Times of Oman - March 10, 2016

THURSDAY

March 10, 2016 1 Jumada Al Thani 1437 AH

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Rescuers fume as warnings ignored again

R O P D ATA

Accidents, deaths decline in 2015 compared to 2014 TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com

MORNING MINUTE

N E A R B A L A D I YA H

Fire in Muttrah house doused, nobody injured REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A massive fire engulfed a residential building in Muttrah on Tuesday night.

According to the traders in Muttrah Souq, the fire broke out late in the night and the police team doused it with great efforts. Nobody was injured in the incident. The building is located near Baladiyah in Muttrah.

“The entire building was damaged in the fire. However, all the families staying there were moved out safely by the police rescue team,” the traders added. Last month, Mazrook Keethadath, a shop manager in Muttrah, lost goods worth OMR200,000 in his warehouse blaze. Oman records a fire case every three hours, according to a 2015 report by the National Centre for Statistics and Information.

PACDA personnel attended to 90 distress calls and carried out 60 rescue operations

REJIMON K TARIQ AL HAREMI

reji@timesofoman.com tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Will they never learn?

Laughing these youths paddle down an overflowing wadi, unaware of how strong the currents may be or the potentially fatal consequences of their foolhardy actions.

Despite repeated warnings from authorities, this picture taken in Bahla reveals why lives are lost when it rains and why police and rescue teams are pressed

into service time and again to save those in peril.

On Wednesday alone by 11am, Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) head office received 90 distress calls and their rescue team had to carry out 60 rescue operations.

Distress calls In a statement issued by Royal Oman Police (ROP), the officials said that they had also received 40 distress calls since Monday.

The rain, which started to hit northern parts of Oman since Sunday, has so far claimed three

lives, two in Mudahibi and one in Rustaq.

In Mudhaibi, one person died after being struck by lightning and one drowned in an overflowing wadi.

According to an official from PACDA, the majority of calls came from North Sharqiyah and South Batinah regions.

On Wednesday, police had to deploy helicopters to rescue people stranded in Al Dahirah region.

The PACDA official said sometimes rescuers are often left wondering how those in danger got to be in such dire straits.

“There were calls about people in distress in North Al Sharqiyah, Wadi Kabar in Al Falaj Area.

The wadi was strong. When we reached there, it was quite impossible to reach out to stranded people. It always make us wonder how they got in and why?” the official said. >A2 TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

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1

Graduate Omanis should be properly trained, to take up managerial jobs. >A5

OMAN

Accolades for artist

2

Shaker Jalal won the first prize for a painting of His Majesty the Sultan. >A6

MARKET Oman make sensational debut at ICC World T20

On the occasion of the 28th National Day, 1998

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C1 3

OSC is planning to start a container feeder service connecting Salalah. >B1

MUSCAT: Number of road accidents and deaths considerably dropped in 2015, compared with 2014, according to the statistics provided by the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

According to the ROP’s Directorate General of Traffic Facts and Figures 2016, there were 6,279 accidents in 2015, down from 6,717 in 2014. A total of 675 people died in 2015 accidents, less than the 816 reported deaths in 2014.

The Muscat Governorate recorded the highest number of accidents at 2,107, which left 1,186 injured and 92 dead; followed by the Al Dakhiliyah Governorate, with 1,001 accidents leaving 550 injured and 95 dead.

However, the North Al Batinah Governorate recorded the highest 115 deaths and 216 injured in 239 accidents. Al Dakhiliyah and Muscat followed with 95 and 92 deaths, respectively. Musandam recorded the least number of accidents, injuries and deaths at 48, 27 and four, respectively.

July 2015 was the deadliest month of the year, where 626 accidents claimed the lives of 71 people and injured 406.

Of those dead, 68 per cent were Omanis, followed by non-Arabs accounting for 26 per cent of the total deceased. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals and other Arabs made up for 4 per cent and 2 per cent of the deaths, respectively.

3,411

was the number of accidents caused by speeding in the Sultanate in 2015

According to the data, 570 males died in accidents, compared with fewer females at 105.

At least 2,807 males and 817 females were injured.

Those aged among 26 to 50 years topped the list of casualties based on the age group and made up 46 per cent of those who died, while the injured made up 50 per cent. People aged in the 16 to 25 years age group followed with 32 per cent of them dying in road accidents, while 33 per cent were injured.

Speeding remains the top cause of accidents in the Sultanate, according to the statistics, with 3,411 accidents having been caused by it in 2015, down from 3,510 in 2014. Accidents due to improper acts were the reason for 1,217 accidents in 2015, compared with 1,479 in 2014. >A6

A2

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

Batinah, Sharqiyah roads cut off Ministry of Education has declared schools in Oman closed on Thursday, except for those in the Al Wusta and Dhofar regions

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A series of weather disturbances tracking across the region has resulted in heavy thunderstorms and led to flash flooding, affecting many regions in northern Oman badly.

While water in Wadi Al Kabir Dam in Ibri was reported to flowing towards the wilayat’s centre late in the evening, many roads were cut off in Batinah and Sharqiyah region as wadis (valleys) were overflowing dangerously since afternoon, according to the National Committee for Civil Defence (NCCD). Late in the evening, the NCCD initiated precautionary evacuation in the Al Dreez and Al Maqsooma areas.

“The Al Dreez School for Basic Education shall be the evacuation centre,” the NCCD tweeted.

Dozens of people, who were stranded in the overflowing wadis in North Batinah, were rescued.

Meanwhile, by Wednesday afternoon itself, the Ministry of Education had declared a holiday in all schools in Oman on Thursday, except for those in the Al Wusta and Dhofar regions due to the heavy rain forecast, however, an official from the Indian schools’ board said there would be no change in the Class X CBSE Board examination schedule.

Bader Ali Al Baddaei, administrator of www.rthmc.net, a local Web-based forum that discusses weather in Oman, told the Times of Oman that normal life had been hit

Photo credit @RthathWeather, ONA, OK Mohammed Ali

in the northern parts of Oman due to heavy rain.

“Heavy rain fell in Buraimi, Sohar, Saham, Kabourah, Suwaiq, Rustaq, Nakhal, Al Ansab, Barka, Seeb, Samail, Baushar, Al Awabi, Quriyat and many parts of Muscat,” Al Baddaei added.

Muttrah Souq (market) traders, who had moved their goods from the shops much earlier, said they hadn’t suffered much loss.

“We moved our stuff by afternoon itself. There were two ships docked at the port. It was a day we would have got good business. We lost it due to the rain. In some of the shops, rain water entered, but it is still flowing,” Hussain Juma Al Balushi, a representative of the souq’s merchants, said.

The Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) has predicted thundershowers, a hailstorm and flash floods on Thursday in Muscat, Musandam, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahira, North and South Batinah, Al Dakhliyah, and North and South Sharqiyah.

According to Oman’s Meteorology Department, Bid Bid received 29.8 millimetre (mm) of rain, Quraiat 21.2mm, Wadi Mawel 29.2mm, Qumaira 19.6mm, Bowsher 25mm, Saiq 19.2mm, Buraimi 24.6mm and Amerat 17.4mm.

H E AV Y R A I N

Heavy rain causes deaths, damage to infrastructure SALEH AL-SHAIBANY

saleh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Heavy rains, severe thunderstorms and strong winds across the Sultanate are causing damages to properties, public utilities and deaths as the Meteorology Office warns that the unstable weather would continue for the rest of the month.

Strong winds uprooted trees, ripped car parks, flattened compound walls, caused leaks in bridges, cracked up roads, downed street lights and had busted water pipes. So far, records at the local hospitals showed that seven people have died because of the severe storm. The causes of death in these cases were cited as electrocution, lightening, road accidents and drowning.

Residents also reported that their houses had lost electricity, water supply got disrupted and land line telephone services were cut. Winds of speeds up to 40 knots were recorded by the Met Office. It had felled trees, blocked roads and damaged cars.

“The roof of my car park was ripped and it landed on my window. My car was also damaged when part of the car park’s roof

fell on it,” Hamed Al Shaksi, a resident of Maabela told the Times of Oman (TOO).

Drivers also experienced unnerving moments when they saw bridges on the highway leaking water as they drove underneath. “I noticed the bridge at Ghala leaking water as I was driving through and thought it was going to collapse on me. At that time, cars were driving on top of it. I think the weight of these cars and faults in the infrastructure are causing the leaks,” Salim Al Falahi, a man who works as an architect, said.

Hundreds of distress calls have been received by the ROP in the last one week, including to report about a man who was electrocuted in Mudhaibi and a boy who drowned in a wadi (valley) in Rostaq. In Seeb, a tide of water swept away a labourers’ camp at a construction firm on Tuesday night.

“We lost all our belongings as rainwater flooded our camp while we were sleeping. Everything went into the wadi and now we don’t even have spare clothes,” Hareesh Singh, one of the labourers told TOO. Road flooding also exposed the portholes in the roads, especially in the residential areas as strong

water currents dragged in stones and rubbles. The flooding on the roads had also led to older cars stalling. “It’s a problem when you drive in areas filled with water.

The stones break the roads and my car got stuck. The water got into my radiator and it stalled,” Shamis Al Battashi, a resident of Al Hail, said. Due to the uncertainty of the weather, the Ministry of Education cancelled schools on Wednesday and Thursday saying it was risky for children to make their way to their classes. Most of the offices in the Sultanate sent workers home early on Wednesday.

The Met Office, in its regular broadcast, has warned that the unstable weather is likely to continue for the rest of the week and cautioned all residents to restrict their movements. Civil engineers said it was difficult to estimate material damage, but repair costs might run into millions.

“You have ministry buildings that are leaking water, airports that have damaged roofs, shopping centres, roads, public utilities and private properties that need expensive repairs. My estimate would be between OMR50 to 75 million,” Khamis Al Obaidani, a civil engineer, told TOO.

RAIN

< FROM

A1 Many incidents unreported “Many incidents are not even reported to us. We come to know about it through social media networks. The situation is precarious and I am honestly confused.

Why are they still treading dangerous wadis? Do they not know the punishment they could face?” the official added.

The official added that those who survive from danger will face legal actions for risking their lives and the lives of others by crossing wadis.

“Threatening one’s life as well as the lives of others is considered a crime according to the Omani

Penal Code,” the official added.

In its latest alert, Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) has advised people to take extra precautions during heavy rain, not to cross wadis, and to avoid sea activities.

PACA has predicted thundershowers, hailstorm and flash floods today and tomorrow in Muscat, Musandam, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahira, North and South Batinah, Al Dakhliyah, and North and South Sharqiyah.

In 2015, around 200 rescue operations were carried out by authorities during the rain in Oc-

tober and November and 14 have lost their life then.

According to Eric Leister, a meteorologist at Accuweather.com, a series of disturbances tracking across the Middle East is sparking heavy thunderstorms, threatening to bring flash flooding to Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Iran.

“Low pressure passing from UAE. to southeastern Iran on Wednesday will cause heavy rainfall. As a result, cities in northern Oman such as Muscat and Sohar will be at a high risk for flooding,” Eric added.

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OMAN W I T H R E Z G AT E WAY

CAUSES OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS IN OMAN 2014-2015 2014

ACCIDENTS Accidents caused by road defect and improper acts fell substantially.

Accidents because of speeding decreased as well, but still remained the top cause

2015

Weather 19

22

Road defect 79

33

Although accidents decreased in 2015, there was a rise in accidents caused by fatigue, weather, negligence and overtaking

155

MUSCAT: Oman Air, the country’s national carrier, has signed an agreement with Rezgateway for a complete holiday reservation system.

The system called RezG-Package, will dramatically enhance Oman Air’s already-famous efficiency and performance by automating almost all of the manual functions.

Rezpackage includes dynamic packaging capabilities, B2B and B2C reservation, a back office system, integration to a payment processing and finance system, a call centre module and much more.

The results of this project will provide significant benefits to the customers of Oman Air Holidays.

Customers can now book online, via Oman Air’s holidays call centre or through Oman Air travel offices, whichever channel is convenient for them.

Vacation packages booked

Not keeping safe distance

507

462

Improper act

1,479

1,217

Speeding

Total

6,717

3,510 3,411

6,279

Negligence

606

655

Overtaking

224

228

Intoxication 103

53

Fatigue 10 40 Sudden stopping 11 3

Reduction: 438 accidents In 2015 there was a reduction of 7% in accidents compared to 2014

Deaths caused by road defect fell substantially. Accidents because speeding decreased as well, but still remained the top cause of deaths

Road defect 25 6 Improper act 86

Although deaths related with traffic accidents decreased in 2015, there was a rise in deaths caused by weather, fatigue and sudden stopping

74

Overtaking 126

97

Speeding

428

816

383

Negligence 87

74

675

Vehicle defect 32

14

Not keeping safe distance 15

8

Intoxication 10 3 Weather 0 1

Reduction: 141 deaths In 2015 there was a reduction of 17% in deaths compared to 2014

Sudden stopping 0 1 Graphics

Source: Royal Oman Police

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Despite the decline in the overall accident

FULL ARTICLE

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

toll, people are still ignoring traffic laws

TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Although the number of traffic accidents, injuries and deaths dropped drastically in 2015, according to Royal Oman Police’s (ROP’s) data, two age groups topped the number of accidents and fatalities in Oman.

According to ROP’s Directorate General of Traffic, the age group between 16 and 25 years recorded

a total of 212 deaths in 2015, and 1,201 injuries stemming from accidents, which accounted for 32 per cent and 33 per cent of the total deaths and injuries.

Preceding that group was the 26 to 50 years age group, where accidents claimed the lives of 311 people and injured 1,820.

Speeding was the number one cause for accidents, where 3,411 accidents occurred, claiming 383 lives and leaving 1,728 injured.

MSC

Iranian ship crew member evacuated SALALAH: Maritime Security Centre evacuated a crew of a merchant vessel in the Arabian Sea, coming from Bandar Abbas port in Iran and heading to Barcelona, Spain, 60 nautical miles East of the Salalah Port.

The Maritime Security Centre received a distress call from the captain of the ship that includes a request for the treatment of a patient suffering from a seizure.

The Maritime Security Centre coordinates, within the framework of its duties, with the Royal Air Force of Oman, which in turn carried out the evacuation by a Super Lynx helicopter which transferred the patient to the Sultan Qaboos Hospital in Salalah for treatment. -ONA

HAVE YOUR SAY

Fatigue 7 14

DEATHS

Oman Air signs holiday reservation system deal Times News Service

Vehicle defect

169

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However, the despite the decline in the overall accident toll, people are still ignoring traffic laws regarding seatbelts and use of mobile phones.

Safety expert Mark Pudwell said, “It is good news that the number of road traffic incidents and deaths on the roads are declining.

“Road safety awareness has been raised significantly through the hard work done by the ROP and local road safety o rganisations.”

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

through the system can include every aspect of the trip, including air tickets, car hire, hotel accommodation, airport transfers and land tours.

Rezgateway will also provide fully integrated travel technology to Oman Air, allowing the awardwinning airline to source products and services seamlessly from any provider in the world, via XML/ web services.

In addition, the system will allow Oman Air to distribute Omani products and worldwide at the click of a button. Furthermore, the back office functionality lets managers, finance departments and agents manage their work and track progress in real time.

Mahfoodh bin Ali Al Harthy, senior vice president, Sales, GCC, MENA and Africa, commented: “As part of Oman Air’s current ambitious expansion programme, we are making significant investments in Oman Air Holidays. As with all aspects of Oman Air’s

business, we are committed to ensuring that Oman Air Holidays offers its customers the very best, in terms of quality, choice and convenience.

“We are therefore pleased to have appointed Rezgateway to deliver its RezG-Package—a complete holiday reservation system.

Rezgateway understands Oman Air’s vision and has the experience, technology, people and commitment to support the success of Oman Air Holidays and we look forward to working with the company.”

Mesfin Eyob, chief executive officer of Rezgateway, added: “We recognise Oman Air is committed to giving its customers the best possible service and outstanding value. Their partnership with Rezgateway will help the airline deliver on this aim.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Oman Air and leveraging our technologies to achieve their mission,” he further said.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

OMAN

OMR14b

Ministry urged not to withdraw benefits for aged Asked if the low oil prices warranted a cut in social benefits, Hamood bin Ahmed Al Yahyai, head of the Social Development

DELIBERATIONS: Social Development Committee at the Shura

is the budget of the Sultanate of Oman while the budget for social benefits is OMR130 Hamood bin Ahmed Al Yahyai, head of the Social Development Committee at the Shura Council

DEFENCE MINISTER LEAVES FOR SAUDI ARABIA Assigned by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs and his accompanying military delegation left here yesterday for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to attend the conclusion of the military drill “North Thunder”, which will be run at King Khalid Military City today with the Sultanate’s participation. The delegation accompanying Sayyid Al Busaidi includes Lt.Gen Ahmed bin Harith Al Nabhani, Chief of Staff of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and a number of senior SAF officers. -ONA

Council recently discussed the issue of social benefits with the Ministry of Social Development. – Supplied photo

Committee at the Shura Council, said social benefits only comprised a small part of the budget

ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Citizens receiving social benefits and whose children are employed should not have their benefits cut, said Hamood bin Ahmed Al Yahyai, head of the Social Development Committee at the Shura Council.

The Committee recently discussed the issue of social benefits with the Ministry of Social Development. Al Yahyai said even in the current financial economic situation, the issue of social benefits should be the last one to be affected.

“We don’t want to cut their benefits, since the son who works bears the responsibility for the entire family.”

When asked if the current economic situation and the low oil

prices, warranted a cut in social benefits, Al Yahyai said social benefits only comprised a small part of the budget.

“Social benefits only comprise around half a per cent of the budget. While the budget is OMR14 billion, the budget for social benefits is only OMR130 million. If the budget will be cut, this issue should not be touched. It will be the last solution,” he stated.

He also said the World Bank is studying the Omani system of social benefits. “We are waiting for the World Bank to finish its study before we cut anything.”

Commenting on the importance of retaining the benefits, he said anyone who works does not only have responsibilities towards himself, but also towards the extended family.

Al Yahyai said that accordingly, the Shura Council has requested the Ministry not to cut social benefits for people whose children work. He said if the Ministry wants to amend it, it will have to send it back for review to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, who in 2011 had instructed the government to not cut the social benefits of people with working children.

He further said that the amount that people are eligible for has not changed. Currently, one person gets OMR80, two persons get OMR120 and three persons get OMR150, with a maximum of OMR264 given for a family of 10 persons, in order to cover their basic needs.

According to figures provided by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the number of beneficiaries of social insurance increased from 71,200 in 2011 to 84,600 in 2015.

The Shura Council quoted on its Twitter account, Yahya bin Badr Al Maawali, undersecretary of the Ministry, as saying that this amounted to OMR131,861,847 and that the increase in the number of cases was not a good sign. He was further quoted as saying that the Ministry’s strategy should be focused on moving a number of cases out of social security and towards self-reliance.

The Times of Oman (TOO) contacted the Ministry of Social Development for an official comment. However, the Ministry was not able to provide TOO with any comment before the time of publication.

RESEARCH

SQU to organise conference on water resources in arid areas Times News Service MUSCAT: A conference on “Water Resources in Arid Areas will be hosted by the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU)on March 13.

The 4-day event is being is organiaed by the Water Research Center at SQU under the auspices of Ahmed bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Shehi, Minister of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources.

Water pollution The conference will discuss water resources in arid areas and their problems, whether conventional or unconventional sources, ways to tackle water pollution, water governance, economic and social aspects of water, drought policies, innovation and technology to cope with water scarcity and drought, water resource management for

control of drought, integrated management of water resources in arid areas and semi-arid and conservation of water resources.

The researchers and experts will also exchange views on research projects in order to finalise recommendations to solve the water problems in arid areas.

Dr. Othman Abdullah, Director of the Water Research Centre at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), said in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), that the conference is sponsored by SQU, The Research Council (TRC), Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources, Haya Water and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UN-ESCWA).

He added that the conference is scheduled to include 9 scientific sessions entitled Water Management and Hydrological Systems,

Flash Flood and Erosion in highrisk Areas, water Investment in Rural Areas, Irrigation Management, Technology and Cost, Rain Water Management, Irrigation Management, Climate and Hydrology, Water Quality and Agriculture and Water Conservation and Agriculture.

Desalination technology Dr. Othman Abdullah said that the Centre has researches that are funded by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, as well as researches that are funded by TRC, the United Nations, the Middle East and North Africa Water Center Network, in addition to many scientific consultations carried out by the Centre for the benefit of government entities that have contributed to the enrichment of work in the field of scientific research conducted by the centre.

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Shura, firms on same page over Omanisation Youth and Human Resources Committee of the Shura Council and CEOs of major private companies agree that Omani graduates should be properly trained to take over private sector managerial roles

ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Omanis, who graduate from universities and colleges should be properly trained, before they take over managerial roles in the private sector from expatriates, a member of the Shura Council said recently.

This was also concluded after a meeting between the Youth and Human Resources Committee of the Shura Council and CEOs of major private companies, which was held recently. The meeting was part of the Committee’s study on Omanisation in managerial positions in the private sector.

Gradual approach Mohammed Al Busaidi, the head of the Committee, said Omani candidates should gradually take up such roles. “We don’t expect them to take over immediately and get a managerial job. At least, a graduate will be appointed to work next to an expatriate for some time, to gain experience from him,” he stated.

He also said that currently there was a mismatch between higher education programmes and the requirements such companies have when they are looking for candidates.

He added that during the meeting companies had stressed on the need to improve the connection of higher education programmes with their requirements.

“Especially in the accounting and engineering jobs, they could not find Omanis,” Al Busaidi pointed out.

The companies suggested establishing a special institute where fresh Omani graduates can be trained with specific skills, in order to prepare them to compete with expatriates better, according to Al Busaidi.

Furthermore, the companies proposed holding seminars between businesses, to share expe-

riences around Omanisation.

Tonia Gray, general manager at Competence HR, confirmed that there needs to be greater collaboration between education and industry to determine what type of qualifications are required by businesses. She added that fresh graduates should also temper their expectations.

Expectations “Given that fresh graduates have no real work experience, they should expect to take positions at lower levels in companies to ensure that they understand businesses from the ground up, ultimately making them far more competent when they reach the higher levels of any company.

The current expectations are that because they have a degree, they should enter the market at a supervisory or above level, with a commensurate salary,” Gray stated.

Educational institutes also have a role to play here, according to Gray. She said that universities have to make students understand that any job, no matter what level, adds value to both the organisation and the students themselves.

“The soft skills required and an understanding of work ethics should be a compulsory module within education as knowing a subject theoretically does not equate it with the implementation of knowledge in a workplace,” she noted.

Al Busaidi said the Committee had requested the companies to come up with a five-year plan to train graduates.

“Unless we have a plan, we will not achieve anything. But we don’t expect the companies to fire all the [expatriate] managers and appoint fresh graduates,” he said.

Some companies are offering training to take up these roles.

Al Julanda Khalid Al Aghbari, a senior consultant, People Advisory Services at Ernst & Young,

said they train fresh graduates to prepare them for senior positions. “We’ll make them qualified to be seniors within three years,” he said.

Earlier, the Times of Oman had quoted Al Busaidi as saying that benefits for Omanis in the private sector should be raised, in order to attract more of them at higher positions. Al Busaidi said this idea had not been discussed during the meeting with business owners, but that he had gotten “a positive signal that they are very serious about Omanisation.”

Al Busaidi also said that some of the companies were already doing “very well,” with an Omanisation rate of 30 per cent reported in this category, while others had achieved a lower rate of Omanisation. “But we need to offer more Omani job seekers positions at the higher level,” he stated.

Aya Al Mahruqi, HR coordinator at Nestlé Oman Trading, said that while most of their merchandisers are Omani, the higher positions are still held by expatriates.

“We have to have more benefits to attract Omanis at higher positions. Especially the government and oil sectors offer them very high benefits. Expatriates will accept a lesser offer, but with Omanis, the expectation may be much higher. However, it is not an issue for us, since all vacancies all filled,” she said.

Compensation redesign Al Aghbari of Ernst & Young said his company too is working on the benefits. “We are trying to redesign our compensation and entitlements to make them fit for the market, to give more benefits for certain positions, including middle-management,” he said.

Commenting on the importance of increasing Omanisation in this category, Al Busaidi said it will benefit the economy, as Omani employees reinvest their earnings into the economy, whereas expatriate employees transfer a part of their salary to their own country.

Also, Omani managers might be more able to support their Omani staff, train them and increase Omanisation in the company, according to Al Busaidi.

“When we finish our study, we want to come up with recommendations that are feasible and can be implemented without [negatively] affecting the business. We, in the Majlis al Shura, want the private sector to earn profit and grow,” he said.

A5

OMAN WORKSHOP

Top astrophotographer gives tips to Muscat residents Times News Service MUSCAT: A workshop on astrophotography was held for the first time in Muscat, at the Oman Avenues Mall.

Astrophotography, like all areas of photography, has changed greatly in this digital age. With the lower costs of high-quality, powerful equipment now accessible to anyone, photographers of all levels can now capture the serene beauty of celestial bodies.

Commenting on the event, Ben

Watson, the general manager of Oman Avenues Mall, said the workshop couldn’t have been better.

The participatants included Babak A. Tafreshi, an award-winning photographer working with the National Geographic who captures the world at night and merges art and science, connects Earth and sky in elegant nightscape views.

Watson said, “Babak is an excellent teacher and a phenomenal photographer, he was more than happy to share the tools and techniques he has spent so much time

CELESTIAL BEAUTY: With high-quality, powerful equipment now accessible to anyone due to lower costs, photographers of all levels can now capture the serene beauty of celestial bodies. –Supplied photo

finding and developing.

“I am personally hoping to learn more about photography and the night sky in general. If you’re at all interested in photography I highly recommend for people who couldn’t join us on for one of his workshops at Oman Avenues Mall Party Hall to stay tuned for further updates from us.”

During the past 20 years, nightscape photography has developed from being Babak’s teenage hobby to a professional skill—and then to an international programme.

To him nightscape photography is about more than just recording a part of outer space or our environment; it becomes a lifestyle where he starts working when “normal” people enjoy parties, watch TV, and sleep. He adds that “the night sky is my second home.

Sixty to Ninety nights of the year I am doing night sky shooting. The night sky is very calm and peaceful.

Places that are packed and noisy in the daytime have a completely different atmosphere at night. You are connected not only to nature but also to the universe, and that’s a very unique feeling to me.”

Babak is also a freelance science journalist and astronomy communicator using all media. As a science photojournalist he frequently works with Sky &Telescope magazine and the European Southern Observatory (ESO). Photography, science stories, and eclipse chasing has taken him to all of the continents.

Born in 1978 in Tehran he is based in Boston, United States (and previously in Germany), but could be anywhere on the planet seeking starscapes.

He is a board member of Astronomers Without Borders, an international organization to bridge between cultures and connect people around the world through their common interest in astronomy.

When living in Iran he was editor of the Persian astronomy magazine (Nojum) for a decade and had widely popular television programmes on astronomy and space.

A6

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 We are thrilled to welcome the Oman Bride Show as an exciting addition to OCEC’s calendar in 2017 Trevor McCartney, OCEC’s general manager

OMAN

Omani artist gets praise for His Majesty painting Jalal is a member of the Oman Fine Arts Society and has represented Oman at Brazil in 2014

Emirates in 2015

Times News Service MUSCAT: Champions kept the flame burning in the pleasant morning sunshine as young students of the kindergarten section at the Indian School Muscat held their Annual Sports Day recently.

Jahad Abdullah Al Shaikh was the chief guest for the day. Principal Srinivas K. Naidu and all the Vice Principals of the Senior, Middle, and Primary Sections graced the occasion. Under the guidance of the Pre-Primary Vice Principal, Prema George, teachers worked tirelessly to train the KG students for the mega event.

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CULTURAL AMBASSADOR: Shaker Jalal’s future plans include a new and innovative art academy for young Omani artists to promote

their art as he believes that fine art is an effective way to promote the country’s culture globally. – Supplied photo HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

MUSCAT: Also known as the Leonardo Da Vinci of Oman for his Monalisa painting, Shaker Jalal recently won the first prize in Oman for a painting of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

In 2016, Jalal had started a series of paintings featuring Arabian horses.

Asked why animal painting is special for him, Jalal replied, “Every animal has its own story and they can show emotions, feelings in different ways like with

Annual sports

ROP

and the United Arab

hassan@timesofoman.com

I N D I A N S C H O O L M U S C AT

their eyes or ears. Animals like humans to show their emotion and feelings through their body language.” He explained that horses are beautiful and magnificent creatures; they are part of Omani culture and also any culture around the world. They are human’s companions throughout good and bad times.

Jalal is a member of the Oman Fine Arts Society and has represented Oman at Brazil in 2014 and in the United Arab Emirates in 2015. Additionally, he has participated in numerous art events in

the Arab world and globally.

Painting and art for Shaker Jalal is a way of communication.

“I feel fortunate to be an artist. I love to communicate with paint-

ings. For me, painting is a universal language, which will allow you to connect with the world,” the award winning artist stated.

His future plans include a new and innovative art academy for young Omani artists to promote their art globally as he believes that fine art is an effective way to promote the country’s culture globally. Many of the young Omani artist’s first canvases feature human faces. “People’s faces are the most challenging to paint because they show different emotions even without realising it,” Jalal

said, adding that faces are the first thing an observer sees in a person when meeting someone for the first time. A face will give you an idea of his moods, emotional state and even where he comes from.

“By painting faces, I capture those moments, the story the face is telling or trying to tell,” Jalal said. “The secret is to practice all the time so that you learn. If you follow the wrong technique, your painting may lack the wow factor, so it is important to get it right. If you get the details correctly, it will look realistic,” Jalal concluded.

A1 Road crash However, accidents due to fatigue increased in 2015, with 40 accidents recorded, leaving 49 injured and 14 dead, compared with 10 accidents, seven injured and nine dead in 2014. Overtaking led to accidents, which also rose to 228 in 2015, leaving 196 injured, compared with 224 accidents and 126 injured; the number of deaths fortunately decreased to 97, compared with 267 in 2014.

The most fatal accident in 2015 occurred in Haima on Saturday, July 18, as a result of fatigue, which claimed the lives of seven people and injured four.

QUIZ COMPETITIONS

ISG students’ victory run continues Times News Service MUSCAT: Continuing their victory march, Indian School Ghubra (ISG) students won an unprecedented string of championships in the inter school quiz competitions.

Thanks to all the organisers of the different inter school competitions, who provided a platform for quiz enthusiasts to match their wits against the best. The exciting and thrilling contests that were held have unleashed the potential of all the participants from ISG. It was a momentous and proud occasion for ISG when Shubham Bhan of Class VI, Aditya Harish of Class VII and Madhav Madhusoodanan of Class VIII clinched

the Ambassador’s Rolling Trophy for the fourth time at the 10th National Quiz.

At the Inter school Junior Quiz Pot Competition held in Muscat, Adwaith Menon and team rose to the occasion and secured the second position.

In addition, Aditya Manjusha Shylesh and Ashwin Sankar steered the school to an emphatic

victory and won exciting prizes at the prestigious XQuiz -ITZ Champion’s Trophy, wherein 300 teams from different schools participated.

To cap it all, quiz enthusiasts Saurav Shivprasad of Class XI, Vaishnav Nair of Class X and Akhil Gopikumar of Class IX (Seniors) and Malavika Sivaprasad of Class VIII, Siddharth Sajeev of Class VII and Merin of Class VI (Juniors) left no stone unturned in Inter school Quiz Competition conducted by Indian Social Club in which the school bagged the first position in both the categories, which saw more than 600 participating teams from all the Indian schools.

The ISG feels proud of the success achieved by these whizkids.

REACHES NEW HEIGHT

FUNCTION: The event was presided over by the chief guest Shaikh Al Munther Ahmed Salim Al Marhoon, the Wali of Thumrait. —Supplied photo

Indian School Thumrait celebrates annual day Times News Service MUSCAT: Indian School Thumrait celebrated its fourth annual day on March 4.

The event was presided over by the chief guest Shaikh Al Munther Ahmed Salim Al Marhoon, the Wali of Thumrait.

S. Ram Santhanam, president, SMC Indian School Salalah, Dr. Ernest Ezhilarasan, vice president SMC ISS, Suresh Babu, member, SMC, ISS and Trevor Ronald Brown, principal, Indian School Salalah also attended the function.

Rassal Mohammed, president, SMC Indian School Thumrait, Dr. Praveen, convener, SMC IST, Koya Abubakar, treasurer, SMC IST and Dr. S.K. Tiwari, principal, IST greeted the guests and extended a warm welcome.

A memento was presented to the chief guest.

In his welcome speech, Rassal Mohammed recalled the days when he and his team started the school with just 35 students four years ago and expressed his satisfaction over the way the school is touching new heights every day.

The chief guest awarded mementos to Rekha and Aneesha for their efforts in coordinating and conducting various national and international contests in school.

Mahmaood Akhtar Sultan Ahammed was conferred with the traditional shawl by the chief guest for his support and services to the school since its inception. Atiya Sultana was recognised as the Best Improved Teacher for 2015-16, and was conferred a memento and Certificate of Appreciation by the chief guest for her patience, skills and ability in handling any situation.

Lissy was awarded a certificate of appreciation and gift for her committed service to school.

Dr. S.K. Tiwari, principal in his Annual Report highlighted the achievements of the school and set goals for the future.

Santhanam said the Indian School Thumrait is an extension of the Indian School Salalah and assured his full support for IST. The students presented variety of entertainment programmes.

The evening was colourful with cultural programmes.

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016 Tunsian Prime Minister Habib Essid blamed the attack on IS, which has grown in strength just over the border in Libya, taking advantage of the chaos there to expand its presence and draw in foreign recruits.

GCC FOREIGN MINISTERS’ MEETING

Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday in this handout photo provided by Saudi Press Agency. — Reuters/Saudi Press Agency/Handout

A7

REGION Iran tests more missiles defying criticism of US State television showed footage of two Qadr missiles being launched from northern Iran SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH: A ballistic missile is launched and tested in

an undisclosed location, Iran, on Wednesday. – Reuters/TIMA

INSURGENCY

Tunisian troops kill 10 more militants near Libya border TUNIS: Tunisian troops have killed 10 hardline militants around Ben Guerdan on the Libyan border after an IS attack on Monday that killed at least 55 people.

In military raids late on Tuesday and into Wednesday morning around the town, one soldier was also killed. Two of the militants were killed after being tracked to a construction site, the defence and interior ministries said.

About 50 IS militants launched a dawn attack on army and police posts in Ben Guerdan on Monday, Tunisia’s government said, in one of the insurgent group’s largest assaults on Tunisia. The army killed 36 of the attackers.

Twelve soldiers and seven civilians were also killed.

“Most of the attackers were Tunisians, and the majority of them were already in Ben Guerdan except for a few who infiltrated from Libya or maybe crossed over at the Ras Jdir border point,” government spokesman Khaled Chaouket said.

Prime Minister Habib Essid blamed the attack on IS, which has grown in strength just over the border in Libya, taking advantage of the chaos there to expand its presence and draw in foreign recruits.

Since its 2011 protests against autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia has moved towards democracy. But it has also been battling a growing militancy at home and more than 3,000 Tunisians have left to fight for IS and other

militant groups in Syria and Iraq.

Tunisian security officials say Tunisians are taking more and more command positions in IS in Libya and Tunisian fighters are returning from Iraq and Syria to join the group there.

A US air strike last month on the Libyan town of Sabratha near Tunisia’s border targetted a Tunisian IS commander. At least 40 militants were killed in that strike on an IS training base.

Growing security turmoil in Libya, where two rival governments and armed factions vie for control, has allowed IS to thrive just over Tunisia’s border, and Western governments are considering air strikes and special forces operations against the group there. — Reuters

WA R W I T H I N NAT I O N

Peace talks agenda positive, says Syrian opposition BEIRUT: The main Syrian opposition council said on Wednesday the agenda proposed by the United Nations for peace talks was positive and it had noted fewer government violations of a cessation of hostilities agreement in the past day.

Salem Al Muslat, spokesman for the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), would take its final decision on whether to attend the Geneva talks very soon. Speaking after UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said the talks would focus on new governance, a constitution and elections, Muslat said it was positive that the talks would “start... with discussion of the matter of political R I YA D H TA L K S

Saudi, Houthis announce prisoner swap RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it exchanged prisoners with Yemen’s Houthi movement and that a calm was holding along their border, in signs of unprecedented progress to end their 11-month war.

The statement on state news agency SPA said Yemeni tribal mediators had facilitated the release of seven Yemenis held by the kingdom in exchange for a detained Saudi lieutenant.

The conflict had fallen into a stalemate, in which the Houthis still control the capital Sanaa and other major cities in central Yemen while its hardened guerrilla forces shelled and harassed Saudi forces along Yemen’s rugged northern frontier.

Saudi state news said the prisoner initiative was launched by Yemeni tribal figures to reduce the violence in the border area and facilitate delivery of badly needed aid, and that the apparent truce could help end the conflict. — Reuters

transition”. “We heard what Mr de Mistura said. There are positive points, there are matters on the ground that we notice are moving in a positive way,” he said.

He said aid was entering more areas, describing that development as “positive... if not complete”. Referring to the cessation of hostilities agreement that took effect on February 27, he said: “The violations of the truce were great at the start, but yesterday they were much fewer. There are perhaps some positive matters that we are seeing.”

But he said a government blockade of the Damascus suburb of Daraya must be lifted in order to “pave the way to the start of ne-

gotiations”. He added this was not a condition for the attending the talks but a humanitarian requirement. UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura said on Wednesday that Syria’s cessation of hostilities is open-ended, brushing off a perception that the truce needs renewing this weekend.

He told reporters he would now press on with more peace talks.

“From the UN point of view and the Geneva meetings we have been having on the task force and certainly (the) Munich understanding, there was an open-ended concept regarding the cessation of hostilities,” he said after a meeting on Syrian humanitarian issues in Geneva. — Reuters

DUBAI: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) test-fired two ballistic missiles on Wednesday that it said were designed to be able to hit Israel, defying US criticism of similar tests carried out this week.

State television showed footage of two Qadr missiles being launched from northern Iran which the IRGC said hit targets 1,400km (870 miles) away. Tests on Tuesday drew a threat of new sanctions from the United States.

“The reason we designed our missiles with a range of 2,000km is to be able to hit our enemy from a safe distance,” Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh was quoted as saying by the ISNA agency. The nearest point in Iran is around 1,000km (621 miles) from Tel Aviv and occupied Jerusalem.

The Obama administration is aware of the latest tests, US officials said. “Just as with the earlier reported test launches, we will look at these and take the appropriate response, both at the UN and unilaterally as appropriate,” said a senior administration official who did not want to be named.

Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon told Israel Radio the tests showed Iran’s hostility had not changed since implementing a

nuclear deal with world powers in January, despite President Hassan Rouhani’s overtures to the West.

“To my regret there are some in the West who are misled by the honeyed words of part of the Iranian leadership while the other part continues to procure equipment and weaponry, to arm terrorist groups,” Yaalon said.

The IRGC maintains dozens of short and medium-range ballistic missiles, the largest stock in the Middle East. It says they are solely for defensive use with conventional, non-nuclear warheads.

Tehran has denied US accusations of acting “provocatively”.

The United States said it would raise Tuesday’s tests at the UN Security Council, where resolution 2231 calls on Iran not to develop missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.

Washington also imposed sanctions against businesses and individuals in January over another missile test in October 2015.

But the IRGC said it would not bow to pressure.

“The more sanctions and pressure our enemies apply... the more we will develop our missile programme,” Hajizadeh said on state

television. The missile test underlined a rift in Iran between hardline factions opposed to normalising relations with the West, and Rouhani’s relatively moderate government which is trying to attract foreign investment to Iran.

Rouhani’s popularity has soared since the nuclear deal in January, under which Tehran won relief from international sanctions in exchange for limiting its nuclear research. The president’s allies made strong gains in recent elections to parliament and the body that will elect the next supreme leader.

Foreign business delegations have since flocked to Tehran, but hardliners including senior IRGC commanders have warned that economic ties could strengthen Western influence and threaten Iran. Some criticised a $27 billion deal between the government and Airbus to add 118 planes to its ageing civilian fleet, saying the money should be used to create jobs locally.

The Tasnim agency carried a photograph of reporters in front of the missile before launch.

Washington said Tuesday’s missile tests would not themselves violate the Iran nuclear deal. — Reuters

A8

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

INDIA PM seeks opposition help in passage of GST, other bills The government has been having

We have been running Parliament this session smoothly for this I would thank the opposition for carrying forward president’s message

difficulties in getting through with its legislations, especially the crucial Goods and Services Tax bill, because of the lack of majority in the Upper House APPEAL: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks in the Rajya Sabha

Narendra Modi Prime Minister

in New Delhi on Wednesday. - PTI / TV GRAB

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday made a fresh pitch for passage of GST and other legislations in the Rajya Sabha considering the “conducive atmosphere” that has been prevailing in Parliament this session with cooperation from the opposition.

Like in the Lok Sabha last week, he was both conciliatory and mocking towards the opposition, particularly Congress, during his hour long reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President’s address in the Upper House.

Referring to some 300 amendments that have been tabled to the motion of thanks, Modi appealed to the parties to withdraw them and passed the motion unanimously to ensure dignity of the President’s office and in keeping with the high traditions of the House.

However, despite his appeal, the government suffered an embarrassment when the House adopted the Motion of Thanks to President’s Address with an amendment moved by Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad

Rahul attacks BJP, RSS over poll qualification NEW DELHI: Signalling a fresh confrontation, Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday mounted a fresh attack on the government over making educational qualifications mandatory for contesting Panchayat polls in BJP-ruled Haryana and Rajasthan, accusing BJP and RSS of taking away the right from the poor, dalits and adivasis.

“Proud that opposition came together against BJP’s attempt to exclude more than

in a division in which 94 voted for the amendment and 61 against.

The amendment regretted that the address did not commit support to rights of all citizens to

50% of India’s electorate from the right to contest elections,” Rahul said on Twitter.

The Congress Vice President said, “By making edu qualifications mandatory for contesting Panchayat polls, BJP & RSS want to take this right away from the poor, dalits & adivasis”.

His reaction came close on the heels of government facing an embarrassment in the Rajya Sabha, which passed the Motion of Thanks to the Presi-

contest Panchayat elections in the backdrop of law in Rajasthan and Haryana where matriculation has been fixed as the criteria for contesting the polls.

dent’s Address only after an amendment moved by Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad was included following a division in which 94 voted for the amendment and 61 against.

The amendment regretted that the address did not commit support to rights of all citizens to contest Panchayat elections in the backdrop of a law in Rajasthan and Haryana that made matriculation certificate a criteria for contesting the polls. - PTI

During his speech, Modi invoked late Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s words to say that Rajya Sabha is a chamber of ideas and there was need for co-

ordination between it and the Lok Sabha because both of them are part of a structure.

“I hope we give importance to Pandit Nehru’s thinking and I hope all pending bills are passed in this session,” he said amid thumping of desks by the treasury benches.

The government has been having difficulties in getting through with its legislations, especially the crucial Goods and Services Tax bill, because of the lack of majority in the Upper House.

Adopting a conciliatory approach, the prime minister referred to the President’s address in which the president appealed to the members to ensure smooth functioning of the Parliament and not allow disruption.

“We have been running Parliament this session smoothly for this I would thank the opposition for carrying forward president’s message. The impact of the president’s message is a matter of pride for us,” he said.

Pointing to the smooth functioning of the Houses this session, Modi said the Lok Sabha sat till mid night on Tuesday and the Rajya Sabha had a late sitting a couple of days ago.

“Even after the late sittings, the members were enthusiastic and excited. Because, after a long time, they got an opportunity to express themselves in Parliament and to put through their views across.

“The Question Hour is a good opportunity for members to keep the government, ministers and the executive on a tight leash and ensure accountability which is greatest strength of democracy,” he said.

Modi said in the past session, out of 169 starred questions, only seven were taken up while 42 hours were wasted because of disruptions. In the session before that, only six questions were taken up and 72 hours were lost in disruptions. - PTI

S PAC E M I S S I O N

GEARING UP: Indian Space

Research Organisation’s sixth navigation satellite IRNSS-1F, on-board PSLV-C32 before its launch from the spaceport of Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. - PTI

ISRO to launch sixth navigation satellite today CHENNAI: ISRO’s sixth navigation satellite IRNSS-1F is all set to be launched on board trusted workhorse PSLV C32 on Thursday at 4 pm.

The 54-and-half hour countdown began on Tuesday soon after the Mission Readiness Review Committee and Launch Authorisation Board cleared it and currently, it was “progressing normal”, ISRO officials said.

Polar Satellite Launch VehicleC32 on its 34th mission would launch the IRNSS-1F, aimed at providing navigation accurately on par with the US-based Global Positioning System, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at the spaceport of Sriharikota about 110km from here.

Indian Space Research Organisation to provide independent regional navigation satellite system on par with GPS, had launched five navigation satellites under the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS). While four satellites would be sufficient to start operations of the IRNSS system, the remaining three would make it more “accurate and efficient”, an ISRO official said. - PTI

S E A R C H O P E R AT I O N S

Two militants killed in encounter SRINAGAR: Two militants were on Wednesday killed in an encounter in Pulwama district but a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander and four other ultras managed to flee from the cordon as local residents allegedly diverted the attention of security forces by pelting stones at them.

According to intelligence inputs, LeT’s Kashmir chief Abu Dujana was among those who

managed to escape from the encounter site, a police official said.

The encounter broke out as security forces were conducting search operations in Puchal area of Awantipora when firing shots were heard from nearby Goripora village, the official said. He said reinforcements were immediately rushed to Goripora and a cordon was laid around village to prevent the militants from fleeing.

The militants fired towards the security forces’ positions, which was retaliated leading to fierce exchange of gunfire, the official said.

Two militants were killed in the exchange of firing but five of their accomplices managed to escape, the official said. Dujana took over operational command of Lashkar following the killing of Abu Qasim in Kulgam area of south Kashmir in October last year. - PTI

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INDIA

Indians held captive in Iraq by terrorists alive: Sushma preciated Swaraj for her efforts, with BJD Baijayant Panda saying the response from the ministry has been “outstanding” and there has been a dramatic improvement in this regard.

About 40 Indians from Punjab are believed to be held as captives in Iraq since last year. One of them who claimed to have escaped from there had earlier

ASSURANCE: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj speaks in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi on Wednesday. - PTI/TV GRAB

made a claim that the others might have been killed

NEW DELHI: Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday said that Indians held as captives by terrorists in Iraq are alive and assured that the government is making all efforts to bring them back.

About 40 Indians from Punjab province are believed to be held as

captives in Iraq since last year.

One of them who claimed to have escaped from there had earlier made a claim that the others might have been killed.

During the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, Swaraj said that if they were stranded, the government would have brought them long back but they are in the captivity of terrorists.

“I completely don’t believe that those people are dead ... If we believed that boy’s version then I would have told this House that all are dead. But we don’t believe

the boy’s claim and that is why we are searching for the people,” she said. Referring to a recent meeting in which foreign ministers from Arab countries and 15 ministers participated, Swaraj said the heads of two major nations told me that the Indians were alive.

The minister came in for praise from some members in the House for the handling of problems faced

by Indians abroad, including rescuing them and ensuring their return home.

Biju Janta Dal (BJD) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) members ap-

C L O S E S H AV E

Bird-hit forces Air India flight to make emergency landing in Bhopal BHOPAL: An Air India flight from Bhopal to Mumbai, carrying 90 passengers on board, had to make an emergency landing minutes after its take-off from Raja Bhoj Airport here on Wednesday morning after a bird hit one of its engines, officials said.

All the passengers are safe, they said. Nearly five minutes after the AI 645 flight took-off at around 7.55am from the Raja Bhoj Airport, a bird hit it and entered the right engine, damaging its fans.

The pilot apprised the Air Traffic Control (ATC) that the flight has to make an emergency landing which was allowed, an Air India official said. “The aircraft

PASSENGERS SAFE: Air India’s Bhopal-Mumbai plane which

made an emergency landing after a bird hit its right engine soon after taking off, at Raja Bhoj airport in Bhopal on Wednesday. -PTI

made an emergency landing and all the passengers are safe,” he said. The aircraft was being repaired, he said.

“We have plans to divert a Delhi-Mumbai flight from Bhopal to

fly the 90 passengers to their destination,” he said.

An Air India spokesperson in Delhi said the flight had to make a “precautionary landing” due to the bird-hit. - PTI

A9

No ‘big exodus’ Meanwhile, Swaraj said there has been no “big exodus” of Indians from foreign countries in the wake of steep fall in crude oil prices which has adversely affected job prospects.

She was responding to a query on what action the government plans to take as many companies overseas were sending back Indians amid decline in oil prices, a matter of concern to south-Indian state of Kerala that has a large number of Non-resident Indians.

This is a future problem and the government is aware about it, Swaraj said.

Emphasising that welfare of Indians living abroad was a priority for the government, Swaraj said it is working from all sides to address problems faced by them.

Whenever such problems are brought to her notice, “I look at it personally and in case of emergency situations, we try to address the issue within 24 hours”, she said. In such situations, “I don’t

look at a person’s language, state or religion. For me, they all are Indians,” Swaraj said while expressing confidence that such problems would be resolved completely.

Besides thumping of desks by members from Treasury benches, BJD’s Baijayant Panda and AAP members Dharamvir Gandhi and Bhagwant Mann appreciated the minister for helping Indians facing difficulties in foreign countries. The AAP members thanked her for taking speedy action in ensuring the rescue and return of around 19 people, hailing from Punjab, from Saudi Arabia.

Opposition members, including those from the Left, were seen thumping benches. In response, Swaraj said she thanked them for thanking her.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan too was heard saying that it was the Minister’s day on Wednesday.

Expelled RJD member Rajesh Ranjan appreciated Swaraj for replying to questions in Hindi.

Mahajan remarked that his wife and Congress MP Ranjita Ranjan would give her bike to the Minister, leaving members in a peal of laughter. Ranjita Ranjan had ridden a motorbike to Parliament on Tuesday on the occasion of International Women’s Day. - PTI

SHEENA MURDER CASE

CBI allowed to question Indrani and others in jail MUMBAI: A local court on Wednesday permitted CBI to question the four accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, including Indrani Mukerjea, afresh.

The agency had sought permission to interrogate Indrani Mukerjea, her husband and former media baron Peter Mukerjea, her former husband Sanjeev Khanna and her former driver Shyam Rai for ten days in the jail. “The application to interrogate the accused in the jail is allowed subject to their medical fitness,” said the special CBI court’s judge H. S. Mahajan.

CBI, which has already filed a charge sheet in the case, on Wednesday said it was looking for more evidence against the accused and probing possible connivance of some other persons.

The arrested accused needed to be questioned again to “extract more information as well as to verify certain facts which emerged during the investigation”, the application said. It also said that it wanted to unlock Peter Mukerjea’s mobile phone which is secured by thumb impression. Sheena (24), Indrani’s daughter from an earlier relationship, was allegedly murdered in April 2012 and her body was disposed of in a forest in Raigad. - PTI

A10

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

PAKISTAN Rescued Shahbaz Taseer reunited with his family said Shahbaz had been rescued by intelligence agents in a hotel in the town of Kuchlak, 25 km from Balochistan province’s VIGILANT: Pakistani police stand guard outside the house of

Shahbaz Taseer, son of assassinated governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province Salman Taseer, after his arrival following his release by kidnappers, in Lahore on Wednesday. — AFP

LAHORE: The abducted son of a Pakistani governor who was murdered for criticising the country’s blasphemy laws was reunited with his family on Wednesday, a day after his release and a little over a week after his father’s killer was executed.

Shahbaz Taseer was flown to his hometown of Lahore from the southwestern city of Quetta, where he was recovered on Tuesday by intelligence agents more than four years after his kidnapping, Pakistani military spokesman Asim Bajwa said.

Chartered jet Taseer smiled broadly for cameras and gestured as he got aboard a chartered jet, images released by the military showed.

In later images, he was seen embracing family members.

In a tweet, Bajwa described Taseer’s condition as “hale and hearty”. Taseer was met by family at the airport in Lahore, but did not speak to the press.

They left for their home under tight security.

Mumtaz Qadri Taseer, who is in his 30s, had been missing for more than four years after being abducted in Lahore months after his father Salman Taseer, then governor of Punjab, was killed by his own bodyguard over perceived blasphemy in 2011.

Mumtaz Qadri, the man who

killed Salman, was executed in Rawalpindi last week.

His funeral was attended by thousands of supporters who considered his act justified.

Pakistan’s army said Shahbaz had been rescued by intelligence agents in a hotel in the town of Kuchlak, 25 km (15 miles) north of the Balochistan provincial capital, Quetta. None of his captors was arrested and no other details of the operation were released.

Shahbaz Taseer was believed to have been kidnapped originally by the radical sectarian Islamist group Lashkar-e-Janghvi and later handed to Al Qaeda and then to the Pakistani Taliban, intelligence sources said. — Reuters

Nisar cites legal issues for JuD ban ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is in the process of banning Jamaatud Dawa (JuD), a charity that India says is front for the Lashkar-eTaiba (LeT) militant group which is accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

“There are some legal issues (to put JuD on the fourth schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act) but we are getting there,” Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan told lawmakers in the Senate.

After addressing some legal complications, as soon as the group is proscribed, it would automatically be put on the fourth schedule (which restricts movement of those on the list), he said in response to a query by PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar.

Pakistan’s army

capital, Quetta

EXTREMIST OUTFIT

END OF ORDEAL: Shahbaz Taseer, son of assassinated governor

of Pakistan’s Punjab province Salman Taseer, is seen gesturing before boarding a chartered plane in Quetta on his way to Lahore.

- AFP/ Inter Services Public Relations

‘Non-state actors’ blamed Replying to Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Nisar confirmed intelligence-sharing with India on 10 to 15 boys crossing the Pakistani border into India. He said actions of some ‘non-state actors’ create problems for the country and its institutions. “We are trying to get rid of such elements on both civil and military level.”

The statement comes days after Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Lt-Gen Nasser Khan Janjua shared intelligence with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval about a possible terror strike in the Indian state of Gujarat, which was put on high alert on Saturday after reports of 10 to 15 militants entering the country. The terrorists were said to be associated with the LeT and Jaish-e-Muhammad militant groups. — Express Tribune

OUTBREAK FEARED

Authorities on alert as Zika virus mosquitoes found in country ISLAMABAD: A leading member of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) has warned that mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus have been found in Pakistan.

“Keeping in view the presence of Zika mosquitoes in the country, the health sector is on high alert and has been urged to devise a strategy for its possible appearance and spread in the country,” Dr Muhammad Najeeb Durrani of GOARN said.

Outbreaks of Zika have been reported in tropical Africa, Southeast Asia, the Pacific Island and most recently, the Americas. As the mosquitoes that spread Zika virus are found throughout the world, including Pakistan, it is likely that outbreaks will continue to spread. Although the virus has zero mortality rates, it poses a serious threat to pregnant women as the virus directly affects babies before they are born as they are subject to severe birth defects.

The outbreak of Zika in Brazil also led to reports of the virus causing the Guillain- Barre Syndrome (GBS) discovered in newborns. GBS is a rare disorder where a person’s own immune system damages the nerve cells causing muscle weakness and at times paralysis.

“As we take into account the presence of Aedes Aegypti, the same vector for dengue fever, we need to think about the serious nature of the alert. Zika virus spreads

to the people primarily through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito,” Durrani explained.

“The most common symptoms of Zika virus diseases are fever, rashes, joint pains and conjunctivitis (red eyes). The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting for a week to several days. There is no vaccine to prevent or medicine to treat Zika,” he added.

“We are fortunate that we have hands on experience of 10 years of dealing with the same vector that

causes Zika virus. Aedes aegypti has been responsible for causing dengue fever in most parts of the country,” Durrani explained.

Vector control “As such, the mechanism is there for vector control and amongst all four provinces, Punjab has revolutionised the vector control aspect of the disease.

“Same measures are needed for the control of Zika virus if that emerges in Pakistan. Preg-

nant women should avoid visiting the countries where the virus has already been reported,” Durrani advised.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the mosquito-borne virus an international public health emergency due to its link to thousands of birth defects in Brazil, as the UN agency seeks to build a global response to the threat. WHO officials are unsure that the virus causes microcephaly. — Express Tribune

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

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SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES

Aquino denies militants in south are linked to IS MANILA: President Benigno Aquino denied on Wednesday that IS-linked militants are operating in the southern Philippines, describing armed groups in the area as mercenaries who are looking to raise funds from abroad.

A handful of small but violent militant groups in the south have posted videos in social media pledging alliance to IS militants in Iraq and Syria and displaying the trademark black flag.

“It’s difficult to call them IS groups,” Aquino told reporters at an air base south of Manila, adding the groups were not driven by ideology nor religion.

“We believe it is mercenary reasons that are prompting them to do this.” Aquino said local groups have been staging attacks in the south to draw attention to themselves and raise funding from the Middle East, especially from IS. Last month, the army and air force fought a small rebel group, which claimed to have links with IS militants, in Lanao del Sur province.

About 40 rebels and five soldiers died in the nine-day battle.

On Monday, Ebrahim Murad, head of the main Muslim rebel group talking peace with government, warned that IS was trying to gain a foothold in the Philippines by taking advantage of the non-passage of a new Muslim autonomy law.

“We are concerned that they can capitalise on this because of the frustration of the people in the area is now very strong,” Murad said at a new conference in Kuala Lumpur, where his group held talks with government negotiators.

The government’s chief peace adviser, Teresita Deles, shared the rebel leader’s opinion about possible penetration of IS militants in the south. - Reuters

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ASIA

North Korea has miniaturised nuclear warheads, says Kim Kim’s comments were his first direct mention of the claim, made repeatedly in state media, to have successfully miniaturised a nuclear warhead, which has been widely questioned and never verified

DEFIANT: This file photo taken on February 17, 2016 and released by North Korea’s official Korean

Central News Agency (KCNA) on February 19, 2016 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, centre, giving a speech at an awards ceremony for scientists who contributed to the launch of the earth observation satellite Kwangmyong 4 in Pyongyang.- AFP/KCNA/KNS

independently

SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the country has miniaturised nuclear warheads to mount on ballistic missiles and ordered improvements in the power and precision of its arsenal, state media reported on Wednesday.

Kim has called for his military to be prepared to mount pre-emptive attacks against the United States and South Korea and stand ready to use nuclear weapons, stepping up belligerent rhetoric after coming under new UN and bilateral sanctions for its nuclear and rocket tests.

US and South Korean troops began large-scale military drills this week, which the North called “nuclear war moves” and threatened to respond with an all-out offensive.

Kim’s comments, released on Wednesday, were his first direct mention of the claim, made repeatedly in state media, to have successfully miniaturised a nuclear

US serves up Korean rocket salad in war drill CHEORWON (South Korea): There’s more to do in South Korea’s heavily forested Rocket Valley, just a few miles from the demilitarized zone separating the two Koreas, than fire rockets. In quieter times, people tend vegetable patches along ice-cold streams.

But on Wednesday, a US artillery brigade based in the South heated things up, launching a barrage of rockets close to the border town of Cheorwon.

warhead, which has been widely questioned and never independently verified. “The nuclear warheads have been standardised to be fit for ballistic missiles by min-

G OV E R N M E N T F O R M AT I O N

Myanmar’s transition sours ahead of presidential vote NAYPYITAW: A deepening rift has opened between Myanmar’s powerful military and Aung San Suu Kyi, sources say, threatening the democracy leader’s prospects for forming a successful government even as parliament prepares to nominate presidential candidates on Thursday.

With the date fast approaching for Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy (NLD) to take power, efforts to portray the party and its former foes as working cordially together towards a smooth transfer of power have faltered, according to politicians and officials familiar with the situation.

“She believed that she would be able to work with the military, but after the last meeting with the commander-in-chief, she realized that she cannot negotiate with them,” said a senior NLD Upper House lawmaker briefed on the talks.

“It’s quite clear that she has moved on from waiting for the military to collaborate.”

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RIFT WIDENS: Myanmar’s

Commander-in-Chief Min Aung Hlaing, left, shakes hands with National League for Democracy (NLD) party leader Aung San Suu Kyi before their meeting in Naypyitaw in this December 2, 2015 file photo. - Reuters file photo

Talks between the NLD and the military began soon after Suu Kyi’s party won a landslide victory in a historic election on November 8, heralding the country’s first democratically elected government since the military took power in 1962.

But Suu Kyi has become frustrated with the intransigence of

the military on issues ranging from a constitutional amendment that would allow her to become president to the location of the handover ceremony before the start of the new government on April 1, say sources in her camp.

General Tin San Naing, the spokesman for military MPs, declined to comment on the details of negotiations.

The military has stressed its belief that it has a vital role to play in politics until the transition to democracy is secure, and had worried that changing the constitution quickly could set a dangerous precedent. Myanmar’s junta handed power to a semi-civilian government made up of ex-generals in 2011, after nearly 50 years of military rule, but the constitution it drafted left the military with considerable power. The charter, which leaves the security apparatus and much of the state bureaucracy under military control, will force the NLD government to work with the armed forces. - Reuters

The live-fire drills came hours after a report by reclusive North Korea that it had miniaturised nuclear warheads to be mounted on ballistic missiles and leader Kim Jong Un had ordered further improvements to its arsenal.

Tension in the region was already high as South Korean and US troops began large-scale military exercises on Monday in a test of their defences against North Korea, which called the drills “nuclear

iaturising them,” KCNA quoted Kim as saying as he inspected the work of nuclear scientists, adding “this can be called a true nuclear deterrent”.

war moves” and threatened to respond with an all-out offensive. The drills in Rocket Valley were separate to the annual joint US-South Korean manoeuvres which involve about 17,000 US troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans. They were a test of the US Army M270A1 system, a multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) built by Lockheed Martin that can fire 12 rounds and re-load and move at 64 km (40 miles) per hour. - Reuters

“He stressed the importance of building ever more powerful, precision and miniaturised nuclear weapons and their delivery means,” KCNA said.

Kim also inspected the nuclear warhead designed for thermo-nuclear reaction, KCNA said, referring to a miniaturised hydrogen bomb that the country said it tested on January 6.

Rodong Sinmun, official daily of the North’s ruling party, carried pictures of Kim in what seemed to be a large hangar speaking to aides standing in front of a silver spherical object. They also showed a large object similar to the KN-08 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) previously put on display at military parades, with Kim holding a half-smoked cigarette in one of the images.

South Korea’s defence ministry said after the release of the images that it did not believe the North has successfully miniaturised a nuclear warhead or deployed a functioning ICBM. That assessment is in line with the views of South Korean and US officials that the North has likely made some advances in trying to put a nuclear warhead on a missile, but that there is no proof it has mastered the technology.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking by telephone to US Secretary of State John Kerry, described the situation on the Korean peninsula as “very tense” and called for all parties be remain calm and exercise restraint, China’s foreign ministry said.

North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test on January 6 claiming to have set off a miniaturised hydrogen bomb, which was disputed by many experts and the governments of South Korea and the United States.

The blast detected from the test was simply too small to back up the claim, experts said at the time.

The UN Security Council imposed harsh new sanctions on the isolated state last week for the nuclear test. It launched a long-range rocket in February drawing international criticism and sanctions from its rival, South Korea. - Reuters

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READERS’ FORUM US admits loss of superpower status with Asia pivot This refers to the story, US in talks to base long-range bombers in Australia (March 7). The American focus of its Asian pivot is basically a return to foreign policy focused on the Pacific Ocean. It seems its policymakers under President Barack Obama have realised the country has lost its global superpower clout. In Europe and Middle East it is the European Union and Russia who are dictating the foreign policies of the different countries. The same was the case before World War II started. This focus has come about due to the rise of China and Beijing’s aggressive Scan this QR code stance regarding the South China Sea has to send letters to the threatened American interests. —Samia Readers’ Forum, Qadri, Ruwi containing not more

LEONID BERSHIDSKY

When an election winner is, a lesser evil rather than the most desirable candidate, risk of disappointment is high. Clinton may turn out to be a weak president, just as second-term Yeltsin was. She won’t have the power to appoint a successor, but Americans may grow too tired after a third Democratic term, and by 2020, they could let it be known

than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com).

North Korea policies are simply outrageous This refers to the report, North Korea’s Kim says country has miniaturised nuclear warheads (March 9). Despite all the odds the isolated country has achieved this feat.

However, this would be commendable if the country’s leadership was to take its citizens to prosperity. Rather, they are totally impoverished and have to rely on other countries to provide food. Under such circumstances, it is outrageous that the people have to suffer due to the leader’s whims. — Andrew Dias, Seeb

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com The test for whether or not you can hold a job should not be the arrangement of your chromosomes.

BELLA ABZUG

Europe follows US with tough immigration policy urope can’t build a wall to keep out Syrian refugees. But European Union leaders did the next best thing from their perspective, announcing an agreement with Turkey to repel and return all those trying to come illegally into Greece by boat from Turkey. The plan represents a major shift for the EU in dealing with the Syrian refugee crisis. In place of a generous legal approach that rejected mass returns of asylum seekers, Europe is now adopting a much more hard-line attitude that distinguishes sharply between migrants seeking illegal entry and refugees who’ve already been processed within Turkey and may be granted legal settlement rights and asylum.

The EU-Turkey deal promises to deliver more than 3 billion euros to Turkey for its role in holding on to Syrians. But the latest announcement contains two key elements not fully clarified before. Each element represents a big change in EU policy, and a point where morality diverges from EU and international law. One is the mass return of Syrians who try to cross into Greece, without processing them and trying to determine whether they qualify for refugee status or political asylum.

Since the start of the Syrian crisis, the EU has been trying to process not only everyone who makes it ashore in Europe, but also anyone who makes it onto a European boat that then deposits the asylum-seeker on European soil. Part of the reason was a 2012 decision by the European Court of Human Rights that stopped the Italian practice of sending Somali and Eritrean migrants back to Libya, where they’d come from.

That decision in effect required European countries to treat their boats as extensions of their countries when it came to refugee law. And international refugee law says countries can’t “refoule” or return refugees to unsafe countries. Following this norm meant processing migrants to determine if they legally counted as refugees who couldn’t safely go home because of persecution.

The new EU-Turkey deal skips that processing.

But crucially, it sends the fleeing Syrians back to Turkey, not Syria.

The basis for its legality under European and international law is therefore the assumption that Turkey is a safe third country, from which refugees won’t be returned to Syria unlawfully.

Human Rights Watch has already questioned that assumption, pointing to Turkey’s manage-

ment of its own border with Syria. But practically speaking, Europe has no choice but to treat Turkey as a legal and safe holding pen for fleeing Syrians.

The only other alternative is to take them in Europe.The second important element of the newly announced deal is that Europe promises that for every Syrian sent back to Turkey, the EU will resettle in Europe one Syrian now in Turkey who qualifies for asylum. The one-for-one idea has an obvious political benefit to Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who can tell his domestic constituency that he isn’t making Turkey a permanent dumping ground for refugees.

Human rights groups point out that so far only 800 Syrians have been resettled in Europe from Turkey despite a 2015 deal that would’ve allowed for 22,500. That gives reason to think that the European promise of future resettlement may be hollow. Even if it isn’t, however, admitting only Syrian refugees processed in Turkey and pre-cleared for asylum qualification would represent another big shift in Europe’s approach to refugees. The key difference is that Europe will be sharply differentiating legal refugees, whose refugee status has already been determined, from mere migrants, whose status is unknown and who will be sent back to Turkey. This distinction is legally defensible. Under current international law, not every migrant is a “refugee”; a refugee is a migrant who can’t be sent home. To get refugee status, you need to be genuinely in danger of persecution, not just poor, hungry and desperate. Morally, the difference may seem thin. But practically, it ensures that not every country must provide a home for every person who wants to enter to find a better life. The complication of drawing this distinction is: Where does a migrant go while officials determine refugee status? Europe would essentially be offloading to Turkey the responsibility of holding onto people until they can be qualified or disqualified. By sending Turkey migrants without processing them, the EU is basically saying it doesn’t want to do the dirty work itself. It will shelter legal refugees, not migrants pending a refugee determination. The legal/ illegal difference will sound familiar to Americans.

Since the Syrian crisis began, however, Europe has largely eluded the distinction, accepting people first and figuring out their refugee status later. The change marks an Americanisation of European thinking: A tender morality is giving way to a realist legalism. This may have been inevitable. But it’s still sad to see. - Bloomberg View

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES MARCH 2001 Road network to link coastal villages: Macki MUSCAT: Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the financial affairs and energy resources council, said the government would consider the proposal for a road net-work linking Ras Al Hadd in the willayat of Sur and the coastal villages. The project will also include other services to ensure the welfare of the citizens in the region, he said. Macki said the project would be implemented gradually after a viability study, and according to the preferences and availability of finance. He added the Ministry of Transport and Housing would complete soon the road project at Al Wusta region at a cost of RO22 million.

PICTOGRAPH Number of Building Permits

AL DHAHIRAH 2013

Type of use

2014

Residential

1,611 1,746 Non-Residential

485 1,021 Mixed

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

1806: The Dutch in Cape Town, South Africa surrender to the British.

1848: The treaty of Guadeloupe-Hidalgo is signed which ends the United States’ war with Mexico.

184 429 40.2%

2,280 3,196 Total

1910: Slavery is abolished in China.

1945: American B-29 bombers attack Tokyo, killing 100,000.

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

WORLD STORMS HIT ABU DHABI

(Top) People run for cover during a rainstorm at Al Bateen airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Wednesday. (Bottom) A construction zone barrier is seen above parked cars after it fell. — Reuters/AFP/Stringer

Britain seeks easing of Iran banking hurdles For many firms it’s not actually clear what you can or cannot do according to, let’s say, US rules. That’s why one of the things that as a minimum has to be done quite quickly is to bring some clarity, said Britain’s Business Secretary Sajid Javid

US measures including a ban on dollar trading and a freeze on its banks engaging in trade remain in place, leaving non-US banks and insurers wary of processing transactions with Iran

LONDON: Britain is working with its European partners to help ease the impact of banking restrictions on trade with Iran, Business Secretary Sajid Javid said on Wednesday, adding that the UK had signed a deal to simplify the financing of exports.

International sanctions, including banking restrictions, imposed against Iran ended in January under a deal with world powers in which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme.

But US measures including a ban on dollar trading and a freeze on US banks engaging in trade remain in place.

This has left non-US banks and insurers wary of processing transactions with Iran, fearing they may still fall foul of the existing measures and a lack of clarity on what they are able to do.

Sajid Javid

Britain’s trade envoy to Iran, former finance minister Norman Lamont, outlined the scale of the problem, saying he had struggled to get bank chiefs in London to meet with a recent delegation from the Iranian central bank.

“Terrified, they were,” he said.”European banks, very much so the British banks, are very frightened of falling foul of what I would call the extra-territorial reach of American law.”

Britain’s export agency and its Iranian counterpart signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, Javid said.

The deal will see UK Export Finance and the Export Guarantee Fund of Iran, the Iranian stateowned credit insurance company, work together to identify opportunities for trade in capital goods,

equipment and services, Britain’s business ministry said.

Other European Union countries including Italy, France and Germany have already struck billions of dollars worth of deals and many within Britain’s business community complain that the country has been slower to respond.

Shrugging aside such concerns, Javid said “It’s never too late”.He added that he would lead a British trade mission to Iran later this year, possibly as early as May. Javid said membership of the European Union had been helpful in terms of facilitating the removal of sanctions, but added that Britain’s June 23 referendum on whether to remain a member of the 28-nation bloc was not a risk to future trade with Iran. — Reuters

CONTROVERSY

UK palace complains over report Elizabeth backs Brexit LONDON: Buckingham Palace said it had launched an official complaint with Britain’s press watchdog on Wednesday over a newspaper report that Queen Elizabeth backs a British exit from the European Union, saying the monarch remains politically neutral.

EU clear on at least twice over the past decade.

“The Queen remains politically neutral, as she has for 63 years,” the palace said in a statement.”We will not comment on spurious, anonymously sourced claims.

The referendum is a matter for the British people to decide.”

Unidentified Under the front-page headline “Queen backs Brexit”, The Sun newspaper quoted unidentified sources as saying that Elizabeth had made her opposition to United Kingdom membership of the

Editors’ code of conduct It said aides had taken the rare step of writing to the chairman of the Independent Press Standards Organisation to complain, citing a clause of the editors’ code of conduct relating to accuracy.

Opinion polls show voters are divided over membership ahead of a June 23 referendum so even the perception that Elizabeth, who must remain above politics under Britain’s unwritten constitution, may favour an exit from the 28-member bloc could be damaging for the campaign to keep Britain in.

The Sun, owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, said the queen had told then Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg at a Windsor Castle lunch in 2011 that the EU was heading in the wrong direction. — Reuters

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WORLD

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Trump takes three states as Sanders upsets Hillary working, according to exit polls.

Trump said in several television interviews on Wednesday he was drawing new voters to the Republican Party and the establishment figures who are resisting his campaign should save their money and focus on beating the Democrats in November.

“If this party came together... nobody could beat it,” Trump told NBC’s “Today” program.

The Republican frontrunner won in Michigan, Mississippi and Hawaii while the Democratic candidates both bagged one

MOUNTING CHALLENGE: Democratic US presidential candidate

state each

Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to supporters on the night of the Michigan, Mississippi and other primaries at his campaign rally in Miami, Florida on Tuesday. — Reuters

DETROIT: Republican frontrunner Donald Trump racked up primary wins in the big prize of Michigan as well as Mississippi and Hawaii on Tuesday, brushing off a week of blistering attacks from the party’s establishment and expanding his lead in the White House nominating race.

In the Democratic contest, Bernie Sanders stunned frontrunner Hillary Clinton in a narrow Michigan primary upset,

giving his upstart campaign new energy.

Clinton won in Mississippi, but Sanders’ victory is seen as likely to ensure a prolonged fight to pick a candidate for November’s general election.

Trump’s convincing win in Michigan restored his outsider campaign’s momentum and increased the pressure on the party’s anti-Trump forces to find a way to stop the brash billionaire’s

march to the nomination ahead of several key contests next week.

The 69-year-old New Yorker built his victories in Michigan, in the heart of the industrial Midwest, and Mississippi in the Deep South with broad appeal across many demographics.

He won evangelical Christians, Republicans, independents, those who wanted an outsider and those who said they were angry about how the federal government is

US interests Asked on ABC if he was ready to wrap up the nomination, he said: “I’d like to.” Trump has dismissed criticism his statements would be harmful to US interests.

Ted Cruz, a 45-year-old US senator from Texas whose recent victories have positioned him as the prime alternative to Trump, won the party’s primary in Idaho.

But Trump suggested his rivals had little hope going forward, and took particular aim at Cruz.

“Ted is going to have a hard time,” Trump said of Cruz.”He rarely beats me.”

Trump continues to enjoy a wide lead nationally in the Republican race, although Cruz has been climbing over the past week.

In the Democratic race, Sanders told reporters in Florida that

the results in Michigan were a repudiation of the opinion polls and pundits who had written off his chances in the state.

Opinion polls had shown Clinton with a double-digit lead going into the primary.

Political revolution The US senator from Vermont, a democratic socialist, said the win showed his political revolution was “strong in every part of the country.

Frankly, we believe our strongest areas are yet to come.”

Clinton’s campaign signalled ahead of Michigan that the race could be tight.

Clinton, her husband, former President Bill Clinton, and daughter Chelsea Clinton all campaigned in the state over the past few days trying to garner lastminute votes.

US Housing Secretary Julian Castro, often seen as a potential running-mate for Hillary Clinton, said he does not expect to be the Democratic vice presidential pick.”There’s been no conversation whatsoever,” Castro told reporters on Wednesday at the Democratic National Committee Hispanic caucus summit in Miami. — Reuters

NIGERIA MEDGACITY

At least 30 die in Lagos building collapse LAGOS: At least 30 people were killed when a five-storey building still under construction collapsed in Nigeria’s megacity and commercial capital Lagos, officials said on Wednesday.

The Lagos state government said the house collapsed on Tuesday after the owners had added floors despite lacking a permit from authorities, which had sealed off the site -- a common problem in the West African nation where law enforcement is weak.

Aid officials had initially put the death toll at four but relief workers pulled out more bodies from the rubble by Wednesday afternoon.

Thirteen people were rescued, officials said.

Lekki district The building site located in the popular Lekki district on the Lagos peninsula had been inhabited by workers and their families.

“After they (the owners) finished building the house, rain fell and the house shifted a bit.

They put iron in front of the house (but) the iron couldn’t hold the house,” said Victor Suru, a brick layer working on the site.”They left it like that and continued building.” — Reuters

NAT U R E ’ S F U RY

INCONSOLABLE: A woman prays for the deceased of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, as snow falls, at a place where she was employed at a photo studio at the time, in Rikuzentakata, Iwate prefecture, March 11, 2014. - Reuters/Kyodo

Pain lingers on as Japan town hit by tsunami rises from ruins RIKUZENTAKATA (JAPAN): Time has done little to help Japanese volunteer fireman Eiki Kumagai with memories of March 11, 2011, when he clung to some steps as a huge black tsunami surged through his town, washing away people he knew as they cried for help.

“We were recovering bodies,” the 48-year-old recalls. “This is a small town, we knew them all.

Women, children, old people.

There were so many, we had two layers.”

Five years after Rikuzentakata lost 7 per cent of its population and its entire downtown to the 15 metre (49 ft) wave touched off by a magnitude 9 earthquake, a huge construction project has raised its centre from future waves.

But while the physical landscape has been changed for the better, emotionally many people in the town of 20,000 remain frozen in grief and psychologists say it may take several generations to ease the trauma fully.

“The year of the tsunami, I was angry at the wave,” said Kazuo Sato, a former oyster fisherman who can still barely look at the sea. He lost 100 friends and relatives.

“What’s left is regret, and that’s getting worse. We could have saved so many more people.”

The town centre has been transformed with 5 million cubic tonnes of earth scraped from a nearby mountain and shaped by a fleet of backhoes into mounds up to 14 metres (46 feet) high.

Cranes loom over a towering seawall and new roads snake over the hills. Home building will finally start this summer, offering hope for 1,400 households still in barracks-like temporary housing.

Officials, including Mayor Futoshi Toba, deplore regulations

Five years after Rikuzentakata lost 7 per cent of its population and its entire downtown to the 15 metre wave touched off by a magnitude 9 earthquake, a huge construction project has raised its centre from future waves

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that delayed construction and worry that with the passing of time, attention will be diverted from a recovery only 60 per cent complete.

National funds for rebuilding will dip with the new fiscal year from April. Many also worry that construction for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo will hamper the rebuilding of the town.

“If construction overlaps, there won’t be enough workers and wages will rise, making houses more expensive,” said Toba, who watched helplessly from the city hall roof as the town was destroyed. — Reuters

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

WORLD

George Martin was considered the most successful music producer ever, cited in the Guinness Book of Records for having more than 50 No. 1 hit records over five decades in the United States and Britain alone.

Europe’s deal with Turkey fails to stop migrants flow Macedonia closes border to illegal refugees as Turkish, Greek coastguard and NATO step up patrols

DIDIM (TURKEY): Turkey’s coastguard intercepted dozens of mostly Syrian migrants in coves along the Aegean coast on Wednesday as they continued to attempt perilous sea crossings to Greece despite Ankara’s efforts to stem the flow under a deal with the European Union.

A group of 42 people, more than a dozen of them children, sat inside a coastguard compound, some lying under blankets, in the seaside resort of Didim after being detained. Scores more waited among boulders by the beach, watched by armed police, as a bus came to take them away. “We’re afraid of staying here and afraid of staying in Syria... We’re fleeing to the country that will take us. We want safety, someone to care for us,” said Sameeha Abdullah, one of the group near the beach, who fled Syria’s civil war.

Just offshore, a coastguard boat approached what appeared to be a small vessel carrying more migrants. Some officials fear a scramble to cross to the nearby Greek islands, despite increased NATO-backed sea patrols in the Aegean, before the tentative agreement with the EU comes into full force. Under the draft deal struck on Monday, Turkey agreed to take back all irregular migrants in exchange for more funding, an earlier introduction of visa-free travel to Europe for Turks, and a speeding up of Ankara’s long-

IN DIRE CONDITIONS: A woman stands among tents outside a passenger terminal used as shelter for refugees and migrants in the port of Piraeus near Athens, on Wednesday. – AFP

stalled EU membership talks.

The aim, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and EU leaders have said, is to discourage illegal migrants and break the business model of human smugglers who have fuelled Europe’s largest migration crisis since World War II. The message, they say, is simple: try to cross illegally and get sent straight back.

But in a shabby sea-front hotel in Didim, off whose coast 25 migrants drowned on Sunday when their boat capsized, few had heard of the deal. A group of migrants from the Iraqi city of Mosul, stuck because they could not afford to

pay the smugglers, said they were still determined to leave.

“Even if they catch me, what am I going to do here? I may as well die trying,” said Hussein, 45, who said his three sons were killed by IS militants in Iraq.

The hotelier, who gave his name as Enes, said a group of 20 Syrians, whom he collectively charged 500 lira ($170) for the night, had left yesterday for Europe. But he was sure more would come.

“Even if Europe gave Turkey hundreds of billions for refugees, Syrians still wouldn’t stay. Most of their family is there so they’re joining them,” he said.

RISING TENSIONS

READY TO DEPLOY: A B-1B Lancer strategic bomber takes off from Ellsworth Air Force Base, in sup-

port of Operation Odyssey Dawn in Libya, in this US Air Force file handout photo dated March 27, 2011. – Reuters/US Air Force/Staff Sgt. Marc I. Lane/Handout/Files

US in talks to base long-range bombers in Australia: Official SYDNEY/WASHINGTON: The United States is in talks to base long-range bombers in Australia, US defence officials said, within striking distance of the disputed South China Sea, a move that could inflame tensions with China.

The deployments could include B-1 bombers and an expansion of B-52 bomber missions, said Lt. Colonel Damien Pickart, a spokesman for the US Air Force in the Pacific, stressing that discussions were continuing and no decisions had yet been reached.

“These bomber rotations provide opportunities for our Airmen to advance and strengthen our regional alliances and provide (Pacific Air Forces) and US Pacific Command leaders with a credible global strike and deterrence capability to help maintain peace and security in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” said Pickart.

The United States does not currently fly B-1 bombers from Australia, but does conduct periodic B-52 missions.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull declined to comment on the discussions.

“I can just assure you that everything we do in this area is very carefully determined to ensure that our respective military

forces work together as closely as possible in our mutual national interests,” he told reporters on Wednesday.

Should an agreement be reached, it would position further US military aircraft close to the disputed South China Sea and risk angering China, analysts said.

“China will see it in the context of the (Australian Defence) White Paper which they have already mentioned that they expressed a certain degree of dissatisfaction,” said Euan Graham, director of the International Security Program at Sydney-based think tank, the Lowy Institute.

China’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern. “Cooperation among relevant counties should protect regional peace and stability, and not target the interests of third parties,” spokesman Hong Lei told a daily news briefing.

Australia last month committed to increase defence spending by nearly A$30 billion ($22 billion), seeking to protect its strategic and trade interests in the Asia-Pacific as the United States and its allies grapple with China’s rising power.

The potential stationing of B-1 bombers in Australia was raised

by US officials last year, but Aus-

tralia’s then Defence Minister said they had misspoken.

China claims almost all of the South China Sea, but Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have overlapping claims.

Tensions between the US and China have been inflamed in recent weeks.

The US Navy has carried out freedom of navigation exercises, sailing and flying near disputed islands to underscore its rights to operate in the seas. Those patrols, and reports that China is deploying advanced missiles, fighters and radar equipment on islands there, have led Washington and Beijing to trade accusations of militarising the region.

General Lori Robinson, talking to reporters in Canberra, said the US would continue to conduct exercises through the disputed waterway, while calling on Australia to conduct similar freedom of navigation exercises.

“We would encourage anybody in the region and around the world to fly and sail in international air space in accordance with international rules and norms” the Australian Broadcasting Corporation quoted Robinson as saying. — Reuters

A1 5

Turkey has no intention of sending refugees back to conflict zones and sees no legal hurdles to implementing the deal, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday, after meetings with Belgian officials in Ankara.

EU and Turkish officials are scrambling to finalise the deal before their next summit on March 17-18, and Cavusoglu said the bloc had largely accepted Turkey’s terms. But the United Nations and human rights groups have warned that blanket returns without considering individual asylum cases could be illegal. And it remains far from clear that the message will get through to desperate families who see smuggling as their surest route into Europe as its borders close. Even as groups of migrants were detained on the beaches, more arrived by taxi in Didim, a popular holiday resort with yachts bobbing in its marina. Some carried bags, children in tow, and headed for the town’s small hotels,

which like in other parts of the Aegean coast, have been profiting from migrant business in the tourism low season. “The markets, the hotels, the restaurants - everyone was smiling. Because of the refugees we eat bread,” said the manager of one hostel. The hostel is in Basmane, a run-down neighbourhood of Izmir, the main city on the Turkish Aegean coast and long a stopover for migrants trying to reach Europe during the Iraq wars and protests.

More than a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond have flooded into the EU since early 2015, most crossing the Aegean from Turkey to Greece in small boats, then heading north through the Balkans to Germany.

Border shutdowns further north have blocked the ‘Balkans corridor’, leaving tens of thousands of migrants trapped in Greece. Macedonia has closed its border to illegal migrants after Slovenia, Croatia and Serbia announced tight new restrictions on migrant entry.

Rights group Amnesty International called the proposed mass return of migrants under the EU deal with Turkey a “death blow to the right to seek asylum”.

Relief charity Doctors without Borders said it was cynical and inhumane.

But Davutoglu insisted the preliminary deal would not stop Syrian refugees legitimately seeking shelter in Europe. He and Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras signed an amendment to the countries’ readmission agreement late on Tuesday to make returning third country nationals easier.

“The aim here is to discourage irregular migration and... to recognise those Syrians in our camps who the EU will accept though we will not force anyone to go against their will - on legal routes,” he said after a meeting with Tsipras in Izmir. — Reuters

END OF AN ERA

‘Fifth Beatle’ George Martin passes away LOS ANGELES/LONDON: George Martin, known as “the fifth Beatle” for his work in shaping the band that became one of the world’s most influential music forces, has died at the age of 90.

He was considered the most successful music producer ever, cited in the Guinness Book of Records for having more than 50 No. 1 hit records over five decades in the United States and Britain alone.

He helped score, arrange, and produce many of the band’s biggest hits, including I Wanna Hold Your Hand, A Day in the Life, Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby and Love Me Do. “I’m so sad to hear the news of the passing of dear George Martin,” Beatle Paul McCartney said in a statement on Wednesday.

“If anyone earned the title of the fifth Beatle it was George.”

A statement from Martin’s family confirmed he had died peacefully at his home on Tuesday evening.

Earlier, Ringo Starr, the Beatles’ drummer, had announced his death on Twitter: “God bless George Martin peace and love to Judy and his family... George will be missed.”

Starr followed the message by posting a black and white photo of the Fab Four with Martin, saying “Thank you for all your love and kindness George.”

Martin served as producer, collaborator and mentor to Beatles John Lennon, George Harrison, McCartney and Starr.

Lennon was shot dead in New York in 1980. Harrison died of cancer in 2001.

Tributes from the music world poured in on Twitter. “RIP to my musical brother George Martin.

We were friends since 1964, & I am so thankful 4 that gift,” said American music producer Quincy Jones.

Lenny Kravitz said: “The legends are really going home!” Boy George said: “George Martin. Gentleman and legend”, while Mark Ronson said Martin was “the greatest British record producer of all time.” — Reuters

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

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Clouds obscure rare total solar eclipse in Indonesia People in a small band of Indonesia had the opportunity to see the moon perfectly silhouetted by the sun

PALEMBANG(INDONESIA): A solar eclipse enthralled Indonesia on Wednesday but clouds over some parts of archipelago spoiled the view for many of the skywatchers who had the opportunity to see it in totality.

In Palembang city on the western island of Sumatra where the total eclipse should have been visible, cloudy skies and smog obscured the view for thousands of people who gathered outside shortly after daybreak.

“It was very annoying that we couldn’t see the sun properly,” said David Pratama, 18, as jeers of disappointment rose up in the crowd around him as the moon moved across the sun.

A partial eclipse of the sun was visible to millions in Australia, parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific, but only people in a small band of Indonesia had the opportunity to see the moon perfectly silhouetted by the sun.

In the capital, Jakarta, hundreds of residents and school children flocked to city’s planetarium where special viewing glasses were handed out to see the partial eclipse.

“We are very excited because it’s our first time seeing something like this,” said Santi who brought along her five-year old daughter to watch as the eclipse briefly dimmed the skies.

CELESTIAL EVENT: This photo combo shows the moon passing in front of the sun, top left to bottom right, during a total solar eclipse in

the city of Ternate, in Indonesia’s Maluku Islands, on Wednesday. Below: An Indonesian girl watches the total solar eclipse in Surabaya, East Java. – AFP

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

Indonesia last saw a total eclipse in 1983 and it will be 33 years until the next one, according to the meteorological agency.

The world’s next total solar eclipse will occur in August 2017

and be visible in the United States, according to NASA. The rare astronomical phenomenon drew thousands of tourists to Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, which is hoping to double

its foreign tourist arrivals to 20 million by 2019. A solar eclipse happens when the moon casts a shadow on the earth as it passes between the earth and the sun.

A partial eclipse, more frequent than total eclipses, is when the earth passes within the penumbra of the moon. — Reuters

A L S H A B A A B AT TA C K

Car bomb kills three policemen in Mogadhishu MOGADHISHU: Militants in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, set off a vehicle packed with explosives next to a cafe near a police building on Wednesday, killing at least three police officers.

Also on Wednesday, Al Shabaab said it fought off an attack on one of its bases in southern Somalia early morning that was launched by foreign commandos who flew in on two helicopters, leaving one Al Shabaab fighter dead in the gun battle. The Al Shabaab group claimed responsibility for the car bombing in Mogadishu. A spokesman for the group told Reuters that 10 police officers were killed, a figure that was higher than the three deaths police reported.

Al Shabaab often cites a higher death toll than the figure given by officials. “Three police officers died in this car bomb,” Ali Mohamed Hirsi, the commander of Mogadishu police, told reporters at the scene, where blood was visible near the tea shop frequented by officers. “The police officers were among police being trained.”

Police said a second device went off, but caused no casualties after police spotted it beforehand and caught two men in the small, three-wheeled vehicle.

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdiasis Abu Musab, Al Shabaab’s military operations spokesman, did not identify the nationality of the troops who launched the assault at about 1am in the Awdigle district of Lower Shabelle area, about 50km (30 miles) south of Mogadishu.

Several foreign nations have been supporting the Somali government’s efforts to combat Al Shabaab’s insurgency. The AMISOM peacekeeping force is made up of troops from several African nations which has been fighting alongside the Somali army. An AMISOM spokesman could not immediately be reached for comment. — Reuters

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM THUR SDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

MARKE

OMAN CRUDE FALLS

Oman Crude price (May delivery) reached $36.32 per barrel, according to Dubai Mercantile Exchange. The DME statement on Wednesday said that the price of Oman Crude declined 68 cents compared to Tuesday. - ONA

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

Muscat 5,342.29 - 20.93 - 0.39%

Dubai 3,348.62 - 37.61 - 1.11%

Abu Dhabi 4,544.35 - 40.75 - 0.89%

Kuwait 5,278.87 - 5.81 - 0.11%

Saudi Arabia

6,403.88 - 26.99 - 0.42%

Bahrain 1,154.59 - 8.53 - 0.73%

Qatar 10,304.39 - 113.84 - 1.09%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.34 Pound ............................................1.81 Indian Rs ..............................174.43 Pakistan Rs ........................267.38 Bangla Taka....................... 201.01

Indian Rs ...................................174.50 Pakistan Rs ..............................271.70 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.50 Phil Peso .....................................121.75

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......16.05

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$35.86 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$35.86 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$38.83 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$34.86 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$39.63 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$36.50

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

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

Oman Shipping plans to start new feeder service State-owned firm’s service will connect Salalah, Duqm, Sohar and Jebel Ali ports

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: State-owned Oman Shipping Company (OSC) is planning to start a container feeder service connecting Salalah, Duqm, Sohar and Jebel Ali ports next month, said a toplevel official of OSC. The company’s multi-purpose vessel, which can carry both containers and general cargo, will be used for the proposed route.

The ship can carry about 350 containers or project cargo worth 8,000 tonnes.

“There is going to be a lot of development there (in Duqm). So, there will be a demand for equipment, project cargoes, supplies for construction projects and container services,” Tarik Mohamed Al Junaidi, chief executive officer of Oman Shipping Company told

Times of Oman in an exclusive interview. “We are discussing with port authorities of Duqm and Salalah (and other government authorities).”

Weekly service Al Junaidi said that Oman Shipping already operates a feeder service connecting Sohar with Jebel Ali port, which is a weekly service. Within one or two months of starting the new service, Oman Shipping will be able to evaluate the actual requirement and can change the vessel, if required.

Oman Shipping, which plans to strengthen its fleet strength to 53 vessels within this year, is looking at opportunities in Duqm to provide ships for the proposed Duqm Refinery, which is likely to be ready by 2019.

Al Junaidi said Oman Ship Management Company, which

Tarik Mohamed Al Junaidi, chief executive officer of Oman Shipping Company.– Times file picture

NEW ROUTE: Oman Shipping Company ‘s multi-purpose vessel, which can carry both containers and general cargo, will be used for the proposed route – Supplied picture

is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Oman Shipping Company, manages 32 of the parent company’s vessels. “Our intention in the long-run is to have all of them managed by Oman Ship Management Company.”

by this year. Oman Shipping has signed a two-year agreement with International Maritime College Oman (Imco) to take about 100 students a year from the college.

Oman Shipping has a mix of high-tech fleet spanning a diverse range of very large crude carriers (VLCCs), LNG carriers, product tankers, multi-purpose vessels, bulk carriers and container ships.

Starting with LNG transporta-

Omanisation Referring to focus on Omanisation, Al Junaidi said the company will have its first Omani captain

tion, Oman Shipping’s expansion was very fast-paced and broadbased to cater to the needs of Oman’s oil and gas, petrochemical and other industries.

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Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......15.40 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............154.25 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............145.00 * Rates as of Mar. 9 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

L O A N R E PAY M E N T S

UAE banks agree to help small businesses facing financial crisis DUBAI: United Arab Emirates Banks Federation agreed measures to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) struggling with loan repayments amid an economic slowdown and debt laws that can lead to people fleeing the country to avoid punishment for defaulting.

The plan allows for the temporary suspension and restructuring of debt payments, according to a statement on Wednesday from the federation. Banks also discussed the impact of decriminalising bounced cheques. The move by the banking industry trade body comes in the absence of legislation on debt restructuring and bankruptcy in the country.

Lenders have been bracing for a rise in bad debt as some small business owners abandon the UAE to avoid possible time in jail. Cheques are also still a common form of payment in the country, and often held as a security deposit against personal and business loans.

People in the SME sector may have left behind Dh5 billion ($1.36 billion) of loans last year, Abdul Aziz Al Ghurair, chief executive officer of Mashreqbank and chairman of the UAE Banks Federation said in November. - Bloomberg News

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

B3

MARKET Power demand in Oman grows at 8% per annum than 4,000 workers,” Al Qatabi asserted. He also pointed out that DCRP approved 93 engineers specialised in protection, inspection and operation in the electrical contracting firms.

In 2015, electricity generated in the Sultanate reached 14 gigawatts per hour. The demand for power grows at 8 per cent per annum.

BUSINESS REPORTER

MUSCAT: Electricity generated in Oman reached 14 gigawatts per hour last year, said Eng. Hamad Al Maghdari, chief executive officer of the Rural Areas Electricity Company and chairman of Distribution Code Review Panel (DCRP).

The demand for power in the Sultanate continued to grow and is estimated at 8 per cent per annum.

“In 2015, we have produced 14 gigawatts per hour while the electricity supplied was about 7,850 megawatts,” Al Maghdari said at the opening of the Distribution Code Review Panel conference here on Wednesday.

The third conference of DCRP was under the slogan ‘Efficiency and commitment’.

Meeting also offered several recommendations such as raising the efficiency of staff of private sector companies operating in the electricity sector, emphasising the full commitment to the application of security and safety procedures set forth in the regulations for the safety of workers in the construction and operation of networks.

Al Maghdari also emphasised that the electricity sector has a significant importance in the national economy as it contributes to the GDP. “Electricity sector provides direct employment opportunities and meets the needs of the country’s electricity both

MAKING A POINT: Eng. Hamad Al Maghdari, chief executive officer of the Rural Areas Electricity Company and chairman of Distribution Code Review Panel, said that the electricity sector has a significant importance in the national economy as it contributes to the GDP. - JUN ESTRADA/Times of Oman

for economic activity, in production and service sectors, and for home use,” he said.

Project delays According to the chairman of DCRP, electricity sector has some challenges.“We have some challenges to face like delays in the implementation of projects, which hold back the development of the sector,” Al Maghdari added. He also stressed the importance of raising the technical capabilities of companies.

“Raising the corporate technical capabilities of the companies will help them to perform the projects

assigned carefully,” Engineer Al Maghdari said.

According to Eng. Sultan bin Said Al Qatabi, director of DCRP; the companies are applying international specifications and standards adopted by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries to provide a safe and continuous power supply to its customers.

He also said that DCRP approved 190 companies operating in the electricity sector during the year 2015, including 159 small and medium-sized companies.

“Number of Omani nationals working in the companies registered with DCRP reached more

Licences According to him, the number of qualified protection engineers working with contractors is 39 and the number of examination and operation engineers reached 54. Al Qatabi also said that the DCRP has approved 90 security and safety officers for contractors and granted licenses for practicing electrical work to five consultancy offices in the Sultanate.

Four presentations were also presented during the conference.

The first presentation was on “HSE Audit and Recommendations” by Eng. Ali bin Essa Shammas, chief executive officer of Dhofar Power Company.

He said that the mission of Nama Group is to deliver safe, secure and efficient electricity service through competent staff and best practices to exceed customer expectations and be a leading utility company in Oman by 2018.

Another presentation on “Process of approval in DCRP” and it was made by Eng.Saif Al Ruheili, Head of Contractors and Consultants Approval Section in DCRP. The third presentation dealt with “Cable and Pipe Sealing Systems in Oman” and was presented by Dr Andrea PaulProssler, Head of International Sales at HauffTechnik, Hermaringen, Germany.

DCRP also listened to the proposals of contractors and suppliers and promised to look into them in order to serve public. A special exhibition was conducted by sponsors to promote their products on the sidelines of the conference. The exhibition was inaugurated by Al Maghdari.

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TELECOM

New base stations boost Ooredoo’s Internet speed Times News Service MUSCAT: Ooredoo has completed the first wave of new 4G/LTE 800 coverage in Muscat and along the Al Batinah coast. Now, between Muttrah and Liwa, more than 100 new 4G base-stations have significantly boosted Ooredoo’s highspeed mobile data network.

The additional LTE (4G) 800 MHz spectrum, acquired at a cost of OMR9.6 million, is an enhancement to Ooredoo’s 4G network capabilities, building on their award-winning customer experience and bringing state-of-the-art service quality.

The new base stations have brought unparalleled benefits to customers by improving the 4G indoor coverage and data speeds.

These speeds are important when downloading or streaming videos or receiving high definition pictures or documents.

Modernisation It also provides an enhancement to Ooredoo’s extensive network modernisation programme, which has been underway for the last three years.

And now, the second wave of new 4G base-stations, improving the indoor and outdoor highspeed mobile data coverage fur-

CONNECTIVITY: The new base stations have brought unparalleled benefits to customers by improving the 4G indoor coverage and data speeds. – Supplied picture

ther, has already been started in all wilayats across Oman.

As customers increasingly demand faster download speeds, seamless video streaming, online gaming and more, the additional spectrum and new base stations are providing a whole new experience.

Speaking on the completion of this first phase, Greg Young, chief

DEBT

Kingfisher Airlines owner has left India, Supreme Court told NEW DELHI: India’s business tycoon Vijay Mallya, who is facing legal proceedings for allegedly defaulting loans of over Rs90 billion from various banks, has left the country a week ago, federal government on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court.

Vijay Mallya owns the nowdefunct Kingfisher Airlines.

“I spoke to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) little while ago and it told me that on March 2 he (Mallya) left the country,”

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi told the bench comprising Justices Kurian Joseph and R. F. Nariman. The bench issued notice to Mallya and sought his response within two weeks on pleas filed by a consortium of banks seeking direction for freezing his passport and his presence before the apex court.

During the brief hearing, the attorney general said that more than Rs90 billion was due to various banks. - PTI

executive officer of Ooredoo, said “One of our aims is to provide innovative and best-in-industry technology and services to our customers. This new spectrum is significantly enhancing speed and indoor 4G coverage. Our customers will be able to use 4G in many more areas and feel the difference when it comes to streaming,

downloads and staying connected. And there is more to come, as we roll out this richer experience to other areas of the country.”

“This investment and improvement also future-proofs our network with the necessary spectrum to underpin cost effective capacity increases to keep pace with accelerating 4G demand,” he added.

Oman Arab Bank’s net profit increases to OMR29 million Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Arab Bank (OAB) said the bank posted a net profit of OMR29.01 million for 2015 compared to OMR28.40 million reported in 2014. The bank registered strong income and balance sheet growth in 2015 while strategic investments were made to upgrade the bank’s infrastructure and build sustainable business momentum, according to a bank release.

Net interest income rose by 12 per cent last year to reach OMR49.13 million while non-interest income stood at OMR30.62 million, a 9 per cent growth over the previous year. The increase in top line income was largely due to a robust growth in balance sheet during the year.

The bank’s net loans and advances increased by 21 per cent to reach OMR1.52 billion while customer deposits also rose by 9 per cent to reach OMR1.6 billion

by December 2015. Operating expenses for 2015 were higher at OMR43.52 million compared to OMR37.42 million for the same period in 2014. The capital adequacy ratio of the bank was 14.28 per cent by December 2015, which is well above the regulatory requirement of 12.625 per cent.

The bank’s Sharia-compliant window, Al Yusr, also showed positive growth with Islamic financing receivables more than doubling to OMR49.9 million as of December 31, 2015 compared to OMR20.83 million as of December 2014.

Customer deposits in the Islamic banking segment also increased significantly to OMR49.39 million by the end of December 2015 compared to OMR12.49 million in the same period of the previous year.

Al Yusr has expanded to a nationwide footprint of seven branches located at Muscat, Al Buraimi, Sohar, Ibra, Nizwa and Salalah.

“Our 2015 financial performance demonstrates Oman Arab Bank’s underlying ability to con-

tinue growth while managing risks in challenging conditions within the region,” said Amin Al Husseini, chief executive officer, Oman Arab Bank. “In 2015, we have commenced a transformational journey to enhance customer experience through our delivery channels, including brick and mortar branches. We are investing in our franchise, to build on our already strong heritage of trust”.

Three decades’ operation “Oman Arab Bank has consistently delivered business growth over three decades which has advanced us into a reliable, trusted and accomplished institution that adds value to customers, employees, shareholders and the wider community,” he added.

OAB was established in 1984 following the acquisition of Arab Bank’s branches in the Sultanate.

For over 30 years, Oman Arab Bank has been an active contributor to the Sultanate’s ongoing growth and development by offering customers and organisations innovative solutions complemented by in-depth local and international expertise.

Today, OAB provides a comprehensive suite of products and services in retail banking, corporate and project finance, investment banking, trade finance and most recently, Islamic banking. The bank has provided financing for setting up major projects in Oman that have a wider economic impact including power generation, water desalination, aviation and infrastructure to name but a few.

Currently, the bank operates more than 65 branches and offices, and more than 123 automatic teller machines and cash deposit machines in high footfall locations across the Sultanate that are supported by Arab Bank’s 600 branches spanning five continents.

The bank’s principal shareholders are Oman International Development and Investment Company (51 per cent) and Arab Bank PLC (49 per cent).

B4

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

MARKET MSM index in red zone

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,381.39 .............. 5,342.29 ...................5,342.29 ...................5,363.22................-20.93 .................. -0.39 Financial Index .................................... 6,625.05 ...............6,525.35 ................... 6,525.35 ................... 6,587.57............... -62.22 .................. -0.94 Industrial Index ................................... 6,624.04 .............. 6,585.08 ................... 6,585.08 ...................6,624.04................-38.96 .................. -0.59 Services Index .......................................3,073.76 .............. 3,066.85 ...................3,066.92 ................... 3,071.94.................. -5.02 .................. -0.16 MSM SHARIAH INDEX...................... 832.40 ..................829.43 ...................... 829.44 ...................... 832.21.................. -2.77 .................. -0.33 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 10,750,239.................. 1,640,689 ..................... 591 ...............16,353,532,325 .................. 6 ..................... 26 .................... 17 .........................49

United Power, up by 2.43%, was the top gainer while Al Batinah Development and

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9

Investment was the top loser, down by 5.33% ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: In a dull market, the MSM 30 Index continued its downtrend to close at 5,342.29 points, a fall of 0.39 per cent.

The MSM Sharia Index also decreased 0.33 per cent to close at 829.44 points.

Bank Nizwa was the most active in terms of volume, while Bank Muscat led in turnover.

United Power, up 2.43 per cent, was the top gainer while Al Batinah Development and Investment Holding was the top loser, down 5.33 per cent.

As many as 591 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating a turnover of OMR1.6 million with 10.8 million shares changing hands. Out of 49 traded securities, six advanced, 26 declined and 17 remained unchanged. At the close of the session, Omani investors remained net buyers to the tune of OMR136,000 while foreign Investors were net sellers at OMR85,000 followed by GCC and Arab investors who sold shares amounting to OMR51,000.

Financial Index declined heavily by 0.94 per cent to finish at 6,525.35 points. Ahli Bank and Ominvest gained 1.71 per cent and 0.43 per cent respectively.

DBIH, Global Financial Investment, Gulf Investment Services, Takaful Oman and Bank Nizwa decreased 5.33 per cent, 4.58 per cent, 4.26 per cent, 3.92 per cent and 2.90 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index retreated 0.59 per cent and ended at 6,585.08 points. Oman Flour Mills up 1.78 per cent was only sector gainer.

Galfar Engineering, Raysut Cement, Al Jazeera Steel, Oman Fisheries and Al Hassan Engineering declined 3.13 per cent, 2.49 per cent, 2.16 per cent, 1.75 per cent and 1.45 per cent respectively.

Services Index closed negatively at 3,066.92 points, down by 0.16%. United Power, Omantel and Phoenix Power increased 2.43 per cent, 1.60 per cent and

0.68 per cent respectively. Port Services, National Gas, Renaissance Services and OIFC decreased 3.06 per cent, 2.58 per cent, 2.22 per cent and 1.50 per cent respectively.

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

OM0000001822............UNITED POWER .............................................................8,500 ............ 28,645........................5 ........... 3.300 ........... 3.385 ...........3.300........... 3.370 .............3.290 ........... 0.080.............2.432 ................3.385..............3.355...................3.385....................2,696,000 ..........1.000 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ......................................................................95,000 .............16,885........................6 ............0.188 ........... 0.188 ...........0.175 ............0.178 ............. 0.175............ 0.003..............1.714.................0.175 ...............0.171...................0.175 ..................253,656,434........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION .......................... 60,118 ............ 95,608......................13 ............1.590 ........... 1.600 ...........1.590 ........... 1.590 ............. 1.565.............0.025 ............. 1.597 ................1.600..............1.590...................1.600................1,192,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ......................................................................13,992 ...............6,576........................2 ........... 0.470 ...........0.470 ...........0.470........... 0.470 .............0.468 ........... 0.002............. 0.427 ................0.470..............0.470...................0.000 ................ 259,844,972 .......0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS .......................50 ..................... 11........................1 ........... 0.223 ...........0.223 ...........0.223........... 0.223 .............0.223 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.223............. 0.000...................0.223 ................... 7,486,433 ..........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN .....................................2,280 ...................611........................3 ........... 0.268 ...........0.268 ...........0.268........... 0.268 .............0.268 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.268..............0.263...................0.267..................359,310,347 ........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY..............................................50 .....................77........................1 ............1.535 ........... 1.535............1.535 ............1.545 ............. 1.545............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.535 .............. 1.525...................1.535 ..................138,586,500........0.100

Emerging markets fall Measures of developing-nation equities and currencies declined for a second day after oil dropped back below $40 a barrel, a level breached on Monday for the first time since December. The won fell by the most in three weeks as foreign investors resumed sales of the country’s shares after exports from China plunged by the most since 2009. Russia’s ruble and the benchmark stock index dropped more than 1 per cent.

The Shanghai Composite Index is the world’s worst-performing share gauge this year on concern the slowing economy will crimp earnings and capital outflows will increase should the yuan continue to weaken.

Equities in emerging countries halted an oil-induced seven-day advance on Tuesday and money manager Jeffrey Gundlach termed the recent spate of gains as a bear-market rally.

“We have reached levels where the rally in emerging-market currencies seems some what overdone,” said Sim Moh Siong, a foreign-exchange strategist at Bank of Singapore Ltd. “The overall picture within emerging markets, especially given that many are dependent on exports, continues to show that external demand remains weak -- that could be a drag on growth.” Gundlach, who jointly runs the $56 billion Double Line Total Return Bond Fund, said oil probably needs to be above $45 to show “health” in commodities. The Bloomberg Commodity Index has declined 22 per cent in the past 12 months as demand slowed in China.

OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ................................................................. 600 .................. 270........................2 ........... 0.450 ...........0.450 ...........0.450........... 0.450 .............0.450 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.450..............0.446...................0.000 .................148,892,720........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 200,000........... 57,000........................1 ........... 0.285 ...........0.285 ...........0.285........... 0.285 .............0.285 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.285............. 0.280...................0.300 ..................84,420,899.........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ....................................................50 ..................... 15........................1 ........... 0.300...........0.300 ...........0.300 .......... 0.300 .............0.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.300 ............ 0.290...................0.300 ..................18,361,282 .........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 1,258,900...... 176,279..................... 32 ............0.140 ........... 0.141............0.140........... 0.140 .............0.140 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.141 ..............0.140...................0.142...................43,507,092 .........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR .................................................................8,150 ...............2,201........................5 ........... 0.270 ...........0.270 ...........0.270........... 0.270 .............0.270 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.270............. 0.260...................0.270 .................417,076,707 ........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER......................................................................50 ..................... 17........................1 ........... 0.334 ...........0.334 ...........0.334........... 0.352 .............0.352 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.334............. 0.000...................0.334 .................. 77,795,520 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO..........................................................................11,593 ...............8,069........................4 ........... 0.696 ........... 0.696 ...........0.696........... 0.696 .............0.696 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.696..............0.668...................0.696..................453,057,184 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................36,894 .............14,979........................7 ........... 0.406 ...........0.406 ...........0.406........... 0.406 .............0.410............-0.004 ........... -0.976 ...............0.406..............0.406...................0.410...................21,315,000 .........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 121,472 ............. 11,661........................7 ........... 0.096 ...........0.096 ...........0.096........... 0.096 .............0.097 ...........-0.001 ............-1.031................0.096..............0.095...................0.097..................192,030,028........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 174,973.............52,671..................... 35 ............0.310 ........... 0.310 ...........0.300 .......... 0.302 .............0.306 ...........-0.004 ........... -1.307 ...............0.302..............0.302...................0.304 ...................6,342,000..........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................... 33,199 ...............2,357........................7 ........... 0.072 ...........0.072 ...........0.071 ............0.071 .............0.072 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.389................0.071 .............. 0.071...................0.072...................12,425,000.........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 413,002 ............81,192......................13 ............0.199 ........... 0.199 ...........0.195 ............0.197 .............0.200 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.500 ...............0.196 .............. 0.195...................0.196...................39,400,000.........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT .....................................27,050 ............... 1,630........................3 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.060........... 0.060 ............. 0.061............-0.001 ............-1.639................0.060..............0.059...................0.060 ..................12,429,083 .........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 133,000 ............31,069..................... 10 ........... 0.235 ........... 0.235 ...........0.232........... 0.234 .............0.238 ...........-0.004 ............-1.681 ................0.232..............0.230...................0.234 ..................23,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ............. 13,001 ................1,313........................4 ............0.103 ........... 0.103 ...........0.101 ............0.101 .............0.103............-0.002 ........... -1.942 ...............0.101 ..............0.100...................0.101 ....................9,090,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 1,182,050 .......174,156..................... 35 ............0.150 ........... 0.150 ...........0.146 ............0.147 .............0.150............-0.003 ........... -2.000 ...............0.146 .............. 0.145...................0.146..................211,891,680 ........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS .......................... 64,515 ............... 8,791......................16 ............0.139 ........... 0.139 ...........0.136 ............0.136 ............. 0.139............-0.003 ........... -2.158................0.136 .............. 0.135...................0.136................... 16,986,123 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 366,421 ........... 64,458..................... 27 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.175 ............0.176 .............0.180 ...........-0.004 ........... -2.222 ...............0.175 .............. 0.175...................0.177 ................... 51,154,580 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 644,200 .........111,209......................71 ............0.175 ........... 0.175............ 0.171 ............0.173 ............. 0.177............-0.004 ........... -2.260 ...............0.171 ...............0.171...................0.174 ...................25,962,975.........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 689,499 ......... 286,951.....................80 ........... 0.422 ...........0.422 ...........0.410............0.416 .............0.426 ...........-0.010 ........... -2.347 ...............0.412 ..............0.410...................0.414................. 953,398,200 .......0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT .......................................................... 8,999 ............... 8,461........................3 ........... 0.964 ...........0.964 ...........0.940 .......... 0.940 .............0.964 ...........-0.024 ........... -2.490 ...............0.960............. 0.940...................0.960 ................ 188,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................. 38,471 .............11,646..................... 10 ............0.310 ........... 0.310 ...........0.300 .......... 0.302 .............0.310............-0.008 ........... -2.581................0.300 .............0.285...................0.300 ..................15,100,000 .........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ....................... 123,200 ........... 23,398......................17 ............0.190 ........... 0.190 ...........0.188 ........... 0.190 ............. 0.196............-0.006 ............-3.061................0.188 ..............0.186...................0.190................... 18,057,600 .........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 596,754.............36,941..................... 30 ........... 0.064 ...........0.064 ...........0.061 ........... 0.062 .............0.064 ...........-0.002 ............-3.125................0.062..............0.062...................0.063................... 17,978,799 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ..............................7,432 .................. 668........................4 ........... 0.094 ...........0.094 ...........0.089........... 0.090 .............0.094 ...........-0.004 ........... -4.255 ...............0.089..............0.090...................0.092 ...................5,295,890 ..........0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ..................30,050 ............... 3,757........................5 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.125 ............0.125 ............. 0.131 ............-0.006 ........... -4.580 ...............0.125 .............. 0.118...................0.125...................25,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................ 86,515 ............... 6,150........................7 ............0.075 ........... 0.075 ...........0.070............0.071 .............0.075 ...........-0.004 ........... -5.333 ...............0.071 .............. 0.071...................0.072....................2,130,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 6,450,030...1,325,720...................468 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......34........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS .................................................35,000 ............ 16,040........................8 ........... 0.454 ...........0.460 ...........0.454........... 0.458 .............0.450 ........... 0.008..............1.778.................0.460..............0.460...................0.488...................72,135,000 .........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 200,808........... 29,446......................21 ............0.146 ........... 0.147 ...........0.146............0.147 .............0.146.............0.001 ............. 0.685 ................0.147 .............. 0.147...................0.148..................215,002,415 ........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING .............................................50 .....................19........................1 ............0.376 ........... 0.376 ...........0.376........... 0.378 .............0.378 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.376............. 0.000...................0.362 ...................2,268,000..........1.000 OM0000001152 ............OMAN NATIONAL ENGINE. INVT. ..............................50 .....................10........................1 ........... 0.207 ...........0.207 ...........0.207........... 0.207 .............0.207 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.207............. 0.204...................0.207 ..................18,630,000 .........0.100 OM0000001475 ............SWEETS OF OMAN ............................................................100 .................. 122........................2 ........... 1.220 ........... 1.220 ...........1.220........... 1.340 .............1.340 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.220............. 0.000...................1.220....................9,380,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001855 ............MAJAN GLASS .................................................................... 660 .................. 122........................1 ............0.185 ........... 0.185 ...........0.185 ........... 0.199 ............. 0.199............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.185 ..............0.186...................0.199....................8,362,637 ..........0.100 OM0000001897 ............MAJAN COLLEGE ............................................................. 242 .................. 126........................2 ........... 0.520 ...........0.520 ...........0.520........... 0.520 .............0.520 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.520..............0.504...................0.518 ...................15,600,000 .........0.100 OM0000002333 ...........SALALAH PORT SERVICES .............................................50 .....................32........................1 ........... 0.648 ...........0.648 ...........0.648........... 0.648 .............0.648 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.648............. 0.000...................0.648..................116,534,635 ........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE..................................................... 20,000 ...............2,560........................1 ............0.128 ........... 0.128 ...........0.128........... 0.128 .............0.129............-0.001 ............-0.775................0.128 ..............0.129...................0.130...................32,207,164 .........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING....................................... 7,176 ..................488........................2 ........... 0.068 ...........0.068 ...........0.068........... 0.068 .............0.069 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.449 ...............0.068..............0.063...................0.068.....................5,114,144 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 577,432.............32,107..................... 25 ........... 0.057 ........... 0.057 ...........0.055........... 0.056 .............0.057 ...........-0.001 ............-1.754................0.055..............0.055...................0.056....................7,000,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 145,312 ............... 8,138........................8 ........... 0.057 ........... 0.057 ...........0.056........... 0.056 .............0.057 ...........-0.001 ............-1.754................0.056..............0.055...................0.056...................56,000,000.........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 3,191,931 ........213,861..................... 38 ........... 0.068 ...........0.068 ...........0.067........... 0.067 .............0.069 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.899 ...............0.067..............0.067...................0.068................. 100,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ............................ 121,390.............11,897......................11 ............0.101 ........... 0.101............0.098........... 0.098 .............0.102 ...........-0.004 ........... -3.922 ...............0.098..............0.096...................0.098....................9,800,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 4,300,201...... 314,968...................122 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......14........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...................................8 ........................1........................1 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.105 ............0.115 ............. 0.115 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.105 ..............0.105................... 0.117 ................... 34,816,148 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: ...............................................................................................8 ........................1........................1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

- United Securities/Bloomberg News

ASIAN MARKET

DEBT MARKET

Saudi Aramco plans refinery in India StanChart in talks on $2b Iraq bond sale

RIYADH: World’s largest crude exporter plans to invest in Asian refineries to ensure it has plenty of buyers in the fastest-growing region for fuel demand.

Saudi Arabian Oil Company is adding India to the list of Asian countries where it plans to build new refineries as part of a plan to almost double its global refining capacity, chief executive officer Amin Nasser said in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Aramco, as the company is known, is also considering plants in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

The Dhahran, Saudi Arabiabased company is considering expanding its refining capacity to find new outlets for Saudi crude oil, Nasser said Tuesday in a speech during a Saudi refining conference in Jubail.

The company already owns a stake in a refinery in China’s Fujian province along with Exxon Mobil and China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation. It’s still in talks with another partner, China National Petroleum, to build a new joint-venture refinery.

“Talks are good and ongoing,” he said.

Aramco capacity Aramco has a refining capacity of around 5.4 million barrels a day now, and it will almost double that to between 8 million and 10 million, he said, without specifying a time frame for the expansion.

Saudi Arabia produced 10.2 mil-

lion barrels of oil a day in February, according to data.

In Saudi Arabia, the company is now considering whether to add more petrochemical plants to its existing refineries.

The company is close to finishing a petrochemical plant within its joint refinery with Japan’s Sumitomo Chemical in Rabigh. Aramco is also studying a similar plan

at Ras Tanura, its largest refinery in Saudi Arabia that has the capacity to refine 550,000 barrels of oil a day, Nasser said. – Bloomberg News

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BEIRUT: Standard Chartered is in talks with Iraq’s Finance Ministry to take part in a $2 billion bond sale this year after Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) second-biggest producer revived plans to tap international debt markets to finance its budget deficit.

The London-based bank is also holding talks with other government institutions about their financing needs, Andreas Meletiou, Standard Chartered chief executive officer in Iraq, said in an interview on Tuesday in Beirut.

Iraq, grappling with tumbling oil prices and the war with IS rebels, may sell eurobonds in the second half of this year, Finance Minister Hoshyar Zebari said in February.

Authorities also expect to receive about $6 billion in aid from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank this year, central bank chief Ali Al Allaq said in a separate interview on Tuesday.

A planned sale was halted last year because investors demanded yields that the government deemed

too high. Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan Chase had been working on that deal. “We have been in discussions with the Ministry of Finance on its $2 billion bond issuance anticipated to take place in 2016,” Meletiou said.

Unrest The conflict with IS, which captured swaths of northern Iraq in the summer of 2014, has destroyed economic infrastructure, disrupted trade and discouraged investment. The country is facing the ‘double shock’ of war as well as the crude-oil price drop, and has “urgent” balance-of-payment and budget needs, the IMF said in January. The Washington-based lender approved a staff-monitored program to pave the way for a possible loan. Under the programme, Iraq must reduce its non-oil primary deficit.

Fitch Ratings issued its first assessment on Iraqi debt in August, assigning it the fifth-worst junk grade. – Bloomberg News

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ROUND-UP

Rumaila Motors unveils latest SUV star — Haval

‘ P L E D G E F O R PA R I T Y ’

As the sole dealers of Great Wall, China’s

International Women’s Day celebrated at KPMG

leading private carmaker, Rumaila Motors aims to replicate in Oman, the remarkable success enjoyed by this brand in key international markets

MUSCAT: China, a country renowned for being one of the world’s largest manufacturer of vehicles, is also home to Great Wall Motors Company Limited, a leader in the sector for building tough, reliable and value for money vehicles.

Recognised as China’s largest Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) producer as of 2010, its range of exclusive Haval SUVs made a remarkable entry in the Oman market with the official launch of the brand recently under the dealership of Rumaila Motors, part of Zubair Group.

As the sole dealers of Great Wall, China’s leading private carmaker, Rumaila Motors aims to replicate in Oman, the remarkable success enjoyed by this brand in key international markets.

Capitalising on Great Wall’s acclaimed durability, powerhouse capability and good looks, Rumaila Motors couples it with its excellent sales and service component to introduce to the industry a new trendsetter in the SUV market.

With outlets in the capital city of Muscat and six other regional towns, Rumaila Motors has already established its extensive network of quality, high-end

showrooms manned with professional and well-trained staff to provide the necessary assistance to customers.

“Haval has established its brand name in their home country as well as internationally. Their focus on research and development as well as manufacturing the best SUVs has earned them various awards and recognitions worldwide,” said Suleiman Al Rashdi, Brand manager.

“Haval’s extensive range of SUVs offers distinct models that are made to suit customers with varying desires. As the dealers of this prized brand, we compliment these excellent SUVs with a dedicated and professional sales and services team from Rumaila Motors and are certain that Haval is destined to be the new leader in the SUV category in the Sultanate.”

Since the launch of its first SUV in China in 2002, Haval has progressed in leaps and bounds, establishing itself as the premier SUV manufacturer in the world’s biggest automobile market. Recognised as the top-selling SUV brand in China for 13 consecutive years, Haval was honoured with innumerable awards like the ‘Integrated Innovation Award’ at the ‘Ceremony for Achievements in Independent Innovation of Chinese Vehicles over the Five Decades’. Haval also earned the valuable certification of being China’s first EU-certified independent

SUV. Various Haval models like the Haval H6 won other titles like the ‘CCTV Independent SUV of 2011’ and consecutively in 2012 was also crowned as the ‘CCTV SUV of 2012’. Earlier in 2015, Haval H9 was also honoured as the ‘Best SUV in 2015’. With various accolades to its name, Haval is committed to becoming the world’s leading specialist in the SUV category. When other manufacturers are spreading their talents across a wide range of vehicles and platforms, Haval is focusing their research and development to specialise in the fastest growing automotive sector in the world – the SUV sector.

Till date, the market volume of Haval SUV has been more than 2 million units. Haval has invested heavily in a brand new, state-ofthe-art technical centre in Baoding and new manufacturing plants at Tianjin and Xushui. Combined, the new plants are capable of producing 1.8 million SUVs each year.

Putting their global strategies in position Haval caters to various overseas markets including Russia, Australia, North America and the Middle East.

Offering an SUV for the varying needs of their wide customerbase, Haval models have an assortment of large, medium and small SUVs. Their extensive line-up includes SUVs for the city as well as the off-road, amongst different other types of SUVs.

The Haval SUVs at a glimpse: Haval H2: Keeping it fashionable, the H2 seats adopt the doublecolour stitching pattern and have broad dimensions favoured by young people. The multiple exterior and colour schemes represent multiple lifestyles for the youth.

Sporty and delicate in craftsmanship, H2 also possesses a technologically-leading GW4G15B high efficiency energy-saving engine.

Haval H6 Sports: This urban intelligent SUV emerged as the single model sales champion for 30 months consecutively in China, making Haval H6 the leader of the SUV market. The special 2.4 L Mitsubishi engine found in the H6 adopts the advanced technologies.

Haval H8: The first high-end luxury SUV in the Haval family, the H8 with its transverse chromeplated grill, is bold and elegant in design. Spacious and ergonomically efficient, this SUV couples dynamic exteriors with superior craftsmanship on the inside.

Haval H9: All-Terrain large space 7 seats SUV allows the driver to master whatever environment they encounter. With 6 different settings – Auto, 4L, sport, sand, snow and mud, the H6 automatically adjusts the vehicle’s traction and braking force to ensure maximum grip and performance in any terrain.

MUSCAT: In the global commemoration of the International Women’s Day on March 8, 2016, with the theme ‘Pledge for Parity’, KPMG Oman celebrated this day with a difference.

KPMG shared individual and collective priorities demonstrating passion to empower and commitment towards making the changes for driving diversity and inclusion, further strengthening the aim of being ‘The Clear Choice’ for its people and clients, says a press release.

“KPMG Oman highly recognises the valuable contribution of women in the firm and KPMG are committed to fair and equal opportunities for all our people.

This is a great opportunity to leverage the theme, Pledge for Parity; and we believe we can encourage everyone to take personal action to help close the gender parity gap. This is itself an ‘inclusive’ approach that each can personally own,” stated Paul Callaghan, partner in KPMG. KPMG made the event more special by celebrating women’s contribution from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, their achievements and dedication through the years have continually supported the firm’s success and growth. A programme was also prepared where inspirational insights were shared. Partners and directors in KPMG Oman, made a pledge that will drive the changes in the firm and also empower one another.

Khalid Ansari, partner in charge of KPMG Oman, extended his great pleasure in a message

KPMG shared individual and collective priorities demonstrating passion to empower and commitment towards making the changes for driving diversity and inclusion, further strengthening the aim of being ‘The Clear Choice’ for its people and clients

where he greeted and wished them continued success and professional growth in the firm.

He pledged, “To make sure that we have a female partner (Omani) in KPMG Oman in the next 10 years.”

KPMG employs around 170,000 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. In the Lower Gulf, comprising Oman and UAE, KPMG employs more than 850 professionals and operates from seven offices in Muscat, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Jebel Ali.

G L O B A L P L AT F O R M

PROMOTION

'Buy 2, Get 3rd Free' offer at B.young MUSCAT: B.young store located at the Oman Avenues Mall has announced an exciting offer - 'Buy 2 and Get 3rd Free' on all items in the store. In addition to this B.young also has 'Shop and Win' offer.

These offers are sure to be a shoppers delight: Buy 2 and Get 3rd Free will give customers an opportunity to save more, whereas

'Shop and Win' will allow customers to take home exciting prizes such as 50” LED smart TVs, Philips air fryer, garment steamer, etc., says a press release.

Attractive scheme The store is constantly striving to provide best service to its customers, and these schemes are sure to

be extremely attractive.

B.young label offers value for money and luxury for less. It is all about the creation of great fashion styles. With B.young, you have the perfect opportunity to express your own personality through new and fresh styles all year around.

It is a popular brand of Denmark based DK Company.

BIG ON POWER AND COMFORT

Ford Taurus delivers enhanced driving dynamics, improved craftsmanship

MUSCAT: Ford Taurus is the perfect car to accommodate your family comfortably on long journeys.

The Ford Taurus delivers more of what large sedan customers really want with even better fuel economy, more technology, design refinement, improved craftsmanship and enhanced driving dynamics, says a press release.

The Taurus is powered by a 3.5-litre Ti-VCT V6 engine that produces 288 horsepower and 254 lb-ft of torque.

The engine benefits from the addition of twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), achieving better fuel economy, more horsepower and a reduction in part-throttle emissions compared to the previous standard Taurus V6.

Each Taurus engine is mated to a unique six-speed automatic transmission specially tailored

to that application. Six-speed transmissions add fuel economy and performance, as they allow for lower gearing to be optimised for improved off-the-line acceleration, yet enable higher gears to help provide economical cruising by keeping engine rpm levels low.

Standard equipment on the entry-level SE includes 18-inch painted aluminium wheels, automatic headlights, integrated blind spot mirrors, LED taillights, an exterior access keypad, cruise control, air-conditioning, a six-way power driver and passenger seat, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker sound system with CD player and an audio input jack.

The Ford Taurus offers a classylooking passenger cabin. The backseat offers generous headand legroom even for good-sized

adults. At 20.1 cubic feet, the trunk is one of the largest you’ll find on any sedan. Fold down the rear seats and the Taurus offers up even more space.

The Ford Taurus LTD also comes equipped with the MyFord Touch interface which consists of multiple display screens and the ability to input commands for various audio, phone via voice, touch controls or buttons on the steering wheel.

Ford vehicles are known the world over for their exceptional safety, luxury and unsurpassed technological superiority.

Ford ploughs in millions of dollars into R&D each year to ensure that every Ford offers maximum safety and motoring pleasure for its customers.

In Oman, Ford vehicles are brought to you by Arabian Car Marketing Co.

Al Maha Ceramics showcases its latest range at Big5 Jeddah expo MUSCAT: Al Maha Ceramics, one of the leading ceramic tiles producer in Oman, is showcasing its latest range of designs at the Big5 Jeddah Exhibition, which is being held in Jeddah Exhibition Centre from March 7 till today.

The exhibition is one of the biggest shows for building materials in the Saudi Arabia and offered Al Maha Ceramics a global platform to display its world-class products, says a press release.

During the event Al Maha Ceramics has displayed its attractive eye-catching designs of ‘Digiplus’ range of Ceramic tiles using contemporary digital printing technology with a variety of shades to suit every décor and cater to the needs of its customers which are highly appreciated by the visitors.

Commenting on the participation, Arvind Bindra, CEO, Al Maha Ceramics, said: “This is our 4th participation in Big5 Jeddah Exhibition, it helped us open new business opportunities in Saudi Arabia. Our participation in the exhibition has been extremely fruitful with the company’s new range of large format designs in the wall and floor tiles. We have displayed our highly attractive and latest range of digital machine printed large format Spanish and Italian designs. We are confident of getting a better re-

The new designs delighted the visitors at Big5 Jeddah Exhibition. We are happy that this new modern product range is highly appreciated by our customers and channel partners Arvind Bindra

CEO, Al Maha Ceramics sponse from the visitors. The new designs are highly appreciated alike by our existing and potential dealers in Saudi Arabia.”

“The international trend is towards larger sized ceramic tiles in both wall and floor and Al Maha has been the pioneer in launching digital printed 60x60 floor tiles and 30x60 wall tiles with dry grinding technology in GCC. The new designs delighted the visitors at Big5 Jeddah Exhibition. We are happy that this new modern product range is highly appreciated by our customers and channel partners.”

Al Maha Ceramics is focused not only in boosting its local market share but also in exporting its

products to all other countries in the Middle East. The participation in Big5 will not only help Al Maha improve the services offered to its dealers but also strengthen the position of the company in the region.

Al Maha Ceramics strives to be a major ceramic tile manufacturing company in the GCC region and would continue with its strategy of launching differentiated products in future. The company has a world-class manufacturing facility for wall and floor tiles in Sohar and distribution network spread across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Lebanon, Jordan and Africa.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

ROUND-UP Godrej property show commences tomorrow The Mumbaibased real estate developer has seen an overwhelming response to the launch of its flagship project, The Trees, in Vikhroli, Mumbai

MUSCAT: Godrej Properties Ltd. (GPL), the real estate development arm of the Godrej Group, is organising a roadshow tomorrow and the day after at Haffa House Hotel in Muscat, says a press release.

Godrej Properties said that it has sold 300 apartments within one week at The Trees, its flagship project in Vikhroli, Mumbai. This represents more than 80 per cent of the 374 apartments it opened for sale in the first phase of this project. The value of apartments sold is in excess of Rs 700 crores (Rs 7 billion), making this Godrej Properties’ most successful ever launch in terms of value of real estate sold.

This is also one of the country’s most successful recent launches.

Pirojsha Godrej, managing director and CEO, Godrej Proper-

ties, said: “We are thrilled with the customer response to the launch of The Trees in Vikhroli. We will do everything possible to ensure we deliver our customers an outstanding and innovative project.”

The Trees mixed-use development contains a commercial precinct spread across 9.4 acres, which houses Godrej One, the Godrej Group’s global headquarters. The central mixed use precinct, spread over 9.2 acres, will comprise a 5-star luxury hotel, cultural buildings, luxury residential, and a high street retail park. The more private luxury residential precinct spread across 6.7 acres, which was recently opened for sale, will house a community of residential buildings with private parks and an iconic clubhouse facility. Adaptive reuse of heritage industrial structures within the development creates a unique and distinctive design and cultural experience.

The first phase of residences in the project contains a total of 374 apartments of various sizes and

configurations with a saleable area of approximately 46,000 sq. mt.

(500,000 sq. ft.). All the residences offer premium specifications and are designed to offer spectacular views of the internal courtyard, the central landscaped retail court, and the lush green mangroves.

Godrej Properties has collaborated with several of the world’s most renowned architects and engineering consultants to design this visionary project. Sasaki Architects, the master planners for The Trees, have developed several iconic projects including the Beijing Olympics Masterplan. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, the lead architects for Godrej One, are well known for designing architectural icons such as Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur. Perkins Eastman are the principal design architects for the residences at The Trees and have received over 200 global design awards.

Godrej is leading the discourse in many areas that will shape the future of India through its cutting

edge design thinking and deep and nuanced understanding of customer needs.

The Trees is an example of the future potential of thoughtful urban planning in India. It goes far beyond delivering just a home or a workplace by combining a complete living experience and imaginative spaces to deliver brighter living for all its residents.

Continuing with the Godrej Group’s legacy of environmental leadership, this development aspires to be among the most sustainable in the world. Cuttingedge engineering features appear throughout the master plan and building design to ensure that energy requirements are minimised and water is conserved. All structures within the development will be planned as LEED or IGBC Platinum rated, which is globally recognised as the highest rating of sustainable design. The residential towers that are now being opened for sale are IGBC Platinum pre-certified.

PA R T N E R S H I P W I T H B E ’A H

Infoline joins hands with be’ah to establish waste management call centre MUSCAT: Infoline successfully implemented and commissioned call centre solution integrated with customer relationship management (CRM) software for Oman Environmental Services Holding Company ‘be’ah’, which has been granted the mandate and legal status as the entity responsible for solid waste management in the Sultanate of Oman, by Royal Decree No. 46/2009, says a press release. be’ah’s main objectives are to control environmental damage incurred during traditional waste dumping processes, structure the waste sector and its related services in a sustainable manner, develop the industry and support the economy.

Commenting on the partnership with Infoline, Widad Al Harthy, section head - call centre said: “be’ah is working towards providing international standard service, by which, the call centre provides a direct channel with various stakeholders, specially the general public, and ensures that we receive feedback and provide them with the highest standard services. This call centre plays a major role in the waste management operations, and accordingly, through a bidding process, be’ah partnered with Infoline to set up the call center that encourages the public to conserve the environment.” be’ah in order to provide centralised customer service to its

contractors, citizens, suppliers etc. decided to implement multimedia enabled call centre. Towards meeting its goal of customer service and conservation of the environment, be’ah through a publicly tendered process selected Infoline, Oman’s leading 3rd party outsourcing call centre company to implement call centre service (1881) at be’ah’s head office in Muscat. Based on customer service support strategy of be’ah call centre will be activated in two phases. In phase one, call centre (1881) will be responsible for providing information in Arabic and English to callers related to customer service, enquiries, complaints, suggestions, etc. across the Sultanate. In phase two company plans to integrate call centre with ERP system already installed at be’ah site to provide seamless customer support to all stakeholders of be’ah.

RECOGNITION

Omasco achieves coveted ISO 9001:2008 certification MUSCAT: Omasco started a journey early in 2015, under the leadership of Hussain Al Lawati, managing director, to achieve the prestigious ISO 9001:2008 certification, a programme put in place by Colin Cordery, regional managing director.

The ISO Ambassador team led by Clyde Daniel-Palmer and Freddie C. L., management representatives along with the management and associates of Omasco, achieved the prestigious ISO 9001:2008 certification within a year of hard work, diligence and

commitment. Omasco has once again raised the bar for itself by achieving the ISO 9001:2008 standard for a Quality Manage-

ment System recently, passing the certification audit in December 2015. Omasco will now carry and maintain its high quality stand-

ards across the board, says a press release.

During the audit the external auditor never failed to commu-

FUEL-EFFICIENT MACHINE

nicate positively on team Omasco’s commitment to the project, which speaks much about its associates constantly striving to be the best and to provide quality to customers. The process does not end here for team Omasco, as quality is now well integrated into its system. Its aim and commitment for continuous improvement to Quality Management System will ensure quality becomes an integral cog in the Omasco machine, and will ingrain customer satisfaction into Omasco’s DNA. The ISO Ambassadors Team

comprised the following: Clyde Daniel-Palmer and Freddie C. L. (Management representatives and project lead), Ahmed Al Marzuki, Jo Cherian, Wilson Pinto, Jayakrishnan Nair, Damodaran Pillai, Nitin Perungottu, Qais Fazal, Babar Siddiqui, Zubair Khalid, Manoj Nair, Harshit Shimpley, Sumit Ratnagar, Bhasker C., Syed Tariq, Vishal Singh, Sanil Kumar, Senthil Kumar, Arul Jaikumar, Lasantha B., Gowri Shankar, Ayub Khan, Sujesh Menon, Asif Mohiaddin, Mohammed Balushi, Mirza Baig and Sameh Al Habsi.

H I L A R I O U S P L AY

New wheel excavators added to Doosan range MGS organises popular MUSCAT: Al Hashar has added two new wheel excavators to Doosan range in Oman.

The 19 ton DX190WA and the 21 ton DX210WA have been specially designed for the Middle East and Africa markets. Highly durable parts and advanced fuel control technology make them one of the most productive and fuel-efficient machines, says a press release.

The new wheel excavators offer maximum horsepower, breakout force and digging depth in Doosan wheeled excavator lineup.

The machines can be equipped with dozer blade or outrigger using the bolt-on design to level or backfill material with the dozer blade or stabilise the machine during digging applications. The outriggers can be controlled individually to level the machine on slopes.

Front axle oscillates and provides an excellent steering angle for transport and can be locked for better digging and lifting performance.

The rear axle is fixed and transmission is mounted directly on it to protect from obstacles and provide

optimum ground clearance.

An advanced disc brake system works directly on the hub instead of the drive shaft to avoid planetary gear backlash, thus eliminating the rocking effect associated with working free on wheels. A new motor and transmission control in the driveline provide comfortable travel, it increases smoothness and improves hydraulic retarding and gear shifting.

Doosan mechanical engine

provides high resistance from moisture and dust and works with Electronic Power Optimising System (EPOS) for optimum power and fuel efficiency. The EPOS also provides two working modes: auto-idle and machine diagnostics.

High performance, electronically controlled air conditioning features five different modes allowing the operator to adjust the air flow to suit the conditions.

Equipped with better safety, easy access to key daily checkpoints and enhanced service intervals, the new excavators reduce operating cost.

Doosan today is a global construction equipment manufacturer and aiming to be one among the top three by 2020. In order to supply the highest-quality products that can maximise value to the customers in global markets, Doosan is continuously reinforcing its capabilities to analyse the needs of markets and customers, developing innovative technologies, securing fundamental quality-competitiveness and improv-

ing productivity.

Customers in the construction business can safely invest in Doosan and watch their profits and productivity grow. It is for this reason that they are termed as ‘The Reliable Business Partner’.

Doosan Infracore Construction equipment are distributed by Al Hashar, one of Oman’s premier trading companies, with experience of over four decades in the automobile industry.

It has full-fledged presence in major location across Oman and provides complete sales, service and parts at their facilities. Dedicated factory trained engineers ensure machines run at their optimum even on on-site. Al Hashar also provides customised maintenance service packages.

Doosan’s current lineup consists of Crawler Excavators - 18 ton to 70 ton and Mini / Midi Excavators - 1 ton to 14 ton, Wheel Excavators - 5 ton to 21 ton, Wheel Loaders - 1.8 to 5 m3 bucket capacity and Articulated Dump Trucks - 30 ton & 40 ton.

Gujarati drama ‘Thappo’ MUSCAT: Muscat Gujarati Samaj (MGS), the Gujarati Wing of Indian Social Club held their fourth event this month in the form of a popular hilarious Gujarati drama Thappo at the Al Falaj Hotel recently.

The drama was presented under the banner of RrutuOza Productions and produced by RrukuOza. The occasion was attended

by Neelu Rohra, 2nd Secretary from the Embassy of India while Jayashri Asher and Shobha Wader felicitated all the artists on behalf of Muscat Gujarati Samaj.

The drama, an out and out comedy showcased the delicate human relations between four characters with the role of protagonist, the fun-loving and carefree son-in-law played

by Kamlesh Oza himself, says a press release.

The 25th wedding anniversary of a parent couple and the

1st wedding anniversary of their daughter and son in law falls on the same day and it all begins with the younger couple coming over to seek advice from their parents for a probable divorce.

With interesting and fast paced turn of events, the situation heads in a direction where tremendous misunderstanding developing between the parent couple and them starting to talk about their divorce.

All this has been projected so very hilariously, leaving a sweet message with the audience that misunderstandings come up in all relationships but the best alternative to this is to sit across, talk and resolve rather than thinking of ending relationships.

After staging its 115th show, the drama travelled to Salalah next day and it was for the first time in history that a professional Gujarati drama was staged in Salalah, thanks to the MGS.

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ROUND-UP

Toyota Hilux now comes with ‘Summer Surprises’

OMAN TOURISM COLLEGE

Up to April 30, customers can enjoy the benefits of Toyota

Colourful convocation ceremony held at OTC

Summer Surprises campaign in which the Hilux is available with assured cash gift of OMR700

MUSCAT: The current 8th Generation Toyota Hilux (4x2 & 4x4) is stunning in design and amenities outside and inside.

Its performance and safety are greatly upgraded, with a new frame and suspension and other features that are completely new, and it’s tougher than ever. In the Middle East, of course, the Hilux has led the segment for a long time, says a press release.

Now, up to April 30, customers can enjoy the benefits of Toyota Summer Surprises campaign in which the Hilux is available with assured cash gift of OMR700. This is applicable on 2015 YM/2015 Production models, 2016 YM/2015 production models of Hilux 4X2 (2.7L only) and OMR400 on 2016 YM/2016 production models of Hilux 4X2 (2.7L only). The cash gift can also be used as part of down payment. Also available is 3 years/ 30,000km service (whichever is earlier) on 2015 YM/2015 production models, 2016 YM models of Hilux 4X4 covering 3 services at 10,000km service interval for petrol models based on normal operating conditions and 6 services at 5,000km service interval for diesel models. Cash gift (in lieu of benefits) of OMR70 is applicable for 2015 YM/2015 production models, 2016 YM models of Hilux 4x4. In case customer opts for benefits as applicable on model purchased, he or she will not be eligible for cash gift offer. For exact details please contact your nearest Toyota showroom. Further, the benefits are applicable for all purchases except those made by government organi-

sations and ministries.

Why is Hilux such a popular vehicle in 180 countries? What attributes make it unique?

In the words of Osamu Tomioka, assistant chief engineer of the Toyota Hilux, “Until now, a vehicle’s value was determined by how ‘tough’ it was. However, in developing Hilux, we wanted to fundamentally rethink what ‘tough’ means. We heard from people that the vehicles are the foundation of their lives, an indispensable tool, space for the family, and so on. By getting to know the roads and the people, we learned that a different kind of “tough” was needed. Under rough road conditions, of course the vehicle should be tough. In addition to that, sometimes long hour drives with family also require tough which means keeping it comfortable and safe.”

Further highlighting what sets the Hilux apart he said, “Seeing is believing brought us more meaning to toughness. High fuel efficiency for long fuel range, good riding comfort for long safe driving, noiseless cabin for communicating comfortably. To realise the development concept, we performed a lot of field

tests on various roads, conditions, environments of all over the world.

The all new Hilux is all about ‘Redefining Toughness’.”

The eighth generation 2016 Hilux is therefore not only a tough vehicle, but an advanced pick-up with stylish cues hitherto found only on SUVs. The front of the new Hilux gives a sense that the vehicle is wider than it is. This is achieved by the horizontal bars that make up the grille and sleek headlamps that wrap around the front of the fenders.The new Hilux sports a thick, chunky Front steel bumper sculpted like a SUV vehicle, Front Fog lamps, new design Alloy wheels and wheel caps, new design rear lamp with chrome garnish apart from new side stripes, which adorn the vehicle.

The vehicle’s interior continues the concept of ‘Tough and Emotional’, and reflects the same attention to detail as the exterior with SUV vehicle styling, accents and ornamentations.

The key all new features that keep you comfortable are the Auto A/C, Steering wheel with audio switches and advanced controls, newly introduced Multi-Informa-

MILESTONE

JAC Motors: 50 years of trust, quality and success

MUSCAT: JAC Motors, the Chinese automobile manufacturer, celebrated its 51st anniversary last year. The company was founded on May 20, 1964 and by April 1968, the first 2.5 ton truck was developed in Anhui province of China, filling a gap in Anhui’s automotive industry.

JAC has since celebrated a number of significant milestones, says a press release.

In Oman, Towell Auto Centre (TAC) is the sole distributor of JAC light-duty trucks. A senior spokesperson of TAC commented: “What started as the production of

light-duty trucks has progressed into an efficient and environmentally conscious production of all forms of commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles. Indeed, during more than half a century of operations, JAC Motors has been able to accomplish a number of great achievements to certify its top place in the Chinese automobile industry. JAC chassis has kept the leading position in China for several years and JAC light-duty trucks have kept the second position in the industry and the leading position in exports among all the Chinese light-duty truck brands

for almost 14 years. In Oman too, the 3 Ton (2.8L) and 4 Ton (3.8L) JAC trucks are very popular for their impressive fuel efficiency, environmental performance and ultimate safety, due to their world class engine. They are wellequipped to meet varying business needs and are complete value for money as well. Here is wishing JAC Motors another glorious 50 years of success and growth.”

With a network of 11 showrooms, 13 service outlets and 10 parts outlets spread across Oman, TAC is one of the leading automobile distributors in the region.

tion Display (MID), 7” Display Audio with DVD and many more.

Equal importance has been provided to the technical superiority and safety features of the new Hilux. The noteworthy features are 6-speed manual and automatic transmission options, newly developed 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine with 148 HP. The all-wnew Hilux comes equipped with a number of active and passive safety features like ABS (Anti-lock Brake System), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, SRS Airbags for the Driver and front Passenger and knee airbag for the driver.

All specifications listed above are standard Toyota equipment.

Safety kit (fire extinguisher, warning triangle, tyre pressure gauge and first aid kit) is a dealer installed non-Toyota item provided on applicable Toyota model grades as standard equipment.

In Oman, the nationwide parts and service network of Saud Bahwan Automotive supports Toyota’s outstanding product quality. No wonder then that today, Toyota is one of the most trusted and well-known brands.

MUSCAT: As many as 142 students of Oman Tourism College (OTC) received their graduate degrees and diplomas at a grand convocation ceremony held at the college campus under the patronage of Dr Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Sarmi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Higher Education and also the chairman of OTC recently.

OTC’s first batch of 17 bachelor students was conferred BSc (Honours) degrees in Tourism and Hospitality Management, while 125 students were awarded Diploma certificates. Eleven students received diplomas with distinction while on student obtained a BSc (Hon) with first class, says a press release.

Al Sarmi, Dr Abdulkarim bin Sultan Al Mughairi, dean of OTC, Colin O’Connor, Programme Chair at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) and Dr Shoba Zachariah distributed the bachelor and diploma certificates at the function attended by esteemed guests including academics, industry captains, government dignitaries and community leaders.

Al Mughairi welcomed the graduates and congratulated them on their distinguished achievements. “Today our students enjoy the fruits of their considerable efforts in enhancing their knowledge and skills. We sincerely congratulate you and call on you to give your best efforts to continue to develop your knowledge and skills, by seizing opportunities in order to contribute effectively the development of the tourism and hospitality industry in Oman,” he said.

Colin O’Connor was very much pleased and pointed out, “Oman Tourism College has firmly positioned as a key player in Oman’s

Oman Tourism College has firmly positioned itself as a key player in Oman’s tourism industry and tourism policy in the country Colin O’Connor

Programme Chair at DIT

tourism industry and tourism policy in Oman. It is a great pleasure to be invited to address you this evening on what is a most historic occasion for Oman Tourism College and the Dublin Institute of Technology, the first graduation of students from both diploma and degree programmes awarded by the Dublin Institute of Technology, in Tourism and Hospitality Management.”

DIT has a long and proud tradition of providing higher education, combining the academic excellence of a traditional university with career-focused learning.

With the introduction of its new Bachelor’s degree programmes in Tourism & Hospitality, Event Management and Tourism Marketing, Oman Tourism College has grown exponentially in its student numbers, staff development and research activities.

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ROUND-UP

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Bank Muscat, Riyada host SME forum with Malta business team The Oman-Malta SME forum held at the bank’s head office was attended by key government officials and a large turnout of entrepreneurs

MUSCAT: Coinciding with the visit of a business delegation from the Mediterranean island nation of Malta, Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in association with Riyada – the Public Authority for SME Development, hosted an SME forum to explore joint collaboration between Oman and Malta in the field of entrepreneurial pursuits.

The Oman-Malta SME forum held at the bank’s head office was attended by key government officials and a large turnout of entrepreneurs, says a press release.

AbdulRazak Ali Issa, chief executive, said: “In pursuance of the private sector role in the economic development of Oman, Bank Muscat, in association with Riyada, is proud to host the SME forum aimed at facilitating joint collaboration in entrepreneurial initiatives between counterparts in Oman and Malta. Ever since Oman

and Malta embarked on the joint pursuit of strengthening of trade and investment relations, Bank Muscat has been closely involved in these developments.

“Based on the outcome of interactions between the two countries, possible avenues for cooperation, including SME development, have been identified and an appropriate strategy formulated for embarking on a frontier of mutually beneficial association. Bank Muscat remains committed to playing a catalytic role in facilitating mutually ben-

eficial association with counterparts in Malta, thereby contributing to strengthening of relations between Oman and Malta.”

Khalifa bin Said Al Abri, CEO of Riyada, said: “The visit of the Malta business delegation to Oman marks an important development in the joint investment, trade and business relations between Oman and Malta. Established by a Royal Decree to develop the SME sector in Oman, Riyada is committed to tapping all opportunities to support entrepreneurial initiatives in Oman.

In this regard, Riyada is proud to be involved in promoting joint SME initiatives between counterparts in Oman and Malta. We wish the Malta business delegation success in their mission in Oman.”

Khalid Al Safi Al Haribi, deputy CEO for Operation, made a presentation to highlight the role of Riyada to develop the SME sector in Oman. The country’s favourable investment climate covering various sectors and the thrust on SME development were highlighted in his presentation.

Carmen Walls of Malta Enterprise focused on the attractions of Malta connecting Europe with African markets as an offshore financial centre with world class facilities in ports, logistics and education. Malta offers logistical facilities to Omani business community, particularly SMEs, to tap European as well as African markets, she added. Presentations were made on successful SME initiatives in Malta covering the sectors of education, real estate, information communication technology, waste management, consultancy, home décor and fine arts.

Ever since Oman and Malta embarked on the joint pursuit of strengthening of trade and investment relations, encouraging developments have been reported from both sides. In a little over a year, four reciprocal visits have been undertaken by delegations of the two countries. Bank Muscat and Riyada are closely involved in these developments, especially to facilitate joint collaboration in entrepreneurial initiatives.

R I C H H E R I TA G E

B I G D AY

IS Darsait KG students graduate MEC student movie on Omani culture MUSCAT: The KG Day and graduation for Kindergartners of Indian School Darsait (ISD) were celebrated recently amidst glitz and glory, portraying the budding talents of KG I students and the magnificent flight of achievements of KG II graduates in two different sessions for the morning and afternoon, separately.

While Abdul Rahim Kasim, president of the SMC, was the chief guest for the morning session, Dr Amsa Parambil, vice president SMC and head of Academic Subcommittee, was the chief guest for the afternoon session. Biju Samuel, convener and Jaikish Pavithran, member of the SMC also attended

kicks off Middle Eastern Film Festival

the occasion and blessed the tiny tots, says a press release.

It was a rejuvenating experience for the gathering as they witnessed the graduates walk down the aisle with aplomb in the presence of the dignitaries and the guests.

They walked with such splen-

dour and confidence that they were given a standing ovation by the audience and were greeted with a rapturous applause.

Principal, Dr Sridevi P. Thashnath, in her address to the students, expressed her affection for them and blessed them.

MUSCAT: A short movie showcasing the cultural beauty of Oman filmed by three Middle East College (MEC) students was chosen to be the inaugural movie at the Middle Eastern Film Festival which commenced on March 4 at Coventry University, UK. Among the audience were celebrity guests and VIPs from across the globe. The three students Hawra Salim Al Fahdi, Aneesa Hamood Al Amri and Hajer Yahya Al Tuwaijri captured the rich heritage of the Sultanate from various locations in Oman including Muttrah Souq, Heritage village, Al Amerat Park and few others in record two weeks’ time, says a press release.

The film truly enthralled the festival crowd who gave the movie a big round of applause after the screening.

“The short-movie is excellent.

It gave us the essence of what the Omani culture is, just in a matter

of three minutes. I’m delighted to know that the brains behind the movie are three female students from Oman and I wish them all the very best,” said Jessica Bird, who is a movie enthusiast.

“Our dream is to make a full length feature film which would be screened worldwide. One day we would like to make it to the Hollywood as well,” said the stu-

dents. The students who are also award winning photographers thanked the support of MEC staff members Vikas Rao, Naaz Najeeb and Hassan Al Balushi and other peers who constantly gave their full support to come out with flying colours.

A second movie from Middle East College named Our Oman filmed by the students Abdul Aziz Al Tamimi, Shamsa Al Mahrooqi and Halima Al Balushi and co-produced by Maryam Al Obidani, Manal Al Zadjadi Ahmed Al Shukaili, Asma Al Saidi, Ghadeer Al Khamisi and Sharifa Al Malki is also getting screened at the film festival.

It is worth mentioning that Middle East College offers a popular multimedia undergraduate programme supported with stateof-the-art multimedia studio and modern equipment to help students achieve big in their journey to acquire knowledge.

E X PA N S I O N

Joyalukkas opens new outlet in India

MUSCAT: The global giant Joyalukkas Jewellery opened its latest showroom in Karnataka at Hassan in India.

This is as part of their mega expansion plan they have planned for this financial year, says a press release.

“This financial year we are committing ourselves to rapid expansion across India, GCC and a couple of new countries. This complements my vision to make the brand accessible and available to every jewellery lover in the

world,” said Joy Alukkas, chairman and MD, Joyalukkas Group.

Joyalukkas Jewellery is also scheduled to expand its footprint in Karnataka with another showroom at Davangere in the month of March. The brand which is one of the world’s largest jewellery retail chains is a part of a multi-billion dollar global conglomerate, which has varied business interests.

“Our plan for Joyalukkas Jewellery in this financial year (20152016) includes strengthening our

presence across various parts of India and opening our showrooms in cities and towns that we feel is ready for the Joyalukkas experience,” added Joy Alukkas.

The showrooms will feature over one million dazzling collections and exquisite designs in gold, diamond, precious stones, platinum and pearl.

The collections will be a mix of traditional, ethno contemporary and international designs that have won hearts of customers around the world.

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TAMIM, BOWLERS HELP BANGLADESH SURVIVE DUTCH TEST >C3

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TRAVELLING STRESS

INSIDE LIFESTYLE

SO TO SPEAK BY SALEH AL-SHAIBANY >C7

Oman make sensational debut at World T20 with win over Ireland In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Oman had Ireland under control from the beginning. But had to survive some anxious moments before clinching a sensational victory with a bit of luck and brilliant individual performances

T.K. MOHANDOSS

sportseditor@timesofoman.com

OMAN HOPE TO MAKE IT TO SUPER 10 >C2

DHARAMSALA: Oman’s historical first match on the world stage provided many bright spots as the Sultanate’s squad made a sensational debut at the ICC World T20 with a thrilling two-wicket victory against Ireland at the HPCA Stadium on Wednesday night.

In Group A preliminary round match, Zeeshan Maqsood’s blitzkrieg as an opening batsman, after coming up with a blinder of a catch earlier in Ireland innings, and the golden first over maiden by Ajay Lalcheta in addition to Khawar Ali’s allround Twenty20 International debut proved Oman cricket has all the ingredients of a promising future.

In addition came Amir Ali’s classic cameo which almost took

Oman over the rope which was later helped by a horrible over from Ireland’s Max Sorensen, who bowled beamer after beamer to help Oman record a history-making victory.

In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Amir played a swashbuckling knock of 32 off 17 balls with five fours and a six, which complemented the opening partnership between Zeeshan and Khawar.

What was lacking was the touch of alertness and swiftness in fielding, which could have cut Ireland’s 154 by atleast 10 to 15 runs.

After Khawar Ali perished making a strokeful 34 (four four, two sixes), Oman lost way with the

WORLD T20

Pakistan vs India match moved to Kolkata NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s concerns over security at Dharamsala have led to the switching of their March 19 World Twenty20 match against hosts India to Kolkata, the sport’s governing International Cricket Council (ICC) said on Wednesday.

Pakistan to send a delegation to review security at the northern Indian town, while delaying the departure of their men’s and women’s cricket teams.

“Safety and security of the event is of paramount importance to the ICC,” the organisation’s chief executive David Richardson said. “It was a difficult decision.”

Pakistan open their tournament on March 16 against a qualifying team in Kolkata before their match with India.

They then face New Zealand on March 22 and Australia on March 25, with both of those matches in Mohali.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars since becoming separate countries in 1947, two of them over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Richardson said the ICC was still awaiting an absolute assurance from Pakistan of their participation in the tournament. - Reuters

SENSATIONAL: Oman players celebrate after their victory over Ireland in the ICC World T20 Group A match at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on Wednesday. – AFP

bastmen who followed finding it difficult to stroke away the Ireland medium pacers, before Amir Ali joined slow and steady Jatinder Singh (24 off 26 balls) to put it across Ireland. Oman made 157 for 8 with two balls to spare.

Maqsood’s pluck Earlier, Oman did well to keep Ireland very much in control, especially the often dangerous Kevin O’Brien. Holding them to under 150 was Oman’s aim, but Munis Ansari after bowling an exception-

al ball to bamboozle Kevin gave away a few runs to let the score move on to 154.

But it was Zeeshan Maqsood’s gliding pluck to dismiss Sterling that opened gates for Oman. Fully airbone the ball stuck to his hand and the third umpire later confirmed the catch was clean after a doubt was cast on whether he grounded the ball while touching ground.

Nevertheless, it was an excellent performance by Oman bowlers too, especially, left-arm tweaker Ajay Lalcheta to start with then leggie Khawar Ali and Sultanate’s own ‘slinga’ Munis.

India’s top spinner Ravichandran Ashwin tweeted to say Lalcheta’s first over maiden was golden and what more appreciation does Oman need on World T20 debut.

For Ireland, it was indeed a sedate start by openers Porterfield (29) and Stirling (29) as they struggled to score off the spinners.

With the pitch playing slow, the Ireland batsmen relished Bilal’s pace, but Sultan had different ideas by persisting with his spinners and bringing Munis at the death.

The top scorer for Ireland was Wilson who made an impressive 38 with five hits to fence.

For Oman team, Munis picked up three wickets, bowling well in the death overs, while Khawar Ali and Aamir Kaleem picked one each.

SCOREBOARD

IRELAND W. Porterfield st S. Ahmed b K. Ali 29 P.R. Stirling c Z. Maqsood b A. Kaleem 29 G. Wilson b Ansari 38 N. O’Brien c Mehran b Ansari 16 K. O’Brien b Ansari 14 A. Poynter (not out) 11 A. McBrine (not out) 10 Extras (lb-5, w-2) 7 Total (5 wkts, 20 overs) 154 Fall of wickets: 1-48, 2-84, 3-112, 4-118, 5-143.

Bowling: A. Lalcheta 4-1-24-0; Bilal Khan 4-0-32-0; M. Ansari 4-0-37-3 (w-2); Aamir Kaleem 4-0-27-1; Khawar Ali 3-0-20-1; Aamer Ali 1-0-9-0.

OMAN Z. Maqsood b K. O’Brien 38 Khawar Ali b K. O’Brien 34 Jatinder Singh b Rankin 24 Adnan Ilyas c Stirling b Sorensen 4 Mehran Khan c Porterfield b McBrine 2 Aamir Kaleem lbw McBrine 0 Aamer Ali c N. O’Brien b Sorensen 32 Sultan Ahmed run out 1 A. Lalcheta (not out) 6 M. Ansari (not out) 0 Extras (b-1, lb-2, w-6, nb-7) 16 Total (8 wkts, 19.4 overs) 157 Fall of wickets: 1-69, 2-78, 3-86, 4-89, 5-90, 6-137, 7-139, 8-152.

Bowling: T.J. Murtagh 3-0-36-0 (nb-1, w-2); C.A. Young 2-0-11-0 (w-2); W.B. Rankin 3-0-23-1; K. O’Brien 4-0-25-2; A.R. McBrine 3-0-15-2; P.R.Stirling 2-0-15-0; M.C. Sorensen 2.4-0-29-2 (nb-2, w-2).

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

SPORTS

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Jubilant Oman hope to go all the way into Super 10 stage tan. “We had a plan to set a total of over 160 runs and then throttle them with good spin bowling.”

When asked with all the board members around will there be special announcements and party, Sultan said diplomatically: “We need to play two more matches.

Making the next round is the main objective and we will continue with the same momentum.”

The skipper said all the players are in high spirits and “this opening win will surely take us a long way.”

While Amir Ali, the architect of Oman’s sensational win, has credited the Sultanate’s victory to hard work and team spirit, captain Sultan Ahmed hoped to the winning momentum will take the squad a long way

T.K. MOHANDOSS

sportseditor@timesofoman.com DHARAMSALA: Amir Ali was indeed the toast of Oman’s historic victory over Ireland in the ICC World T20 at the HPCA Stadium here on Wednesday night. And so rightly the all-rounder was named

the man of the match.

At the presser later, Amir Ali, with team manager Jamil Zaidi as his interpreter, thanked the Almighty for what he did on Wednesday and said: “I am delighted to be the player who turned Oman’s historical World Cup debut into celebration and glory.

“I am happy that I could time the ball well and help Oman win the match,” said Amir, who had played such cameos for Oman in the past as well.

“After a great start, we wanted to win this match badly and thanks to Zeeshan Maqsood, Khawar Ali and Amir Ali, we made a great start to

the tournament,” he said.

“This is fruit of all the hard work we have put in all these days.”

Skipper Sultan Ahmed conceded that he would have batted first had he won the toss, but later realised the dew factor also helped his team’s cause. “I would have batted first had I won the toss,” said Sul-

Irish disappointed Meanwhile, Sultan’s counterpart William Porterfield said: “We did not expect this to happen. The last over was beyond our control and I am really disappointed.”

The Irish skipper who said on Tuesday had said that you need just three wins to make the main round, on Wednesday said that he was still hopeful.

“In this format, anything can happen, I believe even if we win the next two games, we will be through,” said Porterfield.

He also did not regret the decision of batting first.

“To me the catch that stalled our opening partnership was a turning point and later on the dew made task difficult,”he said.

S H A R A P O VA D R U G

Russia claims repeatedly warned athletes MOSCOW: Russia’s athletics federation, facing exclusion from the Rio Olympics over previous doping scandals, said on Wednesday it had repeatedly warned athletes and coaches not to take meldonium, the banned substance used by tennis player Maria Sharapova.

Since former world No.1 Sharapova admitted using meldonium, Russian sports officials have said a number of other competitors have taken the substance, which is used to treat diabetes and low magnesium, and more names could emerge.

In an announcement entitled: “To the attention of sports people and coaches,” the Russian athletics federation, or ARAF, said it was reminding people in the sport yet again that meldonium is on the World Anti-Doping Agency banned list.

“The ARAF has on multiple occasions warned sports people, coaches, and support staff that, since Jan. 1 this year meldonium is included in the list of the banned substances.”

The announcement said on several occasions last year items were posted on the federation’s website. - Reuters

ICC WORLD T20

Morgan hopes England stay aggressive in India MUMBAI: The current England squad has been the most expressive in a long time and players are encouraged to be as brash and aggressive as they can on the field, limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan said on Wednesday as he prepares his side for the World Twenty20.

England have looked a completely different proposition in One-day Internationals and Twenty20 cricket in the 12 months since their humiliating group stage exit at last year’s 50over World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The team were then roundly criticised for being too old fashioned in their approach to short-format contests but Morgan’s youthful side have since displayed the freedom and exuberance England fans had craved for years.

“I would say, it’s the most expressive we’ve been in a long time. The evidence is the significant totals we have put with our bat,” the 29-year-old Irelandborn cricketer told reporters.

“I think we’ve scored 350 twice or three times and we’ve definitely chased it down once.

I think we had six consecutive times scoring 300, which is a huge step for us. We’ve scored 400 once.

“And it’s no coincidence. We have a lot of talent within the side, we encourage our players to go out and be as brash and ag-

gressive as they can and take the game to the opposition.”

England defeated Pakistan in a one-day series and three Twenty20 contests on the slow pitches in United Arab Emirates (UAE) in November and were also impressive in defeat against South Africa in both formats last month.

All-rounder Ben Stokes, a chief exponent of England’s fearless cricket, assured the team will continue to play the same brand of cricket during the World Twenty20 in India.

“I mean it’s worked. (coach) Trevor (Bayliss) and Morgan gave us that freedom and even (test captain Alistair) Cook in Tests,” Stokes said.

“We are playing this attacking, positive brand we have probably been talking about the last two-three years but we have only started doing that in the last 12-18 months.”

“It’s obviously worked for us, so why stop doing it? We got a bit a criticism in South Africa for the two (Twenty20) games we lost but we won six before that,” he added.

England open their campaign against 2012 champions West Indies in Mumbai on March 16 before facing South Africa, Sri Lanka and a qualifier in Group 1 of the Super 10 stage.

The top two sides will advance to the semifinals. - Reuters

BAHRAIN’S AL MUHARRAQ EDGE FANJA IN AFC CUP

Fanja suffered their second successive loss in the AFC Cup when they were handed a 2-1 defeat by visting Al Muharraq from Bahrain in their Group D match at the Seeb Sports Stadium on Wednesday. In the rain-affected match, Brazilian striker Elias De Oliveria scored the winner in the 73rd minute for Al Muharraq, after Omani star Imad Al Hosni cancelled out Jamal Rashed’s go ahead goal. It was Al Muharraq’s second win a row and next play Syria’s Al Jaish on March 16. Fanja will take on Palestine’s Ahli Al Khalil on the same day. — ISMAIL AL FARSI/Times of Oman

FOOTBALL

OFA chairman urges fans to help Oman achieve the impossible MUSCAT: With Oman national football team gearing up to take on Guam in a key World Cup/Asian Cup qualifier on March 24, Oman Football Association (OFA) chief Sayyid Khalid bin Hamad Al Busaidi on Wednesday called on the Sultanate soccer fan to get behind the team and to ‘do their bit to help the team’s chances’.

The crucial match between Oman and Guam will be played at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.

A statement issued by the OFA on Wednesday said: “After a disappointing result in Turkmenistan (and the subsequent removal of then French coach Paul Le Guen), the Oman team face a daunting task to make the next stage of qualification. The team need to beat Guam with a large number of goals and then head to Iran to take on the group toppers Iran.

“The OFA chairman knows that the right type of result will only be possible if the fans get behind the team, now managed by Juan Ramon Lopez Caro.”

“To give ourselves the best

‘RALLYING CALL’: OFA chief Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi.

chance for qualifying, we need to get a great result against Guam.

I know it is a tough assignment but we must believe it is possible.

However, without the stadium full of Reds fans, it will not be possible,” the statement quoted Sayyid Khalid as saying.

“We need the Guam team to feel that the whole country is behind Oman and we know that with ONE PULSE of our Omani population behind the team, we can create an atmosphere where

we might achieve the result we want. Without a full stadium, I think it will prove too difficult, but with the stadium full — perhaps we can achieve the impossible.”

The OFA statement also added: “Tickets for the Oman vs Guam are on sale, priced at just OMR 2 and 5. The tickets are available at Oman Oil outlets and SPAR Supermarkets, and online at Roumaan. Everyone who attends the game will also receive a free McDonald’s meal.”

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

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SPORTS Tamim’s knock, miserly bowlers help Bangladesh pass Dutch test This was such a wicket where you had to play the waiting game and pick the bad balls to hit.”

“I have been playing well in recent times, I did well in BPL and PSL and that confidence helped me here,” Tamim, who scored his maiden half century in T20 Internationals, added.

Opener Tamim Iqbal scored an unbeaten 83 and the bowlers kept their cool when it mattered most as Bangladesh recorded an eight-run win

GOOD BOWLING SHOW: Bangladesh players celebrate after dismiss-

ing the Netherlands’s Ben Cooper. – AFP SCOREBOARD

T.K. MOHANDOSS

sportseditor@timesofoman.com

TAMIM IQBAL

83

runs from 58 balls 6 fours, 3 sixes

DHARAMSALA: One-man show

by Tamim Iqbal and some miserly bowling by the bowlers proved good enough to help Bangladesh steal a close win against the Netherlands in the Group A preliminary round opener of the 2016 ICC World Twent20 at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala on Wednesday.

A late flourish by Mudassar Bukhari, who smashed a fiveball 14 with one four and a six, did nothing good for the Dutch as Taskin Ahmed bowled a beautiful last over, which gave very little, and helped the Tigers clinch the issue by a small margin of eight runs.

Unlike Tamim for Bangladesh, the Netherlands hardly saw their batsmen contributing much with the highest individual score reading 29 to the name of Stephen Myburgh and skipper Peter Borren.

The next best scorers for the Netherlands were Ben Cooper (20) and Tom Cooper (15) and also 17 off extras, but nevertheless these small contributions helped them almost touching the wire.

Mudassar’s run out and Taskin’s brilliance wrote the climax for the first match. The Dutch could manage only 145 for seven in reply.

The wicket looked good for bat-

BANGLADESH Tamim Iqbal (not out) 83 S. Sarkar c Barresi b van Meekeren 15 Sabbir Rahman lbw van der Merwe 15 Shakib Al Hasan c Myburgh b Borren 5 Mahmudullah b van der Gugten 10 Mushfiqur Rahim b van der Gugten 0 N. Hossain c M. Bukhari b van Meekeren 3 M. Mortaza c T. Cooper b van der Gugten 7 Arafat Sunny (not out) 8 Extras (lb-4, w-3) 7 Total (7 wkts; 20 overs) 153 Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-60, 3-78, 4-111, 5-112, 6-127, 7-137.

Bowling: Mudassar Bukhari 4-0-31-0; T. van der Gugten 4-0-21-3 (w-1); PA van Meekeren 4-0-17-2 (w-1); RE van der Merwe 3-0-28-1 (w-1); L. van Beek 4-0-43-0; P. Borren 1-0-9-1.

ting as man of the match Tamim exhibited but none of the others did look to make the maximum out of it.

As the Netherlands skipper Peter Borren said: “We lost it in the end, while bowling as well as batting, when it looked we had the match in grasp.”

Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza complimented tight bowling by his bowlers and the special effort by Tamim, who has comeback to form.

Mortaza said: “I am relieved with the opening victory and I

ICC WORLD T20

India, West Indies ready for dress rehearsal KOLKATA: Their combination more or less settled, India will look to get some much-needed practice and attain perfection in all departments when they take on an under-prepared West Indies in the ICC World Twenty20 warm-up fixture here on Thursday.

India are in the middle of a dream run having won their sixth Asia Cup title recently after series wins in Australia and at home against Sri Lanka.

Since it’s a warm-up game, a little bit of spotlight will be on Mohammed Shami, even though the chances of the pacer making it to the XI when the tournament proper starts looks very grim.

India’s frontline pacer less than a year back, Shami is struggling to return following a surgery on his troubled knee and failed in his brief attempt during the Australia tour earlier this year when he pulled a hamstring.

His fitness will be assessed during the course of the two warm-up fixtures, against the West Indies and South Africa in Mumbai on March 12.

Jasprit Bumrah along with old warhorse Ashish Nehra have formed a potent pace attack with seaming all-rounder Hardik Pandya and the bowling attack has left skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni ‘relieved’.

Bumrah and Pandya shared 25 wickets between them in 11 matches. During this period, India have lost just one game and won a

LET’S WARM UP: Indian players, from left, R. Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja train at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Wednesday. West Indies captain Darren Sammy speaks with Clive Lloyd during their practice session. – PTI

bilateral T20 series in Australia, against Sri Lanka here and lifted their sixth Asia Cup in Bangladesh recently.

Boasting a healthy strike rate of 147.61, Pandya is also proving to be handy with the bat and is often promoted up the order.

There will also be opportunities for the likes of Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Singh and Pawan Negi who have often warmed the bench with their winning combination in place. Champions of inaugural edition in 2007, India and the

2012 winners West Indies are the top two T20I sides but contrary to the hosts who have had 11 matches to the build-up, the Caribbeans are short on practice.

Their last T20I engagement was a two-match drawn series in Sri Lanka in November last year and they had a week-long camp in UAE where they played practice matches against Zimbabwe and county side Warwickshire.

The Windies cricketers, being the most sought-after in T20s, have been playing all over

the world in different franchise leagues.

“We have 15 match winners in our team. When I see the dressing room with the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell, my job becomes easy,” skipper Darren Sammy said.

“When the next edition happens (in 2020) many of our players would not be around, so the winning the title means a lot to us, it will give a massive boost back home,” the 2012 World T20 winning skipper added. - PTI

NETHERLANDS S. Myburgh b Nasir Hossain 29 W. Barresi c S. Rahman b Al Amin 9 B. Cooper b Shakib Al Hasan 20 P. Borren c N. Hossain b Shakib 29 T. Cooper c Arafat Sunny b Al Amin 15 R. van der Merwe c M. Rahim b M. Mortaza 1 P. Seelaar (not out) 7 Mudassar Bukhari run out 14 L. van Beek (not out) 4 Extras (b-5, lb-11, w-1) 17 Total (7 wkts; 20 overs) 145 Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-53, 3-77, 4-112, 5-114, 6-121, 7-140.

Bowling: Taskin Ahmed 4-0-21-0; Al Amin Hossain 3-0-24-2 (w-1); Arafat Sunny 2-010-0; Nasir Hossain 2-0-24-1; Mahmudullah 1-0-8-0; Mashrafe Mortaza 4-0-14-1; Shakib Al Hasan 4-0-28-2.

hope this will set the momentum.

“The conditions will be different in the next two games because we will be playing night games, in cold conditions.”

During the presentation ceremony, Tamim said: “It was pleasing to play well, but I must say the wicket wasn’t the easiest and the Dutch bowlers were bowling good line and length. I thought we were 50 runs short.”

“It was not an easy wicket to play, The ball was coming slow and there was odd bounce and spin,

Tamim stands tall Earlier, Bangladesh batting revolved around Tamim Iqbal, who despited witnessing wickets falling on the other side, kept his focus intact and steered his team to a decent target. Tamim’s opening partner Soumya did show some promise belting a six and a boundary, but could not keep going, perisihing after making just 15 runs.

He was caught behind by Baressi off Van Meekeren.

Behind Soumya there appeared a procession as wickets fell at regular intervals on one end and on the other end runs flowed freely from Tamim’s bat.

Unfortunately for the Asia Cup finalists their senior and most experienced players like Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rehman failed to fire.

Shakib was snapped well by Myburgh off Peter Borren before Timm van der Gugten castled Asia Cup star Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim in the same over. And Nasir Hossain along with skipper Mashrafe Mortaza joining the procession Bangladesh total moved to 138 for 7 in 19 overs.

With just six balls remaining, Tamim hit a towering six and took a single. Araft Sunny, who came in at the fall of Mortaza’s wicket, played two dot balls and belted a 93- metre six to compensate and then snatched two runs of the last ball to finish at 153 for seven.

Tamim’s great effort saw him hit three sixes and eight fours for his unbeaten 58-ball 83. For the Dutch, the pick of the bowlers was Tim van Der Gugten, who snatched three wickets.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

SPORTS Oman’s young sailors shine at GCC Sailing Championships in Bahrain Oman’s Youth Squad reclaimed the first place in the Optimist team racing at the 8th edition of the GCC championships with other young Omani talent dominating the podium

MUSCAT: Oman Sail’s impact on the international youth sailing stage took another leap forward when Oman’s Youth Squad reclaimed the first place in the Optimist team racing at the 8th edition of the GCC Sailing Championships in Bahrain with other young Omani talent dominating the podium.

This will be the third first place team win in the GCC Championships for Oman’s youth team after winning gold in Optimist Team Racing in 2013 and 2014, then silver in 2015.

Al Moatsem Al Farsi, Samiha Al Riyami, Jihad Al Hassani, Mohammed Al Qasmi, Alaa Al Amrani, all aged between 12 and 14, have been nurtured in the Omantel Youth Programme, managed by Oman Sail, and chosen from hundreds of aspiring young sailors to represent Oman.

Zakariya Al Wahabi, Oman’s first Optimist national champion who has graduated to the pre-Olympic Laser 4.7 class, posted a superb win overall in his new class with his long-time adversary from the same Oman Sail stable Marwan Al Jabri taking sixth.

CHAMPIONS: Oman Sail’s Optimist Team who won the gold medial in GCC Sailing Championships

celebrate their victory. – Supplied photo

Al Wahabi recently came first in the Laser 4.7 at Musannah Race Week in January.

Hussain Al Jabry, another winner at Musannah, gained a creditable third in the Laser Standard class

and one of Oman’s most promising young sailors Al Moatsem Al Farsi scooped a third in the fiercely competitive Optimist class.

Samiha Al Riyami maintained her position as first in the girls

SAILING

Optimist Class after winning the same title in 2015. The GCC Sailing Championships were held in Belaj Aljazair from March 2 to 5 with Oman, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar

all represented in the Optimist, Laser Radial, Laser Standard and Laser 4.7 classes with the J24 also making its debut.

It was a good opportunity to measure performances and progress against other teams in the region, said Mohsin Al Busaidi, team manager of Oman Sail’s Youth Programme.

“Each year we see significant incremental improvements in the standards of our youth sailors and these GCC Sailing Championships in Bahrain against the best youngsters in the region was one of our best events yet with some excellent results.

“This is a talented squad and it is encouraging to see them work hard and do well but there is a long way to go.

“We have created a momentum in youth sailing which will serve as a platform for development in world class competitions working towards Olympic qualification and these results show we are on the right path.”

GOLF

Oman Sail gears up for opening Act of Extreme Sailing Series MUSCAT: Oman Sail is gearing up to host the opening Act of 2016 Extreme Sailing Series (ESS) from March 16 to 19. With the ESS heading into its tenth year, some of the world’s top sailors are preparing to take-off on a new fleet of GC32 catamarans as the Series welcomes a new generation of foiling boats.

A full line-up of eight worldclass teams, from eight nations were confirmed last month by the organisers.

Event Director Andy Tourell commented on a landmark year: “2016 marks the tenth year of competition for the Extreme Sailing Series and it is going to be a milestone year for us in more ways than one, not least the change of racing platform to the GC32 which brings with it a whole new dimension to the racing and public experience.

“We have a chance to diversify our format, combining traditionbreaking and award-winning Stadium Racing with the incorporation of match racing, plus the chance to open up the racecourse in some venues, allowing these boats to really stretch their legs – starting with a 20km coastal race to start the season in Muscat”.

The competition on the water promises to be fierce and actionpacked with America’s Cup leg-

READY FOR NEW SEASON: A file photo of Oman Air. – Supplied photo

ends, Olympic heroes and world champions preparing to do battle at close quarters. Among the crews will be veterans of 13 Olympic campaigns and 22 America’s Cup campaigns. Between them they also hold 27 World Championship titles, 27 European Championships and 106 National titles.

2008 and 2014 Extreme Sailing Series champions from Switzerland and two-time winners of the America’s Cup Alinghi will return to the circuit armed with foiling expertise after coming second in the 2015 GC32 Racing Tour, following the Ministry of Tourism’s “Sultanate of Oman” GC32 boat which took a rightful overall lead in the Tour.

Alinghi’s former helmsman

Morgan Larson will head up the Omani entry, Oman Air, alongside Nasser Al Mashari who sailed to Series victory last year aboard Almouj Muscat (The Wave, Muscat).

Oman Air’s team is supported the national carrier of Oman, Boeing and EFG Bank.

On the grid for the new season are 2015 runners-up SAP Extreme Sailing Team co-skippered for a fifth year by Jes Gram-Hansen and Rasmus Kostner from Denmark, who have boosted their on-board talent with Italian Pierluigi De Felice, a multiple World Champion and three-time America’s Cup sailor.

SAP’s 2015 sparring partners, Red Bull Sailing Team, skippered

by Austrian double Olympic gold medallist Roman Hagara with

Hans Peter Steinacher calling the tactics will also return to the starting blocks.

The Land Rover BAR Academy squad announced that they will be led for the first two Acts by the 2015-winning skipper and most successful sailor in Series history, Leigh McMillan, who will mentor the Academy sailors alongside experience Extreme 40 crew Bleddyn Mon, Ben Ainslie and the Land Rover BAR senior team.

Edhem Dirvana, skipper of Team Turx, returns for his second year on the circuit, and for the first time, a Portuguese team led by three-time Olympian and 2015 Team Turx crew Diogo Cayolla, will make its debut.

In the next 10 months of global touring, the 2016 Extreme Sailing Series will visit eight urban venues spanning three continents.

Maintaining the highest level of sporting integrity, the global tour includes a mix of iconic cities, established sailing venues and new markets of strong commercial value. The series offers a variety of sailing formats, from open water to the tradition-breaking and awardwinning Stadium Racing format.

Over the last ten years, the series has attracted more than one million spectators, and Oman has been a venue host multiple times.

TENNIS

OTA celebrates World Tennis Day MUSCAT: The Oman Tennis Association (OTA) celebrated the World Tennis Day, organised under an International Tennis Federation (ITF) programme, at Avenues Mall on Tuesday.

The three-hour event, which began at 5.00 p.m., saw participation of OTA’s Mini Tennis players, children from public and private schools, Nizwa Club as well as the people visiting the mall.

They enjoyed the experience of playing with national junior players and OTA coaches.

The OTA conducted the programme to promote tennis among young players. Oman Tennis Association Chairman Mutasim

EYEING HAT-TRICK: Ali Hameed, left, the defending champion.

OGC to host Oman Senior Open golf on March 19 MUSCAT: Another day of splendid golfing action is round the corner with the Oman Senior Open, the 12th edition of the annual championship, scheduled to be organised at the Ghala Golf Club on March 19.

The Oman Golf Committee (OGC) will organise the event with supported from Bank Muscat and Omanline Institute.

The number of entries will be restricted to 100 and the players of 50 years or above are eligible to play in the tournament.

The tournament is open for all Omani nationals and expats who have valid 2016 OGC handicap.

The last date for registration is March 13 and the entries can be registered at the Pro shop of Ghala Golf Club. The entry fee is OMR. 20, which includes a Tshirt, sleeve of balls, an entry pass for the presentation ceremony, dinner and prizes. One free practice round for the registered players will be provided before the tournament begins.

OGC chief Mundhir Al Barwani, who is also a regular participant at the annual competition, said: “The tournament is getting better with every year. A

lot of quality golfers are taking part here.”

“As of now, the field is yet to be completed. It’s good to see that the following for golf is genuinely growing in our country.”

Ali in line for hat-trick Oman’s Ali Hameed is one of the key attractions of the tournament having won the two previous editions of the Oman Senior Open. In 2014, Ali clinched the title with a gross score of 77 and earned 82 in 2015 to won the coveted trophy. If Ali takes the title this time as well, it will be a rare feat for him – securing a hat-trick of wins.

Sachin Bawa too is on the verge of a hat-trick of his own – having finished runner-up on the last two occasions. Last year, he produced a gross score of 83, narrowly missing the title by a single stroke to Ali to settle for the men’s gross category runnerup prize, while in 2014 he had finished runner-up with a gross score of 80.

Last year, the third place was taken up by Stephen Monson with a score of 85. Yvonne Welling is the last year’s ladies’ champion who is also keen to retain the title.

CRICKET

MCCC-Maxtalent Cup from March 17 Al Zadjali was delighted with the response to the programme from clubs, public and private schools and the other tennis enthusiasts.

The OTA chairman said the association will organise such programmes in all regions, sports complexes and commercial centres.

The OTA officials thanked to Mahesh Khiraiya, Marketing Manager of Oman Avenues Mall, as well as Muscat Pharmacy (Pocari Sweat) and McDonalds.

MUSCAT: Muscat Cricket Coaching Centre (MCCC) will organise the 5th edition of MCCCMaxtalent Cup from March 17.

The tournament, which will run till March 31, will be organised at Al Amerat Cricket Ground and will comprise three categories — Under-11, Under-13 and Under-16. The Under-11 and Un-

der-13 tournaments will be T20 events while the Under-16 will be a 25 overs-a-side affair.

Interested teams, including schools and cricket academies, can register their entries on or before March 14. The entry fee is OMR. 75. For further details contact the organisers (Ph: 99112860/ 92007576).

C

SECTION

LIFESTYLE

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

Culture WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

D.W. Griffith had brought in a whiff of fresh air in the film industry with his 1916 epic visual narration, Intolerance, writes Pradeep Kumar A.V.

struction of kingdom of France in the time of Charles II. The life and death of Jesus is the third story while a modern day drama with personal elements makes the fourth story.

Lillian Gish, the actress who played a key role in the movie, had recounted in a television interview: “Griffith proved his ability to handle humanity before the camera. He knew the psychic strength of a lens.”

The movie uses long-held shots and full-figure framing in majority of the scenes. Interestingly, many of the characters didn’t carry any names. They are depicted as ‘mountain girl’, ‘the boy’ or the ‘dear one’.

Frank Huck Wortman was the creative brain behind the huge sets erected in Hollywood and Highland Centre in Los Angeles.

It also became one of the most expensive films of that time as a huge amount was utilised to create sets of the Babylonian sequences. The Babylon’s fort walls were more than 300 feet in height that could even pass big chariots. The whole structure was made of plaster.

Griffith was immensely passionate about his childhood and rural lifestyle of Kentucky and he had tried to bring the natural beauty and traditions of the land in the movie.

Started as a playwright and actor, he opted for direction since he breathed cinema in every moment of his life. His strides were etched on the history of cinema, and little wonder, then, that cinema enthusiasts still reckon him as the pioneer of creative filmmaking.

(The writer teaches communication at Sur College of Applied Sciences)

Years of Intolerance

Photography: Supplied

S

tory of the 20th century would have been different had there been no movies. The magical visual art has gone through the chisel and hammer of many talented movie makers, including David Wark Griffith, during the critical phase of its evolution.

Known as the inventor of Hollywood, D.W. Griffith was shot into prominence with his Birth of a Nation, released in 1915. Though he had created a visual spectacle at a time when the feature film was at its infancy, the movie was criticised for its racist tone.

Griffith, however, was not ready to be bogged down by the stormy waves. He reacted to it in the very next year through an epic visual narration, Intolerance, spanning across 2,500 years of history from Babylon to the modern era.

The movie made many future screen idols, including Lillian Gish, Mae Marsh, and renowned director Eric Stroheim. Being a spectacle in the silent era of cinema, Intolerance presented a complicated plot.

Griffith made use of the powerful screen language to narrate intolerance and hatred. The movie used crosscuts and emphatically redefined the role of editing as a creative process. His providence of artistry in direction made a sequential interplay between time and space throughout the 210-minute movie.

Intolerance is a colourful ride sans colours, and it tells four different and independent stories simultaneously. But what binds them all is the intolerance of mankind. The first story is about the ancient tale of the Babylon, and the second one portrays the de-

C6

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

FIND-IT-ALL

PRAYER TIMINGS

@AZAIBA

@MGM

Cast : Shailene Woodley, Theo James 6.45, 9.15 PM

@SHATTI

SUR The Divergent Series - Allegiant ( Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi ) ( PG12) Cast : Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz 2:45, 6:00, 9:30, 11:50 PM Triple 9 ( Action |Crime | Drama ) (15+) Cast: Casy Affleck, Kate Winslet 2:15, 9:45, 11:45 PM Martyrs ( Drama | Horror | Thriller ) (18+) Cast: Troian Bellisario, Bailey Noble 8:10 PM Puthiya Niyamam (Malayalam) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara 7:00 PM Zootropolis (3D) ( Animation) (PG12) Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman 5:00 PM London Has Fallen (Action) ( PG12) Cast : Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman 4:15 PM

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI The Divergent Series: Allegiant (Action| Adcenture| Sci-Fi) PG12 Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Theo James 3:30, 6:30, 9:00 & 11:30PM Triple 9 (Action | Crime | Drama) 15+ Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie 3:00, 6:00, 9:30 & 11:45PM The Other Side of the Door (Horror) 18+ Cast: Sarah Wayne Callies, Jeremy Sisto 8:15 & 11:55PM London Has Fallen (Action| Crime) PG12 Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman 2:30, 4:30, 7:30 & 10:00PM Zootropolis (Action | Drama | Thriller) PG12 Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman 5:15PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL The Divergent Series: Allegiant – 2D (PG12) Action| Adcenture| Sci-Fi Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Theo James 12:15, 2:30, 7:00, 11:30 PM Gold Class – 8:30 PM Triple 9 – 2D (15+) Action | Crime | Drama Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie 9:30, 11:45 PM Gold Class – 3:30, 6:15, 11:00 PM London Has Fallen – 2D (PG12) Action| Crime | Thriller | Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Charlotte Riley 5:00, 9:30 PM Zootropolis – 3D (PG12) Animation | Action| Adventure | Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba

The Divergent Series: Allegiant – 2D (PG12) Action| Adcenture| Sci-Fi Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz Timing – 12:15, 2:30, 7:00, 11:30 PM Gold Class – 8:30 PM

Puthiya Nayamam (Mal) (2D) (Drama | Family) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara 8:30 PM

12:30, 2:45, 5:00, 7:15 PM PANORAMA MALL London Has Fallen (Action, Crime)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Charlotte Riley 4:30, 7:00, 9:30, 11:30 pm Zootropolis (Animation, Action)(3D)(PG12) Cast : Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba 2:30, 5:45 pm Triple 9 (Action, Crime)(2D)(15+) Cast : Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor 3:30, 6:30, 9:00, 11:30 pm Triple 9 (Action, Crime)(2D)(15+)-VIP LOUNGE Cast : Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor 3:45, 8:45, 11:00 pm The Divergent Series: Allegiant (Action, Adventure)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Theo James 2:45, 9:00, 11:30 pm The Divergent Series: Allegiant (Action, Adventure)(2D)(PG12)-VIP LOUNGE Cast : Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz 6:30 pm The Divergent Series: Allegiant (Action,

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

16:30 18:00 19:30

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Sur Sur

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

Daily Daily

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

Daily Daily

Marmul

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

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

07:00

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

London Has Fallen (Action / Crime / Thriller) Cast: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart 8.00 & 11.55 pm CP No : 351 (PG12) 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (Action / Drama / Thriller) Cast: John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber 2.00 pm CP No : 352 (15+) Bleeding Heart (Drama) Cast: Jessica Biel, Zosia Mamet Joe Anderson 2.00, 4:00, 6:00 & 10.00 pm CP No : 353 (15+) THE DIVERGENT SERIES: ALLEGIANT (Adventure) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Theo James 4:30, 7:00, 9:30 & 11.55 pm CP No : 341 (PG12)

SALALAH The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2D) (PG12) (Action| Adventure| Sci-Fi) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz 11:30AM, 2:45, 9:15, 11:15PM London Has Fallen (2D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman 2:30, 10:00PM Triple 9 (2D) (15+) (Action | Crime | Drama) Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor 12:30, 7:00, 9:00, 11:45PM Bleeding Heart (2D) (15+) (Drama) Cast: Jessica Biel, Zosia Mamet, Joe Anderson 3:00, 7:05PM The Other Side of the Door (2D) (18+) Cast: Sarah Wayne Callies, Jeremy Sisto 5:00, 11:55PM 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2D) (15+) (Action|Thrille) Cast: John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber 4:30PM Zootropolis (3D) (PG12) (Animation | Action) Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman 12:00, 4:45PM Puthiya Nayamam (2D) (PG12) (Malayalam) Cast: Mammoty, Nayanthara 7:15PM

11.45 13.30 14.00

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om Puthiya Niyamam (Mal) (Thriller) Cast: Mammotty & Nayantara 3-00, 6-30 & 10-00 pm Cinema Main Kadhalum Kadhandhu Pogum (Tamil) (Com) Cast : Vijay Sethupathi & Madonna Sebastion 9-30 pm Cinema-2 From Friday; 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 Cinema-2 Pokkiri Raja (Tamil) (Only Thursday) Cast: Jiva & Hansika Matwani 3-30 & 6-30 pm Cinema-2 Action Hero Biju ( Mal) ( Act\ Comedy) Cast : Nivin Pauly & Anu Emmanuel 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -3 Kalyna Vaibhogame (Telugu) ( Drama \ Com) Cast: Naga Shourya & Malavika Nair 3-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -4 Neerja ( Hindi) ( Act\ Drama) Cast: Sonam Kapoor & Shabana Azmi 6-45 pm Cinema -4 Next Change: Maheshinte Prathikaram (Mal); Kapoors & Sons (Hindi ) Programmes are subject to change

WITH LOVE

29 22 Minimum

STAR CINEMA

0

M. MOHD FUZAIL March 10, 2007

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

95-55%

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

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

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

06:00 06:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100)

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

10:25

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

07:00

BURAIMI London Has Fallen (Action) (PG12) Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman 3.15, 9.45PM The Divergent Series: Allegiant (Action |Adventure | Sci-Fi) ( PG-12) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, 3.00, 7.00, 9.15, 11.30PM Zootropolis 3D (Animation | Action| Adventure) ( PG12 ) Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman 3.00, 5.15PM Puthiya Nayamam (Malayalam) (PG12) Cast: Mammoty, Nayantara 7.15PM Triple 9 (Action | Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast : Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor 5.00, 7.15, 9.30, 11.45PM Martyrs (Drama | Horror | Thriller) (18+) Cast : Troian Bellisario, Bailey Noble 5.00, 11,45PM

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

BAHJA CINEMA

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

Daily Daily Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

RUWI Screen 1 Jai GangaaJal (Action) –PG12 Cast : Priyanka Chopra, Prakash Jha 2.30, 5.30, 8.30, 11.30 PM Screen 2 The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2D) (Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi) –PG12 Cast : Shailene Woodley, Theo James 3.30, 11.45 PM Puthiya Niyamam - Malyalam – PG12 Cast : Mammootty and Nayantara 7.00 PM Neerja (Action / Biography) –PG12 Cast : Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi 9.30 PM Screen 3 Neerja (Action / Biography) –PG12 Cast : Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi 3.45, 11.45 PM The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2D) (Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi) –PG12

Cast: Mammoty, Nayanthara 9:00PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

SOHAR London Has Fallen – 2D (Action) (PG12) Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman 2:45, 7:00, 11:30PM The Divergent Series: Allegiant– 2D (Action | Adventure | Sc-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz 2:45, 5:00, 9:15, 11:30PM Triple 9 – 2D (Action | Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor 2:30, 7:15, 9:30, 11:45PM Zootropolis – 3D (Animation) (PG12) Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman 2:30, 4:30PM Bleeding Heart – 2D (Drama|) (15+) Cast: Jessica Biel, Zosia Mamet 5:30, 7:15PM The Other Side of the Door– 2D (Horror) (18+) Cast: Sarah Wayne Callies, Jeremy Sisto 4:45, 11:45PM Jai GangaaJal – 2D (Action | Drama) (PG12) Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Rahul Bhat 9:00PM Kadhalum Kandathu Pogum– 2D (Romantic | Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Vijay Setupathi, Madonna Sabastian 6:30PM Puthiya Nayamam – 2D (Family) (PG12)

8:30 PM Kadhalum Kandathu Pogum (Tamil) (2D) (Romantic | Comedy) (TBC) Cast: Vijay Setupathi, Madonna Sabastian 7:00, 8:45 PM

AZAIBA Triple 9 (2D) (Action |Crime) (15+) Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor 3:30, 6:30, 11:30 PM London Has Fallen (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman 3:00, 5:00, 11:45 PM The Divergent Series-Allegiant (2D) (Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz 3:30, 9:30, 11:45 PM Jai GangaaJal (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (TBC) Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Rahul Bhat 3:15, 6:00, 9:00, 11:15 PM Neerja (Hindi) (2D) (Biographical) (PG12) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azami 6:00 PM Puthiya Nayamam (Mal) (2D) (Drama | Family) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Triple 9 (Action | Crime | Drama) 15+ Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie 3:00, 6:00, 9:30 & 11:45PM

Adventure)(MX4D)(PG12) Cast : Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz 3:30, 6:15, 8:30, 10:45 pm Bleeding Heart (Drama)(2D) (15+) Cast: Jessica Biel, Zosia Mamet 5:15, 7:45 pm

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Destination

12.22pm 3.46pm 6.19pm 7.29pm 5.06am

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

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE Travelling Stress

Y

OCEC to Host Oman Bride Show Oman Bride show is set to be the Sultanate’s biggest wedding event, showcasing an array of bridal products and services — from fashion, make-up and jewellery to flowers, transport, entertainment and venues.

B O L LY B U Z Z

Anushka Sharma joyous over seven million followers on Twitter

After hitting seven million followers on Twitter, actress Anushka Sharma thanked her fans and well-wishers for the love, support and being a part of her digital family. The actress shared her excitement and tweeted: “Thanks a ‘7 million’ for the love, support and for being a part of my digital family. Grateful...thank you for trending #7MillionAnushkaholics.” Anushka entered Bollywood in the role of a demure girl opposite superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the 2008 hit film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. - IANS

A

s the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre (OCEC) advances towards its August 2016 opening, it has added the first edition of the Oman Bride Show from 25th to 28th January 2017 to its increasingly busy calendar. Organised by one of the leading local exhibition companies; East Expo, Oman Bride is set to be the Sultanate’s biggest wedding event, showcasing an array of bridal products and services — from fashion, make-up and jewellery to flowers, transport, entertainment and venues.

“We are thrilled to welcome the Oman Bride Show as an exciting addition to the OCEC’s calendar in the 2017,” said Trevor McCartney, the OCEC’s General Manager.

Noting the OCEC’s advanced facilities and 22,000 column free square metres of flexible exhibition space, Eyad Bdeir, General Manager of East Expo remarked: “The OCEC is the perfect platform for the debut of the Oman Bride Show 2017 and the ideal platform for the many and varied aspects of Oman’s burgeoning wedding industry. This event will help us tap into the industry’s momentum, driven by the increasingly sophisticated and aspiring tastes of the Sultanate’s

young demographic.

According to McCartney, the Oman Bride Show will offer the Sultanate’s SMEs an important opportunity to showcase their specialist products and services. He added that they can leverage being in the wedding industry’s spotlight and position themselves alongside prestigious international brands, while directly connecting with potential clients.

The Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre is located in its own fully integrated precinct only four kilometres from Muscat International Airport.

The design of the centre will ensure a flow of the meetings space to suit the most discerning conference and exhibition organisers. It also incorporates expansive concourse areas to enable ease of large delegations with floor to ceiling windows overlooking landscaped gardens and water features.

The centre will feature two tiered auditoriums to seat 3,200 and 456, while the five exhibition halls will feature 22,396 square metres of column-free exhibition space. Hall 1 will have a superior fit out, specialised acoustic treatment, advanced lighting and rigging requirements to act as a multipurpose space for plenary sessions,

concerts, performances and gala dinners on a larger scale. Halls 1 & 2 combined will seat over 10,000 seated in theatre-style.

The centre will also include an additional 13 meeting rooms for 47-360 delegates, grand ballroom to seat up to 2,688, junior ballroom to seat up to 1,026, 10 hospitality suites, a VIP Pavilion, offering over 55 meeting space options, and a multi-storey car park with a capacity for 4,000 vehicles.

The precinct will provide the infrastructure necessary to host successful international, regional and local events and is there for the enjoyment of delegates, visitors and the local community. The precinct includes a JW Marriot (five star) linked to the Convention Centre, Crown Plaza (four star), and another four star and three star hotels with a combined total of 1,000 rooms. A business park and a retail shopping mall, surrounded by a nature reserve which will be a haven for Oman’s exotic birdlife, together with parklands and a wadi (valley) park, are also part of this picturesque precinct.

For Booking or more information sales@omanbrideshow.com Heyam at: +968 9139 0800 omanbrideshow.com

ou would think that in this modern era of jet engine technology, travelling would be full of fun. It is not and it is increasingly becoming stressful and tiresome. I ignored my wife’s long list of things she wanted me to bring home and I chose to carry a small suitcase instead.

I wanted to travel light so I would not be lumbered by super heavy cases as I go through airports, train stations and taxi stands. Half an hour before I left my hotel, she called and I lied unashamedly that I had packed everything she wanted.

It was important that I avoided marital confrontations very early in my journey. There was a slight twinge of guilt as I put down the phone but the sentiment quickly evaporated as I headed for the airport. I said thank you to the porter and walked right past the row of trolleys as I wheeled my super light suitcase to the terminal.

I had the advantage many of my fellow passengers did not. They laboured with tons of luggage and I could almost hear their creaking bones complaining under the strain. Then it started to happen as I was congratulating myself for being a smart traveller.

There was a long queue at the security check since one of the machines was out of order. Patience, I told myself, it would soon be my turn. My turn did come but after ten minutes had lapsed.

I hurried to the check-in counter but another queue waited for me.

Oh well, I said under my breath, it would soon be over.

The problem was that most of the flyers had at least three huge baggage each.

The worse thing was that many of them did not want to pay for the excess luggage.

It contributed to the delay and I wished that everybody had the same wisdom as I had by travelling lightly. The young lady with a smart uniform smiled when I handed over my ticket.

“Just one piece of luggage?” I must have been the only amicable passenger of the night for her. It took her less than five minutes to serve me.

I thanked her and walked towards the passport check and then to the waiting lounge. I looked at my watch and sighed with relief that it would only be a quarter of an hour before we start boarding. I was wrong.

They announced that the flight would be delayed for an hour due to “technical problems”. It is not easy to stay calm when you look forward to join your family at the earliest.

I wandered in the duty free to kill time and then visited the coffee shop.

The call of nature beckoned and I obliged.

After I had relieved myself, I checked the flight display to find out it was time to board.

The plane was full and everyone seemed to have a hand luggage.

Since my seat was right at the back, I had to wait for everybody to store away their baggage overhead.

We finally took off ninety minutes late. I slept through every meal and drink. The smell of fresh coffee and omelette woke me up when they were serving breakfast.

Time went pass quickly but it would slow down once again when the pilot said the airport below was busy. We circled above for twenty minutes before the air traffic control allowed us to land.

I had to wait for twenty minutes to get my suitcase and the train was late for half an hour.

When I finally reached home, I completely forgot to work out a good lie about not having to bring my wife the things she wanted. I realised to travel lightly did not have any advantage and it put me in the bad books of the wife.

SALEH AL SHAIBANY

SO TO SPEAK

C8

THURSDAY, MARCH 10, 2016

LIFESTYLE

WHO WILL WIN ARAB BOOKER PRIZE? The International Prize for Arabic Fiction (IPAF), also known as Arab Booker Prize, will be announced soon. Supported

by the Booker Prize Foundation in London and funded by the Tourism and Culture Authority, the IPAF aims to encourage talented Arab writers and increase international readership through translation. Each year the panel of five judges begins the selection process by reading all the works submitted for the award, followed by preparing a long list, shortlist and announcing the winner. Here are the six books that found a place in the shortlist for 2016 award. The shortlisted finalists each receive $10,000 and the winner an additional $50,000.

Praise for the Women of the Family Palestine writer Mahmoud Shukair describes the story of the women of the Al Abd Al Lat clan, who has left the desert and is preparing to leave its Bedouin customs behind.

The women of the clan struggle with these changes and many scorn those embracing modern life: when Rasmia accompanies her husband to a party, Najma wears a dress and Sana gets a tan on her legs, they set tongues wagging; meanwhile, Wadha, the sixth wife of Mannan, the chief of the clan, still believes that the washing machine and television are inhabited by evil spirits.

Set in a time of political and social change, the novel witnesses the rapid advance of modernity and the seeds of conflict beginning to grow in 1950s Palestine.

A Sky Close to our House The book, written by Syrian writer Shahla Ujayli, spans the second half of the 19th century to the present, featuring characters from different backgrounds who meet in Amman, Jordan, the city at the heart of the story. It is here that Jaman Badran, a Syrian immigrant, gets to know Nasr Al Amiri, a Palestinian-Syrian who has come to Amman for his mother’s funeral. They soon discover that their grandparents were neighbours in Aleppo. Through the dramatic fall of families in Syria, Palestine, Iraq, Serbia and Vietnam, A Sky Close to Our House shows how wars can change concepts of identity and nation, and create new destinies for large numbers of people; it also underlines that mass tragedy does not in any way negate the significance of individual suffering.

Mercury Egyptian writer Mohamed Rabie’s book is a dark fantasy which imagines “the counter revolution” in Egypt as a reality in a nightmarish future. The eponymous hero of this fantasy novel is an officer who witnessed the defeat of the police in Cairo on the 28 January 2011. Over a decade later, Egypt is occupied by a mysterious power and the remnants of the old police force are leading the popular resistance, fighting among the ruins of a shattered Cairo. It is a daily hell of arbitrary killing, an intensified version of the sporadic massacres witnessed since the famous revolution in January.

Guard of the Dead The book, written by George Yaraq of Lebanon, tells the story of Aabir, a hospital undertaker. Working in the morgue by day and the operating theatre by night, he learns to pluck out and sell the gold teeth he finds in the corpses’ mouths.

However, he lives in a state of constant dread and apprehension, his past working for a political party and as a sniper during the Lebanese Civil War hanging over him. One day, Aabir is kidnapped from the morgue. With no idea about where he is, who has taken him or why, he finds himself searching for clues about his kidnapping in his past.

Numedia Moroccan writer Tareq Bakari tells the life story of Murad, through his former girlfriend Julia, a Frenchwoman. An orphan, Murad is cursed by the people of his village. Ostracised, insulted and beaten, he turns to love in an attempt to take revenge on fate: first with Khoula, who becomes pregnant; then Nidal, his classmate and fellow comrade in resistance; then Julia, seen as the French coloniser, and with his final love Numedia, the mute Berber. The rich story of Numedia unfolds against the backdrop of the real-life historical, political and religious landscape of Morocco.

Destinies: Concerto of the Holocaust and the Nakba Rabai Al Madhoun’s book is a pioneering Palestinian novel written in four parts. Each part representing a concerto movement, the novel looks at the Palestinian exodus in 1948 (known as the nakba) and the Palestinian right to return.

Destinies: Concerto of the Holocaust and the Nakba is a novel of Palestine from outside and from within. It examines the tragedy of everyday Palestinian life, telling the story of Palestinians living under occupation and forced to change nationality, as well as exiled Palestinians trying to return to their now-occupied home country.

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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

2 BHK fully furnished flat at Ruwi MBD area. Contact – 93211557 / 24814853 Villa in Al-Khuwair 33. Quality Finishing. Consist 5 Bedrooms, 1 Living room, 3 Lounges, All with A/C, Kitchen and storage.

Contact: 90665135

3 Rooms, 2 Toilets Flat for Rent. 18 November Street. Near Mars Hypermarket and The Chedi. Ghobrah -Good for Commercial or Residential use.

OMR 295/- month. Call 94477222 Conditioned room with toilets in Al Khuwair. Contact: 92620858 /92605500 Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-. Contact: 99335580 1BHK at Al Hamriya near Muscat Pharmacy contact: 9922474899332297 Flats, shops and basement in MBD area and Honda road.

Contact: 92433127/96291778/ 92589235/97293708 1 & 2 BHK Flat in Al.Khuwair.

Contact - 99792181 2 BHK flat in Ghobrah.

Contact - 99792181 2 BHK flat in Ruwi.

Contact - 99792181 Office Space Available in Al Khuwair & CBD.Contact – 99792181 Villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 92125648/25250300

1BHK close to Indian nursery, Darsait blog -1619, way No .1322 RO 225/-. Contact: 99476728 Land (17000sqm) with office / store /shaded area for rent at Ghala industrial area –prime location.

Contact:99476728 Rooms for rent in Al Khuwair near Ibis hotel. Contact: 95124975 Double bed room flat CBD area.

Contact: 97608564 Industrial land in misfit for near Hal service & Al Awazi.950sq.M with 3rooms,5 bathroom, boundary wall with 2 sides road facing &large parking in front. full or part area.

Contact- 99364007/99454425 3 Deluxe flat in Ghobrah near Chedi hotel 550 RO per monthly Contact: 90161220 2 BHK flats /office & shops valuable in a new building at Honda road .Contact: 91165807 Vila for rent in Al Mabela South near gulf college.contact:95950025 Furnished room available for executive bachelor in Ruwi area.

Contact - 99054542

WAREHOUSE AVAILABLE

FOR RENT IN BALADIA SANAYAH AMIRAT (Floor area 600sqmtrs and mezzanine of 500sqmtrs) 1100sqmts fully cover warehouse Θ ƐƚĂī ĂĐĐŽŵŵŽĚĂƟ ŽŶƐ Please contact: G.S.M

99417229/92621039

RESTAURANT AVAILABLE FOR RENT Of area 500 Sq mts with well equipped kitchen and dining facility on Ground Floor at DARVESH Building, Near Royal Hospital.

Contact Person Mr.Mudassir :99314330 Mr.Joao Pereira: 99435952

02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 /99795241 To spend interesting times with family or friends a new park for rent in Al Amerat near Sultan Center for details. Contact: 99332273 Whatsapp 95806364

2BHK and 1BHK flats spilt air conditioners are available for rent in new building in Al Qurum, near rose Garden. Interested persons may content on phone: 9513331/96722449

For rent in Mabela Sanaya road no.6.show room two shutter & warehouse (900m2) & staff accommodation & office with split A.C. reasonable rent Contact: 99318152&99225067.

Commercial/ residential flat for rent in a new building. A warehouse also available, location Muttrah. For more details contact – 99364735 / 95729711

4 BHK villa in Qurum.

Contact: 97799175/92144045

Building and house in Al Amerat near Bahwan stores suitable for big store and resident for workers for details. Contact: 99332273 Whatsapp 95806364

2 BR flats with 2Baths Kitchen Al Amerat Aster Hospital .

Contact: 99366142

2 Bed rooms flats with hall 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat municipality. Contact: 92584715

Furnished flat for rent near City Center Mawalah. 2 Rooms, Majlis, hall, kitchen & 4 bathrooms. Rent RO.400. Contact – 99336776

Flat for rent in Hamriya.

Contact 99341112

Room Al khuwair 120 R.O Contact: 97799175 Studio type in Qurum.

Contact: 92230462 -98273470 2 BHK in Wadikabir RO250.

Contact: 97799175/92144045 2 BHK in Ghobrah RO310.

Contact: 97799175/92144045 1.2BHK in Darsait .Contact: 97799175/92144045 Flats 2 bedroom Majlis, 2 toilet, kitchen balcony near Indian school Darsait new building rent R.O 275/-Contact: 99243059

2 BHK flat with big rooms behind Bank Muscat, Near ISWK. 99373290, 24815012

2 Bed room centrally air conditioned flat in CBD prime location.

Contact: 24714625/91173997

1000sqm two rooms with compound well at Misfah Sanaiya.

Surround huge open land for trailer movement, Suitable for tile, sanitary ware, building materials etc store.

Contact: 99342733 /99795241

New flats for rent at Al Ghobrah near to atlas hospital the flats includes 2 living room , 1hall , kitchen , toilets , air conditioned room & high Quality finishing rent per flat is R.O 375/-. Interested candidates please Contact: 00968- 97093283

Flats in Darsait.

94051789-97201688

Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 94051789-97201688

4 Bedroom new villa Al Mawaleh 1/2 KM to city center mall High end fit outs split A/C full kitchen fitting all rooms w/ private toilets monthly 600/- R.O. Contact : Hassan 99349990 2 Room, 2 Bathroom, kitchen cat parking 200 Rails.

Contact: 92005298 Two bedrooms flat in Al Ghobrah near Oman Oil of 18 November Street. OMR 330 Monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

Four bedroom two floors luxurious and spacious residential villa in Al Hail North, near to the sea and Oman oil. Each room has its own bathroom. It has splits A/C’s and shaded car park. OMR 750 monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 1BHK Flat with spilt A/C near star cinema 210/-. Contact: 99358589/95570288 /97079146 Full furniture room for rent for family monthly 200/- .

Contact: 99251975 House in Amerat near to Makah hypermarket with 3 room+ 5 toilet+ hall+ living room+ kitchen.

Contact 98885055/ 92744168

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT

COMMERCIAL/ OFFICE (Open space)

FOR RENT 480 SQM With centralized Air Conditioner

In SOUTH MAWALEH

(near Burj Al Sahwa Round About, Nizwa Road.)

Contact - 98978745

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35). 9405178997201688

Commercial flats of 3 & 2 BHK in Al Ghobra North 18 Nov street RO.650/- & 450/- #91776665

Single room with A/C & WIFI having separate entrance for non –cooking Indian executive, near Rawasco, AL Khuwair rent 130/- (W& E). Contact 92888691/95397442/97201100

Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

Flat with two rooms with window A/C, with toilets & car parking way No: 1670 north Al Hail near Dosteen restaurant 1KM Inside.

Contact: 99238334 2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. Contact: 99342661 3BHK in Qurum P.D.O high 350/Monthly. Contact: 99342661 Flats in Muttrah. Contact: 94051789-97201688 Offices in Ghala.

Contact: 94051789-97201688 Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

94051789-97201688 Duplex villa in Qurum 29.

94051789-97201688 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud.94051789-97201688 Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

94051789-97201688 For rent and investment Land industrial shops in Rusayl.

Contact: 99323957 / 95490842 Flats in Qurum. Contact 94051789-97201688 Flat for rent south Al Mabela.

Contact: 95331177/95230355 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 -24834888/ 99249069/92888376/94617563 Email: info@alshahiintl.com Luxury villa of 5 BHK in Al Khuwair 33 RO.650/- Contact – 91776665 Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278 Flats for rent in Ruwi Mumtaz area 2 bedroom. Contact: 91409667/24291500 Flat for rent in Al Hail south 2 bedroom.

Contact: 91409667/24291500 Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. # 94051789-97201688 Duplex villa in Qurum 29.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

Flats in WadiKabir.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 600 M2 showroom or office in Bousher in front of Dolphin complex.

RO.3.5 per m2. Contact 91776665 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud. # 94051789-97201688 Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) #- 94051789-97201688 Brand new 4 BHK villa in Al Fai compound Al Khoud. RO.475/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 Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. # 94051789-97201688 Spacious 1 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with all split A/C’s and parking.

RO.300/-Contact – 91776665 Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Flats in Darsait. Contact 94051789-97201688

BUYING Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

MV SALE Toyota Corolla, White, 1.6, 2011, Automatic, Warranty available, excellent condition, 63500 KM. All services at Toyota only. 3650 OMR. Contact: 96530058 Nissan Qashqai 2013 low mileage 30.000kms comprehensive insurance UAE Oman valid till 2016 .

Contact: 96665430 Pickup for sale, model 2013, diesel engine 4x4.

Contact - 94194399

1ST GRADE RUNNING ESTABLISHMENT

FOR SALE Fully equipped Signboard Fabrication workshop.

Contact – Muhammad

90579500 Concrete Plant & Pump, WŽƌƚĂͲĐĂďŝŶ Kĸ ĐĞ for immediate sale tŽƌŬŝŶŐ ŽŶĚŝƟ ŽŶ ŽŶĐƌĞƚĞ ĂƚĐŚŝŶŐ Plant Pemat mixer, Econocrete - full set TEKA Concrete Pump mounted on MAN Chassis ZĞĂĚLJ ƚŽ ƵƐĞ WŽƌƚĂͲĐĂďŝŶ Kĸ ĐĞ Ͳ about 450 Square Meter area, with cabins.

Contact Mr Mateen - 92892209/ Mr Sreejith - 99478263/ Mr Aqueel - 99338619

FOR SALE For sale Porta cabin; new & used (wooden steel p.u.panel) Contact-99318152 Email:ahastco@gmail.com A well established automotive service center is for sale in Mabela area of 2850sqm please contact Virat: 94656682 Dental chair and mobile X-ray unit for sale.contact:92737149 Office furniture for immediate sale 15 workstation, 4 executive desk, chairs & branded 4 TVs. # 94104022 Household & electronic items for sale. Contact – 99421740 Expat leaving. Household items for immediate sale, 99457386 New & used (refurbished) Porta cabin with ablution for sale.

Pleases Contact: 97143704 or email: rsttllc@gmail.com Treadmill heavy 120kgs new OMR 140/- with massager.

Contact: 92670572 400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Mabela Phase 5 Block 2. OMR 165 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955

BMW 525.I 2006.

Contact: 99336093

A well running pharmacy for sale at prime location.

Contact- 99627621, 93240949

Hyundai Sonata 2008 model, expat driven & well maintained.

Contact: 94222681

Well established coffee shop / restaurant prime location at AL Khoud.

Contact: 92188777/98700760

FOR SALE Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair. Contact 92881849 / What`s up No 97290565

Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery. Contact 99328430 Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

220 M2 SHOWROOM

FOR SALE @ Sanaya/ Hospital Road- Sohar PLEASE CONTACT:

00968 - 9898 9532/ 2471 4325 info@paramountmuscat.com

CLEARANCE SALE White wood, Red wood, Manhole covers, Hard ware, Electrical items & other building materials for clearance sale (price negotiable) Location Barka – Al Rumais For further details & inspection,

Please contact - 96125603 Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter. Photos can be sent 95865457 Luxury Apartments in Bousher (35). 95056808-97201688 Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278 HD Scaffoldings, Shuttering Jacks, Wooden Planks, Shuttering wood assorted, Tower hoist (lift), Concrete Mixer, Bending Machine, Steel Fabrication Machinery (Searing/Cutting, lathe & Welding) including tools for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278 Villas in Al Khoud. 9505680897201688 Urgent sale of steel scrap only serious buyers kindly contact: +968 96725423 for viewing the items.

WANTED IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area.

Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up.

Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

ACC.WANTED Required single room for an executive lady (non cooking) in Darsait, Ruwi, Wadi Kabir.

Contact - 98591132 Accommodation required with food for 1 month, bachelor for March month. Preferably Al Ghobrah area. Contact: 99335742

AVAILABLE

DRIVING

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

ACC. AVAILABLE Room with toilet for working lady.

Contact: 91450718 Sharing single big room for family or couple with separate bathroom near Badr Al Sama clinic Al Khuwair. Contact - 99796500 Accommodation available in Al Khuwair, single room with furniture and A/C, sharing kitchen.

Contact - 94297820 Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket.

Contact: 96202458/96761960

MATRIMONIAL Hindu Boy -30 Yrs MBA Finance Graduate working in Muscat seeking alliance of Hindu girl only.

Contact: 98278401 Kerala Kottayam RC male 28 years Civil Engineer is seeking alliance from suitable family, preference for BDS, Eng & bank employees.

Contact 95035953 Malankara Catholic Male Nurse (28) from Thiruvalla working in Nizwa Private Co. Alliance invites parents/nurses working in Oman.

Contact: 968 98267338, 0091 9287215726

Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794

Indian male Roman Catholic 40yrs divorcee working in Muscat.

Seeks suitable alliance from widow/ divorcee/ single.

Contact: 96059801.

Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir Contact 93049849

CHANGE OF NAME

Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested please Contact: 92680041 Mr. Altaf Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan villeage.

Contact: 93687466

NRI Villa for sale Mavelikara behind Cheltikul Angara Temple 3 BHK1700 SQF within 10 cents. Contact: 968-969203467025525606 Flat for sale 1360 Sq.ft semi furnished 3 BHK Flat with covered car park near Vennala, Eroor North Tripunithura, with close proximity to seaport- Airport road ,info park ,vyttila hub, Ernakulum medical center, gold souk, Oberon & lulu malls-for sale. Contact: 96725458 Flats villas land for sale in Pune Contact: 95272138/918139098275 Furnished Apartment for sale at near Nedumbassery Airport.

Contact: 92394014

FOR LADIES Europe beauty centre offers 50% discount on beauty packages, home services, slimming & post delivery massages. CBD – 24797813 / 97082451 / 94004152. Wadi Kabir – 24815805 / 94004153 / 96761960

I Wishvanath Upendra Kotiyam (holder of Indian passport No. H6346306) Son of Upendra Krishna Kotiyam having permanent residence in Sihndi Colony, near veg market, Chinchari Thana, M.S (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in Dhofar Bldg (Ruwi) P.O Box 109 P.C 112(complete postal in Oman) intend to change my name from Wishvanath Upendra Kotiyam (old name) to Vishwanath Upendra Kotian (new name) for all practical purpose. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, diplomatic Quarters, AL Khuwair, P. Box No, 1727 postal code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

I John Mohammad Tanki (holder of Indian passport No. G 7945542) Son of Nazir Ahmad Tanki having permanent residence in Mir Mohalla Malarata P/O SR. Gunj (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in P.B No 381, postalcode 121, Seeb (complete postal in Oman) intend to change my name from John Mohammad Tanki (old name) to Tanseer Ahmad Tanki (new name) for all practical purpose. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, diplomatic Quarters, AL Khuwair, P. Box No, 1727 postal code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT REQUIRED ACCOUNTS CUM ADMIN

IN-CHARGE

Apply on

vacancyforoman@gmail.com

omanproject2011@gmail.com

Qualified accountant with 7 to 8 years of experience in accounts, cost control, inventory, procurement, finance up to finalization and admin.

Good knowledge of ERP, Tally-9, MS office, and good communication is mandatory.

Urgent placement for Polyclininc at Mabella, Seeb Those who hold valid MOH Licence and NOC from the current sponsor will be given preference.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Radiographer -F Lab. Technician -M/F Marketing Executive -M/F Receptionist -F

Kindly send CV to alsalamaoman@gmail.com www.alsalamamuscat.com

ADMIN

EDUCATION/TRAIN

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

The Egyptian school requires chemistry Teacher for IG, English, Science & mathematics.

Teacher’s application should be submitted by hand or by email – egyptianschool98@gmail.com / 24603930 Required personal lady Trainer at home in Wadi Kabir.

Contact – 94100959

MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Accountant with two years of experiencerequired for building material shop .contact no.99318152 Email:ahastco@gmail.com Required Accounts Officer- ensure accurate processing of revenue data into ERP systems and invoicing module. Posting of invoices to customer SAP portal and delivery to customer offices and interface with country manager/ reporting to regional CEO. Qualifications: BSc accounting.

Relevant experience & knowledge on online accounting systems especially the customer SAP system. Submit CV to: me-job@interwell.com Accountant with gulf experience in construction field preferred with Oman driving license. Interested candidates send CV to: Email: omanhari@yahoo.com Gsm: 95892831/95197615

DOMESTIC HELP Housemaid required for full-time for Indian family, Hindi/English speaking CBD area Ruwi.

Contact: 96183093 Housemaid required for caring two babies for Keralite family at Al Hail. Contact: 99423608 /95662154 Looking for a part-time cookcum-housemaid in Azaiba.

Call 92450197.

Required Cleaners & Office boys.

Contact 24707833

Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred.

Contact 99273774/99202278 Omani national Security Staff similar experience for immediate employment for an international school. Contact: 99468907

MEDICAL Required female Nurse, with MOH license for private dental clinic in Bowshar area, Muscat.

Contact: 92189807 Required Staff Nurse and house maid in Mabela. Clearance available. Urgent Contact. 95200180.

Wanted ORTHODONTIST, IMPLANTOLOGIST with or without MOH License for a polyclinic.

Excellent Salary, Commission and Accommodation. Phone: 99006915 Email: alhinaee.clinic@yahoo.com GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with Dataflow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934 Nurse required for a dental clinic in Al Khuwair. Contact 95114616 Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq.

Contact: 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING DRIVER Wanted house driver cum cleaner with Oman valid license contact: 99415443 Looking for motor cycle license holders for FMCG merchandising contact: 92312112 Trailer driver + Hiab truck .

Contact: 99332185 Required a expat driver with Omani D/L. Contact – 91409668 Wanted driver. Contact: 91025698 Part or full time Driver Required call us 91120552

ENGINEER/MECHANIC. Required Site Inspector (PRO) having Omani D/L. Contact – 24291500 Email: hr16.careers@gmail.com Required Hydraulic Mechanical.

Contact - 95251213 Civil Engineer with minimum 5/8 years experience with valid Oman driving license. Contact Interested candidates send CV to: Email: omanhari@yahoo.com Gsm: 95892831/95197615

REQUIRED PROJECT MANAGER FŽƌ ĂŶ /ŶĨƌĂͬ ůĚŐ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚ ŝŶ Duqm/Oman Graduate Engineer with 20+ years experience preferably in Oman/ GCC with valid D/L and transferable visa, computer literate.

Send CV to Email :

(For a service & contracting co)

1. Gynaecologist Arabic Speeking -F 2. Pharmacist -M/F 3. Staff Nurse -F

SITUATION WANTED

Urgently required a Marketing Executive with 2 years experience and driving license (GCC) for a reputed building material & electrical showroom in Al Khoud.

Please send CV to – startradingmuscat@gmail.com.

Contact - 94320909 Required Salesman cum Drivers for spare pas shop in Ghala .

Contact: 99410172 Looking for an immigration advisor who has experience in counseling for PR and migration to Canada and Australia. Email your CV at consultancyvisa82@gmail.com Sales Executive Required for an office Stationery company in Muscat with Oman D/L and Noc Send your CV to info@centraltrading-oman.com Required Sales staff 2 NOS Having experience in Cosmetics Sales.

Send your updated CV to james_kunju@yahoo.com GSM 92683688 Omani or European female Sales representative required for part time please send CV to gcpe16@gmail.com with expected salary

SEEKING SKILLED EMPLOYEES

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

1. Skilled iron worker 2. Skilled iron welder 3. 3D sign board specialist 4. Skilled painter 5. Skilled carpenter 6. Car wash supervisor Email : creativityeast@gmail.com

Indian male Accountant looking for a suitable placement in Salalah.

More than 20 years exp in accounting job (up to finalization of accounts) 8 years working experience in middle east in Dubai, Muscat & Salalah. Contact - 91325029

SITUATION VACANT (FINANCE MANAGER)

Sri Lankan Accountant CIMA Inter mediate qualified, on visit.

Contact: 90660764 Part-time Accounting assignment.9am-5pm.

Contact; 91126314

A reputed, long standing, multi division Company in Oman requires

Finance manager to be based in Muscat.

The person should be a Commerce Graduate with 10 years professional experience in Accounts up to Finalization, cost control, inventory and tax planning.

Interested candidates can apply at:

jobs4oman2016@yahoo.com Candidates to apply who can meet present Oman Government’s visa condition.

OUR CENTER IS LOOKING FOR FULL TIME: ,ĂŝƌĚƌĞƐƐĞƌƐ ;ŵĂůĞͬĨĞŵĂůĞͿ Ͳ ĞĂƵƟ ĐŝĂŶƐ ;ĨĞŵĂůĞͿ :Žď ĚĞƐĐƌŝƉƟ ŽŶ: Hair related treatments DƵƐƚ ƉŽƐƐĞƐƐ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶƚ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ƐŬŝůůƐ ĂŶĚ ďĞ ĂďůĞ ƚŽ ůĞĂƌŶ ƚŚĞ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚ ĂŶĚ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ŬŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞ ďLJ ĂƩ ĞŶĚŝŶŐ ŝŶ house training classes.

Advises clients on hair care and use of products.

Ensures that the high standard of service is maintained.

Salary based on skills and experience.

Please submit CV to info@artemishfp.com SALES / MARKETING Required Sales/ Marketing executives having light license for facility management co. sendcv-ocean@omantel.net.om Challenging tyres Omani companies seeking for Sales Man only an tyres division sales minimum 2 years experience send CV to saeed@liwainvestments.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 An Omani construction company located at Muscat looking for Marketing executive with GCC driving license & NOC send C.V to kwk585@gmail.com

Required Sales Executive knowledge of building materials.

Full or part time.

Contact: 99421513

TECHNICIAN Urgently required Electronics Technician with at least 2-4 yrs exp, in network cabling, access control, telephone systems, interested send the CV to info @smartvisionoman.com We, the storm shield in the talented candidates for the below positions (Indian only): Maintenance Technician (male -1) should have knowledge of new mobile devices & 3 years Oman experience Contact: 94441111 Send CV to email: gshield9@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement. # 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687

Kerala male 25 yrs B.com diploma in IATA PGDCA Tally 2 yrs exp accounts in Kerala. Currently in Oman NOC available. Contact: 99323841 Email: rohitpanam@gmail.com

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

Dynamic Indian Male Accountant with 9 Years Experience seeks suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact: 96902860

Indian male 28 yrs MBA finance/ marketing and graduate in computer experience 3 yrs seeking suitable job, now family visit visa.

Contact: 93195378 Email: faisalme.beg677@gmail.com

Indian female MBA Accountant, 8 yrs exp in accounts seeking suitable placement. Contact: 96117303 Indian Accountant with 30 years experience in construction (Financial & Cost ), Administration, Store Keeping and HR seek full/part time assignment anywhere in Oman or UAE. Contact 98598099 Indian female MBA in finance currently on family visa seeking suitable placement. Contact: 96471025 Indian female Accountant 8yrs exp in Oman. Contact:93726921 Part time accountant, up to finalization of accounts looking for job after 5 PM (location prefers – MSQ – to AL Hail). Contact: 95694737 Indian Chartered Accountant - with 8 yrs + Exp in Finance/ Accounts/Auditing in Oman & UAE. Seeking suitable position in Muscat/Dubai and available immediately for joining. NOC available. Available till 9.3.16 in Oman.

CONTACT #: 98707434 Email: casmart007@gmail.com Jordanian, Senior accountant, 15 yrs experience in Oman finance & accountant. Contact: 92881223

Accounts Manager 24 years working experience 8 years in Oman looking managerial position with family status interested to work construction or manufacturing trading organization. Contact: 95919546 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 Accountant 10yrs Exp. in OMAN Retail & Furniture Co. (Release Available) GSM.92564955 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to finalization. Currently employed in Oman. Having D/L & NOC. Mob: 94122464, Email: cammk13@gmail.com Indian male MBA (finance) one year exp in Oman with D/L and Noc. Looking for Suitable placement contact: 94103975

Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization, on Monthly basis finalization and consulting works.

Contact: 96247295 Indian C.A finalist having 7 years exp in Finance field, looking for a suitable position with license and NOC. Contact – 98097009 25 Years/Male Indian/B.com with 2 Years Experience/Seeking Job in Finance and accounts/Skills Tally ERP9/SAP-FICO/MS Office.

Immediately Joining.

Contact No: +96897184087 Email: modi_harshal@ymail.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 Indian male, B.Com with 6 years experience as an Accountant, looking for suitable placement.

Mob: 93903458 , Email : Akkandyrijesh@gmail.com Chief Accountant 25 years experienced looking for part/full time accountant job.

Contact: 95598477/98803439 Indian male 25 B.Com (graduate) 2 years experience as accountant in country club India with ERP oracle r12, tally knowledge. On visit visa immediately available.

Email: shabi.hyd@gmail.com Contact- 9042-1161 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.

ADMIN 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 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 Female business graduate from UK with four years experience in procurement purchasing expediting logistics and supply chain in UAE seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 99581399 Filipino male with 13 years HR and Administration managerial experience. MBA & CIPD holder.

Currently looking for job in Oman.

Interested employer Contact - 97728418.

Indian, 26 yrs , female , 5 yrs exp in HR/ Admin with valid Oman D/L seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98236033 Indian male MBA / HR and marketing 2 years experience in royal bank of Scotland looking for opportunities in banking operating marking and HR services excellent communication Kills.

Contact: 90661245 MCA Indian Female on a visit visa seeking suitable job.4yrs exp in office Admin &IT. Contact: 92286147 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 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

ADMIN Indian male 25 B.B.M 4yrs experience Arabic speaking with Oman/D/L seeking suitable position in accounts Admin sales contact:91266733email: safvank.ka@gmail.com 8 years of intensive Oman experience in procurement & supply chain management looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97755488 Urgently required Document controller / material controller / HR job 15yrs exp. D/L available plz contact; 96777019/92386043 Indian female with B. Tech and MBA H/R (Liverpool UK) with exp 2yrs looking for suitable job and visit visa. Contact: 98401623 Indian Male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin, Secretarial and purchase with good computer skills. Holding Oman Driving license. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 99709336 Indian female Graduate with 4yrs exp, looking for suitable placement in admin/accounts .

Contact 99236071

CATERING 7 yrs exp Dubai marina chandelier restaurant, Arabic food and grill Arabic salad. Contact: 94896474 Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

DOMESTIC HELP Housemaid (overseas) Indian family looking for job. Contact 99531802

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Indian Female 24yrs, AutoCAD draftsman with 3ds max & rivet, 4yrs exp. looking for suitable vacancy in Muscat now in visit visa .

Contact: 95601266 Email: reshmanb121@gmail.com AutoCAD Draughtsman seeking job. Contact: 95516807 Indian Female, Bsc Fashion Designer with Oman driving Lisence, looking for any good job.

Contact 98757582 B. Arch graduate female with 1 yr experience looking for suitable placement as an architect / Interior designer Contact 95981197 email: merlnoronha@gmail.com Interior Designer Seeking suitable job. On visit visa in Oman.

Contact - 92166130 Interior designer 3 years experience 1 year in Oman and 2 years in Egypt, experience in interior design, 3D max, AutoCAD, Photoshop. Contact - 94762876 AutoCAD draftsman experience 2 years. Contact: 93738335 /95809393 Email: mammoosing@gmail.com

DRIVER Pakistani light driver looking job 9 yrs exp in Oman.

Contact: 96048460 Light driver Indian 4yrs exp in Oman having own car looking for job, release available .

Contact: 93053917 Driver looking for job, speaks English, Hindi & Arabic & 4 yrs Oman exp with valid Oman driving license contact: 92820309 2 Years exp in driving, seeking any job .Contact: 97460056 Bangladeshi male looking for job.

Contact - 93822195 20 Years Embassy experience expert driver cum PRO seeks suitable place. Contact – 94297820 Driver cum electrician 7 yrs exp, seeking suitable placement.

Contact – 98255214 3 Years driving exp in Muscat, speaks English, Arabic, Hindi& Bengali. Contact- 97462781 Driver job wanted. Contact 96393082 Pakistan driver with car.

Contact: 97198672 / 98988208 Seeking driver job with own car.

Contact: 98031620

T H U R S DAY, M A R C H 1 0, 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED Indian History graduate with diploma in Safety with valid Oman Driving licence seeks suitable placement.

DRIVER

EXPERT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Looking for job light duty driver 6 years experience NOC available.

Contact: 92381696

FŽƌ LJŽƵƌ WZ͕ ŐƵŝĚĞ Į ŶĂŶĐĞ Θ HR Θ ZD͕ ĂĚǀŝƐĞ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚ ŵĂƌŬĞƟ ŶŐ & CRM, appraise IT system for ƌĞƉŽƌƟ ŶŐ Θ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ͘

Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres), holding valid Oman D/L.

Pakistani light looking job 3 years experience in Oman. #93711608

Contact: Tel - 96500729 Ŭ͘ƉƌŽĮ ƚŽŵĂŶΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

Contact - 92789995

Contact email :

Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

dheerachpadikkala@gmail.com

Bangladeshi male light driver looking for job 3 exp.

Contact: 93254149 Looking for job driver 10 yrs exp.

Contact: 99035942 Indian light driver cum house cleaner. Contact: 96255558 /99415443 Light driver. Contact: 96756014

EDUCATION/TRAIN Indian Female, MSc Maths from a central university, B.ED qualified with over 6 yrs into teaching. Distinction holder and passion for teaching, currently on family visa seeking lecturer jobs. Contact: 91360147.

Indian female 25years M.C.A on family visit required suitable placements also interested in teaching. Contact: 90417133 Email: renjitharose04@gmail.com

EDUCATION/TRAIN Sudanese Civil Engineer 4 years experience –98093544 B.E Mechanical and diploma with 75%, age 28, 2yrs Hyundai Motor and 3yrs in water treatment.

Contact - +91 9003612305. prabugh28@gmil.com Male 25 age M.B.A, HRM, BE Automobile 3.4yrs exp production engineering. Contact: +91 9841873619/ vickey040890pt@gmail.com.

B.Tech Engineer (Indian, 23yrs male) 1.5 yrs exp (IBM India &Pvt Ltd & seizer engineers (Pvt ltd) looking for suitable job.

Currently on visit visa ready to join immediately Contact: 93354092/990249660. email:eapenbijoy92@gmail.com Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. contact:98821022 A Pakistani Civil Engineer having 5yrs exp in consulting and building field, looking suitable job good running company with valid driving license. Contact: 91800277 BE Electrical Engineer searching for suitable job. Experience plc driver panel control wring oh crane air compressor etc.

Contact: 90628814 Mechanical Engineer having Omani driving license and 2yrs exp seeks suitable placement. email:malvindevidan@gmail.com Mechanical Diploma Engineer having 8yrs of exp seeking for suitable currently on visit visa.

Contact- 94657806 Diploma Civil 5yrs exp seeking suitable placement Email:sushbinde86@gmil.com. contact: 96938770 Indian male B.Tech civil engineer (Auto cad 3 max) 4 yrs exp in planning, designing & site Supervision seeks Suitable placement NOC available contact: 95472155 B.Tech Mechanical Engineer with 6 yrs of exp in India & Singapore as welding inspector. Having NDT level 2, Cswip3.1, 1so 900:2008 leap auditor certifications .looking for suitable job. Currently on visit visa .contact: 98919114 Project Engineer 9 Civil, 7.5 yrs in Oman, need suitable placement, NOC release available.

Contact – 91129192 Sudanese Electrical Engineer, granted with distinction, hardworking and can adapt to different work conditions. Contact: 98133281 Electrical & Electronics Engineer with 3 years GCC exp in sales, GCC driving license. Seeking suitable placement. Contact - 90301410

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Building Site Supervisor working in Oman since Mar 2010 with Oman D/L looking for suitable placement .contact:91507828 Diploma electrical candidate looking for suitable job, having 2 yrs experience in electrical utilities maintenance and plant maintenance. Contact: 94652387 B.Tech electronics & Comm.Engg with CCNA certified with 2yrs exp.

Contact-99490930. email; sujith8938@gmail.com An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available.

Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Civil Engineer 11 yrs exp in construction field having Oman driving license & NOC. Contact – 94194399 / shiblyrock@gmail.com Indian male 22, Chemical Engineer residing in Oman looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92379181 Engineer has 10 years local & international experience in ready mix concrete also in Oil & gas filed also in marketing & sales field , has Omani driving license.

Contact : 92534098 Network Engineering with 9 years and half experience seeking suitable placement. Contact: 95249087 Sudanese mechanical Engineer, 2 years experience HVAC firefighting, on visiting visa.

Contact 95630047 Sudanese civil Engineer holding bachelor with two years of experience in Oman has resident visa and valid license. Contact: 94393880 Indian male 31 years Civil Engineer diploma holder 4 years experience in Oman need placement N.O.C available.

Contact: 93298395 HSE & Fire Safety Engineer 4 years experience air port operational safety, power & chemical industry. Contact: 94374241 22 Years exp in Gulf civil building construction project manager.

Contact – 0097430824610 / arshadjamalkhan@rediffmail.com B.Tech Electronics & comm. Engg & MBA Degree in operation management with five years experience in optical fiber planning coordination etc. Contact: 94819139 Indian Male Degree Holder BE (civil) having 11 years of Oman experience with valid Oman driving license looking for a suitable job .NOC available and ready to join immediately. Mobile: 93803950.

Mail:kavinvasi2007@gmail.com B.SC Civil Engineer 27 yrs Oman experience as project manager, structural Engineer looking for suitable placement NOC/ LOCAL transfer available.

Contact: 99349578 Email: farooqatm@hotmail.com

REVIT (ARCH), Diploma Civil 3yr , in visit visa , exp. Salary : 250 PH : 92279784 Electrical diploma Engineer with 1.5 years experience in AutoCAD designing for LV constructions and diesel generator maintenance looking actively for job in Oman.

Contact: 92171858/90595609 Email: nelsondas213@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) with 2 and half years experience Indian male 24 years in visit visa. Contact: 96620482 / + 919605423272 Email: bijumonps@gmail.com Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact – 96789711 Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 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 (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, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 acmfaslan123@gmail.com Indian Electrical Engineer Btech, female 24 seeking job, presently in oman having 2 year experience in design and estimation of Ht &Lt projects. Contact 968 97436557, Mail id : sibinanoop1@gmail.com Bachelor Civil Engineer 6 Years in Oman experience Valid Driving License seeks suitable placement Phone 97619722 Email – golamrob@yahoo.com Diploma in Mechanical Eng piping system in AutoCAD work, 21+ years experience with Driving license. Contact: 95267113 Email: rkakkaryil@gmail.com Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975518

Electrical Engineer with 18 years exp in UAE. Contact: 98148034 Email: shassalih66@gmail.com

7 Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the field of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598

Structural Engineer, 8 yrs experienced in flat slab, post tensioned & slab-beam multi story building design & supervision with driving license. Contact: 98256860

Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97667113

Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im Omani HSE supervisor. Email: jeebal3000@gmail.com

Diploma Civil Engineer 13 years GCC experience NOC available with valid Oman driving license.

Contact: 99794456

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

26 yrs Indian Male – B.Tech (IT) - 6 yrs exp -sales & admin -seeks suitable placement 91848460 / 98304080; Email: arun9895431989@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 with 3 Yrs experience in international Oil & Gas company looking for job Contacts: Tel: 90164236 Email: mustafaoshi-62@hotmail.com Indian female, 31 yrs, 7 yrs experienced as AutoCAD civil draftsman (2 yrs experience in Oman) currently in Oman seeks suitable.

Contact 96789441 Email: simi5304@gmail.com Sudanese Telecom Engineer, 5 years experience, 3 years in Oman PMP certificate.

Contact: 93391008 Email: momen.awadallam@gmail.com Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement. Contact:- 95042656

Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+Diploma Safety+NEBOSH+OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement, Mob:97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Indian male Graduate hotel management 12 yrs exp operations & sales oriented GCC driving license and release available.

Contact - 94525463 Hospitality Degree 5 yrs exp holding Dubai driving license.

Contact - 91234870 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 MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in IT solutions, sales & marketing, solution selling, POS, ERP, time attendance, security system, software development projects, websites & mobile apps. Seeking suitable position. Contact - 92103545 Indian Male, IT System Engineer having 4 yrs of experience in system administration.CCNA,MCSE, Linux. Looking for suitable job.

Contact :91272867 Indian female, B.Tech 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 MSC (IT) male 32 age 4 yrs networking system administrator. Seeking a suitable placement +918608247110. email:samad3301@gmail.com 24yrs Indian male B.SC Computer Science with 2 yrs networking and IT helpdesk support exp, a Cisco Certified, seeking for suitable placement. Contact: 96910605email:shaikzube@gmail.com Pakistani male 26 yrs BS (CS) hold 2 yrs UAE exp in IT software, knowledge in Oracle 1g, MS SQL, C#Net, word press, IT networking and hardware. Looking for suitable job. Contact – 92826049 / m.saifmasood@outlook.com Indian male diploma in computer 4 yrs exp in system admin, tele call support, IT hardware networking. Looking for suitable position, on visit visa. Contact - 95917613 Indian male, IT professional , BE in ECE with 2 yrs of networking and Technical Support EngineerL2’ experience with CNA certification, looking for full time job GSM 92916894 ; Email: salu.mn555@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 SAP/ABAP Consultant, BCA, MCA, ASP.Net certification, Indian female 30, having 1.5 yrs exp, family visa, seeking placement.

Contact – 99109121/ ashamaryphilip@gmail.com Indian male 25 years BSC (C.S) with basic hardware and software knowledge seeks suitable placement now on visit visa.

Contact: 92319677 Email: ismabsc@gmail.com

IT Omani 26(M) seeks placement, 6 yrs excellent experience networking hardware software.

Contact: 95356166 Sudanese net work Engineer holding IT BACHELOR (CCNA, CCNP, and MCSE) has one year experience and license.

Contact: 92394485

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 37 yrs X-Ray welder 7 yrs exp (ARC, TIG, ARGON, Welding) seeking suitable job.

Contact: 91360190/98223683 Diploma in computer, looking for any office job, exp in tele support and sales, on visit visa.

Contact - 95917613 B.Com Graduate with five and half yrs exp in Oman as a purchaser. NOC available. Valid driving license. Looking for suitable placement Contact: 96772166 Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement. Gsm 98805474 A lady entrepreneur with BF Tech 1st Class (Fashion Technology) since 2006 in Kerala like to make change for better. Specialized in designing, Production Management, Fashion Art, Grading, Surface ornamentation, Garment Construction.

Email: prettyjinu08@gmail.com Mobile: +919539397097.

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 Bangladeshi male, University M.Com, Working as an Accountant & Administrator in Oman; searching better job. Phone: 94864966 Email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail.com

MEDICAL

MANAGER Procurement Manger Indian Engineer + MBA. With 16yrs exp, Oman driving NOC valuable Contact: 96561943email:srajan_kripa@yahoo.com Indian well experienced personal assistant/executive office manager/ senior administrator / commercial executive with license looking for a change. release letter available – 99168054 mbkishore@hotmail.com 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 Manager having 12 years experience in Sales & property management with valid GCC driving license looking for a suitable placement NOC available. Contact: 98125226 B.E Arch working as a project manager (interior fit outs) specializing in shop fit outs restaurateur, offices, lifestyle shops etc looking to work in a reputed firm NOC available.

Contact: 94274437 Operation & Accounts Manager.

Indian 18yrs experiences in Oman –operation, admin, fiancé, purchase, HR& sales looking for SR.position.

Contact:99889396Email: srjobsinoman@yahoo.com Indian male 35 years, mechanical engineering diploma, 15 years of total experience, 4 years in Dubai, seeking challenging assignments in business development/management & sales, on visit,phone:95990541,em ail:kckurup.v@gmail.com P.M/Electrical Engineer B.Sc 5yrs exp.(2yrs in PDO area)driving license looking for suitable job mob.:91175016 E.mail:elmuthana@hotmail.com

Staff Nurse (female) with MOH license. Looking for opportunity in Muscat. NOC / release letter available. Contact - 99433415.

General Manager MEP also manage civil, MBA, BE Electrical, 10 yrs exp in Oman valid D/L, release available.

Contact – 92447102

Indian female Dentist specialized endodontic looking for a suitable placement prometric completed.

Contact: 96410448

MBA with 18 years of experience in Procurement, 2 years in Sohar, Oman driving license with vehicle, looking for suitable position.

GSM :94047501, ahmed16071974@gmail.com

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 32 years Oman parametric and data flow completed 8 yrs emergently experience.

Contact: 92463190 Male GP Doctor with NOC 6 yrs experience in Oman for perm/locum job. Contact : 97746074 An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact 96436517 /97396088

MANAGER Indian male experienced in priority and retail Banking handling HNI/ ultra HNI and SME portfolios as relationship manager in UAE and India, with UAE driving license on tourist visa looking for suitable opportunity.

Please contact #90204929 E-mail-hani.leo@gmail.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments & transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business.

Contact: :- 92385033 Production Manager 9 years experience in Oman manufacture and development factories .GRB. GRC. GRG rubber molds and false ceilings, fiberglass and executive at site emadadly2000@yahoo. com96149081 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

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Executive Secretary/ assistant Indian female 9 years experience in Oman, Diploma in Business management. Valid D/L. Contact: 96684705 Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment. Call: 95244761

SALES / MARKETING Indian male 23 yeas BBM & Diploma in logistic. Looking for Indore/ Outdoor sales & marketing suitable placement, currently in one month visit visa. Contact: 93180270/ faizanmck@gmail.com An experienced sales & marketing person having several years experience in GCC with valid D/L. Looking for a suitable position.

Contact – 92124669 Indian male with 6 yrs of GCC exp in sales and service & 1 year of exp in gym fitness instructor.

Seeking job presently in Muscat in family visit visa. Contact: 90694335/ 99438360 or email:sahildgreat99@yahoo.com Sales Executive 8yrs exp buildings materials group of company in Oman NOC available. Seeking suitable job. With D/L in Oman .email: sameermoul@gmail.com Indian female 23 diploma in tool and die making with one and half yrs exp and also interested in sales & marketing.contact:94743992email:selveena054@gmail.com SriLankan malebusiness management BA (UK) Graduate.Specializedmarketing, key Accounts,sales, and customer services .4years work experience in England .seeks opportunity in Oman. D/L available. Tell: 94820153. email:inshafmalk@yahoo.com

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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 EDUCATION/CLASSES/COMPUTER/WEBSITE

SIT. WANTED SALES / MARKETING NOC available looking for opening in sales 10 years experience in Oman with driving license to join immediately. Contact: 95941228 Indian male 33 yrs, 11 yrs exp in Oman in sales field, with NOC seeks suitable placement.

Contact – 96169598 / adilj.8782@gmail.com 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 28 MBA Marketing with 4 years of experience in sales with good communication skills now available in Muscat on visit visa. GSM 95840153 / Mail akbarshareef786@gmail.com Indian sales marketing professional highly experienced in business development in ME India and Africa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97897611

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

IELTS PREPARATION

SIT. WANTED

Target Band 8.0

Classes for Spoken English TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / SAT Excellent Guidance and Coaching Satisfaction Guaranteed EAGLES INSTITUTE

Male 38 yrs Graduate 07 years experience indoor / outdoor electronic field with D/License & NOC available (as per new rule).

Contact: 92453375

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

B.Com male 2 yrs experience in sales Computer knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98371144 email: nabilnazar22@gmail.com

Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192

Indian male, MBA Marketing having 2.5 years Sales experience immediately looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91415145, Email: shariqs88@gmail.com

Filipinas lady having exp in ticketing and preservation, call center, secretarial and real estate is now looking for job please call.94054080

TOURS & TRAVEL

92325542 | 93657915 | 93657917 | Email: engominst@gmail.com WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. CONTACT 98294551

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

DĂƌďůĞ Ɵ ůĞƐ ŐƌŝŶĚŝŶŐ Θ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ͕ DŽƐĂŝĐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ŐƌŝŶĚŝŶŐ Θ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ͕ carpet shampooing, sofa shampooing, pest control treatment & general cleaning of villa & building.

Express Building Cleaning Services.

Contact 98480070 / 94134784

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ͬ MĂƌďůĞ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ ŵŽŶƚŚůLJͬ YĞĂƌůLJ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘ Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ General cleaning etc. ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> Contact : 94277020 LEGAL SERVICE An Indian lawyer Provides all legal ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐ ŝŶ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŵĂƩ ĞƌƐ͘ Labour issues, contracts, agreements, >> ĨŽƌŵĂƟ ŽŶ͕ ůĞŐĂů ŚĞůƉ ĨŽƌ ƐƚĂƌƟ ŶŐ new business in Oman, Civil, criminal cases,.service issues. /ďƌĂŚŝŵ ů DĂƐƐĂůŚŝ͘ůĞŐĂů ĐŽŶƐƵůƚĂŶĐLJ Sarafudheen, >> ͕ D , Legal Advisor Muscat. GSM: 97351649 Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Villa cleaning, shifting, marble crystallization, tiles polishing, shampooing sofa & carpet. Modern Eastern Arms. 92145560

House shifting. Contact: 99708138

Sahal Al Wadi White Trad. Specialist in repairing of cold store, chiller, A/C & refrigerator.

Contact – 94528546

Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC . contact:99344723 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 A/C maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing.

Contact: 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing.

Ocean center LLC. Contact:99344723 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

Building maintenance.

Contact: 96173326

House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013

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

Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC .

Contact:99344723

MANPOWER

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

TOURS

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED ED ONE STOP SHOP BUSINESS SERVICES Public relation services (PRO), Formation new companies, LLC companies, investor visa, business setup, prepare business & companies accounts, legal services, representing you and your company.

Contact Saleh: 96723485

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR Best Rates for Saloon Contact: 97869042 / 95730550 sales@modernreem.com

GOOD NEWS

TRANSPORTATION

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steambath, obesity, spondylitis. Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 97397320

Transportation available for Al Khuwair, Azaiba, Al Hail to Ruwi area. Contact - 94297820

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

Ruwi, Muttrah, Al Khuwair, Muscat, Qurum, seek transportation. Contact: 91132238

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact:24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Transportation. Contact 98505294

Transportation. Contact 99508282 /93113534 Transportation. Contact 99508282 From Mabela to Mawaleh for school student. Contact: 92757673 Transportation. Contact 92015894 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. Contact 99839898

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiямБeds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED DINING DELIGHTS

SITUATION WANTED DINING DELIGHTS