Times of Oman - March 16, 2016

WEDNESDAY March 16, 2016 7 Jumada Al Thani 1437 AH

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FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the Opening of the 4th Term of the State Consultative Council, 1988

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ Omanis should take the initiative and play a substantial role in all fields, no one should shun the jobs of his father and forefathers, or hesitate to make use of the job opportunities available in the private sector on the pretext that he holds an academic degree and that he should have a Government job.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 20

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

RULER OF AJMAN

HM receives cable of thanks

GUESS WHICH RACING LEGEND IS COMING TO OMAN? > See A7

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received a cable of thanks from Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Supreme Council and Ruler of Ajman in reply to His Majesty’s condolences cable on the death of Sheikh Mohammed bin Nasser Al Nuaimi. >A6

‘Increase in salary unlikely in 2016’

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

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Workers on strike

Quite difficult to expect salary hikes

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More than 60 expat workers are on strike over alleged salary and food denial. >A2

due the current financial situation

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World Water Day walk Times News Service

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Children will participate in a 3km walk in celebration of UN’s World Water Day. >A5

BUSINESS

MSM-listed firms

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Unaudited results must now be disclosed within 15 days of the end of quarter. >B1

EXPORT OF PET PRODUCT

Oman wins court case in US Times News Service

MORNING MINUTE

MUSCAT: Oman, represented by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), has won a case filed against the export of polyethylene terephthalate product (PET) to the United States market.

The case is related to the amount of government subsidisation granted by Oman for this product, which is produced by the Octal Company. The investigations relating to the case lasted for nearly a year and a half and were undertaken by the US Ministry of Commerce.

The US Ministry of Commerce

had issued a decision about the results of the investigation carried out against Oman’s exports and other involved countries about PET products on March 7. The results of investigation showed that subsidisation ratio of the government of Oman to the Octal Company does not constitute harm to the US industry.

After the investigations ended, it was found that the subsidisation ratio is a mere 0.59 per cent, which is less than the minimum ratio (de minimis), according to provisions under the applicable laws in the US. Thus, Oman has been excluded from the subsidisation

case without imposing any fees against its exports, while the subsidisation rates for exports from other countries was pegged at between 5.12 per cent and 153.80 per cent.

Oman’s victory in the subsidisation case is an additional success for previous victories in the cases filed against Oman’s exports, which reflect the efforts of MOCI, Octal Company and all cooperative bodies during the investigations period to prove that the government of Oman does not provide subsidisation to the Octal Company in a way that violates the WTO convention and the laws of the United States.

MUSCAT: Do not expect a hike in salary in 2016 given the current situation, company officials and business owners stated clearly on Tuesday.

They were reacting to the findings of the latest research released by online recruitment firm GulfTalent, which said the average pay increases in Oman and across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are set to be lower

in 2016 than at any time over the past decade. Reacting to the survey, Ahmed Al Hooti, a member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), said it’s quite difficult to see salary increases in the private sector given the current financial situation.

“The private sector should not be connected to the drop in oil prices. The private sector should be separate from anything involving the oil price in the normal scenario. But as most private sector companies depend on government projects, any salary increase is almost impossible unless there are some changes in the future in oil prices. Many companies get less projects and others are affected by the financial situation of the government,” explained Al Hooti.

The Muscat-based economist said the findings of the survey are in line with emerging trends in the GCC economy. >A6

Ancient Portuguese ship wreck discovered off the coast of Oman

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

OMAN

Take precautions during the rain and avoid crossing wadis (valleys), as well as checking the state of the sea before sailing into the waters Public Authority for Civil Aviation

More than 60 expatriate workers on strike over salary, food denial REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com

We are not getting any payment from the company. Moreover, the company is also not providing any food. We are starving.

Without having food how can we go for work? We are stuck here, the workers told the Times of Oman

MUSCAT: More than 60 expatriate workers in a camp in Oman are on strike alleging non-payment of salary offered in contract and food for the last few days.

“We are not getting any payment from the company. Moreover, the company is also not providing any food. We are starving. Without having food how can we go for work? We are stuck here,” the workers told the Times of Oman.

Most of the workers had come TRANSPORT

to Oman after paying money ranging from OMR300 to OMR500 and through recruitment agencies based in India.

“We are not getting the salary offered in the contract. While some have received a little, the majority have not got anything. Our main problem is that we don’t have food.

How long can we starve?” one of the workers said.

Company version Meanwhile, a company official said they had paid half of the salary for the workers and are planning

to send them back. While asked as to why only half of the salary had been paid, the official said the company is facing a financial crisis.

When asked about the lack of food, the official refused to make any comment.

Other issues The workers also alleged that the company had not provided them with a decent accommodation.

“It’s nasty and dirty everywhere,” the workers said.

“Space has been made on walls to install air conditioners. Howev-

er, air conditioners have not been installed,” the workers said.

Meanwhile, a Muscat-based legal advisor told Times of Oman that non-payment of salary is against Oman’s labour law.

“Companies cannot breach the terms and conditions agreed upon in the job contract. Moreover, non-payment of salary and food is against labour laws,” the legal advisor said.

“Aggrieved workers can approach labour dispute departments and their mission houses to settle the issue,” the advisor added.

W E AT H E R

ROP launches campaign for safer driving

Rain forecast for today, but not as severe as last week

MUSCAT: Royal Oman Police (ROP), represented by the Directorate General of Traffic, launched at the Traffic Safety Institute yesterday the traffic awareness campaign “Driving without Mobile”.

The campaign was launched under the patronage of Dr Hamad bin Salim Al Rawahi, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA).

Launch of the campaign coincides with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Traffic Week. It aims at limiting the usage of mobile while driving by presenting some studies for the targeted category in a bid to limit traffic accidents. -ONA

Staff Reporter

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MUSCAT: Rainfall expected on Wednesday will not be as severe as last week, meteorologists said.

“Rain will return to Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) later on Wednesday or Thursday and continue into the weekend; with another round of rain possible later next week. However, it will not be as severe as last week,” Jason Nicholls, a senior meteorologist at Accuweather.com, said.

According to the National Multi Hazard Early Warning Centre at the Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA), the Sultanate will be affected by unstable weather on Wednesday.

PACA has advised the public to take precautions during the rain and avoid crossing wadis (valleys), as well as check the state of the sea before sailing into the waters.

Meanwhile, in its latest advisory, the Oman Meteorology Department has predicted chances of rain and occasional thundershowers over the governorates of Musandam, Al Buraimi, North and South Al Batinah, which will gradually extend to governorates of Muscat, Al Dakhliya and North and South Al Sharqiya.

During last week’s rain, the Public Authority of Civil Defence and Ambulance’s (PACDA’s) operations centre received 332

EXPECT MORE: The Oman Meteorology Department has predicted chances of rain and occasional thundershowers over the governorates of Musandam, Al Buraimi, North and South Al Batinah, which will gradually extend to governorates of Muscat, Al Dakhliya and North and South Al Sharqiya. – File photo

rescue calls. PACDA statistics recorded 255 water rescue operations, 37 land rescue operations, 29 fire extinguishing operations, eight ambulance-related calls, and four search operations.

As for calls recorded by various governorates, Al Batinah North registered the biggest number, which resulted in 95 rescue operations, followed by Al Dhakhiliyah which recorded 67 rescue operations.

Muscat came in third with 51

rescue operations being conducted, followed by Al Buraimi, which recorded 43 reports.

Al Sharqiyah North recorded 27 such incidents, Al Batinah South 26, Dhahira 23, while only one rescue operation was carried out by PACDA in Al Sharqiyah South.

The death toll from the thundershowers and flash floods, which hit Oman last week, has climbed to eight after two more children were found dead.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

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E D UC AT I O N

Muscat University chairman elected MUSCAT: Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khunji was yesterday elected chairman of the Muscat University at a meeting of the University’s board.

Rashad bin Mohammed Al Zubair was elected as Deputy Chairman.

The Muscat University Board of Directors had held its first meeting at the site of the project to elect the chairman, the deputy chairman and members of the executive office, in addition to making a decision on a number of urgent issues related to the University.

The board also elected members of the executive office and authorised signatories to ensure smooth running of the works as per the pre-set plans.

The meeting also reviewed the transactions made by the founding committee during the past period and the liabilities.

It also considered and approved the financial statements of the project, which was prepared by an external auditor.

Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khunji, Chairman of the Board stressed the importance of Muscat University project which aims at providing local and regional labour markets with high quality cadres in the specialities that the University will focus on. -ONA ASTROLOGICAL SOCIETY

Day, night equal MUSCAT: Oman Astrological Society said that day and night will be equal in the Sultanate today as the sun rises on 6.15 am and sits on 16.15 pm.

Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, member of the Society said that the spring for 2016 will start on at 8.31 am March 20 local timing. -ONA

DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE ARRIVE ALIVE

OMAN

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016 This historical discovery documents this communication and confirms Oman’s global stature and importance in the midst of the international competition between the various forces in the beginning of modern times Ibrahim Al Busaidi, assistant professor, Department of History, SQU

OMAN PA E W A N N OU N C E M E N T

Water costlier for government, businesses and industries Times News Service MUSCAT: Water rates for government, commercial and industrial consumption have been raised with effect from March, the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) has announced.

The new tariff for government consumption will be 3.5 baizas per gallon, with the same charged for commercial and industrial consumption, reflecting a 0.5 baiza hike in the water tariff.

Mohammad Ali Al Yahyaee, senior manager of Operations and Control at PAEW said, “The Authority will activate the new price

for water consumption in government commercial and industrial uses starting with the invoice issued for March 2016.”

He added that the new tariff was printed on the February invoice in order for customers to be aware of the impending change.

Al Yahyaee added, “The authority is continuing with the new tariff to encourage subscribers in government, commercial and industrial sectors to reduce the use of water consumption.”

He added that according to data, the rate of water consumption is high and that the average cost of production and distribution of

water is nearly 7 baizas per gallon while the water is sold to customer at less than half the price.

Residential water consumption remains fixed, where the consumption of one to 5,000 gallons is priced at 2 baizas per gallon; and 2.5 baizas per gallon for those consuming more than 5,000 gallons of water.

This is determined due to the fixed price adopted in which the water is sold to water tankers at the price of 1 baiza per gallon for tankers that hold less than 700 gallons of water and 3 baizas for those with a capacity higher than 700 gallons.

European age of discovery ship found off Dhofar The Portuguese war ship called ‘Esmeralda,’ which sank in a storm in May 1503 near the Omani coast, is the earliest ship from Europe’s age of overseas explorations to be found and scientifically investigated

ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A shipwreck of one of earliest ships from the European age of discoveries in the east has been discovered off the coast of the Governorate of Dhofar at the Al Hallaniya Island, the Ministry of Heritage and Culture (MHC) revealed at a press conference on Tuesday.

The Portuguese war ship called ‘Esmeralda,’ which sank in a storm in May 1503 near the Omani coast, is the earliest ship from Europe’s age of overseas explorations to be found and scientifically investigated by a team of archaeologists and other experts.

The ship was part of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama’s armada to India in 1502-1503.

The discovery is important, given the huge number of artefacts, more than 2,800 that have been found at the wreck site. These include firearms, brass belt buckles, spoons, trade beads, rings, ceramics and stone cannon balls.

One of the most significant artefacts found at the wreck site, is the ship’s bronze bell with an inscription that suggests the date of the ship was 1498. The bell was, as David Mearns, project director of Blue Water Discoveries Ltd. (BWD) explained, “amazingly, found under a boulder, having stayed there for over 500 years.”

Mearns said the golden ‘Cruzado’ coins dating from between

RARE FIND : The discovery of the Esmeralda will benefit research and tourism in Oman, as the objects are expected to attract a lot of attention from visitors. – Talib Al Wahibi

1495 and 1501 found at the site were “in spectacular condition.”

In addition, an ultra-rare silver Indio coin that was commissioned by King Dom Manuel I in 1499 specifically for trade with India was found at the site. He said there is only one other example of this coin in the world.

An important copper-alloy disc marked with the Portuguese Royal Coat of Arms and an armillary sphere, which was the personal emblem of King Dom Manuel I, was another important object found. The announcement followed years of research conducted by the MHC and BWD, who have since 1998 carried out extensive research to find scientific proof of the identity of the Portuguese ship being Vicente Sodré’s Esmeralda.

Full-scale archaeological survey and excavation however, did not begin until 2013.

Mearns said it took a team of 55 crew members 977 divers and 50 days at the wreck site to get a complete picture of the ship.

“This is, easily, the most complex and hardest things I’ve ever done, but it’s most satisfying and a legacy I’m extremely proud of,” he stated.

It is now proven that the ‘Esmeralda’ is the earliest ship from Europe to be found, explained Mearns. Details of the wreck site, published on Tuesday in the International Journal of Nautical Archaeology reveal that the ship is believed to be the nau Esmeralda commanded by Vicente Sodré, who was the maternal uncle of Vasco da Gama.

The historical and archaeological importance of the wreck site, based on future studies of the artefact assemblage, could be enormous. As one of the very early

Ships of Discovery that pre-dates the nearest Iberian shipwreck in age by 30 to 50 years, the artefacts are expected to reveal new discoveries about how maritime trade and warfare was conducted in the Indian Ocean at the turn of that vital century.

Ibrahim Al Busaidi, assistant professor at the Department of History at Sultan Qaboos University, said the discovery is important in the light of Oman’s strategic location.

“The arrival of the Portuguese in India in 1498, led by Vasco da Gama is considered the beginning of a new era of communication between the East and the West at the beginning of modern times.

This historical discovery documents this communication and confirms Oman’s global stature and importance in the midst of the international competition between the various forces in the beginning of modern times,” he said.

He added that the artefacts found at the site will provide researchers with a lot of historical information related to the nature of the Portuguese campaigns in the east, and the types of ships and weapons, in addition to the economic aspects, such as currencies. He also said it would lend a lot of historical facts and support the documentation of the Portuguese presence in the Middle East. The discovery of the Esmeralda will benefit research and tourism in Oman, as the objects are expected to attract a lot of attention from visitors.

Hassan Mohammed Ali Al Lawati, adviser to the Minister for Heritage Affairs at MHC, said that this discovery is not only important to Oman, but also to cultural heritage shared by all nations.

H I G H E R E D UC AT I O N

Employer Survey 2016 launched MUSCAT: Employer Survey 2016, one of the periodic surveys conducted by the Graduates Survey Department at the Ministry of Higher Education, has been launched.

The survey which runs until April 15, will complement the graduates’ survey 2015, which studied status of graduates’ career and sought their opinion on harmonisation of their specialties, qualifications and abilities with the tasks required of them in the labour market.

The survey aims at addressing needs of the private sector institutions for graduates in terms of number, specialities and qualifications. It also studies the methods followed by the institutions in the recruitment of graduates in terms of the things that are focused on by the private sector in advertising their vacancies and assessing the graduates and their CVs. The survey also seeks to identify the difficulties faced by the employers in finding the suitable graduates in terms of specialties and qualifications and where and how the higher education sector could contribute to facilitating these difficulties.

The survey targets (4,000) private sector companies and establishment in the Sultanate to varying degrees and with a variety of activities. -ONA

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

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MEDRC EVENT

Children to participate in World Water Day walk TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: With the United Nations Water: World Water Day less than a week away, on March 22, the Middle East Desalination Research Centre (MEDRC) is planning a walk to mark the day.

Today, the Times of Oman (TOO) is featuring the event in its #OmanPride campaign.

33km walk This year’s Water Day theme revolves around “Water for Jobs” and MEDRC’s event, “Walk for Water Jobs” will see school chil-

dren walking from Barka’s water desalination plant for three kilometres (km) on March 20, along with Hilmi Al Kindi, desalination training assistant at MEDRC, who will walk 33km, along the

way, until he reaches MEDRC’s headquarters on March 22.

“MEDRC has felt that ‘Water for Jobs,’ is a perfect way to showcase the importance of jobs in the water sector, especially seeing as there is a lot of focus in the media recently on unemployment, specialised education, and the vocational job markets,” said Perla Abi Farah, marketing and communications manager.

“The theme is focused on how enough quantity and quality of water can change workers’ livelihoods and even transform societies and economies,” said the UN Water’s website.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016 It’s impossible for most companies to give any hike this year as the business is not good. Some small companies are even cutting down on the perks Mohammed Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, GM of New Star International Travel and Tour

OMAN ITB BERLIN

Oman adjudged best Arabian tour destination

‘The Magic Flute’ set to mesmerise children

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman has won the “Best Arabian Tourist Destination” at the ITB Berlin trade fair, which concluded last weekend.

Also, the German Market-Based representative of the Ministry of Tourism of Oman was ranked in the third place for “Marketing the country as a tourism destination for the German market,” which is a testament to the streamlining efforts of both the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry’s MBRs. The awards were handed out by the “Go Asia” website and were received by Ahmed bin Nasser al Mahrizi, minister of Tourism.

Investment opportunities The minster also met different representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Arab countries, as well as international tourism organisations at the ITB Berlin trade show, to discuss different investment opportunities for the Sultanate, as well as opportunities to educate the different markets in the tourism industry in the Sultanate.

He also encouraged the different organisations to consider the Sultanate as a prime destination, as it is one of the fastest growing tourism destinations around the world.

Royal Opera House of Muscat production brings Mozart’s composition to the present era, directly engaging students with its characters and action

Times News Service MUSCAT: Royal Opera House of Muscat’s (ROHM’s) new production of Mozart’s well-loved masterpiece, The Magic Flute, gives children an exciting interactive experience that is sure to enthral them with the magic world of opera, and maybe even mark the start of a lifetime love affair with this wonderful performing art.

Created in collaboration with Italy’s Teatro Sociale di Como, ROHM’s The Magic Flute for

MASTERPIECE: Performances will take place at 4.30 pm on Tuesday, February 22 and Thursday on March 23. – Supplied photo

children premiered in April 2015 in a highly successful ROHM Education and Outreach initiative involving hundreds of students aged six to 12, along with their teachers, from several schools, both government and private. The ROHM production brings Mozart’s composition to the present era, directly engaging students with its characters and action.

Sitting in the audience and armed with clever props, rows of Omani students have a wonderful time waving their props to accentuate the action and singing

on cue like a chorus—in Arabic, English and Italian. As magic and reality intertwine, to the great delight of the audience, bonds develop between the professional opera singers on stage and young school students in their seats. Just like Tamino, The Magic Flute’s handsome prince, who is lost in a distant land, and pursued by a dangerous serpent, the students go through a process of personal development and enlightenment through the magic of music.

In 1791, the last year of his life, Mozart composed The Magic

Flute as an allegory of enlightenment in which the Queen of the Night represents dangerous absolutism, while Sarastro symbolises the enlightened sovereign, who rules according to principles based on reason, wisdom, and nature.

The story portrays mankind progressing from chaos symbolised by the serpent through religious superstition to rationalistic enlightenment by means of trial and error. Tamino, the prince represents trial, while Papageno, the bird-catcher symbolises error.

As Tamino sets out to rescue the beautiful Pamina with whom he has fallen in love at first sight after seeing her portrait, he is given a magic flute which has the power to change sorrow into joy. The ultimate aim of the drama is to make “the Earth a heavenly kingdom, and mortals like the gods.”

While learning about opera and music through wonderful interactive entertainment, children also come to understand something about the nature of human relations in the context of good and evil. Performances will take place at 4.30 pm on Tuesday, February 22 and Thursday on March 23. For further information and booking, consult ROHM’s website: www.rohmuscat.org.om

WORLD SCOUTS JAMBOREE

Oman Scouts bags second position MUSCAT: World Organisation of the Scouts Movement published on its website the results of the 58 World JOTA and 19th World Scouts Jamboree on the Internet which were held in October 2015 and pointed out that the Sultanate came second at the camps.

Khamis bin Salim Al Rasbi, director-general of the Directorate General of Scouts and Guides and member of the Arab Scouts Committee said that coming second affirms the high level of the Omani participants and their ability to use modern communication systems. — ONA

RULER OF AJMAN

< FROM

His Majesty

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thanks cable In his cable, Ruler of Ajman expressed his utmost thanks and appreciation for His Majesty’s condolences and sympathy, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest the bereaved’s soul in peace, protect His Majesty against all harms and grant him good health, happiness and well-being. — ONA REACTION TO SURVEY

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‘Pay hikes

A1 to stay low for now’ “The bulk of gross domestic product of GCC countries is contributed by oil, which goes into funding the infrastructure and development activities of the region. As the oil prices have declined steeply with dim hope of recovery, one can expect lower salary increases to continue for a few more years,” he noted.

“The projected oil price until about 2018 is around below $60 per barrel. Given that scenario, companies will experience lower growth in sales, fall in revenues and profit. Eventually, everyone will look for ways to reduce expenditure. Obviously, there is a higher likelihood of a modest increase or even freeze in wages for a few years unless something dramatic happens.

This does not mean that the situation will be the same for all industries. Some sectors, which are in the growth stage, for instance, e-commerce and new technologies may still offer better wages,” he added.

Lower in 2016 Reacting to the survey, company officials and business owners admitted that the average pay rise in Oman would be lower in 2016 unless oil prices went up drastically in the next couple of months.

The next few months are very important for business houses in Oman. If there is an improvement in oil prices, then that means more business and more money for employees, they stated.

But as of now, the situation is not good for companies so they cannot pay increments.

Mohammed Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan, general manager of New Star International Travel and Tour LLC, said it’s impossible for most companies to give any hike this year as the business is not good.

Cutting down on perks “Some small companies are even cutting down on the perks,” he said.

“But if the oil prices go up, then we have a hope of more business, which can transform into more money for employees,” he further added.

Shiv Gupta, chief executive officer of an IT company-based in Muscat, said, “The market has slowed down and they are currently experiencing a delay in receiving payments from the market. Taking everything into account, very few companies will even consider an increase of 4.4 per cent. ” Hussein Ali, an HR manager at a private sector company, said there is no intention to raise any staff member’s salary in the coming period.

“It is only the 3 per cent posted by the Ministry of Manpower. The company’s business is affected by the oil price drop nowadays and it is quite hard to take a decision on such things in the current time,” said Ali. He added that maybe in future if the business of a company sees a raise, then there might be a chance to take such a decision, but definitely not now.

According to a report, professionals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are expected to enjoy the region’s second highest salary increase at 5.3 per cent; Qatar is next with 4.7 per cent, followed closely by Kuwait and Oman at 4.6 and 4.4 per cent, respectively.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

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OMAN David Coulthard behind the wheel in Red Bull F1 Showrun in Oman

THE DONUT The Scottish driver, who dominated Britain’s junior Formula Ford categories in 1989 and became first ever recipient of the McLaren

One of the manoeuver that David Coulthard will perform with F1 will bee the donut, which consists in rotating the rear or front of the vehicle around d the opposite set of wheels in a continuous motion, creating a circular ar skid-mark pattern of rubber on a roadway and possibly even causing the tyres to emit smoke from friction

Donuts are more easily performed Donu we and frozen surfaces, as well on wet as on loose surfaces, such as dirt.

Autosport BRDC Award for young drivers, is set to perform in front of Omani fans

Times News Service MUSCAT: David Coulthard has been announced as the driver of the Red Bull F1 Showrun, which is set to take place on the streets of Oman on Friday, April 8, at Muttrah Corniche.

The Scottish driver, who dominated Britain’s junior Formula Ford categories in 1989 and became the first ever recipient of the McLaren Autosport BRDC Award

for young drivers, is all set to perform a full repertoire of donuts, burnouts and speed stretches in front of Omani fans.

Starting out, Coulthard fought a titanic battle in 1991 with future Formula 1 rival Rubens Barrichello for the British Formula 3 Championship, and won the prestigious Macau F3 Grand Prix. He later joined the Williams Formula 1 team as a test driver in 1993, and after competing in eight grand prix for

Source: Red Bull Wikipedia

the team in the 1994 season he became a full-time F1 driver in 1995.

That year he won the Portuguese Grand Prix and finished third in the championship. After moving to McLaren, Coulthard took his new team’s first win in three seasons at the 1997 Australian Grand Prix.

In all, he scored 12 of his 13 grand prix wins and 51 of his 62 podium finishes with McLaren, and, after

O Other terms used for describing this manoeuver include “spinning sedys”, m “cutting cookies” and “cyclone” “c

supporting teammate Mika Häkkinen in the drivers’ championship in 1998 and ‘99, he finished as a runner-up to Michael Schumacher in 2001.

In 2005, Coulthard moved to Red Bull Racing where he became the highest scoring British driver of all time with 535 race points. In 2008, he retired from the sport, but is still a familiar face

Graphics

around the paddock and on our television screens.

The excitement around the Red Bull F1 Showrun will commence a few days before Coulthard takes to the wheel as the team’s car will be displayed and fired up around various locations in Oman, including at Omantel’s headquarters on April 7.

Red Bull Showruns take place

at racing circuits, on city streets, at festivals and exhibitions. Often playing to crowds numbering hundreds of thousands, they give fans a chance to witness the contained ferocity of a Formula 1 car from close quarters. Formula 1 is a great sport for TV, but there is no substitute for the ear-splitting roar of the engine, the haze of tyre smoke and the aroma of burning rubber.

The Showrun Team has been to every inhabited continent, from cobbled city streets in Europe to baking deserts in the Americas. It has conquered the highest road in the Himalayas, skated on frozen rivers in Canada and drifted across golden Caribbean beaches.

This Red Bull F1 Showrun is being held under the umbrella of the Oman Automobile Association and the Royal Oman Police, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism. The event is being held in partnership with Omantel, Khimji Ramdas, HiFM, Hala FM, Times of Oman and Shabiba.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016 The win of any newspaper issued by the Group does not come as a surprise to us, because we have a team that is confident in their expertise and potential Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali, chief executive officer of Muscat Media Group

OMAN ‘Al Barzah’ wins international design awards ‘Al Barzah’, published

by Muscat Media Group’s Solus Globus Media Solutions, won two awards for its pages of ‘Qaboos … the man of peace’ and ‘The Argentine player Diego Maradona’

Times News Service MUSCAT: Al Barzah, the weekly newspaper issued by Solus Globus Media Solutions, one of Muscat Media Group’s companies, won two awards recently, at the Society for News Design’s competition’s 37th edition.

The number of entries for the competition touched about 9,000 this year, the number of awards was 906, including five gold medals, 34 silver medals and two certificates of appreciation for the judges of the competition.

Many newspapers from around the world such as Washington Post, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Los Angeles Times, National Post, Boston Globe, New York Times, National Geographic magazine among others international newspapers and magazines had participated in the competition.

From the Sultanate of Oman, the newspapers Times of Oman, Al Shabiba, Hi and Sabat Ayam – all

GOOD WORK: The winning pages

of which are published by the Muscat Media Group—participated in the competition.

The Al Barzah newspaper, published by Solus Globus Media Solutions, won two awards for its pages of “Qaboos … the man of peace” and “The Argentine player Diego Maradona.”

Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali, chief executive officer (CEO) of Mus-

cat Media Group, congratulated the Al Barzah team for the awards they won at the Society for News Design’s competition, in the first participation of the newspaper in this competition.

Al Zedjali said: “The win of any newspaper issued by the Group does not come as a surprise to us, because we have a team that is confident in their expertise and potential.”

He added that the Group, represented in the newspapers “Times of Oman” and “Al Shabiba” had already won many medals and awards in this global competition.

The Muscat Media Group’s CEO further said: “What pleased us with this result is the win by the emerging weekly newspaper like Al Barzah, which has not completed its third year so far, and was able to find a place for itself among the world’s leading newspapers.”

He added that the win of Al Barzah meant that all our newspapers were progressing at a steady pace and moving in the same group approach.

For his part, Saif bin Sulaiman Al-Muzaini, editor-in-chief of Al Barzah, said: “We are very pleased to see Al Barzah among the major world newspapers participating in this competition. I expected the page “Qaboos … the man of peace” to win because of the great effort exerted by the designer Osama Al Jaweesh. In the beginning I was not enthusiastic to participate this year, because I look at our newspaper as being still in a nascent stage, but it was the common desire of the team to participate, and thankfully work in Al Barzah as an integrated work team. In the future, we will see that our participation is greater, as we try to present some issues that distinguish our Omani society from other societies.”

H O S P I TA L I T Y

JOINING HANDS: The three-star hotel will be a part of Al Muzn project that was promoted by Majan Development Company. – Picture by OK Mohammed Ali/Times of Oman

Agreement for running Al Muzn Hotel signed Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Muzn Oman Commercial signed a management agreement with HMH - Hospitality Management Holdings to operate the Muscat Al Muzn Hotel here on Tuesday.

“The steady growth of tourism in Oman, with a vision to welcoming 12 million visitors annually by 2020, is fuelling demand for quality mid-market hotels catering to diverse segments, and Corp Muscat Al Muzn Hotel is being developed to serve that growing need,” said Mohammed Al Kindi, chairman of Muzn Oman Commercial.

The three-star hotel will be part of the Al Muzn project that was promoted by Majan Development Company. The project includes a shopping mall, as well as a luxury wellness centre.

According to a spokesman, the hotel has been designed as a stylish address for business and leisure travellers to Muscat.

“We are pleased to work with a reputed operator like HMH - Hospitality Management Holdings on this exciting new development designed to complement Al Muzn Mall,” Al Kindi said.

“We are expected to welcome its first guests by the first quarter of 2018,” he added.

“Oman is a key development market for HMH and we are very proud to debut the Corp brand in the country with Corp Muscat Al Muzn Hotel,” noted Laurent A. Voivenel, CEO of HMH. According to Voivenel, the hospitality industry in Oman is witnessing a remarkable growth.

“We are truly grateful to Muzn Oman Commercial for having given us this opportunity during these exciting times,” CEO added.

He also said that HMH is wellpositioned in the country as one of the leading ‘alcohol-free’ hotel groups, equipped with the most advanced technology.

Target “By 2020 our aim is to have six hotels in Oman, while multiplying by four our total inventory of rooms,” Voivenel said.

“We are confident Corp Muscat Al Muzn Hotel will add tremendous value to our growing presence in Oman, while further strengthening our international portfolio,” he added. Corp Muscat Al Muzn Hotel is strategically located in Muwaleh, close to Muscat International Airport.

Featuring 132 guestrooms, the hotel will complement Al Muzn Mall and offer a host of services and facilities tailored to the needs of modern business and leisure travellers.

According to officials, the key features of the hotel will be multicuisine restaurants, along with room service, business centre services, conference facilities, basement car parking, free wifi Internet, a rooftop swimming pool and spa facilities.

PETROLEUM DEVELOPMENT OMAN

PDO hosts State Council delegation MUSCAT: A delegation from the State Council was hosted by the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) yesterday.

This was the first time that PDO hosted such a delegation at its Mina Al Fahal headquarters.

The group, on an official visit was

led by Dr Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Manthri, Chairman of the State Council and included most of its 84 honourable members. Eng. Salim bin Nasser al-Oufi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, was also in attendance.

A PDO team, headed by Man-

aging Director Raoul Restucci, gave an overview of the firm’s performance on issues like health, safety environment, production, cost control and creation of job and training opportunities for Omanis through its pioneering In-Country Value (ICV). -ONA

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ROAD ACCIDENTS

Iran insurers to compensate women equally DUBAI: Iran’s legal vetting body has approved a bill that will see female victims of road traffic accidents paid the same compensation as men, in a small step towards gender equality in the country.

The Third Party Insurance Bill, likely to be made law in the coming weeks, will bind insurance companies to compensate victims of road accidents regardless of their gender, state broadcaster IRINN said on Monday.

The bill was approved by the Guardian Council, a 12-member body responsible for ensuring legislation conforms to law, which had rejected a similar measure passed by parliament in 2008.

In Iranian law, third party vehicle insurance is governed by the concept of “blood money” whereby the victim of injury, or their family in the case of death, can claim compensation from the perpetrator.

“Our purpose in balancing women’s and men’s compensation was that relatives should not face problems if a woman who is the head of family is killed in an accident,” IRIB quoted lawmaker Rahim Zare as saying. The standard “blood money” sum for men is fixed at 1.5 billion rials (around $50,000) in case of death, whether deliberate or accidental. — Reuters

REGION

Air strikes kill 41 in Yemen Three of Tuesday’s air raids hit an outdoor market in the Mustaba district

RIYADH: Saudi-led air strikes killed 41 civilians and wounded 75 on Tuesday in Yemen’s northwestern province of Haja, a senior provincial health official said, a region largely controlled by the Houthi militia.

A spokesman for the Saudiled coalition that intervened in Yemen’s civil war was not immediately available for comment.

The coalition entered the conflict a year ago to stop Houthi forces and others loyal to expresident Ali Abdullah Saleh from seizing the entire country, and has fought to restore the government of President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi. Three of Tuesday’s air raids hit an outdoor market in the Mustaba district, Ayman Mathkour, director of the Haja health department, told Re-

DESTROYED: A man walks past a building destroyed during fighting in Yemen’s southwestern city of Taiz on Monday. – Reuters

uters. He said relatives gathered the bodies and took the wounded to Abs and Mustaba hospitals.

Saba Net, a Yemeni news agency controlled by the Houthis, reported that 65 people had been killed and 55 wounded in the strike on a market and restaurant in Mustaba. A spokesman for the coalition was not immediately available for comment.

The global charity Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said earlier on Tuesday that more than 40 people, all of them civilians including an eight-year-old in

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critical condition, were admitted to Abs Hospital after an air strike in Mustaba.

Over 6,000 people, half of them civilians, have been killed in Yemen’s conflict since the Saudi-led intervention began in March 2015, according to the United Nations. In January, a UN panel found that air strikes had targeted civilians, assessed that some of the attacks could be crimes against humanity and recommended the UN Security Council consider establishing an investigation. — Reuters

OCCUPIED WEST BANK

Israel seizes large tracts of land OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: Israel has appropriated large tracts of land in the occupied West Bank near the Dead Sea and the Palestinian city of Jericho, Israeli Army Radio said on Tuesday.

Israel’s Peace Now movement, which tracks and opposes Israeli settlement in territory captured in a 1967 war, said the reported seizure of 579 acres (234 hectares) represented the largest land con-

fiscation in the occupied West Bank in recent years.

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat called in a statement on the international community to press Israel to stop land confiscations.

Asked about Army Radio’s report, Israeli Defence Minister Moshe Yaalon’s office said in an email to Reuters: “We are not relating to the issue.” — Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016 Our government will come back. TMC will win the election despite any conspiracy hatched against us. They are bringing black money. We are not scared. Given a chance we will give a fitting reply. We are working with honesty Mamata Banerjee, West Bengal chief minister

INDIA TOBACCO PRODUCTS

Parliament panel wants pictorial warnings size to be reduced to 50% NEW DELHI: A parliamentary panel on Tuesday termed as “too harsh” the government’s proposed 85 per cent pictorial warnings on tobacco products and recommended a drastic reduction in size, evoking sharp criticism from MPs and health experts.

With Health Ministry’s April 1 deadline for implementing the 85 per cent warning just days away, chairman of the Committee on Subordinate Legislations Dilip Gandhi justified the recommendations, saying the size of the warnings have been urged to be increased from present 40 to 50 per cent.

Expressing “disappointment” over the recommendations, MPs said more than one million people in India die every year, most of whom do not have health insurance for treatment of cancer.

Balanced approach “The committee is of the considered view that in order to have a balanced approach, the warning on cigarette packets should be 50 per cent on both sides of the principal display area instead of 85 per cent of the principal display area...

“... As it will be too harsh as deliberated in the earlier paras, will result in flooding of illicit cigarettes in the country,” the committee said in its report which was tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.

The committee also dismissed issues related to conflict of interest due to presence of beedi baron Shyama Charan Gupta in the panel and said he was not present in any of the meetings on tobacco.

It observed that the proposed graphic health warnings have the potential of “severely” affecting the Indian farmers and Indian companies with gains to unscrupulous elements who manufacture and sell illicit tobacco products and those foreign countries from where these goods are smuggled into India.

“We have increased the size of the pictorial warnings on both sides from present 40 per cent to 50 per cent,” Gandhi said.

In case of beedi as well, the committee has recommended that a “practical” approach may be adopted by increasing the size of warning up to 50 per cent on one side of the beedi pack, chewing tobacco and other tobacco products

mittee Idris Ali said 50 per cent warnings on both the sides of the packet are “sufficient” and one has to taken into consideration everybody’s view.

The new pictorial health warnings covering 85 per cent on both sides of all tobacco packs was notified in October 2014 to be implemented from April 1, 2015 namely zarda, khaini, misri and others which will be “feasible” to follow and which would also ensure that a large number of people in the trade will be saved from being rendered unemployed.

“Reduction of the pictorial warning from 85 per cent to 50 per cent, it this is correct, then I am disappointed. One million Indians die every year. Most of these people are poor Indians who do not have health insurance to cover cancer and other problems from tobacco,” BJD MP Jay Panda said.

K. Srinath Reddy, President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) said the earlier proposal of 85 per cent size was much stronger and any withdrawal from that will make it “less effective”.

He hoped the government will stand by its decision of going ahead with 85 per cent size. Commenting on the issue of conflict of interest, Gandhi said “Gupta was absent from all the meetings (of the committee on tobacco) that have taken place so far.”

Another member of the com-

‘No impact’ Referring to a study by the Department of Commerce and another by global consultancy firm Deloitte, the panel laid stress on its findings on assessment of tobacco products in 27 countries that there has been “no impact” of large and cumbersome health warnings and “unintended consequences will be severe and irreversible”.

The new pictorial health warnings covering 85 per cent on both sides of all tobacco packs was notified in October 2014 to be implemented from April 1, 2015.

However, government indefinitely delayed implementation of the 85 per cent pictorial health warnings after a parliamentary committee directed the Health Ministry to keep the notification in abeyance. The Rajasthan High Court also directed the Health Ministry to take steps for implementation of pictorial warnings from April 1, 2016 and there

Trinamool Congress in tight corner over sting operation

should not be any further delay in implementing the 85 per cent picture health warnings on both sides of tobacco packets.

The Health Ministry has been insisting on implementing 85 per cent pictorial health warnings on both sides of all tobacco products and even submitted an affidavit in the High Court that it will be implemented from April 1, 2016.

The committee said the government needs to stress on education and awareness generation programmes that have proven to be more effective in controlling tobacco consumption and at the same time protect the livelihood of millions of tobacco workers.

The committee noted that leading tobacco companies which together account for 90 per cent of the world’s tobacco production have not adopted the “excessive, over sized” health warnings by following a “pragmatic” tobacco control policy keeping in mind the livelihood of tobacco growers in their countries. It said the new warnings have been notified by the government without any consultation with the stakeholders of the tobacco industry. - PTI ANNOUNCEMENT

Mother Teresa to be made saint in September

Trinamool Congress cannot be cowed down: Mamata

The House saw BJP, Congress and Left making a common cause to target the Trinamool Congress on the sting operation, even as Mamata Banerjee’s party claimed that the charges were a political conspiracy ahead of the West Bengal polls

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress on Tuesday found itself in a tight corner in the Lok Sabha over a sting operation, with Government insisting that “truth has to prevail” and favouring a probe into the alleged bribery charges against some of its MPs. The House saw BJP, Congress and Left making a common cause to target the Trinamool Congress (TMC) on the issue, even as Mamata Banerjee’s party claimed that the charges were a political conspiracy ahead of the West Bengal polls.

Heated exchanges were witnessed between Trinamool Congress and Left members after Mohammad Salim of the CPI(M) raised the issue during Zero Hour and was followed by BJP’s S. S.Ahluwalia and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress) slammed the TMC and sought a probe.

They referred to the telecast of a

DEMONSTRATION: Members of Youth Congress throwing fake currency notes in air during a demonstration after a TV channel’s ‘sting operation’ against TMC leaders, in Kolkata on Tuesday. -PTI

sting purportedly showing several TMC leaders accepting money to help a fictitious private firm and demanded action against them, recalling that Parliament had expelled 11 members facing similar charges few years ago.

Responding to the members, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said “the prestige of Parliament is at stake. We have to establish the truth. Simply saying it is a conspiracy is not enough and will not satisfy the public.”

Either the government can carry out an inquiry or the Speaker can order an inquiry, he said.

Demanded probe Naidu’s response came after members of different political parties demanded a probe.

“We are ashamed that we are sitting with such people. They should drown in shame. The

dignity of Parliament has been compromised by their conduct,” Mohammad Salim (CPI-M) said, demanding that a committee be formed to probe the charges.

TMC members sat silently for most of the time as Salim was followed Ahluwalia and Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury in attacking them, but angry exchange of words took place when TMC leader Saugata Roy, one of the MPs allegedly shown in the sting, put up his party’s defence.

TMC members and some from Congress and the Left were heard trading charges against each other, which were expunged by the Speaker.

“It is an embarrassment for our Parliament and democratic system. Five MPs have been shown accepting wads of money. The matter must be referred to the ethics committee,” Ahluwalia said

KURSEONG: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the Trinamool Congress cannot be cowed down, irrespective of the “conspiracy” hatched against it and would win the Assembly election.

“Our government will come back. TMC will win the election despite any conspiracy hatched against us. They are bringing black money. We are not scared.

Given a chance we will give a fitting reply. We are working with honesty,” Mamata told an election meeting in the Darjeeling hills.

Her statement came a

as he recalled that several members were expelled by the House after they were caught “being influenced” in similar sting operations in 2005-06.

“This is related to the dignity of the House. They (TMC MPs) have been caught. It must be probed,” Chowdhury said. Saugata Roy wondered under what rule Speaker Sumitra Mahajan allowed members to raise the issue and said in anguish that “I had to live to see this day.... It (sting) is part of political conspiracy before the West Bengal elections where CPIM, Congress and BJP are destined to lose,” he said.

In an apparent criticism of Roy’s objections to the issue being raised in the House, Naidu said members should not give an impression to the public that “we are hiding under some rule or pretext.”

It may not be clear what is true

day after the telecast of a sting video by a web portal purportedly showing several TMC leaders accepting money to help a fictitious private firm. Noting that the CPI-M, the Congress and the BJP were united against the TMC, she said, “A party which has political ideology does not do it”, adding that the CPI-M extended support to the separatist outfit Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) in the hills.

Mamata accused the GJM of intimidating people in the hills and urged the people and the “young generation” to stand up against it. - PTI

or false but something is being seen and the prestige of Parliament is at stake, the minister said, adding that aggrieved members can take action against the news portal if they feel the sting can turn out to be “falsehood”. He said that parliamentarians often faced criticism from the people as he pitched for a probe to “dispel the wrong impressions.”

In the Rajya Sabha, Left parties and BJP repeatedly tried to raise the issue of the sting operation, but were disallowed by Deputy Chairman P. J. Kurien.

Tapan Kumar Sen (CPI-M) wanted a House Committee to inquire into the issue but Kurien asked him to give notice before raising allegations. “You are a senior member of House. Have you given a notice? Without notice I am not allowing any allegation against anyone,” Kurien said. - PTI

VATICAN CITY/KOLKATA: Mother Teresa will be made a saint on September 4, Pope Francis announced on Tuesday, 19 years after the death of the Nobel Laureate who spent 45 years serving the poor and sick on the streets of Kolkata.

“Pope Francis today approved Mother Teresa’s elevation to sainthood and set September 4 as the date for her canonisation,” said a message from the Vatican to the Mother’s House, the headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity in Kolkata.

Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity and spent 45 years serving the poor, the sick, the orphaned, and the dying on the streets of Kolkata.

She died at the age of 87 in Kolkata in 1997.

Elevation The elevation of Mother Teresa to sainthood came after the Church recognised a second miracle earlier, the Missionaries of Charity said.

“We have now received an official confirmation from Vatican that Pope Francis has approved Mother’s sainthood and set September 4 as the date for her canonisation. We are very excited and happy about it,” Missionaries of Charity Spokesperson Sunita Kumar said.

Archbishop Thomas D’Souza said that the canonisation is a formality but an important one.

“This is the last step that the Pope needs the cardinal and sign the decree,” D’Souza said. -PTI

A M E N D M E N T S T O C U R R E N T L AW

Number of child workers declined 60% in 10 years: Dattatreya NEW DELHI: The number of child labourers aged 14 or below in India dropped to 4.5 million in 2011 from 12.6 million a decade before, said the country’s labour minister, urging lawmakers to approve planned changes to existing legislation to curb the problem.

Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya told India’s lower house of parliament on Monday the government will amend a three-decadeold child labour prohibition law, and called on both houses of parliament to support its passage.

“I gave a notice in the winter session, but it could not be passed.

This session too, it could not be passed though I gave notice,” Dattatreya said. The amendments to the current law are scheduled to be presented during this session

of parliament which ends on May 8, with a recess between March 21 and April 19.

Dattatreya’s figure, which is from India’s 2011 census, shows the number of child workers dropped by 64 per cent over 10 years. A February 2015 report by the International Labour Organisation puts the number of child workers in India aged between five and 17 at 5.7 million, out of 168 million globally.

More than half work in agriculture, toiling in cotton, sugarcane and rice paddy fields where they are often exposed to pesticides and risk injury from sharp tools and heavy equipment.

At least a quarter work in manufacturing - often confined to poorly lit, barely ventilated rooms,

embroidering clothes, weaving carpets, making matchsticks or rolling beedi cigarettes. Many help their parents in brick kilns or mines. The government wants to change the current law, which bans children under 14 from working in only 18 hazardous occupations and 65 processes, such as mining, gem cutting and cement manufacturing.

If passed by parliament, the changes will outlaw child labour below 14 in all sectors and include a new category for those aged between 15 and 18 years old.

The amendments also double jail time for employing children to a maximum of two years and increase the fine up to Rs50,000 ($745) from Rs20,000 ($300) currently. But child rights activ-

ists, including Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, have voiced concern over two exceptions.

Children who help their family in family businesses can work outside school hours and holidays, and those in entertainment or sports can work provided it does not affect their education.

Also, children aged 15 to 18 will be barred from working in only three industries - mines, inflammable substances and hazardous processes. Satyarthi, whose charity Bachpan Bachao Andolan is credited with rescuing more than 80,000 enslaved children, said the exemptions are “regressive” and wants a total ban on all forms of child labour. - Thomson Reuters Foundation

CONCERNED: Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya told India’s lower house of parliament on Monday the government will amend a threedecade-old child labour prohibition law, and called on both houses of parliament to support its passage. - PTI file photo

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

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INDIA

‘Prominent people hiding income as farm earnings’ view of the agricultural situation in the country.

Earlier raising the issue, Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said reports suggested that Rs2,000 lakh crore of income has been concealed as agriculture earnings and sought an explanation from the government on the issue.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati demanded a highlevel probe into generation of black money in the name of agriculture and strict action be taken against guilty.

Agricultural income is exempt from income tax

NEW DELHI: Many prominent people are being probed for allegedly concealing taxable income as agricultural earnings, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday and told the Opposition not to term it as political victimisation if their names come out.

SPEAKS OUT: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley speaks in the Rajya Sabha in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PTI/TV GRAB

After Opposition Janata DalUnited, Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party raised the issue of reports of huge amount of black money being masqueraded as agriculture income to avoid paying taxes, Jaitley said if someone misuses the provisions of income tax act, they are probed by the Income Tax Department.

“Many prominent people” are said to be involved and are being probed, he said. “Please don’t say it is political victimisation if names

come out after that (probe).”

He however refused to share details, despite the Opposition members seeking the names of such persons. Agricultural income is exempt from income tax.

Charging Jaitley with misleading the House, Digvijaya Singh (Congress) asked the Finance Minister to reveal the names and “not threaten us.”

Jaitley said there was no proposal before the government to levy income tax on farm income in

A11

Bharat Ratna Mayawati (BSP) demanded a high-level probe into generation of black money in the name of agriculture and strict action be taken against guilty. She also used the occasion to slip in a demand for Bharat Ratna for her party founder Kanshi Ram on his birth anniversary on Tuesday.

Ram Gopal Yadav (SP) saw a conspiracy of taxing agriculture income in reports that huge black money was being hidden as agricultural income.

He warned the government against taxing farm income. Unsatisfied by Jaitley’s reply, members were up on their feet continuing to raise the matter. Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said Yadav’s notice under rule 267 seeking suspension of business to take up the issue, has not been accepted.

“An important matter was raised by Sharad Yadav. Finance Minister has given a proper reply.

If you want further discussion, give notice. That notice will be considered,” he said.

Metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bengaluru have the maximum ‘crorepati’ entities who have declared agricultural income of over Rs10 million in the last nine assessment years with the Income Tax department.

The department is conducting a tax evasion probe in a select number of such cases after the taxman was directed in this regard recently.

As per official data in this regard, accessed by PTI, between Assessment Years (AYs) 2007-08 to 2015-16, a total of 321 assesses declared agricultural wealth over Rs10 million in Bengaluru region followed by Delhi (275), Kolkata (239), Mumbai (212), Pune (192), Chennai (181), Hyderabad (162), Thiruvananthapuram (157) and Kochi (109).

Money laundering The move came in view of a PIL filed in the Patna High Court where concerns have been raised that some of these declarants could be engaged in routing their unaccounted or illegal funds in the “garb” of farm income thereby leading to instances of money laundering. - PTI

BANK LOANS

Wilful defaulters should be jailed: Yashwant Sinha NEW DELHI: Former union finance minister Yashwant Sinha on Tuesday said that the wilful defaulters of bank loans should be jailed.

At an orientation session of the Delhi assembly on the budget, Sinha, replying to a question from Speaker Ram Niwas Goel on nonperforming assets (NPAs), said that people who take loan from the banks in the name of business/ industry but instead spent the money for their luxury or in other things making it a non-performing asset (NPA) were wilful defaulters.

“This comes under the category of wilful defaulters and since it is done with a criminal intent so they should be treated like a criminal and should be sent to jail,” he said.

He however mentioned that there were two other categories of NPAs which do not come under wilful default. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had approached the Bharatiya Janata Party leader for addressing an orientation session of Delhi legislators on the budget.

During the session, Sinha explained the political dimensions of planning a budget and informed the gathering about the intricacies of a budget and its terminology.

Addressing the legislators and the state finance department officials, he stressed the need of strengthening the laws dealing with the financial crimes in the country. - IANS

FA R E W E L L F U N C T I O N

Adjournments, polarisation will not take nation forward: Akhtar NEW DELHI: Retiring as Rajya Sabha member, noted film personality Javed Akhtar Tuesday said “adjournments” and “polarisation” will not take the country forward as he pleaded with the Opposition and government to work together without thinking about the next elections.

Akhtar, who was nominated to the Upper House by the United Progressive Alliance government, said there are capable leaders in the Modi government who can do good work but those making extremist comments, including some ministers, need to be reined in.

“I hope both Opposition and the government will work together.

Adjournments will not take us forward. Even polarisation will not take us forward. Please forget next election and think about the country,” he said in his impassioned speech which was heard with rapt attention and intercepted by thumping of desks by members across party lines.

A proud Indian, the film lyricist slammed, in a veiled manner, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen

leader and MP Asaddudin Owaisi for saying he will not chant ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ because the Constitution does not ask him to do so.

Taking objection to Owaisi’s remark, Akhtar said, “the Constitution even does not ask him to wear sherwani (dress) and topi (cap)... I don’t care to know whether saying ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ is my duty or not, it is my right.”

He then chanted ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ a number of times.

Condemned At the same time, he condemned those right-wing extremists also who say Muslims should go to Pakistan. He also said that these days “fringe” elements are rising and emphasised the need to protect secularism to save democracy and the Constitution.

Hailing the essence of India’s deep-rooted democracy, he said it must be preserved at any cost while learning from the fate of those countries where one religion was given importance.

Underlining that there cannot be democracy without secularism,

FELICITATION: Vice President Hamid Ansari presents a memento to retiring nominated Member Javed Akhtar at a farewell function for the retired and retiring Members of Rajya Sabha (2016) at Parliament Library Building in New Delhi on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also seen. - PTI

Akhtar said protecting secularism is not about protecting one community or the other. “We need to protect secularism because there cannot be democracy without it. I believe this is our greatest achievement.” On religious free-

dom, Akhtar said time does not stop and the country either would move forward or backward.

“Intelligent person is one who learns from the experiences. More intelligent is one who learns from others’ experiences. Look at those

countries where religion is given importance, where the tongue is cut and people are hanged if they speak against the religion. Whether that country should be an example for us or a country where there is religious freedom. We have to think,” he asked.

Expressing concern over lack of development in the country, Akhtar said India has industrialised and become a big power now but “more could have been achieved. Anyway whatever has been achieved is no less.”

The biggest achievement, he said, is that “we have deep-rooted our democracy. The roots are so deep that it is difficult pull it out.”

At the same time, he said, “We need to think why there is no development despite there being government and system in place?

We want development but whose development and for whom? we need to think.” He added, “Development is not GDP. Development is Human Development Index. Be it any party, they wish the development of the country. Why our energies are wasted?”

On democracy, he said, “We are fortunate to have democracy though we complain about the government and society. We don’t thank what we have with us. We don’t thank enough to our constitution.... The constitution gives democracy. But remember, there cannot be democracy without secularism.”

He said that the meaning of democracy is taking views of the majority and not minority.

“But the democracy believes that this majority and minority are not permanent. This keep changing. The democracy will die the day we define minority and majority in our own way.”

Emhasising the need to protect secularism, Akhtar said protecting secularism is not about protecting one community or the other.”We need to protect secularism because there cannot be democracy without it. I believe this is our greatest achievement.” Besides democracy and the Constitution, Akhtar said India has youth power unlike Japan and China, which the government need to focus on achieving the development. - PTI

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Parts of Oman to witness rain later this week Trump must do outrageous things to maintain his dominant share of press coverage, regardless of long-term consequences. But at this stage his dominance of the media has overshadowed the emerging case against him that his rivals and #neverTrump Republicans have been finally making

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Considering Pakistan’s track record on implementation of law, especially when it comes to pro-women laws, should women even feel jubilant over the new bills passed in Sindh and Punjab on early marriages, on registration of marriage and divorce for Hindus in Sindh or the Punjab women’s Protection Bill?

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READERS’ FORUM Oman cricketers have only gains to cherish I refer to the story Sultanate’s squad vow to continue historic journey (March 15) and am proud to say that Oman’s present cricket team has set a benchmark through its outing in the ICC World T20. One should be very honest and accept that the fact that Bangladesh, which is full ICC member, was on the day a much superior.

Playing for making place in the super 10 and loosing should not be considered as defeat rather it should be considered as a spring board to fly high in future tournaments. I am confident that the team members, support staff and Oman cricket Scan this QR code has gained a lot through this outing . In my to send letters to the humble opinion, there are only gains to be Readers’ Forum, cherish and no need to regret losses. containing not more than 200 words with — Mohammad Osama Rawat, Ruwi

NGOZI OKONJO-IWEALA

African countries have to find a way to diversify their economies.

Diversification requires investment in future, in form of education and well-developed infrastructure, including telecommunications, power, roads, rail, and water. Models to follow: include Dubai, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Mexico, Indonesia and South Korea

full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com).

Play for India-Pakistan amity This refers to the news Afridi predicts another familiar India contest (March 14). Cricket should bat for India-Pakistan amity. As a result of external and internal politics both the nations have had enough.

Let peace have its go after seven odd decades. In both countries parliaments there should be representatives like Shahid Afridi or Shoaib Malik who remind that we eat the same food and speak the same language. — Gautam Ghosh-Dastidar, Wadi Kabir

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RUDYARD KIPLING

Do not trust Putin’s pullback from Syria resident Vladimir Putin’s unexpected announcement that Russian troops would pull back from Syria shouldn’t be taken at face value: He’s made similar announcements in the past to show Western negotiating partners how constructive he can be. He always has a hidden agenda. Putin’s official explanation of the supposed withdrawal, which should start Tuesday, is that he considers “the tasks set for the Defense Ministry mainly carried out.” The Russian military “has allowed Syrian troops and the patriotic forces of Syria to achieve a radical breakthrough in the fight against international terrorism and gain initiative on practically every front.”

He’s not wrong about the latter: Emboldened and aided by Russian air strikes against the regime’s opponents, President Bashar Al Assad’s forces have been gaining ground since the start of this year. Yet they haven’t captured the all-important city of Aleppo or dealt any spectacular defeats to any of the bigger insurgent groups, including the IS. “Radical breakthrough” is an exaggeration.

Putin, however, teased the more likely purpose of his announcement. “I hope today’s decision will be a good signal for all the sides of the conflict,” he said. “I hope this will significantly increase the trust of all participants in the process.”

By the process, of course, he means the peace talks in Geneva, which resumed on Monday amid cautious optimism because a shaky ceasefire announced on February 27 has largely held, and the level of violence has been sharply reduced.

Putin used a similar signaling method in June 2014, as talks were beginning to hammer out what became the first Minsk cease-fire for eastern Ukraine. Late that month, Putin asked his rubberstamp upper house of parliament to withdraw permission for him to conduct military actions in Ukrainian territory. Russia never officially conducted any, though Russian troops, instructors and weapons were even then being sent to aid proMoscow rebels in eastern Ukraine. Nonetheless, Putin, according to his spokesman Dmitry Peskov, considered the announcement an appropriate gesture as negotiations between the rebels, Ukraine and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe were beginning. That ceasefire appeared to hold only briefly. The fighting soon escalated again, and the Ukrainian army suffered one of its most humiliating defeats, at Illovaysk.

There were plenty of pullback announcements

after the second Minsk ceasefire, reached in February 2015. This shaky deal has held up much better than the first one, though neither side has been willing to meet its political conditions. Yet it’s still clear that hostilities could resume at any moment and if any troops or weapons have been pulled back, they can be re-engaged within days. OSCE monitors have never been able fully to ascertain where all the troops and weapons are: The rebels haven’t given them full access.

In Syria, it’s even easier for Russia to conceal troop movements because no one except local human rights activists is able to monitor the situation on the ground, and their ability is limited. Putin said the air base that Russia built in Khmeimim in the Latakia province would continue to operate, as would Russia’s naval base in Tartous, to enforce the ceasefire and monitor the peace process. It will be all but impossible to say exactly which troops and equipment will be withdrawn, because Russia has never made it fully transparent what or whom it sent to Syria.

As in Ukraine in 2014 and 2015, Putin is signalling that he is open to a deal, but on his terms. In Ukraine, these terms include a pro-Russian local government and militia in the east. In Syria, he is demanding a seat at the negotiating table for Assad and a role for the president or a designated successor in the country’s future.

In both cases, the terms are unpalatable to the opposing side. In Ukraine, Minsk II may never be fully implemented — and the Russian military presence may continue indefinitely, as in other frozen conflicts. In Syria, Putin is not going to sit and watch the Assad regime be eliminated through talks. Until the process ends in some sort of deal acceptable to him, there will always be a possibility of Russia re-entering the fray.

Just as Putin has never admitted that Russian units were involved in large-scale fighting in Ukraine, he has never announced Russia’s intention to bomb any target in Syria except the IS. Yet his warplanes kept hammering opposition groups that are now part of the peace talks. That Putin is willing to pull back, if only in words, as the talks are getting under way, is an indirect admission that the IS was never his primary target in Syria. Russia and the US have a shared interest in uniting Syrian forces in the fight against IS. Yet they have conflicting visions of Syria’s future. The Russian pullback may have caused the Russian ruble’s exchange rate against the US dollar to spike, but Putin is probably not done with this war yet. - Bloomberg View

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES MARCH 2001 ROP senior officer’s seminar concludes MUSCAT:Lt General Hilal bin Khalid Al Ma’awali, inspector general of police and customs, presided over the conclusion of Royal Oman Police (ROP) senior officer’s seminar for the year 2001 at the lectures hall at the police headquarters yesterday. The seminar began last Sunday. The seminar discussed over the past four days several police administrative topics, including, procedural matters, such as simplifying procedures at services departments at ROP and increasing responsibilities on police in the light of the continuous developments and finding suitable solutions to them as well as approving several recommendations which aim at improving the quality and promoting performance of the police apparatus.

PICTOGRAPH

PRIVATE SECTOR DEPOSITS IN COMMERCIAL BANKS 2015 (In million rials)

October

November

December

11,786.1

12,401.5

12,638.5

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1917: Russian Czar Nicholas II abdicates his throne.

1964: President Lyndon B. Johnson submits a $1 billion war on poverty program to Congress.

1984 Mozambique and South Africa sign a pact banning support for one another’s internal foes.

1985: Newsman, Terry Anderson is taken hostage in Beirut.

0 Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

PAKISTAN Afghan Taliban rebuff Pakistan pressure on peace process With Pakistan army action against the country’s Taliban, Islamabad has lost its traditional influence over militants fighting the Kabul government

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: Pakistani officials threatened to expel Afghanistan’s Taliban from bases in Pakistan if they did not join peace talks this month, but the militants rebuffed their traditional patron, two officials said, casting doubt on how much influence Islamabad retains over them.

After the secret meetings with Pakistani officials about two weeks ago, the Taliban’s Supreme Council met at an undisclosed location and voted to reject the talks scheduled for early March with the Afghan government, according to a council member.

Instead, the insurgents are now pouring back into Afghanistan for what they say will be a fierce spring offensive to be launched soon.

Pakistan’s influence over the insurgents is the lynchpin to the peace plan developed over last few months by Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States and China to bring an end to the 15-year-old war in Afghanistan.

A Pakistani official in Islamabad said the Taliban’s recent success on the battlefield inside Afghanistan had changed the equation.

“They no longer need their Pakistan bases in the same way, so if Pakistan threatens to expel them, it does not have the same effect,” said the official, a retired military officer close to the talks.

The insurgents have won new zones of influence - if not outright control - from Afghan security forces since the United States and its allies pulled most combat troops from Afghanistan at the end of 2014, Afghan and Western officials acknowledge.

“Pakistan’s trump card - safe havens on its soil - is in danger of being snatched away,” said Michael Kugelman of the Woodrow Wilson Institute, a Washingtonbased think tank.

“The Taliban have little incentive to step off the battlefield now, given recent gains and those likely to come in the next few months.

In effect, why quit while you’re ahead?”

A member of the Taliban’s leadership council, or shura, said rebel representatives met in Islamabad with Pakistani officials a little more than two weeks ago.

DEADLOCKED: Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani, centre, chairs the fourth round of four-way peace talks at the presidential palace in Kabul on February 23. - AFP

Ghani touts success against IS KABUL: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday played down recent failures to jump start peace talks with the Taliban, instead choosing to highlight recent successes against the nascent IS presence in Afghanistan.

Taliban forces have made significant gains in recent months, briefly capturing the northern city of Kunduz and threatening to overrun multiple districts in the southwest.

The latest efforts to bring them to the negotiating table faltered when the militant group issued a statement refusing to participate.

Ghani, facing rising domestic criticism and eager to ensure continued international aid, has publicly

“They have asked our representatives to bring more decision-making people to the next meeting...to the meeting with US and Afghan officials. This is their dream, but they will not be able to see our senior commanders,” the Taliban council member said.

Talks not dead A senior Pakistani security official with knowledge of the talks said: “I don’t think the talks are dead, but they are definitely plagued by a serious illness. “The ones who are in Pakistan. ..We have told them repeatedly that they will have to leave if they don’t participate in the process,” the Pakistani official said.. “We have done what we can. ..but influence does not mean control. Those days are long gone.”

The Taliban source had knowledge of, but did not attend, the meeting with Pakistani officials in Islamabad.

He was at the subsequent Taliban council meeting to decide on whether to join the peace talks.

The pro-talks camp largely

focused on a military campaign in eastern Afghanistan aimed at IS. “Daesh (IS)is on the run,” he said at a joint news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, responding to a direct question about the Taliban.”They are running for cover. No quarter would be given to IS,” Ghani added.

A combination of air strikes by US warplanes and “massive” ground operations

by Afghan forces has left IS reeling, he said.

Stoltenberg reiterated that the coalition has no intention of sending combat troops back to fight in Afghanistan, more than a year after the NATO-coalition declared an end to its combat mission. — Reuters

comprised supporters of nominal Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, believed to be hiding in Pakistan after being shot in a leadership dispute last year and rumoured killed, and his chief rival, Mullah Mohammad Rasoul, who is believed to be in Afghanistan.

“I personally feel that Mullah Mansour and some other leaders are in favour of peace talks and they don’t want to annoy Pakistan... but they can’t make decisions without approval of other shura members,” said the Taliban council member.”

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid declined to comment on any meetings with Pakistani representatives.

Pakistan’s top diplomat Sartaj Aziz spoke last week of progress in restarting talks “in coming days”.

However, Taliban commanders told Reuters that with the council’s decision, they are focusing on launching their annual fighting season with the hopes of grabbing more territory. — Reuters

CONTROVERSY

Religious groups criticise law protecting women LAHORE: An all-parties conference convened by Pakistan’s oldest extremist party and attended by powerful religious groups asked the government on Tuesday to retract a law that gives unprecedented protection to female victims of violence.

The Women’s Protection Act, passed by Pakistan’s largest province of Punjab last month, gives legal protection to women from domestic, psychological and other types of violence.

Abuse reporting hot line It also calls for the creation of a toll-free abuse reporting hot line, women’s shelters and district-

level panels to investigate reports of abuse and mandates the use of GPS bracelets to keep track of offenders. Domestic abuse, economic discrimination and acid attacks made Pakistan the world’s third most dangerous country in the world for women, a 2011 Thomson Reuters Foundation expert poll showed.

On Tuesday, representatives of more than 35 religious parties and groups came together for a conference called by the Jamaate-Islami party and condemned the women’s protection law.

“The controversial law to protect women was promulgated to accomplish the West’s agenda

to destroy the family system in Pakistan,” read the joint declaration issued at the end of the concrescence.”This act... is redundant and would add to the miseries of women.”

The passage of the new law was welcomed by rights groups but spirits have since dampened as conservative voices have increasingly called for its retraction.

On Monday, Fazlur Rehman, the chief of one of Pakistan’s largest religious parties, the Jamiati-Ulema Islam-Fazl, said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had promised him at a meeting that he would address the reservations of religious parties. — Reuters

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lawmakers elected Htin Kyaw to become the country’s first civilian president in decades. Kyaw received 360 of the 652 votes cast, the parliamentary official counting the votes said NAYPYITAW: Myanmar’s parliament elected a close friend and confidant of Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi as president on Tuesday, making Htin Kyaw the first head of state who does not hail from a military background since the 1960s.

Suu Kyi led her National League for Democracy (NLD) to a land-

PRESIDENT-ELECT: Htin Kyaw, newly elected president of Myanmar and member of the National League for Democracy party, leaves after a parliament session in Naypyitaw on Tuesday. - AFP

slide election win in November, but a constitution drafted by the former junta bars her from the top office.

She has vowed to run the country anyway through a proxy president, and on Thursday the NLD nominated Htin Kyaw for the role.

He runs a charity founded by Suu Kyi and has been a trusted member of her inner circle since the mid-1990s. He is not a lawmaker.

“Today’s result is because of the love of people for her. It is the victory of my sister Aung San Suu

Kyi,” Htin Kyaw said after the vote.

The NLD’s sizeable majority ensured a comfortable win for Suu Kyi’s pick in a vote by both houses of parliament. Htin Kyaw received 360 of the 652 votes cast, the parliamentary official counting the votes said.

Suu Kyi, who had been the first member of parliament to vote, clapped and smiled after the result was announced.

“This is the big day for us,” Zar Ni Min, an NLD lower house MP, said after the vote. “This is what

we have hoped for since a long time ago.” The still-powerful military holds a quarter of the seats in parliament and has the right under the constitution to nominate one of the three candidates for president. Its candidate, retired general Myint Swe, received 213 votes, making him the first vice president.

Simmering tensions Tensions between Suu Kyi and the military have simmered in the run-up to the presidential election and as her party prepares to take power. Relations between the armed forces and Suu Kyi will define the success of Myanmar’s most significant break from military rule since the army seized power in 1962.

Suu Kyi wants to demilitarise Myanmar’s politics, but to do so she effectively needs the support of the military itself. The armed forces are guaranteed three ministries under the constitution, as well as a parliamentary minority

that gives them a veto over constitutional amendments - enough to limit the potential scope of Suu Kyi’s reforms.

Sources in Suu Kyi’s camp say she has grown increasingly frustrated with military intransigence on issues ranging from amending the constitution to relatively minor formalities such as the location of the handover of power.

NLD lawmakers also privately said the military’s choice of Myint Swe went against the spirit of reconciliation that Suu Kyi says she is seeking to foster.

Myint Swe served the junta as head of the feared military intelligence and is on the US sanctions list. The third candidate for the presidency, Henry Van Thio, was also nominated by the NLD. He will become second vice president and was chosen by Suu Kyi to represent the country’s numerous ethnic minorities. He is a member of the Chin ethnic group from the northwest of Myanmar.

The president picks the cabinet that will take over from President Thein Sein’s outgoing government on April 1, with the exception of the heads of the home, defence and border security ministries, who will be appointed by the armed forces chief. - Reuters

CRACKDOWN

Thai trafficking trial opens amid fears for witnesses BANGKOK: The trial of 92 suspected human traffickers, arrested after the discovery of shallow graves of migrants in Thai jungle, began in Bangkok on Tuesday and the attorney-general’s office said it would be over within a year amid fears about the safety of witnesses.

Traffickers abandoned boatloads of migrants at sea last year after a crackdown by Thai authorities that led to a regional migrant crisis with Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and Bangladesh refusing boats permission to land. Rights groups had expressed fears that a drawn-out case, lasting anything up to two years, could put the hundreds of witnesses at risk because of inadequate police protection.

“The court is accelerating the case to finish within a year,” said Prayuth Porsuttayaruk, deputy director-general of the human trafficking office at the AttorneyGeneral’s Office.

The 92 suspected human traffickers include an army general, civilians and police. Rights groups have called on authorities to step up witness protection after some witnesses said they had been forced into hiding because of threats. - Reuters

B A L L I S T I C M I S S I L E WA R H E A D

SIMULATION TEST: This undated picture released from North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency on Tuesday shows an atmospheric re-entry environment simulation of a locally manufactured heat-resistant section of a ballistic missile warhead part, witnessed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (not pictured) at an undisclosed location in North Korea. - AFP/KCNA/KNS

North Korea will soon test nuclear warhead, says Kim SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would soon test a nuclear warhead and ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, the North’s KCNA news agency reported, in what would be a direct violation of UN resolutions which have the backing of the North’s chief ally, China.

Kim made the comments as he supervised a successful simulated test of atmospheric re-entry of a ballistic missile that measured the “thermodynamic structural stability of newly developed heatresisting materials”, KCNA said.

“Declaring that a nuclear warhead explosion test and a test-fire of several kinds of ballistic rockets able to carry nuclear warheads will be conducted in a short time to further enhance the reliance of nuclear attack capability, he (Kim) instructed the relevant section to make prearrangement for them to the last detail,” the agency said.

South Korea’s defence ministry said there were no indications of activities at the North’s nuclear test site or its long-range rocket station, but that North Korea continues to maintain readiness to conduct nuclear tests.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye said the North would lead itself to self-destruction if it did not change and continued the confrontation with the international community. The North’s report comes amid heightened tension on the Korean peninsula

as South Korean and U.S. troops stage annual military exercises that Seoul has described as the largest ever.

In the apparent re-entry simulation, the official newspaper of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party carried pictures on Tuesday of a dome-shaped object placed under what appeared to be a rocket engine and being blasted with flaming exhaust.

In separate images, Kim observed the object described by KCNA as a warhead tip. The North has issued belligerent statements almost daily since coming under a new UN resolution adopted this month to tighten sanctions against it after a nuclear test in January and the launch of a long-range rocket last month. In 1962, the United States launched a ballistic missile with a live warhead in what was known as the Frigate Bird test. China conducted a similar test in 1966.

“What would be terrible is if the DPRK (North Korea) reenacted Operation Frigate Bird or the fourth Chinese nuclear test and did a two-in-one,” said Jeffrey Lewis of the Californiabased Middlebury Institute of International Studies.

“For now, though, it looks like a nuclear test and several missile tests in close succession.”

The South Korea’s defence ministry said after the North’s report that it still does not believe the North has acquired missile re-entry technology. - Reuters

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

A15

WORLD Kerry to visit Russia in bid to end Syria war

PA R I S AT TA C K P R O B E

Today, as we mark the fifth anniversary of the start of this LOCK DOWN: Police officers take position at the site of a shooting in the southern Forest district of Brussels on Tuesday. — AFP/Belga/ DIRK WAEM

Belgium police hunt for gunman BRUSSELS: Armed Belgian police, with French support, were hunting one or more gunmen who wounded three officers during a raid on Tuesday in Brussels linked to the investigation of November’s extremist attacks in Paris, officials said.

A southern section of the city was sealed off by police, Reuters journalists at the scene said. Police told residents to stay indoors and schools and kindergartens close to the scene of the shootings were in lockdown, residents said.

The mayor of the Brussels borough of Forest where the raid took place told Le Soir newspaper that one or more people had barricaded themselves into an apartment and that it was unclear how many others may be on the run. Journalists heard gunshots as police commandos crowded round the street where the raid had been carried out.

French police units French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said French police units were also taking part in the raid in the Belgian capital, where investigators believe much of the planning and preparation for the November 13 IS attacks were carried out by young French

and Belgians, some of whom fought in Syria. “This operation is connected to the Paris attacks,” a spokesman for Belgium’s federal prosecutor told Reuters.

The area around the raid, near the main north-south railway linking Paris and Amsterdam and a car factory, was sealed off. A helicopter flew overhead and police commandos were deployed.

Officers wounded A spokeswoman for the local police service in southern Brussels said two officers were lightly wounded in an initial incident and a third was also slightly hurt later.

Belgian security forces have still been actively hunting suspects and associates of Brusselsbased militants involved in the attacks in Paris in which 130 people were killed. Some of the attackers came from Brussels.

One of the prime suspects, 26-year-old Brussels-based Frenchman Salah Abdeslam, is still on the run. He left Paris shortly after his brother blew himself up in the attacks. Belgian authorities are holding 10 people who have been arrested in the months since the attacks, mostly for helping Abdeslam. — Reuters

horrific war, we may face the best opportunity that we have had in years to end it, said John Kerry as he announcement on Monday that it planned to pull out the main part of its forces from Syria

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Russia next week for what he described as possibly the best opportunity in years to end the civil war in Syria after Moscow’s announcement of a partial withdrawal of its forces from the country.

Kerry told reporters on Tuesday that he would meet Russian President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow. Kerry argued that a cessation of hostilities was largely holding as peace talks resumed in Geneva this week.

“Today, as we mark the fifth anniversary of the start of this horrific war, we may face the best opportunity that we have had in years to end it,” said Kerry, who welcomed Russia’s announcement on Mon-

Female PKK rebel carried out Ankara attack; unrest spreads to southeast

Tanks deployed Meanwhile, fighting between Turkish security forces and Kurdish militants spread on Tuesday, with tanks, helicopters and armoured cars deployed.

The deadliest violence took place in Diyarbakir, the largest city in mainly Kurdish southeastern Turkey, where Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters blocked roads and clashed with security forces overnight as a police helicopter flew overhead, witnesses said. One police officer and three militants were killed in Diyarbakir and a second police officer was killed in the town of Nusaybin, where the PKK launched an attack, security sources said. No one has claimed responsibility for Sunday’s car bomb that tore through a crowded transport hub in Ankara, but security officials have blamed

DEFENCE MINISTRY/VADIM GRISHANKIN

welcomed Russia’s

TURKEY

A N K A R A / D I YA R B A K I R (TURKEY): A female member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) carried out the bombing in central Ankara on Sunday, Turkey’s interior ministry said on Tuesday.

The Turkish national, 1992born attacker had joined the PKK in 2013, and was later trained by the Syrian Kurdish militant group YPG, the statement said.

TACTICS: A handout picture taken on Tuesday and released by the Russian Defence Ministry shows Russia’s servicemen attending a ceremony marking the withdrawal of Russian armed forces from Syria at the Hmeimim military base in Latakia province. — AFP/RUSSIAN

two members of the outlawed separatist PKK. Violence has surged in southeastern Turkey since a 2-1/2year PKK ceasefire collapsed in July. The militants have focused their strikes on security forces in towns in the region, some of which have been under curfew. A curfew was imposed in part of Diyarbakir from 3 a.m. (0100 GMT) after militants began to set up barricades, dig ditches and plant explosives, authorities said.

The curfew was widened to encompass more city streets as clashes continued in the morning.

Gunfire and explosions rang out across the city. — Reuters

day that it planned to pull out the main part of its forces from Syria.

Meanwhile, as the first aircraft touched down in Russia, U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura called President Vladimir Putin’s move a “significant development” towards resolving a crisis which this week passes its fifth anniversary. While Assad’s opponents hope the announcement signals a shift in Russian support, its full significance has yet to become clear: Russia is keeping an air base and an undeclared number of forces in Syria.

Putin’s surprise announcement has led to speculation that Moscow may want to press Assad towards showing more flexibility at the Geneva talks, where his government has ruled out discussion of the presidency or a negotiated transfer of power. Damascus has dismissed any talk of differences

with its ally and says the move was coordinated and the result of army gains on the ground. Russia, however, last month expressed frustration with Assad, saying he was out of step with its diplomacy.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, whose government supports the opposition, indicated the gaps in Western understanding of Putin, saying he had “no insight at all into Russia’s strategy” after a decision that came out of the blue.

The West had been equally surprised by Putin’s decision to intervene. “Unfortunately none of us knows what the intent of Mr Putin is when he carries out any action, which is why he is a very difficult partner in any situation like this,” he said.

The opposition, which was due to meet de Mistura on Tuesday,

said it was not against a direct meeting with the government.

US-Russian cooperation had already brought about a lull in the war via a “cessation of hostilities agreement” that led to a sharp decline in fighting between rebels and the government in western Syria, though many violations have been reported. The Syrian government, which had been losing ground to rebels before Russia intervened, had indicated it was in no mood to give ground to the opposition on the eve of the talks that started on Monday, calling the presidency a “red line”.

A peace process for Syria endorsed by the UN Security Council in December calls for a Syrian-led process that establishes “credible, inclusive and non-sectarian governance”, a new constitution, and free, fair elections within 18 months.

Do not trust them The main opposition delegation wants Assad out of power by the start of a transition. While some rebels have expressed guarded optimism at Putin’s announcement, others doubt he is about to put serious pressure on Assad.

“We do not trust them,” said Fadi Ahmad of the First Coastal Division, who says his rebel group has been fighting a Russianbacked government offensive near the Turkish border throughout the cessation agreement that came into effect on February 27.

Russian television showed the first group of Russia’s Su-34 fighter plane task force returning from Syria and landing at an air base in southern Russia.

The pilots were greeted by between 200 to 300 servicemen, journalists, and their wives and daughters, waving Russian flags, balloons in red white and blue, and flowers. They were mobbed and thrown in the air by the crowd. A brass band played Soviet military songs and Russia’s national anthem. — Reuters

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Trump seeking breakthrough with wins in Florida and Ohio New York real estate tycoon has the potential to sweep five big states holding primaries for the November 8 election

TAMPA: Donald Trump could take a giant step on Tuesday toward securing the Republican presidential nomination if he wins the Florida and Ohio primaries, which would intensify pressure for rivals from the party establishment to step down from the race.

Trump has the potential to sweep five big states holding primaries for the November 8 election - Florida, Ohio, Illinois, North Carolina and Missouri. He could knock out his two mainstream rivals, Ohio Governor John Kasich and US Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, if he wins their states.

The New York real estate tycoon has a significant lead over Rubio in opinion polls in Florida, but is neck and neck with Kasich in Ohio. Any win by either Rubio, Kasich or US Senator Ted Cruz of Texas would give at least a small degree of hope to Republicans battling to deny Trump the nomination.

Trump said on Tuesday that his momentum was already drawing in establishment Republicans who had previously balked at his candidacy but now see him as the likely nominee. “They’re already calling,” he told NBC’s “Today” programme, without naming names. “The biggest people in the party are calling.”

SIGNIFICANT LEAD: US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks with the media at a campaign rally at Winner Aviation in Youngstown, Ohio on Monday. – Reuters

Trump victories in the five states could make what once seemed inconceivable a strong probability, putting the 69-yearold New York real estate mogul who has vowed to deport 11 million illegal immigrants and impose some protectionist trade policies, on a glide path to representing the Republican Party in the November election.

Trump drew first blood on Tuesday, winning the Northern Mariana Islands caucuses with almost 73 percent of the vote, local Republican Party executive direc-

tor Jason Osborne said. The win in the US Pacific commonwealth gives him nine delegates.

On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton can put some distance between herself and rival Bernie Sanders, a US senator from Vermont, in Tuesday’s voting.

Opinion polls gave her a big lead in Florida and North Carolina, but showed Sanders gaining ground in Ohio, Illinois and Missouri, a possibly worrisome sign for Clinton after Sanders’ surprise victory in Michigan a week ago.

“I voted for Bernie because I want to see a real change to how we do things in this country,” Jackie Zydeck, 52, an attorney for the federal government, said after voting in Chicago’s liberal Albany Park neighborhood.

“I like his single-payer healthcare idea; I like his ideas about taxes,” Zydeck said.

Trump held rallies in Florida, Ohio and North Carolina on Monday and said establishment Republicans who have labored to stop his outsider candidacy needed to rally to his cause.

An outbreak of clashes between Trump supporters and protesters that forced him to cancel a rally in Chicago on Friday, and scattered protests at some of his campaign events this week have prompted more concerns from mainstream party figures.

Their only real hope for stopping Trump is to deny him the

1,237 delegates needed for the nomination and extend the battle to the party’s nominating convention in July in Cleveland.

“I believe the ideal outcome in this campaign is to have someone not named Donald Trump coalesce the party with 1,237 delegates and go on to defeat Hillary Clinton in November,” Rubio told Fox News. “If he’s the nominee he is not going to be able to unite the party. In fact I think he’ll bitterly divide it.”

Kasich reminded Ohio voters of Trump’s confrontational campaign tactics during a final swing through his home state.

“Think of the images that have been broadcast across this world about how we are picking a president here,” Kasich said on Monday, adding that the footage of protests and violence could be used to fuel propaganda that America was “broken.” — Reuters

F I FT H A N D F I NA L M AT C H

AlphaGo beats South Korean champion SEOUL: Google’s artificial intelligence (AI) program on Tuesday beat South Korean professional Lee Sedol in the ancient board game Go, recovering from Sunday’s loss to win its fourth match in a five-game series.

AlphaGo, developed by Google subsidiary DeepMind, had already clinched a series victory with its third win on Saturday, in a result that shocked the world.

The program made history last year by becoming the first machine to beat a human pro player, but 33-year-old Lee, one of the world’s top players, was seen as a much more formidable opponent.

“I am disappointed that the matches are over, and also disappointed that I could not end the series on a high note,” Lee told reporters, thanking fans for their support and adding that he had wholeheartedly enjoyed the games.

“I think the humans still have a good chance,” he added.

Go, most popular in countries such as China, South Korea and Japan, involves two contestants moving black and white stones across a square grid, aiming to seize the most territory.

It is perfect for artificial intelligence research because there are simply too many moves for a machine to win by brute-force calculations, the route IBM’s Deep Blue used to famously beat former world chess champion Garry Kasparov in 1997.

“It was just an incredible game,” DeepMind founder Demis Hassabis told reporters.

Until AlphaGo’s victory last year, experts had not expected an artificial intelligence program to beat a human professional for at least a decade. The program’s developers overcame the hurdles it faced with a design that enabled it to learn on its own, hoping it would be able to approximate human intuition by studying old matches and using simulated games to hone itself. — Reuters

EU-TURKEY AGREEMENT

Macedonia sends migrants back to Greece as deal falters IDOMENI (GREECE)/NICOSIA: Macedonia dumped about 1,500 migrants and refugees back into Greece overnight after they forced their way across the border, as European nations continued to pass the buck in a migration crisis that risks tearing the European Union apart.

The police action was part of a drive by Western Balkans states to shut down a migration route from Greece to Germany used by nearly a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Asia over the last year in Europe’s biggest refugee influx since World War II. EU efforts to conclude a deal with Turkey to halt the human tide in return for political and economic rewards hit a setback on Tuesday when EU member Cyprus vowed to block efforts to speed up Ankara’s EU accession talks unless Turkey meets its obligations to recognise its nationhood. European Council President Donald Tusk, who will chair an EU summit with Turkey on Thursday and Friday, was flying on to Ankara to discuss the fraying pact with Turkish leaders after tough talks with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades.

Tusk acknowledged to reporters that the tentative deal put together last week by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu raised legal problems and needed to be “rebalanced” to win acceptance from all 28 EU members.

The European Commission meanwhile postponed proposals to reform the bloc’s flawed asylum system, which puts the onus on the state where migrants first arrive, in an attempt to avoid further controversy before the Turkey deal is finalised.

Some 43,000 migrants are bottled up in Greece, overstraining the economically shattered euro zone country’s capacity to cope, and more continue to cross the Aegean daily from Turkey despite new NATO sea patrols.

An estimated 1,500 people

NOWHERE TO GO: Refugees are given a lift as they make their way back to a makeshift camp at the Greek-Macedonian border, near the Greek village of Idomeni on Tuesday, where thousands of refugees and migrants are stranded. – AFP

marched out of a squalid transit camp near the northern Greek town of Idomeni on Monday, hiked for hours along muddy paths and forded a rain-swollen river to get around the border fence. Most were picked up by Macedonian security forces, put into trucks and driven back over the border into Greece late Monday or overnight, a Macedonian police official said.

“It’s a long way from the camp to the mountains, it took me six hours of walking. At my age it was very difficult, I would walk and rest often,” said 60-year-old Mohammad Kattan, who slept rough in the mountains and trekked back on foot. “My hope was to get to Macedonia, and get my papers stamped so that I could continue on to another country, to Serbia.”

Greek authorities said they could not confirm the return as there had been no official contact from the Macedonian side. Ties between the two neighbours are fraught because of Greece’s longstanding refusal to recognise Macedonia’s name, which is the same as that of a northern Greek province. A second group of about 600 migrants was prevented from crossing into Macedonia and many of them spent the night camping in the Greek mountains, according to a Reuters photog-

rapher. At least 12,000 people, including thousands of children, have been stranded in the Idomeni camp, where sanitary conditions have deteriorated after days of heavy rain.

Scuffles have broken out in recent days as destitute people scrambled for food and firewood.

Many have been sleeping in the open. Concern about the spread of infection grew after one person was diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Tuesday there was “no chance” that border shutdowns throughout the Balkans would be lifted and urged refugees to move to reception centres set up by the state. Jan van’t Land, an official with medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres at Idomeni, said around 400 migrants had returned to the camp.

“There are still many hundreds of people on both the Greek and the Macedonian side of the border,” he told Reuters.

Greek officials say leaflets that circulated at the Idomeni camp before Monday’s march showed it was a planned breakout. “We are in possession of leaflets that show this was an organised incident, a very dangerous one, endangering people’s lives,” government spokesman George Kyritsis told reporters. — Reuters

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM W EDN ES DAY, MARCH 16, 2016

MARKE

TREASURY BILLS’ TENDER A tender of Government Treasury Bills was held at the Central Bank of Oman this week. Total value of the allotted Treasury bills amounted to OMR15.8 million, for 28-day period, from March 16 to April 13. - ONA

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

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

Muscat 5,295.88 - 1.85 - 0.03%

Dubai 3,321.83 - 29.02 - 0.87%

Abu Dhabi 4,403.43 - 95.14 - 2.11%

Kuwait 5,243.79 - 3.60 - 0.07%

Saudi Arabia

6,232.69 - 55.61 - 0.88%

Bahrain 1,155.95 - 4.79 - 0.42%

Qatar 10,199.91 - 117.74 - 1.14%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................. 2.31 Pound ...........................................1.80 Indian Rs ..............................173.76 Pak Rs ....................................267.38 Bangla Taka......................200.92

Indian Rs ...................................174.92 Pakistan Rs .............................. 271.81 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.50 Phil Peso ....................................121.00

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) ....... 15.75

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ......... $35.17 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ......... $35.17 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) .........$38.14 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ......... $34.17 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........ $38.57 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........$36.30

* Rates as of Mar. 15 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of Mar. 15 Source: Bank Muscat

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ........15.10 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ........... 150.50 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ..............141.50 * Rates as of Mar. 15 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

Stipulation of 15 days for corporate results becomes mandatory in Oman A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com

Those firms which fail to disclose initial unaudited quarterly and annual results within 15 days will attract OMR500 fine

MUSCAT: Oman’s market watchdog Capital Market Authority (CMA) has made it mandatory for listed companies to disclose initial unaudited quarterly and annual results through the Muscat Securities Market within 15 days from the end of each quarter.

This is part of amendments to the executive regulation of the Capital Market Law. Those who fail to disclose initial

results within 15 days will attract a fine of OMR500, according to CMA sources.

Detailed results will have to be disclosed within 30 days from the end of each quarter or end of the financial year.

However, holding companies (or firms with subsidiaries) are given 45 days for announcing detailed financial results.

Although the same regulation was in place since 2014, the CMA was unable to take penal action against those firms that fail com-

ply with 15-day stipulation since it was more of advisory in nature. The new amendments in Capital Market Law published in the official Gazette makes it mandatory.

Mohammed Said Al Abri

Information needed “Now it will attract penalty,” said a source.

The information needed to be disclosed in fifteen days include total sales or revenues, sales costs, total expenses, net expected profit after deducting taxes and comparisons of the same with the same

period of the previous year.

The new amendments were approved by the board of directors of CMA Articles 280 and 248 of the executive regulation of the Capital Market Law. The article 280 of Capital Market law provides “issuer to disclose the initial quarterly and annual un-audited financial results immediately after preparation.

In all cases, disclosure should not exceed 15 days from the end of the quarter or the financial year as the case may be. >B4

B2

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

MARKET

Bangladesh Bank governor resigns over $101m theft Bangladesh central bank governor

I will do anything and everything possible for the country. I will be waiting for a directive from the prime minister. I want to leave with dignity. If it’s my fault, they can take action against me, against Bangladesh Bank

submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He wouldn’t say if Hasina had accepted the offer

DHAKA: Bangladesh central bank governor Atiur Rahman has submitted his resignation as tensions escalate with the finance minister after hackers stole about $101 million from the nation’s foreign reserves.

Rahman submitted his resignation on Tuesday to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, according to A.F.M. Asaduzzaman, a spokesman at Bangladesh Bank.

He wouldn’t say if Hasina had accepted the offer. Ehsanul Karim, her press secretary, didn’t answer multiple calls to his mobile phone.

The move comes two days after Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith called Bangladesh Bank’s handling of the cyber theft ‘very incompetent’. “If it’s my fault, they can take action against me, against Bangladesh Bank,” Rahman said on Tuesday before meeting the prime minister. “But

Atiur Rahman Central bank governor, Bangladesh

they cannot insult me in public.”

‘Puzzled’ by hack The cyber heist has rattled authorities from Bangladesh to Sri Lanka to the Philippines, where much of the stolen money ended up. The central bank said it recovered $20 million of the stolen funds, and $81 million is outstanding. Rahman was due to retire in August, when he turns 65, after helming the central bank for seven years.

Rahman told reporters earlier on Tuesday that he had written a letter of resignation and would

decide his next course of action after meeting the prime minister.

“I will do anything and everything possible for the country,” Rahman said in Dhaka, the capital. “I will be waiting for a directive from the prime minister. I want to leave with dignity.”

Rahman said he wasn’t a ‘technical guy’ and was ‘puzzled’ by the theft. Attempts by hackers to withdraw another $850 million were foiled in part because they misspelled the name of one of the recipients.

Bangladesh could’ve done more to monitor its accounts and detect

suspicious activity faster, according to security experts including Andrey Dulkin of Jerusalembased CyberArk. The country should be “very concerned” about the risk of copy-cat attacks, said Victor Keong, a partner at consultant Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu in Singapore.

Laundering Council filed a complaint against Maia Santos Deguito, the branch manager of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., for aiding the withdrawal of $80.9 million stolen by hackers. The council said she allowed the withdrawals even after Bangladesh requested a halt to the transfers.

Deguito’s lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, declined to comment, saying he hasn’t seen a copy of the complaint. Dequito denied any wrongdoing during an interview with DZMM radio on March 11.

She is testifying before the Senate on Tuesday.

Born to a poor family, Rahman had briefly quit school due to a lack of money before graduating from Dhaka University. He wrote a doctoral thesis titled “Peasants and Classes” at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. He was named Central Bank Governor of the Year for Asia 2015 by the Emerging Markets newspaper, following India’s Raghuram Rajan and China’s Zhou Xiaochuan.

“We have embarked on an era of new central banking which has got a distinct developmental focus,” Rahman had said last year. “That focus is inclusivity and environmental sustainability, which was never reflected in any monetary policy anywhere in the world.” - Bloomberg News

Quite shocking “It is quite shocking,” Keong said.

“If a central bank can have such lapses — and it is the regulator — then those it regulates might not be so well protected.”

The Philippine Anti-Money

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

FEBRUARY

Sultanate’s crude oil production increases Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman’s crude oil production grew by 0.72 per cent to 29.40 million barrels in February, which was equivalent to 1,013,713 barrels per day, according to the monthly statistics released by the Ministry of Oil and Gas. In February, 28.8 million barrels (or 993,266 barrels per day) were exported, which shows a growth of 12.7 per cent over January 2016 figures.

China’s imports China recorded a 26.39 per cent fall in imports compared to January 2016 while exports increased to Taiwan, Singapore and South Korea recording 7.93 per cent, 1.67 per cent and 0.79 per cent increase, respectively. The United States also imported 7.99 per cent of Omani oil in February.

The average price of oil in West Texas, USA at the New York stock exchange NYMEX was $32.20 per barrel in February 2016, which shows a $0.31 decline compared to price in January. The London market price was$33.53 per barrel in February 2016, which was a $1.49 growth compared to January 2016.

Price decline Omani oil, on the other hand, suffered a major decline in price at the Dubai Mercantile Exchange where the price for May delivery 2016 was $30.23 per barrel, which was an increase of $2.83 compared to March delivery 2016. The price fluctuated between $31.94 and $26.83 per barrel.

OVERHAULING ECONOMY

Kuwait’s plan to impose taxes, cut fuel subsidies face hurdle DUBAI: Kuwait’s plan to impose corporate taxes and cut fuel subsidies to reduce the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) member’s reliance on oil faces a familiar obstacle: a parliament that has resisted previous attempts to curtail one of the world’s most generous welfare systems.

Finance Minister Anas Al Saleh on Monday submitted a six-point plan to the cabinet that aims in part to bolster revenue and cut public spending. Measures include selling stakes in state-owned entities, official media reported. The plan needs parliamentary approval.

“In the current parliament there are no political blocks with defined economic plans or philosophies,” Abdullah Al Naibari, a former lawmaker, said a phone interview from Kuwait on Tuesday. “There are individuals with one aim, which is winning votes nothing else.”

The plunge in crude prices have increased pressure on oil

Anas Al Saleh, finance minister of Kuwait. – Bloomberg News

exporters from Saudi Arabia to Venezuela to shore up their public finances and find alternative sources of revenue.

Less Pressure While Kuwait has more financial firepower to weather the slump more than some of its neighbours, officials have repeatedly warned that maintaining government spending policies is unsustainable.

While Kuwait faces less pres-

sure to reform, the “announced reforms are welcomed, as they would help diversify the government’s income base and reduce its volatility,” Razan Nasser, senior Middle East and North Africa economist at HSBC Holdings Plc in Dubai, said by e-mail.

“The real challenge is passing the reforms through parliament and winning public support,” she said. “The reversal of fuel subsidy reforms last year highlights the difficulty of implementing such unpopular reform measures.”

The Kuwaiti parliament has resisted previous government plans to boost investments and curtail current spending. In 2013, lawmakers sought to write off interest payments on bank loans taken by nationals over five years to bail out indebted citizens.

The benchmark Kuwait Stock Exchange Index fell 0.3 per cent in Kuwait City. The measure has dropped 19 per cent over the past 12 months, compared to a 15 per cent fall in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index. - Bloomberg News

SHIPMENTS

Sohar Port’s break bulk cargo rises 46% Times News Service MUSCAT: Sohar Port’s break bulk cargo shipments increased to over 1.9 million tonnes last year, a growth of 46 per cent from 2014 to 2015, said Marc Evertse, executive commercial manager of Sohar Port.

“We are also handling over 200,000 vehicles a year at the port, making Sohar a significant regional automotive hub for the Middle East,” he added, on the sidelines of the Breakbulk China 2016.

Sohar Port and Freezone headed east this week to participate in Breakbulk China 2016 — Asia’s largest conference and exhibition addressing the needs of break bulk and project cargo logistics.

Breakbulk China offers Sohar invaluable opportunities to connect with shippers, international freight forwarders, logistics and transportation decision makers in Asia, along with over 160 other exhibitors.

Thousands of specialists attended the four-day event at

the World Expo Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, home to the world’s number one container port.

“Last year, Sohar Port saw a sharp increase in break bulk cargo shipments to over 1.9 million tonnes, increasing by 46 per cent from 2014 to 2015. We are also handling over 200,000 vehicles a year at the Port, making Sohar a significant regional automotive hub for the Middle East,” Marc Evertse said.

Break bulk continues to grow in the region thanks to the huge investments in infrastructure projects throughout the Middle East, offering significant opportunities on all sides of the business. Due to the prime location of Sohar outside the Strait of Hormuz, and the port’s seamless sea-road-air access right across the Arabian peninsula, Sohar has seen double-digit growth across all cargo volumes since operations started in 2004, and both port and freezone continue to grow rapidly.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

B3

MARKET Sayyid Haitham launches Boulevard by Muscat Hills

PUBLIC PROJECTS

Project finance

takes hold as oil prices drop Times News Service

With the handover of phase II villas, the luxurious and private development focus is moving towards lifestyle development

SHAHZAD RAZA

shahzad@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Taking affordable luxury to a new level, Muscat Hills launched The Boulevard, another signature project offering the best properties combined with all the trappings of modern lifestyle.

Giving glimpses of the development to a select gathering, Muscat Hills added yet another innovative feature to the most sought after master planned community in town, The Jada Muscat Hills (The Boulevard). With the handover of phase II villas, the luxurious and private development focus is moving towards lifestyle development.

His Highness Sayyid Haitham Al bin Tariq Al Said, minister of heritage and culture, was the chief guest at a ceremony attended by members of the Royal family, key government officials, and members of the society.

“It’s a completely new master planned development which offers luxury at affordable price. To make it more special as a free hold property we have combined elements like pedestrian walkway, spacious parking, unique shopping and dining experience and much more,” said His Highness Sayyid Al Rawy Kais Al Said, chief executive officer of Muscat Hills, while talking to Times of Oman at the launch ceremony.

Explaining further, Ilyas Malik,

MAGNIFICENT: The Boulevard by Muscat Hills offers the protected ‘pedestrian only’ 32-metre wide and 665-metre long ‘Jada’, boasting shopping, dining and leisure outlets. The Boulevard sets a new benchmark in mixed-use developments with its creativity and attention to detail. – Talib Al Wohaibi/Times of Oman

advisor to the CEO, said Muscat Hills thrived on being rich and innovative. “Our CEO believes in offering luxury that is affordable to the people of Oman and that is what our brand is all about. It is generous in giving and innovative in approach. With the best of Italian elements and architecture, Muscat Hills is offering better properties at half the price of its competitors,” Malik added.

Master plan The master plan of the new downtown area at Muscat Hills is developed on the theme of integration.

The total footprint spans more than 85,000 square metres, and will showcase a number of developments featuring elegantly designed corporate offices, commercial, retail and residential space with unparalleled finishes.

The Boulevard, the nerve-center of the development offers the protected “pedestrian only” 32metre wide and 665-metre long

OIL AND GAS MEET

‘JADA’, boasting shopping, dining and leisure outlets.

The Boulevard sets a new benchmark in mixed-used developments with its creativity and attention to detail. Imagination with an eye on the functionality stands out in the design of The Boulevard, due to the very considered infrastructure, including the well thought out access roads, and stairs and ramps for pedestrians. setback sub-division specifications, provision for circulation of emergency vehicles and goods deliveries.

Environment-friendly An environment-friendly approach has been a paramount consideration, such as pergolas used for shade, green landscaping and water, to lower the localised temperature, shielding systems of substations, and timed illuminating systems.

Nestled in the foothills of the Hajar mountains, and only a 5-minute drive from Muscat In-

ternational Airport, the Muscat Hills team worked closely with Italian architecture firm, Interasrl, to develop a master plan inspired by the sea and mountains that surround it.

Redefining landscape The project is led by His Highness Sayyid Al Rawy bin Kais A Said.

Considering The Boulevard as a humble contribution to the community, according to Sayyid Al Rawy, “Muscat has come a long way from the traditional souks.

The Boulevard is truly unique, and will redefine the Muscat commercial and retail landscape; setting a new benchmark for mixed-use developments. It is the first of its kind outdoor pedestrian only space, where strolling, shopping and dining are integrated into business and community life. The Boulevard gives Muscat Hills the opportunity to share the beautiful and tranquil destination with residents of Oman and visitors

alike. It is with great anticipation that we wait for the vision to be realised in 2018” The Boulevard will bring the community together, offering a new pedestrian space for business, shopping, socialising, entertainment and dining. With a design inspired by the Italian Piazza, the town center is the focal point of the development, surrounded by the buildings with distinctive Mediterranean style features, balconies, and courtyards for recreation. The low-rise, contemporary style development will be built with seven floors, boasting luxury finishes with an international flair, The Boulevard will be the goto spot in Muscat irrespective of the occasion.

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

MUSCAT: There are currently more than 120 project-financed schemes worth more than $110 billion either planned or under construction in the Gulf Cooperation Council region as governments increasingly seek alternative methods of financing their project in light of falling oil revenues.

According to data from regional projects tracking service, MEED Projects, the largest market for public projects backed with private sector finance is Kuwait, with just under $49 billion of projects under its public-private-partnership (PPP) projects programme.

The state has been an innovator in advancing the PPP model in the region, with schemes ranging from power plants and water and wastewater facilities to schools and tourism projects falling under the programme, which is handled by the Kuwait Public Authority of Partnership Projects (KAPP).

UAE a major player The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also a major player in privatelyfinanced schemes, with about $35 billion of projects planned or under way. These include Dewa’s Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Solar Park, the RTA’s Union Oasis real estate scheme, and Fewa’s Umm Al Quwain independent water project (IWP).

The four other GCC states have some $26bn worth of privately-financed projects between them, including the Facility D independent water and power project (IWPP) in Qatar, Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport Expansion Terminal 5, and Oman’s Sohar IWP. “The project finance model has been applied to power and water projects regularly over the past 15 years in the region, but it is only now with lower oil revenues that there is a concerted push to apply the model to projects in other sectors,” says Ed James, director of Content & Analysis at MEED Projects.

SEMINAR

Conference in Oman to focus on enhanced oil recovery methods

Financing needs of Gulf nations estimated at $151 billion: Study Times News Service

Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman will host the fifth edition of the Society of Petroleum Engineers’ Enhanced Oil Recovery Conference at Oil and Gas West Asia (OGWA) from March 20 to 23, under the auspices of the Ministry of Oil and Gas. Keynote speakers Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, minister of oil and gas; Raoul Restucci, managing director of Petroleum Development Oman and Michael Townshend, regional president for Middle East, BP will speak on enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology.

An exclusive opening ceremony and welcome reception will be held on March 20 at the Public Authority Civil Aviation (PACA) while the conference will begin from March 21 at the Golden Tulip Hotel.

The opening ceremony, scheduled for March20, will begin with welcome address by Saleh bin Ali Al Anboori, 2016 SPE EOR Conference chairman, director general of Petroleum Investment Management, Ministry of Oil and Gas, Oman and Fareed Abdulla, SPE Middle East board chairman, senior vice- president of NEB, ADCO. Regional plans Michelle Boyd, director, Middle East, North Africa and South Asia Events, Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), said, “This year promises to bring a fresh and engaging agenda which includes a keynote panel session where the advancement of enhanced oil recovery and regional plans to accelerate this will be brought to light by respectable industry leaders, these speakers are namely, Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, minister of oil and gas; Raoul Restucci, managing director of Petroleum Development Oman and Michael Townshend, regional president for Middle East, BP.” The conference chairman,

Keynote speakers Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhy, minister of oil and gas; Raoul Restucci, managing director of Petroleum Development Oman and Michael Townshend, regional president for Middle East, BP will speak on enhanced oil recovery technology

Saleh bin Ali Al Anboori, director general of Management of Petroleum Investment Ministry of Oil and Gas, Oman, said, “At present the dependence and focus on enhances oil recovery is at an alltime high due to close attention being paid to sustaining the existing oilfields. Over the years, the SPE EOR Conference has consistently covered primary topics related to enhanced oil recovery, providing professional perspectives by well-known local, regional and international experts.”

Challenges in projects “Local EOR projects are at a steady climb, and it is essential to implement efficient and effective technology supported by experts in the field. Relevant topics such as, R&D Technology, challenges in EOR projects and chemical EOR studies which are part of the conference agenda, are sure to provide valuable insights,” he added.

An executive plenary session on March 21 will feature speakers such as James R. Briscoe, Senior VP Development, Occidental Petroleum; Robert Deutman, VP Development Joint Ventures and RDS Chief Reservoir Engineer, Shell; Andrew Kershaw, CEO, Tatweer Petroleum; Jonathan Lewis, Senior Vice President Completion and Production, Halliburton and AmranMarhubi, Technical Director, Petroleum Development Oman.

MUSCAT: Gulf countries will need $151.3 billion to meet expenditure in 2016, said a financial expert. Of this, $78.1 billion is expected to come from reserves (52 per cent), $57.7 billion from domestic and international bond issuances (38 per cent) and the rest through loans (10 per cent).

Overall, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) governments are expected to raise between $285-390 billion cumulatively through 2020 through local and international bonds, said M. R. Reghu, head of research at Markaz and managing director of Marmore Mena Intelligence. He was making a presentation at a seminar on forecasting sovereign debt issuance in GCC. Raghu said that the low oil prices has altered the fiscal landscape of GCC countries as the prized fiscal surplus registered in erstwhile years has flipped into large scale deficits to the tune of $160 billion in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

He pointed out that in 2015, the deficit was partly met by domestic bond issuances and the remaining by liquidating reserves held in sovereign wealth funds (SWFs). Saudi Arabia for the first time in 8 years issued local debt to raise approxi-

SEMINAR: Overall, Gulf Cooperation Council governments are expected to raise between $285-390

billion cumulatively till 2020 through local and international bonds. - Supplied picture

mately $26 billion from domestic banks and utilised almost $100 billion of its reserves.

Fall in deposits Raghu outlined that the impact of lower oil revenues has visibly impacted the Kuwaiti banks’ deposit mobilisation process, as government deposits account for sizeable portion. Fall in deposits growth coupled with governments drawing down on their savings and placement of domestic bonds by the governments with the local banks has usurped liquidity in the regional financial system causing interbank rates to rise. Though,

the banks are well capitalised, they may not be able to act as the sole source of funding avenue for the governments. Rising debt levels for the GCC governments and uncertain outlook regarding oil prices, which determines the debt servicing capabilities, has led to higher cost of insurance for insuring government debt as evidenced by the widening spreads for credit default swaps (CDS).

Reserves While UAE, Kuwait Saudi Arabia and Qatar boast of robust fiscal reserves, Bahrain and Oman have minimal reserves by comparision.

The sovereign ratings of Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia have been downgraded in the recent weeks.

Further, lack of clarity regarding debt management policies of few GCC countries has caused wide spread speculation regarding the way the deficit could be financed.

This uncertainity has resulted in fixed income investors demanding wider spreads for outstanding issues in GCC region.

While Qatar and Oman have clearly provided indications regarding their approach to plug the deficit, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain budgetary documents fall short of such discussion.

B4

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

MARKET MSM index ends lower

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,312.14 .............. 5,294.98 ................... 5,295.88 ....................5,297.73...................-1.85 .................. -0.03 Financial Index ..................................... 6,491.75 ...............6,473.83 ....................6,475.81 ................... 6,484.11..................-8.30 .................. -0.13 Industrial Index ....................................6,578.63 ...............6,547.32 ................... 6,547.32 ...................6,544.17.................... 3.15 ................... 0.05 Services Index ...................................... 3,042.76 .............. 3,034.97 ................... 3,035.38 ...................3,040.84.................. -5.46 .................. -0.18 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................827.04 ..................823.65 .......................824.78 ...................... 823.56....................1.22 ................... 0.15 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 14,058,962 ..................3,126,647 .....................939 ............... 16,278,956,641 ................ 14 ......................13 .................... 18 .........................45

Gulf International Chemicals, which rose by 8.78%, was the top gainer, while Oman

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, MARCH 15

Textiles, down by 9.89%, lost the most ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: Muscat bourse remained relatively flat and with the general index finishing at 5,295.88 points, marginally down by 0.03 per cent.

The MSM Sharia Index gained 0.15 per cent to close at 824.78 points. Galfar Engineering was the most active in terms of volume, while Bank Muscat led in terms of turnover.

Gulf International Chemicals, which moved up 8.78 per cent, was the top gainer, while Oman Textiles was the top loser, down by 9.89 per cent on Tuesday.

As many as 939 trades were executed on Tuesday, generating turnover of OMR3.1 million with 14.1 million shares changing hands. Out of 45 traded securities, 14 advanced, 13 declined and 18 remained unchanged.

Omani investors stayed net buyers for OMR523,000 followed

by GCC and Arab investors for OMR349,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR872,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed at 6,475.81 points, down by 0.13 per cent. Al Batinah Development, Gulf Investment Services, Al Madina Investments, Takaful Oman and Ominvest gained by 7.14 per cent, 2.22 per cent, 1.69 per cent, 1 per cent and 0.83 per cent, respectively. BankDhofar and HSBC Bank declined by 2.61 per cent and 2.06 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index increased by 0.05 per cent to end the session at 6,547.32 points. Gulf International Chemicals and Oman Cements gained by 8.78 per cent and 1.78 per cent, respectively. Oman Textiles, Voltamp Energy, Al Hassan Engineering, Oman Cables and Al Jazeera Steel declined by 9.89 per cent, 2.27 per cent, 1.64 per cent, 1.62 per cent and 1.48 per cent, respectively.

Services Index fell by 0.18 per cent and finished at 3,035.38

points. Sharqiya Desalination, OIFC and United Power advanced by 1.85 per cent, 1.04 per cent and 0.15 per cent, respectively. Renaissance Services, National Gas, Phoenix Power and Port Services moved down by 3.45 per cent, 1.32 per cent, 0.68 per cent and 0.54 per cent, respectively.

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

OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 1,605,894 ...... 518,382...................144 ........... 0.324 ...........0.324 ...........0.314 ........... 0.322 .............0.296 ........... 0.026............. 8.784 ................0.318 .............. 0.316...................0.318....................6,762,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 318,129 ............ 23,888.....................42 ........... 0.073 ........... 0.077 ...........0.073........... 0.075 .............0.070 ........... 0.005..............7.143.................0.074..............0.072...................0.075....................2,250,000..........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 326,690 ........... 29,950........................8 ........... 0.090 ...........0.092 ...........0.090........... 0.092 .............0.090 ........... 0.002.............2.222 ................0.092..............0.092...................0.094 ................... 5,413,576 ..........0.100 OM0000004669 ...........SHARQIYAH DESALINATION .................................. 1,500 ...............7,028........................3 ............4.750 ........... 4.750 ...........4.650........... 4.685 .............4.600 ............0.085 ............. 1.848 ................4.650..............4.655...................4.800 ..................45,820,312 .........1.000 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ............................................................42,537 .............19,496........................6 ........... 0.458 ...........0.460 ...........0.458........... 0.458 .............0.450 ........... 0.008..............1.778.................0.460..............0.458...................0.460 ................. 151,539,701 ........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 325,000 ............19,500......................11 ........... 0.060 ...........0.060 ...........0.060........... 0.060 .............0.059 ............0.001 ............. 1.695 ................0.060..............0.059...................0.060 ..................12,429,083 .........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 356,500 ........... 69,662......................19 ............0.193 ........... 0.197 ...........0.193 ............0.195 ............. 0.193............ 0.002............. 1.036 ................0.195 ..............0.194...................0.195 ...................39,000,000.........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ...................................................................... 77,388 .............37,456........................3 ........... 0.484 ...........0.484 ...........0.484........... 0.484 .............0.480 ........... 0.004............. 0.833 ................0.484..............0.480...................0.484 .................267,585,035 ........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 615,862...........103,773......................41 ............0.169 ........... 0.170 ...........0.168 ............0.169 ............. 0.168.............0.001 ............. 0.595 ................0.168 ..............0.168...................0.170...................25,362,675 .........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK ........................................................................5,200 ..................900........................1 ............0.173 ........... 0.173 ...........0.173 ............0.173 ............. 0.172.............0.001 ............. 0.581 ................0.173 .............. 0.165...................0.172..................246,531,253........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 2,270,308 .....935,367...................247 ............0.412 ........... 0.412 ...........0.412 ........... 0.412 .............0.410............ 0.002............. 0.488 ................0.412 ..............0.412...................0.414................. 944,230,910 .......0.100

Egypt stocks gain Egyptian stocks rose in the biggest two-day advance in almost four years following the nation’s decision Monday to devalue the currency the most since 2003. The government’s dollar bonds rose.

The EGX 30 Index bucked declines across most Middle Eastern markets to rise 1.9 per cent to close at 7,139.44, the highest level since November and close to its 200-day moving average. Traders exchanged about 335 million shares, about 60 perc ent higher than the six-month average. The index has added 8.8 percent since the central bank weakened the currency 13 per cent on Monday and said it would adopt a more flexible exchange rate.

The devaluation diminishes at least one of the risks that has left foreign investors wary of Egypt since the 2011 uprising and exacerbated a dollar shortage at a time when security concerns have been driving away tourists, one of the country’s biggest sources of revenue. The move came less than a week after a senior government official said Egypt is preparing to start loan talks with the International Monetary Fund, a suggestion that central bank Governor Tarek Amer denied. The bank will offer $1.5 billion at an exceptional auction on Wednesday, it said in a statement on its website Tuesday.

Egyptian Financial GroupHermes contributed most to Tuesday’s advance.

OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 682,095 ..........179,641..................... 58 ........... 0.264 ...........0.264 ...........0.262........... 0.263 .............0.262 ............0.001 ............. 0.382 ................0.262..............0.236...................0.262 .................352,606,796........0.100 OM0000001822............UNITED POWER ............................................................. 1,800 ...............6,120........................2 ........... 3.400 ...........3.400 ...........3.400........... 3.400 .............3.395 ........... 0.005............. 0.147 ................3.400..............3.400...................3.420 ...................2,720,000 ..........1.000 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .............................................. 1,200 .................. 358........................1 ........... 0.298 ...........0.298 ...........0.298........... 0.300 .............0.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.298............. 0.290...................0.298 ..................18,361,282 .........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..................................................... 378,400 ...........54,209......................13 ............0.143 ........... 0.145 ...........0.142........... 0.143 ............. 0.143............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.142..............0.142...................0.144...................44,439,387.........0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. ......... 3,825 ...............6,503........................1 ............1.700 ........... 1.700 ...........1.700 ............1.700 ............. 1.700............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.700 .............. 1.700...................0.000 .................117,300,000 ........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ..........................85,625 .......... 134,196......................14 ............1.570 ........... 1.570 ...........1.560 ............1.565 ............. 1.565............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.570 .............. 1.550...................1.570................ 1,173,750,000 ......0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 446,265 ........... 66,680......................17 ............0.148 ........... 0.150 ...........0.148 ........... 0.149 .............0.149............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.150 ..............0.149...................0.150..................214,774,560........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 2,290,987 ..... 140,373..................... 69 ............0.061 ...........0.062 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 ............. 0.061............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.061 ..............0.061...................0.062 .................. 17,688,819 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 365,508 .........252,105......................19 ........... 0.692 ........... 0.700 ...........0.684........... 0.688 .............0.688 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.684..............0.684...................0.688..................447,849,630........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 327,000 ........... 22,563......................19 ........... 0.069 ...........0.069 ...........0.069........... 0.069 .............0.069 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.069..............0.068...................0.069...................12,075,000 .........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 115,105 .............23,021........................3 ........... 0.200...........0.200 ...........0.200 .......... 0.200 .............0.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.200 ............ 0.200...................0.205 .................134,977,486 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ................................................... 24,022 .............. 4,804........................4 ........... 0.200...........0.200 ...........0.200 .......... 0.200 .............0.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.200 ............ 0.200...................0.203 .................142,881,268........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS .................................................... 2,556 ............... 1,037........................8 ........... 0.404...........0.406 ...........0.404 .......... 0.404 .............0.404 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.404..............0.404...................0.410...................21,210,000 .........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT .........................................................17,085 .............16,012........................4 ........... 0.960 ...........0.960 ...........0.928........... 0.936 .............0.940 ...........-0.004 ........... -0.426 ...............0.928..............0.928...................0.940 .................187,200,000........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ........................ 52,800 ............... 9,708..................... 10 ............0.185 ........... 0.185 ...........0.182........... 0.184 ............. 0.185............-0.001 ........... -0.541 ...............0.185 ..............0.186...................0.190................... 17,487,360 .........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................88,386 .............26,318..................... 29 ........... 0.298 ...........0.298 ...........0.295........... 0.298 .............0.302 ...........-0.004 ............-1.325................0.295..............0.295...................0.298 ..................14,900,000.........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ..........................10,000 ...............1,330........................1 ............0.133 ........... 0.133 ...........0.133 ............0.133 ............. 0.135............-0.002 ............-1.481................0.133 .............. 0.133...................0.136................... 16,611,429 .........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY......................................15,200 .............23,108........................2 ............1.540 ........... 1.540 ...........1.520........... 1.520 ............. 1.545............-0.025 ............-1.618 ................1.520 ..............1.420...................1.500..................136,344,000 .......0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 221,500 ............21,149........................9 ........... 0.096 ...........0.096 ...........0.095........... 0.095 .............0.097 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.062 ...............0.095..............0.095...................0.096.................. 190,029,715 ........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ................................................... 149,059............ 64,095..................... 10 ........... 0.430 ...........0.430 ...........0.430........... 0.430 .............0.440 ...........-0.010 ........... -2.273 ...............0.430............. 0.400...................0.430 ..................26,015,000 .........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 509,321 ..........133,160......................14 ........... 0.267 ...........0.267 ...........0.260 .......... 0.261 .............0.268 ...........-0.007 ........... -2.612 ...............0.260............. 0.242...................0.260 ................. 403,174,151 ........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES .......................................70,435 .............11,839........................7 ............0.170 ........... 0.170 ...........0.168 ............0.168 ............. 0.174............-0.006 ........... -3.448 ...............0.168 ..............0.168...................0.170...................48,829,372.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 11,803,182........2,963,726 ............839 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......33........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE .............................. 11,000 ................ 1,111........................2 ............0.101 ........... 0.101............0.101 ............0.101 .............0.100 ............0.001 ............. 1.000 ................0.101 ..............0.099...................0.102...................10,100,000 .........0.100 OM0000001301 ............DHOFAR CATTLE FEED ..............................................3,000 ..................660........................1 ........... 0.220...........0.220 ...........0.220 .......... 0.220 .............0.220 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.220 .............0.221...................0.225 ..................16,940,000.........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ......................2,500 .....................75........................1 ........... 0.030 ...........0.030 ...........0.030........... 0.032 .............0.032 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.030..............0.030...................0.033....................2,720,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 167,000............... 9,195........................8 ............0.055 ........... 0.056 ...........0.055........... 0.055 .............0.055 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.055..............0.054...................0.055....................6,875,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE.................................................... 133,900 ............17,407........................4 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.130........... 0.130 .............0.130............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.130 ..............0.129...................0.130................... 32,710,401 .........0.100 OM0000002101 ............OMAN FIBER OPTIC .........................................................193 .................. 965........................1 ........... 5.000 ...........5.000 ...........5.000........... 4.570 .............4.570 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................5.000..............4.570...................0.000 ..................32,973,089.........1.000 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,524,722 ...... 100,621.....................44 ........... 0.066 ...........0.066 ...........0.065........... 0.066 .............0.066 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.066..............0.066...................0.067...................99,000,000.........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK............................................... 92,000 ...............5,060........................8 ............0.055 ........... 0.055 ...........0.055........... 0.055 .............0.055 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.055..............0.054...................0.055...................55,000,000.........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ........................................................87,297 .............12,743........................8 ............0.146 ........... 0.146 ...........0.145 ........... 0.146 ............. 0.147............-0.001 ........... -0.680 ...............0.146 ..............0.144...................0.147..................213,539,813 ........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 223,000 ............13,365......................21 ............0.061 ...........0.062 ...........0.059........... 0.060 ............. 0.061............-0.001 ............-1.639................0.059..............0.058...................0.061....................4,512,480 ..........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING .......................................3,000 ..................984........................1 ........... 0.328 ...........0.328 ...........0.328........... 0.328 .............0.364 ...........-0.036 ........... -9.890 ...............0.328............. 0.000...................0.328 ...................1,968,000 ..........1.000 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 2,247,612 ...... 162,186..................... 99 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ...... 11........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ........................8,168 .................. 735........................1 ........... 0.090 ...........0.090 ...........0.090........... 0.090 .............0.092 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.174................0.090..............0.090...................0.100...................29,174,545 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .......................................................................................8,168 .................. 735........................1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

– United Securities/Bloomberg News

INDIAN MARKETS

LISTED FIRMS

< FROM

Sensex slides 253 points; rupee slumps B1 New disclosure regulation MUMBAI: Market benchmark Sensex slipped from its six-week high on Tuesday by plunging 253.11 points to 24,551.17 while NSE Nifty cracked below the 7,500-mark on profit-booking in healthcare and FMCG stocks amid weak global cues.

The 30-share gauge after opening a shade higher, advanced to touch a high of 24,840.77 at the outset before profit-booking in recent gainers took hold, which pulled it down to a low of 24,517.28 and settled at 24,551.17, showing a loss of 253.11 points or 1.02 per cent. The gauge had gained 180.94 points in the previous two sessions. Some weakness in the rupee too weighed on the sentiment.

The 50-share NSE Nifty broke below the crucial 7,500 level and settled lower by 78.15 points or 1.04 per cent at 7,460.60.

Intra-day, it shuttled between 7,545.20 and 7,452.80. Of the 30-share Sensex pack, 22 ended with losses while NTPC ended flat at Rs 127.30.

Shares of Lupin melted the most, falling 7.59 per cent to Rs1,726.60 after the company re-

Asian markets after the Bank of Japan painted a gloomy picture of the country’s economy. Foreign investors bought shares worth a net Rs 10.37 billion on Monday, as per provisional data.

ceived nine observations relating to inadequacy and adherence to operating norms for its manufacturing plant in Goa from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Another pharma firm Pfizer continued to remain under pressure and fell by 3.15 per cent to Rs1,705.30 amidconcerns over ban on their popular drug products. Other that contributed to the fall include HDFC, Dr Reddy’s, Cipla, Sun Pharma, ITC, Adani Ports, HUL, Tata Motors, Bajaj Auto, Asian Paints, Wipro, TCS, GAIL, Infosys, Coal India, ONGC, M&M, L&T and ICICI Bank.

States Bank of India, Tata Steel, Axis Bank, Bhel, Bharti Airtel, RIL and Maruti Suzuki, ended higher, thus cushioning the fall. Sectorally, BSE healthcare index took the biggest knock, falling 3.01 per cent, followed by FMCG 1.54 per cent, tech 0.93 per cent, IT 0.85 per cent, auto 0.70 per cent, capital goods 0.22 per cent, power 0.19 per cent and realty 0.09 per cent.

In line with the overall trend, the broader markets also witnessed selling, with the mid-cap index declining 0.79 per cent and small-cap shedding 0.62 per cent.

European shares dropped in their early trade following weak

Rupee extends loss Extending losses for the second straight day against the American currency, the rupee dropped by another 27 paise to close at 67.38 per dollar on sustained dollar demand from banks and importers ahead of the United States Federal Reserve’s meet outcome even as Bank of Japan left policy rates unchanged.

Sharp fall in domestic equity market also affected the rupee sentiment, a forex dealer said. The Indian unit opened lower at 67.23 against Monday’s closing level of 67.11 per dollar at the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market and dropped further to 67.4175 per dollar before ending at 67.38 per dollar, showing a loss of 27 paise or 0.40 per cent. It has lost 33 paise or 0.49 per cent two days.

It hovered in a range of 67.1725 and 67.4175 during the day. - PTI

Also, article 284 provides “Issuer shall disclose quarterly and annual audited and un-audited financial statements and initial results through the electronic transmission system of MSM in Arabic and English within the statutory time limits.”

Mohammed Said Al Abri, director general of issues and disclosure said; “Reducing the time limit for disclosure of the issuers of securities represents added value to MSM and will boost the confidence of market participants as availability of prompt information helps in taking sound investment decision and eliminate rumours.”

He added that the review of disclosure requirements and reducing the term was made due to the

existence of advanced accounting systems with the issuers of securities, which allow speedy preparation of the financial statements.

Hence, the move will make MSM one of the best Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) stock exchanges in disclosure of information by listed companies. This will help timely investment decision, investor protection through fairness, efficiency and transparency and prevent insider trading.

Al Abri added that CMA endeavours to enhance transparency to provide highest standards of confidence through quarterly statements and timely disclosure of material information on the issuers of securities.

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ROUND-UP

2016 Toyota Fortuner arrives in Oman

In the new Fortuner, Toyota has created a new ‘Solid Fluidity’ design language, which expresses toughness and wideness through the high body axis, the bulging wheel arch flares as well as the chunky trapezoidal front bumper

MUSCAT: Spacious, stylish and stronger than ever, the all-new 2016 Fortuner has arrived in Oman with a lot of fanfare.

Takayuki Yoshitsugu, chief representative, Middle East & North Africa Representative Office, Osamu Tomioka, assistant chief engineer, and other officials from Toyota Motor Corporation attended the event. Salim and Saud Mohamed Bahwan were also present on the occasion.

In the opening presentation, Takayuki remarked: “The all-new Fortuner is a completely redesigned SUV that enhances driving confidence on every level while setting a new standard for SUVs all around the world. It debuts a compelling design with a strong identity, expressing refinement and innovation as well as being functional and tough. It also epitomises Toyota’s focus on developing vehicles with impressive quality, durability, reliability and off-road ability. The result of this is a comprehensive revamp, creat-

ing a unique SUV that’s every bit as comfortable on the urban roads as it is on the region’s toughest offroad trails.”

Sharing the development philosophy of the vehicle, Osamu said: “To build a true SUV with style and confidence, to enhance the customer’s confidence, we developed a new stronger frame with bigger cross section, which enables the vehicle to withstand rougher road conditions. We improved the 4-link suspension system for a more comfortable drive. The new engine with high torque at lower revolution provides higher fuel efficiency. While the new 6-speed transmission takes full potential of this new engine by providing smooth acceleration at both low and high speeds. It’s a true SUV with 4×4 go-anywhere ability.”

Earlier in the evening, the Saud Bahwan Automotive (SBA) representative welcomed the guests and thanked them for the popularity of the brand in Oman.

“Toyota has enjoyed a strong

patronage amongst our customers over generations. Models like Land Cruiser, Corolla and Hilux enjoy iconic status. During the last four decades, SBA has invested extensively in infrastructure, manpower and customer satisfaction initiatives thereby ensuring that Toyota continues to be the leading automobile brand in Oman.”

Later in the evening, the all-new Fortuner was revealed to the accompaniment of a 3D interactive hi-tech entertainment act that

N E W TA S T E

‘A New Girl In Town’ Maya opens its doors in Muscat

MUSCAT: A new restaurant in town, boasting of its ideal location and easy access, termed as ‘A New Girl In Town’ Maya opened its doors to its customers recently at The Cave Complex.

The restaurant was inaugurated by Indra Mani Pandey, Indian ambassador to the Sultanate, and Sheikh Salim Siyabi, chairman of Abcon. The ceremony was also attended by several dignitaries, says a press release.

Kishore Singh from Papercats Hospitality and Naseer Al Siyabi, company director from FTI, the business partners were beaming with delight as they accomplished this venture into restaurant franchisee prototype roll-out in Middle East hospitality segment. They

said: “This restaurant is our beginning to make a mark into franchising in the hospitality industry and we plan to take it to a higher level.”

Kishore said: “We want to focus on delivering the best in its class.

Hence, we have not compromised on executing all our interior designing and architectural expertise for Maya along with Abcon as it is a leader in creating different and unique concepts in Oman.”

‘Maya’ is an original concept in terms of ambience, modern Indian dining experience focusing on easy dining and with extremely competitive menu pricing.

It comprises a seating capacity for 100 with a well appointed exclusive dining area which doubles up as a hi-tech conference room

and private party area.

Maya has created a facility to support new start ups in Oman by providing a hi-tech boardroom with segregated seating space and an able guidance to support the upcoming entrepreneurs with a dream of owning their own business in the hospitality segment.

Maya focuses on adapting to the market requirement and need for people to dine in without feeling the pinch of spending more than their budgets for eating out each week or month and without compromising on the quality of food and beverage.

The restaurant has well trained staff and it focuses on bringing live Indian festivity and fervour in its ongoing operations.

added to the anticipation in the room. As the Fortuner was finally unveiled, the audience seemed eager to touch and take a closer look for themselves.

In the new Fortuner, Toyota has created a new ‘Solid Fluidity’ design language, which expresses toughness and wideness through the high body axis, the bulging wheel arch flares as well as the chunky trapezoidal front bumper. The Fortuner has a tough yet smart rear design that defies the

typical unrefined image of an SUV. The Fortuner’s ample cabin space is complemented by superb convenience features, culminating in a sublime driving experience.

The interior exhibits the toughness of an SUV, tempered with the elegance of a premium sedan.

A focal point of the dashboard architecture is the vertical centre cluster flanked by columns of soft simulated leather upholstery that offer leg support from both sides.

In fact, soft-touch textures and exquisite chrome detailing liberally pepper the cabin; all beautifully harmonising with each other. The interior is stylish and creates a warm atmosphere that passengers enjoy.

There are eight exterior colours and the Fortuner is available with a range of petrol engine options.

The available petrol engines include a 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine that produces 164hp and 25.0 Kg-m of torque and the 4.0-litre V6 engine, which churns out 235hp and 38.3 Kg-m of torque. The For-

tuner has a 6-speed automatic transmission and its impressive ground clearance along with its superb suspension comfortably absorbs vibration,resulting in a ride experience expected from a luxury SUV. The Fortuner is equipped with all terrain tyres or 18” alloy wheels with HT tyres depending on the grade selected, 7” navigation display with audio system, power back door and follow me home lights, for convenience of customers. Additionally, comprehensive safety systems like anti-lock braking system (ABS), SRS Airbags for front seats topping it up with a knee airbag for the driver.

Apart from this, Fortuner is equipped with rear camera, rearparking sensors, amongst many other features.

So get ready to embark on an excitingly new urban adventure and please visit the nearest showroom to get a hands-on feel of the new marvel from Toyota today, says a press release.

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ROUND-UP Lexus IS200t offers better fuel efficiency The IS200t also stands out with its aggressive yet elegant presence and the brand’s unmistakable spindle grille, L-theme LED daytime running lights and dynamic bodylines MUSCAT: The pulsating Lexus IS is now even more powerful.

Powered by a new 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine – with innovative D4ST fuel injection technology for both fuel economy and instantaneous torque – the Lexus IS200t sports sedan delivers 245 DIN hp (180kW) with a maximum torque of 350 Nm. The IS200t also stands out with its aggressive yet elegant presence and the brand’s unmistakable spindle grille, L-theme LED daytime running lights and dynamic bodylines. It combines multi-link rear suspension with finely tuned electronic power steering to deliver a rousing driving experience, says a press release.

The IS200t is equipped with the 8-Speed Sport Direct Shift transmission with paddle shifts, originally developed for the RC F high-performance coupe. The rear wheel drive IS200t is the first Lexus sedan to vary gear shifting in accordance to G-forces.

The IS200t returns a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 7.0 seconds. An innovative, combination of engine technologies has been

designed to provide a high level of responsiveness with minimal turbo lag and enhanced low speed torque, and yet return an improved fuel economy.

The Drive Mode Select feature in the IS200t can tailor powertrain response and other settings to suit conditions or the mood. The Normal Mode offers relaxing driving performance within the city and on the highway. The Eco Mode offers controlled driving performance for optimum fuel economy, while the Sport/Sport S Mode offers a sporty driving feeling and excellent acceleration performance.

An additional driving mode, Sport S+ for F SPORT models only uses an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system and refines the powertrain, so the driver can fine tune the ride for even more stability and fun when driving.

Featuring a breakthrough combination of water-cooled cylinder head, integrated exhaust manifold and twin scroll turbocharger, this all-new Lexus 2.0-litre turbo engine delivers fast throttle response, performance and high torque at low engine revs. For enhanced fuel economy, innovative valve timing (VVT-iW: Variable Valve Timing intelligent - Wide) allows the engine to switch between the Otto and Atkinson cycles.

D-4ST (Direct injection 4 stroke gasoline engine Superior version with Turbo) combines a high pressure fuel system for injection

directly into the cylinders with a low pressure system for injection into the ports. Injection is split between the direct and port injectors according to the engine load, optimising fuel combustion in all driving situations to enhance both low speed torque and fuel economy.

This advanced fuel injection system works in combination with turbocharging technology to create a high level of compatibility between the ‘high tumble ratio’ achieved by optimising the shape of the cylinder head intake ports and the piston tops, and turbo ‘boost control’.

The power of design to create an emotional reaction has never been more apparent than in the IS200t.

The exquisitely crafted form of this exceptional vehicle will evoke feelings of desire, anticipation and adrenaline-charged excitement.

The IS200t looks fast and powerful, even standing still.

From the front, the unique trademark spindle grille is elegant but aggressive and powerful. From the side, the lines of the car flow smoothly from the door sill up to the taillights in the rear which are angled down and out, with the rear spoiler integrated into the trunk lid’s trailing edge.

Drivers will love the interior with its exciting cockpit-like design. The multi-way adjustable front seats are supportive and secure. The dashboard has an operation zone and a display zone, re-

ducing visual clutter and allowing drivers better situational awareness and control.

The cabin’s contemporary lighting, premium materials, and other features suggest the highest quality and luxury. The long wheelbase allows for more rear seat space and luggage capacity.

Customers can now turn the excitement up another level and get behind the wheel of the raceinspired F SPORT version of the IS200t. Its exclusive spindle grille is eye-catchingly bolder. The bottom corners of the front bumpers feature aerodynamic intakes that not only look great but enhance brake cooling. The unique 18-inch wheels’ Y-spoke design recalls the LFA. Interior trim detailing includes an F SPORT steering wheel and shift knob, and aluminium pedals and scuff plates with the Lexus logo. Both the front and rear suspension systems and the Electric Power Steering (EPS) are exclusively tuned. Optional Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) controls steering angle in accordance with vehicle speed and driver operation to realise better control at all speeds and improve driving feel during lane-changing and navigating winding roads.

In Oman every Lexus vehicle comes with special benefits and privileges such as six years unlimited extended mileage protection and 24 hours on-road assistance from AAA.

FERTILITY SPECIALIST

‘Medical advancements helping people overcome age-related fertility issues’ MUSCAT: With the medical science making rapid advancement every year, a lot of health issues previously considered ‘untreatable’ are now easily resolved.

New techniques and technology have come a long way in solving fertility problems and couples are able to conceive despite the age factor, said Dr C. Geetha Haripriya, a fertility specialist at Prashanth Fertility Research Centre, India, , who is coming to Oman and will be available for consultation at Al Hayat International Hospital on Sunday, March 20 after 10am.

“It is a well known fact that fertility decreases with age. For women, ovarian reserve, which indicates the capacity of the ovary to produce eggs, decreases after the age of 35. By the time women touch 35, it falls to 5 per cent. Among men, after the age of 47, fertility reduces and the problem is compounded by factors of smoking, alcohol, stress, diabetes, hypertension and medication used to treat these ailments,” said Dr Geetha.

She further explained, the reserve of the ovary is assessed by the evaluation of Antimullerian hormone (AMH) in blood and Antral follicles count in an ultrasound study. Besides this, the follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), Leutinizing hormone (LH) and Estradiol (E2) assessed on the second day also contributes to evaluating the ovarian reserve. Though the reserve starts decreasing after the age of 35, currently there are a good number of women in the age group of 30 – 35 years as well, who are showing an early evidence of diminishing ovarian reserve. This could be genetic or due to a result of surgeries done on the ovaries for the removal of cysts, particularly endometriotic cysts, chocolate cysts or dermoid cysts.

Once a low reserve is identified, it is advisable to go for IVF/ ICSI right away. Currently, newer drugs are available to harvest

more eggs from the ovary and even if one or two eggs are collected in each cycle, they are fertilised and the embryos are cryopreserved. Two or three cycles are completed at an interval of two to three months. The embryos are selected and transferred into the uterus. Vitrification (freezing) of embryos and doing a frozen embryo transfer has boosted pregnancy rates today.

“To improve the quality of the embryo, a new technique called cytoplasmic transfer is available, where the energy levels of an egg is improved by transferring the cytoplasm with the mitochondria. Since the nucleus is not disturbed, the baby is genetically related to the mother,” she added.

Among men, the impact of age is seen by doing a computerised semen analysis and a DNA fragmentation. According to her, there are couples whose embryos are of good quality but have repeated IVF failures. These men have structurally abnormal sperm and a high DNA fragmentation index may reveal a varicocele, which can be corrected by a laparoscopic varicocelectomy.

This problem can be solved by giving vitamins, minerals, trace elements and co-enzymes for a month or two. Lifestyle modification measures like cutting down smoking and alchohol, consuming fresh fruits and vegetables and bringing down sugar levels also help. Re-assessment of DNA fragmentation levels after a couple of months can be done and when the levels are down to normal, ICS can be done.

She concluded saying, “Today, newer strategies have helped in improving newer pregnancy rates to a great extent and the impact of age can be minimised considerably. However, timely intervention is still the first step to be taken. As for deciding on the use of Assisted Reproductive Technology, the decision can be taken when women turn 35 and men turn 45.”

PROMOTION

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Renault Dokker Van comes with unmatched benefits

BHC organises 2nd edition of ‘BreathEasy’ campaign MUSCAT: Bahwan Healthcare Centre (BHC) – a flagship company under Suhail Bahwan Grouprecently organised the second edition of ‘BreathEasy’ campaign for its employees.

The campaign was held at the group’s headquarters Al Rawaq Building in Qurum, in association with Cipla – a global pharmaceutical manufacturing company.

Large number of employees registered and underwent the test conducted by specialists from

Cipla, says a press release.

Valuable information Held as part of its ongoing employee engagement and welfare activities, the campaign aims at checking how well a person breathes and diagnosing the lung conditions of the individuals through a simple Spirometry test.

The tests provide valuable information about the type of pulmonary deficits of an individual and can be used to monitor different

respiratory tract disorders.

Dr Ashok Kumar Jain, chief medical officer, Bahwan Medical Centre said: “This test is particularly useful for chronic smokers, persons having troublesome cough at night, wheezing or cough after exercise, chest tightness or cough after exposure to pollutants or persons with a family history of asthma. Once the results of the Spirometry test are known, we will be able to advise proper preventive and curative measures to the person.”

MUSCAT: The Renault Dokker Van from Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is a modern and efficient transportation solution for tradespersons and professional businesses. It is an affordable and practical commercial vehicle with a new modern design.

Spacious and impressive, the Renault Dokker Van aims to please, with an innate sense of practicality and versatility. It can take all kinds of loads, assisted by XL sliding sidedoors (more than 70cm wide) and two asymmetrical rear doors meeting the challenges of transport and delivery with ingenuity and panache, says a press release.

Offer highlight Customers will be entitled to receive assured cash gift of OMR500 on both Renault Dokker LE 1.6l M/T with and without partition along with other benefits that include free registration and two years/30,000km free service (whichever is earlier). Customers will also receive free AAA/Road Assistance card for the first year only and as supported by AAA Oman. The scheme is applicable for all customers purchasing Renault vehicles for personal use only.

The Renault Dokker Van moves with the times. Its economic engine, low CO2 emissions and respect for both the environment and your budget make it a truly model employee.

“The Dokker offers functionality and at the same time comfort while demonstrating very clearly that Renault strives for excellence in manufacturing commercial cars just like it does with all other passenger vehicles,” commented a senior SBA spokesperson.

It also boasts of built-in radio and hands-free telephone system in addition to some very practical storage spaces in front for convenience and in the back for better use of the space and boot or-

ganisation. The Dokker perfectly meets the needs of business owners since it can carry up to 750kg payloads and a volume upwards of 3.3m3.

Ready and willing to serve: Foldable and removable, the passenger seat shows its full ingenuity when the backrest folds down to form a temporary desk. When fully removed, it frees up extra space, increasing the loading volume to 3.9 m3!

SBA is largely committed to supporting Renault Oman’s growth in the Sultanate through major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class after-sales services in Oman.

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION

Sohar Aluminium recognises 2015 Mumtaz Club achievers MUSCAT: Sohar Aluminium (SA) organised a ‘Mumtaz Club’ gala at Majan Hall recently.

The event was held to recognise more than 500 of SA’s employees who contributed to all the pillars of the company’s business strategy and scored points in their 2015 Mumtaz Club Passport, says a press release.

The Mumtaz Club is an employee recognition scheme that has been tailored to fit SA’s culture by being dynamic and giving a chance to everyone on site to participate in it. Employees are awarded points for proposing ideas and ini-

tiating actions for improvements in operations and processes, and participating in events and volunteering actions.

Employees who gained more than 100 points were invited to the event. Eng. Said bin Mohamed Al Masoudi, CEO of Sohar Aluminium welcomed all the audience in the presence of the executive committee, the management team, and employees.

The CEO addressed a speech to the gathering at the beginning of the event in which he said, “We are happy to see so many employees contributing to all the aspects of

our business strategy and making improvements on efficiency gains in our operations and propose cost saving initiatives as well as plant sustainability. I would like to thank you all for your diligence to chase challenges and excellence,

and I encourage you to continue being engaged.”

Faisal Al Balushi, manager of Human Resources Administration said, “In its new format, the Mumtaz Club has witnessed very active participation. This is a

source of pride for us and it illustrates the success of this scheme which was created to recognise and appreciate your efforts and steer them towards the vision of the company to be the best.”

A special Mumtaz Club achievers video was screened during the function which featured testimonials from some of the employees in recognition of their efforts towards the company’s success.

Special awards were also presented to employees who were chosen as the best contributors towards the objectives of each of the business strategy pillars which

are: Environment, health and safety, people, productivity, financial strength, corporate citizenship, and customers. These employees were selected through a rigorous process of nomination and selection by the SA management.

During the gala celebration, employees who completed 10 years of service with SA were also recognised for their spirit of devotion and loyalty towards the company.

Throughout the Mumtaz gala, exciting prizes were drawn from a raffle box including smartphones, tablet computers and the bumper prize being a Polaris dune buggy.

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ROUND-UP

Sohar Islamic sponsors Quran contest This marks the second time Bank Sohar has sponsored the 4th Annual Quran Memorising Competition

MUSCAT: With its focus on actively supporting community initiatives, Sohar Islamic, Bank Sohar’s dedicated Islamic Banking Window, has sponsored the 4th Annual Quran Memorising Competition.

This marks the second time the bank has sponsored the competition; having previously sponsored the competition in 2014. The competition, which began registrations in December 2015, started its semifinal phase end of February where the finals are set to take place in June 2016, says a press release.

Commenting on the sponsorship, Salim Khamis Saif Al Maskari, DGM and head of Sohar Islamic said: “This sponsorship by Sohar Islamic is yet another proactive effort that aims to support and develop the Islamic culture of our beloved country and foster spiritual awareness among our children. Through our support of this contest we wish to do our part in encouraging youngsters to read and understand the messages of the Holy Quran and to embrace, implement and spread its religious values.”

Organised by Kaab bin Zayed School, this year’s competition has been split into two separate contests. The first is an open competition for students of all ages, both male and female. For this contest, OMR1,000 will be presented to the first place student who memorises the entire Quran. Second place, worth OMR500, will go to a student that memorises half of the Quran; while the third place, worth OMR300, will go to a student who memorises a third of the Quran.

The second contest is of a much

RECRUIT QUOTES Ideals are like stars; you will not succeed in touching them with your hands. But like the seafaring man on the desert of waters, you choose them as your guides, and following them you will reach your destiny.

— Carl Schurz The human story does not always unfold like a mathematical calculation on the principle that two and two make four.

Sometimes in life they make five or minus three; and sometimes the blackboard topples down in the middle of the sum and leaves the class in disorder and the pedagogue with a black eye.

— Winston Churchill Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.

— Antoine de SaintExupéry Try as hard as we may for perfection, the net result of our labours is an amazing variety of imperfectness. We are surprised at our own versatility in being able to fail in so many different ways.

— Samuel McChord Crothers

QUOTES A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.

— Herm Albright He who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts.

— Samuel Johnson Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful.

— Buddha Make your optimism come true.

— Author unknown

larger scale, with students from 56 schools in the Wilayat of Seeb vying for top honours in four categories based on their grade. Students from Grades I to IV, V to VII, VIII to IX, and X to XII, will have to showcase their skill of memorising several Quran verses of their choice respectively. The winners of each category will win OMR1,000 each.

The qualifiers for both these contests have already been completed in February, with the finals taking place in June at the Princes Palace Hall in Al Hail south.

“We are pleased to support a contest such as this that bring us closer to the community and contribute towards the spiritual and cultural development of our youth.

On behalf of the bank I would like to wish all the contestants the best of luck in the upcoming finals in the holy month of Ramadan,” added Salim Khamis Al Maskari.

Launched in 2013, Sohar Islamic has a comprehensive range of banking solutions that cover a wide array of retail and corporate financing needs.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

ROUND-UP

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Meethaq wins Best Bank, Sovereign Deal awards

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SPECIALISED PROGRAMME

Meethaq won the Best Islamic Bank

omanoil initiative set to hone capabilities of charitable organisations

in Oman award and the Sovereign Deal of the Year award by Islamic Finance News (IFN) at a ceremony held in Dubai

MUSCAT: Meethaq, the pioneer of Islamic banking in Oman from Bank Muscat, has won two prestigious awards in recognition of vital contributions to Islamic banking in Oman.

Meethaq won the Best Islamic Bank in Oman award and the Sovereign Deal of the Year award by Islamic Finance News (IFN) at the awards ceremony held in Dubai, says a press release.

The Islamic Finance News awards recognise and celebrate success and contributions of individuals and institutions in the Islamic financial services industry across the world.

Sulaiman Al Harthy, deputy chief executive officer – Islamic Banking, said: “Meethaq is honoured to be chosen for the two important awards in recognition of vital contributions to Islamic banking and finance in Oman.

The successful sovereign Sukuk issuance by the government of Oman is a significant milestone for Meethaq and we are grateful to the government for the confidence reposed in the bank to be associated with it. The success of Meethaq stems from its commitment to offer world-class Islamic banking service to customers.”

The debut OMR250 million Sukuk issuance by the Government of Oman marked the first ever issuance of Sharia compliant paper by the Government of Oman.

The sovereign Sukuk issuance was well received by investors and was a step towards further developing Oman’s capital market.

Congratulating Meethaq on its achievements, IFN noted that in what was a challenging year for the global financial markets, and with turbulence and volatility from which the Islamic financial industry did not escape, the Sharia compliant capital markets saw another exceptional year marked by landmark deals, maiden entries, impressive resilience and new levels of innovation and sophistication.

In about three years of operations, Meethaq has attained the leading position in Islamic banking industry in the Sultanate in terms of financing receivables, branch network, products and services, IT infrastructure development and human resources. The bank plays a key role in financing projects of national significance, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the economy.

Al Harthy said: “Meethaq is contributing significantly to the growth and development of the Omani banking sector and we are witnessing an upswing in Islamic finance and investment compatible with the provisions of Sharia laws. We see a growing interest among retail and corporate clients to take advantage of the new opportunities offered by Islamic banking and finance.”

As the leading Islamic financial services provider in the Sultanate, Meethaq has many achievements relating to financing major projects in various fields, thereby contributing to the growth and development of the Sultanate’s

economy. The notable finance facilities offered by Meethaq include the refinancing facility of OMR78 million signed with Oman Shipping Company for its three very large crude carriers (VLCCs).

Meethaq also extended the only Sharia based aircraft finance to the national carrier Oman Air for acquiring its second Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Meethaq is focused on developing as a benchmark Islamic financial institution in Oman and the region. Meethaq offers a full suite of Islamic banking products and services, including savings account, current account, home finance, auto finance, credit card, mobile banking and Internet banking. Presently, Meethaq has 18 branches across the Sultanate and plans to expand the network as well as launch new products and services to complement the unique Islamic banking experience. The bank has invested in staff, systems and controls to ensure the service is delivered in a professional, segregated and fully Sharia compliant manner.

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

MUSCAT: Oman Oil Marketing Company (omanoil) joined hands with the Omani Network of Volunteers (Taawon), to launch ‘Majalis Al Ata’, a specialised programme designed to hone the capabilities and capacities of administrators in over 10 charitable organisations across the Sultanate.

The year-long programme will deliver a series of workshops on planning and organisational management, volunteer programme management and human resource management, providing industry best practices and insights on how to enhance the service offering within the not-for-profit entities, says a press release.

An agent of change and development, omanoil has over the past decade, dedicated its recourses to spearhead community-centric programmes and initiatives that have generated sustainable social, environmental and economic returns. The ‘Majalis Al Ata’ programme represents an extension to its unwavering commitment to Oman and its people and promises even greater future rewards.

“A home-grown establishment, we consider ourselves a partner in the Sultanate’s socio-economic growth and always ensure that our ambition and objectives are directed towards the development of Oman,” explained Jaber Sulaiman Al Busaidi, Corporate Affairs manager at Oman Oil Marketing Company. “Taawon, as a network of volunteers, has access to a pool of professional and expert individuals from various disciplines spread across the country. Founded on these valuable resources, ‘Majalis Al Ata’ will create a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration

that will ultimately result in the advancement of key associations in Oman.”

Participating organisations in the programme include the Omani Association for Elderly Friends, the Oman Road Safety Association, the Al Noor Association for the Blind, the Oman Autism Society, the Oman Association for Consumer Protection, the Oman Diabetes Association, the Early Intervention Centre for Children with Disability as well as the Omani Women’s Associations in Seeb, Muscat, Qurum and Quriyat.

Established in 2010, Taawon today has over 7,500 registered trained volunteers working hand-in-hand to raise awareness on the importance of volunteerism and social responsibility.

Speaking at the launch of ‘Majalis Al Ata’, Mariam Al Hashmi, programme supervisor, highlighted the importance of this platform in training and developing volunteer associations in Oman. She explained that in addition to the workshops, the team will be conducting site visits to the various organisations to provide specialised consultation.

The first workshop on planning and organisational management was completed following the launch, with the second and third scheduled to be held in June and September of this year. omanoil works tirelessly to instil a culture of social responsibility that goes beyond the company walls. To date, the company’s social initiatives, include road safety programmes, environmental protection and awareness campaigns, blood donation drives, and fuel station safety schemes, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life of people in the Sultanate.

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AMIR ALI IN CHENNAI TO UNDERGO TESTS FOR SUSPECT ACTION >C2

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INSIDE LIFESTYLE

EXTREME ACTION >C5

New Zealand humble India NEW ZEALAND M. Guptill lbw Ashwin K. Williamson st Dhoni b Raina C. Munro c Pandya b Nehra C. Anderson b Bumrah Ross Taylor run out M. Santner c Dhoni b Jadeja Grant Elliott run out Luke Ronchi (not out) Nathan McCullum (not out) Extras (b-4, lb-3, w-6) Total (7 wkts; 20 overs) Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-13, 3-35, 4-61, 5-89, 6-98, 7-114.

6 8 7 34 10 18 9 21 0 13 126

Bowling: Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-32-1; Ashish Nehra 3-1-20-1; Jasprit Bumrah 4-0-15-1; Suresh Raina 4-0-16-1; Ravindra Jadeja 4-0-26-1; Hardik Pandya 1-0-10-0.

INDIA R. Sharma st Ronchi b Santner 5 S. Dhawan lbw McCullum 1 V. Kohli c Ronchi b Sodhi 23 S. Raina c Guptill b Santner 1 Yuvraj c&b McCullum 4 MS Dhoni c McCullum b Santner 30 Hardik Pandya lbw Santner 1 R. Jadeja c&b Sodhi 0 R. Ashwin st Ronchi b Sodhi 10 Ashish Nehra b Milne 0 Jasprit Bumrah (not out) 0 Extras (w 3, nb 1) 4 Total (all out; 18.1 overs) 79 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-10, 3-12, 4-26, 5-39, 6-42, 7-43, 8-73, 9-79.

Bowling: N. McCullum 3-0-15-2; C. Anderson 3-0-18-0; Santner 4-0-11-4; G. Elliott 2-0-9-0; A. Milne 2.1-0-8-1; I. Sodhi 4-0-18-3.

DRAMATIC WIN: New Zealand’s leg-spin bowler Ish Sodhi, centre, celebrates with teammates after dismissing India’s Ravindra Jadeja during their World T20 match at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur on Tuesday. – AFP

Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted 126 for seven and then bowled out India for 79

NAGPUR: Kane Williamson’s gamble to compromise on speed and pick three specialist spinners paid off as New Zealand humbled hosts India by 47 runs in a spin-

dominated Super 10 contest of the World Twenty20 on Tuesday.

Opting to bat first, New Zealand posted 126 for seven in the Group Two contest on a prodigiously

turning track at Nagpur’s VCA Stadium, seemingly a below-par total against the host nation who are famed for their proficiency against spin bowling.

New Zealand’s three-pronged spin attack, however, ensured it was more than enough as Mitchell Satner (4 for 11), Nathan McCullum (2 for 15) and the Indian-origin Ish Sodhi (3 for 18) wrecked the hosts who folded for 79 in 18.1 overs.

The first three balls of the match contained the kind of drama and

excitement that fans would be expecting from the sixth edition of the tournament in cricket’s emotional and financial home in India.

Crucial blow After Williamson won the toss and decided to set a target, Martin Guptill nonchalantly hit the first delivery from Ravichandran Ashwin over the bowler’s head for a six.

The off-spinner settled score in the very next ball, trapping the batsman leg before with a delivery

that, replay suggested, would have gone over the stumps.

New man in Colin Munro reverse hit the next ball for a six but threw his wicket in the next over.

As wickets kept tumbling at the other end, Corey Anderson (34) tried to steady the innings and it was Luke Ronchi’s (21 not out) 11ball cameo that took them past the 125-mark.

The Indian fans expected the chase to be a stroll in the park but McCullum and Santner had other

ideas. They blew away India’s top order, reducing them to 26 for four wickets in the fifth over to derail their chase.

Virat Kohli (23) resisted the onslaught for a while but Sodhi struck a crucial blow with his very first ball to send back the Indian batting mainstay.

Home captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni waged a lone battle with a run-a-ball 30 but the celebrated ‘finisher’ could not get his team over the line. - Reuters

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT

From unknowns to be known ... a giant leap for Oman Cricket T.K. MOHANDOSS

sportseditor@timesofoman.com DHARAMSALA: From unknowns to being knowns has been the major achievement for Oman Cricket and after their ‘mixed bag’ show in the ICC World T20 tournament grew quite a lot of curious minds, who wanted to know more about the nation and the development of the game.

As a lone journalist from Oman, yours truly indeed was a focal point and the questions of curiosity had to be answered elaborately and eloquently.

Pleased with what they heard about the recent development of the game in Oman and the way players shunt between office and ground almost every day and the structure of the game, it was a delight to watch the Indian media and the Bangladeshi media and some across the world go gaga on Oman and its cricket.

Some followed Oman’s players to do special interviews and the percentage of coverage increased when the Sultanate team surprised the world with a win over

Ireland in their first match of the tournament. The debut saw leftarm spinner Ajay Lalcheta creating a record with the first ever performance of bowling a maiden in the first over of the match.

Zeeshan Maqsood’s spectacular catch, which topped the ICC video charts, was another feature of the stunning win over Ireland. And to sum it all, the diminutive Amir Ali smashed his way to a man of the match award with a spectacular knock. These efforts turned Oman cricketers into heroes with every scribe present there running behind the stars of Oman’s win over Ireland.

Apart from the twitterati going wild, the cricket websites and the top newspapers of India highlighted everything about cricket in Oman, which was unprecedented in the past. For a change the focus of the world was Oman and the reason being cricket.

From the days of cricket on cemented tracks to turf wickets and grass grounds, cricket in Oman has come a long way and making history on world stage has been the icing on the cake. One may call

The pride of seeing Oman’s national anthem being sung on the ground and also the pride of Oman winning on world stage was so immense that it triggered a patriotic passion with everyone linked to Oman Cricket them amateurs, but coach Duleep Mendis describes them as semiprofessionals, but it is hoped that things will turn professional, especially after this achievement.

This Oman team may have only one national (citizen) Sufyan Mehmood but who knows, with the country being put into limelight, there might be more ‘Sufyans’ hovering around eagerly waiting to represent the country.

When Oman beat Ireland, it was Sufyan who celebrated the most, despite not being in the playing eleven. His enthusiasm is sure to lure in more citizen cricketers into the game.

Another player who drew attention from the Indian media was Oman’s own ‘slinger’ Munis Ansari. The writers started comparing

him with Sri Lanka’s Lasith Malinga and also went to the extent of saying that he was India’s loss in the fast bowling department.

Ansari became the target of curiosity when he bamboozled Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien with a slinging toe crusher.

Kevin himself later admitted that he couldn’t see the ball as it came from close to the umpire’s shirt. Another factor highlighted was Oman’s bonhomie. Despite being different nationalities, the team hardly looked divided on those lines.

Coach Duleep Mendis categorically stated that there is no differences in the team.

“We are all one ... we play for one nation ... we are determined to do well,” said Mendis. “Be it India, Pa-

kistan and Sri Lanka, we have many things in common and at the same time cricket is in our blood,” he said.

Jatinder Singh is another Oman player, who has been the darling of media wherever he went and overheard were criticisms when the Ludhiana-born boy was dropped for the washed out match against the Netherlands.

There were Oman Cricket board members and fans celebrating Oman’s performance on eve of the match against Bangladesh, but unified they were when questioning the broadcasters for showing very little highlights on Oman’s win over Ireland.

The pride of seeing Oman’s national anthem being sung on the ground and also the pride of Oman winning on world stage was so immense that it triggered a patriotic passion with everyone linked to Oman Cricket.

What next?

In two months time, Oman will play in yet another ICC event, the World Cricket League Division V. To be recalled Oman were in Division II of the WCL some years ago

and had also participated in the 50-over ICC World Cup qualifier in 2009, but thereafter it has been a downward slide.

With the new confidence of playing in the world T20 behind them, Oman’s mission will be now to gain the official ODI status by progressing well in the WCL. However, Oman could be in trouble of finding players who can fit in the criteria of minimum seven years for players.

In Twenty20 the limit is only four years, while in the 50-over format the ICC requirement is much stricter.

Can Oman find players falling under the ICC requirement is a question, but if the board peeks into areas below the top divisions, they are bound to find some good talents, who can serve the game and nations.

In Division V, Oman will be playing against Jersey, who are the hosts, on May 21 followed by Nigeria on May 22, Vanuatu on May 24, Tanzania on May 25 and Guernsey on May 27. Oman’s climb in the 50over format will be keenly watched from now on.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

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ICC WORLD T20

Amir Ali in Chennai to undergo tests for suspect bowling action T.K. MOHANDOSS

sportseditor@timesofoman.com DHARAMSALA: Oman’s offspinner Amir Ali, who has been reported by umpires for suspect bowling action, will undergo tests in south Indian city of Chennai.

According to Oman Cricket sources, Amir Ali has already reached Chennai and is accompanied by team physiotherapist Jaganathan Premnath.

After the tests in Chennai, the duo are scheduled to return to Muscat on Thursday.

Amir Ali played a stellar role in Oman’s sensational victory over

Amir Ali

Ireland in a Group A preliminary round match of the ICC World T20 here on March 9.

However, the off-spinner was reported for a suspect bowling action during Oman’s final group match against Bangladesh on Sunday.

An ICC statement, issued after Oman’s match against Bangladesh, said the match officials’ report cited concerns about the legality of the 37-year-old’s bowling action.

Amir had also been reported in the past and normally his suspect action comes when he bowls the faster one. Now since he is playing the official matches, it is absolutely necessary for him to get the clearance, though he can continue to bowl in the international matches until the test results are known.

It is now imperative for Oman Cricket to educate Oman cricketers and make them understand the laws of cricket.

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Mercurial Pakistan vs enigmatic Bangladesh Amid off-field drama,

West Indies face England

the Pakistani players will take the field, eyeing revenge for the humiliating loss to Bangladesh in the recent Asia Cup

KOLKATA: Their arrival itself was mired in drama and a mercurial Pakistan would look to bring the focus back on their cricket when they take on an enigmatic Bangladesh in what promises to be an engrossing World Twenty20 Super 10 Group 2 encounter here on Wednesday.

Pakistan arrived later than planned in India owing to security concerns of their government and managed to trigger a furore barely a day after landing here.

The team’s captain Shahid Afridi is in the eye of a storm after stating that Pakistani players are loved more in India than their own country. Last known, he had been issued a legal notice for the comments, which have been called shameful by former captain Javed Miandad.

Amid this off-field drama, the Pakistani players will take the field, eyeing revenge for the humiliating loss to Bangladesh in the recent Asia Cup. But Bangladesh would be no

MUMBAI: With a plethora of players plying their trade in professional leagues around the world, West Indies will take on a wellbalanced England in what could be a potentially close Super 10 Group 1 fixture of the ICC World Twenty20 here on Wednesday.

The Caribbean charmers, who clinched the title in 2012, have a string of all-round cricketers to bank upon as they seek to establish themselves again among the top-notch teams in the shortest format of the game.

England, on the other hand, have the wherewithal

pushovers as they are riding high after making the final of the continental event, which was won by India eventually. Also, the team showed good form during the World T20 qualifiers to make the main draw with ease.

Bangladesh stormed into the Super 10s after beating Oman by 54 runs by D/L method in their last qualifying match in Dharamsala on Sunday.

With that win, Bangladesh joined India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Australia in a pool billed as ‘Group of Death’.

Left-handed opener Tamim Iqbal showed how brutal he can be

to stop the marauders from the West Indies to continue their pursuit of a second World T20 crown after establishing themselves as the champions in 2010.

Both the sides go into the match after victories in warm-up games. While West Indies lost to India but managed to stun Australia, while England won both their matches against New Zealand and Mumbai.

It all may boil down to how the two teams play against the spin bowlers on a Wankhede Stadium track that could offer some turn and bounce. - PTI

when he hammered Oman bowlers to become Bangladesh’s maiden centurion in the shortest format.

Their ace all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan also put up a sizzling show on his way to picking a careerbest four for 25 with his tidy leftarm spin in the do-or-die game and contributed with a cameo of 17 from nine balls.

Having known the conditions here like the back of his hand, the Kolkata Knight Riders spinner would lead the attack, while Bangladesh would hope that their leftarm pacer Mustafizur Rahman recovers from his side strain, which had ruled him out of Asia Cup. - PTI

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

SPORTS Ahmad eyes success at Blancpain GT Series With a new sponsor joining the team and an old one returning to the fold, Ahmad Al Harthy is eagerly looking forward to the new season

A. SESHAGIRI RAO

NEW SEASON: Oman Racing Team’s Ahmad Al Harthy, third right, poses for a photo along with the representatives of his sponsors at Barr Al Jissah on Tuesday. – JUN ESTRADA/Times of Oman

raoas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman Racing Team’s Ahmad Al Harthy is hoping for a successfull season as the Sultanate’s first circuit racer focusses on the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Race in 2016.

With a new sponsor joining the team and an old one returning to the fold, the Omani star is eagerly looking forward to the new season, to achieve success on the track as well as promote the brands that support him and the country at the world stage.

Speaking at a ceremony organised at Barr Al Jissah — his new partners — to brief the media about his racing programme for 2016, the Omani star expressed satisfaction at what he achieved in his ten career so far, how the 2015 turned out to be a strong year and his expectations at the Blancpain GT Series.

“I should say the ten years I been racing have been very satisfying for me. In terms of achievements, to race in some of the toughest competitions in Europe and to finish on top on few occasions has definitely been very satisfying,” the talented Omani said.

“The 2015 has especially been a very strong year for me. The year CRICKET

Under-fire Afridi skips practice KOLKATA: A day after creating a furore back home with his “love for India” statement, Pakistani skipper Shahid Afridi on Tuesday skipped the team’s training session, citing “fever”, ahead of their ICC World Twenty20 opener against Bangladesh.

For his statement that he got “more love” in India than in Pakistan, Afridi received much flak back home on Monday with the legendary Javed Mianadad blasting him “shame on you”.

Afridi, meanwhile, sought to douse the fire by saying that he did not intend to demean his nation and was merely trying to give a “positive message” by showing respect to the fans here.

Pakistani head coach Waqar Younis however said it’s nothing to do with the controversy and added: “It’s not like that. He was not feeling well in the morning...

So it’s better to take rest. It’s hot and humid out there.”

Later, giving an update on Afridi, Pakistani team manager Intikhab Alam said he was running fever in the morning.

“He over trained himself yesterday. He’s had slight fever in the morning and we opted to give him rest,” Alam said as the rest of the Pakistani camp trained for more than two hours in the morning. - PTI

ended with Aston Martin showing trust in Oman Racging Team and in me, and I was able to compete in Abu Dhabi,” he said referring to his debut in a Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 in the Gulf 12 hours at the Yas Marina circuit.

“And Aston Martin chose me as the brand ambassador for Middle East and North Africa during the year and I am very proud of that.”

The Omani racer said he is now looking forward to the new season to achieve good results in the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 and in the company of British drivers Jonny Adam and Devon Modell.

“We will be competing in the Blancpain Endurance Cup this year too with the Oman Racing Team. It is the biggest GT racing championship in the world,” said Ahmad. “We are happy to have experienced Jonny Adam in the squad. He is a fantastic driver and we are delighted he is back. Devon Modell is a young British talent with a growing reputation.

“So we not only have a very balanced team but also the one our competitors fear most. And that kind of reputation, I belive, is good for the entire squad and that boosts our chances of success.”

New sponsor The Omani racer thanked his backers for supporting him for another season. “I would like to thank the Ministry of Sports Affairs, they have been behind me from day one of my career. So are Oman Air and National Bank of Oman, who have been with me since 2009 and 2010 respectively.

“I am also delighted with Omantel’s decision to return to the team. We are also welcoming a new parner in Barr Al Jissa.”

Asked whether there are any plans to expand his racing programme as the season progresses, Ahmad said: “It depends on the sponsors and the schedule. But as of now we are focussed on Blancpain GT Series Endurance Race.

I hope to fly the Omani flag in this series and promote the brands of my sponsors and the country as a whole with my participation and achievements.”

Five-round series Giving details of his participation in the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Race, he will be taking part in the five-round series in one of the world’s most famous and iconic racing circuits.’

The five-round series begins with a race at the world famous Monza circuit in Italy on April 23 and 24. The second round at the iconic Silverstone circuit in Great Britain on May 14 and 15 will be followed by rounds at Circuit Paul Ricard (June 24 and 25) in France, Spa-Francorchamps (July 30 and 31) in Belgium and Nurburgring (September 17 and 18) in Germany.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Sports Affairs officials and the representatives of sponsors also expressed delight in supporting the Omani hero Mohammed Al Shikely, VicePresident Marketing at Oman Air, said: “We are absolutely delighted to continue being the key sponsor to our Omani international star as he continues to raise the Omani flag in the UK, Europe and other circuits in the Middle East.”

Fahd Al Raisi, Director General at the Ministry of Sports Affairs, John Chang, General Manager and Chief Retail Banking Officer at NBO, Barr Al Jissah CEO Firas Matraji and Hamdan Moosa Al Harasi, Acting Vice-President Corporate Strategy at Omantel, also spoke on the occasion.

OSA HOSTS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Oman Swimming Association (OSA) hosted the Annual General Meeting under the chairmanship of association chief Taha bin Sulaiman Al Kishry at the Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) Headquarters on Tuesday. The meeting reviewed and approved the report of the Board of Directors on activities of last year. It also discussed the plans for the future and the budget for the current year.

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

SPORTS MOTORSPORT

‘It’s not easy for F1 drivers to get into Endurance Racing’

H

ow is testing going ahead of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) Championships?

It’s going really good. The conditions here are great. To get a good track at this time of year is difficult but this (Yas Marina Circuit) is a good track for us in terms of stable conditions and nearby hotels for mechanics after a long day so the guys can rest. You hear the car running a lot, it’s got good mileage and that’s important for us. Every lap you do you learn a bit more and it just keeps adding up. So, so far so good! I’ve done a lot of driving.

Did you work on the setup here in Abu Dhabi?

Yeah, a little bit. We played with

a few things. It’s really a week for Michelin because they have a large allocation of tyres to test and to produce for the start of the season. You cannot ring Michelin up two weeks before Silverstone and say there are some tyres we want, because there are 50 or 60 sets of tires so for them it is difficult.

Is the car more driveable in comparison to last year?

We made great progress with the car last year. The one-two at Le Mans was a great result and a bit of a surprise but a beautiful one. Then after that we really made the proper steps in terms of beating Audi on the short tracks — that was a big validation for us.

Now, we no longer have the big

Mark Webber speaks about his preparations for the World Endurance Championship 2016 gains that we would have found last year. We are still learning but we really have to get into the details. Last year we found five seconds a lap but now it is difficult to find this amount of time because the car is really quite good!

Is it more difficult from the technical side or is it a dif-

ferent job compared to Formula One? When you look at 20 years from when I started in 1997, a lot has changed. It still needs a driver to push the car to the limit but for sure it is more technical and probably a little bit less involved for the driver now. I know some young drivers coming through now that

don’t know how to heel and toe because they don’t need to, but that’s just how these things work.

It will be another tough season for you in terms of the championship, with the new Audi and new Toyota.

We will have a look at the Prologue (at Circuit Paul Ricard in France for the official pre-season test) and see what happens there, but even then you don’t get the bigger picture. Silverstone is so different to Le Mans.

We have the sprint races and of course now we have Mexico joining as well, but generally Le Mans is on its own in terms of car performance, car reliability and operationally for the team. It’s not just the 24 hour race, you have to get everything

ready for the car. So both, Audi and Toyota, have to be strong. We are very respectful of them. Toyota were the champions the year before in 2014 and they did it easily.

What is it like for drivers coming from F1 to get into Endurance Racing?

It’s not easy to get in. Seats are limited and the system is such that they are taking guys on talent, rather than paid drivers. You are really looking at that next wave of drivers.

But the opportunities are pretty limited. I would like to believe that F1 has bottomed out and you’ll see a lot more talent coming back on and I think that is good for the sport, and for that reason you will see less drivers trying to leave F1.

ONE OFF EVENT

OFA to host Copa Coca-Cola football tourney in May MUSCAT: The Oman Football Association (OFA) in association with Coca-Cola Middle East will organise the Copa Coca-Cola, the annual youth football tournament, in May. According to a press release issued by the OFA on Tuesday, the Copa Coca-Cola is a concept that takes place across the world and is for the age groups 13-15.

Oman will be hosting a one off event on May 7 at Seeb Sports Stadium with the OFA Events Team handling the event on behalf of Coca-Cola.

Teams of six players can enter the tournament and registration is done via the OFA website (www.ofa.om) with registration being available form the first week of April.

The winning team will receive an invite to train in front of the Oman Under 14 national team coach, who has recently returned from a successful trip to Saudi Arabia where the Oman Under 14 team won the Asian festival.

Nic Cartwright, OFA Commercial Director, said: “Our events team are very busy undertaking a good number of activities across the Sultanate.

“The interest has been very

good and it is great news that Coca-Cola will be working with on this. The larger Copa Coca-Cola will take place later this year – this is an extra date in our calendar that we are looking forward.”

Tolga Cebe, Marketing Director at Coca-Cola Middle East, commented: “Copa Coca-Cola is more than a game. It’s an opportunity for teens to be active while playing the sport they love.”

“We have been working with Oman Football Association for the upcoming Copa Coca-Cola football tournament and look forward to an engaging tournament uniting everyone with one common goal — to celebrate football,” he added.

Copa Coca-Cola is an international youth football tournament and a global celebration of football passion.

It unites more than one million teens in over 60 countries around the world, promoting an active lifestyle and encouraging values that are the foundation of life and sportsmanship.

It’s about team spirit, friendship and respect. Keep your eye on the OFA website (www. ofa.om) for full details of upcoming events.

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LIFESTYLE

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

Leisure WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

EXTREME ACTION

Get to the sunshine and sea breeze and watch extreme action as the global sailing circuit opens its 2016 season in Muscat today Story Mohammed Shafeeqe

Photography: Supplied

T

he Extreme Sailing Series will start a landmark season this year with the Sultanate hosting the first Act of 2016 season on Wednesday. It is for the first time in its 10-year history the Extreme Sailing Series is set to go foiling as the 2016 season kicks off in Muscat. Eight teams of the world’s finest sailors, from 14 different nations, return to the stunning venue of Almouj Golf Course for four days of the intense battle. Some of the world’s renowned sailing athletes are set to descend to Muscat to be part of a stunning showcase from March 16 to 19.

Hosting the Extreme fleet, Oman delivered near perfect conditions for the start with brilliant sunshine, blue skies and a light and puffy seven-knot breeze.

The new season marks not just the introduction of super-fast foiling on GC32 catamarans, but also innovations in race format including a new coastal race and match racing, that complement the core proposition of the Series, its unique Stadium Racing format.

The introduction of a fleet of ultrafast, GC32 hydro-foiling catamarans and a shake-up in racing, to include open water and matchracing elements, will give skippers and crews some tough new challenges. In previous years, the class used as racing boats was the X40.

On Wednesday the boats will race in front of the stunning historic backdrop of the Old Town in Muttrah in Muscat before return-

ing, in a 20km coastal race, to Almouj, in the first race of this duration in Extreme Sailing Series history. The schedule will then return to three days of spectacular Stadium Racing in front of the Almouj Golf.

David Graham, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Sail, partners to the Muscat Act explained: “The world will be watching the first Act of the 2016 as the fleet fly on foils for the first time. We are delighted to host the opening Act and to be able to welcome the international sailors to experience Oman, which is becoming renowned as one of the best sailing venues in the world. It will be a spectacle for the ever-growing global audience and the sailing fans of Oman.”

The competition on the water promises to be fierce and actionpacked with America’s Cup legends, Olympic heroes and world champions preparing to do battle at close quarters. Among the crews will be veterans of 13 Olympic campaigns and 22 America’s Cup campaigns. Between them they also hold 27 World Championship titles, 27 European Championships and 106 National titles.

Following his success in 2015, Leigh McMillan, former skipper of The Wave, Muscat, will also be back on the water in Oman. However this time he will be on board with the Land Rover BAR Academy youth team crew, helping these talented youngsters, including skipper Bleddyn Môn, learn the ropes. Alinghi’s former helmsman

Morgan Larson will head up the Omani entry, Oman Air, alongside Nasser Al Mashari who sailed to Series victory last year aboard Al Mouj Muscat (The Wave Muscat).

Starting the season on home turf, Nasser Al Mashari, previously a teammate of McMillan’s, races this year for Oman Air. He is hoping the local boat can excel in front of its home crowd. “Sailing on home waters in front of a Muscat crowd full of friends and family will be exciting and with a bit of breeze it will be spectacular for the public watching,” said Mashari. “The training event in Dubai last month was a fantastic opportunity to practice with the new Oman Air crew together, led by skipper Morgan Larson. We are a new team but we are a strong team with a lot of fight.”

In the next 10 months of global touring, the 2016 Extreme Sailing Series will visit eight urban venues spanning three continents — Muscat, Qingdao, Cardiff, Hamburg, St Petersburg, Istanbul, Lisbon, and Australia.

—shafeeq@timesofoman.com

BEST PLACE TO WATCH The public Race Village, set on the Almouj’s beautiful white beach, provides the perfect viewing platform for Stadium Racing.

Entry to the Race Village is free.

Day one will see the fleet really open up as they race from Muscat Old Town, 20km along the coast to the Almouj, before three days of Stadium Racing.

The onshore entertainment will include paddleboats, foosball, fairground games, a bouncy castle, camels and a local market, ensuring there is something for everyone on site.

EVENT SCHEDULE Thursday 17 March 10:00 Land Rover Experience Zone Opens 11:00 Race Village Opens 14:00 – 14:45 Pro Am Racing 15:00 – 17:30 Stadium Racing 18:00 Land Rover Experience Zone Closes 18:00: Race Village Close Friday 18 March 10:00 Land Rover Experience Zone Opens 11:00 Race Village Opens 11:00 – 11:40 Optimist Racing with Sailors 14:00 – 14:45 Pro Am Racing 15:00 – 17:30 Stadium Racing 18:00 Land Rover Experience Zone Closes 18:00 Race Village Closes Saturday 19 March 10:00 Land Rover Experience Zone Opens 11:00 Race Village Opens 14:00 – 14:45 Pro Am Racing 15:00 – 17:00 Stadium Racing 17:30 Prize-giving Ceremony 18:00 Land Rover Experience Zone Closes 18:00 Race Village Closes

THE LINE UP • Alinghi (SUI) • Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR) • Oman Air (OMA) • Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT) • Sail Portugal (POR) • SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN) • Team Turx (TUR) • CHINA One

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

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AZAIBA Triple 9 (2D) (Action |Crime) (15+) Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie 3:30, 6:30, 11:30 PM London Has Fallen (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman 3:00, 5:00, 11:45 PM The Divergent Series-Allegiant (2D) (Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Theo James 3:30, 9:30, 11:45 PM Jai GangaaJal (2D) (Hindi) (Action) (TBC) Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Rahul Bhat 3:15, 6:00, 9:00, 11:15 PM Neerja (2D) (Hindi) (Biographical) (PG12) Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azami 6:00 PM Puthiya Niyamam (Mal) (2D) (Drama) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara 7:00, 8:30 PM Kadhalum Kandathu Pogum (2D) (Tamil) (Romantic | Comedy) (TBC) Cast: Vijay Setupathi, Madonna Sabastian 8:45 PM

RUWI Screen 1 Jai GangaaJal (Action) –PG12 Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Prakash Jha, Rahul Bhat, Ayush 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM Screen 2 The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2D) (Action / Adventure / Sci-Fi) –PG12 Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James 4.00, 10.00 PM Puthiya Niyamam - (Mal) – PG12 Cast: Mammootty, Nayantara, Baby Ananya 7.00 PM Screen 3 Neerja (Action / Biography) –PG12 Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Shabana Azmi 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 PM SUR The Divergent Series - Allegiant ( Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi ) ( PG12) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, Theo James 4:30, 8:45 PM Triple 9 ( Action |Crime | Drama ) (15+) Cast: Casy Affleck, Kate Winslet

SOHAR London Has Fallen – 2D (Action) (PG12) Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Charlotte Riley 2:45, 7:00, 11:30PM The Divergent Series: Allegiant– 2D (Action | Adventure | Sc-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, 2:45, 5:00, 9:15, 11:30PM Triple 9 – 2D (Action | Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie 2:30, 7:15, 9:30, 11:45PM Zootropolis – 3D (Animation) (PG12) Voice Overs: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba 2:30, 4:30PM Bleeding Heart – 2D (Drama|) (15+) Cast: Jessica Biel, Zosia Mamet, Joe Anderson 5:30, 7:15PM The Other Side of the Door– 2D (Horror) (18+) Cast: Sarah Wayne Callies, Jeremy Sisto, Sofia Rosinsky 4:45, 11:45PM Jai GangaaJal – 2D (Action | Drama) (PG12) Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Rahul Bhat, Ayush Mahesh Khedekar 9:00PM Kadhalum Kandathu Pogum– 2D (Romantic | Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Vijay Setupathi, Madonna Sabastian 6:30PM Puthiya Niyamam – 2D (Family) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara 9:00PM BURAIMI London Has Fallen (Action) (PG12)

Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, Charlotte Riley 9.45PM The Divergent Series: Allegiant (Action |Adventure | Sci-Fi) ( PG-12) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz, Theo James 7.00, 9.15, 11.30PM Zootropolis 3D (Animation | Action| Adventure) ( PG12 ) Voice Overs: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba 5.15PM Puthiya Niyamam (Malayalam) (PG12) Cast: Mammootty, Nayantara 7.15PM Triple 9 (Action | Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Anthony Mackie 4.45, 7.15, 9.30, 11.45PM Martyrs (Drama | Horror | Thriller) (18+) Cast: Troian Bellisario, Bailey Noble 5.00, 11.45PM

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

31 23

Daily Daily

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Fahud Yibal

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

Programmes are subject to change

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

85-50% Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

LISTINGS

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

Next Change: Maheshinte Prathikaram (Mal) Kapoor & Sons (Hindi); Pugazh (Tamil)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

Puthiya Nayamam (Mal) (Thriller) Cast: Mammotty & Nayantara 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 PM Cinema Main Kadhalum Kadhandhu Pogum (Tamil) (Com) Cast: Vijay Sethupathi & Madonna Sebastion 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30 PM Cinema-2 Action Hero Biju (Mal) (Act\ Comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly & Anu Emmanuel 3:45, 6:45 & 9:45 PM Cinema -3 Kalyna Vaibhogame (Telugu) (Drama \ Com) Cast: Naga Shourya & Malavika Nair 3:45 PM Cinema -4 Neerja (Hindi) (Act\ Drama) Cast: Sonam Kapoor & Shabana Azmi 6:45, 9:45 PM Cinema -4

Minimum

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

0

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

STAR CINEMA

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

London Has Fallen (Action / Crime / Thriller) Cast: Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart 8.00, 11.55 PM CP No: 351 (PG12) 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (Action / Drama / Thriller) Cast: John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber 2.00 PM CP No: 352 (15+) Bleeding Heart (Drama) Cast: Jessica Biel, Zosia Mamet, Joe Anderson 2.00, 4:00, 6:00 & 10.00 PM CP No: 353 (15+) The Divergent Series: Allegiant (Adventure) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoe Kravitz, Navomi Watts 4:30, 7:00, 9:30, 11:55PM CP No: 341 (PG12)

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

WITH LOVE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

BAHJA CINEMA

SALALAH The Divergent Series: Allegiant (2D) (PG12) (Action| Adventure| Sci-Fi) Cast: Shailene Woodley, Zoë Kravitz 11:30AM, 2:45, 9:15, 11:15PM London Has Fallen (2D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Gerard Butler, Morgan Freeman, 2:30, 10:00PM Triple 9 (2D) (15+) (Action | Crime | Drama) Cast: Casey Affleck, Chiwetel Ejiofor.12:30, 12:30, 7:00, 9:00, 11:45PM Bleeding Heart (2D) (15+) (Drama) Cast: Jessica Biel, Zosia Mamet, Joe Anderson 3:00, 7:05PM The Other Side of the Door (2D) (18+) Cast: Sarah Wayne Callies, Jeremy Sisto, Sofia Rosinsky 5:00, 11:55PM 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi (2D) (15+) (Action|Thrille) Cast: John Krasinski, Pablo Schreiber, James Badge Dale 4:30PM Zootropolis (3D) (PG12) (Animation | Action) Voice Overs: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba 12:00, 4:45PM Puthiya Nayamam (2D) (PG12) (Malayalam) Cast: Mammootty, Nayanthara 7:15PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Destination

12.21pm 3.45pm 6.21pm 7.31pm 5.00am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

CINEMA SCHEDULE

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE IN THE NEWS

Al Bustan Palace Hotel Launches Day Pass

EARTH HOUR To combat climate change, the lights will go out on March 19

Earth Hour City Challenge Three cities in the Philippines have made the cut as finalists in the Earth Hour City Challenge (EHCC), the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) announced recently.

The cities are San Carlos in Negros Occidental, Santa Rosa in Laguna and Makati in the National Capital Region.

One of these cities will become the Philippines’ Earth Hour capital, which also has the chance to become the world’s Earth Hour capital. Seven cities in the Philippines originally took the 20152016 EHCC — a yearlong initiative to “promote sustainable practices for cities to transition to a lowcarbon future.” These cities were: Cagayan de Oro, Makati, Naga, Parañaque, Quezon City, San Carlos and Santa Rosa. A total of 124 countries worldwide took the

Earth Hour at PDO This year the PDO Planetarium is organising a star gazing event at Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque from 8.00pm on March 19 as part of observing the Earth Hour.

Using PDO’s telescope you can observe the Moon and Jupiter and to witness the contrast with and without lights. Please book your calendar to attend this important stargazing.

When: Saturday March 19 8:00pm – 9:30pm Where: Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque Call: +968 2467 5542

EHCC. “We laud all seven Philippine cities for promoting energy efficiency, renewable energy, recycling, green transportation, plus innovation,” Earth Hour Philippines Director Atty. Gia Ibay said in a statement. “Our theme for 2016 is Bridging the Gap to 2020 and is about inspiring solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improving the way food, water, and energy are produced and consumed. We believe that properly developed, cities can lead the way to a sustainable future,” she added. The winner of the EHCC will be announced by the WWF by October 2016.

Meanwhile, the 2016 Earth Hour will be conducted on March 19 from 8:30pm to 9:30pm. The Philippines has been participating in the Earth Hour since 2008.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Resort Pass Rates: Adults: OMR20 Children 6 to 12 years old: OMR10 Children under 6 years old: free Resort Pass with access to Six Senses Spa (including ladiesonly facilities and private beach): OMR30

Photography: Supplied

I

f it’s nothing essential you can take part in an event that will be carried out across the planet with the noblest of causes – protecting its future. It’s Earth Hour this weekend, the annual event which asks participants to go without light for an hour, in a display of solidarity, aiming at tackling climate change through raised awareness.

If you are a newcomer to this event, it’s actually set for its tenth anniversary, with the first edition taking place just in Sydney in 2007.

On a mass scale, it sees lights switched off on landmark buildings in the flagship countries taking part, think City Hall in London or Colosseum in Rome.

But everyone is encouraged to take part, whether it is going without light for an hour at home or taking part in an organised event.

Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, has launched an exclusive day pass for day use of its facilities. The Resort Pass gives access to all the hotel facilities, recreation centre, water sport complex and kilometre-long private beach, for a day of fun and relax in the scenic environment of the luxury property.

The pass includes a sun lounge with water and towels, allday access to the Al Bustan Palace facilities, fitness centre and water sport complex, and 10% discount on the total invoice in any of the hotel’s bars and restaurants. Additionally, adults and children alike are invited to take part in any of the resort’s daily scheduled activities conducted by the recreation team, such as circuit training, yoga, aqua dance, or a tennis cardio class with the resort’s PBI tennis coach.

Spa treatments, water sports equipment rental and restaurant reservations are not included in the pass and must be secured in advance.

Reservation is required in advance for the limited daily allocation of passes. To secure a day pass, call: +968 2479 9666 ext. 3008.

C8

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 2016

LIFESTYLE Pure Arabian bloodlines go for glory at 13th Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship at the 12th edition of the region’s leading equine exhibition from March 17-19.

P

assionate horse breeders, traders, professionals and enthusiasts across the region are saddling up for the 12th Dubai International Horse Fair, held alongside the 13th Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship, this month. Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and UAE Minister of Finance, the Dubai International Horse Fair takes place from March 17 - 19, 2016 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

Ziad Abdullah Galadari, Chairman, Higher Organising Committee of Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship, said: “The 12th Dubai International Horse Fair is a highly anticipated gathering for the global equine community who are dedicated to advancing the fields of equestrian breeding, training, technologies, health and performance.

A fixture on the regional equestrian calendar, The Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship is the ultimate platform for pureblood Arabian horses, which are known for their incredible beauty, intelligence, stamina and courage, to be showcased to an audience that is devoted to these majestic creatures.”

The event draws world-renowned companies and brands, professional riders, horse owners,

breeders, stables, industry professionals and horse enthusiasts from a number of equestrian activities and sports. Experts are also on hand to demonstrate the latest equipment in equine care as well as endurance equipment, paddock fencings, riding accessories, racing and equestrian apparel.

This year the event welcomes more than 200 exhibiting companies and brands from more than 15 countries including Bahrain, Oman, Spain, France, Germany, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Egypt, Slovenia, Taiwan, Canada, United Kingdom, and United States. New

participating countries include Iceland, India, and Kyrgyzstan.

The 12th Dubai International Arabian Horse Championship will present the finest Arabian horse bloodlines, which are the oldest purebreds in the world and are mentioned throughout much of recorded history. These magnificent

Arabian breeds are valued between $1 million to $2 million and will be showcased to discerning equine aficionados. The competition, aimed at purebred Arabian horses to judge their beauty — including their large expressive black eyes, arched neck, short back, and high tail carriage — offers prize money of $4 million

(AED15 million).

The popular Horse Auction, organised by Emirates Bloodstock, returns this year where Arabian purebred horses from local studs will be available for viewing, bidding, and buying. Held from 2pm on Friday, 18 March, the auction will have over 100 pureblood Arabian horse breeds on sale. Prospective buyers and members of the public can feel the thrill of a live auction with prices and stock to suit every budget.

The 3rd Pony Show Jumping edition gives the most talented young riders across the UAE the opportunity to compete and is organised

by Dubai Pony Club. Polo Demonstrations return this year where aspirant riders and members of the public can watch the best horses showcasing their impressive skills and learn more about polo etiquette.

A firm favourite are the Spanish Equestrian performances, which includes 30 minutes of heart pounding entertainment, which keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Lead rider Diego Lopez brings his team of skilled, crowd-pleasing performers for a thrilling dressage routine.

The hugely successful Art Gallery specialising in equestrian works makes a comeback this year. The gallery gathers established global artists who will unveil their horseinspired sculptures and paintings to art connoisseurs across the region.

The Heritage Village is also back again featuring traditional Bedouin houses, falconry, local dishes, henna tattoo artists and more.

Leading international and local companies and brands exhibiting a range of products and services to the burgeoning equine industry in the Middle East include: Ajman Stud, Al Hawajer Stud, Dubai Arabian Stud, Dubai Equine Hospital, Jebel Ali Racecourse, Mandara, Royal Cavalry, and Shadwell Stud among others.

The Dubai International Horse Fair 2016 will be held in Halls 5 and 6 at Dubai World Trade Centre. Opening hours are 11am - 8pm on March 19, 2pm – 8pm on March 20, and 11am – 8pm on March 21. Admission is free of charge and open to trade visitors and the general public. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

For more details check dihf.ae.

— lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Photography: Supplied

Fun, Friends, and Horses at Dubai Fair

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 1 6, 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

D2

VACANCY

RENT RUWI SPACIOUS -2 B H K FLATS & 1 B H K CBD: SHOWROOM & OFFICE-Mezz.ямВoor

Contact: 24 70 30 60

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W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 1 6 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

OFFICES FOR RENT AT AZAIBA Prime location on service road (previously occupied by A'Saffa Foods) near Al Turky and Mazda showroom.

*Tourist visa arranged

- 2 BHK flat available directly from the owner, at Azaiba.

Contact: 99229263, 93221054, 95215289

Luxury flat for rent

WAREHOUSE AVAILABLE

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Near Opera Gallery.

Rent RO.900/- negotiable.

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Office Space Available in Al Khuwair & CBD.Contact – 99792181 Villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 92125648/25250300 1BHK close to Indian nursery, Darsait blog -1619, way No .1322 RO 225/-. Contact: 99476728 Land (17000sqm) with office / store /shaded area for rent at Ghala industrial area –prime location.

Contact:99476728 Rooms for rent in Al Khuwair near Ibis hotel. Contact: 95124975

2 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 33 1 B/R Luxury Fully Furnished @ Al Khuwair 5 B/R Fully Furnished villa @ Madinat Al Ilam 5 B/R Fully Furnished villa @ Madinat Al Ilam. For Daily, Weekly, monthly or Yearly contract. Please Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent a Car LLC 99249069 / 994617563/92888376 / 24834888E mail: info@alshahiintl. com

Double bed room flat CBD area.

Contact: 97608564

Open land + workshop + labour camp in Ghala & Rusayl.

Contact – 99792181

3 Deluxe flat in Ghobrah near Chedi hotel 550 RO per monthly Contact: 90161220

Flat, 1 bedroom, kitchen, toilet in AL Khuwair family bachelors R.O 150/-. Contact: 95154331

2 Bedrooms, kitchen, toilet, car park R.O 200/- & 1 bedroom, kitchen, toilet R.O 130 in Al Khuwair. Contact: 95154331

1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair. contact 95154331

2 BHK in Wadikabir RO250.

Contact: 97799175/92144045

Two bedrooms flat in Al Ghobrah near Oman Oil of 18 November Street. OMR 330 Monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

4 BHK villa in Qurum.

Contact: 97799175/92144045 2 BR flats with 2Baths Kitchen Al Amerat Aster Hospital .

Contact: 99366142 Flats in Darsait. 9405178997201688 02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 /99795241 2 Bed room centrally air conditioned flat in CBD prime location.

Contact: 24714625/91173997 2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. Contact: 99342661 Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35). 94051789-97201688 Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 94051789-97201688

Please contact: G.S.M

99417229/92621039 Four bedroom two floors luxurious and spacious residential villa in Al Hail North, near to the sea and Oman oil. Each room has its own bathroom. It has splits A/C’s and shaded car park. OMR 750 monthly.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 New flats for rent at Al Ghobrah near to atlas hospital the flats includes 2 living room , 1hall , kitchen , toilets , air conditioned room & high Quality finishing rent per flat is R.O 375/-. Interested candidates please Contact: 00968- 97093283 2 Room, 2 Bathroom, kitchen cat parking 200 Rails.

Contact: 92005298 Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278 1BHK Flat with spilt A/C near star cinema 210/-. Contact: 99358589/95570288 /97079146 Full furniture room for rent for family monthly 200/- .

Contact: 99251975 Flat with two rooms with window A/C, with toilets & car parking way No: 1670 north Al Hail near Dosteen restaurant 1KM Inside.

Contact: 99238334 3BHK in Qurum P.D.O high 350/Monthly. Contact: 99342661 Flats in Muttrah. Contact: 94051789-97201688 Offices in Ghala.

Contact: 9405178997201688 Commercial flats of 3 & 2 BHK in Al Ghobra North 18 Nov street RO.650/& 450/- Contact 91776665

W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 1 6, 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

94051789-97201688 Duplex villa in Qurum 29.

94051789-97201688 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud.94051789-97201688 Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

94051789-97201688 For rent and investment Land industrial shops in Rusayl.

Contact: 99323957 / 95490842 Flats in Qurum. Contact 94051789-97201688 1B/R apartment executive fully furnished at AL Khuwair 33 & 5 B/R villa unfurnished at Madinat Al Ilam & 5 B/R villa furnished at Madinat Al Ilam. Contact: Atlas Real Estate & rent a car LLC -24834888/ 99249069/92888376/94617563 Email: info@alshahiintl.com Luxury villa of 5 BHK in Al Khuwair 33 RO.650/- Contact – 91776665 Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Flats in WadiKabir.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 600 M2 showroom or office in Bousher in front of Dolphin complex.

RO.3.5 per m2. Contact 91776665 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud. Contact 9405178997201688

FOR SALE

220 M2 SHOWROOM

FOR SALE @ Sanaya/ Hospital Road- Sohar PLEASE CONTACT:

00968 - 9898 9532/ 2471 4325 info@paramountmuscat.com Well running 30 yrs old irrigation and agricultural showroom in Al Ghubra with materials. Contact: 99310450 Zanzibari coffee shop for rent or sale in Barka Souq road, at Prime location. Contact: 99814411 Dental chair and mobile X-ray unit for sale.contact:92737149 400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Mabela Phase 5 Block 2. OMR 165 Thousand.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 A well running pharmacy for sale at prime location.

Contact- 99627621, 93240949 Well established coffee shop / restaurant prime location at AL Khoud. Contact: 92188777/98700760 Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery. Contact 99328430

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact- 9405178997201688

Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

Brand new 4 BHK villa in Al Fai compound Al Khoud. RO.475/Contact – 91776665

Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter. Photos can be sent 95865457

Villa of 3 BHK and sitting area in Al Ghobra North. RO.525/Contact – 91776665

Luxury Apartments in Bousher (35). 95056808-97201688

Luxury and brand new semi furnished 2 BHK flat in Remalbowsher. RO.550/- Contact – 91776665 Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. Contact 9405178997201688 Spacious 1 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with all split A/C’s and parking.

RO.300/-Contact – 91776665 Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Flats in Darsait. Contact 94051789-97201688 Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. Contact 9405178997201688

Villas in Al Khoud. 9505680897201688 Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale: #99273774/ 99202278

Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir. Contact 97167857 Room with kitchen available at Ruwi. Contact 91214897 / 98049288 Room available near Muscat Bakery at Rex Road, Ruwi. Contact 99768952 Spacious villa Al Ansab main road, 8 rooms, 8 toilets & bathrooms, kitchen store. Contact:96354553 Furnished office for rent No. 503 at Business Center – Al Khuwair.

Contact: 24488833 Furnished bedroom with attached bath and kitchen separate entrance for bachelor for RO 150 per month all inclusive in a villa, opp.

Star Cinema.#99314807 Room with toilet for working lady.

Contact: 91450718

99269841 / 92429917 BUYING Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

MV SALE Toyota Yaris 2008 model, white, color, automatic transmission, expat driven km 140500. Call: 99104124

Nissan Qashqai 2013 low mileage 30.000kms comprehensive insurance UAE Oman valid till 2016 .

Contact: 96995430

Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested please #92680041 Mr. Altaf

HD Scaffoldings, Shuttering Jacks, Wooden Planks, Shuttering wood assorted, Tower hoist (lift), Concrete Mixer, Bending Machine, Steel Fabrication Machinery (Searing/Cutting, lathe & Welding) including tools for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278

Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan village. contact 93687466

Furnished two rooms both attached bath with common kitchen in a new building with compound in front & back side for single bachelor or both rooms for a family, Aint, Darsait. Contact 99008069

230 SQ. Mtr each Ready to move in two offices for rent near Man Truck Showroom, Ghala Contact -

Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794

Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair. Contact 92881849 /What`s up No 97290565

ACC. AVAILABLE

FOR RENT

Toyota Rav 4 2012 RO 5500. Contact: 93835318

Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir Contact 93049849

Fully furnished 1BHK at Wadikabir near Al Hassan RO275/ month available for 4 months from 01/04/2016 to 31/07/16. Contact: 92577929

OFFICE SPACES

Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. Contact: 96202458/96761960

Urgent sale of steel scrap only serious buyers kindly #+968 96725423 for viewing the items.

Duplex villa in Qurum 29.

Contact - 94051789- 97201688

FOR SALE

ACC. AVAILABLE

ACC.WANTED Required single room for an executive lady (non cooking) in Darsait, Ruwi, Wadi Kabir.

Contact - 98591132 Accommodation required with food for 1 month, bachelor for March month. Preferably Al Ghobrah area. Contact: 99335742

FOR HIRE Grader, roller, bobcat, JCB 3CX, JCB 4CX with breaker & water tanker for rent. Contact:93218705 / 24478450

Nissan path finder model 2012 R.O 5500. Contact : 97692959

Running Automotive Workshop with Equipments & Tools ( approx. area 3,000 SQM) and Accommodation with 13 Rooms

available for Rent at Ghala.

Contact: 9944 0518 /99230118 MANPOWER

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

Pickup for sale, model 2013, diesel engine 4x4. contact 94194399

MATRIMONIAL A Graduate Syrian Christian Pentecostal boy, 27, working in Oman as Store-in-Charge seeks proposals from parents of suitable girl, preferably those working in Oman.

Contact 92411983 40 Years male divorced, working in Muscat seeks suitable proposals, Indian. Contact - 91346321 Malankara Catholic Male Nurse (28) from Thiruvalla working in Nizwa Private Co. Alliance invites parents/nurses working in Oman.

Contact: 968 98267338, 0091 9287215726 Indian male Roman Catholic 40yrs divorcee working in Muscat.

Seeks suitable alliance from widow/ divorcee/ single.

Contact: 96059801.

AVAILABLE

WANTED

DRIVING IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area.

Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up.

Mobile no: 92927880/ 99012165

URGENTLY REQUIRED New/ Used Tower Cranes Contact +968 92695608

NRI Urgent sale semi furnished 2BHK Kanakia properties opposite Cinemax Mira Road Mumbai contact 99009686

Email – constpurchase16@gmail.com

Flats villas land for sale in Pune Contact: 95272138/918139098275

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W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 1 6 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

REQUIRED Full time

Housemaid For a reputed Omani household.

Age group between 30 to 35 years only.

Please call 99342737 between 9 am to 6 pm only.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT A famous Italian brand is seeking for female applications for the position of “Counter Sales” which will be located in one of Muscat’s most popular malls.

Qualification required: Fluent English speaking, Arabic speaking is preferred, good communication skills, basic knowledge with computers.

Experience required: Minimum of 1 years of professional experience in sales Candidates are requested to send their CVs on recruit

nomination.sales@gmail.com ADMIN

ENGINEER/MECHANIC.

Required urgently a Legal Consultant/ Lawyer for reputed law firm in Sohar, Muscat. Candidates should have 5-7 years experience as a Legal Consultant/ Lawyer with good knowledge of Computer & should be fluent in English both written & spoken.

Email C V to shejaanil66@gmail. com or Contact 99153620 between 8am to 1pm & 2pm to 5.30 pm on Sunday to Thursday

Required urgently experienced Civil Engineers having 2-3 years on building construction jobs.

Contact: 99472795

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Required Accounts Officer- ensure accurate processing of revenue data into ERP systems and invoicing module. Posting of invoices to customer SAP portal and delivery to customer offices and interface with country manager/ reporting to regional CEO. Qualifications: BSc accounting.

Relevant experience & knowledge on online accounting systems especially the customer SAP system. Submit CV to: me-job@interwell.com Accountant with gulf experience in construction field preferred with Oman driving license. Interested candidates send CV to: Email: omanhari@yahoo.com Gsm: 95892831/95197615

Required Site Inspector (PRO) having Omani D/L. Contact – 24291500 Email: hr16.careers@gmail.com A construction company requires Civil Engineer (degree holder) is having minimum 7 yrs exp who can independently handle the site. Oman experience will be plus point. Apply with bio data to fax no: 24489096 or email: tec_oman@hotmail.com. Contact: 99339661 Urgently required QA/QC Engineer minimum exp 5yrs including Gulf in fabrication tanks, vessels.

Certificate- CSWIP, NDT-L-2, ISO Certificate – int. audit. Contact:92746349. Email: mydeen@ mudest.com Required Hydraulic Mechanical.

Contact - 95251213 Civil Engineer with minimum 5/8 years experience with valid Oman driving license. Contact Interested candidates send CV to: Email: omanhari@yahoo.com Gsm: 95892831/95197615

SITUATION WANTED

REQUIRED PROJECT MANAGER For an Infra/ Bldg project in Duqm/Oman Graduate Engineer with 20+ years experience preferably in Oman/ GCC with valid D/L and transferable visa, computer literate.

Send CV to Email :

omanproject2011@gmail.com SALES / MARKETING Urgently required a Marketing Executive with 2 years experience and driving license (GCC) for a reputed building material & electrical showroom in Al Khoud.

Please send CV to – startradingmuscat@gmail.com.

Contact - 94320909 Require Salesman with D/L. E mail: mailcv7@gmail.com Required Sales staff 2 NOS Having experience in Cosmetics Sales.

Send your updated CV to james_kunju@yahoo.com GSM 92683688 Urgently Required Steel Fabricated Products Salesman with an experience in steel fabrication, MUST have Oman driving license, and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com An Omani construction company located at Muscat looking for Marketing executive with GCC driving license & NOC send C.V to kwk585@gmail.com Required Sales Executive knowledge of building materials.

Full or part time.

Contact: 99421513

TECHNICIAN We, the storm shield in the talented candidates for the below positions (Indian only): Maintenance Technician (male -1) should have knowledge of new mobile devices & 3 years Oman experience Contact: 94441111 Send CV to email: gshield9@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED MISCELLANEOUS

CATERING Required Cook 5 yrs exp in Oman for family. Send CV fax: 24703854 or abuakram_omer69@hotmail. com. Contact: 90140203

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred.

Contact 99273774/99202278

DOMESTIC HELP Urgently required an Filipino Housemaid, interested people can forward your bio-data to careerhr1972@gmail.com Housemaid required for full-time for Indian family, Hindi/English speaking CBD area Ruwi.

Contact: 96183093 Looking for a part-time cookcum-housemaid in Azaiba.

Call 92450197.

DRIVER Looking for motor cycle license holders for FMCG merchandising contact: 92312112 Trailer driver + Hiab truck .

Contact: 99332185 Required a expat driver with Omani D/L. Contact – 91409668 Wanted driver. contact 91025698 Part or full time Driver Required call us 91120552

EDUCATION/TRAINING Required personal lady Trainer at home in Wadi Kabir. contact 94100959 The Egyptian school requires chemistry Teacher for IG, English, Science & mathematics.

Teacher’s application should be submitted by hand or by email – egyptianschool98@gmail.com / 24603930

MEDICAL Wanted a Nurse for dental clinic Seeb. Contact: 99722457 / 95706223 Urgently required female Gynecologist for a clinic at Samail.

Send CV: saemomar@gmail.com, 95498105 Wanted Nurse for a dental centre in capital area. Interested may contact – 93431024 or send CV to – drasyanaseem@gmail.com Wanted Staff Nurse for a dermatology clinic in Muscat .

Must have MOH license and NOC. Attractive salary offered. Email: clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com Required female Nurse, with MOH license for private dental clinic in Bowshar area, Muscat.

Contact: 92189807 Required house maid in Mabela.

Clearance available. Urgent Contact. 95200180.

GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with Dataflow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934 Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq. contact 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail. com

SKILLED LABOUR Screen printer in Ruwi. Contact 92831131 / 97752162

Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687 Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa. Immediately available. Contact 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement. # 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Dynamic Indian Male Accountant with 9 Years Experience seeks suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact: 96902860

ADMIN

Female seeking suitable placement in reputed Company, 5 yrs experience in Oman. Skills : Tally, EKP9, Sage ACC, PAC, ITIL, MS Office. Contact 95483804, sararowshan344@gmail.com

10 yrs experienced Omani PRO looking for suitable position. Good knowledge in HR Admin ROP, all Ministries related affairs. Contact: 99588154 / 93387833

Seeking driver job. Contact :

MBA professional with 5 yrs exp in the field of HR , Administration, Sales (Business Development) and accounts, holding valid UAE driving license on visit visa until end of March. Contact: 91731542/ shanoj120@gmail.com

Pakistani light driver looking job 9 yrs exp in Oman.

Contact: 96048460

4 yrs experience in Oman handling Accounts. NOC available, strong communications. Contact 95187454, rowshan.rafiul@gmail. com Indian male B.Com Graduate, 6 yrs exp in auditing, accounts and marketing 3 yrs exp in Oman with DL looking for suitable placement.

Contact :99146287, mubarakanq@ gmail.com Indian male, 32 yrs, B.Com having 8 yrs Accounts experience in Oman, looking for suitable placement (local release + Oman D/L available). Contact 97494322 / 98093515 Accountant Indian male 25 yrs BBA with Tally, having 3 years of exp. plus Hardware, Networking seeking for suitable placement: 98201244 Indian male 22 yrs B.Com with one year exp in accounting auditing with good working knowledge in tally erp-9 looking for a suitable placement now on visit visa Contact: 97189500 Indian male 25 years of age, Bachelor degree in B.Com, seeking suitable place in Oman, on visit visa. Contact – 91240544 / 98016928 Indian female MBA Accountant, 8 yrs exp in accounts seeking suitable placement. Contact: 96117303 Indian Accountant with 30 years experience in construction (Financial & Cost ), Administration, Store Keeping and HR seek full/ part time assignment anywhere in Oman or UAE. Contact 98598099 Indian female Accountant 8yrs exp in Oman. Contact:93726921 Part time accountant, up to finalization of accounts looking for job after 5 PM (location prefers – MSQ – to AL Hail). Contact: 95694737 Jordanian, Senior accountant, 15 yrs experience in Oman finance & accountant. Contact: 92881223 Indian male 28 yrs MBA finance/ marketing and graduate in computer experience 3 yrs seeking suitable job, now family visit visa.

Contact: 93195378 Email: faisalme.beg677@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, finance, banking, L/C, import, export & finalization seeks placement. NOC Available.

Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com Indian Male Accountant 10yrs Exp. in OMAN Retail & Furniture Co. (Release Available) #92564955 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to finalization. Currently employed in Oman. Having D/L & NOC. #94122464, Email: cammk13@gmail.com

24 yrs, lady expat looking for full time job with visa. Interested fields are admin, back office, front-office, reception. Contact: 96321431 or email: sharanya. nair08991@gmail.com Indian female BS, 2 yrs exp looking for suitable position in HR & Administration. Contact – 94656009 Urgently required Document controller / material controller / HR job 15yrs exp. D/L available plz contact; 96777019/92386043 Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235 Indian male MBA 33yrs having 10 yrs of exp seeking full time suitable placement in Administration/ HR/ Operations/ Coordination/ Logistics. Holding valid D/L. Contact 99054786 Indian male MBA- UK 18 yrs Gulf exp in Administration/ HR & Public relationship. Fluent in Arabic/ English with D/L. Looking for suitable position. Contact - 99897280 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288 Filipino male with 13 years HR and Administration managerial experience. MBA & CIPD holder. Currently looking for job in Oman. Interested employer Contact - 97728418.

Indian, 26 yrs , female , 5 yrs exp in HR/ Admin with valid Oman D/L seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98236033 Indian female, Masters in HR, having 4 + years Oman experience in media management and HR, looking for openings in HR, Education, Admin, Corporate communications. Contact 98252030

CATERING Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

DOMESTIC HELP Housemaid (overseas) Indian family looking for job. contact 99531802

Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement.

Contact : 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com

looking for job 3 yrs. experience.

Contact: 94077119

Light Driver looking for work in a family. Release ready. Contact 96693290

Chief Accountant 25 years experienced looking for part/full time accountant job.

Contact: 95598477/98803439

Experienced Indian Driver cum

Fresher 24, ACCA Affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or Audit with Oman driving license.

Contact - 92430152 Email - raju.rd619@gmail.com

Indian male 25 B.Com (graduate) 2 years experience as accountant in country club India with ERP oracle r12, tally knowledge. On visit visa immediately available.

Email: shabi.hyd@gmail.com Contact- 9042-1161

Driver with car. Contact

Purchase/Planning & Logistics Manager MBA (Finance), 14yrs.

Oman Exp. with D/L, NOC available, looking for suitable position. Contact: 93826090 jskanchan01@gmail.com

Indian female 25 yrs, MBA HR & Marketing, with one and half years experience as accountant and 6 months experience in teaching, now on a visit visa, seeking suitable position. Contact: 99624044, mail: np.neethu1@gmail.com.

Indian female MBA in finance currently on family visa seeking suitable placement. Contact: 96471025

Pakistani driver with Elantra 2016 model car seeks job: 95873286

2 Years exp in driving, seeking any job .Contact: 97460056 Seeking driver job with own car.

Contact: 98031620 Looking for job light duty driver 6 years experience NOC available.

Contact: 92381696 Bangladeshi male light driver looking for job 3 exp.

Contact: 93254149 Indian light driver cum house cleaner. Contact: 96255558 /99415443

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN AutoCAD Civil Draughtsman for road, having 5 yrs experience working on X- Sec, L-Sec & alignment, preparation of plan & profile & cross sections, preparation of structural drawings, quantity estimation as per drawing. Contact 94034544, casper_c100@yahoo.com

Revit /Draughtsman experienced expected salary 200. Contact : 92279784 AutoCAD Draughtsman seeking job. Contact: 95516807 Indian Female, Bsc Fashion Designer with Oman driving Lisence, looking for any good job.

Contact 98757582 Interior Designer Seeking suitable job. On visit visa in Oman.

Contact - 92166130 Interior designer 3 years experience 1 year in Oman and 2 years in Egypt, experience in interior design, 3D max, AutoCAD, Photoshop. Contact - 94762876 AutoCAD draftsman experience 2 years. Contact: 93738335 /95809393 Email: mammoosing@gmail.com

EDUCATION/TRAINING Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. Contact : 99739415 / 92091528 Female Indian, M.Sc, Maths Teaching experience College University ready to join immediately. Contact 99835738 Indian female MSC,B.ED, MPHIL, IELTS, currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 96916534 Indian female 25years M.C.A on family visit required suitable placements also interested in teaching. Contact: 90417133 Email: renjitharose04@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

B.Com Graduate, Indian male 24 yrs, 3 yrs exp in Oman looking for Accounting, Sales, suitable jobs.

NOC Available. Contact:90615814.

Mail : adhilrahman.a@gmail.com

ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance. Contact 99284193

93499058

DRIVER Bangladeshi male light driver

Indian CA finalist, 7 yrs exp having driving license with visa looking for finance / accounts position Email: rameesnm@gmail. com, 98097009

DRIVER

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Travel Coordinator, 20 yrs in Oman looking for suitable job. Contact: 95113612 (NOC available).

95037759

Pakistani looking for job as driver 4 yrs exp light duty. Contact:97469730 Male 28 yrs looking for driver job part time / full time. Contact : 97224035 Driver job wanted. Contact: 96393082

Light driver looking for job Oman exp. Contact :95292621

ADMIN

Light driver with car 3 months exp.

Contact: 97118292

8 years of intensive Oman experience in procurement & supply chain management looking for suitable placement.#97755488

Light driver Indian 4yrs exp in Oman having own car looking for job, release available .

Contact: 93053917

Indian male 23 Mechanical Engineer (B.E) residing in Oman looking for suitable job. Contact: 98530806 / 99362006 B.Sc Civil Engineer 27 yrs Oman exp as project manager, structural engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC/local transfer available. Contact: 99349578.

Email:farooqatm@hotmail.com BE Mechanical Engineer 6 yrs exp, 1.5 yrs in Oman in piping and structure construction work. Release available. Contact: 96115463.

Email: jijoraju085@yahoo.com Indian male 35yrs BE - Engg 15 yrs exp in UAE Site Manager looking for job. Email : vinoj_1979@ yahoo.co.in Indian male, 29 yrs, B.Tech (EEE) with 5+ yrs of experience from reputed firms in the field of Electrical Site Execution & Project Coordination in HL, LT for various EPC Projects, now on visit, seeks suitable placement in related industries.

Contact 92310762, email : write2man@gmail.com Male, NDT, QA/QC Supervision Mechanical 10 yrs experience seeks suitable placement.

Contact 96954202, Email : nasirarain86@yahoo.com

W E D N E S DAY, M A R C H 1 6, 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED Indian History graduate with diploma in Safety with valid Oman Driving licence seeks suitable placement.

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

EXPERT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE

ELECTRICAL ENGINEER

Civil Engineers exp 4 yrs of Pakistan in building work. Contact: 95135608

For your BPR, guide finance & HR & RM, advise product marketing & CRM, appraise IT system for reporting & communication.

Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres), holding valid Oman D/L.

Contact: Tel - 96500729 k.profitoman@gmail.com

Contact - 92789995

Contact-93361624, Email-

Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

dheerachpadikkala@gmail.com

Diploma in Civil Engineering 13 yrs exp with valid Oman D/L, NOC available. Contact : 99612163 Sr. Electrical Engineer with17+ yrs of exceptional exp in spear heading strategic planning and project management initiatives & executing various high rise residential & commercial building as well as roads and highway project with proficiency in installation, seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization. contact 96570891 Pakistani Civil Eng having 10 yrs exp in consulting and building field looking for suitable job in good running company with valid driving license. Contact: 97425973 B.C.A System Support Engineer 2 yrs exp MCSCE, CCNA on visit visa until 17 March. Contact 95492886, samips49@gmail.com Indian male,24 yrs, Electronics & Telecom, Graduate, Mumbai University (2015 batch) looking for entry level job in Engg.com having good knowledge at telecom, networking ,fiber optic, OraclellgSQL, PLSQL, now in Muscat on 3 months visit visa. Contact : 91868936 / 93101922. Email: siddiquiajmal42@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) looking for job. Contact:90623220 Electrical Design Engineer (MEP) Indian male having 1.8 years of experience in India. Available on visit visa looking for suitable placements. Contact: 92658569, Email:mdraziuddin2@gmail.com Indian female Project Engineer 15 yrs experience Project Management quality data base management data analytics marketing business development having Omani driving licenses seeks suitable placement presently on family visa, having Omani experience. #95783792 Network Engineer CCNA-MCSA exp computer science with NOC. Contact : 92346191 Indian Civil Engineer in UAE seeking suitable placement in Muscat-Contact 00968 99142171 Project Engineer 14 yrs exp of project execution & operations, all kinds Mech/civil and interior decoration with license Contact: 93260559 Sudanese Civil Engineer 4 years experience –98093544 B.E Mechanical and diploma with 75%, age 28, 2yrs Hyundai Motor and 3yrs in water treatment.

Contact - +91 9003612305. prabugn28@gmil.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Electrical Engineer, Indian male, 6 years industrial experience on visit-visa, seeking job- ready for any roles. Contact: 98750295 Email:bebala04@gmail.com Building Site Supervisor working in Oman since Mar 2010 with Oman D/L looking for suitable placement .contact:91507828 B.Tech electronics & Comm.Engg with CCNA certified with 2yrs exp.

Contact-99490930. email; sujith8938@gmail.com An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available.

Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Civil Engineer 11 yrs exp in construction field having Oman driving license & NOC. Contact – 94194399 / shiblyrock@gmail.com Indian male 22, Chemical Engineer residing in Oman looking for suitable placement. Contact: 92379181 Engineer has 10 years local & international experience in ready mix concrete also in Oil & gas filed also in marketing & sales field , has Omani driving license.

Contact : 92534098 REVIT (ARCH), Diploma Civil 3yr , in visit visa , exp. Salary : 250 PH : 92279784 Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com 26 yrs Indian Male – B.Tech (IT) - 6 yrs exp -sales & admin -seeks suitable placement 91848460 / 98304080; Email: arun9895431989@gmail.com Sudanese mechanical Engineer, 2 years experience HVAC firefighting, on visiting visa.

Contact 95630047 Sudanese civil Engineer holding bachelor with two years of experience in Oman has resident visa and valid license. Contact: 94393880 Indian male 31 years Civil Engineer diploma holder 4 years experience in Oman need placement N.O.C available.

Contact: 93298395 Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975518

Male 25 age M.B.A, HRM, BE Automobile 3.4yrs exp production engineering. # +91 9841873619/ vickey040890pt@gmail.com.

22 Years exp in Gulf civil building construction project manager.

Contact – 0097430824610 / arshadjamalkhan@rediffmail.com

B.Tech Mechanical Engineer (Indian, 23yrs male) 1.5 yrs exp (IBM India &Pvt Ltd & Zeuzer Engineers (Pvt ltd) looking for suitable job.

Currently on visit visa ready to join immediately #93354092/990249660. email:eapenbijoy92@gmail.com

Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 acmfaslan123@gmail.com

Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. contact:98921022 A Pakistani Civil Engineer having 5yrs exp in consulting and building field, looking suitable job good running company with valid driving license. Contact: 91800277 Mechanical Engineer having Omani driving license and 2yrs exp seeks suitable placement.

Email:malvindevachan@gmail. com, Contact: 97411523 Mechanical Diploma Engineer having 8yrs of exp seeking for suitable currently on visit visa.

Contact- 94657806 Project Engineer B.Sc Civil, 7.5 yrs in Oman, need suitable placement, NOC release available. contact 91129192 Sudanese Electrical Engineer, granted with distinction, hardworking and can adapt to different work conditions. Contact: 98133281 Electrical & Electronics Engineer with 3 years GCC exp in sales, GCC driving license. Seeking suitable placement. Contact - 90301410

Electrical Engineer with 18 years exp in UAE. Contact: 98148034 Email: shassalih66@gmail.com Structural Engineer, 8 yrs experienced in flat slab, post tensioned & slab-beam multi story building design & supervision with driving license. Contact: 98256860 Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im Indian female civil engineer B.Tech having 3 years experience sound knowledge of software, REVIT STAD PRO structural detailing currently on family visa seeks suitable placement.#95345591 Civil Engineer (BE) having total 5 years experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available Contact# 94450270 Bachelor Civil Engineer 6 Years in Oman experience Valid Driving License seeks suitable placement Phone 97619722 Email – golamrob@yahoo.com Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97667113

Electrical diploma Engineer with 1.5 years experience in AutoCAD designing for LV constructions and diesel generator maintenance looking actively for job in Oman.

Contact: 92171858/90595609 Email: nelsondas213@gmail.com Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available. #96789711 Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Procurement Engineer (27 years single male with Oman Driving License) having 7 years experience (UAE 2, Oman 3) with expertise in MEP, Water, Electromechanical, Instrumentation seeking suitable placements. Contact 95852033, mail: hemal1988@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact: 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+Diploma Safety+NEBOSH+OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement, Mob:97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com Diploma in Mechanical Eng piping system in AutoCAD work, 21+ years experience with Driving license. Contact: 95267113 Email: rkakkaryil@gmail.com 7 Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the field of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598 Omani HSE supervisor. Email: jeebal3000@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer with 3 Yrs experience in international Oil & Gas company looking for job Contacts: Tel: 90164236 Email: mustafaoshi-62@hotmail.com Indian female, 31 yrs, 7 yrs experienced as AutoCAD civil draftsman (2 yrs experience in Oman) currently in Oman seeks suitable. Contact 96789441 Email: simi5304@gmail.com Indian Electrical Engineer Btech, female 24 seeking job, presently in oman having 2 year experience in design and estimation of Ht &Lt projects.

Contact 968 97436557, Mail id : sibinanoop1@gmail.com Sudanese Telecom Engineer, 5 years experience, 3 years in Oman PMP certificate. #93391008 Email: momen. awadallam@gmail.com Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement. Contact:- 95042656

HOSPITALITY Indian male Graduate hotel management 12 yrs exp operations & sales oriented GCC driving license and release available. #94525463 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

MISCELLANEOUS 33 year old Filipina with experience in Teleperformance, Manila call centre ,now working as Waitress in Qatar seeking suitable post. Contact 99022484 9 yrs exp Site Engineer in Civil & Shade Structure. 2d, 3d draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job. Contact 90139903

IT Indian Male, IT System Engineer having 4 yrs of experience in system administration.CCNA,MCSE, Linux. Looking for suitable job.

Contact :91272867 INDIAN male, pursued bachelor’s of computer science having experience in desktop Engineer, looking for IT job, on visit visa, seeking suitable placement. Contact : 98784174 ,email : abdulmoyeed@ outlook.com Indian female, 30 yrs, B.Tech & MBA(I.T), 6 yrs work exp in India & Oman exp in telecommunications, configuration & installation of automated solution systems seeking for suitable placement. Contact : 92689823, jobymees2014@gmail. com Indian female, B.Tech graduate, with one and half years experience as ‘web developer’ interested in web development and has experience working in HTML,CSS,Bootstrap, JavaScript and Photoshop. Contact: 9592 7075 e-mail id: mariarosejacob90@gmail.com MSC (IT) male 32 age 4 yrs networking system administrator. Seeking a suitable placement +918608247110. email:samad3301@gmail.com Indian female, B.Tech graduate, with one and half years experience as ‘web developer’ interested in web development and has experience working in HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, JavaScript and Photoshop.

Contact : 9592 7075, e-mail id: mariarosejacob90@gmail.com Omani 26(M) seeks placement, 6 yrs excellent experience networking hardware software.

Contact: 95356166 Sudanese net work Engineer holding IT BACHELOR (CCNA, CCNP, and MCSE) has one year experience and license.

Contact: 92394485

MANAGER 35 yrs vast experience in Sales, Marketing, Advertisement & distribution at Senior position in Oman.

NOC available. Contact 99868330 / 99848831, rwahedi458@gmail. com 10 yrs exp in procurement, tenders, importing, marketing and sales, organizing events.

Have car NOC available. Contact: 94123939 The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments & transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business. Contact: :- 92385033 General Manager MEP also manage civil, MBA, BE Electrical, 10 yrs exp in Oman valid D/L, release available. Contact – 92447102 Indian male, with experience in operations management, information security, purchase & stores mgmt, hold UAE driving license, on visit visa, seeks suitable job. #91904541 Email: naushers@yahoo.com Production Manager 9 years experience in Oman manufacture and development factories .GRB. GRC. GRG rubber molds and false ceilings, fiberglass and executive at site emadadly2000@yahoo. com96149081

MANAGER The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualified to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash management of the company & marketing projects & investments& tenders & real estate.

Contact 92385033

MEDICAL Staff Nurse (female) with MOH license. Looking for opportunity in Muscat. NOC / release letter available. Contact - 99433415.

Pharmacist have license and experience, looking for job in Sohar or Buraimi. Contact- 93878153 Indian female MBA in health care service, BSN with MOH license looking for a job in hospital. Contact : 94876041 Indian female Dentist specialized endodontic looking for a suitable placement prometric completed.

Contact: 96410448 Indian Bsc Female Nurse with 6.5 years exp, 4 years in KSA. Passed Oman Pro Metric with 69%, completed data flow. Presently in Muscat in visit visa looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 94744900, 94742834, jincyalphonese@gmail.com Male GP Doctor with NOC 6 yrs experience in Oman for perm/locum job. Contact : 97746074 An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact 96436517 /97396088

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 37 yrs X-Ray welder 7 yrs exp (ARC, TIG, ARGON, Welding) seeking suitable job.

Contact: 91360190/98223683 B.Com Graduate with five and half yrs exp in Oman as a purchaser.

NOC available. Valid driving license.

Looking for suitable placement Contact: 96772166 Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement. Gsm 98805474 A lady entrepreneur with BF Tech 1st Class (Fashion Technology) since 2006 in Kerala like to make change for better. Specialized in designing, Production Management, Fashion Art, Grading, Surface ornamentation, Garment Construction.

Email: prettyjinu08@gmail.com Mobile: +919539397097.

Indian female on visit MBA (International Business- Marketing & Logistics), BE (Computers & Science Engg.) Trained in SAPBI/BW with 1 year experience seeking for job Contact: 90228586 Email:fathimasha16@ gmail.com Bangladeshi male, University M.Com, Working as an Accountant & Administrator in Oman; searching better job. Phone: 94864966 Email: sunrisetoiqbal@gmail. com

SALES / MARKETING Indian male 23 yeas BBM & Diploma in logistic. Looking for Indore/ Outdoor sales & marketing suitable placement, currently in one month visit visa. Contact: 93180270/ faizanmck@gmail.com Indian male, B.Com with Valid GCC Driving License 5-year experience in Sales. Good Arabic/English Mob-96970027 Having more than 5 yrs exp in sales indoor & outdoor with driving license. Contact – 90126776 An experienced sales & marketing person having several years experience in GCC with valid D/L. Looking for a suitable position.

Contact – 92124669 Sudanese B.Sc in business administration, exp 8yrs in sales, marketing & accounting. contact 96112453

SALES / MARKETING Indian male with 6 yrs of GCC exp in sales and service & 1 year of exp in gym fitness instructor.

Seeking job presently in Muscat in family visit visa. Contact: 90694335/ 99438360 or email:sahildgreat99@yahoo.com 4 Years of experience in Sales with driving license. contact 90615235 MBA graduate having 6 years exp in Sales & Marketing, 4 years with PEPSI, India, having international driving license permit seeks suitable placement. #: 95308167, Email : samir.pag@gmail.com Indian Male 28 MBA Marketing with 4 years of experience in sales with good communication skills now available in Muscat on visit visa. GSM 95840153 / Mail akbarshareef786@gmail.com Indian sales marketing professional highly experienced in business development in ME India and Africa seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 97897611 B.Com male 2 yrs experience in sales Computer knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98371144 email: nabilnazar22@gmail.com Indian male, MBA Marketing having 2.5 years Sales experience immediately looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91415145, Email: shariqs88@gmail.com Male 38 yrs Graduate 07 years experience indoor / outdoor electronic field with D/License & NOC available (as per new rule).

Contact: 92453375

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Indian Male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin, Secretarial and purchase with good computer skills. Holding Oman Driving license. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 99709336 Executive Secretary/ assistant Indian female 9 years experience in Oman, Diploma in Business management. Valid D/L. Contact: 96684705 Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment. Call: 95244761

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192

TOURS & TRAVEL Indian 26 yrs looking for fresh sales /coordinator /admin/logistics & travel air fare, air audit experience 8 yrs in India on visit visa looking for suitable post. Contact: 94894170 / 95618311 Filipinas lady having exp in ticketing and preservation, call center, secretarial and real estate is now looking for job please call.94054080 Five years in travel field B.Com. IATA & pursuing MBA including experience in the travel desk of (ITC managed) five star hotel, looking for suitable position.

Contact 9470 5767, 9465 2485, 9536 4479

MISCELLANEOUS B.Com Graduate with 4 year experience as an Accountant in Oman.

Also have Oman Driving License.

Best fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi & Malayalam, looking for Job. Currently in Oman. Cont: +968 93943448, murshid4u@gmail. com Indian Male,B.Com & Diploma Logistics & supply chain management 2years experience looking for job in Accounts/ logistics field. Presently on Visit Visa. Software knows MS office & Tally7.2 .MOBILE:93884951Email:mehreenraiz@gmail.com HSE Engineer: 3.8 years experience in Oil & Gas. NEBOSH,IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE,B Tech in Mechanical Engg.

CONTACT-krish.569@gmail.com, Mobile- +91 9867016808

D6

W E D N E S D AY, M A R C H 1 6 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/CLASSES/COMPUTER/WEBSITE

MISCELLANEOUS Looking for QHSE – Manager / Asst. Manager job, Indian Male – 39.Yrs, With 17.Yrs Experience & NOC, NEBOSH – UK, MR – ISO 9001, 14001 & 18001, HSE Trainings, Audits, Pls Contact – haree. krishnan9944@gmail.com Diploma(Electrical Engineering) From Government polytechnic.

Age 27years, 6 years Experiance in Maintenance, troubleshooting and managing and Technical in substation as a Electrical Engineer.Seek suitable placement.

Contact GSM- 92995899,(a.abbas31@gmail.com) Manager with 12 yrs of exp in sales & marketing & business development, MBA Graduate with valid driving license looking for a suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 98125226 MBA Indian male 2 years experience in firefighting & security systems sales & marketing.

Seeking suitable job. Contact – 90634050 Master’s in Petroleum Geology looking for relevant job ready to join ASAP, valid drivers license.

Email : mehdi.poorjahangiri@ gmail.com INDIAN MALE, 26 years, BBA graduate, seeks suitable position in automotive spare parts, Have 3 year experience. Phone no:96026400, Bineeshpn@gmail. com

Indian Male B. Tech, 10+ years of extensive work experience in various aspects like Computer Networking, Technical Support, Management and Engineering with good communications, interpersonal and technical skills seeks suitable opportunity. Now in Oman on Visit Visa GSM : 9489 8009, Email : bios4u@gmail.com Structural Engineer Education B-Tech in civil Engineering, Work Experience More than 6 yrs contact no.: +968-91431483 E-mail: mohsinyousuf86@rediffmail.com Civil Draftsman seeking job.

Contact-95516807 Indian Female Accountant, now in Oman on Visit Visa, looking for suitable placement, contact 94250871 Indian Female MBA Finance, 6 years Oman experience as account looking Full time/part time accounting Jobs. Contact- 99044292 BBA MBA.Male, Indian Human Resource/ Administration/ Office work1 Year Experience Knowledge in MS-Office, Photoshop Searching for suitable job E-mail: antonyshajan11@gmail.com.Contact Number: +91 9655469680 +91 8754086178 Indian male 26 years MBA finance, seeks suitable placement.

Contact – 92715032 / ajisd@yahoo.com

Bangladeshi male, University MA, Working as Store In-charge cum Logistic Manager in Muscat; searching better job. Phone: 91997605, email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com

Bangladeshi male, University MA, Working as Store In-charge cum Logistic Manager in Muscat; searching better job. Phone: 91997605 email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com

25 years, male B.Com and insurance Graduate with 6 year experience looking for an opening in accounts, finance or operations related only. Driving license and NOC available. Contact- lilommca@gmail.com and 95236312.

Indian male, 16 years Oil & Gas experience (Down Hole Tools), 3 years in Oman, Dip. Mechanical Engineer, Having D/L and NOC. Email – jajisuni@yahoo.com, Mob: 965 956 18.

Admin Assistant, Having 5 years experience in admin department in reputed companies, presently working in Muscat (NOC Available). GSM. 00968-98404122, Email - panduru.jeevankumar@ gmail.com Indian Male 47 years MBA-Operations Management with total 25 Yrs exp inclusive of 9 yrs in Oil & Gas sector in Oman, having valid Omani D/L & NOC available , seeks challenging position in SCM/ Logistics/ Procurement in any Sector. GSM-94236414. Mail id – jayamurli@gmail.com IT/Telecom Manager, BE, MBA 13+ Years of experience, Valid Driving License. Available immediately. Phone: +91205211, Email: ghulamqasimali@gmail.com Indian Engineer, B. Tech (Mech), MBA, MLM (Master of Labour Management), 23 yrs experience, 5 years in Oman in the positions of Operations Manager and Plant Manager with Oman Driving License seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 99744612. E-mail: deleepkumarpk@gmail.com Indian male network cabling technician (19-years gulf experience) Seeking for suitable placement. Contact - 00918089909265 (India) email: mohithavp@gmail.com Mechanical Engineering 6 years experience. Contact: 00968998907110091-9841867534 Email: sayed.fortuner88@gmail. con

Indian male: 24 years, diploma in computer science and B.E (CSE) having experience in hardware and networking seeks suitable job.

Contact: 91170912 Email: sales2@witoman.com Sudanese male. Five years diploma in civil engineeringhave five years experience in construction industry. Mobile: 96995670 Sri Lankan female looking for a housemaid job. Please send details to s.c.balthaza@gmail.com Contact: 94036979 Land surveyor Experience: 8 years. Contact: 99585265 Email: wajid.mohiuddin5251@gmail.com Indian male executive secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer .seek suitable placement. Contact: 99514286 Indian male, accountant 2 year experience doing accounts in Tally and Excel. Searching for suitable job. Contact: subbayan_r@gmail. com GSM: +918098637908 Job Wanted as a Music Teacher Classical Vocal Music, Having 3 years India Exp. contact 90310876 A young CA (ACA & ACCA qualified) with 4 years experience in one of top audit firms in UK & KSA seeks suitable placement in Oman.

Contact: Kamran (hkamran112@gmail.com), +44 7480 1196 74. +968 93595050

INDIAN-Male 34yrs, M.Com with 14yrs Exp ( 8yrs in Oman & 6yrs in India)Presently working as PROCUREMENT OFFICER for ROAD,CIVIL,ELECTRO-MECHANICAL & Others Projects in contg & Trdg co LLC, Having Oman LT D/L, NOC available & willing to join immediately within in a month M:94064650, Email: nagauae@gmail.com BE Mechanical Engineering with one year experience now on visit visa, looking for suitable positions”#90637918 / 99335742, email: aquasharath@gmail.com Looking for a part time job for drawings struc. BBS Q/S & piping/pipeline auto cad work. #92103713.

IELTS PREPARATION Target Band 8.0

Classes for Spoken English TOEFL / GRE / GMAT / SAT Excellent Guidance and Coaching Satisfaction Guaranteed EAGLES INSTITUTE

25 year old male B.Com and insurance graduate with 6 year experience looking for an opening in accounts, finance or operations.

Driving license and NOC available.

Contact-95236312. lilommca@gmail.com

92325542 | 93657915 | 93657917 | Email: engominst@gmail.com

MCA with 13+ yrs of teaching.

Worked as PGT (Comp Sc.) in CBSE Board Schools, 2 yrs experience in s/w development. Seek suitable placement. Contact 90477217 Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Store In-charge cum Logistic Manager in Muscat; searching better job. Phone: 91997605 email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail. com Indian male AUTO CAD Draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience, seeking for part time job. contact 99070584 / email: remluvp@gmail.com BS in Civil Engineering Experience: 3 Year (Road Projects) Omani license: 9 Years. contact 97427701 Email: hassanrvc1989@gmail.com Homeopathic Doctor having 2 years experience seeks suitable placement.Contact-93615169, geethasreenathnn@gmail.com Pakistani Male having 6 years Experience Valid Omani Driving license working as a Transport Manager looking for a suitable position. Salary is negotiable.

Mob: +96893363316 / 94202746 mohdnaveed043@gmail.com Indian Male Accountant I have 2 year better experience in accounting field. I can do all my accounts in Tally and Excel searching for suitable job. Contact: +919087776759 contactsubbayan5@gmail.com GSM : +918098637908, Indian female 23 BA economics with computer knowledge looking for the post of Administration dept or day care or sales please Contact 96155921 or Email- fysal.nellaya@gmail.com.

Indian Female, 24 MA Eng. Litr with 2 yrs experience in teaching & 14 months in Administration cum Secretary, Currently on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact: 92613704/99260702 Email:rohinis2010@gmail.com Marine Services / Business Development having more than 15 Years experience in GCC Countries with Indian Male with experience in Operations Management / Sales and Procurement / Ship Chandling / valid GCC Driving License seeks suitable job. Presently in Oman on Visit Visa. GSM : 9053 55 65, Email : rafi.vprc@gmail.com

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi • Learn in two months • Satisfaction guaranteed

Tel: 95244310 WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. CONTACT 98294551

SIT. WANTED Indian Male, 26 years, with 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in Dubai, looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. #90182494/ manojmallya999@gmail.com Indian Female, 35years, Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) with 6months experience and BSc & MA seeking position as Insurance Coordinator or suitable positions in pharmacy, pharmacy stores, hospital, polyclinic & pharmaceutical companies or in front office/ administration office preferably in hospital. Please # on 90236481 Male Locum Pharmacist with MOH & Driving License. Available on request from March to April 2016; Contact #: +968 9188 5485/+968 9943 8058.

Indian Male, 26 years, with 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in Dubai, looking for suitable placement.

Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. # 90182494 Indian male with three years of experience in IT as system administrator seeking for IT administration job placements. Presently in Muscat on visit visa.

Contact 90664136 email: szuheabikram@yahoo.com Male Indian 27, working as finance Officer having three years Oman experience with Driving license looking for Finance/ Audit/ Accounts position. Mob: 98097009, rameesnm@gmail.com Assistant Manager – Planning (B.Tech EEE): Indian Male, over 10 years( 7+ Yrs in Oman & UAE) of experience in Project Planning & Scheduling, Liaison & Coordination, Budgeting and Client Interaction. Seeking a suitable Job in Muscat. Contact – 00971503529608, Email Id: saravananbe44@gmail.com IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/ networking/server support/Indoor sales, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/ Server support/Retail sales.

Contact 92607532.

Indian male 28 years exp as sales executive & asst accountant.

With valid Oman driving license languages known Hindi and English. Looking for any good job# 96175176 Mechanical Engineer (Indian Male, 24 Years) with three years experience, looking for suitable job.

Currently on visit visa, ready to join immediately. # 92175441, Email: ihabeeb24@gmail.com Indian male 26, on vist visa, 2+ yrs of experience with UAE D/L, IATA-FIATA,BBA looking for any suitable job. Contact 91324567 Iraqi civil Engineer with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq, U.A.E. and Oman) looking for a job, (N.O.C.) is available.#95626218 Email- amin.sarim007@gmail.com MBA (F), B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for full or part time job. Presently on family visit visa.

Contact: - 96259171. Email: - bhumicapandya@gmail.com Indian Male, total 8+years gulf experience in Document Controller / Coordinator / Secretary. Looking suitable position. Local release available. CONTACT: 94524259 EMAIL: madhuppnair@yahoo.com Indian female, holds LLB & Masters in business administration(MBA),2 yrs oman experience as HR & Admin, seeks suitable placement in jobs @ SOHAR. Contact: 96541959 IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/ networking/server support, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532.

Accountant. Having 6 years experience in accounts in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat (NOC Available) GSM. 00968-97010584, Email usman7678@yahoo.com Indian male 23 years Diploma in Mechatronic having 3years experience in production and maintenance department looking for suitable placement contact +919597008904 (sachin.valappil92@gmail.com)

9 yrs exp Site Engineer in Civil & Shade Structure. 2d, 3d draughtsman (holding Oman driving license) seeking job. #90139903 Mechanical Engineer (Indian Male, 24 Years) with three years experience, looking for suitable job. Currently on visit visa, ready to join immediately. contact 92175441, Email: ihabeeb24@gmail.com B.Com 5yrs experience good command on tally, Excel sheet on family visa. Contact: 98002428 Email: lubnakanwal36@gmail.com Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Sales coordinator cum Store keeper in Muscat; searching better job.

Phone:91997605. E mail: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail. com Indian male B.Eng. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT/networking/server, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/ Network/Server support.

Contact 92607532 Diploma (Electrical Engineering) from Government polytechnic.

Age 27 years, 6 years Experience in troubleshooting and managing and Technical in substation as a Electrical Engineer. Seek suitable placement. Contact 92995899, Diploma in civil engineering having an experience 26years (22years in Oman) experience in Estimator / quantity surveyor looking for a suitable placement.

Willing to join immediately Contact: 96328687.

18 years experienced in Shipping, ShipChandling& Marine services.

Valied GCC D/L. Languages Known as English, Arabic, Hindi & Malayalam.Now in Visit Visa.

GSM : 9053 5565

LOST Shaheen kokub has lost Pakistani passport No. AA43335111. Finder place handover to ROP Mohammed Morshed has lost Bangladeshi passport No. BA0396014. Finder place handover to ROP.

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

TOURS

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED ED ONE STOP SHOP BUSINESS SERVICES Public relation services (PRO), Formation new companies, LLC companies, investor visa, business setup, prepare business & companies accounts, legal services, representing you and your company.

Contact Saleh: 96723485

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR Best Rates for Saloon Contact: 97869042 / 95730550 sales@modernreem.com

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steambath, obesity, spondylitis. Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 97397320 FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact:24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

Driver available with car. Contact: 96728056

TRANSPORTATION Ruwi, Muttrah, Al Khuwair, Muscat, Qurum, seek transportation. Contact: 91132238 Transportation. Contact 99508282 /93113534 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation. Contact 92015894 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. Contact 99839898

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control building. Cleaning tiles / Marble polishing monthly/ Yearly contracts available.

Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Office boys, Cleaning Contracts, General cleaning etc.

Al Mudakhir National Est. LLC Contact : 94277020 LEGAL SERVICE An Indian lawyer Provides all legal services in company matters.

Labour issues, contracts, agreements, LLC formation, legal help for starting new business in Oman, Civil, criminal cases,.service issues.

Ibrahim Al Massalhi.legal consultancy Sarafudheen, LLB, MBA, Legal Advisor Muscat. GSM: 97351649 Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064

House shifting. Contact: 99708138

Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.

Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC . contact:99344723 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 A/C maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing.

Contact: 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing.

Ocean center LLC. Contact:99344723 Split A/C servicing R.O 10 only.

Contact: 94217681 / 99210141

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130

Building maintenance.

Contact: 96173326

House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013

Villa cleaning, shifting, marble crystallization, tiles polishing, shampooing sofa & carpet. Modern Eastern Arms. 92145560 Sahal Al Wadi White Trad. Specialist in repairing of cold store, chiller, A/C & refrigerator.

Contact – 94528546

Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC .

Contact:99344723 *Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability