Times of Oman - February 10, 2016

WEDNESDAY

February 10, 2016 1 Jumada Al Ula 1437 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

To the students of Sultan Qaboos University, 2000

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ We are eager that our sons and daughters, or our daughters and sons (though if we are going to be truly even handed, we should not put males before females first and then females before males), should have the opportunity to reach a level which will enable them to achieve and add to the knowledge or sciences taught at the earlier stages of the educational process.

Founded 1975 . Volume 40 No. 299 | 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

3.5-year wait for job for young Omanis Employment for young Omani graduates

Though the waiting

Years

4 3 2 1 0

2 How many young Omanis get jobs on graduating from their colleges?

period for jobs has come down, the

53%

lust of Omanis for

12,551 students interviewed

public sector has

employment

How much time do young Omanis spend looking for their first job?

remained jobless

47% got jobs

been delaying their

Male

Source: National Centre for Statistics and Information

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Half of all young Omani job-seekers needed three and a half years to find a job according

to 2015 data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

While that length of time might surprise many, it reflects an improvement on the year before when the average time to land a job was four years. The

4.5

Female Graphics

NCSI data for 2015 also showed a big difference depending on gender, with males finding employment in less than two years, while females took up to four and a half years to get their first job.

A Ministry of Manpower official told Times of Oman that

one reason for the length of time was that Omani job-seekers were still holding out for public sector roles rather than joining the private sector.

Young adults (15-29) year-old, made 30 per cent of Omanis total population by 2015. Around 60 per cent of Omanis were between 15 and 64 years, the working age, by mid-2015, according to NCSI. During a meeting in January, Abdullah Al Bakri, the Minister of Manpower, noted an increase in employment rates of Omanis in 2015.

When asked why it takes such a long time for young Omani job seekers to find a job, Talib Al Dhabari, head of the media department at the Ministry of Manpower, said, “Many Omanis still prefer to start their careers with the public sector only,” noted Al Dhabari. >A7

APPOINTMENT

HM issues two Royal Decrees MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said yesterday issued two Royal Decrees as follows: Royal Decree No. 7/2016 appoints an adviser at the Foreign Ministry.

Article (1) appoints Dr. Moosa bin Ja’afar bin Hassan as an adviser at the Foreign Ministry with his same grade and financial allocations.

Article (2) says that this Decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and enforced on its date of issue.

Royal Decree No. 8/2016 declares the project to develop Sallout Fort’s archaeological site in Bahla as a public utility project.

Article (1) states that the project to develop Sallout Fort’s archaeological site in the Wilayat of Bahla and its adjoining areas—as specified in the memo and diagram attached to this decree—as a public utility project. >A6

M I N I S T R Y O F H E A LT H

Pact signed for Medical City Staff Reporter

Three firms win Sultan Qaboos Award for Industrial Excellence

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TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

PIA flights to Oman resume today MORNING MINUTE

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Pakistan International Airlines will resume its flight operations to Oman today after the seven-day long strike by PIA employees ended on Tuesday. A PIA flight from Lahore landed in Multan on Tuesday, signalling the end of a deadlock between the government and the national carrier’s employees protesting against its planned privatisation. >A2

WORLD

SPORTS

Train accident in Germany kills 10

MCC official praises Oman Cricket’s plans

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Marylebone Cricket Club manager Ed McKenna did not mince words when he praised Oman national cricket team after their final tour match at the spectacular Ministry of Sports Affairs ground at Al Amerat. >C1

Ten people were killed and at least 81 injured on Tuesday when two passenger trains collided head-on at high speed in southern Bavaria. One passenger was still missing, police said. >A16

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ONLINE CRIME

‘Child harassment by youth top cybercrime in Oman’ HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Children being harassed by adults online is the most common type of cybercrime involving youngsters put before the courts in Oman, a top Public Prosecution official has revealed.

Dr Said Al Muqbali, General Prosecutor at the Public Prosecution was speaking at the Telecom Laws and Regulations Forum, held at the Grand Hyatt Muscat on Tuesday.

“We received a case last week about a mother complaining that her 10-year-old son has been harassed by an adult,” he said while stressing that the availability of modern devices with internet connections to children should be questioned.

Young adults fall victim to the ‘easy money’ schemes and blackmailing via suspicious emails, while older people become victims due to lack of knowledge about new technologies, according to Dr Al Muqbali.

While many websites contain-

ing indecent and harmful content are prohibited in the Sultanate, he said that some websites which claim to provide ‘escort services’ are still accessible to internet users in Oman.

“Such websites offering these services are actually run by international criminal groups which are involved with human traffickers,” Dr Al Muqbali said.

The forum was kicked off on Tuesday under the auspices of Dr Ahmed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications, by the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) with the

support of telecommunications industry institutions and entrepreneurs.

The three-day event discusses a number of key themes including, telecommunications services, technical and legal framework of the telecom service licence, regulations and protection versus promotion and completion and other topics.

In his keynote speech, Dr Hamed Al Rawahi, executive president of TRA said that this forum provides a platform to lawmakers in Oman to review and discuss telecommunications laws and regulations to have a better understanding.

This follows the rise in rates of cybercrimes involving individuals as well as organisations.

The forum, sponsored by Omantel, Ooredoo, Huawei, MSE and Bank Muscat, will continue until Thursday as experts are going to share their knowledge about methods of substantiation in telecom crimes and the adverse effects of cybercrime on day two.

MUSCAT: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed to construct Medical City, according to a statement from the Ministry of Health.

The MoU was signed by the Ministry and the Higher Council for Planning (HCP) with the Oman Investment Fund (OIF), to construct and develop Medical City, which is

one of the ministry’s projects for its 9th five-year plan 2016-2020.

The Medical City, a 5 millionsquare metre landmark located in Barka, will comprise of several speciality hospitals, consisting of about 1,200 beds, including a general specialities hospital, a paediatric hospital, a trauma centre, a rehabilitation centre, a neurology centre, a diagnostic radiology centre, a medical laboratories centre,

and a centre for education, training and research.

It will also include a college for health sciences and supporting facilities. The Medical City will allocate areas for private sector health investments for constructing hospitals, clinics, besides other commercial investments, such as shopping centres, hotels, residential compounds, and recreational centres. >A6

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

OMAN

We have started monitoring the passengers and ground customer services at airports Chantouch Srinilta, Thai Airways senior official

DEADLOCK OVER

PIA flights to Sultanate resume today as employees’ strike ends SHAHZAD RAZA

shahzad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Pakistan International Airlines will resume its flight operations to Oman today after the seven-day long strike by PIA employees ended on Tuesday.

A PIA flight from Lahore landed in Multan on Tuesday, signalling the end of a deadlock between the government and the national

carrier’s employees protesting against its planned privatisation.

“We are expecting a PIA flight from Islamabad tomorrow (Wednesday), which is scheduled to depart at 11:30 pm and arrive in Muscat at 1:40 am. The same flight will then depart at 2:40 am,” confirmed Shahzad Paracha, country manager,PIA Oman.

“We were actually due to receive

a flight from Sialkot today (Tuesday) and I had received its movement plan too, but it was cancelled due to a technical problem in the plane, which may have happened largely because of six days of nonoperations,” added Paracha.

PIA Oman claims to have been helping its stranded passengers catch flights on other airlines even if that meant purchasing new tick-

ets for its customers.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) on Tuesday announced it is putting an end to the long strike with immediate effect, media reports from Karachi said.

Announcing the end to the strike at a press conference in Karachi, Chairman JAC, Sohail Baloch, said he has issued directives to the con-

cerned authorities to resume PIA’s flight operations from today.

Viewpoints He said the JAC cannot remain negligent to the safety of the planes while the government has also expressed its concerns regarding the hardships being faced by the passengers.

“Safety of the planes and pas-

sengers is our foremost priority,” he added. Without taking any name, he said, all the issues were resolved due to the intervention of a ‘kind friend’.

Sohail Baloch said he along with his team is leaving here today for Lahore where he is scheduled to meet government representatives including Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

Thai Airways takes anti-MERS steps Besides monitoring passengers on the flights, the airline is using anti-bacterial solutions inside the aircraft while it is parked at the airport and also disinfecting the 37 touch points in the passenger cabin

Times News Service MUSCAT: Preventive measures have been adopted by Thai Airways to prevent the spread of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) on flights.

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) announced that it has implemented a series of actions to boost customer confidence.

“We have started monitoring the passengers and ground customer services at airports,” confirmed a senior official attached with Thai Airways.

Thai Airways flies to Thailand from Muscat International Airport via Pakistan.

Chantouch Srinilta, general manager, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Middle East, Thai Air-

ways, said they are monitoring passengers on the flights.

“Besides that, we are using anti-bacterial solutions inside the aircraft while it is parked at the airport and even disinfecting the 37 touch points in the passenger cabin,” he told the Times of Oman.

This comes after Thailand reported a second MERS case in the country.

Quarantined In the last week of January, a 71-year-old man from Oman tested positive for MERS in Thailand.

Immediately after, Thai health authorities had placed 40-odd people in quarantine who came in contact with him including passengers of the flight, taxi driv-

ers, hotel and hospital staff and one relative.

“He is doing fine as per the last reports we got from Thailand,” said a senior official of The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).

Airline officials are also carrying personal protective equipment on board and are educating staff about preventive healthcare.

“We had implemented these prevention measures ever since the SARS outbreak in 2003, H5N1 in 2014, and Ebola, whereby these measure received recognition by the World Health Organisation (WHO),” said officials.

Senior officials of The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) also said that they have increased screening of passengers at Thailand airports also.

“We are strictly screening the backgrounds of passengers, establish sanitation gel stations across the airport and disseminate information on the symptoms of the virus,” said officials.

Thailand is a major regional tourist hub and many people fly there from Oman to seek medical treatment.

Last year too, an Omani had tested positive for MERS, leading to the quarantine of more than 170 people. He was successfully treated and sent home.

NCSI YEARBOOK

Industrial investment crosses OMR24b MUSCAT: Total registered investments in the Sultanate’s industrial sector stood at more than OMR24,424,243,000 by the end of 2014, with an increase of OMR1,000,000,000 in comparison with 2013, according to the Statistical Yearbook issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

Upward trend Statistics showed upward trend in total registered investments in the industrial register to OMR23,494,823,000 in 2013, compared to OMR23,281,077,000 in 2012.

The number of industrial establishments registered also rose to 2,518 in 2014 compared to 2,350 in 2013 and 2,206 in 2012.

Bulk of investments By the end of 2014, the activity of chemicals, chemical products, petroleum products, plastics and glass industry accounted for the bulk of investments, reaching OMR5,977,436,000, followed by metal products with an investment of OMR2,905,357,000.

The total volume of investments in the mining of non-mineral raw materials products and basic metal industries amounted to OMR2,110,351,000 each.

Legal entity In terms of the legal entity of registered industrial facilities in the industrial register by the end of 2014, limited liability companies accounted for the largest number, with 878 facilities, numbered up from 818 companies in 2013, followed by individual property with 823 facilities, up from the level of 775 companies in the year 2013, and limited liability companies (subject the law of foreign investment), with 308 facilities in all, compared to 272 in the year 2013. -ONA

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

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Sayyid Khalid bin Hilal bin Saud Al Busaidi, Minister of the Diwan of the Royal Court, yesterday presided over the inaugural event of the exhibition on Glances of Modern Oman’s Progress, organised at the former hall of the Council of Oman in the presence of a number of ministers, undersecretaries and SAF commanders. The exhibition comprises over 700 photos of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. - Photo: ONA/Salim Al Hashli

OCCI

Entrepreneurs clubs planned MUSCAT: Entrepreneurship clubs would be set up in Muscat, Sohar in North Al Batinah and Salalah in Dhofar Governorate, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) chairman Said bin Saleh Al Kiyomi said.

Chairing a meeting of the founding committee for the entrepreneurship clubs in the Sultanate, he pointed to that the OCCI would announce the establishment of such clubs on February 22.

The step came within the implementation of the decisions of the Symposium on Development of SMEs held at the Royal Camp at Saih Al Shamikhat in January 2013. He said during a meeting held in the presence of Khalifa Al Abri, CEO of the Public Authority for Development of SMEs, Ahmed Al Hooti, chairman of the SMEs Committee at the OCCI and a number of businessmen, that necessary arrangements for transforming the idea into reality have been made. -ONA

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

For detailed coverage log on to www.timesofoman.com

TRADITION AND TALENT: Singing is a time honoured Arabic as well as Swahili tradition and reflects the cultural interaction between Oman and Zanzibar. – Talib Al Wahibi and Erik Prins

Enchanting Omani-Zanzibari dance The dance, called Al Buzlaf, is usually performed on the national day, official events, festivities and weddings

ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A traditional Omani dance, performed by Omanis with roots in Zanzibar, attracted a lot of attention at Muscat Festival’s Al Amerat Park venue.

Both men and women in traditional clothing took part in the dance. The women were dressed in colourful traditional attire for the event. The men played their tablas and a bagpipe, which, according to Ahmad Al Salti, one of the dancers, are of three types: Rahmani, Qasir and Maqsir.

Al Salti told the Times of Oman that singing was a time honoured Arabic as well as Swahili tradition and reflected the cultural interaction between Oman and Zanzibar.

He explained that the clothing

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of the dancers is influenced by Oman’s historic relations with Zanzibar. The group came from Sur, he said, where a significant part of the population speaks Swahili, in addition to Arabic.

The dance, called Al Buzlaf, is usually performed on the national day, official events, festivities and weddings, Al Salti explained.

Al Salti further said harmony is customary in this type of dance, going with the flow of the music.

“I feel very proud when we have the chance to perform here,” he further said.

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

‘Promotion efforts boosting sales of Omani products’ ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Promotions and sales of Omani products abroad have been a success, retailers and government agencies said.

On the occasion of Oman Industry Day, the Times of Oman (TOO) investigated whether the promotion of Oman-made products, which is one of the initiatives the Sultanate has adopted to raise non-oil exports, have been a success.

Hamood Al Balushi, director of Omani Products’ Department at the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) told TOO that their promotional campaign “Origin Oman” has been a success.

“Seeing the high presence of Omani products on the shelves of high profile commercial centres in Oman has been a success.

Omani products today are among the first choice of consumers in the country. This, itself, is a success,” he said.

The “Origin Oman” campaign aims to promote local industries by encouraging consumers, as well as businesses and government entities, to purchase Omani products, Al Balushi explained.

This has been done by promoting the high quality of products through the media and through an outreach to government entities and private companies. Also, “Origin Oman” assists local companies that want to sell their products in improving their marketing methods, Al Balushi added.

Commenting on the question as to what makes Omani products unique, Al Balushi said Omani products enjoy an excellent reputation due to their high quality.

Nasima Al Balushi, director general of Export Development at Ithraa also stressed on the quality of Omani produce.

“Omani products are of high quality and comply with international standards, which make them highly competitive,” Nasima Al Balushi told TOO. The unique feature of Omani products, and specifically Omani craft products, are their iconic designs, which have remained unchanged over the decades, said Muna Ritchie, partner of the Omani Heritage Gallery, which sells traditional handmade Om-

ani products. This ranges from patterns in camel trappings to Sharqiya Sands and the shape of incense burners from Dhofar.

The most popular products in her shops include silver jewellery, copper bowls, pottery incense burners and frankincense, she pointed out.

“This shows how much in demand these quality handmade Omani products are,” Ritchie stated, adding that the Gallery “has seen a slow, but steady increase in all areas, including sales.”

As a not-for-profit organisation, however, sales are not the only thing that matter, she added.

“For the Gallery, our success is not only monetary, but showcasing beautiful Omani products to the world and ensuring that the traditional handicraft industry endures for the next generations.

We have witnessed the continuation of some crafts and success stories from the producers themselves,” Ritchie said.

The challenge is to ensure that prices remain relatively competitive, while making sure the crafts people have sustainable incomes, she added.

An official from Raydan Perfumes, who preferred not to be named, said their company has seen great success since it was set up in 2008.

Unique products “Our perfumes and toiletries are unique as they are made of Omani frankincense. This makes more and more consumers choose our products, as well as many government agencies and businesses that buy our products as gifts. We have seen our sales triple in the last eight years,” he said.

TOO had earlier reported that a number of supermarkets have held promotional campaigns for Omani products.

An official from Lulu Hypermarkets, who declined to be named, said that from their perspective, the promotion of Omani products has been a success.

“From the response we get from our customers and looking at the sales figures we have analysed, I can say that the promotion of Omani products has been a success,” he said. Official export figures though, seem to present a different picture.

ARAB INDUSTRIES EXHIBITION

Deal time for firms at industry expo ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Omani and non-Omani entrepreneurs hope to find local customers and investments at the Arab Industries Exhibition that was opened today at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.

Businesses from a range of sectors displayed their products and services, hoping to find customers or sign deals with other firms.

Said Salim Al Hishami, one of the owners of Dates World, which makes many different sweets from Omani dates, said he hoped to get the government as a client.

“The support we got from the government is not sufficient. We asked for an industrial plot from the government six years ago, but now we are facing problems having only a small factory, which we have to rent. We hope that this exhibition will help us find government agencies that want to buy our products,” he said.

Al Hishami, who is from Nizwa, told the Times of Oman (TOO) that his company also wants to market his products, which he said are made from “the best dates” outside the Dakhiliya region.

“Sales are currently not enough to make a profit,” he said. Others are also targeting government agencies and companies.

Muna Al Shukery, owner of Al Joory, started her company at home with the help of family members. Al Shukery, who previously worked as a chemist, said all her beauty products are handmade using her knowledge of chemistry to make the perfect combination of ingredients.

“After I had worked in the med-

ical sector for 23 years, I decided to make traditional Omani handmade products, using my knowledge to combine the right natural ingredients, such as herbs.

“That’s what makes it different from other products in the market. My hope from this exhibition is that I can sign agreements with other businesses and government organisations that want to buy my products as gift items,” she said.

Ahmad Al Hashimi, another Omani entrepreneur, who sells thyme products in nurseries in the Sharqiyah region, seeks to inform people about the way he makes several products with thyme.

“I am now experimenting with extracting oil and water from thyme,” he said. Al Hashimi hopes he can expand soon.

“Currently, I am only selling my products to locals in Sharqiyah.

God willing, I will expand my business to other areas,” he stated.

From abroad Entrepreneurs from abroad were also present at the exhibition. Trying to find a market in Oman, Taleb Cherif, from Tunisia, told TOO that his olive oil has a unique taste. He said that it is already sold in Europe and the United States.

“Now, I am seeking to find a market in Oman and use it as a gateway to other Gulf countries,” he said, adding that he chose Oman because of the many developments taking place in the Sultanate.

“Oman is like Tunisia. It is in evolution. Seeing the huge progress that is being made here, I think I’ll do a good job here in Oman,” he said.

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Noted actors in Indian film to be shot in Oman The 130-member crew will be filming mainly in Muttrah, Nizwa, Ibri and some other places in Oman STAR POWER: The lead role in the film will be played by noted

Indian actor Adil Hussain. -Supplied photo REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: An Indian film will be made in Oman in March, said the film’s Muscat-based executive producer.

“The 130-member crew will be filming mainly in Muttrah, Nizwa, Ibri and some other locations in Oman. It is a story about human

connections. The story revolves around the struggles of an Iranian girl born to an Indian mother ,” said Renny Johnson, the executive producer. The lead role will be played

by Adil Hussain, an Indian stage, television and film actor, who has worked in international films like The Reluctant Fundamentalist and Life of Pi.

“Swetha Menon, Indian model and actress, will play a leading male role in the movie, and Reem Kadem, a Hollywood actress, will be playing the female role,” said Renny, who is also an executive manager for Mezoon Travels, which has done more than 20 movies in Oman.

Reem made her debut in Hollywood opposite Kristen Bell (For-

getting Sarah Marshall) and Alia Shawkat (Arrested Development) on the UPN series, “Veronica Mars”. Indian actors Sudheer Karamana and Mythili Balachandran also are playing important roles in the movie.

“The movie is titled Naval Enna Jewel. The movie is directed by Renji Lal Damodaran. The story by the director is scripted by V K Ajithkumar along with Renji Lal Damodaran,” added Renny.

The crew will be filming in Oman for 20 days from the last week of March.

“Many Indian movies, a few entirely and others in parts, were shot in Oman in the past. Oman’s inspiring landscapes and other facilities are helping us to produce more and more movies,” Renny added.

The movie will be dubbed in Malayalam, Hindi and English languages.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 There is lack of major business networking events in Oman and B2B offers really good opportunities for Omanis to do business together and share their success stories Garry Friend, general manager of Park Hyatt Zanzibar

OMAN Businessmen get networking opportunity networking event in Oman hosted an international TED speaker Drew Dudley who offered advice

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: A sold out crowd of more than 500 local and international businessmen got a rare networking opportunity by attending the Back-to-Business (B2B) event held on Tuesday at the Grand Hyatt Muscat, which was based on the theme “Leadership.”

During its third year, the big-

The serene Salalah sea in the backdrop of setting sun presents a visual treat to the eyes and the crimson sky makes the scene breathtaking. The picture was captured by Dr. Mahmudul Hasan.

FOR MORE PHOTOS

and share their success stories.

Friend is also the former general manager of the Grand Hyatt Muscat and was the first to bring the concept of B2B to Oman.

The biggest business

on entrepreneurship

BREATHTAKING BEAUTY

Garry Friend, general manager of Park Hyatt Zanzibar.

gest business networking event in Oman hosted international TED speaker Drew Dudley, who offered advice on entrepreneurship and business development.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Garry Friend, general manager of Park Hyatt Zanzibar, said there is lack of major business networking events in Oman and B2B offers really good opportunities for Omanis to do business together

Peruvian At the event, guests also had the opportunity to meet and cook with the Peruvian Chef Bruno Andres Santa Cruz and sample some of his ceviches.

“Peruvian Ceviche,” is a delicacy known to have originated in Peru, where chefs use only the freshest products and ingredients available within the season.

Organised by representatives from non-profit business councils in Oman, including the Oman American Business Centre, the British Business Forum, the Australian Business Group Oman and the European Business People Group, B2B’s objective is to bring to the business community a great opportunity to reach small to large companies, meet new clients, potential business partners and possibly make new friends.

B E S T A R A B I C A P P L I C AT I O N

PACP wins smart apps award MUSCAT: Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) won the smart applications award for the best Arabic application for authorities and economic, financial and trade bodies.

PACP Daleel application of

smart phones (manual) won the Arab Smart Government Shield in its 7th session organised by the Pan Arab Excellence Awards Academy, in cooperation with the Central Agency for Information Technology in Kuwait.

It is worth mentioning that the

honouring ceremony of winners with Arab Smart Government Shield will be held in Kuwait on April 27 under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Mubarak Al Sabah, Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs in Kuwait. -ONA

OMANI ECONOMY

Majlis discusses private sector’s share to GDP MUSCAT: Private sector status, obstacles and challenges, upgrading its contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) and the impact of the oil price slump and economy in general was discussed by the Economic and Financial Committee of Majlis Al Shura yesterday.

Omani economy Hosting several experts and specialists on the economic matter, the Committee discussed a range of issues and challenges facing the Omani economy with Dr. Hatim bin Bukhait Al Shanfari, Eng. Salim bin Hamad Al Kemyani and Eng. Amer bin Hamad Al Sulaimani.

The specialists talked about the size of the economic problem being experienced by the Sultanate in light of the current economic indicators.

They also affirmed the necessity of finding urgent solutions and upgrading the contribution of non-oil sectors with the necessity of adopting policies and facilitating procedures that would encourage the private sector and enhance its vital role in the national economy.

This came during the 14th regular meeting of the 1st annual sit-

ting (2015 – 2016) of the 8th term (2015 – 2019) under the chair of Saleh bin Said Masan, Head of the Committee.

Food and water security The Food and Water Security Committee at Majlis Al Shura continued hosting several concerned agencies within the framework of its study to the proposal on amending the Law on the Protection of Marine Fishing and Living Aquatic Resources issued by the Royal Decree No. 53/81.

The Committee discussed amending the law with representatives of fish companies from Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) during its meeting under the chair of Hilal bin Said Al Yahya’ee, Head of the Committee.

Fishing affairs The Committee’s members listened to comments and visions on items of the current law that aims at regularising fishing affairs. In this regard, the specialists agreed with the opinion of the Committee’s members on activating the Council of Living Aquatic Resources Management.-ONA PUBLIC UTILITY

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Royal

A1 Decree Article (2) stipulates that the departments concerned may expropriate, through direct implementation, the properties and lands necessary for the aforementioned project, along with all installations therein, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Utility Expropriation Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. 64/78.

Article (3) says that this Decree shall be published in the Official Gazette and enforced on its date of issue.-ONA MOU

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Healthcare

The city will also provide specialised medical services, as well as job opportunities for citizens in different health and administrative fields.

Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Al Saidi, MoH, Sultan Salim Al Habsi, secretary general of SCP, and Sheikh Hassan Ahmed Al Nabhani, chief executive officer of OIF, signed the MoU.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

2.3m

will be the increase in the number of unemployed people in the world in 2016

Professional life a big worry for Oman graduates 62 per cent of the respondents of the Youth Speak Survey said they are missing practical skills to succeed in the labour market

Times News Service MUSCAT: Young people in Oman worry that by the end of their university studies, they may not be prepared enough to become good professionals, a survey has revealed.

“What we saw from the preliminary results of the Youth Speak survey, is that young people in Oman are worried that by the end of their university studies, they will not be properly prepared to become professionals,” said Meruyert Shagmanova, vice president, Brand and Public Relations, AIESEC in Oman.

The Youth Speak Survey, conducted by AIESEC, the world’s largest youth leadership development organisation, is a global youth insight survey by youth for the youth.

It aims to gather the youth’s perspective on the present and their vision for the future, because the future depends on what we do today. In September 2015, the United Nations (UN) adopted the new global agenda for sustainable development in New York City and representatives of AIESEC International were present during the occasion.

The UN member states, governments, business, experts and leaders committed to addressing 17 global goals during the next 15 years for a better world. To make this world a reality, young people are also needed.

The aim of the Youth Speak Survey is to understand the hopes and challenges surrounding the journey from higher education to employment for young people. It is looking to understand what young people around the world care about, what they are passionate about and how they would like to engage in issues that matter to them.

It is also looking to convey a collective youth voice to decision makers and influencers— governments, business, universities, media, NGOs, thought leaders, experts and youth organisations.

Unemployment, education According to the preliminary results of the Youth Speak Survey in Oman, 40 per cent of the young people and students listed unemployment and the education system as the biggest issues that

JOB-SEEKERS

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take part-time jobs’ He said that job-seekers should start accepting the jobs offered to them and then start thinking on how to improve their skills, instead of waiting for only government jobs.

He said the ministry works through different programmes to facilitate the employment of jobseekers, especially graduates.

“Work opportunities are available and the ministry is following the communication that takes place between companies and job- seekers. The ministry makes sure that any company contacted by a job-seeker should explain all the job contract points, including the salary. We make sure that they respond to the job-seekers within two weeks,” said Al Dhabari.

Lucky ones One of the lucky ones to find a job was Hilal Mubarak. However, he said that he searched for vacancies individually without seeking help from the Ministry of Manpower.

“Waiting for years to find a job can cause serious problems to a person’s memory and it might affect productivity and critical thinking,” Hilal added.

Experts have called upon job seekers, and students, to consider part time jobs.

While 85 per cent of Omani job-seekers believe their education and degree qualify them to enter the job market, managers in senior positions do not seem to agree.

Tawfiq Mustafa, an expert at Human Resources, said many graduates with high GPA are not prepared for the local job market.

“As the waiting period increases, a job-seeker becomes in despair and loses self confidence,” said Mustafa, while blaming the free education system which makes college students “less disciplined”.

He added that financial stability can have a negative effect on the job seeker’s attitude and desire for a job.

“During my interviews with fresh graduates, I noticed that many struggle with speaking English and are not aware of the latest updates and news about their profession, which shows lack of interest,” Tawfiq said, adding that unemployed people should be encouraged to utilise their waiting period to invest in self-development and start up

projects. According to Tawfiq, the long waiting times for unemployed females to find their first job is linked to cultural issues.

“It’s very common here (in Oman) that women don’t accept working in places far from home and they avoid night shifts,” he said, adding that family and cultural factors are the reason behind the limited job opportunities for females in Oman.

Yonus Salim, a social researcher, said that the miscommunication between job market authorities and higher education institutions is a major cause of such delays in providing jobs for Omanis.

Miqdad Al Lawati, a recently employed Omani national, blamed the employment procedure at some government institutions which can “take up to 10 months”. According to the NCSI report, seven out of 10 Omanis depend on friends and family to help them find a job while one fourth of job-seekers rely on employment offices.

The report also showed that 66 per cent of job-seekers check newspaper’s advertisement for vacancies.

The unemployment rate in Oman has reached 7.17 per cent, according to a new report by the International Labour Organisation, predicting that the number of unemployed people in the world will increase by nearly 2.3 million in 2016 and 1.1 million in 2017 as a result of the global economic slowdown last year.

Times of Oman on Sunday reported that more than half of Omanis remain jobless after graduating from colleges in the Sultanate, according to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE).

The survey was carried out among 12,551 students, who have been searching for jobs after graduating from their colleges.

The survey pointed out that while 53 per cent remained jobless, 47 per cent Omanis got jobs after graduating from colleges.

The study also showed that students of Science, Philosophy and Engineering bagged jobs after passing out from colleges, while students in the Arts struggled to get a job.

So far, there are no statistics on the number of 2015 or 2014 graduates from higher education institutions in Oman.

Oman is facing currently.

Also, young Omanis are having difficulty in finding jobs that fit their educational background and previous professional experience.

A total of 62 per cent of the respondents of the Youth Speak Survey said they are missing practical skills to succeed in the labour market, and asked for the development of the education system to be the top priority of the government for the next five years.

The Youth Speak Survey is just the first part of the movement.

“We do not just want to hear what the youth in Oman has to say, we also want to encourage them to be proactive and come up with their own solutions to the issues,” Shagmanova added.

Global goals As a part of the Youth Speak Movement, AIESEC in Oman had organised a forum on February 6 at the College of Banking and Financial Studies (CBFS). The aim of the forum was to bring together youth in Oman, to share their opinions on which Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) they think mattered the most in Oman today and discuss what youth in Oman can do today in order to achieve them.

“The old generation compliments the new generation, hence we need to work hand in hand for a better Oman,” said Hassan Al Lawati, founder and board member of AIESEC in Oman.

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

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

REGION

A suicide bomber drove his car into a police officers’ club in a residential quarter in central Damascus on Tuesday, blowing himself up and killing several people.

Aleppo assault could cut off 300,000 civilians: UN ‘It would leave up to 300,000 people, still residing in the city, cut off from humanitarian aid unless cross-line access could be negotiated’

GENEVA/AMMAN: Hundreds of thousands of civilians could be cut off from food if Syrian government forces encircle rebel-held parts of Aleppo, the United Nations said on Tuesday, warning of a massive new flight of refugees from a Russian-backed assault.

Syrian government forces, backed by Russian air strikes and allied militias, have launched a major offensive in the countryside around Aleppo, which has been divided between government and rebel control for years.

The assault to surround Aleppo, once Syria’s biggest city with 2 million people, amounts to one of the most important shifts of momentum in the five year civil war that has killed 250,000 people and already driven 11 million from their homes.

Since last week, fighting has already wrecked the first attempt at peace talks for two years and led rebel fighters to speak about losing their northern power base altogether.

The United Nations is worried the government advance could cut off the last link for civilians in rebel-held parts of Aleppo with the main Turkish border crossing, which has long served as the

INNOCENT VICTIM: Five-year-old Sheima, who lost both eyes when hit by a stray bullet in Syria, holds a colouring book as she sits on her hospital bed in a small clinic near the Turkish-Syrian border in the southeastern city of Kilis, Turkey on Tuesday. – Reuters

lifeline for insurgent-controlled territory. “It would leave up to 300,000 people, still residing in the city, cut off from humanitarian aid unless cross-line access could be negotiated,” the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in an urgent bulletin.

If government advances around the city continue, it said, “local councils in the city estimate that some 100,000 - 150,000 civilians may flee”. Turkey, already home to 2.5 million Syrians, the world’s biggest refugee population, has so far kept its frontier mostly closed

to the latest wave of displaced, making it more difficult to reach them with urgently needed aid.

The United Nations urged Ankara on Tuesday to open the border and has called on other countries to assist Turkey with aid.

Refugees Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said as many as a million refugees could arrive if the RussianSyrian campaign continues. Fifty thousand people had reached Turkey’s borders in the latest wave, Ankara had admitted 10,000 so far and would allow in others in a

“controlled fashion”, he said.

The UN World Food Programme said in a statement it had begun food distribution in the Syrian town of Azaz near the Turkish border for the new wave of displaced people. “The situation is quite volatile and fluid in northern Aleppo with families on the move seeking safety,” said Jakob Kern, WFP’s country director in Syria.

“We are extremely concerned as access and supply routes from the north to eastern Aleppo city and surrounding areas are now cut off, but we are making every effort to get enough food in place

for all those in need, bringing it in through the remaining open border crossing point from Turkey.”

The Russian-backed government assault around Aleppo, as well as advances further south, helped torpedo the first peace talks for nearly two years, which collapsed last week before they got under way in earnest.

International powers are due to meet on Thursday in Munich in a bid to resurrect the talks, but diplomats hold out virtually no hope for negotiations as long as the Russian-backed government offensive is under way at full bore.

Rebels say they will not attend without a halt to bombing.

Moscow turned the momentum in the war in favour of its ally President Bashar Al Assad when it joined the conflict four months ago with a campaign of air strikes against his enemies, many of whom are supported by Arab states, Turkey and the West.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel accused Russia this week of bombing civilians, against a UN Security Council resolution Moscow signed up to in December. Russia says it is targeting only militants. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there was no credible evidence of civilian deaths.

The complex multi-sided civil war has drawn in outside powers, with the United States leading a separate campaign of air strikes against IS militants who control eastern Syria and northern Iraq.

A suicide bomber drove his car into a police officers’ club in a residential quarter in central Damascus on Tuesday, blowing himself up and killing several people, a Syrian interior ministry statement said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors violence in the war, said eight police officers were killed and 20 wounded in the blast. IS said it was responsible. — Reuters

ECONOMY SLOWDOWN

Dubai to press ahead with world’s largest mall DUBAI: Dubai said on Tuesday it would press ahead with plans to build the world’s largest shopping mall despite an economic slowdown looming in the region, but would assess market demand before proceeding with the project’s later stages.

The Mall of the World project, encompassing 8 million square feet (745,000 square metre) of shopping space connected to a theme park, 100 hotels and serviced apartment buildings with 20,000 rooms, was announced in mid-2014, just as oil prices began a precipitous plunge.

“We will be reacting to the demands of the market. The project is massive and complex and will have to be built in stages,” said Ahmad bin Byat, vice-chairman and managing director of Dubai Holding, a company owned by the emirate’s ruler that is responsible for the project.

He predicted it would still become the world’s largest shopping destination, adding that the first phase - representing about a quarter of the project’s size - would be completed before Dubai hosts the Expo 2020 exhibition.

Plans Plans for the remainder “will be dependent on market dynamics”, Byat told a news conference, saying the project would be funded through an equal split of his company’s internal resources, institutional investors and debt.

He estimated the total bill would be nearly $22 billion (80 billion dirhams) and that Dubai Holding would provide “just shy” of 30 billion dirhams.

“We’re talking to advisors, financial investors, sovereign funds, many people,” Byat said. “We have a lot of understandings with quite a few people. This is a mixed-use project which will be very interesting not only to locals but for the global market to invest in.” — Reuters

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INDIA

‘Central government against farmers, poor’ lar and bar bribery scams, which has rocked government in the state, Gandhi made it clear that Congress would not compromise on corruption.

Congress vice president attacked the CPI(M)-led-LDF opposition in Kerala and said ‘the ideology they believe in was obsolete and belongs to the

GARNERING SUPPORT: Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi ad-

previous century’

dresses a party rally in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday to mark the conclusion of the month-long ‘Janapaksha Yatra’ of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president V. M. Sudheeran. - PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday slammed the Narendra Modi government, accusing it of being against farmers, labourers, students and the poor.

He also described the Left Front’s ideology as “obsolete”. Addressing Congress workers at the conclusion of the “Jana Raksha Yatra”, which turned out to be a launch pad of the party’s election campaign in Kerala, he took swipe

at Modi on several occasions during his 30-minute speech at nearby Shangumugham beach.

“You will never see Prime Minister of India with farmers or labourers. You will never see a photograph of Prime Minister holding hands with farmers or labourers,” he said addressing the Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram march led by KPCC President V. M. Sudheeran.

Attacking Modi, Rahul said he

GDP GROWTH

‘Modi encouraging financial jugglery’ NEW DELHI: Congress on Tuesday cast doubts over official projections that GDP would grow at 7.6 per cent during the current fiscal and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was “encouraging financial jugglery”.

“With there being low production and capital utilisation in many sectors, we have to wonder the veracity of this (official economic) data. India was always known for having credible statistics prior to the arrival of Modi government.

“But, Modi government is obsessed with its image. In his quest to mask his failures in trying to fulfil the audacious promises he made, Modi is encouraging financial jugglery to maintain some semblance of credibility,” the party said. In a commentary “Modi Govt’s new GDP projections raise more questions than they answer”, it said that with this being a drought year, there being extreme rural distress, exports down, and job growth stagnant, many experts have questioned the nature of this data.

Calculation methodology “The methodology for the calculation has been questioned by many, including RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. The RBI said that for the first time the GDP is growing lower in nominal terms than real terms,” the party said in the commentary posted on its website. Besides, the Congress said that many have also questioned the GDP deflator, which has given a confusing picture from quarter to quarter.

“The GDP at ‘constant prices’ grew at 1.3 per cent more than the ‘current prices’ in Q2 of FY2016, but in Q3 of FY2016, it grew 1.9 per cent less. This 3.2 per cent difference has baffled many ob-

The methodology for the calculation has been questioned by many, including RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan. The RBI said that for the first time the GDP is growing lower in nominal terms than real terms Congress statement servers, raising more questions than answers on the GDP numbers,” it said.

Besides, it underlined that agriculture grew at 1.1 per cent, jobs have not been growing, exports are still languishing, the IIP shows a negative growth.

“Yet we are told that the economy is on the road to recovery.”

Gross Capital Formation for FY2016 is at 29.4 per cent of the GDP, down from 30.8 per cent in FY2015, which casts further doubts on the claimed recovery, it added. At the outset, the Congress said the Modi government continues to “confound” economic experts with their official economic data. - PTI

BENGALURU

Police bust child trafficking racket CHENNAI: Police in the south Indian city of Bengaluru have broken up an international child trafficking racket and arrested 16 members of a gang suspected of sending children illegally to the United States, an investigating officer said on Tuesday.

The syndicate sent at least 25 children to the United States using false documents before the special investigative team made the arrests, he said.

The breakthrough comes at a time of mounting concern over the rise in human trafficking in India. Agents of the syndicate sent children below the age of 10

to Bengaluru from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, the NDTV news channel reported.

The children then joined adult couples and were made to pose as a family travelling to the United States, presenting false documents at the US Consulate in Chennai, to get permission for the journey, it reported. The adult couple flew to the US with the children, left them there and returned to India, it said. Investigating officer P. Harishekaran said the arrests followed a year-long investigation, which included going through immigration records of the two countries. -Reuters

had come to power in 2014 elections by “spreading anger among different sections in the state. He divided Hindus and Muslims and created anger in the country”.

He also attacked the CPI(M)led-LDF opposition in Kerala and said “the ideology they believe in was obsolete and belongs to the previous century”.

“Kerala cannot build its future from the vision of last century,” he said. Without referring to the so-

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Corruption “Congress party will not compromise on corruption and I want to make it very clear. If there is even a (minute) evidence, Congress party will take strict action,” he said as he praised the five-year achievements of the UDF government. “I am happy that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has delivered many of the things he promised,” he said.

Hitting out at the CPI(M) for its vociferous attack on the government over the bar bribery scam, Rahul wanted the LDF to make their liquor policy clear to the people.

“I have one question to ask to the Left in Kerala. It is simple. I would like them to answer. They should clearly tell whether they will open more liquor bars or close them,” he asked.

Taking a jibe at the prime minister, Rahul said Modi had also had made “tremendous promises” to the people and youth in the country, “but failed to keep his promises”. - PTI

DENSE FOG

2 students killed, 25 hurt in accident CHANDIGARH: Two minor girl students were killed and 25 injured when a school bus collided with a private bus due to dense fog at Dabora village near Haryana’s Bahadurgarh town on Tuesday, police said.

There was reduced visibility in

the area due to foggy weather, Bahadurgarh Divisional Superintendent of Poilce, Ajit Singh said.

The two victims were aged 10 and 15 year respectively, Singh said, adding some students had sustained serious injuries in the mishap. - PTI

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 As the constitutional heads of their respective states, governors can play an inspirational role to ensure their active cooperation Pranab Mukerjee, President

INDIA

Governors urged to maintain sanctity of the Constitution President Pranab Mukherjee’s call assumes significance against the backdrop of a raging controversy over the role of Governor J.P. Rajkhowa in Arunachal Pradesh that led to various developments culminating in the imposition of central rule NEW DELHI: Amidst controversies over the role of Governors, President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday said all those who hold Constitutional positions should maintain sanctity of the Constitution.

“It is primarily due to our steadfast adherence to the principles enshrined in our Constitution.

It is an enduring document that reflects our aspirations and the avenues to achieve them, in an inclusive manner.

“It is incumbent on us all who

SPELLING OUT: President Pranab Mukherjee addresses the Governors Conference at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also seen. - PTI

hold constitutional positions to maintain the sanctity of this sacred text,” Mukherjee said inaugurating a two-day conference of Governors at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here.

Raging controversy The President’s call assumes significance against the backdrop of a raging controversy over the role of Governor J.P. Rajkhowa in Arunachal Pradesh that led to various developments culminating in the imposition of central rule.

The issue is also being fought in the Supreme Court.

Terming as difficult the last year that saw terror attacks with “clear external linkages”, he said the country has to continue efforts to resolve all outstanding international issues through peaceful dialogue and negotiations.

“We faced challenges from the global economic slowdown, climatic changes, and internal and external security. States having international borders were affected by terrorist attacks that had

clear external linkages.

“Volatile external security environment makes it incumbent on us to upgrade our defence capabilities. At the same time, we have to continue our efforts at resolving all outstanding international issues through peaceful dialogue and negotiations,” the President said in his inaugural address at the conference attended by 23 Governors and Lt Governors of the states and union territories.

Mukherjee said India is suffering the worst effects of drought

with two consecutive deficient monsoons.

“Another dry spell is likely to impact agricultural production further. Farmer distress has to be addressed on a war-footing. The newly-launched Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana aims at providing effective risk cover to farmers using technology. This and other measures to provide relief to farmers should receive top priority. To develop climate resilience, we must task our agricultural research institutions to develop drought-proof varieties of food grains and other food commodities,” he said.

The president said for successful implementation of government’s schemes like Make-inIndia, Start-up India, Smart City Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission, these have to run in close partnership with state governments.

“As the constitutional heads of their respective states, Governors can play an inspirational role to ensure their active cooperation,” Mukherjee said.

The president said there are over 320 state public universities and over 140 state private universities. Governors can also play a persuasive role in improving the quality of education in these institutions, he said.

Dignitaries participating in the inaugural session of the conference included Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya, among others. - PTI

F R E E WAT E R C O M M E N T

Lalu flouted polls code, claims BJP PATNA: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday urged the Election Commission to take notice of an alleged comment by Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad in the run-up to Harlakhi bypoll that “only those voting for secular alliance will get pure, tap water”.

“This is a threat to voter and violates model code of conduct which is in action in the Harlakhi Assembly constituency of Madhubani district, which would see voting on February 13,” BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi said.

“EC should take notice of Lalu Prasad’s comment and act against him for violation of model code,” he said. Incidentally, providing free water through pipe to every household formed a part of “seven resolves” of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar which the secular alliance government has adopted in its programme for good governance.

Prasad had reportedly made the comment that those who voted for secular alliance would get pure tap water and those who voted for BJP would have to drink water from handpump and well at Darbhanga on Monday.

Referring to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s statement in Vaishali last week that despite urban electorate not voting for him like those in rural parts, his government was working for development of cities and town, he said, “These are examples of verbal threats to people to vote for secular alliance for development This means that around 1.30 crore people who voted for the BJP and NDA in the Bihar elections would be left out of development work of government headed by Nitish Kumar,” Sushil Modi said. - PTI

NET NEUTRALITY

Facebook’s India stumble could embolden other regulators SINGAPORE/MUMBAI: India’s decision to effectively ban Facebook’s pared-back free Internet service is a major blow to the social network’s plans, and may prompt other regulators to demand equal online access for their users.

Facebook will have to reconsider its approach in the light of India’s new rules preventing Internet service providers from having different pricing policies for accessing different parts of the Web, analysts said.

“This is a major setback for Facebook,” said Naveen Menon, lead analyst at A.T. Kearney in Singapore. “Not only because India was expected to be such a critical piece of the overall Internet.org success story, but more so because it has potential dangerous knock-on effects for the universal access initiative in other markets.”

Internet.org is Facebook’s umbrella initiative to bring Internet access to the unconnected.

Criticised Part of that is the Free Basics programme, which Facebook has launched in around three dozen emerging countries. The service

Critics and Internet activists argue that allowing free access to a select few apps and Web services disadvantages small content providers and start-ups that don’t participate SETBACK: Motorists ride past a billboard displaying Facebook’s Free Basics initiative in Mumbai, India, in this December 30, 2015 file photo. India introduced rules on Monday to prevent Internet service providers from having different pricing policies for accessing different parts of the Web, in a setback to Facebook Inc’s plan to roll out a pared-back free Internet service to the masses.- Reuters

has been criticised outside India, too, with Facebook accused of infringing the principle of net neutrality — the concept that all websites and data on the Internet be treated equally. Critics and Internet activists argue that allowing

free access to a select few apps and Web services disadvantages small content providers and start-ups that don’t participate.

Ram Sevak Sharma, chairman of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), said he hoped

its ruling would clarify ambiguity about net neutrality and “that India has set the record straight that will be followed world over.”

In Facebook posts after Monday’s ruling, founder Mark Zuckerberg said Free Basics was just

one part of a larger initiative that includes solar-powered planes, satellites and lasers, and pairing with local entrepreneurs to provide wireless hotspots.

Expanding these approaches with or without the operators was one option for Facebook now, as well as legal workarounds where the service is repackaged, said Martin Geddes, a UK-based telecoms consultant.

Facebook could also challenge the ruling in the courts, but a more likely move, said Marc Einstein, Asia-Pacific director at Frost and Sullivan, would be to sit down with the TRAI “to try to come up with a solution that’s deemed a little more neutral.” Facebook executives were not immediately available for comment, but India-born Karthik Naralasetty, whose blood donor matching service Socialblood is available in more than 20 countries via Free Basics, said Facebook was already re-thinking its approach.

“Facebook is re-thinking what it’s doing, coming up with better plans,” he said by telephone. “Communications will have to improve.

They have to get the buy-in of dif-

ferent governments before they go into those countries.”

Fight goes on It won’t be easy. For one thing, said Neil Shah, a director of Counterpoint Research in Mumbai, Free Basics made little headway in India before it was suspended in December, gaining 1 million users.

Only 252 million of India’s 1.3 billion people have Internet access. Opponents of the service said they would continue to fight.

“Facebook is not going to take it lightly and they will try and figure out a way for it to happen one way or the other,” said Sachin Bhatia, co-founder of Indian dating app TrulyMadly. “Our job is to keep at it non-stop to ensure Internet freedom is not threatened.”

Regional telecoms operators which partner Facebook, such as Indonesia’s PT Indosat, controlled

by Qatar’s Ooredoo , and Globe Telecom in the Philippines, said the ruling would not lead them to reconsider the partnerships.

“The Indian experience is very isolated,” said Vicente Froilan Castelo, general counsel of Globe Telecom. - Reuters

RESCUED

Condition of Siachen Glacier survivor extremely critical NEW DELHI: Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, who clung to life buried 30 feet under a massive ice and snow debris that hurtled down a mountain slope on unforgiving Siachen Glacier, was on Tuesday battling for survival after being evacuated.

He is comatose and his condition is extremely critical, Army Hospital Research and Referral said after Koppad was flown in here from Siachen Glacier today.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag visited the hospital and asked the nation to pray for his well being.

Koppad, who was rescued on Monday from an altitude of 20,500 feet by a team of over 150 soldiers and two canines, Dot and Misha, and was initially declared dead by authorities, was flown in here by an IAF aircraft accompanied by a critical care specialist of the force and a medical specialist from the Siachen base camp.

BATTLING FOR LIFE: Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad who is critical and on a ventilator at the Army’s Research & Referral Hospital in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PTI file photo

Fortunately, there was no cold exposure-related frost bite or bony injuries to him, a medical bulletin issued by the hospital said.

“He has been placed on a ventilator to protect his airway and lungs in view of his comatose

state. He remains extremely critical and is expected to have a stormy course in the next 24 to 48 hours due to the complications caused by re-warming and establishment of blood flow to the cold parts of the body,” it said.

His family’s joy knew no limits as the news trickled in of him being alive.

“It is a rebirth for all of us,” said Mahadevi, wife of Koppad, with a visible sense of relief as his miraculous survival.

Mahadevi said the family was going through an ordeal after it came to know of the tragedy, but then news of his survival brought smiles back on their faces.

Prime Minister Modi described Koppad as an “outstanding soldier” whose “endurance and indomitable spirit” cannot be described in words. “We are all hoping and praying for the best,” Modi added. Parrikar said his prayers are with the soldier.

“Doctors are putting in best. Let us pray for him,” he said. - PTI

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

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PAKISTAN TA X R E F O R M S C O M M I S S I O N

PREPARING FOR BATTLE

Special combat police conducts a mock exercise to repel militant attacks at the Law College of Peshawar University, Pakistan on Tuesday. — Reuters

Current tax regime favours elite: Report ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s tax regime is heavily tilted in favour of the elite, says the Tax Reforms Commission (TRC) in its final report and proposed that all perquisites of top office holders, cabinet ministers and judiciary should be subject to tax in order to ensure equity.

The report, which the TRC took almost one and a half year to complete, will now be presented to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for its application on a fast-track basis.

The TRC also proposed the setting up of a national tax agency besides stripping the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) of its policymaking role. The findings of the commission highlight serious flaws in the tax structure that is burdening the poor and giving a huge relief to the elite.

“In Pakistan, it seems the poor are subjected to heavy and harsh indirect taxation and the elite are enjoying free perquisites and benefits, including purchase of valuable state-owned plots at prime lo-

cations and at throwaway prices,” said the report.

The TRC recommended the government to withdraw tax exemptions for residences of the president, governors and chiefs of staff.

Subject to tax It proposed that perquisites of governors of provinces, chiefs of staff and corps commanders, federal ministers and residences of judges and their allowances should also be subject to tax.

The federal government boasts of withdrawing Rs208 billion worth of tax concessions in the last two budgets. However, almost all of these concessions were indirect and the government has so far protected the benefits enjoyed by the elite in the shape of exemption from income tax.

The TRC called on the government to bring structural changes in the FBR over the short term and set up the national tax agency in the long run. — Express Tribune

Campaign urges Raheel not to retire The chief organiser of the campaign, Ali Hashmi, claimed thousands of banners have been displayed in Islamabad and different cities of Punjab

ISLAMABAD: Days after Army chief General Raheel Sharif announced he would step down later this year, banners have cropped up on the streets of the capital requesting the army chief to amend his decision.

The chief organiser of the campaign, Ali Hashmi, claimed thousands of banners have been displayed in the capital and different cities of Punjab, including Faisalabad and Sargodha.

“The banners are being displayed as part of a campaign by a political party – ‘Move on Pakistan’,” Hashmi said.

“We respect General Raheel’s decision to retire on the due date but his services for bringing peace

APPEAL: On January 25, General Raheel Sharif laid to rest speculation that he would continue to serve as the military chief beyond November 2016 when he is due to retire, insisting he preferred to relinquish the job – unlike two of his predecessors. — Express Tribune

in Karachi, tribal areas and Balochistan demand that he should stay as the army chief.

Further, he speaks against corruption which is a biggest issue of the country. We believe that

extension should be given to him because only he can address Pakistan’s issues,” he said.

Irked that political party leaders did not oppose the army chief’s decision, the chief organiser of the

S NAT C H E D BY B R I T I S H E A S T I N D I A C O M PA N Y

Petition seeks Koh-e-Noor diamond’s return from UK LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) accepted on Monday a petition calling for the British Queen to hand over the famous 105-carat Koh-e-Noor diamond to Pakistan.

British-trained lawyer Javed Iqbal Jaffery argued in his petition that the Koh-e-Noor actually belongs to Pakistan as the gem hailed from the territory that became Pakistan in the aftermath of the historic partition of the subcontinent in 1947.

The giant diamond was acquired by Britain in 1849 when the East India Company annexed the region of Punjab. Since then, India has laid claims to the diamond, urging the British government to return the gem which currently stays on display in the Tower of London.

The jewel, once the largest known diamond in the world, is set in a crown last worn by the late Queen Mother during her coronation and was displayed on top of her crown when her coffin lay in state after her death in 2002.

Jaffry has named the Queen and the British High Commission in Islamabad as respondents in his case which had previously been rejected by the LHC registrar in December on the grounds of paperwork, but has now been accepted by a judge of the same court.

Further, the lawsuit is aimed at forcing Prime Minister Nawaz

British-trained lawyer Javed Iqbal Jaffery argued in his petition that the Koh-e-Noor actually belongs to Pakistan as the gem hailed from the territory that became Pakistan in the aftermath of the historic partition of the subcontinent in 1947

Sharif’s government to press Britain for the diamond’s return. The mission has been a lifetime cause for the London-trained lawyer who has written 786 letters to the Queen and to several government officials in the country before filing his lawsuit.

Illegal act “Koh-e-Noor was not legitimately acquired,” Jaffery wrote in his letters. “Grabbing and snatching it was a private, illegal act which is justified by no law or ethics. A wrong is a wrong.

It does not become righteous or right by passage of time or even acquiescence.”

He went on to argue that the Britain “forcibly and under duress” stole the diamond from

Daleep Singh, the grandson of Maharaja Ranjeet Singh and spirited it to Britain.

In 1850, Britain’s then colonial governor-general of India arranged for the huge diamond to be presented to Queen Victoria.

Punjab was split between India and Pakistan in the partition of the Raj in 1947.

“The Koh-e-Noor was snatched illegally from the 14-year-old ruler of Punjab from Lahore by the East India British Company.

It was gifted to Queen Victoria, but she never used it in her crown. The East India Company ruled Punjab, but the question is how can a company be the ruler of any country so how can you legislate for its actions,” Jaferry upheld. — Express Tribune

campaign said they took it upon themselves to convince Raheel to change his mind.

“We thought political parties will urge the army chief to stay but they didn’t. So we came forward

and now are going to intensify the campaign,” he said.

On January 25, Raheel laid to rest speculation that he would continue to serve as the military chief beyond November 2016 when he is due to retire, insisting he preferred to relinquish the job – unlike two of his predecessors.

“I do not believe in extension and will retire on the due date,” Raheel said in an unprecedented statement.

By declaring his intentions well in advance, Raheel became the first army chief since 1998 to doff off his military uniform after completing his three-year tenure.

A senior military official, who is close to Raheel, said that the army chief had never desired an extension. “[General Raheel] believes institutions are more important than individuals.”

The official said the army chief wanted to leave behind a legacy to prove the point that ‘no one is indispensable’.

Raheel, who was picked by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to replace General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, is known for being a ‘clearheaded general’.

Another insider remarked that the army chief’s ‘clear thinking’ reflected in some of the crucial decisions he has made, such as launching a full-scale military offensive in North Waziristan Agency and supporting the democratic setup despite anti-government

protests in August 2014. When Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek chief Tahirul Qadri descended on Islamabad with tens of thousands of supporters to oust the premier, Raheel assured the beleaguered premier that the army had no interest in removing him from power.

“History shows that [Raheel] lived up to his words. This is because of his clear thinking,” said the military official. “And today’s announcement is also testament to the fact that he clearly knows what he has to do.”

More pressing issues Meanwhile, security and defence analyst Mahmood Shah believes that by putting to rest all rumours, Raheel would now focus on the most pressing issues, such as eliminating all forms of extremism and terrorism.

“In a way he has set a target for himself. This means he has 10 months to finish the job as far as the fight against terrorism is concerned, and it is good for the country.”

For Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed at the Quaid-e-Azam University, however, Raheel’s announcement was surprising. “There is increasing public perception that the army chief is vying for some political role, given the way he is being projected in the social and mass media.” — Express Tribune

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READERS’ FORUM Parents need to help children minimise exam stress This refers to the story Exam stress can be fatal, warns a father(February 9). I completely agree that examination stress can be fatal if it is not managed well. It is always hidden and cannot be expressed at times. In my opinion, parents have a serious role in moulding their children to be well prepared for any type of assessment and this should start from home.

However, it takes time for the parents to realise how extensively they can be supportive to bring their children in line with others in every aspect. The time of higher grade examinations is the time when chilScan this QR code dren are maturing physically and psychoto send letters to the logically. Traditionally there is still a vague Readers’ Forum, thinking among some of the parents about containing not more than 200 words with their children’s future, and insists to move full name, address on according to their wish. Such a move and telephone often ends up in uncertainty, as the world number, may be sent we see today is different from the earlier by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com). days. Meanwhile, the changes adopted by the Central Board of Secondary Education needs to be appreciated. The schools in Oman, in my opinion, also need to existing teaching staff to support students and parents. The counselling departments should be more advanced not with mere subject experts.

In line with the number of students it is vital to have proportionate number of team experienced to provide timely assistance.

— Ramachandran Nair, Ruwi

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com I’ve never known any trouble that an hour’s reading didn’t assuage.

LOUIS PASTEUR

MEGAN MCARDLE

The great thing about the last year of Barack Obama’s presidential tenure: Nothing’s going to pass anyway, so you can stop worrying about the grinding realities of retail politics. Now is the time to daydream, to swing for the fences ... and perhaps, to irritate a few more of your coworkers on your way out the door

E

very year, thousands of students across Pakistan enroll in medical schools and engineering universities. Many more thousands apply and aspire — only to be told that they are not good enough.

The entire process is robotic and devoid of human experience, and therefore prone to accept people of a certain mould and reject those who may have a lot to offer in terms of personal stories, commitment and passion. But we are getting ahead of ourselves here; let us first look at how the admission system works in the professional higher education sector.

At most universities, admissions are a combination of high school record and an entrance test. An analysis of this system shows deep problems. Let us start with a public display of blatant sexism. For example, the premier national engineering institution, the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore, on its admissions page assumes that only male applicants would apply (http://uet.edu.pk/admission/admissioninfo/index.html?RID=rulesunder). In the eligibility criteria for admissions, the university website states: “He should have passed the Intermediate (Pre- Engineering) Examination with Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics from a Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education of Pakistan or an equivalent examination recognised by the University.” What about any female student? Is she not welcome? The list of requirements is too long to be reprinted here, but the only pronoun the university uses is for a male applicant. This is despite the fact that nearly 20 per cent of its current enrolled students are female. The university sends a clear message to its applicants. UET Taxila is no different (http://admissions.uettaxila.edu.pk/Admission_Eligibility.php).

A society that desperately needs to integrate everyone into its innovative workforce cannot afford to be blind to its most promising sector, the female students. Just to clarify, it has nothing to do with majority of students being male, since medical schools, where majority is female, do not use a similar sexist language.

The second troubling aspect of the admission process is a deep disconnect with the applicants.

As I went through the admission criteria of institution after institution, across the country, nowhere did I see any indication of the university being interested in the individual. A fundamental question, of why do you want to become a doctor, or an engineer of a particular type is nowhere to be found.

The universities never bother to ask the prospective student his or her opinion on why the chosen profession matters to him or her and what major problems of the day inspire him or her? We continue to debate and speculate why so many of our graduates never become part of the workforce, but what if they never wanted to?

What if it was only parental pressure? What if they were not passionate? The way things currently go — there is no chance of us finding out.

The admission test is also not particularly focused on open-ended problem solving and creative thinking ability. The English exam is particularly troubling which does not focus on writing and expression, but instead focuses on a mechanical approach to language.

At the core, the only criterion of admissions to public engineering and medical institutions is the ability to do well in a test — be it in HSSC or the entrance exam. Anyone with a real world experience in engineering or medicine would attest that assumption of this correlation is fundamentally flawed, and ability to take the test alone is not a sign of innovation, creativity and passion to solve problems.

The consequence of poor access to quality education combined with a flawed admission system is that not only we miss students, who may not do exceptionally well in an exam but may make outstanding professionals, but we also admit those who may be gifted test takers but not interested or capable of solving our grandest challenges.

Admissions is a complex process, a serious business and requires careful thought. By no means can it be relegated to a cookie-cutter formula. By using a formula, instead of focusing on the person, we have created a mismatch of what we need and what we produce.

It’s time we revisited and optimised our admissions to attract those who demonstrate creativity, passion and a personal commitment.

We need leaders, not robots.- Express Tribune

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES FEBRUARY 2001 Child health meet ends MUSCAT: The 14th international child health conference on recent advances in child health at the Grand Hyatt hotel, which concluded yesterday, was an unmitigated success, according to top officials participating in the conference. While glowing tributes were made on the way the conference has been organized, acclaim was also heaped on the interesting scientific papers that were presented. While for Oman it has been more than an interesting experience, even the top experts appreciated the fact that they have been given an insight into Oman’s health matters. Doctors and experts from both sides of the divide who are participating in the conference expressed their gratitude to have been able to share their experience.

TODAY IN HISTORY INVITATION TO WRITERS We invite our readers to write articles on topics related to Oman. The articles should not exceed 800 words.

Send us your article along with your picture to akhtar@timesofoman.com

PICTOGRAPH

NEW REGISTERED LEARNING VEHICLES IN OMAN From September to November, 2015 September

October

November

17 13

11

1763: The Treaty of Paris ends the French-Indian War. France gives up all her territories in the New World except New Orleans and a few scattered islands.

1904: Russia and Japan declare war on each other.

0

1941: London severs diplomatic relations with Romania..

1945: B-29s hit the Tokyo area.

Source National Centre for Statistics and Information

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

54m

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ASIA

Filipinos are choosing a new president, vice president, about 300 lawmakers in the two-chamber Congress and about 18,000 local government positions

M AY 9 P O L L S

Philippines makes song and dance over start of election campaigning MANILA: Philippine presidential candidates began campaigning in traditionally colourful and musical style on Tuesday ahead of the May 9 election, with voters looking for a leader who can sustain one of the fastest economic growth rates in Asia.

Under President Benigno Aquino, the Philippines has seen annual growth of more than six percent on average, its best five-year record in four decades. He has also managed to rein in, if not halt, corruption.

Party affiliations have historically counted for little in the Philippines and policies have mattered less than personalities. Presidential campaigns are expensive and rely on the support of rich families and companies.

Candidates will be singing and dancing along with movie and TV personalities across the archipelago of 7,100 islands over the next 90 days to gain people’s attention before revealing full details of their platforms.

Roxas were not far behind with 23 and 20 per cent respectively. In December, Binay topped the polls with 33 per cent.

CONTENDERS: Combination picture of presidential candidates running for the May 2016 national elections in Philippines. From left to right: Vice-President Jejomar Binay, Davao city Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senator Grace Poe, former Interior and Local Secretary Mar Roxas and Senator Miriam Santiago.

Campaigning for the national elections started on Tuesday. - Reuters file photo

The business community, however, is looking for a leader who can further liberalise the country, easing restrictions on foreign direct investment, reducing protectionism and eliminating red tape in doing business.

“It will be very interesting to see what are the positions of each of the candidates in really easing business here in the country for

foreigners and Filipinos,” Julian Payne, president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, said.

Opinion poll The latest opinion poll shows a first time senator, Grace Poe, abandoned in a church as a baby, ahead of the pack, but analysts say it is too early to make predictions.

A Pulse Asia survey last month pointed to a tight race among Poe, Vice President Jejomar Binay, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte and Aquino’s handpicked successor, former interior minister Manuel Roxas.

Senator Miriam Santiago, who had ran and lost two previous presidential elections, is a distant fifth.

Poe led the pack with 30 per cent support, while Binay, Duterte and

Tight race Earl Parreno, of the Institute of Political and Electoral Reforms, said it would be a tight race to the finish but there’s uncertainty about Poe’s eligibility because of a dispute about her citizenship and required residency in the country.

Poe, a naturalised American, returned to the Philippines when her adoptive father, who ran for president and lost, died in late 2004. Six years later, she renounced her U.S. citizenship when Aquino appointed her to a government post.

“It’s still anybody’s ball game because most voters have not really absorbed the candidates’ messages,” Parreno said, adding poverty and corruption were among the main issues resonating with the electorate. The campaigning began in festive mood in the capital with Duterte, running on the plat-

Former premier’s death poses potential problems for Nepal Former Nepali prime minister Sushil Koirala died overnight of respiratory illness, one of his doctors said, at his nephew’s home in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU: Former Nepali prime minister Sushil Koirala, a moderate figure in the country’s unsettled politics, died on Tuesday, presenting a potential hurdle in attempts to win greater rights for minorities in a new constitution. Koirala, 78, a senior figure in one of Nepal’s biggest political dynasties, stood down as prime minister in October.

He died overnight of respiratory illness, one of his doctors said, at his nephew’s home in Kathmandu. He had helped prepare Nepal’s first republican constitution that, its authors hoped, would take the Himalayan nation closer

END OF AN ERA: Former Nepali prime minister Koirala died on

More crucial will be who will carry the legacy of the Koirala dynasty that has produced four prime ministers in the past and dominated the Nepali Congress party in the past six decades Yubaraj Ghimire Annapurna Post editor

Tuesday of respiratory illness, his aides said. - Reuters file photo

to stability and peace after years of conflict and the abolition of the 239-year-old monarchy.

Koirala was head of the centrist Nepali Congress party, the largest opposition group in parliament that has traditionally close ties to India. Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj was due to fly to Kathmandu on Tuesday to pay her respects. Koirala’s funeral will be

held on Wednesday.

Nepal has been in turmoil since the new constitution was adopted in September. The ethnic Madhesi community launched protests against the charter, saying it did not address their desire for a greater say in government. Laxman Lal Karna, from the Sadbhavana Party that organised those protests, said Koirala’s death would not derail

talks aimed at securing greater rights for minorities.

Others said his death presented a succession problem for the Koirala dynasty. He never married.

“More crucial will be who will carry the legacy of the Koirala dynasty that has produced four prime ministers in the past and dominated the Nepali Congress party in the past six decades,” said

Yubaraj Ghimire, editor of the Annapurna Post daily.

The Congress will hold a leadership election next month, with some in the party saying it could then seek to engineer the downfall of Prime Minister K.P. Oli, whose tough line against Madhesi protesters has angered India.

The front runner to take over as party leader is Sher Bahadur Deuba, a three-time former prime minister who comes from the same social democratic tradition as Koirala and would likely show little sympathy towards the constitutional protesters.

Although talks have made scant progress on meeting the grievances of minority Madhesis, who live in Nepal’s southern plains and have close ties to India, tensions eased when they lifted a border blockade on Monday.

Confirming the thaw in ties, Pramod Dahal, an aide to Oli, said the prime minister would travel to India on February 19 to meet his counterpart, Narendra Modi.

Koirala spent several years in India, where he had close political ties. He was jailed there for three years for his role in the hijacking of a Nepali plane during the democracy struggle of the 1970s.

Thousands of mourners, many carrying bouquets of flowers, gathered outside the house where Koirala’s body lay. - Reuters

form of law and order, holding his proclamation rally in the crimeprone poor community near Manila’s docks.

Poe brought together right-wing former soldiers and left-leaning activists at her kick-off campaign in historic Plaza Miranda at the heart of the capital’s old city. Binay held a rally in Mandaluyong City, next to Manila’s financial district, Makati, where he was mayor for two decades. His wife and son were also mayors.

Roxas barnstormed in his political bailiwick in the central Philippines while Santiago travelled to the north, the political base of her running mate, Ferdinand Marcos, son of Imelda Marcos, widow of the late dictator Ferdinand and famous for her collection of shoes and jewellery.

More than 54 million Filipinos are choosing a new president, vice president, about 300 lawmakers in the two-chamber Congress and about 18,000 local government positions. - Reuters TA I WA N

Developer held after quake fells building TAINAN(Taiwan): Prosecutors in the southern Taiwan city of Tainan have arrested the developer of a building which collapsed during an earthquake on Saturday killing at least 39 people, officials said on Tuesday, as rescue efforts increasingly turned to recovery.

The quake struck at about 4am on Saturday at the beginning of the Lunar New Year holiday, with almost all the dead found in Tainan’s toppled Wei-guan Golden Dragon Building. Two people died elsewhere in the city.

Rescue work has focused on the wreckage of the 17-storey building, where more than 100 people are listed as missing and are suspected to be buried deep under the rubble.

No survivors have been brought out since Monday evening.

Questions have been raised about the building’s construction quality, especially materials used to build it.

Hsiao Po-jen, director of the legal affairs department of the Tainan city government, said that Lin Ming-hui, the Wei-guan Golden Dragon Building’s developer, had been arrested on suspicion of negligent homicide on Monday evening. Hsiao said the information came from police and prosecutors.

The Wei-guan, completed in 1994, was the only major high-rise building in the city of two million people to have completely collapsed. - Reuters

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confronted police in a tense, pre-dawn stand-off during the Lunar New Year holiday, when most of the city is shut down

HONG KONG: Hong Kong riot police fired warning shots on Tuesday during clashes that erupted in the Chinese-ruled city when authorities tried to remove illegal street stalls set up for Lunar New Year celebrations, the worst violence since pro-democracy protests in 2014.

Demonstrators prised bricks from the sidewalk to hurl at po-

#FISHBALLREVOLUTION: Protesters throw bricks as a journalist takes cover during a clash with riot police at Mongkok district in Hong Kong, China on Tuesday. - Reuters

lice, while others toppled street signs and set fire to rubbish bins in Mongkok, a tough, workingclass neighbourhood just across the harbour from the heart of the Asian financial centre.

The protesters had dispersed by 8am(0000 GMT) but more than 100 had confronted police in a tense, pre-dawn stand-off during the Lunar New Year holiday, when most of the city is shut down.

“We have noticed a shift in

some members of the public,” said Hong Kong Police Commissioner Lo Wai-chung. “(They) have an inclination to use violence or radical acts in order to express their opinion.”

Nearly 90 police sustained injuries ranging from fractured bones to lacerations and bruises and 54 protesters were arrested, Lo said.

Hong Kong television showed police officers being beaten with poles and sticks as they lay on the

ground. Many protesters and police were also shown with blood streaming down their faces.

Police said two warning shots were fired into the air, with pepper spray and batons also used to disperse the crowd.

Television footage showed the shots were fired as protesters surrounded traffic police, pelting them with rubbish, bricks and bottles and wrestling one of them to the ground. Lo said the life of the officer who fired the shots was being threatened.

He also said there would be a full investigation into the incident. The remains of burned bins and flower pots, chunks of brick and broken bottles lay scattered along the Nathan Road shopping strip, which leads to the harbour at Tsim Sha Tsui. A taxi with shattered windows was parked nearby.

The violence broke out after police moved in to clear illegal vendors who sell local delicacies, trinkets and household goods from makeshift streetside stalls.

The hawkers, a common sight on Hong Kong’s bustling streets, quickly attracted a strong social media following under the hashtag #FishballRevolution.

Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said the government strongly condemned the violence. Secretary for Security Lai Tung-kwok said police were investigating indications the clashes had been organized.

Police said they did not expect another riot on Tuesday night.

Hong Kong Indigenous, a “localist” group that is fielding a candidate in a Legislative Council by-election in a few weeks, was involved in the protest, though it was not immediately clear the role it played or the extent to which it was involved. The group said on its official Facebook page and confirmed to Reuters that its candidate, Edward Leung Tin-kei, had been arrested.

Many so-called localists remain deeply embittered by the lack of any concessions from Beijing or Hong Kong authorities during the 2014 protests. — Reuters

MOTIVE NOT KNOWN

Man sets self on fire outside William’s residence LONDON: A man died on Tuesday after setting himself on fire outside Kensington Palace, the London home of Prince William and his wife Kate, police said.

The incident was not being treated as suspicious or related to terrorism, they added.

Alert Police said they had been alerted just after midnight by officials from a central London hospital to say a man in their care had failed to return. Three hours later, officers were called to a site near the locked parks of the palace, located in Kensington Gardens in central London, after reports of a man acting suspiciously.

Declared dead When they arrived they found the man, in his 40s, ablaze.

He was declared dead not long afterwards.

Kensington Palace is the official London residence of William although he, Kate and their two children, George and Charlotte, spend most of their time at their country mansion in Norfolk, eastern England, close to where the prince works as an air ambulance helicopter pilot. — Reuters

US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS

UNDER PRESSURE: Republican US presidential candidate Marco Rubio greets supporters at a rally in Nashua, New Hampshire, on Monday. — Reuters

Rubio seeks to silent critics with strong showing in New Hampshire MANCHESTER (US): A week ago, it looked like the stars were aligning for Marco Rubio.

Now, as New Hampshire holds its pivotal primary on Tuesday, the Republican presidential contender has to hope the sky does not come crashing down on him.

After a surprisingly strong third-place showing in last week’s Iowa caucuses, Rubio came into New Hampshire hoping for a toptier finish in the state to buttress his argument he is the candidate around whom the party establishment should rally.

But a debate performance on Saturday night that was widely mocked by Republicans and Democrats as well as legions on social media might have changed the equation for the US senator from Florida.

Now Rubio must worry that anything less than a robust performance in New Hampshire will further fuel the suggestion that his campaign suffered a critical blow at the debate.

Dante Scala, an analyst on local politics at the University of New Hampshire, said that if Rubio did not do well in Tuesday’s primary, “it isn’t fatal necessarily but it makes the road to the nomination longer and riskier.”

Billionaire businessman Donald Trump is widely expected to win Tuesday’s primary, which is part of the state-by-state process of picking party nominees for the November 8 general election to replace Democratic President Barack Obama.

Primary votes were already counted early on Tuesday in Dixville Notch, a town of about a dozen people that prides itself on being the first in the state to vote.

US Senator Bernie Sanders

Republican Marco Rubio, in an interview with CNN on Monday, dismissed the torrent of criticism that has come his way since the debate and said his potential to be a strong candidate against the Democrats made him a target

won all four Democratic votes there while in the Republican race Ohio Governor John Kasich beat Trump, 3-2.

Trump spent the final campaign hours insulting his rivals in his familiar style.

After Rubio finished far ahead of mainstream rivals Bush, Chris Christie and Kasich in Iowa, he appeared to be best positioned to place second in New Hampshire, perhaps knocking Christie or Kasich out of the race and emerging as the party’s best hope to derail Trump’s insurgent bid.

Rubio’s debate showing, in which he helped further the perception he is an overly scripted, even robotic, candidate, has been cited by other contenders as proof he is not ready to lead. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

$11b

requested for the Departments of Defence and State to fight IS militants and stabilise Syria

FISCAL YEAR 2017

Obama unveils final budget WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama proposed a $4.1 trillion spending plan for fiscal year 2017 on Tuesday in a final White House budget that laid out his priorities for fighting S, raising taxes on wealthy Americans and helping the poor.

The budget for the fiscal year beginning on October 1 is largely a political document and is unlikely

to be passed by the Republicancontrolled Congress. But it gives Obama, who leaves office in January, a chance to make a last pitch for funding on issues such as education, criminal justice reform and job creation while taking credit for US economic strides during his tenure.

The spending proposal stayed within the confines of an agree-

ment reached between the White House and Congress last year that lifted mandatory “sequestration” cuts on both defence and domestic spending. It proposes lifting the limits entirely from 2018.

“My budget makes critical investments while adhering to the bipartisan budget agreement I signed into law last fall,” Obama wrote in the document. — Reuters

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10 killed, 81 injured as trains collide head-on in Germany The crash took place at a peak commuter time near Bad Aibling in the southern state of Bavaria near the border with Austria

BAD AIBLING (GERMANY): Ten people were killed and at least 81 injured on Tuesday when two passenger trains collided head-on at high speed in remote countryside in southern Germany.

One passenger was still missing, police said, and 18 of those injured were in a serious condition.

The crash happened during the morning rush-hour about half way along a six-km (four-mile) stretch between the spa town of Bad Aibling and Kolbermoor in Bavaria, near to the border with Austria. Ambulances could not reach the site, which was heavily wooded with a steep hill on one side and a river on the other, so helicopters had to airlift people to nearby hospitals.

Recovery operations Police said recovery operations with heavy machinery would be suspended overnight and restart at daybreak on Wednesday.

The trains had been carrying about 100 passengers, mainly commuters. Police said more people would have been travelling if it had not been a holiday week.

Hundreds of emergency service workers, including mountain rescue teams, worked to save passengers at the crash site, where several derailed blue, yellow and grey train carriages lay on their side next to the track.

MANGLED: German police officers stand at the site of the two crashed trains near Bad Aibling in southwestern Germany, on Tuesday.

Below: Members of emergency services prepare an injured person for transportation by helicopter from the site of the crash. – Reuters

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Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt said the trains and track had been fitted with an automatic brake system that was introduced across Germany after 10 people died in 2011 near Magdeburg when a train driver drove through two red signals. “It’s one of the biggest accidents we have had in the last few years,” he said.

Germany’s most serious postwar train accident occurred in 1998 when 101 people were killed near the northern town of

Eschede after a high speed ICE train crashed. Dobrindt said both trains on Tuesday must have been travelling at high speed entering a curve and the drivers had probably not seen each other.

Police declined to comment on the cause of the crash. They appealed for people to donate blood.

Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed shock and sent her condolences to families of the victims. “I trust that the authorities responsible will do everything they can to clear up how this accident could happen,” she said in a statement.

Dobrindt said an investigation had begun and that the priority was to find out whether the cause was a technical problem or human error. — Reuters

SWEDEN

Prosecutors press for Assange’s interview STOCKHOLM: Swedish prosecutors said on Tuesday they would renew an application to interview Julian Assange over a rape allegation, adding that their case was not affected by a UN ruling that he was being arbitrarily detained.

Sweden has been stymied in its attempts to question the WikiLeaks founder since he took refuge in Ecuador’s embassy in London in June 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden, where he is wanted for questioning over the allegation, which he denies.

Assange, 44, says he fears Sweden will extradite him to the United States, where authorities were enraged by his organisation’s publishing of hundreds of thousands of secret US diplomatic cables.

“In relation to the (UN) report which was released last week, I can state that it does not change my earlier assessment in the preliminary investigation,” the prosecutor in charge of the investigation, Marianne Ny, said in the statement. The UN’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said Assange should be allowed to leave Ecuador’s embassy in London without the threat of arrest by Britain and extradition to Sweden.

Britain and Sweden’s government’s rejected the UN ruling and said Assange had voluntarily chosen to stay in the embassy.

Sweden’s prosecution authority said Ny was working on a new application to interview Assange after the previous request was rejected by Ecuador in January.

“It is a scandal that Sweden... openly defies the decision of an important UN body,” Per Samuelson, a Swedish lawyer representing Assange, told Reuters.

Assange, an Australian, denies allegations of a 2010 rape in Sweden, saying the accusation is a ploy that would eventually take him to the United States where a criminal investigation into the activities of WikiLeaks is still open. — Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

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CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.28 Pound ............................................1.78 Indian Rs ............................. 176.24 Pak Rs ....................................266.31 Bangla Taka.......................201.90

Indian Rs ...................................176.30 Pakistan Rs ............................ 270.60 Sri Lanka Rs ............................ 371.75 Bangla Taka........................... 203.50 Phil Peso ....................................123.75

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......15.30

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$23.85 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$25.60 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$28.50 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$25.30 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........ $32.78

* Rates are as of Feb. 9 Source: Bank Muscat

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* Rates as of Feb. 9 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ....... 14.70 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ........... 142.00 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 134.75 * Rates as of Feb. 9 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

I N D U S T RY D AY C E L E B R AT I O N

Three firms win Sultan Qaboos Award for Industrial Excellence Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s best performing companies were honoured by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday and given the Sultan Qaboos Award for Industrial Excellence 2015.

The event, which was attended by high-profile ministers, including Darwish bin Ismail Al Balushi, minister responsible for Financial Affairs and Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, minister of Commerce and Industry, coincided with the Sultanate’s industry day celebrations.

Jindal Shadeed Iron and Steel, the Oman Indian Fertiliser Company and Bin Salim Manufacturing Company won the coveted award for 2015, which were presented by Lt. General Hassan bin Mohsen Al Shariqi, inspector general of Police and Customs, here on Tuesday.

The first two companies were selected in the major companies’ category, while the third one was in the category of medium industries.“The response (from private sector) was almost the

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WINNERS ALL: The award, first initiated by the ministry in 1991, signifies the success of the private sector firms in achieving ministry targets and raises their international profiles. – Picture by Jun Estrada/Times of Oman

same this year, compared with last year,” Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, told journalists, after the award function.

This year as many as 24 compa-

nies participated in the competition, compared with 25 last year.

“The selection process was rigorous this year,” added Al Dheeb.

The award, first initiated by the ministry in 1991, signifies the suc-

cess of the private sector firms in achieving ministry targets and raises their international profiles.

Top-level officials from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the OCCI and top-level business-

men from the private sector attended the function.

This year’s competition had been completely revamped and new evaluation measures were implemented. The ministry evalu-

Oman to invest heavily in industrial estates

INVESTMENT

Oman’s new investment law in final stage of approval

Plans are on to build STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: For Port of Duqm, the agreement is

very important as UES will bring substantial amount of expertise and services in a numerous fields. - Supplied picture

Duqm port signs key deal with United Engineering Times News Service MUSCAT: A 25-year land lease agreement for using a six hectare plot was signed by United Engineering Services (UES) with Port of Duqm Company (PDC).

One of the projects UES is bringing to the PDC is the wet testing of three newly-built and state-of-art Seafloor Production Tools from Nautilus Minerals, a Canada registered company who has developed the equipment to be used for off shore deep sea mining activities, said a press statement released by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Nautilus is the first company to commercially explore the seafloor for seafloor massive sulphide (SMS) systems, a potential source of high grade copper, gold, zinc and silver. Nautilus is developing a production system using existing technologies adapted from the offshore oil and gas industry, dredging and mining industries to enable the extraction of these high grade SMS systems

ated the industries more deeply and professionally than in the previous years.From November 2015 to January 2016, the evaluation team conducted field visits to the premises of participating firms.

The main aim of the competition is to award industries, which have excelled in performance.

The assessment methodology for the Sultan Qaboos Award for Industrial Excellence (which was formerly known as the HM Cup for Best Factories) was restructured under a new framework. In line with the best internationally established practices, the award was based on the principles of total quality management system. This includes criteria related to leadership, personnel, manufacturing process, supplier development, safety, environment and social responsibility and business performance.

on a commercial scale. For PDC, the agreement is very important as UES will bring substantial amount of expertise in numerous fields which can help also other tenants in the port. The plot is strategically positioned in the heart of the port and has close proximity to the port’s logistical area, the dry dock and the commercial quay.

“Port of Duqm is proud to support the MB Group as one of the major private investors in Duqm.

Furthermore, this project is going on a short term to support the development of cutting edge technology and on the long-term UES will be a major player in supporting the port of Duqm and its stakeholders with the state of the art technology and services,” said ReggyVermeulen, chief executive officer of Port of Duqm.

UES, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MB Holding Company, has been a pillar of Oman’s engineering services for over three decades catering to the fields of oil and gas andpower generation and water.

three industrial estates — one each in Thumrait, Shinas and Al Mudhaibi, besides the ongoing expansion

Times News Service Eng Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb. - Picture by Jun Estrada/Times of Oman

projects for further developing existing industrial estates

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman plans to invest in developing new industrial estates and expanding existing ones to meet the growing demand for industrial plots from entrepreneurs. The Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), which acts as a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs, plans to build three industrial estates – one each in Thumrait, Shinas and Al Mudhaibi, Hilal bin Hamad Al Hassani, chief executive officer of PEIE told journalists on the sidelines of an event to celebrate industrial day.

There are also ongoing expansion projects for further developing existing industrial estates,

which will help diversify the country’s economy and create employment opportunities for Omani youths.

“Now we are waiting for final approval for further expanding Sumail industrial estate. The existing industrial plots are fully occupied and entrepreneurs are asking for more space,” added Al Hassani.

“There is a huge demand for industrial plots in all our industrial estates, not only in Sumail.”

PEIE manages Rusayl, Raysut, Sohar, Sur, Nizwa, Buraimi and Sumail estates, which have a combined area of over three million square metres.

“The focus now is on developing the existing industrial estates by building infrastructure facilities,” noted Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

“We have enough land and now PEIE is aiming at developing these areas,” added Eng. Al Dheeb. He also noted that some of the expan-

sion projects are under construction, while tenders for others will be floated soon. Al Hassani earlier said that there are approximately 900 existing projects in various industrial zones in the Sultanate, which employ more than 15,000 local people. Also, there are 242 projects under construction that will commence operation within two years and thus will provide 12,000 job opportunities, of which 4,500 jobs for the citizens.

Al Hassani noted that lands were allocated for more than 500 projects, which are expected to enter operational phase in the next three years and they will provide more than 25,000 job opportunities, including 9,000 jobs for the citizens. This means that the projects under construction or those that have been allocated lands will provide more than 14,000 job opportunities for Omanis over the next three years.

The investment in industrial zones in the Sultanate exceeded

MUSCAT: Oman’s ministry of commerce and industry has almost finalised the draft of new investment law. The draft law will be send to the Ministry of Legal Affairs before submitting with the Council of Ministers for final approval, Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, undersecretary at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, told journalists here on the sidelines of an event to celebrate the country’s industry day.

OMR5 billion and additional investments in industrial estates will help to enhance nonoil exports.

Industrial sector’s contribution The contribution of industrial sector in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015 was 9.5 per cent, noted Eng. Al Dheeb.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

MARKET Expo a networking platform for Omani and foreign firms SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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More than 50 local

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

and foreign firms tend the event. Site visits have also been arranged for the participating delegates on the last day of the exhibition.

are taking part in the Arab Industries Exhibition in Muscat

LOCAL FLAVOUR: An exhibition official said that an Arab gathering will be held at the same venue on the second day of the exhibition, featuring several workshops. – Times of Oman picture

Fashion show Awladthani said a fashion show will be hosted during the exhibition, which has been organised by several well-known fashion designers and aims to showcase Omani traditional clothes.

In addition, he said that the Public Authority for Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Riyada), which supports small companies, is also participating in the exhibition.

industrial, health, education and tourism sectors, he added.

It also provides an opportunity for the participating companies and countries to share their experience, network and promote their products and services in order to expand into foreign markets, Awladthani said.

He also noted that around 120 participants are expected to at-

Riyada’s support Awladthani said that Riyada will offer its services to the visitors and participating companies and will provide the necessary information and support to those who are interested in investing in various sectors of Oman’s economy.

The event is an opportunity for direct contact between Omani firms and entities and foreign companies, he added.

from February 9 to 11

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: More than 50 local and foreign companies are participating in the Arab Industries Exhibition in Muscat, which aims to present industrial investment opportunities in Oman.

The exhibition, running from February 9 to 11 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre, features representatives of around 20 countries, including the Gulf nations, said Suleiman Awladthani, who is in charge of the media affairs of the exhibition.

Speaking to ‘Times of Oman’, he said that the exhibition coincides with Oman Industry Day and

the event provides a platform for networking between Omani and foreign companies.

According to him, this is the fourth edition of the exhibit but in the previous versions of the event, only Omani products and industries were showcased. This time, it was decided to include foreign companies in order to further benefit local firms and

industries, he explained.

Arab gathering Awladthani said that an Arab gathering will be held at the same venue on the second day of the exhibition, featuring several workshops. Renowned speakers will speak at the event and showcase investment opportunities in Oman in various fields, including

DEBT CRISIS

Greece expects bailout review next week ATHENS: Greece’s lenders still need to be persuaded that Athens can plug a bigger than expected fiscal gap when talks on reforms needed under an international bailout resume next week, the finance minister has said.

Talks between the heads of the European Union/International Monetary Fund mission reviewing Greece’s progress and the government over a tough pension reform plan, fiscal targets and the handling of bad loans, took a break on Friday after four days of meetings.

They are due to continue “sometime next week” and then conclude two weeks later, Finance Minister Euclid Tsakalotos said, adding that technical teams were discussing the size of the fiscal gap for 2016 and the country’s performance last year.

Greece’s stock market plunged about 8 percent on Monday on concern that the bailout review had hit a snag. The country’s industrialist federation warned that delays in the completion of the review could hurt the economy.

Without a positive asessment of Greece’s bailout reforms talks on debt relief, desperately sought by Athens cannot take place. “There are disagreements, which we will discuss when we return. What is important ... is that they agree on the architecture of what we are proposing,” Tsakalotos said. - Reuters

IHS SURVEY

TOURISM

Chinese economy slows on fall in spending Over 150 crude oil SYDNEY/HONG KONG: Watching a lone browser in his Sydney Chinatown shop, Bing Chen is worried business is being squeezed this Lunar New Year by what’s ailing the world economy at large — the weakest Chinese economy in 25 years.

In years gone by, Chen would stay open until the wee hours, selling kangaroo skins and Australian wool to crowds of Chinese tourists.

But as the Year of the Monkey begins, stores like Chen’s are seeing a drop in trade with newly budgetconscious Chinese either staying home or spending less.

“Our customers have halved,” said Chen, standing by neatly stacked shelves at his Sydney store. “We had to work till 2am and

there were still customers buying things but not anymore.”

While record numbers of Chinese are travelling outside the mainland — 109 million last year, according to researcher GfK — Chen’s fears echo data showing growth in tourist spending is dropping off quickly.

The China National Tourism Administration in December forecast 2015 outbound tourist spending at $194 billion, according to state media. That equates to per tourist spending growth of just 1.5 per cent, compared with a 16.5 per cent rise the previous year.

China’s slowing growth is also showing up in weaker tourism spending much closer to home than Sydney. In Hong Kong, visits

from the mainland were down 15.5 per cent in December, compared to the year earlier, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board.

Not spendthrift Streets in Sheung Wan district, lined with stores selling dried seafood and various tonics, are quiet rather than bustling. Shop owner Lin Ying Jui says trade for his abalone, edible birds nests and natural medicines is the worst in decades.

“I have been here for around 20 to 30 years, this year’s business performance is the worst,” said Lin Ying Jui Fuelling growth in the overall number of Chinese tourists is a new breed of younger, independent travellers from the mainland.

Countries like Australia are investing in targeting that market, and more than 100,000 Chinese nationals applied for visas to visit Australia in January alone, a record for a single month.

But numbers of large, elderly tour groups are dwindling in Sydney’s Chinatown. How much they and others will spend over the Lunar New year remains to be seen, and traders are bracing for customers being picky where they once were spendthrift.

Back in Sydney’s Chinatown, shop owner Anna Liu said Chinese tourists - her target customers – ‘wouldn’t even haggle’ in the past as they bought handfuls of vitamins, honey and kangaroo and shark extract products. - Reuters

firms to go bust as supply mounts TOKYO: About 150 oil and gas companies tracked by energy consultant IHS Inc. may go bust as a supply glut pressures prices and punishes revenues.

The number of companies at risk is more than twice the 60 producers that have already filed for bankruptcy, Bob Fryklund, chief upstream analyst at IHS, said in an interview. A further shake out would help stimulate deals that have been on hold because buyers and sellers have disagreed on asset values, he said.

Oil has collapsed about 70 per cent over the past two years as United States shale producers boosted output and the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) flooded the market with crude to drive out higher-cost suppliers. More bankruptcies would be one signal that energy prices have reached a bottom and would help kick off deals for the $230 billion worth of oil and gas assets currently up for sale, according to Fryklund.

“Nobody is buying because there is a mismatch between expectations,” Fryklund said in an interview in Tokyo. “We need to close that gap. And the way that will happen is the rest of those bankruptcies will go forward.”

Investments Companies that plan to make investments are likely to wait for prices to gain for six months because they want to be confident in a recovery, according to Fryklund. “It usually happens as we begin to come back up on price,” he said. “There is always a little lag on timing.”

The global oil surplus that fueled crude’s decline to a 12year low will shift to a deficit as output falls and a new bull market begins before the year is out, Goldman Sachs said in January.

The US production will drop by

Nobody is buying because there is a mismatch between expectations. We need to close that gap.

And the way that will happen is the rest of those bankruptcies will go forward Bob Fryklund

Chief upstream analyst, IHS

620,000 barrels a day, or about 7 per cent, from the first quarter to the fourth, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Low prices are also spurring greater efficiency, according to IHS. Operating costs on a per barrel basis declined about 35 per cent last year in North America and have dropped about 20 per cent globally, according to the consultant. Crude output from North Dakota rose through most of last year and some producers in the Permian Basin in western Texas can break-even drilling oil at $35 a barrel, he said.

Shale patches in the US are pumping out more oil and gas than the government previously thought, according to the EIA’s Drilling Productivity Report released on Monday. - Bloomberg News

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

B3

MARKET FA S T F O O D

McDonald’s Japan forecasts full-year profit in three years

THIRD ANNIVERSARY: A special team building event was organised to celebrate the bank’s third anniversary. - Supplied picture

Bank Nizwa achieves operational break-even The Sultanate’s first dedicated Islamic bank has reported a total revenue growth of 11 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015

Times News Service MUSCAT: Bank Nizwa, Oman’s first dedicated Islamic bank, achieved operational break-even point between revenue and expenses, reporting a total revenue growth of 11 per cent in the last quarter of 2015.

A special team building event was organised to celebrate the bank’s third anniversary.

During the ceremony, Dr Jamil El Jaroudi, chief executive officer, said, “We are committed to lead from the front and continue nurturing the development of Islamic

finance in the Sultanate. From the onset, we aspired to provide people with an alternative to conventional banking and empower them with Sharia-compliant products and services that would allow them to lead financially secure lives. Three years to the day, we are proud to see that our vision has become a reality thanks to the hard work and dedication of our team and trust our customers have given us.”

Since opening its doors as Oman’s first Islamic bank in 2013, Bank Nizwa has cemented its position as the country’s leading Islamic banking partner of choice,

AIRBUS OR BOEING

contributing to the growth and development of core industries including real estate and energy.

The bank’s total assets stood at OMR347 million in December 2015. The bank now is serving around 52,000 retail and corporate accounts, while total financing and deposit reached OMR273 million and OMR189 million respectively showing 100 per cent growth over the previous year of 2014.

Eleven branches Beginning with only three branches, the bank today has 11 fully fledged branches across the country. This success has been underpinned by Bank Nizwa’s unceasing efforts to raise awareness on Islamic banking through its pioneering educational platform entitled, the ‘Islamic Finance Knowledge Series’.

Over the years, the bank also focused on developing the Islamic banking leaders of tomorrow, conducting more than 700 training

programmes in 2015 alone to help fulfil the career aspirations of its team. In fact, its investment in human capital has been lauded by industry stakeholders, earning it the ‘Best Employee Retention & Motivation Programme’ award at the annual Middle East Call Centre Awards.

Bank Nizwa received critical acclaim for its remarkable role in growing Islamic finance in Oman.

The bank was named the ‘Strongest Islamic Retail Bank in Oman’ at the 7th Islamic Retail Banking Awards, ‘Best Online Banking for an Islamic Bank’ from the World Union of Arab Bankers, as well as the title of ‘Best Islamic Bank in Oman’ at the 6th annual Islamic Finance Awards.

TOKYO: McDonald’s Japan business forecast that it will return to full-year profitability for the first time in three years, as the company deploys new measures in an attempt to win back customers after being hit by a series of food crises. Net income will probably be ¥1 billion ($8.7 million) for the year ending December 2016, the fast-food chain said in a statement on Tuesday.

The company has said in April it would shut stores and cut jobs to cope with the scandals including foreign objects found in its food.

“We’ve seen a considerable reversal of momentum in the later half of 2015 and the momentum continues to grow,” president Sarah Casanova said at a post-earnings press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday, adding she’s planning to accelerate the company’s recovery. “There’s a possibility to grow profitability more. It’s difficult to put a timeline on it.”

The fast food chain, which last month introduced the saltysweet ‘McChoco Potato’ fries to Japanese customers, saw its first increase in customers since April

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2013, as visitors to its stores open at least a year rose 17 per cent in January and sales increased 35 per cent. The improvement comes as its parent ponders selling a stake in the Japan unit, as Oak Brook, Illinois-based McDonald’s reviews its ownership strategies worldwide.

Stake sale Casanova said it’s premature to comment on the parent’s stake sale and added the company will complete store closures in the first half of this year. It plans to shut 30 to 60 outlets this year, it said in a statement on Tuesday.

Net loss for 2015 was ¥34.7 billion in the year ended December, compared to a loss of ¥21.8 billion the previous year, McDonald’s (Japan) said on Tuesday.

The Tokyo-based company predicted a full-year loss of ¥38 billion last April. – Bloomberg News

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

DELICIOUS: The newly introduced the salty-sweet ‘McChoco Potato’ fries for Japanese consumers. – Bloomberg News

DECEMBER

German industrial production declines

SMOOTH TAKE-OFF: The airline said it is open to switching to the A320neo if the terms and conditions are better, as a small size of its Boeing fleet makes a switch easier. – Bloomberg News

SpiceJet insists on delivering planes on time NEW DELHI: SpiceJet, the Indian budget carrier choosing between Boeing and Airbus for its at least $11 billion order, has one condition: Delivery needs to be on time.

“One of the selling points for anybody to make the offer more attractive to SpiceJet would be early deliveries,” chairman Ajay Singh said at the airline’s headquarters near New Delhi. “When Airbus and Boeing are talking to us, they are mindful of the fact that we need early deliveries.”

Shares of rival IndiGo, India’s biggest airline, plunged 19 per cent on January 22 after saying Airbus will be unable to stick to the schedule for delivering the A320neo, while Qatar Airways declined to take delivery of the A320neo because the engine needed special measures at start up. There is no clarity yet on actual deliveries. Deliveries of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliners were delayed by three years.

“I don’t want to have a situation where I do the deal wrong,” Ajay said, “We are in a competitive space. We need to ensure that we are not in a situation that our deliveries are delayed. We need to make sure that we get planes which are more fuel-efficient, sooner rather than later.”

Open to switch SpiceJet, whose shares have surged 275 per cent in the past 12 months, was down 3.4 per cent to Rs74.90 on Tuesday in Mumbai.

Ajay said his company is open to switching to the A320neo if the

28

narrow-body jets, including 26 Boeing 737 jets, and two Airbus A320 aircraft are currently operated by SpiceJet. It started wetleasing Airbus A320 jets in June

terms and conditions are better, as a small size of its Boeing fleet makes a switch easier. Deutsche Lufthansa is the only airline to have taken delivery of an A320neo. “It is tougher to change when you are at 50 or 100 planes,” Ajay said, “It’s much easier to do it at 20-25 planes.”

SpiceJet currently operates 28 narrowbody jets, including 26 Boeing 737 jets, and two Airbus A320 aircraft. It started wetleasing Airbus A320 jets for the first time in June. Under a wet lease agreement, the lessor also provides crew, maintenance and insurance to the operator.

SpiceJet, along with Air India Express, are the only budget customers for Boeing in India. IndiGo, the market leader, flies only Airbus jets, and has 430 planes on order apart from the 100 it already operates. The local units of Singapore Airlines, and AirAsia also fly Airbus jets.

An Airbus A320neo jet costs $107.3 million. - Bloomberg News

FRANKFURT: German industrial production unexpectedly fell for a second month in December, a sign that a slowdown in major export markets is holding back factory activity despite strong domestic demand.

Output, adjusted for seasonal swings and inflation, fell 1.2 per cent from November, when it declined by a revised 0.1 per cent, data from the Economy Ministry in Berlin showed on Tuesday. The reading, which tends to be volatile, compares to a median estimate for a 0.5 per cent increase in a survey..

The pullback comes at a time when record-low unemployment and low fuel costs are bolstering consumer spending, but slowing growth in China and emerging market economies are counteracting those positive trends to rein in production. It also came amid a warm December, which could have driven down heating costs.

“It’s a big surprise and it’s disap-

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

as a whole is still on track, and demand from other European countries is still on track.”

It’s a big surprise and it’s disappointing that production didn’t become more dynamic at the end of the year Christoph Swonke Economist, DZ Bank

pointing that production didn’t become more dynamic at the end of the year,” said Christoph Swonke, economist at DZ Bank.

“On the optimistic side, the economic recovery in the Eurozone

Slowing overseas demand Slowing demand from abroad has been a major headwind for industrial output in Germany. Growth in China, for instance, is expected to slow to 6.3 per cent in 2016 from 6.9 per cent last year and 7.3 per cent in 2014, the International Monetary Fund said in its World Economic Outlook released last month. China is Germany’s fourthlargest export market, based on data published by the federal statistics office last year.

“Industrial production went through a dry spell at the end of 2015,” the economy ministry said in the statement. “Given the improved order intake in the final quarter, companies are likely to extend their production again somewhat at the start of the year.”

Total foreign sales fell 1.6 per

cent in December, the Federal Statistics Office said in a separate statement on Tuesday. Imports declined 1.6 per cent from the previous month. Slower growth overseas may be weighing down companies’ sentiment. Business confidence fell for a second month in January, based on the Ifo institute’s business climate index.

German manufacturing output slid 1.1 per cent, driven by a 2.6 per cent slump in the production of investment goods. Energy production declined 3 per cent and consumer goods output fell 1.4 per cent.

At the same time, domestic developments are helping to shore up growth in Germany. Unemployment slid to 6.2 percent in January, the lowest level since German reunification, data showed. As consumers take home more money and benefit from a drop in oil prices, they’re spending strongly, helping to drive companies in turn to increase their output. – Bloomberg News

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 5,399.24 ...............5,370.37 ................... 5,388.02 ...................5,398.47................ -10.45 .................. -0.19 Financial Index ..................................... 6,753.91 .............. 6,693.39 ................... 6,734.47 ................... 6,750.89................ -16.42 .................. -0.24 Industrial Index ....................................6,685.31 ...............6,623.53 ................... 6,675.56 ...................6,646.88................. 28.68 ................... 0.43 Services Index .......................................2,999.11 ...............2,986.16 ...................2,993.86 ...................2,989.72....................4.14 ................... 0.14 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................834.18 ..................830.27 .......................833.75 ...................... 833.35....................0.40 ................... 0.05 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 37,437,017 .................. 8,105,394 ................. 1,684 ............... 15,730,839,097 ................ 16 ......................15 .................... 15 .........................46

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Muscat Securities Market. – Times file picture

MSM index ends lower

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

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

OM0000001822............UNITED POWER .................................................................505 ............... 1,573........................1 ............3.115 ............3.115............ 3.115 ............3.115 .............2.835 ........... 0.280............. 9.877 ................ 3.115 ...............3.115...................0.000 ...................2,492,000..........1.000 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 335,124 ........... 36,322..................... 23 ............0.102 ............0.111 ............0.102........... 0.108 ............. 0.101............ 0.007............. 6.931 ................ 0.111 ..............0.109................... 0.111 ...................13,162,500 .........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ........................................................... 387,501 .......... 127,225..................... 54 ........... 0.322 ...........0.330 ...........0.322........... 0.328 .............0.310.............0.018 ............. 5.806 ................0.326..............0.324...................0.326 ..................16,400,000.........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 526,250 ..........157,577..................... 37 ........... 0.300...........0.300 ...........0.298........... 0.299 .............0.284 ............0.015 ............. 5.282 ................0.298..............0.294...................0.298 .................. 88,567,891 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 3,694,297......389,369................... 157 ............0.105 ........... 0.107 ...........0.100........... 0.105 ............. 0.101............ 0.004............. 3.960 ................0.106..............0.105...................0.106....................9,450,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 913,674.............57,207..................... 33 ........... 0.063 ...........0.063 ...........0.060........... 0.063 ............. 0.061............ 0.002............. 3.279 ................0.063..............0.062...................0.064 .................. 13,050,537 .........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ....................... 30,200 ...............2,476........................5 ........... 0.082 ...........0.082 ...........0.082........... 0.082 .............0.080 ........... 0.002.............2.500 ................0.082..............0.080...................0.081....................2,460,000..........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 236,316............ 48,146......................19 ........... 0.203 ...........0.205 ...........0.202 .......... 0.204 .............0.201 ........... 0.003............. 1.493 ................0.205..............0.205...................0.206 ................. 137,677,036 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 229,255 ............46,713......................16 ........... 0.203 ...........0.205 ...........0.202 .......... 0.204 .............0.201 ........... 0.003............. 1.493 ................0.205..............0.205...................0.206 .................145,738,893 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 239,989 .........102,636..................... 23 ........... 0.422 ...........0.432 ...........0.422........... 0.428 .............0.422 ........... 0.006............. 1.422 ................0.424..............0.424...................0.430 ..................22,470,000.........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ....................... 182,620 ...........24,309......................15 ............0.135 ........... 0.135 ...........0.130............0.133 .............0.132.............0.001 ............. 0.758 ................0.131 ...............0.131...................0.135 ...................12,640,320.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 380,311 ..........254,048........................7 ........... 0.668 ........... 0.668 ...........0.668........... 0.668 .............0.664 ........... 0.004.............0.602 ................0.668..............0.668...................0.672..................434,830,746........0.100

United Power, up 9.88 per cent, remained the

OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 4,184,484.......751,810...................260 ............0.177 ........... 0.182 ...........0.174 ........... 0.180 ............. 0.179.............0.001 ............. 0.559 ................0.181 ..............0.180................... 0.181 ...................27,013,500 .........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 130,033 ............34,521......................15 ........... 0.264 ...........0.280 ...........0.264 .......... 0.265 .............0.264 ............0.001 ............. 0.379 ................0.280............. 0.280...................0.290 .................. 16,219,132 .........0.100

top gainer while Construction Materials was

OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 325,942 ........... 66,934......................18 ........... 0.206...........0.207 ...........0.205........... 0.205 .............0.205 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.207..............0.207...................0.209 ..................20,500,000 ........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................ 85,753 .............82,331.....................22 ........... 0.960 ...........0.964 ...........0.960........... 0.960 .............0.960 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.964..............0.960...................0.972................. 192,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN .........................................785 .................. 214........................1 ........... 0.273 ...........0.273 ...........0.273........... 0.275 .............0.275 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.273..............0.272...................0.273..................368,695,319 ........0.100

the top loser, down by 3.33 per cent.

OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN ........................................................ 4,187 ..................402........................2 ........... 0.096 ...........0.096 ...........0.096........... 0.098 .............0.098 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.096..............0.096...................0.098..................196,030,653 ........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 5,365,089 ...2,425,021........................3 ........... 0.452 ........... 0.458 ...........0.452........... 0.452 .............0.452 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.458..............0.458...................0.460 .................249,893,462 .......0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ..............................................................5,000 ...............2,250........................1 ........... 0.450 ...........0.450 ...........0.450........... 0.442 .............0.442 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.450............. 0.000...................0.452..................146,245,738 ........0.100

MUSCAT: After a strong gain in the first couple of days, the MSM30 Index retreated 0.19 per cent to close at 5,388.02 points.

Trading volume and turnover saw an uptick on Tuesday supported by a special deal. The MSM Sharia Index ended on a flat note at 833.75 points, up 0.05 per cent. Ominvest was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. United Power, up 9.88 per cent remained the top gainer while Construction Materials was the top loser.

A total number of 1,684 trades were executed on Tuesday, generating turnover of OMR7.3 million with 41.6 million shares changing hands. Out of 47 traded securities, 38 advanced, four declined and five remained unchanged. At the session close, Omani Investors were net buyers for OMR1.22 million while Foreign Investors were net sellers for OMR834,000 followed by GCC & Arab Investors for OMR388,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index declined 0.24 per cent to close at 6,734.47 points. Oman & Emirates Holding, Al Sharqia Investments, Al Madina Investments, DBIH and Al Anwar Holding gained 6.93 per

cent, 3.96 per cent, 3.28 per cent, 2.50 per cent and 0.56 per cent respectively. Al Izz Bank, Bank Nizwa, Bank Muscat, United Finance and Bank Dhofar lost 1.49 per cent, 1.32 per cent, 1.32 per cent, 0.80 per cent and 0.75 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index advanced 0.43 per cent and closed at 6,675.56 points. Al Anwar Ceramics, Oman Fisheries, Oman Textiles and Al Maha Ceramics gained 5.28 per cent, 1.69 per cent, 1.62 per cent and 1.42 per cent respectively. Construction Materials, Al Hassan Engineering, Salalah Mills and Gulf International Chemicals decreased 3.33 per cent, 2.74 per cent, 1.34 per cent and 1.03 per cent respectively.

Services Index had marginal gains of 0.14 per cent to close at 2,993.86 points. United Power, National Gas, Al Batinah Power, Al Suwadi Power and Port Services gained 9.88 per cent, 5.81 per cent, 1.49 per cent, 1.49 per cent and 0.76 per cent respectively. Sembcorp Salalah, Renaissance Services, Phoenix Power and OIFC declined 2.00 per cent, 1.94 per cent, 0.69 per cent and 0.50 per cent respectively.

OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 1,990,506 ...... 199,874....................113 ........... 0.097 ........... 0.103 ...........0.097........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.099...................0.100....................5,884,322 ..........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 179,473 ..........262,367..................... 43 ............1.470 ........... 1.470 ...........1.450 ........... 1.460 .............1.460............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.470 .............. 1.470...................1.495 ................1,095,000,000......0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 5,222,878...... 855,724...................150 ............0.164 ........... 0.165 ...........0.163 ........... 0.164 .............0.164............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.163 ..............0.162...................0.163..................236,396,160........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 2,266,361 ...... 145,622.....................90 ........... 0.063 ...........0.069 ...........0.060........... 0.064 .............0.064 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.066..............0.066...................0.067................... 18,558,761 .........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER.................................................................3,910 ............... 1,314........................4 ........... 0.336 ...........0.336 ...........0.336........... 0.352 .............0.352 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.336.............. 0.318...................0.380 .................. 77,795,520 .........0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION ..................................... 904 ...............4,149........................1 ........... 4.590 ...........4.590 ...........4.590........... 4.590 .............4.590 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................4.590..............4.590...................0.000 .................. 44,891,191 .........1.000 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL.............................................. 20,300 ...............1,502........................5 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.074 ...........0.074........... 0.074 .............0.074 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.074..............0.073...................0.074...................12,950,000.........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 2,411,170.......476,456....................171 ........... 0.200...........0.200 ...........0.195 ........... 0.198 ............. 0.199............-0.001 ........... -0.503 ...............0.197 ..............0.196...................0.198...................39,600,000.........0.100 OM0000001509............DHOFAR INT.DEV.AND INV. HOLD.................... 104,700 ........... 39,806......................11 ........... 0.382 ...........0.382 ...........0.380........... 0.380 .............0.382 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.524 ...............0.380..............0.374...................0.380 ..................93,632,000.........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ......................................................................35,867 ...............6,635........................5 ............0.185 ........... 0.185 ...........0.184............0.185 ............. 0.186............-0.001 ........... -0.538 ...............0.184.............. 0.181...................0.184..................263,631,687 ........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 201,455 ............53,535......................13 ........... 0.265 ...........0.268 ...........0.265........... 0.266 .............0.268 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.746 ...............0.268..............0.268...................0.270 .................410,897,793 ........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 172,000 ............21,352......................15 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.124........... 0.124 ............. 0.125............-0.001 ........... -0.800 ...............0.124..............0.123...................0.124...................38,534,853 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 248,405 ............71,603..................... 34 ........... 0.290...........0.290 ...........0.286........... 0.288 .............0.291............-0.003 ............-1.031................0.286..............0.285...................0.286 ...................6,048,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,902,884......855,280..................... 93 ........... 0.446 ...........0.450 ...........0.446........... 0.450 .............0.456 ...........-0.006 ............-1.316................0.450..............0.450...................0.456................ 1,031,320,169 ......0.100 OM0000001889............SALALAH MILLS...........................................................10,000 .............14,700........................1 ............1.470 ........... 1.470 ...........1.470 ............1.470 .............1.490............-0.020 ........... -1.342 ...............1.470 ..............1.400...................1.635 ...................70,799,704 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 892,283 ......... 135,480.....................80 ............0.151 ........... 0.154 ...........0.148 ............0.152 ............. 0.155............-0.003 ............-1.935................0.148 ..............0.146...................0.148...................44,178,955 .........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH..................................................2,072 ...............5,076........................1 ........... 2.450 ...........2.450 ...........2.450........... 2.450 .............2.500 ...........-0.050 ........... -2.000 ...............2.450..............2.450...................2.500 .................233,870,128........1.000 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 32,922,483.....7,761,561.............1,542 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......37........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 401,240 ............23,911..................... 27 ........... 0.059 ...........0.060 ...........0.058........... 0.060 .............0.059 ............0.001 ............. 1.695 ................0.060..............0.059...................0.060 ...................7,500,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING ....................................... 1,300 ..................489........................3 ............0.376 ........... 0.376 ...........0.376........... 0.376 .............0.370 ........... 0.006............. 1.622 ................0.376..............0.364...................0.376....................2,256,000 ..........1.000 OM0000001178 ............MUSCAT GASES ..................................................................475 .................. 357........................1 ............0.752 ........... 0.752 ...........0.752 ........... 0.828 .............0.828 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.752 ..............0.748...................0.800 ................. 24,840,000 ........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 673,373 ........... 96,607..................... 30 ............0.143 ........... 0.145 ...........0.143 ........... 0.143 .............0.144 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.694 ...............0.144..............0.144...................0.145..................209,152,009........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 2,380,533....... 177,710..................... 43 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.075 ...........0.074........... 0.075 .............0.076 ...........-0.001 ............-1.316................0.075..............0.073...................0.075..................112,500,000........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 117,629 ............... 7,762........................7 ........... 0.067 ...........0.067 ...........0.065........... 0.066 .............0.067 ...........-0.001 ............-1.493................0.065..............0.065...................0.067...................66,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 229,514 ............16,336......................19 ........... 0.070 ...........0.072 ...........0.070............0.071 .............0.073 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.740 ...............0.072..............0.070...................0.072.................... 5,339,768 ..........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 709,594 ........... 20,578......................11 ........... 0.029 ...........0.029 ...........0.029........... 0.029 .............0.030 ...........-0.001 ........... -3.333 ...............0.029..............0.029...................0.030 ...................2,465,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 4,513,658 ......343,750................... 141 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 8........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ...........................876 .....................83........................1 ........... 0.095 ........... 0.095 ...........0.095........... 0.096 .............0.096 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.095..............0.095...................0.190....................31,119,515..........0.100 .............................................SUM: ..........................................................................................876 .....................83........................1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

— United Securities

SUPPLIES

STOCK MARKETS

IEA raises estimate of crude oil supply on higher Opec output LONDON: Global oil surplus will be bigger than previously estimated in the first half, increasing the risk of further price losses, as Opec members Iran and Iraq bolster production while demand growth slows, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Supply may exceed consumption by an average of 1.75 million barrels a day in the period, compared with an estimate of 1.5 million last month, and the excess could swell if Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) adds more output, the IEA said. Iran raised production in January following the removal of international sanctions, Iraqi volumes reached a record and Saudi Arabia also ramped up output.

The agency trimmed estimates for global oil demand.

“With the market already awash in oil, it is very hard to see how oil prices can rise significantly in the short term,” the Paris-based adviser to 29 nations said in its monthly market report. “In these conditions the short term risk to the downside has increased.”

Oil prices remain capped near $30 a barrel after slumping to a 12-year low in late January. While prices recovered on speculation that the Opec might agree to production curbs with non-members, “the likelihood of coordinated cuts is very low,” according to the IEA. No agreement to restrain supply emerged last week after Venezuelan Oil Minister Eulogio Del Pino toured oil capitals from Moscow to Riyadh.

Production from Opec’s 13 members climbed by 280,000 barrels a day last month to 32.63 million, the IEA said. That’s about 900,000 a day more than

VITAL RESOURCE: Production from Opec’s 13 members climbed by 280,000 barrels a day last month to 32.63 million, the IEA said. - Bloomberg file picture

the average required from the group in 2016.

Iran expanded production by 80,000 barrels a day to 2.99 million in January after reaching a deal with world powers that lifted oil sanctions in return for limits on the nation’s nuclear programme. Iraq increased output by 50,000 barrels a day to 4.35 million and could raise that further, according to the IEA, which had predicted in October that the country would struggle to add new supplies. Saudi Arabia, Opec’s biggest member and

de facto leader, boosted production by 70,000 barrels a day to 10.21 million.

The IEA lowered its estimates for global oil demand for last year and 2016, by 100,000 barrels a day, leaving the level of growth for this year unchanged at 1.2 million barrels a day to average 95.6 million a day. That growth is weaker than the five-year peak of 1.6 million barrels a day reached in 2015, amid slowdowns in Europe, China and the US. Oil inventories in developed nations increased in December,

a month when they normally decline, by 7.6 million barrels to three billion.

That left stockpiles about 350 million barrels above average, according to the report.

Supplies outside Opec slipped by 500,000 barrels a day in January from the previous month, halting annual growth. While non-Opec production will drop by 600,000 barrels a day this year as the US shale boom sputters, the decline is “taking an awful long time to happen,” the agency said.

— Bloomberg News

Investors dump stocks and seek safe havens SYDNEY: Asian share markets were scorched on Tuesday as stability concerns put a torch to European bank stocks and sent investors stampeding to only the safest of safe-haven assets.

As fear overwhelmed greed, yields on longer-term Japanese bonds fell below zero for the first time, the yen surged to a 15-month peak and gold reached its most precious since June.

Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso felt moved enough to warn the yen’s rise was “rough”, something of an understatement as the Nikkei nosedived 5.4 per cent.

MSCI’s broadest index of AsiaPacific shares outside Japan fell 1.2 per cent, with Australian shares hitting 2-1/2-year closing low, and would have been lower if not for holidays in many centres.

Spread-betters see another weak session in European shares, where German DAX is seen falling 0.7 per cent and Britain’s FTSE 0.5 per cent.

S&P 500 e-mini futures fell more than one per cent at one point.

“Sentiment towards risk assets remained extremely bearish and price action reflected a market that may be capitulating,” said Jo Masters, a senior economist at ANZ. All of which magnified the stakes for US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s testimony this week.

“She needs to come across as optimistic without being too hawkish and cautious without being negative,” said Masters.

“Hawkishness or dovishness could easily exacerbate the current sell-off, tightening financial conditions further.”

Wall Street pared losses but still ended deep in the red. The Dow lost 1.1 per cent, while the S&P 500

fell 1.42 per cent and the Nasdaq 1.82 per cent. The rout began in Europe on Monday, when the FTSEurofirst 300 index shed 3.4 per cent to its lowest since late 2013, led by a near six per cent dive in the banking sector .

Deutsche Bank alone sank 9.5 per cent as concerns mounted about its ability to maintain bond payments. Late on Monday, the German bank said it has “sufficient” reserves to make due payments this year on AT1 securities.

The cost of insuring bank debt against default also climbed to its highest since late 2013. Borrowing costs in Spain, Portugal and Italy jumped as investors demanded a fatter risk premium over safer German paper, where two-year yields hit record lows at minus 52 basis points.

Fear factor “The ‘fear factor’ in markets has morphed from being about an emerging market hard-landing and collapsing oil prices to being about the extent of the slowdown in the developed world and the ability of central banks to reflate asset values yet again,” analysts at Citi said in a note.

The Bank of Japan’s recent shift to negative rates has fuelled concerns that ever-more exotic monetary policy is rapidly reaching the point of diminishing returns.

Yet murmurings about the risk of recession in the United Sates has also led investors to wager the Federal Reserve will have to slow, or suspend altogether, plans to normalise rates. Futures markets have priced out any chance of a hike in March and imply a funds rate of just 0.43 per cent by December. The current effective funds rate is 0.38 per cent. — Reuters

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ROUND-UP

Oman Sail and BP Oman empower young leaders

L E B A N E S E R E S TAU R A N T

BP Oman Sail Young Leader’s Programme welcomed students

Semsom Oman receives Boecker Q-Platinum award

from a wide range of academic disciplines and has developed the employability and life skills of students by introducing them to individual and team experiential learning activities

MUSCAT: Oman Sail and BP Oman celebrated the success of the BP Oman Sail Young Leader’s Programme which has enriched the lives of 1,400 Omani university and college students over a twoyear period.

At a ceremony held at the Ministry of Higher Education, and in the presence of Her Highness Sayyida Mona bint Fahad Al Said, assistant vice chancellor of International Cooperation at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), David Graham, Oman Sail CEO, and Yousuf Al Ojaili, BP Oman president, presented the deans from the 13 participating colleges and universities with certificates of appreciation for the dedication of their students, says a press release.

The BP Oman Sail Young Leader’s Programme was launched in September 2014 to give students

and BP apprentices the opportunity to challenge themselves outside of their comfort zones and develop new skills that will enhance their employment prospects.

The programme welcomed students from a wide range of academic disciplines and has developed the employability and life skills of students by introducing them to individual and team experiential learning activities involving both sailing and landbased leadership activities, using the same facilities that help Oman Sail’s elite sailing teams to compete and win internationally.

David Graham, Oman Sail CEO, said: “BP Oman’s foresight should be commended. This type of corporate leadership will have farreaching benefits for the community and the national economy.”

“As the students embark on their next step of development,

the eight apprentices trained through the programme are now fully employed by Oman Sail and will assist in the delivery of our leadership and development programmes for students.

"The BP young leaders course focus on a wide array of personal and professional soft skills including leadership, creativity, problem solving and team work, which are vital in sailing and life.”

Yousuf Al Ojaili, BP Oman president, said: “We are proud with our cooperation with Oman Sail which has been successful in empowering young Omanis with employment and lifelong skills. BP believes that education is a key to developing the youth of Oman and so we continue to do so.”

The programme was recognised globally last year when BP Oman was shortlisted from over 350 entries from 60 different countries

a constructive and positive step towards securing and guaranteeing food safety within the premises of Semsom restaurant, thus providing the best and safest food to their guests. The recognition is also an effective tool to supervise food handlers, who will be constantly monitored, motivated and well trained and this will also build a sense of pride and challenge to achieve more Boecker certifications in the future.”

Ramy Naser, Operations manager, Semsom Oman, stated: “This is a great recognition for Semsom as we complete one year in Oman. We are delighted to receive this award as it is an acknowledgment of the continuous efforts of our team led by the head chef, to uphold and apply the international standards across all our food safety levels.”

Ramy further added: “We are ecstatic at the results and hope that our recognition will help exceed the expectations of the local food safety regulation of Oman which are designed to deliver a high degree of consumer protection; a cause that as a responsible corporate citizen, Semsom wholeheartedly supports.”

H E A LT H Y L I V I N G

INTER-HOUSE MEET

Sir Syed, Jinnah Houses excel in PSM sports meet

MUSCAT: The grand finale of Pakistan School Muscat’s (PSM) Inter-House Sports Meet was held recently.

Mian Mohammad Riaz, CEO of Muhammad Riaz and Partners (MRPCO), marked the occasion as the chief guest along with Mohammad Younas, Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Zahid and Zia-ul-Haq Siddiqui as guests. Adnan Shahzad, chairman of BoDs, members of BoDs, Ataullah Niazi - senior principal Pakistan School System, Khalid Jadoon, principal, Pakistan School Muscat and Munazza Ghafoor - principal, Pakistan School Muscat (Junior Block) also attended the occasion, says a press release.

PSM cricket ground bustled with participants in sports kits for the competitions and the supporters of

for the Beyond Sport Awards in London, which promote, support and reward the best projects across the globe that are using sport for positive social change. BP Oman was the only entry from the Middle East and finished in the top three of its category.

The programme also created an opportunity for eight Omanis to secure a BP apprenticeship with Oman Sail and continue delivering life-changing courses to future generations of students. As part of the process, programme facilitators, apprentices and Oman Sail’s Corporate Personal Development (CPD) professionals completed an international ‘train the trainer’ course in England to accelerate their development and pass on their learning to equip students with critical thinking, decision making, problem solving and team work skills.

MUSCAT: Oman’s most authentic Lebanese restaurant, Semsom, was awarded the Q-Platinum Award by Boecker, recently.

The Q-Platinum Award is today’s most widespread international certification system for food establishments in the Middle East assured by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, CIEH –UK. This certification is a proof that the establishment follows the required strict levels of food hygiene and food safety standards.

The award was granted to Semsom Oman after meeting all the requirements of the Q-Platinum Award during the past year and since its opening in Oman, says a press release.

The programme monitors Semsom practices from the receiving of raw materials until the delivery of end products by providing valuable information that confirms that hygiene policies and best practices are being properly implemented at the restaurant.

Riwa Shidiak, Boecker Food Safety Manager in UAE, commented: “Semsom has always put the comfort and the safety of its clients first. This award is

the participants. Students clad in Red, Blue, Green and Yellow represented Johar, Iqbal, Jinnah and Sir Syed houses respectively.

Students participated in different races keeping the viewers fully focused on the racing track.

Tug of War final followed next. It was a short match but the most thrilling event in which the boys of Blue House proved to be the winners. Among the amusing events was another Tug of War contest played by the parents and teachers which got the audience off their seats. It was finally won by the teachers’ team. Overall, in Junior School, Johar House (Red) was announced the runner-up house whereas Sir Syed House stood on the victory stand as the winner.

In the senior school, Iqbal House (Blue) stood next to the winning

house as the runner-up while Jinnah House (Green) was standing on the top rung of the victory stand holding the champions trophy.

Sana Zulfiqar of Blue House was declared the best athlete from the girls’ side and Mobeen Ali was titled as the best athlete in boys’ teams.

Colourful and thumping PT display added more excitement to the occasion which was followed by an enthralling Disney characters walk by the KG students. It was greatly applauded and the choreography was commended by all.

Final prizes were given away by the chief guest amid roaring applause in the ground. The winner teams’ captains collected trophies while the members were awarded with individual medals. All the participants were awarded for their efforts in sports.

Zeenah Group organises largest yoga event in Oman MUSCAT: As part of its efforts to enhance awareness for healthy living and how the ancient practice of yoga can benefit everyone, Zeenah Group, the Sultanate’s leading integrated communications company, organised the largest yoga event in Oman in coordination with a leading yoga therapist, Prema Nagesh.

The event ‘Yoga Utsav 2’ was held recently at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa’s amphitheatre and demonstrated to a spellbound audience of over 800 how yoga can help deal with chronic health issues, in addition to maintaining a fit and balanced lifestyle, says a press release.

The chief guest, Dr Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Barwani, chief executive officer of National Centre for Statistics and Information, and the guest of honour, Indra Mani Pandey, ambassador of India to Oman, were received by C. S. Badrinath, CEO of The Zubair Corporation and Mohammad Al Farei, managing director of Zeenah Group.

“At Zeenah Group, we firmly

believe in the concept of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. It is my personal belief that practising a regular fitness regime not only invigorates and helps keep one healthy, but also increases productivity and concentration at one’s workplace," explained Mohammad Al Farei.

“Yoga has received international recognition, most recently by the United Nations declaring June 21 to be recognised as International Yoga Day. “It is an essential part of the Zeenah Group ethos to promote wellness of the community.

“Hence we joined hands with Prema Nagesh and her team

in ‘Yoga Utsav 2’ to spread the awareness of Yoga for healthy living," he added.

The event began with an inaugural address by Mohammad Al Farei, which was followed by the launch of the Yoga Therapy website www.Yogatherapy4all.com

by Dr Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Barwani. After the portal launch, a number of presentations were made by yoga practitioners in the age group of 6 to 85 in groups demonstrating how yoga makes the body and mind agile.

There was discussion with doctors on how yoga helps in improving health and in addressing specific illness.

SPORTS CAR

F-Type Project 7: The fastest, most powerful Jaguar model MUSCAT: F-Type Project 7, the latest model in Jaguar’s acclaimed F-Type sports car range, made its debut at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

F-Type Project 7 is the first Jaguar performance vehicle from Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Operations team, produced in an exclusive, limited-edition run of up to 250 units. Its distinctive roadster body, pays tribute to one of the most famous and iconic racing Jaguars: the three-time Le Mans winning D-type, which in 2014 celebrated its 60th anniversary year. F-Type Project 7’s name pays homage to Jaguar’s seven outright Le Mans wins, says a press release.

The 2014 Jaguar F-Type Project 7 is not only the most focused derivative of the award-winning F-Type range, but is also the fastest and most powerful production

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Jaguar ever built.

“Special Operations exists to develop a suite of products and services that enable our most discerning and enthusiastic customers to indulge their passion for our cars. F-Type Project 7 is a perfect example of one such product. It’s the most powerful production Jaguar ever built, and pays homage to Jaguar’s seven outright Le Mans victories with distinctive design cues inspired by the Jaguar D-type which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year,” said John Edwards, managing director, Jaguar Land Rover Special Operations.

F-Type Project 7’s power comes from Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, now in 575PS/680Nm form, enabling the all-aluminium-bodied car – which weighs 1585kg – to achieve acceleration from 0-60mph in 3.8-seconds (0-100km/h in 3.9-seconds)

and an electronically-limited top speed of 186mph (300km/h). FType Project 7 is fully road-legal, with a removable roof and 196-litre stowage space.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through Jaguar’s eight-speed Quickshift transmission and sec-

ond generation Electronic Active Differential. Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes, available as an option on the F-Type R Coupé, are fitted as standard on F-Type Project 7, offering powerful, consistent, fade-free braking.

Another standard feature is Torque Vectoring by Braking (TVbB) which, working in conjunction with the EAD, enables extremely precise handling.

Bespoke carbon-fibre aerodynamic aids and a unique suspension set-up enable F-Type Project 7 to deliver a truly engaging driving experience.

While F-Type Project 7 features performance-focused engineering by Special Vehicle Operations – the engineering and vehicle division of Special Operations – its design has been kept true to the head-turning lines of the original

Project 7 concept, which was unveiled last summer.

Key design elements include the D-type-inspired fairing behind the driver’s head, shorter windshield, new front bumper, and downforceincreasing aerodynamic modifications – including a carbon-fibre front splitter, side skirts, rear diffuser and adjustable rear spoiler.

However, the single-seater concept has been transformed into a two-seater, with rollover hoops for both driver and passenger now integrated into the design.

Above all F-Type Project 7 is fast. It uses all the key technologies we’ve proven on F-Type R Coupe to deliver absolute immediacy of response to all driver inputs, yet its focused nature has given us the opportunity to go further still. The result is a driving experience that’s pure and involving in every sense.

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ROUND-UP

Hyundai unveils Creta in Africa, ME A totally new sub-compact SUV, the Creta delivers a dynamic design, strong body structure and smooth drive

MUSCAT: Hyundai Motor Company has announced the launch of the Creta, its new sub-compact SUV, in Africa and the Middle East.

This addition to the Korean manufacturer’s car line-up marks the brand’s debut in this fast-growing segment and is set to appeal to buyers looking for an affordable SUV in a stylish, high quality package, says a press release.

Starting at $13,500, dependent on market and specification, the Creta combines a classy ‘Modern Premium’ interior and exterior with a robust body structure and impressive performance and handling. On the road this dynamic SUV makes a strong visual statement thanks to Hyundai Motor’s acclaimed ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 Design philosophy’.

Jin (James) Kim, vice-president and head of Operations for Hyundai Motor Company Africa and Middle East, said: “This is a SUV that has been designed for a new generation of customers who are looking for vehicles which demonstrate forward thinking design and world-class quality at an affordable

price. The Creta is a true expression of the future of our brand and is perfectly equipped to perform strongly within the highly competitive sub-compact SUV segment.”

At the front the Creta’s elegant and distinctive character is illustrated by the triple slat chrome front grille, smoothly creased hood, LED-integrated headlamps, stylish skid plate and dual tone front bumper.

The vehicle’s dynamic look is accentuated from the side by the rising beltline and sloping roofline while split type tail lamps with chrome edges, a sporty bumper and a stylish shark fin antenna complete the modern look at the rear.

In line with Hyundai Motor Company’s Modern Premium brand direction, the interior of the Creta delivers class-leading levels of comfort and convenience.

With plenty of space for five passengers, the use of high-grade materials is complemented by best-in-class noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) performance thanks to the combination of en-

hanced sound absorption materials and advanced engineering design, all ensuring an exceptional travel experience.

Affordable, yet impressively wellequipped, the Creta offers a number of advanced features more usually found on more expensive cars. Highlights include a smart key and push button start, a rear parking assist system and a rear view camera linked to the five-inch central display unit. A central cluster ioniser and mood bar is also available.

The Creta is driven by a choice of refined, powerful and efficient engines, available depending on market. The petrol option is a123ps 1.6 MPI unit while diesel options include a 90psU2 1.4 CRDi power plant and 128ps 1.6 CRDiVGT offering. These are mated to 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions depending on engine.

Creta occupants can rest assured that they are inside the safest car in the segment thanks to its unique, ‘Hive structure’ body shell which has been developed using advanced engineering techniques and which uses ultra-high

tensile steel for more body rigidity and structural strength. The Creta can also be specified with ABS, ESP, VSM, and six airbags.

Hyundai Motor’s Africa and Middle East regional headquarters are located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and are run by Vice President and Head of Hyundai Africa and Middle East, Jin (James) Kim. Hyundai’s retail network in Africa consists of: Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, Libya, Tunisia, Nigeria, Reunion, Canary Islands, Mali, Liberia, Guinea, Benin, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Gambia, Ceuta, Seychelles, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritania, Zambia, Kenya, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Ghana, Madagascar, Rwanda, Burundi, Cameroon, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Togo, Republic of Sao Tome, Angola, Senegal and Zimbabwe.

Hyundai’s retail network in the GCC and Levant consists of: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, KSA: Dammam, Jeddah and Riyadh; UAE, Oman, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria.

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BankDhofar continues to support Muscat Fest

SPECIAL OCCASION

Coinciding with Muscat Festival 2016,

ISWK celebrates 26th Founders’ Day in style

BankDhofar also extended support to the Oman Automobile Association as part

MUSCAT: The 26th Founders’ Day of Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir was celebrated with great fervour on the premises of its primary wing recently.

Two students from the primary wing welcomed the chief guest Indra Mani Pandey, Indian Ambassador to Oman, with a bouquet of flowers. The event started with the National Anthems of both Oman and India, says a press release.

The Hindustani choir of the school got going with their number, Sapnon ke liye jee lo, Maqsad ke liye jee lo (live for thy dreams and desires).

Harshendu Shah, president of the school managing committee, mentioned the time-honoured contribution of the school, which has already come a long way for about three-quarter of a century, in both scholastic as well as coscholastic fields.

The annual report highlighting the school’s performance in the academic year 2015-2016 was presented by Principal D. N. Rao. Then came the felicitation of staff on having their service completed for one or even two decades and the ultimate winner of the ‘Best Teacher Award for

Teaching Excellence’ instituted by the Board of Directors of Indian Schools in Oman, Sashikala Prabhat, vice principal of the primary wing (morning shift).

Presentation of awards went on in admiration of those 49 students who got hold of a Cumulative Grade Point Average of 10 out of 10 in Class X examination and to another couple of students for achieving the top percentile (0.1%) across India in All India Senior Secondary Certificate Examination evaluated

by Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi.

In addition to these toppers the special achievers also bagged their certificates and other prizes conferred by Pandey. He also handed over the Cock House trophy to the victorious Vivekananda House.

In his speech the ambassador pointed out that he was particularly impressed by the achievements of the Indian School Wadi Kabir.”

Kanaksi Khimji, Anil Khimji, Kiran Asher, members of the Indian Merchant Community, members of the School Managing Committee of ISWK and other dignitaries attended the occasion.

of their bilateral long term strategic

and the community at large.”

partnership

Promotes motor sport Coinciding with Muscat Festival 2016, BankDhofar also extended support to the Oman Automobile Association (OAA) as part of their bilateral long term strategic partnership. The association regulates and promotes motor sport in the Sultanate, and it organises various sports events such as rally, gokarting, moto cross, classic bike and racing bike.

Community support and social involvement is one of the key pillars in BankDhofar operational strategy. The combination of the thorough vision of the bank’s executive management, the comprehensive operational strategy that revolves around following best international banking practices and providing best customer experience, as well as commitment to contribute to the growth of the national economy, placed BankDhofar on top of the list of best banks in the region. BankDhofar has been a leader in the Omani market in terms of customer experience, community outreach, creativity and innovation.

MUSCAT: Promoting tourism in the Sultanate and celebrating the deep-rooted Omani history and rich cultural heritage, BankDhofar continues to extend its supported to Muscat Festival 2016, says a press release.

Sami Omar Al Zadjali, head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at BankDhofar, said: “Over the years Muscat Festival has played a key role in promoting Oman as a regional and international tourism destination through authentic festivities and remarkable representation of the long-rooted cultural heritage of the Sultanate.

“BankDhofar has been very supportive of the festival since its early years, and we participated this year as bronze sponsor. This demonstrates our commitment to practice our role as an integrated part of the social fabric and to celebrate with our valued customers

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WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

DON’T LITTER A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY LIKE OMAN.

Plastic takes 1,000 years or more to break down

BankDhofar has been very supportive of the festival since its early years, and we participated this year as bronze sponsor. This demonstrates our commitment to practice our role as an integrated part of the social fabric and to celebrate with our valued customers and the community at large Sami Omar Al Zadjali

Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at BankDhofar

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Meethaq launches Cloud Internet banking service With a convenient on-the-go access to

Meethaq is committed to invest in state-ofthe-art technologies to further increase efficiency and improve customer service

the bank, Meethaq customers can use the Internet banking channel to enquire, transact and manage accounts online

MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, has launched a state-of-the-art Cloud Internet banking channel, enhancing services for retail and corporate customers. Redefining Islamic banking with convenience, the simple-to-use and highly secure 24/7 service is available in English at https://www.meethaq.om, says a press release.

With a convenient on-the-go access to the bank, Meethaq customers can access the Internet banking channel to enquire, transact and manage accounts online. The Internet banking facilitates local fund transfers, access to account and balance details, finance schedule, rates and charity payments.

Online bill payment facility covers credit cards and utility services such as electricity, water and tel-

Sulaiman Al Harthy

Deputy chief executive officer – Islamic Banking

ephone. Customers can also set up standing instructions for one-time or recurring payments, as well as request for cheque book, account statement, term deposit, secure mailbox for communication with the bank and real time SMS alerts.

Retail customers are provided with an online self-registration without having any need to fill forms or visit branch. For corporate clients, the online channel also facilitates workflow management based on transaction maker and checker process to validate access and authorisation. Corporate clients can further use the chan-

nel to access the status of letters of credit, letters of guarantee and bills for collection.

The Meethaq Internet banking platform leverages the Cloud technology, which connects any beneficiary or biller registered on Meethaq mobile banking to be automatically available on Meethaq Internet banking and vice-versa.

Sulaiman Al Harthy, deputy chief executive officer – Islamic Banking, said: “Meethaq is proud to launch the Internet banking service featuring the latest technology as part of the bank’s strategy to empower customers to perform

frequent transactions with convenience and security.

“Complementing the government’s efforts in creating a digital society, the enhanced online banking service emphasises Meethaq commitment in providing secure electronic services which spells convenience to customers, thereby consolidating its position as the preferred Islamic banking service provider in the Sultanate.”

Al Harthy added: “Meethaq is committed to invest in state-ofthe-art technologies to further increase efficiency and improve customer service. With emphasis on competitive channels and new products to cater to various sectors, Meethaq aims to take the lead in technology-driven products and services, including electronic payment and web-based services, in tune with the banking requirements of Oman’s young and techsavvy generation.”

Offering robust security features, Meethaq Internet banking ensures all transactions are secure and safe. To access Internet banking, Meethaq customers are required to type their user ID and password using the on-screen keyboard. The user’s information is protected by additional verification mechanisms such as CAPTCHA where customers will be prompted to input alphanumeric codes displayed in a grey box underneath logon details, One Time Password (OTP) through SMS and VASCO Token, a digital security device. With multiple level of validations, the new online banking service is highly secure.

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BANK SOHAR

Al Mumayaz children’s draw to inculcate habit of saving at young age MUSCAT: Following overwhelming response from customers, Bank Sohar comprehensively revamped its Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme for year 2016, which was launched in January.

In doing so, the scheme now offers the highest number of prizes and the broadest spectrum of winners of any Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme to date; totalling well over 1,500 winners, encompassing hourly, children’s, general, branch guaranteed, ladies, and exclusive draws. One of the key highlights of this year’s scheme are the children’s draws which will see minor account holders receiving a chance to win OMR100 daily and OMR1,000 monthly, says a press release.

Commenting on the children’s draws, Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi, Senior AGM of Branches & Retail Sales said: “We believe that it is vital to instil a habit of saving right from a very young age.

We introduced the children’s draws in order to provide incentives for both; children to save for themselves, and for parents to teach them how to effectively do so. Our children’s draws this year will see one minor account holder win OMR100 every day from Sunday to Thursday as well as on a monthly basis where one minor account will win OMR1,000 each month. In total there will be more than 240 winners of children’s draws before the end of the year. Furthermore, and in order to make the incentive attainable and achievable, all

One of the key highlights of this year’s scheme are the children’s draws which will see minor account holders receiving a chance to win OMR100 daily and OMR1,000 monthly children’s daily draws will only require customers to maintain a minimum monthly average balance of OMR100.”

In addition to the Children’s Draws, the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme will continue with its Hourly Prize Draws of OMR1,000 each from Sunday to Wednesday; totalling over 900 winners by the end of the year. This year’s general draws include a monthly draw of OMR10,000 and a yearend draw of OMR200,000 split amongst four winners. As part of the monthly draws, the bank will also be conducting branch guaranteed draws where one account from each of the bank’s branches will win OMR1,000.

This equates to over 250 winners before the end of the year. Also as part of the monthly draws, and for the first time ever, dedicated ladies draws will also be conducted with two winners of OMR5,000 each; totalling 20 winners.

VA L U E F O R M O N E Y D E S I G N

Exciting Valentine’s Day offers at Sky Jewellery MUSCAT: With Valentine’s Day just around the corner people are finding ways to gift their loved ones with something special.

Sky Jewellery once again leads the season with full swing concepts as well as offers luring everyone who wants to gift one’s loved one with a perfect value for money design this Valentine’s Day. Sky Jewellery, under its brand Belove, has launched 14 de-

signs in diamonds starting from OMR55 to cater to the exciting season ahead, says a press release.

Campaign launch Further, it has also launched a campaign known as ‘14 Days to Fall in Love with Diamonds’.

“Therefore, February 14, Valentine’s Day is all the more highly exciting and rewarding with Sky Jewellery,” stated Babu John, managing director, Sky Jewellery.

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MCC official all praise for Oman Cricket’s plans for development MCC manager Ed McKenna, after watching the T20 match between Marylebone Cricket Club and Oman

CANDID: Marylebone Cricket

Club manager Ed McKenna.

national team, also praised the local bowlers and spoke positively about Oman’s chances in World T20 preliminary round matches

T.K. MOHANDOSS sportseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) manager Ed McKenna did not mince words when he praised Oman national cricket team after their final tour match at the spectacular Ministry of Sports Affairs ground at Al Amerat.

The MCC cricket team’s visit came at the right time for Oman and playing against them was a stern test for the national cricketers, who are embarking on an

ambitious trip tomorrow to Dharamsala for a training camp before they take part in the Asia Cup qualifiers in Bangladesh and the World T20 preliminary rounds in India.

The win over MCC on Monday gave Oman the much needed boost ahead of their mission and the positive remarks from the MCC manager have indeed come as a shot in the arm for the team.

“I found good things in the team and as a unit they are capable of notching stunners during the mission,” said Ed McKenna in a brief chat with Times Sport.

“The spinners are really good and so are the pacers, some of them having unorthodox styles,” said McKenna, though not mentioning much on the batsmen.

On his thoughts on Oman’s chances in the World T20, McKenna mentioned ‘bright’.

“What is crucial is a win in the opening match and not worry about Bangladesh, which comes last. An opening win always sets the rhythm as we saw during ICC qualifiers,” opined McKenna, who also praised the development of

the game in Oman.

“This ground is wonderful from a passionate cricketers’ point of view, when the remaining part of infrastructure is complete (I believe by next year) it will be great,” the MCC official said.

He hailed the plan of developing the academy by Oman Cricket on the basis of expertise from MCC. “The association of Oman Cricket and MCC is perfect and we can expect more exchanges between us in the future,” said McKenna.

“I have hinted at MCC hosting Oman’s budding cricketers and provide them with more exposure with matches against junior County teams,” he said.

“We can also work on future tours of national teams to United Kingdom and I will be suggesting all this in my tour report,” he explained.

On the tour to Oman, McKenna sounded pleased with his team winning two games (against Assarain and National Youth Development Team) of the four they played.

MCC lost the other two games to Muscat CT and also the national team. During the visit, McKenna also mentioned that it was good to conduct coaching sessions for budding cricketers.

After the match McKenna was presented a souvenir by Oman team manager Jameel Zaidi, while Oman captain Sultan Ahmed also presented a souvenir to MCC skipper Clint Perren.

MCC team, who have left for Bahrain where they will play on brown grounds with cemented wickets as it was once in Oman, also boasted of current professional cricketers Oliver Hannon-Dalby, who plays for Warwickshire, and Shiv Thakor of Leicestershire.

Oman head to India after morale boosting win

WIN FOR CONFIDENCE: Oman national team cricketers celebrate with the trophy after their

victory over Marylebone Cricket Club. – O.K. Mohammed Ali / Times of Oman

Sports Reporter MUSCAT: After an initial flurry of three boundaries by young opener Aaqib Illyas, experienced Adnan Ilyas and Mehran Khan played contrasting knocks to take Oman past the Marylebone Cricket Club’s (MCC) total with four balls and five wickets to spare in a testing practice match at the Ministry of Sports Affairs Cricket Ground at Al Amerat on Monday night. Well the toast of Oman’s innings was Mehran

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Khan, who hit two towering sixes, in his unbeaten knock of 31. He was also instrumental in restricting the visitors to 129, which at one stage suggested a run-away win for the Indiabound national team.

But the MCC bowlers were equally good to put the

national team in some sort of bother and choking their ability to score runs freely. Oman in reply scored 130 for 5 in 19.2 overs.

MCC, who had on Sunday lost to Muscat CT in a 50-over match which went to the wire, were determined to wind out their tour on a winning note, but Mehran had different ideas as he struck with élan to give the national team a morale booster before they embark on a challenging trip to India and Bangladesh. >C2

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

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AUSSIE T20 SQUAD

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Smith replaces Finch as T20 skipper C1 MELBOURNE: Aaron Finch has been dumped as Australia’s captain in the shortest form of the game and replaced by Test skipper Steve Smith just a month before the start of the World Twenty20.

Opener Finch, who has been struggling with a hamstring injury, was named captain in September 2014 but only skippered the side on six occasions as Australia concen-

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trated on other forms of the game.

Finch remains in the 15-man squad released on Tuesday for the tournament in India. Selectors also sprang a surprise by dumping wicketkeeper Matthew Wade for Test gloveman Peter Nevill, who has has never played any limited overs cricket for Australia.

Left-arm spinner Ashton Agar, who has never played any T20

cricket, was also named in the squad. Australia have never won the World Twenty20 title in five previous attempts.

Squad: Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Ashton Agar, Nathan CoulterNile, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, John Hastings, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Andrew Tye, Shane Watson, Adam Zampa. - Reuters

Oman defeat MCC

However, though coach Duleep Mendis did not expose Jatinder Singh, he still should be worried over his openers.

Aaqib a great fielder, though showed his brilliance in stroke making, as an opener, he needs to convert good starts into big scores.

Fellow opener Zeeshan Maqsood still looks out of sorts and his getting back to form will be vital for Oman in bigger tournaments.

Adnan Illyas on the other hand looked solid for his 34 runs in the middle and he is the man who has proved to score on any conditions and this was also in exhibition during the team’s tour to UAE and

Rajkot. Skipper Sultan Ahmed too contributed an unbeaten 14 towards the fag end and gave support to the aggressor Mehran.

Positive signs Oman’s positive signs were in the spin department vouching for the inputs bowling coach Sunil Joshi has given them during training sessions.

Oman’s spin department also received a thumbs-up from MCC manager, who said: “They bowled well and denied us that extra 10 to 20 runs.”

Earlier Ajay Lalcheta, who was praised by Sunil Joshi the other day, picked up three vital MCC wickets and was also sup-

ported by veteran Aamir Ali, who claimed two wickets during the middle overs.

MCC’s main contributors were L. Harvey (32), A. Clarke (22) and R. Anderson (20 not out), while Reingold (2 for 13) was their pick of their bowlers.

Brief scores: Marylebone Cricket Club: 129 for 8 in 20 overs (C. Perren 14, L. Harvey 32, A. Clarke 22, R. Anderson 20 not out, Ajay Lalcheta 3 for 15, Aamir Ali 2 for 14) lost to Oman 130 for 5 in 19.2 overs (Aqib Illyas 20, Adnan Ilyas 34, Mehran Khan 31 not out, M. Reingold 2 for 13, J. Hindson 2 for 24) by five wickets.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

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SPORTS U-19 WOLRD CUP

India colts steamroll Sri Lanka to enter final MIRPUR: Three-time champions India continued their invincible run to enter the ICC Under-19 World Cup final for a fifth time with an emphatic 97run win over Sri Lanka in the semifinals here on.

India did well to reach 267 for 9 after a shaky start before putting up an impressive effort with the ball to dismiss Sri Lanka for 170 in 42.4 overs.

The batting stars were Anmolpreet Singh (72 off 92) and Sarfaraz Khan (59 off 71), who amassed his fourth fifty plus scores in five innings player in the tournament.

The three time champions now await either West Indies or hosts Bangladesh in the final to played on February 14.

Indians, put in to bat on an overcast morning, were put under pressure right away with its formidable opening pair of Rishabh Pant and captain Ishan Kishan falling cheaply to leave their team at 27/2 in the 10th over.

Batting was not easy but Anmolpreet and the in form Sarfaraz steadied the ship with a 96-run stand off 126 balls for the third wicket.

While Anmolpreet’s was a gritty 92-ball knock, power- hitter Sarfaraz too played a measured innings considering the circumstances.

The 18-year-old IPL recruit, who came into the match with scores of 76, 21*, 74, 74, still managed to pierce the field for six fours and a maximum.

Anmolpreet, who struck half a dozen fours and a six during his stay at the crease, stitched another handy 70-run partnership with Washington Sundar (43 off 45) after Sarfaraz’s departure.

India needed a move on in the last 10 overs and the late burst came courtesy Sundar and Armaan Jaffer, who smashed 29 off 16 balls before Mayank Dagar’s 17-run cameo off 10 balls took his team to a competitive total in a crunch match.

Defending the target, the Indian bowlers did not allow the Lankan chase to take off.

India missed quite a few chances on the field but the bowlers were still good enough to keep things tight for the opposition. After a batting cameo, Dagar did his bit with the ball as well, grabbing 3/21 in 5.4 overs of his left-arm spin.

Pacer Avesh Khan, India’s leading wicket-taker in the tournament, struck in the very first over, dismissing Avishka Fernando leg before wicket even though the ball appeared to be drifting down. Soon after, the run out of Kaveen Bandara made it 13 for 2 in the fourth over.

The chase was not a huge one but Sri Lankan batsmen failed to rotate the strike and a regular loss of wickets meant the asking run rate kept going up. - PTI

Anjum Chopra pleased to be part of Oman Cricket’s historic occasion Anjum Chopra, a former captain of Indian women’s team, was among the invited dignitaries to witness the unveiling of Oman Cricket’s floodlight facilities at the Ministry

ENCOURAGING KIDS: Former Indian women’s cricket team captain

Anjum Chopra interacts with school cricketers at the Ministry of Sports Affairs Ground in Al Amerat. – Times of Oman/O.K. MOHAMMED ALI

of Sports Affairs Ground in Al Amerat

T.K. MOHANDOSS

sportseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: If one were to make a list of India’s best women cricketers, Anjum Chopra will certainly be among the top stars of the country.

The highly accomplished Anjum, who led her native country to many a remarkable achievements both as a player and captain, was

in the capital city on a private visit but was invited by Oman Cricket to witness the historic moment of unveiling of floodlight facilities at the Ministry of Sports Affairs Ground in Al Amerat.

The former India skipper, still passionate about the game that gave her the opportunity to represent her country with pride and for many years, readily accepted the invitation and was, in fact, pleased

YOUR BIGGEST ROAD HAZARD IS IN YOUR HAND A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

to be part of the historic occasion.

During the ceremony, which saw Oman Cricket’s Patron-in-Chief His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said officially inaugurate the facilities, Anjum was seen interacting with Oman women’s team members and the school cricketers.

And with Oman Cricket in the process of making sincere attempts to develop the women cricketers, it’s quite natural to think about her possible involvement with the Sultanate’s cricket governing body.

However, the sharp speaking Anjum replied in negative to a query from Times Sport on whether she has been approached by Oman Cricket officials for her involvement in women’s cricket development.

“Firstly, I must say that I am on a private visit. I am here (at the unveiling ceremony) because I was invited to attend the function,” said Anjum. “There is nothing more than that,” Anjum said while adding: “But I can think on the aspect if requested because it is ultimately helping and encouraging the game.”

Oman Cricket’s women’s cricket co-ordinator Vaishali Jesrani also quipped in to say that no approach has been made to rope in Anjum, who runs cricket clinics under the umbrella of Delhi District Cricket Association.

“I am sort of mentor, selector for women’s cricket in Delhi and I keep myself occupied with these aspects,” she added.

Anjum also refused to comment on the recent troubles of DDCA. “I am not involved in these issues and I have nothing to say on DDCA,” said Anjum, but ‘feeling sad about the game’, especially the World T20 games to be shifted out of Delhi.

When pointed out BCCI has shifted India-Sri Lanka T20 from Delhi, she said: “Hope problems are resolved and Delhi hosts the World T20 matches.”

Anjum, who became India captain in 2002, praised Oman Cricket for infrastructure developments and wished Oman national team success in the forthcoming Asia Cup and World T20.

For the record, Anjum’s first series as captain saw India whitewashing England and also claiming first overseas Test win against South Africa.

The Arjuna award winner Anjum has played 6 World Cups for India and she was bestowed upon with Padma Shri (a respected national award in India) in 2014.

During the ceremony at Al Amerat, Anjum was presented with a memento by Minister of Heritage and Culture and Oman Cricket’s Patron-in-Chief His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said.

C4

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

SPORTS ISC TENNIS

Vatsal stuns Marwan to enter last four of U-12 competition

TERRIFIC SHOW: Sri Lanka’s Dasun Shanaka celebrates after dismissing India’s Hardik Pandya during their first T20 match in Pune. – PTI

Sri Lanka pacemen hand India five-wicket defeat SCOREBOARD

Kasun Rajitha and Dasun Shanaka took three wickets apiece to bundle out India for 101 and set up a five-wicket victory in the first Twenty20 international

PUNE: Inexperienced Sri Lanka fast bowlers Kasun Rajitha and Dasun Shanaka took three wickets apiece to bundle out India for 101 and set up a five-wicket victory in the first Twenty20 international on Tuesday.

INDIA Rohit Sharma c Chameera b K. Rajitha 0 S. Dhawan c Gunathilaka b K. Rajitha 9 A. Rahane c Chandimal b K. Rajitha 4 S. Raina b D. Shanaka 20 Yuvraj Singh c&b Chameera 10 MS Dhoni c N. Dickwella b D. Shanaka 2 H. Pandya lbw D. Shanaka 2 R. Jadeja lbw Senanayake 6 R. Ashwin (not out) 31 A. Nehra c M Siriwardana b Chameera 6 Jasprit Bumrah run out 0 Extras (b-2, lb-1, w-8) 11 Total (all out, 18.5 overs) 101 Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-5, 3-32, 4-49, 5-51, 6-53, 7-58, 8-72, 9-100.

Bowling: Kasun Rajitha 4-0-29-3; Thisara Perera 3-1-10-0; Sachithra Senanayake

Rajitha, making his international debut, dismissed Rohit Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane in the first over to give Sri Lanka a perfect start after they chose to bowl first on a green-tinged surface at Pune.

3-0-18-1; Dushmantha Chameera 3.5-0-14-2; Dasun Shanaka 3-0-16-3; Seekkuge Prasanna 2-0-11-0.

SRI LANKA N. Dickwella c Dhawan b Nehra 4 M.D. Gunathilaka c Dhawan b Nehra 9 L.D. Chandimal lbw Raina 35 C.K. Kapugedera lbw Ashwin 25 T. Siriwardana (not out) 21 M.D. Shanaka c Raina b Ashwin 3 S. Prasanna (not out) 3 Extras (lb-3, w-2) 5 Total (5 wkts, 18 overs) 105 Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-23, 3-62, 4-84, 5-91.

Bowling: A. Nehra 3-0-21-2 (w-1); J. Bumrah 4-1-19-0; R. Jadeja 3-0-18-0; H. Pandya 3-0-18-0 (w-1); R. Ashwin 3-0-13-2; S. Raina 2-0-13-1.

The paceman also sent back Shikhar Dhawan as India, topranked in the shortest format, continued losing wickets trying to play high-risk shots. Shanaka, playing only his second match for Sri Lan-

ka, sent back Suresh Raina and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in one over to dent India’s chances of posting a competitive total.

Ravichandran Ashwin topscored with an unbeaten 31 to take India past the three-figure mark, which looked a distant prospect at one stage with the hosts struggling at 72 for eight. Ashish Nehra picked up two early wickets to give India a glimmer of hope but a 39-run stand between captain Dinesh Chandimal (35) and Chamara Kapugedera (25) put the tourists back on course.

Sri Lanka, missing fast bowler and regular captain Lasith Malinga, all-rounder Angelo Mathews and spinner Rangana Herath in the series due to injuries, stuttered once again with off-spinner Ashwin picking up two wickets.

But Milinda Siriwardana hit 21 off 14 balls as Sri Lanka reached their target with two overs to spare.

The second match of the series will be played in the eastern Indian city of Ranchi on Friday. - Reuters

MUSCAT: Vatsal Manikandan made up for his misdoings in the under-10 singles with a brilliant victory in the boys under-12 singles at the ISC/Muscat Pharmacy Open Junior Tennis Tournament organised by the Indian Social Club (ISC) Muscat.

In the quarterfinals of the boys under-12 singles, unseeded 10-year-old Vatsal Manikandan played with maturity beyond his young shoulders to register a fabulous 8-6 victory to upset second seed Marwan Al Khanjari to enter the last four.

Vatsal and Marwan played a high-quality match showing great maturity in handling pressure situations.

Vatsal achieved his victory after rallying from 2-5 down. Vatsal played a calculated game, using brilliant placements and was seen volleying confidently. He maintained a cool temperament and showed no signs of nerves.

He broke Marwan in the eighth

game and held to reduce the deficit to only one game.

Marwan went 6-4 ahead. Vatsal broke Marwan again for the crucial 7-6 lead. In the nervewrecking fourteenth game, Vatsal squandered three breakpoints as Marwan fought to keep his hopes alive. Vatsal regained advantage and made no further mistake to register a brilliant victory over the second seed.

In the junior girls’ round robin league, J. Kaavya has gone to the top of the table in Group-B with three victories in as many matches. Kaavya defeated Isha Pandita 6-1, followed it with a 6-2 win over Tanal Al Riyami and a 6-0 victory over Pratyusha Susaria.

Tanal Al Riyami has a victory to her credit having defeated Pratyusha Susaria 6-3. In Group A, Aisha Al Suleimani has two wins, 6-0 over Sahana Prasanna and 6-0 over Saffanah Al Riyami and Charvi Attri defeated Saffanah Al Riyami 6-3.

BRILLIANT WIN: Vatsal Manikandan. – Supplied photo

C

LIFESTYLE

SECTION

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

Leisure WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

Al Bustan Palace Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, invites guests to celebrate the most romantic holiday of the year in the Sultanate with its bespoke ‘Love Me Do’ overnight-stay package which also includes an exquisite dining experience. To give couples the chance to relax and unwind during their break, the package includes a Signature Hammam and Balinese couple’s massage at the recently opened Six Senses Spa. The package includes an overnight stay in a sea-view, deluxe room, with breakfast served the next morning at the Al Khiran Terrace and is valid between February 12 and February 19.

Price: From OMR436 (including taxes) ritzcarlton.com Email: reservations. albustan@ritzcarlton.com Call: +968 2479 9666

Romantic Retreats Treat your special someone to a perfect Valentine’s Day weekend break at these ideal getaways in the Sultanate

W

Dunes by Al Nahda Dunes by Al Nahda, is the new hideout set in the golden sands of Wadi Al Abiyad, one and a quarter hour drive away from Muscat International Airport.

The recently opened resort offers a unique setup with a personalised service and a romantic candlelit dinner for two with a beverage included. The package includes bicycle riding for two, kite flying, sand castle making, a round of golf, coffee or tea at Fleur Restaurant, Chinese lantern flying, and a special red roses facial for a couple.

Price: OMR 99++ Special room rate starting from OMR 150++ dunesbyalnahda.com Email: stay@dunesbyalnahda.com, arup.singhdeo@ dunesbyalnahda.com Call: +968 9723 5700

The View, Hail Al Shas The package at this breathtaking resort away from Muscat includes overnight stay in double Superior Room on Febru-

Millennium Resort Musannah The weekend attractive package culminates in a romantic dinner at the Beach Club with a beautiful sea view at Millennium Resort Mussanah. Guests can enjoy a one night stay in a deluxe room at OMR70 the 12th-14th of February, and they can escape the hustle and bustle of modern life and relax during a romantic, secluded evening at the resort with breakfast included. An upgrade

ary 14, non-alcoholic welcome drink, buffet breakfast and dinner, complimentary access to indoor game room, Wi-Fi and mountain oasis hike with a visit to Bait Al Safah Museum.

Price: OMR99 theviewoman.com Email: reservations@ theviewoman.com marketing@theviewoman.com Call: +968 2440 0873

InterContinental Muscat Enjoy the most romantic celebration of the year with memorable dining experiences and stay offers from InterConinental Muscat. The city hotel has the room package for Valentine’s Day at OMR69++ inclusive of breakfast for two persons, valid from 11th to 15th February.

Don’t forget to order famous Valentine’s cake at the Majlis Al Shams for your loved one.

Price: OMR69++ Intercontinental.com Call: +968 2468 0000

Park Inn Muscat Book this special Valentine’s Day offer now and spend a romantic night at Park Inn Muscat including a delicious dinner from OMR 90++ per couple. Enjoy a scrumptious breakfast the next morning.

This package includes 1-night stay in a standard room for two people on 14th February, Red Valentines’ dinner Menu at the RBG Grill, free entrance at Sama Terrazza rooftop lounge and a mouthwatering breakfast buffet the next morning in the main restaurant.

Price: From OMR 90++ parkinn.com Email: reservations.muscat@rezidorparkinn.com, vianney.antonio@ rezidorparkinn.com Call: +968 2450 7888, +968 9533 9416

Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa Set within 124 acres of rugged mountains and sparkling water, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa offers the perfect setting for a romantic escape. This offer includes two-night accommodation for a maximum of two adults and two children below 12 years old with buffet breakfasts, food, and beverage credit equal to OMR 50 for the entire stay, CHI, The Spa credit equal to OMR 50 for the entire stay, complimentary chocolate and flowers in the room upon arrival and complimentary Wi-Fi and broadband Internet access in the room and throughout the resort.

Price: From OMR200 for two nights shangri-la.com Call: +968 2477 6666

Alila Jabal Akhdar Whisk your sweetheart away for a secluded stay this Valentine’s Day at one of the world’s most romantic havens — Alila Jabal Akhdar. From a soothing rose petal bath to an intimate welcome dinner, Alila sets the stage for an intimate rendezvous with your one-and-only. For couples seeking adventure, the hotel boasts activities including sunset picnics, stargazing, abseiling, mountain climbing and bike rentals that can be booked for those who want to explore the beautiful terrain before unwinding at Spa Alila with a rejuvenating massage. The ‘Valentine’s

to sea view room is available for OMR10, providing visitors with stunning views of the marina and Golf of Oman. Additionally, they will be able to indulge in a savoury four course menu at the Beach Club on the 14th of February for only OMR40 per person.

Price: From OMR70 millenniumhotels.com Email: rerservations.mrmo@ millenniumhotels.com Call: +968 2687 1518, +968 9536 4900

Package’ includes: Daily breakfast in Juniper Restaurant, soothing rose petal bath and special in-room amenities, welcome dinner including a bottle of bubbly, two-night Jabal Terrace Suite accommodation and access to Wi-Fi in room and public areas. Rates start from OMR 240 per room, per night based on two adults sharing the Jabal Terrace Suite.

Price: from OMR 240 per room alilahotels.com/jabalakhdar Email: jabalakhdar@ alilahotels.com Call: +968 2534 4200 , +968 9910 4204

Photos: Supplied

ith Valentine’s Day just around the corner, hotels and resorts across Muscat and around are planning extravagant packages and deals to entice lovers to stay for the holiday.

The various deals include perks like roses, massages, and candlelight dinner and basically everything needed to get into the Valentine’s Day spirit. Starting from the weekend of 12th February, the hotel offers all the elements for a day full of love and romance. Most of the packages are all-inclusive, which means you can leave the planning to the professionals and spend more time with your companion. So if you want to woo your sweetheart, check out these hotel and resort packages. Just be sure to call the property for further details and restrictions before you go ahead with your bookings.

-lifestyle@timesofoman.com

C6

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

FIND-IT-ALL

PRAYER TIMINGS

@AZAIBA

@BAHJA

3.15,8.55, 11.15PM Intruders (English) (Drama) (15+) Cast: Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, Jack Kesy 5.15, 9.45PM Wild Horses (Crime| Drama) (PG12) Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco 7.00PM. Alvin and the Chipmunks – The Road Chip (Animation) ( PG) Voice over: Jason Lee, Jessica Ahlberg, Josh Green 5.45PM

@RUWI

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI The Finest Hour - 3D (Action) PG12 Cast : Christopher Whitelaw, Casey Affleck 2:45,9:00 & 11:45PM The Finest Hour - 2D (Action) PG12 7:00PM Jane Got A Gun - (Action| Drama) 12+ Cast: Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor 5:00,9:45 & 11:30PM Ghayal Once Again - (Action) PG12 Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra, Om Puri 3:00 & 9:15PM Ashby - (Comedy) 15+ Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff 3:15 & 7:00PM Intruders (Drama | Horror | Thrille) 15+ Cast: Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, Jack Kesy 11:45PM Concussion (Biography | Drama | Sport) 12+ Cast : Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks 5:30PM Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (Animation) PG Voice over: Jason Lee, Jessica Ahlberg.

5:15PM Ride Along 2 (Action | Comedy) 15+ Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart 7:15PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Wild Horses - 2D (PG12) Crime| Drama Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco 12:15, 3:30, 11:45 PM The Finest Hour - 3D (PG12) Action | Drama Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 2:15, 9:30, 11:30 PM Gold Class - 3:30, 8:45,11:00 PM Everything About Her - Taglog (TBC) 12+ Cast: Angel Locsin, Xian Lim, Vilma Santos 4:30 PM Ride Along 2 - 2D (15+) Action | Comedy Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart 7:15 PM

SOHAR

Wild Horses (2D) (Crime) (PG12) Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco 2:45, 4:30, 6:30, 11:45 PM

Standoff: (Thriller) Cast: Thomas Jane, Laurence Fishburne 8.00 PM. CP No: 138 (12+)

Ghayal Once Again - 2D (PG12) Action Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra , Om Puri 9:00 PM Gold Class - 6:15 PM Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip 2D (Animation) (PG) Voice over: Jason Lee, Jessica Ahlberg.

12:00, 5:30 PM Capture the Flag - 3D (PG) Action| Comedy Voice over: Dani Rovira, Michelle Jenner 1:45, 7:30 PM PANORAMA MALL The Finest Hours (Action)(MX4D)(PG12) Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 3.30, 6.15, 8.30, 10.45 PM The Finest Hours 3D (Action, Drama) (PG12)-VIP LOUNGE 3:30, 6:15, 11:00 PM The Finest Hours 3D (Action, Drama) (PG12) 4:30, 9:15, 11:30 PM Everything About Her (Tagalog) (TBC) Cast: Angel, Xian Lim, Vilma Santos 6:45PM Alvin & The Chipmunks – The Road Chip (Animation,) (2D) (PG) 2:30, 6:00 PM

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Sur Sur

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

Daily Daily

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

Daily Daily

Marmul

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

Dubai

16:50

Daily

07:00

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Adi Kapyare Koottamani ( Mal) ( Drama) Cast: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Mukesh, 6:30PM at Cinema Main, 3:30 & 9.30PMCinema 2 2 Countries (Mal) (Com) Cast: Dileep & Mamta Mohandas 3:30& 9:30 at Cinema Main, 6.30PM Cinema -2 Ghayal Once Again (Hindi) (Action) Cast : Sunny Deol & Anchai Munjai 6:45 PM at Cinema- 3 Visaranai (Tamil) (Thriller) Cast: Dinesh, Anandhi 3:45 & 6.45PM at Cinema -4 Airlift (Action / Thriller) –12+ Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 3.45 & 9.45PM at Cinema 3 Irudhi Suttru (Tamil) (Sports) Cast: R. Madhavan & Ritika Singh 6:30PM at Cinema -4 NEXT CHANGE: PAVADA (MAL) SANAM RE (HINDI) MIRUTHAN (TAMIL) Programmes are subject to change

Minimum

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

30-75%

RIVAN VIRAL ASHAR February 10, 2015

SATYA SUMANA February 10, 2006

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

The Finest Hours (3D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 11:35AM, 2:45, 6:45, 9:30 &1 1:30PM Capture The Flag (3D) (PG) (Animation) Voice over: Dani Rovira, Michelle Jenner 11:00AM & 4:45PM Ashby (2D) (15+) Comedy | Drama) Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff 11:45AM & 6:45PM Jane Got A Gun (2D) (12+) (Action| Drama) Cast: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton 12:45, 5:00 & 11:45PM Ghayal Once Again (2D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra , Om Puri 2:05, 7:00, 9:00 &1 1:15PM Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2D) (PG12) (Mal) Cast: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Mukesh, 8:45PM Airlift (2D) (12+) (Drama, History, Thriller) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 4:15PM Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip (2D) (PG) (Animation) 2:00PM

HADIYA FAISAL February 10, 2015

Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

08:40 11:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Nizwa Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100)

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 06:00

STAR CINEMA

SALALAH

Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

10:25

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Ruwi

Intruders: (Horror / Thriller) Cast: Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, Jack Kesy 4.00, 10.00 & 11.55PM CP No: 316 (15+) Wild Horses: (Crime / Drama) Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco, Josh Hartnett 4.00, 10.00 & 11.55 PM. CP No: 318 (PG12) Ashby (Comedy / Drama / Romance) Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff, Emma Roberts 2.00. & 6.00 PM. CP No: 317 (15+) Capture the Flag: (Animation / Adventure) 2.00. & 6.00 PM. CP No: 315 (PG) Standoff: (Thriller) Cast: Thomas Jane, Laurence Fishburne 8.00 PM. CP No: 138 (12+) Ride Along 2: (Action / Comedy) 8.00 PM. CP No: 112 (15+)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

07:00

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

The Finest Hours – 3D (Action/Drama) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck 3:30, 7:30, 11:30PM Jane Got A Gun – 2D (Action/Drama) (12+) Cast: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton 5:45, 9:45PM Alvin & the Chipmunks: The Road Chip – 2D (Animation) (PG) Voice over: Jason Lee, Jessica Ahlberg 5:15PM Intruders – 2D (Drama/Horror/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, Jack Kesy 5:30, 9:30, 11:45PM Wild Horses – 2D (Crime/Drama) (PG12) Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco, Josh Hartnett 3:30, 7:00PM Ghayal Once Again – 2D (Drama) (TBC) Cast : Sunny Deol & Anchai Munjai 3:15, 7:15, 11:15PM Adi Kapyare Kootamani – 2D (PG12) Cast: Dhyam Srinivasan, Namitha, Aju 9:00PM

WITH LOVE

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

26 14

BAHJA CINEMA

BURAIMI

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

Airlift - 2D (12+) Drama | History | Thriller Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 4:30PM Alvin & The Chipmunks: The Road Chip 2D (PG) Animation Voice over: Jason Lee, Jessica Ahlberg.

4:45PM The Finest Hour - 3D (PG12) Action | Drama Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 2:45, 9:00, 11:45PM The Finest Hour - 2D (PG12) Action | Drama 7:00 PM Ashby - 2D (15+) Comedy | Drama | Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff 2:45, 5:00PM Ghayal Once Again - 2D (PG12) Action Cast : Sunny Deol & Anchai Munjai 2:30, 6:30, 9:15, 11:15PM Wild Horses - 2D (PG12) Crime| Drama Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco 2:30, 9:45PM Jane Got A Gun - 2D (12+) Action| Drama Cast: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton 7:00, 11:30PM Adi Kapyare Kootamani- 2D (M) (PG12) Cast: Dhyam Srinivasan, Namitha , Aju 8:55PM Intruders - 2D (15+) Drama | Horror | Thrille Cast: Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, Jack Kesy 5:00, 11:45PM Bangalore Naatkal - 2D (T) (TBC) Comedy Cast: Arya, Sri Divya, Bobby 6:45 PM

WEATHER

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

16:30 18:00 19:30

RUWI Screen 1 Ghayal Once Again (Action) –PG12 Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra, Om Puri 3.30, 6.30, 9.30PM Screen 2 Sanam Teri Kasam (Romance) –PG12 Cast: Mawra Hocane, Vijay Raaz 3.45, 6.45, 9.45PM Screen 3 Airlift (Action / Thriller) –12+ Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 3.45, 6.45, 9.45PM SUR The Finest Hours 3D (English) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pine, Casey Affleck, Ben Foster 3.00,7.30,11.30PM. Ghayal Once Again (Hindi)) ( PG12 ) Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra , Om Puri

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Adi Kapyare Kootamani (Mal) (2D) (PG12) Cast: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Mukesh, 9:20 PM Airlift (2D) (Drama | History) (12+) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 6:00, 11:30 PM

AZAIBA Wild Horses (2D) (Crime) (PG12) Cast: Robert Duvall, James Franco 2:45, 4:30, 6:30, 11:45 PM Capture The Flag (2D) (Animation) (PG) Voice over: Dani Rovira, Michelle Jenner 2:30, 4:45 PM Ghayal Once Again (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (PG12) 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 10:00, 11:30 PM Sanam Teri Kasam (Hindi) (2D) (PG12) Cast: Mawra Hocane, Vijay Raaz 3:00, 8:30 PM Bangalore Naatkal (Tamil) (2D) (TBC) Cast: Arya, Sri Divya, Bobby 6:30, 8:30 PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Screen 2 Sanam Teri Kasam (Romance) –PG12 Cast: Mawra Hocane, Vijay Raaz 3.45, 6.45, 9.45PM

Jane Got A Gun (Action, Drama) (2D) (12+) Cast: Natalie Portman, Joel Edgerton 2:30, 9:45, 11:45 PM Ghayal Once Again (Action) (2D)(PG12) Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra, Om Puri 3:30, 6:15, 8:45, 11:15 PM Ashby (Comedy, Drama) (2D)(15+) Cast: Mickey Rourke, Nat Wolff 4:15, 7:45 PM Ghayal Once Again (PG12)-VIP LOUNGE Cast: Sunny Deol, Tisca Chopra, Om Puri 8:30 PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Destination

12.26pm 3.40pm 6.04pm 7.15pm 5.27am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

CINEMA SCHEDULE

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

LIFESTYLE

THE HOBBYIST Winnie Fernandez Hobby: Pets

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE Raising a pet at home is like raising your own child

Why do you love animals?

The unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship of animals have always attracted me towards them. I always had the opportunity to grow up with a pet by my side. Taking care of a pet taught me to be responsible, fearless, and loving towards all living beings. I guess the affinity towards them is innate, but it’s the mutual bond that we share that makes the bond so special.

How did you get into it?

One day I was walking home from school when I heard a puppy’s whimper. It was covered with dirt and soil in a ditch. Its moans made me curious. I sat there for almost an hour thinking that the mother would show up. After an hour my heart melted and I secretly took the puppy home in my bagpack and kept it in our backyard so that my parents wouldn’t discover.

I gave it a nice bath, swathed in my towel, and gave milk to drink.

It slept peacefully, but not for too long when it started crying again in the evening. My mother eventually discovered my secret but my dad let me keep it as he himself was a secret admirer of animals.

That’s where it all began.

How can I get into it?

Today, it’s all about the ease of life.

Even though many of us have this soft corner for animals we tend to shy away from taking responsibility of one. But expressing your love for animals teaches you a lot

Photography: Shabin E

T R AV E L T I P S

Travel Like an Expert Make sure you are aware of the latest travel tips and tricks.

Whether you are travelling for business or pleasure, there is a lot of opportunity for stress. Flying, staying in hotels, and navigating your destination can all be a hassle. Make jet-setting a little easier with this insider knowledge.

Before-you-go checklist A few days in advance, make a checklist of all the important todo items you’ll need to accomplish before you embark on your travels.

This list should include locating your passport and necessary documents, confirming reservations, calling your bank and credit card companies to let them know where you’ll be, and tending to your household needs.

Always carry-on if you can Take advantage of the ability to carry a smaller suitcase on the plane with you. Invest in a reliable, carry-on sized roller bag that will work no matter what kind of trip you’re taking. This not only drives you to pack efficiently, it also saves you the hassle of ever having to check a bag.

Easy transportation When you finally arrive at your destination, the last thing you want to do is figure out how to get from A to B, especially at the airport. These days, smartphones make getting a ride more convenient than ever.

Mention about the occasion When staying in a hotel, make sure to mention if you’re celebrating a special occasion at the front desk.

Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary or honeymoon, the hotel might just upgrade your accommodations.

Act like a local to stay safe When you’re in an unfamiliar city, it’s always important to take extra safety precautions. However, one of the best ways to make sure you don’t become a target is to maintain a confident attitude.

SMARTEN UP DRIVE SAFE

A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

of simple but important things in life. Hence, I think it’s not necessary to keep a pet at home to exhibit that emotion. You can also walk the streets in Oman and find wadi dogs who equally want your attention. Start from there.

You never know where that friendship might lead.

What is your pro tip for keeping a pet at home?

Raising a pet at home is like raising your own child. I personally recommend feeding your pet with home cooked meals and using the readymade foods only when it is absolutely necessary. This ensures good health, lesser trips to the vet, and a happier pet.

Contact info for adopting or getting a pet in Oman.

I’m against buying and selling animals. My personal recommendation is to give the local breeds a happy home. You can also adopt pets from non-profit groups like Omani paws. I understand that one has to pay for pets like birds, tortoise, or fish as you can’t find them on your own accord, and hence I encourage buying these pets at reasonable prices and promoting the purchase of only those kinds who can survive the weather in Oman.

Omani Paw: facebook.com/ groups/OmaniPaws Al Qurum Veterinary Clinic Phone: +968 24562263 muscatvets.com

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016

LIFESTYLE WORLD’S MOST-VISITED TOURIST ATTRACTIONS You thought the Empire State Building, the Grand Canyon, and the Eiffel Tower are the most sought-after tourist spots of the world? You might be pleasantly surprised with this list of annual visitors in 2015.

1 annual visitors

39,668,221

Las Vegas Strip, Nevada

3

2

37,500,000

Central Park, New York City

4

32,850,000

39,200,000 Times Square, New York City

5

Union Station, Washington, D.C.

6

7

21,600,000

18,000,000

Grand Central Terminal, New York City

8

Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston

9

15,963,000 Disneyland Park, Anaheim

22,500,000

10

Niagara Falls, New York

Source: lovehomeswap.com, travelandleisure.com

17,536,000 Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom, Orlando

15,300,000 Forbidden City, Beijing

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M W E D N E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 1 0, 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

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VACANCY

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CARGO

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REQUIRED GENERAL MANAGER For a leading Insurance Broking Company in Oman for immediate appointment.

Candidate with Insurance Qualifications, good experience and market knowledge with proper documents for local transfer may send C.V. to

email: iscoman@omantel.net.om *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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W E D N E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 1 0, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

Luxury flat for rent in Bareeq Al Shatti building Spacious 2 BHK with sea view, split A/Cs, fixed wardrobes, kitchen appliance.

Near Opera Gallery.

Rent RO.900/- negotiable.

Contact - 94084335 / 96920789

High quality Warehouses for rent at Mizfa 550 sqm to 3400 sqm.

Contact

96046951 / 99332291

FLATS FOR RENT

Flat for rent in CBD area - Ruwi Two rooms and a large hall •Office spaces for rent in Al Hail on the main road On the same building of Al Khamis Shoes at Al Hail •2 bed room flats in Qurum 29 for rent next to ABA New building -split AC - Good location

CONTACT :

93202733

CONTACT - 99278002

We have staff accommodation in Bowshar 30 to 40 people can stay easily commercial building.

Contact: 93782735/ 99208033

We have 150 sqm offices in Ghubra prime location already partition done rent 650/- O.R. Contact: 93782735/ 99208033

We have 2 BHK flats, office available in Ghala, Azaiba new building.

Contact: 93782735 / 99208033

We have 1 BHK, 2BHK flats for rent in Mabela 7, 1BHK 175 RO, 2 BHK 200/- RO, new building.

Contact: 93782735 / 99208033

We have 2BHK flat in Ghubra near Indian School 325/- R.O Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 5 B/R villa available in Mumtaz area. Contact: 97296105 Single bedroom flat bed behind German Embassy near to Al Nahda Hospital. Contact: 99203954 Villa for rent in Al Hail South consist of two floor, can rent each floor separate or together. Each floor consist of two bedrooms, Majlis with dining room, living room and kitchen for every floor 400/-R.O. Contact: 99546777

1100 SQ MTR free industrial land for all purpose is available with compound and furnished office in Barka Contact:

STORE FOR RENT 500 sqm store with 200 sqft office & 200 sqm covered shed for rent at Mabella Ind No-11 on main road, direct from owner.

1 BHK and 2BHK Flats with Split ACs Opp. to MOD Near Lulu Darsait

INDUSTRIAL LAND FOR RENT (BARKA)

Contact No: 96177505

One / two B/R , RES / Comm flat near Bank Muscat Bausher directly from owner. Contact: 92158031 Office for rent located in Prime location of Azaiba Main Highway.

Contact: 92197959 / 92502497.

1 BHK near medical Darsait Muttrah House. R.O 180/-.

Contact: 95076261 3 & 2 Bedroom Townhouse with Swimming pool, free Wi-Fi for Rent near British Council in Madinat Sultan Qaboos. Contact: 92197959 / 92502497.

Restaurant for rent or sale in Al Ghobrah with its equipments and permitions for workers. For details contact: 95094062

Flats for rent at Mawaleh near Omantel main office opposite Lulu bandar comprises 3 rooms, 2 toilets and one kitchen OMR 250/- Per month. # 93131497 or 99203435

1B/R apartment executive fully furnished at AL Khuwair 33 & 5 B/R villa unfurnished at Madinat Al Ilam & 5 B/R villa furnished at Madinat Al Ilam. Contact: Atlas Real Estate & rent a car LLC 24834 888/99249069/92888376/94617 563 Email: info@alshahiintl.com

Commercial office at prime location in Azaiba for rent. 171sq.mtr.

Contact:- 91398925

Flats for rent in Ruwi Mumtaz area 2 bedroom. Contact: 91409667/24291500

WAREHOUSE AVAILABLE

FOR RENT IN BALADIA SANAYAH AMIRAT (Floor area 600sqmtrs and mezzanine of 500sqmtrs) 1100sqmts fully cover warehouse Θ ƐƚĂī ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƟ ŽŶƐ Please contact: G.S.M

24707088, 98283896

99417229/92621039

Showroom, readymade office with ACs & free internet 2 B/R flats with split ACs & free internet available at Al Khuwair near KM Hypermarket. Contact: 99460330

FULLY RENOVATED 5 BHK VILLA For Rent in Azaiba, behind Al Sawa Towers. WITH Majlis, Living room, Dining, Kitchen, Laundry, Store.

CONTACT: 93332444, 95166141

Brand new Twin deluxe villas, excellent location in Madinat Qaboos 4 bedrooms, housemaid room, 2 kitchens, 2sitting rooms, study room, full A/C, remote control car parks. 1,600 RO each villa Contact 00968 92503825

Spacious 160 sq meter office with pantry and toilet built in eagle eye view of Al Khuwair on 7th floor Jasmine Building near Radisson Blu. 1,100 RO per month. Contact 00968 92503825

Flat for rent in Al Hail south 2 bedroom. Contact: 91409667/24291500 Commercial office at prime location in Azaiba for rent. 171sq. mtr. Contact: - 91398925 For rent 1 B/R Apartment Executive Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33, 5 B/R Villa – Unfurnished @ Madinat Al Ilam 5 B/R Villa – } Furnished @ Madinat Al Ilam Please Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC 24834888/ 99249069 / 92888376/94617563 / Email: info@alshahiintl.com

2 Bedrooms Flat for rent located in Prime location of Al Khuwair.

Contact: 92197959 / 24527852.

We have shops for rent in Ghala.

Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 Four bedrooms villa in Al Athaiba 300 m away from Shell Petrol Station in an excellent condition.

Contact: 97755586 Villa is composed of 5 bedrooms and sitting toilets and 5 living room, kitchen and Seeb (North Al Hail). Contact: 91130875 1 BHK Ghubra R.O 250/.

Contact: 97799175

Flat in Wadi Al Kabir 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 family hall, kitchen & 3 bathrooms. Contact: 99277787 Family flats in Wadi AL Kabir, Hamriya, Muttrah, Al Khuwair, Ghubrah, Bowshar, Al Hail North & Al Seeb.

Contact: 95250300 / 92125648 2 BHK in MSQ opposite Al Fair with split AC. Contact: 96708000 2 BHK in Bareeq Al Shatti with split AC. Contact: 96708000 2 Bedroom centrally air conditioned flat in CBD prime location.

Contact: 24714625 / 93527328 2 BHK Flats for rent, Muttrah near Oman house S/ AC. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 2 clean & spacious flats with A/C, first flat is behind City center Al Seeb consist of 2 bedroom and living room second flat is in Al Khoud 3 consist of 1 bedroom and living room. Contact: 93366421 Shop for rent near Al Nahdha Hospital. Contact: 97380548 / 99680499 Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi, MBD area & Honda road.

Contact: 92589235/ 94579531

W E D N E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 1 0, 2 0 1 6

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT 1 & 2 BHK Ruwi C.B.D. Contact: 99024730 Two bedroom flat in Al Ghubra near Oman Oil of 18 November street. OMR 330 Monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

Shop / office nr Oman house & Khimji H.O Muttrah.

Contact: 99233116 Brand new deluxe flats located near Seeb flyover on the right hand side the main road coming from the Seeb palace round about, 2 bedrooms family, hall, kitchen, 3 toilets & split unit. # 97755586 Flats & offices for rent in CBD Ruwi. Contact: 92820734 / 95345909 Flat in Hamriya. Contact: 99341112 Flat for rent in Wadi Al Kabir next 5 Al Hassan company, 2 bed room & 3 toilets. Contact: 99210008 02 BHK Commercial / Residential (with split AC) flat at Honda road.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241 Villa 2 room, 1 sitting room, 1 lobby, 2 bathrooms at South Mawalleh behind Discount Supermarket. Contact 92757673 / 99388138 Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi MBD Honda road.

Contact: 92433127 / 97293708 1& 2 BHK flats for rent at Hamriya Wadi Adai, Al Khoud, Mabela & shop at Al Khoud & land line Contact: 24834644 GSM 93994401/02/03 3 lines 3 BHK flat near Darsait ID medical.

RO 420/- Contact – 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288 1000 sqm industrial land with compound wall & two rooms at Misfah. Contact 99342733 / 99795241

One bedroom flat with big balcony in al Ghubra near Oman Oil of 18 November street. OMR 280 Monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 Commercial flats of 3 & 2 BHK in Al Ghobra North 18 Nov street RO.650/- & 450/Contact: 91776665 600 M2 showroom or office in Bousher in front of Dolphin complex. RO.3.5 per m2.

Contact: 91776665 Brand new 4 BHK villa in Al Fai compound Al Khoud. RO.475/Contact – 91776665 Luxury villa of 5 BHK in Al Khuwair 33 RO.650/- Contact – 91776665 Villa of 3 BHK and sitting area in Al Ghobra North. RO.525/Contact – 91776665 Luxury and brand new semi furnished 2 BHK flat in Remalbowsher. RO.550/Contact – 91776665 Spacious 1 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with all split A/C’s and parking.

RO.300/-Contact – 91776665 Flats in Darsait.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Flats in WadiKabir.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact - 94051789-97201688 Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. Contact: 9405178997201688 Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Duplex villa in Qurum 29.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

BUILDING MATERIAL SHOP FOR SALE Running shop with paint machine for sale in kadra Ͳ

WƌŝŵĞ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ ŐŽŽĚ ĚĂŝůLJ ƐĂůĞƐ 260 Square meters Warehouse facility ^ƚĂī ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƟ ŽŶ /ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ƉĂƌƟ ĞƐ ŵĂLJ ĐĂůů 9322 3382 or mail to cs@mpesllc.com

FOR SALE Carpentry workshop with all basic equipments, tools, amenities and a work force of 15. Total area 1600 SQ.M and a built up area of 800 SQ.M. Accommodation for workers within the compound. Excellent goodwill and reputation created in the market since the last 14 years.

Contact 95219895 or Email: mci.carpentry@yahoo.com

Villa for rent in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 96571151

Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. Contact: 9405178997201688

Cradle lift for external Building painting, almost new height up to 100 Mts six mtr cradle. Contact : 99235701 / 90648313

02 BHK Residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241

Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud. Contact: 9405178997201688

Running company with construction fire & safety license.

Contact: 99319670

1BHK flat near Star Cinema 220/Contact 99358589 /95570288 Flats two bed room for rent in Al Khuwair. Contact: 96571151 New flats for rent at Darsait near to ministry of sports, Mumtaz area the flats include 1 living room, 2 Bedroom, kitchen, 3 toilets every room with split A/C & high Quality finishing, rent per flat is R.O 340/-.

Interested candidates please Contact: 00968- 92225523 3BHK flat for rent in Ghubra.

Contac: 99328070

WANTED IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area.

Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up.

Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

BUYING Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

3BHK flat for rent / sale at Dar Al Maha (Greater Muttrah).

Contact: 99321792 Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery.

Contact 99328430 Fire rated portacabins and steel caravans. ContacT: 94058574 Ladies Beauty parlour for sale.

Contact: 96392978 / 96700192 Restaurant & Coffee Shop for sale in Ghala area. For details contact 99072003

FOR SALE Running carpentry workshop with CNC machine and 5 skilled labours in Barka industry area.

Running Aluminum workshop with three skilled labours in Barka industry area

Contact: 98084356 Expat leaving household items for sale, 3 ACS, fridge, gas cylinder, 5 computer tables & sofa bed and other. Contact: 94412557 Running family restaurant for sale / rent in Wadi Kabir with party hall, total capacity around 200 people around 300 sq mtrs.

Contact: 95061994 Restaurant items for sale.

Contact: 96772479 /98428507 Marble factory for sale location Misfah. Contact: 98586828

ACC. AVAILABLE Fully furnished room with attached bath for Executive bachelor, behind Al Meera hypermarket, Azaiba 150/R.O. Contact: 99455735

ACC. AVAILABLE Room for rent with attach B/R & kitchen for R.O 75/- without Elect/ water, near BP Petrol Pump Mabellah . Contact: 91516775 / 99772515 Sharing accommodation near Hamriya flower shopping supermarket. Contact: 98985763 Single room attached bath at Mumtaz area. Contact 95212017 / 90562744 Furnished room for an Indian in Al-Khuwair33 - 95234062 Room with kitchen, bath available in Ruwi for a couple or single working lady. Contact: 91450718 / 91429608 Accommodation available at Al Hail Keralite family only.

Contact: 96234708 Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir 9304 9849

Single room attached bath, kitchen in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99336206 Accommodation for couple or working lady, near Al Nahda hospital. Contact 95871148 Ghubra. Beautiful Room. Indian Lady/Couple/Bachelor. Non-cooking, Vegetarians. Contact 99283938 Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested please Contact: 92680041 Mr. Altaf

LOST Mohammad Jasim Uddin has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AA 0887289. Finder please handover to ROP Ahmed Kabir has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AB 9261564. Finder please handover to ROP

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT Looking for experienced Sales Executive, Driver for joinery & Décor Company.

SALES / MARKETING

Interested candidates in similar field with driving license

Contact: 99328494 Email: malsinani@tibiaan.co.om Wanted female GP, female Gynecologist, female Staff Nurse, female X- Ray Technician With MOH license for Al Saadi Specialized Medical Centre in Musanna.

Contact -91262604 Email: chillapalli76@gmail.com

ADMIN

Experienced Sales Executive required for Restaurant Marketing.

Send CV : Deepak@jashnoman. com, call 96500750

Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687

Indian male, 28, Post Graduate, 6 years exp. in Oman in Sales and Credit Control , with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable placements.

NOC available. Ph: 9206 6523

TOURS/TRAVELS

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

Part time Accountant, up to finalization, looking for job after 5pm (location prefer – MSQ to Al Hail). Contact: 95694737

Required Yacht Captain for a marine tour company in Muscat, English speaking and valid boat driving license. Contact: 92014572

URGENTLY REQUIRED HR Manager ;KŵĂŶŝ EĂƟ ŽŶĂůͿ

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

DŝŶŝŵƵŵ Ϯ LJĞĂƌƐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŐŽŽĚ ĐŽŵŵĂŶĚ ŽǀĞƌ ŶŐůŝƐŚ Θ ƌĂďŝĐ͘ ^ŚŽƵůĚ ďĞ ĐĂƉĂďůĞ ŽĨ ŚĂŶĚůŝŶŐ ĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƟ ŽŶ͕ Ăůů ƚLJƉĞ ŽĨ ĐŽƌƌĞƐƉŽŶĚĞŶĐĞ Θ ƌŽƵƟ ŶĞ Žĸ ĐĞ ǁŽƌŬƐ ŝŶĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶƚůLJ͕ ĂŶĚ ŐŽŽĚ ƐŬŝůů ŝŶ D^ͲKĸ ĐĞ ŝƐ ŵƵƐƚ͘ Interested candidates may send in their CVs to Fax # 24600217 or email on:

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male, 26 with MBA (Finance / Marketing) having 2 years experience in (Accounts / Finance) on visit visa looking for suitable position immediately joining available.

Contact: 92989197 Email: abdulqhizer2004@gmail.com

zeeshan@starslightllc.com Required urgently an Indian Junior Legal Consultant /Lawyer for a reputed Law Firm in Muscat &Sohar. Candidates should have 3-5 years local experience in Oman as Legal Consultant/ Lawyer with good knowledge of Computer & should be fluent in English. Email C V to shejaanil66@gmail.com Required urgently a Legal Consultant/ Lawyer for reputed law firm in Sohar, Muscat. Candidates should have 5-7 years experience as a Legal Consultant/ Lawyer with good knowledge of Computer & should be fluent in English both written & spoken.

Email C V to shejaanil66@gmail. com or Contact 99153620 between 8am to 1pm & 2pm to 5.30 pm on Sunday to Thursday

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Required experienced Accountant for group of restaurant.

Visa available. Contact: 99190190

SITUATION VACANT 1. Marketing Executive (having experience in building material trading , sanitary wares , kitchens , doors)

2. Lawyer (Indian - female) - awareness of Omani laws / excellent interpretation / able to translate , review , direct , and advise

3. Procurement Coordinator – Having minimum 2 year experience in procurement job

Email- rgeorge@omantd.com - atalibus@omantd.com

URGENTLY REQUIRED Well reputed modular kitchen showroom looking for 1. Showroom Manager 2. Marketing & Sales man 3. Store keeper 4. Office boy

Audit Assistants.

Email: aoabmuscat@gmail.com Accountant with knowledge of Tally. Driving license preferred.

Send C.V to info.rsttllc@gmail.com

DRIVER Wanted Driver. Contact 91025698

QHSSE ADVISOR - International Oilfield Services Company requires a NEBOSH qualified QHSSE Advisor (Omani National) to ensure continual improvement in our Muscat base. Main duties to include Journey Management, supporting implementation of policies and procedures, mentoring staff, training coordination, reporting, audit & inspection and risk assessment. Submit CV to me-job@interwell.com

BEAUTY Urgently required a Gulf experienced professional hair dresser cum beautician (lady) for a reputed beauty salon, immediate appointment. Contact: 99816262 / 98557585 Fax: 24796211 Email: skin.hair.makeup@gmail.com Wanted experienced beautician and hairdresser for the reputed ladies beauty center at Qurum.

Contact: 97453246 Email: souzawilfred@gmail.com Beauty expert required to work in Salon in Al Amerat.

Contact: 93336061

CATERING Required Cook, Omani food & continental experienced. Visa available. Contact: 99190190 Demi Chef needed urgently for seafood and fish and chips 2 male Filipino Waiter needed urgently with experience. Contact 92382239 / 98260306

DRIVER Reputed organization is looking for heavy duty drivers for trailers Omani / expat (3 nos) and outdoor Sales Executive for hardware and general trading with valid D/L (1 no).

Send your CV on ocm@theocmgroup.com An Indian light driver. Contact: 24705605, Ruwi Urgently required one Omani driver for a reputed trading company in Ghala.

Contact: 24502710 Fax: 24502609, GSM 99763251 Email: sharlu.entp@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELP

Minimum 2 years experience & Oman valid D/L& NOC. Contact - 98431694 / info@ik.om

MEDICAL Vacancy dermatologist doctors & internal medicine for inquiry or send CV. Contact: 24571094/ Fax: 24571097 Email: zmczahara@yahoo.com

Required Cleaners & office boys.

Contact 24707833

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Urgently required House Maid Cum Cook for an Indian Business Family.

Call for Interview 99471085 Keralite house maid required for 3 hrs evening part time job at Ghubra.

Contact:92448315

Need master cutter, tailor for tailor shop. Contact: 99825211 Wanted A/c Mechanic, Electrician / Plumber, Carpenters, Driver. Contact 94147874 / 97014234, globalaccessunited@gmail.com

Housemaid required for Keralite family. Contact 95405033

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

CA with 16 years experience in finance / audit, seeking suitable senior position and available for immediate joining. Contact: 96320588 Indian male 25 B.Com IATA diploma 2 yrs exp in accounts, good looking currently in Oman, NOC available. Contact: 99323841 Email:rohitpanam@gmail.com B.Com 32 yrs male Accountant having 8 yrs Oman experience in Construction Co. seeking immediate change (NOC available).

Contact: 98624850 Indian male (25) B.com 3 years experience as Accountant seeking placement accountant / Admin / sales visit visa. Contact: 98437731 Email: falsalcpsy@gmail.com Indian male Accountant having B.Com, M.Com with 7 years experience up to finalization looking job, on tourist visa ready to join immediately. Contact: 91651965 Email: danishpa2005@gmail.com Indian female 25 yrs, MBA HR & Marketing, with one and half years experience as accountant and 6 months experience in teaching, now on a visit visa, seeking suitable position. Contact: 99624044, mail: np.neethu1@gmail.com.

Indian female Accountant 8 yrs exp in Oman. Contact: 93726921 Professional Accountant with Pakistani Nationality having an experience of oracle ERP seeking a suitable placement in Muscat Oman. Contact: 91405182 Email: muaz777@gmail.com Indian male, MBA in finance with more than 6 years of experience, proficiency in accounting software like tally, focus SAP (FICO) etc seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98665219 Email Id: abdulhameed1527@gmail.com

Indian male having good experience in accounts and in accounting and in accounting software’s ready to join immediately Contact +91 9444965126 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Indian male, B.Com with 6 years experience as an Accountant, looking for suitable placement.

Mob: 93903458 ,Email : Akkandyrijesh@gmail.com A young CA (ACA & ACCA qualified) with 4 years experience in one of top audit firms in UK & KSA seeks suitable placement in Oman.

Contact: +44 7480 1196 74/ +968 93595050 email: Kamran hkamran112@gmail.com Indian male 35 years, BBM, diploma in accounts management & banking, 5 years experience in Oman as sales executive & accountant, with valid Oman D/L, seeking suitable placement in Muscat. Contact: 98163037/ 92683606 Email: abhi.abrahan09@gmail.com Chartered Accountant - Indian, 9 yrs + Exp (7 yr in Oman & UAE) in Finance, Accounts & Auditing, seeking suitable position in Muscat/Dubai ASAP, Can Join Immediately, NOC Available, Contact #: 98707434 / casmart007@gmail.com Chief Accountant looking for full / part time job.

Contact: 95598477/98803439 Indian Male Accountant 10yrs Exp. in OMAN Retail & Furniture Co. (Release Available) GSM.92564955 15 years experienced in finance & treasury management CPA, CMA, ACCA, MBA, qualified Chartered Accountant available for immediate joining as head of finance, financial advisor, financed consultant. Contact: 94872345 Email: mfta27@gmail.com Indian accountant professional with 3 years experience currently on visit visa looking for suitable job openings. Contact: 92390604 Email: sachinkokkatt@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Indian family urgently needs a full time Housemaid who knows cooking. Should be skilled in preparation of Non-Veg dishes.

Preferably from Hyderabad, India.

Company visa, good salary + bonus, air –ticket for leave travel provided by company. Contact 99349924

Required building material outdoor sales man with Omani driving license 3 years experience in outdoor. Contact: 24817708 Required marketing Executives females in Muscat with Oman driving license. Email: excellentchoice1ccs@gmail.com

EDUCATION Required Female Teacher to teach Physics and Maths for grade 11 girl, studying at Al Ibdaa PS. Tel 99227839)

IT Required Electrician ITI experienced in L.T works or M.E.P with MEDC license. Contact: 99364007 / 99454425 Developers needed with experience in .net, C#, EF Code First, WCF, MVC 4/5, WebAPI, SQL and WF 4.5 must. Work from home role for an Australian company.

Send resume to Email: atif.saad@mis.technology

Required male / female Marketing person for man power Supply Company with minimum 3 years experience with valid GCC / Oman driving license. Contact: 97158893 / 94148972. Kindly send CV at Email: rastllcmuscat@gmail.com Office furniture Sales Executive with minimum 5 years experience & valid Omani driving license, should have experience in handling office furniture projects, Tenders & Retail. Candidates should have NOC from the current employer. Interested candidates can apply by mail: info@smartvisionoman.con Fax: 24818818

MEDICAL

Urgently required Marketing Executive with driving license for sales of furniture. Contact: 97164554 / 99452755 Email: aliasgar.tarwadi@yahoo.com

Required X RAY Technician, Lab Technician, General Practitioner, Gynecology, Staff Nurses.

Contact: 95133572 Email: kunoozghala@gmail.com

Urgently required Marketing Executives with driving license for sales in artificial grass & steel fabrication. Contact 99104577 Email: info@greencover.net

Required male Nurse part / full time to take care of male, 95 yrs old. Contact 99333292, Email : topraniav@gmail.com

Urgently Required Steel Fabricated Products Salesman with an experience in steel fabrication, MUST have Oman driving license, and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com

Wanted female Ayurvedic therapist with or without MOH. Contact: 97263637/93309131

Indian male 12 yrs exp in accounts location Sohar .

NOC available. Contact :91212471, Email: rennyj6@gmail.com Bangladeshi male having MBA (finance) & M.com (accounting) with 2 yrs exp. looking for suitable placement have valid D/L & NOC. Contact :968 92491009, Email: rasubiswas4@gmail.com Indian female B.Com, ACCA affiliate fresher seeking for job in Auditing finance & accounting in family visa holding Oman driving license.

Contact: 92264638 / 99858867 Email: mira.somya@gmail.com Pakistani male 11 yrs experience in accounts, finance looking for suitable job. Contact: 91479315 Email: bilalnazir65@hotmail.com Finance Manager 22 years Oman experience available. Transfer possible. # 95631834 / 91302906 Indian Accountant with experience in financial/cost accounting, Administration, HR and Material Management in construction (more than 30 years) seek suitable placement. Contact 98598099

M.Com & MBA finance Indian 10 years of experience in finance & accounts up to finalization currently available in Oman.

Contact: 90501642, Email: bobykkj@gmail.com Indian male, B.Com with 6 years experience as an Accountant, looking for suitable placement.

Mob: 93903458 , Email : Akkandyrijesh@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, finance, banking, L/C, import, export & finalization seeks placement. NOC Available.

Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement.

Contact : 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com Presently working as Senior Accountant having 16 years experience in Oman with Oman D/L looking for new placement, NOC available. Contact : 95060390

ADMIN Indian female Graduate over 6 years experience in Admin operations support with excellent communication skills looking for suitable job. Contact: 94231020 Indian male MBA 33yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking full time suitable placement in Administration/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics.

Holding valid D/L. Contact 99054786 Indian legal adviser drafting cases / contract administrator job experience computer knowledge Oman experience / India suitable job NOC. Contact: 91171650 Indian female 27 yrs Masters in computer, 2 yrs exp in admin.

Looking for full-time or part-time jobs Contact: 99417993 Pakistani male 7 yrs experience in purchase & HR looking for suitable job with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 91020279, Email: afaiz7345@gmail.com Indian male, Graduate having more than 10 years experience in logistics & freight forwarding with GCC license, looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 91714980 Email: medileep@gmail.com Omani, male, 20 yrs exp. in PR, Admin etc. seeks suitable placement. Contact 91221773 Looking for H.R Admin Assistant post or any related position, currently on visit visa, available for immediate placement Qualification MBA H.R. Contact: 94665450 Email: paulwesleywilliaams@yahoo.com young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O , Clerk helper supervisor Admin supervisor , H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license looking for H.R position or P.R.O license .

Looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time.

Contact: 95933288 Indian male MBA- UK 18 yrs Gulf exp in Administration/ HR & Public relationship. Fluent in Arabic/ English with D/L. Looking for suitable position. Contact - 99897280 Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235 Indian female, Masters in HR, having 4 + years Oman experience in media management and HR, looking for openings in HR, Education, Admin, Corporate communications. Contact 98252030 Indian female PGDHRM MSW having 5+ experience in HR Assistant Administration customer support good computer skill DOA, CIT Tally now on family visit visa looking for suitable position.

Contact: 95352527

ARCHITECTURE Architect / Site Architect 12 years experience in Supervision the implementation of major projects & design, looking for work in construction or consulting.

Contact: 96049397 Indian female diploma in architecture having 5 years of working experience in Oman (Engg Consultancy having valid Oman driving license. Contact: 96683293

BEAUTY

Indian male 7 yrs Oman exp, tally ERP 9, Accounting, Inventory controlling & IT Supports seeking suitable job. NOC Available. B.Com, PGDCA. location Sohar having Oman D/L. Contact 98317698, Email: sukuanilkumar@gmail.com

Finance & Accounts Indian male 35 years B.Com MBA (F) 7 years experience tally ERP9 with valid D/L family visa.

Contact: 93257426 / 95230114 Email: sibigeorgep@gmail.com

Young 24, ACCA affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business, seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or audit With valid driving license.

Contact - 92430152, Email - rau_dey@yahoo.com

ENIOR ACCOUNTANT-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to finalization. Currently employed in Oman. Having D/L & NOC. Mob: 94122464, Email: cammk13@gmail.com

Beautician, Indian exp. required visa. Contact 95175192

CATERING Indian Kerala male 39 well exp commis chef /cook / supervising in hotel / catering seeking suitable placement. Contact: 98137476 Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

W E D N E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 1 0, 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED DRIVER Embassy experienced driver with 17 years experience seeks suitable placement. Contact: 92191698 Driver with release Oman 4 years, K.S.A 12 years exp.

Contact: 93885404

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Pakistani light driver looking for job with 5 years experience.

Contact: 92617293 Looking job for driving with car.

Contact: 90436094 Looking for job car driver.

Contact: 98388947 Light driver looking for job experience 8 years.

Contact: 94297563 Light driver. Contact: 99141481 Light driver looking for job.

Contact : 95494310 Light driver 10 years experience looking for suitable job, can speak English, Arabic & Hindi.

Contact: 92360040 Driver, 2 yrs exp looking for suitable placement. Contact: 97133246 Light driver need job knows Arabic & Hindi.

Contact: 95145988 Looking for job driver K.S.A 7 years Oman, 5 yrs, education S.SC. Contact: 93940319 Light duty driver looking for job, 5 years exp. Contact: 97170619 Indian Keralite male 25 yrs, light driver looking for job.

Contact: 91616786 Light duty driver looking for job.

Contact : 95827886 Looking job L.T.V with car, without car. Contact: 94436276 Driver, 5 years experience in Oman looking for job.

Contact : +968 99139890 Job for driving. Contact: 98982410

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Interior Designer 4 years experience design and supervision skills (3D Max, AutoCAD Photoshop.

Contact: 95946737 Email: yassalnajjar@gmail.com

EDUCATION Indian Lecturer Lady, MTECH with 5+ years teaching experience in Electrical engineering - RUWI95073922 / chithrarakeshkumar@gmail.com Looking for part time tutoring on Mathematical & Statistics.

Contact: 99229700

DOMESTIC HELP Housemaid & Driver, valid GCC D/L (couple) overseas looking for job. Contact 95175192 Housemaid (overseas) Indian family looking for job.

Contact 99531802

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement.

Contact:- 95042656 Electrical Engineer with 18 years exp in UAE. Contact: 98148034 Email: shassalih66@gmail.com Civil Engineer (BE) having total 5 years experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available Contact# 94450270 Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im Bachelor Civil Engineer 6 Years in Oman experience Valid Driving License seeks suitable placement Phone 97619722 Email – golamrob@yahoo.com Sudanese Telecom Engineer, 5 years experience, 3 years in Oman PMP certificate.

Contact: 93391008 Email: momen.awadallam@gmail.com

Finance / Project/ Program Manager Professional YƵĂůŝĮ ĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ͗ D ͕ WDW͕ ^ŝdž ^ŝŐŵĂ Country Exposure Canada & DŝĚĚůĞ ĂƐƚ͕ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ ŶLJ EĂƟ ŽŶĂůŝƚLJ ĂŶĂĚŝĂŶ͕ In Person Interview on Sundays

Contact No: 97203531, +923352855176

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MANAGER

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Offshore Structural Engineer (M. Tech) Indian 27 yrs 1 year experience looking opportunity in Oman.

Contact: 93653629

Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact – 96789711

Telecom Engineer, Indian, M.Tech (Communication System) 2 years exp O& M of Ericsson BSC, RNC equipments seeking suitable job, presently on visit visa.

Contact: 968 93615443 Email: shabnaspk@gmail.com

HSE Engineer B.Tech (safety & fire) M. Sc 8 years experience Indian 31 years presently occupied on notice period available with clean NOC, holds Oman driving license & owns car. Contact: 94616721 Email: aibelg19@gmail.com

Diploma Engineer looking for job (Civil) 7 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 92076339

B.Sc Civil Engineer, 27 yrs Oman experience as Project Manager, Structure Engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC / LOCAL transfer available.

Contact: 99349578 Email: farooqatm@hotmail.com

Process Engineer Chemical Engineer, MBA certified in supply chain (MGT) 6 years experiences in operation. Contact: +968 94690325 Email: phahad.hashim@gmail.com HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+ Diploma Safety + NEBOSH+ OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement. Contact :97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com Indian male Electrical Engineer with MBA (Mktg) having 4 and half years experience in technical commercial and marketing fields with valid GCC D/L, NOC available seeking placement.

Contact: + 968 96547828 Email: deva0234@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) with 2 and half years experience Indian male 24 years in visit visa. Contact: 96620482 / + 91 9605423272 Email: bijumonps@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B. Tech) Indian male with 3 years experience skilled in the area quantity surveyor, primavera, MS Excel, AutoCAD. Contact: 00968 94853061, E mail: arunmohan.13990@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (4 years exp) (3 years HVAC 10 months Piping Engineer) job visa Indian Muslim (27). Contact: 90486758 Email: afsalhyder@gmail.com Electrical Designer Indian male 25 yrs experience of oil & gas field in Oman seeking suitable placement. Contact: 99605127 Email: gerard.baptist@gmail.com

Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact: 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com Indian male, Age 22, B.Tech, Mechanical Engineer, seeking for job on any position presently on family visa. Contact 94597785 Highly experienced Indian Civil Engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact 95715278 Iraqi Architect with 10 years of experience in Engineering designs and Construction Supervising professional in 3Ds Max, AutoCAD Photoshop. Contact: 96011716 Civil Engineer 4 years experience (Site Engineer). Contact: 94703391

Civil Engineer 6 years experience, 4 years in Oman, driving license available. Contact 92553263 Electrical Testing Engineer (B.Tech) having 7 yrs Gulf experience expertise in testing pre-commissioning commissioning of electrical systems, currently on visit visa seeks suitable job in Muscat.

Contact: 90188231 Mechanical Engineer male 26 yrs, with 4 yrs of experience in manufacturing oil & gas retail, brand promoting, marketing, logistics having valid Omani D/L seeking for a suitable placement. Contact: 97098676 Email: ja237le@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Procurement Engineer (27 years single male with Oman Driving License) having 7 years experience (UAE 2, Oman 3) with expertise in MEP, Water, Electromechanical, Instrumentation seeking suitable placements. Contact 95852033, mail: hemal1988@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Electrical Engineer B.Tech with 4 yrs experience in India available on visit visa looking for suitable placement. Contact: 94741401 / 97239852 Email: sobinthomask05@gmail.com Indian female civil engineer B.Tech having 3 years experience sound knowledge of software, REVIT STAD PRO structural detailing currently on family visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95345591 Mechanical Engineer with 3 Yrs experience in international Oil & Gas company looking for job Contacts: Tel: 90164236 Email: mustafaoshi-62@hotmail.com

Indian Civil Eng., (BE) 16 years exp in Oman const. having driving license & NOC. Contact : 99446335 Email: sonymathew76@yahoo.com

Soft ware Engineer available, 1 year experienced in Oracle –DB, VB. Net, SQL. Interested contact: 97440378

Sudanese Architectural Engineer 2 years experience in Oman, Revit, AutoCAD 3Ds max Archicad looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94722356 Email: maya40999@hotmail.com

Technical Analysis Trainer with automated trading system (NSE) looking for a job. Contact: 91285811

Indian male 30 yrs ( I.T.I Fitter) 8 years Gulf experience in U.A.E Steel Structural fabrication foreman in oil field presently on visit visa in Oman needs immediate placement. Contact: 92456027

Indian Electrical Engineer Btech, female 24 seeking job, presently in oman having 2 year experience in design and estimation of Ht &Lt projects. Contact 968 97436557, Mail id : sibinanoop1@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres) holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975518

Diploma in Civil Engineering having an experience 16 years (8 years in Oman) looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 95900744 / 98028329 Email: skalam744@gmail.com B.E .Mechanical Engineer Indian over 4 yrs of exp in HVAC design auto cad drafting on visit visa.

Contact 90305596, Email: shaikrizwan330@gmail.com Mechanical Eng. Diploma 31 years experience (22 Oman) Steel fabrication, steel furniture, Powder coating, Production and Planning.

Machine shop, looking for Managerial position in Sohar.

Contact 99314899 Seeking for Job: Male Bachelor of Science In Industrial Technology Graduate Job Exp.6yrs water safety rescue/lifeguard/scuba diving Contact: 96094260 / 96023570 Indian male 26 yrs have 6 yrs exp in technical assistant in tyre production, visit visa at Ruwi.

Contact: 92600859

Indian male, Electronics Engineer with 16+ yrs experience in ELV systems looking for suitable position in Sales, Business Development or operations, having valid license & local release. Contact 98143907 or mazher2005@yahoo.com Sudanese Civil Structure Engineer, 3 years experience with residence and Omani license, good at AutoCAD Etabs Staad. Pro looking for suitable job. Contact: 97906770 Mechanical Engineer, Experience in the power plant and any types of the Mechanical work, looking for mechanical jobs.

Contact: 92827254 /94641669

Indian female (22) BE Computer Science & pursuing MBA in symbiosis, looking for a job in HR & IT with 2 years experience in IT field.

Contact: 92649477 / 96043223

Indian male 23 years PG diploma in Petroleum Engineering & B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering seeking employment as Entry level field engineer. Contact: 95084905 / 95880127 Email: vijith2573459@gmail.com

Male 38 yrs Graduate 07 years experience indoor / outdoor electronic field with D/License & NOC available (as per new rule).

Contact: 92453375

MEP Engineer 5 years exp in Gulf driving license NOC. Contact: 97838220

Chemical Engineer Sudanese male 29 yrs. Master degree in chemical engineering , Experience 1 yrs and 2 months OSHA Course ,HACCP Course , look for suitable job in Oman. Contact 96533430

Civil Engineer (Diploma) having 11 years experience in building construction, looking for a suitable placement , having Oman driving license. Noc available.

Contact: 95075365 Email: azharraaz@gmail.com

Diploma in Mechanical Eng piping system in AutoCAD work, 21+ years experience with Driving license. Contact: 95267113 Email: rkakkaryil@gmail.com 7 years teaching experience in Political Science at University level, 5 years experience as Intellectual property lawer 20 years experience of Arabic / English visa versa , translation / interpretation / Editing , 20 years of experience in management, Tri lingual (Arabic / English / French) Contact : 92175153 Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97667113 Indian female diploma in tool & die making with 1 1/2 years experience looking for suitable job. Contact : 94743992 Email: selveena054@gmail.com 7 Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the field of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598 Indian female, 31 yrs, 7 yrs experienced as AutoCAD civil draftsman (2 yrs experience in Oman) currently in Oman seeks suitable.

Contact 96789441 Email: simi5304@gmail.com

B.Tech Chartered Electrical Engineer, AMIEI with 5 years of experience in electrical power transmission and distribution in industrial, residential & commercial sectors. Expertise in load designing BOQ, Estimations, transformer and switchgear selections. Leadership skills in project execution & management. Contact: 94638744 Email: ceng.shaz@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Hotel Management Degree holder, Indian Male, with 4 years work experience (Kuwait & India) looking for “Supervisor” position in F&B Department. Contact 96278739 or email anand786x@yahoo.com Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/ Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/ COO/CEO/Business Head. (NOC available) Contact: 96059470

IT IT Service Desk Management with 3 years experience now on visit visa looking for suitable placement. Contact: 95917613 Email:shithin.kanakadas@gamil.com Indian male having B. Tech C.C.NA M.C.SA 3years Saudi experience in IT System Administrator, 2 years experience in Networking (routing & switching) & server administrator presently on visit visa looking suitable placement.

Contact: 92339064 Email : anshadsainullabdeen@gmail.com Indian female 28 years, MCA, B. Com, 3 years experience in the field of computer hardware, ERP software, and windows networking where planning, implementing and troubleshooting with multiple platform of OS Microsoft XP /7/8 on visit visa. Contact: 95089170 Email: anjuretnakar@gmail.com SAP / ABAP certified Indian female (30), BCA, MCA, ASP. Net certification having 2 yrs of experience family visa, seeking placement. Contact: 99109121 Email: ashamaryphilip@gmail.com Indian female, B.Tech graduate, with one and half years experience as ‘web developer’ interested in web development and has experience working in HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript and Photoshop.

Contact : 9592 7075, e-mail id: mariarosejacob90@gmail.com Indian Male, IT System Engineer having 4 yrs of experience in system administration.CCNA,MCSE, Linux. Looking for suitable job.

Contact :91272867 Indian male, MCA, 15 years experience in Oracle, developer, Orion Sage ERP, 5 years in Oman working as IT In charge, with NOC release and transferable visa.

Contact: 95398567, Email: anasa4@gmail.com

LOGISTICS Indian Male, 36 years, over 16 years’ Stores, Logistics and Import Export experience with US based MNC, seeks suitable placement.

Mob: 9822 6568

MANAGER Indian male, with experience in operations management, information security, purchase & stores mgmt, hold UAE driving license, on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact 91904541 Email: naushers@yahoo.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments & transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact: :- 92385033

Procurement Manager / Commercial Manager / G.M Indian male having 26 years of experience in Import, procurement, logistics, Commercial activities, Warehousing, TRD & Sales.

Contact: 90502724 Email: tk.sasi@gmail.com Office Manager / personal Assistant with extensive experience in overall admin, commercial activities, purchase, accounts with driving license seeks suitable change.

Local release available.

Contact 99168054 Showroom & Office &Purchase manager with legal background and operation management-6 years experience inside Oman -An ongoing relationship with a number of customers & supplier in Oman-with valid Omani driving license. Contact: 97792871 – email : m.hossam1986@gmail.com Store Incharge / Store keeper 8 years experience in Oman, NOC & release is available looking for good job. Contact: 98178804 / 96703816 The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualified to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash management of the company & marketing projects & investments& tenders & real estate. Contact 92385033 MBA (marketing) with 17 years experience in freight forwarding/ logistics industry in GCC & Oman.

Presently working as branch manager in Muscat. Looking for a suitable position. Release and NOC available. Contact: 99856331

MEDICAL Male GP Doctor with NOC 6 yrs experience in Oman for perm/locum job. Contact : 97746074 Indian Bsc Female Nurse with 6.5 years exp, 4 years in KSA. Passed Oman Pro Metric with 69%, completed data flow. Presently in Muscat in visit visa looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 94744900, 94742834, jincyalphonese@gmail.com Indian male Nurse Prometric 70% with MOH license. Smart & fluent in English. Ready for immediate joining. Contact – 92194649 Female Nurse Indian, total 15 yrs experience, 6 yrs in KSA, prometric passed with 66% ready to join immediately. Contact: 95525004 / 98146565 An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact 96436517 /97396088

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female, 24 Years - MSc Biotechnology. Worked in International Crops Research Institute For The Semi Arid Tropics for project work as trainee. Looking for suitable job. Mobile: 92619048, Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com Filipina lady very urgently looking job only in boutique, release available ready to join immediately.

Contact: 97122152 / 91240759 Sudanese male 43 PHD Business Management DiPCii, CITIP, ARM54, 12 years experience in insurance field, seeking insurance post or risk management or teaching in University. Contact: 96796630 Email: brhomalkhoozamy@yahoo.com Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, Major in Animal Science, Male, 5yrs experience in poultry farm, seeking for job.

Contact 96093752.

A Filipina lady having experience in call center, airline booking and reservations, secretarial and real estate is now looking for a job in any fields. Contact: 93839304

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W E D N E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 1 0, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/COMPUTER/WEBSITE

FOR RENT MISCELLANEOUS Sh. Carpenter, steel fitter, helper, seeks visa. Contact 95175192, email : oman.manpower@yahoo. com Indian female on visit MBA (International Business- Marketing & Logistics), BE (Computers & Science Engg.) Trained in SAP-BI/ BW with 1 year experience seeking for job Contact: 90228586 Email:fathimasha16@gmail.com Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement.

Gsm 98805474

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE A dynamic professional, female,MBA,8 yrs MNC exp in Purchase, Secretary, Sales Coordination, Office Assistant, Logistics, Petty Cash, Stock, Dispatch, Project management, Documentation, residing in oman with valid NOC from current company, looking for suitable job, ready to join immediately. Contact:-phone:-94157662 Email: shiji4123@gmail.com Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Call: 95244761 Indian female B.C.A having exp in Office Assistance cum Secretary looking for job.

Contact: 97384206 Email: rani_sweet786@live.com Indian male experienced Office Asst with D/L looking for suitable job. Contact: 97718658

SALES / MARKETING Male 38 yrs Graduate 07 years experience indoor / outdoor electronic field with D/License & NOC available (as per new rule).

Contact: 92453375 MBA with 18 years of experience in Procurement, 2 years in Sohar, Oman driving license, looking for suitable position.M:94047501, ahmed16071974@gmail.com Indian male plumbing sanitary ware & building materials experience in outdoor sales (9 years) with valid D/L UAE. Contact: 98723456 Indian male, BBM, MBA, having 3 years experience in Sales looking for suitable job. Contact: 92796046 Indian male B. Pharm 15 years sales experience MOH Pharmacist license driving license looking for opportunities in Pharmacy or Sales and marketing can get NOC. Contact: 99694865 MBA graduate having 6 years exp in Sales & Marketing, 4 years with PEPSI, India, having international driving license permit seeks suitable placement. Contact : 95308167, Email : samir.pag@gmail.com Indian male, MBA Marketing having 2.5 years Sales experience immediately looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91415145, Email: shariqs88@gmail.com B.Com male 2 yrs experience in sales Computer knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98371144 email: nabilnazar22@gmail.com

TECHNICIAN /MECH. SKILLED / UNSKILLED Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192

Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license call Ph:+968 99450811 Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com

SALES / MARKETING TOURS/TRAVELS Indian sales marketing professional highly experienced in business development in ME India and Africa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97897611 Indian female, MBA in Garment Manufacturing Technology, having over 8years exp in Merchandising & Marketing, worked for brands Zara, H&M, DKNY, Even & Odd, Soya Concept & many more, now on family visa looking for a suitable position.

Pls contact: 95604511. email: richagandhi25@gmail.com MBA gradate (Indian male 25 yrs) having two years experience in sales and marketing looking for suitable position.

Contact: 92129799 Email: nabu096@gmail.com Indian male 4 years sales experience & Business development look forward for suitable position.

NOC & Oman D/L available.

Contact: 97198976 Email: qubaisakhan@gmail.com Indian male, Graduate, experienced Sales person (FMCG) with valid UAE driving license, on visit seeks suitable position.

Contact 92419491 / 94881950, Email : pranilpp76@gmail.com Indian male 23 Graduate with 1 year experience with valid Oman driving license looking for a placement. Contact: 93379169 Indian male 26, with more than 3 years experience in Counter Sales & Marketing with valid N.O.C Cont: 94704522, 97826454 & Emailmd.noman.mansoori@gmail.com Indian male, experienced Sales Executive with D/ L seeks suitable placement. Contact: 97853426 Experienced Indian male with Oman driving license and NOC looking for sales & marketing or purchase jobs. Contact: 97360689 Indian male 27 yrs, B.Com, tally 4 years sales exp in electrical & building materials with valid D/L. Contact: 98462052 Marketing exceutive BBA, MCOM, Tally, exp in accouting (can continue in current visa) ph : 98269281 26 years male MBA in Marketing & Finance Graduate having 2 years exp in sales & marketing in Mitsubishi Motor seeks suitable placement. Contact: 94676974 Email: dabdulmuqsit@gmail.com

Indian male 26 yrs, 7 yrs experience in airfare, audit, air ticketing well verse with Microsoft Office Windows application seeking for suitable position.

Contact: 94894170 / 95618311 Indian male 26, on vist visa, 2+ yrs of experience with UAE D/L, IATA-FIATA,BBA looking for any suitable job. Contact 91324567

MISCELLANEOUS 33 year old Filipina with experience in Teleperformance, Manila call centre ,now working as Waitress in Qatar seeking suitable post.

Contact 99022484 Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Sales coordinator cum Store keeper in Muscat; searching better job. Phone:91997605.

E mail: mohamednazrulislam2@ gmail.com 9 yrs exp Site Engineer in Civil & Shade Structure. 2d, 3d draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job.

Contact : 90139903 Indian female, B.Tech graduate, with one and half years experience as ‘web developer’ interested in web development and has experience working in HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript and Photoshop.

Contact 9592 7075, e-mail id: mariarosejacob90@gmail.com Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/networking/server, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/ Network/Server support. #92607532 Bangladeshi Male, University M.Com, Working as an administrator in Oman; searching better job.

Phone:94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com Indian Male, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” , looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office.

Contact: 90182494, manojmallya999@gmail.com Indian female 25 yrs, MBA HR & Marketing, with one and half years experience as accountant and 6 months experience in teaching, now on a visit visa, seeking suitable position. Contact: 99624044, mail: np.neethu1@gmail.com.

MISCELLANEOUS B.Com 5yrs experience good command on tally, Excel sheet on family visa. Contact: 98002428 Email: lubnakanwal36@gmail.com Indian Male, 27 Years, MBA Finance pursuing, BCA, 6 years working in Airline Cargo Operations, Airline Passenger Ticket Auditing domain, looking for a suitable placement, currently on visit. email: jeevamal89@gmail. com, Phone:- 91713489 Assistant Manager – Planning (B.Tech EEE): Indian Male, over 10 years( 7+ Yrs in Oman & UAE) of experience in Project Planning & Scheduling, Liaison & Coordination, Budgeting and Client Interaction. Seeking a suitable Job in Muscat. Contact – 00971503529608, Email Id: saravananbe44@gmail.com MBA (F), B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for full or part time job. presently on family visit visa. Contact :- 96259171. Email:bhumicapandya@gmail.com Assistant Manager – Planning (B.Tech EEE): Indian Male, over 10 years( 7+ Yrs in Oman & UAE) of experience in Project Planning & Scheduling, Liaison & Coordination, Budgeting and Client Interaction. Seeking a suitable Job in Muscat. Contact – 00971503529608, Email Id: saravananbe44@gmail.com Diploma in civil engineering having an experience 26years (22years in Oman) experience in Estimator / quantity surveyor looking for a suitable placement.

Willing to join immediately Contact : 96328687.

Indian B.Tech 37 years Project Engineer , 12 + years experience in construction, maintenance of STP, Pumping stations, sewer lines, drinking water distribution and service reservoirs & pipe lines. Contact: 99364007 / +91-887422635 Email: mdzubair01@gmail.com Indian Mech Engineer, 9+ years of Saudi experience in HVAC, MEP oil & gas and hospital projects with valid Saudi driving license can join immediately. Contact: 99364007 / +966-505899608 Email: shuebmech@gmail.com Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Store keeper in Muscat; searching better job.

Phone:91997605, email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail. com Electrical Engineer with 11 years experience in Electrical Design (LV&HV) Villas , apartments ,seek part time jobs. Contact -91403412 Pakistani Male having 6 years Experience Valid Omani Driving license working as a Transport Manager looking for a suitable position. salary is negotiable. mail: mohdnaveed043@gmail. com, Mob: +96893363316 / 94202746 Indian male 25 yrs, MBA (Finance, Marketing), Overall 2 yrs exp in Accounts/Finance field, On Visit Visa. Immediately available.

Contact - 92989197/94786544. abdulqhizer2004@gmail.com Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Store keeper in Muscat; searching better job.

Phone:91997605, email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail. com 22, Indian BBA graduate, 1 year experience, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 91881053 Highly experienced mechanical/ steel structural fabrication engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 99860714, hussain20173@gmail.com.

Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 Bangladeshi Male, University M.Com.Working as an Administrator cum Accountant in Oman; searching better job.

Phone:94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/ networking/server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support.

Contact 92607532.

SIT.WANTED Light Driver looking for job.

Contact:99594946 Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 26 years old (male) with 4 years experience as Mechanical engineer , Sales engineer and Call center agent seeking suitable placement.

Contact: +968.90644235 9 yrs exp Site Engineer in Civil & Shade Structure. 2d, 3d draughtsman (holding Oman driving license) seeking job. #90139903 Bangladeshi Male, University M.Com Working as an Administrator cum Accountant in man; searching better job. Phone:94864966, email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com MBA - (F), M.Com, B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for part time or full time job. Presently on family visa. Contact :- 91892264.

Email:- yv.dixit@yahoo.com Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Sales administrator in Oman; searching better job.

Phone:91997605, email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi Searching a land surveyor job fully know latest instrument of Survey GPS and Total station two year OMAN experience.NOC Available. Contact +96894144052, Email- wasifnaz 313@yahoo.com Indian Female, BE Electronics and Communication, having oman experience looking for full time or part time job. Ready to join immediately, currently on family visa.

Contact : 92115948 / 99327912 Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/networking/server, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/ Network/Server support.

Contact 92607532 Indian male 34 Yrs., Dual MBA Finance and marketing With IT skills, 7+ yrs. of experience, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 94879615, Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com B.TEC ( IT) . 24 years, 2 Years of experience in technical support, software development, networking, troubleshooting and managing. seek suitable placement.

Contact GSM- 98184170 Electronics service Technician , 4 Years experience as Electronics service engineer. Knowledge in all type of Electronics items. Looking for suitable placement.

GSM- 99105043 Light Duty Driver Professional, Indian male having 5 years of experience with valid Oman driving licence.NOC Available.

Contact 91652481

earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

SIT.WANTED Senior Accountant Indian male 35 Years with 13 Years of Experience (7 years in Oman) in Accounts & Finance having valid Omani Driving License. Looking for job in GCC Countries. # 96001918 Indian male M. Com 10 years of experience looking for Part time Job can do finalization #97433387 or thodaforme@gmail.com Indian male 25yr B. Com 4 years experience in trading and contracting field in India looking for suitable accountant vacancies.

Please contact 96155921 or fysal.nellaya@gmail.com Indian male looking job part time driver. Contact: 93884951 Indian male BE, (ECE) 18 months experience in Telecom Sector as installation and Commissioning Engineer, troubleshooting the bts, 3G and LTE equipments currently on visit. Contact: 95183497 Email: v.karthi984@gmail.com

Indian male experienced material segregation with D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact: 92715032 Email: santhoshgeorge99@gmail. com

27,male,ACCA finalist, have professional experience up to finalization of accounts, statutory and internal audit, expertise in using tally, focus and oracle software, have 3.5 years experience in accounts till finalization ,seeking for permanent replacement in senior position, GSM-91324962, email-abdullah.nooralam@gmail.com

Purchase Executive Professional, Indian male having 6 Years of Experience in Oman Having Valid Driving Licence working as a Purchase officer, Looking for a suitable Position, NOC/LR Available.

Contact: 95132564/96456071, E-mail: naji1988@gmail.com

Chief Accountant , 7 years experienced (out of 25 years experience in accounts) worked in reputed group companies. Currently procuring MBA finance and having Omani Driving License seeks suitable openings from reputed companies.

Contact : 95598477 / 98803439

Indian male 26 years (MBA Finance) seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 92715032 Email: ajisd@yahoo.com

Indian male 25 yrs, MBA in marketing on visit looking for a job in Sales and Marketing.

Contact 91270215 Email: nibuvarughese13@gmail.com

D.M.E, Indian, 12 yrs experience in Oman, in Project Estimation, Execution, Quality & marketing working as Estimation Engineer in acid & water tanker, semi trailor company, with havin driving license & will get NOC, seeks suitable job in Oman.

Contact 98968495.

Indian male, 23 years PG diploma in Petroleum Engineering and B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering holding UAE driving license seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95880127 / 95084905 Email: vijith2573459@gmial.com

Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. CONTACT 98294551

AVAILABLE 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

SIT.WANTED Female 5 years experienced Oman as Senior Accountant.

SKILLS : ERP9, MS OFFICE, SAGE, ACCPAC. GSM # 95483804 / 9986 8330. MAIL : sararowshan344@gmail.com Indian male 25 yrs, MBA (Finance, Marketing), Overall 2 yrs exp in Accounts/Finance field, On Visit Visa. Immediately available.

Contact – 92989197 / 94786544. mail: abdulqhizer2004@gmail.com.

Bangladeshi male, University MA, working as administrator in Oman; searching better job. #91997605 mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com Indian male having 6 Years of Experience in Oman Having Valid Driving License working as a Purchase officer, looking for a suitable Position, NOC Available.

Contact: 95132564 / 96456071, E-mail:naji1988@gmail.com Indian Male, pursuing ACCA with knowledge in C++, Java looking for accounting job. Contact 94743462.

Email: zabinbashu@gmail.com Indian, Keralite seeks cleaning job part time. Contact: 90169048 HR Manual, Employee Handbook, Recruitment, Training, HR Consultancy. Are you looking for freelancer HR professional? Please contact on 97914669 BE Mechanical Engineer / MBA Indian male 25 yrs, currently working in Qatar skills MEP designing surveying, Oracle, AutoCAD, SAP. Contact: 97474470866 & C/O in Oman 95071632

W E D N E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 1 0, 2 0 1 6

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

TOURS

SITUATION WANTTOURS ED

RENT A CAR

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636

DRIVING

MANPOWER

We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steambath, obesity, spondylitis. Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 97397320

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

Experienced 10 Shuttering carpenters, 10 Steel Fixers and 10 mason to ready to joined with our organization with release & NOC. Salary will be fair, food and accommodation is available.

Contact 90234289 / 91496549 / 24494900

NRI Flats for sale Kerala Trichur fully furnished 3BHK flat 1575 sq ft ready to occupy. Contact: 99073124 For sale 2 BHK with full furniture interior near St. Blaise School Church Amboli Andheri West Mumbai.

Contact: 95434412 Ready to occupy flat, 3BHK 1600 sq ft 1No & 3 BHK 1200 sq ft 1No. at heart of Trichur N.H road frontage.

Contact: 99073124 Partner wanted 10 to 30% share handover for running Construction Company. Contact: 97491117

Located about 1/2 km behind Cherplasseri town bus stand (Palakkad) 8 cents or 16 cents of residential plot for sale @ 3 lakh per cent.

Contact 97375638.

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).Contact: 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. # 99839898

Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at AL Khuwair. Contact: 24478618 / 97263637 / 93309131

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact: 96248040

MV SALE 2007 Nissan Tiida in good condition for sale. Contact 98241569

Transportation in Muscat.

Contact: 96004045

NRI

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation. Contact :98505294 Transportation.Contact: 99099714

Hyundai Santafe 2010 model, 2.7 litres, Black Colour, Expat driven, well maintained, 86000 kms.

Contact - 93304439.

Toyota Haice delivery van 2015 model, high roof in condition.

Contact: 99471699 / 95339183 / 94082616

Transportation Al Khuwair.

Contact: 92711421 Transportation. Contact 92015894

Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

D8

W E D N E S DAY, F E B R UA RY 1 0, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

DĂƌďůĞ Ɵ ůĞƐ ŐƌŝŶĚŝŶŐ Θ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ͕ DŽƐĂŝĐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ŐƌŝŶĚŝŶŐ Θ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ͕ ĐĂƌƉĞƚ ƐŚĂŵƉŽŽŝŶŐ͕ ƐŽĨĂ ƐŚĂŵƉŽŽŝŶŐ͕ ƉĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů ƚƌĞĂƚŵĞŶƚ Θ ŐĞŶĞƌĂů ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽĨ ǀŝůůĂ Θ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ Express Building Cleaning Services.

Contact 98480070 / 94134784

SERVICES

House shifting. Contact: 99708138

We Provide Cleaners, Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ General cleaning etc. ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> Contact : 94277020

Muscat Driving School.

Contact: 97026581 House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013

MATRIMONIAL LEGAL SERVICE Ŷ /ŶĚŝĂŶ ůĂǁLJĞƌ WƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ Ăůů ůĞŐĂů ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ŝŶ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŵĂƩ ĞƌƐ͘ LĂďŽƵƌ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ͕ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ ĂŐƌĞĞŵĞŶƚƐ͕ >> ĨŽƌŵĂƟ ŽŶ͕ ůĞŐĂů ŚĞůƉ ĨŽƌ ƐƚĂƌƟ ŶŐ ŶĞǁ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ŝŶ KŵĂŶ͕ ŝǀŝů͕ ĐƌŝŵŝŶĂů ĐĂƐĞƐ͕͘ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ŝƐƐƵĞƐ͘ /ďƌĂŚŝŵ ů DĂƐƐĂůŚŝ͘ůĞŐĂů ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂŶĐLJ Sarafudheen, >> ͕ D ͕ LĞŐĂů dvisor MƵƐĐĂƚ͘ GSM: 97351649

Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 Building maintenance.

Contact: 96173326 Cleaning services sofa, carpet, shampoo old house or new house.

Contact: 92179395

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

FURNITURE SHIFTING Maintenance, Dismantling, Packing, Shifting & Fixing furniture with expert technicians.

Pest Control Treatments Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 99344723

Contact: 99041337 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 A/C maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing.

Contact 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

Cleaning & Carpet Shampooing Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 99344723 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble.# 24793614/ 99314807 Marble, Grinding, Crystallization.

Ocean Center L.L.C. Contact: 99344723 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.

Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

Split A/C servicing R.O 10 only. Contact: 94217681 / 99210141 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130

Keralite Hindu Ezhava Parents invites suitable alliance for their son 26 yrs, Nakshtaram Rohini employed in Muscat.

Girl, resident of Oman is preferred.

Please write to: satishkumar@altesoman.com