Times of Oman - September 15, 2015

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TUESDAY, September 15, 2015 / 1 Dhul Hijja 1436 AH

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CABLES

His Majesty sends greetings MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to President Daniel Ortega of the Republic of Nicaragua on the occasion of his country’s Independence Anniversary.

In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes of good health to President Ortega and the people of Nicaragua.

UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT: All the victims, including the injured and the dead, were identified as Bangladeshi migrant workers. –Supplied photo

Four workers die in bizarre JCB tragedy In a violation of health and safety rules, eight workers were travelling in the bucket of the digger when it overturned, killing four

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Four Bangladeshi workers died, three of them on the spot, and four others were injured in Yiti when the JCB machine in whose bucket they were travelling, toppled over as it was being driven by an inexperienced driver on Sunday afternoon.

Of the seven workers travelling in the JCB bucket to their work site, who accidentally fell down, three were crushed to dead on the spot, while one succumbed to his injuries on Monday at a hospital in Muscat.

“Four others in that JCB bucket who suffered injuries, were

rushed to the hospital by the police,” sources in Yiti said.

All the victims, including the injured and the dead, were identified as Bangladeshi migrant workers who were employed at a landscape project in Jebel Sifah.

“A first-hand information from an unofficial source suggested that the Bangladeshis died when the JCB machine toppled. Three persons died on the spot and the other died this morning. They were all rushed to the Khoula hospital trauma centre. The remains of the dead have been shifted to the police hospital’s morgue,” a senior official from the Bangladesh embassy in Muscat told the Times of Oman.

“Efforts are on by the mission office to confirm their identities, including their addresses in Bangladesh, repatriate the remains and seek compensation.

Undocumented workers It is alleged that three out of four were undocumented workers.

As such, it is anticipated that the recovery of their compensation could be difficult,” the official added.

However, at the time of the filing of this report, the embassy officials had not received the details of the injured.

Responding to the tragedy, a trade union leader expressed his surprise and shock at companies employing undocumented workers. “We can’t understand this.

The government should intensify raids and make sure that companies are not employing undocumented workers just because they come cheap,” Mohammed Al Khaldi, a board member at the General Federation of Trade Union in Oman, told the Times of Oman. >A6

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Oman plans farming for food security

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Oman is ‘seriously’ considering proposals to carry out farming abroad in order to ensure food security, said Fuad bin Jaafar Al Sajwani, minister of agriculture and fisheries wealth. “There is some good news. We are receiving offers of land, and are considering these seriously.” >A3

EU countries impose curbs on influx of migrants

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E X P E R T S AT C LU TT O N S

OMAN

Nepal for zero cost policy for workers

2

Nepal has stopped issuing labour permits to migrant workers whose air tickets and visa fees are not being paid by their prospective employers in Oman. The embassy of Nepal in Muscat referred the decision of the government of Nepal to send Nepalese workers abroad for employment at zero cost. >A5

MARKET

Oman’s inflation declines by 0.12%

3

Oman’s inflation declined by 0.12 per cent in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter last year, mainly driven by a fall in prices of the food and non-alcoholic beverages set at 0.92 per cent, as also a 1.53 per cent drop in the clothing and footwear segment. >B1

‘Lower oil prices haven’t hit realty’ ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Lower oil prices have not had a significant impact on the real estate sector in Oman so far, say experts at property consultancy Cluttons, who see stable demand for quality residential and commercial properties.

“We still have not seen any significant impact filtered through the real estate market. I think it is just the question of waiting and seeing how much longer this lasts and what impact, if any, it will have,” said Faisal Durrani, head of research at Cluttons.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Durrani said it is important to appreciate that Oman is not alone in this situation, all oil producers around the world are affected in the same way.

“However, there are commitments with infrastructure

projects that are proceeding as planned, which is sustaining job creation and sustaining the office market. As you create new jobs, you create new households, and, create demand for residential market,” he said. In addition, he noted that it remains to be seen whether or not the decline in oil prices will affect employment and salaries in the real estate industry.

When oil prices started to decline last year, the first jobs to be cut were those of workers employed by oil companies on a temporary basis, Durrani said.

“Now that crude oil prices have lowered further, what we have seen is consolidation in office space,” he said, adding that it has not happened only in Oman and there has been a similar situation in other cities including Dubai, Aberdeen, Lagos, London and Abu Dhabi. >A6 See also >A4

Guatemala His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has also sent a cable of congratulations to President Alejandro Maldonado of the Republic of Guatemala on the occasion of his country’s Independence Anniversary.

In his cable, His Majesty expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes of good health to President Maldonado and the people of his country.

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to President Luis Solis of the Republic of Costa Rica on the occasion of his country’s Independence Anniversary.

In his cable, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes to President Solis and the people of his country.

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has also sent a cable of congratulations to President Juan Orlando Hernandez of the Republic of Honduras on the occasion of his country’s Independence Anniversary.>A6

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EID TIME

Muttrah traders boost stocks as Eid announced

GEARING UP FOR EID SALES: Shoppers at Muttrah Souq, the traditional shopping hub, are all geared up for Eid Al Adha sales.

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Eid Al Adha’s first day will be on Thursday, September 24, 2015, according to the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.

The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs announced that Arafa Day, 9th Dhul Hijja 1436 AH, shall fall on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 and 10th Dhul Hijja 1436 AH, the first day of Eid Al Adha, shall be on Thursday, September 24, 2015.

Meanwhile, shoppers at the Muttrah Souq, the traditional shopping hub in Oman, are all geared up for the Eid Al Adha sales. “So far, the momentum of sale has not picked up. In the coming days, when people receive their salaries, we may do good business,” Navas Mohammed, who runs a shop

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in the Muttrah Souq, said.

“The fastest moving items are perfumes and dresses. Sixty per cent of these are brought from Dubai while the rest are purchased locally. Recent rains and flood had affected us badly. So we hope we can make up for our loss in the coming Eid sales,” Navas added.

Meanwhile, tailors and designers in almost all the tailoring shops in Muttrah, the hub for traditional Omani women dresses, are working against time to deliver the pre-orders before the deadline as Eid Al Adha is just around the corner. >A6

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OMAN

This agreement shows the commitment of Al Jarwani Group and Tamani International Group to complete Palm Mall Muscat Project Sheikh Al Jarwani, Chairman of Al Jarwani Group

TOURISM SECTOR

Al Jarwani, Dusit Group ink pact MUSCAT: Tamani International Group for Development and Investment and Al Jarwani Group signed an agreement with Dusit International Hospitality Group, by which ‘Dusit D2’ will manage and operate the hotel and suites ‘Dusit Tamani’ Palm Mall Muscat.

This is part of Palm Mall Muscat project in Muscat.

The agreement was signed for

Tamani International Group for Development and Investment and Al Jarwani Group by Sheikh Mahmood bin Mohammed Al Jarwani, Chairman of Al Jarwani Group, and by Chanin Donavanik, CEO of Dusit International Group, in the presence of Maitha bint Saif Al Mahrooqiyah, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism.

Sheikh Al Jarwani told report-

ers that this agreement shows the commitment of Al Jarwani Group and Tamani International Group to complete Palm Mall Muscat Project.

Eight months since foundation of Palm Mall Muscat project started, and more than 36% of the project has been completed. Palm Mall Muscat is scheduled to be completed by end of 2016. -ONA

‘Fire and safety must be taught early in schools’

SAFETY FIRST: The fire and safety exhibition also highlights commercial security, crisis and risk management, critical infrastructure, and hazard and disaster management.–Ismael Al Farsi/TIMES OF OMAN

The Oman Fire, Safety and Security and Cyber Security Exhibition is designed to meet the needs of local, regional and international markets

TARIQ AL HAREMI tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Fire safety awareness must be taught early in schools and people must learn to cooperate with the Public Authority for Civil Defence and Ambulance (PACDA) in order to reduce instances of avoidable fire outbreaks, according to fire and safety experts.

The Oman Fire, Safety and Security and Cyber Security Exhibition (OFSEC), which was inaugurated by His Highness Harib bin Thuwaini bin Shihab Al Said, Assistant Secretary General for Conferences, at the Oman Exhibition Centre, hosted over 85 international and local exhibitors who showcased cutting-edge innovation, latest technologies and avant-garde solutions.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Anthony Cole, Technical Director of Aman Fire Protection Consultants, said public awareness must begin early on at the school itself.

“You have such a wide, diverse population here with Omanis

and foreigners from different backgrounds. All of them have different levels of awareness,” said Cole.

“We can start spreading public awareness from schools and conduct public campaigns in shopping malls and at hotels. Besides, the continued presence of PACDA will also help, and they are doing well in terms of implementing fire codes.

I really think it should be a combination of both,” he added, saying that the combined efforts of PACDA and civilians would help raise awareness and reduce the risk of fire outbreaks.

Residential buildings Some residential buildings in Oman are only fitted with bare essentials needed to battle fire, such as fire extinguishers and hoses.

Most buildings lack smoke detectors and sprinkler systems.

Most of the victims in case of residential fires lose life because they end up inhaling smoke when they are trapped and do not know about the escape route or nearest

exit. Certain essential equipment to increase the survival rate, as recommended by experts, include installation of a smoke detector, having fire extinguishers at home and owning a fire blanket.

Conducting drills “At times, loss of life (in case of residential fires) happens because people cannot get out. I think it’s really important, not only for people in residences but also in hotels and shopping malls, to understand that it’s not only the fire extinguishers, fire blankets and smoke detectors that are crucial but also the need to carry out drills about exiting and getting out of the house,” said Cole.

He said people must focus on these aspects to reduce the chances of ending up as fire casualties.

The exhibition also highlights commercial security, crisis and risk management, critical infrastructure, hazard and disaster management, information security as well as smart home, office and city security systems.

In addition, the OFSEC is designed to meet the needs of 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.

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

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Sultanate considering farming offers abroad

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Oman has received SOCIAL WELFARE: PDO has pledged to continue implementing its

social investment projects despite the fall in oil prices.– ONA

PDO donation to help free debtor prisoners

offers of land for

We require a safe investment place where we know that, whenever we need, the food would come to Oman. We would like to see that these things are finalised...

farming abroad from two countries, and is considering these offers seriously.

The final decision

Times News Service MUSCAT: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has donated an additional OMR10,000 to a campaign to help free debtor prisoners so they might spend Eid with their families.

The donation to the Fak Kurbah (Redeeming Anguish) campaign raises PDO’s contribution to OMR30,000 in the past year.

The Omani Lawyers Association (OLA) launched the project on behalf of imprisoned debtors who have run into financial problems due to difficult personal circumstances. The OLA aims to spend a maximum of OMR5,000 per prisoner, clearing debts after considering humanitarian concerns in each instance. Officials hope to close the files on as many as 625 cases, but estimates it will need some OMR500,000 to achieve the target. So far, 304 prisoners have been released.

PDO External Affairs and Communication Manager Suleiman Al Mantheri said, “The Fak Kurbah campaign is a benevolent idea and we hope that by making a further contribution we can help to secure the release of a number of prisoners who have been remanded in custody over debts to share Eid Al Adh’ha with their families.

PDO made its first OMR10,000 contribution to the campaign before Eid Al Fitr last year and a sec-

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ond contribution towards the end of 2014. It is estimated that a total of 45 debtors will be released from jail as a result of PDO’s combined OMR30,000 donation.

Dr. Mohammed Al Zadjali, Chairman of the OLA, noted, “We are grateful to PDO for its support for the third time, which indicates the company’s concern for, and interest in, social and charity matters. More than 50 lawyers are working on the project. The OLA has approached companies, banks, business owners, charities and private individuals to fund the effort.

Social investment Abdul Amir bin Abdul Hussain Al Ajmi, External Affairs Director of the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), affirmed that the PDO will continue implementing its social investment projects and remains committed to helping those in its concession area and beyond despite the fall in oil prices.

In a statement to Oman News Agency (ONA), Al Ajmi said the PDO is keen on sustainable development and ethical business, a stance that was underlined by the fact that it became the first company, specialising in the area of oil and gas exploration and production in the Middle East, to have acceded to the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the largest voluntary corporate social responsibility initiative in the world.

will be taken by the government soon

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman is ‘seriously’ considering proposals to carry out farming abroad in order to ensure food security, said Fuad bin Jaafar Al Sajwani, minister of agriculture and fisheries wealth.

“There is some good news. We are receiving offers of land, and are considering these seriously.

We are prioritising these areas, and the final decision will be (taken) by the government. We hope it will not take too long,” Al Sajwani told reporters at the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) on Monday.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the In-Country Value (ICV) Conference 2015, organised

by Business Process Outsourcing Services (BPOS) in association with the OCCI. Asked which countries were being considered, the minister said, “I cannot tell (the names of ) the countries but I can assure you that we have received land (plots), (in fact) huge pieces of land in two countries.”

Proposals have been received

Fuad bin Jaafar Al Sajwani Minister of agriculture and fisheries

so far from two countries, he clarified. “We would like to see that these things are finalised, signed and then we can announce the investment opportunities. But these are not really restrictive. We are still looking at other areas,” Al Sajwani said, adding, “We require a safe investment place where we know that, whenever we need, the food would come to Oman.”

Commenting on the planned fisheries zone in Duqm, the minister said the tender will be floated very soon, certainly before the end of the year, and the total investment will be around OMR100 to OMR110 million.

“This is the largest fishing harbour in the Sultanate. It is not only a harbour; it is a complete hub for fishing activities in the Sultanate.

It would include harbour as well as a fishing industrial estate and also all the facilities to promote

the fishing industry in Oman,” he said. Al Sajwani noted that the fish production in Oman is almost 235 per cent of the local requirement, which means that a lot of fish is exported and there is still great potential to be utilised.

In addition, he said Oman’s annual fish production is expected to rise from 160,000 tonnes in 2011 to 460,000 tonnes in the next couple of years, which, considering the multiplier effect, will be a ‘sizeable’ contribution to the economy.

New projects According to Al Sajwani, 19 projects with a total value of OMR130 million are in the pipeline in the aquaculture sector.

“Some of them have been already initiated,” he said, expressing the hope that they would start production as soon as possible.

Asked about plans for new fishing harbours, the minister said it is hoped that the number of fishing harbours in Oman would reach 31 by the end of the ninth Five-Year Development Plan (2016-2020).

Some of them were completed late last year while the rest are either under construction or in the tendering or design phase, he explained.

Fisheries growth Commenting on the projects announced earlier for fishermen to help them during adverse weather conditions, Al Sajwani said, “We approved (a proposal) to support 500 modern vessels to replace the small boats and the traditional boats as well as granting of licence to 500 advanced boats.”

“Since last year, we have already started giving licence and approval to companies and private individuals to purchase the vessels,” he noted.

He also said that there are many investment opportunities in the ICV projects in areas related to food processing, food production, agriculture, livestock and fisheries, which will benefit the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) involved in these activities.

“We call upon Omanis, especially young people, to come and benefit from these opportunities,” the minister said, adding, “We would like to see more and more Omanis engaging themselves in these activities.”

In his speech at the conference, the minister said the agriculture and fisheries sector production in 2014 was worth around $1.4 billion, with an annual rate of growth of 5.8 per cent in 2014.

He also expressed the hope that the event would provide a platform for the private sector companies to participate in the ICV initiatives, which are crucial for economic development, diversification and productivity.

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OMAN Joint ventures to boost inflow of foreign funds

R E A L E S TAT E

‘Affordable flats can help diversify real estate market’

Oman’s residential market remains quite

In the UK, you have affordability quotas, where the government requires every development to build a certain percentage of affordable housing

popular with expats, who are keen to buy property in Oman for their retirement as they then receive a residency visa which is renewable REAL ESTATE BOOM: Offering shares and schemes can help attract foreign investment, which brings with it best international practices and ‘place-making’ expertise for community living.–Supplied photo

Faisal Durrani Head of research, Cluttons

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A public-private partnership can help attract additional foreign investment into Oman’s real estate market, says an official at Cluttons property consultancy.

“A private-public partnership might be a good way to do the things. It does not always have to be funded by the government, particularly when we are in an environment when credit availability is low,” said Faisal Durrani, head of research at Cluttons.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Durrani said there has been ‘very limited’ global interest in real estate development in Oman, other than from a handful of Gulf developers, who are predominantly from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

However, on an individual basis, Oman’s residential market in particular, remains quite popular with expatriates, especially from the Emirates, he noted.

Expatriates are keen to buy a property in Oman for their retirement because they then receive a residency visa which is renewable, Durrani said, adding that this opportunity is not available elsewhere in the region.

Shares and schemes Durrani believes that offering shares and schemes can help entice foreign investment, which brings with it best international practices and ‘place-making’ expertise to create a community that people aspire to live in.

Philip Paul, head of Cluttons Oman, attributes the limited foreign investment in the Sultanate’s real estate sector to the size of the market, which is still fairly small compared to the market in some neighbouring countries.

For instance, it may be difficult to purchase good plots at the right price, he said, adding that it is a challenge for global develop-

‘Omanisation won’t lower demand’ MUSCAT: Omanisation is not expected to lead to lower demand for apartment spaces and decline in rent prices, says an official at Cluttons real estate consultancy.

The Omanisation policy has been in place for many years but the expatriate population is growing, as does the Omani population, Philip Paul, head of Cluttons Oman, told Times of Oman.

“That is maybe rebalancing towards Omanis,” he said, adding, “We are seeing more nationals coming into the apartment market. Apartment living is quite attractive to the younger population.”

The consultancy activities of Cluttons Oman is set to get a boost with the recent appointment of Faisal Durrani in London as head of research at the leading international property consultancy.

“For emerging markets like the ones in the Middle East, research plays quite an important part in helping to boost market transparency. It is one of our goals to use research as a tool

ers to come to Oman and make a difference.

Asked if the recently launched Muscat Real Estate Index will help regulate the market, Durrani said, “For markets here, an index is a really important tool. However, there is a very fine line between heavyhanded regulations and a market that has no regulations.”

“In the emerging markets where the concept of property ownership is quite new and you have a lot of international investors, or inves-

We are seeing more nationals coming into the apartment market.

Apartment living is quite attractive to the younger population Philip Paul Head of Cluttons Oman

to improve market conditions,” Durrani said.

Cluttons has been advising developers and land owners on what is being demanded in the market and what people can afford.

“On the other side of the

tors who are not based in the country, an index plays an important role in improving market transparency and serves as a parameter both for buyers and sellers or vendors,” he noted.

However, he explained that the effectiveness of an index depends on how well enforced it is by the government. “There has to be a collective effort by the government or the private sector to use it as a tool,” Durrani said, adding that it should also be taken into account

DEFENCE DIPLOMACY

equation, you have got end users who might sometimes have quite unrealistic expectations in terms of what they can find and what they can afford. So it is important to keep people aware of what markets are doing,” Durrani noted.

that no index can be perfect, as each property is unique.

The head of Cluttons Oman says that market forces can find their way through, and the market is big enough to respond to different situations.

Some six or seven years ago, there was a rapid inflation in prices, but supply and demand caught up with that, Paul said, adding, “I do not know whether the index is going to be a subtle enough tool for people to use efficiently.”

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Developing studio flats across the city, along with a number of more affordable units that include Integrated Tourism Complexes (ITCs), can bring more diversity to the real estate market in Oman, say experts at Cluttons.

“Developers need to be wary about affordability, as a general issue, and should start catering to different price points, which we have not really seen yet,” Faisal Durrani, head of research at the property consultancy, told Times of Oman.

Oman can learn from other places throughout the world where affordability has been addressed in different ways, he added.

“For instance, in the UK, you have affordability quotas, where the government requires every development to build a certain percentage of what they classify as affordable housing,” he noted.

A mixed community is created this way and it is what Dubai is looking at now, Durrani said, adding, “They are setting aside plots of land in the centre of the city that have been zoned as affordable, and the municipality will ensure that those apartments are rented or sold at lower prices.”

That is something that could be considered here, he said.

Durrani also believes that there is potential for developing studio flats in Oman, and there are different ways to prevent an oversupply from being built.

From a social and cultural perspective in the region, it is preferred not to have bachelors living in a family community, but there are always ways to manage it, he said.

For example, a limited number of studio flats could be built in an

apartment complex, he added.

Further, the property manager can decide what percentage of their flats can be shared and what percentage can be allocated only for families.

“So every scheme will be different. That might be a way to ensure that you do not oversupply the market with studios and smaller places. Spreading them out is a good way to create a mix for community living,” said the head of research at Cluttons.

Philip Paul, head of Cluttons Oman, also sees a positive potential for developing studio apartments and new generation properties in Oman.

In addition, Durrani said that there is high demand for ITC properties in Oman, as they are fully-fledged, stand-alone areas where people, especially expats, hope to live and can access all the necessary facilities.

“ITCs are what expatriates are familiar with and, generally speaking, they are available across the region, but the concept is still relatively new to Muscat and to Oman. So creating more of those communities to cater to that demand is definitely a good thing,” he noted.

“It sets a new benchmark for community living and will give more local developers ideas of the things that they can do to improve the schemes, property management or the facilities,” Durrani said.

He additionally argues that it would be too ‘heavy-handed’ if the government decides to bring down the prices of ITC properties to cater to more local investors.

In his opinion, the better option would be to have a number of units at lower prices within the same community, as different price points would create diversity.

PROPERTY TRENDS

Indian naval ships to visit Oman ‘Iran’s real estate is not a Times News Service MUSCAT: Four Indian naval ships —Deepak, Delhi, Tabar and Trishul— will visit Muscat from September 19 to 22.

These ships are part of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, based at Mumbai, and have been on a tour of the Gulf region to enhance bilateral ties.

During their visit to Muscat, the ships will have professional interactions with the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) for enhancing co-operation and sharing their experience in naval operations,

including disaster management and combating the threats of maritime terrorism and piracy.

Besides, sports, cultural and social interactions are also planned, which are aimed at enhancing an understanding about the Indian Navy among the people of Oman and the Indian community.

Both India and Oman have an ancient maritime tradition between them which is traced back to several millennia.

The Indian Navy today has multidimensional capabilities, comprising aircraft carriers, modern ships, submarines, air-

craft and marine commandos. A notable feature is the fact that the overwhelming majority of Indian Navy’s ships are designed and constructed in India.

The Indian Navy has close and friendly ties with all the navies in the Gulf and has been regularly interacting and exercising with many of them. The Indian Navy also provides training and hydrographic support to several navies in the region. The involvement of Indian naval ships in combating piracy off the coast of Somalia, since October 2008, has further strengthened bilateral ties.

challenge to GCC market’ ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Investment opportunities opening up in Iran’s real estate market do not constitute a challenge to the property market in the Arab Gulf countries, says an official at Cluttons.

“I do not necessarily see any challenge at this stage to investments that are already planned or flowing into the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region. I think Iran will be a totally separate market,” said Faisal Durrani, head of research at the international real Head of research, Cluttons estate consultancy.

The trade and economic sanctions against Iran have not been counted for 12 per cent of Dubai’s officially lifted yet but when they real estate transactions, positionend, the United Arab Emirates ing them at the fourth place behind (UAE) stands to benefit the most Indian, British and Pakistani nafrom this new variable in the real tionals, Cluttons wrote in its 2015 estate equation, Durrani told the UAE property report.

This figure had dropped to three Times of Oman. per cent during the first quarter of this year, according to data from Pent-up demand The UAE has remained an impor- the Dubai Land Department cited tant trade partner for Iran despite in Cluttons’ report. “The other side the sanctions, and the lifting of the effect is the general liquidity issue. trade restrictions will release the You have got the Iranian governIranians’ huge pent-up demand ment coming up with estimates for real estate investments in of hundreds of billions of dollars worth of investment needed in the emirates.

In 2010, Iranian nationals ac- various infrastructure projects

I do not necessarily see any challenge at this stage to investments that are already planned or flowing into the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region. The pie is big enough for the countries in the GCC to share Faisal Durrani

L E G I S L AT U R E

‘Shura Forum’ held in Nizwa NIZWA: Ministry of Interior on Monday organised the 5th ‘Shura Forum’ seminar in the Wilayat of Nizwa.

Walis, sheikhs, dignitaries and representatives of the public organisations, cultural centers, civil society organizations, Omani Woman Associations, teaching staff, businessmen and university students participated in the seminar.–ONA

across the country,” Durrani said.

“My expectation is that a lot of that money will flow through the banks in the UAE, which will help improve liquidity levels there,” he added.

The expert noted that after the benefits to be accrued to the UAE, there will be a ripple-effect benefit to other GCC states because of the different price points and different taxes as well as different rules and regulations related to ports and customs and other issues.

“The pie is big enough for the countries in the GCC to share,” Durrani concluded.

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Nepal enforces zero cost policy for Gulf workers According to the decision, recruiters must bear the cost of two-way tickets as well as visa for Nepalese workers

MUSCAT: Nepal has stopped issuing labour permits to migrant workers whose air tickets and visa fees are not being paid for by their prospective employers in Oman, a senior official of the Nepal Embassy in Muscat said.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, the official said the embassy of Nepal in Muscat takes this opportunity to refer to the decision of the government of Nepal to send Nepalese workers abroad for employment at zero cost.

“The decision provides that recruiting countries willing to recruit Nepalese workers will have to provide two way tickets to all the workers and obtain their visa free of cost,” said Rojina Tamrakar, chargé d’affaires of the Nepal Embassy in Muscat.

She also said this rule applies to all the Gulf countries, including Oman. “The Government of Nepal, Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE) issues labour permits to the Nepalese workers going to the GCC countries (Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar) and Malaysia for foreign employment only after ensuring the terms of free visa and free ticket (two way) and also that

CLEAR PROVISION: The Embassy of Nepal in Muscat, in this context, has requested the concerned companies to clearly put this provision in the demand letter to be submitted to the embassy for attestation.

no other cost shall be deducted from the salary of any worker.

Hence, this free ticket and free visa is for seven countries in all — six GCC countries and Malaysia.

“The embassy will now attest the demand letters which ensure free tickets and free visa and meet other criteria set by the Government of Nepal,” she said.

The Embassy of Nepal in Muscat, in this context, has requested the concerned companies to clearly put this provision in the demand letter to be submitted to the embassy for attestation.

“They are also requested to mention in their agreement with the concerned manpower agency in Nepal if any commission or service charge is being paid to manpower agencies in Nepal for recruitment purpose,” according to a circular issued by the Embassy of Nepal in Muscat.

Welcoming this decision,

the President of the Non-Resident Nepali Association, D B Chettri, said the zero-cost policy will end the exploitation of migrant workers.

“Well-established employer companies are always ready to pay for migrant workers’ air tickets and visa fees. Only those companies that do not pay good salaries are not ready to provide these facilities, and we do not want them to hire our migrant workers,” he said.

He also said the key objective of these proposals is to ensure that the workers enjoy their rights, and their safety is guaranteed.

However, some people have vehemently criticised the policy, saying it is not practical, warning that migrant workers from India and Bangladesh might grab all job opportunities in the region if Nepal does not abandon its new policy.

OMAN

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T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

OMAN

Oman Air is delighted to be operating more services between Muscat and Paris than ever before in response to the growing demand from Oman and international markets Abdulrahaman Al Busaidy, Chief Operating Officer at Oman Air

Passengers welcome daily Muscat-Addis Ababa flights three days. He also expressed the hope that it would become easier for tourists from Ethiopia to visit the Sultanate.

The daily flights will help enhance tourism

Omanis have actually started investing in Ethiopia, and we receive frequent business travellers

and trade between the two countries and also benefit around 27,000 Ethiopians currently living in Oman, said

Sami Muctar

Sami Muctar

Ethiopian Airlines’ country manager ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Ethiopian Airlines’ direct daily flights between Muscat and Addis Ababa, that come with special offers to various locations in Africa with excellent connection in Addis, have been warmly welcomed by passengers.

“We started operating daily flights from July 21 this year to offer more options to our esteemed customers,” Sami Muctar, Ethiopian Airlines’ country manager in Oman, said, adding that the special offers are for flight to Addis, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Khartoum, Nairobi and Mombasa.

Speaking to the Times of Oman, Muctar said the national carrier of Ethiopia, the continent’s largest and most profitable airline, had long planned to launch daily flights between the two capitals but the move was delayed due to various factors.

R E A LT Y

“Currently, we are receiving very positive feedback, both from our customers and sales partners in Oman and Africa,” he added.

Muctar said the daily flights will help enhance tourism and trade between the two countries and also benefit around 27,000 Ethiopians currently living in Oman.

“The Ethiopian Airlines flies to over 50 destinations in Africa and our passengers will have a wide range of options,” he noted, adding that the carrier has been promoting its holiday tour packages to Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Seychelles and South Africa.

Special offers “We are also promoting our family fare whereby a family of four gets one free ticket for every three tickets purchased,” he said, adding that the offer will remain valid until the end of December 2015.

Also, if passengers purchase a

package, they can enjoy a very attractive offer, said the official at the Ethiopian Airlines.

“Our current price for a return ticket between Muscat and Addis Ababa is around OMR176 but if you purchase a package, you can get a two-way ticket for OMR200 that also comes with a three-night stay in Addis Ababa,” Muctar said.

Visa process He also explained that in the absence of embassies in the two capitals, Muscat and Addis, the Ethiopian Airlines receives visa applications, and visas are issued within a maximum of 10 days. The actual visa is stamped on the passport of the applicant upon arrival at Addis Ababa airport.

According to him, the Ethiopian Airlines is in talks with the authorities concerned to facilitate the visa process so that visas can be issued within a maximum of

PROJECTS

Tourist attractions Muctar said Ethiopia is one of the most ancient countries in the world and is becoming an increasingly popular destination in Africa.

He encouraged Omanis to explore the many tourist attractions in Ethiopia, saying that the tourism infrastructure in the African country has improved a lot and the available accommodation caters to a wide range of tourists.

Muctar said in addition to the pleasant weather, tourists can enjoy a number of historic sites including the walled city of Harar, considered one of the holiest places in the Muslim world, and Aksum city, which is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in Africa.

Other places worth visiting include Gondar, which is a city full

Vision 2025 Commenting on the future plans of Ethiopian Airlines, Muctar said the airline posted a profit of $175 million for the 2014/15 fiscal year and is seeking to boost its revenues by providing superior and enhanced service to its customers.

“In our Vision 2025, our aim is to transport 22 million passengers per annum. Currently, we are transporting six million plus passengers annually,” he said, adding, “In terms of cargo, we plan to reach 820 tons of cargo annually, up from the current 220 tons.”

Also, the airline currently flies to 91 international destinations and is seeking to reach the target of 120 international destinations in 2025, Muctar stated.

NO NEW ORDERS

‘No slowdown in Oman A1 real estate projects’ < FROM

“Again, depending on how much longer lower oil prices persist, we might start to see more job cuts,” said the official.

Philip Paul, head of Cluttons Oman, says that there has not been a slowdown in real estate projects in Oman so far.

“I think it is actually the opposite. Maybe earlier in the year we saw a slight hesitation especially in the commercial market but it has come back fairly strongly on the back of the infrastructure initiatives in the country,” said Paul.

There is stable demand for Grade A office space as well as good quality residential properties, he said, adding that the retail market has also transformed with the development of shopping malls.

“In the residential sector, there is shortage of good stock across the market so we are not seeing a slowdown. The expatriate market as well as the Omani population is growing so I see continuing demand for apartments,” Paul noted.

There is also good demand for Grade A office space but this requires the economy to keep developing to absorb additional space

Passenger number Commenting on the average number of passengers travelling between Muscat and Addis Ababa, the official said, “We are operating Boeing 737-700, which seats a total of 118 passengers, and Boeing 737-800, which has a capacity of 154 passengers.”

“On an average, during the peak season till the end of July and even up to mid-August, the flights were full, and the ‘load factor’ was close to 80 per cent. Now it has slightly dropped to 70 per cent,” Muctar explained.

He said the airline is making serious efforts to hit the target of 10,000 passengers from Oman, which it had set for 2015.

of ancient castles built by famous kings in the medieval era of Ethiopia, and also Lalibela, home to one of the oldest rock hewn churches, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Also, Dallol, a place in the north-eastern part of Ethiopia, is one of the lowest and hottest places on Earth where one can see live volcano throughout the year. An increasing number of adventure tourists are visiting Dallol.

Tourism cooperation will benefit both countries, said Ethiopian Airlines’ country manager in Oman.

More Omani businessmen should also explore investment opportunities in Ethiopia, Muctar said, adding that the enhanced trade ties would pave the way for cargo cooperation between the two countries.

“Omanis have actually started investing in Ethiopia, and we receive frequent business travellers,” he said.

MARKET SCENE: Philip Paul, head of Cluttons Oman, left, and

Faisal Durrani, head of research at Cluttons. Photo-O K Mohammad Ali

that comes to the market, he said.

Grade A space remains limited and the few Grade A buildings in Muscat are currently operating at over 80 per cent occupancy on average, he explained.

“With the projects that are coming, I do not anticipate an oversupply,” the expert added.

Land plots Asked about the demand for land plots, the head of Cluttons Oman said that there is continued demand and investment by devel-

opers. Good plots are becoming in short supply in right locations so they would retain their value, he added.

In addition, Paul said that there is great potential in the real estate market in the port city of Sohar because of the railway project and the transfer of commercial shipping activities from Port Sultan Qaboos to Sohar Port and Freezone.

There is also interest in real estate projects in Duqm and Salalah, he added.

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Tailors have their hands full

“We had stopped taking any more orders about three months back, or we would not have been able to keep our word,” AR Nasir, a Pakistani running a tailoring shop in Muttrah since 1979, told the Times of Oman.

“Some designs need more than two days to be completed, while others can be finished in a day. As we focus on customers’ satisfaction, we factor in some extra time and care,” Mohammed, a tailor working at the same shop, said.

Nasir and his tailors make Omani, Sur, Balushi, Lawatiyah, Omani motarwa and Omani safari dresses.

While some cost around OMR60, depending on the work involved, others can even cost around OMR150.

According to tailors, about three decades ago, there were only five shops in Muttrah but now the number is around 500.

Even though the Muttrah tailoring shops are known for churning out traditional Omani women dresses, majority of these shops are run by expatriates.

“I came here in 1989. I focus on regional dresses. Two months ago, I had stopped taking any further bookings. Now, we are too

Shopkeepers in Muttrah Souq have brought new stocks to cater to Eid rush.

busy and are racing against time to finish the work,” Surendaran, a tailor from the south Indian state of Kerala, said.

Surendaran makes Omani Salwar and Khamis, Farasha, Galabhiyah and Bahraini style dresses also.

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

S A LVA D O R

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HM sends

A1 greetings

In his cable, His Majesty expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to President Hernandez and the people of his country further progress and prosperity.

His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has also sent a cable of congratulations to President Salvador Sanchez Ceren of the Republic of Salvador on the occasion of his country’s Independence Anniversary.

In his cable, His Majesty expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to President Ceren and his country’s people further progress and prosperity. -ONA TRAGEDY

< FROM

‘A common

A1 sight in Yiti’ According to sources in Yiti, workers travelling in JCB buckets and risking their lives is a common sight.

“I have seen this happening umpteen number of times. Even though people have often warned about the risks, they continue to commute like this since it is a cheap mode of transport,” sources in Yiti said.

Meanwhile, Mark Pudwell, training manager at Competence HR, said everyone has a right to work in a safe environment where potential hazards are mitigated through a risk assessment of their job and appropriate level of onthe-job training and safety norms.

“This is no less important in the construction industry where the diverse nature of potential hazards is especially dangerous to employees,” Mark added.

He also added that the construction companies have a moral if not a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees by hiring qualified people.

“The total human cost for the loss of one life or serious injury on-site always outweighs the cost of equipment and training,” Mark added.

Meanwhile, a statement from the company, said that seven Bangladeshi construction workers for a third party subcontractor at Jebel Sifah, Muriya Tourism Development’s project, took it upon themselves to use one of the heavy equipment on-site to transport them back to the camp for lunch.

The seven workers fell from the moving equipment, leading to the unfortunate death of three and injury to the other four.

Prompt action The Construction Safety Officer present on site acted immediately contacting the Royal Oman Police, who took all necessary procedures to transport injured workers to the local hospitals in the area.

Muriya Tourism Development and its contractors implement the most stringent health and safety regulations across all operations and will take every corrective action to safeguard the best interests of all employees.

Muriya Tourism Development would like to extend its deepest condolences and wish a speedy recovery to those affected by this incident.

C AT E R I N G T O T R AV E L L E R S

Oman Air to raise Paris flight frequency Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Air is introducing the fifth weekly flight between Muscat and Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris from October 25.

Oman Air first launched its flights from Muscat to Paris in 2009. Since then, its four flights per week have been much in demand, catering to travellers from the Middle East going to Paris, and from Paris to Muscat and on- SIGNIFICANT PRESENCE: Oman Air continues its current proward destinations. gramme of major fleet and network expansion. – ONA The forthcoming increase in the frequency from four to five flights per week will once again is delighted to be operating more product. This means that many confirm Oman Air as having a sig- services between Muscat and more air travellers will have the nificant presence in the European Paris than ever before in response opportunity to experience Oman to the growing demand from Air’s unique, award-winning onair travel market.

Abdulrahaman Al Busaidy, Oman and international markets. board service, in-flight dining and Chief Operating Officer at Oman Clearly, this an endorsement by aircraft interiors. Whether you Air, announced the additional our valuable customers of our su- wish to discover Oman’s awe-inflight to Paris, saying, “Oman Air perior services and exceptional spiring natural beauty and warm

hospitality, or explore the cultural and retail delights of Paris, flying with Oman Air is the perfect introduction.”

The move comes as Oman Air continues its current programme of major fleet and network expansion. The programme was launched in late 2014 and will see the airline’s fleet size increase from 30 aircraft to 57 aircraft by 2018, and eventually to 70 aircraft by 2020.

The expanded fleet is enabling Oman Air to launch more new destinations, increase frequencies on established routes and offer more convenient connections at the Muscat International Airport. From October 25, Oman Air’s flights between Muscat and Paris will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

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REGION Russia sends tanks to Syria: US tions are pointing, that (the artillery is) for airfield defense,” the official said.

Russian help for Assad could seriously complicate the US-led coalition’s air strikes against IS extremists in Syria and defence officials are worried about the possibility of accidents if coalition and Russian planes operate in the same airspace.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the US official told AFP the seven T-90 tanks arrived in recent days but had not been sent outside the airbase near Latakia

SUPPORT TO REFUGEES: Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron, left, meets Syrian refugee families at a tented settlement camp in the Bekaa Valley on the Lebanese-Syrian border on Monday. — AFP/ POOL/STEFAN ROUSSEAU

WASHINGTON/AMMAN: Russia has sent artillery and seven tanks to a Syrian air base as part of Moscow’s continued military buildup in the war-ravaged nation, a US official said Monday.

The increase of Russian hardware in Syria has caused concerns

in the West about the implications of Moscow militarily helping its old ally, President Bashar al-Assad.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the US official told AFP the seven T-90 tanks arrived in recent days but had not been sent outside the airbase near Latakia,

on Syria’s Mediterranean coast.

And the artillery, which arrived last week, appears to have been sent there to protect the facility.

There was no indication Russia had sent fighter jets or helicopter gunships to Syria.

“It appears, and all the indica-

CONFLICT

Yemen loyalist troops press campaign towards Sanaa SAFER (YEMEN): Saudibacked loyalist forces in Yemen pressed an offensive against Houthi rebels on Monday, the second day of a major campaign aimed at retaking the capital a year after its fall.

Fighters loyal to exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi launched their much anticipated attack against the rebels and their allies in the key province of Marib.

The escalation comes as the exiled government backed out of a proposed new round of UNbrokered peace talks, insisting that rebels should withdraw from captured territory.

Heavy clashes Oil-rich Marib lies east of Sanaa and has been the scene of heavy clashes between the northernbased rebels and powerful tribes allied with Hadi. “The aim is to cut the supply routes of the Houthis,” a military official told AFP. Out of their Al Aber base in nearby Hadramawt province,

government troops have moved towards four rebel footholds in northwest Marib, on the route to Sanaa.

At a landing zone in Safer camp, in Marib, an AFP correspondent reported fully-armed coalition Apache helicopters taking off and returning, as a convoy of armoured vehicles and personnel carriers headed to the front.

Coalition forces have also deployed Patriot missile defence systems, Yemeni military sources said, following a September 4 missile attack on Safer that killed 67 coalition troops.

Gulf Arab troops from the Saudi-led coalition have joined the battle on the ground to evict rebels from Marib, while coalition warplanes have since March pounded insurgent positions across Yemen.

The United Arab Emirates said its troops were taking part in the latest operations and announced the death of one of its soldiers.

“Our forces have launched

military operations in Marib, achieving progress on the ground and pushing back the Houthi militiamen, as part of operations conducted by the Arab coalition,” a UAE military official said on late Sunday.

“During these operations, one of our soldiers has fallen martyr,” said the official, whose country lost 52 soldiers in the Safer missile strike and has vowed to avenge their deaths.

Air war The coalition launched its air war in support of Hadi after the rebels advanced on the southern port city of Aden, where he had taken refuge after escaping house arrest in the capital, where the Houthis took control unopposed in September 2014.

Pro-Hadi fighters, backed by troops freshly trained and armed

by Saudi Arabia, pushed the rebels out of Aden in July and have since recaptured four other southern provinces. — AFP

Russian aid planes Two Russian transport planes, purportedly carrying humanitarian aid, landed in Syria on Saturday, Russian state media said, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov last week said Moscow was sending military equipment along with aid “in accordance with current contracts.”

At a news briefing, Pentagon spokesman Captain Jeff Davis said Russia apparently was establishing a forward air operations base in Latakia.

“It’s been a continued steady flow (of equipment) for the last week and a half or so,” he said.

AFP reported last week that

dozens of Russian naval infantry had arrived in Syria, along with two tank-landing ships and about a dozen Russian armoured personnel carriers.

American officials also say Russia has installed modular housing units — enough for “hundreds” of people.

Russia is a staunch ally of the regime in Damascus and maintains a naval facility in Tartus province.

“We would welcome Russian contributions to the overall global effort against (the IS group) but things that continue to support the Assad regime, particularly military things, are unhelpful and risk adding greater instability to an already unstable situation,” Davis said.

Cameron visits camps Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron visited Syrian refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan on Monday, pledging increased aim which he said would help stem the migration crisis in Europe.

The surprise visits, which in-

cluded talks with Lebanon’s prime minister and the king of Jordan, came as Cameron appointed a minister to oversee the resettlement of 20,000 Syrian refugees in Britain over the next five years.

As Cameron flew in to Lebanon, his office detailed how an extra 100 million pounds ($153 million, 137 million euros) in British aid for Syrian refugees would be spent.

British aid The premier said in Beirut that Britain was doubling its support for Lebanon’s schools to 20 million pounds a year for the next three years to help Syrian refugee children as well as Lebanese.

Boosting aid to regional states hosting refugees was key to tackling the crisis that has seen tens of thousands of asylum-seekers flooding into Europe, Cameron said, reiterating his argument against charges that London was not doing enough.

“Around three percent of the 11 million Syrians forced from their homes have sought asylum in Europe,” he said. — AFP

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T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

INDIA MUMBAI TRAIN BLASTS

Mumbai train bombings convicts appeal for leniency MUMBAI: All the 12 convicts in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings case on Monday requested the trial court not to award them death sentence on humanitarian grounds as arguments started on the quantum of punishment for one of the deadliest terror attacks on Indian soil.

As many as 188 people were killed and many others injured when a series of powerful bombs went off in suburban trains in Mumbai on July 11, 2006.

Twelve of the 13 arrested accused were pronounced guilty by a Special Court last week.

“There were mitigating circumstances to suggest they were reformed and hence leniency should be showed to them,” said a written statement by all the 12 convicts found guilty of the crime on September 11 by a designated court under stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime (MCOCA).Judge Yatin D Shinde called each convict before him and recorded their oral statements on the quantum of sentence to be given to them.

There were mitigating circumstances to suggest they were reformed and hence leniency should be showed to them Written statement ACCUSED: The accused in 2006 serial train blasts case being taken to the sessions court from the Arthur Road jail in Mumbai on Monday to hear the verdict in the case. - PTI

Tomorrow, the defence and prosecution lawyers would submit arguments on the quantum of sentence citing High Court and Supreme Court judgements.

“I have small kids to look after,” said Kamal Ansari, the first con-

vict to appear before the Judge for recording his statement on quantum of punishment.

He pleaded for minimum sentence. Another convict, Tanvir Ahmed, a doctor, said he had chosen the profession to help the poor

and he wished to serve the needy.

He said he had worked in a charitable hospital.

“I have no past criminal record and I have behaved well in the jail (as an undertrial).I did a post graduation in disaster management

‘Gujarat easiest place to do business in India’ Andhra Pradesh, ruled by BJP-ally TDP, is the second best state, followed

by Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

NEW DELHI: BJP-ruled Gujarat is the best place in the country to do business, says the World Bank’s ranking on ease of doing business in states, a list that has the partyruled states occupying four of the top five slots.

Andhra Pradesh, ruled by BJPally TDP, is the second best state, followed by Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan - all having BJP governments.

These rankings were provided in the report titled ‘Assessment of State Implementation of Business Reforms’ which was prepared by World Bank in association with the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP), KPMG, CII and Ficci.

The exercise is aimed at promoting competition among states with a view to improve business climate to attract domestic as well as foreign investments.

The move would also help in improving India’s overall ranking in the global Doing Business Study.

India has been placed at 142nd position among 182 nations.

Overall, World Bank said India is a difficult place to do business and concerted action and reforms are needed on several fronts to improve its ranking in the global ‘Doing Business Index’.

“The assessment recognises the

TOP RANKING: Craftsmen work at the polishing department of a diamond processing unit at Surat in Gujarat, India. Gujarat, the state Prime Minister Narendra Modi ran for more than a decade, is India’s best place for conducting business, the World Bank said on Monday. - Reuters file photo

fact that most states have already embarked on ambitious reform programmes or expanded their ongoing reform efforts,” Additional Secretary in DIPP, Shatrughna Singh said.

The ranking of 32 states and union territories was based on eight specified parameters which include setting up of business, allotment of land, labour reforms and procedure for environmental clearance. The parameters also include infrastructure, procedure for registration for tax purposes and inspections for compliance of various norms.

At the bottom of the ladder in the index were Mizoram, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

“What this report does very well is to provide a roadmap for states serious about improving their business environment and creating jobs,” World Bank country director Onno Ruhl said.

Among major states, West Bengal occupied the 11th slot, Tamil Nadu (12th), Haryana (14th), Delhi

(15th), Punjab (16th), Himachal Pradesh (17th), Kerala (18th), Goa (19th), Bihar (21st) and Assam (22nd).Pitching for further ease of doing business, Ruhl said a disproportionately high regulatory burden is borne by businesses in India today.

Besides, DIPP Additional Secretary Shatrughna Singh said the preparation of this report is just a tiny part of the gigantic effort that “we need to make in unwinding a maze of procedures, rules, regulations and laws that we have put in place in India.” “...we need to vigorously pursue reforms in the future,” he added.

The assessment, the first-of-itskind, has been conducted to take stock of reforms implemented by states in the period January 1 to June 30 based on the 98-point action plan for business reforms agreed between DIPP and the state and union territory governments on December 29, 2014.

According to the report, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh,

Odisha and Rajasthan have implemented over 50 per cent of the 98 point action plan business reforms studied in the assessment.

No state has implemented 75 per cent or more of the proposed reforms, an official statement said.

The assessment has identified good practices on different parameters. For example, Punjab leads in the area of ‘Setting up a Business’, as it features an online single window system for registrations and licences that cover most of the regulatory services in the country.

Maharashtra, followed by Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, was ranked highest in ‘Obtaining Infrastructure Related Utilities’, with clearly defined timelines for electricity, water and sewage connections. Across the country, the report said, states have made good progress in general tax reforms like mandating e-registration for VAT and CST, allowing online payment and filing of returns for various state taxes, providing e-filing support through service centres and helplines. - PTI

Convicts found guilty

and have improved my academic records”, Tanvir told the court.

He also said that he did pose a danger to the society and prayed for minimum punishment.

Another convict, Mohammed Faisal Shaikh, also prayed for a

lesser sentence saying he was suffering from brain tumor for the past three years. “I also have spinerelated ailments.”

He said he was not convicted by any court earlier and does not have any intention to commit any crime in future.

Shaikh said his parents were old and there was nobody to take care of them.

“My brother has also been convicted in the same case”, he said seeking minimum punishment.

Yet another convict, Ehtesham Siddiqui, told the court that he hails from a poor family and was operating a small business (before arrest). “I could not get education as we were poor and with great difficulty I was able to learn. My brother runs the family and he is not financially sound.”

He said after going to jail he was able to get education and currently he is doing graduation in law.

He also pleaded for minimum punishment saying that there is nobody to take care of his family after he goes to jail. - PTI

FIRST OVERSEAS VISIT

Sri Lankan PM arrives on 3-day visit; to take up fishermen issue NEW DELHI: In his first overseas trip after assuming the top office for the fourth term, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived here on Monday on a three- day visit during which he will hold extensive talks with the Indian leadership including on the sensitive fishermen issue.

He was received at the airport

by Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

He will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday during which both leaders are expected to explore ways to further boost bilateral ties besides discussing the fishermen issue.

The proposed comprehensive economic partnership agreement between the two countries and the Tamil ethnic issue are likely to figure in the talks.

Wickremesinghe, who was sworn in as Sri Lanka’s prime minister for the fourth time last month following his party’s victory in the parliamentary polls, will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, Finance Minister Arun Jaitely, Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu, Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal, Road Transport and Highways Minis-

ter Nitin Gadkari and Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will also meet the Sri Lankan Prime Minister.

The visit assumes significance as President Maithripala Sirisena also chose India to be his first overseas destination after being elected to office in January.

Sixty-six-year-old Wickremesinghe was picked by President Sirisena, who handed a shock defeat to Mahinda Rajapaksa in the polls, to lead a minority government in January till the parliamentary elections last month.

Stoked controversy Wikremesinghe has vowed to strengthen ties with India but has taken a tough stand on the fishermen issue as in March he stoked a controversy suggesting that Indian fishermen may be shot if they intruded into Lankan waters.

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement is expected to be part of the talks agenda.Prime Minister Modi,during his visit to Sri Lanka in March, had said both countries should move boldly to conclude the pact and attract investments.

The new unity government in Sri Lanka is reaching out to India and the West to mend ties that soured during Rajapaksa’s rule. - PTI

WELCOME: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is received by Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on his arrival at IGI Airport in New Delhi on Monday. - PTI

ECONOMY

Consumer inflation touches new lows bolstering rate cut hopes NEW DELHI: The consumer as well as wholesale price inflation dived to new lows in August on falling global commodity prices, bolstering chances of an interest rate cut by RBI. Consumer price inflation, RBI’s benchmark, eased to 3.66 per cent in August from 3.69 per cent, while wholesale prices tumbled for a tenth straight month to minus 4.95 per cent compared with a provisional (-) 4.05 per cent in July.

The dip in inflation adds to pressure on RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan to cut interest rates for a fourth time this year.

Rajan, who has so far resisted pressure from the government as well as the industry on easing monetary policy, is to announce next bi-monthly policy on September 29. The decline in inflation has

been mainly on account of moderating prices of food items with the exception of onion and pulses.

This has sparked fears of deflation in the economy, which some economist argue would create further problems in the coming days.

Also of concern is droughtlike situation with about half of the country witnessing deficient rainfall. Commenting on the data, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: “During the monsoon period because of seasonal variations, (prices) of some products go up.

But overall inflation continues to moderate and seems to be under control.”

The wholesale inflation was (-)4.05 per cent in July. It has been in the negative zone since November 2014. In August last year, it was 3.85 per cent.

HARVEST TIME: Farmers harvest paddy crops on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday. India’s wholesale prices tumbled for a tenth straight month in August. - Reuters

Price rise in onions and pulses was at 65.29 per cent and 36.40 per cent respectively during August, as per the data. Overall, WPI food inflation basket remained in nega-

tive territory for second month in a row at (-)1.13 per cent.

According to Economic Affairs Secretary Shaktikanta Das said: “RBI will take a considered call on

the issue. There is no divergence in perception. The government and RBI are working together. Taking into account the overall factors, RBI will take a considered call.”

Das who reviewed the fiscal situation along with other secretaries in the Finance Ministry, said in a tweet: “Declining inflation numbers (are) in line with governemnt expectations. Should augur well for the economy.”

As regards CPI inflation, a slower rate of price rise in fruit and vegetables and protein items, except for pulses, pulled the inflation to a new low of 3.66 per cent in August, as against 3.69 per cent in July.

CPI food inflation during the month, however, rose slightly at 2.20 per cent as against 2.15 per cent in July.

Vegetable prices declined at

(-)6.36 per cent during the month while fruits were cheaper at an inflation rate of 0.99 per cent.

Industry body CII said CPI inflation has also been declining, RBI needs to reduce interest rates sharply to drive a recovery in demand.

“We expect RBI to reduce interest rates by 0.50 per cent in the forthcoming policy with statements supporting further easing in the near future,” CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said.

Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian had recently flagged deflationary fears in the economy, while NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya had pitched for cut in policy rate by 0.50 per cent to 1 per cent saying that “this lever” can be used to boost growth. - PTI

T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

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INDIA

After hard bargain, BJP clinches seat-sharing deal for Bihar polls Hectic parleys among ‘secular’ alliance partners over seats

Flanked by key alliance leaders like Paswan and Kushwaha besides Manjhi, BJP chief Amit Shah said a ‘united’ NDA was on its way to securing majority against the ‘crumbling’ alliance of Nitish, Lalu and Congress

NEW DELHI: Following days of hard bargain, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday sealed a seat sharing pact for the Bihar assembly polls with its allies under which it will contest 160 of the 243 seats, while sparing 20 for Mahadalit leader Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM(S), besides 40 for Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP. Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha’s RLSP got 23 seats to fight in the high-stakes elections starting on October 12.

Flanked by key alliance leaders like Paswan and Kushwaha besides Manjhi, BJP chief Amit Shah said an “united” NDA was on its way to securing two-thirds majority in the state against the “crumbling” alliance of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, RJD chief Lalu Prasad and Congress.

Presenting a united face, Shah claimed acrimony among alliance partners, especially LJP and Manjhi-led Hindustani Awam Morcha

UNITED FACE: BJP president Amit Shah with HAM(S) chief Jitan Ram Manjhi, LJP president Ramvilas Paswan and RLSP leader Upendra Kushwaha during a press conference on Bihar elections, in new Delhi on Monday. - PTI

(secular), was behind them and all differences sorted out.

“There is no tug of war. There is no tension. You can see their smiling faces,” Shah said, pointing to Paswan and Manjhi and sounding as much relieved as happy after finally thrashing out a seat-sharing arrangement acceptable to all the allies.

Shah said some of Manjhi’s party leaders will also contest on BJP’s symbols. Playing hardball, Manjhi had for days refused to settle for BJP’s offer of 13-15 seats.

Manjhi persistently targeted Paswan, claiming he enjoyed better clout with Dalit voters.

Asked about the reports of his being unhappy with the BJP offer had resulted in delay in final announcement on seat sharing, Manjhi claimed there was never a fight over the number of seats and his only intention was that NDA should put up as many “winnable” candidates as possible.

With allies by his side, the BJP chief attacked rivals, saying the Bihar chief minister was promising to provide a crime-free rule in

alliance with Prasad whose tenure in 1990s was dubbed by Kumar as ‘jungle raaj’.

“On the one side is a coalition of compulsion and forced arithmetic with little common purpose, while on the other side is an alliance with a common chemistry and similar ideologies of development.

Time has come for people of Bihar to vote for development,” Shah said. Shah said the NDA will spell out its agenda in detail in its manifesto to be brought out in the coming days.

BJP’s Central Election Committee is also meeting on Tuesday and could announce names of many party candidates for at least the first few phases of assembly elections scheduled on October 12, 16, 28, November 1 and 5.

Asked about RJD chief Prasad’s assertion that the election will be for ‘Mandal Raaj-2’, a reference to the 1990s when backward castes rose to dominate the state’s politics, Shah said NDA had more “mandal-wale” (backward and weaker groups) leaders.

Taking on Nitish Kumar, he said

TRAGEDY

SIT to probe Jhabua blasts as police intensify hunt for accused

SITE OF EXPLOSION: Locals looking at a damaged car near a collapsed restaurant where a cooking gas cylinder exploded in Petlawad town in Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. - PTI

JHABUA: The Madhya Pradesh government on Monday set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the twin blasts in Petlawad town of Jhabua district.

The SIT has been set up to investigate Saturday’s blasts and photos of absconding main accused Rajendra Kaswa would be released in the public domain to nab him, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told the media in state capital Bhopal.

On Saturday, Chouhan ordered a judicial probe into the explosions after Home Minister Babulal Gaur, who visited the spot, briefed him about the situation.

The seven-member SIT would be headed by Jhabua’s additional superintendent of police, said Makrand Deuskar, superintendent of police (law and order).

Meanwhile, Chouhan on Monday again met the families of people killed in the blasts near the new bus stand in Petlawad town.

Two days after an explosion claimed 89 lives in Petlawad town in tribal Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, police on Monday recovered 69 detonators and large

number of gelatin sticks from the residence of the brother of the main accused in the incident.

Rajendra Kasawa, the main accused in connection with the incident, is absconding since the explosion occurred on Saturday, a police official said.

69 detonators seized Police recovered 69 detonators and two batteries from the Mahavir Colony residence of Narendra Kasawa, Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Virendra Singh Bais said.

Gelatin sticks too were recovered from the place, but their exact number is not yet known, he said. Narendra is also absconding along with his family from Petlawad, he said.

An intensive search operation was launched following reports of large number of persons storing gelatin sticks in an illegal manner for carrying out mining and blasting rocks for construction work, he said.

A reward of Rs100,000 was earlier announced by Chief Minister for information leading to

the arrest of Rajendra Kasawa, as his administration came under scanner over allowing storage of explosives in a crowded residential area.

The state government had on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs500,000 to the kin of those killed in the explosion.

At least 89 people were killed and nearly 100 injured after a massive blast caused by mining explosives stored in a building ripped through a crowded area in Petlawad town.

The blast completely destroyed at least two buildings — one in which explosive material for digging wells was stored and an adjacent restaurant, and damaging several houses.

The explosion took place in the building of Kasawa who had a licence to use explosive material for digging wells.

He stored the explosive material, including gelatin sticks in huge quantity, in the residential building having two shops in it and situated close to the busy Sethia Restaurant in new bus stand area, a police official said. - PTI

the chief minister was citing developmental figures which he had achieved when BJP was a partner in his government and asserted that development had now come to a stop, while crime was rising.

Attacking him for allying with “corrupt” Congress, besides Prasad, the BJP president said the idea of non-Congress polity took roots in Bihar under the likes of Jayaprakash Narayan and Ram Manohar Lohia, and the state would take it forward this time by supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a ‘Congressmukt’ (Congress-free) India.

Asked about JD(U)’s dig that it made Manjhi chief minister, while BJP turned him into a “beggar” for seats, Shah shot back, saying his party’s values were different and alleged that Manjhi was forced out of Bihar Niwas late in the night due to Kumar’s vendetta. He rejected the argument that the Bihar government asked him to leave as his stay there was in violation of the Model Code of Conduct, saying he could have stayed there by paying the required tariff. - PTI

PATNA: Hectic parleys were on Monday held among the grand secular alliance partners to hammer out competing claims and identify the seats the parties would fight in the October-November Bihar assembly polls and an announcement is expected

by Tuesday.

Senior leaders of JD(U), RJD and Congress are holding meetings over seat sharing at the residence of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Emerging from the meeting, RJD leader Abdul Bari Siddiqui told waiting reporters that talks are on in a “friendly and harmonious environment”.

Refused to give detail “We are expected to reach a decision on seats each alliance partner would fight by tomorrow evening,” he said but refused to divulge any details when asked to comment on reports that RJD has been claiming many of JD(U) sitting seats and the competing claims of parties was delaying the process.

“There is no hiatus of any kind among us... Effort is on to arrive at a decision on all 243 seats. But if this does not happen we hope to announce seats of parties for the first two phases of elections by tomorrow evening.” he added.

Reports in a section of the media said RJD has identified Mahua and Raghopur seats in Vaishali district for Lalu

Prasad’s two sons Tej Pratap and Tejaswi Yadav.

Both have sitting JD(U) MLA. Adjustments Bihar JD(U) President Basistha Narayan Singh told reporters that not only JD(U) but other partner parties too “should be prepared to make sacrifices.”

“We have to make adjustments even on our sitting seats,” he said adding it was natural that problem would arise as each parties have got less number of seats than it had contested in the past.

JD(U) which had won 116 seats in 2010 has got only 100 seats in the alliance this time.

Lalu Prasad’s RJD has also secured 100 seats while Congress has got 40.

Three seats have now been offered to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) after NCP and Samajwadi Party spurned the offer.

Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahay and Bihar PCC president Ashok Choudhary exuded confidence that the alliance partners would arrive at a decision on seats.

While Sahay met Lalu Prasad during the day, the RJD chief and Kumar are meeting on a daily basis.

JD(U) president Sharad Yadav and Congress leaders are also in regular touch with the alliance partners to arrive at a decision of seat sharing, sources in the parties said - PTI

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The changing face of the Gulf region Richard J. C. Galustian

These were the scenes of chaos in Japan’s Joso City on Thursday. Forecasters say the rain should subside on Friday but not before another 20 centimetres at least falls on the devastated region

Vladimir Putin may be calculating that the Obama administration will respond to his belligerence in Syria the same way it did to that in Ukraine: By broadly conceding his demands and trying to get its Syrian and Arab allies to accept them bit.ly/putinsyriaukrainemoves

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resident Obama says the deal to lift Iran sanctions means Tehran cannot build a nuclear weapon; his congressional critics charge that safeguards are not watertight. Both sides miss the main point of a deal which, once implemented, will provide a commercial bonanza not just for Iran but its neighbours on the opposite shores of the Gulf, bringing peace and security in its wake. The opening up of Iran promises to be nothing less than a commercial revolution, with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in pole position to boost their own economies as the world’s gateway to Iran. Commerce, not politics, is the driver here, a reality barely understood by the mainstream media, focussed as they are on the politics of a deal that brings Iran out of the international deep freeze in reward for monitoring of its nuclear programme.

Let’s start with the fact of Iran: It is a nation of 80 million consumers, well educated, aware of the world if, until now, unable to fully join it. They are hungry, quite simply, for everything, from soft drinks to computer design technology. But getting the goods in, and the payments out, means major improvements to both the transport and financial infrastructure — skills that states on the far shore of the Gulf just happen to be expert in.

The United Arab Emirates knows everything there is to know about port management systems, skills that can be easily sold to Iran, along with airport and air traffic management systems.

Iran’s aging civil airline fleet needs upgrades, not just with new planes, but maintenance facilities, which for the short and medium term can be hired at GCC airports.

Meanwhile, Iran can make use of sophisticated banking, financial and insurance services across the Gulf to kick-start the business of re-integrating into the global financial system.

Then there is the small question of the rush by international firms and suppliers to grab a piece of Iran’s huge market; Already Tehran’s hotels are full to bursting with executives from multi-national companies, and many of those companies will for the medium term be looking for bases and transhipment depots in GCC states until Iran’s own infrastructure can be improved.

Dubai and the northern emirates are already

developing plans for penetrating the Iranian marketplace through infrastructure, commercial and residential investment. There is expectation also of Iranian money flowing into Dubai’s megaprojects once SWIFT money transfer restrictions are lifted.

Standing in the way of these mouth-watering business opportunities are the politics. Iran and most GCC states have glared at each other across the narrow Gulf waters for decades, and trust will be built slowly. Oman has enjoyed good relations with Iran and played a very important role in the American negotiations with the Iranians.

However other GCC states will need to develop that trust step-by-step. Saudi Arabia will be most hesitant, but the reality is that Iran is now back on the scene, and accommodation rather than confrontation will suit everybody. There are also territorial disputes to solve, but they should not be allowed to stand in the way of the huge benefits to all parties of getting trade started. Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani, welcoming Britain’s foreign secretary Philip Hammond to the re-opening of the UK embassy, spoke for millions of Iranians when he predicted: ”The negotiating parties will realise in the future that interaction rather than confrontation with Iran was the right approach.”

Rouhani was elected by Iranians with exactly that mind-set, and he is not alone in believing that new commercial links across the Gulf will bring with them both peace and prosperity: “By moving forward on different political, economic and regional issues, we can guarantee longterm trust.” If his words sound too optimistic, take a glance at the European Union. For all its countless faults, one thing the integration of that union achieved was it made war within Europe unthinkable. A similar integration across the waters of the Gulf can do the same. Indeed, it is time for the Gulf countries to do the same, and take its place not just as a centre for oil production, but for commerce and culture too.

Also the positive involvement of the Russians who are engaged with most Arab states and Iran is a very important factor. With wise heads on all sides to oversee a steady build-up in both commercial links and trust, a new Gulf ‘Economic Union’ can emerge, quite literally a win-win situation for both Iran, all GCC countries and the world. - Special to Times of Oman

READERS’ FORUM Involve all parties to end the mess in Afghanistan This refers to the online story, ‘Afghan Taliban storm jail, release hundreds of prisoners’ (September 14). The present state of affairs in Afghanistan makes me wonder why the US and NATO occupied it. The Taliban insurgency is no closer to ending. Wouldn’t an approach where its neighbours along with stakeholders like India and the UNSC’s permanent members work together to bring peace in the country.

Such an approach would take inputs from countries directly affected by the mess. I think the US diktat is the main reason behind the mess in the country.

— Jacob Sonny, Muscat

With a right to be forgotten, Google, Yahoo and other corporations — not the government — would decide what material should not be provided in response to search requests, while the material would still remain on any websites that posted it bit.ly/onlineprivacyconcerns

Teachers need to devise unique programmes for each student Scan this QR code to send letters to the Readers’ Forum, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi).

This refers to the online story, ‘Learning difficulty is not a disease’ (September 13). I totally agree with Dr Kawthar Hameed Abdullah’s statement on this issue. This is the reason why schools should not have a general curriculum for all students but rather a one-to-one approach whereby teachers devise a unique programme for each individual student.

— Aoun Naqvi, Mawaleh

There seems to be no end to the woes of the migrants This refers to the online story, ‘Babies and children among 34 dead in new migrant tragedy off Greece’ (September 13). There seems to be no end to the woes of migrants. But giving them asylum would do no good.

The root cause is conflicts, which need to end. —Morris Jo, Sur

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FROM OUR ARCHIVES SEPTEMBER 2000 Seminar on management of Al Wafa social centres MUSCAT: Improving the management of Al Wafa Social Voluntary Centres will be the subject of a seminar the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Vocational Training will organize in collaboration with the Unicef from Sptember 16 to 21.

The seminar will discuss the concept of voluntary centres management and preparation of programmes based on the known principles of community rehabilitation.

IMPORT OF BASE METAL PRODUCTS IN OMAN From February to April 2015 (in million rials) February

March

April

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TODAY IN HISTORY

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1321: Dante Alighieri dies of malaria just hours after finishing writing Paradiso.

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T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

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PAKISTAN S H AWA L D I S T R I C T

POLIO VACCINATION DRIVE IN QUETTA A Pakistani health worker administers polio drops to a child at a school during a polio vaccination campaign in Quetta on Monday. Pakistan is one of only three countries in the world where polio remains endemic but years of efforts to stamp it out have been badly hit by reluctance from parents, opposition from militants and attacks on immunisation teams. — AFP

Air strikes kill 15 militants in tribal region: Military ISLAMABAD: Fifteen militants have been killed and seven of their hideouts destroyed in fresh air attacks in Pakistan’s lawless tribal region bordering Afghanistan, the military said.

The air strikes were carried out Sunday in the Shawal district of North Waziristan tribal district, where the army began a major offensive in June last year against Taliban and Al Qaeda bases.

“Fifteen terrorists were killed and 7 of their hideouts destroyed in Shawal today (Sunday) through aerial strikes,” said a brief statement issued Sunday night.

The death toll could not be independently verified as the area is remote and off-limits to journalists.

Army officer killed In a second incident in North Waziristan, an army officer was killed when a checkpost came under militant attack on late Sunday, security officials said.

Five militants were also killed during the exchange of fire, which took place in the Dandy Kach village in North Waziristan.

PRAISE

“One major embraced martyrdom during the clash. At least five militants were also killed and the attack was repulsed successfully,” a security official in Peshawar told AFP. Militants also fired rockets on the checkpost, the official said and added that militants came from across the border in Afghanistan.

A second security official in Peshawar, confirmed the attack and casualties.

Pakistan has been battling a homegrown extremist insurgency since 2004, following the USled invasion of neighbouring Afghanistan in 2001 and the subsequent spillover of militants across the border.

Officials say more than 3,500 militants have been killed since the launch of the latest offensive last year.

Pakistan has intensified air strikes and ground attacks, as well as raids on militant hideouts, since December 2014, when a Taliban attack on a school killed more than 150 people — mostly schoolchildren. — AFP

Taliban rebel ‘no-go zones’ in Karachi destroyed by police The extremists had

Raheel Sharif

dug deep into areas

Raheel’s popularity at all-time high: Imran Khan

populated by ethnic

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreeke-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said on Monday that Army chief General Raheel Sharif’s popularity is reaching new heights in the country as the public at large becomes more and more wary of corrupt politicians.

“When Pakistan People’s Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement were targeted, both parties began clamouring for help. I urge the Rangers and agencies to also go to Punjab to investigate the mega scams taking place there,” said the PTI chief, while speaking at a press conference in Bani Gala, Islamabad.

Imran also publicly terminated the party membership of former Minister for Mines and Minerals Ziaullah Afridi. He said three other members of the party were currently being investigated, namely Senator Azam Swati, Provincial Assembly member Yasin Khalil, and Arif Yousaf.

“If charges against them are proven true, they will be terminated form the party,” Imran said.

Imran also demanded a thirdparty audit of the Nandipur power plant, LNG and Metro Bus Project in Punjab.

“We want third-party audit on the international level, unlike the investigation of Model Town massacre,” Imran said.

Lauding the local bodies elections held under the PTI government in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Imran said the elections were organised and free of rigging.— Express Tribune

with extortion and

Pashtuns, creating virtual ‘no-go zones’ and terrorising the local population kidnappings for ransom to provide funding for their recruits

KARACHI: With a machine-gun in the back seat, his foot on the accelerator and wearing “Top Gun” style sunglasses, Azfar Mahesar pushes deeper into the heart of one of Karachi’s “Talibanised” areas.

“This used to be a war zone, but we have liberated it,” says the slightly chubby policeman with pride as his vehicle races through the Pakistani city of 20 million, where Afghan intelligence says former Taliban leader Mullah Omar made his home in 2013.

Over the past few years, one word has been on everyone’s lips here: “Talibanisation”.

Economic hub If the remote mountains that straddle the Pakistan and Afghanistan border have been the militant group’s playground, Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub on the Arabian Sea, has been the insurgents’ hideout and cash-cow.

The Taliban dug deep into areas populated by ethnic Pashtuns, creating virtual “no-go zones” and terrorising the local population with extortion and kidnappings

SUCCESS: Pakistani officials walk past a destroyed hideout of Taliban militants in the Manghopir area of Karachi on Monday. — AFP

for ransom to provide funding for their recruits.

But, say Pakistani officials, that has all changed now.

“Talibanisation in Karachi has died down,” says Mahesar, a former soldier turned senior police officer in the most dangerous, western part of the city.

“I can say very confidently 70 to 80 per cent (are purged). There are a few remnants in Karachi but they are not as capable of coming back with the efficiency that they had a year or so ago,” he adds.

Today, policemen wearing flak jackets are advancing deep into the bowels of one of the remaining “no-go zones”, through dugup streets and up rocky hills that mark the city’s western edge.

“This was a local Taliban HQ,” one says as he stands before a pulverised hovel.

The Pakistani Taliban has been this country’s public enemy number one since its formation in 2007.

Last December, the group carried out its deadliest attack ever, on a school in northwestern Peshawar, killing more than 150 people, mainly children.

The Taliban called it revenge for a military operation being carried out in North Waziristan, the epicentre of their jihadist movement and a sanctuary for Al-Qaeda fighters along the Afghan border.

In response, the government gave the police and paramilitaries permission to lay siege to Taliban-

ised areas, killing hundreds of suspected insurgents, without worrying much about due process.

“Peshawar opened the world’s eyes. We had to act, even if it meant killing a thousand civilians,” says one policeman on the mission.

All this occurred as the military made gains in North Waziristan, from where the Taliban of Karachi received orders.

“The disconnection between Karachi and Miranshah (capital of North Waziristan) has helped law enforcers to keep the Pashtun parts of the city safe and clear of the militancy,” said Ziaur Rehman, an expert on security in Karachi.

Taliban fighters instead sought

refuge in neighbouring Afghanistan, and Pakistan is now facing its lowest levels of terrorist violence in almost a decade.

A thing of the past In the Manghophir district of Karachi, residents now say business is picking up. Extortion and racketeering by the Taliban — or criminals posing as them — is now almost a thing of the past.

“God be thanked that the Taliban have gone. People were scared, they wouldn’t go out to the markets,” says elderly Fatima, dressed in a large and multicoloured shawl, in front of the shrine of the Sufi Saint Pir Haji Mangho — which serves as a barometer of extremist presence. — AFP

R E S T O R I N G K A R A K O R A M H I G H WAY

Sharif inaugurates tunnels over Gilgit Baltistan Attabad Lake GILGIT: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif inaugurated on Monday tunnels over Attabad Lake in Gilgit Baltistan constructed to restore the Karakoram Highway which was damaged in 2010 due to land sliding.

The five tunnels are part of a 24-kilometer long portion of the reconstructed Karakorum Highway. Two big bridges and 78 small bridges have also been constructed.

The premier was briefed about the Attabad Tunnel project by officials of the National Highway Authority.

The project was completed in a span of three years and two months.

Nawaz announced the federal government has allocated Rs27 billion for Karakorum development project.

“This sum is at least three times larger than the annual develop-

ment budget of Rs8 billion for G-B and reflects our love for the people of this area.”

Speaking to the members of G-B Assembly during his visit, the premier said, “Mega development projects are necessary in G-B.” Welcoming the increase in tourism in the area this year, PM Nawaz said, “Around 700,000 to 800,000 tourists visited G-B this year.”

“This is the first time such a

huge number of tourists from all over the country visited this area in a year,” he added.

International tourism Further, the prime minister said the increase in tourism will help restore the confidence of international tourists which will subsequently improve G-B’s economy.

Nawaz also ordered officials to ensure transparency in development projects. “We will suc-

cessfully carry out the projects of hospitals, universities and other developmental projects.”

The premier also appreciated the assistance of the Chinese government in projects related to the development of the area as well as in the projects being carried out in Gwadar.

Earlier, GB chief minister received the prime minister upon his arrival and briefed him about other on-going projects in the area.

The restoration of Karakoram Highway is linked with the historic China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project which will usher a new era of development in the country’s economy.

In July, Nawaz announced a relief package of Rs150 million for uplift efforts and Rs500 million for the reconstruction of roads in Ghanche district during his visit to flood-affected areas of the region. — Express Tribune

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Nepalese lawmakers reject calls to make it a Hindu nation

PROTEST MARCH: Hindu activists march forward while trying to break through a restricted area near the parliament during a protest rally demanding Nepal to be declared as a Hindu state in the new constitution, in Kathmandu, Nepal on Monday. -Reuters

HUMAN RIGHTS

UN’s Sri Lanka war crimes probe findings to be released tomorrow

KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Constituent Assembly on Monday rejected calls to remove the key term secularism from the new Constitution and revert the Himalayan nation to a Hindu state, triggering protests by Hindu activists.

As the Constituent Assembly resumed voting on individual articles of the Constitution draft, more than two-thirds of the lawmakers rejected the amendment proposal to make Nepal a Hindu state and reaffirmed that it will remain a secular nation.

The proposal was made by Rastirya Prajatantra Party Nepal or National Democratic Party Nepal, a pro-Hindu group, which demanded that secularism be removed from the Constitution in the Article 4 and Hindu state be mentioned instead.

After Assembly Chairman Subas Chandra Nembang announced that the proposal has been reject-

ed, Rastirya Prajatantra Party’s Kamal Thapa demanded split voting, the Himalayan Times reported. Thapa’s proposal for a vote received the support of only 21 lawmakers in the 601-seat Constituent Assembly.

As the Constituent Assembly Rules requires 61 persons to begin the split voting, the voting was not done. The erstwhile Hindu state, Nepal was declared a secular state in 2007 after the success of the People’s Movement of 2006.

Public opinion During a public opinion collection held in July, majority of the people preferred the word ‘Hindu’ or ‘religious freedom’ instead of using the term ‘secularism’.

Protesting the rejection of the proposal, a group of Hindu activists carrying yellow and saffron flags clashed with security personnel at New Baneshwar area

in the capital. The clash erupted after police used force to disperse the agitating activists who tried to enter the prohibitory area near the Constituent Assembly building.

They wanted to march towards the Assembly, demanding that Nepal be acknowledged as Hindu state in the new constitution. The protesters attacked passing vehicles, including one of the United Nations. Nepal on Sunday entered the final phase of promulgating its new Constitution with the three major parties going ahead with clause-wise voting on the final draft of the statute despite a boycott by Madhesi parties and violent protests that have claimed nearly 40 lives.

The Madhesi parties are protesting against the seven province model of the federal structure as proposed by the major political parties. Southern Nepal has witnessed turmoil since lawmakers from ma-

jor political parties struck a breakthrough deal on August 15 to divide the country into seven provinces.

Attack condemned Meanwhile, a Reuters reports said that Red Cross organisations condemned on Monday an attack in Nepal by anti-government protesters who stopped an ambulances and killed an injured policeman during unrest over a proposed new constitution. Protests have erupted in the southern plains of the Himalayan country since a draft of a constitution to set up a federal system was presented last month, with members of a minority group rejecting the plan to divide their region. The ambulance was carrying a policeman injured in clashes and was ambushed on Friday.

The attackers dragged the officer out of the vehicle and killed him, police said. The protesters then torched the vehicle. -PTI/Reuters

Taliban storm Afghan jail, release prisoners The interior ministry said that 355 of the

GENEVA: The findings of a probe into Sri Lanka’s alleged war crimes towards the end of the country’s civil war with the LTTE are of the “most serious nature”, the UN rights chief said here on Monday even as Colombo declared it would set up a war reparations office and a truth commission.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Raad Al Hussein said the report on the UNHRC’s investigation would be released on September 16 along with his recommendations, while speaking at the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) which got underway here.

“Six years ago we were confronted with serious violations and loss of civilian life in the last month of Sri Lanka’s long civil war,” he said.

Zeid said the UNHRC was deeply engaged in the need for accountability as a necessary step towards reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

‘Most serious nature’ “On Wednesday, I will release the report of the comprehensive investigation as mandated

by UNHRC resolution of March 2014. Its findings are of the most serious nature,” the UNHRC chief said. Zeid said he welcomed the vision and the commitment shown

by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to address rights concerns.

“But this council owes it to Sri Lankans and for its own credibility to ensure an accountability process that produces results and decisively moves beyond the failures of the past to bring in institutional needs to guarantee no recurrence,” Zeid said.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera addressing the UNHRC said his country would set up a war reparations office and a truth commission. “The government of Sri

Lanka recognises fully that the process of reconciliation involves addressing the broad areas of truth seeking, justice, reparations and non-recurrence,” Samaraweera said here.

Truth justice panel He said the country aimed to create a “Commission for Truth, Justice, Reconciliation and Nonrecurrence” with help from authorities in South Africa and other countries that have set up their own truth commissions.

The government also wanted to set up an office to “facilitate the implementation of recommendations relating to reparations” made by the proposed truth commission and other entities, he said.

“The best guarantee for nonrecurrence is of course a political settlement that addresses the grievances of the Tamil people,” Samaraweera told the council.

The report had initially been scheduled to be published in March, but UN rights chief Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein had recommended it be delayed for six months to give the country’s new government a chance to cooperate with investigators.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena came to power in January promising reconciliation and accountability for alleged war crimes committed by troops under the command of then-president Mahinda Rajapakse.

Rajapakse era During his decade in power, Rajapakse resisted Western pressure to investigate allegations that up to 40,000 ethnic Tamil civilians were killed by his troops in the final months of the war in 2009.

Rajapakse did flag setting up a South African-style truth commission in the months before his defeat in January. -PTI/AFP

436 prisoners had escaped. Of those who got away, 148 were a ‘threat to national security and 207 were criminals’, it said in a statement

GHAZNI, AFGHANISTAN: Taliban insurgents stormed a prison in Afghanistan on Monday, killing police and releasing more than 350 inmates, including nearly 150 deemed a threat to national security, and then attacked troops rushing to help, officials said.

The latest Taliban prison raid, on the outskirts of the central city of Ghazni, comes after setbacks for the government in different parts of the country and deadly attacks in Kabul which have dashed hopes for peace talks.

A Reuters reporter outside the mud fort prison in Ghazni, 120 km (75 miles) southwest of the capital, Kabul, saw the bodies of two men who appeared to be suicide bombers and a blown-up car that had apparently been used to destroy the main entrance. Clusters of bullet casings were scattered across the road.

Four policemen killed The interior ministry said that 355 of the 436 prisoners had escaped. Of those who got away, 148 were a “threat to national security and 207 were criminals”, the ministry said in a statement.

Four Taliban and four members of the security forces were killed in the attack, the ministry said.

TALIBAN PRISON RAID: An Afghan policeman, right, walks outside a prison building after an attack in Ghazni province, Afghanistan, on Monday. Taliban insurgents stormed a mud fort being used as a prison in Afghanistan on Monday, killing police and releasing hundreds of inmates, and then attacked troops rushing to help, officials said. -Reuters

Seven police were injured.

Mohammed Ali Ahmadi, deputy city governor, said the prison’s security was well below recommended standards because it was so close to Ghazni - only seven km (4.3 miles) from the city centre and it was believed that reinforcements would get there quickly in the event of trouble.

On Sunday, officials concerned about a breakout had transferred 18 “dangerous” Taliban to a jail operated by the Afghan intelligence agency, he said. Seventeen were left behind.

Ahmadi said he believed they helped coordinate the attack.

“Roads to the prison were covered with land mines in advance to avoid reinforcement,” Ahmadi told reporters.

Blown up “An army vehicle coming for reinforcements was blown up by a roadside bomb while trying to reach the prison.”

One security official said the attackers, armed with rocketpropelled grenades and automatic rifles, were wearing security force uniforms.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said gunmen and three suicide bombers attacked the

prison at 2 a.m. (2200 GMT Sunday). Three bombers were killed, he said. “Important military Mujahideen officials have been freed,” he said.

The Taliban are fighting to overthrow the foreign-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani, expel foreign forces.

The insurgents have attacked jails to free hundreds of prisoners including their comrades on several occasions, in both Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan.

Security at Afghan prisons is often poor, with untrained, poorly equipped police guarding crumbling facilities. -Reuters

POLITICS

Australia gets new premier as Abbott loses out to Turnbull

STONY FACED: Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, centre,walks though Parliament House in Canberra after he was dramatically ousted in a snap party vote forced by challenger Malcolm Turnbull on Monday. -AFP

CANBERRA: Australia will get its fifth prime minister in eight years after the ruling Liberal Party on Monday voted out Tony Abbott in favour of longtime rival Malcolm Turnbull, following months of infighting and crumbling voter support.

Turnbull, a multi-millionaire former tech entrepreneur, won a secret party vote by 54 to 44, Liberal Party chief whip Scott Buchholz told reporters after the meeting in Canberra. Foreign Minister Julie Bishop was elected deputy leader of the party which, with junior coalition partner the National Party, won a landslide election in 2013.

“Ultimately, the prime minister has not been capable of providing the economic leadership our nation needs,” Turnbull told reporters at parliament house ahead of the vote. “We need a different style of leadership.”

Abbott pledged to fight the challenge but was ultimately unsuccessful in overcoming the “destabilisation” that he said had been taking place within the party over months. He walked stony faced out of the party room following the vote and did not speak to reporters. Abbott ousted Turnbull as leader of the Liberal Party in 2009 although Turnbull has consistently been seen as a preferred prime minister.

However, Turnbull’s support for a carbon trading scheme and an Australian republic have made him unpopular with his party’s right wing. The challenge came as Australia’s $1.5 trillion economy struggles to cope with the end of a oncein-a-century mining boom and just days before a by-election in Western Australia state widely seen as a test of Abbott’s leadership.

Abbott emerged badly weakened from a leadership challenge in February, which came about after

weeks of infighting, and pledged a new spirit of conciliation. He and his government have since consistently lagged the centre-left opposition Labor Party in opinion polls, helping to fuel speculation over how long his party would give him to turn things around.

‘Gossip games’ Abbott had earlier dismissed reports about a challenge as “gossip”, saying he refused to play “Canberra games”. Peter Chen, a political scientist from the University of Sydney, said Turnbull faced the same problem as Kevin Rudd, a former Labor prime minister toppled by his own party.

“He is popular with the public, but not necessarily within his own party, Chen said. Abbott has continued to defy popular opinion inside and outside his party, despite pledging to be more consultative and announcing an emissions re-

duction target criticised as inadequate by environmental groups.

A Fairfax-Ipsos poll published on Monday showed that voters in the seat of Canning in Western Australia could deliver a swing of up to 10 percent against the government in Saturday’s by-election.

That would not be enough for Labor to win the seat but it would be seen as a disastrous outcome for Abbott’s leadership just a year out from a scheduled general election.

‘Needs change’ The change of leaders is the latest sign of political instability in Australia, which has in recent years been convulsed by backroom machinations and party coups that have shaken public and business confidence in government. Rudd, elected with a strong mandate in 2007, was deposed by his deputy, Julia Gillard, in 2010 amid the same sort of poll numbers. -Reuters

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MIGRANT CRISIS

DEAD END: Migrants pass under highway security fence as they try to find a new way to enter Hungary after Hungarian police sealed the border with Serbia near the village of Horgos, Serbia, on Monday, near

the Hungarian migrant collection point in Roszke. — Reuters

Hungary begins migrant crackdown UN rights chief calls for principled migration rules

Dozens of helmeted police officers, some on horses, took up position across the track that traverses the border and has been used for months by migrants, many of them Syrian refugees, to enter the EU

SERBIAN-HUNGARIAN BORDER: Hungary has closed off a railway track used by tens of thousands of migrants to enter the European Union on foot, launching a crackdown promised by the right-wing government to tackle Europe’s worst refugee crisis in two decades.

Dozens of helmeted police officers, some on horses, took up position across the track that traverses the border and has been used for months by migrants, many of them Syrian refugees, to enter the EU from Serbia. A helicopter circled overhead.

Migrants were directed to an official pedestrian border crossing around a kilometre away, where hundreds began queuing; police let small groups through a metal gate in a fence that Hungary has almost finished building along the length of its southern frontier, the EU’s external border. They boarded buses the other side.

ESCALATION: Hungarian policemen speak to migrants as they seal the border with Serbia near the migrant collection point in Roszke, Hungary, on Monday. — Reuters

A major flashpoint in Europe’s worst refugee crisis since the Yugoslav wars of the 1990s, Hungary has vowed to stamp control on the flow through the Balkan peninsula to the richer countries of northern and western Europe.

Police have recorded over 190,000 entering Hungary this year, many of them fleeing conflict in the Middle East and Africa, including a record for one day of 7,437 by 4 pm (1400 GMT) on Monday.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban, one of Europe’s fiercest critics of mass immigration, said many would face deportation under the new rules, after Hungary in July declared its impoverished neigh-

bour Serbia a ‘safe country’ for refugees.

“In such a case, if someone is a refugee, we will ask them whether they have submitted an asylum request in Serbia,” Orban was quoted as telling private broadcaster TV2.

“If they had not done so, given that Serbia is a safe country, they will be rejected.”

The influx into Europe, by boat from North Africa across the Mediterranean or across Turkey and up the Balkan peninsula, has triggered discord and recrimination in the 28-nation EU, feeding antiimmigration sentiment.

On Monday, two decades of frontier-free travel across Europe unravelled as Austria and Slovakia

followed Germany in re-establishing border controls to cope with the influx. Austria said it would dispatch armed forces to guard its eastern frontier with Hungary.

On Tuesday, new laws enter into force giving Hungarian authorities the power to arrest and jail anyone caught trying to cross Hungary’s southern border from Serbia illegally, and to hold or expel asylum seekers.

Authorities will receive and process asylum requests at the border with Serbia, which is outside the EU, and send many of those who apply to camps elsewhere in the country. Those who refuse to cooperate will be held at the border and could be deported.

GENEVA: The United Nations rights chief on Monday called for Europe and countries across the globe to establish “effective and principled migration governance” to address a multitude of migrant and refugee crises rocking the world.

“I implore decision-makers in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, as well as Europe, to take swift action to establish effective and principled migration governance,” Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said, opening the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

His comments came as Europe scrambles to respond to the biggest movement of people since World War II. Zeid hailed the demonstrations of support for the migrants by regular people in many European countries, especially since international public opinion was jolted by the publication of a photograph of a a Syrian toddler, Aylan, lying face down on a Turkish beach after he, his brother and mother drowned

Those who try to smuggle themselves over the border, avoiding police, face arrest and possibly jail. Many migrants try to avoid being registered or seeking asylum in Hungary, fearing being stuck

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein

trying to get to Greece.

He said he too had “been moved to profound sorrow by the plight of the little boy on the beach, who represents in his life and death the injustices suffered by so many others.”

Utterly shameful He meanwhile slammed as “utterly shameful” the international community’s lack of action to halt Syria’s brutal civil war, which has killed some 240,000 people since the violence erupted in March 2011. — AFP

in the country or sent back there if caught elsewhere in Europe.

Drafting hundreds more police to the border, Orban told them to be humane but “uncompromising” in implementing the new law. — Reuters

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T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

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Mexicans among 12 killed in Egypt blunder shelling The group of 22 had parked their four 4x4 vehicles off-road on Sunday for a barbecue near the Bahariya oasis, a tourist site in the western desert

CAIRO: Egyptian security forces killed 12 people and wounded 10 “by accident” when they mistook a convoy of mostly Mexican tourists for a group of militants they were hunting in the desert, the interior ministry said on Monday.

At least two Mexicans were killed, Mexico’s foreign ministry said, though Egyptian security and judicial sources later said that eight Mexicans and four Egyptians were killed, and eight Mexicans and two Egyptians were wounded.

The group of 22 had parked their four 4x4 vehicles off-road on Sunday for a barbecue near the Bahariya oasis, a tourist site in the western desert, when army aircraft suddenly began shelling them from above, security sources said.

As members of the tourist convoy tried to flee, additional security forces on the ground fired on them. “Mexico condemns these deeds against our citizens and has demanded an exhaustive investigation of what has occurred,”

President Enrique Pena Nieto said on his Twitter account.

Mexican Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu told reporters her government had sent a diplomatic note to Egypt, expressing indignation and demanding a full inquiry. Six Mexicans who survived the incident told Mexico’s ambassador to Egypt they had been bombed by helicopters and an aircraft while they stopped for a break in the desert.

“They each said separately they had been bombarded from the air by a plane and helicopters,” said Massieu.

No details were provided about the identities of the tourists, other than that they had arrived in Egypt on September 11.

Extremist insurgency Egypt is battling an insurgency that gained pace after the military ousted extremist President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood in mid-2013 after mass protests against his rule.

The insurgency, mounted by IS’s Egyptian affiliate, has killed hundreds of soldiers and police and has started to attack Western targets. A joint force from the Egyptian police and military had been chasing militants in the country’s vast western desert when it came across the tourist convoy, which it mistook for the militants it was pursuing, the

Interior Ministry said in a statement. Egypt’s army spokesperson declined to comment and said only to refer to the interior ministry statement. IS released a statement carried by its supporters on Twitter saying it had repelled an attack by the Egyptian military in the western desert.

Security officials say militants operating from Libya to the west of Egypt have been trying to forge ties with extremists in the Sinai on the east side of the country.

The vehicles used by the tourist convoy closely resembled those of the militants the joint force had been pursuing, security sources said.

‘Restricted area’ Egyptian tourism federation chairman Elhamy Elzayat told Reuters: “The area is a restricted area, and the company made a mistake by taking the tourists to that area without a permit.

“They must obtain a permit before going there.” Officials at the company that organised the tour were not immediately available for comment.

Despite the apparent danger of the area, there are no warning signs along the desert path, and the attack occurred despite an official police representative accompanying the tourist convoy, said tour guide syndicate leader Hassan Al Nahla. -Reuters

B

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Muscat 5,794.69 - 1.02 - 0.02%

Dubai 3,534.16 - 32.64 - 0.92%

Abu Dhabi 4,477.29 - 74.93 - 1.65%

Kuwait 5,769.79 + 11.46 + 0.20%

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7,549.86 - 118.36 - 1.54%

Bahrain 1,290.23 - 0.26 - 0.02%

Qatar 11,657.27 - 195.74 - 1.65%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.26 Pound ........................................... 1.67 Indian Rs ............................. 172.32 Pak Rs ...................................266.88 Bangla Taka.......................199.52

Indian Rs ....................................172.10 Pakistan Rs .............................270.20 Sri Lanka Rs ...........................359.70 Bangla Taka.............................201.70 Phil Peso .................................... 121.25

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......14.25

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$45.98 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$45.98 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........ $47.00 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$46.38 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ......... $47.77 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$44.62

* Rates as of Sept. 14 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of Sept. 14 Source: Bank Muscat

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ....... 13.75 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............134.25 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ..............127.75 * Rates as of Sept. 14 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Services & Trade Co. targets OMR135m turnover this year Group is also planning to form a

We are planning to announce a joint venture partnership with an Italian company on 28th of this month at an exhibition, which is being held in Dubai

joint venture with an Italian firm. The company’s order book position has touched $600 million across the globe, which includes $350 million in Oman

Waqas Al Adawi Waqas Al Adawi, vice-chairman, Services & Trade Co.

Vice-Chairman, Services & Trade

— Picture by O.K. Mohammed Ali/Times of Oman

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Services & Trade Co., the Sultanate’s multinational contracting firm specialised in turnkey interior fit-out and civil construction works, is aiming at

OMR135 million turnover this year, besides forming a joint venture in Italy.

The group’s order book position has touched $600 million across the globe, which includes $350 million in Oman, the company’s vice chairman Waqas Al Adawi,

told Times of Oman in an exclusive interview. The company, which was established in 1976, expects the order book position to grow by 20-25 per cent next year.

“We have been very fortunate because of our expansion, which started about three years ago. We

EPC CONTRACT

Ten firms in race for Duqm seawater intake project A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: As many as ten major contracting firms are pre-qualified for submitting bids for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for building facilities for supplying seawater for cooling industrial plants in Duqm area.

The multi-million rial project is being developed by Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority (Sezad).

The pre-qualified companies for submitting bids are Hani Archirondon, Larsen and ToubroSamsung-L&T Oman consortium, China Harbour Engineering Company, Hyundai-Galfar consortium, CCC Oman, STFA Insaat As, TechnicasReunidas-Six Construct consortium, CMR Marine Trading AS Murray, Posco Engineering and Vinci Construction-Sarooj joint venture.

The facility will provide seawater to all industrial projects within the industrial zone, including

the proposed Duqm Refinery, which is coming up adjacent to the Duqm port. The contractors will have to carry out detailed design, which will be based on a front-end engineering design (FEED) provided by the owner.

The construction of the seawater intake system will start in the fourth quarter of 2015, with the handing over scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2017, according to a tender floated by Sezad. The project will include marine intake structure, seawater pumping station, seawater supply, return channels and beach well system.

Like Sohar, a seawater system for cooling industrial plants is of utmost importance in Duqm area since several multi-million rial industries are in different stages of planning and implementation.

As far as the seawater pumping station is concerned, while the civil construction will be for 120,000 cubic metres per hour with a provision to expand in future to 360,000 cubic metres per hour, the mechanical and electri-

cal work will be for 22,000 cubic metres per hour. Also, the intake channel has a capacity of 360,000 cubic metres per hour.

Port of Duqm last year launched a new subsidiary to help support the development of industrial clusters for investment within the adjoining special economic zone. Port of Duqm Company has allocated 2,000 hectares of land for petrochemical and medium and heavy industries to develop and manage as part of its concession agreement with the Oman government. PDC’s strategy is to develop two zones each of 500 hectares within the special economic zone reserved exclusively for medium industries, the other is earmarked for heavy industries, while the remaining 1,000 hectares will serve the downstream petrochemical industries.

Duqm is a maritime transit hub and a logistics gateway to Oman and the region, an export platform, a tourism destination and an incubator of renewable energy and clean technology industries.

ECONOMY

Oman’s inflation declines by 0.12% in second quarter Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s inflation declined by 0.12 per cent in the second quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter last year, mainly driven by a fall in prices of the food and non-alcoholic beverages set at 0.92 per cent, as also a 1.53 per cent drop in the clothing and footwear segment, according to latest data released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The year-on-year cooling off in the price of the food and nonalcoholic beverage set, which carries a weightage of almost 24 per

cent in the Omani consumer price index (CPI), is mainly attributed to the food subset which posted a fall of 1.01 per cent in the second quarter of this year against yearago figures. However, the nonalcoholic beverages subset in fact registered a price rise of 0.14 per cent in the quarter triggered by a 0.31 per cent upshot in price of mineral water, soft drinks and fruit juices subset.

Telecommunication The communication segment saw a 0.17 per cent drop, while the price of transport set came down by 0.03 per cent. Miscellaneous

goods and services recorded a fall of 0.11 per cent in the second quarter. Among the sets that posted an increase in prices in the second quarter, education took the top slot at 4.49 per cent, closely followed by alcoholic beverages, tobacco and narcotics at 4.13 per cent. Health also logged a price rise of 2.24 per cent.

Significantly, restaurants and hotels saw a rise of 0.35 per cent, with a similar rate in the housing, electricity, gas and water set (0.33 per cent). Furnishings, household equipment and maintenance set rose by a marginal 0.11 per cent in the second quarter.

have been seeing a healthy revenue growth from last year (onwards),” he added.

Apart from its home market, the Services & Trade group’s major markets include the United Kingdom, India, Dubai and Qatar. It also has presence in Brunei, Bah-

rain, France, Italy and Sri Lanka.

“We are planning to announce a joint venture partnership with an Italian company in an exhibition in Dubai on 28th of this month.

This is for interior fit-outs (business) for European market,” Al Adawi said, adding; “We have a joint venture partnership in Sri Lanka.”

Impact of oil prices Talking about the impact of recent slump in oil prices on local contracting firms, he said since Oman is highly depending on oil revenue, it is natural that there will be an effect on the contracting firms.

“It will be in terms of delayed project awards, reduction in scope of original award, which all will only increase competition,” he further added.

However, Al Adawi noted that the government would proceed with its large infrastructure projects. There are opportunities in every segment regardless of the period. “We may see a slowdown in certain segments. But the large infrastructure works will offer a massive opportunity. It depends on how we reorganise ourselves to capitalise on those opportunities.”

The recent fall in oil prices is forcing contracting firms to be-

come more efficient in internal cost controls.

The Services & Trade group’s total employee strength is 4,000 across the globe, which include 3,000 workers in Oman.

Services & Trade is eyeing major hospitality and real estate projects in the Sultanate, which include Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre, Omagine project and Saraya Bandar Jissah.

The W Hotel is another major hotel project that is under development. Services and Trade is implementing eight civil construction projects in Oman. Building Materials Trading. The company’s state-of-the-art fully integrated joinery production factory, spread over 25,000 square metres, is located in Wadi Kabir. It has the capacity and capability to undertake huge volumes of specialist joinery works, fit-outs, furniture manufacturing and case goods. The facility has a capacity to plan, execute and manage large turnkey projects.

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T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

MARKET ANNUAL ACCOUNT

Regulator warns three insurance brokers Times News Service MUSCAT: Abdullah bin Salim Al Salmi, executive president of the Capital Market Authority (CMA), has issued warnings to three insurance brokers.

The CMA chief has issued three disciplinary decisions against CE Heath & Partners, Ewan Majan and Oman New Insurance and Reinsurance Services for violating the provisions of Article 17 of the Insurance Brokers’ Regulation.

The regulation requires the broker to file the audited annual accounts and balance sheet within three months from the end of the financial year. The regulation was issued to upgrade and regulate the performance of insurance brokers.

The Capital Market Authority emphasised the importance of compliance with the laws and regulations governing the sector to ensure fairness and protection for all participants.

GCC MEETING

Qatar meet debates regional, global markets Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman, represented by the Capital Market Authority (CMA), participated in the 13th meeting of the presidents of GCC securities commissions which took place in Qatar on Monday.

The Sultanate’s delegation was chaired by Sheikh Abdullah Salim Al Salmi, executive president of CMA and comprised Ahmed Ali Al Makhaini, economic expert at the office of the executive president and Ahmed Rashid Al Sooti, specialist at the Department of International Cooperation.

The meeting discussed key issues and development in the regional and global markets and minutes of the working teams and UNITED WE STAND: The recommendation of ‘smart software’ was discussed as the best available system for unified surveillance softrecommendations. ware among the members. – Supplied picture Minutes of the working team on supervision and regulation offerings work team and results ated on the memo of the Secre- arrangement for the annual conof GCC stock markets were re- Council (GCC) stock markets. viewed, which included the draft On the electronic surveillance of the supervision and regulation tariat General on the proposed ference of GCC stock markets.

The strategy for GCC market instandard rules to collect informa- systems in the GCC markets, the work team, beside key develop- topics for discussion at the joint tion on suspicious transactions in recommendation of ‘smart soft- ments on the multilateral memo- meeting of the committee of cen- tegration which would enable GCC the markets of the member states ware’ was discussed as the best randum of understanding between tral banks and the ministerial nationals to trade and invest withand the follow-up of the standard available system for unified sur- the regulators of the GCC stock committee of the chairmen of the out any discrimination in treatment and opening the markets for securities commissions. rules to supervise and regulate veillance software among the markets came up for discussion.

The meeting also reviewed the new products were discussed.

The GCC officials also delibertrading in the Gulf Cooperation members. Results of initial public

Malaysia’s $4.6b boost to revive stock market

LOGISTICS PROGRAMME

Ministry employees to undergo logistics training in Netherlands

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said that the equity investment firm, ValueCap, will invest in undervalued

Times News Service MUSCAT: Representatives from various ministries in Oman will undergo training in logistics scheduled to be held in the Netherlands this month. They include candidates from Ministry from Commerce and Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry of the Environment, Ithraa and Oman rail, among others.

Dr Ahmed Al Futaisi, chairman of the Oman Logistics Centre, said that some 65 individuals — both from government and the private sectors have worked to develop a strategy. The course will start on September 28.

In this context, Dr Futaisi welcomed Barbara Joziasse, the Netherlands ambassador to Oman and representatives from the University of Breda Maarten Van Rijs and Marijke Bogers, who are visiting the Sultanate to meet the candidates who will travel to the Netherlands to do the logistics course.

Dr Futaisi thanked the ambassador for the support the Netherlands government has given to provide training in international

logistics at Breda. The offer of training had been made during the visit of Lilianne Ploumen, the Dutch minister of International Trade and Development Cooperation to help support Oman Logistics Centre in its drive to make Oman a global logistics hub.

Dr Futaisi pointed out that the Oman logistics strategy has set challenging ambitions to propel the Sultanate to the forefront of the global logistics industry, creating employment and the adoption of new technologies and processes.

Oman Logistics Centre, in close cooperation with all government ministries, has now been established with the aim of delivering those logistics ambitions. These will be achieved by substantially improving Oman’s competitive position in handling cargo and an investments in ports, aviation, road and rail.

Dr Futaisi said that success could only come from a close coordinated approach to developing Oman’s skills and services and that this required close interministry and customs cooperation at every level.

companies

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian government will inject 20 billion ringgit ($4.6 billion) into a state equity investment firm to shore up the stock market, Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Monday, in a bid to boost confidence in a country reeling from a political scandal.

Najib told a news conference on Monday that the equity investment firm, ValueCap, will invest in undervalued Malaysian companies. “As such, the government will reactivate ValueCap with funds of 20 billion ringgit,” he told reporters at the Prime Minister’s Office.

“ValueCap was established in 2002 as an entity to support undervalued stocks and the result was effective as it managed to stabilise the stock market,” he added.

He also announced that the factory sector would be exempted from import duties until the economy recovers from a slowdown, but did not specify which specific sectors would be affected.

SUPPORT: The prospect of government support for the share market helped lift Malaysia’s stock index slightly as it went into the midday break 0.56 per cent higher at 1,612.52 points. – Bloomberg News

The ringgit’s fall reflects a deterioration in Malaysia’s trade position because of falling prices for its liquefied natural gas and commodity exports. But capital outflows accelerated in July as Najib became enmeshed in a political scandal raging around indebted state fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

The prospect of government support for the share market helped lift Malaysia’s benchmark stock index slightly as it went into the midday break 0.56 per cent higher at 1,612.52 points. The ringgit was largely unmoved.

Currency depreciation The severity of the ringgit’s depreciation prompted Najib to form an economic task force, including some of the country’s top financiers, to find ways to restore confidence. “The ringgit’s decline is not expected to have adverse impact on government debt as 97 per cent of the debt is denominated in ringgit and mostly funded by domestic sources,” Najib said.

The Prime Minister’s failure to explain how 1MDB racked up $11 billion debt, or who deposited over $600 million in a bank account held in his name, or why

has led to mounting public unease over his leadership. The prime minister has denied wrongdoing.

He said that the rationalisation plan for 1MDB is on track.

He also reiterated that there were no plans to introduce capital controls, adding that the government was on track to achieve fiscal consolidation target for 2015. – Reuters

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T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

B3

MARKET RESTRUCTURING

China likely to integrate some state firms as growth sputters BEIJING: China unveiled details on Sunday of how it would restructure its state-owned enterprises, including partial privatisation, as data pointed to a cooling in the world’s second-largest economy.

The guidelines, jointly issued by the Communist Party’s Central Committee and the State Council, China’s cabinet, included plans to clean up and integrate some state firms, the official Xinhua news agency said. It did not elaborate.

Reform of underperforming state-owned enterprises is one of China’s most pressing needs. But if not handled well, the restructuring could lead to hundreds of thousands of people being laid off and social instability.

Mixed ownership Xinhua said the plans included introducing “mixed ownership” by bringing in private investment, and “decisive results” were expected by 2020. The government will not force “mixed ownership”, nor will it set a timetable, giving each firm the go-ahead only when conditions are mature, it said.

“This reform will be positive for improving the impetus of the economy and making growth more sustainable,” said Xu Hongcai, director of the economic research department at the China Centre for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), a Beijing-based think-think.

Partial privatisation, he added, would help establish “check-andbalance and incentive systems” at state firms. China’s government manages 111 companies centrally under SASAC. - Reuters

Lulu Group to spread wings in Indonesia by year-end Group will invest $500 million over the next five years to mark its retail push in Indonesia by opening its first hypermarket in Jakarta by December

Times News Services

EXPANSION MODE: Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia and the accompanying delegation being taken a tour of Lulu Hypermarket in Khalidiyah Mall, Abu Dhabi by Yusuff Ali MA, managing director of Lulu Group. – Supplied picture

ABU DHABI: Lulu Group will invest $500 million over next five years to mark its retail push in Indonesia by opening its first hypermarket in the capital city of Jakarta by the year-end.

With an initial investment of $300 million in the first phase, plans are afoot to open 15 hypermarkets by the end of 2017 and a central logistics and warehousing facility in Jakarta, said Yusuffali M. A., managing director of Lulu Group.

“These projects are likely to generate more than 5,000 job opportunities for Indonesians and train them all levels. The fact that we are going to Indonesia with our halal hypermarket concept, is giving us the encouragement to look for a wider market segment there,” added Yusuffali.

The announcement came dur-

ing the visit of President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, (popularly known as Jokowi) to Abu Dhabi.

He visited Lulu Hypermarket along with a high-level delegation at Khalidiyah Mall in Abu Dhabi.

President’s visit The Indonesian President is on a five-day state visits to three Middle East countries — Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Qatar — to cement Indonesia’s ties with these countries, particularly on investment, trade and protection of Indonesian migrant workers.

Darmin Nasution, coordinating minister of economy; Thomas Lembong, trade minister; Sofyan Djalil, minister of national development plans; Pratikno, state

INSURANCE

Takaful Oman launches new product for domestic helpers Times News Service MUSCAT: Takaful Oman Insurance, one of the fullfledged Islamic insurance providers in the Sultanate, has launched the domestic helpers’ Takaful Plan.

It is a unique product that ensures the wellbeing of household workers like housemaids, drivers and gardeners to name a few. The company has launched this innovative product to offer appropriate insurance cover to employees who work for the welfare of families in Oman.

The products offers insurance coverage in case of death, total

and permanent disability, permanent partial disability (accident or sickness), medical expenses (accident), repatriation on death, additional accidental death benefit, and critical illness (11 diseases) as per policy documents.

Low-income groups Speaking on the occasion, V. C. G. Subbiah, assistant general manager said, “Domestic Helpers Takaful Plan for us is a move in the right direction in terms of offering coverage to low-income employee groups across Oman.

The product gives affordable coverage to household workers who

are engaged in the daily upkeep of families and homes in Oman.

“Some of these workers have spent decades in the same household and it is therefore imperative to offer them the right insurance with ample coverage. It should also be affordable for the individual who employs the worker. Our product meets both these criteria and is also a nice gesture in terms of saying thanks for their loyal service,” he added.

Takaful Oman Insurance is an MSM-listed takaful insurance company, providing Sharia-compliant family takaful and general takaful in Oman.

BOND MARKET

Reclassification of Renaissance mandatory convertible bonds Times News Service MUSCAT: Renaissance has successfully completed the repurchase of second tranche of Mandatory Convertible Bonds (MCBs). Over 97 per cent of the MCB holders (net of treasury holding) have opted to participate in the second repurchase.

The company has already transferred coupon to Muscat Clearing and Depository (MCD) for those MCB holders who have participated in the second repurchase.

The MCB holders who did not participate in this repurchase scheme will be paid annual coupon on August 6, 2016, as set out in Section VII - terms and conditions of the

issue of the MCB prospectus.

Following the repurchase of second tranche, remaining Renaissance MCBs will be reclassified and listed on Muscat Securities Market for trading as follows: Conversion Renaissance Services bonds (A) are due for conversion in 2016 and 2017, as set out in Section VII Terms and Conditions of the MCB Prospectus. This category represent the holders of MCBs who did not opt to participate in the second repurchase and hence the MCBs under this category will be converted to shares in 2016 and 2017.

Renaissance Services Bonds

(B) are due for conversion in 2017 only. This category represents the holders of MCBs who have participated in the second repurchase and hence these MCBs (representing only the third tranche) will be converted to shares in 2017.

The reclassification of MCBs are for identification purpose and, should not be construed as newly issued MCBs. All other terms and conditions of the reclassified MCBs will be same as per the erstwhile MCBs, the company said.

MCB holders who have opted for second repurchase may contact MCD for their updated MCB holdings and Gulf Baader Capital Markets for the repurchase proceeds.

15 HYPERMARKETS

With an initial investment of $300m in the first phase, plans are on to open 15 hypermarkets by 2017-end and a central logistics and warehousing facility in Jakarta

secretariat minister; Franky Sibarani, head of the Investment Coordinating Board; and PramonoAnung, cabinet secretary are part of Indonesian President’s entourage.

Apart from the capital city of Jakarta, Lulu intends to open hypermarkets in Bandung, Solo, Se-

marang, Surabaya and Yogyakarta. “We also plan to set up contract farming to ensure continuous supply of high quality products and to support the Indonesian agriculture sector,” opined Yusuffali.

Agricultural products The Indonesian President was given a rousing welcome at the Hypermarket by Yusuff Ali M. A., SaifeeRupawala, chief executive officer, Salim M. A., director, Rajmohan Nair, director – Lulu Far East Operations and large number of Indonesian expatriates.

President Jokowi and the accompanying delegation were taken to a guided tour of hypermarket by Yusuff Ali who briefed him about specialties of the retail store.

The President later said his visit to Lulu Hypermarket was to see Indonesian products mainly agricultural products and asked Yusuff Ali to export more products from villages and towns in Indonesia. Jokowi even asked about the prices of the various Indonesian products imported to Abu Dhabi. The Lulu chain currently operates 117 stores across the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, and India.

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B4

T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,798.97 ...............5,794.07 ................... 5,794.69 ....................5,795.71.................. -1.02 .................. -0.02 Financial Index ....................................6,964.90 ...............6,951.70 ....................6,951.70 .................. 6,964.90................-13.20 .................. -0.19 Industrial Index ................................... 7,484.90 ............... 7,477.46 ....................7,477.46 ................... 7,488.42................-10.96 .................. -0.15 Services Index ...................................... 3,246.59 ...............3,236.16 ...................3,236.26 ...................3,243.35...................-7.09 .................. -0.22 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................914.05 ...................913.18 .......................913.69 .......................913.38.................... 0.31 ...................0.03 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 11,181,891................... 2,024,148 .....................568 ............... 14,606,788,941.................. 4 ......................11 .................... 14 .........................29

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

Muscat Securities Market. — TImes file picture

Index falls marginally

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

OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO.........................................................................31,300 ............22,906........................6 ............0.732 ........... 0.732 ...........0.728........... 0.732 .............0.724 ........... 0.008............. 1.105.................0.728 ..............0.728...................0.732..................476,491,176 ........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ................ 9,700 ............... 2,431........................3 ............0.251 ........... 0.251 ...........0.250............0.251 .............0.250 ............0.001 .............0.400 ................0.250..............0.248...................0.250 ................... 5,271,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES .................................35,000 .............12,530........................2 ........... 0.358 ........... 0.358 ...........0.358........... 0.358 .............0.358 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.358..............0.350...................0.358..................106,044,498 .......0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 687,922 .........349,239.....................22 ........... 0.508 ...........0.508 ...........0.506........... 0.508 .............0.508 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.506..............0.506...................0.508 ............... 1,164,245,879 ......0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ..........................38,100 ............ 62,835......................12 ............1.650 ........... 1.650 ...........1.640............1.650 ............. 1.650............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.640.............. 1.635...................1.640................1,237,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 450,000........... 75,800........................5 ............0.168 ........... 0.170 ...........0.168 ............0.168 ............. 0.168............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.168 ..............0.166...................0.172..................242,161,920........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER....................................................................603 ..................205........................2 ........... 0.340...........0.340 ...........0.340 .......... 0.340 .............0.340 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.340............. 0.340...................0.350...................75,143,400 .........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................10,000 ............ 25,500........................1 ........... 2.550 ...........2.550 ...........2.550........... 2.550 .............2.550 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.550............. 2.500...................2.600 .................243,415,847........1.000 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 141,300.............12,378......................17 ........... 0.087 ...........0.088 ...........0.086........... 0.088 .............0.088 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.088..............0.086...................0.088...................15,400,000.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 862,109 ......... 184,491......................13 ............0.214 ........... 0.214 ...........0.214........... 0.214 .............0.214 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.214..............0.205...................0.214..................144,425,910........0.100

The top gainer was Ooredoo, up by 1.10 per cent, while top loser was Al Sharqia Investments, down by 4.24 per cent

OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 1,237,600 ......263,592......................11 ............0.213 ........... 0.213 ...........0.210........... 0.213 .............0.213............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.213 ..............0.194...................0.213..................152,168,550 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .....................................................7,605 ...............3,838......................19 ........... 0.506 ...........0.506 ...........0.504........... 0.504 .............0.506 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.395 ...............0.504..............0.504...................0.506 ..................26,460,000.........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 211,073 .............84,136.....................22 ........... 0.392 ...........0.400 ...........0.392........... 0.398 .............0.402 ...........-0.004 ........... -0.995 ...............0.398..............0.392...................0.398...................24,359,301 .........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE............... 92,000 .............15,433..................... 10 ............0.168 ........... 0.170 ...........0.166 ............0.168 ............. 0.170............-0.002 ............-1.176 ................0.167 ..............0.166...................0.170...................33,600,000.........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 1,132,608 ......198,542..................... 76 ............0.178 ........... 0.178 ...........0.172 ............0.175 ............. 0.178............-0.003 ............-1.685................0.173 .............. 0.172...................0.173 ...................26,263,125 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 162,200 ..............9,405.....................20 ........... 0.058 ...........0.058 ...........0.057........... 0.058 .............0.059 ...........-0.001 ............-1.695................0.057..............0.057...................0.058................... 12,014,780 .........0.100

MUSCAT: Oman’s share prices on Monday remained flat amid listless trading. MSM30 Index edged down to close at 5,794.69 points, down marginally by 0.02 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index closed at 913.69 points, up by 0.03 per cent.

Renaissance Services was the most active in terms of volume while Bank Muscat was the most active in terms of turnover. Monday’s top gainer was Ooredoo, up by 1.10 per cent while top loser was Al Sharqia Investments, down by 4.24 per cent.

As many as 568 trades were executed on Monday’s trading session generating turnover of OMR2 million with over 11.1 million shares changing hands.

Out of 29 traded securities, four advanced, 11 declined and 29 remained unchanged. Omani investors were net buyers for OMR306,000 followed by Foreign investors for OMR95,000 while GCC and Arab investors were net sellers for OMR401,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index ended the session at 6,951.70 points, down by 0.19 per cent. Al Sharqia Invest-

OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 226,668 ...........23,800......................16 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.105 ........... 0.105 .............0.107............-0.002 ........... -1.869................0.105 ..............0.104...................0.105................... 12,796,875 .........0.100

Out of 29 traded securities, four rose, 11 declined and 29 remained unchanged

OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................41,000 ...............3,987........................5 ........... 0.099 ...........0.099 ...........0.096........... 0.097 .............0.099 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.020 ...............0.097..............0.095...................0.097....................2,910,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 765,910............72,042..................... 79 ........... 0.095 ...........0.096 ...........0.093........... 0.094 .............0.096 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.083 ...............0.093..............0.092...................0.093...................27,258,180 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 337,520 ........... 35,087..................... 36 ............0.106 ........... 0.106 ...........0.102........... 0.104 .............0.107............-0.003 ........... -2.804 ...............0.103 ..............0.102...................0.103.....................6,119,695 ..........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 1,341,335 ......218,208..................... 72 ............0.170 ........... 0.170 ...........0.160............0.163 ............. 0.170............-0.007 ............-4.118................0.169 ..............0.162...................0.168................... 47,376,116 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 143,600 ............16,281......................21 ............0.115 ........... 0.115............0.112 ............0.113 ............. 0.118............-0.005 ........... -4.237 ...............0.112 .............. 0.112................... 0.113 ...................10,170,000 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 7,965,153....1,692,666...................470 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......22........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

ments, Gulf Investment Services, Al Batinah Development, Oman & Emirates Holding and Al Madina Investments declined 4.24 per cent, 2.80 per cent, 2.02 per cent, 1.87 per cent and 1.69 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index declined 0.15 per cent to close at 7,477.46 points. Gulf International Chemicals gained 0.40 per cent while Galfar Engineering and Al Maha Ceramics decreased 2.08 per cent and 0.40 per cent respectively.

Services Index closed at 3,236.26 points, down by 0.22 per cent Shares of Ooredoo and Phoenix Power advanced 1.10 per cent and 0.67 per cent, respectively. — United Securities

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

OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 1,071,644 ......160,242..................... 69 ............0.149 ........... 0.150 ...........0.149 ........... 0.150 .............0.149.............0.001 ............. 0.671 ................0.149 ..............0.149...................0.150..................219,390,219 ........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING .......................................... 500 ...................165........................1 ........... 0.330 ...........0.330 ...........0.330........... 0.340 .............0.340 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.330..............0.310...................0.330 ...................2,040,000..........1.000 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ......................5,000 ...................175........................ 1 ........... 0.035 ........... 0.035 ...........0.035........... 0.036 .............0.036 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.035..............0.034...................0.035....................3,060,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..........................................................9,574 ...................517........................3 ........... 0.054 ........... 0.055 ...........0.054........... 0.054 .............0.054 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.055..............0.053...................0.055....................6,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,112,021 ......... 68,945......................19 ........... 0.062 ...........0.062 ...........0.062........... 0.062 .............0.062 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.062..............0.061...................0.062 ..................93,000,000 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 2,198,739 ......230,045..................... 93 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 5........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

BONDS MARKET .................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ......................................... 957,463.............95,746........................3 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.099 ............0.001 ............. 1.010 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.106...................31,964,268 .........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 .....................60,536 ...............5,690........................2 ........... 0.094 ...........0.094 ...........0.094........... 0.094 .............0.094 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.094..............0.094...................0.096................... 30,471,192 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 1,017,999........101,437........................5 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

C O FA C E S T U D Y

Oman, Bahrain most hit by oil plunge Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman and Bahrain are the most affected, while Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Qatar, in the GCC are less impacted by the lower oil prices, an industry expert said.

The more resilient economies benefit from strong macroeconomic fundamentals, such as more diversification, solid financial buffers and greater inte-

gration with world trade, Seltem Iyigun, Mena region economist at Coface, a worldwide leader in credit insurance, said.

The developed manufacturing and service industries in these markets allow less dependence on oil revenues, she explained.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states currently hold 30 per cent of the world’s proven oil reserves with Saudi Arabia in the lead (15.7 per cent), Kuwait (six

per cent) and the UAE (5.8 per cent). Together the GCC states produced 28.6 million barrels per day in 2014, equivalent to 32.3 per cent of total global production.

GCC states are seen to grow by 3.4 per cent in 2015 and 3.7 per cent in 2016. While these rates are considered high compared to other emerging markets, they remain below the region’s average growth rate of 5.8 per cent between 2000 and 2011.

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B5

ROUND-UP

1947 restaurant opens with a unique concept

U N B E AT E N C A R G O D E L I V E RY

The new eatery pays homage to the year in which India won its independence after centuries of colonisation

MUSCAT: Encouraged by the success of Ananthapuri, Al Shorouq Group which owns and operates the restaurant in Ruwi, opened a brand new concept restaurant called 1947 in Ghubra. The opening ceremony took place recently under the patronage of Indra Mani Pandey, Ambassador of India.

Ananthapuri Restaurant is the go-to destination for delicious South Indian speciality foods in Muscat, particularly known for the traditional Kerala dishes served in a cosy ambience that echoes the rich culinary tradition of the southern Indian state, says a press release.

The new eatery pays homage to the year in which India won its independence after centuries of colonisation.

1947 offers traditional Indian cuisine with a special focus on South Indian delicacies in a unique and engaging ambience that is heaped with the history of India’s

freedom movement. The interior of the restaurant are adorned with figures and images of historic personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru Dr Rajendra Prasad, along with those who are relatively unknown to today’s generation. There are people from the colonist side who have also had important roles in the transition of power in India and at 1947 the owners try to create an informative ambience for its patrons.

Indian delicacies Biby Jacob, managing director of Al Shorouq Group says, “At 1947, patrons can enjoy sumptuous In-

dian delicacies with a generous dose of history on the side. Most people are aware of historic personalities such as Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhai Patel. But there are many other prominent figures who had a significant role in India’s freedom like Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, known as ‘Frontier Gandhi’ and Lord Mountbatten who oversaw the transfer of power to Indians. Our aim is to re-introduce the proud history of India’s struggle while they enjoy the variety of authentic South Indian and North Indian dishes.”

In conjunction with the open-

C O R P O R AT E S U P P O R T

ing, 1947 has also launched an initiative to promote awareness about the value of food since a huge amount is wasted as leftovers.

Jacob says, “Our customers enjoy the food that we serve, but we also see huge amounts of left-over food being futile every day, which is saddening and a matter of concern. In order to do our bit, we have launched this initiative under which, we will place messages on tables about food consumption to promote a responsible eating culture.”

The restaurant has the capacity to host 96 guests at a time and offers South Indian and North Indian, Chinese cuisines.

‘Ibri LNG’ completes trouble free 100th cargo laden voyage MUSCAT: Sailing cumulatively over a total distance of 1.2 million nautical miles i.e. about 2.2 million kilometres in sea transportation till date on the high seas across many oceans since July 2006, the Oman Shipping Company (OSC) owned LNG vessel ‘Ibri LNG’ recently completed its seamless, trouble free and smooth 100th cargo laden voyage.

This vessel having a cargo capacity of 145,000 cubic metres was built by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and has been

dedicatedly serving Mitsubishi Corporation as charterers, year over year, since its delivery from the shipyard and will continue doing so, says a press release.

This is one of the 43 vessels operated by OSC and one among the 27 vessels being technically managed in-house by Oman Ship Management Company (OSMC), which is a wholly owned ship management subsidiary of OSC. OSMC is an ISM accredited and ISO 9001 & 14001 certified company by American Bureau of Shipping (ABS).

F O C U S O N E D UC AT I O N

OIFC provides medical apparatus IS Muladha celebrates literacy day to Omani Association for Elderly MUSCAT: Oman Investment & Finance Company (OIFC) supported the Omani Association for Elderly Friends, who are dedicated to serve the elder segment of the local society across many governorates in Oman.

The support consisted of providing a number of medical apparatus and essential requirements for elders, such as medical mattresses and breathing support equipment.

These items have addressed the needs of citizens from six different wilyats of Governorate of Sharqiyah, says a press release.

OIFC strongly believes in importance of its role towards its social responsibility.

Said Safrar, CEO of OIFC, said: “At OIFC, in addition to our day-today work; serving our customers in the best possible way, we look into the opportunities to serve the local community as well.

"Today we have delightfully contributed to helping the elderly citizens through the Omani Association for Elderly Friends,

and we are happy to serve the community.”

Badria Al Saifi, team leader of the association at Sharqiyah Governorate (North), elaborated: “The role of the Omani Association for Elderly Friends involves fund raising activities for providing the essential requirements for the targeted segment (senior citizens), and to help and facilitate

them in their personal matters.

This is in addition to enhancing public awareness of their needs.

I am grateful to OIFC for its role and continuous support along with other companies and individuals.”

OIFC was represented by Masoud Al Abrawi, assistant manager – Sharqiyah and Wusta, at this CSR imitative.

MULADHA: Literacy is essential to reach the sustainable development goal to promote “inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning for all.”

To spread this message of the Unesco, on the occasion of the World Literacy Day, a programme was organised in the Kids’ World, under the auspices of various language departments.

S. I. Shareef, principal, V. S. Suresh, vice principal, Dr Lekha O.C. coordinator (co-curricular & extra-curricular), staff and the students attended the function, says a press release.

The event commenced with a prayer song by the school choir.

Speaking on the occasion, Shareef highlighted the relevance of literacy which is a human right and a force for dignity. He also underlined the message from Irina Bokova, director-general of Unesco, on the occasion of International Literacy Day. Students marked the day with a wide variety of programmes. Anamika Rajeev of Class VI made an English speech. Hindi elocution

by Reham Zubair of Class VIII

DANCE SHOW

informative skit was presented on the stage by students of Classes V and VI. The celebration really helped the children understand the anguish of the illiterate millions.

The programme came to an end with the vote of thanks proposed

by Fidha Abdul Jaleel.

8TH EDITION

ISC Telugu Wing presents ‘Muscat Madhurimalu’ MUSCAT: Telugu Kala Samithi (TKS), Telugu Wing of Indian Social Club, Muscat will be presenting a grand song and dance show on September 25 at Le Grand Hall, Al Falaj Hotel.

The mega programme titled ‘Muscat Madhurimalu’ will be an entertaining event with a splendid show by popular Telugu film and TV stars. Popular film lyricist Ananth Sreeram, the fame of Bahubali and Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu films, will be the chief guest, says a press release.

Speaking about the mega event, Anil Kumar, convener, stated that ‘Muscat Madhurimalu’ is expected to captivate the audience with popular movie singers Kausalya, Parnika, Krishna Chaitanya and Saketh and highly admired performers on TV – Mythili, Chaitra, Anil and Nirupam with latest and popular songs and dances. Shyamala, an enchanting TV anchor of various famous reality TV shows, will anchor the programme.

The committee placed on record their heartfelt gratitude to the benevolence and magnificence of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for his visionary leadership and his unstinted support to the Indian Diaspora in providing peaceful and harmonious living conditions

and a melodious group song by the students added to the charm of the programme. Besides, the school choir enthralled the audience with a song penned by Dr Lekha O. C., head of the Malayalam Department. To underline the significance of education and the role of children in society, an

in the Sultanate of Oman.

They also thanked the Indian Ambassador to Oman Indra Mani Pandey for accepting to attend the mega event as the guest of honour.

Telugu Kala Samithi (TKS) is serving the Telugu community by providing a platform for the second largest expatriate community in Oman with various cultural, social and sports activities.

The new executive committee for the years 2015-2016 comprises K. Anil Kumar, convener, K. Chinna Rao, co-convener, U. Surya Parvateesam, treasurer, Venu Gopal Hari, cultural secretary, K. Suresh, joint treasurer, M. Ramesh Babu, sports secretary, K. Sunil, Entertainment secretary, N. T. Swamy, Children’s Wing sec-

retary and G. Sridevi Prasanna, lady coordinator.

For additional support, committee added three more members Somasekhar, Kiran and Sitaram.

The committee will work under the supervision and guidance of Saji Abraham of ISC. Anil Kumar stated that the main aim of present committee is to bring unity with a positive energy amongst the members of Telugu community and increase the membership.

ISC Telugu Wing has also created a youth wing to enhance interaction and active participation of younger members in their social and cultural endeavours. The new committee is charged with enthusiasm and has drawn a road map of its annual calendar of events.

Thanking all their members for their continuous support and soulful participation in the events like Ugadi Vindu; yoga classes in association with Art of Living, Independence Day celebrations; chess and caroms tournament; youth leadership programme by Toast Masters, the convener requested continued support for a fulfilling year 2015-16.

For more information about the wing’s activities and membership one can visit www.tksmuscat.org.

This mega programme is supported by major sponsors, including Nagarjuna Construction Company, Bank Muscat, Muscat Finance, ROCA-Khimji, Al Wasit Machinery, Teejan Group, Avani Infra among others.

Box Appeal charity plan begins today MUSCAT: Park Inn and Radisson Blu Hotels in Oman announced its participation in the Box Appeal, an annual charity initiative organised by the Radisson Blu and Park Inn by Radisson hotels. Now in its eighth edition, the month-long campaign kicks off today across seven countries in the Middle East and South Africa.

The Radisson Blu and Park Inn hotels in Oman join forces to fill boxes with a predetermined list of daily essential items with the support of participating schools and companies. People interested in being a part of the charity can pick up a box from either of the two participating hotels, says a press release.

Boxes can be filled with personal hygiene essentials such as T-shirt, cap, disposable razor, shaving cream, deodorant, items such toothbrush, toothpaste, talcum powder, small hand towel, comb, soap antibacterial and shampoo. All filled boxes can then be dropped off at either of the two participating hotels and volunteers will then distribute these boxes to the underprivileged in Muscat.

“We have been involved with the Box Appeal since 2011. We are proud to be driving this initiative for the third year in a row in Oman. Joining forces with our sister hotel will only improve on the amount of boxes we deliver.

As always we count on the support of the local schools and community to join us in this project.

We can’t do this alone.

"A special thanks to our sponsors and supporters, many of whom have been with us from the first year and have seen the value in this campaign. Together we can achieve our target of 4,000 boxes. We can make a big difference to the lives of 4,000 migrant workers,” said Marius Wolmarans, general manager for Radisson Blu Muscat.

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ROUND-UP Hyundai introduces attractive Eid offer The promotional scheme offers an extremely attractive interest of 3.69% flat per annum, coupled with an extended six-year payment period while a 0% interest has been announced for loans up to one year

MUSCAT: As the fervour of Eid celebration sweeps over the nation, Hyundai has introduced its highly attractive Eid scheme titled ‘Hyundai Celebration Offer’.

The promotional scheme offers an extremely attractive interest of 3.69% flat per annum, coupled with an extended six-year payment period while a 0% interest has been announced for loans up to one year. The promotion also offers cash as gift of up to OMR1,000 which can be used as part of the down payment, along with benefits including preventive maintenance service of up to five years/100,000 kilometres (whichever is earlier, as per the signed contract), insurance, free AAA roadside assistance, as well as 300 litres of petrol. Promotion elements may vary for different models and exact details are available at all Hyundai showrooms, says a press release.

Bangkok tour For those who long to experience the magic of Bangkok, buying a Hyundai during this promotion might just make the dream come true. Sixty lucky winners will get a chance to win a free three-night and four-day vacation to Bangkok

along with flight tickets, as part of this promotion. The winners will be chosen by four raffle draws and customers buying earlier will have more probability of winning. As a result, Hyundai showrooms across the Sultanate have been witnessing increased walk-ins, ever since the promotion was announced.

Wide choice Hyundai’s range of products offers a wide choice to customers, starting from compact cars and sedans to robust SUVs and luxury sedans. With a diverse range of models to suit different lifestyles and needs of customers, Hyundai’s reputation for cutting-edge design, robust build-quality, and featurepacked offerings have made it a clear favourite among the discerning automobile enthusiasts. By the end of 2014, the award-winning Elantra sold more than 10 million units globally and the numbers are steadily increasing. Elantra is one of the only 10 cars in the history of the auto industry, to reach 10 million sales. In the luxury segment, the all-new Genesis has recently crossed the global sales figure of 100,000 units within 18 months of its launch.

Hyundai’s well recognised Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy has given a new dimension to the aesthetics and sophistication of quality and appearance. This has not only increased the customer preference towards Hyundai, but has also resulted in popular models such as Sonata winning prestigious Red Dot Design Award 2015, the Good Design award, etc.

These are a testimony to Hyundai’s continued commitment to delivering quality cars with leading design and performance at a great value.

Hyundai’s SUV range is equally illustrious. The Santa Fe with its bold design and class-leading safety features continues to win numerous awards across the globe — awards that measurably demonstrate the strong appreciation and acceptance of Hyundai’s SUV range. Hyundai’s brand direction of ‘Modern Premium’ propels the brand to surpass customers’ expectations by combining exceptional performance with great value and emotional elegance. Hyundai is globally recognised for its sophisticated product design, uncompromising quality, safety technology and exceptional value. Hyundai, today, ranks among the top automotive brands in the world.

Stellar performance Hyundai’s dedication to enhance the customer buying experience has resulted in its consistent rank improvement over the years. The stellar performance of Hyundai in the recent J.D. Power US Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study is an acknowledgement of the customer focus of brand Hyundai.

Being one of the top-shopped

vehicles, Hyundai vehicles command a very strong resale valuein Oman and across other global markets as well.

Hyundai’s ability to understand people’s desires and respond quickly to the changing needs of its customers by offering products with futuristic global design and cutting-edge technology has touched the hearts of millions of customers worldwide.

Uncompromising quality One has to test drive and discover what millions of satisfied Hyundai owners already experience and enjoy — Hyundai stands for uncompromising quality.

Hyundai has a strong presence in the passenger vehicles category in Oman with its wide range of Sedans and SUVs offered with various engine options and trim options. Hyundai offers a full array of sedans in Oman including: Accent, Elantra, Sonata and Azera while trend-setters for the modern youth continue to be the Veloster and Veloster Turbo. Its ‘i’ series denotes the compact range designed to meet smart mobility needs and features the Grand i10, i20, i30 and i40. The Hyundai SUV range comprising of the Tucson, Santa Fe and Grand Santa Fe has garnered fierce loyalty among car lovers.

The premium cars, Centennial and Genesis in the luxury car segment have made a niche for themselves and won the hearts of analysts and customers alike.

OTE Group is the exclusive dealer of Hyundai in Oman. With a nationwide network of showrooms and service centres, OTE Group ensures that Hyundai customers are never far from getting high quality service.

LITERARY EVENT

H E A LT H A N D S A F E T Y P R O D U C T S

3M & Ansell showcase latest safety innovations at OFSEC MUSCAT: Arabian Engineering Services are showcasing the latest innovations from 3M & Ansell for health and safety protection at Oman Fire, Safety & Security Exhibition, being held till tomorrow at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.

3M & Ansell are world renowned brands for health, safety and environment products, like respirators, eyewear, ear fits, helmets and safety hand gloves, says a press release.

“3M and Ansell’s exclusive stall is set to present customers with an opportunity to know more about the products in real life,” said a representative from Arabian Engineering Services. “Health and safety has always remained an important area in all areas of work that requires the highest level of awareness and preparedness. By visiting this stall one can observe and understand the various ways in which they can make their working environment safe and secure,” he concluded.

3M is a global innovation company with an experience of over one hundred years. 3M innovations have played a vital role in enhancing the daily life for hundreds of millions of people all over the world. 3M believes that in any business, a secure, safe working environment is beneficial to both the workforce and business. The

key areas of health and safety that 3M caters to are respiratory, ear, eye, head and skin.

3M is committed to providing the industrial community with innovative solutions, based on diversified technologies which help improve the quality, performance and efficiency, while meeting the international standards in the industry.

Ansell, with more than a hundred year experience, has led the way in technical expertise and innovation of hand gloves in areas like mechanical, chemical and heat protection. Ansell developed a set of specific solutions aimed at promoting premium protection against various mechanical hazards through highly successful brands Hyflex and Powerflex.

Recently Ansell even introduced a new range of gloves primarily focused on the Oil & Gas Industry. Ansell products comply with the highest European and national standards in terms of hand safety of the users and all gloves are CE certified and protects the worker from the hazards inherent in specific applications: cut, cold and heat.

For more information on 3M and Ansell, customers can visit stall no. H7 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre, between 10am – 1pm and 4.30pm – 8.30pm.

R O TA RY E N G I N E S

Local Urdu poets pay tribute to martyrs AIE takes part in fire MUSCAT: A selection of local poets and speakers paid their respects to the martyrs in ‘A tribute to Shuhadaa’ event held at Al Falaj Hotel.

Mian Mohammad Munir, chairman, Pakistan Social Club, was the chief guest while Chaudhry Shaukat Ali, Counsellor at Embassy of Pakistan, and Dr Arshad Wasti were the guests of honour. The event was organised by Atlantic Eye Trading in association with Al Qassabi Travel and Tourism, says a press release.

The programme started with recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by Naat and National Anthems of Oman and Pakistan.

and safety exhibition

Local poets Faheem Zia, Mohammed Hussain, Nasir Maroof, Moosa Kashmiri, and Zakir Hussain Zakir paid tributes to the martyrs who gave life for Pakistan.

Noted compere and poetess

Azra Aleem then paid her poetic tribute to the children of Army Public School Peshawar.

Dr Arshad Wasti and A H Raja, PSC vice-chairman, shared their memories of the war, highlighting

the sacrifices made by the forefathers and the soldiers.

The event ended with a prayer for the martyrs as well as for the health and long life of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said.

MUSCAT: Advanced Innovative Engineering (AIE), currently participating in Oman Fire, Safety and Security Exhibition, specialises in the development of innovative rotary engines for unmanned vehicles. From its headquarters in Lichfield, United Kingdom, it manages entire project lifecycles through concept, prototype and production.

Manappat Group which has more than three decades of business operations in Middle East and India had launched AIE in UK in 2011, says a press release.

With a combined experience of over 80 years in engineering research, design, development and manufacturing across a number of industries, AIE engineers use cutting-edge software and systems to make engines that have fewer moving parts, increased fuel efficiency, greater longevity, and reduced weight and life-cycle costs. Its engines deliver marketleading performance, including high power-to-weight ratio, low vibration, and an unparalleled patented liquid-cooled self-pressurised-air rotor cooling system.

T R A D E FA I R

Oman Office Show gets under way MUSCAT: The Oman Office Show 2015, the Sultanate’s definitive trade fair for office systems, commercial interiors and workspace solutions, began at the Oman International Exhibition Centre yesterday.

The three-day event, being organised by Global Exhibitions & Conferences, was formally inaugurated by Eng. Ridha bin Jumaa Al Saleh, vice chairman for Administration and Financial Affairs, Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Also in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were a number of government and private sector dignitaries, says a press release.

The chief guest toured the exhibitor stands and acquainted himself with the significance of the diverse array of office automation and solutions, commercial interior design, and a complete range of office-related products from hi-tech furniture systems for dynamic office environments, and ergonomically designed workplace solutions, to innovations fashioned from sustainable and highly durable materials.

He also briefly chatted with representatives of various exhibiting companies on the nature of their offerings to the commercial segments of the office development market.

In his address, Ridha stated: “Oman Office Show is an annual event that recognises the importance of boosting productivity and efficiency in the workplace

through the use of innovation and technology, enhanced ergonomics, energy-friendly equipment, and sustainable solutions for the office. The upshot is an acrossthe-board improvement in corporate productivity that, in turn, has a beneficial knock-on effect on economic growth. Thus, in essence, the underlying objective of this event is in perfect alignment with the strategic socioeconomic goals of the Omani government.”

Complementing the show’s mainstay exhibition event is, for the first time in the series, an information-packed seminar featuring keynote presentations by leading industry and business experts. During the two-day seminars, a distinguished roster of speakers are delivering presentations on the best practices

and technologies that will define the future of Oman’s commercial design sector.

As can be expected of the country’s signature trade event on the office workspace, this year’s Oman Office Show has attracted the widest array of brands, products and services catering to the diverse and rapidly evolving requirements of the office environment. Market heavyweights Fahmy Furniture and Teejan Furnishing are backing the show as gold sponsors.

As representatives of renowned furniture, furnishing and equipment brands from around world, both players intend to make the most of this premier platform to connect with their respective customer base.

Participating as associate spon-

sors are Kottoor International (UAE) and Al Jassar Furnishing, both specialists in workspace planning, custom-designed office furniture and interior refurbishment. Other well-known firms that have confirmed their presence as exhibitors include Saeed bin Nasser Al Hashar, Al Hilal Furniture, BT Gallery, Bastani Trading, Al Hajiry Furnishing, Uday Khimji International, OTIF Services (UAE), Al Abrawi National Projects Trading & Construction, Asad Furnishing, Oman Lights, BizMax infotech, ZAK Furnishings, Sama Italia Marble & Granite, Reliable Resources & Services, The Big Art Company (UAE), Aufait Technologies (India), Gulf Infotech and Cube Design & Advertising.

“Although a mere three years since it was first unveiled in September 2012, the Oman Office Show series has grown into a benchmark expo of goods and service that make up the office equipment, office automation and furniture space in Oman.

Customers and visitors alike can look forward to new products across all categories, including furniture and fabrics, interior finishes, technology, and energy efficiency, among other areas,” commented C. J. Paul, CEO, Global Exhibitions & Conferences.

Oman Office Show is open till tomorrow. Opening hours for trade visitors and the general public are from 10am to 1:30pm and from 4pm to 8:30pm.

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Bank Nizwa targets public sector in ‘Islamic Finance Knowledge Series’ This stage has been dedicated to raise awareness on Islamic Finance among government employees

MUSCAT: Bank Nizwa, Oman’s ambassador for Islamic Finance, has launched the second phase of its ‘Islamic Finance Knowledge Series’ focusing on the public sector.

This stage has been dedicated

to raising awareness on Islamic Finance among government employees, starting with the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs’ Directorate in Nizwa.

Over the next few months, Bank

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Nizwa’s team of experts will deliver a series of in-depth sessions to government entities including the Ministry of Education and the Sultan Qaboos Islamic Studies Institute, says a press release.

“Our goal at Bank Nizwa is to spread the knowledge on Islamic Finance and its associated benefits to the widest possible audience in our communities and lead the way for the growth of the industry,” said Dr Ashraf Al Nabhani, general manager, Corporate Support.

“According to the Statistical Year Book 2014, issued by the National Centre for Statistics & Information,

the public sector in Oman employs close to 170,000. It is therefore imperative that we raise awareness on Shari’a-compliant banking among this key demographic of the Omani workforce. To begin with, we have joined forces with two ministries, the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs and the Ministry of Education employing over 40,000 in various directorates across the Sultanate,” he added.

Focus of first phase The first phase of the campaign focused on various colleges and universities across the Sultanate

including Sultan Qaboos University, Sohar University, Shinas College of Technology and University of Nizwa among others. Since its inception in 2013, Bank Nizwa has become the go-to-reference for Islamic Finance in the country participating and organising several initiatives to raise awareness on the industry across Oman.

In addition to the ‘Islamic Finance Knowledge Series’, the bank has been offering novel products and services tailored to the needs of personal and corporate banking and helping people lead financially secure lifestyles.

O N L I N E P L AT F O R M

Sohar Islamic extends support Startup Oman, one-stop-shop to Omani Bahjah Orphan Society for entrepreneurs, launched MUSCAT: As an active socially responsible organisation, Sohar Islamic — Bank Sohar’s Islamic Banking Window has extended its support to the Omani Bahjah Orphan Society for the second year running.

This year, the bank’s contribution was dedicated towards the society’s ‘Orphan income business plan’; put in place to offer society members with sustainable income through the purchase of sewing machines in order to produce items they could rent or sell, says a press release.

The donation was handed over to Abdulrub bin Salim Al Yafai, chairman of Omani Bahjah Orphan Society, at Sohar Islamic’s Saada Branch by Munira Abdulnabi Macki, DGM Human Resources and Corporate Support, Bank Sohar, in the presence of Salim Khamis Al Maskery, Head of Sohar Islamic, Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, AGM and Head of Marketing and Publicity, Bank Sohar, and Ahmed Salim Jaboob, Senior Branch Manager, Sohar Islamic Saada Branch.

Commenting on the bank’s support, Munira Abdulnabi Macki, said, “We have always focused on having a positive impact on our society and have given great importance to organisation and individuals that make significant

contributions towards this cause; especially so when it contributes towards the wellbeing of children in the community. Every child deserves to enjoy the love, care and security provided by a family. In the absence of their parents, it is the selfless work of organisation such as the Omani Bahjah Orphan Society that gives these children hope and the promise of a brighter future. Therefore, and as a leading corporate member of the society, we consider it our moral obligation to support such initiatives and therefore the organisation as a whole.”

Established in February 2014 and based in the Dhofar Region, Omani Bahjah Orphan Society is made up of individuals from the local community who are dedicated to the care of orphans within the region. The dedicated individuals are committed towards providing these children with psychologi-

cal and emotional support as well as coordinating with government entities to fulfil necessary social, educational and health care needs.

Although, currently operational in Salalah, Omani Bahjah Orphan Society intends on expanding its branch network to cater to a larger number of orphan children.

Thanking Sohar Islamic for its support, Abdulrub bin Salim Al Yafai, chairman of Omani Bahjah Orphan Society said, “I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation for the support we have received from Sohar Islamic. This donation will greatly contribute towards the overall success of our ‘Orphan income business plan’ – an initiative that was introduced to offer our members a sustainable income by purchasing sewing machines enabling them to produce items to sell, allowing them to earn a stable income in the long run.”

S P O R T S & C U LT U R E D AY

Bunts community to celebrate 28 years of journey in Oman MUSCAT: To commemorate their 28 years of togetherness in Oman, the organising team of the Bunts of Oman is planning a dazzling sports day and an exciting family get-together event, titled as ‘Buntara Vaibhava 2015’ showcasing the grandeur of Bunts and their extraordinary cultural heritage.

The Bunts community hailing from the south western region of India, has its presence in Oman for over four decades.

The formation of the Bunts community gathering started during the year 1987 and ever since its inception, the community gathering in Oman has strived to bring all the community members of Coastal Karnataka together, encouraging potential talents, promoting socio-cultural events with a goal of preserving its cultural heritage. Today, they can say that they are one of the progressive NRI Indian communities in Oman with more than 1,200 families.

Dazzling show Speaking to Times of Oman, Shiva Prasad Ariga, Media coordinator of ‘Buntara Vaibhava 2015’ organising committee, said: “We, the organising team members of the ‘Buntara Vaibhava 2015’, have put a lot of efforts and planning of many days to present this annual event. Our Bunts culture and heritage will be highlighted during the event.”

Annual event “This annual event will be an opportunity for all Bunts in Oman to meet their fellow community members under one roof and share their experiences and joy with each other.

“On behalf of the organising committee, I request all Bunts in Oman to come together and be part of the event.”

The sports meet will be held on two consecutive Fridays.

The first sports day will be men’s cricket only event which will be held on October 9 at the

Ghubra Power and Desalination Company grounds, Al Khuwair from 7am to 6pm.

The family sports day will be held on October 16 at the Wadi Kabir sports complex grounds from 7am to 8pm. Apart from volley ball and ladies throw ball, there will be exciting fun games for all age groups.

The annual Bunts cultural event will be held on November 15 at the Le Grand Hall, Al Falaj Hotel, Ruwi from 8.30am to 8pm.

“All the participating Bunts sports teams (cricket, volleyball, tug of war and ladies throw ball) are requested to register their teams by October 3 with the sports coordinators mentioned below. Bunt members who wish to participate in the annual get together can contact the cultural programme coordinators by October 25,” he added.

Further information can be had from the organising committee member Shiva Prasad Ariga on 99782579.

MUSCAT: Startup Oman, the Sultanate’s only online platform created by entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs, was officially launched, at Oman SME Summit 2015 taking place at Al Bustan Palace, yesterday.

The launch revealed key features of the one-stop-shop (www. startupoman.om) such as a registry of programmes and services available to SMEs in Oman, a resource knowledge centre and a 24/7 online forum called My Mujtama, says a press release.

My Mujtama is an online community for entrepreneurship in Oman. It is a forum designed to encourage entrepreneurial conversations, connect SMEs to their peers, mentors and stakeholders and be the go-to online resource for entrepreneurial event listings and meetups. To join the community, SMEs and stakeholders are invited to visit http://www. mymujtama.startupoman.om and sign up at no cost. My Mujtama provides the opportunity for entrepreneurs as well as stakeholders to discuss key topics and issues related to the SME sector, as well as share knowledge and provide peer-to-peer learning and support.

“We are immensely proud to be taking the cover off of Startup Oman,” said Ali Daud, Startup Oman’s founder and CEO of Daud Group of Companies.

“A lot of work has gone into ensuring that our platform responds to the needs of both SMEs and stakeholders and we have deliberately sought out partnering programmes that increase Oman’s ability to compete on the global circuit,” Daud added.

Startup Oman’s impact reaches beyond being merely an online platform. The team has partnered with local and international entities to bring a variety of face-to-face events and learning opportunities to the Sultanate. Oman SMEs and stakeholders can expect to attend monthly ‘Coffee with Caribou’ meet ups as well as be inspired by prominent Omani entrepreneurs at Oman’s own local version of Silicon Valley’s Startup Grind. As Startup Grind’s official chapter in Oman, Startup Oman aspires to instil a global perspective amongst SMEs

global, for purposes of developing expertise that is consistent with world standards and, local, for purposes of helping Oman SMEs capitalise on regional opportunities that create economic impact.

Sherry Colbourne, managing partner, said, “One of the key challenges facing Oman SMEs today is simply connecting to and understanding the programs available to them. In fact, in a recent study conducted by National Poll Centre, we discovered that the oldest and most recognised program in Oman, Intilaaqah, could only be identified by 43% of the SME respondents. Riyada was recognised by even fewer with only 37% of respondents able to identify them. Helping SMEs connect with the many fabulous programmes that exist in Oman as well as with each other is a major focus of our initiative.”

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Bank Muscat SME workshop on finance, cost control tomorrow The workshop is organised by al Wathbah, Bank Muscat’s SME department, as part of activities aimed at expanding and strengthening avenues for SME development in Oman

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and partnership in sustainable development is hosting a workshop on the fundamentals of finance and cost control for small and medium enterprise (SMEs) at Hilton Salalah Hotel tomorrow.

The workshop is organised by al Wathbah, Bank Muscat’s SME department, as part of activities aimed at expanding and strength-

SUV MODEL

ening avenues for SME development in Oman, says a press release.

Unique learning opportunities Expert trainers will lead the workshop for existing and prospective entrepreneurs to familiarise them with various aspects of finance and cost control management integral for charting successful business ventures. Bank Muscat regularly organises workshops and semi-

nars to facilitate unique learning opportunities to address the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and thereby create an environment favourable for SME success.

Over the years, Bank Muscat has launched several initiatives as part of its commitment to SME development in Oman. Serving as building blocks for entrepreneurs, these initiatives assume importance in the backdrop of the priority accorded by the government to

develop the SME sector in Oman.

Aimed at strengthening the SME sector and creating a successful generation of entrepreneurs, al Wathbah is committed to facilitating such unique initiatives.

In step with the directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to support the SME sector and strengthen its role in the economic development of Oman, Bank Muscat has taken the lead to develop the SME sector in Oman.

V I P C L I E N T G AT H E R I N G

Geely Emgrand X7 with 6AT delivers world-class quality

10 Bank Sohar customers win Al Mumayaz monthly prizes

MUSCAT: Geely Emgrand X7 — the first SUV to receive 5 star rating in the China – New Car Assessment Programme (C-NCAP) test and the first SUV to have ‘6+1’ air bags configuration — is indeed a world class model. Loaded with modern and innovative features, the Geely Emgrand X7 SUV is equipped with DSI 6AT and 2.4L CVVT engine that gives highly reliable and quality performance, says a press release.

A senior spokesperson of Towell Auto Centre (TAC), the sole distributors of Geely range of cars in Oman, explains: “The 6AT in the Geely Emgrand is produced by DSI (Drivetrain Systems International), the world’s second largest automatic transmission company with leading-edge manufacturing technology. It gives better shift performance, starting acceleration performance, steering and ride comfort, engine combination and fuel economy. It can lower the rider’s sense of setback when getting a gearshift and only takes 0.3 second for gearshift response. The 6AT has a high torque of 220Nm resulting in better engine performance.”

MUSCAT: Under the patronage of Sheikh Dr Said bin Khamis Al Kaabi, head of the General Authority for Consumer Protection, Bank Sohar recently organised a VIP client gathering in Barka.

The well attended event witnessed conducting Al Mumayaz Saving Scheme monthly draw for the month of August with a prize pool valued at OMR55,000 distributed among 10 lucky winners.

The draw saw five Bank Sohar customers win OMR10,000 each and five minor account holders win OMR1,000 each.

Representing Bank Sohar at the event, which was held at the Al Nahda Resort, Barka recently, were Rashad Ali Al Musafir, Acting CEO, R. Narasimhan, DGM of and head of Retail Banking, Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, AGM and head of Marketing and Publicity and Rashid Saif Al Maskery, district manager of the Batinah region. Also in attendance were other senior members of the bank including Redha Al Lawatia, senior chief manager of Liabilities and Sales at Bank Sohar, and Saud Saif Al Hadhrami, senior manager Barka branch, who welcomed the chief guest and the bank’s VIP customers from the area.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Saud Saif Al Hadhrami, the branch manager of the Bank Sohar Barka branch, followed by an introductory speech by Rashad Ali Al Musafir in which he touched upon the importance of maintaining positive customer relations.

“We have always placed great emphasis on building strong relationship with our customers, and as a result have grown to become one of the most prominent banks within the country in just eight short years. Such

Apart from excellent engine performance, the Geely Emgrand X7 also offers utmost safety. Based on the safety system of Geely Total Safety Management (GTSM), the Emgrand X7 is designed in accordance with the 5-star standards of E-NCAP and 5+ standards of C-NCAP. The model has ‘6+1’ air bags configuration. ‘6’ are conventional six air bags in frontal and side parts and ‘1’ is the KABs (knee airbags) which are rarely seen in models of the same class. It is also equipped with anti-flogging device for seats to protect riders, while the energy-absorbing engine bonnet and crumpling-type head lamp mounting frame provide pedestrian protection. “With great safety performance, engine combination

and smart settings as well as economic and comfortable features, the Geely Emgrand X7 indeed is a very popular model. Its price is also very reasonable and free 24 hours AAA roadside assistance is given on its purchase for a threeyear period,” he added.

This Chinese brand is also doing exceptionally well globally, particularly in US, Europe and in Middle East. By bringing the Geely range to the Sultanate, TAC has reinforced its commitment to provide high-quality products and services to its customers in Oman. With a network of 11 showrooms, 13 service outlets and 10 parts outlets spread across Oman, TAC is one of the leading automobile distributors in the region.

gatherings further facilitate our customer focused approach by providing us with an opportunity to directly interact with our customers and obtain their valuable feedback. We place great importance on such feedback as it helps strengthen our client relationships in all regions of the country as well as helps us in evolving our products and services to meet customer needs and aspirations,” said Al Musafir.

The guests were then treated to an enchanting poetry recitation by renowned poet Matar Al Buriki. A comprehensive overview of the features of the 2015 Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme was then presented to the audience by Redha Al Lawatia, highlighting the main enhancements of the new scheme and other value added benefits. During his informative presentation, he also showcased the range of superior hi-tech retail banking products and services provided by the bank.

The draws were then initiated with the children monthly draws, which saw five children – Zahir AL Salmi, from Ibra branch; Dhahi Wadhah Al Sibani, from Al Seeb branch; Abdullah Al Majaly, from Al Seeb branch; Al Ayham Jamil Al Siyabi, from Al Seeb branch; and Ahmed Al Mamari, from Al Azaiba

branch; win OMR1,000 each.

The guest of honour then conducted the draws to reveal the winners of the Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme monthly draws which saw H. Z. Al Farsi, from Al Qurum branch; Said Al Balushi, from Ibri branch; Maryam Al Balushi, from Al Khoudh branch; Tayi Ramanululu, from MBD branch; and Y.A.S., from Al Qurum branch, win the monthly grand prize of OMR10,000 each.

“With this monthly draw behind us we are now entering the final months of our most successful Al Mumayaz Savings scheme yet.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate not only our August monthly winners but also the over 700 winners we have had this year as part of the scheme.

However, with coming prizes yet to be won, the celebrations for our customers are far from over and I would like to encourage all of our customers to continue saving to further improve their chances of winning,” said Narasimhan, commenting on the occasion.

“We were happy to host such a prestigious VIP client gathering and the overwhelming response we received from our guests clearly underlines the strong relationship we share with them in the region,” he added.

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AHMAD LIFTS BRITISH GT SILVER CUP Oman’s Ahmad Al Harthy is celebrating after securing the Avon Tyres British GT Championship ‘Silver Cup’ title at Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday during a dramatic final race. >C3

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England’s former captain ‘courageous’ Close passes away LONDON: Former Yorkshire and England captain Brian Close, one of the most physically courageous players in cricket history, has died at the age of 84, it was announced on Monday.

Close became the youngest player ever to win a Test cap for England when he made his debut against New Zealand in 1949 as an 18-year-old.

He went on to lead his country seven times in 22 Tests, between 1949 and 1976 and also captained his native county to win four county championship titles.

Close scored almost 35,000 runs as a batsman, including 52 centuries with a highest innings score of 198. He also took 1,171 first-class wickets as an off-spin bowler and over 800 catches as a fielder.

A member of the outstanding Yorkshire team of the 1960s which also featured England greats such as Geoff Boycott, Ray Illingworth and Fred Trueman, Close returned

home to Baildon near Bradford more than 20 years later to lead Yorkshire’s Academy team — and also serve as chairman of the cricket committee.

His death, after a short illness, came just four days after Yorkshire sealed their second successive county championship title — and 32nd outright in all.

A statement on Yorkshire’s website on Monday morning confirmed Close’s death the previous day. It read: “It is with the deepest regret that Yorkshire County Cricket Club announce the death of Brian Close, CBE, one of Yorkshire and England’s greatest ever captains and one of the game’s most courageous players.”

Close was renowned for his fearlessness, both in the ‘suicide’ catching positions where, in an age before helmets and extensive protective equipment, he would be much nearer than modern-day fielders, and in standing up to fast bowling.

FEARLESS: A file photo dated June 21, 1976 shows England’s Brian Close in action. – AP/PTI

His capacity for taking bruises, be it against the likes of Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith in 1963 or 13 years later when, at the advanced age of 45, he was recalled by England to face the searing pace of

another pair of West Indies fast bowlers in Andy Roberts and Michael Holding, won him both awe and admiration.

Close, who also briefly played professional football for Leeds and

Australia call up Fekete Debutant batsman Cameron Bancroft,

Australia to flog injured Starc until he breaks down

22, also gets the nod in a 15-man squad with wholesale changes

SYDNEY: Australia sprang a surprise on Monday when they called up uncapped paceman Andrew Fekete, 30, for next month’s Test tour of Bangladesh as part of a major shake-up following a number of retirements.

Debutant top-order batsman Cameron Bancroft, 22, also gets the nod in a 15-man squad captained by Steve Smith as Australia grapple with wholesale changes.

Former skipper Michael Clarke, Brad Haddin, Ryan Harris, Chris Rogers and Shane Watson have all retired as Australia lost the Ashes Test tour but won the one-day series against England 3-2.

Quicks Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood are both rested after a heavy recent workload,

MELBOURNE: Australia plan to bowl paceman Mitchell Starc until he breaks down with a chronic ankle injury that will require surgery and a four-month spell from cricket, selector Rod Marsh said on Monday.

Starc is suffering bone spurs in an ankle but has been retained in Australia’s 15-man squad for their tour of Bangladesh. “My understanding of Starc is that he can keep going until it actually gets a hell of a lot worse, and then he will have to have an operation,” selectors chairman Marsh told reporters in Adelaide.

“Rest won’t help him.

while opening batsman David Warner and leg-spinner Fawad Ahmed are injured.

Joe Burns, Patrick Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Glenn Maxwell and Stephen O’Keefe are all re-

“He has got spurs in his ankle and there is a bit of bone that has broken off and floating and every now and then it gets into a position where it is just chronically painful.

“Eventually it is going to have to be removed but it will take another three or four months after the operation for him to be able to play again.

“We have got some pretty important cricket coming including the T20 World Cup and we would like to see Starc lead the attack for that... but if he can’t, he can’t.

“But at the moment the plan is for him to keep going.” - Reuters

called for the two Tests in Chittagong and Dhaka.

“The retirements ... as well as issues of injury, form and conditions have brought about a major change in the profile of the touring party

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Rooney misses Eindhoven trip, Aguero out of City tie with Juve EINDHOVEN: Manchester United skipper Wayne Rooney will miss the English club’s Champions League group match opener at PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday with new summer signing Memphis Depay looking to spark at his former club.

Rooney picked up a hamstring injury training ahead of Saturday’s 3-1 win over Liverpool and will not be rushed back by manager Louis van Gaal for the European group stage opener.

United make their return to the Champions League away to PSV in a clash which will see Dutch winger Depay return to the club he left in the summer for £25 million ($38.6m). Depay has struggled since his arrival in United with French teenager Anthony Martial’s goalscoring debut against Liverpool on Saturday distracting from the 21-year-old’s struggles.

Depay should get a warm reception in the Philips Stadion having helped PSV to a first title win in seven years last season.

The forward was the Dutch league’s top scorer with 22 goals, but United fans are yet to see the same form of a player that shone for PSV and the Netherlands at the World Cup. Depay’s place however could be under threat following the impressive performance of Ashley Young off the bench on Saturday and Morgan Schneiderlin could

FIRST START: Manchester United’s Anthony Martial warms up during a training session at Philips Stadion in Eindhoven. – Reuters

come in for either Michael Carrick or Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Martial could make his his first start for Manchester United with Rooney ruled out.

Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini revealed Sergio Aguero will miss City’s opener at home to Juventus on Tuesday due to a knee injury.

The Argentina striker, 27, sat out training on Monday after sustaining a kick to the knee from Scott Dann during City’s 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on Saturday that forced him to come off in the 24th minute.

David Silva and Raheem Sterling missed the Palace game with ankle and hamstring problems

respectively, but Pellegrini said that both players were fit to face Juventus.

In Paris, all eyes will be on Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Paris Saint-German get their Group A campaign underway against his boyhood club Malmo on Tuesday.

Since leaving Sweden for Ajax in 2001 he has become one of the most feared strikers in world football, but time is running out for the 33-year-old to add a Champions League winners’ medal to his collection despite domestic titles with Juventus, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Barcelona.

For now, though, PSG coach Laurent Blanc knows his side’s best hopes of a long run rest with Ibrahimovic being fit and firing, the reason he sat out PSG’s last game against Bordeaux after picking up an abdominal strain on international duty.

Real Madrid coach Rafa Benitez, meanwhile, said midfielder Isco needs to score more goals if he is to keep James Rodriguez out of the side when the Colombia international returns from injury.

James damaged a thigh muscle on duty with Colombia last week and will probably be sidelined for around a month and Isco played in his place in Saturday’s 6-0 La Liga success at Espanyol and is likely to do the same in Tuesday’s Champions League Group A opener at home to Shakhtar Donetsk. - Agencies

from the one that toured the British Isles,” said national selector Rodney Marsh.

“But with that change comes a fantastic opportunity for all the players going to Bangladesh.

“They are going as a young group with seven of the players aged 26 or less, and all 15 have the opportunity to kick on and, in the case of Cameron Bancroft and Andrew Fekete, kick off their Test careers and establish themselves as the core of the side for years to come.”

West Australian Bancroft scored 896 first-class runs last season while Fekete took 37 wickets — more than any other fast bowler in domestic cricket.

“Cameron is a player who impressed everyone on the recent A tour of India,” Marsh said. “He’s young, hungry and he could become a very good player for us over a long period of time.

Australia are due to depart September 28 to arrive for a tour match in Fatullah from October 3 to 5. The two Tests will take place in Chittagong (October 9-13) and the capital (October 17-21).

The team: Steve Smith (c), Adam Voges, Cameron Bancroft, Joe Burns, Patrick Cummins, Andrew Fekete, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Nevill, Stephen O’Keefe, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc. - AFP

Bradford, had a stop-start England career, with injury on the 1950/51 tour of Australia being held against him before, a decade later, he was accused of sparking an Ashes Test defeat by Australia at Old Trafford in 1961 when he got out trying to counter-attack Australia leg-spinner Richie Benaud.

He was recalled by England as captain in 1966 but, after a successful spell in charge, lost the job a year later after being accused of time-wasting in a county match.

After he was controversially sacked by Yorkshire in 1970, Close moved to Somerset where, as captain, he had a major role in supervising the early professional careers of two future world stars in England all-rounder Ian Botham and West Indies batsman Vivian Richards. His professional career lasted 37 years — unthinkable by modern standards — and, when it was over, he also had a spell as an England selector.

Former umpire Dickie Bird, who played alongside Close at Yorkshire, said: “He will go down as one of the bravest cricketers of all time.

He would stand at short-leg, about a yard away from the bat, and would never flinch if the ball hit him.

“As a captain, his record speaks for itself. He is Yorkshire’s most successful post-war captain — winning the County Championship on four occasions — and will always be regarded as one of the best skippers in the game.”

Meanwhile, Michael Vaughan, who also played for Yorkshire and captained England to Ashes glory in 2005, remembered how Close had advised him early in his career.

Writing on Twitter, Vaughan said: “Such a sad day.. He was a true inspiration to all of us ...I once had a LBW problem.Closey aged 60 came into the nets and batted without pads ‘only way young man you will sort your problem’ #RIPClosey”. - AFP

AL AROUBA BEGIN TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE, DHOFAR AND SOHAR WIN Al Arouba began their title defence with a 3-1 victory over Salalah on the second day of first week action at Al Saada Sports Complex in Salalah on Monday. In other matches, Dhofar blanked Al Shabab 2-0 at Seeb Sports Stadium while Sohar edged Sur 2-1 at Sohar Sports Complex. — ISMAIL AL FARSI/Times of Oman

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Al Musannah Sports City to host world windsurfing meet Two years after Oman received worldwide acclaim for hosting the Laser World Championships, the Millennium Resort Al Musannah will once again be buzzing with international sailing talent PICTURESQUE VENUE: A view of Al Musannah Sports City, the venue of the 2015 RS:X World Windsurfing Championships to be organised in October. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: The world’s topranked windsurfers will descend on Al Musannah Sports City in October for the 2015 RS:X World Windsurfing Championships, the final major meeting before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August 2016.

Two years after Oman received worldwide acclaim for hosting the Laser World Championships, the Millennium Resort Al Musannah will once again be buzzing with international sailing talent and important dignitaries.

The event is organised by Oman Sail under the umbrella of Oman Sailing Committee chaired by Rashid bin Ibrahim Al Kindi. With the RS:X class celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, the event is expected to attract top officials such as RS:X Class President Carlo

Dalla Vedova, and representatives from the 32 nations competing.

The top 50 ranked athletes, including 24 women, will be sizing up the conditions in Oman to prepare for the competition in Rio where the winds and tides are likely to be similar, making this event the perfect warm up event.

Amongst the contestants is Dorian van Rijsselberge from The Netherlands who won the RS:X (Mens) gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics and Bryony Shaw from Britain, the world number one’s woman windsurfer who won bronze at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

“With the Olympic Games just a few months off, the RS:X World Championships will offer a chance

for the world to see who could be winning medals in Rio as well as what Oman can offer as a worldclass racing venue which is of Olympic standard,” said David Graham, CEO of Oman Sail, which has recently also established a Youth Windsurfing Club.

“We have worked hard to build the infrastructure and capability to host globally-renowned sporting events and, as the Laser World Championships proved in 2013, we can now compete with any venue in the world to successfully stage these international events. We look forward to welcoming all of the athletes before their big test next year” said Rashid Al Kindi, Chairman of Oman Sailing Committee.

Oman’s top windsurfer, Waleed

Al Kindi, who is campaigning to be part of Oman Sail’s first ever Olympic squad in 2020, will be watching closely though a recent back injury means his focus is on recovery, shifting his attentions to the ASAF Asian Championships 2016, an Olympic qualifier which will be held in Abu Dhabi next March.

Many of Oman’s windsurfing youth will also be watching closely, seeing the world’s best in action in local waters where their own careers are being nurtured. Up to 40 international coaches will also be on site, as well as back up staff and race teams from the leading national sailing authorities in the world.

Race management is set to comprise Omani umpires who were trained at Oman Sail’s sailing

schools across Oman and now officiate at events across the world, while the jury will be made up of Andrus Poksi (EST), Eva Jodlowska (POL), Pilar Lopez (ESP), Bas Edmonds (GBR), John Doerr (GBR), Llker Bayindir (TUR) and Gonzalo Heredia (ARG).

“Oman is fast-becoming one of the top venues for international watersports competitions and it is not difficult to see why, since the conditions are superb and the organisation is top rate, so we are looking forward to our visit and spending our 10th birthday at Al Musannah,” said Carlo Dalla Vedova, President of the International RS:X Class Association.

The inaugural RS:X World Championships were held at Lake Garda, Italy, in 2006 while subsequent World Championship Regattas have been held in Cascais, Portugal; Auckland, New Zealand; Kerteminde, Denmark; Weymouth, UK; Perth, Australia; Cadiz, Spain; Buzios, Brazil; and Santander, Spain.

The 2015 World Championships will start on October 19 at Al Musannah Sports City, which was completed in 2010 in preparation for the 2nd Asian Beach Games. It is part of the Millennium Resort Al Musannah which was specially-designed to accommodate world-class events and expand Oman’s tourism industry.

The week will kick off with an opening ceremony on October 18 and is expected to be attended by key Omani dignitaries, Oman Sail management and board members.

Racing will continue through to the medal race on Saturday October 24 with regular news updates provided by Oman Sail to local, regional and international followers.

FOOTBALL

US expects more charges in FIFA probe ZURICH: The US Attorney General Loretta Lynch said on Monday that she expects more charges against “individuals and entities” as part of her office’s probe into corruption at world football governing body FIFA. Fourteen FIFA officials and sports marketing executives were charged in the United States in May on racketeering charges involving more than $150 million.

“We do anticipate additional charges against individuals,” Lynch said at a joint press conference with her Swiss counterpart in Zurich.

“The scope of our investigation is not limited, and we are following the evidence where it leads,” she continued.

“I am grateful for the significant cooperation and substantial evidence that we have received from all quarters. Based upon that cooperation and new evidence, we anticipate pursuing additional charges against individuals and entities.”

She also expressed hope that the six FIFA executives still detained in Zurich would be extradited to the US to face trial.

Switzerland’s Attorney General Michael Lauber said that financial assets had been seized as part of his office’s probe into corruption at FIFA, which had not yet reached “half time”.

“We are not even at the halftime break,” Lauber said, adding that financial assets, including apartments in the Swiss Alps, had been seized during his investigation, which is focusing on the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, won by Russia and Qatar respectively. - AFP

FOOTBALL

OFA focussed on Vision 2022 and beyond Bank Muscat to honour Oman U-19 team Winning two GCC football titles in two weeks is a new achievement by Omani youth. These achievements could not have been made possible without the well appreciated and unlimited support the national teams have been receiving from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said

Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi OFA Chairman

MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association (OFA), celebrating the fruits of their ‘collective’ labour which led to the national teams emerging the GCC under-17 and under-19 champions, are encouraged by the tremendous success of the age group teams and are hoping to continue with their plans chalked out for development of Sultanate’s football till 2022 and beyond.

A day after the national under-19 team returned home with the GCC crown from Qatar, the OFA chief Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi issued a statement lauding the efforts of the team under coach Rasheed Jaber.

“It is a new achievement for Omani youth as our young talents

have won two GCC titles in two weeks. These achievements could not have been made possible without well appreciated and unlimited support the national teams have received from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said,” he said.

“The departments concerned at the OFA have completed a roadmap for continuation of the development for all national teams in light of a technical programme up to 2022 and beyond,” he said.

“The achievements bagged were also a result of collective efforts.

On behalf of the OFA board members, I extend our appreciation to (under-19) coach Rasheed Jaber and the administrative and technical body. We also extend our greet-

ings to (under-17) coach Yacoub Al Sabahi and to the administrative and technical body of the juniors team for the achievements bagged and for their sincere efforts and dedication,” he added.

While praising the players for their excellent performances, he said: “We also extend our sincere appreciation and pay tribute to all the young players of both teams who with their dedication and hard work have proved they are the real role models. They proved they are committed to give their best for the country.”

Stressing that the Omani Football Association is determined to keep these young talents on the path to excellence and greater success,

MUSCAT: Close on the heels of honouring the U-17 Oman junior national team for winning the GCC football championship, Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, has announced a hero’s welcome to the Under-19 Oman national team who won the GCC championship, defeating Bahrain in the final in Qatar.

Reiterating the ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and commitment to partnership in promoting Oman as a sporting nation, the bank will honour the under-19 Oman national team at a ceremony at the head office in the presence of senior bank officials and key representatives of the sports fraternity.

Sheikh Khalid bin Mustahail Al Mashani, Chairman, said: “Bank Muscat is delighted to witness the stellar performance by the U-19 Oman team and we join the nation in congratulating all members of the team for achieving a milestone

he said: “We are looking forward to even greater things from these young players, especially in the upcoming Asian championships.”

“The recent good results and achievements proves the success of the system in place as well as proper planning and implementation. The commitment, dedication of every-

Bank Muscat Chairman Sheikh Khalid Al Mashani

for Oman football.”

Sheikh Khalid added: “As the flagship bank in Oman, Bank Muscat leads by example and the honouring of the Oman youth team reflects our commitment to partnership in promoting Oman as a sporting nation. Bank Muscat remains at the forefront in offering the required encouragement and support for the national teams to put up their best efforts.

The gesture towards the U-19 national team is a reiteration

one involved and their diligence led to these good results,” he said.

“Here we would like to announce that the competent committees of the Omani Football Association finalised a methodology for the continuation of development in different age groups, including a clearly defined roadmap of techni-

of the support for youth, who represent the future of Oman.”

Bank Muscat is a major supporter of the national game of football. In all major tournaments, including Gulf Cup, Bank Muscat has led by example, being the first private sector institution to announce support for the national team. As the nation’s flagship financial institution, Bank Muscat aims to strongly convey the message of support to the national teams so as to motivate others to follow suit and provide the required impetus for them to excel in sports and games.

Bank Muscat launched the Green Sports CSR programme in 2012 to develop sustainable sports infrastructure at the grass-root level in general and to support the game of football in particular. In a record time, the bank has achieved notable success in developing green fields in all parts of the Sultanate, thus contributing to realising the sporting dreams of youth.

cal programme until the year 2022 and beyond. The association will coordinate with the Ministry of Sports Affairs to implement the programme based utilising the available financial resources. We are looking forward to an active partnership with the private sector,” he added.

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SPORTS Ahmad lifts British GT Silver Cup Leading the Silver Cup standings going into round nine, Ahmad took the opening stint of the race in the No. 2 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 and remained close behind his chief challengers for the

What a way for the season to end. It was a challenging race but in the end we’ve won the Silver Cup which is fantastic for everyone at the Oman Racing Team, all of my incredible sponsors and everyone back in Oman who has been supporting our project since day one

title — the Von Ryan Racing McLaren — during the first hour

LEICESTERSHIRE: Muscat racing driver Ahmad Al Harthy is celebrating after securing the Avon Tyres British GT Championship ‘Silver Cup’ title at Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday during a dramatic and highly-charged final race of the 2015 season.

Leading the Silver Cup standings going into round nine, the 34-year-old Oman Racing Team driver took the opening stint of the race in the No. 2 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 and remained close behind his chief challengers for the title — the Von Ryan Racing McLaren — during the first hour.

Teammate Alex MacDowall took the concluding stint and although behind the McLaren initially, the complexion of the race changed on lap 57 when the rival car, piloted by Andrew Watson, slipped to the tail of the overall top 10 with MacDowall assuming eighth position.

Within a handful of laps the McLaren was close behind the Oman Racing Team Aston Martin but MacDowall soaked up the

Ahmad Al Harthy Oman Racing Team DRAMATIC RACE: Ahmad Al Harthy leads the pack during the ninth round of the Avon Tyres British GT

Championship ‘Silver Cup’ title at Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday. – Supplied photo

pressure impressively. Then, with little more than 10 minutes remaining on the clock and the Silver Cup title in sight, MacDowall was tipped into a spin at the Esses and, although recovering, he ended the race in 10th overall — two places behind his aggressor Watson.

Later on Sunday evening, though, race officials reviewed the incident and subsequently penalised the Von Ryan entry — meaning Ahmad and MacDowall were elevated into ninth in the final results, with Watson and his teammate Ross Wylie relegated to 10th position.

“What a way for the season to end,” said Ahmad. “It was a challenging race but in the end we’ve won the Silver Cup which is fantastic for everyone at the Oman

FOOTBALL

Racing Team, all of my incredible sponsors and everyone back in Oman who has been supporting our project since day one.

“Generally, we’ve had a competitive car this year and some very competitive races — unfortunately, things just didn’t work in our favour on a few occasions and that’s been the difference for us this year in the overall championship.

“It’s great to win the Silver Cup, though, and I must say a huge thank you to the whole team for their incredibly hard work during the year.”

Beginning the final race of the British GT season from 12th on the grid, Ahmad made an excellent start to quickly challenge for the top 10 and although ending lap

one in 11th place he soon began to make more progress.

Into 10th position by lap four, the Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ooredoo, National Bank of Oman and Al Hashar Group-backed driver then climbed into ninth place on lap 11 when the sister Oman Racing Team car retired after a tangle at the Melbourne Hairpin.

Taking eighth on lap 14 prior to a Safety Car period, when racing resumed Ahmad continued to push and as the race reached the 50 minute mark he was into seventh place after passing the BMW of Jon Minshaw. When the pit window opened a few moments later, Ahmad remained on track and eventually pitted to hand the car

over to MacDowall from fifth position with around an hour to run.

When all of the pit stops had been completed, MacDowall held eighth with the target McLaren in sixth before the positions changed around with about half an hour to go following Watson’s drop down the order.

After the contact and enforced spin, though, the Oman Racing Team car took the chequered flag after two hours of racing in 10th place, two spots behind the Von Ryan car. With the time penalty for Watson, though, ninth was enough to secure Ahmad’s first driver title in GT racing.

“I was happy with the pace in my stint, as the car got lighter it became more competitive and things were looking good,” added

the Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa ambassador. “At first we were all incredibly disappointed after the race, but the officials made the right decision and now our focus turns to the final round of Blancpain next weekend – we’re all really looking forward to that.”

Ahmad will be back in action with the Oman Racing Team just a few days from now, at the Nurburgring in Germany, when the final race of the Blancpain Endurance Series takes place on September 20.

Final 2015 Avon Tyres British GT Championship GT3 Driver Standings: 8. Ahmad Al Harthy 57 pts. Final 2015 Avon Tyres British GT Championship GT3 Silver Cup: Champion: Ahmad Al Harthy 140.5 pts.

TENNIS

Sania and Paes are huge inspiration: Dravid BENGALURU: Congratulating tennis stars Sania Mirza and Leander Paes, former India captain Rahul Dravid on Monday said that both are “huge inspiration” for aspiring sportspersons in the country.

“Both Sania and Leander are huge inspiration for not only tennis aspirants, but also for sportspersons,” Dravid said. “I think it is

WAR OF WORDS: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, right, and Everton manager Roberto Matinez. – Reuters

Mourinho clashes with Martinez after defeat to Everton LONDON: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho swore at Everton boss Roberto Martinez after being made to wait for his postmatch news conference following the champions’ 3-1 loss at Goodison Park on Saturday, according to British media reports.

A furious Mourinho decided to interrupt Martinez while he was speaking with a group of journalists near the pitch. As manager of the away team, Mourinho had expected to be allowed to address the media first so that his team could set off on their journey back to West London, reports said.

“Roberto, next time tell me go before you because we have to travel,” Mourinho was quoted as saying in the reports. “We don’t control that, Jose. I don’t control that,” Martinez said in reply.

To which Mourinho responded with an expletive.

“When he beat us 6-3 (last season), he was such a nice man.

I prefer him like that,” Martinez said after the Chelsea boss stormed away.

The loss to Everton, courtesy of a Steven Naismith hat-trick, was

The relationship between the clubs was already strained after Chelsea’s public pursuit of defender John Stones, who had his transfer request rejected by the Merseyside club

Chelsea’s third defeat in five Premier League games and they now sit fourth from bottom in the table.

The relationship between the clubs was already strained after Chelsea’s public pursuit of defender John Stones, who had his transfer request rejected by the Merseyside club. - Reuters

phenomenal achievement by Sania and Leander to be able to win the US mixed doubles and women’s doubles titles,” he added.

Sania and her Swiss partner Martina Hingis bagged the women’s doubles title while Paes scripted history by notching up the US Open mixed doubles title with Hingis to become the format’s most success-

DRIVE SLOWER LIVE LONGER

ful male player in the Open era.

Dravid said it is incredible that at age of 42, Paes has been able to achieve the glorious feat three Majors in a calender year.

“It is incredible what Leander has been able to achieve in this age. It is timeless — he keeps going on and on. It is terrific to watch him,” he said. “Sania also have

been good with her performances in the women’s category and by the time she hangs her boots she would have left a legacy behind for youngsters to follow,” Dravid said.

Dravid said it was lovely to watch Sania and Paes, playing the finals on television, as an Indian.

“I watched both the games. It was lovely to watch as an Indian.” - PTI

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daring deca Slam Djokovic’s

As the match reached its gripping climax, the spectators cheered every point Federer won and celebrated Djokovic’s errors. But the world No. 1 maintained his composure until he found himself kissing the silver trophy for his 10th Grand Slam

N

ovak Djokovic probably felt like he was battling against 20,001 people in the US Open final on Sunday, with Grand Slam king Roger Federer on the other side of the net backed by an Arthur Ashe Stadium full of his opponent’s closest friends.

As the match reached its gripping climax, they cheered every point Federer won and celebrated Djokovic’s errors as the Serb dug deep to eke out a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 triumph.

There may have been a time when Djokovic would have been unsettled by his treatment but the world No. 1 swallowed any resentment and maintained his composure until he found himself kissing the silver trophy for his 10th Grand Slam.

“I can’t sit here and criticise the crowd,” said Djokovic, who crowned a brilliant season in which he won three Grand Slams events and was runner-up in the fourth at Roland Garros.

“On the contrary, I think it’s logical to expect that a great player and a champion like Roger has the majority of the support anywhere I play him. “He absolutely deserves to have the support he does because of all the years and success that he had and the way he carries himself on and off the court. No question about it.”

While Federer reached exalted status with his collection of an alltime record 17 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic is now the player dominating the men’s game.

He has won nine Slams in the last five years, collecting the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles in 2011 just as he has this year, and has held down the No. 1 ranking in four of the past five seasons.

The mellowed Djokovic said he appreciated this Grand Slam treble even more than his 2011 breakthrough.

“I’m a different player, a different person today than I was 2011,” he said. “As a father and a husband, experiencing a different variety of things in my life, it’s a completely different approach to tennis today.

“I feel more fulfilled. I feel more complete as a player today than I was in 2011. Physically stronger, mentally more experienced and tougher as well.”

Inspired

by Greek classic

NEW YORK: Novak Djokovic admitted he took inspiration from cult movie “300” and its Scottish star Gerard Butler, who was on hand to roar him to victory in the US Open final.

As he celebrated with his family and team, he also sought out Butler, who was watching from the player’s box. “We are good friends.

So he happened to be in the city last couple of days, so I invited him to come,” said Djokovic. “I actually sent him a photo and a message last night. I was watching the ‘300’ movie. When I went to my box, I looked at him. I said, ‘This is Sparta.

It felt great.’ “That’s one of the most inspiring movies I watched. So actually, yeah, he’s a very cool guy.”

The movie, which recounts the classic Greek story of the Battle of Thermopylae, made a star out of the muscular Butler, who also happens to be a fan of fellow Scot Andy Murray, who beat Djokovic in the 2012 final in New York. “I was not playing Murray. He thought it was appropriate to come to this match,” joked the Serb star. - AFP

Djokovic showed plenty of that toughness after he scraped his right arm, the back of his right hand and right leg when he tumbled to the ground in the first set, after a threehour delay due to rain, but carried on regardless.

Tremendous respect Federer had not dropped a set in the entire tournament but Djokovic wiped out that distinction in 42 minutes.

The Swiss great had lost only two break points in the tournament but matched that number within his first four service games against one of the game’s greatest returners.

Djokovic, meanwhile, saved 19-of23 break points held by Federer and rose up to cash in on six of his 13 opportunities in the final.

He was up by two breaks in the final set, only to see Federer roar back to break him once and threaten again in the final game before the Serb finally secured victory in a little less than three and a half hours.

“Today I was serving at 5-2 in the fourth set and Roger showed why he is a champion and... making me play to the last point,” Djokovic said. “I have a tremendous respect for Roger and what his game is representing to me and any other player.”

The win puts Djokovic level with Bill Tilden on 10 Slams. Next up are Rod Laver and Bjorn Borg on 11.

Then Roy Emerson at 12, and Rafa Nadal and Pete Sampras with 14, just below Federer. “I’m obviously flattered and honoured to be a part of an elite group of players, legends of our sports,” the Serb added.

“I’m 28. I have always valued the care for my body, and my mind and had this holistic approach to life.

“I will continue on with the same kind of lifestyle, same kind of approach. I think that kind of approach brought me to where I am today.

Hopefully, this kind of approach will give me longevity and that I can have many more years to come, and as I said, many more opportunities to fight for these trophies.”

As for winning Federer-like adulation with the crowds, he said: “I’m there to earn the support and hopefully in the future I can be in that position.” - Reuters

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SPORTS Federer Express ready to roll on While the Swiss is constantly asked how much longer he plans to play and the media on high alert for any hints of his imminent retirement, Federer made it clear he will return to New York next year still chasing Grand Slam glory

NEW YORK: Unlike the women’s US Open final there was no centre court retirement announcement on Sunday with Roger Federer putting aside the disappointment of losing to Novak Djokovic in the men’s final to tell fans he will be back.

After winning the US Open on Saturday, 33-year-old Flavia Pennetta said she would not be back in Flushing Meadows and the crowd might have been concerned that 34-year-old Federer was harbouring similar thoughts.

While the Swiss is constantly asked how much longer he plans to play and the media on high alert for any hints of his imminent retirement, Federer made it clear he will return to New York next year still chasing Grand Slam glory.

“I’ll see you guys next year,” Federer told an adoring crowd following his 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 loss.

“I’m very pleased with where my game’s at. I feel like it’s moving in the right direction.”

And that direction is full speed ahead for the Swiss maestro who continues to defy age and predictions of his demise by remaining near the top of the world rankings, piling up wins and titles.

While it has been three years since Federer celebrated the last of his record 17 Grand Slam titles, he has threatened to add to his total this season reaching the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open

The Swiss maestro continues to defy age and predictions of his demise by remaining near the top of the world rankings, piling up wins and titles

W TA R A N K I N G S

Pennetta moves into top 10 PARIS: US Open champion Flavia Pennetta is up to eighth in the world rankings which are still headed by Serena Williams.

The 33-year-old defeated fellow Italian Roberta Vinci in Saturday’s surprise final in New York for the first Grand Slam title of her career. She promptly then announced that she had already decided to retire from competition at the end of the year.

Vinci, who upset favourite and calendar-year Grand Slam seeker Williams in the semifinals, moves up 24 places to 19th.

The top four remain the same with Williams well clear of second-best Simona Halep, who lost to Pennetta in the semifinals in New York.

The WTA world rankings at the conclusion of the US Open in New York: 1. Serena Williams (USA) 11,501 pts; 2.

Simona Halep (ROM) 6,780; 3.

Maria Sharapova (RUS) 5,795; 4. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 5,295; 5.

Lucie Safarova (CZE) 3,570 (+1); 6. Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3,510 (-1); 7. Ana Ivanovic (SER)

3,440; 8. Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 3,317 (+18); 9. Garbine Muguruza (ESP) 3,305; 10. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 3,215 (-2); 11. Angelique Kerber (GER) 3,150; 12. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP) 3,070 (-2); 13. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 2,836 (+1); 14. Agnieszka Radwanska

(POL) 2,820 (+1); 15. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 2,735 (-3); 16. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 2,650 (+1); 17. Andrea Petkovic (GER) 2,450 (+1); 18. Madison Keys (USA) 2,445 (+1); 19. Roberta Vinci (ITA) 2,430 (+24) and 20. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 2,380 (-7). - AFP

It was a tough night, but still, I don’t know, thrilling at the same time. So something I will work on, and keep moving forward, you know. It’s no problem for me Roger Federer US Open runner-up

while losing both time to his nemesis Djokovic.

Federer may have lost the US Open but the Swiss has not lost his smile, grace or hope that somewhere down the road there are more major wins.

“I am playing a good year. I’m playing good tennis,” said Federer.

“I am happy with where my level is at. I’m able to be consistent, very consistent.

“Cincinnati obviously was a great feeling beating world number one (Djokovic) and world number two (Andy Murray) in the same week. I don’t think I have done that before.

“Then of course it’s also disappointment. Lost too many times in finals. But at the same time, I did win my tournaments, the ones I was supposed to.

“Year’s not over yet. I usually do

have strong finishes to the season, and I hope I can do that again.”

Having beaten Djokovic in Cincinnati, the second seeded Swiss had his chances again against the 28-year-old Serb but could only convert four of 23 break chances. Even so Federer left the National Tennis Center more encouraged than discouraged by his performance.

“There were a lot of opportunities lost, I know why I lost,” assured Federer. “Yeah, surely I am very disappointed. I had my chances on my racquet. I should never been down in the score the way I was.

“But Novak did a great job of fending them off, and, you know, all of that.

“It was a tough night, but still, I don’t know, thrilling at the same time. So something I will work on, and keep moving forward, you know.

It’s no problem for me.” — Reuters

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RUGBY

Six-point try experiment is exciting, says Whitehouse

NAME ON THE TROPHY: People pass by street graffiti showing the Webb Ellis Cup, the trophy presented to the winners of the Rugby Union World Cup, and teams’ national flags next to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales. Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium is one of the venues that will host matches for the 2015 Rugby Union World Cup which starts on September 18. – AFP

William Webb Ellis — inventor of rugby?

Young Webb Ellis showed no respect for those (manners)when at the age of 16 he decided it was best to pick up the ball while he and his schoolmates were playing football in 1823 and run with it, touching it down under the posts

PARIS: The Duke of Wellington may have said that the Battle of Waterloo was won on the fields of Eton College but more surely the game of rugby was founded on the fields of another British boarding school after which it takes its name, Rugby.

And who was responsible for that?

An Englishman called William Webb Ellis, who horrors of horrors for the English is buried in the French town of Menton (‘jaw’

in English) in the south of France.

Rugby is renowned for its generally good show of manners despite its ultra contact nature.

Game of ‘caid’ But young Webb Ellis showed no respect for those when at the age of 16 he decided it was best to pick up the ball while he and his schoolmates were playing football in 1823 and run with it, touching it down under the posts.

The Irish — who were at the

time under English rule — believed Webb Ellis had been inspired by his time in Ireland, when his father was stationed as a British Army officer, and the game of ‘caid’, a precursor of Gaelic Football.

‘Justifiable homicide’ Others, however, dispute that Webb Ellis had anything to do with the invention of the game, claiming that he had simply been given the status of founder for want of a better name.

“There is little evidence to support the popular belief that William Webb Ellis created a new form of football,” Malcolm Lee, master in charge of Rugby football in 1978, told former Wales and British Lions coach Carwyn James.

“The point is that the rules of the game as it was played at the school at that time were made by the boys themselves and those rules were constantly revised.

“If you look at the notes of the Bigside Levees — notes made by the boys themselves — you will see that the rules were discussed almost every time the boys went

out to play and that adjustments were frequently made.”

Another authoritative source to join his ranks is none other than the author of Tom Brown’s School Days, Thomas Hughes, who aside from creating the inspiration for George MacDonald Fraser’s classic series of Flashman, clearly gives Webb Ellis short shrift as he was at the school from 1834.

“In my first year, 1834, running with the ball to get a try by touching down within goal was not absolutely forbidden, but a jury of Rugby boys of that day would almost certainly have found a verdict of ‘justifiable homicide’ if a boy had been killed in running in.”

Justifiable homicide? Whoever touches down, kicks the winning penalty or drop goal in this year’s World Cup which kicks off on September 18, one can’t quite imagine that will be their fate.

And whether Mr Webb Ellis did create the game or not, his name will still be on the trophy the winners pick up at the end of the final of rugby union’s showpiece event. - AFP

LONDON: Away from the glitz and glamour of the Rugby World Cup, an experiment that could have a major influence on the way the game is approached at all levels is being played out against the backdrop of the Welsh valleys.

The semi-professional Welsh Principality League is an experimental event for new trials in the laws this season, including awarding six points for a try and two points for a penalty and a drop goal, that may, according to the man overseeing them, make the sport more attractive.

“We are all positive about it,” Nigel Whitehouse, Wales Rugby Union (WRU) national match officials manager who sits on World Rugby’s laws panel, said.

The aim of the new system is to test whether offering more points for tries and fewer for kicks at goal leads to a more open and attackfocused game with increased ballin-play time.

“We continually have to look at the game to see how we can make it better for all involved. So from my perspective these are serious trials,” Whitehouse told Reuters.

“All the coaches and players I have spoken to over the summer opened their arms (to the idea).

“It’s great to see World Rugby, through these trials, trying to be positive and make rugby attractive as possible, not only to play in but for spectators as well,” he added.

Winger Alex Webber, from champions Pontypridd, scored the first six-point try on the opening weekend of the season earlier this month.

Ponty ran in nine tries in thumping Llanelli 68-32, a game where no penalties were kicked, and they followed up this weekend with a 50-0 demolition of Bridgend.

Whitehouse said that while it was too early to see any pattern emerging, it was noticeable teams were not kicking at goal as much, preferring instead to be positive and kick for territory.

Other changes Other law changes are also being introduced in the trials, with uncontested scrums involving eight players from each team and a penalty try that will automatically be an eight-point score with no conversion to be taken.

World Rugby said the governing body was “delighted” the WRU had volunteered for the trials “which will give us a high-level of competition to evaluate the outcomes”.

Whitehouse said frequent data would be sent back to World Rugby.

The semi-professional Welsh Principality League is an experimental event for new trials in the laws this season, including awarding six points for a try and two points for a penalty and a drop goal, that may make the sport more attractive. The aim of the new system is to test whether offering more points for tries and fewer for kicks at goal leads to a more open game

“It’s important for us as lawmakers to try and make the game attractive for everyone involved,” he said. “Rugby is one of the greatest team sports in the world but at the end of the day it’s also a business and we need people through the turnstiles to come and watch our game at all levels.

“Whether fans pay 80 pounds ($123.62) for a test match or five pounds to watch their local club they want to see a good game of rugby.

They don’t want to see dour games.”

The early days of the sport were more about kicking contests. In 1871 the first Rugby Football Union (RFU) law stated that a game would be decided by the number of ‘goals’ scored only.

A try was worth one point from 1886 to 1891 and then in 1893 the RFU and WRU increased the value for a try from two to three points.

This became globally sanctioned the following year.

The three-point try stood until 1973 when it moved to four and then in 1992 it was increased to five. - Reuters

RUGBY

Boks to control pace against Japan

READY TO CONTROL: South Africa’s assistant coach John McFarland, cenre, fly half Handre Pollard, right, and winger Lwazi Mvovo attend a press conference at the Grand Hotel in Eastbourne on Monday. – AFP

EASTBOURNE: Controlling the pace of the game is a priority for South Africa as they plan for their opening Rugby World Cup fixture against Japan in Brighton on Saturday, assistant coach John McFarland said on Monday.

“Japan definitely pose a threat with the speed of their game and it is up to us to control the pace of the game. They’ve got some players with Super Rugby experience and they are a well-coached team, coached by a guy who has been involved in winning a World Cup

(Australian Eddie Jones),” McFarland said.

“We are expecting a quick game and for them to try and take us off the pace of our game. So we must be ready for anything. We’ve watched nearly 20 games of theirs over the last two years and think we now know them inside out.

They keep the ball well, they’ve got some good players.”

But he insisted the Springboks were more concerned with successfully executing their own game plan.

“It’s about how we play but obviously there will be small tweaks we will make game by game. Samoa will certainly have some big blokes trucking it up the channels. So you make small adjustments in each game but it is about how we play and what we do.”

South Africa’s other Pool B opponents are Scotland and the U.S. English-born McFarland, who is the defensive coach of the Springboks, also said fitness levels among the South African players had increased dramatically af-

ter weeks of intensive pre-Rugby World Cup preparation.

“We’ve worked very hard and certainly all the testing has shown that the conditioning levels have increased dramatically and you can see it in our game stats over the last eight weeks.

“Guys were getting up off the floor quicker. But the test is always on game day and that never changes.

“If you are in good shape you get up quicker, you feel better, you are confident,” he added. - Reuters

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SECTION

LIFESTYLE

T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

Dining WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

W

most common way to add crunch to cutlets, fish fry,

and chicken fry steak, crushed nuts make an ideal substitute. Known for its tastier crust, one should be cautious while frying as nuts get burned faster on a hot skillet.

Whether you are using almonds, peanuts or pecans, make sure they are crushed lightly for a uniform coating.

Time to look beyond breadcrumbs.

FOR T HAT E XTRA CRUN CH

hile breadcrumbs is the

PEANUT CRUSTED KING FISH Ingredients For the fish • 1kg King fish steak • 500g peanuts • 1tbsp red chilli flakes • 1/2 bunch of coriander • 2 eggs • Salt and pepper • Oil Preparation Clean the fillet and dry it in the kitchen towel.

• Crush the peanuts lightly in a pestle mortar. Do not powder it otherwise it will get burnt while cooking.

• Chop coriander and add to the crushed peanuts along with dried red chilli flakes and spread it on a plate.

• Whisk two eggs and add a pinch of salt.

• Heat the pan with oil, it’s very important that your oil is hot enough, if it’s not hot, the moment you lay down your fish in the oil all the coating will slice off.

• Now first dip the fish fillet in egg batter and then wrap it in the peanut mixture on both the sides and gently lay it down in the pan with hot oil. You can also spread some peanut mixture on top of the fish with your hands.

• Let it get seared for 2-3 minutes, keep checking with the help of spatula, then flip it. Let it get seared on the other side for 2- 3 minutes.

• Serve with sweet chilli sauce.

Photo: Shabin E

•

Pallavi Nigam completed her culinary education at ICIF in Italy and worked as a chef for Grand Hyatt, Mumbai. She is now based in Muscat where she writes recipes and takes cooking classes.

Contact her: pallavi_nigam@hotmail.com | twitter @pallavizza | pallavizza.com

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LIFESTYLE C H E F TA L K

E Z EM Z

OR Y: FE LI CI A

I love Indian cooking.

I’ve been experimenting for a few years now and while I’m no expert, I think I’m doing okay.

I think a good dal is one of the best things you’ll ever eat

’A S E T SU C URIT M AVO F ST

CA MP LL

Jamie Oliver

BE

HE’S FROM BRITAIN, but loves the Indian dal! Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, who is venturing into the Indian space with his globally renowned Jamie’s Pizzeria and Jamie’s Italian chains, says he “loves Indian cooking”.

“I love Indian cooking. I’ve been experimenting for a few years now and whilst I’m no expert, I think I’m doing okay.

I think a good dal is one of the best things you’ll ever eat,” Oliver said Jamie’s Italian will open in Ambience Mall in the capital’s Vasant Kunj area and Jamie’s Pizzeria is set to open in Ambience Mall in capital suburb Gurgaon within the next few months.

Asked about his expectations with his maiden foray into the Indian market, Oliver said “it’s an incredibly exciting move for us”.

“We’ve wanted to open a restaurant in India for a few years now but we’ve been careful to wait until we found the right partner, location and sites.

“With regard to expectations, I just hope people love what we’re doing,” Oliver said and added that he is “not trying to reinvent the wheel of Italian cooking”.

“But I do want to offer guests fantastic food, using only the best ingredients and at an affordable price. We don’t cut any corners — everything we do comes back to quality,” he added.

Is he trying to tinker with new, experimental menus to cater to the Indian taste buds?

Oliver said: “We’re going to be keeping the menus to traditional Italian. We’ll be tweaking the offering very slightly by putting on lots more beautiful veggie dishes — something I’m really excited about. “...We’ll be using an authentic dough cooked in traditional ovens and all topped with the highest quality tomatoes, mozarella, Italian cured meats,and other beautiful produce.”

Even as fusion menus that juxtapose seemingly diverse —and sometimes even disparate — flavours into a new combination are the talk of the town among foodies, Oliver comments that most of such dishes are “fusion without us even realising it”.

“I think fusion is really interesting because actually, when you look at different countries’ ‘traditional’ dishes, many of them are fusion without us even realising it, from histories of immigration, colonisation and exploration. British ‘traditional’ dishes are peppered with influences from right across the globe,” he said.

Se Le ms o fe ban m’ at s e se se ur n e m si s pa e l bi of ire lit oca nu l im d w y ag it in h l o at io ads n

I Love Indian Cooking: Jamie Oliver

Besides being a celebrity chef, Oliver has also carved his niche as a food activist and will be addressing obesity-related issues in a new documentary titled Jamie’s Sugar Rush.

“At the beginning of this year I started looking at sugar consumption and the effect of sugar on our bodies.

“What I found completely shocked me and so myself and my team made a documentary about what too much sugar can do to us and the impact it’s having on Britain’s public health,” Oliver said about the theme of the documentary.

His team has even launched a petition asking the British government to introduce a sugary drinks tax.

“So far we have over 130,000 signatures,” he added.

Talking about his plans on addressing the global obesity epidemic, Oliver said he has embarked on a path that can “implement positive change and attempt to slow down this crisis”. “The path that I have taken has led me to focus a lot of my work on the obesity epidemic and what we can do in order to implement positive change and attempt to slow down this crisis.

“This doesn’t lessen many other situations that absolutely need addressing of course, and there are so many issues that I’d like to fight and that really deserve much more public attention. But there is only one of me,” he added.

- IANS

KITCHEN CALAMITIES

Overcooked Rice What do you do if you forget to strain the water while cooking rice and find that it has become all sticky and mushy? Here are some quick solutions

By Swati Dasgupta 1 If it’s only a little bit sticky and it can be saved by rinsing in cold water drain out the water and run under a cool tap water. Gently separate the grains.

shallow fry till crispy.

3 Add overcooked rice in soups.

You can include chicken, minestrone and vegetables too.

5 Make rice puddings with overcooked rice for a perfect dessert.

Add milk, cinnamon, sugar, raisins, and vanilla extract. Mix well and serve warm.

2 Make rice pancakes. Sauté vegetables in little oil and add to the rice. Toss in a few handfuls of shredded cheese and mix well.

Shape into round pattice and

4 Mix overcooked rice into mince meat to make meatballs. The rice acts as a great binder and doesn’t spoil the flavours too.

Struggling with a kitchen calamity of your own? Want advice? Share your horror stories and your cooking tips with swati@timesofoman.com

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LIFESTYLE

Semsom Restaurant Muscat Grand Mall, first floor +968 2439 8718, semsom.com Hours: 12pm-12am daily

Semsom Restaurant,

Photography: Shabin E

part of a franchise launched by Lebanese entrepreneur, Christine Sfeir (named one of the 100 most powerful Arab women in 2014) and her sister Carine Assouad, opened here in Oman less than a year ago. A brilliant local (global meets local) concept, Semsom restaurants take on different formats depending on their location, with the Beirut branch offering a more upmarket, full-service menu, the New York branch offering “build-your-own-meals” from a small takeaway shop, and the Muscat branch offering a simple, straightforward menu of mezze and mixed grill with subtle twists, from a conveniently located, stylish eatery in the MGM mall. These locationspecific choices show Christine’s keen understanding of local markets, and are likely a key element of her brand’s wild success.

Here in Oman, diners crave great service and ambiance, and while good quality food is important, most diners aren’t terribly adventurous,

despite an overall cultural fascination with anything new.

For Muscat diners, Semsom fits the bill perfectly, with outstanding service, a relaxed ambiance, and easily recognisable menu options, like a generous mixed grill, traditional hummus, tabouleh, baba ghanoush, and other mezze classics, along with a few creative new items on the menu.

While most diners here like to go for familiar options when dining out, there is a growing foodie contingent, most of whom are looking for either a unique culinary experience or an authentic one. While you shouldn’t go to Semsom looking for rustic, home-style Lebanese, you absolutely should go for a taste of their inventive adaptations of traditional fare.

Savoury, nutty sesame and olive hummus scooped up with fresh-baked flatbread, is worth a visit on it’s own as is the unusual fish kibbeh, which has a distinct sweetness courtesy of caramelised onions that is punctuated

by the earthiness of tumeric resulting in a brighter, vibrant version of the typical ground meatstuffed snack. At the other end of the creative spectrum, the humble coriander fried potatoes at Semsom are shockingly flavourful. I pressed as to why, but the chef coyly informed me the intensity was due to a secret ingredient (perhaps citric salt?). The dessert menu is full of playful surprises, including a rose water cotton candy topped ice cream.

To be honest, I found the almost indiscernible twists, like the tangy fried potatoes, whose subtle upgrades might only be apparent to those who know Lebanese food well, as exciting as the neon-pink, sumac hummus. The relatively small menu at the restaurant ensures that no matter what you order, the quality will be spot on, so order fearlessly. Go for something new and different, or order an old favourite, either way, chances are you will be pleasantly surprised. felicia@timesofoman.com

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CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68. www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI Absolutely Anything (Comedy, Sci Fi) (PG12) Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Simon Pegg 2:00, 3:30, 5:15 pm The Runner (Drama) (12+) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Connie Nielsen 7:15 pm The Perfect Guy (Thriller) (15+) Cast : Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy 5:00 pm Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F (Animation) (PG) Cast : Masako Nozawa, Ryô Horikawa 1:15, 3:00 pm Hero (Action, Drama) (PG12)(HINDI) Cast : Sooraj Pancholi, Athiya Shetty 9:00 pm American Ultra (Action, Drama)(12+) Cast : Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart 1:30, 7:45, 9:45, 11:45 pm The Transporter Refueled (Action)(PG12) Cast : Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol 10:00, 11:55 pm Hitman – Agent 47 (Action, Crime)(PG12) Cast : Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware 3:45, 11:30 pm MUSCAT GRAND MALL The Perfect Guy 2D (Thriller ) (15+) Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy 1:20, 7:45 pm Gold Class : 5:15PM American Ultra 2D (Action,Comady) (12+) Cast: Jesse Eisenberg,, Kristen Stewart 12:15, 5:00, 9:45, 11:45pm Gold Class : 3:15, 7:15, 9:15 pm The Runner 2D (Drama) (12+) Cast : Nicolas Cage, Connie Nielsen 6:00 pm Hitman: Agent 47 2D (Action) (PG12) Cast : Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware 2:15 pm Welcome Back 2D (Comedy, Crime) (TBC) Cast : Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar 7:00 pm

1:20, 7:45 pm The Perfect Guy (Thriller) (15+) Cast : Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy

Absolutely Anything 2D (Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Kate Beckinsale , Simon Pegg 11:45 am, 4:15 pm Gold Class: 1:30 pm The Transporter Refueled 2D (Action, Drama, Thriller ) (PG12) Cast: Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol 10:15 am, 10:00, 11:55 pm Gold Class: 11:15 pm Dragon Ball Z 2D (Action, Drama) (PG) Cast: Masako Nozawa, Ryô Horikawa 10:00AM, 3:15 pm AZAIBA The Transporter Refueled - 2D (PG12) Action, Crime, Thriller Cast - Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol 12:00, 6:00, 11:15 pm Hitman: Agent 47 – 2D (PG12) Action Cast – Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware 12:30, 7:00 pm Welcome Back – 2D (12+) Comedy Cast - Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar 5:15, 10:30 pm Zero Tolerance - 2D (12+) Action Cast - Dustin Nguyen, Scott Adkins, 12:45, 11:30 pm Double Barrel – 2D (12+) Action, Thriller Cast - Prithviraj Sukumaran, Aarya

1:30, 7:45, 9:45, 11:45 pm American Ultra (Action) (12+) Cast : Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart, Connie Britton

9:10 pm Yatchan - 2D (Action) (PG12) Cast : Aarya, Krishna Sekhar, Deepa Sannidhi

2:30, 8:45 pm Paayum Puli – 2D (12+) Action, Drama Cast – Vishal Krishna Reddy, Kajal Aggarwal 3:30, 8:00 pm Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’– 2D (PG) Cast - Masako Nozawa, Ryô Horikawa 2:30 pm Yatchan – 2D (PG12) Action Cast - Aarya, Krishna Sekhar, Deepa Sannidhi 4:15 pm American Ultra – 2D (12+) Action, Comedy 1:45, 7:45, 9:30 PM Hero – 2D (PG12) Action, Drama, Romance Cast - Sooraj Pancholi, Athiya Shetty 3:00, 5:30, 8:00, 10:30 pm

Phantom (Action) – PG Cast: Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 pm

3.30, 6.30, 9.30 pm Hero (Action/Romance) – PG12 Cast: Sooraj Pancholi, Athiya Shetty

SOHAR The Transporter Refueled - 2D (PG12) Cast : Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol 3:45, 10:00, 11:45 pm Welcome Back - 2D (12+) Comedy, Crime Cast: Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar 6:00 pm Hitman : Agent 47 - 2D (PG12) Action, Crime, Cast: Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware 4:15, 11:55 pm The Perfect Guy - 2D (15+) Thriller Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy 6:15, 11:30 pm American Ultra - 2D (12+) Action, Comedy Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart 2:30, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30 pm The Runner - 2D (12+) Drama Cast: Nicolas Cage, Connie NielsenTimings : 2:45, 4:30 pm Absolutely Anything - 2D (PG12) Comedy Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Simon Pegg 2:00, 8:15 pm Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ - 2D (PG) Cast: Masako Nozawa, Ryô Horikawa

RUWI Screen 1 Hero (Action/Romance) – PG12 Cast: Sooraj Pancholi, Athiya Shetty 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 pm Screen 2 Welcome Back (Comedy) – 12+ Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Hassan 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 pm Screen 3

3:00, 4:45 pm Hero - 2D (PG12) Action, Drama, Romance Cast : Sooraj Pancholi, Athiya Shetty 8:45, 11:15 pm Double Barrel - 2D (M) (12+) Action, Thriller Cast : Prithviraj Sukumaran, Aarya, Indrajith 6:30 pm Yatchan - 2D (T) (PG12) Action Cast : Aarya, Krishna Sekhar, Deepa Sannidhi 9:10 pm BURAIMI American Ultra – 2D (Action, Comedy) (12+) Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart 3:00, 8:15, 10:00, 11:45 pm The Transporter Refueled– 2D (Action, Crime, Thriller ) (PG12) Cast: Ed Skrein, Ray Stevenson 4:45, 6:30, 9:30, 11:30 pm Zero Tolerance – 2D (Action) (12+) Cast: Dustin Nguyen, Scott Adkins 3:15, 5:00, 11:30 pm Yatchan – 2D (Action / Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Arya, Kreshna, Deepa Sanndhi 6:00 pm Double Barrel – 2D (Action/Comedy (12+) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumran, Arya 8:45 pm Welcome Back – 2D (Action / Thriller) (12+)

Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Hassan; 3:15 pm

BAHJA CINEMA

SUR The Transporter Refueled (Action) (PG12) Cast: Ed Skrein, Loan Chabanol 4:15, 8:15 pm Zero Tolerance (Action) (12+) Cast: Scott Adkins, Dustin Nguyen 6:00, 11:45 pm Double Barrel (Malayalam) (Action) (12+) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Aarya, Indrajit 10:30 pm Welcome Back (Hindi) (Comedy) (TBC) Cast: Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar 7:45 PM American Ultra (Action | Comedy) (12+) 4:45, 6:30, 10:00 pm

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

38 29

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Fahud Yibal

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

30-70% Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/ her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

LISTINGS

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

Daily

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

10:45 19:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 14:30

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Thani Oruvan (Tamil) (Rom/Drama) Cast: Jayam Ravi, Nayanthara & Arvind Swamy 3-30 pm at Cinema Main, 9-30pm at Cinema 2 Yatchan (Tamil) ( Act\Com ) Cast: Arya, Krishna 6-30 pm Cinema Main 3-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema-3 Double Barrel (Mal) ( ACT ) Cast: Prithviraj, Arya & Indrajit 3-30 & 6-30 pm at Cinema-2 9-30 pm at Cinema Main Paayam Pulli (Tamil) ( Act ) Cast: Vishal & Kajal Agarwal 6-45 pm Cinema- 3 Loham (Mal) ( ACT ) Cast: Mohanlal, Andrea & Renji panikkar 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm at Cinema – 4 Next Change: Utopiayile Raajavu (Mal) Maya (Tamil) Programmes are subject to change

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

0

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

STAR CINEMA

Minimum

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

Absolutely Anything (Comedy/Sci: Fic) Cast: Kate Beckine Sale, Simmon Pegg, Robbin Williams 1.15, 4.45 & 8.15 pm CP No: 2370 (12+)

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

The Runner (Drama) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Connie Neilsen, Sara Paulson 3.00, 6.30 & 10.00 pm CP No: 2369 (PG 12)

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

Zero Tolerance (Action) Cast: Dustin Nguyen, Scott Adkins, Sahajak Boonthanakit 1.15, 4.45, 8.15 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2371 (12+)

WITH LOVE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Transporter Refueled (Action/Thriller/Crime) Cast: Ed Skrein, Ray Stevenson, Gabriella Wright 3.00, 6.30, 10.00 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2280 (PG 12)

SALALAH American Ultra (2D) (12+) (Action/Comedy) Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kristen Stewart 1:00, 6:15, 8:00, 9:45 pm The Perfect Guy (2D) (15+) (Thriller) Cast: Sanaa Lathan, Michael Ealy 2:00, 10:00 pm Zero Tolerance (2D) (12+) (Action) Cast: Dustin Nguyen, Scott Adkins 2:45, 11:55 pm Hero (2D) (PG12) (Action/Drama/Romance) Cast: Sooraj Pancholi, Athiya Shetty 8:45, 11:15 pm Hitman: Agent 47 (2D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Rupert Friend, Hannah Ware 10:30 am The Transporter Refueled (2D) (PG12) 11:15 am, 4:30, 11:30 pm Welcome Back (2D) (12+) (Comedy/Crime) 12:15 pm Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection ‘F’ (2D) (PG) Cast: Masako Nozawa, Ryô Horikawa 10:30AM, 12:15 pm El Khalbos (2D) (TBC) (Arabic) (Comedy) Cast: Mohamed Ragab, Iman Al Assie 6:45, 8:00 pm Double Barrel (2D) (12+) (Action/Thriller) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Aarya, Indrajith 4:00 pm Yatchan (2D) (PG12) (Action) 5:25 pm Paayum Puli (12+) (Action, Drama) Cast: Vishal Krishna Reddy, Kajal Aggarwal 3:00 pm

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Destination

12.07pm 3.34pm 6.17pm 7.27pm 4.37am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

@MGM

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Hamdan Hospital 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

C11

LIFESTYLE W KNOUR YO CE SPI

WHAT’S IT?

HISTORY

Cumin seeds are brown colour seeds and is similar to caraway seeds. They are oblong in shape.

This spice tastes bitter when eaten raw and has an aromatic flavour. It is one of the main ingredients in curry powder.

Cumin has played a vital role in food since centuries for its taste and also its medicinal value. It is native to Egypt and has been cultivated in the Middle East, India, China and Mediterranean countries. While in Egypt it was used for mummification, it was an important ingredient for seasoning soups, as mentioned in old scriptures and religious books. It was also used as a substitute for pepper which was not commonly used. Apart from its culinary use it has interesting tales attached to it. It is said that in the middle ages it was considered a sign of love and people carried it in their pockets to show their true love.

COOKING WITH IT To get the best flavours dry roast the seeds before using. Tea boiled with cumin seeds and later strained is known for its soothing effect. It is an important seasoning ingredient for lentils, potatoes, sautéed vegetables, and rice in India where cumin is the king of spices. In other parts of the world cumin is used in pickling, sauces, grilled meat, stew, and more.

STORING Freshly ground cumin seeds are always better to use than the powdered one. Store it in sealed container, preferably in glass bottles. It should stay fresh for almost a year if stored with care. swati@timesofoman.com

FOOD NOTE

Ice Cream Mama Introduces Injections for Sweet Cravings Craving to get your taste buds high on sweet temptations?

Then head to Ice Cream Mama outlets to satisfy your desire. Ice Cream Mama has recently introduced Mawo syringes aimed at enhancing every moment you spend relishing the tasty treats.

According to Rami Al Lawati, Director, Ice Cream Mama, “We wanted to present to the people in Oman a twist that they will love to hold. The Mawo shots packed in syringes are a new introduction.

Ice Cream Mama, famed for its

traditional Omani Ice Creams, recently introduced its latest range of lip-smacking products – Milkshakes, Ice Cream Cakes, Brownies and traditional Omani sweets. Here the treats are made from a mix of internationally sourced ingredients that are heartily added to enhance the indulgence of customers’ eating experience. Founded in 2012 with one outlet, Ice Cream Mama today boasts its presence in 4 locations in Oman – Shatti City Cinema, Ruwi City Cinema, Muscat Grand Mall and

We wanted to present to the people in Oman a twist that they will love to hold

Mawaleh. Ice Cream Mama harbours a profound interest in presenting the people of the world with traditional Omani treats.

Working towards this vision, Ice Cream Mama has even participated in a number of food exhibitions around the region and has even received acclaim from several food professionals and critics alike.

Food enthusiasts eagerly looking forward to feasting on Ice Cream Mama’s latest treats are encouraged to visit any Ice Cream Mama outlet.

C1 2

T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

LIFESTYLE

E ONDIENT RE G IN

AYS EW FIV

1 SPRINKLE IT Pomegranate on oatmeal, müseli, or any other breakfast cereal is ideal to start a day.

3

2

SPREAD IT Make pomegranate syrup by reducing the juice over medium or medium-low heat. Sugar is optional.

A sweet-sour-spicy spread is ready.

ADD IT Add them on cooked brown rice with sautéed onions and garlic. They can also be added on lamb chops, chocolate mousse, and roasted chicken.

4 DRIZZLE IT Pomegranate syrup can be drizzled over poached pears, roasted vegetables, puddings, and custard.

5

WHISK IT Whisk pomegranate syrup on salad dressings substituting olive oil or vinaigrettes.

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D8

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D2

T U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

Villa for rent: 6 bed rooms, 1 sitting room, 2 halls, 1 kitchen and 1 pantry.

Al Mawaleh South phase 3 close to Al Sahwah roundabout, first line behind Amwag perfume factory.

Contact - 99360366 1BHK near Al Nahdha Ruwi.

Contact: 99617786

New 1/2 B/R RES/ Comm. flats near Medical College Bausher directly from owner.

Contact :92158031

Showroom and office space available on prime location. Main road facing excellent location.

Contact: 92944717

02 BHK commercial / residential (with split AC) flat at Honda read / 02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahda Hospital.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241

Gorgeous villa 3BR + Maid room directly on the beach in Shatti Qurum. Huge garden best location in Muscat OMR 2000/- Month call or Whatspp 95887572

Available furnished meeting hall for seminars on a hourly, daily, monthly, yearly basis. please contact 93203773 : Email: mbdeast@gmail.com

1BHK near Oman house behind Khimji H.O . Contact : 95865686

Brand new 2 B/R deluxe fully furnished & unfurnished flats with split ACs & free internet available at Bausher 35 near Al Maha fuel pump.

Contact : 99460330

New 1 & 2 BHK flat in Ruwi (near Star Cinema). Contact 99792181

Office space equipped with ACs , cabins with partition, furniture’s, free in internet ready for use, at Al Khuwair near Philips show room 2 B/R flats with slit AC’s a free internet available at Al Khuwair near Philips Show room.

Contact: 99460330

Flat Al Ghubrah near 18 Nov ST living room, 3 bedrooms,3 bathrooms, kitchen first floor without AC family only 380/-R.O. Contact : 92479515

AL Khuwair 17/1 room, hall, kitchen and toilet with ACs ground floor Owner private parking.

Contact: 99385553

600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details. Contact: 91214849/ 99364735

2BHK with split AC near PDO Gate No.2 Qurum available for immediate renting. Contact : 94057023

Bachelor accommodation available near ISD Darsait. Contact: 99346813

Twin villa for rent in Bowshar, near Muscat Private Hospital.

Contact 92760281 Brand new 2 bedroom flat for rent in Mabela. Contact 92760281 Fully Furnished 2BHK Apartments available at Bareeq Al Shatti.

Contact 92888063 Building includes 16 flats in four floors in good condition, opposite to Mars Hypermarket at Al Ghubra north. Contact: 99435882 / 91266667 or 92590509 For rent house in old Muscat town on the bab Muthaib Street consists of 5 bedrooms, living room and kitchen. Contact: 99319829 / 99234155 New flat for rent, 2 bedroom with study in Al Amerat (Al Atkyah).

Contact: 99230461 / 93355301 2 rooms and Majlis in Al Ghubra.

Contact : 99242119 Flat for rent Ruwi, 2 bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, 1 hall opposite Khimji Mart. Contact: 97645671 / 99362206

2 BHK with split AC Al Khuwair -33 for residential & commercial use.

Contact : 94057023 Deluxe 1,2,3 bedroom flats in Wadi Kabir , Ruwi, Mumtaz & Al Khuwair areas. Contact : 24707340 / 99472457 / 95282986 Deluxe villas at Al Hail.

Contact 95282986

1 & 2 BHK , M.B.D. area R.O 250/-, RO 280/- & RO 300/-.

Contact: 97799175

Two flats for rent 3 bedroom & 1 setting room all with split a/c at & flat 1badroom al Ghubrah North near Indian school (hot Pargur Restaurant). Contact 99766103

Villa for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 95562646 / 99059333

2 BHK flat in Al Khuwair. Contact 99792181

Rooms for rent in Al Khuwair near Ibis Hotel with AC. Contact: 95124975

1000 sq mtrs industrial land in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc. Contact 24700120 / 92584715

3 & 4 BHK villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181

Two shops in Muttrah Souq, for rent more details please contact: 91214849 / 99364735

Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975 2BHK villa Mumtaz R.O 300/-.

Contact: 97799175 2BHK Azaiba R.O 325/-.

Contact: 97799175 Flats in Al Khuwair 33 with gym free for tenants 2 BHK RO.425/-.

Contact 93161111 Two bedroom apartments available for rent at South Ghubra close to Atlas Hospital close to Grand mall & Avenues mall next to Diwan’s Office.

Contact: 99833747 / 24562526 3BHK flat Darsait Near I.D card Medical 450/- R.O. Contact: 99358589 / 95570288 Room with A.C at AL Khuwair R.O 120/-. Contact: 97799175

2 BHK near Medical Darsait R.O 230/-. Contact : 98748925

2BHK pent house R.O 325/- , 1BHK R.O 225 /- close to Indian Nursery, Darsait. Contact: 99476728/ 98484415

VILLA IN AZAIBA – Four Bed Room Villa, near Well Roundabout & Umm Al Qura Mosque. Available for sharing also. Call 92887809 / 98048207.

2BHK close to Indian school kindergarten Wadi Kabir R.O 320/-, 1BHK R.O 250/-. Contact: 99476728 / 98484415

Furnished office available at Al Ghubrah. Contact 94110822

1& 2 BHK flats for rent at Wadi Kabir, Wadi Adai, Hamriya, Al Khoud and Mabela and shop at Al Khoud land line. Contact : 24834644 GSM 93994401/ 02/ 03, 3 lines

Flats, shops for rent in Ruwi, MBD & Mumtaz area. Contact 97293708 1BHK Al Falaj R.O 200/-.

Contact: 97799175 2 BHK Ghubra R.O 300/-, RO 325/-.

Contact: 97799175 2BHK Darsait R.O 325/-.

Contact: 97799175 2BHK Mumtaz R.O 300/-.

Contact: 97799175

Twin villa 6BR hall, kitchen at Al Ansab-2. Contact: 99747560 / 99444786 3BHK near Darsait I.S.M. Contact: 99024730 Flat and show room for rent Al Khuwair 33, Al Ghubrah, Darsait and Jibroo. Contact: 24485240 / 24485241 / 93651633 / 92109563

3BHK well maintained flat (villa type) G. floor split A/C separate entrance, parking, and compound available in Al Khuwair behind Sagar Polyclinic Way no. 3922, Block 239, Villa No. 1839. Contact: 99253125

Flat for rent in Hamriya.

Contact: 99341112

1BHK flat with A/C AL Khuwair 250/- R.O. Contact: 99358589 / 95570288

Luxury fully furnished 2 bedrooms flat at Al Khuwair & luxury fully furnished 5 bedroom villas at Madinat Al Ilam. For short or long term lease contract. Contact Atlas Real Estate & Rent a Car LLC. Contact : 93201688 / 92888376 Tel: 24833848 / 24834888

Flats in Al Khuwair 2 BHK RO.350/Contact – 93161111.

Darsait next to ISM 2BHK pent house 2nd floor brand new building R.O 300/- . Contact : 93393967 Furnished flat in Bareeq Al Shatti 2 BHK RO.750/-. Contact 93161111 New flats for rent in Darsait Al Sahal. Contact: 99777351 Commercial villa near Bareeq Al Shatti 8 BHK + swimming pool RO.2500/-. Contact 93161111 Villa in Madinate Sultan Qaboos 3BHK + maid room RO.1400/-.

Contact 93161111 Villa in Al Khuwair 4 BHK RO.600/-, Flat in Madinate Sultan Qaboos 3BHK RO.600/-. Contact 93161111 Flat in Qurum near PDO 2 BHK + 1 BHK RO.550/ – 375/Contact 93161111 Flats in Azaiba opp to Al Sahwa Tower 2 BHK RO.450/- 1BHK RO.350/-. Contact 93161111 New flats 1 room and living room with accessories & 2 rooms and living room with accessories in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 92130703 / 96045478 New flats for rent in Darsait, Al Sahal. Contact : 99311525

Commercial 20 BHK twin open villa in Al Mawalah Mazoon street RO.2000/- Contact – 93191111

Luxury 4 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with split A/C and private parking.

RO.475/- Contact – 93191111 1BHK flats available for rent in CBD area. Contact: 98116480 3 Bedroom flat at Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99447257/97014234 Spacious 2BHK in MBD. Contact : 99713489 Basement in MBD. Contact: 99713489 4 bedroom villa with 3 maid room, big compound & parking area. Ideal for kindergarten or expat tenants residency. Contact:24566217 / 24564686 Office & retail space available Alasfoor Plaza, Qurum.

Contact: 24566217 / 24564686 1 & 2 bedroom flats available for rent in wadi-kabir (opp: pencil bldg), ideal for company staff / families bulk corporate deal possible.

Contact: 97677170 Shops for ren in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact: 99888390 1BHK flat with split A/C in Wadi Adai RO.200/- Contact – 93191111

Two shops in Muttrah Souq, for rent more details pleas.

Contact: 91214849 / 95729711

3 BHK flat with split A/C in Wadi Adai RO.200/- Contact – 93191111

2 BHK Flats for rent Muttrah near Oman house. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232

Brand new 6 BHK villa in Al Aziba with split A/C and lift RO.1200/Contact – 93191111

T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

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DAILY GUIDE

AFFORDABLE QUALIFIED STAFF AVAILABLE: EŽ ƟŵĞ ƚŽ ƐĐƌƵƟŶŝnjĞ ƐƚĂī ĂŵŽŶŐ ƚŚŽƵƐĂŶĚƐ͍ EĞĞĚ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĂƟŽŶĂů ƐƚĂī Ăƚ ĂŶ ĂƌƌĂŶŐĞŵĞŶƚ͍ tĞ ĂƌĞ Ă ŵĂŶƉŽǁĞƌ ĂŐĞŶĐLJ ǁŚŽ ŚĞĂĚͲŚƵŶƚ ƚŚĞ ƐƚĂī ĨƌŽŵ ĂŶLJ ƉĂƌƚ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ǁŽƌůĚ͊ tĞ ƐĐƌĞĞŶ ƚŚĞ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚƐ ƐĞǀĞƌĂůůLJ ƚŽ ĞŶƐƵƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ LJŽƵ ŐĞƚ ŽŶůLJ ƚŚĞ ďĞƐƚ ŝƐĐŽǀĞƌ ǁŚLJ ƚŽƉ ĞŵƉůŽLJĞƌƐ ƉƌĞĨĞƌ ƵƐ ĨŽƌ ƐƚĂĸŶŐ͊

Hurry and call this number now!

95967902

FOR HIRE

FOR SALE Sofa (5 seater), Gas cooker (4 burner) in excellent condition for immediate sale.

Contact 96027403

Bobcat Grader and roller for rent.

Contact: 94584688 Volvo 12 Ton Truck for monthly rent. Contact: 98713900

Beauty Parlor for sale or rent.

Contact 99131775 / 96700192

ACC. AVAILABLE Automotive batteries for sale.

Contact : 24794657 Furnished room available in Ruwi.

Contact: 92435784

For sale land in Amerat 3000 Sq.mt with petrol pump permission.

Contact 99323957 / 92702891

Single room with ac and sharing bathroom available for an executive bachelor or a small family in Muttrah Souq. Contact 99519664

Expatriate LLC Company license (building materials 70 Ex : 30 Omani) for sale. Contact 94663824 / 94305499

Room for rent with sharing bathroom & kitchen at Al Khuwair, behind Golden Spoon Restaurant.

Contact 92994415

Direct from the owner: for sale A 2 bedroom apartment with a full and direct Marina view at Marsa 2 at the Wave, area 138 sq. Mtrs, will be ready next month for R.O. 255,000.

Contact : 95330200

Semi furnished separate room for non-cooking Asian bachelor, behind Shell filling station, Ghubra round about. Contact: 94263390

Beauty Salon for sale in Good location (Azaiba and Al Hail).

Contact : 95318629

AVAILABLE Restaurant for sale in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99425461 Beauty salon in Ghubrah for sale Contact: 94689448 Aluminium workshop at Wadi Kabir with all machineries and 3 skilled workers. Contact: 99536206 / 99605915 Used Fabrication machinery for sale : Fabrication machinery and tools in excellent condition for immediate sale. Contact -94652485/ 99273774/ 99202278

FOR RENT

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

SITUATION WANTM.V. FOR SALE ED Tata bus model 2008 for sale.

Contact 93953237

Single bedroom flat near to Indian School Al Ghubra.

Contact: 99203954

Mitsubishi FUSO Double cabin pickup model 2008 for sale.

Contact: 93953237

Brand new showroom of 595 SQM in BowsherRO.5 each sqm.

Contact – 93191111

Lexus GX 460, 2013. Contact : 99336093

2BHK flat available near medical / Darsait. Contact 24705742

Toyota Yaris 2009 Dec model, manual, 150000km, 2500 OMR. Contact 93895508

Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms & 5 bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact: 99366624

Kia Cerato 2014 Model for sale 1300 kms Under agency warrenty and service.

Contact: 99634841

Separate room with A/c, Small Fridge and Bed, for non-cooking Asian bachelor, behind Shell filling station, Ghoubra round about.

Contact: 94263390 Three 2 bedroom bachelor accommodation available in a building near Kuwaiti Mosque at Wadi Kabir till 14th February 2016.

Contact: 95332701 Fully furnished room with attached bath for Executive bachelor behind Al Meera Hypermarket, Azaiba R.O 150/-.

Contact: 99455735 A big room in available near Hamriya R/A for Muslim couple / small family / Executive bachelor rent 150/- per month including W+ E. Contact: 99495131 Sharing accommodation in CBD area for non cooking Executive bachelors, wifi free, advance deposit.

Contact 91852710 An Excellent 3bedrooms Flat at Al Hail, 3 bathrooms, sitting room, living room, kitchen with store 92817777 Fully furnished accommodation available for an Executive bachelor with attached bath room and Wifi facility in Ghubra near Al Maha Hotel.

Contact 94295706

UNIVERSAL SCRAP BUYERS AT AMAZING PRICES Convert ANY type of Scrap into Money by selling us the scrap Great prices are guaranteed for our clients!

Call this number now for urgent response -

96059470 *Kindly note that the scrap should be 50 tons onwards

CLASSY, CREATIVE AND AFFORDABLE INTERIOR DESIGN 'Ğƚ ĐƵƐƚŽŵŝnjĞĚ͕ &ŝƫŶŐ͕ ĂŶĚ ƵŶŝƋƵĞ ŝŶƚĞƌŝŽƌ ĚĞƐŝŐŶƐ ŵĂĚĞ ĨƌŽŵ ƐĐƌĂƚĐŚ͘ Our professionals give YOU: ͻ ƵƚŽ ĂĚ >ĂLJŽƵƚ ͻ D W ƌĂǁŝŶŐƐ ͻ Ϯ ĂŶĚ ϯ ĚƌĂǁŝŶŐ ͻ /ŶŶŽǀĂƟǀĞ ŽŶĐĞƉƚ ĞƐŝŐŶ Hurry now and call this number

91494149 ĨŽƌ ĂŶ ĞdžĐůƵƐŝǀĞ ůŝŵŝƚĞĚͲƟŵĞ ŽīĞƌ ĚŝƐĐŽƵŶƚ͊​͊​͊

MATRIMONIAL RC, Keralite (Kottayam) male, 27 yrs, Civil Engineer, working in Muscat from decent family looking for suitable alliance.

Contact 95035953 Ezhava boy, B.Tech, MBA, 26/178, Rohini working in Bangalore looking alliance from parents of professionals.Contact 24798043 / 94193031 Seeking alliance for our son from Muslim families. Interested families Contact: 99889590

GOOD NEWS Ayuredic Treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis , Ideal CARE Ayuruedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba. Contact: 99639695 / 98342990

NOTICE Telecommunications Consultants Indian Ltd invites sealed tenders from Contractors for doing civil works of Omantel. Please Contact : 99215276 or 99317298 for obtaining copy of the tender document NIT document available : upto 28.09.2015, 17.00 hrs last date of submission : 29.09.2015 upto 17.00 Hrs. Opening date : 30.09.2015 at 12.00 hrs. Company registration and Chamber of Commerce registration details required for obtaining tender document.

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com Ayuredic massage backache, joint pain, neck pain etc.

Contact 98254909

NRI CHANGE OF NAME

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished room (for Ladies)with attached bath separate entrance in Mabela. Contact :99634841 Large room with separate bathroom & sharing available in Al Khuwair.

Contact 95250161

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Commercial plot measuring 30 cents for immediate sale having an old house and a shop at the heart of Kodakara Town – 17 kms from Trichur City and 7 kms from Chalakkudy.

Direct access to NH 47 from one side and old town road from other side of the plot, near to Shanti Hospital .

Contact : Muscat: 00968- 91318999 India: 0091- 9446371706.

LOST MD Shajahan has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. C 1931370. Finder please handover to ROP

We, Ameer Ghayas Khan, holder of Indian Passport No. J5557422 and Asharaf Ghayas Khan, holder of Indian Passport No. L9737338; presently residing at Muscat, PB No. 1657, PC 112 Sultanate of Oman; hereby solemnly affirm and declare to change the name of our child Master Ghous Khan Ghayas Khan, holder of Indian Passport No. M4817394 dated of issue 02/02/2015 issued at Muscat. The name of our child will be henceforth known as Arshad Ghous (Given Name) Ghayas Khan (Surname) for all purposes.

LOST Mamon has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AA 5696150. Finder please handover to ROP Karuppiah Alagarsamy has lost Indian Passport No. F 8260792. Finder please handover to ROP

D4

T U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Highly experienced & qualified Finance Controller / Manager seeks suitable position. NOC available. Can join immediately. Contact: 92817797 Indian female 26 yrs B.Com CA Inter with 4 yrs experience seek placement in accounts.

Contact : 94045427 Indian male 27 yrs, B. Com, MBA, CA Inter ( pursuing final) with 7+ yrs experience, seeks suitable placement in accounts, holds valid Saudi D/L. Contact : 95358659 Finance Manager (15+yrs experience) Ability to manage Group of companies. Contact: 92701962 Senior Accountant 10 years experience, looking for accounts parttime works and finalization works. Contact: 96247295 Keralite Indian B.Com Graduate lady, 2 years Oman experience in Tally ERP 9 seeking suitable placement. Contact : 95186652 Indian female (BSc MBA) having 6 yrs exp in Garment industries seeking suitable office oriented job.

Contact : 91317975 B.Com, CA Inter (Indian) with 5 years experience (2 years GCC) in Accounts & Audit field. Contact: 95584531/razikthumbe@gmail.com

ACCOUNTANT

IT

Urgently required for leading Company : Accountant between 5 to 10 yrs experience, Accountant (Petrol Station) between 3 to 5 yrs experiences. Fax: 24478522, Email : gh1.careers@gmail.com

Required Salesman for shop & hardware Technician for IT Company with minimum 2 yrs experience.

Contact 98825805 / 98825806.

Email : strns1@gmail.com

Accountant 35 years with 5 years experience in Oman urgently seeking suitable jobs accountant & Ass. Admin& HR valid D/L N.O.C. Contact: 968 99176112 /968 91818124 Email: aamirjaved24@hotmail.com Indian male 10 years experience, 6 years in Oman, with Oman driving license, having NOC seeking suitable job. Contact: 96012973

MEDICAL CATERING Required Filipina female Waitresses & male Housekeepers in Dolphin Hotel – Muscat. Only residents / contact number: 24488192 please send C.V : dolphinhoteloman@hotmail.com Urgently looking for an Expatriate House Boy with Cooking knowledge and experience.

Contact Immediately: 99460564

DOMESTIC HELPER Required housemaid for part time at Ghubra.Contact:93267065 Required a housemaid in Ruwi.

Contact 96511169

DRIVER A reputed Lebanese chain of Restaurants requires Delivery Man in Muscat. The person should have a two wheeler driving license and must be familiar with the Muscat city. Are you interested to be a part of a reputed group please call 92443104.

Driver with Oman driving licence needed. Visa available.

Contact 94288863 Looking for an experienced house driver for an Omani family. Interested candidates may Contact: 96203333

EDUCATION Urgently required for a private bilingual school at Al Ansab for immediate placement - Physics, Maths, Librarian, Nurse, Special Educators. Please email your CV : employment22012@gmail.com immediately.

Agyal Al Huda School requires Maths & Science Teachers in Al Azaiba. Contact 91409998 / 24492548 / 99637238 Post Graduate researcher required.

Contact 99229700

ENGINEER A Mechanical Engineer with salesmanship experience of 5 years & above preferable with Oman drivers license and NOC. Please forward your CV to almaadhi.trd@gmail.com Required Marine Mechanic with 3 to 5 years experience in maintaining / repairing outboard Engines and Generators of Boat. Ph: 24696130; Email: hrmedia123@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Experienced Denter, Spray painter, Mechanic, Outdoor sales person required. Contact 98045373

A Sri Lankan lady chartered accountant with five years experience (including article ship), on family visa in Oman looking for a suitable job. Contact: 91259845 Email: amashermila@gmail.com

Urgently required Female Nurses with MOH license for a Polyclinic. Attractive Salary with accommodation.

Contact: 97091664 or 97327175.

Email: mmcmuscat@gmail.com Wanted Pharmacist (B.Pharm), Staff Nurses (female) with or without MOH license for a polyclinic near Sohar. Excellent salary package.

Contact 99006915, Email : alhinaee.clinic@yahoo.com Dental center in Muscat requires Staff Nurse holding MOH license.

Omani Secretary with Arabic & English speaking and writing.

To apply please send CV to the following address: rmsalsulaimani@yahoo.com Contact: 99445533 /99449413 Require qualified full time Caregiver (Sri Lankan or Philipino) for an orderly Mother.

Contact : 99425200 Looking for Indian Candidates : Prometric passed or MOH license with NOC for polyclinic:- Radiologist, Gynecologist, Radiographer, Lab Technicians and Pharmacists.

Email: polyclinicomanhr@gmail.com Required for private clinic: Gynecologist Arabic Nationality, GP Arabic Nationality, Nurse.

Contact 97304519 from 9 AM to 1 PM Required Pharmacist with license.

Contact: 92245470 Required Dentist, Endodontist, Orthodontist with MOH license.

Contact 99010755 for dental Centre in Muscat Khuwair Email: akdmuscat@hotmail.com Wanted GP doctor with MOH license - Al Suweiq clinic - salary RO 1600/-.

Contact 97742491 Required Nurse with MOH license for Dental Centre in Khuwair Muscat.

Contact: 99010755 Email: akdmuscat@hotmail.com

SKILLED LABOR Wanted urgently need two Tailors who can make curtains.

Contact: 98962888

SALES / MARKETING Required Sales Executive for IT Sales, with valid Oman Driving License. Kindly email CV to careers@sactech.co.om Required Salesman in Salalah very good commission.

Contact 92760281 Required experienced Sales / Marketing Executives having light license. Send your CV ocean@omantel.net.om

ADMIN

DRIVER 20 years experience.

Contact : 94795033 Light duty driver looking for job more than 4 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 92602182 Driver. Contact: 95084826 Wanted driving job.

Contact : 97690766 LMV Driver, 7 yrs exp. (Keralite).

Contact 97761606 Driver Pakistani available.

NOC available. Contact: 94356465 Pakistani male light vehicle driver looking for job. Contact: 96474528 Driver with car. Contact : 91452930 Wanted driver. Contact 95112461 Car with driver or without cat specially Companies.

Contact 97943750 / 97408900

DRAFTSMAN Drafting (interior design), experienced, knows autocad, 3D, PH : 99506977

EDUCATION Indian female, MSC physics B.ED having 5 years experience in teaching looking for suitable jobs.

Contact: 97367389

ENGG. / TECHNICAL HSE Advisor 9 yrs oil & gas exp with NOC. Mobile :99493592 Pakistani diploma civil (Eng) 24 year 1.5 years experience in Pak) 2 years in (Oman). Contact: 97138320 Since March 2010 in Oman as a building Construction Site supervisor with Oman D/L looking for suitable placement or small Omani Construction Co. Contact 93061107 Civil Engineer (Diploma) seeking for placement. Contact: 95200650

SALES / MARKETING Sales man / interior designer wanted for prestigious interior design and office furniture Supply Company. Experience and drivers license needed.

Excellent remuneration package.

Email: tony@materials-plus.com Required Sales & marketing person for IT Company with minimum 2 yrs experience in Oman & with valid Oman driving license.

Contact 98825805 / 98825806.

Email : strns1@gmail.com

AVON requires female Omani Nationals (bi-lingual) and Expatriates to join their expanding local Sales Team. Candidate must have good communication skills, highly organized with a commitment and enthusiasm to be successful. Training will be provided. Valid Omani D/L necessary. Send CV on samiha-avon@mhd.co.om

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Accountant Part time up to finalization on monthly basis by Indian CA. All reports, backlog accounting, bank loan help, tax & internal Audit,affordable fee.92758370 Male B.Com Graduate having one year exp in Accounts & Admin.

Contact: 94736742 25 yrs female Indian with B.Com MBA looking out for a job in finance / marketing / HR field with a work experience of 1 year, 3 months at Bank Muscat & 7 months at India.

Contact: 94657403 / 95537261 Indian male B.Com / PGDM 16 yrs exp, 3 yrs prior Oman exp seeking suitable placement in accounts/ finance/ admin/ logistics. email : vikaso803@yahoo.com Contact 95587905 on visit visa Accountant, 36 yrs, Indian male, 10 yrs UAE experience in Accountant, Insurance currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact 96334958 / 95217432 Indian male B.Com Graduate 24 years looking for suitable placement. Contact: 97219505 Male Indian Accountant B.Com 7 years experience in Oman (accounting, finance, costing auditing) with NOC and valid driving license looking for suitable position. #96722257 Email: mudassir.pal@gmail.com

12 yrs Oman experienced Chief Accountant looking for immediate placement. Contact 99513082 Indian male, 27years, MCom, having 2years experience in Accounts looking for suitable position. Presently on visit visa. Contact 93455055| gibingeorge88@gmail.com Jordanian Accountant (ACPA) with more than 15 yrs experience in Oman (Accounts, Purchase & finance.

Contact: 92881223 Email: kamal_sarhan@yahoo.com Accountant 7Years Experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084 Part time Accountant available.

Contact : 93438100 Accounts finance Indian male 22 yrs B.Com Tally ERP-9, 2 years working experience in India on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95636987 / 94280567 Email: nihadniha777@gmail.com Accounts finance Indian male 24 B.Com Tally ERP-9, 4 years working experience in India on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact : 95583953 /96392009 Email: shafadmusthafa@gmail.com Male 29 yrs, 5+ experience, 4 yrs in HME (Office Assistant) 1 yr experience in accounts & marketing seeking for suitable position.# 96505486

Filipino,29,Male, 5years experience: Admin/Payroll/Finance/Document Control. Excellent Communication/ MS Office skills. Contact: 95057206 email: patrick110486@yahoo.com Indian lady, B.Tech graduate currently pursuing MBA via off campus and having 2 years work experience willing to work in management sector.

Contact: divyasara16@gmail.com Purchase Admin Indian male 15 years Gulf experience.

Contact: 95435370 Indian male 12+ years experience in Admin and hospitality services, seeks suitable placement.

Contact : 99318958 Email: josephonline2007@gmail.com Indian, 16 yrs experience in Admin / Office management and have knowledge in accounting seeks job. Release available and have D/L. Contact : 99573353 Filipina, 10 yrs experience in Fashion Retail, Shipment, Logistics, Inventory, Warehouse Control and Store Management is seeking employment. Call +971565833126 or 97728418.

Diploma Associate Engineer Civil Building construction on a visit visa expiring 18.09.2015 looking for job.

Contact : 94006602 / 99446918.

Indian male 27 years BE Mechanical, 2 years experience in Training AutoCAD Revit MEP PDMS Softwares. Contact: 94183625 Civil Engineer Pakistan 12 +2 years experience Oman, D/L required placement. Contact: 94392616 B.E Civil job, Project Eng exp 11 yrs.

Contact: 95690780 / 95694048 Email: sadiq.asrar81@gmail.com MECH. ENGG Indian male having 1 year exp & AutoCAD knowledge looking for suitable job.

Contact: 92835957 Electrician 3 years experience in Building lines in Oman and other related experience also. NOC available. Stay till 29.09.2015. Contact: 94057129 / 95964419 Email: raheemdadbaloch@hotmail.com Civil Engineer (Diploma) 3.5 years experience seeking for placement.

Contact: 96535084

Indian Female MBA, 3 Year Experience in Admin MIS , Family Visa. Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com

Structural more than 5 yrs experienced in oman in multy story building designing and supervision with driving license. Contact : 99894029

14 years of gulf experience in HR / Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic / English with D/L looking for suitable position. Contact: 95824598

Electronic & Communication Engineer auto cad, 2 yrs Indian experience in Instrumentation, currently on visit visa looking for a suitable position. Contact : 94493227, Email: rijokokkadan@gmail.com

ARCHITECT PHD Architect from Italy with 10 years experience speaks Arabic, English & Italian looking for Architectural job in Muscat.

Contact: 95543753 Email: basim_radhi@yahoo.com / eng.radhibasim@gmail.com

DRIVER Driver job wanted.

Contact: 99343782 Light duty driver 5 years exp in Oman. Contact: 92602182 Driver available 24, HRS, car without car. Contact: 98522914 Looking job LTV D with car.

Contact: 94436276 / 97433432

Indian male 24, Diploma in Civil Engineering 2 years experience as a Site Engineer on visit visa.

Contact: 98023153 Mechanical Engineer 23 having knowledge in HVAC looking for suitable vacancy. Contact: 95434381 Email: shuhaibuman313@gmail.com Civil QS / Project Engineer 8 yrs exp having Oman D/L looking for suitable position NOC and release available. Contact: 92633261 Email: manikce@gmail.com Civil Engineer 7 years experience in Oman. Contact: 92480604 Bangladeshi male BSc Engg in civil total 3 yrs experience 2 yrs in Oman looking for job.Contact : 94038642, Email: shaikhhasib.ce@gmail.com

T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

ENGG. / TECHNICAL Indian Mechanical Engineer, 30, having 8yrs of UAE Sales/Business Development. experience in Electromechanical and Irrigation sectors. Contact no- +971558763220 email id-sangowri@outlook.com A qualified Iraqi Electrical Engineer has more than 6 years experience in HV, LV, GAS power plant and electrical activities, resident in Oman looking for job. Contact: 94750771 Indian male Electrical and Electronics Engineer, 6 months experience GCC driving license, transferable visa. Contact: 93682181 Female Civil Engineer with 3.5 years experience looking for job in Muscat, proficient in site execution, tendering procedures billing, Quantity take off, budgetary control have knowledge in AutoCAD, SAP, Word, excel, power point. Contact: 97207212 Email: ranjur20@gmail.com DAE (civil) having 4.5 years experience with driving license of Oman, Seeking for suitable place in construction field NOC and release available contact 96968554, email- mehranahmad26@yahoo.com Civil Engg, B.Tech fresher Indian male currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement. #91702450 Email: tijoct2015@hotmail.com Indian male, 23 yrs, B.E in Mechanical post Graduation Diploma in piping Engineering, seeking job in relevant field.Contact : 94786570 Email: asim.hajwani6@gmail.com Indian diploma Civil Eng, 2 yrs exp. Infrastructures project (4G – Towers, substation) landscaping & Auto CAD. Contact: 94756183 Email: indianexpat1@gmail.com Civil Engineer (diploma) 3.5 yrs exp, seeking for placement.

Contact: 95200650 Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com C-SWIP 3.1 ASNT level 2 QC Mech.

Engr 5+ yrs exp Indian male 26 seeks placement. Contact : 91823331 Email: kannasekhar46@gmail.com Electrical and Electronics Engineer with one year experience and GCC licence holder seeking a job mail – shyjalpk@gmail.com SUPERVISOR: Indian male site supervisor (AIR CONDITIONING) 25 years of experience with valid Oman Driving license, seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97498809, 93391910 Email: hilariankj@gmail.com Mechanical and manufacturing Engineer , age 26 yrs masters ( Singapore) having 2 years Oman work experience with valid Oman driving license on visit visa available immediately.

Contact: 95498953 Indian 22 years male, Mechanical Engineer, B.Tech has done internships, born and brought up in Oman with Omani driving license, seeking suitable jobs. #92791637 Email: ashwinsureshkotturethu@gmail.com Indian Mechanical Engineer 31 yrs, 8+ experience in sales & Bus. Dev, having Oman driving license & NOC. Contact: 97116858 Email: menonamit1984@gmail.com Indian BE (MECH) aviation BE degree diploma in material quality management 17 years Navy aviation 13 years construction purchase stores professional on visit.

Contact: 90205082 /98796982 Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, Indian male, 29 yrs having 5 yrs of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India (MRF yres) seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92789995, Email : akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Indian male Civil Engineer with Engineer with 2 years experience in Building project is available currently on visit visa. Contact: 92841583 Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385 Indian male BE Mechanical currently on 2 yrs free visa with NOC & local release. Looking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact – 90296975 / ali.syedausaf@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

SALES / MARKETING

Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants - Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/ Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/ COO/CEO/Business Head. (NOC available) Contact : 96059470

Senior Manager Indian, 30 years in FMCG Business in Oman looking for better opportunity at management level. Contact 99231513

Indian male, having 14 yrs of exp. in Business Development/ Marketing with Omani D/L seeks business development / Marketing Manager post. Contact 968 93400177

IT SAP BW Analyst : Indian male, 26 yrs, B.Tech (CS & E) from ASET, New Delhi, worked as a Business Analyst in Software Industry.

Contact 98008127 / 92878708, vaisakh.bhaskar@gmail.com Male looking for DTP operator / Graphic Designer role in Oman experience of 4 years in Excel, Corel draw seeking suitable placement presently in Oman in visit visa.

Contact : 94767757 / 98442179 Email: ronnynorona@gmail.com Indian female MCA, 24 years seeking suitable job. Contact 93439467 Indian female 25 years, 1 year experience MSc – Computer Science currently on family visa looking for a suitable job in any field.

Contact: 97265504 Email: ancitasons@gmail.com B.Tech Information Technology looking job in System work. MS Office, Data Entry, Networking experience, 2 years experience in Linux Admin. Contact: 92472137 Email: vairavel.inbaa@gmail.com CCNA MCITP Network support/ Network technician with 2 yrs experience Indian male having bachelors degree on visit visa. #93080871, email :sean.f.peters@outlook.com Indian male 34 yrs M.Tech Industrial biotechnology having teaching experience seeking for job.

M. Ramkumar. Contact : 96674521, 0091-9940586051 Email: rmkumar28@gmail.com Network System Engineer switches, Routers, Servers, load balancers, CCTV 5 years of exp holds B.E (ECE) CCNA looking for good opportunity Indian visit visa. Contact 91911792 Email: arafakdnl@gamil.com Indian male, 35 years, BBA with IT diploma Holder with 13 years experience in IT Tech, Support & Administration seeking suitable position. Contact : 94770019 BE, ECE Mumbai university skills in C, C++, windows, linux, controller and processor RTOS, Electronics, Networking, 6 months experience in embedded software seeks placement. Contact : 917774864736 Email: sadatbtisekar@gmail.com

MEDICAL Indian male Dental Surgeon, prometric passed with more than 3 years experience on visit visa.

Contact : 95154648 Indian female BSc Nurse with 4 years experience with Oman prometric 64% looking for suitable placement in capital area. Contact: 95847286 Indian male, MSc, MPhil, BEd Chemistry,2 Yrs Teaching experience and having experience in lab analyst, currently on visit visa, seeks suitable post. Contact 90208673 ENT surgeon board degree & prometric exam looking for a job in private hospitals & medical complexes.

Contact: 91347226 OB/ Gynecologist board degree & prometric exam looking for a job in private hospitals & medical complexes. Contact: 91347226

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Individuals having good relation with Ministry or desiring to start new business (or running) like Electronic security system or supply of medical equipments.

Contact 94742666

22 years B.Com Graduate having experience in trading of car accessories and also with valid GCC driving license looking for a suitable job.

Contact 98504698 Facility / Project Management 5 yrs of exp holds BE (ECE) MBA, Indian on visit visa looking for suitable openings.

Contact : 98580569 Email: arafacareer@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Filipino (male) 37 yrs, having 8 yrs. experience in Operations (Shipping & Logistics) currently on visit visa looking for a suitable job.

GSM: 97121525

PROJECTS HSE Engineer Diploma in mechanical eng, 6 yrs Gulf exp, NEBOSH, OSHA with oman D/L & NOC available for urgent placement.

Contact 91258586.

Indian male, with 8 yrs exp. in Oman (BA- Graduate) working as a project Sales Coordinator, with Oman D/L, looking for suitable job, ready to join immediately with NOC, open for Sales & Marketing also.

Contact 95245057

Indian male, MBA having 7 yrs of exp. sales/marketing with Omani D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact. 96425549 Omani College girl looking for a job in a management.

Contact: 98298722 MBA Graduate having 23 yrs of experience as Sales Manager in building materials trading looking for a suitable opportunity, release available. Contact 92106768, Email : suvimasri@gmail.com Sales man and author job – Dubai experience need job visa.

Contact: 91139936 / 96136615 NOC available with valid driving license looking for suitable placement diploma in Automobile Engg experience in dealer service 10 years and spare parts procurement 5 years through with local Market.

Contact : 00968 95487946

SECRETARIAL / OFFICE Indian male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin, Secretarial and purchase with good computer skills.

Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 90135063

SKILLED/ UNSKILLED TOURS & TRAVELS Welder / fabricator, Gulf exp, 3G, 6G ARC, GAS PH : 95068064

SALES / MARKETING 25 yrs experienced building materials manager knowledge of Purchase Marketing sales seeks suitable placement. Contact 94663824 / 94305499 Indian male, with 5 yrs experience of call centre in customer service & sales looking for suitable position.

Contact 90198176 Indian female having more than 8 years of experience in oil and gas sectors sales and marketing and 2 years as commercial manager looking for a suitable post in Sohar area.

Now on visit visa. Contact 96311709, Indian no 0091 9745541355, Email Id:mvrajagd_d@yahoo.com Sales man (food stuff), Gulf experienced, knows Hindi, Arabic .

Contact 99506977 Indian male looking for job in spare parts BMW / Mercedes benz.

Contact: 95712035 Business intelligence / Global Marketing management specialist with 9 years of experience developing brand value & managing overall projects to achieve business objectives seeking suitable position on family visit. Contact: 91902154 A professional commercial & Business Developer (Sudanese) MBA & PGD extensive experience (14 yrs in marketing, sales and procurement) for International companies with residential permit & driving license.

Contact 94738839 Email: alhassanolive@gmail.com MBA 15 years experience in Sales & Marketing in telecom, FMCG, presently in India C/O Saif Kazi.

Contact : 99625957 Email Id: a_kazi123@yahoo.co.in Male BA, with D/L, having 6 years exp in Oman wanted suitable job in Sales Inventory & procure.

Contact: 92191026 Indian male 25 yrs BBM Graduate 3 yrs of experience Sales / Marketing in Oman looking in suitable placement. Contact : 93185316 Email: karsh794@gmail.com Sales and marketing - male 27 yrs, 2 years experience seeking suitable placement with Oman D/L. Contact: 95642740 Email: shaijichakkara@gmail.com

Five years experience in Travel field ,BCom., IATA & pursuing MBA, Presently working in the Travel Desk of (ITC managed) Five Star Hotel in India, looking for a suitable position in the Middleeast. pls contact 9470 5767

MISCELLANEOUS Admin, having 10+ years experience in Admin/HR/Logistics/Time Keeper, in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat.

Contact- 968 94369965 mail - satya1528@gmail.com Indian male B.Eng. in IT,CCNA,MCSA,MCSE, 2.5 yrs + exp. in IT support, Networking and Server support with valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/ Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian male auto cad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job mobile no: 0096899070584, email: remluvp@gmail.com Indian Male, 25, Chartered Accountant, working with ICICI Bank India. On a Visit Visa in Oman.

Staying with parents at Azaibah.

Ph:24492638.

Email: shyamal008@gmail.com Indian female, B.Sc, PGDCA, currently on family joining visa, 2 years working experience in oman as customer care / sales co-ordinator. immediate joining seeks suitable placements. contact no. (968) 95573205 /95949230/ 95800792

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Male Nurse with Moh licence & Noc seeking a job with Family Status gsm:95817579.

E.mail:vasudevanv2005@gmail.com Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 Sudanese/Bsc IT/26/2 years experience/excellent Eng-Arb speaking/ Omani driving license/96387227/ henrykarrar@gmail.com MBA - (F), M.Com, B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for part time or full time job. Presently on family visa. Contact :- 91892264.

Email:- yv.dixit@yahoo.com Indian male Accountant, 12 years experience, looking for a full time or part time job, experience in tally also. Contact 98983122 Indian Male (Diploma in electronics Engineering and CCNA.) having 9 years of experience in Networking, 5 years’ experience in Oman. Looking for a suitable Placement. NOC available. GSM- 93787098, Email –anishktr@gmail.com

Admin Executive, Indian Female having 10 years Gulf experience in seeking suitable placement currently working in Muscat.

Email: meenafajar@yahoo.com, Mobile 0096893211402 MOH Indian Dentist 10 years experience in Oman. Can speak Arabic, has driving license. Contact 98995321 or ventureoman007@gmail.com Having 9+ years exp. in Administration & HR in reputed companies.

Presently working in Muscat and seeking for suitable placement.

Contact No.: 97693456. Email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com Omani , female, have diploma in quantity survey, bachelor in Constitution management, seeking situated placement at Sohar. Tel 94454180, Mail nhlmct@yahoo.com Indian male,27, IT/Telecom Engineer, 2 yrs exp in Oman, with valid Oman D/L, NOC Available.

Ph: 9393 8727 ACCOUNTANT, Indian male, 29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license.

NOC available. Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 98184170

Site Supervisor/ L Driver, Pakistani Male 33 with valid D/L, 4 years experience in Muscat, fluent in English, Arabic looking for suitable place. Contact: 97950869

Indian male having 4 years of experience in IT Support & networking. Currently on visit visa. seeking suitable opportunities. Contact 92013641.

Pakistani, Male, Pak, Exp 14 Years in IT Trainer / Computer Teacher, looking for a better position in Oman, already working in Prestigious Construction Company. #95983711.

Join.mtmali@gmail.com

Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking. 1 year sales experience. MSc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license. Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com

INDIAN MALE 24 YEARS,B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic).Having 2 years experience as Electrical Site Engineer in Constructions. Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications.

Seeking for suitable placement in constructions or in any related industries. Contact no: 98045482, Email: shannu.hse@gmail.com

Finance Manager / Chief Accountant / Audit Manager, C.A , MBA ,ACCA , CPA..15years in GULF , Expert in Banking ,Financing, Profit Maximizations , Admin & Management, Business Developments , ERPs Software’s, Audit Exp. with Big 5 , NOC & Driving License Call 94403270 or 94504505

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available. Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854

29 years Indian female (MBAFinance) with 4+yrs experience (Oman) in Accounts is seeking suitable placement in Accounts/Admin.

Contact:96141283.

Indian male Auto cad Draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job. Contact : 99070584, Email: remluvp@gmail.com

MEP Quantity Surveyor-Estimation-Project, 10 Years Experience (3 years in Oman). Having NOC & Oman D/L. Looking for suitable job, Contact – 98291626

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T U E S D AY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SIT.WANTED MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNTANT, Indian Male, 25 years old, 5 years Experience (2 years in Oman & 3 years in India) Presently working in Oman. Going exit on this week with NOC. Seeking suitable opportunities.

GSM : 97018783 Indian male Nurse 5 years ICU experience prometric 63% and BLS, ACLS puss, looking for suitable job currently on visit visa.

Contact: 93894049 Email: basilbabybasilbaby@gmail.com Indian male 29 years B.Tech & MBA with 1.2 years experience in Oman as Electronic Engineer seeking for a suitable job.

Contact: 92085082 Email: suhailece.61@gmail.com BE Civil Engineer with 11 years of experience in building construction with valid Oman DL, looking for suitable placement, NOC available.

Please contact 91329910 Diploma in civil engineering having an experience 24years (20years in Oman) experience in Estimator / quantity surveyor looking for a suitable placement, willing to join immediately Contact : 96328687 Indian male B.Eng. in IT,CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 2yrs + exp. in IT support, networking and server support valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian male, 14 yrs Experience in Maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field ( Electrical . Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) N O C available mob : 95 25 36 40 . email = hareeshma24@yahoo.com ME Civil- structural Engineer, 8 Years Structural engineer experience, Looking for Structural Designer, supervisor or site engineer Position. Iranian male.

Contact: 93696929, Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com Indian Male 26 years MCA, MCSE 2012 certified, Microsoft Exchange Server Administration, having 1 year experience in IT/System Administration looking for suitable placement.

Contact Mob : 00968 92745708 Email: nabeelmmkty@gmail.com, Light duty driver, Young and honest.

Can speak Arabic, Hindi and understand English. Release available.

Ph.92854775 / 93487450 Indian female with MBA on visit visa seeking immediate placement.

Contact - 968-93316493 27,male,ACCA finalist, have professional experience upto finalization of accounts, statutory and internal audit, expertise in using tally and focus & oracle software, have 3.5 years experience in accounts till finalization and statutory audit, seeking for permanent replacement ,GSM-97654769,email idabdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com Sudanese male, 31 years, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer , 6 year experience in construction and electrical production plant .

Mobile No ; +96894549609 Indian male, B.com, MBA, having 5 years experience (3 years in U.A.E) is currently seeking suitable opportunities within finance/accounts/ admin dept.Contact:93953613, allen.mathew83@gmail.com B.Com graduate, 11 years experience in Accounts, 9 years Oman experience , Oman valid driving license, looking for suitable post.

Mob:92758404 NOC Available.

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available. Seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 Two year experience in Oman, experience in sales, purchase and system admin, Having GCC license.

Contact number 97475860, Yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com Indian Male, 32 yrs, MBA-HR, Trainer & Faculty worked on Omanisation & nationals development activities with 10 yrs of experience seeking suitable job. Contact : 93891401 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com Sudanese 29 male (Bsc computer science,diploma computer engineering), 6 yrs. experience dba oracle plsql , ms sql-server ,ms visual studio vba,network Omani Driver licence language English, Arabic Tel: 91415886 Driver looking for job exp 2 yrs.

Contact: 98522914

SITUATION WANTED Piping Design Engineer, Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708/97357143

Indian Female Accountant, CA Final (Group I cleared), 5+ year’s experience in the field of Accounts, Audit and Financial ERPs. Currently available in Muscat and seeking suitable job opportunities.Ph:94704800 email id: vinithsavith@gmail.com

Indian female, 24yrs, M.COM (Accounts) having 3 yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proficiency seeking Suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913

B.E (IT) 1 year exp complete schooling in Muscat needs job in software / net working / java/ WEB design or marketing. #97136248 / 99313821

Indian male 27 years B.E & MS Mechanical Engineer working in Delhi for last 4 years inJcb India pvt. ltd., seeks placement in Oman. #93393768

Data Entry operator cum Buyer, Indian male,26years.BA, Computer proficiency :Operating system (Windows 2000xp & Windows7) E plus and Tally ERP9, 4 yrs Experience in Oman seeks suitable placements.

Mob: 95360255

Female MBA gold medalist, with computer proficiency, Oman driving license looking for job opportunity in event management companies in Muscat. Ph : 99012949

Indian Female BSC nurse with 8+ years of experience including 3 years of GCC exp. Oman Prometric passed with 57 %. Currently in Oman. Contact : 98034384

Indian female B. Com MBA finance ,5 years experience in oman as an account seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99044292

Senior Accounts Professional, Indian Male, 36 years, M.Com, MBA (Fin) 9 years in Oman, with valid Oman DL and NOC available. Capable to handle accounts up to finalization.

Contact 9602 3965.

Indian male 23 years Graduate, working as a sales coordinator cum purchase & office coordination 2 yrs in oman Having oman license & NOC looking for suitable job in Muscat Email:yadhukrishnan08@gmail. com, GSM:97475860 Indian Male 22 Years , Graduation In Electronics Seeking Jobs In Supervisory , Sales & Sales Co-ordination Fields , Good Communication Skill Contact 96141317, E-mail: akhilek5@gmail.com DIPLOMA+B.E.(CIVIL ENGINEER), Indian, 4 years of experience, currently on visit visa; Seeking Right Position. GSM:91570703.

ME. Civil Engineer, Structural Designer, 3 Years Structural Design, 6 Years Str. Engineer Experience, Looking For Structural Designer Position. Iranian Male. #93696929, Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com B-tech Electrical Engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat. #98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com Male Graphic designer cum animation, non linear editing VFX, seeking suitable position.

Contact: 97792661 / 96229406 Indian lady 30 years Graduate having work experience in India and Oman looking for Admin or any other suitable job. Contact : 95676957

Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking, 1 year sales experience. M. Sc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license.

Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com

SITUATION WANTED Indian female LLB (Advocate) 2 years experience looking for suitable post legal advisor company secretary etc. # 93343190 / 94476387 Email: shafu1019@gmail.com Indian female, B.Sc, PGDCA, currently on family joining visa, 2 years working experience in oman as customer care / sales co-ordinator, immediate joining seeks suitable placements. Contact no. (968) 95573205 / 95949230 / 95800792 Indian male 22 years ACCA affiliate , BSc, Graduate in applied accounting 2 months working experience seeking suitable placement in Finance / Accounts / audit immediately. Contact: 97378607 / 92558734 B-tech Electrical Engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact: 98269366.

Email: sijincleetus@gmail.com Project Manager / Senior Engineer, Indian Male BE Civil, 21yrs experienced including Oman looking for the Job Contact +918939295181 Email I’D 58031_bala@yahoo.co.in

Indian, presently on visit visa in Salalah looking for job B.com failed UAE experience in accounts, commercial Admin & warehouse. Contact: 92754071 /93346931 Email: sathyanathanuk@gmail.com

Indian male 26 , graduate in mechanical engineering having 2 years experience in fabrication production filed in India, looking for a suitable job. mobile: +968-91384621 EMAIL : rmekhil@hotmail.com

Indian male, 39 yrs, MSC Computer Science 10 years experience IT support, FMS Engineer, bank experience looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94276449

Sr. Sales Executive, Indian Male, Holding Valid Oman DL. Total experience in Oman of 15 years with 4 years Rent a Car Co. experience.

Looking for Opportunities in any Industry for similar sales role.

GSM - 95703233 email id “khetani_r@yahoo.com

MBA (Marketing /HR) with 45 years exp in business development and marketing, having valid Oman driving license seeks suitable placement currently available on family visa. Contact 97618033 Email: vjgeorge12@gmail.com Civil site coordinator, Diploma, Male 25, now present in Oman, Seeking job in Oman.

Contact 92887561, jubincivileng@gmail.com Indian male 63 years have 30 years Muscat experience all office work sales business development insurance administration accounts with Oman driving license.

Contact 99249412

INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS,B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic). Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications. Looking for HSE engineer job in Oil Gas Sector, constructions or in any related industries. Contact 98045482 Indian male. M.com holder with two year working experience as an accountant in India. Now at Muscat on visiting visa. Seeks suitable placement. Gsm:96947500,99463120, :mohamedshafikk5@gmail.com Driver 5 years exp know English, Arabic,& Hindi Education B.A. Contact : 91615715 / 99512270

ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years.8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license.

NOC available seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 Female, Indian, 35 Yrs- house maid available for Full/Part time work in Muscat. contact- 96754303.

29 years Indian female (MBAFinance) with 4+yrs experience (Oman) in Accounts, seeking suitable placement in Accounts/Admin.

Contact:96141283 Indian, male, 41 years, CA Inter, Persuing CA final. Now on express visa. 7 years of Experience in OMAN as Finance and Accounts Manager in Trading , Construction and Firefighting industry. 21 Years of exp. seeking suitable Managerial positions. No visa issues. Immediate joining.

Contact 98469311 Email:sebin30@yahoo.co.in B-tech Electrical engineer with more than 2 years of experience in erection and designing of HT and LT electrical systems. Seeking for suitable job in Muscat. Contact:98269366.

Email:sijincleetus@gmail.com Indian Female B.Sc., B.Ed.(Maths), M.C.A residing in Al-Ghubra seeking a teaching position as a Math Teacher GSM.- 94231633 INDIAN MALE 23 YEARS, B. Tech (Electrical & Electronic) having 4 years working experience as an Electrical site Engineer. Looking for suitable job in Oil Gas Sector or in related industries. Contact 98045482

Indian male 28YRS, 7Years exp. in Architectural & structural Draughtsman & 3d visualization, looking for a suitable Post GSM: +971551965944.

Email:aboosufiyan@gmail.com Indian Female, M.Com & MBA with 1.5 years of experience in Reinsurance Treaty seeking a good job opportunity in Insurance & Reinsurance Accounts or General Accounts.

Contact: +968 91920189, Email: neethumano.manohar@gmail.com CCNA MCITP network support / network technician with 2 years experience Indian male having bachelors degree on visit visa.

Contact 93080871 sean.f.peters@outlook.com 8 yrs exp 2d, 3d draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job. Contact : 93790601 ME. Civil Engineer, Structural Designer, 3 Years Structural Design, 6 Years Str Supervising Experience, Looking For Structural Designer Position. Iranian Male.

Contact : 93696929 Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com BSC Female Nurse having 8 years of experience ( 3 years in gulf). Prometric passed - 57%. Currently in Oman.

Contact : 98034384 ACCOUNTANT, Male, 8 years experience .Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with Oman Driving license. NOC available seeks suitable opportunity.

GSM: 98184170

Indian male, ERP Functional Consultant (SCM, MM, HRMS), Seeks employment.Contact: 98478928, Email: anand.desai2408@gmail.com

ACCOUNTANT, M.Com holder with 2 year working experience as an accountant in Kerela-India, seeks suitable placement. GSM NO:96947500, 9 9463120, mail: mohamedshafikk5@gmail.com

Indian male , 14 yrs Experience in maintenance & Supervisor in hotel field ( Electrical . Ac Mechanical & Plumber ) N O C available mob : 95 25 36 40 . email = hareeshma24@yahoo.com

Indian Male 22 Years, Graduation In Electronics Seeking Jobs In Supervisory , Sales & Sales Co-ordination Fields , Good Communication Skill Contact 96141317, E-mail: akhilek5@gmail.com

Piping Design Engineer, Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, Email : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

Sudanese.male 32 years.B.SC mechanical engineer.7years experience.5 years experiance in Gulf.working now in water pipeline projects.fluent Arabic and English. have Omani driving license. looking for good opportunity TEl:91117089

T U E S DAY, S E P T E M B E R 1 5, 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

MANPOWER

SIT.WANTED Filipino (male), 37 yrs. old, having 8yrs. experience in Operation (Shipping & Logistics) currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

GSM: 97121525 Chartered Accountant with 7 years of post qualification experience, seeking challenging job opportunity.

Experience in auditing/accounts & finance/taxation/IFRS, etc.

GSM +968 95763680

COMPUTER

CLASSES

Indian Female Interior Designer, 4.5 yrs experience, seeking immediate mid-senior level position with firm having lady clearance. NOC Available. Contact 93033072 Indian Male 22 years, ACCA Affiliate with B..Sc. Degree in Applied Accounting having three months working experience seeking suitable placement in Finance / Accounts / Audit. Holding valid Oman D/L. Contact 97378607 / 92558734 Indian female Nurse, Prometric passed 64%, 5 years of experience, MOH licensed, presently working in Oman seeking a suitable placement in reputed Hospitals, NOC available.

Contact: 98329941, Email: ancyanish2011@gmail.com.

Female from India -MA. B.Ed. with One year three months Teaching experience. English seeking for a urgent better placement, Now working in Oman. #93961142, 92184408 Email:-anoopkesavan78@gmail.com.

Driver with car seeking suitable post. Contact : 916602662 Video Editor 29 years Indian male with 8 years experience on visit visa looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 91275969 / leomoorkoth@gmail.com Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 91033395 8 yrs exp 2d, 3d Draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job. # 97449630 Tunisian shoes designer wuth 40years expereince in designing and manifacturing loocking for a job in a related field contact : 97816917 Indian male MBA + TALLY , 29 years & 7years experience in Administration and Manager level in Reputed companies, Seeking suitable placement.# 96297709 / +91 9066130371, Email: jomonjohnm9@gmail.com Indian female MBA Finance currently on visit visa seeks immediate placement. Phone: 968-98430089 Indian Male, 28, B.Com, 6+ yrs exp in Accounts, 2 yrs in Oman with Valid Oman D/L, NOC available.

Contact: 9719 4864 Indian male post graduate.2 years experience in sales. currently in oman on visit visa.seeks suitable placement.Gsm 92388346 Civil site coordinator, Diploma, Male 25, now present in Oman, Seeking job in Oman. Contact: 92875345, jubincivileng@gmail.com Male Indian 27, working as finance analyst having two years Oman experience with Driving license looking for suitable position. Mob: 98097009, rameesnm@gmail.com FRESH - B.Com Graduate on Family Visa, looking for any suitable Job. Contact : 92567020 / 95322175, Email: shwayanad@gmail.com Store Supervisor or Site Supervisor, Indian male 30 years, looking for suitable placement in any reputed company. Having 5 years of gulf experience with good communication skills. Willing to work in any GCC country. Contact: 00968 97756269, Email: razzakbmt@gmail.com

SIT.WANTED Indian Male, 25, C.A., 2 years experience as Credit Manager with ICICI Bank India on Visit Visa. Staying with parents at Azaibah.

Ph: 24492638.

Email: shyamal008@gmail.com

Spoken English IELTS & Computer classes.

Contact: 92088325 / 24799938

WEBSITE

27,male, ACCA finalist, have professional experience upto finalisation of accounts, statutory and internal audit, expertise in using tally and focus & oracle softaware, have 3.5 years experience in accounts till finalisation and statutory audit, seeking for permanent replacement GSM-97654769, email idabdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering, having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com Indian male having 14years of experience in HR, Purchase Dept, having Oman driving license looking for a suitable position at Salalah. Noc available.

Contact : 91182907 Mail: Madhuvtk@ gmail.com

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. #24793614/ 99314807

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT Indian male 55 years. 30 Years experience, presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant last 10 years.

NOC available, seek suitable opportunity. GSM 99685800.

Email:- sanatoman@gmail.com

Used house & office furniture & electronic items. Contact: 99834373 / 96642500 Supply fixing Wallpapers, all carpets. Contact: 99834373 / 96642500

Indian Male, 29, 9 years exp in Sales in Oman (Buraimi) with valid D/L looking for suitable placements, NOC available .Ph: 9360 1947 Female, BE(hons) Systems Administration, 2 years teaching experience. Seeking suitable placement in Higher Education/Training industry.

Email: sadia_fatima@hotmail.com Contact:96447091

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

DRIVING Indian male, 27 years, BCom CA Inter, Pursuing CA final and MBA with 5 years work experience (2 years GCC), currently working as a cost accountant seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 94390660 Indian male B.Eng. in IT,CCNA, MCSA,MCSE, 2yrs + exp. in IT support, networking and server support valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532

One stop shop business services : Public Relation (PRO) formation new companies, LLC companies, Investor visa, business setup, prepare businesses & companies accounts, legal services, representing you and your company. Contact: Saleh : 96723485 House shifting & packing.

Contact: 99657644 /98518013 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting.

Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading.

L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Pest Control Treatments, Cockroaches, Ants, Rodents & Termites, Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723/ 99357908 General cleaning & Shampooing. Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723/99357908 A/C Technician, all refrigerator items, installation.

Contact 92279370 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

TRANSPORTATION Transportation for saloon car& delivery van. Contact : 95530908 Transportation available.

Contact -955 70 429 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation. Contact 99664703

Required investors for different projects. Contact: 99674870

TRANSPORTATION Transportation available.

Contact: 99867456

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Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

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SITUATION WANTED CARGO

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Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

RENT A CAR