Times of Oman - April 14, 2016

THURSDAY April 14, 2016 6 Rajab 1437 AH

6 085010 120010

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN MORNING MINUTE

To Sheikhs and Dignitaries of Dhofar at the conclusion of His Majesty’s Meet-the-People Tour of the country, 1995

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ When it rains, it begins in small drops and then it pours. It is the same with material benefit. What you should be doing is to enlighten your children on these matters so that they can feel responsibility towards themselves and towards serving their country.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 45

| 40 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

SAUDI ARABIA

MEDICAL CHECKUPS

HM’s return to Oman welcomed by people FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Welcoming His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s return to Oman after the routine medical checkups in Germany, Ahmed Al Hooti, a member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) said that may the Almighty Allah grant him good health, happiness and a long life, with great joy.

“The news pushes us to build this country as planned and started by His Majesty the Sultan in 1970. The private sector is one of the basic pillars of development, be it on the economic side represented by the development of commerce, industry, agriculture, tourism and economy in general or the social side, represented by the development of human resources as described

by His Majesty,” he said.

Al Hooti extended his heart-

A MIX OF CURIOSITY AND EXCITEMENT Students rose to the challenge and answered the right mix of questions posed by quiz master Lloyd Saldanha at Times of Oman Inter School Quiz Contest (TOOISQC) at the Indian School Ghubra. >A4

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the death of Princess Sara bint Saud Al Kabeer. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest the deceased’s soul in peace and grant her family patience. -ONA

felt greetings and the greetings of the members of the OCCI board and OCCI branches in the various governorates and the private sector on the blessed occasion of the return of His Majesty the Sultan, praying to the Almighty Allah to protect him and preserve the stability and security of Oman under his wise leadership.

Mohammed Al Kindi, a Majlis Al Shura member thanked the Almighty Allah on the return of His Majesty the Sultan to his beloved country.

Praising the wise and visionary leadership of His Majesty the Sultan, Al Kindi said His Majesty has brought a sea-change in the lives of people in Oman.

The country and its people are indebted to this great leader and we pray to the Almighty to grant him a long life to serve the country and usher in more development, he added. >A7

C O M M U N I C AT I O N

Users miss free calls on Snapchat

Calls to help boost expat property sales Expats face problems in owning properties in Oman, reducing investment opportunities

BABA UMAR

babaumar@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Real estate giants in the Sultanate have called for government policy to improve expat property buying in order to boost the sector, attract more tourists and investors and help the country battle the oil price slump.

Expatriates are allowed to buy properties for residential or investment purposes at the Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs) licenced by the government agencies, which is subject to the approval of the Ministry of Housing.

“Most of the foreign buyers face difficulties in getting the necessary paper work done especially when they apply for the visas of residency. Many things are not clear at various government authorities,” Hatim Ali, CEO of The Wave Homes told Times of Oman.

“Some foreigners are reluctant.

They don’t see the legal framework to be complete. Although Oman is safe but investors with big money want to see a clear framework of buying, responsibilities and obligations which has not yet done.”

The real estate experts say the attempts to open up Oman’s rea-

There are restrictions on expatriates buying properties for residential or investment purposes and they have to face many hurdles at various levels in Oman

sonably priced real estate homes to expatriates would also mean attracting buyers who are no longer able to afford in other expensive GCC countries.

“But there are other difficulties too,” explained the top official of Wave Homes - a property management company.

“In other GCC countries, on

an expat’s Identity Card, they put the title as ‘investor’ once an expat buys a property. Oman doesn’t give that title. The government uses the word ‘Owner’, which gives the expats great trouble when they travel to other GCC countries,” Ali said, adding, “When they go to Dubai, Qatar or Abu Dhabi, they are not seen or categorised as investors. So they [expats] always have problems in getting visas when they want to travel to these countries, although some of expats are making investment in millions. Otherwise, the process of buying properties in Oman is very simple.”

However, Saleh S. Al Siyabi, The Wave’s senior manager for sales and leasing, says that there is no collective agreement in GCC countries for allowing “property owners” to move freely in the GCC region.

“The one which Oman gives is a residency visa. It’s not a work visa. This should be clear,” he told TOO. He added: “The agreement between the GCC countries allows the managers - who actually work in the GCC nations - to enter these countries. And vice versa, people who invest in buying a property as “Owners”, there is no collective agreement in the GCC countries. But these are two different laws. Residency visa has nothing do with the work visa,” he explained.

Officials of the Ministry of Housing say the process of granting “residence visa” to expats goes according to the procedures.>A8 TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Amazing picture

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Vishu celebration

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Keralites living in Oman are all set to celebrate Vishu on Thursday. >A8

MARKET ‘Oman one of the most beautiful countries’

HM sends condolences

Sohar water plant

A6 3

OPWP signed a OMR100 million agreement with a consortium.>B1

FIRST QUARTER

Omantel’s revenue grows to OMR135m Times News Service

Times News Service

MUSCAT: Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel), the Sultanate’s biggest telecom service provider, on Wednesday said that its group revenue for the first quarter of 2016 grew 4.7 per cent to OMR135.5 million from OMR129.4 million for the same period last year.

The group net profit was OMR34.8 million for the first quarter of this year compared to OMR34.6 million in 2015, an increase of 0.6 per cent, according to a company release.

The net profit is propelled by strong domestic performance, which witnessed an impressive revenue growth of 5 per cent contributed mainly by revenues from Fixed and Mobile broadband services and submarine capacity sales.

Cost of sales increased by 8.4 per cent, while operating expenses recorded a fall of 3.5 per cent compared to the corresponding period.

MUSCAT: Popular video and photo-sharing app Snapchat created a lot of excitement among its users when it announced free call feature for its users in the last week of March.

This excitement, however, was short-lived as users could not make or receive calls a few days after the launch.

Many have been left wondering if the feature will ever become functional in Oman, where several free calling apps are blocked.

Until now, there has been no official word in this regard.

Snapchat users in Oman shared their frustration with the Times of Oman, with many of them saying they wanted to use the free calling feature to talk to friends in other countries.

Snapchat introduced its 2.0 version, where users can voice and video chat with the touch of screen. >A7

The company’s earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) stood higher at OMR70.4 million for the first quarter of 2016, against OMR65.1 million for the same period of last year.

The results are preliminary and unaudited and subject to approval of the board.

The final results will be released after the approval of the board of directors meeting, which is scheduled on May 12, 2016.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

OMAN

On behalf of Oman Air, I am delighted to be joined by so many frequent flyers already to celebrate the launch of our new service between Muscat and London Paul Gregorowitsch, Oman Air CEO

E N H A N C I N G C A PA B I L I T I E S

Multiple pacts signed in 2015 to boost Oman’s defence capabilities Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman has enhanced its security and defence capabilities in 2015 with a string of deals with international companies.

The Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD) recently signed five Partnership for Development (PFD) agreements with foreign compa-

nies in 2015. In a statement to Times of Oman, an official of OAPFD said that the purpose of the agreements is to assure that these companies are aware of the Royal Decree and they will apply PFD programme.

“The PFD programme aims to achieve the objectives of the authority which are to diversify the national economy, enhance the

military and security capabilities, strengthen the private sector and promote human resource development and knowledge transfer in Oman,” it said.

The first agreement was signed with USA Company Raytheon, a major defence contractor and industrial corporation with core manufacturing in weapons and military and commercial electron-

ics. The second agreement was with the Finnish company Marine Alutech, a leading designer and manufacturer of fast patrol boats in Northern Europe.

In the recent months OAPFD has signed agreements with two more US companies; Bell Helicopters Textron Inc., a leader in aircraft industry and Lockheed Martin International, one of the

world’s premier companies in the aerospace, defence, security and technology industry.

The fifth PFD Agreement was signed with the Turkish Company, FNSS Savunma Sistemleri A.S., a leading manufacturer and supplier of tracked and wheeled armored combat vehicles and weapon systems.

The five companies have ex-

pressed full readiness to cooperate with OAPFD to support and consolidate the strategic, economic coperation.

The Board of Trustees of the Omani Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD) held its first meeting in 2016 under the Chairmanship of Dr. Ali bin Masoud bin Ali Al Sunaidy, the Minister of Commerce and Industry.

M U S C AT - L O N D O N

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

Oman Air celebrates new flight Times News Service MUSCAT: Business leaders, Omani journalists and senior managers from Oman Air gathered in London to celebrate the launch of the airline’s second daily, non-stop and direct service between Muscat and London’s Heathrow airport.

The first flight of the new service took off on Tuesday, with more than 200 passengers. That evening Oman Air’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Paul Gregorowitsch, hosted a celebratory dinner at a London restaurant. Guests included Abdulaziz bin Abdullah bin Zahir Al Hinai, ambassador of Oman, John Holland-Kaye, CEO of London Heathrow Airport, and senior figures from UK travel trade. Customers were invited to join in, as Oman Air unveiled a special offer for passengers travelling between Muscat and London. From April 12 to 25, free wi-fi connectivity will be available in the First, Business and Economy Classes.

Premium passengers—those in the First and Business Classes, and Gold members of the airline’s Sindbad frequent fliers programme—can enjoy two hours/100 megabits per second (Mbps) of free connectivity.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

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I N I T I AT I V E

TRA programme to help buyers spot fake mobile devices ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Consumers in Oman who are buying a mobile phone can now make sure if the product on offer is genuine or fake.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) on Wednesday launched a new automated programme that enables consumers to identify fake mobile devices, including tablets and mobile phones.

The programme is part of a campaign to inform consumers about the risks they are taking while buying fake devices. Hilal Al Siyabi, media and events manager at TRA said the increasing problem of fake A L WA FA

Forum for disabled children Times News Service MUSCAT: Wadi Kalbooh team under the supervision of the Nizwa Club-Ministry of Sport Affairs, holds a number of fun events and activities annually for children with special needs in cooperation with the Al Wafa Social Centres for physically challenged children in the AlDhakhliya Governorate.

This year, the team intends to organise the 4th Al Wafa Forum from May 22 to 26.

The forum will aim to involve children from Al Wafa centres in activities, competitions and field trips, and integrate them into the community, along with their peers.

This event will be officially organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs to promote effective cooperation, awareness and support different parties in the public for children with special needs.

devices in Oman calls for action.

“This campaign comes at a time when the counterfeit phone phenomenon is witnessing a significant increase, along with a rise in consumers’ complaints on lower quality and a shorter lifespan of their phones. To combat this, TRA has contacted the GSM association to develop technical solutions to reduce counterfeit phones in the local market.”

Verify before you buy Al Siyabi said inspection teams of TRA have received “thousands of reports in the last few years” about fake devices emerging on the market in Oman.

The new programme, based on

the slogan “Verify before you buy,” enables consumers to check if the phone they want to buy is genuine or a counterfeit copy.

By sending the 15-digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number on the product’s box to 80566, the system will check if the phone is registered in the database of the GSM Association (GSMA, a body representing the interests of mobile operators worldwide).

If the phone is registered, it’s real. If it’s not, it is fake.

“In case it’s fake, we will urge the consumers to not buy it. Now, the consumer is the decision maker,” Al Siyabi said. He said it’s not only shops that are selling fake devices,

but also unregistered sellers.

According to TRA, consumers risk their health by using a fake phone, which are often of bad quality.

Health hazard “As the phones are not properly tested, there might be radiation coming from the devices, which might be a health hazard. The life cycle of these devices is very short compared with the genuine ones.

Also, fake phones might affect the quality of service of the operator,” said Ibrahim Al Ma’awali, senior specialist at TRA. Al Ma’awali said the programme also works on a roaming network, which is useful if someone from

Oman is buying a phone abroad.

However, the system currently only works with Omantel and Ooredoo subscribers.

He said it will be enabled for other operators “shortly.”

TRA name stamp In order for consumers to discern an original phone from a counterfeit phone, TRA has further advised consumers to purchase their phones from authorised dealers as these dealers go through TRA approval procedures when they import devices into the Sultanate.

Such devices are also marked with the TRA name stamp, and consumer should look for this stamp before proceeding with their purchase.

Other ways to know if the new phone is genuine or a counterfeit, is the price, which is often much lower than the genuine equivalent.

If the packaging of the phone does not correspond with the phone’s logo and screen, it is an indication that the phone is fake. If the phone is sold without warranty, it is likely that the device is counterfeit. All manufacturers offer a warranty of a minimum of one year.

Complaints Consumers who discover a fake phone while shopping, can report this to TRA by calling its service centre at 800 000 00 or sending a complaint through TRA’s website: www.tra.gov.om

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TIMES O F O MAN

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

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ISG HOSTS QUIZ CONTESTANTS Staff Reporter

More than 400 students from the Indian School Ghubra and Mabela competed with eagerness to make it to the next round of the Times interschool quiz

MUSCAT: Curiosity and excitement were seen on the faces of students, who participated in the fourth qualifier of the Times of Oman Inter School Quiz Contest (TOOISQC) at the Indian School Ghubra.

Students rose to the challenge and answered the right mix of audio, visual and direct questions posed by quiz master Lloyd Saldanha here on Wednesday.

More than 400 students in two categories –junior and senior— from the Indian School Ghubra and Mabella competed with eagerness to make it to the next round of the Times inter-school quiz.

About 219 teams, 191 from Ghubra and 28 from the Mabella School participated in the fourth qualifier.

The qualifier was an easy task for Edhil, who is participating in the junior category of the Times quiz for the second consecutive time.

“Today, I found the preliminary round easier and I think my team can easily qualify for the next round as we got 18 questions right,” Edhil, a class seven student said.

“It was a quiet easy but questions about identifying the flag was a little bit difficult,” said Prathyaksh, a student of Mabella School, who has participated in the mega-prelims four times.

“I hope I can repeat what I did in the previous years,” he added.

Junior contests grew louder with joy when the quiz master asserted the answers to the questions.

Questions ranged from who’s who, currency, movies, places and inventions to sports and cartoons.

According to the Vice Principal of the Ghubra School, the Times of Oman quiz has given lot of new thoughts and inputs to the students.

“It’s not a traditional quiz competition; It is not easy to qualify for the next round with the knowledge that we can get from some books; participants should have a good knowledge of the current affairs also should have a good observation about the entire world,” G Sree Kumar, the vice principal said.

“This makes Times of Oman’s

interschool quiz special and this is a rich learning experience for our children,” he added.

According to a senior contestant, the questions were bit tougher than the previous years.

“It was a bit difficult, even though I think we can qualify to the next round,” said Saidev, a class 9 student of the Ghubra School.

Teams from 20 schools are participating in the quiz contest while the top 12 schools will clash in the final on April 21 at the City Amphitheatre. The mega prelims will be held on April 19 at the Indian School Ghubra.

The winning school will lift the Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Rolling Trophy for their school.

T I M E S OF OMAN

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

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JUNIORS

INDIAN SCHOOL GHUBRA

SENIORS

Photos by O.K. Mohammed Ali and Purushothaman K. /TIMES OF OMAN

TEAM NAME

PARTICIPANT 1

THE ROUNDY FREAKS

LUKSHYA GANJU

PARTICIPANT 2 ABHIRAM SAI ANIL BABU

KWIZ KATS

AYAAN ARSHAD NADAMAL

ANANDITHA SUNIL

DHA 2

MADHAV MENON

DHANANJAI MURALI

ISG - ALL ROUNDERS

SUBODH SATISH DALVI

MOHAMMED ZEESHAN S

ANONYMOUS

NOEL M MANIL

MICHEAL

DECIMATERS

RYAN SAJI MATHEWS

NADIR NISAR AHMED

INFINITY +1

SHAIKH MOHAMMED RIFAT

BRYAN THOMAS

QUIZ MANIACS

SANCHIT SETHI

RISHABH DHAVALE

LEZ QUIZZERABLES

ADITYA HARISH

SHUBHAN BHAN

THE COOL BUT NOT FOOL GUYS

KURIVILLA JACOB VIVEK A

MASTERMINDS

PRANAV RANJIT NAIR

PARTH NITHIN RANADE

LEGENDARY QUIZ WIZARDS ADITYA SHARMA

PRANSHU DASGUPTA

QUIZ QUIZZERS

REHAN AGRAWAL

VIJAY RAJENDRAN

DOUBLE R BRAINS

RISHABH SHANKAR DHAVAN

RAHUL DEEPAK VAKVANI

YOUNG MINDS

ANIRUDH RAMJI

ATHARVA AITWADE

GAMERS ONLINE !

RHYS ABRAHAM ISAAC

GOKUL NAIR

THINKING MASTERS OF ISG GARRY P ROY

ARAVIND S

QUIZZICALLY CURIOUS

SANJEY SURESH

AKHIL NAIR

361 INTELLIGENCE

PRANAV VENUGOPAL

S PRAKATISHWARAN

FREE THINKERS

ANGADH P.S.

NAKUL M.

BRAIN MASTERS

ABRAM ROY THOMAS

ATUL B. NAIR

QUIZZERS UNITED

AKIEL AREEF

SAMPATH KUMAR KORADA

BRAIN BOOSTERS

UDAY PISHARODY

PRANAV SUBRAMANIAN

BRAIN BUSTERS

ADVAIT S. MENON

ALWIN K JOSE

MR FRUITS

AYAAN SAMEER

NEEL NARAYAN

THE BRAINSTORMERS

JEREMY JACOB JOHN

HERSCHELLE MATHEW

WIKI GIRLS

FAIZA REZA

ALISHA AMJAD

ISG ACERS

THANA AYSHA

ISHAAN MOHAMED

INVICTUS

ARPIT DWIVEDI

SHRWYN MANOHAR

SPARTANS

RUPSHA DEBNATH

ADITYA MANJUSHA SHAILESH

STRAIGHT OUTTA ISG

TEJAS SASIKUMAR

SAURABH PUJARI

QUIZZARDS

ANISH KUMAR BADRI

ARCHIT SUDHEENDRA

LES QUIZERABLES

SARTHAK SHASTRI

JANAINAH ANAM

19/26

ADARSH VARGHESE MATHEW

ARVINDAKSHN RAJESH

THE Q TEAM

YASHASVA SWAPANK BAFNA

ANIRUDH GOVIL

QUIZARDS

VARUN SURESH

ANIRUDH MENON

MEN OF STEEL

MRITHUNJAY RATNAM

SHUSHRUTH SUDHIR URWA

QUIZ TITANS

VIGNESH SANKER

KEVIN REJI

THE SKYSTORMERS

ADITYA SACHIN KAMAT

MIUSTAFA DOHADWALA

BALO TELE TUBBIES

SRIVATHS MAHADEVAN

ASHWIN SANKER

JUNIORS

INDIAN SCHOOL MABELA COOL WIZARDS

ISAAC P. JACOB

SR QUIZZERS

SOHAM SHYAM GAIKWAAD

SAKSHI M. PAI MUHAMMED RIZWAN

LIFE HACKERS

PRATYAKSH DHANDE

PREETHAM PERIYAL MANJULA

THE WIKIPEDIA

ANUSHA

SYED SHAZIA IFATH

IQ ALIENS

ANANDHARKRISHNAN A

S MONISH

TEAM VIDYA

GAYATHRI M . KURUP

SNEHA SARA ELIAS

QUIZZLY GIRLS

NUZHA RAZIA

DIKKSHA V.

QUIZ BRAINZ

SUBAKARAN SAI PRASANNA

NAKSHATHRA KURUD

LITTLE STARS

ANAAN NOOR

SANA SEBASTIAN

QUIZ BUZZERS

CHRISTINE VARGHESE

SNEHA BHANDARI

Y2 AJ

JEBIKSON

AKSHAJ

CLASH OF QUIZZERS

RISHITH SURESH

NATHAN NAVEEN

THE SUOER QUIZZERS

SADAF CHOUHAN

RANYA KHAN

I.S.A.M. BOYS

JASON PINTO

HARISH G. HARI

QUIZARDS

LAZIM NIHAL

SAHIL PANDIT

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

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

I am proud to say that self-promotion made me the person I am now Nemr Abou Nassar, a Lebanese/ American stand-up comedian

Oman one of the most beautiful countries: Nemr The stand-up comedian said that he aims through his comedy to change the misconceptions about the Middle East in the

Win tickets to Nemr show

United States Times News Service

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Nemr Abou Nassar, a Lebanese/American stand-up comedian, said he is “super excited” about performing in Oman tomorrow at the Al Bustan Palace hotel, adding that the Sultanate is, “hands down,” one of the most beautiful countries he has ever been to.

“I am Lebanese, but if I had to choose anywhere else to live in, it will be Oman, there is no doubt about it,” said the 33-year-old comedian, who has been credited with pioneering the standup comedy scene throughout the Middle East, where he performs in English.

In an exclusive interview with the Times of Oman, Nassar said that he aims through his comedy to change the misconceptions about the Middle East in the United States.

“We come from the oldest civilisation in history; our ancestors were the inventors of language, religion, math and many sciences, however, our rich culture has been defined by few thousands naming themselves IS who were recruited

by Twitter,” said Nassar.

“I try my best to break down barriers and unite people. I speak on the behalf of my people and I believe that we have so much to offer,” he said, adding that a decade from now, his work will do some-

MUSCAT: Stand-up comedy pioneer Nemr Abou Nassar is coming to Muscat with his signature style.

Times of Oman in association with the event organiser Alive Entertainment which

thing great. He also revealed that he is planning to feature his shows on Netflix HBO to reach the American audience.

The international celebrity grew up in San Diego and moved back later with his family to Lebanon. Recently, he was featured on the Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore and another radio station where he was heard by more than 8 million people.

“We, as Middle Easterners, need to show the world that the power of our people come from the intersection of our people, instead of focusing on the small things that differentiate us,” Nassar explained, adding that nothing makes him happier than seeing people of various religions from different countries come together during his shows.

“War brought nothing but destruction to our nation, I lived through a terrible civil war, now, years after that, we still find it difficult to have electricity for 24 straight hours, our trash has not been picked up for the past 12 months, and we have been left

is giving away 3 pairs of blue zone tickets worth OMR 30!

All you have to do is to send us an email saying “I Like to watch Nemr” with your full name, city of residence and phone number to timesquizteam@gmail.com.

It’s that simple!

for two years without a president,” Nassar recalled, urging people to get themselves together to “make the Middle East great again.”

During his debut US tour, Nassar will be performing in Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, New York, Florida, Michigan, Cleveland and before continuing to record breaking shows all over the Middle East, including Oman, and then returning to Los Angeles on May 14 at Club Nokia to finish this global event.

Starting on the social network My Space, Nassar said he has never depended on traditional media to promote his shows as many of them are controlled by political parties, which have their own demands. “I am proud to say that self-promotion made me the person I am now,” he added.

He currently holds the record for the biggest show in every major country in the Middle East, with his latest special, ‘Uninterrupted Funny Observations,’ selling out to over 4,000 people in one night in Beirut alone in July 2014.

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

30%

OMAN

of Muscat is already covered and that operators are now offering very high speeds

Broadband in entire Sultanate by 2020 Broadband is aiming to cover the whole country with a broadband connection.

“Our preference is to go for fibre optics. If this is not possible, we’ll go for mobile and if there is no other choice, then we will go for basic broadband using satellites. We are working with the operators and the satellite providers to cover it by any means,” he said on the sidelines of the revelation of the new identity and logo of Oman Broadband during the COMEX 2016 Exhibition.

By 2018, all central areas of other governorates will be covered by fibre optic cables

ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Entire country will be covered by broadband by 2020, using any means available depending on the landscape, Talib Al Rashdi, business relations manager at Oman Broadband said.

“We’ll be covering the whole of Oman in 2020 using one of the

three means: fibre optic, mobile broadband through the operator, or through satellite,” he said.

Al Rashdi said very remote areas in particular will have to be covered by satellites.

Realistically, not all areas can benefit from the high-speed fibre optic offers. But in the end, Oman

OMAN, BRITAIN RELATIONS MOVING FORWARD: UK ENVOY Bilateral relations between Oman and Britain are historic and excellent and are moving forward in every dimension, said Jonathan Wilks, British Ambassador to Oman, after inaugurating the ‘Best of Britain’ festival at Lulu Hypermarket – Baushar. The British ambassador said that while trade figures are down because of low oil prices, investment figures are up. “But the trade figures will go up when the oil prices start moving up,” he said, adding, the United Kingdom still remains the largest foreign investor in Oman. Ananth A.V, Director of Lulu Oman & India said, “We hope this event not only satisfies our British shoppers, but also the local communities in Oman too.” -Jun Estrada

S NA P C H AT

A1 Curbs on calling < FROM

Al Shaima Al Abri, a college student said she has been using the calling feature to talk to her family. “After WhatsApp calling, the authorities have also blocked this. This is frustrating,” she said.

Haneen Al Lawati, who lives in Muscat, is sceptical if this feature would at all work in Oman.

“I was aware that the calling

feature on Snapchat had been activated, and I tried using it, but, I failed to reach my friends,” he said.

An official from Ooredoo said he could not confirm a ban on Snapchat call features. “It’s not in our hands. We’ll follow all the directives set out by the regulator,” he said.

WA R M W E L C O M E

A1 HM’s return < FROM

The Embassy of India in Muscat, on behalf of the Embassy and Indian community in Oman, extends a warm welcome to His Majesty the Sultan on his return to Oman after successful completion of medical check-up in Germany.

The news of His Majesty’s return has been received with great delight by the Indian community, which shares the joy of their Omani brothers and sisters on this happy occasion.

Under the wise leadership of His Majesty, India and Oman have strengthened their centuries old civilisational links and their historical relations have evolved into a strategic partnership.

The Embassy and the Indian community in Oman express their sincere gratitude to His Majesty, his Government and the people of Oman for their contribution in deepening the strategic partnership and nurturing the enduring friendship between India and Oman, and providing the Indian community conducive

living and working conditions, enabling them to contribute to the growth and development of Oman and India.

Mohammed Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, president, Bangladesh Social Club, said: “On behalf of the Bangladeshi people, I would like to extend my greetings to the people of Oman on the occasion of the safe return of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to the Sultanate.

May the almighty bless His Majesty with health and longevity, and the Sultanate of Oman and the Omani people with continued stability and prosperity under the wise leadership of the builder of Oman, His Majesty.

D B Chettri, Middle East coordinator of Non-Resident Nepali Association, said: “This is a very happy day for Oman and the Omanis after His Majesty returned on Tuesday. We wish him all the success in his life. Oman and Nepal have enjoyed deep rooted relations and it’s an occasion for great happiness for the people of both the countries.

Feel the difference “While the first phase of the company involved establishing a team and preparing a network, the second phase of the company is to activate the network and make it feasible for the people to feel the difference of having broadband,” he said.

He said around 30 per cent of

Muscat is already covered and that operators are now offering very high speeds.

“The speed that we used to have one year ago was not more than 20 or 25 megabits per second (Mbps). Today, we have speeds of 100 to 150 Mbps and even 1 Gigabyte (GB).

“This is a very high speed, which enables some other applications, such as smart cities, smart governance and others,” he said.

Al Rashdi said that by 2020, 80 per cent of Muscat will be covered by fibre optic cables.

He added that by 2018, all central areas of the other governorates will be covered by fibre optic, representing about 30 per cent of the area outside Muscat.

A presentation by Oman Broadband further showed the planning of expected coverage in the areas of Muscat.

WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS This photograph taken by an amateur photographer Soumya N Ghosh shows the stark contrast of the blue sky and turquoise sea with a boat sunken in the sands of the Yiti beach to tellingly convey a tale of man-nature interaction.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

OMAN 13TH OIC SUMMIT

M A R C H D ATA

Oman’s population crosses 4.3 million

State Council chief leaves for Turkey

MUSCAT: Oman’s population at the end of March 2016 stood at 4,397,790, up 0.4% compared to February 2016, according to latest National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) data.

At 2,408,542, Omanis constituted 55% of the population whereas expatriates numbered at 1,989,248 a rise of 12,113 or 45% compared to February 2016.

A majority of the Sultanate’s population is concentrated in the Governorate of Muscat. The capital city’s population increased by 0.6% to 1,382,035.

Muscat is the only governorate where the number of expatri-

MUSCAT: Delegated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council left here yesterday heading to the Republic of Turkey to lead the Sultanate’s delegation in the 13th summit of the Organiation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), due to be held in Istanbul, Turkey on April 14-15.

The Chairman of the State Council is accompanied by Yousef bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Sayyid Ahmed bin Hilal bin Saud Al Busaidi, Sultanate’s ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and its

ates is more than the Omanis as expatriates reached 881,226 or 63.2% compared to 500,809 Omanis, comprising 36.2% of the total population in the Governorate of Muscat. -ONA

Minister’s statement discussed The meeting praised the ban on advertisements of tobacco products

MUSCAT: Majlis Al Shura’s Health and Environmental Committee praised the decision No. 42/2016 taken by Dr. Abdul Munim bin Mansour Al Hasani, Minister of Information about adding new article to the executive regulation of the Press and Publications Law on banning advertisements of tobacco products or its derivatives in all the media means.

The Shura panel held its 11th meeting of the 1st annual sitting (2015-2016) of the 8th term, headed by Ali bin Khalfan Al

Qutaiti, Head of the committee.

The meeting discussed the statement of the Minister of Health, which will be delivered on the 14th and 15th regular sessions of Majlis Al Shura on April 27 and 28.

The meeting dealt with a number of enquiries and opinions that will be forwarded by the committee in the next two sessions, including those related to the themes of the statement, which includes a number of topics, including health plans, strategies, and public health, as well as health and treatment services, as well as the human and technical resources and infrastructure, the private health sector health, health education and rehabilitation, as well as treatment abroad.

The meeting discussed a draft amendment to the Law on Conservation of the Environment and Prevention of Pollution.

The meeting reviewed the final report and recommendations of the seminar on autistic spectrum disorder. -ONA

Permanent Delegate to the OIC, Sayyid Qais bin Salim bin Ali Al Said, Sultanate’s ambassador to the Republic of Turkey, Dr. Ali bin Ahmed Al Issa’ee, acting Undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry for Diplomatic Affairs and some officials.

The delegation was seen off by Dr. Khalid bin Salim Al Sa’eedi, Secretary General of the State Council, Sheikh Al Khattab bin Ghalib Al Hinai, Deputy Chairman of the State Council, Dr. Su’aad bint Mohammed Sulaiman, Deputy Chairman of the State Council and Ugur Dogan, ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the Sultanate. -ONA

NEW YEAR

Keralites set to celebrate Vishu MUSCAT: Thousands of Keralites living in Oman are all set to celebrate their astronomical New Year called Vishu on Thursday. Vishu falls on the first day of the Malayalam month of Medam, when the sun crosses the equator. Wearing new clothes and giving monetary gifts to family members is also part of Vishu celebrations.

for the kani kanal. Restaurants and supermarkets in Oman are bullish about Vishu and many of them are vying with each other by offering the best Vishu meal deal, ostensibly prepared by special chefs flown in from Kerala for the occasion. “We have been getting many bookings for Vishu, especially from office-goers who find it difficult to spend the Vishu day at home,” said Sajith.M, manager of the Four Squares Restaurant in Ruwi.

Kani kanal The celebration begins with kani kanal, meaning first sight, for which arrangements are made the previous night.

Hypermarkets across the Sultanate are displaying traditional items brought from Kerala to use

Garment sales Top textile shops are also running a campaign to promote garment sales on Vishu. “Our textile shop is having great offers on Vishu,” said Anto Ignatius, manager of Jolly Silks and Joy Alukkas in Muscat.

NISHAD PADIYARATH

nishad@timesofoman.com

R E A L E S TAT E

A1 Body needed to protect expat investments < FROM

“We have our procedures over whether you will get a property right or not. Once you get our approval, you can go to Royal Oman Police (ROP) that issues visas for two years. There is visa for your spouse and children as well. Also one can inherit these properties,” Ali Mussa, Head of the Expat Registration Department at the ministry told TOO. One of the transformations expats want to see is the establishment of Home Owners Associations to protect their investments.

While the government officials and some of the builders say

END CALL SAVE LIVES A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

the expats have formed associations, Hatim Ali argued that there must be a regulation from the housing ministry.

“There is an association but it’s not legal. It doesn’t have powers. The expats are only managing the current property through the association. It doesn’t have legal sanction,” he said.

Freehold properties The freehold properties at the ITCs are hoped to bring in foreign wealth and add to the tourism revenue beyond the oil generated income the Sultanate has been

relying on for decades.

“The business environment is supportive. Market is not over saturated. Plus, Oman is a tax haven. There are no taxes involved in purchasing properties. There is no value added tax or no capital gain tax,” Al Siyabi said.

“The ITCs is part of Oman’s vision of replacing oil and gas revenue with tourism economy. The market is very small but it’s growing,” he said.

The experts say the advantage to the country is very significant from the freehold properties.

“Look at the example of The

Wave where the government put the land on partnership. This land was unused and unexploited - just sitting on the beach. Now the government is making huge money from this land. Because it’s a 50 per cent shareholder of all the profit generated,” said Ali. “The housing ministry is making huge money from people buying and selling properties in this area. The municipality is making a huge money from the tenants or renting in this area. So this market, if properly exploited, will have a significant contribution to the Oman’s GDP,” he added.

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REGION

Political crisis worsens in Iraq, MPs stage sit-in Possibility of holding new elections was raised after state TV reported that parliamentary speaker Salim Al Jabouri was considering the future of the current assembly UP IN ARMS: Members of parliament who held a sit-in overnight in the parliament building, stand during a news conference at the parliament building in Baghdad on Wednesday. – Reuters

BAGHDAD: Iraq’s parliamentary speaker Salim Al Jabouri may request the dissolution of the assembly after ministers scuffled during a chaotic parliamentary session on Wednesday over a plan to overhaul the government that aims to tackle graft.

The possibility of holding new elections in Iraq was raised after state TV reported that Al Jabouri was considering the future of the current assembly.

According to Iraqi constitution, dissolving the parliament requires the approval of the majority of the lawmakers at the request of one third of the assembly, or the approval of the president at the request of the prime minister.

Parliament convened at the request of several dozen Members of Parliament (MPs) who began on Tuesday evening a sit-in inside the parliament building to demand that Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi sticks to his plan to introduce a cabinet of independent technocrats.

The cabinet reshuffle is part of long-promised anti-corruption

drive that Abadi needs to deliver.

Or he risks weakening his government as Iraqi forces mount a campaign to recapture the northern city of Mosul from IS militants.

Quarrels broke out between the protesting MPs, prompting Jabouri to adjourn the session to Thursday, state TV said.

A dispute between Kurdish and majority community lawmakers developed into a tussle, where they shoved and hit each other, according to witnesses.

The Kurds opposed a demand by the some MPs to seek the resignation of President Muhammad Fuad Masum, a Kurd, together with Jabouri, and Abadi, the witnesses said.

In central Basra, the largest city in southern Iraq, several hundred supporters of cleric Moqtada Al Sadr blocked the main street, demanding that a non-partisan government be formed. “We’re staying here until our demands are met,” said one demonstrator, setting up a tent in front of the provincial council building.

Street protests were also held in other southern Iraqi cities while a rally took place in Baghdad.

Sadr, whose opinion holds sway over tens of thousands of followers, agreed to end street protests his supporters had been holding since late February after Abadi presented his line-up for an independent cabinet of technocrats last month. The 14 names, many of them academics, he put forward were part of reforms aimed at freeing ministries from the grip of a political class he has accused of using a system of ethnic and sectarian quotas instituted after the US-led invasion in 2003 to amass wealth and influence.

But he was forced to present a modified list on Tuesday after parliament’s dominant political blocs rejected the initial one and insisted on putting forward their own nominations.

The vote on the modified cabinet list had been scheduled to take place on Thursday. Jabouri has yet to confirm whether the voting session will be held as planned.

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“We, the MPs holding the sitin parliament building... demand that a government of technocrats and professionals be formed, away from the quota system that allows the political blocs to split the rights of the people among themselves,” said lawmaker Ahmed Al Jobouri in a statement.

The dominant blocs in the 328-member parliament back Abadi’s modified line-up, which includes some of their own candidates. Pressure on Abadi to reform government has come from the clergy of the majority community and popular discontent at the lack of basic public services in a nation facing an economic crisis caused by falling oil prices.

Many of the protesters inside parliament are Sadr’s supporters along with some MPs representing the minority minority.

Iraq, a major OPEC exporter which sits on one of the world’s largest oil reserves, ranks 161 out of 168 on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index. — Reuters

CLAMPDOWN

Jordanian police shut Brotherhood headquarters AMMAN: Police in Jordan sealed the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood in Amman on Wednesday, a senior figure in the movement said, as the authorities clamp down further on the kingdom’s most vocal opposition group.

The Brotherhood, which is close in ideology to its Egyptian namesake and has strong ties with the Palestinian movement Hamas, wants sweeping political reforms.

Police acting on orders of the Amman governor evacuated staff and closed off the building, giving no reason for their actions, said the Brotherhood senior member, Jamil Abu Bakr. Government spokespeople and police were not immediately available for comment.

The Brotherhood has operated legally in Jordan for decades and has substantial grass-roots support in major urban centres.

Its political arm, the Islamic Action Front, is the kingdom’s largest opposition party and represents many Jordanians of Palestinian origin, who are in the majority in the population of seven million.

Grossly underrepresented in parliament and government posts, many of the Brotherhood’s Palestinian supporters in the major cities see them as defending their

CLOSED: Main entrance of the Muslim Brotherhood’s office in Amman. – AFP

interests. “We are not a group that is rebellious or operating outside the law. This is not an appropriate means to deal with us... deploying heavy-handed security measures against us rather than reaching understandings,” Abu Bakr told Reuters. Jordan has been tightening restrictions on the Brotherhood in the last two years, forbidding their public rallies and arresting vocal government dissenters.

Earlier this year, the movement’s deputy leader Zaki Bani Rusheid was released after serving an 18-month jail sentence for criticising on social media the UAE for its crackdown on hardliners. His detention was the first of a major political opposition figure in Jordan in recent years. — Reuters

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

INDIA

Some are trying to politicise the mishap.

It is very unfortunate and not correct Oommen Chandy, Kerala chief minister

MISHAP

‘Declare Kollam temple fire tragedy as national calamity’ THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government on Wednesday requested the Centre to immediately declare the Puttingal Devi temple tragedy that claimed 113 lives and left several injured as a national calamity.

“The Centre should take necessary steps to declare the tragedy as a national calamity without delay,” Chief Minister Oommen Chandy of Kerala told reporters after a cabinet meeting which reviewed steps taken so far in the aftermath of the April 10 tragedy.

The chief minister said the allparty meeting called on Thursday would try to arrive at a consensus on formulating a policy on bringing about restriction on fireworks.

Chandy said a section in society was not in favour of stopping traditional practices and rituals based on faith.

However, another group felt ‘this kind’ of calamity should not happen in future, he said, adding government has to find a solution, taking into consideration the views of both.

The chief minister said DNA tests to identify bodies still in hospitals has begun and would be completed soon.

A total of 13 bodies are still to be identified. Chandy said police had received complaints that 21 persons were missing after the tragedy in the area and quoted ex-

ASSESSING DAMAGES: People check out the damaged structures after a massive fire broke out on Sunday during a fireworks display at the Puttingal temple complex in Paravoor village, Kollam district on Tuesday. - PTI

perts as having stated that there was a possibility that the entire body of a person would have been charred, making even DNA testing difficult.

Government’s priority now was to provide the best possible treatment to the injured being treated in hospitals, he said.

Chandy said a cabinet subcommittee of ministers, comprising Adoor Prakesh, V. S. Sivakumar and Shibu Baby John, would visit the accident site on Thursday and take stock of the losses suffered in the area.

“A rehabilitation and compensation package would be decided, based on the committee’s report,” he said.

Flaying Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan for demanding resignation of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala in the wake of the tragedy, he said “some are trying to politicise the mishap. It is very unfortunate and not correct”. He recalled the stampede at Sabarimala and Thekkady boat tragedy during the previous LDF rule and said UDF, then in the opposition, had not sought resignation of Balakrishnan, who was home minister.

“At a time like this, we all have to work unitedly to help the victims. Balakrishnan’s statement was very unfortunate,” Chandy said. - PTI

Mamata, Modi ‘two sides of the same coin’: Sonia Congress President Sonia Gandhi said Mamata government has betrayed Bengal and the Modi government has done the same to the

WOOING VOTERS: Congress president Sonia Gandhi with Congress-Left Front candidates at an election campaign rally at Sujapur in Malda on Wednesday. - PTI

people of the country

SUJAPUR (West Bengal): Launching a frontal attack on TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Wednesday accused her of unleashing ‘tanasahi’ (autocracy) in West Bengal and said the chief minister and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi are “two sides of the same coin”.

“The people in Bengal are facing ‘tanashahi’ of the Centre and the Mamata government. Mamata has not kept her promises to the poor, the minorities and the backward. We had believed in her promises and supported TMC in the 2011 assembly poll,” she told election meetings.

“Bengal has never witnessed such a situation as it is witnessing now. It is witnessing authoritarian rule of both Modi government and the Mamata government,” she said. Sonia alleged that the

women in India’s eastern state West Bengal faced the maximum atrocities despite the state having a woman chief minister, while farmers are deprived of just prices for their products.

“The poor have no job but Mamata government is not concerned.” Describing Modi and Mamata as “two sides of the same coin”, the Congress president said, “Both (Narendra) Modi and Mamata bluffed the people”.

Indicating understanding between Modi and Mamata, Sonia said, “When BJP government gets into a trouble in Parliament, TMC helps it and in return Narendra Modi turns a blind eye to anti-people policies of Mamata Banerjee,” she said.

“Did the Modi government or Mamata Banerjee take any action against those who have looted lakhs of people in the name of chit funds?” she asked.

The Mamata government, she said, has betrayed Bengal and the

Modi government has done the same to the people of the country.

“Mamata did not arrest those who are involved in chit fund scam and Modi helped those who have looted banks to flee the country safely,” Sonia said in an apparent reference to the Vijay Mallya case.

Turning to Trinamool Congress’s(TMC) slogan of “MaMati-Manush”(Mother-Soil-Humanity), she said “Ma is suffering, Mati is drying up and Manush are facing hardship and unemployment”. Sonia alleged that a government has come to power at the Centre which has nothing to do with democracy and said that Mamata Banerjee did not raise her voice when Congress government in India’s northern state Uttarakhand was dismissed.

Congress is fighting the election in alliance with the Left. All 12 Congress-Left alliance candidates of Malda district were present at Sonia’s meetings. - PTI

JAMMU AND KASHMIR

Valley remains tense, one more youth dies in clashes SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI: Indian-administered-Kashmir remained tense on Wednesday as one more youth was killed in fresh clashes between protesters and security forces in the Valley amid curfew-like restrictions imposed in view of the disquiet following the death of three civilians in firing by Army on Tuesday.

An Assistant Sub-Inspector of Jammu and Kashmir Police was on Wednesday suspended for “mishandling” of the law and order situation in north Kashmir’s Handwara town where two youth

and a woman were killed and four injured in firing by Army on Tuesday after allegations that a girl was molested by a soldier.

Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti, who is in Delhi on her maiden visit after assuming the charge, raised the matter with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who assured her that a probe will be conducted and the culprits punished.

Describing the firing incident as “very unfortunate”, she said, “Such incidents should not happen in the future.” She said the

families of the victims will be compensated. Northern Army Commander Lt General D. S. Hooda visited the affected area in Handwara and pushed for early completion of probe into the killing of three civilians on Tuesday.

He termed the incident as “highly regrettable”.

Meanwhile, one more youth was killed when security forces fired teargas shells to quell protesters, raising to four the toll in the clashes between protesters and security forces since Tuesday. - PTI

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

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Congress, Left slam Indo-US logistics pact Left parties also lashed out at the

It is a disastrous decision.

Government should retract the decision and should not sign this agreement and other foundation agreement

government for its ‘in principle’ agreement for a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement with the US, terming it as

A. K. Antony

‘dangerous and

Former defence minister

anti-national’ move

NEW DELHI: Attacking the Modi government over its decision to sign the Logistics Support Agreement with the US, main opposition party Congress on Wednesday said it is “disastrous” and will hit the independence of India’s foreign policy while Left parties termed it as “dangerous and anti-national”.

“NDA Government’s decision to sign Logistics Support Agreement with the US is the beginning of the end of the independence of India’s foreign policy and strategic autonomy.”

“It is a disastrous decision.

Government should retract the decision and should not sign this agreement and other foundation agreements”, senior party leader A. K. Antony, who was defence minister in the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime, said.

Left parties also lashed out at the government for its “in principle” agreement for a Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the US, terming it as “dangerous and antinational” move and demanded that it “immediately retract” from inking the agreement.

Accusing government of “crossing line” with the move, which the parties said “no other government” had taken since independence, they charged the Narendra Modi dispensation of converting India into a “full-fledged” military ally of Washington and “compromising” country’s strategic autonomy. The communist parties also claimed that there is “no transparency” in what the Union Government does with regard to “such critical policy matters” as Parliament is not taken into confidence and sought to know why the dispensation is “desperate”

to “please” US by taking the step “voluntarily”.

“Modi Government has taken the dangerous step…In doing so, the BJP Government has crossed a line which no other government has done since independence converting India into a full-fledged military ally of the United States,” the Communist Party of India (Marxist) noted in a statement.

India and the US had on Tuesday agreed “in principle” to the logistics exchange agreement to enable both militaries to use each other’s assets and bases for repair and replenishment of supplies.

Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and visiting US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter had, however, made it clear that the agreement, which will be signed in “weeks” or “coming months”, does not entail deployment of American troops on Indian soil. - PTI

INDIA

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READERS’ FORUM Developed countries have stricter laws in case of fire crackers violations This refers to the news Kerala bans crackers at places of worship (April 13). The manufacture, possession, use, sale, transport and importation of any explosives, needless to say, including fireworks, in contravention of the provisions of the Explosives Act 32 of 1978 with effect from March 2, 1983, in the whole of India, is a punishable offence.

In case the offence causes an accident and if the accident is attended by loss of human life, imprisonment for a term which may extend to three months or fine or with both Scan this QR code should shape the verdict. The homicide has to send letters to the strong evidence of gross violation of norms Readers’ Forum, and use of banned chemicals that led to the containing not more than 200 words with tragedy. More than thousand people were full name, address officially reported injured in the accident. and telephone The court has therefore quite reasonably number, may be sent expressed anguish over police incorporatby e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com). ing lighter delivery of law with regard to offences against the defendants and asked why the charge of collective culpable homicide had not been applied. In point of fact, most developed countries have much stricter laws active in this regard.

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KATE REID

Artificial Intelligence to eclipse humans?

XI JINPING

Nuclear security incidents will have an impact that goes beyond national borders. In the age of connectivity, no country can deal with such problems alone, and no country can stay immune from its impact. Under the precondition of respect for national sovereignty, all countries should participate in nuclear security affairs

L

ast month, AlphaGo, a computer program specially designed to play the game Go, caused shockwaves among aficionados when it defeated Lee Sidol, one of the world’s top-ranked professional players, winning a five-game tournament by a score of 4-1.

Why, you may ask, is that news? Twenty years have passed since the IBM computer Deep Blue defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov, and we all know computers have improved since then. But Deep Blue won through sheer computing power, using its ability to calculate the outcomes of more moves to a deeper level than even a world champion can. Go is played on a far larger board (19 by 19 squares, compared to 8x8 for chess) and has more possible moves than there are atoms in the universe, so raw computing power was unlikely to beat a human with a strong intuitive sense of the best moves.

Instead, AlphaGo was designed to win by playing a huge number of games against other programs and adopting the strategies that proved successful. You could say that AlphaGo evolved to be the best Go player in the world, achieving in only two years what natural selection took millions of years to accomplish.

Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google’s parent company, the owner of AlphaGo, is enthusiastic about what artificial intelligence (AI) means for humanity. Speaking before the match between Lee and AlphaGo, he said that humanity would be the winner, whatever the outcome, because advances in AI will make every human being smarter, more capable, and “just better human beings.”

Will it? Around the same time as AlphaGo’s triumph, Microsoft’s “chatbot” – software named Taylor that was designed to respond to messages from people aged 18-24 – was having a chastening experience. “Tay” as she called herself, was supposed to be able to learn from the messages she received and gradually improve her ability to conduct engaging conversations. Unfortunately, within 24 hours, people were teaching Tay racist and sexist ideas. When she starting saying positive things about Hitler, Microsoft turned her off and deleted her most offensive messages.

I do not know whether the people who turned Tay into a racist were themselves racists, or just thought it would be fun to undermine Microsoft’s new toy.

Either way, the juxtaposition of AlphaGo’s victory and Taylor’s defeat serves as a warning. It is one thing to unleash AI in the context of a game with specific rules and a clear goal; it is something very different to release AI into the real world, where the unpredictability of the environment may reveal a software error that has disastrous consequences.

Nick Bostrom, the director of the Future of Humanity Institute at Oxford University, argues in his book Superintelligence that it will not always be as easy to turn off an intelligent machine as it was to turn off Tay. He defines superintelligence as an intellect that is “smarter than the best human brains in practically every field, including scientific creativity, general wisdom, and social skills.” Such a system may be able to outsmart our attempts to turn it off. Some doubt that superintelligence will ever be achieved. Bostrom, together with Vincent Müller, asked AI experts to indicate dates corresponding to when there is a one in two chance of machines achieving human-level intelligence and when there is a nine in ten chance. The median estimates for the one in two chance were in the 2040-2050 range, and 2075 for the nine in ten chance. Most experts expected that AI would achieve superintelligence within 30 years of achieving human- level intelligence.

We should not take these estimates too seriously.

The overall response rate was only 31 per cent, and researchers working in AI have an incentive to boost the importance of their field by trumpeting its potential to produce momentous results.

The prospect of AI achieving superintelligence may seem too distant to worry about, especially given more pressing problems. But there is a case to be made for starting to think about how we can design AI to take into account the interests of humans, and indeed of all sentient beings (including machines, if they are also conscious beings with interests of their own). With driverless cars already on California roads, it is not too soon to ask whether we can program a machine to act ethically. As such cars improve, they will save lives, because they will make fewer mistakes than human drivers do. Sometimes, however, they will face a choice between lives.

- Project Syndicate

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PICTOGRAPH

OMAN’S GDP

FROM OUR ARCHIVES APRIL 2001 Economic Coordination Council meets MUSCAT: The Economic Coordination Council yesterday held its first meeting of the year 2001 on the premises of the Diwan of Royal Court in Muscat under the chairmanship of Sayyid Saif bin Hamad bin Saud, minister of the Diwan of Royal Court. The meeting discussed several topics on the agenda, which focused on several economic and vocational services sectors. It touched on activating the tourism sector in the Sultanate and simplifying tourism visa procedures as well as several matters related to air traffic between Muscat and Salalah. The council also reviewed the situation of accountancy profession in the light of the provisions of the law regulating accountancy and auditing No. 77/86 and its amendments in the Royal Decree No. 53/96.

SERVICES INDUSTRY (Million rials)

2012

2013

2014 13,000

12,814.5 12,500

12,000

11,500

11,330.4

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

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

11,000

1828: The first edition of Noah Webster’s dictionary is published.

1894: Thomas Edison’s kinetoscope is shown to the public for the first time.

10,500

10,378 10,000

1900: The World Exposition opens in Paris.

1961: First live broadcast is televised from the Soviet Union.

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

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PAKISTAN R E S T RUC T U R I N G NAT I O NA L A I R L I N E

SIKH PILGRIMS A Pakistani police commando stands guard as Indian Sikhs arrived at Wagah railway station near Lahore, Pakistan, on Tuesday. Hundreds of Indian Sikhs arrived in Pakistan for pilgrimage. — AP/PTI

IMF ‘encouraged’

by PIA reform step ISLAMABAD: The International Monetary Fund is encouraged that Pakistan will convert its cash-strapped national airline into a limited company but said on Wednesday it will see if the reforms go far enough in restructuring the company.

Parliament adopted a law on Monday to convert Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) into a limited company but it prevents the government from giving up its management control.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had made the privatisation of the company a top goal when he came to power in 2013.

The privatisation of it and 67 other state-owned companies is also a major element of a $6.7 billion IMF package that helped Pakistan stave off default in 2013.

The IMF has continued to release loan instalments despite missed targets.

“We are encouraged that a consensus has been reached on corporatisation of PIA,” Harald Finger, IMF mission chief for Pakistan, told Reuters in an email.

“We will need to study the approved bill and discuss with the authorities their emerging plans to run PIA strictly as a commercial

SAD SAGA

Father dies months after reuniting with son living in India GILGIT: After 44 years, Abdul Ghafoor was reunited with his son after they were separated by the 1971 war between India and Pakistan — both stuck on either side of a newly created border.

However, the reunion was short-lived as the father breathed his last on Tuesday, three months before his Indian son’s visa to Pakistan was set to expire.

Ghafoor, 82, died in Skardu at his son’s home. He and his son Ibrahim Sani met on December 28, 2015 after 44 long years when the latter was granted a three month Pakistani visa, which could be extended for an equal amount of time by the Pakistani Embassy in Delhi. “The separation happened today. Ghafoor is no more,” said Musa Chulunkha, a relative.

“The scenes at the reunion were heartrending,” Chulunkha said over the phone from Skardu.

Chulunkha said Ghafoor was extremely worried about the approaching separation in July when Sani’s visa would expire.

“Ghafoor suddenly fell ill last week after his son received an official letter informing him about the return date back to India. The elderly man knew he was never going to see his son again.” The death sent many into a state of grief and they could not hold back their tears.

Tears of joy This was most unlike the scenes last December in Islamabad when the waterworks also flew; except they were tears of joy on that occasion.

Ghafoor and his son were separated by a line drawn threw the very hearts of families in

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had made the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines a top goal when he came to power in 2013 entity and strengthen its performance in the absence of a transfer of management control to a private investor.”

More than $3b in losses PIA has accumulated losses of more than $3 billion.

It and other loss-making companies, including power distribution companies and steel giant Pakistan Steel Mills, cost the government an estimated $5 billion a year.

In February, the IMF released the last $497 million tranche of its loan, even after Pakistan shelved plans to privatise its power supply companies and said it would miss deadlines to sell other loss-making state firms.

Another $1.1 billion remains to be released. — Reuters

PM not to hold secret meeting in UK: Nisar In this country some people cannot even get ill as rumourmongers keep on politicising the issue, said the interior minister as the PM left for medical

TRAGIC: Abdul Ghafoor’s son,

checkups in Britain

Ibrahim Sani, an Indian national, was set to return to in July. — Express Tribune

Ghanche district of Gilgit-Baltistan during the 1971 war.

Ibrahim Sani was hardly sixyears-old when India and Pakistan went to war over what was then East Pakistan.

State of shock Ghafoor and his family used to live in Tyakshi in Chorbat, close to Ladakh. But by the luck of the draw, Indian forces took over Chorbat and Ghafoor, then 38, was in Skardu.

He had left his wife, a daughter and son behind in search of a job.

His wife and children, however, woke up to find Tyakshi was an Indian-controlled territory.

“This is what we call life. Everyone has to go, but that’s not going to be realised by those in the seats of power,” said Chulunkha, quoting Sani who was in a state of shock. — Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Dispelling rumours that the prime minister was travelling to London for a ‘secret meeting’, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has said Nawaz Sharif is going to the UK for medical treatment only.

“For the last three weeks, his health has deteriorated for which the prime minister had to travel,” he said, while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday. “In this country some people cannot even get ill as rumour-mongers keep on politicising the issue.”

The prime minister departed for London earlier during the day for a “routine medical checkup, which was repeatedly postponed due to his official engagements over the past few months”.

Commenting about the controversial Panama Papers leaks, the country’s security czar said the issue was not linked to the PM but his two sons. “The prime minister

CONTROVERSY: Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressing the Parliament in Islamabad. Pakistan’s embattled prime minister said on August 27, 2014. A massive leak of 11.5 million tax documents on April 3 exposed the secret offshore dealings of world leaders and celebrities, also naming three of the premier’s children for owning London real estate through offshore companies. — File photo

Commenting about the controversial Panama Papers leaks, the country’s security czar Nisar said the issue was not linked to the PM but his two sons

had already formed a commission to probe the issue but some people are busy in hurling allegations since then,” Nisar said, adding he could further bring any information to public if need be.

A massive leak of 11.5 million tax

documents on April 3 exposed the secret offshore dealings of world leaders and celebrities, also naming three of the premier’s children for owning London real estate through offshore companies.

Speaking about political rallies

and processions in the Red Zone area of Islamabad, the federal interior minister said from now on no such events will be allowed unless it has been agreed with the government. “Administration should stand on its own to protect the federal capital. We will not act strictly but certainly brace ourselves before the day of any procession,” he added.

Taking precautionary measures before his visit to Germany, Nisar said: “My wife has already reached Germany, and it will be my private visit to the country. I have disclosed this personal information so that no rumours are spread when I am gone.” — Express Tribune

A 14

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

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Syria holds parliamentary elections Opposition terms the election meaningless, while Britain and France dismissed it as ‘flimsy facade’ and a ‘sham’

DAMASCUS: Syrians voted in a parliamentary election in government-held areas of the country on Wednesday in what they called a show of support for President Bashar Al Assad, while his opponents and Western powers denounced the poll as illegitimate.

The election is going ahead independently of a UN-led peace process aimed at ending the fiveyear-long war. Peace talks are due to resume in Geneva on Wednesday as an upsurge in fighting darkens the already bleak outlook for diplomacy.

The government says the vote is being held on time in line with the constitution, a view echoed by its Russian allies. The opposition says the election is meaningless, while Britain and France dismissed it as “flimsy facade” and a “sham”.

USING FRANCHISE: Syria’s President Bashar Al Assad, centre, casts his vote next to his wife Asma, centre left, at a polling station in Damascus, Syria on Wednesday. – Reuters/SANA/Handout

Voters are to elect 250 MPs to parliament, which has no real power in Syria’s presidential system.

The state is rallying them around the slogan “Your vote strengthens your steadfastness”.

Support “We are voting for the sake of the Syrian people and for the sake of Assad. Assad is already strong but these elections show that the people support him and bolster him,” said Hadi Jumaa, a 19-year-

old student, as he cast his ballot at his university halls of residence in Damascus.

Dozens queued to vote at one polling station where a portrait of Assad hung on the wall. Outside, some danced.

With his wife Asma at his side as he went to vote in Damascus, a smiling Assad told state TV that terrorism had been able to destroy much of Syria’s infrastructure but not Syria’s “social structure, the national identity”. Assad said it

was the first time a president had taken part in parliamentary polls.

“These elections do not mean anything,” said Asaad Al Zoubi, chief negotiator for the main opposition body, the High Negotiations Council. “They are illegitimate - theatre for the sake of procrastination, theatre through which the regime is trying to give itself a little legitimacy.”

The conflict has killed more than 250,000 and created millions of refugees, splintering Syria into

a patchwork of areas controlled by the government, an array of rebels, a powerful Kurdish militia, and the IS group. The government views all the groups fighting it as terrorists. The government controls around one third of Syria, including the main cities of western Syria, home to the bulk of Syrians who have not fled the country. The United Nations puts the number of refugees at 4.8 million.

With parliament elected every four years, it is the second parliamentary election held by the government in wartime.

Assad was reelected head of state in a presidential election in 2014. The election coincides with the start of a second round of UNled peace talks in Geneva. The opposition delegation is due to meet UN envoy Staffan de Mistura on Wednesday. The government has said it will be ready to participate from Friday.

De Mistura wants this round to make progress on the question of a political transition. The government had ruled out any discussion of the presidency ahead of the first round of talks last month. Spiralling violence meanwhile threatens to unravel the entire political track by wrecking a partial truce that had helped bring the sides to Geneva.

Foreign states opposed to Assad have said the vote is out of line with a UN Security Council resolution that calls for elections at the

end of an 18-month transition. His allies, notably Russia, say it is in line with the constitution.

“The decision of the regime to hold elections is a measure of how divorced it is from reality. They cannot buy back legitimacy by putting up a flimsy facade of democracy,” said a spokesperson for the British government.

France said the elections were a “sham” organised by “an oppressive regime”.

Russia, one of Assad’s main foreign allies, said however that the election was necessary to avoid a power vacuum.

“There is understanding already, that a new constitution should emerge as a result of this political process, on the basis of which new, early elections are to be held,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news briefing.

“But before this happens, one should avoid any legal vacuum or any vacuum in the sphere of executive power.”

Foreign Minister Walid Al Moualem said the election showed that “the Syrian people is the one that decides its fate”. But Syrians living in opposition-held areas dismissed it. “We used to be forced to cast our vote in sham elections.

Now, we are no longer obliged to.

After all this killing they want to make a play called elections,” said Yousef Doumani, speaking from the rebel-held Eastern Ghouta area near Damascus. — Reuters

EARTHQAUKE

PANIC-STRICKEN : People during earthquake in Dibrugarh, Assam in India, on Wednesday. – PTI

Quake hits Myanmar, tremors jolt many parts of India, Nepal and Bangladesh YANGON/NEW DELHI: An earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale hit Myanmar, sending strong tremors through Myanmar, eastern India, Bangladesh and parts of Nepal.

Tremors shook the northeast India, several parts of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and even Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR).

There were no immediate reports of major damage or loss of life as a result of the tremor, located around 100km (62 miles) north-northwest of the city of Monywa at an estimated depth of 134km. But around 50 people suffered mainly leg injuries in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka and northeastern city of Sylhet as they fled homes and other buildings during the quake, according to police.

Witnesses in Bagan, central Myanmar, said some tourists left their hotel rooms and stood outside when they felt the tremor.

They saw no sign of damage to buildings, however.

“We haven’t heard any reports of casualties or damage,” said an official from Myanmar’s meteorological department based in the capital Naypyitaw. “So far as I know the epicentre wasn’t in a densely populated area.”

Electricity was cut off in parts of northeastern India as thermal power stations were shut down as a precautionary measure.

“I felt the tremor three times.

I saw people rushing out,” said Rupak De Chowdhuri, a Reuters photographer in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata.

Britain’s Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who were visiting the northeastern Indian state of Assam on Wednesday, were safe, the British High Commission in New Delhi said.

Tremors were also felt in eastern Nepal. “We felt the quake. But it was not so strong to make us flee our homes,” said Dinesh Rai,

a resident of Nepal’s eastern state of Jhapa.

Jolts were also felt in Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, said J. L.Gautam, Operations Head at the National Centre for Seismology. There was no immediate report of any casualty or major damage.

The US Geological Service said the epicentre of the earthquake measured 6.9 on the Richter scale and was 74km south east of Mawlaik in Myanmar.

“The epicentre is in Myanmar, some 100km off the India-Myanmar border. Since the quake occurred at a depth of 134km, the impact could be felt at a large distance,” Gautam said.

This is the second quake on Wednesday in the northeast as a medium intensity temblor measuring 4.6 hit areas around Manipur capital Imphal at 9:26am.

In West Bengal, the impact was more in the northern districts.

Metro Railway service was stopped for five minutes immediately after the quake, Metro spokesperson Indrani Banerjee said. Tremors were felt in Patna, Begusarai, Vaishali, Kishangaj and other districts of Bihar, Patna MET director A. K. Sen said.

In neighbouring Jharkhand, there were jolts in Ranchi, Dumka, Godda, Deoghar, Sahibganj and Jamshedpur, geologist Nitish Priyadarshi said. Officials at the Regional Seismological Centre in Shillong said the quake was located at latitude 23 degree north and longitude 94.9 degree east.

In Guwahati, some people reported cracks in buildings while there was power outage for some time in Shillong.

Tremors were also felt in the northeastern states of Mizoram and Nagaland. All the northeastern states are categorised under zone V in the country’s seismological map and are considered highly vulnerable. — Agencies

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM THU RS DAY, APRIL 14, 2016

MARKE

OMAN OIL PRICE RISES Oman Crude price (June delivery) touched $40.56 per barrel, said Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME). The price of Oman Crude rose 62 cents from Tuesday, which was $39.94 a barrel. — ONA

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Muscat 5,730.97 + 2.25 + 0.04%

Dubai 3,501.04 + 27.22 + 0.78%

Abu Dhabi 4,453.91 + 45.76 + 1.04%

Saudi Arabia

6,440.22 + 36.62 + 0.57%

Kuwait 5,306.19 + 31.15 + 0.59%

Bahrain 1,122.90 + 1.80 + 0.10%

Qatar 10,218.20 - 28.09 - 0.27%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.26 Pound ...........................................1.80 Indian Rs ..............................171.94 Pakistan Rs .........................267.31 Bangla Taka......................200.84

Indian Rs ...................................172.65 Pakistan Rs .............................. 271.75 Sri Lanka Rs ................................. .N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.35 Phil Peso .................................... 119.26

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) ...... 16.00

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........ $40.73 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$40.53 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$42.59 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$39.88 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) .........$44.14 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$41.50

* Rates are as of Apr. 13 Source: Bank Muscat

* Rates as of Apr. 13 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......15.40 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............. 151.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............142.50 * Rates as of Apr. 13 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Sohar water plant to boost supply Sohar desalination project is one of the biggest of its kind in Al Batinah North Governorate and is expected to meet 80% of water demand after completion in 2018

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Power and Water Procurement (OPWP), the sole procurer of new power generation and water desalination capacity, on Wednesday signed a OMR100 SMART TECHNOLOGY

Darren Tong, chief operating officer of Telecom Oman

‘Smart cities concept can improve efficiency in Sultanate’ ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: There is a lot of potential to improve efficiency in Oman by introducing the concept of smart cities, Darren Tong, chief operating officer of Telecom Oman said.

“Whatever it is what the city does, whether it’s water management, waste management, traffic management or car parks, there’s a lot of information out there about how things are wasted,” he said. He noted that currently, this information is not being connected and not analysed. “If you do that, you can find means to improve,” he said.

Tong explained that the concept of smart cities is all about reducing waste, improving time management and optimising human interactions. He said that exchanging ideas and knowledge can be made easier by improving connections between people.

“We are having trouble with meeting each other because we are stuck in traffic jams, have trouble connecting with each other because servers are down.

Electricity, water wastage Also, smart technologies can help reduce waste of electricity and water. We are wasting energy because every room has an air condition while not all rooms are occupied,” he said. “Since water in Oman is desalinated and there is no electronic monitoring with electronic meters, when the water leaks, it just flows away and is wasted,” he said.

He said that digitalisation would help here, by connecting sensors with 3G technologies and a data centre absorbing all the information. The information can then be analysed to find ways to optimise the process.

Tong said that city planners, developers and businesses should take the opportunity to improve efficiency to reach the goal of a smart city. >B3

million agreement with a consortium to establish Oman Gulf, a flagship company which will build desalination plant in Sohar.

The project is one of the biggest of its kind in Al Batinah North Governorate and is expected to

meet about 80 per cent of water demand, under the growing urbanisation, tourism and industrial activities in Al Batinah North.

Slated for commercial operation in 2018, the independent water project will produce 250,000 cubic metres of water per day, use reserve osmosis as water purification technology.

As per the terms of the agreement, OPWP will have the right to buy the desalinated water produced by the plant during a concession period of 20 years.

The agreement was signed by Eng. Ahmad bin Saleh Al Jahdhami, chief executive officer of OPWP and Juan Pablo Diaz Batanero on behalf of the consortium at

the Crown Plaza, Muscat.

The consortium comprises Muscat-based Oman Brunei Investment Company; Sogex Oman, a subsidiary of Suhail Bahwan Group; and Valoriza Agua, a Spanish company.

Water security “The project will have a role in supporting water security in Oman, in general, and in Al Batinah North, in particular, and will contribute to reducing the cost of water procurement thanks to the enhanced efficiency of the new plant,” said the CEO of Oman Power and Water Procurement.

The signing ceremony was attended by water and power sector

representatives and businessmen.

“The project is totally financed by local banks and this comes in line with the banking sector vision of supporting the local enterprises that contributes to the welfare of the Omani people,” said Qais Al Kharusi, chief executive officer of Oman Brunei Investment Company.

“According to the agreements, the investing company shall provide the required technical expertise for the Omani employees and workers recruited at the project.

This in turn, will open new windows for the Small and Medium Enterprises sector (SMEs) to have a hand and make profits,” Al Kharusi added.

Dr Suhaib Abu Deyah, project

manager at Sogex Oman pointed out that the agreement highlights the investors’ confidence in the local market and the Omani banks.

“Having the project 100 per cent funded by local banks optimises the economic value,” he added.

Valoriza Agua is a Spanish international company specialised in designing and building desalination plants with investments in the Middle East, Australia and the US, while Oman Brunei Investment, which is Muscat-based company interested in the commercial projects; and Sogex Oman which is a subsidiary of Suhail Bahwan that was established in 1971, and is one of the pioneering companies at maintenance and operating plants.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,754.64 ...............5,730.97 ................... 5,730.97 ................... 5,728.72....................2.25 ...................0.04 Financial Index .....................................7,478.23 ............... 7,410.91 .................... 7,410.91 ....................7,426.31................ -15.40 .................. -0.21 Industrial Index ................................... 7,004.54 ...............6,971.80 ................... 6,971.80 ................... 6,963.75....................8.05 ................... 0.12 Services Index .......................................3,162.76 ...............3,156.59 ....................3,158.98 ................... 3,156.53....................2.45 ...................0.08 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................865.56 ..................862.53 ...................... 862.53 ...................... 860.79.....................1.74 ...................0.20 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 41,540,970 ..................5,957,098 ..................1,796 ................16,739,491,858 ................ 18 ......................16 .................... 17 .........................51

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 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

MSM index closes flat

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

OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 3,429,589 ...... 248,175..................... 97 ........... 0.072 ........... 0.074 ...........0.071 ........... 0.072 .............0.070 ........... 0.002............. 2.857 ................0.071 .............. 0.071...................0.072...................14,914,900 .........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 409,442 ............31,779..................... 28 ........... 0.078 ...........0.080 ...........0.077........... 0.078 .............0.076 ........... 0.002............. 2.632 ................0.077..............0.076...................0.077...................13,650,000 .........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 1,700,138........172,614......................17 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.102 ...........0.100........... 0.102 .............0.100 ........... 0.002.............2.000 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.103..................204,031,905 .......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 363,401 ............74,753..................... 30 ........... 0.205 ...........0.208 ...........0.205........... 0.206 .............0.202 ........... 0.004............. 1.980 ................0.205..............0.205...................0.207 .................. 59,874,110 .........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ................................ 92,000 .............26,416........................7 ........... 0.288 ...........0.288 ...........0.285........... 0.287 .............0.282 ........... 0.005..............1.773.................0.285..............0.284...................0.285...................85,013,327 .........0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. .......32,917 .............55,091..................... 10 ............1.650 ........... 1.700 ...........1.650 ............1.675 ............. 1.650.............0.025 ..............1.515.................1.700 .............. 1.700...................1.720 ..................115,575,000 ........0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ............. 130,000 ........... 32,525........................4 ............0.251 ........... 0.251 ...........0.250........... 0.250 .............0.247 ........... 0.003..............1.215.................0.250............. 0.240...................0.249 ...................8,392,863 ..........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 268,985 ...........48,980........................9 ............0.182 ........... 0.183 ...........0.182........... 0.182 .............0.180 ........... 0.002..............1.111 .................0.182 ..............0.182...................0.185..................259,356,578........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ..................................................... 25,051 .............11,093........................7 ........... 0.438 ...........0.444 ...........0.420........... 0.442 .............0.438 ........... 0.004............. 0.913 ................0.420..............0.420...................0.440 ..................26,741,000 .........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY...................................... 70,763 ...........119,833......................19 ............1.680 ........... 1.700 ...........1.680 ............1.695 .............1.680.............0.015 ............. 0.893 ................1.700 ..............1.680...................1.720 ..................152,041,500........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ....................... 561,860 ......... 129,367......................31 ........... 0.230 ...........0.232 ...........0.221........... 0.230 .............0.228 ........... 0.002............. 0.877 ................0.221..............0.221...................0.226 ..................21,859,200 .........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 1,714,085....... 461,835..................... 96 ............0.271 ...........0.272 ...........0.264 .......... 0.269 .............0.268 ............0.001 ............. 0.373 ................0.264..............0.261...................0.264 ..................26,900,000 ........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 222,362 ...........60,204......................11 ........... 0.272 ...........0.272 ...........0.269............0.271 .............0.270 ............0.001 ............. 0.370 ................0.269..............0.261...................0.269 .................399,665,726 ........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ............................................64,585 ............. 17,527......................12 ........... 0.270 ........... 0.275 ...........0.270............0.271 .............0.270 ............0.001 ............. 0.370 ................0.270..............0.262...................0.269 ..................16,586,358 .........0.100

Oman Fisheries was the top gainer, up by 9.84 per cent, while Al Sharqia Investment was the

OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................44,798 .............13,439........................4 ........... 0.300...........0.300 ...........0.300 .......... 0.300 .............0.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.300 ............ 0.300...................0.306 ..................16,500,000.........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................14,254 ............ 14,254........................3 ........... 1.000 ........... 1.000 ...........1.000........... 1.000 .............1.000 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.000..............0.996...................1.000................. 200,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 341,083 ..........169,748.....................24 ........... 0.496 ...........0.498 ...........0.496........... 0.498 .............0.498 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.496..............0.496...................0.498..................316,623,862........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 308,598 ........... 85,038...................124 ........... 0.279 ...........0.282 ...........0.273........... 0.276 .............0.276 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.275..............0.275...................0.276.................... 5,796,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ..................................... 2,550 ...............4,743........................2 ............1.860 ........... 1.860 ...........1.860........... 1.860 .............1.860............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.860 ..............1.860...................1.920..................176,700,000........0.100

top loser, with a loss of 4.84 per cent

OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 533,600 ...........48,060..................... 34 ............0.091 ........... 0.091 ...........0.086........... 0.090 .............0.090 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.086..............0.086...................0.088....................2,700,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 935,332 ......... 371,537....................131 ........... 0.398 ...........0.402 ...........0.390........... 0.398 .............0.398 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.390..............0.390...................0.394 .................993,507,603........0.100 OM0000002846 ...........GULF INV. SER. PREF SHARES ..............................10,000 ............... 1,140........................1 ............0.114 ........... 0.114............0.114 ............0.114 ............. 0.114............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.114 .............. 0.110................... 0.117 ................... 10,418,549 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 250,000 ......... 180,100........................5 ............0.724 ........... 0.724 ...........0.720........... 0.720 .............0.720 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.720.............. 0.716...................0.720..................468,679,846 .......0.100

MUSCAT: Muscat bourse closed on a flat note 5,730.97 points, up 0.04 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index ended 862.53 points, up by 0.20 per cent.

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

Oman Fisheries was the top gainer, up by 9.84 per cent, while Al Sharqia Investment was the top loser, with loss of 4.84 per cent.

As many as1,796 trades were executed on Wednesday, generating turnover of OMR5.95 million with 41.5 million shares changing hands. Out of 51 traded securities, 18 advanced, 16 declined and 17 remained unchanged.

Omani investors were net buyers for OMR155,000 followed

by GCC and Arab investors for OMR57,000 while foreign investors switched to net sellers for OMR212,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index retreated 0.21 per cent to close at 7,410.91 points.

Al Madina Investments, Al Madina Takaful, HSBC Bank, Muscat Finance and Bank Nizwa gained by 2.86 per cent, 2.63 per cent, 2 per cent, 1.72 per cent and 1.27 per cent, respectively. Al Sharqia Investment, Oman & Emirates,

Gulf Investment Services, Al Anwar Holding and Bank Sohar declined by 4.84 per cent, 3.70 per cent, 2.26 per cent, 1.76 per cent and 1.17 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index gained by 0.12 per cent to close at 6,971.80 points. Oman Fisheries, Construction Materials, Al Anwar Ceramics, National Aluminium and Voltamp Energy increased by 9.84 per cent, 2.86 per cent, 1.77 per cent, 1.21 per cent and 0.91 per cent, respectively. Al Jazeera Steel, Al Hassan Engineering, Galfar Engineering and Al Maha Ceramics slid 2.35 per cent, 2.25 per cent, 1 per cent and 0.48 per cent, respectively.

Services Index ended at 3,158.98 points, up by 0.08 per cent. Renaissance Services, Al Maha Petroleum, Port Services and Al Jazeera Services gained by 1.98 per cent, 1.52 per cent, 0.88 per cent and 0.37 per cent, respectively. Sembcorp Salalah, Phoenix Power, OIFC, Oman Telecommunications Company and Sharqiyah Desalination declined by 1.51 per cent, 0.66 per cent, 0.46 per cent, 0.31 per cent and 0.11 per cent, respectively.

OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................. 40,844 ...............8,455........................5 ........... 0.207 ...........0.207 ...........0.207........... 0.207 .............0.207 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.207..............0.207...................0.214.................. 139,701,698 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .....................................................11,041 ...............2,341........................4 ............0.212 ........... 0.212 ...........0.212........... 0.212 .............0.212 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.212..............0.212...................0.216..................151,454,144 ........0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION .................................. 1,000 ...............4,735........................1 ............4.735 ........... 4.735 ...........4.735 ........... 4.735 .............4.740 ...........-0.005 ........... -0.105 ...............4.735 ..............4.270...................4.735...................46,309,323.........1.000 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION .......................... 31,077 ............ 49,282........................7 ............1.590 ........... 1.590 ...........1.580 ............1.585 .............1.590............-0.005 ........... -0.314 ...............1.580 ..............1.580...................1.585 ................ 1,188,750,000 ......0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 178,089............38,400..................... 10 ............0.217 ........... 0.217 ...........0.212........... 0.216 ............. 0.217............-0.001 ........... -0.461................0.213 ..............0.212...................0.213.................. 43,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 116,325 .............47,917......................13 ............0.414 ........... 0.414 ...........0.404 .......... 0.412 ............. 0.414............-0.002 ........... -0.483 ...............0.412 ..............0.404...................0.410...................21,630,000.........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 7,830,303 ...... 776,758...................347 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.094........... 0.099 .............0.100 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.000 ...............0.095..............0.094...................0.095...................28,708,083 .........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 5,510,797.......931,824..................... 78 ............0.171 ........... 0.171............0.167 ............0.169 ............. 0.171 ............-0.002 ............-1.170................0.168 ..............0.166...................0.167..................267,963,696........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH.............................................. 226,000............59,010......................11 ........... 0.265 ...........0.265 ...........0.260 .......... 0.261 .............0.265 ...........-0.004 ........... -1.509 ...............0.260..............0.255...................0.262 .................249,143,279........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 1,447,994 ......322,362...................124 ........... 0.229 ...........0.229 ...........0.220 .......... 0.223 .............0.227 ...........-0.004 ............-1.762................0.220 ............ 0.220...................0.222 ..................33,466,725 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 1,000,810 ...... 129,720..................... 50 ............0.135 ........... 0.135 ...........0.125 ........... 0.130 ............. 0.133............-0.003 ........... -2.256 ...............0.125 .............. 0.125...................0.130.................... 7,649,618 ..........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 746,391.......... 123,824..................... 52 ............0.172 ........... 0.172 ...........0.163 ............0.166 ............. 0.170............-0.004 ........... -2.353 ...............0.163 ..............0.162...................0.165 ................... 20,733,061 .........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 357,000 ...........46,324......................16 ............0.134 ........... 0.134 ...........0.125 ........... 0.130 ............. 0.135............-0.005 ........... -3.704 ...............0.125 ..............0.123...................0.125................... 15,843,750 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 1,413,135 ....... 166,349..................... 75 ............0.126 ........... 0.126 ........... 0.115 ............0.118 .............0.124 ...........-0.006 ........... -4.839 ...............0.115 ...............0.115................... 0.117 ...................10,620,000.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 30,436,199......5,085,553 ...........1,499 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......37........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 2,938,444 ......196,762..................... 35 ........... 0.064 ...........0.067 ...........0.064........... 0.067 ............. 0.061............ 0.006............. 9.836 ................0.067..............0.067...................0.000 ...................8,375,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 305,000 ............10,950......................17 ........... 0.036 ........... 0.037 ...........0.035........... 0.036 .............0.035 ............0.001 ............. 2.857 ................0.035..............0.035...................0.036....................3,060,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE.................................................... 1,213,309 ......143,049..................... 47 ............0.117 ........... 0.120 ...........0.116 ............0.118 ............. 0.116 ............ 0.002............. 1.724 ................0.117 ...............0.117................... 0.118 ...................31,472,438 .........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 2,784,525 ...... 221,705..................... 86 ........... 0.082 ...........0.082 ...........0.077........... 0.080 .............0.079 ............0.001 ............. 1.266 ................0.078..............0.077...................0.078................. 120,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001046............PACKAGING CO. LTD ..........................................................50 .....................26........................1 ........... 0.522 ...........0.522 ...........0.522........... 0.522 .............0.522 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.522............. 0.000...................0.000 ................... 1,566,000 ..........1.000 OM0000001426............OMAN REFRESHMENT .............................................. 1,500 ...............3,300........................1 ........... 2.200...........2.200 .......... 2.200 .......... 2.200 .............2.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ............... 2.200 .............2.150...................2.200 .................110,000,000........0.100 OM0000002333 ...........SALALAH PORT SERVICES ....................................... 1,600 ................1,011........................1 ........... 0.632 ........... 0.632 ...........0.632........... 0.648 .............0.648 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.632............. 0.000...................0.632..................116,534,635 ........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 2,977,415 ......188,949......................51 ........... 0.064 ...........0.064 ...........0.061 ........... 0.063 .............0.063 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.061 ..............0.061...................0.062 ..................63,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ................................6,500 ...................715........................2 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.110 ............0.110 ............. 0.110............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.110 ..............0.106...................0.110 ...................11,000,000 .........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 441,256 ............66,745.....................24 ............0.152 ........... 0.152 ...........0.150 ............0.151 ............. 0.152............-0.001 ........... -0.658 ...............0.150 ..............0.150................... 0.151 ................. 220,852,820 .......0.100 OM0000001723 ............OMAN ORIX LEASING ................................................17,146 .............. 2,006........................2 ............0.117 ........... 0.117............ 0.117 ............0.117 ............. 0.118............-0.001 ........... -0.847 ...............0.117 .............. 0.116................... 0.117 ................... 29,371,610 .........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 411,319 ............ 35,643..................... 27 ........... 0.089 ...........0.089 ...........0.085........... 0.087 .............0.089 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.247 ...............0.085..............0.085...................0.086....................6,543,096 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 11,098,064.... 870,861...................294 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......12........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ............................. 12 ........................1........................1 ........... 0.093 ...........0.093 ...........0.093........... 0.093 .............0.093 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.093..............0.093...................0.099...................30,147,030 .........0.100 OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ............................................. 6,695 .................. 683........................2 ............0.102 ........... 0.102 ...........0.102........... 0.102 .............0.103............-0.001 ........... -0.971................0.102..............0.102...................0.106...................32,603,553 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .......................................................................................6,707 ..................684........................3 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

– United Securities

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

B3

MARKET TECHNOLOGY

< FROM

‘Cut energy

B1 costs by half’ “If you identify the needs and certain areas of inefficiency, as an entrepreneur we can go and address it,” he said.

He said that Oman is in a starting stage of introducing smart cities.

“Right now, nothing is connected, nothing is studied or analysed. The potential however, is to cut your energy costs by half,” he said.

“Smart city is a way for Oman to participate in the digital economy, train its human resources and take advantage of using data to make government services more efficient.”

He said that Telecom Oman, which is seeking a licence to operate as a third telecom operator in Oman, can provide the infrastructure to help stakeholders make this move towards more efficiency. He said that Telecom Oman is seeking to play a role in the development of Omagine, a new project where smart city technologies will be displayed. “This is where the technologies are showcased, tested and hopefully rolled out to the rest of the country. By 2020 we should be able to see a first version of a smart city here in Oman” he said. He said that there is also potential for ebusiness to flourish in Oman.

“A lot of Omani’s are still involved with brick-and-mortar.

They like to visit shops and they like to feel and hold the product,” he said. He noted that new technologies like data centres can help the industry to grow in Oman, by inviting big players in e-commerce to base their operations here.

Tong said that as a new telecom operator, it wants to be more than a provider offering phone calls and internet.

New regulation on sukuk to provide transparency New rule includes stipulation on establishing a trustee structure and an LLC company as a special purpose vehicle for issuing sukuk

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s market watchdog Capital Market Authority (CMA) on Wednesday announced its new sukuk regulation, which includes stipulation on establishing a trustee structure and an LLC company as a special purpose vehicle for issuing sukuk.

The regulation, which is effective from Wednesday, also allows structure of the sukuk subject to the approval of respective Sharia Supervisory Board issuer and the choice of the board is left to the issuer.

The regulation made rating optional for the issuer and there is no restriction on the sukuk amount to be raised based on the company’s capital, said a CMA release.

The new sukuk regulation will provide clarity and transparency

to the market players, while providing protection to investors in a sukuk transaction. In addition, it has been drafted to provide flexibilities and spur innovation for the market players.

“The issuance of this new sukuk regulation forms an integral part of the overall strategy of the CMA to enable the capital market to play its vital role as a fundraising platform for companies in the economic development of Oman, particularly in the fixed-income market, where sukuk forms an important element to further develop Oman’s Islamic capital market,” said Abdullah Salim Al Salmi, executive president of the Capital Market Authority .

“In addition, the new sukuk regulation will form a key milestone in the evolution of the sukuk market in Oman and hopefully spur further Sukuk issuances particularly from the private sector players in order to meet their development and funding needs, while diversifying the financing base and risk away from the traditional banking sector,” he added.

“Further, sukuk issuances will also provide an essential liquidity management instrument and investment avenue for both Islamic and conventional financial institutions, investment funds and takaful/insurance operators in Oman. Hence, not only providing a wider investor base of both conventional and Sharia-compliant investors, but also attracting

OPEX 2016

Further, sukuk issuance will also provide an essential liquidity management instrument and investment avenue for both Islamic and conventional financial institutions, investment funds and takaful/insurance operators in Oman Abdullah Salim Al Salmi Executive president, Capital Market Authority

the required foreign investments into the country via the foreign investors. We are confident that this new regulation will have a positive impact on Oman’s capital market and the economy.”

Amendments to law The sukuk regulation is being issued subsequent to the amendments made to the Capital Market Law under Royal Decree No. 59/2014 on December 10, 2014, which provides the CMA the authority to regulate all sukuk issuances in Oman and any Special Purpose Vehicle or Company (SPV) being incorporated for the issuance of a sukuk, including the

tax and fee exemption status provided for the SPV. This sukuk regulation would complement the existing bond regulatory framework, which are currently in place in the Commercial Companies Law and Executive Regulation of the Capital Market Law. All jurisdictions have specific and separate sukuk regulations, particularly in the Gulf Cooperation Council, with many just having a conventional bond regulatory framework with some additions made on the Sharia requirements.

In a short span of three years, besides the establishment of two Islamic banks and six Islamic

windows, the Islamic financial market in Oman has seen the launch of the new Muscat Securities Market (MSM) Sharia Index with 30 Sharia-compliant listed companies on the MSM, three Sharia-compliant investment funds, the first Oman sovereign sukuk and also the first corporate sukuk, and the establishment of two takaful operators including the issuance of the new takaful law.

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

DEBT

Omani firms enter into trade World Bank to provide Egypt agreements with Ethiopia with first tranche of $3b loan Times News Service MUSCAT: Various import and export agreements, including commercial agency agreements for a group of the participating companies were signed, in addition to entering into partnership deals, on the third day of Omani Products Exhibition (Opex 2016) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday.

The four-day event, which concludes today, witnessed a significant turnout from Ethiopian business owners, traders and investors.

Abay Tsehaye, special adviser to the Ethiopian prime minister, visited the exhibition at the Millennium Hall, and met Opex Organising Committee members.

Tsehaye was briefed on the Omani products and their capabilities to compete in the overseas markets.

Tsehaye hailed the efforts undertaken by the Omani government to boost and develop the industrial sector, especially that the contribution of the sector to the gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated at more than 11 per cent.

“We are optimistic that this event will be a step forward to boost trade relations between Ethiopia and Oman,” Tsehaye said.

Positive results Eng. Basim bin Ali Al Nassri, director general of Marketing and Media at the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE) pointed out that Ethiopia is the fifth Opex event and more than 100 companies are participating this year.

“The previous Opex events which were held in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have achieved positive results, particularly by emphasising the presence of Omani products in these markets. Besides, the success of the previous exhibitions

TRADE DEAL: Abay Tsehaye, special adviser to the Ethiopian prime minister, hailed the efforts undertaken by the Omani government to boost and develop the industrial sector. - Supplied picture

encouraged us to put more efforts into the coming exhibitions,” Al Nassri said.

“The Opex Organising Committee – PEIE, Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa), and Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) – are always keen to take into account all the reviews and recommendations that would help in developing the coming events and overcoming the challenges,” he added.

Asked about the efforts undertaken by PEIE in promoting and marketing Omani products, Al Nassri said, “PEIE aspires to support the Omani industries locally, regionally and internationally. Annual plans are being put in place to organise a series of Omani products’ exhibitions throughout the Sultanate’s governorates which are always welcomed by the companies.”

Al Nassri said the committee will prepare an evaluation after the event in Ethiopia and thus the destination will be determined as per the existing options. He added that the results of Opex 2016 will open

wider opportunities for the Omani products in the African market.

“Ethiopia shall act as a gateway for the Omani products to strengthen their presence in the neighbouring markets to Ethiopia. In fact, the Omani industries have got the essential ingredients to achieve success and compete in different markets,” he said.

Export Credit Guarantee Export Credit Guarantee Agency of Oman is participating at Opex 2016 in Ethiopia in line with its commitment to stimulate and promote Oman’s non-oil exports by providing credit guarantee covers for the Omani exporters.

Ahmed Khalfan Al Balushi, head of underwriting at Export Credit Guarantee Agency (ECGA) of Oman, said that the main aim of this guarantee coverage is to reduce risks and therefore create wider opportunities to increase the volume of exports to the foreign markets.

ECGA commenced its export credit insurance, guarantee and financing activities in servicing Omani exporters since 1991.

CAIRO: World Bank will provide the first $1 billion tranche of a $3 billion loan to Egypt after parliament approves the government’s economic programme, World Bank vice-president Hafez Ghanem said at a news conference late Tuesday.

Parliament is expected to pass the programme in April.

Egypt has been negotiating billions of dollars in aid from various lenders to help revive an economy battered by political upheaval since the 2011 revolt and ease a dollar shortage that has crippled import activity and hampered recovery.

The lender had agreed to provide the first $1 billion in December but is waiting for the government’s economic programme, which outlines the broad strokes of its reform plans, to be passed by parliament.

The government presented a programme to parliament in late March that aimed to reduce the budget deficit while protecting the poor.

The World Bank said in December that the first tranche was focused on “10 prior actions for policy and institutional reforms” already implemented. The second and third tranches are linked to additional reforms the govern-

ment plans.

A long-delayed Value Added Tax (VAT) that has yet to be implemented but was included in the government programme was one of the reforms agreed to as part of the first tranche, Ghanem said.

Food subsidy policy Ghanem said that there would not be specific conditions placed on future tranches but highlighted certain changes the lender would like to see, such as a shift in food subsidy policy away from reduced prices to direct cash transfers for the poor.

Egypt has delayed a number of difficult reforms, from a VAT that

would increase government revenues and a civil service law that would trim the country’s public workforce, to an ambitious plan to wean the country off costly energy subsidies that has since been scaled back.

Egypt’s economy is currently growing at around 4.2 per cent with a budget deficit of about 11.5 per cent, the prime minister said last month.

Saudi Arabia, along with other Gulf oil producers, have pumped billions of dollars, including grants, into Egypt’s flagging economy since the army toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 after mass protests against his rule.

But Egypt has said it would rely less on grants from its neighbours moving forward and would focus instead on attracting foreign investment that could relaunch its dollar starved economy.

Last week it signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to set up a 60 billion Saudi riyal ($16 billion) investment fund among other investment agreements including an economic free-zone to develop Egypt’s Sinai region. - Reuters

B4

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

ROUND-UP

General Automotive launches new Mitsubishi Montero Sport in Oman The system includes front airbags, front side airbags, curtain airbags, third-row curtain airbags in the7seater, and a driver’s knee airbag.

All variants of the Montero come standard with front airbags. Side, curtain and driver’s knee airbags are available on the GLS Premium.

The new-generation mid-size SUV, which replaces the former Pajero Sport, has been developed to a ‘stylish and comfortable offroad SUV’ concept

MUSCAT: General Automotive Company (GAC), the official distributor of Mitsubishi Vehicles in Oman, officially introduced the all-new 2016 Mitsubishi Montero Sport to Oman at a press conference held here yesterday.

The new-generation mid-size SUV, which replaces the former Pajero Sport, has been developed to a ‘stylish and comfortable offroad SUV’ concept.

The all-new 2016 Mitsubishi Montero Sport was launched at an official event held at the ShangriLa’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, under the patronage of Masahiko Takahashi, the president of Mitsubishi Motors Middle East and Africa. Presiding over the event were Hani M. Al Zubair, chairman of the Zubair Automotive Group, together with Mark Tomlinson, group general manager of the Zubair Automotive Group, and Manoj Ranade, General Manager of General Automotive Company, says a press release.

Commenting on the all-new vehicle, Takahashi said: “This full-feature off-road SUV inherits the best aspects of Mitsubishi’s renowned SUV prowess; while bringing with it a refined and high-quality exterior design, high levels of performance, a comfortable interior, environmental performance on a par with the best in its class, and a comprehensive list advanced safety features. I am confident, it will make for a great addition to Mitsubishi’s fleet here in Oman.”

In its appearance, the all-new Montero Sport has been boldly sculpted and stylishly accented; its assertive aerodynamic body delivering solid refinement down to the last detail — from dynamic shield front design concept, a further evolution of the design first introduced in the latest generation Outlander models, right through to the vibrant rear lamps. The high-quality stylish design uses both sporty and dynamic elements to set it apart from conventional cross-country SUVs. The sophisticated new LED headlamps and daytime running lights contribute to this appealing, high-quality personality while the dynamic LED rear combination lamps boldly

proclaim this is no ordinary SUV. The interior uses a high console proportion dashboard, as befits a larger SUV, while dynamically styled silver-finish ornamentation and sculpted seats add to its luxurious feel. The well-appointed cabin surrounds occupants with solid craftsmanship, supportive comfort and intelligent features.

The leather seats with smooth gathers, dual layered cushioning, wide open view, and the relaxing spaciousness of the cabin, all come together to keep everybody comfortable and in the best of spirits.

From the refined meters to the sophisticated floor console and an optimised driving position, every feature has also been fine-tuned to enhance driving pleasure and keep the driver in confident control.

Handling stability, ride and quietness have also been taken to the next level through optimisation of the suspension and improvements to the body mounts. The all-new Montero Sport also uses a furtherevolved version of MMC’s own super-select 4WD-II four-wheel drive system. This is complemented by other advanced features such including hill descent control, selectable 2WD and 4WD modes, intelligent assistance in challenging conditions, and the new off-road mode that enhances traction and provides even better all-terrain performance and stability on demanding surfaces. Together with its advanced suspension and outstanding all-around clearance, all these features combine to provide a one of a kind vehicle with both on- and off-road capabilities worthy of the tri-diamond badge “Combining its dynamic capabilities, advanced technology, new seats and overall spaciousness, together with its upgraded sound insulation and efficient dualzone climate control system, the Montero Sport provides its new owners with a cabin that offers amongst the highest levels of comfort in its class,” added Ranade.

The all-new Montero Sport is powered by a 3.0L MIVEC V6 gasoline engine that produces 219 hp@6,000rpm and 285Nm@4,000rpm; all the power that one may require of a rugged SUV to accomplish every mission with smooth, efficient ease. This is mated to Mitsubishi’s new 8-speed automatic transmission that delivers a smoother, more luxurious ride and improved fuel efficiency.

It even features sporty paddle shifters that allows the driver to shift gears with just a press, and without having to remove either hand from the steering wheel.

“The tough and powerful highdisplacement V6 engine, together with the new 8-speed transmission ensures strong acceleration from the new Montero Sport, even when carrying heavy loads or travelling up mountain roads,” added Ranade.

The all-new Montero Sport also comes with a very comprehensive list of active and passive safety features. MMC’s own RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body design and a total of up to seven SRS airbags provide occupants with outstanding passive safety.

Active safety features include a Forward Collision Mitigation system (FCM), which helps prevent a frontal collision or reduce damage if the collision becomes unavoidable. Blind Spot Warning system (BSW), that uses ultrasonic sensors to detect vehicles in rear blind spots with warning indicators on either side mirrors; and the Ultrasonic misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS), that helps prevent collisions while parking by sounding a buzzer and displaying a warning if the front or rear sensors detect a nearby obstacle in your path, going so far as to even control engine output if the driver suddenly accelerates by accident.

The all-new Mitsubishi Montero is now available at all GAC showroom across Oman and is available in seven exterior colour options and three trim levels – GLS, GLS Highline and GLS Premium.

Off-road capability and drive systems The all new Montero Sport is just as capable off-road as it is on with stable and accurate handling in all kinds of weather and driving conditions. Not only has the Montero Sport been designed to climb up, over, around and through the toughest terrain, it also features a bevy of technological advancements that bolsters its all-terrain capabilities. This is all thanks to selectable 2WD and 4WD modes, an Off Road Mode that enhances traction on demanding surfaces, intelligent assistance in challenging conditions, an advanced suspension and outstanding allaround clearance Off road mode: This system improves traction when driving off

road by simply entering the correct setting depending on the terrain the vehicle is being driven over. It includes four primary modes comprising gravel, mud/snow, sand or rock settings. To activate the system the driver need only press the off road mode selector until the appropriate mode appears in the multi-information display. Engine output, transmission settings and braking then adjust accordingly to optimise performance.

Hill Start Assist (HSA): When starting on a steep slope, the HSA system helps prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards when the brake is released. It does so by maintaining the braking force for up to two seconds until the accelerator is applied.

Active Stability & Traction Control: The Active Stability & Traction Control system independently regulates braking force to the wheels during cornering to help maintain excellent vehicle stability when needed. It also optimises traction to prevent loss of torque whenever wheel spin is detected by controlling engine output and applying brake force to the spinning wheels.

Engine and drivetrain 3.0-litre V6 MIVEC: All variants of the Montero Sport share the same engine – a 3.0-litre V6 MIVEC. With power rated at 219 hp@6,000rpm and peak torque of 285Nm@4,000rpm, this tough and powerful high-displacement V6 engine supplies strong acceleration even when carrying heavy loads or travelling up mountain roads.

8-Speed Automatic Transmission: A first from Mitsubishi Motors, the Montero Sport includes an all-new 8-speed automatic transmission. This new transmission delivers a smoother, more luxurious ride and improved fuel efficiency. It also sports sporty paddle shifters that let the driver shiftgears with a single press, without having to remove their hands from the steering wheel.

Safety technology The Montero Sport features sophisticated new safety features that intelligently support safer driving whether parked or cruising on the highway. The vehicle can be driven with greater confidence knowing that all occupants are solidly protected by a robust

RISE body and comprehensive list of safety features.

Blind Spot Warning (BSW): This safety feature uses ultrasonic sensors on the rear bumper to detect vehicles in the driver’s rear blind spots, on the right and left sides. When a vehicle is detected, a warning indicator appears on the door mirror on that respective side.

Ultrasonic misacceleration Mitigation System (UMS): To help prevent collisions while parking, this system sounds a buzzer and displays a warning if front or rear sensors detect a nearby obstacle in your path. Engine output is also automatically controlled if the driver suddenly accelerates by accident. However, engine output control activates only under certain conditions which include driving at 0-10km/h and the vehicle is not in N or P position on the gearbox, when an obstacle or vehicle is within approximately 4m of the Montero Sport, when the accelerator pedal is pushed hard or abruptly, and when the driver is not turning to avoid the obstacle or vehicle.

Forward Collision Mitigation System (FCM): This system helps prevent a frontal collision or reduce damage if the collision becomes unavoidable. It works by detecting the distance between vehicles ahead of the Montero Sport and warns the driver if it gets too close. If the initial warning is not heeded the system lightly applies the brakes. If a collision is imminent the system then applies strong braking force to reduce damage or prevent the collision if at all possible.

RISE body: In case of a collision, safety performance is significantly enhanced thanks to Mitsubishi Motors’ RISE (Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution) body. This proven design efficiently absorbs energy and maintains high cabin integrity in the event of a collision.

Rigid lightweight body: The RISE body is further complemented by the generous use of high tensile strength steel plates.

The use of these high quality materials not only contribute towards a high level of collision safety, but also ensure the body itself remains extremely sturdy and lightweight.

7 SRS airbags: In the event of a collision, seven SRS airbags help protect the driver and passengers by absorbing the force of impact.

Cabin highlights The new Montero Sport features a well-appointed cockpit, which surrounds you with solid craftsmanship, supportive comfort, intelligent features and a wide open view. From sophisticated floor console and high-contrast meters and multi-information display, to the comfortable three-row seating, every feature is fine-tuned to enhance comfort and keep the driver in confident control.

Electric parking brake: The parking brake is easy to operate via a stylish switch. Simply pull the switch up to apply the parking brake or push the switchdown to release it.

Dual-zone automatic climate controlair conditioner: The powerful air conditioning system provides separate temperature settings for the driver and front passenger. Better still, it provides powerful front and rear air flow and top-class cooling that keeps all passengers comfortable even in the hottest weather.

Cabin entertainment: The Montero Sport GLX comes standard with a quality tuner/CD player and USB port on the floor console to enable easy connection with an iPod or other audio player. It also doubles as charger port for your compatible portable devices. The GLS on the other hand comes with an upgraded audio system that includes a 6.1-inch QVGA touch-panel display. Controlling the audio system is easy on the touch-panel display, which also displays the view from the rear view camera where fitted.

Variants The new 2016 Montero Sport is available in three variants GLS, GLS Highline and GLS Premium. All variants come standard with the 3.0L V6 MIVEC engine, 8-speed automatic transmission and super select 4WD II. The base GLS also includes a comprehensive range of comfort and safety features including ASTC, HSA, Anti- theft alarm system, automatic dual zone air conditioner, steering mounted audio and cruise controls, USB port and much more.

The GLS highline adds rear differential lock, hill descent control (HDC), Hands free bluetooth and voice control system, upgraded audio with a 6.1” LCD display, Rear view camera, Off road mode selector and much more. The GLS Premium goes a step further and adds a Power tilt and sliding auto sunroof, 7 airbags, UMS, BSW, and FCM. All models are available in a choice of seven colours.

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ROUND-UP

New Jaguar F-Pace can be booked at MHD showrooms across Oman Mohsin Haider Darwish is now accepting preorders for the all-new Jaguar F-Pace vehicles in the Sultanate of Oman

MUSCAT: Pre-orders for the allnew Jaguar F-Pace are now being accepted by Mohsin Haider Darwish (MHD), the exclusive distributor of Jaguar cars in the Sultanate of Oman.

The Jaguar F-Pace is a performance crossover designed and engineered to offer the agility, responsiveness and refinement that all Jaguars are renowned for, together with unrivalled dynamics and everyday usability. With a starting price of OMR23,550 (F-Pace Pure),

customers can now place their preorders through the Mohsin Haider Darwish showrooms in Muscat, Sohar and Salalah.

David Aziz, CEO - Automotive Products, MHD, said: “Immediately recognisable as a Jaguar, the all-new F-Pace is the ultimate practical sports car for all car aficionados who love driving. Garnering a huge amount of attention since its launch, the all-new F-Pace has been in high demand all around the world and we are ex-

tremely excited to finally give our loyal Jaguar customers in the Sultanate of Oman the chance to place their pre-orders to be some of the first to get their hands on this outstanding vehicle.”

WORKSHOP SESSIONS

The all-new Jaguar F-Pace Carrying through the design vision of the C-X17 concept through to production, the all-new Jaguar F-Pace has been developed using Jaguar’s lightweight aluminium

architecture, combining purity of line, surface and proportion with F-Type-inspired features such as the powerful rear haunches, fender vents and distinctive tail light graphics.

With the 380PS supercharged V6 petrol engine from the F-Type under its sculpted aluminium bonnet, the all-new F-Pace can accelerate from 0-60mph in just 5.1 seconds before reaching an electronically-limited top speed of 155mph.

The all-new F-Pace seats five occupants in absolute comfort.

The interior is a perfect blend of premium materials and finishes, exquisite detailing, luxuries such as electrically-reclining rear seats and cutting-edge technologies including the InControl Touch Pro infotainment system and 12.3-inch HD virtual instrument cluster.

The lightweight aluminium ar-

chitecture gave the design and engineering teams the ideal starting point. It was created from the outset as a modular structure, so the wheels can be positioned exactly where they are needed to deliver the proportions, dynamics, and practicality essential for a performance crossover.

Boasting Jaguar’s new infotainment system, its most advanced all-wheel drive system and a remarkable range of active safety technologies, the all-new Jaguar F-Pace makes every journey a better, more rewarding experience.

The all-new Jaguar F-Pace is now available to pre-order exclusively at MHD showrooms across the Sultanate of Oman with prices starting from OMR23,550 (F-Pace Pure) inclusive of five years or 65,000km service package, warranty for five years or 250,000km whichever is earlier.

GOURMET EVENT

AOU workshop enhances role of Utsav food festival till tomorrow its staff on academic counselling The Yellow Chilli is MUSCAT: In its efforts in elevating the academic level of the Arab Open University (AOU) students and enhancing the role of the academic staff in advising the students, AOU held a workshop on academic advising to its faculty, recently.

The workshop sessions were given by Dr Youssef Takroni, Sherimon P. C. and Abdulqader bin Rahit, members of the Academic Advising Committee: and attended by Dr Moosa Al Kindi, the university director, the academic staff, and the admission and registration department, says a press release.

The workshop first covered basic aspects such as the role, function and purpose of academic

advising. The participants agreed that academic advising was a shared responsibility by the tutors, programme coordinators and deanships.

Then dealing with students of different academic categories,

under-probation, critical GPA and good GPA, were discussed. The audience explained the role of the resources in advising the students such as the student information system, study plans and academic plans. Besides, the pre-academic advising mechanism (online advising) was critiqued. They also said that archiving and documentation of academic advising procedures and processes was equally important for quality purposes.

The participants discussed the notification system for students who are placed under academic probation. Finally, the workshop ended with an open discussion session from the participants.

MUSCAT: Revelling India’s myriad cultures and its festivals, Mazaya Oman is showcasing a gala food festival called Utsav spanning across eight days at all its Yellow Chilli outlets in Muscat from April 8 to 15.

With Gudi Padwa, Ugadi, Chaitra Navratri, Cheti Chand, Baisakhi, Rongali Bihu, Ram Navami around the corner, The Yellow Chilli is featuring the exclusive gourmet festival, ‘Utsav’.

The menu revels in India’s colourful cultural potpourri, says a press release.

Bringing regional delicacies savoured across on your palate like Shorshe Murgi Kashundi Kachumber, Rava Surmai Tawa Fry, Karari Bhindi Jaipuri, Mysuru Chicken, Malabari Fish Curry,

featuring the exclusive gourmet festival, ‘Utsav’.

The menu revels in India’s colourful cultural potpourri Aloo Dum Benarasi, Gujrati Kadhi Pakodi to be complemented with regional delectable desserts like Bhapa Doi, Kesari Rasmalai and coconut-jaggery ice cream, it sure promises an indulgence in the wholesome Indian food while

ushering in the festivities and relishing the festivals from all corners of India.

Mazaya Oman, the parent company working behind the scene, has ensured that The Yellow Chilli is all set to increase the emphasis on the Indian dining experience in Oman, making it appeal to foodies across generations and demographics.

The gourmet event features a culinary showcasing under guidance from Indian celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor and brought to life by Chef Manoj Radi.

Calling all Indian cuisine aficionados Kalyan Bose, restaurant manager - The Yellow Chilli’s, said, “If you believe in food heaven, then the Utsav festival just might be it!”

I R R E S I S T I B L E F L AV O U R S

Six-day Sri Lankan food festival starts at Al Falaj Hotel MUSCAT: Al Falaj Hotel is hosting a spectacular six-day Sri Lankan food festival and food products show at the pool side till april 18, in collaboration with the official partner airline MihinLanka and official beverage provider African Eastern.

They will also fly in the famous Channa-Upuli Oriental dance troupe from Sri Lanka to perform

for the event, says a press release.

The hotel is offering more than ever at this food festival by flying in the celebrity Olympian chef Dimuthu Kumarasinghe to showcase his skills to all diners.

Chef Kumarasinghe won five golds at the Culinary Olympics in 2004 which is also the highest number of gold medals won by any individual in the world at this

ENTICING OPTION

event and the record still exists.

The guests who are looking for truly Sri Lankan dining experience don’t really need to go far. Sri Lankan food brought to life with extravagant buffets including live cooking stations has been laid out for the guests to feast on irresistible Sri Lankan flavours.

Al Falaj Hotel will bring some culture to the hotel with celebra-

tion of Sinhala and Tamil New Year. People celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year by making milk rice and other sweet meats, boiling of milk at an auspicious time and bringing family members together in unity.

The Sri Lankan chefs flown in for the occasion will bring out the traditional authenticity of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year till

April 18 during dinner time at Al Falaj Hotel pool side. Guests can also enjoy a variety of Sri Lankan sweets, while enjoying the Oriental dancers and the live music.

Entertaining the guests throughout the spectacular evening at Al Falaj Hotel pool side will be Channa- Upuli Oriental dance troupe and the one man musician flown in from Sri Lanka.

NBO SUPPORT

Nissan Sentra makes serious 21 investment professionals impact in Oman auto market qualify to receive CFA charters MUSCAT: After gaining rave reviews from auto enthusiasts, the Nissan Sentra comes in a new 1.6 & 1.8 SV CVT P26 from the house of Suhail Bahwan Automobiles which is set to create another milestone.

The Sentra boasts of top of the range options that focus on classabove design standards inside and out. Loaded with full options, the Sentra 1.6 & 1.8 SV is an edge over competitors in its segment making it an enticing option for auto enthusiasts, says a press release.

Exciting offer Customers can now avail exciting benefits on Nissan Sentra that includes cash back of OMR1,000, free registration, six years’ unlimited mileage extended warranty, easy financing options, a loan term up to eight years with Bank Muscat attractive interest rates and periodic maintenance service only up to 2 years/20,000km whichever is earlier (offer includes only on the new service intervals of 10,000km). The offer is applicable on private registrations or personal vehicles only.

The presence of the Nissan Sentra vehicles on the road is aptly supported by Nissan Oman’s worldclass service facilities and trained manpower. The Nissan Sentra offers drivers the spaciousness and comfort of cars usually found in the larger segment, as well as technology usually associated with much more expensive cars. Apart from Nissan Sentra 1.6 and 1.8L engine options, the Sentra 1.6 SV has an engine capacity of 113hp, Dimensions

(LxWxH) – 4615 x 1760 x 1495mm and Xtronic CVT transmission.

Powering ahead The Sentra 1.8L engine is designed to excel. With its longer stroke and Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control) System on intake and exhaust valves, it offers greater combustion efficiency and maximum fuel economy. Sentra’s engine is very durable but lightweight, giving great performance and power without being a burden to the car.

The Sentra 1.6L engine takes a leap with its lead performance.

Equipped with a Dual Injector System and Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control), it provides a smoother ride with great control and responsiveness, along with superior fuel economy – making it an ideal road companion for all types of driving conditions.

The Sentra 1.6L SV features rear window defroster with timer, it

comes with power window (both front and rear), central lock, keyless entry, driver seat manual height adjuster, roof console sunglass holder, map lamp, manual A/C + rear vent in CTR console, 1CD, AM/FM, MP3, Aux, 2-speakers, power steering speed sensitive with manual tilt and telescopic, tachometer, drive computer and outside temperature display.

The biggest change in efficiency doesn’t come from technology; it comes from how you drive.

Sentra offers a holistic approach to safety and security; agility combined with advanced technology can help the driver easily avoid a situation. If an accident does occur, an advanced airbag system combined with zone body construction, helps reduce injury.

Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, the exclusive importers and distributors of all Nissan vehicles in Oman, have their Nissan showrooms spread across the Sultanate.

MUSCAT: With the support of CFA Society Emirates and CFA Institute; 21 investment professionals in Oman qualified to receive their CFA charters and three more completed all levels of the examination (charter awaited).

The new charterholders at the event were bestowed with their charters by Hamood bin Sangour Al Zadjali, the executive president of Central Bank of Oman, during the third CFA Charter Award Ceremony in Muscat, which was sponsored by the National Bank of Oman (NBO).

There are now over 70 CFA charterholders and members based in Oman, comprising portfolio managers, analysts, chief investment officers, chief executive officers, investment advisers, pension plan investment officers and senior financial consultants.

Oman has witnessed 42 per cent growth in new candidates aspiring to become CFA charterholders, which is among the highest in the region, and there are currently over 150 candidates appearing for the CFA exams at various levels in the Sultanate.

Addressing at the event, which was attended by over 150 of Oman’s leading investment industry professionals, Hamood Al Zadjali said: “I would like to congratulate all the new charterholders and we are delighted to see an increase in the number of charterholders in Oman and to see more young Omanis undertake this challenging course. Quali-

fied professionals are huge assets to the country for its continued growth and success.”

Speaking on behalf of the CFA Institute, Zouheir Jarkas, member of Board of Governors, congratulated the new charterholders and stated: “The CFA Institute is pleased on the efforts being taken by professionals on setting up a CFA society in Oman and will provide all support for the society formation.”

Speaking on behalf of the sponsors, His Highness Sayyid Wasfi bin Jamshid Al Said, head of Financial Markets and Advisory Services at NBO said: “NBO is proud to continue its association with CFA, an organisation that shares our commitment to the highest standards of ethics, integrity, and professional excellence.

We congratulate the new charterholders on their achievement and we look forward to working together to develop the Sultanate’s investment industry.”

A raffle draw was organised

during the event with forecast cards handed to the audience on which they made predictions for the values of gold, oil, the MSM 30 Index, S&P 500, USD: Euro, and UST 10-year yields on December 31. The prizes were sponsored by Lulu hypermarket.

The event also saw a lively discussion themed ‘Oman - In the new oil era’, by eminent panellists including His Highness Dr Adham Al Said, assistant professor of Economics at Sultan Qaboos University; Ali Malallah Habib Al Lawati, chairman of the Al Habib Group of companies; Dr Amer Rawas, Group CEO at Tasneea Oil & Gas Technology; and Dr Said Al Saqri, president of Omani Economic Association.

The panel discussion was moderated by Wasfi Al Said. The discussion included the key aspects of the current oil price crisis, its impact on different sectors, the resultant economic challenges, and potential solutions.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

COMEX 2016 Ooredoo inspires tomorrow with its ‘Business Anywhere’ solutions Designed to connect and inspire companies of all sizes and ambitions, the exciting business solutions include Shahry Business Packs, Musafir business roaming bundles, Office connectivity solutions, Business Reach - Mobile, Business Conferencing, and Internet Enterprise

MUSCAT: Making the latest in connectivity and communication better value than ever for Oman’s dynamic business community, Ooredoo business has prepared an unbeatable portfolio of offers for Comex 2016.

Designed to connect and inspire companies of all sizes and ambitions, the exciting business solutions include Shahry Business Packs, Musafir business roaming bundles, Office connectivity solutions, Business Reach - Mobile,

Business Conferencing, and Internet Enterprise, says a press release.

“Ooredoo strives to be the partner of choice for Oman’s business community, inspiring their activities and supporting new opportunities for success through our value-packed promotions, innovative services and smart solutions,” commented Said Al Shanfari, director of Business Marketing at Ooredoo.

“This year we aim to show how business can be done from any-

where through Ooredoo’s connectivity solutions offering smart businesses the freedom to communicate wherever, whenever and however they operate while managing their communications efficiently.”

When Comex visitors sign up for a new Shahry Business Pack 30 bundle with a one or two year contract, they will get fantastic extra value. Those selecting the twoyear option will receive an extra 3 GB of free data for 6 months and a free golden special number as a welcome gift. Customers opting for a one-year plan will get a bonus

KEY CONTRIBUTOR

HIGH-END SOLUTIONS

GBM innovations woo visitors MUSCAT: Gulf Business Machines (GBM), the region’s number one provider of customised IT solutions, is showcasing a range of technology solutions that can be tailored for clients across Oman, at the Sultanate’s leading technology exhibition, Comex 2016.

This year GBM is a diamond sponsor of Comex 2016, demonstrating its continued contribution and support for Oman’s evolving IT landscape.

The theme of the 7th edition of Comex at Oman International Exhibition Centre, Muscat, is ‘Create, Connect Comex’ which aims to highlight and encourage innovation and creativity. In line with the theme, GBM is highlighting its latest innovations and solutions along with its partners, IBM and Cisco, in addition to other key partners such as Tuatara Business Solutions and Schneider.

Along with its vendors and partners GBM is also highlighting key

solutions around analytics, mobility, cloud, collaboration, data centre, digital innovation, security and enterprise content management.

“Comex 2016’s focus on innovation is a further demonstration of Oman’s active initiatives in pushing forward the region’s IT landscape. GBM is committed to and continues to support Oman in

the development of its IT industry and its central role in regional progress,” said Ahmed Auda, GBM Oman’s country general manager.

GBM – recently named winner of an IBM Choice Award for Top Business Partner in the Middle East and Africa, and winner of three prestigious awards at this year’s Cisco Global Partner Summit – is also highlighting the importance of cyber security infrastructure and solutions at Comex 2016. The company recently unveiled the results of its latest security survey, which revealed that 50 per cent of GCC organisations cannot predict and prevent cyberattacks.

Comex 2016 has allowed visitors to see how to prepare organisations across sectors in Oman and the region for cyberattacks. GBM’s SIEM and UTM Solutions, Assessment and Security Compliancy Solutions provide customisable solutions in order to stave off business threatening hacks and breaches.

OCS Infotech participates as platinum sponsor platinum sponsor.

OCS Infotech, obviously, understands the potential and crucial needs of its clients and therein designs the accurate, appropriate, affordable and utmost delegable ICT solutions, and delivered professionally.

OCS Infotech targets government organisations, medium and large scale private companies, telecom companies, oil and gas companies and group companies.

Hence OCS Infotech’s targeted audiences are executives, decision makers and IT managers.

OCS aims to be the reliable and trusted ICT partner to its clients.

In few words, OCS Infotech builds and delivers ICT solutions in a professional and competent manner. OCS Infotech being a national and potential company with more than three decades established in Oman market, and Comex being a national event specialised in ICT; is lending OCS a great opportunity to take part in this prominent event. Its goal is to reach all organisations interested in ICT industry development in Oman.

T E L E M AT I C S D R I V E N S O LU T I O N

Telematics4U Services comes to Comex MUSCAT: Telematics4U Services Private Limited (T4U) is a leading global ICT (Information and Communication Technology) solutions provider with a global footprint across over 55 countries.

T4U is now poised to crest one of the most transformational tech-

Panamax Inc. makes debut at Comex MUSCAT: Having made its debut at this year’s Comex, Panamax Inc. is the technology unit of Bankai Group, established in 2001. It is a rising technology company offering market-proven telecom switching, carrier business automation and mobile financial solutions.

It is targeting telecom operators, service providers, banks and financial institutes. Panamax is participating with the aim of introducing the attendees with their time-tested switching, routing, billing, carrier business automation and mobile financial solutions.

The company wishes to assist ICT industry in meeting operational challenges head-on with its cutting-edge technologies and high-end solutions.

SBL presents products and services at Comex MUSCAT: SBL is an IT and business process management (BPM) organisation that offers smart solutions to organisations across geographies and industry verticals and empowers them to respond quickly to the changing market dynamics.

SBL offers a range of customised services and solutions in GIS, technology, multimedia and business process management that allow their customers to reduce operational costs substantially while accelerating the growth of their businesses.

Their target audience is very diversified as they target sectors: Travel, hospitality and healthcare, education, oil & gas, energy and utilities, construction, manufacturing, trading, banking and finance, mining, genealogy, surveying and retail.

nology waves of the future, i.e. the advent of the Internet of Things, which will drive new consumer and business behaviour.

T4U offers telematics driven solutions tailor made for verticals/ sectors as diverse as e-governance, people mobility, mining, logistics,

supply chain, livestock, environment, OOH etc.

At Comex, its target audience are ICT & telecom companies, transportation and logistics companies, governments, mining, oil and natural gas transportation, OOH (Out of Home) media etc.

It offers a range of customised services and solutions in GIS, technology, multimedia and BPM

At Comex, SBL is showcasing products like zingGo, DAMS (Digital Archival Management Solution), e-Legislature, ERP, Vehicle Tracking System SBL is exhibiting in Comex as it wants to present its products and services to Omani and international market.

IT OUTSOURCING

Yusata Infotech makes Oman debut at Comex MUSCAT: Yusata Infotech Private Limited is a Jaipur, India based company providing telematics solution and IoT based solutions to the various industries.

The company is in existing business of GPS tracking solutions with exceptional capabilities of DOT Log, proof of delivery, crash technology, driving behaviour and many more. Yusata Infotech is taking part in the Comex for the first time.

The company has more than 40 developers team at its office.

The management team consists of experienced veterans from IT industry, management and marketing field, with an average 15 years of experience.

It has partnered with breakthrough technology of video analytics, which is a proactive service notifying administrator in real time upon rule breach.

In Comex, they will be targeting different kind of audience for

ence of a switchboard, or a Private Automated Branch Exchange (PABX), without the need to actually own any equipment. The solution makes sure that incoming calls are directed to the required recipient, regardless of where the call comes from.

This is ideal for cash-conscious growing businesses which are always on the move; now they will never miss a call again.

Ooredoo’s popular Internet Enterprise solution is usually offered over fibre connection but understanding that today’s customers need a faster solution delivery with the same trusted security and dependability, Ooredoo can now offer 2MB dedicated bandwidth using their 4G technology.

The solution is aimed at enabling growing businesses to work smarter and more effectively and is a further testament to responding to customer needs regardless of their actual location in Oman.

Visit the Ooredoo business stand at Comex 2016 to find out more about these fantastic offers and services and find out how Ooredoo can inspire tomorrow with business anywhere.

SMART SOLUTIONS

T E L E M AT I C S S O LU T I O N

ICT SOLUTIONS

MUSCAT: OCS Infotech is providing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Solutions for more than three decades to help organisations achieve their goals and objectives.

As a soul member of reputed Omani group of companies, OCS Infotech is aware of its potential role in Oman’s ICT industries, within which a professional and competent team is built to meet the ICT market requirements on demand. This year OCS Infotech is participating in Comex 2016 as a

3 GB of free data for 2 months and a complimentary silver number.

Business travellers can visit Comex to find out more about Musafir for convenient voice and data roaming bundles that can be activated directly on their handsets for just RO15 per week, allowing them to roam in 42 countries worldwide in confidence and stay connected to their business while keeping costs to a minimum.

Keeping with the theme of business anywhere, Comex visitors can also learn about Ooredoo’s office landline connections that cus-

tomers can take with them should they move office.

The solution covers all business fixed line communication needs – internet, voice, and free Business Group calls – in one bundle.

Comex visitors will be able to see the convenience of this bundled solution, which also boasts faster connectivity, to have the solution up and running quickly to reduce the usual waiting time often faced when opting for such solutions.

A business must-have is Ooredoo’s Business Conferencing Service that allows collaboration in real-time between partners, vendors, customers and decision-makers through high quality audio and HD video, and visitors to Comex are welcome to experience a live demo of it. Designed to help business customers communicate and stay continually connected with geographically dispersed audiences in an efficient and professional way, this fully legally complaint solution has been a long term need, now provided by Ooredoo.

Ooredoo’s Business Reach – Mobile is a new solution which allows companies with five or more mobile lines to have the conveni-

their products like: For telematics - Transport and logistics companies, service oriented companies, courier, delivery vans, school bus intelligent transit system, security vans, marketing teams, etc.

For video analytics - Malls, retails stores, individuals, hotels, resorts, public locations, railway / metro stations, airport, defence and security services.

Objective Their objective is to reach out to the world with their innovative technology and Comex is a reputed exhibition which allows them the access to meet the right audience who are interested in technology and want to achieve better results with technology for their business or organisation.

They are looking for potential clients as well as partners for our services in Oman and GCC countries.

Radixweb showcasing its technology competencies for Middle East MUSCAT: Since 2000, Radixweb is a leading software product development and IT outsourcing services provider.

The company delivers a complete range of IT services and enterprise-class solutions to clients from SMEs to fortune 500 companies across the globe.

At Comex Radixweb will be targeting IT and software development companies looking for outsourcing partnerships and SMEs from various industry sectors considering software development for business process automation. Radixweb will be showcasing its technology competencies for Middle East region in-line with industry trends at Comex. Radix has a leading partnership with Microsoft for Application Development.

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‘Best of Britain’ promo kicks off at Lulu malls

COMMITTED SERVICE

The promotion this time is all the more exciting with five return air tickets to London from Oman Air to be won through a ‘Scratch & Win’

KR Group felicitates recipients of 25 years long service

with the purchase of OMR3 worth of British products

MUSCAT: Lulu Hypermarket has kicked off the British promotion ‘Best of Britain’ 2016 in Oman, bringing a slice of Britain across all its malls.

The promotion was inaugurated

by Jonathan Wilks, British ambassador to Oman, at Lulu Hypermarket, Baushar in the presence of Michael Head - deputy head, UK Trade and Investment, Ashraf Ali, executive director – Lulu Group International and the senior management of Lulu.

The promotion this time is all the more exciting with five return air tickets to London from Oman Air to be won through a ‘Scratch & Win’ with the purchase of OMR3 worth of British products.

‘Best of Britain’ will be on until April 19 and will serve as a platform to familiarise and promote the best of British brands among the local community and a large section of expatriate communities in Oman. It is also an occasion to blend together the culture and heritage of the two countries. The event running through selected Lulu outlets in Oman is a great op-

portunity for customers to explore and experiment the culinary delights and lifestyles of Britain.

Lulu has stacked up its shelves with a range of fresh food, frozen food, confectionery and seafood exclusively flown in from UK for this promotion. Special in-store counters will be put up throughout the promotion, enabling customers to get a real taste of some of the best British delicacies on sale. The food sampling counters will also be offering many dishes specially prepared for the festival to pamper the taste buds of foodies. From fish and chips to pies and cakes and the best-loved chocolate and toffee brands, Lulu has everything in store for the promotion. Shoppers can choose anything they need from both the hot and cold food sections to simply whip up a traditional British meal.

Lulu Group has launched its procurement and consolidation unit in Birmingham to export British products to its 126 retail stores.

Apart from their line of fresh imports of dairy, fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables, the promo-

tion will also feature fresh eggs, variety of confectioneries, breads, goat’s milk, plain and flavoured yogurts and different types of canned food too. A variety of diabeticfriendly, gluten free and organic products will also be available for health-conscious customers. The promotion will also host an assortment of chocolates, pies and cakes as a treat for the sweet-toothed.

Diplomatic relations Speaking at the event, Ashraf Ali said: “We have always been keen to host such events that enrich the customers’ knowledge of the food, cultures and traditions of different communities of the world. I hope this event will help in strengthening the diplomatic relations between the two countries. I am also confident that this promotion will pave the way to introduce more of the UK brands in Omani market in future,” he added.

Commenting on the event, Ananth A. V., director of Lulu Oman and India said: “We are delighted to host this promotion every year to help consumers un-

derstand the quality, heritage and creativity that make British products some of the best in the world today. Lulu hypermarkets always launches promotions and offers for every season and occasion to cater to every culture and taste.

The British promotion receives a great response from our customers every year. We at Lulu always strive to take an extra mile to bring in the best of products from across the world to delight our cultural rich database of shoppers. We hope this event not only satisfies our British shoppers, but also the local communities in Oman too.”

Lulu has always been at the forefront as a one-stop shop for the diverse population of the region with an international assortment of products from several countries.

With goods sourced from countries worldwide including UK, Africa and Far East, the brand is fully equipped to serve any community in this diverse country. From international brands to local favourites, Lulu makes sure its customers get whatever they need from all over the world at amazing prices.

FOOTWEAR AND ACCESSORIES

SMARTEN UP DRIVE SAFE A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

Shoexpress now in Nizwa Grand Mall MUSCAT: Shoexpress has increased its presence in Oman by opening new store in Nizwa. This is the 7th store of Shoexpress in the Sultanate.

The new 3,000 sqft store located on ground floor in Nizwa Grand Centre showcases women’s, kids & men’s fashion value footwear and accessories, says a press release.

The new store features the brand new look and feel that offers customers an international shopping experience, while providing them with the latest styles and trends at affordable prices.

Shoexpress provides an extensive collection of fun, fashionable and eye-catching accessories, including costume jewellery, handbags and purses, as well as socks and belts for the entire family that are definitely affordable and

are on trend.

Started in 2009, Shoexpress aims to offer customers a real value experience, through an extensive assortment of fashionable footwear and accessories at truly unbelievable prices. It currently operates more than 100 stores across the Middle East and North Africa with plans of opening a number of new stores each year.

The Shoexpress store design and concept is fresh, attractive and very efficient in its approach.

It uses open stock concept in which shoes are displayed neatly within each department, allowing customers to easily browse and find what they’re looking for.

Catch the new collection this Spring 2016 and be season savvy than the usual with impressive range of styles in a very competitive price.

MUSCAT: The Khimji Ramdas Group recently conducted its annual long service awards honouring its employees who completed 25 years of service in the company.

Employees from various departments at KR received commendation and certificates for their decades of committed service to the organisation, says a press release.

Kanak Khimji, director, Khimji Ramdas, said: “The KR long service awards is a true reflection of the company’s strong ‘people power’ philosophy, which recognises the commitment, dedication and values our employees bring to the organisation. It also signifies the relationships we have built with our employees over the years. Indeed, the event is a celebration of dedicated service and loyalty.”

The event continues its `grand tradition’ which first started in 2010 to honour those employees who have contributed almost a lifetime of hard work and service.

Shamsa Saif Harib Al Mashani

Employees from various departments at Khimji Ramdas received commendation and certificates from Khimji’s Aalami Stores Al Qurum, a recipient of the award said, “I would like to thank my employers at the KR Group for giving me the opportunity to grow and learn.”

Another long-service award recipient, Khalifa Ali Mohammed Al Wahbi an employee at Khimji’s Building Material Division, said: “First I would like to thank the KR Group for valuing the hard work and long years of service I have put in at the company. It is a privilege to be acknowledged with such appreciation; it makes us feel part of the KR family.”

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FOOTBALL

Fanja earn first point, Al Arouba beaten in AFC Cup MUSCAT: Fanja fought back bravely to earn their first point in four outings while Al Arouba suffered a defeat in the AFC Cup on Wednesday.

Playing their Group D home game at Seeb Sports Stadium, Fanja shared the spoils with Palestine’s Ahli Al Khalil in a six-goal thriller.

According to news posted on AFC website, Imad Al Hosni scored with four minutes remaining to help Fanja salvage a 3-3 draw and keep the team’s slim hopes of claiming a place in the Round of 16 alive.

The point earned was Fanja’s first in four games in this year’s competition and they remain bottom of the Group D standings while Ahli Al Khalil moved on to four points, despite playing only three games.

Ahmed Wridat gave the visitors the lead in the fourth minute when he headed home Jonathan Eduardo Cantillana Zorrilla’s in-swinging CRICKET

Mohsin not to appear for interview before Akram and Ramiz KARACHI: A top candidate for the post of Pakistan cricket team’s head coach, Mohsin Hasan Khan on Wednesday said that he will not appear for an interview before the Pakistan Cricket Boardappointed panel members Wasim Akram and Ramiz Raja.

Mohsin said while he was interested in becoming the new coach of the national team, he would not appear for any interviews with Akram and Ramiz.

“If and when I do apply for the post I will do it directly to the board chairman.I will not agree to any interviews with Wasim and Ramiz who are juniors to me in Pakistan cricket,” he said.

Mohsin that he had played for Pakistan with dignity and honour and served the country.

“I have also coached the national team successfully in the recent past. So I see no reason for me as a matter of principle to prove my credentials to players who started their careers towards the end of mine,” he added.

Mohsin, who played 48 Tests and 75 ODIs, was chief coach in 2011-2012 and secured series wins over Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and England before the PCB replaced him with Australian Dav Whatmore.

“The board treated me unjustly then and removed me without giving any justifiable reason. I had done well as chief coach and I got along well with the players. There was no reason to remove me,” he said.

Mohsin said he was confident he could help in turning around the fortunes of the team if given another chance.

The PCB has invited interested candidates to apply for the position by April 25 after which a committee which has Wasim and Ramiz will help the Board select the best candidate. - PTI

free kick from the left, but 11 minutes later Fanja were level when Abdulrahman Al Ghassani claimed his first of the game when his header from Basil Al Rawahi’s corner nestled in the corner of the goal.

By the 33rd minute the home side had taken the lead when Al Ghassani struck again, this time latching on to Mohamed Al Maashaari’s nolook pass behind the Ahli Al Khalil defence before scoring with a cool right-foot finish.

There was barely a minute on the clock at the start of the second half when Ahli Al Khalil levelled the scores once again, with a goal similar to their opener. Zorrilla against sent in a curling free kick from the left, only this time Mahmoud Wadi met the ball with the slightest of headers to redirect it past goalkeeper Mazin Al Kabsi.

Two minutes after the hour mark, Ahli Al Khalil reclaimed the lead with Wridat notching up his

second of the game after the Fanja defence failed to clear Islam Batran’s cut back from the right byeline, with the ball eventually falling to Wridat and he put his shot beyond Al Kabsi.

With just four minutes remaining, Fanja sealed a share of the points when substitute Jarlisson Pereira lifted the ball over the Ahli Al Khalil defence before Al Hosni controlled the ball on chest and slotted the ball home.

Al Dharia beat Al Arouba In Hebron, Al Dharia picked up their first win of their Group C campaign as goals from Abd Morjan and Mohammed Fouda saw the Palestinian side defeat Al Arouba 2-0.

Victory moved Abdulfattah Arar’s team up to four points from their first three games and keeps the club’s hopes of advancing to the Round of 16 alive as they drew level on points with Al Arouba,

who have played one game more.

Al Dharia took the lead with just four minutes on the clock when Morjan, a late inclusion in the starting line-up after recovering from injury, scored with a fine long-range effort that beat goalkeeper Riyadh Sabeit to his left.

Al Arouba cranked up the pressure as the half wore on, but the Omanis were unable to find a way past the home defence in the opening 45 minutes.

It was a similar story in the early stages of the second half as Al Arouba continued their search for an equaliser, but the more they sought an opening the more vulnerable they left themselves to the counterattack.

The sucker punch came in the 66th minute when Al Dharia pushed down the left before Fouda volleyed home an effort that gave Sabeit little chance, allowing Al Dharia to take all three points.

Rohit, Buttler lift MI against KKR Rohit Sharma smashed an unbeaten 84 and Jos Buttler hit a quickfire 22-ball 41 to power Mumbai Indians to a sixwicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders

KOLKATA: Rohit Sharma’s love affair with Eden Gardens continued as he smashed an unbeaten 84 to power Mumbai Indians to a six-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter here on Wednesday.

Jos Buttler with a quickfire 22ball 41 was the other major contributor. For KKR, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav picked up a wicket apiece.

The defending champions started off at a brisk pace chasing KKR’s challenging 187 for five with Rohit and Parthiv Patel picking the gaps at will.

By the end of the powerplay, the score read 53 for one. But then Brad Hogg effected a brilliant runout and sent back Parthiv to the dugout much to the delight of the 35,000-odd fans in the stadium.

The wicket also helped KKR bring down the run rate. Thereafter, some silly errors from wicketkeeper Robin Uthappa helped the visitors. Mumbai Indians got to 87 for one at the end of 10 overs.

KKR then got rid of Hardik Pandya (9)and Mitchell McClenaghan (20) in quick succession as they tried to slowly crawl their way back into the contest.

CAPTAIN’S KNOCK: Mumbai Indian’s Rohit Sharma plays a shot during their IPL match against KKR in Kolkata on Wednesday. – PTI

However, Buttler and Rohit had other ideas. The England powerhitter did not need a sighter and tonked the hapless KKR bowlers too all parts of the park. He also took on Andre Russell and clubbed him for 18 in an over.

The onslaught brought down the asking rate rapidly and before long Mumbai were in touching distance of the KKR total.

Earlier, fifties from Gautam Gambhir and Manish Pandey along with a quickfire 17-ball 36 from Andre Russell helped KKR post a challenging score.

Gambhir scored a 52-ball 64 and was ably supported by Pandey’s 52.

For Mumbai, Mitchell McClenaghan returned figures of two for 25.

The hosts got off to a slow start and lost Robin Uthappa (8) early but then Pandey came out to give his skipper company and after six overs KKR had managed to put up 40 for one on the scoreboard.

Once in the groove, both batters successfully hit the big shots against

the likes of off-spinner Harbhajan Singh and Hardik Pandya.

In the 11th over, Jagadeesha Suchith was taken for a ride as it yielded 18 runs — the biggest in the innings. Gambhir, who was dropped at 30 by Rohit Sharma, then got to his half century. Pandey too got to his fifty as the Knights tried stepping on the gas.

But soon after, the men-in-purple lost Pandey who succumbed to a soft dismissal, caught and bowled

by Harbhajan. The strike also ended the duo’s 100-run partnership.

Andre Russell who walked out to bat next started off with a bang. He almost hit sixes at will.

However, after a brief cameo, Russell dragged a pull on to his stumps and then KKR lost Gambhir, which helped Mumbai pull things back in the last few overs.

Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 187/5 (Gautam Gambhir 64, Manish Pandey 52; Mitchell McClenaghan 2/25) lost to Mumbai Indians 188/4 (Rohit Sharma 84 n.o.; Jos Buttler 41). - IANS

SIX-GOAL THRILLER: Action from the AFC Cup match between Fanja and Palestine’s Ahli Al Khalil at the Seeb Sports Stadium on Wednesday. – ISMAIL AL FARSI/Times of Oman

DOPING

WADA makes U-turn on meldonium, Sharapova ban may be overturned MOSCOW: Athletes who tested positive for meldonium before March 1 could have bans overturned less than four months before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics after WADA said it was unable to establish how quickly the drug, outlawed since January 1, cleared the human body.

The World Anti-Doping Agency’s notice to national anti-doping bodies is expected to have a major impact on many of the 172 athletes who have tested positive for the performance-boosting drug since January.

They include five-time Grand Slam tennis champion Maria Sharapova, who was among 40 Russian athletes to test positive for the drug after it was added to WADA’s list of banned substances in January.

Sharapova’s lawyer John Haggerty said on Wednesday that WADA handled the issue “poorly” and was now trying to make up for it.

WADA said there was a lack of clear scientific information on excretion times.

“As a result it is difficult to know whether an athlete may have taken the substance before or after January 1, when it became illegal,” WADA said in a statement sent to anti-doping agencies and sports federations.

“In these circumstances, WADA considers that there may be grounds for no fault or negligence on the part of the athlete,” it said, adding that the presence of less than one microgramme of meldonium in the samples was acceptable.

As revealed by Reuters last month, the drug’s Latvian manufacturer said traces could remain in the body for several months depending on doses, duration of treatment and sensitivity of testing methods The anti-doping body’s notice also gave hope to athletes who have tested positive for the drug since March 1, depending on

studies being carried out to determine how long it stays in the body.

“Since meldonium was prohibited on 1 January of this year, there have been 172 positive samples for the substance, for athletes across numerous countries and sports,” WADA President Craig Reedie said. “Concurrently there has been a call by stakeholders for further clarification and guidance,” he said.

“WADA recognises this need — that meldonium is a particular substance, which has created an unprecedented situation and therefore warranted additional guidance for the anti-doping community.”

Sharapova case Sharapova, who said she had been taking meldonium for more than a decade because of health problems but had not used it since January 1, was provisionally suspended by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in March after announcing she had failed a test at the Australian Open.

“The fact that WADA felt compelled to issue this unusual statement now is proof of how poorly they handled issues relating to meldonium in 2015,” Haggerty said in a statement.

“Given the fact that scores of athletes have tested positive for taking what previously was a legal product, it’s clear WADA did not handle this properly last year and they’re trying to make up for it now.”

Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpishchev said Sharapova’s ban could be addressed in a meeting with ITF head David Haggerty this month.

“The situation with Sharapova could be resolved after April 21 when we meet with the head of the international federation. It is too early to talk about Sharapova competing at the Olympic Games,” Russia’s TASS news agency quoted Tarpishchev as saying. - Reuters

BASKETBALL

Times of Oman, Assarain Group to vie for title

IMPROVED SIDE: Times of Oman basketball team.

MUSCAT: Times of Oman and Assarain Group will clash in the final of the 8th FILCOSOC–FMB Basketball Tournament on Friday.

The summit clash is scheduled to be played at Oman Club in Al Khuwair from 9.00 p.m.

The tournament is being jointly organized by the Filipino Community Social Club (FILCOSOC) and Filipino Muscat Ballers (FMB).

The Assarain Muscateers, a seasoned championship team under the multi-titled coach Peter Barro, will rely heavily on their playmakers JP Orquia and Chris Toriente, formidable center Mark Constantino and Nino Zotomayor, highleaping forwards Mac Sta. Juana and Jason Cortez, hot-shooting

Rainier Barro, new acquisitions Joecel Ramos, Aquino and Guitterez and their veteran defensive players Nandy Marcera, Gary Gangoso and Jojo Pumanes.

The Times of Oman, which improved their line-up during the off-season, was steered to finals by their ever reliable coach Clarence Carlos, will be banking on their dreaded back-court tandem of rookie Froilan Busquit and scoring machine Romwel Galang.

They will be backed up by their bigs in Alvin Sambo, Emerson Mallari, Harris Palo and new rookies Art Medina and Art Abesamis.

They will be counting also on the offensive plays of Anton Tan, Henry Abling, Jay Dacatimbang, Mark

and Kirk Sakai, Boboy Escoto and the hotshot Bisoy Rances. The defence will be on the hands of Karlo Sakai, Isao Tanigawa, Elmer Mallari and their hard-nosed defender Sean Abellanosa.

The organisers of the tournament thanked the support of the sponsors, Assarain Group of Companies, Asia Express Exchange, Times of Oman, Badr Al Samaa Group of Hospitals, Khimji Ramdas, Kuwait Airways, Robinson’s Land, Lens Buddies, Consolidated Contractors Company Oman, Millenium Hotels & Resort, Wasalak Team, Baranggay 29 Team and Nokie Pirates Team.

The final day’s proceedings will include an exciting Skills Challenge and 3-point shootout contests.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

SPORTS

Pune to face Gujarat in clash of debutants Overall, the Lions look like a good package but they will be tested by the Supergiants, who

GOOD START: Gujarat Lions cricketers celebrate during their debut IPL match against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali on Monday. – AFP

are looking the most formidable outfit this year in the League

RAJKOT: Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions, after making impressive debuts in their respective openers, will test each others’ strengths in the Indian Premier League (IPL), here on Thursday. The two teams feature a lot of faces from the suspended Chennai Super Kings and at least six players, who played in the same side till last year, will now be in opposite

camps. CSK teammates Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina will now be devising strategies as rival captains. Both have admitted that playing in a jersey other than ‘yellow’ has been very “emotional” but have promised to give their all for their new teams.

The Dhoni-led Pune Supergiants were very convincing and dominant when they handed defending champions Mumbai Indians a nine-wicket drubbing.

They did not even require their middle order, packed with Dhoni himself and players such as Steven Smith, to come out with top-order delivering it for them

comfortably. The Lions though needed a proper team effort in taming Kings XI Punjab, who batted well but were pretty ordinary when they bowled. Aaron Finch was in good touch but the wayward Punjab bowlers only made his job easy. The big positive for the Lions was the heart showed by the young Ishan Kishan. The Under-19 Indian captain played with a lot of gumption and his confident flick off Mitchell Johnson was a proof of that.

Dwayne Bravo continued his impressive form in T20s as he became the only IPL player to have a combo of 1000 runs and 100 wickets.

Overall, the Lions look like a good package but they will be tested by the Supergiants, who are looking the most formidable outfit.

RP Singh with Mitchell Marsh will test their batsmen together along with quality spinners such as R. Ashwin and M. Ashwin.

But it will be interesting to see if Dhoni continues to underbowl R. Ashwin or lets him complete his full quota of overs.

Rising Pune Supergiants: MS Dhoni (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Kevin Pietersen, Faf du Plessis, Steve Smith, Mitchell Marsh, Jaskaran Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ankit Sharma, Albie Morkel, Irfan Pathan, Ishant Sharma, Ishwar Pandey, Thisara Perera, Saurabh Tiwary, R P Singh, Rajat Bhatia, Ankush Bains, Baba Aparajith, Murugan Ashwin, Ashok Dinda, Deepak Chahar, Scott Boland, Peter Handscomb, Adam Zampa.

Gujarat Lions: Suresh Raina (Captain), Dwayne Bravo, James Faulkner, Aaron Finch, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Dale Steyn, Pravin Tambe, Ishan Kishan, Ravindra Jadeja, Shadab Jakati, Dinesh Karthik, Shivil Kaushik, Dhawal Kulkarni, Praveen Kumar, Pradeep Sangwan, Jaydev Shah, Umang Sharma, Andrew Tye, Sarabjit Ladda, Akshdeep Nath, Amit Mishra, Paras Dogra, Eklavya Dwivedi. — PTI

IPL

Kohli’s consistency, adaptability ‘is phenomenal’ BENGALURU: Indian batting legend V.V.S. Laxman heaped praise on star batsman Virat Kohli for his consistency in T20s and termed his adaptability to any situation “phenomenal”.

Kohli, skipper of Indian Premier League (IPL) side Royal Challengers Bangalore, struck a quickfire 75 alongside A.B. De Villiers’ 82 which steered his team to a 45-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Tuesday.

Kohli came into the cash-rich league after emerging as player of the tournament in the recent World T20.

“It was magic. It is amazing to see the way Virat continues to score so consistently for whichever team he plays and whatever position he bats at. It is great to see the kind of level he has taken his T20 batting to; he is one of the most exciting batsmen in world

Virat Kohli.

cricket. His consistency and adaptability is phenomenal,” Laxman, mentor of Hyderabad, was quoted as saying by iplt20.com on Wednesday.

The 41-year-old praised RCB’s strong batting line-up comprising Chris Gayle, Kohli, De Villiers, Shane Watson followed by promising youngsters Sarfaraz Khan,

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Kedav Jadav, Stuart Binny.

“From RCB’s point of view it was good to see AB de Villiers perform like that. He didn’t have a great World Twenty20 and he must be disappointed that South Africa, despite being one of the strongest teams in the tournament, didn’t qualify for the knockout stage,” he said.

“I am sure he wants to make it count in this IPL and this was a great start for him. That is one power-packed batting order that RCB have with Gayle, Virat and AB in top-three and Watson coming in as well. Now they also have Stuart Binny, Sarfaraz and Kedar Jadhav, which make their line-up very formidable,” he said.

Bangalore’s 18-year-old Sarfaraz Khan (35 off 10 balls) played a cameo at the end to help his team cross the 220-run mark.

“I am very impressed with him (Sarfaraz). He is a young boy but

the kind of confidence he shows and his body language is really good to see. It bodes very well for Indian cricket to see such youngsters do well against international bowlers at this level. Some of the shots that he played were mindboggling,” the former right-handed batsman said.

For Sunrisers, pacer Mustafizur Rahman was the most economical bowler with figures of 2/26. Laxman praised the Bangladeshi youngster.

“He (Muztafizur) is one of the most exciting bowlers in world cricket. Since his international debut against India, he has made enormous progress. This is the first time I am spending some time with him and I can see that he has got a lot of confidence in his skills. He has a lot of variations and he knows when to use them.

His work ethic is fantastic,” Laxman concluded. - IANS

C O M M E N TA RY

BPL of IPL — how the line divides Kohli and Warner

I

f a man is known by the company he keeps, Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli is incredibly blessed with the plush in the word. The guys he could hang out with for nearly two months are worshipped around the world for the extraordinary things they could conjure up on a cricket ground.

But the unpleasant truth sticks out. Despite having fabulous blokes together in the dressing room, the RCB failed to make the playoff in 2014 and in 2015, after finishing third on the points table, got knocked out in the qualifier. Such uninspiring history of the past two disappointing seasons looks set to vanish this time around.

The splendid first act scripted

by Kohli and AB de Villiers for which youngster Sarfraz Khan delivered the spicy punch hints at fresh, spunky Royal entertainment set to gather momentum as it gets going in the coming days and climaxes on May 29 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai with a brave new history to celebrate for the fans of the Bangalore team as such and the true lovers of the shorter format of the game as a whole.

It’s exciting to think about the prospect of the Tuesday show getting repeated. With Kohli and ABD enjoying being together out in the middle, Chris Gayle looking to make amends, Shane Watson happily finding his feet in the new dugout and short and stocky boy amid giants sending out buddy-goody vibes all around, season nine could be a long, loud celebration for the RCB fans, from start to finish.

If Kohli is upbeat about the company he keeps and finds himself enviably posh and delightfully above the line of poverty, Sunrisers skipper David Warner stands deep below the line of poverty (BPL), obviously disgusted with the mates he chose to swing with.

One of the first few things for the Sunrisers to get right to chase a target of 228 was a good start. That meant Warner and Shikhar Dhawan should take the fight to the opposition and give the rivals a scare. While Warner played his part to perfection, Dhawan lacked all that required to play the role. What Warner needed as he tore into the RCB attack was more than

moral support from his partner, but Dhawan seemed happy taking singles, leaving it to his skipper to do the dirty, daring job.

Rotating the strike is fine, but it is when both batsmen rotate hitting the big runs, chases, like the one the Sunrisers were up against at M Chinnaswamy stadium, looks possible. Dhawan, at the moment, seems to have forgotten who he really was.

The competition for the RCB came from within, and that was the best part of the day for the noisy Kohli-ABD fans who thronged the stadium. The loss of Gayle in the second over when the score was just 6 would have put spokes in the RCB wheels—unless the man at the crease was Kohli and the guy who joined him was ABD. ABD was in his mettle soon, hitting Ashish Nehra for two fours and a six in the fourth over, which set the tone of the feast on offer. The South African raced past the 25 runs mark in the next over, inspiring Kohli to catch up with. From then on it was a game of one racing ahead and the other catching up with, and the roles reversed frequently to spice things up for the players and the fans in an amazing display of batting together.

ABD reached 50 with a four off Ashish Reddy in the 11th over, and celebrated it smashing the next ball to the long-on rope.

Kohli marked his half century with a six over long-on in the 13th over, and by the end of the next over, 14th, both were level at 68. That was surely, as ABD put it at the end of the match, “a nice, busy innings with Virat”.

With Mitchell Starc unavailable owing to ankle surgery, the RCB look a bit vulnerable in the bowling department. But if the top four — Gayle, Kohli, ABD and Watson — get in gear, and Sarfraz steps on the pedal in the death overs, there’s no doubt about a place in the playoff for RCB. The writer is a freelance contributor based in India. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

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SPORTS FOOTBALL

OFA, Iran clubs discuss plans for Champions League matches MUSCAT: Sultan Ameen Al Zadjali, the General Secretary and the CEO of Oman Football Association (OFA), will leave for Malaysia to take part in an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) meeting.

The annual meeting, a two-day affair, will discuss the difficulties and challenges faced by affiliated football associations and ways to find appropriate solutions.

During the meeting, which will take place in Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, the members will be discussing various topics including the problems faced by the associations in the regulatory, administrative and financial aspects.

Coaches course Meanwhile, a D Level coaching course organised by the OFA concluded at the Seeb Sports Stadium on Wednesday.

MALAYSIA BOUND: OFA CEO Sultan Al Zadjali. – Supplied photo

At the end of the five-day course, the participants were felicitated

by OFA board member Mansour Al Hajri. The OFA, meanwhile, revealed that the association held a co-ordination meeting with the Iranian football clubs to discuss the preparations for the forthcoming AFC Champions League matches.

The meeting was chaired by Omantel Professional League CEO Sheikh Shabib bin Hilal Al Hosni. It may be mentioned that Asian Football Confederation’s Competitions Committee has decided to host the Champions League matches involving clubs from Saudi Arabia and Iran in Oman, Qatar and the UAE. As per the agreement, Iran clubs will play their home matches in Oman and the Saudi Arabia’s team play their matches in Qatar and the UAE. The matches to be played in Oman are Iran’s Zobahan vs Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr (April 20 at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex), Iran’s Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan vs Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad (May 4 at Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex) and Iran’s Tractorsazi Tabriz vs Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal.

CRUCIAL MEETING: Oman Football Association official Sheikh Shabib bin Hilal Al Hosni, centre, speaks during a meeting with the representatives of the Iranian clubs. – Supplied photo

Putra, Asma win titles at A’Saffa golf tourney

CRICKET

Oman Cricket to organise 50-overs knockout tourney MUSCAT: Oman Cricket will organise a 50 overs-a-side invitational knockout tournament ahead of the Sultanate squad’s preparation for the forthcoming World Cricket League Division 5 tournament in Jersey.

Six Premier Division teams will be participating in this tournament and they are Muscat CT, Assarain, Enhance, Raha, Passage to India, Al Turki.

WINNERS ALL: Winners in various categories pose for a group photo along with chief guest Mohammed Al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas, at A’Saffa Golf Tournament. – Supplied photo

In a highly competitive tournament, which saw participation of over 110 avid golfers from across the Sultanate, Shaidnan Putra took top honours with an impressive score of 47 points

MUSCAT: Shaidnan Putra emerged the winner of the second A’Saffa Golf Tournament organised by A’Saffa Foods at the Ghala Golf Club here recently.

In a highly competitive tournament, which saw participation of over 110 avid golfers from across

the Sultanate, Shaidnan Putra took top honours with an impressive score of 47 points.

Faisal Al Adawi, with 45 points, was a close first runner-up while Suhaimi Abdullah, with a score of 43 points, was the second runnerup. The ladies division was won

by Asma Al Rashdi with 36 points.

The top honours in the junior division went Fahad Al Kitani who finished a score of 38 points.

‘Nearest to the Pin’ award went to Ahmed Al Balushi and ‘Longest Drive’ prize was won by Asma Al Rashdi. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, Minister of Oil and Gas, presided over the proceedings and handed over the trophies.

Congratulating the winners on their victories, Dr. Nasser Al Mauly, CEO at A’Saffa Foods, said: “Through the A’Saffa Golf Tournament, it is our aim to do our bit towards increasing the scope of the game in Oman, alongside using the event as a platform to showcase our range of healthy and tasty savouries.”

“Apart from thanking those who participated and made this

year’s event a success, I would also like to thank the Ghala Golf Club for hosting the event at their world-class facility,” he added.

“As a market leader, it is our promise to provide consumers with food products that are wholesome and processed hygienically from natural, pure, halal, healthy, premium ingredients and aromatic spices,” Sidhartha Lenka, Head of Marketing & Sales, A’Saffa Foods, said “Being pioneers in fully integrated poultry production and farm management systems we have built our competence and expertise in food production, processed food technology, and innovative food recipes; helping us to deliver new, flavourful choices that consumers can enjoy anytime,” the official added.

TOUCH TOURNEY

Muscat Rugby Football Club to organise Mercedes-Benz tournament on Friday

MUSCAT: The Muscat Rugby Football Club (MRFC), in association with Mercedes-Benz, will organise the Touch Tournament at MRFC Pitch in Bauhser on Friday.

A total of 12 teams will be in action during the tournament.

The participating teams are equally divided into three groups.

The Group 1 comprises Canada, Ireland 1, Merc Barbarians and New Zealand while the Group 2 consists of England, France 2, Scotland and Somalia.

South Africa, France 1, Ireland 2 and Sohar are placed in Group 3.

The three group winners and the best second placed team will vie for MRFC Cup. The remaining second placed teams and the second third placed

teams will battle in MRFC bowl competition.

There will also be MRFC Plate event which will see the worst finishing third rd placed team and the three teams that finish bottom of their groups in action.

According to a statement issued

by Oman Cricket on Wednesday, the tournament is designed to increase the level of competition in the 50-over format.

In the first round, the first match will be played on April 30 and last match on May 7.

The final is scheduled to be played on May 13 before the Sultanate national team leave for Jersey WCL 5 competition.

C4

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

SPORTS Zidane passes biggest challenge yet with Ronaldo’s hat-trick help “I can’t worry about what might happen. We have to be calm when this (losing a first leg) happens; you can’t go mad because all sorts of things happen in football.”

Zidane attracted criticism for starting Danilo rather than Dani Carvajal in the first leg in Germany and for his decision to take off Luka Modric, saying: “I had to do something”.

In the second leg, Zidane reinstated the Spaniard at right back and the decision had an instant impact, with Carvajal showing desire to beat Julian Draxler to the ball in midfield and then setting up Ronaldo’s opener.

Last week’s surprise 2-0 defeat at Wolfsburg left the Frenchman facing the prospect of becoming the first Madrid coach since Manuel Pellegrini in 2010 to fail to reach the last four of the competition.

Tuesday’s hat-trick from a resurgent Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu saved him from that fate

MADRID: Zinedine Zidane overcame the biggest challenge of his fledgling coaching career as Real Madrid brushed aside VfL Wolfsburg to overturn a first-leg deficit and reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Last week’s surprise 2-0 defeat at Wolfsburg left the Frenchman facing the prospect of becoming the first Madrid coach since Manuel

HAT-TRICK HERO: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo who scored three times walks on the pitch with the ball under his shirt after the Champions League 2nd leg quarterfinal soccer match against VfL Wolfsburg. – AP/PTI

Pellegrini in 2010 to fail to reach the last four of the competition.

Tuesday’s hat-trick from a resurgent Cristiano Ronaldo at the Bernabeu saved him from that fate.

AZLAN SHAH CUP

“I’ve lived football as a player, I know what it is like. I am now living it as a coach, which is much more difficult,” admitted Zidane after the 3-2 aggregate win.

We win together “We are a team and I always have to make decisions, we all win together but it’s true that Carvajal was enormous today,” said Zidane.

The Frenchman vowed not to get ahead of himself after the win, which was the first time Madrid had overturned a first-leg deficit in the Champions League since 2002 when a team containing Zidane saw off Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals on their way to lifting the trophy.

“I never got a big head as a player and it won’t happen as a coach either after a night like this, I know how difficult this job is,” said Zidane, who has repeatedly talked about the expectations on a Madrid manager since succeeding Rafa Benitez in January.

The coach did not shy away from suggestions that Ronaldo had saved his reputation, and possibly his job.

“He is the best player in the world and nights like tonight make him a special player,” said Zidane. “He makes the difference.” - Reuters

Loss to Real caps Wolfsburg’s season of missed chances MADRID: VfL Wolfsburg came close to staging a minor Champions League miracle but their 3-0 loss at Real Madrid in the last eight on Tuesday for a 3-2 aggregate defeat was a reflection of a season of missed opportunities, club officials said.

The Wolves are unlikely to see any Champions League action next season, with a weeks-long domestic slump sending them down to eighth in the Bundesliga with five games left. They came agonisingly close to staging a huge upset after stunning the 10-time European champions 2-0 in Germany in the first leg last week to go into the game at the Bernabeu brimming with confidence.

Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice in two minutes early in the first half to level the tie and added a third goal from a free kick to complete a superb turnaround by the Spaniards. “It was a bit of a reflection of our season,” Wolfsburg sports director Klaus Allofs told reporters.

“We seem to be making mistakes at all the wrong times.”

Wolfsburg, last season’s Bundesliga runners-up and German Cup winners, had

enjoyed a solid start to their domestic campaign but gradually ran out of ideas and goals.

Champions League contenders at the halfway mark in the Bundesliga and cruising through the group stage by December, Wolfsburg hoped for a repeat of last season. Instead, they managed just three league wins in 12 matches after the winter break to implode in the Bundesliga.

It was the same over the two ties against Real. They enjoyed a stellar first game but failed to pose a threat in the return encounter in what would have been the Germans’ biggest success in Europe in their maiden quarter-final appearance.

Wolfsburg had only one good chance in the game with a Luiz Gustavo shot despite managing to contain Real’s attack for about an hour after they took their two-goal lead.

“These are the fine differences that you cannot compensate for at the Bernabeu,” Allofs said. “Overall it was just like we had predicted it.

We needed a goal and we did not get it. On the one hand I am proud of the team’s outstanding run.” - Reuters

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Black Sticks edge Superb De Bruyne shows anything India, Malaysia still possible for Manchester City down Pakistan IPOH: India’s hockey team lost 1-2 to New Zealand to slide to the third spot in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup here on Wednesday.

After a slow beginning, Kane Russel gave the New Zealanders the lead in the 29th minute from a penalty corner. Mandeep Singh equalised for India in the 36th minute but Nick Wilson (41st) struck his fourth goal of the tournament to clinch the encounter for the defending champions.

India failed to utilise three penalty corners — two in the final quarter — in the match as they searched for the equaliser and went down losing 1-2.

Reflecting on the match, India head coach Roelant Oltmans said: “We played a strong game, considering the conditions we must consider ourselves a bit unlucky. Both the New Zealand goalkeepers had a great game.”

With this win, Colin Batchcoached New Zealand moved to the second position with 11 points from six matches.

Last year’s bronze medallists India are third with nine points from five matches and have to beat Malaysia to qualify.

“We get another opportunity to get to the final though, and are focussed on winning our next game against the hosts Malaysia to get that spot,” Oltmans said.

The Indian team was expected to play an aggressive game, especially after the 5-1 triumph over traditional rivals Pakistan. But it didn’t turn out to be like that.

Malaysia win Malaysia posted their first win over Pakistan in three years when they hung on to an early lead to emerge 1-0 victorious in a league fixture.

Malaysia rode on captain Razie Rahim’s fourth-minute penalty corner conversion to register their first victory against Pakistan since they won 3-1 in the World League semifinals at Johar Baharu (Malaysia).

That victory in the World League play-offs clinched Malaysia’s qualification for the 2014 World Cup at the expense of four-time champions Pakistan, who missed their last chance to qualify and failed to make the elite tournament for the first time since its inception.

Malaysia’s victory took them to eight points from five fixtures and kept alive their chances to clinch a medal, After five matches, Pakistan have just three points from their victory over Canada.

Winning spree Meanwhile, world champions Australia extended their winning spree to five successive matches as they prevailed 3-1 over Japan.

Not playing full-press, Australia scored through Jamie Dwyer (17th and 36th minutes) and Blake Govers, but Japan shot back to reduce the margin through a penalty corner conversion by Kentro Fukuda (37th minute). - Agencies

MANCHESTER: Manchester City’s season began to unravel when Kevin de Bruyne missed 10 matches with a knee injury but as he showed when he scored against Paris St Germain on Tuesday, anything is possible with him back in the team.

The 24-year-old Belgium international forward scored with a brilliantly-manufactured 76th minute curling shot from the edge of the box to give City a 1-0 win over the French champions to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time.

The goal secured their 3-2 aggregate success, sent the Etihad Stadium crazy with delight and earned him the headlines on Wednesday morning with the Manchester Evening News anointing him “King Kev”, while the Daily Mail hailed him as “Special K”.

There has only been one “King Kev” in English soccer -- former European Footballer of the Year Kevin Keegan back in the 1970s and 1980s -- but if De Bruyne achieves anything like the success Keegan enjoyed, he will deserve that title.

The Belgian turned down PSG to join City for a club record fee of 55 million pounds ($78.29 million) from VfL Wolfsburg last August, and is one of the gifts waiting to be unwrapped when Pep Guardiola takes over as City coach from Manuel Pellegrini next season.

Guardiola, whose Bayern Munich side could yet face City in this season’s competition, is expected to re-shape and overhaul the squad when he arrives, but the ever-improving De Bruyne will doubtless be central to the new coach’s plans.

INSTANT HERO: Manchester City’s Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, right, celebrates with Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero after scoring during the UEFA Champions league quarterfinal second leg football match against Paris Saint-Germain. – AFP

Defiant message After making that transfer fee look like something of a bargain with his third goal in four matches — including one in the first leg against PSG last week — since returning to the side earlier this month after two months out, de Bruyne sent out a defiant message to everyone, including Guardiola.

“We are not done yet. It is two games to the final, so we will be doing everything we can to get through,” he said.

“This has been a season of ups and downs but in the Champions League we have gone from down to up. The performances have been

good and hopefully we can go all the way.” Both City and PSG have been enriched by Arab billions in the last few years and both sides have come to the fore in their domestic leagues following massive investment after decades of under-achievement. Although City have already won the League Cup this season and are in fourth place in the Premier League, their ageing side fell away badly in the title race while De Bruyne was out.

Before he was injured City were second, three points behind Leicester City, but while he was sidelined they won only two of the seven league games without

him and are now 15 points behind Leicester with no realistic chance of catching them.

Although the Premier League title has gone, the greater prize of European glory remains and Pellegrini praised the player who kept that dream alive after the match.

“Kevin is a very important player for us. He is a very dangerous player, he does not need much space to get his shots in and good players always make a difference.”

According to Pellegrini, City are now among the top four sides in Europe, and, revitalised by De Bruyne, there is no telling what might happen next. - Reuters

C

SECTION

LIFESTYLE

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

Culture WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

Story: Nishad Padiyarath Photo: Arun Chandu t’s not every day one gets to have a long chat with Malayalam filmmaker Vineeth Sreenivasan. The man is like the movies he directs. He talks straight from his heart with a clear sense and with clarity.

Vineeth dons several caps. He conceives the story. He writes his scripts. He directs films. What do you see yourself as, I ask him curiously? Vineeth takes a deep breath and says confidently, “All my films start with an idea and the rest fall in place.”

From his first film, Malarvadi, to his latest Jacobinte Swargarajyam (JSR), which was released in India last Friday, Vineeth has come a long way. All his movies stand tall and his admirers are loyal and vociferous.

Though Vineeth looked exhausted at the beginning of this interview, he springs to life when I ask him about the challenges of filming and his friend, Nivin Pauly, who has emerged as the biggest sensation in Malayalam film industry.

I

Tell us about your latest movie, Jacobinte Swargarajyam (JSR)?

The movie is based on a true incident that happened in the life of my close friend, who is residing in Dubai. When I heard the story long ago, I found little essence in it that could well be made into a film. Some ideas are like that; it has the potential to be transformed into a full-blown film.

While some look promising as an idea, they do not develop at that point of time, but it can haunt you constantly. That’s how JSR happened, and slowly the thought process began to take shape in my mind before I had the complete story to write the script. It took some time, but here we are now at the theatres.

How difficult was it to shoot a movie like JSR in Dubai?

It was far easier to shoot in Dubai than in Kerala. Initially, we faced a few difficulties, but that’s part of the game. The moment we got the nod to go ahead to shoot, it was easy. I must thank Nobel Thomas, the producer and the real strength of JSR. To make a film like JSR, I had to do a lot of re-

it happening and the characters stand in front of you as you write. I enjoy that process completely.

How much have you evolved as a filmmaker in the last six years?

I am in that learning stage where you still want to push yourself to the wall. Every movie is a new learning experience for me. Movies happen from observations and experiences and quite often we forget to see what’s happening around us. I have been hooked on cinema since childhood. Nothing much has changed in those years. My knowledge, curiosity, and ability remain the same as they were before.

You are someone who has been successful since releasing your first film. How do you handle the pressure of being Vineeth Sreenivasan?

The pressure is always there from the time I start writing the script till the movie hit theatres. But over the years, I have learnt to take things by the stride. I honestly believe that every movie is a team-work and I am quite lucky to work with some amazing people who are still standing by my side. They are the real force of Vineeth Sreenivasan.

A movie does not deliberately try to please its audience, yet a director hopes that the picture will be accepted by all who see it. So what is the greatest challenge a filmmaker faces while making a film?

Life puts people in very different but interesting circumstances and a filmmaker’s greatest challenge is to capture the authenticity of life as it is lived. This is what I have been trying to do for the last several years. I don’t fool the audience and, instead, I respect the audience for their intelligence and sensibility and for their own life experiences. Through my movies, I want to share with them what I think about it. It is a very respectful process. Audience these days are mature enough to judge your film. When some- thing is shown to them that touches their lives, they get back to me. My approach is to be loyal to myself, to the medium of cinema and to the audience.

TELLER VINEETH SREENIVASAN HAS CARVED A NICHE FOR HIMSELF IN THE MALAYALAM MOVIE INDUSTRY IN JUST SIX YEARS

search. It’s not like a book where knowledge alone is enough. In cinema, you have to translate that knowledge into execution.

You don several caps. You conceive a story, write scripts and direct films. What do you see yourself as?

I see myself as a complete filmmaker. I enjoy every aspect of filmmaking, be it writing or directing.

When I take up a film, it is my duty to ensure that it reaches the audience effectively. For any director, every movie is a challenge, and in order to conceive it the way you want, it is always better if you take up all these roles together.

How tough is to place an idea on paper for the first time?

Writing for me is painful but, at the same time, it is fascinating and exciting. At times, you are clear about what you want to write, and at times you become completely blank. However, the real high is when an idea comes together. As you are writing, you don’t know where it was and you suddenly see

Nivin Pauly is your good friend. He is now the biggest sensation in the Malayalam film industry. How do you analyse his growth as an actor?

I am really happy to see Nivin grow as an actor and reach great heights.

I still remember those days with him while shooting Malarvadi where I had to explain in detail to him about every scene. Now, when he gets a script, he knows what a director expects him to convey and, believe me, he excels above your imagination. He is such a delight to watch on screen, and he is an actor with exceptional intelligence.

Your wife, Divya, is an integral part of your filmmaking process. What is her contribution to JSR? She is a critic, first. She will be the first to read the draft of my script.

She also has a long-distance perspective. She was a great help when we shot JSR, especially the song sequences.

Looking back at your journey, how do you rate yourself as a filmmaker?

I don’t think I can evaluate myself as a filmmaker. It is the audience who should evaluate my work.

Ever since I made my debut in 2010, I have been trying to do films that I believe in.

—nishad@timesofoman.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

C6

PRAYER TIMINGS

FIND-IT-ALL @AZAIBA

@ MGM

Fan (Thriller) –PG12 Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Ileana 9.00, 11.45 PM

@ SHATTI

SUR Fan (Hindi, Thriller) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Mariola Jaworska, Ileana D’Cruz, Vaani Kapoor 3:15, 8:15, 11:15 PM

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman

The Jungle Book (3D) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley.

3:00, 5:00, 6:15 PM

SHATTI Fan (Hindi| Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Ileana D’Cruz, Vaani Kapoor 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 10:00 & 11:30PM The Jungle Book – 3D (PG) Adventure Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 12:15, 2:15, 4:15, 6:15 PM Gold Class – 6:15 PM

Theri (Tamil) (2D) (Comedy | Action) (12+) Cast: Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu 7:00, 8:55 PM

Fan (Hindi| Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Ileana D’Cruz, Vaani Kapoor 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 10:00 & 11:30PM

Criminal (Action | Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 9:55, 11:55 PM SOHAR Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice– 2D (Action, Adventure, Fantasy) (PG12) Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 3:00PM

Criminal (Action|Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 2:45, 7:45, 9:15 & 11:30PM Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (3D) (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 5:00PM

The Jungle Book (MX4D) (Adventure | Drama| Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 & 9:30PM

MUSCAT GRAND MALL The Jungle Book – 3D (PG) Adventure Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 12:15, 2:15, 4:15, 6:15 PM Gold Class – 6:15 PM

The Jungle Book - (3D) Adventure | Drama| Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 2:45, 4:45 & 6:45PM

Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 3:45, 11:45 PM Fan (Hindi) (2D) (Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi 2:45, 5:40, 8.30, 10:00, 11:30 PM

Criminal (Action|Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 2:30, 8:45 & 11:15PM

Fan – 2D (PG12) Hindi| Thriller Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi 3:30, 6:30, 8:15, 11:15 PM Gold Class – 3:15, 8:15, 11:15 PM Criminal – 2D (15+) Action|Crime | Drama Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 1:00, 9:30, 11:45 PM PANORAMA MALL Fan - (Hindi| Thriller) - VIP LOUNGE (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi 2:30, 5:30, 8:30 & 11:30PM

Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (3D) (Action, Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 9:00 & 11:30PM The Squad (2D) (Action, Drama) (15+) Cast: Jean Reno, Alban Lenoir, Caterina Murino 11:45PM

Criminal– 2D (Action, Crime, Drama) (15+) Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 3:00, 5:15, 9:30, 11:45 PM

Rocky Handsome (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Hassan 3:45, 11:45 PM

Screen 2 The Jungle Book (2D) (Adventure) –PG Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba 2.45, 4.45, 6.45 PM

The Dead Room – 2D (Horror, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Thomas Jane, Kate Bosworth 11:55 PM

Darvinte Parinamam (Mal) (2D) (Action | Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran 9:00 PM

Theri (Action) - Tamil –12+ Cast: Vijay, Samantha, Amy Jackson, Prabhu 8.45 PM

The Squad – 2D (Fantasy, Horror, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Jean Reno, Alban Lenoir, Caterina Murino 5:15PM

Fan (Thriller) –PG12 Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi 11.45 PM

Sardar Gabbar Singh (2D) (Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Kajal Agarwal 6:10 PM

The Jungle Book (3D) (Adventure) (PG) 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 PM

Fan-2D (Crime, Drama, Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Mariola Jaworska, Ileana D’Cruz, Vaani Kapoor 2:45, 6:00, 8:00, 11:00PM

Theri (Action) - Tamil –12+ Cast: Vijay, Samantha, Amy Jackson, Prabhu 6.00 PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

The Jungle Book (3D) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley.

3:30, 5:30, 7:30PM

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Criminal Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 3:00, 6:45, 9:30, 11.45PM

Nizwa Al Araqi

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

36 26

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Fahud Yibal

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

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

Fan (Hindi) (Action\Thriller) Cast: Shahrukh khan & Ileana Dcruz 3:30 & 6:30 PM Cinema -2\ 10:00 PM Cinema Main

Fan (2D) (PG12) (Thriller) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Mariola Jaworska 12:00, 3:00, 6:00, 9:00, 11:15PM

Darvinte Parinamam (Mal) (Comedy \ Drama) Cast: Privthviraj & Chandini Sreedharan 3:45 & 6:45 PM Cinema -3 Sardaar Gabbar Singh ( Telugu) ( Action) Cast: Pawan Kaltan & Kajal Aggarwal 3:45 PM Cinema -4

Anti-Squad (2D) (15+) (Action | Drama) Cast: Jean Reno, Alban Lenoir, Caterina Murino 5:00, 11:55PM

Maheshinte Prathikaram (Mal) (Comedy) Cast: Fahad Faasil & Anusree 6:45 PM Cinema -4

Theri (2D) (12+) (Tamil) (Action) Cast: Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Amy Jackson 8:30PM

Next Change: Kali (Mal) Sarrainodo (Telugu) Programmes are subject to change

Minimum

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

80-40%

RIAN SALDANHA April 15, 2013 Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

LISTINGS

Daily Daily Daily

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

10:45 19:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 14:30

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Theri (Tamil) (Action & Drama) Cast: Vijay & Samantha 3:00, 6:30 PM Cinema Main \ 9:30 PM Cinema-2\ 9:45 PM Cinema-3\ 9:45 PM Cinema-4

SALALAH The Jungle Book (3D) (PG) (Adventure) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30PM

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

SRITHIK SUNIL April 14, 2015

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

STAR CINEMA

Theri (Tamil) Cast: Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Amy Jackson 8:45PM

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

Mr. Right (Action / Comedy / Romance) Cast: Anna Kendrick, Sam Rockwell, Tim Roth 6.00 pm CP No : 1094 (15+)

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

Criminal (Action / Crime / Drama) Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 2.00, 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No : 1101 (15+)

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

Fan (Hindi, Thriller) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Mariola Jaworska, Ileana D’Cruz, Vaani Kapoor 1.00, 3.45, 6.30, 9.15 & 11.45 pm CP No : 1100 (PG12)

WITH LOVE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

BURAIMI The Squad Aka (ANTI GANG) -2D (Action, Drama) Cast: JeanReno, AlbanLenoir, Caterina Murino.

5:00, 11:30PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

BAHJA CINEMA

Criminal (2D) (15+) (Action| Crime | Drama) Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 12:15, 2:45, 6:50, 9:00, 11:30PM

The Jungle Book – 3D (Adventure, Drama, Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 3:15, 5:45, 7:30PM

Screen 3 Rocky Handsome (Action/ Thriller) –12+ Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Haasan 3.30 PM

Theri (Tamil) (2D) (Comedy | Action) (12+) Cast: Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu 7:00, 8:55 PM

AZAIBA Batman vs Superman:Dawn of Justice (3D) (Action |Adventure | Fantasy) (PG12)

Fan (Hindi| Thriller) (PG12) 3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30 & 10:30PM

RUWI Screen 1 Fan (Thriller) –PG12 Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi 2.30, 5.30, 8.30, 11.30 PM

Theri – 2D (Romance, Comedy) (12+) Cast: Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Amy Jackson 7:00, 9:00, 10:00PM

Fan (Hindi, Thriller) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Mariola Jaworska 2:30, 5:30, 8:20, 11:15PM

Theri (Tamil) (Action) (12+) Cast: Vijay, Samantha Ruth, Prabhu 7:00 PM

The Jungle Book - (3D) Adventure | Drama| Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 3:15, 5:15 & 7:15PM

Destination

12.12pm 3.40pm 6.33pm 7.45pm 4.29am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

CINEMA SCHEDULE

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES (ROUND THE CLOCK) Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya 24787766, 24787780

Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al Hayat International Hospital, Al Ghubra 22004000, 94267068/97049520 Al Hayat Clinic, Al Hail 22009455

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, APRIL 14, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE DO

WEEKEND UPDATE

WATCH

Jungle Book

Read Books

In theatres now

Public Knowledge Library near PDO

Scan for more information

Scan to buy tickets

BUY

LISTEN

Binoculars

Stitches

For outdoor trips

By Shwan Mendes

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Scan to watch the video

A Question of Principles A t this stage of my life, realising that highly principled people are a pain in the neck is a bit late. But every bit of information helps when dealing with people with more prejudice than sense. On the other hand, as I explained to a younger friend, having principles, even though a bit crooked, is better than none.

We might hate principles because they shackle us in many ways but without them, I went to explain further to my annoying friend, we are open to corruption. He fully agreed with me. I found that very satisfying because it is not very often that people agree with me when I feel strongly about something.

A week later, a leading regional airline sent me an invitation for their new route launch. Where is the connection? Let me tell you without trying to offend anyone.

In the welcome speech, a senior official of the airline said that the carrier’s philosophy was “based on principles of honouring what was promised to customers.”

It was a very brave statement considering that he was talking to reporters. I could see them feverishly jotting down in their notebooks the moment he started saying the words. It was a statement reporters would hold the company hostage to when it fails to deliver on its promise.

Almost a breath away, the man continued with the same absurdity by saying, “all journalists will get special discounts when they fly with us.”

We all knew that would never happen because it was not part of the speech. He spoke the words too soon and too eager to be part of the plan. He was of course insincere because he wanted the cooperation of the media to promote the airline’s business. He would not admit it but he was actually bending his own company’s principles to get what he wanted. I was proved right a month later while planning for my annual holiday. The local manager told me “I have no instructions from the head office.” A fortnight later, I visited the same gentleman and he gave me another explanation: “It is peak season and we cannot af-

ford to give discounts.”

Personally speaking and perhaps I applied a little pressure, I got the fare cheaper than the original price. That made me feel a little guilty. First, I was part of the great conspiracy. Second, I betrayed the solidarity of my fellow journalists. In that, I bent my own principles and justified somebody else’s prejudice.

In my schooldays, one teacher I was very proud to call him my hero, beat the hell out of me in the last term. Until then, he was unquestionable when it came to moral values. Though only pint sized, he used to stand tall among his peers for his teaching ethics.

I reminded him years later and you know what his defence was?

“It was to instil strict discipline in you!” He squeaked, “I am sure you appreciate it now.”

Old and grey then and too fragile for me to do anything, I just changed the subject. The absurdity was that he nearly ripped apart the seat of my pants and he had the courage of praising his own principles. Like the airline official, his methods to get his crooked messages across depended on bent ideology. Good principles are the ones that respect other people’s feelings. Bad ones, like a friend always says, break you into tiny pieces. Don’t get me wrong, I also have certain principles and sometimes I use them to upset people. This column is one example. However, I like to think I carry a straight message with no sting in the tail. Some of my friends would raise their eyebrows learning this but then principles are never principles if they are never declared.

SALEH AL SHAIBANY

SO TO SPEAK

IN BRIEF

Britney’s new album likely in May Singer Britney Spears is set to release her much-anticipated new album next month.

According to Las Vegas Sun’s Robin Leach, the former Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous host who is quite reliable when it comes to anything related to the pop diva, a follow-up to 2013s Britney Jean could come in May. In a tweet posted over the week-

end, Leach said that Spears would select the lead single from her forthcoming record and shoot the video later on April 18. The album itself is “coming in four weeks.”

“Coming Monday at Vegas DeLuxe: Britney selects her new single and will shoot its video the following Monday with album coming in four weeks,” Leach has tweeted. Spears

has been working hard on what would be her ninth studio instalment with several songwriters including Julia Michaels and Justin Tranter, the ones behind Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber’s recent hits, the report added.

She has been planning to release the album later this year, but she always refuses to set a release date.

“Honestly, I’m just particular

with this record. It’s my baby, and so I really want it done right,” she said of the album in an interview earlier this year.

“I just know that the direction I’m going in is so good. It’s the best thing I’ve done in a long time.

“I’m proud of the work, and it’s very different; it’s not what you would think at all.” — IANS

C8

THURSDAY, APRIL 14, 2016

LIFESTYLE

LIGHT & BRUSH SHOW A unique art exhibition is underway at Bait Al Zubair that merges Hassan Ali Jawad’s photography with Abdul Majeed Karooh’s brush strokes.

Photography: Shabin E

The exhibition by famous Omani artists Hassan Ali Jawad and Abdul Majeed Karooh, titled Light and Brush, will provoke perceptual sensitivity and mesmerising visions to art lovers. The exhibition, which began on Monday at Bait Al Zubair, will continue till April 25. Karooh is known for his depiction of old doors. Glimpses of local Omani folklore and childhood memories of living in Muttrah between the old houses, forts, doors, and walls can be seen in his works.

He uses artistic symbols and signs engraved on these doors with the means to enter the extravagances of these cities that are rich with artistic heritage. Hassan’s photography focuses on human characters and nature.

The exhibition gives him an opportunity to display his pictures taken over a long period of time.The exhibition is open to public from 9:30am to 6:00pm, Saturdays to Thursdays. Contact: +968 2473 6688.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T H U R S DAY, A P R I L 1 4 , 2 0 1 6

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FLATS FOR RENT Spacious 1 Bedroom & 2 Bedroom ŇĂƚƐ Ăƚ ZKW ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͕ ,ŽŶĚĂ ZŽĂĚ͕ tĂůũĂ FŽƌ ĞŶƋƵŝrĞƐ ƉůĞĂƐĞ coŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ Ϯϰ ϳϬϮ ϲϲϲ͕

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COMEX 2016 VISIT US AT STALL

N.O: 1629 Printers, Laptops & PC’s, CD’s, DVD’s & Flash Drives & Cartridges

All HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Samsung Cartridges also available.

Ruwi: 24 792 792 Sohar: 2684 2420

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T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

Top Finish New- Res-5 apartments- 2 bhk/maid room 550/450, 3 bhk- 550, 1 BHK-350 2. Al Kuwair New 3 bhk, posh. Kit.fur,s.pool-700, 3 bhk +maid,ind.villa-650/3. Wadi Kabir 1/2 bhk-250/300/350 4. Al Kodh Villa 5 Bhk- Compounded 550/5. Qurum(Comm) Sama Center-Brand New 114/122/129 sq.mt 6. Azaiba (Comm) 'h dĞĐŚ ďůĚŶŐͲ ͘ ͬ͘ŇŽŽƌŝŶŐͬĐĞŝůŝŶŐ

FOR RENT

1. Qurum

Tel: 24571962/63 Mob: 94289050/ 95495281 Email: samain009@yahoo.com

OFFICES FOR RENT AT AZAIBA Prime location on service road (previously occupied by A'Saffa Foods) near Al Turky and Mazda showroom.

- 2 BHK flat available directly from the owner, at Azaiba.

Contact: 99229263, 93221054, 95215289

DĂĚŝŶĂƚ ^ƵůƚĂŶ YĂƐ ͗^ŚŽǁƌŽŽŵͬKĸĐĞ Ăƚ 'ƌŽƵŶĚ &ůŽŽƌ͕ ϯϰϬ ^Ƌ Mtr. Facing main Road HAR Complex MSQ : 2,3-BHK Flats and 2 & 3 BHK villas with

ͬ ͕ĐĂƌ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ͕ ^ǁŝŵŵŝŶŐ WŽŽů ;'ĂƚĞĚ ŽŵƉůĞdžͿ Qurum : 6 BHK villa with garden, split Acs, shaded car parks, servant rooms DĂďĞůůĂ ͗ Ϯ ,< &ůĂƚƐ ǁŝƚŚ ;ďƌĂŶĚ ŶĞǁ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐͿ Darsait : 1 & 2-BHK Flats with AC & Shop Ruwi : 2-BHK & 3-BHK Flats and shops Al Amerat : 2 & 3-BHK Flat , 3 & 4-BHK Villa with A/C

For viewing please call 99466729, 99316410, 92841690, 91313271, 24694088 or email us on :hartc@omantel.net.om

Quality Warehouses for rent at Mizfa 550 sqm to 3400 sqm.

Contact 99332291 / 96046951

FOR RENT IN RUWI *Tourist visa arranged

1 BHK – SPILT A/C, BUILT IN WARDROBE &CENTRALIZED GAS. SPACIOUS 2 BHK.

Contact : 990 49 722

FOR RENT

Store space in Al Wattayah.

Contact 99382489 / 99263443

3 Rooms, 2 Toilets Flat for Rent. 18 November Street. Near Mars Hypermarket and The Chedi. Ghobrah -Good for Commercial or Residential use.

OMR 295/- month. Call 94477222

1BHK Mumtaz. Contact: 92144045 1 BHK M.B.D R.O 250/-. Contact: 92144045 1BHK Ghubra R.O 275/-. #92144045

Office & 2B/R with 3 toilets directly from owner, near Dolphin Complex Bausher. Contact 92158031 Flat in Wadi Al Kabir 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 family hall, kitchen & 3 bathrooms. Contact: 99277787 Flat for rent in Wadi Kabeer near India Primary School 2B & 1K. Contact: 92222922 150 Sq mtr available GF + MEZ Office + showroom + store location Honda road Ruwi. Contact: 99345044 / 91480682 Villa at Azaiba 7 rooms attach bath at 18th November road. Contact: 9224748 / 99332297 1BHK at Hamriya near Muscat Pharmacy & 2 BHK at Mawaleh near Mosque Sadiq Al Amin. Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

2 BHK Ghubra R.O 325/-. Contact: 92144045 1&2 BHK Darsait. #92144045 2& 3 BHK in Al Khuwair RO 375/-, RO 400/-. Contact: 92144045 1BHK at Al Falaj R.O 190/-. Contact: 92144045 Single room for rent 50/RO water & electricity near Khimji Mart Muttrah. Contact: 97477670 1 BHK in Azaiba. Contact: 99385835 / 99428143 2BHK flat near Wadi Adai signal R.O 280/- negotiable. #97645436 Flat for rent in Ruwi, Mumtaz area 2 bedrooms. Contact: 24291500 / 91409667

New flat at Al Wadi Al Kabir. Contact: 96130797 / 92130703

Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

1000 sq mtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc. Contact 24700120 / 92584715

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35)#94051789 / 97201688

2bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. contact 92584715 / 24700120 Ware houses in Hay Aseem Barka, 11000 m2 near round about new Beach road at Al Khoud location open store with office. #92959129 Warehouse for rent at Ghala Ind. Area. 800 & 2500 approx sqms Near Hotel Al-Madinah Holiday, Ghala. Container can enter. Immediate access to roads & highways.

Contact : 94583320 Office space small in Azaiba. Contact: 99428143 3 Room with kitchen & Bathroom in Alkhuwair, short terms. #99792181 Flats in Qurum. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Flats in Darsait. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Flats in Muttrah. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Flat for rent Al Khoud room 3, hall, kitchen & bathroom. #91153933

Offices in Ghala. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Villa for rent 6 rooms, hall, living room, kitchen, 7 Bathroom in Al Khoud. Contact: 91153933

Brand new villas in Al Ansab. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

One room, bathroom for rent Bousher. Contact: 91153933

2 Bhk Flat in Alkhuwair. #99792181

Furniture flat for rent Bousher 1 room, 1 bath room, Kitchen & hall.

Contact: 91153933

Offices & Showrooms in Mutrah.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Duplex villa in QURUM 29. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Flat for Rent 2 bed room Near ISM muscat Indian Scoole Dar sate Tel : 00 968 95158570 2BHK with split / AC in W.K behind Sana Fashion. Contact: 96635026 Villa for rent Ghubra 5 rooms, 5 bathroom, kitchen & hall. Contact: 91153933

Flat for rent Bousher, 2 rooms, 1 hall, dining hall, 2 bathrooms & Kitchen. Contact: 91153933 Flat in Al Khuwair opp grand mall 4 room 3 toilet + hall kitchen in 3 floor 400. Contact 99420346 Shops / flats available in Honda Road, Ruwi & Mabellah Industrial area. Contact 24833972/ 24833974/ 99367448 1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in Al Khuwair. contact 95154331

2 BR, 2 bath, a kitchen, a yard , with AC, separate enterance, AlKhuwair near Ibis hotel. PDC. RO 250 .. Call 97056443 Readymade office space for rent (240sm) in Bank Melli Iran Building, MBD area, Ruwi, opposite Center point. Contact: 99011352 2BHK Ghala, new bldg with A/C, 325/- R.O. Contact: 99024730 1+2+3 BHK Al Khuwair. Contact: 99024730 Available - fully furnished 2 bedroom apartment ( 12 nos) & fully furnished studio flats (10 nos) -location near Sohar Port - Contact : 94532131 Available - Fully furnished labor camp and executive accommodation - ready for occupation-location near Sohar Port - Contact 94532131 4 BHK commercial villa in Al Khuwair 33. Contact 99792181 Office & shop space in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181

T H U R S DAY, A P R I L 1 4 , 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT 2BHK available Mumtaz area Ruwi.

Contact: 99269751 Flats, shops and store for rent in Ruwi, MBD & Mumtaz. Contact: 97293708 / 92433127 2BHK flat shops / ware house space available for rent behind new ROP building at Honda road. Contact: 91165807 2 BHK / 1BHK near Machi Market Ruwi. R.O 200/- & 225/-. Contact: 99354771 2 BHK available in Ghubrah North for rent. Contact: 92253080 2 BHK office in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181 1 & 2 BHK flat in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181 3 BHK fully furnish flat in Al Hail.

Contact 99792181 Furnished office (61M2) for sale / rent Al Khuwair near Zawawi Mosque. Contact: 95611569 2BHK Wadi Kabir R.O 300/-. Contact: 92144045 Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-. Contact: 99335580 2,200 sq mtr factory area & 800 sq mtr store with 8 accommodation rooms and 10 office cabins available for rent in Barka industrial area. Contact 91398381 / 80 / 78, email - agsan2005@gmail.com 02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 /99795241 Two bedrooms flat in Al Ghobrah near Oman Oil of 18 November Street.

OMR 330 Monthly.#99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair. #95154331 Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. #97007934 / 92629232 Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278 3BHK in Qurum P.D.O high 350/Monthly. Contact: 99342661

FOR RENT Four bedroom two floors luxurious and spacious residential villa in Al Hail North, near to the sea and Oman oil. Each room has its own bathroom. It has splits A/C’s and shaded car park. OMR 750 monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 For rent and investment Land industrial shops in Rusayl.

Contact: 99323957 / 95490842 2BHK Big Size Flat Behind Bank Muscat,

FOR SALE 400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Mabela Phase 5 Block 2. OMR 165 Thousand. CONTACT 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery. Contact 99328430 Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

Wadi Kabir. Near ISWK. 97826454, 24815012.

Urgent sale of steel scrap only serious buyers kindly #+968 96725423 for viewing the items.

New flats for rent at Darsait near to Ministry of Sports, Mumtaz area the flats includes, 1 living room, 2 bedroom, kitchen, 3 toilets, every rooms with split A/C high quality finishing rent per flat is R.O 340/- . Interested candidates please #00968 92225523

HD Scaffoldings, Shuttering Jacks, Wooden Planks, Shuttering wood assorted, Tower hoist (lift), Concrete Mixer, Bending Machine, Steel Fabrication Machinery (Searing/Cutting, lathe & Welding) including tools for immediate sale: #99273774/ 99202278

FOR SALE

ACC. AVAILABLE

Restaurant for sale (Indian, Chinese, Arabic food ). #91181765 / 95411354 Paver, ABG Titan - 4732, Bitelli tandom roller, bitelli - PTR roller, Bomag combination roller, shovel SDLG. Contact: 92964673 Dental Clinic for sale in Seeb. Contact: 96373097 / 92882209 Show room for sale in Ruwi main rood big space around 200 sqm.

Contact: 93333951 / 93333957 An excellent condition portacabin 1 x 40’ for sale in Ghala. Rate negotiable contact 99509460 Coffee shop for sale in Al Khuwair 33. Contact: 92994415 Villas in Al Khoud.#95056808 / 97201688 Luxury Apartments in Boucher (35).

Contact 95056808 / 97201688 Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair.#92881849 /What`s up No 97290565 Furniture and other treatment items for Ayurvedic clinic. #97986525 Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale # 99273774/ 99202278

2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. contact 99342661

Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter. Photos can be sent 95865457

New building Wattayah main road, showroom & office space. contact 94300909

A well running pharmacy for sale at prime location. Contact- 99627621, 93240949

Separate entrance furnished bedroom with attached bath and kitchen for Executive bachelor in a villa opp. Star Cinema. Contact: 99314807 Single room B/K sharing Mumtaz area. Contact: 95212017 Available single room in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 92177850 Room + bathroom furnished for Executives, Wadi Kabir. #99336206 Room with attached bathroom available in Ruwi for Executive bachelors.

Contact 95527969 Single room non cooking bachelor, near Darsait round about. Contact: 92120626 Fully furnished bachelor sharing at Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99325387 Available sharing accommodation, opposite Al Maya Wadi Kabir in 2 bedroom flat. #95470129 Sharing Accommodation available for working ladies opposite Al Nadhah Hospital. Preferably Indians. Room with seperate toilet and sharing kitchen.RO.90. contact 96524717 Furnished apartment for rent, two rooms, majlis, hall, kitchen.

Near Carrefour al-mawalah. #99336776 Small old house for rent in Al Ghoubra. Contact : 97165972

ACC. AVAILABLE Sharing for Executive females at Mumtaz area. Contact: 97094797 Room available for Executive bachelor at Al Hail.#96234708 Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan village.#93687466

Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested pleasecontact 92680041 Mr. Altaf

DRIVING

Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. CONTACT 96202458/96761960

Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir Contact 93049849

32 yrs BE + MBA male Ezhava working as Senior Engineer in Muscat Kerala Matrimony ID E1415525. Contact: +919846672390 Kerala Christian Marthoma boy from Adoor, working in Oman MBA graduate seeks suitable alliance.

Contact: 99852167 Tamil Hindu Brahmin Iyer Boy. Parents invite proposal for their only son 25 yrs / 6.1 ht / B.Tech (NIT), MBA (IIM), EX- ISM student, employed MNC Bangalore Star Uttirathdhi seeks suitable alliance fom Iyer/Iyenger families. Parents in Oman #98288925 / 92264915

Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794 Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir. #97167857

MATRIMONIAL

MATRIMONIAL Indian male Roman Catholic 40yrs divorcee working in Muscat.

Seeks suitable alliance from widow/ divorcee/ single.contact 96059801.

Malankara Catholic Male Nurse (28) from Thiruvalla working in Nizwa Private Co. Alliance invites parents/nurses working in Oman. #968 98267338, 0091 9287215726

D4

T H U R S D AY, A P R I L 1 4 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED SIT.WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT ARCOP & Partners

Urgently Required

(Middle East)

Expatriate Furniture Carpenters,

Engineering Consultants LLC looking to hire minimum 3 years experienced Omani Civil Engineer, for upcoming building projects in Ibri & Buraimi. The candidate must be capable of independently handling the works, as a consultant. Resident engineer stationed at site.

Interested candidates to forward their CV’s with all the details to careers@arcop.co.om or fax to 24493446.

for a well established furniture manufacturing company.

Miniumum experience of 2/3 years required in the same field.

Intreseted candidates please mail CV to mds@zakoman.com or call 94250003 for appointment.

REQUIRED ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED

Having B.E. in Electrical Engineering Min. 5 Years Experience in Oman With Driving License and Valid C.E.P License

Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa. Immediately available. CONTACT 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com

Contact : 95697401 Send CV to: cemec@omantel.net.om ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

MEDICAL

Required urgently an experienced Accountant having 2-3 years experience. Send your resume by e-mail : sasiram@seehsarya.com

Urgently required female Gynecologist D.G.O or M.C.P.S with minimum 3 years of experience, with or without M.O.H license, very good package. Contact after 5.00 P.M on Mobile: 99253650 or Send C.V dr.kamalsaqib@yahoo.com

Wanted a male Accountant with knowledge of finalization. Contact : 91067751, email - georgyjacob7@ gmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.#90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Indian male, 24 yrs, Graduated with specialization in Accounting 2 years experienced C.A.CPT completed. #94628086 / 97315091 Indian male 34 years MBA finance & marketing 7 years experience in Indian accounts / Administration currently in Muscat on family visa. #98104991 Email: sureshkr01@gmail.com

SKILLED LABOUR BEAUTICIAN Very urgently required a Gulf experienced professional Hair dresser cum beautician (lady) for a reputed beauty salon. Immediate appointment visa available.

Contact: 99816262 /98557585 Fax: 24796211 Email: skin.hair. makeup@gmail.com

CATERING Wanted a Catering Supervisor with experience in Oman. #91067751, email - georgyjacob7@gmail.com

DRIVER Required driver for building & electrical material Company in Ghala with valid Oman driving license.

Contact 99345044 / 91480682

UPVC windows & doors factory operator with Gulf exp. Contact: 99010141 Email: mazin@alsahib.net Reputed contracting company requires following: Q.S swimming pool (auto cad exp), pool technician and pool cleaners. Minimum 5 years Gulf experience preferred. Contact: asdekamuscat@gmail.com

Accountant 8 Years experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084

Required A/C Technicians, Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, Painters, General Helpers. Contact 94147874 / 24504281. Email : globalaccessunited@gmail.com

Male Accountant M.Com (finance & accounts) having 3 years experience in accounts looking for available job on visit visa. Contact: 94648575

MISCELLANEOUS Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers. Candidates with Omani driving license preferred. contact 99273774/99202278

Wanted driver. Contact: 91025698

SALES / MARKETING ENGINEER/MECHANIC. Required Hydraulic Mechanic. Contact 95251213

MANAGER Required urgently, experienced Supervisor, Graduate with oil & gas experience as Site Supervisor with valid D/L. Contact: 94027279 Email: hrmuscat2016@gmail.com

MEDICAL Urgently required female Staff Nurse (two) with or without M.O.H license, good package. Contact after 5:00 P.M on Mobile: 99253650 or send C.V on dr.kamalsaqib@ yahoo.com Wanted B-Pharmacist (lady) for Sohar. Contact 99767605 Urgently required MOH licensed Lab technician, Dietitian and Nurse for a reputed center at Azaiba. Please contact: 92724345 / 91960401

Required experienced Estimation Executives, Sales Engineers / Sales Executives, with Local release for Reputed Electrical Trading Company.

Interested please send detailed CV to: mctjobvacancy@gmail.com Salesman for a printing press.

Contact: 99498949 Required Salesman cum driver for spare parts shop in Ghala. Contact: 99410172 A leading management consulting firm in Muscat requires specialist in Qualitative & Quantitative Market / Consumer research to lead the division. Kindly send your resumes to advance@omatel. net.om or Fax us at +968-24792175 Looking for Salesman with experience in vegetable and fruits sales, good conduct, fluent in English.

Should have driving license. Email CV on: info@eigllcoman.com Contact - 96339339

Urgently required Pharmacist & MOH licensed female Dentist for a reputed polyclinic. Send CV : manageribnalhaitham@yahoo.com or contact 96721709.

A Leading company selling printing consumables looking for Sales Executive. Preferred candidate with experience in selling digital wide format printing consumables & offset printing consumables and with Omani driving license. Send CV to hrgmuscat@gmail.com

Required Gynecologist, Lab technician, X Ray technician. contact 99030773 Email: kunoozghala@ gmail.com

Required indoor Salesman for building material shop with 3 years.

Contact: 96374344 Email: sandeepvalapad@gmail.com

Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq. contact 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@ gmail.com

Urgently required Sales Executives, Operations Executive import & export, for a reputed freight forwarding company in Muscat candidates with Oman D/L and minimum 2 yrs experience in similar field preferred. Interested candidates may send C.V to r ecruitment.oman@yahoo.com

Wanted Staff Nurse for a dermatology clinic in Muscat .

Must have MOH license and NOC. Attractive salary offered. Email: clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with Dataflow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934

Indian male well experienced in Accounts ERP, TALLY 9 & Admin NOC available looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 92650835

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Part time Accountant up to finalization. Contact: 91126314

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

ADMIN

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, 5 yrs Oman, 12 Yrs UAE experience in Manufacturing & construction companies Valid D/L Immediately available. Email: Irfan_syed2000@hotmail.com, Call: 95389018

A young dynamic post graduate with 2 years work experience in business operations looking for suitable placement. Contact 98564880 or maccmuscat@gmail. com

22 years B.Com with 1 year exp in accounting, auditing with good working knowledge in Tally ERP-9 looking for a suitable placement now on visit visa. Contact: 97189500

Indian male, 25, 4+ years of experience as an Office Administrator looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 92600859 Email: sm24blue@gmail.com

Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience ready to join immediately. Contact: 98263394

Teacher female 27 yrs, MCA 5 yrs experience in teaching in India currently on visit visa seeking for a suitable placement. Contact: 96709509 Email: viyannifd@gmail.com

CMA & CIA qualified finance professional with 13 years of me experience in FMCG industries as well as various other industries available for immediate permanent job openings. #94543660

Male CA finalist B.Com having 5 years experience with big four audit firms looking for suitable job on visit. Contact: 92230543 Email: m.naveednaseer@gmail.com BBA finance experience 2 years Assistant accountant 24 years, 2 years stay visa. Contact: 93150918 Indian male: B.Com. with 4 years experience in Tally ERP Accounts, Ready to join immediately for Accounts, Store & Sales. Contact: 94813962, Email:rajeshkumawat166@gmail.com Jordanian Senior Accountant 15 yrs experience in Oman finance & accounts. Contact : 92881223 CA finalist Indian with 7 years experience having D/L & NOC looking for Senior Accountant / Chief Accountant position. #98097009 Email: rameesnm@gmail.com ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance. contact 99284193 Fresher 24, ACCA Affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or Audit with Oman driving license. #- 92430152 Email - raju.rd619@ gmail.com Indian, Executive with 5+ years experience in HSBC etc, done with MBA, M.Com, DMM, M. Phil seeks a suitable position. Contact: 90369540 Email: abilashraji@gmail. com

ACCA finalist with 2 years of experience in a Construction Company as an Accountant in United Kingdom here on visit visa for 3 weeks from 12 April - 3 May. Contact: 99171627

Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement. contact 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com

Part time accountant, up to finalization, looking for job after 5 pm (location prefer - MSQ to Al Hail). #95694737

Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately. contact 98263394

Accountant available with NOC, plus 10 years experience up to finalization of Accounts on Tally ERP9, ready to join immediately. #97667273 Email: babujashid@ gmail.com

10 yrs of Oman experience capable of handling large accounts, looking for suitable placement in senior sales / business development position. Contact : 98987654

MBA finance from Pakistan with 4 years experience in Accounts & finance department currently in Muscat on family visit visa, 27 yrs.

Contact: 90590037 Email: numanaslamcfo@gmail.com, nouman_aslam2006@yahoo.com

ADMIN

ACCA Qualified, 26 female with 3 years work experience looking for suitable position in Accounting / finance. Contact: 91322423 Filipino Male, 24 Years Old.. looking for job, have experience in Cargo & Logistics/ Rent a Car/ Real Estate/ Finance & Accounts/ customer service and as Travel Agent. Hard working and with good computer and communication skills having Omani driving license. GSM: 95370052 Indian male 26 years B.Com, having 4 years experience in Accounts with valid driving license & NOC available on visit visa looking for suitable job in Accounts. Contact 90311936 Indian male 25, 4 years experience & Arabic speaking with D/L seeking suitable opportunity interested in Sales & Marketing also. Contact: 91266733 Email: safvank.k9@gmail. com MBA Finance Indian male, Fresher seeking opportunity in financial sector. Immediately available. Contact 93990638 sachu0318@gmail.com Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job. contact 93953613 , Email allen.mathew83@ gmail.com

Driver 3/6 years experience, I have 2 years experience out door sales man in led light, Pakistani, Oman experience 6 years. Contact: 94565993 / 92627855

Family driver available. contact

Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817 Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288 Indian male, MBA with 3 years GCC experience seeks job in Muscat. Posses Valid Oman D/L. Currently under visit visa and can join immediately.

E mail : tssavad@gmail.com contact: 00968 98896847

ARCHITECT Part-time Accounting up to finalization, Auditing, Taxation and Project Finance assistance - 91044655

DRIVER

Architect exp.7 years, 4 years in

GCC Architectural design interior sites 3D Max AutoCAD, Photoshop.

Contact: 93238813 Email: mohammedbardab@gmail.com

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Supervisor / Cad Draftsman with Oman light driving license 10 years experience in carpentry field. Contact: 95962384 Piping designer with 14 years experience working with PDO, OXY for 10 years NOC available. Contact: 92582356

Revit autocad d/man , diploma cert attsd. exp salary 200-acco. ph: 9227 9784

Indian male – MBA (HR) & Engineering graduation with total 10 years of experience in HR & Admin ( 3 yrs of Oman Exp.) along with hands on experience in technical bid submission for all Government & PDO tenders ready to join immediately with NOC. # 91240251/ Email; kvaradhan@hotmail.com

Electrical Engineer having 8 years experience in Gulf seeking suitable placement can join immediately, have knowledge all kind of MEP project. Contact: 96535204 Indian male 22, Chemical Engineer residing in Oman looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92379181 Civil Engineer, 6 yrs experience with Omani driving license, local release available. #91693008 An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available.

Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com HSE officer, Indian male 27, 1.5 years exp call: 90649152, 98205818 Indian Mechanical Engineer (B.tech)23. With qualification in Qa-QC,HVAC and Piping.1 year experience. Ready to join immediately.

Contact: 92365040 Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Building Site Supervisor since 2010 in Oman with Omani D/L looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91507828

Electrical Engineer 6 years experience in Oman experience in MEDC / projects valid D/L. Contact: 91249329

DRIVER Light duty driver 4 years Oman exp seeks placement. Contact: 98726383

Driver, exp 1.5 years, Language English, Arabic & Urdu, license light. Contact: 96011572 / 94484181 Experience driver looking for job.

Contact: 95113612

Light vehicle driver with 5 years exp looking for job. Contact: 92171166

B.Tech Mechanical Engineer, on visit visa looking for job, who has done certification courses in quality control, basic pipeline engineering, ASNT NDT Level II, also good knowledge in HVAC. Contact:94743373 email:akasharavind1@gmail.com B.E Mechanical Engineer, 24, one year experience as Production Shift Engineer, achieved training on HVAC Engineering design and has good hands on software like AutoCAD and HAP, presently in Oman on visit visa, looking for a suitable placement. Contact:95065955 Email: mjs. jazeb@gmail.com

Driver want job. #95892363

8 years experience in Oman. Con-

ence in Administrator jobs available for immediate placement. Contact : 94662712 / 94770990

Light duty driver, 3 yrs Oman ex-

Light driver Pakistani wanted job.

Mechanical Engineer (B Tech) Indian male with 1 year experience on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact : 90510800, Email : muhammedjaseem07@gmail.com

tact: 95587206

perience seeks placement. Contact: 91362475

Light driver looking for job 4 yrs Exp in Oman. Contact :92681457 Driver with Oman experience 11 yrs available. Contact: 92374955

Pakistani looking for driving job with 3 yrs experience. Contact: 95776320

Light Duty Driver seeks job. Contact: 94182497

Bangladeshi male light driver exp 16 years need job. Contact: 99165961

Light Duty Driver with 2 yrs exp. in B.Com 3 years business process outsourcing. Contact: 94657273

Indian female 23 years Engineering Electronics and communications, well knowledge in C and JAVA, presently in Muscat seeking suitable placement. Contact: 90320846 Email: kavyahiremath499@gmail. com

Revit, Autocad D/man, expected

Jordanian Graduate with experi-

UAE/UK/Oman Experienced Graduate Male33 seeking administration Job. Diplomas in IT & Finance too.

Driving licenseTel:94496642

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Mechanical Engineer is looking for a job vacancy Graduate of Malaysia, 7 years of work experience in oil & Gas fluent in both Arabic & English.

Contact: 95569430

Contact: 94182695

Indian female (MBA/CIPD), having more than 6 years of experience, working in Oman as HR Manager looking for job. Contact hrjoboman@ gmail.com 97288278.

Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement.

Contact : 99739415 / 92091528

Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman. Please contact 96489798, (+974) 66653780.

Indian female with nearly 10 years experience in administration & HR, seeking for a suitable placement.

NOC available. Contact: 99242841

HR Manager (Indian Male – 41 Yrs) PG in HR, working for MNC having 12 years of experience in Oman.

Handling SAP-HR, Talent Acquisition, IR, Payroll, Visas & allied administration. Holding Valid Omani D/L & car. Seeks suitable placement.

Contact 96792103

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD

salary 200 OMR PH :92279784

Indian, 20 years experience in Oman as personal assistant / office manager / administrator seeks change of job with release 99168054, mbkishore@hotmail.com

92943094

Muscat seeks placement. Contact: 91659265

Electrical and Electronics Engineer looking for a job & interested in any available role Nationality Sudanese have valid visa for 2 years.

Contact 97304565 Graduation, tool and die engineering & tool designer, have two and half years experience in pess tool and moulding , I know CAD, CATIA , PRO-E software’s now in Oman.

Contact: 95287978 Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in Indian (MRF Tyres) holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Electrical Engineer (B.E) 8+ yrs experience, NOC & release available with valid D/L. Contact 968 94374735

T H U R S DAY, A P R I L 1 4 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED Indian male, 25 yrs, Accountant, 2.5 yrs in Finance & Accounts, MBA Finance & HR, exposure in SAP, Tally, ERP 9 on visit visa.

Contact 96715420 / 91265020, Email : jijosrgo@gmail.com, simonjosephjc@gmail.com

Sales & Marketing specialist with 16 yrs experience in Oman in MNC retails telecom lubes construction related industry handled various projects, holding valid Oman driving license, release available.

Contact 96960991

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Mechanical Engineer with 15 yrs Exp in steel fabrication, quality, design, material estimation, sales engineering. Contact: 97093241, Email: abdelmuhssin@gmail.com Diploma in Civil Engineer having 8 years experience in Oman with driving license, internal release available urgently. Contact: 95387537 / 90524700 M.Tech Mechanical Engineer from NIT, India with 1 year experience on visiting visa, ready to join immediately. Contact: 99742424 Email: viginmalakaran@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech) Indian male 24 yrs having 1+ year experience in Industrial construction with good communication skills and software knowledge, looking for suitable position available on visit visa. Contact: 968 - 99779538 / 98694939 Email: arunsathyan92@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Structure Engineer 3 years looking for job in reputable company AutoCAD, Etabs, Staad Pro Omani driving license available.

Contact: 97906770 Engineer with 4 years experience in Oman in telecom operations looking for a suitable opportunity have valid driving license interested in marketing also. Contact: 98513495 Civil Engineer, bachelor degree driving license & experience in Oman.

Contact: 91102892 B.Tech Civil Engineer 7 yrs exp having valid Oman driving license need suitable replacement. #98052924 Email: imdadulsayor@gmail.com 25 yrs, male, B.Tech Electronic & Communication Electrical design Engineer, 2+ years in Multinational company industrial automation course + Electronic AutoCAD looking for suitable placement. #99586317 Email: info.anishantony@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, Indian male 24 years, BE (Electrical & Electronics) having 3 years of experience, seeking for suitable placement. #91917369 Road Engineer 10 years experience in Oman. Contact: 91274706 Civil Engineer 14 years of experience 8 years at GCC at Dar Al Handasah Consultant, Al Raghi Construction building & infrastructure culverts, bridges & road. #93068195 Email: hamadamans2007@yahoo.com Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available. contact 96789711 Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).Looking for a Suitable position. Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa. contact 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Male QC inspector Mechanical, NDT 20 years experience valid Oman D/L , release available. conrtact 91001104 Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+Diploma Safety+NEBOSH+OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement, Mob:97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com Indian female Quantity Surveyor Civil 11 years experience, local release available NOC.#95719108 Email: jishashibunair@gmail.com Engineer Civil & M. Arch (RED) Indian (F) 25 yrs, B.Tech (Civil), now pursuing M. Arch - RED (Real Estate Development final semester thesis) completing

by June 2016, now available till 15th of April on visit visa seeks suitable placement in Oman. Contact: 968- 92743004 Email: tina.navya199ann@gmail.com

Structural Engineer, ME, with 2 yrs exp proficient in ETABS, STAD, SAFE & Prokon, seeks job.

Contact: 050-9984535 NDT / QA / QC Supervisor / Radiographer DAE Mechanical pipingvessel LPG Bozer Storage tank inspection experience 10 years. #96954202 Email: nasirarain86@ yahoo.com Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 ph : 9227 9784 BE Mechanical Engineer, 6 years experience in piping & structural work release available. Contact: 96115463 Email: jijoraju085@yahoo.com B. Sc Civil Engineer 27 yrs, Oman experience as Project Manager, Structural Engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC / local transfer available. Contact : 99349578 Email: farooqatm@hotmail.com Indian male B-tech 8 years experience as senior electrical project engineer / QC engineer on visit visa seeks suitable placement. contact 94094543 Email: anwar425@gmail.com Indian female Project Engineer 15 yrs experience in Project Management Quality database management data analytics marketing business development haying Omani driving license seeks suitable placement presently on family visa having Omani experience. Contact : 95783792 Indian female (M. Tech, Power system) having Gulf experience seeking suitable placement in Oman currently in family visa. Contact: 94306164 / 91001194 An Electrical engineer with 4+ yrs of experience in Electrical network (MT, LT) with professional computer skills seeking for work.

Contact: 99841736 / 93955381/ +149922698343 Email: e.kmmh@hotmail.com Civil Engineer 6 years experience.

Contact: 90183630 Sudanese Mechanical Engineer 2 years experience, fire fighting HVAC on visiting visa. Contact : 95630047 Procurement Engineer (27 years single male with Oman Driving License) having 7 years experience (UAE 2, Oman 3) with expertise in MEP, Water, Electromechanical, Instrumentation seeking suitable placements. Contact 95852033, mail: hemal1988@gmail.com Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. contact:98921022 Electrical & electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit. PH:93837973 Sr. Electrical Engineer with17+ yrs of exceptional exp in spear heading strategic planning and project management initiatives & executing various high rise residential & commercial building as well as roads and highway project with proficiency in installation, seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization. #96570891 Network Engineer CCNA-MCSA exp computer science with NOC. Contact : 92346191

IT INDIAN FEMALE, 23 years, BSCCS Diploma in IAD graphics, well knowledge in computer applications 6 months experience presently in Sohar seeking suitable placement. Contact: 96670907.

Email: ammuch.4@gmail.com B.Tech (IT) experience in Networking server & desktop management in corporate environment looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92954613 Indian male 25 yrs B.Sc Computers Science, 3 yrs work experience in Computer hardware & networking & CCTV, security system looking for job (NOC) available. Contact: 93243372 Indian male, B. Sc Computer Science, CCNA, MCP, 8 years exp. in system & networking now on visit visa, seeking suitable position. Contact: 91751472, rajeshr131@gmail.com

Indian male, MCA (Post Graduate) fresher

seeking suitable placement anywhere in Oman, now on visit visa.

Contact 92319677, Email : ismabsc@gmail.com

An experienced Chartered Accountant with over 25 years in varied industries, presently working with a reputed group in Muscat, looking out for a suitable change.

96491030

IT

SALES / MARKETING

Omani 26 (M) Seeks placement 6 yrs experience IT specialist. #99025044

Indian male 32 B.Com and 7 years exp in Sales & marketing (Oman) seeking for suitable placement with valid D/L & release. Contact : 99164461 Email: mskooliyil@gmail.com

IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India. contact 94672759 Female 24 yrs, 3 years in IT programmer now in Oman looking for suitable job. Contact: 96350234 INDIAN FEMALE COMPLETED M.C.A seeking for suitable jobs. Contact: 91409481 / 97308719

MANAGER Purchase/Planning & Logistics Manager, MBA (Finance), 14yrs. Oman Exp. with D/L, NOC available, looking for suitable position. Contact : 93826090, jskanchan01@gmail.com Egyptian male 36 years Warehouse Manager, 7 years in Sultanate of Oman, 1 year in UAE, and 3 years in Egypt. Contact: +968 97200468 Email: ayman_mano1979@yahoo.com General/Divisional Manager MEP & Civil, MBA Operation, BE Electrical, 10 years experience in Oman & 10 years in India. Valid DL, release available. GSM. 92447102

MISCELLANEOUS BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com

MEDICAL Female Indian MOH licensed dentist looking out for job opportunities in Nizwa. Has 14 yrs experience as dentist after graduation.

Can be contacted on 93329964 Indian female (MSC – Microbiologist) seeking suitable job. contact 96791162 / 90618567

Male 13 yrs exp in Sales & Marketing looking for a post of Senior Sales Manager in Oman presently working in UAE in consumer appliances company, having D/L GCC. Interested can Contact: 00971 561096660 Email: saairavi@rediffmail.com Indian male 10 yrs experience in Sales, marketing manager field with D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact: 97205114

SKILLED/ UNSKILLED LABOUR Electrician with plumber and A/C tech, with D/L. Contact: 95600418 S.T.P Operator 20 years experience in Oman. Contact: 93089468

SALES / MARKETING Indian male, 5 yrs exp in marketing & trading (Oman), dealt with International companies & product also having good knowledge in logistic and Admin with D/L & car, NOC available.

Contact 93639385 Email: faizenqidwai@gmail.com 35 years male, Lebanese holding British passport, 10 years of experience in procurement, Omani Government tenders, setup marketing plans & strategies, importing, Organizing events, management, have car, NOC available. #94123939 Email: 002015r@gmail.com Indian male (25) MBA / MMS (Marketing) on visit visa valid UAE driving license exp 2 yrs sales / marketing. Contact: 98089262 Indian male, 29 years BSc, Graduate, with Omani driving license and 7 years of sales experience in home appliances, IT products, mobile and traffic safety equipments currently working on employment visa, NOC available seeking for suitable placement immediately. Contact: 97890607 Email: ashrafambar@ gmail.com BE (Mech) MBA (UK) 32 yrs male having 7 yrs exp in Oil & Gas product / project Marketing looking for suitable placement in GCC. Contact: + 968 91104381 26 yrs Indian male MBA Marketing Sales / Marketing Executive, 3 yrs experience now available in Muscat on visit visa seeking placement for immediate joining. Contact: 95978874 Email: ansariafsar550@ gmail.com

Female Dentist with MOH license and NOC, 7 years experience 2 yrs out of them in Oman looking for a job.

Contact 97401243 27 years old Indian male looking hospitality jobs in Hotel. Experience in customer service, front desk, housekeeping supervisor, captain, cashier,guest relation manager.

Contact. +968-90351742Email. samubaid6@gmail.com 27 yearsold Indianmale looking Jobs in documents Collection executive.

Experience in collection executive.

Contact. +968-90358068Email wasimsaif04@gmail.com Indian male, 26 years old BA Graduate having 1 year experience in accounts finance field. Looking for suitable Job On visit visa immediately available. Contact 9565 9415 Anishkhan991867@gmail. Com

5 yrs experience in software and 2 yr in administration/accountant, looking for any part time or work from home official jobs contact no: 91711326

ELECTRONICS ENGINEER Indian/male/24Yrs,Bsc.Electronics & Communications,ITI,1.7 Years experience as Service Technician in India.

On visit Visa, Looking For a Suitable Placement. Contact :92794176, Email:prathyushkp9@gmail.com

Sales Executive seeking suitable placement Oman driving license.

Contact 93533786

B.Tech, MBA currently working in India in Bank. Contact: +918939857146 Email: sebimathew87@gmail.com

Sudanese looking for a suitable job holds the safety and health of OSHA certificate and computer exp. in Sales & safety and health (HSE).#91318822

Accountant cum cashier available.

Contact: 98002428

Young Indian male 24 yrs having 4 yrs marketing & sales experience in Oman looking for suitable placement holding valid driving license. Contac: 96913806 Email: shuhaibrajesh@ gmail.com Indian male 37 years MBA graduate in marketing with 9yrs of experience in UAE in field of brand promotions & marketing with UAE D/L on a visit seeking suitable position. conatct 95792820 Indian male 40 yrs SSLC, PDC knows MS Office & Tally 1 year Oman experience in Accounts & 2 yrs marketing experience valid Oman D.L. NOC available seeks suitable placements in marketing. contact 92409891 Email: danomon@yahoo.co.in

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Indian Bsc Female Nurse with 6.5 years exp, 4 years in KSA. Passed Oman Pro Metric with 69%, completed data flow. Presently in Muscat in visit visa looking for a suitable placement. #94744900, 94742834, jincyalphonese@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Indian Male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin, Secretarial and purchase with good computer skills.

Holding Oman Driving license. Looking for suitable placement. contact 99709336 Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment. Call: 95244761

HOSPITALITY Indian male, 28 yrs B.Sc Hospitality Science with 5 yrs experience in Hospitality & banking Sectors in Oman & India seeks suitable placement, NOC available. #91383167

MISCELLANEOUS Tea boy looking for job Name: Man Bahadar Contact No. 97859837 Indian Female on a visit visa having master degree seeking suitable placement in any field, 1 ,5 year experience in HR .#+968 91467576.

Pharmacist M. Pharm working in Oman for 2 years with MOH license Data flow completed. #98399415 Pakistani male 23 years old experience in travel agency - ticketing looking for a suitable job, NOC available.

Contact: 93253759 Pakistani male having 7 years experience in General Salesman having valid D/L Looking for suitable placement. Contact: 97216830 Email: asim-samb5@yahoo.com Indian with 3 years for experience in sales and marketing fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam looking for suitable job. Also hold valid Driving License, currently in oman Mob : +968-93451439 HSE Engineer, Indian male, 4 Plus years exp. in Oil & Gas, Working in Shclumberger, NEBOSH, IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE. #krish.569@ gmail.com, Mobile- +91 9867016808 Indian male physiotherapist with 3 years of experience, with (moh license and NOC available. seeking suitable placement. contact 99767528, 91317863

Indian male 28 years B.com, MBA 4 yrs experience in accounts / finance currently in Oman on visit visa looking for suitable placement. Contact: 93460277 Email: shineraj786@gmail.com Having 10 years exp. in Admin & HR in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat and seeking for suitable placement. Contact No.: 97693456. email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com Indian Male 42 year’s, MBA, Sr. Material controller having 12 years experience in Oman with reputed companies. Having Oman driving License, Seeks suitable replacement immediately. Available NOC. Cont. 00968-92944026, Email – charanjeet35@yahoo.co.in NOC available, Indian Male - MBA (HR) and B.E (E.I.E) with total 9 years of experience in HR & Admin and Business Development (3 yrs of Gulf exp.) can join immediately - 91240251 / kvaradhan@hotmail.com M. Sc Computer Science – 2 year Experience – in India, looking suitable Placement. Email:-elvisgt6@ gmail.com, Mob:-+91 9497482305 (INDIA), Oman:-98291626.

Indian, 30 years, B. Com with 2 years Oman experience in Tally ERP-9 available in Muscat seeking suitable positions. # on 95186652 Indian male B.Tceh (ECE) MBA (HR) 2 years experience CCNA, CCNP, MCSE looking for suitable job , presently on employment visa release available. #95584814 Email: syedllizarat7@gmail.com Indian civil Engineer BE, with 16 years of Industry experience in design , Quantity surveying , billing looking for suitable job. #90302823 Email: prince.n@engineer.com ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN Indian/male/24Yrs,Bsc.Electronics & Comm, 1.7 Years experience as Service Engineer in India, On visit Visa, looking for a suitable placement. Contact : 92794176, Email:prathyushkp9@gmail.com B-tech Civil with honours, Civil Engineer (structures) Experience more than six years. #91431483. Email mohsinyousuf86@rediffmail.com HSE Engineer,Indian male, 4 Plus years experience in Oil & Gas .Working in Shclumberger NEBOSH, IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE. CONTACT-krish.569@ gmail.com #+91 9867016808

Electrical diploma Engineer Indian male 22 years, 2 years experience in control panel contact 93047707 adilm89@gmail.com

Indian male Network cabling technician ( 19-years gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact : 0091-8089909265 (India), Email: mohithavp@gmail.com

Indian male Physiotherapist with MOH license and NOC looking for suitable job. Contact: 92617235

14 years experienced light driver with valid Oman license looking for suitable job. Contact 99442481

Indian Male, 40 Years, B. Com, having 10 years experience in Oman, Tally &ERP- looking for suitable placement ( Local release and Oman driving license available.

Tel- 92469789

Indian Pediatric consultant, md with 20 years experience and wife gynecologist md with 15 years plus experience seeking opportunities with reputed hospitals in Muscat. deemaild@gmail.com

Indian Male 42 year’s, MBA, Sr. Material controller having 12 years experience in Oman with reputed companies. Having Oman driving License, Seeks suitable replacement immediately. Available NOC. Cont. 00968-92944026, Email – charanjeet35@yahoo.co.in

PROCUREMENT OFFICER, IndianMale 34yrs,M.Com with 14 yrs work Exp.(8 yrs in Oman) working in Construction Co LLC( for ROAD,CIVIL,ELECTRO-MECHANICAL & Others Projects ) and having valid LT D/L, NOC available & ready to join within a month-M:94064650,Email: nagauae@gmail.com

9 yrs exp Site Engineer in Civil & Shade Structure. 2d, 3d draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job. Contact : 93790601

ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN Indian/male/24Yrs,Bsc.Electronics & Comm,1.7 Years experience as Service Engineer in India. On visit Visa, Looking For a suitable placement. Contact : 92794176 E-mail:prathyushkp9@gmail.com

Indian male: 24 years, diploma in computer science and B.E(CSE) having experience in hardware and networking seeking for the suitable job. Contact: 91170912, Email id: sales2@witoman.com

LAND SURVEYOR: Male, more than 12 years’ experience in land/pipe line surveying in Oman and UAE. Looking for suitable placement.

NOC available. #91215843

Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement. #99514286

Indian male auto cad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience, seeking for part time job. mobile no: 0096899070584. email: remluvp@gmail.com

Marketing Communications Coordinator Indian, 25 years GCC experience in Media, Advertising & Marketing ATL + BTL branding. Contact: 93031168 Email: arn14256@gmail.com

ELECTRONICS ENGINEER Indian/ male/24Yrs,Bsc.Electronics & Communications,ITI,1.7 Years experience as Service Technician in India, on visit Visa, looking For a Suitable Placement. Contact :92794176 ,E-mail: prathyushkp9@ gmail.com

Civil Engineer (roads and structures) Education B. Tech Civil Engineering with honours experience more than six years.

Contact no 91431483 ,Email mohsinyousuf86@rediffmail.com

Indian, 32 years, passed M.A. English M.Sc Psychology, DHM & B.Ed in English with 4 years experience seeking for part time or full time job. Contact: 99869535 Email: sahadkeyi33@gmail.com Indian male Kerala, B.com & B.PE. Currently on visit visa, looking for a suitable job in Accounts, Store keeper etc. Ready to join as early as possible. Contact:-93301023, email:sajith3969@gmail.com

IT System Administrator 6 yrs experience, male, Filipino Desktop, Laptop and printer Support, Backup administrator, Router and switch Network, Server Administrator. +968 94134295 Female dentist with MOH license and NOC ready to join 7 years experience 2 of them in Oman. Contact 97401243

Indian male 6 years exp in different field, with valid Oman driving license. Languages known Hindi, English, looking for any job(Driver for executives). Contact 98696795 HSE Engineer,Indian male, 4 Plus years Experience in Oil & Gas .Working in Shclumberger.

NEBOSH,IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE, contact krish.569@gmail.com Mobile- +91 9867016808

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/CLASSES/COMP./WEB.

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi • Learn in two months • Satisfaction guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

IELTS PREPARATION Target Band 8.0

Classes for Spoken English TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / SAT Excellent Guidance and Coaching Satisfaction Guaranteed EAGLES INSTITUTE

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

92325542 | 93657915 | 93657917 | Email: engominst@gmail.com

Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. CONTACT 98294551

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

PALEST CONTROL TABA SERVICE LLC 100% Professional Aīordable Rate !!!

Ants, Rodent, & cleaning On monthly, Harmless & Odourless

CALL - 91464586 SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Experienced B.Com graduate + IATA Diploma holder looking for Accounts/Admin/Travels related job. Mob. 91142997. NOC available .

Indian male B.A degree & diploma in hotel management with 16 years experience as restaurant & catering manager in Oman & Saudi with V/L Oman D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact : 92100141 MBA Graduate (Indian male 26 years) having 2 years experience in Qatar as admin assistant looking for suitable placement. contact 93041141 Email: mahinmehboob@ gmail.com

FOR HIRE Grader, roller, bobcat, JCB 3CX, JCB 4CX with breaker & water tanker for rent. contact 93218705 / 24478450

WANTED IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area. Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up. Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

Indian Female living in Ghubra Muscat near Emirates Shopping Center. 20 years of experience in Teaching. Able to handle all subjects till grade 6. Need suitable job.

Contact- 94406552 PART TIME ACCOUNTANT available, well experienced in accounting up to finalization. knowledge in tally also. contact. 92643875 Chief Accountant 25 years experienced looking for part/ full time accountant job. Contact: 95598477 / 98803439 Indian male,16 years Oil & Gas experience ( Down Hole Tools ), 3 years in Oman, Dip. Mechanical Engineer, Having D/L and NOC. Email – jajisuni@yahoo.com, Mob : 965 956 18.

MANPOWER

Split A/C servicing R.O 10 only.

Contact: 94217681 /99210141 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

NRI

All MEP & Civil shop drawings.

Contact : 93070771 Email : designjob2014@gmail.com

CHANGE OF NAME

Indian female, MBA with 9 yrs of experience in finance & procurement currently on family visa looking for suitable position in finance & supply chain. Contact 95622568 Draughtsman, 15 years’ experience, Indian male currently in Oman looking for suitable position.

Gsm – 95358115, 96977289, Email : pillairp41@gmail.com

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Office boys, Cleaning Contracts, General cleaning etc.

Al Mudakhir National Est. LLC Contact : 94277020

New flats in prime location near Pushpagiri Medical College - Thiruvalla. #Abraham - Owner Tel 95919122.

1 B/R - 890 S.FT fully furnished flat at Best Western Quepem contact 97094797

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Store In-charge cum Logistic Manager in Muscat; searching better job.

Phone:91997605. email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail. com 8 plus years of experience in Events /Marketing Communication /conferences / Trainings / Media representation. Having UAE D/L. seeking Suitable Placement: Contact: 95792820. suheal.ma@ outlook.com

I Prasanth Valiyaparambil Surendran (holder of Indian passport No. G0062277) son of Surendran V. Gopalan having permanent residence in Valiyaparambil House, Mukkada PO, Ponthan Puzha, Kottayam Distt Pin 686544 (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in Al Wadi Al Kabir, PO Box 582, PC 117 (complete postal address in Oman) intend to change my name from Prasanth Valiyparambil Surendran (old name) to Davis (Given name) Prashant Valiyaparambil (sur name) (new name) for all practical purpose.

Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P. Box No. 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman. com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

Cleaning Services, Sofa, carpet shampoo old house or new house.

Contact: 92179395 Split & window A/c installation & maintenance specialist package & ducted units. Contact 98667326 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & antitermite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130 Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC contact 99344723

GOOD NEWS 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

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control building. Cleaning tiles / Marble polishing monthly/ Yearly contracts available.

Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C

CATERING SERVICES We do industrial catering service, Canteen / mess, 3 times packed meals and all types of catering events.

Contact: 92188777 / 99249899 House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC #99344723

Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. contact 96236476

House shifting. contact 99708138

Split & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance.#93769089 / 95323517

CAD drawings Archi/ MEP CAD – comply BIM. Contact: 91233975

Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. # 93769089 / 95323517

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. contact 24793614/ 99314807

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing.

Ocean center LLC.#99344723

A/C maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing. #99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 /94285064

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

KTT&CO LLC Customs Clearance thru Bayan System ( AIR & SEA CARGO) Freight Forwarding (both import & export) by giving best freight rates to Customers. Road Transportation, Delivery of all types of goods (within Oman). Contact : Tel : 24713288 & 24711071 ; GSM : (99597129 (MR. KISHORE

TOURS

TOURS

Moon Travel L.L.C

Saudi Arabian Government approved agent

Umrah Package by Road & Air Bus Departures- Apr 19, May 03, 17 & 31.2016 Ramadan Schedule - Jun 06, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 & 30.2016 Contact: Tariq Al Balushi - 99218069 Ahmed Maseehuddin - 99353611, Oĸce: 24790746/24706217 Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTED BUSINESS Investment Required Minimum OMR 500,000 to transfer 5 Excavators big + 5 Tippers 2015 Astra, working on good profitable Excavation projects. Assured income 36 %.

98867530 / 99120532 engrfaheem@hotmail.com

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR 25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. #99839898

MV SALE GMC Sierra 4-Door Pick-up 2010 Model, 177,000 Kms - RO.8,000/-.

Contact: 92564199 Toyota Corolla 1.6 cc automatic selling. Contact: 98504279 Hyundai Veracruz 2011 model for sale, 4 WD color black 7 seater with engine capacity 3775CC, automatic – Steptronic with GPS. Contact 97203784

TRANSPORTATION Transportation available on rent 10 ton Hiap Trailers. #94207475 / 95649231/ 97982842 Pick and Drop Al Khuwair to Rusayl# 96733572 / 91287470

Transportation required from Qurum to WadiKabir at afternoon only 1 PM. Contact 99012165

BUYING Transportation. contact 94087276

Transportation. #99508282 Transportation. contact 92015894 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

Nissan Sunny, White, 1.6, Automatic 2010, 76,750 KM, excellent condition, regular service at Nissan Service center for RO 2300 contact – 96530052

BUYING Bobcat available for rent. contact 97623299

Buying cars for cash.contact 90202090

ACC WANTED Looking for a villa in Amerat area.

Contact : 95405033

RENT A CAR Best Rates for Saloon Contact: 97869042 / 95730550 sales@modernreem.com

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DAILY GUIDE

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

SITUATION WANTED DINING DELIGHTS

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624