Times of Oman - January 13, 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’ We affirm the need for these good traits and high values to be instilled in our youth from a young age, at home, in school, mosque, club and other educational and nurturing incubators so it will act as a fence protecting them from falling into the abyss of intruding ideas that call for violence, extremism, hatred, fanaticism, being opinionated and nonacceptance of the others, as well as other extreme ideas and opinions that lead to the tearing up of the society, draining its vital powers and leaving it in ruins and utter destruction, God forbid.

WEDNESDAY, January 13, 2016 / 3 Rabi Al Thani 1437 AH timesofoman.com

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BAHRAIN

HM receives thanks cable MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from His Majesty King Hamad bin Issa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, in reply to His Majesty’s congratulatory cable on the occasion of the 44th National Day of Bahrain. >A6

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Oman’s natural treasure OIL PRICE DIP

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Fuel hoarding can prove fatal, warn officials Government officials have warned people

‘Companies to skip pay hikes, bonuses’

against hoarding petroleum products in anticipation of prices rising in the

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Companies are skipping paying bonuses and slashing the percentage of increments, as Oman’s government tightens spending due to the global oil price dip, a top banking official confirmed.

“Companies are finding ways to reduce costs due to the decline in oil prices. We are already hearing that companies have skipped paying bonuses, and slashed percentage of increments paid,” the banking official said.

A senior official from a construction company said that with the market dipping all over Oman, the chances of bonus looked bleak. “There is a very

little chance of salary hikes or bonuses,” said Mohammad Kabir Ahmed, managing director of United Dreams LLC. However, he also said people are optimistic about the market improving in the next few months, which is when companies might be able to pay bonuses and other increments.

Cost reduction Meanwhile, an Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) official said even though he had not come across any such cases, he said companies would be forced to adopt multiple steps to reduce costs, such as scaling back increments and skipping bonuses in 2016, as it would be a tough time economically for them. >A6

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

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MARKET

Rainfall expected in northern Oman

Oman will emerge from difficult times

MSM at 5-year low as gloom deepens

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Several areas in northern Oman are likely to receive rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) Meteorology Department, which monitors weather conditions. >A2

The tightening of purse strings by the Sultanate of Oman has ruffled many feathers, but those who have seen the country pulling out through difficult times on many occasions in the past say it is the right time to payback. >A3

Falling crude oil prices started pulling down the local bourse with the share prices touching a fiveyear low. Muscat Securities Market (MSM) touched 5,289.34 points on Tuesday, shedding 48.1 points. >B1

future, as these products need special storage facilities

FAHAD AL GHADANI REJIMON K

fahadnews@timesofoman.com reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: ‘Don’t risk your life by hoarding fuel to save a few baisas’, a top official from the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulances (PACDA), has told the public 48 hours ahead of a hike in the price of fuel.

From Friday, the price of super unleaded petrol is set to rise from 120 baisas to 160 baisas per litre; for regular petrol it will increase from 114 baisas to 140 baisas per litre and diesel will rise from 146 baisas to 160 baisas per litre.

The move is part of a government strategy to cushion its fiscal budget, which is struggling to cope with the global oil price dip.

“The difference in the fuel prices is not a big issue, especially for individuals. It is not at all worth risking lives and property in the name of saving a few baisas,” said the PACDA official. “It’s not safe to

A POWDER KEG: For the first time in 17 years, the price of petrol in Oman is finally set to increase.

store such flammable substances at homes, gardens or even farms,” the source added as a number of fire accidents had occurred in the past as a result of people storing fuel at home or in farms.

For the first time in 17 years, the price of petrol in Oman is finally set to increase, by a full third for super unleaded, pushing the Sultanate’s rank from the ninth cheapest fuel provider in the world to the 13th.

The new price will be in place until the end of the month, which will be revised every month, depending on the global situation.

The PACDA official said that special handling and appropriate storage facilities are needed to store fuel, otherwise it can cause serious accidents.

“Even though we spread awareness among the public about the

danger of handling fuel carelessly, there are still many fuel station workers, who violate our instructions and supply fuel to customers neglecting the safety requirements issued by us,” the PACDA official added.

According to the official, for those who buy fuel for their fishing and tour boats and farmers to run motors, clear directions given out by PACDA should be followed and pre-approved containers for fuel storage should be used.

Mark Pudwell, business development and training manager at Competence HR, said stockpiling fuel or any other flammable liquid is extremely dangerous given that these liquids require special handling and appropriate storage facilities to mitigate the chances of serious incident and possible injury or death. >A6

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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The public authority has advised the public to take precautions and avoid crossing wadis (valleys) Official statement, Met Department

M E T E O R O L O G Y D E PA R T M E N T

Northern Oman likely to receive rainfall Times News Service MUSCAT: Several areas in northern Oman are likely to receive rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) Meteorology Department, which monitors weather conditions in the Sultanate.

PACA said there could be a possibility of rainfall and thunder-

showers, which could be associated with fresh wind and hail over the Musandam governorate on Wednesday morning.

“The effect will extend gradually to the governorate of Muscat, North and South Al Batinah, Buraimi, Dhahira and the Al Hajar Mountains and adjoining areas, with a chance of isolated rain and thundershowers. The public authority has advised the public to

take precautions and avoid crossing wadis (valleys),” PACA said in a statement on Tuesday.

It also advised fisherman and sea goers to avoid venturing into the sea and following the latest updated bulletin from the Multi Hazard Early warning centre.

In its 48-hour outlook, PACA has predicted mainly clear skies over the rest of the Sultanate with a chance of late night to early

morning low level clouds or fog patches over Al Buraimi and Al Dahirah, the North and South Al Sharqiya governorates and Oman’s sea coast.

The sea conditions will be moderate along the coastal area of the Oman sea, with a maximum wave height of two meters, while it will be light to moderate along the rest of the Sultanate coast, with maximum wave height of 1.5 meters.

Housing preference of Omanis to be identified According to NCSI, the poll will highlight social housing programmes provided by the Ministry of Housing, including housing aid as well as soft housing loans – File picture

TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A poll will be conducted by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCIS), to identify the preferred housing patterns among Omanis and the trend towards housing loans.

According to NCSI, the poll will highlight social housing pro-

grammes provided by the Ministry of Housing, which includes housing aid and soft housing loans. At least 3000 people will be targeted for the survey, including 1,500 people who applied for housing aid or loans, as well as those who have already received loans from the Ministry of Housing; it will also cover 1,500 people over 18 years of age.

According to the Ministry of Housing, the A’Dakhiliya Governorate recorded the highest number of housing aid from January to November 2015, with 146 people receiving aid, while South Al Batinah followed with 109 and Muscat with 90. The Buraimi Governorate received the least number of housing aid recorded at only 9.

Also during the same period,

309 locals in the North Al Batinah Governorate received housing loans, which was the highest, while South Al Sharqiyah came in second, with 242 and was followed by A’Dakhiliya with 235 people receiving housing loans.

Only 27 people from the Al Wusta Governorate received housing loans, which is the lowest recorded during the time period.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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People back austerity steps in tough times Expatriates reaffirm their resolve to fully support the government’s austerity measures, saying they stand together for the country that has given them so much, and has been their home for a long time

NEW PLANS: Government has many plans regarding exploration of non-oil sectors. — File picture

Times News Service MUSCAT: The tightening of purse strings by Oman has ruffled many feathers, but those who’ve seen the Sultanate pulling through difficult times, say it’s the right time to pay back.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Guided by the able vision and wisdom of our beloved His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Oman will definitely emerge from the difficult situation in no time,” said the President of the Bangladesh Social Club, Mohammed Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, who has been living in Oman for the last 38 years.

Dinesh Dawada, managing director, of the Al ATefaq Trading Company LLC, who supplies more than 2,000 items to hypermarkets and supermarkets, said, “More than Indian, I am an Omani as I have been living in the Sultanate for more than 39 years.

“Good times, bad times are all part of life. We firmly stand to-

We absolutely support the decisions made by the government to tackle the situation. It will be over soon, and things will return to normalcy.

Juma Al Hassan Sixty-five-year old Omani

gether for the country that has given us so much and has been our home for such a long time,” he said.

Bhuiyan also recounted that the country had faced a similar situation about 11 years back. “Good times, bad times; they roll in arms.

Can’t escape the inevitable, but the dark will subside, and a new dawn will emerge as it happened 11 years back,” he said.

Speaking to the Times of Oman,

Parameswaran Chandrasekr, group general manager with Jawad Sultan Group LLC, said there was no need to be unduly alarmed by what he described as an “austerity measure.”

“We have to understand that Oman has done a lot for us, both locals and expats…and if the government takes some steps which may appear to be not very popular, but us in the larger interest, I think all of us should pool togeth-

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er and try to help the government in its initiative to come out of this particular situation,” he said.

He added that the government had fantastic plans regarding the exploration of non-oil sectors.

“When the macro-economic condition is simply beyond your control, obviously you have to bring in measures which help getting rid of the problems that we face,” he said.

Sixty-five-year old Omani, Juma Al Hassan said it is time to give back a little bit to the country that has blessed us all with so much. “There can’t be any such differentiation between an Omani and expatriates here,” he said.

He also said: “We absolutely support the decisions made by the government to tackle the situation. It will be over soon, and things will return to normalcy.”

Expressing his unconditional love, another expatriate, M Ghosh, said there are few countries in the world, which don’t impose taxes. “But there is nothing here, people should feel positive here,” he added.

K H O U L A H O S P I TA L

Large tumour removed from 8-month-old’s face MUSCAT: Doctors from the Plastic Surgery and Craniofacial Unit at Khoula Hospital recently succeeded in removing a 13-centimetre (cm) tumour from the face of an eight-month old infant.

The complicated surgery took more than 14 hours and was a first of its kind to be conducted in the Sultanate.

The eight-month baby girl was born with a 13-cm long congenital tumour on the right side of her skull base extending to the right side of her face. The tumour was pressing her right eye and thus affecting her sight, by blocking the right nostril. In addition, the child

was suffering from another medical condition related to her heart, as she had only one ventricle instead of two; and had undergone a previous successful surgery at the Royal Hospital.

Operations in such rare and challenging and demand the coordination and collaboration of several teams.

In this particular case, the procedure involved 17 doctors from five teams, namely the surgery craniofacial plastic team, the neurosurgery team, the paediatric cardiology team, the anaesthesia team, and the paediatric intensive care team. — ONA

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14,000

Miles is the total distance that Curtis-Taylor had crossed In her “Spirit of Artemis”, a reconditioned piston-engine biplane

BREATHTAKING BEAUTY These breathtaking pictures showcase the famous tourism destinations of the Sultanate, which has been endowed with numerous natural bounties.

These pictures were taken by amateur photographers at places like Seeb, Jabel Shams and Muttrah Corniche.

Photos: Shahnawaz Hamid, Bhaskar Poddar Pratheep Kurup

British Aviator’s epic journey ends Campaign. But some countries we saw more of than others – India, Myanmar, UAE, Australia were very busy. I met with the British School in Muscat, for example,” recalled Curtis-Taylor.

“The highlight on the ground came just after I passed through Oman – we visited 2,000 girls at a school in Karachi and they were all celebrating Amy Johnson’s life, it was magnificent and brought me to tears,” Curtis-Tayloradded.

The completion of her epic journey from Britain to Australia has been a life-changing experience for Tracey Curtis-Taylor

MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: It was a life-changing journey, says British aviator Tracey Curtis-Taylor, after the completion of her epic journey from Britain to Australia.

“The journey has been extraordinary. It has been exhilarating and life-changing,” Tracey told the Times of Oman in an email interview.

“It is the culmination of 30 years of my passion for romantic aviation, and I got to see the wonders of the world with a view of the Gods. It was incredible,” she added.

Tracey completed her journey last Saturday when she flew her open-cockpit biplane across Sydney Harbour and landed at the city’s international airport, completing a three-month journey from England, to retrace a pioneering feat of early aviation.

The 53-year-old aviator set out from Farnborough on October 1 to follow the flight path of legendary aviator Amy Johnson, who in 1930 became the first woman to fly solo between Britain and Australia.

She stopped in Oman during her journey and enjoyed the beauty of the Sultanate and its culture.

According to Curtis-Taylor, Oman is the most peaceful and beautiful country in the Arab

Tracey Curtis-Taylor.

— Supplied picture

world, and she described Muscat as being the most beautiful of cities. “Muscat city’s shape is spectacular. The architecture is the old Arabian style and feels more authentic. To fly down the coasts is awesome. Muscat is greener than the others, because here we can see lot of trees and gardens,” Curtis-Taylor said. “These sights make me want to come here again and again.”

Feel very honoured Speaking of her journey,CurtisTaylorsaid, “I am relieved and exhausted. But I would jump in the plane tomorrow and keep flying, I love it so much. I just feel very honoured and grateful that I had this opportunity to do something so extraordinary.”

In her “Spirit of Artemis”, a reconditioned piston-engine biplane, Curtis-Taylor crossed 14,000 miles (22,000 kilometres) and 23 countries, while consuming 8,000 litres of fuel.

During her ambitious journey, she stopped in many countries to explore their particular beauty and cultures.

“I wanted to discover as many countries as I could,so we developed a big outreach programme with Boeing and the GREAT

Memorable places Particularly memorable places for her during this journey were Thailand and the Arabian Desert.

But she described flying across the Dead Sea as being spectacular.

“The Dead Sea stands out for me, flying over Jerusalem at 200 ft, then dropping down to 1,200 ft below sea level onto the Dead Sea was breathtaking,” she said.

According to Curtis-Taylor, weather is also a major challenge, as she had to stop in many places because of bad weather.

“Other than the weather, which is always a challenge when flying an open cockpit in an antique aircraft, the biggest difficulty is the security levels around the world, especially at airports. It means we spend a lot of time managing process, approvals and permissions, which takes hours, and it all costs a lot, too,” Curtis-Taylorsaid.

“When Amy flew across the world there was no air traffic, no authorities, no paperwork – she just took off and flew in the direction she wanted to go. Beautiful freedom,” Curtis-Taylornoted.

Speaking about what motivated her to travel, Curtis-Taylor said, “I have been passionate about vintage aircraft and open cockpit flying all my life. After I flew across Africa, it felt right to celebrate the monumental achievement of Amy Johnson in 1930. And Amy’s story is such an inspiration to me that I wanted to share it with a new generation. I think it still has relevance in this era with young ladies.”

HOLISTIC APPROACH

Indian Embassy to organise Yoga and Ayurveda session Times News Service MUSCAT: A yoga session will be held by the Embassy of India in Muscat, on its lawns, on Monday, January 18.

The embassy, in cooperation with Art of Living, is sponsoring a series of events prior to the celebration of the second International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2016 in Oman. The theme of the event is, “Work, Life, Balance and Health: Distress to De Stress”.

Iman Multaq, a yoga expert and recipient of the “Middle East Woman of the Year 2015” award, will be the keynote speaker.

Also, there will be a live yoga demonstration, followed by an introduction to Ayurveda cooking by Kaushani Desai. There will also be a cultural performance and screening of a short film on yoga.

While addressing the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had urged the world community to adopt June 21 as International Day of Yoga.

“Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition. It embodies unity of mind and body, thought and action, restraint and fulfilment, harmony between man and nature, and a holistic approach to

health and well-being. Yoga is not about exercise, but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves, the world and nature. By changing our lifestyle and creating consciousness, it can help us to deal with climate change. Let us work towards adopting an International Yoga Day,” said Modi.

Later, the United Nations General Assembly approved a unanimous resolution declaring June 21 as International Day of Yoga.

The first International Day of Yoga was observed on June 21, 2015 throughout the world by holding yoga sessions, talks, symposiums, and other events.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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Smart cards for water tankers to be launched

M A R K E T I N G E X C E L L E N C E AWA R D S

A smart card system for water tankers – Supplied picture

‘Best In-flight Magazine’ award for ‘Wings of Oman’

will be introduced from next month.

This will help reduce water wastage, which is often lost

Times News Service MUSCAT: Wings of Oman magazine, the in-flight magazine of the Sultanate of Oman’s national carrier, Oman Air, was recently awarded the ‘Best In-House Magazine–In-Flight’ at the prestigious World Marketing Congress’s Global Marketing Excellence awards held in Mumbai, India.

The event was held at the Taj Lands End Hotel, wherein the official awards ceremony was followed by a gala dinner celebration.

Throughout the evening, a selection of leading media, marketing and tech industry professionals were recognised and awarded for a wide range of achievements.

Wings of Oman was presented with the ‘Best In-House Magazine – In-Flight’ award as a result of its editorial team having redesigned the magazine’s layout structure in late 2015. The award was presented to the Wings of Oman team by Nand Kishore Badami, Cisco Systems’ chief marketing officer for India and the SAARC regions, and Dr. Tarita Shankar, chairperson of the Indira Group of Institutes.

Since its original conception as a straightforward brochurestyle magazine over a decade ago, Wings of Oman has gone through various design upgrades. However, the latest redesign, which was a result of a collaboration between the Wings of Oman editorial team, and

the Corporate Communications and Media Department of Oman Air, has ensured that the publication is now a leader in its class.

Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Gregorowitsch, said: ‘I am honoured and delighted to accept this award. Oman Air is continually striving to develop and maintain the highest standards in all of our on-board entertainment offerings, and the Wings of Oman magazine is part of that.”

Some of the changes to the magazine include a redesigned cover page; redesigned inside pages; and an overall resizing of the magazine into more compact dimensions— making each copy more ‘userfriendly’ for passengers.

The new Wings of Oman also features silky smooth ‘matt finish’ paper. Very importantly, the paper used in the magazine is environmentally friendly, and has been officially certified by the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Usama bin Karim Al Haremi, senior manager, Corporate Communications and Media of Oman Air said on this major win saying: “We are proud of this achievement, and it is a great honour for the team behind the publication, which has been striving month after month to present the readers with a superbly laid out magazine with a top quality content.”

while refuelling, a Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) official said

NEW MONITORING SYSTEM: The new system is expected to help reduce water loss in all parts of the

Sultanate. — Supplied picture

Times News Service MUSCAT: In order to provide safe drinking water to it citizens and residents, the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) will be launching new monitoring and control stations for water tankers.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, a senior official from PAEW said a smart card system for water tankers will be introduced from next month. “This will help us develop water networks and help reduce water wastage, which is often lost while refuelling.”

The first phase of the project will start from February 1 in the Bausher and Al Ghubrah filling stations. “Later, it will be extended to the Al Khuwair, Ghala, Falaj Al Sham stations,” the official added.

The PAEW will replace half of the existing station magnetic devices, retaining the rest and working via the old system for tankers owners, who have old cards that will be used for the

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

This will help us develop water networks and help reduce water wastage, which is often lost while refuelling Senior official

Public Authority for Electricity and Water

remaining credit for a week.

The new system will also offer automatic control in the amount of water pumped into the tanker as the tanker owner has to enter the smart card into the control devices, which in turn will show the card data, including the card number, the validity and the balance available in the card. The control

device will only pump water to the tankers after confirming the data of the smart card, as it will also show the amount of water pumped into the tanker.

The new system is expected to help reduce water loss in all parts of the Sultanate. “Taking into account the security and safety prospects, the tanker owner will

no longer have to climb to the top of the tanker, but only has to place the smart card in the control device, which be properly placed through the new system,” the official added.

Tankers owners have to visit the Customer Services Department, which had once announced the activation of the new system in different areas of the Sultanate to get new smart cards. They should present a tanker ownership document, an ID card and the health certificate of tanker, according to PAEW. The concerned personnel at the PAEW will register all the data related to the tankers’ owners and issue a new smart card. Each smart card includes a serial number, which will enable the PAEW to know all the details of the card.

The PAEW is working on water supply through the construction high quality and efficiency water transport networks to cover 98 per cent of the population of the Sultanate by the year 2040.

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The cost saving versus risk factor does not make it a sensible or viable solution for fuel cost increases Mark Pudwell, business development and training manager at Competence HR

C U LT U R A L E X T R AVA G A N Z A

MAJLIS AL SHURA

Muscat Festival to entertain, educate people Times News Service MUSCAT: A jungle village equipped with light and sound effects to give you the feel of being in a forest, has been created in Naseem Park as part of the newest attraction of the Muscat Festival 2016, organisers said on Tuesday.

The jungle will include replicas of trees and plants found in jungles, as well as Omani land and sea animals, including a display of a Japanese Zen garden.

In the midst of pleasant weather and holidays at schools, the Muscat Festival 2016 is set to begin on Thursday, with the promise of fun-filled activities and entertainment for one month.

The 16th Muscat Festival, which is being held under the banner of “E’sh Oman” (Live Oman), will host participants from several Arab and international countries in several locations, includ-

ENTERTAINMENT: The 16th edition of Muscat Festival will be held at several locations, including

Naseem Park, Amerat Park, Oman Automobile Association, Al Madina Theatre, the Cultural Club and several other places. – Supplied photo

ing Naseem Park, Amerat Park, Oman Automobile Association, Al Madina Theatre and the Cultural Club and several others.

The festival will offer a variety

of activities and entertainment that will adhere to different interests and tastes of the community, such as a cultural village, a dinosaur village, an Omani fashion

show and the 6th Oman triathlon.

Music concerts featuring prominent Omani artists, as well as children’s plays, will be performed for the public.

The Omani Cultural Village is considered the most important aspect of Amerat Park, which is designed as a replica of traditional Omani villages.

It is also considered an open museum, where visitors can live and relive the experience by walking around the village, which includes a traditional art competition as part of the entertainment.

A technology exhibit entitled, “One Thousand and One Inventions” will be a platform for promoting Arab and Muslim inventions.

Folklore performances from India, Lebanon, Kazakhstan, Turkey and the Philippines will leave spectators in awe, including fire performances, acrobatics, clown performances and illusionists, among many others. Several activities will be held in Naseem Park, which aims to highlight children’s talents in art and science.

Food subsidy discussed MUSCAT: The measures taken to ensure that the subsidy reaches the consumers in the local market, was discussed by Majlis Al Shura’s Food Security Committee, with the competent authorities.

The committee also looked at some of the challenges facing the Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserves (PASFR).

Majlis Al Shura’s Food Security Committee hosted Dr. Rashid bin Salim Al Masrori, CEO of the Public Authority for Stores and Food Reserves and discussed the issue of revising the mechanisms of subsidising food commodities and the feasibility of the subsidy and reaching to those who deserve it.

The Committee also hosted Dr. Hamad bin Said Al Oufi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for Fisheries and a number of specialists in the ministry. -ONA

Snow Village to greet guests at Fun Zone

S M O O T H PA S S AG E

FOURTH SITTING: The Sate Council held its fourth sitting of the first annual session of the sixth term

under the chair of Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Chairman of the Council. – ONA

State Council approves draft of three laws MUSCAT: The draft of Income Tax, Foreign Capital Investment and Insurance Companies laws was approved by the State Council on Tuesday.

At the beginning of the session, the Chairman of the State Council delivered a speech pointing out the economic committee’s report in which its had raised a number of important issues about encouraging the mining industry.

The committee provided the criteria for the concessions for the national industries that add value to the national economy and generate employment and training opportunities.

The committee also highlighted tools for integration with other sectors associated with mining.

The Chairman of the Economic Committee delivered a speech where he pointed out that the government proposed to make amendment to 106 articles of which Majlis Al Shura approved amending 101 articles (95 per cent of the proposed amendments by the government).

Out of the proposed 106 articles by the government, 69 articles were approved by the government without any amendments by both

Majlis Al Shura and the State Council.

The State Council agreed on the amendments made by Majlis Al Shura on 18 articles.

The State Council and Majlis Al Shura agreed on the amendments made on 14 articles with some cosmetic changes made to the drafting of these articles.

The Chairman of the Economic Committee said that the Committee used an approach that takes into consideration the financial tools, namely the public expenditures and taxes, which aim at maintaining stability of prices, ensuring optimum utilization of all production elements in the economy, redistribution of income and enhancing economic growth rates.

The Chairman of the Economic Committee said that the Committee agreed with the government and Majlis Al Shura on increasing the income tax to 15 per cent of the taxable income of any Omani company or establishment or business for any tax year.

The Committee believes that this rate should include all business entities without any exception or preferential treatment as this will ensure fair treatment for

everyone. He added that within the efforts made by the Committee to benefit from expertise of some organisations, the Committee hosted the Chairman of the Public Authority for Mining and discussed with him the current situation for the sector and the need to treat the mining organisations and business organisations on equal footing without any preferential treatment.

It should be noted that the detailed discussions by members for the three draft laws took into consideration that current and future circumstances witnessed by the Sultanate.

They also did their best to ensure that the amendments will not have negative effect on the production stakeholders and will maintain the rights of both producers and consumers as well.

During the meeting, the minutes of the 3rd regular session of the first annual sitting of the sixth term was approved.

The Council held its fourth sitting of the first annual session of the sixth term under the chair of Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri ,Chairman of the State Council. -ONA NEW MEASURES

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Austerity to

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“While the government has adopted austerity measures, it will surely have an impact on the market,” he added. The banking official added that there may also be a marginal increase in the cost of living and obviously, the overall effect of the increase in the cost of living would impact people’s purchasing power, as they will find lesser disposable income to spend on leisure, travel and entertainment.

“The household will be squeezed between lesser income and higher expenditure. One can expect a perceptible decline in purchasing power of people in the face of this critical situation. Definitely, 2016 will be a testing time for everyone. We are already hearing visible signs of this, when we interact with corporate executives,” the banking official added.

Meanwhile, Anchan CK, another economic expert, said the hike in fuel prices will add to existing cost pressures exerted on the consumer price inflation rate‚ which could result in interest rate hikes.

On January 2, Oman had unveiled details its state budget, with major austerity measures and steps announced to raise non-oil income.

A snow cave entrance, clan deer elk and snow castle will add to the charm of Snow Village

Staff reporter MUSCAT: This winter, Fun Zone is planning more fun-filled activities for visitors. From January 20 onwards, an event called Snow Village will welcome the visitors to Fun Zone.

According to Fun Zone officials, the event will be a part of the Muscat Festival.

“We are proud to announce that this (snow village) will be an additional gem in the Muscat Festival,” told Syed Aamir, operations manager of Fun Zone told the Times of Oman. “For 10 days, Fun Zone will be converted into a Snow Village,” he added. It will be free of charge for the people of Sultanate and help in the promotion of domestic tourism.

“There is no entry fee for the Snow Village but other businesses will charge visitors for activities, such as bowling, ice skating etc.,” Aamir said.

A snow cave entrance, clan deer elk, snow castle etc. will add loveliness to the Snow Village.

By now, 60 per cent of the mall

FUN-FILLED ACTIVITIES: By now, 60 per cent of the mall is covered with ice for ice skating and there will be a variety of activities this winter in the Mall.– Jun Estrada

is covered with ice for ice skating and there will be a variety of activities this winter in the Mall.

“Basically, we want to bring snow to the dessert; that is the idea behind this event,” the Aamir asserted. The venue is targeting children and teenagers for this winter. “Our main focus is to attract children, especially teenagers and younger ones; we have activities to attract people from all age groups” Aamir stated.

JANUARY 31, 2016

Ice skating, snooker, bowling, billiards, video games are some of the main attractions of the Fun Zone. The event will end on January 30.

Sheikh Mohammed Rashad Al Hinai, member of the Board of Directors, officially announced the Snow Village event before the public at the Fun Zone yesterday.

Many dignitaries and special guests were present during the announcement.

PRICE HIKE

Registration date for A1 ‘Restrict large fuel grade 1 students in intake’ schools extended < FROM

MUSCAT: Registration of Grade 1 students in public schools for 2016/2017 session has been extended by the Ministry of Education until January 31, 2016.

The registration will be open only for children born between January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 through the e-portal (www.moe.gov.om).

The child should have a civil number at the birth certificate otherwise the parent needs to

make a passport for him/her.

After registration, the parent has to submit the original birth certificate and a copy, four pictures of the child, the health record and a copy of the ID of the or passport. -ONA

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

CABLE

A1 HM receives thanks < FROM

In his cable, King Hamad expressed his utmost thanks and appreciation for His Majesty the Sultan’s sincere congratulations and fraternal wishes, praying to Allah the Almighty to grant His Majesty good

health and happiness and the Omani people further progress and prosperity under the wise leadership of His Majesty. He wished further progress to the good relations between the two countries and people. -ONA

“The cost saving versus risk factor does not make it a sensible or viable solution for fuel cost increases. Filling stations should help the management of fuel dispensing by imposing restrictions on the amount of fuel sold to customers for take away purposes,” Pudwell said.

Five-litre container According to him, a five-litre container is acceptable for emergency fuel use, but more than this could result in a life threatening incident if a vehicle carrying multiple cans of fuel is involved in a collision of any kind.

“Trying to beat price rise by stockpiling is not worth dying for and the transportation of bulk fuel by private vehicle owners must be controlled by the authorities and fuel suppliers,” Pudwell added.

The hike in price of fuel was on the cards since the Oman government unveiled its austerity-driven 2016 State Budget.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

REGION

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi, left, held a cabinet meeting on general services for the poor and security in the southern Iraqi city of Basra.

Violence flares in Iraq as 23 killed in separate bombings A surge in such violence could undermine efforts

by Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi to dislodge the IS group militants

BAGHDAD: At least seven mosques and dozens of shops in eastern Iraq were firebombed on Tuesday, security sources and local officials said, a day after 23 people were killed there in two blasts claimed by IS. Ten people were also shot and killed in Muqdadiya, 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Baghdad, security and hospital sources said.

The rise of the militant group IS has exacerbated a long-running sectarian conflict in the country.

A surge in such violence could undermine efforts by Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi to dislodge the militants from large swaths of the north and west that they seized in 2014.

At least two mosques south of Baghdad were attacked last week.

At the height of Iraq’s civil war nearly a decade ago, such mosque attacks often unleashed revenge killings and counter attacks across the country.

DEADLY ATTACK: A burnt-out car is seen in the street in eastern Baghdad the day after a bomb at-

tack on Monday. – AFP

Officials tried on Tuesday to head off further violence, condemning the mosque attacks as well as Monday’s bombings.

Abdul Lateef Al Himayim, head of Iraq’s government body overseeing religious sites, called them “a desperate attempt to destroy Iraqi unity”, while the United Nations warned in a statement the mosque bombings could “take the country back into the dark days of sectarian strife”.

Haqqi Al Jabouri, a member of the local council in Diyala province where Muqdadiya is located, said both types of attacks hurt the social fabric of the community.

He blamed “undisciplined armed men” for burning the mosques.

Militias were crucial in keeping IS from overrunning Baghdad and southern areas during their lightning advance across the Syrian border in 2014, and have supported Iraqi forces pushing back the militants, including from parts of Diyala.

Militia elements have been accused of human rights abuses, allegations the groups have repeatedly denied or blamed on rogue members.

Amal Omran, a member of the Diyala council, blamed the mosque attacks on “infiltrators” seeking to smear the image of the militias.

Witnesses said some of the those killed on Tuesday had been

A7

shot inside their homes or dragged into the street and executed by gunmen wearing black and camouflage uniforms.

Police sources and local residents said the gunmen were patrolling Muqdadiya and warning families through loudspeakers to leave the city or face death.

Reuters could not verify these accounts.

“It’s worse than hell. I hid my two sons under a pile of clothes inside a wardrobe to avoid being discovered,” said Um Ibrahim, a widow who fled to nearby Khanaqin after seeing two mosques engulfed by black smoke.

The attacks occurred in the central districts of Mualimeen,

Asri and Orouba, the security sources said.

Two Iraqi journalists were also killed on Tuesday outside Baquba, Diyala’s provincial capital 65km (40 miles) northeast of Baghdad, according to police, a security official and their network Sharqiya TV. They said the men had been turned back from a checkpoint near Muqdadiya run by a militia.

On their way back to Baquba, gunmen sprayed their vehicle with automatic gunfire.

Earlier in the day, a suicide bomber attacked a police convoy near Baquba, critically wounding a senior police officer and killing three other members of the security forces, police said.

Brigadier Qasim Al Anbuki, the local head of police intelligence, was leading a force to check tips about a suspected car bomb parked on a highway linking Baghdad to Baquba.

After reaching the site, a suicide car bomber detonated his vehicle near the officer’s convoy, police sources said. Four others were also wounded, they added.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast.

Abadi condemned a separate attack on Monday at a mall in a district of Baghdad that killed 18 people. He called it “a desperate attempt by terrorist gangs after our forces’ victories in Ramadi and other areas”.

The Iraqi government last month claimed victory against IS in the western city of Ramadi, and has slowly pushed them back in other areas. — Reuters

U N S TAT E M E N T

‘Yemen peace talks not to begin on January 14’ GENEVA: A round of United Nations-brokered Yemen peace talks will not begin on January 14 as planned but may take place a week or more later, UN spokesman Ahmad Fawzi told a regular UN briefing in Geneva on Tuesday.

A coalition led by Saudi Arabia and its allies has been fighting the Houthi movement, which controls the capital, since March of last year. Nearly 6,000 people are known to have died.

The warring parties agreed last month on a broad framework for ending their war but a temporary truce was widely violated and has since ended.

Denial Last week, former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has joined forces with the Houthis, said he would not negotiate with the government of President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi, throwing into doubt the fate of the peace talks.

After the December round of talks, UN Yemen envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he would bring the two sides together again on January 14, with Switzerland and Ethiopia both mentioned as possible locations. But a meeting this week is no longer on the table.

“He is looking at a date after January 20,” Fawzi said. “It’s taking him some time to get the parties to agree on a location.”

“He wants to go for a location in the region. So his first option is to find a location acceptable to all parties in the region, but he has Switzerland of course in the back of his mind as an option.” — Reuters

D I S A G R E E M E N T B E F O R E TA L K S

US clearly backtracked over Syria, says opposition coordinator PARIS: The United States has softened its stance on Syria including the future of President Bashar Al Assad to accommodate Russia, opposition coordinator Riad Hijab said, warning the opposition would face a hard choice on whether to attend peace talks this month.

Hijab, who was chosen in December as coordinator of the opposition negotiating body to lead future Syria talks, said the opposition still had disagreements with the Syrian government and the United Nations over the talks’ agenda.

“Sadly, there is very clear backtracking, especially from the United States, with regard to the agenda of the negotiations,” Hijab said on Tuesday.

“They want the creation of a

government whereby the regime would leave us - the opposition - a few ministries.”

He said this US backtracking had enabled the December UN resolution, which had a great deal of “holes and ambiguities”.

The UN Security Council resolution adopted on December 18 set out a two-year road map for peace talks, but failed to address the issue of Assad’s future.

“The Russians and Americans did not cite Assad (during the negotiations) and did not talk about his departure and that is clear backtracking,” he said.

“When (President Barack) Obama said he (Assad) had no legitimacy, Kerry was making concessions.”

It also called for an end to the

MAKING A POINT: Riad Hijab, General Coordinator of the High Negotiations Committee for the Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces, at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Sunday. – AFP

bombing of civilians and on the parties to allow aid workers unhindered access throughout Syria, particularly in besieged and hardto-reach areas.

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

He took specific aim at the US administration and President Obama over his policies, including proposals to create a no-fly zone to protect Syrians and his

handling of Assad’s chemical arsenal. “Obama didn’t want (a no-fly zone).. (and) with the red lines on chemical weapons, he took out the weapons, but not those who used them. I don’t think history will forgive Obama.”

The peace talks are scheduled to be held under UN auspices in Geneva on January 25.

However, with the continued bombing of civilians, Syrian towns being besieged with some citizens starving to death, and differences on the agenda, the prospects of holding the talks to end the fiveyear-old war appear complicated.

“The choice is extremely difficult,” Hijab said when asked if the opposition would attend the talks.

“If we don’t go to the negotiations they will say we don’t respect the

UN resolutions, but our people are being bombed and starved. “If the negotiations are not well prepared they will fail,” he said, warning that failure would mean more refugees heading to Europe and more moderates turning to extremism.

“If we go and they fail, it would be catastrophe for Syrian society and it would be the world that pays the price.”

He said there were still disagreements with the United Nations and the Syrian government over the agenda of the talks, primarily the transitional governing body.

A senior Western diplomat also said the differences among regional and international actors as well as rivalries among opposition groups was playing into Syrian government hands. — Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

INDIA WA R - T O R N C O U N T RY

India, Syria hold talks on UN-backed peace process NEW DELHI: India and Syria on Tuesday held wide-ranging talks, focusing largely on the internal situation in the war-torn country and the UN-backed peace process aimed at ending the strife which has claimed lives of over 250,000 people in the last five years.

Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Walid Al Moualem, during the talks with External Affairs Minister of India, Sushma Swaraj, appreciated India for its support to the people of Syria and its position in finding a solution to the civil war.

Swaraj conveyed to Moualem, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs, that India was sending medicines worth $1 million to Syria soon. India will announce further assistance to the country during a conference on Syria in London on February 4.

Hostage issue She also sought Syria’s help in ascertaining status of 39 Indians who were taken hostage by IS militants from Iraqi city of Mosul in June 2014.

Moualem assured Swaraj that

he will use his sources in Iraq to know whereabouts of the Indians.

The Syrian Deputy Prime Minister met National Security Adviser Ajit Doval on Monday evening during which challenge of combating terrorism, particularly to deal with IS, is understood to have figured. Moualem, who visited Russia and China before arriving here on Monday, gave a detailed exposition of how Russian air strikes have weakened the capabilities of IS in Syria as well as about the UNbacked peace initiative.

“The Syrian Deputy Prime Minister appreciated India for its support to people of Syria,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

India has been consistently maintaining that a solution to the conflict must be found through a Syrian-led peace initiative.

Russia has been carrying out air strikes in Syria in support of President Bashar al-Assad since September, targeting the terror outfit IS which has seized vast swathes of land in that country.

India has been supportive of

the Russian strikes maintaining that terror groups must be dealt with effectively. The peace talks are slated for later this month and Moualem has already said that Syria was ready to participate in it.

The US, the UK and France are pressing for the ouster of the Syrian president to have a peaceful resolution of the conflict but Russia and China are against the move.

During the talks, the Syrian side sought help from India in the form of supply of food and medicine.

It also sought early completion of Tishreen power project being implemented by Bharat Heavy Electrical Ltd (BEHL). As part of Line of Credit, India has already given $100 million out of $240 million for the plant.

The Indian side said it was ready to complete the project if Syria can give assurance of security.

BHEL and Syrian Ministry of Electricity are negotiating to resume the project. The Syrian side also requested India to complete remaining work at Hama Steel plant which is being set up by India at a cost of $25 million. Ninety five

per cent of the work of the project has been completed.

India conveyed to Syria that it will be happy to hand it over soon.

India and Syria have friendly political relations.

India’s support for the Palestinian cause and for the return of the occupied Golan Heights to Syria is appreciated by Syrians.

Resolution Last month, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution endorsing a peace process in Syria to end the civil war through talks between the government and the opposition, but the draft is silent on the role of Assad in a political transition.

It called for a Syrian-led political process facilitated by the UN to establish within six months “credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance”, setting a schedule for drafting a new constitution, with free and fair elections to be held within 18 months under UN supervision with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to vote. - PTI

ELATED: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj shakes hands

with Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Walid Al Moualem, during a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PTI

NIA widens probe in air base attack, quizzes Punjab cop the second day on Tuesday at the NIA headquarters, with the agency claiming he has been changing statements quite often.

NIA has also summoned Somraj, caretaker of Panj Peer Dargah in Punjab, which Singh had claimed to have visited before he was kidnapped by terrorists, who attacked the Pathankot Air Force base hours later.

The shrine is located a few kilometres from Bamiyal, the village from where the terrorists were suspected to have infiltrated India before mounting the attack.

The questioning of Salwinder Singh, a superintendent of police rank officer, continued for the second day at the NIA headquarters, with the agency claiming that he has been changing statements quite often

NEW DELHI: Widening the probe in Pathankot air base terror attack case, NIA teams on Tuesday visited Samba and Kathua areas of Indian-administered-Kashmir, where similar strikes had taken place last year and quizzed for the second day a Punjab police officer who was allegedly kidnapped by terrorists hours before the assault on the air base.

NIA (National Investigation Agency) sources said a team of the agency on Tuesday visited the army camp in Samba on the Jammu-Pathankot highway where two terrorists had opened fire on March 21 last year.

Both the militants were shot dead by security forces, while three people including a major were injured in the gunbattle.

Modus operandi Another team also visited Kathua where Rajbagh police station was attacked by a group of militants a day before. Three security personnel, two militants and as many civilians were killed in the ensuing exchange of fire.

They said the agency could spot “glaring” similarities in the modus operandi of the terrorists, who at-

QUESTIONING: Gurdaspur SP Salwinder Singh, who was allegedly abducted by terrorists involved in the Pathankot attack, arrives to appear before NIA in New Delhi on Tuesday for a questioning in connection with the terror strike. - PTI

No reason to distrust Pakistan probe: Rajnath GREATER NOIDA(UP): India has no reason to distrust Pakistan’s assurance that it will take effective action on inputs given about the perpetrators of the Pathankot terror attack, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday.

“Pakistan government has said it will take effective action. I think we should wait,” Singh told reporters here.

Singh said since Pakistan has given the assurance to

tacked installations in Kathua and Samba and those who mounted the brazen assault on Pathankot IAF (Indian Air Force) base on the intervening night of January one and two this year.

In a related development, the NIA has asked mobile telephone service providers to submit de-

the Indian government, there should be no reason to disbelieve them so early.

“There is no reason to distrust (avishvaas) them (Pakistan) so early,” he said.

After the attack, India had said it has provided to Pakistan actionable intelligence to act upon the perpetrators of the terrorist act.

During a post-attack telephonic conversation between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani

tails about the calls made using three particular towers which give coverage to the IAF base in Pathankot, after initial probe indicated that the terrorists had entered the restricted area in the morning of January one, sources said. They said officials of Defence Security Corps and others re-

counterpart Nawaz Sharif, the government had said that “our prime minister very strongly urged the prime minister of Pakistan to take action.

“Actionable intelligence in regard to the terrorist attack and the links with the perpetrators in Pakistan were provided to the Pakistani side.

“The Pakistan prime minister promised us prompt and decisive action. We now wait that prompt and decisive action,” it had said.

sponsible for handling entry and exit at the base were being questioned to ascertain possible lapses that allowed the terrorists to enter the restricted areas without being noticed.

Meanwhile, questioning of Salwinder Singh, a superintendent of police rank officer, continued for

Statement Somraj’s statement that Salwinder Singh had came to the shrine for the first time before the attack and that his jeweller friend Rajesh Verma and his cook Madan Gopal had visited the dargah twice the same day had raised eyebrows as the police officer had earlier claimed he was a regular visitor to the place.

Singh continued to face tough questions from interrogators who have been asking him about various “loop-holes” in his statement given to Punjab Police wherein he had claimed he had been blindfolded by the terrorists who spoke in Hindi, Urdu and Kashmiri languages. The NIA has already summoned Madan Gopal to its headquarters on Wednesday for questioning.

Sources said, if needed, he will be brought face to face with Singh, posted as Assistant Commandant of 75th battalion of Punjab Armed Police after he was removed as SP (headquarters) Gurdaspur.

The terror probe agency has sent his mobile phone to Central Forensic Science Laboratory to ascertain details of calls made from it possibly by the terrorists involved in the 80-hour gun battle with security forces. The central agency had launched investigation immediately after terrorists struck inside the IAF base on the intervening night of January 1 and 2. NIA also recovered a magazine with seven live bullets from the scene of encounter at the IAF base on Tuesday. - PTI

HIT AND RUN CASE

Police issue circular on lapses in Salman case investigations

Salman Khan

MUMBAI: The Mumbai police has issued a circular to all police stations in the city highlighting the lapses in the investigations in the 2002 hit and run case involving Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, in which he was acquitted by the Bombay High Court in western-Indian state of Maharashtra.

This is apparently done to prevent the embarrassment of losing a case, especially where high profile personalities are involved.

“On January 4, a circular (in this regard) has been sent to all police stations in the city,” a senior official attached with Mumbai police said.

“This is to prevent the embarrassment which police face following the Salman Khan case,” he said.

The circular mentions 16 lapses among the several procedural lapses of the police in the case, which the high court had mentioned in its judgement.

Acquitted The Bombay High Court had acquitted the 50-year-old actor of all charges in the hit and run case.

The Maharashtra government has decided to file an appeal against the high court verdict in the Supreme Court of India. Senior officials from the city police have asked other officers to present a water-tight case in future taking lessons from the Salman Khan case. - PTI

S AT E L L I T E D ATA

Odd-even restrictions may not reduce pollution: Expert BENGALURU: The odd-even restrictions for cars being experimented with in New Delhi will not work to improve the national capital’s air quality due to its geographical location and the long-range airmass floating in from north and northwestern India, says an Indian origin US professor who has been analysing satellite data.

The odd/even restriction will be of great help in reducing the traffic but wouldn’t do much to reduce concentrations of fine particles, Ramesh Singh, a professor at Chapman University in California, said in an e-mail interview during an extended visit to Varanasi, from where he obtained his degrees.

“My views are supported by data from NASA’s Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite,” said Singh, who was formerly a professor of civil engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur.

According to Singh, Aerosol Optical Depth, which is a measure of air pollution, retrieved from MODIS satellite data over Delhi during December 1, 2015, to January 10, 2016, shows that the pollution level remains high and there is no reduction in PM2.5 fine particles after the odd-even restrictions were put in place.

Singh said that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has tried to

copy from Beijing, where some car owners in different areas are allowed to drive only on specific days “to cut down the flow of traffic, not because of pollution”.

“Delhi and Beijing have similar sources of pollutants (coal-based power plants, brick kilns, industry and the like), but we should not compare whether PM2.5 is higher in Delhi or Beijing because the geographical situation is different,” Singh said.

“Cities in the Ganges basin have the lofty Himalayas in the background and, again, whereas in Beijing the emissions get dispersed in all directions, in Delhi pollutants come from western parts and

occasionally from eastern parts of the basin.

Dense haze “Delhi is located in the Ganga basin and during winter time, depending upon the weather conditions, dense haze, fog and smog are formed and moves in the Ganga basin. Therefore, sometimes dense fog/haze/smog is seen in Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Banaras and Amritsar.

“Also, during the winter season the wind, which is mainly westerly, brings pollutants from Pakistan, and from Punjab and Haryana, northern regions of India.

All these pollutants cannot be

stopped due to the towering Himalaya in the north,” Singh said.

Therefore, there is continuous flow of airmass from west to east and Delhi gets affected through the long range transport of pollutants from the west and also from the foothills of the Himalayas where the burning of wood is prevalent during the winter, Singh said.

Emissions from vehicles in Delhi mix with the fine particles in the airmass coming from the western side and the strong mixing of the two affects the solar radiation budget and highly impacts Delhi’s atmospheric chemistry, which may create other atmospheric problems, Singh said. - IANS

EXPERIMENT: Volunteers along

with a traffic police at ITO as odd-even scheme restricting movement of cars, is operational in New Delhi, recently. - PTI

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

INDIA

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E N D I N G S P E C U L AT I O N

A ‘WHALE’ OF A PROBLEM

The dead whales which were washed ashore on a beach in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu on Tuesday. Carcasses of 38 baleen whales were washed ashore near the Tiruchendur beach in this district early on Tuesday while more than 250 whales stranded in shallow waters were pushed back into the deep sea, officials said. ‘This is an unusual thing...an unusual mortality incident, we have to find out the reason,’ marine scientist Velumani of the Fisheries Department, said. - PTI

PDP, BJP say coalition will continue in J&K SRINAGAR/JAMMU: Ending suspense of days, PDP and BJP on Tuesday said their coalition will continue on the basis of the understanding reached last year but gave no timeframe for formation of the new government in the Indian-administered-Kashmir, which is set to be headed by Mehbooba Mufti.

Both parties emphasised that no conditions have been put by either, with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP_ saying the coalition will move forward on the basis of last year’s ‘Agenda of Alliance’ which encompasses all issues — political and economic.

BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) general secretary Ram Madhav, who had played the key role in firming up the coalition last year, held a meeting with all the 25 MLAs of the party in Jammu after which the party leaders said they were just waiting for PDP to initiate the process of forming the government.

BJP general secretary incharge of J&K Avinash Rai Khanna said they are waiting for PDP to formally elect their Legislature Party leader after which other formalities could be done.

“As far as I am concerned, there is no suspense. We have lost a stalwart like Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Once the official mourn-

FIFTH STRAIGHT MONTH

Retail inflation increases to 5.6% in December NEW DELHI: Rising for the fifth straight month, retail inflation or CPI quickened to 5.61 per cent in December, mainly on costlier vegetables and cereals, limiting the headroom for the Reserve Bank of India to lower rate next month.

Food inflation too rose to 6.40 per cent during the month, government data released on Tuesday showed. Retail inflation measured by the consumer price index (CPI) was at 5.41 per cent in November 2015 and 4.28 per cent in December 2014.

Retail prices of cereals and products moved up by 2.12 per cent in December, from 1.7 per cent in November.

The growth in prices in meat and fish stood out at 6.57 per cent as against 5.34 per cent in November while that of eggs was at 0.97 per cent, from 0.5 per cent in the previous month.

The prices of protein-rich items such as meat, fish and eggs generally go up during the winter as demand spikes.

However, seasonal fruits turned cheaper in December, with inflation print at 0.64 per cent although vegetables prices grew 4.63 per cent. The Reserve Bank keeps track of retail inflation to decide on its bi-monthly monetary policy. - PTI

Timeframe Beg, however, did not give a timeframe for government formation in the state which was brought under Governor’s Rule on Friday following the death of Sayeed a day earlier.

He said no conditions had been laid either by the PDP or the BJP for the government formation in the state as all the issues had been thrashed out in ‘Agenda of Alliance’ last year.

PDP has 27 MLAs in the 87-member Assembly.

Asked about the speculation of Congress offering support to PDP for government formation, Beg said AICC president Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad had come only to pay respects to Sayeed who had spent a long time in that party. - PTI

Congress rebuts criticism

by Jaitley over disruptions Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma said any constructive engagement cannot be achieved by targeting, blaming and insulting the

ENGROSSED: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during the pre-Budget consultation meeting with the representatives of banking and financial institutions, in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PTI

leadership of the Congress

NEW DELHI: Congress on Tuesday rejected Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s criticism of the party for disruptions in Parliament and said there cannot be a constructive engagement with the main opposition party by “targeting, blaming and insulting” its leadership.

“The Statement of Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Ministers blaming the leadership of the Congress for the Parliament logjam is unwarranted, objectionable and unacceptable. The Congress

rejects the unfair criticism of its leadership and the party,” senior spokesman Anand Sharma said.

In a statement, he hit back at Jaitley saying it was “ironic” that this charge has been levelled by a finance minister, who has the “unflattering distinction of scripting and justifying” Parliamentary disruption as a legitimate strategy of the opposition.

“As a Leader of Opposition, he and his party BJP opposed and stalled all progressive reforms and bills to derail the economic agenda of the UPA Government including the Goods and Sales Tax and Insurance Bills,” he said.

Sharma said the statement re-

PA K I S TA N I G H A Z A L S I N G E R

Ghulam Ali enthrals Kolkata, says his sadness ends with his concert KOLKATA: Pakistani ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali, who has over the years enthralled millions across the globe with his baritone voice, on Tuesday expressed gratitude and elation as he performed to a packed audience in Kolkata, three months after cancellation of his concert in Mumbai.

“I am very happy today. I have been coming to Kolkata for 30 to 35 years. But this time it feels like I have come back after 50 years. I was so sad and today my sadness ends,” Ghulam Ali said at the start of the concert at the Netaji Indoor Stadium here.

Performing with his son Aamir, Ghulam Ali hailed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as a form of Saraswati, the deity of wisdom and music.

“I am grateful to her. She has done us a favour in the form of Saraswati,” Ghulam Ali said with a smile.

Mamata reinforced her views on universal brotherhood and requested the 75-year-old singer to

ing period (seven days) is over, I think the (coalition) government will carry on under the leadership of Mehbooba Mufti,” PDP’s chief spokesperson Mehboob Beg told reporters.

The state government had declared a seven-day official mourning as a mark of respect to Sayeed, then Chief Minister who passed away at AIIMS in Delhi on last Thursday. This mourning period will end on Wednesday.

GHAZAL MAESTRO: Ghulam Ali

performing at a programme in Kolkata, on Tuesday. - PTI

visit the city again. She welcomed him with a shawl and a scarf.

The maestro had first performed in Kolkata in 1981.

“Gana wana mujhe nahi aata (I don’t know how to sing).I only know how to listen,” he said, reminiscing how he was tutored by the legendary Bade Ghulam Ali and his three brothers.

“I used to be after them (to learn),” quipped the singer, whose

famous ghazal renditions are Chupke Chupke Raat Din, Kal Chaudhvin Ki Raat Thi, Hungama Hai Kyon Barpa, Kiya Hai Pyar Jise and many others.

The ustad’s arresting style conveyed a range of emotions, even as he rendered the same couplet more than once.

Music transcended geographical and political boundaries as Ali rendered the famed “Chupke Chupke Raat Din” in his inimitable style — in a duet with son Aamir — to thunderous applause.

The icon with effortless ease slipped into the popular rendition about an hour into the concert.

However, a section of Twitterati, including BJP leaders, slammed Mamata for inviting the singer to India just weeks after the Pathankot attacks.

“Due to Confidence Building Measures like #PathankotAttack, Ghulam Ali will perform again in Kolkata (after saying he won’t be back ever),” said a Twitter post, taking a dig at the concert. - IANS

flected the mindset of the government, which is both “arrogant and confrontationist”.

The government, he said, does not believe in building a mature understanding with the principal opposition party.

“Any constructive engagement cannot be achieved by targeting, blaming and insulting the leadership of the Congress,” the former Union minister said.

“Instead of sermonizing the finance minister is better advised to introspect, focus on putting the economy back on track and refrain from making uncharitable and offending statements,” he said.

Sharma said the “continuous ti-

rade” was a diversionary tactic to deflect focus from the “miserable failure” of the BJP government “on all fronts”.

He accused the BJP of being guided by a “partisan agenda at the cost of the national interests” while it was in the opposition.

The main opposition party’s reaction came close on the heels of reports that Jaitley and some other top ministers at an awards function of an economic daily slammed the Congress’ ‘first family’ for the Parliamentary logjam and hinted at adopting ‘alternative means’ to get key bills passed.

Sharma, who is the deputy leader of the party in the Rajya Sabha,

said the Congress as a party in opposition has been responsible and mature in its approach.

“The fact that the Rajya Sabha in the last 18 months has passed 45 Bills including the Insurance Bill, and enacted and amended the Acts for Coal, Mines & Minerals besides passing the historic Constitutional amendment on the land boundary agreement with Bangladesh, which was vehemently opposed by the BJP in the Opposition, cannot be ignored,” he said.

Sharma, a former minister for Commerce and Industry, reminded Jaitley that the state of the economy is a matter of grave national concern.

“The GDP growth has been almost flat, investment sentiment is poor as is apparent from virtual non-creation of capital assets and there has been a sharp escalation in the debt to GDP ratio.”

He also said that for 12 continuous months merchandise exports have been in a free fall resulting in loss of tens of thousands of jobs in the manufacturing sector.

“A government that had come to power promising 2 Crore jobs annually has led us to a situation which is characterized by mounting job losses and abject failure to reinvigorate economic growth.

“This has led to despair and despondency amongst the youth,” Sharma said. - PTI

A10

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

PAKISTAN CHINA CORRIDOR

FOGGY WINTER DAY

A vendor walks on a foggy cold winter day while offering kahwa, a traditional green tea, in the hill-resort town of Murree, northeast of capital Islamabad, Pakistan, on Tuesday. — Reuters

Proposal for 12 special trade zones floated ISLAMABAD: The Board of Investment on Tuesday submitted a report, highlighting 12 potential sites for special economic zones (SEZs) along the western route of multibillion-dollar China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P).

The report, issued by the PM House, came after mounting criticism from various political parties, including the government of K-P and Balochistan, who felt that their provinces were deprived of SEZ and demanded sites to be marked.

Earlier, K-P Chief Minister Pervez Khattak reportedly said, “It is our due right to get the corridor with all its components otherwise we don’t need the road that was inaugurated by the prime minister.”

Western route Moreover, all political parties in Balochistan, including Balochistan National Party (BNP) chief Sardar Akhtar Mengal, also demanded SEZ along with the western route in the province.

The report revealed that of a total of 48 SEZs which are likely to be established near the CPEC, 12 have been proposed for the western route — seven in K-P and five in Balochistan. — Express Tribune

FA C E B O O K C O N TA C T

Indian wife of Pakistani man seeks visa extension SWAT: An Indian girl who recently married a Pakistani man after becoming friends with him on Facebook has her visa expired, and has now pinned hopes on the government to prolong her stay.

The 22-year-old Mehrunisa arrived in Pakistan two months ago after marrying 24-year-old Ijaz Khan, resident of Swat’s Kalam valley and now fears returning home.

Reaction from family Mehrunisa says she fears a reaction from her family for eloping, as well as threats from anti-Pakistan groups in India for marrying a Pakistani man.

The couple applied for a visa with the Ministry of Interior but their application is pending for a month.

Owing to the situation, the couple appealed extension in visa besides financial assistance from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Parvez Khattak.

Reside permanently Ijaz on December 21, 2015 had also appealed the government to grant her wife Pakistani nationality so she could permanently reside in the country. — Express Tribune

Respite to netizens as local Youtube version launched With these launches, we hope to pave the way for the work of more local creators, personalities and musicians to shine on the world’s largest and most vibrant video community. To all our YouTube viewers and creators from South Asia and around the world, we can’t wait to see what you share, said the post written by Gautam Anand, Director of Operations and Content, YouTube Asia Pacific

YouTube has officially been banned in Pakistan since September 2012 after a lowbudget movie containing sacrilegious content sparked furious protests around the world

ISLAMABAD: A respite for Pakistanis, Google introduced on Tuesday the local version of YouTube for Pakistan which will deliver country specific content.

If you’re in Nepal, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, you’ll see a new YouTube homepage that’s customised in your local language and domain,

a post on Google Asia Pacific blog read.

YouTube is already available in Nepali, Sinhalese and Urdu, and now having country-specific homepages means we can bring you the most relevant videos in a YouTube experience tailored for you, said the post written by Gautam Anand, Director of Operations and Content, YouTube Asia Pacific.

“With these launches, we hope

to pave the way for the work of more local creators, personalities and musicians to shine on the world’s largest and most vibrant video community. To all our YouTube viewers and creators from South Asia and around the world, we can’t wait to see what you share,” he added.

YouTube has officially been banned in Pakistan since September 2012 after a low-budget movie containing sacrilegious content

sparked furious protests around the world.

At the time, the country’s top court ruled the site should be banned until a way is found to block all blasphemous material.

Google had removed the blasphemous movie following a US court order but its shorter versions are still available online.

YouTube’s local version will present popular country-specific content on its home page. While

announcing the launch, Google also presented some of their favourite examples of the South Asian content that’s already available on YouTube.

Coke Studio “Pakistanis love YouTube’s diverse music offerings. One of the country’s most popular YouTube channels is Coke Studio, a series of live studio-recorded music performances by artists from across Pakistan. Atif Aslam’s tribute to the magnum opus of the Sabri brothers, Tajdar-e-Haram is one their most-watched videos, clocking over 11 million views to date,” the post read.

However, it is not yet known whether this localised version will lead to the removal of the government ban on YouTube. IT Minister Anusha Rahman could not be reached for comment.

In March last year, the state minister for information technology (IT) said YouTube will only be accessible in Pakistan after Google allows the country to manage the video-sharing website locally for proper monitoring.

Anusha Rehman had said that the legislation to localise YouTube in Pakistan was under way. — Express Tribune

CONTROVERSY

Ruling party hires 1,000 people in overstaffed PIA ISLAMABAD: While harping on about overstaffing at the national flag carrier, the government has quietly recruited another 1,000 people in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), taking its accumulative losses to Rs254.7 billion.

Last year alone, the PML-N government inducted 400 employees in PIA, according to a briefing given to the National Assembly’s special committee on PIA privatisation. The PIA management and the Privatisation Commission told the panel the national airline added Rs27.8 billion to its losses last year.

Pakistan People’s Party The government has repeatedly blamed the previous regime for overstaffing the PIA. But the addition of 1,000 employees in its tenure puts the ruling party in league with the Pakistan People’s Party, which recruited 1,435 people in the airlines in its last three years.

The PPP, however, never hid

its intentions of giving jobs to its voters.

During the tenures of both governments, the overall number of PIA employees has come down from 18,036 in 2008 to 14,847 by the end of 2015. Had the PMLN not given 1,000 more jobs, the number would have gone down below 14,000.

In its tenure, the PML-N has on average hired 1.1 employees per day as against the PPP’s average of 1.3 per day during its last three years between 2010 and 2012.

The government has given these jobs at a time when it has committed with the International Monetary Fund of selling off the national flag carrier by June this year – a deadline it is more likely to miss.

On Monday, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar again tried to sell to the committee the idea of selling the core business of PIA, which PPP, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Awami Muslim League opposed.

Another startling fact that surfaced in the meeting was that PIA’s market share drastically went down as the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted landing rights to other airlines.

New aircraft This led to a situation where despite 43 per cent reduction in fuel costs and adding 20 new aircraft, the PIA suffered Rs27.8 billion losses during 2015, data shared by the PIA’s chief finance officer (CFO) showed.

The PIA’s market share going down drastically was termed a deliberate attempt by the opposition to destroy the PIA before its privatisation, as the PML-N government allowed additional 286 weekly flights to other airlines since coming to power.

In the past one year alone, the CAA has allowed 108 additional weekly flights, which is disturbing, said Asad Umar of the PTI. — Express Tribune

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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BANGLADESH

COUNTING COINS

A man counts coins collected from coin-operated laundry machines, at a warehouse in Zhengzhou, Henan province, China, on Monday. A man running a coin-operated laundromat service had failed to exchange 300,000 yuan ($45,609) worth of coins into banknotes to pay his employees three months worth of salaries, according to local media. Local banks said they are unable to process the exchange in a go, the reports added. - Reuters

Death penalty for extremist convicted of war crimes sought DHAKA: The Bangladesh government on Tuesday filed a review petition with the Supreme Court seeking the death penalty for a top extremist leader convicted of war crimes during the country’s independence war in 1971.

A war crimes tribunal set up in 2010 has sparked violence and drawn criticism from opposition politicians, including leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami party, that it is victimising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s political opponents. Four opposition politicians, including three leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami, have been convicted by the tribunal and executed since late 2013.

The Supreme Court in 2014 commuted to life imprisonment a death sentence handed down to top Jamaat-e-Islami member Delwar Hossain Sayedee, 76, for atrocities committed during the nine-month war. State prosecutors are challenging that decision.

“We have sought the highest

LONG-RUNNING DISPUTE

Japan warns China over incursions near disputed isles TOKYO: Japan said on Tuesday it has told China that any foreign naval vessel that enters Japanese waters for reasons other than “innocent passage” will be told to leave by a Japanese naval patrol, signalling a potential escalation in a long-running dispute.

Japan had informed China of its decision in November, after Chinese navy ships sailed near disputed isles in the East China Sea known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a news conference.

Suga said, had approved the course of action last May. “If a foreign naval vessel transits our waters for (purposes) other than ‘innocent passage’, we will order a sea patrol and take the step of having the Self-Defence Force unit order withdrawal,” Suga told a news conference.

Japan refers to its military as a Self-Defense Force. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei, asked about the remarks, said China was determined to protect its territory, repeating its standard line that the islands had been Chinese “since ancient times”.

“At the same time we do not want to see a rise in tensions in the East China Sea and are willing to appropriately manage, control and resolve the issue via dialogue and consultations,” Hong told a daily news briefing in Beijing.

Suga’s comments followed a Yomiuri newspaper report that Japanese navy ships would be sent to urge Chinese naval ships to leave if they came within about 22 km (12 nautical miles) of the islands for reasons other than “innocent passage”. - Reuters

punishment for him,” Attorney General Mahbubey Alam told reporters, after his office filed the petition.

Sayedee’s initial conviction in 2013 on charges of genocide, rape, torture and the persecution of minorities triggered protests in which about 60 people were killed. About 3 million people were killed, according to official figures, and thousands of women were raped, during the war.

But the party denies that its leaders committed any atrocities.

Anger over the tribunal’s convictions and the executions has come amid a surge in militant violence in Bangladesh, with militant groups claiming the murder of two foreigners and four secular writers and a publisher last year.

The government has blamed the increase in extremist violence on the Jamaat-e-Islami, which is an important ally of the main opposition party, but it denies any link to the attacks. -Reuters

Suu Kyi appeals to rebels to take part in peace talks Representatives of rebel groups,

We have high expectations for Aung San Suu Kyi and her government to negotiate with the army chief — without the military’s involvement it will be impossible to end the fighting across the country

the military and members of parliament, gathered for the second stage of talks aimed at ending insurgencies that have plagued the country for decades

SPELLING OUT THE TASK AHEAD: Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi delivers a speech during talks between the government, army and representatives of ethnic armed groups over a ceasefire to end insurgencies, in Naypyitaw on Tuesday. - Reuters

NAYPYITAW: More of Myanmar’s ethnic minority rebel groups should be brought into peace talks and the effort to end conflict should not divide groups that are involved in negotiations and those that have shunned the process, Aung San Suu Kyi said on Tuesday.

Hundreds of representatives of rebel groups, the military and members of parliament, gathered in the capital, Naypyitaw, for the second stage of talks aimed at ending insurgencies that have plagued the country for decades.

The outgoing semi-civilian government of President Thein Sein signed what it called a nation-

wide ceasefire agreement in October, but seven of 15 rebel groups invited to participate declined to sign, including some of the most powerful.

Other groups were not invited to take part or showed little interest in the process. Since the signing, fighting has erupted between the military and groups that did not sign the ceasefire and groups that did not take part in the negotiations, as well as between groups that signed and others that did not, further complicating the already daunting task of reaching sustainable peace.

“We need to work for all the ethnic armed groups to be partici-

pate in the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA),” Suu Kyi said referring to the nationwide ceasefire agreement.

“It is important not to have conflicts between the ethnic armed groups which have signed the NCA and the groups which are still not involved in the agreement.”

Ethnic minority guerrillas have been fighting the central government for greater autonomy and rights since shortly after the country gained independence from Britain in 1948.

The military, which still wields huge influence under a constitution it drafted in 2008, has long portrayed itself as the sole power

Saw Thamein Tun Karen National Union leader

holding the ethnically diverse country together and it is widely seen as loath to give ground on minority demands for autonomy under a federal system.

Suu Kyi, whose National League for Democracy (NLD) swept a November election, said in an Independence Day speech last week that the peace process would be the first priority of her new government, which is due to take power in March.

But she and the NLD have said little publicly about how they intend to push the process forward.

Groups that chose not to sign the ceasefire have been invited to attend the latest talks, which

could lay the groundwork for further negotiations once the NLD takes power. Several of the insurgent groups are hoping that Suu Kyi’s standing and mandate will help her in bridging differences with the military.

“We have high expectations for Aung San Suu Kyi and her government to negotiate with the army chief — without the military’s involvement it will be impossible to end the fighting across the country,” said Saw Thamein Tun, a leader of the Karen National Union. The gathering in Naypyitaw was also attended by President Thein Sein and the powerful army chief Min Aung Hlaing. - Reuters

RULING

Philippine court declares military deal with US ‘constitutional’ MANILA: The Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday declared a security deal with the United States constitutional, as antiAmerican protesters rallied outside, allowing an increased US military presence in the former US colony as tension rises in the South China Sea. Manila has long been a staunch US ally and the pact is widely seen as important for both sides as the Philippines confronts an assertive China in the disputed Spratly archipelago and Washington launches a “pivot” back to Asia.

The court voted 10-4 to deny the petition of some lawmakers and activists to declare the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) unconstitutional because it surrendered Philippine sovereignty to a foreign power.

“EDCA is not constitutionally infirm,” said Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te. “As an executive agreement, it remains consistent with existing laws and treaties that it purports to implement.”

The pact was signed days before US President Barack Obama visited the Philippines in 2014.

It will allow US troops to build facilities to store equipment for maritime security and humanitarian and disaster response operations, in addition to broad access to Philippine military bases.

Strengthen alliance Security expert Rommel Banlaoi said the security deal will strengthen the alliance between Manila and Washington beyond the administration of President Benigno Aquino, who steps down at the end of June.

“EDCA will be Aquino’s legacy for the next administration that is bound to implement it,” Banlaoi said. “It can boost US leverage in balancing China, particularly in the context of the growing USChina power struggle in the South China Sea”.

The court ruling came hours before the Philippine defence and foreign ministers hold talks with American counterparts in Wash-

ington, discussing security and economic issues, including the South China Sea and the TransPacific Partnership trade deal.

Dozens of anti-US activists held protests outside the court, saying the ruling was “untenable” because the deal was a de facto basing agreement and will make the country “a launching pad for military intervention in the region”.

Philippine military officials say there has been an increase in US exercises, training and ship and aircraft visits in the past year under Obama’s rebalance to Asia but the pact would take the relationship a step further.

China claims almost all the South China Sea, which is believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas, and has been building up facilities on islands it controls.

Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the Philippines also have claims. Tension rose this month when China began test flights on Fiery Cross Reef, one of three artificial islands where Beijing has constructed airfields. - PTI

PROTEST: Activists display placards during a protest in front of the Supreme Court in Manila on Tuesday. The Philippine Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday a military accord with the United States was constitutional, paving the way for a greater presence of US forces in the country. - AFP

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READERS’ FORUM Need to check violations of Indian schools poll code I refer to news the story, Indian Schools board elections set to be held on January 16 (January 11). I wish to remind the election commission that many of the candidates — through their supporters — are violating the moral code of conduct set by it. SMS messages, Facebook posts and Whatsapp messages are floating all over.

Will the election commission take a serious notice of these violations, or show the same kind of helplessness demonstrated by the last election commission? If the commission has no resources to check these violations, then they should make Scan this QR code it free for all and freeze all kinds of moral to send letters to the code of conduct.

Readers’ Forum, — Mohammad Osama Rawat, Ruwi containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi).

Suu Kyi cannot be trusted over ensuring peace in her country This refers to the news story, Myanmar’s Suu Kyi calls for all insurgents to take part in talks (January 12). The peace icon’s appeal is likely to fall on deaf years. Myanmar is a country of numerous ethnicity and Suu Kyi represents the majority ethnic group. Her approach towards Rohingyas seeps of her hypocrisy, as in the past she has turned a blind eye to her country’s right wing militants. The same can be said of her views on the Chinese origin people of the northern parts of the country. — Sherine Rafique, Ruwi

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“Insure with New India and be secure”

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CLARE BOOTH LUCE

Look at positives, not negatives during crisis

CHRISTOPHER BALDING

Chinese leaders are acutely conscious of the “seemingly trivial malfunctions” in the economy that could prompt a crisis and have the tools to address them. While Greece had to haggle desperately with Europe to obtain financing and US provoked fierce argument over its corporate bailouts bit.ly/chinafinances

hile the Sultanate is working to take precautions against lower revenue from oil as a result of the decline in oil prices in the international market, the public understands that it must be prepared for tough measures at all times — restructuring of fees and taxes on services, developing mechanisms of action in government agencies, advancing the competence and quality of services, channelling funds to the necessities, reducing non-necessary costs by publishing financial publications, and imposing a limit on ministries’ expenses.

Supporting the existence of such measures comes at a critical time, which is caused by a major decrease in oil revenue that has affected the state revenue. We have also seen that the national budget has projected a shortage of OMR3.3 billion this year. Preliminary calculations over 2015 have shown an increase of the shortage to OMR4.5 billion. All these measures are targeted measures that the government has adopted to guarantee financial resources for development expenses, to preserve the public finance and its standing in an international perspective.

That’s why we have to cooperate with these steps. We should look at this crisis positively, not negatively. We could celebrate the restructuring of our spending, a reduction of the dependency on oil and roll up our sleeves to build our national economy together with the government to overcome the effects of such crises. Without doubt, financial administration is one of the most difficult issues around, be it on the level of households, companies, organisations or states.

We have to take into account this fact while we are working with the government to achieve success by taking a number of steps, which we have to support in the first place, when it comes to our consuming behaviour and the resulting nonnecessary expenses, be it within organisations or as individuals.

We have to get used to the changes locally and internationally; changes which we regard as positive and which will enable us to turn crisis and challenges into chances to defeat them, instead of complaining, as a result of the troubles we caused.

People are ready to carry on onto this difficult path during complicated times. We have to cooperate with carrying out these targeted financial

measures, in order to achieve a balance in the state budget, and not expose it to a shock or rely on national or international loans.

We have to support each other. It demands from all of us to come with new ways to help the state solve the crisis and generate more income from non-oil sources. We should continue the policy of diversifying the sources of income and take advantage of natural resources other than oil. This is what the national duty asks of us, in the present and in the future.

During the last 45 years since the Renaissance, the state has been fully supporting the citizens; everything that has been realised from scratch on this blessed land reminds us of this, as everyone is aware of it. Today, when we are faced with crisis, we have to support the government to overcome the problems during the tough years experienced by countries all across the globe. We have to rethink of our bills and priorities so that we do remain in this situation and we should not accuse each other or see each others as competitors or judges. We have to trust the work of specialised organisations that supervise us and are one of the pillars of the state that stands strong.

The measures that have been taken until now are not difficult and will not have a negative effect on citizens’ lives, to whom the government, since the blessed Renaissance, has attached great importance. However, the government has taken steps to scrap unnecessary and unimportant expenses, giving a warning sign to the individual and to the society, to think about their expenses and lower unnecessary costs and rethink their purchases. The financial structure of these measures and the control of spending will definitely spread to other important and necessary fields, such as education, healthcare, social protection, electricity, water, security, defence.

We have to make sure that we continuously support these essential sectors, together with the government.

I hope that these, and other measures, will be steps to influence our consumer behaviour on an individual level and on the level of the individual, the society and government agencies.

I hope that we will preserve what has been realised for the sake of every citizen and resident of this pleasant land in the era of the blessed Renaissance led by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

May God protect him. — Exclusive to Times of Oman

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES JANUARY 2001 Azizi opens international art exhibition MUSCAT: Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Matar Al Azizi, minister of civil service, opened the ‘You and Me’ international art exhibition at Radisson SAS Hotel yesterday. The exhibition has been staged by the Omani fine Arts Society in cooperation with the Muscat Festival 2000 cultural committee in aid of children with special needs, and has been sponsored by the Muscat Municipality.

PICTOGRAPH

TOTAL LIVE BIRTHS IN THE SULTANATE 2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

82,981 72,867 64,730 67,922

79,417

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

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

1927: A woman takes a seat on the NY Stock Exchange breaking the all-male tradition..

1945: The Red Army opens an offensive in South Poland, crashing 25 miles through the German lines.

1980: The United States offers Pakistan a two-year aid plan to counter the Soviet threat in Afghanistan.

0 Source National Centre for Statistics and Information

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

A1 3

WORLD Pakistan raids home of ‘NYT’ reporter Pakistan’s interior ministry said in

It’s still unclear whether that’s true, though, and given the pattern of targeted harassment of Times correspondents in Pakistan by the authorities, we’re taking this matter very seriously

statement that the raid on Salman Masood’s residence was ‘in no way reasonable or

Douglas Schorzman

acceptable’, but did

Senior editor at New York Times

not elaborate why

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani paramilitary force raided the home of the New York Times national correspondent on Tuesday in what officials called a routine search operation for a terrorism suspect.

The search at the Islamabad home of Salman Masood came more than two years after Pakistan expelled the Times’ bureau chief, Declan Walsh, during national elections.

A team of the paramilitary Rangers force arrived at Masood’s house at around 7:30 a.m.(0230 GMT), he said, adding that the of-

ficers said they needed to search the home for a “terror suspect.”

Pakistan’s interior ministry said in statement that the raid was “in no way reasonable or acceptable”, but did not elaborate why.

“There will be an investigation into why, how and on whose authority this raid was carried out,” it said.

The Rangers force reports directly to the interior ministry, but because it is historically a border security force, the powerful army’s top command is also involved in its management.

The Rangers force and the army’s media wing could not be

reached for comment. Douglas Schorzman, a senior editor on the international desk of the New York Times, said the Pakistani interior ministry had said the visit was “part of a broader pattern of searches across his (Masood’s) neighborhood this morning.

Targeted harassment “It’s still unclear whether that’s true, though, and given the pattern of targeted harassment of Times correspondents in Pakistan by the authorities, we’re taking this matter very seriously.”

The newspaper will conduct its own inquiry, he said.

Last July, the government gave Rangers special powers and put the force in charge of security in the capital, Islamabad, in case Pakistani Taliban militants tried to launch attacks in response to an army offensive in the country’s northwest.

The Rangers have also been given broad powers in an ongoing security crackdown in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, prompting criticism from opposition parties of a lack of oversight.

Masood said he was never detained. He later saw the same officers outside another house in the street. — Reuters

FA R S R E P O R T D E N I E D

Tehran says nuclear plant at Arak not yet decommissioned DUBAI: Iran has not yet decommissioned the Arak heavy water reactor, one of its obligations under the nuclear deal with world powers to win a reprieve from sanctions, but expects to do so in the coming days, a senior Iranian official said.

The comments contradicted an earlier report by the Fars news agency, which cited an “informed source” as saying Iran had removed the core of the Arak reactor and filled it with cement.

“The work has started in Arak regarding its removing its core.

We are committed to carry out our obligations based on the (nuclear) deal,” a senior Iranian nuclear official said.

“The Implementation Day is going to be soon.”

The precise date for lifting sanctions, known as Implementation Day, has not been determined and depends on a report by the UN nuclear watchdog, verifying Iran has kept its promises under the deal.

Days away Last week, US Secretary of State John Kerry said it could be just “days away”.

Iranian officials expect to finish implementing the July 14 deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in the coming days.

The precise date for lifting sanctions, known as Implementation Day, has not been determined and depends on a report by the UN nuclear watchdog, verifying Iran has kept its promises under the deal Iran has already shipped most of its enriched uranium stockpile to Russia, and must still mothball most of its centrifuges and decommission the Arak reactor.

Once the United Nations confirms Iran has done this, international sanctions against Iran will be lifted, paving the way for an influx of foreign investment and, Iranian officials say, a rapid increase in crude oil exports.

“One of our commitments is to redesign the Arak reactor, and everything that we agreed upon is being implemented,” Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi was quoted as saying by the Tasnim agency. — Reuters

CUT IN SUBSIDIES

In a heated session, Bahrain lawmakers slam fuel price increase DUBAI: A session of the Bahraini parliament broke up amid shouting and protests on Tuesday when several lawmakers vented their anger against a rise in fuel prices.

The government, in a move announced on Monday, has set the new price for super fuel at 160 Bahraini fils ($0.424) per litre

from 100 fils while the price for regular fuel has been raised to 125 fils per litre from 90 fils. The new prices took effect on Tuesday.

“The decision will make the poor poorer.

“We demand an improvement to people’s standard of living, and what the government did yester-

day will not achieve that,” MP Jamal Dawood said before the speaker adjourned the session.

Increase revenue Bahrain is looking to increase revenue amid falling global oil prices.

Like other Gulf states, it has for

ICE-COVERED CAR

A car covered with ice remains stranded on the waterfront in Hamburg, New York, United States, on Tuesday. The owner left his car parked overnight outside a restaurant on Sunday and by the next day, spray from Lake Erie had encased it in ice. — Reuters

REPRIEVE

US apex court strikes down Florida death sentence process WASHINGTON: Florida’s sentencing process in death penalty cases violates the constitutional rights of criminal defendants, the US Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday, siding with a death row inmate convicted in the 1998 murder of a fried-chicken restaurant manager.

The court’s 8-1 decision means inmate Timothy Hurst, 37, could be re-sentenced, potentially avoiding the death penalty.

First, the case will return to the Florida Supreme Court to determine whether Hurst’s death sentence can be upheld on other grounds.

Limited impact The ruling’s direct impact is largely limited to Florida and does not touch upon the bigger and more divisive question of the constitutionality of the death penalty in general.

It could affect other pending cases in the state, which has 390 people on death row.

Liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing on behalf of the court’s majority, said the right to an impartial jury guaranteed by the US Constitution’s Sixth Amendment “required Florida to base Timothy Hurst’s death sentence on a jury’s verdict, not a judge’s fact-finding.”

Sole dissenter Conservative Justice Samuel Alito was the sole dissenter.

Hurst, described by his lawyers as mentally disabled with “borderline intelligence” and an IQ between 70 and 78, was sentenced to death for the 1998 murder of Cynthia Harrison, a manager at a Popeyes restaurant in Pensacola where he worked.

Hurst cut and stabbed Harrison with a box cutter, and he left her body, bound and gagged, in a freezer and stole about $1,000 from the restaurant, a jury found.

He later spent $300 on rings at a pawn shop.

The Supreme Court found

that Florida’s sentencing process violated the Sixth Amendment, which spells out fundamental rights of criminal defendants, because it allowed judges, rather than juries, to make key findings that led to Hurst’s death sentence.

Florida’s procedure ran afoul of the Sixth Amendment based on a 2001 Supreme Court ruling, the court held.

The high court said in the earlier ruling that aggravating factors that are required for a death sentence must be determined by juries, not judges.

Challenge rejected The Florida Supreme Court had rejected Hurst’s challenge in a 2014 ruling.

Florida has carried out 92 executions since 1976, meaning it ranks fourth among the 50 US states during that time period, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. The case is Hurst v. Florida, US Supreme Court, No.14-7505. — Reuters

years subsidised food, fuel, electricity and water.

In a similarly rare outpouring of anger, around 20 protesters gathered at a petrol station in the village of Jidhafs, west of the capital Manama bearing placards.

Information Minister Isa Abdulrahman said the govern-

ment wished to allay lawmakers’ concerns.

“The government is ready to cooperate by listening to all points of view and will comply with any constitutional decree issued by the legislature in how to deal with the financial situation,” state media agency BNA quoted him as saying.

Since its oil income began to fall last year, Bahrain’s budget deficit has widened and the subsidies have become much harder for the government to afford.

Fuel price subsidies have already been eased in Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates. — Reuters

A 14

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

GLOBAL EYE

SWITZERLAND: A view shows a room at the future FIFA World Football Museum during a media preview in Zurich, Switzerland, on Tuesday. The FIFA World Football Museum will to be open to the public from

February 28. —

Reuters

SOUTH KOREA: A diver dressed in a monkey costume featuring animal signs from the Chinese zodiac calendar, performs with sardines, in conjunction with Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations at an aquarium in Seoul, South Korea, on Tuesday. — Reuters

RUSSIA: Actors dressed as Tsar Peter the Great and Empress Catherine cross a snow-covered bridge in central St. Petersburg, Russia,

on Tuesday. — AFP

FRANCE: Opponents to the controversial project for the creation of an international airport near Nantes slow down the traffic in the ring road of Nantes, western France, on Tuesday. — AFP

MONACO: Princess Stephanie of Monaco, centre, poses with circus performers during a photocall for the presentation of the 40th International festival circus of Monte Carlo in Monaco on Tuesday.

The festival will take place from January 14 to 24. — Reuters

KAZAKHSTAN: A tomtit bird sits on a ground with footprints after a

snowfall in a park in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Tuesday. — Reuters

UNITED STATES: The Lexus LS500 vehicle is unveiled during the press preview at the 2016 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, United States, on Tuesday. — AFP

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

WORLD

Ambulances ferried away the wounded and police cordoned off streets, fearing a second attack.

9 Germans among 10 killed in Istanbul suicide bombing Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu speaks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on phone to express his condolences

ISTANBUL: A suicide bomber thought to be from Syria killed at least 10 people, at least nine of them German tourists, in Istanbul’s historic heart on Tuesday, an attack senior security officials said was probably planned by IS militant group.

President Tayyip Erdogan condemned the bombing in Sultanahmet square, near the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, major tourist sites in the centre of one of the world’s most visited cities. He said a Syrian was thought responsible and that the blast would only harden Turkey’s resolve in fighting terrorism.

Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said the bomber had been identified from body parts at the scene, and was a Syrian national born in 1988 whose links were being investigated.

At least nine of the people killed were German citizens, a senior Turkish government official said.

Sources in Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu’s office earlier told Reuters that most of those killed were Germans and that Davutoglu had spoken by phone with Chancellor Angela Merkel to express condolences.

Merkel earlier said she was very

STRICT VIGIL: Turkish police cordon off the Blue Mosque area on Tuesday after the blast in Istanbul’s tourist hub of Sultanahmet. – AFP

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worried Germans might be among the victims.

Several bodies lay on the ground in the square, also known as the Hippodrome of Constantinople, in the immediate aftermath. It was not densely packed at the time of the explosion, according to a police officer working there, but small groups of tourists had been wandering around.

“This incident has once again shown that as a nation we should act as one heart, one body in the fight against terror. Turkey’s determined and principled stance in the fight against terrorism will continue to the end,” Erdogan told a lunch for Turkish ambassadors, in a speech broadcast live on television.

Norway’s foreign ministry said

PHOTOS

one Norwegian man was injured and was being treated in hospital.

The Dogan news agency said nine Germans and one Peruvian were also wounded.

Two senior security officials told Reuters there was a high probability that Islamic State militants were responsible.

Turkey, a NATO member and candidate for accession to the European Union, is part of a US-led coalition against IS militants who have seized territory in neighbouring Syria and Iraq, some of it directly abutting Turkey.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but hardliners, leftist and Kurdish militants, who are battling Ankara in southeast Turkey, have all carried out attacks in the past.

GERMANY

SIMMERING ANGER: Police officers in riot gear block far-right supporters and hooligans stopped in

the street of the Connewitz district in Leipzig late Monday, as extremists went on a rampage on the sidelines of a xenophobic rally in Leipzig, setting cars on fire and smashing windows. – AFP

Anti-refugee right-wingers go on rampage in Leipzig BERLIN: Over 200 masked right-wing supporters, carrying placards with racist overtones, went on a rampage in the eastern city of Leipzig on Monday night, throwing fireworks, breaking windows and vandalising buildings, police said.

Emotions are running high in German cities after gangs of young migrant men physically assaulted women at New Year in mass attacks in Cologne and other towns.

The attacks have deepened public scepticism towards Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-door refugee policy and her mantra that Germany can cope with the 1.1 million migrants who arrived in the country last year. It has also fuelled right-wing groups.

As roughly 2,000 “LEGIDA” protesters marched peacefully in

the city centre, police said a separate group of 211 people walked through the southern Connewitz district before setting of fireworks, erecting barricades and vandalising property. The top floor of one building caught fire.

The group carried a placard reading “Leipzig bleibt Helle”, or “Leipzig stays light”, an apparent reference to the skin colour of residents.

“The 211 people were to a not insignificant degree already on record as being right-wing sympathisers and or members of violent sporting groups,” said police, adding officers brought the situation under control relatively quickly.

Self-styled German soccer ‘hooligans’ tend to join right-wing groups on marches, sometimes starting fights.

A1 5

The police put the right-wingers in a bus which was then attacked by left-wing supporters.

At the LEGIDA protest, people shouted “Merkel must go” and held placards showing the chancellor in a veil and placards written with slogans.

With the number of migrants arriving in Europe’s biggest economy set to rise further this year, Merkel is under growing pressure to toughen her line on refugees.

An INSA poll in Bild daily put support for Merkel’s conservative bloc down 1 point at 35 per cent with the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), which has strongly criticised the Merkel’s refugee policy, up 2 points at 11.5 per cent.

INSA traditionally puts AfD slightly higher than most other polling institutes. — Reuters

The Istanbul governor’s office said the authorities were investigating the type of explosive used and who might have been responsible.

“We heard a loud sound and I looked at the sky to see if it was raining because I thought it was thunder but the sky was clear,” said Kuwaiti tourist Farah Zamani, 24, who was shopping at one of the covered bazaars with her father and sister.

The dull thud of the blast was heard in districts of Istanbul several kilometres away, residents said. Television footage showed a police car which appeared to have been overturned by the force of the blast. Tourist sites including the Hagia Sophia and nearby Basilica Cistern were closed on the governor’s orders, officials said.

“At first we thought it was percussion bomb, it was so loud. They attacked Sultanahmet to grab attention because this is what the world thinks of when it thinks of Turkey,” said Kursat Yilmaz, who

has operated tours for 25 years from an office by the square.

“We’re not surprised this happened here, this has always been a possible target,” he said.

Ambulances ferried away the wounded as police cordoned off streets. The sound of the call to prayer rang out from the Blue Mosque as forensic police officers worked at the scene.

“It was unimaginable,” the police officer who had been working on the square said, describing an amateur video he had seen of the immediate aftermath, with six or seven bodies lying on the ground and other people seriously wounded.

Just over a year ago, a female suicide bomber blew herself up at a police station for tourists off the same square, killing one officer.

That attack was initially claimed by a far-left group, the DHKP-C, but officials later said it had been carried out by a woman with suspected militant links.

“Ambulances started rushing in and I knew it was a bomb right away because the same thing happened here last year,” said Ali Ibrahim Peltek, 40, who operates a kiosk selling snacks and drinks on the square.

“This is not good for Turkey but everyone was expecting a terrorist attack,” he said.

Turkey has become a target for IS, with two bombings last year blamed on the radical group, in the town of Suruc near the Syrian border and in the capital Ankara, the latter killing more than 100 people. Violence has also escalated in the mainly Kurdish southeast since a two-year ceasefire collapsed in July between the state and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group, which has been fighting for three decades for Kurdish autonomy.

The PKK has however generally avoided attacking civilian targets in urban centres outside the southeast in recent years. — Reuters

PREHISTORIC LIFE

‘Best-preserved’ Bronze Age dwellings found in Britain LONDON: Archaeologists said on Tuesday they had discovered what were believed to be the bestpreserved Bronze Age dwellings ever found in Britain, providing an extraordinary insight into prehistoric life from 3,000 years ago.

The settlement of large circular wooden houses, built on stilts, collapsed in a fire and plunged into a river where it was preserved in silts leaving them in pristine condition, Historic England said.

Discoveries from the dwellings in Whittlesey, in central England, which archaeologists said had been frozen in time and dated from between 1000-800 BC, included pots with food inside and finely woven clothing. “We are learning more about the food our ancestors ate, and the pottery they used to cook and serve it,” Duncan Wilson, Chief Executive of Historic England, said in a statement.

“This site is of international significance and its excavation will transform our understanding of the period.”

Among the finds at the site, about two metres (6.5 ft) below the modern ground surface, are exotic glass beads forming part of a necklace, rare small cups, bowls and jars. Archaeologists also said that the site was so well preserved that even the footprints of those who lived at the site had been discovered. There are also charred roof timbers clearly visible in one of the houses and the excavation team have speculated that those living at the settlement abandoned it in haste when it caught fire.

David Gibson, Archaeological Manager at the Cambridge Archaeological Unit, said they only usually came across a few pits or metal finds at Bronze Age sites.

“This time so much more has been preserved - we can actually see everyday life during the Bronze Age in the round,” he said. “It’s prehistoric archaeology in 3D with an unsurpassed finds assemblage in terms of range and quantity.” — Reuters

A16

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WORLD

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Ismael ‘El Mayo’

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Zambada jointly

Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, 68, is the most senior capo and has never been arrested. He keeps a low profile and spends heavily on alliances

heads the powerful Sinaloa cartel with Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, who is behind bars

CULIACAN/MEXICO CITY: Mexico’s public enemy No. 1, Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman, was nabbed last week after a gunfight and high speed getaway bid. But his more discreet partner is flourishing, moving tonnes of drugs to the United States and laundering the profits at home.

Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada jointly heads the powerful Sinaloa cartel and, with Guzman behind bars again and facing possible extradition to the United States, it falls to Zambada to maintain the gang’s ranking as the world’s largest.

In the past few years, Mexican security forces have captured or killed almost all the leading kingpins who had dominated drug trafficking over the last two decades.

Guzman, the most prominent of

all, was recaptured on Friday, six months after his second escape from maximum security prison.

That leaves Zambada, 68, as the most senior capo still standing.

“He is the patriarch,” said Antonio Mazzitelli, the UN representative on drugs and crime in Mexico.

Zambada was listed as a defendant in a US case as long ago as 1978, when Colombia’s Pablo Escobar was just starting his trafficking career. Unlike Escobar, who was shot dead in 1993, Zambada has never been arrested and is still selling drugs. Eight years ago, the US Treasury Department declared

a business network owned by his ex-wife and children was a moneylaundering front. But most of the companies are still open. There are two secrets to his success, experts say. He keeps a low profile and spends heavily on alliances with politicians and police.

“Zambada is very careful,” said Javier Valdez, a founder of Sinaloan weekly newspaper Riodoce, describing him as a man who rarely travels and avoids big cities. “He controls the Sinaloan police, he has businesses in many sectors.”

Rarely photographed, Zambada keeps away from the limelight.

In Culiacan, the beating heart of Mexican drug trafficking and the centre of his power, his presence is felt everywhere, although he is rarely seen. Children grew up drinking Santa Monica milk produced at a dairy the United States said was a front organisation.

Others pass through the kindergarten, aquatic park, and shopping centre owned by relatives and associates. In the small town of Salado, rumoured to be Mayo’s home turf, locals warned Reuters reporters not to pry into Zambada’s life.

“Don’t even mention his name,” an old woman selling tortillas hissed.

Zambada was born in a village nestled among low mountains called El Alamo, on the outskirts of Culiacan. Until recently he was known to arrive there to hand out money and children’s’ gifts at Christmas, in the style of old drug bosses.

Rare interview In a rare interview to Mexican news magazine Proceso in 2010, Zambada said he had come close to arrest on four occasions, crawling through ditches to flee soldiers.

On the whole, he said, he was more careful than his friend Guz-

man. He is also more afraid of serving time, saying that he’d rather die. Zambada’s faction of the Sinaloa cartel is a family business with sons occupying top trafficking positions and his daughters owning businesses.

In 2013, Mexican authorities froze two of the dairy’s bank accounts. Two people currently working there said the Santa Monica brand had now been sold to another Culiacan based company called Nuthree. Neither Nuthree or the dairy could be reached for official comment. Several of Zambada’s relatives are in prison, including three of his sons. Others have died violently. One son, Vicente Zambada, gave dramatic testimony in a plea deal with the US government in 2013 that showed how central his father was to bringing drug money back from the United States, as well as to shipping drugs. Vicente Zambada earlier said he was a DEA informant and critics allege that by snitching on rivals he helped cement the Sinaloa cartel’s dominance. Born into poverty, Ismael Zambada once said it was “stupidity” to suggest he might have enough wealth to feature in the Forbes billionaires list, like Guzman.

Still, part of Vicente’s plea deal was an agreement to hand over $1.3 billion in assets. The US government is seeking to confiscate another $2 billion of assets shared

by Zambada, Guzman and other associates, according to an indict-

ment unsealed in 2015.

In multiple indictments and statements, the US government has created a picture of the older Zambada as an astute businessmen, managing many of the cartel’s financial operations.

While Guzman led the cartel into battle with rivals to expand its control of trafficking routes, Zambada is more closely associated with maintaining its core strength in Sinaloa state.

It is too early to say what impact Guzman’s arrest will have on the Sinaloa cartel, and there are rumours that his eldest son Ivan could take over. But it was Zambada who kept things running when Guzman did his two previous stints in prison.

In an indictment unsealed in Illinois in September, Zambada and Guzman are named as the leaders of the cartel and accused of importing massive shipments of drugs into the United States.

Their alliance has been extraordinarily successful and their cartel has been the main winner of a drugs war that killed more than 100,000 people since 2007.

One faction of the cartel broke off until its leader was killed but, unlike other gangs, the Sinaloa cartel remains a relatively stable group. “(It) is the only real cartel, it was established and keeps on operating as an association of businessmen,” said Mazzitelli. — Reuters

MEDIA MOGUL

GETTING MARRIED: Australian-born media magnate Rupert Murdoch, left, and former US model Jerry Hall watching the action during the final match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between New Zealand and Australia at Twickenham stadium in southwest London in this photo taken on October 31, 2015. – AFP Files

Murdoch announces engagement to model Jerry Hall LONDON: Media mogul Rupert Murdoch announced his engagement to former supermodel Jerry Hall on Tuesday and gave details of plans for his fourth marriage in a classified advert in one of his British newspapers.

Published in the Births, Marriages and Deaths section of the Times newspaper, the advert read: “Mr Rupert Murdoch, father of Prudence, Elisabeth, Lachlan, James, Grace and Chloe Murdoch, and Miss Jerry Hall, mother of Elizabeth, James, Georgia and Gabriel Jagger, are delighted to announce their engagement.”

Introduction The 84-year-old executive chairman of News Corp and 21st Century Fox and Hall, 59, a former supermodel and actress, began dating in the summer last year after being introduced by one of Murdoch’s sisters and his niece while in Australia, the paper said.

They were first pictured to-

gether at the Rugby Union World Cup Final in London in October, and the Times reported they had become engaged in Los Angeles where they had been attending the Golden Globes awards ceremony. “They have loved these past months together, are thrilled to be getting married and excited about their future,” a spokesman for the Murdoch family told the Times.

Murdoch has been married three times previously. He divorced his third wife, Wendi Deng, a former executive at Murdoch-owned Star TV in China, in 2013 after 14 years saying their marriage had been irretrievably broken. Hall, from Texas, was married to The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger for more than 20 years, although in divorce proceedings Jagger claimed that they were never legally married.

Before her relationship with Jagger, she had dated British pop star Bryan Ferry, frontman of the band Roxy Music. — Reuters

VIOLENCE

3 Palestinians killed OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israeli soldiers shot dead three Palestinians in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday including one the military said had tried to stab a soldier, as four months of tensions simmered.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said a 21-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli army gunfire during a confrontation between troops and protesters in the town of Beit Jalla, near Bethlehem. The military said troops had fired at “rioters who hurled firebombs and rocks at the soldiers”. In a separate incident, a military spokeswoman

said troops fatally shot a Palestinian who got out of a car and tried to stab a soldier in the Occupied West Bank city of Hebron. The driver of the vehicle was shot and wounded, and fled the scene, the spokeswoman added. Palestinian officials said he died.

Four Israelis, including a soldier and a prison officer, were charged with aggravated assault in connection with the death of an Eritrean national, who was shot and beaten after being mistaken for a gunman during an attack in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba on October 18. — Reuters

B

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Muscat 5,289.34 - 48.10 - 0.90%

Dubai 2,920.83 - 21.41 - 0.73%

Abu Dhabi 4,025.26 - 60.27 - 1.48%

Saudi Arabia

6,068.75 - 108.16 - 1.48%

Kuwait 5,357.62 - 29.42 - 0.55%

Qatar 9,477.09 - 194.77 - 2.01%

Bahrain 1,196.19 - 3.18 - 0.27%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.36 Pound ............................................1.77 Indian Rs ..............................173.01 Pak Rs .................................... 267.74 Bangla Taka....................... 201.01

Indian Rs ...................................173.55 Pakistan Rs .............................272.26 Sri Lanka Rs ............................371.50 Bangla Taka............................ 203.21 Phil Peso ................................... 122.80

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) ........14.10

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ......... $27.16 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$26.66 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$29.82 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) .........$25.51 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) .........$31.45 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$31.22

FULL YEAR

NBO posts 20% surge in net profit

Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............132.50 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............125.50 * Rates as of Jan. 12 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Oman bourse at five-year low as oil gloom deepens Muscat Securities Market touched 5,289.34 points on

Times News Service

Tuesday, shedding

MUSCAT: National Bank of Oman (NBO) on Tuesday reported a 20 per cent surge in net profit to OMR60.11 million in 2015, up from OMR50.27 million posted in the previous year.

NBO is the first Omani bank to have announced its full year preliminary financial results.

The bank said in a stock market disclosure that the net interest income and income from Islamic finance grew 16 per cent to OMR94.74 million in 2015, from OMR81.46 million in year before.

48.1 points, or almost

Net loans grow Also, net loans and advances reflected a 9 per cent growth to OMR2,534.10 million from OMR2,316.81 million during the period under review. However, customer deposits grew at a slower pace of 3 per cent to OMR2,249.83 million by endDecember 2015, from the previous year. The total assets of the bank also grew by 10 per cent to OMR3,263.44 million from OMR2,976.09 million.

The financial results are subject to the approval of external auditors, the Board of Directors, the Central Bank of Oman and the shareholders of the bank.

* Rates as of Jan. 12 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of Jan. 12 Source: Bank Muscat

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......13.60

1%, amid global crude oil prices touching a 12-year low

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Falling crude oil prices started pulling down the local bourse with the share prices touching a five-year low.

Muscat Securities Market (MSM) touched 5,289.34 points on Tuesday, shedding 48.1 points or almost one per cent amid global crude prices touching to a 12-year low, which triggered fears of an economic slowdown.

“The primary reason for market fall is that the crude oil prices (WTI) touched a 12-year low of $30 per barrel,” said Suresh Kumar, head of research at Al Maha Financial Services. “All regional markets are down.”

Oil extended declines from the lowest close in more than 12 years before United States government data forecast to show crude sup-

SUBDUED TRADING: Traded volumes on the Muscat bourse fell substantially — from an average daily turnover of OMR5.6 million last year, to OMR2.2 million daily turnover this year. – Times file picture

plies expanded, exacerbating a global glut. Futures fell as much as 3.2 per cent in New York after dropping 5.3 per cent Monday.

Investors’ loss Local and foreign investors must have lost OMR175 million in market capitalisation (excluding closely held companies) in the last eight trading sessions since the beginning of the year, as market capitalisation fell to OMR10.225 billion on Tuesday from OMR10.400 billion by the end of last year, added Kanaga

ISLAMIC BOND

Sundar, head of research at Gulf Baader Capital Markets.

“Omani bourse has declined by 2.2 per cent since the beginning of the year. It is less compared to other regional markets,” added Kanaga Sundar.

Suresh Kumar said that the market is likely to remain weak since foreign investors started selling their stocks. “Foreign investors were net sellers on majority of trading sessions since the beginning of January.”

Traded volumes on the Muscat bourse substantially fell — from an

average daily turnover of OMR5.6 million last year to OMR2.2 million daily turnover this year.

Long-term bet However, Suresh Kumar pointed out that it is an attractive opportunity for long-term investors.

“If you see the valuation, more than 50 per cent of MSM 30 index stocks are trading below their latest book value. The overall bearish sentiment offers opportunity for long-term investors since stock are available at low valuations,” added Suresh Kumar. Blue chip

shares are trading at five-year lows. Also, the dividend yield of the market is also attractive with the fall in share prices.

Muscat Securities Market declined by 14.77 per cent or 937 points to close at 5,406.22 points last year, primarily hit by falling crude oil prices.

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

DECEMBER 2015

Discussion with investors Oman’s oil output rises 1% on Omantel’s sukuk starts after Tilal Development’s similar OMR50 million issue a couple of years ago.

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Majority state-owned Oman Telecommunication Company (Omantel) on Tuesday said that the company has received a no objection certificate from the Capital Market Authority (CMA) for its proposed sukuk or Islamic bond issue.

In this regard, Omantel has mandated Standard Chartered Bank as sole structuring advisor, and HSBC, National Bank of Oman and Standard Chartered Bank as joint placement agents to arrange investor discussions on its behalf starting on January 11, the telecom firm said in a stock market filing.

Sukuk transaction is denominated in United States dollars and Omani rials, subject to market conditions.

Earlier, Omantel had said the plan was to raise OMR50 million

and the proceeds of the Islamic bond will be used for building the telecommunication company’s new headquarters. Omantel’s issue is the second corporate issue,

Five-year maturity An agency report earlier said that the minimum subscription would be for OMR10,000. Traditionally, sukuk issues have a maturity of five years as investors look for long-term tenure issues.

Oman government’s sovereign sukuk issue of OMR250 million last year injected a confidence and a benchmark for corporate issuers. The issue was well received by institutional investors, especially banks.

Availability of more sukuk will also help to create a secondary market for the debt instrument.

A vibrant sukuk market in Oman will help Islamic banks to invest their excess funds in an effective manner. Both capital market debt instruments like sukuk and Islamic banks should grow side by side.

MUSCAT: Oman’s total production of crude oil and condensates touched 31,214,058 barrels in December 2015, a daily rate of 1,006,905 barrels. This shows a rise of 1.12 per cent compared to November 2015.

According to a monthly report from the Ministry of Oil and Gas, the total crude oil exports in December 2015 stood at 25,622,957 barrels, a daily rate of 826,547 barrels, which rose 0.77 per cent.

As always, the Asian markets absorbed the largest proportion of the Oman’s oil exports. China topped the list of importers of Oman’s oil in December 2015 by 68.16 per cent, comprising a marginal rise of 0.69 per cent compared to November 2015.

Omani crude imports by Taiwan and South Korea fell 5.30 per cent and 2.240 per cent respectively.

The percentage of the Omani crude oil imported by India comprised 3.85 per cent, Japan 1.98 per cent and Thailand 0.03 per cent in comparison to November 2015. It should be noted that Australia im-

ported Omani crude in December.

With regard to the movement of oil markets in December 2015, the average oil price of American West Texas in New York Mercantile Exchange reached $38.28 a barrel, a decline by $5.45 compared to the trading of November 2015.

Brent crude The average of ICE Brent crude oil in London reached $39.13 a barrel, down by $7.19 compared to the trading of November 2015.

The report reflects the critical times experienced by the world oil markets and the remarkable slump of the trading in energy exchanges all over the world. It also reflects the direct and clear implications of this situation on the settlement prices for most reference oil prices in the world, pushing them sharply and consistently downwards, including Oman Oil future contracts.

The trading was hovering around $30 during most days of the month.

This slump is attributed to the dollar appreciation and the high US crude reserves. - ONA

Oil touches 12-year low SINGAPORE: Oil probably has fallen enough after sinking to the lowest level in more than 12 years amid a supply glut.

“I’m sure oil is making a bottom,” Jim Rogers, an investor said in an interview from Singapore on Tuesday. “If oil goes to $20 a barrel, that’s not going to turnaround the market fast enough. It takes a while for the supply to disappear.”

Saudi Arabia has led Opec in defending market share, letting prices fall in a bid to push higher-cost rivals. - Bloomberg News

B2

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

MARKET PORT DEVELOPMENT

Duqm economic zone floats tender for major fishing harbour MUSCAT: A tender to build a fishing harbour was floated by the Special Economic Zone Authority for Duqm (Sezad). International companies specialised in this field and local companies of the first grade are eligible for submitting bids for Duqm harbour.

The fishing harbour in Duqm is the largest of its kind in the Sultan-

ate with an area of 600 hectares. It includes a fish industry area aimed at achieving the optimum utilisation of fish resources through the establishment of a group of specialised fish manufacturing and canning facilities.

Sezad set January 26 as the date for the companies wishing to know more about the site to visit the pro-

ject site. The companies may also receive answers to their inquiries about the project through contacting the Department of Contracts and Tenders during the bidding period, which will last until March 8.

The establishment of the fishing harbour and fish industry area in Duqm is part of the Sultanate’s efforts for economic diversifica-

tion. It aims to provide more job opportunities for the citizens, and stimulate economic activity in the Governorate of Al Wusta, increase the yield of available fish resources in the country.

This is part of taking advantage of the strategic location of Duqm as a promising economic and investment area that has a multi-

purpose port, an airport, highways and a railway underway, which would contribute to the revitalisation of Duqm economic zone.

The harbour includes quay with a total length of 3.4 km, a fixed pier for fishing purposes of 850 metres, and a fixed pier for the Royal Oman Police of 50 metres. Project works will include deepening the

harbour basin up to 6 metres, land reclamation to establish port service buildings. They also include a tourist area with a wharf, floating berths, floating moorings for fishermen with bridges, a floating marina and a crane for boat maintenance, slider to boats, marine services and facilities and service buildings to name a few. – ONA

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

B3

MARKET NEW ROLE

Construction sector’s share in economy can double: OSC government and Omanisation.

“The government should be more transparent in telling us which projects are going to be available and what is the sizes of these projects so we can (plan accordingly),” he stated.

Sayyid Hamid Sultan Al Busaidy

Sayyid Hamid appointed as executive director of corporate governance centre

Construction sector

Times News Service

said an official

MUSCAT: Oman Centre for Corporate Governance and Sustainability (OCCGS) has announced the appointment of Sayyid Hamid Sultan Al Busaidy as executive director of the centre from January 1.

Sayyid Hamid is a proficient executive who supported the establishment stages of OCCGSand Sustainability and played a key role in the establishment process.

He is a leader in corporate governance in Oman and the Middle East with vast experience.

Al Busaidy was acting director of the centre since its establishment by decision of the Council of Ministers in 2009 until the issuance of Royal Decree No. 30/2015 which promulgated the establishment of OCCGS as independent entity from Capital Market Authority (CMA). He presided over the committee constituted by CMA to issue the new Code of Corporate Governance.

Al Busaidy has MBA from the University of Cardiff in 2005 and his thesis was on the views of directors of public companies on the Code of Corporate Governance issued by CMA in 2002. He has vast experience in the capital market sector and assumed various leading roles. He has leadership and personal skills, has good relations with local and international institutions and represented the Sultanate in many forums.

currently accounts for 5-6% of the GDP.

Omanisation Al Balushi also said that he thinks the focus of the Omanisation policy on white-collar jobs in the construction sector should increase.

“I think it is a good idea because then we will build knowledge and capacity at the places where the Omanis want to work and then maybe gradually the lower end of the equation will (be developed) when the government is able to build a proper skill pool in the lower end,” he noted.

According to the January 2016 edition of the Contractors magazine, the average Omanisation level in the construction sector stood at 7.41 per cent (54,753 Omanis) as of the end of July 2015, which is 26.57 per cent of the total Omani private sector workforce.

The official also said that it is important to brand the sector better as a good employer to attract more Omanis to join this field.

Gross contribution is $5b and the net contribution is $2b,

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Construction sector has the potential to contribute around 10 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) by 2020 if effective initiatives are implemented, said a senior official at the Oman Society of Contractors (OSC).

The construction sector currently accounts for around 5 to 6 per cent of the GDP, Shahswar Al Balushi, chief executive officer of the Oman Society of Contractors, told Times of Oman on Tuesday.

“Gross contribution is about $5 billion and the net contribution is $2 billion,” Al Balushi said on the sidelines of the second day of the OSC’s annual conference held at Crowne Plaza Hotel under the theme ‘Construction sector 2020: Now and then’.

The official believes that these figures can be almost doubled through partnership with the government and the implementation of effective strategies.

Challenges Commenting on the major challenges facing the sector in 2016, Al Balushi said that they are mainly related to manpower and contractors. Also, with the decline in

HELPING ECONOMY: Shahswar Al Balushi, chief executive officer of Oman Society of Contractors, says that these figures can be almost doubled through partnership with the government and the implementation of effective strategies. – Times file picture

oil prices, there is the issue of job availability as business activities may decrease, he noted.

Asked how serious the impact of oil prices would be on the construction sector in Oman, Al Balushi said that many companies already have projects on hand this year but if the oil prices remain low this year and next year, the impact will start to be seen in mid-2017.

He said that the objective of the OSC’s annual conference was to discuss the existing challenges and propose the best solutions and initiatives to address them, especially

M AT E 8 L AU N C H

EXPORTS SOAR: Over the last five years, shipments of Huawei’s smartphones have increased more than 3,000 per cent — from 3 million in 2010 to 100 million in 2015. – JUN ESTRADA/Times of Oman

Special sales event to mark new Huawei phone launch Times News Service MUSCAT: Global smartphone manufacturer Huawei is all set to unveil its new Mate 8 in the region with a launch ceremony scheduled for January 18 in Dubai.

To celebrate the launch, customers in Oman will be treated to a first day sales bonanza on January 21 at the Oman Phone Store located in Muscat City Centre, Seeb.

The first day sales campaign will place customers of the new Huawei Mate 8 in the running for some exciting prizes. Addition-

ally, there will be gifts for all those who take pictures of their visit to Huawei’s smartphone stall and post the same on their social media pages.

The launch of the Mate 8 coincides with Huawei’s record breaking shipment statistics, which show that the smartphone manufacturer posted over 100-million shipments worldwide.

Over the last five years, shipments of Huawei’s smartphones have shot up by more than 3,000 percent, from 3 million in 2010 to 100 million in 2015.

This milestone further cements Huawei’s leadership position in the global android handset market as it continues to grow and launch several global flagship devices that are focused on the premium market and integrate the best in creativity, design, fashion, photography and performance.

The new Mate 8 smartphone incorporates great design and functionality with features, such as a six-inch display, powerful processor, fingerprint security, extended usage and global connectivity.

7.41%

Was the average Omanisation level in the construction sector (54,753 Omanis) as of the end of July 2015, which is 26.57% of the total Omani private sector workforce, according to Contractors magazine

through interactive workshops. The society decided to bring together various companies to review a range of issues related to collaboration with the government and stimulating the economy through enhancing the construction sector, he added.

Asked about the proposals of the OSC, the CEO said that various groups worked on different topics during the workshop sessions and their input and ideas will be taken into consideration. Al Balushi added that one of the groups joined by him discussed a number of issues including the role of the

Competitiveness Asked how the competitiveness of the sector can be enhanced, Al Balushi said that the activities of the companies need to be streamlined and the companies should look into various ways to cut unnecessary expenses and enhance efficiency.

This can be done through the use of technology, he added.

According to the Oman Society of Contractors, the sector should also be cleared from hidden trade and freelance workers.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

B4

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

MARKET Oil fall batters MUSCAT Gulf markets SECURITIES OMAN STOCKS

MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,337.44 .............. 5,289.34 ................... 5,289.34 ................... 5,337.44................-48.10 .................. -0.90 Financial Index .....................................6,355.91 .............. 6,289.93 ................... 6,289.93 ................... 6,355.91................-65.98 .................. -1.04 Industrial Index ................................... 6,720.32 .............. 6,660.29 ...................6,660.29 ................... 6,729.07................-68.78 .................. -1.02 Services Index ....................................... 3,027.75 ...............3,015.39 ....................3,015.39 ................... 3,027.89................-12.50 .................. -0.41 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................852.09 .................. 845.31 .......................845.31 ...................... 852.07...................-6.76 .................. -0.79 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 9,001,996.................... 2,639,907 .....................514 ................15,675,914,861 .................. 3 ......................19 .................... 13 .........................35

Qatar’s stocks declined to the lowest level in more than two years, leading a retreat across the six-nation GCC, after oil extended losses

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 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

DOHA: Qatar’s stocks declined to the lowest level in more than two years, leading a retreat across the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council , after oil extended losses from the lowest close since 2004.

The QE Index dropped a fourth day, slipping 2 per cent to its weakest close since September 2013. Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index fell 1.8 per cent to the lowest level since November 2011. The Bloomberg GCC 200 Index, which tracks 200 of the region’s top companies, fell 1.6 per cent to a three-year low.

The slide in oil prices has raised concern that economic growth in the GCC, home to about 30 per cent of the world’s proven crude reserves, may stall, curbing company profits as income from energy falls. Brent crude dropped as investors awaited United States government data forecast to show oil supplies expanded and Iran announced plans to sell a new grade of crude as soon as March, exacerbating a global glut.

“We are not at a stage where investors are looking for value, they are concerned what happens to earnings if oil remains at about $20 for a few years,” said Tariq Qaqish, the head of asset management at Dubai-based Al Mal Capital. “The recent drop is significant. It’s impacting investor confidence and growth potential for the region.”

Brent, a pricing benchmark for about half the world’s oil, fell for the seventh trading day, slipping 0.1 per cent to $31.51 a barrel in London, the lowest level since April 2004 on a closing basis.

Qatar National Bank, which accounts for about 15 percent of Doha’s stock index, retreated 3.1 per cent to the lowest level since June 2013. Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, one of the world’s biggest chemicals manufacturers, led declines in Saudi Arabia with a 4.1 per cent loss.

Sabic’s $1 billion bonds due October 2018 fell, with the yield

jumping 22 basis points to 3.19 per cent, the highest on record.

Oman’s MSM 30 Index lost 0.9 per cent and Kuwaiti stocks slid 0.6 per cent, falling a seventh day.

Dubai’s DFM General Index declined 0.7 per cent in the longest losing streak in more than a year.

Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi’s ADX General Index slid 1.5 per cent. First Gulf Bank, United Arab Bank and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank led the drop in Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Securities Market Banks Index slid 2.9 percent to the lowest level since September 2013. Gulf banks have seen deposit growth slow because of the slump in crude.

“Lower liquidity will hamper the banking sector’s ability to finance the private sector, which in turn is likely to negatively impact non-oil growth in the GCC,” Sachin Mohindra, an Abu Dhabibased portfolio manager, said in a note to clients. “This will make it difficult for banks to implement rate hikes across their loan portfolios, and will keep their fee income low throughout 2016.”

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

OM0000001822............UNITED POWER .................................................................897 .............. 2,320........................3 ............2.510 ........... 2.610 ...........2.500 .......... 2.585 .............2.510.............0.075 .............2.988 ................2.610 ............. 2.500...................2.610....................2,068,000..........1.000 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 212,208 ...........44,630......................13 ........... 0.207 ........... 0.215 ...........0.207........... 0.210 .............0.207 ........... 0.003............. 1.449 ................0.209............. 0.209...................0.215................. 324,392,995 .......0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................... 10,053 .................. 764........................6 ........... 0.076 ........... 0.077 ...........0.076........... 0.076 .............0.075 ............0.001 ............. 1.333 ................0.076..............0.075...................0.076...................13,300,000.........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 179,824............. 17,623......................13 ........... 0.098 ...........0.098 ...........0.098........... 0.098 .............0.098 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.098..............0.096...................0.097..................196,030,653 ........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 1,202,925......525,245......................16 ........... 0.436 ...........0.440 ...........0.436........... 0.436 .............0.436 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.440..............0.436...................0.442 .................241,047,676 ........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING.................. 200 .....................18........................1 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.090........... 0.090 .............0.090 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.090..............0.081...................0.089...................10,968,750 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ................ 3,023 .................. 756........................3 ........... 0.250 ...........0.250 ...........0.250........... 0.260 .............0.260 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.250..............0.250...................0.260 ...................5,460,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES .................................10,630 ...............3,229........................3 ........... 0.304...........0.304 ...........0.300 .......... 0.304 .............0.304 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.300 .............0.295...................0.300 ..................90,048,959.........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ........................................... 82,000 ............24,640........................6 ........... 0.304...........0.304 ...........0.300 .......... 0.300 .............0.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.300 ............ 0.300...................0.304 ..................18,361,282 .........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................18,289 ............44,808........................3 ........... 2.450 ...........2.450 ...........2.450........... 2.450 .............2.450 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.450............. 2.440...................2.450 .................233,870,128........1.000 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ...................................................... 6,825 ................1,317........................2 ............0.193 ........... 0.193 ...........0.193 ............0.193 ............. 0.193............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.193 .............. 0.193...................0.195 ..................137,880,424 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ....................................................2,000 .................. 752........................1 ............0.376 ........... 0.376 ...........0.376........... 0.380 .............0.380 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.376..............0.376...................0.380 ..................19,950,000 .........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 430,380 ......... 666,765..................... 39 ............1.560 ........... 1.560 ...........1.505 ............1.550 .............1.560............-0.010 ........... -0.641 ...............1.505 .............. 1.505...................1.520................1,162,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY .....................................................12,000 ............... 5,106..................... 10 ........... 0.420 ...........0.430 ...........0.420........... 0.426 .............0.430 ...........-0.004 ........... -0.930 ...............0.430..............0.420...................0.430 ..................25,773,000 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES .......................... 64,400 ............... 5,732........................6 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.089........... 0.089 .............0.090 ...........-0.001 ............-1.111 ................0.089..............0.089...................0.090 ................... 5,237,046 ..........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO........................................................................ 50,000 ............34,200........................7 ........... 0.684 ...........0.684 ...........0.684........... 0.684 .............0.696 ...........-0.012 ............-1.724................0.684..............0.680...................0.684..................445,245,853 .......0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 612,788........... 159,161.....................22 ........... 0.260...........0.260 ...........0.250........... 0.260 .............0.265 ...........-0.005 ............-1.887................0.250............. 0.240...................0.250 .................348,584,665 .......0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 1,236,873 ...... 193,722..................... 82 ............0.159 ........... 0.160 ...........0.156 ............0.157 ............. 0.161 ............-0.004 ........... -2.484 ...............0.157 .............. 0.156...................0.157 ................... 23,561,775 .........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,119,564 .......491,692..................... 67 ........... 0.450 ...........0.450 ...........0.430........... 0.440 .............0.454 ...........-0.014 ........... -3.084 ...............0.436..............0.430...................0.436................1,008,401,943 ......0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 720,816 ......... 133,554..................... 36 ............0.189 ........... 0.189 ...........0.182............0.185 .............0.192............-0.007 ........... -3.646 ...............0.183 .............. 0.183...................0.187...................37,000,000.........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ............. 97,100 ...............8,378......................18 ........... 0.086 ...........0.088 ...........0.085........... 0.086 .............0.090 ...........-0.004 ........... -4.444 ...............0.087..............0.087...................0.090 ................... 7,740,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 406,133 ........... 24,510..................... 35 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.060........... 0.060 .............0.063 ...........-0.003 ........... -4.762 ...............0.060..............0.059...................0.060 .................. 17,398,838 .........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ..........................10,000 ............... 1,370........................2 ............0.137 ........... 0.137 ...........0.137 ............0.137 .............0.144 ...........-0.007 ........... -4.861 ...............0.137 .............. 0.136...................0.144....................17,111,021 ..........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY..................................... 20,000 ............ 33,000........................3 ............1.650 ........... 1.650 ...........1.650 ............1.650 ............. 1.750............-0.100 ............-5.714................1.650 ............. 0.000...................1.650..................148,005,000 .......0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE .................................96,977 ..............18,711..................... 10 ............0.190 ........... 0.198 ...........0.190............0.193 .............0.205 ...........-0.012 ........... -5.854 ...............0.198 .............. 0.193...................0.198...................19,300,000.........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 100,500 .............. 7,078........................5 ............0.071 ........... 0.074 ...........0.070........... 0.070 .............0.076 ...........-0.006 ............-7.895................0.074..............0.069...................0.073....................2,100,000 ..........0.100

Turkey stocks rise Turkey’s stocks rose as investors played down a deadly suicide bombing in Istanbul as global markets stabilised and China sought to stem the yuan’s fall.

The Borsa Istanbul 100 Index climbed 1.1 per cent in Istanbul, led by Koc’s 3.1 per cent increase.

The lira gained 0.4 per cent to 3.0266 per dollar, after falling as much as 0.4 per cent.

Both the currency and stocks fell in a knee-jerk reaction to the explosion in Sultanahmet that killed 10 people and injured 15.

The assets rebounded as investors speculated that the benefits of a stable Chinese market outweighed Istanbul’s security risk. Demand for riskier trades rose after China stepped up its defence of the currency yuan on Tuesday. - Bloomberg News

.............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 6,706,405.......2,449,080 ..............412 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......26........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING...................................... 1,408 .................. 100........................1 ............0.071 ........... 0.071 ...........0.071 ........... 0.072 .............0.072 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.071 ..............0.066...................0.071.................... 5,414,976 ..........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 325,060 ...........46,390..................... 39 ............0.143 ........... 0.143 ...........0.142........... 0.143 .............0.143............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.143 ..............0.142...................0.143..................209,152,009........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,830,701.......128,906.....................40 ............0.071 ........... 0.071 ...........0.069........... 0.070 ............. 0.071............-0.001 ........... -1.408 ...............0.069..............0.069...................0.070................. 105,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK................................................71,260 ...............4,572........................9 ........... 0.065 ...........0.065 ...........0.063........... 0.064 .............0.065 ...........-0.001 ............-1.538................0.064..............0.063...................0.064 ................. 64,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ....................................................... 17,000 .................. 833........................6 ........... 0.049 ...........0.049 ...........0.049........... 0.049 .............0.050 ...........-0.001 ........... -2.000 ...............0.049..............0.048...................0.049 ................... 6,125,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS .................................................10,000 ...............4,100........................2 ............0.410 ........... 0.410 ...........0.410........... 0.410 .............0.420 ...........-0.010 ........... -2.381 ...............0.410 ..............0.406...................0.410...................64,575,000.........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING ........................................7,450 ...............2,384........................2 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.320........... 0.320 .............0.354 ...........-0.034 ........... -9.605 ...............0.320..............0.320...................0.350....................1,920,000 ..........1.000 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 2,262,879..........187,285 ................. 99 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 7........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ....................... 29,000 ...............3,190........................2 ............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 ........................3,712 .................. 353........................1 ........... 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: .................................................................................... 32,712 ...............3,543........................3 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

ECONOMY

INDIAN MARKETS

China economy grows 7%, mega projects receive green signal BEIJING: China economy likely grew by around 7 per cent in 2015 and added 13 million new jobs, the top economic planning agency said on Tuesday as it announced the approval of more large infrastructure projects to avert the risks of a sharper slowdown.

China achieved its main economic targets in 2015, Li Pumin, spokesman for the National Reform and Development Commission (NDRC) told a news conference on Tuesday, a week before official fourth-quarter and fullyear 2015 figures will be released.

Li’s comments come as a renewed plunge in Chinese stock markets and a sharp slide in the yuan currency have stoked concerns among global investors about the health of the world’s second-largest economy, though there is little evidence that conditions in China have deteriorated dramatically in recent weeks.

Still, growth of 7 per cent would be the slowest in a quarter of a cen-

Efforts on to stabilise yuan BEIJING: China stepped up efforts to curb bets against its currency and reassure sceptical investors, as its central bank set another firm fix for the yuan on Tuesday backed by what dealers said was aggressive yuan buying offshore.

Ebbing confidence in China's policymaking has fuelled investors' retreat from the slowing economy, and ex-

tury, and down from 7.3 per cent in 2014 as weak demand at home and abroad, industrial overcapacity and faltering investment weigh on the world’s second-largest economy.

pectations that the currency will fall further has widened the gap between the tightly managed onshore yuan and the Hong Kong-based offshore rate.

The yuan has depreciated more than one percent since the start of the year, having lost 4.7 per cent against the dollar last year, and the accelerated slide had raised uncertainty. - Reuters

Some China watchers believe real growth levels are already much weaker than official data suggest, reinforcing expectations that the government will have to

roll out more support measures this year. China approved 280 fixed asset investment projects worth 2.52 trillion yuan ($383.44 billion) in 2015, Li said.

Thirty-two projects worth 515.1 billion yuan were approved in December alone.

The government has flagged that it intends to spend more on infrastructure to shore up economic activity, but it has faced delays, partly due to slow loan distribution, poor initial planning and high local government debt levels.

“I think there is little connection between the falling stock markets and the real economy,” said Shen Lan, an economist at Standard Chartered in Beijing. “Actually, economic indicators in November already showed the economy gained more momentum.”

China's equity markets, which tumbled 10 per cent last week and a further 5 per cent on Monday, remained volatile, swinging from black to red and back again. - Reuters

Indian bourse falls on growth concerns MUMBAI: Equities failed to safeguard early gains, ending lower for the sixth time in seven sessions as the BSE Sensex slipped by 143 points to 24,682.03 — its lowest closing in more than 19 months — on caution ahead of key macroeconomic data and quarterly numbers of IT major Tata Consultancy Services.

With Tuesday’s plunge, the benchmark index has wiped off all the gains made since the swearing-in ceremony of the new government on May 26, 2014.”Markets opened for the day with minor gains over on Monday’s closing and remained gripped by bears throughout the day’s trading,” said Achin Goel, head of Wealth Management and Financial Planning Bonanza Portfolio.

The 30-share Sensex after rising over 57 points in early trade, quickly slipped into the negative terrain as investors preferred to trim positions at every rise and hit a low of 24,597.11 before settling 143.01 points or 0.58 per cent lower at 24,682.03, its weakest closing since May 30, 2014.

The NSE Nifty index after cracking 7,500-mark, touched the session’s low of 7,487.80. However, fag-end buying helped the gauge to recover part of the lost ground to settle 53.55 points or 0.71 per cent down at 7,510.30.

Third quarterly earnings Third quarterly earnings of TCS due after market closing too negatively hit sentiment, they added. Banking, realty, metal, infrastructure, oil & gas, PSU and IT sectors were hit hardest.

The broader markets too felt the heat with the BSE small-cap and mid-cap indices falling 1.03 per cent and 0.94 per cent, respectively.

Shares of Jet Airways, Spicejet

and Interglobe were up by3.20 per cent, 0.74 per cent and 0.65 per cent, respectively, on the hopes of further cut in ATF prices, said Goel.

Rupee ends lower Extending losses for the second straight day, the Indian rupee dropped further by 5 paise to settle at 66.86 on Tuesday on persistent dollar demand from importers amid fall in equity market.

Sustained foreign capital outflows also affected the market sentiment. Foreign investors withdrew $156.58 millions from the equity market on Monday.

Fall in crude oil prices in global market strengthening the dollar overseas also weighed on the rupee sentiment, dealers said.

The rupee resumed lower at 66.83 per dollar as against Monday’s closing level of 66.81 at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market and dropped further to 66.9750 per dollar. However, it recovered afterwards to 66.72 per dollar before concluding at 66.86 per dollar, showing a loss of five paise or 0.07 per cent.

The rupee has lost 23 paise or 0.35 per cent in two days. The domestic currency hovered in a range of 66.72 per dollar and 66.9750 per dollar during the day.

Meanwhile, the dollar index was up by 0.12 per cent against a basket of 6 currencies in the later afternoon trade. “Taking cues from domestic equity market US dollar closed stronger by 5 paise. US dollar traded in a narrow range maintaining 67 as cap.

Trading range for the spot dillar/ rupee pair is expected to be within 66.5 to 67 range and will take cue from domestic equity market,” Veracity Group CEO Pramit Brahmbhatt said. - PTI

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Bank Sohar holds Al Mumayaz Scheme year-end grand draws The highlyanticipated event, which continued to carry the blockbuster campaign theme, was attended by a large number of the bank’s customers and witnessed the winners of prizes worth over half a million rials

MUSCAT: Announcing the conclusion of the 2015 Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme, Bank Sohar hosted the year-end draws on January 11 at the Grand Hyatt Muscat; under the auspices of Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed Al Saadi, Minister of Sports Affairs.

The highly-anticipated event which continued to carry the blockbuster campaign theme was attended by a large number of the bank’s customers and witnessed the winners of prizes worth over half a million rials, says a press release.

The evening witnessed Fatima Mohammed (Minor Account) from the bank’s MBD Branch win the year-end grand prize of OMR450,000; A. R. S. from Al Azaiba branch win the exclusive prize of OMR50,000; and Abdul Malik Al Shibli, a minor account holder from the Sohar Branch, win OMR5,000, the highest prize value offered in the market for children. The Branch Dedicated draws, which saw one winner from each of the bank’s 27 branches win

OMR5,000, were conducted earlier in the day at the bank’s head office in MBD. Representing Bank Sohar at the event were Rashad Ali Al Musafir, Acting CEO alongside the executive team members from the bank.

Also in attendance were other senior members of the bank’s management, branch managers and staff, who welcomed the chief guest and the bank’s customers from the area.

Addressing the audience at the event, Rashad Al Musafir said: “With this event, we conclude yet another exceptional and prosperous chapter for the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme and continue on our journey to reach greater heights. At Bank Sohar we realise that the secret to business success is directly related to the levels of service and satisfaction provided to customers. This is why we endeavour to offer our customers ever improving products, services and convenience. This was also the core philosophy behind the bank-wide customer service campaign launched last year and will no doubt be reflected in our 2016 Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme, which is to be launched soon!”

The evening’s proceedings included up-to-the-minute live

feeds to the bank’s social media pages. The event began with the executive members of the bank welcoming the guests as they arrived. A specialised photo-booth at the entrance allowed guests to take photographs as souvenirs of the event. Following the arrival of the guest of honour, Hawra Al Farsi, a well-known TV presenter in Oman, initiated the proceeding of the event and was followed shortly thereafter with a speech delivered

by Rashad Al Musafir.

The speeches were followed by a spectacular ‘Light Painting’ performance done for the first time in Oman and was performed by David and Jaro from Prague.

Shortly after the enchanting performance, a video showcasing the journey of the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme 2015 and its various celebrations and highlights was played. The short video was followed by an overview of the Al Mumayaz Savings Schemeby Redha Al Lawatia, senior chief manager of Liabilities and Sales who also outlined each of the draws that were to be conducted.

A special raffle draw for the guests was then conducted, where five winners were presented with cash vouchers. Following the raf-

A S S O C I AT I O N

fle draws was a stunning lightshow performance which was done using illuminated pois by performers Romeo and Ramil from Dubai.

The impressive performance was then followed by a child from the audience being called onstage to conduct the Children’s draw; which resulted in Abdul Malik Al Shibli, minor from the Bank’s Sohar Branch winning OMR5,000,the highest prize value offered in the market for children.

This was followed by the exclusive draw being conducted by a VIP member of the audience and saw A. R. S. from the bank’s Al Azaiba Branch win OMR 50,000. Finally the main highlight of the evening – the 2015 Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme OMR450,000 grand prize draw was conducted by the guest of honour Saad Al Saadi, and saw Fatima Mohammed (Minor Account) from the bank’s MBD Branch win the grand prize of OMR450,000; a prize value commemorating the 45th National Day celebrations of the Sultanate.

Following the draws, the chief guest was presented with a token of appreciation by Al Musafir on behalf of the bank, followed by a group photograph alongside the bank’s executive management.

The night came to a close with the continuation of the live musical performance and a buffet dinner.

Sharing his thoughts on this event, Al Musafir said, “Our 2015 prize scheme was designed as an incentive to save and one that would reach the maximum number of beneficiaries across our entire branch network. With the conclusion of our grand draw, we have seen the total number of beneficiaries of 2015 prize scheme hit over 1,000 winners in total. On behalf of the bank, I would like to express a hearty congratulation to each and every one of our winners and look forward to seeing many more in 2016.”

This event brought the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme for 2015 to a grand close and heralds the announcement of the new scheme which is expected to be announced soon. The Branch Dedicated draws, which is considered as part of the year end grand draw and saw one winner from each of the bank’s 27 branches win OMR5,000, were conducted earlier in the day at the bank’s head office in MBD. “I would like to thank our valuable customers for not only making this year’s Savings Scheme such a great success, but also for their

sustained support and trust which, together with the support of our shareholders and the efforts of the Bank Sohar team, has ensured our bank’s progress on all fronts over the past eight years.

"I would also like to thank our guests for joining us on this grand occasion as well as personally congratulate the winners and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavours,” concluded Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi, Senior AGM of Branches and Retail Sales at Bank Sohar.

Together with its Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme and other market leading retail products and services, Bank Sohar also provides an extensive network of 27 conventional branches with 47 ATMs across the Sultanate operating under the ‘OmanNet’ platform. Bank’s ATMs at Buraimi and Shinas border continue to operate with the ‘Dirhams Dispensing’ facility; thus adding immense convenience to businessmen who travel and transact business across the border on a regular basis, as well as to customers who visit the United Arab Emirates. The bank’s customers also enjoy the advantage of a Cash Deposit facility at all branch ATMs as another value-added service.

R E H A B I L I TAT I O N O F H A N D I C A P P E D C H I L D R E N

Napco is now official extruder for Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort MUSCAT: National Aluminium Products Company (Napco), one of the leading extruders of aluminium profiles in the GCC, has announced that it was the official extruder for the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort located 2,000 metres above sea level on Saiq Plateau in the Al Jabal Al Akhdar area, set to open this year.

Thai hospitality brand The company was appointed by a renowned European firm known for its revolutionised architectural aluminium concepts, to extrude doors and windows for the premier resort by Thai luxury hospitality brand Anantara Hotels, Resorts &

Spas, says a press release.

Robert Holtkamp, CEO, Napco, said: “Napco extended its extruding services to the soon-to-open Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort in Oman. We are delighted to see a surge in new luxury commercial properties in the country and will continue to offer our services to the country’s expanding hospitality projects. Napco’s association with such landmark projects of this scale further reinforce Napco’s reputation as a leading extruder in the region. We signed major deals with several high profile projects in Oman and the region in 2015 and look forward to sustain the momentum in 2016

with the aim to become one of the GCC’ stop five extruders.”

The Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort will feature 82 authentic luxurious room and 33 high end villas combining one, two and the resorts three bedroom royal mountain villa each with their own private pool. Additional resort facilities will include a spa, a fitness centre, a children’s club, a library, six dining outlets, an onsite chef’s garden, and a souk.

Napco has been part of several major projects in Oman, the most recent being the Saraya Bandar Jissah, a premium mixed-used development in the Sultanate of Oman.

FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

beIN channels set to broadcast African Nations Championship Multi-purpose hall at Al-Wafa Centre, Salalah inaugurated MUSCAT: The 2016 African Nations Championship, also referred to as CHAN 2016, will be the 4th edition of the African Nations Championship, the international football championship organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the men’s national teams of Africa featuring exclusively players from their respective national leagues.

The African Nations Championship will be broadcasted exclusively on beIN channels, says a press release.

The tournament will be held in Rwanda between January 16 and February 7. A total of 16 teams will play in the tournament. Rwanda qualified automatically as hosts, while the remaining 15 spots were determined by the qualifying rounds, which took place from June to October 2015.

MSE, the authorised distributor of beIN, announced that on November 1, 2015, beIN Media Group, a major player in global sports rights through its beIN

Sports brand has now expanded into general entertainment programming. The new packages are now available with Mustafa Sultan Electronics Showroom at Al Khuwair and with their sub dealers present across the Sultanate. beIN additional channels will be available on Es’hailsat satellite, disabling some frequencies on Nilesat satellite. The new frequencies can be found on www. bein.net/en/frequencies/ beIN Sports, which is a leading provider for sports channels in broadcasting all live action of global sport events has announced five packages keeping different nationality sports viewers in mind and also boosting entertainment experience. The first package is Access Package which has 25 HD channels including; nine sport channels, one movie channel and four kids channels. The second package is Top Entertainment which has extra eight channels above the Access package; five movie channels and 1 factual channel and 2 kids

channels. Third package is Top Sports. The package contains Access package + extra 14 Premium HD Sports Channels. Fourth is the complete package which contains all channels of Access, Top Movies and Top Sports packages. The last package is the Euro 2016 package that will be broadcasting in June/ July 2016. The Euro 2016 package is available as an add-on with at least Access package or with an active SPORTS or SPORTS Global package expiring after July 15 2016. The new packages facilitate customers to choose depending upon their interest and budget.

Mustafa Sultan Enterprises Entertainment Factory (Pay-Tv) division is pioneer in Pay TV business for more than 20 years and is the distributor for OSN in Oman.

Besides OSN, MSE-EF is a leading distributor for beIN Sports. They have a showroom in Al-Khuwair and four kiosks at Muscat City Centre, Qurum City Centre, Muscat Grand Mall (MGM) and Sohar Safeer Mall.

SALALAH: The multi-purpose hall building at Al-Wafa Centre for Rehabilitation of Handicapped Children at Salalah was inaugurated recently, with the support of Raysut Cement Company.

The event was held under the auspices of Dr Yahya bin Badr Al Mawali, undersecretary at the Ministry of Social Development, in the presence of Mohamed Abu-Bakr Al Ghassani, Deputy Chairman (Shura Council) and Eng. Salim bin Alawi Ba’abood RCC-CEO and a number of government and private sector officials at Dhofar Governorate, says a press release.

The ceremony started with a speech by the Director General of the Social Development, welcoming the audience, and then the centre was opened by the sponsor. It was accompanied by a welcoming session by the centre’s children. Later a tour round the

centre was conducted to see the new halls and other facilities.

The building consists of four multi-purpose halls, for functional treatment the physiotherapy, articulation treatment, individual sessions, administrative offices and waiting halls for parents.

Dr Yahya said, “This project is an excellent addition, in favour of handicapped children, rehabilitation services and their families, due to the advance quality facilities provided to rehabilitate those children. The officials of the unit have made their efforts to rehabilitate the handicapped children. The beneficiaries are also well satisfied with such services. We hope to continue such great efforts by the private sector within the scope of partnership between the public sector and the private sector.”

Salim Ba’abood said that the main purpose of the support giv-

en to this project is the commitment of the company to its social responsibility towards the community and to assist in developing and promoting handicapped children to overcome negative psycho-social effects of their disability.

“We help them to depend on themselves and to participate and contribute in the community as producers and good members.”

He explained that, this project is the fruit of the bilateral cooperation between RCC and the Ministry of Social Development. The company shall spare no efforts to contribute funding and supporting the social development projects through initiatives that serve the society. Salim appreciated the great efforts made by the Ministry of Social Development to support and serve the community in all aspects aiming the society welfare.

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

ROUND-UP Bank Muscat, MoHE sign pact for 20 scholarships to Omani students Bank Muscat launched ‘Jesr al Mustaqbal’ in 2012 in execution of the directive of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to provide relevant educational and training opportunities for Omani youth to develop employable skills

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and commitment to partnership in supporting Omani youth, signed an agreement with the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) to provide 20 scholarships to Omani students pursuing under-

graduate programmes in Oman during the 2014/2015 academic year.

Hamad bin Hamoud Al Balushi, director-general of Scholarships at the Ministry of Higher Education, and Salim Al Kaabi, general manager – Credit, signed the agreement for the bank’s ‘Jesr al Mustaqbal’ (bridge to future)

higher education scholarships to be given to Omani youth belonging to social welfare families. With this, the total number of scholarships given by the bank through the Ministry of Higher Education

touches 28, says a press release.

Social welfare Salim Al Kaabi said: “Bank Muscat is proud to present 20 more ‘Jesr al Mustaqbal’ scholarships aimed

BEST PRACTICES

at helping Omani youth from social welfare segments to pursue higher education and thereby attain employable skills. The ‘Bridge to Future’ programme is a commitment by the bank to provide

Omani youth with opportunities to build a strong foundation for a better future. Bank Muscat is committed to contribute towards sustainable development by working closely with local communities with the aim of improving living standards in a manner that complements the national economy.

The bank will continue to support Omani youth as part of this annual CSR programme.”

Bank Muscat launched ‘Jesr al Mustaqbal’ in 2012 in execution of the directive of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to provide relevant educational and training opportunities for Omani youth to develop employable skills. The comprehensive Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative is targeted at young Omanis - both male and female from social welfare families who have not been able to complete their education for various reasons.

RAIN ENHANCEMENT SCIENCE

Zubair SEC introduces best-selling business book to Omani entrepreneurs

Winners of UAE research programme to be honoured MUSCAT: In a move designed to further support and develop SMEs, Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC), a leading social responsibility initiative of The Zubair Corporation, introduced international best-selling business book to the SMEs community in Oman through an official launch event that was held at Bait Al Zubair yesterday.

With Zubair SEC positioning itself as a guiding beacon for Omani entrepreneurs and owners of small enterprises, the centre believes that the move to introduce business best practices and knowledge to the SMEs community will be of much needed value, says a press release.

As part of this initiative, the Arabic release of the Value Proposition Design book, by Alexander Osterwalder, which focuses on how to create products and services that customers want, was launched for the first time in the Sultanate by Zubair SEC. Zubair SEC has earlier tied up with Jabal Amman Publishers from The Kingdom of Jordan - the producers of publishers of the Arabic release of the Value Proposition Design book. The publishers are known regionally for translating and producing best-selling books in Arabic and launching them in Arab countries.

The international bestseller Value Proposition Design helps tackle a core challenge of every business — creating compelling products and services customers want to buy.

Stressing that this initiative will help novice entrepreneurs in small businesses learn new skills, Khalid M. Al Zubair, managing director at The Zubair Corp, said: “The launching of the Value Proposition Design book aligns with our vision and strategy towards diversifying the services and offerings to business entrepreneurs and owners of small enterprises in the Sultanate.

“Such valuable books that introduce best practices in business administration and entrepreneurship bring much added value to the development journey of entrepreneurs and help enable them through the many useful tools presented by the Zubair SEC. This initiative complements the many other services offered by the Zubair SEC through advisory one-to-one sessions, workshops, discussion groups, to name a few. This book in specific is con-

sidered an important source of knowledge for what it presents of information and practical frameworks that aid business entrepreneurs to move forward in launching and managing their projects and business offerings according to specific standards and essentials for success.”

He added, “As part of Zubair SEC’s role in contributing to the development of the SMEs sector, we initiated communication with Jabal Amman Publishers to launch the book in the Sultanate in an effort to enrich the Omani library with one of the most important books in its domain. We were also delighted to extend a special copy of the new release to every attendee who joined us in the launching event.”

“We are certain that books will guide small business owner in the right path and introduce them to

a wealth of knowledge by those who treaded the path before. The highlight of the initiative is that we have also provided a business development opportunity for one of our members. As we aim to facilitate business development opportunities for our members, we has come to an agreement with Jabal Amman Publishers that commercial distribution of the book in Oman will be done through one of the members who works in this business. The member to sell the book in Oman was introduced to our partners who attended attending the launch event, so that they can purchase the book for their members if they will.”

The event was attended by the CEO of The Zubair Corporation and a number of distinguished guests keen on the development of the SME sector in the Sultanate, as well as a number of SMEs.

E X PA N S I O N

Malabar Gold opens new outlet in Abu Dhabi ABU DHABI: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, the leading jewellery retailer launched its 144th outlet globally and 8th outlet in Abu Dhabi. Yusuff Ali M. A., renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist inaugurated this beautiful showroom recently in the presence of Dr P. A. Ibrahim Haji – Co-Chairman, Malabar Group, Shamlal Ahamed M. P., managing directorInternational Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Mohammed Korath – chairman and managing director, KM Trading, other directors, dignitaries, invited guests and well-wishers, says a press release.

This elegant showroom conveniently located at Al Wahda Mall, the iconic landmark and shopping destination of Abu Dhabi, will be their 8th showroom in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Like all other Malabar Gold & Diamonds outlets, this showroom will also display

a significantly large collection of traditional as well as contemporary jewellery in gold, certified diamonds, platinum and precious stone jewellery from across the world that can hold you spellbound with their awe-inspiring beauty. Jewellery lovers in Abu Dhabi can find beautiful gold jew-

ellery in 18K and 22K at the outlet in Al Wahda Mall, Abu Dhabi.

One of the most important factors driving the group’s success are innovation in their strategies, designs, promotions and the trust Malabar Gold & Diamonds evokes.

With a rich mix of traditional and trendy jewellery in gold, diamond

and platinum, Malabar Gold & Diamonds is one of the most preferred destinations for quality jewellery. The combination of purest jewellery and cutting edge designs combining unmatched grace and style makes their jewellery unique.

The branded jewellery segment of Malabar Gold & Diamonds that includes Ethnix — handcrafted designer jewellery; Era — uncut diamond jewellery; Mine — diamonds unlimited; Divine — Indian heritage jewellery; Precia — precious gem jewellery and Starlet — kids jewellery, are renowned globally for their flawless craftsmanship and the impeccable style.

The leap from a single store to 144 outlets globally did not happen overnight. It was achieved through consistent effort and an insistence on setting exceptionally high standards to meet the aspiration of customers over a period of 22 years.

ABU DHABI: Under the patronage of Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE deputy prime minister and minister of Presidential Affairs, winners of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science’s inaugural cycle will be announced and honoured on January 19 at a gala award ceremony being held at the Emirates Palace.

The event will take place during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, the global gathering bringing businesses and nations together to address challenges and celebrate achievements in sustainable development and clean energy, says a press release.

Launched by the Ministry of Presidential Affairs of the UAE earlier last year and overseen by the UAE National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS), the UAE Research programme for Rain Enhancement Science is an ambitious initiative of global scope designed to stimulate rain enhancement research and augment rain fall in the UAE and arid and semi-arid regions around the world.

Aligned with the UAE Innovation Strategy, the programme aims to enhance water security through international cooperation in scientific research and development in the field of rain enhancement. The research areas that the programme addresses include the fundamental understanding of rainfall enhancement, data modelling, analysis, and evaluation, as well as experimental design, technologies and instrumentation.

The programme seeks to achieve its goals through enhancing the level of research and innovation in the field, promoting scientific understanding of rainfall enhancement, advancing stateof-the-art techniques in rainfall enhancement practice and operation, and developing further capacity in the field both locally and globally.

Dr Abdullah Al Mandoos, director of the National Center of Meteorology & Seismology (NCMS), said: “The programme witnessed during its inaugural cycle several challenges and achievements. It was the most important confirmation of the leading global role played by the UAE in supporting scientific efforts to develop the best technologies and practices that will contribute to the progress of rain enhancement science and provide effective solutions to the issues of global water security.”

He added: “The results achieved through the first year

The programme aims to enhance water security through international cooperation in scientific research and development in the field of rain enhancement of the programme proves the significance of this initiative.”

Alya Al Mazroui, manager of the UAE Research programme for Rain Enhancement Science, said: “With the launch of the first award ceremony, we are proud to honour the best teams of scientists and researchers in this field.

The international acceptance the programme has had in its first cycle proves the importance of rain enhancement science globally.”

She added: “We hope that the research projects that have been presented in the first cycle will shape the base for the following cycles, paving the road to effective solutions to the issues of global water security.”

Following its launch in January 2015, the programme attracted a remarkable level of international interest.

In its first cycle, it drew the participation of 325 scientists, affiliated with 151 organisations representing a diversified pool of governmental and non-governmental, private and public, domestic and foreign entities as well as individuals.

Notably, the programme received 78 research teams that were given extensive feedback from the anonymous reviewers of the selection committee on the strength and weakness of their pre-proposals.

Following the intensive evaluation process, the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science has selected the most promising proposals.

Among them are projects offering creative and path-breaking ideas on cloud forecasting and modification, modelling and the use of advanced cloud seeding agents.

The award ceremony will be followed by a press conference that will be attended by Dr. Abdullah Al Mandoos, Director of NCMS, Alya Al Mazroui, Manager of the UAE Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science, and the winners of the first cycle of the programme.

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SECTION

RECRUI JOB POSTINGS

QUOTES Success does not consist in never making blunders, but in never making the same one a second time.

— Josh Billings

Once you have commitment, you need the discipline and hard work to get you there.

— Haile Gebrselassie

A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.

— Joseph Addison

Inspiration is the windfall from hard work and focus. Muses are too unreliable to keep on the payroll.

– Helen Hanson

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— Robert Collier

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Suhail Bahwan launches all-new Renault Duster 4x4 across Oman

The new Renault Duster 4x4 is capable of meeting all the challenges: Tackling the city with its robust design or heading off the beaten track with its all-terrain capabilities NEW TERM

FILCOSOC BoD elections set for Jan. 29 MUSCAT: The election of the new Board of Directors of the Filipino Community Social Club (FILCOSOC) is finally scheduled to be held on Friday, January 29 at the POLO-OWWA Resource Centre.

The members of the Committee for Election are Rodrigo Desiatco as chairman (Contact number: 99506860) and Josefina Constantino (Contact number: 98044503) and Zedy Angela L. Garcia (Contact number: 96119502) as members, says a press release.

The deadline for the submission of the Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) along with other required documents is extended until January 22.

“All interested members of the FILCOSOC who have the calling to serve the community are requested to submit their CoC’s to the members of the COMELEC,” it added. The guidelines for the election are posted in the FILCOSOC Facebook page as well as the Certificate of Candidacy. The earlier schedule of election was announced during a meeting of the community leaders at the POLOOWWA Resource centre recently.

Consequently, the Miting De Avance will be on Thursday, January 28 from 6pm onwards at the same venue.

MUSCAT: Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, the exclusive importers and distributors of Renault vehicles in Oman, launched the allnew Renault Duster 4x4, a breakthrough vehicle in its segment, across the Sultanate in Sur, Barka and in Sohar.

The new Renault Duster 4x4 is capable of meeting all the challenges: Tackling the city with its robust design or heading off the beaten track with its all-terrain capabilities. Thanks to its reinforced underbody, its high ground clearance and light weight, it demonstrates superb agility and enhanced off-road performance when handling uneven surface.

The Renault Duster 4X4 is the real off-roader made for your active lifestyle, says a press release.

The Duster 4x4, a smart vehicle from every angle, will be offered with unique features, sophisticated technology, attractive design and colours.

“New Renault Duster 4x4 will deliver a level of equipment normally associated with vehicles from the next segment up,” stated a senior SBA official of Renault Oman Team.

“It is the ideal vehicle for all who wish to own a stylish yet affordable vehicle,” he added.

The new Duster 4x4 features a new front-end with a redesigned grille, two chrome-plated strips and a new air intake. The doubleoptic front headlamps including daytime running lights enhance its unique character. The new 16” black diamond alloy wheels re-

ENHANCING SERVICE

Photographs: A. R. Rajkumar/TIMES OF OMAN

inforce its assertive look. Inside, the new Duster 4X4 comes along with a brand new dashboard, redesigned seats with beige upholstery and many other features.

It has been upgraded to deliver more comfort and reflect its exterior styling. The vehicle provides advanced technology - rearview camera enables to detect and avoid potential obstacles and with the cruise control/speed limiter, mastering and modulating the speed of the car will be easy. The new

Media Nav 2.0 multimedia system gives easy access to highly practical features thanks to its 7” touch screen: 2D or 3D navigation, audio streaming, hands-free Bluetooth.

With a high seating position, the Duster 4X4 gives an excellent visibility to the driver. In addition, it comes with many safety features as standard: ESP (Electronic Stability Programme), ABS (Antilock Braking System), Tyre Pressure Monitoring, ISOFIX for child seat, front driver & passenger airbags.

The new Duster 4x4 is a travel companion equally equipped for day-to-day life as it is for adventure. Its off-road capabilities make it one of the most enjoyable vehicles in its category. Thanks to its intuitive 4WD technology, its light weight and high ground clearance, it can adapt to every situation in complete safety.

Drivers enjoy a reassuring, highup seating position which gives them better visibility of potential hazardous situations, while all versions are equipped with safe,

precise power steering that delivers a good standard of driving pleasure. Depending on trim level, the driver’s seat comes with height adjustability to help find the ideal driving position. Drivers are also pampered by the height-adjustable steering wheel (depending on trim level) and user-friendly steering wheel-mounted controls.

Thermal comfort has been engineered to meet the challenge of the GCC punishing climate. Particular care has been taken with the routing of ducts to ensure fast cooling after starting in extreme heat.

Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is largely committed to supporting Renault Oman’s growth in the Sultanate through major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services in Oman. With a national network of more than 80 showrooms, service centres and parts outlets, SBA has further built upon its legacy of trust, excellent customer service and providing value for money to each of its customers.

PROMOTION

Emirates to increase capacity on its Zambia and Zimbabwe route DUBAI: Emirates is set to enhance its on-board experience and increase capacity on its Zambia and Zimbabwe route with the deployment of a larger Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from February 1.

The Boeing 777-300ER will replace the current Airbus A340300 and offer an additional 97 Economy Class seats per flight.

The aircraft will have eight private suites in First Class, 42 lieflat seats in Business Class and 310 spacious seats in Economy Class, says a press release.

“At Emirates we are constantly seeking ways to enhance our services, and the upgauge to the Boeing 777-300ER on the Lusaka-Harare route is part of our commitment to offer Zambian and Zimbabwean travellers even more comfort and entertainment on our daily service,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates senior vice president, Commercial Operations, Latin America, Central and Southern Africa.

More number of seats “In addition to the enhanced onboard product, we are also able to offer more seats, ensuring capac-

ity to meet growing demand on the route, not just outbound from Zimbabwe and Zambia, but also inbound from the United States, UK and Australia, as we continue to build and strengthen trade and tourism links between Zimbabwe and Zambia with markets in the rest of Emirates’ extensive global network, through seamless and convenient connections via our Dubai hub,” he added.

Popular destinations for both Zambian and Zimbabwean travellers include Dubai, London, Beijing, New York, Hong Kong, Manchester and Delhi, amongst others.

Emirates’ First Class private suites have electrically operated doors to ensure privacy, a flat bed, including a mini-bar and work desk, while Business Class features sleeperettes, and Economy Class comfortable and spacious seats.

Across all cabins the aircraft is fitted with Emirates’ awardwinning ice entertainment system, which offers customers over 2,000 channels of on-demand audio and visual entertainment, from the latest movies, TV shows, music, audio books and games.

Mitsubishi offer ends tomorrow MUSCAT: The impressive winter bonanza from General Automotive Company, the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Oman, is drawing to a close.

The ongoing promotion, which gives customers an exclusive opportunity to usher in the New Year with special offers and cash gifts on three of its most popular models – the Pajero, Outlander and Lancer EX, will end tomorrow, says a press release.

Commenting on the popularity of the campaign, Manoj Ranade, GM of General Automotive Company, said: “These three models are some of our most popular on sale; each offering the guaranteed reliability, comfort, safety and an engaging driving experience characteristic of any vehicle sporting the tri-diamond badge. Their affordable price point together with the value added benefits of our Mitsubishi Bonanza only serve to sweeten the deal further. As a matter of fact, this offer has been very well received by our customers throughout the promotion period, with many praising its wideranging benefits and the generous cash gifts.”

This special offer, titled the ‘Mitsubishi Bonanza’, applies to all Mitsubishi Lancer EX, Pajero,

The ongoing promotion gives customers an exclusive opportunity to usher in the New Year with special offers and cash gifts on its most popular models – the Pajero, Outlander and Lancer EX and Outlander models. As part of the offer, Mitsubishi is offering each of these models with six years unlimited mileage warranty, six years roadside assistance and free registration. Customers purchasing either of these three models will also benefit from a free service package depending on the vehicle purchased – 6 years/100,000km free service for the Pajero and 3 years/50,000km free service for the Outlander and Lancer EX. Selected models will also come with cash gifts of up to OMR1,045.

Each of these three Mitsubishi models, regardless of their offer

benefits, presents customers a unique driving experience – the Lancer EX has a range of styles and engines to suit anyone looking for a spacious high-quality Japanese family saloon; the Outlander is by far one of our most advanced models and also one of our newest with versatility, space and performance in equal measure; while the legendary Pajero offers market-leading off-road capability coupled with supple on road comfort.

“Each of these vehicles represent the very best of what Mitsubishi can offer and will no doubt be a great way to welcome the New Year,” added Manoj.

“This offer presents our customers a great opportunity for savings on three of our most indemand models. I would like to encourage anyone wishing to purchase one of these fine vehicles, to do so before the offer expires in the next few days,” added Rajesh.

In addition, any customer visiting the showroom and taking a test drive on any Mitsubishi vehicle during the offer period will be entered into a special draw.

The draw itself will be conducted at the end of the offer period in January with four winners taking home a brand new iPad mini each.

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Oman cricket team to camp in Dharamsala from February 10 Oman Cricket has decided to send the Sultanate squad for a camp in Dharamsala ahead of their participation in Asia Cup and World T20 Championship

A. SESHAGIRI RAO

raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman Cricket officials have finalised the plans to send the Sultanate’s national team, who are currently preparing for the twin challenges of Asia Cup Qualifier and the ICC World T20 Championship, for a training camp in India in the second week of February.

The governing body of Oman cricket took the decision during a board meeting organised on Monday.

Confirming the news to Times Sport, Oman Cricket General Secretary Madhu Jesrani said: “We have discussed a number of topics during our boarding meeting and one of them is the national team’s preparations for the Asia Cup Qualifier and World T20.”

“The team will be travelling to India in February and training in Dharamsala ahead of the Asia Cup,” Madhu Jesrani added.

Oman team’s head coach Duleep Mendis, who is also the Chief Development Officer of Oman Cricket, has been stressing the need to provide the team the opportunity to train in high altitude conditions as World T20 preliminary round matches, involving Oman, will be played in Dharamasala, a hill station in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh.

“We wanted an ideal preparation for the team ahead of World T20. Since we will be playing our World T20 matches in Dharamsala, the training camp will help the team to acclimatise to the conditions,” said Madhu Jesrani.

Giving further details, he said: “The team will leave for Dharamsala on February 10 and train there till February 17 before heading to Bangladesh to take part in the Asia Cup.” The 2016 Asia Cup, to be played in T20 format for the first time, will take place in Bangladesh from February 26 to March 6.

Oman, however, will be competing in the Asia Cup Qualifier, to be organised from February 19 to 22,

WHERE IT ALL STARTED: Oman team’s historic journey began with their successful ICC World T20 qualification campaign in Ireland and Scotland.

with Afghanistan, Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates for the lone berth in the main championship.

Another camp in Mohali Madhu Jesrani also revealed Oman Cricket’s plans to send the team back to India for another training camp after their participation in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh.

“After Asia Cup, the team will go back to India and train in Mohali ahead of their participation in the World T20,” he said.

Duleep Mendis, meanwhile, informed that the schedule of camp in Mohali will be decided after Oman’s Asia Cup qualifying campaign.

“Of course we will stay in Dhaka if we qualify for the Asia Cup. If we don’t qualify we will go straight to Mohali, that’s where our official tour of India ahead of World T20 starts,” the Sri Lankan great said.

Oman team will also be playing a

couple of practice matches during their stay in Dharamsala and Mohali.

“In Dharamsala, we are hoping to arrange two or three matches.

It is very important for the boys to get the match experience ahead of the Asia Cup,” Duleep Mendis said.

“As per for ICC arrangements and schedule, we will be playing two practice matches in Mohali,” he added.

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.

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.

Group B comprises Zimbabwe, Scotland, Hong Kong and Afghani-

stan 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.

The team will leave for Dharamsala on February 10 and train there till February 17 before heading to Bangladesh to take part in the Asia Cup

MCC team to tour Oman Meanwhile, speaking about the other points discussed during Monday’s board meeting, Madhu Jesrani said: “We have reviewed the recent developments in Oman cricket, most importantly the grounds and the infrastructure.

We have also talked about our immediate goals and future plans.”

“We also touched upon the MCC team’s visit to Oman,” he said referring to Marylebone Cricket Club team’s tour which is scheduled for February.

Madhu Jesrani

OC General Secretary

TEST SERIES

South Africa determined to overcome bowling woes JOHANNESBURG: Handicapped by the absence of key strike bowler Dale Steyn, South Africa will need to dig deep into their reserves if they are to beat England in the third Test and bring parity to the series.

In the rarified atmosphere of Johannesburg, where the altitude of some 1800m above sea level means the ball carries that little bit quicker, the value of a proven wicket taker cannot be underestimated. But in their hour of need, the world’s second-ranked Test bowler has been sidelined from the match which starts on Thursday with a shoulder injury.

To add to their woes, Vernon Philander is also injured and Morne Morkel, who has had to carry a heavy workload in recent months, is in “the red zone” according to his coach Russell Domingo. The multiple setbacks have left South Africa relying on an unproven attack.

Bowling crisis The Test marks the debut of AB de Villiers as South Africa captain, after Hashim Amla’s sudden resignation last week, but any turmoil that change might have induced is

England attack refreshed after Cape Town marathon

FEELING GOOD: James Anderson.

significantly overshadowed by the bowling crisis. With a result usually unfolding at the Wanderers — only six of the last 24 Tests at the venue have been drawn — South Africa are going to have to produce a repeat of the kind of resilience they displayed in Cape Town last week.

With England in blistering form with the bat, the hosts managed to dig themselves out of a deep hole as they forced a draw -- thus preventing the visitors from taking a 2-0 lead in the series.

In fact, they even rattled England for the first time in the series

JOHANNESBURG: The England bowlers have had time to recover after a marathon stint in Cape Town and are ready for the third Test against South Africa, record wicket-taker James Anderson said on Tuesday.

England’s bowlers were kept in the field for three days and delivered a hefty 211 overs in the drawn second Test which ended last Wednesday, giving them only a week to recover before the next game at the Wanderers starting on Thursday.

“We are feeling good consid-

as they threatened to pull off an unlikely come-from-behind win on the final day.

Despite the closing-stage jitters they displayed in Cape Town, England will fancy their chances with the likes of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn rel-

England lead the fourmatch Test series 1-0 ering the amount of bowling and the amount of time we spent in the field,” Anderson, whose physical ordeal was made even harsher by the fact he missed the first Test in Durban because of a calf injury, told reporters.

Anderson said he felt pretty good, although it had not been

ishing bowling on a better wicket than the flat surfaces of the first two Tests.

But for all the focus on the bowlers, the Wanderers has been the scene of many batting triumphs.

The tourists showed their capabilities at Newlands last week

ideal to bowl 35 overs so soon after being injured.

“It’s frustrating to get injured but as a bowler it happens.

Whatever age you are, you get injuries,” added the 33-year-old, who has taken 427 wickets in his 111 Tests.

Anderson enjoyed a break in Cape Town after the Newlands Test while fellow fast bowlers Stuart Broad and Steven Finn went to a game reserve to visit a rhino conservation project.

England lead the four-match series 1-0. - Reuters

with Ben Stokes smashing several records as he amassed 258 runs in England’s first innings total of 629 for six declared and he is expected to be a key figure again.

The last Test of the series will be played at Centurion in Pretoria from January 22-26. - Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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Smith, Bailey tons power Aussies to five-wicket win SCOREBOARD

Smith fell for his highest ODI score of 149 with Australia two runs short of victory and the right-hander left the ground shaking his head before watching his team seal victory with four balls to spare

PERTH: Captain Steve Smith and George Bailey struck fluent centuries as Australia chased down a steep 310-run target to win the first One-day International against India by five wickets in Perth on Tuesday.

Smith fell for his highest ODI score of 149 with Australia two runs short of victory and the righthander left the ground shaking his head before watching his team seal victory with four balls to spare.

Opener Rohit Sharma smashed an unbeaten 171 to lift India to 309 for three after the touring side won the toss and chose to bat first in sublime batting conditions at the WACA ground.

India lost Shikhar Dhawan (nine) early but Rohit, the only cricketer with two double centuries in this format, and Test captain Virat Kohli (91) laid the platform for a late flourish with a 207-run stand for the second wicket.

India left-arm paceman Barinder Sran (3-56) gave his side a dream start on his debut by dismissing hard-hitting openers Aaron Finch (eight) and David Warner (five) in successive overs to reduce Australia to 21 for two.

But Bailey (112) scored his third ODI hundred and added 242 for the third wicket with his skipper to take the match away from India.

Bailey was lucky to survive an

TOP PERFORMERS OF THE DAY: Australian skipper and man of the match Steve Smith, left, George Bailey, centre, and India’s Rohit Sharma, who notched the top score of the day. – Agencies

Rohit a terrific ODI player, says Ganguly KOLKATA: Former India cricket captain Saurav Ganguly heaped praise on limited overs opening batsman Rohit Sharma who blasted 171 at Perth on Tuesday against Australia in the first outing of the fivematch One Day International (ODI) series to help his side reach a strong total of 309 for 3. “I watched the whole innings today. He was just brilliant. He is a terrific one-day player and I am surprised that he does not

appeal for caught behind on the first ball he faced with television replays confirming Bran’s delivery brushing his glove on the way through to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

produce such innings in Tests,” Ganguly said at a Masters Champions League (MCL) event here. “In the shorter form, batting at the top of the order he is as good as anyone in the world. When he gets going he makes the game look so easy but when he gets out you think why did he play that shot? But he is an amazing player.”

Though Rohit’s knock helped India set the hosts a stiff target, centuries from

India also missed several opportunities to run the right-hander out when their throws failed to hit the stumps. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin sent back Bailey and Glenn Maxwell (six) in successive

Steve Smith (149) and George Bailey (112) helped Australia get over the line with five wickets and four deliveries to spare.

Speaking about the young quickie, Ganguly said: “Sran bowled really well. Perth is the place to make debut for any fast bowler. India needs such young fast bowlers. He is left arm, tall, bowls close to the stumps. I think he’s got a lot of promise. I wish good luck to him,” he said. - IANS

overs to give India hope but it was too little, too late.

The 28-year-old Rohit, whose 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014 remains the highest individual score in the 50-over format, hit

INDIA R. Sharma not out 171 S. Dhawan c Marsh b Hazlewood 9 V. Kohli c Finch b Faulkner 91 MS Dhoni c Boland b Faulkner 18 R. Jadeja not out 10 Extras (lb-6, w-4) 10 Total (3 wickets; 50 overs) 309 Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-243, 3-286 Bowling: Josh Hazlewood 10-0-41-1; Joel Paris 8-0-53-0; Mitchell Marsh 9-0-53-0; Scott Boland 10-0-74-0; James Faulkner 10-0-60-2; Glenn Maxwell 3-0-22-0 AUSTRALIA A. Finch c & b Sran 8 D. Warner c Kohli b Sran 5 S. Smith c Kohli b Sran 149 G. Bailey c Kumar b Ashwin 112 G. Maxwell c Dhawan b Ashwin 6 M. Marsh not out 12 J. Faulkner not out 1 Extras (lb-5, w-12) 17 Total (5 wickets; 49.2 overs) 310 Fall of wickets: 1-9, 2-21, 3-263, 4-273, 5-308 Bowling: Barinder Sran 9.2-0-56-3; Bhuvneshwar Kumar 9-0-42-0; Rohit Sharma 1-0-11-0; Umesh Yadav 10-0-54-0; Ravindra Jadeja 9-0-61-0; Ravichandran Ashwin 9-0-68-2; Virat Kohli 2-0-13-0 Toss: India, who chose to bat ODI debuts: Scott Boland and Joel Paris (Australia); Barinder Sran (India) Player of the match: Steve Smith (Australia) Umpires: Simon Fry (Australia) and Richard Kettleborough (England) TV umpire: Mick Martell (Australia) Match referee: Jeff Crowe (New Zealand) Reserve umpire: Geoff Joshua (Australia)

13 fours and seven sixes.

Rohit’s 163-ball knock was the highest score by a visiting batsman against Australia, overtaking West Indies great Viv Richards’s unbeaten 153 in 1979 in Melbourne.

Kohli fell in unselfish manner trying to score quickly for his team and was out caught close to the boundary rope by Aaron Finch off paceman James Faulkner, who finished with figures of 2-60 in his 10 overs.

Paceman Scott Boland made a forgettable debut for Australia as he gave away 74 runs in his 10 overs while the other debutant Joel Paris also went wicketless, conceding 53 in his eight.

Brisbane will host the second match of the five-game series on Friday. - Reuters

C O M M E N TA RY

The white ball should be called the ‘nothing doing ball’

U

nless India find a way to dismiss Steve Smith for a low score they will continue to struggle against the Australians especially on the flat pitches in Australia. The Australians like to think that their pitches are sporting but have a look at the scores over the past few summers and you will find that batsmen are scoring runs by the hundreds and Steve Smith in particular has been unstoppable.

Sure one can argue that the bowling has gone down but then when the batsmen are confronted with pitches where the ball is doing something then they struggle simply because they have been brought up on pitches where the ball generally comes straight. The white ball also has been a destroyer of the bowlers for quite a long time now for it does nothing. It hardly swings or seams and the spinners barely get the ball to grip and turn. The white ball should be called the ‘nothing doing ball’.

With the experiment with the pink ball being reasonably successful as was seen in the first ever Test match a couple of months ago where it was swinging, seaming and spinning too, the sooner it is introduced the better will be the balance between bat and ball in the shorter formats of the game. Yes some team uniforms may have to change their colour but that is a small adjustment to make for the greater good of the game where people are turning off seeing a one-sided contest where the bowler is just a helpless victim.

The much talked about Perth pitch also turned out to be a run paradise and the shorter straight boundaries are a bowlers’ nightmare.

It is no longer the fastest and bounciest pitch in the world. In fact the pitches in Australia and South Africa are the best pitches to bat on after the new ball has been negotiated as can be seen by scores in Test matches over the years in these countries.

India’s debutant Barinder Sran was impressive with his dismissal of the two Australian openers and then the wicket of skipper Smith towards the end and if he can get the ball to swing back late into the pads of Smith then he has a chance of getting the shuffling skipper out leg-before or bowled around his legs. Of course it is easier said than done but so far Smith has not been confronted by any left-armer who can get the ball to swing in to him and if Sran can develop such a delivery, India has a chance.

Till then despite the best efforts of the batsmen like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and company, India will be chasing leather all over Australia. - PMG

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

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SPORTS Ethics panel seeks longer bans for Platini, Blatter While Blatter and Platini have said the panel was seeking a lifetime ban from the sport, Bantel said he declined to comment on the content

MORE TROUBLE: Sepp Blatter, left, and Michel Platini.

of its appeal

ZURICH: FIFA ethics investigators said on Tuesday they planned an appeal that could extend eight-year bans on world soccer body president Sepp Blatter and European soccer boss Michel Platini, raising the possibility of lifelong exclusion.

Blatter and Platini were both banned from soccer last month for ethics violations, leaving the global game leaderless as it seeks to dig itself out from beneath a slew of corruption cases. Both have denied wrongdoing.

The two escaped potential lifetime bans demanded by the committee’s investigatory arm when the panel’s adjudicatory chamber found no evidence of bribery linked to a two million Swiss franc ($2 million) payment FIFA made to Platini in 2011, with Blatter’s approval.

“We have announced we plan to appeal the eight-year bans against Platini and Blatter,” investigatory panel spokesman Andreas Bantel told reporters in Zurich, where FIFA has its headquarters.

While Blatter and Platini have said the panel was seeking a lifetime ban from the sport, Bantel said he declined to comment on the content of its appeal.

Sexwale feels sorry for banned Blatter LONDON: FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale feels sorry for Sepp Blatter, the banned president of soccer’s scandal-plagued governing body, and has described his work as a “monument.”

Sexwale, a South African businessman and politician, is one of five candidates standing to replace Blatter, who has been banned for eight years along with European soccer boss Michel Platini by FIFA’s ethics committee.

“I feel very sorry for him,”

Blatter has said he feels “abandoned” by the global soccer body and will now focus on clearing his name through his own appeal.

Platini, who was the strong favourite to succeed Blatter until becoming mired in allegations that led to his ban, has also said he will appeal.

The crisis gripping the soccer world began with arrests of a group of FIFA officials at a luxury

Sexwale told Sky Sports. “He is a friend. I’ve spoken on the phone to Blatter and Platini, and they are leaders so they have to deal with it.

“They have to face their mistakes, but let’s not bury the good that they have done.”

Blatter was FIFA president from 1998 until December, and had previously been Secretary General.

The Swiss had prided himself on promoting football development around the world and being head of FIFA

Zurich hotel in May. Since then Switzerland’s Federal Office of Justice has frozen around $80 million in assets in 13 bank accounts and the United States has charged 41 people and entities in a probe of corruption that spans soccer bodies around the globe.

There is precedent for extending bans on appeal.

Vernon Manilal Fernando, a former FIFA executive commit-

when South Africa became the first African nation to host the World Cup in 2010.

“Blatter’s work is a monument that stands for itself. It is a mountain that cannot be moved,” said Sexwale.

“It is up to the ethics committee what happens. The damage done is for posterity but it is not like they’ve murdered or committed genocide.

“It is a game. We are there to understand and carry on their good work and learn from their mistakes.” - Reuters

tee member from Sri Lanka, was banned for eight years by the ethics committee in April 2013. The investigatory chamber appealed against this, saying the ban was too short, while Fernando fought the ban that he said was too long.

In October 2013 FIFA’s Appeal Committee increased the ban to life. This decision was upheld by the Court for Arbitration in Sport in March 2015. - Reuters

CRICKET

Al Maddah, BOC to start cricket academy in Nizwa

MUSCAT: Al Maddah Sports Team, in cooperation with Bosher Olympic Centre (BOC), will soon launch a cricket academy in Nizwa.

According to the information recieved from the team, it will be the first cricket academy to be

established not just in Nizwa but also in Al Dakhiliya governorate.

The plan to start an academy in Nizwa as part of the joint efforts of Bosher Olympic Centre and Al Maddah Sport Team to popularise cricket in the wilayat of Nizwa.

Over the years, Al Maddah Sport Team, which is part of Nizwa Club, has been involved in several sports activities including football, volleyball, handball and table tennis.

Recently Al Maddah has es-

tablished a cricket team and also laid a pitch with high quality artificial grass. And the team had already conducted three tournaments, which attracted teams from outside Nizwa, including places like Muscat.

HANDBALL

Oman handball team to take part in Asian tourney in Bahrain MUSCAT: Oman handball team will be taking part in the 17th Asian Men’s Handball Championship to be organised in Bahrain from January 15 to 28.

The Omani team, coached by Basim Al Sabki, comprises Munir Al Balushi, Azan Al Azzani, Jaber Al Balushi, Hussain Al Jabri, Ahmed Al Hinai, Tahi Al Hadeedi, Marwan Al Dughaishi, Mahmood Al Harthi, Nasr Al Tamtami, Usama Al Qasbi, Said Al Hassani, Asad Al Hassani, Hani Al Dughaishi, Hamad Al Dughaishi, Salah Al Dughaishi and Haitham Al Balushi.

The tournament in Bahrain also serves as qualifying event for the 2017 World Men’s Handball Championship to be organised in France. With Qatar already taking one of the five Asian berths as the runners-up from 2015 World Championship, the teams will be competing for the remaining four places for the France World Championship.

In the Asian championship, Oman are placed in Group A along with Japan, Syria, Qatar and South Korea. Group B comprises China,

The tournament in Bahrain serves as qualifying event for the 2017 World Men’s Handball Championship to be held in France

United Arab Emirates, Iran, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

The Sultanate squad will begin their campaign against Qatar on January 16. They play South Korea on January 18.

Oman will play Syria on January 20 before completing their group engagements with a match against Japan on January 22.

The semifinals are scheduled for January 26 and the final will be playedon January 28. - ONA

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

SPORTS Messi wants to end career at Barca The 28-year-old Barcelona superstar received his fifth Ballon d’Or award at a glittering ceremony here on Monday, ending his rival Cristiano

THE FIVE AWARDS: A combo of pictures from 2010 to 2016, left to right, shows Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi posing with his 5 non-consecutive Ballon d’Or trophies. – AFP

Ronaldo’s two-year hold on football’s top individual prize

ZURICH: Having won an unprecedented fifth FIFA Ballon d’Or award, Argentine football legend Lionel Messi has asserted that he intends to finish his career at his

present club FC Barcelona.

The 28-year-old Barcelona superstar received his fifth Ballon d’Or award at a glittering ceremony here on Monday, ending his rival Cristiano Ronaldo’s two-year hold on football’s top individual prize.

Portugal star Ronaldo, who represents Barcelona’s arch-rivals Real Madrid, has won the award three times. The media in both Spain and England have previ-

ously speculated that Messi is thinking of leaving Barcelona, with Manchester City and Chelsea reportedly eager to sign him.

But Messi insists that he is fully committed to Barcelona and intends to see out his career with the Catalan giants.

“I’ve always said that I can’t leave Barcelona. It’s always my response. I want to finish my career at home and my home is Barcelona.

CRICKET

“Football changes so much. A year ago, we were all getting criticised and we ended up winning nearly everything.

“My intention is to terminate my career where it started, in Barcelona,” Messi was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

“I want to keep succeeding with the club. Now is not the time to think about whether this is my peak. It’s more important that we

keep trying to win, that we work hard. It’s a lot to think about,” he added.

‘It won’t be Messi’s last’ Spanish giants FC Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has said he is sure that his club’s talismanic striker Lionel Messi’s fifth Ballon d’Or trophy would not be his last.

“Messi winning the Ballon d’Or

is a great triumph for Barcelona, our supporters and mainly, Leo himself. To win his fifth Ballon d’Or means a lot. It means that the world of football recognises that the best player of all time is Leo Messi,” Bartomeu was quoted as saying by goal.com on Tuesday.

“And because he is still young, I do believe this will not be his last time here winning the trophy.”

Bartomeu also said Barcelona’s striker Luis Suarez should have been in FIFA’s World XI. Barcelona had four candidates in the dream team including Messi -Neymar, Andres Iniesta and Dani ALves being the others -- but Suarez was not one of them.

“I would have chosen all players from Barcelona in the ideal starting XI team of FIFA, but I am not the one who votes,” he said.

“Anyway, I missed Suarez there.

I think he along with Neymar and Messi have marked a milestone in football.”

“He should probably be here enjoying the FIFA Ballon d’Or party.

He is a player that will keep doing great things with Barcelona,” he added. - IANS

FOOTBALL

Al Khuwair Cricket Academy Some Man United games have to start new training session bored me too, says Van Gaal MUSCAT: Al Khuwair Cricket Academy will start a new cricket coaching camp from February 1.

According to a press release issued by the academy, experienced coaches like Mazher Saleem Khan and Mohammed Ali will conduct the training sessions during the camp.

Mazher Saleem, who is also the assistant coach of Oman national team, said: “Our new coaching programme is exclusively designed for children in the age group of four to 14 years” “We want to ensure the kids will learn the basics in a proper way and our aim is to help the young

kids develop into good cricketers,” he added.

The coaching sessions, each of which will last for one and a half hour, will be conducted twice in

a week at Oman Club Ground in Al Khuwair.

For further details contact Mazher (92537990) or Mohammed Ali (99568949).

LONDON: Even Louis van Gaal has been “very bored” watching Manchester United’s dull games this season, the Dutch manager has admitted.

United have alienated a section of their fans with a series of soporific displays this season, and were booed off at halftime in their scrappy 1-0 win over Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday. Scores of supporters left the ground in the second half and former United midfielder Paul Scholes said the players and manager looked “bored” during the match.

Speaking to reporters ahead of

Tuesday’s Premier League clash with Newcastle United, Van Gaal admitted he had also found some of his team’s performances tedious.

“There are matches that I have enjoyed very much. Against Chelsea (last month) I have enjoyed it, but the result was 0-0 and we could have lost also,” he said.

“There are also matches where I’m very bored or angry because we are not disorganising our opponent’s defence, but that is football.”

United are fifth in the Premier League standings and have won their last two matches following a run of eight games without victory.

The team have been criticised

for a dull style of play that is at odds with the club’s attacking traditions. Failure to beat thirdfrom-bottom Newcastle will rekindle the scrutiny on Van Gaal, especially after the manager acknowledged the fans’ frustration with his side’s laboured displays.

“They have been ironic (against Sheffield) but that’s an expression of the fans and that’s good. The players were frustrated and the fans were frustrated. But the fans also have to know we can’t always play fantastic football and that was also the case in former days when it didn’t happen. I’m sorry about that, but it is like that,” he added. - Reuters FOOTBALL

Guus Hiddink seeking cure for Hazard’s problems LONDON: The erratic form of Belgium international Eden Hazard has been widely identified as one of the key reasons Chelsea have performed so badly this season, but manager Guus Hiddink said on Tuesday he was determined to get him back to his best.

Asked if Hazard needed an arm around him, the interim Dutch coach told reporters before Wednesday’s home league match against West Bromwich Albion: “Nah, I am not his mother — but we will give him the proper attention and the time to come back.”

“For me it is about freshness.

If the mind is fresh and players step up and enjoy training, it is a sign of freshness,” Hiddink added.

“At the Ballon d’Or yesterday you saw the freshness of the players there, even after winning I don’t know how many trophies.

They are playing with the freshness of a youngster.

“That is what we are aiming for with him as well, he has to enjoy it again and get rid of his physical problems, then he will come back to the level he can play at.” - Reuters

C

LIFESTYLE

SECTION

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

Leisure WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

An Al Hajar Road Trip Drive through one of the most scenic and thrilling mountain routes in Oman. We are taking you on an exhilarating road trip through Western Hajar Mountains.

Story & Photography Mohammed Shafeeqe

L

eave the fast-paced life behind and get back to slower times, beautiful people and wilder places. Drive the dirt tracks of the wadis and mountains and be invigorated by the dramatic geography, blue skies, fresh air, crystal clear mountain oases, mystic caves, soaring mountain peaks, beautiful villages set on rocky mountain terraces, a sprinkling of wildlife, cool wadis and a more relaxed way of life. Have lunch overlooking a picture postcard village or in the shade of an orchard by the side of a stream. Share a canyon road with a group of enthusiastic mountain bikers. Pass through lush valleys, rimmed by the cloud kissing colourful stone mountains.

Enjoy panoramic views of the impressive gorges or access the deepest canyon in Arabia â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with wildlife viewing, geological wonders, and exhilarating outdoor adventure. Life is a lot more exciting on the mountain roads.

Inland from Muscat, Highway 15 winds up into the craggy Hajar Mountains, Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s geological backbone. Spanning from Musandam to Sur, the Hajar Mountain ranges provides one of Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most gorgeous views.

The region southwest of Muscat is home to the Hajarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highest and most dramatic section, often described as the Western Hajar, or Al Hajar Al Gharbi.

Few visitors to the country bother to explore beyond the luxury hotels and private beaches of Muscat, but a network of new roads is making it easier to head off into its high ranges in search of ruined forts, remote villages, terraces vegetation, cool air, and dramatic canyons.

The wadis are the key to understanding Omani life outside of Muscat. Till recent times they

have been many things: roads when they are dry, places to wash and bathe and play when the rains come and they are wet.

Our route is Wadi Bani Awf, Al Hamra, Misfat Al Abriyeen, the ancient city of Nizwa, and back to Muscat â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the mountain crossing circular route.

The Wadi Bani Awf-Al Hamra is possibly the most scenic route in the Hajar Mountains, and a long drive requiring at least 4 hours and a reliable WD even if it is only 70km long. Because it passes through some remote areas it is strongly advised to bring a spare tyre and jack, warm clothing, and extra food and water. It is equally scenic to complete this itinerary in reverse. With new resorts coming up along the route, and many camping sites, the road could enable a major exploration of the mountains.

From Highway 13, look out for the signpost after you pass Al Awabi and take the road to Wadi Bani Awf. Now the wadi track has been made into asphalt and concrete road limiting the thrill of wadi driving. Wadi Bani Awf is one of the most spectacular and dramatic wadis in Oman with towering cliffs on either sides and enchanting orchards, crops of banana, orange, wild ďŹ g and lime by the way. You will pass through many climbing routes and camping spots, and small settlements such as Al Qasmitayn, Al Rakhah, and Tikhah.

Go straight another 3km and turn left at the junction, which has two huge signboards bearing the names of a lot of interesting places.

In another 3km you will reach the entrance of Little Snake Canyon on the right. Stop there for a break and explore the canyon.

After the village of Az Zammah, which has green ďŹ elds, the road begins a steep ascent towards

right. The entrance to the incredible Snake Gorge, a popular destination for adventure hikers and climbers, will be on your left.

If you intend to hike here, it is best to park your car just below the entrance to the village. The canyon trip takes about three hours and is a mix of swimming, jumping down a few metres from rock ledges into pools and walking in a rough gorge.

You cannot go up anywhere to cut it short and once you jump down into the ďŹ rst pool you cannot turn back either.

This part of the track should be covered with extra care as it is has steep climbs and descents, sharp curves and deep gorge on one side.

Check weather conditions before you leave and do not attempt the journey during or after rains.

The road is quite steep with 45 degree climbs at some points and more than 1,000 foot valleys all long. The narrow road which is barely enough at some points for two cars to pass by needs some mountain driving experience and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not for the faint hearted.

For the scenic village of Balad Sayt (Bilad Sayt), turn right at the next junction. The village, hidden away between the mountains, is well worth a visit.

With its picture-postcard perfection of terraced ďŹ elds and sunbaked houses, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the prettiest villages in Oman. The villagers prefer visitors to park outside and walk in or simply view the village from a distance.

You have to come back to the junction to proceed to Al Hamra.

The track goes near a green football pitch and you will pass through a small aloe vera forest and a stream. The steep ascent begins here; you will pass by Hat village.

Climb further until you reach the Sharfat Al-Alamayn viewpoint, on the saddle of the ridge: this is the

highest point in the road. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth spending time here to enjoy the scenery, the chilling breeze and to look for wolf traps (piles of stone with a slate trap door) before heading to the traditional and amazing villages of Misfat Al Abriyeen via Al Hamra.

With endless miles of rocky wilderness â&#x20AC;&#x201D; perfect for 4 x 4 wheel, wadi and dune bashing treks as well as rock climbing, abseiling and hiking â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no other Gulf region offers such a diverse range of great outdoor adventures across a striking terrain that travels back 500 million years of geological time. shafeeq@timesofoman.com Tips for Safe Mountain Driving Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; ,#(!Ĺ&#x2014; )) Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014;1 . ,Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; ' ,! ( 3Ĺ&#x2014; gear Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; 1 , Ĺ&#x2014;) Ĺ&#x2014; " (!#(!Ĺ&#x2014;1 ." ,Ĺ&#x2014; conditions Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; , % Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; )1(-"# .Ĺ&#x2014; ), Ĺ&#x2014;." Ĺ&#x2014; downgrade Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; , % Ĺ&#x2014; ,&3Ĺ&#x2014; ), Ĺ&#x2014;./,(Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; 0 Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; /&&Ĺ&#x2014;. (%Ĺ&#x2014;) Ĺ&#x2014; / & Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; - Ĺ&#x2014;." Ĺ&#x2014;Ä&#x2019;*/&- Ä&#x201C;Ĺ&#x2014; , %#(!Ĺ&#x2014;' .")

Pulse Braking Never stay on the brakes for an extended period. To properly use this method, ďŹ nd a â&#x20AC;&#x153;safe speedâ&#x20AC;? as you go down the hill. Say, for example, your â&#x20AC;&#x153;safe speedâ&#x20AC;? is 40kmph. You should allow your vehicle to speed up to 45kmph and then apply steady break pressure until your speed drops to 35kmph. At that point, let off the brakes and allow your vehicle to speed back up to 45kmph, then repeat the process. By pulsing your brakes in this way, you give your brake pads time to cool off. As you apply the brakes, your brake pads will heat up. The hotter your brake pads get, the less effective they are, until they become completely ineffective and fail.

C6

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

FIND-IT-ALL

PRAYER TIMINGS

@SALALAH

@SOHAR

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 PM Ride Along 2 Comedy) (15+) CP# Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumter.

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 5:15, 9:30 PM The Forest (Horror) (15+) Cast: Natalie Dormer, Eoin Macken 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

Ride Along 2 (2D) (15+) (Action| Comedy) Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 11:30PM

The New Adventures of Aladin - 2D (PG12) Cast : Kev Adams, Jean-Paul Rouve 5:00 PM

The Peanuts Movie - (Animation) PG 1:15 & 4:45PM The Good Dinosaur-3D (Animation) U 11:15PM & 6:45PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

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

07:00

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

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

MAYUKH KRISHNA January 13, 2012

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

55-80%

DAIVIKA V. PAI January 13, 2012

ARJITH C.T. January 13, 2006

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

SALALAH Ride Along 2 (2D) (15+) (Action| Comedy) Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 11:30PM 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, Russell Crowe 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 Bacchan & 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 |Thriller) Cast: Josh Duhamel and Josh Wiggins 11:15AM, 7:00PM Charlie (2D) (12+) (Malayalam & Comedy Cast: Dulquer Salman, Parvathi Menon 9:00PM Snow Time (2D) (PG) (Animation/Comedy) Voice Overs: Angela Galuppo, Mariloup Wolfe 1:15PM The Forest (2D) (15+) (Horror); 5:00PM

0

Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

06:00 06:00

Ride Along 2 (Action / Comedy) Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 11.55PM CP No: 3070 (15+) Echo Effect (Action / Thriller) Cast: Michael Jai White, Max Ryan, Steve Austin 4.00, 8.00 & 10.00 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: Amanda Seyfried, Jane Fonda, Aaron Paul 2.00 & 6.00 PM C P No: 3062 (12+) Get Squirrely (Animation) Voice Overs: Victoria Justice, Will Forte 2.00 & 5.30 PM CP No: 3063 (PG Dilwale (Action / Comedy) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan & Kajol 11.00 PM C P No: 3047 (PG12

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

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

26 20

BAHJA CINEMA

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 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

SUR Get Squirrely ( Animation ) ( PG ) Cast: Victoria Justice, Will Forte 5:10 PM

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 PM Dilwale (Action/Romance) – PG12 Cast: – Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Varun Dhawan 6.45, 9.45 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+) 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 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 Ride Along 2 - 2D (15+) Action | Comedy Cast : Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 11:30 PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

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 2:45, 8:45, 11:30 PM The Revenant – 2D (12+) | Drama | Thriller Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

The Revenant (2D) (Thriller) (12+) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 11:30 PM

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

PANORAMA MALL The Revenant (Adventure, Drama)(2D)(12+) Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 2:45, 5:45, 11:45PM The Revenant (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) Cast : Angela Galuppo, Mariloup Wolfe 5:45 pm Star Wars (Action, Adventure)(MX4D)(PG12)

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 Snow Time - (Animation | Family) PG 3:00PM

Destination

12.20pm 3.24pm 5.44pm 6.59pm 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

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

LIFESTYLE

Rocking in Wakan

8”E Location: 23°08’25.3”N 57°43’43. the beauty of an Have you been able to capture in Oman? Send tion tina des th off-the-beaten-pa geo-locator to: your pictures with a caption & shafeeqe@timesofoman.com

IN THE NEWS

Australia Tourism Sets Sights on China’s Independent Tourist SYDNEY: Australia is planning a A$40 million global tourism campaign to help fill the economic hole left by the commodities downturn, targeting a growing group of Chinese holidaymakers who favour independent itineraries over traditional large group packages.

Government data released recently showed a record 1 million Chinese tourists flocked to Australia in the past 12 months, up from a mere 100,000 fifteen years ago. Beaten in absolute numbers only by New Zealand, China is the fastest growing group with a total spending of A$7.7 billion last year.

Australia’s marketing campaign, to be launched later this month, will be geared towards a new breed of young and independent traveller from China drawn to Australia’s natural beauty.

“We are aiming for the young middle class who’s got the confidence but also financial means to be able to travel further and stay longer while managing their itin-

eraries, rather than being led by the hand,” said Leo Seaton, Tourism Australia’s spokesman.

While most western visitors participate in aquatic sports such as surfing or swimming, Seaton said Chinese tourists tend to prefer walking or whale-watching.

A falling Australian dollar, which fell 14 per cent over the past year, is certainly helping stave off competition from the United States, South Africa and Europe, all keen to be on the receiving end of China’s spending power.

This is music to the ears of a government dealing with plunging prices for iron ore, the country’s top export earner. Tourism Research Australia forecasts Chinese spending to double to A$13.7 billion by 2024-25.

Australia’s A$1.6 trillion economy is struggling with the demise of a once-in-a-lifetime mining investment boom with sub-par growth. Driven by Chinese arrivals, tourism is among the fastest growing sectors, employing half a million people. -Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 13, 2016

LIFESTYLE

Stunning Staircases Built Into Nature

W

hen fences, signs, and observation towers are made to make trekking or travel easier, the wild wonders of the outdoors are often destroyed in the process. But one cannot deny that there is something unique and attractive about these staircases roughly carved from stone or wood. Whether manmade or nature’s gift, they are indeed a sight to behold.

So let’s revel in the simple feeling of climbing as we trail on stunning staircases.

El Peñon De Guatape

Ha’iku Stairs

Once, this massive Colombian stone was seen as little more than a giant obstruction, but it’s hard to understand that view now given how stunning the site seems. The tall, stone was first ascended in 1954 when a group of friends climbed to the top over five days, using a system of slanted boards wedged into the single colossal crack in the rock. From that initial expedition, a permanent set of tightly zig-zagging stairs have been built into the crevasse. In addition to the stairs, today there is an observation tower on the top as well, and the whole feature is run by private landowners who will let visitors climb to the top for a small fee.

Called the “Stairway to Heaven,” the Ha’iku Stairs was once a little more than a wooden ladder leading to a submarine transmission relay among the high cliffs. While permanent steps and ramps were built later, the path remained officially closed to the public in 1987.

But this did not deter the hikers from making the steep climb. The entrance to the stairs are now said to be guarded, and in February 2015 it was rumoured that a storm damaged the staircase so severely that it is now unusable.

El Penol, Colombia

Kaneohe, Hawaii

Punta Pite

Zapallar, Chile This M.C. Escher-like installation of winding stairs and twisted paths was carved out of the Chilean shoreline not for any practical purpose, but as a work of land art. Finished in 2006 by landscape architect Teresa Moller, the site incorporates the stairs and pathways right into the natural curves of the seaside rocks. They almost look naturally occurring were it not for the unnatural and somewhat surreal twists in the pathway.

It took months for 40 stonecutters to shape the rocks to Moller’s designs. Now the 27-acre property is open to the public who can traverse the odd paths from the beach up to the top of the sea cliffs and vice-versa.

Chilzina And The Forty Steps Of Kandahar Kandahar, Afghanistan

Maybe this is the shortest staircase on the list, but The Forty Steps of Kandahar are no less stunning for their small number. Carved into a mountainside around the 14th century by Babur, the first emperor of the Mughal Empire, the stone stairs lead up to a cave mouth. Inside the cave, Babur etched an account of his adventures and conquests.

At the mouth of the cave, Babur had a pair of chained lions carved out of the mountain stone as well that could guard his tales.

Tianmen Shan

Zhangjiajie, China This epic stair leads right into a natural formation known as the “Gateway to Heaven” and it looks the part. The stairs leading up to the gaping maw of the nearly 500-foot-tall stone arch number 999, and are located on a road that is said to have 99 bends. Sometimes dense fog blankets the area making the ascent to the Gateway really charming. The site can unfortunately become quite crowded, thanks to the site’s well-known beauty, but the 999 stairs is indeed phenomenal.

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M W E D N E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3, 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

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VACANCY

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CARGO

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*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

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W E D N E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3 , 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

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ ϵϵϮϮϵϮϲϯ͖ ϵϯϮϮϭϬϱϰ͖ ϵϱϮϭϱϮϴϵ

Apartment and room for rent in Al Khuwair near IBIS hotel.

Contact: 95724975

1 BHK near Medical Darsait R.O 170/- . Contact: 95076261

3 Bedroom flat for rent near ONTC Ruwi. Contact: 9965336

We have 1 BHK, 2BHK flats in Mabela 7 new building. Contact: 93782735 / 99208033

3 bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact 95755953 / 95555162 2BHK new bldg for families Al Khuwair 17/2. Contact: 91403136 3BHK flat for rent in Ghubra.

Contac: 99328070 To let rooms in Qurum.

Contact: 99664703

500 square meters workshop space, ready to use, for vehicle repairs, welding and other small industrial units , Misfah Industrial area block 2 near Baladiyah camp.

Contact: 94030814

Store / warehouse for rent 52 sqm at Maabela Sinaiya.

Contact: 92454170

Villa for rent 4 spacious bath attached bedroom private swimming pool Gymnasium (common) with electrical equipment with free maintenance secured compound at Madinat Al Ilam. Contact: 98027975

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

We have Staff accommodation in Bowshar . Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 We have 150 SQM offices in Ghubra main road prime location. Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 Flat for rent in Darsait 3 BR, 2 toilets, sitting room R.O 250/-.

Contact: 92328142 Shop for rent in Ghubra near Bank Muscat. Contact: 97788999 House for rent Mabela.

Contact: 99204400

We have 1BHK / 2BHK flat for rent in Ghubra, Ghala, Azaibah, Bousher & Darsait. Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 We 1000 SQM Ware house in Misfa & 2000 SQM open land for rent in Misfa near cement factory.

Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 1& 2 BHK C.B.D & Ruwi.

Contact: 99024730 2BHK modern & spacious flats with split AC for rent in Qurum near PDO Gate No.2.

Contact: 94057023 2BHK flats with split AC available for rent at Al Khuwair 33.

Contact: 94057023

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 8 BR Villa Shatti Qurum.

Contact: 99024730 2BHK and 3 Washrooms (Pent House at Al Ghubrah. Contact 99452227 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

500 sqm Basement Godown/warehouse For Rent in Mabela industrial area. CALL: 99366008 / 99236455 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 Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi, MBD area & Honda road.

Contact: 92589235/ 94579531 2 BR flat with 1 sitting room, 1 family hall with 3 attach bathroom in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99277787 Commercial / residential flats in a new building for rent near Muttrah Police Station residential 1BHK / 2BHK more details.

Contact: 99364735 / 95729711

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT

FOR RENT 2BHK, 3 washroom Flat with Split Air Conditioners Near Lulu Darsait CONTACT :

93202733 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 Independent room with Kitchen & Bathroom attach near Mabellah BP Petrol Pump R.O 100/- , without Elect & water. Contact: 91516775 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 Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454 Flats for rent in Muscat.

Contact: 99262605.

2BHK at Al Nahdha Hospital behind MHD Building.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 Furnished villa for rent in BarkaRumes, 3 big BRooms + Majlis + Saloon + kitchen. Contact : 98999667 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 1 BHK new bldg with A/c curtains, near Khimji Mart, MBD. Contact 99061408 / 99024039

&KZ Z Ed AL KHUWAIR : 5 BED ROOM VILLA SPLIT A/C - MAID ROOM

RUWI : Ware House - 630 M2 SPACIOUS -2 B H K FLATS

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗

Ϯϰ ϳϬ ϯϬ ϲϬ FOR SALE

FLATS FOR RENT In a Luxury Building in Al Seeb Market Near Police station

2 Room + hall & kitchen ,3 toilets in Bareeq Al Shatti 750 RO. Contact 99314314

99310448/99612010/95208455

BUILDING

Call: 99888007 - 99473500

FOR SALE MUMTAZ AREA (NEAR RUWI HOTEL)

Show room / shop for rent area 155 sqm at 600/-R.O shops at 160/- R.O. Contact 97714433 / 92822437

CONTACT - 99353931

1BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/-.

Contact: 97799175 / 92144045

7 Bedrooms villa in Ghobrah North. Contact - 96420432

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

ACC. AVAILABLE FOR SALE Used home furniture and household appliances in good condition for sale. (Else 3bhk can be taken for rent along with furnitures.)

Contact: 99738104 Big CoffeeShop for sale at Maebeela South to invest at fast meals and restaurants. Fully equipped with all items. Contact us @ GSM:99377622 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

For rent 1bed room flat, near Indian school (ISD) at Darsait.

Contact: 94776771/ 99669216

1BHK flat near Star Cinema 220/Contact 99358589 /95570288

For sale - Plastic Palettes. For inspection. Contact: Mr. Ali Azan 95501102

2BHK commercial RO 375/-, 350/Contact: 97799175 / 92144045

Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact 94051789-97201688

Villas in Al Khoud. Contact 95056808-97201688

2BHK Al Khuwair R.O 375/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175

Flats in Muttrah. Contact 94051789-97201688

Luxury Apartments in Boucher (35). Contact 9505680897201688

2BHK Ghubra R.O 300/- , 325/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 97799175

Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. Contact: 9405178997201688

Duplex villa in QURUM 29.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Offices in Ghala. Contact 94051789-97201688 Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

1,2 BHK Ghubra R.O 300/-, 325/& 350/-. Contact: 97799175 Single BHK flat available in Honda road Ruwi. Contact 24833972/ 24833974/ 99367448

Veg Couple or bachelor room in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99014325 / 91165580

Furnished room in new building for working Muslim lady/ Muslim couple only. Location AINT, Darsait. Contact - 99008069

Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. Contact 9405178997201688

ACC. AVAILABLE

Single bedroom flat behind German Embassy, near Al Nahdha Hospital.

Contact 99203954

3 BHK flat near Darsait ID medical.

RO 420/- Contact – 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288

Profs/ Jack. Contact 93219378 2 BHK Flats for rent Muttrah near Oman house S/ AC. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232

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

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

Mangalorean restaurant at Wadi Kabir & shop at Ruwi for sale.

Contact: 98428507 / 93655003 Exercise cycle for sale.

Contact – 92847957 Dental equipments sparingly used for sale. Contact: 91232778 / 99722457 Full dental unit for sale.

Contact: 00968 92737149 Email: drpkabbas@yahoo.co.in Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact -9505680897201688 Luxury villa for sale at Al Hail South building area 375m land area 323, 6 rooms, 3 halls, 7 toilets.

Contact 99839898

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

Furnished sharing accommodation in ruwi near O.K. Center for non-cooking indian bachelor.

Contact - 98805474

Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan villeage.

Contact 93687466

WANTED

Room available now kitchen bath sharing with lift, dish Wi-Fi near Mars Al Khuwair rent 120/-.

Contact: 95262516

IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area. Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up.

Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

Family sharing accommodation Honda road 2 rooms, bathroom Kitchen sharing RO 130/-.

Contact: 99519161

MV SALE

Semi furnished separate room for non-cooking Asian bachelor, behind Shell filling station, Ghoubra round about. Contact: 94263390 Furnished room & bath Darsait R.O 140/-. Contact: 93289652 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

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 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

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W E D N E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

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

hZ' Ed>z Z Yh/Z ƌĞƉƵƚĞĚ ϯ ƐƚĂƌ ŚŽƚĞů ŝŶ DƵƐĐĂƚ ŝƐ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ Ă

D Z< d/E' D E ' Z DƵƐƚ ƉŽƐƐĞƐƐ͗ ZĞůĞǀĂŶƚ ŚŽƚĞů ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ sĂůŝĚ ' ĚƌŝǀŝŶŐ ůŝĐĞŶƐĞ ^ƚƌŽŶŐ ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ƐŬŝůůƐ

Śƌ͘ŝŶƚĞƌŶĂůŝƟ ĞƐΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ʹ ϵϱϬϮϬϳϬϰ ŽƉĞƌĂƟ ŽŶƐΛŚŽƚĞůŐŽĂƐŝƐ͘ĐŽŵ

WANTED

^ĞĂƐŽŶĞĚ WƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů

Excellent Grade Construction Company Requires the following.

1. Purchase Executive (Purchase Officer).

2. Camp Boss.

Interested Candidates send CV to below email.

hr.vecancy.muscat@gmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE 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

BEAUTY Urgently requited Indian Gulf experienced Beautician al Hail, good salary & allowances.

Contact: 96175350 Required experience Beautician.

Contact 99619409

ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ŝŶ Ăůů ŵĂƩ ĞƌƐ ŽĨ ŽƌƉŽƌĂƚĞ ī ĂŝƌƐ ĂŶĚ KƌŐĂŶŝnjĂƟ ŽŶĂů ĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĐŽŵƉĂŶLJ

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

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DĂƚĞƌƐͬ ͘^Đ ĞŐƌĞĞ ŝŶ ůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů ;WŽǁĞƌͿ ǁŝƚŚ ϭϱ LJƌƐ͘ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ϱ LJƌƐ͘ ŝŶ ' ŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟ ŽŶ ŽĨ ϰϬϬͬϮϮϬͬϭϯϮŬs 'ƌŝĚ ^ƚĂƟ ŽŶƐ͕ K,d> ĂŶĚ h' ͘ ^ ͬWZKd d/KEͬ ƵƚŽ ĞƐŝŐŶ ŽĨ ůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů ƉƌŽƚĞĐƟ ŽŶ ƐLJƐƚĞŵ ĐŽŵƉůLJŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ ůĂƚĞƐƚ ƐƚĂŶĚĂƌĚƐ͘ ^ŽŌ ǁĂƌĞ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ ĚĞƐŝŐŶŝŶŐ Θ WDW ĞƌƟ Į ĐĂƟ ŽŶ ŽŵƉƵƚĞƌ ƐŬŝůůƐ ;DŝĐƌŽƐŽŌ Kĸ ĐĞͿ Θ D^ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ <ŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞ ŝŶ Ăůů Į ŶĂŶĐŝĂů ĂƐƉĞĐƚƐ Θ ŵĂƌŬĞƚ ĐŚĂŶŐĞƐ ƌĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ,^ ^ŬŝůůƐ ĨŽƌ Ěŝī ĞƌĞŶƚ ĐŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟ ŽŶ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ͘ >ŝŐŚƚ ǀĞŚŝĐůĞ ůŝĐĞŶƐĞ ŝƐ ŵĂŶĚĂƚŽƌLJ

ŵĂŝů͗ ŽŵĂŶĞŶŐŝŶĞĐŽΛLJĂŚŽŽ͘ĐŽŵ

REQUIRED 1. Occupational Health Advisor (with OH qualifications & 5 years oil field or relevant experience)

2. Lead Emergency Physician

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ EŽ͗

ϵϱϱϬϭϵϰϲ

Email : medicalinformation2016@gmail.com

DRIVER

URGENTLY REQUIRED

Wanted Driver. Contact: 91025698

ƉƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶƐ ĂƌĞ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞĚ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉŽƐŝƟŽŶƐ ĨƌŽŵ ƐƵŝƚĂďůĞ ĐĂŶĚŝĚĂƚĞƐ ĨŽƌ Ă ĨĂƐƚ ƚƌĂĐŬ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĐŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟŽŶ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚ͘

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

Project Manager

QS Engineer (Civil)

ͻ ĞŐƌĞĞ ŝŶ ŝǀŝů ŶŐŐ͕ ͻ ĞŐƌĞĞͬ ŝƉůŽŵĂ ŝŶ ŝǀŝů ĞŶŐŐ͘ ͻ ŵŝŶ͘ ϭϱ LJƌƐ͘ džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ͕ ͻ DŝŶ͘ džƉ͗ ϱ LJĞĂƌ͕ ϱ LJƌƐ͘ ĂƐ Ă WƌŽũĞĐƚ DĂŶĂŐĞƌ͘

QS Engineer (MEP)

Sr. Project Engineer ͻ ĞŐƌĞĞ ŝŶ Đŝǀŝů ŶŐŐ͘ ͻ DŝŶ͘ džƉ͗ ϭϮ LJƌƐ

ENGINEER/TECH/MECH

ͻ ĞŐƌĞĞ ͬ ŝƉůŽŵĂ ŝŶ ůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů ĞŶŐŐ͘ ͻ DŝŶ͘ džƉ͗ ϱ LJĞĂƌ͕ ƉƌĞĨĞƌĂďůLJ ŵŝŶ͘ Ϯ LJĞĂƌƐ ŝŶ ŐƵůĨ

ŽŵƉĞŶƐĂƟŽŶ ƐŚĂůů ďĞ ŝŶ ůŝŶĞ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ An Omani company below vacancies for procurement filed in the power plant, Electrical Engineer (Indian nationality is preferred) & Mechanical Engineer (Indian nationality is preferred). Please send your CV to kheradmand@teccontracting.com 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

Asian Oriental / BBQ cook.

Contact: 95529970

^ƌ͘ ůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌƐ ϰ EŽƐ͘

(10 yrs experience in emergency medicine in remote work (occupational) setting.

Have ACLS, ATLS, PHTLS & food safety level 4.

CATERING Required Waiter / Waitress (preferable fluency in Arabic/ English).

Contact: 95892831 Email: info@rcsoman.com

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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

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR 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.

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

WůĞĂƐĞ ŵĂŝů LJŽƵƌ s ƚŽ ͗ ũŽďĨŽƌƚƵŶĞƐΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

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

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

SALES / MARKETING Air Conditioning company required experienced Sales Executive with license. Send CV to nationalhvac.mep@gmail.com Fax: 24799442 Experienced Salesman required for A/C spare parts shop. Send CV to nationalhvac.mep@gmail.com Fax: 24799442 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 Salesman require for building material with driving license & 10 years working experience.

Fax your C.V 24833043.

(Mustafa Hardware Store) 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

TOURS/TRAVEL

MEDICAL

SKILLED LABOR

High class Medical Center in Salalah requires good looking Staff Nurses and medical orderlies, excellent English. Interested candidates please send your CV to mdcsalalah@gmail.com

Heavy vehicle Garage Forman, Mechanic, Painter, Denter, Service man, Mason. #99453617 Email: alsawarillc@gmail.com

Travel agency in Ruwi urgently requires experienced ticketing staff preferably with IATA qualification. Contact 95595830

Looking for experienced construction laborers as a subcontractor for a villa construction in Mawaleh.

Contact: 96203333

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED

Immediate Requirements for experienced Tailors (Designer wears, casual clothing). Please call for interview 99471085

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

Wanted female Staff Nurse with prometric pass/MOH license for a clinic at Musannah.

Contact 99645150 Urgently required PHARMACIST with MOH license or Prometric passed. Attractive Salary with Accommodation. Contact: 97091664.

Email: mmcmuscat@gmail.com Urgently required Lab Technician with MOH license. Attractive Salary with Accommodation.

Contact: 97091664.

Email: mmcmuscat@gmail.com Wanted urgently lady Doctor GP or DGO for immediate appointment. Contact : 99310590 Email: tjmaluke@gmail.com 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.

SKILLED LABOR 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.

Well reputed Marble Company looking for

We are looking for a person who is expert in cold room, cold store, duct AC, chiller and other cooling systems. Contact: 96406340 / 99807720

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 Looking for a foreign staff has experience in Oman in real estate field. Contact Email: aburashid94dd@gmail.com Tyres company seeking for Sales man, minimum 2-3 years experience. Send CV to saeed@liwainvestments.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687 Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa.

Immediately available.

Contact – 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com Part-time accounting, tax report, auditing & bank loan assistance.

Contact 91720465 Senior Accountant, well experience & Qualified looking for part time accounting after 4 pm.Contact:91126314 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 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. #: 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

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

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 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 Indian male, 27 B.Com, +3 years experience in Qatar GCC driving license, interested in Marketing now on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact: 92993512 Senior Accountant presently working as Senior Accountant having 16 years experience in Oman with Oman with Oman D/L looking for new placement, NOC available. Contact: 95060390 Indian male Accountant looking for a suitable placement in Salalah. More than 20 years experience in accounting job (up to the finalization of accounts) 8 years working experience in Middle east in Dubai, Muscat & Salalah.

Contact: 91325029 Indian male, Oman 8yrs exp looking for any suitable vacancy for Accountant / Asst . Accountant / Office Admin, local release available. Contact: 98492752 Email: atiquehazique@rediffmail.com 8+ yrs exp in Admin & Accounts (3 yrs in Oman) MBA, Indian female, seeks placement. #97243806 Pakistani male B.Com with accounts experience and Oman driving license seeking for suitable placement. Contact: 94756263 Accounts & finance: 32 yrs Indian male (B.Com) having 7 years Oman experience Oman D/L & NOC available, looking for suitable placement.# 98093515 / 97494322

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. #95741442 navaskamaru944@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.# 95857199 Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization, consulting & audit works. Contact: 96247295

W E D N E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ADMIN

MBA (finance) one year experience in Oman, have Oman license looking for a good job.

Contact 94103975

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

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 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 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

ADMIN Indian Female MBA, 3 Year experience in Admin MIS, Family Visa.

Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com MBA (HR) Graduate with 6 years of HR/ Admin Gulf experience looking for good career growth having valid Oman driving license.

Contact: 95521535 Email: kbino110@gmail.com Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK, Helper supervisor Admin supervisor, H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license looking for H.R position or P.R.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288 Indian female 33 years M.Com B.ED 2 years Asst Acct in Oman 1 year teaching experience in India, looking for job. Contact: 96283103 / 99719124, Email: thekkutt@gmail.com 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 Indian female 29 MBA (HR) BSc Oman & India, 3 years exp in Admin & HR seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95619537 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

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

ARCHITECT Architect, Indian Female with 04 years of work experience in Qatar, Oman & India seeking suitable position. Email: shaazneen.s@gmail. com, Contact No: 96635846 Diploma Architect 3Ds Max (interior, exterior) AutoCAD seeking suitable position.

Contact: 98907341 Email: susuhu009@gmail.com Architect looking for freelance work in (design plans and 3dmax).

Contact: 96041201

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

DOMESTIC HELP Male 26 in looking for Office boy / Receptionist job.

Contact: 94640906

DRIVER Experienced Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic Well knowledge of Oman Areas Seeking Suitable placement Contact 97950869 Light driver need job exp 4 years English & Arabic speaking.

Contact: 94208089 Light driver looking for job.

Contact: 95219183 Light duty. Contact: 96995762 Driver for suitable job K.S.A 12 years & 4 years in Oman, with release. Contact: 93885404 Light duty driver with 3 yrs exp Pakistani seeks placement.

Contact: 98004139 Bangladeshi male light driver exp 14 years need job and visa transfer, release paper available.

Contact: 99165961 Driver looking for a job. NOC available 95154610 Looking for heavy duty driving job 5 years experiences in G.C.C, with heavy duty license.

Contact: 97474978 Light driver Pakistani male 32 years with valid driving license seeking placement required visa.

Contact: 97106232 Driver with new car looking for job.contact: 95873286 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

EDUCATION Indian female B.ED, BCA & IELTS certified with 6 months Oman exp in teaching primary students looking for teacher job.

Contact: 97384206 Email: rani_sweet786@live.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. B. Sc Civil Engineer 27 yrs Oman in Ministry private sector as Project Manager, Senior Structure Engineer in consulting office looking for suitable placement, NOC available.

Contact: 99349578 Email: farooqatm@hotmail.com 5 years of experience in Business Analyst & Product Management with Engineering in ECE on visit visa Contact: 91374247 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 BE Civil Engr - 5-10 yrs Exp Diploma Civil Engr - 5-7 yrs Exp Civil Foreman - 10-15 yrs Exp All must have valid DL send CV to jnstpmco@gmail.com Mechanic Diesel Engines & Hydraulic, 25 years Experience in Multinational Companies.

M Arshad 91685048 B.Tech Mechanical Engineer fresh Graduate, on visit visa looking for job. Contact:94743373 email: akasharavind1@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

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@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, 25 yrs, Diploma in Hardware & Network Engineering having 4 yrs experience now in Oman, on visit visa seeking suitable placement. Contact 98779754 / 92720311 Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact – 96789711 Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 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 Diploma in Electronics, 2 years exp in telecommunication.

Contact: 94519571 Email: telecommunicationvishnumadhull @gmail.com

E& V Sr. Presales Engineer +7 years experience in UAE, Qatar & Oman having valid Oman D/L & NOC. Contact : 93384285

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

Indian male, Diploma Civil Engineer having 2years experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97376450, Email:shanavasshaj@gmail.com

Senior Telecom Engineer 4 years experience in Oman valid driving license MBA project management.

Contact: 95688953 Email: johan.joy@gmail.com

Structural steel supervisor / foreman 12 and half yrs Gulf exp fabrication & erection NOC available.

Contact +91 9061761881 / +91 9446149459

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

Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience as HVAC design Engineer, Revit MEP, AutoCAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: rahmanmechengg@yahoo.in Civil Diploma Engineer cum Quantity survey male 6 years experience in Oman valid Oman D/L. Contact: 93747759 Email: jaleelvanimalkp@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 HSE Engineer (BE Mech + Dip in Safety+ NEBOSH + OSHA), 10 yrs exp, NOC Available, seeking suitable placement: Mob: 97061817 email: jayanammu1977@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.

Civil Engineer B.E 12 years experience with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 93843448 Mechanical Engineer with 3 years experience and possess valid Omani driving license seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97411523 Email: malvindevachan@gmail.com

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 Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975528 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 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 Sudanese Civil Engineer with 5 years experienced AutoCAD primavera & GIS Arabic & English language looking for a suitable job. Contact: 91340584

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>> нϵϲϴ ϵϳϵϭϮϵϱϬ 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 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 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 structural Engineer 6 years experience Oman license.

Contact: 96380693 Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im 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 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 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 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

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. 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 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 Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97667113 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 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 GCC experience projects & business Management professional for IT & ELV systems seeking suitable job. Contact: 93522472 B.E (CSE) Indian male 2 years of experience in System and Network Admin, presently on visit visa, seeks for immediate placement. Contact: 93832694 Email: bailfupp006@gmail.com Omani seeking placement 6 years excellent exp in networking, hardware and software and software.

Contact: 95356166

Civil Engineer (BE) having total 5 years experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available Contact# 94450270

Indian male 26 years BSC IT with 4 years experience currently on visit visa looking for IT support job knowledge of networking, programming languages, windows / Linux environment. Contact: +968 95369856 / 24781651 Email: mark.tony.alphonso@hotmail.com

Indian female civil engineer B.Tech having 3 years experience sound knowledge of software, REVIT STAD PRO structural detailing currently on family visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95345591

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

Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com

Indian 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

D6

W E D N E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3 , 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 IT

MANAGER

SALES / MARKETING

MISCELLANEOUS

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, GSM : 94256964 mail ID : saji217@gmail.com

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

Sales and marketing job with 10 years experience locally available on visiting visa. Contact: 99293494 Email: bavas264@gmail.com

Well-qualified Indian Female with 8 years of experience in Procurement Supply Chain from reputed Companies in Oman seeks placement. Contact 91374217

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 Communication Network CCNA fresh Graduate. Contact: 98194924

LOGISTICS More than 8 years of gulf experience & qualified executive in Air freight & Sea freight, proven work experience in logistics coordination, shipment, export and import Coordination, cross shipments and client relation etc. Contact: 95149624 / 0097150-3462492

MEDICAL Nurse (male) Indian available with 3 years of experience & cleared prometric 64% & data flow.

Contact: 94035637 Male nurse MOH licensed having NOC completed BLS, ACLS total 6 yrs exp seeking suitable job, join at anytime . Contact : 91322744 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 An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact: 96436517 /97396088

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female, 24 Years - MSc Biotechnology. Worked in International Crops Research Institute For The Semi Arid Tropics for project work as trainee. Looking for suitable job. Mobile: 92619048, Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com 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

MANAGER 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 Purchase MGR / Transport in charge 9 yrs exp in Oman having D/L & NOC join immediately.

Contact: 90187891 Email: mohammedshariff35@gmail.com 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 Operations Manager 18 years in Oman accounts, Admin, purchase sales, general operations experience. Contact: 99889396 / 99044724 Email: srjobsinoman@yahoo.com Indian, 40 yrs, 16 yrs in Gulf, Supervisor in steel fabrication company, seeks suitable placement98667442 / 98119694 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 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

PROJECTS 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.

SALES / MARKETING

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 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.

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 14 yrs MNC Sales /Marketing Manager experience with D/L visa NOC. Contact: 90205082 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 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

Indian male with more than 14 yrs of experience in Business development / marketing Oman D/L looking for managerial position in Business development / marketing.

Contact: 93400177

Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192

30 years, Indian male, MBA, 6 +years Sales experience in paint industry in retail and projects available with NOC and D/L. Contact: 96675065

Indian male Senior Safety Officer (NEBOSH) 9 years experience, valid GCC license looking for suitable job .

Contact: 96586672 Email: mrudul.v2008@gmail.com

15 years experienced Indian seeking suitable job in area purchase, logistics & supply chair. # 96388496 Email: ranju.uma@gmail.com

37 years, Indian male, X- Ray welder 7 years experience, looking for job on visit visa now. Contact: 91360190 / 98223683

Marketing Communication Coordinator: Indian, M.Com with 20 years Gulf experience in Marketing Communications, ATL& BTL branding exp. with Oman D/L. # 93031168 Purchaser having experience in heavy light vehicle parts for 15 yrs looking for job, Oman with valid D/L, NOC available. Contact 91452832, Mr. Gurunath

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

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 Executive Post, Omani Driving License, MBA 14 years Experience in Multinational Groups in Sales & Marketing. M.Z. 96220975 Indian male, MBA 25 Yrs, 1 year experience in Auditing and 10 Month in sales, currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 92054304 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, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” , looking for suitable placement. Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office.

Contact: 90182494, Manojmallya999@gmail.com

Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3 yrs exp. in IT/ networking/ server, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support.

Contact 92607532 Indian male Autocad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job.

Contact : 00968 99070584, Email: remluvp@gmail.com Indian female, Diploma in Aviation and Hospitality management (IATA), Having 4 years experience, Seeking for a suitable Job, Contact 99104529.

Indian female accountant, now in Oman on visit visa, looking for suitable placement, Contact 94250871.

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/CLASSES/TRAINING

B.TEC ( IT) . 24 years, 2 Years of experience in technical support, software development, networking, troubleshooting and managing seek suitable placement.

Contact GSM- 98184170 Indian female 10 years exp as cook in Oman . South Indian & Gujarati special looking for part-time job. Contact 96710189 Indian female, 27, food technologist (MSc Food Technology), 2years experience in Research and Development -Instant foods, Snack, Noodles, Oats seasonings, Soups, Curry powders. Raw Material Quality Assurance and Analysis, HACCP. Contact -93987174 , email :mayacnair@outlook.com Indian male 32 years dip in hardware net working with 10 years hands on experience currently on visit visa seeking immediate placement in IT Support or relevant jobs. Good knowledge of hardware & Networking.

Contact: 94169341 Email: haripulikal@gmail.com B.Tech (CSIT) 25 years Indian male 3 years experience having excellent communication skills paired with technical skills, VM ware networking, hardware on visit visa looking for suitable positions. Contact: 97641141 Email: wasimakram619@gmail.com Chemical Engineer, 26 years old, indian,2 years of exp in industrial production, valid oman driving license, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 91247222 10 years’ experience in Oman Lady Secretary / Office Assistant worked in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Call: 95244761

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 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

COMPUTER

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 WEBSITE

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

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

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 placementM: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

Looking for investor in steel fabrication plant. Contact 98667442 / 98119694

Part time Accountant available, well experienced in accounting up to finalization. knowledge in tally also. contact. 92643875

Canadian Consultancy company (recruitment & immigration) is looking for a partner company in Oman.

For contact 00973 39990830 eurogulf.ca@gmail.com,

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

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

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

W E D N E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3, 2 0 1 6

D7

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

RENT A CAR

^ Zs/ ^ tĞ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ůĞĂŶĞƌƐ͕ Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ĞƚĐ͘ ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ ϵϰϮϳϳϬϮϬ

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble.Contact 24793614/ 99314807 House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 Cleaning & Carpet Shampooing, Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723

We provide loading unloading helper for contracting.

Contact: 94777137

House shifting. Contact: 99657644/98518013

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

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

Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact: 93769089 / 95323517 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

NRI 2BHK flat with posh furniture for sale near St. Blaise school/ church in AMBOLI, Andheri west, Mumbai.Kindly contact Muscat no. 95434412.

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 Plot, propeties for sale in prime location in pune Contact 95272138, (+918390982975)

MATRIMONIAL Proposal invited for employed BSc Nurse in Muscat for her, Remarriage age 28 years Christian Jacobite. Contact: 93262428

GOOD NEWS FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

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

MATRIMONIAL Christian Orthodox girl 24 yrs, BSC MLT working in Government Hospital Thiruvalla, seeking suitable alliance from Orthodox family.

Contact: 99734325 / 99898130

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D8

W E D N E S DAY, JA N UA RY 1 3 , 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

TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION 7 Ton/ 10 Ton- Trailer Local transport- MCT- UAE

LOST Ibtissem Mjehdi has lost Tunisian Passport No. W 338970. Finder please handover to ROP Rita Pundir has lost Indian Passport No. F 2614576. Finder please handover to ROP

ANNOUNCEMENT Obaid bin Khalfan bin Rashid Al Mazroi & Trace Partnership, which had been registered at the Secretariat of the commercial register, in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry No. 1119004 announces that it will change its commercial name to Mazaya Adorar Al Maseyah Partnership. We announce to any interested party about this modification.

DRIVING

Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation. Contact 99508282

Contact 96609857

Transportation. Contact:99664703

Amir Ali

Transportation. Contact 96173326 Transportation. Contact 94510847

Transportation Al Khuwair.

Contact: 92711421 Pick and drop. Contact: 96692774

Transportation Contact: 99077395 Pick & drop anytime in Al Khuwair. Contact 99764307

Transportation. Contact99542393 Transportation. Contact: 91310107

Transportation taxi mini bus.

Contact: 93091106