Times of Oman - May 18, 2016

WEDNESDAY May 18, 2016 11 Sha’aban 1437 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the 6th National Day, 1976

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ We believe that, provided we remain steadfast in our determination to strive together for the freedom and progress of Oman, the future is bright with promise.

Today, we renew to you all our pledge to dedicate our life to the service of our dear people and country.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 74

| 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

SHORT TERM LIVING Fears over job security hit Oman’s home rental market RAHUL DAS

rahuldas@timesofoman.com

Real estate agents report tenants are asking for shorter term leases as they worry for their jobs, while figures show rents are down

MUSCAT: Jittery tenants are opting for three and six-month rental agreements instead of one year as the economic crunch continues to bite, according to realtors.

“It’s true that some agents are going for three and six-month agreements instead of one year.

“This is because of the uncertainty that some tenants are facing. To stay safe, they prefer short agreements for three or six-month depending upon their situation,

Tenants are asking for three or six-month contracts

rather than having a one year contract and ending it abruptly in an unforeseen situation as that can have its own implications.

“Otherwise, they are willing to move out if the agents/landlords don’t agree. The agents/owners also don’t want to see their properties lying vacant, therefore, they accept this as a better option,” Country Operations Manager of Eqarat, Salman Jalil, said.

Sudhakar Reddy, CEO, Al Habib, said: “We normally get request for short-term contracts, but that is a minor percentage of the

Summer shades of Salalah region

1

Muscat-Sohar pipeline to start by mid-2017

2

A 290 kilometre-long pipeline between Muscat and Sohar for transporting refined petroleum products, which is expected to start operations by mid-2017, will substantially reduce the number of tanker trucks transporting fuel and its cost. >B1

SPORTS

Oman favourites at WCL in Jersey

3

Oman cricket team will start as favourites when the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Division 5 competition gets underway in Jersey on Saturday. The Omani squad are given top seeding in the tournament. >C3

See also >A4, B1

BABA UMAR

babaumar@timesofoman.com

More than 70 killed in Iraq bombings

A13

TEXT MESSAGES

9,081 get approval for Haj pilgrimage FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A total of 9,081 people received text messages yesterday informing them that their Haj pilgrimage has been approved, even as more than half of the applications were rejected.

The number of approved pilgrims for Haj this year was announced by the Ministry of Endorsement and Religious Affairs.

Almost half of those who had applied received an approval, the

Ministry of Endorsement and Religious Affairs’ official social media account revealed.

The ministry announced that among the 18,587 who applied for this year’s Haj, only 9,081 were approved.

This number includes 5,787 males and 4,115 females. The ministry has urged pilgrims to register only with the formerly approved transport companies as any company outside that list will not be allowed to transport pilgrims.

MUSCAT: Majlis Al Shura has approved an in-house report calling for an increase in the number of nationals in managerial positions in the private sector.

The report states that 40 per cent of all senior posts should be filled by locals over the next five years, a top Shura member told the Times of Oman. (TOO) “It’s been approved. Now these recommendations will go to the Council of Ministers directly,” Shura member Mohammad bin Salim Al Busaidi told TOO in an exclusive interview.

“We have suggested that in five years Omanis’ proportion at the managerial roles must reach 40 per cent. Every year, they (private companies) should make a plan to increase (this kind of employment for Omanis) by 5 per cent. After five years it shouldn’t be less than 40 per cent,” he said.

Al Busaidi heads the Youth and Human Resource Committee of the Shura which framed the recommendations in a four-month long, first-of-its-kind report accessed by TOO. Times was the first to report

about the meticulous study by the Shura committee on the Omanisation plan at the top level in the private sector.

“They (Council of Ministers) will study all the recommendations and implement whatever they agree with. They will then reply to the Shura Council over what recommendations they have approved or have a different idea for,” he said.

Asked if there was any opposition to the report, he said, “There was no opposition. In fact, some members wanted it to be more than 40 per cent. There were discussions and we all agreed that it has to be 40 per cent.”

Quoting figures from the Ministry of Manpower, he said currently 79 per cent expats are working at the managerial or decision-mak-

ing positions in the private sector and only 21 per cent are Omanis.

“But this is not 100 per cent accurate, because some companies don’t go exactly according to the labour card. An employee could be a manger but his labour card doesn’t show that,” Al Busaidi said.

About degree holders working in private sector, he said there are 143,000 on leader and supervisory positions in the private sector and only 11.5 per cent are Omanis.

The Shura member said that in the next two years most of the Omanis will be graduating and every year there are about 44,000 Omani job seekers.

“Most of them will be graduates from universities and colleges.

Now we are targeting the private sector to see where they could fit,” he added.

BAN IMPOSED

Oman facing maid crunch as countries tighten screws REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com

MORNING MINUTE

rent,” said Salman Jalil.

“There are two choices for the agents/landlords: Don’t reduce the rent and let the tenant go, or reduce and let the tenant stay. The agents/landlords are going for the second option as they stand to lose more if they don’t oblige.

Tenants have many options available, and many tenants move to different properties even if the difference in rent is insignificant, because of the many options of newer properties available,” Salman Jalil added. >A4

Reserve 40% private sector’s senior posts for locals: Shura

OMAN

MARKET

not sure about his future.

“We are not sure of staying here for long, so we are going for the three-month agreement for the last six months,” he said.

Real estate agents admitted that rents are falling all over Muscat and in every street people can see notices for rents on buildings.

“Rents are falling and this has to do with the current market conditions and the demand and supply imbalance. Cost cutting and savings are top priorities and tenants are no exception. They want to pay less and demand reduction in

OVER NEXT FIVE YEARS

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

With the monsoon rains yet to hit Dhofar governorate, the landscape around Salalah is yet to acquire the green cover it gets during the Khareef season. That however, does not leave the place bereft of colour as these pictures taken by ‘Times of Oman’ reader Renu Singh testify. >A6

total. Majority still opts for oneyear contract, but few ask for the short terms.”

He added: “We fulfil demands of people. Some come and tell us that they have been terminated, so have to oblige them. What is the reason for one-year contract when someone is not secure about their job, so we extend for two months, three months and six months if people request us.”

Indian expat, Gautham S, who has recently signed a three-month rent contract, said that the market situation is volatile and he is

Average rents down this year as landlords told to be flexible

MUSCAT: Oman is facing a shortage of housemaids as countries that normally allow their citizens to migrate as domestic workers have tightened controls.

“The implementation of stricter rules, along with lengthy procedures and bans imposed on maids coming from certain African countries have led to a shortage of housemaids in the market,” Jerry Dantis, a manpower recruitment agency official in Oman for the last 26 years, told the Times of Oman (TOO).

“We can say that compared to 2015, this year, there is roughly a

20 per cent shortage in the availability of housemaids in Oman,” he added.

On Tuesday, an official from the Bangladesh embassy in Muscat said they are studying a set of new rules demanding an increase in the minimum wage and minimum employment age for housemaids.

According to a news report, the Bangladesh mission in Oman has formulated a new policy on the recruitment of housemaids and has conveyed the same to the expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Ministry in Bangladesh.

The news report added that the policy insists the age of domestic female workers should be 25 years and above, with the minimum

wage expected to be set at OMR90, equivalent to 18,000 Bangladeshi takas. The sponsor’s salary should be OMR700.

Currently, the minimum wage is OMR75 and the sponsor’s salary is OMR500.

The policy also aims to discourage workers being employed by people other than citizens of Oman and Bangladesh.

Mohammed Sanaullah, a Bangladeshi social worker, welcomed the move and said it will definitely help protect the rights of poor housemaids.

At the beginning of this year, Indonesia had stopped sending housemaids to Oman and other countries. >A6

HIRING DIFFICULT: There is roughly a 20 per cent shortage in the

availability of housemaids in Oman.

A2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

OMAN

238

was the number of packets of morphine seized by ROP from four people arrested on drug charges

CRIME

Four arrested on drug charges Times News Service

Public Prosecution for trial.

MUSCAT: Four people were arrested on drugs possession charges in Seeb, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) reported. They were accused of trading in drugs, which included 238 packets of morphine, 271 discs of other types of drugs and three pieces of hashish.

The accused were referred to

Intimidation The Royal Oman Police also reported that ďŹ ve citizens were arrested in Buraimi on charges of intimidation with weapons while being drunk.

A source reported that after a citizen had been beaten by one of the accused due to a dispute,

he had informed the ROP. In the presence of police officers, the accused refused to surrender and resisted the arrest by police ofďŹ cers. According to the ROP, the accused were later arrested from their house after a raid. The three arrested were female of African nationalities.

All were referred to Public Prosecution.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY SHARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

Share your world with us on Instagram

N E W D ATA

Female students in higher education outnumber males MUSCAT: More female students than males are pursuing higher education in Oman, according to the latest data, and more students are opting for private tuition over government run colleges.

The Statistics Department at the Admission Centre reported that for the academic year 2014/15, 57.7 percent of all students in higher education were female.

During the same academic year, private higher education institutions in the Sultanate hosted more students compared to the government higher education institutions.

The number of students in the private institutions was 68,350 students, or 51.9 per cent, compared to 63,410 students in the government institutions.

The number of students who received a bachelor’s degree for the same year, 2014/15, was the highest ever for the Sultanate, with 83.2 per cent of all students for that year receiving the award.

Around 14 percent of all students received a diploma, while just 2.6 percent achieved a master’s degree and an even smaller slice of students, 0.1 percent of the total, were awarded a coveted PHD award. -ONA

OMAN

A3

A4

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

OMAN

It is clear that the retail mall sector in Muscat is going through a period of rapid expansion and we expect the significant growth will translate into an increasingly competitive market. For retail mall owners, we expect the strengthening supply pipeline will prompt the need to carefully consider market positioning, tenant mix and rental values in order to maintain good occupancy levels Philip Paul, Cluttons’ country head, Oman

Residential rents dip in Muscat: Cluttons Durrani, the head of Research at Cluttons, if the expected bottoming out of the

Average residential rental values by submarket during Q1 2016

According to Cluttons’ expectations, residential rents are likely to fall during 2016 by a further 5% to 10% on average across Muscat.

The study predicts that the best quality properties with prices at the lower end of the market are likely to remain stable.

(Monthly rent in Omani rials)

Apartments

0

Villas

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

Ruwi Qurum

Shatti Al Qurum Madinat Qaboos

market does not in

Traded value of property

fact materialise, then

Q1 2015

Q1 2016

1.322 billion

0.922 billion

Al Khuwair

(In Omani rials)

Bausher Azaiba / Ghubrah North Muscat Hills

demand for rental

The Wave Al Hail / Mawaleh

accommodation will

Mabella

continue to decline

(In square metres)

CBD Qurum Al Khuwair Shatti Al Qurum Ghubrah Azaiba

16 12

400.000

Unoccupied Occupied

300.000 200.000

8

100.000

4

0

Graphics

Source: Cluttons, National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

head, Oman, said they continue to see increased vacancy levels in stock that is perceived to be secondary, presenting landlords with a significant opportunity to take a long term view and refurbish during this emerging void period.

Average rents “With average rents slipping across Muscat, tenants are now benefitting from a choice, although Cluttons advises that good quality property that is correctly priced is still being snapped up quickly. Tenants are focused on good quality accommodation, with well managed facilities and amenities. With that in mind, upgrading stock is certainly advantageous for landlords at this time,” Paul said.

He added that in the sales market, Cluttons has recorded price declines across the board, with buyers now watching for affordable options as the market adjusts to the new market reality.

Cluttons’ research further revealed that during the first quarter of 2016, transactional volumes across the Sultanate were slightly lower than in the same period in 2015, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

The figures showed that the

traded value of property during this period decreased from OMR1.322 billion in Q1 of 2015 to OMR0.922 billion in Q1 this year.

“This decline reflects the squeeze on disposable household incomes across the region as the era of low oil prices beds in. Going forward, we expect this trend to persist, particularly as oil prices appear unlikely to stage a comeback in the near term. With the region’s governments rushing to diversify income streams through the introduction of new fees and taxes and the dismantling of energy subsidies, household incomes in the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) are expected to come under further pressure, with disposable incomes also likely to fall and Oman has not been immune to this,” Paul added.

According to Cluttons, rents across most of Muscat’s main office markets have remained steady for the ninth consecutive quarter, despite strong headwinds for economic growth.

The only sub-market that has shown movement in rents in the past one year is Shatti Al Qurum, where office rents have risen by 6 per cent to OMR8.50 per square metre (psm).

Durrani said they are aware of instances where landlords have

2015

2013

2014

2012

2011

2010

2009

2007

2008

2005

2006

Q1 2015

Q3 2014

Q4 2014

Q2 2014

2013

Q1 2014

2011

0 2012

MUSCAT: Average residential rents in Muscat dipped in the first quarter and are likely to fall further if the current economic conditions prevail, Cluttons’ Muscat Spring 2016 Property Market Outlook revealed.

“Average residential rents dipped by 5.9 per cent during the first quarter (Q1), leaving them 12.7 per cent below Q1 in 2015.

The decline was led by the villa market, leaving average monthly villa rents at just over OMR1,004, which is 14.1 per cent lower than Q1 of 2015. Wide ranging redundancy programmes in key sectors, with the oil and gas sector still shrinking, are having a direct impact on rental levels,” the report stated.

According to Faisal Durrani, the head of Research at Cluttons, if the expected bottoming out of the market does not in fact materialise, then demand for rental accommodation will continue to decline over the next six to 12 months, exerting further downward pressure on rents, particularly as core sectors, such as oil and gas, continue to show signs of shrinking.

“With this in mind, it is our expectation that rents during 2016 are likely to fall by a further 5 to 10 per cent, on average, across Muscat. However, it is worth highlighting that better quality properties priced at the lower end of the budget spectrum, at between OMR250 per month and OMR500 per month, are likely to remain stable,” Durrani added.

Philip Paul, Cluttons’ country

Occupancy at existing malls

(Monthly rent in Omani rials per square metres)

2010

Staff Reporter

Office rents across Muscat’s key submarkets

2009

to 12 months

Sur Al Hadid

2008

over the next six

‘Need to donate blood regularly’ REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com

PROPERTY MARKET OUTLOOK According to Faisal

ACTIVISM

used the recent increase in the lease registration fee from 3 per cent to 5 per cent as a way to support asking for rents in the first year of tenancies; however going forward we expect to see significant concessions made in order to attract and more importantly, retain existing tenants.

“With this in mind, it is our view that average monthly rents, which roughly hover between OMR4 and OMR9 psm per month, are likely to decline by OMR1 to OMR2 psm across the board over the course of the year as the market adjusts to the challenging economic environment,” Durrani stated.

The report also highlighted that after limited growth between 2005 and 2012 in the retail market, recent years have seen the introduction of a significant amount of new retail mall space in Muscat, which has increased the supply of leasable space by approximately 75 per cent over the last three years alone.

The most notable malls introduced during this period are the Muscat Grand Mall, the Avenues Mall and the Panorama Mall, which are all located in Bausher.

Despite the marked increase in retail mall space, occupancy levels have remained relatively stable at around 85 to 90 per cent.

MUSCAT: People should come forward to donate blood regularly, rather than doing it only while there is an emergency, Faiza Ahmed Hussain from Oman Blood Donors (OBD) said.

“A majority of them donate blood when they have an emergency. But we feel that it should be the other way round. We should donate blood regularly so that the blood banks have sufficient back up when an emergency situation arises,” Hussain said.

Hussain is a member of OBD, which has thousands of online volunteers connected through different social networking sites.

“We started in September 2015, along with an Indian expatriate woman. When she left Oman for good, we took the lead. Now, our network had widened and we are able to help people in a good way,” Hussain, who is an engineer by profession, added.

Other than connecting people for blood donation, the group also organises awareness campaigns for blood donation.

“Many people do not know the rules, practices, dos and don’ts of blood donation. Through our campaigns, we sensitise people about blood donation and encourage others to come forward,” she added.

The group also uses social networking tools to spread the word.

“It’s all done by volunteers free of charge. Nadz designz take care of making posters and #Omaniyoon takes care video promotion.

Together we make it happen,” she added.

We started in September 2015, along with an Indian expatriate woman.

When she left Oman for good, we took the lead.

Now, our network had widened and we are able to help people in a good way, said Faiza Ahmed Hussain from Oman Blood Donors

On Monday and Tuesday, the group held a blood donation camp at the Central Blood Bank, where dozens volunteered to donate blood.

The blood donation campaign was also attended by Tawfiq Al Lawati, a Majlis Al Shura member.

Last November, the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) faced a shortage of 4,000 blood units (bags) on an annual basis, resulting in the postponement of appointments and surgeries.

The situation had also forced authorities to urge the public to come forward and visit the blood bank to make donations.

NOBLE CAUSE: Oman Blood Donors also uses social networking tools to spread the word.

SASH OF MERIT GRANTED

Sheikh Tamim bids farewell to Oman’s ambassador to Qatar DOHA: His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar received at the Emiri Diwan on Tuesday Mohammed bin Nasser Al Wahibi, Sultanate’s ambassador to Qatar to bid him farewell at the end of his tour of duty as the Sultanate’s ambassador to Qatar.

Sheikh Tamim granted the ambassador the Sash of Merit in recognition for his efforts in promoting the existing bilateral relations, wishing the ambassador success in his future assignments. The envoy expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Emir of Qatar, the government and the brotherly Qatari people for the support he received that facilitated carrying out his duty. -ONA

END OF TERM: Mohammed bin Nasser Al Wahibi, Sultanate’s ambassador to Qatar, expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Emir of Qatar, the government and the brotherly Qatari people for the support he received that facilitated carrying out his duty during his work in Qatar. — ONA

SLOWDOWN

< FROM

A1 ‘Rent prices have dropped’ The spokesperson for Al Habib, however, said that the rental pressure is location specific.

“Some locations have more rent pressure, some don’t, good location rents are still holding up. CBD, Qurum, Al Khuwair, Ghubra are holding up, a little bit of pressure is in Mabela and other localities. Yes, there has been a bit of a slowdown in the property

market, there is no doubt about it, but that is not enough to expect a significant deductions,” he said.

Real estate businessmen in Muscat said rent prices have dropped significantly from their peak rates of 2007/2008.

“This is simply because there is more supply in some areas compared to what is required,” admit-

ted a real estate agent.

According to realtors, the skyline of Muscat is undergoing a rapid change as older buildings make way for new ones to keep pace with the times.

“That is one of the reasons old buildings are really struggling to get tenants,” a real estate agent said. Most of these buildings came up post-1960.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

Tweet all about it

Education Ministry to run child care centres Quality of services offered to the children will be improved once they come MoE

ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: All child care centres in the Sultanate will gradually be transferred from the domain of the Ministry of Social Development (MoSD) to the Ministry of Education (MoE).

The decision was taken during a meeting between the ministries and representatives of Omani Women Association held recently.

Dr. Badr Al Mawali, undersecretary of the MoSD, said the centres will be included in the education system and the quality of services offered at the centres, for children between three and six years, will EVENT

Spanish film nights in Oman well received

The films were shown in the original Spanish, with English subtitles. – File photo

DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Embassy of Spain in Oman sponsored the sixth ‘Spanish Cinema Nights’ in Muscat from May 15-17 at the City Cinema Al Shatti.

Three films were screened, including Marshland, Box 507 and Thesis. This is the sixth year the Spanish embassy has organised the cinema event in the city.

Saeed Al Amri, an Omani university graduate who is very fond of the Spanish language and culture, viewed two of the movies and said he was delighted.

“I think it is a great opportunity to mingle with people from the Spanish community, watch their films and get to learn more about their language and culture.

“I was able to polish some of my accent by imitating the dialogues. I also got to meet and interact with Spanish people from different organisations. It was a lot of fun for me and my friend, who also came to watch the movies with me. I hope they organise this again,” said Al Amri.

The films were shown in the original Spanish, with English subtitles. The embassy event sought to offer a glimpse into the Spanish language and culture, noted officials.

“I have been to Spain a few times, and this event made me want to go back once again,” Al Amri added.

The three selected films were intense thrillers that offered suspense, drama and mystery from different settings and perspectives, showcasing the variety of Spanish cinema in this particular genre.

The Spanish cinema nights have been possible due to the joint efforts of the Embassy of Spain to the Sultanate of Oman, the Department of Culture of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Omani-Spanish Friendship Association, Union Fenosa Gas and Shatti City Cinema, according to a statement issued from the Spanish embassy in Oman.

Admission to the films was free.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

be improved once they fall under the umbrella of the MoE. Al Mawali also referred to the Convention on the Rights of the Child that the Sultanate had joined in 1996, in addition to the Child Law, which was passed in 2014. “It asks all of us to do our best to ensure that better facilities are offered to children.”

He added that realising this agreement needed time and that it should be implemented step by step. “We have been discussing this issue with the MoE for more than a year and now we are consulting the women’s associations.”

Al Mawali noted that it might take two years before all cen-

tres are transferred to the MoE. Oman passed a new Child Law in 2014, giving children several rights, including the right to participate in educational programmes. According to the MoSD, there are currently 57 pre-school facilities located throughout the Sultanate, which are managed by branches of the Omani Women Association and serve 8,116 children and 12 daycare centres serving 1,707 children from the age of three until school age.

Najla bint Mohammed Al Zadjalia, head of the Children’s Nurturing Institutions at MoSD, said the child care centres need to follow a plan and learning method that will meet the needs of this age group. She further stated that the centres being brought under one umbrella would unify the efforts and services offered to children, which will improve the quality and prepare the staff for training programmes.

A5

OMAN E D UC AT I O N

Indian School Muscat weighing fee rollback proposal of parents Staff Reporter MUSCAT: A fee hike at Indian School Muscat is under review, a group of parents who have moved the proposal have said.

The School Management Committee (SMC) is studying a pro-

posal they added. A lot of parents are calling for a roll back for the increased fee.

“The SMC has given us a word that they will study our proposal and till they complete it the fee hike will be put on hold,” a group of parents said.

Wilson George, Chairman, Board of Directors, Indian schools in Sultanate of Oman, said that they will follow the decision of the School Management Committee.

There are around 9,000 children studying from KG1 till Class XII at ISM.

A6

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

OMAN

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

PHOTO GALLERY W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N .C O M

SUMMER SHADES OF SALALAH

With the monsoon rains yet to hit Dhofar, the landscape around Salalah is yet to acquire the green cover it gets during Khareef season. That, however, does not leave the place bereft of colour as these pictures taken by ‘Times of Oman’ reader Renu Singh testify.

HOUSEMAID

NAMA GROUP EVENT

Sustainability prizes for students TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: School and university students took part in a sustainability programme organised by the Nama Group and were awarded for their projects and innovation at an award ceremony yesterday.

Dubbed as Nama Ambassadors, more than 40 college and 220 school students took part in the six-month programme, where they were trained in various aspects of sustainable development, such as social, economical and environ-

mental, and how to implement their projects for benefit of nation.

In the higher education category, Maryam Al Amri from Sohar University won the first prize for her brick recycling and manufacturing project, while Fatima Al Jardani was the runner up for her project involving the unification of three renewable energy sources. Khadija Al Balushi came in third for her desalination by solar power project.

The Hafsa bint Omar School from the Ad-Dakhiliya Governorate claimed first prize and was followed by the Fatima bint Asad

School, while Al Fadel bin Abbas came in third. The winners were awarded cash prizes worth OMR5,000.

The event was held under the patronage of Dr. Hamood Al Harthi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Education for Education and Curriculum. He said, “The projects were created with a long-term vision to be implemented by the appropriate companies. Of course the main idea is to save electricity and water consumption, as well as find a solution for environmental sustainability.”

< FROM

A1 Strict rules affecting supply In February, Oman stopped issuing visas for domestic workers from Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Guinea and Cameroon.

Nasser Mohammed, another recruitment agency official in Muscat, also confirmed that lengthy procedures and stricter rules are affecting the supply of housemaids, resulting in shortages. “It is quite hard to supply housemaids in Oman now. Their native countries have imposed tougher rules and lengthier procedures. It is quite hard to bring a housemaid to Oman now. This is affecting the market,” he added.

However, according to Dantis, stricter rules and more lengthy procedures are reportedly also leading to illegal trafficking.

“Many people find devious ways to bring housemaids to Oman,” he added.

Saud Salmi, a trade union leader, who is quite vocal about domestic workers’ rights and

welfare in Oman, said reforming the Kafala system is the one option that could help resolve this problem.

“A new agency with government control can be implemented in Oman where those who need a housemaid can go and hire. The system should be that the employer can hire the service and not the person, which can resolve 90 per cent of the existing problems,” the trade union leader said.

Rothna Begum, a women’s rights researcher on the Middle East and North Africa at Human Rights Watch (HRW), said it is important that countries of origin ensure adequate protection mechanisms for their domestic workers.

“But it is also a concern that recruitment agencies are choosing more unregulated forms of migration to bring domestic workers into Oman. Omani authorities should ensure that

domestic workers have full and equal protection like other workers by including them into the labour law, and reform the kafala system so that domestic workers are not tied to their employers,” she noted.

The HRW researcher added that the authorities should also monitor recruitment agencies to ensure that they are not trafficking women into situations of forced labour, and sanctioning those that are found guilty of doing so.

According to Bangladesh’s Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), recruitment of female workers for Oman has increased in the last four years after other housemaid sourcing countries, including Philippines and Indonesia, stopped sending maids to Oman.

The BMET data reveals that in 2015, there were 16,980 Bangladeshi maids in Oman.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

40

OMAN

Omani businessmen viewed the facilities and services of Shanghai Free Trade Zone

Ithraa signs pact to boost funding The agreement with Ernst & Young is for cooperation on inward investment matters and publication of a ‘Doing Business in Oman’ guide

MUSCAT: A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (Ithraa), Oman’s award-winning inward investment and export development agency with Ernst & Young yesterday.

Under the MoU, the two parties will collaborate on inward investment matters and publish a “Doing Business in Oman” guide.

“We’re thrilled to be signing this agreement and collaborating with Ernst & Young, an industry leader and consulting giant,” said His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said, Ithraa’s Director General of Investment Promotion.

The Ithraa Director General added: “We are confident this strategic arrangement will strengthen Ithraa’s work in promoting Oman’s offer as a great place to live, work and invest”.

Oman’s success over the last ten years has seen it take its

BUSINESS FRIENDLY: Oman’s success over the last ten years has seen it take its place on the world stage as a top GCC business location. – ONA

place on the world stage as a top GCC business location. With significant investment in airports, roads, free zones, industrial estates, technology parks and ports, the Sultanate’s status as an attractive and competitive business location continues to rise.

Companies relocating to Oman are finding modern infrastructure, a young, ambitious, educated and multilingual talent pool, world-class accessibility to growing GCC, Asian and African markets and a diverse range of affordable business and residential property.

“Team Ithraa is committed to attracting investment to the Sultanate and promoting Omanmade goods internationally. We take great pride in the informa-

TENDER BOARD

BOOSTING PARTNERSHIP: Dr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al Balushi, Director of Transfer of Science, Knowledge and Technology Office reviewed the available business opportunities. -ONA

Meeting focuses on Oman-US deal MUSCAT: Tender Board, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, yesterday organised an orientation meeting for directors and department heads at the Board on the Transfer of Science and Technology project.

The meeting covered the cooperation agreement signed between the Sultanate and the United States.

This agreement emanates from the desire of both the countries to enhance bilateral relations and support the international efforts to promote scientific and technology development.

The agreement covers a range of areas of cooperation between the two countries including the exchange of visits among scientists, researchers, training of those involved in science and technology development activities, organising joint seminars and workshops and implementing joint projects in the field.

The agreement also enhances economic cooperation between the two countries through advanced technology applications and strengthening the efforts made towards conversion to

knowledge-based economy.

Further, the agreement gives priority to the cooperation that may serves the common aims in scientific research and technology fields and boosts partnership among public and private research organisations in science, technology and engineering fields.

It also encourages both parties to develop direct communication and cooperation among public and private organisations, research centers and institutes in scientific research and technology fields.

Dr. Yousef bin Abdullah Al Balushi, Director of Transfer of Science, Knowledge and Technology Office at the Foreign Ministry reviewed the available business opportunities in the Transfer of Science and Technology Project’s agreement.

The cooperation agreement for transfer of science and technology between the Sultanate and USA was signed in Davos in Switzerland on January 22, 2016 and was ratified by the Royal Decree No. 18/2016 issued on March 17, 2016. -ONA

DEFENCE

Oman, UK sign pact LONDON: Oman and UK on Tuesday signed an annex of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), which was signed in 1994.

It pertains to defence cooperation between the two countries.

It was signed by Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs and Michael Fallon, UK Secretary of State for Defence on

behalf of the two sides.

The annex represents a framework regularising mechanisms and procedures pertaining to the status of their forces and procedures of the judicial authority in the two countries on the basis of reciprocity. The two parties are given the same legal status for their visiting forces in the two friendly countries. -ONA

A7

tion and services we offer multinationals, SMEs and start-up entrepreneurs looking to invest in and export from Oman. We are a future-focused and ambitious country that is continuing to develop as a centre of international significance where both business and residents can prosper and thrive,” remarked Sayyid Faisal.

“In partnership with Ernst & Young, the goal is to produce an indispensable guide for entrepreneurs and businesses looking to relocate and do business in Oman. It will contain comprehensive and up-to-date information on everything from business structures, company registration, licenses and permissions through to free trade agreements,” concluded Sayyid Faisal. -ONA

OCCI

ENHANCING KNOWLEDGE

Omani trade delegation visits Shanghai free trade zone SHANGHAI: An Omani business delegation led by Said bin Saleh Al Kiyumi, Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) on Tuesday visited the Enterprise Services Center of Shanghai free trade zone in China.

The delegation, which comprised 40 Omani businessmen viewed the facilities and services of Shanghai Free Trade Zone. It was briefed on the mechanisms of supporting investments and the nature of the provided services in the zone, in addition to viewing the process of facilitating the licences and other services provided by the zone.

Al Kiyumi said that the Free Trade Agreement between China and the Gulf Coopertaion Council (GCC) countries will provide more fields of cooperation, pointing out that China is considered as the major trade partner with the Sultanate.

Complete model On his turn, Abdullah bin Saleh Al Sa’adi, Sultanate’s Ambassador to China stressed the importance of Shanghai free trade zone for being a complete model for other free zones, hailing the development witnessed in Shanghai at the various economic levels.

The OCCI delegation will organize on “Wednesday” “the OmaniChinese Businessmen Forum” in Guangzhou city in China. The event will discuss aspects of the economic cooperation between the two countries.

On the sidelines of the forum, businessmen of the two countries will hold bilateral meetings. -ONA

PARLIAMENTARY PRACTICES: The centre aims to provide train-

ing to memebers of the Houses. – ONA

Alawi inaugurates training centre for Council of Oman Times News Service MUSCAT: Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, patronised over the opening ceremony of the training centre for Council of Oman at its premises yesterday.

The ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri,Chairman of State Council , Sheikh Khalid bin Hilal Al Ma’awali, Chairman of the Shura Council, a number of ministers, members of the State Council and Shura Council and Secretary Generals of Ministries.

The training centre aims to provide lectures and training programmes in various administrative, legislative, legal, economic and protocol, public relations, media, social and educational fields to the members and staff of the Council of Oman.

This initiative is in response to the direction of the State

Council and the Shura Council in establishing the foundations for responsible parliamentary practices, which are critical for various national issues, and help members of both Houses connect institutions to perform their legislative and oversight functions efficiently.

Workshops The Centre will establish seminars and workshops, aim at enhancing knowledge and scientific capabilities, expertise in the two Councils, and enable the personnel to perform their role efficiently in providing technical support to the members of both Councils.

This will enable raising of awareness regarding the functions of parliamentary institutions and consolidate the parliamentary culture designed in accordance with the values and principles and the correct concepts. -ONA

A8

T IME S O F O MAN

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

INDIA C O M M E N TA RY

Drought, floods or hail, Uttar Pradesh at centre of all political slugfest MOHIT DUBEY

It’s not without reason that Uttar Pradesh is at the centre of any and every thing even remotely connected with politics.

And so, it is no wonder that in this most populous state of the country, even matters of relief in situations of natural calamity — floods, droughts and hailstorms — spur politicians and governments in combative political slugfest!

Just last week, all hell broke loose and scribes were made to toil late night by the state government’s mandarins to try and tell the world, through the might of their pen (laptops) that the ‘water express’ tanker train sent to Mahoba in parched Bundelkhand was a “gimmick” and “politically motivated” move of the Narendra

Modi-led central government to put Akhilesh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party (SP) government in the state on the mat. While some hacks fell into the trap, old timers smiled and probably let it go as routine because the state and the centre have a long and acrimonious history of fights on such issues.

Sample this: Bundelkhand has been suffering both the vagaries of nature and a fight for political oneupmanship for years.

Many years ago, Rahul Gandhi — he wasn’t the Congress vicepresident then — visited the region and within days of his hugelyphotographed trip, the United Progressive Alliance released a ‘Bundelkhand package’ running into millions of rupees.

The Congress, with many of its leaders from the region holding

The state demanded Rs7,543 crore (over $1 billion) for providing relief to farmers while the NDA government released just Rs2,801 crore, triggering a war of words between the two governments

plum posts in the ruling dispensation as well as in the government, claimed it was the party’s “humane package for the needy”.

The then chief minister, Mayawati, termed it to be “crocodile tears” and went on to say that she was at the forefront of relief to this region. The present Akhilesh Yadav government was at logger-

heads with the UPA-II government, which it supported from outside, when the 1,000-plus fleet of ambulances purchased under the centrally-funded National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) were termed ‘Samajwadi Ambulance Service’. The centre protested but to no avail and the ambulances were rolled out by the state, in defi-

Economic ties on top of Modi’s agenda in Iran development model” and both countries are interested in investing in each other’s development”.

“Iran follows the Modi model,” he said, adding that while many developing countries see Modi as a role model, even developed countries expect a lot from him and are quite impressed by his leadership quality and personality.

India is looking at doubling oil imports from the Islamic Republic, which a few years back was its second-biggest oil supplier, as well as getting rights to develop a giant gas field

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Iran on May 22-23 as India looks at stepping up engagement with the sanctions-free energy-rich nation.

India is looking at doubling oil imports from the Gulf nation, which a few years back was its second-biggest oil supplier, as well as getting rights to develop a giant gas field.

“At the invitation of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr Hassan Rouhani, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to Iran on May 2223, 2016,” the Ministry of External Affairs said announcing the visit.

During the visit, Modi will call on the Supreme Leader of Iran and

BILATERAL TIES: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will call on the

Supreme Leader of Iran and will hold talks with President Hasan Rouhani on his two-day visit to Iran. - Bloomberg file photo

will hold talks on a wide range of subjects of mutual interest with Rouhani. Post-sanctions Iran has seen a flurry of diplomatic and business activity with leaders from China to Russia courting Tehran.

In the run-up to Modi’s visit, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj had visited Tehran.

“India and Iran share longstanding civilisational ties. Iran is situated in India’s extended neighbourhood and the two countries have significant overlap in their economic and security space.

“The visit of Prime Minister

to Iran will seek to build on these commonalities by focussing on specific cooperation in regional connectivity and infrastructure, developing energy partnership, boosting bilateral trade, facilitating people-to-people interaction in various spheres and promoting peace and stability in the region,” the MEA statement said.

The visit, it said, will provide thrust to expand bilateral cooperation and “mutually benefit from new opportunities in the wake of lifting of secondary sanctions against Iran earlier this year.”

In an interview to mark two years of the Modi government, Pradhan told the ETV News Network that Iran “is a fan of Modi’s

Energy cooperation Energy cooperation is expected to dominate the agenda of Modi’s two-day visit. India will also take up the proposal for allowing ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) to develop the Farzad B gas field in Iran.

OVL, along with Oil India and Indian Oil, had invested about $100 million in Farzad-B gas field, but production could not be started owing to the international sanctions on Iran on the nuclear issue.

The Indian government recently approved a credit of $150 million from the Exim Bank for development of Iran’s Chabahar Port.

Pradhan said that oil and gas production in India had improved as a result of a lot of policy decision taken by the government in the last two years. Besides, there is a lot of potential in the east coast and the Krishna Godavari Basin and the government is going to give more emphasis in these areas.

He also said that a long-delayed refinery would soon be set up in Rajasthan, as well as “many other industries”, about which he had already held meetings with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

“Now, we are waiting for the green signal,” he said. - Agencies

ance of the union health ministry’s instructions. As a consequence, while Akhilesh Yadav generated some goodwill, specially in the countryside, funds to run the service dried up as the central government held back the money.

The state government has since been running the service from its own resources.

Another unsavoury spat that rocked centre-state relations was in early 2015 when hailstorms and rain wreaked havoc.

The state demanded Rs.7,543 crore (over $1 billion) for providing relief to farmers while the NDA government released just Rs.2,801 crore, triggering a war of words between the two governments.

The state said it’s too little, and the centre claimed funds were not being spent well.

The UPA government, too, responding to a demand of Rs100,000 crore by the state, had only sanctioned Rs13,762 crore between 2010 and 2014 for relief measures.

The NDA regime had in 2014-16 given Rs4,200 crore and has accused the SP government of not giving proper reports in time.

The ‘Samajwadi Drought Relief Package’ containing foodgrain, milk powder, rice and vegetable oil currently being distributed in the Bundelkhand region in bags carrying images of a beaming Akhilesh Yadav has also become a bone of contention. The centre and the BJP claim that 75 percent of the funds for this have been given from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF). Surely, some relief is required from this acrimony! - IANS

FA C E B O O K I N T E R A C T I O N

CBSE results to be out on time before May 31, says Irani NEW DELHI: Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani on Tuesday said the results of Central Board of Secondary Education Board exams for class X and XII will be declared “on time” before the end of this month and, as per a decision taken earlier, state boards are also expected to declare their results

by May 31.

In an interaction with students on social media website Facebook, Irani also said her ministry has readied a Cabinet note for upgrading Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad to an IIT. When a student expressed apprehension that the CBSE results would be late, Irani asked her “not to worry” and assured that “results will be out on time”.

In reply to another query, Irani said in October 2015, at a meeting headed by Secretary, School Education, HRD Ministry with all state boards, “a decision was taken that all results across the country will surely be declared

by May 31”.

She, however, added that since education is on the concurrent list “we at the Centre have to respect the right of state government to engage with students through their board at their administrative convenience”.

During the hour-long interaction, Irani was asked over 2,000 questions, including several related to National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) exam, to which she replied that the matter fell within the domain of the

Smriti Irani

Health Ministry and it would be unfair for her to comment on the sensitive issue.

New education policy Irani also said the draft of the new education policy will be submitted by the TSR Subramaniam Committee soon. Replying to a question on the review and updating of the National Curriculum Framework, Irani said, “It can only be revised once the new education policy comes forth”.

Responding to a suggestion Irani said celebrations of Constitution Day in schools bore good results as students were really engaged and interested. On a demand for opening varsities in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Irani said the state already has two central universities and her ministry is looking forward to opening a new Indian Institute of Technology. - PTI

T I M E S OF OM AN

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

A9

INDIA Swamy demands Raghuram Rajan’s immediate sacking Rajan gradually raised the shortterm lending rate from 7.25 per cent to 8 per cent and had retained the high rates throughout 2014.

Swamy had last week stated that Rajan was ‘not appropriate for the country’ as he had in the garb of controlling inflation raised interest rates leading to ‘collapse of industry and rise of unemployment in the economy’

NEW DELHI: Stepping up his attack on Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Subramanian Swamy has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sack him immediately claiming he was “mentally not fully Indian” and alleging he has “wilfully” wrecked the economy.

However, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh reacted sharply to the attack on Rajan saying why Swamy does not hit his “real target” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley but “set up dummy targets” like the RBI Governor who cannot speak out.

BJP spokesperson on economic affairs Gopalkrishna Aggarwal said Swamy is a senior leader whose opinions “definitely matters” but added the final say will be with the government.

Following up on his barb last week that Rajan should be sent

OUT OF FAVOUR: Raghuram Rajan was appointed RBI governor by the previous UPA government in September 2013 for a three-year term, which can be extended. - Reuters file photo

back to Chicago, Swamy has written a letter to the prime minister saying how a person appointed by the United Progressive Alliance government should be continued in the post.

“I cannot see why someone appointed by the UPA government who is apparently working against Indian economic interests should be kept in this post when we have so many nationalist-minded experts available in this country for the RBI governorship,” he said.

The newly-nominated MP urged Modi “to terminate the appointment of Dr Raghuram Rajan in the national interest.”

Recommend “The reason why I recommend this is that I am shocked by the wilful and apparently deliberate attempt by Dr Rajan to wreck the Indian economy,” he said adding his concept of raising interest rates to contain inflation was “dis-

astrous.” Also, bad loans with public sector banks has doubled to Rs 3.5 lakh crore in two years, he said.

Rajan was appointed RBI governor by the previous UPA government in September 2013 for a three-year term, which can be extended.

“These actions of Dr Rajan lead me to believe that he is acting more as a disrupter of the Indian economy than the person who wants the Indian economy to improve. Moreover he is in this country on a Green Card provided by the US government and therefore mentally not fully Indian.

Otherwise why would he renew his Green Card as RBI Governor by making the mandatory annual visit to the US to keep the Green Card current?” he wrote.

At an event here on Monday, Jaitley had declined to wade into speculation whether Rajan would get a second term or not.

“As far as finance ministry and

The reason why I recommend this is that I am shocked by the wilful and apparently deliberate attempt by Dr Rajan to wreck the Indian economy Subramanian Swamy BJP leader

RBI are concerned, there is an institutional relationship between the two. It is a very matured relationship. We at the highest level at the two institutions have discussion and each other’s view is considered between us,” the minister had said.

Swamy had last week stated that Rajan was “not appropriate for the country” as he had in the garb of controlling inflation raised interest rates leading to “collapse of industry and rise of unemployment in the economy.”

Rajan’s three-year term ends in early September and if an extension is denied, he will be the first RBI governor since 1992 to not have a five-year term.

His predecessors — D. Subbarao (2008-2013), Y. V. Reddy (20032008), Bimal Jalan (1997-2003) and C. Rangarajan (1992-1997) had five-year terms.

After assuming charge as RBI governor in September 2013,

Inflationary concerns He kept the rates high, citing inflationary concerns despite intense pressure from the Finance Ministry and the industry for softening them with a view to boosting growth. The governor began the process of lowering the rates in January 2015 and since then it has come down by 1.50 per cent to 6.50 per cent. Ramesh said RBI was a respected and venerable institution and beyond politics.

Rajan is one of the most eminent central bankers in the world, acknowledged authority in finance and monetary economics.

“Why doesn’t Dr Swamy come out and hit the real target. His real target seems to be the finance minister. Why set up dummy targets like the Governor of Reserve Bank who can’t speak unfortunately. Governor is not going to enter into a public spat,” he said.

Swamy, who was earlier this month nominated to Rajya Sabha by the BJP government, said Rajan’s concept of containing inflation by raising interest rates was “disastrous.”

“When the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) started to decline due to induced recession in the small and medium industry, he shifted the target from WPI to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) which has not however declined because of retail prices. On the contrary it has risen.

“Had Dr Raghuram Rajan stuck to WPI interest rates would have been much lower today and given huge relief to small and medium industries. Instead they are squeezed further and consequent increasing unemployment,” he wrote. - PTI

SCHEDULING ISSUES

Parrikar’s visit to Oman, UAE gets delayed NEW DELHI: The proposed official trip of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to United Arab Emirates on Tuesday has been delayed due to certain scheduling issues and he will now travel to Oman on May 20 and then to the Emirates.

Defence sources said Parrikar will first travel to Oman where he will hold talks with the country’s top leadership. He will then visit UAE on May 22-23, they said.

Parrikar would be the first Indian defence minister to travel to UAE. Parrikar’s visit to the country comes just ahead of an air exercise being held between the air force of the two countries this month.

Indian fighter planes will stop by in UAE on the way back from the Red Flag air exercise in the US. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi Modi’s visit last year, India and UAE had decided to establish a strategic security dialogue and boost defence ties besides resolving to work together in counter-terrorism operations, combating money laundering, drug trafficking and trans-national crimes. Ahead of Parrikar’s visit, a flotilla of three warships had reached Dubai on May 7 to demonstrate India’s commitment to maritime relations with countries in the Gulf region. He will visit Oman, considered to be closest to India among the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCC), on May 20.

Oman had signed a military protocol with India in 1972, which led to a three-year deputation of Indian Navy personnel to man Oman’s Navy in 1973. An MoU on defence cooperation was also signed between India and Oman in 2005.

Areas of cooperation include joint military exercises, military training and IT, educational courses and exchange of observers and formal visits. India had trained 150 Omani military personnel in 2014-15. - PTI

STUNNING LOSSES

AAP, Congress thrash BJP in Delhi civic by-elections NEW DELHI: The BJP on Tuesday suffered stunning losses in byelections to Delhi’s civic bodies, winning only three of the 13 seats.

First-timer Aam Aadmi Party got five seats and the Congress four. An independent who also won later joined the Congress.

Both Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress leader Ajay Maken claimed victory.

Kejriwal said the people of Delhi had reaffirmed their faith in the Aam Aadmi Party, which stormed

to power in assembly elections in February last year.

He said that in a municipal body where only the BJP and Congress had a presence, “outsider AAP” had gained the maximum seats.

He vowed to sweep when fresh elections were held next year for the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) and South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC).The three bodies originally made up the Delhi Mu-

nicipal Corporation (MCD), the city’s biggest civic body.

The Congress, wiped out in last year’s assembly polls, said the poor had begun to return to its fold.

“The traditional Congress voters including safai karmacharis, street vendors and slum dwellers have returned to the Congress fold,” its leader Ajay Maken told the media.

“The minority vote has also shifted to the Congress,” he said.

The Congress bagged four seats despite the “money, muscle and

administrative power of the AAP and BJP”, he added.

The results upset the BJP, which controls all three civic bodies. It retained only two of seven wards it won in 2012 while wresting one seat. It lost two seats each to Congress and AAP and one to an independent. Both the Congress and BJP said the results showed that the people of the capital were moving away from the AAP after voting for it overwhelmingly in the 2015 assembly elections. - IANS

JUBILANT: AAP workers celebrate their win in MCD by-elections

outside Delhi CM’s residence in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PTI

A10

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

PAKISTAN CASH CROP

Mango exports expected to fetch more

BEATING THE HEAT

Pakistani residents play in the sea amid rising temperatures at Clifton Beach in Karachi on Tuesday. Pakistan’s Meteorological Department has forecast hot and dry weather in most parts of the country with the highest temperatures recorded at 47 Celsius in the southern Sindh province. – AFP

than $75m KARACHI: Pakistan is going to start mango exports from May 20 this season, targeting shipment of 100,000 tons which is expected to fetch more than $75 million, Pakistan Fruit and Vegetable Exporters, Importers and Merchants Association (PFVA) said on Monday.

PFVA Chairman Waheed Ahmed said the country had not met the previous export target due to a drastic fall of about 40 per cent in mango production.

The exporters, besides targeting traditional markets, will also try to tap new markets in China, Russia, Iran, Belarus and Middle Eastern countries. However, in the absence of much-needed vapour heat treatment (VHT) plant, the Japanese market will remain untapped for the third consecutive year.

Higher production The exporters had hardly exported 72,000 tons of mangoes last year, the lowest for the last five years.

However, production is expected to be higher this season than the previous year and it may touch 1.6 million tons.

Pakistan has been exporting mangoes to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Canada and European countries for many years and recently markets of South Korea, Japan, China, the US and Australia have been opened for the fruit. — Express Tribune

Taseer son credits faith, family, soccer games for kidnap survival In his first personal account, published on Tuesday, Shahbaz Taseer described torture, illness and drone strikes during his time in captivity, mostly with Uzbek militants inside Pakistan and later with the Taliban in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: The son of an assassinated Pakistani governor who was released more than four years after his kidnapping by extremist militants said the Quran, memories of his family and hearing Man-

chester United soccer games on an illicit radio helped him survive.

In his first personal account, published on Tuesday, Shahbaz Taseer described torture, illness and drone strikes during his time in captivity, mostly with Uzbek militants inside Pakistan and later with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Shahbaz Taseer was abducted from his hometown Lahore in 2011, months after his father, Salman Taseer, then governor of Punjab province, was killed by his own bodyguard over perceived blasphemy. He was released outside the southwestern city of Quetta on March 8.

Few details of how he was freed have been made public, nor of whether a ransom was paid.

Taseer said he was held by militants from the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in Pakistan’s lawless tribal areas and later in a jail run by the Afghan Taliban across the border.

“They (Uzbek militants) found perverse pleasure in torturing me,” Taseer wrote in The Daily Times, owned by his family.”But I clung to my faith and the Quran, the memory of my courageous father and the love of my family.

“I could not go home, but I could

bring my home to me. In my mind I visited familiar places. I conjured up my boisterous friends back home... and imagined myself to be a stand-up comedian.”

In the weeks since his return, Taseer’s humour has won him many admirers on social media.

Asked by a follower whether he was asked to formally join the Taliban, he said: “No, they didn’t like my sense of style.” His only friend, he tweeted on March 31, “was a spider called Peter.”

He also recounted how one of the guards, a Manchester United fan like Taseer, brought him an illicit radio and they listened to soccer games together - saying the guard considered it both a sin and guilty pleasure.

“Getting football news kept me sane,” Taseer wrote.”I would tell myself, ‘They are playing and winning for you’.”

Taseer did not go into details of how he landed up with the Afghan Taliban but said a Taliban elder helped him escape and he rode a motorbike for eight days from inside Afghanistan to Pakistan’s Balochistan province. “Looking back, I can see that I was always free,” he wrote.”No one can imprison you except yourself.” — Reuters

ORDEAL: This handout picture released by Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on March 9, 2016, shows Shahbaz Taseer, gesturing before boarding a chartered plane in Quetta on his way to Lahore. — AFP/Inter Services Public Relations file photo

PM’S DIRECTIVES

Four-star generals may get tenure extensions ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the law ministry to prepare a legal draft to propose amendments in the Pakistan Army Act 1952 in a bid to extend the tenure of four-star generals — proposing a one-year increase from their current threeyear terms.

The law ministry has already begun work on the draft which, if approved, will increase the threeyear term of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and other services chiefs, who have ranks equal to a general, by one more year.

The government, however, has yet to decide whether the legal amendments will be retrospective that is effective from the incumbent four star generals/services chiefs or the upcoming ones.

The development comes against the backdrop of the premier’s recent meeting with the military leadership, including the heads of other services chiefs, a source in the Prime Minister’s

House told The Express Tribune requesting anonymity.

Constitutional expert S. M. Zafar believes the government will have to move a resolution in parliament to bring amendments in the Pakistan Army Act 1952 if it intends to extend tenure of rank of general.

Amendment not needed “There is no need to amend the Constitution in this regard,” he added.

Habitual petitioner Shahid Orakzai, who has moved several petitions in the Supreme Court on military issues, said: “Army Act 1952 only describes tenure of ranks in the forces,” adding that the tenure of a four-star general is three years while a three-star let general’s tenure is four years and major general’s is five years.

Similar to the army chief, the air and naval chiefs (also fourstar generals) also have three year tenures. If the government

intends to extend the tenure of ranks of four-star generals from three years to four years then it will also be apply to the air and naval chiefs. A high-level official from law ministry confirmed the development but said work on the proposed legal draft would take take time.

Articles 243 to 245 of the Constitution of Pakistan directly relate to the armed forces. However, there is no specific language pertaining to the term of office in these articles. Article 243 states the president is empowered to appoint the services chiefs on the advice of Nawaz. The law ministry official said the proposed draft bill will introduce amendments in Pakistan Army Act 1952 which will require a simple majority in parliament to become law.

He went on to add that a simple notification would suffice when it comes to extending the tenure for the current army chief General Raheel Sharif. — Express Tribune

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

A1 1

ASIA

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Properties of IS sailing group raided The five, who were not named, were arrested last week after towing a sevenmetre motor boat almost 3,000 km from Melbourne to Cairns in the northern state of Queensland

SYDNEY: Australian counter-terrorism police on Tuesday carried out raids across Melbourne connected with five men accused of planning to travel to Syria to join IS via a journey that would start with a motor boat trip from Australia to Indonesia.

“The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team are currently executing a number of warrants in the northern and north-western suburbs of Melbourne as a part of Operation Middleham,” a Victoria state police spokeswoman said.

The men, aged between 21 and 31, were charged on Saturday with preparing to enter a foreign country “for the purpose of engaging in hostile activities,” an offence that

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

Rains drive more than 130,000 from homes in Sri Lanka

INUNDATED: Sri Lankan residents paddle around their home inundated by floodwaters in Pugoda, about 35 km from capital Colombo on Tuesday. - AFP / Ishara S. Kodikara

COLOMBO: Flash floods and landslides in Sri Lanka, triggered by more than three days of heavy rain, have forced more than 130,000 people to leave their homes for higher ground and killed at least 11, disaster officials said on Tuesday.

Troops have launched rescue operations in inundated areas of the Indian Ocean island, with boats and helicopters deployed to pull to safety more than 200 people trapped in the northwestern coastal district of Puttalam, officials said.

“This is the worst torrential rain we have seen since 2010,” said Pradeep Kodippili, a spokesman for the country’s disaster management centre, adding that many incidents were still flowing in from the 19 districts hit, among Sri Lanka’s 25.

Flooded roads and fallen trees led to traffic jams in the capital, Colombo. Trains were halted as water submerged railway tracks, officials said.

Families living beside rivers used boats to negotiate their way to safety. A DMC bulletin reported a total of eight deaths, ascribing four to landslides, and one

each to floods, electric shock, a lightning strike and an uprooted tree. But it did not reflect three further deaths in a landslide in the central district of Kandy, the DMC spokesman added.

Eight people have reported missing and nine have been injured, the bulletin said. Transport disruptions included the diversion of three Colombo-bound international flights, which went instead to Sri Lanka’s second airport in its south and Kochi airport in nearby south India.

Flooding and mass displacement due to torrential rains are common in Sri Lanka. The rains are expected to disperse slightly, weather officials said, as a low pressure area in the Bay of Bengal that brought them moves away, but strong winds will persist a few days longer. In 2014, a landslide caused by heavy rains killed at least 16 people in a hilly tea plantation area and more than 100 went missing. Flooding and drought are cyclical in Sri Lanka, which is battered by a southern monsoon between the months of May and September, while a northeastern monsoon runs from December to February. - Reuters

D E A D LY AT TA C K

Militant arrested over killing of professor in Bangladesh DHAKA: Bangladesh police have arrested a militant charged with the murder of a professor amid a surge in deadly attacks against liberal activists and other minorities in the South Asian nation, a senior officer said on Tuesday.

Rezaul Karim Siddiquee, 58, an English professor at Rajshahi University, was hacked to death on his way to work last month.

IS claimed responsibility for the killing of the professor for his “calling to atheism”. Police

however arrested a member of the banned militant group, Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh, thought to have been lying low since six of its leaders were hanged in 2007.

The suspect was arrested on Sunday and pleaded guilty in court, Rajshahi city police chief Mohammad Shamsuddin said.

“Four members of the local group took part in the killing mission,” Shamsuddin told a news conference. - Reuters

carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The five, who were not named, were arrested last week after towing a seven-metre (23-foot) motor boat almost 3,000 km (1,865 miles) from Melbourne to Cairns in the northern state of Queensland.

In an unrelated incident police in Sydney said that they had on Tuesday arrested an 18-year-old man for allegedly planning a terrorist act.

“We will allege that this individual was looking at possible sites in Sydney to undertake a terrorist attack and was making arrangements to acquire a firearm,” Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Neil Gaughan told

reporters. Police will also charge the teen in connection with a failed attempt to leave Australia in February to conduct “hostile acts” in a foreign country, Gaughan said.

Life imprisonment After he was barred from travelling abroad at Sydney Airport, Gaughan said, he turned his attention to carrying out a domestic attack. The charges carry a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Australia, a staunch US ally, has been on heightened alert for attacks by home-grown radicals since 2014 and authorities say they have thwarted a number of potential ones.

There have been several “lone

wolf” assaults, including a cafe siege in Sydney that left two hostages and the gunman dead.

About 100 people have left Australia for Syria to fight alongside organisations such as IS, Australia’s Immigration Minister said last month.

In 2014, police shot dead a Melbourne teenager after he stabbed two counter-terrorism officers.

Three months later, two hostages were killed when police stormed a Sydney cafe to end a siege by a lone gunman, who was also killed.

A 15-year-old boy fired on an accountant at police headquarters in a Sydney suburb last October and was then killed in a gunfight with police. - Reuters

OPERATION MIDDLEHAM: Australian Federal Police officers walk towards a house as they carry out raids connected with five men who were accused of planning to travel to Syria to join IS in Melbourne, on Tuesday. - Reuters/AAP/Julian Smith

A12

T IME S O F O MAN

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

#TRENDING ONLINE HOT PICKS MOST READ

MOST SHARED

TIMESOFOMAN.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/TIMESOFOMAN

TOTAL VIEWS

TOTAL PAGE LIKES

60,551,260

384,330

1 Four Indians ‘committed

1 Calls for more Omanis, not

suicide’ in last 10 days in Oman

expats, to be bosses

timesofoman.com/Oman

timesofoman.com/Oman

2 Sultanate braces for heatwave timesofoman.com/Oman

3 Majlis Al Shura discusses

Omanisation in private sector supervisory positions

Founder: Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman / Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Anees bin Essa Al Zedjali Chief Executive Officer: Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali EDITORIAL Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24813153 E-mail: editor@timesofoman.com ADVERTISING Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24812624 E-mail: advertising@timesofoman.com CIRCULATION Telephone: 24726666 Fax: 24818270 E-mail: circulation@timesofoman.com

timesofoman.com/Oman

2 Low cost airline Eurowings

4 Rising temperatures

plans Salalah service

threatening to affect agriculture in Sultanate

timesofoman.com/Oman

timesofoman.com/Oman

3 Heatwave likely to sweep

Sultanate

timesofoman.com/Oman

5 Auto dealers in Oman betting

4 Indian firm launches cost-

on Ramadan promotions to rev up sales

Printed and published by: Muscat Media Group Post Box: 770 Postal Code: 112

timesofoman.com/Oman

effective building material in Oman timesofoman.com/Business

5 No visits to Dimaniyat islands

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/OPINION

of Oman until October end: Ministry

timesofoman.com/Oman

LUCY P. MARCUS MOST POPULAR VIDEO

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/TIMESTV A truck plunged off a bridge near the Al Hamriya roundabout

The revolt against large pay packages won’t go away. For all the reported cases, many more are simmering beneath the surface of public scrutiny. Unless these companies address head-on the quiet hand-wringing among board members and grumbling among investors, they will find themselves on the front pages next

@horse_oman #camelridingsalalah https://www.instagram.com/p/ BFf5XFSnEjO/

ADAM MINTER INSTAGRAM.COM/TIMESOFOMAN

For a few days last week, China appeared to have its own, slowmotion Wikileaks. Via Twitter, someone using the handle @ shenfenzheng leaked personal information of some of China’s most powerful commercial and government figures, including Alibaba’s Jack Ma

«

Photo: Jennifer Mae Pecson

SHARE THIS!

READERS’ FORUM Train conductor needs to be applauded This refers to the Facebook post, WATCH: Video shows train hitting a truck and a train conductor’s heroic act, (May 15). Thank God, while running the conductor gave instructions to passengers. He just did what was to be done.. what a save!— Deepanwita Biswas,Muscat via Facebook

Scan this QR code to send letters to the Readers’ Forum, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com).

Set OMR500 fine for using cell phones while driving This refers to the Facebook post, Speeding, overload, use of mobile phone caused Hamriya accident: ROP, (May 15). In light of this incident, strong rules regarding using cell phones while driving needed. In my opinion, people will never change their attitude. I think OMR500 should be the fine if caught red handed for this offence.

— Pabitra Dutta,Muscat via Facebook

MELVIN SANICAS

Angola is facing a serious yellow fever epidemic – its first in 30 years.

Since the virus emerged in Luanda, Angola’s capital and most populous city, last December, it has killed 293 people and infected a suspected 2,267. Travellers have taken cases to China, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kenya. Namibia and Zambia are on high alert

Need to enforce use of mobile signal jammers in cars This refers to the Facebook post, Speeding, overload, use of mobile phone caused Hamriya accident: Royal Oman Police, (May 15).

In my opinion, a mobile signal jammer would be the best security feature for any vehicle. However, this measure would have to be enforced officially. — Yasar Arafath,Muscat via Facebook

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com When you really trust someone, you have to be okay with not understanding some thing.

GORDON ATKINSON

Richard J. C. Galustian

T

TWEET WE LIKE

INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY

Libyan quagmire to inevitably continue he decision on Monday in Vienna to provide ‘arms’ to a Libyan Government that exists in name only, the GNA, has taken the international communities stance from the sublime to the completely ridiculous.

Exactly what military kit is being supposed to be supplied? This is a critical question which needs a whole article devoted to it and cannot be dealt with herein because of space.

To keep it simple, the West has decided to supply ‘arms’ to a not yet in existence Government of National Accord (GNA) sometimes referred to as a Unity Government yet its core, the nine-man Presidential Council and its Prime Minister were not at all selected by any Libyan but by a combination of the UN, EU, US and UK. Within the EU the primary mover with the most commercial interests of that side being Italy.

The GNA/PC means sevenmen (as two dropped out) who are essentially two or three members sometimes available to be seen by visiting dignitaries at a heavily fortified Naval Base a couple of miles away from the Militia controlled Mitega Airport.

The PC of seven, if you will can be considered as a quorum for a yet to be selected 90 member government comprising of 30 ministers and 60 Deputy Ministers. The PC/GNA control no territory, no area of either Tripoli or Libya except for the one naval ‘bunker’ they can meet people in to maintain the facade that they are legitimate. Its a ‘ Potemkin Village’ lie of epic proportions.

But wait, the best I save till last. Their military component is an assortment of militias of varying shades of extremist mainly from Tripoli, Sabratha, Zuwaia and importantly Misrata. Not forgetting in addition the forces that represent the coalition between former LIFG (read for them an Al Qaeda affiliate) which has aligned itself squarely with the Muslim Brotherhood, best described as the Sinn Fein political wing to IRA terrorists of the 70s.

So as in Syria, the Americans are going to give ‘arms’ to the ‘good’ guys but not the ‘bad’ ones. Good luck with that one!

How will they - the Americans - determine where these weapons will end up. IS have friends amongst the GNA’s militias. Can America guarantee such weapons will not end up on IS hands?

When considering the above also consider this; a democratically elected parliament in the East, in Tobruk, selected a Government and appointed a commander of the Libyan Army, General Khalifa Hafter.

In the last 14 days that Army has secured almost if not all oil ports in the East. Hariga; Zeutina, Brega, Ras Lanuf etc and its soldiers are fortifying and holding these positions.

So whatever the puppet GNA say to its oil company based in Tripoli to sign international contracts and sell oil from the east, its not physically possible without the cooperation of the actual Libyan Army who report to their masters in the East. Oh and I forgot to mention the Russians, Egyptians and Emiratis do not recognise the GNA but do recognise the powers that be in the East of Libya. A very revealing detail is that Russia is printing 4B Dinars for the Eastern government, giving Tobruk the option to finance a breakaway State if it chooses.

Yet America and their other puppets, the UN and EU, chose the Tripoli ‘Dawn’ mishmash leadership of extremists over the Army. Why? Well one consequence is, for some yet unknown strategic reason, to provoke East Libya to secede and create their own country by a Unilateral Declaration of Independence (UDI).

Another possibility is the newly armed extremist militias of the GNA will by pass fighting IS, who if they have any sense will lie low in Sirte city, and attack their enemy, the Libyan National Army (LNA).

The latter possibility is the most likely.

For this reason alone, it is right to describe the pre-agreed decision to ‘arm’ on Monday the GNA, literally insane.

The PC/GNA bring absolutely no unity whatsoever to Libya.

Now consider a further problem. There is an enclave, a small city set in a high impenetrable mountain to the West of Tripoli called Zintan. They are well known as fierce highland fighters; they hold Saif Gaddafi; they also control the gas and oil pipelines that flow through valves in their territory which is to the west of Tripoli that pipe to Zawia where the Italians, Norwegians and Spanish have huge oil and gas assets and a port.

The UN, in their wisdom, last week sent their military advisor, a serving Italian general, by plane to Zintan to supposedly negotiate. Barely had the plane touched down when he was almost chased back on to his aircraft to make a hasty retreat. Zintan are loyal to the Libyan National Army. — Exclusive to Times of Oman

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES MAY 2001 Workshop lays stress on quality in healthcare MUSCAT: Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of increased intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution. This sentiment encompassed the proceedings of the threeday national workshop on “Quality Assurance in Primary Health Care (PHC)” that recently concluded at Hotel Holiday Inn, Muscat. The workshop has been the joint collaboration between the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation. The national-level workshop intended to attain dual objectives.

Scan this QR for full article

PICTOGRAPH

MUSCAT AVERAGE TEMPERATURE (0C) Maximum

47 49

46

44

47

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

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

Minimum

1804: Napoleon Bonaparte becomes the Emperor of France.

1860: Abraham Lincoln is nominated for president.

1917: The US Congress passes the Selective Service act, calling up soldiers to fight World War I. 1980: After rumbling for two months, Mount Saint Helens, in Washington, erupts 3 times in 24 hours..

13 12 2010

2011

13

2012

13 12 2013

2014

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

REGION Bombings kill 72, injure more than 140 in Iraq

DESTROYED: People gather at the site of a car bomb attack in Baghdad’s district of Sadr City in Iraq, on Tuesday. – Reuters

IS militant group claimed one suicide bombing which killed 38 people and wounded over 70

BAGHDAD: At least 72 people were killed and more than 140 wounded by three bombings in Baghdad on Tuesday, police and medical sources said, extending the deadliest spate of attacks in the Iraqi capital so far this year.

IS militant group claimed one suicide bombing which killed 38 people and wounded over 70 in a marketplace in the northern district of Al Shaab.

A car bomb in nearby Sadr City killed at least 28 dead and 57

wounded, and another car blew up in neighbourhood of Al Rasheed, south of the capital, killing six and wounding 21, the sources said.

Arrest ordered Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi ordered the arrest of the security official in charge of Al Shaab’s security after the attack, Abadi’s office said in a statement, without giving a reason for the detention.

Attacks claimed by IS in and around the city last week killed more than 100 people, the highest death toll in so few days so far this year, sparking anger and street protests over the government’s failure to ensure security.

Security had improved in Baghdad in recent years as sectarian tensions waned and the city’s perimeter was fortified. IS, the ultra-hardline militants who control parts of north and west Iraq, have not tried to take the capital but carry out increasingly regular suicide bombings there, hitting areas and government targets.

With the latest death tolls, fears are growing that Baghdad could relapse into the bloodletting of a decade ago when sectarian-motivated suicide bombings killed scores of people every week.

This has cranked up pressure on Abadi who is struggling to solve a political crisis or risk losing control of parts of Baghdad to IS militants.

Away from the capital, Iraq’s military is waging a counter offensive against the group.

A spokesman for the Baghdad Operations Command told state television the attacker in Al Shaab had detonated an explosives-filled vest along with a planted bomb. Initial investigations revealed that the bomber was a woman, he said.

IS said in a statement distributed online by supporters that one of its fighters had targeted militiamen with hand grenade and a suicide vest. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the other two bombings. — Reuetrs

F R A N C E ’ S I N I T I AT I V E

Global conference to revive Palestinian talks postponed PARIS/VIENNA: French President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday an international conference due in late May in Paris to help relaunch peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis would be postponed to ensure the United States would attend.

With US efforts to broker a two-state accord in tatters and Washington focused on its November presidential election, Paris has lobbied major powers to hold a conference that would set the groundwork to get Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table before the end of the year.

Paris has grown frustrated over the absence of movement toward a two-state solution since the collapse of US-brokered talks in 2014 and argues that letting the status quo prevail was, as one French diplomat, called it “waiting for a powder keg to explode”.

French Foreign Minister JeanMarc Ayrault had proposed May 30 for the talks, but US Secretary of State John Kerry is not available on that date, Hollande told Europe 1 radio.

“John Kerry cannot come on May 30. It’s postponed, it will take place, it will take place in the course of the summer,” he said.

“This initiative is necessary because if nothing happens, if there is no strong French initiative, then colonisation, attacks, terrorist attacks and several conflicts are going to continue,” he added.

Meeting in June A French diplomatic source said the meeting would take place before holy month of Ramadan, which begins around June 6, and that the United States had made some constructive proposals to the meeting’s agenda. He declined to elaborate.

The gathering of ministers is set to include the Middle East

Egypt’s president offers mediating role in peace CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi promised Israel on Tuesday warmer ties if it accepts efforts to resume peace talks with the Palestinians, urging Israeli leaders not to waste an opportunity to bring security and hope to a troubled region.

In an impromptu speech at an infrastructure conference in the southern city of Assiut, Sisi said his country was willing to mediate a reconciliation between rival Palestinian factions in an effort to pave the way toward a lasting peace accord with the Israelis.

“If we are able to solve the issue of our Palestinian brothers it will achieve warmer peace... I ask that

Quartet - which comprises the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations - the Arab League, the UN Security Council and about 20 countries, without Israeli or Palestinian participation.

Diplomats say that meeting will package all economic incentives and other guarantees that various countries have offered in previous years to create an agenda for an autumn peace conference.

Ayrault went to Israel and the Palestinian Territories on Sunday to sell the intuitive to the parties concerned.

Israeli Prime Minister Ben-

the Israeli leadership allow this speech to be broadcast in Israeli one or two times as this is a genuine opportunity,” Sisi said.

“I say to our Palestinian brothers, you must unite the different factions in order to achieve reconciliation and quickly. We as Egypt are prepared to take on this role.

It is a real opportunity to find a long-awaited solution.”

Egypt was the first of a handful of Arab countries to recognise Israel with a USsponsored peace accord in 1979, but Egyptian attitudes to their neighbour remain icy due to what many Arabs see as the continued Israeli occupation of land that is meant to form a Palestinian state. – Reuters

jamin Netanyahu told Ayrault that he remained opposed to the initiative. He questioned Paris’ impartiality after it voted for a resolution passed by the United Nations cultural body UNESCO. Regret Hollande voiced regret about that resolution. “There was an unfortunate amendment put forward by the Jordanians... which blurred this text,” Hollande said of the decision. “I promise to be extremely vigilant when the next resolution is put forward in October,” he said. “I will look at it personally,” he added. — Reuters

A1 3

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

A1 5

WORLD

The truckers slowed or blocked traffic on major roads and at strategic points, notably in the Bordeaux region of southwestern France, where they turned away deliveries to a supermarket and fuel supply hubs.

Canadian wildfire shifts north of energy research at ARC Financial Corp. “It’s realistic to think this outage is going to last about another couple of weeks.”

“The thing about it moving north is that it has potential to impact a much bigger part of the production and impact facilities that were deemed as having no damage,” she said.

Suncor Energy Inc, one of the area’s biggest operators, started a staged and orderly shutdown of its base plant operations, but said it has not suffered any damage to its assets. It has boosted fire protection around the facilities.

Some 4,000 workers were evacuated in the heavily forested northern part as Suncor Energy Inc started a staged and orderly shutdown of its base plant operations

CALGARY (ALBERTA): A massive wildfire around the oil sands hub of Fort McMurray, Alberta, moved toward energy production facilities on Tuesday, extending a shutdown that has led to lost Canadian output of one million barrels a day.

SPREADING DANGEROUSLY: In this NASA satellite image obtained May 17, 2016, smoke from wildfires burning near Fort Mcmurray, Canada can be seen. – AFP/NASA

The fire jumped a critical firebreak area where plants and trees had been removed to stop its spread late Monday, moving north of Fort McMurray into oil sand

A G A I N S T L A B O U R L AW R E F O R M S

Truckers block roads across France as new protests begin PARIS: French truckers blockaded fuel and food supply depots on Tuesday as marchers took to the streets in a further wave of nationwide protest against labour law reforms but President Francois Hollande said he would not back down.

Police arrested eight people after violent incidents on the fringes of a march in the western city of Nantes, while a Paris street rally was marked by skirmishes between masked youths and police who used tear gas to disperse them. With a train strike set to start later in the day, the week has been billed by French media as a make-or-break moment for a protest movement that has appeared to lose steam after months of sometimes violent demonstrations.

Hollande, whose popularity is at rock bottom a year before a presidential election, said he would not scrap the changes to one of Europe’s most protective labour laws - a flagship reform that would make hiring and firing easier. “I will not give in,” the Socialist leader told Europe 1 radio.

Police evacuated a FNAC consumer goods store in Nantes targeted by troublemakers. CGT union members in the southern city of Toulouse used concrete blocks to seal off the window of a Socialist Party office, while scuffles broke out at the start of a march in the capital.

The truckers slowed or blocked

traffic on major roads and at strategic points, notably in the Bordeaux region of southwestern France, where they turned away deliveries to a supermarket and fuel supply hubs.

Scores of protesters gathered in Paris for a large afternoon march led by CGT leader Philippe Martinez. They were joined by backers of the Nuit Debout protest movement (which loosely translates as “Night Uprising”) that sprang up in response to the labour reforms.

The SNCF railway predicted sharp reductions in regional, intercity and high-speed services when state train workers stop work for a protest running from late Tuesday to Friday morning.

Hollande said 1,000 people had been arrested and more than 300 police injured during the clashes of recent months, with some troublemakers travelling from overseas to join the unrest.

“People have a right to protest, but rioting is an offence that will be punished,” he said.

Last week, police figures suggested a significant dip in turnout at rallies, with a tally of 55,000 for a May 12 protest versus 390,000 at a similar event at the end of March.

The hardline CGT and smaller unions have called for rolling strikes by rail workers, dockers and airport staff over several weeks, as well as demonstrations on Tuesday and Thursday. — Reuters

A S S A U LT E D

Russian opposition leader attacked MOSCOW: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and fellow anti-corruption activists were attacked, thrown to the ground and kicked by a group of men at an airport in southern Russia on Tuesday, according to video posted on social media.

Footage showed the assailants, described by Navalny as Cossacks and wearing traditional fur hats, some in military-style fatigues and black boots, showering the group with milk outside the terminal of Anapa airport, about 1,500 kilometres (900 miles) south of Moscow, before setting upon them. Dmitry Slaboda, one of the Cossacks, said the original plan had been just to throw milk at Navalny and his supporters and to hurl insults at them, but that things had turned violent after one of them had elbowed an old cossack to the ground.

“The fight broke out because of that blow,” Slaboda told the Govorit Moskva radio station. “We just wanted to show them that there is no room here for Navalny who lives on American money.”

One of the activists could be seen lying prone on the ground after being kicked. Navalny said the man later had to be hospitalised. Five others, including Navalny himself, also suffered injuries.

Cossack paramilitaries, who style themselves as conservative patriots, helped Russia annex Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.

Cossack militia members also attacked the Pussy Riot punk group with whips and teargas at the Winter Olympics host city of Sochi in 2014 as they tried to perform a song mocking Putin.

Navalny, 39, who has accused top government officials from President Vladimir Putin downwards of graft, is one of the most high profile leaders of the country’s small liberal opposition and the founder of Russia’s Anti-corruption Foundation.

Russia is due to hold parliamentary elections in September and Navalny and his group were returning from a team-building weekend in the area when they were assaulted. — Reuters

camp areas. Some 4,000 workers were evacuated in the heavily forested northern part of the province. The uncontrolled blaze covered 285,000 hectares (704,000

acres), officials said Monday and was moving 30 to 40 meters (98 to 131 feet) per minute. “This is quite an unexpected u-turn in events,” said Jackie Forrest, vice president

Minimum staff Syncrude, majority owned by Suncor, has evacuated the majority of its workforce to Edmonton but left a minimum staff of about 100 people at its Mildred Lake upgrader and Aurora Mine. The company produces synthetic crude oil.

The fire also threatened Enbridge Inc’s Cheecham crude oil tank farm south of Fort McMurray. The blaze was about 1 km (0.6 miles) from the tank farm, but

firefighters had it under control as winds cooperated, officials said Monday. Enbridge said a firebreak around the terminal was being widened and crews were assessing other ways to suppress the fire like spraying down facilities. It said some pipelines in and out of the terminal were operating.

TransAlta Corp’s Poplar Creek cogeneration power plant, which provides power to Suncor, was also shut by early Tuesday due to the wildfire.

Prior to the latest setback, lost oil production was expected to average about 1.2 million barrels a day for 14 days, or roughly C$985 million ($763 million) in lost real gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Conference Board of Canada. The disaster is expected to cut about 0.33 percent from Alberta’s GDP in 2016, according to the nonprofit research group, but the rebuilding should add 0.4 percent to provincial growth next year. Global oil prices touched a six-month high on Tuesday, with the Canadian outages among factors lending support. — Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

OMAN CRUDE FIRMS UP

MARKE

Oman Crude (July delivery) rose 46 cents to touch $45.82 per barrel on Tuesday, said Dubai Mercantile Exchange. The average price of Oman Crude (June delivery 2016) also stabilised at $39.40 cents, a $3.06 per barrel rise over May delivery. – ONA

Muscat 5,959.33 - 13.18 - 0.22%

Dubai 3,301.74 + 11.37 + 0.35%

Abu Dhabi 4,325.23 - 20.08 - 0.46%

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

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

Kuwait 5,367.28 + 19.14 + 0.36%

Saudi Arabia

6,747.08 + 47.09 + 0.72%

Qatar 9,989.11 - 7.34 - 0.07%

Bahrain 1,108.10 + 0.37 + 0.03%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.27 Pound ............................................1.78 Indian Rs ............................. 173.25 Pak Rs ....................................267.24 Bangla Taka.......................201.69

Indian Rs ...................................173.50 Pakistan Rs ............................. 271.60 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.40 Phil Peso ................................... 120.35

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......16.35

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$45.63 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$45.43 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$48.23 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$44.68 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$48.85 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$47.83

* Rates are as of May 17 Source: Bank Muscat

The 290-km Muscat Sohar Product Pipeline is a strategic project of Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum

Andres Suarez. — Supplied picture

Industries

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A 290 kilometre-long pipeline between Muscat and Sohar for transporting refined petroleum products, which is expected to start operations by mid-2017, will substantially reduce the number of tanker trucks transporting fuel and its cost.

“The pipeline (Muscat Sohar Product Pipeline) is expected to be fully operational by mid-2017.

Even though initially the project was conceived in several phases,

it was finally decided to fully implement the project. This means that the whole pipeline network, as well as the Al Jifnain Terminal, will be ready simultaneously,” said Andres Suarez, general manager of Orpic Logistics LLC. The Muscat Sohar Product Pipeline (MSPP) is a strategic project of Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries (Orpic), aimed at fulfilling its vision of building an Omani integrated refining and petrochemical business. Suarez added that presently, many vessel movements arranged

by Orpic are transporting oil products between the Sohar and Mina Al Fahal Refineries and through

Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............154.50 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............145.00 * Rates as of May 17

* Rates as of May 17 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Muscat-Sohar pipeline to start operation by mid-2017 the new pipeline network and due to that transportation will no longer be required. In addition to substituting vessel transportation with pipeline transportation, which is safer and efficient, the elimination of the vessel movements will save $20 million per year for the oil logistics system in Oman.

He further said the new logistics system has been designed with the objective of optimising global costs of transport and distribution of oil products in Oman, including vessels, tankers and power used in the pipelines, irrespective of who bears these costs.

“In this sense, the location of the new storage and distribution terminal in Al Jifnain will optimise the oil products transportation by trucks and this will mean a reduction of approximately 24 per cent of the associated costs, and therefore of the tanker movements.”

In addition to the number of global truck movements, the Al Jifnain Terminal will facilitate reducing the number of trucks circulating in the capital area by 70 per cent, thereby increasing safety on the road.

The Muscat Sohar Product Pipeline and Al Jifnain Terminal

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ....... 15.70

project will also enable the connection of Orpic’s Mina Al Fahal Refinery in Muscat and theSohar Refinery with a new storage and distribution terminal located in Jifnain via a bi-directional pipeline network. The pipeline network is split into three sections—MAF–Jifnain Terminal: 45kilometres (10 inches), Jifnain Terminal–Muscat International Airport: 25kilometres (10 inches), and the Sohar–Jifnain Terminal: 220 kilometres (18 inches).

Latest technology Suarez said MSPP and the Al Jifnain Terminal Project will constitute state-of-the-art control systems with the latest control and automation technology, leak detection, and telecommunication network. It will also be equipped with loading facilities designed to cater to loading more than 500 trucks per day. “This new facility will make a significant change in the way the oil products are delivered to Orpic’s customers.”

“The loading process will be fully automated thereby significantlyreducing the waiting time for trucks drivers at the terminal and increasing the reliability of operations, as well as

the security process for drivers and Orpicemployees based in Al Jifnain,” added Suarez.

For bringing the logistics industry efficiency in Oman to the next level, Orpic has established a joint venture company—Orpic Logistics—with the Spanish firm CompaniaLogistica de Hidrocarburos (CLH), which has a long-standing tradition of 90 years in the logistics industry for oil products.

Further, the project will facilitate marketing of additional production, which will be available once the Sohar Refinery Improvement Project enters into stream.

The new 18-inch pipeline between the Sohar Refinery and the Al Jifnain Terminal will ease the distribution of oil products along the North coast, which comprises above 50 per cent of oil products in the country.

Another advantage of MSPP is the enhancement of road safety in the capital area. The terminals located in Mina Al Fahal, Muscat supply above 65 per cent of the country´s demand for oil products.

This means that many oil tankers are circulating every day in Muscat making road movement difficult and increasing safety risks within the community.

Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

N C S I D ATA

Real estate transactions drop by 30% MUSCAT: A 30.3 per cent slump witnessed in real estate transactions in the first quarter of this year at OMR922.1 million, against OMR1.32 billion for the same period last year, according to the latest report issued by the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

Fees collected by way of legal proceedings in the real estate sector increased by 23.7 per cent in the first quarter to touch OMR14.6 million compared with OMR11.8 million last year.

The value of sales contracts, on the other hand, posted a growth of 4.9 per cent at OMR297.1 million from last year’s OMR283.3 million, while the number of sales contracts saw a marginal increase of 0.3 per cent to 20,963 as against 20,894 contracts in 2015.

Meanwhile, traded value of mortgage contracts slumped by 40.2 per cent to OMR619.1 million from last year’s OMR1.03 billion, even as the number of contracts went up by 31.5 per cent to 6,969 compared with 5,300 mortgage contracts in the first quarter of 2015.

In all, 71,021 properties were issued in the first quarter, a growth of 14.7 per cent over last year’s 61,918 issued properties. – ONA

B2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

MARKET W E E K E N D G AT H E R I N G

Japan and US seen failing to bridge gap on yen at G7 TOKYO: A weekend gathering of G7 finance leaders may expose a rift on issues ranging from currency and fiscal policies within the close-knit group of advanced economies, dashing Japan’s hopes of mustering a coordinated policy response to spur global growth.

US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, Federal Reserve Chairman Janet Yellen and European Central Bank President Mario Draghi will be among Group of Seven finance leaders gathering in Sendai, northern Japan on May 20-21.

Japan has failed to bridge differences with the United States on the yen, with Washington dismissing Tokyo’s concerns that recent yen rises are excessive and instead pushing for agreements against currency market interventions.

The rift may be evident at the weekend G7 meeting, diminishing prospects of an agreement beyond reiterating the importance for exchange-rate stability.

There is also no consensus on how much fiscal stimulus the global economy needs with Germany resisting calls from Japan and the United States for bigger spending.

Japanese policymakers are taming market expectations, saying Tokyo never intended the G7 nations to agree on joint fiscal action it sees as only possible in times of crises such as the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.

The G7 will likely settle with a vague agreement on the need to deploy a “balanced” dose of monetary, fiscal and structural policies, officials involved in the negotiations say.

The result could be another meeting in which officials claim progress in pushing an agenda of structural reforms, rather than concrete steps to avoid a global recession.

“It’s just a way to say you did something when you did very little,” said Tamim Bayoumi, a visiting fellow at the Peterson Institute, a Washington think tank for international economics.

Jack Lew, US Treasury Secretary. - Bloomberg file picture

VITAL FACTS

Japan to struggle to overcome G7 rift on yen, fiscal policy G7 finance leaders to meet on May 20, 21

Japan, US seen failing to bridge gap on yen

No G7 consensus on size of fiscal spending

G7 seen settling on vague agreement for reforms

Finmin Aso, BOJ Kuroda to meet press May 21

While no communique will be released, Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso hopes to lay the grounds for a G7 leaders’ summit to be held next week, where measures to address stagnant global growth will be high on the agenda.

For Japan’s currency mandarins, the top priority in Sendai is to garner a G7 agreement on the importance of “exchange-rate stability,” officials with knowledge of the negotiations say.

That will give Tokyo justification to intervene in the currency market if it considers any yen gains as excessive.

It may also be the most the G7 nations can agree on given differences between Tokyo and Washington on what is defined as excessively volatile yen moves.

Lew said on Friday his views have not changed on Japan’s currency policies since a G20 meeting in April, when he told Aso that markets were “orderly” despite a rising yen.

He also said Japan has relied too heavily on monetary policy and needed to focus more on boosting domestic demand and pursuing structural reforms.

Japan insists that recent yen gains have been speculative and that a U.S. Treasury report including it in a new currency watch list did not constrain its currency policy. Aso has repeatedly threatened to intervene to stem yen rises.

“The United States will probably keep emphasising that countries shouldn’t resort to competitive currency devaluations, while Japan will argue that excess volatility is undesirable,” said a G7 source familiar with the negotiations.

“But no country, including the United States, will disagree strongly that exchange-rate stability is important,” he said.

Japan had hoped to garner a G7 agreement on the need to ramp up fiscal spending but has received a cool response from Germany, which insists on fiscal discipline.

If the G7 nations share their concerns over weak global growth, however, premier Shinzo Abe may use it to justify delaying a sales tax hike and deploy fiscal stimulus to resuscitate Japan’s fragile recovery, some analysts say. — Reuters

Luxury sales in region slides as crude prices fall Falling crude prices have crimped the spending power of luxury-goods consumers in the Middle East, while a weak rouble

FALLING SALES: Middle-East luxury sales rose just one per cent

to 8.1 billion euros ($9.2 billion) in 2015, slowing from the region’s four per cent gain in 2014, Bain estimates. — Bloomberg file picture

means fewer freespending Russians have visited the region, according to consultant Bain

DUBAI: At first glance, it might not seem like wallets are tight inside Riyadh’s Centria Mall. On a weekday afternoon, women with covered faces stroll the halls, drifting in and out of Dior and Burberry outlets.

But they’re not buying like they did last year, says Mohammed Fahmawi, a manager at the Saudi Arabian mall’s Gucci store. A year ago, more than 100 customers would come through his doors daily, Fahmawi said. Now, it gets 20 on a good day. Traffic’s also down at the Cartier store nearby.

“People are afraid,” he said, citing the economic slowdown brought on by the oil price slump. “They don’t want to spend their money.”

Falling crude prices have

crimped the spending power of luxury-goods consumers in the Middle East, while a weak rouble means fewer free-spending Russians have visited the region, according to consultant Bain.

Burberry Group and Milanbased Prada have said their sales in the region have been hurt by a lack of visitors.

“We’ve experienced a fairly strong drop in traffic in the Middle East,” said Hermes Chief Executive Officer Axel Dumas.

Middle-East luxury sales rose just one per cent to 8.1 billion euros ($9.2 billion) in 2015, slowing from the region’s four per cent gain in 2014, Bain estimates. A fifth of respondents in a survey of Gulf countries published last month, said they cut luxury consumption in 2015, compared with 13 per cent a year earlier.

The slowdown adds to the problems luxury-goods makers are facing as weak demand in parts of Asia, the strong dollar as well as terrorist attacks in Europe have crimped sales. The global luxury sector will expand just two per cent in 2016, making

it the industry’s second weakest year since 2009, estimates Italian luxury association Fondazione Altagamma.

In Saudi Arabia, cash withdrawals have declined for two straight months compared with the same period last year, according to central bank data. At Riyadh’s Al Faisaliah Mall on a recent Saturday, Missoni and Valentino’s stores were empty.

At Swarovksi’s shop, a couple of women were browsing. “I’m always frugal, whether now or before,” said Khuloud Saad, a 25-year-old graduate, who was wandering the mall with friends.

A 55 per cent slump in crude prices since June 2014 has also affected demand abroad. While a weak euro has made Europe more attractive for Middle Eastern consumers, they aren’t spending there like they used to, LVMH said in April. Global tax-free spending by shoppers from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait was flat in March after growing for seven straight months, according to Global Blue.

— Bloomberg News

ENERGY MARKET

Oil trades near seven-month high LONDON: Oil traded near a seven-month high on speculation that US crude stockpiles declined last week while supply losses in Canada and Nigeria whittled away the global excess.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was little changed in New York, while Brent erased gains as it neared $50 a barrel for the first time since November. Inventories probably fell by 3.5 million bar-

rels, the first two-week decrease since September, according to a Bloomberg survey before government data on Wednesday. Wildfires in Canada came to within a kilometer of an Enbridge Inc. oilsands terminal as warm weather and wind spread the flames.

Oil prices have advanced more than 80 per cent from a 12-year low earlier this year on signs the global glut will ease as US produc-

tion declines. WTI for June delivery rose as much as 70 cents to $48.42 a barrel on the Nymex, the highest since October 13 on an intraday basis. The contract was steady at $47.82 as of 12:04pm London time. Prices gained $1.51 to $47.72 on Monday, the highest close since Nov. 3.

Total volume traded Tuesday was about 16 per cent above the 100-day average. — Bloomberg News

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

B3

MARKET A R Q A A M C A P I TA L R E P O R T

Lifting of export ban on cement offers little relief for Saudi producers Times News Service MUSCAT: A ban on cement exports from Saudi Arabia, which was mandated in 2008 and renewed in 2012, may allow little relief for Saudi cement producers, according to a research note issued

by Arqaam Capital, the emerging markets investment bank.

“Export volumes would likely be capped at 20 per cent of output and possibly subjected to an export tax.

The net effect should be margins erosion, which partly dilutes the earning per share growth that results from the expansion in headline sales. In isolation, exports can dilute blended earnings before tax, interest, depreciation and amortisation (Ebtida) margins to about 30 per cent on average when transport costs are included into the equation. In our view, the cash margin per tonne of exported cement can fall by 40 per cent to SR60-100 per tonne, depending on the region it is produced in and the market exported to. The incentives to export then are the depletion of clinker inventory, or the utilisation of idle production

EXPORT MARKETS: The research report sees Yemen, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, East Africa, and Iraq as potential export des-

tinations. — File picture

lines,” said Mohammed Kamal, executive director, equity research at Arqaam Capital.

Fuel subsidy According to the research note, the exported cement volumes will likely be taxed an amount equivalent to the fuel subsidy they carry taking into account that the remaining subsidy of SR10 per

tonne was previously removed via reforms to industrial fuel prices.

This, coupled with transport costs of at least SR80-100 per tonne as opposed to SR50 per tonne domestic land freight costs between regions, should lift the average cash cost per tonne by 50-70 per cent to SR190-260 per tonne, eroding the bulk of the margin differential Saudi producers enjoy over

global peers. “We estimate about 30 per cent Ebitda margin on exported cement volumes, in-line with global averages, assuming selling prices in target markets are accommodating, and averaging SR300-400 per tonne,” said Mohammed Kamal “The domestic supply situation remains difficult. Sector clinker stocks have not budged since

Qatar’s wealth fund to create $100b unit About $100 billion of

Vodafone Qatar to cut jobs as loss doubles

the Qatar Investment Authority’s (QIA) stakes in companies such as Qatar Airways and Qatar National Bank will be placed into a new internal division named Qatar Investments

LONDON: Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund is undergoing its biggest overhaul since 2014, grouping $100 billion of investments in local companies into a new unit and abandoning the Qatar Holding name synonymous with its highest-profile deals, people with knowledge of the matter said.

About $100 billion of the Qatar Investment Authority’s (QIA) stakes in companies such as Qatar Airways and Qatar National Bank will be placed into a new internal division named Qatar Investments, the people said, asking not to be identified because the information is private. The fund is seeking to bring greater

DUBAI: Vodafone Qatar QSC’s plans to cut its workforce and write off nonperforming assets after the telecommunications company partly owned by Vodafone Group Plc posted a wider loss.

The company is reducing its staff by about 10 per cent and won’t recommend a dividend for the fiscal year, acting chairman Rashid Fahad Al-Naimi said in a statement.

He replaced Sheikh Khalid bin Thani Al Thani, who left the company “due to his other work commitments.”

Vodafone Qatar appointed Ian Gray as chief executive officer in December.

The loss for the 12 months ended March 31 more than doubled to QR465.7 million ($128 million) as customers used mobile data rather than making international voice calls and competition increased. The average

ovesight by having a single person in charge, the people said. Ahmed Al Rumaihi, a former Qatari diplomat in the US, will head the unit, they said.

The Qatar Holding name, under which the emirate gained an international profile after investing

– Bloomberg file picture

estimate of five analysts was for a loss of QR348.2 million, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

A 7 per cent increase of mobile customers wasn’t enough to boost revenue, which slipped eight per cent to QR2.12 billion.

Vodafone Group owns 23 per cent of Vodafone Qatar, while Qatar Foundation,

in companies ranging from Glencore to Barclays will now be replaced by the QIA name on international investments, the people said. The country isn’t planning to allocate any new money to the QIA this year or withdraw funds and has asked it to rely on asset

which manages education, healthcare and other businesses, has a 27 per cent stake.

The Qatari company hasn’t had a profit since raising $1 billion in an initial public offering in 2009.

The stock declined 2.6 per cent to QR11.20 at 11:08am in Doha, bringing the drop for the past 12 months to 37 per cent.

— Bloomberg News

sales or dividend income for new investments, one of the people said. The Qatari fund, the ninthlargest sovereign wealth fund in the world with more than $250 billion of assets according to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute.

— Bloomberg News

July 2014, remaining at nearly 21 million tonnes as of March 2016 equivalent to four months of output. This, combined with existing capacity of 70 million tonnes, and incoming capacity of seven million tonnes due in the 2016, equates to total potential capacity of around 100 million tonnes. This suggests a substantial near/medium term surplus of 60 per cent, given

stalled domestic contracts and the fact that few export markets are currently viable,” explained Kamal The research report sees Yemen, Egypt, Qatar, Jordan, UAE, Bahrain, East Africa, and Iraq as potential export destinations. In the context of each market’s prevailing selling prices, which range between an equivalent of SR230400 per tonne, the only viable export destinations would be Yemen, Iraq, and Jordan, on a freight on board price basis, including export taxes. The subset that makes the cut of exporters to these regions are Southern Cement, Najran, Tabuk, Al Jouf, and Northern Cement. “In the case of Yemen,we believe that any reconstruction effort will practically involve procurement from Southern province producers. We also see significant downside risk to selling prices in the case that Egyptian peers revert to exporting 10 per cent of their 70 million tonnes operating capacity to Yemen, as they had done in the past. As a result, Najran Cement is the sole viable export play, supported by inventory eligibility and location,” he concluded.

DIVERSIFYING SALES

Algeria signs oil and gas deal as it seeks to raise crude revenue AMMAN: Algeria will supply oil and other energy products to Jordan for the first time under a memorandum of understanding signed on Monday, as the Opec member seeks to diversify sales after years of stagnating crude production.

Algeria’s state-run Sonatrach Group will start shipping liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to Jordan in September, followed by crude oil, Algerian Energy Minister Salah Khebri said in an interview in Amman on Monday. Sonatrach and National Electric Power Co. of Jordan should reach a final agreement in the next few weeks, he said, without specifying shipment volumes. Sonatrach will also explore for oil and gas in Jordan.

Energy sources “This is the first time that we are going to get fuel and gas from Algeria,” Hasan Hiari, head of the natural gas department at Jordan’s Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources, said in a separate interview in Amman on Monday.

“We are keen on diversifying our energy sources.”

Algeria, Africa’s biggest natural gas producer, has invited international companies to help develop its oil and gas fields as Sonatrach has struggled to raise production after a corruption probe at the company and a deadly terrorist attack in 2013 at the In Amenas gas field. The nation operated 55 oil rigs in April, an increase in each month since November, according to Baker Hughes. Algeria pumped

Salah Khebri. — Bloomberg file picture

1.1 million barrels a day of crude in April, its production little changed since 2013.

Oil-producing nations increasingly face the challenge of meeting higher demand rather than cutting supply to support prices. The International Energy Agency on May 12 boosted its forecast for world oil demand this year by 100,000 barrels a day, and Goldman Sachs Group said on May 15 that the oil market has flipped to a deficit in output sooner than it expected. Benchmark Brent crude has climbed 32 per cent this year as supplies were tightened by a decline in US drilling, wildfires in Canada and disruptions in Nigeria.

Algeria, the ninth-biggest member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec), plans to raise crude output by five per cent in 2016. — Bloomberg News

B4

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,976.10 ...............5,959.33 ................... 5,959.33 ................... 5,972.51................ -13.18 .................. -0.22 Financial Index .....................................7,709.36 ............... 7,687.64 ....................7,687.64 ................... 7,703.56................ -15.92 .................. -0.21 Industrial Index ....................................7,365.06 .............. 7,328.20 ................... 7,355.90 ................... 7,329.43................. 26.47 ...................0.36 Services Index ...................................... 3,353.27 .............. 3,338.28 ................... 3,338.28 ................... 3,347.82.................. -9.54 .................. -0.28 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................890.47 ..................889.06 .......................889.25 ...................... 889.09.................... 0.16 ...................0.02 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 22,189,252 ..................4,907,616 ................. 1,227 ............... 17,163,722,902 ................ 17 ......................17 .................... 13 .........................47

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, MAY 17 ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

Muscat Securities Market. – Times file picture

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

OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ............. 116,500.............29,017..................... 26 ........... 0.245 ...........0.252 ...........0.245........... 0.249 .............0.234 ............0.015 ............. 6.410 ................0.248..............0.245...................0.250 ................... 8,359,291 ..........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 348,204........... 85,439..................... 56 ........... 0.245 ...........0.250 ...........0.241........... 0.245 .............0.236 ........... 0.009............. 3.814 ................0.241............. 0.240...................0.241...................14,995,047 .........0.100

MSM index ends lower

OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ........................................................... 572,459 .........312,322...................106 ........... 0.532 ...........0.554 ...........0.530........... 0.546 .............0.530 ............0.016 ............. 3.019 ................0.548..............0.546...................0.548...................30,030,000.........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ..................................................... 18,779 ............... 8,051........................9 ........... 0.420 ...........0.432 ...........0.420........... 0.428 .............0.420 ........... 0.008............. 1.905 ................0.432..............0.432...................0.458...................25,894,000.........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 192,243 ............83,071......................31 ........... 0.432 ...........0.438 ...........0.432........... 0.432 .............0.426 ........... 0.006............. 1.408 ................0.432..............0.430...................0.432...................22,680,000 ........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 1,110,646.......248,182..................... 79 ............0.221 ...........0.225 ...........0.220 .......... 0.223 .............0.221 ........... 0.002.............0.905 ................0.221..............0.221...................0.222 ..................27,852,245 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 174,808 ...........22,594.....................22 ............0.130 ........... 0.131............0.128........... 0.129 .............0.128.............0.001 ............. 0.781.................0.129 ..............0.128...................0.129.................... 7,590,775 ..........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 612,000 ......... 162,793..................... 23 ........... 0.264 ...........0.270 ...........0.264 .......... 0.266 .............0.264 ........... 0.002............. 0.758 ................0.268..............0.266...................0.268 ..................78,792,839 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 839,217..........129,220..................... 77 ............0.153 ........... 0.156 ...........0.152 ........... 0.154 ............. 0.153.............0.001 ............. 0.654 ................0.152 .............. 0.152...................0.154...................13,860,000 .........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 440,028........... 68,543......................21 ............0.155 ........... 0.157 ...........0.155 ............0.156 ............. 0.155.............0.001 ............. 0.645 ................0.155 .............. 0.152...................0.155 ...................19,012,500 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO........................................................................131,811 .......... 100,976........................8 ............0.768 ........... 0.768 ...........0.760............0.768 .............0.764............ 0.004............. 0.524 ................0.760..............0.760...................0.768..................499,925,169........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 512,991 ........... 119,519.....................60 ........... 0.232 ...........0.234 ...........0.231 ........... 0.233 .............0.232 ............0.001 ............. 0.431 ................0.231 ..............0.231...................0.232 ..................34,967,475 .........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 270,000 ............ 71,745......................16 ........... 0.265 ...........0.266 ...........0.265........... 0.266 .............0.265 ............0.001 ............. 0.377 ................0.266..............0.266...................0.268 ..................26,600,000 ........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 245,122 ............63,732........................7 ........... 0.260...........0.260 ...........0.260 .......... 0.260 .............0.260 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.260..............0.257...................0.260 .................383,443,132........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ........................................................................ 3,852 ............... 2,119........................5 ........... 0.550 ...........0.550 ...........0.550........... 0.550 .............0.550 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.550..............0.550...................0.560 .................349,684,988 .......0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 713,532.......... 179,983..................... 70 ............0.251 ...........0.256 ...........0.250........... 0.252 .............0.252 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.253..............0.253...................0.256....................5,292,000 ..........0.100

The top gainer was National Aluminium, up by 6.41 per cent, while Renaissance Service

OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ...................................55,000 ..........102,483........................3 ............1.865 ........... 1.865 ...........1.860............1.865 ............. 1.865............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.860 .............. 1.865...................1.900.................. 177,175,000 ........0.100 OM0000002572 ...........OMAN OIL MARKETING ................................................670 ...............1,260........................1 ............1.880 ........... 1.880 ...........1.880........... 1.880 .............1.880............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.880 ..............1.860...................2.000 ................. 115,197,000 ........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,561,016 .......630,560................... 156 ........... 0.404...........0.404 ...........0.402........... 0.404 .............0.404 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.402..............0.402...................0.404 ...............1,008,485,104 ......0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ..........................75,625 .......... 122,810..................... 23 ............1.610 ........... 1.630 ...........1.610 ............1.625 ............. 1.625............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.620 ..............1.620...................1.630................ 1,218,750,000 ......0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 308,411 ............ 54,589......................19 ............0.177 ........... 0.177 ...........0.177 ............0.177 ............. 0.177............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.177 .............. 0.177...................0.178 ..................283,996,383 .......0.100

was the top loser.

OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL.............................................. 23,000 ............... 1,766........................5 ........... 0.077 ........... 0.077 ...........0.076........... 0.077 .............0.077 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.076..............0.076...................0.077...................13,475,000 .........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER.................................................... 1,000 .................. 210........................1 ............0.210 ........... 0.210 ...........0.210........... 0.212 .............0.212 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.210..............0.207...................0.212..................143,076,135 ........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY......................................34,700 ............ 63,985........................5 ............1.850 ........... 1.850 ...........1.820............1.845 ............. 1.850............-0.005 ........... -0.270 ...............1.820..............1.820...................1.850..................165,496,500........0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. ......... 9,985 .............15,477........................3 ............1.550 ........... 1.550 ...........1.550 ............1.550 ............. 1.555............-0.005 ........... -0.322 ...............1.550 ..............1.540...................1.550..................106,950,000 .......0.100

MUSCAT: Shares on the Muscat Securities Market edged down on profit booking.

The MSM30 Index closed at 5,959.33 points, down by 0.22 per cent due to profit taking in index stocks.

The MSM Sharia Index was stable at 889.25 points, up 0.02 per cent. Global Financial Investment was most active in terms of volume and Bank Muscat led in turnover. The top gainer was National Aluminium, up by 6.41 per cent, while Renaissance Service was the top loser, down by 3.09 per cent.

As many as 1,227 trades were executed on Tuesday, generating turnover of OMR4.9 million with 22.2 million shares changing hands. Out of 47 traded securities, 17 advanced, 17 declined and 13 remained unchanged.

Omani investors were net buyers for OMR318,000 followed

by GCC and Arab investors for OMR248,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR566,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index declined OIL SUPPLIES

Iraq’s crude oil surge losing steam just as markets need more energy DUBAI: Iraq’s oil industry is on a roll. Production has jumped more than 40 per cent since mid-2014 and exports are at near-record levels. It probably won’t last. Plunging government revenue is hampering the state’s ability to invest, while Opec’s second-biggest crude producer is reaching the limits of its capacity to store and export oil, according to analysts at Energy Aspects and FGE. Spending on the country’s biggest fields may shrink to as little as $7 billion this year from about $13 billion in 2015 and $20 billion in 2014, Richard Mallinson of Energy Aspects said on Monday.

Decades of sanctions Iraq has boosted output after decades of sanctions, war and underinvestment, with international companies such as BP and Lukoil developing some of the largest deposits in its oil-rich southern region. The country is exporting 3.3 million barrels a day of crude this month from the southern port of Basrah, and it targets keeping shipments at that level for the rest of the year, Deputy Oil Minister Fayyad Al Nima said in a May 13 interview. Without more investment, these exports are sure to slide, the analysts said.

“We’re going to see production growth flatten and then start to decline by late this year and into 2017,” Mallinson said by phone from London. “What does that mean if Iraq doesn’t deliver growth this year? If you were expecting a big increase from Iraq and we don’t see that, it will add to bullish sentiment in the market.” — Bloomberg News

by 0.21 per cent to close at 7,687.64 points.

Al Izz Islamic Bank, Gulf Investment Services, Al Sharqia Investments, Oman & Emirates and Al Anwar Holding gained 1.72 per cent, 0.78 per cent, 0.65 per cent, 0.65 per cent and 0.43 per cent, respectively. Al Madina Investments, HSBC Bank, Muscat Finance, Global Financial Investment and BankDhofar fell by 2.94 per cent, 1.74 per cent, 1.64 per cent, 1.36 per cent and 0.79 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index ended positively at 7,355.90 points, up by 0.36 per cent. National Aluminium, Construction Materials, Dhofar Cattlefeed, Voltamp Energy and Al Maha Ceramics increased by 6.41 per cent, 3.03 per cent, 2.27 per cent, 1.90 per cent and 1.41 per cent, respectively.

Oman Fisheries, Al Hassan Engineering, Galfar Engineering, Oman Cement and Raysut Cement declined by 1.59 per cent, 1.04 per cent, 0.86 per cent, 0.41 per cent and 0.40 per cent, respectively. - United Securities

OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................28,700 ............ 35,995..................... 10 ............1.260 ........... 1.270 ...........1.250............1.255 .............1.260 ...........-0.005 ........... -0.397 ...............1.250 ..............1.250...................1.260................. 251,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ............................................................ 16,278 ............... 7,956........................3 ........... 0.490 ...........0.490 ...........0.488........... 0.488 .............0.490 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.408 ...............0.488..............0.488...................0.490 .................161,465,882 ........0.100 OM0000001095............DHOFAR INSURANCE .............................................. 1,160,764........239,118........................3 ........... 0.208...........0.208 ...........0.206 .......... 0.206 .............0.207 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.483 ...............0.206............. 0.206...................0.210...................41,200,000.........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................. 30,000 ...............7,500........................2 ........... 0.249 ...........0.250 ...........0.249........... 0.250 .............0.252 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.794 ...............0.250..............0.246...................0.250 ................ 424,800,350 .......0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 1,023,355 .......117,922..................... 48 ............0.116 ........... 0.116............0.114 ............0.115 ............. 0.116 ............-0.001 ........... -0.862 ...............0.115 .............. 0.114................... 0.115 ................... 33,347,773 .........0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 3,010,115 .......436,500........................4 ............0.146 ........... 0.147 ...........0.145 ............0.145 ............. 0.147............-0.002 ............-1.361................0.147 .............. 0.147...................0.149...................29,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 461,371 ............ 95,649..................... 25 ........... 0.208...........0.208 ...........0.206 .......... 0.207 .............0.210 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.429 ...............0.206............. 0.206...................0.210...................41,400,000.........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ....................... 171,936 ............ 43,537......................21 ........... 0.259 ...........0.259 ...........0.250........... 0.253 .............0.257 ...........-0.004 ............-1.556................0.252.............. 0.251...................0.253...................24,045,120.........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 412,000 ........... 46,587......................12 ............0.114 ........... 0.114............0.113 ............0.113 ............. 0.115 ............-0.002 ............-1.739................0.113 .............. 0.112................... 0.113 ..................226,035,345 .......0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 1,785,212........117,222..................... 48 ........... 0.066 ...........0.067 ...........0.065........... 0.066 .............0.068 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.941 ...............0.065..............0.064...................0.065................... 13,671,991 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 383,000 .........120,268..................... 34 ............0.318 ........... 0.318 ...........0.310........... 0.314 .............0.324 ...........-0.010 ........... -3.086 ...............0.310 ..............0.308...................0.310...................91,264,421 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 16,854,330....3,948,699 ........... 1,042 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......36........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .................. 236,362 ..............8,036........................9 ........... 0.034 ...........0.034 ...........0.034........... 0.034 .............0.033 ............0.001 ............. 3.030 ................0.034..............0.033...................0.034 ...................2,890,000..........0.100 OM0000001301 ............DHOFAR CATTLE FEED ........................................... 50,000 .............11,250........................1 ........... 0.225 ...........0.225 ...........0.225........... 0.225 .............0.220 ........... 0.005............. 2.273 ................0.225............. 0.220...................0.226 .................. 18,191,250 .........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 503,400 ........... 29,540......................15 ........... 0.058 ...........0.059 ...........0.058........... 0.059 .............0.058 ............0.001 ............. 1.724 ................0.058..............0.058...................0.059...................59,000,000.........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 2,593,548......405,489...................103 ............0.155 ........... 0.157 ...........0.155 ............0.156 .............0.154............ 0.002............. 1.299 ................0.157 .............. 0.157...................0.158..................228,165,828........0.100 OM0000003265 ...........NATIONAL DETERGENT ........................................... 1,000 .................. 632........................1 ........... 0.632 ........... 0.632 ...........0.632........... 0.628 .............0.628 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.632............. 0.000...................0.000 ..................10,683,850 .........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 785,103.............59,585.....................20 ........... 0.076 ........... 0.076 ...........0.075........... 0.076 .............0.076 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.075..............0.075...................0.076..................114,000,000........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ................................2,000 ..................250........................1 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.125 ............0.125 ............. 0.125............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.125 ..............0.120...................0.125...................12,500,000.........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING................................... 26,000 ............... 2,471........................6 ........... 0.095 ...........0.096 ...........0.095........... 0.095 .............0.096 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.042 ...............0.095..............0.094...................0.095.................... 7,144,760 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 726,209 ........... 45,104.....................24 ........... 0.063 ...........0.064 ...........0.062........... 0.062 .............0.063 ...........-0.001 ............-1.587................0.063..............0.062...................0.063.................... 7,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE...................................................... 11,300 ................1,361........................2 ............0.120 ........... 0.121............0.120........... 0.120 .............0.122 ...........-0.002 ............-1.639................0.121 ..............0.122...................0.123...................32,005,869.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 4,934,922 ......563,718...................182 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......10........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000006045 ...........SOVEREIGN SUKUK ISSUE 1 ................................ 400,000.........395,200........................3 ........... 0.988 ...........0.988 ...........0.988........... 0.988 .............1.005............-0.017 ........... -1.692................0.988............. 0.000...................0.000 ................ 247,000,000 .......1.000 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 400,000.........395,200........................3 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

KING ABDULLAH FINANCIAL DISTRICT

Saudi aims to salvage proposed financial district RIYADH: The plan to build a financial district from scratch was viewed by Saudi Arabia’s neighbours as among the glossiest excesses of the Kingdom’s oil boom profligacy: a white elephant in the making, unlikely to attract tenants and possibly never even to be completed.

The creators of the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) envisaged a kind of mini-Dubai, a haven for foreign financial services and investors as well as local banks and companies currently doing business from offices all over Riyadh. But more than 10 years later — and a year after it was supposed to be finished — most of the 1.6-million-sq-metre district on the edge of Riyadh is still a construction site, and no businesses have moved in. $10 billion project Reform-minded Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said last month he wants to salvage the $10 billion project. The Public Investment Fund, reimagined as the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund, will be based there and sources have said it will also own the project.

According to the prince’s “Vision 2030”, KAFD will become a “special zone” with internationally competitive regulations, an easier visa regime and a direct connection to the airport, steps he hopes will “increase the chances of ... success”.

Another change is to increase the amount of residential use from the 1.7 million square metres now designated for office space.

According to a 2015 report by real estate analyst Jones Lang LaSalle, rents are bottoming out in Riyadh’s current 2.5 million square metres of office space but prices for residential units are rising.

Potential tenants and investors

a complex process of invitation by a sponsor and plenty of supplementary documentation. Setting up a business means getting permissions from many government departments. Mustafa Alani, a security expert with close ties to the Saudi Interior Ministry, said visa exemptions could work like the waiver programme in the United States, or like residence permits issued by free zones in the United Arab Emirates.

SLOW START: The creators of the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) envisaged a kind of mini-

Dubai, a haven for foreign financial services and investors as well as local banks and companies currently doing business from offices all over Riyadh. — Bloomberg file picture

are both hopeful and sceptical about the plan.

“The potential is amazing. The inside is impressive. I’d like to live there,” said one Dubai-based expatriate who does business in Saudi and who has toured the site.

“As an urban space it’s interesting, with its design and architecture.”

He questioned how successful the project could be in the current economic climate, however. The main contractor is Saudi Binladen Group, the biggest construction firm in the kingdom, which has been struggling since last year.

“It will not be finished. Decision-making is very slow (on the project, and) people don’t have cash,” he said. Like other business people interviewed for this story, he didn’t want to be named expressing an opinion about such an important royal initiative.

A senior Saudi former banker expressed similar concerns.

“If the plan does create a genuine free zone and makes things smoother for newcomers, it’ll be ‘bingo!’” he said, but added that a recovery in the oil-dependent economy was key.

Another senior Gulf banker said his firm had no plans to move into the complex despite its “impressive” looks, and expressed concern that banks might only be able to rent, rather than own, buildings there.

More residential space Inside the district last week, swallows swooped between palm trees and sparrows pecked among decorative desert shrubs near the almost completed conference centre. The parts that are finished include sections of its stone-

paved “wadi” walkway and distinctive glass towers. From high in one tower, swimming pools and children’s playgrounds could be seen on other roofs.

Jacob Kurek, a partner at the firm responsible for the KAFD masterplan, Danish firm Henning Larsen, said the original plans were flexible enough to transform space earmarked for offices into residences or retail space. A direct link to the airport would be easy to install via Riyadh’s new metro, which will have a station at KAFD, he said.

Other changes, such as a different regulatory regime, visa exemptions and any blunting of Saudi Arabia’s strict social restrictions, would be more complicated, however.

At the moment, visas can take many days to arrange and require

Not a free walk-in “It’s not a visa, but it’s not a free walk-in either. There might be a geographical restriction,” he said, suggesting those who enter on the special visas might be forbidden to leave KAFD, or be limited to the Saudi capital.

According to rules dictated by Saudi Arabia’s powerful conservative clerics, women must wear an ankle-length cloak in public and are forbidden from driving. Men and women who are not related may not mingle unchaperoned.

Cinemas, music concerts and dancing are banned and alcohol and pork are illegal. Businesses must shut for half an hour during each of five daily prayers.

Saudi Arabia has found ways to accommodate foreigners, however. Expatriate compounds, hidden behind high walls, protected by army gun emplacements, to which Saudi nationals are usually forbidden entry, allow foreigners to dress and behave much as they do in the West.

Such extreme segregation could not work for a project like KAFD, which is also marketed at Saudi businesses and residents.

But there are other examples of areas that Saudis can visit that enjoy a special status and do not require strict Islamic dress codes or forbid gender mixing, like Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter. — Reuters

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

ROUND-UP

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

B5

Malabar Gold opens new outlet in Barka

S TAY H E A LT H Y

Being the 11th branch in Oman and the first of its kind in Barka, Malabar

Yoga session at ISG CBSEi

Gold & Diamonds intends to provide an unparalleled shopping experience to every customer of this region

MUSCAT: Renowned Omani football player Ali Al Habsi inaugurated the 151st global outlet of Malabar Gold & Diamonds which is 11th in Oman at Lulu Hypermarket, Barka, recently.

It was opened in the presence of Khamis Al Mandhari, director, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Oman; Dr P. A. Ibrahim Haji, Co Chairman, Malabar Group; Shamlal Ahamed, managing director- International Operations, Malabar Gold & Diamonds; K. P. Abdul Salam, group executive director, Najeeb K., Regional head, Malabar Gold & Diamonds, other wellwishers, invited media and guests, says a press release.

Being the 11th branch in Oman

and the first of its kind in Barka, Malabar Gold & Diamonds intends to provide an unparalleled shopping experience to every customer of this region. The jewellery chain offers a significantly large collection of traditional as well as contemporary designer jewellery. Like all their other outlets, this outlet exhibits a wide range of diverse and trendy designs in 18K, 22K gold, IGI certified diamonds and precious stone jewellery from Italy, Singapore, Bahrain and India.

M U S I C A L T R E AT

To celebrate the occasion, customers can avail free gifts on every purchase they make at the new showroom until May 28.

The group strives to continue embarking on its journey by further expanding in the near future. In Oman, Malabar Gold & Diamonds operates showrooms at Darsait, Baushar, Ruwi, Seeb, Salalah and Sohar. The group is also planning to expand its presence in Oman by opening a new showroom in Seeb City Centre this year.

MUSCAT: To spread awareness about yoga and its philosophy, rooted in a physical culture of health and well-being that is still emphasised today, ISG CBSE International organised a yoga session for the students of Grades I-V. The famous yoga expert and practitioner Dr Ashima Kapoor provided the children with a delightful time performing various ‘asanas’ and warm up exercises to invigorate the young minds, says a press release.

Dr Ashima reiterated that introducing children to yoga at an early age will help them learn healthy lifestyle habits and set

the foundation for a fit future.

The students followed the instruction patiently and with care. They performed over 12 asanas including Konasana, Katichakrasana, Veerabhadrasana, Vrikasana, etc. along with 12 steps of Surya Namaskar, Pranayama, Anulom Vilom and Brahmari.

The students had all praise about the experience and said that it made both their body and mind, fresh, alert and energised. Pyarija Cidar, vice principal, ISG CBSEi thanked Dr Ashima for her kind gesture and said this would be a forerunner to many more such sessions for the students.

ADMISSIONS OPEN

Orpic scholarship programme offers quality education at ABIS

Punjabi Wing celebrates Baisakhi MUSCAT: Punjabi Wing of the Indian Social Club celebrated the festival of Baisakhi this year by hosting renowned Punjabi singer 'Golden Star from UK' Malkit Singh along with his troupe at the City Amphitheatre, Qurum in front of around 4,000 cheering audience recently.

Baisakhi Mela 2016 began with Paramjit Singh, co-convener inviting Karanjeet Singh Matharoo, convener - Punjabi Wing, to welcome the chief guest Indra Mani

Pandey, Ambassador of India to the Sultanate of Oman. The sponsors, members of the ISC Punjabi Wing and the audience gathered in large numbers at the City Amphitheatre, says a press release.

The programme was compered

by Surjit Singh.

The programme started with local female singer Kiran's performance. After a quick vote of thanks to all the sponsors by Rajive Khosla, Malkit enthralled the audience

with his songs and powerful stage presence lived up to the expectations of the crowd with his popular songs. The performances were enjoyed by one and all.

The ISC Punjabi Wing organises the Baisakhi Mela free of cost every year for the Punjabi community residing in Oman.

The wing thanked all the sponsors who offered their support and contributed in every way possible to make this event a great success.

MUSCAT: Orpic’s joint venture with Sohar Aluminium in Al Batinah International School (ABIS) has paved the way for supporting quality education in the region.

This joint venture will allow for the expansion of ABIS from its current capacity of 200 to 1,000 by 2021/22. In addition to the International Community Section, a new Global Section will open in August 2016 and will provide high quality international education that ABIS is known for. The Global Section will have an increased emphasis on English, Arabic and Islamic studies with the aim of helping children grow into Oman’s leaders of tomorrow.

Aimed at Grade 1 and Grade 2, the Orpic Assisted Scholarship Programme will allow able and motivated students living in the North Al Batinah Governorate to have a world class education. It will provide a full range of scholarships (from 60% to a maximum of 100%) for the duration of their school life at ABIS. Having already enrolled seven ABIS Orpic Assisted Scholarships in the past two years, with the opening of the Global Section, Orpic will expand scholarships to an additional 15 to 19 per year for the next 10 years.

Nofal Al Saidi, general manager, Human Resource Services, Orpic, said, “Our joint venture partnership with ABIS aims to provide the best quality education to children in the Al Batinah region.

ABIS is only 1 of the 3 International Baccalaureate (IB) authorised schools in Oman and the only one to offer the prestigious IB Diploma in North Al Batinah Governorate. What’s more, the school actively encourages children to achieve their goals and supports them by being active partners in their educational journey which

is consistent with one of our values of bringing the potential of our people alive.”

Neil Tomalin, head of School, ABIS, added, “ABIS believes in holistic development of our students in line with the IB Leaner Profile.

We seek to develop not only academically able but also ethically and morally sound, technologically capable, caring and internationally minded individuals. Our mission at ABIS is to recognise and motivate students to achieve their potential and empower them to be life-long learners.”

ACCOLADE

I N T E R NAT I O NA L C OU R S E

SPAR Oman Twitter account wins silver at Tech Awards

Ooredoo team successfully completes Business Leadership Programme MUSCAT: Three high achieving members of the Ooredoo Oman management team have successfully completed an international Business Leadership Programme, designed to build the telecommunications company’s strategic capabilities.

Running from October 2015 to April 2016 and conducted in Qatar and Switzerland, the high-impact training course was delivered by the Geneva-based International Institute of Management & Development, one of the world’s most highly-regarded and respected leadership training authorities, says a press release.

“We would like to congratulate Said Al Shanfari, Monther Al Mamari, and Sultan Al Wahaibi on their graduation from this leadership course. Chosen for their business acumen and motivation, they

have proven themselves by rising to this demanding challenge. We now look forward to seeing them put their new skills into action and benefiting from their insights and perspectives,” said Kumail Al Moosawi, Ooredoo Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer.

He added: “With a firm and enduring belief in the potential of Oman’s talent pool, Ooredoo is committed to capacity building.

As we prepare our organisation for the future, we guide our team members on a structured career and training path, developing the next generation of telecommunications industry leaders.”

The Ooredoo chief people and corporate affairs officer went on to explain that among the highpowered leadership programme’s objectives were the development of financial and commercial ex-

pertise, the enhancement of skills for the analysis and resolution of business challenges, and the refinement of communication techniques especially the presentation of decisions and business cases. In addition, the participants had the opportunity to network and share ideas with their Ooredoo counterparts from across the region.

The company aims to be not only Oman’s communications provider of choice but also its preferred employer, expressing its core company values of caring, connecting and challenging as much in its human resource operations as in its value-packed products and services. Creating direct and indirect employment opportunities across the Sultanate, Ooredoo devotes significant energy to identifying, training and developing local talent.

MUSCAT: SPAR supermarkets won silver at the Oman Tech Awards for its Twitter account.

The account has seen a tremendous increase in its fan base right from inception, chiefly due to its thematic content that engages a broad audience.

Since commencing operations in Oman, SPAR supermarkets has been driving up the company’s social media presence to leverage maximum advantage of today’s Internet age. It has embarked on an ambitious media strategy that guarantees maximum interaction among its patrons, particularly online, says a press release.

Sridhar Moosapeta, CEO, SPAR Oman, said, “SPAR is the new face of KR Retail Division, implementing concepts that promote quality and value for money. We bring the best products from around the world at real and affordable prices for our patrons. Right from the outset what we have focussed on is maximising our online presence to engage closely with our customers to better understand their needs.

Our social media platforms have helped us connect with our customers better through exciting competitions.”

The retail chain’s online presence is on a steady rise with its dedicated Facebook page that posts regular campaigns and promotional events inviting customer participation. Shoppers, in

turn, are motivated by the spate of exciting prizes and unbeatable offers that lie at the end of every online event. Frequent contests and trivia posts encourage the retail chain to understand its customers. For instance, a few months ago, SPAR ran a campaign titled ‘Taste of the Word’, which showcased an exhausting variety of products from around the world.

The event was also up and running on SPAR’s Facebook page where it was a hit with fans.

SPAR’s flourishing online presence coincides with strategies to consolidate its position in Oman through an expanded network of operations.

“The year 2016 has opened a new chapter for the brand when we signed a Master Franchise Agreement directly with SPAR International. The target was to open nine SPAR supermarkets by

2016. But we have surpassed that target, because, by the end of the year there will be a total of 14 outlets across the Sultanate spread across 6,125 sqm of retail space.

Next year will see an additional 10 outlets taking the total number to 24,” said Devendra Kumar, Senior Divisional manager, SPAR Oman.

SPAR Oman, he added, prides itself on providing customers with a retail experience that is unmatched by competitors in terms of value-for-money, variety, freshness and quality.

This insistence on freshness is best communicated through the retail chain’s recent campaign ‘Mango Mania’, featuring the most luscious fruit flown in from India. All this and more means that SPAR Oman is confident of delivering on its promises to customers as it continues to change the face of retail in Oman.

B6

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

ROUND-UP Nissan Oman launches ‘Season of Rewards’ offer

O U T S TA N D I N G B U S I N E S S P E R F O R M A N C E

Giving more benefits than ever before, ‘Season of Rewards’ offer which started on May 15 will go on till July 14

MUSCAT: Nissan Oman from the house of Suhail Bahwan Automobiles (SBA) has announced the launch of ‘Season of Rewards’ offer by offering customers to choose from a plethora of attractive value propositions.

Giving more benefits than ever before, ‘Season of Rewards’ offer which started on May 15 will go on till July 14. The exciting offer is valid on all models purchased for personal use, says a press release.

Nissan Oman is offering attractive cash gift, free periodic maintenance service package, fuel card, free registration and six years extended mileage warranty on select models apart from chance to participate in a grand raffle.

There are additional benefits on purchase of second vehicle

in family as well as a part of loyalty scheme.

Commenting on the promotion, a senior official of SBA said, “As part of the offer we are offering special benefits for our customers during this holy season. At Nissan Oman, every Ramadan we continuously try to go that extra mile to deliver the best possible value with amazing offers and value propositions.”

Assured cash gift Under the ‘Season of Rewards’ offer, customers can avail assured cash gift ranging from OMR500 to OMR2,500 varying model-wise.

Customers buying any Nissan vehicle will get a scratch and win card which will entitle them for two assured gifts comprising free periodic maintenance service upto lifetime of the car (minimum assured 1 year/ 10,000km PMS; offer includes new service intervals of 10,000km) and free fuel up to OMR1,000 (minimum assured of OMR50).

Extra benefits Buyers can enjoy extra benefits such as free registration (on se-

INDIAN SOCIAL CLUB

lect models), six years unlimited mileage extended warranty (on select models), loyalty card benefits among others.

Additional benefits Loyal customers stand to enjoy additional benefits on purchase of a second Nissan vehicle in the family. To avail additional benefits under the scheme, the second car can be purchased either in the name of existing Nissan owner or his/her immediate family members.

Grand raffle Nissan patrons have a chance to win two X-Trails 2.5S 7STR CVT 16 MY in the ‘grand SMS and win raffle draw’ that will be held on June 20 and July 18 at Qurum showroom. Anybody can SMS to 90466 to enter the contest.

Elaborating on the promotion, SBA official said, “Traditionally during Ramadan we have been offering special benefits to attract customers and this year we have the best offers. We would like to emphasise that this is the best time to buy Nissan cars. If a new set of Nissan cars is on an individual’s

wish list, they should have a look at the best deals we are offering.

Those interested on knowing the complete details of the offer they should visit or contact the nearest Nissan showroom.”

“Nissan Oman has always made genuine efforts to offer world-class facilities and services to its valued customers. With Ramadan starting next month, Nissan Oman is keen to reach out to interested buyers at the earliest,” the official added.

Suitable financing options SBA has designed some easy and convenient financing options to ease the convenience of owning a Nissan model. Flexible EMIs can also be tailor made for any individual requirement from in-house Auto Finance team. Special rate of interest 2.99% is also been offered on X-trail and Pathfinder 3.5 litre model variants.

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

Al Hassan recognised at OER Top 20 Awards MUSCAT: Al Hassan Engineering Co. (AHEC), Oman’s leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, has been recognised for its continued outstanding business performance by the prestigious Oman Economic Review (OER) Top 20 Awards - an annual ranking list for Oman’s largest Corporates.

Ranked number 14, AHEC has improved upon its ranking by six positions moving up from No. 20 in last year’s list.

The award was received by Hassan bin Ali Salman, chairman - AHEC from Ahmed Saleh Al Marhoon, director general, Muscat Securities Market, in the presence of Dr Rasheed bin Al Safi Al Huraibi, chairman - Oman Tender Board, says a press release.

The OER Business Summit was held under the patronage of Sheikh Salim bin Mustahail Al

Mashani at Grand Hyatt Muscat.

Hassan bin Ali Salman commented, “We are proud to receive this award as this recognises our business performance. This award is a testament to our continued success in our role as active contributors to the local economy and a partner in nation building.”

Salman added, “In 2015, the company took a number of activities with the objective of providing a sustainable contribution to the growth and wellbeing of the local community. Today, we have been recognised for the attributes that form the foundation of AHEC as a progressive, young, energetic Omani company. Since our first major award in 2006, AHEC has witnessed sustained growth in a number of areas of operation including expansion in the UAE region.”

PERFUME

Mr. Burberry: The new fragrance for men

ISC Sohar celebrates International Yoga Day MUSCAT: The Executive Committee of Indian Social Club (ISC), Sohar celebrated the 2nd International Yoga Day recently in Sohar University.

Indra Mani Pandey, the Indian Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, was the chief guest of the evening. Dr Hamdan Sulaeiman Hamdan Al Fazari, pro-vice chancellor was the guest of honour at the event, says a press release.

The evening started by a welcome address by Dr Rajiv Tandon, chairman, Indian Social Club, Sohar and he elucidated on the history of yoga through the ages. He also mentioned about the resolution passed by the United Nations adopting June 21 as International Yoga Day. Pandey in his address spoke about the benefits of yoga, the efforts made by the Indian Embassy and the Government of India to spread the health benefits about yoga. He also called upon the yoga practitioners of the Indian community members of

Oman to spread information and awareness about yoga among the Omani population.

The evening of yoga was attended by large number of participants of a number of nationalities including Omanis.

The yoga experts demonstrating at the event were from The Art of Living, Rajyoga Centre of Self Development and SKY, The World Community Service Centre. The event was supported by Al Jazeera Steel Products, Godrej and Khimji, Muscat Pharmacy, Al Tammam Indsil Ferro Chrome, Sharq Sohar Steel Rolling Mills & GVMC Visa.

The event also marked the start of the term of the newly elected executive committee members of Indian Social Club, Sohar for 2016-17. The new executive committee members were introduced to Pandey.

The evening concluded by a vote of thanks by Srihari Chodagiri, joint entertainment secretary of ISC, Sohar.

It was created by Christopher Bailey, chief creative and chief executive officer working in collaboration with Francis Kurkdjian, renowned perfumer.

The range of perfume includes 150ml, 100ml and 50ml in sizes.

With the rapidly growing market for men’s grooming line, Burberry has launched a wide range of products including face moisturiser, body wash, deodorants, and Oman’s first ever beard oil.

All these products are now available at all Salam outlets, 4U and Paris Gallery.

MUSCAT: Burberry has introduced Mr. Burberry, a new fragrance for men.

The Mr. Burberry fragrance captures the essence of London, a city of great contrasts and contradictions – traditional yet irreverent, elegant without being pristine. The Mr. Burberry bottle is inspired by the black trench coat and its signature design details, says a press release.

Together, the fragrance and the bottle combine to encapsulate Mr. Burberry: the man and the world he lives in.

HANDS-ON TRAINING

Aspiring Omani realtors intern at Tibiaan Properties MUSCAT: Three young Omani women had the opportunity to intern at the offices of well-known real estate brokerage firm Tibiaan Properties, garnering valuable insights and skills for a promising upcoming career.

Jalila Al Husaini, Aisha Al Balushi and Hanna Al Balushi recently completed a month’s internship at the reputable property services firm, coming away with learnings and hands-on training. All three trainees were deputed by the Manpower Ministry’s Vocational Training Centre to train at Tibiaan Properties as part of an initiative by the government to co-opt private firms in supporting the training needs of young Omanis preparing to join the labour market, says a press release.

For Tibiaan Properties, the internships were a demonstration of its keenness to support the professional development of

nationals preparing to play their part in nation-building and economic progress. This stems from the company’s commitment to serving as a responsible corporate citizen, as well as championing the professional development of the Omani workforce.

Tahra Al Ajmi, Corporate Affairs manager of Tibiaan Properties, commented, “This training sup-

port is consistent with our strategy to nurture the professional growth of Omanis. As part of this commitment, we will also strive to provide employment opportunities to individuals and business support to entrepreneurs. We appreciate and support the Ministry of Manpower on its initiative to encourage young Omanis to take up jobs as well as provide them with an opportunity

to develop and hone their skills.”

During the month-long internship, the young trainees were rotated through the different departments of Tibiaan Properties, encouraging them to pick up nuances of working.

“It was an instructive time for me at Tibiaan as I developed new skills and learned to cope with the challenges of a professional work environment,” said Aisha.

Hanna stated, “I greatly benefited from the opportunity to work in various sections of Tibiaan, including sales & leasing, property management, finance and the front office.

The workflow methodologies and specialised computer applications used in brokerage offices were particularly insightful.” Jalila added, “It was an eye-opener for me in the professional sense, and I made the most of the opportunity to polish my sales and customer service skills.”

SIGNIFICANT EVENT

ISC Goan Wing all set to organise ‘May Queen 2016’ on May 27 MUSCAT: The Indian Goan expatriate community’s ‘May Queen’ pageant, billed as a highpoint in the community’s annual calendar of exciting social and cultural events, will be held on Friday, May 27 at the Civil Aviation Club, Seeb.

‘May Queen 2016’ is being organised by the Indian Social Club Goan Wing, Oman. This year’s event seeks to build on the runaway success of last year’s pageant, which drew a capacity audience that included a significant chunk of non-Goans as well, attesting to the broad appeal of the pageant, says a press release.

At a pre-event press briefing held recently at Majan Continental Hotel, Anthony Lourenco, convener - ISC Goan Wing, said, “The mega event is our fifth edition, and third under the Indian Social Club and we hope to attract an ex-

BEAUTY PAGEANT: ‘May Queen 2016’ be held on Friday, May 27 at

the Civil Aviation Club, Seeb. – Jun Estrada/TIMES OF OMAN

cess of 650 people to this. We have pledged to support Oman Cancer Association this year.”

Dr Wahid Ali Al Kharusi, president of Oman Cancer Association) thanked the Goan Wing for choosing to support them for the noble

cause and exhorted residents of Muscat to come forward and support the various activities of OCA. Antonio Goes, founder convener, ISC-Goan Wing appreciated all the efforts of the Goan Wing to make this event bigger and bet-

ter. Sydelle Esitbeiro, May Queen 2015 who shared her experience urged more youth to grab this opportunity of May Queen pageant to boost their self-confidence. Islinda Nunes, co-convener-Goan Wing and Melzer Menezes, cultural secretary, were also present for the press conference.

Adding to the excitement of

this year’s show is the presence of Alcatrazz, one of busiest and acclaimed bands of Goa which has created a legend of its own over the last 23 years and has earned a reputation for exceptional musicianship in India.

The six-member team of gifted musicians has toured virtually every city in India, delivering gigs that have consistently won them acclaim from music lovers and the local media. Today, they are sought after corporate events organisers tasked with putting together high-profile shows for commercial launches. The band is powered by Cassian Fernandes (lead vocals), Patrick Silveira (drums and vocals), Cassius Fernandes (keyboards and vocals), Peter Faria (bass and vocals), Francis D’Souza (lead and vocals) and Sandra Franco (vocalist).

To add more excitement to the show. Updesh Swar will be the comperer for the event. He has taken not just Goa but entire India by storm with his stupendous, witty and incomparable compering.

For ISC Goan Wing, the May Queen 2016 pageant is also an opportunity to put the spotlight on the vibrant Goan expatriate community resident in the Sultanate.

Around 15,000 Goans currently live and work in the Sultanate, contributing in their own way to the economic development of their host country Oman.

The ‘dine- and-dance’ event attracts couples young and old, who will take to the floor in their formal attires to show off their unmatched prowess in ballroom, jive, cha cha cha, tango, foxtrot, waltz and other dance styles that Goans are renowned for.

B8

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

ROUND-UP

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

Bank Muscat launches business cash deposit machine for corporate clients In another first in the banking sector in Oman, Bank Muscat also launched a statement printer kiosk for both retail and corporate clients

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, in step with continuous endeavour to provide world class banking services through latest technology and innovation, has launched business cash deposit machine for corporate clients.

The state-of-the-art facility aimed at corporate convenience for bulk cash deposit is being introduced for the first time in the

banking sector in Oman, says a press release.

In another first in the banking sector in Oman, Bank Muscat also launched a statement printer kiosk for both retail and corporate clients. The launch ceremony of the new facilities, in line with the ‘Let’s Do More’ vision to automate and enhance key services, was held at the bank’s e-branch in Avenues Mall in the presence of management team members and senior representative of key corporates in Oman.

Amjad Al Lawati, AGM – Cards & eBanking, said: “As the flagship bank in Oman and in keeping with the technological trends, Bank Muscat is proud to introduce the innovative business cash deposit machine for corporate customers.

The new facility to be available in select bank branches and key offsite locations is aimed at helping corporate customers perform cash deposit transactions in a secure and convenient way 24 x 7.

“The convenient service provides the benefit of not having to store cash during non-working

hours and week-ends.”

The business cash deposit machines are equipped with the industry standard security specifications and can be used for depositing large value cash. The deposit bag capacity is 1000 currency notes and customers can deposit multiple bags in one transaction. Customers are required to authenticate transactions using

the deposit cards and pre-numbered tamper-proof security bags for the purpose of depositing cash.

The sealed bags will be opened by bank employees and cash counted under camera surveillance at all times. The machines are available 24 x 7 and facilitates secure and convenient transactions during week-ends and holidays.

The new business cash deposit

Hoehler + AlSalmy awarded best performing medium size company

combining the experienced staff with the new trainees to transfer the expertise of the older staff with the innovation of the fresh graduates. Today, over 30 employees are working in the company.”

Al Salmy added, “This award is one of the most important among the many that we’ve received before. It is an incentive for greater success while increasing the awareness of excellence in construction and design standards in Oman.”

On the establishment of Hoehler

the leading financial institution in Oman. The bank maintains strong relationships with almost all of the country’s corporate houses and government agencies, providing comprehensive and customised services. As part of efforts to enhance convenience and add value to services offered to corporate and government customers, Bank Muscat has established exclusive Corporate banking branches across the Sultanate. Exclusive internet banking facility is another key service offered by the bank for corporate customers.

Bank Muscat is at the forefront of customer service excellence and strives to continually deliver high quality service. The bank deems service excellence vital to surpass customer expectation. Driven by the latest technological trends, all Bank Muscat products and services have evolved over the years in line with specific customer requirements. The bank remains committed to sustaining the leadership position, thereby fulfilling the banking aspirations of all valued customers.

A L L O WA N C E

O M A N T E L B U S I N E S S E X C E L L E N C E S M E AWA R D S

MUSCAT: Hoehler + AlSalmy (H+S) Architects and Engineers, an Omani-German joint venture based in Muscat has been awarded as best performing medium size company at the recent Omantel Business Excellence SME Awards.

The company is rapidly gaining repute as one of the most innovative architectural firms in the Sultanate of Oman with a number of extremely prestigious awards and nominations under its belt, says a press release.

Commenting on the growing role of the SME sector for economic growth, Muhammad Sultan Al Salmy, managing director and lead architect and partner of Hoehler + AlSalmy remarked, “The support from the government and private sector for entrepreneurs and small & medium enterprises in the Sultanate is critical in order to grow our economy. Facilitating finance to enable firms to grow, or by dedicating a percentage for them in the government projects allows the SME sector to flourish.”

Al Salmy expressed his pride in the award recognition, noting, “This is an outstanding achievement for the team and a culmination of our efforts over these past years. Having founded the company in 2009, we have worked on developing it ever since. We focus on attracting national and international competencies in the business by

machine is presently available in the Avenues Mall ebranch and similar machines will be launched soon in select branches across all regions in Oman.

The business cash deposit machine was sourced from a leading UK-based company that provides automated self-service cash solutions. The technology has been implemented by major banks and financial institutions across the world.

The statement printer kiosk can be used by all Bank Muscat customers for printing account statements. The innovative service introduced as part of the bank’s strategy to automate key services is presently available four branches - Al Khoudh, Al Seeb, Avenues Mall and Al Khuwair 37 – and will be introduced in more select branches. Bank Muscat customers are required to use their Debit card + PIN to instantly print account statements, without waiting in queue in branches.

Over the past 34 years, Bank Muscat has achieved steady and significant growth to emerge as

+ AlSalmy, Al Salmy furthered, “The company was established in 2009 as a branch of the global firm Hoehler+Partner. Designing the GUtech campus in Oman was our first initiative. The company has achieved various other accolades from Oman to New York and we recently won the Special Mention award at the German Design Awards 2016, the Al Roya economic award, as well as added to our numerous Construction Week Awards winnings last March for our University of Al Buraimi Project as Commercial project of the year on the same day as announcing the name change of the company from Hoehler + Partner to Hoehler + AlSalmy.”

He added, “Our company specialises in architecture and project management and we work on innovative projects that compete on an international level. The company aims at providing high standard projects by combining the modern elements of architecture with traditional Omani architectural designs. H+S has earned the trust of local clients and are working in a number of premium projects in Oman including the GUtech campus, University of Al Buraimi, the new conference and exhibition hall at GUtech, the German Embassy in Muscat, the new Audi and Porsche centres in Muscat, the Jawad Sultan Headquarters in Qurum and a

new development in Madinat Qaboos, as well as other selected private and commercial projects.

Regarding the recognition of the company at the Omantel Business Excellence SME Awards, Al Salmy mentioned “As a company, we work hard to gain as much recognition in various competitions and events as well as keeping pace with the new developments in the market. We participated in this competition as part of our commitment to highlight the growing role of SME’s in the Sultanate.

This recognition proves our success and excellence and serves as a message of appreciation for our staff for all of their efforts, hard work and dedication.”

On the future vision, Al Salmy said, “We are looking forward to continuing our progress as we prepare for the future with solid plans and approach to the current economical conditions. We pay special attention in developing our staff to continue their growth and innovations. We’re looking forward to the upcoming years as we plan and prepare for the new exciting projects to come.”

He extended his thanks to Omantel for its continuous leadership in the telecommunication field, and wished all the best for the operators in the SME sector to play an even greater role in the national economy.

Kuwait Airways’ free baggage promotion extended till October 31 MUSCAT: Kuwait Airways has extended more free baggage allowance to passengers travelling from Muscat to Kuwait and all its connecting destinations beyond Kuwait to India, Sub-continent, Far East, Middle East and Europe.

Accordingly, passengers travelling from Muscat will now get free baggage allowance of 2 pieces weighing 23kg each total of 46kg to all destinations. This promotional free baggage offer is valid with immediate effect until October 31, says a press release.

New baggage policy Kuwait Airways has introduced lately a new baggage policy ‘Baggage made simple’ under which all its routes are now operating on a piece concept basis and the customers travelling in economy class are entitled to one bag with maximum of 23kg as free baggage allowance.

Further, the promotional offer of two piece 23kg each total of 46kg was offered only to select destinations earlier.

With immediate effect, the free baggage offer is extended to all destinations for attracting more passengers during summer including families who wish to avail more free baggage allowance on their return too.

Further, business class passengers will be permitted 2 Pieces each weighing 32kg total 64kg instead of the regular baggage allowance of 2 pieces each weighing 23kg total 46kg.

As a part of baggage policy change, the cost of excess baggage rate is also cut by allowing more weight at less cost for passengers wishing to carry more than two pieces and any excess baggage will be charged on extra piece basis. Now the first excess bag with 23 kilo will be charged OMR80 and the second excess bag with 23 kilo will be charged OMR130.

60% cut The new excess baggage charges per bag up to 23kg will be greater beneficial to customers carrying excess bags as the cost of buying an additional 23 kilo piece of baggage to many sectors cut by 60% and above.

For example, the current excess baggage rate per kilo from Muscat to Manila charged is OMR7.300 per kilo and the cost to carry 23 kilo of baggage will be OMR167.900. Whereas, under the new piece concept policy, the excess baggage charges will be OMR80 only for the first excess bag of 23kg.

30 LUCKY WINNERS

Bank Sohar hosts 3rd Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme monthly draw MUSCAT: Bank Sohar, at a recent VIP gathering held in wilayat of Al Suwaiq conducted its third Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme 2016 monthly draw, revealing the names of over 30 lucky winners for the month of April.

The draws conducted included the monthly OMR10,000 general draw, OMR1,000 children’s draw, OMR10,000 ladies draw (for two winners) and the exclusive OMR10,000 monthly draw.

The branch guaranteed draws, which saw one winner from each of the bank’s 27 branches win OMR1,000, were conducted earlier at the bank’s head office. In total, the monthly draws witnessed over OMR55,000 won by 32 winners across all categories, says a press release.

The special VIP event was held at the Royal Hall in Al Suwaiq under the auspices of Sheikh Hamoud bin Nasser bin Hamoud Al Hashmi, Wali of Al Suwaiq. Representing Bank Sohar at the event were Khalfan bin Rashid Al Taley, DGM and head of Central Operations, Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi, Senior AGM of Branches and Retail Sales, Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, Senior AGM of Marketing and Customer Experiencer, Rashid Saif Al Maskry, District Manager of the Batinah Region, Ali Juma Al Hindasi, Senior Branch manager, Al

Suwaiq Branch, together with other senior members of the bank and branch managers, who welcomed the chief guest and the bank’s VIP customers from the area.

The event was inaugurated with a welcome address by Ali Juma Al Hindasi, followed by a speech

by Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi, conveyed acting CEO’s message to the gathering highlighting the achievements of the bank and the enhanced 2016 savings scheme and its wider range of prizes.

Commenting on the occasion, Khalfan Al Taley said “Since our inception in 2007, we have achieved success and popularity in the Sultanate as one of the leading financial institutions. This was

possible only due to the loyalty of our customers and the trust they place in us.

“Our Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme has always been centred around the best interests of our customers with the ultimate goal of instilling the habit of savings. It is their feedback that has gradually evolved the savings scheme over the years. This year’s savings scheme also follows suit, now offering even more prizes with an increased frequency of draws and guaranteed winners across our entire branch network every month.”

The event proceeded with a dancing performance organised by the Omani Women’s Association and performed by talented school

students from the area.

This was followed by a short documentary video showcasing the journey of the Al Mumayaz Saving Scheme together with its highlights and various Draw events. Shortly thereafter, a comprehensive overview of the features of the 2016 savings scheme as well as a presentation on various retail products was delivered by Redha Al Lawatia, head of Liabilities, highlighting the main enhancements for the new scheme compared to the previous year and other value added advantages. The guest of honour, the Wali of Al Suwaiq then presented the performers with a token of appreciation.

Following the presentation, the five major draws were conducted; beginning with the children’s draw which saw Nawaf Talal from the bank’s Al Qurum Branch, win OMR 1,000. The two ladies draws saw Fatma Al Mamari from the bank’s Al Khoudh branch, and Nazik Ibrahim from the bank’s Saham Branch, win OMR 5,000 each; while the exclusive draw saw Mohammed Abdullah from the bank’s Sur branch, win OMR10,000.

The final draw of the evening was the general draw for the month of April which saw Awadh Said Ahmed from the bank’s Salalah branch win OMR10,000.

The monthly branch guaranteed draws were conducted earlier in the bank head office and witnessed customers from each of the bank’s branches win OMR1,000.

Moosa Al Saadi was the winner from Al Suwaiq branch, Waleed Al Mukhaini from Sur branch, Abdullah Salim from Al Buraimi branch, Ali Al Maqbali from Shinas branch, Marah Mohammed from Sinaw branch, Sharifa Mohammed from MBD branch, Maimoona Hilal from Barka branch, Yousuf Abdullah from Saham branch, S. C. & A. P. from Privilege Banking Branch, Abdullah Al Saidi from Al Khaboura branch, M. M. Al Rawahi from Nizwa branch, Khalid Al Harbi from Al Seeb branch, Azhar Hus-

sain from Salalah branch, S.A.Al Shukali from Bahla branch, Noor Mahmood from Ibri branch, Minor G. Issa from Al Azaiba branch, Saleh Khalfan from Quriyat branch, Sabrah Saleh from Al Qurum branch, Nooh Khamis Al Balushi from Al Khoudh branch, Hoor Al Mamari from Sohar branch, Yousuf Al Alawi from JalanBani Bu Ali branch, A. V. from Ruwi branch, Abdullah Al Jabri from Al Amerat branch, Naif Salim from Al Rustaq branch, Naser Faris from Ibra branch, Chandran Ramadasn from Al Khuwair branch, and Hussain Mohammed from Avenues Mall branch.

Following the draws, the chief guest was presented with a token of appreciation by Al Taley on behalf of the bank.

Congratulating the winners, Al Rahbi, said, “I take this opportunity, on behalf of the bank, to thank every customer patronising Bank Sohar and for being a part of our Al Mumayaz Scheme.

With over 1,500 prizes to be won this year, I look forward to see more customers joining the Bank Sohar family and taking away our attractive prizes. I would also like to encourage our customers to continue saving for maximising their chances of winning and wish them the very best of luck for the upcoming draws.”

C

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

SECTION

OMAN START FAVOURITES AT ICC WORLD CRICKET LEAGUE DIVISION 5 >C3

SPOR YOUR GAME

S

INSIDE LIFESTYLE

EXPERIENCING LUXURY IN THE SKY >C5

CRICKET

World Twenty20 drama to make Stokes a better cricketer: Broad LONDON: England all-rounder Ben Stokes will learn from his dreadful World Twenty20 experience and come back a stronger player, teammate Stuart Broad has said.

Stokes was hit for four successive sixes by West Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite in the last over of the T20 final, the onslaught ending England’s hopes of a second title.

SHAKY START: Fatma is yet to regain the form that fetched five titles in 2015. — Times of Oman file photo

Fatma suffers doubles loss in South Korea The Omani star and her Thai partner Patcharin went down to a strong local pair of Seung-Yeon Hong and Seo-Kyung Kang. But Fatma will continue her campaign in the singles on Wednesday when she takes on Dabin Kim

MUSCAT: Fatma Al Nabhani failed to cross the first hurdle in the doubles competition of the $25,000 Goyang ITF Pro Circuit tournament in South Korea on Tuesday but will continue her campaign in the singles event.

In the doubles, the Omani star and her Thai partner Patcharin Cheapchandej came up against a strong local pair of Seung-Yeon Hong and Seo-Kyung Kang.

CRICKET

Australia’s Maxwell returns home injured from IPL

INJURED: Glenn Maxwell

MELBOURNE: Australia allrounder Glenn has suffered a side strain in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and will head home to recover before the West Indies tour, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Tuesday.

Maxwell had “increasing soreness in his left abdomen area” after playing for Kings XI Punjab, CA said in a statement.

“From the information we have so far, the injury doesn’t appear to be something that will prevent Glenn from participating in this tour, but we are keen to give him the necessary time to recover before departing to the West Indies at the end of this month,” a CA physiotherapist said.

The hard-hitting 27-yearold becomes the fifth Australia player to leave the Indian Twenty20 tournament early following the departures of captain Steve Smith, John Hastings and Mitchell and Shaun Marsh.

Australia play West Indies and South Africa in a triangular Oneday International (ODI) tournament starting on June 5. - Reuters

The Omani-Thai duo, however, gave a good fight stretching their opponents to the limit. But they failed to stop the Korean girls from winning 7-6 (4), 7-6 (7).

Five titles in one year In the singles event, seventhseeded Fatma will begin her campaign on Wednesday with a match against 792nd ranked local girl Dabin Kim.

Fatma, who is currently ranked 421 in the singles, is yet to regain the form that fetched her five titles in 2015.

Last month, the Omani, whose highest career ranking of 362 came way back in 2010, took part in a highly rated $100,000 Anning ITF Pro Circuit tournament in China where she bowed out in the first round of both singles and doubles.

In the singles, she lost 3-6, 3-6 to Australian Jessica Moore and in the doubles, Fatma and her Japanese partner Junri Naigata were beaten 3-6, 3-6 by Thailand’s Varatchaya Wongteanchai and China’s Zhaoxuan Yang.

Fatma had a great year in 2015 when she won five $10,000 titles, including two back-to-back crowns in south Indian city of Hyderabad.

In 2013, she won back-to-back $10,000 Sharm El Sheikh titles in Egypt and similar level tournaments in Fujairah in 2010 and 2012 respectively.

Broad was blasted for six sixes

by India’s Yuvraj Singh in the 2007 tournament but used the setback as motivation and has backed Stokes to follow suit. “I wouldn’t be the bowler I am now without that experience,” Broad said. “You’re dead right, people would have been sat there thinking: ‘Why did you go that way?’

“But you’ve got to go with what

you feel is your strength, so as a player you’ll always have things you are confident in. I prefer a player to get it wrong going for something they believe is their strength than going to something that isn’t. Don’t be surprised if Stokesy now performs at a really high level because he’ll realise what went wrong — he has an amazing talent.” - Reuters

C2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

SPORTS

Don’t know if I have hit peak, says Kohli

IPL PREVIEW

Virat Kohli’s breathtaking run began with the

Inspirational Kohli set to play against Punjab despite split webbing BENGALURU: Enjoying one of the best phases in his career so far, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s inspirational leader Virat Kohli is ready to play through pain against Kings XI Punjab with multiple stitches in his split webbing in another must-win IPL encounter, here on Wednesday.

Kohli sustained a split webbing in his left hand while fielding against Kolkata Knight Riders as he went for a diving catch. He left the field briefly to get medical assistance, got his webbing taped and was back in field. He then played another classy knock to keep RCB’s play-off qualification hopes alive.

“I might need 7-8 stitches,” Kohli had said after the match but if KXIP thought that the opposition skipper will make himself unavailable, they would be in for disappointment as RCB’s manager Avinash Vaidya said that India’s No 1 batsman will be playing tomorrow.

“Virat will definitely play tomorrow,” Vaidya, a former Karnataka Ranji player, told PTI today.

IPL’s perennial whipping boys KXIP are out of the tournament and are in a mood to complete formalities while RCB will be hoping that they record another big win to take their points tally to 14 and survive to fight till the last round of the league engagements.

RCB are currently lying fifth and two wins will take them to the play-offs.

For Punjab, who have now lost Glenn Maxwell due to a side strain, their job will be to make life difficult for the RCB but on a small Chinnaswamy ground, the possibilities are pretty less.

As the tournament reaches the business end, RCB’s much vaunted batting line-up is giving

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

Pune win by D/L method VISAKHAPATNAM: Rising Pune Supergiants beat Delhi Daredevils by 19 runs as rain stopped play twice during the chase here on Tuesday. Put into bat, DD could only muster 121 which could have been even lesser had it not been for Chris Morris’ final over cameo. In reply, RPS were comfortably ahead of Duckworth Lewis par score. The loss would hurt DD’s hopes of making the play-offs.

nightmares to the opposition.

Kohli has left his competitors far behind in his bid for ‘Orange Cap’ with 752 runs to his credit in 12 matches so far which includes a whopping three hundreds in a single edition.

He has also surpassed Chris Gayle’s (733) record of maximum runs in a single IPL season.

Their savage attacking skills apart, Gayle’s return to form with a smashing 49, will also be a cause of worry for Murali Vijay’s side, especially on a pitch considered to be batting paradise.

Kohli has got tremendous support from AB de Villiers, who has also scored 597 runs and is second in the list of run-getters. KL Rahul has also had a good IPL so far with 332 runs which includes four 50-plus scores. — PTI

World T20 and he has carried it well and truly into the IPL, where he has scored three tons

NEW DELHI: India’s star batsman Virat Kohli says he has not batted better than the last two months but stopped short of calling the ongoing phenomenal phase as the peak of his career.

“I don’t know if if I have reached my peak yet. It just feels that I have just started in the last couple of months. Coaches including in IPL ask me regularly whether I have hit peak or not. All I can say is that I have been hitting the ball better than I have ever but I know this

phase can’t be taken for granted,” said Kohli.

Kohli’s breathtaking run began with the World T20 and he has carried it well and truly into the IPL, where he has scored a record three centuries and has become the highest run-getter in a season.

“I would like to enjoy this phase rather than think about anything else. I have never been this calm in my head. I am aiming for improvement not just as a cricketer but also as a person.” In an interview

to India Today, Kohli also gave an interesting insight to his state of mind before he takes the field in every game. “I check my heart-rate just before I take the field. I try to calm myself down if the heart is beating too fast as I feel I won’t be able to give my best that way. After that I just to look to start my innings and explore,” he said.

How does he manage to maintain his intensity on the field after scoring tons of runs for his team?

“I respect the sport. Be it any match, I know I have to give my 120 percent. It is probably because the struggles of the past remain fresh in my mind and that is why I don’t take anything for granted.

Playing this sport is all I know,” said the champion batsman.

With the form that he is in, comparison with his idol Sachin Tendulkar is also expected. However, Kohli calls the comparison invalid.

“It is embarrassing to be honest.

It is not fair on him (Tendulkar).

He can’t be compared to anyone.

You are talking about a batsman of a different calibre. I have strengthened my game whereas he was born to achieve all that he has. I have been playing well for two years while he served the nation with grace for 24 years. He is two levels above anyone else in this generation of batsmen,” said India’s Test captain.

He says he never wanted to be average and that is evident from his commitment on the field. Besides scaling new heights with the bat, he has also helped the team by building a fitness culture. “There has been a massive change in my fitness. I started lifting weights and that has transformed my whole body. Credit goes to Shankar Basu for working with me and the entire team,” said Kohli. — PTI

G AY L E S P E A K S

Virat-AB are like ‘Batman-Superman’ KOLKATA: Simply blown away by their pyrotechnics, West Indies left-hander Chris Gayle compared Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers to fictional superheroes ‘Batman’ and ‘Superman’, as the duo lit up the Indian Premier League with some dazzling display of top quality batsmanship.

“Those two guys are playing like ‘Batman and Superman’. They are in the form of their lives, especially Kohli. They should continue pressing the gas, don’t ease up and fill their boots with as much runs as possible. They are doing a phenomenal job for RCB,” Gayle said in the post-match media conference.

With 1349 runs from 12 matches, Kohli and De Villiers seemed to be unstoppable and are the top-two leading run-getters of the ninth season.

Their amazing form has swung the fortunes of Royal Challengers Bangalore, who routed two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders by nine wickets yesterday.

Carrying forward their stellar show of Bangalore where they ran riot with a record 229-run partnership in their colossal 144-run

FICTIONAL COMPARISON: Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Chris

Gayle is awe struck by the duo’s pyrotechnics.

win over Gujarat Lions, Kohli (75 not out) and De Villiers (59 not out) made short work of KKR’s 183/5 to romp home with eight balls to spare.

“It’s fantastic, they (Kohli and AB) are batting under pressure as well. Credit must go to both of them. Kohli leading from the front is even better. Overall, it’s a great team effort. Those guys may have contributed in all the 12 games so far. Hopefully, they can continue and put us in winning position.

With three centuries and five

fifties in his tally of 752 runs, ‘Orange Cap’ holder Kohli has lifted an otherwise lacklustre IPL and in the process has surpassed Chris Gayle’s 2012 record 733 runs in an IPL season.

Describing Kohli as a complete cricketer, Gayle said the Indian Test captain should go past 1000mark. “I must congratulate him to achieve such a thing in IPL so far.

With two more games, maybe he can get close to 1000 runs. And who knows, if we make the play-offs...”

Decoding Kohli’s success, Gayle

said it’s the Indian’s hunger to better his previous performances that has been key to his success.

“It’s always about determination. He (Kohli) is a person who is never satisfied. He always actually wants to better his last performance which is good. For any batsman wanting to better your last performance, you keep building on that especially when you’re in a good form, capitalise on that and cash in on as much as possible,” Gayle said.

“He’s a doing a great job. It is not always about power-hitting, but it is about right timing, shot selection. He is very fit as his running between the wickets bears testimony and while on the field as well. He is a complete cricketer,” he added.

RCB’s have come within sniffing distance of the play-offs jumping to fifth place and would need to win their remaining two matches against Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Daredevils to keep their hopes alive.

Gayle said they will be a threat to other teams if they make the final-four. — PTI

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

C3

SPORTS DOPING

31 athletes could miss Rio after positive Beijing drugs re-tests: IOC

ANOTHER CHALLENGE: Oman team’s performance in the World T20 in India made the cricket world sit up and take notice. – Times of Oman file

Oman start favourites at WCL Division 5 in Jersey The International Cricket Council has given Oman the top seeding in the six-team competition from which the finalists will gain promotion to World Cricket League Division 4

Sports Reporter MUSCAT: Oman cricket team will start as favourites when the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cricket League Division 5 competition gets underway in Jersey on Saturday.

According to news posted on the official website of the ICC, the Omani squad are given top seeding in the tournament and ‘will enter the competition as the favourites following an impressive debut at the recent ICC World Twenty20 in India’.

In the preliminary round of the ICC World T20 played in the northern Indian hill station of Dharamsala, Oman defeated Ireland in a thrilling match to make the cricketing world sit up and take notice.

The Sultanate squad, who are being coached by Sri Lankan great Duleep Mendis, have retained 12 players from the World Twenty20 championship.

The ICC, meanwhile, announced the six squads and match officials for the ICC World Cricket League Division 5. Apart from the home side, Guernsey, Nigeria, Oman, Tanzania and Vanuatu will take part in the weeklong tournament during which 18 matches will be played, with the finalists earning promotion to Division 4 to be staged later in the year.

Jersey is the defending champion of the tournament, after it beat Malaysia by 71 runs in 2014.

However, Jersey and Oman, after finishing in the bottom two of the ICC World Cricket League Division 4, were relegated to Division 5 competition.

The ICC World Cricket League offers teams a chance to get promoted right up to Division 2, which is the final stage in the pathway to qualification for the ICC Intercontinental Cup, ICC’s fourday first-class competition for Associate and Affiliate members,

as well as the 50-over ICC World Cricket League Championship.

The winner of the ICC Intercontinental Cup will play the 10th-ranked Test nation in the four-Test ICC Test Challenge in 2018. If the Intercontinental Cup winner clinches the ICC Test Challenge, then it will become the 11th Test nation until 2022.

Similarly, the top sides from the ICC World Cricket League Championship, along with the bottom four sides on the MRF Tyres ICC ODI Team Rankings as on September 30, 2017, will qualify for the ICC Cricket World Cup Qualifier 2018 with the top two sides progressing to the event proper in 2019.

Participating squads Oman: Ajay Lalcheta (captain), Aamir Kaleem, Bilal Khan, Jatinder Singh, Khawar Ali, Mehran Khan, Munis Ansari, Noorul Riaz, Rajesh Ranpura, Sufyan Mahmood, Swapnil Khadye, Vaibhav Wategaonkar, Zeeshan Maqsood and Zeeshan Siddiqui.

Guernsey: James Nussbaumer (captain), Joshua Butler, Max Ellis, Lee Ferbrache, David Hooper, Andrew Hutchinson, Thomas Kimber, Thomas Kirk, Jason Martin, Oliver Newey, Oliver Nightingale, Luke Nussbaumer, GH Smit and Matthew Stokes.

Jersey: Peter Gough (captain) Corey Bisson, Corniles Bodenstein, Jake Dunford, Luke Gallichan, William Harris, Anthony Hawkins-Kay, Jonty Jenner, Ben Kynman, Robert McBey, Rhys Palmer,

Charles Perchard, Benjamin Stevens and Nathaniel Watkins.

Nigeria: Adekunle Adegbola (captain), Abiodun Abioye, Salako Abdulazeez, Sesan Adedeji, Chima Akachukwu, Joshua Ayannaike, Oladije Bejide, Opke Issac, Emmanuel Okwudili, Ademola Onikoyi, Chimezie Onwuzulike, Segun Olayinka, Oluseye Olympio and Leke Oyede.

Tanzania: Hamisi Abdallah (captain), Athumani Cassim, Arun Dagar, Shaheed Dhanani, Arshaan Jasani, Ashish Kamania, Kishen Kamania, Nasibu Kelvin, Riziki Kiseto, Ally Mpeka, Kassimu Nassoro, Abhik Patwa, Khalil Rehmatulla and Jitin Singh.

Vanuatu: Andrew Mansale (captain), Callum Blake, Jelany Chilia, Jonathan Dunn, Wolford Kalworai, Patrick Matautaava, Christion Mete, Nalin Nipiko, Simpson Obed, Joshua Rasu, Apolinaire Stephen, Ronald Tari, Clement Tommy and Jamal Vira.

Fixtures: May 21: Jersey vs Oman (Grainville); Tanzania vs Nigeria (Farmers Field); Guernsey vs Vanuatu (FB Fields). May 22: Jersey vs Vanuatu (Grainville); Guernsey vs Tanzania (Farmers Field); Nigeria vs Oman (FB Fields). May 24: Nigeria vs Guernsey (Grainville); Vanuatu vs Oman (Farmers Field); Jersey vs Tanzania (FB Fields).

May 25: Oman vs Tanzania (Grainville); Jersey vs Guernsey (Farmers Field); Nigeria vs Vanuatu (FB Fields). May 27: Vanuatu vs Tanzania (Grainville); Jersey vs Nigeria (Farmers Field); Oman vs Guernsey (FB Fields). May 28: Final (Grainville); 3 vs 4 playoff (Farmers Field); 5 vs 6 play-off (FB Fields).

FOOTBALL

Toppling Sevilla would rubber-stamp Klopp’s red revolution at Liverpool BARCELONA: Juergen Klopp, who has breathed new life into Liverpool in his seven months in charge, would seal his place in the hearts of the club’s supporters if he pulls off victory over Sevilla in Wednesday’s Europa League final.

It would bring Liverpool’s first European trophy since the famous fightback against AC Milan in the Champions League final in Istanbul in 2005.

Klopp conjured up the spirit of that historic win in the extraordinary quarter-final performance over his former club Borussia Dortmund when the Reds turned a 3-1 halftime deficit in the second leg into a stunning 4-3 victory in stoppage time.

Sevilla, current holders, might be a different matter though.

Klopp will be up against coach Unai Emery, whose side have won the last two editions of the tournament and hold a record four UEFA Cup/Europa League triumphs, all in the last decade.

Sevilla had an easier path to the final, beating Shakhtar Donetsk 5-3 on aggregate in the semis, although they needed a penalty shootout to overcome fellow Spaniards Athletic Bilbao in the last eight. Sevilla have endured a disappointing domestic campaign, finishing seventh in La Liga and failing to win a single away game, the only team in Europe’s top five leagues to do so.

Liverpool’s season has not been dissimilar. Klopp’s team have ended in eighth place in the Premier League, their lowest finish since 2012. The charismatic German has proved a master of the big occasion, however, knocking out Manchester United and Villarreal as well as Dortmund with his trademark game plan of high intensity pressing.

He will be looking for the same high octane performance against Sevilla. “There will be challenges all over the pitch. There will be a lot of fight, for sure; you cannot win a cup with just a little bit of playing football,” Klopp told UEFA.com.

“You have to show that you’re really ready for the big moments.”

Klopp must decide whether to start with captain Jordan Henderson, who only returned from a knee injury by playing half an hour as a substitute in Sunday’s 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

Emery, who has no new injury concerns from the semi-final, is banking on his team’s mental resilience to become the first coach to win three consecutive Europa League trophies.

“The fact that this is our third consecutive final demonstrates how focused and hungry we have been to do well in the Europa League, and win it,” he said.

“That means competing - standing up to be counted throughout the 90 minutes.” - Reuters

LONDON: Thirty-one athletes from six sports could be banned from this year’s Rio Olympics after failing dope tests when 454 samples were reexamined from the 2008 Beijing Games, the International Olympic Committee said on Tuesday.

The IOC also said it would start re-testing Sochi 2014 winter Games samples after allegations of tarnished samples were made last week by Russia’s former top antidoping scientist. Some 250 samples from the London Games will also be reexamined.

In an effort to crack down on cheats during the Olympics, the IOC said this was targeted re-testing on athletes likely to be at the Rio Games starting on Aug. 5, and those found to have tested positive would not compete. An IOC official said no names would be made public at this stage until athletes had been informed and a second sample, or B-sample, tested as well.

“The aim is to stop any drugs cheats coming to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro,” the IOC said. “The (IOC) Executive Board agreed unanimously to initiate proceedings immediately, with the 12 National Olympic Committees concerned informed in the coming days.”

The re-tests, a regular procedure by the IOC as it looks to use newer methods or look for new substances, were carried out in conjunction with the World AntiDoping Agency (WADA) and international federations.

The IOC said it had also called on WADA to launch a “fully fledged investigation” into allegations that testing during the Sochi 2014 winter Olympics by the on-site accredited laboratory had been subverted.

The former head of Russia’s antidoping agency Grigory Rodchenkov said last week that the Sochi lab

An IOC official said no names would be made public at this stage until athletes had been informed

had tampered with samples.

Russia is at the heart of the biggest drugs scandal in years, with the country’s track and field athletes currently suspended and the Rio Games hopes in doubt, and their drugs testing lab and antidoping agency undergoing complete overhaul.

“All these measures are a powerful strike against the cheats we do not allow to win. They show once again that dopers have no place to hide,” said IOC President Thomas Bach. “The re-tests from Beijing and London and the measures we are taking following the worrying allegations against the laboratory in Sochi are another major step to protect the clean athletes, irrespective of any sport or any nation.”

Apart from tarnishing any competition, doping has also damaged the Olympics’ reputation, with the IOC regularly stripping athletes of their medals, sometimes years after they competed, due to positive drugs tests.

“By stopping so many doped athletes from participating in Rio we are showing once more our determination to protect the integrity of the Olympic competitions, including the Rio anti-doping laboratory, so that the Olympic magic can unfold in Rio de Janeiro,” Bach said. - Reuters

C4

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

SPORTS

NexGen set to step out of shadows Y O U N G L I O N S T O WAT C H

19-Nick Kyrgios - Australia (21 yrs) Kyrgios was threatened with ban last year after making lurid remarks about the Stan Wawrinka’s girlfriend but is letting his tennis do the talking this season. Won his first ATP title in Marseille and made semis at Dubai, Miami and Estoril. Pushed Rafael Nadal hard on clay at Italian Open and has reached a career-high ranking. “The key for him is maturity and being consistent week in week out,” former top-10 player, leading coach and ESPN summariser Brad Gilbert said. “He has the most talent of any of the under 21s but can he put it all together to sustain what he needs to do?” *** 44-Borna Coric - Croatia (19) Lacks the killer weapons of Kyrgios and Alexander Zverev but makes up for that with a maturity beyond his years. Has struggled to chalk up big results against players in the top 20 but did make finals in Chennai and Marrakesh. “He is the best mover of the younger players, a bit of a copy of Djokovic, but less talent than some of the other young guys,” Gilbert said. *** 48-Alexander Zverev - Germany (19) Nearly two metres tall and packing huge weapons with his serve and forehand, Zverev also boasts the kind of fluid movement that similarly tall players struggle with. Appears to thrive on the show courts and outplayed Nadal this year in Indian Wells before missing a match point and succumbing. Germany are looking for a new Boris Becker and

A hungry bunch of young lions are showing all the signs of keeping the flame burning long after the Fab Four settle down to a quiet life

LONDON: Tennis fans should intoxicate themselves on the elixir still being served up by the best men’s generation to grace the game before the well dries up and mere mortals take over, at least that’s what the doom-mongers think.

They say when 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer, claycourt king Rafael Nadal and Serbian winning-machine Novak Djokovic, not to mention the mercurial Andy Murray, hang up their rackets quality, and interest, will suffer.

However, a hungry bunch of young lions are showing all the signs of keeping the flame burning long after the Fab Four settle down to a quiet life polishing their silverware.

At Indian Wells this year the men’s Tour launched its ATP#NextGen campaign to promote rising stars aged 21 and under.

They were not short of names.

Volatile but dazzling 21-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios, Borna Coric, a Croatian teenager with uncanny similarities to a young Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, a German already being compared to Boris Becker, are already established in the top 50.

Throw teenagers Hyeon Chung (South Korea), Karen Khachanov (Russia) and Quentin Halys (France) into the mix alongside American 18-year-old Taylor Fritz, the youngest player in the top 100, Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka, Britain’s Kyle Edmund and Swede Elias Ymer and there ap-

VOLATILE BUT DAZZLING: Twenty-one-year-old Australian Nick Kyrgios.

pears to be critical mass of youngsters boasting ‘future grand slam champion’ potential.

Five years ago there were seven players aged 21 and under in the top 150, today that figure has risen to 13. That said, there are no guarantees, according to American Brad Gilbert, a former top-10 player and coach to the likes of Andre Agassi and Murray.

“To become a great player and world number one and grand slam winner, you already have to be great when you’re a teenager,” Gil-

bert said. “But I believe that there will be someone in this current group who steps up.”

Stepping up to join Federer, Djokovic and Nadal, winners of 17, 14 and 11 grand slam titles since 2003, has been notoriously difficult, not just for rising stars, but everyone else. Since 2010 Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka have won two apiece and Marin Cilic one while Juan Martin del Potro is the only other active player to have won a major.

“It’s been tougher to make re-

ally big breakthroughs because the Big Four have sustained their excellence for an insane amount of time,” Gilbert said.

Kyrgios, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist two years ago aged 19, is leading the charge having risen to a career-high 19th in the world heading to the French Open. He won his first ATP title this year and made semis in Dubai, Miami and Estoril.

Coric reached his first ATP final in India at the start of the year, while Zverev twice crushed for-

mer big hope Grigor Dimitrov and almost beat Nadal at Indian Wells.

Zverev cautions against predicting a decline for the big guns any time soon but says he is part of exciting times.

“There are a lot of stories about me being potential number one, about Kyrgios being a potential number one, about Coric, but what I think that shows is there is a very strong group of teenagers or young guys coming up,” he said.

“I think we can all do great.”

Federer is regularly asked his opinion of who will be the future stars and likes the look of Zverev, having beaten him in Rome last week. “He will only get better from here,” the Swiss said. “He will compete at the top, top 10 at least,

Zverev could be their best hope, especially at Wimbledon. Coached by his father and former pro, also Alex. “Clearly he has a big game and nice technique and good attitude,” Federer said recently. *** 72-Taylor Fritz - U.S. (18) The youngest member of the top 100. By reaching the Memphis Open final, he became the youngest American man to reach a Tour final since Michael Chang in 1989. He lost to Kei Nishikori. A completely different animal to Chang though, relying on a powerful first serve and a crushing forehand. His country’s big hope also seems to have the work ethic to go far. “My philosophy is you work so hard that you want to quit tennis. You get to the point where you are so dead and tired. Then you come back and do it again the next day and do it again and again and again,” he told the ATP website recently. *** 84-Kyle Edmund - Britain (21) A member of the British Davis Cup team that won the trophy for the first time in 79 years last November, the 21-year-old has benefited from spending time with compatriot Murray during an intensive training camp in Dubai before the start of 2016. Having picked up tips from Murray on how to improve his game, Edmund battled through qualifying before reaching his first ATP quarterfinal in Doha. “He’s made great progress. He’s a better athlete than I thought. He’s got a huge forehand. He’s got huge upside,” American great John McEnroe said.

if not then top five. Number one is always a big ask. A lot of things need to align for that: consistency, fitness, mental.”

With world number one Djokovic turning 29 this week, a few days after Murray, Nadal 30 and Federer soon to be 35, ATP chief Chris Kermode is eagerly waiting to see how the tyros shape up.

“It’s exciting,” he said. “I’ve lived through the Borg-McEnroe era, Becker and Agassi and Sampras, people said things would never be the same again.

“But Kyrgios, Zverev, Chung, Coric, they are coming and the great thing is that they have such global appeal. They are at the cusp and we’ll see who makes the jump first.” - Reuters

FOOTBALL

Costa, Mata, Cazorla out of Spain squad BARCELONA: Premier Leaguebased trio Diego Costa, Juan Mata and Santi Cazorla were among a high-profile list of absentees when Spain coach Vicente Del Bosque named his provisional 25-man squad for Euro 2016 on Tuesday.

Costa injured his hamstring against Liverpool in Chelsea’s penultimate game of the season.

Atletico Madrid striker Fernando Torres was also absent from the squad despite his improved form towards the end of the season, as were Arsenal midfielder Cazorla and Valencia forward Paco Alcacer, Spain’s top scorer in their qualifying campaign.

Manchester United midfielder Mata, Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto and Villarreal’s Mario Gaspar were also excluded from the defending champions’ squad despite being involved in the March friendlies with Italy and Romania.

Loew opts for youth Meanwhile, Germany coach Joachim Loew has named four talented youngsters, including three uncapped players, in his preliminary 27-man squad.

Versatile midfielder Joshua Kimmich, striker Leroy Sane, Julian Weigl — another midfielder — and wide man Julian Brandt were all included when Loew announced his provisional squad

on Tuesday. Sane, 20, is the only one of the quartet to have earned a senior cap, making his national debut as a substitute against France in November 2015.

He scored eight times this season and his explosive speed and skills were rare bright spots in Schalke’s otherwise disappointing season.

Twenty-one-year-old Kimmich, who played at both centre back and as a holding midfielder for champions Bayern Munich, earned repeated praise from his coach, Pep Guardiola, during his first season at the club.

Spain squad: Iker Casillas, David de Gea, Sergio Rico; Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, Dani Carvajal, Jordi Alba, Marc Bartra, Cesar Azpilicueta, San Jose, Juanfran; Bruno Soriano, Sergio Busquets, Koke, Thiago, Andrés Iniesta, David Silva, Isco, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas, Saul Niguez; Aritz Aduriz, Nolito, Alvaro Morata, Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid).

Germany squad: Manuel Neuer, Bernd Leno, Marc-Andre ter Stegen; Jerome Boateng, Emre Can, Jonas Hector, Benedikt Hoewedes, Mats Hummels, Shkodran Mustafi, Sebastian Rudy, Antonio Ruediger; Karim Bellarabi, Julian Brandt, Julian Draxler, Sami Khedira, Joshua Kimmich, Toni Kroos, Thomas Mueller, Mesut Ozil, Lukas Podolski, Marco Reus, Andre Schuerrle, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Julian Weigl, Mario Gomez, Mario Goetze, Leroy Sane (Schalke 04). - Reuters

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

Leisure WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

Experiencing Luxury in the Sky Story Scott Armstrong

Flying business class by Qatar Airways is not just about the physical comforts, you can expect an impeccable service throughout your journey that makes it stand apart.

O

nce you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return. Obviously flight has come on a long way since the 1500s when Leonardo da Vinci penned that as he mused about taking to skies. Today, the Renaissance Man would have been astounded at how far his rudimentary glider designs have evolved, morphing into the people-moving machines of a global industry that now sees airlines competing for customers with ever-increasing promises of service and luxury. Nowhere are airlines pushing the limits of premium service more than in the Arabian Gulf, and so, in the interests of science, I boarded a Qatar Airways flight, business class ticket in hand, to see for myself the extent to which this airline had elevated the concept of flight.

Of course, as clever as the “Universal Genius” (as some call him) was, as he sat on a hilltop looking over his beloved city of Florence, dreaming of swooping over the terracotta roofs, I doubt he ever

imagined the drudgery that begins before a modern flight ever leaves the ground — standing in massive queues waiting to check-in, heaving suitcases, clearing security, and then shuffling in to overcrowded waiting areas. Arriving at terminal four at Heathrow a little earlier than the traditional two hours, I was in for an experience much more in line with the romance captured by Leonardo’s quote. I approached the smiling staff at the Qatar airways business class check-in and was swiftly relieved of my bags and handed over to the efficient Meet and Assist personnel who kindly escorted me through security and immigration with a minimum of fuss. Timing it from check in to lounge was less than 10 minutes.

Stunningly un-marred by the check in and immigration process, and quite early for my flight, I settled into a deep chair and began sipping my first bubbles of the day.

Qatar is rightly proud of its premium lounge at Heathrow. It’s split into two mains areas, one casual where comfy loungers overlooking the runway provide the perfect spot to sip away the time before

boarding, and the other, a slightly more formal dining area for those who like to sit at a table while they eat. Both areas enjoy the central buffet and a la carte service, which kept my glass full and snacks coming until it was time to board Flight QR2, a wide-body Airbus A330-300 serving the 9.30pm London-to-Doha flight, due to land at 6.15am Qatar time.

As a business class passenger, I was greeted on board by a reception desk where smiling staff escorted me to my seat, a spacious 180-degree horizontal flatbed offering 60-inch pitch (almost double the legroom of economy), and a generous 21-inch wide seat.

The amenities of the seat include a 17-inch screen for the excellent onboard entertainment system (Oryx TV) plus onboard wifi and the ability to make GSM calls, power sockets for your gadgets, lots of clever storage, noise-cancelling earphones, a goody bag of premium toiletries, and more. Of course, being business class, you’d expect all this.

What set Qatar Airways apart was the atmosphere on board, in part thanks to that soft magenta lighting, but mostly due to the deft, warm (but not over-the-top) service from the crew. Smiles are

not so much polished as genuine — the Downton Abbey-esque hospitality one expects when checking in to a five-star hotel.

You are not an anonymous passenger, but a welcome guest for the duration of the flight.

This is a concept that is vital as the comfort of the seat and one that has been increasingly forgotten as other airlines expand. Travellers used to think that the physical comfort offered in business class was the gift, now it is just the wrapping paper. The service on Qatar is the real present.

Like any five-star service-inthe-sky, Qatar offers an excellent menu, both in terms of food and beverage, and once you’ve had your fill, a sleep suit is available, as is a turndown service (how Downton) during which your bed is made for you with a mattress added to aid your rest.

Perhaps the ultimate sign of a comfy business class bed is the fact that none of the above were required for me to drift off, only to wake shortly before landing in Doha.

For those who, like me, are connecting to other regional flights, Qatar’s impressive Al Mourjan business lounge awaits you. This is Charlton Heston of an epic

lounge — huge and cavernous with a massive water feature at its heart that really needs to be seen rather than described. Downstairs is devoted to comfy chairs, coffee, snacks, and the like, while upstairs is a huge gourmet dining and imbibing area (if you didn’t already get your fill on the way over like I had).

I used my connection time to access the spa-like shower area to really freshen up before getting back on board, this time in premium class for the short hop back to Muscat.

Even on this short regional hop, the reception-like greeting, genuine smiles, and five-star offering of entertainment, food, and beverage was there. Easing back into my seat, a fizzing glass in hand, subdued magenta lighting setting the mood, I couldn’t help but think that Mr da Vinci would have approved.

A man who clearly loved life, I imagined him attacking the gourmet food onboard the Qatar Airways service from London-Heathrow to Doha with gusto, probably accompanied by something red before happily donning his pyjamas and settling down for a snooze in the skies.

—scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com

Photography: Supplied

C

LIFESTYLE

SECTION

C6

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

FIND-IT-ALL CINEMA SCHEDULE

PRAYER TIMINGS

@ SUR

@SOHAR

Cast : Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor, Sudheer Babu, Paras Arora 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 PM Screen 3 Captain America: Civil War (2D) – PG12 Cast : Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr 3.45, 10.30 PM The Jungle Book (2D) (Drama/ Family) –PG Cast : Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba 6.30, 8.30 PM

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence 10:30 & 11:45PM The Angry Birds Movie - (3D) (Comedy) (U) Voice Overs: Peter Dinklage, Tituss Burgess 3:00 & 7:00PM The Trust - (2D) (Crime |Thriller ) (15+) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Elijah Wood, Sky Ferreira 3:45, 9:45PM Term Life - (2D) (Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Jon Favreau 7:00 & 8:45PM All Roads Leads to Rome - (2D) (PG) Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Rosie Day 6:00PM Hepta: The Last Lecture - (2D) (Arabic) Cast: Nelly Karim, Yasmin Raeis 7:45PM (PG12) Captain America: Civil War – (PG) (3D) Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. 3:30, 8:30 & 11:30PM The Jungle Book - (3D) Family) (PG) 6:30PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL The Angry Birds Movie – 3D (U) Animation 12:00, 3:00, 6:45 PM Gold Class : 6:30 PM Captain America: Civil War– 3D (PG12) Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. 2:00, 7:00, 8:45, 11:30 PM Gold Class : 3:30, 8:30, 11:15 PM Jungle Book – 3D (PG) Family Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 1:00, 5:00 PM The Trust – 2D (15+) Crime | Thriller Cast: Nicolas Cage, Elijah Wood, Sky Ferreira 4:45, 11:45 PM Term Life – 2D (15+) Crime | Drama Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Jon Favreau 9:45 PM

X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (Action / Adventure/ Sci Fic) –PG12 Cast : James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence 10:30 & 11:45PM

PANORAMA MALL X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender 10:30 & 11:45PM X-Men: Apocalypse(3D) (Action ) (PG12) 11:30PM VIP LOUNGE The Angry Birds Movie - (4D) (Animation | Action |Comedy) (U) MX4D Cast: Peter Dinklage, Tituss Burgess 3:30, 5:30, 7:30 & 9:30PM The Angry Birds Movie - (3D) (Comedy) (U) 2:30, 4:30 & 6:30PM The Angry Birds Movie - (3D) (Animation | Action |Comedy) (U) VIP LOUNGE 6:45PM The Trust - (2D) (Crime |Thriller ) (15+) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Elijah Wood, Sky Ferreira 3:30, 9:45 & 11:30PM The Trust - (2D) (Crime ) (15+) VIP LOUNGE 3:45 & 11:30PM Term Life - (2D) (Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Jon Favreau 6:00PM The Perfect Match - (2D) (Comedy) (12+) Cast: Terrence Jenkins, Cassie Ventura 5:15PM Captain America: Civil War (PG) (Sci-Fi) (3D) VIP LOUNGE

All Roads Leads to Rome - (2D) (PG) Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Rosie Day 5:15PM

King Liar ( Mal | Comedy ) (PG12) Cast: Dileep, Madonna 11:00 PM

8:45PM Captain America: Civil War – (PG) (Action) (4D) MX4D 3:00, 5:45, 8:30 & 11:15PM Captain America: Civil War – (PG) (Action) 3:15, 9:10PM (3D) The Man Who Knew Infinity - (2D) (PG) Cast: Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons 7:15 & 11:30PM The Jungle Book - (3D) Drama| Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 7:45 & 8:30PM

6:00 PM 24 (Tamil (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Suriya Sivakumar, Nithya Menen 8:50pm The Jungle Book (3D) (Family) (PG) 5:30 PM King Liar (Mal) (2D) (Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Dileep, Madonna Sebastian, Lal 11:15 PM Baaghi (Hindi) (2D) (Sports) (TBC) Cast: Tiger Shroff, Shraddha Kapoor 3:00, 7:30 PM Azhar (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (PG) Cast: Nargis Fakhri, Emraan Hashmi 3:30, 6:15, 8:45 PM

AZAIBA X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (Action |Adventure | Fantasy) (PG12) Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence 10:30, 11:45 PM The Trust (2D) (Crime |Thriller) (15+) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Elijah Wood, Sky Ferreira 5:15 PM Captain America: Civil War (3D) (Action ) Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr 3:15, 9:00, 11:50 PM (PG) The Angry Bird Movie (3D) (Animation ) (U) 3:15, 7:00 PM Chakravyuh (Kannad) (2D) (Action) (PG) Cast: Puneeth Rajkumar, Rachita Ram

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Destination

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Quriyat Sur Jaalan

16:30 18:00 19:30

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) Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

Sur Sur

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

Daily Daily

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

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

SALALAH Captain America: Civil War (3D) (PG) 1:00, 3:45, 8:30, 11:30PM Jungle Book (3D) (PG) (Adventure | Drama) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 2:45PM The Angry Birds Movie (3D) (U) (English) 12:45, 6:45PM The Angry Birds Movie (3D) (U) (Arabic) 4:45PM The Trust (2D) (15+) (Crime | Thriller) 2:00, 6:45, 11:45PM Term Life (2D) (15+) (Crime | Drama) Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Jon Favreau 3:45, 9:30PM The Perfect Match (2D) (12+) (Comedy) Cast: Terrence Jenkins, Cassie Ventura 5:45PM Hepta: The Last Lecture (2D) (PG12) (Arabic) (Drama | Romance) Cast: Nelly Karim, Yasmin Raeis, Ahmed 7:30PM King Liar (2D) (PG12) (Malayalam) (Comedy) Cast: Dileep, Madonna Sebastian, Lal 11:15PM Jacobinte Swargarajyam (2D) (PG) (Mal) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Renji Panicker 8:45PM (Drama)

11.45 13.30 14.00

STAR CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om Jacobinte Swargarajyam ( Mal) (Comedy) Cast : Nivin Pauly, Renji Panicker & Lakshmi Ramakrishna 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema Main 24 (Tamil) (Action \ Thriller) Cast: Suriya, Samantha & Nithya Menon 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema-2 Azhar ( Hindi) (Sports|Drama) Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai & Lara Dutta 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -3 Kali ( Mal) Comedy\ Drama) Cast : Dulquar Salmaan & Sai Pallavi 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -4 Next Change : King Liar (Mal) Programmes are subject to change

WITH LOVE

0

Minimum

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

65-10%

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 extra@timesofoman.com

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 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

06:00 06:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

10:25

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi

TO SUR (ROUTE 55)

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

07:00

The Trust - (2D) (Crime |Thriller ) (15+) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Elijah Wood, Sky Ferreira 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No: 1119 Term Life (Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn 2.00, 6.00, 10.00 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No: 1120 The Perfect Match (2D) (12+) (Comedy) Cast: Terrence Jenkins, Cassie Ventura, Paula Patton 4.00 & 8.00 p.m.

CP No : 1121 All Roads Leads to Rome (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Rosie Day 2.00 & 6.00 p.m.

CP No: 1122

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

41 30

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

BURAIMI Captain America: Civil War PG(3D) (Action) Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr 4:45, 8:45 & 11:30 PM Jungle Book PG (3D) (Adventure) 6:45 PM The Angry Birds Movie U (3D) (Animation) 5:00 & 7:30 PM Term Life 15+ (Crime | Drama) Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn 5:30 & 9:30 PM Azhar PG (Hindi)( Sports | Drama) Cast : Nargis Fakhri, Emraan Hashmi 7:30 & 11:15 PM The Trust 15+ (Crime | Thriller) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Elijah Wood, Sky Ferreira 10:00 & 11:45 PM

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

RUWI Screen 1 Azhar (2D) (Drama / Sport) –TBC Cast : Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai 3.30, 6.30 PM X-Men: Apocalypse (2D) (Action / Adventure/ Sci Fic) –PG12 Cast : Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn, Jennifer Lawrence 10.45 PM Screen 2 Baaghi (2D) (Action) –PG

SOHAR Jungle Book – 3D (Drama, Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 6:45PM Baaghi– 2D (Action) (PG) Cast: Shraddha Kapoor, Tiger Shroff 3:45PM Captain America: Civil War (Action)PG Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. 3:30, 8:45, 11:30PM 24 (Tamil) Action (PG12) Cast: Suriya Sivakumar, Nithya Menon 8:15PM Jacobinte Swargarajyam (Mal) PG Cast: Nivin Pauly, Renji Panicker 9:00 PM The Trust (Crime | Thriller) 15+ 3:30, 9:30, 11:45PM Hepta: The Last Lecture (Arabic) PG12 Cast: Nelly Karim, Yasmin Raeis, Ahmed 7:00PM Azhar (Hindi| Sports | Drama) PG Cast: Nargis Fakhri, Emraan Hashmi 11:15PM All Roads Leads to Rome (Comedy) PG

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

SUR Captain America : Civil War (3D) (Action ) 8:45 PM (PG12) The Angry Birds Movie - (3D) ( Animation) 3:30, 7:30 PM ( U ) Term Life (Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast : Hailee Steinfeld, Jon favreau 5:15, 11:30 PM The Trust (Crime | Thriller) (15+) Cast : Nicolas Cage, Elijah Wood, Sky Ferreira 3:45, 7:00, 9:15 PM King Liar ( Mal | Comedy ) (PG12) Cast: Dileep, Madonna 11:00 PM Jungle Book 3D ( Adventure) (PG) 5:30 PM

BAHJA CINEMA

Cast: Sarah Jessica Parker, Rosie Day 5:15PM Term Life (15+) (Action) 15+ Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Vince Vaughn 6:15, 11:30PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36)

17:30

12.08pm 3.30pm 6.48pm 8.07pm 4.00am

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

@SHATTI

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES (ROUND THE CLOCK) Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya 24787766, 24787780

Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al Hayat International Hospital, Al Ghubra 22004000, 94267068/97049520 Al Hayat Clinic, Al Hail 22009455

AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE Location: 23°14’46.0”N 57°25’53.0”E

The Little Snake Canyon A visit to the Little Snake Canyon in Wadi Bani Awf on the way to Bilad Sayt is an amazing experience. Though this river gorge doesn’t have cool waterfalls or pools to jump in; still it is a lovely place to visit. The trek inside the canyon may instil in you a feeling that you are part of an expedition crew in a Hollywood flick.

-Mohammed Shafeeqe

IN THE NEWS

Special Summer Rates for Stay in Anantara Pool Villas at Qasr Al Sarab QASR AL SARAB Desert Resort by Anantara has launched its summer villa offer for those who wish to retreat to one of the world’s most romantic destinations. Escape to this exotic oasis and experience unparalleled luxury and comfort amid the mystic desert charm of Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarter. Guests can have the chance to ride on a camel over sun soaked dunes as this foreboding landscape unwinds eternally in front of them.

The package includes an overnight stay in a one bedroom Anantara Pool Villa with an exquisite breakfast for two adults. In addition to enjoying the palatial comfort of the luxury accommodation, which includes a private pool, a sunbathing deck, cabana and an outdoor shower, guests can take part in fun filled sunrise and sunset desert activities, or simply refresh and rejuvenate body and mind at the Anantara spa.

Add a signature private dining experience such

as a Villa BBQ or Dining by Design experience for the ultimate romantic escape.

The offer is available until end of September 2016. Rates start from AED 1,999* per night in a one bedroom Anantara Pool Villa, inclusive of buffet breakfast for two adults.

For bookings, visitqasralsarab.anantara.com *Rates are subject to local government fees and 10% service charge.

C8

WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2016

LIFESTYLE

DOLPHINS ALL THE WAY Dolphin watching off Muscat coast has been one of the major attractions for domestic as well

as foreign tourists in Oman. Many find it a perfect way to start an outdoor weekend with family and friends. Watching Oman coast from the sea in the crystal waters of Bandar Al Khiran and experiencing the breathtaking views of Al Bustan Palace, Qantab fishing village, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, and the contrasting copper-induced cliffs of Bandar Al Khiran touching the turquoise sea, are a must-do when you are in Muscat.

FOR DOLPHIN WATCHING TRIPS CONTACT Sidab Sea Tours Call: +968 9261 2729, +968 9943 2782 Azzaha Tours Call: +968 9942 5461, +968 9901 3424 Al Raheeb Marine Tourism Call: +968 9274 5623 Coral Ocean Tours Call: +968 9411 0088

Photos: Shutterstock, Purushothaman Kunnummal

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 AY 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

Nassar Hilal 5x9

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D7

D2

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

&hZE/^, K&&/ ^ FOR RENT

ʽ ^ãÊÙ ZÊÊÃÝ

ǀĂŝůĂďůĞ Ăƚ Ă ƉƌŝŵĞ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ ŽŶ njĂŝďĂ SĞƌǀŝĐĞ RŽĂĚ (PƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ KĐĐƵƉŝĞĚ ďLJ ͛^Ăī Ă &ŽŽĚƐͿ ŶĞĂƌ ů dƵƌŬLJ ĂŶĚ DĂnjĚĂ ƐŚŽǁƌŽŽŵ͘

ǀĂŝůĂďůĞ Ăƚ Ă ƉƌŝŵĞ ůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ ŽŶ ĂnjĂŝďĂ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ ƌŽĂĚ ;ƉƌĞǀŝŽƵƐůLJ ŽĐĐƵƉŝĞĚ ďLJ ͛^Ăī Ă &ŽŽĚƐͿ ŶĞĂƌ ů dƵƌŬLJ ĂŶĚ DĂnjĚĂ ƐŚŽǁƌŽŽŵ

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ ϵϱϮϭϱϮϴϵ͕ ϵϵϮϮϵϮϲϯ͕ ϵϯϮϮϭϬϱϰ

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ ϵϱϮϭϱϮϴϵ͕ ϵϵϮϮϵϮϲϯ͕ ϵϯϮϮϭϬϱϰ

Two modern fully furnished & ĞƋƵŝƉƉĞĚ Žĸ ĐĞƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ƌĞŶƚ Ăƚ :ĂƐŵŝŶĞ ŽŵƉůĞdž ů <ŚƵǁĂŝƌ͗

¥ÊÙ Z Äã

ϭͿ ϭϱϮ DϮ ǁŝƚŚ ƌĞĐĞƉƟ ŽŶ͕ ϭ 'D Kĸ ĐĞ͕ Ϯ ŵĞĞƟ ŶŐ ƌŽŽŵƐ͕ Ϯϲ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ƐƚĂƟ ŽŶƐ͕ ƉĂŶƚƌLJ͕ ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟ ŽŶ͘ ϮͿ ϭϯϮ DϮ ǁŝƚŚ ƌĞĐĞƉƟ ŽŶ͕ ϳ Žĸ ĐĞƐ͕ ϲ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ƐƚĂƟ ŽŶƐ͕ ϭ ĐŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ ƌŽŽŵ͕ ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟ ŽŶ͘

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ Ͳ ϵϵϰϲϵϲϵϴ

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

Commercial Space Commercial Space For Rent

OFFICES & OUTLETS IN PRIME LOCATIONS: MAIN ROAD – MIDDLE OF THE MARKET AT: WALJA – HAMRIYA – SEEB - BARKA

in Al Khuwair. Ideal for Coffee Shop / Restaurant / Office Space / Showroom 27sqm / 68sqm / 128sqm

Contact: 96775026

CALL: 99332242 / 99106193 khamisco@alkhamis.com.om We have 2BHK flats for rent in Azaiba near Sultan Center new building 350/- OMR. Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 We have 1BHK, 2 BHK flats for rent in Ghala near Al Nahda towers. Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 We have 2BHK flats in Ghubra.

Contact : 93782735 / 99208033 We have 1BHK, 2 BHK flats for rent in Mabela 7 new building.

Contact: 93782735 / 99208033 3 Rooms, 2 Toilets Flat for Rent.

18 November Street. Near Mars Hypermarket and The Chedi.

Ghobrah -Good for Commercial or Residential use. OMR 295/- month.

Call 94477222 Flats for rent near Indian school in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122 1 bedroom family / bachelors in Al Khuwair R.O 100/-.

Contact: 95154331 Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454

1 BHK and 2BHK Flats available near Lulu Darsait (Main road, Opp. to Min. of Defense). Contact : 93202733 Flat for rent : flat available at Hamriya & Wadi Kabir. Contact: 97380548 / 99680499 Two bedroom flat near ISM Darsait R.O 300/-. Contact: 99423273 7 rooms villa at split AC 18th November road Azaiba.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

Just 2 OMR / Sqm, Showroom / store for rent Ground floor & basement, area - 1100 Sqm, location Seh Al Ahmer, 20 km to Rusayl.

Contact: 97714433 / 93437982

Flats for rent at Just RO 160/- 2 Bed room, hall, kitchen , 2 toilets, location Seh Al Ahmer, 20 KM to Rusayl, including AC & roof Garden.

Contact: 97714433 / 93437982

2BHK Flat near Indian School, Wadi Kabir. Contact: 91173997 /24714625

Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

New flats Wadi Al Kabir.

Contact: 92130703

For rent Gym & Health club for rent in Al Khoud near Al Ruwad International School.

Contact: 99447002 / 99352441

1 B/R Fully Furnished Luxury Apartment @ Al Khuwair 33.

2 B/R Fully Furnished Luxury Apartment @ Al Khuwair 33. 4 B/R Unfurnished Apartment with attached Split A/C @ Azaiba. Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC : 99249069 / 94617563/ 99436312, Email: info@alshahiintl.com

5 bedroom brand new villas for rent in Al Khoud, near Al Ruwad International School.

Contact: 99447002 / 99352441

Deluxe 1 & 2 bedroom flats, ideal for office / residence at Qurum near PDO. Contact: 97721313 / 95070421

Well maintained 2 bedrooms flat in CBD prime location.

Contact: 24714625 / 94460790

Flat for rent 2 bedrooms in Ruwi Mumtaz area. Contact: 91409667 / 24291500

2 BHK at Mawaleh North, near Sadiq Al Amin Mosque.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

1+2 BHK Ruwi, C.B.D & Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99024730 2+3 BHK Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99024730 Flat in Al Bustan in Muscat, 4 rooms, 3 bathrooms, family hall, kitchen with spilt unit air conditioner 400/- O.R. Contact: 96228232 / 92776303 2/3 B/R flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99776071 / 99057348 Flat in Al Bustan in Muscat, 3 rooms, 3 bathrooms, family hall, kitchen, store, laundry with spilt unit air condition 350/- O.R. Contact : 98919037 Flats for rent, rooms in Al Khuwair. Contact: 93830111

Office space for rent. Saravana Bhavan Building. Contact 91120552.

Flat for rent Al Hail North to the Wave Muscat ground floor with furniture the price RO 250/-.

Contact: 99353433 Ware house in Ghala for rent (400/ 800/ 1200/ 3300 SQM).

Contact: 91155779

1BHK near Oman house behind Khimji HO. Contact: 95865686 Flats in Darsait. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Hotel for investment.

Contact: 91155779

Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. Contact – 97007934 / 92609232

2/3 BHK in Al Khuwair for rent.

Contact: 91155779

Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35). Contact 94051789 / 97201688

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

1BHK at Hamriya near Muscat Pharmacy & 2 BHK at Mawaleh near Mosque Sadiq Al Amin.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. contact 99342661

Flats, shops & store for rent in MBD area Ruwi, Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT Two bedrooms flat in Al Ghobrah near Oman Oil of 18 November Street. OMR 330 Monthly.

Contact 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

Villa in Al Khoud consists of 6 bedrooms, 1 sitting & living room.

Contact: 91153933 Flats in Muttrah. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 2BHK split A/C for rent Muttrah near Oman House.

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 Offices and Flats in Ghala.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 2 BHK flat at Ruwi Mumtaz area RO 320/-. Contact: 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288 Villa in Bousher consists of 5 rooms, 1 hall & living room.

Contact: 91153933 Office for rent in Mabela.

Contact: 99355330 Villa in Al Ghubra consists of 5 bedrooms, 1 hall and living room.

Contact: 91153933 Room with 9 bathrooms in Bousher for rent. Contact: 91153933 Apartment in Al Khoudh consists of 2 room & hall.Contact: 91153933 Flat for rent near Royal Hospital.

Contact: 99346793 2 bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality.

Contact: 92584715/ 24700120 Flat for rent in South Mabela.

Contact: 95331177 / 95230355 Studios flats starting from 120 in Qurum near Mars supermarket Call 96755180, 96755181 Fully furnished offices in Ghala main Street. Contact: 94300909 Flats for rent, 6 brand new 3 BHK Flats with split ACs in Ruwi market. Contact: 99428284 / 98605556 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khood.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Flats In Qurum. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 2BHK Big Size Flat Behind Bank Muscat, Wadi Kabir. Near ISWK. 97826454, 24815012.

For rent and investment Land industrial shops in Rusayl.

Contact: 99323957 / 95490842

FOR RENT

AVAILABLE

Flats in Ghobrah. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Shops / flats available in Honda Road, Ruwi & Mabellah Industrial area. Contact 24833972/ 24833974/ 99367448

FOR SALE

Flat for rent in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact: 92277419 1 BHK flat for rent R.O 180/Near Medical Darsait.

Contact: 24705742 2BHK split A/C for rent Muttrah near Oman House.

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 1BHK Studio flat near Star Cinema RO 180/-. Contact: 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288 Flat for rent in Ruwi, Mumtaz area 2 bedrooms. Contact: 24291500 / 91409667 Flat for Rent 2 bed room Near ISM muscat Indian Scoole Dar sate Tel : 00 968 95158570 Furnished office (61M2) for sale / rent Al Khuwair near Zawawi Mosque. Contact: 95611569 02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 /99795241 Brand new double bed room flats with two and three toilets, split ac, elevators available at Al Khoudh next to Al koudh health center.

Contact 99022675 Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278 Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair.

Contact: 95154331 Flat in Al Khuwair opp grand mall 4 room 3 toilet + hall kitchen in 3 floor 400. Contact 99420346 Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-. Contact: 99335580 *Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

LLC Company for sale with one investor visa approval.

Contact: 98532470, Email: ttchvac01@gmail.com 2 Shops for sale at prime location in Ghobra. Contact: 96381294 Bozlur Two properties for sale at Salalah Urban plot no 7- 44 – 006 - 06995, Residential, area 726 sqm & Abu Nakheel , Barka (near Naseem Garden) plot No 3-04-002-01-031, Agricultural, area 29, 207 sqm.

Contact: Mr. Akbar Rafay Mohd Rafay, Mobile No. 99346265, Preferred time: 8 am to 2 pm Building in Al Khuwair at prime location for sale.

Contact: 91155779 Commercial /R land in Al Khuwair for sale. Contact: 91155779 Ware house in W/K for Sale.

Contact: 91155779 Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair.

Contact 92881849 / What`s up No 97290565 400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Mabela Phase 5 Block 2. OMR 165 Thousand.

Contact 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 Steel rack sets (Godown shelf’s).

Contact: 94521205 Commercial /R land in Ghala (Industrial area) for sale.

Contact: 91155779 Villa in Al Qurum / Azaiba/ Mawaleh for sale.

Contact: 91155779 Dental chairs for sale sparingly used dental units for sale.

Contact Mr. Ansari 92616343.

Kumar 99570284 Ladies beauty parlour for sale in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 96392978 / 96700192 Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale. Contact 99273774/ 99202278

Double Shutter 80 sq mtrs corner textile shop in Seeb Souq for sale.

Contact 99326339 20 x40 containers. Contact: 99354909 10 Shops in ground floor of 8 floor building in Bausher near Muscat Private Hospital. Have income of about 2,700 monthly. OMR 268 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 6 Villas of six bedrooms each under construction in one compound in Bausher near Muscat Private hospital. Prices range from 165 thousand to 179 thousand for each villa. Each villa has three floors and 369 sq mtrs build up area.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955

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

ACC. AVAILABLE Room with bath AC furnished at Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569 Sharing acc. available for bachelor in Al Khuwair opposite Muscat Pharmacy R.O 90/- only.

Contact: 95250161 Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for executive bachelor Opp. O.C. Centre Ruwi . Call : 90611670 1 BHK appartment for rent in Al Khoud Shabiya near mazoon mosque for rent (next to alkhoud medical center and squ) MOB: 93913224

Coffee shop for sale in Al Khuwair 33. Contact: 92994415

Small old house for rent in Ghobra. Contact: 97165972

Working beauty parlour for sale at Al Ghubra. Contact: 98178135

Room with attached bathroom for working ladies in a flat in M.B.D. Contact: 99764307

Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery. Contact 99328430 A well running pharmacy for sale at prime location.

Contact 99627621, 93240949 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 Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

Urgent sale of steel scrap only serious buyers kindly contact +968 96725423 for viewing the items.

Luxury Apartments in Boucher (35). Contact 95056808 / 97201688 Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter.

Photos can be sent 95865457

Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir Contact 93049849 Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794 Sharing accommodation near ISD. Contact: 99657340 1 BHK for rent, Ideal for small family or two bachelors, easy access to main road with AC near Sheraton hotel, CBD. Contact: 96444400 Villa for rent in South Mabellah, 3 bedrooms, sitting room, family Lounge, kitchen, three Toilets Contact 92212212 between 10 AM to 5 PM. Room available for Executive bachelor at Al Hail. Contact 96234708 Sharing Accommodation available for working ladies opposite Al Nadhah Hospital. Preferably Indians. Room with seperate toilet and sharing kitchen.RO.90.

Contact 96524717

INVESTOR PARTNER REQUIRED For a successfully Catering Restaurant Investor cum Partner is required.

Investor with fixed returns also welcome.

Please contact – 95213273

Email: muscatcoffeeshop@gmail.com

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished apartment for rent, two rooms, majlis, hall, kitchen.

Near Carrefour al-mawalah.

Contact 99336776 Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. CONTACT 96202458/96761960 Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested pleasecontact 92680041 Mr. Altaf Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 97167857

BUYING Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

FOR HIRE Crane trailer, hiab. Contact: 99354909

NRI 8 Cents of Res. land in Mannanthala Trivandrum near ST. Thomas School. Contact: 99410993

WANTED IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area.

Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up. Mobile no: 92927880/ 99012165

LOST MD Abdulla has lost Bangladeshi Civil Number No. 102035379.

Finder please handover to ROP

D4

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

URGENTLY REQUIRED A Leading Manufacturing Oman based Company in UAE has immediate requirement Looking for Qualified and Experienced Sales Executive with Min. 5 to 8yrs experience in the field of Electrical & Building Material Products. To handle independently the Projects /Retailer Segment.

Should have valid GCC Driving License

URGENTLY REQUIRE Required a male candidate for outdoor sales with Warehouse background / knowledge with valid driving license, Interested candidate may send their CV’s to

Send CVs to vacancyinuae123@gmail.com

vacancy052016@gmail.com

CANADA - Free Consultancy

A reputed International Contracting Company is looking for

For Legal Job For Hotel Staff, Construction Staff, Medical, Gas & Oil Staff Free recruitment - free tickets, accommodation, work visa, contract for 2 (two) years.

Contact Number: 93392630/24618069 Pls send CV on muslimatservices@gmail.com

CIVIL SUPERVISOR Having diploma in civil engineering with 5 years of work experience in construction.

Interested candidates having prescribed qualification may send their CV To:

sales@lalvol.com or By Fax To: 24492185: GSM 98189092 / 94147244.

SITUATION VACANT General Practitioners, General Dentists, Staff Nurses, Lab Technicians, X-ray Technicians, Physiotherapists (female), Pharmacists etc for a medical group at Salalah.

Candidate with 3 years experience, Prometric and Dataflow (OMSB).

Apply : hr@alraazioman.com

LEASING OFFICER Qualifications: - 5 years minimum experienced in leasing field in Sultanate of Oman - Valid Omani driving license Qualified applicant may send their Curriculum Vitae (CV) at hr.asrdi@gmail.com

URGENTLY REQUIRED Cook/Commis III

REQUIRED Marketing manager/ Sales Executives

(Experience in International & Asian Cuisine)

Experience in Sales/Marketing of Building Materials(Sanitary wares & Kitchens). Not less than 5 yrs exp Sound customer Base

Accountant (Up to finalization)

Cleaner/ Gardener (Driving Lic. preferred)

Email: johnj@state.gov

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Indian male 26 years MBA experience in Accountant & Administration in a MNC company currently on visit visa ready to join.

Contact: +968 92194987 email: achal1989@hotmail.com Accountant available with NOC, plus 10 years experience up to finalization of Accounting inventory control on Tally ERP9, ready to join immediately. Contact: 97667273 Email: babujashid@gmail.com

A Reputed Training Institute require

Indian male Accountant looking for a suitable placement in Salalah.

More than 20 yrs experience in Accounting job (upto the finalization of Accounts), 8 yrs working experience in Middle East in Dubai, Muscat & Salalah. Contact 91325029.

a CELTA

qualified English trainer with 3 years of experience.

Sri Lankan, Senior Accountant with 6 Years experience, 2 years in Oman, BBA, Reading MBA , CA Inter Looking for Suitable Job, have Valid Oman Driving License, NOC Available. Contact 97250638 msmnaja@gmail.com

Send your CV and other details to prakash@profitoman.com

ADMIN/HR SALES PERSON wanted for tools and hardware shop in Barka. Must be switched on, self starter with a pleasing personality. Experienced preferred but not essential.

Contact 97472750 Filipino female Receptionist required for play area in Azaiba.

Good English & high energy required. Immediate start. Send CVs: playareaom@gmail.com

Required for a leading Engineering Consultancy firm experienced Office Secretary. Send CV to: mail@abdullamukadam.com Fax: 24614398 Sales & Service Engineer – Air conditioning , Experience: Minimum 4 - 5 years, Should have knowledge about Oman market Valid Oman Driving License must.

Forward CV to hr@barikgroup.com

IT ACCOUNTS & FINANCE Required Candidate with Masters in Finance 3 Years experience in accounting. Person should be available in Oman for interview.

Preference will be given to the candidates having knowledge in Focus accounting software. Submit CV at jobws2000@gmail.com

BEAUTICIAN Require Employee for Saloon in Al Amerat, should have experience.

Contact: 90600688

DOMESTIC HELPER Required Office Boy. Contact : 91120552

DRIVER Required Omani Driver for a restaurant. Contact 95929911

Wanted driver. Contact: 97165972

ENGINEER/MECHANIC. An International design consultant office require qualified & experienced Staff : Quantity Surveyor / Civil Engineer / Structural Engineer. Candidates should send their CVs and summary portfolio to corduff@corduffoman. com clearly stating their expected remuneration package. NOC availability & commencement date.

A well established Ready-mix Concrete Company needs an experienced ‘Maintenance Engineer’ to look after its multi-facility workshop and supervise / coordinate site wise operations.

Indian male age 26, Accountant one year experience in accounts looking for suitable job. Contact Email: Anishkhan991867@gmail.Com Mobile: +968 9565 9415

ENGINEER/MECHANIC.

Required Shop Sales man + Hardware Technician for IT Company with minimum 2 years experience.

Contact: 98825806 / 98825806, Email: info@rns-group.com

MEDICAL Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq.

Contact: 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com Care Medical Centre Al Seeb requires Gynecologist and General Practitioner.

Mail CV to:sarita_h23@yahoo.com Wanted Nurse for a dental centre at Qurum. Interested candidates may contact the below or mail : drasyanaseem@gmail.com or Contact 99458844 Urgently required GP, Gynecologist, Dentist, Staff Nurse, Lab Technician, Pharmacist, for a medical centre in Muscat.

Email ruwistar@hotmail.com.

Tel: 92603863 Urgently required Office Staff/ Manager for medical equipment import office in Ruwi. email: ruwistar@hotmail.com.

Tel: 92603863 Oman licensed GP doctor & Nurse required for a polyclinic in Sohar.

Remuneration to be best in the field.

Contact : 93828382 / 93678494, Email: alshifamodern@gmail.com Wanted Staff Nurse for a dermatology clinic in Muscat .

Must have MOH license and NOC. Attractive salary offered. Email: clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Required Lab Technician, X- Ray Technician, Staff Nurses & Doctors.

Contact: 99681325 Email: pmsunilkumar@hotmail.com

Required fresh Graduate in Sales / marketing with valid D/L. Send CV on Email : citycom213@gmail.com

GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with Dataflow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934 Require a qualified Nurse to take care of an elderly female.

Contact: 99425200

MISCELLANEOUS Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred.

Contact 99273774/99202278

Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Interior Designer, Telecom Engineer, Finance Controller & Sales Manager with 3 to 5 years of experience in Oman with driving license who can execute and manage to get projects kindly.

Contact: gcpel16@gmail.com with monthly expected salary.

Required smart, young, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3 years sales experience for a reputed manufacturing company in Oman, Experience in building materials is an added advantage. Omani Driving License and NOC is a must. Attractive remuneration package.

Apply with photograph to E-mail: salesjobds@gmail.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Required Indian Mason – 5 nos., eligibility (minimum 5 yrs experience in road construction field).

Contact: 99882127 Email: georgymv@yahoo.com

SALES / MARKETING Required marketing / PR manager for a modern restaurant group in Oman , proficient in illustrator & Photoshop charismatic , proactive , creative & flexible excellent writing / Editing skills degree in relevant area fluent in English.

Send CV to marketingpr2016@gmail.com Salesman required for electrical equipments with driving license & 5/7 years working experience.

Fax your C.V 24833043 (Jinan Enterprises) Required Salesman and Tailor.

Contact: 96964767

Female Executive Secretary for MD. Minimum 5years experience in HR and other administration work. Immediate appointment & attractive package. Send your CV with passport size photo to E-mail: dsjob913@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Senior Accountant Indian male 10 years experience (8 yrs in Oman) with D/L & NOC, Accounts upto finalization. Contact: 99582979 / 97373853 Indian male M.Com, PGDCA, 10 years of experience in Oman as Senior Finance Executive good experience in finance and accounts looking for suitable placement with reputed organizations.Contact: 95392251

Contact email-

rgeorge@omantd.com & atalibus@omantd.com

Indian (Male) having 17+years Experience in Trading & Healthcare seeking senior Position in Accounts (11 years GCC Experience ) currently on Resident Visa (NOC Available ) and has a valid Omani Driving Licence. Contact: 91335026; skumartp@gmail.com Part Time Accountant for Book Keeping, Monthly Accounts & Accounts Finalizing Mob: 94073446 Omani female looking for job exp in accounts date entry customer service & PRO. Contact: 91161736

Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job.

Contact 93953613, Email-allen.mathew83@gmail.com Male Accountant M.Com (Accounts & finance) having 3 years experience in accounts looking for suitable job on visit visa. Contact: 94648575 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 Senior Accounts Executive, B.Com, 05 years experience in India, seeking urgent job in Oman. Contact 919900077458, +968-98444359, Email:syedtou23@gmail.com.

Sudanese accountant holding BSC, CIB 8 Post Graduate Diploma in financial management with Banking experience in projects finance. Contact: 99061339 Indian male Chartered Accountant with 2 years experience looking for suitable placements. NOC available. Contact: 96357827 Email: ubaiskeeran@gmail.com Indian male 28 Accountant / Senior Audit Associate ACCA finalist Having 6 years experience in accounting up to finalization currently on visit visa.

Contact: 95193650 or 99078853 Junior Accountant available (ACCA). Contact: 99854384 Email: syedimtiaz1234@gmail.com

Indian male 43 yrs, M.Com – Finance with 5 yrs experience in Accounts in India, presently in visiting visa looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 93671785 Email: jeyan903@gmail.com

Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394

Qualified CA & CS, CISA (pursuing) Indian male 10 yrs managerial experience, working in bank seeking suitable placement open to any GCC. Contact: 90788509 Email: kartirevy@gmail.com

Senior Accountant/Ast. Finance Manager-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to Finalization. experienced in facilitations & banking, having D/L & NOC. Contact 94122464, cammk13@gmail.com

Indian/MBA/male Chief Accountant 18Yrs Experience, MIS, C.Flow, Budgeting, ERP, Cost accounting & Liasing with auditors. NOC available. Contact: 92254691/97826674 email: khader2305@gmail.com Accountant Assistant BBA, exp, Tally have 2 yr valid VISA PH : 98269281 Chief Accountant well experienced with reputed group available for immediate joining.

Contact : 98803439 / 97413784.

Young Indian male ACCA finalist with B.Sc (Hons) in applied Accounting with 3 years experience & holding valid Omani driving license seeks immediate placement, NOC available. Contact: 92851056 Sudanese Accountant, Alexandria University Graduate bachelor of commerce Diploma of Marketing professional photographer worked in PR and social media for 2 years looking for a job in public relations media, social media or marketing.

Contact: 96976240

Accountant, Indian male, BBA with tally having 2 plus years of experience as an Accountant and 2 years experience in hardware networking seeking for suitable placement. Contact: 98201244 Senior Accountant MBA Finance with 7 years experience in Accountants & finance good knowledge of payroll, Peachtree tally, audit handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly Basis.

Contact: 99430421 Email: muhammadammad188@gmail.com 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 MBA (F) with 6 years of experience as an Accountant proficiency in various A/C software & SAPFI seeking for suitable placement. Contact: 95920740 Email: abdulhameed1527@gmail.com

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED DĞĐŚĂŶŝĐĂů ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌ Θ WƌŽũĞĐƚ DĂŶĂŐĞƌ ^ƵĚĂŶĞƐĞ Ϯϵ LJƌƐ͕ ŵŽƌĞ ƚŚĂŶ ϯ LJƌƐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ DŝŶŝŶŐ ŽŵƉĂŶLJ͕ PƌŽĨĞƐƐŝŽŶ͗WƌŽĚƵĐƟ ŽŶ Θ ŵĂŶƵĨĂĐƚƵƌŝŶŐ͕ ƐĂĨĞƚLJ͕ Į ƌĞ Į ŐŚƟ ŶŐ ĚĞƐŝŐŶŝŶŐ͕ ŶŐŝŶĞĞƌŝŶŐ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ͕ ƐĂůĞƐ ʹ DƵƐĐĂƚ͕ KŵĂŶ͘ ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ϵϲϴ ϵϯϲϰϮϳϬϰ͕ ŵĂŝů ͗ ŵŽŚĂŵĞĚĨĚůϴϳΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

D E ' Z͕ /W ,Z WŝƚŚ ϭϯ LJĞĂƌƐ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ ' ĂŶĚ KŵĂŶ͘ ŽŵƉĞƚĞŶƚ ŝŶ ^ĂůĞƐ͕ DĂƌŬĞƟ ŶŐ͕ ƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ ŽƉĞƌĂƟ ŽŶ ĂŶĚ ĂĚŵŝŶŝƐƚƌĂƟ ŽŶ͘ Interested employer please call

ϵϳϳϮϴϰϭϴ ADMIN

DRIVER

ARCHITECT

An experience Finance Manager M.Com, CA, with 13 years varied industries presently working with a reputed group in Oman looking out for a suitable change. NOC available.

Contact: 95251987 Accounts part time services, available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly basis.

Finalization and audit works.

Contact: 96247295 ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance.

Contact: 99284193 28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.Contact 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com Accountant Indian male with 7 years experience up to finalization in tally & accounts receivable SAP R/3, good knowledge of payroll having Oman D/L, NOC. Contact: 93733996 Email Id: thmsb182@gmail.com Indian female M.Com with Oman driving license having 10+ years experience in Accounts & Administration in Oman seeking suitable job, NOC available. Contact: 91609799 Indian, Kerala Male B.COM & B.PE, Currently on Visit Visa. Looking for a suitable job in Accounts, Store Keeper, Sales etc. Ready to join as early as possible. Contact 96988923 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement. contact 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com Accountant 8Years Experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084

ADMIN With 15 years of Gulf experience in HR / Admin / logistics looking for suitable position. Fluent in Arabic / English with D/L. Contact: 95824598 Indian male Post Graduate in HR 19 years (8 Years in Oman) well experienced in HR / Admin in Oil & Gas, Construction fields with Oman D/L seeks suitable position. Release / NOC available. Contact 92854993.

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 Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman.

Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817 Indian female MBA (HR) 4 yrs exp in HR & Admin in India & Oman looking suitable placement.

Contact: 95619537 Indian male 25 yrs BBA & Diploma in travel and tourism with India & Gulf experience seeking job in Admin and travel industry.

Contact: 95891687 Indian female with nearly 10 years of Oman experience in Administration and HR, seeking suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact: 99242841 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

Ϯϱ LJƌƐ͕ DĂƐƚĞƌ ĚĞŐƌĞĞ ǁŝƚŚ Ϯ LJƌƐ ŽĨ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ ďŽƚŚ ,Z Θ DĂƌŬĞƟ ŶŐ͕ ŶŽǁ ŽŶ ǀŝƐŝƟ ŶŐ ǀŝƐĂ͘

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ϵϲϵϳϮϵϯϵ ͬ ϵϲϬϵϲϳϮϯ ŵĂŝů ͗ ůŝũƵďŶΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ͕ ũĞƌƌŝŶϬϬϳΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ

Indian male, 14+ yrs exp in MNC, seeks placement in Admin, HR Officer Coordination, reservations.

Contact: 91497410 / 95762646

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

/E / E D > ͕ D Z< d/E' Θ ,Z ^W / >/^d͕

Architect looking for a private & freelance work in design & modeling in 3ds max & architecture.

Contact: 96041201 Architect female 5 years experience seeking job.

Contact: 96146645, Email: anjuovil@gmail.com

CATERING South Indian, North Indian Cook having 13 yrs experience in cooking field, now on visiting visa seeking for suitable job. Contact: 94598934 / 94638875 Email: bindyaneesh4@gmail.com

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Autocad works, free lancer / part time, experienced, arch, MEP, structural. Contact : 97103168 Civil Draftsman for roads skills preparation of plan & profile, XSEC Structural drawings (Culvert, Retaining wall, Line side drain etc). Contact: 94034544 / 97840515 Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR PH :92279784 Architectural Draftsmen diploma in construction technology with 6 years experience in drafting and detailing as per British standard in Oman with valid Omani license looking for suitable opportunity Noc available. Call 94375897.

License light heavy duty, PDO license experience 8 years mechanical experience vehicle.

Contact: 92091528 3 years experience looking for job.

Contact: 96457875 Driver want job. Contact: 93822195

EDUCATION/TRAINING Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. Contact : 99739415 / 92091528 Indian, Kerala Male B.PE & B.COM ,13 yrs of exp as Sports Teacher.

Currently on Visit Visa, looking for a suitable job in Schools & Institutions etc. Ready to join as early as possible. cont:- 93301023 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com

Light duty driver 2 yrs exp.

Contact: 96393805 Light duty driver, vehicle license of Oman, can drive Commercial vehicle wants job.

Contact: 95980506 Pakistani male 45 years old holder of valid Omani driving license looking for job as Driver, 10 years experience. Contact: 94035746 Driver with car 3 years experience looking for job.

Contact: 92041902 Bangladeshi, looking for light driving job. Contact: 97224035 Light duty driver, 2 yrs exp seeks placement. Contact: 95207068 Driver with car. Contact: 95353830 / 91701223 Looking for job, light driver.

Contact: 95141473 Searching job for my P.S Driver.

Contact: 91068299 Looking for job light driver.

Contact: 94365229 / 95582571 Driver with car. Contact: 93346085 GCC driver 10 yrs exp.

Contact: 93722881 Driver with light duty license, 10 yrs experience.

Contact: 92742722 Family driver. Contact: 97196448

Diploma Engineering Instrumentation Technician, 2 years experience skills calibration & installation etc.

Contact: 98963344 / 96946408 Email: anfeeranfu4@gmail.com HVAC Engineer 20 yrs exp Tendering, estimation & installation.

Contact: 98532470 Email: ttchvac01@gmail.com Civil Engineer, B.Tech, 6 yrs experience with Omani driving license, local release available.

Contact: 91693008

Teacher Female , Phd in Chemistry having 3.5 yrs of Experience in India. Staying here on Family Visa & seeking for a suitable placement.

Contact – 99675828, Email Anupam.tiwari67@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years having 5 years of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India, holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

Indian male Civil Engineer with 15 Years experience in Oman with Valid Oman driving license & NOC seeking suitable placement in reputed firms. Contact : 97643290

DRIVER

Driver looking for job.

Contact: 96371945 / 94575111

Indian Graduate Civil Engineer having over 19 years Gulf experience in contracting consultancy firms seek immediate employment. NOC available. Contact: 93251306 / 99446786

Project Manager Electrical with 6 years experience with EHV & MV substation projects. NOC available.

Contact 91398559

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine.

Available NOC release.

Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable.

Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com Indian male, Structural Engineer looking for job in structural design field. Having 6 years of experience in design field. Residing in Muscat.

Contact: 91176187 syam036@gmail.com 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 Electrical Engineer experience 9 years in Oman. Contact: 98148034 Indian 14 yrs exp SR MEP – Elect Engg with NOC, searching suitable job, in field PMC, Fire consultants , Testing & com, project supervision.

Contact: 92437865 Email: maimran.mtech@live.com Indian 24 yrs exp SR civil Engg with NOC, searching suitable job, in any project Supervision.

Contact: 96602718 mishteyaqh@yahoo.co.in Indian male B-tech 8 years experience as senior electrical project engineer / QC engineer on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94094543 Email: anwar425@gmail.com Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 92279784

Qualified Certified Management Accountant (CMA-USA) and cost and management accountant (ACMAIndia) with over 25 years experience in Sultanate of Oman in finance, banking and administration is seeking a suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact 95986767

Ŷ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ ŚĂƌƚĞƌĞĚ ĐĐŽƵŶƚĂŶƚ tŝƚŚ ŽǀĞƌ Ϯϱ LJĞĂƌƐ ŝŶ ǀĂƌŝĞĚ ŝŶĚƵƐƚƌŝĞƐ͕ ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚůLJ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ǁŝƚŚ Ă ƌĞƉƵƚĞĚ ŐƌŽƵƉ ŝŶ DƵƐĐĂƚ͕ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ŽƵƚ ĨŽƌ Ă ƐƵŝƚĂďůĞ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ͘

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ Ͳ ϵϲϰϵϭϬϯϬ

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Indian female, MSc Physics, B.Ed, 5+ years experience in Oman seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 93992958 / 96203570

Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact 96789711

Light driver with 6 years experience looking for job.

Contact: 92617293

Contact 96960991, Email : sunap1968@gmail.com

Pakistani male Graduate in Economics looking for tution up to Secondary Standard preferably in Sanaya area.

Contact: 98133520

Mechanical Engineer, 05 years Experience, India. #+968-98444359.

Seeking urgent job in Oman.

Light duty driver Pakistani more than 3 yrs exp seeks placement.

Contac: 97732728

Indian male, Diploma Engineer with BBA & 16 yrs experience in Oman, worked with MNC in retail (Telecom/ Lubricant sales) and with construction industry handling various products & subcontract projects.

Holding valid Oman D/L, NOC available.

B.E Mechanical Engineer, age 24 with almost 1 year experience as Production Shift Engineer, has achieved training on HVAC Engineering design and has good hands on software like AutoCAD and HAP.Currently in Oman on a visit visa, looking for a suitable placement.Contact: 95065955 email: mjs.jazeb@gmail.com

Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman. Please Contact: 96489798, (+974) 66653780.

Driver with Car. Contact: 95892363

Sr. Sales & Marketing Specialist

Civil Engineer B.E 6 years experience with Omani driving license.

Contact: 95964048 / 99554461 Email: adnan002@yahoo.com DIP Mechanical Engineer tool & die, CAD course Pro Engineering ROPE Access level 1 experience 3 years in Hyundai Motor Chennai.

Contact: 93550661 Email: feroz1391@gmail.com B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engineering experience 3 years in central industries Ltd Chennai as Project Engineer in oil & gas industry in installation Erection, commissioning & maintaining terminal Automation system.

Contact: 93550661 Email: rashiqrahuman@yahoo.in Electronic and instrumentation B.Tech Indian male 04 years with 2 years Indian experience looking for suitable position available in Oman on visit visa.

Contact: 91228010 Indian male BE Mechanical with 11 years experience in Automotive engineering and Industrial maintenance in Oman. With valid driving license seeks suitable job.

On release in Oman. 92880593 Diploma Civil Engineer (8 years Exp.) with driving license.

Contact 92429006, francisprem123@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Engineer 6 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 95212902 Civil Engineer 6 years experience.

Contact: 90183630 Petroleum Engineering looking for job experience 4 years refinery NDT Inspector Safety (OSHA) rig tools inspection.

Contact: 97927380 Telecommunication Engineer resident in the Sultanate, Sudanese Nationality. Contact : 95000024 Site Engineer Civil, 49 years diploma in Civil Engineer with 11 years Gulf experience +7 years India experience (Site Engineer with building construction).

NOC available. Contact: 90458201 Email: siva6467@yahoo.com Civil Diploma Engineer cum quantity Survey male 7 years experience in Oman valid Oman D/L. Contact: 93356736 Email: jaleelvanimalkp@gmail.com Indian male QC inspector diploma in Instrumentation, 6 yrs experience in Gulf.

Contact: 968 95930978 Email Id: savioaj@gmail.com

HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+Diploma Safety+NEBOSH+OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement, Mob:97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com 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 26 B.Tech Civil Engineer 3 year’s 8 months Experience at building construction. In Oman 2 year’s experience N.O.C available seeking suitable placement Contact : 97396269 Email : usmanshaik42@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 Automobile Mechanic ITI 3 years experience marine mechanical fitter 2 yrs experience. Contact: 93674847 Electrical Power Engineer looking for an entry level in an establishing organization.

Contact: 90114053 Email: umairrehan90@gmail.com B.Sc Civil Engineer, MBA experience 5 years (15 months in Oman) English & Arabic, driving license looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 94162443 Indian male 26 yrs, B.Tech Diploma in AutoCAD, Site Engineer experience in Oman. Contact: +968 92529312 / 968 98665963 Sudanese Civil Engineer 6 years Experience in roads projects.

Contact : 97942699 Senior Graduate Civil Engineer having 12 years construction experience in Oman seeking suitable position in Civil contracting company. Sound technical knowledge & managerial skills, well versed in Oman construction standards excellent commutation skills.

Contact: 98852797 Mechanical Engineer 28 years, 3 years experience 1 year in Oman with NOC looking for suitable placement. Contact: 94887665 Email: mechatron_mt@yahoo.com Electrical & Electronics Engineer 1 year experience currently on visit visa, available immediately.

Contact: 90654844 / 90491353 Email: feyizmohamed@gmail.com Civil Engineer experience 5 years with Oman driving license.

Contact: 96319928 Indian male BE 2 yrs Indian site experience and M.Tech 3 yrs Indian Structural design experience looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 98334396 BE Civil Engg having 10 years Oman exp looking for a suitable job presently in India. NOC available. Contact: 0091 9963320768 Mechanical Engineer 2 years experience as HVAC design and drafting MEP Engg. Contact: 90150913 Young Indian, Engineering in Bio-technology, Bio-chemical and Chemical, looking for a challenging placement in Oman.

Contact 97607000. Email: sivasankarjayakumar@gmail.com Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman.Contact:98921022 Indian female diploma Architecture having 5 years exp in Engineering consultancy in Oman seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 96683293 Electrical & Electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit.

PH: 93837973 Construction Machinery repairs Engineer, 5 years, driving license, Contact - 94001961

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Electrical B.Sc Engineer Pakistani male 24 years looking for a job. Contact: 94049812 / 92958112

IT 10 Years experienced IT Business Development Manager with good marketing and communication skills looking for suitable position, GCC driving license holder.

Contact: 96201485 System IT Engineer with Linux & UNIX System Administration skills transferable visa. Contact: 99109332 INDIAN FEMALE(24), B.Tech (CS), having 2 yrs experience in IT firm in India for java software development, on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact number: 93617427,92635670 Omani 26(m) seeks placement 6 yrs experience IT specialist.

Contact: 99025044 Indian female M.Sc Biotechnology, 3 years experience seeking for suitable position, part / full flexible for research, teaching business development IT hospitals. Contact: 94710931 Email: skystars.hm@gmail.com Machinist I.T.I experience in lathe, engine boring, cylindrical grinding, welding and fabrication valid driving license.

NOC available. Contact: 96297691 Indian Male, MCA Graduate, 15 yrs exp in ERP, CSM Certified, seeking suitable role.NOC Available.

Contact : GSM : 90189284 Email: meetlibran@gmail.com Indian female M.Sc Computer Science seeking suitable placement in Muscat area.

Contact: 98660672 IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India.

Contact: 94672759

MANAGER Workshop Manager having 30 years gulf and abroad experience in plants & machineries, heavy duty trucks, readymix batching plants & crushers, water well drill rigs, rock blasting machineries etc. kindly contact @ 97145088.

MEDICAL Indian female dentist (BDS) looking for suitable post prometric & dataflow completed.

Contact: 90377433 D- Pharm Pharmacist 17 years experience Ayurvedic Panchakarma Masseur’s 3 years experience.

Contact: 93672452 General Dentist with NOC, 5 years experience seeking for suitable job. Contact: 98956747 / 91159996 (Brother) Email: dramjad32t@gmail.com Licensed Pharmacist with experience want job in Buraimi or Sohar.

Contact 93608698 Indian female Dentist specialized Endodontist looking for suitable placement, prometric completed.

Contact: 96410448

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female, 25 Years - MSc Biotechnology. Looking for suitable job. Mobile: 92619048, Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com

D6

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Indian male 34 yrs in Oman on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 97702082 Food Analyst Indian 30 yrs, 4 years experience in Oman (D/L) milk and milk product, juices water, biscuits, cooking and whole types of food analysis, NOC available. Contact: 93192009 5 years experienced (Front office & Banking), Indian Male (28 years. Hotel Management graduate), searching for suitable position. English, Hindi, Malayalam, Arabic fluent.

Noc available. Contact:91383167 B. Tech Electronics with MBA in Marketing management, 27, Indian male, 3 years in oman, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 90638539 Indian male, 28, post graduate, 6+ yrs exp in Oman in sales (back office) & credit control with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable placements. NOC available.

Contact: 92066 523

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 Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Call: 95244761 Looking for part time job Secretarial / Data Entry / Documentation available every day after 5:00 pm Friday / Saturday full day area preferred Ruwi/ CBD/ MBD / Al Khuwair. Contact: 90414827

SALES / MARKETING Indian Male 22 years, Having experience in indoor sales/site supervisor Looking for suitable Placement.GSM: 97435306.

Email: zuhebnakhwa94@gmail.com Indian male Graduate with 18 years of Marketing experience presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity.

Contact: 96168687 Email: dhibupaul@gmail.com Graduate looking for suitable replacement. NOC available. Experience in Oman 15 + years. Field : Executive - Sales & Marketing / Executive Secretary.

Contact : 95798149 Indian male BBA & aviation currently on visit looking for suitable job in logistics, travels, sales etc.

Contact: 91350188 Email: farsheennaseer@gmail.com Indian male Graduate with 18 years of marketing exp, presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity. Contact – 96168687 / dhibupaul@gmail.com Required Sales Executive / Merchandiser for consumer products with minimum 3 years experience and with valid Omani driving license. Apply with full details to scorpion@alhosnigroup.com Fax : 24597945 The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, exp. 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 exp. in pricing and collect payment and cash flow & marketing projects & investments & tenders & real estate. Contact :- 92385033 10 years ICT Business development & project management exp in Oman looking for suitable senior position. Contact: 98987654 35 years male, Lebanese holding British passport, 10 years of experience in procurement, Omani Government tenders, setup marketing plans & strategies, importing, Organizing events, management, have car, NOC available.

Contact 94123939 Email: 002015r@gmail.com Indian male MBA Sales Marketing business development with 10 years of vast experience 5 years GCC 5 years India excellent communication skills presently in Oman on visit visa looking for best opportunity. Contact: 97946069 mail: faizanahmad2308@yahoo.com

SALES / MARKETING Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India.

Contact: India:-+918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Indian male 37 years MBA graduate in marketing with 9yrs of experience in UAE in field of brand promotions & marketing with UAE D/L on a visit seeking suitable position. Conatct 95792820

MISCELLANEOUS HSE Engineer, Indian male, 5.5 Plus years experience in Oil & Gas. Working in Shclumberger.NEBOSH, IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE. CONTACT-krish.569@gmail. com Mobile- +91 9867016808

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/CLASSES/COMP./WEB. MISCELLANEOUS

Indian male 30 yrs, holding valid driving license, having 5 years of experience in sales, looking for suitable position.

Contact # 90552942/94355626 Petrochemicals Specialist, Chemical, MBA 18 YEARS EXPERIENC IN OIL FIELDS COM, RAW MATERIAL , polymer, SPACIALISED IN Procurement /COMMECIAL/ PURCHASE / LOGISTICS / SCM/Planning & sound knowledge of technical requirement for any manufacture plant Forecasting, Distribution, Vendors Development, LC opening/ establishment coordination with NOC available. Contact:97813849 Highly experienced mechanical/ steel structural fabrication engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC available.# 99860714, hussain20173@gmail.com.

Indian Female seeking a job in Back Office and Accountancy, 8+ years proven experience as a dynamic candidate with excellent Excel & Communication skills.

Quick learner and Team player.

Currently on Family Visa.

Contact 94093154, 91746890, Email: joyjohn_hhh@yahoo.com

Indian Male 28 years, Mechanical Engineer (Diploma) with 2 years’ exp., Automobile ITI NCVT, CSWIP-BGAS Painting QC Grade-2, NDT Level-2, ISO Lead Auditor QA (IRCA), Piping QC & Isometric Drawings, WPS & WPQR, available on Visit Visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact: 90653733, libinthomaslt@gmail.com

Sri Lankan Male, 31 years. 6 years experience as an Accounts Executive, (Languages can speak Urdu/ Arabic, English written & spoken) .

Contacts: 99782930/ lalindra1st@yahoo.com

Indian Male 48 Yrs with over 25 Years Oman experience in Sales & Marketing with NOC & valid Oman D/L Also Fluency in Arabic, seeks suitable placement. Contact no.: 92210661/99224057

Indian female (27 yrs) MBA(IT),BCA,CCNA.2year experience in IT operations in Oman. Graduated from Oman with good analytical, communicating & programming skills, presented in international conference, seeking suitable positions.contact:93672143.e-mail id:fathima.shoukath@gmail.com

IT Administrator with 6 yrs of GCC experience, now in Dubai (visit visa).seeking suitable placement in UAE. Contact :00971-565598176, email:aneeshngr@gmail.com

Sri Lankan Male, 31 years. 6 years experience as an Accounts Executive, (Languages can speak Urdu/ Arabic, English written & spoken).

Contact: 99782930/ lalindra1st@yahoo.com Indian male with 10+ years of working experience (security solutions, event management) on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact – 97945269, hkkrishna@gmail.com Senior accountant ,NOC available, more than 5 years exp., born & bought up in Oman, Accounting upto finalization, computer skills tally9, Sage ERP accpac 500(6.0A), Vcams , Audit ,valid Oman D/L, languages known English ,Arabic, Hindi. can join immediately.

Tel: (+968) 96339599, E-mail(ahmedmohdkhan@gmail.com) Indian male Network Cabling Technician (19-years gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement. mobile no: 0091-8089909265 (India), email: mohithavp@gmail.com Business Management Graduate with 12 years of experience in Oman, Worked with catering, medical, IT groups seeks suitable placement in Finance/purchase/ insurance sector, NOC Available.

Email, saima.gangawali@gmail. com, Mob 94258301 33 year old Filipina with experience in Tele performance, Manila call centre, now working as Waitress in Qatar seeking suitable post.

Local contact 99022484 Indian Male, 24 yrs, looking for any type of job, qualification is Diploma in Electronics with 3 years of experience in the hardware an networking field an also worked in construction company Mabelah for 6 months as supervisor, having valid D/L. Contact : - +96897017866.

BS in Electrical engineering, experience : 6 years in electrical installation and maintenance Contact : 99817032, Email : engmmg24@yahoo.com 2 years Diploma Health and Safety IOSH managing safely OHS academy 48 hours Manager level HABC fire safety, bachelors in Commerce and Post Graduate Finance 3 years experience in Construction & General Industry.

Contact 93107730 SCM / LOGISTICS/ PROCUREMENT - 25 Yrs exp - Indian Male - Oil & Gas, Manufacturing Sector - Having valid Oman D/L & NOC available. Seeks Challenging senior position. GSM-94236414, Email ID - jayamurli@gmail.com

Professional driver looking for an office job. Contact: 93645115 Civil Engineer (Indian male) with 5 years experience in Oman and having a valid Oman driving license and NOC looking for a suitable opportunity. GSM: 93101283 Email: ajeshcyril@gmail.com Indian Male: 23yrs, MBA in Marketing from UK (United Kingdom), looking for a job, currently in Muscat in visit. No: 97210361 / 95357513, Email: sharanshetty3@gmail.com Indian male, 28 years, 4 years experience in accountants in fields, hospital, printing press & constructional seeking for suitable job in accounts or administrations on visit visa. Contact: 93460277 Email: shineraj786@gmail.com Male secretary 22years experience in gulf countries seek immediate employment NOC available.

Contact: 98502538 Email: wilsnrpaul2009@yahoo.in Advertising media manager trading, M.Com with 20 years GCC experience in ATL+ BTL Brandy.

Contact: 93031168 Indian male, 33 yrs, on visit visa having 15 years of printing office technology now working in Malayalam Manoroma daily seeking for the suitable job.

Contact: 90657476 / 95404460 Indian/male(25)/MBA /2 years experience in channel sales and distribution management. on visit visa. available for immediate joining. Contact: 96914068, email: mailanasap@gmail.com Architect Engineer seeking for suitable job, 8 years experience.

GSM : 96075000, Email : haytham_201046@yahoo.com B.E(Mechanical) 12years industrial sales one year Muscat experience ,Presently in India ,Immediately ready to join ,Mobile no :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com Electrical & Electronics diploma engineer Indian male 22 years, 2 years experience currently in visit visa. Contact 93047707 adilm89@gmail.com Planning Engineer, BE Mech Engg.

Indian Female having total 11 yrs exp in oil & gas projects (8+ yrs in Gulf) with valid Oman D/L, Seeks a Suitable job. Contact: 92456003

Indian/male (25)/ MBA/2 years experience in channel sales and distribution management. on visit visa, available for immediate joining. Contact: 96914068, email: mailanasap@gmail.com B.S.C in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 Years (Power Plant).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com Fresh B.Com Graduate in visit visa looking for a job. Contact: 93518923 / 99075027. email: sheikcok@yahoo.com Admin Assistant. Having 5 years experience in admin department in reputed companies, presently working in Muscat (NOC Available). GSM. 00968-98404122, mail panduru.jeevankumar@gmail.com Import & Export professional, Experienced as Asst. Commercial Manager for 15 years, Proficient in MS office, Male Indian, Seeks suitable placement, on Visit, #95484684 Indian male, 33 yrs, MBA-HR generalist with 10 yrs including training of Omani nationals.NOC possible .Seeking a suitable job.

Contact :saiprasad_18@yahoo.com, 94179499 Indian male, 40 Years, B. Com, having 10 years experience in Oman, Tally & ERP- looking for suitable placement ( NOC and Oman driving license available.

Contact +91 89 43 109897 Rajeev. 252002@gmail.com Indian male, M. Com with 3 yr Oman Exp in Accounts with valid NOC & D/L on Visit Visa, available to join immediately . GSM :94744575 Safety officer, 3 years of experience in safety certifications: BE (electrical and electronics engineering), NEBOSH, IOSH, DHSE, first aid. Contact +97474018995, mail:midhunmich@gmail.com, skype:midhunmike Indian male, network cabling technician (19 years Gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement.

NOC available. Contact : 00918089909265 (India), E mail: mohithavp@gmail.com

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

Indian male,B.Com + Dip. Logistic 2year experience looking for a job in Accounts/Logistics Field. Presently on Visit Visa # 93884951, Email:mehreenraiz@gmail.com

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

Electronics Technician , 4 Years experience as Electronics service engineer. Knowledge in all type of Electronics items. Looking for suitable placement. GSM- 99105043 IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support/Retail sales.

Contact 91496939.

Indian male, 40 Years, B. Com, having 10 years experience in Oman, Tally & ERP- looking for suitable placement ( NOC and Oman driving license available) Tel- +91 89 43 109897 Rajeev. 252002@gmail.com Assistant Accountant - B.Com Graduate with excellent overall skills. 2 Years of experience. Ready for immediate joining.

Contact: sharonravi00@gmail.com, 968-92049215 Software Engineer with 5 + plus years of experience in Infosys ltd on visit visa seeking suitable vacancy in oman. Email : steffyraphel@gmail.com mob: 96896246205 / 96897032284 Indian male, 24 yrs, B. Com Graduate more than 1 year experienced in accounts planning to come for a family visit in oman seeking for a suitable placement .

Contact : 99339544 / 99743709 IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support/Retail sales. # 91496939.

Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic. Well knowledge of Oman Areas looking for suitable placement. Contact 97950869

Indian male 26 years, Graduate in BBM & having Diploma in Logistics with 3 years of experience in Banking and Accounts looking for suitable placement. Contact : + 968 97166820/ +91 9895102356 Email :afsalrahman1989@gmail.com

Part- Time Accountant, well experienced senior accountant ,capable of doing all type of accounting works up to finalization, Budgeting, Bank financing requirements, taxation work etc available. # : 98803439

Indian Female looking for a part time opportunity (Graphic Design/ Teaching/Research Assistant/ Business Development/Administration) Contact: 95811820 or sankarikm06@gmail.com

Coming soon in Muscat for Omani & Expatriate Students Hospital Service course (Mandatory 1700 hrs) enhanced International Accreditation & certificate options form Hussein Technical Training Al Khodh & Sohar branch locations 1st Batch from 1st August’16. Web: www.httiomn. com / Email: careers@goldenapplete.com / Contact: (Whatsapp) +968 96412252 (Mobile) + 968 93287717 / +968 96412251 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

SITUATION WANTED SENIOR ACCOUNTANT-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to finalization. Having D/L & NOC. Mob:94122464, caammk13@gmail.com Tea boy looking for job Name: Man Bahadar Contact: 97859837 Indian Female, M.Sc Computer Science, Seeking suitable placement in Muscat Area. #98660672 Indian Female, 29 Yrs Age, M.Sc Microbiology, looking for Job any reputed organization / Hospitals, seeks suitable position.

Contact : 95218424 / 9610 6604.

On Family Residence Visa.

Indian female 10 years exp as cook in Oman. South Indian & Gujarati special looking for job, company or restaurant.

Contact 90559292 Indian Male B-Com Graduate 1 year, experience in market survey, Valid Driving License, looking for any suitable post.

Contact: 92567020 / 96930392 Looking for a part time accounting & admin job. Contact 99196621.

Indian Male 30 year GCC driving license and past experience as project coordinator looking for a suitable position. Project Coordination, Sales Executive, Marketing Executive or any other suitable post. Contact number -97070427 Indian B-Com Graduate 1 year Experience in market survey, Valid Driving License, looking for any suitable post.

Contact :92567020 / 96930392, shwayanad@gmail.com Indian male, M. Com, 11 years experience in the field of accountancy and Stores. Good knowledge in SAP, Tally, oracle, MS office and Excel seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92859733 Indian male, M.Com, 7 years Oman experience in the field of accounts and valid oman driving license & NOC . Good knowledge in SAP, Tally, oracle, MS office and Excel seeks suitable placement. # 92859733 Indian male 42, BE-Civil 13 years experience in Road construction. looking for suitable placement. having valid Oman driving license.

Contact: 95225214, Email: Sudheerrokkala73@gmail.com

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

TOURS

RENT A CAR

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

MANPOWER

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

DRIVING

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED MV SALE

Indian Female on a visit visa having master degree seeking suitable placement in any field, 1 ,5 year experience in HR .Contact 91467576.

Diesel tanker 1600 gallon, Volvo model 1987. Contact: 92836774

Bachelor in Hotel Management Having 13 years experience in Catering Industry in all aspects of Operations with D/L looking out for a suitable placement.

Contact 90654826 Email: mailingsaikiran@gmail.com

Nissan path finder, 2012 model.

Contact: 99467005 Lexus ES350 - 2010 Model Expat driven. Very well maintained and in good condition. RO 6000/(Negotiable). Contact for more information GSM : 99446573

Indian with 3 years for experience in sales and marketing fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam looking for suitable job.

Also hold valid Driving License, currently in oman Mob : 93451439 Indian male network cabling technician (19-years Gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact 0091-8089909265 (India), Email: mohithavp@gmail.com Safety Officer 3 years of experience in safety certifications: BE (Electrical and Electronics Engineering),NEBOSH, OSH, DHSE, first aid. Contact +97474018995, email:midhunmich@gmail.com skype:midhunmike

RENT A CAR Best Rates for Saloon Contact: 97869042 / 95730550 sales@modernreem.com

Jeep – Chirokee - 2008 model, Expat driven and well maintained.

RO 3000/- (Negotiable) .

Contact for more information GSM : 99446573 Need investor for pure Veg. Coffee shop, Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99437869

Wanted Toyota Yaris 2010 or 2011, automatic white.

Contact: 99089441

Required partner investor to build an apartment in Al Mobelah.

Contact: 99355330

Expats selling Toyota Corolla Silver, 1.6 Automatic 2008 with new tyres and manual window excellent condition 2,09,000 km.

Contact: 99759162

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

TRANSPORTATION

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver.

Contact: 99839898

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact: 95190627 Transportation. Contact 9508282

Indian female, MBA, Diploma in Aviation & Hospitality mgt (IATA), having 4 yrs of exp, on family visa seeks job in Oman.

Contact-9910 4529, 95679557, e-mail-jkramya91@gmail.com

Investment opportunity for lucrative building and decorative product. Contact: 99421513 Email: borderlineomn@gmail.com

Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation. Contact: 94510847

TRANSPORTATION

Transportation. Contact 92015894 Picking and drop Al Khuwair to Rusayl. Contact 91287470 / 98957524

Transportation required from Qurum to WadiKabir at afternoon only 1 PM. Contact - 99012165

Transportation available in Ruwi, MSQ, Al Azaiba, Al Hail, Al Khoud, Al Mabela drop & pick.

Contact: 95250161

D8

W E D N E S DAY, M AY 1 8 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

MATRIMONIAL Marriage proposal invited for Urdu speaking Muslim girl, from Chennai based family living in Muscat.

Seeking a Chennai based boy, employed in Muscat, Urdu speaking and from Muslim family. Interested parties may email their family bio data @ sirluj@yahoo.com or Contact 91761223.

Seeking Alliance for Urdu Speaking Beautiful, Intelligent and religious girl aged 23. Pursuing M.Tech, I.T. (Final) from Lucknow.

Looking for Sunni Deobandi boy working in reputed firm. North Indian Families preferred.

Interested families contact at azizdr74@gmail.com RC Girl (29) hailing from Kanjirappally Dioces working in MOH looking for suitable alliances.

Contact: 92801093 Sunni Muslim family seeks proposal for their 24 year old daughter from well settled Urdu speaking Indian family. Pls call on 93521249 / 99374371 Parent of Thrissur based Hindu Ezhava girl aged 20, Slim,Atham star, Studying for B. Pharm seeking alliance from well employed Graduates, preferably in Engineering Contact :96425102 Indian male Roman Catholic 40yrs divorcee working in Muscat.

Seeks suitable alliance from widow/ divorcee/ single.

Contact 96059801.

Malankara Catholic Male Nurse (28) from Thiruvalla working in Nizwa Private Co. Alliance invites parents/nurses working in Oman.

Contact 968 98267338, 0091 9287215726

WĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů Θ BƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ăůů ŬŝŶĚƐ ŽĨ ƉĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ͬ DĂƌďůĞ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ ŵŽŶƚŚůLJͬ YĞĂƌůLJ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘ ŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ ϵϴϴϭϰϳϯϯ ͬϵϴϴϭϰϳϰϬ ů ,ƵƐŶ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ >͘>͘

Wanted Groom - Pakistani parents living in Muscat are seeking suitable alliance for their 30-year old educated and good looking divorced daughter having 3-year old girl. Pakistanis working in Oman with family joining visa can contact email: abunoor1154@gmail.com

^ Zs/ ^ tĞ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ůĞĂŶĞƌƐ͕ Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ĞƚĐ͘ ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ ϵϰϮϳϳϬϮϬ

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steambath, obesity, Spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 97397320 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact: 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com

Split unit & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 96236476

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

A/C Maintenance & Servicing, Fridge, Washing machine & Dish washer repairing, Painting & Cleaning services, Electrical & plumbing.

Contact 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517

Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC Contact: 99344723

Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC Contact 99344723

A/C servicing maintenance.

Contact: 92279370

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. contact 24793614/ 99314807 Service & maintenance of split & window A/C. Contact: 95273713 We do building maintenance all kind of works. Contact 99247663 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 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722 Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing.

Ocean center LLC. Contact 99344723

Split unit & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 95323517 / 93769089 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 /94285064 House shifting. Contact 99708138 CAD drawings Archi/ MEP CAD – comply BIM. Contact: 91233975 CCTV, Computer Services at best price. Contact 91289330 House Shifting Packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013