Times of Oman - August 13, 2015

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THURSDAY, August 13, 2015 / 27 Shawwal 1436 AH

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TWO-YEAR LOW

FOUR INJURED

Indian expats reap rupee dip benefits A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com

SLUMP IN RUPEE: The Indian currency slipped to a two-year low of 168.70 against Omani rial.

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

129 suspects arrested for thefts in Oman

1

The Royal Oman Police (ROP) has arrested 129 accused for theft crimes in July. The accused had committed 106 thefts across Oman. Thieves target homes believing that residents may have kept valuables such as gold and cash. ROP calls on public to take precautions against theft in their houses. >A2

MUSCAT: Oman-based nonresident Indians started taking advantage of a slump in rupee value, which touched a two-year low against US dollar on Wednesday.

China’s devaluation of yuan on Tuesday continued to put pressure on the Indian rupee due to appreciation of dollar in overseas markets. Almost all Asian currencies plunged on yuan fall for the last two consecutive days.

Indian currency dipped to a two-year low of 168.70 against Omani rial (or 64.95 against US

dollar) by around 1.30pm Indian time, before closing at 168.20 (or 64.76 against US dollar). Rupee has been falling for the last five consecutive days. In fact, Reserve Bank of India’s strong intervention helped a marginal recovery towards the end.

“Devaluation of yuan by China has affected currencies across the world, including India,” Tonny George Alexander, chief executive officer of Oman UAE Exchange, told Times of Oman.

Echoing a similar view, Rajan B., general manager of Al Jadeed Exchange, said that dollar became strong against Indian rupee after

the fall in yuan value. With the fall in rupee value, foreign institutional investors started selling their holdings in Indian market, which caused dollar outflow.

Rajan said there has been a 25 per cent growth in daily remittances in the last couple of days, as many Indians are taking advantage of higher value for their rial savings. “We are getting reports of a higher growth in remittances today,” he added.

However, Alexander said since both public and privates sectors paid July salary by the middle of the month due to Eid, people do not have money to remit. >A6

‘Respect and learn from each other’

An affiliate of the IS in Egypt on Wednesday claimed to have beheaded a 30-year-old Croatian hostage and posted a picture of his dead body in what could be the first such killing of a foreign captive in the country since the dreaded terror group established a branch here. >A15

Outpourings in social media are not going to create a wedge between citizens and expats as Oman is a land of peace having respect for people of all nationalities and faiths

3

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Two Omanis were killed and four others have been admitted to a hospital with injuries, following an accident in Haima on Wednesday morning, said sources.

“Among the injured, the condition of one is serious,” added sources.

Last month too, seven people died and five were seriously injured and 27 others escaped with minor injuries when a bus heading to Salalah was involved in a collision in Haima.

While there has been a marginal increase in the number of road accidents, the number of deaths and injuries in the first six months this year has decreased. >A6 SHINAS

MUSCAT: A man died after falling into a well in Shinas on Tuesday night, according to the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA).

Following a call, officials of water rescue team and ambulances went to the well to rescue the person but failed, the Public Authority for Civil Defence & Ambulance tweeted in its official Twitter account.

The nationality of the victim is not known. In a similar incident in May, a man had died in Hay Assim wilayat of Barka.

2

A tender for consultancy services for a suitable site of a regional airport in Musandam and runways in Madha and Diba has been floated by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The consultant will be required to conduct the study on two stages. >B1

REJIMON K

Staff Reporter

IS beheads Croatian abducted in Egypt

Musandam airport consultancy tender

Two Omanis die in Haima accident

Man dies after falling into well

WORLD

MARKET

ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Social progress and economic prosperity in Oman can be sustained only if locals and expatriates respect and learn from each other in an environment of friendship and co-operation, say people in Oman.

As the Omanisation drive gains momentum, people from different segments of life have cautioned that it should not drive a wedge between locals and expatriates in Oman, which has always been lauded as a land of

exemplary tolerance and respect for all nationalities.

They say there is no place for negative sentiment towards either locals or expatriates and see no point in the tug-of-war going on in some forums or social media networks, where some people address the other group in an inappropriate manner.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Shabib Al Maamari, executive director of Injaz Oman, said that in some discussions, especially on social media, some locals may be making comments that could offend expatriates.

However, he believes that it is not a big issue in Oman as compared to some other countries, Oman has always been open to others. Al Maamari said that times have changed and some locals may feel that they are not getting the opportunities they deserve and see big salaries being paid to expatriates.

However, Omanis should understand that this salary did not come by chance and that the expatriate community is extremely hardworking, twice as laborious as the locals, because it is not his country and he has to prove himself or he will be replaced, he added.

“Also, these expatriates did not swim their way in from the ocean.

They were brought here as professionals by locals. So it defeats the argument that they are taking our jobs,” said Al Maamari.

The official added that both expatriates and locals should respect each other and co-operate, an example of which is seen at Injaz Oman.

He explained that Injaz Oman asks volunteers from the private sector to teach others, and some of these volunteers are expatriates who believe that Oman has been good to them, and now they want to contribute in return.

“If they do not care about this country, they would not think about volunteering and would consider it a waste of time,” said Al Maamari, and added that in 2012 they had an expat volunteer with 45 years of experience.

“Imagine what would happen if we say that we do not need the experience of expatriates,” he noted.

According to him, officials should also be careful about their choice of words so as to not offend others or create a negative sentiment.

In addition, the executive director of Injaz Oman said that in order to help locals, the private sector should take the initiative and put a system in place to make the ‘career path’ clear and transparent for locals. >A6

Moulding clay and culture

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

OMAN POLICE BUILDING OPENS IN SALALAH The Royal Oman Police (ROP) on Wednesday celebrated the opening of the Police Services Building in Ouqad in the Wilayat of Salalah under the patronage of Sheikh Salim bin Uffait Al Shanfari, Head of Dhofar Municipality, in the presence of Maj.Gen Hamad bin Sulaiman Al Hatmi, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Operations. The opening ceremony was attended by a number of walis of the Governorate of Dhofar, senior officials of ROP and other military and security units. -ONA

Entrepreneurship Award seeks to promote the entrepreneurship culture in the Omani society and develop the performance and competitiveness of the SMEs Abdullah Al Jufaili, Entrepreneurship Award panel member

Workshop on award for entrepreneurs in Ibra Entrepreneurship Award aims to empower small, medium, and micro enterprises to effectively contribute to creation of jobs for Omani youth and establishment of a diverse economy

Times News Service MUSCAT: As part of its awareness campaign, the Entrepreneurship Award organised on Wednesday its second workshop at the College of Technology in Ibra in the Governorate of North A’Sharqiya.

The workshop was attended by a number of owners of micro,

SPREADING AWARENESS: The workshop was attended by a number of owners of micro, small, and medium enterprises from the governorate. -Supplied photos

small, and medium enterprises from the governorate.

The discussions were led by Abdullah Al Jufaili and Mohammed Al Harrasi, members of the Award’s organising committee.

They shed light on the award’s categories, criteria, and registration process.

In addition, the presenters explained the timeline of the award which included the duration of the awareness campaign, registration, and evaluation, apart from the final selection and closing ceremony, during which the winners would be announced.

“The award aims to empower small, medium, and micro enterprises to effectively contribute to the creation of jobs for Omani youth and establishment of a diverse economy based on knowledge and innovation. It seeks to promote the entrepreneurship culture in the Omani society and develop the performance and competitiveness of the SMEs,” said Al Jufaili.

In their interactive approach with the audience, Al Jufaili and Al Harrasi started answering the questions of the attendees and explained to them the application

process done through the award’s website www.theaward.om.

Categories They also explained the awards for each category and the value they add to the winners.

The awareness campaign will continue touring the Sultanate and will hold its next workshop in the Governorate of North Al Batinah in the wilayat of Sohar.

It aims to expand the reach of the award and provide more in-depth information for potential participants and answer their questions.

CRIME

129 arrested on charges of theft during July: ROP MUSCAT: A total 129 accused were arrested by the Royal Oman Police (ROP) in cases related to theft in the month of July.

The arrested accused had allegedly committed 106 thefts across the Sultanate, the ROP said.

The ROP has called on public to take precautions against theft in their houses, said an officer of the ROP. Generally thieves target homes believing residents have kept valuables such as gold and cash inside, he added.

Preventive steps However, there are ways people can protect their property while going on a holiday, he said.

“Installing surveillance cameras, locking windows and doors, and closing open spaces in the house will reduce chances of theft,” the ROP source said.

People should also keep some lights on in their homes to make thieves believe that there are people living in the house, he suggested.

fore, people should take precautions,” said the source.

He also said that building a high wall or fence around the property could deter thieves.

The ROP’s records showed that 154 people were arrested in May for committing 119 thefts, the officer added.

Seized Custom Officers at Muscat International Airport managed to foil three attempts to smuggle psychotropic substances.

The first attempt foiled was made by a woman arriving from an Asian country to smuggle in 520 tablets of Tramadol.

In another attempt anther Asian national tried to smuggle in 249 tablets of clonazepam and 270 tablets of diazepam.

Yet another Asian national was caught trying to smuggle 100 tablets of tramadol into Oman.

The accused were referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action against them.

Woman arrested

Different means “Criminals use different means to break into a house such as with a duplicate key or breaking open doors or windows. There-

An African woman was arrested on charges of prostitution in Buraimi from flat where she was operating from.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

OMAN

189,049

TOURISM

Travellers welcome world’s first halal travel glossary

With an increasing number of destinations and services looking to attract the Muslim traveller, there is a need to better understand the terms used to describe the market needs and practices related to this segment

was the number of subscribers in Oman with fixed internet connections at the end of the first quarter of 2015 compared to 180,144 during the previous quarter, a growth of 4.9 per cent

Sultan Qaboos Port tourist flow up by 21% Oman Transport As of the end of May

Number of tourists received

2015, Sultan Qaboos Port has received 665

Fazal Bahardeen CEO of CrescentRating

MUSCAT: Travellers in Oman have welcomed the launch of the world’s first-ever halal travel glossary. A new glossary providing access to a wealth of terminology used in one of the fastest growing sectors globally was launched by CrescentRating, the world’s leading authority on halal travel on Wednesday.

Ansar Ibrahim, an Indian Muslim living in Oman said, “Many countries are focussing on halal tourism. It is now becoming a highly developed and successful industry. This glossary comes at the right time.”

CrescentRating has published a new guide which promotes accurate and consistent use of terms in the halal travel market. Over 150 terms and concepts have been entered and validated with regular updates planned as the market matures.

Users can obtain a quick list of terms through the glossary which has been divided into sections for easy navigation. It has been published as a free downloadable e-book with plans to make it an

online resource in the near future.

With halal travel now worth billions of dollars annually, the need to understand these terms is becoming more important, as the industry aims to capitalise on a sector projected to be worth $200 billion by 2020.

Raji DeMonte, general manager at Universal Travel and Tourism in Oman said, “There are many takers for halal tour packages among Muslims nationals and especially expatriates from Asian countries.”

“Such a glossary would be welcomed by them,” she said. CrescentRating says understanding these terms is imperative for all travel-related businesses looking to benefit from the growth of this market such as tourism boards, Government agencies, hotels, restaurants, attractions, airports, airlines, cruises and spas.

Travel phenomenon Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRating, said, “Embracing the halal travel phenomenon is now a key focus of growth across the industry for both OIC and non-OIC destinations.”

“With an increasing number of

destinations and services looking to attract the Muslim traveller, there is a need to better understand the terms used to describe the market needs and practices related to this segment,” he said.

The glossary includes terms which provide an overview of Halal travel and its core values. Each of these has been defined in the context of lifestyle and travel.

This e-book also covers faithrelated terms used to describe the needs and practices of Muslim travellers. The first edition of the glossary is now available in English, and there are plans to publish it in other languages in the future.

The MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2015, which is the most comprehensive research that has been released on the sector, revealed that in 2014, the Muslim travel market was worth $145 billion with 108 million Muslim travellers representing 10 per cent of the entire travel economy.

This is forecast to grow to 150 million visitors by 2020 and 11 per cent of the market segment with a market value projected to grow to $200 billion.

MUSCAT: The number of inbound and outbound tourists received at Sultan Qaboos Port stood at 239,964 as of May 2015 in comparison to 197,786 during the same period last year. It is a rise of 21.32 per cent.

As of the end of May 2015, Sultan Qaboos Port has received 665 vessels including 64 cruise ships, or 7 per cent of the total number of vessels. This was revealed by the Ministry of Transport and Communications in its report published on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Renaissance.

Talking about the Sultan Qaboos Port, the report said the initial concept and the master plan for the development of Harat Al Shamal in Muttrah Wilayat have been completed.

Consultancy study The consultancy study for the conversion of Sultan Qaboos Port into a tourist port will be initiated in the third quarter of 2015. The brand identity for the marine water façade and the logo for Sultan Qaboos Port will also be initiated in the third quarter of 2015, said the report.

Work is underway at the liquid and general cargo terminals to meet the needs of Salalah Free Zone. The project, which will generate a considerable number of job opportunities, is expected to be completed in the third quarter in 2015.

Sohar Port Work is also underway at the southern wave breaker in Sohar Port, which is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter this year.

During the first quarter of 2015, the ministry issued 94 permissions for foreign vessels compared to 130 during the same period last year.

The ministry said in its report said that as of October 2014, it has paved 13,857 kilometres (km) of

Number of vessels received (as of May 2015)

197,786 239,964 665 (as of May 2014)

vessels including 64 cruise ships

Times News Service

Sultan Qaboos Port

(as of May 2015)

Sohar Port Number of permissions issued to the foreign vessels

130

(as of March 2014)

94

(as of March 2015)

Source: Ministry of Transport and Communications

long asphalt roads and 16,414 km of long dust roads.

The major projects underway include Sur-Bidbid dual-carriageway project, which is 240 km long and Al Batinah Expressway, from the 1st to 6th package, which is some 265 km long, along with other projects to enhance the capacity of the existing road network and meet the growth in traffic activity.

The ministry also revised the final draft of the Land Transport Law, which aims at regularising the land transport activities and meeting the needs of economic development.

Public transport The first stage of the structural study for public transport in the Muscat Governorate, which has been already completed, aims at creating an integrated public transport system that meets the needs of the public and limits the traffic congestion and environmental effects. The ministry also completed the study of the permanent station for the weight of trucks on the main roads.

The report also pointed out that the 2,244 km long railway is one of the major strategic projects that meet the needs of sustainable development.

A company called Oman Rail has been established and provided with qualified and specialised human resources. Eighteen contractors have qualified for the infrastructure works besides five consortiums for the IT system.

As for the communications sector, the report pointed out that major achievements include the revision of the Telecommunications Regulatory Law, which enhances competition and ensures the provision of high qual-

Number of asphalt roads paved (as of October 2014)

13,857 km Graphics

ity services that are up to world class standards. The report also pointed out that the Omanisation of the public telecommunications sector stood at 94.7 per cent and 90 per cent by operators.

Telecom sector The number of companies licenced to provide fixed and mobile telecommunications services including the 4G mobile services stood at eight.

The number of subscribers to the fixed lines as of the end of the first quarter 2015 stood at 385,714 compared to 375,196 during the last quarter of 2014, a growth of three per cent.

The number of mobile phone subscribers at the first quarter of 2015 stood at 6,240,320 compared to 6,194,169 during the last quarter of 2014, a growth by 0.7 per cent.

As of the end of the first quarter of 2015, the number of subscribers with fixed internet connections stood at 189,049 compared to 180,144 during the previous quarter, a growth of 4.9 per cent.

The number of fixed broadband subscribers as of the first quarter of 2015 stood at 186,046 compared to 177,063 during the last quarter of 2014, a 46.25 per cent penetration rate.

As for the post sector, the report pointed out that the Ministry of Transport and Communications is currently preparing the general policy of the sector, which will serve as the roadmap for the next five years. The policy is developed, in collaboration with one of the specialist agencies in a bid to promote the mail sector and improve the services rendered to the public, by encouraging the private sector to venture into mail projects.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

OMAN

In terms of training, there is a lot that can be learned by the Omanis from expatriates, but it is not a one-way street Navaid Syed, head of learning and development at Al Rumais Training Institute

COUNTRY’S PROGRESS

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A1 ‘Respect, co-operation vital for Oman’s economic prosperity’ Speaking to the Times of Oman, a Lebanese expatriate who has been living in Oman for the past 30 years said that there should be ‘respect’, ‘trust’ and ‘co-operation’ between Omanis and expatriates.

Once this path is clear, there would be no argument between the company and the employee, he said, adding that a transparent system would help a new employee know where he would stand in the next couple of years, both in terms of position and salary, if he works hard.

He would need to prove himself and the company should create the environment necessary for his growth, said Al Maamari.

Economic prosperity Navaid Syed, head of learning and development at Al Rumais Training Institute, W J Towell’s worldclass training body, believes that respect and co-operation is vital for the country’s social progress and economic prosperity.

‘Tolerance’ is the watchword that expatriates in Oman have benefitted from under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and it is incumbent on everybody to follow his example, noted Syed.

“Without respect we do not have a society,” he said, adding that tol-

Shabib Al Maamari, Injaz Oman executive director.

Navaid Syed, head of learning at Al Rumais Training Institute.

erance and respect is what expatriates love about Oman and it would be a ‘shame’ if that was lost.

“In terms of training, there is a lot that can be learned by the Omanis from expatriates, but it is not a one-way street.

“There are many things that can be learned by expatriates from Omanis. A specific example would be how to do business properly in

the Gulf culture,” said Syed.

According to him, if an expatriate does not welcome the opportunity to learn from a local, he would not be able to do business across borders.

“Everybody needs each other and unless you learn from each other, you will stagnate. We can either succeed together or we can fail separately,” noted Syed.

R E M I T TA N C E

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A1 Rupee fall “Indians have remitted their money for family maintenance by the middle of last month.

As many as 80 per cent of nonresident Indians belong to that category,” added Alexander of Oman UAE Exchange – the largest exchange house in Oman with 52 branches spread across the country. Top-level officials of money exchanges believe that the rupee will depreciate further in the coming weeks. “We are looking for a reasonable rate of 170 against Omani rial by the end of the year,” noted Rajan of Al Jadeed Exchange, which has a network of 19 branches. The United States Federal Reserve is likely to announce a hike in interest rates, probably by September this year.

Learning process “The language used in some discussions is stopping people eager to learn from expatriates. So, by changing the language, you can facilitate the learning process and therefore expedite the replacement process where Omanis can take care of their own country,” said the expatriate, who wished not to be named.

Razia, an Indian expatriate, believes that locals and foreigners should be supporting each other rather than opposing.

There are so many things that they can share and learn from each other, she said.

Competition Razia added that the Omaniexpatriate classification had not been in focus in the past and has come to the fore in recent years

only because locals have become more educated.

Now they are trying to be on par with expatriates in terms of education and are trying to enhance their skills at work, she added.

Mazin Al Dafai, an Omani national working as operation manager at Infoline, said that he does not consider it a big issue in Oman but noted that both groups should respect each other.

Omanis have become more open-minded and are keen to learn from others, he added.

Understanding Amit, an Indian expatriate, says that he has found his Omani colleagues to be very nice and humble.

“I believe that Omanisation has to be there because local people should get jobs,” he said, and added that expatriates should understand that this county belongs to Omanis and they have to be given preference.

“However, I think we should learn to coexist with each other.

The more we co-operate with each

other, the better,” said Amit.

Nicolas from the United Kingdom says that local and foreign workers should utilise the great opportunities available in different sectors and co-operate with each other.

In addition, Saeed, an Omani driver, says that he would respect others regardless of their nationality as much as they respect him.

He said that there are both, disrespectful and decent people among the local and the expatriate community, and nothing can be generalised.

There are some Omanis who feel superior, belittle expatriates and treat them badly and on the other hand, there are some expatriates who make fun of Omanis and say that they are not capable of doing anything.

“I think expatriates should respect the laws of Oman and be grateful for the opportunity to work in Oman and at the same time, locals should be appreciating the efforts of foreign workers who have helped to build this country,” he said.

Saima to sing at Independence Day function Saima Jahan is a popular singer in Lahore, who shot to fame after having sung some of the best songs of the legendary singer Noor Jahan NOTED SINGER: Saima Jahan specialises in reliving memories of Noor Jahan and her evergreen music. – Supplied photo

SHAHZAD RAZA

shahzad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Noted singer Saima Jahan will be specially flown in from Pakistan to add the heartwarming melody to the Independence Day celebrations as the Pakistan Social Club (PSC) has put together a grand reception for the community on Friday, August 14 at Le Grand Hall of the Al Falaj Hotel.

Saima is a popular singer in Lahore, who shot to fame after having sung some of the best songs of the legendary singer Noor Jahan.

She now specialises in reliving

memories of Noor Jahan and her evergreen music.

Flurry of festivities Pakistanis love celebrating their country’s Independence Day in style and the whole country reflects that joy on August 14 with a flurry of festivities across Pakistan.

“The Pakistan Social Club aims to recreate that bonhomie with a grand celebration that will bring families together, cheering for their beloved country,” said Mian Mohammed Munir, chairman,

Pakistan Social Club. Ayaz Hussain, ambassador of Pakistan, will be the chief guest.

“Entry to the event is strictly by invitation. Gates will open at 7.30 pm and the function will start at 8 pm sharp,” said A H Raja, PSC vice chairman. “A large number of dignitaries and members of the Pakistani community from all walks of life have been invited to attend the celebration,” he added.

This year marks Pakistan’s 69th Independence Day after the country came into being on August 14, 1947.

NCSI

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24% fall in road deaths

There has been a 1.7 per cent increase in road accidents across the Sultanate compared to the same period last year, according to the monthly bulletin of NCSI for July.

The report says that 2,958 accidents were recorded until June, compared to 2,909 for the same period in 2014.

Fatalities decreased 24 per cent compared to last year, with 307 people losing their lives in the first half of 2015, compared to 404 last year. The number of injured Omanis stood at 1,240, which was again a drop from 2,131 last year.

Omanis accounted for 77.84 per cent of injured victims while the number of injured averaged 22.15

per cent. Injuries due to road accidents decreased 41.8 per cent and 49.6 per cent, respectively, for Omanis and expatriates, compared to figures during the same period last year.

Among those who lost their lives in road accidents in the first six months of this year were 208 Omanis and 99 expatriates.

I G C S E 2 0 1 5 E X A M I NAT I O N S

Al Ghad Al Mushriq School students shine in exams

Times News Service MUSCAT: The first batch of students of Al Ghad Al Mushriq Private School managed by Beaconhouse School System put up an

outstanding performance in the IGCSE 2015 examinations.

Arenee Shobia Shahood scored the highest with 6 A’s and 2 A’s followed by Muhammad Rizky Ramadan, Ahmed Haleem and

Syed Ammad Aziz. The school management and teachers congratulated the students for their brilliant performance in the examination and wished them success in the future.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015 Sources familiar with the talks, which have been under way for weeks, said the truce could be extended to give time for ongoing negotiations aimed at evacuating civilians and combatants. Three officials close to Damascus described the truce as a result of mediation by Turkey, which backs rebels fighting against President Bashar Al Assad, and Iran, whose support has been vital to his survival

Turkey and Iran help broker truce in Syria The ceasefire halted fighting between insurgents and the army in Zabadani and in a pair of villages in Idlib province

BEIRUT: Syria’s warring parties declared a 48-hour ceasefire in two frontline areas on Wednesday after unprecedented mediation from Turkey and Iran.

The ceasefire halted fighting between insurgents on the one hand, and the army and its Hezbollah on the other, in the rebelheld town of Zabadani and in a pair of villages in Idlib province.

The two areas are strongholds of each side under ferocious attack by the other. Sources familiar with the talks, which have been under way for weeks, said the truce could be extended to give time for ongoing negotiations aimed at evacuating civilians and combatants. Three officials close to Damascus described the truce as a result of mediation by Turkey, which backs rebels fighting against President Bashar Al Assad, and Iran, whose support has been vital to his survival.

It adds to recent signs of new efforts in the region to end diplomatic deadlock over a conflict that has killed a quarter of a million people, made 10 million homeless, left swathes of Syria in the hands of IS militants and divided the countries of the Middle East on sectarian grounds.

After four years in which diplomats made no headway towards

BADLY-HIT: People inspect the damage after what activists said were airstrikes by forces loyal to Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad on a busy marketplace in the Douma neighbourhood of Damascus, Syria on Wednesday. Syrian government air strikes on rebel-held areas near Damascus killed at least 31 people on Wednesday, and insurgents bombarded the capital with rockets that killed at least 13 people, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported. – Reuters

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peace, countries that support Assad and his opponents have been quietly discussing ways to end the war and tackle the common threat from IS. But Assad’s fate remains a major obstacle to the new diplomatic effort.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif arrived in Damascus on Wednesday and met with Assad. Before he arrived, rebels bombarded the capital with rockets and the government launched air strikes on nearby rebel positions. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the war, said 13 people

were killed and 20 wounded by the rebel rockets, and 31 killed in the government air strikes.

Sources on both sides of the civil war told Reuters earlier on Wednesday the truce was to begin at 6am (0300 GMT), and negotiations would continue. The rebel group Ahrar Al Sham had led the talks on the insurgents’ side. “A ceasefire began at 6am today for 48 hours to halt military operations in Zabadani,” Hezbollah’s Al Manar TV reported. “It also includes the two villages of Al Foua and Kefraya in the Idlib countryside.”

Abu Walid Al Zabadani, a fighter with Ahrar Al Sham in Zabadani, said: “We have stopped firing.

It’s from both sides.”

“As fighters on the ground, we were not interested in this ceasefire, but it is led by our commanders and we have to abide by their

SYRIA

8 civilians killed in US-led strikes BEIRUT: At least eight civilians, including five children, were killed in US-led air strikes on a weapons depot belonging to a rebel group allied with Al Qaeda’s Syrian affiliate, a monitor said on Wednesday.

The overnight raid hit the Atmeh region of the northwest Idlib province and also killed 10 members of the Jaish Al Sunna group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. Atmeh is home

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to a large camp for displaced Syrians, but the strikes did not hit the camp itself, Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said.

“There were a total of 18 people

killed. Eight of them were civilians, including five children and two women,” he told AFP. “The strikes hit the Jaish Al Sunna weapons depot, which was also used to manufacture shells and rockets. There was a huge explosion after the strikes,” he said.

Jaish Al Sunna is part of the Army of Conquest rebel alliance, which includes Al Qaeda affiliate Al Nusra Front. — AFP

orders,” he told Reuters from Zabadani. A second rebel said there were 200 injured insurgent fighters in the town.

Hezbollah said IS gunmen had opened fire in Zabadani in an attempt to break the ceasefire but other insurgent groups had intervened to stop them.

Zabadani, about 45km (30 miles) northwest of the capital Damascus and about 10 km from the border with Lebanon, has been the focus of a weeks-long offensive by the army and Hezbollah aimed at wresting control of the town from rebels.

The two villages of Al Foua and Kefraya, meanwhile, have been targeted in a parallel offensive by an insurgent alliance that includes both Ahrar Al Sham and the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front. — Reuetrs

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REGION I N C I T I N G H AT R E D

Bahrain opposition figure trial begins on August 24 DUBAI: A prominent opposition figure who has just been released from jail on a royal pardon will go on trial in Bahrain this month on new charges of urging the overthrow of the government, state news agency BNA said on Wednesday.

BNA did not name the accused man but Bahrain’s Akhbar Al Khaleej and Al Wasat newspapers said it refered to Ibrahim Sharif, the former head of the secular National Democratic Action Society, or Waad. The Advocate General said public prosecutors had referred him to the High Criminal Court on charges that also included “threats and inciting hatred against the political regime”. The

trial will start on August 24.

In June, Sharif was released by a royal pardon after more than four years in prison. He had been jailed for his role in the 2011 protests.

He was re-arrested three weeks later following a July 10 speech in which he had allegedly called for the overthrow of the government.

The government has accused the opposition of stirring up violent protests. “The defendant has revealed that he is still committed to his hateful and criminal activities for which he was previously convicted,” Bahrain’s Public Prosecution office said in a statement, without naming the person in question. — Reuters

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

INDIA

I think one of the motivations of these very successful individuals for going overseas is because of the extremely meritocratic-based culture, against the Indian corporate system which is still pretty much family-driven Vikram Dhawan, Director Equentis Capital

ACHIEVEMENT

New Google chief Pichai follows a well trodden path of Indians MUMBAI: India’s high flyers have proudly welcomed the appointment as Google’s new chief executive of Sundar Pichai, the latest home-grown engineer to rise to the top of the US corporate world.

Pichai, named head of the Internet titan on Monday, was born to humble beginnings in the southern city of Chennai and studied engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kharagpur before heading to America to further his studies and career.

Pichai, who started at Google in 2004, joins an illustrious club of Indian-origin business leaders who have made it to prestigious chief executive positions overseas, including Indra Nooyi at PepsiCo and Ajay Banga at MasterCard.

The 43-year-old also follows a well trodden path of Indians — including Microsoft boss Satya Nadella and Nokia head Rajeev Suri — who have trained at the prestigious engineering institutes, where competition for limited places is fierce.

“Congrats @sundarpichai well deserved,” Nadella posted on

Twitter. “I am sure all IITs are celebrating today. Proud of you @ sundarpichai,” tweeted Padmasree Warrior, Cisco’s outgoing chief technology officer who studied chemical engineering at the IIT in New Delhi.

Hundreds of thousands of aspiring engineering students sit a gruelling exam every year to battle for a place at the publicly funded IITs dotted around the country.

Determination “Engineering as a discipline has been one of the most sought after in India, so it’s very logical that the best and the brightest aspired to get into that,” human resources expert Padmaja Alaganandan said.

“The students have already demonstrated determination and resilience to get in, so from there if launched on a global canvas it represents a very, very strong pool of talent,” added the executive director at PricewaterhouseCoopers in Bangalore.

Pichai’s family lived in a tworoom apartment where he slept on

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WELL DESERVED: Google’s new chief executive officer Sundar Pichai is the latest member of an illustrious club of Indians to have risen from engineering graduate to chief of a multi-billion dollar global technology company. - PTI/AP files

the living room floor, according to local media.

He was attracted to technology partly because of his father’s job as an electrical engineer at a factory.

Pichai left India for America after reportedly winning a schol-

arship to Stanford University and later studying at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Alaganandan said the tough and competitive atmosphere at IITs coupled with a masters from elite American schools

was a winning formula.

“They have come up through a very competitive stream and have taken on adversity in that sense.

With exposure to different cultures it’s an extremely successful combination,” she said.

Vikram Dhawan, director of Equentis Capital in Mumbai, said many Indians who have succeeded at the very top overseas have been able to quickly adapt to America’s workplace cultures.

“A common thread is the adaptability of Indian professionals to the local system and environment.

That is the key. I think there has absolutely been some Americanisation of these individuals,” he said.

Dhawan said multinational corporations were increasingly looking to developing countries for the “next big name”. Indians often had

‘Ask mom how much money taken from Quattrocchi’ The minister, battling demands for her resignation over alleged ‘quid pro quo’ in relation to Lalit Modi, said, ‘this is called quid pro quo...

Rahul should ask (his mother), why they did the quid pro quo’ with

TALKING TOUGH: Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj speaks in the Lok Sabha in New Delhi on Wednesday. PTI Photo/ TV GRAB

While targeting Chidambaram, she said Congress was divided on bringing back Lalit Modi and the then Finance Minister was ‘alone’ in his party in wanting action against him due to his ‘personal enmity’

regard to Quattrocchi and Anderson

NEW DELHI: In a spirited fight back, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Wednesday tore into Congress, saying it had helped Bofors accused Ottavio Quattrocchi and Bhopal gas leak accused Warren Anderson flee from India and roped in Rajiv Gandhi in this regard.

Making a statement in the Lok Sabha, she specifically responded to Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi’s charge that she had got money to help Lalit Modi by telling him to ask his “mamma” as to “how much money had been taken from Quattrocchi” and “why did‘daddy’ (Rajiv Gandhi) get released the killer of 15,000 people (in Bhopal gas leak),” an apparent reference to Anderson.

Resignation demands Swaraj, who has been battling demands for her resignation over alleged ‘quid pro quo’ in relation to Lalit Modi, said, “this is called quid pro quo...Rahul should ask (his mother), why they did the quid pro quo” with regard to Quattrocchi and Anderson.

Indian industry leaders join 17,000-strong online plea to end logjam in Parliament NEW DELHI: Industry leaders, including Rahul Bajaj, Adi Godrej and Kiran MazumdarShaw, have signed an online petition along with 17,000 persons against continued disruptions in Parliament, asking all political parties to end the logjam.

Disheartened petitioners While the call from the ‘disheartened’ petitioners to begin a consultative and collaborative process for passage of key reforms Bills found support from Finance Minister Arun

While she spoke amid sloganshouting by Congress members, Sonia Gandhi was seen listening to the speech in rapt attention using headphone.

Swaraj also targeted former Union Minister P. Chidambaram,

Jaitley, it was used by JD-U chief Sharad Yadav to attack the government.

Yadav said the charge that the BJP government was “a government for moneybags has been vindicated” in the attack on Parliament by “capitalists”.

Started by industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) five days ago, the online petition has been signed by top business leaders such as Infosys Co-Founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, Hero Group Chairman Pawan Munjal among others.

saying he had failed to bring back Lalit Modi from United Kingdom as he did not try for his extradition as suggested by the host government and confined his requests to deportation.

“For four years, you (Congress

More than 17,000 persons have already signed the petition on Change.org.

Elaborating on the petition, CII said the parliamentary paralysis can lead to weakening of India’s democracy.

“Recent events have been disheartening. They have the potential of eroding popular faith in Parliament...

We,therefore, urge all political parties to have a collaborative and consultative process in Parliament and allow it to function, debate and legislate,” CII said. - PTI

government) did nothing. You remained inactive. There was no effort for extradition. You are asking me how he (Lalit Modi) got right of residency (in UK). He got it during your time. Whatever happened, it was during your tenure,” she told

the Congress. Swaraj, who spoke after Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge during a discussion on Lalit Modi issue, said it was only after Arun Jaitley took over as the Finance Minister that things have started moving on bringing back the former IPL boss.

Rejected charge The minister also rejected the opposition charge that her husband and daughter had fought Lalit Modi’s legal case. She said her husband was not a lawyer for Modi in the passport case as alleged and that her daughter was the 9th lawyer in the list of advocates for Lalit Modi and got “not even a rupee”.

“Why should anybody give money to a junior lawyer who is 9th in the seniority row,” she asked.

Prompted by Jaitley, Swaraj said her daughter had appeared with her seniors in the case.

While targeting Chidambaram, she said Congress was divided on bringing back Lalit Modi and the then Finance Minister was “alone” in his party in wanting action against him due to his “personal enmity”.

Swaraj said while Chidambaram wrote to his British counterpart, the Chancellor of Exchequer, seeking his deportation, he never pressed for extradition as suggested by the UK government.

Chidambaram had not even kept the External Affairs Ministry in the loop, she said.

Debate When Swaraj started participating in the debate, it was opposed

by Congress members who rushed into the Well. As they started raising slogans, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said Swaraj was free to ‘intervene’ as a member of BJP. Parliamentary Affairs minister M.Venkaiah Naidu said while Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will reply to the debate, Swaraj was free to speak.

“Kharge attacked Swaraj for one hour. Now he should listen to her.

Are questions posed by you to her so hollow?” quipped Jaitley. -PTI

an advantage over many of their Asian peers thanks to their proficiency in the English language, he said.

India, with a population of 1.25 billion, produces about a million engineering graduates a year and has earned a reputation for its booming IT outsourcing business, thanks to its large English-educated workforce.

Dhawan said ambitious Indians often left for the US and flourished in its aggressive corporate culture, rather than staying in India where companies have a tendency to keep positions in the family.

“I think one of the motivations of these very successful individuals for going overseas is because of the extremely meritocratic-based culture, against the Indian corporate system which is still pretty much family-driven,” he said.

“After having emerged from a system which can straitjacket you, you end up in a place where you’re judged by your capability and inherent qualities, and that’s why they tend to thrive overseas.” - AFP ECONOMY

Inflation drops 3.78% while factory output inches higher NEW DELHI: India’s inflation rate fell lower than analysts’ expectations while factory output inched higher, official data showed Wednesday, adding pressure on the central bank to further cut interest rates.

Consumer prices cooled to 3.78 per cent in July from a year earlier, according to the statistics ministry, lower than the 4.4 per cent predicted by a survey.

Industrial production grew 3.8 per cent in June, data showed, higher than Bloomberg’s prediction of 3.5 percent.

The latest inflation figure was down from 5.40 per cent recorded in June, while factory output rose from May’s 2.7 per cent — signalling a boost in Asia’s third largest economy.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) kept interest rates unchanged earlier this month, resisting pressure for a fourth cut of the year and saying the country’s economic recovery was “still work in progress”.

RBI governor Raghuram Rajan has made keeping inflation below six per cent a target, but has already cut interest rates three times this year in a bid to inject life into the economy, which at 7.5 per cent growth outperformed China’s for the first three months of 2015.

Rajan insisted that any further reduction would have to wait until the inflationary effect of annual monsoon rains is known in a couple of months time. Research firm Capital Economics voiced hope for further rate cuts despite Rajan’s focus “on the impact of a potentially weak monsoon on local food prices”.

“Even with this in mind, we think that there is scope for one more interest rate cut in this loosening cycle,” it said in a statement. Modi’s government has made reviving the economy a priority since coming to power last May, introducing reforms aimed at boosting demand and increasing foreign direct investment. AFP

D E L AY M O D E R N I S AT I O N O F I N D I A’ S A G E I N G A I R F O R C E

Rafale fighter warplane deal runs into problems over sales term NEW DELHI: India’s order of 36 French-made Rafale fighter jets has run into trouble with government officials struggling to agree sales terms, sources said, four months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi intervened to break a logjam in previous commercial negotiations.

Two senior Indian defence officials said that both sides were wrangling over the unit price of the aircraft and a condition that planemaker Dassault Aviation invest a big percentage of the value of the multi-billion dollar contract in India. The problems threaten to further delay the modernisation of India’s ageing air force.

Military officials have warned of a major capability gap opening up with rivals China and Pakistan

without new Western warplanes or if local defence contractors cannot build what the military needs in a timely manner.

Modi and French President Francois Hollande announced the government-to-government deal for the sale of the off-the-shelf Rafale fighters on April 10.

That followed three years of commercial negotiations with Dassault for 126 aircraft that stalled due to disagreements over assembling most of the aircraft in India. Citing India’s urgent defence needs, Modi chose to deal directly with Paris for a smaller order, saying officials would work out the details.

On May 16, Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told local media that negotiations over pric-

BONE OF CONTENTION: A Dassault Rafale combat aircraft performs during the inauguration ceremony of ‘Aero India 2013’ at Yelahanka air force station on the outskirts of Bengaluru. - Reuters file photo

ing would be finished in a “month or two”. But those talks were bogged down over India’s insistence on a lower price for the frontline warplanes than the roughly

$200 million each that was discussed with Dassault during the commercial talks, said the two defence officials, who have been briefed on the new negotiations.

Under the previous proposal, Dassault was to assemble 108 of the aircraft in India, a move New Delhi hoped would help boost a high-tech local aerospace industry.

There is no production in India in the new arrangement.

“Since there is no technology transfer, the price that was on the table during the commercial talks cannot stand,” said one of the officials, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The Indian Defence Ministry said negotiators were in talks to produce a draft agreement, but declined to give details.

Parrikar said last week that New Delhi had told Paris in April it wanted the jets as soon as possible.

A Dassault spokesman declined

to comment, as did the French defence procurement agency.

The two Indian officials said another sticking point was New Delhi’s standard requirement that arms makers invest a percentage of the value of any deal above $50 million in India.

Such so-called offset policies are not unusual in the developing world, where Western defence firms have invested in local technology and jobs in return for sales.

In this instance, India wants Dassault to invest at least 30 per cent of the contract value in India through activities such as the sourcing of components for future French operations, the setting up of manufacturing facilities in India or by providing high-tech job training, the officials said.- Reuters

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INDIA

JD(U), RJD, Congress confirm seat-sharing Nitish, Lalu’s parties to contest from 100 seats each and Congress from 40; alliance partners to chalk out a Common Minimum Programme and undertake joint campaign for polls

PATNA: Bihar’s ruling Janata Dal (United) and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) will contest 100 seats each and leave 40 for the Congress, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced on Wednesday as the three parties formalised their alliance for the state assembly polls.

Kumar, who announced the coming into being of the ‘Grand Secular Alliance’ in the presence of RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Congress general secretary incharge of Bihar C. P. Joshi, said no decision has been taken with regard to three seats of the 243 in the assembly and indicated those may go to NCP. Kumar said NCP had sided with JD(U)-RJD combine during the recently-held legislative council polls and the secular alliance partners would want Sharad Pawar’s party to join them.

No seats have been set aside for Samajwadi Party whose president Mulayam Singh Yadav had brokered peace between Kumar and Lalu to pave the way for formation of the alliance to take on BJP, which together with Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP, Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) of former chief

FORMALISING THE ALLIANCE: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar with RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Bihar Congress incharge C. P. Joshi at a press conference in Patna on Wednesday.

minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party of Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha, is making a determined bid to dislodge JD(U) after a 10-year stint in power.

Replying to a question about no seats being left for Samajwadi Party to contest, Lalu said, “He is my Samdhi (a relative) and if need be I will accommodate him.”

Mulayam has been anointed to lead the ‘Janata Parivar’ after six constituents of the erstwhile Janata Dal — SP,JD(U), JD(S), RJD, INLD and Samajwadi Janata Party formally merge.

The chief minister said the alliance partners would chalk out a Common Minimum Programme and undertake joint campaign.

All partners of the secular alliance had contested seats far in excess of what they have agreed to now during the 2010 assembly polls.

JD(U), which was in alliance with BJP in 2010 polls, had contested 141 seats and won 115.

BJP had fielded candidates in 102 and clinched 91.

RJD had set up candidates in 168 places and managed to win only 22, while going alone Congress had contested all 243 seats but could win only four.

In 2014 Parliamentary election, RJD, Congress and NCP had contested together and managed to win seven out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

JD(U), which went to the hustings with the Left parties, had won only two seats.

Compromise for a cause The disastrous performance of the three secular alliance constituents in the Lok Sabha elections is seen as the primary motivating factor for their coming together.

Both JD(U) and RJD have fully backed the Congress during its tense face off with the Narendra Modi government over Lalit Modi controversy and Vyapam scam during the monsoon session of Parliament.

Lalu described his party’s decision to settle for only 100 seats as a “compromise for a cause”.

“In spite of the differences (over the number of seats) my party has come to the conclusion that to keep communal and fascist forces away it has to move ahead by accommodating others,” he said.

Congress general secretary and former Union minister C P Joshi said his party joined the secular alliance as it considered Prime Minister Narendra Modi “the biggest threat” to the country.

The leaders also announced that the first joint rally of the alliance will be held in Patna on August 30 but there was no clarity yet on whether Congress president Sonia Gandhi or her deputy Rahul will attend.

“These are part of strategy which we will let the media know through a separate press conference later on,” Joshi, who was accompanied by state Congress President Ashok Choudhary,told reporters. - PTI

FA K E C O M P L E X

Police bust million-dollar housing scam NEW DELHI: Indian police have busted a million-dollar scam promising plots in a housing complex to be built exclusively for the highest caste in India’s social hierarchy system.

Police in the southern city of Mahabubnagar arrested an estate agent on Saturday who swindled some 1,000 investors on the promise that only Brahmins would live in the complex.

Yellapragada Prabhakar pocketed more than 250 million rupees ($3.8 million) in the scam by selling plots over the last two years that only existed on paper, city police chief P. Viswa Prasad said.

“He spent crores (millions of dollars) on TV and newspaper advertisements to target the Brahmins with the promise of developing a Brahmin

housing project,” Prasad said.

Caste discrimination The fake complex promised a nursing home for elderly Brahmins, a Brahmin-only marriage hall, a religious school and no access to the complex for non-vegetarians.

Caste discrimination is illegal in India but many low-caste groups are still marginalised in

KILLING OF TWO INDIAN FISHERMEN

Marines case: India cautions tribunal against trusting Italy HAMBURG (Germany): India has cautioned an international tribunal here to be careful about trusting Italy, which took the case of two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen off Kerala’s coast, to it saying Rome has a record of defaulting on its “sovereign word”.

In its submission before the International Tribunal on Law of the Sea (ITLOS) here, India said it has legitimate apprehensions on Italy’s ability to fulfil its promises as it has earlier attempted to renege twice on the same.

Italy has repeatedly failed to keep its “sovereign word, the word of a sovereign state,” it said.

The first time, Italy attempted to renege on the assurance it had provided to the Supreme Court and officially informed India that marines who were allowed to go back to Italy for four weeks to exercise their voting rights would not return.

“As indicated, they did return, but only after intense diplomatic efforts pursued by the Government of India,” India’s representative submitted before the tribunal which concluded its two-day hearing on Tuesday.

India said it is even an “abuse of process” for Italy to have started international arbitral proceedings without exhausting Indian domestic remedies and that the country has projected the case in a false light.

ACCUSED: Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre, right, and Salvatore Girone arrive at Ciampino airport near Rome in this photograph taken on December 22, 2012. - AFP file photo

“If the result is that the domestic remedies have not been exhausted, they have only themselves to blame. Italy chose to seize Indian courts and now turns away from them and seeks to remove the case to the international level, even though there is no new element,” India’s representative said. India also said that it has jurisdiction to prosecute the two marines as they killed two innocent and unarmed Indian fishermen off India’s coast in its exclusive economic zone.

That is the key fact, constantly ignored by Italy.

On its part, Italy said there was no scope for the Indian government to engage in further discussions about a “political set-

tlement” after External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had said that Italy should join in the judicial process as the matter is sub judice.

“Some days after this statement, Italy was informed on the private channel of engagement between the senior Prime Ministerial advisers that the statement

by Minister Swaraj reflected the position of the Government,” Italy told the tribunal.

Blamed India also blamed Italy that its arguments were based on a highly selective and misleading account of what has actually happened before the Indian courts and in connection with the investigation of the incident.

India has sought rejection of Italy’s plea for handing over of two of its marines, saying India has full jurisdiction in the case and Italy’s contentions in this regard were “misleading”. Italy, in its submissions, requested the tribunal to prescribe that, “India shall refrain from taking or enforcing any judicial or administrative measures against Sergeant Massimiliano Latorre and Sergeant Salvatore Girone in connection with the Enrica Lexie incident.”

Marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, who were on board ship ‘Enrica Lexie’, are accused of killing two Indian fishermen on February 15, 2012. - PTI

A9

society. Segregation in urban residential areas also occurs, including in the form of informal casteexclusive housing complexes.

Some 27 per cent of Indians said they would not touch Dalits, at the bottom of the Hindu caste system, according to a 2014 study by India’s National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and the US-based University of Maryland. - AFP

TECH BARONS

Azim Premji, Nadar on Forbes’ list of 100 richest in technology WASHINGTON: Two Indian tech tycoons, Wipro chairman Azim Premji and HCL co-founder Shiv Nadar are on the Forbes’ first ever list of the 100 richest people in the technology field, dominated by Americans with Microsoft founder Bill Gates at the top.

Two Indian-Americans tech czars, Romesh Wadhwani, CEO and chairman of Symphony Technology Group, and Bharat Desai, co-founder of IT consulting and outsourcing company Syntel also figure on the list released last week.

Azim Premji

Ranked thirteen Premji, 70, with a net worth of $17.4 billion is ranked 13th on the list followed by Shiv Nadar, 70, in the 14th spot with $14.4 billion.

Wadhwani, 67, is ranked 73rd with a net worth of $2.8 billion while Desai, 62, with $2.5 billion is in the 82nd spot.

Premji’s Wipro, India’s thirdlargest outsourcer, reported a 10 per cent rise in revenues to $1.9 billion in the last quarter, on the back of new business from clients such as ABB and Philip Morris, the magazine noted.

Nadar, Forbes noted, has diversified into healthcare with HCL Avitas, a new firm in partnership with John Hopkins Medicine International, which has opened 10 clinics in Delhi.

Wadhwani has a degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology and a PhD from Carnegie Mellon.

His Symphony Technology Group is a collection of 20 companies spanning big data, analytics and software.

Syntel, co-founded by Desai and his wife Neerja Sethi, now generates over $900 million in revenue, has a market cap of over $3 billion and more than 24,500 employees across the globe.

While 51 American billionaires

are on the list, tech barons from Asia made a strong showing as well, with 33 people hailing from that region.

Forty of the 100 live in California. Bill Gates, who’s also the world’s richest man, ranks number one among tech tycoons, with a net worth of $79.6 billion.

Number two on the list is Larry Ellison, founder of database software firm Oracle, with a net worth estimated at $50 billion.

The third richest on the list is Jeff Bezos with a net worth of $47.8 billion followed by Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in the fourth place with $41.2 billion.

Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin are ranked fifth and sixth respectively.

Altogether, the world’s 100 richest tech billionaires are worth $842.9 billion.

Just seven women made the list, the wealthiest of whom is Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Steve Jobs, with an estimated net worth of $21.4 billion.

Nearly all of the 100 are selfmade billionaires: 94 made their own luck, 3 inherited their fortunes, and 3 have inherited fortunes but have been actively expanding them. - IANS

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

PAKISTAN D I P L O M AT I C E N C L AV E

TERROR PLOT FOILED Pakistani mounted police patrol in Karachi on Wednesday. Pakistani security forces said they had foiled a plot to bomb Independence Day celebrations in Karachi after arresting a Taliban gang in the city. Militants had been planning to detonate a van loaded with explosives in the country’s largest city during the August 14 celebrations marking independence from Britain in 1947, a statement from the military said. — AFP

US embassy wants to retain security barriers ISLAMABAD: The American Embassy located inside the highly fortified Diplomatic Enclave has sought permission from the capital’s civic agency to retain six security barriers installed around its newly-built complex.

“These drop arm security barriers are installed in the right of way of surrounding streets or roads [for security purposes] in Diplomatic Enclave,” says a recent correspondence between the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs over the issue.

The embassy’s administration had made the request through the ministry.

However, explaining the location of the barriers, the CDA responded that grant of this permission does not fall under its purview and that “the issue is related to security and traffic management and thus pertains to Islamabad Police,” the letter states.

Remove all barriers A case related to the issue is pending with the Supreme Court. In its recent directions, the court had ordered the city authorities to remove all blockades from across the city, especially the foreign missions operating in

N O R T H WA R I S TA N

Operation in northwest in final stages: Army chief RAWALPINDI: Over a year after it began, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif said on Wednesday that North Waziristan operation (Zarb-eAzb), which was started against militants in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, is in its final stages with the remaining terrorists to be eliminated soon, Radio Pakistan reported.

A statement from the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the army chief had visited troops at the front line on Wednesday. Without specifying whether he was in north or south Waziristan, the statement said that he reviewed progress of ongoing operations.

Raheel said that any remnants of terrorists, who have been squeezed into penny pockets will also be cleared shortly. He added that enemies of the state and their financiers will find no place to hide and will meet their logical end during the operation.

The COAS also oversaw future operations, including Shawal operation, and directed commanders to ensure that terrorists remain cut off from their friends and their foreign support. The army chief said successes of the military offensive and sacrifices of the officers and men were acknowledged by the entire nation. — Express Tribune

The permission has been sought at a time when the issue of discriminatory action against encroachments is part of the public debate following Capital Development Authority’s action against an illegal residential area

residential as well within the Diplomatic Enclave.

The CDA has said that the embassy can only retain any or all kind of security measures within its plot limits. The foreign ministry has been requested to approach the Islamabad Police to pursue the matter further. — Express Tribune

MQM lawmakers resign from all seats, allege victimisation provincial assembly, told AFP the party was being singled out in the operation in Karachi.

“We resigned because the MQM is being victimised in the garb of the targeted operation in Karachi for elimination of terrorism,” he said.

A spokesman for the National Assembly said the speaker had received 23 out of 24 resignations and would pass them on to the Election Commission.

The party, which dominates politics in the country’s largest city Karachi, says it has been unfairly targeted in a police and paramilitary crackdown on violence in the city, the Sindh provincial capital CORNERED: Pakistani lawmakers from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement political party leave par-

KARACHI: Lawmakers from a liament after submitting their resignations to the speaker of national assembly in Islamabad on major Pakistani opposition party Wednesday. — AFP resigned their seats on Wednesday in protest at what they deTensions have been rising be- provincial Sindh assembly, have scribe as a campaign of victimisa- Sindh provincial assembly.

The party, which dominates tween MQM chief Altaf Hussain resigned in protest against the intion against them The Muttahida Qaumi Move- politics in the country’s larg- and the powerful military estab- justice, political victimisation and pushing the party to wall,” senior ment (MQM), the fourth largest est city Karachi, says it has been lishment in recent weeks.

“The members of parliament party leader Farooq Sattar told reparty in the National Assembly unfairly targeted in a police or lower house of parliament, quit and paramilitary crackdown on from MQM, eight senators, 24 porters in Islamabad.

Khawaja Izharul Hassan, a all its seats in the assembly, in the violence in the city, the Sindh MNAs (members of the National Assembly) and 51 members of senior MQM figure in the Sindh Senate (upper house) and in the provincial capital.

Address against Rangers The rift between the MQM and the military widened in June, when Hussain, who lives in exile in London, in an address to his workers accused the paramilitary Rangers of torturing and killing party workers and dumping their mutilated bodies on roadsides.

The Rangers have been carrying out an operation aimed at ending the wave of political, religious, ethnic and criminal violence that has swamped the city in recent years.

Disappearance The MQM has itself often been accused by critics of using extortion and murder to cement its power over the city. The party has accused law enforcement agencies of the extrajudicial killing of 40 of its workers and the forcible “disappearance” of 150 more. — AFP

NEGLIGENCE

3 cops transferred in child abuse case LAHORE: Three Pakistani police officers have been transferred to other districts accused of negligence amid a deepening scandal over a paedophile ring alleged to have abused hundreds of children for nearly a decade, officials said on Wednesday.

A prominent family in the central Punjabi village of Husain Khanwala allegedly used guns, knives and axes to force children - some as young as five - to perform sex acts on video, which they sold or used to extort money from the victims’ families, villagers said.

bar and two deputy superintendents were reassigned out of the district.

Police in Pakistan are rarely sacked.

Protests by parents This weekend, the prime minister vowed an investigation after Pakistani media covered protests by parents that police in the district of Kasur had not investigated their complaints.

The officers were removed from their posts “for their negligence on the Kasur sex scandal”, Nabeela Ghazanfar, a spokesperson for the provincial police, said.

District police chief Rai Ba-

Anti-terrorism court The accused would be tried in an anti-terrorism court, Amin said.

Law enforcement officials frequently use the anti-terror courts to bypass Pakistan’s moribund judicial system.

On Monday, opposition politicians blasted the ruling party over the scandal in Punjab, the country’s biggest and wealthiest province and the political heartland of the ruling party. — Reuters

‘Like criminals’ Parents told Reuters that police had refused to register some complaints and treated some of the victims “like criminals”.

The police have arrested 14 suspects so far. Seven cases have been registered against them for alleged sodomy, kidnapping and torture, police official Muhammad Amin said.

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North Korea’s vice premier executed over tiff with Kim Defence minister Hyon Yong-Chol was said to have been executed in April by antiaircraft fire for insubordination and dozing off during formal military rallies. Such a violent method of execution has been cited in various unconfirmed reports as being reserved for senior officials who the leadership wished to make examples of

Choe Yong-Gon, who took the job in June 2014, was executed by firing squad in

Choe Yong-Gon

May after voicing opposition to forestry policies promoted by leader Kim Jong-Un, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said

SEOUL: North Korea’s vice premier Choe Yong-Gon has been executed for voicing frustration at the policies of leader Kim JongUn, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said on Wednesday, citing an anonymous source.

Choe, who took the job in June 2014, was executed by firing squad in May after voicing opposition to forestry policies promoted by Kim, Yonhap said, citing the source “with knowledge of the North”.

Choe was last seen in the North’s state media last December at the death anniversary of the late leader Kim Jong-Il, South Korea’s unification ministry said on Wednesday. Seoul was “closely monitoring the possibility of any changes in Choe’s circumstances”, said the ministry, which is in charge of cross-border affairs.

Choe’s death, if confirmed,

SPIRALLING CRISIS

Rescued by helicopter Two other migrants were rescued by helicopter, winched to safety after they were spotted near the dinghy, clutching a water butt to stay afloat.

According to the latest IOM figures compiled Wednesday,

No confirmation Such a violent method of execution has been cited in various unconfirmed reports as being reserved for senior officials who the leadership wished to make examples of.

The North has not officially confirmed Hyon’s execution -reported in May by Seoul’s intel-

ligence agency -- but announced his replacement, Pak Yong Sik, in July.

The South’s spy agency also claimed in May that Kim had executed dozens of officials -- including his own uncle -- since taking power after the death of his father in December 2011.

Uncle’s execution Pyongyang in December 2013 made an unusually public announcement of the shock execution of the uncle, Jang SongThaek, for charges including treason and corruption.

Kim, believed to be in his early

30s, has repeatedly reshuffled senior army officials in a move analysts say was aimed at forcing them to remain loyal to the young ruler.

The Kim dynasty has ruled the impoverished and isolated North for more than six decades with an iron fist, a pervasive personality cult and almost no tolerance for dissent. — AFP

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B A S E I N F I LT R AT E D

Taliban kill 15 Afghan police officers KABUL: Taliban fighters disguised in police uniforms infiltrated a security forces compound in the southern Afghan province of Helmand and killed as many as 15 police, officials said on Wednesday.

The attack, in the Musa Qala district, was the latest in a widening insurgency that has killed thousands of Afghan security force members and civilians since NATO forces ended combat operations at the end of last year.

“The Taliban were in police uniform and had police vehicles and entered a police compound where they killed all 14 policemen and took their weapons,” said a security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said Taliban then went to another checkpoint where they also killed a policeman.

Other sources confirmed the attack but gave differing casualty figures, with Omar Zwak, a spokesman for the governor of Helmand saying nine police had been killed.

Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, a spokesman for Taliban in southern Afghanistan said in a text message 12 police including two officers were killed in the attack. — Reuters

DEEPENING CHAOS

Around 60 migrants missing off Libya after dinghy sinks ROME: Around 60 migrants are missing in waters off Libya, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) said Wednesday after interviewing survivors who were picked up from their stricken craft.

An Italian corvette picked up dozens of migrants from a sinking rubber dinghy on Tuesday after the vessel was spotted by a naval helicopter.

While those who run into trouble during the perilous Mediterranean crossing usually send distress calls to the Italian coast guard, this time rescue workers had heard nothing and it was only due to chance that the patrol helicopter spotted the craft.

“We can say how many people arrive but we never know how many set off. It’s rarer now because of the number of ships in the area, but it’s sure there are shipwrecks no-one knows about,” IOM spokesman for Italy Flavio Di Giacomo told AFP. Fifty-four people plucked from the water were brought to the Italian island of Lampedusa, but according to testimony from survivors, the craft had set off with between 117 and 120 people on board, all of them from sub-Saharan Africa.

Over 30 of the passengers were women, fewer than half of whom survived according to the testimony. One of those aboard saw her sister drown.

would be the second reported this year.

Defence minister Hyon YongChol was said to have been executed in April by anti-aircraft fire for insubordination and dozing off during formal military rallies.

A11

We can say how many people arrive but we never know how many set off.

It’s rarer now because of the number of ships in the area, but it’s sure there are shipwrecks no-one knows about, International Organisation for Migration spokesman for Italy Flavio Di Giacomo said over 101,700 migrants have arrived in Italy by boat since the start of the year, while more than 2,040 others died in their bid to cross.

The official tally provided by the interior ministry showed that by the end of last month, 93,542 people had arrived -- slightly up on the 87,915 people who arrived during the same period in 2014.

Rough seas off Libya were slowing departures slightly, however, easing the pace of rescue operations launched by the Italian coast guard and European border agency. — AFP

Libya’s prime minister to resign TRIPOLI: The future of Libya’s internationally recognised government was uncertain on Wednesday after Prime Minister Abdullah Al Thinni said he would resign, as fraught peace talks entered a second day.

It was unclear whether Thinni planned to follow through on his vow, and a government spokesman said the premier had not stepped down.

Thinni made the resignation promise during an emotional live television appearance in which he faced a barrage of angry questions from citizens.

The move added to the political chaos in Libya, as the country’s rival factions met for a second day of UN-sponsored peace talks in Geneva.

Thinni faced questions in Tuesday’s programme from Libyans blaming his government for the lack of basic services such as electricity and poor security in areas it controls.

“If my exit is the solution, then I announce it here,” Thinni said during the talk show. “My resignation will be submitted to the parliament on Sunday.”

Adding to the confusion, government spokesman Hatem El Ouraybi said Thinni’s promise had been conditional.

“The prime minister said during the interview that he would resign if people wanted him to, that’s it,” Ouraybi told AFP. He said no resignation letter had yet been submitted to parliament.

“I don’t now have an answer to the question of whether it will be submitted on Sunday.”

Libya, which plunged into chaos after the ouster and killing of its leader Muammar Gaddafi in a 2011 protests, has two rival governments and parliaments vying for power, as well as several militia groups battling for control of its oil wealth.

The country is gripped by unrest

DEADLOCK: United Nations special envoy to Libya Bernardino Leon, rear centre, chairs peace talks between rival Libyan factions at the UN Office in Geneva on Wednesday. - AFP

The international community recognises the parliament that sits in the eastern port of Tobruk.

A partial peace deal aimed at restoring stability was reached last month, but leaders of the hardliners’-backed General National Congress (GNC) parliament that sits in Tripoli boycotted the pact, calling it “unsatisfactory”.

Abdullah Al Thinni

with Benghazi, the main city in the east, caught in a daily war between pro- and anti-government forces.

Thinni’s government has been working out of a small eastern city near the border with Egypt since an extremist militia alliance captured the capital Tripoli last year.

Unity government The rival factions started a new round of peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with representatives of the Tripoli parliament this time joining the talks.

UN special envoy Bernardino Leon urged the camps to reach a deal on a unity government could enforce a ceasefire.

He laid out an ambitious timetable, calling for a comprehensive agreement before the next UN

General Assembly meeting in September, although he warned the process would be difficult.

On Wednesday, representatives of both factions were seen gathering for the talks together in the same room with Leon.

Leon had told reporters on Tuesday that he was meeting the two camps separately and hoped to eventually get them in the same room.

Delegates said a key sticking point was the future role of controversial General Khalifa Haftar, installed by the internationally recognised government as its army chief in March.

The 72-year-old Haftar served as a general under Gaddafi before relocating to the United States, where he worked at times with the CIA, according to US media reports. — AFP

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Making sense of China’s devaluation of yuan

MARC CHAMPION Photo: Times of Oman

C

hina on Tuesday took a step it had resisted during the global financial crisis: It openly devalued its currency to boost its economy.

With this move, China explicitly joins other nations trying to capture economic activity outside their borders, and it is doing so as the global economy is struggling to generate sufficient growth. The decision therefore provides many signals about what ails China and the global economy, and has implications for financial markets.

The Chinese government has been pressed for years to adopt a more flexible, market-based foreign-exchange system, notably by the US. The International Monetary Fund made a similar point during recent deliberations over the yuan’s international status.

But by heeding this advice now, China has done more than devalue its currency by almost 2 per cent, the largest singleday move in two decades. By choosing this particular moment to alter its currency system, it is also attempting to respond -via foreign-exchange policy -- to one of the biggest challenges facing the global economy, that of generating growth.

For a time after the global financial crisis, the problem of creating and sustaining highquality growth was contained primarily to advanced economies. But the more these countries failed to deal with this question, the greater the adverse spillovers for emerging economies. Now the latter also are struggling to generate sufficient growth.

The longer countries fail to deliver domestically driven growth, the more they will be tempted to “steal” it from others. A time-tested way of trying to do so is to devalue a national currency in an attempt to make exports more competitive and imports more expensive -- thus diverting both internal and external demand to domestic production, at the expense of foreign suppliers.

By taking a step in this direction, China is now following a path that many other advanced and emerging economies have been attempting to take for some time

(including the euro zone via the European Central Bank’s quantitative easing program).

Indeed, China’s decision leaves the US as the only systemically important country willing to accept the strengthening of its currency.

But what may work for individual countries cannot work for the system as a whole; and that has implications for financial markets.

The timing of China’s policy decision signals that one of the largest and most systemically important economies is no longer in a position to play its longstanding role as a locomotive of global growth. The tailwind China has provided other countries now risks becoming a headwind.

Robust global economic activity is central to sustaining corporate revenue and profit; and it limits the ability of bad politics to contaminate good economics. China’s decision must also be a consideration in other important policy changes that influence markets, including the Federal Reserve’s intense deliberations on when to start its interest rate hiking cycle.

The immediate consequence of the yuan’s move is the appreciation of the dollar’s trade-weighted exchange rate, which will be amplified as other currencies respond.

And excessive dollar appreciation has been one of the concerns highlighted by the Federal Reserve as a possible counterpoint to the growing list of domestic reasons demands to increase US interest rates as early as September.

There are other market implications, too.

China’s policy decision has greatest direct impact on a segment -- foreign exchange -- that has a tendency to overshoot (that is, to move in volatile fashion to levels that exceed those warranted by fundamentals).

This is true for emerging market currencies, especially those that lack a broad-enough base of dedicated investors.

In time, China’s currency move will be viewed as an important step in the country’s multiyear journey toward a more efficient and responsive market-determined system.

In the short- term, however, it will amplify the challenges to global growth, and add volatility to markets that have lost some of their fundamental anchoring. - Bloomberg View

READERS’ FORUM Need to motivate illegal workers to leave Oman This refers to the news story, Do not miss the bus, illegals told (August 12). The Ministry of Manpower has done an excellent job by extending the amnesty period for overstaying expatriates. However, it is a challenge for social workers to convince these illegal workers to avail themselves of the amnesty offer. A proper strategy is needed for the same. The officials of embassies, social clubs along with activists should discuss the problem with officials of the ministry. Collection of proper data of illegal workers should be the first job followed by an awareness programme on how they would benefit by leaving Oman.

They must be motivated to travel to their home countries. They should also be given a letter of recommendation related to their work (after verification) by their respective embassies stating they are smart in respective trades. It will influence them to take Scan this QR code the decision to go home respectfully. It will to send letters to the also provide them a hope that they can find Readers’ Forum, containing not more jobs in their own countries as hope is an than 200 words with important element in life. — Munawar full name, address Hameed Mangalwala, Muscat and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi).

Recent attacks show terrorists have no clear objectives

This refers to the news story, US consulate in Istanbul attacked; six Turkish policemen killed (August 11). I can only see a rise in terrorist activities which are getting out of control. The recent incidents in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia are examples of such attacks with no clear objectives. More worrying is that women and youngsters are also getting such ideas.

What are their true aspirations in life? What is their outlook? How are they going to win in life? — Ramachandran Nair, Muscat

Russian President Vladimir Putin, fears a Ukrainian-style popular revolt in Russia. He may genuinely see popular unrest as weapon wielded by the US against Russia, and as a precursor to North Atlantic Treaty Organisation intervention (no matter how wrong that is) bit.ly/usrussianewcoldwar

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES AUGUST 2000 Ghassani concludes inspections of health centres MUSCAT: Dr Ahmed bin Abdul Qadir Al Ghassani, undersecretary for health affairs at the Health Ministry, yesterday concluded his inspection visit to a number of health institutions.

The visit covered Al Buraimi Referral Hospital, Wadi Al Jizi Hospital, the health centres of Al Ma’moorah, Dhanak, Al Saniynah and Mahdha in Dhahirah region. It also included Rustaq Referral Hospital, Barkah Health Complex and the health centres of Al Awabi, Nakhal.

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1762 The British capture Cuba from Spain after a two month siege.

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1981: IBM introduces its first personal computer.

3,209

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5,553

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015 Tokyo’s efforts to repatriate those left behind in China only began several years after 1972, when it normalised diplomatic ties with Beijing.

Children were not the only ones missing — there were also young women who had been dispatched as “bride candidates” to marry migrants.

A13

SPECIAL

CHILDREN OF THE AGGRESSOR

REMEMBERING THE PAST: Members of a China returnees’ club gathering at their meeting in Tokyo. – AFP

LOST FOREVER: Yohachi Nakajima holding a picture of his Chinese adopted parents, at his residence in Tokyo. – AFP

AFP

MEMORIES: This picture taken on July 14, 2015 shows Yohachi Nakajima holding a picture of his mother, right, and aunt, left, when he returned to Japan from China at the age of 16, at his residence in Tokyo. Now 73 and sitting in his Tokyo home, Nakajima fights back tears when he thinks of his Chinese adopted mother and the farming village he once called home. – AFP

After Japan’s surrender, the situation for Japanese migrants in China worsened, with thousands dying and just a handful of children adopted by local families

TOKYO: Now 73 and sitting in his Tokyo home, Yohachi Nakajima fights back tears when he thinks of his Chinese adopted mother and the farming village he once called home — a boy lost inside imperial Japan’s crumbling empire.

He was just three years old when Tokyo surrendered on August 15, 1945, ending World War II but also leaving about 1.5 million Japanese stranded in Manchukuo, Tokyo’s regime in northeastern China.

Farmers, labourers and young military reservists had migrated into the region from the early 1930s, attracted by government promises of a better life as Japan marched across Asia in a brutal expansionist campaign.

Nakajima’s father Hiroshi was among those drawn to Manchukuo, but the frontier life proved miserable and the elder Nakajima was drafted into the military just three weeks before Japan’s sur-

render. His fate is unknown. Ill and poverty-stricken, Nakajima’s mother sought out a local family to care for her son. “Japan was an invader for them, clearly,” Nakajima, who now lives in Tokyo, told AFP. “It must have been pure humanity that convinced them to adopt and raise me, a child of the aggressor.”

The malnourished boy, stomach bulging from starvation, was brought into the centre of the village as curious locals looked on.

One woman, Sun Zhenqin, volunteered to be his guardian and soon gave her scrawny charge a new name, “Lai Fu” (good luck coming). “She would feed me from her mouth and gently massaged my stomach,” Nakajima said.

“She was a midwife. It must have been almost on impulse that she took me in.”

After Emperor Hirohito announced his country’s surrender, the situation for Japanese migrants trapped in northeastern China deteriorated, with tens of thousands dying of hunger and disease as a frigid winter set in later in the year.

Some migrants-turned-refugees resorted to mass suicide, cramming into small houses that they blew up with grenades, while roving groups of sword-wielding male migrants stabbed women and children to death to end their suffering.

It is believed that just a handful of children were adopted by local families. Many others died of starvation or sickness and some were even killed by fellow Japanese out of mercy. There are no reliable statistics on how many survived.

The mother of Sun Shouxun, 58, a Chinese man who now lives in the northeastern city of Changchun, was one of those who took in a Japanese child. Sun described his

FUN TIME: Reimei Sakuma, 72, centre, the child of a Japanese soldier, enjoying karaoke with members of a China returnees’ club at their meeting in Tokyo. – AFP

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HEALING WOUNDS: Neme cards for members of a China returnees’ club lying on the table at their meeting in Tokyo. Reimei Sakuma, second left, was the child of a Japanese soldier. Adopted and raised in a Chinese family, he returned to Japan in 1986 and found his name on a gravestone raised by his Japanese relatives — in part due to government policy. – AFP

adopted Japanese sister as “a pearl in the palm” for his loving parents.

“Public opinion at the time was rather strong against raising a Japanese child and our relatives also opposed it, but my mother insisted on doing so,” he said.

It is not known exactly how many Japanese children found new homes in China like Nakajima and Sun’s sister, but Tokyo has confirmed just over 2,800.

Nakajima returned to Japan when he was 16 and afterwards spoke just once with his adopted mother, in 1966, during a trip to China when he acted as an interpreter on a cultural exchange.

However, the country, by then in the grip of the chaotic Cultural Revolution, was largely closed to foreigners. Nakajima only made brief contact by telephone with his adopted mother -- who could only shout “Lai Fu! Lai Fu!” before the call was cut off.

The two never talked again and Sun Zhenqin died in 1975.

Tokyo’s efforts to repatriate those left behind in China only began several years after 1972, when it normalised diplomatic ties with Beijing. Children were not the only ones missing — there were also young women who had been dispatched as “bride candidates” to marry mi-

grants. Fumiko Nishino, 88, was one of them, although the official reason she moved to Manchukuo, along with her two sisters, was to work as a telephone operator.

The trio eventually found passage home, but Nishino — who had twin baby girls with a Chinese soldier by that time — refused to board the ship. “I lost contact -no phone calls, no letters — with my Japanese family for years and years afterwards,” she said. “When I finally returned home to Japan (in the mid-1970s) there was a grave that said I was dead at 19. I pushed over the gravestone and destroyed it, crying and laughing

at the same time with my family.”

Japan’s welfare ministry said just over 4,150 women like Nishino returned home while many others make occasional visits. Reimei Sakuma, 72, was the child of a Japanese soldier. Adopted and raised in a Chinese family, he initially returned to Japan in 1986 and later settled there permanently.

Sakuma also found his name on a gravestone erected by his Japanese relatives — in part due to government policy. In 1959 Japan declared that nearly 20,000 Japanese left overseas since the war — mostly in China — were dead or did not intend to return — abandoning them for a second time. “I could only feel helpless and at the mercy of two big powers,” Sakuma said of his experience. The legacy of the war still strains diplomatic ties between Tokyo and Beijing. China says more than 20 million of its citizens died as a result of Japan’s invasion, occupation and atrocities. Nakajima was one of the lucky ones. He reunited with his birth mother, who had also made it back home, and they remained close until her death at 98.

But the kindness of Sun and other villagers is one of the memories forever etched on Nakajima’s mind, along with working in the fields and coming home to a steaming plate of potatoes. “What if the situation had been the other way around? I wonder if the Japanese would have acted the same way,” he said. — AFP

A 14

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

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INDIA: A decorated fountain near the illuminated Parliament house in preparations for Independence day celebrations in New Delhi on Wednesday. - PTI

PHILIPPINES: Officer workers ride on a makeshift raft made of styrofoam after a sudden heavy downpour inundated streets in the financial district of Manila on Wednesday, stranding thousands of commuters and office workers, with the weather bureau saying the downpour was caused by thunderstorm. Hundreds of people are killed in natural disasters each year in the Philippines, which is battered by an average of 20 typhoons and tropical storms annually. - AFP

BRAZIL: A man carries a poster showing support for Brazil’s President Dilma Rousseff during the March of the Daisies, calling for improved rights for women working in rural areas and forests, in Brasilia on Wednesday. The poster says ‘I’m with Dilma’. - Reuters

BELGIUM: A dining table is decorated with flowers at the ‘Flowertime’ event in Brussels’ town hall, Belgium, on Wednesday. The event, which will open to visitors between August 13 and 16, has an Italian baroque theme this year. - Reuters

SPAIN: A Perseid meteor along the Milky Way illuminates the dark sky near Villadiego in the province of Burgos, northern Spain, during the ‘Perseids’ meteor shower on Wednesday. - AFP

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

WORLD

The process will not be easy; it will be painful.

The corrupt will not sit by without lifting a finger Haider Al Abadi, Iraq’s Prime Minister

IS ‘beheads’ Croatian abducted in Egypt military campaign against IS. Egypt had said it was intensifying efforts to locate Salopek after IS released a video of the hostage last Wednesday.

In the video, Salopek, kneeling next to a masked militant holding a knife, was forced to read a statement saying his captors would execute him in 48 hours if Cairo failed to release female prisoners, a key demand of militants over the past two years. Salopek’s abduction had been treated by police as a criminal kidnapping before the video emerged.

Although IS’s Egyptian affiliate has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers, the country had been spared the gruesome kidnappings and executions of foreigners conducted by IS in Iraq and Syria.

The group has in the past beheaded Bedouin in Sinai it accused of collaborating with the Egyptian army.

The Croat, Tomislav Salopek, was kidnapped last month near Cairo. IS militants had issued a 48-hour deadline that ended last Friday threatening to kill him if women prisoners were not released from Egyptian jails

CAIRO: The IS militant group claimed on Wednesday to have beheaded a Croatian hostage abducted in Egypt, posting a purported picture of the victim’s body on IS-affiliated Twitter accounts.

The Croat, Tomislav Salopek, was abducted last month west of the capital Cairo. The miliatnts had issued a 48-hour deadline that ended last Friday threatening to kill him if women prisoners were not released from Egyptian jails. The picture’s authenticity could not be immediately verified.

His abduction and purported killing were unprecedented in Egypt, which is battling an IS insurgency in the eastern Sinai Peninsula.

No confirmation State-run Croatian news agency HINA quoted a foreign ministry source as saying it “does not have confirmation that abducted Croatian citizen Tomislav Salopek has been killed”.

TRAGIC END: A file image grab taken from a video made available

by Egyptian affiliate of the IS group’s media outlet Welayat Sayna on August 5, 2015, shows Croatian national Tomislav Salopek kneeling on the sand in front of a man while holding a piece of paper. – AFP/HO/Welayat Sayna

The picture was posted on ISaffiliated Twitter accounts with the caption: “Execution of prisoner from Croatia — which has participated in war on IS — after deadline ended”.

Salopek, a 31-year-old father of two, had been working with

French geoscience company CGG when abducted from a car roughly 22 kilometres (14 miles) west of Cairo, security sources told AFP. The abduction has rattled foreigners working for multinational companies and underscored the militants’ reach despite a massive

A15

All in vain Salopek’s father had appealed to the kidnappers to release him and Croatian Foreign Minister Vesna Pusic had travelled to Cairo for emergency talks. In his hometown, neighbours had described Salopek as a friendly young man who went to Egypt to earn a living.

Egypt, led by President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, had been at pains to persuade international investors and companies that the country was safe after two years of violence and militant attacks.

Sisi was the former army chief who overthrew president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, setting up a police crackdown on Morsi’s followers that killed more than 1,000 protesters.

In Sinai, which borders Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip, militants have launched a brazen insurgency that appears unabated despite a sweeping army campaign. But IS has managed to launch attacks outside Sinai only a few times. — AFP

IRAQ SWEEPING CHANGES

Implementing reforms won’t be easy: Iraq PM BAGHDAD: Implementing reforms to curb graft and streamline the government “will not be easy,” and corrupt people will fight to hold back change, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi said on Wednesday.

This was Abadi’s first effort to manage expectations for the reform programme he rolled out Sunday in response to widespread public anger over corruption and poor services. “The process will not be easy; it will be painful. The corrupt will not sit by without lifting a finger,” Abadi said in televised remarks a day after parliament signed off on his proposed measures. Those who have “interests and privileges will defend their privileges and interests, and some of them will even

fight for them”, he said. “They will try to sabotage each step we take”.

The premier also said that, while some want him to make “unrealistic demands”, he “will not demand anything that cannot be implemented”. The anti-corruption drive will be carried out without favour, including within his party, Abadi said. “If there is a corrupt person in my party, I am against them, and if there is a good person in the party of my enemy, I am with him,” he said. Amid a major heatwave that has seen temperatures top 50 degrees Celsius, protesters have railed against the poor quality of services, especially power outages that leave just a few hours of government-supplied electricity per day. — AFP

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM THU RS DAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

MARKE

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

Muscat 6,320.53 - 80.67 - 1.26%

Dubai 4,019.60 - 53.22 - 1.31%

Abu Dhabi 4,756.88 - 58.65 - 1.22%

Saudi Arabia

8,708.31 - 49.76 - 0.57%

Kuwait 6,285.60 - 8.87 - 0.14%

Bahrain 1,333.28 - 0.48 - 0.04%

Qatar 11,787.10 + 108.01 + 0.92%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.32 Pound ...........................................1.66 Indian Rs ..............................167.48 Pak Rs ...................................260.28 Bangla Taka.......................199.36

Indian Rs .................................. 168.05 Pakistan Rs ............................ 263.60 Sri Lanka Rs .......................... 346.60 Bangla Taka.............................201.70 Phil Peso .................................... 119.80

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......14.28

Oman Crude............. (Spot) .........$48.31 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$48.26 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$49.63 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) .........$48.19 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$49.50 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........ $43.57

Omantel revenue grows; to pay 55% interim dividend Group revenue grew 7.5% to OMR256.6m for the first half of 2015, from OMR238.6m for the same period in 2014 Talal bin Said Al Mamari

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) said its group revenue grew by 7.5 per cent to OMR256.6 million for the first half of 2015, from OMR238.6 million for the same period in 2014. The net profit declined to OMR61.3 million for the first half of this year from OMR65.9 million in 2014.

The company’s board has decided to distribute an interim dividend of 55 per cent (55 baisas per share) to shareholders registered on August 31, 2015, based on the authorisation of the annual general meeting in March, the company said in a statement.

Expenses for the period have increased by 12.7 per cent to OMR190.6 million from OMR169.1 million during the six month period under review. The financial results are preliminary and unaudited.

Decline in net profit was mainly due to loss incurred by Omantel’s subsidiary Worldcall. Also, increase in domestic operational expenditure, mainly of non-recurrent nature, also impacted the domestic net profit for the quarFINANCE

Al Omaniya replies to United Finance on acquisition proposal Times News Service MUSCAT: Al Omaniya Financial Services on Wednesday said that the company has responded to a letter it received from United Finance with regards to the proposed acquisition/merger.

Al Omaniya Financial Services earlier submitted a bid to fully acquire United Finance Company.

In May, three financial institutions — Bank Nizwa, National Bank of Oman and Al Omaniya Financial Services — had evinced interest in acquiring United Finance.

Backed out Subsequently, Bank Nizwa and National Bank of Oman (NBO) backed out from merger proposal, leaving Al Omaniya the sole bidder.

Al Omaniya Financial Services was looking at consolidating their leadership position by acquiring United Finance, which could be one way to achieve inorganic growth.

This year is a challenging one for leasing companies.

Al Omaniya Financial Services will be able to substantially increase its asset base and loan book.

ter. Domestic net profit declined by 2.5 per cent to OMR66.9 million from OMR68.6 million in the corresponding period of 2014.

Omantel said that revenue growth was mainly driven by domestic retail revenues, which have recorded a growth of 8.3 per cent and now reached OMR253 million compared to OMR233.6 million for the corresponding period of 2014 mainly contributed by both fixed and mobile broadband and wholesale services.

All major segments – consumer, corporate and wholesale revenues - have recorded a growth over last year.

Expenses Omantel’s group operating expenses increased by 12.7 per cent to OMR190.6 million compared to OMR169.1 million for the same period in 2014. The major reasons for increase in operating expenses are due to increase in roaming, operating and maintenance, depreciation, employee costs, marketing cost and administrative expenses.

The increase in operation and maintenance and depreciation are the result of increased invest-

* Rates as of August 12 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of August 12 Source: Bank Muscat

ment in network modernisation or expansion for both mobile and fixed networks to meet the growing demand of broadband services as well as increase in costs related to submarine cable capacity IRU sales and cost of devices.

Administrative costs include OMR1 million towards penalty imposed by Telecommunications Regularity Authority on account of network outage on November 14 in addition to consultancy costs related to new corporate strategy and spend optimisation initiatives, which are of non-recurrent nature.

Broadband segment, both mobile and fixed broadband services, has been the key driver for the growth. Mobile and fixed broadband subscribers grew by 12 per cent and 30 per cent.

Additional spectrum Omantel has acquired additional spectrum in 800 and 2600 Mhz to enhance its mobile broadband service offerings for OMR7.7 million. This is expected to boost the deployment of LTE and enable the company to have wide coverage of LTE services across the Sultanate resulting in improved quality of broadband services.

Commenting on the results, Omantel chief executive officer, Talal bin Said Al Mamari, said; “Omantel has continued to see a steady growth especially in the revenue despite the decline of net profit due to the existence of some non-recurrent expenses during the quarter.”

“The first half of 2015 recorded a very good growth in our mobile and fixed broadband customer base, a trend that we are expecting to continue and become a significant contributor to our growth for years to come,” Al Mamari added.

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......13.80 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ........... 133.00 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 126.75 * Rates as of August 12 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

DEVELOPMENT

Tender for consultancy services for Musandam airport floated Times News Service MUSCAT: A tender for consultancy services for selecting a site for a regional airport in Musandam and airstrips in Madha and Diba has been floated by the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The consultant will be required to conduct the study in two different stages.

An official source at the ministry said that the first stage is related to conducting an initial study on four sites and the fifth site is to be selected by the consultant. The consultant will also be required to consider the construction of two runways in the wilayats of Diba and Madha, and consider the possibility of eliminating all hindrances at the existing Khasab airport, including demolishing the mountains, to ensure a smooth take-off from both sides of the runway.

The second stage is related to conducting a detailed study on providing weather data for the proposed site, and preparing the master plan of the airport that will have world-class facilities. The scope of work also includes preparing the estimated cost, in addition to conducting a study on the environmental effect on the construction of airport in the region.

As for the civil aviation sector,

TWO AIRSTRIPS: The consultant will also be required to consider the construction of two airstrips in the wilayats of Diba and Madha, and consider the possibility of eliminating all hindrances at the existing Khasab airport. – File picture

the ministry is implementing a number of major projects, such as development of Muscat International Airport and Salalah Airport, which have been divided into 13 categories.

Muscat airport The first stage of the Muscat International Airport, which includes the runway, the control tower, the air traffic management complex and the building of the Public Authority for Civil Aviation, was opened in December 2014.

The new Salalah Airport, which started operations on June 15, includes a passenger terminal that

stretches over 65,000 square metres with a capacity of two million passengers in the first stage and a 4km long and 75m wide runway that accommodates aircraft of different sizes including the A380.

The airport is designed to provide top-class services to international travellers and includes retail shops, restaurants and other services.

The airport has 29 elevators, 13 escalators and eight tubes for travellers to board the aircraft. It also includes a VIP building, as well as public parking that can accommodate up to 2,200 vehicles.

- With inputs from ONA

B2

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

MARKET MSM index ends lower

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,401.20 .............. 6,320.53 ................... 6,320.53 ...................6,401.20................-80.67 .................. -1.26 Financial Index .....................................7,782.40 ............... 7,677.67 ................... 7,682.84 ................... 7,782.40................-99.56 .................. -1.28 Industrial Index .................................... 8,161.10 .............. 8,104.46 ................... 8,104.46 ....................8,161.10................-56.64 .................. -0.69 Services Index ...................................... 3,454.26 ...............3,425.15 ....................3,425.19 ...................3,455.26................-30.07 .................. -0.87 MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 976.76 .................. 971.67 .......................971.68 .......................976.76.................. -5.08 .................. -0.52 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 14,712,901 ................. 17,816,188 .....................728 ................15,095,961,971 .................. 2 ..................... 28 .................... 18 .........................48

United Power, which rose 9.82 per cent, was the top gainer, while Renaissance Services,

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12

down by 6.25 per cent, lost the most ISIN ..................................................SECURITY NAME ...............................................................................................VOLUME ..............TURNOVER...................TRADES ...........OPEN PRICE............. HIGH....................LOW...............CLOSE PR. ..........PREV. CLOSE..........DIFF (RO) .................DIFF %......................LAST PR...............LAST BID.....................LAST OFFER .................MARKET CAP ........PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: Weakness in global equities and a pullback in crude prices impacted the MSM 30 Index which declined by 1.26 per cent to close at 6,320.53 points. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 971.68 points, down by 0.52 per cent.

SMN Power Holding was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. United Power remained top gainer, up by 9.82 per cent, while the top loser was Renaissance Services, down by 6.25 per cent.

As many as 728 trades were executed during the trading session generating turnover of OMR17.8 million with more than 14.7 million shares changing hands. Out of 48 traded securities, two advanced, 28 declined and 18 remained unchanged.

Omani investors were net buyers for OMR464,000 followed

by GCC and Arab investors for OMR216,000, while foreign investors remained net sellers for OMR681,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index suffered heavy loss of 1.28 per cent to close at 7,682.84 points. HSBC Bank gained 0.76 per cent to close at OMR0.132. NBO, Al Madina Investments, Al Anwar Holding, Gulf Investment Services and Bank Muscat declined by 3.49 per cent, 2.99 per cent, 2.80 per cent, 2.40 per cent and 2.25 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index closed at 8,104.46 points, down by 0.69 per cent. Al Hassan Engineering, Galfar Engineering, Gulf International Chemicals, Al Jazeera Steel and Raysut Cement

declined 3.16 per cent, 2.54 per cent, 2.24 per cent, 2.17 per cent and 2.07 per cent, respectively.

Services Index dipped by 0.87 per cent to close at 3,425.19 points. United Power, up by 9.82 per cent, was the only gainer. Renaissance Services, OIFC, Ooredoo, Phoenix Power and Omantel declined by 6.25 per cent, 3.83 per cent, 1.54 per cent, 0.66 per cent and 0.57 per cent, respectively.

Gulf stocks retreat Stocks across the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council dropped, led by shares in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, on speculation China’s currency devaluation will curtail the region’s oil revenue.

Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index declined 1.5 per cent in Riyadh, poised for the lowest close in four months. Dubai’s DFM General Index decreased 1.7 percent, the biggest slide in more than two weeks. Abu Dhabi’s ADX General Index slipped the most since June 29, and Qatar’s QE Index lost 0.9 per cent.

The selloff highlights concern that China’s decision Tuesday to allow its currency to weaken will make imports of the raw materials needed to sustain the world’s second-largest economy more expensive.

The nation is among the biggest shipping destinations for Saudi Arabian oil and Qatari natural gas, according to data.

Brent crude climbed 0.1 percent to $49.23 a barrel after slumping 2.4 per cent on Tuesday. - United Securities/Bloomberg News

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

OM0000001822............UNITED POWER ...........................................................54,067 .............96,780......................11 ............1.790 ........... 1.790............1.790 ............1.790 ............. 1.630.............0.160 ............. 9.816 ................1.790 .............. 1.790...................0.000 ...................1,432,000 ..........1.000 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN ......................................................47,802 ...............6,288........................8 ............0.131 ........... 0.139 ...........0.131 ........... 0.132 ............. 0.131 .............0.001 ............. 0.763 ................0.139 .............. 0.125...................0.139................. 264,041,288 .......0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ........................... 3,580 .................. 634........................2 ............0.177 ........... 0.177 ...........0.177 ........... 0.180 .............0.180 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.177 .............. 0.177...................0.190................... 17,107,200 .........0.100 OM0000001509............DHOFAR INT.DEV.AND INV. HOLD........................ 9,908 ...............4,498........................5 ........... 0.454 ...........0.454 ...........0.454........... 0.454 .............0.454 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.454..............0.454...................0.480 .................111,865,600 ........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 300,000.........144,000........................1 ........... 0.480 ...........0.480 ...........0.480........... 0.480 .............0.480 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.480............. 0.000...................0.000 .................177,800,304........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY......................................10,000 ............22,500........................2 ........... 2.250 ...........2.250 ...........2.250........... 2.250 .............2.250 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.250............. 0.000...................2.250 .................201,825,000 .......0.100 OM0000001889............SALALAH MILLS...........................................................10,000 .............14,950........................1 ............1.495 ........... 1.495 ...........1.495 ............1.495 ............. 1.495............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.495 ..............1.450...................1.495 ...................72,003,781 .........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING .......................... 1,000 ...................112........................1 ............0.112 ........... 0.112............0.112 ............0.115 ............. 0.115 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.112 ..............0.109................... 0.114 ....................3,450,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE .......................................................10,000 ...............1,420........................1 ............0.142 ........... 0.142 ...........0.142........... 0.142 .............0.142 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.142............. 0.000...................0.142...................44,128,622.........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER....................................................................100 .....................37........................1 ........... 0.366 ...........0.366 ...........0.366........... 0.380 .............0.380 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.366............. 0.000...................0.368...................83,983,800.........0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING .......................................... 6,505,000 ..4,735,640.....................24 ............0.728 ........... 0.728 ...........0.728........... 0.728 .............0.728............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.728 ..............0.728...................0.000 .................145,334,717 ........0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION .................................. 2,728 .............10,912........................3 ........... 4.000...........4.000 ...........4.000 .......... 4.000 .............4.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ............... 4.000 ............ 4.000...................4.150...................39,120,864 .........1.000 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL.................................................4,000 .................. 356........................1 ........... 0.089 ...........0.089 ...........0.089........... 0.088 .............0.088 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.089..............0.088...................0.089...................15,400,000.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER.................................................... 2,081 ..................468........................2 ........... 0.225 ...........0.225 ...........0.225........... 0.225 .............0.225 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.225.............. 0.215...................0.224 .................151,849,672 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ..........................................................672 ...................151........................2 ........... 0.225 ...........0.225 ...........0.225........... 0.226 .............0.226 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.225.............. 0.215...................0.225 .................161,455,833 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................23,290 .............12,425......................19 ........... 0.536 ........... 0.536 ...........0.532........... 0.534 .............0.536 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.373 ...............0.534..............0.534...................0.536...................28,035,000.........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH.............................................. 106,283 .........275,523..................... 10 ........... 2.585 ...........2.600 ...........2.585........... 2.590 .............2.600 ...........-0.010 ........... -0.385 ...............2.590............. 2.500...................2.590 .................247,234,135 ........1.000 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ............................................................10,000 ...............5,100........................3 ............0.510 ........... 0.510 ...........0.510 ........... 0.510 ............. 0.512............-0.002 ........... -0.391................0.510 ..............0.500...................0.510..................168,745,082 ........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 636,335 ......... 121,444..................... 29 ............0.190 ........... 0.196 ...........0.190............0.191 .............0.192............-0.001 ........... -0.521................0.190..............0.189...................0.192..................275,315,040........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION .......................... 22,116 ............ 38,267......................19 ............1.735 ........... 1.735............1.730 ............1.730 ............. 1.740............-0.010 ........... -0.575 ...............1.730 .............. 1.725...................1.730 ................1,297,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ............ 50,000 ...............6,450........................1 ............0.129 ........... 0.129 ...........0.129........... 0.129 .............0.130............-0.001 ........... -0.769 ...............0.129 ..............0.123...................0.129................... 11,610,000 .........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ........................................................6,518 ...............2,881..................... 10 ........... 0.442 ...........0.444 ...........0.442........... 0.442 .............0.446 ...........-0.004 ........... -0.897 ...............0.442..............0.442...................0.450...................26,741,000 .........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ...................................................................... 17,028 ............... 3,671........................4 ............0.215 ........... 0.218 ...........0.215 ........... 0.216 .............0.218............-0.002 ........... -0.917................0.218 ............. 0.206...................0.218..................307,807,807........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ...................................8,600 ...............3,406........................1 ........... 0.396 ...........0.396 ...........0.396........... 0.396 .............0.400 ...........-0.004 ........... -1.000 ...............0.396..............0.396...................0.398.................. 117,300,618 ........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 401,630 .........308,307..................... 33 ............0.780 ........... 0.780 ...........0.764............0.768 .............0.780 ...........-0.012 ............-1.538................0.768 ..............0.764...................0.768..................499,925,169........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 115,012 .............12,503........................8 ............0.109 ........... 0.110............0.108........... 0.109 ............. 0.111 ............-0.002 ........... -1.802 ...............0.109..............0.108...................0.109...................13,284,375 .........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................ 19,846 .............28,215........................5 ............1.430 ........... 1.430 ...........1.420........... 1.420 ............. 1.450............-0.030 ........... -2.069 ...............1.420..............1.420...................1.440................. 284,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 211,225............. 58,151........................9 ........... 0.280...........0.280 ...........0.274........... 0.275 .............0.281............-0.006 ........... -2.135................0.274............. 0.260...................0.274................. 424,800,350 .......0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ......................... 30,000 ...............6,750........................5 ........... 0.225 ...........0.225 ...........0.225........... 0.225 .............0.230 ...........-0.005 ........... -2.174................0.225............. 0.220...................0.225 ..................28,102,041 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............95,500 ............ 25,034......................14 ........... 0.265 ...........0.265 ...........0.258........... 0.262 .............0.268 ...........-0.006 ........... -2.239 ...............0.258..............0.261...................0.262 ...................5,502,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,528,428 ......796,374................... 133 ........... 0.530 ...........0.534 ...........0.518 ........... 0.522 .............0.534 ...........-0.012 ........... -2.247 ...............0.520.............. 0.518...................0.522 ............... 1,196,331,396 ......0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 159,000 ............19,398........................8 ............0.122 ........... 0.122 ...........0.122........... 0.122 ............. 0.125............-0.003 ........... -2.400 ...............0.122.............. 0.121...................0.122.................... 7,178,872 ..........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 281,527 ........... 32,360..................... 36 ............0.115 ........... 0.116............0.113 ............0.115 ............. 0.118............-0.003 ........... -2.542 ...............0.113 ...............0.113................... 0.114 ................... 33,347,773 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 1,154,078 ......240,556..................... 97 ............0.210 ........... 0.210 ...........0.206 .......... 0.208 .............0.214 ...........-0.006 ........... -2.804 ...............0.207..............0.207...................0.208 ..................31,215,600 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 176,794 ............. 11,572......................14 ........... 0.067 ...........0.067 ...........0.065........... 0.065 .............0.067 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.985 ...............0.065..............0.065...................0.067...................13,464,840 .........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ...................................77,000 ............ 25,506........................6 ........... 0.332 ........... 0.336 ...........0.326........... 0.332 .............0.344 ...........-0.012 ........... -3.488 ...............0.336..............0.332...................0.338..................445,115,803 ........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 184,215.............37,021..................... 28 ........... 0.205 ...........0.205 ...........0.200 .......... 0.201 .............0.209 ...........-0.008 ........... -3.828 ...............0.201..............0.199...................0.201.................. 40,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ....................................... 81,012 .............18,228......................11 ........... 0.225 ...........0.225 ...........0.225........... 0.225 .............0.240 ...........-0.015 ........... -6.250 ...............0.225..............0.225...................0.240 ..................65,396,480.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 12,356,375 ..7,127,885...................568 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......38........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK......................................................343 .....................25........................1 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.074 ...........0.074........... 0.074 .............0.074 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.074..............0.074...................0.080 ..................74,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ..............................25,280 ............... 2,831........................3 ............0.112 ........... 0.112............0.112 ............0.112 ............. 0.112............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.112 .............. 0.112................... 0.115 ...................11,200,000 .........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 1,673,692 ......251,404..................... 87 ............0.150 ........... 0.151............0.149 ........... 0.150 ............. 0.151 ............-0.001 ........... -0.662 ...............0.150 ..............0.150................... 0.151 ..................219,390,219 ........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 229,079 ............16,109......................21 ............0.071 ........... 0.071 ...........0.070........... 0.070 ............. 0.071............-0.001 ........... -1.408 ...............0.071 ..............0.070...................0.071................. 105,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 276,933 ........... 25,564..................... 34 ........... 0.094 ...........0.094 ...........0.091 ........... 0.092 .............0.095 ...........-0.003 ............-3.158................0.091 ..............0.091...................0.093.................... 6,919,136 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 2,205,327 .....295,934...................146 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 5........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BOINDS MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000000618............GOVERNMENT BONDS ISSUE 47 TH ............... 100,000 ... 10,387,200........................1 ......... 103.872.......103.872 ...... 103.872 ......100.000 ....... 100.000 ......... 0.000.............0.000 ............. 103.872 .......... 0.000...................0.000 ................ 300,000,000 ......100.00 OM0000004628 ...........BANK SOHAR BONDS 4.5 ............................................... 820 .....................75........................1 ............0.091 ........... 0.091 ...........0.091 ............0.071 ............. 0.071............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.091 ..............0.091...................0.000 ...................5,076,500 ..........0.100 OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ...........................................34,818 ............... 3,517........................6 ............0.101 ........... 0.101............0.101 ............0.101 ............. 0.101............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.101 .............. 0.101...................0.103...................32,283,910 .........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ........................6,791 .................. 645........................2 ........... 0.095 ........... 0.095 ...........0.095........... 0.095 .............0.096 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.042 ...............0.095..............0.095...................0.101 ...................30,795,353 .........0.100 OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 .......................... 8,770 .................. 933........................4 ............0.106 ........... 0.108 ...........0.106........... 0.106 ............. 0.110............-0.004 ........... -3.636 ...............0.108..............0.106...................0.110 ...................32,091,406 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 151,199 .... 10,392,370......................14 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 5........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

‘ U N FA I R T R A D E P R A C T I C E S ’

INDIAN STOCKS

Sensex sheds another 354 points MUMBAI: Sharp fall in global markets due to devaluation of Chinese currency coupled with foreign capital outflows put pressure on domestic equity market as a result the S&P BSE sensex pulled down by 353.83 points to close at 27,512.26 and CNX Nifty by 108.55 points to end at 8,353.80.

Stocks fell across the globe as concerns over China’s growth outlook persisted after the country’s central bank further guided its currency lower today a day after it roiled global markets with its decision to devalue the yuan by nearly 2 per cent by shifting to a more market-driven rate.

Indication of lower opening in United States index futures also affected the market sentiment.

Shares of realty, metal, refinery,

banking, auto, power, capital goods and FMCG declined sharply on heavy selling pressure while IT and tech firmed up on good buying inquiries in view of sharp fall in rupee against the dollar.

The Sensex resumed slightly higher at 27,880.76, but dropped immediately to 27,479.43 before closing at 27,512.26 , disclosing a sharp loss of 353.83 points or 1.27 per cent. The Sensex has dropped by 785.87 points or 2.78 per cent in four trading days. The CNX Nifty dropped by 108.55 points or 1.28 per cent to close at 8,353.80.

For Asia, a weaker yuan is expected to pressure other central banks in the region to devalue their currencies to keep their economies competitive against China’s.

Vedanta fell by 8.03 per cent, fol-

lowed by Hindalco 7.21 per cent, Coal India 5.53 per cent, SBI 4.77 per cent, Tata Motors 3.92 per cent, ICICI Bank 3.39 per cent, Bajaj Auto 3.13 per cent, M&M 3.09 per cent, BHEL 2.66 per cent, HUL 2.59 per cent and RIL 2.41 per cent.

However, Infosys rose by 3.59 per cent, followed by Sun Pharma 2.90 per cent, TCS 2.63 per cent, Wipro 1.75 per cent, Lupin 1.28 per cent and Dr Reddy’s 1.08 per cent.

Among the BSE sectoral indices, realty fell 5.42 per cent followed by metal 4.37 per cent, oil&gas 3.42 per cent, bankex 3.02 per cent, auto 2.54 per cent, power 2.12 per cent and capital goods 2.06 per cent.

Small-cap and mid-cap indices also dropped by 2.13 per cent 2.49 per cent, respectively on sustained selling from retail investors. - PTI

Indian government seeks $99m damage claims from Nestle NEW DELHI: India is seeking Rs6.4 billion ($99 million) in punitive damages from the local unit of Nestle, saying the maker of Maggi instant noodles engaged in ‘unfair trade practices’.

The Department of Consumer Affairs has filed a class-action suit on behalf of a ‘large number of consumers’ for the sale of ‘defective goods’ and a product without the regulator’s approval, the government said in a statement.

Nestle India, in a stock exchange filing earlier on Wednesday, said it could comment only after receiving a notice.

The lawsuit deals another blow to Vevey, Switzerland-based Nestle, which is battling an order to recall its popular Maggi noodles from Indian stores after the local food regulator said lead content in the snack exceeded permissible limits. Nestle India on July 29

reported its first quarterly loss in at least 15 years after halting sales of its best-selling product.

Nestle dominates the noodle market in the world’s second-most populous country, with a 63 per cent share in 2014, six times as much as its nearest rival ITC, according to Euromonitor data. Maggi noodles have been sold in India for the past three decades. Scores of Indians, who started off snacking on it as kids and then in college, now feed it to their own children.

US FDA tests The government, in its statement, said it was seeking the damages on behalf of Maggi consumers because of “gross negligence, apathy and callousness on the part” of the company. Nestle India shares fell 1 per cent to Rs6,252 in Mumbai, after dropping as much as 4.9 per cent earlier. Himanshu Manglik,

Nestle India’s spokesman, referred to Wednesday’s exchange filing, saying the company had nothing more to add. Nestle said it hadn’t received any official notice about the complaint filed with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India ordered the recall of Maggi packs from store shelves early June after its tests showed excess lead, findings that Nestle is challenging in the Bombay High Court.

The US Food and Drug Administration said on Wednesday its own tests didn’t find unsafe levels of lead in Maggi instant noodles made by Nestle and sold in the US. Other regulators from Singapore, Canada and the UK have also tested and found Indiamade Maggi noodles to be safe for consumption. - Bloomberg News

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

B3

MARKET CRUDE OIL MARKET

Oil glut will last through 2016, says IEA LONDON: The global oil glut will last through next year as surging demand and faltering supply growth fail to clear the surplus, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Record inventories will expand further even as consumption climbs by the most in five years in 2015 and supplies outside Organsiation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) contract next year for the first time since 2008, the IEA predicted.

Iranian crude Stockpiles won’t be diminished until the fourth quarter of 2016, or later if sanctions on Iranian crude are lifted following last month’s nuclear deal, the agency said.

“While a rebalancing has clearly begun, the process is likely to be prolonged as a supply overhang is expected to persist through 2016 — suggesting global inventories will pile up further,” the Paris-based adviser to 29 nations said in its monthly report.

Oil has slumped to a six-year low near $40 a barrel in New York as Opec members boost output to defend market share, US production withstands lower prices and concerns grow that China’s economy is becoming less stable. Iran reached an agreement with world powers on July 14 that will remove restrictions on its oil sales in return for curbing nuclear development.

Global oversupply The global oversupply will average 1.4 million barrels a day in the second half of this year, straining available storage capacity, before easing to about 850,000 barrels a day in 2016, the IEA estimated.

The production surplus in the second quarter was 3 million barrels a day, the highest in 17 years, it said.

The Opec kept output near a three-year high at 31.79 million barrels a day in July as record Iraqi production helped offset a pullback

by Saudi Arabia, says the report.

Global oil demand in 2015 will grow at more than twice the pace last year as low prices spur consumption in the US and economies recover, the agency said. World consumption will expand by 1.6 million barrels a day. - Bloomberg News

Global currency war feared as China’s yuan nosedives Yuan’s devaluation sparked fears of a currency war and accusations that Beijing was unfairly supporting its struggling exporters

SHANGHAI: China’s yuan hit a four-year low on Wednesday, falling for a second day after authorities devalued it in a move that sparked fears of a global currency war and accusations that Beijing was unfairly supporting its struggling exporters.

Spot yuan in China fell to 6.45 per dollar, its weakest since August 2011, after the central bank set its daily midpoint reference at 6.3306, even weaker than Tuesday’s devaluation. The currency fared worse in international trade, touching 6.59.

The central bank, which had described the devaluation as a oneoff step to make the yuan more responsive to market forces, sought to reassure financial markets on Wednesday that it was not embarking on a steady depreciation.

“Looking at the international and domestic economic situation, currently there is no basis for a sustained depreciation trend for the yuan,” the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said.

Analysts at BMI downgraded their end-year forecasts for the currency to 6.83, down 10 per cent from pre- devaluation levels. The yuan has lost 3.5 per cent in China in the last two days, and around 4.8 percent in global markets.

Asian currencies fall Its slide pulled down other Asian currencies on Wednesday, with Indonesia’s rupiah and Malaysia’s ringgit hitting 17-year lows, and the Australian and New Zealand

DOWNWARD TREND: China’s central bank, which had described the devaluation as a one-off step to make the yuan more responsive to market forces, sought to reassure financial markets on Wednesday that it was not embarking on a steady depreciation. – Times file picture

dollars touching six-year lows.

Indonesia’s central bank pinned the rupiah’s fall directly on the yuan devaluation and said it would step into the foreign exchange and bond markets to curb volatility. Tuesday’s devaluation followed a run of poor economic data and raised market suspicions that China was embarking on a longer-term slide in the exchange rate. It was the biggest one-day fall in the yuan since a massive devaluation in 1994.

A cheaper yuan will help Chinese exports by making them less expensive on overseas markets.

Last weekend, data showed an 8.3 percent drop in exports in July and that producer prices were well into their fourth year of deflation.

China’s Ministry of Commerce acknowledged that the depreciation would have a stimulative effect on exports. Data released later in the day underlined sluggish growth in the world’s second-

6.45 per dollar was yuan spot rate, its weakest since August 2011. After the central bank set its daily midpoint reference at 6.3306, even weaker than Tuesday’s devaluation

largest economy. Factory output growth slipped to 6 per cent in July from a year earlier, missing market forecasts, while fixed asset investment and retail sales were also lower than expected.

Data from the Finance Ministry showed a jump in fiscal expenditure of 24.1 per cent in July, which reflects Beijing’s efforts to stimulate economic activity.

IMF hails The International Monetary Fund said China’s move to make the yuan more responsive to market forces appeared to be a welcome step and that Beijing should aim to achieve an effectively floating exchange rate within two to three years.

Beijing has been lobbying the IMF to include the yuan in its basket of reserve currencies known as Special Drawing Rights, which it uses to lend to sovereign borrowers. This would mark a major step in terms of international use of the yuan.

“Greater exchange rate flexibility is important for China as it strives to give market forces a decisive role in the economy and is rapidly integrating into global financial markets,” an IMF spokesperson said by email.

The devaluation was condemned by US lawmakers from both parties on Tuesday as a grab

for an unfair export advantage and could set the stage for testy talks when Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Washington next month, given acrimony over issues ranging from cybersecurity to Beijing’s territorial ambitions.

Not all countries consider the devaluation a threat, however.

Korea’s Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan said it would be positive for Korean exports to China, much of which were intermediate items and not in direct competition with Chinese products.

While a weaker yuan will not cure all the ills of China’s exporters, which suffer from rising labour costs, it will help relieve deflationary pressure. - Bloomberg News

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

LOCAL PRODUCTS

Omani products’ exhibition in Salalah evokes good response Times News Service MUSCAT: Omani Products Exhibition began at Lulu Hypermarket in Salalah, in line with the ongoing Salalah Tourism Festival 2015.

The inauguration ceremony was held under the auspices of Mohsin bin Ahmed bin Alawi Al Haddad, a member of the State Council.

The exhibition, which continues till August 16, offers an opportunity for the citizens, residents and visitors to Dhofar governorate during the Khareef season to get acquainted with the unique fea-

tures of the Omani products.

Organised by the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), the exhibition aims at promoting locally-manufactured products, highlighting the competent capabilities of the products to compete locally and internationally, encouraging consumers both individuals and organisations to buy and support local products and services, and emphasising the importance of buying Omani products and its contribution to the advancement of national economy.

Al Haddad stressed that the ex-

hibition presents a great platform to promote Omani products locally and internationally. “The quality seen by these products confirms the commitment of the manufacturers to achieve international standards and specifications, either in the production process of these products or in the outstanding designs of the products,” Al Haddad commented.

Eng. Said Al Maashani, director general of Raysut Industrial Estate, said, “The Omani products are marking excellent presence in the malls and the commercial cen-

tres in the Sultanate as well as they have made their way to the foreign markets. This eventually affirms that those in charge of manufacturing these products are doing great efforts to develop the characteristics of the locally manufactured products.”

Eng. Basim Al Nassri, directorgeneral of Marketing and Media at PEIE and member of the organising committee for OPEX, said the success of the previous exhibitions organised by PEIE in Salalah during Khareef season have inspired to organise the exhibition.

B4

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

FEATURE

SHRINKING CHINA TRADE DRAGS ON HONG KONG, SINGAPORE BANKS

BUSINESS of financing China’s trade is shrinking, curbing what had been a fast-growing revenue stream for banks in Hong Kong and Singapore over the past decade.

Since reaching a peak of about $145 billion in June last year, the value of trade loans provided by lenders in the two financial hubs has tumbled 20 per cent due to the slowing Chinese economy and a slump in commodity prices, central bank data show.

The slide raises concern that Singaporean banks such as Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. and global lenders like Standard Chartered and HSBC Holdings, which have been financing trade in Asia since the mid-19th century, may face lower earnings growth. The companies have profited from the 10-fold surge in trade loans since China’s 2001 entry into the World Trade Organisation (WTO). “Loan

growth at banks is definitely coming down as trade finance has been a driver,” said Matthew Phan, a Singapore-based analyst at CreditSights.

“There will be some small negative impact on banks’ overall profits as net interest margin from this business is usually thin.”

Trade-related borrowings booked by banks in Hong Kong and Singapore fell in each of the three months through April to a twoyear low of $110.6 billion, data from the cities’ monetary authorities show. The figure rose to $116 billion in May. Among the reasons for the decline in trade finance are China’s slowing economy and lower commodity prices, according to Mike Vrontamitis, Standard Chartered’s Hong Kong-based head of trade products.

The bank reported April 28 that

its first-quarter operating income from trade finance dropped nine per cent from a year earlier. That figure had grown about 20 per cent in the five years through 2014, annual reports show. The Londonbased lender gets a 10th of its operating income from the business globally and doesn’t disclose trade-finance revenue for Asia.

The value of China’s monthly imports and exports dropped to $337 billion in June from a peak of $405 billion in December, government data show.

Meanwhile, a commodities slump that has dragged oil prices down by about 50 per cent and copper by 22 per cent in the past year has cut the dollar value of transactions involving China’s imports of raw materials.

While most banks don’t break down their trade-finance businesses by country, a Greenwich

Associates study indicated that Standard Chartered and HSBC play a leading role in Asia. Some 36 per cent of large companies in the region used Standard Chartered for trade loans, surpassed only by HSBC’s 42 per cent, according to a 2014 survey by the research firm.

HSBC’s Asian gross loans and advances to customers in international trade and services shrank 8.6 per cent in the first quarter from a year ago, exchange filings show.

Joanna Fargus, a spokeswoman for the London-based bank in Hong Kong, declined to comment on the reasons for the drop.

OCBC’s bills receivable, which incorporate trade finance, slumped 12 percent in the first quarter and represent about seven per cent of its gross loans, filings show. Larger rival DBS Group Holdings Ltd.’s trade loans con-

tracted 4.5 per cent in the period and account for almost 15 per cent of interest-bearing assets, the bank’s quarterly report shows.

Mizuho Securities Asia analyst Jim Antos cut his 2015 net income forecasts for OCBC by 9.4 per cent and DBS by four per cent in a June 17 report, citing trade-finance exposures. “The continuing weakness in the Chinese economy tends to support this view,” Hong Kong-based Antos wrote in a July 10 e-mail.

Four interest-rate cuts by the Chinese central bank since November to revive growth have also narrowed the premium of onshore borrowing costs to those in Hong Kong and Singapore, giving mainland companies less incentive to seek loans overseas, according to Geoffrey Heenan, the International Monetary Fund’s Singapore representative.

The premium of the threemonth Shanghai interbank offered rate over the Singaporean benchmark fell to the lowest since 2010 in June.

Still, long-term prospects for trade finance “remain strong” as commodities trading volumes will continue to grow, Standard Chartered’s Vrontamitis said in a July 7 e-mail.

OCBC will continue to deepen its “market penetration” in China, Clara Hang, the Singaporean lender’s head of global trade finance, wrote in a June 29 e-mail.

“The reason why we have 600 to 700 Chinese customers is because we have trade finance,” DBS’s Chief Executive Officer Piyush Gupta said July 10. “That allows us to build on the relationship. The fact that we’ve used trade finance as a beachhead to go in, it really pays off.” — Washington Post-Bloomberg News

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

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B5

ROUND-UP

Attractive offer on Nissan Sunny With a special offer going on, customers can now avail EMI rate starting from OMR76 on new Nissan Sunny

MUSCAT: The Nissan Sunny from the house of Suhail Bahwan Automobiles now comes in a refreshed appearance with subtle changes to the styling and the inclusion of new features in the cabin.

As the best-selling vehicle for four years in a row in the highly competitive sub-compact segment, the Nissan Sunny could rest on its reputation for value, roominess and mid-size vehicle technology without a mid-size price.

Yet the quest for constant improvement continues. With a special offer for grabs, customers can now avail EMI rate starting from OMR76 on the Nissan Sunny, says a press release.

The Nissan Sunny received an extensive makeover that features new front and rear fascia, a range of interior refinements, and new grade level and packaging content. Along with a refreshed exterior and interior styling, the vehicle features standard bluetooth hands-free phone system.

Easy financing options Nissan customers can also avail easy financing option of a loan term up to eight years with attractive interest rates from Bank Muscat. Flexible EMI’s can also be tailor made for any individual requirement from in-house Auto Finance team.

A refreshed exterior Most prominent of the changes to the Sunny is the bold new front end treatment anchored by larger headlights, a more substantial looking fascia and standard

chrome plating on the grille – all of which strengthen the Nissan stable mates – Sentra, Altima and Maxima.

Other exterior design elements include a fixed roof antenna, available blacked-out B-pillars, chrome door handles and front fog lights.

A roomy, refined interior For Nissan Sunny again offers five-passenger practicality with a high degree of comfort and refinement – the perfect combination for commuting on weekdays, running errands on weekends and transporting family and friends all week long.

Other enhancements include a new centree stack shape, a revised meter display with white LED display (previously orange illumination color) and a new, more substantial, steering wheel with standard audio and Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System controls. The Sunny features a wide AM/FM/CD audio system with standard auxiliary-in and Radio Data System (RDS), standard assist grips, a passenger-side vanity mirror and new seat fabric.

The Sunny also adds an outside temperature display, USB/iPod controls, upgraded fabric headliner, map light with key-linked illuminated entry and silver finishers on the centre instrument panel cluster. SL models include Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and an AM/FM/ CD/USB-iPod audio system with 5.0-inch display and NissanConnectSM with mobile apps.

Other available interior features include trip computer with outside temperature display, power windows with driver’s one-touch down, speed-sensing auto door locks and remote trunk release lever.

The NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps system, which is offered as part of the SL Technology Package, includes a 5.8-inch colour touch-screen display, Nissan Voice Recognition for audio and navigation, SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately). Available apps include Facebook, Pandora, iHeartRadio and Google Search.

The NissanConnect uses handsfree technology, smartphone, and the Nissan’s display screen to help customers stay in touch with the outside world from inside their vehicle. It’s loaded with features and compatibility with a growing list of apps that allows customers play music, keep tabs on social network, and navigate any city like a local.

Once logged in, customers have to connect to Nissan through Bluetooth or the USB port. The Quick Start Guide helps to select from a list of supported apps, and NissanConnect automatically instals them.

All Sunny’s continue to provide a roomy interior volume of 90.2 cubic feet, with more rear legroom than many mid-size sedans. Trunk volume measures 14.9 cubic feet.

The trunk design itself focuses on useable space, taking into consideration everything from the size of the hinges to the shape of the sidewalls. Other available interior features include trip computer with outside temperature display, power windows with driver’s one-touch down, speed-sensing auto door locks and remote trunk release lever.

Engine technology The Sunny utilises Nissan’s global lightweight ‘V’ platform and is powered by a 1.5 litre HR16DE 4-cylinder engine rated at 99 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The

HELPING HANDS

engine features a range of fuel efficiency enhancing technologies, including a dual injector system that allows a wider injection of fuel than a traditional single-injection system. The smaller nozzles deliver a finer spray to help achieve stable combustion.

The dual injector system also uses around half the amount of rare metals in the catalyser by reducing the amount of unburned fuel and hydrocarbon emissions.

The compact, lightweight engine also employs a twin Continuously Variable valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) mounted on intake and exhaust camshafts (versus conventional CVTC systems, which are mounted only on the intake camshaft), similar to the system used on the flagship Nissan Maxima.

Using CVTCS on the exhaust camshaft increases thermal efficiency, decreases inhalation resistance and offers an approximate four percent improvement in fuel efficiency (over the previous engine design). The engine also includes a piston oiling jet, specially tuned piston top shape and expanded exhaust manifold diameter.

All Sunny vehicles carry the PUREDRIVE designation; worn by 2015 Nissan vehicles that achieve an EPA fuel economy rating of 40 mpg. The PUREDRIVE badge reflects Nissan’s commitment to developing more environmentally friendly transportation.

All Sunny Sedans are equipped with an independent MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension, with front and rear stabilizer bars. The suspension dampers and electric power steering have been re-tuned for a more comfortable ride and improved handling. Other standard equipment includes power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes, an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

Standard safety features include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) (includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags). Additional safety features include standard LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system, child safety rear door locks, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Easy-Fill Tire Alert (SL only), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).

Well-equipped grades Sunny 1.5 S MT/AT: It features a stylish exterior with door mirrors (black folding manual with lever), a roof antenna, a black radiator grille and outside door handles with 175/R14’’ steel wheels and a centre cap.

Its interior boasts power and tilt steering with an odometer and twin trip meter, a drive computer with fuel economy, drive range along with warnings (for door ajar,

head lamp, key remove and low fuel), high back front seats with a fixed type head rest, manual slide and reclining facilities for driver and front seat, seat belt reminder (for driver only), manual A/C (with new round dial type design), wide 2 DIN CD MP3/ Aux/ USB and two speakers, front power windows, a central door lock and a new steering wheel design.

For safety, the Sunny 1.5 S MT/ AT offers driver and front passenger airbags, ABS+EBD+BA and an engine immobilizer.

Sunny 1.5 SV AT: Includes S features in addition to attractive body coloured power operated mirrors, an anti-dazzle mirror and keyless entry with remote trunk opener. It also features a tachometer, chrome grill/door handles, full cover for the wheel and steering control for Bluetooth and audio.

Sunny 1.5 SV Comfort AT: It includes SV AT features along with a front fog lamp (with chrome finisher), rear parking sensors, rear power window, rear head rest (separate and adjustable), rear seat center armrest with 2 cup holders, silver AC vents (cluster C and console), driver seat height adjuster, a front wiper (variable, intermittent and mist), a rear seat comfort fan, 2 speakers in the front and 2 speakers in the rear (4 speakers in all) and 185/65 R15 tyres with alloy wheels.

Sunny 1.5 SL AT: It features a rear spoiler with mud guard, fine vision meter with illumination control, a drive computer (with service interval indication), outside temperature display, an auto AC, a piano black centre cluster, key with push button start, Nissan ConnectSmart phone connectivity, ORVM with LED turn lamps and a front bumper with lower chrome.

Suhail Bahwan Automobiles (SBA) is largely committed to supporting Nissan’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 19 showrooms, 22 Service centres and 35 Parts outlets, SBA has further built upon its legacy of trust, excellent customer service and providing value for money to each of its customers.

PRIZED POSSESSION

Solitaire diamonds emerge as a perfect gift and safe investment

Ooredoo provides emergency aid for Myanmar flood victims DOHA: After seeing first-hand the scale of disaster and extent of community needs across Myanmar, Ooredoo has offered support to those affected in the country’s 11 national disaster zones following severe seasonal flooding.

Additionally, Ooredoo Myanmar has launched a SMS crisis-code, ‘Help Myanmar’, which invites customers to donate their credit balance, or part there-of, to flood victims, says a press release.

‘Help Myanmar’ will provide immediate and long term aid to flood-affected people and regions.

In all, 11 out of 14 regions in Myanmar have been impacted by extreme weather conditions resulting in flooding and landslides.

Homes, workplaces and schools have been destroyed, and Ooredoo has pledged its commitment to supporting the reconstruction of educational facilities in cooperation with the Ministry of Rescue and Resettlement.

Sheikh Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, chairman of Ooredoo, commented: “We are deeply concerned for those who have been affected by this severe flooding and are working to help ease their burden during this critical time. Besides providing essential support, we are working diligently to minimise network disruptions to help ensure that we can continue to provide a vital life-

line to affected communities. We hope that the situation improves soon and flood waters recede so that recovery work can begin as quickly as possible.”

Ooredoo Myanmar is utilising its nationwide network of employees, dealers, and distributors to assess local conditions and needs. The firm intends to directly distribute food, water, medicine, blankets and assist with the provision of temporary shelter to the communities that it can safely access. For inaccessible regions, the company will make the same donations to local authorities for their distribution.

Donations Ooredoo Myanmar provided support of over 20 million MMK in two affected states earlier this week and is making donations in other flood affected regions of up to $170,000. Ooredoo Group has pledged to match this donation with an additional $200,000 to contribute to reconstruction efforts after flood waters recede.

When the flood waters recede, the additional $370,000 donation will support clean-up and rebuilding efforts. This contribution will be made to local authorities and directed to reconstruction efforts in affected states. Specific needs per state are to be assessed with Ooredoo’s dedicated taskforce and

local authorities.

Ooredoo actively supports the GSMA’s Humanitarian Connectivity Charter, launched at the GSMA Mobile World Congress earlier this year, which demonstrates the commitment of the mobile industry to support customers and first responders before and during humanitarian emergencies.

Ooredoo has longstanding commitments to support the communities across its footprint during challenging times. The company consistently provides immediate assistance and emergency aid to areas affected by natural disasters. In 2010, Ooredoo through its operating company, Indosat provided support for people in Yogyakarta followed the eruption of the Mount Merapi volcano that forced the evacuation of 350,000 people.

This approach expanded to include the construction of 100 homes, a water supply and a children’s playground for displaced people, which was completed in 2012. Ooredoo also made significant contributions to victims of severe flooding across Indonesia in 2013 and 2014. Earlier this year, Ooredoo companies united to provide support to people in Nepal following the major earthquake which devastated the country and during a water crisis in the Maldives provided both humanitarian aid and connectivity solutions.

MUSCAT: Diamonds have always been referred to as ‘a girl’s best friend’ and there is no contesting this claim. A change to the above statement however seems to be the increasing preference for solitaire diamonds rather than just diamonds.

As a preferred jewellery retailer for diamonds, Malabar Gold and Diamonds has developed a new jewellery collection focusing on solitaires as well as showcases a wide collection of loose solitaires in various sizes, colour and quality, says a press release.

Solitaire is used to describe a single diamond or gemstone set into piece of jeweller. People prefer to buy solitaire diamond rings for their engagement or wedding.

A single diamond in which the size varies from 0.3 to 1 carat is normally used and the fast moving. Solitaire rings are very popular because of its elegance. Over the last six to 12 months, there has been a substantial increase in the preference for solitaire diamonds among customers.

In addition to the demand for solitaire diamonds for engagement and wedding rings, there has been an increase in solitaires

for gifting to celebrate anniversaries and special occasions.

“It is interesting to see the new trend of using solitaire diamonds to celebrate 5th or 10th wedding anniversaries and special occasions emerge strongly in the recent past among customers especially the age group of 25 – 40.

As a preferred jewellery retailer for diamonds, we have developed new jewellery collection focusing on solitaires as well as showcase a wide collection of loose solitaires in various sizes, colour and quality,” said Shamlal Ahmed, managing director, International Operations at Malabar Gold & Diamonds.

Recently a customer had made a purchase of 2 solitaire diamonds worth over AED1.4 mil-

lion. We met with the customer to understand his outlook in buying such expensive solitaire diamonds. J. S. Chandhok, who is the Director of Goldline Group which has business operations in over 15 countries, had purchased the solitaire diamonds for his daughter as a gift. “I always give the best to my daughter and it’s the same reason why I decided to buy the solitaire diamonds from Malabar Gold & Diamonds. It is a priceless gift and an asset for the family,’ said Chandhok.

The confidence of customers in diamonds especially solitaire diamonds are increasing day by day and this is a promising trend.

The preference seems to be due to the eye catching inherent beauty of solitaires and the fact that solitaires do appreciate its value in the long term. “While buying a solitaire diamond, the customer should exercise great attention and ensure that they buy only from reputed jewellery retailers.

One should also demand certificates for the diamonds from leading certification agencies like IGI or GIA,” said K. P. Abdul Salam, Group Executive Director – Malabar Gold & Diamonds.

M E D I C A L E D UC AT I O N

Al Hayat gastroenterology workshop today MUSCAT: Al Hayat International Hospital is holding CME and a workshop on gastroenterology on its premises in Al Ghubra today and tomorrow.

Open to all gastroenterologist and internal medicine doctors in Oman, the faculty for the workshop will be Dr Kulwinder Dua, professor of Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA. He is chief of Gastroenterology, VA Medical Center and director of Advanced Endoscopy Programme. Most of the top gastroenterologists of Oman, from both government and private hos-

pitals, are expected to attend the workshop which includes presentation, interesting case discussions and demonstration of fibroscan, says a press release.

The CME will focus on fibroscan, unique method of liver scan and GERD. Dr Kulwinder has patented a device called Dua stent to treat GERD. Dr K. P. Raman, MD, DM, FRCP, chairman and chief cardiologist, said, Al Hayat International Hospital said, “It is a matter of prestige for us that Al Hayat is hosting this CME and workshop."

Dr Kulwinder Dua, Prof of Internal Medicine and Gastroenter-

ology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, guest of honour, Dr Juma Al Lawati, senior consultant gastroenterologist and HOD, Royal Hospital, Dr Wasif Rasool, consultant gastroenterologist, SQUH, Dr Salim Omer Salim Al Harthi, senior consultant gastroenterologist, Royal Hospital, Dr Amal Updhyay, consultant gastroenterologist, Dubai, Dr Mathew Raphael, gastroenterologist, Al Hayat International Hospital, Dr Rangarajan Muthukumaran, consultant laparoscopic GI and bariatric surgeon, Chennai will be the key speakers and moderators for this workshop.

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ROUND-UP

HDFC’s India Home Fair on September 4 The two-day event will showcase properties and real estate developments in different parts of India by more than 40 reputed builders

MUSCAT: HDFC, India’s largest home loan bank, is presenting this year’s India Home Fair at Al Falaj Hotel in Muscat on September 4 and 5.

The two-day event will showcase properties and real estate developments in different parts of India by more than 40 reputed builders. The pan-India presence of properties ensures that there is something in store for all Indians who are staying in the Sultanate, says a press release.

This is for the first time a reputed and a leading bank in India showcasing all the major builders from India at an exhibition in Oman. The leading bank has selected those builders who are

trust-worthy and conform to the rules of the Indian and various state governments.

HDFC has been an active supporter of the success story of the Indian real estate sector.

The largest home loan bank has been bridging the gap between developers and customers by pooling its resources for the betterment of the real estate sector. The aim behind this measure is to help both developers and customers at the same time.

“Non-resident Indians (NRIs) have always been looking at right investment opportunities to park their hard-earned money. Indian Home Fair 2015 is the right avenue for this as more than 40 reputed builders are participating in the exhibition,” said Navneet Prasad, regional head of HDFC. “HDFC has many novel schemes which are easy and

aimed at prospective real estate buyers. All the home loan schemes of the bank will be explained and will be available at the exhibition venue,” he added.

“The previous editions of India Home Fair have attracted a large number of visitors and many of them have got rich dividends from their visit. This year, we have selected those builders who have proved their merit in the market.

Thus, upcoming exhibition will have top builders and developers who have not only excelled in their field but have a wide range of products on offer for customers,” said Abhimanyu Kukreja, Oman office in charge of HDFC. “By bringing together HDFC and reputed builders under one platform, it has become a golden chance for non-resident Indians (NRIs) to get first-hand information about affordable homes and

premium villas at prime locations.

Thus, projects from all parts of the country will be available at the exhibition venue at the Al Falaj Hotel on September 4 and 5.

“Besides, for the benefit of Indians in Oman, the exhibition will have on the spot bank loan documentation facility,” said Lijihas Hussain, director of Molecules International, which is organising the property exhibition along with World National Exhibitions.

“Prime and premium properties from all the major states and on the spot facility for bank loan set apart Indian Home Fair from other exhibitions. We have done this for the benefit of Indians in Oman,” Lijihas further noted.

At a function held recently in Muscat, the new logo of the India Home Fair was unveiled by Molecules International with the presence of officials from HDFC bank and other local dignitaries.

For the benefit of visitors, there will be an active help desk which will clear the doubts and will guide prospective buyers to right properties. To meet the demands of NRIs who are staying in the interiors of the Sultanate, a special campaign will be undertaken so that they are in a position to buy their dream homes and properties at an affordable price from a wide range of properties which will be on display at Al Falaj Hotel.

‘ D R I V E YOU R D R E A M ’ C A M PA I G N

Joyalukkas picks final promo winner MUSCAT: Joyalukkas Jewellery picked the final winners for its ‘Drive your Dream’ campaign.

During this event, customers had the opportunity to win 12 Audi cars and 3kg gold.

The promotion received an overwhelming response and other than the 12 Audi cars, shoppers also won gold coin as prizes, says a press release.

“We are thankful for the customers’ overwhelming response to our ‘Drive your Dream’ promotion.

We gave away many exciting prizes and the reaction from each winner was priceless. To see our customers participate in such great numbers is always a great source of encouragement. The ‘Drive your Dream’ offer was one of the many

promotions we organised, in an effort to make every experience for customers a rewarding one,” said John Paul Joy Alukkas, Executive Director, Joyalukkas Group.

The final draw was held recently

at the Joyalukkas, Ruwi showroom. The winner of the final Audi car was Sonali Mukhergee.

When Jose K. F., Regional Manager, Joyalukkas group was called to inform her of this incred-

FINE DINING

ible winning, she was totally overwhelmed with emotion and said “Wow, this is dream come true, I love Joyalukkas!!!”.

After ‘Drive your Dream’ Joyalukkas Jewellery will continue to offer many such initiatives to keep their customers excited and reward them whenever possible. The ‘world’s favourite jeweller’ is renowned for their collection of over one million designs in all formats of precious jewellery i.e. gold, diamond, polki, precious stone, platinum and pearl. They offer many exciting brands and showcase the widest range of designs to suit all budgets and tastes. The 6 times in a row Superbrand currently is a chain of 105 showrooms across 10 countries around the world.

L A PA R O S C O P Y

Al Hayat welcomes new surgeon

Taste of Kashmir at Mumtaz Mahal MUSCAT: Renowned for its authentic North Indian delicacies and fine dining experience, Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant has laid out a fantastic new spread with the introduction of the flavourful Kashmiri cuisine, popularly known as Wazwan.

Served Tuesday through Friday, Mumtaz Mahal will have an exclusive menu featuring these Kashmiri delights, says a press release.

Wazwan, considered as an art in itself and recognised as a culinary pride of Kashmir, is a multicourse meal usually served on festive occasions. Living up to its name, Mumtaz Mahal brings the magnificence of Kashmiri food in its most splendid form. Passionately

conjured in the hands of a Kashmiri master chef or ‘Vaste Waze’, as they call it in the homeland, each item on the menu preserves its distinct flavour and unmistakable aroma, creating a tantalising experience for the diners.

Exotic flavour “Kashmir, naturally gifted with fragrant spices, adds that burst of exotic flavour to its dishes, giving birth to a regal cuisine savoured and rejoiced by meat lovers,” said Gautam Moudgill, general manager, Mumtaz Mahal Restaurant.

“Our Wazwan master chef from Kashmir has captured the amazing flavours just the way it is served in Kashmir and recreated

the same experience in our very own kitchen.”

Along with a wide selection of non-vegetarian items, the Wazwan cuisine at Mumtaz Mahal also has a great offering for the vegetarian soul. From the famous lamb roganjosh, rista, mirchi korma and gushtaba to the mouthwatering dum aloo, rajma dal and chamankaliya, Mumtaz Mahal brings to Oman authentic preparations of some of the best loved Kashmiri Wazwan cuisines.

A fully licensed restaurant, Mumtaz Mahal is well known both for its speciality cuisines as well as its tastefully created ambience that radiates an aura of elegance, class and aristocracy.

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MUSCAT: Al Hayat International Hospital, Al Ghubra welcomed Dr Rangarajan M., MBBS, MS., FRCS (Glasgow.), FACS (USA), DIPMIS (France), visiting general and laparoscopic surgeon in its general surgery department.

After obtaining his MBBS from M.M.C, Chennai, India, Dr Rangarajan followed it up with MS (general surgery) from the prestigious Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India followed by FRCS awarded from Royal College, Glasgow, FACS awarded from USA and DiPMIS from Louis Pasteur University, Strasbourg, France, says a press release.

He holds a membership in many professional associations in India and abroad, namely Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS), Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Endoscopic Laparoscopic Surgeons Asia (ELSA), Fellow of World Association for Laparoscopic Surgeons, International Institute of Endoscopic Surgery, Brazil. He brings with him a rich experience of nearly 18 years, acquired in India.

Dr Rangarajan has presented various papers on different laparoscopic surgeries and participated in a number of conferences and CME programmes. He has undergone special training in Advances Laparoscopy with Diploma at Universite de Louis Pasteur, Strabourg, France and hands on training on obesity surgery.

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

Renault’s Ramadan campaign receives whopping response MUSCAT: In keeping with its unwavering commitment to offer world class facilities and services to its valued customers, Renault Oman made every effort this Ramadan to prove that right.

For car aficionados who swear by the brand, Renault enjoyed some of the most unique and exclusive offers on some of their prestigious cars which are amongst the top driven cars in Europe today. Known to be a trusted name amongst niche clients, Renault Oman has always strived to be different and unique by offering unmatched services towards their clientele.

This year, customers who purchased a brand new Renault model won themselves an opportunity to enter a grand raffle draw. Not just that, they also went home with a bag full of surprise gifts, says a press release.

“Renault cars are a true testimony of their brand concept of ‘Drive the change’ as their cars offer unmatched zeal and excitement to every driver. With our exciting Ramadan offer this year, we have got an unprecedented response from people across the region. We want to offer the best to our prospective consumers too.

We strive very hard to give them whatever they need at the most competitive prices,” commented a senior SBA official.

Renault’s exclusive Ramadan offer comprised a plethora of benefits on most of their top selling models as well as their newly launched models in 2015.

Renault’s sedan segment comprises a prestigious line up of cars that include the sleek Renault Fluence, the strikingly good looking Renault Safrane and the newly launched Renault Symbol and Renault Megane. The SUV range comprises the Renault Duster, Renault Koleos and the all-new 2015 Renault Captur.

Get more with Renault Customers this year also got a chance to enter a grand raffle draw and the bumper prize is a Renault Duster PE T1. The Renault Duster, a strong and reliable SUV with genuine off-road ability is versatile and combines a spacious interior with saloon-car comfort. The Duster’s compact footprint and high ground clear-

ance ensures that it is meant for all kinds of roads.

Since its launch the SUV has received a tremendous response within the Sultanate and has generated rave reviews from car aficionados on its economical and affordability criteria.

Easy financing options Renault Oman designed the Ramadan scheme to add to the pleasure and convenience of owning a Renault model and ensuring hassle and worry-free driving at all times. With such a fabulous offer, Renault has already seen a lot of vehicles being purchased all across the country, leading to its huge success.

A customer, who recently purchased a Renault model under the Ramadan scheme, expressed his happiness, “I have always liked the stylish and attractive vehicles from Renault as they are known for their outstanding performance. By availing this scheme, I have received host of other benefits and luxurious products along with the new car.

“I am extremely excited about my new purchase and would like to thank the impeccable service rendered at the showroom which made my purchasing easy and hassle free. This offer is a double bonanza for me and I am sure everyone would like to be part of it.”

A world class brand Renault is a world class brand today, focusing mainly on the important aspects such as safety, style, performance, value and reliability — keeping alive the motoring heritage of Renault.

The Renault principle of safety is outlined in four basic points: Prevent, correct, protect and educate. Renault provides equipment that performs auxiliary tasks automatically to promote the responsibility of drivers by warning them when they are not in a position to control their vehicle or when they put themselves in a position of potential danger.

SBA 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.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

ROUND-UP

Toyota’s SUV range – tough and dependable Segment benchmarks like the Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Prado, FJ Cruiser, Fortuner and RAV4 have gained immense popularity across the region and the world through their legendary power, performance and luxury

MUSCAT: With Toyota’s SUVs there’s no denying the fact that toughness and reliability have remained its hallmarks for decades.

And continue to remain so till date.

Segment benchmarks like the Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Prado, FJ Cruiser, Fortuner and RAV4 have gained immense popularity across the region and the world through their legendary power, performance and luxury, says a press release.

For instance, the Toyota Land Cruiser has been synonymous with all-terrain prowess and rugged dependability topped with spell-binding luxury. Land Cruiser, the flagship SUV from Toyota, is powered by a massive 5.7 litre V8 engine and is paired with a sixspeed automatic transmission.

Its off-road capabilities are bolstered by a long list of equipment like Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), Crawl Control System, Multi-Terrain Select and more. The Land Cruiser has

luxurious interiors that seamlessly blend high quality and user friendly functionality.

The Toyota Sequoia has been honoured with many awards. The Sequoia is equipped with a 5.7 Litre, dual VVT-i, V8 i-Force engine that churns out class-topping horsepower and torque. Equipped with a wide range of features and technologies, the Sequoia is available with eight seats (with a third row versatile seater for three adults). The Sequoia boasts of a 10way adjustable driver power seat with memory function - enabling diverse seat arrangements for the second and third row of seats.

Born with the Toyota Land Cruiser DNA in its bloodline, the Prado takes Toyota’s enviable 4WD legacy way further. That explains why it is a top-seller in more than 170 countries and regions around the world. Drivability, reliability and functionality are all here in abundance. Throw-in superior on-road and off-road performance and it is not hard to tell that this 4WD is one-of-a-kind.

The Prado also offers top-end features including cruise control, steering angle display, active headrest, power tilt & telescopic steering column, side step with illumination, smart entry and push button start, rear view camera

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with display on audio system, retractable outer mirrors (with turn signal), moonroof and daytime running lights.

A midsize SUV, the Toyota FJ Cruiser focuses on off-road performance and a style that invokes its heritage. The FJ is equipped with the powerful and muscular 4 Litre, V6 petrol with dual VVTi engine which whips up a massive 268 HP. Optimally matched with the drive train is the superior and sporty 5-speed, Super ECT (Automatic) transmission, designed to deliver excellent performance, smooth gear shifting and lower noise levels. FJ’s special touches include a leather steering wheel with silver accents, audio control and bluetooth switches. The interior is loaded with features like water repellent fabric seats, USB+ auxiliary port, cruise control, bluetooth telephone kit, 8-way adjustable driver seat, keyless entry system, 10-speaker JBL audio system with subwoofer.

A ‘refined soul in a muscular body, designed for urban adventures’ the Fortuner TRD Sportivo has some exciting new additions.

These include a stylish front bumper spoiler, rear and roof spoiler, an imposing TRD emblem and muffler cutter. Livening up the entire package is a TRD side tape stripe. The

15% INCREASE

Fortuner TRD Sportivo’s splendid form is further adorned with Chrome radiator grille, HID headlamps and magnificent 17” alloy wheels. Engineered for the discerning driver, Fortuner TRD Sportivo’s comfortable cabin is equipped with an ergonomic interface – a horizontal-theme instrument panel set within strikingly beautiful woodgrain panelling.

RAV4 is a global model that is sold in more than 150 countries and regions globally. The RAV4 is equipped with a 2.5 litre fourcylinder engine with Dual VVT-i technology which enhances power delivery efficiency by controlling both intake and exhaust timings to produce 177 horsepower with a 6-speed multi-mode automatic transmission. The RAV4 features a sporty, strong front design that emphasises the boldness of the model. It is equipped with xenon headlamps with attractive daytime running lights, aero stabilizing fins, aerodynamic roof rails, floor mounted spare wheels, moon-roof and rear parking sensors.

In Oman, Toyota’s outstanding product quality is supported by the nationwide parts and service network of Saud Bahwan Automotive.

No wonder then that today, Toyota is one of the most trusted and wellknown brands.

POPULAR EVENT

Bank Muscat extends support to camel milking competition SALALAH: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has extended lead support to Dhofar camel milking competition, which started yesterday with the participation of a large number of thoroughbred and crossbred camels.

The popular event coinciding with Salalah Festival is a big attraction for residents, tourists and visitors, says a press release.

The objective of the competition, which concludes on August 23, is to encourage people to raise camel livestock, which contributes to sustainable development and economic growth by generating income from livestock produce such as milk and meat. The event which highlights camel as part of Arab natural wealth also seeks to raise awareness on preservation of pasture lands and pre-

vention of desertification.

Yasir Salim Tabook, regional manager – Dhofar, said: “Bank Muscat is proud to support the Dhofar camel milking competition and complement the government efforts in boosting the livestock sector. The support to the event comes within the bank’s strategy to promote and preserve the country’s traditions, heritage and culture. The livestock wealth is of economic importance and the bank remains committed to supporting all segments of society, including the farming and herding community.”

“Bank Muscat supports all important national events aimed at preserving the country’s rich traditions, heritage and culture. We are happy that the competition will help familiarise people with the country’s rich heritage and traditions,” Tabook added.

OFFERS

Amazing deals at Park Inn Duqm DUQM: Cool down this summer with special hotel offers at Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm. The hotel announces some amazing deals that will help customers revitalise their body, mind and soul, at prices they will not want to miss, says a press release.

Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm is a perfect summer getaway offer for families or groups. All 73 chalets and apartments include amenities like a covered balcony, free wireless Internet throughout the hotel. Guests can also take advantage of a kitchenette equipped with crockery, cutlery, a kitchen range and a microwave.

Wellness club offer gives people a reason to step out and have

some healthy, wholesome fun.

Customers are welcome to the hotel’s health club, which boasts state-of-the-art equipment. In addition, they can get a fun workout at outdoor swimming pool with the amazing view of the Arabian sea. Stay refresh at the Pool lounge, offering wide variety of beverages.

Rabih Zein, general manager at Park Inn by Radisson Muscat and Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm says, “We want to ensure that we offer our patrons an enjoyable summer.

These offers bring recreation and food services to customers at very appealing prices. We guarantee that we will deliver our Yes I Can! Service to exceed our guest expectations.”

S A L A L A H T O U R I S M F E S T I VA L

OAB Hassad draw to be held today SALALAH: Oman Arab Bank (OAB) the main sponsor of Salalah Tourism Festival 2015, announced that its first ‘Hassad’ Regional draw along with the segment draws for children and females will take place at the today at 9pm. Various exciting activities and entertainment are planned between 5pm and 10pm, says a press release.

Fun filled evening OAB is extending an invitation to all residents and tourists to visit Salalah on this day, at the main arena stage. In addition to showcasing the bank’s services, OAB has arranged for a fun filled evening that will include magic

and talent shows for adults and children alike.

Regional winner Amin Al Husseini, chief executive officer of Oman Arab Bank, said, “Oman Arab Bank is proud to support the Salalah Tourism Festival 2015, one of the leading cultural events in the region’s calendar.

This year’s Salalah Tourism Festival will be attended by customers from across Oman and the wider GCC region and we have ensured that we have a considerable presence to provide them with a superior customer experience. In addition, we will be announcing the name of the lucky OMR20,000 Hassad regional

winner at the festival.”

Oman Arab Bank has unveiled its new Hassad Savings Scheme for the second half of 2015, allowing customers to win exciting prizes from July through December. The scheme has over half a million Omani rials to be won over a period of six months.

As a new addition to the Hassad draw for this year’s scheme, Oman Arab Bank has introduced two exciting prizes that focus on draws that are more frequent and guaranteed regional winners. Every week there will be a lucky winner of OMR10,000 and every month there will be one lucky regional winner of OMR20,000.

ACADEMICS

Volkswagen Oman reports Modern College launches two increase in Ramadan sales new bachelor’s programmes MUSCAT: Wattayah Motors, the official distributor of Volkswagen in Oman, has announced a 15 per cent increase in sales during this year’s Ramadan season compared to the same period last year.

Following the conclusion of the Ramadan promotion on July 31, Wattayah Motors confirmed the Volkswagen Passat delivered the strongest performance during the period of Ramadan, constituting 31 per cent of all sales made during

the promotional period; followed closely by the Jetta, Golf and Tiguan who were also strong performers, says a press release.

Andrew Squires, general manager of Wattayah Motors, said: “Ramadan continues to be one of our most successful periods of the year in terms of sales and traffic in our showrooms. Our sales performance increase over this year’s season accentuates the reputation of Volkswagen as a brand that offers

reliable and innovative cars underlined by German engineering, and at surprisingly affordable prices.”

Skilled after-sales team “I would also like to congratulate every new Volkswagen owner on their purchase, whilst ensuring them our highly skilled after-sales team at Wattayah Motors will guarantee peace-of-mind motoring for the duration of their ownership,” he concluded.

MUSCAT: In keeping with the evolving requirements of the job market, Modern College of Business and Science recently introduced industry relevant and career-oriented bachelor programmes in Transport and Logistics Management, and Information Security.

First batches of the programmes will begin their classes in September. The college had introduced not long ago two other undergraduate programmes Commercial Law, and Health & Safety, addressing as well the demand of the job market, says a press release.

“These are full-fledged bachelor programmes offering excellent employment potential and career growth. With the Sultanate undertaking mega infrastructure development and in view of its growing trade agreements with other countries, transport and logistics and commercial law are the sectors to watch out for in terms of skilled human resources. At the same time both government and private sectors are increasingly adopting advanced networking technology in their operations, and they

need to protect themselves from possible cyber-attacks; and this marks Information Security as a key growth area needing qualified candidates,” said Prof. Ahmed Al Naamany, dean of the college.

“Modern College has always strived to offer youngsters ample choices in their academic pursuits by updating its programme portfolio with innovative career-oriented, industry-relevant courses.

The curriculum of each of these courses has been designed as per key inputs provided by industry experts and professional societies in the region,” he added.

Salient features The bachelors programme in Transport and Logistics Management will be administered by an international faculty, and the degrees are endorsed by the University of Missouri, St. Louis, US. Other highlights include placements on a three-month internship, and strong industry links and field trips.

Information Security course prepares students for a career that demands expertise in technical security. Key focus areas include designing, securing and

evaluating computer systems.

Specialisation options are available in securing networks and allied infrastructure, securing applications and databases, security testing, information systems auditing, business continuity planning and forensics science, among others.

Students of Commercial Law get to acquire key business skills including analytical and critical thinking, effective communications and strategic assessment of business opportunities and risks. The programme, delivered by an international faculty, offers individualised placement into an internship programme for a semester or a summer programme.

Job opportunities include outof-court legal consulting positions within a business for contract negotiations, acquisitions and mergers and general business dealings. It also prepares entrepreneurs to effectively lead their firms.

The programme in Health and Safety prepares students for global employment in a rapidly expanding area. Graduates will be capable of starting a health and safety career in any industry.

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SPOR YOUR GAME

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HADDIN HEADING HOME EARLY FROM ASHES TOUR Australia wicket-keeper Brad Haddin is returning home early from the Ashes tour of England for family reasons, a team spokeswoman said Tuesday. Haddin was not expected to play in next week’s fifth and final Test. >C3

Six-star Ashwin puts India on top Twelve wickets fell on the opening day and India were themselves reduced to 28-2 before they recovered to post 128 without further loss by stumps at Galle International Stadium

GALLE: Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed six wickets as India bowled out Sri Lanka for 183 but then stumbled briefly in reply in a rousing start to the first Test on Wednesday.

Twelve wickets fell on the opening day and India were themselves reduced to 28-2 before they recovered to post 128 without further loss by stumps at the Galle International Stadium.

Opener Shikhar Dhawan was unbeaten on 53 and skipper Virat Kohli was on 45 during a thirdwicket stand of 100, leaving India just 56 runs away from the lead.

Dhammika Prasad trapped Lokesh Rahul leg-before for seven and Rohit Sharma fell in similar fashion to Angelo Mathews for nine, but Dhawan and Kohli stepped in to deny Sri Lanka further success. Ashwin, playing a Test match on Sri Lankan soil for the first time, finished with six for 46 as the home team were bowled out in 49.4 overs after they won the toss and elected to bat.

Leg-spinner Amit Mishra, one of the three spinners in the Indian team on an unusually dry pitch, took two wickets off successive balls to hasten the end. Mathews top-scored with 64 and Dinesh Chandimal led a charmed life to

make 59, the pair sharing a valuable 79-run partnership for the sixth wicket after their team had collapsed to 60-5 before lunch.

Chandimal — lucky to survive a dropped catch by wicket-keeper Wriddhiman Saha off Ishant Sharma in the second over after lunch when he was on five — hit nine boundaries.

Mathews brought up his halfcentury with a six over long-on against veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh. He also hit six fours.

Ishant struck the first blow in the morning session dominated

by India when he forced Dimuth Karunaratne to fend a short ball to Ajinkya Rahane at first slip.

In the next over, Kaushal Silva top-edged fast bowler Varun Aaron and Dhawan made amends for a dropped catch earlier in the innings by holding the skier at first slip.

Kumar Sangakkara, playing the first of his last two Tests before retiring from international cricket, walked in at 15-2 to the bursting of firecrackers and warm applause from some 1,500 home fans.

But the left-hander, the leading run-scorer in Tests among those still playing, faced just 12 deliveries before falling in the first over after the drinks break for five.

GOOD GOING, MATE: Indian captain Virat Kohli, right, pats opener Shikhar Dhawan as the duo put on 100 runs for the unbeaten third wicket partnership. – AFP

Sangakkara punched the third ball from Ashwin straight to sillypoint fielder Rahul, who gleefully held on to the sharp chance.

Lahiru Thirimanne (13) appeared in fine touch while striking two boundaries before he became Ashwin’s second victim, caught in the slips by Rahane to leave Sri Lanka tottering on 54-4.

Ashwin gained another wicket before lunch when he deceived Jehan Mubarak (0) in the air and the batsman gave Rahul an easy catch at forward short-leg.

Mathews and Chandimal fought back after lunch but Ashwin ended the threatening stand by having the Sri Lankan captain caught superbly by a diving Rohit at forward short-leg for 64.

Ashwin then trapped Dhammika Prasad leg-before for zero in his next over to claim his 11th fivewicket haul in 26 Tests.

Mishra removed Chandimal and Tharindu Kaushal off successive deliveries, but last man Nuwan Pradeep denied the bowler a hat-trick. - AFP SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka 1st innings: D. Karunaratne c Rahane b Ishant 9 K. Silva c Dhawan b Aaron 5 L. Thirimanne c Rahane b Ashwin 13 K. Sangakkara c Rahul b Ashwin 5 A. Mathews c Rohit b Ashwin 64 Jehan Mubarak c Rahul b Ashwin 0 Dinesh Chandimal c Rahane b Mishra 59 D. Prasad lbw b Ashwin 0 R. Herath b Ashwin 23 T. Kaushal c Rohit b Mishra 0 N. Pradeep not out 0 Extras: (b-1, lb-1, nb-3) 5 Total (all out, 49.4 overs) 183 Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Karunaratne), 2-15 (Silva), 3-27 (Sangakkara), 4-54 (Thirimanne), 5-60 (Mubarak), 6-139 (Mathews), 7-155 (Prasad), 8-179 (Chandimal), 9-179 (Kaushal), 10-183 (Herath) Bowling: Ishant 11-3-30-1 (nb3), Aaron 11-0-68-1, Ashwin 13.4-2-46-6, Mishra 6-1-20-2, Harbhajan 8-1-17-0 India 1st innings: L. Rahul lbw b Prasad 7 S. Dhawan not out 53 R. Sharma lbw b Mathews 9 V. Kohli not out 45 Extras: (lb-6, w-2, nb-6) 14 Total (for two wickets, 34 overs) 128 Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Rahul), 2-28 (R. Sharma) Bowling: Prasad 7-0-22-1 (nb1), Pradeep 8-1-32-0 (w2), Mathews 4-1-12-1, Kaushal 8-0-41-0 (nb5), Herath 7-1-15-0 Toss: Sri Lanka Umpires: Bruce Oxenford and Nigel Llong TV umpire: Ranmore Martinesz (SRI) Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)

C O M M E N TA RY

Ashwin looking a completely different bowler

I

ndia have given themselves a great chance of starting the three match Test series with a win.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s offspinners rattled the Lankans as he picked up 6 wickets and with Amit Mishra and the two new ball bowlers also picking up wickets the Lankans were dismissed for only 183.

Even that would not have been possible but for the partnership for the sixth wicket between skipper Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal. They counterattacked gallantly and were unafraid to play the lofted shots. They were also helped by the Indian captain’s decision not to bowl Ashwin immediately after lunch.

Kohli brought another off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and he could not get the ball to grip and turn as much as Ashwin did. Although Ashwin bowled a couple of overs from the other end it was only when Ashwin was brought back after more than an hour from the City End from where he had picked the 3 wickets before lunch that the game turned for India again. Ashwin broke the partnership and also ensured that the Lankan tail did not wag too much.

He is looking a completely different bowler from the one that was seen in Australia where not only did he have a different delivery action but also his line was totally differ-

Shikar Dhawan has played some lovely shots and has looked really solid

ent. He is now bowling with a much simpler action that does not seem to put any strain on his body and gives him more of a pivot and more crucially the line that he is bowling gives him a greater chance to get the batsmen in trouble when the ball is turning.

If in Australia he was bowling more around the middle and leg stump he is now attacking from just around the off-stump. This way he is also bringing the slip fielder into play if the ball straightens and doesn’t turn. He was supported by some excellent close catching especially from Lokesh Rahul who picked up a terrific catch to get rid of the retiring Sangakkara.

That was purely a fielder’s wicket. Then Rohit Sharma reacted quickly at forward shortleg to pick up Angelo Mathews and break the dangerous partnership. Amit Mishra picked up two wickets too and was on a hat-trick but he will have to bowl a little more fuller in the second innings as the pitch is likely to slow down even more.

The opening wickets were taken by Ishant Sharma and Varun Aaron who both extracted good bounce from the pitch. Both the openers were consumed by the short ball.

Rahul and Rohit Sharma disappointed being out legbefore the wicket. Rahul paid the price for playing across the line and Rohit Sharma was beaten by one that nipped back slightly. He was thus unable to capitalise on the life that he had been given in the previous over when a third umpire review showed that Prasad had overstepped the mark and so the umpire’s decision to give him out leg before had to be turned back.

Dhawan has played some lovely shots and looked really solid. He also got a chance when Mathews floored a sharp chance at slip off the off-spinner Kaushal. With the ball turning appreciably from day one, it is unlikely that this game will last five days unless of course the weather gods come in and interrupt playing time. - PMG

RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN

6 wickets for 46 runs

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

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Burns, Agar in Australia ODI squad to face England

THE VENUE: A view of the National Stadium, also known as the Bird’s Nest, with colourful lights is seen at the Olympic Green in Beijing. This venue will hosts the cream of athletics once again after the Olympics. – Reuters

‘Scandal’ gives Bolt-Gatlin showdown new significance The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) hit back robustly at charges it failed to act on hundreds of suspicious tests after data from thousands of blood samples were leaked to media organisations

THE BIG DUEL: The combination picture shows Jamaica’s Usain Bolt., left, and U.S. runner Justing Gatlin. The two sprinters will highlight world championships in Beijing. – Reuters

SYDNEY: Usain Bolt’s showdown with Justin Gatlin was always going to be the most highly anticipated clash of the World Athletics Championships in Beijing, but with track and field rocked by recent doping allegations it now looks like being a battle for the very soul of the sport.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) hit back robustly at charges it failed to act on hundreds of suspicious tests after data from thousands of blood samples were leaked to media organisations.

Calling the allegations “sensationalist and confusing”, the IAAF defended its drugs testing procedures and said it was cooperating with the independent World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in an investigation.

What cannot be disputed, however, is that Gatlin is a proven drugs cheat with two positive tests for banned substances that would have resulted in a life ban had he not cooperated with the authorities.

Bolt, on the other hand, is the most bankable track and field athlete of the modern era.

His clean doping record is as

much a part of his huge popularity as his undoubted charisma and dominance of men’s sprinting for much of the last seven years.

The prospect, therefore, of Gatlin emerging as champion of the blue riband sprint on the evening of Aug. 23 in Beijing could deal another hammer blow to the credibility of the sport.

“You are talking about the most significant, the best loved, best known, most iconic track and field athlete out there, Usain Bolt,” Bob Dorfman, a sports marketing expert at Baker Street Advertising in San Francisco, told Reuters.

“So if he got beat by somebody who has had drug issues in the past it wouldn’t help the sport.”

Unfortunately for the IAAF, that is a scenario which looks to have every chance of panning out.

While world record holder Bolt has struggled to hit his straps this season, the 33-year-old Gatlin is in the form of his life and unbeaten over 100 and 200m since 2013.

“The average person, when they look at his age and see the fact he has been suspended in the past, I think a lot of people are just going to look at it and say, ‘well he found a way around the testing,’” said George Belch, a sports marketing professor at San Diego State University.

“Given his age, people are going to have a difficult time accepting the fact that he could be running faster than ever.”

Even if Gatlin fails to beat Bolt, his compatriot Tyson Gay or Jamaican Asafa Powell might. Both have served doping bans in the last two years.

Sporting stratosphere Bolt has always prided himself on being a “big meeting” runner, however, and could yet rediscover the form that sent him rocketing into the sporting stratosphere on two sultry evenings at the same Bird’s Nest stadium in 2008.

Since he won both the 100 and 200m in world record times at the Beijing Olympics, only a false start in the 100 at the 2011 world championships in Daegu prevented Bolt from sweeping the sprint titles at all four major global meetings.

The 28-year-old Jamaican is by

far the best-known of the 2,000 athletes expected to compete over the nine days of the championships from Aug. 22-30.

That number is unlikely to drop much despite the IAAF initiating disciplinary action against 28 athletes on Tuesday after re-testing samples from the 2005 and 2007 world championships with new technology.

Most of those responsible for the 32 adverse results have retired or are already serving bans, the IAAF said.

The cloud of doping is sure to hang as heavily as the Beijing smog over the last days of Lamine Diack’s 16-year reign as IAAF president, which will come to an end next Wednesday.

Sebastian Coe and Sergey Bubka, two great athletes and Olympians, will contest the election to succeed the Senegalese and take on the task of reviving their sport.

To say that whoever wins will face a challenge tougher than anything they encountered in their much-decorated careers would be something of an understatement.

“Obviously track and field is not a top-of-line sport except during Olympic years,” Dorfman added.

“So any sort of scandal is going to hurt the event and is going to hurt it more just because legitimacy is such an issue.

“It’s similar to the Tour de France. You talk about cycling and what scandal has done to that sport and how it is just not taken a seriously as it used to be. I would put it in that same category.” - Reuters

SYDNEY: Cricket Australia on Wednesday named a refreshed squad for One-day Internationals against England, with allrounder Marcus Stoinis, spinner Ashton Agar and batsman Joe Burns set to make debuts.

Australia claimed their fifth World Cup in the 50-over game in March but since then wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and Test captain Michael Clarke have announced their retirement from the format. Fast bowlers Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood are also being rested after Australia’s unsuccessful Ashes campaign against England, which followed a Test series in the West Indies.

“The squad we have selected has a few fresh faces in it as well as some experienced players that will provide us with the right balance,” said selectors’ chairman Rod Marsh.

Marsh said Burns, 25, had impressed while playing in India for Australia A, where last week he blasted 154 from 131 balls against India A in Chennai.

Burns proved he was “a very capable young batsman who has experience opening”, said Marsh. Stoinis, 25, was considered a handy all-rounder to replace James Faulkner who was not considered for the series after being convicted of drinkdriving in England last month.

Left-arm spinner Agar, who scored a memorable 98 in his Test debut against England in 2013, also hit form in India after returning from shoulder surgery, Marsh said.

Matthew Wade takes over the wicketkeeping position from Haddin and will play his first ODI since November 2014 while Steven Smith, expected to be named as Test captain following Clarke’s retirement, is named skipper. Current T20 captain Aaron Finch was not selected after fracturing his foot while playing for Yorkshire last month.

Squad: Steve Smith (c), Ashton Agar, George Bailey, Joe Burns, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Patrick Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade (wk), Shane Watson, David Warner, Cameron Boyce (T20 only). - AFP

TRI-SERIES

Australia A thump South Africa A CHENNAI: South Africa A’s batting crumbled under pressure as Australia A pulled off a massive 108-run victory in the ongoing 50-over tri-series at the M.A. Chidambaram stadium here on Wednesday.

Chasing Australia A’s 272, South Africa A team kept losing wickets at regular intervals and could only manage 164 in 37.1 overs. Heading into the rescheduled fifth encounter of the series which also involves India A, South Africa A fielded a strong unit as most of the players barring Quinton de Kock regained full fitness after a food poisoning incident in the last match.

South Africa A skipper Dean Elgar top scored for his side with 64, but it wasn’t enough. Australia A’s Ashton Agar (3/41) and legspinner Cameron Boyce (3/48) took three wickets each. With the loss South Africa A are out of the tournament.

South Africa A did not recover from the early jolt as Agar and Boyce kept them on a tight leash.

Only skipper Elgar fought back

India A eye final berth

GOOD WIN: Australia A skipper Matthew Wade along with teammates after winning the match against South Africa A at MAC Stadium in Chennai. – PTI

with a few hefty blows en route to his 64, but then fell attempting a slog-sweep.

Khaya Zondo tried hard with a knock of 47, but once he got out the lower order failed to deliver with the last four batsmen contributing just two runs with their willow.

Earlier, Australia A posted a strong total of 27 runs riding on the century (130) captain Matthew Wade made. Wade was well supported by

Peter Handscomb (52).

Pacer Lonwabo Tsotsobe returned with figures of 3/50 from his nine overs as Australia lost their last five wickets for 70 runs, ending with 272 in 47.2 overs.

Brief scores: Australia A 272 all out (Matthew Wade 130, Peter Handscomb 52; Lonwabo Tsotsobe 3/50) vs South Africa A 164 all out (Dean Elgar 64; Ashton Agar 3/41, Cameron Boyce 3/48). - IANS

CHENNAI: Eyeing a spot in the tri-series final, the Unmukt Chandled India A will look to sort out its batting woes and patchy form when it takes on a struggling South Africa A in the last league match here tomorrow.

Having played three games with just one win and two humiliating losses against Australia A, India A would be hoping to cross the line against the South Africans, whose morale has been hit by the hospitalisation of 10 of its players due to food poisoning. - PTI

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

SPORTS E A R LY R E T U R N

Brad Haddin heading home LONDON: Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is returning home early from the Ashes tour of England for family reasons, a team spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Haddin was not expected to play in next week’s fifth and final Test at The Oval, having lost his place in the side to Peter Nevill.

The cricket.com.au website said Haddin, 37, had left London on Tuesday as the rest of the squad arrived in Northampton on Tuesday for a first-class fixture that starts in the Midlands town on Friday.

A Cricket Australia spokesperson confirmed Haddin’s exit, asking the media respect the privacy of Haddin and his family.

Haddin played the first Test of the series in Cardiff, where he dropped Joe Root on nought before the England batsman went on to make 134 in a 169-run win, and was not at his best with the bat either.

He then missed, at his own request, Australia’s 405-run victory in the second Test at Lord’s to spend time with his ill daughter in a London hospital.

Haddin’s daughter Mia reportedly suffers from neuroblastoma — a rare form of cancer that occurs in children aged five years or younger.

Nevill, Haddin’s understudy at New South Wales, impressed on his Test debut at Lord’s and then retained his place for Australia’s defeat at Edgbaston (eight wickets) and at Trent Bridge (an innings and 78 runs) which

saw England take an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match Ashes series. It was a move that proved highly controversial, with several former Australia players, notably Matthew Hayden, saying Haddin should have been recalled at Edgbaston if the team’s ‘family first’ policy meant anything, while there were reports in the Australian media that Haddin’s treatment had unsettled other squad members.

Australia coach Darren Lehmann said leaving out Haddin at Edgbaston was the hardest decision of his career, while on-tour selector Rodney Marsh — one of Australia’s greatest wicket-keepers -- said Haddin’s recent form meant team chiefs “didn’t have an option” other than to retain the 29-year-old Nevill.

“We certainly care about Brad and his family,” Lehmann said after the third Test. “We’re really close as a group. We’ve talked about it openly. That would be the hardest decision I’ve had to make as a coach, or even as a player.” Haddin retired from one-day internationals after playing in Australia’s World Cup final win over New Zealand in Melbourne in March.

Although he has made no formal statement about his Test future, Tuesday’s announcement effectively spells the end of a 66-match career of 270 dismissals (262 caught, eight stumped) and 3,266 runs, including four hundreds, at an average of 32.98. - AFP

Lehmann apologises for the Ashes defeat Darren Lehmann attacked the suggestion that

Ashes buck stops with me, says Australia boss Howard

the players’ wives, partners and families who had accompanied them on this tour had somehow contributed to the their lack form on the field

SYDNEY: Australia’s coach Darren Lehmann took responsibility Wednesday for the crushing Ashes defeat to England, saying that his players were desperate to make amends in the final Test at The Oval.

Australia are 3-1 down in the series after a humiliating fourth Test drubbing by an innings and 78 runs at Trent Bridge when the tourists were bowled out for 60 before lunch on the first day.

“We have been poor, we have been outplayed by a superior opponent, and as coaching staff, players and selectors we fully accept the blame for our losses at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge,” Lehmann said in a column for the Cricket Australia website.

“On behalf of our team I want to apologise for the manner in which we have lost, especially to those tour groups and individual fans who paid to travel to the UK to watch us and to the millions more tuning in at home.”

Lehmann attacked the suggestion that the players’ wives, partners and families who had accompanied them on this tour had somehow contributed to the their lack form on the field.

“There’s no question we haven’t performed as we expected and we appreciate that in those circumstances we have to accept negative criticism from the media because we’ve had so much positive coverage during our success over the past two years,” he said.

MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia’s high performance director Pat Howard has taken the blame for the Ashes capitulation and put himself forward as the first person to be held to account in a postseries review.

The 3-1 series loss with the fifth and final test still to play has sparked recrimination in Australia, with local media tearing into the team’s woeful batting and blaming selectors for picking a ‘Dad’s Army’ of ageing players.

Former rugby international Howard, who recently signed a contract extension until 2017, conceded he was uncomfortable about a number of decisions made under his watch.

“I need to be reviewed and I have absolutely no problem with that,” Howard told local media after returning from England.

“Clearly I have got to take leadership over this. We lost and someone is accountable and ultimately I am a ccountable.

“The first person I want people looking for is me rather than anyone else. We will do an internal review first and see where that gets to.”

Howard said it was his fault paceman Ryan Harris, who suffered a knee injury and promptly retired days before

“And while we’re happy to cop criticism for the way we bat, bowl, field or prepare I believe it’s unfair to suggest having families with us as a reason for our onfield efforts.”

Lehmann said the reality of international schedules was that some in the squad would have only been home for three or four days since the Boxing Day Test last December.

“I can’t think of any other sport in which the players are away

Australia’s high performance director Pat Howard

the first Test, had been unable to get fit for the series.

“I put the (fitness and rehab) program in with the guys to take him out of Sheffield Shield cricket to get him ready,” the 41-year-old added.

“I am certainly going to review that decision.

“We went for experience in

from their homes and their loved ones for such long stretches of time,” he said.

“And as such we will continue to welcome families as part of any tour because it is simply unrealistic to expect them to spend those long periods apart.”

Lehmann also rounded on criticism directed towards captain Michael Clarke, who announced that the fifth Ashes Test at the Oval would be his last.

“Michael is one of our most

the English conditions, we had plenty of experienced guys that had scored centuries in England before.

“It was a strategic decision — but did we get that right?

“It is going to sit in the back of why head whether that was right or not.”

Head coach and selector Darren Lehmann also apologised for the team’s performance in a lengthy column on Cricket Australia’s website (www.cricket.com.au).

“We have been poor, we have been outplayed by a superior opponent, and as coaching staff, players and selectors we fully accept the blame for our losses at Edgbaston and Trent Bridge,” he wrote.

Lehmann came under fire on social media for using Twitter to try to source tickets for an English soccer match only hours after his team’s humbling loss at Trent Bridge.

“We spend a lot of time in each other’s company, from functions after test matches that are solely for the team to lunches like the one we had for the group when we arrived in Nottingham, and even the gym sessions for players and support staff that leave me feeling sore for days,” he said.

“But there comes a time when people also need to be able to do their own thing.” - Reuters

committed trainers who will go to the nets every day even when we have optional sessions or give guys a day off, and on practice days he’ll travel to the ground early with the support staff who go ahead to get everything set up,” he said.

He said the team hoped to send off Clarke with a win.

“From there, we enter a new era of Australian cricket that everyone in our set-up is really excited about,” he added. - AFP

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

SPORTS Lee marches on, Chen Long begins title defence in style Lee, who has settled for silver at the last three world championships, blew away Zwiebler 2114, 17-21, 21-8, while world No. 1 Chen dismissed Estonia’s Raul Must 21-15, 21-7

JAKARTA: Lee Chong Wei claimed his first proper scalp at the World Badminton Championships on Wednesday, defeating 12th seed Marc Zwiebler so convincingly the German declared his Malaysian opponent ready to win his first world crown.

Lee, who has settled for silver at the last three world championships, blew away Zwiebler 21-14, 17-21, 21-8 to book a spot in the third round.

Lee only returned to the badminton circuit in May after being slapped with a ban for doping, and enters the world championships unseeded for the first time in years.

But his clinical dismissal of Zwiebler, capped off with a string of unanswered smashes in the third set, has the Malaysian looking top of his game and hungry for his maiden crown.

Zwiebler, who is close friends with Lee, said the Malaysian had clearly returned to former glory during his eight-month hiatus and was the “best player” in the field to take on the Chinese juggernauts Chen Long and Lin Dan. “He is an almost perfect player.

He doesn’t have a weak spot,” he told reporters. “If he is ready to put away the pressure, and focus on his strengths, then definitely he can be champion.”

World No. 1 Chen’s bid to defend his world crown got off to a strong start Wednesday, as he dismissed Estonia’s Raul Must 21-15, 21-7.

The top seed is expected to encounter little trouble until the quarterfinals, where he will likely face seventh-seeded Dane Viktor Axelsen. Chen, who has already won four titles this season, wasn’t

CONVINCING WIN: Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei hits a return to Germany’s Marc Zwiebler during their men’s singles match at the BWF World Badminton Championships in Jakarta on Wednesday. – Reuters

getting ahead of himself, however, and stressed he would take one match at a time.

“Today there are many good players. They could all win,” the 26-year-old told reporters.

It seems a wise approach from the defending champion, who has faltered early in other tournaments this year against lesserranked opponents.

Five-time world champion Lin marched onward in his campaign for a sixth crown, brushing aside 75th-ranked Daniel Paiola 2114, 21-14. But the fifth seed and two-time Olympic champion was surprised at the resistance he en-

countered playing the unseeded Brazilian, suggesting he was feeling his age.

“My physical condition is not like it used to be,” the 31-year-old told reporters. “I did not think my opponent would be so difficult.”

Mixed day for India There were upsets elsewhere, with local hero Tommy Sugiarto unable to fend off wily Hong Kong shuttler Wei Nan in a gripping three-set contest. Sugiarto, Indonesia’s only hope in the men’s singles, came within an inch of winning the epic 70 minute battle but eventually succumbed 26-24, 8-21, 22-20 to

his unseeded opponent. The 15th seed narrowly dropped the first set before steamrolling Wei in the second. But the real fireworks were in the decider, with the pair neck and neck as the crowd rallied before the home favourite.

“It is hard to accept this defeat,” the 27-year-old told reporters after the match.

It wasn’t all bad news for the hosts on Wednesday, with local shuttler Lindaweni Fanetri upstaging 13th seed Minatsu Mitani from Japan in the women’s singles.

Back in the men’s game, unseeded Vietnamese Nguyen Tien Minh also ejected 10th seed Indian

Kashyap Parupalli 17-21, 21-13, 2118. Indian H.S. Prannoy, the 11th seed, was more fortunate, taking a place in the last 16 with a routine victory over Uganda’s Edwin Ekiring 21-14, 21-19.

He will face Axelsen on Thursday, a match the Dane is approaching warily.

“He’s a tricky player,” Axelsen said of his Indian opponent.

World No. 2 Jan O. Jorgensen will face ninth-seeded South Korean Son Wan Ho in the third round on Thursday, while women’s second seed Saina Nehwal must see off 14th seed Sayaka Takahashi of Japan. - AFP

AT H L E T I C S

Coe ready for Gatlin fall-out in Beijing LONDON: British track great Sebastian Coe has said he will be prepared to present Justin Gatlin with a gold medal if the controversial American wins the 100m final at this month’s World Athletic Championships in Beijing.

Last week Coe, a candidate for the presidency of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) hit out at fresh allegations that officials had not done enough in the fight against doping, saying they were a “declaration of war” on the sport.

But although personally in favour of life bans for dope cheats, Coe, currently an IAAF vicepresident, said he and his fellow officials would have little choice but to present Gatlin, twice found guilty of taking banned substances, with gold if he wins the blue riband event on August 23.

It is a prospect that has created a sense of dread among many athletics insiders, particularly if Gatlin beats sprint great Usain Bolt in the process.

The Jamaican, who has a clean doping record, is arguably the greatest athlete of his era and certainly the one with the biggest worldwide fan base.

Coe, the Olympic 1500m champion at both the 1980 and 1984 Games is standing against Ukrainian former pole-vault star Sergey Bubka in the race to succeed Lamine Diack as IAAF president, with an election scheduled for August 19.

Coe said: “I was always in favour of a life ban. I realise that train has left the station for all sorts of legal reasons.

“Justin Gatlin is eligible to compete. If you are saying to me would I rather not have athletes that have served bans competing in major championships, the answer is probably yes...(But) if he eligible to compete, he has to be presented with a gold medal (if he wins).”

Meanwhile, Sebastian Coe was cautious when asked if athletes should follow the example of Britain’s European 10,000m champion Jo Pavey, who said she would publish her own blood test data, saying he didn’t want them to be “bullied” into making public information that could be “misinterpreted” as one-off readings.

“I would hate them to feel they are under pressure to do this because if they don’t there is somehow an assumption they are guilty”. - AFP

FOOTBALL

ASSARAIN FELICITATES OMAN CRICKET PLAYERS Assarain players and reserves who were part of Oman national team’s Ireland/Scotland tour that qualified for the World T20 Championship in India were felicitated at the Assarain Corporate office. A letter of commendation and cash awards were presented to each player by the management. — Supplied photo

Chung to launch FIFA bid in Paris SEOUL: South Korea’s Chung Mong-Joon will formally launch his bid to become president of world soccer’s scandal-hit governing body FIFA on August 17 in France, the home of rival Michel Platini.

Chung, a former FIFA vicepresident and fierce critic of outgoing president Sepp Blatter, said last month that he would enter the race and that he would make the announcement in Europe, what he called “the centre of world football”.

“Paris has been chosen as the venue for the announcement as it is the birthplace of FIFA and the campaign is focused on reviving the original spirit of football’s governing body,” Chung’s office said on Wednesday.

The 63-year-old billionaire scion of South Korea’s Hyundai industrial conglomerate is viewed

as one of the favourites for the job but faces stiff competition from Frenchman Platini, the head of Europe’s governing body UEFA. “On Monday, August 17 at 10:00am (local time) at the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris, Dr. Chung Mong-Joon, FIFA Honorary Vice-President, will formally announce his candidacy for the upcoming FIFA presidential elections scheduled to take place on February 26, 2016,” a statement from his office said.

It added that Chung would also hold a news conference to “set out his vision and roadmap for reforming FIFA”.

FIFA announced on Tuesday it had turned to the man who helped the International Olympic Committee out of their corruption crisis, appointing Swiss Francois Carrard as chairman of their reform committee. - Reuters

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SPORTS

Explorer Saunders and rugby legend Betsen join Musandam-Oman Sail Betsen and Saunders will form a celebrity ‘express’ crew that, according to Musandam-Oman Sail skipper Sidney Gavignet, is likely to prove inspirational to the young Omani crew on board

MUSCAT: French rugby legend Serge Betsen and famed English explorer Ben Saunders will join Oman Sail’s MOD70 MusandamOman Sail as guests when the boat competes in the 2015 Artemis Challenge. Betsen, who won 63 caps for France from 1997 to 2007, is a sailing novice, but his reputation as a ‘gladiator’ could be worth a few vital knots to the crew when it makes a bid to break the Challenge record on Thursday in Cowes, Isle of Wight, UK. Betsen and Saunders will form a celebrity ‘express’ crew that, according to Musandam-Oman Sail skipper Sidney Gavignet, is likely to prove both inspirational to the young Omani crew on board and extremely fast.

The former French rugby star is known for his commitment, pride and passion, qualities that are key to

EXPRESS CREW: English explorer Ben Saunders, left, and French rugby legend Serge Betsen. – Supplied photos

Oman Sail’s development culture.

They are also characteristics that Gavignet, another proud and passionate Frenchman, prizes highly.

“I am really looking forward to meeting Serge Betsen and having him on our crew for the Artemis Challenge,” he said. “He is known as The Warrior and is famous for his heroism in the scrum. He has all the characteristics that I find inspiring and hope that our Omani crewmembers will also be inspired by him.

“Ben Saunders is the same — these guys just never give up. They fight hard but they are also humble.

These are fantastic qualities and values that we all need in our jobs.”

SURPRISED

sailing so I shall be taking some pointers before we start out but I am really excited by the challenge of being part of this sailing team.”

Like Betsen, Saunders, the world-leading polar explorer and a record-breaking long-distance skier, has little experience racing on high speed trimarans.

“It will be my first time on one of these boats but it will be an exhilarating test of stamina, strength and fitness and I am extremely excited to be competing with some of the biggest names in offshore ocean racing,” he said.

“As a polar explorer, I have a strong passion for the outdoors

and enjoy setting myself new challenges, pushing myself both mentally and physically beyond the limits of the impossible.”

On Thursday, the Oman’s flagship, Musandam-Oman Sail, will line up against a fleet of sailing thoroughbreds with ten IMOCA 60s, two Volvo 65s and three other multihulls competing for the title.

On board are some of the biggest names in international sailing and world sport including rugby contemporaries Mike Tindall from England and Sylvain Marconnet of France as well as round the world skippers, including former Oman Sail Women’s Programme mentor

SUPER CUP

AT HIS BEST: Manchester City’s Yaya Toure, right, after scoring a goal against West Bromwich Albion. – Reuters

I’m not back, was always there: Toure LONDON: Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure says he was “unfairly” criticised last season for a perceived dip in form but insisted he could not care less.

The Ivory Coast captain was at his marauding best against West Bromwich Albion, scoring a brace in his club’s Premier League opener on Monday.

“For me, I’m quite surprised.

Last season was not the best season for us, but second in the table, I think, is not bad at all,” the 32-year-old was quoted as saying by the British media.

“There has been a lot of criticism about me but it was not a bad season. Twelve goals and I won the Copa (Africa Cup of Nations) for my country. It’s not bad at all.

“I know what I want, I know what I have to do. I don’t care what people are saying about me,” he said.

One of the most dominant players in European football

Betsen runs the Serge Betsen Academy in Cameroon, the country of his birth, which aims to help underprivileged children, and even before he jumps on board Musandam-Oman Sail for the 50 mile sprint around the Isle of Wight, he has recognised some similarities between rugby and sailing.

“Sailing is like rugby in that it is played outside whatever the weather and you are always expected to perform at your highest possible level,” he said. “It is also a sport where you need good team work to succeed. For the success of the team, you need to perform in every sector. I haven’t done much

when on song, Toure insisted he was “not back”, as had been widely reported.

“I’ve always been there. People have to understand football is not talking about one player, it’s about the team. I hope this year is going to be fine for us,” Toure said.

“The important thing is we have a target. That is to bounce back like we did two seasons ago.

“The Premier League is very tough. There’s a very long way to go. There’s 37 more games, we want to be fully aware of all that’s coming,” he said.

City host champions Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and the importance of the match is not lost on Toure. “We have a massive game on Sunday against a direct rival. I hope it will be a good one for us.”

“Sunday is going to be tough again — after that we have Everton. I think it is a strong start. We are fully focused this year.” - Reuters

Dee Caffari, Armel Le Cleac’h, Vincent Riou and Alex Thomson.

All 16 boats will be aiming for line honours and, if the right breezy conditions prevail, for a new Artemis Challenge record which for multihulls is two hours, 21 minutes and 25 seconds set by Foncia in 2012 and three hours, 43 minutes and 50 seconds for monohulls, which was set by Leopard in 2013.

“We are entering this race to try to win it,” said Gavignet. “We finished just behind Foncia in 2012 which was frustrating so this is a great opportunity to attempt to add another record to the Sultanate of Oman’s growing collection.”

EPL

Barca seek fifth trophy of the year amid Pedro saga

City’s Sterling expects close title race

BARCELONA: Barcelona can extend their trophy haul this year to five when they face Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish Super Cup while much of the attention will again be on the future of unsettled striker Pedro and whether he starts in the first leg on Friday.

Despite Neymar’s illness Pedro was surprisingly left out of the starting lineup to face Sevilla in Tuesday’s European Super Cup but they needed him to come on and score an extra-time winner in the nine-goal thriller.

Tiredness in the first competitive match of the season certainly played a role as Barca squandered a threegoal lead and there will be no let up as they face a physical Bilbao team.

It is a repeat of the King’s Cup final where Barca had a comfortable victory but they will now need to improve defensively if they are to add to their four pieces of silverware in 2015 having won the treble last season.

“We will have to examine what happened and there is work for us to do ahead of the next Super Cup game,” said coach Luis Enrique after the Sevilla victory.

“I am though very happy with the way that we won and showed the hard work that is necessary.”

Barca’s technical secretary Robert Fernandez has said Pedro wants to leave but Luis Enrique denied that was why he left him out of the side. “He had to stop training two days ago due to a problem with his leg and so I decided to start with Rafinha. It is my job to pick the team and that is what I did,” added Luis Enrique.

LONDON: Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has predicted the Premier League title race to be a very closely fought affair this season with most contenders having strengthened their squads.

City’s £49 million ($76 million) man, who left Liverpool during the summer to become the most expensive English player of all time, made his debut on Monday in his side’s comfortable 3-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion.

“It’s going to be a really tough season,” the 20-year-old told the club’s website.

“Everyone has strengthened their squads and the English Premier League is always hard to second guess.”

Sterling is set to make his home debut on Sunday against Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea against whom City drew both their games last season.

“Chelsea are very strong in every department from their defence and midfield to their attack, but it should be a good game and I’m really looking forward to playing in this match,” the England international said.

“I’ve done alright against them in the past and resultswise, I think it’s been pretty even overall so far in the matches I’ve played in.

“But I’m hoping this one will go our way and it’s vital that it does. We’re on our own ground and with it being our first home game of the season, we want to get off on the right foot.” - Reuters

NOT SO COMFORTABLE: Barcelona’s Andres Iniesta, left, Pedro Rodriguez celebrate with the trophy after winning the UEFA Super Cup final against Sevilla at the Boris Paichadze Dinamo Arena in Tbilisi on Tuesday. – AFP

Neymar will still be missing against Bilbao with mumps and Pedro will again be in the frame to start but at the same time rumours continue to circulate of a move to Manchester United.

Barca will also be without Jordi Alba while Bilbao are not at full strength with Iker Muniain, Mikel Rico and Inaki Williams among

those set to be absent. “They have important players out but so have we,” said Athletic forward Aritz Aduriz. “We need to have all our players available and it is a big blow for us that we haven’t.”

The Super Cup return leg is at the Camp Nou next Monday ahead of the start of the La Liga season the following weekend. - Reuters

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

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TRIVIAL INCIDENT: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho gestures to first team doctor Eva Carneiro. – Reuters

INTELLIGENT YET INSECURE Mourinho is the man who simply could not enjoy his yield because he is anguished by the smallest details that aren’t to his liking

ADAM GRAY

T

he tale of Jose Mourinho would be a good idea for a novel; the man who went from working as an a interpreter and a coach to being an all-conquering manager who leav leaves a trail of success wherever he goes, only to be haunted with the p paranoia and insecurities that grow with every trophy won. The man w who simply could not enjoy his yield because he is anguished by the sm smallest details that aren’t to his liking.

Carneiro incident incid The latest odd aand unnecessary incident to exasperate Mourinho exasp is the decision o of his first-team doctor, Eva Carneiro, to tend to Carn Eden Hazard as he h lay on the pitch seemingly injur injured after being fouled by Ashley Williams in the dying embers of the opening day 2-2 draw with Swansea.

Sw Carneiro’s intervention meant inte Hazard had to leave leav the pitch, earning Mourinho’s chagrin because it left his team tw two players short, with Thibaut Courtois already disCou missed, and apparently prone to app Swansea’s counter-attack as his count side prepared a set set-piece.

Diversionary tactic t Mourinho is the master of the diversionary tactic in the event of a disappointing res result but it quickly

became clear this was no such thing. Carneiro has now been demoted, or at least believed to be taking on a role that revolves more around the training pitch and not involving match-days or training sessions.

This is far from the first time Mourinho has raised eyebrows and for somebody seemingly so comfortable in his skin, as much a guarantor of silverware as any other coach, it is bizarre.

His charge sheet includes a rebellion against Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos at Real Madrid, the running obsession with Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez, and the claims that referees were running a “campaign” against his Chelsea side last season.

“Pathetic and insecure” was the opinion of Massimiliano Allegri, now in charge of Juventus, when he managed Milan in 2011.

“I think he is very talented but his arrogance hides insecurity” said Allegri, an assessment that continues to resonate.

Trivial alienation Now it is the alienation of Carneiro for something so trivial and innocuous, discarding the four years’ of service the Gibraltar-born doctor and her significant role in the Premier League and League Cup double of last term in a ruthless act of reorganisation.

The work of Carneiro and her colleagues in keeping a small core of players consistently fit as they charged to the title meant little to a vexed Mourinho.

“Even if you are a kit man, doctor or secretary on the bench, you have to understand the game” he said.

Expect Carneiro to now be in demand from a host of other clubs as even if she doesn’t “understand the game”, a preposterous claim given her eight years spent in the sport and the story of how she fell in love with the game watching the 1998 World Cup in Mexico, she understands sport medicine and her work at Chelsea under Mourinho can’t be understated.

The ageing bones of John Terry managed every Premier League game of last season and so did Hazard, who concluded the campaign as the league’s most fouled player.

The league was won using just 21 players and nine of them finished the campaign having made 25 appearances, Mourinho being permitted to keep faith with his regulars throughout and able to avoid altering the spine of his side.

That was one of the underlying factors behind Mourinho’s third title defence and one that now he could face losing if Carneiro is lured away.

A costly error Having built a healthy respect

from Chelsea’s players and now highly-thought of inside Stamford Bridge, Mourinho may discover he has made a costly error by proportioning blame so harshly on his doctor. Of course, his past record more than suggests that the Portuguese knows what he is doing and the downfall of Carneiro is the perfect way of deflecting attention away from his players as they prepare for the tough assignment at Manchester City on the second weekend of the season.

Gone are the questions of Courtois’ absence, the lacklustre displays of Branislav Ivanovic, Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas and the fitness troubles of Diego Costa, swept under a convenient blanket that concerns the future of a team doctor.

Mou’s rationale With little official coming out of the club or Mourinho, just Carneiro’s message of thanks to Chelsea’s fans for their support, the methods behind the manager’s thinking remain to be discovered, whether his doctor is merely being sacrificed to keep media scrutiny away from his team or whether he does truly believe she is expendable.

If it is the latter, then Chelsea may rue their manager’s angst again manifesting itself over the most inconsequential of episodes. — o-posts.com/news

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SECTION

LIFESTYLE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

Culture WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

MOULDING CLAY & CULTURE THE OMANI CHILDREN LEARNING TO PRODUCE FLOWER VASES, POTS, AND VESSELS AT BAIT AL BARANDA IN MUTTRAH PROMISE TO CARRY ON THE COUNTRY’S RICH HERITAGE OF TRADITIONAL POTTERY MAKING Story and Photography T.A. Ameerudheen

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

LIFESTYLE

W

hen Fatma Abdul Ameer Al Lawati joined the clay art workshop at the Bait Al Baranda last week, she hardly expected to walk away having learned to make flower vases and miniature household items.

Especially as it was Fatma’s first exposure to clay sculpting. Along with 30 other children between the age of 6 and 16 who attended the four-day interactive workshop, World of Clay, she keenly observed patterns on the earthen wares in the souqs before setting about creating her own.

“The workshop has ignited my passion for clay art. I learned how to mix the clay and make models. I have already made a flower vase and a wall decorative piece. From now on, I can spend my free time productively and polish this newly-acquired skill. Our country has a rich tradition of clay art. Ancient Omani homes had plenty of clay products,” Fatma said.

Another participant, 8th grade student Mohammed found the programme challenging. Despite following the trainers’ instructions, he found it tough to get into the groove for the first two days. But he didn’t give up, working hard to correct flaws in his approach.

“Once I got a grip on the basics, I found it interesting. Now I can make flower vases, pots and even vessels. I thank Bait Al Baranda for giving me a perfect launching pad,” he said.

The Mutrah museum has long been committed to cultural preservation in Oman, and the workshop (the ninth summer event organised by the museum) is part of the ongoing effort to engage young Omanis.

“Our workshops always received a good response from students and parents. We are committed to introduce various forms of art among students and promote the rich traditional heritage of our country,” said Abdulla Mubarak Al Abri, an official with Bait Al Baranda.

The course is lead by two established Omani sculptors, Mohammed Said and Essa Ahmed.

“We taught the children different stages of sculpting with clay, such as roughing out, adding clay, removing clay, manoeuvring, repositioning, and detailing. A few beginners stunned us when they carved

DIFFERENT STAGES OF SCULPTING 1. MAKE A ROUGH SHAPE Push and manipulate the soft malleable clay into a rough shape to create the foundation of your work 2. ADD CLAY Once the foundation hardens, add more clay to the structure 3. REMOVE CLAY Scrape away excess clay from the structure with a cutting or scraping tool 4 CUT AND REPOSITION Use a potters knife to remove unwanted elements from the structure and reposition them 5. DETAILING Add decorative finishing touches

brilliant pieces on clay on the fourth day,” said Mohammed.

“I could see their urge to learn clay art from the beginning. Four days are not enough to groom the talents, but all the participants made the most of the opportunity. I am sure that they would become good sculptors. They have made flower vases of different sizes, miniature forts, old Omani houses, animals and fruit plates,” added Essa.

The workshop attended by beginners and returning artists who continue to develop under the instruction of the older Omani artists.

Muntaha, a 10th Grade student has been attending with her younger sister Murooj for the last five years. “We will come back next year to learn new techniques. Carving on clay is a continuous learning process.”

This handicraft has long been an essential part of Omani life. “Our ancestors made clay products of various sizes and shapes. They had Jihal pots to keep water, Khuroos pots to keep water and dates, and Brams pots to be used as cooking utensils. Besides, they used small coffee pots and thermoses, all made of clay,” said Abdulla, who hopes that the children will carry forward Oman’s pottery tradition. ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

Photography: T.A. Ameerudheen

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NEXT AT BAIT AL BARANDA The works of these young Omani sculptors will be on display at the Bait Al Baranda on August 18 at 10.30am. The event will provide the opportunity for art lovers to enjoy works of the prodigious artists.

All participants will be awarded a certificate and gift during the ceremony.

Call +968 2471 4262 for details

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

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I

n Muscat, the dazzling lights of malls and polished marble of their floors gleaming under our shoes have a special fascination. They keep building them bigger, throwing in entertainment so one doesn’t need to go anywhere else for hours. It inspires us to open up our wallets and buy something we may never need, or for that matter, never really can afford. The pushing and jostling is part of it. It all starts outside when we are frustratedly trying to find a parking space. We squeeze our cars in the tightest of places, risking a scratch. The atmosphere of glittering lights is like a drug that most of us find too luring to stay away from. We just love it and keep returning.

But why do we do it? I guess it all feels like part of the fun.

Something we cannot really explain adequately. The buzz of being in the crowd and the jingling of the money in our pockets drive us there.

We love dragging that trolley and we equally love filling it with

things. You may say food buying is something we cannot avoid but sometimes we go overboard when we visit the sweet counters.

The shopping malls managers are now trained to exhibit such things as a focal point. Someplace where it can catch your eye. Have you ever wondered why they put chocolates at the check out counter? It is to exploit your taste buds and of course your wallet.

Wicked, isn’t it? They know how to reach deep into your cash reserves. If they don’t get you, they will get your child, who will no doubt want you to buy that candy.

Perhaps it is also something to do with the festive spirit of continual holidays. One religious festival follows the other and mall bosses know that office workers receive end of year bonuses. You can bet they want a share of it.

And what about sale time?

Here in Oman, shop managers are very clever. They take us for a ride. They inflate the price of an item well above what they want for it and drop it when they put up the sale banners. If you want to

Zayn Malik is said to have given a nod to a collaboration with American rapper Tyler, the Creator.

Not so long after the rapper reached out to Malik on Twitter and openly asked him to be on a song together, the former One Direction member has agreed to the offer. Previously, Tyler wrote to Malik over the weekend on micro-blogging website Twitter: “Hi @ zaynmalik I have beautiful instrumentals and you have a voice let’s figure this out.” Another report has emerged claiming that Malik has been trying to make music with Zendaya Coleman.

Ariana Grande, Ricky Alvarez are now a couple

A game or take a class

Scan for more information

Zayn Malik to work with Tyler, the Creator

The next time you go out, keep in mind that you are going to part with more than you can afford, for things you probably don’t need get them, take a note of the price a month before sale and come back when they discount them. There will be no difference. One ex-mall manager, now a banker, admitted that it was a practice followed across the country.

Economists have been saying for years that most people don’t have a head for money. They are probably right. Some people abhor saving and their motto of ‘spend now and count your losses later,’ keep mall owners rich.

Even the fact that most of

gadgets we buy end up in a store room or prematurely thrown in the bin seems to be no deterrent.

We don’t mind because a shopping arcade is an attraction that we cannot overcome. We pay for the expensive environment and the beautiful colours we see in every mall.

Oman is fast becoming part of the world of consumerism and we are all being swept away by the strong current. Business owners link up with banks to help you give them your money, as they make it easy for you to pay with your debit card.

This global consumer culture may be the great conspiracy of all time. And the sad thing is that we all know about it but are in too deep to do anything but continue along with the crowds to the latest shopping destination.

The next time you go out, keep in mind that you are going to part with more than you can afford, for things you probably don’t need, so just keep your wallet open and let your money float in the direction of the nearest mall.

Singer Ariana Grande is reportedly dating her back-up dancer Ricky Alvarez and the two “couldn’t be happier” than ever. The 22-yearold has been rumoured to be romancing Alvarez ever since the infamous Doughnut video at Wolfee Donuts in California which saw the pair together they played a game of Truth or Dare.

Grande’s friends have put an end to the speculation and confirmed she and Alvarez are seeing each other. “The duo have been friends for some time now but have only recently been linked romantically,” eonline.com quoted the source as saying.

Justin Bieber’s album to release in November

Justin Bieber’s new album now has an official release date November 13. Sources have confirmed to Billboard that the Canadian superstar’s highly-anticipated project is scheduled to hit the stores on Friday, November 13. Previously, the yet-to-betitled album was announced to come out sometime in September. Bieber’s next album will serve as a follow-up to Believe, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard 200 following its release in 2012.

— IANS

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

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3:45, 9:50, 11:45 PM Mission Impossible - Rogue Nation 4:45, 7:30, 11:30 PM (Action) (PG12) Brothers (Hindi) (Thriller) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Sidharth 7:15 PM Vacation ( Adventure / Comedy) (18+) 2:00, 5:45 PM Inside Out (3D) (Animation) (PG) 2:45 PM The Daibolical (Horror / Sci-Fi) (15+) 10:00 PM

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CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68. www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Fantastic Four (2D)(Action)(PG12) Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan 1:15, 5:45, 9:45, 11:45 pm Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation (2D) (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner 3:15, 9:00, 11:30 pm Mr. Holmes (Crime, Drama)(PG) Cast: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki Sanada 3:00, 7:45 pm Vacation (Adventure, Comedy)(18+) Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo 1:00, 5:00, 7:00 pm The Diabolical (Horror, Sci-fi)(15+) Cast: Wilmer Calderon, Kurt Carley, Merrin Dungey 5:00, 11:45 pm Shad Agzaa (Drama, Action))(15+) Cast: Mohamed Ramadan, Donia Samir 6:45 pm INSIDE OUT (Animation)(3D) PG Voice Overs: Amy Poehler, Bill Hader, Lewis 1:00, 3:00 pm BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN (Drama)(PG) Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor 8:45 PM

6:45PM The Diabolical 2D (Horror, Sci-Fi ) (15+) Cast: Wilmer Calderon, Kurt Carley, Merrin 10:15PM Vacation 2D (Adventure, Comedy) (18+) Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo 10:15AM, 5:15PM Gold Class: 4:45PM Inside Out 3D (Animation) (PG) 1:15, 3:15PM Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation 2D (PG12) 4:15 & 11:55PM Gold Class: 6:45PM Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2D) ( Action ) (PG) 7:15PM

MUSCAT GRAND MALL Fantastic Four 2D (Action, Sci-Fi ) (PG12) Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael Jordan 12:15, 9:45 & 11:45PM Gold Class: 2:45, 9:15 & 11:15PM Mr. Holmes 2D (Crime, Drama) (PG) Cast: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki 11:15PM & 2:15PM Gold Class : 12:45PM Brothers2D (Action, Drama) (TBC )

AZAIBA Brothers – 2D (TBC) Action, Drama 3:30, 6:30, 8:30, 11:30 PM Fantastic Four – 2D (PG12) (Action) 11:00 AM, 3:00, 5:00, 10:00, 11:55 PM Bajrangi Bhaijaan - 2D (PG) (Drama, Action) 7:00 PM Vacation – 2D (18+) Adventure, Comedy 11:30, 8:00 PM Vasuvum Saravananum Onna Padicha-

11:15PM & 2:15PM Gold Class : 12:45PM

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3:45 pm

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Mr. Holmes 2D (Crime, Drama) (PG) Cast: Ian McKellen, Laura Linney, Hiroyuki

FANTASTIC FOUR (Action)(PG12) Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan

Love 24x7 - 2D (M) (TBC) Romantic, Comedy Cast: Dileep, Anjali & Suhasini

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3.00, 8.45 PM Baahubali: The Beginning (Act ) – 12+ 6.00 PM Brothers (Drama/ Sports) – TBC 11.45 PM SCREEN 3 Bajrangi Bhaijaan (Action/Drama ) – PG 3.00 PM Dekh Magar Pyaar Se - Urdu(Comedy) – PG 6.00, 11.45 PM Baahubali: The Beginning (Action) – 12+ 9.00 PM SOHAR Bajrangi Bhaijaan - 2D (PG) Drama, Action 4:00 PM Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation - 2D (PG12) Action; 3:55, 9:05, 11:55 PM Inside Out - 3D (PG) Animation, 2:10, 4:00 PM Fantastic Four-2D (PG12) (Action ) 2:00, 7:45, 9:45, 11:45 PM Vacation- 2D (18+)Adventure, Comedy 6:00, 8:15 PM Mr. Holmes - 2D (PG) Crime, Drama, Mystery 2:00, 7:00 PM Into the Grizzly Maze- 2D (15+) Action, Cast: Billy Bob Thornton, James Marsden 10:00 PM

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The Diabolical - 2D (15+) Horror, Sci-Fi, 2:10, 11:45 PM Shad Agza - 2D (Arb) (15+) Drama, Action Cast: Mohamed Ramadan, Donia Samir 6:15 PM Brothers - 2D (TBC) Action, Drama 6:15, 9:00 , 11:30 PM Love 24x7 - 2D (M) (TBC) Romantic, Comedy 3:45 PM BURAIMI Fantastic Four -2D (PG12) (Action) 5:30, 9:30, 11:30PM Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation - 2D 3:00, 8:45, 11:45PM (Action) (PG12) Inside Out - 3D (Animation, Comedy) (PG) 3:00PM Vacation – 2D (Comedy, Adventure) (18+) 5:15, 7:00PM Mr Holmes– 2D (Crime, Drama) (PG) 7:30PM The Diabolical – 2D (Horror, Thriller) (TBC) 3:00, 10:10PM Brothers – 2D (Drama, Sport) (PG) 4:30, 7:15, 11:15PM SUR Fantastic Four (Action|Sci - Fi) (PG12)

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Dept time

Destination

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

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WITH LOVE

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

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Daily Daily Daily

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06:45 08:30 10:00

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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

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07:00

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20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

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Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

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

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08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

KARTHIK JAYARAM August 13

ALPHONSA MARY MATHEW August 14, 2012

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

LISTINGS

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Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

06:00 14:30

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

MOHAMMED SAIFULLAH August 13, 2008

ADHVITYA A. PATHARE August 13, 2009

0

Daily Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

URVEE VIKRAM NIKAM August 13, 2008

Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55)

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

KIRTHIKA August 13, 2008

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

WITH LOVE

Minimum

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om Srimanthudu (Telugu ) ( Act ) Cast: Mahesh Babu & Shruthi Hassan 3-00 Pm Cinema Main; 6-45 Pm Cinema -4 (Thursday) Friday 3-00 Pm At Cinema Main Brothers ( Hindi ) (Act ) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Sidahrth Malhotra 10-00 Pm Cinema Main, 6-30 Pm Cinema -2 Love 24x7 ( Mal ) ( Com ) Cast: Dileep, Anjali & Suhasini 3-45, 6-40 & 9-45 Pm At Cinema- 3 Vasuvum Saravananum ( Tamil ) ( Com ) Cast: Arya, Tamanna & Santhanam 3-30 & 9-30 Pm At Cinema-2; 6-30 Pm Cinema Main Baahubali (Tamil) (Action) 3-45 & 9-45 Pm At Cinema -4 Vallu (Tamil ) (Rom\Com ) From Friday Cast: Silambarasan & Hansika 3-45 & 9-45 Pm At Cinema-4 Programmes are subject to change

60-90%

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

STAR CINEMA

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 20:50

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation 2D (Action, Adventure, Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy 5.00, 9.30 & 11.55 pm CP No: 1894 (PG12) Vacation (Comedy / Adventure) Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Appligate, Skyler Gisondo 1.30, 4.00 & 7.30 pm CP No: 2027 ( 18+) Awol - 72 (Action) Cast: Luke Goss, LouiseMandylor, RZA 11.30 a.m. 3.30 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2026 (12+) Brothers (Hindi )( Thriller ) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shrof, Sidharth Malhotra 1.00, 6.00 & 9.00 pm CP No: 2028 (PG) The Night Crew (Action/Thriller) Cast: Danny Trejo, Jason Mewes, Luke Goss 11.30 a.m.; CP No: 1886 (15+)

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

16:30 18:00 19:30

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

SALALAH Mission: Impossible- Rogue Nation (2D) 2:00/9:15/11:45PM (PG12) Ant-Man (3D)(PG12) (Action/Sci-Fi ) 12:00PM Inside Out (3D)(PG) (Animation/Comedy) 10:00AM Fantastic Four (2D)(PG12) (Action) 12:00, 7:15, 10:05, 11:55PM Cast: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2D) (PG) (Drama/Action) 7:15PM Vacation (2D) (18+) (Adventure/Comedy) Cast: Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Skyler Gisondo 11:30AM, 8:15PM Shad Agza (2D)(15+)(Arabic) (Drama/Action) Cast: Mohamed Ramadan, Donia Samir Ghanem, Yasser Galal and Sabry 6:15PM Mr. Holmes (2D)(PG) (Crime/Drama/Mystery) Cast: Jacqueline Fernandez, Rajesh Sharma, Riteish Deshmukh 10:00AM, 5:15 PM Dekh Magar Pyaar Say (2D)(PG)(Urdu) (Comedy/Romance) Cast: Humaima Malik, Amna Ilyas, Sikander Rizvi 1:15 PM AWOL-72 (2D)(12+) (Thriller) Cast: Luke Goss, RZA, Bokeem Woodbine Timings: 10:00AM/10:00PM Brothers (2D)(TBC) (Action/Drama) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Sidharth Malhotra 4:30/11:30PM Srimanthudu (2D)(PG) (Action) Cast: Shruti K. Haasan, Mahesh Babu, Brahmanandam 2:15, 3:30PM

BAHJA CINEMA

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

Appolo 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 Hamdan Hospital 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

C11

LIFESTYLE

OMAN THROUGH LALITHA’S EYES Oman resident Lalith Lalitha Rao’s debut book, Bougainvilla Bougainv Magic, is an intimate

GHAWI BAZAAR

BUY LOCAL: OMANI ASSA The Assa had many practical purposes many years ago as people used it to control camels, herds of sheep, and protect themselves from venomous insects and snakes. They used it like an extension of their hands; gesturing with it and tapping it on the ground to make a point during conversations. With the urbanisation of the Omani societies, the Assa has become more of a decorative appendage, but remains an integral part of Omani life.

stories self-portrait with stor from the Arabian Gulf to India

By T.A. Ameerudheen

L

alitha Rao’s eyes filled with tears as she described the day her mother was diagnosed with cancer in 2006.

“It was the toughest moment of my life. Members of my family struggled to come to terms with it when the doctors described her condition. It made me realise the devastating influence of the disease on the patients and their loved ones.

Later, I wrote about her painful encounter with cancer in what I believe is the most touching article in my book,” said Lalitha Rao, whose first book, Bougainvilla Magic was released in Muscat last week.

According to Lalitha, cancer is not an individual’s fight. It drags in those who carry the genes of the combatant. “Its shadow looms, shapeless and terrifying, in the minds of sons and daughters and grandchildren. It is a

nightmare that turns real,” she wrote in the chapter titled An encounter to remember.

Bougainvilla Magic is a compilation of 47 articles published in various newspapers in India, the UAE, and here in Oman, including a few she wrote for us here at the Muscat Media Group.

“It contains articles written by me between 1994 and 2014, which touch upon the books I read, people I met, and memories of my childhood. I am indebted to the editors of Times of Oman, Khaleej Times, Times of India, The Hindu, Economic Times, Financial Express, Star of Mysore and Eve’s Touch for publishing my articles,” said the author and one-time Oman resident.

Lalitha visited the Sultanate for the first time in 1984, and though she returned to India the same year, she came back to Oman in 2002 and lived in Muscat till 2012.

During this period, she worked at

the Caledonian College of Engineering and at the Indian Embassy in Muscat. “I also found time to write articles for Thursday Magazine for which I received good feedback.”

An avid reader, who visits Oman frequently from her permanent home in Mysore, Lalitha believes that her love for books sharpened

her writing skills. “I am a voracious reader. When I was in my early 20s, I used to read books as if I was in a race. I still remember I completed reading entire works of Somerset Maugham in about a month. My passion for books hasn’t diminished even a bit,” she said. “Writing came to me naturally and I used to write during my school days. But I actively took to writing only in 1994.”

However, Lalitha laments the lack of reading habit among children and adults these days. “It’s time we inculcated reading habits among children who are addicted to video games and smartphones.

Only good readers can make a good society,” she said.

Though she wants to write nonfiction at some point in time, her next project will be focusing on historic buildings in Mysore. “It is a project close to my heart,” she said, adding, “fiction can wait.”

Have a favourite Omani product or shop?

ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

Tell us about it: ameerudheen@timesofoman.com

F E S T I VA L

Canada’s biggest South Asian festival, draws record crowds The Bollywood Monster Mashup, Canada’s biggest South Asian festival, drew record crowds of thousands of people for two days of dance, music, yoga, fun, food, shopping and laser blasts at the Celebration Square in Mississauga here.

Mississauga, which is the sixth largest city in Canada and neighbours Toronto, is home to the second biggest concentration of Indians in the country.

The brainchild of famous Indian-Canadian composer Vikas Kohli, the festival reflects the multicultural character of the city by serving Bollywood music and dance in fusion with various genres from around the world.

The highlights of the festival which ended last week were Indian-Canadian singer Jonita Gandhi, who has worked with A.R. Rahman and Shreya Ghoshal and sung the title song of Chennai Express, and Indian-British singer Ash King, who is known for hit Bollywood songs such as Te amo, Aunty ji, I love you and Meherbaan.

Crowds at the fully packed Mississauga Celebration Square went berserk with joy as the two singers belted out their hit numbers.

“It’s an absolutely fantastic turnout. We do not have official estimates yet. However, we have heard people saying that we might have beaten (the record of) Canada Day celebrations at the Celebration Square which gets approximately 100,000

people,” said Kohli, the event’s executive director. Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie was on hand to soak in the Bollywood spirit. Shaking a leg to the song Balam Pichkari from the film Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, she had the crowds in splits.

For the first time, the festival included lasers which lit up the venue, with beautiful laser logos creating patterns on the walls of the City Hall. True to its mash-up character,

the biggest Bollywood festival in Canada was not just about Bollywood films and music, but also included yoga, dance classes, and tastiest delicacies.

Reminding visitors of Dilli Haat, its Bollywood Monster Marketplace offers a unique shopping experience for visitors.

In fact, the festival has been created with the fusion of Bollywood and other genres to reflect the multicul-

The walking stick, locally known as Assa or Khaizaran, is an integral part of Omani culture. Men carry the long stick with the curved handle when they attend marriage functions, cultural gatherings and traditional celebrations. Considered a symbol of Omani identity and pride, the Assa is as important a part of the national attire as Omani Dishdasha, Khanjar, and Mussar. Though Assa come in different colours, those with silver handles and decorated with precious stones are especially popular in Muscat. Bamboo is commonly used to manufacture the Assa. The wood is treated with specific kinds of oil and engraved using copper, silver, and special stones. The handle is then fitted with silver, copper or aluminium metals.

tural character of Mississauga city where immigrant people from over a hundred countries have settled.

Summing it up, Kohli said: “Everything about this Bollywood festival is a fusion act — cultural fusion, genre fusion — orchestra, laser show — hug acts on state. Actually, we are throwing a huge party (for people of all cultures in the city).

“Five years ago, Mississauga city asked me to fill the gap because we didn’t a have a high-quality festival.

Immediately, Bollywood Monster Mashup was a hit because Bollywood is so popular everywhere.

In just five years, we have become the largest south Asian film festival in Canada. We get our locals artistes to mingle with international artistes. In fact, many artistes come for their premiere Canadian performances here.”

This year over 280 artistes present their artistic talent to the audience in Mississauga. Notable international performances at this year’s festival included Mexican Trumpets and Brazilian Percussion.

The Canadian Community Arts Initiative was organised by a non profit organisation that is run by a volunteer Board of directors.

Mosaic Festival is the premiere event organised by CCAI to foster the arts and culture in Canada and showcases South Asian and other cultural influences that make Canada rich in its multi cultural aspirations. -IANS

WHERE The Assa is available in all souqs across the Sultanate. Al Joory Trading (+968 9521 4042) in Qurum sells top quality products sourced from the best manufacturers in the Sultanate.

HOW MUCH The price of the stick varies depending on the quality of the wood and the delicacy of the handles. They start from just one rial with the best quality products selling for more than OMR200.

PHOTOGRAPHY: O.K. MOHAMMED ALI (LALITHA RAO); SHABIN E (OMANI ASSA)

WHAT

C1 2

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

LIFESTYLE

MADA’IN SALEH (SAUDI ARABIA) Mada’in Saleh is known for tombs dating back to 100 B.C. It was a stopover on the famous frankincense route for caravans transporting the precious cargo and other aromatic and spices to the Mediterranean ports of Syria. Unesco proclaimed Mada’in Saleh as a site of patrimony in 2008, becoming Saudi Arabia’s first World Heritage Site.

Prominent features: 131 rock-cut monumental tombs with elaborately ornamented façades.

BAHLA FORT (OMAN) The fort, situated at the foot of the Jebel Akhdar mountains, is believed to have been built during the 13th and 14th centuries by the Persians. Originally constructed from mud brick and stone, it once had fifteen entrances along its wall and as many as 132 towers. It was added to World Heritage List in 1988 and is still considered a monument of global importance.

Prominent features: Towers including its ‘Tower of Wind’, known as Burj Al Reh.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) identifies building, cities, complexes, places and monuments with outstanding cultural or natural importance to the common heritage of humanity as World Heritage Sites. The list has 1,031 sites all over the world; here are the top five from the GCC region.

UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES IN GCC

PEARLING TRAIL (BAHRAIN) Located on Muharraq Island, the 3.5 kilometre pearling trail was used by pearl divers until the early 1930s, when the pearl market in Bahrain crashed as a result of the introduction of cultured pearls from Japan. Unesco described it as the last remaining complete example of the cultural tradition of pearling, earning it a place on the World Heritage Site list in 2012.

AL ZUBARAH (QATAR) Founded by merchants from Kuwait in the mid-18th century, Al Zubarah was once a successful centre of global trade in the Gulf region. The lay out and urban fabric of the settlement gives an insight into the urban life, spatial organisation, and the social and economic history of the ancient Gulf. It was added to the World Heritage Site list in 2013.

Prominent features: Pathways with 17 buildings, 3 oyster beds, and the Bu Mahir fortress in the southern tip of Muharraq.

Prominent features: A fortified town with a harbour, sea canal, two screening walls, Murair fort, and Zubarah fort.

HILI ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK (UAE) The largest Bronze Age settlement in the UAE, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Hili was an important area for mining and smelting copper, which was traded with the Mesopotamian civilisation. The park is designed to highlight the archaeological remains and make them accessible to the public. Other remains, including settlements, tombs, and an Iron Age falaj in a protected area outside the park.

Prominent features: Settlements, tombs, and a falaj dating back to the Iron Age.

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T H U R S DAY, AU G U S T 1 3, 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

D2

VACANCY

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CARGO

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T H U R S D AY, AU G U S T 1 3 , 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

3BR villa, sitting, dining & hall, Azaiba behind Al Meera H- Market.

Contact: 99259977 / 95033008 1BHK, Darsait, walking distance to ISM , neat and clean building, ground floor, OMR 260/- per month rent Call IQRAR on 99076557 840 sqr mtrs Store & Staff accommodation for Rent in Misfah.

Contact 99792181 Flat for rent near Al Nahdha Hospital in Hamriya. Contact: 97380548 / 99680499 Big flat for rent in Al Khuwair, nr.

Ibis Hotel. Contact 95724975 3 bedroom flat with 3 attached toilets, split A/C, brand Kims Hospital.

Contact: 95225662 2BHK with Split AC. AL-KHUWAIR Near MARS HYPERMARKET – 92880107 Brand new 3BHK apartment on 5th floor at Qurum, PDO gate 2, master bedroom with en-suite (shower) with balcony, 2 bedrooms with bath, guest washroom with shower, laundry room, luxury floorings with A/Cs. Other amenities in the building: Gym, multi purpose room & children’s play area. Contact 24564460 / 97610908

3BHK Flats & 6BHK Villa in Azaibah.

Contact : 96775026 1 BR flat at Darsait, near ISM. Contact 99237971 / 99320633 250 sq mtrs restaurant for rent in Plaza Hotel, Walja Ruwi.

Contact 99326339

Fully furnished 3 BHK accommodation with all spacious rooms in a villa at Darsait near ISD. Contact: 9526 5289 / 9604 8422

Readymade office space for rent (100sm) in Bank Melli Iran building, MBA area Ruwi opposite Center Point. Contact: 99011352

Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact 99366624

2BHK, 2 Baths, Split A/C, Wadi kabeer, near Indian Elementary School.

Contact 99441193, 93004801 3 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

2BHK flat in Al Khuwair with A.C 350/- Riyals. Contact: 92888337

1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new flat available at Mabela in front of Modern English School Contact: 96239126

2 B/R res./comm. Flat directly from owner near Oman Medical College Bausher. Contact 92158031

Villa for rent in Shatti Al Qurum.

Contact: 99315150

3 BHK flat for rent in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

2 BHK near CBD & Star Cinema, Muttrah. Contact 99233116

Al Khuwair 17/1, 7 flats of single bedroom available, 2 big flats RO 200/-., 1 medium RO 150/-, 4 small flats RO 125/- respectively including Electricity & Water. Contact 99441798

2 BHK villa for rent in Azaiba, near Sultan Centre. Contact 99792181

Shop/ office near CBD & Star Cinema, Muttrah. Contact 99233116

3 & 4 BHK villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181

1 BHK, 2 BHK & shop at Wadi Kabir.

Contact 99024730

A flat for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 2 rooms and sitting room and all the necessary things. Contact:92277419

2 BHK flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181

I BHK Flat -4 Nos at Hamriya – R.O. 200/- . 2 BHK - 2 Nos / 1 BHK- 2 Nos, at Wattayya R/A near the mosque for Families. Contact : 96457757 9 am to 7 Pm. 1 & two bedroom flats available for rent in wadi-kabir (opp: pencil bldg), ideal for company staff / families bulk corporate deal possible.

Contact 97677170

1 BHK Flat in Honda Road (Ruwi).

Contact 99792181

Shop at Azaiba. Contact 99024730

1 BHK, 2 BHK at Al Khuwair.

Contact 99024730

Fabulous AC flat at Al Khoud 3 bedrooms, hall and kitchen RO 270/for rent. Contact: 99334699

2BHK & 1BHK flats available in Darsait. Contact : 99357586 / 97500025

3 Bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer and 2 bedroom villa in Sidab- Muscat.

Contact: 95755953

3 BHK, 3 bathrooms, 2 balcony, nr. Al Hassan W/Kabir RO 330/-.

Contact :99384640 Flat for rent 2BR at Wadi Adai.

Contact 94643380 3 Bedroom flat with 3 attached toilets, split A/C, brand new available, behind Kims Hospital.

Contact 95225662

1 & 2BHK flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 250 sq mtrs office space (showroom) in CBD. Contact 99792181 Flats shops & stores for rent at Al Amerat. Contact: 96278724 Villa 2 bedrooms + hall + sitting room in Al Hail South R.O 300/Monthly. Contact: 93993354

Fully furnished 2 bedroom luxury flat for rent at Ghala for short or long term basis. Contact 9178526 / 99881653

Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975 Flats for rent in Al Khuwair, Al hail, Wadi Kabir, Al Falaj, MBD, and Muttrah. Contact: 99119699 / 95250300 / 24813002

2 BHK, 3BHK at Qurum.

Contact 99024730

1 & 2 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181

4 & 5 BHK villa for rent in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181 3 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact 99792181 2 BHK in Ghubra RO 350/-.

Contact 97799175 / 92144045 2 BHK at Mumtaz RO 300/-.

Contact 97799175 / 92144045 2 BHK at Darsait RO 300/-. Contact 97799175 / 92144045 1 BHK at Ghubra RO 275/-. Contact 97799175 / 92144045

T H U R S DAY, AU G U S T 1 3, 2 0 1 5

D3

DAILY GUIDE

MOTOR VEHICLE FOR SALE

Mazda 3,1.6, 2008 Automatic, accident free, single owner.

Contact: 92030516

Prado ,2012. Contact : 99336093

Nissan Sunny (2013) new/ excellent condition, full insurance.

Contact 95790291

Hyundai Elantra 2012 1.8 top model 3800RO GSM 99883832

Nissan Altima 2.5S, 2008 Model, Metallic Gold Colour, Excellent condition, self driven by diplomat, only 65, 000 k.m run, available for immediate delivery, Contact 99251286.

FOR HIRE Volvo 12 Ton Truck for monthly rent. Contact: 98713900

FOR SALE

AVAILABLE

Used supermarket Gandola Shelving RO 40.00 per meter.

Contact 96441670 Forklift sale. Contact: 99763831 Furnished office for sale.

Contact 99024272 Land for sale at prime location in Al Athaiba. Contact 91299531 / 91408005 Wall papers, grass carpets sale & fixing. Contact: 99834373 / 96642500 An excellent grade, 8 yrs old, non residential civil construction company, having registered office in Muscat needs immediate sale.

Company has considerable running projects of handsome amount. Only genuine buyers contact 92978650 A secured land of 1500 sqm available for keeping construction equipments, trailers, container etc. near Sohar Airport - Contact: 94215208 Spare parts heavy for sale at Ghala with stock worth 50000 R.O. Contact: 99263071

3BHK AlAmerat No.3, Rent190 pm.

Contact 95113797 1bedroom in Al Hail South RO 150/monthly. Contact: 93993354 Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122 2 BHK Flats for rent in Muttrah near Oman house. Contact: 97009734 / 92629232 2 & 3 BHK big Flats with Big hall, Kitchen & new split ACs at Al Khoudh 6, Close to express way, from owner. Tel 97600322 alnehang@gmail.com Flats for rent at Darsait near to Ministry of Sports.

Interested candidates please Contact : 00968-92225523 2BHK near Oman house behind Khimji H.O. Contact: 95865686 2BHK flat available behind Majan College / Darsait. Contact 24705742 4 BHK single villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158

1 &2 BHK flats for rent at Wadi Kabir, Wadi Adai, Hamriya and Al Khoud areas, shop for rent at Wadi Adai Round about. Contact: 24834644, GSM 93994401 /02/03 lines 3bed room well maintained flat (villa type only 2 flats in one bldg) in Al Khuwair behind Al Akhtam Restaurant, Villa no 1839, Way No 3922, block No 239.

Contact: 99253125 2BK Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Mosque. # 97007934 / 92629232 600 sqr mtrs showroom in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99792181

Ice Cream & Juices shop Ruwi good location for sale suitable for beauty parlor also. Contact: 92150455 400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Maabela Phase 5 Block 2. OMR 140 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

FOR RENT

Flat for rent with AC in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95555162 /95755953

Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569

Flat for rent in Mabellah 8th.

Contact: 97147240

Villa with two floors in (Hay Al Arjan) in AL Khoud with 4 bedrooms, hall, Majles, kitchen & one room in ground floor. Contact: 93219597

Brand new villa Bosher 37, 4 BHK. Contact: 91936034 For rent if require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through Whatsapp.

Contact: 99376454

Shop for sale in Ruwi High street, Contact 96078411

ACC. AVAILABLE

New villa at Qurum, 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, sitting, dining and open sitting on the terrace.

Contact: 99342733

Fully Furnished studio immediately available for couple in N.Azaiba.

Contact 95450249

Running established for sale including industrial licenses for marble & granite, fully furnished kitchen showroom and fully equipped factory. Contact: 99337670 / 92623665 A well running security solutions company & a perfume shop for sale at Al Hail. Contact 93664357/ 95372501 Running Polyclinic, 20 yrs, with VISAMEDICAL, available for SALE/LEASE. Contact.94596677 / 99343280 Workshop sale / rent Full fledge workshop for / sale at prominent location at Misfa near Cement factory around 900 sq meter along with tools, equipments and manpower.

Also 5 Nos Volvo / Mercedes / Man /Putsmiester concrete pump 2004/2005 model for sale. Contact: 93681107 / 96051565 / 98541936

1 Villa & 3 big Flats of 2/3 BHK with hall, Kitchen & ACs Al Khoudh 6, Close to express way, from owner.

Tel 97600322 Email: alnehang@gmail.com

Furnished room with equipped kitchen immediately available in N. Azaiba Contact 95450249 Independent rooms in Qurum / AL Hail. Contact 95529970 Furnished room with sharing bathroom immediately available in N.Gubrah. Contact 95450250 Room for rent in a flat for Executive bachelor at Azaiba behind Al Meera Hypermarket Azaiba with attached bath with cot & A/C, rent RO 175/- per month including water & electricity. # 96404166 / 97433992 Family sharing accommodation 2 rooms, bathrooms, kitchen RO 150/-, Keralite only. Contact 99519161 Furnished room with attached bath separate entrance in Mabela. Contact :99634841 preferable Omani ladies

A fully equipped furnished and licensed private polyclinic for sale or rent in excellent location in Sohar - Falaj al Qabail opposite to life line hospital Departments are GP clinic, Dental, Medical lab, X-ray And Working Pharmacy. Contact 95603395

Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair RO 225/- for family only.

Contact 99251975

SELL/BUY

Sharing accommodation available with Kerala family, nr. Wadi Kabir Indian School # 95882866 / 96575016

Furnished room for Indian Bachelor in Al Falaj area (Ruwi) & Lady in Wadi Kabir (near Al Maya).

Contact 96761960

Fully furnished room for a decent expatriate. independent kitchen, bathroom in Wadi Adai.

Contact 96243086 at 5p.m.

Commercial Space 68 SQM, Wadi kabeer, near Indian Elementary School. Contact 99441193, 93004802

House for rent in Sidab at reasonable rent. Contact: 95555162 / 95755953

Nissan Tiida, F. automatic 2011, R.O 2800/-. Contact: 93835318 Land Cruiser 2012. # 99336093 Sportage, 2013. Contact 99336093

FOR EXPATS From owner plot of land near Zanzibar, airport price RO 15000.

Contact 99348943

NRI

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. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99385835 / 99428143

House in Amerat near to Makah hypermarket with three room, 5toilets, kitchen and hall 430/-.

Contact: 92747078

PAJERO 2015 km1400. #99336093

Fully furnished 1BHK with all household items in Darsait near Lulu on monthly Basis. Contact : 99378397/99493500 Sharing accommodation available for working lady or couples near Ruwi Church. Contact: 92837206 Used furniture & Electronic items, office & house. Contact: 99834373 / 96642500

Room attached toilet and kitchen near Indian School Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95345537

LOST Suhaeni BT Ceong Karsem has lost Indonesia Passport No. AT 038854.

Finder please handover to ROP

Shamshad Ali has lost Pakistani Passport No. KK 1799912. Finder please handover to ROP

9.75 cents square plot with compound wall and gate at Kovalam, Trivandrum(Kerala) for sale. Interested in NRI buyers only near to Hotel Leela. Contact: 00968 – 95210474

MATRIMONIAL Malayalee Nair boy from good family(only son) – 36 yrs- B.Com, MBA (Mktg & Finance)- Associate Regional Manager in an MNC in Coimbatoreinvites alliance – #+91 7639622079 Keralite male, 34 yrs, Hindu Viswakarma (Sudha Jathakam) working as Chef in reputed Hotel in Muscat seeks suitable alliance. Contact 97097061/ 91 8547644153 23 yrs Keralite Christian girl settled in Bangalore invites alliance from well settled Christian boys.

Contact 99494371 Keralite Christian Orthodox boy, 28 yrs, MBA seeks suitable alliance.

Contact 91394731 RCSC boy, Kanjirapally Diocese, 36-172. # 93028813 / 92501521 24 yrs, Keralite Christian girl Engineer working in Oman looking for alliance from good looking, well educated. Contact: 92467948 Sunni Muslim girl, Indian origin, 20 yrs BA graduate from Oman, good looking homely with good religious values, seeking alliances from Muslim professionals, well settled in Oman or Middle East.

Contact: 99644760 or Email: ghulamuzma23@gmail.com

NOTICE Pursuant to the provisions of Article 13 reiterated 2 of the Company law no. 4/74 & the amendments thereto, Al Amida Al Muthaida Co. for trade & contracting – associate, registered with the Secretariat of the commercial registration under no. 1128166 hereby announce that they are going to alter their legal status from (associate) to (limited partnership) with the name: Al Amida Al Mutahids Co. for trade & contracting – limited partnership. Any person who objects to the above shall present the reasons for his objection to the Secretariat of Commercial Registration at the Ministry of Commerce & Industry in Muscat within a period of 2 months from the date of this announcement.

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T H U R S D AY, AU G U S T 1 3, 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male, 10 years experience, 6 years in Oman with Oman driving license with NOC seeking suitable job. Contact: 96012973 12 years of Oman experienced Chief Accountant looking for immediate placement. Contact : 99513082 Indian male, MBA, 27 yrs, 2 yrs exp. in Oman in Accounts upto finalization of accounts, seeks suitable placement. Contact 91208799, jahafeer@yahoo.co.in

ACCOUNTANT Urgently required Junior Accountant. Please send CV: hr.azatllc@gmail.com Seeking minimum 5 yrs Construction company experienced Accountant able to read Arabic & owning vehicle.

Email : hr@greencover.net

BEAUTY Wanted experience Beautician for beauty parlor in Muscat. Contact: 94241385

CATERING Chinese/ Arab/ continental cook & helper wanted. Contact 95529970 A fast growing chain of omani fusion restaurants in Muscat is looking to hire experienced waiters and chefs (2 yrs exp).Applicants should have NOCs if applicable. Forward resume to creativefoodsllc@gmail.com Indian Cook required. Should know Omani traditional foods.

Contact 99209264 Temporary Cook required for 1 month for company mess. Contact 99413089 / 98048952

DRAFTSMAN Leading Civil construction company requires “MEP DRAFTSMAN” with 4-6 years gulf experience. Send your CV to mep.oman2015@gmail. com. (NOC required).

DOMESTIC HELPER An Indian family located in Azaiba looking for a Housemaid.

Contact 99384009 Require qualify caregiver for an orderly mother. Contact 99425200

DRIVER A fast food restaurant in Muscat required Drivers. (1 car and 1 motor cycle) # 93216008. Forward CV :fastfoodoman2014@gmail.com Indian Driver required.

Contact 99209264.

Female Driving Instructor needed in Madinat Qaboos.

Contact 95591068 Required Indian national Light Duty Driver for Omani house.

Contact: 99420752 L.D Driver Indian required preferably Keralite. Contact : 92888337 Wanted driver. Contact: 95112461 Driver heavy duty required urgently for trailer. Oman / GCC experience must. Those ready for immediate joining. Contact: 99310859

Indian male,, MBA, Finance, 10 yrs exp as Branch Supervisor in a reputed logistics company in Oman with an overall experience of 21 yrs in finance & logistics, with valid Oman D/L, on visit looks for suitable placement. Contact 96567151, girishlalmahadev@yahoo.com

EDUCATION A well known private school require English, Mathematics, Science, Physics & Computer Teacher.

Email : staffing.oman@gmail.com, ph: 96910649 Pakistani Female, Masters of Education. 13 years of Experience in Teaching. Looking for suitable placement. Contact: 94739533/97926339 Email: kiranilyas95@gmail.com

ENGINEER Smartphone Technician Required ftt@futuretarget.net GSM: 99110080/9669066 Urgently require B.E. Civil Engineer with 5 yrs Gulf experience in multi storey buildings should have Oman driving license & join us immediately. Email : applyforoman@gmail.com Wanted urgently Civil Engineer with driving license, Civil Foreman, Masons, Carpenters, Steel fixtures.

Contact Abu Hakeem International LLC. Contact: 24699200 / 92854404 fax: 24602393, shsllc@omantel.net.om

MEDICAL

MANAGER Contracting Company requires a Project Manager (Civil) – 1 No. 8 ~ 10 years of experience in overall Project Management, GCC D/L. Mail CV : contractingrecruitment1234@ gmail.com

IT

MISCELLANEOUS

Wanted GP Doctor for clinic.

Ph 98115439 Medical CARE Centre, Multi Speciality Clinic, Seeb, requires Gynecologist to work on Freelance (Profit Sharing) basis. Interested candidates call- 97884856 Wanted Nurse (Salary-RO 400/-) & Pharmacist (Salary RO 500/-)-MOH Licensed -Al Suwaiq Clinic Contact- 97742491 Required Nurse for A Clinic in Al-Buraimi, S. of Oman.

Contact : 00968 92737149. Send CV to drpkabbas@yahoo.co.in Urgently required Lab Technician male / female, Receptionist female Omani (fluent in English and Arabic) at Sinaw – Hala Medical Center. Contact : 95969249 / 94580112 Email: halamedicalgroup@gmail.com

FMCG professional with 18 yrs Gulf experience in commercial / operations looking for opening.

Contact 92787747 / 92168401

Urgently required Pharmacist (B. Pharm) with MOH license for a reputed organization in Oman. Email Id: goodpharma2015@gmail.com

MEP Engineer on urgent basis required for immediate placement.

Please contact tgi17@omantel.net.om

MEDICAL

Finance/ Audit professional with 18 yrs Gulf experience can work independently or head the division looking for opening. Contact 92787747 / 92168401.

Required prometric passed or MOH license holder for the following posts Indian male & female GP Doctor, Indian Female dentist, Female Staff Nurse & Pharmacists.

Contact: 97985325 Email: polyclinicomanhr@gmail.com

Contracting Company requires a Sales Manager (Trading) – 1 No. Experience in Building Materials & Specialized Products, Oman/GCC D/L. Mail CV : contractingrecruitment1234@ gmail.com

Software developer with experience in asp.net, sql server and crystal reports required for a software development firm. Email CV to hr@ promisworld.com

Accountant Part time up to finalization on monthly basis by Indian CA. All reports, bank loan help, tax & Audit matters, affordable fee.

Contact 92758370

Established real estate company looking for male or female property agents for leasing and sales of the property. Applicant must be Graduate, possess Omani or GCC driving license. Having oman market experience. Apply with NOC. Attractive salary +commission.

Send your CV: property@ labdmarkmuscat.com Required Indian or Pakistani calligrapher & Painter (staff accommodation) Contact# 24480487/24483493

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Wanted: Loading and unloading people. Apply - Indians only: Contact: 95451713

SALES / MARKETING A REPUTED TRADING & CONTRACTING CO. requires urgently sales Executive (male) having at least 3 years experience of construction materials in Oman/GCC with valid driving license . Send CV through Fax 24495411 or email: info@styletrading.net

B.Com Graduate 3 yrs experience in Oman driving license looking for accounts/sales. Contact 93645008

SALES / MARKETING Required Smart, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3 years sales experience in building materials. Omani Driving License and NOC is must.

Apply with photograph to E-mail: jobdsint@gmail.com.

Contracting Company requires Outdoor Salesman (Trading) – 2 Nos. Experience in selling Building Materials in Oman/GCC with D/L solicited. Mail CV : contractingrecruitment1234@gmail. com Required Smart, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3 years sales experience in building materials. Omani Driving License and NOC is must.

Apply with photograph to E-mail: jobdsint@gmail.com.

Required outdoor sales man in construction and oilfield sector with valid GCC D/L. Email : contact@absmct.com/ 92830110 Vacancy for Marketing Executive for TOP CLEAN LAUNDRY in Muscat, Whoever has got experience in the above field. Contact issa. alsuqri@gmail.com, GSM: 99370072 Wanted designer & Salesman for Advertising CO. With Oman D/L. Contact: 96440587 / 94055643 Sales Executive Industrial products : 2-3 yrs of exp. with good communication & computer skills. D/L is must. Send resume to Looking for Outdoor Salesman for heavy equipment spare parts.

Contact - 93292015, Email: mail.om@gulfcenter.co

Indian male, Accountant, B.Com, 1 yr experience in Accounts.

Contact 98295101 Omani female exp. in Accounts & shipping & Secretary & PRO, job knowledge in Computer with Oman D/L. Contact 91161736 Senior Document Controller, male, Indian, MCA 9+ yrs experience as Document controller in oil & gas sector seeks job as Senior Document controller. Contact 95388197, Email : rojanchristopher@gmail.com Filipino Male 26 years old, Certified Public Accountant, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with 5 yrs of experience now on visit visa, Looking for suitable opening.

Contact: +968 91278583 Email: kennethalcedo07@gmail.com Accountant Indian male B.Com with 2 years of experience currently on visiting visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 94649272 Email ID: sherin.am01@gmail.com Indian 24 years MBA finance 2 years experience seeking suitable placement. Contact: 9822253 Indian female B.Tech (EEE) MBA finance with 1and half years experience as Bank Officer in India seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 91358676 / 98157895 Email: sujivu88@gmail.com An Indian Lady Chartered Accountant with five years experience (including articleship), on family visa in Oman looking for a suitable job.

Please Contact 9621 0347 / 9943 5346, shincycrajan@gmail.com Indian male, 27 years, M. Com, having 2years experience in Accounts looking for suitable position. Presently on visit visa. Contact 93455055| gibingeorge88@gmail.com

Accountant Indian male 31 yrs Accounts up to finalization, 9 yrs experience (7 yrs in Oman) with D/L & NOC seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 99582979 Part time accountant services available to handle all accounts related work up to finalization.

Contact 96247295 Accountant having 4 yrs experience looking job. Contact: 99867456 Email: ashkar7673@gmail.com Part time Accountant with 15 yrs exp in accounts, finance audit taxation. Contact: 95857199 Energetic Finance & Audit Manager / Chief Accountant, C.A , MBA ,ACCA , CPA..15 yrs in GULF , Expert in Banking, Financing, Profit Maximizations, Admin, Biz Developments ,All ERPs Software’s, 15yrs Audit Exp. with Big 5 , NOC & Driving License Call 94403270 – 94504505 Indian female Accountant with 5 yrs Gulf exp in accounts, audit, Admin payroll. Contact: 96263157 Jordanian Accountant (ACPA) with more than 15 yrs experience in Oman (Accounts, Purchase & finance). Contact: 92881223 Email: kamal_sarhan@yahoo.com MBA, B.Com CA (finalist) 7 years experience (2 years in Oman) looking for suitable placement in a reputable organization. Expertise in ERP, Tally Quickbooks, peachtree and Excel.

NOC available. Contact: 97736404 Email: adnantahir1990@gmail.com Motivated and energetic male 25 having 4 years of experience in finance with Master’s degree in Economics and CAT Certified seeking opportunity in Accounts/finance/ audit in a reputable organization.

Cell no: 00968-94626209 E-Mail: omerjawedshah@gmail.com

ADMIN Indian Female MBA , 3 Years Experience in Admin MIS , Family Visa. Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com Indian male having 17 yrs experience in Logistics, Purchase, payroll processing & office Admin, UAE D/L seeks suitable position, valid visa till 24th August’15. . Contact 91219303 Indian Male 18 years ( 7 years in Oman ) experience in HR / Admin in Oil & Gas , construction fields with Oman D/L seeks suitable position.

Visa Transfer / NOC available.

Call 92854993.

Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 HR.Admin, Indian male..2+ Oman exp..joining immediately..

Contact 93671437 Purchase, Admin, Indian male, 15 yrs Gulf experience.

Contact 95435370 HSE Admin experience for 10 years in GCC with valid D/L seeking to join a reputed firm. NOC available.

Contact: 99626821 Indian female, 29 yrs, MBA (HR) 4 yrs exp in HR & Admin seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 95619537

T H U R S DAY, AU G U S T 1 3, 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED MEDICAL Medical - Staff Nurse (male) with NOC and license, experience 6+ yrs.

Contact: 98680299 Email: georgevaikom@gmail.com

ADMIN 14 years of Gulf experience in HR / Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic / English with D/L looking for suitable position. Contact: 95824598 Master degree HRM professional having excellent experience in finance and management and having 8 yrs experience looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92955453 / 91213269

DRIVER Looking for driving job. Contact 98219182 LMV Driver, 8 yrs exp. (Keralite).

Contact 93412587 Light duty driver/ salesman looking for job, with Oman Driving license. Contact 91389466 Looking for a job as Driver, with 9 yrs experience in Oman, language : Arabic/ English/ Hindi.

Contact 92517532 Driver, 10 yrs. Contact 94260369 Light Driver, 5 yrs experience looking for job. Contact 92617293 Light driver 5 years exp Education B.A language English, Arabic & Hindi. Contact : 98522914 / 91615715 Indian (Kerala) light driver seeking for job 4 years exp in Oman.

Contact 95844147 Driver available with car.

Contact: 96652352 Sri Lankan driver. Contact: 97387112 Light duty driver, 8 yrs exp.

Contact: 96736744

DRAUGHTSMAN 3D Draughtsman 25 years Indian male having 4 years experience.

Contact: 93746877

DESIGNER Experienced Graphics Designer with 6+ years of international exposure in Middle East & Asia looking for job. Valid Omani D/L. 97615584.

Sr Designer, Civil & Structural (oil & gas) / Site Supervisor Indian male, 21 years experience in design field with driving license seeks suitable placement N.O.C available.

Contact: 92684051 Email: babyshibu@yahoo.co.in

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Keralite, Indian, Diploma in Mechatronic, PG Diploma in Industrial automation (PLC SCADA DCS) interest field. Email : sajasvp@gmail.com Civil Engineer BSc -7 years experience with constructions companies - 2 years in Oman - qualified as a project Engineer- Fluent in Arabic & English - Contact 98078095 Project Manager / Senior Engineer, Indian Male BE Civil, 21yrs experienced including Oman looking for the Job Contact +918939295181 Email I’D : sanja_bala@yahoo.co.in SAP BW Analyst : Indian male, 26 yrs, B.Tech (CS & E) from ASET, New Delhi, worked as a Business Analyst in Software Industry. Contact 98008127 / 92878708, vaisakh.bhaskar@gmail.com Civil Engineer, more than 6 yrs experience in Supervision, site management, QS, Engineering software with valid Oman driving license.

NOC available. Contact 91761364, Email : a-shaqfa@hotmail.com Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineer, 26 yrs, Masters from Singapore, Bachelors from India. Having 2 yrs work experience in Oman, with Valid Oman driving license. available immediately.

Contact: 95498953 Indian male 25yrs B.E in Electronics and Communication Engineering with 2 yrs experience D/L. Email : azee245ec@gmail.com, Contact 94188216

ENGG. / TECHNICAL 24Yrs, B.E (Mechanical), having 3 Yrs experience as a Piping Engineer, Seeking suitable job in Oman.

Contact: +919965885511 (India), +96898989716(Oman), Email : nandhamek@gmail.com

Diploma in Mech.Engg. Indian Female - with great experience in Quality Control, (QA/QC) Auto CAD, Primavera, CATIA, Pro E, seeking job. Currently in family visa Contact: 94526980/96510532

Indian female (M. Tech – power system) having Gulf experience, currently on family visa seeking suitable placement in Oman.

Contact: 94306164

Indian male B.Tech Mechanical Engineer 1 year experience seeking suitable placement, available immediately. Contact: 93907707 Email: jubinkasim@gmail.com

Electrical and Electronics Engineer with one year experience and GCC licence holder seeking a job mail – shyjalpk@gmail.com

BE in ECE Indian female currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94767662 Email: chaithanyankotian10@gmail.com

Indian male, 30 yrs, Diploma in Civil Engineer, 5 yrs exp. at building construction & consulting company with Oman driving license.

NOC available seeks suitable placement. Contact 95989500, cv.shihabedappal@gmail.com

Civil Engineer B.E 12 years experience with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 93843448

Indian male 25MBA having 4years Gulf experience in Coordination with contracting company .NOC Available.

Looking for(Store,Coordination,Admin ,Backoffice) Jobs Ph:95405885 Indian male Electronic Technician, 7 yrs experience, CCTV Technician seeks suitable job, now on visit visa.

Contact 98353542 / 99179853 Indian male, B.Tech, B.Tech (Electronics) MBA (Marketing) having 1 yr experience as Deputy Manager Sales in Fortune 100 MNC currently on visit visa seeks suitable job.

Contact 96967234, Email: lijotitus111@gmail.com SUPERVISOR: Indian male site supervisor (AIR CONDITIONING) 25 years of experience with valid Oman Driving license, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97498809, 93391910 Email: hilariankj@gmail.com Indian male MBA 13 yrs exp in Oman (8 yrs in Tech Documentation 5 yrs in Project coordination) Administration, seeks suitable placement. Visa transfer / NOC available.

Contact : 93069441 Civil Engineer BSc-Total Experience 6 years-2 years in Oman, experience in site work & Structural Design & Technical office. #97983610 Bangladeshi male, B.Sc, Engg. in Civil total 9 yrs experience, 2.5 yrs as Contractor Engg. & 3.5 yrs as consultant Engr, total 6 yrs exp in Oman seeking a job.

Contact Mobile 95540721, Email : sheikwet@gmail.com Civil Engineer, 10 yrs exp. in building residential M.O.E, M.O.D, Stp looking for suitable placement. NOC available. Good knowledge AutoCAD, computer MS Office, Excel, making B.O.Q. all type of civil work related, building supervision. Contact 99471944, engrzagar@gmail.com HSE, 10 yrs Logistics Site Coordination consultancy valid Oman D/L, PDO driving permit. Contact 92565093 Indian male, Supervisor Electrician Diploma 8 yrs in Oman. NOC available. Contact 95057068, jratheesh@yahoo.com BE Civil Graduate /Male – More than 18 years of experience in Infrastructure in India,UAE and Oman. looking for a suitable job in Oman.

Mob :98294123 Email: sandeepj02@gmail.com Egyptian Civil Engineer-total experience 6 years - 1 year @ Oman-I have good experience in Technical office & site Works.

Contact number: 00968 94682217 B.Com MBA, Indian male 2 years experience looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94718663 Email: naveelkhan524@gmail.com B.Tech Mechanical Engineer (HVAC) 2 years experience in India.

Contact: 97654489 Email: nikhilchandpm@gmail.com Sudanese male Telecommunication Engineer looking for job.

Contact: 94537607 Electrical Engineer 5 years of exp in construction companies, NOC available Indian.

Contact: 92641757

Mechatronic Engineer (UK) with business operations PG Certificate (UK) & piping Engineering (IIT) looking for vacancy, with Oman driving license. Contact 99278195, email : justin_johns123@hotmail.com Mechanical Engineer, Indian male, 24 yrs, having 1 yr plant experience currently on visit visa, looking for suitable job. Contact 92835957, rafeekmohammed84@gmail.com Indian female, Electronics and telecommunication Engineer, currently on family visa looking for suitable openings. Contact: 95020425 Electrical Engineer, Indian, exp. in MEP (AutoCAD). Contact 99079140 / 98205818 Civil Project Engineer exp 10 yrs.

Contact: 92673432 Email: arifjamalkhan8@gmail.com Telecommunication Maintenance Engineer Sudanese male 2 years experience in HUAWEI hardware field cabins good communication English & Arabic. Contact :+ 968 96433495 / +968 94756295 Email: muzamilawadalla@gmail.com Indian male 23, Mechanical Engineer, 1 year experience, knowledge in HVAC currently on visit visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 95434381 Email: shuhaibusman313@gmail.com Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Indian male 24 years B.E mechanical 2 years exp. or visit visa.

Contact: 99247326 Civil Engineer B.E, 5.5 years experience with Omani D/L. Contact: 96785311 Electrical Engineer 2 years experience (Indian) construction (building) looking suitable placement.

Contact 00968 92596672 Email: kundara.renjith@gmail.com Electrical Engineer bachelor degree having 6+ years experience of Gulf and professional license available to join. Contact: 98063081 Email: imran.engr08@gmail.com Indian Male, Diploma in Civil Engineer working as a Project engineer with 7years of experience looking for suitable job. Contact- 92636569 Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com SAP – SCM.MM Consultant B.Tech.

(Chemical), from NIT, working with oil industry, seeks employment.

Contact: 98049288 Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385 Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

EDUCATION Indian female, M.Sc, M.Phil.

Chemistry, 3 yrs Teaching experience currently on visit visa, seeks suitable position. Contact 96916534 / 91969756

EDUCATION Indian lady M.Com, B.Ed looking for openings in teaching.

Contact 97668603 Indian female, English teacher, MA,B.Ed,CELTA, 5+years experience, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 99642462, kalcky@yahoo.com

HOSPITALITY Indian female 40 yrs, MBA, Oman driving license with experience in service industry / business development is looking for suitable job.

Contact : 98007311 4 Years experienced (Money exchange services & Hospitality services in Oman & India) - Indian male 27 years, graduate in Hospitality science, fluent in English, Hindi & Arabic seeks suitable placement. #91383167

IT NETWORK/NETWORK SECURITY ENGG. Graduate in B.Tech CS. Have 5.3 years of experience in Network and Security devices. Certified on CCNA, CCNP, MCITP and CCIE Sec. Written passed. NOC available.

Can join immediately.

Contact +974-55297089, e-mail: rejad.hashim@gmail.com Indian male, MCA completed certificate come in Oracle, 10g, experienced as Software developer (Php) worked CSS HTML, codesigner seeking suitable position in IT field. Email: mohamedashif786@gmail.com Contact: 99153840 Sudanese female IT Tech. Support, Demographic, English fluent exp.

11.6 yrs. Contact: 96659392 Indian (f) with 7 yrs exp in software development (2.5 yrs Oman exp) good knowledge in .net and MSSQL Server seeks suitable placement.

Contact : 93276784 email: sanalkumar63@gmail.com B. Tech (CSE) Oracle, DBA Indian female 23 yrs seeking suitable placement now on visiting visa Contact : 91873454 / 99508485. email : shahanasebi@gmail.com Indian female, BCA, MCA, SAP ABAP certification, ASP.Net Certification 2 yrs experience, looking for a suitable opportunity.

Contact 99109121.

Indian visit visa, Network / System Engineer switches, routers, servers, load balancers 5 yrs of exp holds B.E (ECE), CCNA looking for good opportunity. Contact: 91911792 Email: arafakdnl@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 26 yrs Graduate, 2 yrs exp as logistics Coordinator looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 96944298 Indian female, having 9 years experience in Logistics and Sales co ordinator. Experience in SAP, MS office, holding Oman driving license.

Currently on Visit Visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 95251911 Indian male looking for indoor, sales, accountant, storekeeper, office assistant.

Contact 98295101 Management Professional accountable, responsible for profitable management can handle the entire operations, HR/Recruitment, Business development & Sales & marketing & etc, Great organizational skills with over 23+yrs exp. in Bombay, Saudi Arabia, Dubai-UAE & Oman(11yrs) as General Manager - Publications, Printing,Media. open to any industry, can Join immediately w/NOC. Contact : +968 98864706/99574638 Mail : akdas_uae@yahoo.com 10 yrs exp in Oman in logisticshave Oman D/L-looking for suitable placement. Contact 96410767 ; email: harishkts@yahoo.com Indian Female POST GRADUATE .

One Year experience seeking suitable Job Contact :97792820 Email: pnjli.1991@gmail.com

Female Nurse- Indian, Total 14 yrs. experience,6 yrs. in KSA, Prometric passed, ready to join immediately.

Contact 95525004 & 98146565 Looking for job as office boy + driver going to visit within this month Oman Muscat working experience 10 years. Contact: 968 97859837 BA degree Nursing professional having excellent looking for suitable placement. Contact:: 92955453 /91213269 GP Doctor Yemeni national-male, with 4 years of work experience.

Mobile:00966531598754 Email: alsyaniramzy@gmail.com A Pakistani lady, having M.A Islamiyat at B.ED Degree, 7 years Teaching experience. All documents are ready, looking for job in school or private firm. Contact: 96534115 Email: alex_ali1@yahoo.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Indian Male 9 years experience in Purchase/Supply Chain with Oman D/L looking for a suitable opening in Construction/ Oil & Gas Industry.

Contact 91124175 MIB Post Graduate /male – more than 9 years of experience in shipping & Logistics in middle east (Liner Section) looking for a suitable job in Oman. .Mob :( India) 919400043894, Email: jaise81@gmail. com, Oman 99899627

SALES / MARKETING MBA (Marketing/ HR) with 4.5 years exp in Business development and marketing, having valid Oman driving license seeks suitable placement currently available on family visa. Contact: 97618033 Email: vjgeorge12@gmail.com MBA, BBA (Marketing), Certificates in NEBOSH, IOSH, MEDIC FIRST AID. 2 years work experience as BDE in HSE firm. Phone - 94362502, Email - libinakurisinkal@gmail.com Looking for job as Salesman at any shop. Contact 96930922 Male, BA with D/L, 6 yrs exp. in Oman seeks suitable job in Sales & Inventory & procure.

Contact 92191026 Expert in Sales Marketing & promotions, having D/L of Oman, good communication skills in Arabic & English. Contact 92262680 Indian male 8yrs experience in Purchase looking for a suitable placement with N.O.C. Contact : 95621614 Female, 5 yrs experience in software and 1 yr experience in administration, looking for any official job full time or part time or work from home. Contact: 00968 91711326 Email: shetty.sapna22@gmail.com

TOURS & TRAVELS Indian female 24 yrs, Bachelor in Travel & Tourism and 1 year exp in Oman as ticketing executive. GDSSabre, Amdeus, Galilio seeking suitable job.

Contact- 95883404 11 yrs experience in travel field B.Com, IATA, MCSE working for Qatar Airways, Sales reservation ticketing driving license & NOC available. Contact 92954613

MISCELLANEOUS B.Com graduate, 11 years experience in Accounts, 9 years Oman experience , Oman valid driving license, looking for suitable post.

Mob:92758404 NOC Available.

Indian male, B.com, MBA, having 5 years experience (3 years in U.A.E) is currently seeking suitable opportunities within finance/accounts/ admin dept.Contact:93953613, allen.mathew83@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available.

Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 Indian male 23 years Graduate, working as a sales coordinator cum purchase & office coordination 2 yrs in oman Having oman license & NOC looking for suitable job in Muscat Email:yadhukrishnan08@ gmail.com, GSM:97475860 Indian Male, 32 yrs, MBA-HR, Trainer & Faculty worked on Omanisation & nationals development activities with 10 yrs of experience seeking suitable job. Contact : saiprasad_18@yahoo.com,93891401 Female MBA gold medalist, with computer proficiency, Oman driving license looking for job opportunity in event management companies in Muscat. Ph : 99012949 Sudanese 29 male (Bsc computer science,diploma computer engineering), 6 yrs. experience dba oracle plsql , ms sql-server ,ms visual studio vba,network Omani Driver licence language English, Arabic Tel: 91415886 Piping Design Engineer, Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708/97357143 Indian Male 22 Years , Graduation In Electronics Seeking Jobs In Supervisory , Sales & Sales Co-ordination Fields , Good Communication Skill # 96141317, E-mail: akhilek5@gmail.com Indian female B. Com MBA finance ,5 years experience in oman as an account seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99044292 DIPLOMA+B.E.(CIVIL ENGINEER), Indian, 4 years of experience, currently on visit visa; Seeking Right Position. GSM:91570703.

Indian female high School Teacher having 30 years experience, currently on visit visa, looking for suitable openings.

Contact: 95020425

Two year experience in Oman, experience in sales, purchase and system admin, Having GCC license.

Contact number 97475860, Yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com

B.Com Graduate having 5 years of experience in purchase & sales with valid Oman driving license looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97302353

ME. Civil Engineer, Structural Designer, 3 Years Structural Design, 6 Years Str. Engineer Experience, Looking For Structural Designer Position. Iranian Male. Contact: 93696929, Email: mhsaz1359@ gmail.com

Indian male B.Com & MBA Graduate 11 years experience airline travel & tourism, Sales & Marketing in Dubai & Oman with driving license NOC available.

Contact: 92552612 Email: mazmanu1@gmail.com Indian male 27 years, B.Tech Graduate having good work experience with valid Oman D/L looking for a suitable opening as Sales Engineer.

Contact: 91472953 Email: harees.rasheed.2014@gmail.com Sales and marketing - male 27 yrs, 2 years experience seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 95642740 Email: shaijichakkara@gmail.com

SKILLED/ UNSKILLED TIG+ARC Welder Indian with 16 yrs Middle East exp. in Copper Nickel, Duplex, Inconel, S.S, CS Now on visit visa seeks suitable placement..

Contact : 96502282.

Email: manuangold88@gmail.com

B-tech Electrical Engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat.

Contact: 98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com Indian Female Accountant, CA Final (Group I cleared), 5+ year’s experience in the field of Accounts, Audit and Financial ERPs. Currently available in Muscat and seeking suitable job opportunities.Ph:94704800 email id: vinithsavith@gmail.com Civil site coordinator, Diploma, Male 25, now present in Oman, Seeking job in Oman. # 92887561, jubincivileng@gmail.com Data Entry operator cum Buyer, Indian male,26years.BA, Computer proficiency :Operating system (Windows 2000xp & Windows7) E plus and Tally ERP9, 4 yrs Experience in Oman seeks suitable placements. mob:95360255

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DRIVING

CLASSES Driver for Automatic Transmission. Contact: 99040813

SITUATION WANTMANPOWER SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

Spoken English IELTS & Computer classes. Contact: 92088325 / 24799938 Admission started in a private school, Darsait (Mount Zion Group of Institutions CBSE 1) for KG and grade 1 to 4 please register soonest.

Contact: 92088325 / 24799938

COMPUTER

Well established infrastructure works company with full assets & huge value contracts up for immediate sale. Contact 98867530 / 95565039 Canadian Consultancy Company is looking for a Partner in Oman. For more information please contact +973 39990830 New company seek partnership.

Contact: 96996938

WEBSITE General Investors.

Gsm-99674870 Serious investor needed for succeeded furniture company for expansion purposes.

Contact: 99041337 One stop shop business services : Public Relation (PRO) formation new companies, LLC companies, Investor visa, business setup, prepare businesses & companies accounts, legal services, representing you and your company.

Contact: Saleh : 96723485

SIT.WANTED Driver looking for job exp 2 yrs.

Contact: 98522914 Indian Female BSC nurse with 8+ years of experience including 3 years of GCC exp. Oman Prometric passed with 57 %. Currently in Oman.

Contact : 98034384 House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 36 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 9 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807

Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking, 1 year sales experience. M. Sc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license. Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com

Split window cassette AC unit servicing, maintenance.

Contact: 99540621 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

Indian female, 24yrs, M.COM (Accounts) having 3 yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proficiency seeking Suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913 Indian male 32 years post Graduate , working as Purchaser cum office coordinator 4 years in Oman having Oman driving license & NOC looking for suitable job in Muscat. #98399415 Email: thankansam@gmail.com

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089/95323517 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 A/C Maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing.

Contact: 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

Split & widow unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080 Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact: 96236476 Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance.# 93769089 / 95323517 All maintenance & repairs. Contact Rizwan: 99429071, RMPM Trading.

General cleaning in buildings villas all types interior, exterior, polishing dry cleaning carpets, rugs, marble etc. Contact 94134784 / 98598280

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

Civil maintenance - plumbing, electrical, painting, and tiling, interior decorations, shop furnishing and all other maintenance works.

Contact: 97897831 / 92112094 (Indian, Keralite)

General cleaning & Shampooing.

Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 / 99357908

Air condition maintenance split and window A/C split a/c ducted and package type units.

Contact: 98667326

Pest control Treatments, Cockroaches, Ants ,Rodents & Termites. Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99357908 / 99344723.

Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at AL Khuwair. Contact: 24478618 / 97263637 / 93309131

GOOD NEWS

For AutoCAD drawings and Civil Engg. Q.S works, please contact.92758095

GOOD NEWS Fresh flowers Jasmine Roses Marigold & Garlands for Onam & other festivals, advance booking accepted.

Haridas Nensey. Contact 24750784 Rakhees Raksha Bandhan available thousands Designs. Also special offer at Haridas Nensey Ruwi.

Contact 24750784 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com

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DAILY GUIDE TOURS

SITUATION WANTCARGO

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

RENT A CAR

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

TRANSPORTATION Transportation only in Muscat.

Contact 96736975 Transportation any time. Contact 99365092 Transportation. Contact 98178135 Pick & drop anytime in Al Ghubra.

Contact 97681599 Transportation available.

Contact 95570429 Transport. Contact: 95190627 Transportation. Contact: 96538078 Transportation. Contact:98522914 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Car for rent. Contact: 92516090 Silver Car, car for rent. Contact: 96166155 / 98402662

Butter cup rent a car competitive prices new car 2016.

Contact: 97249449

Transportation. Contact: 98244078 Pick & Drop any time. # 97014786

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624