Times of Oman - January 12, 2016

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FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

Speech of His Majesty at the opening of the 5th term of the Majlis Oman, 2011

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ As we affirmed the rejection of our Omani society of any claims that do not conform with our moderate and tolerant nature, we remind all concerned that enlightenment is highly important to truly understand issues and give no space for baseless speculation, as the Sultanate’s policy is based on achieving balance in life in accordance with God’s saying “But seek with the wealth which God has bestowed on thee, the home of the hereafter, not forget thy portion in this world but do thou good to thee and seek not mischief in the land” — True are the words of Almighty God.

TUESDAY, January 12, 2016 / 2 Rabi Al Thani 1437 AH

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Oman to fall from ninth least expensive fuel in world to 13th The price for super unleaded will rise a

TIPS TO MINIMISE YOUR FUEL BILL

Global gasoline prices As of January 4, 2016 (Prices in Omani baisas per litre)

full third, from 120

700

Maintain your car

baisas to 160 baisas

(3 per cent savings)

per litre after years

Inflate the tyres to the optimum pressure. Take your car on time for regular service to keep the engine efficient.

being frozen since

710

The world’s most expensive gasoline is sold in Hong Kong

655 632

The Netherlands

581

UK

Norway

600

at least 1998 at the same rate

500

While driving (15 to 20 per cent savings) Don’t press hard the accelerator and keep the fuel flow to the minimum.

REJIMON K

400

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: After at least 17 years, the price of petrol in Oman is set to rise, by a full third for super unleaded, pushing the Sultanate’s ranking as the ninth cheapest fuel provider in the world ... to the 13th.

Quoting Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Oufi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, the Oman News Agency (ONA) reported that the price of super unleaded petrol will rise from 120 baisas to 160 baisas per litre; for regular it will rise from 114 baisas to 140 baisas per litre and for diesel, the rise will be from 146 baisas to 160 baisas per litre.

It is the first hike since the lifting of the regulation on fuel prices and will come into effect on January 15, and will be in place until the end of the month, according to the Ministry of Oil and Gas. In real terms this means that for a tank of super unleaded, the owner of a smaller sedan car with a 1.4 to 1.6 litre engine could on average expect to see his fuel bill rise from OMR4.8 to OMR6.4, say automobile engineers. For a mid-sized vehicle with a two-litre engine the fuel bill will rise from OMR7.2 for a full tank to around OMR9.6.

And for larger vehicles with an engine capacity of 5.7 litres with a previous fuel bill of OMR11.5 for a full tank of petrol is now expected to pay OMR15.3.

Despite the price increase, fuel will remain cheaper in Oman than over the border in the UAE, currently at the equivalent of 177 baisas per litre and is still less than

379

300

Air conditioning (10 per cent savings) Drive with the windows down and only use the air conditioning when it is really necessary.

234 200

177

160

Filling up

100

(1 to 2 per cent savings)

0

‘REASONABLE RISE IN PRICES SHOULD BE ALLOWED’ >A5 position with oil price at 100 baisas per litre. Earliest global records available show that Oman’s petrol price has remained the same since at least 1998, though the price of diesel did rise in May 2005 from 102 baisas to 146 baisas.

Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Oufi said in his statement yesterday: “A committee formed to fix the price will hold a meeting at the end of each month to fix the monthly prices. However, the price may

ROP film raises awareness on crime erik@timesofoman.com

about their responsibility to cooperate with the police to maintain law and order in their country.

MUSCAT: An anti-smuggling action film was recently launched by the Royal Oman Police (ROP), as they adopted Hollywood-style tactics to raise awareness about everyone’s responsibility in fighting crime.

The ROP Coastguard, in cooperation with the ROP’s Public Relations department, recently launched a film, in which the people of Oman were made aware

Omani actors The film, which was screened on Oman TV on January 6 and uploaded on YouTube in Arabic the next day, looks like an action movie and features Omani actors Abdulhakim Al Salihi, Salim Al Rawahi, Malik Al Sayabi and singer Youssef Al Balushi.

It was shot on the coasts of Muscat, Seeb and Barka and was

produced by the ROP and directed by Ya’qub bin Mahfuz Al Khanjari. The film lasts approximately 20 minutes.

The plot starts with fisherman Saleh being promised a large sum of money if he takes part in a smuggling operation somewhere on the coast of Oman. Despite the prospect of quick money, he decides not to. Instead, he helps the coastguard thwart a trafficking operation off the coast, after which all smugglers are apprehended. >A6 TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Women in science

1

In a male-dominated world, women are excelling in science field. >A2

OMAN

Spinal surgeries

2

More than 200 spinal surgeries are reported in Oman every year. >A3

Top ranker to specialise in medicine

A4

8

US UAE The world’s thirteenth cheapest gasoline is in OMAN (as of Jan 15) Saudi Arabia Libya The world’s cheapest gasoline is sold in Venezuela

Graphics

Source: globalpetrolprices.com | The National

half the price paid at the pumps in India and less than a third of the price paid at forecourts in the United Kingdom.

Data on globalpetrolprices.com shows that the Sultanate’s new petrol price pushes it out of the top 10 cheapest countries in the world to the number 13, nestled between Nigeria and Malaysia.

Among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Oman stands at fifth position following Kuwait on top with oil price at the equivalent of 70 baisas per litre (based on exchange rates yesterday), Saudi Arabia second 88 baisas, Bahrain third with 96 baisas per litre and Qatar on the fourth

88 50

Filling your fuel tank between half and three-quarters will help your car run more efficiently.

B O L D I N I T I AT I V E

ERIK PRINS

Global average price

MARKET

Oman-India ventures

3

Potential for cooperation in joint ventures between India & Oman is good.>B1

not change if the global prices are close to the local price.”

The increase had been expected since the government unveiled its austerity-driven 2016 State Budget. However, opinions varied on the impact it would have.

“An increase in the price of diesel by 14 baisas is not going to make much difference in the end price of products. There may be a slight increase, depending on factors like quantity and location of production,” Mohammed Hassan Al Ansi, a senior official-in-charge of logistics and transportation affairs at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), told Times of Oman. >A5

Some easy steps to help cut your fuel cost by 30 per cent BABA UMAR

babaumar@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: As the Sultanate set new prices for domestic petrol and diesel on Monday, the focus has now shifted on how to cut down fuel costs, with experts suggesting a range of measures that could help slash consumption by almost 30 per cent. “Cut out non-essential journeys immediately and use public transport whenever possible,” suggested Mark Pudwell, business development and training manager at Competence HR. He said one must ensure that all vehicles tyres are set to the manufacturer’s pressure, and carefully monitor the use of the car’s air conditioner.

“Use and get the system serviced, accelerate evenly, drive carefully and use the gearbox to help with braking,” he said.

Heat on commuters After an austere budget announcement last week, Oman’s oil and gas ministry revised fuel prices on Monday.

Daily commuters could feel the heat of new prices becoming effective from January 15.

“If your vehicle is fitted with stop/start technology, use it or ask the vehicle supplier how to use it. Regular vehicle servicing and replacing fuel filters can also reduce fuel consumption,” Pudwell suggested.

These steps include driving a lower fuel consumption car (ideally around four to seven litres per 100 km), he said, could reduce personal fuel consumption by up to 30 per cent. Others suggested using regular-grade fuel instead of super-graded (recommended for high compression engines or high performance cars) that could save costs on fuel too.

“If we are able to trade in fuel guzzlers for more

SAVING TIPS

Shun nonessential journeys and use public transport

Switch off the engine during traffic jams

Regular service of vehicles a must and accelerate evenly

Replacement of oil filters can also reduce fuel consumption

Use regular-grade fuel instead of super-graded (for high compression engines

Better to avoid fuel guzzlers

economical models, we could reduce fuel consumption. Also one should turn the engine off during long jams and traffic halts,” said Mohammed Alam, a local driver.

Maintenance He said, maintenance and servicing of vehicles is crucial and that once should avoid rash driving. “It can save life and petrol both,” he said.

Others told the Times of Oman that firms should provide petrol cards to their staff and should advise their staff to switch from super to regular petrol. They said avoiding unnecessary weight in the cars would also help reduce pressure on moving vehicle. >A5

A2

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

2.5m

OMAN

Was the total number of winter season flowers that have been planted throughout Muscat

Green goal: Muscat Municipality plants 2.5million seasonal flowers The Municipality also has an annual programme for the cultivation of flowers, based on different seasons and taking into consideration the temperature, salinity and other factors

Times News Service MUSCAT: Nearly 2.5 million winter season flowers have been planted throughout the main streets, service roads, gardens, parks and public places, by the Directorate General of Planting and Gardens at the Muscat Municipality.

The Municipality is paying more attention to the beautification and creation of green areas throughout Muscat.

The Municipality also has an annual programme for the cultivation of flowers, based on different seasons and taking into consideration the temperature, salinity, and other factors.

GREEN AREAS: The Municipality is paying more attention to the beautification and creation of green areas throughout Muscat. – Supplied Pictures

Periodic maintenance Competent authorities in the Muscat Municipality are working on the periodic maintenance of flowers, including the maintenance of agriculture and the organic fertilisation programme.

In response to that, Ali Juma, a Muscat resident, welcomed the Muscat Municipality’s efforts in this direction. “Such work is highly respected by the public, especially as the public can see before their eyes the result of the Municipality programmes,” said Juma. He added that almost everybody visits such public places, especially families.

The beautiful scenery found in such spots showcases the efforts made by the Muscat Municipality and its consideration of the public’s needs.

WOMEN IN RESEARCH

T W O - D AY C O N F E R E N C E

Women excelling in research field in Sultanate, but still face many hurdles TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: In a male-dominated world, women are finding their stance in science and are excelling in that field, despite facing challenges.

While the 21st century has presented mankind with challenges to solve, such as pollution, climate change, food shortage and renewable energy, research is the key to overcoming these challenges.

However, according to Professor Salma Al Kindi, professor of Analytical Chemistry and dean of the College of Sciences at the Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), half of the population, which are women, are under-represented in research and their presence is much needed.

Scientific workforce “The presence of women in the scientific workforce is essential for increasing the diversity and richness of human knowledge and understanding. Therefore, we cannot isolate women in this issue,” said Al Kindi.

The issue of ‘equality and the status of women in research’ was discussed during the Regional Meeting of the Global Research Council (GRC), which was conducted at the Hormuz Grand Hotel, where prominent researchers from the region gathered to discuss different key issues in the field of scientific research.

According to data presented by Al Kindi, female graduates majoring in sciences, such as chemistry, biological technology and environmental biology, among others, outweighed male graduates; in ad-

Forum to focus on tackling rumours in social media Times News Service

The presence of women in the scientific workforce is essential for increasing the diversity and richness of human knowledge and understanding. Therefore, we cannot isolate women in this issue Professor Salma Al Kindi

Professor of Analytical Chemistry and dean of the College of Sciences at the Sultan Qaboos University

dition women also made it to the Dean’s list, which is an honorary mention for students’ achievements, more often than the male students.

Unfortunately, women face several challenges, such as an inherent gender bias, discouragement at a young age, confidence gap and lack of role models.

“There are very few women in top positions that can be a role model and psychologically women like to see other women in a top position so they can get encouraged,” said Al Kindi.

She revealed that at the College of Science at SQU, there is only one female professor, compared with 35 male professors, as well as 4 female associate professors, compared with 50 men with the same job title.

Among the challenges, social taboos are also common among women working in male-dominated fields, as well as trying to balance family life with research.

They also face less opportunity for decision making at some times.

Al Kindi listed solutions to overcome these challenges and

to accept equality of women in the research field, such as establishing a post graduate program, mentorship programs, creating a network for women in science and developing good support for women when needed. “The success of women also depends on family support,” said Al Kindi.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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MUSCAT: A first-of-its-kind conference on ‘Rumours and Media,’ packed with brainstorming sessions and talks on the negative impact of rumours on individuals and community, will be held in Muscat.

The conference, organised by the Future Media Group, is scheduled to begin on March 27.

The two-day conference is expected to support the efforts by various entities in tackling the phenomenon of a growing number of rumours being spread across social media.

Behavioural anomalies The anti-social intentions and behavioural anomalies behind the creation of rumours as a means of disseminating false and useless news will also be discussed at the conference.

Subject experts, trainers and officials from various government entities will take part in the conference.

“The event seeks to promote community awareness about the inherent risks associated with rumours by analysing its social and psychological impacts. How can rumours affect security of the people will also be a topic of discussion. The discussions and lectures will seek to define effective strategies to contain the ill effects of rumours and also highlight the role of media in addressing rumours and refuting them,” an event organiser from Future Media said.

“How social media is being ex-

ploited by rumour mongers will also be analysed during the conference,” the event organiser from Future Media further added.

Viral marketing The conference will evaluate the role of rumours in the communications process, with focus on topics, such as viral marketing and their effects on social media networks.

An analytical study on the effect of rumours in the Sultanate, including security risks will also be taken up during the programme.

The role of communities and effective strategies for confronting and getting rid of rumours will be another topic.

Workshops have been planned on crisis management, the means of preventing rumours on social media websites and the role of the civil community in establishing a sense of social responsibility and combating rumours.

Accuracy of information The conference assumes great significance with studies revealing that a large number of websites do not verify the accuracy of information they publish, and also that false information disseminated and repeated on a large scale often generates bigger interest, and even imparts credibility to rumours.

“There must be an effective mechanism to deal with rumours, as people are increasingly turning to mass media websites as a source of news stories. Often, traditional mass media too publishes false news and attributes it to Twitter or Facebook,” he said.

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A3

OMAN

High-speed collisions main cause of ‘spinal injuries’

R O P S TAT E M E N T

Road accident deaths drop for third consecutive year in Oman

Spinal problems

Times News Service

are very common

MUSCAT: The number of deaths from road accidents in Oman dropped down for the third consecutive year, by 48 per cent from the level seen in 2012, Brigadier Mohammed Al Rawas, director general of the Traffic Department at the Royal Oman Police (ROP), revealed.

in the Sultanate and accidents, mostly caused by high-speed vehicle crashes, lead to patients suffering high velocity injuries, says Dr.

MAKING A POINT: Oman registered about 5,254 road accidents in the first 11 months of 2015 in which 3,036 people were injured and 618 lost their lives, according to official data. — Picture by AR Rajkumar/Times of Oman

Raghvan Shivaram, specialist joint and spine surgeon

BABA UMAR

babaumar@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman reports more than 200 cases of spinal surgeries every year—mostly caused by high-speed vehicle crashes—forcing most of the patients to India or Thailand for timely treatment, health experts said.

“The number of patients with spinal trauma or spinal accidents every year is roughly about 200 to 225,” Dr. Raghvan Shivaram, specialist joint and spine surgeon told the Times of Oman (TOO).

Time factor “At the Al Khoula hospital (government) some of them are getting operated. But treatment gets delayed there because of the time factor,” said Dr. Shivaram, who practices at the Apollo Hospital in Ruwi.

Earlier on Sunday, noted Indian spine surgeon Dr Sajan K Hegde, who is in Oman, said, “Spinal problems are very common (in Oman). You have stringent licensing systems here but that doesn’t mean people aren’t driving fast. Accidents occur at high speeds here and most of the patients we receive suffer high velocity injuries.”

Dr. Hegde, is a chief spine surgeon at Apollo Hospitals in India where he often gets to treat Omani patients for spinal injuries.

“Most of them (patients) receive serious spinal injuries and some of them are left with paralysis or sometime patients are paralysed below the neck. Rehabilitating them is very important to get them back to normal life,” he told reporters during a press briefing on Sunday.

The expert pitched for the introduction of robotic physiotherapy in Oman.

Dr. Hegde is the first Indian to receive the prestigious Cortel fellowship from France for spinal surgery.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

200 to 225 cases of spinal surgery per year

Costs $7000 to $8000 for level one and $8000 to $10,000 for level two surgeries

5,254 is the number of road accidents that occurred between January and November in 2015, injuring 3,036 people and killing 618 others.

He is also known for pioneering various spinal procedures, including the first artificial disc replacement, first usage of shape memory alloy in India and first ever use of renaissance spine surgeries robotic guidance system for complex spinal deformities.

Oman’s spine problem The Sultanate registered about 5,254 road accident cases in the first 11 months of 2015 in which 3,036 people were injured and 618 lost their lives, according to official data.

Omanis with spine deformities, dislocation or disc problems

are known to travel to India or Thailand for timely and effective treatment.

“Most of the patients we send to these countries have to shell out around $7000 to $8000 for level one and $8000 to $10,000 for level two surgeries in India. In Thailand, the costs are almost double,” a top official from a local company that coordinates and refers local patients to foreign hospitals told TOO. “Most of the patients don’t get timely treatment here. That is why they fly out,” he said, wishing to remain anonymous.

As Oman is fast becoming a hub

for rock climbing, base jumping, cliff diving, paragliding and other adventure sports, officials from the Apollo Hospital see opportunity as such sports come with spinal injury risks.

Robotic physiotherapy “Some Omanis visit the European Union for such treatment. There is a possibility in the future that robotic physiotherapy will be available in Oman as well,” hospital officials said. They said the patients could use the helpline (+968-96478181) to access information on doctors in Muscat and India both, besides getting a second opinion and right treatment for the ailment on non-commercial bases.

Meanwhile, to avoid spine deformities or injuries, Dr. Hegde stressed on the need for an active lifestyle in Oman.

“Adopt an active lifestyle. Don’t be a couch potato. Even Omanis are smoking, getting diabetes, obesity and hypertension.

It wasn’t the case earlier. These are connected to the back,” he further advised.

Social mobility Al Rawas stressed that the Royal Oman Police was keen to create social mobility for the advancement of the level of traffic safety and reduce traffic accidents.

He also said the speed control devices and radars function under a strategy, which is in keeping with international regulations.

He added that the police tend to monitor the international experiments and coordinate with the international traffic experts and manufacturers to better control traffic rules and motorists.

Over speeding violations He also notified that the Director General of the Traffic Department at Royal Oman Police is highly focused on violations of over speeding to limit deaths and injuries.

He said the next phase starting from this year, will focus on violations of the use of mobile phones while driving.

The ROP will carry out several campaigns to spread awareness among the public.

Al Rawas also addressed the child seat issue saying the public should learn the importance of child seating and seat belts, pointing out that the child seating might be included in the executive regulations of the traffic law during the next phase, although child accidents are very limited in the Sultanate of Oman, compared with the global average.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016 Any goal is not difficult achieve as long as you are working hard to achieve it Ghadeer Jamal Abdal Nasser Mohamed Moslhey Top rank holder at the OMC

OMAN H E A LT H S E C T O R

Oral hygiene crucial for people with bleeding disorders: Experts MUSCAT: Experts stressed on the value of good oral hygiene for people with bleeding disorders, and the importance of preventing dental diseases for this group of patients, at a workshop held here.

Oman Dental Society, in collaboration with the World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) and the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH), organised a scientific workshop on managing people in the Sultanate with bleeding disorders.

The workshop, which was held in Hormuz Grand Hotel in Muscat, attracted participants from different health sectors in the Sultanate including general dental surgeons and dental auxiliaries, as well as

members from the haematology departments at both the Royal Hospital and Sultan Qaboos University Hospital .

Dr. Alison Dougall, from the WFH, spoke about the principles of dental care for people with bleeding disorders. She also introduced to the audience the current protocols for dental treatment including safe prescriptions for people with bleeding disorders and the use of local haemostatic agents and local anaesthesia during dental treatment.

Prof. Zakiya Al Lamki and Dr. Abdul Hakim Al Rowas, from SQUH, Child Health Department, presented the bleeding disorder programme in Oman and the role

ROYAL OFFICE MINISTER RECEIVES US MILITARY OFFICIAL

Gen. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office, received in his office on Monday, Vice Admiral Mark Fox, deputy commander of the US Central Command, as part of his current visit to the Sultanate. The meeting also reviewed the progress of good bilateral relations binding the Sultanate and the United States, and the means for enhancing them in all fields to serve joint interests. — ONA

of a comprehensive care team in managing people with bleeding disorders. Dr. Al Rowas introduced to the participants the health education programme for people with bleeding disorders and the healthcare providers in the regions.

Dr. Nadiya Al Kindi emphasised that the goal of the meeting was to develop a network of healthcare providers to provide safe and effective health services for people with bleeding disorders in the Sultanate.

Dr. Sami Al Kindi, from the Oman Dental Society, stressed on the importance of such events for the healthcare providers to get the latest updates on relevant clinical topics. — ONA

Top rank achiever to specialise in medicine

EXPLORING THE ORIENT

Moslhey, an Egyptian, wants to – Supplied picture

pursue her career in

German tourists on 8-week exploration

Oman and wants to serve the people of the Sultanate where she was born

Times News Service MUSCAT: As many as 15 tourists from Germany are presently touring the Sultanate as part of an exploration of the Orient, travelling across countries, such as Turkey, Persia, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel and Italy.

The tour, which began in November last year, in Istanbul, Turkey, will end in Italy in March and is being facilitated by Abenteuer Osten, a Deutschland/Germany-based tour operator. This is the second time Abenteuer Osten is conducting a tour of Oman for German tourists.

With a pleasant winter, warm people and rich, cultural and natural diversity, Oman was a natural choice for the German tourists. The Oman tour package was named Oman–Pearl of the Orient, which itself reflects Oman’s tourism stature.

Oman’s leading destination management company (DMC) Bahwan Tourism LLC, a part

of the Suhail Bahwan Group, is providing the German tourists all the ground support, including transfers and travel guides.

Hotel accommodations are excluded, as they are using motor homes, Arun Kamboj, an Inbound Tours executive at Bahwan Tourism, said.

Exploring Oman The group will be exploring various places of Oman for a period of eight weeks, and is travelling in eight motor homes that are equipped with all essential amenities, including a kitchen.

The motor homes are provided

by Seabridge Tours. The tourists preferred to make their journey in motor homes rather than travel by air or sea, as it enables them to combine the adventure of international travel, with the safety, comfort and friendliness of an organized group travel.

After leaving Dubai, the group set out for the most northern territory of Oman, the Musandam Peninsula.

MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: “I want to discover medicines for the diseases, from which the world suffers,” said Ghadeer Jamal Abdal Nasser Mohamed Moslhey, who became the top rank holder at the Oman Medical College of Medical Science.

Today, the Times of Oman (TOO) is featuring Moslhey and her ambition in its #Oman Pride campaign.

The goal Even though Moslhey is an Egyptian, she wants to pursue her career in Oman and wants to serve the people of the Sultanate where she was born in. “Since my school days, I was interested in medicine and enjoyed studying biology and anatomy,” Moslhey told TOO. “My dream became stronger when I saw doctors helping patients get rid of their diseases,” she added.

FOCUSSED: Moslhey is currently preparing to specialise for her higher studies. — Supplied picture

First rank Speaking about her first rank, Moslhey said, “I am feeling happy and proud as I have achieved my goal and am now starting my medical career to apply the knowledge I gained through my medical life to help others.”

“Any goal is not difficult achieve

as long as you are working hard to achieve it,” she added.

She thanked all her professors, parents, friends and all her well wishers for the support and good advice imparted to help achieve this success. Moslhey is currently preparing to specialise and for her higher studies.

“I would like to get a specialisation in either internal medicine or paediatrics, but have not decided yet,” she stated.

She also wants to provide a high quality of diagnosis and treatment to the patients who come to her for treatment.

“I will give my best to the patient, who wants to cure their disease from me; I will assure them of high

quality of treatment from me,” she asserted. According to Moslhey, her graduation ceremony was the happiest moment in her life.

“This (graduation ceremony) was the happiest moment in my life and I enjoyed every single minute in the OMC,” Moslhey said.

Her advice to the students, who wants to take pursue a medical degree is to apply what you study in your real life, which will make it easier to achieve your goal.

She also likes to read books and loves to listen to and play music.

Moslhey’s father is a consultant engineer at Al Hashmi Architectural Consultation and design and her mother works as a teacher in the Madinat Al Turath School.

I N F O R M AT I O N T E C H N O L O G Y AU T H O R I T Y

Fifth edition of Sultan Qaboos Award for e-governance details announced Times News Service MUSCAT: A two-day capacity building workshop was organised on Sunday morning, by the Information Technology Authority (ITA), at the Hormuz Grand Hotel to unveil the details of the fifth edition of the Sultan Qaboos Award for Excellence in e-governance, in the presence of Dr. Salim Bin Sultan Al Ruzaiqi and a number of representatives from various government entities, the private sector and SMEs. The workshop began with a welcome speech by Al Ruzaiqi, chief executive officer, ITA, who said, “We are pleased to launch the Sultan Qaboos Award for Excellence in e-governance, which appreciates efforts in the ICT sector for all government and private organisations, including SMEs.” “This edition has been improved to world-class standards, in terms of award categories and criteria overseen by international experts in the field of e-governance and digital services.”

“New categories have been included to recognise agility in e-transformation, use of e-participation channels in decision making and integrated services under the whole-of-government vision and public services through mobile channels,” he explained.

The first day of the workshop highlighted the United Nations’

MAJOR INITIATIVE: The workshop on Sunday morning at the Hormuz Grand Hotel unveiled details

of the fifth edition of the Sultan Qaboos Award for Excellence in e-governance. — Supplied picture

(UN’s) report on e-governance and the ranking of Oman internationally during a presentation delivered by Dr. Julia Glidden, an internationally recognised expert in the field of e-government, who enlightened the audience on global trends and technologies, including the UN’s e-governance rankings and the global benchmarking.

Commenting on Oman’s overall ranking by the UN, Glidden said, “Oman has witnessed an impressive rise in its overall UN ranking, with Oman’s rank improving from 112 in 2005 to 48 in 2014.”

She further added, “This tremendous improvement can be attributed to a number of factors among which is the implementation of a “Focused Whole of Government Strategy” to improve e-service delivery, the proactive

embrace of social media and mobile to engage with citizens and kick starting innovation and the regulatory and policy framework, which are in place.”

The second session of the workshop familiarised the audience with the award categories and criteria for 2016, which saw the addition of three new categories, namely the best e-transformation achievement, Best Service Supporting Doing Business and Best e-participation in a decision making initiative.

Dr Ahmed Alhosni, a jury member, presented the award for 2016’s categories and criteria, which target government, private sectors and SMEs. He said, “The government entities can compete in eight categories, which are: Best Public Service - Government to Employee,

Best Public Service - Government to Citizens, Best Mobile Service - Government to Employee, Best Mobile Service - Government to Citizens , Best Service Supporting Doing Business, Best Whole of Government Service, Best e-participation for a decision making initiative and Best e-transformation achievement.”

He added, “The private sector will also be able to compete for the Best Private Sector Service and Best Private Sector Mobile Service, while SMEs are competing for Best SME Service.”

The second day of the workshop will discuss important topics related to the participation and registration of the award system, along with a presentation on the role of social media in decision making and making a strategic impact.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

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A1 ‘Diesel price hike to raise inflation in Sultanate’ < FROM

“However, government’s price control departments should keep a tab constantly to find if somebody is playing dirty games by inflating the prices,” the OCCI official added.

Anvwar Al Balushi, chairman of Anvwar Asian Investment Group, said that the diesel price hike would have an impact on the Sultanate’s economy.

“The product price will go up and push the inflation,” Anvwar said while adding that individuals who are using petrol vehicles should use it wisely to cope with the situation. “People who are using fuel guzzlers should have to dump it,” Anvwar added.

Meanwhile, N Gurumurthy, a Muscat-based financial expert, said that there will be a nominal price rise in products and the price increase may result in additional expenditure of about OMR10 to OMR20 per month.

“For normal office goers using medium-powered vehicle, the price increase may result in additional expenditure of about OMR10 to

OMR20 per month, which is not very high. I would presume that though the percentage increase appears higher, the impact of price rise will be nominal for most, except for the lower segment of the society. It is possible that some of the users may shift to lower grade petrol,” Gurumurthy said.

“The diesel price increase may marginally push up the cost of products/services for most of the items except those items where the transportation may be one of the major input costs. In other words, the impact of the price increase will not be uniform across all products.

Some of the companies may wish to absorb the cost to maintain their sales volume,” the expert said.

The expert also added that with regard to auto sales, when fuel prices increase, there will be a decline in demand for vehicles.

“But considering the lack of alternative modes of transport and the marginal impact of price rise, I do not foresee significant fall in auto sales. I would assume that it

is a moment when everyone should join hands to help the country to tide over the challenge,” the expert added. A senior manager from Toyota said that rise in fuel prices will have its effect in any economy and Oman will also witness the same.

“33 per cent increase will definitely have an effect on auto sales initially. Then on, slowly it should settle down....But sure fuel efficiency will play a major role with all the auto brands now on and hybrid cars will have entry and will slowly make its way into people’s mind,” Jaison Mathai, senior marketing manager at Toyota in Muscat, said.

“Sales of large engine vehicles may decline,” he added.

An official from Lulu said even though they will not pass the burden on customers, they may be forced to do so if the suppliers increase the price. “We can expect a slight price rise in the coming days if the suppliers increase the price,” Raison Francis, marketing and promotions in Lulu Hyper market Oman, said.

‘Reasonable rise in prices should be allowed’ Rising costs should not provide an opportunity for certain companies to ‘hijack’ the situation and introduce higher prices without any reasonable basis

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: A flexible approach should be adopted by the authorities to allow reasonable increases in the prices of goods and services, but they should prevent companies from taking advantage of the situation, said an official.

Commenting on the impact of the rise in fuel prices on SMEs, Abdullah Al Jufaili, general manager of Sharakah, said every economic change and decision would inevitably have an impact on SMEs so they should be considered in the decision-making process. SMEs live in an ecosystem where everything is related to each other so the increase in the fuel prices would definitely increase their operating expenses, including production and transportation costs, Al Jufaili told the Times of Oman.

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Abdullah Al Jufaili. — Supplied picture

Therefore, logic dictated that if a business wanted to remain sustainable and maintain a margin of profit, it would have to increase the price of its services or products to compensate for the increase in the costs of production or provision of services, he noted.

However, it should not provide an opportunity for certain companies to ‘hijack’ the situation and introduce higher prices without any reasonable basis, the official added.

According to Al Jufaili, the prices should be monitored closely, but at the same time there should be some room for ‘flexibility.’

“My message is, ‘Never look at things in isolation.’ We need to keep in mind that all of this is part of the ecosystem that an SME lives in, and we should be careful when we are deciding on new regulations or changes in the economy,” he stated.

In addition, Sharakah’s general manager said that instead of viewing the current economic situation as an ‘irregular’ situation, the positive aspects of it and its long-term

implications should be considered. Tough times like this would show which organisations have been following the best practices in various areas to ensure sustainability and which ones have been running without a clear strategy, he said.

The organisations that survive this difficult time would be strong organisations for years to come, Al Jufaili added.

The official also believes that the ongoing economic changes can help improve lifestyle habits and consumption patterns.

Many people just tend to spend more when their income increases and may fail to maintain the right balance, he said, adding that people should be well aware of what they can afford.

Asked whether the increase in fuel prices would positively affect the environment, Al Jufaili said he does not expect to see an immediate reduction in the number of vehicles on the streets.

If any change is seen at all, it may be that some people would prefer to have small-engine vehicles, he explained.

Commenting on the public transport system, Al Jufaili said improving the system was already underway, but the more important issue is that the city’s planning cannot accommodate public transport in the best way possible.

Still there is lack of the necessary facilities for the pedestrians, he noted, adding that addressing this issue would help encourage the use of public transport and facilitate walking and cycling across the city.

fuels fears of A1 Hike rise in fares of taxi < FROM

Hike in fares?

Umar Reshie, a daily commuter and a client relations manager with a local company told Times of Oman TOO that by not going hard on the brakes one could cut down on fuel consumption, even as people should give more time to journeys and drive slowly.

“Switch off the engine when buying stuff from the roadside or markets. Poor tyre pressure could result in dragging and ultimately higher fuel consumption. Shun unnecessary trips to close by markets. Avoid your vehicle,

if walking can do the job,” he suggested, hoping these steps could save one from shelling out extra money on fuel.

Monday’s decision also raised fears of a hike in taxi fares in the Sultanate.

But drivers said they won’t increase fares unless the government comes up with new fare charts.

Government decision “We can’t increase the rates,” said Syed, a taxi driver in Wadi Al Qabir, who gave his first name only. “The decision is for the government to take.”

— With inputs from Mubin Matthews

COLLECTIVE EFFORTS

elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Improving the work culture in Oman is a shared responsibility and requires collective efforts, said Abdullah Al Jufaili, general manager of Sharakah.

Regarding manpower regulations in Oman, Al Jufaili said that he appreciates and understands the fact that the Ministry of Manpower is trying to maintain the level of expatriates in Oman at a certain level and also to provide more opportunities for locals.

However, on the other hand, the challenge is that many of these

MUSCAT: Mwasalat has no plans to raise the prices of their services, said Ahmed bin Ali Al Balushi, the CEO of the company. He said in a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA) that the prices of the company’s services would remain the same this year even after the hike in fuel prices. He added: “We will operate the same lines for the internal trips inside the Governorate of Muscat and the prices of the long trip to other governorates of the Sultanate will remain unchanged.”

Al Balushi said the company will operate new lines this year, namely Ruwi-Amerat, Ruwi-Al Alam Palace via Muttrah, as well as Al Khoudh- Burj Al Sahwa, passing through the Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, as well as increasing the number of trips to the governorates of the Sultanate, with special focus on the Port of Sohar. -ONA IMO

‘Improving work culture a shared responsibility’ ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

‘Mwasalat won’t hike bus fares’

jobs are not welcomed by Omanis, he told Times of Oman.

According to Al Jufaili, changing the work culture in Oman is not the responsibility of a particular group or organisation and everybody has a role to play in improving the situation.

It has to start ‘within the person’ and not everyone should expect to have a desk job if their skills, degree and qualifications make them suited for another type of job, he stated. Al Jufaili also believes that the community should not look down upon any job as long as it is a decent job being done within the ethical business practices.

Maritime global audit discussed MUSCAT: The readiness of mandatory audit scheme of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) with all Member States, was discussed at a coordination meeting held at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, on Monday.

Dr Rashid bin Mohammed bin Hamad Al Kiyoumi, Director General of Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, said that the IMO mandatory audit scheme aims to determine the extent of implementation and enforcement of IMO instruments in force in the Member States through the review and evaluate of compliance with the requirements of the audit. -ONA

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016 I will become one of the means of God’s mercy to human beings.That is the most important reason of choosing this (Medicine) as a career Maria Mohammed Al Bandari, young medical graduate

OMAN MUSCAT FESTIVAL — IT’S GOING TO BE BIGGER AND BETTER

Muscat Festival’s 2016 Edition will be bigger and better. Scheduled to be held from January 14 to February 13, the festival will feature a wide range of cultural, educational, business and sporting events encompassing Omani as well as world cultures. One of the prominent events featuring this year’s Festival is the global exhibition ‘1001 Inventions’, which will focus on the ancient Golden Age of Islamic civilization, which produced Arab intellectuals and scientists like Al Razi, Ibn Sina, Ibn Al Haytham and others. An Omani cultural village will display Oman’s rich and diverse heritage. In addition to a wide range of cultural activities, such as traditional Arabic poetry, Omani clothe shows and folk dances from outside the Sultanate will add to the entertainment.

Mitigating people’s pain top priority, say young doctors College organised the graduation of 116 medical, pharmacy and health science students, under the patronage of Sayyid Bader bin Hamed Al SERVING HUMANITY: The graduation ceremony was attended by Dr. Clay Marsh, vice president and executive dean of health sciences

and Dean, West Virginia University. – Talib Al Wahibi

general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: A career in medicine is a profession of humanity, students who recently graduated from the Oman Medical College, stressed.

“I will become one of the means of God’s mercy to human beings.

That is the most important reason of choosing this (Medicine) as a career,” Maria Mohammed Al

< FROM

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‘Security of country is everybody’s responsibilty’

The film ends with the phrase “The security of the nation and the well-being of society is a responsibility of all.” An ROP official told the Times of Oman that the aim of the film was to create awareness among Omanis, as well as nonnationals, that the security of the nation is not only a responsibility of the police, but of all.

Oman Medical

Busaidi, secretary

ROP FILM

Bandari told the Times of Oman on the sidelines of the graduation ceremony held on Sunday at the Inter Continental Muscat Hotel.

“As for becoming a doctor, you have to treat everyone with equality, give the same treatment to your friends and opponents, relieving the pain from the sorrows, and most importantly dedicating our lives to people,” she noted.

Speaking about the scope of the medical profession Maria said, “I would put it at the top of the list in terms of importance as it is an essential profession in any society and no society can rise without healthcare and its professions.”

“I believe that we (Oman) have a very good health system that is available free of cost to all Omani citizens and that itself is raising our rate,” she added.

The Oman Medical College organised the graduation of 116 medical, pharmacy and health science students, under the patronage of Sayyid Bader bin Hamed Al Busaidi, secretary general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The graduates comprised the 8th batch of 65 medical students, 7th batch of four health science and 47 students in BPharm.

According to Ahmed Mohammed Khalaf Al Saidi, a graduate

in pharmacy, the pharmacy profession has a promising future in Oman and it will evolve continuously. “The presence of the pharmacist in every health institution is essential and cannot be ignored,” Al Saidi said.

Dynamic field “The need for a pharmacist has become vital, and this is a dynamic field with new medical drugs being discovered every day,” Tharaya Hamed Saif Al Kharusi, another graduate in pharmacy told the Times of Oman.

The graduation ceremony was attended by Dr. Clay Marsh, vice

president and executive dean of health sciences and the Dean West Virginia University.

Also present were the His Highness Sayyid Mohammed bin Salim Bin Ali Al Said, chief of protocol department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the members of the board of directors, along with the special guests, and the parents and relatives of students.

The Oman Medical College was set up in 2001 in partnership with the West Virginia University of Medicine specifically to educate young Omanis who will serve the needs of the Sultanate.

Cooperation “The citizen is an ally in creating security and cooperating with police officers, under the banner that we are all police officers,” said the official.

The subject of smuggling was chosen by the police, because “it is the biggest problem the police face, when it comes from the sea,” he said. “One of the major problems comes not from inside, but from outside,” he stated.

Aim of film However, with the aim of creating awareness among Omanis and residents, it does not matter whether it concerns smuggling or any other crime; the official stressed the aim of the film, which is to create awareness.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

I N T E R - S C H O O L M AT H E M AT I C S QU I Z C O M P E T I T I O N

Indian School Salalah bags math quiz competition Times News Service MUSCAT: As far as the laws of Mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality, said Albert Einstein in his book, “The World of Mathematics.”

Six decades later, Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir revised that cliché of Einstein to let us realise the disparity between certainty and reality in the world of Mathematics. The school offered a moment to commemorate a substantial soul, who has remained unsung— Dr. Ramanujan.

The Mathematics Society of Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir paid tribute to the man “Who Knew

Infinity,” by organising the “Vision of Infinity”—an inter-school Mathematics quiz competition at the school’s multi-purpose hall on January 10.

Game show Besides the hosts, other Indian schools from Seeb, Sohar, Sur, Salalah, Ghubra, Muscat, Maabela and Muladha joined in the game show.

The august audience was credibly on cloud nine to receive the nine jewel schools rightly represented by their quizzical binaries.

The ensemble of the synergic scenario was embellished with an ennead of episodes–nine rich rounds of matchless math-based

interrogations: the Math Movie Quiz, Dr. Srinivasa Ramanujan Iyengar Quiz, Activity Round Alpha, Activity Round Beta, Picture Round, Activity Round Gamma, Buzzer Round and Rapid Fire. The waves of the mathematical mêlée among the participants entertained the audience too.

Quizmaster Sanjeet Das, the head of Department-Mathematics made the entire event an exemplary exploitation of technology, bolstered by the milieu of the multipurpose hall.

Indian School Salalah took away the winner’s trophy, followed by the Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir, which finished in the runnerup position.

BRAIN GAME: Besides the hosts, Indian schools from Seeb, Sohar, Sur, Salalah, Ghubra, Muscat, Maab-

ela and Muladha joined in the game show. –Photo supplied

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

REGION

The political turmoil may complicate attempts to push through sensitive reforms Tunisia’s international lenders are demanding to curb public spending and kickstart an economy hobbled by three major militant attacks last year

Aid convoy enters besieged and starving town in Syria

GROWING RIFT

More ruling party members quit in Tunisia TUNIS: Tunisia’s Ennahda became the biggest party in parliament on Monday after more lawmakers in President Beji Caid Essebsi’s party resigned over the role of his son, saying they feared a return of hereditary transfers of power.

The rift poses no immediate threat to the coalition government, which includes Ennahda, but comes at a delicate time as the North African state struggles to contain militant violence and revive economic growth.

The political turmoil may complicate attempts to push through sensitive reforms Tunisia’s international lenders are demanding to curb public spending and kickstart an economy hobbled by three major militant attacks last year.

With a new constitution and free elections, Tunisia has become a model of democratic transition since the fall of Zine Abidine Ben Ali, and has largely escaped the violent upheaval seen in other countries in the 2011 protests.

At least 10 people are said to have starved to death in the town

MADAYA (SYRIA): An aid convoy entered a besieged Syrian town on Monday where thousands are trapped and the United Nations says people are reported to have died of starvation.

Red Crescent trucks carrying food and medical supplies travelling with UN vehicles entered Madaya near the Lebanese border as part of an agreement between warring sides.

At least 10 people are said to have starved to death in the town and activists say some inhabitants have been reduced to eating leaves. Another convoy simultaneously entered two villages, Al Foua and Kefraya in the northwestern province of Idlib 300 km (200 miles) away, a UN source said. Madaya is besieged by proSyrian government forces, while the two villages in Idlib province are encircled by rebels fighting the Syrian government.

The blockade of Madaya has become a focal issue for Syrian opposition leaders, who told a UN envoy last week they would not take part in talks with the government, slated for later this month, until it and other sieges are lifted.

The United Nations said on Thursday the Syrian government had agreed to allow access to Madaya, where UN officials say there have been credible reports of people dying of starvation.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which tracks the war, puts the toll at 10, while opposition activists say it is in the dozens. Reuters could not independently confirm the reports.

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MUCH-NEEDED RELIEF: Red Crescent workers stand near their vehicles prior to inspection from rebels before heading to Al Foua and

Kefraya, in Idlib province, Syria on Monday. – Reuters

One opposition activist has said people were eating leaves and plants.

The Madaya blockade began six months ago when the Syrian army and its ally Hezbollah started a campaign to reestablish President Bashar Al Assad’s control over areas along the SyrianLebanese border.

Hezbollah has, in response to accusations it was starving people in Madaya, denied there had been any deaths in the town, and accused rebel leaders of preventing people from leaving.

The group’s Al Manar television showed footage earlier on Monday of hundreds of Madaya residents gathered outdoors waiting to receive aid.

Blockades have been a common

feature of the nearly five-yearold war that has killed 250,000 people. Government forces have besieged rebel-held areas near Damascus for several years and more recently rebel groups have blockaded loyalist areas including Al Foua and Kefraya.

The areas included in the latest agreement were all part of a local ceasefire deal agreed in September, but implementation has been halting, with some fighting around Madaya despite the truce.

Each side is looking to exert pressure on the other by restricting entry of humanitarian aid, or evacuations, in the different areas of control, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says.

Aid agencies were hoping for easier access to the area following

the ceasefire deal concluded under UN supervision.

The last aid delivery to Madaya, which took place in October, was synchronised with a similar delivery to the two villages. Aid agencies have warned of widespread starvation in Madaya, where 40,000 people are at risk.

Hezbollah has said rebels in the town had taken control of aid which they were selling to those who could buy.

The people of Madaya were being exploited in a propaganda campaign, it said. A UN commission of inquiry has said siege warfare has been used “in a ruthlessly coordinated and planned manner” in Syria, with the aim of “forcing a population, collectively, to surrender or suffer starvation”.

One siege is by the IS group, on government-held areas of the city of Deir Al Zor. A UN Security Council adopted on December 18 setting out a road map for peace talks calls on the parties to allow aid agencies unhindered access throughout Syria, particularly in besieged and hardto-reach areas.

A newly formed opposition council set up to oversee negotiations has told UN envoy Staffan de Mistura that this must happen before the talks he plans to hold on January 25.

They also told him that before negotiations, Assad’s government must halt the bombardment of civilian areas and barrel bombing, and release detainees in line with the resolution. — Reuters

Divisions But divisions have been deepening inside Essebsi’s Nidaa Tounes, a secular party formed after the 2011 revolt, since a dispute emerged last year between a faction led by the president’s son, Hafedh Caid Essebsi, and another led by Mohsen Marzouk, one of its founders. After initial resignations last week, 11 more lawmakers said they were bolting from Nidaa Tounes on Monday, bringing the total number of departures to 28. That leaves the party with 58 lawmakers in the 217-member congress, while Ennahda has 69.

Departing MPs said their fears Hafedh Caid Essebsi was seeking control of the party were reinforced on Sunday when he was appointed to its central committee as legal representative and general secretary. They have denounced what some regard as a return of the autocratic, nepotistic style of the Ben Ali era. — Reuters

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

INDIA WRITE UP

Row over Bihar government website denouncing Indira PATNA: A controversy erupted here on Monday over an article in Bihar government website denouncing Indira Gandhi, with opposition BJP and its allies seeking to drive a wedge between the ruling coalition partners Janata Dal (United) and Congress even as the write up was removed.

While JD(U) sought to play down the matter, saying the article has no relevance now and there was no point in scratching history, Congress said it would take up the issue with Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

The article on the history of Bihar had described Indira Gandhi as “autocratic” and said that during Emergency, the state’s tallest leader Jay Prakash Narayan had suffered a treatment which was “worse” than the one meted out to Mahatma Gandhi in Champaran during the freedom struggle.

As a row erupted over it, the content was now missing from the of-

ficial website but no one owned up for removing it.

Information and Publication Department Secretary Pratyaya Amrit said, “we have nothing to do with this...PRD is not in picture.”

Director, Public Relations Department, Bipin Kumar Singh said the state government’s website is updated by the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

However, the opposition BJP and its allies Lok Janshakti Party and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) utilised the issue to target the Grand Secular government of RJD, JD(U) and Congress.

LJP leader and Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan said since the content was on official website of the state government, it meant RJD President Lalu Prasad and CM Nitish Kumar were aware of it.

Noting that his party is in agreement with the content on JP, Paswan said, “we have been disciples of Jay Prakash Narayan and were

tary Shrikant Sharma said, “Earlier it was Congress Darshan and now we have the Bihar government’s website. Truth is coming out. Whatever Congress may say, these are the facts coming out.”

HITTING OUT: Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said since the

content was on official website of the state government, it meant RJD chief Lalu Prasad and CM Nitish Kumar were aware of it. - PTI

with him in the stir during Emergency”. Seeking to draw a wedge among the partners of the ruling coalition in Bihar, he pointed to the “contradictory” relationship between the partners.

“On one hand, RJD and JD(U) are running government with Congress in Bihar and on the other hand, they are also attacking Congress, an ally,” Paswan said.

In Delhi, BJP’s national secre-

‘Historical fact’ Senior party leader in Bihar Nand Kishore Yadav said the reference about Jay Prakash Narayan was a “historical fact.”

“If the Bihar government tweaks the historical fact under pressure from Congress, the BJP will strongly stage a protest,” Nand Kishore Yadav, MLA and a former leader of opposition in Bihar Assembly, said.

Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) of former chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, an ally of BJP, criticised Congress for “digesting humiliation to their tall leaders for the sake of chair.”

In a statement, HAM spokesman Danish Rizwan said, “Chulu

BJP fact finding team turned back from violence-hit Malda three-member BJP team go there was a “text book example” of Mamata’s vote bank politics, Singh, a BJP national secretary, alleged, adding the “dictatorial state government has compassion for criminals but it shows (tamancha) gun to nationalists”.

TMC immediately shot back.

“The situation in Kaliachak,Malda was tense, but never got out of hand. The police handled the issue tactfully. Thankfully, no deaths occurred, no injuries and 10 people have been arrested”, TMC chief national spokesperson Derek O’Brien said in a statement in Kolkata.

While the BJP accused Mamata Banerjee of playing ‘vote bank’ politics, West Bengal’s ruling TMC mounted a swift counteroffensive, charging the BJP with ‘whipping up communalism’ ahead of the state assembly elections

MALDA/NEW DELHI: A team of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs was on Monday denied permission to visit violence-hit Kaliachak in West Bengal’s Malda district, drawing a sharp attack from the party which accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of playing “vote bank” politics and said it will take the matter to the President.

West Bengal’s ruling TMC mounted a swift counteroffensive, charging the BJP with “whipping up communalism” ahead of the state assembly election.

A fact-finding team of BJP MPs Bhupendra Yadav, Ram Vilas Vedanti and S.S. Ahluwalia, a BJP member of Parliament from the state, was turned back by the district authorities soon after they alighted the Gaur Express at Malda Town station at 6am citing prohibitory orders.

Yadav claimed they were forced to return by Howrah-bound Shatabdi Express.

“This act of West Bengal gov-

DENIED PERMISSION: BJP lawmakers S.S. Ahluwalia, centre, Bishnu Dayal Ram, left, and Bhupender Yadav address the media on their arrival in Malda district of West Bengal on Monday to visit the violence-hit Kailachak police station. - PTI

Yechury trashes Mamata’s version as ‘lies’ HYDERABAD: Criticising West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s assertion that the recent violence in Malda was not a communal strife, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Monday said that there is not even a grain of truth in her statement.

“Will the communal forces ever say that the violence is

ernment is condemnable,” Yadav said. Ahluwalia said the team will request Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to constitute a high-power committee to go into the situation in the area.

“The purpose of the visit was

communal. RSS and BJP that stoke communal violence will always say it’s not communal.

Nor will the other side whichever is stoking.

“So, Bengal Chief Minister saying (it) is not communal violence has got not a grain of truth in it,” he said.

“The violence in Malda is clearly an attempt to polarise the voter in West Bengal, he

to console the people, to restore their confidence that something like this will not happen in future.

“Due to pressure from the state government, the district administration said that we cannot go there as Section 144 CrPC has

said and claimed that the ruling Trinamool Congress is hoping that the polarisation will benefit with the minorities moving towards TMC while BJP is hoping such polarisation will benefit it with the communal majority moving to them.

“This is a cynical game being played and this is being played at the cost of the life of innocent people,” Yechury said. - PTI

been imposed,” Ahluwalia said.

Reacting to the development, senior BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh said in Delhi that a party delegation will meet the President in this regard.

The decision to not let the

‘Criminal issue’ Dubbing Kaliachak violence as a ‘criminal issue’, he alleged, “BJP/ RSS, as is their strategy, tried to turn it into communal issue. They did this by trending hashtags on Twitter, sharing year-old photographs and posting irresponsible tweets with the help of its social media army”.

O’Brien said that the BJP was trying for the last one week to present “what I call CIN 100, Communally Insensitive Narrative, 100 days before the state goes to polls. They follow the same tactic in all election-bound states”.

Rejecting the government’s explanation for the violence that it occurred on account of some issues between the BSF and the locals in Malda district on January 3, he claimed the purpose behind it was to destroy the records allegedly related to a fake currency racket kept in a police station.

“We will meet the Home Minister to seek an appropriate enquiry and also meet the President due to the seriousness of the situation,” Singh said.

Singh posed questions to Mamata related to the incident and claimed Malda had become a major hub of fake currency racket and opium smuggling but the Trinamool Congress government was not taking any action due to its vote bank politics. - PTI

Bhar Paani me dub mare Congress walleh...Kursi ke liye apne purvajo ko aur kitna jalil karenge Congress walleh (Congress men should die in shame...how long they would humiliate their ancestors for the sake of chair).”

Janata Dal (United) spokesman Neeraj Kumar, however, sought to play down the issue.

“The state government does not have any bad intention. In the changing circumstances it does not have any relevance and there is no point scratching history now,” said Kumar.

“Correction was desirable and concerned officials would look into the issue,” he added.

Congress state President Ashok Choudhary said he would take up the matter with the Chief Minister.

Talking to reporters Choudhary recalled contributions of Late Indira Gandhi in formation of Bangladesh and her call for Garibi Hatao in the country. - PTI SEDITION CASES

Will resume quota stir after coming out of jail: Hardik

Hardik Patel

AHMEDABAD: Patel quota stir spearhead Hardik Patel, who is behind bars in two sedition cases, on Monday said he would resume the agitation after he is released from jail and not even Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel can stall the protest.

“Whenever I will come out of jail, I will engage in our movement to get reservation. Till then I will spend my time in jail,” Hardik told media persons when he was being produced before a local court in Surat on Monday.

“The agitation will continue as per our plans and no one can stop it, not even my aunt (Anandiben Patel),” said Hardik.

After he was produced before the court of Judicial Magistrate J B Rathod, his lawyer Yashwant Vala was given the copy of the charge sheet filed against him in the first sedition case on Friday last.

Since the case is triable in the sessions court, the district court has ordered to commit it in Surat sessions court where further hearing would take place on January 20. In the 370-page charge sheet, Hardik has been charged under sections 124(A) — sedition, 115 (abetment of offence) and 201 (causing disappearance of evidence) of the IPC. To substantiate their case, police have also attached conversation of Hardik Patel and others acquired through telephone interception. - PTI

CURBING POLLUTION

Court refuses to interfere with AAP government’s odd-even scheme NEW DELHI: Delhi High Court on Monday refused to interfere with AAP government’s odd-even vehicles policy to control rising air pollution in the city, observing that restrictions under the scheme were only till January 15.

The court, however, directed the government to take into consideration the contents of the petitions, which had challenged the government’s scheme, before taking any further future of action.

A bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath said, though the implementation of the scheme may have caused hardship to a section of society, “power of judicial review cannot be extended to determine correctness of such policy decision”.

“Keeping in view that restrictions under notification are only for a limited period of 15 days and it is stated that the scheme has been enforced as a pilot project to

ascertain the reduction, if any, of pollution levels, we are of the view that interference by this court is not warranted,” it said.

Policy decision The court also said in its 12-page order, “Implementation may have caused hardship to a section of the society, however, the power of judicial review cannot be extended to determine the correctness of such policy decision or to find out whether there could be more appropriate or better alternatives.”

“It’s neither within domain of the courts nor the scope of judicial review to embark upon an enquiry as to whether a particular public policy is wise or whether a better public policy can be evolved as suggested by petitioners,” the bench added.

It also observed that “law is well settled that on matters affecting policy, courts will not interfere un-

POLLUTION METER: A pollution meter at Delhi secretariat shows the level of pollution in the city, in New Delhi on Monday. - PTI

less the policy is unconstitutional or contrary to statutory provisions or arbitrary or irrational or in abuse of power.

“Since, the policy decisions are

taken based on expert knowledge of person concerned, courts are normally not equipped to question the correctness of a policy decision,” the bench said.

On January 8, the high court had reserved its order on the pleas challenging the scheme after Delhi government defended its stand on the issue saying per capita toxic gas emission had declined due to lesser number of cars on city roads.

The high court had earlier questioned the impact of the odd-even operation on pollution and asked the AAP government to consider restricting the programme, slated for a fortnight till January 15, to a week.

The court’s order came on a bunch of petitions filed by various individuals, including lawyers, who had challenged the AAP government’s December 28, 2015 notification imposing the scheme which allows private cars bearing odd registration numbers to ply on odd dates and those with even numbers on even dates.

The petitions had contended that AAP government carried out a

pick-and-choose policy against car owners, whereas 46 per cent pollution was caused by trucks.

Delhi High Court Bar Association President Rajiv Khosla, one of the petitioners, said the data submitted by the city government was not correct and the particulate matter across the capital showed a rising trend despite the scheme being in place since January 1.

Reducing congestion Defending the scheme, the government had said it aimed at reducing congestion on the capital’s roads that has further contributed towards lowering of pollution.

The AAP government had contended that particulate and nitrogen-oxide load from cars have come down during odd-even programme by as much as 40 per cent and higher share of benefits have come from reduction in the number of diesel cars. - PTI

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INDIA ILLEGAL ARMS

MILITARY EXERCISE

Indian Army soldiers fire a 155mm FH 77B Bofors gun during ‘Exercise Sarvatra Prahar’, at the School of Artillery in Devlali, in the Nasik district of western Maharashtra state, some 190km north-east of Mumbai, on Monday. Indian troops participated in the event involving fire power demonstration by artillery weapons of various calibre, ranging from mortars to Bofors guns. - AFP

Five-year jail term for 35 US ship crew TUTICORIN (Tamil Nadu): A court here on Monday sentenced to five years rigorous imprisonment to all the 35 crew members of US company-owned ship Seaman Guard Ohio which was held for illegally entering Indian territory with arms.

Judge Rajasekhar also imposed a fine of Rs3,000 each on the crew members comprising 12 Indians, three Ukranians, six British and 14 Estonian nationals.

The crew, arrested on October 18, 2013 after their ship was intercepted by Indian Coast Guard off Tuticorin port, had been granted conditional bail by the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court in March, 2014.

The crew was arrested after the Coast Guard personnel found the ship carrying arms illegally in Indian waters off Tuticorin, a charge denied by the vessel authorities.

They faced charges under the Arms Act and Essential Commodities Act, which was invoked as the ship had allegedly bought diesel from a local agent in violation of law. US firm AdvanFort International, which owns the ship, had been maintaining that the vessel was involved in anti-piracy operations and had not strayed into Indian waters. - PTI

PROBE

Pakistan submits initial findings on Pathankot attack ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday submitted to India its initial findings on alleged links to the Pathankot terror attack saying that the telephone numbers given

by India were not registered in Pakistan, a news report here said.

A Joint Investigation Team, formed following a directive of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, submitted the initial findings on the alleged links to the terrorist attack on the Indian Air Force station in Punjab’s Pathankot district earlier this month.

“According to sources close to the development, the investigation report has been handed over to Indian authorities,” The News International said.

It said Indian authorities provided Pakistan details of telephonic conversations that terrorists, believed to be Pakistanis, had had with their handlers and family members from the air base.

According to the Indian authorities, the terrorists who sneaked into Punjab and attacked the IAF base on January 2 were affiliated to outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad.

The report quoted unnamed sources as saying that the telephone numbers given by India were not registered in Pakistan.

“The investigation agencies were further investigating (leads) pertaining to Pathankot attackers,” it said.

Pakistani news reports on Friday had said that Sharif directed the Intelligence Bureau to probe the leads provided by New Delhi on the alleged links to the January 2 terror attack in Punjab. - IANS

Court allows Swamy’s plea for documents in Herald case The court had on December 19, 2015,

They (these ministries and agencies) have the documents. I do not know what all documents they have.

These documents can be summoned

granted bail to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Rahul and three others — Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes and Suman Dubey — who had appeared

Subramanian Swamy

before in pursuance

BJP leader

to the summons issued earlier

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Monday allowed the plea of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy seeking summoning of documents from the Ministries of Finance, Urban Development and Corporate Affairs, Income Tax Department and other agencies in the National Herald case.

Metropolitan Magistrate Lovleen asked Swamy to file the process fee for sending summons

to these departments, including Delhi Development Authority and the Registrar of Companies.

During the brief hearing, Swamy told the court he needed these documents, which are in the custody of these ministries, for advancing arguments in the case.

Granted bail “They (these ministries and agencies) have the documents. I do not know what all documents they have. These documents can be summoned,” Swamy told the court.

“You file the PF (process fee).

Your application is allowed,” the judge said.

The court had on December 19, 2015, granted bail to Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi and three others — Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes and Suman Dubey-- who had appeared before in pursuance to the summons issued earlier.

Sam Pitroda, another accused, was granted exemption from personal appearance for that day only on medical grounds.

The case is based on a private criminal complaint lodged by Swamy against them of cheating, conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.

During the hearing on Monday, Swamy told the court that as per the court’s order, he has supplied the copies of the complaint and the annexures attached to it to the accused, who are refusing to accept it.

“They refused to accept it and are giving a blank statement that it was incomplete. I do not know

what is incomplete. We have complied with the court’s order and we are ready to give the documents to them if they will tell me what is incomplete,” Swamy said.

To this, the court said, “You send it to their offices through post.” In his plea seeking summoning of documents, Swamy has said that they were required for the case.

Criminal conspiracy The documents which he has sought pertains to Associated Journal Ltd (AJL). Sonia, Rahul, Vora (AICC Treasurer), Fernandes (AICC General Secretary), Dubey and Pitroda were summoned under sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) read with section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC. The trial court had on June 26, 2014 asked them to appear before it on August 7, 2014 but the order was stayed on August 6, 2014 by the Delhi High Court which on December 7, last year vacated the stay by rejecting the plea to quash the complaint and the summons.

On December 15, 2014, the high court had further stayed the summons till final disposal of the petitions. Along with the Gandhis, five other accused — Suman Dubey, Moti Lal Vora, Oscar Fernandez, Sam Pitroda and Young India Ltd — had challenged the summons issued to them by trial court on Swamy’s complaint. - PTI

PAT H A N K O T T E R R O R AT TA C K

Whoever hurts India, should be given the same pain: Parrikar NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Monday asserted that any individual or organisation that hurts the country should be given the same pain but how, when and where should be India’s choice, remarks which come in the backdrop of the Pathankot terror attack.

Addressing an audience which consisted of top army brass the minister said that history tells us that until those who inflict damage on others experience the same pain, they don’t change.

“I am of the opinion, it should not be taken as a government thinking, I always believe that if anyone harms you, he understands the same language.

“How, when and where should be of your choice but if someone is harming this country, then that particular individual or organisation, I purposely used the words individual and organisation, should also receive the pain of such activities,” he said at a seminar organised by the Army here.

Asked to elaborate, Parrikar later said, “Basic principle is that until we give them pain, whoever they may be, until then, such incidents will not reduce”.

In a reference to the Pathankot attack, the minister said the country was proud of its seven soldiers who laid down their lives but he is pained by the loss.

“I don’t appreciate it. I have said that it is time we tell our soldiers that it is inevitable that we will lose some soldiers, and in this incident we lost one person in actual combat. We should tell them to think of the concept of taking life of your enemy, enemy of the country, instead of giving your life. This is an important aspect,” he said.

He said that while sacrifice is respected, what nation needs is to neutralise the enemy.

Asked if that means there is a change in policy from the previous UPA government, Parrikar retorted, “If someone comes and hammers you, you should keep quite?

Was that the policy?

TOUGH STANCE: In reference to the Pathankot attack, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the country was proud of its seven soldiers who laid down their lives but he is pained by the loss. – PTI

“What I am saying is basically that history tells you that those who damage you, if they don’t realise what pain they inflict, then they don’t change”.

Meanwhile, Punjab Police Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh was on Monday put by Na-

tional Investigation Agency to exhaustive questioning for eight hours in connection with the Pathankot terror attack, during which contradictions were apparent in his statements to the investigators. The agency is also concentrating to conclusively prove

the identity of four terrorists, whose bodies were secured from the attack site as it got a Black Notice issued from Interpol.

The international notice is issued for identification of unidentified bodies found in a country, an MHA spokesperson said.

The NIA has also sent some body parts to CFSL to ascertain whether they belong to the remaining two terrorists who were involved in the 80-hour-long gun battle with security forces which left seven personnel dead, the sources said.

Singh, who arrived at agency headquarters here, was subjected to intense questioning between 11 am and 7pm and asked to appear again for examination.

Agency sources have not ruled out subjecting him to lie detector test as questioning will continue on Tuesday when his cook Madan Gopal will also be examined by the terror investigation agency.

The sources claimed Gopal might be confronted with Singh

who is still not giving clear answers to several key questions regarding his alleged abduction by attackers of the IAF base.

The NIA has also summoned Gopal to the headquarters for questioning and if need be the two would be confronted, a Home Ministry spokesperson said.

The central agency, which took over the case immediately after terrorists struck inside the Indian Air Force base during the intervening night of January 1 and 2, had summoned Singh as he was kidnapped by terrorists during the New Year night before they entered into the air base.

Singh, who is at present a Superintendent of Police-rank officer posted as Assistant Commandant of 75th battalion of Punjab Armed Police after he was removed as SP (headquarters) Gurdaspur, had allegedly given contradictory statements about his kidnapping and sequences of events preceding and succeeding the hostage event, official sources said. - PTI

A10

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

PAKISTAN REMARKS AGAINST ARMY

SCHOOL STUDENTS UNVEIL CRICKET TROPHY

Students of Army Public School, which was attacked by Taliban militants on December 16, 2014 killing 142 people, unveil the World Twenty20 trophy during a ceremony in Peshawar, on Monday. According to the local media, The ICC World Twenty20 India 2016 trophy is on a global journey and will visit 12 countries taking part in the tournament which will be staged in India from 11 March to 3 April 2016. — Reuters

Terror court issues arrest warrants for Altaf and 20 others KARACHI: A Karachi-based antiterrorism court (ATC) on Monday issued non-bailable arrest warrants of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain and 20 others over the former’s disparaging remarks against Pakistan Army in July 2015.

The ATC issued arrest warrants for a “criminal conspiracy against the state” and ordered the authorities to arrest and produce the accused in the court on January 18, sources said.

The warrants were issued by the court after police submitted a challan of the case registered at the Shah Latif police station.

Violating loudspeaker act: Wasim Akhtar, Haider Rizvi granted interim bail in 25 cases According to Radio Pakistan, senior party leaders Waseem Akhtar, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Qamar Mansoor, Salman Mujahid are included in the list of those whose arrest warrants have been issued.

On July 12, 2015, Altaf had al-

MERGER

Pakistan Stock Exchange inaugurated KARACHI: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Monday inaugurated the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), which has been formed after the merger of the three stock exchanges of Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.

“Today is a historic day for Pakistan. It took 15 years to make the PSX dream come true.

“The KSE will now be called PSX,” Ishaq Dar said while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the PSE. Pakistan has a bright future ahead and all issues can be resolved with honesty and sincerity, Dar said. “Government’s vision is very clear on law-making. With honesty and sincerity everything can be done,” he said.

“The integration of three exchanges has completed the second phase of the Stock Exchanges Demutualisation and Integration Act 2012, passed by a joint session of parliament,” Radio Pakistan reported.

Further, the finance minister said the government has prepared a roadmap for reviving Pakistan’s economy and is working in all sectors of the economy.

“We have foreign exchange reserves for at least six months.

Around 22 international institutions have recognised the Pakistani economy as a stable macroeconomy.”

Very dangerous situation Dar said the economy was facing a very dangerous situation in 2012-13 but due to the efforts of the incumbent government the international rating of Pakistan’s economy has turned positive. “Pakistan is now attracting foreign investments and our economy is only getting better.”

Lauding the government’s efforts for restoring peace and stability in the country, the minister said his government is trying its best to counter terrorism across the country.

However, he advised that politics should not be involved in issues of national importance. — Express Tribune

Altaf Hussain

legedly issued derogatory remarks against the security agencies during his address to party workers at the party headquarters, Nine Zero.

Following the remarks, countrywide protests were held against him with a number of cases being filed and several condemning resolutions being passed at the national and provincial assemblies.

During his inflammatory speech, Altaf accused the paramilitary forces, Rangers, of behaving like a mafia in the country’s financial hub. — Express Tribune

‘Do not attach preconditions to Afghan peace process’ Senior officials from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States were meeting in the Pakistani capital to launch a process they hope will lead to negotiations with Taliban insurgents

ISLAMABAD: Delegates from Afghanistan, Pakistan, China and the United States held talks on Monday to resurrect a stalled Afghan peace process and end nearly 15 years of bloodshed, even as fighting with Taliban insurgents intensifies.

Senior officials from the four countries were meeting in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, to launch a process they hope will lead to negotiations with Taliban insurgents, who are fighting to re-impose their strict brand of extremist rule and were not expected at Monday’s talks.

The Pakistani prime minister’s foreign affairs adviser, Sartaj Aziz, opened the meeting, saying the primary goal should be to convince the Taliban to come to the table and consider giving up violence.

“It is therefore important that preconditions are not attached to the start of the negotiation process. This, we argue, will be counterproductive,” he said.

“The threat of use of military action against irreconcilables cannot precede the offer of talks to all the groups.”

Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai and Pakistani Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry were joined by Richard Olson, the USspecial representative for Af-

NEGOTIATIONS: Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz, centre left, chairs the first ever round of four-way peace talks meeting

with Afghanistan, US and Chinese delegates in Islamabad on Monday. — AFP/APP

Renewed peace efforts come amid spiralling violence in Afghanistan, with last year one of the bloodiest on record following the withdrawal of most foreign troops at the end of 2014

ghanistan and Pakistan and General Anthony Rock, the top US defence representative in Pakistan, as well as China’s special envoy on Afghanistan affairs, Deng Xijun.

In recent months the Taliban have won territory in the southern province of Helmand, briefly cap-

tured the northern city of Kunduz and launched a series of suicide bombs in the capital, underlining how hard Afghan government forces are finding it fighting on their own.

Peace efforts last year stalled after the Taliban announced that

their founder, Mullah Mohammad Omar, had been dead for two years, throwing the militant group into disarray as rival factions fought for supremacy. The Taliban, who were ousted in 2001, remain split on whether to take part in talks.

Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour’s faction has shown signs of warming to the idea of eventually joining peace talks, and other groups are considering negotiating, senior members of the movement said last week.

But a splinter group headed by Mullah Mohammad Rasool Akhund, which rejects Mansour’s authority, has dismissed any talks where a mediating role is played

by Pakistan, which observers say holds significant sway among Tali-

ban commanders holed up near its border with Afghanistan, or the United States or China.

“We have a very clear-cut stance about peace talks: all the foreign occupying forces would need to be withdrawn,” Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, Rasool’s deputy, told Reuters on Monday.

“The issue is between the Afghans and only the Afghans can resolve it.

We would not allow any third force to mediate between us.”

Officials are keen to limit expectations of a quick breakthrough at Monday’s talks.

Afghanistan has said the aim is to work out a road map for peace negotiations and a way of assessing if they remain on track. — Reuters

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ASIA US may send more strategic weapons to Korea peninsula RECOVERING

Thai king leaves hospital to visit Bangkok palace

North Korea holding US citizen, Canadian pastor

ON GUARD: A US soldier stands guard in front of Air F-16 fighter jet at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek,

South Korea, on Sunday. - Reuters

South Korean media said the US is likely to send B-2 bombers, nuclear-powered submarines and F-22 stealth fighter jets to South Korea

SEOUL: The United States and its ally South Korea were discussing on Monday sending more strategic US weapons to the Korean peninsula, a day after a US B-52 bomber flew over South Korea in response to North Korea’s nuclear test last week.

North Korea said it set off a hydrogen bomb last Wednesday, its fourth nuclear test since 2006, angering China, the North’s main ally, and the United States, which

said it doubted the device was a hydrogen bomb.

In a show of force and support for allies in the region, the United States on Sunday sent a nuclearcapable B-52 bomber based in Guam on a flight over South Korea.

North Korea’s Rodong Sinmun newspaper, the mouthpiece of the ruling Workers’ Party, said the United States was bringing the situation to the brink of war.

Discussions South Korean media said the United States may send to South Korea B-2 bombers, nuclearpowered submarines and F-22 stealth fighter jets. A South Koran defence ministry spokesman declined to give details.

“The United States and South Korea are continuously and closely having discussions on additional deployment of strategic assets,” the spokesman, Kim Min-seok, said. China called for all sides to avoid raising tension.

“Safeguarding the peace and stability of northeast Asia accords with all parties’ interests,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman

Hong Lei said in response to a question about the US B-52 flight.

“We hope all parties can maintain restraint, proceed cautiously, and avoid successively escalating tensions.”

The chairman of South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff warned that North Korea was likely to carry out further “sudden provocations”, a South Korean defence ministry official said.

The commander of the 28,500 US troops in South Korea, General Curtis Scaparrotti, urged them to be vigilant.

“I want you to maintain the highest level readiness from a long-term view as joint military exercises are coming up,” Scaparrotti told US and South Korean forces on a visit to a base, a US military official said.

Joint military exercises He was apparently referring to joint annual military exercises that usually begin in February or March and invariably provoke an angry reaction from North Korea.

On the diplomatic front, South Korea said its chief nuclear ne-

PHILIPPINES

Retail bond proposed to fund military modernisation plan MANILA: Congress on Monday asked the Philippine government to study a proposal to issue a 150 billion peso ($3.2 billion) retail bond to fund a long-term military modernization plan to secure its strategic reserves in the South China Sea. Arnel Ty, deputy minority leader at the lower house of Congress, said Congress will ask the Treasury to consider a bond issue to enable Filipinos to save and at the same time help secure the Philippines’ maritime borders against China’s rapid expansion in the South China Sea. “The bulk of the additional funds raised from the bond offering may be set aside to acquire new warships, like frigates and corvettes, for deployment to the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea),” Ty told reporters.

“We have to invest in new warships to secure the potential huge oil and gas deposits in the West Philippine Sea, which are the key to our energy independence.”

National Treasurer Roberto Tan said he had not been advised about the submission, saying “I still have to familiarise myself with the proposal”.

Last month, President Benigno Aquino vowed to leave behind a stronger and more capable mili-

The military has an ambitious 15-year modernisation plan to spend about 998 billion pesos to acquire submarines, advanced missile systems, and surveillance aircraft tary to face maritime challenges in the contested Spratly Islands when he leaves office on June 30, announcing an 83.9 billion peso five-year spending plan extending to 2017. China claims almost all the South China Sea, believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas, through which about $5 tril-

lion in ship-borne trade passes every year. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the strategic waters.

In 2012, a Chinese patrol ship harassed a survey ship hired by an Anglo-Filipino consortium exploring for oil and gas in the Philippines’ Reed Bank, an area Beijing claimed to be part of its territory.

Last year, Manila suspended oil and gas activities in the Reed Bank area. Ty said Congress has passed a revised military modernisation law, allocating 75 billion pesos for a five-year period until 2017.

Since coming to office in 2010, Aquino has spent about 50 billion pesos on military equipment.

This year, Congress appropriated 25 billion pesos to acquire two frigates, three anti-submarine helicopters, six close air support planes and munitions for the South Korean-made FA-50 light fighter planes.

The military has an ambitious 15-year modernization plan to spend about 998 billion pesos to acquire submarines, advanced missile systems, and surveillance aircraft to put the country on par with its Southeast Asian neighbours. - Reuters

STRIFE-TORN

Mortar attack on Afghan school kills three pupils, injures eight KABUL: A mortar bomb hit a secondary school in the eastern Afghan province of Khost on Monday, killing at least three pupils and wounding eight, the education ministry said in a statement.

There was no claim of responsibility for the attack, which coincided with the start of a meeting in Pakistan aimed at getting a stalled peace process with the Taliban back on track. Khost, on the border with Pakistan, has

been relatively calm in recent months but last year dozens of people were killed in two suicide bomb attacks in April and July.

Drone strike The United States conducted a drone strike in Afghanistan last week but a spokesman declined to confirm reports it had killed as many as 20 IS militants in the eastern province of Nangarhar.

Although the United States

ended major combat in Afghanistan at the end of 2014, it still maintains a force for counterterrorism operations, along with advice and assistance offered to Afghan police and troops fighting the Taliban.

Nangarhar has become a stronghold for IS fighting both Afghan government forces and the Taliban and there has been a series of drone strikes against targets in the province. - Reuters

SEOUL: A Canadian pastor serving a life sentence in North Korea for subversion said he spends eight hours a day digging holes at a labour camp, while a naturalised American citizen said he is being held by the state for spying, CNN reported from Pyongyang.

If confirmed, Kim Dong Chul, who CNN said was 60 and formerly of Fairfax, Virginia, would be the second Western citizen known to be held currently in North Korea. He was being held for spying for South Korea and asked the South or the US government to rescue him, CNN said. Hyeon Soo Lim, a South Korean-born Canadian who was the head pastor at one of Canada’s largest churches, has been held by the North since February.

Lim, who was 60 at the time of his arrest, was sentenced to hard labour for life in December for attempting

gotiator planned to meet his US and Japanese counterparts on Wednesday to discuss a response to North Korea, and the next day, he would meet China’s nuclear envoy in Beijing.

North Korea has been under UN Security Council sanctions since its first test of an atomic device. After its third test, in 2013, the Security Council took about three weeks to agree a resolution that tightened financial restrictions and cracked down on its attempts to ship and receive banned

to overthrow the North’s regime. “I wasn’t originally a labourer, so the labour was hard at first,” Lim told CNN in Korean through an interpreter. “But now I’ve gotten used to it.”

The charges against Lim lacked specifics, but Lim said it may have had to do with his open criticism of the North’s three generations of leaders. “I admit I’ve violated this government’s authority, system and order,” Lim said in the interview aired on Monday. Asked if his biggest crime was speaking badly of the North’s leaders, he said: “Yes, I think so.”

Lim, who was brought into a Pyongyang hotel for the interview, was wearing a prison uniform bearing the number “036” on his chest, works eight hours a day, six days a week digging holes in an orchard at a labour camp where he has seen no other prisoners, CNN said. - Reuters

cargo. South Korea and Japan used a military hotline for the first time after of North Korea’s test, South Korea’s defence ministry said, in a sign the North’s behaviour is pushing the two old rivals closer together.

South Korea has also resumed anti-North propaganda broadcasts through loudspeakers along the border, a tactic that the North considers insulting.

It responded with artillery fire the last time South Korea used the speakers in August. - Reuters

BANGKOK: Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej left hospital on Monday to visit his Bangkok palace, his first such outing since he was admitted last year.

His trip to the Chitralada Palace follows a Royal Household Bureau announcement on Sunday that the 88-year-old king was recovering from a blood infection and swollen lung. King Bhumibol, the world’s longest serving monarch, has been in hospital since May and has received treatment for multiple illnesses. Nervousness over his health and the succession has formed the backdrop to a decade of political crisis in Thailand, where the military took power in a coup in May 2014.

“His Majesty will go to the Chitralada Palace for a change of atmosphere and will return today,” said a palace official, who declined to be identified.

The king, who came to the throne in 1946, is widely revered and his absence during an annual audience to mark his birthday on December 5 heightened anxiety over his health. But he made a rare public appearance on December 14. He has been mostly confined to hospital since 2009, though has spent some time at a palace called Klai Kangwon, which translates as “far from worries”, in the seaside town of Hua Hin south of Bangkok.

Hundreds of people lined the streets around the hospital as the king left in a van wearing a Hawaiian-style shirt, according to a Reuters reporter at the scene. Some shouted ‘Long live the king’.

Thailand has a strict lesemajeste law which makes it a crime to defame, insult or threaten the king, queen, heir to the throne or regent.

Under the military government, prosecutions of those accused of defaming the royals have increased dramatically and sentences have become harsher.

The palace issues notices on the king’s health and keeps tight control over news about the royal family. - Reuters

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Having lived in Oman for the past 25 years, I am very impressed with the country’s achievements. It’s indeed been a privilege to stay here for so long. As Oman is culturally rich place, its state-of-the-art modernisation in the topography has made exploring the country easier and more comfortable for visiting tourists. Tourism Scan this QR code inflow has helped those who live in the to send letters to the interior regions. Like Hermann and his Readers’ Forum, wife Heike, there are millions around who containing not more than 200 words with love Oman for its hospitality in numerous full name, address spheres of life. Let Oman continue to be a and telephone place for travel enthusiasts with plenty of number, may be sent prospects, and feedback like this depicts by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, this trend throughout.

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Asia remains the wild card for global economic outlook he world economy, as a whole, is forecast to grow by 2.7 per cent in 2016, while it hasn’t managed an increase of more than 3 per cent since 2011. The world’s economy will grow, but the pace will be ‘disappointing and uneven’, the head of the International Monetary Fund says. The world economy is currently growing at its weakest pace since it began recovering in 2009, with global GDP growth for 2015 estimated at 2.5 per cent, in real terms. But measured in nominal dollar terms, global GDP will likely contract by about 5 per cent this year. This would be just the third time that the global economy has shrunk in nominal GDP terms since 1980.

The world economy will be held back by US interest rate hikes, while China’s slowdown from its torrid recent pace is wreaking havoc in commodity markets and hurting countries that rely heavily on natural resources, such as Canada. Additionally, the financial sector in many countries is still showing weaknesses, and financial risks are rising in emerging markets Additionally, expect the US economy to retain its role as the engine of global growth in 2016.

However, growth is likely to remain modest, compared with previous economic cycles, allowing the Federal Reserve to proceed on a very gradual tightening path. The Bank of England is likely to follow the Fed’s lead and initiate its tightening policy later in 2016, in contrast to Europe and Japan, where ongoing central bank stimulus is expected to support those economies’ mild recoveries. Whatever happens to the Chinese economy is, indeed, going to be the major determinant of how the global GDP number goes. Simply, as above, because the stunning growth in China over the past couple of decades has made it a significant part of the world economy. China’s slowdown will affect the BRICS, of course, because much of their growth has been from feeding raw materials into China’s booming economy.

There are potential spill over effects, with the prospect of increasing interest rates there already having contributed to higher financing costs for some borrowers, including in emerging and developing markets. A challenging political landscape looms on the horizon for the eurozone. The influence of populist parties, both from the right and the left, is gaining momentum in Europe, and their national political agendas represent a risk to

eurozone policies. The eurozone will continue to face the challenge of very low inflation, high unemployment, fiscal and public debt adjustment, and the impact from slower economic growth in key emerging economies. Looking forward, the eurozone economy is expected to maintain its pace of growth in 2017.

The economy is seen increasing by 1.7 per cent.

Looking at the economies in the eurozone, forecasters raised the 2016 economic outlook for 5 of the 19 countries in the region. Growth prospects for 12 economies were left unchanged, while Latvia and Portugal being the only economies for which forecasts were revised down.

Germany’s economic outlook is fairly stable.

Consensus Forecast panelists see GDP growth picking up slightly, from 1.6 per cent in 2015 to 1.8 per cent in 2016. For 2017, analysts expect the economy to expand at a steady pace of 1.7 per cent.

France, a weak euro and low energy prices are expected to support France’s economic recovery going forward. Focus Economics panelists predict the economy will expand 1.4 per cent in 2016, which is unchanged from last month’s forecast, while panelists expects GDP to grow 1.5 per cent in 2017. Italy’s economy is seen as accelerating in 2016 thanks to a broad-based economic recovery in the euro area. Focus Economics panelists expect the economy to expand 1.3 per cent in 2016, which is unchanged from last month’s forecast.

For 2017, the panel sees economic growth moderating to 1.2 per cent.

Economic dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa will remain the primary causes of the current soft patch, which are far from abating. Oil prices are expected to remain low in 2016, thereby putting a dent in the region’s economic growth, particularly in oil-export-driven countries. Moreover, oil-reliant economies will have to embark on a sizable fiscal adjustment to correct this year’s excessive budget deficits.

Asia remains the wild card for the global economic outlook. China, in particular, is opaque: experts don’t really know what’s happening inside that giant economy. The official growth rate of GDP is 6.9 percent, down from 7.0 in previous quarters. — Exclusive to Times of Oman

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES JANUARY 2001 Rowahi: Fisheries sector is a cornerstone of progress MUSCAT: Dr Ahmed bin Khalfan Al Rowahi, minister of agriculture and fisheries, opened the three-day international conference on fisheries, aquaculture fish-farming and environment in the north-west Indian Ocean at Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) yesterday. In his opening speech the minister said, “fisheries were a cornerstone of our food security and a springboard for economic development. They were a useful and sustainable resource if they were properly managed.”

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GOVERNMENT SCHOOLS IN THE SULTANATE 2010

2011

2012

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1908: A wireless message is sent long-distance for the first time from the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

1943: Soviet forces raise the siege of Leningrad.

1962: The United States resumes aid to the Laotian regime 2010: An earthquake in Haiti kills an estimated 316,000 people.

0 Source National Centre for Statistics and Information

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

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WORLD OBITUARY

Legendary British rock star David Bowie dies of cancer at 69 LONDON: Legendary British rock star David Bowie, who framed hits such as Ziggy Stardust with daring displays and glittering costumes, has died aged 69 after a secret battle with cancer.

A chameleon and a visionary, Bowie straddled the worlds of hedonistic rock, fashion and drama for five decades, pushing the boundaries of music and his own sanity to produce some of the most innovative songs of his generation.

“David Bowie died peacefully today surrounded by his family after a courageous 18-month battle with cancer,” read a statement on Bowie’s Facebook page dated Sunday. Bowie’s son, Duncan Jones, confirmed the death.

Mourners laid flowers and lit candles beside a memorial to Bowie in the Brixton area of south London where he was born, and tributes poured in from some of the biggest names in music, including the Rolling Stones, Madonna and rapper Kanye West.

“The Rolling Stones are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend David Bowie,” the Stones said.

“He was an extraordinary artist, and a true original.”

Spirit lives on forever Madonna said on Twitter: “Talented. Unique. Genius. Game Changer. The Man who Fell to Earth.

Your Spirit Lives on Forever!”

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ICON: A photo taken on February 22, 1997 shows British rock music

legend David Bowie performing on stage during the German TV programme in Münster, western Germany. - Photo: AFP/DPA/Ferdinand Ostrop

British Prime Minister David Cameron said he had grown up with Bowie’s music and described his death as “a huge loss”.

In a music video accompanying Bowie’s new Blackstar album, which was released on his 69th birthday last Friday, the singer was shown in a hospital bed with bandages around his eyes.

Born David Jones in south

London two years after the end of World War II, he took up the saxophone at 13 before changing his name to David Bowie to avoid confusion with the Monkees’ Davy Jones, according to Rolling Stone.

He shot to fame in Britain in 1969 with Space Oddity, whose lyrics he said were inspired by watching Stanley Kubrick’s film “2001: A Space Odyssey” while stoned.

Bowie’s hollow lyrics summed up the loneliness of the Cold War space race between the United States and the Soviet Union and coincided with the Apollo landing on the moon.

“Ground Control to Major Tom. Take your protein pills and put your helmet on ... For here am I sitting in my tin can. Far above the world. Planet Earth is blue. And there’s nothing I can do.”

But it was Bowie’s 1972 portrayal of a doomed rock envoy from space, Ziggy Stardust, that propelled him to global stardom. Bowie and Ziggy, wearing outrageous costumes, makeup and bright orange hair, took the rock world by storm.

“Ziggy played guitar, jamming good with Weird and Gilly,” according to the lyrics which Bowie sang with a red lightning bolt across his face and flamboyant jumpsuits.

Bowie had married in 1970.

The period saw Bowie sporting an array of fantastic costumes, some reportedly based on the chilling Kubrick film A Clockwork Orange.

Now one of the top transatlantic rock stars, Bowie continued to innovate, helping to produce Lou Reed’s Walk on the Wild Side, delving into America’s R&B and working with John Lennon.

“He always did what he wanted to do. And he wanted to do it his way and he wanted to do it the best way,” said Tony Visconti, the US producer who helped lift Bowie to stardom.

“He was an extraordinary man, full of love and life. He will always be with us. For now, it is appropriate to cry,” he said.

Bowie reinvented himself again in the mid-seventies, adopting a soul and funk sound, and abandoning stack heels for designer suits and flat shoes.

He scored his first US number one with Fame and created a new persona, the Thin White Duke, for his Station to Station album.

But the excesses of a hedonistic life were taking their toll. In a reference to his prodigious appetite for cocaine, he said: “”I blew my nose one day in California. “And half my brains came out. Something had to be done.”

Bowie moved from the United States to Switzerland and then to Cold War-era Berlin to recuperate,

Iran removes core of Arak heavy water nuclear plant Removing the core of the heavy water

We are hopeful that the sanctions against Iran would be lifted in the next few days

reactor to produce less plutonium is a crucial step before relief from the economic sanctions

Hassan Rouhani

agreed under the

Iranian President

nuclear deal can start

DUBAI: Iran has removed the core of its Arak heavy water nuclear reactor and filled it with cement, an informed source told the Fars news agency on Monday.

The fate of the reactor in central Iran was one of the toughest sticking points in the long nuclear negotiations that led to a agreement in July.

Removing the core of the heavy water reactor to produce less plutonium is a crucial step before relief from economic sanctions agreed under the deal can start.

energy agency, said in an interview the Iranian Etemad newspaper published on Monday that “Iran has met its commitments under the July nuclear agreement earlier than expected”.

STICKING POINT: Picture taken on August 26, 2006 shows a general view of the heavy water plant in Arak, 320 kms south of Tehran. Iran has said that the 40-megawatt, heavy-water plant is aimed at producing isotopes for cancer and other medical treatments. — AFP file photo

Under the terms of deal, Iran accepted the Arak heavy water reactor to be reconfigured so it cannot yield fissile plutonium usable in a nuclear bomb. China, United States, France, Britain,

Russia and Germany have agreed to participate in the redesign and the construction of the modernised reactor.

The removal of core of Arak reactor will be one of the final steps

MERKEL UNDER PRESSURE

German report cites rampant assaults by migrant gangs BERLIN: German Chancellor Angela Merkel faced growing pressure to harden her line on refugees on Monday as the first extensive police report on New Year’s Eve violence in Cologne documented rampant sexual assaults on women by gangs of young migrant men.

Hooligans bent on revenge Cologne police said at least 11 foreigners, including Pakistanis, Guineans and Syrians, had been injured on Sunday evening in attacks by hooligans bent on revenge for the assaults in the city.

Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere condemned those attacks and warned against a broader backlash against refugees following the events in Cologne, which have deepened scepticism towards Merkel’s policy of welcoming migrants.

Rightwingers on offensive The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party seized on the latest developments to attack the chancellor while members

of her own conservative party warned that integrating the hundreds of thousands of migrants who arrived last year would fail if the influx were not stopped immediately.

“If the influx continues as it has, then integration can’t work,” said Carsten Linnemann, a lawmaker in Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU). ”If we get another 800,000 or a million people arriving this year, then we won’t be able to do this,” he added, playing on Merkel’s optimistic “we can do this” mantra.

Criminal complaints A report from the Interior Ministry in the state of North Rhine-Wesphalia (NRW), where Cologne lies, said a total of 516 criminal complaints had been registered, 237 of which were of a sexual nature.

A separate report from the Cologne police gave graphic descriptions of the crimes, listing case after case of women surrounded by gangs of men who put their hands in the victims’

pants and skirts, grabbed them between the legs, on the buttocks and the breasts, often while stealing their wallets and cell phones.

A total of 19 suspects have been identified, all of them foreigners.

Ralf Jaeger, interior minister in NRW, spoke of “serious failures” by the police, who were significantly outnumbered but never called for reinforcements.

Political correctness He also criticised them for refusing to communicate in the days after New Year’s Eve that the vast majority of the perpetrators were people with migration backgrounds, blaming this on misguided “political correctness”.

“More than 1,000 Arab and North African men gathered on New Year’s Eve near Cologne cathedral and the main train station. Among them were many refugees that came to Germany in the past months,” Jaeger told a special parliamentary committee in NRW. — Reuters

that Iran must take for implementation of the nuclear deal, known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Behrouz Kamalvandi, the spokesperson for Iran’s atomic

Next seven days “Implementation of JCPOA will finish in the next 7 days,” he added.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech broadcast live on state television on Monday: “We are hopeful that the sanctions against Iran would be lifted in the next few days.” — Reuters

working with Brian Eno from Roxy Music to produce some of his least commercial and most ambitious music, including Low and Heroes in 1977.

‘Let’s Dance’ In 1983 Bowie changed tack again, signing a multi-million-dollar fivealbum deal with EMI. The first, Let’s Dance, returned him to chart success and almost paid off his advance.

“If you say run, I’ll run with you. If you say hide, we’ll hide.

Because my love for you. Would break my heart in two,” he sang in Let’s Dance.

He starred on Broadway in The Elephant Man at the start of the decade and appeared in an array of films including Merry Christmas, Mr Lawrence, The Snowman, and Absolute Beginners.

His love-life fascinated gossip columnists and his marriage to stunning Somali supermodel Iman in 1992 guaranteed headlines.

Bowie kept a low profile after undergoing emergency heart surgery in 2004. It was not widely known that he was fighting cancer.

“Look up here, I’m in heaven,” he sings from a hospital bed in the video accompanying his last album. “I’ve got scars that can’t be seen. I’ve got drama, can’t be stolen. Everybody knows me now.

Look up here, man, I’m in danger.

I’ve got nothing left to lose.” — Reuters S TA N D O F F

EU to raise pressure on Poland over rights, media BRUSSELS: The European Commission aims to raise pressure on Poland when it debates the new Eurosceptic government’s crackdown on the constitutional court and public broadcasters on Wednesday, a senior EU source said.

However, the European Union executive, keen to avoid accusations of “Poland-bashing”, may hold fire for now on triggering a disciplinary mechanism that could eventually lead to sanctions against Warsaw, he said.

Instead, it may seek further explanations and commitments from Poland in talks and in writing before any formal decision.

Commission spokesman Margaritis Schinas told a news briefing: “Following the recent developments in Poland, the commissioners will hold an orientation debate on the situation in Poland and the EU rule of law framework.”

“This discussion should serve as a basis to proceed with a deeper assessment of the situation in a constructive dialogue with the Polish authorities.”

Critics accuse Polish nationalist leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski of seeking to stifle judicial independence and freedom of speech and impose his Law and Justice party’s conservative views. — Reuters

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

GLOBAL EYE

OCCUPIED WEST BANK: A picture taken on Sunday at sunset shows a view of the Jordan River in Qasr Al Yahud in the Occupied West Bank. — AFP

MYANMAR: This photo taken on Sunday shows ethnic minority

Karen, attending celebrations to mark their New Year festival in Yangon., Myanmar. — AFP

JAPAN: Twenty-year-old women wearing kimonos ride a rollercoaster after attending a ‘Coming-of-Age Day’ celebration at the Toshi-

INDONESIA: This picture taken on Sunday shows Mount Sinabung

maen amusement park in Tokyo, Japan, on Monday. — AFP

spewing volcanic ash in Karo, Indonesia. — AFP

GREAT BRITAIN: A rider competes in the Elite Men’s Championship of the 2016 British Cycling National Cyclo-Cross Championships at Shrewsbury Sports Village on Sunday in Shrewsbury, Great Britain. — AFP

CHINA: Herders ride horses on snow-covered field in Zhaosu County, Yili, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China, on Sunday. — Reuters/China Daily

FRANCE: A wave crashes in the port of Cassis, near Marseille, France as stormy weather with high winds hits part of the French Mediterranean coast on Monday. — Reuters

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

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WORLD

The US government wants drug boss Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman , who is believed to be 58 years old, tried on charges ranging from money laundering to drug trafficking, kidnapping and murder.

Spain’s princess faces fraud trial Cristina, 50-year-old sister of King Felipe, appeared in court on charges of tax fraud

PALMA DE MALLAORCA (SPAIN): Spain’s Princess Cristina appeared in court on Monday on charges of tax fraud, the first member of the royal family to stand in the dock, as a lengthy investigation into her husband’s business affairs finally went to trial.

HIGH PROFILE CRIMINAL

ARRESTED AGAIN: Picture release by Mexican web site ‘Plaza de Armas’ of Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman recaptured in a hotel in the city of Los Mochis, Sinaloa state in northwest Mexico on Friday.

– AFP/Plaza de Armas/HO

Mexico begins process to extradite drug boss to US MEXICO CITY: Mexico is formally starting extradition proceedings against captured drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, the government said late on Sunday, in the strongest sign yet it intends to send him to the United States.

Guzman, the infamous boss of the Sinaloa drug cartel and the world’s most prominent drug trafficker, was arrested in northwestern Mexico on Friday after a months-long manhunt.

On Sunday, Interpol served two extradition warrants, the Mexican attorney general’s office said, kick-starting the latest attempt to have Guzman face US justice for the hundreds of tonnes of drugs he has exported across the border.

Mexico regularly extradites leading traffickers but the government of President Enrique Pena Nieto resisted handing over Guzman after his February 2014 arrest as a point of national pride.

Changed position That position changed after he escaped from a maximum security prison in July - for the second time in his career - by slipping away through a mile-long tunnel that surfaced in his cell.

Guzman has been taken back to the same facility over the weekend but, to avoid a repeat of that humiliation, Mexico’s government says it aims to hand Guzman over to US justice as soon as possible. His lawyers are trying to block extradition.

The US government wants Guzman, who is believed to be 58 years old, tried on charges ranging from money laundering to drug trafficking, kidnapping and murder. Guzman, who is blamed for thousands of deaths in Mexico and the United States from addiction and gang warfare, is facing open federal indictments in seven US jurisdictions.

Leading contenders Chicago and Brooklyn, New York are leading contenders to host what would be one of the most high profile US criminal trials in years, former US law enforcement officials said.

“It will be a fight between each jurisdiction but logic would say that Chicago is the way to go,” said former US Drug Enforcement Administration agent Robert Mazur, who spent five years undercover infiltrating the criminal hierarchy of Colombia’s drug cartels and is now president of a Florida private investigations agency. — Reuters

King Felipe’s 50-year-old sister is one of 18 people on trial after a six-year investigation into the Noos Foundation, a charity run by her husband, Inaki Urdangarin, that prosecutors say was used to embezzle millions of euros in public funds.

Details of the investigation into the royal family emerged during the economic crisis when Spain was grappling with record unemployment and austerity and tapped into popular disgust at cases of high-level corruption among bankers and politicians.

Cristina arrived with her husband at the Mallorcan court to be greeted by a barrage of TV and press cameras. Dressed simply in a grey trouser suit, she sat motion-

IN THE DOCK: Princess Cristina

in court on Monday. – Reuters

less in the court room fronted by a framed photo of King Felipe while the accusations were read out.

Her lawyers asked judges to drop the criminal charges against

her as state prosecutors had previously said there was insufficient evidence to back up the accusations. The charges were filed by the ‘Clean Hands’ anti-corruption organisation using a Spanish legal instrument known as the ‘people’s accusation’. The Spanish legal system is under pressure to get tough on corruption after a string of graft cases involving the establishment from the main political parties to bankers like former International Monetary Fund (IMF) head Rodrigo Rato. “The law must be equal for all,” said newspaper El Pais on Monday in an editorial which said the fact the probe had come to trial showed the legal system worked, albeit at a slow pace.

Urdangarin, a former Olympic

handball player, who was seated apart from his wife in the court, is accused of using his royal connections to win public contracts to put on events through the non-profit organisation. Prosecutors say some of the foundation’s money was transferred to a company largely owned by the princess and Urdangarin and used to pay for personal items ranging from parking tickets to children’s birthday parties.

Cristina is charged with two counts of being an accessory to tax fraud and, if found guilty, could face up to four years in prison for each charge - a maximum of eight years. Urdangarin is accused of nine crimes including fraud and tax evasion with a combined potential jail sentence of 19 and a half

years. Urdangarin and his partners allegedly overcharged local governments for putting on conferences about sports and business, then hid the proceeds abroad.

The couple, who have four children, deny any wrongdoing.

The other 16 people in the dock included the former regional head of the Balearic Islands government and other high-ranking officials from the islands and the Mediterranean region of Valencia.

The popularity of Spain’s royal family has revived since former king Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014 in favour of his son Felipe, who is married to a former television journalist. The new king regularly tops popularity polls of public figures. — Reuters

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

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‘Oman-India ventures in plastics offer good scope’ dustry,” Lawale stated, adding that thankfully there are no obstacles in the way of trade between India and the Sultanate.

Many Indian firms have participated in Oman Plast 2016 as part of its efforts to boost exports of Indian companies and also set up joint ventures, said an Indian official

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: There is good potential for further cooperation and establishment of joint ventures between India and Oman in the plastics industry, says an Indian official.

There are many Indians working at Omani plastics companies as skilled workers and top managers and there is good scope for establishing joint ventures between the two countries, Deepak Lawale, secretary general of the Organisation of Plastics Processors of India (OPPI), told Times of Oman.

He made the comments at Oman Plast 2016, the third inter-

national plastics, rubber, chemicals, printing and packaging industry exhibition in Oman, which was held at the Oman International Exhibition Centre in Muscat from January 5 to 7. The event showcased the latest technology and machineries used in the manufacturing of plastics, rubber, packaging and petrochemicals.

Indian participation Lawale said that OPPI decided to bring a number of Indian companies to the exhibition in Muscat as part of its efforts to help increase the exports of Indian companies and also help them set up joint ventures with Omani firms.

OIL MARKET

Deepak Lawale, Secretary general of the Organisation of Plastics Processors of India.

– ISMAIL AL FARSI/Times of Oman

About seven Indian companies participated in Oman Plast 2016 and hopefully the number will double in the next edition of the exhibition, he added. “We are helping Oman to also have very close cooperation with (different parties in) the Indian plastic in-

Make in India The secretary general of OPPI also encouraged Omani investors to make investments and set up manufacturing units in India as the country is promoting its ‘Make in India’ campaign.

“This Make in India is not only for the development of the industry in India but to make even companies from other countries big by making India the production hub for the entire world,” Lawale explained.

According to the information provided by OPPI, the driving factors behind India’s plastics industry includes growing consumption, booming middle class and significant global interest in the Indian economy.

In addition, end-use industries such as construction, packaging, automotive and agriculture are driving polymer usage growth.

Lawale also commented on the activities of OPPI, which was

established in 1984 to promote healthy growth of the plastics processing industry in India in the overall interests of the processors, consumers and society at large.

The objective of the organisation is to help develop the Indian plastics industry not only in India but also in other countries, he said. “When I say in other countries, that means we facilitate the exports of our members by taking delegations to different countries where there is scope for technology transfer, export of finished products and also for setting up joint ventures,” Lawale noted.

He further said that OPPI holds various events on different subjects in India and other places and has cooperation with various plastics associations all over the world.

Nearly, 40 per cent of the processing of the polymers in India is done by the OPP members.

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E X C H A N G E R AT E

Saudi Arabia to keep riyal’s peg to US dollar RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said it would keep the riyal’s peg to the dollar and that speculation the government may weaken the currency is unfounded.

“I would like to reiterate our official position that Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency will uphold its mandate of maintaining the peg at 3.7500 per dollar, backed up by the full range of monetary policy instruments including its foreign exchange reserves,” governor Fahad Al Mubarak said in statement on the central bank’s website.

“Of late we have observed volatility in the dollar versus riyal forward market due to the mispricing linked to market operators’ misperception about Saudi Arabia’s overall economic backdrop.”

Twelve-month forward contracts for the riyal climbed to 975 on Friday, the highest since at least December 1996, when Bloomberg began collecting the data, reflecting growing speculation the kingdom may allow its currency to slide against the dollar for the first time since 1986.

Saudi’s budget has been under pressure as oil, the main source of income, languishes at the lowest level in 12 years. - Bloomberg News

INVESTMENT

Morgan Stanley says Opportunity for investors as OMR80m crude can drop to $20 aviation leasing fund unveiled in Oman HONG KONG: A rapid appreciation of the United States dollar may send Brent oil as low as $20 a barrel, according to Morgan Stanley.

Oil is particularly leveraged to the dollar and may fall between 10 and 25 per cent if the currency gains 5 per cent, Morgan Stanley analysts including Adam Longson said in a research note dated January 11. A global glut may have pushed oil prices under $60 a barrel, but the difference between $35 and $55 is primarily the US dollar, according to the report.

“Given the continued US dollar appreciation, $20-$25 oil price scenarios are possible simply due to currency,” the analysts wrote in the report. “The US dollar and non- fundamental factors continue to drive oil prices.”

Crude tumbled last week on volatility in Chinese markets after the country sought to quell losses in equities and stabilise its currency.

A 3.2 per cent increase in the US dollar — as implied by a possible 15 per cent yuan devaluation — may drive oil down 6 to 15 perc ent, which could put crude in the high $20s, Morgan Stanley said.

If other currencies move as well, the shift by both the dollar and oil

could be even greater, according to the report. Brent crude closed at $33.55 a barrel on the Londonbased ICE Futures Europe exchange on Friday, the lowest settlement since June 2004.

Prices extended their declines Monday, losing 2.7 per cent to $32.64 in London.

Eleven-year low Crude extended its slide from an 11-year low, confirming the view of hedge funds that cut bullish price bets to the lowest since 2010.

Futures fell as much as 2.8 percent in New York after dropping more than 10 per cent last week.

Speculators’ net-long position in West Texas Intermediate fell 24 percent in the week ended on January 5, data from the US Commodity Futures Trading Commission show. Producer prices in China fell for a record 46th month and inflation remained at about half the government’s 2015 target, fueling concern of further weakness in the world’s biggest energy user.

Oil slumped last week as volatility in Chinese markets fueled a rout in global equities and US stockpiles remained about 100 million barrels. - Bloomberg News

Times News Service MUSCAT: A OMR80 million ($208 million) aviation leasing fund has been launched by Oman Brunei Asset Management (OBAM), previously known as Oman Brunei Aviation Leasing.

Oman Aircraft Leasing Fund 1 will be listed on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) with 8,000 units of OMR10,000 each.

The fund, being offered via a private placement, is a 12-year closed-end mutual fund designed for local and regional financial institutions and ultra high net worth individuals (UHNWIs) with OMR1million ($2.6 million) or more to invest.

The fund is sponsored by Oman Brunei Investment Company (OBIC), which is a cornerstone investor with a subscription of OMR7.7 million, and will be managed by OBAM who will provide fund management and lease management services.

OBIC, along with other initial investors, are subscribing for 1,540 units for OMR15.4 million, so the private placement is for 6,460 units at a price of OMR10,150 per unit.

TAKES OFF: Oman Brunei Asset Management said the launch of fund is a culmination of more than

12 months of diligent work with the stakeholders and partners, during which time it has purchased five new Boeing B737 aircraft with long-term leases to Oman Air. – File picture

Long-term leases Majid Al Toky, Oman Brunei Asset Management chairman, said, “We are delighted to offer an attractive opportunity for investors to invest in the aircraft leasing sector. The launch is a culmination of over 12 months of diligent work with our stakeholders and partners, during which time we have purchased five new Boeing B737 aircraft with long-term leases to Oman Air, the national airline of the Sultanate of Oman, which will be the first assets into the fund.”

“This is a great start as it means that the fund, which will have an aggregate buying power of up to $500 million through the combination of the fund capital and the use of limited recourse financing, will be effectively fifty percent invested soon after closing, giving investors a lot of visibility of and confidence in where the fund’s investments are being made.”

Simon McLean, OBAM’s chief executive officer, said, “We have carefully structured the fund to provide the investors with an attractive stable running dividend yield of 7.5

per cent or more secured on young and fuel efficient in-production commercial aircraft on lease to ‘toptier’ airlines globally.”

According to him, going forward, the fund will seek to diversify its asset and/or airline risk with investments in the Gulf Cooperation Region and further afield.

Oman Arab Bank-Investment Management Group is the fund’s Issue manager and sole collecting bank and OBAM and OBIC have been advised on the fund by law firm, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt &Mosle.

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MARKET BRIEFS

Global Financial says CMA rejected buy back of shares MUSCAT: Global Financial Investment on Monday said that the company has received a letter from the Capital Market Authority (VMA), in which the authority did not approve the company’s request to buy back up to 10 per cent of listed shares, the company said in a stock market filing.

Oman National Engineering bags ministry contract

China requires 750 more aircraft, says Avolon chief China needs $1 trillion worth of aircraft over the next

MUSCAT: Oman National Engineering & Investment Company has bagged a maintenance contract for operation and maintenance service at the Ministry of Health headquarters in Muscat. The value of the contract is OMR1.87 million for a period of five years, it said in a filing to the Muscat Securities Market.

20 years, says Avolon

BMW’s sales growth slows

BEIJING: China, which needs $1 trillion worth of aircraft over the next 20 years, has underordered by some 750 planes over the next decade, the chief executive officer of lessor Avolon Holdings said, suggesting more orders lie ahead for Boeing and Airbus.

“The Chinese market is driven by demographics,” Domhnal Slattery said on Monday in a Bloomberg TV interview. “Quite simply, if we look at Asia there’s 600 million to 700 million in the middle class. That’s going to grow in the next 20 years to 2.6 billion people. That’s 400 percent growth.”

China’s Bohai Leasing completed its $7.6 billion acquisition of the Avolon over the weekend, paving the way for the formation of the world’s fourth-largest air lessor by asset value.

With Boeing and Airbus projecting China to become the world’s largest air travel market over the next 20 years, planeleasing companies in China have been mentioned as parties to more than $16 billion worth of mergers and acquisitions since last year, according to figures.

Rapid growth of air travel in Asia is lifting orders for Boeing

MUNICH: Sales of BMW vehicles like the X5 sport utility vehicle and top-ofthe-line 7-Series sedan rose at the slowest pace since 2009 as deliveries in China, the world’s biggest car market, gained only slightly.

Sales of the company’s namesake brand increased 5.2 per cent to 1.9 million autos ast year, the Munichbased luxury carmaker said on Monday. Deliveries during December declined 0.7 per cent to 176,681 vehicles, and dropped by 7.1 per cent in China. Competitor Audi’s sales rose 3.6 per cent to 1.8 million cars last year, also the smallest rise since 2009.

The performance contrasts with Mercedes-Benz, which topped Audi for the first time since 2010 to become the second-biggest global luxury car brand. Mercedes’s sales surged 13 per cent to 1.87 million cars benefiting from demand for certain vehicles.

- Times News Service/Agencies

chief. Bohai Leasing completed its $7.6 billion acquisition of the Avolon

FLYING HIGH: With Boeing and Airbus projecting China to become the world’s largest air travel market over the next 20 years, plane-

leasing companies in China have been mentioned as parties to more than $16 billion worth of mergers and acquisitions. - Bloomberg News

and Airbus, with China forecast to soon surpass the United States as the world’s largest plane market. The country’s economic expansion is making air travel affordable to more people, prompting carriers such as China Southern Airlines and Air China to expand their fleets.

Fleet growth China’s total aircraft fleet will surge to 7,210 by 2034 from 2,570 last year, Boeing said in August.

The Chicago-based company forecast China will need 6,330 new planes valued at $950 billion in the next two decades.

BANKING

Recent turmoil in Chinese financial markets hasn’t led to major revisions to such forecasts.

Still, Airbus strategy chief Marwan Lahoud said on January 7 the company will closely watch China orders and deliveries.

Haikou, China-based HNA Group owns 44 per cent of Bohai, whose leasing business also includes containers, ships and infrastructure.

With the completion of the Avolon acquisition, Bohai will also combine Hong Kong Aviation Capital’s aircraft leasing business with Avolon’s, while retaining Avolon’s

management and base in Dublin, the companies said in statement on January 10. Slattery said Monday he hopes to grow the combined company’s balance sheet to $40 billion in the next five to seven years, from $22 billion now.

The company expects to see more opportunities for acquisitions in the coming year or two and hopes to become one of the top three air lessors in the world, Slattery said.

“Our core DNA is to grow organically,” he said, “but we are alive to M&A opportunities and my sense is that over the next year or two, there will be opportunities for acquisitions.”

GE Capital Aviation Services and Aercap Aviation Solutions are the world’s largest aircraft lessors by fleet size, with more than 1,000 planes each, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence and Ascend Flightglobal Consultancy.

The merged Avolon-Bohai entity would have over 410 planes.

- Bloomberg News

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CHEAP CHINESE GOODS

Rise in Swedish bank deposits STOCKHOLM: In the backto-front world of negative interest rates, Swedish banks are grappling with yet another odd development.

Deposits -- coveted as stable funding during normal economic cycles -- are growing at an uncomfortable pace for Sweden’s four biggest banks: Swedbank, Handelsbanken, SEB and Nordea. -Bloomberg News

MARKET ECONOMY STATUS: Commissioners from the bloc’s 28 members will debate for the first

time the politically sensitive issue of granting China ‘market economy status’. – Bloomberg News

EU on a tricky path towards relaxing China trade defence BRUSSELS: European Union will take the first step on Wednesday towards refashioning its trade ties with Beijing, torn over how to lower its defences to avert Chinese retaliation while protecting key industries against a damaging flood of cheap imports.

Commissioners from the bloc’s 28 members will debate for the first time the politically sensitive issue of granting China ‘market economy status’ from December, which Beijing says is its right 15 years after it joined the World Trade Organisation.

The coveted status would make it much harder for Europe to impose anti-dumping duties on Chinese goods sold at knock-down prices, changing the criteria for determining a fair price.

A study by a group of 25 European manufacturing federations estimates the European Union could lose up to 3.5 million jobs if it removes its trade defences against China.

The bloc’s final decision, taken together with EU governments and the European Parliament, will set it on a collision course either with Beijing or with its own manufacturers and with Washington, which sees no obligation to treat China’s heavily state-shaped economy as a market economy.

“My opinion is that China is not a market economy. But it is a major trade player and we have to take that into account,” said one senior EU official.

The commission must take

My opinion is that China is not a market economy. But it is a major trade player and we have to take that into account A senior EU official the initiative and all signs point to it accepting China as a market economy while seeking to keep trade defence measures for a transition period, which could appeal to sectors such as steel, chemicals or textile makers.

Existing duties This could take the form of maintaining existing duties until their natural expiry — typically five years — and potentially raising duties imposed for illegal subsidies.

Chinese officials have said they could show flexibility in allowing a transition period for particular European industries. A 2013 deal to end an EU investigation into

Chinese dumping of solar panels showed Beijing and Brussels can find agreement.

The commission’s legal experts have advised it to grant China market economy status. A report prepared with two outside economists is expected to conclude this can be done, together with certain extra measures, without harming the EU economy.

The commission has indicated no final decision should be expected before the summer, but an exchange of views with European Union governments could come as early as February 2 when European Union trade ministers meet in Amsterdam.

They seem divided, with freetraders like Britain, Nordic countries and the Netherlands likely to be in favour but with nations such as Italy, which compete with Chinese goods, and France being against granting the status.

Germany’s position could sway the decision, which diplomats say is likely to need the support of all governments and not just a qualified majority.

It is the EU’s biggest exporter to China, but there is friction as China seeks to produce the kind of sophisticated products that compete directly with Germany.

Free trade advocates say Europeans gain from cheaper Chinese imports and that companies such as Alstom or Siemens will gain easier access to China’s vast market in return. Rebuffing Beijing also risks retaliation. - Reuters

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

B3

MARKET R E A L E S TAT E

Warehouse facility for light industries ready for lease

Negative earnings growth forecast for banks in UAE

Times News Service MUSCAT: Real estate service provider Hamptons International & Partners has announced that a commercial/industrial warehouse facility in the Rusayl industrial area is available for lease.

As the sole marketing and leasing agent for the development, Hamptons International has a leasing team to assist with the marketing and lease of the property.

Spread on a plot of 11,610 square metres, the property offers 4,531 square metres of good quality warehousing and light industrial facilities on a leasehold basis. There is also office space of 450 square metres and open space within the warehouse that could be used for training purposes.

Ideally, the whole warehouse can be rented to one tenant or to multiple tenants based on requirement.

Safety system The layout of the warehouse has been designed to cater to commercial and industrial tenant requirements and allow for both business flexibility and operational efficiency. The property has an in-built fire safety system and is ready for immediate occupancy.

Benjamin Cullum, general manager, said, “With a growth spurt in the industrial and logistics sector, demand for commercial/ industrial facilities like this is on the rise. We are delighted to be appointed as leasing agents for this warehouse facility particularly as the industrial and logistics sector continues to expand. Facilities such as this warehouse allow prospective tenants to modify or sub-divide the open space to meet their specific requirements which is an asset to the tenant.” Daniel Sellu, head of agency, noted, “With improvement in local infrastructure and better road connectivity, demand for commercial and industrial facilities is steadily increasing.”

Standard & Poor’s said that in the last financial crisis, oil and real estate prices dropped, and the liquidity squeeze revealed excess leverage and weak funding structures

Times News Service MUSCAT: Negative earnings growth for banks in the United Arab Emirates in 2016 and a lacklustre performance in 2017 have been forecast in a recent report published by Standard & Poor’s.

The report is entitled ‘UAE banks: Earnings to decline in 2016 as operating conditions weaken.’

“Investors are comparing today’s tougher conditions for banks in the United Arab Emirates to those during the global financial crisis starting in 2009. However, Standard & Poor’s believes that this time is different,” said Standard & Poor’s credit analyst Timucin Engin.

According to Standard & Poor’s, it is true that during the past financial crisis, oil prices dropped as they have recently. Then, a steep decline in prices for real estate and the liquidity squeeze revealed excess leverage and weak funding structures for certain government-related entities (GREs), as well as a lack of proper underwriting practices at some UAE banks.

After an initial shock to banks that led to a visible deterioration

Y E L L O W M E TA L

FACING CRISIS: After an initial shock to banks that led to a deterioration in performance in 2009 and 2010, liquidity began to flow back

into the financial system in 2010 on the back of stronger oil prices, says Standard & Poor’s report. This picture is used only for illustrative purpose only. – Times file picture

in performance in 2009 and 2010, liquidity began to flow back into the financial system in 2010 on the back of stronger oil prices. The credit cycle turned as early as 2012, and declining credit losses made way for a recovery in bank earnings.

What is different this time is that the oil prices are now markedly lower.

Domestic sector Whereas at that time oil prices began to rebound after a few months of weakness, this time the rating agency expects them to remain low for a longer period of time.

Given the role of such a commodity in the economy of this major oil producer, domestic economic growth is slowing, ac-

companied by continued volatility on the UAE equity markets and a correction on the residential real estate market.

In addition, Standard & Poor’s believes the uncertainty about how long oil prices will remain weak will force businesses and government to adopt a conservative stance, which will weaken spending for infrastructure and private-sector investments and rein in bank lending.

“We are likely to see a gradual but longer deterioration in operating conditions for banks over the next several quarters or years,” said Engin.

It should be noted that bank regulation in the UAE and underwriting practices at UAE banks

are now stronger, and GREs are generally operating with stronger balance sheets than in the past.

Credit growth More specifically, Standard & Poor’s expects a slowdown in credit growth and continued weaker deposit growth, with a renewed but manageable deterioration in asset quality. All of these factors combined should result in negative earnings growth for the banks in 2016 and a lacklustre performance in 2017.

“However, the five banks that we rate are generally operating with strong loan loss reserves, as well as healthy capital ratios and liquidity and funding profiles, which should limit downside risks

to their ratings. Our stable outlook on these banks indicates that they are ready to face the tough period ahead,” Enginadded.

Standard & Poor’s has determined, based solely on the developments described herein, that no rating actions are currently warranted. Only a rating committee may determine a rating action and, as these developments were not viewed as material to the ratings, neither they nor this report were reviewed by a rating committee.

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ECONOMY

Moody’s cuts Malaysia rating outlook

Gold climbs amid slowing growth SINGAPORE: Gold climbed near to a two-month high on increased haven demand as further signs of slowing growth in China spurred losses in equities.

Bullion for immediate delivery advanced as much as 0.4 per cent to $1,108.65 an ounce and traded at $1,106.27 in Singapore, according to generic pricing.

The metal gained to $1,113.08 on Friday, the highest level since November 4, before ending lower after data showed United States payrolls rose more than expected in December.

The metal posted the biggest weekly gain since August last week as escalating concerns about China’s outlook, a rout in equities and increased geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and North Korea stoked investors’ aversion to risk.

Asian equities declined on Monday as muted Chinese inflation data was taken as further evidence of the slowdown in the world’s second- largest economy.

Gold holdings “Gold has had a great start to 2016, with equity-market weakness contributing to safe-haven demand,” Jordan Eliseo, chief economist at trader Australian Bullion in Sydney, said by e-mail.

“The fact it held $1,100 despite the strong payrolls print was a sign of strength. Short-covering could see this rally push higher across the next few days,” chief economist added.

United States employers added 292,000 workers in December, exceeding the highest estimate in

Gold has had a great start to 2016, with equity-market weakness contributing to safe-haven demand Jordan Eliseo

Chief economist, Australian Bullion

a Bloomberg survey and putting the gain for all of 2015 at 2.65 million, a Labour Department report showed on Friday.

The data backed the case for the Federal Reserve to continue raising interest rates this year, boosting the dollar and undermining gold’s rally.

Still, investors bought the most through bullion-backed funds in three weeks on Friday to post the first back-to-back increase since December 10, data showed.

The holdings climbed 9.1 metric tonnes to 1,475.3 tonnes on Friday after rising 8.1 tonnes the day before.Spot silver gained 0.6 per cent, while platinum fell 0.6 per cent. Palladium slumped as much as 1.9 per cent to $485.74 an ounce, near the lowest level since 2010. – Bloomberg News

KUALA LUMPUR: Moody’s Investors Service lowered its creditrating outlook for Malaysia, citing an external environment that has crimped government revenue despite Prime Minister Najib Razak’s efforts to improve the finances of the country.

The ratings company cut the outlook on the A3 sovereign rating to stable from positive, it said on Monday in a statement. The move brings its outlook into line with that of Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, with all three companies ranking Malaysia at their fourth-lowest investment grades.

Since Moody’s assigned a positive outlook in November 2013 the government has sought to improve its finances, rationalising fuel subsidies and putting in place a goods and services tax, the ratings company said. But the impact on the government’s balance sheet has been limited and will remain so, in part due to changes in the external environment, it said.

“Those environmental changes have also undermined Malaysia’s external position, with large capital outflows, a falling current account surplus, sharp exchange rate depreciation and falling reserves,” Moody’s said.

The ringgit, which was already weaker prior to the Moody’s announcement amid general risk aversion related to China, was 0.6 per cent lower at 4.4120 a dollar

RATING FALLS: The move brings its outlook in line with that of Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings, with all three companies ranking Malaysia at their fourth-lowest investment grades. – Bloomberg News

in Kuala Lumpur. The yield on the 10-year government bond was up three basis points to 4.25 per cent.

Investors flee The outlook cut from Moody’s comes about six months after Malaysia avoided a credit rating downgrade from Fitch. The ringgit slumped about 19 per cent in 2015 — falling to a 17-year low — as international investors unloaded Malay-

sian equities amid domestic political turmoil, falling oil prices and a selloff in emerging-market assets.

“It was always difficult for Moody’s to maintain the outlook at positive let alone think about an upgrade given the current environment of low commodity prices and the weak external backdrop,” said Euben Paracuelles, an economist at Nomura Holdings in Singapore. “The fact that they’ve kept it

at stable is likely in recognition of the fact that there are actual fiscal reforms that are happening.”

Najib came under pressure last year after a multimillion-dollar funding scandal surrounding him came to light and investors grew wary of risks posed by state investment company 1Malaysia Development. Both the premier and 1MDB have consistently denied any wrongdoing. – Bloomberg News

B4

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

MARKET MSM index ends lower

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 5,363.44 ...............5,337.44 ....................5,337.44 ................... 5,365.16................ -27.72 .................. -0.52 Financial Index .................................... 6,382.34 ...............6,355.91 ....................6,355.91 ...................6,385.08................ -29.17 .................. -0.46 Industrial Index .................................... 6,747.57 ...............6,729.07 ................... 6,729.07 ................... 6,737.32.................. -8.25 .................. -0.12 Services Index ....................................... 3,037.77 ...............3,027.89 ................... 3,027.89 ....................3,037.77.................. -9.88 .................. -0.33 MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 855.14 ..................852.07 ...................... 852.07 .......................855.14.................. -3.07 .................. -0.36 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 8,906,683 .................... 2,151,621 .....................453 ...............15,744,305,445 .................. 3 ......................15 ....................20 .........................38

Al Jazeera Steel, up by 3.6 per cent, was the top gainer, while Galfar Engineering was the

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 11

top loser with a fall of 4.55 per cent 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: Shares on the Muscat Securities Market reacted on weak sentiment. The MSM30 Index retreated 0.52 per cent to close at 5,337.44 points. The MSM Sharia index declined by 0.36 per cent to close at 852.07 points.

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

Up by 3.60 per cent, Al Jazeera Steel was the top gainer while Galfar Engineering was the top loser with losses of 4.55 per cent.

As many as 453 trades were executed on Monday, generating a turnover of OMR2.15 million with 8.9 million shares changing hands. Out of 38 traded securities, three advanced, 15 declined and 20 remained unchanged. Arab and GCC investors switched to net buyers to the tune o fOMR446,000 worth of shares followed by Omani investors at OMR352,000. Foreign investors, who remained net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR798,000.

Financial Index declined by 0.46 per cent to finish at 6,355.91 points. Al Sharqia Investments, up by 2.27 per cent, was the sole sector gainer. Al Madina Takaful, Al Izz Bank, BankDhofar, Bank Muscat and Al Anwar Holding declined by 3.85 per cent, 2.99 per cent, 1.43 per cent, 1.30 per cent and 1.23 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 6,729.07 points, down by 0.12 per cent. Al Jazeera Steel gained by 3.60 per cent to close at OMR0.144. Al Jazeera Steel, Galfar Engineering, Oman Fisheries, Voltamp Engineering and Oman Cement declined by 4.55 per cent, 1.96 per cent, 1.87 per cent and 1.04 per cent, respectively.

Services Index ended the session at 3,027.89 points, a loss of 0.33 per cent. National Gas, Ooredoo Oman, OIFC, Port Services and Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) declined by

2 per cent, 1.69 per cent, 1.03 per cent, 0.76 per cent and 0.64 per cent, respectively.

Saudi stocks drop Arabian stocks led a decline across most Middle Eastern markets amid reduced trading, as investors weighed the impact of plummeting oil prices.

The Tadawul All Share Index, the region’s biggest gauge, dropped 2.2 per cent, extending its retreat this month to 12 per cent. About 234 million shares were exchanged, or 9 per cent less than the 30-day average. Qatari stocks fell 1 per cent on about half the QE Index’s average volume.

Trading in Dubai also slid.

“Investors are waiting until the end of the first quarter to see the impact of low oil prices and government cutting spending on corporate profits,” said Nabil Farhat, an Abu Dhabi-based partner at Al Fajr Securities.

Equities in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council sank last week amid China’s stock-market turmoil, a drop in oil prices and escalating tension between Arab nations and Iran. With almost a third of the world’s proven oil reserves in the region, GCC governments rely on income from energy to fund spending and growth.

Brent crude, a pricing benchmark for half the world’s oil, fell a fifth day on Friday to $33.55 a barrel, the lowest since June 2004.

Al Rajhi Bank, which holds the biggest weighting on the Saudi Arabian index, led the losses with a 2.4 per cent retreat.

Almarai dropped 9 per cent, the steepest loss in more than seven years, after the company estimated costs will increase 500 million riyals following a government cut to subsidies and a resolution to suspend growth of green fodder in the kingdom. Almarai announced an increase in costs.

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

OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 576,900 ............83,319......................41 ............0.144 ........... 0.147 ...........0.144........... 0.144 ............. 0.139............ 0.005............. 3.597 ................0.144..............0.142...................0.144................... 17,985,306 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 172,762 .............15,484..................... 10 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.088........... 0.090 .............0.088 ........... 0.002............. 2.273 ................0.090..............0.089...................0.090 ...................8,100,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN .....................................4,000 ...............1,060........................1 ........... 0.265 ...........0.265 ...........0.265........... 0.265 .............0.265 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.265..............0.250...................0.265..................355,288,216........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ...................................................................... 63,531 .............27,707........................3 ........... 0.436 ...........0.438 ...........0.436........... 0.436 .............0.436 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.438..............0.438...................0.442 .................241,047,676 ........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING................1,450 ...................131........................1 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.090........... 0.090 .............0.090 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.090..............0.081...................0.090 ..................10,968,750 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ................3,000 .................. 753........................1 ............0.251 ........... 0.251 ...........0.251 ........... 0.260 .............0.260 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.251 .............. 0.251...................0.259....................5,460,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ............................................................................783 ...................150........................3 ............0.192 ........... 0.192 ...........0.191 ............0.193 ............. 0.193............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.191 ............. 0.000...................0.192..................275,031,976 ........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ............................................18,400 ............... 5,517........................3 ........... 0.298 ...........0.302 ...........0.298........... 0.300 .............0.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.302............. 0.290...................0.304 ..................18,361,282 .........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ........................................... 75 ...................150........................1 ........... 2.000...........2.000 ...........2.000 .......... 2.000 .............2.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.000 .............1.900...................2.000 ................ 190,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ......................................................... 1,000 ...................117........................1 ............0.117 ........... 0.117............ 0.117 ............0.117 ............. 0.117 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.117 ...............0.115................... 0.117 ...................36,359,498 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES .......................... 60,000 ...............5,400........................2 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.090........... 0.090 .............0.090 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.090..............0.089...................0.093....................5,295,890 ..........0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. ............ 500 ..................900........................1 ............1.800 ........... 1.800 ...........1.800............1.810 ............. 1.810............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.800.............. 1.750...................1.800................. 124,890,000 .......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ............................................ 500 .....................81........................1 ............0.161 ........... 0.161............0.161 ............0.161 ............. 0.161 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.161 ..............0.160................... 0.161 ...................46,794,814 .........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH......................................................790 ............... 1,936........................2 ........... 2.450 ...........2.450 ...........2.450........... 2.450 .............2.450 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.450..............2.450...................2.480 .................233,870,128........1.000 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................. 50,000 ...............9,600........................5 ............0.192 ........... 0.192 ...........0.192........... 0.192 .............0.192............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.192 ..............0.192...................0.195 ..................129,578,387 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................... 51,599 ...............9,959........................2 ............0.193 ........... 0.193 ...........0.193 ............0.193 ............. 0.193............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.193 .............. 0.193...................0.212..................137,880,424 ........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 287,884 .........449,299..................... 28 ............1.560 ........... 1.570 ...........1.560 ........... 1.560 ............. 1.570............-0.010 ........... -0.637 ...............1.560 ..............1.560...................1.570................1,170,000,000 ......0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION .........................10,000 ...............1,300........................1 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.130........... 0.130 ............. 0.131 ............-0.001 ........... -0.763................0.130 ..............0.126...................0.130...................12,355,200 .........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 258,666 ........... 25,350........................8 ........... 0.098 ...........0.099 ...........0.098........... 0.098 .............0.099 ...........-0.001 ............-1.010................0.098..............0.098...................0.099..................196,030,653 ........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 301,750............. 57,919......................18 ............0.194 ........... 0.194 ...........0.190........... 0.192 .............0.194 ...........-0.002 ............-1.031................0.190..............0.188...................0.190...................38,400,000.........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .................................................. 16,146 ............... 6,135........................6 ........... 0.380 ...........0.380 ...........0.380........... 0.380 .............0.384 ...........-0.004 ........... -1.042 ...............0.380..............0.378...................0.380 ..................19,950,000 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 1,287,326 ......206,694..................... 56 ............0.164 ........... 0.165 ...........0.160............0.161 ............. 0.163............-0.002 ........... -1.227 ...............0.161 .............. 0.161...................0.163...................24,162,075 .........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,649,722 .......747,491.....................80 ........... 0.460 ...........0.460 ...........0.448........... 0.454 .............0.460 ...........-0.006 ........... -1.304 ...............0.450..............0.450...................0.454................ 1,040,487,459 ......0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 105,000 ............21,735........................6 ........... 0.207 ...........0.207 ...........0.207........... 0.207 .............0.210 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.429 ...............0.207..............0.203...................0.207 .................319,758,809 ........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 202,099......... 140,788..................... 25 ........... 0.700 ........... 0.700 ...........0.692........... 0.696 .............0.708 ...........-0.012 ............-1.695................0.692..............0.692...................0.700..................453,057,184 ........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ..............................................................11,100 ...............3,263........................6 ........... 0.294 ...........0.294 ...........0.294 .......... 0.294 .............0.300 ...........-0.006 ........... -2.000 ...............0.294............. 0.290...................0.294 ..................14,700,000 .........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................... 11,947 .................. 897........................3 ........... 0.077 ........... 0.077 ...........0.075........... 0.075 .............0.078 ...........-0.003 ........... -3.846 ...............0.075..............0.076...................0.078...................13,125,000 .........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 253,021 ............15,895......................19 ........... 0.065 ...........0.065 ...........0.060........... 0.063 .............0.066 ...........-0.003 ........... -4.545 ...............0.062..............0.061...................0.062 ..................18,268,780 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 5,399,951.......1,839,030................334 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......28........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001152 ............OMAN NATIONAL ENGINE. INVT. ........................ 1,000 ..................230........................1 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.230........... 0.230 .............0.230 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.230............. 0.000...................0.230 ..................20,700,000.........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 115,000...............3,450........................5 ........... 0.030 ...........0.030 ...........0.030........... 0.030 .............0.030 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.030..............0.030...................0.032 ...................2,550,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,825,334 ...... 130,496..................... 48 ............0.071 ...........0.072 ...........0.071 ............0.071 ............. 0.071............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.072.............. 0.071...................0.072................. 106,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 606,420 ............86,725..................... 26 ............0.143 ........... 0.144 ...........0.143 ........... 0.143 .............0.143............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.143 ..............0.142...................0.143..................209,152,009........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ................................................. 15,620 ...............6,560........................4 ........... 0.420 ...........0.420 ...........0.420........... 0.420 .............0.428 ...........-0.008 ........... -1.869................0.420..............0.412...................0.420 ..................66,150,000 .........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 197,669 ...............9,884......................16 ............0.051 ........... 0.051 ...........0.050........... 0.050 ............. 0.051............-0.001 ............-1.961................0.050..............0.049...................0.050 ...................6,250,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK................................................29,936 ...............1,944........................6 ........... 0.066 ...........0.066 ...........0.064........... 0.065 .............0.067 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.985 ...............0.064..............0.064...................0.065...................65,000,000.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 2,790,979 ......239,290...................106 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 7........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ......................................... 210,214.............21,231........................2 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.101............0.100............0.101 .............0.100 ............0.001 ............. 1.000 ................0.101 .............. 0.101...................0.110 ...................32,283,910 .........0.100 OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ...................... 269,574 ............29,653........................5 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.110 ............0.110 ............. 0.110............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.110 .............. 0.110...................0.200 ..................33,302,402.........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ................... 235,965 ............22,417........................6 ........... 0.095 ........... 0.095 ...........0.095........... 0.095 .............0.095 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.095..............0.095...................0.099...................30,795,353 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 715,753 .............73,301......................13 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 3........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

-United Securities/ Bloomberg News

COMMODITY MARKET

INDIAN MARKETS

Malaysia's palm oil reserves slip Sensex sheds 109 points; rupee drops as output drops to 10-month low KUALA LUMPUR: Palm oil inventories in Malaysia retreated from a record after production in the world’s second-largest supplier slumped to a 10-month low.

Stockpiles fell in December for the first time since June to 2.63 million metric tons, 9.5 per cent lower than the record 2.91 million tonnes in November, data from the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) showed Monday. The median estimate in a survey published last week forecast inventories to fall to 2.76 million tonnes.

Output slipped 15 per cent to 1.4 million tonnes, the lowest since February, MPOB data show.

A seasonal decline in crude palm oil production in the coming months may further trim stockpiles and counter lackluster demand from buyers including top customers China and India. The drop in production may have been exacerbated by monsoon floods in parts of Malaysia last month and

crops in Southeast Asia.

“Production is quite affected, so inventories will likely come down more this quarter,” Benny Lee, market strategist at Jupiter Securities in Kuala Lumpur, said by phone. The drop in stockpiles even push prices to touch 2,600 ringgit over the next month, Lee said.

Full-year production in Malaysia grew to a record 19.96 million tonnes in 2015 from 19.67 million tonnes a year ago, MPOB website showed. the impact of dry weather in early 2015, according to CIMB Investment Bank.

El Nino-linked hot and dry weather in Malaysia in the first quarter will limit palm supplies this year and will support prices in the near term, CIMB’s regional head of plantations Ivy Ng said on Monday. Futures capped their best performance since 2010 last year as the worst El Nino in almost two decades threatened

China turmoil The result was lower than the board’s forecast of 20 million tonnes. Futures for delivery for March were trading at 2,441 ringgit ($554) a tonne by the midday break in Kuala Lumpur. They slipped 2 per cent last week, the worst week since October.

The economic slowdown in China alongside the rout in crude oil prices is helping limit demand

for palm oil, used in everything from chocolate to cosmetics and biodiesel. China, which typically restocks supplies ahead of Lunar New Year festivities due in February this year, cut back purchases in December. Its imports from Malaysia slumped 41 per cent last month, according to board data.

“We have Chinese New Year coming in a month from now, but the demand is minimum,” said Marcello Cultrera, a dealer at Oriental Pacific Futures in Kuala Lumpur. “In terms of demand, we’re not there yet.”

Malaysia’s total palm oil exports were 1.48 million tons in December, MPOB data showed, 1.1 per cent lower than a month earlier and slightly above the survey estimate of 1.41 million tons.

Imports dropped 32 per cent to 82,493 tonnes.

Shipments from top producer Indonesia likely fell to lowest level in 4 months. - Bloomberg News

MUMBAI: After a relief rally in the previous session, the BSE Sensex again slipped by 109 points on Monday to settle at a fresh 19-month low of 24,825.04 on caution ahead of the release of macroeconomic data and TCS’ earnings numbers while another sell-off in China, also hit the market mood.

The benchmark index fell for the fifth time in six days to extend the last week’s steepest loss in more than four years. “Indices opened in deep red, tracking global markets, but recovered in the second part of session on the back of recovery in Europe,” said Gaurav Jain Director Hem Securities.

Moreover, IT major TCS is also lined up to release numbers for the third quarter after the market closing on Tuesday. The BSE benchmark Sensex resumed lower at 24,787.11 and dropped further to a low of 24,598.90 before ending at 19th-month low of 24,825.04, showing a loss of 109.29 points or 0.44 per cent. It had risen by 82.50 points on Friday.

The index had settled at 24,805.83 points on June 4, 2014.

The 50-share NSE Nifty fell by 37.50 points or 0.49 per cent to close at 7,563.85.

Rupee ends lower The rupee ended lower by 18 paise to 66.81 against the United States currency on fresh dollar demand from banks and importers in view of foreign capital outflows amidst fall in equity market.

The rupee resumed sharply lower at 66.90 per dollar against last closing level of 66.63 per dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market and dropped further to 66.9250 per dollar on initial dollar demand. However, it trimmed losses on mild selling of dollars by banks and recovered to 66.70 per dollar before ending at 66.81 per dollar, still showing a loss of 18 paise or 0.27 per cent.

It moved in a range of 66.9250 and 66.70 per dollar during the day.

The dollar index was up by 0.20 per cent. - PTI

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ROUND-UP

Qatar Airways unveils Travel Festival promo Choose from dream deals including flight offers up to 35 per cent off, 2-for-1 companion fares, group and family offers and hotel and car rental discounts

DOHA: Qatar Airways has launched a first-of-its-kind Travel Festival offering travellers an exceptional choice of dream deals suited for a variety of travel needs.

The Qatar Airways Travel Festival has something for everyone, with exclusively designed packages including discounts of up to 35 per cent, companion fares for 2-for-1 tickets, family and group discounts, access to special discounts on car rental and hotel deals and much more, says a press release.

All passengers who book online via qatarairways.com/travelfestival during this seven-day period will be automatically entered into a draw to win one of the 150 prizes being given out per day. Prizes in-

clude seven million Qmiles over the seven-day period, complimentary flights, upgrades to Business Class, hotel packages, discount shopping vouchers to spend across all Qatar Duty Free boutiques, and car rental discounts. With the addition of triple Qmiles for bookings made through the Qatar Airways website, everybody is a winner in the Qatar Airways Travel Festival.

Offer period The Travel Festival will be available for sale from January 11-17 and for travel between January 19 through to December 15. Offers are applicable on Economy and Business class return airfares to more than 150 destinations including

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Europe, the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Asia Pacific, Africa, and the Americas. Passengers may book online at qatarairways. com/travelfestival, by visiting any Qatar Airways’ sales office or through appointed travel partners.

Dr Hugh Dunleavy, Chief Commercial Officer, Qatar Airways, said: “The Qatar Airways Travel Festival is an amazing opportunity for travellers to choose the best deal for themselves among a variety of exclusively designed packages. At Qatar Airways, we aim to inspire travellers to go beyond the ordinary. We offer our customers a chance to go anywhere they dream and to do it with the world’s best airline.”

MYHASSAD

ahlibank picks daily winners MUSCAT: ahlibank announced the names of the MyHassad daily prize draw winners.

Sami Ahmed Abdul Nabi Macki from Al Khuwair branch, Mohammed Rashid Hamdan Al Rasheedi from Barka branch, Abdulla Said Mohammed Al Zeidi from Ibri branch and Said Hamed Mohammed Al Zadjali from Main branch were the lucky winners of OMR1,000 each for the week, says a press release.

MyHassad savings account continues to successfully satisfy the existing customers and attract new ones.

MyHassad Saving Scheme was introduced in July 2008 as an extension of the bank’s tradition of product innovation. Opening MyHassad Saving account is simple and easy.

Customers need only to open their MyHassad account with

OMR100 for their chance to win OMR1,000 in the next working day’s draw hence their chance to “open today and win tomorrow” continues.

Customers are also allowed to participate in the OMR10,000 monthly draw, by maintaining a minimum OMR250 during the month. Customers can also transfer their salaries to MyHassad saving account and will be eligible to enter in the daily, monthly draw as per the balance maintained.

This highlights the commitment of the bank to its long-term MyHassad account holders.

As one of the leading banks in the Sultanate of Oman, ahlibank pledges to provide innovative, efficient and secure products and services to give their valued customers a convenient banking experience.

S A F E T Y PA R A M E T E R

Geely Emgrand GT achieves 5-star rating in C-NCAP Crash Test MUSCAT: Geely Emgrand GT, Geely’s new flagship sedan that is now available in the Sultanate of Oman at Towell Auto Centre (TAC), has achieved a breakthrough in its safety parameter.

This #SuperSedan has accomplished a maximum of five stars in the China New Car Assessment Programme (C-NCAP) crash test in late December 2015. The Emgrand GT sedan scored 55.8 points, the highest score in Geely’s portfolio of five-star vehicles. The test results indeed mark a new milestone in Geely Auto’s safety technologies, recognising excellence in quality and safety, says a press release.

C-NCAP is run by China Automotive Technology and Research Centre and is China’s official car safety assessment programme.

The tests carried out on the Emgrand GT were based on CNCAP’s 2015 Management Regulations, involving three types of crash and whiplash tests. In the 100% front impact and 40% offset collision, the Emgrand GT sedan achieved scores of 15.04 and

16.05 respectively, out of a total of 18 points. In the side crash test, the Emgrand GT achieved a perfect score of 18 points. In the whiplash test, the Emgrand GT passed with 3.69 points out of a full potential score of 4 points. In ad-

dition, this #SuperSedan gained three bonus points for its seat belt reminder system, side-impact airbags and curtains, as well as the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system which improves a vehicle’s stability by detecting

and reducing loss of traction.

A senior spokesperson of TAC comments: “After winning the title of China’s 2016 Car of the Year, five stars rating in C-NCAP is truly remarkable. Geely now has a long list of vehicles that meet C-

NCAP’s five star standards. Available in Oman with 2.4L engine, the Emgrand GT has innovative safety features, outstanding technology, design and quality. It meets Geely Total Safety Management System (GTSM) requirements and puts safety at the forefront with regards to both passive and active safety systems. This gives the driver and the passengers complete peace of mind at all times.”

On the passive safety front, the Emgrand GT is built with a submarine cage type energy-absorbing body. High-strength steel applying hot forming technology accounts for 58 per cent of the total materials used in the whole car. The Emgrand GT is fitted with an array of crash protection airbags and force limited seatbelts to minimize the impact of a collision on both passengers and the driver.

On the active safety front, the Emgrand GT is fully equipped with an urban pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning system, blind spot information system and autopark assist to provide a 360 degree

safety protection system. Partnerships with global leading suppliers have strengthened safety features with the passive safety technology supplied by Autoliv in Sweden and the active safety technology provided by Bosch in Germany.

Indeed Geely’s acquisition of the Swedish Volvo, Australian DSI transmission and Manganese Bronze Holdings has helped the company make refined cars for everyone. From the design concept to the manufacturing, all Geely models have been developed in accordance with European standards.

By bringing the Geely range to the Sultanate, TAC has reinforced its commitment to provide highquality products and services to its customers in Oman. Moreover, TAC is offering first three years 24-hour AAA roadside assistance for added assurance and three years/100,000km warranty on purchase of Geely cars.

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.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

VA L U E F O R M O N E Y

New Firestone FS-598 — ideal omanoil extends support to truck tyres for high performance Association for Elderly Friends MUSCAT: Firestone’s FS-598 tyre for trucks is a premium all positions tyre for extra load.

The tyres feature excellent manoeuvrability, high resistance against irregular wear, robust casting for longer tyre life and better retread ability which reduces the tyre cost per kilometre over its entire lifecycle.

The tyres are designed to offer great value for money, good trouble-free performance and a long service life, says a press release.

FS-598 tyres extend tread life and have different tread designs suiting to different operating conditions. Built tough to resist wear, and impressive tread life, FS-598 tires are designed for heavy workloads, so your vehicle can work smarter, not harder. Durable and reliable, Firestone FS-598 tyres are what your truck needs.

For trucks operating under severe off-road conditions, FS-598 tyres are most suitable for the steer axle and the available sizes are 1200 R24 and 325/95 R24. More patterns of Firestone Truck Radial tyres are UT3000, SAT 3000, FSR4000, FD600, HP3000, T559, TSP3000, TMP3000, SS2000 and available sizes are 900R20, 1000R20, 1100 R20,11R22.5, 12R22.5, 315/80R22.5, 385/65 R22.5, 445/65R22.5,1200

The tyres feature excellent manoeuvrability, high resistance against irregular wear, robust casting for longer tyre life and better retread ability which reduces the tyre cost per kilometre over its entire lifecycle R20, 1200 R24 and 1400R20. All tyres are tested and proven under severe operating conditions. In

Oman the Firestone tyres range includes light truck and van, passenger car, and sports utility vehicle and trucks and bus tyres.

Firestone has been a tyre industry leader since 1900, providing high quality, performance tires for all vehicles. Firestone is credited with making numerous advances in tyre and rubber technology, including the first non-skid tread synthetic latex, and the first American produced steel belted radial.

Al Hashar has represented Firestone in Oman for several decades with a distinction. Firestone is one of the most strategic business partners for Al Hashar and the group spares no efforts to increase the brand’s presence and preference amongst Omani and Expat customers. Firestone tyres continue to be a preferred choice in Oman thanks to the wide range, superior performance and the wide network of Al Hashar.

Ensure your tyres work as hard as you do with Firestone truck tyres. Built tough to resist wear, and impressive tread life, FS598 tyres are designed for heavy workloads, so your vehicle can work smarter, not harder both on and off-road. Durable and reliable, Firestone FS598 tyres are what your truck needs.

MUSCAT: Oman Oil Marketing Company (omanoil), in keeping with its promise to care for communities, donated OMR15,000 to the South Al Batinah branch of the Omani Association for Elderly Friends.

The funds have enabled the association to immediately address the needs of its long list of aftercare senior citizen patients by providing them with the necessary health services to live easy and more fulfilling lives, says a press release.

Eng. Faisal Al Shanfari, general manager of Human Resources, Corporate Affairs, Procurement and Health, Safety, Security and Environment, Oman Oil Marketing Company, said, “At omanoil, our aim has always been to support people throughout the Sultanate and provide them with assistance they need. Since its formation in 2011, the Omani Association for Elderly Friends has successfully brought the needs of our senior citizens to the forefront however theirs is no easy feat and they require support to continue their invaluable work.

The support we provided will assist 120 seniors with all the medical services they need.” omanoil aims to instil a cul-

At omanoil, our aim has always been to support people throughout the Sultanate. The support we provided will assist 120 seniors with all the medical services they need Eng. Faisal Al Shanfari General manager of Human Resources, Corporate Affairs

ture of social responsibility that goes beyond the company walls.

To date, the company has run far-reaching social initiatives, including road safety programmes,

environmental protection and awareness campaigns, blood donation drives, and fuel station safety schemes, all with a view to enhancing the quality of life.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

ROUND-UP Toyota Prius makes big impact in hybrid racing

NEW CONNECTIVITY APP

Renault-Nissan to launch 10 vehicles with autonomous drive technology

Racing not only proves how sophisticated hybrid technology is, but it also represents the fast lane towards developing ever-better hybrid technology

MUSCAT: Many people think of the Prius as a quiet, fuel-friendly, family and youth-oriented vehicle.

However, the Prius has made quite an impact even in hybrid racing — which represents a new type of racing. Racing not only proves how sophisticated hybrid technology is, but it also represents the fast lane towards developing everbetter hybrid technology, says a press release.

The first-generation Prius was released in 1997, utilising the first Toyota Hybrid System (THS) to offer dramatic improvements in fuel efficiency.

In 2003, Toyota released the next big evolution to the hybrid system with the THS II, equipped in the second-generation Prius. Its notable to mention that even this early in the vehicle’s development Toyota had been planning a high performance Prius for hybrid racing.This led to the development of the Landspeed Prius, which set a record

speed for hybrids at the Bonneville National Speed Week with an impressive 210.5 Kmph speed.

In 2007, Toyota entered into the Tokachi 24-hour race using a Toyota Supra with a specialised hybrid racing system and achieved a splendid overall victory!

After this achievement, Toyota engineers set their eyes on an ambitious new target: winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Tucked away behind closed doors, they worked feverishly to develop a brand new, dedicated hybrid race-car that would eventually be known as the TS030. The TS030 and its successor were about to change the course of modern-day motorsports forever.

Toyota entered the Le Mans race in 2012 with the TS030 Hybrid equipped with the new THSR (Toyota Hybrid System-Racing).

In the qualifying stage, the TS030 achieved an impressive speed of 335.2 kmph, the fastest speed of

any competitor.

But that was only the beginning.

In 2014, Toyota debuted the allnew TS040 Hybrid race-car, and at that time, it was considered a rank outsider. The vehicle delivered around 1000 horsepower and could attain a top speed of 340 kmph on the straightaway. The TS040 went on to help Toyota Racing win the 2014 drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles to mark a successful conclusion to the FIA WEC season. The win was a clear demonstration of the capabilities of a hybrid race-car and its high performance prowess in a challenging racing environment. It also endorsed Toyota’s global leadership and progress in developing advanced hybrid technology.

A hybrid system generates electricity to recharge the batteries during deceleration by converting kinetic energy into electrical energy for storage. Racing cars have to brake violently and repeatedly

throughout the race, so a lot of effort must be spent ensuring that a large amount of energy can be generated over a short time. When this technology is fed back into production cars, it allows for the development of extremely efficient hybrid cars that can regenerate electricity at any speed range.

Toyota’s philosophy of utilising motorsports as a tool to make ever-better road cars has been embraced by the WEC programme, with hybrid technology transfer from the race track benefiting road car development since the beginning of the project in 2012.

A powerful hybrid system from Toyota is thus quietly changing the face of modern motorsports and perceptions about the capabilities of hybrid racing cars. Racing not only brings out the best in our engineers, but also spurs technological innovation. The next-generation Prius is a result of these dedicated efforts.

REDEFINING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

BankDhofar implements new system to automate core processes in all branches MUSCAT: In line with its efforts to provide the best customer experience in the banking industry by offering instant services and convenient financial solutions, BankDhofar has successfully implemented a new system to automate all of its core processes across the bank branches nationwide, says a press release.

Dr Tariq Taha, assistant general manager and chief information officer at BankDhofar, said: “Following our ‘best customer experience’ approach, we have streamlined all key processes across all BankDhofar branches. This endeavour aims to offer hassle-free, faster service delivery to BankDhofar customers across Oman.”

To achieve a paperless environment, the bank has digitised all paperwork in a centralised repository using Newgen’s Business Process Management (BPM) suit,

Enterprise Content Management (ECM) suite, OmniFlow, OmniDocs and OmniScan suits. The robust project includes automation of processes such as loan approval, credit disbursal and account opening, digitised management of documents, automation, digitisation and consolidation of data - all onto a unified interface. The system also allows an easy index based document retrieval through a secure right-defined access.

“Adoption of this remarkable technology has helped us overcome challenges in the workflow and document management, redefining engagement with our customers with faster response times and service differentiation.

It also resulted in real-time process monitoring, improved efficiencies, reduced costs and faster turn-around times,” added Dr Tariq Taha.

Earlier this year BankDhofar and its technology partner Newgen won the award for ‘Best Branch Automation Project in the Middle East for the year 2015’ at The Asian Banker’s 2nd Annual Middle East and Africa Awards.

The project automated previously manual processes, reducing processing time of personal loans to three days and housing loans to five days with the system automatically checking customers eligibility based on parameters entered into the system. The project also undertakes risk mitigation and compliance issues, enhancing visibility and control of the process.

Aspiring to be the best bank in the Sultanate of Oman and the wider Gulf area, BankDhofar works constantly to cater for customers’ needs and requirements, setting the standards for the best customer experience.

DUBAI: The Renault-Nissan Alliance will launch more than 10 vehicles with autonomous drive technology in the next four years.

The global car group confirmed that it will launch a range of vehicles with autonomous capabilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and China through 2020.

The technology will be installed on mainstream, mass-market cars at affordable prices, says a press release.

In addition, Renault-Nissan will launch a suite of new connectivity applications that will make it easier for people to stay connected to work, entertainment and social networks.

“Renault-Nissan Alliance is deeply committed to the twin goals of ‘zero emissions and zero fatalities’,” Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO at Renault-Nissan Alliance said at the RenaultNissan Silicon Valley Research Center. “That’s why we are developing autonomous driving and connectivity for massmarket, mainstream vehicles on three continents.”

Zero emission, fatalities Renault-Nissan is already the industry’s zero-emission leader by far. The Alliance has sold nearly 300,000 all-electric vehicles since the first Nissan LEAF was sold in the San Francisco Bay Area in December 2010.

Safety and efficiency of vehicles across the Renault-Nissan Alliance have increased dramatically. For instance, fatal and serious injuries in Nissan vehicles in Japan decreased 61 percent in 20 years; fatal and serious injuries in Renault vehicles in France decreased 80 percent in 15 years.

Autonomous drive will further reduce driver error, which is responsible for up to 90 percent of all fatalities.

2016 will mark the debut of vehicles with ‘single-lane control’, a feature that allows cars to drive autonomously and safely on highways, including in heavy, stop-and-go traffic. In 2018, Renault-Nissan will launch vehicles with ‘multiple-lane control’, which can autonomously negotiate hazards and change lanes during highway driving.

And 2020 will see the launch of ‘intersection autonomy’, which can navigate city intersections and heavy urban traffic without driver intervention.

Later this year the Alliance will launch a new automotive app for mobile devices, which allows remote interaction with your car.

Next year, it will launch the first ‘Alliance Multimedia System’, providing new multimedia and navigation features, as well as improved smartphone integration and wireless map updates. In 2018, the Alliance Connectivity and Internet of Things platform will support the new Virtual Per-

Renault-Nissan Alliance is deeply committed to the twin goals of ‘zero emissions and zero fatalities Carlos Ghosn

Chairman and CEO at Renault-Nissan Alliance

sonal Assistant feature for individual and business customers.

All of the Alliance’s autonomous drive technology will be available at the option of the driver.

Convergence for the win In 2014, Renault-Nissan “converged” both companies’ engineering organisations. Engineers at Renault and Nissan work together as one team to reduce duplication in the development of next-generation technologies.

The technology Renault and Nissan engineers develop together is then available for each company and all brands to use where it makes sense for consumers.

In other words, Renault-Nissan engineers have developed a ‘technology tool kit’, including hardware and software applications. Product teams from Renault, Nissan, Infiniti and other Alliance brands may select those applications for their models, where appropriate.

By partnering on advanced research and development, Renault and Nissan are able to work more efficiently, with less cost, and thereby deliver higher value vehicles to their customers.

Renault-Nissan has a research and development budget of about $5 billion. The world’s fourth largest car group, which sells one in 10 cars globally, has research centres in Atsugi, Japan; Guyancourt, France; Farmington Hills, Mich.; and Sunnyvale, Calif. Renault-Nissan also has large engineering centers in India, Brazil, Romania, Turkey and China, among others.

The Alliance also announced the hiring of technology executive Ogi Redzic to lead the global car group’s connected car initiative as Alliance senior vice president, Connected Vehicles and Mobility Services.

Redzic joins Renault-Nissan after positions at Nokia, NAVTEQ, Motorola, and at wireless communication startup cyber PIXIE.

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Bank Muscat mbanking app evokes good response With the introduction of the new mBanking app, the old app has ceased to function and all mobile banking customers are required to update the mobile app available on the IOS, Android and Blackberry stores

MUSCAT: The upgraded featurerich mobile banking application launched by Bank Muscat with unique new services to do more banking from anywhere, anytime has evoked good response.

In line with the ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and focus on innovation to provide a distinct banking experience, the new easy-to-use mBanking services include real time bill payment and presentment facility for Oman Mobile, Ooredoo, OIFC; fund transfers across the world via the bank’s SWIFT network; speed transfer to India, the Philippines and Sri Lanka; mutual fund purchases; instant credit card bill payments; Zakat calculator and charity payments, says a press release.

The international fund transfer facility has a maximum daily limit of OMR2,500. The limit of speed transfer to India is OMR2,500 a day and to the Philippines and Sri Lanka, the maximum daily limit is OMR300. The transaction limit for mutual fund purchases through Bank Muscat Asset Management is OMR5,000 a day. Customers can make Zakat payment up to a

maximum of OMR2,500 a day and for charity payment, the maximum daily limit is OMR500. For each of these services, mBanking customers are allowed up to five transactions a day.

The mBanking transaction limit for transfer of funds to other banks within Oman is OMR2,500 a day.

The limit for transfer of funds within own accounts is OMR7,500 a day. The transaction limit for transfer of funds within Bank Muscat accounts is OMR5,000 a day while utility bill payments limit is OMR2,500 a day.

With the introduction of the new mBanking app, the old app has ceased to function and all mobile banking customers are required to update the mobile app available on the IOS, Android and Blackberry stores. Already a majority of the customers have updated the mBanking app to the latest version.

The existing user names and passwords remain valid and all data relating to beneficiaries registered for payment transactions, including utility bill payment, will be available.

Additionally, data relating to payment beneficiaries registered on internet banking and branches will also be automatically reflected in the new mBanking app.

Winner of the coveted His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Award for the Best Public eService, Bank Muscat’s mBanking is Oman’s preferred mobile banking service with more than 350,000 registered customers.

Instant bill payments and topups for Omantel, Ooredoo and OIFC is an attraction of the new mBanking service. Customers can check their outstanding bills and make real time payments for these billers. Customers also have the option to set up standing instructions for future dated and recurring transactions on mobile banking for most of the key services like funds transfer and remittances. mBanking registration is accepted for both local and international mobile number. The app with a completely new look and feel offers push notifications facility that informs customers of the latest offers.

A host of new non-financial

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mBanking services include loan statements, loan calculator, request of statement through email, request for changing email and mobile number, customer profile views and push notifications.

In keeping with the bank’s focus to provide world class banking products and services, especially electronic services which spell convenience to customers, the new mBanking service complements the government’s efforts in creating a digital society. Bank Muscat enjoys an edge in hi-tech products and services and the new mBanking services further fulfil the banking requirements of a young, tech-savvy generation.

The ‘anytime, anywhere’ mBanking has made banking truly mobile for the largest banking family in Oman who can bank 24/7 ‘anytime, anywhere’. Notably, the mBanking application works on most of the mobile phones and is customised for iPhones, Blackberry and Android phones with simple icons and menus. The mBanking application is available in both English and Arabic.

Robust security features have been built into the ‘trusted’ mBanking application. Data exchange from this application is encrypted based on best industry standards and dual factor authentication.

Driven by the latest technological features and offering a wide range of options, mBanking presents a unique facility from Bank Muscat that lets customers bank at convenience from ‘anywhere, anytime’. For people constantly on the move, mBanking service is a boon.

S W I TZ E R L A N D O P E R AT I O N

Emirates adds second daily service to Geneva DUBAI: Emirates announced the expansion of its operation in Switzerland with the addition of a second daily service to Geneva effective June 1.

The second daily flight will double capacity on the route and represents an overall increase of 26 per cent for Emirates in Switzerland, says a press release.

The new flight will be operated by a state-of-the-art Boeing 777300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration, with eight Private Suites in First Class, 42 lie flat seats in Business Class, and 310 spacious seats in Economy Class.

“With natural landmarks like Lake Geneva, the Alps and Jura mountains, Geneva is an attractive destination. It also hosts the highest number of international organisations, like Europe’s United Nations and the Red Cross, making it a global hub for diplomacy and banking.

“Demand is strong year-round, with high traffic from Thailand, Australia, Hong Kong and the Indian Ocean, with travellers visiting the city for business and pleasure,” commented Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe and Russia.

“Aside from more convenience for the growing number of Swiss travellers visiting Dubai, the additional frequency from Geneva will allow us to meet high demand and offer better connectivity for those travelling to countries like Africa, Indian Ocean islands, Bali and Thailand via our ultra-modern hub,” added Aucoc.

Emirates flight EK83 will depart Dubai International Airport at 14:55hrs and arrive in Geneva

The second daily flight will double capacity on the route and represents an overall increase of 26 per cent for Emirates in Switzerland at 19:50hrs. The outbound flight EK84 will depart Geneva at 21:45hrs and arrive in Dubai at 06:10hrs the following day.

With an additional cargo capacity of almost 20 tonnes per day in each direction, Emirates SkyCargo will offer better access for Swiss companies to economies around the world.

Exports from Geneva include pharmaceutical products, automobile spare parts, chemicals and semi-conductors. The presence of international organisations like the Red Cross also generates high humanitarian cargo traffic on the route.

Customers on Emirates’ flights enjoy the famed hospitality of its multi-national Cabin Crew, including Swiss, as well as gourmet cuisine and Emirates’ awardwinning ice entertainment system. With more than 2000 channels of on-demand entertainment, from movies, television programmes, games, audio books, and music from around the world, ice has been named the world’s best inflight entertainment system by Skytrax for 11 consecutive years.

N E W I N I T I AT I V E

Apollo Hospital unveils spine services helpline MUSCAT: In a first of its kind initiative, Apollo Hospital Muscat in association with Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, launched spine services helpline and unveiled the advanced spine care services.

Dr Sajan K. Hegde, chief spine surgeon of Apollo Hospitals launched the spine services helpline along with V. T. Saileswaran, managing director of Apollo Muscat, says a press release.

The launch was followed by the seminar on recent advances on spine care by Dr Sajan.

Dr Sajan is the first Indian to receive the prestigious Cortel fellowship from France on spine surgery and has pioneered various spinal procedures including first artificial disc replacement, first usage of shape memory alloy in India and first ever use of renaissance spine surgery robotic guidance system for complex spinal deformities.

Speaking to the media, Dr Sajan said he was delighted to be in the Sultanate of Oman and that he looked forward to introducing his services in the Sultanate in association with Apollo Hospital, Muscat. He also shared his experience

of handling complex spinal injury and deformity cases from Oman and detailed on the advances including renaissance robotic system for complex spine surgeries.

Speaking on the occasion,

Saileswaran stated: “Modern healthcare is all about collaboration and providing a seamless delivery of care to every patient. Dr Sajan’s presence and guidance with our in-house specialist joint and spine

surgeon’s team of Dr Raghavan Sivaram and Dr Ranjith Nair will help us achieve the same.”

He further added the spine care helpline in association with Apollo Hospitals in India is aimed at giv-

ing all required guidance for patients suffering from spinal cord injuries and other spinal issues.

Speaking about the recent developments at Apollo Muscat, he said that the newly revamped

Apollo Muscat is now upgraded as per the latest standards and guidelines in-line with the Ministry of Health to a hospital status and this comes in with added clinical bandwidth in areas like spine services, orthopaedics, reproductive medicine, advanced minimally invasive surgeries etc.

He further added that Apollo Muscat also provides assistance to individuals and patients travelling to any of the Apollo Hospitals Group facility in India through services viz.

Opinion from an expert, facilitating feedback and travel/ visa arrangements for the patients and follow-up care at Muscat through the large panel of visiting consultants reaching Muscat Apollo each month.

The Apollo Hospitals India delegation had Jithu Jose, group general manager, Middle East & South East Asia and Apollo Muscat was represented by Abhilash Pillai, Chief Operating Officer.

The seminar was attended by over 100 doctors and representatives of various insurance companies and corporates.

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SPECIALIST

Kims appoints new neurologist MUSCAT: Kims Oman Hospital welcomed Dr Hamsa Ziad Baravi, Specialist Neurologist as an expert at its neurology department.

Dr Hamsa has earned her Master’s degree in Neurology from Ministry of Health in DamascusSyria, and gained rich experience from many esteemed health care institutes, says a press release.

Neurology department at Kims

Oman Hospital features various services and treatment provided by the expert medical staff, it offers management of neurological disorders, treatment of infectious diseases of the peripheral nervous system, in addition to treatment for brain tumours and spinal column. Moreover, it is specialised in the treatment of mental status changes, as well as cognitive and

behavioural syndrome. Additionally, managing and treating spine diseases including slipped disc, spine trauma and spine tumours.

“We are very delighted to welcome Dr Hamsa Ziad Baravi in Kims Oman Hospital’s family. I am confident she will be a positive contribution to our dedicated medical staff,” said Dr Hussam Akoum, chief operating officer at KOH.

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Muriya rebrands ‘Salalah Beach’ Reinforcing Dhofar’s authentic charm, the new name ‘Souly Bay’ is inspired by a ravine in the destination named ‘Khor Soly’

SALALAH: Muriya announced rebranding its flagship destination, ‘Salalah Beach’ to ‘Souly Bay’, as part of its efforts to fully harness the destination’s scale, environment and culture.

Reinforcing the Governorate of

Dhofar’s authentic charm, the new name is inspired by a ravine in the destination named ‘Khor Soly’, while the logo’s colours were inspired by Salalah’s Khareef, the monsoon season and its famous green covered mountains, tropical rain and the ocean, says a press release.

“The rebranding of Souly Bay cements our commitment to further highlight the authenticity our destinations are known for,” said Ahmed Dabbous, CEO of Muriya. “Since we started operations, our philosophy as the most diversified developer creating the

biggest destinations in the Sultanate is to work with passion believing that development is more than building, it is about creating beach town communities that are unique in personality and propositions on offer.”

He added: “Our flagship destination may have a new name, but Muriya’s mission remains the same; to contribute to Oman’s economic development with long-term value for tourism, real estate and leisure, while empowering the local community to thrive and providing direct and indirect jobs.”

N O N -V E G E TA R I A N M E A L

Khayrat savouries from A’Saffa Foods gain in popularity MUSCAT: A’Saffa Foods, Oman’s fastest growing and leading home-grown food producer, has extremely tasty, healthy and delectable range of delicacies under the brand name ‘Khayrat’.

‘Khayrat’ savouries are produced in a state-of-the-art production plant (fully automated, untouched by hand) and is available in supermarkets and retail outlets across the country, says a press release.

The high quality value-added products under ‘Khayrat’ range include – Beef Seekh Kebabs (Arabic flavour), Beef Chapli Seekh Kebab (Pakistani flavour), Beef Franks, Beef Meatballs, Tender Beef Cubes, Beef Burgers, and Beef Mortadella and many more products that are enormously popular among Omani families and a firm favourite with children.

Commenting on the products, Sidhartha Lenka, head Marketing and Sales at A’Saffa Foods, said:

“The name Khayrat means ‘the finest of crops’ or the ‘best quality ingredients’ and this is what we strive to provide for our customers in everything we produce. Our Khayrat range of products is not only a convenient to cook food option, but is also superior in taste, purity and freshness.”

He continued: “For a family looking for a natural, healthy, Halal and tasty non-vegetarian meal options for their children in particular, our value-added products are ideal. We have packed natural goodness into each product; and our market presence is a testimony that we are making a significant impact with the Khayrat range in the market.”

A’Saffa Foods has been a pioneer in the production of quality products since the company established its operations in 2001 and is now an acknowledged leader in the market in Oman and rapidly growing its international presence in the GCC and beyond.

EQUIPMENT CHANGES

Etihad Airways continues to enhance US operations DUBAI: Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, continues to optimise its United States network with equipment changes on two key markets in 2016.

Currently the UAE’s national carrier operates leased Jet Airways Boeing 777-300ER aircraft for its daily flight to and from San Francisco. These aircraft will be replaced with Etihad Airways Boeing 777-200LRs from 25 April 2016, says a press release.

The daily EY101 flight from Abu Dhabi to New York’s JFK airport and the return EY100 service will also see leased Jet Airways Boeing 777-300ER aircraft replaced

by Etihad Airways Boeing 777300ERs from 1 June 2016.

The second daily Etihad Airways service to and from New York JFK, EY103 and EY102, will continue to be operated with the airline’s flagship A380 aircraft in 2016.

Kevin Knight, Etihad Airways’ chief strategy and planning offic-

er, said: “With the growth of the Etihad fleet, we will be pleased to fly these important US services in our own colours soon, continuing to provide the very finest service in the sky to our guests.”

The Etihad Airways Boeing 777-200LR to be deployed on the San Francisco route will be configured to carry 239 guests in three cabins, with eight First Class seats, 40 Business Class seats and 191 Economy Class seats.

The Boeing 777-300ER to be deployed by Etihad Airways on the New York route will be configured to carry 328 guests also in three cabins, with eight First Class seats, 40 Business Class seats, and 280 Economy Class seats.

All Etihad Airways guests flying to the United States pass through US Preclearance at Abu Dhabi Airport meaning they clear US immigration and customs before boarding their flight and arriving in America as domestic passengers.

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Oman capable of more surprises on big stage, believes Ratnayake Asked what can be expected from his bowling wards as well as the team at Asia Cup T20 and World T20, he said: “I expect these bowlers to play smart, stay confident and play to their strengths. My objective is to help these boys beat the best.

They have done it at World T20 Qualifiers and I believe they are capable of doing the same at Asia Cup T20 and World T20 as well.”

Bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake is impressed with Oman players’ commitment and the bowlers’ keenness

‘TEAM SPIRIT’: Oman team players pose for a group photo along with their bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake at the Ministry of Sports

Affairs Ground in Al Amerat on Monday. – A. R. RAJKUMAR/Times of Oman

to learn. And the former Sri Lankan bowler is expecting the Sultanate squad to produce ‘more surprises’ at the Asia Cup and World T20

A. SESHAGIRI RAO

raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Impressed with the ‘players commitment’ and ‘team spirit’, Oman bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake is expecting the Sultanate squad to produce more surprises and achieve more success in the upcoming Asia Cup Twenty20 in Bangladesh and ICC World T20 Championship in India.

Rumesh, who arrived here on Sunday for his third stint as Oman’s bowling coach, is in fact delighted with the overall improvement of Duleep Mendiscoached Oman squad, especially on the fitness front, as well as the bowlers’ ‘willingness to learn’.

The former bowling all-rounder, who is considered a Sri Lankan legend, spoke to Times Sport during a training session at the newly refurbished Ministry of Sports Affairs ground in Al Amerat on Monday evening.

“This is my third stint with Oman team. I was here back in May last year before they went to the ICC World T20 Qualifier. Then two months ago, in November, I trained them during their tour of the UAE,” Rumesh, who represented Sri Lanka in 23 Test matches and 70 ODIs taking 73 and 76 wickets respectively, said.

KEEN LEARNERS: Oman team’s bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake gives instructions to his wards.

“And I am really impressed with the way the team is shaping up.

This is the first time I am seeing them after their trip to UAE. I have noticed a certain change in each individual. They are physically better now than before and more positive. That’s why they look and sound confident than ever, which is good for the team especially at such an important juncture,” Rumesh said. “I am amazed by the team spirit and camaraderie among the players. And I think that kind of relationship really boosts the players as well as their performance.”

Speaking about the improvements he has noticed in the team and what can be expected of them from Asia Cup T20 and World T20, he said: “They have already made the cricketing world sit up and take notice. They surprised everyone with their performances at the World T20 Qualifier in Ireland and Scotland and I should say those performances have placed Oman

firmly on the world cricketing map.”

Oman booked their berth in the ICC World T20 Championship after an excellent showing in World T20 Qualifier jointly hosted by Ireland and Scotland last year.

“They have done exceptionally well during their tour of the UAE,” he said referring a successful trip to the neighbouring country where Oman won a bilateral T20 series against Hong Kong while also performing excellently against teams like Afghanistan and the UAE. “Of course their recent tour of India is a bit disappointing if we look at the results. But by no way they are disheartening if we consider their overall performance,” he said about Duleep Mendis’ boys training camp in Rajkot.

During their stay in the western Indian city, Oman team played five Twenty20 matches, including two day-night ties, against a strong Saurashtra team that comprised India Test regular Cheteshwar Pu-

TENNIS

Fatma Al Nabhani

OTA panel recommends special training sessions for Fatma MUSCAT: The National Teams Committee of Oman Tennis Association (OTA) held a meeting under the chairmanship of association treasurer and board member Siddique Al Hashim.

During the meeting, the committee has come out with a number of recommendations to be made to the OTA board, the most important being the recommendation to invite a consultant coach to the Sultanate to train the national teams and to visit the training centres at the clubs in order to come out with a comprehensive plan for development

of the sport in the country.

The committee also recommended that German coach Patrick has to organise a training camp for Fatima Al Nabhani at the tennis courts of Shangri La Hotel for one month as part of a programme for Oman’s ace player ahead of her participation in the forthcoming international events.

The meeting also recommended Siddique and Sulaiman Al Rawahi be sent for a session in Hungary under the supervision of the Olympic Solidarity Department at Oman Olympic Committee from March 21 to June 15.

Siddique Al Hashim

jara and young fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat, but lost all the matches.

“They played against a strong team. No doubt about that. However, I feel that is a good learning experience for them, having played in the Indian conditions and in the format that will be followed in the Asia Cup and the World T20,” Rumesh added.

Keen learners Speaking specifically about the task entrusted to him — to improve the pace bowling department, the Sri Lankan said: “They are in good shape as the rest of the team. As I said they are physically good and are looking very positive, two attributes that is vital for a fast bowler.

“But what I am more delighted about is the bowlers’ willingness to learn and their keenness to pick up the finer points. If the players are willing then it makes the coach’s job easy,” he said with a smile.

Asked whether the pace bowlers

available with the team can do the job for the team, he said: “We have a good combination of pace bowlers in Mehran (Khan), Munis (Ansari), Sufyan (Mahmood Mohammed), Rajeshkumar (Ranpura), (Muhammad) Nadeem and Bilal (Khan).

“They are all different kind of bowlers, right armers and left armers and with different kind of actions,” said the well-travelled Sri Lankan who also had coaching stints with Sri Lanka as well as with national teams of countries like Canada, Nepal and Hong Kong.

“My primary objective is to make them match ready. Help them maintain their confidence levels and keep the errors to the minimum. There are other areas like bowling their ‘strong’ stock deliveries and perfect yorkers. And also basically help them take good decisions as far as bowling is concerned which in turn will help them develop good tactics for themselves and the team,” he added.

Difficult to predict The 2016 Asia Cup, to be played in T20 format, will take place Bangladesh in February.

Prior to that Oman will be competing in the Qualifier, to be organised from February 19 to 22, with Afghanistan, Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates for the lone berth in the main championship.

The World T20 takes place in India from March 8 to April 3. To make it to the Super 10 stage of the world event, Oman have to get past their first round Group A opponents Bangladesh, Ireland and the Netherlands. All Oman matches are to be played in Dharamsala.

Group B comprises Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghanistan and only toppers from each group qualify for the Super 10 stage of the championship. Oman are scheduled to start their campaign against Ireland on March 9.

Then they take on the Netherlands on March 11 before completing their group engagements against Bangladesh on March 13.

Asked to pick his favourites for the World T20, Rumesh, who served the Asian Cricket Council as a Development Officer, said: “In cricket it is difficult to predict the winners.

More so in this format (T20).”

“If we look at the Big Bash success we can say the Australians are the favourites,” Rumesh, who is now based in Melbourne where he also runs an academy, said. “But the Indian conditions are different.”

“Of course India will have the advantage of playing in home conditions,” he added.

On chances of his home country Sri Lanka defending the title they won in 2014, he said: “Though they don’t look that good at the moment, they have every chance of winning it again. But they have to adapt to the conditions quickly and play to their full potential.

“And that applies to any team.

The team that adjusts (to conditions) quickly and plays smart will emerge the winners.” he said.

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SPORTS

Newcastle, Manchester United seek to lift gloom Manchester United

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KING’S CUP

‘United fans may have left early to beat traffic’

produced another tedious performance and needed a stoppage-time penalty from Wayne Rooney to beat League One (third tier) Sheffield United 1-0 in a dreary FA Cup third- round match on Saturday

LONDON: Two of the unhappiest sets of supporters in the country will be hoping to alleviate at least some of their shared misery when Newcastle United and Manchester United meet at St James’ Park in the Premier League on Tuesday.

Manchester United produced another tedious performance and needed a stoppage-time penalty from Wayne Rooney to beat League One (third tier) Sheffield United 1-0 in a dreary FA Cup third- round match on Saturday.

Their fans cheering ironically when Memphis Depay produced the team’s first shot on target after 65 minutes and United have now gone 10 home games without a goal before the break.

Newcastle fans jeered their team off after they were knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round for the fourth successive season after losing 1-0 at Watford on Saturday.

Manchester United are still in the FA Cup and in contention for a top-four finish despite their ragged displays, but they were slated by former player Paul Scholes after another dull display against Sheffield United, 47 league places below them.

Boring United Scholes, who played more than 700 matches for United, told BT Sport if he was manager Louis van Gaal it would take him two or three days to get over that.

“I’d have my head down between my legs. I would be depressed if I had been part of that performance,” Scholes said.

Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini thinks his team’s fans were right to boo them as

LONDON: Manchester United fans may have left Old Trafford early during the FA Cup game against Sheffield United because of concerns about the traffic, manager Louis van Gaal said on Monday.

The United players were booed off at halftime in the third- round tie on Saturday after another insipid display and many fans streamed out of Old Trafford before Wayne Rooney’s late penalty secured a scrappy 1-0 win over the thirdtier side.

“You have to be happy as a Manchester United fan that we are in next round and we

have won the last two games,” Van Gaal told reporters ahead of the Premier League game at Newcastle United on Tuesday.

“They (the fans) are not thinking that we would score, I think, and maybe also because of the traffic that they leave the stadium a few minutes early.

There are many reasons.”

United, fifth in the Premier League standings, have won their last two matches following a run of eight games without a victory and they have been widely criticised for a dull style of play which is at odds with the club’s attacking traditions. Van Gaal, who

confirmed he would be without German midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger for the trip to third-bottom Newcastle, was also unhappy when a reporter asked if he was overly focused on the opposition rather than his own team. “No. I am not more concerned. It’s part of the job. You have to know what they want and how they play.

Then you can help your players,” Van Gaal said. “I am more thinking how we have to attack and improve. Because we are defending very well, you are asking this question. Attack is more creative and intuition than defending.” - Reuters

ON TARGET: Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney celebrates scoring a goal with a penalty. – Reuters

they clocked up six hours without a goal.

“They are unhappy and they have to know we keep trying and working hard to get results,” he said. “We have had some nasty results but we all want to win and turn this around.”

Newcastle are 18th in the 20team league and in a fight to avoid a return to the Championship after six seasons in the top flight.

The first of Manchester United’s seven goalless draws this season came at home against Newcastle in August and they are now fifth with 33 points.

Leaders Arsenal, on 42 points, travel to Liverpool on Wednesday and second-placed Leicester City (40) play fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur (36) at White Hart Lane for the second time in four days following a 2-2 draw in the FA Cup on Sunday.

Third-placed Manchester City (39) face Everton for the second time in a week after losing 2-1 to Roberto Martinez’s men in the League Cup semi-final first leg at Goodison Park.

City bounced back from that setback with a superb 3-0 win at Norwich City in the FA Cup.

Sunderland manager Sam Allardyce criticised the Premier League last week for scheduling this round of fixtures so close to the FA Cup games, but his focus now is entirely on league survival after Sunderland were knocked out by holders Arsenal.

Sunderland, who are one off the bottom, face a relegation scrap at Swansea City, two places and four points above them.

Swansea’s poor run continued when they were victims of the biggest FA Cup shock of the weekend, losing 3-2 at League Two (fourth tier) Oxford United. - Reuters

FOR THE ALBUM: Barcelona’s soccer players pose with Neymar’s son Davi Lucca Da Silva, bottom centre. – Reuters

Barcelona, Espanyol seek to calm waters before Cup clash MADRID: Barcelona and Espanyol have fought out a couple of brutal derbies in recent weeks and the bitter city rivals are seeking to calm the waters ahead of Wednesday’s King’s Cup last-16 second leg.

Espanyol held visiting Barca to a 0-0 draw in La Liga on January 2 before the Cup holders thumped them 4-1 in last week’s first leg at the Nou Camp.

Both games were littered with fouls and yellow cards, Espanyol had two players sent off in the Cup clash, with Barca forward Luis Suarez banned for two matches following a fracas in the tunnel after the final whistle.

The rivalry between the clubs has sharpened over Catalonia’s continuing campaign for independence from Spain, with Barca seen as a symbol of the region’s separatist ambitions and Espanyol fiercely loyal to the central government in Madrid.

The Catalan parliament swore in a new separatist leader on Sunday, putting the pro-independence movement’s commitment to break with Spain over the next 18 months back on track.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique and counterpart Constantin Galca of Espanyol will meet and hold a photo session on Tuesday in an attempt to ease tensions.

“I want football to be the only protagonist as that is what the spectator deserves,” Luis Enrique told a news conference after Saturday’s 4-0 La Liga win at home to Granada.

“I am open to speaking to Galca to try to lighten the mood if necessary,” added the former Barca and Spain midfielder.

Espanyol president Joan Collet urged fans not to get carried away, warning them that the club faced sanctions if insults were heard during the game.

“We are clear in our minds

that the tie is very tough for us but we have to ease the tension,” Collet said. The last 16 of this year’s competition features two other derbies.

Atletico Madrid and Rayo Vallecano are level at 1-1 after last week’s first leg, with the return at the Calderon in the Spanish capital on Thursday.

Sevilla have a 2-0 lead from the first leg at Real Betis, who sacked their coach Pepe Mel on Sunday, before they meet at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium on Wednesday.

Villarreal need to overturn a 3-2 deficit when they host Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, while Gary Neville’s Valencia lead Granada 4-0 before Thursday’s return in Andalusia. Two non-La Liga sides have survived, with second-division Mirandes and Deportivo La Coruna tied at 1-1.

Third-tier Cadiz, who went through after Real Madrid were expelled for fielding an ineligible player, look certain to be eliminated after losing 3-0 at home to Celta Vigo. - Reuters CRICKET

T20 SERIES

Kiwis call up all-rounder Astle for Pakistan series AUCKLAND: Legspinning allrounder Todd Astle is in line for a limited overs debut after being named in New Zealand’s 13-man squad for a World Twenty20 warmup series against Pakistan.

Astle, who played one Test for New Zealand three years ago, replaces legspinner Ish Sodhi from the squad that swept Sri Lanka in their two-match series.

The 29-year-old earns his spot after some solid all-round performances for Canterbury in New Zealand’s domestic 50-over competition but both he and Sodhi may still be retained for the World T20 in India, with coach Mike Hesson keen to take three spinners to the subcontinent.

“With the spin-friendly conditions we’re likely to play in during the ICC World Twenty20 in

The rivalry between the clubs has sharpened over Catalonia’s continuing campaign for independence from Spain, with Barca seen as a symbol of the region’s separatist ambitions and Espanyol fiercely loyal to the central government in Madrid

New Zealand host Pakistan in the opener at Eden Park on Friday, followed by ties in Hamilton and Wellington

India, it’s important we have all of our bases covered and Todd is certainly an option for us,” Hesson said in a statement.

“He’ll get an opportunity to play at some point against Pakistan, in what will be a tough series.”

New Zealand host Pakistan

in the opener of the series at Eden Park on Friday, followed by matches in Hamilton and Wellington.

Left-arm spinning all-rounder Mitch Santner is the other slow bowler in the Kane Williamsoncaptained squad.

Tom Latham has been added to the squad for the first match to replace resting batsman Ross Taylor, who will return for the second and third games, the only other change from the Sri Lanka series.

The World T20 starts in India in March.

Squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Corey Anderson, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (first game only), Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ross Taylor (second and third games). - Reuters

England turn to Croft for spin tips CAPE TOWN: England will draft in former international off-spinner Robert Croft to assist their slow bowlers during the five-match One-Day International series in South Africa starting on February 3.

Croft will join the coaching team of Trevor Bayliss, Paul Farbrace, Ottis Gibson and Graham Thorpe as a consultant spin bowling coach. “Robert has had success in both domestic and international cricket during his career and he’ll have plenty to offer the dressing room,” England’s director of cricket Andrew Strauss said. - Reuters

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

C3

SPORTS With eye on World T20, Team India and Australia renew fierce rivalry he short limited overs

I’ve let the boys know about Sran, says Smith

series, including five ODIs and three T20 internationals, Down Under will initiate the Indian team’s preparations for the marquee ICC World T20 scheduled in March-April

PERTH: India will look to get their combination right as they renew their fierce rivalry against a confident Australia in the first of the five-match ODI series starting in Perth on Tuesday, marking the onset of a long limited-overs schedule stretching until the World T20.

The short limited overs series, including five ODIs and three T20 internationals, Down Under will initiate the Indian team’s preparations for the marquee ICC World T20 scheduled in March-April.

The T20 games will be played after the five ODIs, and Dhoni’s boys would like to carry the momentum in the shortest format.

Warm-up matches While India won both their warm-up games — a T20 and 50-over match each — against the second string Western Australia XI, it is certainly not the best indicator of the kind of challenge they will face from Steve Smith’s men.

India did not have a great 2015 when they came to the 50-over format as they lost back-to-back series to Bangladesh (away) and South Africa (at home).

Rue Shami’s absence Skipper Dhoni will like to turn the tables in the New Year but will rue the fact that one of his best pace weapons, Mohammed Shami, has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury even before the first ball has been bowled.

But there are certain aspects that might also relieve Dhoni.

The fact that David Warner may not be available for better part of the series and with Mitchell Starc or the now retired Mitchell Johnson not there, the Aussie bowling attack comprising Josh Hazlewood, Joel Paris, Scott Boland and Jimmy Faulkner looks thin on experience.

As far as his own bowling attack

PERTH: He may be an unknown entity in international cricket but Barinder Sran is not quite unfamiliar to Australian captain Steve Smith, who says the rookie pacer has impressive variations in his armoury and was discussed in the dressing room. “I haven’t seen much of Sran’s one-day cricket back home in India, but I saw him bowling in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals and he was quite impressive.

He’s a tall lad, swings the ball early and he’s got a few changeups — I’ve let the boys know about them,” said Smith of his IPL teammate on the eve of the first of five-match ODI series starting in Perth on Tuesday.

India could opt to hand their left-arm seamer Sran a debut, while Gurkeerat Mann and Rishi Dhawan wait in the wings.

Thanks to his half-century in the war-up match on Saturday, Manish Pandey looks set to bat at number five on Tuesday.

is concerned, Dhoni has been fretting over the possible playing XI combinations.

Three-man pace attack His most experienced bowler Ishant Sharma did not play any of the two warm-up games, so it’s not known whether he would be playing in the opening game.

With three pacers almost certain to play at the WACA, which is the bounciest of Australian pitches, there are high chances that leftarm pacer Barinder Sran could win his maiden India cap alongside Ishant and Umesh Yadav.

The lanky Sran looked impressive in both the practice matches with both pace and swing in his armoury.

With a deceptive short ball, Sran could prove to be a handful, complementing Ishant and Umesh.

The two experienced spin-bowling all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will make up the five-pronged bowling attack for India.

Batting line-up almost settled The batting unit looks more or less settled with Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan in the opening slots followed by vice captain Virat Kohli at No 3.

Ajinkya Rahane is expected at No 4 and one might find the Indian captain batting at No 5. In the

ODI SERIES

India to blood rookies: Dhoni PERTH: India will Test out several uncapped players in the limited-overs series in Australia, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Monday.

Injuries to fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma have taken sting out of the Indian attack and they will be without Suresh Raina’s all-round energy after the limited-overs specialist was dropped from the side.

India are likely to blood Barinder Sran, Gurkeerat Singh and

TESTING THE NEW TALENTS:

Indian skipper M.S. Dhoni.

Rishi Dhawan in the series and Dhoni acknowledged he will have to be patient with the uncapped trio. “As far as newcomers are concerned, we’d definitely feature them in the tournament because we want to see where they stand,” Dhoni said ahead of the first match of the five-game series against the world champions on Tuesday.

The 2011 World Cup-winning captain, who quit Tests in late 2014, believes the supply of talented young players who can immediately adapt to international cricket is at an end.

“Right from the late 1980s, we got cricketers who were ready to play international cricket,” Dhoni said. “Once they made their debut, they were there for 10-15 years. I think that trend is changing slowly.”

India will feel Shami’s absence most, the 25-year-old returning from a lengthy injury layoff only to land in Australia and be ruled out for the series with a hamstring injury.

“Shami has been very good for us. If you see (last year’s) World Cup also, he was someone who bowled really well for us, someone who can bowl with the new ball, in the middle over and also at the death,” Dhoni said.

India play five one-dayers and three Twenty20 Internationals on their tour of Australia. — Reuters

“I know some of the young guys that are going to get an opportunity through IPL — the likes of Manish Pandey, who I think has progressed really well and played some good cricket of late. And obviously the experience of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma in the top order — they are pretty crucial wickets for us, and hopefully we can get them early,” Smith said.

Smith hoped that the pitch at the WACA will aid his seamers.

The hosts have named an all-pace attack for the first of the five-match series. “There wasn’t much pace and bounce in it when we played against New Zealand. Hopefully, tomorrow it can have that,” said Smith on Monday, on the eve of the series.

“It looks a little bit soft at the moment, underfoot, but obviously we’re still a day out from the game.

We’ll see how it looks tomorrow.

Hopefully, it has more pace and bounce than in that Test.”

middle-order, the No 6 slot will see a new face.

Vacuum by Suresh Raina absence One among Manish Pandey or Gurkeerat Singh will be playing in slot that got vacated due to Suresh Raina’s exclusion from the squad.

Manish Pandey, who made an impressive ODI debut against Zimbabwe last year, staked his claim with a 58 in the practice game, but Gurkeerat has been a consistent performer for Punjab and India A. Dhoni always doesn’t go by scores in warm-up games so it would not be surprising if he picks Gurkeerat ahead of Manish in the end.

The other option could be seamer all-rounder Rishi Dhawan.

But the pace at which he bowls, and his batting abilities on this kind of track, has not really been tested.

The year is going to be important for Dhoni, who has been named captain till the end of World T20.

The selectors wanted to send a message by putting an end to the question mark over his leadership.

But the man himself knows that he has to up the ante and perform for his team.

India needs Dhoni to produce match-winning efforts, which

“It’s traditional that we can use a left-arm seamer here who can use the breeze and swing the ball. The wicket looks like it’ll be a good one. We are happy to start at the WACA and Gabba for the first two matches of the series. They have been fortresses for us in ODI cricket for a while. Obviously, the conditions are a bit different to what the Indians are used to back home and hopefully we can exploit that,” he added.

The 23-year-old left-arm pacer Joel Paris will make his debut then, and it will be a special affair for him as the WACA. Victorian Scott Boland will also be handed his first ODI cap as Australian named an all-pace attack with Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh and James Faulkner filling up the numbers.

“Joel Paris has been very impressive on the domestic scene.

Perth is one of the best places in the world to bowl as a fast bowler,” said Smith. - PTI

have been few and far between in recent times.

It will be interesting to see where Dhoni comes into bat.

For him, a lot will depend on how his pace battery delivers.

During the World Cup last year, the trio of Umesh, Shami and Mohit bowled like well-oiled machines even though the Bengal pacer was on injections to lessen the excruciating pain on his knee.

Smith — man to watch out for It won’t be easy to stem the flow of runs if Australia skipper Smith gets going.

Warner, for whatever time he is available, would be a threat looming large on the bowlers.

His sheer presence can be intimidating.

Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell can take apart any bowling on their day.

Then there is former captain George Bailey, a very competent player in this format and someone who can build an innings.

James Faulkner’s prowess as a batsman is well known to the Indians and especially Ishant Sharma, who was hammered during the 2013 series.

In the larger scheme of things then, Team India couldn’t have asked for a better challenge to kickstart their preparation for the ICC

UNKNOWN ENTITY: Australia captain attempts to clear the

doubt of India’s debutant Barinder Sran.

event two months down the road.

Immediate concern for India Immediate concerns are aplenty though, ranging from solving the batting order equation to finding the right balance with the bowling attack.

Starting with the latter, Shami’s hamstring injury is a big blow to Indian hopes.

The pacer spent a considerable time away from the game since the 2015 ODI World Cup, but it cannot be denied that he was the spearhead of the attack in the limitedovers arena.

During their last trip here in 2014-15, he was the most improved bowler across four-plus months spent, and it showed in the manner he picked 17 wickets in the World Cup. Stretching back to 2011-12, this is Yadav’s fourth visit to Australia, and he will be eager to showcase that experience on the field.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar had suffered at their hands too, and it will be interesting to see if he regains his place in the XI, after being called as Shami’s replacement.

Ishant is back in the ODI fold again, after missing out on the World Cup last year owing to injury.

The duo will fight it out for the third pacer spot, for Sran, with his

left-arm angle and extra pace, is in line for his debut.

India will surely look to play five bowlers, and in the 50-over warmup game, all three spinners in the squad picked up two wickets each.

It isn’t going to deter Dhoni’s plan of fielding R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Axar Patel. New-look Australia A day ahead of the game, Australia have already named the playing eleven.

The 23-year-old left-arm quick Joel Paris and 26-year-old Scott Boland have been handed their ODI debuts. Mitchell Marsh and James Faulkner will make it a pace-heavy attack.

Squads India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain and wk), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Manish Pandey, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Barinder Sran, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Axar Patel, Rishi Dhawan Australia: Steve Smith (captain), Aaron Finch, David Warner, George Bailey, Glenn Maxwell, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, James Faulkner, Matthew Wade (WK), Kane Richardson, Josh Hazlewood, Joel Paris, Scott Boland. - PTI

C4

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

SPORTS Passage to India trounce Raha in Oman Cricket Premier League 20 overs (Shounak 39, Rayyan 32, Ayan 2 for 16) lost to ISM A 140 for no loss in 12.4 overs (Azam 71 not out, Jayesh 53 not out). Points: ISM A 3 (BP) ; GCC - 0

Batting first, Passage to India put on 273 for 7 in 50 overs with Ahad Malek scoring a brilliant 100 not out and in response, Raha were bundled out for 106 in 37.2 overs GREAT START: Passage to India after their convincing win over Raha in the Premier Division win at Al Amerat.

MUSCAT: The Muscat Pharmacy and Stores sponsored Premier Division League match between Raha CT and Passage to India took place at the Minstry of Sports Affairs (MOSA) ground with the latter prevailing by a whopping 167 runs.

Batting first, Passage to India put on 273 for 7 in 50 overs. Ahad Malek scored a brilliant 100 not out and was ably assisted by Aamir Ali (40). Rana Naeem and Waseem Ahmed picked up two scalps each for Raha.

In response, Raha got bowled out for 106 in 37.2 overs, enabling Passage to India to claim the bonus point. Mohammed Bilal claimed a 5-wicket haul for Passage to India. Amir Kaleem chipped in with two wickets.

Brief scores: Passage to India 273 for 7 in 50 overs (Ahad Malek 100 not out, Rana Naeem 2 for 33) beat Raha CT 106 all out in 37.2

Vikram chipped in with 41 not out.

Brief scores: ISWK 173 all out in 25 overs (Karan Koshy 40, Vrishab 3 for 20) lost to ISM 174 for no loss (Paritosh 121 not out, Vikram 41 not out). Points: ISM 3 (BP); ISWK 0.

overs (Sultan Ahmed 30, Mohammed Bilal 5 for 26 of 9.2 overs).

Points: Passage to India - 3 (BP); Raha CT – 0 PSM prevail The Al Turki Enterprises sponsored U-16 Division match between ISAS and PSM at the Municipality 1 ground, the latter emerged winner by 6 wickets.

Batting first, ISAS scored 219 for 7 in 25 overs. Usman and Kaif top scored with 74 and 71 respectively for ISAS. Usama and Umair claimed 2 wickets each for PSM. In response PSM scored 220 for 4 in 24.1 overs. Ubaid and Abdullah top scored with 60 and 45* to chase the score down.

Brief scores: ISAS 219 for 7 in 25 overs (Usman 74, Kaif 71, Usama 2 for 22) lost to PSM 220 for 4 in 24.1 overs (Ubaid 60, Abdullah

JUNIOR STARS: Paritosh of ISM, left, and Mohammed Sameer of ISAS.

45 not out). Points: PSM 2 ; ISAS 0 Big win for ISM The Al Turki Enterprises sponsored U-16 division match between ISM and ISWK at the Municipality 1 ground saw the former winning by 10 wickets.

Batting first, ISWK scored 173 all out in 25 overs. Karan Koshy top scored with 40. Vrishab claimed 3 wickets for ISM. In response, ISM scored 174 for no loss in 19.1 overs to claim the bonus point.

Paritosh scored 121 not out and

GCC lose The U-13 Division match between GCC and ISM A at the Municipality 2 ground resulted in ISM A emerging winner by 10 wickets.

Batting first, GCC scored 139 for 6 of 20 overs. Shounak and Rayyan top scored with 39 and 32 respectively. Ayan claimed 2 scalps for ISM A. In response, ISM A scored 140 for no loss in 12.4 overs to seal the bonus point. Azam and Jayesh remained unbeaten on 71 and 53 respectively.

Brief scores: GCC 139 for 6 in

PSM win PSM defeated PSM defeated MCCC B by 42 rubs in the U-13 Division match at the Municipality 3 ground.

Batting first, PSM scored 180 for 5 of 20 overs. Abdul and Haris top scored with 58 and 50 respectively.

Rahul claimed 2 scalps for MCCC B. In response, MCCC B scored 138 for 5 in 20 overs to enable PSM to seal the bonus point. Rahul top scored with 76 for MCCC B. Talal claimed 2 wickets for PSM. Brief scores: PSM 180 for 5 in 20 overs (Abdul 58, Haris 50, Rahul 2 for 28) beat MCCC B 138 for 5 in 20 overs (Rahul 76, Talal 2 for 18).

Points: PSM 3 (BP); MCCC B – 0 Big win for ISAS In another ‘U-13’ Division match MCCC A was trounced by ISAS by a margin of 263 runs at the the Municipality 2 ground.

Batting first, ISAS scored 311 for 1 of 20 overs. Mohammed Sameer and Mohammed Sahil top scored with unbeaten centuries of 157 and 110 respectively.

In response, MCCC A were bundled out for 48 in 12.3 overs to enable ISAS to seal the bonus point.

Sameer, Rizwan and Sonu Kumar claimed 2 wickets each for ISAS. Brief scores: ISAS 311 for 1 in 20 overs (Mohammed Sameer 157 not out, Mohammed Sahil 110 not out) beat MCCC A 48 all out in 12.3 overs. (Sameer 2 for 10).

Points: ISAS 3 (BP) ; MCCC A - 0.

TENNIS

SAILING

Team Mangold to debut in 2016 Murray hopes for Djokovic drop-off EFG Sailing Arabia-The Tour MUSCAT: Team Mangold has announced that they will be making their debut in the upcoming edition of Oman Sail’s EFG Sailing Arabia–The Tour which will run from February 15 to 29.

The crew are new to racing in the Arabian Sea but they are hoping their sense of adventure, inspired by tales of Sinbad the Sailor in 1001 Arabian Nights, will reward them with a magical experience.

Skipper Martin Felgenhauer from Vienna heads up a diverse mix of crewmembers who like many of the Sailing Arabia teams, have never sailed together before.

They comprise Austrian and Germans, men and women (two married couples), experienced recreational sailors and relative novices who are all taking time out of their busy lives as geo-thermal engineers, ophthalmologists and biologists for a ‘bit of fun’.

Felgenhauer is one of the more seasoned sailors in the team though tactician and navigator Martin Lindner has sailed more than 100,000nms as a skipper, sailing instructor and race official and Helmut Mangold has run the annual Mangold Cup in the Adriatic Sea, a one design contest similar to The Tour, for the past eight years.

“We are doing this just for fun,” said Mangold from Austria who comes from a catamaran sailing background. “The route looks fantastic so we are expecting a fairy tale journey similar to Sinbad the Sailor – it will be a fantastic journey through the landscape of 1001 Nights though we also know it will be very tough.”

Felgenhauer started sailing dinghies as a teenager and was a pro-

at Melbourne Park

Our aim is to win one of the legs or an inshore race but if we do not do that, it will be tough luck Hemut Mangold Team Mangold captain

fessional charter boat skipper for four years in the Mediterranean but it wasn’t long before the bigger ocean going boats captured his imagination and he seized on the opportunity to buy the famous Whitbread yacht Equity & Law after the 1989/90 Round the World race.

He is three times winner of the Mangold Cup, competing against Helmut Mangold, but both sailors are looking forward to combining their skills and passion for the best possible result in the 2016 EFG Sailing Arabia–The Tour.

“Our aim is to win one of the legs or an inshore race but if we do not do that, it will be tough luck. Only three of the crew have done night sailing so we will have to see how we fare but we are really looking

forward to it,” said Mangold.

Other crewmembers comprise Mangold’s wife Theresia and Felgenhauer’s wife Maria who are both regular and accomplished sailors along with good friend Doris Ruskovic while Tom Zahalka will add an extra pair of hands to the helming rota.

Team Mangold will line up against identical Farr 30s representing international crews of varying experience levels from complete novices to weathered offshore professionals.

Earlier this month, reigning champions Team EFG Bank Monaco, skippered by Frenchman Sidney Gavignet confirmed that they will be back to the race with eyes to clinch the title once again.

The sixth edition of The Tour will start with an inshore race in Dubai, followed by the first leg to Abu Dhabi where two further inshore contests will be staged before the fleets heads off on a tricky marathon second leg to Doha, then the most demanding leg of them all, the 200 nms passage from Doha to new destination Khasab, Oman’s northernmost Governorate which will be a test of skill and patience.

From Khasab, they will race back out into the Straits of Hormuz, round the Musandam Peninsula and down the coast of Oman to Sohar, the final stopover before the fifth and final leg to Al Mouj in Muscat, which presents a double points opportunity to seal victory or overhaul the leaderboard.

MELBOURNE: Finally clinching an elusive Australian Open crown is Andy Murray’s number one goal for the new year but the Briton concedes that his hopes of success at Melbourne Park may rest on champion Novak Djokovic having an off-day.

World number one Djokovic holds three of the four grand slam crowns after a dominant 2015 and started the new season with a bang last week, thrashing Rafa Nadal in straight sets to win the Qatar Open.

An awed Nadal described Djokovic’s performance in the Qatar final as “perfection” and the highlights reel has been sober viewing for the Serb’s top rivals warming up in Australia.

Having lost to Djokovic in last year’s final at Melbourne Park and in the 2011 and 2013 title-deciders, world number two Murray was under few illusions as to the scale of the task.

“My number one goal is to try and win here,” Murray, who also lost a fourth Melbourne Park final to Roger Federer in 2010, told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.

“It’d mean a lot because of how may times I’ve been close.

“You just have to keep trying to learn, watch his matches, try and see if there’s any weaknesses there that you can capitalise on.

“Maybe he has a drop-off, it’s very difficult to maintain that level for such a long period.

“That’s all you can do.”

World number three Federer, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon and U.S. Open finals,

Tomic apologises MELBOURNE: Australia’s top-ranked tennis player Bernard Tomic has apologised after a row with hotel staff over the use of courts near his Gold Coast residence in the leadup to the Australian Open, local media reported. Tomic, who made the semifinals of the Brisbane International last week, clashed with staff at the RACV Royal Pines resort after a dispute with members over access to the courts, the Gold Coast Bulletin said. - Reuters

was also impressed by Djokovic’s obliteration of 14-times grand slam champion Nadal in Doha.

“To some extent it’s surprising for sure,” the 34-year-old told reporters after losing the Brisbane International final to Milos Raonic on Sunday.

“Maybe not so much because he’s been on a roll for a while now.

“Of course, he is the favourite for the Australian Open. Plus he’s played well there historically.”

The Australian Open starts January 18. - Reuters

C

SECTION

LIFESTYLE

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

Dining

Mastering Sauces WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

Well-known chef and cook, Jamie Oliver says, ‘don’t ignore the importance of great sauces – they can make or break a meal’.

How true it is. Sauces not only add flavour, but also add to the texture of a dish. While the market is flooded with several preprepared sauces, but making your own silky, creamy, tangy sauces is easy to do, and will be far better than anything you buy in a jar. swati@timesofoman.com

CHEESE SAUCE

Made of butter, flour, milk, and cheese, this sauce is fantastic on pasta or draped over steamed vegetables.

Ingredients Ċ 25g butter Ċ 25g plain flour Ċ 600ml milk Ċ Salt and white pepper Ċ 80g Cheddar cheese, grated Preparation Ċ Melt butter in a pan and then add equal quantity of flour in it. Cook under gentle heat. Ċ Stir continuously and ensure that the butter and flour mixture does not get brown. Ċ Take the pan off the heat and gradually stir in milk to get a smooth sauce. Ċ Put the mixture on simmer for a while and stir till it boils. Ċ Season it with salt and pepper. Ċ Thickness of the sauce depends on the quantity of butter, flour, and milk used.

HOLLANDAISE SAUCE Rich, lemony, and smooth, Hollandaise sauce goes especially well with eggs, asparagus, and smoked salmon.

Ingredients Ċ 3 large egg yolks Ċ 500ml white vinegar Ċ 1tbsp peppercorn Ċ 200ml melted and skimmed unsalted butter Ċ Lemon juice Preparation Ċ Put the bowl of egg yolks and white vinegar over a pan of gently simmering water. Ċ Beat till the mixture blends well, but make sure you don’t overheat the mixture while you whisk. Ċ Add a ladle of warmed butter, and cook till you get a thick texture like mayonnaise. Ċ Whisk in lemon juice, salt and pepper and add little warm water if the mixture becomes too thick.

SALSA VERDE This traditional Italian green sauce is made with parsley, but here we add in basil and mint, too. It is great with meat, seafood, or roasted vegetables.

Ingredients Ċ 11/2 to 2 garlic cloves, peeled Ċ 1 small handful of capers Ċ 6 anchovy fillets Ċ 2 large handfuls of parsley leaves Ċ 1 bunch fresh basil Ċ 1 handful fresh mint Ċ 1tbsp Dijon mustard Ċ 3tbsp red vinegar Ċ 8tbsp extra virgin olive oil Ċ Sea salt Ċ Freshly ground black pepper Preparation Ċ Finely chop garlic, capers, anchovies, parsley leaves, fresh basil, and mint.

Put them into a bowl. Ċ Add Dijon mustard and red vinegar, and then slowly stir in the olive oil till you get the right consistency. Ċ Season with fresh ground black pepper, a bit of salt and maybe a little more vinegar.

C6

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

FIND-IT-ALL

PRAYER TIMINGS

@RUWI

@MGM

SUR Get Squirrely ( Animation ) ( PG ) Cast: Victoria Justice, Will Forte 5:10 PM Echo Effect ( Action | Thriller ) ( 12+ ) Cast: Michael Jai White, Max Ryan 3:30, 5:20, 8:45 PM Wazir - (Hindi)( Action | Thriller ) ( PG12 ) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhta 3:30, 6:45, 9:45 PM Charlie (Malayalam) (Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon 10:30 PM The Revenant (Adventurer) ( 12+) Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 7:00, 11:45 PM

@SHATTI

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Extraction (2D) (Action | Thriller) (12+) Cast: Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 2:45, 8:15 PM The Revenant (2D) (Thriller) (12+) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 11:30 PM Point Break (3D) (Action | Sports) (12+) Cast: Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 7:15 PM Wazir (Action | Crime | Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar, Aditi Rao Hydari 5:15, 9:30 PM The Forest (Horror) (15+) Cast: Natalie Dormer, Eoin Macken, Stephanie Vogt 10:00, 11:45 PM Lost in the Sun (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: Josh Duhamel, Josh Wiggins 3:00, 11:30 PM Daddy’s Home (2D) (Comedy) (12+) Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg 4:30, 6:15 PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL The Revenant ( Drama | Thriller) 12+ Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 12:15, 8:45 & 11:30PM Gold Class: 3:00 & 8:00PM Wazir (Hindi | Action| Thriller) PG12 Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 3:15 & 9:30PM Gold Class: 6:00 & 11:00PM Fathers and Daughters (Drama) 12+ Cast: Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Jane Fonda 5:15PM Extraction (Thriller) 12+ Cast : Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 7:30 & 11:45PM

Wazir (Hindi | Action| Thriller) PG12 Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar, Aditi Rao Hydari 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM

Fathers and Daughters (Drama) 12+ Cast: Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Jane Fonda 5:15PM

Snow Time - (Animation | Family) PG 3:00PM The Peanuts Movie - (Animation) PG 1:15 & 4:45PM The Good Dinosaur-3D (Animation) U 11:15PM & 6:45PM PANORAMA MALL The Revenant (Adventure, Drama)(2D)(12+) Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 2:45, 5:45, 11:45PM The Revenant (Adventure, Drama) (2D) (12+) VIP LOUNGE Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 3:00, 6:00, 11:00PM Lost In The Sun (Action, Drama)(2D) (12+) Cast : Josh Duhamel, Josh Wiggins 5:15, 11:15 pm Daddy’s Home (Comedy)(2D)(12+) Cast : Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg 7:00, 9:15 pm Wazir (Hindi, Action)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 3:45, 7:30, 9:30, 11:30 pm Wazir (Hindi, Action)(2D)(PG12)-VIP LOUNGE 9:00 pm Snow Time (Animation)(2D)(PG)

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

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

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

11.45 13.30 14.00

Echo Effect (Action / Thriller) Cast: Michael Jai White, Max Ryan, Steve Austin 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No : 3060 (12+) Daddy’s Home (Comedy) Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Linda Cardellini 3.45, 7.30 & 9.15 pm CP No: 3061 (12+) Fathers and Daughters (Drama) Cast: Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Jane 2.00 & 6.00pm CP No: 3062 (12+) Get Squirrely (Animation / Comedy / Family) 2.00 & 5.30 p.m.

CP No: 3063 (PG) Dilwale (Action / Comedy) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 11.00 p.m.

CP No: 3047 (PG12)

STAR CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Charlie ( Mal) ( Drama\Comedy) Cast : Dulquer Salmaan & Parvathy 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema Main Su Su Sudhi Vatmeekam (Mal) (Drama\Com) Cast : Jayasurya , Mukesh & Shivada 3-30 & 6-30 pm Cinema -2 Wazir ( Hindi) (Act Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akthar & Aditi Rao Hydari 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema-3 Bajirao Mastani (Hindi) (rom\ Act \ drama ) Cast : Ranveer Singh , Deepika Padukone & Priyanka Chopra 6-45 pm Cinema-4 Pasanga 2 ( Tamil) ( Drama \Comedy) Cast : Surya & Amala Paul 3-45, & 9-45 pm Cinema -4 Programmes are subject to change

ARZAAN ARIF KHAN January 12, 2015

JIYA SABU January 12

CHARUDHI January 12, 2011

RUSHIL.S.SHANKAR January 12, 2007

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

55-80%

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204) Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

0

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

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

10:25

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100)

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

Ruwi

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

07:00

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Minimum

SALALAH The Revenant (2D) (12+)( Action| Thriller) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 11:45AM, 3:15, 8:45, 11:45PM Fathers and Daughters (2D) (12+) (Drama) Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Jane Fonda 4:30PM Daddy’s Home (2D) (12+) (Comedy) Cast: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg 11:30AM, 6:45PM Extraction (2D) (12+) (Thriller) Cast: Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, Gina Carano 2:45PM Wazir (2D) (PG12)( Action| Thriller) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 1:15, 3:00, 9:15, 11:15PM Dilwale (2D) (PG12) (Action | Romantic ) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Kriti Sanon 6:15PM Lost in the Sun (2D) (PG12) Action | Drama ) Cast: Josh Duhamel, Josh Wiggins 11:15AM, 7:00PM Charlie (2D) (12+) (Malayalam)( Comedy) Cast: Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon 9:00PM Snow Time (2D) (PG) (Animation) Cast: Angela Galuppo, Mariloup Wolfe 1:15PM The Forest (2D) (15+) (Horror) 5:00, 11:30PM Cast: Natalie Dormer, Eoin Macken

BAHJA CINEMA

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

26 20

BURAIMI Echo Effect – 2D (Action, Thriller) (12+) Cast: Michael Jai White, Max Ryan 5:45, 7:15, 11:30PM The Revenant– 2D (Adventure) (12+) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter 3:00, 9:00, 11:45PM The Forest – 2D (Horror) (15+) Cast: Natalie Dormer, Eoin Macken 5:15, 9:45, 11:30PM Get Squirrely – 2D (Animation) (PG) Voice Overs: Victoria Justice, Will Forte 3:30, 5:45PM Wazir – 2D (Action, Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 3:45, 7:30, 9:30PM Charlie– 2D (Comedy, Romance) (12+) Cast: Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon 7:15PM

WITH LOVE

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 Wazir (Action / Thriller) – PG12 Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM Screen 2 Bajirao Mastani (Romance/Drama) – PG12 Cast : – Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh 3.30, 9.45 PM Ho Mann Jahan – Pakistani (Drama)– TBC Cast: –Mahira Khan, Sheheryar 6.30 PM Screen 3 Ho Mann Jahan – Pakistani – Urdu - (Musical/Drama) – TBC 3.45, 9.45 PM Dilwale (Action/Romance) – PG12 Cast: – Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 6.45 PM

SOHAR Dilwale - 2D (PG12) Action | Comedy Cast : Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 6:45 PM Point Break - 3D (12+) Action | Crime | Sport Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 5:30 PM The Good, the Bad and The Dead - 2D (15+) Action| Thriller | Western Cast : Johnny Messner, Dolph Lundgren 7:45 PM The Revenant - 2D (12+) Adventure | Drama Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 2:30, 8:45, 11:30 PM Wazir - 2D (PG12) Action| Thriller Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 3:00, 9:30, 11:30 PM The New Adventures of Aladin - 2D (PG12) Cast : Kev Adams, Jean-Paul Rouve 5:00 PM Echo Effect - 2D (12+) Action | Thriller Cast : Michael Jai White, Max Ryan 7:00, 9:45 PM Lost in the Sun - 2D (12+) Action | Drama Cast : Josh Duhamel, Josh Wiggins 2:45, 7:00, 11:45 PM The Forest - 2D (15+) Horror Cast : Natalie Dormer, Eoin Macken 3:00, 11:30 PM Get Squirrely - 2D (PG) Animation | Cast : Victoria Justice, Will Forte 5:00 PM Charlie - 2D (M) (PG12) Comedy/ Romance Cast : Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon 9:00 PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

2:45, 8:45, 11:30 PM The Revenant – 2D (12+) | Drama | Thriller Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 2:30, 5:30, 11:30 PM

AZAIBA Wazir – 2D (PG12) Hindi | Action| Thriller Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Farhan Akhtar 1:00, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30, 8:30, 10:30, 11:45pm Charlie – 2D (PG12) Comedy/ Romance Cast: Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon 12:15, 6:30, 9:00 PM Dilwale – 2D (PG12) Action, Romantic Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhavan 5:45, 8:30 PM Get Squirrely – 2D (PG) Animation Cast: Victoria Justice, Will Forte 3:00, 4:45 PM Bajirao Mastani – 2D (PG12) Drama, History, Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

The Revenant (2D) (Thriller) (12+) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 11:30 PM

Cast : Angela Galuppo, Mariloup Wolfe 5:45 pm Star Wars (Action, Adventure)(MX4D)(PG12) Cast : Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac 3:45, 6:30, 9:00, 11:30 pm Point Break (Action, Crime)(3D)(12+) Cast : Édgar Ramírez, Luke Bracey 3:00 pm Bajirao Mastani (Drama)(2D)(PG12) Cast : Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone 8:45 pm

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Destination

12.20pm 3.23pm 5.44pm 6.58pm 5.31am

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

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE

Power of Potatoes Here are some new and exciting ways to enjoy potatoes

P

otatoes are the vegetable that take breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks to the next level of yum. They are quick to disappear but also quick and easy to buy, prepare and serve.

Not only are potatoes uber satisfying, but research published in the Journal of American College of Nutrition also shows that when prepared healthfully, they can be a part of a weight loss programme — just call them the 9th Wonder of the World. If you’re looking for flavourful and nutritious dishes, then look no further.

Here’s a little inspiration for potato dishes sure to become favourites.

DIY Potato Chips This is a super easy and delicious

recipe. Boil potatoes for 5 minutes.

Then drain, dry, and cut into thin slices. Toss the freshly cut slices in one beaten egg white. Spray a nonstick pan with cooking spray and evenly space the chips throughout the pan. Bake slices at 200 degrees C for 35 minutes, turning halfway through. Top chips with sea salt or sprinkle cheese.

Season with New Flavour Favourites Spice up your baked or roasted potatoes with healthy toppings that really raise the bar on nutrition and flavour. Start with a plain, thick and creamy yoghurt and a good source of protein. If you’re serious about spice, try adding a tablespoon of Sriracha and orange juice to a half-cup of yoghurt, mix, and add

a dollop to your potatoes. Love a Mediterranean flair? Top your taters with Greek yoghurt mixed with lemon, garlic, roasted red peppers and oregano.

Wholesome Mashed Potatoes Mash your potatoes with a lowfat spread, Greek yoghurt or skim milk for that creamy, delicious texture you love, without all the extra calories.

Baked Potato Bar Families will love a baked potato bar. Top a baked potato with ground turkey, salsa, and light sour cream for taco night, or top your potatoes with tomato sauce, turkey pepperoni, Italian blend shredded cheese, and other veggies for a pizza-style delight.

KNOW YOUR SPICE

Chaat Masala What’s It? Chaat Masala is a blend of Indian spices. It is a tangy condiment that adds flavour to various dishes. This seasoning is very commonly used in India and is called an all-purpose seasoning.

Select and Store Store it in an airtight jar in a cool and dry place away from moisture. It will keep well for months, even a year.

Culinary Uses It is used in salads, legumes, fruit, grilled fish and meats, potatoes, and other vegetables. It can be used either before or after cooking. While most people use pre-mixed chaat masalas bought from stores, it can be made at home too. (See recipe)

History Chaat masala originated in some parts of Uttar Pradesh in India, but they are now eaten all across the Indian Subcontinent.

Homemade Chaat Masala Ingredients 2tbsp cumin seeds 1 1/2tsp fennel seeds 1 tsp mint 1tbsp amchur (mango powder) 1tbsp black salt 1tsp cayenne pepper 1/4tsp ground ginger Preparation Toast and grind cumin and fennel seeds and combine with remaining ingredients.

This mixture can be refrigerated and stored in a jar with a tight fitting lid. swati@timesofoman.com

Grilled Potatoes Potatoes are the perfect addition to your backyard barbecue menu.

Grilling potatoes adds a unique flavour you can’t get from the stove or oven. Create your own spud rub with onion powder, lemon pepper, paprika, sea salt, and ground cumin, and coat potatoes with a little extra virgin olive oil. Place the potatoes on a grill rack or basket, and within 15 minutes, you’ll have yourself the most spectacular side dish.

Customise a Nutritious Breakfast Hash Drizzle a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet and add diced potatoes (fresh, frozen or refrigerated) with bell pepper and onion, cover and cook on medium heat for 10 minutes. To serve with soft-

cooked eggs, use a spoon and make 4 shallow depressions in the hash and carefully crack an egg into each hollowed-out spot. Cover the pan and cook eggs for 5 minutes, or until the whites are set and yolks are still runny, then serve immediately. Alternatively, scramble four eggs and top your hash. For a final touch, top with hot sauce or a sprinkle of tarragon, salsa or chimichurri sauce.

One medium-sized skin-on potato has just 110 calories and contains 45 per cent of your daily value of vitamin C. On its own, a potato contains no fat, no sodium, no cholesterol and has more potassium than a banana. Healthy eating is so much better with foods you love and new ways to enjoy them.

— Brandpoint

Must Try in Muscat Ċ Baked potatoes at Espeto Gaucho at The Cave, Darsait Heights: +968 9444 7775; +968 2465 1077 Ċ Steak with almond potatoes and broccoli at Laval at Ghala Golf Club: +968 2450 5112 Ċ Potato and okra in black bean sauce at Royal China, located opposite the Qurum Garden: +968 2457 1339 Ċ Chatpati Aloo at The Passage to India at Hatat House: +968 2456 3452 Ċ Dum Aloo at Yellow Chillis, Almouj Marina, The Wave: +968 2454 1717 Ċ Aloo Methi Tikki, at Qureshi, Hormuz Grand Hotel: +968 2435 0500

C8

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2016

LIFESTYLE

ING ONE RED IEN T

FIV

EW AYS

Quinoa Packed with protein, fibre, and other essential nutrients,

quinoa is not only healthy but also delicious and crunchy.

Incorporate this gluten free grain in your daily eating.

For Breakfast

For Brunch

For Lunch

For Dinner

For Dessert

Quinoa is easy to cook, has a nutty flavour and it makes a great breakfast. Have it with maple syrup, mixed nuts, or fried egg. You can also make a quick quinoa porridge. Cook it in water or milk and top it with berries and chopped fruits of your choice. Add it to your smoothie.

If you want a wholesome brunch then scramble eggs and add it on the cooked quinoa. Combine them with flaxseed oil and a bit of turmeric.

Garnish with almond flakes.

Quinoa makes a wholesome lunch. Stuff it into vegetables like zucchini or squash. Also it makes a great alternative for pasta and rice. It’s an ideal base for easy and quick filling salads.

Bring quinoa broth to a boil till it is fluffy and keep aside.

Heat 2tbsp of olive oil in a skillet; cook and stir the garlic and onion until translucent.

Stir in the chicken breast strips. Add cut tomatoes and zucchini and cook for 10 minutes. Serve on hot quinoa.

Garnish with feta cheese and lime juice.

Quinoa is good as a dessert.

To make a quinoa pudding blend together the milk, bananas, sugar, and salt until smooth. Pour the milk mixture into the saucepan with boiled quinoa and cook on medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Stir in the butter and vanilla and serve warm.

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D8

FOR RENT AL KHUWAIR : 5 BED ROOM VILLA SPLIT A/C - MAID ROOM

RUWI : Ware House - 630 M2 SPACIOUS -2 B H K FLATS

Contact :

24 70 30 60

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D2

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

E t &ůĂƚƐ Θ ^ŚŽǁƌŽŽŵƐ ĨŽƌ ZĞŶƚ 1/2/3 BHK Flats & Showrooms at DƵƩ ƌĂŚ͕ ŶĞĂƌ KŵĂŶ Ň ŽƵƌ ŵŝůůƐ͕ ϭϬ ŵŝŶ͘ ĨƌŽŵ ĐŽƌŶŝĐŚĞ͘ ĞƋƵŝƉƉĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƐƉůŝƚͬ ĐĂƐƐĞƩ Ğ ƵŶŝƚ Ɛ͕ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĞƚ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͕ ĨƌĞĞͲ ƚŽͲĂŝƌ ĚŝƐŚ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟ ŽŶ͕ ds ŵŽŶŝƚŽƌĞĚ͕ ďĂƐĞŵĞŶƚ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ͘ ZĞŶƚ ZK͘ϮϱϬͬϯϱϬͬϰϱϬ ;EĞŐŽƟ ĂďůĞͿ ƉĞƌ ŵŽŶƚŚ͘

Contact : 99229263; 93221054; 95215289

Apartment and room for rent in Al Khuwair near IBIS hotel.

Contact: 95724975

2 BR flat with 1 sitting room, 1 family hall with 3 attach bathroom in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99277787

2 Room + hall & kitchen ,3 toilets in Bareeq Al Shatti 750 RO. Contact 99314314

3 Bedroom flat for rent near ONTC Ruwi. Contact: 9965336

2BHK at Al Nahdha Hospital behind MHD Building.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

For rent 1bed room flat, near Indian school (ISD) at Darsait.

Contact: 94776771/ 99669216

Furnished villa for rent in BarkaRumes, 3 big BRooms + Majlis + Saloon + kitchen. Contact : 98999667

2BHK commercial RO 375/-, 350/Contact: 97799175 / 92144045

3 bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact 95755953 / 95555162 To let rooms in Qurum.

Contact: 99664703 House for rent Mabela.

Contact: 99204400 Store / warehouse for rent 52 sqm at Maabela Sinaiya.

Contact: 92454170 02 BHK Commercial / Residential (with split AC) flat at Honda road.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241 02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nadha hospital.

Contact : 99342733 /99795241 Flat for rent in Darsait 3 BR, 2 toilets, sitting room R.O 250/-.

Contact: 92328142

1 BHK near Medical Darsait R.O 170/- . Contact: 95076261 Residential Commercial building consists of 30 Flats in Al Khoud 6 the following details: 20 flats with 2 rooms and a hall, bathroom and kitchen. 10 flats with room and hall and 2 toilet. Shop 500 square meters. for total 30 Flats rent 7,000 RO per month and rent the exhibition 10 RO per m2 Contact 99314314 500 sqm Basement Godown/warehouse For Rent in Mabela industrial area. CALL: 99366008 / 99236455 2BHK modern & spacious flats with split AC for rent in Qurum near PDO Gate No.2.

Contact: 94057023

Shop for rent in Ghubra near Bank Muscat. Contact: 97788999

2BHK flats with split AC available for rent at Al Khuwair 33.

Contact: 94057023

1& 2 BHK C.B.D & Ruwi.

Contact: 99024730

8 BR Villa Shatti Qurum.

Contact: 99024730

2BHK and 3 Washrooms (Pent House at Al Ghubrah. Contact 99452227 Brand new Twin Villas in Mawaleh South 4BR; 2Halls; External Kitchen and Maids room.

Contact: 99414106 Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi MBD Honda road. Contact: 92433127 / 97293708

1000 sqm industrial land with compound well & two rooms at Misfah. Contact: 99342733/ 99795241 2BHK flat opp. star cinema & 3BHK office. Contact 92926199 2BHK flat for rent Darsait near ISM. Contact: 95158570 / 99102255

Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi, MBD area & Honda road.

Contact: 92589235/ 94579531

Independent room with Kitchen & Bathroom attach near Mabellah BP Petrol Pump R.O 100/- , without Elect & water. Contact: 91516775

Warehouse for rent in Ghala Industrial use 1000 sqm , 8m height with office & A/C with open area 200 sqm near Al Suqri workshop only R.O 3.5/- sqm.

Contact: 99360453

Only for serious people a Restaurant for rent or sale at excellent site in Al Ghubra area with all its equipment & approval to bring workers. Contact: Numan 95094062

Commercial / residential flats in a new building for rent near Muttrah Police Station residential 1BHK / 2BHK more details. Contact: 99364735 / 95729711

Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454 Flats for rent in Muscat.

Contact: 99262605.

Labour camp accommodation facilities near Sohar Gardens for 1500-2000 peoples. All modern facilities & natural atmosphere will provide as per customer requirement, interested people can contact 93221277 for further details. as per the client requirement, we will make all facilities within short period.

House in old Muscat town near Bab Al Mathaib, 5 bedrooms, living room & kitchen.

Contact 99319829

2BHK Al Khuwair R.O 375/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175 2BHK Ghubra R.O 300/- , 325/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175 Duplex villa in QURUM 29.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Show room / shop for rent area 155 sqm at 600/-R.O shops at 160/- R.O. Contact 97714433 / 92822437 1BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/-.

Contact: 97799175 / 92144045

1 BHK new bldg with A/c curtains, near Khimji Mart, MBD. Contact 99061408 / 99024039

3 BHK flat near Darsait ID medical.

RO 420/- Contact – 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288

Profs/ Jack. Contact 93219378

7 Bedrooms villa in Ghobrah North.

Contact - 96420432

2 BHK Flats for rent Muttrah near Oman house S/ AC. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232

Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

FOR SALE Dozer Kom 355A -3 Dozer Kom 155A- 3 Grader Champion 780 Excavator PC 400 with breaker Man green water tanker 5000 IG All are in good condition

FOR RENT

99310448/99612010/95208455

BUILDING

FOR SALE MUMTAZ AREA (NEAR RUWI HOTEL)

CONTACT - 99353931

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

FOR RENT 2BHK, 3 washroom Flat with Split Air Conditioners Near Lulu Darsait

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished sharing accommodation in ruwi near O.K. Center for non-cooking indian bachelor.

Contact - 98805474

CONTACT :

93202733 Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. Contact 9405178997201688 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact 9405178997201688 600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details. Contact: 91214849/ 99364735 Flats in Darsait.

Contact 94051789-97201688 One flats for rent 2 bedroom all with bath al Ghobrah north near Indian school (hot burger restaurant) Tel. 9976610 Flat for Rent 1/2 BHK Flat at Muttrah, near Oman flour mills, 10 min. from Corniche.Equipped with split unit ACs, internet points, free-to-air dish connection, CCTV monitored, basement parking.

Rent RO.250/350 per month.

Contact:99229263; 93221054; 95215289 1BHK flat near Star Cinema 220/Contact 99358589 /95570288 Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact 94051789-97201688 Flats in Muttrah. Contact 94051789-97201688 Offices in Ghala. Contact 94051789-97201688 Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. Contact: 9405178997201688 1,2 BHK Ghubra R.O 300/-, 325/- & 350/-. Contact: 97799175

FLATS FOR RENT In a Luxury Building in Al Seeb Market Near Police station Call: 99888007 - 99473500 Single BHK flat available in Honda road Ruwi. Contact 24833972/ 24833974/99367448

AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting.

Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

FOR HIRE Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Low bed Trailer (PDO – SPC) available monthly / daily for Rent.

Contact: 96633970

WANTED IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area. Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up.

Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

FOR SALE Luxury villa for sale at Al Hail South building area 375m land area 323, 6 rooms, 3 halls, 7 toilets.

Contact 99839898

FOR SALE Office furniture, fixtures & electric appliances for urgent sale.

Contact: 92122705

Mangalorean restaurant at Wadi Kabir & shop at Ruwi for sale.

Contact: 98428507 / 93655003

Used home furniture and household appliances in good condition for sale. (Else 3bhk can be taken for rent along with furnitures.)

Contact: 99738104

Full dental unit for sale.

Contact: 00968 92737149 Email: drpkabbas@yahoo.co.in

Beauty Salon for urgent sale in Azaiba prime location behind Al Fardan building. With sponsor and 1 staff and 1 ready visa clearance. Call: 95318629 / 95169411 Items for sale : expat leaving all household items for sale a to z, bulk buyers will benefit call raj 97373186 or 91456907.

Restaurant for sale in Dibba.

Contact: 96446640 Marble Factory for sale location Misfa. Contact: 98586828 Exercise cycle for sale.

Contact – 92847957 For sale - Plastic Palettes. For inspection. Contact: Mr. Ali Azan 95501102 Villas in Al Khoud. Contact 95056808-97201688 Luxury Apartments in Boucher (35). Contact 9505680897201688 3 BHK flat in Greater Muttrah Dar Al Maha for immediate sale.

Contact: 95061994 / 96435858 3Ton Forklift, Special made for Oman market, Japanese Isuze C240 Engine, Cascade side shifter, High amount exhaust, 3m lifting height, Solid tyres, One year warranty. Contact: 98883445 Dental equipments sparingly used for sale. Contact: 91232778 / 99722457

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact -9505680897201688

MV SALE Volks Wagen Tiguan model 2014 For Sale 13,700 KM only (Low Mileage) Excellent Condition.

For enquiry call 95438037 Toyota Hiace for sale good condition 2010 model.

Contact: 94203204 Mitsubishi Lancer 1.3 L, 2006 model, manual transmission, Expat driven. Contact: 99741828 Ford Mondeo 2008, excellent condition. Contact #97094752 Nissan Tiida, 2009 model, fully automatic, remote control doors & location light, single hand driver by expat, kms 75000, excellent condition , no accident, insurance valid till 11th July. Contact: 99016546 Toyota Innova family, 2011 model, fully automatic, white color expat driven , kms-84500. dealer maintained, no accident. good condition. Contact 99001726 Hummer H2 model 2006, 178000 km, Full options Number 1 Army edition.OMR 7200. Contact -99466773 Chaverlet Epica 2004 model RO -700, for sale.

Contact 92194205 BMW 318/ 2003 for sale.

Contact 96364990

Fully furnished bedrooms in a luxury villa at Ansab for Executives / couples.

Contact: 98458542 Furnished room with a/bathroom in Al Khuwair33 for Indian Executive. Call: 95234062 Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for executive bachelor opposite OC centre Ruwi. Call: 92273779 Semi furnished spacious room with attached washroom separate entrance near Indian school Al Ghobrah for non cooking Executive Indian bachelor.

Contact: 95146361/92657598 Independent rooms in Qurum RO 140/- & 160/-.

Contact 95529970 Single room for expat Indian bachelors near Al Aktham restaurant Al khuwair for RO 120.

Water and electricity included.

Contact 98803261 Veg Couple or bachelor room in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99014325 / 91165580 Single bedroom flat behind German Embassy, near Al Nahdha Hospital.

Contact 99203954 Furnished room in new building for working Muslim lady/ Muslim couple only. Location AINT, Darsait. Contact - 99008069 Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan villeage.

Contact 93687466

FOR LADIES Special offer for ladies only, All beautification for 15 RO. Al Doom beauty parlour in Ruwi.

(Home service also) Contact 99619409

Looking for investor in steel fabrication plant. Contact 98667442 / 98119694 Canadian Consultancy company (recruitment & immigration) is looking for a partner company in Oman.

For contact 00973 39990830 eurogulf.ca@gmail.com, Low firm office in Shatti Al Qurum looking for an Indian legal advisor has got 5 years experience in Oman and good contacts with the big companies and banks in Oman.

Email: rahbi.lawyers@gmail.com

LOST AlAmin Hossain Saha Alam has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AC 4113306. Finder please handover to ROP.

CHANGE OF NAME I Kayyum Khan (holder of Indian Passport No. M6645627) son of Gaffar Khan having permanent residence in V.P.O. Rolsabsar Teh Fatepur Distt Ikar Raj. India (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in Muscat Oman, Al Khuwair P.O. Box 382, PC 114 (complete postal address in Oman) intend to change my name from Kayyum Khan (old name) to Kayyum Ali (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.

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D4

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT dŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƐƚĂī ŝƐ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞĚ ďLJ Ă ůĞĂĚŝŶŐ /ŶƚĞƌŶĂů ĞƐŝŐŶĞƌ ŽŵƉĂŶLJ ŝŶ DƵƐĐĂƚ͘

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/ŶƚĞƌĞƐƚĞĚ ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞ ĐĂŶ ƐĞŶĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ CV at

Śƌ͘ŝŶƚĞƌŶĂůŝƟ ĞƐΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

WANTED Excellent Grade Construction Company Requires the following.

1. Purchase Executive (Purchase Officer).

2. Camp Boss.

Interested Candidates send CV to below email.

URGENTLY REQUIRED ƌĞƉƵƚĞĚ ϯ ƐƚĂƌ ŚŽƚĞů ŝŶ DƵƐĐĂƚ ŝƐ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ Ă

MARKETING MANAGER DƵƐƚ ƉŽƐƐĞƐƐ͗ ZĞůĞǀĂŶƚ ŚŽƚĞů ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ sĂůŝĚ ' ĚƌŝǀŝŶŐ ůŝĐĞŶƐĞ ^ƚƌŽŶŐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ƐŬŝůůƐ

Contact – 95020704 ŽƉĞƌĂƟ ŽŶƐΛŚŽƚĞůŐŽĂƐŝƐ͘ĐŽŵ

URGENTLY REQUIRED FŽƌ Ă ƌĞƉƵƚĞĚ ƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟ ŽŶ ŽŵƉĂŶLJ͕ džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ

D W E'/E Z WŝƚŚ ŵŝŶŝŵƵŵ ϱ LJĞĂƌƐ KŵĂŶͬ ' ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ƚŽ ŝŶĚĞƉĞŶĚĞŶƚůLJ ŵĂŶĂŐĞ ƚŚĞ D W ǁŽƌŬƐ͘ WƌĞĨĞƌĂďůLJ ĂŶ ĞůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů ĚĞŐƌĞĞͬĚŝƉůŽŵĂ ŚŽůĚĞƌ ǁŝƚŚ KŵĂŶ ƌŝǀŝŶŐ >ŝĐĞŶƐĞ͘ Ʃ ƌĂĐƟ ǀĞ ƉĂĐŬĂŐĞ Žī ĞƌĞĚ

hr.vecancy.muscat@gmail.com

Contact: 24591818 ŵĂŝů͗ƌĞĐƌƵŝƚΛŐƌŽƵƉĐĞŶƚƵƌLJ͘ĐŽŵ

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

DRIVER

We are looking for Chief Financial Officer, Male 40- 45 years old, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with 5 - 15 yrs. of experience.

Contact: +968 24702133 Email: admin-dept@daud.om

ADMIN Required Admin / Accounts Assistant. Contact: 95892831 Email: info@rcsoman.com Required Female Office Assistant with good computer knowledge.

Send CV to Fax: 24799442 nationalhvac.mep@gmail.com A well reputed trading company requires Customs Clearance Incharge (Omani National) for its logistics division with minimum 3 years experience in the same field.

Please Send Your C.V. to: jobsnow2015@yahoo.com

Reputed Construction Company require experienced light Vehicle Driver. Contact 95526871 Looking for an Indian experienced house Driver for an Omani family. Interested candidates may call: 96203333

ENGINEER/TECH/MECH Urgently required Electrical foreman with driving license. electrician with electrical license for an electrical company in Muscat.

Contact 93284291 Crankshaft Grinding Technician, Engine block boring Technician, turner required urgently for immediate appointment. call or whatsapp 98898273 Civil Site Supervisor for telecom tower projects across Oman. Send CV to fyjo@spec-link.com or call +968 9946 7227

IT

Required experience Beautician.

Contact 99619409

Required male Omani / Filipino, 24 – 35 yrs as IT Coordinator.

Fluent in English, to handle all Web Designing aspects, Mail Campaigns management, Technical Support / Troubleshooting. Contact: 91371231

CATERING MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Required Waiter / Waitress (preferable fluency in Arabic/ English).

Contact: 95892831 Email: info@rcsoman.com Asian Oriental / BBQ cook.

Contact: 95529970 Indian Chinese Tandoor cooks required for hiring.

Contact: 95061994 / 96435858 A fast food restaurant in Muscat required experience:- (i). Social Media service provider. (ii). Part time Marketing and Forward CV :fastfoodoman2014@gmail.com

DESIGNER A reputed Interior company urgently required Interior Designer having well experience for self-design, AutoCAD, 3D max, Photoshop & V-ray Email: suresh@saharaintl.net

DOMESTIC HELP Looking for housemaid urgently clearance available good salary yearly ticket. TEL 24446920 / 99238121, mail: ravi.ztc@omzest.com

DRIVER Required driver.

Contact: 95892831 Email: info@rcsoman.com Driver available with release.

Contact: 93885404 Personal Driver for reputed family in Muscat. Requirements is fluent in English, valid GCC driving license, age must be 28 to 35.

Contact: 99466062 Wanted HEAVY DUTY DRIVER for an Electro-Mechanical Company.

Pl mail resume to heavydutydrivermuscat@gmail. com or call 92343611. Local candidates need to have an NOC.

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ŵĂŝů͗ ŽŵĂŶĞŶŐŝŶĞĐŽΛLJĂŚŽŽ͘ĐŽŵ

REQUIRED 1. Occupational Health Advisor (with OH qualifications & 5 years oil field or relevant experience)

2. Lead Emergency Physician (10 yrs experience in emergency medicine in remote work (occupational) setting.

Have ACLS, ATLS, PHTLS & food safety level 4.

Email : medicalinformation2016@gmail.com Well reputed Marble Company looking for

3 SALESMEN Requires minimum 3 years experience and valid Omani driving license.

Interested candidates please Fax your CV to 24601724 or Email on saab2803@gmail.com

MEDICAL

BEAUTY Urgently requited Indian Gulf experienced Beautician al Hail, good salary & allowances.

Contact: 96175350

SITUATION WANTED

A reputed Interior and Kitchen company urgently required well experienced supervisor having minimum 5 years of experience in Carpentry related job with valid Omani driving license. Send CV to suresh@saharaintl.net.

MEDICAL Wanted urgently lady Doctor GP or DGO for immediate appointment. Contact : 99310590 Email: tjmaluke@gmail.com Wanted a female Nurse for a dental clinic in capital area.

Contact:-99855050 Urgently required General Practitioners (male), lab technician, Staff Nurse & Receptionist (female, Arabic & English speaking) for a reputed Medical Centre, Salalah.

Email : hrmdimc2010@gmail.com Urgently required Lab Tech & Radiologist for medical Center in ruwi interested candidate kindly send short CV bmdcsg@yahoo.com or cont: 95220350 Required General Practitioners male & female with MOH license to work in a polyclinic in the Capital area. Contact 99372860 Required female Nurse with MOH license dental clinic in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99010755 Email: akdmuscat@hotmail.com Female marketing for medical centre in Al Khuwair with driving license. Contact: 99010755 Email: akdmuscat@hotmail.com Required experienced Dentist with MOH license to manage dental clinic in Muscat.

Email: akdmuscat@hotmail.com Wanted Nurse for a Dental centre in capital area. Interested may contact 93431024 or send CV to – drasyanaseem@gmail.com

Wanted GP Doctor with MOH license, job location in Muscat with good salary and benefits. Drop your cv at 0careerhr1972@gmail.com.

MISCELLANEOUS Sales Ladies wanted for Ladies Boutique. Age: 20-35 yrs.

Al Khoudh. Send CV to sameer916@hotmail.com or call 91159905 Urgently required for a reputed company in Oman (Tyre, Battery & Lubricant division) Sr. Executives/Executive-5 nos (Sohar, Nizwa & Muscat), Techno Commercial Professional-5nos, Driver (Omani)-1no. Required minimum 3-5 yrs experience in the same field with market exposure holding valid Omani driving license or GCC. Kindly fwd your CV’s to ashwin@taasintl.org Contact: (+968)93891700 Store keeper (any nationality) for multi divisions (house ware, Toys, sports & foodstuff) must have at 4 years of experience in Oman.

Attractive package will be offer to selected candidate. Contact: 00968 92802204 Email us your CVs onto: info@alliusie.com One of the leading Business groups in Oman is looking for light duty drivers, labourer, Secretary male. Interested candidates may apply to muscat.supply@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Required male Omani, Age: 24 – 35 as Operations Coordinator.

Fluent in English, should closely communicate and follow up Onsite requirement coordination.

Contact 99358667 An excellent grade company requires Sales Executive for their Aluminium division. Min 3 to 5 years GCC experience in the same field with D/L may kindly send CV to info@sunubunited.com or sunubunited@gmail.com Urgently requires Assistant Marketing Manager & Marketing Executive with experience (preference will be given to Educational / Training exp) and Omani driving License. Mail your CV to: jobs@aifas.net or call 93677795 Urgently requires Assistant Marketing Manager & Marketing Executive with experience (Preference will be given to Educational / Training exp) and Omani driving License. Mail your CV to: jobs@aifas.net or call 93677795 The Arabian Institute, Al Suwaiq.

Wanted Marketing Personnel for acquiring Premium customers for MNC. Should have communication/sales skills and must possess Oman DL. Contact 9654 5020.

A leading Trading Group is looking for Sales Executive having experience in construction equipment / building materials with driving license & release / NOC. Email CV to alhajoil@omantel.net. om or fax : 24701683 An excellent Grade company requires experience Salesman for indoor and outdoor with Oman driving license. Mail your CV to salesppeoman@gmail.com

SKILLED LABOR

Tyres company seeking for Sales man, minimum 2-3 years experience. Send CV to saeed@liwainvestments.com

We are looking for a person who is expert in cold room, cold store, duct AC, chiller and other cooling systems. Contact: 96406340 / 99807720

Air Conditioning company required experienced Sales Executive with license. Send CV to nationalhvac.mep@gmail.com Fax: 24799442

Heavy vehicle Garage Forman, Mechanic, Painter, Denter, Service man, Mason.

Contact: 99453617 Email: alsawarillc@gmail.com

Experienced Salesman required for A/C spare parts shop. Send CV to nationalhvac.mep@gmail.com Fax: 24799442

Looking for experienced construction laborers as a subcontractor for a villa construction in Mawaleh.

Contact: 96203333 Immediate Requirements for experienced Tailors (Designer wears, casual clothing). Please call for interview 99471085

SALES / MARKETING Salesman require for building material with driving license & 10 years working experience.

Fax your C.V 24833043.

(Mustafa Hardware Store) Looking for a foreign staff has experience in Oman in real estate field. Contact Email: aburashid94dd@gmail.com A Chemical trading Company is looking for Salesmen with diploma certificate, 3 years experience, with valid driving license and a car. Send CVs to greatstar@omantel.net.om

A reputed Interior and Kitchen (Domestic & Commercial) company urgently required well experienced Sales & Marketing Executive having minimum3 years of experience at the related job with valid Omani driving license. send CV to suresh@saharaintl.net An excellent Grade company requires Foreman / Supervisor for their false ceiling division. Min 5 to 8 years experience in handling the projects & execution, kindly send CV to hrjobs1679@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian lady, bachelor degree in Preparatory Programme (BPP) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), completed training course in MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook from KTI looking for full time / part time job opportunity in Oman.

Contact 92437568, 96795853, Email: linda_navs@yahoo.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male, 28, Post Graduate, 6 years exp. in Oman in Sales and Credit Control , with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable placements.

NOC available. Ph: 9206 6523

Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687

Indian male 28 MBA & M.Com finance 5 yrs exp in Accounts & finance. NOC available seeks suitable placement. Contact: 93939421 Email: baleeq.ams@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

Indian male well experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally9 & Admin in India and Oman currently on visit visa looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 94834687 A young CA (ACA & ACCA qualified) with 4 years experience in one of top audit firms in UK & KSA seeks suitable placement in Oman.

Contact: Kamran : hkamran112@gmail.com, +44 7480 1196 74, +968 93595050 8+ yrs exp in Admin & Accounts (3 yrs in Oman) MBA, Indian female, seeks placement.

Contact: 97243806 Pakistani male B.Com with accounts experience and Oman driving license seeking for suitable placement. Contact: 94756263 Indian Operations Manager 18 years in Oman accounts, Admin, purchase sales, general operations experience. Contact: 99889396 / 99044724 Email: srjobsinoman@yahoo.com 32 yrs Indian male (B.Com) having 7 years Oman experience Oman D/L & NOC available, looking for suitable placement. Contact: 98093515 / 97494322 Email: manusodharan83@gmail.com

28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement. shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Contact 90187483 Part time accountant, up to finalization of accounts, looking for job after 5PM (Location prefers –n MSQ to AL Hail) Contact: 95694737 Accounts & finance Indian male 35 years B.Com M.B.A (F) 7 years experience valid Oman D/L family visa N.O.C available.

Contact: 93257426 / 95230114 Email: sibigeorgep@gmail.com 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, cammk13@gmail.com Part time Accountant with 15 yrs exp. in Accounts Finance, Tax Audit Management.

Contact 95857199 Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization, consulting & audit works. Contact: 96247295

Senior Accountant, well experience & Qualified looking for part time accounting after 4 pm.Contact:91126314

MBA (finance) one year experience in Oman, have Oman license looking for a good job.

Contact 94103975

Indian male 31 years, 11+ years experience in Accounts & Payroll looking for a suitable position. Presently working as a Senior Accountant - Payroll in a Oil & Gas company.

NOC available. Contact.95818703

Young 24, ACCA affiliate, advanced diploma in Accounting and business, seeking suitable placement in accounts, finance or audit with valid driving license.

Contact: 92430152 Email: rau_dey@yahoo.com

Chartered Accountant - Indian, 9 yrs + Exp (7 yrs in Oman & UAE) in Finance, Accounts & Auditing, seeking suitable position in Muscat/ Dubai, Can Join Immediately, NOC Available , Contact : 98707434 / Email: casmart007@gmail.com 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, cammk13@gmail.com Indian male 30 B.Com (Accounts) exp 6 yrs in East Africa & 1 yr exp in Oman .NOC available looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 94613626 Email: sharis.shaheer@gmail.com 15 years served Oman LLC SAOG, SAOC Contracting, trading manufacturing company as Finance Commercial Manager looks after finance logistics, procurement, ERP, oracle, tally focus internal control implementation B.Com PGDBM, ICWA (Inter). Contact: 91721545 / 95788723, Email: manojpanda111@hotmail.com Accounting B.Com, 2 years experience in Indian tally ERP9, Peachtree, accounting, QuickBooks accounting SMACC , busy advanced excel PowerPoint E filing of statutory return visit date 24/12/2015 visit exp 23/1/2015 Indian male 37yrs, (M.Com Finance) with 12 yrs experience (9 yrs in Oman) in accounts up to finalization can join immediately having NOC & Oman driving license looking for suitable placement. Contact: 90194907 Email: ke.jinson@gmail.com Male 15yrs experience as Senior Accountant with D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact: 91176085 Email: sahil_70@hotmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, finance, banking, L/C, import, export & finalization seeks placement. NOC Available.

Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com Indian male B.Com accountant job 6 years experience in Oman looking suitable placement. Contact 95741442 navaskamaru944@gmail.com

28/ male MBA – finance /B.com – accountant with 4 years of Dubai / India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 90187483 Email: shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

ARCHITECT Diploma Architect 3Ds Max (interior, exterior) AutoCAD seeking suitable position.

Contact: 98907341 Email: susuhu009@gmail.com India Architect (B.arch) with 5 years working experience available in Muscat on visit visa. Contact 92774992 , Email: shabnaarch@gmail.com Architect looking for freelance work in (design plans and 3dmax).

Contact: 96041201

ADMIN Indian female 29 MBA (HR) BSc Oman & India, 3 years exp in Admin & HR seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95619537 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 Male Graduate , worked 19 years experience in U.A.E , Oman , Qatar , Saudi, Kuwait in the field of documentation as a document controller , planning Asst & some part of admin seeking suitable placement & ready to join immediately.

Contact: 93220534 Email: aniyer789@gmail.com Filipino male with 13 years HR and Administration managerial experience. MBA & CIPD holder.

Currently looking for job in Oman.

Interested employer pls call 97728418.

Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position.

Contact: 90196235 Indian female 27 yrs with 5 yrs HR /Admin experience seeking suitable placement with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 98236033

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ADMIN

DRIVER

Indian Female MBA, 3 Year experience in Admin MIS, Family Visa.

Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com

Experienced Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic Well knowledge of Oman Areas Seeking Suitable placement 97950869

Indian lady, having NOC seeking admin or accounts asst or showroom sales job. Contact 94417080

Light driver need job exp 4 years English & Arabic speaking.

Contact: 94208089

Indian male Graduate 1 year experience in office Admin, assistance invoicing planning safety etc looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 94112207 Email: zidhique@gmail.com Indian Gulf experienced (more than 7 years) as document controller, site administrator, project secretary and site store keeper in construction on visit visa seek suitable placement.

Contact 92196001 Young Indian male, MBA Graduate with valid Omani driving license looking for suitable placement, currently on visit visa.

Contact: 91966286 / 92126618 14 years of Gulf experience in HR/ Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position, NOC available.

Contact: 95824598 Indian male MBA- UK 18 yrs Gulf exp in Administration/ HR & Public relationship. Fluent in Arabic/ English with D/L. Looking for suitable position.

Contact - 99897280 Indian female Graduate over 6 years of Admin operations experience looking for similar jobs.

Contact: 94231020 Pakistani female Graduate plus Post Graduate diploma in logistics 6 years experience in shipping, office administration and customer service. Fluent English and very presentable on visit visa.

Contact: 91528567

CATERING Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Interior designer Indian male with 4 years experience / 3Ds Max, AutoCAD .Now on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 94886507 Email: vizhue07@gmail.com 25 years male BA. English , Qualified as mast in digital animation having 5 yrs ex in character animation specialized Auto Desk mago and motion building software knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 97917357

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Procurement Engineer (27 years single male with Oman Driving License) having 7 years experience (UAE 2, Oman 3) with expertise in MEP, Water, Electromechanical, Instrumentation seeking suitable placements. Contact 95852033, mail: hemal1988@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Diploma in Automobile Engg male 26 yrs, working as Service Advisor for 2.5 yrs seeking suitable position. Contact: 94744933 Email: shuhaibmost007@gmail. com 34 years experience in Oil / Gas automobile Mechanical Engineer, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 99063574 Omani national, female fresh Graduated in Civil Engineer seeking a position. Contact : 97760811 Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 8 years experience HVAC, MEP, MPM in management.

Contact: 97986890 Indian male Diploma in Automobile Engg 12 years Gulf experience in Asphalt road Supervisor with Omani D/L looking for suitable position. Contact: 96015473 E& V Sr. Presales Engineer +7 years experience in UAE, Qatar & Oman having valid Oman D/L & NOC. Contact : 93384285 Indian male, Diploma Civil Engineer having 2years experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97376450, Email:shanavasshaj@gmail.com Structural steel supervisor / foreman 12 and half yrs Gulf exp fabrication & erection NOC available.

Contact +91 9061761881 / +91 9446149459 Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience as HVAC design Engineer, Revit MEP, AutoCAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: rahmanmechengg@yahoo.in

DOMESTIC HELP Full time Malayalee House maid.

Contact: 90178404 / 94451344 / 93000935

DRIVER

Civil Diploma Engineer cum Quantity survey male 6 years experience in Oman valid Oman D/L. Contact: 93747759 Email: jaleelvanimalkp@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) with 2 and half years experience Indian male 24 years in visit visa. Contact: 96620482 / + 91 9605423272 Email: bijumonps@gmail.com

Project Civil Engineer, BSc, 6 years experience in Oman, building construction Fluent Arabic, English and good Hindi Release and NOC Available). Tel: 97858589

Indian male 24, B.Tech Electrical & Electronics Engineering & P.G diploma in automation & Scada with 2 years experience in power transformer & generator testing and maintenance, looking for suitable placement. Contact: 95340253 Email: seanjohnson176@gmail.com

Indian male, 25 yrs, Diploma in Hardware & Network Engineering having 4 yrs experience now in Oman, on visit visa seeking suitable placement. Contact 98779754 / 92720311

Mechanical Engineer 6 years Oman experience in projects , maintenance, materials Indian male with Omani D/L seeking suitable job. Contact: 94252769 / 95505471 Email: rami.mech@gmail.com Civil Engineer 11 years experience in construction having driving license & NOC. Contact: 94194399 Email: shiblyrock@gmail.com Male 29 years (BE) MEP Engineer 8.5 years of experience in building construction. Seeking a suitable job. Contact -95119765/ Email id jayachandranmep@gmail.com NOC available 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 Civil Engineer (Diploma) having 11 years experience in building construction, looking for a suitable placement , having Oman driving license. Noc available.

Contact: 95075365 Email: azharraaz@gmail.com Civil Diploma 5years exp in Oman solid building construction + AutoCAD, holding Omani driving license.

Noc available looking for suitable job. Contact: 99012590 Email: yousaf.engi2010@gmail.com Electrician, have driving license.

Contact: 95600418 B.Tech Civil Eng with 3 years experience in the field of quantity survey skilled in the areas of Primavera, AutoCAD, MX excel.

Contact: 94853061 Email: arunmohan.13990@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

Indian, male, MBA with over 10 year Oman experience in MEP / HVAC Procurement and Stores looking for suitable placement.

NOC available. Contact 94048474.

Male (23) BE Electrical Engineer looking for job as Electrical Engineering job experience 6 months in MEP designing & electrical designing job. Contact 98209070 Email: punivinlal@gmail.com

Bangladeshi male 48 yrs, light driver 14 yrs of exp, need job & visa. Contact - 98326656 Driver (light & heavy duty) valid gulf /Indian) looking job.

Contact: 95175192

Mechanical Engineer with 3 years experience and possess valid Omani driving license seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97411523 Email: malvindevachan@gmail.com

Instrument Technician (diploma), Indian male, 24 yrs, 3 yrs experience in reputed oil & gas companies, currently on visit visa, seeks suitable job. Contact: 92007218 Email: ahmed0515@gmail.com Diploma in Mechanical Eng piping system in AutoCAD work, 21+ years experience with Driving license. Contact: 95267113 Email: rkakkaryil@gmail.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

Senior Telecom Engineer 4 years experience in Oman valid driving license MBA project management.

Contact: 95688953 Email: johan.joy@gmail.com

Civil Engineer B.E 12 years experience with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 93843448

Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975528

Diploma in Electronics, 2 years exp in telecommunication.

Contact: 94519571 Email: telecommunicationvishnumadhull @gmail.com

HSE Engineer (BE Mech + Dip in Safety+ NEBOSH + OSHA), 10 yrs exp, NOC Available, seeking suitable placement: Mob: 97061817 email: jayanammu1977@gmail.com

Driver with new car looking for job.contact: 95873286

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer with 6 yrs experience in MEP field, seeking for a job, on visit visa with GCC license available.

Contact 98086267, Email : khaleel1586@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im

Bangladeshi male light driver exp 14 years need job and visa transfer, release paper available.

Contact: 99165961

Electrical designer Indian male 25 yrs experience of oil & gas field in Oman seeking suitable placement. Contact: 99605127 Email: gerard.baptist@gmail.com

Indian male, 26 yrs, having 5 yrs Gulf experience as pre sales Engineer in IT field, looking for suitable job. NOC available, having Oman driving license with own car.

Contact 96929899, Email : umeshreshmiya2@gmail.com

B.Tech Civil Engineer Indian male having 1 year experience in home country, having Indian driving license. Contact 92367429 / 918801851806

Civil AutoCAD Draughtsman 12 years experience 9 years Gulf experience. Contact: 93528255

Light driver Pakistani male 32 years with valid driving license seeking placement required visa.

Contact: 97106232

Civil structural Engineer 6 years experience Oman license.

Contact: 96380693

Sudanese Civil Engineer with 5 years experienced AutoCAD primavera & GIS Arabic & English language looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 91340584

Light duty driver with 3 yrs exp Pakistani seeks placement.

Contact: 98004139

Looking for heavy duty driving job 5 years experiences in G.C.C, with heavy duty license.

Contact: 97474978

Civil Engineer (Diploma) having total 11 yrs experience in building construction looking for suitable placement having Oman driving license, NOC available.

Contact 95075365, Email : azharraaz@gmail.com

B. Tech Mechanical Engineer fresh Graduate, on visit visa looking for opportunities. Contact:94743373 email:akasharavind1@gmail.com

Male B.S.C Engineer Civil total 10 years experience 7 years in Oman 2.5 years as Contractor Engr and 4.5 years as Consultant Engr, total 7 years in Oman seeking a job.

Contact: 95540721 Email: sheikcuet@gmail.com

Driver looking for a job. NOC available 95154610

Civil Engineer, 2 years GCC experience seeking job in construction & infrastructure industry.

Contact: 97309549

Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975528

Driver for suitable job K.S.A 12 years & 4 years in Oman, with release. Contact: 93885404

Light duty. Contact: 96995762

Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912

Electrical Engineer: Indian male, 30 yrs having 5 yrs of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India (MRF tyres), holding valid Oman D/L. Contact 92789995, email : akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

Automation Engineer, Graduate Electronics and Communication Engineer with 2 years of experience in programming testing and commissioning, troubleshooting of automation control systems (PLC, SCADA, HMI) . Installation, calibration, operation and maintenance of electrical and equipments.

Contact: 94469841 Email: sreeharita.181@gmail.com

Light driver looking for job.

Contact: 95219183

Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact – 96789711

Electrical Engineer (B. Tech) 6 years experience in Oman, expertise in medc/mzec projects, valid oman D/L. Contact : 99281715 Civil Engineer (BE) male 3 years experience (2 yrs in India) seeks placement, NOC available.

Contact 98639039 Sudanese Architectural Engineer 2 years experience in Oman, Revit, AutoCAD 3Ds max Archicad looking for suitable job. Contact: 94722356 Email: maya40999@hotmail.com

Network Engineer BA: CS with experience CCNA, MCSA. Contact: 92346191 7 Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the field of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598 Indian male (B.Tech EEE) 31 yrs having managerial skills AutoCAD quality control electrical fault debugging 6 yrs experience in electric field & good communication skills. Contact: 90181566 Email: jittoandrewsnesto@gmail.com Bachelor Civil Engineer 6 Years in Oman experience Valid Driving License seeks suitable placement Phone 97619722 Email – golamrob@yahoo.com Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97667113 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, 36 years, Male, Indian, having 16 years of experience in machine maintenance & machine breakdown, worked with reputed companies in India, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact- 99011507 E-mail: rsdengroman@gmail.com

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CALL +968 97912950 ENGG. / TECH./MECH. B.Tech (IT) Indian Male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement.

Ready to join immediately. NOC available. Contact: 92462578 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 29 yrs Indian male B.E (ECE) with more than 5 yrs experience in Oman with valid D/L. Contact: 96652145 Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement. Contact:- 95042656 Mechanical Engineer with 3 Yrs experience in international Oil & Gas company looking for job Contacts: Tel: 90164236 Email: mustafaoshi-62@hotmail.com Civil Engineer (BE) having total 5 years experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available Contact# 94450270 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 Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com Diploma in Electrical Engineering with 6 years’ experience in Electrical Automation, Programming, Project, Power, Energy and Supervision in Civil Work.

Currently in Oman and looking for suitable position, Please contact 94873560/92406652.

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

HOSPITALITY Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/COO/CEO/Business Head. (NOC available) Contact: 96059470

IT Indian female, 28 yrs, MCA, B. Com, 3 yrs experience in the field of Computer hardware, ERP Softwares & windows networking where planning, implementing & trouble shooting with multiple platform of OS Microsoft XP / 7/ on visit visa. Contact 95089170, email : anjuretnakar@gmail.com Communication Network CCNA fresh Graduate. Contact: 98194924 Indian male MCA, Oracle , orion , ERP, 15 years experience , 5 years in Oman with NOC. Contact: 95398567 Email: anasa4@gmail.com Senior IT Engineer Sudanese male 9 years experience in Govt./ Private sectors. Contact: 94675984 Senior IT Engineer Sudanese male 9 years experience in Govt. / Private sectors.Contact: 94874758 Hardware & net working, 2 years exp. Contact: 96244031

IT Indian male IT professional, 3 years experience, CCNA, MCITP, RHCE have GCC driving license on visit visa (last date 25th Jan).

Contact: 93311963 Email: sajal035@gmail.com B.C.A IT, System Support Engineer 2 years exp visit visa, Microsoft certification. Contact: 95492886 Email: samips49@gmail.com Indian Male, IT System Engineer having 4 yrs of experience in system administration.CCNA,MCSE, Linux. Looking for suitable job.

Contact :91272867 Indian female B.Tech IT with 2 years experienced in HCL presently on family visa.

Contact: 90357203 Email: ammupravda123@gmail.com Dynamics AX 2009 / 2012 R2/ R3 Microsoft certified professional MCA & BCA Having 15 yrs of total exp & 6 yrs of relevant exp seeking for suitable position. NOC is available. Contact: 93469493 Email: axcertporf@gmail.com INDIAN MALE - 29 years (certified Computer hardware & network engineer) with six (6) years experience on VISIT VISA looking for suitable employment in system network administration Contact : Mr. SAJEEV KP, mail ID : saji217@gmail.com, GSM : 94256964 Indian male 23 years , 3 years experience in IT as Linux Administrator at Wipro Technologies looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 92889678 Email: amalpathikal@gmail.com IT Coordinator 6 years experience in hardware & networking diploma (2 yrs) in Hardware & net working on visit visa. Contact: 99610415 Bachelor of Computer Applications, 27 years, Male, excellent communication skills in English, 2 years experience as Administrative Assistant, seeks suitable placement. Contact GSM: 93985563, Email: wazim86@gmail.com B.Tech (IT) Indian Male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement. Ready to join immediately.

NOC available. Contact: 92462578 10 years Oman experience ICT Sector, capable of handling large accounts, looking for suitable Senior Executive position.

Contact: 98987654

MEDICAL 15 years Oman experienced male GP Doctor with Oman MOH looking for placement near Muscat or Sohar, also willing to buy a running clinic. Contact: 92130681 / 99351612 (MCT) / 00971 506966416 (UAE) Sudanese male, General Practitioner Dentist (BDS), pass OMSLE in December 2015.

Mob : 97429559 / 94144187, email Nazarfakhri@gmail.com Indian female 27 years, BSC ML T 3 years experience as lab technician currently in Muscat looking for job. Contact: 91849807 Email: jeethaiype63@gmail.com 10+ yrs experience as Optical Practice Manager, Diploma in Ophthalmic Assistant, BCA seeking for good placement.

Email : udayasuresh87@gmail. com, 99576403 / 91 9962888824 Dentist Indian female with MOH license working in Oman since last 2 yrs & worked in India for 5 yrs is looking for a suitable placement in Sohar urgently. NOC available.

Contact : 94227073 An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact: 96436517 /97396088

D6

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED MANAGER

PROJECTS

SALES / MARKETING

Purchase MGR / Transport in charge 9 yrs exp in Oman having D/L & NOC join immediately.

Contact: 90187891 Email: mohammedshariff35@gmail.com

Indian male 28, MBA, Six Sigma Green Belt with 6 months experience in Operations in Oman. Looking for Suitable Placement With Valid D/L & NOC. Contact 92013737.

14 yrs MNC Sales /Marketing Manager experience with D/L visa NOC. Contact: 90205082

Indian male, MBA Graduate, GCC with valid D/L, currently working as branch Manager in Muscat, 4 yrs Oman experience in Admin & HR Executive trainer, customer service, sale supervising accounting, fluent in Arabic, English, Hindi looking for suitable placement.

Release & NOC available.

Contact 97644108, email : basheervision21st@gmail.com MBA (marketing) with 17 years experience in freight forwarding/ logistics industry in GCC & Oman.

Presently working as branch manager in Muscat. Looking for a suitable position. Release and NOC available. Contact: 99856331 Indian, 40 yrs, 16 yrs in Gulf, Supervisor in steel fabrication company, seeks suitable placement98667442 / 98119694 Indian HSE Manager Grad IOSH & I Dip NEBOSH with 18 years experience presently working in Oman seeking suitable HSE jobs Oman driving license & NOC available.

Contact: 94401830 Email: hseoman101@gmail.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 Indian male M.B.A with 7 years Oman experience in Insurance sector with D/L, NOC available seeking suitable position.

Contact: 99278672 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 Purchase/Planning & Logistics Manager, MBA (Finance), 14yrs.

Oman Exp. with D/L, NOC available, looking for suitable position.

Contact : 93826090, Email: jskanchan01@gmail.com Indian male 8 yrs exp in Oman working as housekeeping supervisor in star hotel, seeking for a job NOC available. Contact – 91753210 25 years Gulf experienced Manager in operations, projects, properties, holding valid Oman driving license, with NOC, looking for suitable opening.

Contact: 91283701 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

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female, 24 Years - MSc Biotechnology. Worked in International Crops Research Institute For The Semi Arid Tropics for project work as trainee. Looking for suitable job. Mobile: 92619048, Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com Female 31, MBA 4 Years of cross culture experience in Insurance Sector seeking a suitable job opportunity Contact Shubha: 97217626/94377477 Shubhanair17@gmail.com Indian female on visit MBA (International Business- Marketing & Logistics), BE (Computers & Science Engg.) Trained in SAP-BI/ BW with 1 year experience seeking for job Contact: 90228586 Email:fathimasha16@gmail.com Indian female with experience in Physiology & logistics, currently as Logistic Coordinator seeks suitable placement.

Contact 96400107, Email : amiablesheru@gmail.com Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement.

Gsm 98805474

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192 Indian male Senior Safety Officer (NEBOSH) 9 years experience, valid GCC license looking for suitable job .

Contact: 96586672 Email: mrudul.v2008@gmail.com 37 years, Indian male, X- Ray welder 7 years experience, looking for job on visit visa now. Contact: 91360190 / 98223683

SALES / MARKETING 30 years, Indian male, MBA, 6 +years Sales experience in paint industry in retail and projects available with NOC and D/L. Contact: 96675065 15 years experienced Indian seeking suitable job in area purchase, logistics & supply chair.

Contact: 96388496 Email: ranju.uma@gmail.com Professional with 12 years experience in Export industry. Dealt with markets across US, EU, Latin America & Asian countries for business development, sourcing & supply chain in the made-to-order business inclusive of product development & marketing. Currently employed in Oman with driving license. NOC available. Contact 96931557.

Indian male, MBA 25 Yrs, 1 year experience in Auditing and 10 Month in sales, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 92054304

B.Tech MBA 13 years in sales & service on power tools pumps (Oman license) & NOC available.

Contact: 95321814 Email: manoraj81@gmail.com Looking for immediate sales & marketing job with 7 yrs Gulf experience and driving license till 12 Feb 16. Contact: 99642611 Email: kashif_lam@yahoo.com Indian male, 28 yrs, 3 yrs In Oman, B.E. Instrumentation, 5.5+ yrs experience in oil & gas projects, proposals, EPC, sales & marketing preferred, profile – sales & marketing status married can join immediately. Contact 91 9650336344, prashant.colligator@gmail.com Dedicated professional with over 18 yrs experience in sales marketing business development & new product launches with Oman driving license & NOC with 4 yrs experience in Oman looking for suitable openings.

Contact 93575165 / 99254080 5 years experience in Sales currently looking for a placement.

Contact: 93458869 Indian male, MBA Marketing having 2.5 years Sales experience immediately looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91415145, Email: shariqs88@gmail.com

TECHNICIAN /MECH. Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license call Ph:+968 99450811 Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com

MISCELLANEOUS

25 years experienced Supervisor in plumbing and firefighting available, NOC and driving license.

Contact: 95912720

Indian Male, pursuing ACCA with knowledge in C++, Java looking for accounting job. Contact 94743462.

Email: zabinbashu@gmail.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

Chemical Engineer, 26 years old, indian,2 years of exp in industrial production, valid oman driving license, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 91247222

Sales and marketing job with 10 years experience locally available on visiting visa. Contact: 99293494 Email: bavas264@gmail.com Indian (keralite) male 25 yrs MBA in marketing & logistics ,2 yrs marketing exp presently in Oman in residential visa (NOC could obtained) with Oman D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact :90263368, Email: getintouchtst@gamil.com MBA ( HR & Marketing), B.Com, Indian male, 28 yrs, 2 yrs exp. in Qatar, having Oman driving license, presently on family visa in Salalah (NOC available), looking for HR, Admin (NOC available), looking for HR, Admin, Assistant Accountant, Marketing & sales job in Salalah.

Contact 98138376, Email: subinabraham87@gmail.com Indian male 5 years experience in Store keeping & driving license, release available.

Contact: 95197065 Sales & Marketing Executive MBA with 3 years experience in sales looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91345727.

Indian male, 25 yrs, MBA, Marketing with 1 yr experience in Sales & Marketing looking for immediate placement. Contact 91945577 Indian female (M.Tech in Power system) having Gulf experience seeking suitable placement in Oman, now in family visa.

Contact: 94306164 / 91001194 MBA graduate having 6 years exp in Sales & Marketing, 4 years with PEPSI, India, having international driving license permit seeks suitable placement. Cont : 95308167, Email : samir.pag@gmail.com B.Com male 2 yrs experience in sales Computer knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98371144 email: nabilnazar22@gmail.com 30 yr old experienced available with NOC & Oman driving license 6+years experience in chemicals Industry. Contact: 96675065

10 years’ experience in Oman Lady Secretary / Office Assistant worked in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Call: 95244761 MCA (Master of computer applications) with overall 3+ years experience in the field of system administration, networking and sales, Now in visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact- 90390184 Indian male MBA, 8yrs Experienced in South Africa & UAE as a Sales & Purchase Manager, Supporting Manager, Administrative officer in FMCG/consumer goods/ Electrical/Electronics items, looking for a suitable job. Ready to join immediately. Contact +91 7034084039, +91 9947636840, jnairvishnu@gmail.com PROCUREMENT OFFICER, Indian-Male 34yrs,M.Com with 14 yrs work Exp.( 8 yrs in Oman ) working in Contg & Trdg Co LLC. ( for ROAD,CIVIL,ELECTRO-MECHANICAL & Others Projects ) and having valid LT D/L, Looking for suitable placement- M:94064650, Email: nagauae@gmail.com 54 years Indian male with 25yrs of experience in Accounts & Finance up to finalisation in Construction Oil & Gas and also in Manufacturing industries seeking suitable placement.

Kindly contact me on 95323316 , email:rengan15@yahoo.com Indian Male, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” , looking for suitable placement. Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office.

Contact: 90182494, Manojmallya999@gmail.com Part time Accountant available, well experienced in accounting up to finalization. knowledge in tally also. contact. 92643875 Indian male 25 years (Electrical Engineer) 3 years working experience in MNC company India, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 94864680 Email: m.mohamedazik@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS ACCA Affiliate, Indian male, Fresher, looking for full time employment in Accounting and Finance, Valid Omani driving license. # +968 91291520, shahidazeez5@gmail.com Indian Male Diploma + MBA in Project Management with 7+ years of experience in Construction company oman as a maintenance supervisor cum site In charge.

Having valid Omani D/L seeking suitable position.

Contact: 90318757 Female, 5 years experienced Oman as Senior Accountant. skills : ERP9, MS OFFICE, SAGE, ACCPAC. Contact # 95483804 / 9986 8330. email : sararowshan344@gmail.com Indian, male-28 yrs, E & I Engineering Diploma (3 years), 7 years exp.(India, Oman, KSA) in electrical and instrumentation with driving license, looking suitable job #91051803 Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/ networking/server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian, M.Com with 20 years Gulf experience in Marketing Communications, ATL& BTL branding exp. with Oman D/L. Contact 93031168 Bangladeshi male 37 yrs B. Com , B.Ed Gulf exp 7 yrs fluent English , Hindi & Arabic , I know computer skill seeking suitable placement NOC available. Contact: 92495928 Indian male Accountant with 10 years experience in Oman. NOC available with driving license for immediate joining.

Contact: 99720602 Pakistani male 23 years with 2 years experience in office Admin, computer skills & teaching experience NOC available for immediate joining. # 94453981 / 93253759 34 years Bangladesh male with 8 yrs sales man experience & with driving license. # 95650478 MBA Marketing & finance, Indian female, 10 years experience in business development, consulting, product management in banking, IT, sustainability on visit visa.

Contact: 95431357 Indian male having 8 years Oman experience in Administration /HR, office coordinator with excellent MS Office skills seeking suitable position, NOC available.

Contact: 95407303 Electrical foreman Indian male 38 yrs total 19 yrs exp in electrical field, electrical foreman, exp 4 yrs in Oman seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97379290 HR Manual, Employee Handbook, Recruitment, Training, HR Consultancy. Are you looking for freelancer HR professional.

Contact: 97914669 Sudanese diploma holder in civil engineering with experience 5 year. Tel: 96995670 Marketing executive qualification B.com MBA with 3 years of experience in sales looking for suitable placement. Contact: 91345727 Purchase & Stores In charge – Having continues 13 years experience in a single firm, looking for a placement. # 99627427, 96154564 34 years vast experienced in Oman as Sales & Marketing, any suitable senior position. NOC available. Can join immediately.

Contact: 9986 8330 / 9984 8831.

E-mail: rwahedi458@gmail.com Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/ networking/ server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Female B.SC B.ED MA (Physics) with 10 years of experience in teaching and 3 yrs in counseling.

Looking for suitable position Contact: 92369316 Planning Engineer: B.E (Electrical and Electronics Engineering): Indian Male 33 yrs with 10 years of exp. in UAE & Muscat. Skilled in the areas of project coordination, planning & procurements. Contact: 00971503529608 Email Id: saravananbe44@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED SIT.WANTED Electronics Technician , 4 Years experience as Electronics service engineer. Knowledge in all type of Electronics items. Looking for suitable placement.

Contact 99105043 SOFTWARE ENGINEER, 24 years, B.Tech in computer science. 2 Years of experience in technical support, software development, networking, troubleshooting and managing. seek suitable placement. Contact GSM- 98184170 Indian Female, Diploma in Aviation and Hospitality management (IATA), Having 4 years experience, seeking for a suitable Job, Contact 99104529.

Male B.com with 15 years of experience in Production, Administration and Operations Management seeks placement Contact: 92369241 Diploma civil Engineer (Maintenance/Facility Management) having 10 years exp. presently in Oman with Oman driving License.

Cont: 95346983 Mail: asherlalitha@yahoo.com Indian male Accountant, 12 years experience, looking for a full time or part time job, experience in tally also. Contact 98983122 Chief Accountant looking for full / part time job. Contact :95598477 / 98803439 Indian female, MBA HR & Finance, having 1 year experience, seeking suitable placement. Currently in Oman. Contact: 96052366.

INDIAN MALE, 24 years, B.Tech in computer science.3Years of experience in technical support, software development, troubleshooting and managing, seek suitable placement. # 98184170

Light Driver looking for job.

Contact:99594946 B.E. Chemical, Total 12 yrs experience, QA/HSE experience in Engg. Consultancy/ Construction/ ISO Management Systems, Lead Auditor for ISO 9001, 14001 & 18001 seeking suitable placement. NOC Available. Contact: 9415 7131, E-Mail: samirtrivedi_01@yahoo.com Indian, M.Com with 20 years Gulf experience in Marketing Communications, ATL& BTL branding exp. with Oman D/L. Contact 93031168 B.Tech EEE with 4+ years experience in the field of it, networking, ex-tonics etc. Presently working in amazon india development centre as a content quality associate. Seeking for suitable jobs in oman. Contact number : +91 9940514005, 0096893116402, Email: mail2nbn@gmail.com Indian Male, 28 Yrs, M.Tech having 5+ years experience (3 Year Industry+2 years Lecturer),Now on visit visa, looking for suitable position. Contact 94885747

TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION 7 Ton/ 10 Ton- Trailer Local transport- MCT- UAE

Contact 96609857 Amir Ali Transportation Al Khuwair.

Contact: 92711421 Pick and drop. Contact: 96692774 Transportation. Contact99542393

Indian male, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office.

Contact 90182494, manojmallya999@gmail.com

Transportation. Contact: 91310107 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation. Contact:99664703

Indian Male Diploma + MBA in Project Management with 7+ years of exp. in Construction company Oman as a Maintenance Supervisor cum site In charge. Having valid Omani D/L seeking suitable position. Contact: 90318757 Indian male M.com looking for part time job in accounts including finalization, date entry, financial guidance . Contact:97433387

Transportation. Contact 96173326 Transportation. Contact 94510847 Transportation Contact: 99077395 Pick & drop anytime in Al Khuwair. Contact 99764307 Transportation taxi mini bus.

Contact: 93091106

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DAILY GUIDE TOURS

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

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

COMPUTER

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/CLASSES/TRAINING

WEBSITE

IELTS PREPARATION Target Band 8.0

Classes for Spoken English TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / SAT Excellent Guidance and Coaching Satisfaction Guaranteed EAGLES INSTITUTE 92325542 | 93657915 | 93657917 | Email: engominst@gmail.com

^ Zs/ ^ tĞ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ůĞĂŶĞƌƐ͕ Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ĞƚĐ͘ ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> Contact : 94277020

Marble grinding resurfacing & ceiling crystallization / polishing general cleaning of villas & flats.

Terrazzo floor scrubbing, ceiling, polishing & buffing.

Contact: 98598280 /94134784 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble.Contact 24793614/ 99314807 We are providing services like Accounts, Auditing, Tax Reports, Feasibility Study, Bank Loan Assistance & L L C Registration ASAS AUDIT & CONSULTANCY Contact at 91720465/94319719 We provide loading unloading helper for contracting.

Contact: 94777137

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

GOOD NEWS House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. #: 93769089 / 95323517 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Catering for Party & Birthday service Cnt 97196675 Cleaning & Carpet Shampooing, Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 House shifting. Contact: 99657644/98518013

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 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 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

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com

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

NRI Plot for sale Shadnagar Municipality, Mahboob Nagar District, walk able distance to existing colonies, national highway and basic amenities at reasonable price. Contact – 0091 8686631669

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

DRIVING

2BHK flat with posh furniture for sale near St. Blaise school/church in AMBOLI, Andheri west, Mumbai.

Kindly contact Muscat no.

95434412.

Plot, propeties for sale in prime location in pune Contact 95272138, (+918390982975)

MATRIMONIAL MATRIMONIAL Proposal invited for employed BSc Nurse in Muscat for her, Remarriage age 28 years Christian Jacobite. Contact: 93262428

Christian Orthodox girl 24 yrs, BSC MLT working in Government Hospital Thiruvalla, seeking suitable alliance from Orthodox family.

Contact: 99734325 / 99898130

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T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 1 2 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR Al Sharouq rent a car. Contact: 99222617 Silver car, car rental at good rate.

Contact: 96166155/93530540 25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. Contact 99839898

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability