Times of Oman - August 14, 2016

SUNDAY

August 14, 2016 10 Dhul Qa’ada 1437 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the 11th National Day, 1981

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ We call upon all our brother Arabs to cast aside their differences and to work together, utilising all their resources, to serve the common cause.

Founded 1975 . Volu Volume ume 41 um 41 No. No. 146 | 44 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

CABLE

HM sends greetings

18 die on road in 2 weeks as drivers ignore warnings

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to President Mamnoon Hussain of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on his country’s Independence Day anniversary.

In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere greetings and wishes of good health and happiness to the President Mamnoon Hussain and his country’s people further progress and prosperity. —ONA

With so many fatalities in accidents recently, safety experts in the Sultanate have urged motorists to follow the traffic rules and thus help save precious lives on roads

INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

REJIMON K, reji@timesofoman.com

Omanis scale Mount Kilimanjaro

MUSCAT: Motorists are failing to heed warnings after the Sultanate witnessed 18 deaths on the roads in just a few weeks, safety campaigners say.

Eleven Omanis, including mechanical engi“It’s both saddening and frustrating to see that so many neers, educational consultants, students, and people have lost their lives in road traffic incidents. The computer programmers, set aside their profesnumber of people dying in single incidents is shocking sional obligations for a few days and scaled Mount and suggestive of the fact that the wearing of seat belts, Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.>A5 adhering to the speed limit and appropriate overtaking are being ignored,” Mark Pudwell, Business Development and Training Manager at Competence HR LLC and a safety expert, told Times of Oman.

In the latest in a series of death crashes, in Adam yesterday, five more Omanis were killed in a road accident.

At least 10 children were killed and 21 injured in northern According to a Royal Oman Police official, Yemen on Saturday, aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres three vehicles were involved in the accident. said, in what the country’s dominant Houthi group said was “Five lost their lives and six are admitted to a Saudi-led air strike on a school. The tragedy occurred as Yemen’s hospital with injuries,” the official added. parliament convened for the first time in almost two years, in a move On July 31, five people, including two that bolsters the Houthi movement. >A7 police officers, were killed in a horror smash in Al Khoud by a ‘drunk’ driver, on August 1, two Emiratis, a son and father, died in a Haima crash.

On August 2, an Indian salesman lost his life in an accident near Sur, and on August 9, four Omanis and Oman’s Olympic sprinter Barakat Al Harthi is out of the Rio games an Ethiopian housemaid were after a qualifying heat time that failed to land him a place in the finals. killed in an accident in Haima.

Barakat recorded 10.22 and finished third in the heat six qualifying sprint According to Pudwell, the in the Men’s 100m event at the Rio Olympics. Although he put up an excellent most important tool in the show against the likes of Jamaica’s Yohan Blake, who finished first in the same box for any driver is common heat with a time of 10.11, Barakat couldn’t qualify for the next stage. >C1

1

REGION

10 children killed, 21 injured in air strike

2

SPORTS

Rio dream ends for sprinter Barakat Al Harthi

3

BANKING ON NEW RULES: Safety experts hope the new traffic law which will come into force on September 1, can somehow help in the reduction of violations.

sense and sadly that is often forgotten. Neelesh Sogani, another road safety expert in Oman, said every single life is important and nonreplaceable for the families and dependents.

“The new law, which will come into force on September 1, can somehow help in the reduction of violations but it cannot achieve goal zero until the individuals recognise the importance of following rules. The habit and culture of playing with rules and ignorance do not go away,” Neelesh said.

This year in June, 72 people were killed in road accidents and the number was 54 in May

and 50 in April. July statistics are not yet available. Since the beginning of 2016 until the end of June a total of 2,100 accidents took place which left 336 people dead. During the same period in 2015, the number of deaths was only 310.

That translates to two deaths per day, according to data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). The number of deaths has increased by 8.4 per cent.

Omani deaths registered a 4.3 per cent rise with 219 recorded while expatriate deaths due to road accidents rose by 17 per cent with 117 during the first half of this year. >A5

G E N E R A L F E D E R AT I O N O F O M A N T R A D E U N I O N

Omani explorers discover new caves

Expats being fired on oil price pretext TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Expats are being let go by some companies on the pretext of low oil prices, said a board member of the General Federation of Oman Trade Union (GFO-

A6 SAFE INVESTMENT

Residents’ demand fuels Oman gold import bill to OMR325m REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman spent more than OMR300 million in 2015 to feed expats’ craving for the yellow metal in 2015, according to latest data.

Expatriates tend to buy gold while returning to their countries of origin to benefit from the price difference, jewellers say, adding the dip in global prices and people’s trust in the yellow metal have led to a boom in sales in 2015 and surge in its imports.

A latest report from National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) revealed that in 2015, Oman imported 1,500 tonnes of jewellery, including natural and artificial pearls, precious stones, semiprecious stones, precious metals, normal-coated metals, traditional jewellery and coins.

“The value of such jewellery items stood at OMR324.90 million and the Sultanate’s imports of such items surged by 88.2 per cent,

compared with 2014 (300 tonnes worth of OMR172.6 million),” NCSI’s data revealed.

Najeeb K, regional head, Malabar Gold & Diamonds in Oman, said expatriates buying gold while returning home to take advantage of the price difference can be seen as one of the main reasons for the sales surge, which has prompted the import numbers to go up.

Gold coins “Expatriates returning home for good are buying gold coins and biscuits, rather than transferring the money through banks, as when

Eight pages special supplement on Pakistan Independence Day with this edition

they resell it in their home country; they can save a good amount.

In India, gold from here (bought in Oman) is valued well due to its quality and purity.

Moreover, it’s cheaper here too,” Najeeb said, adding that they are going to open a few more showrooms in Oman as they see potential in Oman.

Basheer Ahmed, Middle East director of Dubai Gold, said customers can save INR150 (OMR0.863) for 1 gram of gold bought from Oman, when compared with the same quantity purchased in India.

“When expatriates (Indians, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis) return home for good from Oman, they purchase gold up to the maximum limit they can carry while flying, and they save a good amount of money. This has prompted a sales surge, which will eventually boost imports,” Ahmed said, adding that he feels confident about the Oman market and his firm is working on expansion plans in Oman.

TU). As the year progresses, many companies are losing business, but more importantly staff retention is not being widely practiced as many skilled workers are being forced to leave and return almost empty handed to their homes, while many Omani job seekers in the market are also not getting the chances they deserve. >A4

MORNING MINUTE

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

OMAN

63,163

was the number of cases filed with the primary courts in Muscat Governorate in 2015 of which the courts issued judgments in 49,366.

N C S I D ATA

66 per cent of cases filed disposed by courts in 2015 MUSCAT: Courts in Oman have delivered judgements in 66 per cent of the cases filed before them in 2015, according to the latest data available.

Statistics issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) said that the courts in Oman have issued judgments in 66 per cent of the cases filed before them in 2015.

Seventy-four per cent of judgments issued by the primary courts were final whereas the appeal courts settled 75 per cent of the appeals they received during the year.

Public Prosecution settled 95 per cent of the cases submitted during the same year.

The number of cases filed with the primary courts in Muscat Governorate stood at 63,163 of which the courts issued judgments in 49,366.

The judgments on reconciliations issued by the primary courts amounted to 2,620.

A majority of cases filed with the primary courts during the year pertained to the Civil Department ( 21,041 cases) followed by the Penal Department ( 18,973 cases) and Commercial Department ( 11,227 cases).

The Sharia Department received 6,326 cases of which it

HIGH RATE: Public Prosecution settled 95 per cent of the cases

submitted during the year 2015. – File photo

delivered judgments in 4,944.

The Labour Department received 5,596 cases.

The cases filed by the government departments stood at 1,180, a majority of which were filed with the Penal Department followed by the Civil Department, the Commercial Department, the Sharia courts and the Labour Department, respectively.

The number of cases received by the Appeals Courts stood at 25,718, a majority of which were filed with the Penal Department followed by the Civil Department and the Commercial Department, respectively.

The Labour Department of the

Appeals Courts received 2,440 cases of which the judgments were delivered in 1, 735 cases.

The cases filed with the Sharia Department of the Appeals Courts stood at 1,673 cases.

The public prosecution received 36,096 cases of misdemeanor followed by 2,492 cases of felony, traffic misdemeanor (1,236 ), traffic felony ( 768 cases) and other cases (476).

The Reconciliation Committees received 18,773 applications for reconciliation, a majority of which related to civil cases (8,172) followed by commercial cases 7,848 and personal cases of 2,753 . —ONA

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OMAN

Move to protect Indian women in jobs abroad gets union thumbs up In a bid to tackle the exploitation of Indian

Any measures which defeat the abuse of domestic workers by shady recruitment agencies is a good thing

female workers, at least six approved manpower agencies have been listed by the government of India, and the Indian ambassador to Oman has confirmed that

Sharan Burrow

they are working

General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation

with the Sultanate to implement the new rules

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: India’s move to protect its female migrant workers is a good thing, the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC’s) General Secretary said.

“Any measures which defeat the abuse of domestic workers by shady recruitment agencies is a good thing,” Sharan Burrow, ITUC general secretary, told the Times of Oman.

Last week, the Indian government had announced that every Indian female, who wants to work in Oman, must obtain a job offer via a government approved agency.

In a bid to tackle the exploitation of Indian female workers, at least six approved manpower agencies have been listed by the government of India, and the Indian ambassador to Oman has confirmed that they are working with the Sultanate to implement

the new rules. The new ruling became effective immediately after being approved by the Indian Parliament on August 3.

The new rule is being considered a bold move, aimed at cutting down on the number Indian women being exploited or conned into jobs in the Gulf region, via backstreet employment agencies.

“When combined with the promise of legislated rights and a tri-partite labour court, we hope to see real reform,” Burrow remarked.

Last September, the ITUC chief had urged the Oman government to set up labour courts to settle worker-employer disputes exclusively.

According to the new move, women seeking a job in Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries, including Oman, will now have to migrate only through government recruitment agencies.

In an answer to a query raised in the Indian Parliament on August 3, VK Singh, the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, said the government’s attention has been drawn from time to time to the issue of exploitation of female workers leaving for employment in the Gulf countries.

India’s Emigration Act, 1983, provides that no citizen of India shall migrate, unless he obtains emigration clearance from Protector of Emigrants and currently 17 countries, including all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, have been categorised as Emigration Check Required (ECR) countries.

Confirming the decision, Indra Mani Pandey, the Indian ambassador to Oman, had said that all Indian women seeking jobs in ECR countries have to migrate through government agencies.

List shared “We have shared the list of agencies with the government of Oman. We will work together with the Oman government for a smooth implementation of the decision,” the Indian ambassador said. Recently, a number of exploitation cases concerning women, who have not migrated to Oman through proper channels, have been reported.

Currently, there are 38,806 Indian women working in the Sultanate, according to Oman’s National Centre of Statistics and Information’s data released in July.

An official from the Oman Hu-

AV I AT I O N

Weather continues to disrupt flights to Khasab Airport the airfield, both Northern and Southern approaches can experience severe turbulence. Extreme caution should be used in these conditions,” explained Captain Moosa Al Shidhani, vice president of Flight Operations, as the reasons for diverting flights back to Muscat.

SYED HAITHAM HASAN

haitham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman Air flights to Musandam are often forced to retreat to the Muscat International Airport due to unfavourable landing conditions at the Khasab Airport.

Individual customer complaints suggested that there are frequent issues with flights from Muscat to Khasab, a popular tourist destination for residents of Muscat.

Several customers complained of a tiring weekend instead of a relaxing one when their flight returned to Muscat without descending on the Khasab landing strip.

The issue, however, cannot be attributed to Oman Air’s shortcomings, but to weather conditions in Khasab, which prevent flights from making a safe landing on the strip.

“The flight had to return as there was a lot of wind in Khasab, which made it impossible for the flight to land,” said Assad Abdullah, who travelled by Oman Air. “Even ferries are unable to make it to Musandam due to the weather and the only way to access the place is by road.”

He also said that the return procedure is simple and after the plane lands back in Muscat, passengers pass through security, and are able to collect their baggage without any hurdles. However, a few passengers reported the lack of information amongst the staff members in handling the situation and that they are not informed clearly after the return landing.

An Oman Air said in a statement that its priority is the safety and well being of the passengers and the decision to land lies with its professional pilots.

“Special consideration when

The issue, however, cannot be attributed to Oman Air’s shortcomings, but to weather conditions in Khasab, which prevent flights from making a safe landing on the strip

operating in the Khasab Airfield is necessary because the Aerodrome is located on a high terrain.

The presence of strong winds gives rise to severe turbulence and there is a high probability of wind shear encounters. With a South West wind, conditions in the bay to the North will be rough.

Despite negligible turbulence in

Sudden weather change The statement also said passengers would be informed about the weather conditions before the flights, which could become unfavourable and could lead to cancellation of the flight. However, there is not much that can be done if conditions change during the course of the flight.

The passengers would be offered meals and accommodation if required and their flight would be rescheduled along with the possibility of a refund.

With no control over weather conditions in Khasab, Oman Air has considered various options, including adopting Ras Al Khaima as an alternative route, but visa-related issues have rendered this impractical. Cancellation of services to Musandam has also been ruled out as it deprives visitors of the experience of seeing the immense beauty of the nature in this part of Oman.

Oman Air has been operating flights to Khasab for many years.

Currently, they are two flights a day during the weekdays and one flight a day during weekends, summing up the number of flights a month to around 50.

According to the data provided

by Oman Air, out of these flights, nearly 10 to 20 per cent have been cancelled during the months of June and July this year, while less than 10 per cent of them were affected during May.

A3

man Rights Council (OHRC) said they believe it is crucial that countries sending and employing female expatriate workers come up with a clear framework, which ensures the protection of those leaving their countries of origin to work elsewhere.

According to the Indian government’s data, 84,981 Indians migrated to Oman in 2015 and 37,643 migrated during the first six months of this year.

In March 2015, the Indian government had implemented a digital system of Emigration Clearance (EC) called e-Migrate, in which the data of all emigrants holding Emigration Check Required (ECR) passports, and emigrating for overseas employment to ECR countries is captured.

In February 2015, the Indian government had launched an online Consular Grievances Management System named MADAD, to extend a helping hand to Indians abroad, who require consular assistance and to redress their grievances. According to the latest data, 11,160 complaints have been registered through the portal, of which 51 per cent (5,709) were reported from GCC countries.

H E A LT H

School canteen food specifications okayed MUSCAT: Specifications for canteens serving food to school students have been certified.

The Directorate general of Specifications and Measurements at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has certified the Gulf specification ( GSO 1971) on the health stipulations which apply to the school canteens serving food to students.

The specifications relate to the way of processing, preserving and handling food items at the school canteens and the workers at the canteens or at the establishments preparing or supplying food items to schools. It also relates to the food items allowed to be served , supplied or served to school canteens and the inspection of such food on delivery. —ONA

TO OPEN IN SEPTEMBER

Food safety conference MUSCAT: An international conference on food safety will be held at Oman International Exhibition Centre from on September 21 and 22.

Titled “Assessing and Upgrading Food Safety Environment & Improving Food Safety Procedures for Future in the Sultanate

of Oman”, it aims at upgrading level of food safety in the Sultanate according to the international standards.

The conference will be organised on the sidelines of the Food and Hospitality Conference, which will be held from September 20 to 22. -ONA

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

592

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of the 681 job contracts registered on the Ministry of Manpower portal between July 24 and 28 were for Omanis

JOB CUTS

< FROM

A1 Firms using oil prices as an excuse to retrench workers Mohammad Al Faraji, board member of GFOTU and head of the Committee on Rights and Obligations, said oil prices are not directly impacting companies and are only used as an excuse to release workers.

Gulf Talent, the online job website, recently released a report entitled, “Employment and Salary Trends in the Gulf 2016,” which stated that 10 per cent of private sector firms in Oman are planning job cuts.

“There are some companies dismissing staff citing the excuse of low oil prices, whereas in reality,

there isn’t any direct impact on them,” said Al Faraji.

“To show the government that they (companies) are affected, they will release expatriates,” he added.

Many Omani job seekers are available in the market and some companies are hesitant to hire them due to the lack of experience and skills. Others do not hire Omanis under the pretext that they cannot handle more employees and want to appear ‘vulnerable’ and in need of the government’s help.

“In the market there are Omani job seekers, so they (companies)

would say, ‘No, I cannot handle more employees’ so that they do not have to hire them in the end,” explained Al Faraji.

A government official agreed that low oil prices have not had a direct impact on private sector establishments and releasing employees on the pretext of oil prices is just an excuse.

“You have many Omanis in the job market, who are waiting for job opportunities,” said the official.

“Through time and experience gained when working, they can be promoted to take leadership roles that are otherwise dominated by

Dhofari crafts draw tourists Items on display in the various markets of Salalah symbolise the governorate’s rich history and culture TRADITIONAL CRAFT: Shops also display various souvenirs, such as the traditional Omani Khanjar or dagger. – ONA

SALALAH: Besides the unique weather in the Governorate of Dhofar during the Khareef “Monsoon season,” visitors to the governorate can also enjoy the craft industry and handmade products on offer at many outlets in the traditional markets.

The items on display in the various markets of Salalah symbolise the governorate’s rich history and culture. Dhofar has been known for producing many shapes of incense burners, locally called “Majmar.”

The Dhofari incense burners are unique and different from those

produced in other Gulf Cooperation Council countries. They are also known for their beautiful shapes and affordable prices.

Dhofar has been known for centuries for being a hub for the frankincense trade. There are various types of frankincense produced in the governorate. The most famous frankincense type is locally called “Hojari.”

The Governorate of Dhofar is also famous for locally produced incense, which is made from the most expensive perfume. One box

of incense may be sold at more than OMR100. Shops also display various souvenirs, such as the traditional Omani Khanjar “dagger,” which is used at social gatherings and national occasions.

There is also a remarkable turnout for silverworks on display in the traditional markets by European tourists and visitors to the governorate.

Dhofar is also famous for the production of a certain type of turban, locally known as “Masar or Ghatra.” -ONA

expatriates in the private sector,” he added.

The Ministry of Manpower has set a percentage for Omanisation in each sector, but Al Faraji said some of the companies refuse to adhere to the Omanisation standard and when asked why some companies are not hiring Omanis, he said expatriates are easier to ‘work’ with than Omanis.

“Some companies refuse (to implement) Omanisation due to the predetermined percentage from the ministry. The problem is that they will employ an expat instead,” explained Al Faraji.

“Secondly, the expat will work for the employers like a machine, day and night, because if he happens to complain, they could block him and deport him,” added Al Faraji to highlight how some employers take advantage of the expats. He said that Omanis would not keep quiet if they feel oppressed, which is the opposite of how expatriates react, who if they make a simple mistake, might as well be told it’s their last day in Oman before being deported.

However, Said Al Saadi, advisor to the Minister of Manpower countered the claim that compa-

nies are not hiring and that the ministry is busy handling application and contracts of certain companies.

“If you see the activity going on in the ministry, you would say otherwise. There are so many people getting hired.”

According to the latest data from the Ministry of Manpower, 681 job contracts were registered on its portal between July 24 and 28. Of these, 592 were for Omanis.

Data showed that the number of firms that registered their employees’ contracts through the electronic system stood at 310.

C O M M E N TA RY

Self-funded energy projects spell Oman’s new investment strategy

O

man is rolling out a new investment strategy that will pave the way for state-owned energy companies funding their own projects to relieve the government from the pressure of paying for multi-billion rial ventures.

The strategy will execute new structural reform needed to narrow the disparity between fiscal spending and revenues. It is a bold move that would see the government going through a radical mix of monetary and fiscal stimulus to straighten out its finances in hard times.

The budget shift, which is expected be implemented along with the 2017 fiscal plans, would see a drop in spending and eventually result in a huge reduction in deficit.

Leading the way is the Sultanate’s main oil producer, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), which has already successfully raised a $4 billion loan from international financing institutions. PDO, which plans to invest a total of $20 billion in the next five years for its oil and gas projects, has started the trend and is set to continue in the same selfsufficient mode for all of its financing needs in the future.

Next in the self-financing scenario to stop reliance on government funding is the Oman-Iran pipeline project.

The Sultanate will pay for half of this ambitious project, with the rest being shouldered by the Iranians. But Oman would again not rely on financing from the Ministry of Finance. The self-funding project, estimated to cost $60 billion on completion, would raise its own funds from international banks and

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operate independently. The two examples would spread further to other state-run energy companies. Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (ORPIC), which runs the two refineries in Muscat and Sohar, could well follow the same footsteps to fund the refinery in Duqm.

The generation of electricity is another candidate, which would relieve the huge financing burden of financing a nonprofitable operation. Oman LNG would follow suit to wrap up the main catalysts of the energy sector from draining the government economy.

The State’s initiatives of selffunding schemes in the energy sector may be in their infancy, but it is a step in the right direction to fix the economy that may well face deeper problems of stagnant growth if not rectified now.

The government’s gravy train is no longer oozing with rewards the way it was in the past. This will not be a drastic shift, but a far reaching out that could go hand in hand with the expansion of the Gross

Domestic Product (GDP). Not to mention the creation of jobs from the spinoff of self-financing companies.

PDO and the Oman-Iran pipeline ventures should serve as a beacon light for better management of the government’s finances and relieve it from allocating huge budgets for projects that can use independent channels to raise money. This way, the usual fiscal spending can concentrate on the infrastructure and essential sectors, such as education and health.

But self-financing schemes could well be the future of all sectors, not just limited to energy companies. Transportation is a growing industry in many countries, but it has not caught up yet in the Sultanate.

A new dynamic of a selffunding state company could serve well to kick start the local transportation system that depends heavily on vehicles on the highways. An alternative method for transporting passengers in the cities and towns is badly needed to impart a multitude of advantages.

State-owned companies managing their own finances have other advantages.

The schemes would offer better business transparency and efficiency, along with greater diversity than exists in the present operations that entirely depend on government funding. It will cut down bureaucracy and offer the private sector a greater advantage in winning contracts much more effectively than in the current environment.

It will also put the stateowned companies in the self-financing scheme on the path for future privatisation to liberalise the economy, as well as attract foreign investments.

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Nine Omanis scale Mount Kilimanjaro The group chose the ‘Machame’ route to get to the top and the climb took them five and a half days while the descent took more than one day HIGHEST AFRICAN PEAK: Out of the 11 climbers, the youngest was Said Nasser Al Ismaily and the oldest was Said Issa Al Ismaily.

DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Eleven Omanis, including mechanical engineers, educational consultants, students, and computer programmers, recently set aside their professional obligations for a few days and decided to get the adrenaline pumping by trying to scale Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa.

Although the ascent started with eleven in total, with four of the group belonging to the same family, only nine could reach the summit. The group chose the ‘Machame’ route to get to the top and the climb took them five and a half days and the descent took over a day.

For Mohammed Al Ismaily, one of the adrenaline junkies who made it to the summit, it was the

prospect of climbing the great mountain, which made him do it.

“In all honesty, my inspiration was the opportunity to do it; it’s an experience I believe a lot more people should go for. I’m only saying that after I’ve reached sea level, my thoughts of going up were more like, ‘Why am I putting myself through this?’ It was tough, tiring and extremely cold at night, but reaching the summit really

DHANK FARM FIRE DOUSED

changed how I felt about it all.”

“The thing I should’ve prepared myself better for was the cold, we started from 50 degrees Celsius and ended with -20 degrees Celsius (at the summit) in a matter of days and I wasn’t mentally prepared for that.”

Their biggest challenge was the last day of the hike, which included a tough climb, and around 18 hours of walking trying to climb the mountain with an elevation of 5,895 metres.

Out of the 11 climbers, the youngest person was Said Nasser Al Ismaily (15), and the oldest was Said Issa Al Ismaily (64). “It was an extremely diverse range and we had people in their 20s, 30s, and 50s. For us it was like a nice family trip,” Mohammed Al Ismaily said.

Firefighters doused a farm fire in Dhank in Al Dahirah region on Friday. There were no casualties in the incident, said Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance.— PACDA

CSR

OIFC donates equipment for elderly Dhofar citizens Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Investment and Finance Co. SAOG (OIFC) in cooperation with the Omani Association for Elderly Friends donated medical equipment to be used by the elderly citizens in the Dhofar governorate.

Support This contribution was made as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and continuous support that OIFC undertakes throughout the Sultanate.

OIFC’s contribution included medical equipment, such as blood pressure and glucose monitoring devices, as well as medical mattresses and wheelchairs for use by senior citizens in their day-to-day lives.

Gratitude “Senior citizens are like parents for all of us, and our presence here today is the expression of our gratitude and appreciation towards their contributions to society,” said the Chief Executive Officer of OIFC, Said Ahmed Safrar.

Further, Salwa Al Yafi’e, head of the Omani Association for Elderly Friends, added, “It is part of our core objectives to support this segment of senior citizens in the Governorate of Dhofar and many other governorates in Oman. Today, I would like to express my great appreciation towards OIFC’s initiative to support us in our mission”.

The contributions were presented by Sameeh Rajab Suwailem, executive at the OIFC Salalah branch.

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OMAN ACCIDENTS

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‘Need for proper training’

According to statistics from the ROP, 6,279 accidents were registered in 2015 with 675 dead and 3,624 injured. Speed, improper actions and neglect were the top three causes of accidents in 2015 which resulted in the death of 458 Omanis and 217 expatriates.

“The increase in reckless and distracted driving with speed and busy in texting or talking on the phone,

young drivers even without training and licence taking rides for fun and ignoring the vehicle conditions specially tyres are the main causes of recent fatal incidents,” Neelesh said while urging families and society to come forward and intervene, if they see anybody violating rules while driving. A reader posted on Times of Oman’s facebook page that government needs to rethink the driv-

ing tests and learning procedure. “A drum slope test and a five minute road test gives one a lifetime pass to control powerful machines carrying other people. Omani roads are top class and cars are top class. But there is lack of proper training and knowledge,” the reader posted pleading with the government to have a highly professional training and examination centre run by the police.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

OMAN OMANI EXPLORERS DISCOVER NEW CAVE IN JABAL AL AKHDAR

A team of Omani explorers has discovered a new cave in Niyabat area of Al Jabal Al Akhdar, in the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah. This discovery is in addition to the caves discovered earlier. The team has measured the dimensions of the cave. It is located one and a half kilometres from the village of Aqabat Al Biyout in Niyabat of Al Jabal Al Akhdar. — ONA

North Batinah bags top spot in results Minister of Education approves the results of educational activities contests for year 2015/2016

MUSCAT: Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shibaniyah, Minister of Education has approved the results of educational activities contests organised at the Sultanate’s level for the academic year 2015/2016.

North Al Batinah Governorate has won the first place in the general category results of the con-

Dr. Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shibaniyah, Minister of Education. – ONA

tests followed by Al Dakhiliyah Governorate and Muscat Governorate, respectively.

In the field of school media, Al Dakhiliyah Governorate won the first place followed by North Al Sharqiyah Governorate and

South Al Batinah Governorate, respectively.

Student Al Anoud bint Isa bin Salim Al Aufi from Al Dakhiliyah Governorate won the second place in the Rhetoric and traditional Arabic speech contest organised by Egypt’s Ministry of Education in cooperation with the Arab League.

She also won the first place at the local level. Al Husain Ali Al Aghbari from Al Dakhiliyah Governorate won the first place in the Arabic language .

Abdulwadood Ali Al Balushi from North Al Batinah Governorate won the first place in the short story writing (class 5-8) while Obaid Al Ka’abi (from Al Buraimi Governorate) won the first place in the same contest for class ( 9-12).

Al Zahra bint Ali Al Manei (class 5-8) from North Al Batinah Governorate won the first place and Al Zahra bint Salim Al Habsi

(class 9-12) from North Al Sharqiyah Governorate won the first place in the short story writing category.

Mohammed Idris Al Shahi from Musandam Governorate won the first place in the field of essay writing for (class 5-8 category).

Abdullah Musalam bin Hardan from Dhofar Governorate won the first place for ( class 9-12 category).

For the female category in the same contest of essay writing the first place went to Nasiba bint Ali Al Kindi (class 5-8) from Al Dakhiliyah Governorate while Tamadhur bint Ali Al Shekaili (class 9-12) won the first place .

Ahmed Salim Ali Al Shidi (class 5-8) from North Al Batinah Governorate won the first place in the field of poetry. Mutasim Mohammed Al Kharousi from South Al Batinah Governorate won the first place in the same contest for (class 9-12 category). -ONA

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

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REGION 10 children killed in air strike on Yemen school The tragedy occurred as Yemen’s parliament convened for the first time in almost two years, in a move that bolsters the Houthi movement and challenges the Saudi-backed exiled government DEFIANT: Members of Yemen’s parliament attend a parliament session in the rebel-held capital

DUBAI: At least 10 children were killed and 21 injured in northern Yemen on Saturday, aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres said, in what the country’s dominant Houthi group said was a Saudi-led air strike on a school.

The tragedy occurred as Yemen’s parliament convened for the first time in almost two years, in a move that bolsters the Houthi movement and challenges the Saudi-backed exiled government.

A spokesman for the Saudiled coalition had no comment on the attack.

Saudi Arabia and its allies have launched thousands of air strikes against the Houthis since they drove the internationally recognised government into exile in March 2015. “@MSF received today 21 injured & 10 deaths in Haydan #Saada. All were under 15 years old,” the medical aid group said on its official Twitter account.

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, a senior official from the Houthi

Sanaa, on Saturday. — AFP

ALERT: Soldiers stand on the back of a police truck outside Yem-

en’s parliament during a session held by the parliament for the first time since a civil war began almost two years ago, in Sanaa, Yemen on Saturday. — Reuters

movement whose main support base is in Saada, blamed the attack on the mostly Gulf Arab military coalition that has been at war with the group for over a year.

At least 6,400 people have been

killed in the conflict, around half of them civilians.

The armed Houthis and their allies in the General People’s Congress (GPC) party headed by powerful ex-president Ali Abdullah

Saleh control the capital Sanaa and have so far withstood the coalition campaign.

President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his internationally recognised government view them as putschists after they took the capital by force in September 2014 and have warned them against seeking to legitimise their rule through parliament.

In a statement carried on the state news agency Saba, Hadi called the parliament session illegal and warned that MPs attending it could be prosecuted as criminals. After UN-backed peace talks to end the war collapsed last week, the Houthis and the GPC set up a governing council to rule the country despite UN and government opposition. The assembly convened within earshot of bombings by Saudi-led warplanes on military bases several miles away. — Reuters

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

A8

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

INDIA India notifies fresh tax treaty with Mauritius Under the amended treaty, for two years beginning April 1, 2017, capital gains tax will be imposed at 50 per cent of the prevailing domestic rate

NEW DELHI: Government has notified the revised tax treaty with Mauritius under which India will impose capital gains tax on investments routed through the island nation from April 1 next year in a bid to curb tax evasion.

The protocol amending the agreement between India and Mauritius, signed on August 24, 1982 for the avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income and capital gains and for the encouragement of mutual trade and investment, was signed at Mauritius on May 10, 2016.

India and Mauritius signed had signed the revised Double Taxation Avoidance Convention (DTAC) after prolonged negotiations at Port Louis.

BRIEFS

Indian President’s daughter faces online harassment NEW DELHI: Sharmishtha Mukherjee, Delhi Congress spokesperson and the daughter of President Pranab Mukherjee, claimed on Saturday that a man harassed her by sending lewd messages and put up screenshots of the texts on her Facebook page.

UK denies visa to sarod maestro NEW SELHI: UK High Commission on Saturday said it will speak to Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, a day after his visa application was rejected.

“We don’t comment on the detail of individual cases, but can confirm we will offer to speak to Khan about how he should apply for the correct type of visa to do what he wishes to do in the UK,” a British High Commission spokesperson said. - PTI

Under the amended treaty with Mauritius, for two years beginning April 1, 2017, capital gains tax will be imposed at 50 per cent of the prevailing domestic rate. Full rate will apply from April 1, 2019.

Concessional rate This concessional rate would however apply to a Mauritius resident company that can prove that it has a total expenditure of at least Rs2.7 million in that nation and is not a ‘shell’ company with just a post office address.

As per the revised treaty, investments made prior to April 1, 2017, will be protected from new tax provisions.

The island nation with just 1.3 million people was the biggest single source of foreign direct in-

REHEARSAL FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY

A woman Central Reserve Police Force daredevils team member perform fire jump during the full dress rehearsal ahead of Independence Day function, at Bakshi Stadium, in Srinagar on Saturday. India’s Independence Day is on August 15. — PTI

vestment into India in 2014-15, accounting for about 24 per cent of $24.7 billion foreign direct investment (FDI).

The three-decade-old taxation treaty is said to have been misused by many Indian and multinational companies to avoid paying tax or to route illicit funds.

India had been insisting on review of the treaty since 2006 as it felt a chunk of the funds were not real foreign investments but Indians routing cash through the island to avoid domestic taxes, a practice known as “round tripping”.

It wanted to ensure firms in Mauritius that invest in India are not just ‘shell’ and instead have substantial operations in the island, such as paying staff there, before qualifying for treaty terms of getting exemption from payment of capital gains tax in India.

Earlier, reflecting an upturn in economic activity, government’s revenue collection showed an impressive growth. - PTI

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Chinese minister meets Modi Fresh trouble for Mallya amid strained ties over NSG as cheating case filed NEW DELHI: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Saturday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held talks with his counterpart Sushma Swaraj during which India’s bid for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) is understood to have figured among other regional and bilateral issues.

Wang and Sushma also discussed issues relating to annual BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit which will be hosted by India in the Indian state of Goa in October this year.

“Discussing issues of mutual importance. EAM @SushmaSwaraj meets with her counterpart Chinese FM Wang Yi in New Delhi,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup tweeted, along with a photograph of the meeting of the two foreign ministers.

BOOSTING TIES: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Chinese For-

eign Minister Wang Yi in New Delhi on Saturday. – PTI Wang had arrived in Goa on Friday on a three-day visit to India. He had met Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and discussed about preparations for the BRICS summit.The Chinese foreign minister arrived on Friday night.

He called on Modi first and then held talks with Swaraj. China had stalled India’s bid for membership of the NSG at the plenary meeting of the 48-nation grouping in June on the ground that it was not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). - PTI

NEW DELHI: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a fresh case against beleaguered business baron Vijay Mallya for allegedly cheating a consortium of nationalised banks to the tune of Rs60.27 billion by not keeping commitments to repay loans taken for his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines.

CBI spokesperson R. K. Gaur said a fresh case has been registered under Indian Penal Code sections related to criminal conspiracy and cheating on the basis of a complaint received from State Bank of India on behalf of the consortium of banks for causing loss of Rs60.27 billion to them by not keeping repayment commitments of his loan taken during 2005-10.

Agency sources said that besides Mallya, his companies Kingfisher Airlines and United Breweries Holdings Limited have been

named as accused in the FIR. No reaction was available from the company despite request.

The agency had earlier filed a case of alleged loan default by the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines to IDBI Bank. It is alleged that State Bank of India and its consortium banks had advanced various credit facilities to Kingfisher Airlines during the period between 2005 and 2010, they said.

During 2009-10, the company failed to meet its repayment commitments to the bank from whom it had availed the credit facilities and Kingfisher Airlines did not keep its account with the consortium banks regular which became NPA, the FIR states.

The consortium banks, therefore, recalled the credit facilities and also invoked corporate guarantee of UBHL and personal guarantee of Mallya, it alleged. - PTI

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A9

PAKISTAN

LOANS

ADB hints at $6b assistance to country over three years ISLAMABAD: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has indicated that it could give roughly $6 billion in loans to Pakistan over the next three years, which is 50 per cent more than the previous estimates, suggesting growing dependence of the country on foreign lenders.

The Manila-based lending agency would provide the assis-

tance under the three-year (201719) Country Operations Business Plan, said sources in the Ministry of Finance. The ADB — one of the two largest lenders to the country — could release on average $2 billion a year, which is far higher than the annual assistance Pakistan is currently receiving.

The proposed package includes

financing for the Peshawar rapid bus transit service and for creating the Pakistan National Disaster Management Fund. The fund is expected to receive $750 million in three equal tranches.

Another project Gwadar Urban Development — the first such ADB scheme in Gwadar — is likely to be provided $100 million.

Afghan Taliban free six crew of Pakistan chopper The crew’s release was arranged through a handover between tribes in the border region, from where they were transferred to Islamabad by helicopter

ISLAMABAD: Five Pakistanis and a Russian who were captured by the Afghan Taliban after their government helicopter crashed in eastern Afghanistan have been released and returned to Pakistan, the foreign ministry said on Saturday.

The Russian-made transport

ILL FATED: The helicopter

belonging to the Punjab government was en route from Peshawar to Uzbekistan for maintenance on August 4, when it suffered a technical failure and crash-landed in the Taliban-held Logar province in eastern Afghanistan earlier this month. - File photo

helicopter belonging to the Punjab provincial government was en route from Peshawar in northwest Pakistan to Uzbekistan for maintenance on August 4, when it suffered a technical failure and crash-landed in the Taliban-held Logar province in eastern Afghanistan earlier this month.

The crew’s release was arranged through a handover be-

tween tribes in the border region, from where they were transferred to Islamabad by helicopter, the ministry said in a statement.

“The six member crew of Punjab government helicopter that went missing in Afghanistan on 4th August 2016 has been recovered and arrived in Islamabad today,” it said.

Whereas Pakistan acknowledges that it wields some influence with the Afghan Taliban, it denies Afghan and US accusations that it provides support and sanctuary for the Afghan Taliban and its leaders.

Pakistan says it has been a victim of terrorism, much of it from groups based in Afghanistan, for years. Initial reports after the crash had indicated that there were seven passengers but Foreign Ministry spokesman Nafees Zakaria said on Saturday that it turned out there were only six on board.

One of the seven people listed on the flight manifest had been unwell and decided not to fly, a ministry official said on condition of anonymity. - Reuters

For connectivity between the Central Asia and South Asia regions, the ADB has indicated a loan of $850 million under its Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (Carec) initiative. It intends to finance three projects for the development of roads and railways to connect the two regions.

Under the previous 2016-18

Country Operations Business Plan, the ADB had indicated giving $3.9 billion. The plans are prepared under the five-year Country Partnership Strategy. The existing partnership strategy will end in 2019. Over the next couple of years, Pakistan’s reliance on the ADB and World Bank may significantly increase because of the end of IMF’s

Extended Fund Facility this year and the country’s growing infrastructure development needs.

Under the 2016-18 plan, the share of expensive loans, known as Ordinary Capital Resources, was roughly 72 per cent of total loans, which could now be increased to 78 per cent of the total lending of $5.9 billion. - Express Tribune

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

WORLD CLAIMED BY IS

Dhaka allows more time to detain 2 over July cafe assault DHAKA: A Bangladesh court allowed police on Saturday to continue holding two men in connection with an attack last month claimed by IS that killed 20 hostages at an upscale cafe in the capital, Dhaka police said.

Police told the court they needed more time to interrogate Hasnat Karim, a dual British and Bangladeshi national, and Tahmid Hasib Khan, a student at Toronto University, in connection with the assault on July 1.

The families of both men say they are innocent. Their cases have been marked by confusion.

When the two men were remanded in custody earlier this month, police official Masudur Rahman told reporters they had been arrested “from two different places”.

Holey Artisan Bakery.

But their families say Karim and Khan were dining, separately, with family and friends when gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery.

Karim, a 47-year-old engineer, was said to be at the cafe to celebrate his daughter’s 13th birthday.

Police confirmed on Saturday that Karim has been formally arrested, while Khan was being held as a suspect.

Both appeared before the court, with Karim being remanded for a further eight days and Khan for six.

Rahman said Karim was arrested because police needed “further details” because of information that emerged during his interrogation.

He told Reuters that video foot-

MYANMAR FLOODS

Residents travel in knee-deep water on a trishaw after seasonal flooding hit the city of Pathein in the Irrawaddy region on on Saturday. Myanmar’s Department of Relief and Resettlement reported 419,330 people have been affected by floods in five regions and the two states of Mon and Kachin, with five deaths from the period of July to August 9. — AFP

age during the cafe attack showed Karim appearing to act “calm and normal with the militants.”

He declined to give any further information.

Karim’s wife, Sharmina Karim, told Reuters it was not at all clear to her what was happening.

“He is innocent.

“He went to the cafe along with me and our two daughters,” she said after Karim made his court appearance.” How can it be that he would go there knowing there would be such a massacre? Is this not unusual, unbelievable thinking?”

There was no immediate comment from the Khan family.

Rescued by police Karim and Khan were among 32 people rescued by police and taken into custody for questioning after the attack.

Police released the others soon after.

During the attack on the cafe, extremist militants singled out non-Muslims and foreigners, killing Italians, Japanese, an American and an Indian before security forces stormed the eatery to end the 12-hour siege.

Two police also died in the operation.

The government has dismissed suggestions that IS has a presence in Bangladesh, even though photographs of attackers posing with assault rifles in front of the group’s black banner were posted on the group’s propaganda outlets. Neither Karim nor Khan appeared in the photographs. — Reuters

Britain to plug 4.5b pound EU funding gap Britain’s opposition Labour Party said Hammond had made the right move in giving the guarantees but added that it was important for the government to also ensure that Britain remained a member of the European Investment Bank.

Scientists, farmers and others who got European Union funding were facing uncertainty after Britain voted on June 23 to quit the EU

LONDON: Britain will fill a gap of as much as 4.5 billion pounds ($5.8 billion) in funding for agriculture, universities and its regions that will open up when Britain leaves the European Union, finance minister Philip Hammond said.

Scientists, farmers and others who got EU funding were facing uncertainty after Britain voted on June 23 to quit the EU. Hammond reassured them on Saturday that the British government would pick up the tab.

The new guarantee over funding comes as Britain faces the looming prospect of a recession following the Brexit vote.

Companies are expected to put off investment and consumers to cut their spending as Britain and the EU work out their new rela-

PLAN: Britain’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond

arrives for a meeting of the “Cabinet Committee on Economy and Industrial Strategy” at Number 10 Downing Street in London, Britain on August 2, 2016. — Reuters/Neil Hall/File Photo

tionship. Hammond told reporters that Britain needs about 4.5 billion pounds a year to fill the gap left by the end of EU funding, although Britain’s actual exit date may be some way off.

Will not start Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will not start the twoyear process of leaving this year.

“We recognise that many organisations across the UK which are in receipt of EU funding, or expect to start receiving funding, want reassurance about the

flow of funding they will receive,” Hammond said in a statement.

According to Full Fact, an independent fact-checking agency, the British government paid about 13 billion pounds to the EU last year, after its automatic rebate, and got back 4.5 billion pounds in funding.

“Clearly if we stopped making contributions to the European Union there will be money available to be invested in our own economy,” Hammond said when reporters asked about Britain’s funding arrangements after Britain’s departure from the EU.

Favourable terms The EIB, a provider of long-term financing on favourable terms to projects that support growth in the bloc, in 2015 invested 7.8 billion euros ($8.7 billion) in Britain in transport, water and other projects.

Hammond’s funding guarantee, which covered structural and investment funds and Horizon research funding, was also welcomed by organisations representing recipients of EU funding and by the employer organisation, the British Chambers of Commerce.

“I hope that this short-term certainty will help to deliver longer-term confidence and this is exactly what farm businesses need now,” said Meurig Raymond, the president of the National Farmers’ Union.

The Royal Society, a Londonbased group of scientists, said the reassurance on EU grants would help Britain-based research continue to attract the best talent.

“Today’s announcement sends a strong message that Britain remains open and collaborative,” Royal Society president Venki Ramakrishnan said. — Reuters

PUCHONG NEIGHBOURHOOD

Malaysia arrests 9 IS suspects for grenade attack on nightspot KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian police have arrested nine militants, including two suspected of carrying out a grenade attack, claimed by IS, at a nightspot on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur in June, the country’s police chief said on Saturday.

A known Malaysian IS militant in Syria, Muhammad Wanndy Muhammad Jedi, had said in a posting on his Facebook page that the group had carried out the June 28 attack on a bar in the Puchong neighbourhood that wounded eight people.

If the claim was genuine it would have been the first attack

by IS on Malaysian soil.

Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement the two men who carried out the attack had been caught in the northeastern state of Kelantan, where they had been awaiting instructions from Wanndy to carry out further attacks.

“Following on from their arrest, police managed to seize a grenade, and it was suspected it would have been used in a

A known Malaysian IS militant in Syria, Muhammad Wanndy Muhammad Jedi, had said in a posting on his Facebook page that the group had carried out the June 28 attack

planned attack,” Khalid said. He said two other people had been arrested for helping to hide the suspects. Police had also tracked down a suspected IS member, whose cell had received orders from Wanndy, and had threatened attacks on the police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur and on government buildings in the

country’s administrative capital of Putrajaya, Khalid said.

Others arrested included a 17-year-old in the eastern state of Sabah, on the island of Borneo, who was believed to have been planning a ‘lone wolf’ attack on non-Muslims after communicating with another Malaysian IS member in Syria.

Meanwhile, three foreigners, who were ex-military, were arrested in Kuala Lumpur for allegedly using the country as a transit point to secure fake travel documents and plan an attack on a Middle East nation, Khalid said.

Authorities in Malaysia have been on high alert since IS-linked militants carried out an armed attack in the capital of neighbouring Indonesia in January. Police said last week 230 people, including 200 Malaysians, have been arrested since 2013 for involvement in militant activities. In June, IS released a video of its militants from Southeast Asia calling on its supporters to unify under one umbrella group and launch attacks in the region. — Reuters

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

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WORLD

Thaksin’s party denies role in Thailand blasts The blasts on Thursday and Friday in five of southern Thailand’s internationally known resorts came days after Thais voted to accept a military-backed constitution

BANGKOK/HUA HIN: The Thai political party whose governments have been overthrown by the country’s ruling generals denied on Saturday having any role in the bomb attacks on popular tourist destinations that killed four people and wounded dozens.

The blasts on Thursday and Friday in five of southern Thailand’s internationally known resorts came days after Thais voted to accept a military-backed constitution that paves the way for an election at the end of 2017.

Analysts say suspicion would inevitably on fall on enemies of the ruling junta beaten in the referendum or insurgents from Muslim-majority provinces in the south of the country.

Fears that followers of former prime ministers Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra, including an opposition movement sympathetic to the Shinawatras known as the “red shirts”, could be blamed prompted a senior figure in their Puea Thai Party to issue a sharp denial.

“People, through social media, are sending messages saying

SECURITY HEIGHTENED: A Thai policeman searches a visitor’s bag at the Erawan Shrine, the site of a bombing in August 2015 that left 20 dead and scores injured, in the centre of Bangkok on August 13, 2016 as authorities increase security following a new string of bomb attacks in Thailand. - AFP

Thaksin Shinawatra is behind these events,” Noppadon Pattama, a former foreign minister, said.

“This is slander and defamation. Anyone who is a former prime minister is worried about the country and would not do such evil,” said Noppadon, who served in both Thaksin and Yingluk’s cabinets.

No group has claimed responsibility for the wave of bombings, which sent shudders through the tourism industry, one of the few bright spots in Thailand’s sluggish economy. For more than a decade Thailand has been divided between populist political forces led

by Thaksin, who was toppled in a 2006 coup, and the royalist and military establishment, which accuses him of corruption.

His sister Yingluk swept to power in an election in 2011, before being ousted in another coup

in 2014. At last Sunday’s referendum voters in Thaksin’s northeast stronghold voted to reject the constitution, which opponents of the junta said would entrench the military’s power and deepen divisions.

Voters in three mostly Muslim southern provinces, where separatists have been fighting with the military for than a decade in an insurgency that has cost 6,500 lives, also voted against the new constitution, while the rest of the country accepted it.

The bombs on Thursday and Friday went off in the upscale resort of Hua Hin and beach destinations in the south including Phuket, Phang Nga and Surat Thani, a city that is the gateway to popular islands in the Gulf of Thailand.

Police and Thailand’s foreign ministry initially ruled out links

A1 1

to terrorism and foreign terror groups, though national police chief Jakthip Chaijinda later told reporters that the devices were similar to those used by separatists. Pongsapat Pongcharoen, a deputy national police chief, told reporters on Saturday that no arrests had been made, but DNA samples collected at the blast sites would be compared with DNA samples stored in databases in the southern Muslim provinces.

The attacks came on a busy weekend for tourism as domestic and international visitors flocked to seaside resorts on a long weekend for a public holiday.

Hua Hin, an easy weekend getaway for residents of Bangkok, was returning to normal on Saturday — though most businesses in the vicinity of the Thursday night explosions remained closed, a Reuters witness said. - Reuters

C E L E B R AT I O N S

Cubans salsa into Fidel Castro’s 90th birthday HAVANA: Thousands partied along Havana’s Malecon seafront into the early hours of Saturday, celebrating retired Cuban leader Fidel Castro turning 90 to the tune of Latin beats as an electric storm in the distance lit up the night sky.

On the strike of midnight, a live band played “Happy Birthday” in honour of the iconic leftist revolutionary on the “Anti-imperialist Tribune”, a plaza located outside the newly-opened US embassy, while fireworks exploded on the other side of the bay.

Colourful floats carrying dancers and salsa bands stretched for kilometres down the Malecon, as Havana’s annual carnival was combined this year with Fidel’s birthday concert.

“This is the best gift we can give him, this party,” said dancer Leydis Campos, 25, decked in a skimpy limegreen outfit, her eyelids caked in glitter.

“To 90 years past, and to 90 more!” Cuba has gone into overdrive this month honouring “El Comandante” who led its 1959 revolution and built a Communistrun state on the doorstep of the United States, surviving what it claims were hundreds of assassination attempts along the way.

Tributes have ranged from the conventional such as photo exhibits about his life, to the outlandish, with one cigar maker rolling the

longest smoke in the world, measuring 90 metres, in Fidel’s honour.

While many Cubans criticise Castro for having restricted personal freedoms and imposed a Sovietstyle command economy, others revere him for having freed Cuba from US domination and provided universal access to healthcare and education.

“Fidel is the best thing that happened to our country,” said Aldo Zamora, 40, selling candy-coloured balloon animals.

Fidel handed over the reins of power in 2008 to his younger brother Raul due to an intestinal ailment that nearly killed him, although he retained the title “Historic Leader”.

Since then, he has ventured into public rarely, looking increasingly frail and sporting comfortable tracksuits and trainers instead of his trademark olive green military fatigues. He is not scheduled to appear in public for his festivities although he could meet with Cuba’s ally Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who arrived in Havana early on Saturday.

Some Cubans say they miss the charismatic leader who accompanied them for decades, holding forth on topics from nuclear energy to farming in famously long speeches, lending the revolution moral authority and him a sense of invincibility. - Reuters

CONCERT: People look at pictures of Cuba’s former president Fidel

Castro during a break in a concert celebrating Castro’s birthday, in Havana, Cuba, August 13, 2016. - Reuters

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

WORLD I N C L E M E N T W E AT H E R

BELGO-JAPANESE FRIENDSHIP FETED

At least two dead, as rains pound Louisiana, Mississippi

A giant flower carpet made of begonias and dahlias is illuminated at the Grand Place, celebrating the Belgo-Japanese friendship, in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday. — Reuters

BATON ROUGE (US): Torrential downpours in parts of Louisiana and Mississippi caused flooding on Friday that killed at least two men, left two people injured and forced residents to evacuate homes throughout the region, officials said.

Pounding rain over the past two days led Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards to declare a state of emergency, and forced the closure of schools, government offices and many roads.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch into the weekend for parts of southern Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana, including New Orleans.

The severe weather comes five months after March flooding in Louisiana and Mississippi that left at least four dead and thousands of homes damaged.

The body of a 68-year-old man was recovered near Baker, Louisiana, near the state capital of Baton Rouge, after he drowned while attempting to evacuate, said William “Beau” Clark, coroner in East Baton Rouge Parish.

In northern Louisiana, the body of an unidentified man was recovered from a pickup truck that had been swept off a highway near the town of Greensburg, the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s Office said.

Officials advised area residents to boil water and imposed a curfew, the sheriff’s office said.

In Mississippi, water rescues were conducted throughout the day and two people were reported with minor injuries in Harrison County, where roads were reopened by the afternoon, the state’s Emergency Management Agency said.

Two counties, Pike and Amite, were experiencing flash and river flooding after being inundated with more than 10 inches (25.4 cm) of rain since midnight, said AT TA C K E R S W I S S C I T I Z E N

Six injured on Swiss train attack ZURICH: A man armed with a knife and flammable fluid injured six people in an attack on a Swiss train on Saturday, St Gallen cantonal police said.

A police statement said the assailant was a 27-year-old Swiss citizen and that he was also injured in the incident and hospitalised, as were his six victims - three adults, two 17-yearolds and a child aged 6 - with stab and burn wounds.

It did not spell out whether the man was under arrest or provide any information on a possible motive for the attack, but did say a criminal inquiry was under way.

“According to current information a 27-year-old Swiss man poured out a flammable liquid.

He was also armed with at least one knife. The liquid caught fire,” the statement said.

The attack occurred at 2:20 p.m.(1220 GMT) as the train neared the Salez station on a trip between Buchs and Sennwald in St. Gallen, a canton in the northeast of the Alpine republic, the police statement said.

It was the first such attack in Switzerland in recent memory.

There have been a string of assaults on the public in neighbouring France and Germany, as well as Belgium, over the past 18 months, most of which were claimed by the IS and killed more than 250 people. — Reuters

INUNDATED: Verot School Road is seen covered in floodwaters in this handout picture taken by the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, US, on Friday. — Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development/Handout via Reuters

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch into the weekend for parts of southern Mississippi and southeastern Louisiana, including New Orleans. The severe weather comes five months after March flooding in Louisiana and Mississippi

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency Executive Director Lee Smithson. The Tangipahoa, Biloxi and Pearl rivers all were flooding, he said.

In Tangipahoa Parish, near Baton Rouge, Sheriff Daniel Edwards said rivers were rising quickly, and authorities expected more evacuations to be carried out during the day. “I’m already seeing housing taking on water.

“If we get much more rain, we’re going to have quite a few homes flooded,” said Edwards, brother of

Louisiana’s governor, in a phone interview. Amtrak halted a southbound trin from Chicago en route to New Orleans due to water on the tracks near Osyka, Mississippi.

It plans to bus passengers from Jackson to New Orleans, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency said in a statement. — Reuters

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No compromise with US on Gulen extradition: Turkey Prime Minister Binali Yildirim comments coincided with a report that an Istanbul prosecutor wrote to US authorities requesting the detention of the cleric

WANTED: US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen at his home in Saylors-

burg, US, on July 29, 2016.

ISTANBUL: Turkey will not compromise with Washington over the extradition of the cleric it accuses of orchestrating a failed coup, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Saturday, warning of rising anti-Americanism if the United States fails to extradite.

Yildirim’s comments, at a briefing for local reporters, are the latest to take aim at Turkey’s NATO ally and coincided with a report that an Istanbul prosecutor wrote to US authorities requesting the detention of the cleric, Fethullah Gulen.

Turkey says Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in rural

— Reuters/Charles Mostoller/File photo

Pennsylvania since 1999, masterminded the failed July 15 putsch when a group of rogue soldiers commandeered tanks, warplanes and helicopters in an attempt to overthrow the government.

Gulen has denied the charge and condemned the coup.

“There is no compromise apart from this chief terrorist coming to Turkey and being prosecuted,” Yildirim was quoted as saying by state-run Anadolu Agency.

“The only way to prevent the rising (negative) sentiment against America is for the US to hand over this man and make sure Turkey’s

justice system holds him accountable.” Turkey’s foreign minister said this week documents had been sent to the United States and that Turkey had received “positive signals” about Gulen’s possible extradition, but Turkey has not said clearly whether it has filed a formal extradition request.

Biden to visit The White House said on Saturday that US Vice President Joe Biden will visit Turkey on August 24, the first visit by a high-ranking US official since the failed coup.

Yildirim said a US technical

team would visit Turkey on August 22 to discuss legal issues relating to the possible extradition, according to Anadolu. He said Secretary of State John Kerry is due in October, broadcaster CNN Turk reported.

Yildirim said he believed there would be a “positive outcome” with the United States on the extradition, Anadolu said.

US officials have said that the United States has a formal process for dealing with extradition requests and that Turkey must provide solid evidence of Gulen’s involvement. The Istanbul chief prosecutor sent a letter to US authorities asking for Gulen’s detention, CNN Turk said.

Turkey’s Justice Ministry passed on the letter, which accused Gulen of 10 charges including attempting to overthrow the government, to the United States, it said.

Gulen said on Friday he would only hand himself over to Turkish authorities if an independent international investigative body first found him guilty.

“If a tenth of the accusations against me are established, I pledge to return to Turkey and serve the heaviest sentence,” he said in an opinion piece in French daily Le Monde.

Ankara has been angered by what it sees as lukewarm condemnation by its Western allies of the abortive putsch against President

Tayyip Erdogan and the government, in which more than 240 people died.

Yildirim said more than 76,000 officials had been suspended and nearly 5,000 dismissed following the coup, including 3,000 soldiers as well as judges and civil servants The crackdown has raised concerns in the West that Erdogan is using the purge to crack down on dissent.

That response has infuriated Ankara, which accuses the West of showing more concern about the purges than the coup itself.

On Saturday Turkey pushed back at the UN’s top human rights official, who said last week that Ankara should rein in a “thirst for revenge” in the aftermath of the coup. A foreign ministry spokesman called the remarks from Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human rights, “unacceptable”.

The scope of the crackdown now appears to be even worrying some in the ruling party.

“Even if the shock absorber of a car breaks down, they say someone with (the Gulenists) has done this. This is turning into a witch hunt, losing its credibility,” Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes, formerly a member of the nationalist opposition party and now a member of the ruling AK Party founded by Erdogan, told CNN Turk. — Reuters

I N V E S T I G AT I O N

Egypt prosecutor orders 13 arrested in wheat corruption case CAIRO: Egypt’s public prosecutor has ordered the arrest of 13 people for 15 days pending an investigation into their role in a wheat procurement corruption scandal, judicial sources said on Saturday.

Egypt, the world’s largest wheat importer, has been mired in controversy over its wheat supplies, with industry officials claiming that over 2 million tonnes of the 5 million tonnes of wheat procured locally in this harvest may exist only on paper.

Egypt pays high prices for wheat to encourage farmers to grow it.

Local traders, the middlemen who buy wheat from scores of small-landholders, have for years mixed cheaper imported wheat into local supplies and then claimed the state subsidies.

On August 7, the prosecutor said in a statement that local wheat suppliers had worked with government employees to falsely claim 621 million Egyptian pounds ($69.93 million) worth of grain that did not exist.

The prosecutor had already ordered that private silo owners suspected of claiming higher

quantities of wheat than they were actually storing should be banned from travel and have their funds frozen.

Procurement chain The 13 facing arrest are accused of profiteering, forgery and enabling the embezzlement of public funds, the sources said, without elaborating on their role in the procurement chain.

It was not clear if any had been arrested yet.

Suppliers delivered 221,800 tonnes of wheat based on false

documents worth a total of 621 million pounds and have received 533 million pounds for deliveries to date, the prosecutor said in his August 7 statement.

Egypt’s parliament has set up a fact-finding commission to look into allegations of corruption in wheat procurement.

The final report is expected this month. The minister of supplies said last month his ministry had finalised inspections at storage areas and that only 4 per cent of the value of this year’s harvest was missing. — Reuters

SCANDAL: A worker holds handfuls of wheat grain in a field in Monofeya, Egypt, on Sunday, May 19, 2013. On August 7, 2016, the prosecutor said in a statement that local wheat suppliers had worked with government employees to falsely claim $69.93 million worth of grain that did not exist. — Bloomberg

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READERS’ FORUM Ban use of mobiles in any form while driving The report If you must take that call when driving, use hands-free devices (August 10), is a not so encouraging message to convey to a serious driver or an individual who has embraced to safety in every aspect. It doesn’t really make much of difference whether holding a handset and talking or use of hands-free devices while driving.

The real effect is distraction that can lead to accidents of any nature. Corporate organisations associateed with oil-related jobs are committed to strictly adhering to health and safety policies and guidelines, and thus use of hands-free devices while driving has Scan this QR code become a direct non-complying practice. to send letters to the Therefore, the use of mobile phones in any Readers’ Forum, form while driving must be banned in legal containing not more than 200 words with terms and regular campaigns and initiatives full name, address are needed to improve awareness that can and telephone always contribute to make a difference. As number, may be sent the subject of road safety initiatives and by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com). practices being followed in recent times, the recurring accidents cases must take people seriously and think why it repeats so often.

While appreciating the follow up efforts on the part of Royal Oman Police to strengthen safety measures for a safe drive on the Omani roads, the established guidelines are found more often ignored by the road users. — Ramachandran Nair, Ruwi

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Internet or splinternet?

ADAIR TURNER

Accounts of how helicopter money works often implicitly assume a simple world in which all money is created by the monetary authority. But in the real world commercial banks can create new private deposit money and hold only a small fraction of those deposits as reserves at the central bank

ho owns the Internet? The answer is no one and everyone. The Internet is a network of networks. Each of the separate networks belongs to different companies and organisations, and they rely on physical servers in different countries with varying laws and regulations. But without some common rules and norms, these networks cannot be linked effectively. Fragmentation – meaning the end of the Internet – is a real threat.

Some estimates put the Internet’s economic contribution to global GDP as high as $4.2 trillion in 2016. A fragmented “splinternet” would be very costly to the world, but that is one of the possible futures outlined last month in the report of the Global Commission on Internet Governance, chaired by former Swedish prime minister Carl Bildt. The Internet now connects nearly half the world’s population, and another billion people – as well as some 20 billion devices – are forecast to be connected in the next five years.

But further expansion is not guaranteed. In the Commission’s worst-case scenario, the costs imposed by the malicious actions of criminals and the political controls imposed by governments would cause people to lose trust in the Internet and reduce their use of it.

The cost of cybercrime in 2016 has been estimated to be as high as $445 billion, and it could grow rapidly.

As more devices, ranging from automobiles to pacemakers, are placed online, malicious hackers could turn the “Internet of Things” (IOT) into “the weaponisation of everything.” Massive privacy violations by companies and governments, and cyber attacks on civilian infrastructure such as power grids (as recently happened in Ukraine), could create insecurity that undercuts the Internet’s potential.

A second scenario is what the Commission calls “stunted growth.” Some users capture disproportionate gains, while others fail to benefit.

Three or four billion people are still offline, and the Internet’s economic value for many who are connected is compromised by trade barriers, censorship, laws requiring local storage of data, and other rules that limit the free flow of goods, services, and ideas.

The movement toward sovereign control of the Internet is growing, and a degree of fragmentation already exists. China has the largest number of Internet users, but its “Great Fire Wall” has

created barriers with parts of the outside world.

Many governments censor services that they think threaten their political control. If this trend continues, it could cost more than 1 per cent of GDP per year, and also impinge on peoples’ privacy, free speech, and access to knowledge.

While the world could muddle along this path, a great deal will be lost and many will be left behind.

In the Commission’s third scenario, a healthy Internet provides unprecedented opportunities for innovation and economic growth. The Internet revolution of the past two decades has contributed something like 8 per cent of global GDP and brought three billion users online, narrowing digital, physical, economic, and educational divides. The Commission’s report states that the IOT may result in up to $11 trillion in additional GDP by 2025.

The Commission concluded that sustaining unhindered innovation will require that the Internet’s standards are openly developed and available; that all users develop better digital “hygiene” to discourage hackers; that security and resilience be at the core of system design (rather than an afterthought, as they currently are); that governments not require third parties to compromise encryption; that countries agree not to attack the Internet’s core infrastructure; and that governments mandate liability and compel transparent reporting of technological problems to provide a market-based insurance industry to enhance the IOT’s security.

Until recently, the debate about the most appropriate approach to Internet governance revolved around three main camps. The first, multi-stakeholder approach, originated organically from the community that developed the Internet, which ensured technical proficiency but not international legitimacy, because it was heavily dominated by American technocrats. A second camp favoured greater control by the International Telecommunications Union, a United Nations specialised agency, which ensured legitimacy but at the cost of efficiency. And authoritarian countries like Russia and China championed international treaties guaranteeing no interference with states’ strong sovereign control over their portion of the Internet. — Project Syndicate

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES AUGUST 2001 Seminar on bio-diversity national strategy opens SALALAH: A seminar on bio-diversity natural strategy and working plan approved earlier by the Council of Ministers opened at Salalah Hilton Hotel here yesterday under the auspices of Ghali bin Ahmed Al Musahli, director-general of water and transport in Dhofar governorate. Five papers were presented from the Ministry of Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

The papers shed light on the strategy and the plan on biodiversity in the Sultanate, nature sanctuaries, and relevant legislations.

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PICTOGRAPH

PROPORTION OF TOTAL WATER RESOURCES USED in million cubic meter annually

2000

2013

1634

1217

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

1756: French commander Louis Montcalm takes Fort Oswego, New England, from the British.

1917: The Chinese Parliament declares war on Central Powers.

1947: Pakistan becomes an independent country.

2010: First-ever Summer Youth Olympic Games open, in Singapore.

0 Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

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LIFESTYLE WELLNESS

OSTEOARTHRITIS IN THE KNEE proves within 30 minutes when the individual starts moving about ĊŗŗŗS ŗ welling ĊŗŗŗDeformity Story Dr Raghavan Sivaram level), rheumatoid arthritis, and Paget’s disease of the bone.

O

steoarthritis (OA) in the knee is defined as a degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying supporting structures in normal joints. A firm, rubbery material called cartilage covers the end of each bone. Cartilage provides a smooth, gliding surface for joint motion and acts as a cushion between the bones. In OA, the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, swelling, and problems moving the joint. In the body, an inflammatory process occurs and cytokines (pro-

teins) and enzymes develop that further damage the cartilage. In the final stages of OA, the cartilage wears away and bone rubs against bone leading to joint damage and more pain.

Although OA occurs in people of all ages, osteoarthritis is most common in people older than 65. Common risk factors include increasing age, obesity, and previous joint injury, overuse of the joint, weak thigh muscles (quadriceps), and genetic predisposition.

Occupational habits are also known to be a risk factor, with the risk of knee OA significantly elevated in those whose job involves more than 30 minutes per day squatting, kneeling, or climbing stairs. Other pre disposing conditions are gout (increased uric acid

Prevalence of Osteoarthritis It is one of the top five most disabling conditions that affects more than one-third of persons above 65 years of age. Global estimates reveal more than 100 million people are affected by OA. The financial expenditures for the care of persons with OA are estimated at a total annual national cost estimate of $15.5-$28.6 billion per year. The COPCORD studies conducted in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan looked specifically into differences between rural and urban populations. In India the crude prevalence of clinically-diagnosed knee OA was higher in the urban (5.5%) than the rural community (3.3%).

Symptoms in OA knee: ŗĊŗŗŗPain ĊŗŗŗStiffness — more severe on waking up in the morning, and im-

Diagnosis ĊŗŗŗPhysical examination ĊŗŗŗPainful range of motion ĊŗŗŗMuscle strength in the affected region ĊŗŗŗPresence of any swelling or tenderness of the joint ĊŗŗŗGait (the way you walk) if OA is in the hip or knee ĊŗŗŗJoint line tenderness ĊŗŗŗRadiological examination ĊŗŗŗX-rays are very helpful in diagnosing osteoarthritis because the affected joint will have a characteristic appearance, such as: ĊŗŗŗBones appearing closer to each other: As cartilage wears away, the joint space can narrow. ĊŗŗŗCysts: As the body responds to cartilage destruction and attempts to stabilise the joint, cysts or fluid-filled cavities can form in the bone.

Increased bone density or uneven joints: When bones are no longer cushioned by cartilage, they can rub against one another, creating friction. The body responds

by laying down more bone in response, increasing bone density.

Increased bone creates uneven joint surfaces and osteophytes (bone spurs) around the joint margins.

MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) MRI can demonstrate reactive bone edema or soft tissue swelling as well as small cartilage or bone fragments in the joint.

CT (computed tomography) examinations are excellent for demonstrating the degree of osteophyte (bone spur) formation and its relationship to the adjacent soft tissues.

CT examinations are also useful in providing guidance for therapeutic and diagnostic procedures.

Ultrasound is extremely sensitive for identifying synovial cysts that can form in association with osteoarthritis. Ultrasound can also be used to image articular cartilage in patients who cannot tolerate an MRI examination because of claustrophobia or pacemakers.

Bone scans are very sensitive in detecting reactive bone turnover association with osteoarthritis.

Bone scans can also image the entire skeleton in one examination and thus can provide the clinician with helpful information in patients in whom there may be multiple areas where OA is present.

Laboratory findings: Laboratory tests are helpful in the diagnosis of OA because they are usually normal. Routine tests such as

complete blood counts, urinalysis, sedimentation rate (ESR), biochemistries, and specialised tests such as rheumatoid factor and antinuclear antibody (ANA) are useful simply to rule out other diseases that cause joint pain.

However, it should be remembered that as we age, a low level positive test for rheumatoid arthritis (rheumatoid factor) or ANA, and elevations of sedimentation rate (ESR) can sometimes develop without the presence of the illness. Although these findings can sometimes be confusing to a patient, they need not be. The clinical picture makes the diagnosis; lab tests are used only to confirm the clinical picture. Laboratory tests should never be used alone to diagnose arthritis.

Synovial fluid is the liquid that is normally found within the joints.

It helps nourish and lubricate the joints. It is usually present in only very small amounts. However when arthritis is present, it changes in character and amount.

Withdrawing the fluid can reduce swelling and pain. It can also help to confirm the diagnosis.

When the synovial fluid is removed, it should be sent for culture, as well as be tested for cell count. In osteoarthritis, the white cell count (“pus cells”) is usually low and the fluid is clear (like water); higher counts should suggest inflammatory arthritis or infection.

The fluid may also be examined for the presence of uric acid crystals (seen in gout) or calcium pyrophosphate crystals. The measurement of other biological markers is still experimental.

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Treatment Modalities Weight reduction is one of the first and unproblematic measures that can be taken to reduce knee OA. Studies of OA have constantly shown that overweight people have higher rates of knee OA than non-overweight control subjects.

This is due to the fact that the force across the knees is 3-6 times the body weight; therefore, people who have more mass cause extreme forces on their knees, leading to the early onset or steady progression of knee OA condition.

The most widely used remedy for knee OA is rehabilitation and physical therapy (PT). PT has proved to be useful in helping patients with pain and mobility.

Fitness walking, aerobic exercise, and strength training have all been reported to result in functional improvement in patients with OA of the knee.

Strength training, being the most common treatment approach for the management of patients with functional limitations, is prescribed to address the need to increase muscular strength and joint stability for improving in WOMAC (Western Ontario and Mc-Master Universities OA Index) pain scores and overall health benefits. The common equipment used is based on fundamentally different movement progression and resistance patterns such as isotonic (unchanged tension but change in length), isometric (no change in length or angle), and isokinetic (constant resistance with variation in speeds). Though isometric activities show effective results in reducing pain levels, they are avoided when working with the elderly due to increases seen in heart rate and blood pressure, which could be contraindicative to other co-morbidities.

Hydrotherapy (balneotherapy) involves the use of water in any form or at any temperature (steam, liquid, ice) for the purpose of healing. Hydrotherapy/balneotherapy and aquatic therapy displayed positive results, when conducted for testing subject’s strength and flexibility. The sessions typically are run from six to 48 weeks for a duration of 60 minutes, and are conducted in a shallow pool with water temperatures ranging from

29°C to 34°C. Patients are typically recommended to exercise between 50% and 70% target heart rate for a minimum of 30 minutes, thrice a week, for overall weight management, health benefits, and a reduction in pain which was noted after a six-month programme.

Yoga’s gentle movements can aid to build body strength, flexibility, and balance, and reduce arthritis pain and stiffness. The slow, controlled physical movement of joints is helpful for the arthritis patients. It improves the blood circulation in joints, removing unwanted toxins and other waste products. A pilot study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine, examined one type of yoga, Iyengar Yoga, suitable for people with OA of the knee. After an eight-week course of weekly 90-minute beginner classes, there was a statistically significant reduction in pain, physical function, and mood, indicating the positive effects of yoga therapy for OA rehabilitation.

Heat/cold therapy: Heat, cold, pressure, light, and even electricity have been used for thousands of years to accelerate healing and decrease pain.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is one of the most widely used physical modalities for the management of OA knee. Many studies have already been completed and demonstrated no significant differences in immediate pain relief between the groups.

Pharmacological agents: Acetaminophen, aspirin, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used as pain relief medicines to treat OA. Excessive use of NSAIDs can lead to gastric complications, ulcers, increased risk for hospitalisation and other adverse side effects.

Glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate are two nutritional supplements that have been reported to “cure” arthritis.

As glucosamine and chondroitin are produced within the body and are used in the manufacture or repair of cartilage, it is suggested that the synthetic versions work the same way.

Intra articular injections of hyaluronic acid and steroids: Hyaluronic acid is the lubricating substance within the joint which may be lost during osteoarthritis.

It has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as a device for the treatment of OA in humans since 1997.

Total joint arthroplasty: Generally with a knee replacement, a metal cap is fitted on to the bottom of the thigh bone (femur) and a plate is fitted on top of the shin bone (tibia). The joint between the two is a plastic hinge joint.

As against the common myth that total knee patients are not satisfied with the surgical outcomes, total hip and total knee arthroplasties were found to be quite effective in terms of improvement in health-related quality-of-life dimensions. Age was not found to be an obstacle to effective surgery, and men seemed to benefit more from the intervention than did women.

When improvement was found to be modest, the role of comorbidities was highlighted.

Unicondylar joint replacement: It is most common for arthritis problems to affect the medial (inside) aspect of the knee; therefore, partial knee replacements can be done and only the inner portion of the knee joint is replaced. When replacing the medial knee, more range of motion is expected along with faster recovery.

Arthroscopic knee debridement (key hole surgery): The small inconsequential benefit seen from interventions that include arthroscopy for the degenerative knee is limited in time and absent at one to two years after surgery. Knee arthroscopy is associated with harms in patients with OA. Taken together, these findings do not support the practice of arthroscopic surgery for the middle aged or older patients with knee pain with or without signs of osteoarthritis.

Currently, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and/or loose body removal is routinely performed in patients with symptomatic OA of the knee who also have primary signs and symptoms of a torn meniscus and/or a loose body.

In conclusion, the primary goals of the management of patients with OA are pain control and to bring improvement in function and health-related quality of life, with avoidance of toxic pharmacological effects. Total knee replacement is indicated in patients with severe osteoarthritis suffering extensive pain and deformity, where conservative measures have failed.

Obesity is not a contra indication for total joint replacement against the myth among most patients and there is no difference in patient reported outcome measures in obese patients, although wound complications were significantly higher.

Patient satisfaction is generally improved in obese patients following total knee replacement and therefore, it should be utilised in severe disease after discussing the relative benefits and risks of surgery.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com Dr Raghavan Sivaram is specialist orthopaedic surgeon at Apollo Hospital, Muscat

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Suicide Squad - (3D) (Action, Crime) 11:30PM (12+) VIP LOUNGE Suicide Squad - (3D) (Action) (12+) 3:30, 9:00 & 11:30PM Ice Age: Collision Course - (3D) (Animation | Adventure | Comedy) (PG) 7:15PM The Legend of Tarzan - (3D) (Action ) 6:00PM (PG12) Jason Bourne - (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Matt Damon, Tommy Lee Jones 11:50PM AZAIBA Ice Age: Collision Course (3D) (Animation | Adventure | Comedy) (PG) 2:00, 4:30 PM The Legend of Tarzan (3D) (Action) Cast: Alexander Skarsgard 6:10, 11:30 PM(PG12) Suicide Squad (3D) (Crime) (12+) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot 3:30, 11:45 PM Rustom (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (12+) 3:00, 5:45, 8:15, 11:30 PM Mohenjo Daro (Hindi) (2D) (Romance) 3:15, 6:00, 8:30, 11:00 PM (PG12) Wagah (Tamil) (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Vikram Prabhu, Ranya Rao 9:00 PM Babu Bangaram (Telugu) (2D) (Action) Cast: Venkatesh, Nayanthara 8:55 PM Kasaba (Mal) (2D) (Action ) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Jagadish, Sampath Raj 6:25 PM RUWI Screen 1 Mohenjo Daro (Action/ Drama) –PG12 Cast : Hrithik Roshan, Pooja Hegde 3.30, 9.30 PM Rustom (Action/Thriller) –12+ Cast : Akshay Kumar, Ileana, Esha Gupta 6.30 PM Screen 2 Rustom (Action/Thriller) –12+ 3.45, 9.45 PM Mohenjo Daro (Action/ Drama ) –PG12 6.45 PM Screen 3 Dishoom (Action) –PG Cast : John Abraham, Varun Dhawan 3.45, 6.45 PM Rustom (Action/Thriller) –12+ 9.45 PM SUR Ice Age: Collision Course (Animation) 5.30 PM (3D)(PG) Manhattan Nocturne (Crime)(12+) Cast: Yvonne Strahovski, Adrien Brody 6.45, 11.45 PM

The Shallows (Drama – English)(PG12) Cast: Blake Lively, Oscar Jaenada 3.45, 10.00 PM Rustom (Thriller- Hindi)(12+) 7.15, 11.15 PM Mohenjo Daro (Adventure – Hindi)(PG12) 3.45, 8.30 PM SOHAR The Legend of Tarzan - 3D (Drama) 2:30, 9:30PM (PG12) Ice Age: Collision Course-3D (Animation) (12+); 5:15PM The BFG-3D (Action/Family/Fantasy) (PG) 3:00, 6:30PM Equals – 2D (Drama/Romance) (15+) Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Kristen Stewart 5:15PM The Shallows – 2D (Drama) (PG12) 4:45, 10:15PM Kill Command – 2D (Action) (12+) Cast: Vanessa Kirby, Thure Lindhardt, 3:15, 11:55PM The Neon Demon – 2D (Horror) (18+) Cast: Elle Fanning, Keanu Reeves 11:55PM Suicide Squad-3D (Action/Crime/) (12+) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto 7:00, 11:45PM Kasaba-2D (Malayalam/ Action) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Jagadish, Sampath Raj 6:15PM Rustom-2D (Hindi/ Action/Thriller) (12+) 3:30, 8:45PM Mohenjo Daro - 2D (Hindi/Romance) Cast Hrithik Roshan, Pooja Hegde 7:15, 8:45, 11:30PM (PG12) Babu Bangaram - 2D (Telugu/Action) Cast Venkatesh, Nayanthara 9:00PM (PG) BURAIMI Mohenjo Daro PG12 (Hindi) (Adventure) 4.45, 9.00 & 11.30 PM Suicide Squad (3D) 12+ (Action, Crime) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot 7.30 PM Ice Age: Collision Course (3D) PG (Animation | Adventure | Comedy) 5.30 PM Kill Command 12+ (Action Sci-Fi) Cast: Vanessa Kirby, Thure Lindhardt, 7.15 & 9.45 PM Rustom 12+ (Hindi) (Action| Thriller) 6.45 & 11.15 PM The Shallows PG12 (Drama| Horror ) Cast: Blake Lively, Óscar Jaenada 5.00 & 9.30 PM Manhattan Nocturne 12+ (Crime) 11.45 PM SALALAH The BFG (3D) (PG) (Action | Family) Cast: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, 12:30, 4:30PM Kill Command (2D) (12+) (Action) Cast: Vanessa Kirby, Thure Lindhardt 1:00, 11:55PM The Shallows (2D) (12+) (Drama| Horror ) Cast: Blake Lively, Óscar Jaenada 4:35PM Suicide Squad (3D) (12+) (Action) 2:00, 9:15PM Ice Age: Collision Course (3D) (PG) 2:45PM The Legend of Tarzan (3D) (PG12) 11:45AM, 6:45, 11:45PM (PG12) Jason Bourne (2D) (PG12) (Action | ) 6:10PM Rustom (2D) (12+) (Hindi) (Action) 8:30PM Mohenjo Daro (2D) (PG12) (Hindi) 3:15, 8:55, 11:15PM Babu Bangaram (2D) (PG) (Hindi) Adventure| Romance) Cast: Venkatesh, Nayanthara 6:30PM

@ AZAIBA

Rustom (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Ileana, Esha Gupta 3:00, 5:45, 8:15, 11:30 PM

BAHJA CINEMA Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com The Neon Demon (Horror / Thriller) Cast: Elle Fanning, Christina Hendricks, Keanu Reeves 3.45, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No : 1958 (18+) Manhattan Nocturne (Crime / Drama / Mystery) Cast: Yvonne Strahovski, Adrien Brody 2.00, 6.00, 10.00 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No : 1959 (12+) Equals (Drama / Romance / Sci-Fi) Cast: Nicholas Hoult, Kristen Stewart, Vernetta Lopez 2.00, 4.00 & 8.00 p.m.

CP No : 1960 (15+) Suicide Squad (Action / Adventure / Comedy) Cast: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie 5.45 p.m.

CP No : 1950 (12+)

STAR CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om Babu Bangaram ( Telugu ) (Act\ Drama)(PG) Cast : Venkatesh & Nayantara 3-30 PM Cinema Main; 6-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema -2 Anuraga Karikkin Vallam (Mal) (PG 12) Cast: Biju Menon & Asif Ali 6-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema Main; 3-30 pm Cinema -2 Rustom (Hindi) ( Act) ( +12) Cast : Akshay Kumar & Ileana Dcruz 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -3 Kasaba (Mal) ( Act) ( PG 12) Cast : Mammootty & Varalaxami 3-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema-4 Kabali ( Tamil) ( Action) ( PG 12) Cast : Rajanikanth & Radika Apte 6-45 pm Cinema -4 Next Change: IDI ( Malayalam); Darmadurai (Tamil); Happy Bhag Jayegi (Hindi) Programmes are subject to change

A16

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

LIFESTYLE

10 SELF-CARE SECRETS FOR SLIMMING DOWN 1

Sleep It is so easy to overeat when we are tired. We reach for food to keep us going, thinking we will have more energy the more we eat.

Just the opposite happens. When we overeat we feel bad, heavy, and lethargic. And we are still tired.

Work on going to bed earlier. Late night nibbling is easier when it is late and we should be in bed.

Take care of yourself by retiring to bed with a book, and then turn the lights out before your tummy starts to growl. Even if it is growling, go to bed, you will not hear it when you are asleep and it feels sooo good to wake up in the morning with a clear conscience.

2

Vitamins So many times our overeating is caused by nutritional deficiencies. We seek the vitamins and minerals our bodies crave in excess food. Unfortunately, this is a vicious cycle because usually the food we overeat is devoid of any real nutrition, so it leaves us further depleted. As a first step, begin taking a good multivitamin, preferably one made from whole food. (If you go to a health food store, they will offer whole food supplements, not just synthetic ones.) Next, strive to eat organic foods whose soil is not stripped of

When experts tell us about weight loss, it is usually all about exercise, calories and carbs.

While all of them are vital information, here are few essential tips that do not make to the diet books but are essential to maintain a healthy weight.

and it offers very few health benefits. There is no such thing as having only a little.

If you like things sweet, try a truly healthy substitute.

9 vital minerals like the soil of chemical-sprayed fruits and vegetables.

Eating organic will make you feel better, and feel better about yourself. Because you are making an effort to be good to your body.

Lastly, stick with foods that have as little processing as possible. For example, cook a free-range turkey instead of eating cold-cuts. The more whole and natural, the more nutritionally sound.

3

Bring lunch It is easy to order take-out with your other bored co-workers, but that only makes weight loss harder. Be deliberate about taking care of yourself. Think ahead and shop for foods that you can use to make a healthy salad for yourself.

Buy some colourful boxes for your packed lunches. Put some care into making a fruit salad for yourself with various yummy fruits.

You will be amazed how good

about yourself you will feel and how good for you it is to bring your own lunch to work and avoid the greasy, starchy alternatives your coworkers are devouring.

4

Do not skip meals Skipping meals is a trap. We always end up making up for the meals we skipped and then some.

Make a point to eat three meals a day, and do not nibble in between.

Would you skip feeding your children? Of course not. Then why do we think it is OK to skip our own meals? If you make a point to feed yourself on a schedule of three meals a day, you will be more balanced emotionally and you will actually build self-esteem. Both these things lead to a thinner weight and a better quality of life.

5

Stay hydrated You know that eight glasses of water a day is good for weight loss

and health in general. True health experts will actually recommend that you drink more than this. The fact is that when we are dehydrated, we eat more. This is because it is easy to disguise thirst for hunger. We eat, looking to hydrate ourselves, when drinking a few glasses of water would easily quiet those hunger pangs. So next time you are sure that you need to eat more, try a tall glass of water and wait ten minutes. That may be all you need.

Here is another tip: Make it easy by bringing a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

6

Bring your own food Do not put your health in other peoples hands ...they do not feel the pain when your jeans do not fit.

Taking care of yourself takes some planning. Is the party you will be attending only going to have greasy and starchy finger foods? (You can call ahead and ask the host what

she or he will be serving — mention that you have some special dietary needs.) To be safe, bring a veggie platter with low-fat dip.

That way you get what you need and you do not feel left out. Do not leave your health to chance. Remember the adage: If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

7

Do not eat diet food How do diet food companies keep us shelling out dough for more diet food? They put chemicals and addictive ingredients in them that make us hooked. I am talking about ingredients like MSG, and many forms of addictive sugars like corn syrup and sucrose.

Studies have shown that when people eat a diet food they feel like they can get away with eating more and end up overeating.

8

Avoid sugar Sugar is extremely addictive

Go raw Besides the obvious nutritional benefits, another good reason to have raw is that your body has to work harder to process raw foods, thus burning more calories. In addition, raw foods have far more nutrients than cooked foods. Raw foods often take longer to eat so your body has time to feel sated: Try a spinach salad instead of creamed spinach with your meal.

10

Do not go too long without eating When you wait too long to eat your next meal, you are causing your adrenal glands to panic, believing your body is in starvation mode.

Then when you do eat, they do not get the message when you have had enough.

They are still attempting to save your life by causing you to believe you need to eat more. Take care of yourself.

The biggest irony ever is that compulsive eaters do not know how to feed themselves.

-Courtesy of Artipot

B

SOUTH KOREAN GROWTH South Korea’s economy will expand 2.7 per cent this year and 3 per cent next year, the International Monetary Fund said, which also welcomed recent fiscal and monetary stimulus in Asia’s fourthlargest economy. - Bloomberg News

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

MARKE

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

VAT ‘framework agreement’ expected in October this year Certain procedural aspects will be discussed in details during the forthcoming GCC’s Financial and Economic Cooperation

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A framework agreement for value added tax (VAT) is expected to be finalised during the forthcoming meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC’s) Financial and Economic Cooperation Committee in October this year.

This follows the finance ministers of GCC states approving the introduction of GCC VAT in Jeddah in June. However, certain procedural aspects will be discussed in details during the forthcoming

meetings. GCC states will be ready for the first phase of VAT implementation by the beginning of 2018.

Also, for over six months now, there have been statements by Oman government officials and the media indicating that VAT will be imposed in the Sultanate from January 1, 2018.

According to earlier reports, the GCC countries are going to impose VAT in their respective countries and a consensus exists for the almost simultaneous imposition of VAT according to similar laws for all the countries. “This is to avoid

any cross border VAT imposition conflicts (as the GCC countries are already bound by a customs union for the free movement of goods across the GCC),” Davis Kallukaran, managing partner at Crowe Horwath Oman, told the Times of Oman. Kallukaran said the economic crisis across the globe has been an eye opener for the GCC countries, whose main source of revenue is from oil. “The oil prices have crashed to an unimaginable level, never thought of by the great economists. Apart from the Iranian outflow, various other complex situations have sprout up suddenly,” he said, adding; “No doubt the GCC is looking for alternate sources of revenue for its sustenance. The introduction of VAT is one such alternative.”

The Value Added Tax is a levy added to most goods and services, which is collected from customers by vendors and paid over to the government. Accordingly, a business enterprise will pay VAT on the goods and services it buys

Davis Kallukaran. — Supplied picture

(on the purchase price) and collect the VAT from its customers on the goods and services it sells (on the sales price, which might also include the value for any value addition undertaken and profit on the goods before selling).

The difference between the amount which the business enterprise has paid and collected

is to be deposited with the designated authority. “Accordingly, there is no burden of VAT on the business enterprise.

VAT is suffered by the ultimate consumer as it is included in the sales price,” noted Kallukaran.

According to earlier reports, VAT at a specified percentage of sales price will be collected for every transaction involving payment of certain goods and services (staple food items, medicines and educational items may be exempted from VAT). Fees paid for services, including small items such as cinema tickets and parking charges, may also be subject to VAT. Besides, business enterprises with a certain revenue threshold will be obliged to register under the VAT system in the first phase.

For business enterprises, with revenue of less than the threshold, it may be optional to register during this phase. It will eventually become obligatory for all business enterprises to register under the VAT system.

It appears that the requirement to be registered will arise in early 2018, once the VAT law is announced. The registered companies will be required to keep accurate records to account for VAT paid and collected and amounts to be deposited with the government authority.

The applicability of VAT on free zone companies or goods imported for re-export might be clarified in the VAT Law when published.

There might be also be an audit of VAT registered entities by the government audit to ensure that the correct amount of VAT is collected and paid to the authority.

Preparedness Kallukaran noted that the VAT Law and Regulations are expected to be announced sometime in the GCC this summer.

Once these are announced, it is possible to understand the requirements and implement procedures for complying with the VAT regulations. > B3

B2

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

MARKET Credit to private sector grows 13% in first half private sector deposit base, followed by non-financial corporations at 26.7 per cent, financial corporations at 19.8 per cent and the other sectors at 3.4 per cent.

At the end of June 2016, narrow money stock (M1) when measured on year-on-year basis, registered a marginal fall of 0.9 per cent to OMR5.4 billion.

Of the total credit to the private sector, the share of the household sector (mainly under personal loans) stood at 46 per cent

MUSCAT: Credit to the private sector in Oman increased by 13.1 per cent to OMR19.2 billion at the end of June 2016. Of the total credit to the private sector, the share of the household sector (mainly under personal loans) stood at 46 per cent, closely followed by the nonfinancial corporate sector at 45.9 per cent, financial corporations at 5.3 per cent and other sectors the remaining 2.8 per cent.

Total deposits registered a modest growth of 1.8 per cent to OMR20.1 billion in the first half. Private sector deposits of the banking system registered a growth of 5.1 per cent to OMR12.9 billion at the end of June 2016.

Sector-wise, the share of households was 50.1 per cent of the total

Quasi-money On the other hand, quasi-money (Savings and time deposits in Omani rials, certificates of deposit issued by commercial banks, margin deposits and foreign currency denominated deposits) witnessed an appreciable growth of 8.9 per cent during the period.

Broad money supply M2 (that is, M1 plus quasi-money) stood at OMR15.55 billion at end of June 2016, up from OMR14.76 billion a year ago, registering an increase of 5.4 per cent during the period.

In respect of domestic interest rate structure of conventional banks, the weighted average interest rate on Omani rials deposits firmed up from 0.885 per cent

in June 2015 to 1.182 per cent in June 2016 while the weighted average Omani rials lending rate marginally decreased from 4.859 per cent to 4.854 per cent during the same period.

The overnight tial Omani domestic inter-bank lending rate firmed up to 0.412 per cent in June 2016 from 0.131 per cent a year ago.

Also, the combined balance sheet of conventional and Islamic banks (other depository corporations) taken together, provides a complete overview of the financial intermediation taking place in the banking system in the Sultanate.

The total outstanding credit extended by the other depository corporations stood at OMR21.5 billion as at the end of June 2016, a rise of 11.7 per cent over the level witnessed a year ago. — ONA

HAVE YOUR SAY

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SEPTEMBER

50 companies to take part in logistics expo MUSCAT: Middle East Transport and Logistics Exhibition will begin on September 5 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre (OIEC) with more than 50 local and international companies taking part in the three-day event.

The exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Transport and Communications, which is spearheading the modernisation of Oman’s transport and logistics infrastructure.

It is also supported by various government, public and private sector stakeholders who contribute to the growth and continued success of this pivotal industry.

This event aims to create synergy and strengthen the collaboration between the authorities and the industries.

It will be a mega event where local, regional and international exhibitors will showcase latest technologies, best practices, pioneering research, advanced trends, and innovative products and solutions, to meet the requirements of governments, businesses, industrial and commercial entities, aviation, construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, oil and gas and

utilities sectors, for more efficient and even faster transport and logistics services.

Supply and demand The exhibition is designed to meet the supply and demand of the market, by bringing the manufacturers, integrators, distributors, and service providers to capitalise on the expanding market and boost momentum across.

As the only industry focused exhibition, it will attract professionals and decision makers from across the transportation and logistics sector.

The event is an important trade fair for networking and interactions with government officials, key decision makers, industry executives, contractors, consultants, service providers, financiers, and other stakeholders making it an impetus business oriented networking platform.

From the standpoint of the Sultanate of Oman’s economic diversification strategy, the transport and logistics industry will be the game changer and has the potential to supplant the hydrocarbon sector. — ONA

C R E D I T R AT I N G S

International agency affirms Sultanate’s sovereign ratings Times News Service MUSCAT: International credit rating agency, Capital Intelligence Ratings, on Saturday affirmed Oman’s Long-Term Foreign Currency and Local Currency Ratings at ‘A-’ and its Short-Term Foreign and Local Currency Ratings at ‘A2.’

At the same time, the Outlook for Oman’s sovereign ratings has been affirmed at ‘negative’.

The ratings and ‘negative’ outlook reflect the oil price-driven deterioration in fiscal and external balances, as well as the so far limited policy response – particularly

on the fiscal side – to tackle the decline in hydrocarbon revenues.

“The public finances continued to deteriorate in the first five months of 2016, with the central government budget deficit widening to OMR2.54 billion, compared to OMR1.6 billion in the same period of 2015,” said Capital Intelligence in its rating report.

The budget deficit reached 18.1 per cent of gross domestic product in 2015 (3.4 per cent in 2014) and based on CI Ratings’ assumption of a modest pickup in hydrocarbon prices in the short to intermediate term, is expected to average 16.9

per cent of GDP in 2016-2018.

“The budget deficit has increased despite government efforts to expand oil production to around 994,400 barrels a day and cut hydrocarbon-related investment spending as well as military spending. Deeper spending cuts are likely to be challenging since around 50 per cent of total expenditure relates to public sector wages and subsidies – areas which have proven difficult to reform in the past.”

Reflecting the size of the budget deficit, the government’s gross financing needs have increased

significantly from less than 5 per cent of GDP in 2014 to around 25 per cent in 2016 and are expected to remain relatively high in the short to intermediate term. Nearterm financing risks are partly mitigated by the financial assets of Oman’s sovereign wealth funds and according to a recent report by the National Centre of Statistics, up to OMR1.5 billion (7.5 per cent of estimated GDP) is budgeted to be withdrawn from fiscal reserves for financing purposes this year.

Nevertheless, CI Ratings expects the central government debt to increase from around 11 per

cent of GDP currently to about 30 per cent in 2017. The government is expected to remain in a declining net creditor position throughout this period. However, it is likely to edge into a net debtor position in the longer term if debt dynamics are not reversed.

Oman’s external current account posted a large deficit of 15.4 per cent of GDP in 2015, compared to a surplus of 5.1 per cent in 2014, and is likely to remain in double-digit deficit in the short to intermediate term. Nevertheless, Oman remains a net external creditor, with external assets exceeding a moderate

external debt stock (currently estimated to be about 25 per cent of GDP) – although the strength of this position is declining.

Economic growth performance remains modest, with the economy expected to expand by an average of 1.8 per cent of GDP in real terms in 2016-18, compared to previous forecasts of an average of 2.7 per cent. Economic growth is expected to be supported by nonhydrocarbon activities and GCC funded infrastructural projects.

Oman’s credit ratings remain constrained by the overreliance on oil and gas.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

B3

MARKET Export agency okays OMR8m worth credits The credits include OMR4 million for local sales and OMR4 million for Omani non-oil exports

MUSCAT: Board of Export Credit Guarantee Agency (ECGA Oman) approved OMR8 million worth credits including OMR4 million for local sales and OMR4 million for Omani non-oil exports.

This was stated at the ECGA Oman’s seventh board meeting for 2016 at Airport Heights under the chair of Said bin Saleh Al Kiyoumi, chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) and chairman of the agency. The board also approved minutes of the previous meeting and followed up the implementation of decisions. The meeting also

discussed several issues related to guaranteeing exports and the performance of the agency.

The meeting was attended by Hamad Al Harthy, representative of the Oman Development Bank (ODB), Fayza Al Mashrafiyah, representative of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Idrees Al Hasani, representative of the Ministry of Finance. — ONA

VA L U E A D D E D TA X

< FROM

B1

Keeping track of payment, recovery of VAT

However, in order to be proactive, based on the available information, it would appear that the business enterprises should review their accounting systems and records. Ensure that these are comprehensive enough to support compliance with the VAT regulations, i.e., the accounting records should be able to keep track of payment and recovery of VAT for each transaction accurately, initiate payment of VAT to the authority at the required periodical interval and submit appropriate returns to the government authority responsible for VAT affairs.

The accounting system has to be separate in order to calculate and record the value of items subject to and not subject to VAT

(this is important for businesses, such as supermarkets, pharmacies, etc.). In addition the invoices, customers would be required to clearly indicate the amount of VAT charged.

The company’s current accounting system may or may not be able to deal with these requirements. It is possible that the company may require a new accounting system or additional software to bridge your accounting system to the requirements for complying with the VAT regulations.

The corporate sector also needs an efficient inventory management system, as an additional percentage on account of VAT would be tied up in the inventory on hand.

The companies have to manage cash flow efficiently as the net VAT collected might have to be deposited with the authority on specific dates. Failure to do so may result in penalties.

“One should start preparing to implement the VAT requirements as soon as the VAT Law is announced. Eighteen months is not a very long period of time to plan and operate a new system of accounting, billing, inventory and cash management,” Kallukaran noted.

The companies will have to register with the VAT authority, keep accurate accounts in compliance with the VAT regulations, file the required returns with the VAT authority and make the VAT payment on the prescribed dates.

T H R E E - D AY E X P O

Fire, safety and security exhibition in September MUSCAT: The second version of Oman Fire, Safety and Security Exhibition (OFSEC 2016) will take place at Oman International Exhibition Centre (OIEC) from September 5 to 7.

The three-day event is organised by Muscat Expo, in cooperation with several government and private agencies.

OFSEC 2016 will bring together local and international exhibitors who will showcase their avantgarde solutions, specific transverse and latest technologies, cutting edge innovations, costeffective products and services to meet the requirements of governments, businesses, industrial and commercial entities, aviation, construction, infrastructure, transportation, manufacturing, oil and gas and utilities sectors.

Dynamic economic and infrastructure development in Oman and the region has made the Middle East the most vibrant safety and security market in the world, with a growth rate of over 10 per cent annually, since 2012, according to a recent research by G4S. There is a diverse demand for fire, safety and security equipment, ranging from the smallest of businesses to large corporates and home-users.

There is a diverse demand for fire, safety and security equipment, ranging from the smallest of businesses to large corporates and homes

Networking platform OFSEC is designed to meet needs of the local, regional and international markets by linking practitioners, suppliers, distributors and manufacturers from the fire, safety and security industry, with key decision makers from the government and private sectors, making it a definitive networking platform, where new projects and partnerships are initiated and visionary objectives are implemented.

This event also aims to create synergy and strengthen the collaboration between the authorities and the industries.

The exhibition will attract participation from a large number of exhibitors and representation from over 30 countries, with a slew of product and service launches, to the trade visitors and potential buyers from the region and beyond.

OFSEC has collaborated with government bodies, leading industry associations, research partners and specialists to establish the exhibition that caters to the entire fire, safety and security sectors, making it an imperative convergence point.

The expo is aligned with the demand and supply of the market across the board of industries to share best practices, tackle challenges, and explore breakthrough methods for the integration of safety and security technologies.

The exhibition will lay foundation and be the gateway to the current and future market trends in the fire, safety and security sectors, for the industry professionals to communicate, share ideas, identify solutions, to operate effectively and efficiently and stay abreast with the latest global trends.

OFSEC will confluence and strengthen local and international business engagement and encourage investment. — ONA

B4

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

FEATURE

IS STILL NOT READY TO FLY HIGH ON VIDEO ADVERTISEMENT Twitter Inc.’s plan to boost revenue from video advertising, a key part of chief executive officer Jack Dorsey’s revival effort, will take longer than analysts expected.

THE COMPANY is putting more video from its Periscope app and other sources in users’ timelines. But Twitter said that thirdquarter sales will be much lower than analysts predicted, in part because advertisement dollars from those videos won’t have kicked in yet. That sent Twitter shares down as much as 12 per cent in extended trading.

It will take time to “unlock” video advertisement budgets because the company has not finished building the technology advertisers need, Twitter said.

The company still has to develop an accurate way to verify who saw video advertisements, along with tools that help advertisers pick audiences and time their campaigns. Updates will happen “over

the next few quarters,” it said in a letter to shareholders.

“Playing catch-up for video is no easy feat, especially when you consider the resources deployed

by Snapchat, Facebook and YouTube,” said James Cakmak, an analyst at Monness, Crespi, Hardt & Co. Twitter has cut deals to stream more sports, political and entertainment videos on its service and plans to share revenue from related advertisements with content partners. Those deals will generate revenue quickly because advertisers will buy commercials for that content the way they normally do. But this won’t start until the end of the third quarter, chief financial officer Anthony Noto said.

The expected slowdown in revenue growth for the third quarter is “a function of demand,” Noto said in an interview. “We want to tap into new budgets. We haven’t done that, and it’s going to take a while.”

The video advertisement initiative is important because Twitter has struggled to grow advertiser budgets for its social media ads. Video typically comes from a different part of advertiser budgets -- the part they spend on TV, YouTube and Hulu -- not the part they tend to spend with Facebook and Twitter. Plus, advertisers tend to pay higher rates for a video ad.

“The demand we are seeing is unique in that it’s coming from the online video parts of the house,”

Twitter chief operating officer Adam Bain said on a Tuesday conference call with analysts.

Twitter’s existing ads are priced higher than some rivals’ ads, and that has “proven to be a headwind” for efforts to increase Twitter’s share of social media marketing budgets, the company said in its letter Tuesday.

During the conference call, Twitter executives said the company has all the big US advertisers as customers. Now it has to get them to spend more.

“This all points to ad pricing going down from now on, which is not good,” said Jitendra Waral, an analyst with Bloomberg Intelligence. “There will be a reduction in long-term growth expectations.” – Bloomberg News

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

ROUND-UP

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Kia ranked highest at AutoPacific VSA Kia Motors has been ranked highest among all popular brands in the 2016 AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) and placed fifth overall in the industry – ahead of established global luxury brands

MUSCAT: Close on the heels of Kia being placed at the very top in a prestigious quality study, the news has just broken that yet another great honour has been bestowed on the brand.

Now, Kia Motors has been ranked highest among all popular brands in the 2016 AutoPa-

cific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards (VSA) and placed fifth overall in the industry – ahead of established global luxury brands, says a press release.

In addition, three of Kia’s world-class vehicles – the 2016 Soul, Optima and Grand Carnival – have been named the segment winners in the VSAs, which identify the most satisfying cars and automotive brands in the market.

“AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Awards have become an industry benchmark for measuring how satisfied owners are

with their new vehicle, and we are thrilled to see the incredibly high level of satisfaction our customers are experiencing with our vehicles,” said Orth Hedrick, vice president Of Product Planning, Kia Motors America. “The Soul, Optima and Grand Carnival are all expertly crafted vehicles and represent just how far the Kia brand has come.”

AutoPacific’s VSAs identify the most satisfying vehicles for sale in the US market and assist new-car buyers in making informed vehicle purchase decisions. The results

are based on responses to over 65,000 surveys completed by owners of new, model year 2015 and 2016 vehicles.

The survey measures owner satisfaction through numerous attributes ranging from interior comfort and convenience to fuel economy and performance.

Kia in Oman is ranked amongst the Top Distributors in the world.

Reliable International Automotive (RIA), the distributor for Kia in Oman provides a rewarding ownership experience for customers. Excellent product attributes and unmatched facilities easily ensure their absolute satisfaction, every mile of the way.

No wonder then that Reliable International Automotive has been ranked amongst the top Kia distributors worldwide and has been honoured with prestigious accolades including the ‘Good Partnership award, ‘Family Like Care’ Service award’, and ‘Kia ‘Distributor of Distinction’ award.

The prestigious ‘Kia Award for Overall Excellence and Outstanding Performance’ amongst Kia distributors worldwide was bestowed most deservingly. RIA was also honoured with Kia’s ‘Global Sales Customer Satisfaction Excellence’ award 2016.

PA R T N E R S H I P

Al Mouj Muscat sponsors Omani cyclists participating in international championship MUSCAT: In line with its strategy to support young Omani talent, Al Mouj Muscat, Oman’s lifestyle destination, in partnership with the Oman Cycling Association will back Sultanate’s cyclists participating in the UCI Road World Championships to be held in Doha, Qatar.

The Road World Championship, organised by the Union Cyclist Internationale, will be held during October 9 to 16 this year with participation of about 1,000 racers from 75 countries around the world. More than 5,700 members from national federations, delegations, and technicians will attend the event too. Besides around 30,000 fans will arrive in Doha and millions of spectators from all over the world are expected to watch this annual event that has been organised since 1921 across different countries.

In preparation for the championship, the two selected cyclists from Oman will be sent for training at the International Training Centre in Switzerland with the hopes of ensuring maximum exposure for the promising competitors.

Emphasising that Al Mouj Muscat seeks to inspire and motivate young Omanis, Nasser Masoud Al Sheibani, acting CEO, said: “We are delighted to support our talented sportsmen who have qualified to participate in this well-known

international level competition.

The two promising cyclists have great potential for further growth and development. As an organisation which supports endowed youngsters, we want them to train in a competitive environment and take advantage of facility available to push their limits. We also commend the role Oman Cycling Association has been playing to encourage the cyclists.”

Expressing his appreciation to Al Mouj Muscat, Saif bin Sabaa Al Rashidi, chairman of Oman Cycling Association said, “We are grateful for the support and

our cyclists cherish the opportunity, experience and generosity of Al Mouj Muscat. Such backing from the private sector such as Al Mouj Muscat will go a long way in bettering the sports prospects of this country. When we received an invitation for the cyclists to participate in this world championship, we decided to send them for training in Switzerland to get them well-prepared for the championship. We hope that this training will help them reach a top spot in the tournament and that they will make our country proud with their achievement.”

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We are grateful for the support and our cyclists cherish the opportunity, experience and generosity of Al Mouj Muscat. Such backing from the private sector such as Al Mouj Muscat will go a long way in bettering the sports prospects of this country Saif Al Rashidi

Chairman of Oman Cycling Association

‘ B O L LY W O O D S E N S AT I O N ’

Renowned Bollywood DJ to perform in Muscat MUSCAT: Muscat’s Bollywood nightlife is set to evolve as India’s finest Bollywood DeeJay Amour is poised to perform live in Oman.

Tixel Agency is presenting ‘Bollywood Sensation’ which is the freshest platform in the Bollywood music industry currently, that promises to bring true Bollywood talent form the B-town business to those who seek a close encounter to their favourite artist, says a press release.

The concept speaks of an introduction and initiation towards a more advanced clubbing experience that brings different styles of Bollywood music, getting everyone closer to music which they love most.

DJ Amour has been winning the hearts of fans over the years with some mind blowing music and is

one of the leading female DJ’s and remixer. She has remixed some of the most famous songs of Bollywood and made the tracks her own. Aao Raja from Gabbar, Lets Nacho from Kapoor and Son’s to Deewana Tera from Leela.

Her hard work and dedication has given her a special place in the Bollywood industry and is now touring all around the globe along with some of the biggest celebrities.

Honey Gill, who is best known for her high energetic presence on stage, will host the show. Honey Gill has personally hosted movie promotions for Akshay Kumar and Arjun Kapoor, movies like Sigh in Bling, Ki & Ka and Super Grand Masti to name a few.

They will be performing live at On the Rocks, at the Golden Tulip Hotel, on August 19.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

ROUND-UP Splash signs Bollywood stars Salman Khan, Katrina as brand ambassadors The Bollywood mega stars known for their acting finesse and their on-trend sartorial choices with a massive fan following will be seen representing Splash through a series of brand campaigns across the Middle East

MUSCAT: Splash, the Middle East’s largest high-street fashion retailer announced international icons Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif as its brand ambassadors.

The mega stars known for their acting finesse and their on-trend sartorial choices with a massive fan following will be seen representing the brand Splash through a series of brand campaigns across the Middle East.

Synonymous with its philosophy of ‘In Love with Fashion’, Splash is well known for its trendy and fashionable collections with a broad appeal, its innovative events and campaigns while Salman is known for creating everlasting fashion moments and Katrina, as an aspirational youth icon thus making

the three individual brands an instant fit, says a press release.

Salman talking on his association with Splash, said, “I have now been working with Splash in the Middle East for the past three years both in the capacity of a brand ambassador and with my brand Being Human for which Splash is the exclusive retail partner. It has been an exciting and fruitful journey. Each season the brand ups its fashion quotient while still keeping the Arab and Asian consumer at heart which I most relate to. I look forward to this renewed journey and wish we continue to add many more fashionable moments in the life of our valued fans and customers.”

Speaking on her association

Katrina, an internationally acclaimed, multi-award winning actress, said, “As a brand to me Splash embodies effortless style and great fashion which is what I associate with personally.

I am very happy to represent the brand as an ambassador for the Middle East, a region that has given me and my movies so much love and support. We are in the process of shooting this amazing,

RECOGNITION

requests from his Arab and Asian fans to bring the association back.

Katrina was an obvious choice given her global appeal, her talent and impeccable style.

“Both together appeal to all generations and it is this love for them that we aim to capitalise on in their very first joint brand endorsement,” said Raza Beig, director - Landmark Group and CEO - Splash & Iconic.

Raza Beig Director - Landmark Group and CEO Splash & Iconic

AWA R E N E S S D R I V E

Al Hashar wins ‘Excellence in Service’ award from Tadano MUSCAT: Al Hashar, the exclusive distributor of Tadano Cranes in Oman, has won the ‘Excellence in Service’ award for the year 2015.

This comes on the heels of winning the Tadano Cranes ‘Excellence in Sales’ award earlier this year. The award was presented to Sultan Al Kharusi, managing director of Al Hashar Group in the presence of high-ranking officials from both sides, says a press release.

Speaking on the occasion Kharusi stated, “We are delighted that our commitment to provide worldclass products and back them up with strong after sales support to our customers has been recognised.

We will continue to make every effort to further enhance our services in our continuous pursuit for service excellence. The Tadano Cranes ‘Excellence in Service’ award is truly the best support and recognition given to our service team and validates the commitment and efforts of our staff at all levels. Tadano cranes are well known for their superior quality, safety, technology and sophisticated control system.”

Founded in 1919 by Masuo Tadano, the company began as a steel fabrication business located in Takamatsu City, Japan. In 1948 the company officially assumed the name Tadano Ltd. and established its first plant for manufacturing cargo-handling equipment.

Today, Tadano manufacturers

high-fashion campaign and I can’t wait for you to see what’s in store this season.”

“Born and bred in the Middle East we at Splash understand the fashion sensibilities of the Arab consumer and to represent this fashion we have brought together mega stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif. This is Splash’s second stint with Salman post a six-month gap in which we received multiple

Born and bred in the Middle East we at Splash understand the fashion sensibilities of the Arab consumer and to represent this fashion we have brought together mega stars Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif

ISACA conducts open house session MUSCAT: ISACA Muscat Chapter conducted an open session for all exam aspirants recently to provide certification details and requirements for the aspirants, says a press release.

ISACA, a global association serving IT assurance, governance and cyber security professionals offers education, networking, credentialing and career development opportunities around the world.

ISACA offers certifications namely, CISA, CISM, CRISC, CGEIT and Cybersecurity Nexus (CSX), entailing skills-based training.

In Oman, ISACA Muscat Chapter operates under the sponsorship of College of Banking and Financial Studies (CBFS).

ISACA Muscat Chapter announced the plan to commence refresher classes for all certification programmes CISA, CISM,

CRISC and CGEIT. Schedule of classes for these certifications for December 2016 exam will be announced shortly.

ISACA Muscat Chapter offers this service to its members at a nominal fee to cover administrative costs. The chapter is engaged on these initiates to skill up more Omani talents in cyber security and information security practice domains.

INDOOR TOURNAMENT

Volleyball tournament to be held as part of Indian Independence Day

a wide range of cranes namely crawler hydraulic cranes (40-120 Tonne), all terrain cranes (40600 Tonne), rough terrain cranes (30-145 Tonne), truck mounted cranes (35-60 Tonne), truck loader cranes and aerial platforms.

It also manufactures specialised pneumatic equipment.

Al Hashar is the exclusive dis-

tributor for Tadano cranes in Oman, since 1997, and has undertaken many initiatives to provide better after-sales support to the customer with regular training to operators/plant and site engineers, regular site visits, service at site facility, faster availability of slow moving parts and support for non-GCC spec cranes.

MUSCAT: Muscat Mangalore Spikers, in association with Muscat Sports Club, are all geared up to organise yet another indoor volleyball tournament in tune with the celebration to mark the 70th Indian Independence Day on Friday, August 19.

The day-long tournament will commence at 8am at the Muscat Club Indoor Stadium, Wadi Kabir, with an inaugural function, to initiate the proceedings and will culminate at 10pm with the closing ceremony and prize distribution, says a press release.

After the stupendous success of Mogaveers Cup Volleyball Tournament, a one of a kind

held last year, Muscat Mangalore Spikers, comprising ardent sports enthusiasts, hailing from Coastal Karnataka, are all set to present a spectacular, action packed, thrill-

ing volleyball matches with a total of 10 teams participating from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Indian teams from Oman and the Omani teams from Oman.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

C O R P O R AT E S O C I A L R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y

Burjeel Hospital holds blood donation camp MUSCAT: Burjeel Hospital, Oman’s first ever seven-star tertiary healthcare facility, held a day-long blood donation camp at the hospital last week, supporting the Ministry of Health’s efforts at ensuring sufficient stock of blood at the Sultanate’s blood banks.

All the employees enthusiastically participated in the blood donation event, which was organised under Burjeel’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme, and in association with the Ministry of Health’s Department of Blood Services, says a press release.

Inaugurating the donation drive, Christopher Evans, the CEO of Burjeel Hospital Oman, said: “Burjeel is all about care and support. As a premier medical facility, we offer a range of mostmodern healthcare services. But Burjeel’s vision is much broader and considers community support as a key aspect of its corporate philosophy. I welcome all members of the Burjeel family who have willingly come forward to take part in this noble drive.”

Bank Sohar comes with one-minute mobile application The Bank Sohar mobile banking app, available on both Android and iOS devices, provides its users with the ability to easily transfer funds between

been undertaking serious efforts to increase the current rate of blood donation which stands at 50 units a day to at least 100 units, considering the severe shortage of blood in the Sultanate’s blood banks. Blood bank officials appreciated Burjeel’s pro-community gesture and thanked the donors.

The 74-bed Burjeel Hospital was opened on July 31 in Al Khuwair, Muscat, and offers state-ofthe-art specialised medical treatment and services that match the highest international standards in medical care.

It is part of the VPS Healthcare Group, a leading integrated healthcare provider in the Mena region having a wide network of hospitals, medical centres and pharmacies.

Public awareness Dr Rohil Raghvan, medical director at Burjeel, who coordinated the event, said, “Burjeel’s blood donation campaign would help enhance public awareness about the significance of blood donation and its role in saving precious lives. Burjeel plans to conduct a lot of community support programmes including blood donation campaigns on a regular basis.”

The Ministry of Health has HIGH PROFILE EVENT

AIWA Awards set to felicitate best performing companies MUSCAT: AIWA Awards are back. On August 31, Oman will witness the high profile event targeted primarily at the top echelons of the Arabic speaking business community in the Sultanate.

Setting up new benchmarks in the industry, corporates in Oman will be felicitated based on a highly qualitative performance survey done in a transparent manner as per the best international standards. BMW is the associate partner; Voltamp and ACWA Power are the support partners for the event, says a press release.

To recognise the top achievers in Oman’s corporate world, Alam Al-Iktisaad WalA’mal (AIWA) had instituted the annual Awards for Oman’s Best Performing Companies in 2011. AIWA, published by United Media Services, is Oman’s leading Arabic business magazine. This year marks the sixth edition of the AIWA Awards.

In a red carpet awards evening at Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace, AIWA will felicitate the top

ROUND-UP

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Setting up new benchmarks in the industry, corporates in Oman will be felicitated based on a highly qualitative performance survey done in a transparent manner as per the best international standards performing listed companies in Oman during the last financial year. Overall 15 top ranking companies will receive the coveted trophy across three categories.

Furthermore, special awards will be presented for achievements that go beyond the balance sheet such as Lifetime Achievement, Excellence in Corporate Leadership, CEO of the Year, Most Out-

standing Corporate Leader, Best Transformation Leader, Most Outstanding Entrepreneur and Best Manufacturer of the year.

A networker’s dream, the event will be attended by the who’s who of Muscat corporate high life.

The premium event will attract more than 150 top business leaders, CEOs and senior government officials from a cross-section of industries, ministries and government bodies.

It will witness the congregation of the key decision-makers who are driving the country’s business and economy. A high-voltage entertainment show by renowned troupes will make the attendees cherish the evening for a long time to come.

Gulf Baader Capital Markets (GBCM) is the knowledge partner whereas KPMG is the validation partner for the ranking process used for the awards. Times of Oman and Al Shabiba are the media partners. Ruwi Modern Printers is the print partner.

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accounts

MUSCAT: In order to provide customers with increased convenience and an enhanced banking experience, Bank Sohar recently launched its new mobile banking app.

The Bank Sohar mobile banking app, available on both Android and iOS devices, provides its users with the ability to easily transfer funds between accounts. This is in addition to several other features and benefits together with the very latest in mobile banking technology with advanced security capabilities, says a press release.

The One Minute Mobile Banking App is simple, secure and efficient, and offers customers on-the-

go banking access anywhere and anytime; effortlessly integrating their everyday banking with other daily tasks. Among its key features is its ability to easily transfer funds between a customer’s accounts in just a few clicks.

All a customer needs to do is click the ‘Fund Transfer’ link on the app’s home page. Once there the customer need only select the type of transaction; either a selftransfer, transfer within Bank Sohar, or transfers to other accounts within Oman, followed by the beneficiary type if required.

Once the required choices are made and details entered, users need to choose the account they wish to transfer funds from, using a drop down menu.

They will also need to either pick the ‘To Account’ from either a drop down menu or enter the relevant details, including the type of currency and the amount to be transferred. The user’s ‘One Time Password’ will then be needed to confirm the transaction.

The transfer will then be carried out with the timeframe depending on the type of transfer, with transfers to Bank Sohar accounts carried out instantly.

Commenting on the mobile banking apps, Mujahid Said Al Zadjaly, DGM of IT and Alternate Channels said, “The clean and simplified design of the app makes transferring of funds, or using any of the wide range of other features

available to users, extremely simple. As a matter of fact, most of these features can be accessed in less than a minute.

“It is this unique interface and comprehensive list of services that makes our app truly unique and a one that I am confident will become a mainstay of our digital banking platform.”

In order to use the app customers need only to download the mobile application from either Google Play or Apple App Store. The customers can then self-register to start using the app. Via the mobile banking app, customers can easily monitor transactions in their accounts with real-time account balance and mini statements.

In addition to fund transfers, users will also be able to pay their utility bill payments and credit card payments. For added convenience, the app also allows users to place requests for the bank’s other services such as requesting of cheque books and renewal of fixed deposit accounts.

Furthermore, using the very latest in technology and security features, the app ensures users the highest levels of data privacy and security at all times.

In addition to the mobile banking app, Bank Sohar also provides its customers with its comprehensive Al Mumayaz Internet Banking service, which offers customers real time access to their accounts through the Internet.

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

ROUND-UP

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Bank Muscat Chip and PIN debit card reaches 1 million customers Packed with an array of features and benefits, the new card is designed to make everyday purchases and payments easier

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, hosted a ceremony to mark the distribution of one million Chip and PIN debit cards featuring advanced security for day-to-day payments and cash withdrawals.

Packed with an array of features and benefits, the new card is designed to make everyday purchases and payments easier. Offering greater flexibility and convenience, the card provides access to the bank’s largest network of branches, ATMs and CDMs across Oman, says a press release.

The innovative chip-based cards provide additional security for transactions through Personal Identification Number (PIN). The initiative heralding the future cards in Oman is in line with the Omani government’s ambitious eGovernment project.

The cards are in conformity with international standards and reflect the bank’s commitment to ensure convenience and security for all card transactions.

While new customers directly receive the Chip & PIN card, all Bank Muscat debit cardholders

will automatically migrate to the new card at the time of renewal.

With the new technology, cardholders are required to enter a four digit PIN, known only to them, instead of signature to verify payments at terminals that are Chip and PIN compliant. Cardholders

must enter their PIN as in ATM transactions to use the cards at PoS terminals.

The attractive features of the card include payment convenience, facilitating shopping at millions of retail outlets across the world. Customers enjoy cash withdrawal from ATMs within and outside Oman. With global acceptance, the card provides easy access to bank account across millions of ATMs and retail outlets all over the world.

Using the card, customers can shop on the Internet with confidence as the card is protected with the additional Verified by Visa (VbV) security.

Customers also receive alerts on mobile phones for transactions made using the card. Cardholders can avail this service by

registering their mobile number with the bank. The services available for cardholders include 24-hour Call Centre support, convenience of phone banking and Internet banking 24x7.

Time and again, Bank Muscat launches novel campaigns and promotions that continuously enhance value as well as create unique opportunities that enrich life for cardholders.

Bank Muscat cards, which spell convenience and security, is the preferred mode of payment in Oman. The wide range of Bank Muscat cards provide a secure option to pay for a host of day-to-day transactions at shopping malls, restaurants or holiday abroad.

Embedded with the electronic chip, the cards ensure maximum protection and peace of mind.

TOUGHEST ASSESSMENT

L A D I E S O N LY E X P E D I T I O N

Startup Oman & Outward Bound Oman to host Tajawuz expedition MUSCAT: Startup Oman, the Sultanate’s only online platform created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, and Outward Bound Oman announced that registration is now open for the first ever Tajawuz Entrepreneurship ladies only expedition. Registration will close on August 20.

This all-female entrepreneur expedition is the second of four expeditions that will run in 2016 and is focused on challenging entrepreneurial mindsets.

Capitalising on the success of the last expedition hosted in July, this ladies only expedition will, once again, be conducted in Jabal Al Akhdar and will run from August 29 through September 1, says a press release.

Tajawuz is a three-night, fourday expedition designed and executed by Startup Oman in collaboration with Outward Bound Oman.

The programme aims to provide a first-of-its-kind experiential learning experience to Omani entrepreneurs within Oman’s natural environment.

The ladies only expedition will take nine Omani and three international entrepreneurs to the top of Jabal Al Akhdar with the goal of exploring their business challenges all the while they are challenged by the physical environment of one of Oman’s landmark mountains. Detaching from their businesses will give them much needed time to identify solutions to their most pressing entrepreneurial challenges.

“Under the theme ‘Challenging the Nature of Entrepreneurship’, the all female team will demon-

Quality Assurance conducts its 100th INKA test on Audi A4

strate to their male counterparts, and the region as a whole, that Oman’s women entrepreneurs are every bit as serious about their business success and committed to learning the key life skills crucial to thriving as an entrepreneur,” said Sherry Colbourne, cofounder and managing partner of Startup Oman.

Candidates for the expedition should be full time entrepreneurs,

have operated their ventures for a minimum of two years and be founders who are involved on a daily basis with their businesses.

Participants in this expedition will be called upon to demonstrate problem solving, time management, resourcefulness, strong vision, and leadership.

“Our experience conducting numerous expeditions reminds us that an Outward Bound outdoor

experience is capable of shaping perspectives, building confidence and challenging comfort zones on a long term basis.

These experiences are not gender-specific and we’re delighted to work with Startup Oman to bring the benefits of the Tajawuz Expedition series to Oman’s talented female entrepreneurs,” said Mark Evans, general manager of Outward Bound Oman.

A-CLASS WINNER

Mercedes-Benz picks promotion winner MUSCAT: During the holy month of Ramadan, Mercedes-Benz Oman gave its customers the opportunity to win one of the iconic brand’s newest and most soughafter models, the stunning Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

Customers who purchased any new or pre-owned vehicle were automatically entered into a prize draw to win the brand new A 250, says a press release.

“After an incredible and overwhelming response to our Ramadan offer, we are very pleased to announce Tufool Abdullah Mohammed Al Dhahab as our lucky winner of this sporty and dynamic new A-Class. I congratulate her on her prize and am sure she will enjoy ‘The Best’ driving experience in one of our newest and most popular vehicles,” said Clive Hammond, CEO of MercedesBenz Oman.

He added, “The ‘Best or Nothing’ is what Mercedes-Benz customers expect from us and this is what we

endeavoured to deliver with this unbeatable Ramadan prize draw and our exclusive Ramadan offer package. We look forward to continuing to delight our drivers with further specially designed offers and promotions in the coming months.”

Winner, Tufool Abdullah Al Dhahab said, “I am absolutely delighted to have won this fantastic vehicle. I particularly like the sporty design of the A-Class and am already very impressed with how it drives around town. It’s

surprisingly roomy inside considering it’s a compact car, which is great for family journeys and as a mother, I know when my son is in the car, he is always well protected thanks to Mercedes-Benz safety innovations. That’s something very important for me.”

Powered by an ambition to innovate and to lead, the MercedesBenz A-Class is the car for the new generation. Its striking lines, dynamically curved surface, together with its enhanced interior features, state-of-the-art safety systems, and amazing handling, make driving the athletic hot-hatch a dream. Meeting the wishes of its young customers, Mercedes-Benz had increased the range of available engines for the A-Class with two superlative options. The popular A 250 produces a peak output of 155 kW (211 hp) and maximum torque of 350 Nm. A car combining form and function, this athletic car reconciles the conflicting aims of sportiness and comfort.

INGOLSTADT: Twelve years in just 19 weeks: Audi Quality Assurance has conducted its 100th INKA test on an Audi A4.

The Ingolstadt corrosion and aging test is one of the toughest assessments a car has to go through at Audi. It simulates the challenges of 12 years of a car’s lifetime in a span of just 19 weeks. Quality Assurance uses this method to verify an Audi’s effective corrosion protection and durability, says a press release.

In the course of performing 100 INKA tests, Audi Quality Assurance has completed a total of 322,500 testing hours, covered more than one million kilometres and driven through 2,800 mud tests and 1,900 salt tests.

Sylvia Droll, head of Materials Engineering: “Audi stands for superior build quality, high-quality material appearance and high reliability – even many years after a car is first registered. The INKA test is an essential tool for assessing the quality of our models and for further optimising our production methods.”

The endurance test covers five phases. First the car is misted with salt in a climatic chamber at 35 degrees Celsius. Next it is exposed to a tropical climate of up to

50 degrees Celsius and maximum air humidity of 100 percent. In phase three, 80 halogen metal vapour lamps, each with an output of 1,200 watts, heat the body to a maximum of 90 degrees Celsius.

In the process, the colours in the interior must not fade and the materials must not become brittle.

The fourth phase simulates winter-like conditions at the polar circle. At minus 35 degrees Celsius, a four-post hydropulse machine rocks the car to simulate the body torsion and strain on parts of the vehicle and engine mounts that cars endure on rough roads. In parallel – phase five – test drivers repeatedly drive through specially prepared routes on the open testing grounds.

A total of 12,000 kilometres are travelled with each model, including driving through saltwater and mud. At the end of the test, the quality inspectors dissect the entire car into around 600 individual parts and check these for weak points.

Audi Quality Assurance conducted the first INKA tests in 2002. Technical Development has been assessing pre-series cars using the same test method for 40 years now.

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Barakat, Mazoon fail to advance With sprinters Barakat and Mazoon, and woman shooter Wadha bowing out of their respective competitions, now Oman’s only athlete still in contention is marksman Hamed Al Khatri. He will be in action in Sunday’s 50m Rifle 3 Position Qualifications

RIO DE JANEIRO: Oman’s sprinters Barakat Al Harthi and Mazoon Al Alawi failed to advance in the men’s and women’s 100m competitions respectively at the Olympic Games on Saturday.

In the men’s 100m Round 1 heats, Barakat was expected to do well but the Omani star sprinter despite a spirited run failed to match his personal best of 10.06 seconds achieved in June this year and finished third in the Heat 6 in a time of 10.22 seconds.

But that was not enough to see the Omani qualify for the semifinals from a heat that was easly won

by Jamaica’s Yohan Blake in 10.11 seconds ahead of Turkey’s Jak Ali Harvey, who clocked 10.14.

Earlier in the day, Mazoon Al Alawi failed to better the time

EXCELLENT RUN: Oman’s Barakat Al Harthi, bottom, competes in

the men’s 100m Round 1 Heat 6 at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. – AFP

THE OMANI ATHLETES’ PERFORMANCE

Three Omani athletes participated already in the Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro. Here, their performance results:

Mazoon Al Alawi

16 were disqualified

Athletics: Women’s 100m Preliminaries

14 seconds

Florence Griffith (US) holds the Olympic record since 1988

8 qualified to Round 1

13

12

11

10.62

10

Heat 1 Al Alawi was 3rd. in her heat with 12.30 seconds, qualifying in 7th overall standings

Heat 2 Heat 3 14.61 K. Abuljadayel (Saudi Arabia)

Round 1

24 qualified to semifinals

40 were disqualified

Heat 1 Heat 2 Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce from Jamaica, with 10.96 seconds, qualified to semifinals as leader

Heat 3 Heat 4 Al Alawi was last in her heat with 12.43 seconds, finishing in 62nd position in the overall standings. Failed to advance

Heat 5 Heat 6 Heat 7

Zaidatul Zulkifli 12.62 (Malaysia)

Heat 8

Barakat Al Harthi

40 were disqualified

Athletics: Men’s 100m Round 1

11

Heat 1

Heat 3 Heat 4

10.5

Justin Gatlin (US) qualified to the semifinals as leader with 10.01 seconds

Mohammed 11.89 Abukhousa (Palestine)

Al Harthi finished in 10.22 seconds (rank 26 of 64 athletes). Failed to advance

Heat 5 Heat 6 Heat 7

Andrew 10.12 Fisher (Bahrain)

Heat 8

10.07 Usain Bolt

Wadha Al Balushi

36 were disqualified

Women's 10m air pistol Qualifiers

366

Guo Wenjun (China) holds the Olympic record (with 492.3 points) since 2008

Source: International Olympic Committee

9.63

10

Kemarley 10.13 Brown (Bahrain)

Heat 2

Usain Bolt (Jamaica) holds the Olympic record since 1988

24 qualified to semifinals

370

375

380

Al Balushi finished with 379 points (rank 26 of 44 athletes).

Failed to advance Lilian Castro (El Salvador)

The Egyptian Afaf Elhodhod qualified to the Final in 5th position with 386 points

8 qualified to the Final

385

390

The Russian Vitalina Batsarashkina qualified to the Final as leader with 390 points

Graphics

END OF CAMPAIGN: Oman’s Mazoon Al Alawi, right, after competing in the women’s 100m Round 1 competition in Rio de Janeiro. – AFP

she recorded in Friday’s qualifying heats and finished last in the Round 1 Heat 7.

The 18-year-old Omani girl, who clocked 12.30 seconds on Friday to finish third in her qualifying heat and book a place in the first round heats, clocked 12.43 seconds on Saturday to finish last in the eightstrong heat. The heat was won by Jamaican Elaine Thompson in a time of 11.21 seconds with Brazilian Rosagela Santos finishing second in 11.25 seconds.

With Barakat and Mazoon as well as woman shooter Wadha Al Balushi bowing out of their respective competitions, now Oman’s

only athlete still in contention is marksman Hamed Al Khatri.

Al Khatri will be seen in action on Sunday when he begins his campaign in the first round of 50m Rifle 3 Position Men’s Qualifications.

Wadha Al Balushi took part in the 10m Air Pistol competition where she finished in 26th place in the qualification round last Sunday.

‘Sluggish’ Bolt Meanwhile, Jamaican Usain Bolt won his 100 metres heat after what he called a “sluggish” start on Saturday, but looked pained after the race as he prepared to fend off the challenge of American Jason Gat-

lin for the Olympic crown. Bolt, who turns 30 on the final day of the Games, is aiming high in what he has said will be his final Olympics, bidding to continue his streak of gold in the men’s 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, the unprecedented “triple-triple”.

He qualified in a leisurely 10.07 seconds, picking up the pace after lumbering from the blocks and looking stiff in his warm-up.

“It wasn’t the best start, I feel kind of sluggish. I think it’s the fact that it’s the morning. I’m not usually running this early in the morning,” Bolt told reporters after the race which began at 12:42 p.m. local time in warm sunshine.

“Hopefully, tomorrow I’ll feel much better,” he added of Sunday’s action when the semis and final take place late in the evening.

He batted back questions about his leg, saying he was “good”.

Gatlin, 34, produced the fastest time of the morning, 10.01 as the 2004 champion seeks to become the oldest man to win a medal in the 100m and the first to do so after serving two doping bans.

“I am just staying focused, I went out there and executed my race in the first round and cruised to finish line,” Gatlin said.

Asked if the race felt more special, given that it is likely to be his last Olympic Games, Gatlin replied: “Every Olympics is special but as you get older you understand the importance of running at Olympics.”

Ben Youssef Metie, 29, of the Ivory Coast, notched the morning’s second-fastest time of 10.03, edging U.S. hopeful Trayvon Bromell’s 10.13, which was still fast enough to qualify.

Canada’s Andre de Grasse, a 21-year-old who only took up running seriously three years ago after an early focus on basketball, ran 10.04. - Times News Service/Agencies

C2

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

SPORTS CRICKET

India beat Windies

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Pakistan scent victory after Younis double ton SCOREBOARD

Younis lifted the touring side to 542 all out in their first innings, a lead of 214 runs, and they then removed Alastair Cook, Alex Hales, James Vince and THRILLING WIN: India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar celebrates after dismissed Kraigg Brathwaite of West Indies during the fifth and final day of their third Test at Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in Gros Islet on Saturday. – AFP

GROS ISLET: India beat West Indies by 237 runs in the third Test match to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series on Saturday.

Needing 346 to win on the final day, West Indies were bowled out for 108 in 47.3 overs with Mohammed Shami taking three wickets for 15.

Ishant Sharma, Ravindra

Jadeja took a couple of wickets each. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravichandran Ashwin got a wicket apiece.

Brief scores: India 353 and 217/7 decl (A Rahane 78 n.o.; Miguel Cummins 6/48) bt West Indies 225 and 108 in 47.3 (Darren Bravo 59, Mohd Shami 3/15, Ishant Sharma 2/30, Ravindra Jadeja 2/20). - PTI

Joe Root to leave England in deep trouble on 88 for four

LONDON: Younis Khan’s superb 218 put Pakistan in a strong position before they picked up four England wickets to take complete control on the third day of the fourth and final Test at The Oval on Saturday.

Younis batted for more than seven hours to lift the touring side to 542 all out in their first innings, a lead of 214 runs, and they then removed Alastair Cook, Alex Hales, James Vince and Joe Root to leave England in deep trouble on 88 for four.

Gary Ballance was unbeaten on four at the close with Jonny Bairstow on 14 but Pakistan should secure victory on Sunday to level the series 2-2.

Younis shared a seventh-wicket partnership of 77 with Sarfraz Ahmed who was the only wicket to fall in the morning session, well caught by diving wicketkeeper Bairstow off Chris Woakes for 44.

The experienced Younis shepherded the tail well, hitting four sixes and 31 fours as the England

YOUNIS KHAN

218

runs from 308 balls 31 fours, 4 sixes

attack toiled in the sunshine.

“As a senior there is a lot of expectation on me,” said the 38-year-old after compiling his sixth test double hundred. “Everybody knows that if I can get through those first 20 or 25 balls I can make a big hundred.

“The first three games I made

some 30s but didn’t convert. In this game I was just very calm.”

England began their second innings poorly as Cook, on seven, edged Wahab Riaz to Iftikhar Ahmed at first slip. Hales (12) was then trapped lbw by Yasir Shah and the leg-spinner had Vince caught by Misbah-ul Haq at cover

England 1st innings: 328 Pakistan 1st innings S. Aslam lbw b Broad 3 A. Ali c Bairstow b Ali 49 Y. Shah c Root b Finn 26 A. Shafiq c Broad b Finn 109 Y. Khan lbw Anderson 218 Misbah-ul Haq c Hales b Woakes 15 I. Ahmed c Ali b Woakes 4 S. Ahmed c Bairstow b Woakes 44 W. Riaz st Bairstow b Ali 4 M. Amir (not out) 39 S. Khan c Broad b Finn 2 Extras (b-18, lb-6, nb-2, w-3) 29 Total (all out, 146 overs) 542 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-52, 3-127, 4-277, 5-316, 6-320, 7-397, 8-434, 9-531.

Bowling: J. Anderson 29-10-78-1; S. Broad 29-5-99-1 (nb-1, w-1); S. Finn 30-1-110-3 (w-2); C. Woakes 30-8-82-3; M. Ali 23-1128-2 (nb-1); J. Root 5-0-21-0.

England 2nd innings A. Cook c I. Ahmed b Riaz 7 A. Hales lbw Shah 12 J. Root lbw b Shah 39 J. Vince c Misbah b Shah 0 G. Ballance (not out) 4 J. Bairstow (not out) 14 Extras (b-4, lb-5, nb-3) 12 Total (4 wkts, 31 overs) 88 Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-49, 3-55, 4-74.

To bat: C. Woakes, M. Ali, S. Broad, S. Finn, J. Anderson Bowling: M. Amir 10-3-30-0; S. Khan 8-2-18-0; W. Riaz 4-0-15-1 (nb-3); Y. Shah 7-1-15-3; I. Ahmed 2-1-1-0.

for a three-ball duck to leave the hosts reeling on 55 for three.

Joe Root made a fluent 39 but he was deceived by a quicker ball from Shah that crashed into his pads and the home team, 126 runs behind, face an uphill task to save the match with two days remaining.

“Those four wickets in the evening session hurt us as a team but we’ve been in these tricky situations before and we’ll be fighting as hard as we can tomorrow to come out and fight to save this match,” said England paceman Steven Finn. - Reuters

FOOTBALL

Leicester stunned by Hull, Everton hold Tottenham LONDON: Leicester City became the first Premier League champions to begin their title defence with a defeat when they slumped to a shock 2-1 reverse at injuryravaged Hull City on Saturday.

Robert Snodgrass fired a 57th minute winner for Hull but Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester lacked the intensity that underpinned their previous campaign.

Riyad Mahrez’s second-half penalty cancelled out Adama Diomande’s acrobatic overhead kick for the hosts before Snodgrass slammed the ball home from inside the box.

“They played better,” said Claudio Ranieri. “We tried to do our best, our effort was amazing but

it was individual, not as a team.”

Erik Lamela’s excellent second-half header rescued a 1-1 draw for Tottenham Hotspur at Everton.

A debut goal for Nathan Redmond helped Southampton come from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Watford while a late Leroy Fer strike gave Swansea City a 1-0 win at promoted Burnley who were left rueing a penalty claim that was rejected.

Xherdan Shaqiri’s free kick helped Stoke City to a 1-1 draw at promoted Middlesbrough after Alvaro Negredo’s debut opener.

West Bromwich Albion won 1-0 at Crystal Palace thanks to a goal from Salomon Rondon. - Reuters

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

C3

SPORTS De Silva leads Sri Lanka fightback SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka, who have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the threematch series, were

Sri Lanka 1st innings K. Silva c Smith b Starc D. Karunaratne b Starc K. Perera c Smith b Lyon K. Mendis c Smith b Starc A. Mathews c Starc b Lyon D. Chandimal (not out) D. de Silva (not out)

0 7 16 1 1 64 116

Extras (b-4, lb-5) 9 Total (5 wkts, 90 overs) 214 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-21, 3-23, 4-24, 5-26.

To bat: D. Perera, R. Herath, L. Sandakan, S. Lakmal Bowling: M. Starc 18-7-47-3; J. Hazlewood 11-3-27-0; N. Lyon 34-9-72-2; J. Holland 215-34-0; M. Marsh 5-0-20-0; S. Smith 1-0-5-0.

reduced to 26 for five, bringing De Silva and Chandimal together at the crease

COLOMBO: Dhananjaya de Silva hit a maiden century and combined with Dinesh Chandimal to resurrect Sri Lanka’s innings after a poor start against Australia on the opening day of the third and final Test on Saturday.

Sri Lanka, who have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, won the toss and opted to

bat but were reduced to 26 for five, bringing De Silva and Chandimal together at the crease.

For close to the next 74 overs in the day, Australia could not separate the pair as they added 188 for the sixth wicket with the hosts reaching 214 for five at the close, with De Silva 116 not out and Chandimal unbeaten on 64.

Left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc, the most successful bowler in the series, was at his devastating best in the morning and picked up three wickets, taking his tally for the series to 20. Captain Steve Smith introduced off-spinner Nathan Lyon in the sixth over with the pitch at the Sinhalese Sports Club

Ground already providing some assistance to the spinners and was rewarded with two wickets.

Starc, bowling with pace and accuracy, sent back Sri Lanka’s faltering opening batsmen, with Kaushal Silva falling for a duck and Dimuth Karunaratne (7) getting out to the same bowler for all five times in the series.

Kusal Perera (16) hit three boundaries before edging Lyon to Smith at slip while the off-spinner also picked up Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews’ wicket, the batsman top-edging his sweep shot to deep square leg.

Starc returned for another spell to dismiss in-form Kusal Mendis

for one, Smith completing another smart catch behind the wickets.

Lyon thought he had his third when De Silva was given out off a bat-pad catch but the batsman managed to overturn the decision on review. De Silva, playing only his third test match, got to his hundred with a boundary off Smith’s part-time leg-spin and followed it up with an emotional celebration.

He ended the day having hit 16 fours in his 240-ball knock.

Australia had a few half chances but failed to convert them. Paceman Suranga Lakmal recovered from a hamstring injury to replace Vishwa Fernando in the only change for the hosts from the team that beat Australia by 229 runs in Galle.

Australia, whose top ranking in the format is at stake, dropped opening batsman Joe Burns and number three Usman Khawaja from a side that have struggled against the hosts’ spinners.

Left-handed batsman Shaun Marsh and all-rounder Moises Henriques, who last played a test match in March 2013, were drafted in. - Reuters

CRICKET

Pakistan sports fraternity bids adieu to legend Hanif KARACHI: The country’s top cricketers, sportspersons and high profile personalities attended the funeral of Pakistan’s former captain and legendary batsman Hanif Mohammed with many lamenting that sporting greats were not given the recognition they deserved during their lifetime.

Hanif, 81, passed away on Thursday at a local hospital after a long battle with lung cancer and other related complications.

The funeral was attended by former captains Javed Miandad, Wasim Bari, Saeed Anwar and Moin Khan, squash legend Jahangir Khan, hockey Olympians Hanif Khan, Islahuddin Siddique and Samiullah among others.

Government dignitaries and ministers were also present at the funeral held on Friday near the former captain’s home.

“Hanif Muhammad was the greatest cricket brain I have come across. He was a cricket genius who did wonders for Pakistan,” Miandad told the media.

“Unfortunately in our country

we don’t honour and recognise our greats during their lifetime.

What is the use of honoring them after they are gone,” he said.

Hanif’s brother Mushtaq Mohammed, also a former Pakistan captain, said that his elder brother was not only a great cricketer but also a wonderful human being.

“He was more like a father to us and we all learnt our cricket from him. He taught us a lot and he is gone now. I don’t think the void will ever be filled,” a sobbing Mushtaq, who flew down from London, said.

He said that Hanif had been one of the pillars of Pakistan cricket in its formative years and should be remembered for his achievements. Hanif was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013 and went to London for surgery and treatment and returned home well but his condition deteriorated in time as the cancer had spread with time.

He was admitted to hospital on July 30 with respiratory complications which eventually led to his passing away. - PTI

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MAIDEN TON: Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva celebrates after completing his century during the first day of their third and final Test match against Australia in Colombo on Saturday. – AFP

C4

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

Reitz makes it hat-trick of shooting gold for Germany Upon winning his first gold in three Olympics, walked across the range to hug fellow officer Jean Quiquampoix of France, who won the silver after a thrilling shoot-off with bronze medallist Li Yuehong of China

RIO DE JANEIRO: Germany clinched its third Olympic shooting title in as many days on Saturday as police officer Christian Reitz won the gold medal in the 25 metre rapid fire pistol event.

Upon winning his first gold in three Olympics, the 29-year-old Reitz walked across the range to hug fellow officer Jean Quiquampoix of France, who won the silver after a thrilling shoot-off with bronze medallist Li Yuehong of China.

In the eight rounds of five shots in quick succession, the worldrecord holding Reitz proved to be a reliably steady shot, never missing more than one target in each round.

Quiquampoix, 20, was more of a surprise, coming up through the six finalists after a wobbly start and scoring several perfect rounds of five.

Before stepping up to the podium to receive his gold medal, Reitz went around the front to congratulate the silver and bronze medallists. He had won bronze in Beijing in 2008. With their success, the German winners have proven to be a big draw at home on television. Germany’s Henri Junghaenel won gold in 50 metre rifle prone on Friday and Barbara Engleder took gold in the women’s 50 metre rifle three positions on Thursday.

China’s Zhang Fusheng, the 22-year-old world number one started out strong but crumbled midway through in his first Olympics, finishing fourth.

Defending Olympic champion and five-time Olympian Leuris Pupo of Cuba finished fifth.

STEADY SHOT: Christian Reitz of Germany competes in the men’s 25m Rapid Fire Pistol finals at the Olympic Shooting Centre in Rio de

Janeiro on Saturday. – Retuers

Brennan wins single sculls Favourite Kimberley Brennan of Australia took a commanding lead in the first half of the women’s single sculls final of the Olympic rowing regatta on Saturday and did not relent, winning by half a length from the United States’ Gevvie Stone.

China’s Jingli Duan claimed bronze while New Zealand’s Emma Twigg, billed as Brennan’s strongest challenger, came in fourth. Brennan has dominated the class since taking bronze at the last Olympics. But she nearly sank in rough conditions last Saturday and came in 14th in the heat rankings, only just making the automatic qualifying.

Close finish, agonising wait Meanwhile, in an incredible finish to the men’s single sculls final at the Olympic rowing regatta on Saturday, Mahe Drysdale of New Zealand and Croatia’s Damir Martin crossed the line at the same time as Martin appeared pull past the defending champion.

After moments of confusion, with even the two rowers asking each other who had won, the gold was awarded to Mahe in a photo-

finish. Martin generously applauded him.

“It could have gone either way,” Drysdale told reporters.

The race had been billed as a duel between the 37-year-old Kiwi and his friend and arch-rival, the Czech Ondrej Synek.

But as it got underway on a sundappled Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Martin was determined to seize the day, taking an early lead chased by Drysdale and Synek.

The New Zealander moved ahead coming into the last section.

He looked to be pulling away but Martin fought back and with a last lunge appeared to have edged it.

“With about 400 to go, I was feeling quite comfortable, sitting out in front, then Damir started lifting the rate and I realised he was becoming quite a big threat so I tried to chuck in some strokes, Drysdale said.

“He kept closing the gap. About 50 metres from the line I realised it was anyone’s. I think in the end it literally came down to the surge.

I was fortunate enough to have the boat just surging through the line at the right time.”

The television feed initially posted Martin as the winner then

removed the result. The final time was given as six minutes and 41.34 seconds. It went down to thousandths of a second, with Drysdale coming out on top.

“We’re sitting there and Damir sort of looked at me at said what’s the result and I said I had no idea.

I’m very happy that I was on the right side of it,” the world record holder said.

US extend unbeaten run The United States’ women’s eight powered to the gold medal in the Olympic rowing regatta, extending a 10-year unbeaten run.

The U.S. crew took the lead in the third section after Canada and the Netherlands made the early running. The British team came good in the last stretch to claim silver and Romania made a late surge to take bronze.

The United States finished in six minutes, 1.49 seconds and 2.49 seconds ahead of Britain.

This was the Americans’ third Olympic gold in a row. Under coach Tom Terhaar, they have been unbeaten for 10 years and won all the world rowing championships and Olympic Games during this period.

It was a second gold for Meghan Musnicki and Elle Logan, the only two members of the crew who were also in the winning team in London in 2016.

“Born in the USA” played over loudspeakers as American fans revelled in their country’s first rowing gold of the Rio Games.

Britain take men’s eight Britain took the men’s eight gold in the Olympic rowing regatta, leading all the way from their great rivals and defending champions Germany in the grand finale to the event.

The result means that Britain top the medals table in rowing with three golds, while Germany and New Zealand have two apiece.

Winning in 5:29.63, Britain at one point led the pack by more than two-and-a-half seconds.

Germany closed the gap slightly towards the end, claiming second just 1.33 seconds behind the goldmedal winner. The Netherlands added to their rowing medals at the 2016 Games with a bronze finish.

While Germany were the defending Olympic champions, Britain have beaten them in last three world championships. - Agencies

TENNIS

Murray in to final to defend London gold RIO DE JANEIRO: Britain’s Andy Murray advanced to the men’s Olympic final with a straight sets victory over Japan’s Kei Nishikori on Saturday, securing a chance to defend his title and become the first player to win backto-back singles golds at the Games.

In a commanding performance, the Wimbledon champion and number two ranked player broke Nishikori’s serve early on, breezing through the first set 6-1. After another service break early in the second set, Murray closed out the match 6-1, 6-4.

Though Nishikori’s speed allowed him to punch back against Murray’s blazing ground strokes, the Japanese player was plagued by too many unforced errors and could not break Murray’s serve.

In Sunday’s gold medal match, the 29-year-old Briton will face either Spain’s Rafa Nadal or Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro.

Murray won gold at the 2012 London Games where he defeated Switzerland’s Roger Federer in the final.

But the Briton will have his work cut out for him on Sunday. Del Potro, the bronze medallist in London, has drawn energy from boisterous crowds of fans from neighbouring Argentina at the Games.

He pulled off an upset by defeating world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the first round in Rio. Nadal, who has been beset by a wrist injury, also appears to have returned to form. He claimed a gold medal for Spain in men’s doubles with partner Marc Lopez on Friday.

If Nadal makes the final he will have a chance to become the first player since 1924 to win a gold medal in both men’s singles and doubles at a Games. - Reuters

For more Olympic Games reports from Rio visit www.timesofoman.com M E D A L S TA L LY

(Top 10 countries at 10pm Oman time on Saturday) Country United States China Great Britain Japan Russia Australia France Germany Italy South Korea

G 21 13 8 7 5 6 5 8 4 6

S 14 10 10 3 9 6 8 4 7 3

B 17 16 6 14 8 7 5 3 4 4

T 52 39 24 24 22 19 18 15 15 13

AT H L E T I C S

Lalita lights up day eight for India by reaching steeplechase final

NATIONAL RECORD: India’s Lalita Babar, center, competes in a women’s 3000m steeplechase heat at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday. – AP/PTI

RIO DE JANEIRO: Woman steeplechaser Lalita Babar clipped nearly seven seconds off the existing Indian national mark in the qualifiers to make a storming entry into the final of the gruelling event in the Olympic Games on Saturday, but compatriot Sudha Singh fell by the wayside and exited.

Lalita clocked a national mark of nine minutes and 19.76 seconds while finishing fourth in heat 2 and progressed to the final, scheduled on August 15, on the basis of being among the fastest six from the rest who did not directly qualify from the three preliminary heats.

The top three in the three heats gain automatic qualification while Lalita, hailing from Maharashtra, made the grade as one of the six fastest from among the rest.

Lalita, who had won the bronze

medal in the event in the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, two years ago, in fact finished with the seventh-best time in the heats with the new national record to boot.

Lalita, thus, became the second Indian woman to qualify for an Olympic final in track and field after ‘Payyoli Express’ P T Usha in the 400m hurdles in 1984 at Los Angeles. Vikas Gowda, in men’s discus, was also the last from the country to make the finals in athletics — in 2008 at Beijing.

Lalita obliterated the previous mark standing in the name of Sudha Singh (9:26.55), clocked in Shanghai in May. Lalita, in fact, had clocked 9:27.09 at New Delhi in the Federation Cup in April, her personal best which was the then national mark that was obliterated two months later by Sudha.

Sudha, on the other hand, performed far below her best to finish a distant 9th in heat 3 with a poor time of 9:43.29, which gave her the 30th spot out of 52 in the qualifiers.

The third Indian athlete in fray in Saturday’s action, Nirmala Sheoran, looked totally out of depth in the women’s 400m preliminaries in which she finished a distant 35th overall after ending up sixth out of seven runners in heat 1 in 53.03 seconds.

Also making early exits were shooter Gurpreet Singh, who failed to qualify for the men’s 25m rapid fire pistol final after finishing seventh in the qualifications with 581. The top six qualified for the summit contest with the sixthplaced shooter, Leuris Pupo of Cuba, finishing with 583.

In women’s hockey, India were

thrashed by Argentina 0-5, their fourth successive loss in five matches in Pool B. They are out of the fray.

In rowing, Dattu Baban Bhokanal finished 15th overall in men’s single sculls after coming in first in his final ranking race clocking 6:54.96.

Meanwhile, Vikas Krishnan stood a win away from an elusive Olympic medal as the Indian outclassed Turkey’s Sipal Onder 3-0 to comfortably advance to the quarterfinals of men’s 75kg middleweight boxing.

In the pre-quarterfinals, Vikas seemed the more assured boxer and will face his stiffest challenge against Bektemir Melikuziev of Uzbekistan, who has also beaten the Indian in the final of the 2015 Asian Championships. - PTI

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2 B/R new bldg, Bausher from owner. Contact : 92158031

3 bedroom well maintained flat (villa Type - only 2 flats in one bldg) in Al Khuwair, behind Al Akhtam Restaurant Villa No1839, Way No 3922, Block No 239.

Contact: 99462980 Flat for rent in Al Khoud, 2 rooms & hall. Contact: 91763665 Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122

14 flats for rent in Al Hail each flat 2Bed rooms, hall, 2 toilets & kitchen, price 250/- O.R for each.

Contact: 99222130

1BHK near Medical Darsait Muttrah house R.O 175/-.

Contact: 95076261

3 bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer, 2 bed room villa in Sidab.

Contact : 95755953 / 95555162

2 bedroom centrally air conditioned flat in CBD near Central bank.

Contact : 24714625 / 91173997

Furnished room in CBD for Executive bachelors WIFI free, advance deposit. Contact: 90631572

2 Bedroom flat near Riyam Park, Corniche. Contact: 24714625 / 91173997

Flat for rent in Darsait nr Indian School with 2 room & kitchen.

Contact: 92245110 / 98191919

Flat behind Mazoon Mosque with 3 room + 3 toilets, RO 230.

Contact 99738881 / 99420346

I BHK Flat -3 Nos at Hamriya – R.O. 175/-3 Bed Room/ 3 Bath room/ Very big sitting area/ kitchen - Villa 1st floor with A/C at Al Khuwair Near Rayyan Residence.

R.O 360/-For families. Contact: 94934353 - 9 am to 7 Pm. Email – forrentksd@gmail.com

2 bedrooms flats R.O 370/- & one bedroom flat R.O 325/- in South Ghubra, behind Asalah Bhawan building. Contact: 96202490

Flats in Al Khuwair, Al Bustan, Azaiba, Wadi Kabeer, Darsait, Hamirya, Al Hail & Seeb.

Contact: 24182000 / 95250300 / 99110600

Flat for Rent 2 bed room Near ISM muscat Indian Scoole Darsate Tel : 00 968 95158570

Flat with 2 room + kitchen +hall, 3 toilets in al Quram Breeiq Al Shatti RO 650. Contact 99738881 / 99314314

Wadi Kabeer Industrial 80 sm show rooms for rent 400/- R.O. Contact: 99879939

Two bedrooms flat behind German Embassy near to Al Nahda Hospital. Contact: 99209354 Flats for rent South Al Mabela.

Contact: 95233117 / 95230355

2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. contact 99342661 2BHK split A/C for rent Muttrah near Oman House.

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. Contact 97007934 / 92629232 Flats, shops & store for rent in MBD area Ruwi, Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127 1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair.

Contact 95154331 Flat in Al Khuwair opp grand mall 4 room 3 toilet + hall kitchen in 3 floor 400. Contact 99420346 2BHK Big Size Flat Behind Bank Muscat, Wadi Kabir. Near ISWK. 97826454, 24815012.

Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-. Contact: 99335580 Furnished office (61M2) for sale / rent Al Khuwair near Zawawi Mosque. Contact: 95611569 Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278

FOR SALE Coffee shop near Al Sarooj “Turkish Shawarma & Grill “ at the prime location for sale. Contact: 94034778 / 94034731 Building in Al Khuwair for sale, also we have in Ghala, Al Hail, Al Khoudh 6, Mabella.

Contact: 91155779

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DAILY GUIDE

BUYING Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 3BHK flat Qurum R.O 75/- thousands. Contact: 98802280

Buying cars for cash.

Contact 90202090

Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair. Contact 92881849 / What`s up No 97290565

FOR SALE Dental chairs for sale sparingly used dental units for sale.

Contact Mr. Ansari 92616343.

Kumar 99570284 Good Condition Sanyo washing machine, semi automatic, RO 40 for sale in MBD Contact; 92283175 Used furniture, AC, Fridge, bed+ mattress, tables + chair, computers, photocopy machines 2 nos. (toshiba) hiti photo printer, 1 gas stove + cylinder, t v + receiver, dish. Contact 93240949 Running Restaurant for sale at Ruwi’s heart, 90+ chairs minimal rent 7 visas. Contact : 94909192 Restaurant sale: at prime location in Sohar. Newly built with sitting capacity of 80+ persons. Ready with visas. Contact : 94400478 Coffee shop for sale at Al Khuwair 33. Contact: 92994415 Mabellah industrial land 6000 sqm for sale. Contact: 91155779 Farm in Barka for sale.

Contact: 91155779 Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery. Contact 99328430 Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter.

Photos can be sent 95865457

GOOD NEWS

Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale. Contact 99273774/ 99202278

Pure Veg. Kachhi Coffee shop only in Wadi Kabir. S.P. Sravan, sabu Vada, Sabu Khichdi, F.Kachori, F. Chevda, no other branch in Muscat. S.P. Khuwair.

Contact 99437869

Restaurant for sale heart of Ruwi.

Contact 93687466 Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

ACC. AVAILABLE Big room with attached bathroom available at Honda Road, Ruwi for Executive bachelor.

Contact 95527969 Furnished apartment for rent, two rooms, majlis, hall, kitchen.

Near Carrefour al-mawalah.

Contact 99336776 Fully furnished room for Indian Executive near Sheraton MBD. Contact 99219337 Sharing accommodation available for an Executive Bachelor in Al Khuwair (near Zawawi Mosque).

Contact 92138451.

Ex bachelor or couple room in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99014325 / 91165580 Furnished room available with attached bath & balcony near MBD area. Contact: 95031132

ACC. WANTED One single furnished room with attached bathroom required for a Indian decent Executive bachelor non cooking, in MBD, CBD, Rex road, Ruwi, Hamriya Area.

Contact 96328687

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished room in ruwi and azaiba for rent for executive bachelors. Gsm 99058344 Sharing accommodation available for small family or bachelor behind bank Muscat, Ruwi (Keralite only).

Contact : 96290882 / 97001663.

WANTED Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each. Contact: 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 / 93203778 IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area. Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up. Contact 92927880/99012165

MV SALE 2 nos Atlas 40ft. 50 ton capacity flat trailors with Volvo 97 model 4 wheel. Contact : 99454425

Kia Sportage, 2008 4 CYL, excelent condition. Contact 99378397

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact: 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com Pure VEG coffee shop open 3/8/16 Dabeli, VADA PAV, PAV Bhaji many more at Al Khuwair near Rawasco behind NBO. Contact 99066469 / 96951587

5 BHK villa at AL Khuwair 17/1 R.O 135/- thousands.

Contact 98802280

Furnished unfurnished room for rent at Mumtaz area.

Contact: 95212017

Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. Contact: 96202458/96761960

1No brand new containerized package type STP 100 m3/ day with blower equipments (suitable for camps). Serious Buyers may.

Contact: 99445367

Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir.

Contact 93049849

Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794

Nissan Qashqai 2013 Kms 30,000 VGC comprehensive insurance UAE / Oman. Contact: 96995430

Kids & women cloth, shoes accessory shop in Al Khoud.

Contact: 91121277

1 BHK appartment for rent in Al Khoud Shabiya near mazoon mosque for rent (next to alkhoud medical center and squ) MOB: 93913224

Room available for Executive bachelor at Al Hail.

Contact 96234708

2015 Chrysler 300 S ,Special Edition, Hard to find,19000 km, single owner, No Accident, beautiful Red, Full option.

Contact 98960915

Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom.

Interested please contact 92680041 Mr. Altaf

Room, bath room for executives in Wadi kabir. Contact 99336206

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact : 96538078

2010 Pajero KMS 59,000, excellent condition fully automatic sun roof. Contact: 99354340

Hotel apartment in Mawaleh for sale. Contact: 91155779

Sharing Accommodation available for working ladies opposite Al Nadhah Hospital. Preferably Indians. Room with seperate toilet and sharing kitchen.RO.90.

Contact: 96524717

Car care - care for your car.

Stop worrying about your car.

Enjoy your vacation peacefully.

Here is a solution for safe parking and cleaning your car when you are away on vacation. Taking very good care of your car, trust us.

Contact: 96964767

Prado 2011. Contact : 99336093 Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for Executive bachelor Opp. O.C. Centre Ruwi . Call : 90611670

A big room available near Hamriya round about for Muslim couple / small family / Executive bachelor rent 125/- per month including W+E. Contact: 99495131

HD Scaffoldings, Shuttering Jacks, Wooden Planks, Shuttering wood assorted, Tower hoist (lift), Concrete Mixer, Bending Machine, Steel Fabrication Machinery (Searing/Cutting, lathe & Welding) including tools for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steam bath, obesity, Spondylitis. Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Ghubra.

Contact: 99639695 / 97397320

Sportage model 2012, Corolla 1.6, 2013, Mazda 6 2012, Mitsubishi pick up diesel 2011 4WD. Contact: 96565082 / 99839898 2013 Lexus GS 350, Single Owner, No Accident,45 000km,Black.

Contact 98960915

Sharing accommodation near ISD. Contact: 99657340

2015 Toyota Camry SE, single Owner, No Accident 27000 km, All power. Contact 98960915

Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 97167857

2015 Mazda 3i Sport, Single owner, No Accident, 22000 km,2.0 Engine. Contact 98960915

Azaiba, Al Khuwair, Qurum, Ghala & Ruwi. Contact: 97424997 Transportation Engage.

Contact: 92711421 Transportation. Contact: 94510847 Transportation available Al Khuwair, Ghobrah, Azaiba, Al Hail & Al Khoud. Drop & pick.

Contact 95250161 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation required from Qurum to WadiKabir at afternoon only 1 PM. Contact - 99012165 Transportation. Contact92015894 Transportation. Contact 94510847

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

MATRIMONIAL Parents of a Muscat Indian Sunni Muslim Engineer son 33 tall, fair looking for professionally qualified bride, preferably from Uttar Pradesh.

Email: soulmatesearch2016@gmail. com Keralite RC Christian female (Widow), 27 yrs working as Staff Nurse in a reputed Hospital in Muscat seeks suitable alliance.

Contact 95990527 ITI electrical, SSLC, PDC, Christian, 36 yrs, second marriage seeks alliance.

Contact 97368596 Female Homeo doctor, 26 yrs 5ft, 8 inch Muslim from Kottayam looking for suitable alliance.

Contact: 92659795 Looking bride for South Indian Boy, 35 years, B.E.,(MS), working in London as a Software Engineer, Christian, Height 5’5 , Ref: Profile ID. 1049, www.muscatmatrimonial.com, E mail: matrimonialmuscat@gmail.com, Mobile: 99091975 , whatapps :93485778 Naidu Tamil groom, 30 yrs, BE, MBA working as Engineer well educated girl, aged below 28 yrs.

Contact 94177123 Ezhava fair girl, 31, B.Tech, Infosys Thiruvananthapuram, Pooradam seeks suitable alliance.

Contact: 99190303 Wanted a suitable veg Tamil groom for bride- age 32 (DOB 14/11/1983. 6.10- AM, Trichy, Tamil Nadu), Ht 170 cm, Wt 72 Kgs, wheatish, ME qualified, working in college, Oman, Expected : Age difference 3 yrs max, “Rich in honesty”; please contact: E.Ramesh Baabu-92040174 Sunni Muslim URDU girl 26 yrs, B.E, M.B.A invites alliance from Tamil Nadu Benglauru Mysore.

Contact: 99502581

LOST Raihanul Islam has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. BC0471314.

Finder please handover to ROP

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT Required male, female GP, Dentist, Administrator, Nurses, Pharmacist, Lab Technician for a Polyclinic at Ibra.

Contact 71100596, joharaajmal2016@gmail.com

CARRER OPPORTUNITIES Executive (Sales & Marketing) – Sanitary Only (3 nos.)

-

Sanitary ware relevant experience in Oman (2-3) years Driving license Good communication skills Full time / part time / commission basis.

Good computer skills.

A REPUTED TRADING COMPANY DEALING WITH AGENCY PRODUCTS IN OIL & GAS, PETROCHEMICALS AND POWER SECTORS, IS LOOKING FOR A SALES ENGINEER HAVING AN EXPERIENCE OF 2-3 YEARS IN DEALING WITH PIPING MATERIALS, VALVES, INSTRUMENTATION ITEMS, CABLES, FLARE PACKAGES ETC, HAVING VALID OMAN DRIVING LICENCE AND ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES WHO CAN GET A NOC FROM THE CURRENT EMPLOYER MAY APPLY WITH A PHOTOGRAPH IN THE RESUME TO :

eng2cvob@gmail.com

ACCOUNTS Required experienced Accountant for a restaurant in Muscat.

Contact: 93500992 An Omani Audit firm is seeking audit partner to join the firm, the candidate should be completed any certificate course CIA,CPA, CA, ACC, and 4 years’ experience, interested candidates to submit their CVs to : auditbureau2016@gmail.com

WANTED STORE CO-ORDINATOR 3-5 years experience preferably in Ceramic division (tiles).

Should be with degree, technical knowledge & English fluency.

Send CV to hr@unitedsystemsit.com

SALES / MARKETING

Send CV to tajallulu.abubaker@gmail.com

Require Salesman with driving license & NOC Apply: hhabsi55@gmail.com

Our company CHABROS LLC is seeking for an Outdoor Salesman.

Required building material Sales Man with Arabic and English language. Tel. 97004186

Having experience in Building materials.

Transferable Visa is a must.

Urgently required a well experienced Manager for a group of vegetarian restaurants in Oman.

Attractive salary offered. E -mail: md@royalgroupoman.com

Please send CV to

Required English, computer and science female Teachers up to grad 4. Contact 95054916, Email:- aa77345@gmail.com.time after 5PM

Restaurant Staff Wanted with NOC. Contact 94871416 Shawarma / grill / Salad / Asian Cook. Contact: 95529970

DOMESTIC HELPER Need Part time Nanny for a Indian family at Hail to take care of twin babies Contact or watsapp 95662154 / 99863006 Wanted full time Housemaid preferably Tamilian / Malayalee for Tamil Family at Wattayah, Muscat. Contact 94043238 Housemaid wanted to care for children and home. Accommodation provided. Call 95123244 House maid for Omani family.

Contact: 99773100

DRIVER Wanted Driver for heavy (sewage vehicle) and light vehicle with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 97991654 / 97991652 Kindly send CV at Email: construction@ remasalseeb.com / remaschandran2020@gmail.com Required Omani Driver for a restaurant. Contact 95929911

DESIGNER Interior designer needed urgently.

Email: batrading2014@gmail.com

ENG./TECHNICIAN Qualified and experienced Refrigeration Technician required, who can repair cold room, freezer room and all other types of refrigerated equipments.

Email: alsatrading14@gmail.com fax : 24727481 Required Electrician and Instrument technician With an experience of 3yrs in GCC. email : ndsomanllc@gmail.com Phone No.:+968-93267619 Wanted Civil Engineer with minimum 3 years experience with valid GCC / Oman driving license.

Contact: 97991654 / 97991652 Kindly send CV at Email: construction@remasalseeb.com / remaschandran2020@gmail.com Required Electrical B.Tech with 5 years of Oman experience & D/L. Electrical with ITI -Industrial & MEDC license. Contact: 99454425

Ŷ džĐĞůůĞŶƚ 'ƌĂĚĞ ŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟ ŽŶ &ŝƌŵ ďĂƐĞĚ ŝŶ DƵƐĐĂƚ ŚĂƐ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ ǀĂĐĂŶĐLJ ĨŽƌ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƉŽƐŝƟ ŽŶ ϭ͘ WD Ͳ; ͬ ͲdĞĐŚͲ ŝǀŝůͿ with minimum Of 10 years GCC Exp.- 2 Nos.

Ϯ͘ W Ͳ; ͬ ͲdĞĐŚ ʹ ŝǀŝůͿ with minimum of 5 years GCC Exp.-2 Nos.

ϯ͘ D W ŝǀŝƐŝŽŶ DĂŶĂŐĞƌ ; ͬDĞĐŚͿ ϰ͘ WD D W Ͳ ; ͬDĞĐŚͿ with minimum of 10 years GCC Exp. - 2 Nos.

Required Shop Sales man + Hardware Technician for IT Company with minimum 2 years experience.

Contact: 98825806 / 98825806, Email: info@rns-group.com

ϱ͘ D W Z &d^D E With minimum 5 years GCC Exp. - 1 Nos. Candidate having GCC Valid Driving license & NOC

DĂLJ ĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ ƚŚĞŝƌ s ƚŽ Ͳ ĐǀŽŵĂŶŚƌΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

MISCELLANEOUS Part time work as Survey Interviewers: College Students, Omanis male / female, read & write in English part time work only.

Call or SMS: 97984307 A leading Carpentry & fitouts contractor requires experienced personnel immediately - Project Manager, Carpentry – Foreman, Sales Executive, Accountant.

Send CV : sdceollc@gmail.com Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred.

Contact 99273774/99202278

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Catering Co. requires Procurement Manager (7 years with Gulf experience) & Pest Control Supervisor (5 years with Gulf experience). Omani Heavy Truck (freezer) driver, 5 yrs experience with PDO license will be preferred. Send CV : info@rcsoman. com, contact 95892831 / 99040032 Required immediately a quality control Supervisor/ Senior lab Technician for a water treatment and bottling factory.

Contact. 98598099, email. apsasidharan@yahoo.com

MEDICAL Wanted Staff Nurse for a dermatology clinic in Muscat .

Must have MOH license and NOC. Attractive salary offered. Email: clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq.

Contact 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com Wanted Staff Nurses (female) with or without MOH license for a polyclinic near Sohar. Excellent salary & accommodation.

Contact 99006915, Email : alhinaee.clinic@yahoo.com

Required Indian Mason – 5 nos., eligibility (minimum 5 yrs experience in road construction field).

Contact: 99882127 Email: georgymv@yahoo.com

ACCOUNTS

with minimum 15 years GCC Exp. -1Nos.

IT

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

SITUATION WANTED

muscat@chabros.com Website: www.chabros.com EDUCATION/TRAINING

Contact # 92025033, Email : dr.srininvas76@gmail.com

t Min 2-4 years experience in IT Sales (Enterprise level Software, Solution, Biometric, CCTV, etc) in Oman with D/L t 1SFQBSBUJPO PG 2VPUBUJPO BOE QSPQPTBMT NFFUJOH DVTUPNFST and present the solution t 1SFTBMFT PO #JPNFUSJD "UUFOEBODF 4ZTUFN $$57 %PDVNFOU management system, etc t &YDFMMFOU DPNNVOJDBUJPO BOE QSFTFOUBUJPO TLJMM TQPLFO and written in English) t .VTU CF BCMF UP NFFU TUSJDU TBMFT UBSHFU

URGENTLY REQUIRED CATERING

With MOH Licence and Data Flow for Al Saadi Specilised Medical Centre, Musanna.

IT SALES ENGINEER REQUIRED

Send Resumes: amblush@hotmail.com WANTED SALES ENGINEER

WANTED Female Gynaecologist, Female GP- Two Female Staff Nurse (From India or Pilipino)and One Female Dental Assist and Female Lab Technician.

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Wanted Nurse for a Dental Centre in capital area. Contact 93431024 or send CV : drasyanaseem@gmail.com

Required experienced Outdoor Sales Executive with Oman driving license & release for a reputed Company. Send CV: wop@cpwop.com

Wanted urgently General Practitioner, Gynecologist & Dental Surgeon. Contact:92951642 Urgently required Pharmacist (B.Pharm) & Assistant Pharmacist (D Pharm) with trading experience.

Attractive salary & incentives.

Send CV at Email : omanmedical@yahoo.com Lady Clinical Dietician for Weight Management Center, utilizing the “Eurodiet” method. Experienced in individual counseling along with excellent communication skills.

Arabic speaking would be an advantage.

Call: 945 66 777 Email: eurodiet@omantel.net.om Wanted DENTIST with MOH license to run a clinic. Wanted GYNAECOLOGIST to run a clinic or work on salary.

Contact 99334689 MOH licensed /Prometric passed GP Doctor, Staff nurse & Lab technician for Oman - A 22 yrs old well -established clinic in Ibri ,Oman is looking for energetic & qualified GP doctors,staff nurses & Lab technicians for immediate placement. Package will be best in the sector. send CV : zahrathalmahrami@gmail.com for queries : 93828382 Care Medical Centre Al Seeb requires Gynecologist and General Practitioner. Mail CV to: sarita_h23@yahoo.com Immediately required an Indian Medical Practitioner with license for a well established clinic in Barka. Contact : 99474954 A medical centre is looking to hire immediately a talented Nurse to join our successful team, required 3 years of experience, Oman prometric, data flow. Send your CV to- issalibi@gmail.com or Whatsapp - 91254820 GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with Dataflow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934

Wanted auto parts Salesman for Muscat : genuine parts salesman (5) preferable GCC experienced, Office Assistant (2) well experienced. Send CV at Email : genuinepartsjob@gmail.com Ladies experienced in Sales & Marketing with excellent communication skills for Dietetic & Healthy food products for immediate employment. Call: 945 66 777 eurodiet@omantel.net.om Dynamic outdoor Sales Executive required for a building Materials company in Ghubrah. Candidates with release preferred.

Mail your resume to : buildingmaterialsales007@gmail. com Looking for Indian marketing lady with journalistic, advertising & media background. #93946622 Email: ali.matani2@gmail.com Qualified and experienced Sales Executive required for UAE.GCC/ UAE license, product knowledge for commercial kitchens bakery and laundry equipments.

Email: alsatrading14@gmail.com fax : 24727481 Required smart, young, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3 years sales experience for a reputed manufacturing company in Oman, having its Head Office in Ruwi. Experience in building materials is an added advantage. Omani Driving License and NOC is a must.

Attractive remuneration package.

Apply with photograph to E-mail: salesjobds@gmail.com Furniture & décor co. require Outdoor sales team, immediate joining.

Email: batrading2014@gmail.com Required marketing / PR manager for a modern restaurant group in Oman , proficient in illustrator & Photoshop charismatic , proactive , creative & flexible excellent writing / Editing skills degree in relevant area fluent in English. Send CV to marketingpr2016@gmail.com

Indian (M) / B. Com, MBA in Finance in GCC for 26 years, well experienced in Accounts & Finance, 4 years in L&T, speaks Arabic, having Driving License & NOC. Contact: 95588565 Indian male having 12 years experience (Gulf/India) in a reputed Money Exchange is looking for suitable placement. Contact 71152798.

Email - binojaeb@yahoo.com Indian male Accountant looking for a suitable placement in Salalah.

More than 20 years experience in Accounting job (upto the finalization of accounts) 8 years working experience in Middle East in Dubai, Muscat & Salalah. Contact : 91325029 Indian male 30 Chartered Accountant having 2 yrs Oman exp. looking for suitable openings in accounts, finance & audit with Oman driving license. NOC available .email: ubaiskeeran@gmail.com, Mobile : 96357827 Indian male, 25 yrs, B.Com, MBA in Finance & Marketing, SAP (Level -1) Certified, 1 yr exp in Office Administration, good communication skills in English, Now in Oman for visit visa looking for suitable placement.

Contact 97914014 Email : lithin2190@gmail.com Chief / Senior Accountant, having 12 years Oman experience looking for a job NOC / Release with D/L available. Contact: 97385562 Indian male 27 CA inter completed with 4 years experience in Accounts and Audit currently on visiting visa looking for suitable job. Contact : 99662171 Indian female B. Com Materials Management 9 yrs exp in Purchase & Accounts seeks suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact : 92695946 MBA professional Indian male having 3.5 years of experience as Tax Associate at KPMG is looking for suitable placement. Contact +918593997783/+96899105005.

Email gsibikrishnan@gmail.com Senior Accountant, M.Com, Indian, 12 yrs experience Accounts upto finalization(5 yrs in Dubai) (5 yrs Oman), NOC available.

Contact 95577419, azifinj@gmail.com Indian female 26 yrs, MBA finance 2 yrs exp with MNC. Email: rilooozmali@gmail.com.

Contact : 90551366.

Senior Accountant/Ast. Finance Manager-M. Com Finance-Indian with 8 years experience in Finance & Accounts Dpt and Banking & Facilitation. Having D/L & NOC. Mob: 94122464, Email: cammk13@gmail.com Pakistani male 32 yrs, Chartered Accountant having 5 yrs experience, looking for suitable replacement in finance and audit field.

E mail: alirashid.ca@mail.com Indian female CA Inter, M.Com, 3 years experience in Audit, seeking suitable jobs. Contact: 94863876

Male 36 MBA finance 7 yrs GCC exp in accounts & admin knowledge of quickbooks tally n office suite, Oman D/L and NOC available.

Contact 96763275.

Fazee1980@gmail.com Indian female, senior Accountant /ast.Finance manager having 15 years oman experience with d/l and noc looking for a suitable placement . Contact : 94838231 Indian (M) / B. Com, MBA in Finance, in GCC for 26 years, well experienced in Accounts & Finance, 4 years in L&T , Speaks Arabic, having Driving License & NOC. Contact: 95588565 Indian male, MBA 2 yrs of experience in accounting looking for suitable placement in finance joining immediately. Contact: 93972065 Indian male, B.Com, MBA in Finance, 4 yrs in Larsen & Tourbo, 26 yrs in Oman, English/ Arabic speaking with driving license. NOC available. Contact 95588565 Fresher 25, ACCA Affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or Audit with oman driving license.

Contact - 92430152 , Email - raju.rd619@gmail.com MBA/B. Sc looking for suitable position having 3 years experience in financial operations, banking & Administration with driving license. Contact 96428822 Accounts Part time : services available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly Basis, finalisation works. Contact : 96247295 MBA in Finance & Marketing with 3 years experience in Sales, Marketing & Procurement division.

NOC available seeking for suitable post. Contact 92877851, eldhosejohnyforever@gmail.com Purchase Manager or in Accounts department seeking job in Muscat Hotels. In purchasing having 7 years experience and 2 years in accounts department kindly contact 98659529 or whats app Accountant B.Com, Tally Indian male, 14 yrs Oman experience with driving licence & NOC seeks suitable job. Contact 97942044 32 years, male Chartered Accountant having more than 10 years experience in one the leading Audit firm and Govt. owned entity looking for better opportunity.

Contact : 968 98264415.

Graduate from Alexandria University in Accounting has freelance Interior designing experience in different design programs & recorded projects achievements, willing to join suitable job for his qualifications & talents. Contact: + 201003966769 in Oman 99602608 Email: shadyhenaawy@gmail.com Accountant B.Com Indian male B.Com Tally experienced 3 years in Muscat with NOC looking suitable job. Contact: 97151457

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED ůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌ ; ͘dĞĐŚͿ͕

Indian Male MBA (UK),

Indian male MBA

PROJECT MANAGER,

9 years experience in Dubai/London/ Mumbai in Management Consulting, Sales & Marketing, Business Development for Real Estate/Banking seeks similar placement with D/L.

Finance & Marketing 26 yrs having 1.9 years of experience in Finance & Marketing Contact: 95206140/ 96992013

B.Tech, MBA, PRINCE-2, British Citizen now available with NOC in OMAN. 25 yrs. exp in EPC Project Management of Oil & Gas, Pipelines, Refineries & Power Plants. Seeking job immediately/

Contact -

having 7 yrs of Gulf experience, ĞdžƉĞƌƟ ƐĞ ŝŶ WƌŽũĞĐƚ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ͕ ƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐ͕ ĐŽŶƐƚƌƵĐƟ ŽŶ ĂĐƟ ǀŝƟ ĞƐ͕ ƚĞƐƟ ŶŐ Θ ĐŽŵŵŝƐƐŝŽŶŝŶŐ ŽĨ ĞůĞĐƚƌŝĐĂů systems, presently on visit visa, ƐĞĞŬƐ ũŽď ŝŶ DƵƐĐĂƚ͘

97281023 / 90631567

Contact 91228167

Contact: 95168205

bonnythomas007@gmail.com

Email:

Contact- 00968-94731728/ josececy25@gmail.com

KŵĂŶ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ /ŶĚŝĂŶ >ĂǁLJĞƌ͕

Indian female 25 yrs M.Sc Biotechnology

Administrator, 30 yrs experience as Office Manager Project Executive Secretary, document Controller, Commercial Officer with driving license on release.

Indian male, MBA,

,ŽƚĞůͬZĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚͬ ,ŽƐƉŝƚĂůŝƚLJ

6 yrs experience in Sales & Marketing, Export / Import, logistics (general trading), holding Oman driving license, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable jobs.

Professional with 21 years of rich experience as CEO/General Manager, in managing ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ŽƉĞƌĂƟ ŽŶƐͬ ƌĞǀĞŶƵĞ ĞdžƉĂŶƐŝŽŶƐ ŝŶ hospitality/hotel sector with MBA in Hotel DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ĂŶĚ ƉŽƐƐĞƐƐŝŶŐ ƐƚƌŽŶŐ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ĂĐƵŵĞŶ ǁŝƚŚ ĞdžĐĞůůĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ ĞdžĞĐƵƟ ŶŐ Ă ǁŝĚĞ ƌĂŶŐĞ ŽĨ ƐƚƌĂƚĞŐŝĞƐ ĨŽƌ ƉƌŽĮ ƚĂďŝůŝƚLJ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ challenging career opportunity as VP/GM/CEO.

džƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ ^ŽŌ ǁĂƌĞ WƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶĂů ŽǀĞƌ ϮϬ years in Oman. Involved in system analysis, ĚĞƐŝŐŶ͕ ƚĞƐƟ ŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŝŵƉůĞŵĞŶƟ ŶŐ ŶĞǁ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ͕ ƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ ƚƌĂŝŶŝŶŐ ĂŶĚ ŚĞůƉĚĞƐŬ͘ Best suited to produce cost centre, consolidated, MIS reports from various ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ͘ DĂŶĂŐĞ ^ŽŌ ǁĂƌĞ͕ ,ĂƌĚǁĂƌĞ͕ Network resources, Wi-Fi/Biometric/CCTV ĞǀŝĐĞƐ͘ džƉĞƌƟ ƐĞ ŝŶ ^Y>͕ ƌLJƐƚĂů ZĞƉŽƌƚƐ, D^ Kĸ ĐĞ͕ &ŽdžƉƌŽ͘

Contact - 91544858

Call 9785 5160

Contact # 92839516

/ŶĚŝĂŶ ĨĞŵĂůĞ͕ D ͕ &ŝŶĂŶĐĞ͕ ͘ Žŵ Θ W' D 2 years experience as Financial Analyst ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƐƵŝƚĂďůĞ ƉŽƐŝƟ ŽŶ ŝŶ ĐĐŽƵŶƚƐ ĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƟ ŽŶ Žƌ džĞĐƵƟ ǀĞ ƉŽƐŝƟ ŽŶƐ͕ ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚůLJ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ŝŶ KŵĂŶ͘

Senior Accountant

Contact ϵϲϭϮϲϳϯϲ ͬ ϵϱϲϮϵϴϮϭ Email: ppreethi006@gmail.com

ACCOUNTS Indian male age 26, Accountant one year experience in accounts looking for suitable job. Contact Email: Anishkhan991867@gmail.

Com Mobile: +968 9565 9415 Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa. Immediately available.

Contact 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com Indian/MBA/male Chief Accountant 18Yrs Experience, MIS, C.Flow, Budgeting, ERP, Cost accounting &Liasing with auditors. NOC available.

Contact: 92254691/97826674 email: khader2305@gmail.com 44 years, Indian male B. Com, MBA, finance having more than 12 years experience in finalization of Accounts looking for better opportunity in Muscat. Contact : 95710936 .

Accountant Indian male B.Com with 8 years experience in Oman, knowledge in tally ERP, SAP AX, MIS up to finalization, NOC available. Contact: 96989872, Email: radhakrishnank2007@rediffmail. com Indian female / MBA / 4+ years experience in India and Oman looking for a suitable job. Priority location in Barka region.

Contact : 96140588 / 99214913 Email: ramya2007mba@gmail. com Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly basis.

Finalization and audit works.

Contact : 96247295 Senior Accountant, B Com, Indian, 10 yrs of Finance and Accounts experience (7 yrs Oman and 4 yrs Dubai) , NOC Available.

Contact : 99776450; Email:mobinmum1@gmail.com Accountant B.com Indian male 12 yrs exp seeks suitable job.NOC available . Contact : 91212471 Email: rennyj6@gmail.com Indian Female,33 Years MBA,MCOM & CA Inter , 3 Years’ experience in Accounts and Auditing ,seeking suitable position .Knowledge in MS Excel, Tally and having good communication skills.

NOC Available. Mob:90146233, mail: priyamerinjoy@rediffmail.com ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance. Contact 99284193 Indian female 28 yrs B.Com 4 yrs experience in MNC’s currently in Muscat seeking suitable placement in Finance / Admin.

Contact :94743790 Sudanese Accountant, Alexandria University Graduate bachelor of commerce Diploma of Marketing professional photographer worked in PR and social media for 2 years looking for a job in public relations media, social media or marketing.

Contact: 96976240 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 Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394

ACCOUNTS 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, Emailallen.mathew83@gmail.com 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Accountant & sales & marketing.

Contact: 99730968 / 90696269 7 Years experience as Financial Analyst, MBA in finance. Responsibilities- research contributor, financial statement analysis, generating MIS & efficiency report, managing TAT, business & clients.

On visit visa in Muscat.

Contact: 90191628 / 96175780 Accountant 8Years Experience with D/L and NOC. Contact: 97712084 Finance Manager 16 years experienced chartered accountant (Sri Lankan) looking for a suitable post. NOC available.

Contact: 92194926 Email: manomuscat@gmail.com

B.Com, 18 yrs experience abroad, 12 years in Oman with an excellent grade construction company, handling day to day activities upto finalization, proficient in Microsoft GP, knows AX – 2012, valid D/L, looks for suitable placement in Accounts / Admin. Local release available.

Contact: 968 97702648 ARCH./ INTERIOR DEC. Freelance Sr. Architect / Interior 2D / 3D, walkthrough Contact- 95047231 , Email: mycadvision@gmail.com Junior Architect, female from NIT, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 92705130 Architect looking for job, with bachelor degree and have 6 yrs experience in Oman as HOD. Having good command of AutoCAD 3D Studio Max & other graphics software. Contact 94404784, saeed.warsi@gmail.com ARCHITECT, Postgraduate in Environmental Planning from School of Planning & Architecture, Indian (Female), Looking for suitable placement. Tel. 94969570/ 92103206, Email: sowmiaphilip@gmail.com Female Architect qualified with Masters degree (March) from London seeking suitable placement.

Contact : 95385028 / 99357177 Architect Engineer seeking for suitable job, 8 years experience.

GSM : 96075000, Email : haytham_201046@yahoo.com

DESIGNER/ DRAUGHTSMAN Freelance ARCH 2D / 3D rendering / graphic design bldg PH : 97103168 email: mass.m@hotmail.com

Indian, Kerala Male B.COM & B.PE, Currently on Visit Visa. Looking for a suitable job in Accounts, Store Keeper, Sales etc. Ready to join as early as possible.

Contact 96988923 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com

CAD/GIS Draughtsman with 15 years experience. Contacts: 94001764 / jaisonckm@gmail.com

ADMIN

AutoCAD Draughtsman Indian male 8 years experience in Oman well knowledge in Civil, Interior, pre casting having GCC driving license (NOC Available) Contact: 92188496 Email: vimalg.kannur@gmail.com

Indian male with 6 yrs of HR & Admin experience (3 yrs in Oman) looking for suitable position. NOC available. Contact 98752013, Email : mdabdulmajeed12@gmail.com Indian male, rich oman experience as – personal assistant / office manager / executive secretary / administration / business development asst., omani license with valid visa / release available – 99168054 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 BBA Male 25 yrs, Administration officer experienced in administration, HR, accounts, procurement with NOC. Contact 91329571 A highly competent motivated and team spirited HR Administration, Business development with 14yrs exp seeks suitable placement. Qualification BA MSW PGDDM. Contact 92438185/ email:s.azu@hotmail.com Indian female 32 yrs P.G English having 6 yrs exp in MNC’s (Tech.

M, IBM TCS) in HR/Admin on visit visa looking for suitable placement. Contact : 91063848, Email: chatterjee3rumpa@gmail.com Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817

Interior Designer AutoCAD Draftsman 3D Max, now in Muscat on visit visa. Contact 92714377 / 90865342

Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR PH :92279784 Architectural Draftsmen diploma in construction technology with 6 years experience in drafting and detailing as per British standard in Oman with valid Omani license looking for suitable opportunity Noc available. Call 94375897.

Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman. Please Contact: 96489798,(+974) 66653780.

DRIVER Pakistani, 3 yrs experience, looking for driving job.

Contact 99647042 Pakistani, light duty driver seeks job. Contact 94356465 / 93782166 Driver available, light duty driver, exp 6 yrs. Contact: 94432912 / 92439315.

Driver with car seeks placement.

Contact 93346085 Looking for suitable job with Oman driving license, 1 yr exp in Oman. Contact : 97768047.

Light duty driver with car, 8 yrs exp seeks placement.

Contact: 95785372

ϯϱ͕ ͕ ƌĂďŝĐ͕ >> ͕ D ͕ ŬŶŽǁƐ ŶŐůŝƐŚ͕ ƌĂďŝĐ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƐƵŝƚĂďůĞ ƉŽƐŝƟ ŽŶ ŝŶ ŽŵƉĂŶŝĞƐ Žƌ ůĞŐĂů Į ƌŵƐ͕͘ ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚůLJ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ĂƐ >ĞŐĂů ĚǀŝƐŽƌ͘ EK ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ϵϳϯϱϭϲϰϵ͕ Email : advocatesharaf@gmail.com

With 2 yrs experience in Scientific Analysis looking for suitable placement JOUFSFTUFE JO 2VBMJUZ $POUSPM JO GPPE processing sector & Medical Sector also.

Contact - 98842135, 98030818

IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE WITH NOC HR & ADMINISTRATION PROFESSIONAL With 14 years of Oman experience in Omanization, well familiar with Oman labor laws, employee relations / welfare, Liasion & Coordination, Strategic HR Planning, performance Appraisal & General Administration.

Contact - 96501189 DRIVER Driver job wanted.

Contact : 96393082 Driver looking for job.

Contact : 93822195 Gulf & Embassy driver more than 15 years experience seeks suitable placement. Contact: 92191698 House driver/ company, valid Gulf D/L (overseas). Contact 95175192 Heavy duty driver / operator (GCC plant valid license (overseas).

Contact 95175192 Light duty driver 3 yrs experience seeks placement. Knows Hindi, Arabic & Urdu.

Contact: 97762303 Indian light driver 3.5 yrs exp in Oman visa seeks placement.

Contact 94158505 Looking for job driver with car.

Contact 99154473 Looking for driving job 5 years experience. Contact : 92024487 Light Driver. Contact 92703258 / 99617026 Looking for light driver, 6 yrs exp.

Contact: 97098018 Driver looking for job.

Contact: 95892363 Looking for light driving job 3 years exp. Contact: 91625977 Looking for driving job.

Contact: 94706179

DOMESTIC HELPER Indian lady (House maid) looking for a part time job, 20 years experience in mother & baby massage after delivery. Contact: 92072866 House boy / Tea boy (overseas).

Contact 95175192

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. BE in Mechanical Engineering with MBA in operations Mgt, with 4 yrs of experience in oil & gas field seeking job as a mechanical/planning Engineer in Oman, #94683501 e-mail: shakir.zabiulla@hotmail.com 27 yrs, Indian male Civil Engineer (B.Tech) with 5 yrs India exp as Site Engineer in residential, commercial, industrial projects looking for job opportunity presently in Oman on visit visa ready to join immediately.

Contact: 968 94965278 Email: mdulings@gmail.com Civil Engineer, B-tech, Indian, 30yrs, Having 8yrs experience in building projects looking for suitable position. Contact: 99819639, email: 999saira@gmail.com Civil Engineer, B.Tech, Indian with 2 yrs experience in Site, QS Estimation, planning & Coordination, currently on visit looking for suitable placement. Contact 93314353 Female Civil Engineer 6 years total experience, 2 years Oman experience in structural design, shop drawing & Q.S.Full or part time. Mobile 93010350.

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Indian Male 28 yrs, B.E with 6 yrs exp in Marketing Research and business strategy providing PR services looking for suitable placement. Contact: 90801510.

E mail:bijudotson@gmail.com Sri Lankan male 25 yrs, having 5 yrs experience in Quantity Surveying in Civil & MEP, is looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 92032632 Email: haseebmursaleen@gmail.com Quantity Surveyor 14 years exp. seeking suitable placement, NOC & D/L available. Contact: 90936370 mail: muhammedjahan@gmail.com Civil Engineer Indian (B.Tech, M.Tech) 8 years experience, having Oman D/L, NOC available.

Contact: 94195397 Indian male Civil Engineer 1.6 yrs exp, having Omani D/L, looking for suitable position. NOC available.

Contact – 92157694 / mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Diploma in Mechanical Engg, 10 years exp in steel fabrication site work with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 94696192 Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrs exp seeks suitable position in a reputed company. NOC available.

Contact 96789711 Civil Engineer, Project Manager having 14 yrs experience, 11 years in Oman. PMP, FIDIC contract management experience, independently handling civil works, familiar with Oman regulations, looking for senior level position. release available, can join immediately.

Contact- 98826815 Electrical Engineer, B.Tech, Graduate, 2 yrs experience. Contact 99451321 Land Surveyor with Gulf experience.

Contact 91754589 14 yrs G.C.C experience Indian male (B. tech) D.C.E , Civil Engineer, release available. Contact 99015053 Engg/ Tech/ Mech 24 m, MBA /B. Tech 2 yrs HVAC-fire fighting experience seeking placement.

Contact : 90924711, E mail : prasith.k.aniyan@gmail.com Civil Engineer diploma 3 yrs having 11 yrs exp in Oman 6 yrs as a Site Engineer supervisor, all type of Civil Construction activities commercial and residential villa.

Contact: 99771890 Sudanese Civil Engineer 3 years experience have valid Oman residency looking for suitable position. Contact: 94284030 Seeking suitable job male 33 yrs Expat over 13 yrs exp with PDO as Project Service Engineer, Omani driving license, NOC available.

Contact: 92734174.

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. Contact 96570891

^ E/KZ ^K&dt Z ENGINEER EDI GIS Indian male, 32 yrs, B.Tech, PGDIT, IBM Sterling Integrator, having 9 yrs experience from IBM, Cognizant & Emphasis, Oman driving license ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ƐƵŝƚĂďůĞ ƉůĂĐĞŵĞŶƚ͘

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ Ͳ ϵϯϮϮϭϯϵϱ

ENGLISH TEACHER /ŶĚŝĂŶ &D͕ ͘ ͕ ͘ ŶŐůŝƐŚ >ŝƚ͕ 4 yrs Teaching experience in KŵĂŶ ĂŶĚ Ϯ LJƌƐ ŝŶ /ŶĚŝĂ͕ immediate joining.

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ Ͳ ϵϰϮϬϮϭϮϮ ENGG. / TECH./MECH. B.E Mechanical Engineer, age 24 with almost 1 year experience as Production Shift Engineer, has achieved training on HVAC Engineering design and has good hands on software like AutoCAD and HAP.Currently in Oman on a visit visa, looking for a suitable placement.Contact: 95065955 email: mjs.jazeb@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine.

Available NOC release. #92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com 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 92157694. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available. Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Indian male B.E Telecommunication Engineering & M. Tech Digital Electronics having 3 years experience seeking for a suitable job immediately, presently on visit visa. Contact 90929272 email basavaraj.te@gmail.com Construction Machinery repairs Engineer, 5 years, driving license, Contact - 94001961 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 Electrical Engineer 6 years experience in OHL, primary &distribution sub stations, driving licence and NOC available.

Contact : 99410588 / 95120225.

Civil Draughtsman seeking job.

Contact: 93136850 Indian Female Civil Engineer, M.Tech in Structural with Construction management. 1 year Lecturing Experience seeking Lecturing /Lab Assisting/QS /Design/ Planning jobs. Contact 92550987, Mail : anjuakbar2010@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, Indian, Male, 30yrs. Experienced in Steam turbines and Thermal Power house seek employment.

Contact - +91 8130553668 or mohamedshah7@gmail.com IT Support Engineer, MBA, Diploma in Hardware & Networking, MCSE, CCNA having more than 6 yrs exp in IT field, (3 yrs exp in Oman), NOC available looking for suitable job.

Contact: 97125886 Email: rageshvenu@gmail.com Iraqi Civil Engineer (Road) 4 years experience, 1 year in Oman with driving license & NOC. Contact: 91142290 Electronics and Communication Engineer with 2 years experience in Telecom Sector as RF Engineer (drive test, RF & LOS survey).

Contact: 93919943 Email: agneljerin@yahoo.com Electrical Engineer, 24 yrs, Indian Male , Fresher, Training Undertaken in Electrical Draughtsman, Fire Alarm, Fire Fighting and Industrial Automation. Contact: 94989767, Email: Junaiz987@gmail.com

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S U N DAY, AU G U S T 1 4 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Project/Estimation Engineer, Mechanical,5 Yrs.exp.in Oman construction field including shop and site erected Tanks, Vessels, Piping & Steel structures Mail; sinoshcs@gmail.com Ph-968 98486585 17 years MEP Engineer exp in Oman U.A.E with transferable visa looking for suitable job in same field. Contact : 91758258 Email: upahoia@gmail.com Electrical Engineer having 16 years experience in Switchgear / transformer / over head lines & lines & trading for sales / procurement & project execution, valid Oman D/L. Contact: +968- 95994727, Email : qurm340@gmail.com Indian Male, Graduate 28 years, 3 years experience in Automotive Co. as customer relation Executive ,looking suitable job in Muscat currently on visit visa.

Contact No.968-96349191 Indian male 26 BE Mechanical 2 years experience in HVAC seeking suitable placement now on visit visa. Contact: 90810193 Email: asifismail222@gmail.com Electrical Engineer: Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India, holding valid Oman D/L. #92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Civil Engineer (Indian male) 5 years experience in Oman with valid Omani driving license & NOC looking for suitable opportunity.

Contact: 93101283 Project Management and Supervision, expert professional Civil Engineer, 26 years experience in Contractor and consultancy companies with N.O.C & driving license. Contact : 92668679 Electrical & Electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit.

PH: 93837973 Indian male 24 ,B.E ( E.C.E ) graduate with 3 years of experience in the fields of BMS and Low current systems and has good knowledge about Electronic Security Systems, currently working in Oman, NOC Available.

Contact:- 94737033/ mohdmuhafez45@gmail.com Mechanical/ Piping Engineer (B.Tech.) on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 94703350 mail: nadeembcoolboy@gmail. com Graduate from Alexandria University Mechanical Power Engineering and certified international Procurement Manager CIPM basics of supply chain management B SCM, APICS, seeking suitable job for his qualifications.

Contact: +2001222399139 Oman 99602608 C/O Email: samer_henawy@hotmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Sc) with 5 years experienced (more than 4 years in Oman) in construction & project management and seeking suitable position (NOC available).

Contact: 99604563, Email: saiful.hasjv@gmail.com Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 92279784

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE

MISCELLANEOUS

Young Indian, Engineering in Bio-technology, Bio-chemical and Chemical, looking for a challenging placement in Oman.

Contact 97607000. Email: sivasankarjayakumar@gmail.com

Indian male with 14 Years Oman Experience as Assistant Pharmacist with Valid MOH License and Oman D/L is looking for a Suitable Job in Muscat Area. NOC Available. Please Contact: 92121414 / 92879050

Indian male 14 yrs exp in business development, Sales & Marketing, 4 yrs in building material in Oman Contact: 93956234.

28 years, Indian (Kerala )lady seeking job as a primary teacher .

Qualifications : +2 , TTC and Graduation in Sociology. She has 4 years experience in the Teaching field.

Contact +968 94743882

Mechanical Engineer, Graduate, Indian male, 21 yrs from Symbiosis Pune 6 months work experience at SKF India looking for Engineering on technical services on visit visa. Contact 97945161, Email : iancardoz11@gmail.com

Iraqi Dentist female, MOH license seeks suitable job in clinic in Muscat. Contact 97891219

Indian female, M.Com, 8 yrs experience in Call Center Insurance, customer service, team handling negotiation analysis & secretarial role. Excellent written & verbal communication with computer knowledge, presently on visit looking for suitable vacancy.

Contact 95166496

EDUCATION/TRAINING Mathematics Lecturer , Indian Female, M Sc Mathematics from a Prestigious University, B.Ed qualified, distinction holder with 7 yrs teaching experience in colleges.

Contact: 91360147.

Graduate from Tanta University license of Education and Diploma of studies in French language from Ministry of Education in France courses in Picardie University Julesverne & Mont Lambert School from France, has experience in teaching French in Egypt Ministry of Education, seeking job as teacher of French language or translator for French, English & Arabic. Contact: 99602608 Email: abodody44abohomos@gmail.com Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. Contact 99739415 / 92091528 Mathematics Lecturer , Indian Female, M Sc Mathematics from a Prestigious University, B.Ed qualified, distinction holder with 6 yrs teaching experience in colleges.

Contact: 91360147.

Teacher Female , Phd in Chemistry having 3.5 yrs of Experience in India. Staying here on Family Visa & seeking for a suitable placement. Contact – 99675828, Email - Anupam.tiwari67@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Young, female, diploma in aviation, hospitality, travel management, with family visit visa, seeks suitable placement with employment visa in airlines / hospitality / administration & in any company. Gsm 9092-1438 Male 32 yrs hotel management Chef 14 yrs experience in Bahrain from India, Kerala looking for suitable jobs in hotel 3 star, 5 star.

Contact: 98926299 / 92268172 Housekeeping Supervisor, Hotel Industry seeks placement.

Contact 96152305

IT IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India.

Contact: 94672759 IT field 3 years of experience, female seeking suitable job in Oman.

Contact: 96350234 Email: greeshmavkannan@gmail.com Indian Male, MCA Graduate, 15 yrs exp in ERP, CSM Certified, seeking suitable role.NOC Available.

Contact : GSM : 90189284 Email: meetlibran@gmail.com Indian male, 3 yrs experience in IT as Linux Administrator & 1 yr experience in Amazon EC2 cloud at Wipro Bangalore seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92889678, Email : amalpathikal@gmail.com 5yrs exp in IT, Indian female seeks placement.

Contact: 94969654

Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. Contact: 98921022

Indian Male, B.Tech IT, 4 years Oman Experience in IT & NETWORKING, holding Oman D/L, seeks suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 92462578

Indian male, Structural Engineer looking for job in structural design field. Having 6 years of experience in design field. Residing in Muscat. Contact: 91176187 Email: syam036@gmail.com

Indian male 25 years, BCA Graduate and MCITP, CCNA certified with 2 years experience looking for suitable job having Oman driving license.

Contact: 94170892

Electrical Engineer (B.SC) with 1 year experience currently seeking job on 3 month visit.

Contact 91791568

Indian female M.Sc Computer Science seeking suitable placement in Muscat area.

Contact: 98660672

Civil Engineer, young Indian having almost 2 years experience looking for a challenging position seeks suitable position in Oman/ GCC. Please contact 92718490, Email ID: uvais.pk82@gmail.com

Indian male 4 years experience in IT as Programmer / Web Support/ CCNA/ Network on visit visa seeking placement.

Contact: 93069694 Email: mrabrar14@gmail.com

Filipino Medical Assistant with 3 yrs experience is looking for suitable job in Oman.

Contact: +968 9261 0394 Indian female GNM Nurse 10 years experience Oman prometric & dataflow passed. Contact: 94413100 / 00918281710464, Email: jobysmily@gmail.com Iraqi Dentist, 9 yrs exp pass prometric and dataflow searching for suitable placement.

Contact: 90611395 Veterinary Doctor: Indian Female looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 96906534 /99014885, Email: monishmajeed@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Indian, 15+ years experience In Purchase looking for suitable jobs in Oman (NOC available). Contact 96388496,ranju.uma@gmail.com CEO, CEO Assistant looking for senior management position with more than 25 yrs Business developing experience Marketing business planning U.S.A, Africa, Kazakhstan, Saudi & Qatar MBA , TEXAS A &M – USA University.

Contact: 92010247 IND male ERP Project Manager 15 yrs exp can handle complete IT division looking for suitable placement with Oman D/L, NOC available. Contact : 94700212 Indian male, Senior logistics Incharge 20 yrs experienced with oil & gas products with Oman driving license, NOC available. #95370652, anilsampat3@gmail.com Indian male, Country Manager, 48 years, M.Tech MBA, 25 years experience seeks suitable placement valid, D/L & NOC. Contact: 92279972 Email: iamjohnpv@yahoo.co.in

MISCELLANEOUS Filipino Male, 28 years Old. Looking for job, Have experience in Rent a Car/ Cargo & Logistics / Real Estate/ Customer Care Executive / Sale Executive & Marketing/ Shop In- Charge. Hard working w/ good computer and communication skill.

GSM: 97761075 GYM Instructor 12 years experience single. Contact: 96700192 Indian male 10 years experience jobs in automobile, logistics & cargo, store keeping & catering. #91798685 Email: thottathiroy@gmail.com Filipino Graphic Designer / I.T. looking for a suitable job with 10 years experience. Very good in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Photography, Knowledge in CCTV & Access Controls. Pls. Call 79042628.

BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com Indian male, 28, post graduate, 6+ yrs exp in Oman in sales (back office) & credit control with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable lacements. NOC available.

Contact 92066 523 Sudanese male bachelor geology and mining with 3 years experience in MUD logging and training in soil investigation.# 92956848

SALES / MARKETING Indian male 1 yr exp in sales automotive (TBL) looking for best opportunity , NOC available.

Contact: 97793879 Email: shyampkn@gmail.com Indian female 29 years Post Graduate with computer Knowledge 2 years of Oman experience in coordinator & 5 years of experience in customer service, client relation officer with excellent communication skill seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95337665 Indian male, 4 years experience, looking job in call centres/infocom.

Contact No.968-96349191.

Indian male 39 years, 10 years experience in Oman as Marketing, Business Development & Operations with legal background looking for suitable job having Oman D/L. NOC available. Contact : 94942328 / 94266552 Graduate degree 5 yrs experience as Sales and Marketing in Oman with D/L& NOC available looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 92506310 MBA Indian male 12 yrs Oman experience Sales Marketing with driving license, excellent market knowledge and strategic role player looking for suitable position.

NOC available. Contact: 91437484 Indian male 42 yrs searching for suitable job, experience in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Saudi D/L holder, fluent in Arabic, English, Hindi Gulf experience 20 yrs manpower co-ordinator, sales & marketing, logistics. Contact: 90518114 Indian male, 26 yrs, 7 yrs experience in Sales & driving in Oman, looking for job in Sales & Marketing. NOC not required. Languages : Arabic, Hindi, English.

Contact 93426858 / 98148269 Indian 15 yrs Sales Marketing/ manager, Supervisor having visa & D/L. Contact : 98604960 Indian, 23 yrs, 2 yrs experience in Sales in Dubai in readymade & shoes, experience in Dubai Mall, on visit visa for 1 month. #98401675 Holder of light driving license, having excellent experience of outdoor sales, good knowledge of Arabic, English, Hindi looking for suitable placement as Driver cum Outdoor Salesman. Contact 96395841 Indian male age 24, B.Com. having 2 year experience and currently in visit visa. Looking for suitable placement in Sales, Marketing & finance. Contact: 90766307 Email: shhaazz.007@gmail.com Oil & gas experienced Indian lady with 6 years in sales & marketing to PDO and having valid Omani driving license. Contact 96143430 / 99875919 Executive purchase logistics with 10 years experience, NOC available. Contact: 91432512 Indian male Graduate with 18 years of Marketing experience presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity.

Contact: 96168687 Email: dhibupaul@gmail.com Indian Male, MBA marketing 5 yrs exp. in sales & 4 yrs in FMCG sector, looking for best opportunity.

NOC available. Contact: 96001877 Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India.

Contact India:-+918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Resident in Oman 18 years, 10 years experience in setup marketing plans and strategies, sales, import & logistics, procurement, Omani government tenders, organizing projects & events, import fireworks for festivals, NOC available, have car. Contact 94123939.

Email: 002015r@gmail.com Indian male 26 years of experience of sales & marketing in surgical and laboratory equipments.

Looking for good replacement.

Contact – 92015894 / 95774854 Filipino Male, 28 years Old. Looking for job, Have experience in Rent a Car/ Cargo & Logistics / Real Estate/ Customer Care Executive / Sale Executive & Marketing/ Shop In- Charge. Hard working w/ good computer and communication skill.

GSM: 97761075 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 MBA 6 year Multi fields Experience, Marketing, Strategic planning, Administration skills. Having Driving Licenses, NOC Available Seeking for Job, fouzang@hotmail. com Contact 97468157, 92521080.

Looking for part time job Secretarial / Data Entry / Documentation available every day after 5:00 pm Friday / Saturday full day area preferred Ruwi/ CBD/ MBD / Al Khuwair. Contact: 90414827 Co-ordinator / Secretary Indian male, 42 yrs, 16 yrs experience having Oman driving license, release available. Contact 93412622 Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Call: 95244761

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Indian, looking for a suitable post 25 yrs exp in Carpentry Foreman with valid D/L seeks placement.

Contact: 95868469 SH/carpenter, Mason, steel fitter, helper, electrician, Plumber, (Overseas). Contact 95175192, Email: oman.manpower@yahoo.com

MISCELLANEOUS

B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact # 94618504, Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com B.E Engineer Indian male with total 7+ years experience in the field of telecom projects, operations and sales, 3 years experience in Oman, with license and NOC seeks suitable placement. GSM- 92961033 E MAIL -joalappa77@gmail.com Female, 25yrs old with 4 yrs experience in admin, HR and Secretary position looking for a job.

Contact neslinmoras@gmail.com 99265759.

Indian male 23 Diploma in Automobile engineering Experienced restaurant manager/supervisor and Marketing knowledge searching for suitable position in your company currently on a visit visa.

Contact: 90801420, Email:anwaar223969@gmail.com INDIAN FEMALE 28 yrs, M.Sc B.ed Science, Experience 2Years In Teaching In India, seeking suitable Job. Contact 0091 9676814123, Email;bbroshini53@gmail.com

Indian/male(26)/MBA/2 years experience in procurement, coordination and distribution management, with valid oman license available for immediate joining.

Contact: 92536194 email:suhailbs@gmail.com

Pakistani Male having 7 years Experience Valid Omani Driving license working as a Transport Manager looking for a suitable position. Salary is negotiable. Email: mohdnaveed043@gmail.com, Mob: +96893363316 / 94202746

Sr Project Engineer, 30 Years, Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures Mail; snu057@gmail.com, Ph-00974 66772193

Indian male 32 years (MBA) Having 7 years experience in Oman, Seeking for Business Development/ Business Support job, having Valid Oman Driving License.

Mobile No : 00968 98403599

MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER, 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified, Contact- arn9895@gmail.com Mob 00919895233155 MECHANICAL ENGINEER, Indian Male,26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures, Aware of int.

Standards,B tech in Mech engg.

Contact-rahulkunnath23@gmail. com, Mob-00917350860889 Indian 30 years, Autocad Draftsman 10 years experience in India.

2 years Oman experience in MEP Drawings and QS Estimation.

Contact: 9353 1192, 9086 4988 B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact number# 94618504, Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com Indian male B.Tech, DCE Civil Engineer 14 years Gulf experience.

Contact 97045409 Civil Engineer with 6 yrs exp. In construction and all related works having Omani license & NOC. looking for job. Contact 94520994 Male Indian current job : call center job, B.E (ECE) searching for suitable job, email: amirraj11691@gmail.com. mobile: +919677642346 / +918428617572 23 Male Indian 3 year experience in restaurant manager & accountant job & marketing experience looking for suitable job. Contact:90801420 , WhatsApp no :+917411062397, E-mail: anwaar223969@gmail.com TEKLA & AutoCAD.5 years Oman experience in project execution and detail drawing of Steel structures, site and shop erected tanks. Diploma in mech.Engg.

Mob: 98486585 sinoshcs@gmail.com.

4 years experience in IT Executive and also ticketing staff, seeking placement contact 94948622.

Email Jarar.haider@yahoo.com Indian Male 23 Photographer searching for suitable job.

Contact: 90801420 WhatsApp: +917411062397 for my sample shots, Email: anwaar223969@gmail.com

Indian Female, 28 Years - MSc Microbiology, Quality checking food industry, Looking for suitable job. Contact 98170510 Email: lasyapriyaprasanth@gmail.com Indian senior Mechanical Engineer experienced in EPC projects in crushing, construction chemical, concrete products etc. # 9109 6940 E: kpopragmatic@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, 24 yrs, Indian Male Fresher, Training Undertaken in Electrical Draughtsman, Fire Alarm and Fire Fighting. Salary expected negotiable. #94989767, Email: Junaiz987@gmail.com Indian male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 2 years of experience in Accounts looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact : 97939084 / 97351786 E-mail : mohammednsr126@gmail.com Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seek suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 email: azimmohd@yahoo.co.in IT professional, BE. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in it, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in it/network/server support/ retail sales. Contact 91496939.

Indian male, 26 years, 3 years’ experience in projects of tanks, boilers and steel structures, aware of int. standards, b tech in Mech engg. contact-rahulkunnath23@ gmail.com, mob-00917350860889 Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant, doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects, Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures.

Mail;snu057@gmail.com Ph-00974 66772193 Civil Engineer (B-tech) Indian male 1+ years experience in high rise building (G+21) site Engineer, experience in QC ,QS, and surveying looking for a job (NOC) available. #90924737 / 97470742 Email: kannanknply92@gmail.com Graduate (C.M.A & B.Com) having 4 yrs experience in U.A.E & Pakistan in accounts/ Audit now in Oman immediate available.

Cell # 94973273 (call & Whatsaap)

S U N DAY, AU G U S T 1 4 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman.

Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTED 4 years experience in IT Executive and also ticketing staff, seeking placement contact 94948622.

Email Jarar.haider@yahoo.com B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact # 94618504, Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified. Contact arn9895@gmail. com, Mob 00919895233155 Indian male, 11 years exp. in accounting, knowledge in tally also. looking for a part time job.

Contact . 98983122 Indian female, IT seeking position. Contact: 94133849 Indian Female 23 Years, B.Sc Nursing , Seeking for Nursing Jobs , Good Communication Skill Contact 96723359, 97470727 E-mail : anaswara271@gmail.com Experienced Restaurant Manager/ supervisor, direct sales searching for suitable position Indian male 23 Diploma in Automobile engineering. Contact: 90801420, Email: anwaar223969@gmail.com Indian Male 23, BE. Mechanical Engineer currently on visit visa Seeking for suitable Job. Software Proficiency AUTOCAD, CATIA, ANSYS, SOLIDWORKS. Contact No: 90924672 / 98859557, tsprakash01@gmail.com Indian male Accountant.

Completed MBA with 1 year experience, good working knowledge in Tally & Excel. Searching for suitable job. Contact : 919715874548 , 918015907437, Email : jovin8910@gmail.com Sr Project Engineer, 30 Years, Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures. Ph-00974 66772193, Mail: snu057@gmail.com Well-qualified Indian Female with 8 years Oman experience in Procurement Supply Chain from reputed Companies in Oman seeks placement, contact – 95423692

Looking for Land surveyor job 5 years experience in Oman fully know autocad GPS and latest total station instruments NOC available:+96894144052 wasifnaz313@Yahoo.com Filipina, 33yrs old, with Bachelors Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, with experience as Senior Housekeeping Supervisor in famous hotels and resorts looking for suitable job in Muscat. Please contact 97943735/96489798.

MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER, 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified, Contact arn9895@gmail.com, Mob 00919895233155 B.E Mining Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience looking for job. Available to join respective firm.

Contact 94618504 B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact 94618504 Indian Male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int. Standards, B tech in Mech engg. Contact- 00917350860889 rahulkunnath23@gmail.com MBA in HR & Finance with 2 years experience in HR seeking for a suitable post, presently in family joining visa. Contact : 9058 7631 Indian male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 4 years of experience in Office Administration (admin) looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact : 97939084 / 97351786, E-mail : mohammednsr126@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B-tech) Indian male 1+ years experience in high rise building (G+21) site Engineer, experience in QC ,QS, and surveying looking for a job(NOC) available contact :90924737 / 97470742 Email:kannanknply92@gmail.com Driver with car available.

Contact : 90139903

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED Chief Accountant , 7 years experienced (out of 25 years experience in accounts) worked in reputed group companies. Currently procuring MBA finance and having Omani Driving License seeks suitable openings from reputed companies. Contact 98803439 / 97413784 B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact number# 94618504, Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com Search job as light driver, experience 3 years language Hindi, English, Arabic. Contact: 97941771 Electrical Engineer, Indian male 4 years of experience in India / Oman. NOC available Looking for job in electrical field, Having good academic records and good communication skill. GSM: 94579857 Email: zahirpb@gmail.com Iraqi Civil Engineer 25 years experience in governments building and construction projects resident in Oman. speak And write English Contact: 98930502.

Email: aminaloraiby@gmail.com Airfreight/logistics Manager, male 35, MBA, Indian, 5 years experience in Oman seeks job. Contact- 00919526166169 / 99630159, E mail - bijoabyjohns@yahoo.co.in B.E(Mechanical) 12years industrial sales one year Muscat experience, presently in India , Immediately ready to join ,Mobile no :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com Airfreight/logistics Manager, male 35, MBA, Indian, 5 years experience in Oman seeks job. Contact0091-9526166169 / 99630159 , e mail - bijoabyjohns@yahoo.co.in Indian male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 2 years of experience in purchase (supply chain management) looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact : 97939084 / 97351786, E-mail : mohammednsr126@gmail.com

D7

D8

S U N DAY, AU G U S T 1 4 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED COMPUTER/WEB./ EDU./CLASSES

RENT A CAR

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

RENT A CAR

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

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver.

Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES RENAISSANCE CATERING & SERVICES LLC PEST CONTROL

ŽŶƚƌŽů ŽĨ ĐŽĐŬƌŽĂĐŚĞƐ͕ ďĞĚďƵŐƐ͕ĂŶƚƐ ĞƚĐ͘​͘

Odourless and harmless

dƌĂŝŶĞĚ ĂŶĚ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ ƐƚĂī Ɛ

YƵĂůŝƚLJ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ŝŶ ƌĞĂƐŽŶĂďůĞ ĐŚĂƌŐĞ

ǁĞ ƵƐĞ ƋƵĂůŝƚLJ ƉƌŽĚƵĐƚƐ ĂƉƉƌŽǀĞĚ ďLJ KŵĂŶ 'Žǀƚ͘

we undertake yearly contracts for commercial Θ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƟ Ăů ďůĚŐƐ

CALL: 99040032

SERVICES tĞ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ůĞĂŶĞƌƐ͕ Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ General cleaning etc. ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> Contact : 94277020

INVESTOR PARTNER REQUIRED For a successfully Catering Restaurant Investor cum Partner is required.

Investor with fixed returns also welcome.

Please contact – 95213273

Email: muscatcoffeeshop@gmail.com

WE SERVE OMAN

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 Furniture shifting with expert technicians. Contact: 99041337 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644/98518013 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 /94285064

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080 All Maintenance and services electric, CCTV Camera, Plumbing, A/C service and gas installation, painting tiles. Contact 96524904 / 94285064 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130 Pest control Gulfa international.

Contact: 92326955 CAD drawings Archi/ MEP CAD – comply BIM. Contact: 91233975

Pest control & uilding cleaning all kinds of pest control ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ͬ DĂƌďůĞ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ ŵŽŶƚŚůLJͬ Yearly contracts available. ŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ ϵϴϴϭϰϳϯϯ ͬϵϴϴϭϰϳϰ0 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C

DRIVING

Partner available, if u have an established business & looking for partner for expanding or open new branch. Contact: 92010247 WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

Split unit & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact 96236476

MANPOWER

Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC Contact 99344723 For any 3d signboard, acrylic works with painting please contact us on 90786240 or follow us in instagram: silver_concepts Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing. Ocean center LLC. Contact 99344723

Investment opportunity For business in lighting building materials and decoration. Contact : 99421513

Building foreman, Experience : More than 20 years with 12 years in Saudi Arabia 4 years in Oman and 4 years in Pakistan with D/L. Contact : 968 94153911, Email : iqbalsaleem10777@gmail.com

Split unit & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact 95323517 / 93769089 A/c Servicing & Maintenance.

Contact Abdul Rehman.

Contact 99382104 Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC. Contact 99344723

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED

Supply of loading and unloading people available.

Contact: 99325887

B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact # 94618504 , Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com

1

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

TIMES OF OMAN SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

AMBASSADOR’S MESSAGE

‘I invite Pakistanis in Oman to join us in achieving our common goals’

Mamnoon Hussain, President

I

wish to avail this opportunity to convey to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Government and the people of Oman, greetings from the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan, along with their prayers for His Majesty’s health and happiness and everlasting peace and prosperity of our Omani brethren.

I also wish to express best wishes and felicitations to every member of the quarter million Pakistani residents in the Sultanate of Oman.

August 14, 1947 is a glorious day in our history and shall be forever celebrated in Pakistan to mark the culmination of the extraordinary struggle coupled with epic human sacrifices rendered by the Muslims of the sub-continent to achieve an independent and sovereign Pakistan.

On this day, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan appeared on the world horizon as the world’s first ideologi-

Muhammed Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister cal state under the unparalleled and sagacious leadership of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the great leader and the Father of the Nation who led the political, legal and democratic movement to create Pakistan.

It is therefore a day to rejoice, an occasion to bow our heads before Allah in gratitude and raise our hands in prayers for the leaders and martyrs of the historic independence movement.

With its rather modest resources at the time of Independence, Pakistan embarked on a journey towards a modern, liberal, progressive and tolerant democratic society and has surely performed very well.

Our women and men from all faiths and sections of society have rendered creditable services in all fields of life and placed Pakistan on an elevated pedestal among the comity of nations, setting the highest standards for democratic and human values through demonstrating concern and respect

Pakistan-China Economic Corridor: A game changer

2

Ali Javed, Ambassador of Pakistan for international peace, security and law, substantiated through our commitment to the UN Charter and leading contributions to the United Nations Peace Keeping Op-

Muhammed Ali Jinnah, Father of the Nation

erations (UN PKOs) in the world’s most difficult areas of conflict.

Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has set forth his vision of “Peaceful Neighborhood” laying the greatest emphasis on regional and international peace, connectivity and people-to-people linkages as the means to our and others’ prosperity.

Therefore, the substantial gains and series of successes witnessed in the current anti-terrorism operation undertaken by the armed forces of Pakistan stem from the unanimous support from the country’s Parliament and the peace loving people.

To defend our values for peace and tolerance, our valiant people and armed forces have fought shoulder to shoulder the scourge of international terrorism over the past 15 years with more than 45000 precious lives sacrificed.

Our school children, teachers, doctors, nurses, places of worship, business and spiritual leaders, in-

Pakistan - where three great mountain ranges meet

4

tellectuals, armed forces and paramilitary personnel have all been targeted yet we are standing tall and fearless and remain the front-line state with an unwavering resolve to defeat the dark forces of terrorism.

Mohammad Ali Jinnah, our founding father, decreed that Pakistan would practice a foreign policy based on values of fair play and non-interference. These values remain our guiding principles today.

The foundation of our future has thus been laid in our past and the democratic government in the country, led by the Prime Minister’s vision and prudence, has assigned similar priorities to the diplomatic missions abroad to render dignified and efficient community and consular services to the expatriates.

Having been appointed as Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, a great trust along with an even greater responsibility has been reposed in me to represent the peaceful aspirations of nearly 200

A date with the ancient town of Mohenjo-Daro

million citizens of Pakistan and to advance the welfare and well-being of 250,000 Pakistanis residing across the Sultanate.

I undertake, through this message, to work tirelessly, along with the full team of officers assigned to the embassy, towards achieving these objectives. However, the journey would be incomplete and perhaps impossible without complete trust and participation from the Pakistani community in Oman. I, therefore, invite the esteemed Pakistanis residing here to employ their endless ability and participate as stakeholders in achieving our common goals.

To conclude, I extend our deepest gratitude to the great visionary leader His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for providing the quarter million Pakistanis the opportunity to peacefully coexist and prosper in this hospitable society.

May Allah protect Pakistan and Oman and bless our two brotherly peoples. — Ali Javed

6

2

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

Pakistan-China Economic Corridor: A game changer With Pakistan-China relations going way back in history, the ties that grew from bilateralism to regionalism and long-term collaboration are now set for a new chapter of all weather strategic cooperation with both countries moving ahead with the $45 billion Pak-China Economic Corridor (CPEC) that will spawn thousands of ventures and create millions of jobs across Pakistan

D

“

eeper than the deepest sea, higher than the Himalayas and sweeter than honey.” The preceding phrase is generally used to highlight the closeness and intimacy of Pak-China relations. Both countries have enjoyed a long term consistent goodwill towards each other.

Pakistan was the first Muslim, and the third non-communist, country to accord diplomatic recognition to China in 1951. Since then, bilateral relations between Pakistan and China have continued to grow, encompassing defence, security, trade, economic cooperation, energy, infrastructure, water management, mining, agriculture, education, transport, communications, science and technology.

Sino-Pak relations have entered a new phase and are subject to a change from bilateralism to regionalism and long-term collaboration, which is a step towards a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and development in the world, and particularly in the

region.

The recent historic visit of Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, was primarily meant to elevate Pakistan–China relationship to the all weather strategic cooperative partnership, endowing the Pakistan China community with a shared destiny, to ensure perpetual continuity in Pakistan-China friendship from generation to generation. Kicking off the implementation of $45 billion Pakistan-China Economic Corridor was the crux of the visit.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is not the name of a single route of alignment; rather it is a comprehensive package of cooperative initiatives and projects encompassing regional connectivity, information network infrastructure, energy cooperation, industries and industrial parks, agricultural development and poverty alleviation, tourism, financial cooperation as well as livelihood improvement including municipal infrastructure, education, public health and people-to-people contact which will create a ripple effect in terms

of thousands of new ventures and millions of jobs in every part of the country.

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will usher a series of economic activities which can prove to be a game-changer for the entire region and uplift the lives of about 3 billion people across China, Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East. The corridor will link Kashghar in western China with the deep sea port Gwadar, Pakistan through a mesh of communication networks comprising a world class sea port, commercial sea lines, an airport, highways, railways, fiber optic cables as well as oil and gas pipelines.

For China, CPEC is part of a wider One Belt, One Route strategy to develop its western region and link the Silk Route Economic Belt to the 21st Century Maritime Silk Route while, for Pakistan, it is a realization of one of the seven pillars of growth relating to regional connectivity of its development strategy Vision 2025, that aims to make the country the next Asian Tiger. It is a strategic economic partnership that

will transform Pakistan into a geo-economic hub linking China, South Asia, the Middle East and Central Asia offering great opportunities for investors from all over the world.

Accords worth $28 billion for fast-track projects have been signed by both, the governments of China and Pakistan, under the CPEC. A total of 51 agreements and memorandums of understanding have been signed, eight projects have been inaugurated, and ground breaking for five projects has been performed. The $28 billion financing agreements will immediately come into implementation phase because necessary processes have been already completed. These include: 1000 MW Solar Power Park in Punjab; 870MW Suki Kanari (Khyber Pukhtunkhaw) Hydro Projects; 720MW Karot (AJK) Hydro Power Projects; three Wind Power Projects at Thatta of United Energy Pakistan (100MW), Sachal (50 MW) and Hydro China (50 MW), Chinese Government’s concessional loans for second phase upgradation of Karakorum Highway (HavelianThakot); Karachi-Lahore Motorway (Multan-Sukkur), Gwadar Port East-Bay Expressway Project and Gwadar International Airport; provision of Material for tackling Climate Change; Projects in Gwadar Port Region and Establishment of Chins – Pakistan Joint Cotton Biotech Laboratory and China–Pakistan Joint Maritime Research Centre. Moreover, agreement about GwadarNawabshah LNG Terminal and Pipeline Project, Commercial

Pakistan and China share a common strategic and political vision. Unanimity of their views Pak-China relations marked on all issues of common interest has been the enabling instrument by consistent goodwill for securing regional as well as since 1951 international security. Pakistan From bilateralism, ties China defense cooperation is based on shared evaluation of regrew to regionalism and gional and international security long-term collaboration environment. This cooperation Relationship now is one has an “Over-arching strategic dimension” that guarantees long of all weather strategic term peace and security in the recooperation gion. Both countries have a com $45 billion Pak-China mon vision of lasting peace in Afghanistan, the Middle East and Economic Corridor a South Asia, and will continue to bulwark of mutual ties work relentlessly to achieve this CPEC a multi-faceted goal for the good of the people of both sides. initiative, to spawn Pakistan-China bilateral rethousands of ventures lations have been unwavering, Will also create millions of vibrant and impervious to internal political changes in either jobs across Pakistan country or changes in external For China, CPEC part of One environment. Due to this coherent approach of both the governBelt, One Route strategy ments, the investment in various Pacts for $28 billion worth projects of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has sent of fast-track projects positive signals across the globe. already signed So much so that Moody’s rating of Pakistan has improved from stable to promising. InternationContract and Agreement on Fi- al media is also highlighting the nancing for Lahore Orange Line significance of the project and its Metro Train Project, Port Qasim positive impact on the prosperity (1320 MW) Coal Fired Power of the region. Both the countries Plant, Jhimpir Wind Power Pro- have been a pillar of strength for ject, Thar Block 2 660 MW Coal each other during difficult times.

Power Project have been signed. The role of China, especially as In addition to it, remaining pro- a true friend of Pakistan, has rejects of $17 billion would be car- mained generous in supporting ried out as soon as the required Pakistan at bilateral, regional studies, processes and formali- and international forums. — Farhan Ali ties are completed.

HIGHLIGHTS

TIMES OF OMAN SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

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PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY YOUR BIGGEST ROAD HAZARD IS IN YOUR HAND A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

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Pakistan - where three great mountain ranges meet Pakistan is the only country in the world where all the three world-famous mountain ranges meet â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the Karakorams, the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush, which are among natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most spectacular work on earth

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

TIMES OF OMAN SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

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PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

M

ountains – the great masses that stand high against the skies and take up a quarter of all the land – are nature’s most spectacular work on earth, nowhere more so than in the northern regions of Pakistan.

Through centuries these majestic and mysterious mountains have lured nature lovers, adventurers and empire builders alike. In fact, Pakistan is the only country where all the three world-famous mountain ranges meet – the Karakorams, the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush.

In comparison to the Himalayas and the Karakorams, the Hindu Kush is a smaller range, yet big enough to deter anyone from patronising it. Before being tempted to dismiss the Hindu Kush lightly, one should have a look at the vast area it covers – 640 kilometres (km) long, 400kms broad looming with its own giants, its own wonders. It has several smaller peaks most of them less than 7,500 metres (m) high above sea level. Others – with heights of 21,000 feet – are too many to deserve proper names and proper mention. The highest in the range, however, is Trichmir (7,690m). Called as the Queen of Chitral, Trichmir along with other peaks turns Chitral into a veritable fairy land of Pakistan.

The Karakorams are a unique range of mountains in more than one respect. They possess the loftiest peaks in the world within the smallest area. Within a radius of 160kms of the towns of Gilgit and Skardu there are as many as 100 peaks ranging from 5,500m to the world’s second highest peak, K-2 (8,611m).

The Karakoram area is also the most glaciated area outside the Polar region containing some of the longest glaciers in the world, such as Siachen which is about 74kms long.

Apart from it, there are other large glaciers, including Batura, Godwin, Austen, Baltoro, Biafo, Chogolisa, Gondokhoro, Hispar and Yazgil etc.

There is also a uniqueness in the incomparable boldness of the silhouette of the Karakoram

HIGHLIGHTS

The Hindu Kush is 640kms long, 400kms broad and has several smaller peaks most of them less than 7,500m high above sea level

The Karakorams are a unique range of mountains in more than one respect and they possess the loftiest peaks in the world within the smallest area

At the beginning of the colossal mass on the Western side is the Nanga Parbat on the bend of the Indus, standing in almost majestic isolation

There are superstitions and many mysterious events recounted by various expeditions that failed to Nanga Parbat and also by those who finally conquered it

The most majestic peak of the Karakoram, K-2 is located near the Baltoro glacier in the extreme North of Baltistan, just on the China-Pakistan border

peaks. At the beginning of the colossal mass on the Western side is the Nanga Parbat, which rising 8,126m on the bend of the Indus, stands in almost majestic isolation like a powerful pillar sustaining the long chain.

Nanga Parbat has long been regarded as the most treacherous mountain peak. Many legends have been spun around this peak and one can hear many tales from the local people and porters. Superstitious tales and the many mysterious events recounted by various expeditions that failed to conquer it and also by those who finally conquered it.

Herman Buhl, a German mountaineer who was the first to conquer Nanga Parbat in 1953, claimed that while descending from the peak he felt

that someone was following him. He turned around several times to see who was there only to discover that there was no one. On several occasions he heard unexplained noises and echoes. Local people believe that a snow-man inhabits this mountain, although nobody has ever seen him so far.

Beyond the Nanga Parbat, the higher summits are all found grouped together into the Central Sector of the chain. A second chain also runs along the side of the principal chain, which after a while dips down and then gathers height again. Between the two chains there is a deep valley, almost entirely occupied by long glaciers. It is, however, generally claimed that the deep valley of the Indus separates the chains of the Karakorams from the Western Himalayas.

The great range of the Himalayas is spread over 2400kms across Pakistan, India and Nepal. The world’s highest summit, Mount Everest (8,848 m), is in Nepal.

The most majestic peak of the Karakoram, K-2 (Chogori in Balti language), is located near the Baltoro glacier in the extreme North of Baltistan, just on the China-Pakistan borders, with the boundary between the two countries passing over the K-2.

In height, K-2 stands second only to Mount Everest, rising 8611m above sea-level.

This peak is known not only because it is the second highest peak of the world but also for the large number of attempts that were made for its conquest by various mountaineering expeditions from various parts of the world during the past hundred years or so.

After many unsuccessful attempts by many expeditions from various countries, this king of the mountains was, however, conquered on 31 July, 1954 by two Italians, Lino Lacedelli and Achille Compagonno.

Mountains will continue to beckon mountaineers, promising a never-ending source of mountaineering pleasure full of thrills, excitement and the challenge of an adventure as limitless as the many mountains of Pakistan.

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

A date with the ancient town of Mohenjo-daro Mohenjo-daro is widely recognised as one of the oldest civilisations in the world and excavations of the site produced a remarkable amount of information that is still being studied by scholars today

T

he name of Mohanjo-daro is widely recognised as one of the most important early cities of South Asia and the Indus Civilisation.

There are several different spellings of the site but the most common form is Mohenjo-daro (the Mound of Mohen or Mohan), though other spellings are equally valid: Mohanjo-daro (Mound of Mohan = Krishna) or Moenjo-daro (mound of the Dead). Since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, the site has been under the protection of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Pakistan.

Discovery and Major Excavations Mohenjo-daro was discovered in 1922 by R.D. Banerji, an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India, two years after major excavations had begun at Harappa, some 590 kilometres to the north. Largescale excavations were carried out at the site under the direction of John Marshall, K.N. Dikshit, Ernest Mackary, and numerous other directors through the 1930s.

Although the earlier excavations were not conducted using stratigraphic approaches or with the types of recording techniques employed by modern archaeologists, they did produce a remarkable amount of information that is still being studied by scholars today.

The last major excavation project at the site was carried out by Dr G.F. Dales in 1964-1965. Since then only salvage excavations and surface surveys have been undertaken. In the 1980s, extensive architectural documentation combined with detailed surface surveys, surface scraping and probing was done by German and Italian survey teams led by Dr Michael Jansen and Dr Maurizio Tosi.

The most extensive recent work at the site has focussed on attempts at the conservation of the standing structures undertaken

by UNESCO in collaboration with the Department of Archaeology and Museums, as well as various foreign consultants.

Site Location The site is located in the semi-arid region of Sindh province and situated on a Pleistocene ridge that sits like an island in the flood plains of the Indus River. Although the ridge is now deeply buried by the annual flooding that inundated the plain,

it may have been more prominent in the prehistoric period, with the early city standing out above the surrounding plain.

Eventually through the build up of occupation debris and the construction of massive mud brick platforms, the settlement grew to monumental proportions, with high mounds reaching as high as 12 metres above the modern plain level, and probably much higher above the ancient plain. The site appears to have been located in a central position between the two vast river valleys, the Indus on the west and the Ghaggar-Hara on the east that would have flowed to the east of the Rohri hills.

Today the Indus flows to the east of the site and the Ghaggar-Hakra riverbed is dry. The drying up of one river and the shifting of the Indus across the site were undoubtedly major factors contributing to the decline of the ancient city. In its heyday however, Mohenjo-daro would have dominated the river trade networks moving from the coast to the northern Indus plain, as well as trade routes leading to the passes in the Bolan Valley to the east.

Site Organisation/Settlement Planning Mohenjo-daro is by far the largest of the Indus cities, extending over 250 hectares, with widespread mounds and outlying habitation areas. It is one of the best-preserved urban centres of the Indus Civilisation (2600-1900 BCE) and the only other comparable site is Dholavira, in Kutch, India. The buildings of Mohenjo-daro are made of fired brick, though some structures do include mud brick and timbers. Mohenjo-daro was spared the looting of bricks that destroyed Harappa and most sites in the Punjab because the main railroad line was constructed along the east bank of the Indus and crushed rock from the Rohri hills was easily accessible for constructing the rail bed.

“Citadel” Mound Excavations in specific area for the “citadel” mound uncovered a large Colonnaded building with a specially designed water tank usually referred to as the “Great Bath”.

Just to the south west of the Great Bath is the so-called “Granary,” a massive building with solid brick foundations with sockets for a wooden super structure and doorways. The actual function of the building has not been determined

because it was excavated by large numbers of local workmen, with no documentation of the stratigraphy or of the precise location of valuable small artefacts.

There is no concrete evidence of it being a “granary’ and this term should be dropped in favour of the “Great Hall”, The building was probably a large public structure, but it is not clear if it was a storehouse, a temple or some form of administrative building. Two other major buildings with large open areas and colonnades have been labelled “Assembly Hall” and the “College”. The rest of the citadel mound comprises smaller domestic units, with bathing platforms, wells and inner courtyards.

Although Mackay had tried to locate a wall around the “Lower City’ at Mohenjo-daro he was not successful due to the high water table (Mackay 1938).

HISTORY YOU SHOULD KNOW!

Mohenjo-daro was discovered in 1922 by R.D. Banerji, an officer of the Archaeological Survey of India

The site is located in Sindh province and situated on a Pleistocene ridge that sits like an island in the flood plains of the Indus

Mohenjo-daro is by far the largest of the Indus cities, extending over 250 hectares, with widespread mounds and outlying habitation areas

Excavations uncovered a large Colonnaded building with a specially designed water tank usually referred to as the “Great Bath”

Unlike Mesopotamia or Egypt, the Indus elites did not erect stone sculptures to glorify their power, and depictions of warfare are strikingly absent

“Lower Town’ The “Lower Town” is made up of numerous lower mounds that lie to the east and may represent multiple walled neighbourhoods.

Earlier scholars thought that the various mounds at Mohenjo-daro represented contemporary occupations in a city divided into distinct functional sectors, the western mounds being administrative centres and the lower mounds representing habitation and industrial areas for the common populace.

This simplistic interpretation is no longer supported by the available evidence, which indicates shifting centres of power within the city and the presence of habitation and industrial areas in each of the major mounds.

Each sector has numerous large brick houses that could have been the mansions of powerful merchants or landowners. No temples have been identified, though there is one building with a double staircase that may have had a ritual function.

Other habitation areas are partly buried by the silts of the encroaching Indus River and some Indus brick structures are seen eroding into the Indus River itself.

No cemetery area has been located at the site, though there have been reports of occasional chance burials discovered in the course of site conservation.

(Chaolong 1990).

These levels were first discovered in the small-scale excavations at the north-west corner of the western “citadel” mound by Wheeler in 1946 (Atcock 1986).

The pottery from the early levels is similar to that found in the Early Harappan (or Kot Dijian) levels of the nearby sites of Jhukar (Mughal 1992) and Kot Diji (Mughal 1970) as well as the site of Amri (Casal 1964).

Visitors to the site are most likely to see the remains of excavations carried out by Marshall and Mackay, which focused on the uppermost levels of the city on the “Citadel” mound and the “Lower Town”. The majority of the structures correspond to the final occupation of the Integration era, the Harappan phase and the Localisation era, the Late Harappan phase.

Only two radiocarbon dates have been processed from the mixed later levels of the site and these indicate that the final occupation in the particular area of the site occurred between 2200-1900 BCE (Dels 1973). However, the Late Harappan occupation may have continued slightly longer in other areas of the site, since this period is dated to 1700 or even 1300 BCE on the basis of excavations in other regions of the Indus valley.

Site Chronology The earliest occupation levels of the site currently lie buried below the water table and date to around 3500 BCE, during the Kot Diji phase of the Regionalisation area

Environs and crafts The ancient city was surrounded by a fertile flood plain suitable for seasonal agricultural and grazing land, abundant wild game and fish, as well as considerable wild plant re-

sources. In the absence of extensive irrigation systems this diverse resource base and economic networks linking the cities to regional production centres is thought to have been an important factor in the rise and survival of such large cities.

Important crafts were carried out in the different sectors of all the major mounds and include copper working, shell and ivory carving, lapidary and stone tool production as well as many different types of furnaces for the manufacture of terracotta pottery, stoneware bangles, glazed faience ornaments and fired steatite beads.

Seal manufacturing workshops have been discovered in very restricted locations indicating strong control of production. The variety of raw materials at the site demonstrates the vast trading networks that linked the city to distant resource areas.

Although the Indus people did not bury their wealth with the dead, they did occasionally hide valuable ornaments in pots and bury these under the floors of a house. In the course of the early excavations, a few rare discoveries were made of gold and silver ornaments and silver vessels that provide evidence for a class of wealthy merchants or landowners.

Unlike Mesopotamia or Egypt, the Indus elites did not erect stone sculptures to glorify their power, and depictions of warfare or conquered enemies are strikingly absent in representational art.

Most of the art and symbolic objects were relatively small and

in many cases even made in miniature. At Mohenjo-daro there are stone carvings of seated male figures that may represent some of the ancestral leaders of these communities. One of these is called the ‘Priest King” even though there is no evidence of either priests or kings ruling the city.

Male and female human figurines, as well as animal figurines, were made of terracotta, bronze, faience or even shell. Different styles of ornaments and headdresses on the human figures suggest that many different classes and diverse ethnic communities inhabited the city.

The elite of the Indus cities can be distinguished by their use of carved stone seals having animal motifs and writing. They also wore ornaments, such as bangles and necklaces made of precious metals, rare materials, high-fired stoneware or glazed faience.

These symbols of wealth and power were what set the rulers apart from the common people, and they also reflect the many different social and economic levels that were controlled by the ruler.

Decline and transformation Towards the end of the Indus occupation, a slightly different type of pottery, called Jhukar ware was used alongside the more standard Harappan pottery.

New styles of geometric seals that did not have writing replaced the inscribed seals that were characteristic of the Indus occupation. The transition from one culture to the next was gradual as seen at Harappa, and there is no evidence of invasions by outside communities such as the socalled Indo-Aryans.

Although some scattered skeletons were discovered in the later levels, they do not represent warfare or raiding, and there is no evidence that the site came to a violent end. Various factors contributed to the decline of this city.

On the one hand changes in the river flow and widespread flooding would have disrupted the agricultural base but it could not have destroyed the city directly.

There have been some suggestions that the entire site was destroyed by floods but this theory has not been substantiated by later research. The region around Mohenjo-daro was inhabited throughout the Early Historic period and numerous historical villages and towns are located near the mound today.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

TIMES OF OMAN SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

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PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Wonderful world of timeless

HANDICRAFTS H

andicrafts reflect the culture, tradition and aesthetics of the artisans who create them.

It draws a line between a thing that is skillfully hand made to what is mass produced, and therefore, grabs the attention to the skill and endeavors of the craftsman. The actual beauty of a piece of handicrafts certainly depends on the transparency of material, the glimpses of a culture and touch of art. Pakistan has a rich history of handicrafts. The entire wealth of timeless Pakistani handicrafts has survived through ages.

The legacy of Pakistani culture promises everything — beauty, dignity, form and style. These handicrafts radiate an aura of glory, exhibit hereditary skills and show painstaking craftsmanship.

Brass, onyx and wood crafts The handicrafts manifested through brass, onyx and wood, are known to maintain a proud tradition of handicrafts in Pakistan and truly signifying the worth of the products. The art of carving on metal and wood items is the real beauty of our hard working craftsmen.

These items are manufactured in small villages by diligent craftsman, and can easily be purchased in big cities. Such crafts include, metal lanterns, mirror frames, decoration pieces and more.

Carpets and textile Pakistan has tradition of carpet-

making going back thousands of years. Weaving was a developed form of art in the Moenjodaro in Sindh 4000-5000 year ago. The handmade carpets produced in Lahore in the 16th Century are on display in museums in Lahore and elsewhere. Knotted woolen carpets with Islamic designs are part of the culture in both South Asia and the Middle East. In Pakistan, Karachi and Lahore are important centers for the production of fine carpets. Textiles such as bedspreads and shawls are popular, and the Sindhi and Balochi people are known for their mirror embroidery, where small mirrors are stitched into the fabric to create glittery masterpieces.

Pottery The potter at his wheel is a common sight in every village, uninfluenced by modern glamour.

Bahawalpur, Rawalpindi, Gujrat and places around also produce colorful pottery, painted after firing. The blue glazed pottery of Multan dates back to the 13th century. With obvious traces for woodwork, Chiniot is also known for brass and iron inlay. Copper and brass work is done within the walled city of Lahore.

Ceramics and glazed pottery are among the oldest art forms in Pakistan, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization (2500 B.C.).

The most popular techniques used include engraving intricate

designs into the undercoating of the pottery and then glazing it with colored transparent glazes.

Another popular technique is to apply blue designs over white glazes. Pakistani potters are responsible for making the elaborate tiles that decorate mosques and public buildings.

Furniture Pakistani furniture is known all over the world for its beautiful and intricate designs and the mastery of its craftsmen. One of the fine longitudinal cross grains solid wood is known as Rosewood.

It is available in the form of dense jungles in northern areas of Pakistan. The age of those trees is approximate 60-100 years. In Asia this wood is only available in Pakistan, although there is much finer Rosewood (timber) available in the world but one cannot find solid cross grains which appear on the wood in a brilliant stroke. In local language people call it ‘Shesham’. It is also available along the lakes and rivers in Punjab province of Pakistan. Such furniture is famous all over the world for its distinctiveness and beauty.

Jewelry and leather goods Metalwork, including inlaid or engraved swords, boxes, dishes, and tea sets made from silver and gold, as well as jewelry with precious stones and pearls, are important crafts. Jewelry is not limited

to necklaces, bracelets, rings but also includes hair and forehead decorations and nose ornaments.

Leatherwork and basketry are also important crafts. Sindh baskets are colorful and intricate, while weavers in the Northwest Frontier prefer geometric patterns.

Salt lamps Salt lamp is also a very important

handicraft of Pakistan. The salt lamps are of various kinds, types and sizes. The world’s 2nd largest rock salt mines are in Pakistan at Khewra. The salt range is 300 km wide starting from Khewra and ending at Kala Bagh in Punjab province. The salt lamps are not only a decorative item and a piece of art and craft but its salt is very good for asthma patients. Salt,

wherever it is placed, cleans and filters the air and improves the quality of air within 10 to 15 meter. The salt lamp industry in Pakistan is in Lahore, Gujranwala, Khewra and Karachi and it is flourishing day by day. Some of these lamps are in the form of natural rock. And some are crafted and shaped by tools and it is a very nice kind of handicraft.

— Syeda Lamiya Shaukat

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SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2016

TIMES OF OMAN SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT

PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

An country-wide art gallery on the wheels

A

ll across Pakistan, this rolling folk art has turned village lanes, city streets and long-distance highways into a national gallery without walls, a free-form, kaleidoscopic exhibition in perpetual motion.

The vast majority of Pakistan’s trucks, buses and motorized rickshaws are a riot of colour, decorated top to bottom with eye-popping landscapes, portraits, calligraphic poetry, religious verses and ironical expressions.

The art of decorating trucks, which is highly popular among truck drivers, can be used to learn much about the trends of various regions and the aesthetics of people of different ethnicities. Often, the art on the truck is a direct reflection of an ideology that the truck driver strongly believes in. Drivers belonging to different regions and backgrounds decorate their trucks differently, often suggesting a pattern that depicts the culture, rituals and the ground realities of the areas that they belong to.

The art of decorating trucks is a great skill that needs to be acknowledged. The master painters and decorators must be appreciated and encouraged for their dedicated efforts have put Pakistan’s truck art on the global map.

The dazzling, eclectic choice of images is a cultural feast mixed with equal gusto east and west, secular and sacred. Pakistani film stars and athletes vie for space with figures from Greek myths, and European icons from Mona Lisa to Princess Diana. Many give prominence to religious shrines, or they display verses writ large on an image of an open Quran. The Holy Prophet’s [PBUH] winged horse, Buraq, is a favourite emblem, handily symbolizing trustworthy devotion and speed. Dreamlike scenes of wooded lakes and snow-capped mountains, alpine hunting lodges and tigers chasing deer are framed by flowers and diamond-shaped reflective strips in bright red, orange and green. In the cabs, faux marble Formica-paneled doors open onto

gaudy treasure caves filled with artificial roses and marigolds spun of silk and satin. Tiny faceted mirrors and rick-rack ring the windshields, while swaying pompoms and wall clocks festooned with flashing lights hang from the ceilings. Giant heavy-lidded eyes painted on side panels and pastel-coloured scarves fluttering from cab windows are intended to ward off the evil eye.

The under-appreciated, indigenous Pakistani tradition of truck painting has an extraordinary history, starting in the days of the Raj. As early as the 1920’s, competing transportation companies would hire craftsmen to adorn their buses in the hope that these moving canvases would attract more passengers. Also, when trucks first began to deliver long-haul goods in the 1940’s, each company developed its own painted logo so that illiterate people could recognize who owned the trucks. Displays of solidarity with the infant nation of Pakistan, partitioned from India in 1947, were always a sure bet.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the increasing sophistication of truck decoration began to reflect the growing wealth of the drivers and the rise of a new urban class. For rival truck and bus owners jostling

for business, dueling paint jobs became essential for gaining a competitive edge.

The technique worked so well that you couldn’t purchase a ticket without seeing dozens of beautifully painted buses waiting to take you to your destination. While the art doesn’t serve the same purpose anymore, it is still as prevalent as ever and has become more intricate and developed a deeper cultural significance over time. Even though truck art isn’t unique to Pakistan anymore, nowhere else in the world is the practice so pervasive.

We are surprised to learn that fleet owners spend $3,000-$5,000 per truck for structural modifications that convert these gas-guzzling, smoke-spewing, road dominating monstrosities into beautiful moving canvases covered in poetry, folk tales, and religious, sentimental and emotional worldviews of the individuals employed in the truck industry, making it one of the biggest forms of representational art in the country.

Pakistani truck art is about cultural history and tradition, storytelling, passion, and sometimes sporty. As such, every little adornment on the trucks has a special significance. The motifs for truck art can be broken down into the following categories: ĊŗŗŗIdealized elements of personal and communal life. ĊŗŗŗElements of political and national life. ĊŗŗŗTalismans, trinkets, and clothing. ĊŗŗŗTalismans or religious symbols. ĊŗŗŗObvious religious symbols and images.

Partly due to different ethnic heritage and partly due to the unique stories each tribe has to offer, even within Pakistan, each province has its own distinct style of truck painting. While Sindh is famous for camel bone work, fleet owners from Balochistan and Peshawar prefer wood trimmings, while trucks from Rawalpindi and Islamabad favour plastic work. The materials, the colour, the arrangement, and the overall art style ultimately serve as cultural representatives of the region.