 0.636 ...........0.632........... 0.632 .............0.632 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.632..............0.632...................0.636...................99,540,000.........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 1,200,554 .......117,650..................... 29 ........... 0.098 ...........0.098 ...........0.097........... 0.098 .............0.098 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.098..............0.097...................0.098..................196,030,653 ........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING............ 25,000 ...............3,425........................2 ............0.137 ........... 0.137 ...........0.137 ............0.137 ............. 0.137............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.137 .............. 0.137...................0.138................... 16,696,875 .........0.100 OM0000001723 ............OMAN ORIX LEASING .....................................................250 .....................31........................1 ............0.122 ........... 0.122 ...........0.122........... 0.120 .............0.120 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.122...............0.115...................0.122...................30,124,728 .........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 150,000 ........... 27,600........................1 ............0.184 ........... 0.184 ...........0.184........... 0.184 .............0.184 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.184..............0.184...................0.189................. 262,206,650 .......0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .............33,020 ...............4,326........................5 ............0.131 ........... 0.131............0.131 ............0.131 ............. 0.131 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.131 ..............0.129...................0.132................... 11,790,000 .........0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING ..............................................2,500 ............... 1,780........................1 ............0.712 ........... 0.712............0.712 ............0.716 ............. 0.716............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.712 ............. 0.000...................0.712 ..................142,939,090........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .....................................................18,139 ............... 3,610........................1 ............0.199 ........... 0.199 ...........0.199 ........... 0.199 ............. 0.199............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.199 ..............0.199...................0.205 .................142,166,862........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 336,400 ...........34,849......................15 ............0.104 ........... 0.104 ...........0.103........... 0.104 .............0.105............-0.001 ........... -0.952 ...............0.103 ..............0.103...................0.104................... 30,157,986 .........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 470,000 ............35,720........................6 ........... 0.076 ........... 0.076 ...........0.076........... 0.076 .............0.077 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.299 ...............0.076..............0.075...................0.076..................114,000,000........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE .................................................. 94,500 .............11,225......................13 ............0.119 ........... 0.119............0.118 ............0.119 .............0.122 ...........-0.003 ........... -2.459 ...............0.118 ...............0.117................... 0.118 ................... 30,177,210 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 3,042,046 .....348,654................... 112 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ...... 15........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004628 ...........BANK SOHAR BONDS 4.5 ............................................ 4,893 ...................514........................1 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.105 ............0.110 ............. 0.110............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.105 ..............0.090...................0.105....................5,243,334 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: ...................................................................................... 4,893 ...................514........................1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

UNDER MONITORING MARKET ..................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000001384............FINANCIAL SERVICES ................................................ 1,000 .................. 102........................1 ............0.102 ........... 0.102 ...........0.102............0.165 ............. 0.165............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.102............. 0.000...................0.000 ..................10,725,000 .........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING....................................10,000 .................. 740........................1 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.074 ...........0.074........... 0.074 .............0.074 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.074..............0.074...................0.075.................... 5,565,392 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................... 11,000 ..................842........................2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

HOTEL PROJECT

< FROM

B1 Omran’s significant investment “Omran has invested significantly in phase one of Al Irfan to create a robust foundation for growth of the site, providing low-risk options for private sector investment. Great progress is being made at the OCEC and surrounding precinct, and as the Crowne Plaza demonstrates, the private sector is investing in building this momentum now that assets are on the ground,” added Al Ghazali.

“Omran has saved approximately OMR1.5 million on construction costs of the Crowne Plaza project to date. And since Madinat Al Irfan’s Mulkhiya (title deed) was recently transferred by the Oman Ministry of Tourism to Omran, the company has increased its use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) as a key approach in developing the project,” said Al Ghazali.

Part of Al Irfan phase one, the Crowne Plaza will be a four-star hotel with 296 rooms, offering visitors a comprehensive experience including varied food and beverage outlets as well as a health and leisure club. Its proximity to the OCEC will make it an ideal choice

MEGA PROJECT: State-owned Omran, the master developer of the Madinat Al Irfan Urban Centre project in Muscat, said its initial Private Placement Memorandum (PPM) agreement for the development has been a successful first stage of its public-private sector partnership approach. - Supplied picture

for business travelers.

The phase also includes the luxury JW Marriott hotel, a fivestar, 304 key property with full amenities for guests. Both properties will be part of the OCEC precinct, the key initial asset in the first phase of Al Irfan. Both hotels and the convention centre are on track to open next year, with the OCEC exhibition halls set to open later this month.

The OCEC and the wider Madinat Al Irfan Urban Centre are at the heart of the Oman government’s strategy to diversify the Sultanate’s economy. By establishing a mixeduse business and urban city, Oman will become a major venue for regional and international events, developing Oman’s MICE and business tourism offerings as well as providing the ideal location to develop local talent.

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

B3

MARKET P R E C I O U S M E TA L

Gold extends biggest jump since Brexit SINGAPORE: Gold built on its biggest daily increase since June and traded near the highest in almost three weeks as the dollar weakened amid diminishing chances of a United States interest-rate rise in September.

Bullion for immediate delivery was 0.2 per cent higher at $1,352.16 an ounce in Singapore, after surging 1.7 per cent on Tuesday, the most since the results of the Brexit vote on June 24, according to generic pricing.

The metal has resumed its rally this year on reduced chances of the US Federal Reserve tightening monetary policy this month after the Institute for Supply Management’s index of US non-manufacturing industries slumped to its lowest level since February 2010.

A gauge of the greenback traded at the lowest level this month.

The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meets on September 20-21.

US currency “The US dollar remains the key factor driving the gold price,” said David Lennox, a resource analyst in Sydney. “The latest sets of data out of the US would tend to suggest no change in the Fed’s stance is likely, and hence the US dollar may weaken a little and gold firm up pre-FOMC.” Odds of the Fed raising rates this month slid to 24 per cent as of Tuesday from 34 per cent at the start of September, according to Fed funds futures. Lacklustre manufacturing data and evidence of a slowdown in hiring have also fueled concerns over US growth.

Still, Fed Bank of San Francisco President John Williams painted an upbeat picture of the US economy in a speech on Tuesday, despite the recent disappointing data, saying it made sense to get back to a pace of gradual rate increases.

Holdings in bullion-backed exchange traded funds added 13.8 metric tonnes to 2,031 tonnes on Tuesday, data shows. - Bloomberg News

South Korea’s Hanjin ships sailing in troubled waters Samsung says $38m goods on board two ships

Hanjin Shipping has filed for bankruptcy protection last week in Seoul. That has created a bizarre situation on the high seas for 85 ships that have been effectively marooned offshore IN TROUBLE: The shipping company operates 97 container ships, the giant workhorses of global trade that deliver everything from computers and clothing to televisions and toys. – Bloomberg News

SEOUL: South Korea’s cashstrapped Hanjin Shipping is adrift at sea — and in more ways than one.

Hanjin is one of the world’s biggest shipping lines and filed for bankruptcy protection last week in Seoul. That’s created a bizarre situation on the high seas for 85 Hanjin ships that have been effectively marooned offshore as ports in the United States, Asia and Europe have turned the company’s ships away.

The worry is that Hanjin ships won’t be able to pay port fees or their contents might be seized by creditors, which would disrupt port operations.

The South Korean shipping company operates 97 container ships, the giant workhorses of global trade that deliver everything from computers and clothing to televisions and toys. The global shipping disruption comes just as companies are shipping merchandise to fill shelves and warehouses for the end-of-year holiday season.

“Our ships can become ghost ships,” said Kim Ho Kyung, a manager at Hanjin Shipping’s labour union. “Food and water are run-

port Wednesday to unload cargo, but will be required to head back out soon after.

ning down in those ships floating in international waters.”

Capital injection On Tuesday, South Korean authorities rushed to piece together a capital injection. Hanjin Group will provide 100 billion won ($90 million), including 40 billion won from chairman Cho Yang Ho, to help contain disruptions in the supply chain, the group said in an e-mailed statement. At the same time, South Korea’s ruling Saenuri Party asked the government to offer about 100 billion won in low-interest loans to the shipping line if Hanjin Group provides collateral, Saenuri lawmaker Kim Gwang Lim said in a statement.

South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries estimates

NEW ROLE

Hanjin needs more than 600 billion won to cover unpaid costs like fuel, including 100 billion won immediately for payments such as to port operators to unload cargo from stranded ships, Kim said.

Hanjin Shipping shares have tumbled 63 per cent this year, compared to a 5.4 per cent gain in the benchmark Kospi index.

The company, meanwhile, has started providing food, water and daily necessities to crews on six Hanjin ships anchored at ports including Rotterdam and Singapore.

About 70 container movers and 15 bulk ships are stranded at 50 ports in 26 countries, according to Hanjin.

One Hanjin captain operating a ship in international waters near Japan said his vessel has been given permission to enter a Japanese

Food and water A request for food and water was rejected, said the captain via a satellite phone and who declined to use his name citing company policy. There should be measures to secure the safety of sailors, he said, adding they don’t know how long they should wait at sea.

While Hanjin’s lawyers try to arrange legal cover in 43 countries against ports taking over vessels, some captains are heading for Singapore, Hamburg or Busan in South Korea, where the company hopes the ships won’t be impounded and will be able to unload so that clients can arrange alternative transport.

Hanjin container vessels carry as many as 24 crew each and pack enough food, fresh water and other essentials for several weeks. Typically, a vessel that can carry 8,000, 20-foot containers costs about $8,376 to operate per day, according to Drewry Maritime Services, a ship consultancy. - Bloomberg News

- Bloomberg News

V I O L AT I O N

Fiat Chrysler appoints new CEO for Middle East region

Capital Market Authority issues warning to four brokerage firms The move was made as part of CMA’s regulatory measures to protect the investors and for the interest of the national economy.

Article 63 of the Capital Market Law provides for penalties for breaching the provisions of the law, which include cautioning, warning and financial penalty not exceeding OMR100,000 and suspension from work for specific term as well as final deregistration.

Times News Service Times News Service MUSCAT: As part of a long-term strategy to further develop and strengthen Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ (FCA) large brand portfolio in the Middle East, Maurizio Zuares has been appointed chief executive officer of FCA Middle East regional office in Dubai.

Fifty-one-year-old Maurizio has more than two decades of experience in the automobile industry, the last 17 years of which have been spent in a variety of roles within the FCA Group, including international sales director for Alfa Romeo (EU and Extra-EU), international sales director - Fiat/Alfa/Lancia (EU/ Japan), president of Fiat Auto Japan, chief executive officer of Fiat Group Automobiles Spain and most recently, four years as chief executive officer of Fiat Group Automobiles France, where he was responsible for all of FCA’s brands and activities within the French market.

Maurizio has a solid international automotive background and will play a vital role as head of the FCA Middle East team that has been handed increasing responsibility within the company’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) regional organisation - in line with the ambitious

SINGAPORE: Samsung Electronics, the world’s biggest smartphone maker, said about $38 million of its goods and parts were on board two vessels operated by the distressed Hanjin Shipping, which applied for bankruptcy protection last week.

Supporting Hanjin’s Chapter 15 US Bankruptcy Court petition, Samsung said in a court filing on Tuesday that without an order protecting the shipping line against creditors, the vessels won’t be able to dock, causing the South Korean electronics maker losses that may “continue to escalate so long as the cargo aboard these ships remains unloaded.”

Hanjin Shipping won a provisional ruling Tuesday, protecting its assets in the US against creditors, while the shipping line proceeds with its reorganisation in South Korea.

Samsung said its visual display business division had $24.4 million of parts and finished goods in 304 containers meant for its factory in Mexico, while its home appliance business division had products such as refrigerators and washing machines.

Maurizio Zuares. – Supplied picture

and forward thinking business plan set in place following the formation of FCA. Portfolio of brands Maurizio has responsibility for one of the most strategically significant markets within the EMEA region. He presides over a portfolio of brands that includes Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Ram and Mopar, with a range of models that includes a wider than ever choice of driving options light, efficient vehicles (such as

the iconic Fiat 500, Fiat 500X and Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV); class-leading 4x4’s (including the world’s most awarded SUV, the Jeep Grand Cherokee) through to the Ram truck range and the latest high performance models from the Dodge brand, including the 707hp Dodge Charger and Challenger Hellcat models.

Mauriziois Italian and holds a Masters Degree in Business Management as well as a Degree in Economics and Commerce from the University of Ancona.

He joins FCA Middle East as the company aims to continue building on the momentum achieved in the region over recent years.

“FCA has been on a product offensive over the last few years, and that has brought many new customers to our wide portfolio of brands,” said Maurizio. “I’m very excited to take on the challenge of further expanding our partnerships with our distributors and through them, to our customers, with a strong focus on brand development across the region.”

“With many further exciting new model introductions to come in the next few years, my objective is to grow our business through a combination of great brands and products plus a renewed emphasis on enhancing customer satisfaction at all levels,” he added.

MUSCAT: Oman’s Capital Market Authority (CMA) has warned four brokerage and investment companies against violation of clearing and settlement regulation.

The cautionary notice was issued to Global Securities, Horizon Securities and Al Madinah Investment. A fourth warning was given to Al Maha Financial Services for failing to pay debts of their clients in violation of clearing and settlement regulation.

“The buyer member shall not accept post-dated cheques drawn by the clients or endorsed by them or accept any other guarantees as

payment for the executed transactions. He may not carry out financing operations in favour of the clients unless licensed to do so,” according to the clause.

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T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

FEATURE

THERE are reasons to think Europe’s auto industry might be sidelined too.

Carmakers outsource a lot to suppliers, but still insist on building their own combustion engines. They form the bedrock of brand identity and the added value in manufacturing. The effort still consumes billions of euros in capital, but the assets risk being stranded by the rise of electric vehicles.

The danger is acute in Europe because carbon dioxide emissions rules are stricter than in the US. The big bet on diesel by the continent’s carmakers. Thanks in part to Volkswagen, it’s not a technology winning many friends.

For smaller cars in particular, the technical effort of making diesel engines compliant is becoming uneconomical. While more than half the cars sold in the continent are diesel-powered, consultants at Alix Partners expect this to be just 9 per cent in 2030. Combustion engine plants will close: The problem for the industry is that the plants, technology and tools needed to make combustion engines, vehicle transmissions and gearboxes, make up a big chunk of company balance sheets. As Philippe Houchois at Jefferies points out, there’s a real risk that Europe’s autos industry will have to write down investments.

It’s hard to say by how much because there is not

much detail on those balance sheets. But you get some indication about the industry’s exposure from Fiat Chrysler, which estimates that powertrain tooling and R&D is 20 per cent of the cost of developing a vehicle.

Tesla, the electric bogeyman to Germany’s wheezing carmakers, has its own problems, as chronicled by my colleague Liam Denning. But Elon Musk won’t have to write down a bunch of legacy diesel plants. It’s no wonder carmakers trade on such lowly earnings multiples.

The balance sheet hit will depend on how quickly electric vehicles take off. They account for less than 2 per cent of Europe’s car sales and the industry thought they’d be a minority pursuit for years, giving it time to depreciate investments at a manageable pace.

Yet with battery costs plummeting, Bloomberg New Energy Finance expects the cost of owning an electric vehicle to fall below conventional fuel vehicles as soon as 2022. Having dragged its heels, even Volkswagen says as many as one quarter of its sales will be electric cars by 2025.

Ideally, carmakers would halt diesel spending. Unfortunately, they’ll have to keep investing to hit Europe’s tough 2021 emission targets. Electric cars won’t have picked up the slack by then. So they’re stuck.

Daimler announced a 3 billion euro ($3.4 billion) in-

vestment in diesel engines this year. It says it still sees a long future for combustion engines — both for new cars and spares.

VW’s new boss Matthias Mueller at least seems to recognise the danger. He’s said there may be a time when it’s no longer worth investing in diesel. BMW’s chief Harald Krueger says similar. But that time’s getting uncomfortably close.

There are things that can be done to smooth the transition. Besides cutting diesel investment to the minimum, carmakers could partner with rivals. Engine joint ventures already exist: Renault has one with Daimler.

Trade unions will demand carmakers preserve jobs, so expect some to try converting combustion engine factories to electric technology. VW is among those considering investments in battery production.

But making electric motors and transmissions is much less complicated than combustion engines, meaning there’s less value added by carmakers. Some may outsource to a supplier. Meanwhile, battery production won’t be labour intensive, otherwise costs won’t fall enough to make electric vehicles economical.

With the demise of diesel looking assured, employees and investors face an electric shock.

— Bloomberg News

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ROUND-UP

Swarovski launches fall 2016 collection

GIVING BACK TO SOCIETY

Grand music, exhibition to support underprivileged entrepreneurs tomorrow STYLE STATEMENT: Omani influencer Buthaina Al Raisi launched the Swarovski fall 2016 collection at the Oman Avenues Mall along

with senior officials from Swarovski and Khimji Ramdas. - Jun Estrada/TIMES OF OMAN

Omani influencer Buthaina Al Raisi shared tips on accessorising different outfits with a dose of sparkle from Swarovski’s newest pieces at the launch event

MUSCAT: Muscat’s fashionable ladies are set to snag a fair share of stunning jewellery with the launch of Swarovski’s fall/winter 2016 collection.

The launch which happened on September 6 at the Oman Avenues

Mall in collaboration with Khimji Ramdas saw the attendance of media guests and Muscat’s glamorous ladies who were the first to take a look at the beautiful jewellery and newly introduced Swarovski watches, says a press release.

The guests also enjoyed a styling session hosted by Omani influencer Buthaina Al Raisi. She shared her tips on accessorising different outfits with a dose of sparkle from Swarovski’s newest pieces.

“It brings me great honour to represent Swarovski in this event.

I have always been a huge fan of their jewellery because they are the perfect complement to any outfit from day to night.

“My favourite piece from this collection is the Crystalline Oval watch because it adds a touch of sparkle to my every day look with its fashionable innovative oval shape,” said Al Raisi.

“We are quite exultant of our association with a world class brand

like Swarovski. Our association with the brand goes back to more than a decade. The brand continues to do well in the Oman market and we are always on the lookout for further expansion.

The launch of Swarovski watches in our boutiques in Avenues Mall and Muscat City Centre is in line with our valuable customers’ demand which is of prime importance to us,” said Rohit Shah, general manager, Khimji’s Luxury and Lifestyle Division.

The event ended on a high note when Al Raisi announced the launch of an Instagram competition which will give several lucky guests the chance to win their own Crystalline Oval watch.

MUSCAT: As many as 10 entrepreneurs from underprivileged families will be participating in the upcoming grand music, food and exhibition fiesta happening at Al Bahja Hall in Qurum tomorrow from 10am to 10pm.

Most of these business owners are involved with selling honey, halwa, traditional sweets and other handicrafts which will be on display at the exhibition.

Alpha Events has teamed up with the Oman Film Society and a charity group to bring these home businesses to participate in the exhibition, says a press release.

“It is a real privilege for us to support Omani businessmen and women from underprivileged backgrounds because sometimes they are highly creative but go unnoticed due to the lack of marketing which mostly comes with spending lots of money. However

with our exhibition we are trying to ensure that part of what we get is given back to the community as our corporate social responsibility,” said Fahad Awais Munir, managing director, Alpha Events.

Apart from the above, the event will also feature a kids singing competition after 7pm in which kids up to the age of 12 can take part. As it is the time for Eid Al Adha, the organisers have made sure that visitors also get a touch of the festive celebrations and have added different food stalls at the event. Besides this, visitors can also expect to find clothes, shoes and jewellery at the event and other surprises too.

Many exciting prizes including shopping and dining vouchers are to be won at the hourly raffle draws. Entry to the event is free and people are encouraged to visit with their families.

POPULAR CHOICE

A’Saffa chicken nuggets enable children to eat fresh and tasty MUSCAT: A’Saffa Foods products help turn everyday meals into tasty celebrations, and the brand’s chicken nuggets range is no different.

Enabling children across Oman to eat healthy and pure, it is notable that A’Saffa chicken nuggets are made with halal chicken and do not contain any hormones, steroids or chicken substitutes.

The brand’s entire range of products are produced at A’Saffa Foods’ state-of-the-art production plant (fully automated, untouched by hand) in Muscat and

smoke-flavoured barbecue sauce or mustard sauce.

Sidhartha Lenka, head of Marketing and Sales said, “Increasingly popular with school-going children, the chicken nuggets range is in line with our brand’s growth strategy of constantly adding fresh zing to their product portfolio and giving customers in Oman as well as the GCC something new to look forward to constantly. Parents can safely serve their children A’Saffa’s wholesome chicken nuggets and enjoy peace of mind, as each and

are available in supermarkets and retail outlets across the country, says a press release.

Easy-to-cook, convenient-to-eat and a filling food option, A’Saffa chicken nuggets are available in three delicious options – regular nuggets, kids nuggets and kids with cheese nuggets. The nuggets have a crispy golden tempura that give it a soft and juicy inner and crunchy outer, that are free from hormones and steroids, and are bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken; that are fried and served best with ketchup, MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT

T E A C H E R S ’ D AY

IS Muladha pays tribute to teachers MUSCAT: Indian School Muladha celebrated Teachers’ Day with much enthusiasm and dedication to acknowledge their sincere appreciation and gratitude towards their teachers.

Siddique Hassan, president, School Management Committee, Margaret Rodrigues, treasurer SMC, Ankur Goel, academic chairperson & IT In-Charge, Felix Vincent Gabriel, convener, S. I. Shareef, principal, V. S. Suresh, vice principal, Dr Lekha O. C., CC&EC coordinator, Harish T. Academic Supervisor, teaching staff and administrative staff attended the function held at the Kids World on September 5.

Hassan addressed the gathering.

In his speech, Hassan applauded all the teachers for their invaluable contribution. He also added that the school and the students owe all their success to the teachers for their hard work and commitment. Rodrigues, Goel, and Gabriel delivered their messages on the special occasion. Shareef read out the message of C. M. Najeeb, vice chairman, BOD. In the message he wished all the teachers and emphasised the high responsibilities of teachers to prepare the young minds to face the modern world by imparting newer knowledge and information to

every product that comes from the A’Saffa brand umbrella comes with a promise of purity of natural ingredients and a taste of freshness.”

With constant innovation in product portfolio A’Saffa Foods has shown consistent growth in the country and in the GCC. Their expansion plans focus on the convenience of the customer with the primary aim of serving them food products that are wholesome and processed hygienically from pure, tasty, premium, natural, halal and healthy ingredients.

their curious minds. The teachers were honoured and appreciated in the function and each one was gifted with a laptop by the SMC in the successful completion of the Silver Jubilee Year of the school.

The official function came to an end by the vote of thanks proposed by the staff representative Reetha Shivaraj.

The student council also organised a grand celebration at the school Kid’s World to pay tribute to their teachers Shareef wished all the teachers and welcomed them to the function.

The principal, in his speech, highlighted the nobility of teaching profession and upheld the moral responsibilities of the teacher and the importance of their existence as an invaluable resource to any society. He thanked the students for their whole hearted efforts to arrange such a wonderful

programme and appreciated the dedication and commitment of the teachers to the students and to the institution as well.

The function started with a prayer song followed by a speech by Nalini Raghunath, a senior teacher of Indian School Muladha family. She shared her experience as a teacher and the lessons that she learned from the school to be a committed teacher as well as a mentor.

A dance performance by the senior girls exhilarated the spectators.

The prefects also grasped this opportunity to express their sincere gratitude towards their teachers by honouring each one with a gift as a token of love.

Various games and fun filled activities such as musical chair, treasure hunt, dumb charades, lemon and spoon race, blind-fold make up etc. were organised by the prefect council members for the teachers.

Indian School Ghubra celebrates Golden Jubilee of Round Square

MUSCAT: To mark the milestone achievement of 50 years of Round Square, Indian School Al Ghubra, a member of Round Square (South Asia and Gulf region), commemorated the Round Square Day recently.

Sabah Al Bahlani, CEO, Association of Early Intervention for Children with Disability (AEICD), was the chief guest.

The celebrations commenced with the inauguration of the Round Square Day by the chief guest who cut the cake commemorating 50 years of Round Square, says a press release.

Aravindakshan Rajesh and Rhea Chandwani of Class XII

spoke at length on the Round Square ideals, activities and the feeling of comradeship.

A video presentation which highlighted the ideals and activities of Round Square was inspirational and enlightening.

The quiz conducted for the teachers among various departments helped raise funds for charity. The participation of teachers from all departments was overwhelming and encouraging. The Department of Mathematics won the quiz. Close on their heels was the Department of Commerce in the second position. A Trust Exercise – an activity wherein children exhibited their strength and

will power motivated the younger children. In addition, a sapling was planted by Papri Ghosh, principal, G. Sreekumar and Pyarija Cidar, vice principals, and the students of Grade XII as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations.

Ghosh handed over the funds collected by the children to Sabah to her association and said Indian School Al Ghubra was honoured and privileged to be a part of AEICD. Round Square has stayed true to its ideals since its foundation and the activities of the organisation empower the youth to become committed and responsible global citizens.

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T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

ROUND-UP Omantel offers special Haj bundle for pilgrims Omantel is offering a special promotional bundle including 2.5GB of roaming data and 99Bz per minute incoming and outgoing voice calls for a total of only OMR10

MUSCAT: Omantel has unveiled a special promotion for those travelling to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform Haj. Recognising the importance of communicating with loved ones during this blessed time, Omantel is offering a special promotional bundle including 2.5GB of roaming data and 99Bz per minute incoming and outgoing voice calls for a total of only OMR10, says a press release.

This offer is inspired by Omantel’s commitment to enrich customers’ lives and provide an excellent customer experience at home or when travelling.

Commenting on the special bundle, Ali Suhail Bait Fadhil, senior manager - Planning and Performance at Omantel Consumer

Unit noted, “To assist those undertaking Haj and fulfilling their holy duty, we are proud to announce this offer which allows customers to easily and affordably stay in touch with friends and loved ones while they are in Saudi Arabia. At Omantel, we aim to be more than just a telecoms provider, we strive to be a true partner to each and every one of our customers; offering support in the everyday, memorable moments and milestone of one’s life.”

The special Haj bundle coincides with the existing Jawazak Roaming summer offers that deliver greater data allocations within the GCC. Running until the end of September, the Haj bundle is available for customers while travelling exclusively to Saudi Arabia.

PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY

Butterfly Hotel Suites in Sohar conducts fire safety training SOHAR: Amid huge stress put on the safety of Oman’s citizens and residents, both on roads and in the workplace, Butterfly Hotel Suites Sohar took the initiative to highlight safety measures at the property in Sohar.

Royal Oman Police Directorate-General of Civil Defence in Sohar conducted a training on fire safety followed by a fire drill,

recently, says a press release.

The training covered fire risk assessment, 3P’s of fire safety (prevent, plan, practice), procedures to follow in case of fire, types of fire extinguishers and practical use of them. All the employees took the exercise seriously, were eager to practice the drill and asked questions regarding their safety both in workplace and at home.

A I WA AWA R D

ORSA, Bank Sohar organise Traffic Safety Roadshow SOHAR: As part of its continued focus towards promoting road safety, Oman Road Safety Association (ORSA) in partnership with ‘volunteering pioneer group’ with Bank Sohar’s support recently organised a roadshow that took place at Safeer Mall, Sohar.

The event aimed at promoting and further educating the general public on how to become a more responsible driver and passenger on our roads as well as offering a fun filled evening for families and children with games, competitions and prizes, says a press release.

Representing ORSA at the event was Shaima Al Lawati, deputy chairperson of the Board of ORSA, Mohammed Al Haimli, Board Member of ORSA and Ali Ahmed Al Barwani, chief executive officer of the association. Attending the event on behalf of Bank Sohar was Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, senior AGM and head of Marketing and Customer Experience together with other bank representatives.

The main objective of the Traffic Safety Roadshow was to further educate the population on how to become responsible and safe drivers as well as passengers. Various stalls at the event provided an ideal platform to focus on the various road safety related requirements such as the importance of wearing seatbelts, using children’s car safety seats, positive driving habits, and much more including the dangers of using mobile devices whilst driving.

Being one of the biggest causes of road accidents within the country, the prevention of using mobile devices whilst driving was further highlighted with Bank Sohar’s ‘RakizWaSooq’ Jingle Road Safety audio that was launched earlier in the year, which aims at spreading awareness on this all-important aspect of road safety to parents

To avail the offer, customers can simply send “J” to 91199 and follow the prompts. The offer is valid for 14 days after subscription.

Investing in the future of the nation, Omantel connects even the most remote communities of the Sultanate to each other and the rest of the world. Omantel is the Sultanate’s first and leading integrated telecommunications services provider, enabling the digital society to flourish, allowing new ways of doing business and delivering a world of information, news and entertainment.

Today, Omantel boldly innovates to deliver the highest levels of customer satisfaction, the broadest and most reliable nationwide network while investing for Oman’s future development.

FIRE DRILL

through children as being ambassadors of this campaign.

Commenting on the bank’s support of the roadshow, Shaima Al Lawati noted, “It takes a concerted effort from all of our society to improve safety on Oman’s roads.

It is heartening to see prominent organisations such as Bank Sohar support the ORSA in our initiatives. Education is key to improving road safety, and that’s why public outreach and roadshows such as this are so important. We would like to extend our gratitude to Bank Sohar for their support and hope that through future collaboration with both the private and public sectors, we will see safer roads and few accidents in the months and years to come.”

Mazin Al Raisi noted, “We are very aware of the importance of road safety campaign to minimise negative driving habits and make our roads safer for everyone in Oman. With that in mind, we launched the ‘RakizWaSooq’ road safety Jingle earlier in the year,

which aim at spreading awareness on the serious dangers of texting while driving. Children are the real ambassadors of this campaign, as they remind their parents on this all-important aspect of road safety. Stemming from our belief that children can have a greater positive impact on their parents, the jingle witnessed great popularity among children when it was first launched and the popularity increased after we launched the video. Our partnership with ORSA aims to enhance the spread of the ‘RakizWaSooq’ jingle and the message of road safety. We are pleased with the outcomes so far and we are looking forward to see more positive impacts throughout the year by cooperating with other entities to minimise road risks.”

Promoting road safety has been a key component of Bank Sohar’s CSR initiatives right from its inception. It has over the years conducted various road shows and activities that have successfully spread awareness on the subject.

Oman United Insurance receives best performing companies award MUSCAT: Oman United Insurance Company was conferred with AIWA’s best performing companies award (small cap segment) reflecting the financial soundness of company.

Commenting on the award Sayyid Nassir bin Salim Al Busaidi, managing director - Oman United Insurance, stated, “We are extremely glad to win this award based on 2015 performance and being recognised as one of the top performing company in the small cap segment.

“Our results have been a culmination of efforts by our board members, executive managers, employees and all our partners who have bestowed faith in Oman United Insurance Company.”

In 2009, Alam al-Iktisaad Wal A’mal (AIWA) started the annual survey of best performing MSM listed companies to identify and recognise the organisations that are excelling in growth and effi-

ciency parameters.

The research survey and analysis is conducted by Gulf Baader Capital Markets (GBCM) and the rankings process and results are validated by KPMG. This award is based on the financial performance in 2015 and criteria based on seven financial parameters which gave the over-

all view of financial health of the company. The criteria for evaluation involved is combination of parameters like revenue growth, earnings growth, operating profit growth, net profit growth and efficiency parameters namely return on average assets, return on average equity, operating profit margin and net profit margin.

HATAT POLYCLINIC DERMATOLOGIST RECEIVES COVETED AAAM BOARD CERTIFICATION Dr Anindya Choudhury, dermatologist and cosmetologist at Hatat Polyclinic, was recently granted board certification of the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM) after passing three levels of examinations. Choudhury imparts specialised medical and cosmetology dermatology services. — Supplied picture

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B7

ROUND-UP IT EQUIPMENT

Alizz bank hosts delegation Oman LNG extends support of top Indian businessmen to Cultural Centre in Samail MUSCAT: Alizz Islamic bank recently hosted Indra Mani Pandey, Indian ambassador to Oman and a delegation of senior management of 20 leading Indian businessmen from the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) at the bank’s head office in Ruwi.

The Indian delegation was received by His Highness Sayyid Taimur bin Tariq Al Said, chairman - Alizz Islamic Bank and Salaam bin Said Al Shaksy, CEO. They explored and discussed opportunities of investment and trade flow between the two countries, says a press release.

FICCI is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India. A non-government, non-profit organisation, and it is the voice of India’s business and industry.

Welcoming the delegation, Taimur Al Said reaffirmed the strong bilateral ties between the two countries that have resulted in

a sound business relationship. He also mentioned the emergence of Alizz Islamic Bank as an innovative bank that will continue to develop strategic partnerships and relationships with leading industry experts.

Salaam Al Shaksy said, “Islamic Banking is a booming industry and in order to extend support to this growing area of banking it is essential that Alizz Islamic Bank sets up a robust framework and accommodates major business opportunities that come its way.

“Alizz Islamic Bank is honoured to have received the Indian ambassador and his delegation and this visit is representative of Alizz Islamic Banks’ status as an emerging force in the Islamic banking sector in Oman. As a bank we are extremely proud to be closely involved in the strengthening trade and investment relations between Oman and India and seek to explore new opportunities with local and global partners for mutual economic benefits.”

MUSCAT: Oman LNG extended its support to the Cultural Centre in Suroor, in the wilayat of Samail, with various IT and network equipment as per an agreement signed in October 2014.

The inauguration of the project was held under the patronage of Younis bin Yaqoub Al Siyabi, Samail Shura Council member, and on behalf of Rashid bin Abdullah Al Nasri, senior manager of Investment and Corporate Services at Oman LNG Development Foundation, says a press release.

Oman LNG believes that in order to promote the individual development of Omanis, it is essential that all areas of the community are reached.

Cultural Centres are critical to every community and play a central role in facilitating learning and development.

Through this project, the centre in Suroor receives 20 desktop computers and tables in addition to four office desks to facilitate

Al Mumayaz monthly draw held in Bahla Launched in January, Bank Sohar Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme was revamped for 2016 to include a larger number of winners with more frequent draws, expanded prize segmentation and guaranteed winners from each branch across the country

MUSCAT: Under the patronage of Sheikh Abdulaziz Salim Saif Al Abdulsalam – Wali of Bahla, Bank Sohar recently conducted its seventh Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme 2016 monthly draw for the month of August at its branch in Bahla.

The draws included the monthly OMR10,000 general draw, OMR1,000 children’s draw, OMR10,000 ladies draw (for two winners) and the OMR10,000 exclusive monthly draw. The branch guaranteed draws, which saw one winner from each of the bank’s 27 branches win OMR1,000, were conducted earlier at the bank’s head office. In total, the monthly draws witnessed over OMR55,000 in cash prizes won by 32 winners across all categories, says a press release.

Representing Bank Sohar at the event were Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi, senior AGM and acting head Retail Banking, Amour Al Habsi, the District Manager of Interior District, and Hamed Nasser Al Hinai, senior branch manager of the Bahla Branch, together with other senior members of the bank, who welcomed the bank’s guests for the event.

Al Rahbi noted “Our Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme is designed to ignite a savings culture whilst rewarding their commitment to save. The Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme is the ideal and one of the most practical ways for people that want to save while enjoying multiple chances to win life changing cash prizes.There are three monthly draws remaining for 2016, presenting opportunities for our customers to win. I am confident that the many success

stories will continue to inspire others to save even more.”

The event was inaugurated with a speech by Hamed Al Hinai, who welcomed the guests and was soon followed by a comprehensive overview of the features of the 2016 savings scheme as well as a presentation on various retail products; also highlighting the main enhancements for the new scheme compared to the previous year and other value added advantages.

The winners Following the presentation, the five major draws were conducted beginning with the Children’s Draw which saw Saba Al Sheriyani (Minor), from the bank’s Ibri branch, win OMR1,000. The two ladies draws saw Jawaher Al Mashaikhi (Minor), from the bank’s Jaalan Bani Bu Ali branch, and J. S. Al Shahri, from the bank’s Privilege Banking branch, win OMR5,000 each; while the exclusive draw saw Khayar Al Kathiri, from the bank’s Salalah branch, win OMR10,000. The final draw of the day was the general draw for the month of August, which saw Muhallab Al Habsi, from the bank’s Al Khuwair branch, win OMR10,000.

The monthly branch guaranteed draws, conducted earlier at the bank head office, witnessed a customers from each of the bank’s branches win OMR1,000.

This included Zuweina Al Alawi as the winner from the Al Buraimi branch, Ameer Al Ajmi (Minor) from the Al Azaiba branch, M.Y. from the Sohar branch, Suad Al Hadi from the Barka branch, Khalid Ahmed from the

Ibri branch, Asim Al Ajmi from the Al Khbaoura branch, Ayman Al Shahibfrom the Al Qurum branch, Ali Al Omairi from the Al Khoudh branch, Khalid Al Jahhafi (Minor) from the Sinaw branch, A.S.S.from the Privilege Banking branch, Ahmed Kashoob from the Salalah branch, Ibrahim Al Salehi from the MBD branch, Mansoor Al Riyami from the A’Seeb branch, Khamis Al Amri from the Sur branch, Issam Al Yaarubi (Minor) from the Al Khuwair branch, Abdullah Al Harthibfrom the Ibra branch, Talal Al Zakwani from the Nizwa branch, Faisal Al Wahaibi from the Ruwi branch, Humaid Al Abribfrom the Shinas branch, Khalifa Al Balushi from the Suwaiq branch, Nasser Al Sinani from the Quriyat branch, Ahmed Al Senadi from the Jaalan Bani Bu Ali branch, Marhoon Al Rahbi from the Al Amerat branch, Ayisha Al Kindi from the Bahla

branch, Saif Nasser from the Avenues Mall branch, Ibrahim Al Anbouri from the A’Rustaq branch, and Taqiya Al Badi from the Saham branch.

Following the draws, the chief guest was presented with a token of appreciation by Khamis Al Rahbi on behalf of the bank.

Al Rahbi said, “On behalf of the bank, I would like to congratulate each of the winners of our seventh Al Mumayaz Scheme monthly draw. I would also like to encourage our customers to continue saving to maximise their chances of winning and wish them the very best of luck for the upcoming draws.”

Launched in January, the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme was revamped for 2016 to include a larger number of winners with more frequent draws, expanded prize segmentation and guaranteed winners from each branch across the country.

education and skills development performed at the centre.

Moreover, the company provided network provisions to ensure the Cultural Centre is able to access the most current of materials

available. Oman LNG continues to engage fully in all aspects of the community to ensure improvements and enhancements are felt in each field of development in the community.

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T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

ROUND-UP

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Bank Muscat e-channels set to facilitate hassle free holidays Offering more ways to bank with convenience, the electronic banking channels comprising the largest network of ATMs/ CDMs, mobile banking, internet banking and the 24/7 Call Centre are fully geared to provide the required banking assistance during the holidays

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in line with its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and commitment to innovation in electronic channels, is all set to provide banking assistance to residents and visitors to enjoy a hassle-free Eid Al Adha holiday.

Offering more ways to bank with convenience, the electronic banking channels comprising the

largest network of ATMs/CDMs, mobile banking, internet banking and the 24/7 Call Centre are fully geared to provide the required banking assistance during the holidays, says a press release.

Anticipating the holiday rush, the bank has taken the required measures to maintain the ATMs fully loaded, especially at key locations frequented by customers.

ATMs form a pillar of customer

service and Bank Muscat can proudly claim that its network of ATMs and CDMs spread across the country is the preferred choice.

Being a member of OmanSwitch and GCCNet, customers from any bank in Oman, the GCC countries and from around the world can use Bank Muscat ATMs for their cash requirements.

The holiday rush from the neighbouring GCC countries and the domestic requirements will place a heavy load on the ATM network, but thanks to strong customer-centric measures in place, the Bank Muscat ATMs are to perform to their optimal level, offering cash and other services. While customers can use ATMs to withdraw cash, CDMs can be utilised for cash deposit, cheque deposit, utility bill payment, mobile top-up and remittance services. Innovations adopted by Bank Muscat are characteristic of the largest network of 420 ATMs, 157 cash deposit machines (CDMs) and 54 full function ATM/CDMs across Oman.

Marked by speed, convenience and security, Bank Muscat’s elec-

tronic banking channels, notably mobile banking and internet banking enable financial transactions anytime, anywhere. The bank’s state-of-the-art mobile banking service has made banking truly mobile for the largest banking family in Oman who can bank 24/7 ‘anytime, anywhere’. Notably, the mBanking application works on most of the mobile phones and is customised for iPhones, Blackberry and Android based phones with simple icons and menus. The mobile banking service is available in both English and Arabic.

The mBanking services include real time bill payment and presentment facility for Oman Mobile, Ooredoo, OIFC; fund transfers across the world via the bank’s SWIFT network; speed transfer to India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka; mutual fund purchases; instant credit card bill payments; Zakat calculator and charity payments.

Enhancing security, mBanking allows customers to disable / enable debit card for international usage.

Driven by the latest technological features offering a wide range

L A R G E C A P C O M PA N I E S

of options, the internet banking service helps Bank Muscat customers bank at convenience from ‘anywhere, anytime’. For people constantly on the move, the online banking service is a boon.

The simple-to-use 24/7 service is available in both English and Arabic at https://www.bankmuscatonline.com The internet banking service is highly secure with multiple level of validations.

Moreover, any third party transaction can only take place by authentication by the Bank Muscat Secure Token which makes the system very safe to use.

For, retail customers, the internet banking facilitates fund transfers between own accounts, to third party accounts in Bank Muscat, to other bank accounts in Oman, international transfers and speed transfer to India.

For corporate customers, the internet banking service provides total control of finance 24 hoursa-day. In addition to managing and transferring between own accounts as well as other accounts within Bank Muscat, corporates

can also arrange for local and international transfers, bill payments, transfer of salaries, vendor payments and much more in a secure environment.

Bill payment facility on internet banking covers utility services such as electricity, water, mobile, landline, internet and Bank Muscat credit cards. The service also provides instant mobile top-up facility for Ooredoo and Omantel service along with school fees payments.

During holidays, customers can contact the Call Centre on 24795555 any time of the day from anywhere in the world. Using the robust Integrated Voice Response (IVR) system, customers can help themselves to obtain all required information or contact the Phone Bankers for assistance. In the event of card loss, customers can themselves block their cards through the IVR system.

The electronic banking channels reiterate the focus and commitment of Bank Muscat in adding value and engaging customers through their preferred banking channels.

SPECIAL DEALS

Holiday Hotels & Resorts offers attractive packages

BankDhofar receives AIWA Best Performing Company award MUSCAT: In yet another addition to its continuous achievements, BankDhofar has received the coveted AIWA Best Performing Company Awards for Large Cap Companies at the 8th edition of AIWA Awards for Oman’s Best Performing Companies.

The award was handed over to Hussain Ali Al Lawati, AGM & head of Business Banking at BankDhofar, during the premium event that was held at Al Bustan Palace and was attended by top business leaders, CEOs, senior government officials, high profile delegates and invited guests.

Alam al-Iktisaad Wal A’mal (AIWA) conducts an annual survey of the best performing Muscat Security Market listed companies to identify and recognise the organisations that are excelling in

The award was handed over to Hussain Ali Al Lawati, AGM & head of Business Banking at BankDhofar, during the premium event that was held at Al Bustan Palace and was attended by top business leaders, CEOs, senior government officials, high profile delegates and invited guests growth and efficiency parameters.

Commenting on the occasion, Abdul Hakeem Omar Al Ojaili, BankDhofar’s acting CEO, said: “We are proud to receive such an esteemed award that comes in recognition of our ongoing efforts to lead the financial market in the Sultanate and to be one of the major contributors to the growth

and development of the Omani national economy. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the award organisers for this initiative that highlights and honours top performing companies and market leaders across all industries.”

Based on its performance on select financial parameters in the fiscal year 2015, BankDhofar has per-

formed consistently on revenue growth, operating profit (EBIT) growth, net profit growth, return on average assists (RoAA), return on average equity (RoAE), operating profit margin (EBIT) and net profit margin (NPM).

Meanwhile, BankDhofar has continued its significant growth in all areas during the first half of 2016, with the total assets improving to OMR3.80 billion ($9.9 billion) at the end of June 2016 as compared to OMR3.39 billion ($8.8 billion) at the end of June 2015, recording a growth of 12.1% year-on-year. The net profit of the bank for the first half of 2016 reached OMR26.17 million as compared to OMR22.63 million achieved in the first half of 2015, showing a strong year-on-year growth of 15.64%.

LITERARY EVENT

Star-studded annual Mushaira on Sept. 23

We are grateful to the organisations who have been supporting such cultural and literary events. We are working hard year after year to provide literary entertainment to the people of Oman and will ensure this year’s event is extremely successful too Syed Salman Urdu Wing

Times News Service MUSCAT: Continuing with its tradition of organising great literary events, Urdu Wing of the Indian Social Club will hold its muchawaited annual Mushaira on Friday, September 23 at Al Bustan Palace Hotel.

The star-studded event will be participated by a galaxy of noted Indian poets who are sure to at-

tract a sizeable crowd of Urdu poetry lovers in Oman. Prominent among the line-up of leading poets coming from India include Munawwar Rana, Iqbal Asher, Saba Balrampuri, Rais Ansari and Manish Shukla.

Al Omaniya Financial Services is the presenter of this Mushaira, while the evening is powered by Bank of Beirut. According to the organisers, the event will start at

7.30pm and entry will be through invitations.

“We are grateful to the organisations who have been supporting such cultural and literary events.

We are working hard year after year to provide literary entertainment to the people of Oman and will ensure this year’s event is extremely successful too,” said Syed Salman of Urdu Wing.

The event is being organised to commemorate ‘Urdu - the idiom of heritage and affection’, which is a prominent language of daily use. Urdu language is the fourth largest spoken language in the world, mainly in the Indian subcontinent region.

Urdu Wing is a non-profitable literary and cultural organisation, which has been organising literary events in Oman since its inception in 2006. This will be the 9th edi-

tion of its Annual Mushaira.

As one of the most active wings of Indian Social Club with a philanthropic approach, Urdu Wing has been enriching the social, cultural and literary fabric of the Sultanate through various endeavours. Through its events it continues to work effortlessly for the preservation and promotion of Urdu language in Oman.

In Urdu poetry, a poem ordinarily takes the form of a ghazal.

A ghazal is usually a collection of a number of couplets, named ashaar, that adhere to the guidelines of bahar, radeef, matla, maqta, and qafiya. Each and every couplet, or sher expresses a single belief and may stand alone as well.

Invitations and further information can be obtained by texting 99424847/ 99427965 or e-mail: urduwing@yahoo.com.

MUSCAT: Holiday Hotels and Resorts is offering attractive deals to customers till September 30, says a press release.

Hotel Al Madinah Holiday offers OMR30 nett per room per night (with breakfast and dinner for 2 adults and 2 children). It is near to Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, Ghala Valley Golf Club and Sultan Qaboos Sports Center, with health club and fitness centre that offers a gymnasium, floodlit tennis and badminton courts, a large outdoor swimming pool and sauna.

At Resort Sur Beach Holiday, for just OMR30 nett per room per night (with breakfast and dinner for 2 adults and 2 children), is where you can enjoy the stunning glimpse of the picturesque coastline of Sur. The rooms and coffee shop are where your eyes will be drawn towards the azure waters and the golden sunset, a Sports Bar to unwind with your companions, a gym and sea side swimming pool to soak and stay away from the hustle of the city.

Stretches along the beach where the first sunrise is seen in the whole Arabian Peninsula, Resort Ras Al Hadd Holiday, with

a picturesque drive away to Ras Al Jinz where precious turtles are watched lay their eggs, offers OMR35 nett per room per night (with breakfast and dinner for 2 adults and 2 children). Rooms offer comfort with a beach view where you can look forward to start the day ready for nature trip.

Hotel Muscat Holiday, situated at the heart of Muscat City and a close walk to the largest shopping complex (Muscat Grand Mall, The Oman Avenues Mall, and Panorama Mall), offers OMR39 nett per room per night with breakfast and dinner for 2 adults and 2 children. Start the day with a delicious breakfast before exploring all the attractions in the city or take a dip in the outdoor adult and children swimming pools.

RICH TRIBUTE

Teachers’ Day celebrated at Indian School Ghubrah MUSCAT: A dazzling cultural programme was organised by Indian School Ghubrah (ISG) students of Class XII on September 5 to celebrate the Teachers’ Day. The day began with a special song by the students of Class XII which paid tribute to all teachers. This was followed by a group song and a flash mob by the Prefectorial Body dedicated to all the teachers, says a press release.

This was an amazing surprise which delighted the teachers. It was a double treat for the students as they celebrated the birthday of Abraham, Supervisor,

senior section.

To honour all the teachers who have been instrumental in shaping their lives, the students put up a scintillating show for the occasion.

A short movie made by them, replete with suspense, thrill and humour, was a great entertainment.

The day had an emotional and recreational touch. The one-anda-half hour programme which consisted of amazing surprises like game shows, foot tapping songs, groovy dances and electrifying bands delighted the teachers.

This momentous occasion left the teachers elated and ecstatic.

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM THU RS DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

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SPOR YOUR GAME

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Pliskova powers past Konjuh, enters semis

MAXWELL HOPES SHOW WON’T BE A SIDESHOW Glenn Maxwell is hoping his brilliant unbeaten 145 in the first Twenty20 against Sri Lanka on Tuesday will put him back on track to represent Australia in the longer formats of the game. >C4

OMAN SWIMMING

Pliskova made her trip to the semifinals look like nothing new as she overwhelmed Konjuh in 57 minutes

NEW YORK: Karolina Pliskova, a Grand Slam underachiever, took a big step towards shedding that unwanted label by sweeping past Croatian teenager Ana Konjuh 6-2, 6-2 on Wednesday to roar into the semifinals of the U.S. Open.

Pliskova arrived at Flushing Meadows as the only player ranked inside the top 20 yet to reach the fourth round at one of tennis’s four blue riband events but the 10th seeded Czech made her trip to the semifinals look like nothing new as she overwhelmed 18-year-old Konjuh in 57 minutes.

It was a ruthless and dominating display by Pliskova, who did not face a break point while surrendering only five points on her serve.

Wozniacki moves up On Tuesday, former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki eased into the semifinals with a ruthless 6-0, 6-2 win over wounded Latvian AnaHOCKEY

Batra in line to become FIH President LAUSANNE: In a significant development for Indian hockey, national federation chief Narinder Batra has been nominated as one of the three candidates for the allpowerful post of FIH president following the completion of incumbent Leandro Negre’s tenure.

With Negre’s eight-year tenure coming to an end, three candidates, including Batra, Australia’s Ken Read and Ireland’s David Balbirnie has been nominated by their respective national federations for the top post.

The new President and Executive Board Members of the FIH will be elected during the Hockey Revolution Part II Congress on November 12 in Dubai.

On the Executive Board, existing members Mary Cicinelli from Canada and England’s Sue Catton will be standing for re-election while Netherlands’ Jan Albers and Pakistan’s Qasim Zia have chosen not to stand for another term in office. - PTI

WANTS TO CONTINUE: Taha Al Kishry

Taha Al Kishry to seek another term as OSA chairman QUICK FINISH: Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic hits a return against Ana Konjuh of Croatia in the U.S. Open in New York on Wednesday. – Reuters

stasija Sevastova. Sevastova, the first Latvian to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal, saw her U.S. Open hopes come to a painful end when she rolled over her ankle chasing down a ball on Wozniacki’s opening serve and was unable to challenge her Danish opponent despite

bravely fighting on until the end.

With her opponent hobbling, Wozniacki showed no mercy and moved in for the kill, keeping Sevastova running. “I’ve rolled my ankle several times so I feel real sorry for her. It happened early in the match,” said Wozniacki. “I just

kept pushing her back and tried to make her move, it was kind of nerve-wracking because you don’t know what to expect out there.”

Wozniacki next meets secondseeded German Angelique Kerber, who was a 7-5, 6-0 winner over Italy’s Roberta Vinci. - Reuters

CRICKET

ICC withdraws two-tier Test system proposal under pressure from BCCI NEW DELHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday withdrew its contentious proposal of having a ‘Two-Tier’ Test system following “vehement opposition” from world’s richest cricketing body Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with the support of Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

“The two-tier Test system proposal, which was supposed to come up for discussion during the twoday Chief Executives Committee (CEC) meeting in Dubai has been taken off the table keeping in mind the objections raised by four members. The ICC will now look afresh at the whole aspect,” a source in the ICC said on Wednesday.

BCCI President Anurag Thakur, who has been a vocal critic of this move terming it a detrimental and retrograde step for the financially weaker nations, welcomed the move.

“I am thankful to the members of the ICC who understood our

viewpoint and agreed to take this proposal off the table. As one of the key stakeholders in world cricket, BCCI would continue to have an inclusive approach and ensure that everyone’s interest and the growth of cricket isn’t compromised,” Thakur, who was at the forefront of the anti TwoTier format, said on Wednesday.

The Indian Board president said the growth and popularity of the game won’t suffer because of the existing format.

“We want to grow the game and take it to new pastures and will not allow any step which can shrink the popularity and development of the game,” said Thakur.

It was learnt that BCCI CEO Rahul Johri thanked the ICC for understanding their point of view.

“BCCI CEO Rahul Johri thanked ICC for understanding the sentiment of all the boards opposing the two-tier system and also ensured its fullest cooperation in the interest of the

game to popularise Test cricket worldwide,” a source in the know of things said on Wednesday.

Any structural change to be passed by the ICC needs a clear two thirds majority and it would have been difficult to pass this proposal as it required seven out of 10 votes. Even the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) would have joined hands with BCCI to stop the move even though they have traditionally sided with the English and Australian boards.

The BCCI recently played four Tests in West Indies as a part of the Caribbean team’s aborted 2014 tour of India.

“Contrary to reports that West Indies were in support of twoTier system, it was exactly the opposite. West Indies were never in favour of a two-tier Test system.

Yes, they are in favour of four-day format for Tests and all for daynight but they never supported bifurcation into two division,” a source informed. - PTI

MUSCAT: Oman Swimming Association (OSA) chief Taha bin Sulaiman Al Kishry has expressed his desire to seek another term as the chairman of the Sultanate’s swimming governing body.

Taha Al Kishry announced his candidature on Wednesday, on the eve of the OSA’s third meeting of the year during which Taha and his fellow association board members are scheduled to finalise the date for the General Assembly and the elections for the next four-year term.

“In an attempt to continue the good work carried out for the development of Oman swimming and water sports and the good results achieved at the local and international levels, I would like to officially announced my candidacy for the chairmanship of Oman Swimming Association,” Taha said in a statement.

“It was an honour to be given the responsibility to serve Oman swimming. Now I am confident that we will be able to continue with the good efforts and programmes that have been successfully implemented during the last period,” he said.

“To mention just a few the improved level of Omani swimmers and teams performance in the international events, establishment of training centres and the subsequent growth of swimming as a sport and programmes to involve nationals in administrative and technical fields were some of the achievements of the current board,” he added.

“During this current term, we are proud to have been given the responsibility to host the Headquarters of the GCC Organising Committee for Swimming and the Headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Asian Swim-

Taha Al Kishry announced his candidature on the eve of the OSA’s third meeting of the year during which Taha and his fellow board members are scheduled to finalise the date for the General Assembly and the elections for the next four-year term

ming Federation as well as the Arab federation office. We hope to continue this pioneering roles,” he said.

Asian event Meanwhile, the OSA statement said Thursday’s board meeting, to be organised under the chairmanship of Taha Al Kishry, will also review the reports on Oman’s participation and performance in the 26th GCC Swimming Championships organised in Dammam from August 24 to 27.

The meeting will also finalise Oman’s participation in the 10th Asian Swimming Championship to be held in Tokyo from November 14 to 20.

SAILING

Oman Sail squad gain experience at Laser SB20 world event MUSCAT: Cascais in Portugal proved a fertile learning ground for six members of the Oman Sail National Squad who competed alongside elite sailors at the 2016 Laser SB20 World Championships last week.

Ali Al Balushi and Fahad Al Hasni skippered all Omani crews in the 76 strong international Laser SB20 competition gaining valuable experience across a range of skills in a variety of conditions from no wind to 30 knot Atlantic blasts and blanket fog, bright sun and heavy rain.

For Team Fahad comprising Al Hasni and his teammates from Oman Sail’s MOD70 MusandamOman Sail, Yasir Al Rahbi and Raad al Hadi, and Team Ali with Al Balushi, racing with Sami Al Shukaili and Tour de France a la Voile teammate Abdulhaman Al Mashari, the event was less about the results and more about the experience and learning as much as possible.

Competing at this level against a fleet that was recognised as one of the strongest for a SB20 Worlds in many years was a major challenge

Ali Al Balushi and Fahad Al Hasni skippered all-Omani crews in the 76 strong international Laser SB20 competition gaining valuable experience across a range of skills in a variety of conditions said Al Balushi, who took the helm for the first time in his career, attracting praise from his coaches.

Damage and drama “Even the top guys were having problems getting off the line cleanly and to get a result, a clean start was essential but we struggled with that and with finding clear air upwind,” Al Balushi said.

“It was a big learning week for us but we really enjoyed it and really want to sail these great boats again as it is such a fantastic way to learn on our own — we are looking forward to more SB20 competitions.”

Across the week, many of the Laser SB20s, which came from 13 different nations had their fair share of damage and drama in-

cluding the Oman Sail boats which had numerous rigging issues and also hooked a lobster pot which forced them to a halt in one race.

But valuable lessons were learned in boat handling, starting manoeuvres and race tactics and in such a large fleet this added new strengths to each sailor’s skillset, commented Fahad Al Hasni, recently voted Seahorse Sailor of the Month for September 2016.

“Before we started racing we decided our focus would be on clean starts and finding ways to go fast upwind on the first beats and although our tactics were sometimes a bit muddled and we gave away places unnecessarily, it was a superb opportunity to see how it should be done!” said Al Hasni.

LEARNED A LOT: Oman Sail’s Fahad Al Hasni and his team in action during 2016 Laser SB20 World Championships in Portugal. – Supplied photo

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T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

SPORTS FOOTBALL

Lukaku gives Martinez first Belgium victory NICOSIA: Romelu Lukaku scored two headers to set Belgium on their way to a 3-0 win in Cyprus on Tuesday and a first victory for new coach Roberto Martinez at the start of their qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup finals.

Yannick Carrasco added the third as Belgium underlined their status as group favourites despite a change of manager following a disappointing Euro 2016 campaign in which they reached the quarterfinals.

Lukaku, who played under the Martinez at Everton, put Belgium ahead after 13 minutes with a diving header after a shot from Thomas Meunier had been touched on to the crossbar by Cyprus goalkeeper

Constantinos Panayi and bounced back into the path of the striker.

The second goal came in the 61st minute as the promising keeper saved Carrasco’s effort but the ball ballooned up in the air and Lukaku easily converted with a simple header.

The third followed 20 minutes later when Panayi parried a stinging effort from Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard picking up the rebound and unselfishly squaring for an easy tap-in for Carrasco.

Hazard was brought down in the last minute to allow substitute Michy Batshuayi the chance to score from a penalty but Panayi saved his spot-kick. - Reuters

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

‘Brexit makes it harder for England to win bids’ England have been linked with bids for

But we are leaving the EU. Can we count on EU support or will they vote for EU nations in the future?

I don’t know the answer to that but we have to get to the bottom of that

the 2028 European Championship and 2030 World Cup in media reports, but Clarke said his priority was forging independent relationships with UEFA and FIFA

Greg Clarke English FA chairman LONDON: Britain’s decision to leave the European Union will make it tougher for England to win the right to host future World Cup and European Championship tournaments, English Football Association (FA) chairman Greg Clarke has said.

Britons voted in June to leave the EU in a landmark referendum, leaving the world’s fifth-largest economy facing uncertainty about its growth prospects and attractiveness to international investors.

Clarke, who last month succeeded Greg Dyke as head of the FA, said he began thinking about the country’s chances of hosting a major international tournament after England’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Slovakia in Trnava on Sunday.

“I was mulling on the way back on the plane from Slovakia what Brexit does to our chances of a future tournament because I never had any expectations of a new tournament (bid) in my tenure,” Clarke was quoted as saying by British media on Wednesday.

“The timescales are too long but you have to build a platform for the person after you or the person after them to be able to harvest some goodwill and get a tournament because this country deserves a tournament.

“But we are leaving the EU. Can we count on EU support or will they vote for EU nations in the

FA to support Van Praag in UEFA election LONDON: The English Football Association has given its backing to Dutch soccer chief Michael van Praag in next week’s UEFA presidential election, vice-chairman David Gill has said. With Spanish football boss Angel Maria Villar’s withdrawal, Slovenian FA president Aleksandar Ceferin and Van Praag are the two candidates left in next Wednesday’s vote in Athens.

future? I don’t know the answer to that but we have to get to the bottom of that.”

England have been linked with bids for the 2028 European Championship and 2030 World Cup in media reports, but Clarke said his priority was forging independent relationships with European soccer’s governing body UEFA and its world counterpart FIFA. “We have to build relations directly within UEFA now and

The 68-year-old Praag is also vice-president of European football’s governing body and has headed the Dutch FA since 2008. He was Ajax Amsterdam chairman from 1989 to 2003.

“As UEFA President, Mr Van Praag would be able to provide the strong and credible leadership European football requires at a crucial moment for the global game,”

not rely on the support of the EU nations because they might say we’ve got an EU member who wants it (a major tournament) this year,” he added.

“So it’s doubly important to have really strong relationships in UEFA and FIFA and I’m going to be working hard at that.”

The FA boss also said he was open to the idea of England co-hosting tournaments with EU nations.

“I need to find out before we

Gill told the FA website on Wednesday. “He has an exemplary reputation, forged during his long association with Ajax and the Royal Netherlands Football Association.”

The UEFA election has been called to find a replacement for Frenchman Michel Platini, who has been banned for four years for ethics violations.

The new president’s mandate runs until 2019. - Reuters

waste a lot of money,” he said. “It could mean we have to slightly change our tactics for getting a tournament. It might be jointly hosted with an EU member.”

England, which hosted the European Championship in 1996 and the World Cup in 1966, will stage the semifinals and final of the next European championship at London’s Wembley Stadium, when the tournament is hosted across the continent in 2020. - Reuters

BADMINTON

With more responsibility, I need to work harder: Sindhu MUMBAI: Having created history by becoming the first Indian shuttler to win an Olympic silver medal, P. V. Sindhu feels the limelight would now be trained on her and she needs to work harder with the added responsibility of living up to her new-found stature.

“From now on responsibilities (expectations) are high and everyone’s eyes are on me.

“This is just the beginning and I need to work harder,” said Sindhu after she was felicitated here, along with national badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, by nonprofit organisation, Olympic Gold Quest, which has supported her from the age of 15.

“I feel very happy with my achievements. I was able to win back to back world championship medals. When I won that first bronze medal (in the world championship) I started to get recognised,” said the 21-year-old from Hyderabad.

“And now responsibilities are high. Olympics is something

FELICITATION: Rio Olympics badminton silver medallist P V Sindhu and her coach Gopichand being felicitated by chess legend Viswanathan Anand and billiards player Geet Sethi in Mumbai on Wednesday. – PTI

which comes once in four years.

There is a lot more to go.”

Sindhu lost to Spain’s reigning world champion and top seed Carolina Marin in three games in a pulsating final to settle for second place in women’s singles at last month’s Rio Games which was the young shuttler’s first appearance in the quadrennial multi-sports spectacle.

“I am very happy. Olympic Gold

Quest gave me great support at all times from the age of 15. I won Maldives international tournament which started the journey.

The infrastructure in the Gopichand Academy (in Hyderabad) has been phenomenal. What we have is more than enough,” said Sindhu whose parents — former volleyball internationals P V Ramana and Vijaya — were also honoured at the function. - PTI

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

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SPORTS FOOTBALL

Sagna hands Pep fitness boost ahead of Manchester derby LONDON: Full back Bacary Sagna says he is fit to play for Manchester City in Saturday’s Premier League derby against Manchester United after sustaining a hamstring injury last month.

The 33-year-old Frenchman, who featured in City’s opening league game of the season against Sunderland last month, has missed the club’s last two matches but hopes to be part of manager Pep Guardiola’s plans at Old Trafford.

“I feel good. I had to rest a bit because I had a little tear on one of my hamstrings,” Sagna told the club’s website.

“I had a long season last year, so I need to take care of my body, but today I feel great. I am looking for-

ward to Saturday. I am going to be giving my maximum in the training sessions to feel as fit as possible, then the manager might have to make some choices.”

Sagna believes City have the experience to take control of the match.

“We’re going to try to dictate the game. Every single day we’re learning more and more but we’re all focused to look forward,” Sagna added. “We’re going to have to go through games like Saturday, compete every single game.

As players we have to push ourselves. We have good competition between us.”

City sit above United on goal difference at the top of the standings after both sides won their first three league games. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

RIVALRIES RENEWED: Mancheter United’s Jose Mourinho, left, and Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola.

Mourinho, Guardiola the best of enemies The fallout from Guardiola’s combustible relationship with Ibrahimovic and Mourinho, whom he opposed in 11 ‘El Clasicos’, is impossible to ignore, particularly since all three descended on English football’s second city

LONDON: Not many people talk badly of Pep Guardiola, a sainted figure in football, but Manchester City’s manager will find two of his most vocal critics facing him down at Old Trafford on Saturday.

While Spain is a world away from Manchester on a dreary day, the fallout from Guardiola’s combustible relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whom he managed for an ill-starred season at Barcelona, and Jose Mourinho, whom he opposed in 11 ‘El Clasicos’, is impossible to ignore, particularly since all three descended on English football’s second city.

Ibrahimovic’s spell at the Nou Camp ended with him branding Guardiola a “spineless coward”

for speaking to him only twice in six months.

By contrast, the Swede regularly showers Mourinho, his coach when at Inter Milan, with praise, labelling him a “manager who lights up a room where Guardiola draws the curtains,” an unusually colourful metaphor in football’s normally monochrome lexicon.

For Guardiola, Mourinho proved a more persistent threat and the pair publicly clashed, swapping insults and barbed observations at every opportunity.

Many believe Mourinho was the real reason Guardiola suddenly quit Barcelona for a sabbatical in 2012, exhausted by the strain of seeing Real Madrid win the title

FOOTBALL

‘City eyeing nothing less than a win in Manchester derby’ LONDON: Nothing less than victory will do for Manchester City in Saturday’s feisty Premier League derby against Manchester United, playmaker David Silva has said.

Silva, who scored both goals in Spain’s friendly win over Belgium last week and two more against Liechtenstein in their World Cup qualifier on Monday, has featured in all of City’s league games this season under manager Pep Guardiola.

Table-topper City sit marginally above United on goal difference after both sides won their first three league games.

“It’s going to be a very beautiful game. The two teams arrive

to this game having taken good results and after making wholesale changes in every sense,” the 30-year-old told Spanish radio station Cope.

“We’ve started the season very well and it should be a great game. But we won’t be playing for a draw. We will go out to win the match.”

City have won three times and drew one in their last five top flight meetings with United at Old Trafford.

“It’s a ground where in the last few years things have gone okay for us. We know they are a very difficult rival — but we won’t settle for a draw,” David Silva added. - Reuters

under the Portuguese.

On the pitch, Guardiola normally emerged triumphant, losing only two of their 11 meetings in Spain, a record that extends to three in 16 in overall career meetings.

On Saturday both men take perfect Premier League starts into the fixture, with City sitting marginally above United in the table on goal difference after both sides won their first three games.

If the former friends ever get round to speaking to each other, which they have not done for years, Manchester’s new managers might find they share much in common.

Both have spent heavily in the close season — United £150 million ($201.45 million) and City £174 million — in refashioning their teams, a process that also involved ditching established internationals with Bastian Schweinsteiger sidelined at United and Joe Hart loaned out by City.

Few will argue with their methods, however, and some pundits are already predicting that whoever emerges as Manchester’s top team will win the Premier League.

Guardiola’s City side have adjusted well to both a new way of playing, with last season’s two holding midfielders replaced by a more free-flowing style that has liberated playmakers Kevin De Bruyne and

David Silva, and of training, with a stretching regime designed to cut down persistent injuries.

Mourinho’s impact has been no less marked, with world-record signing Paul Pogba making the expected impact in midfield and Marouane Fellaini looking a player reborn. Last week the manager’s late introduction of substitute Marcus Rashford was rewarded with the injury-time winner over Hull City.

Guardiola, the master tactician, has spent much of the week deciding who will replace the suspended Sergio Aguero, with Nigerian international Kelechi Iheanacho the most likely starter. How City cope without the Argentine, and how United exploit his absence, will be crucial.

Up to now both managers have been keen to play down their own history, scarcely referring to the shadowy force on the other side of Manchester.

“I play against myself, not the others,” said Mourinho this week in an effort to end discussion of the topic that will not go away.

Guardiola has been equally dismissive. But on Saturday, as the pair stand side by side on the Old Trafford touchline, the realisation will dawn that some people from your past are impossible to avoid. - Reuters

Forest sign Bendtner LONDON: Former European champions Nottingham Forest have signed Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner on a two-year contract, the English Championship club’s chairman said on Wednesday.

Bendtner, who has joined the second-tier side on a free transfer, left Bundesliga club VfB Wolfsburg by mutual agreement in April.

The 28-year-old spent nine years at Arsenal. - Reuters

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8, 2 0 1 6

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SPORTS

‘THE BIG SHOW’ HOPES BIGGEST SHOW WON’T BE A SIDESHOW Burdened with the unwanted nickname ‘The Big Show’ in 2013, Maxwell has had to battle perceptions about his enigmatic talent ever since

G

lenn Maxwell is hoping his brilliant unbeaten 145 in the first Twenty20 against Sri Lanka on Tuesday will put him back on track to represent Australia in the longer formats of the game.

The 65-ball knock, featuring 14 fours and nine sixes, was the second highest in international T20s and drove Australia to a world record tally as well as a comfortable

85-run victory. The tourists’ 263 for three bettered the 260 for six that Sri Lanka racked up against Kenya at the 2007 World Twenty20 and matched the format record of 263 for five that Royal Challengers managed against the Pune Warriors in the 2013 IPL. Maxwell’s biggest international score was all the sweeter as it came after he was dropped for the longer

format matches in Sri Lanka and left out of the squad for an upcoming one-day series in South Africa.

“I’ve been out of the one-day team for a while now, so to get my first crack back in the main team and to do as well as I did today was brilliant,” he told reporters in Pallekele.

“I had doubted a fair bit about my ability at this level and to come out and strike the ball like I did today was really pleasing.”

Burdened with the unwanted nickname “The Big Show” in 2013, Maxwell has had to battle perceptions about his enigmatic talent ever since.

No-one doubts his ability as a fast-scoring batsman who can bowl useful off-spin but the reverse sweeps, pulls and paddle

I hold pretty hig standards for myself when I do play that level, I expect to dominate it, I expect to score a lot of runs

GLENN MAXWELL Australian cricketer

shots have laid him open to accusations of being, in his own words, an “egocentric show off ”.

On Tuesday, he opened for the first time in the shortest form of the international game and revelled in the liberation from the responsibility of his usual middle order role.

“When you’re in the middle order you have to be proactive the whole time and it seems that if you get out playing a big shot at that stage of the game, it all falls on your shoulders,” he added.

“At the top of the order you’ve got a bit more freedom to get yourself into the game and just play pretty normal cricket shots without taking too many risks.”

Regular opener Aaron Finch was ruled out of the match by a broken

finger but was on hand at the drinks breaks to remind Maxwell that he owns the record for an international T20 innings with the 156 he blasted against England in 2013.

Ultimately, Maxwell was unable to get on strike long enough in the last few overs to overhaul Finch’s mark but the 27-year-old thought the innings could mark a turnaround in his fortunes.

Maxwell admitted he been hurt by a year which started with a match-winning 96 in a one-dayer against India in Melbourne but by July saw him relegated to the Australia “A” side, where he admitted his form had been “pitiful”.

“I hold pretty high standards for myself when I do play that level, I expect to dominate it, I expect to score a lot of runs,” he said.

“Having that innings at the MCG, I thought 2016 was the year I was going to break open world cricket. And then to just drop off completely in the one-day format was really disappointing.”

The greatest hurt, he said, came when he was omitted from the squad for three Tests in Sri Lanka, in which Australia’s batting on slow pitches was once again exposed and they were swept 3-0.

Despite his prowess on the subcontinent, Maxwell thinks he deserves a chance to add to his three Test caps on home soil against South Africa and Pakistan later this year.

“All my red ball runs have been made in England or Australia so on the back of that, I’d like to be picked in Australia,” he said. - Reuters

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 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

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 8 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

FOR SALE * 6BR Villa in Al Ghobra Facing the beach for sale. * Commercial & Residential Land in Al khuwair for sale. * warehouse in Wadi Al kabir for sale.

*Tourist visa arranged

FOR RENT Showroom & Labour camp in wadi Al kabir for rent. brand new building 1BHK/Basement/ Showroom & offices in Ruwi for rent

Contact: 91155779 hrm_gh@live.com

CAMP FOR RENT IN GHALA 350 labours & staff can stay With all facilities, near by Express way.

Contact

99364765 / 92699949

FOR RENT OFFICE & ACCOMMODATION FACILITY Ready to Occupy Office Facility ( 275 Sq. Mtr) & 8 No. Studio Flats at Ghala (Opp. Riyam Signs)

Contact : 95697401 / 95496379 Luxurious 2bedroom flat, in ground floor with split air conditioners available for rent in Mumtaz area, Ruwi.

Contact: 24564460 / 97610908

Villa for Rent 750 R.O (Negotiable) behind Mazoon Mosque.

Contact 95150807 Rooms at Al Khuwair.

Contact: 93830111

Flat for rent, 2 BHK R.O 240/- , 1BHK R.O 180/- AL Hail near Dubai hypermarket. Contact: 94030761 Villa for rent, four spacious bath attached bed rooms, private swimming pool Gymnasium (common) with electrical equipment & free maintenance secured compound at Madinat Al Illam. Contact : 98027975 Flat for rent in Wadi Kabeer near India Primary School 1b & 2b,1h &1k.

Contact : 92222922 / 97375776 / 98058000 1000.00 sqm industrial plot with compound wall & 2 rooms at Misfa Industrial area. Contact:99342733 / 91118706 3 bed room villa, big kitchen, 2 Majlis, 5 bathrooms, inside a big compound, 4 minutes from City Center Seeb. Contact: 99311979 Francis

New flat at Al-Wadi kabir.

Contact 96130797 / 92130703 Flat for rent in Al Mawaleh South 3, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, hall, kitchen & store with air condition.

Contact 98575157

1 & 2 BHK Mumtaz R.O 225/- & 275/-. Contact: 92144045

30 New Deluxe Flats & Shops in Al Khoud. Contact 99738881

New deluxe flat available at Azaiba near Al Sahwa tower, 2 BHK with balcony. Contact: 98294753 2 apartments for rent in Southern Al Hail behind Tejan. Apartments are well located in a very peaceful area and calm they are in ground floor of the building having 2 bedrooms, living room, Majlis, 3 bathrooms and a kitchen. For more information please contact 99462401 /99243291 1 BHK Ghubra R.O 225/-.

Contact: 92144045

1 BHK flat for rent in Darsait.

Contact: 99357586 / 97500025

1 & 2 BHK Ghubra R.O 225/- & 275/-. Contact: 92144045

A spacious 2 Bedrooms flat with splits unit AC, located in Wattaya behind Mughlai Restaurant.

Contact: 98802343

Flats and shops for rent in Ruwi Honda road, Al Wattaya MBD area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127 / 94579531

1 bedroom attached kitchen, toilet for family in Al Khuwair RO 130/-.

Contact: 95154331

Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99777122

Flats & office in Ruwi, CBD area, Awfait building.

Contact 95135465 2 bedroom flat luxury fully furnished at Al Khuwair, 2 bedroom – the Wave. 3 bedroom at Azaiba.

2 bedroom at Al Walja, 600 sq. mt Warehouse – Sinaya, Ghala. For short or long term lease contract contact Atlas Real Estate & Rent a Car LLC. Contact 99436312 / 92888376 / 94617563 2BHK in Wattayah, behind Honda show room and Al Mannam-2 Hotel Apts, 2 Bed rooms, specious Hall, 2 Bath rooms. Very well maintained building, Families Only.

Call 99419712/ 92608505 1 and 2 BHK flat for rent at MBD, Hallat Sad, opp. Al Nahda Hospital, Al Khoudh and Mabella. Shop at Al Khoudh . Contact: 93994401 / 24834644

2 workshops in Al Maabela Industrial for rent.

Contact 94758394 1 bedroom, bathroom, kitchen in Al Hail South RO 120/- per month.

Contact 93993354 2 bedrooms apartment, sitting room at Al Ansab RO 270/- monthly. Contact 93993354 Villa in Al Khuwair 33, 6 bedrooms, hall, sitting room RO 850/monthly. Contact 93993354

Spacious 3 bedroom villa with maid room at Azaiba beach.

Contact: 24566217 / 24564686 / 99353921 3 bedroom well maintained flat (villa type-only 2 flats in one bldg) in Al Khuwair, behind Al Akhtam Restaurant, Villa no. 1839, Way No. 3922, block no. 239.

Contact: 99462980 Flat for rent. Contact : 99353433

Flat for rent near I.S.M- 2BH-1BH. Contact: 95158570

2 BR apartments available for rent, close to Muscat Grand Mall, next to Diwan’s Office, South Ghubra. Contact: 2456256 / 99833747

1 bedroom family / bachelors in Al Khuwair R.O 90/-.

Contact: 95154331

Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir 1BHK 170 R.O & Studio 120 R.O Contact : 99376454 .

Commercial space shop/ Showroom/ Godown at just 1.500 RO /m2 location Seh Al Ahmer 15 minutes from Rusail Industrial Estate. Contact: 97714433 / 93437982 2 workshops for rent in Al-Mabela. Contact: 94758394 2BHK flats for rent @RO 160 per sqm, location Seh Al Ahmer 15minutes from Rusail Industrial Estate.

Contact: 97714433 / 93437982 Spacious 2-&3 bedroom flats available at Qurum Alasfoor Plaza Commercial &Residential Building.

Contact: 24566217 / 24564686 / 99353921 .

AVAILABLE Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

BUYING Buying cars for cash.

Contact 90202090

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8 , 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

8 Porta cabins, 2 Ablution units each units have 10 WC and 10 Showers and 2 Ashok Leyland Buses and One Mitsubishi Rosa Bus as well Located in Our Barka Camp. All are in excellent condition to use.

MANPOWER

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS

SITUATION WANTFOR LADIES

INVESTOR PARTNER REQUIRED

CONTACT PERSON:MR. PRAKASHGSM NO:- 94048497

MV SALE Tata Novus, sewage tanker, 5000 gallons, model 2012, excellent condition, immediate sale. Contact: 99448197 Doctor used Nissan Sunny car for sale model 2012 semi automatic.

Contact: 95991809 Nissan Sunny 2012, automatic, Km 1,18000, R.O 2250/- .

Contact: 92030516 Toyota Corolla 2009 C.C 1600, full auto R.O 2400/-.

Contact: 97692959 Mitsubishi Lancer 2008 1.6 CC manual R.O 1300/-.

Contact: 99612197 2015 Chrysler 300 S ,Special Edition, Hard to find,19000 km, single owner. No Accident, beautiful Red, Full option.

Contact 98960915 2015 Toyota Camry SE, single Owner. No Accident 27000 km, All power.

Contact 98960915 2015 Mazda 3i Sport, Single owner, No Accident ,22000 km, 2.0 Engine. Contact 98960915

WANTED Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each. Contact: 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 / 93203778

FOR SALE Industrial land in Rusail. 4000 sqm. Contact 99323957 / 95490842.

FOR SALE

For a successfully Catering Restaurant Investor cum Partner is required.

Coffee shop for sale at Mawalah.

Contact: 92992940 / 94064275 Good Condition Sanyo washing machine, semi automatic, RO 40 for sale in MBD Contact; 99737812 Porta cabins, AC’s, Scaffolds, Jacks, JCB (model 1 CX), Toyota coaster bus (26 seater) for sale.

Contact: 96059565 / 95142336 Restaurant for sale, near Bank Muscat Al Ghubra. Contact 96399916 Big ladies Beauty Salon for urgent sale in Al Khoud/ Seeb prime location next to Rameez shopping centre. With 2 visa clearance.

Price: 5000.Call: 95318629 Land for sale in the village of Bimmah on the coastal road Qurayat/ Sur with a space of 604 square meters for an attractive price.

Contact 92905222 BUILDING MATERIAL SHOP FOR SALEWell-furnished running building material-electrical shop (4 shutter / 200sqm) in Al- Khoudh- 6, for immediate saleshop with stock or stock only.

Serious buyers may please Contact: 94320909

ACC. AVAILABLE Rooms for rent in Ghubra North.

Contact 96420432 Single room for rent for ladies only with separate bathroom in Darsait opposite Kim’s hospital.

Rent R.O 120/-. Contact 95318629 Furnished room in ruwi and azaiba for rent for executive bachelors. Gsm 99058344

Investor with fixed returns also welcome.

ACC. AVAILABLE

GOOD NEWS

Big room with attached bathroom available at Honda Road, Ruwi for Executive bachelor.

Contact 95527969

All Pooja items- idols – fresh flowers – marigold – roses – jasmine – lotus – rose petals- garlands & all decoration items. Sweets &modak.

HaridasNensy& Co. Ruwi 24750784 / 23291825

Sharing bachelors accommodation available in Rex Road, Ruwi.

Contact 94442157 Classic furnished room with bath room, separate, kitchen facility available for decent Executive, area Mumtaz. Contact: 97752162 / 95801696 Single room with A/C and attached bathroom, sharing kitchen for executive bachelor/couple near Saud Bahwan Hill view Tower accommodation and Opp: Shell filling station. Contact 99024362, 93166353 Fully furnished 2BHK sharing flat for Indian Executive near Sheraton CBD. Contact 99219337

NRI Semi furnished two bed room flat for rent in Palarivattom bye pass, Ernakulam for small family.

Contact: 0091 9447665240 / 00968 99608810 Goa plot sale 435 sqm Nuvem Baida. Contact: 99652955

Ayurvedic massage, backache, joint, neck pain etc.

Contact: 98254909 Coming Eid appointments special offer on all beauty treatments, Varkey’s Gents Spa. Contact: 92935679 Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steam bath, obesity, Spondylitis. Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Ghubra.

Contact: 99639695 /97397320 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact: 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

TRANSPORTATION No need to wait for Taxi please call from anywhere in Muscat.

Contact: 96009655 Transportation.

Contact 92126933 / 98518979

Please contact – 95213273

Email: muscatcoffeeshop@gmail.com

MATRIMONIAL Tamil Nadu male Hindu, handsome 33 yrs / 169 cm, working in Muscat (Accountants - Manager) seeks alliance.

Contact: 97434001 / Email: cbmperumal@omantel.net.om Ezhavaboy age 28 height 174cm Star anizhamBTech working in Oman Seeks suitable alliance.

Contact 99430227 Kerala RC Boy 32y 168h Thrissur working as an accountant in reputed company in Muscat seeks suitable alliance.

Contact: +968-98169190 ITI electrical, SSLC, PDC, Christian, 36 yrs, second marriage seeks alliance.

Contact 97368596

TRANSPORTATION Picking and drop Al-Khuwair to Rusail. Contact: 98957524 / 91287470 Transportation. Contact: 95190627 Transportation. Contact 92015894 Transportation. Contact 94510847

Investment opportunity For business in lighting building materials and decoration. # 99421513

LOSS OF STOCK CERTIFICATE A stock certificate for Al Sharjah Group Company in the name of Lina Mohammed Waleed Tahan has been lost, whosoever finds this certificate is kindly requested to contact Al Sharjah Group Company (Stock Department) on telephone No. 065565570 or contact mobile No. 00968 99356825.

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T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 8 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT WANTED Female Gynaecologist, Female GP- Two Female Staff Nurse (From India or Pilipino)and One Female Dental Assist and Female Lab Technician.

With MOH Licence and Data Flow for Al Saadi Specilised Medical Centre, Musanna.

Contact # 92025033, Email : dr.srininvas76@gmail.com

URGENTLY REQUIRED For a new Medical Centre at Thumrait and Salalah (Oman)

General Practitioner/ Physician, Ophthalmologist, Gynecologist, Lab technician.

Minimum 3 years experience Contact – 99702784 drsidiqmds@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

Wanted Electrician & Ele- Technician

ACCOUNTS

3-5 yrs experienced Electrical Technicians, must have knowledge in UG Cables, OH lines & MEP. Preference for Electrician license holders.

Indian female, senior Accountant /ast.Finance manager having 15 years oman experience with d/l and noc looking for a suitable placement. Contact : 94838231

Send CVs : tajallulu.electrical@gmail.com

Indian male, B.Com, MBA in Finance, 4 yrs in Larsen & Tourbo, 26 yrs in Oman, English/ Arabic speaking with driving license. NOC available. Contact 95588565 Indian male age 26, Accountant one year experience in accounts looking for suitable job. Contact Email: Anishkhan991867@gmail.

Com Mobile: +968 9565 9415 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

ACCOUNTANT Urgently required an Accountant for small super market at Saham, visa facility available.

Contact: 99421289

Sri Lankan Accountant B.Sc degree and CASL intermediate seeks suitable job vacancy. NOC available. Contact: 99649013

BEAUTY MEDICAL

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

Required urgently Doctors & Paramedical Staff 1) Gynecology 2) General Practitioner 3) Dental 4) Radiographer. E mail: altaqwamedicalcenter@gmail.com

EDUCATION

SECRETARIAL

A well known bilingual private school is in need of English and Mathematics Teachers.

Contact: 96910649 Email: staffing.oman@gmail.com An Omani establishment require experienced legal consultants, eligible to perform in the different Omani courts upto the supreme court, with a work experience and fluent English. Contact : advocateoman2@gmail.com

DRIVER Wanted part time, full time driver.

Contact: 24713253 Fax: 24711569 Wanted Driver for heavy (sewage vehicle) and light vehicle with valid Oman driving license.

Contact: 97991654 / 97991652 Kindly send CV at Email: construction@remasalseeb.com / remaschandran2020@gmail.com

ENG./TECHNICIAN Required Civil Engineers experience more than 5 years.

Email : towershr70@gmail.com, Contact 24548382 Urgently required Technician having Diploma in electrical / electronic with GCC D/L & experience in installation & maintenances of Automatic doors. Send CV at Email : accounts@alatonoman.com or fax : 24700408 Wanted Civil Engineer with minimum 3 years experience with valid GCC / Oman driving license.

Contact: 97991654 / 97991652 Kindly send CV at Email: construction@remasalseeb.com / remaschandran2020@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Looking for Designers, Salesman & Philipino Accountant in Printing press. Send CV at Email : info@alsahib.net

MEDICAL Fusion Medicare Polyclinic, Muscat wants GP, staff Nurse holding MOH license & Receptionist (Omani) Contact – 97698004 / email: medicare@fusionlogicoman.com Required female GP, Gynecologist, Physician, Pharmacist for a clinic in Ibra. Contact : 99373493, jmjmedicare@gmail.com Urgently required Doctor with MOH license for leave vacancy one month.

Contact: 97091664.

Wanted Dentist with MOH license for a clinic in Sur. Contact 97475816 Required Doctors available experience - GP- ladies + Gents.

Email : towershr70@gmail.com, Contact 24548382 Wanted female & Male Nurse with or without license (good salary, food & accommodation with other benefits. Contact 92989109, medicoport@gmail.com

Philippine Secretary (female) wanted for furniture company in Al Seeb, salary 200/- to 300 /- OMR. Contact: 91453541 / 24459435

SALES / MARKETING Urgently require Marketing Staff : 2 nos, IT Staff : 1 no. candidates may send their resume at : infosqmtr@gmail.com or contact 92314305

SALES / MARKETING MAGIC LAUNDRY OMAN seeks a part time SALES EXECUTIVE on commission basis. Interested candidates may please forward their resume to magiclaundryoman@gmail.com Required sales and marketing executive for a 4-star hotel in muscat. candidate with excellent communication skills and having 3+ years experience need apply. driving license will be an advantage. email: hoteljobsmuscat@gmail.com

Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly basis and finalization works.

Contact: 96247295 Indian female M. Com/CA lnter yrs experience. Contact: 94863876, E mail: jinumanickath@yahoo. com 21, Indian female B.com graduate on family visa looking for immediate and suitable placement. Holds valid Omani Driver’s license. Contact: 97208869

Indian Salesman indoor, knowledge in English & Arabic.

Contact: 93326636

Accountant: Indian 10Yrs Exp upto finalization, Tally, Focus with Oman License. Contact : 92826842

Looking for Marketing Executive with D/L. Mail your resume info@agloenterprises.com

Indian female 15 years experience as Asst Manager - Finance in Oman seeks suitable placement.

NOC available. Contact: 94953826 / 92824146

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED ADMIN Indian male MSW Management professional with 14 yrs experience in HR & Administration seeks suitable placement. Contact 92438185 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have vocational M.B.A diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time.

Contact: 95933288 Indian male 27 years, Masters in Hospital Administration with 3 years experience in quality assurance and JCI Implementation currently working with Aster group as Asst Manager in Quality Assurance. Contact : 98431213 vishnuvijjay14@gmail.com Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817 Indian male 25yrs, B.Com, MBA, SAP (level 1) certified, 1yr exp in Office Administration, on visit visa looking for placement in Accounts, Sales & Marketing, Storekeeper, Logistics. Contact: 97914014 Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa, looking for suitable position.

Contact 90196235 Egyptian woman resident, considerable experience in the Administration and Secretarial Executive for company. Contact : 97221126

ACCOUNTS Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job.

Contact 93953613, Emailallen.mathew83@gmail.com Indian/MBA/male Chief Accountant 18Yrs Experience, MIS, C.Flow, Budgeting, ERP, Cost accounting &Liasing with auditors. NOC available.

Contact: 92254691/97826674 email: khader2305@gmail.com Indian female, M.Com, 4 yr’s experience in Accounts looking for Accountant/Asst. Accountant job.

Contact: 98418533 / 99338639 Certified Public Accountant (Filipino, Male, 27-yrs-old) with four years experience, seeking suitable placement in accounting/ audit, currently on visit.

Contact;94959606, email: czesar.42@gmail.com Indian female 26 yrs, MBA finance 2 yrs exp with MNC. Email: rilooozmali@gmail.com.

Contact : 90551366.

Seeking suitable placement in Oman for the post of Senior Accountant, experience 20 yrs in India, 2 yrs in Oman.

Contact 968 93241862 Accountant Srilankan National Inter CA 3 yrs exp in finance on visit visa. Contact: 79049355. email: ahmedfiham777@gmail. com Finance Manager 16 years experienced chartered accountant (Sri Lankan) looking for a suitable post. NOC available.

Contact 92194926 Email: manomuscat@gmail.com Sudanese Accountant, Alexandria University Graduate bachelor of commerce Diploma of Marketing professional photographer worked in PR and social media for 2 years looking for a job in public relations media, social media or marketing.Contact: 96976240 Indian female 28 yrs B.Com 4 yrs experience in MNC’s currently in Muscat seeking suitable placement in Finance / Admin.

Contact :94743790 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

Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394

Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94879615, Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com

Indian (M), 31 yrs, M Com 9 yrs experience in Oman, looking for Manager or Executive position in Fin & Accounts, NOC Available.

Contact 968 96166178/ +919768537435: mohammednajeem@yahoo.com

Indian, Kerala Male B.COM & B.PE, Currently on Visit Visa.

Looking for a suitable job in Accounts, Store Keeper, Sales etc.

Ready to join as early as possible.

Contact 96988923 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com

ARCH./ INTERIOR DEC. Junior Architect from NIT (female) seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92705130 Architect Engineer seeking for suitable job, 8 years experience.

GSM : 96075000, Email : haytham_201046@yahoo.com

ACCOUNTS Accountant 8Years Experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084 ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance. Contact: 99284193

7 Years experience as Financial Analyst, MBA in finance. Responsibilities- research contributor, financial statement analysis, generating MIS & efficiency report, managing TAT, business & clients.

On visit visa in Muscat.

Contact 90191628 / 96175780 Accountant B.com Indian male 12 yrs exp seeks suitable job.NOC available . Contact : 91212471 Email: rennyj6@gmail.com 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

DRIVER

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED DRIVER Looking for a job as a Driver, with more than 5 years experience in Oman knows all the roads in Muscat, NOC available. Contact: 96685534

Quantity Surveyor (QS)Srilankan, 6 years of experience (4 years Oil & Gas in Oman).

Contact- 98142760

Driver with electrician 4 years experience looking for job.

Contact: 97456062

Indian Automobile Engineer, 25 yrs with 4 yrs experience seeking suitable job, now in Muscat on visit visa. Contact 92077172

Light Driver. Contact 92703258 / 99617026

DESIGNER/ DRAUGHTSMAN Free lance / part time autocad works / make boq 2d /3d arch , structural, shop drawings interior drawings. Contact 97103168 Graphic web designer, Indian male, looking for suitable vacancies having NOC and release.

Contact: 98461278 Architectural Draftsman (4 yrs experience) seeking job.

Contact: 91141879 Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR. PH :92279784 Architectural Draftsmen diploma in construction technology with 6 years experience in drafting and detailing as per British standard in Oman with valid Omani license looking for suitable opportunity Noc available. Call 94375897.

Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman. Please Contact: 96489798, (+974) 66653780.

DOMESTIC HELP House maid looking for job full time /part time.

Contact: 95799643

EDUCATION/TRAINING Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. Contact 99739415 / 92091528 Mathematics Lecturer , Indian Female, M Sc Mathematics from a Prestigious University, B.Ed qualified, distinction holder with 6 yrs teaching experience in colleges.

Contact: 91360147.

Experienced Maths teacher bilingual AS, A, IB Thanwia Aamaa. Contact: 98016336.

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Light duty driver, exp 4 yrs experience, knows English, Arabic & Hindi. Contact: 94928736

B.E Electrical Engineer (6+yrs Exp) Indian Male 29yrs,Currently working in Oman with Driving License, GSM:97879850, Email: herinmathu@gmail.com

Pakistani male light vehicle driver, 3 yrs exp. looking for job. Contact: 99373841

B.E / B.Tech, Civil Engineer 4-5 yrs experience.

Contact 93850875 / 95031239

Need a driving job with 2 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 968 96771242

Indian male 24 ,B.E ( E.C.E ) graduate with 3 years of experience in the fields of BMS and Low current systems and has good knowledge about Electronic Security Systems, currently working in Oman, NOC Available.

Contact:- 94737033/ mohdmuhafez45@gmail.com

Driver looking for job.

Contact 95892363 Looking for job Light driver.

Contact : 98503237.

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Indian female B. Tech 5 yrs exp in MNCs currently in Muscat, seeking suitable job in Sql & Plsql domain.

Contact: 93262829 B.Tech Electrical, Indian male 4 yrs exp in electrical field seeking suitable position. Now in Muscat on visit visa. Contact: 93528963 Email: lenish.kl@gmail.com.

Quantity Surveyor, Srilankan, male, 25 yrs, B.Tech, HND QS (Civil & MEP), AutoCAD with 5 yrs experience, looking for a suitable placement. Contact 92032632, haseebmursaleen@gmail.com MEP Engineer 49 years Indian male with Omani driving license having 14 years experience in Oman seeking suitable basement, releases available.

Contact: 91268250 Omani seeks HSE position.

Contact 99326700, Email: jeeba23000@gmail.com Indian male, 25 yrs, Mechanical Engineer with 3 year experience, NOC available. Contact: 90924132. mail:rajeevsreenilayam@gmail.com B-Tech Electrical Engineer 10 yrs exp in Oman / UAE / India as pre/ post QS(MEP)/MEP Coordinator seeking suitable job.

NOC available. Contact: 96505513, E mail : abyeee@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer: Indian male 28 years.6 years UAE experience in the field of MEP with valid UAE driving license.

Currently in Oman on visit visa.

Contact: 00968 98953932 shamnas.shaanukm@gmail.com Electrical Testing Engineer having 7years of Gulf experience expertise in testing & commissioning of electrical systems, presently on visit visa .Contact: 91228167 Indian male 24 yrs, Mechanical Engineer, Diploma in MEP design, AutoCAD 6 months exp in automobile sales, worked as Supervisor in steel fabrication firm, on visit visa. email:advith.21@gmail.com Contact: 99077031 Indian female 30 yrs B Tech, MBA - IT 6 yrs work exp. in India & Oman, exp in conducting video conference, configuring automated solution systems, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 92689823. email:jobymees2014@gmail.com Quantity Surveyor 6 yrs exp with D/L. Contact: 95685265 Sr. Electrical Engineer with17+ yrs of exceptional exp in spear heading strategic planning and project management initiatives & executing various high rise residential & commercial building as well as roads and highway project with proficiency in installation, seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization.

Contact 96570891

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED Indian female, MBA, Finance, B.Com & PGDM 2 years experience as Financial Analyst looking for suitable position in Accounts Administration or Executive positions, presently available in Oman.

PROJECT MANAGER, B.Tech, MBA, PRINCE-2, British Citizen now available with NOC in OMAN. 25 yrs. exp in EPC Project Management of Oil & Gas, Pipelines, Refineries & Power Plants. Seeking job immediately/

Contact 96126736 / 95629821 Email: ppreethi006@gmail.com

Indian male, MBA, 6 yrs experience in Sales & Marketing, Export / Import, logistics (general trading), holding Oman driving license, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable jobs.

Contact - 91544858

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release.

Contact 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Indian male Civil Engineer 1.6 yrs exp, having Omani D/L, looking for suitable position. NOC available.

Contact – 92157694 / mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Diploma in Mechanical Engg, 10 years exp in steel fabrication site work with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 94696192 Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrs exp seeks suitable position in a reputed company. NOC available.

Contact 96789711 B.E Mechanical Engineer, age 24 with almost 1 year experience as Production Shift Engineer, has achieved training on HVAC Engineering design and has good hands on software like AutoCAD and HAP.Currently in Oman on a visit visa, looking for a suitable placement.Contact: 95065955 email: mjs.jazeb@gmail.com An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available. Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, Indian, Male, 30yrs. Experienced in Steam turbines and Thermal Power house seek employment.

Contact - +91 8130553668 or mohamedshah7@gmail.com Electrical & Electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit.

PH: 93837973 Civil Engineer, 10 yrs exp.

BOQ establishing building experiences AutoCAD, MS Excel, expert. Contact 94932724 Indian female seeking Software Engineer job, having 2 yrs exp in . NET staying in Oman at resident visa. Contact: 95473758 Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 92279784

Contact- 00968-94731728/ josececy25@gmail.com

9 years experience in Dubai/ London/Mumbai in Management Consulting, Sales & Marketing, Business Development for Real Estate/ Banking seeks similar placement with D/L.

IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE WITH NOC HR & ADMINISTRATION PROFESSIONAL With 14 years of Oman experience in Omanization, well familiar with Oman labor laws, employee relations / welfare, Liasion & Coordination, Strategic HR Planning, performance Appraisal & General Administration.

Contact: 95168205

Contact - 96501189

Indian Male MBA (UK)

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

MISCELLANEOUS

Young Indian, Engineering in Bio-technology, Bio-chemical and Chemical, looking for a challenging placement in Oman.

Contact 97607000. Email: sivasankarjayakumar@gmail.com

Filipino Male, 28 years Old. Looking for job, Have experience in Rent a Car/ Cargo & Logistics / Real Estate/ Customer Care Executive / Sale Executive & Marketing/ Shop In- Charge. Hard working w/ good computer and communication skill. GSM: 97761075

Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 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 Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).Looking for a Suitable position. Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa. Contact: 92157694. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact: 97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com

IT Over 9 years experienced IT support professional looking for suitable opportunities (NOC available).

Contact: 97689128, Email: dd_mcp@hotmail.com Oracle / SAP Developer with 6 yrs Gulf experience in IT, Banking, Administration domain, skills: SQL, PLSQL, SAP BO/BI, JBOSS, presently in Muscat seeks placement.

Contact 92012405 / 97041071, sandhya.p4@gmail.com IT professional, Indian male B.Tech (IT) with 4 yrs experience in HTML5, CSS3 Java script Php, My SQL, Word press opencast and Photoshop looking for a suitable position available in Oman.

Contact: 93528971

Electrical Engineer, 24 yrs, Indian Male, Fresher, Training Undertaken in Electrical Draughtsman, Fire Alarm, Fire Fighting and Industrial Automation. Contact: 94989767, Email: Junaiz987@gmail.com

Indian Male, MCA Graduate, 15 yrs exp in ERP, CSM Certified, seeking suitable role.NOC Available.

Contact : GSM : 90189284 Email: meetlibran@gmail.com

Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. Contact: 98921022

IT field 3 years of experience, female seeking suitable job in Oman.

Contact: 96350234 Email: greeshmavkannan@gmail.com

Construction Machinery repairs Engineer, 5 years, driving license, Contact - 94001961

Computer hardware & CCTV Technician - Indian male having 8 yrs exp in hardware & 2yrs in CCTV. Presently on visiting visa seeking satiable placement. # 92164971/ email: adersh.kr@gmail.com

Civil Engineer Indian (B-Tech, M.Tech) 8 yrs experience, having Omani D/L.NOC available.

Contact: 94195397 Indian male, Structural Engineer looking for job in structural design field. Having 6 years of experience in design field. Residing in Muscat. Contact: 91176187 Email: syam036@gmail.com Civil Engineer (Indian male) 5 years experience in Oman with valid Omani driving license & NOC looking for suitable opportunity.

Contact: 93101283 Civil Engineer, young Indian having almost 2 years experience looking for a challenging position seeks suitable position in Oman/ GCC. Please contact 92718490, Email ID: uvais.pk82@gmail.com Mechanical/ Piping Engineer (B.Tech.) on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 94703350 mail: nadeembcoolboy@gmail. com

Indian male 3 yrs exp in IT as Linux Administrator & 1 yr exp in Amazon EC2 Cloud at Wipro Technologies Bangalore seeking suitable placement. Contact: 92889678. email:amalpathikal@gmail.com CFA level 1 cleared (pursuing level 2) MBA operations research, female, 5 yrs experience as Analyst, have a valid Oman driving license, looking for related openings.

Contact 95818892 Indian female M.Sc Computer Science seeking suitable placement in Muscat area. Contact: 98660672

Filipino Graphic Designer / I.T. looking for a suitable job with 10 years experience. Very good in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Photography, Knowledge in CCTV & Access Controls. Call 79042628.

B.Com,IICL Certified Container Inspector(No.150850),Visit Visa, Six months experience, need placement. Phone 90880935,99023279, Email solexyesudas@gmail.com.

Indian male, 28, post graduate, 6+ yrs exp in Oman in sales (back office) & credit control with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable lacements. NOC available.

Contact 92066 523 BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com Sudanese male bachelor geology and mining with 3 years experience in MUD logging and training in soil investigation. Contact 92956848

MEDICAL Filipino male Medical / Sales representative with 3 yrs experience is looking for suitable job in Oman.

Contact: 92610394 Indian female, BSC Biochemistry, fluent in English, good computer knowledge, excellent communication skills with 15 yrs experience in Medical transcription field looking for suitable placement preferably in hospital and medical field. Contact: 93206658 Asst. Pharmacist (male) 8 years in Muscat looking for job with NOC, ready to work in Remote areas. Contact: 93977213 Srilankan female qualified in UK with B.Sc (Hons) Pharmacology and M. Sc Pharmaceutical- Science with management studies having 1.5 yrs exp in UK and Srilanka in clinicalresearch and regulatory, currently on visit, looking for suitable post in Pharmaceutical, clinical research or health care organizations.

Contact: 71148320 Iraqi Dentist female, MOH license seeks suitable job in clinic in Muscat. Contact 97891219 Pharmacist (female) passed Prometric 80% marks and dataflow completed having 3 yrs experience in Retail and Hospital Pharmacy, education Doctor of Pharmacy seeks job in Muscat.

Contact 95575270.

Veterinary Doctor: Indian Female looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 96906534 /99014885, Email: monishmajeed@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE

IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India.

Contact: 94672759

Looking for part time job Secretarial / Data Entry / Documentation available every day after 5:00 pm Friday / Saturday full day area preferred Ruwi/ CBD/ MBD / Al Khuwair. Contact: 90414827

Indian male 4 years experience in IT as Programmer / Web Support/ CCNA/ Network on visit visa seeking placement. Contact 93069694 Email: mrabrar14@gmail.com

Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Call: 95244761

SALES / MARKETING Indian male with 6 years experience in sales in oman. NOC available, looking for suitable placement. Contact 95364128 Immediately available with NOC. Indian MBA graduate (Male) with 5 of years experience in Sales & Marketing looking for suitable position, D/L available.

Contact 98891080 Indian male 26 years holding MBA with 2 years experience in Sales & Marketing (FMCG) looking for suitable position. Currently on Visit Visa.

Contact: 79050204, Email: jerin.kottanadan@gmail.com Indian male 39 years, 10 years experience in Oman as Marketing, Business Development & Operations with legal background looking for suitable job having Oman D/L. NOC available. Contact : 94266552 / 94942328 Looking for a job in Muscat in the field of HR, Marketing, Admin, Customer Care, Sales, Research or Data Entry category. Can Speak good English and Tamil. Proficient in MS Office. Hard-working and sincere individual. Contact:- Email Id: dineshbojan@gmail.com Phone no: 96898201640 / 96899529924 Indian female Post Graduate in Masters in International Business (MIB) with a major in logistics and supply chain management seeking suitable entry level position within the industry. Contact: 91623103 Indian male 36 having 14 years experience GCC market in Sales, marketing holding Oman driving license (NOC available) looking for suitable opportunities.

Contact : 94261186 BBA Graduate looking for placement in sales & marketing having valid Omani driving license.

Contact: 96014839 / 99048052 Indian male 1 yr exp in sales automotive (TBL) looking for best opportunity , NOC available.

Contact: 97793879 Email: shyampkn@gmail.com MBA (sales) 11 yrs exp, 4 yrs in Oman marketing, purchase B. Development having Oman D/L looking for opportunity in MID management, NOC available.

Contact: 95831786. email: anaseem1983@gmail.com Indian male 26 years of experience of sales & marketing in surgical and laboratory equipments.

Looking for good replacement.

Contact – 92015894 /95774854 Indian male 35 years, B.com and 9 years GCC experience in Sales & Marketing (Transport & Logistic).

Having GCC driving license, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 92634281 email: shinojkk1224@gmail.com Lebanese, 38 yrs, MBA Master in Business Administration in Marketing, sales experience in GCC, UAE, Qatar. 17 yrs experience in Projects Management & companies, GCC driving license.

Contact 79045232, dr.sheaitani@gmail.com Indian female with 8 yrs exp in Oman holding valid D/L looking for part time / freelance work in sales & marketing. Contact: 93228657 Indian male 37 years MBA graduate in marketing with 9yrs of experience in UAE in field of brand promotions & marketing with UAE D/L on a visit seeking suitable position.

Conatct 95792820

Indian male age 24, B.Com. having 2 year experience and currently in visit visa. Looking for suitable placement in Sales, Marketing & finance. Contact: 90766307 Email: shhaazz.007@gmail.com Indian male -sales representative with 7 years experience and valid Oman driving license, NOC or release available-99695780 Resident in Oman 18 years, 10 years experience in setup marketing plans and strategies, sales, import & logistics, procurement, Omani government tenders, organizing projects & events, import fireworks for festivals, NOC available, have car. Contact 94123939.

Email: 002015r@gmail.com Omani male, working in Muscat duty free for 2.5 yrs as Sales Assistant, Supervisor looking for job of delegate public relations, sales.

Contact 96625194 / 92049106, Email : albalushi592@gmail.com Indian male, 27 yrs, 6 yrs exp in Sales & Marketing, looking for suitable job, having Oman D/L, NOC available. Contact 93362361, Email : shijoychins@gmail.com Indian male, 27 yrs, Sales Executive, 2 yrs Diploma in Hotel Management & Catering, Oman with D/L looking for best opportunity.

NOC available. Contact 97768047 Oil & gas experienced Indian lady with 6 years in sales & marketing to PDO and having valid Omani driving license. Contact 96143430 / 99875919 Business Development Manager Industrial commercial 7 yrs experience in Marketing, Sales, General Administration, well aware of Oman laws, Arabic Nationality with Architectural interior design back ground. Contact: 91308588

SENIOR JOINERY ESTIMATOR Indian male, 11 yrs experience in Oman looking for suitable placement in joinery/ fitout estimation or marketing.

Local release available.

Contact - 94541830, Email: estimator64319@gmail.com

Senior Accountant B.Com, 18 yrs experience abroad, 12 years in Oman with an excellent grade construction company, handling day to day activities upto finalization, proficient in Microsoft GP, knows AX – 2012, valid D/L, looks for suitable placement in Accounts / Admin. Local release available.

Contact: 968 97702648 SALES / MARKETING Indian female 29 years Post Graduate with computer Knowledge 2 years of Oman experience in coordinator & 5 years of experience in customer service, client relation officer with excellent communication skill seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95337665

SKILLED LABOUR Indian male 44 years, 7 years experience in Oman as store keeper NOC available. Contact: 97142176 Indian male looking for job in plumbing, fire fighting & Supervisor.NOC available 17 yrs Gulf exp Contact: 94037530 / 91608797, E mail: jeetusingh500@yahoo.com 6+ yrs experienced Electrical Supervisor, experienced in HT,LT, on visa release available in Oman.

Contact: 95280565

MISCELLANEOUS Pakistani male looking for House boy and cleaning work.

GSM:96710189 Indian male, 25 years, diploma in computer science and B.E(CSE) having experience in hardware and networking seeking for the suitable job. Contact: 93879828, Email id: santoshannathurai@gmail.com Indian male BBA Graduate, looking for any suitable post.

Contact: 97691779 6 years experience in Admin, Accounts & Marketing B.com Qualification NOC & D.L is available. 98895739 Mechanical Engineer (B.E), Indian, 21 yrs, Fresher, Looking for suitable job in the field, Contact- 92291955 / vishusav@hotmail.com Indian/male (26) / MBA/2 years experience in Procurement, Coordination and distribution management, with valid Oman license available for immediate joining.

Contact: 92536194 email:suhailbs@gmail.com

Indian male Engineering Graduate 6 years experience in Sales & Marketing in Oman with D/L & NOC seeking suitable openings.

Contact: 94386894 Email: tonykuravackal@gmail.com

Indian male, 11 years exp. in accounting, knowledge in tally also. looking for a part time job.

Contact . 98983122

Indian male 42 yrs searching for suitable job, experience in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Saudi D/L holder, fluent in Arabic, English, Hindi Gulf experience 20 yrs manpower co-ordinator, sales & marketing, logistics. Contact: 90518114

Internal Auditor/Accountant : BCOM /CA INTER having 7 years experience under Chartered Accountant in India and 10 years as internal auditor/ Accounts manager in Oman , well versed with Tally and MS office , seeks suitable placement.

Contact : 93214484/91358384

Indian male 27 yrs, 7 yrs exp in Sales & marketing (FMCG) looking for suitable position, currently on visit visa. Contact: 71141234, E mail: mohamedjasfer@gmail.com Indian Male, MBA marketing 5 yrs exp. in sales & 4 yrs in FMCG sector, looking for best opportunity.

NOC available. Contact: 96001877 Indian male 12 yrs Oman experience Marketing & Sales excellent knowledge throughout market research. Arabic fluency with driving license seeking suitable placement, NOC available.

Contact: 91437484 Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India.

Contact India:-+918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Indian male Graduate with 18 years of Marketing experience presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity.

Contact: 96168687 Email: dhibupaul@gmail.com

1.5 years experienced, 6 months in Oman, electrical engineer/ project engineer, experience in sub-station, MV, LV systems. power and oil & gas projects. NOC available. Contact : 94669679 mail:prsabarish@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (B.E), Indian, 21 yrs, Fresher, Looking for suitable job in the field, Contact- 92291955 / vishusav@hotmail.com Electrical Engineer (DEE), Having 17 year Experience (14 year in Gulf), Experts in Estimation, Design, Planning and construction activities of MEP work seek Similar Placement with D/L & NOC Available. Contact: 97007489 4 years experience in IT Executive .i come on a visit visa seeking placement contact 94948622.

Email Jarar.haider@yahoo.com whatapp 00923142195074 Indian Female, 28 Yrs, M.Sc Comp Science having 3 years experience as a Lecturer/Teacher/IT Support with excellent computer skills, on family visa looking for suitable position. Pls Contact 92857417.

D6

T H U R S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 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 TOURS

SITUATION WANTED COMPUTER/WEB./ EDU./CLASSES

We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman.

Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED Indian male 23 undergraduate having experience in restaurant field and having computer and internet skills searching for suitable position in sales, data entry operator etc. Contact:90801420 Gmail:anwaar223969@gmail.com Indian male Accountant.

Completed MBA with 1 year experience, good working knowledge in Tally & Excel. Searching for suitable job. Email: jovin8910@gmail. com, Contact : 919715874548 , 918015907437 33 years, Indian Male MSC, MBAHR having 8 yrs exp. (HR / Payroll / Admin) with Oman valid DL seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/ backend jobs. Contact:00968- 99322978 Indian male 23 years completed BE in electrical engineering Looking for suitable placement.

Contact:alamalsuhail@gmail.com, Contact:+968 9968 2689 Indian male, 28years, B.techmechanical engineering with 6 years experience as project executive. holds valid UAE driving license. GSM: 93952127 Indian Male, 23 yrs, looking for any professional job vacancy my qualification is Diploma in Electronics an i am having 3 years of experience in the hardware and networking field an you can contact me on : - 97017866.

Electrical Engineer (DEE), Having 17 year Experience (14 year in Gulf), Experts in Estimation, Design, Planning and construction activities of MEP work, seek Similar Placement with D/L & NOC Available. Contact: 97007489 Indian, bachelor of Commerce, experience in India & Oman as Sales & Management looking for a good position any kind of field. languages English, Arabic & Hindi.

Contact 98718428 Indian male, 23 yrs. looking for suitable job my qualification is Diploma in Electronics, having 3 years of experience in the hardware and networking field.

Contact : - +96897017866.

Indian male 21 bachelor’s of commerce (B.com) having 1 year experience as a salesmen in denhillz international and looking for job as a salesman in Oman.

Contact: 94562777 Email: hammadakrami61@gmail.com Bangladeshi male 22 years, education: Pre - sea marine Engineer searching job in Oman. Cell: +8801715600971, e-mail:saifur6264@gmail.com

Experience in managing and supervising a restaurant having computer, commercial, and marketing Skills looking for job in Oman. Contact :90801420, Email: anwaar223969@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering, Indian Male, 23, 6 months experience, done piping engineering course, on visit visa, seeks suitable job. Contact: 95427632, email:kausthubnarayan@gmail. com Egyptian dentist search about job 13years experience MOH No:10957.

Contact 91146961 Indian male 23 undergraduate having experience in restaurant field and having computer and internet skills searching for suitable position in sales, data entry operator etc. Contact:90801420 Gmail:anwaar223969@gmail.com Indian male Accountant. Completed MBA with 1 year experience, good working knowledge in Tally & Excel. Searching for suitable job. Email: jovin8910@gmail. com, Contact : 919715874548 , 918015907437 33 years, Indian Male MSC, MBAHR having 8 yrs exp. (HR / Payroll / Admin) with Oman valid DL seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/ backend jobs. Contact:00968- 99322978 Indian male 23 years completed BE in electrical engineering, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: alamalsuhail@gmail.com, Contact:+968 9968 2689 Indian male 26, Having 4 years of experience in Store Supervision & Store In charge looking for a suitable placement having N.O.C ready to join immediately.

Contact : 96671102, E-mail : parvez.mohammed16@gmail.com Male, 23 years with M.Sc degree looking for office job.

Contact # 99757425 Indian male, age 23, B.E in Mechanical Engineering looking for suitable job. Contact : 91504101 mail: nickfaiz93@gmail.com An Indian senior mechanical engineer capable to start business or enhance existing business locally and internationally is interested to associate. Contact financially sound and decision makers only : 00968 9109 6940. kpopragmatic@gmail.com Indian, 22 yrs, looking for a job in Sales. NOC Available.

Contact: 90463953, Email: sayyan44@hotmail.com

SITUATION WANTCLASSES Indian male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures, Aware of int. Standards, B tech in Mech engg. Contactrahulkunnath23@gmail.com, Mob 0091 7350860889 Mechanical/Production Engineer, 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified.

Contact 0091 9895233155, arn9895@gmail.com Sr Project Engineer, 30 Years, Mechanical, 8 Yrs. exp. in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures. Contact 00974 66772193 Mail;snu057@gmail.com.

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi

• Learn in two months • Satisfaction guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 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

DRIVING

B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact 94618504, Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com Electronics Technician , 4 Years experience as Electronics service engineer. Knowledge in all type of Electronics items. Looking for suitable placement. GSM- 99105043 BS in Civil Engineering, experience: 8 Year (Road Projects), Omani license: 9 Years.

Contact: 97427701, Email: hassanrvc1989@gmail.com Indian male 33 yrs, MBA-HR with 10.6 yrs.exp. in Recruitment, Training, PMS, OD, Sites-HR and Omani nationals development,seeking a job, NOC avl. Contact 94179499 Email: saiprasad_18@yahoo.com Looking for a job as Sales man or any suitable job. Contact 94401228.

Indian male 23 undergraduate having experience in restaurant field and having computer and internet skills searching for suitable position in same field.

Contact:90801420 Gmail:anwaar223969@gmail.com 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified, Contact arn9895@gmail. com. Mob 00919895233155

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED Indian male, 23 yrs, BE in Mechanical Engineering looking for suitable job. Contact : 91504101 mail: nickfaiz93@gmail.com Indian Male, Accountant, 10 years Oman experienced having release letter presently in oman seeking for a suitable placement.

Contact : 99334770/ 997 43 709 Indian male 21 (B.Com 2Years) having experience in Sales looking for suitable entry-level position.

Contact: 94562777, E-mail: Hammadakrami61@gmail.com Indian female 10 years as cook in Muscat, Oman . South Indian, Gujarati special food ,Looking for part time. Contact 95795971 Fire & Safety Officer, 22 Years old, Indian expatriate seeking for a suitable placement.

2 years of experience. Ready for immediate joining.

Contact : +968-97682273, Email: maniavbah555@gmail.com

Indian male looking for part time job. Preferred time from 8 am to 12.30 pm. Contact: 79062787

MECHANICAL ENGINEER ( B.E.,)Indian male, 7 Years of experience in thermal power plant, Pump station and utilities piping Erection & commissioning. Contact: madhavansakthi@gmail.com, Cell No: +968 98208500

Indian Male,26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int. Stds,B tech in Mech engg.

Contact-Mob-00917350860889 rahulkunnath23@gmail.com

Indian male: 24 years, diploma in computer science and B.E (CSE) having experience in hardware and networking seeking for the suitable job. Contact: 91170912, Email id: sales2@witoman.com

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control building. Cleaning tiles / Marble polishing monthly/ Yearly contracts available.

Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C

T H U R S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 8 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver.

Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080 Split unit & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 95323517 / 93769089

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SERVICES

House shifting & transportation.

Contact 92490422

We Provide Cleaners, Office boys, Cleaning Contracts, General cleaning etc.

Al Mudakhir National Est. LLC Contact : 94277020

Marble polishing & crystallization, building cleaning floor, floor polishing, carpet, sofa shampooing, pest control, anti termite, shifting maintenance.

Contact: 99504275 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 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.

Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampoo. Ocean center LLC. Contact: 99344723

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