Times of Oman - July 19, 2016

TUESDAY

July 19, 2016 14 Shawwal 1437 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the 8th National Day, 1978

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’

MORNING MINUTE

The leaders of the Arab world must recognise that the Arab people cannot any longer afford to descend to the mutual recrimination and petty disputes which for far too long have been the cause of worsening relations between their states.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 124 | 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

CABLE

HM sends condolences to Saudi MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of condolences to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia on the death of Princess Hessa bint Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabir.

In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere condolences and sympathy to King Salman, praying to Allah the Almighty to rest the deceased’s soul in peace and grant her family patience. -ONA

Home safe RAFO jet arrival brought cheers on the faces of relatives of passengers

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

Government to track vehicles to cut costs

1

Government vehicles will now be tracked in an attempt to control expenditure, with the Ministry of Finance issuing a circular in this regard after noticing a jump in the expenses incurred by government vehicles.>A3

REGION

Economic crisis hits business in Qatar

2

Five years ago Samer Habib left the United Arab Emirates and moved to Qatar where he opened a restaurant that turned a profit serving Lebanese salads and sandwiches to expats. In June, the business folded.>A7

MARKET

Oman’s total debt touches OMR2.48b

3

Oman, which recently raised $2.5 billion from the overseas market for plugging a widening budget gap, has enough room for mobilising loans in the future from abroad in view of its low debt-to-gross domestic product ratio. >B1

FLYING HOME: Omani nationals boarding a Royal Air Force of Oman aircraft sent to evacuate them from Turkey at the Istanbul airport, yesterday. – Supplied picture

6,000

With the improvement in the security situation, 300 Omanis decided to remain in

Turkish citizens have been detained and 3,000 judges were removed from the office after the failed coup attempt early on Saturday

Turkey following the failed military coup

Times News Service MUSCAT: A Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) jet carrying 71 Omani nationals from troubletorn Turkey touched down safely in Muscat on Monday night.

Some 300 Omanis decided to remain in Turkey following the failed military coup. More than 6,000 Turkish citizens have been detained and 3,000 judges were removed from the office.

The Royal Air Force of Oman

plane flew to Istanbul yesterday lunchtime and took 71 nationals on board. Many who had originally opted to leave changed their minds and stayed on in the country, now settling again after a military attempt to seize control.

Embassy request No Omanis have been injured or killed in the bloody military coup, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the flight was scheduled at the request of the

Oman Embassy in Istanbul, which had received calls from Omanis wishing to leave businesses and holiday plans behind. The country’s main airport has now reopened, but airlines are still not flying in or out of the troubled nation and flights have been delayed.

The rescue flight took off from Ataturk Airport in Istanbul at around 4:30pm local time yester-

day with 71 passengers on board.

Evacuation “All the Omanis were asked to report at the airport around 12pm today,” an Oman embassy official in Turkey said. On Saturday, Oman’s Foreign Ministry had announced it would evacuate Omanis via private aircraft.

“While around 300 Omani

nationals wished to stay in Turkey, saying that conditions have improved, around 71 Omani nationals left for Oman,” the official revealed.

The aircraft sent to Turkey is an Airbus owned and operated by the Royal Air Force of Oman kitted out for civilian transport.

Turkey is among the more popular tourist destinations for Omanis, drawing about 15,000 to 20,000 tourists.

Travel industry sources said about 200 passengers take flights to Turkey from the city every day for business and leisure.

Mehmed Zingal, country manager of Turkish Airlines in Oman, said they also resumed their operations from Sunday.

“Everything is returning to normal and we are committed to operating nine flights a week to Oman,” he said.

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

Subletting homes illegal: Municipality Times News Service

Heavy rain and sandstorms in parts of Oman

A2

MUSCAT: Opening your home to tourists without taking permission from the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) and the municipality concerned is illegal, a senior official said.

The statement was issued in the wake of the Khareef (monsoon) season in the Dhofar governorate, which will continue until September 21 this year. The governorate has started receiving a large number of tourists.

During this season, the Salalah Tourism Festival is also organised, which is expected to conclude on August 31.

Already, 58,867 tourists have visited the southern city until July 9, according to National Centre

for Statistics and Information (NCSI). As per data provided by the NCSI, 23,636 Asians visited Salalah, compared with 20,909 Omanis.

Emirati citizens topped the number of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) tourists at 5,628, compared with 2,179 Saudis.

Terming a common practice illegal, an official from MoT in Salalah said a lot of people sublet their houses as there aren’t many hotels in Salalah.

A team comprising of MoT and Dhofar Municipality’s officials is keeping this in check.

Not only in Dhofar, subletting homes is illegal in Muscat too.

“You should always have an agreement or contract from the owner of the building,” said an official

from the Muscat Municipality.

Citing the example of Saudi Arabia, residents argued said that citizens use their cars as taxis as there aren’t enough taxis available during the Haj season.

Even popular websites, such as Airbnb.com, are offering some

properties listed for rent in Oman, starting from around OMR4 per night, allowing people to select an entire villa, private room or shared rooms.

The Salalah Tourism Festival 2016 has already begun and is based on the theme, “Oman: Love & Peace.”

Sheikh Salim bin Ufait Al Shanfari, head of the Dhofar Municipality and the head of the Festival Organising Committee, said the festival this year will hold several activities in various fields, such as economic, heritage, social, cultural, sports and entertainment.

The festival will include many activities, such as the traditional village, which will showcase traditional handicrafts, arts, games, local cuisine and costumes.

HMAS DARWIN

Australian ship returns home, tributes to sailor who died in Muscat Times News Service SYDNEY: A sailor who was found dead on shore leave in Muscat has been named by the Australian navy.

Tears of joy and woe were witnessed on every face among the crowds of people who had come to receive the nation’s nautical heroes, as HMAS Darwin docked in Sydney on the morning of July 17 after completing their tasks at in the Middle East shores.

Among the happy faces on the

return of the 229 sailors there was also sadness for leading seaman Cameron Acreman, 27, who will never return.

Acreman died last month while leaving the shores of Muscat, Oman when he was found unconscious and despite being given medical treatment did not recover. He was remembered as a ‘Champion.’ The sailors were welcomed as heroes after seizing hauls of weapons and drugs, while supporting counter-terrorism operations.

HOMAGE: Acreman died last month while leaving Muscat despite being given medical treatment.

A2

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

290

OMAN

million cubic metres of drinking water was delivered in 2015, according to Public Authority for Electricity and Water

W E AT H E R

Heavy rain and sandstorms in parts of the Sultanate MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Heavy rain and sandstorms hit different parts of Oman on Monday.

“Heavy rain fell in Salalah, wilayat of Mahdah in Al Buraimi governorate, Nizwa, Izki, Yangul and Nakhal,” said Bader Ali Al Baddaei, an administrator of www. rthmc.net, a local Web-based forum that discusses weather in Oman quoting the residents.

“Rain fell in Ibri along with a wild sandstorm,” he added.

‘Even though the rain (was) light but the storm was heavy,” a resident in Ibri told Times of Oman.

“So far we didn’t heard about any damages caused because of the wind,” he added.

Oman meteorological department has also predicted intermittent rains in some parts of the Sultanate on Tuesday. Clouds in the Dhofar region and Al Hajar Mountains will cause intermittent drizzle and fog formation, according to its recent weather forecast.

The department added that clear to partly cloudy skies are expected over the rest of the Sultanate with chances of of late night to early morning low level clouds along most of the coastal areas of the sultanate and parts of the governorates of north Al Sharqiya

EXPECT MORE: Oman meteorological department has also predicted intermittent rains in some parts

of the Sultanate on Tuesday. – Photo courtesy @RthathWeather

and South Al Sharqiya.

Also, tomorrow afternoon there are chances of convective clouds development with isolated rain occasionally thundershowers over Al Hajar Mountains and adjacent wilayats. And there is a chance of high clouds advection over the northern governorates and chances of dust rising wind over deserts and open of the Sultanate.

Very isolated showers and storms are possible into Tuesday,” Jason Nicholls, a senior meteorologist at Accuweather.com, said.

GBM OMAN

Company supports hearing impaired by providing jobs Times News Service MUSCAT: Gulf Business Machines (GBM) has partnered with the Oman Association for the Hearing Impaired to support its members with employment opportunities.

GBM Oman, the region’s number one provider of IT solutions, recently recruited three of the association’s members to work on its Archiving and Documentation System project for the Ministry of Finance in Oman.

“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to GBM for recruiting people with hearing impairment, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, to complete the Archiving and Documentation System project,” said Sultan bin Nasser Al Amri, chairman of the Oman Association for the Hearing Impaired.

“We truly appreciate GBM’s cooperation and efforts, and we hope to continue this collaboration so that people with hearing impairment have more opportuni-

Following a week at their jobs, the recruited members said that they were happy to be part of the workforce and showed strong interest in encouraging other members of the association to be employed in similar projects, to nurture their skills and knowledge ties to work with GBM.” Following an initial week of work experience, the recruited members were interviewed through a translator to evaluate their experience on the job. They provided feedback that they were

happy to be part of the workforce, and communicated strong interest in encouraging other members of the association to be employed in similar projects, to nurture their skills and knowledge.

“We are honoured to partner with the Oman Association for the Hearing Impaired and have its members work with us,” Sami Al Lawati, director of Shared Services and Growth Initiatives at GBM, noted.

“As an active member of the community, we strongly believe that it is our duty to provide every member of society with opportunities for development and growth, allowing them to integrate effectively into the workforce by developing their vocational skills. Our hope is that the time they spend with GBM on the project will help contribute to this.”

The recruits are expected to continue to work on the project with GBM for a period of three months, where their responsibilities will revolve around administrative and archiving tasks.

98% population to get safe, piped water by 2040

RAISING CAPACITY: According to the latest statistics, 76 per cent of water comes from desalination

plants and is distributed to the north of the Sultanate, with its high population density. – Files

Public Authority for Electricity and Water is developing strategies and master plans to ensure it carries out its vision for safe drinking water to provide high quality services and energy for all residents of the Sultanate

it carries out its vision for “safe drinking water to provide high quality services and energy for all residents of the Sultanate”, PAEW said in a statement.

More than 290 million cubic metres of drinking water was delivered in 2015, according to the company.

Output In 2014, the output of water was 283 million cubic metres, with a 6 per cent increase in 2015.

Presently, Public Authority for Electricity and Water provides drinking water throughout Oman, except in the Dhofar region.

According to new statistics, 76 per cent of water comes from desalination plants, and this water is distributed to the north of the Sultanate, with its high population density.

The desalination plant in Sur province recorded the maximum processing of water in 2015, with 228.6 million cubic metres, compared to 214 cubic metres in 2014.

MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: By 2040, 98 per cent of the Sultanate’s population will have safe piped drinking water, according to the Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW).

PAEW is developing strategies and master plans to ensure

New desalination plant Additionally, increasing demand for drinking water resulted in the building of a new desalination plant in Al Ghubra, as well as the expansion of other stations, the statement said.

The new Ghubra desalination plant is expected to contribute to raising the water levels in the

main distribution reservoirs, as well as improving water pressure and providing water to Muscat Governorate.

Under way Also, construction of a new desalination plant in Quriyat is now under way, and is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2017.

According to the statement, PAEW has secured locations to build independent desalination plants in highly populated coastal areas.

Further, the company has already begun to set up new desalination plants in Barka and Sohar, which are expected to being operating in the second quarter of 2018.

Further, wells contribute 20 per cent of the nation’s water supply, which is used after Omani officials have determined its safety, the statement said.

Remote areas Also, the wells provide drinking water in remote areas where PAEW is not able to connect customers with water pipelines.

PAEW is now extending their networks to these areas, and is expected to complete the pipelines in the near future, at which time they will stop using the wells, the statement noted.

Some 758 wells in Oman are operated by PAEW.

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY SHARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

Share your world with us on Instagram

A3

OMAN

WOMEN IN LIMBO

UAE e-visa: 22-year-old expat women must travel with a parent SHRUTHI NAIR

shruthi@timesofoman.com

AGE RESTRICTIONS: A note on the official e-visa website uaevisa-

online.org states that there is an age restriction for applying for an online visa. Men below the age of 21 and women below the age of 23 must be accompanied by a parent.

MUSCAT: A new e-visa system has left a young female expat in Oman fuming.

The online visa cannot be used by women under the age of 23 unless they are travelling with a parent, according to the UAE government portal for applications.

Many young expatriates in Oman say they are missing out on conferences and business opportunities because of the rule. The only alternative is to wait for five days for a pre-arranged visa, or get a relative in Dubai to arrange the paperwork. That means last minute or short notice business meetings and trips are all a no-fly

Government to track vehicles to cut expenditure All public authorities and institutions in Oman will

tracking system in government vehicles, according to a circular signed by the Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs

FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com have already installed tracking systems, which are doing well to monitor the vehicles and their expenses. This will help in controlling the public expenses. The ministry’s statement included two directions for all public authorities and institutions to install a tracking system on all government vehicles and also periodically monitor the use of the vehicles to control public expenses in this regard.

Benefits slashed Different measures have been adopted by the government to cope with the current financial situation of the country.

The Finance Ministry has issued 17 circulars in 2016 so far to control expenses in which employees working at state-owned institutions and public authorities, which get half or more of their funding from the government, and institutions in Oman saw a number of their benefits

being slashed. Benefits, such as school fees, mobile phones and bills, annual medical check-ups for employees and families, provision of private cars to senior managers, annual travel tickets, housemaid allowances, house rents, furniture allowances, credit cards for CEOs, hospitalisation fee and other allowances have been stopped temporarily.

Oman recorded a deficit of OMR1641.3 million during the first quarter of this year, compared with OMR541.6 million recorded during the same period in 2015, due to a slide in oil prices.

With break-even crude oil prices of $75 per barrel for the 2016 budget, Oman will need to deal with its OMR3.5 billion deficit.

Registration of government vehicles was up by a significant 52.1 per cent in the first quarter of this year, compared with the same period last year, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

RANKING

Oman among top two GCC countries in food security ON TOP OF THE HEAP Agricultural infrastructure, nutrition standars and other strenghts make Oman the second best rated country among GCC members, for the first time in recent years.

Qatar

75 Oman Kuwait

70

UAE Saudi Arabia Bahrain

Higher in the index = most favourable

65 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Source: Global Food Security Index

Graphics

MINISTRY OF MANPOWER

OMR157,898 prop for small, medium firms Times News Service MUSCAT: More than OMR157,000 was spent by the Ministry of Manpower to support Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The Ministry of Manpower spent OMR157,898 during the first quarter of 2016 on SMEs that are registered and supported by the ministry.

SMEs role The SMEs primarily cater to the needs of the ministry, such as printing, providing tools and machines, reserving plane tickets and providing office supplies, as well as commencing maintenance, cleaning and other services provided to the ministry. The money was distributed among 13 establishments and the SMEs received their payments within 48 days of the completion of their work, according to the ministry.

have to install a

MUSCAT: Government vehicles will now be tracked in an attempt to control expenditure, with the Ministry of Finance issuing a circular in this regard after noticing a jump in the expenses incurred by government vehicles recently.

All public authorities and institutions in Oman will have to install a tracking system in government vehicles, according to a financial circular (17/2016) signed by Darwish bin Ismail bin Ali Al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs.

The ministry stated that the decision has been taken to cushion the economy, which is struggling due to low oil prices, especially as the public expense report until last May showed an increase in the expenses of government vehicles reflected in the expenses for fuel consumption, maintenance and spare parts.

The statement also mentioned that some government units

zone for young women under the age of 23 in the Sultanate.

According to the rule all expats, with the exception of the citizens of 46 countries, which have a treaty with the UAE, need to apply for an e-visa prior to their travel.

While many across the Sultanate are slowly beginning to get comfortable with the process, young women in Oman, who are below the age of 23 years, say they cannot travel legally without the supervision of a “sponsor” A note on the official e-visa website uaevisa-online.org states that there is an age restriction for applying for an online visa. Men below the age of 21 and women below the age of 23 must be accompanied by a parent. This puts a lot of young-

TARIQ ZIAD AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: Oman has been ranked second in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for food security, availability and quality on Global Food Security Index 2016.

According to the report, which was published for June 2016 by the Economist Intelligence Unit, Oman is one of the newest additions to the report, where it is also ranked 26 out of 113 countries.

Following Qatar in the GCC and Czech Republic worldwide while preceding Kuwait on both fronts, Oman recorded 12 key strengths that granted the country’s position.

Oman scored 100 for agricultural infrastructure, proportion of population under the poverty line, presence of food safety net programs, nutritional standards and public expenditure on agricultural research and development.

It also scored 94.5 on food safety, 93.1 on agricultural import tariffs and 91.6 on food loss.

Volatility of agricultural production scored 80.8 and 77.4 went for sufficiency of supply while 75 was given for diet diversification and access to financing for farmers.

The scores are based on the affordability, availability and quality and safety of the food. Oman ranked 32 worldwide for its affordability and 26 for its availability while ranking 35 for its quality and safety among the 113 countries.

“The overall goal of the study is to assess countries that are most vulnerable to food insecurity through exploring the categories of food affordability, availability and quality and safety,” read the report. Oman also made the top 29 list citing the top countries with the best environment indicating it is not in risk of having a shortage of food nor is it lacking in quality as well as it being available and affordable .

sters, especially women, in limbo.

While young girls in their early 20s, who live with their parents, complain about not being able to go to Dubai unaccompanied in spite of being adults, there are some who aren’t left with a choice.

“I want to go for the concert that is happening in Dubai this December but my parents for obvious reasons don’t wish to accompany me as a result of which I had to cancel my concert plans,” said a 21-year-old girl living with her parents.

There are a number of young working expat women, who live in the country alone without their parents and they will not be able to avail the e-visa facility at all.

“I wanted to attend an important conference in Dubai, which

I found out about just two days before the event. I missed an opportunity that could have changed my life because of the age restriction on the e-visa application. This wouldn’t have happened if I could avail the old visa-on-arrival or if the age restriction wasn’t there.”

There are a number of travel agents in Oman who provide a pre-arranged visa. An official from flydubai said, “If you apply for a prearranged visa then there is no age restriction. All you will need to do is submit a copy of your passport, resident card, and a photograph and your visa will be arranged within five days for a fee of OMR39.”

Alternatively, you can also ask a relative from Dubai to apply for a three-month visitor visa for you.

A4

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

OMAN

KHAREEF SHADES OF SALALAH Salalah comes to its own with the Khareef season (monsoon) and tourists make a beeline for what is arguably one of the Gulf’s most sought after tourist destinations. The city hosts the Salalah Tourism Festival every year during the period and this year it started last Friday under the theme “Oman: Love & Peace.” This year the festival includes various religious, economic, heritage, social, cultural, sport and entertainment events as announced by the authorities earlier. Besides there are many activities and programmes, such as the traditional village, which highlights a side of traditional handcrafts, arts, games, meals and costumes. Here are some images from the ongoing festival and more from the city and its surroundings.

Photos courtesy Ruth Sunaina, ONA

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

Tweet all about it

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH TWITTER PAGE

A5

OMAN

Cost escalation calls for contract revision

S TAY C AT I O N

The Finance Ministry circular was issued after the Ministry determined an increase had ATTRACTIVE PACKAGES: The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa is offering a special room rate for Omanis and local residents.

occurred in the costs of service contracts

Hotels and resorts woo tourists with exclusive offers

granted by ministries and government agencies between 2010 and 2016

FAHAD AL GHADANI

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: With Sunday, July 24 having been officially declared a holiday to mark the Renaissance Day, hotels and resorts in the Sultanate are all set to receive more guests this weekend.

The concept of a staycation has become popular in Oman whenever there is an extended weekend or consecutive holidays.

According to the spokesmen of many hotels and resorts, 80 per cent of their revenue comes from the staycation packages designed for such weekends.

By announcing exclusive offers and a number of fun activities one can take part in, hotels and resorts offer a tempting and irresistible experience for the public.

The Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa is offering a special room rate for Omanis and local residents.

“The room rates are per room per night, inclusive of taxes and breakfast for two adults. Two children below 12 years can stay, eat and play for free,” Ingrid Hotanijaya, a communications executive told the Times of Oman. “Rates in Al Waha start from OMR70, Al Bandar is from OMR85 and Al Husn is from OMR110,” she added.

“Staycations are mini-vacations that should be taken often. These

offerings enable people to rejuvenate without travelling much,” Vijay Handa, cluster general manager, the Ras-Al-Jinz Turtle Reserve, which is part of the Ras-Al-Hadd Sanctuary, said.

The Ras-Al-Jinz Turtle Reserve Centre is experiencing a rush as the nesting season for turtles has also started.

Despite travelling for more than 300 kilometres, a large number of people return to Muscat without seeing turtles as they don’t book in advance with the Turtle Reserve Management Company, which is being run by the Ministry of Tourism. “We advise people to book early as we are experiencing a huge rush this season,” Handa pointed out.

Short holidays “There are a lot of things to explore in the Sultanate and these kind of short holidays helps us do that,” Jacob Thomas, an Indian expat said.

“We are planning to visit Jebel Akhdar and to camp there for a couple of days to enjoy the cool weather during this holiday,” Lijo Abraham, an Indian expat, who is making the trip with his family, said. “Long weekends and extended holidays are an advantage after a long work week, so will get more time to spend with our family and friends,” Xavier Varghese said.

MUSCAT: Government ministries and agencies will need to revise all service contracts, including cleaning company and building maintenance contracts, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Finance.

The circular was issued after the Ministry determined an increase had occurred in the costs of service contracts granted by ministries and government agencies between 2010 and 2016.

The circular states that as most of the service contracts are long term, the government agencies and ministries must revise all contracts to control public expenses, based upon the current financial situation.

The Ministry of Finance further stated that all government agencies and ministries should require companies to provide them with options when offering a tender.

Companies have to provide two options, a one-year and three-year contract, stating in both the total expense of these contracts.

In another circular, the Ministry of Finance has required state-owned institutions that operate with 40 per cent government funding or more, to update the ministry with financial statements, based upon the earlier

Muscat Deputy Governor meets Italian commander MUSCAT: Sayyid Said bin Ibrahim Al Busaidi, Deputy Governor of Muscat received in his office Captain Giuseppe Massimiliano,CommanderoftheItalian Vessel ‘Euro’.

Sayyid Said discussed matters of common concern with the guest, stressing the need to boost relations between the two countries.

He also gave a briefing to the guest on the Governorate of Muscat and its role in serving the community, as well as the historic, tourist and civilisational landmarks renowned in wilayats of the Governorate.

On his turn, the Italian guest expressed his admiration over the unique landmarks in the Governorate of Muscat.

BOOSTING TIES: Sayyid Said bin Ibrahim Al Busaidi, Deputy Gov-

ernor of Muscat received in his office Captain Giuseppe Massimiliano, Commander of the Italian Vessel ‘Euro’. -ONA

C O O P E R AT I O N

Human Rights Commission chief meets Dutch envoy MUSCAT: Dr. Issa bin Said Al Kiyoumi, Chairman of Oman Human Rights Commission (OHRC) met with Barbara Joziasse, ambassador of the Netherlands to the Sultanate.

The two sides discussed cooperation aspects between the OHRC and the Netherlands in the field of training and sharing experience in the field of human rights. The Dutch ambassador in-

pany and building maintenance contracts, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Finance.

fahadnews@timesofoman.com

C I V I L I S AT I O NA L L A N D M A R K S

Development Captain Giuseppe Massimiliano praised the pioneering role pursued by the Government under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said in pushing the wheel of development forward in the country and cementing relations of cooperation with other countries. -ONA

RISING EXPENSES: The circular calls for revision for all service contracts, including cleaning com-

vited the OHRC to visit the Netherlands to view the action of the Netherlands Committee of Jurists for Human Rights, the Board of Grievances, Dutch Public Prosecution and Jails. -ONA

The circular also stated that all state-owned institutions that operate with 40 per cent government funding or more, will have to provide statements in both Arabic and English languages before July 21, 2016.

circular issued by the Ministry of Finance in 2015 and 2016.

The statements include reports on the expenses of the institutions, including new projects which will be established in 2017, the total money transferred from the government to the institution from the day of its establishment, reports on finished projects since 2012, projects that will be funded by private sector companies, financial lists of incomes and expenses, salary lists and benefits granted to the CEO and his assistants, costs in dealing with the national carrier Oman Air, expected profits in 2017, details of national staffs in 2015 and 2016, vacancies for nationals, training costs and allowances.

The circular also stated that all state-owned institutions that

operate with 40 per cent government funding or more, will have to provide statements in both Arabic and English languages before July 21, 2016.

In an earlier circular, the Ministry of Finance stated that expat and Omani employees working at state-owned institutions, operating with 50 per cent government funding or more, will have some benefits slashed.

Oil prices The circular, 5/2016, signed by Darwish bin Ismail bin Ali Al Balushi, Minister Responsible for Financial Affairs, stated that the decision has been made to cushion the economy, which is struggling due to declining oil prices.

According to the decision, privileges such as health insur-

ance for employees and families, life insurance allowances, car insurance costs for staff and family members, loans, bonuses, incentives during Ramadan or Eid, and increments not related to employee’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI), will be ended.

Additionally, allowances for school fees, mobile phones and bills, annual medical check-ups for employees and families, providing private cars for senior managers, annual leave tickets, housemaid allowances, house rentals, furniture allowances, credit cards for CEOs, hospitalisation fees and other allowances, will also be temporarily halted.

Oman has recorded a deficit of OMR1641.3 million in the first quarter of this year, compared to OMR541.6 million during the same period in 2015, due to the slide in oil prices.

With break-even crude oil prices of $75 per barrel for the 2016 budget, Oman will need to wipe out its OMR 3.5b deficit.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

A6

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

OMAN DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS

HIGHLIGHTS

Health ministry issues annual ‘Take IELTS test before going report, Health Vision 2050 abroad on a scholarship’ MUSCAT: Ministry of Health (MoH), represented by the Data and Statistics Department in the Directorate General of Planning and Studies (DGPS) has issued the 2015 Annual Health Report.

Important achievements The report highlights the most important achievements of the Sultanate in the health sector, as well as the most healthy and vital indicators. During this year, the report contains an executive summary for the Health Vision 2050.

“This report has 10 chapters, starting with an introduction to the demographic and geographic

characteristics and administrative structure of the ministry.

Indicators Health indicators have also been presented over the last several years since 1970, followed by a clarification about the health resources, which include the health institutions and their usage, their distribution, the health workforce, the financial aspects, projects, education and training,” Dr Ahmed Al Qasmi, director general of Directorate General of Planning and Studies’s, revealed.

The report also addresses the product of the health situation

by presenting and describing the status and achievements of the various health fields during the 8th Five-Year Plan, as well as describing the status of morbidity and mortality.

Expansion The ministry has seen a remarkable increase in its expenses over the years due to the need to keep up with the population growth’s requirements, expansion of health services, both quantitatively and qualitatively in all the governorates of the Sultanate, changing types of diseases and the high cost of health care services. -ONA

MUSCAT: Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Azri, Director of External Scholarships stressed the importance of students applying for external scholarships to undergo the IELTS test before travelling to the countries of scholarship.

He said that some countries link issuing the visa with passing the IELTS test, regardless of the marks obtained by the students, such as the United Kingdom, which requires since last year the IELTS UKVI for every student wants to study at the British universities.

Other universities require students to get a certain mark for a

visa, such as the Dutch universities. Obtaining the required mark in the university’s specialisation, where the student will study, will help the student to directly start his academic major, while the students who fail to get the required mark will join a language course before joining their major.

He explained that most of the foreign higher education institutions require overall band 6 in IELTS to start the academic study, especially for undergraduate programmes.

The Director of External Scholarships added that students ad-

NFC service to Iranian ports from July 28 NFC will operate Al Halaniyat ferry for the first journey, which can accommodate up to 100 passengers and

mitted to external scholarships for the academic year 2016/2017 in Malta, New Zealand, Australia, Poland and the Netherlands must provide a copy of the result of “IELTS academic” test while the students admitted to study in the United Kingdom must pass the IELTS UKVI test to be able to complete their scholarship procedures.

He affirmed that the ministry, in coordination with the British Council and other agencies in the Sultanate is giving them the priority in sitting for the test as seats are limited for such type of tests. -ONA ENTRY FEE

Museum opening event on July 26 MUSCAT: Jamal bin Hassan Al Moussawi, Acting Director General of the National Museum will hold on July 26 a press conference at the premises of the museum in Muscat to announce details of opening the National Museum to visitors and details of the entry fee.

The press conference will highlight the details of the next step of the National Museum, in addition to orientation tour designed for media representatives to include the museum’s various halls and facilities.

The National Museum was officially opened in mid-December 2015 in coincidence with the Sultanate’s celebrations of the 45th Glorious National Day. -ONA H I G H E R E D UC AT I O N

is equipped with

GHEDEX opens today

the highest comfort and latest safety equipment

MUSCAT: National Ferries Company (NFC) will start the first journey from the Port of Khasab in the Governorate of Musandam to Bahman Port in the island of Qeshm and Bahonar Port in Bandar Abbas in the Islamic Republic of Iran on July 28. The trip would be two-way four times a week.

NFC will operate Al Halaniyat ferry for the first journey, which can accommodate up to 100 passengers and is equipped with the highest comfort and latest safety equipment. Al Halaniyat will sail on Thursday at 9 am and return on the same day at 2 pm. The second journey will begin on Saturday at 7 am and return at 12 pm on the same day.

An official source in the company said that citizens and residents who wish to travel to Bandar Abbas should take into account the procedures for obtaining a visa through accredited travel agents whose addresses are available at the consular sec-

NEW JOURNEY: Al Halaniyat will sail on Thursday at 9 am and return on the same day at 2 pm. – Supplied photo

tion of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Visa processing The source told Oman News Agency (ONA) that with respect to passengers from the Iranian side to the Sultanate, the procedures for obtaining a visa will be processed through the consular section of the Embassy of the Sultanate in the Islamic Republic of Iran or companies and tourist offices in the Sultanate within the framework of the electronic visa system.

The source pointed out that travellers to the island of Qeshm do not need visa as it is a free economic zone.

The NFC source explained that residents in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who are in the managerial position and above

level or similar to them and wishing to travel to Bandar Abbas, should start the procedures for obtaining a visa-on- arrival at the Sultanate’s border centre at (Tibat).

They should complete the procedures for obtaining the visa to Iran before arriving into the Sultanate.

The source affirmed that all travellers need to prepare for an early check-in, which includes visa, tickets booking from the National Ferries Company offices in Muscat, Shinas, Khasab, Shanah and Masairah. -ONA

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

MUSCAT: Arabian Gateway Expo will organise the GHEDEX - Global Higher Education Exhibition at Oman International Exhibition Centre on Tuesday under the auspices of Dr. Said bin Hamad Al Ruba’ie, Secretary General of the Council of Education in the Ministry of Education.

The exhibition gives the opportunity to meet with higher education institutions where a student can take his parents to visit the exhibition and learn about the available educational opportunities and to get the answers required and inquiries from the officials of those institutions who will be present in the exhibition. -ONA ROP

Infiltrators MUSCAT: Royal Oman Police, in collaboration with other military and security departments, last week arrested 35 infiltrators of different nationalities for entering the Sultanate illegally.

The ROP deported 94 infiltrators after taking the necessary legal actions. -ONA JOINT EFFORT

Documentary to showcase Omani culture, heritage MUSCAT: Omani Student Advisory Council in the United Kingdom (UK), in cooperation with the Omani-British Friendship Association, began filming a documentary highlighting the cultural, environmental and historic diversity enjoyed by different governorates of the Sultanate.

Tourism Fahd bin Khamis Al Kalbani, Head of the Omani Student Advisory Council said that the documentary will showcase the Sultanate’s customs and traditions, as well as its tourist and geographic diversity.

Al Kalbani added that the Omani Student Advisory Council seeks to activate the Omani students’ role in United Kingdom in highlighting the Sultanate’s identity and culture where they study in. -ONA

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

A7

REGION Economic crisis, lower oil prices bite Qatar Companies that rely on government contracts are feeling the pinch and are freezing salaries and terminating contracts of expatriate engineers, lawyers and consultants

DOHA: Five years ago Samer Habib left the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and moved to Qatar where he opened a restaurant that turned a profit serving Lebanese salads and sandwiches to expats.

In June, the business folded.

The European lawyers and Indian clerks who for years frequented Habib’s restaurant have been leaving the country in recent months, he said, many laid off in sweeping cuts to public and private companies hastened by a fall in energy prices.

“Customers keep coming to me and saying: ‘Samer, this is my last sandwich’,” he said. “They say it’s been a tough year.”

Like other Gulf countries heavily dependent on energy sales, Qatar - the world’s top liquefied natural gas exporter - has sought to cushion the impact of lower oil prices on its finances by raising utility bills and slashing spending.

Many of the foreign workers who make up the bulk of the 2.5 million-strong population have been affected. Companies in Qatar that rely on government contracts are feeling the pinch and are freezing salaries and terminating contracts of expatriate engineers, lawyers and consultants from countries including Britain, France, the United States and India. This trend risks increasingly polarising the country between wealthy Qataris at the top and Asian blue-collar workers at the bottom. Businesses that rely on the custom of professional foreign workers with their tax-free salaries and disposable income, including restaurants like Habib’s, private schools, car dealerships and shopping malls, could struggle to survive.

In 2015 state-run Qatar Petroleum let more than 1,000 foreign

TOUGH TIMES: The exterior of Doha’s Alhazm mall, developed by real estate tycoon Mohammed Al Emadi, in Qatar. Al Emadi concedes were it not for the project’s eye-catching design with shops tailored to super-rich Qataris, whose jobs have survived the austerity - his business might be in trouble. – Alhazm Mall/Handout via Reuters

workers go as part of restructuring, according to the energy minister. Al Jazeera, the pan-Arab satellite news network owned by Qatar, closed its American channel in April and has laid off 500 staff, most of them in Doha. Vodafone’s Qatar subsidiary said in May it would cut about 10 per cent of its workforce.

It is unclear exactly how many of Qatar’s 1.6 million foreign workers are departing, and the country’s population is still growing due to an influx of Asian workers building highways and stadiums for the 2022 soccer World Cup. But industry sources, including three company CEOs, told Reuters that job cuts were widespread and tens of thousands of white-collar workers had been laid off in the last two years.

Facebook group A Facebook group set up in March for departing expatriates in Qatar selling cars and second-hand furniture has over 50,000 members and is updated hourly.

The small country is astonishingly wealthy - one of the richest in the world per capita - but faces a $12.8 billion budget deficit this year, its first in over a decade.

The government in December halved its forecasts for economic growth and last month said it expects to run a deficit for at least three years as low natural gas and

oil prices strain revenues. The layoffs could further weigh on the economy. Hotels, malls and private schools - projects conceived when oil prices were high and Qatar’s winning of the 2022 World Cup was driving infrastructure and population growth - now compete for the custom of a dwindling middle class of professionals.

Mohammed Al Emadi, a real estate tycoon who has developed a $1 billion luxury shopping centre in Doha that will open in September, said the mall’s cafés and fashion boutiques will have no trouble drawing customers.

But he concedes were it not for the project’s eye-catching design a marble structure modelled on a 19th century Italian galleria with shops tailored to super-rich Qataris, whose jobs have survived the austerity - his business might be in trouble. “Ten to 12 malls are currently being built in Qatar and soon they will open,” Emadi said, adding that some mall owners were having to drop rent prices to attract tenants.

“This is not a good sign. In the current economy... the market can’t handle any more malls.”

Two other malls are set to open later this year - the Doha Festival City and the Mall of Qatar, a building equivalent in size to 50 football pitches with over 500 stores.

Both projects have delayed their opening dates. Hotel owners, too,

have concerns about an oversupply with government spending cuts affecting business tourism and leading to a 19 per cent decline in hotel room prices in dollar terms this year, according to Ernst and Young.

Qatari leaders dismiss as scaremongering the notion of a capital flight. They say new facilities, including Doha’s Hamad International Airport, US university campuses, and world-class swimming pools and stadiums, will continue to lure residents and visitors to the country, regardless of oil prices.

“Building will drive demand.

We are thinking long term, beyond 2022 (World Cup), and looking at areas of growth like regional tourism from the Gulf. Of course there is still room for malls and hotels... these things are encouraging people to visit and work here,” said a Qatari government official.

Some businesses, though, spy an opportunity in the exodus of workers. Second-hand car dealers in Doha run a lucrative trade buying used sports cars from foreigners departing in a hurry, which are then shipped and sold in Asian markets.

“Bentleys, Porsche GTs, SL63 Mercedes... pretty much every day we see one brought in,” said a Western businessman who has run a car dealership in the city for over a decade. — Reuters

SUICIDE BOMBING

Six Yemeni soldiers killed in bombings ADEN: At least six Yemeni soldiers were killed on Monday when suicide bombers tried to ram vehicles laden with explosives through two military checkpoints near the government-held port city of Mukalla, the Yemeni army said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks near the capital of eastern Hadramout province on the Gulf of Aden, the latest in a series of bombings since forces loyal to Yemeni President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi, backed

by UAE troops, drove out Al Qaeda militants from there in April.

The Yemeni army’s Second Military Command, which is

based in Mukalla, said militants tried to ram the Al Burum area southwest of Mukalla using a booby-trapped bus, while a booby-trapped car attacked the Al Ghaber district to the west.

Confrontation “Forces at the checkpoints were able to confront the vehicles and forced them not to cross the security barriers,” an army statement said. It said six soldiers were killed in the attacks and 18 were wounded. Medics had earlier said that at least five soldiers among 15 taken to hospitals were in serious condition. — Reuters

A8

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

INDIA A S S E M B LY E L E C T I O N

Navjot Sidhu resigns from Rajya Sabha NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party on Monday welcomed BJP leader Navjot Singh Sidhu’s decision to quit from Rajya Sabha and opened its doors to the cricketer-turnedpolitician to join its ranks, signalling an imminent churning ahead of next year’s Punjab assembly polls.

The resignation of 52-year-old Sidhu, who was nominated on April 22, has been accepted by chairman Hamid Ansari with immediate effect. While he was not available for comments, there is talk of Sidhu joining the AAP ahead of Punjab assembly elections and may be made the party’s face in the state. Sidhu did not answer calls made to him.

Sources close to Sidhu were tight-lipped about the future move of the cricketer-turned-politician.

“Nominated member Navjot Singh Sidhu on Monday tendered his resignation from Rajya Sabha and the chairman has accepted his resignation with immediate effect,” Gurdeep Sappal, OSD to the RS chairman said.

Amritsar seat Rajya Sabha deputy chairman P..

J Kurien also announced in the House that the chairman has accepted the resignation of Sidhu.

Sources said that Sidhu has been miffed with the party over the treatment meted out to him ever

Curfew continues for tenth day in Kashmir A legislator was attacked by a stone pelting mob.

Newspapers failed

Navjot Singh Sidhu

to hit stands for since he was made to make way for Arun Jaitley in Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

His wife, Navjot Kaur, who is chief parliamentary secretary in Punjab where BJP shares power with Akali Dal, had created a flutter on April 1 (April Fool’s day) announcing her resignation from the BJP. “The burden is over,” she had written on her Facebook post on April 1, but after a meeting with top BJP leaders in Delhi, she said, “All is well” and she is very much a part of BJP in Punjab.

Both Sidhu and his wife share an uneasy relationship with the Akali leadership. With speculation rife over the issue, the AAP said in Chandigarh that it would welcome Sidhu with open arms if he joins the party. - PTI

third day. Mobile telephony and internet services remained

SRINAGAR: A PDP legislator was attacked by a stone pelting mob while fresh clashes between protestors and security forces on Monday left five people injured in Indian-administered Kashmir where curfew continued for the tenth day following the unrest in which 39 people have died.

Mohammad Khalil Band suffered injuries when a mob pelted stones at his vehicle in Pulwama district last night even as normal life remained paralysed and the separatists extended till July 22 the shutdown call in the Valley in protest against the killing of young Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.

Newspapers failed to hit the stands for the third day while mobile telephony and mobile internet services remained suspended for the tenth day. While most of the areas of the Valley remained peaceful, clashes between protestors and security forces were reported from several places in north Kashmir including Trehgam in Kupwara district, and Sopore and Rafiabad in Baramulla district, a police official said.

The official said at least five persons were injured in action by

RELIEF: Attendants of patients at Lal Ded Hospital collect food for lunch being distributed by the

Relief Committee during curfew and strike in Srinagar on tenth consecutive day on Monday. – PTI

the security forces when a protesting mob pelted stones at them in Trehgam.

“A stone pelting mob targetted the vehicle of PDP legislator from Pulwama last night, resulting in injuries to the lawmaker (Mohammad Khalil Band),” he said.

Paramilitary personnel “All 10 districts of Kashmir Valley continue to remain under curfew on Monday as a precautionary measure for maintaining law and order,” the official said.

He said the decision to continue the curfew was taken to maintain law and order in view of clashes at some places and couple of places in the city on Sunday.

Police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in strength across the Valley for strict implementation of the prohibitory orders, the official said. Normal life

remained paralysed due to separatist sponsored strike, which has now been extended till July 22.

The schools and colleges, which were scheduled to reopen on Monday after 17-day summer vacations, remained closed as government extended the holidays for one more week in view of the prevailing law and order situation.

Violent protests have rocked Kashmir since July 9 following killing of Burhan Wani and two of his associates in an encounter with security forces a day earlier in Kokernag area of Anantnag district.

No local daily — English, Urdu or Kashmiri — was available as the newspaper owners decided not to publish them after the “clampdown” by the government on Friday night.

Police on Friday allegedly closed down the offices of at least two printing presses after seizing

plates of newspaper and printed copies in Rangreth Industrial Estate in the outskirts of the city China’s call China on Monday called for proper settlement of clashes in Kashmir which have left more than 40 people dead. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said China was concerned about the casualties due to violence Stressing that China’s position on the Kashmir issue has been consistent, Lu Kang said Beijing hoped that relevant parties could resolve the issue through peaceful means. - PTI

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

BRIEFS

Jaya launches free bus pass scheme for students CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government on Monday launched the free bus pass scheme for school and college students for the year 2016-17, with Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa giving away smart cards to five beneficiaries. The government scheme, aimed at benefiting students from poor backgrounds, covered 2.81 million students in 2015-16, an official release said. This year, 3.11 million students will be provided free smart card bus passes at an estimated Rs5.04 billion, it said.

Wildlife trade on quikr, olx, eBay, Amazon to be probed NEW DELHI: Trade of rare animals and their body parts is going on through popular websites including quikr, olx, eBay, Amazon and Youtube, the government on Monday said. Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave said online smuggling of rare animals and their parts are being monitored by the state and central governments as part of combating cyber crime.

“Several websites are seen advertising sale of rare animals and their parts,” Dave said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.

Four awarded life term for gangrape of Tamil woman KOCHI: Four persons were on Monday awarded life imprisonment for the remainder of their natural life by a court here for alleged gangrape of a woman from Tamil Nadu in Kalamassery in February last year. “The accused 1 to 4 are sentenced to undergo, rigorous imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of their natural life,” Additional District and Sessions judge K. T. Nissar Ahammed ordered in his judgement.

De-register diesel vehicles older than 10 years: NGT NEW DELHI: Arcu Dubbing diesel as a ‘major cause of pollution’,, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday ordered that all diesel vehicles that are 10 years old or more be banned from plying in the national capital with immediate effect. The tribunal ordered the Delhi Regional Transport Officer to deregister all such old diesel vehicles while upholding its impugned 2015 order to ban these vehicles in Delhi.

Foreign tourist footfall rises NEW DELHI: Foreign tourist arrivals have recorded a growth of 7.3 per cent in June as compared to the same period last year with 550,000 visitors coming to India. The rise in tourist footfall led to a growth of 12.2 per cent in foreign exchange earnings from tourism. Among the top 15 source countries, the US accounted for the highest share at 22.20 per cent, followed by Bangladesh (20.69 per cent), the UK (6.84 per cent), Malaysia (3.90 per cent), Sri Lanka (3.20 per cent), Australia (2.63 per cent) and China (2.62 per cent). - Agencies

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

A9

INDIA

PUBLIC INTEREST

Two-month extension for Ishrat probe officer NEW DELHI: Senior IAS officer B. K. Prasad, who probed the Ishrat Jahan missing files case, has got two- month extension with Prime Minister Narendra Modi reducing the three-month period sought by Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

In a letter to cabinet secretary P. K. Sinha, home secretary Rajiv Mehrishi has said that finding Prasad’s replacement will not be easy and changing the officer, who was recently in news for allegedly ‘tutoring’ a witness, will set the clock back by almost three months.

While seeking the three-month extension, he also said that the probe is ‘highly sensitive’ and the report may be discussed in Parliament. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has then processed the request for Prasad’s extension which was approved by the Prime Minister for only two months till July 31.

Prasad, a 1983 batch IAS officer of Tamil Nadu cadre, was due to retire on May 31. The government has recently appointed Maharashtra cadre IAS officer Bipin Bihari Mallick as his replacement.

ACT OF PENANCE

Aam Aadmi Party’s national convener and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday washing utensils as part of sewa (voluntary service) to tender apology for showing disrespect to Sri Guru Granth Sahib and Golden Temple by his party during the release of party’s youth manifesto on July 3. He scrubbed utensils in the community kitchen for 45 minutes. — PTI

In the aftermath of the controversy surrounding the issue of missing papers from the file dealing with the filing of affidavit in Ishrat Jahan case, the Home Ministry had ordered an enquiry by Prasad on March 14, this year.

Highly sensitive The panel has submitted its report on June 15.

“Since this is highly sensitive enquiry and there is all likelihood that the report will be discussed and analysed in several forums including, perhaps, in Parliament. “It is imperative that the enquiry may be completed by B. K. Prasad himself, because to change the inquiry officer at this stage will set the clock back by almost three months.

Also, finding a replacement will not be easy; the officer doing this inquiry has to be fair-minded and with experience of having worked in the MHA,” Mehrishi has said.

Considering these circumstances and the public interest involved, the home minister has approved the proposal for granting extension in service to Prasad. - PTI

Tax regulator talks tough on black money It has prepared a database of about ‘900,000 pieces’ of instances of high-value transactions and it will soon ‘confront’ them

NEW DELHI: Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) on Monday cautioned lurking stash holders saying it has prepared a database of about ‘900,000 pieces’ of instances of high-value transactions and it will soon ‘confront’ them with this information as part of its exercise to ensure timely declarations under the ongoing one-time black money window.

Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) chairman Atulesh Jindal, while talking to reporters here, said all those people who have such untaxed assets and funds should come forward and make their declarations before it is too

late to utilise the Income Declaration Scheme (IDS) that ends on September 30.

Tax evasion “A detailed exercise has been carried out and we have prepared a database of 900,000 pieces of information (on cases of high-value and potential unreported cases).... it (database) has been prioritised.

This is one area to tackle the tax evasion besides other enforcement measures. We will issue them (taxpayers) letters and confront them that we have information.

“We will certainly like to give them opportunity to come clean.

People should avail this window.

We want to say that we have this database and we will make them aware about this.

The option is with them (to use the IDS or not),” Jindal said.

He said over 100,000 cases under this database relate to transactions of over Rs10 million. The CBDT boss, to whom the Income Tax department reports, called the IDS a one-time opportunity given to black money holders to come clean.

“The finance minister has clarified in all the meetings that this (IDS) is not an immunity scheme and any comparison with past disclosure schemes should not be done. We have tried to give an opportunity to those taxpayers to come clean, who, because of some reasons could not report their correct income in the past...just an opportunity has been given, just a window has been given,” he said.

He said the Income Tax Department is “very very serious” about combating tax evasion. - PTI

E L E C T R O N I C PAY M E N T

Central bank to make transfer of funds via smartphones easier HYDERABAD: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Monday said it will become easier in coming weeks for people to transfer funds between bank accounts through their smartphones.

Speaking at the IDRBT Banking Technology Excellence Awards function, RBI governor Raghuram Rajan also made a case for tax benefits to merchants for promoting digital transactions.

Leveraging the high mobile density, mobile banking services are being encouraged through inter-operable USSD channel like

*99# and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI).

“I am especially enthused by UPI, as smartphones become more widely available. Transfers from bank account to bank account will become easier in a few weeks via smartphone through the Unified Payment Interface,” the governor said.

Elaborating, Rajan said a villager needing to pay a shopkeeper only needs to know the latter’s alias say Ram@xyzbank.psp to transfer funds.

“Neither needs to visit the bank

to take out or deposit money, no point of sale machine is needed.

With the price of smartphones falling sharply, we are on the verge of solving the last-mile problem,” he said. The governor said that despite the huge potential, activation rates and usage levels of electronic payment services remain at low levels though growth is picking up.

He also stressed on the importance of systems that offer security of transactions even to the unsophisticated user and do not place a huge burden of care on them. - PTI

A10

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

PAKISTAN C O M M E N TA RY

Dealing with the Afghan imbroglio SHAHID JAVED BURKI

CONDEMNATION: Pakistani civil society activists carry placards during a protest in Islamabad on Monday against the murder of social

media celebrity Qandeel Baloch by her own brother. — AFP

‘Selfie’ cleric probed over Qandeel’s murder We have decided to widen the scope of the investigation and include Mufti Abdul Qavi in the probe, Azhar Ikram, the police chief in the town of Multan, where celebrity Baloch was killed SUSPICIONS: Mufti Abdul Qavi, centre, addresses the media at his house in Qadirabad, Pakistan, on

Monday. — Shakeel Chaudhry/Online News via Reuters

LAHORE: A prominent cleric in Pakistan who was censured for appearing in “selfie” photographs with murdered social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch is being investigated in connection with her killing, police said on Monday.

Baloch, 26, described as Pakistan’s Kim Kardashian, divided opinion in the deeply conservative society with her risqué photos.

Her murder on Friday has shocked the country and sparked fresh debate about so-called honour killings.

Police said Qavi, who was suspended from a prominent religious council after the photographs were published, was also part of their investigation into her murder.

“We have decided to widen the scope of the investigation and include Mufti Abdul Qavi in the probe,” Azhar Ikram, the police chief in the town of Multan, where Baloch was killed, told Reuters.

Denial Qavi has denied any involvement in Baloch’s murder but told Reuters on Monday he would present himself to police for questioning if summoned.

Qavi told media on Saturday Baloch’s death should serve as an example for others who tried to malign the clergy, though he also stated that he had “forgiven her”.

Baloch, who described herself as a modern day feminist, was unapologetic about her bid to push the boundaries of acceptability for

Instigated by selfies with Mufti Qavi: Killer MULTAN: The brother of social media celebrity Qandeel Baloch has brazenly said he has no regrets because she had ‘dishonoured the family’.

“I had made up my mind to kill her when her controversial video with Mufti Abdul Qavi went viral on social media,” said 25-year-old Muhammad Waseem, who was traced by police through his cellphone SIM late Saturday night.

“I had made up my mind that day, and I was waiting for my sister to come to come home in Dera Ghazi Khan or nearby

women and change “the typical orthodox mindset” of Pakistanis.

Her pictures and videos outraged religious conservatives who viewed her as a disgrace to the cultural values of Islam and Pakistan. Others hailed her as a “feminist icon”.

More than 500 people - almost all of them women - die in “honour killings” in Pakistan every year, usually at the hands of relatives acting over a perception “shame” has been brought on the family.

Muhammad Waseem

Multan district,” Waseem told the media at the office of CPO Multan DIG Azhar Akram after his arrest. “I’ve no regrets.

Instead I’m proud of what I

Governments have deplored the practice but done little to stop it.

Many Pakistanis have called for the passage of an anti-honour killing law aimed at closing a loophole that allows family members to forgive those responsible for such killings.

After Baloch’s death her father, Muhammad Azeem, filed a police report against both his sons, alleging Aslam had encouraged Waseem to carry out the killing.

Police have declined to com-

did,” he added. “I’ve earned a place in heaven by relieving the agony of my parents and family.”

“I gave her sleeping pills and then strangled her,” Waseem said, adding that it was his personal act, and nobody had abetted the crime. “We are Baloch and as Baloch we cannot tolerate [Qandeel’s immodesty],” he added.

“Though I’m a drug addict, I murdered her in my senses,” he said, confirming that it was a premeditated willful murder. — Express Tribune

ment on Aslam’s role and he was not available for comment on Monday. Baloch built a modelling career on the back of her social media fame and was the family breadwinner.

“She was my son, not a daughter.

I have lost my son,” Baloch’s father said, according to the English-language Dawn newspaper.”She supported all of us, including my son who killed her.”

Azeem was also not available for comment. — Reuters

When the transfer of power occurs in Washington in January 2017, the new administration will undoubtedly research a number of policy areas. Among the more important ones will be the role the Americans should play in Afghanistan and in that context how should they deal with Pakistan.

Over time, it became obvious to President Barack Obama that the use of force is not an appropriate solution for the Afghan problem.

At least six times in the past century and a half, foreign forces have failed to establish their dominion over Afghanistan. Why was that the case? The question has often been asked but never satisfactorily answered.

One of the common explanations is that the Afghan culture worked in favour of the local forces.

After all, it is at a very early age that the Afghan boys learn to handle guns. They can be easily mobilised to fight.

Or, could it be that the Afghan fighters outnumbered the foreign invaders? That could be an answer since the Afghans who resisted foreign occupation had a large pool of people from which they could draw.

The number of people joining the fight from their side was elastic; it increased or decreased giving the strength of the deployed forces on the opposing side.

The Afghans, in other words, had the support of the people.

Or, the foreign invaders perhaps didn’t use enough force.

That couldn’t be the case since the British, the Soviets, and the Americans along with their NATO allies did not limit the use of power they could muster. And that included airpower.

Both, the Soviets and the Americans used helicopter gunships – and the Americans, the drone – but were not able to overcome the resistance offered by the local fighters. It is generally accepted that when Washington supplied the Afghan mujahideen with Stinger missiles, they were able to overcome the enormous superiority of the forces the Soviet Union had deployed.

With none of these questions providing satisfactory answers, the Americans have come to believe that their failure to subdue the Afghan resistance was largely because of what they call “Pakistani duplicity.” Pakistan provided the Afghan fighters sanctuaries on its side of the long and porous border.

The dissident forces effectively used the sanctuaries in Pakistan’s tribal areas to rest, recuperate and re-equip. It was respect for Pakistan’s sovereignty that prevented the Americans from chasing the Afghan fighters across the frontier.

The Americans, instead, relied on pressure on Islamabad to act against the Afghan fighters who operated from within its territory.

The Pakistanis promised to act but it was believed that they managed to wriggle out of these commitments. Hence, the charge of being duplicitous in dealings with the United States.

Charitable critiques The more charitable critiques of the Pakistani role in Afghanistan was that Islamabad didn’t have the military strength to expel the Afghan fighters when they found refuge in its territory. After all, Pakistan has lost a large number of its own people to terrorist attacks, often by fighters who came in from Afghanistan. For instance, in December of 2014, a group of Taliban fighters crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan

The dissident forces effectively used the sanctuaries in Pakistan’s tribal areas to rest, recuperate and re-equip. It was respect for Pakistan’s sovereignty that prevented the Americans from chasing the Afghan fighters across the frontier

and killed more than 140 students attending classes in the Army Public School in Peshawar.

This was to punish the army for the operation it had launched in North Waziristan to cleanse it of extremists.

The “blame-the-Pakistanis” game reached a crescendo in the summer of 2016 when the Taliban activity in Afghanistan picked up and made territorial gains against the Kabul government.

These prompted President Barack Obama to agree to the demand of his generals to maintain a larger force in Afghanistan from the one he wanted. His initial aim was to end America’s involvement in the Afghan war during his tenure. The president became resigned to a long fight in Afghanistan. On July 7, he met with the press to explain his decision.

“The security situation in Afghanistan remains precarious,” he said.

“Afghan security forces are still not as strong as they need to be. It is going to take time to build up the military capacity that we sometimes take for granted. Given the enormous challenges they face, the Afghan people will need the partnership of the world, led by the United States for many years to come. When we first sent our forces into Afghanistan 14 years ago, few Americans imagined we’d be there – in any capacity – this long.”

That he would not be able to keep his word frustrated the American president and he became openly and highly critical of Pakistan. In an article written by Jeffrey Goldberg for the magazine The Atlantic, Obama was quoted calling Pakistan a disastrously dysfunctional state.

This sentiment was shared by members of Congress who called a set of congressional hearings in which people such Zalmay Khalilzad testified and called for ending all serious relations with Islamabad, turning it into “a second North Korea” to force that it cooperate in Afghanistan.

“This hearing will give members the opportunity to learn more about Pakistan’s longstanding ties to terrorist groups and allow for more informed reassessment of US foreign policy vis-a-vis Islamabad,” said Congressman Ted Poe, a Republican chairman of a Congress subcommittee, who had summoned the hearings to “determine whether Pakistan is America’s f riend or foe.”

If the Taliban forces gain more territory, as they are expected to do, the pressure on Pakistan will increase. — Express Tribune

DHA CITY LAHORE

Arrest warrants issued for Kayani’s brother over land scam ISLAMABAD: The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has issued arrest warrants for Kamran Kayani, brother of former chief of army staff (COAS) General (retired) Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, over his alleged involvement in the DHA City Lahore scam worth over Rs16 million.

“The inquiry so far conducted reveals Kamran Kayani is involved in the commission of offence of corruption and corrupt practices

under National Accountability Ordinance 1999 along with other accused persons in the case,” says the preamble of the ‘ground for arrest’ document available with The Express Tribune.

Before court “Kamran Kayani after arrest shall be produced before the court for authoritisation of detention for such period as may be necessary for finalisation of the inquiry.”

The DHA City project was launched in 2009, primarily to facilitate the families of martyrs, war wounded, and other armed forces staffers by allotting them small plot The DHA City project was launched in 2009, primarily to facilitate the families of martyrs, war wounded, and other armed forces staffers by allotting them small

plots. Kamran, owner of Elysium Holdings, and Hammad Arshad of Globaco, offered their services to facilitate DHA Lahore in carrying out the project by acquiring

the necessary land. Six years after the initial agreement, the accused have yet to deliver the plots to soldiers, families of martyrs and the general public.

Formal complaint This prompted DHA to lodge a formal complaint in January this year against Kamran and Hammad Arshad with NAB. Arshad was arrested on allegations of corruption and corrupt

practices, cheating the public at large and misappropriation of funds from Lahore.

A NAB spokesperson confirmed the development; however, said the warrants were issued almost two months ago.

Another officer privy to the developments said NAB had delivered three notices to Kamran at his addresses in Lahore and Gujjar Khan but he did not appear before the investigators. — Express Tribune

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

ASIA

3 Bangladeshis get death penalty over war crimes Five others have been jailed until

College teacher close to cafe attacker arrested

death. The verdict came as the prosecution accused all the eight of five charges relating to crimes like mass murders, abductions, tortures and lootings

DHAKA: Three militants from the infamous Al Badr militia were on Monday sentenced to death while five others jailed until death by a special tribunal in Bangladesh for committing crimes against humanity during the 1971 war.

A three-member panel of judges of Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD) led

DHAKA: A college teacher, said to be close to one of the militants who carried out Bangladesh’s worst terror attack at a cafe here, has been arrested.

Milon Hossain, a teacher in Piyar Ali School and College who was close to Gulshan cafe attacker Shafiqul Islam Ujjal, was arrested on Saturday night at Ashulia here, police said. Milon, who earlier worked at Madbar Memorial School in Ashulia, had helped Ujjal get a job as a teacher of the school, a police official

by Justice Anwarul Haque pronounced the judgement as two of the convicts appeared on the dock while six others were tried in absentia as they were on the run to evade justice.

The verdict came as the pros-

was quoted as saying by the bdnews.

He was produced before a court that granted police five days to grill him in custody.

Ujjal, a madrassa student from Bogra, was among the five militants whose photographs were published by the IS, which claimed the responsibility for July 1 attack that left at least 20 hostages, including an Indian, and two policemen dead.

He had left home six months before the attack, his family had said. - PTI

ecution accused all the eight of five charges relating to crimes like mass murders, abductions, tortures and lootings.

Prosecution lawyers said six of the convicts were members of Al Badr auxiliary force during the

MASS SURRENDER OF ‘DRUG ABUSERS’

A Philippine police officer, right, gives instructions as people queue up to register with the police during the mass surrender of some 1,000 alleged drug users and pushers in the town of Tanauan, 60km (37 miles) south of Manila, on Monday. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte defended his controversial drugs war as police unveiled plans for a billboard keeping a running tally of suspects arrested or killed in his fight on crime. — AFP

INDONESIA

Jakarta begins re-vaccinating 200 victims of fake drug ring JAKARTA: Indonesia on Monday began re-vaccinating nearly 200 children who received fake versions of imported inoculations from a drug-counterfeiting ring broken up last month after operating for more than a decade.

President Joko Widodo urged calm as public uproar intensified over revelations that health officials knew about the syndicate producing the fake vaccines for several years but did little to stop it.

The scandal has exposed major weaknesses in the government’s oversight of the health sector, which has expanded rapidly alongside a growing middle class.

No illnesses or deaths have been directly linked to the fake vaccines, officials have said.

“I want to ask people to stay calm because this incident happened over such a long time,” Widodo told reporters at a Jakarta clinic offering re-vaccinations.

“We need more time to investigate so we can get the real data of people who suffered from these fake vaccines.”

The ring used stolen vials and forged labels to make the fake medicine look like imported vaccines produced by GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi. State-owned Bio Farma produces nearly all vaccines available in Indonesia.

The syndicate sold fake booster vaccines for hepatitis B, diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough to at least 14 health facilities in Jakarta and elsewhere on Java island. Health officials said the sham vaccines contained the antibiotic gentamicin and saline so-

HEALTH CONCERN: A child who received fake medication from

a drug-making ring is revaccinated by government healthcare workers at a clinic in East Jakarta, Indonesia, on Monday. - Reuters

lution and were not harmful and made up only 1 percent of total vaccines in Indonesia.

Investigators are trying to determine how widely the fake drugs were distributed. Police have arrested nearly two dozen people, including drugmakers, pharmacists, doctors and nurses.

Imported vaccines The fake medicine was sold to customers for up to 800,000 rupiah ($60) a dose, a big mark-up compared to government-subsidised vaccines that are sold for as little as 5,000 rupiah, police said.

Some parents were told by health workers the imported vaccines were better for their children, officials said. Police have identified at least 197 children for revaccination, but many more are

expected to be confirmed.

Health Minister Nila Moeloek said officials knew fake vaccines were being distributed in 2013 but she declined to say why action was not taken sooner.

The President has ordered an overhaul of the food and drug monitoring agency.

One mother, Rina Herlina Sari, told Reuters she no longer trusted private clinics.

“The government should revoke their permits,” she said after her baby daughter got a re-vaccination at a government health centre in Jakarta’s outskirts.

Reporters visited the clinic accused of giving Sari’s daughter, and other children, fake vaccines, and found it operating. Its main midwife had been arrested but other staff were working. - Reuters

A1 1

war and carried out atrocities in northern Jamalpur district.

Ruthless atrocities The two others belonged to Razakar, another Bengali-manned armed group raised during the war. Manned by activists of fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami, which was opposed to Bangladesh’s 1971 independence, the Al Badr appeared as an extremely notorious force by carrying out ruthless atrocities siding with troops.

The verdict came amid a nationwide tension following the recent two back-to-back terror attacks in the country following which Bangladehs Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina hinted that the organisation Jamaat, could be behind the assaults.

Bangladesh has so far executed four war crimes convicts since the process began to try the top Bengali perpetrators of 1971 atrocities in line with the electoral commitment of Prime Minister Hasina in 2008. - PTI

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

SRI LANKA

Rajapaksa’s brother arrested over fund misappropriation COLOMBO: Sri Lankan financial crime police arrested on Monday a brother of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa for a third time over suspicion of state fund misappropriation when he was economic development minister, a lawyer said.

Rajapaksa’s younger brother, Basil, is on bail after being arrested twice for alleged misappropriation of state funds and a land deal allegedly involving money laundering.

Court hearings into the two cases are going on. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Sri Lanka’s new President Maithripala Sirisena faces pressure to act on allegations of corruption dating back to the Rajapaksa era, especially from civil society organisations who backed his successful bid to oust Rajapaksa last year.

Mahinda Rajapaksa, who was president for a decade until January 2015 and is now an opposition legislator, is popular among many ethnic majority Sinhala Buddhists who credit him with ending a 26-year-war against ethnic Tamil rebels in 2009. He is trying to rally opposition to the current government with the help of Basil.

Basil Rajapaksa’s lawyer, Jayantha Weerasinghe, said his cli-

ent was remanded in custody until August 1 after police took him to court over the supply of building materials to district councils when he was a minister.

“We pointed out that nothing is irregular about this transaction.

But irrespective of what we said, he was remanded,” Weerasinghe said. Neither Basil Rajapaksa nor his family members were immediately available for comment.

Several members of Rajapaksa family are facing police probes for alleged financial crimes. They include Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brothers Basil and Gotabaya.

Mahinda Rajapaksa’s eldest son, Namal Rajapaksa, who is also a member of parliament, was released by a court on bail on Monday, media reported. He was arrested on July 11 for suspected misappropriation of funds in a high-end apartment project. Namal Rajapaksa denies wrongdoing as do his father and other relatives facing investigations.

Namal Rajapaksa, a member of parliament, was arrested last week and kept under remand custody till Monday, becoming the second son of the former president to be remanded over financial irregularity - Agencies

A12

T IME S O F O MAN

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

#TRENDING ONLINE HOT PICKS MOST SHARED

MOST READ

TIMESOFOMAN.COM

FACEBOOK.COM/TIMESOFOMAN

TOTAL VIEWS

TOTAL PAGE LIKES

69,458,565

410,807

1 Indian expats in Oman to

1 Couple in Oman blessed

gain from new government rules back home

with triplets, overjoyed timesofoman.com/Oman

timesofoman.com/Oman

2 Heavy rain falls in parts of

Salalah

timesofoman.com/Oman

3 ‘File labour complaints only

through Oman’s Ministry of Manpower website’

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 Renaissance Day holiday

announced in Oman

timesofoman.com/Oman

4 Have some kahwa, the

traditional Omani coffee.

facebook.com/timesofoman/

3 Two recent murders instil

fear among cash collectors in Oman

5 Enforcement of midday break

timesofoman.com/Oman

rule elates workers in Oman timesofoman.com/Oman

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

4 Morning Minute: ROP warns

expats in Oman

timesofoman.com/TimesTV

5 6,248 animals slaughtered

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/OPINION

during Eid-Al-Fitr festival in Oman timesofoman.com/Business

MICHAEL SCHUMAN MOST POPULAR VIDEO

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/TIMESTV

Mohamed A. El Erian Trump picks Indiana Governor Pence for running mate

The problem for Xi is that he benefits too much from the rhetoric about China’s past victimisation.

By taking a stand against foreign aggressors, he can present himself as a defender of Chinese interests.

Widespread support for the government on social media and in the press shows just how well that strategy is working

TWEET WE LIKE @nxvemberus Models in Oman, where y’all at

MARK BUCHANAN INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY

INSTAGRAM.COM/TIMESOFOMAN

The disturbing reality is that computational propaganda is already with us. In the US presidential race, Twitter bots support both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Bots of various kinds live on cloud servers and operate 24 hours a day, and account for about 50 per cent of all activity on the web

Photo: Sharukh Zalam

«

SHARE THIS!

READERS’ FORUM Children are future hope of their parents This refers to article, Couples in Oman blessed with triplets overjoyed (July 18) , Firstly thanks to the Creator for blessing the world with some positive news. Pregnancy is a difficult period for every women that too carrying triplets will really be a very big task, congrats for Ruqaiya for handling that happily. However, all the difficulties of a mother will get vanished while seeing the faces of her children, same happened for her and now she‘s is enjoying the task of taking care of her children. Its fine as she‘s blessed with kind hearted relatives to help her.

Children are future hope of their parents, Scan this QR code I believe these three tiny gifts will always to send letters to the bring joy and confidence to the life of their Readers’ Forum, proud parents. containing not more than 200 words with —Subbashini M, Al Khuwair

KAMAL SIDDIQI

Qandeel’s crime, if any, was that she crossed a line that the Jirga-enforced society has set for women in Pakistan. In any other country, Qandeel’s antics would have been taken with a pinch of salt. For Pakistan’s insecure men, her statements and videos came across as a challenge to their honour and manhood

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

Pakistan side remains tough despite home series ban This refers to article, asir leads Pakistan to victory over England at Lord’s (July 18).

This time around the South Asian side made sure the English weather conditions benefit their bowling abilities. Yasir Shah’s performance needs fulls mark and shows the Pakistani side remains formidable despite being unable to host cricket series. —Malcome Smith, Al Khuwair

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.

WILL ROGERS

Social media helped defeat Turkish coup T

he attempted coup d’etat by a faction of Turkey’s armed forces on Friday failed for many reasons, including divisions among the military and repeated missteps by the plotters. Social media and mobile communications also played an important role. And it wasn’t the first time this combination has enabled citizens to express their will and have a say in deciding who governs them and why.

Judging from available information, the rebellious faction of mid-level army officers sought to implement the classic playbook for military takeovers -- what in the old days would have been labeled a “colonels’ coup,” as opposed to one led by generals. They closed key transportation routes, tried to secure both parliament and the presidential offices, and attempted to capture high-ranking officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and top military brass. They also took over state media outlets, and used state television to broadcast their message and prematurely declare victory.

The instigators soon realized that this classic approach was not sufficient, and moved to take control of private television channels, even shutting down the Turkish affiliate of CNN, an event that was broadcast live around the world.

The objective was conventional: By denying citizens access to alternative sources of news, the rebels would be able to control the narrative, dictating the information that was going out and its interpretation. They would also use this control to energizs their small group of collaborators and attempt to persuade others to join them, particularly other factions of the military.

But the putschists failed to sufficiently update the standard coup playbook to take into account the realities of social media and mobile technology.

As a result, their attempt to control the information available to ordinary citizens was only partial and the military’s message was soon drowned out by domestic and international news outlets with much greater powers of amplification. Then, the advantage the military had initially gained through the element of surprise quickly eroded.

Within hours of the beginning of the coup, Erdogan used the video capability on his mobile phone to communicate with the nation, urging Turks to take to the streets and stand up to the rebels. His message was amplified on social media

channels, such as Facebook and Twitter, and supplemented by images of people standing in front of tanks and on top of them.

Social media also played a critical role in relaying -- in real time -- domestic and international support for the president and for Turkey’s democratically and legitimately elected government.

These messages came from some of Erdogan’s internal political critics, too, who used Twitter to condemn the attempted coup, which they said wouldn’t bring the right kind of change.

Foreign leaders, including President Barack Obama, echoed the support for Turkish democracy and for Erdogan.

The international and domestic engagement did more than simply feed the curiosity of ordinary Turkish citizens. It countered the certainty about the outcome that the small group of officers in control of state media and some key installations had tried to convey. It also undermined the coup plotters’ attempts to convey a state of siege.

The flow of information encouraged, empowered and mobilised Turks to confront the rebels and their tanks. The population went from being passive recipients to proactive participants in the country’s present and future. And by challenging the information being transmitted by the captured media sources, they prevented the small group of mid-level officers from turning pre-emptive claims of victory into reality.

A significant number of Turks collectively formed what advancing military forces fear most -- crowds of civilians blocking their path and complicating their operational plans. The strength of the people was transmitted both domestically and internationally through images on social media of civilians standing up to rebel soldiers in the streets. This signaled that the rebels were not winning, and diminished the chances that they would ultimately prevail.

Sensing defeat, hundreds of rebellious soldiers started surrendering and road blockades were lifted. The images that filled social media showed that citizens had again found a way to have a deterministic role in their political destiny -- particularly when it comes to how they are governed and by whom.- Bloomberg View

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES JULY 2001 Majlis committee studies role of global firms in boosting economy MUSCAT: The economic committee of the Majlis Al Shura is carrying out a study on the role of international companies and other companies implementing major government projects in stimulating local economy, according to Salim bin Said Al Ghatami, head of the economic committee and representative of the wilayat of Nakhl in the Majlis. Al Ghatami said the purpose of the study was to assess the local practices of these companies in terms of sourcing labour, services and other needs from the local markets and awarding subcontracts to small companies.

Scan this QR for full article

PICTOGRAPH PROPORTION OF SEATS HELD BY WOMEN IN THE SULTANATE 1997

2011-2015

State Council

9.8% 17.9% Majlis Oman

4.9%

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

1545: King Henry VIII of England watches his flagship, Mary Rose, capsize as it leaves to battle the French.

1799: The Rosetta Stone, a tablet with hieroglyphic translations into Greek, is found in Egypt.

9.5% Majlis Al Shura

2.4% 1.2%

1870: France declares war on Prussia.

1975: Apollo and Soyuz spacecrafts dock in orbit.

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

A1 3

GLOBAL EYE

GOBI DESERT: Kamaz truck team Airat Mardeev and co-driver Aydar Belyaev compete in the Gobi Desert on Monday during the 9th special stage of the Silkway Rally. One hundred-thirty competitors are racing 10,734 kms, passing three countries and two continents from Moscow to Beijing.— AFP

MEXICO: Dancers of Pre-Hispanic traditional dances perform

while attempting to set a Guinness Record of “The biggest Ceremonial Dance of the world”, near the Teotihuacan archaeological site, Mexico, on Sunday. — AFP

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Matt Kenseth, driver of the #20 Dollar General Toyota, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series New Hampshire 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday in Loudon, New Hampshire, US. — Jerry Markland/Getty Images/AFP

FRANCE: This picture taken on Monday shows the Fondation Louis Vuitton, designed by US architect Frank Gehry, with a temporary work by Daniel Buren, at the Bois de Boulogne public park in Paris, France. — AFP

SINGAPORE: Singapore Mass Rapid Transit trains ply along lines at the Jurong East interchange, back right, in Singapore on Sunday. — AFP

ITALY: Artists of the French pyrotechnic company “Groupe F” perform during the show “A fleur de peau” (On edge) at the Venaria Reale Palace, on Sunday in Venaria, near Turin, Italy. — AFP

MALAYSIA: A Malaysian boy runs away from a high wave at Morib Beach in Banting, outside Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Monday. — AFP

A 14

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY SHARE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

Share your world with us on Instagram

WORLD

Turkey urges US to hand over cleric, widens purge Nearly 20,000 officials from the police, civil service, judiciary and army have been detained or suspended since Friday night’s coup

ISTANBUL/ANKARA: Turkey purged its police on Monday after rounding up thousands of soldiers in the wake of a failed military coup, and said it could reconsider its friendship with the United States unless Washington hands over a cleric Ankara blames for the putsch.

Nearly 20,000 officials from the police, civil service, judiciary and army have been detained or suspended since Friday night’s coup, in which more than 200 people were killed when a faction of the armed forces tried to seize power.

The broad crackdown and calls to reinstate the death penalty for plotters drew concern from Western allies who said Ankara must uphold the rule of law in the country, a NATO member that is Washington’s most powerful ally.

Some voiced concern President Tayyip Erdogan was using the opportunity to consolidate his power and further a process of stifling dissent which has already caused tensions with Europe.

A senior security official told Reuters that 8,000 police officers, including in the capital Ankara and the biggest city Istanbul, had been removed from their posts on suspicion of links to Friday’s abortive coup. About 1,500 finance ministry officials had been susOVERSEAS TRIP

May to visit Berlin, Paris on her first foreign tour LONDON: Theresa May on Monday announced Germany and France will be her first foreign tour destinations as British Prime Minister later this week as her country prepares to leave the European Union.

“The prime minister will make her first overseas visits this week.

This will be an opportunity to discuss the bilateral relationship, cooperation on a range of global challenges, and of course how the United Kingdom and Germany can work together as the UK prepares to leave the EU,” a Downing Street spokesperson said. May, 59, will begin talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, soon after she addresses her first Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons. After her “bilateral meeting and a working dinner” in Berlin, May will head to Paris on Thursday for talks with French President Francois Hollande during her two-day trip.

The Downing Street spokesperson said Thursday’s meeting with President Hollande at the Elysee Palace would cover Brexit “as well as Thursday’s attack in Nice and counter- terrorism cooperation”. Last Friday, May made her first trip as prime minister to Scotland. — PTI

STRONG SUPPORT: Demonstrators wave Turkish flags at Taksim square in Istanbul in support of the Turkish government on Monday. – AFP

pended, a ministry official said, and CNN Turk said 30 governors and more than 50 high-ranking civil servants had been dismissed.

Annual leave was suspended for more than 3 million civil servants,

while close to 3,000 judges and prosecutors have been suspended.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said 7,543 people had so far been detained, including 6,038 soldiers.

Some were shown in photographs

stripped to their underpants and handcuffed on the floors of police buses and a sports hall.

Officials in Ankara say former air force chief Akin Ozturk was a co-leader of the coup. The staterun Anadolu agency said on Monday he had confessed, but private broadcaster Haberturk contradicted this, saying he had told prosecutors he tried to prevent the attempted putsch.

Ankara says it was masterminded by Gulen, a cleric based in the United States who has a wide following in Turkey and denies any involvement.

Ankara has demanded Washington hand Gulen over. Washington says it is prepared to extradite him but only if Turkey provides evidence linking him to crime.

Yildirim rejected that demand.

“We would be disappointed if our (American) friends told us to present proof even though members of the assassin organisation

are trying to destroy an elected government under the directions of that person,” Yildirim said.

“At this stage there could even be a questioning of our friendship,” Yildirim added.

Western countries said they supported Erdogan’s government but Ankara should abide by the rule of law.

“We stand squarely on the side of the elected leadership in Turkey. But we also firmly urge the government of Turkey to maintain calm and stability throughout the country,” US Secretary of State Kerry told a news briefing in Brussels where he attended a gathering of European counterparts. “We will certainly support bringing the perpetrators of the coup to justice but we also caution against a reach that goes well beyond that.”

Referring to Gulen, Kerry called on Turkey to furnish evidence “that withstands scrutiny”, rather than allegations. EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini also called on Ankara to avoid steps that would damage the constitutional order. Turkey’s pro-Kurdish HDP opposition, parliament’s third largest party, said it would not support any government proposal to reintroduce the death penalty. The main CHP opposition said the response to the coup attempt must be conducted within the rule of law and that the plotters should face trial. Turkish security forces are still searching for some of the soldiers involved in the coup bid in various cities and rural areas but there is no risk of a renewed bid to seize power, a senior security official told Reuters.

The official said Turkey’s military command had been dealt “a heavy blow in terms of organisation” but was still functioning in coordination with the intelligence agency, police and the government. Some high-ranking military officials involved in the plot have fled abroad, he said. — Reuters

F R E D D I E G R AY C A S E

Baltimore police lieutenant acquitted BALTIMORE: A Baltimore police lieutenant was acquitted of manslaughter and two other charges in the April 2015 death of black detainee Freddie Gray, dealing prosecutors another setback in their efforts to secure a conviction in the highly charged case.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry Williams found Lieutenant Brian Rice not guilty in a bench trial.

Rice, 42, was the highest-ranking officer charged after Gray’s death from a broken neck suffered in a police transport van.

His death triggered protests and rioting in the mainly black city and stoked a national debate about how police treat minorities.

The controversy flared anew this month with the deaths of African-American men at the hands of police in Minnesota and Louisiana. Tensions were heightened further after police officers were killed in Dallas and Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake asked the community to continue to respect the judicial process during “a very difficult time for our city”. The scene outside the courthouse in Baltimore on Monday was calm, with only a handful of protesters. Rice was the fourth of six officers to stand trial in the case.

Williams previously acquitted Officers Edward Nero and Caesar Goodson Jr., both of whom were in court on Monday. In a statement, Rawlings-Blake said Rice would still face a departmental review.

Officer William Porter faces a September retrial after a jury deadlocked. Rice, who is white, ordered two officers on bicycle to chase Gray, 25, when he fled unprovoked in a high-crime area.

Prosecutors said Rice acted negligently by failing to place Gray in a seat belt. But defence lawyers said Rice was allowed leeway on how to secure a prisoner. — Reuters

DROP OF CONFIDENCE

Leaders jeered as France mourns Nice victims PARIS/NICE: Crowds jeered France’s leaders at a tribute on Monday to victims of last week’s truck attack in Nice and an opinion poll showed a sharp drop in confidence in the ability of President Francois Hollande’s government to combat terrorism.

Before and after a minute of silence held to pay respects to the 84 dead, many of the thousands gathered in the south-coast resort city of Nice chanted “resign, resign” at Manuel Valls, the Socialist prime minister. Others yelled “Hollande, resign”.

The poll published in Le Figaro newspaper showed 33 per cent of respondents were confident in the current leaders’ ability to fight terrorism, down sharply from confidence levels of at least 50 per cent in the wake of two major attacks last year. “The government promises us things but nothing sticks,” Nice city resident Antony Fernandez told Reuters. “What have they done up to now to make us feel safe? And yet what do we expect?

Every six months we’re going to mourn for more dead?”

The latest poll came at a moment when, less than a year from a presidential election, political opponents have fast abandoned the initial restraint that usually prevails on such occasions to sharply criticise Hollande and his government.

Ex-president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is competing in a Novem-

TRIBUTES: A general view of the Jardin ALbert 1er and the promenade des Anglais crowded as thou-

sands gather to observe a minute of silence in Nice on Monday. – AFP/Ville de Nice/HO

ber primary for the ticket to run as presidential candidate for France’s mainstream centre-right parties, said overnight Hollande’s government had failed to do all it could. “I know there’s no zero risk, I know perfectly well that we don’t pull each other apart before the victims have even been buried,” Sarkozy told TF1 TV. “But I want to say, because it’s the truth, that everything that should have been done over the last 18 months... wasn’t done,” he said without proposing what could have been done better.

In Thursday’s attack, delivery man Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouh-

lel ploughed a 19-tonne truck into crowds of revellers, killing 84. He was shot dead by police. The killings plunged France back into a state of grief, fear, and now political recrimination.

The bickering between politicians contrasted starkly in speed and intensity with the restraint seen in the immediate wake of the attack on Paris last November and one in January 2015 on the Charlie Hebdo newspaper.

The government has struck back by denouncing opponents for breaking ranks so fast.

Speaking ahead of the nationwide minute-of-silence on Mon-

day, Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve accused the government’s opponents of breaking ranks in an unseemly way. “We’ve seen tirades emerge immediately and personally this is both shocking and sad... it’s undignified in the current context,” he said.

Voters also denounced the lack of restraint among competing politicians while many of those killed in Thursday’s attack on the seafront Promenade des Anglais boulevard had yet to be identified or buried.

“I’d have liked the politicians to have the decency when the bodies were still on the Promenade not

to start saying to it’s so-and-so’s fault,” said Stephane Bebert, who was at the ceremony.

As tributes drew throngs of people back to the scene of the carnage, police investigated, with some four of the six people arrested after the attack transferred early on Monday for questioning at the headquarters of France’s counter-terrorism department in the western edge of Paris.

Paris Prosecutor Francois Molins, who is in charge of the investigation, said the attack was premeditated. Bouhlel on June 28 had tried to get a 5,000-euro bank loan, which he was denied. From July 1, he had also made internet searches for festivities in Nice and had driven the route of the attack two days prior to Bastille day.

Molins said the killer had recently developed an interest in radicalism telling people he had grown a beard for religious reasons and that he could not understand why IS could not have its own territory. Bouhlel had also carried out daily searches from the start of July of hardline propaganda websites showing violent images.

“While there are no elements in the investigation to suggest at this stage an allegiance to Islamic State (IS) nor links with individuals from the group... he (Bouhlel) showed a certain recent interest in radical movements,” Molins said. — Reuters

FATA L S H O O T I N G

Louisiana gunman targeted and ambushed officers, say police BATON ROUGE: The black US Marine Corps veteran who shot dead three police officers in Louisiana’s capital specifically targeted them, police said on Monday, as the United States reeled from the latest deadly violence involving police and black people.

Another officer who was wounded in Sunday’s shootings in Baton Rouge was fighting for his life, the state’s governor said.

The city had been the scene of repeated protests against police

violence following the July 5 fatal shooting by officers of Alton Sterling, a black man outside a convenience store. The Baton Rouge gunman has been identified as Gavin Long, a 29-year-old from Kansas City, Missouri, who served in the Marines for five years, including a 2008 deployment in the Iraq war.

Long, dressed in black and armed with a rifle, was shot dead on Sunday morning in a gunfight with police. Racial tension in the United States has been especially

high since a black former US. Army Reserve soldier fatally shot five Dallas police officers who were patrolling a protest over the police shootings of Sterling and another black man in Minnesota.

“It’s a very tough situation here, an attack on the very fabric of society,” Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards told MSNBC on Monday.

Louisiana State Police spokesman Lieutenant J.B. Slaton told the New York Times on Monday that a preliminary investigation shows

the Baton Rouge gunman “definitely ambushed those officers.”

“We are still trying to find out what his motive was, and that’s going to be part of our investigation.

But we believe he was targeting those officers,” Slaton said.

Social media postings linked to an individual named Gavin Long and a Kansas City address, which was cordoned off by police, included a July 10 YouTube video saying he was fed up with mistreatment of blacks and suggesting only vio-

lence and financial pressure would bring change. The dead officers were identified as Montrell Jackson, 32; Matthew Gerald, 41; and Brad Garafola. Edwards said one of the wounded officers was fighting for his life while a second underwent surgery and needed further surgery on his neck.

A third officer who had a graze wound to his neck was released from a hospital on Sunday.

US Attorney General Loretta Lynch, in remarks prepared for a

conference of black law enforcement officers in Washington, said federal law enforcement agents from the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the US Marshals Service were on the scene in Baton Rouge.

“At the Department of Justice, we are determined to do everything we can to bridge divides, to heal rifts, to restore trust, and to ensure that every American feels respected, supported, and safe,” Lynch said in her remarks. — Reuters

A16

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

WORLD

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY ADD IN GOOGLE+

Tablet lovers add dd us on Google +

Kazakhstan boosts security as suspected militants kill 5 The attackers targeted a district police station and an office of the KNB state security service in financial capital Almaty

ALMATY: Suspected militants killed at least four policemen and one civilian in Kazakhstan’s financial capital Almaty on Monday, security and hospital sources said, the second attack on the security services in less than two months.

The attackers targeted a district police station and an office of the KNB state security service.

Another shootout occurred on a busy central street where police wounded and detained one of the attackers. President Nursultan Nazarbayev called the attacks a terrorist act and ordered tighter security in public areas.

The shootings will stoke fears of a growing militant threat to the oil-producing nation of 18 million people. Last month, men the authorities said were IS sympathisers attacked gun stores and a military facility, killing seven.

Nazarbayev said the security services were working to identify Monday’s attackers, but one

DETAINED ATTACKER: Police officers detain a man after an attack in the centre of Almaty, Kazakhstan, on Monday. – Reuetrs

security source told Reuters the authorities believed they were militants. Thousands of nationals from Central Asian nations are known to be fighting alongside IS militants in Syria and Iraq, and the authorities have long warned they could return and carry out attacks on home soil.

Kazakhstan is far more prosperous than its post-Soviet neighbours and has been ruled with a firm hand by Nazarbayev since 1989. But the fall in global oil prices has hit its economy hard and there have been rare outbreaks of

violence and public protests since April, initially caused by discontent over proposed land reforms but swiftly attracting others unhappy about wider issues.

Five witnesses told Reuters they heard gunshots in three parts of Almaty, the nation’s largest city.

“We saw a man with a rifle,” one shop worker said by phone.

Footage uploaded to the Internet showed a man pointing an assault rifle at a car he tried and failed to stop. The Interior Ministry said one attacker shot a policeman guarding a police station and then

took his automatic rifle. He then shot two more policemen who chased him. The same man then tried to hijack a car, killing its civilian driver. He shot and wounded two more police officers before being wounded himself and detained on a busy street.

The ministry did not name the gunman but said the 27-year-old was also suspected of murdering a woman last weekend. It later said it had detained a second suspect.

It was unclear if any other suspects remained at large. The ministry statement put the total death

toll at four, including three policemen. However, a source at Almaty’s emergency aid hospital told Reuters it had taken in six dead, including four policemen, one civilian and one suspected attacker.

There were also eight wounded at the hospital, the source said.

Last month, the KNB, successor to the Soviet-era KGB, said it had detained several members of a group planning “terrorist acts using improvised explosive devices” in the Karaganda region of central Kazakhstan. One suspect blew himself up. — Reuters

PA S S I N G I N F O R M AT I O N

Russia detains employee of OSCE spying for Ukraine MOSCOW: Russia’s FSB security service said on Monday it had caught an employee of the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) in Europe spying for Ukraine by passing on sensitive military information about proKremlin separatists.

The OSCE is monitoring a fragile ceasefire in eastern Ukraine where pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian government forces still regularly exchange fire. The FSB said in a statement it had clear evidence that Ukraine’s SBU intelligence service was illegally using the OSCE to gather military information. It said an OSCE translator, Artyom Shestakov, a Ukrainian national, had been recruited by the SBU and had passed on information about the movements of military convoys, troop numbers, and the mobile phone numbers of military commanders. In late 2015, it said he had obtained information about a local pro-Russian Cossack leader who was later killed by the Ukrainian intelligence services.

Shestakov had been detained on Russian soil, the FSB said, and had confessed to spying. He was allowed to return to Ukraine because the FSB said his actions had not harmed Russia’s own national security, but was banned from entering Russia, it said. The SBU declined to comment. The OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine issued a statement via social media, saying it was able to confirm that one of its local employees in eastern Ukraine was temporarily on leave and unavailable for comment. — Reuters

AUGMENTED-REALITY VIDEO

Spanish police issue safety guidelines for Pokemon Go gamers

WARNING ABOUT REAL-WORLD OBSTACLES: Spanish police pose with ‘Pokemon Go’ figures. – Spanish Interior Ministry/Handout via Reuters

MADRID: Spanish police issued guidelines on Monday on how to safely use augmented-reality video games after the release of the application Pokemon Go. The police advice included reminders that users are in “the real world” and must be aware of obstacles such as traffic lights and cars.

Players of the game from Japan’s Nintendo Co Ltd walk around reallife neighborhoods to hunt down

virtual cartoon characters on their smartphone screens. The police issued their guidelines after two Japanese tourists were rescued from a motorway tunnel in Barcelona on Saturday, where they had wandered in search of Pokemon characters, according to Spanish media. The mobile game has become an instant hit just one week after launch. Police warned players that the use of GPS technology

for the game means users’ location is visible to others, potentially making them vulnerable to muggings or theft, as well as signalling when they are not at home.

Across the United States, players have been drawn down dark alleys and into dangerous neighborhoods in search of the imaginary creatures, only to be targeted by criminals. The police manual warns players not be distracted by

the excitement of catching rare Pokemon characters and to remember their safety is paramount.

Pokemon Go became available in Spain on July 15, following its release in the US, Australia and the United Kingdom the previous week.

The game has been a runaway success, boosting Nintendo’s market share by $17 billion in just over a week. tendo’s market share by $17 billion in just over a week. — Reuters

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

MARKE

OMAN CRUDE RISES

Oman Crude (September delivery) increased by 68 cents to $44.43 per barrel, said Dubai Mercantile Exchange (DME). The average price of Oman Crude (July delivery) stabilised at $44.33 per barrel, $4.93 higher than June delivery. – ONA

Muscat 5,843.77 - 28.03 - 0.48%

Dubai 3,535.20 + 46.93 + 1.35%

Abu Dhabi 4,586.05 - 11.40 - 0.25%

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

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

Kuwait 5,380.45 - 9.10 - 0.17%

Saudi Arabia

6,673.69 - 7.10 - 0.11%

Bahrain 1,164.03 - 0.88 - 0.08%

Qatar 10,585.08 +166.25 + 1.60%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.32 Pound ...........................................1.94 Indian Rs ............................. 174.09 Pak Rs .....................................267.31 Bangla Taka......................200.92

Indian Rs ................................... 174.45 Pakistan Rs .............................272.00 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.50 Phil Peso .....................................121.10

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) .......16.95

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$43.66 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$43.66 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$45.96 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$44.26 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$46.96 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ........ $45.37

Oman’s total debt touches OMR2.48b Total outstanding debt of the Sultanate by the end of 2015 stood at OMR2,481.3 million, equivalent to 9.2 per cent of its GDP. This is much lower than several other countries

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman, which recently raised $2.5 billion from the overseas market for plugging a widening budget gap, has enough room for mobilising loans in the future from abroad in view of its low debt-to-gross domestic product (GDP) ratio.

The total outstanding debt of the Sultanate by the end of 2015 stood at OMR2,481.3 million, which was equivalent to 9.2 per cent of its GDP and much lower than many other developed and developing countries. In 2014, the total outstanding debt was lower at OMR1,526.3 million, which was equivalent to 4.8 per cent of the GDP. There is enough room for the Sultanate to enhance its borrowing programme, considering the fact that the ratio is much low, compared with several developed and developing countries.

In the Middle East region, the debt-to-GDP ratio ranges anywhere between 7 per cent and 39 per cent and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have a low ratio.

“Oman’s debt-to-GDP ratio is the lowest in the Gulf region, which offers enough room for ad-

VITAL RESOURCE: Oman had posted a current account surplus

in 2014, which has become a deficit in 2015, and this deficit is projected to continue in 2016 and 2017. - Times file picture

ditional borrowing for development needs,” said S Suresh Kumar, head of Research at Al Maha Financial Services.

He added that countries, such as Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan and China, have a high debt-toGDP ratio, which ranges between 30 per cent and 50 per cent, while Latin American countries (barring Chili) have a high debt-toGDP ratio, ranging anywhere from 40 per cent to 60 per cent.

Debt-to-services ratio The Sultanate repaid OMR122.3 million in principal and interest in 2015, against OMR142.3 million in the previous year. The country’s debt-to-services ratio (principal and interest repayment of government’s external debt as a percentage of export of goods and services) stood at 0.7 per cent in 2015, against 0.5 per cent in the previous year.

As far as domestic borrowing last year is concerned, there were two government development bond issues totalling OMR500 million and a sovereign sukuk of OMR250 million.

“At the end of December 2015, the outstanding government development bonds amounted to OMR1,330 million, compared with OMR930 million at the end

of the previous year,” according to the recently released annual report of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO).

The CBO report also noted that with a view to finance the fiscal deficit, the authorities have planned to utilise fiscal buffers, raise loans from the domestic market without crowding out credit to the private sector and access external markets by the sovereign and government-related entities.

The successful raising of $1 billion in 2015 and of $2.5 billion in June 2016 underscores strong investor appetites. Authorities also plan a partial sale of public sector entities to the State General Reserve Fund, which would reduce immediate financing pressures.

CBO’s financial stability report pointed out that the Sultanate’s net debt position relative to other Gulf Cooperation Council countries has remained manageable, but the International Monetary Fund predicts that the trend will deteriorate in the coming years.

Oman had posted a current account surplus in 2014, which has become a deficit in 2015, and this deficit is projected to continue in 2016 and 2017.

The current account deficit for 2015 is expected to be 15.4 per cent of the GDP.

FA I L E D C O U P FA L L - O U T

Turkey set for market turmoil ISTANBUL: Things were looking up for Turkey when investors went home on Friday afternoon.

Markets were rallying around the world on speculation global monetary policy was going to remain loose, there was a lull in the country’s fractious politics and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government was moving to normalise relations with Russia and Israel.

Now, after an attempted military coup that erupted at about 10pm that evening in Ankara and Istanbul, sending the lira into its sharpest nosedive in about eight years, those investors are waking to a very different world, steeling themselves for tumultuous trading as local markets open on Monday. The currency rebounded 2.2 per cent to 2.9510 per dollar at 8:47am in Istanbul Monday, after closing last week at 3.0157 per dollar, about 2 per cent away from a record low in September.

“Political risk was always in my mind, but even I went icecold when I saw the news” of the coup attempt, Burak Cetinceker, a fund manager at Strateji Portfoy in Istanbul, said in an interview on Saturday. “I don’t think

I would rush into Turkish markets in the short term if I were a foreign investor.”

The failed takeover, in which about 200 people died, was the culmination of a worsening political backdrop partly fueled by Erdogan’s efforts to invest the presidency with increased powers while combating an upsurge in terrorist attacks blamed on Islamists and Kurdish separatists.

The fighting that began Friday came less than three weeks after bombings at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul left more than 40 people dead, the latest in a series of deadly attacks in towns and cities across the country.

Confusion reigned As confusion reigned on Friday over whether the coup had succeeded, stocks around the world retreated and US Treasuries advanced, while the lira tumbled 4.6 per cent, its biggest decline since 2008.

Though Turkey’s currency is likely to recover some of those losses now the violence has dissipated, longer-term investors may be more circumspect about investing in the nation’s assets

* Rates as of July 18 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of July 18 Source: Bank Muscat

as Erdogan seeks to root out opponents, detaining thousands of people, including army officers and judges.

Knee-jerk reaction “The almost instant issuance of arrest warrants for thousands of members of the Turkish judiciary raises questions about the coup itself,” said Gary Greenberg, an emerging-markets manager at Hermes Asset Management in London, which manages $2.5 billion, including Turkish equities.

“Although the knee-jerk reaction of the market on Monday might be one of relief, it is hard to feel entirely sure that democracy in Turkey is on firmer footing.”

Foreigners this year poured a net $7.3 billion into Turkish assets through May, after $3.2 billion of outflows in the same period a year earlier, data released by the central bank last week showed.

The recent pickup in foreign flows into Turkey “will now surely reverse, causing inevitable market distress,” Michael Howell, the managing director of CrossBorder Capital in London, said in an e-mail Saturday. — Bloomberg News

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) .......16.25 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) .............161.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............ 152.00 * Rates as of July 18 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

AV I AT I O N

Salalah Air plans to launch charter service, flying club Times News Service MUSCAT: Salalah Air plans to introduce charter services in Oman and between governorates of the Sultanate.

Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Tourism, met the founder and chief executive officer of Salalah Air, Sam Owen, to understand the airline’s vision for future cooperation in the tourism sector.

The presentation by the chief executive officer introduced the concept of Oman’s first flying club and adventure sports centre that forms part of Salalah Air’s development strategy. The flying club and adventure sports centre will be headquartered in Salalah and have an operational base located at Sharbitat, which will provide opportunities for aerial sports such as para-motoring and parachuting, together with opportunities for diving, deep sea fishing and sailing.

Speaking on the establishment of the first air charter services in the Sultanate, Sam Owen said, “Salalah Air is entirely Omani owned company chaired by Ali Masoud Al Khashoub, built on Omani cultural heritage and commitment; our vision is to become

WITH A VISION: Salalah Air’s vision is to become the number one charter air service provider in the Sultanate while remaining true to the traditions and culture of Oman. - Supplied picture

the number one charter air service provider in the Sultanate while remaining true to the traditions and culture of Oman and we intend to work closely with Oman Air and Salam Air to provide complimentary services that will be of benefit to the nation.”

Culture, which is the first principal of Salalah Air, represents the heritage of the Sultanate.

Owen described how Salalah Air was inspired by the rich culture of Oman and in particular the ancient frankincense routes out

of which Oman’s rich history of trade by sea and land has evolved.

In this context, Salalah Air is envisaged first and foremost as a way of linking the people of Oman with their traditional connections.Owen went on to say, “The strong sense of belongingthat is such an important part of the Omani culture will be reflected in a traditional respect for hospitality that we will extend to all travellers aboard Salalah Air, wherever they may be from or whatever the purpose of their journey.” > B2

B2

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

MARKET MSM index ends lower

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,872.17 ...............5,843.47 ................... 5,843.77 ................... 5,871.80................-28.03 .................. -0.48 Financial Index ..................................... 7,524.11 ...............7,468.45 ....................7,468.45 ....................7,519.57................ -51.12 .................. -0.68 Industrial Index ....................................7,485.80 .............. 7,442.50 ................... 7,446.34 ....................7,469.18............... -22.84 .................. -0.31 Services Index ...................................... 3,228.84 .............. 3,223.53 ................... 3,227.48 ...................3,228.58...................-1.10 .................. -0.03 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................890.84 .................. 887.98 ...................... 888.92 ......................890.84.................. -1.92 .................. -0.22 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 13,082,851..................2,852,850 .....................810 ................ 17,091,481,749 .................. 8 ......................17 .................... 25 .........................50

The top gainer was Al Jazeera Services, up by 3.77 per cent, while Construction Materials

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, JULY 18

was top loser, down by 3.23 per cent.

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

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

OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ............................................55,000 .............12,100........................3 ........... 0.220...........0.220 ...........0.220 .......... 0.220 .............0.212 ........... 0.008............. 3.774 ................0.220 .............0.216...................0.219...................13,464,940.........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 2,139,366 ...... 529,855...................128 ........... 0.245 ...........0.253 ...........0.240 .......... 0.248 .............0.242 ........... 0.006............. 2.479 ................0.242..............0.241...................0.242 ..................30,974,694.........0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ..................15,000 ...............2,250........................3 ............0.150 ........... 0.150 ...........0.150 ........... 0.150 ............. 0.147............ 0.003............. 2.041 ................0.150 ..............0.148...................0.150...................30,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................. 78,137 .............47,970......................15 ........... 0.604 ...........0.620 ...........0.604............0.612 .............0.600 ............0.012 .............2.000 ................0.620.............. 0.612...................0.620 ..................33,660,000.........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 389,290 ............55,251..................... 27 ............0.142 ........... 0.144 ...........0.141 ........... 0.142 ............. 0.141.............0.001 ............. 0.709 ................0.141 ..............0.140...................0.143...................12,780,000 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 173,689.............43,716..................... 28 ............0.251 ...........0.252 ...........0.251 ........... 0.252 ............. 0.251.............0.001 ............. 0.398 ................0.251 ..............0.249...................0.252 ...................5,292,000 ..........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ..........................37,840 ............ 62,478........................4 ............1.650 ........... 1.655............1.650 ............1.650 ............. 1.645............ 0.005.............0.304 ................1.655 .............. 1.650...................1.655 ................1,237,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ................................. 241,430 ...........60,840........................9 ........... 0.252 ...........0.252 ...........0.252........... 0.252 .............0.252 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.252..............0.253...................0.259..................371,644,881 ........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 637,671 .............63,767......................14 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.099...................0.100..................200,031,279........0.100

MUSCAT: Selling in financial sector weighed on the MSM30 Index, which declined by 0.48 per cent to close at 5,843.77 points.

The MSM Sharia Index ended at 888.92 points, down by 0.22 per cent. Al Jazeera Steel was the most active in terms of volume, while Bank Muscat led in terms of turnover.

The top gainer was Al Jazeera Services, up by 3.77 per cent while Construction Materials was top loser, down 3.23 per cent.

As many as 810 trades were executed on Monday, generating turnover of OMR2.85 million with 13.08 million shares changing hands. Out of 50 traded securities, eight advanced, 17 declined and 25 remained unchanged.

Omani investors switched to net buyers for OMR378,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR311,000 followed

by GCC and Arab investors for OMR67,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index retreats Financial Index retreated 0.68 per cent to close at 7,468.45 points. Global Financial Investment and Al Sharqia Investments increased by 2.04 per cent and 0.71 per cent, respectively. Bank Nizwa, Bank Dhofar, Ominvest and Gulf Investment Services declined by 2.60 per cent, 2.49 per cent, 1.79 per cent and 1.69 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index ended at 7,446.34 points, down by 0.31 per cent. Al Jazeera Steel, National Detergent and Gulf International Chemicals increased by 2.48 per cent, 1.85 per cent and 0.40 per

OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 213,500 ........... 42,941......................12 ............0.197 ...........0.202 ...........0.197 ........... 0.201 .............0.201 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.202 ............. 0.197...................0.200 ................. 40,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ........................................1,072 .....................64........................1 ........... 0.060 ...........0.060 ...........0.060........... 0.063 .............0.063 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.060..............0.060...................0.064 .................. 13,050,537 .........0.100

As many as 810 trades were executed on Monday, generating turnover of OMR2.85 million with 13.08 million shares changing hands. Out of 50 traded securities, eight advanced, 17 declined and 25 remained unchanged

OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ...................................5,000 ...............1,220........................2 ........... 0.244...........0.245 ...........0.244 .......... 0.245 .............0.245 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.245............. 0.240...................0.245 ..................72,572,352.........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ....................................17,433 .............33,123........................6 ........... 1.900 ........... 1.900 ...........1.900........... 1.900 .............1.900 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................1.900..............1.900...................2.000 .................180,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE ..........................................................1,695 .................. 256........................1 ............0.151 ........... 0.151............ 0.151 ............0.151 ............. 0.151 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.151 ...............0.151...................0.155 ................... 49,271,781 .........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,791,659 .......680,626................... 158 ........... 0.380 ...........0.380 ...........0.378........... 0.380 .............0.380 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.380..............0.380...................0.384 .................948,575,098........0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA ............................................... 31,100 ............ 22,019........................2 ............0.708 ........... 0.708 ...........0.708........... 0.708 .............0.708 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.708..............0.704...................0.708..................113,280,000........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE ................................................... 11,345 ...............1,429........................3 ............0.126 ........... 0.126 ...........0.126........... 0.126 .............0.126............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.126 ..............0.120...................0.126...................31,952,340 .........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ...........................................................976 .................. 437........................2 ........... 0.448 ...........0.448 ...........0.448........... 0.448 .............0.448 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.448..............0.448...................0.466...................27,104,000 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 125,864 ............93,139........................4 ............0.740 ........... 0.740 ...........0.740........... 0.740 .............0.740 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.740..............0.740...................0.744..................481,698,730........0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING .............................................. 1,000 ..................704........................1 ........... 0.704 ........... 0.704 ...........0.704............0.716 ............. 0.716............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.704............. 0.000................... 0.716 ..................142,939,090........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH.................................................. 1,000 ..................240........................1 ........... 0.240...........0.240 ...........0.240 .......... 0.240 .............0.240 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.240 ............ 0.240...................0.260 .................229,097,268........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL...............................................34,100 ...............2,455........................2 ........... 0.072 ...........0.072 ...........0.072........... 0.072 .............0.072 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.072..............0.072...................0.074...................12,600,000.........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER........................................................124 .....................25........................1 ........... 0.200...........0.200 ...........0.200 .......... 0.200 .............0.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.200 ............. 0.195...................0.200 .................134,977,486 ........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER................................................................ 7,000 ...............2,096........................3 ........... 0.300...........0.300 ...........0.299........... 0.299 .............0.300 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.333 ...............0.300 ............ 0.290...................0.300 ..................66,081,990 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 1,421,354 ......273,203...................126 ............0.195 ........... 0.197 ...........0.188 ........... 0.192 ............. 0.193............-0.001 ........... -0.518................0.190..............0.190...................0.192...................33,600,472.........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 858,590 .........160,382......................11 ............0.188 ........... 0.188 ...........0.186 ............0.187 ............. 0.188............-0.001 ........... -0.532 ...............0.186 .............. 0.185...................0.188..................300,041,377........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 100,100 ............18,418........................6 ............0.184 ........... 0.184 ...........0.184........... 0.184 ............. 0.185............-0.001 ........... -0.541 ...............0.184..............0.182...................0.184................. 262,206,650 .......0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................60,120 ............ 82,184......................11 ............1.370 ........... 1.370 ...........1.350 ............1.365 ............. 1.375............-0.010 ........... -0.727 ...............1.370 ..............1.350...................1.370................. 273,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY..................................... 30,000 ............ 54,079........................5 ............1.800 ........... 1.810............1.800............1.805 .............1.820 ...........-0.015 ........... -0.824 ...............1.810 ............. 0.000................... 1.810 ..................161,908,500........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 928,603 ............96,637..................... 57 ............0.105 ........... 0.106 ...........0.103........... 0.104 .............0.105............-0.001 ........... -0.952 ...............0.103 ..............0.103...................0.104................... 30,157,986 .........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 110,900.............10,081........................9 ........... 0.092 ...........0.092 ...........0.090............0.091 .............0.092 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.087................0.090..............0.090...................0.092 ...................2,730,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 225,090 ........... 26,201......................14 ............0.117 ........... 0.117............0.116 ............0.116 ............. 0.118 ............-0.002 ............-1.695................0.116 .............. 0.116................... 0.117 .................... 6,825,813 ..........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................. 70,000 ............ 32,480........................5 ........... 0.464 ...........0.464 ...........0.464........... 0.464 .............0.472 ...........-0.008 ............-1.695................0.464..............0.426...................0.464 ..................24,360,000 ........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES .......................................70,230 ............20,026........................8 ........... 0.286 ...........0.286 ...........0.284 .......... 0.285 .............0.290 ...........-0.005 ............-1.724................0.284............. 0.000...................0.284 ..................82,835,541 .........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ......................................................................15,000 ...............8,250........................1 ........... 0.550 ...........0.550 ...........0.550........... 0.550 .............0.560 ...........-0.010 ............-1.786................0.550..............0.530...................0.550..................349,684,988 .......0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 296,820 ............69,753........................8 ........... 0.235 ........... 0.235 ...........0.235........... 0.235 .............0.241 ...........-0.006 ........... -2.490 ...............0.235..............0.235...................0.254 .................399,312,329........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 10,197,098......2,610,698 .............. 691 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......36........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PARALLEL MARKET ................................................................................................................................................................................. cent, respectively. Construction Materials, Al Hassan Engineering, Al Maha Ceramics, Galfar Engineering and Oman Cables declined by 3.23 per cent, 2.53 per cent, 1.69 per cent, 0.95 per cent and 0.82 per cent, respectively.

Services Index was marginally down by 0.03 per cent to end at 3,227.48 points.

Al Jazeera Services, National Gas and Oman Telecommunications Company gained 3.77 per cent, 2 per cent and 0.30 per cent, respectively.

Renaissance Services and Sohar Power declined by 1.72 per cent and 0.63 per cent, respectively. – United Securities

OM0000003265 ...........NATIONAL DETERGENT ..........................................17,789 ..............11,741........................6 ........... 0.660 ...........0.660 ...........0.660........... 0.660 .............0.648 ............0.012 ............. 1.852 ................0.660..............0.660...................0.708...................11,228,250 .........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING ........................................5,189 ...............1,660........................4 ........... 0.320 ...........0.320 ...........0.320........... 0.320 .............0.320 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.320..............0.320...................0.000 ...................1,920,000 ..........1.000 OM0000001152 ............OMAN NATIONAL ENGINE. INVT. ........................5,000 ..................900........................1 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180............0.187 ............. 0.187............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.180............. 0.000...................0.190...................18,700,000 .........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 320,176............. 19,166......................12 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.059........... 0.060 .............0.060 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.060..............0.059...................0.060 ...................7,500,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE........................................................ 9,289 ............... 1,087........................3 ............0.117 ........... 0.117............ 0.117 ............0.117 ............. 0.117 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.117 ...............0.117...................0.000 ..................31,205,723 .........0.100 OM0000002077 ...........AL OMANIYA FINANCIAL SER. ...................................982 .................. 266........................1 ............0.271 ........... 0.271 ...........0.271 ........... 0.300 .............0.300 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.271 ..............0.271...................0.280 ..................80,359,063 .........0.100 OM0000002580 ...........OMAN EDU. & TRIN. INV. ............................................2,430 ..................425........................2 ............0.175 ........... 0.175............0.175 ............0.172 ............. 0.172............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.175 .............. 0.175...................0.000 ..................12,040,000.........0.100 OM0000002689 ...........OMAN CERAMIC COMPANY ........................................100 .....................45........................1 ........... 0.448 ...........0.448 ...........0.448........... 0.448 .............0.448 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.448..............0.404...................0.448 .....................847,704 ............1.000 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 500,000...........28,500........................7 ........... 0.057 ........... 0.057 ...........0.057........... 0.057 .............0.057 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.057..............0.057...................0.058...................57,000,000.........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 343,831.............53,818......................16 ............0.157 ........... 0.157 ...........0.155 ............0.157 ............. 0.158............-0.001 ........... -0.633 ...............0.157 .............. 0.156...................0.157 ..................229,628,429 .......0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 196,360 ............ 15,176......................17 ........... 0.078 ........... 0.078 ...........0.075........... 0.077 .............0.079 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.532 ...............0.075..............0.074...................0.075.....................5,791,016...........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 1,423,607 ...... 107,469.....................44 ........... 0.076 ........... 0.076 ...........0.075........... 0.075 .............0.077 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.597 ...............0.075..............0.075...................0.076..................112,500,000........0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ................... 60,000 ...............1,800........................4 ........... 0.030 ...........0.030 ...........0.030........... 0.030 ............. 0.031............-0.001 ........... -3.226 ...............0.030..............0.030...................0.031....................2,550,000 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 2,884,753 ......242,053....................118 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......13........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ....................... 1,000 .................. 100........................1 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.098...................0.100................... 32,416,161 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: ...................................................................................... 1,000 .................. 100........................1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

AV I AT I O N

< FROM

B1

‘Passenger safety will be key focus of Salalah Air’

Commitment, the second principle of Salalah Air, is a fundamental part of the vision where the company is committed to providing new initiatives in the Oman’s tourism market. It will take into consideration Omanisation and will be dedicated to providing a high level of customer satisfaction, while placing the highest priority on passenger safety.

Omani character is the third principle which is reflectedin the brand identity which highlights the uniqueness of Salalah and the Dhofar region. The Arabian Leopard (Nimr Al Arabiya) is at the heart of the branding of the fleet and is aimed at building a service that Omani residents and tourists will engage with and enjoy.

During the meeting at the Min-

istry of Tourism, Owen spoke about the business model of Salalah Air, which is built on the use of a modified form of the Small Aircraft Transport System, forming a building block for the national development strategy for transport modalities and infrastructures, in particular air transport, with bases planned at Salalah, Sohar and Duqm.

OIL TERMINAL

Saudi plans shipbuilding hub DUBAI: Saudi Arabia will build a maritime complex on its east coast, with shipbuilding capability, to provide sufficient capacity for exporting oil, Energy Minister Khalid Al Falih said on Sunday.

The country, the world’s largest oil-producing nation, eventually will have a shipping fleet that will

match its oil capabilities, Al Falih said in Riyadh. Saudi Arabian Oil Co., or Aramco, will need more tankers to meet global demand.

Oil prices have rebounded more than 70 per cent from the 12-year low reached earlier this year as a Saudi Arabian-led Opec strategy to pressure rivals with

lower prices slowly eliminates a surplus in global supply.

Al Falih told the Houston Chronicle newspaper in June that the glut was over, an assessment shared by the IEA, which said on June 14 that the crude market will be balanced in the second half of 2016. — Bloomberg News

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

B3

MARKET C A P I TA L I N T E L L I G E N C E R AT I N G S

Agency affirms rating of Alizz Islamic Bank Times News Service MUSCAT: Capital Intelligence Ratings (CI Ratings), an international credit rating agency, has affirmed the long- and short-term ratings on the Oman National Scale of Alizz Islamic Bank at ‘omBBB-’ and ‘omA3’ respectively. Both ratings maintain a stable outlook. Given the relatively short history of the bank, some of the main supporting factors remain non-financial.

These include strong shareholders, a strong and experienced management team, and well-developed policies and procedures.

Alizz Islamic Bank was established in late 2012 and received its Islamic banking license in September 2013. As of the end of June this year, the bank had six branches and was expected to open the seventh branch at the end of the third quarter.

Within a short time, Alizz had established its footprint in the Omani banking industry and was widely regarded as one the most innovative banks and is known for introducing technology oriented products and services to Omani banking customers.

Commenting on this, Salaam Said Al Shaksy, chief executive officer of Alizz Islamic Bank said; “The reaffirmation of an investment grade rating by CI Ratings,

Oil producers prepare for second-half slump Crude has declined more than 10 per cent since hitting a 2016 peak in early June, stoking fears of another second-half slump.

Producers increased bets on falling prices for a third consecutive week ended on July 12

Salaam Said Al Shaksy.

— Supplied picture

despite challenging economic conditions, reflects our financial strength, support from our major shareholders, the quality and experience of our management team and the effective risk management framework of the bank.”

“In addition, the bank’s strategy initiatives, such as the very successful launch of the first Sharia complaint saving product— Bushra, the impending launch of the wealth management offering— Tharwa, and a revamp of our e-channels will provide a competitive advantage to the bank, thereby supplementing our growth strategy and aspirations.”

NEW YORK: Oil producers are not betting on the rally.

After surviving two years of low prices, they’re gearing up for a third by buying protection against a renewed downturn. Laredo Petroleum said on July 14 that it hedged more than two million barrels of 2017 output earlier this month. Drillers have increased bets on falling prices by 29 per cent this year.

Crude has declined more than 10 per cent since hitting a 2016 peak in early June, stoking fears of another second-half slump.

It was in July that broke the back of last year’s bull-run, with oil plummeting 21 per cent. The prospect of a repeat has drillers doing everything they can to raise cash, from selling stocks and bonds to

AV I AT I O N

adding fresh hedges.

“The producers have sold the hell out of this rally,” said Stephen Schork, president of Schork Group, a consulting firm in Villanova, Pennsylvania. “The companies that did survive, they’ve been hedging into this rally. And they’re counting their blessings.”

Hedging has become a critical cash lifeline for companies that have so far survived a bust that has claimed dozens of their competitors. Since the start of 2015, 85 North American oil and gas producers have gone bankrupt, according to law firm Haynes & Boone.

Producers increased bets on falling prices for a third consecutive week in the seven days ended July 12, according to data from

the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Short wagers rose by 8,566 futures and options combined, or 1.6 per cent.

Drillers are also taking advantage of the rally to tap the capital markets. US oil and gas producers have been selling shares at record speed, using the cash to repay debt or buy oil and gas prospects, bolstering the asset side of the balance sheet. So far this year, companies have raised more than $16 billion in equity, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

“They’re trying to generate cash to stay alive and fight another day,” said John Kilduff, partner at Again Capital, a New York hedge fund focused on energy. “The producers know full well that the oil market is not out of the woods yet.”

If this year is anything like the last two, producers may be grateful they shored up their finances.

Oil dropped 38 per cent in the second half of 2015 and 49 per cent in 2014. There are already signs that a gasoline supply glut may back up into the crude markets, damping demand.

Gasoline inventories are so swollen that at least five sea tankers hauling the fuel to New York were turned away over the past few weeks, according to traders and ship-tracking data compiled

by Bloomberg. US gasoline stockpiles rose 0.5 per cent to 240.1 million barrels, an all-time seasonal high, in the week ended July 8, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported last week.

The peak-driving season in the US has so far failed to erode those stockpiles, which may send crude tumbling below $40 a barrel again, according to Schork.

“Demand is strong, but supply is even stronger,” he said.

Money managers cut bullish bets on Nymex gasoline to the lowest level in almost six years, according to the CFTC report.

Long positions declined by 2,652 futures and options combined, or 7.2 per cent. Net positions fell to an eight-month low. Futures advanced 0.1 percent during the report week to $1.4301, and settled at $1.422 on July 15.

In oil, money managers boosted net-long bets by 10,970 futures and options combined, or 6.5 per cent, to 180,469. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 20 cents to $46.80 a barrel during the report week and traded at $45.98 as of 10:27am London time on Monday.

“The rising inventories of gasoline have got the markets’ attention,” Kilduff said. “The oil market is getting ready to break.”

— Bloomberg News

S E PA R AT E B OA R D

Finding landing slots is India’s Singapore Exchange to transfer regulatory functions to new unit next task after jet order spree NEW DELHI: At last week’s Farnborough Air Show, an Indian carrier placed a $7.7 billion order while an additional $72 billion of contracts are in the offing. The next challenge: Finding landing and parking slots for these planes.

As air travel heats up in the world’s fastest-growing major aviation market, infrastructure has failed to keep pace with traffic growth fueled by rising incomes and affordable fares.

The average time an aircraft spends circling before it can land in Mumbai during peak hours is about 45 minutes to an hour, versus 25 minutes for Singapore and zero for Qatar, according to Dubai-based Martin Consulting.

India plans to invest $5 billion to improve airport infrastructure, which is “inadequate” compared with China’s proposal for $130 billion in 15 years, a June research paper by KPMG and the Associated Chambers of Commerce of India said. A proposal for a new airport in the outskirts of Mumbai has languished on the drawing board since 1997 even as Boeing Co. estimates Indian carriers need 1,740 aircraft over the next two decades.

“We need to move fast,” Sanjiv Kapoor, chief commercial officer of Vistara, a local unit of Singapore Airlines, said in an in-

HIGH-FLYING: SpiceJet is in talks for 150 aircraft and IndiGo, the nation’s top budget carrier, has ordered 430 Airbus narrow-body jets on top of the 108 it already flies. — Bloomberg file picture

terview. “That’s a huge issue. You cannot have a commercial capital and a political capital that do not have slots available for growth,” he said, referring to Mumbai and New Delhi. Out of the nation’s 450 airstrips and airports, only 75 handle commercial airlines, with the rest remaining idle or rarely used because of weak demand, according to the government. The lack of facilities may force carriers to defer deliveries, hurting planemakers including Boeing and Airbus Group.

The air-travel market in Asia’s third-biggest economy grew 20 per cent in 2015, compared with about 10 per cent in China and less than 5 per cent in the US, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Last week, AirAsia group Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes said he was “very, very bullish” on India.

The potential for further growth is spurring operators to scale up their fleets. At least 709 planes are on order for the next few years. Go Airlines India said it will buy 72 A320neos from Airbus at Farnborough last week.

SpiceJet is in talks for 150 aircraft and IndiGo, the nation’s top budget carrier, has ordered 430 Airbus narrow-body jets on top of the 108 it already flies. The problem is not just limited to India. There has often been a gap between intention and infrastructure delivery for Asian airport, according to a 2015 research paper by OAG Aviation Worldwide. — Bloomberg News

SINGAPORE: Singapore Exchange (SGX) will house regulatory functions in a unit with its own board, following calls to separate the role.

The subsidiary is expected to be set up by the second half of 2017 and will not add to the requirements of Singapore’s initial share sale process, Southeast Asia’s biggest bourse operator said in a statement on Monday.

SGX shares climbed 0.9 per cent as of 3:42pm in the city-state, resuming after a morning trading halt following a Straits Times report on the plans.

The structure will help manage

potential conflicts of interest between SGX’s regulatory and commercial roles, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said on Monday.

The New York Stock Exchange (NYSA) has a non-profit unit that enforces listing standards, while outsourcing some policing functions to an industry watchdog.

“It’s a good start to help enforce the element of independence with a separate board,” said Robson Lee, a capital markets lawyer at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher in Singapore. “This helps to address the perceived conflict of interest that SGX has.”

The central bank, which will retain oversight of SGX, said on Monday that it will require the chairman and a majority of the board members of the exchange’s watchdog unit to be independent from SGX. It’s also demanding that the entire board have no ties to companies listed on the bourse. Chief Regulatory Officer Tan Boon Gin will head the unit, according to the exchange. “This arrangement will keep us close to market developments while effectively separate from the commercial side of SGX,” Tan said in the exchange’s statement. — Bloomberg News

B4

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

FEATURE INVESTORS

OMAN STOCKS

WON’T BE FOOLED

BY A NEW WATCHDOG THAT BARKS LESS LOUDLY. RAJAN’S REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE TO ACT DECISIVELY. THERE’S NO DEARTH OF BAD IDEAS, INCLUDING SETTING UP A BAD BANK.

by ANDY MUKHERJEE

S

ample a few takeaways from the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) latest financial stability report: More than 34 per cent of loans to the country’s metals industry are stressed, meaning they have either soured or been restructured so they can go bad at a more leisurely pace. At 27 per cent, construction is faring only slightly better. For India’s state-run banks, which dominate commercial credit, as much as 14.5 per cent of advances have keeled over or are teetering on the edge.

The ferocity of the problem isn’t a surprise. What’s perplexing is that RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, who was pushing lenders to clean up their act, is being let go before he could make any headway. The central bank’s stress test offers clues to why Rajan’s three-year term wasn’t extended. If just three of the banks’ top borrower groups stop servicing their debt, as many as eight lenders will see their capital drop below

the regulatory minimum of 9 per cent of risk-weighted assets.

That’s a roundabout way of saying that banks and large businesses have an unhealthy mutual dependence. If some of the steel, construction, infrastructure or textile firms were to follow tycoon Vijay Mallya’s Kingfisher Airlines into oblivion, they could take the taxpayer-funded banking system with them. Who would have allowed Rajan to go down that route?

Still, investors won’t be fooled by a new watchdog that barks less loudly.

Rajan’s replacement will have to act decisively. There’s no dearth of bad ideas, including setting up a bad bank. In reality, using public funds to recap state-run lenders is the only viable option. But to keep the bond market from turning hostile, it has to be done without blowing out the budget deficit.

Rajan has rightly rejected the idea of the central bank pressing its own

balance sheet into rescue efforts. But the government could still help itself to the monetary authority’s equity, and use the funds to bail out troubled lenders. That idea’s been on the table since at least February, and has now become a proposal. According to a document obtained by Bloomberg News, the plan is to remove $59 billion from the RBI’s shareholder funds and infuse it into struggling financial institutions.

Reducing central banks’ paid-in capital is usually seen as cutting them down to size — and that’s the main reason governments as sole shareholders are happy just to take an annual dividend check.

But if New Delhi has made up its mind to raid the piggy bank, then the new governor may have no choice except to oblige. Rajan’s abrupt departure has already dented the central bank’s stature; downsizing will only add to the damage.

— Bloomberg News

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

B5

ROUND-UP

Hyundai confirms IONIQ hybrid launch in Middle East this year First presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March, IONIQ is the first production Hyundai engineered from the ground up as a platform for alternative drivetrains

MUSCAT: Hyundai plans to begin Middle East deliveries of its ground-breaking IONIQ range of alternative-fuel cars before the end of 2016, following the official global sales launch in July.

First presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March, IONIQ is the first production Hyundai engineered from the ground up as a platform for alternative driv-

etrains. Rather than settle for one drivetrain, a shared vehicle architecture will accommodate a choice of three of the most trusted alternative-fuel technologies currently available: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or full electric, says a press release.

Deliveries of the hybrid and full electric will begin in selected Africa and Middle East markets in the latter part of 2016, beginning with the GCC region, with the main focus being on the hybrid model.

“There is now little doubt that alternative fuels will power the

cars of the very near future, but the path from where we are now to where we need to be is still unclear,” said Mike Song, head of Operations for Hyundai Africa and Middle East.

“We expect the industry will progressively move towards electric power as the cleanest, most efficient option, with the biggest question now being how do we generate and store the energy for electric motors? “The IONIQ is the first car to recognise that there is more than one way forward. It

offers a selection of three proven technologies to meet the needs of different customers and markets, rather than pushing consumers towards a single design.”

The two hybrid IONIQs both feature Hyundai’s 1.6 litre Kappa GDI petrol engine, tailored to the hybrid application. In the full hybrid, the petrol engine is mated to a 32 kW electric motor, the system delivering a combined 103.6 kW of power and up to 265 Nm of torque, while a 1.56 kWh lithium-ionpolymer battery positioned under

the rears seats enables pure electric driving and delivers instant torque. Targeted CO2 emissions is 79 g/km for the full hybrid.

The full electric model dispenses with the petrol engine, and offers a 28 kWh battery for an estimated 250km range before it needs recharging. Power is lower than for the hybrids at 88 kW, but torque is higher at 295 Nm. Emissions are zero at the tailpipe, with the overall figure depending on the electricity supply used for recharging.

Full electric batteries can be recharged from a standard household socket, and Hyundai has also unveiled a fast charger that can top up the battery to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes.

“In the GCC in particular we are seeing high levels of official support for electric vehicles, which is part of a wider push in the region to use renewable energy,” said Mike Song. “Full electric vehicles can add value to investments being made in solar power, where recharging during daylight hours using renewable energy can create true zero-emissions motoring.”

The IONIQ is part of Hyundai’s ambitious strategy to bring alternative fuels to everyday motoring, and follows international launches of the Sonata Hybrid, available in selected markets since 2011, and the Tucson Fuel Cell, which is the world’s first mass-production vehicle to use a hydrogen fuel cell for energy storage.

OTE Group represents the brand Hyundai in the Sultanate of Oman. With a nationwide network of showrooms and service centres, OTE Group ensures that Hyundai customers are never far from getting high quality service.

‘MAJLIS ALIZZ’

SPECIAL OCCASION

Alizz all set to launch marketing campaign at Salalah Gardens Mall

Adam’s Sons organises 12th annual Holy Quran contest MUSCAT: Adam’s Sons Group of Companies organised the 12th Quran competition at Muscat Tower, Pearl Celebration Hall, Wadi Kabir, recently.

It was held under the patronage of Sheikh Sulaiman bin Mohammed Al Nomani, the wali of Wadi Kabir. Prominent personalities attended the event to make it a grand success, says a press release.

Each year the participants are growing thick and fast in numbers with steep increase in all

categories of Full Hifz, Partial Hifz, and Tilawa.

The welcome speech was given

by Ismail Mohamed Adam Al Saigh, managing director of the group. Ismail welcomed Sulaiman Al Nomani and the audience.

Sheikh Yousuf Al Balushi, Mohamed Sayed Al Hubb, Tauqeer Al Nadvi were among the panel of judges who evaluated the contestants on the basis of mastering, memorisation, pronunciation, and recitation of the Holy Quran.

Sheikh Saad Nomani, the great reciter of Quran, also attended the Adam’s Sons Quran competition.

He can recite in 99 different Qaris tones. He came all the way from Sri Lanka to attend in the competition.

The prizes and certificates were distributed by Abdul Hamid Adam Ishaq Al Saigh, chairman of Adam’s Sons Group. He thanked the chief guest, judges and the gathering who made the programme a huge success. First prize was won by Musthafa C. K. in Full Hifz category.

EXPLORING UK

MEC students participate in Coventry varsity’s Summer School Programme MUSCAT: With a great passion to discover the British culture, a delegation consisting of five from Middle East College is on a visit to Coventry University, United Kingdom since July 15 to participate in a summer school programme being held till 1.

The programme includes different classes in English language,

British culture and history and other subjects like creative writing, media and others.

In addition, the delegation will get the opportunity to explore the most famous and touristic places in the UK like London, Birmingham, Manchester and others, says a press release.

MEC seeks to provide the stu-

dents with a multicultural environment from all around the world in order to allow them to create a life-time knowledge which helps in shaping their personalities.

Moreover, MEC gives the students the opportunities which work towards enhancing and improving their skills, talents and their college’s life experience.

MUSCAT: Alizz Islamic Bank has announced the launch of its two-day ‘Majlis Alizz’ marketing campaign to introduce various segments of society to Islamic banking products and services.

The campaign will be held at the Salalah Gardens Mall on July 20 and 21 from 10am to 1 pm and from 4pm to 9pm. On the occasion, visitors to the mall will be introduced to Sharia-compliant services and products offered by Alizz Islamic Bank. Various activities and contests will also be organised while giveaways and prizes will be handed out to the public, says a press release.

As part of the campaign, a weekly, monthly and quarterly cash Bushra Savings Account prize draw will be held, offering weekly prizes worth OMR3,000 with each winner receiving OMR1,000. One winner will be selected for the OMR25,000 monthly prize and another for

OMR50,000 quarterly prize.

Earlier, Alizz announced the launch of the first Sharia-based Bushra Savings Account in the Sultanate, approved by the Sharia Supervisory Board. This launch comes in line with the bank’s plans to deliver innovative and high-quality products and exceptional customer experience.

Bushra Savings Account is based on the Sharia principle of ‘Mudaraba’ whereby the bank invests customer savings in Sharia-compliant financing to generate the best possible returns and profits. The customer acts as a capital provider while the bank

takes up the role of ‘Mudarib’ or entrepreneur. All customer funds along with the bank’s own capital will be pooled and invested in Sharia-compliant modes of investment and the resulting profit is shared between the bank and customers according to predetermined ratios.All cash prizes are gifted from shareholders’ funds.

Moosa Al Jadidi, deputy general manager and head of Retail Banking, Alizz Islamic Bank, said: “We have more than 26 products designed to cater to the different needs of all customers. This campaign reiterates our commitment to our customers and our efforts to respond to their enquiries.”

"The bank constantly strives to provide customers with efficient products and make such products readily available to them, he said. All banking transactions are transparent and trustworthy, which is what customers expect from any bank," he added.

I N N O VAT I V E I N S U R A N C E P R O D U C T S

OAB inks pact with National Life MUSCAT: Oman Arab Bank (OAB) has signed an agreement with National Life & General Insurance company, to introduce six new bancassurance products to OAB customers.

Speaking at the signing of the agreement, Fahd Amjad, general manager Retail Banking at Oman Arab Bank said, “These new additions to the fast-growing Oman Arab Bank range of outstanding products and services have been expertly developed in collaboration with insurance experts at National Life Insurance. We are committed to the evolving needs and expectations of our valued customers, supporting their ambitions and plans, and building a relationship with them based on trust and reliability.

“Carefully tailored to provide optimal levels of cover and protection for every possibility, they provide complete reassurance for

the policy-holder, allowing them to rest easy in the knowledge they will be well taken care of in every eventuality.”

Transparent and affordable, the newcomers to the burgeoning Oman Arab Bank portfolio of leading customer-focused products and services are currently available at Oman Arab Bank branches in the Muscat and Batinah region and will expand all other regions across the sultanate in the next coming months.

Hanaa Al Hinai, assistant general manager, head of Wealth

Management, and Liabilities & Bancassurance said, “Caring for our customer’s needs as well as protecting their homes, families and health is a priority for Oman Arab Bank. We have carefully designed six products that cater to our customer needs in terms of motor, home, medical, personal accident, travel and critical insurance. Dedicated insurance specialist are available at selected branches across the sultanate and offer our customers professional expert advice to our customers regarding their protection needs.”

B6

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

ROUND-UP Ferrari GTC4Lusso launched in Sultanate

KNOW BETTER, FIGHT BETTER

Kims specialist highlights ways to manage stress MUSCAT: Stress is one of the increasingly prevalent factors in modern life that adversely affects health in more ways than one. Thankfully, medical science has now developed a set of techniques to identify stress and manage it effectively.

Kims Oman Hospital, as part of its continued commitment to offering superior healthcare solutions, has taken up stress management as one of its core competencies. Dr Vrunda Janardhan, general physician at Kims Oman Hospital and an expert in stress management, brings with her a blend of profound experience and comprehensive knowledge she gained while working for years in various healthcare institutions as well as academic organisations in India and the USA, says a press release.

Managing stress starts with identifying it. Symptoms of stress include general weakness, overall fatigue, muscle and joint pain, stomach pain, loss of appetite for food and sex, headache, anxiety, irritability, anger, etc. In the long term, it can lead to high blood sugar and pressure levels, sleep problems and in some cases, even a heart attack.

Everyday life has no dearth of factors that can cause stress.

Work pressure, long working hours, lack of proper family support, illness and hospitalisation of family members can all increase stress levels manifold.

Dr Vrunda highlights some of the common signs seen in stressaffected individuals: â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are physical signs including weight gain or loss, unexpected hair loss, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. Additionally, there are emotional signs too: such as

The GTC4Lusso is a new four-seater model that integrates rear-wheel steering with four-wheel drive for the ďŹ rst time, hailing another major advance for the versatile sporty Grand Tourer concept and making it perfectly adaptable for Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s city and mountain terrain

MUSCAT: The Ferrari GTC4Lusso was revealed in the Sultanate for the very ďŹ rst time yesterday, in the presence of Marco Sambaldi, Marketing Manager for Ferrari MEA and Mohamed Al Zawawy, assistant general manager - Alfardan Motors, during a private preview at Alfardan Motors showroom in Muscat.

The GTC4Lusso is a new fourseater model that integrates rearwheel steering with four-wheel drive for the ďŹ rst time, hailing another major advance for the versa-

tile sporty Grand Tourer concept and making it perfectly adaptable for Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s city and mountain terrain, says a press release.

The four-seater conďŹ guration holds a very special place in Maranello tradition, making exhilarating Prancing Horse sports car performance and elegance available to four rather than just two occupants. GTC4Lussoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name references several illustrious predecessors, not least the 330 GTC or its 2+2 sister model, the 330 GT, as well as the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso, which married extreme performance with stylish design and sophisticated materials and craftsmanship.

The GTC4Lusso is a powerful combination of luxury style and performance. Seamless integration of its complex vehicle dynamics control systems means the powerful GTC4Lusso performs brilliantly in all driving situations, but really comes into

FOOD SERVICE SOLUTIONS

its own on challenging low-grip surfaces, such as desert terrain, delivering a consistent sense of stability and comfort.

Thanks to a 6,262cc V12 that punches out a maximum of 690 cv at a 8,000 rpm and peak torque of 697 Nm at 5,750 rpm, with 80% available at just 1,750 rpm, the GTC4Lusso delivers an astonishing top speed of 335 km/h and sprints from 0 to 100 km in 3.4 seconds. Both its 13.5:1 compression ratio and its 2.6 kg/cv weight-to-power-ratio set new records for the category.

Based on the latest, fourth generation of the Side Slip Control, the new Ferrari-patented 4RM-S system integrates and controls the 4RM Evo four-wheel driveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s PTU (Power Transfer Unit), the rearwheel steering, E-Diff and SCM-E active damping.

Penned by Ferrari Design, the GTC4Lusso is a further reďŹ nement of the shooting brake coupĂŠ, reinterpreting the concept with

an extremely streamlined, tapered shape that underscores its perfect balance of elegance and sportiness while still incorporating large comfortable rear seats and a roomyboot behind them.

At the front, the new Dual Cockpit architecture enhances the shared driving experience for both driver and passenger. In fact, four plush wraparound seats and the cabinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meticulously crafted quality materials create the same ambience as a luxurious living space for all occupants.

One of the selection criteria for the materials adopted was weight reduction to heighten the sense of sporty luxury typical of a thoroughbred Ferrari. The navigation and infotainment platform, featuring a 10.25â&#x20AC;? HD screen with capacitive touch technology, is new, too. All cars feature the new 8.8â&#x20AC;? touchscreen passenger display as well as Apple CarPlay and an upgraded audio system.

Work pressure, long working hours, lack of proper family support and illness can all increase stress levels manifold mood swings, anxiety, depression and unhealthy coping strategies like consuming alcohol or taking drugs, etc.â&#x20AC;?

How to handle stress effectively? In some cases, it requires only simple changes in daily life. In some others, proper professional stress-relieving techniques are needed. Dr Vrunda has more on it: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We employ various healthy coping techniques to manage stress. There are physical exercises like yoga and daily workout.

Meditation, breathing and the use of guided imagery can result in improved relaxation. Talk and pet therapies are also given as part of counselling.â&#x20AC;?

Some of the easy stress-busters for the daily life include: Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; ,#. Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; ,3Ĺ&#x2014; .)Ĺ&#x2014; 1,#. Ĺ&#x2014; )/.Ĺ&#x2014; 1" .Ĺ&#x2014; causes your stress. If you can identify them, you can also handle them better. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; 2*, --Ĺ&#x2014; 3)/,Ĺ&#x2014; &#(!-Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; /!"Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; cry, talk and, yes, get angry. Talk to your friends, family members or a counsellor about your feelings in a positive way to relieve stress. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; ($)3Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; )Ĺ&#x2014; -)' ."#(!Ĺ&#x2014; 3)/Ĺ&#x2014; &#% Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; Do something you are passionate about. It can be a hobby, a creative activity, a game, etc. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; 2 , #- Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; !/& ,Ĺ&#x2014; 2 , #- Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; help you relieve your stress to a great extent.

SPECIAL CAR LOAN

Enhance to partner BankDhofar promotion offers customers with Food and opportunity to own their dream cars Hospitality Oman MUSCAT: The upcoming edition of the hugely successful Food and Hospitality Oman (FHO) will see the participation of Enhance Food Service Solutions (FSS) as a silver sponsor for the ďŹ rst time. The 11th edition of the event is set to be held from September 20 to 22 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre.

Enhance has developed a reputation as a largely successful provider of quality products to hotels, restaurants, ships, catering companies and other institutions. The partnership with the premier food and hospitality event seeks to establish Enhance FSS as an ideal partner for the Horeca industry in Oman. FHO 2016 will showcase over 114 exhibiting companies from 18 representing countries collaborating with a focus on expanding the growth of the industry.

Enhance has a state-of-the-art storage facility and carries more than 500 SKUs of Horeca products effectively. An extremely dedicated and experienced management team ensures tremendous efficiency and ďŹ&#x201A;exibility in sourcing international products, in addition to providing technical support to local chefs too.

Enhance FSS has gained an impressive reputation for its exceptional service quality in addition to the premier services rendered.

The company is the leading provider of FMCG distribution and retail management solutions in Oman with growing management in other GCC markets.

Food and Hospitality Oman is set to be held from September 20 to 22 at the Oman International Exhibition Centre

It caters to all the hotels and a majority of restaurants as well as catering companies and ship chandlers. Enhance has won a substantial number of awards and honours for its business partners over the years and is committed to consistent and quality service. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Food and Hospitality Oman has always been a signiďŹ cant event for the food industry in Oman and we are extremely glad to be part of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition of this expo. We believe this will give us an excellent platform to showcase our premium range of sea food, meats as well as some of the exclusive products that we carry in our proďŹ le. Oman has become an attractive business destination with its concentrated efforts in infrastructure and the food and tourism industry, and Enhance Food Service Solutions is pleased to contribute towards this endeavour,â&#x20AC;? stated Hussein Daboul, manager FSS - Enhance.

MUSCAT: BankDhofar has introduced a special car loan offer and exclusive facilities with a reduced interest rate of 3.49% (ďŹ&#x201A;at rate 1.83% approximately) for all customers. The promotion aims to give customers the opportunity to own their dream car and to enjoy the facilities provided by the bank.

Validity Muhannad Al Raisi, executive manager â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Assets Products Development & Bancassurance, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We launched the exclusive car loan promotion to make it easier

for our customers to drive the car of their dream. The offer is valid through August 5 and it guarantees the lowest monthly instalments for all customers.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We want our customers to avail themselves of the exclusive offers, world-class products and instant banking services. All BankDhofar products and banking solutions are designed to suit our customersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs and requirements. The car loan facilities bring in a lot of value to make it easier for customers to own their dream cars and I urge them to make the most of this op-

MALABAR GOLD RAFFLE DRAW WINNER

portunity and enjoy the exclusive beneďŹ ts we offer,â&#x20AC;? noted Al Raisi.

BankDhofar car loan gives customers the chance to buy their favourite car with competitive interest rates, quick approvals and personalised services. The bank offers special limits and rates for student, ladies and Priority Banking customers. In addition to car loan facilities, BankDhofar also offers motor insurance options which feature lower premium rates and instant insurance policy, be it comprehensive insurance or third-party insurance cover.

Ramalingam Thirugnanalingam, raffle draw winner of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Win up to 10 kilos of goldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; campaign by Malabar Gold & Diamonds receiving quarter kg gold from Muhsin P., branch head, in the presence of officials from Malabar Gold & Diamonds. - Supplied picture

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

B7

ROUND-UP

Meezah Consultancy and INMA sign pact for project management services The contract has been signed in line with Zubair SEC’s strategy to facilitate business development opportunities for its members and build business synergies between large companies and small enterprises in Oman

MUSCAT: Facilitated by Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC), its member-owned company Meezah Engineering Project Management Consultancy and real estate development firm INMA have signed a contract for project management services.

The contract has been signed in line with Zubair SEC’s strategy to facilitate business development opportunities for its members and build business synergies between large companies and small enterprises in the Sultanate, says a press release.

INMA – one of The Zubair Group companies - is a leading real estate development, investment

and asset management company, while Meezah Engineering Project Management Consultancy is a small enterprise founded by Zubair SEC member Baidal Al Zadjali and specialises in providing project management and consultancy services with focus on the construction sector and other vital sectors.

As per the contract with INMA, Meezah will be working very closely with INMA on four different projects across Muscat and will provide project management services for a period of one year.

The scope of work will include project management, commercial management, local authority liai-

R A I S I N G C U S T O M E R S AT I S FA C T I O N

son and tendering.

Commenting about the contract signing, Adel Al Hubaishi, senior adviser at Zubair SEC said, “The good ties and relations of Zubair SEC with leading corporations and organisations in the Sultanate and with The Zubair Group companies are a major asset that

we capitalise on when providing business development support to our members. The diversity of sectors in which such organisations operate provides a rich platform through which we can channel different small business to offer their services and products.” He added, “We are happy to see our members

delivering and exceeding expectations as they proceed with executing those projects, while we commit to keep extending to them all support possible.”

Expressing her gratitude to Zubair SEC, Baida Al Zadjali, founder of Meezah Engineering Project Management Consultancy said, “Small businesses are the foundation for strong economic development. We have clearly witnessed how supporting growth and boosting capability of SMEs is a key part of Zubair SEC’s work in the Sultanate. Zubair SEC’s decision to provide opportunities for SMEs like Meezah is crucial for our progress.

“We consider it a great opportunity to be contracted by a large real estate company as INMA. I would like to assure INMA that client satisfaction will remain our top priority. Through this partnership, Meezah hopes to make a mark in the project management services sector.”

Maimunah Shebani, Planning and Business Development manager at INMA said, “We are committed to support Omani businesses by providing them with opportunities that will allow them

to grow and develop. We look forward to exploring how we can work further with SMEs to support sustainable economic growth in the Oman by identifying new ways to help smaller companies prosper and develop.”

Zubair SEC, a social responsibility initiative of The Zubair Corporation has facilitated similar business development opportunities for its members in the past. It strongly believes that the support of large organisations to SMEs, mainly through business development and contract opportunities, is of the greatest importance to the development and success of the SME sector. So far, Zubair SEC has facilitated more than eight contracts and agreements between its members and companies within the Zubair Group and outside it.

Previously known as Zubair Real Estate & Hospitality, INMA is now an independent group within The Zubair Corporation.

The multicultural leadership team at INMA has many years of international experience in the development of corporate real estate strategies, real estate consultancy, management and investment and asset management.

MAIN SPONSOR

NBO to offer its core banking services at Salalah Festival Kia launches unique mobile application MUSCAT: Internationally recognised and award-winning Kia Service continues to serve customers all across Oman, creating a rewarding ownership experience with the very best of equipment and experts.

Kia Global Service System has been launched by Kia Motors to raise customer satisfaction levels even higher, says a press release.

According to a Kia spokesperson, “With this app, Kia customers can conveniently access Kia service. It is available in Google play store and iOS app store and all that the customer has to do is to register the app with a valid email ID, to download it. There is only a one-time updation about the vehicle, the preferred branch and a few details in the app by the customer.

“That is all… once done, the customer can make a service appointment, select the preferred time slot for the service appointment, and receive appointment confirmation through email.”

“Ensuring that each customer is treated as a member of the happy Kia family in Oman has worked wonders in elevating satisfaction levels,” said the spokesperson, “We have been there for them like

a family member to serve, make their Kia run like new…”

For those who wish to avail of the convenience of the Kia Service App the links are available for android phones - https:// play.google.com/store/apps/details and for iOS phones - https:// appsto.re/om/Q-mhab.i The spokesperson further added, “If customers’ vehicles are under safety recall campaign which was registered by the distributor, they will have this popup screen until they click to ‘Don’t show this message again’. Customer can also request for a call back. If customers click ‘call-back’ button, the request will be sent to the preferred dealer. Customer can request for road side assistance and also ask for details about scheduled maintenance once they input current mileage and purchase date. Through the app, customers can also access special offer banners.”

“Now all the details about Kia’s “Family Like Care” and the branch closest to me is in my pocket, to be used when I need it.

What’s more it is constantly updated, so I know I won’t miss out on some great offers from Kia,” said a customer.

MUSCAT: National Bank of Oman (NBO) underlined its support for the Sultanate’s tourism sector by renewing its sponsorship of the Salalah Tourism Festival.

The festival celebrates the annual monsoon that attracts thousands of local, regional and international visitors, this celebration of culture and tradition has become one of Oman’s premier yearly tourism and cultural events.

As main sponsor, NBO will offer its core banking services for the duration of the festival, which started recently, says a press release.

John Chang, general manager and chief retail banking officer at NBO, commented: “NBO is proud to once again add its support to the Salalah Tourism Festival, which is now firmly established on the Sultanate’s calendar of tourism events for both international and local visitors.

NBO’s sponsorship builds on our proud track record of supporting the local community and, in particular, our extensive efforts to

help grow the Sultanate’s tourism industry.” Commenting on the occasion, Leen Al Atassi, head of Corporate Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, said: “We are very proud to support the Sala-

lah Tourism Festival that has played a pivotal role in contributing to the growth of Oman’s tourism industry.”

In addition to its support of the wider travel and tourism industry, NBO actively supports Oman’s

growing sports sector through its connection to golf and its sponsorship of the NBO Golf Classic Grand Final in Muscat in November, which is the culmination of the European Challenge Tour.

B8

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

ROUND-UP

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

Love us on Facebook

Meethaq successfully continues Waqf Share awareness campaign The campaign aims to encourage the public to contribute in the Waqf Share with any amount in the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bank account at Meethaq No. 0611007700770017

MUSCAT: Coinciding with the holy month of Ramadan, the awareness campaign continues to promote the importance of the Waqf Share for society, launched by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs in cooperation with Meethaq, Islamic Banking.

The campaign aims to encourage the public to contribute in the Waqf Share with any amount in the ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bank account at Meethaq No. 0611007700770017.

The Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs manages the account and beneďŹ ts from the donations in different goodwill aspects such as building mosques and Holy Quran schools, printing Holy Quran copies, supporting families in need and other charity matters.

Commenting on the initiative, Sulaiman bin Hamed Al Harthy, deputy chief executive officer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Islamic Banking in Bank Muscat, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are pleased to partner again with the ministry in this campaign and achieve its objectives. We would also like to thank Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Salmi, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, and all officials at the ministry for their trust in Meethaqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role and efforts to serve local communities. In addition, we appreciate the ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collaboration with us to improve Islamic banking in Oman through launching various events and activities which identify and present Islamic Banking potentials and services to the society.â&#x20AC;?

Al Harthy highlighted this fruit-

We are pleased to partner again with the ministry in this campaign and achieve its objectives. We would also like to thank Sheikh Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Salmi, Minister of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, and all officials at the ministry for their trust in Meethaqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role and efforts to serve local communities Sulaiman bin Hamed Al Harthy

Deputy chief executive officer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Islamic Banking in Bank Muscat

ful partnership which reďŹ&#x201A;ects Meethaqâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals to support such institutions in achieving the development in the communities.

Meethaq targets, through the campaign, to contribute in promoting the giving culture and ideal behaviors which it is reďŹ&#x201A;ected in the Waqf Share.

This contribution may result in consolidating positive social impacts on the society such as kindness, cooperation and harmony. Al Harthy also urges people to support the campaign with their continuous donations and charitable works which contribute to build and strengthen the society.

MOBILE NUMBER

Al Harthy complimented the ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role in conducting the Waqf Share account and handling various goodwill projects such as building mosques and Holy Quran schools, printing Holy Quran copies, supporting families in need and other charity matters.

In addition, Meethaq prepared a

marketing plan to promote awareness campaign and the ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s account, including all media means, social media platforms, events and activities which will play a signiďŹ cant role to deďŹ ne the Waqf Share. The plan describes the participation process and reveals the positive results on the local communities while implementing the campaign.

Al Harthy added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is worth mentioning that Meethaq, when ďŹ rst established, intended to urge the public to carryout charity attitudes and works as reďŹ&#x201A;ected by launching national campaign for Zakati in collaboration with the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs, conducted through diverse media platforms and lectures. Further, Meethaq joined hands with the leading charity organisation, Dar Al Attaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;a, to place donation boxes across the Sultanate to mobilise educational support for rural communities. The objective of the initiative is to mobilise donations from citizens and residents to build pre-primary classrooms in rural areas.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;All Meethaq branches across Oman are ready to receive donations through the ministryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Waqf Share account.â&#x20AC;? Harthy concluded.

SEASONAL PROMOTION

Ooredoo launches new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;7 seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; numbers Unbeatable offers on Mitsubishi Lancer EX to end on July 24

MUSCAT: Ooredoo is now offering customers a new range of eight digit mobile numbers beginning with the number â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;7â&#x20AC;&#x2122; instead of the usual â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;9â&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;7 seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was allotted by Omanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Telecommunications Regulatory Authority as part of an effort to meet skyrocketing demand over the past few years, says a press release.

Feras Al Shaikh, director of Consumer Sales, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The penetration of mobile subscriptions in Oman has grown rapidly. In fact there are two million more subscriptions than the number of people in the country according to ďŹ gures released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information. With interest in telephone numbers greater than ever, it was

The penetration of mobile subscriptions in Oman has grown rapidly. In fact there are two million more subscriptions than the number of people in the country according to figures released by the National Centre for Statistics and Information Feras Al Shaikh

Director of Consumer Sales imperative a solution was found. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The result of those efforts has resulted in the new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;7 seriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;,

which will provide the ever-growing Omani market with an additional 10 million new numbers that will meet the demand for years to come.â&#x20AC;?

Ooredooâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collaboration with the TRA continues to provide customers in the Sultanate with the very best services and beneďŹ ts tailored to their changing needs.

MUSCAT: The Mitsubishi unbeatable offers launched by General Automotive Company, the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Oman ends on July 24.

The offer provides customers with a number of attractive beneďŹ ts on the Lancer EX and other Mitsubishi models including free service, free registration, cash gifts and more. The offer allows all potential Mitsubishi Lancer EX buyers to beneďŹ t from a six years unlimited mileage warranty, six years roadside assistance, up to a two years/30,000km service package, free registration, free insurance for the ďŹ rst year, and a cash gift of up to OMR1,888 together with a special gift, says a press release.

Manoj Ranade, general manager of GAC, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Lancer EX is one of our most iconic models, offering style, performance, comfort, safety and affordability in one well-rounded package. Furthermore, its ďŹ&#x201A;exible model variety ensures that customers will al-

ways ďŹ nd a perfect Lancer EX to match their lifestyle and preferences. Furthermore, Mitsubishiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s well known build quality and reliability, backed by a 6-year unlimited mileage warranty,ensures a total peace of mine ownership experience. This ďŹ&#x201A;exibility and affordability, coupled with the beneďŹ ts of our ongoing offer, makes for an extremely valuepacked proposition.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;In addition to the Lancer EX, our offer also extends to our Outlander, Attrage, Montero Sport, L200 and the legendary Pajero models; each of which represent the very best in performance, comfort and reliability in their respective classes. Furthermore, we are also offering trade-in bonuses of up to OMR500 on select models through our Diamond Approved Used Cars division for those looking to upgrade to a new Mitsubishi. This is why we encourage everyone to make the most of this offer before it comes to a close on July 24,â&#x20AC;? added Manoj.

B U R J E E L H O S P I TA L

Specialist addresses important issues about fever in newborns MUSCAT: A common concern for parents is when their baby runs a fever. Dr Suja Haneef, Specialist Paediatrics at Burjeel Hospital has addressed some important information below: In a baby under 3 months, any temperature over 100.4 is a fever.

Because small infants cannot ďŹ ght infection as well as older infants and children, you should call your paediatrician immediately.

For older infants and children, a temperature of 101 or above is considered a fever. Body temperature can be raised by playing in the hot sun or by overdressing. Unless your child is acting sick, wait a few minutes and repeat the temperature after cooling off. Again, a newborn should go to the paediatrician immediately when having a 100.4 temperature.

True about fevers Fever is a part of the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural response to invasion by germs. The reason to lower fever is for your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comfort, so that drinking ďŹ&#x201A;uids is easier.

Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; " Ĺ&#x2014; 0 ,Ĺ&#x2014; #-Ĺ&#x2014; --) # . Ĺ&#x2014; 1#."Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; rash Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; )/,Ĺ&#x2014; "#& Ĺ&#x2014;1 -Ĺ&#x2014;, (.&3Ĺ&#x2014; 2*)- Ĺ&#x2014; at to a serious infection, such as meningitis.

Again, if your newborn runs any fever, call your paediatrician immediately

Sleep Your infant will sleep a lot at ďŹ rst, as much as 16 hours a day. Unfortunately, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only one to two hours at a time. The good news is that by Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not true Treating fever does not interfere 6 months, many babies sleep six with the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ability to ďŹ ght in- hours a night.

When your baby fusses at night, fection. Call your paediatrician immediately or go to the emergen- wait a minute or two to see if he calms himself down and goes back cy room if: to sleep. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; )/,Ĺ&#x2014; "#& Ĺ&#x2014;" -Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;1 %Ĺ&#x2014; ,3 Be quiet during nighttime feedÄ&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; -Ĺ&#x2014; (),' &&3Ĺ&#x2014;+/# .Ĺ&#x2014;1#."Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;0 (.Ĺ&#x2014; ings or diaper changes. Try not to stare wake him up too much. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; -Ĺ&#x2014; #Ăś /&.Ĺ&#x2014;.)Ĺ&#x2014; ,)/- Be active and play during the day Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; -Ĺ&#x2014;!,/(.#(!Ĺ&#x2014;),Ĺ&#x2014;') (#(!

so he stays awake for longer periods. That can help him transition to sleeping more at night.

Although the American Academy of Pediatrics and other newborn organisations do not recommend co-sleeping, many parents still ďŹ nd it convenient and loving to have their newborn in bed with them. Breast feeding your newborn is easier if you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to get up, for example.

The safer way to have your newborn with you is to use a co-sleeper that attaches to your bed. Then you will only need to roll over and take the baby out. There are also sleepers that contain baby in a safe space between parents. If you fall asleep while nursing your newborn, be sure the baby cannot fall off the bed, get tangled in the blankets or bury his or her face in or under a pillow. Remember that you may

be exhausted and it is important to make sure your newborn is in a safe sleeping environment.

Feeding Your infant should feed every two to three hours. You can tell that sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s getting plenty to eat when: She spends 10 to 15 minutes at each breast.

She has six or more wet diapers and two or more dirty diapers every 24 hours.

After losing a little weight the ďŹ rst week, your baby starts to gain weight the second week. If you are concerned about your babyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s weight, check with your paediatrician.

Flu The seasonal ďŹ&#x201A;u, which will come in the next few months, will make this ďŹ&#x201A;u season long and harsh. Infants are at high risk for develop-

ing complications from the ďŹ&#x201A;u, so it is appropriate to be concerned.

Avoiding large crowds of people, especially children, will decrease your exposure to the ďŹ&#x201A;u virus.

Of course, good hand washing is essential to decrease the spread of germs.

Warning signs Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; ).Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;/,#( .#(!Ĺ&#x2014;ÄĄ .Ĺ&#x2014;' 3Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;" , Ĺ&#x2014;.)Ĺ&#x2014; tell, especially with disposable diapers) Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; )Ĺ&#x2014; )1 &Ĺ&#x2014;')0 ' (.Ĺ&#x2014; ),Ĺ&#x2014;ĂžÄ&#x201A;Ĺ&#x2014;")/,Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;, . &Ĺ&#x2014;. '* , ./, Ĺ&#x2014;)0 ,Ĺ&#x2014;ÝúúÄ&#x201E;ÞĽĹ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; ÄĄĂ˝Ä&#x201A;Ä˝Ĺ&#x2014; ĢĹ&#x2014; ),Ĺ&#x2014; & --Ĺ&#x2014; ." (Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x192;Ä Ä&#x201E;ÿĽĹ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; ÄĄĂ˝Ä&#x20AC;Ä&#x201E;ÿĽĹ&#x2014; Ģ Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; , ."#(!Ĺ&#x2014; -.Ĺ&#x2014; ÄĄ ),Ĺ&#x2014; 2 '*& Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; over 60 breaths per minute) Or a bluish skin colouring that does not go away. Newborns normally have irregular respirations, so you need to count for a full minute. There should be no

pauses longer than about 10 seconds between breaths. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; ., .#)(-Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; ),Ĺ&#x2014; */&&#(!Ĺ&#x2014; #(Ĺ&#x2014; ) Ĺ&#x2014; ." Ĺ&#x2014; ribs when taking a breath Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; " 4#(!Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014;!,/(.#(!Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014;),Ĺ&#x2014;1"#-.&#(!Ĺ&#x2014; sounds while breathing Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; )/,Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; , #( ! Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; ),Ĺ&#x2014; & #(!Ĺ&#x2014; from the umbilical cord Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; ),- (#(!Ĺ&#x2014;$ /( # Ĺ&#x2014;),Ĺ&#x2014;3 &&)1#(!Ĺ&#x2014; of the skin on the chest, arms, or legs, or whites of the eyes Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; ,3#(!Ĺ&#x2014;),Ĺ&#x2014;#,,#. #&#.3Ĺ&#x2014;1"# "Ĺ&#x2014; ) -Ĺ&#x2014; not improve with cuddling and comfort Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; -& *3Ĺ&#x2014; 3Ĺ&#x2014; 1")Ĺ&#x2014; (().Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; awakened enough to nurse or bottle feed Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; #!(-Ĺ&#x2014; ) Ĺ&#x2014; -# %( --Ĺ&#x2014; ÄĄ ),Ĺ&#x2014; 2 '*& Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; cough, diarrhoea, pale skin colour) Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014; )),Ĺ&#x2014; ** .#. Ĺ&#x2014; ),Ĺ&#x2014; 1 %Ĺ&#x2014; -/ %#(!Ĺ&#x2014; ability Every child is different, so trust your knowledge of your child and call your childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doctor if you see signs that are worrisome to you.

Dr Suja Haneef, Specialist Paediatrics at Burjeel Hospital, graduated from the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, India. After her graduation, she received a Diploma in Child &."Ĺ&#x2014; ÄĄ ĢĹ&#x2014; #(Ĺ&#x2014; ßúúÄ&#x20AC;Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; )'pleted the Diplomate of National ) , Ĺ&#x2014;ÄĄ ĢĹ&#x2014;#(Ĺ&#x2014;ßúúÄ&#x192;Ä&#x201E;Ĺ&#x2014; Dr Suja has more than 22 years of experience in her ďŹ eld which include 13 years post her MBBS and nine years in paediatrics. Her special interests include paediatric critical care, neonatology and respiratory medicine.

C

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

SECTION

LORD’S HERO SHAH SCALES N0 1 SPOT IN ICC TEST RANKINGS >C3

SPOR YOUR GAME

S

INSIDE LIFESTYLE

PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING >C5

IOC vows ‘toughest sanctions’ REACTIONS

WADA PRESIDENT CRAIG REEDIE “Shamefully, the McLaren Report corroborates the allegations, exposing a modus operandi of serious manipulation of the doping control process in the satellite laboratory set up in Sochi for the 2014 Games; and, the Moscow laboratory since 2011 and after the Sochi Games. Not only does the evidence implicate the Russian Ministry of Sport in running a doping system that’s sole aim was to subvert the doping control process, it also states that there was active participation and assistance of the Federal Security Service and the Center of Sports Preparation of National Teams of Russia.”

Investigation revealed Moscow laboratory oversaw manipulation of athletes’ analytical

TRAVIS TYGART (CEO of USADA) “The McLaren Report has concluded, beyond a reasonable doubt, a mind-blowing level of corruption within both Russian sport and government that goes right to the field of play... and most importantly, our hearts go out to athletes from all over the world who were robbed of their Olympic dreams. “Looking forward, we must come together as an international community -comprised of those who truly believe in the spirit of Olympism -- to ensure this unprecedented level of criminality never again threatens the sports we cherish.”

results and the Russian state ran concealment scheme; IOC decries ‘shocking

IOC PRESIDENT THOMAS BACH “The findings of the report show a shocking and unprecedented attack on the integrity of sport and on the Olympic Games. Therefore, the IOC will not hesitate to take the toughest sanctions available against any individual or organisation implicated.”

attack on the integrity of sport’

TORONTO: With the Rio Games less than three weeks away, the International Olympic Committee on Monday promised “the toughest sanctions available” after a report found Moscow had concealed the positive doping tests of athletes in many sports in the run-up to the Sochi Winter games.

The IOC did not spell out whether it would heed growing calls for Olympic bans already imposed on Russia’s track and field athletes and weightlifters to be extended to all its competitors in Rio. But IOC President Thomas Bach said the independent World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) investigation had revealed “a shocking and unprecedented attack on the integrity of sport and on the Olympic Games”.

“Therefore, the IOC will not hesitate to take the toughest sanctions available against any individual or organisation implicated.”

WADA itself explicitly urged the IOC to consider banning Russia from the Rio Olympics altogether.

The WADA-backed report confirmed allegations made by former Moscow Anti-Doping Laboratory head Grigory Rodchenkov, who two months ago told the New York Times that dozens of Russians used performance-enhancing drugs in Sochi with approval from national sports authorities.

It said the catalyst for the development of a system to conceal widespread doping had been Russia’s performance at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Games, where a country that cherishes its status as a sporting superpower finished 11th, with only three gold medals.

FOOTBALL

Oman’s Salah, Faraj to trial at Osasuna and Getafe MUSCAT: Oman national football team players Salah Yahyaie and Mohammed Faraj left for Spain to gain experience with Spanish football clubs Osasuna and Getafe respectively.

Only recently, Azan Al Tamtami had signed for La Liga Club Deportivo Alves. Mohammed Faraj was earlier announced to have secured a trial with Boa Vista FC, one of Portugal’s oldest clubs, but now he will visit Getafe for a fresh trial.

Oman’s Olympic team captain Azan Tamtami had signed a two-year contract with Deportivo Alves.

The Muscat based Tamtami was previously playing for Swiss second Division Side Biel-Bienne in the previous season from where he was spotted.

Since Ali Al Habsi and Imad Al Hosni playing for outside Asia, the two new players are being hoped to become permanent features in Europe.

The professional experience is certain to help to improve the standard of Oman football.

It is expected that some more will join some European clubs in coming period when some coaches keep eye on some Omani players. - ONA

PHILIP CRAVEN, PRESIDENT OF IPC “We are truly shocked, appalled and deeply saddened at the extent of the state sponsored doping programme implemented in Russia ahead of Sochi 2014. The findings of the McLaren report mark a very dark day for sport. Once we have the further details we have requested from both parties, the International Paralympic Committee Governing Board will convene for a telephone conference. The Board will discuss the findings of the report and decide what relevant action needs to be taken to protect clean athletes competing in Paralympic sport. This may include provisional measures and sanctions with regards to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.”

SEBASTIAN COE, IAAF PRESIDENT “The institutionalised and systematic doping in Russian athletics is the reason the IAAF suspended, and then upheld the suspension of, RusAF’s membership and consequently the exclusion of their athletes from international competition.”

WINTER OLYMPICS: This file photo taken on February 23, 2014 shows an Olympic Games flag and a

Russian flag waving during the closing ceremony of the winter Olympics in Sochi. Russia operated a state-dictated doping system during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and other events, an independent investigator said on Monday. – AFP

“The surprise result of the Sochi investigation was the revelation of the extent of State oversight and directed control of the Moscow Laboratory in processing and covering up urine samples of Russian athletes from virtually all sports before and after the Sochi Games,” said the report, unveiled in Toronto.

‘Failsafe strategy’ The report was led by Canadian sports lawyer Richard McLaren, who had sat on the independent commission that last year exposed widespread doping and corruption in Russian track and field, leading to its exclusion from international competition. He said Russia’s Sports Ministry had overseen the manipulation of athletes’ analytical results for years before Sochi.

“The State implemented a sim-

ple failsafe strategy,” the report said. “If all the operational precautions to promote and permit doping by Russian athletes proved to have been ineffective for whatever reason, the laboratory provided a failsafe mechanism.

“The State had the ability to transform a positive analytical result into a negative one by ordering that the analytical process of the Moscow Laboratory be altered.”

In Sochi itself, where international observers were scrutinising the drug tests, positive results could not simply be brushed away, so a system of sample-swapping was put in place with the help of the FSB intelligence service, the report said.

Rodchenkov had spoken of a clandestine night-time operation in which he said staff secretly took urine samples from the lab via a

TOUR DE FRANCE

Sagan claims his third stage victory BERN: World champion Peter Sagan claimed his third 2016 Tour de France stage victory when he pipped Alexander Kristoff on the line at the end of the 16th stage, a 209-km ride from Moirans-enMontagne on Monday.

Norway’s Kristoff (Katusha) celebrated after crossing the line, but it was Slovak Sagan (Tinkoff ) who actually finished first after throwing his bike in timely fashion, strengthening his grip on the green jersey for the points classification. Another Norwegian, Sondre Holst Enger (IAM Cycling), took third place.

“I thought I was second, really,” said Sagan, who now has 405 points to Briton Mark Cavendish’s 291 and looks set to win a fifth green jersey in Paris.

Briton Chris Froome (Team Sky) retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey after finishing in the leading pack in a twisting course finale in the Swiss capital.

“There was never a quiet moment, it’s good to have another day ticked off,” said Froome, who leads Dutchman Bauke Mollema (Trek-Segafredo) by 1:47 and fellow Briton Adam Yates (OricaBike Exchange) by 2:45.

Fans, officials and riders observed a minute’s silence at 1200 local time, shortly before the start of the stage, in memory of the victims of the Bastille Day attack in Nice.

Three-times time trial world champion Tony Martin and his

GREAT FINISH: Peter Sagan

finishes first. – Reuters

Etixx-Quick Step team mate Julian Alaphilippe, who was denied a possible stage win on Sunday because of a mechanical problem in the final descent, broke away early on.

The duo built a six-minute gap but Frenchman Alaphilippe ran out of steam 30km from the finish and German Martin was caught by the bunch 22.5km from the line.

Both finished last, hand-inhand, 12:20 behind Sagan, although happy they had given it a try.

“It was a bit crazy and careless, but sometimes it’s good to try something that’s not in the text book,” said Martin. — Reuters

“mouse hole” cut into a wall, and replaced them with clean samples taken from the same athlete months earlier and sometimes manipulated.

‘Credible witnesses’ McLaren said Rodchenkov and all other witnesses interviewed had been deemed credible, and the report said the investigators “confirm the general veracity of the published information concerning the sample swapping that went on at the Sochi Laboratory during the Sochi Games”.

The investigations showed that caps had been removed from a number of samples, and that they contained unusually high levels of salt, “significantly exceeding the levels produced by the human body”.

Russian Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko, who was mentioned 21

SCOTT BLACKMUN, USOC CEO “The McLaren Report confirms what we have stated previously: the current anti-doping system is broken and urgently requires the attention of everyone interested in protecting clean athletes. We look forward to working with the IOC, WADA and the entire Olympic family to address the flaws in the current system so that a uniform approach to anti-doping can be implemented and enforced around the world. In the meantime, we are focused on preparing Team USA to compete at the upcoming Rio Games and will rely on the IOC, WADA and the international federations to impose sanctions that are appropriate in relation to the magnitude of these offenses, and that give clean athletes some measure of comfort that they will be competing on a level playing field in Rio.” NICOLE SAPSTEAD, CEO OF UK ANTI-DOPING “Now is the time for the entire sporting community to come together to find a way forward and ensure that the right processes, legislation and safeguards are in place to protect the rights of all athletes to clean, fair and honest competition.”

times in McLaren’s 97-page report, was not immediately available for comment.

In a leaked draft letter intended to be sent to the IOC on Monday, U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart calls for a ban on all Russian athletes, not only in track and field.

Paul Melia, head of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports, said the letter was backed by various athletes’ committees and the antidoping organisations of the United States, Germany, Japan and New Zealand, among others.

However, Russian track and field athletes have appealed

against their ban to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which is due to rule by Thursday.

If it finds in their favour, there would seem to be little chance of a wider ban on Russian competitors holding up. Bach had indicated last week that he was reluctant to see athletes from one sport punished for the crimes of athletes or officials from another.

Russian President Vladimir Putin staked his reputation on the Sochi Games, which at around $50 billion were the most expensive in Olympic history. Russia topped the table with 33 medals, 13 of them gold. - Reuters

C2

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

SPORTS

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY INSTALL WHATSNEWS

GOLF

Day and Scott reject criticism of golfers skipping Rio

ZIKA CONCERN: Jason Day of Australia in action on the first hole during the third round at Royal Troon, Scotland, Britain. – Reuters

MELBOURNE: World number one Jason Day has hit back at critics of the golfers who have elected to skip the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. Golf’s return to the Olympics for the first time since 1904 has been soured by the withdrawals of a number of top men’s players, many of whom have cited health concerns due to the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil.

Rio Games chief Carlos Nuzman told a media event in Rio over the weekend that top players had “tried to blame Zika, but the media have shown that they are not coming because there’s no prize money.”

International Golf Federation President Peter Dawson also said there had been an “over-reaction” TENNIS

Karlovic becomes oldest Tour winner at 37 LONDON: Ivo Karlovic offered further proof that tennis careers can continue blossoming long after players reach their 30s when he became the oldest ATP title winner for 37 years at the weekend. The 37-year-old Croat outlasted Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller 6-7(2) 7-6(5) 7-6(12) to win the grasscourt Hall of Fame Championships in Newport, Rhode Island — becoming the oldest champion in the tournament’s history.

In saving three match points before downing Muller, the bigserving Karlovic became the oldest Tour winner since Marty Riessen (37 years, nine months) in Lafayette in 1979. It was his third consecutive Newport final, having lost the previous two.

Karlovic now has seven career titles, the first coming in 2009.

“After all these years when I was losing in the final and now I was finally able to do it,” world number 35 Karlovic said. “And I was down a match point. That makes it even nicer.”

Karlovic, who returned from a left knee injury earlier this year, became the oldest man to reach the third round of a Grand Slam for 25 years at this year’s French Open. - Reuters

The withdrawals, which have included the world’s top four players, has fanned fears of golf’s return

to the threat of Zika, a mosquitoborne virus that can cause potentially severe birth defects in babies whose mothers were infected during pregnancy. Day, who withdrew last month and cited Zika as his main concern, hit back at suggestions that the lack of prize money was behind the withdrawals.

“I mean, we’ve got enough money, you know what I mean,” Day

told the Australian Associated Press after signing off from the British Open at Royal Troon.

“And I don’t mean to make that sound in a bad way. It’s not like we’re chasing it because of that.

“We play the Presidents Cup, there’s no prize money. You go down there to (Rio) win a gold medal. That’s probably one of the biggest honours you could get as

a sporting athlete.” Day’s compatriot, world number eight Adam Scott, was among the first to opt out but put it down to a packed schedule and his lack of interest in playing another 72-hole individual strokeplay tournament.

He said Nuzman’s assertion was “not accurate”. “I mean, I made my decision based on my priorities and where my life’s at at the moment.”

The flood of withdrawals, which have included the world’s top four players and a number of other major winners, has fanned fears golf’s return to the Olympics may be a brief one. The sport is confirmed for the 2020 Tokyo Games but its future participation will be subject to an IOC vote. - Reuters

BCCI shake-up on cards after court ruling The Supreme Court accepted the recommendations, including a bar on ministers and civil servants and

game be legalised

mendations,” senior BCCI functionary and IPL Chairman Rajeev Shukla said.

“We respect the Supreme Court’s decision. We are studying it,” added the Board’s recently-appointed CEO Rahul Johri, whose appointment was itself a result of Lodha committee recommendations.

The court also accepted the panel’s suggestion that there should be a player’s association in the BCCI. The apex court also ruled that one person should hold just one post in cricket administration to avoid any conflict of interest and scrapping of all other administrative committees in the BCCI after CAG nominee comes in.

NEW DELHI: Cornered by the Supreme Court’s acceptance of the Lodha Committee recommendations on sweeping reforms, the BCCI is set for a revamp as some of its senior functionaries are staring at the prospect of losing their positions in either the parent or state bodies.

The Supreme Court accepted the recommendations, including a bar on ministers and civil servants and those above 70 from becoming BCCI members but left it to Parliament to decide whether the Board should come under RTI and betting on the game be legalised.

The Board has been given six months’ time to implement the recommendations. The apex court also accepted the recommendations of the Committee headed by retired Chief Justice of India Justice R M Lodha to have a CAG nominee in BCCI. A bench of Chief Justice T S Thakur and Justice F M I Kalifulla rejected BCCI’s objection against recommendations for one-state-one-vote and said that states like Maharashtra and Gujarat having more than one cricket associations will have voting rights on rotational basis.

“We respect SC’s decision. We will look into how we can implement the Lodha panel recom-

‘Conflict of interest’ The verdict means that BCCI President Anurag Thakur (Himachal Pradesh), Secretary Ajay Shirke (Maharashtra), Treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhary (Haryana) and Joint Secretary Amitabh Chaudhary (Jharkhand) will have to forego their positions in their respective state associations to avoid “Conflict of Interest”.

The ruling on age cap of 70 years on BCCI office-bearers, on the other hand, effectively means the end of the road for veteran administrators like Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, and Niranjan Shah to name a few.

While former BCCI president Pawar is 75 years old, Tamil Nadu strongman Srinivasan is currently 71 years old. Both are presidents of their respective state associations — Mumbai CA and TNCA respectively.

Saurashtra Cricket Association supremo Shah, who has served BCCI for over three decades in various capacities such as secretary, joint secretary, treasurer and vice President, is 72 years old.

Shah admitted that he is “disappointed” but has to “respect” the Apex Court’s order. “Yes, I am very disappointed but this is the verdict of the Apex Court of the country, which will have to respect,” Shah told PTI. Shah, however, feels that it will

those above 70 from becoming BCCI members but left it to Parliament to decide whether the Board should come under RTI and betting on the

at least take another 18 months to fully implement the SC verdict.

“The BCCI will have to first implement it at their end and then the state associations will have to also implement the same. In my understanding it will take another 18 months to put everything in order as per Lodha Committee recommendations,” Shah observed.

He was, however, non-committal when asked as to who would replace him in SCA, an association where it has been a ‘One Man Show’ for over three and half decades.

“My members had given mandate to work for the betterment of cricket in the region. Saurashtra has one of the best international stadiums right now. We would be hosting a Test match and we have ODIs, and T20s.

We have also successfully hosted the IPL,” Shah concluded.

However, former India cricketers Bishan Singh Bedi and Kirti Azad hailed the verdict of the apex court. “Let’s all accept Supreme Court’s verdict gracefully & humbly-after all isn’t health o Indn Crkt more imp than any personality pol/otherwise!” tweeted Bedi.

Azad too took to Twitter to express his views. “my stand vindicated, #SupremeCourt accepts Justice Lodha committee report.

Wait for my further action against #DDCA and #BCCI,” wrote Azad, who alongside Bedi has led a crusade against corruption in the DDCA. Justice (Retd) Lodha, who had recommended the sweeping reforms, said it is a good step and will benefit Indian cricket.

“It is good for the BCCI administration and also for the public and other stakeholders,” he said.

Justice (Retd) Mukul Mudgal, who headed the probe committee which gave the initial report on the 2013 spot-fixing scandal, described order as a landmark one.

“It will improve the functioning of the Board. This judgement can be a reference for other sports bodies as well and that is why I think it is a landmark judgement,” Mudgal said. - PTI

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

C3

SPORTS Lord’s hero Yasir Shah scales No. 1 spot in ICC Test rankings Yasir, who returned with figures of six for 72 and four for 69, has leapfrogged India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England’s fast bowling pair of James Anderson (who missed the Test due to an injury) and Stuart Broad into the top spot after his achievement earned him 32 points

DUBAI: Wrist spinner Yasir Shah has scaled the number spot in the ICC Test rankings, becoming the first Pakistani bowler to do so since Mushtaq Ahmed achieved the feat in December 1996.

He reached the number-one spot after bowling Pakistan to a 75-run victory over England in the first Test at Lord’s on Sunday.

Yasir, who returned with figures of six for 72 and four for 69, has leapfrogged India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and England’s fast bowling pair of James Anderson (who missed the Test due to an injury) and Stuart Broad into the top spot after his achievement earned him 32 points.

Yasir won the player of the match award in his first Test outside Asia and now leads Ashwin by seven points and Anderson by 10 points.

The 30-year-old looks strong to gain further points and create more daylight between him and rest of the field as he is still in the qualification period.

A bowler qualifies for a full rating after he has taken 100 wickets, while Yasir has so far claimed 86 wickets in 13 Tests.

Pakistan’s Rahat Ali, who took four wickets in the match, has also achieved a career-high ranking of 32nd after jumping three places, while Mohammad Amir has returned to the rankings just inside

NUMERO UNO: Pakistan’s Yasir Shah who was instrumental in beating England in the first Lord’s Test has become No. 1 Test bowler in latest ICC rankings. – AFP

the top 100 in 93rd position.

There was more good news for Pakistan when its middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq also achieved a career-high ranking in the batsmen rankings.

Asad scored 73 and 49 for which he has been rewarded with a jump of two places that has put him in 11th spot. Asad now has a top 10 place firmly within his sights as he trails 10th ranked Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews by seven points.

Pakistan captain Mishab-ul Haq, who scored his 10th Test century while scoring 114 in the first innings, has moved up one place to ninth, while wicketkeeper/batsman Sarfraz Ahmed has gained two places and is now in 17th position.

For England, Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance have improved their rankings. Bairstow is now on a career-high 16th position after moving up two places, while Ballance is in 40th position having risen two places. - PTI

Amir makes impact at Lord’s for the right reasons LONDON: Mohammed Amir returned to the hallowed ground of Lord’s he defiled six years ago to earn Pakistan one of their most memorable Test triumphs over England on Sunday. The fast bowler, who served a five-year ban and jail time after admitting spot-fixing at the home of cricket in 2010, took the final wicket of the first Test to give Pakistan a welldeserved 75-run victory.

While Amir’s return to the game divides opinion, it felt like partial redemption for the 24-year-old who was cleared to return to the sport last September and who was making his first Test appearance since his ban ended.

Amir removed the key wicket of captain Alastair Cook in the first innings, and then finished off England’s resistance on Sunday as he destroyed Jake Ball’s stumps to spark joyous scenes from the Pakistan fans.

“He’s part of the team that has won the test match, it will be one of the memorable days of his life and from here he can start his career again,” Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said.

“He’s a good kid now, he’s a mature cricketer and he can prove to everyone that he’s a good bowler.”

Amir was touted as a potential great when he burst onto the international stage as a teenager, making his test debut at 17.

OMAN HOLD JAPAN IN SECOND FRIENDLY OF UNDER-16 TEAMS

Oman Under-16 and Japan Under-16 played out a 2-2 draw in the second friendly match played at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher on Sunday both teams are preparing for the Asian Cup in India. In the first friendly Oman lost to Japan 0-2. — JUN ESTRADA / Times of Oman

Mohammed Amir

But his world fell apart when he admitted to deliberately bowling no-balls against England and was convicted along with Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif who received seven and 10 year bans respectively.

The conspiracy rocked

world cricket and reputation of Pakistan cricket was tarnished, but Misbah said the victory at Lord’s on Sunday completed a long journey back from the depths for a nation mad about the sport.

“It’s been a remarkable turnaround after the 2010 incident,” Misbah said.

“The team took real responsibility and these players showed a lot of respect for the game, fought throughout the six years and brought plenty of wins. Their on and off-the-field disciplines are really good.

“Winning against a top side, who are really good in their home conditions, speaks volumes for this team.” - Reuters

C4

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

SPORTS

40 years on from perfect 10

NADIA STILL TURNING HEADS PICTURE FROM THE PAST: Perfect Nadia Comaneci, of Romania, dismounts from the uneven parallel bars at the Olympic Games in Montreal.

The ponytail is long gone, the childhood

Scoring the first 10 in history was a big deal but the fact that even an electronic scoreboard could not figure out how to put out a score, it made the story more historic. At that time I didn’t understand the impact it made as I wasn’t competing to make history, I was competing to win medals

cravings have been replaced by more sophisticated tastes, but no matter where she goes Comaneci cannot escape the memories of what happened on July 18 1976 in Montreal

LONDON: She was once the ponytailed Romanian teenager excited at the thought of owning coloured socks and eating bubble gum yet Nadia Comaneci went on to captivate the world by performing an Olympic feat that continues to stir the emotions four decades later.

The ponytail is long gone, the childhood cravings have been replaced by more sophisticated tastes, but no matter where she goes Comaneci cannot escape the memories of what happened on July 18 1976 in Montreal.

The day she became the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 at the Olympic Games.

“Every time there is a zero in the anniversary, it’s kind of bigger. There was 10, then 20, then 30 and now 40, it seems like a lot of numbers. It’s like half of your life is gone,” Comaneci told Reuters in a telephone interview while on a short holiday in California with her family.

“But to realise that it’s 40 years

Nadia Comaneci since it happened, it’s like ‘oh my gosh, really?’

“Because it’s the 40th year, I feel like I’ve been celebrating the anniversary the entire year. Everyone I meet this year wants to talk about it.”

Those celebrations are set to continue for the next few weeks as Comaneci heads to Montreal on July 21 where her 10-year-old son Dylan will get his first chance to see the Olympic Stadium “where his mom’s name is engraved”.

Then it will be on to Rio for the Aug. 5-21 Games.

The anniversary will be spent

together as a family with Dylan and her husband — fellow Olympic champion Bart Conner — and Comaneci’s memory of the occasion remains razor sharp despite the passage of 14,610 days.

“I remember when I started to do the compulsory (routine on the uneven bars), I thought I did a pretty good routine but I didn’t think I did my perfect routine,” said the 54-year-old, who now resides in Oklahoma. “I know I didn’t watch the scoreboard as I was already thinking about the balance beam after I finished.

“Then I heard the big noise in the arena, I look around, I turned my head and saw the scoreboard.

I first saw the 073 which was my competition number and 1.00 score which was under.

“I looked at one of my team mates and she shrugged her shoulders, indicating that something was wrong with the scoreboard. It all happened so fast.”

White socks With officials not expecting any gymnast to attain perfection, the electronic scoreboard installed in

Montreal lacked the space needed to accommodate all four figures to illustrate the perfect mark.

That epic fail by technology did little to tarnish Comaneci’s memory of the feat.

“The fact that the scoreboard could not show the 10 added to the drama, it made it bigger,” she said breaking down in laughter.

“Scoring the first 10 in history was a big deal but the fact that even an electronic scoreboard could not figure out how to put out a score, it made the story more historic.”

Scoring that first 10 became such

a traffic-stopping moment people seem to forget that Comaneci went on to collect three gold medals in Montreal, including the all around title, and two more top prizes in Moscow four years later.

Born in 1961 in the factory town of Onesti to a car mechanic named Gheorghe and his wife Stefania, Comaneci still has to pinch herself when she thinks how her life is now dictated by something she did “as a 14-year-old child”.

“Nellie (Kim) got a 10 a little after me but nobody talks about it. If fate had wanted it, it would have been someone else making history.

I was just a little bit quicker!” she quipped. “At that time I didn’t understand the impact it made as I wasn’t competing to make history, I was competing to win medals.

“It’s very special that it will be there for eternity.”

There is so much focus on what happened in 1976 and the years that followed, Comaneci admitted memories of pre-Montreal can be a little blurry at times.

While she needs to “go and Google to see where I went” on her first trip outside Romania, what she does remember is the things that used to light up her eyes.

“The fascinating thing for us to bring home to Romania was bubble gum, coloured socks and coloured hair clips. These were things we didn’t have in Romania at the time,” said Comaneci.

“We only had white socks in Romania. But when I used to come back from the States, I used to bring back pink and yellow socks with all kind of designs, and hair clips and elastic bands for the ponytail that had colourful designs.

“We used to exchange leotards with gymnasts from other countries. I don’t remember who I got my most prized leotard from but it was one with a lot of stars on it.”

Chances are whoever got Comaneci’s leotard has not forgotten its original owner. - Reuters

C

SECTION

LIFESTYLE

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

Dining WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING RECIPES ONEZA TABISH

MANGO PUDDING With the mango season in full swing, this pudding makes an elegant and a no fuss dessert that too restaurant style. The humble mango pudding is considered to be one of the most popular desserts in Hong Kong.

Light and ďŹ&#x201A;aky, ďŹ&#x201A;avoured with fresh mangoes, this is a delight in every home. Here is an eggless and gelatin free version of the same.

Ingredients Ä&#x160; 2 cups ripe mango pieces Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; 1 cup milk Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;5g agar agar strips, soak in 3/4 cup of water for 10 minutes (china grass) Ä&#x160; 1/4 cup sugar, adjust according to the sweetness of mango Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;A pinch of cardamom powder or 2 drops of vanilla essence Preparation Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Puree the ripe mango pieces and one fourth of the milk to a smooth puree in a blender. Re-

move to a bowl and set aside. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Place the agar agar along with the water on low heat and keep stirring till the agar agar is completely dissolved. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Bring the milk to a boil, add sugar and cardamom powder or vanilla essence. Simmer on low ďŹ&#x201A;ame for 3-4 mins. Add the agar agar mixture and keep stirring on low ďŹ&#x201A;ame for 4 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to slightly cool but should be warm. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Add the mango puree to the agar agar mixture and mix well. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Pour the mixture into serving bowls. Allow to set at room temperature and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the fridge for at least 3 to 4 hours. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;At the time of serving, garnish with mango pieces and serve chilled.

COFFEE CHOCOLATE PUDDING Chocolate and coffee are two ingredients which uplift everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mood. The combination of the two is a perfect match made in gastronomical heaven and nothing to beat a pudding made from these two soulmates.

Ingredients Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;2-1/2 cups milk Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;1-1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;2 tablespoons corn starch (ďŹ&#x201A;our) Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;1/4 cup castor sugar Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;1 tablespoon coffee powder Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;4 tablespoons ďŹ nely chopped chocolate To garnish Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;1/2 cup whipped cream Ä&#x160; Fresh cherries Preparation Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;-' &&Ĺ&#x2014; )1&Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014;'#2Ĺ&#x2014;#(Ĺ&#x2014;ĂťÄ&#x17E;ĂźĹ&#x2014; /*Ĺ&#x2014;) Ĺ&#x2014; milk with cocoa powder and cornstarch. Whisk using a hand mixer to avoid lumps. Run this mixture through a strainer and set aside.

Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; Add milk to a saucepan and bring it to boil. Once the milk starts to boil, reduce the heat and whisk in sugar and coffee powder. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Stir continuously to avoid scorching the bottom of the sauce pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on low ďŹ&#x201A;ame.

Now add in semi-sweet chocolate along with cocoa and cornstarch mixture from step 1. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; Stir until the chocolate pudding starts to thicken and coat back side of the spoon. Run this mixture through a strainer to avoid lumps and pour it into the desired cups or glasses. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Ĺ&#x2014;Chill the chocolate coffee pudding in the refrigerator for at least four hours until set. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; Once set serve the pudding garnished with swirl of whipping cream topped, fresh cherry or you can even garnish with chocolate curls.

EGGLESS CARAMEL BREAD PUDDING A delectable bread pudding that is baked with a rich layer of caramel sauce. The pudding is flipped like an upside down cake for the caramel sauce to do its magic.

Ingredients Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;8 slices of milk and sweet bread Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;1 and 1/2 cups of milk Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;6 teaspoons sugar Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;1 and 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla essence For the caramel: Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;5 teaspoons sugar Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;3 teaspoons water Preparation Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Crumble the bread in wide bowl. Add milk and sugar to it and mash it well. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Once it is mashed well, add vanilla essence and mix once.

Set aside. In a pan, add sugar and water on medium ďŹ&#x201A;ame, do not stir just swirl continu-

ously for even heating. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Once the sugar has melted, it will start bubbling then gradually it will brown. Switch off the ďŹ&#x201A;ame. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Immediately, transfer to the pudding setting pan (square cake tin). Tilt so that the caramel is coated evenly on all sides. Then transfer the bread milk mixture. Cover with aluminium foil and prick holes here and there for the steam to escape. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Keep it inside pressure cooker container with water (say 1/2 cup). Close and steam without weight for 15-20 minutes.

Once pressure releases, cool down, then refrigerate for 1-2 hours. Run a knife along the sides and invert on a plate and cut into squares. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014;Pour caramel/butterscotch sauce while serving and enjoy this easy and delicious dessert with some vanilla ice cream.

C6

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

FIND-IT-ALL CINEMA SCHEDULE

PRAYER TIMINGS

@ MGM

SHATTI Central Intelligence – 2D (12+) (Action ) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Danielle Nicolet 4:30, 9:45, 11:45 PM Ghostbusters – 3D (PG12) (Action | Comedy) Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon 2:30, 4:45, 9:15, 11:30 PM Marauders – 2D (12+) Action Cast: Bruce Willis, Christopher Meloni, Dave Bautista 3:30, 7:00, 11:45 PM Sultan – 2D (PG12) Action Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma 8:35 PM Independence Day: Resurgence – 3D (PG12) Action| Adventure | Sci-Fi Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum 6:30 PM Finding Dory – 3D (PG) (Animation) 2:30, 5:30 PM Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows – 3D (Pg12) (Action | Adventure) Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Tyler Perry 7:30 PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Ghostbusters - (3D) (Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi) (PG) VIP LOUNGE Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon 3:45, 6:45 & 11:15PM Ghostbusters - (3D) (Action | Comedy) (PG) 12:30, 9:30 & 11:30PM Sultan - (2D) (PG12) (Hindi | Action) Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma 8:15PM Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - (3D) (PG12) Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Tyler Perry 2:45, 7:15PM (Action) Finding Dory - (3D) (Animation ) (PG) 12:15, 2:15, & 6:15PM

Central Intelligence – 2D (12+) (Action ) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Danielle Nicolet 4:30, 9:45, 11:45 PM

Ghostbusters - (3D) (Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi) (PG) VIP LOUNGE Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon 3:45, 6:45 & 11:15PM

Marauders - (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: Bruce Willis, Christopher Meloni, Dave Bautista 2:15, 9:45 & 11:45PM

Sultan (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma, Marko Zaror 2:00, 5:20, 6:30, 7:15, 8:25, 10:30, 11:30 PM

Central Intelligence (Action) (12+) Cast: Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart 5:00 & 11:45PM The Purge (Horror) (12+) Cast: Elizabeth Mitchel, Frank Gillo 4:15PM

Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma 8:15PM Sultan - (2D) (PG12) (Hindi | Action) 6:30, 8:15 & 11:30PM Independence Day: Resurgence - (3D) (Action| Adventure | Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Bill Pullman 4:15 & 9:30PM Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles - (3D) (Action | Adventure | Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Tyler Perry 7:15PM Finding Dory - (3D) (Animation) (PG) 2:15, 4:15 & 6:15PM

Independence Day: Resurgence (3D) Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum 11:45 PM (Sci-Fi) (PG12) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-Out of the Shadows (3D) (Action | Adventure) (PG12) 3:00, 9:40 PM Finding Dory (3D) (Animation) (PG) 2:15, 4:15, 5:15 PM

SUR Marauders ( Action ) ( 12+ ) Cast : Bruce Willis, Christopher Meloni 3:00, 6:30, 11:45 PM Sultan (Hindi) ( Action ) ( PG12 ) 3:15, 8:30, 11:30 PM Central Intelligence ( Action) (12+) Cast : Dwayne Johonson, Kevin Hart, Danielle 5:00, 9:00 PM Shajahanum - Pareekittiyum ( Mal) ( PG ) Cast : Kunchako Boban, Jayasurya, Amala Paul 7:00 PM

PANORAMA MALL Ghostbusters - (3D) (Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi) (PG) VIP LOUNGE Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon 3:45, 6:00 & 11:30PM Ghostbusters - (4D) (Action | Comedy | Sci-Fi) (PG) MX4D 3:45, 6:30, 9:00 & 11:15PM Ghostbusters - (3D) (Action/ Sci-Fi) (PG) 2:45 & 11:45PM Marauders - (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: Bruce Willis, Christopher Meloni, Dave Bautista 2:15, 9:45 & 11:45PM The Achy Breaky Hearts - (2D) (Tagalog| Comedy | Romance) (PG12) Cast: Ian Veneracion, Richard Yap, Jodi Sta. Maria 5:00PM Sultan - (2D) (PG12) (Hindi | Action) VIP LOUNGE

AZAIBA Shajahanum-Pareekuttiyum (Mal) (2D) (Romance | Comedy | Drama) (TBC) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, Amala Paul 6:15, 9:00 PM Ghostbusters (3D) (Action | Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon 2:00, 4:15, 11:45 PM Sultan (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma 2:00, 5:20, 6:30, 7:15, 8:25, 10:30, 11:30 PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

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

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) 17:30

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

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

11.45 13.30 14.00

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om Shajahan-um-Pareekuttiyum ( Mal)( Comedy\ Romance) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya & Amala Paul 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 Cinema Main Sultan ( Hindi) ( Action\Sports) Cast: Salman Khan & Anushka Sharma 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 PM Cinema -2 Dhilluku Dhuddu (Tamil) (Comedy) Cast : Santhanam & Sharanya 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -3 Kammati Paddam ( Mal) (Act) Cast: Dulquer Salman & Anjali Aneesh 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -4 Next Change : Kabali (Tamil) from Friday 22.

Programmes are subject to change

NYSSA MAJUMDER July 19, 2007

Minimum

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

63-40%

EDWIN SHAJU MALAKARAN July 18, 2005

AASHIMA RATHISH July 15, 2010

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

Nizwa Ruwi

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

06:00 06:00

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

10:25

TO SUR (ROUTE 55)

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Ruwi

STAR CINEMA

SALALAH Central Intelligence (2D) (12+) (Action) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart 2:45, 5:45, 9:30, 11:35PM Finding Dory (3D) (PG) (Animation) 12:45, 5:00PM Sultan (2D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Salman Khan, Marko Zaror 4:15, 8:00, 11:15PM Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (3D) (PG12) (Action | Adventure) 3:30PM Ghostbusters (3D) (PG12) (Action) 12:30, 9:45PM Ghostbusters (2D) (PG12) (Action ) 2:00PM Marauders (2D) (12+) (Action) Cast: Bruce Willis, Christopher Meloni 7:30, 11:55PM Shajahanum - Pareekittiyum (2D) (PG) (Mal) (Comedy); 7:00PM

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

07:00

Central Intelligence (Action / Comedy) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Danielle Nicolet 2.00, 4.00, 10.00 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No : 1820 (12+) Hell in India (Arabic) (Comedy) Cast:Mohamed Emam, Yasmine Sabry, Bayomi Fouad 11.55 p.m.

CP No: 1821 (12+) Sultan (Hindi Film) (Action/Drama/Sport) Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma 3.00, 6.00 & 9.00pm CP No : 1812 (PG12) The Purge: Election Year (Action/Horror/Sci:Fi) Cast: Frank Grillo, Elizebeth Mitchel 1.00 & 8.00 pm CP No : 1810 (12+) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (Action/Adventure) Cast: Megan Fox, Will Amet, Tyler Perry 6.00 pm CP No : 1811 (PG12 )

WITH LOVE

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

39 31

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

BURAIMI Ghostbusters (3D) PG (Action | Comedy) 4.45, 6.30 & 9.00 PM Central Intelligence 12+ (Action | Comedy ) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart 4.30 & 11.30 PM Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (3D) PG 12 (Action | Adventure ) 9.45 PM Sultan PG12 (Hindi) (Action) 8.30 & 11.15 PM Marauders 12+ (Action) Cast: Bruce Willis, Dave Bautista 5.00, 7.00 & 11:45 PM Shajahan-um-Pareekuttiyum TBA (Mal) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, Amala 7.00 PM (Comedy)

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

SOHAR Independence Independence Day: Resurgence – 3D (Action/Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum 5:00, 11:30PM Finding Dory – 3D (Animation) (PG) 2:15PM Finding Dory – 2D (Animation) (PG) 5:00PM Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows – 3D (Action/Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Tyler Perry 4:15, 9:45PM Central Intelligence-2D (Action) (12+) 9:30PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

RUWI Screen 1 Ghostbusters (2D) (Action | Sci-Fi ) (PG12) Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate 3:45, 6:45, 9:45 PM Screen 2 Sultan (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma 3:30, 6:45, 10:00 PM Screen 3 Shajahanum-Pareekuttiyum (Mal) (2D) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, 6:45 PM (Romance ) (PG) Te3n (Hindi) (Drama | Mystery | Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Nawazuddin Siddiqui 3:45, 9:45 PM

BAHJA CINEMA

Ghostbusters – 3D (Action/Sci-Fi) (PG) Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig 2:15, 7:15, 11:55PM Marauders - 2D (Action) (12+) Cast: Bruce Willis, Christopher Meloni 3:00, 11:45PM Sultan -2D (Hindi/ Action) (PG12) 2:45, 6:30, 8:00, 11:15PM Shajahan-um-Pareekuttiyum 2D (Comedy) Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, Amala 9:00PM (PG) Hell in India -2D (Arabic) (PG12) Cast: Mohamed Emam, Yasmine Sabary 7:00PM

@ AZAIBA

@ PANORAMA MALL

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman

Destination

12.18pm 3.39pm 7.00pm 8.20pm 4.06am

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

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE BRIEFS

Gastronomical delights at Meliá Dubai

Meliá Dubai’s specially prepared August offers will help you beat the heat and enjoy the last months of summer in the best way possible and for those in favour of culinary pursuits, Meliá Dubai’s Signature outlets promise an unforgettable culinary experience on every visit.

In honour of the Indian Independence Day, Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor’s special celebrations will prepare the restaurant’s Indian classics presented with an Arabesque inspired and unique twist. The restaurant’s flavoursome fare will take you on an enthralling culinary journey complemented with a myriad of signature mocktails. Priced at AED 149 for the set menu with welcome drink, the promotion will be from 10th - 19th August 2016, from 7-11.30pm.

Also at all day dining restaurant Azalya you can enjoy a wide variety of international cuisine along with Arabian and Mediterranean fare and exciting flavours during their new Friday Brunch.

Enjoy a wide selection of all you can eat delicacies each week, in an environment perfect for the whole family.

Every Friday from 15th July-30th September 2016, from 1:00pm-4:00pm.-lifestyle@timesofoman.com

THE IMPORTANCE OF PLATING Feasting eyes on your creation is the first step anybody takes before digging in to savour the tastes.

Contrast is key to constructing a visual delight.

C

ooking the food to perfection is not the end of the feat.

Placing it on a platter in all its glory is another art and science that you shouldn’t neglect to master. The first impression is as crucial as the last burp. Feasting eyes on your creation is the first step anybody takes before digging in to savour the tastes. So why not learn how to influence reviews even before the first bite?

1

The Canvas A classic white round plate often offers the best palate to vessel the food. Its various colours, textures and shapes tend to stand out against the plain background.

In case you want to focus solely on the food, this classic selection will help keep things simple. However, in case you want to platter the round table cloth with different

bases, you can opt for perhaps a rectangular black slate to hold fish or sushi.

Don’ts: Avoid selecting china that overwhelms the food or that ironically distracts from the dish itself.

2

Less Clutter, More Space The rule of thumb is that more the blank space around the food, the better it looks. With more breathing room, the white space between the food in the centre and the rims gives the allusion of elegance and confidence. So go for the large sized plates and ditch the compactness of arrangements.

3

Odd Ones In Arrange individual elements in odd numbers. Whether they are kebab rolls, or dollops of sauce or even stacks of cheese blocks, always plan it in pairs of 3 or 5 instead of terrible twos and fussy fours.

Don’ts: Steer clear of stacking

blocks one above the other. We don’t want forks struggling to break down a jenga skyscraper among a crowded street of kebab like high rises.

4

Placement In case of meals made up of the triumvirate protein, starch, and veggies, ensure that you make them tick to an imaginary clock.

Make sure one of the items acts as a focal point on the plate and typically place the starch at 10, the veggies around 2, and the meat below 9 and 3. But do not lose track of the quality of the dish as a whole in the process. Focus on flavour filled bites rather than the symmetry of the arrangement.

5

Framing Now that you have captured the essence of the table plan, the next step is to frame it right. All proportions of ingredients on the plate need to live in harmony. Use sauces,

sprouts, coriander and other such garnishes to set the context. The main element can hold attention in the centre of the plate and the rest of the story can be topped off with other garnishes and sauces around it for that extra edge.

Don’ts: Stay away from overcrowding the plate. Also remember to use only optimum amounts of sauces so as not to make a mess.

Practice restraint and geometry in the framing.

6

Colourful Taste Choose garnishes based on the colour of the main dish. In case of a large chunk of meat, you can offset it with some splashes of green (coriander) and orange (carrot cut outs or pepper). Even sauces and mustards can be used to embellish a dish and bring it to life. With all the above points to remember, you are ready to serve your masterpiece.

— Courtesy of Artipot

Food trends to dominate this year Timeliness, taste, and convenience shall continue to define and dominate the food segment, says an expert. Chef Tushar at McCain Foods Kitchen lists down some of the discernable trends for this year: * Aspirational cooking: Restaurants and QSRs (Quick service restaurants) are taking up street food and serving it in a modern setting and the old-school recipes are being cooked on a grander scale. * Flavours: Foods in 2016 are going to be big on flavours and taste, both conventional as well as unconventional. * Fusion foods: With boundaries in the world shrinking fast, and greater access to information, innovation in foods is the coming rage this 2016.— IANS

C8

TUESDAY, JULY 19, 2016

LIFESTYLE ONE INGREDIENT NGREDIENT

FIVE WAYS

This naturally sweet golden liquid has a distinct flavour thus adding natural sweetness to many dishes.

Ice-Cream

Salad Dressing Take three eggs and beat until frothy.

Add 1/2 cup honey, 1 tablespoon sugar, 1/2 cup lemon juice and grated lemon rind. Also add a pinch of salt. Boil the mixture while stirring constantly until the consistency becomes thick. When cool add 1/2 cup whipped cream.

Combine 500ml cream and 1/2 cup honey and mix over medium heat. Stir for 5 minutes or so and remove from the heat. Separately beat 4 egg yolks, 1/2 cup sugar and 2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and make a smooth creamy mixture. Beat in the honey cream mixture and later strain. Cook over medium heat, stirring for 10 to 15 minutes and pour into a cake pan. Cover. Freeze till it is firm and then later beat until smooth.

Pour the mixture in a tin mould and freeze for 5-6 hours.

Honey-Baked Fish

Honey Shake Take 3 ripe bananas, 2 tablespoons pure honey, 4 cups non dairy milk, 6 ice cubes, and 1 teaspoon ground flax seed.

Place all the ingredients in a blender.

Blend till a thin watery consistency is reached. Pour in tall glass and serve.

Preheat oven to 200 degrees C and grease an aluminium foil. Take mackerel or any other fish and brush it with 2 tablespoons honey. Sprinkle one julienned carrot and one julienned celery. Also add 2 tablespoons vinegar, and 1 tablespoon soy sauce and season with salt and pepper as per your taste.

Seal the aluminium foil well from the edges and put it in a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Garnish with cilantro leaves and serve hot. You can also add a dash of lime for added flavours.

Honey Fudge Mix 2 tablespoons sugar in 2/3 cup milk and add 1/4 cup of honey to it. Mix well.

Add grated chocolate from two small pieces of chocolate, 2 tablespoons butter and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir over medium heat until well blended. Stir 1 teaspoon of vanilla essence and beat the mixture till it gets a thick consistency. Spread in a buttered pan and let it cool. Cut it into square pieces and serve.

New 2B/R behind bank Muscat, Bausher directly from owner.

Contact: 92158031 Flat for rent in Al Mawaleh South 3, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, hall, kitchen & store with air condition.

Contact 98575157 One & two bedroom apartments available for rent close to the Avenues mall, opposite Panorama Mall at South Ghubra. Contact: 99833747 / 24562526

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 1 bedroom family / bachelors in Al Khuwair R.O 90/-.

Contact: 95154331 2BHK, 3BHK, 4 split A/Cs, Darsait near School. Contact: 99061408 / 99024039 New flat for rent in Al Mawaleh South 3, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, hall, kitchen & store all with split unit A/cs. Contact 98575157 Shop for rent good location main road behind whole sale Al Amerat space 11 MT long 4mt Wide.

Contact: 92877449

6 Bedroom villas available for rent at Al Hail North close to the wave, common swimming pool & GYM available. Contact: 24562526 / 99833747 Two flats in Al Wadi Al Kabeer near to the Al Kuwaiti Mosque.

Contact: 99425958 Flat with 2 room + kitchen +hall, 3 toilets in al Quram Breeiq Al Shatti RO 650.Contact 99738881 / 99314314 Flat for rent in Al Bustan area two apartments each apartment consists of 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room & kitchen.

Contact: 92384572 1,2,3 BHK flats & villas.

Contact: 91760884 3BHK Al Khuwair R.O. 350/-.

Contact: 91760884 / 92144045 2BHK Darsait R.O 315/-.

Contact: 91760884 / 92144045

2 Bedroom flat for rent in Azaiba with split AC 300/- monthly.

Contact: 92447365

1BHK Mumtaz R.O 225/-.

Contact: 92144045 / 91760884

Flat behind Mazoon Mosque with 3 room + 3 toilets, RO 230.

Contact 99738881 / 99420346

1 &2 BHK Ghubra 250/- , 275/& 300/-.Contact: 92144045 / 91750884

Penthouse for rent consists of 2 BR, 1 hall, housemaid room, 3 toilets, KTC with split unit monthly rent R.O 270/- , 12Cheques, location W.K near Main Indian School.

Contact Abdullah: 99445880

110 SQM shop for rent next to Honda Signal light.

Contact: 99061408 / 99024039

1BHK near medical Darsait R.O 175/-.

Contact: 95076261 Flat in Al-Khoudh, Flats and shops in Fanja near Nizwa road.

Mobile: 99058646 2 bedrooms flats R.O 370/- & one bedroom flat R.O 325/- in South Ghubra, behind Asalah Bhawan building. Contact: 96202490

I BHK Flat -3 Nos at Hamriya – R.O. 175/-3 Bed Room/ 3 Bath room/ Very big sitting area/ kitchen - Villa 1st floor with A/C at Al Khuwair Near Rayyan Residence.

R.O 360/-For families. Contact: 94934353 - 9 am to 7 Pm. Email – forrentksd@gmail.com Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122 1 BHK fully furnish flat in Hamriya for short terms. Contact – 99792181

FOR RENT

WA

5 bedroom brand new villas for rent in Al Khoud, near Al Ruwad International School.

R Bu

Contact 99447002 / 98116480 1000 sqm Industrial plot compound wall & two room at Misfah I/A. Contact: 99342733

1 BHK Flats are available near Lulu Darsait (Opp. to Min. of Defense) Contact: 93202733 / 94771769

Ruwi office space for rent, Saravana Bhava Building.

Contact: 95729549

Flats for rent in Mumtaz, 2 bedrooms , hall Way no 3352 building no. 3447 & 3668.

Contact: 90991079

2 BHK rooms Kinder Contac

Wadi Kabeer Industrial 80 sm show rooms for rent 400/- R.O. Contact: 99879939

Flats f Contac

Villa for rent, located in South Ghubra behind American School with 11 bedrooms including 2 majlis, 8 bathrooms and kitchen. Car parking available. For residential or intuitional rent.

Contact: 99233729 2 Bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact: 24700120 / 92584715 3 BHK flat for rent at 18th Nov Street Al Ghubrah.

Contact 93088602 Spacious 4 BHK with split A/Cs 4 Bathrooms and storeroom near Church roundabout Mumtaz area rent R.O 550. Contact: 99349672 7 bedroom villa for rent close to Rusayl Industrial area – Jaffnin.

Contact 98116480 / 994470020 5 BHK Villa in Al Khuwair, for Staff Accommodation.

Contact 99792181 1 Room for sharing accommodation in Al Khuwair.

Contact - 99792181 3 & 5 BHK villa staff accommodation in Al Khuwair.

Contact - 99792181 1 BHK flat in Al Khuwair for 2 months. Contact – 99792181

Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-. Contact: 99335580 Flat for rent in Al Khoud, 2 rooms & hall. Contact: 91763665 2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. contact 99342661 Flat in Al Khuwair opp grand mall 4 room 3 toilet + hall kitchen in 3 floor 400. Contact 99420346 Office with economical rent in CBD area. Contact: 92466268 1 BHK, 1 hall Al Khoudh.

Contact: 99224748 / 99425665 2 & 3 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair & Ghubra. Contact 99792181 4 BHK Villa in Bowsher Heights.

Contact 99792181 2 BHK Wadi Kabir 260/- R.O & 270/- R.O with A/C. Contact : 99024730 1& 2 BHK Ruwi & Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99024730 C.B.D 1 & 2 BHK. Contact: 99024730

Flats, shops & store for rent in MBD area Ruwi, Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127 Ghubra & Al Khuwair, 1 bed room, hall. Contact: 90991079 Two bedrooms flat behind German Embassy near to Al Nahda Hospital. Contact: 99209354

Staff accommodation in Ghala 13 rooms & bathrooms.

Contact: 97616158 Studio flats in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158 Flat for rent Wadi Al Kabir.

Contact: 99379950 / 92925173

C

House room, k Contac

2 BHK Masjid Contac

3000 Misfah

5 room North A 99425

2BHK, Azaiba 99425

1 Bed r in Al H Contac

Apartm room a ly. Con

Villa in 2 halls month

Furnis / rent A Mosqu

2 bed 2 bath Musca Contac

1700 s store + Contac

Labor faciliti Contac

FOR SALE Dental chairs for sale sparingly used dental units for sale.

Contact Mr. Ansari 92616343.

Kumar 99570284 Coffee shop Shawarma & Grill in the prime location at Masamal Shatti Al Qurum for sale. Only serious buyers can Contact: 94034778 A medical clinic located in Al Amerat is for sale. Interested parties can contact 92704439.

For sale brand new 4D ultra sound machine with in the warranty.

Iinterested candidates Contact: 91274373 / 99062817 Coffee shop with tandoor & six visa, clearance in prime location in Ghubra for sale R.O 7000/-.

Contact urgently 99803363 / 94959572 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 1No brand new containerized package type STP 100 m3/ day with blower equipments (suitable for camps). Serious Buyers may.

Contact: 99445367 Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair. Contact 92881849 / What`s up No 97290565 Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale. Contact 99273774/ 99202278 Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery.

Contact 99328430 Urgent sale of steel scrap only serious buyers kindly contact 96725423 for viewing the items.

Restaurant for sale heart of Ruwi.

Contact 93687466

Furnished apartment for rent, two rooms, majlis, hall, kitchen.

Near Carrefour al-mawalah.

Contact 99336776 Single room in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 98487311 Sharing Accommodation available for Kerala Family at Ghubrah South between Atlas Hospital & GMC Showroom, Behind Ministry Buildings. GSM-96203495 Fully furnished two bed flat for 4 - 6 months rent available, location KFC building, Wadi Kabir, Ruwi. Contact: 98763645 / 93894257 Furnished rooms with kitchen at Ruwi. Contact: 91214897 / 98049288.

Room, bath room for executives in Wadi kabir. Contact 99336206 Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 97167857 Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. Contact: 96202458/96761960 1 BHK appartment for rent in Al Khoud Shabiya near mazoon mosque for rent (next to alkhoud medical center and squ) MOB: 93913224 Sharing Accommodation available for working ladies opposite Al Nadhah Hospital. Preferably Indians. Room with seperate toilet and sharing kitchen.RO.90.

Contact: 96524717 Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794 Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir.

Contact 93049849 Room available for Executive bachelor at Al Hail.

Contact: 96234708

Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter.

Photos can be sent 95865457

Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested please contact 92680041 Mr. Altaf

Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

Sharing accommodation near ISD. Contact: 99657340

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

DRIVING

Partner available, if you have an established business & looking for partner for expanding or open new branch. Contact: 92010247 WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman 30 years running clinic in Seeb .

We have Gynecology department.

If anybody interested to run the department under sponsorship can Contact: 96644371

WANTED Labour accommodation (80- 100 Persons), office facility, open store preferably in Liwa, Falaj near Sohar port area. Contact: 99899724 Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each.

Contact: 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 / 93203778 IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area.

Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up.

Mobile # 92927880/99012165

MV SALE Prado 2009 No. 2 agency Oman Excellent condition automatic, Color white and beige inside 7000/- required a comprehensive negotiated price, Oman and the United Arab Emirates No. communicate 95532608 Nissan Qashqai 2013 Kms 30,000 VGC comprehensive nsurance UAE / Oman. Contact: 96995430

AVAILABLE Building cleaning with 8 workers.

Contact: 97730779 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

www.s for bes Contac

Gulf li daily w Contac 98265 Email:

25 - 5 specifi small CONTA

A

Accom Execut Sharin Pls cal

clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com Required Office Assistant with driving license present in Oman 175+ 25 + accommodation.

Contact: 99454425

CATERING Shawarma / grill / Salad / Asian Cook. Contact: 95529970

DOMESTIC HELPER Wanted a house boy for an apartment in Azaiba, full time or part time. Contact : 96103792 House maid for Omani family.

Contact: 99773100

Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq.

Contact 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com A medical centre is looking to hire immediately a talented Nurse to join our successful team, required 3 years of experience, Oman prometric, data flow. Send your CV to- issalibi@gmail.com or Whatsapp - 91254820 Care Medical Centre Al Seeb requires Gynecologist and General Practitioner. Mail CV to: sarita_h23@yahoo.com

DESIGNER

MISCELLANEOUS

Web/Graphic designer with 4 years experience currently on visit looking for a suitable placement .

98752347 / 95933878.

Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred.

Contact 99273774/99202278

DRIVER Wanted a experience Driver for Capital and Interior work.

Gsm : 942-888-63 Required Omani Driver for a restaurant. Contact 95929911

ENG./TECHNICIAN Require Engineer with oil & Gas experience proficient in Management reporting to CEO, NOC required for Expat. Send your CV to recuitment855hr@gmail.com Required Electrical B.Tech with 5 years of Oman experience & D/L. Electrical with ITI - Industrial & MEDC license.

Contact: 99454425

EDUCATION/TRAINING Required English, computer and science female Teachers up to grad 4. Contact - 95054916, aa77345@gmail.com. contact time after 5PM

IT Required Shop Sales man + Hardware Technician for IT Company with minimum 2 years experience.

Contact: 98825806 / 98825806, Email: info@rns-group.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 Required smart, young, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3 years sales experience for a reputed manufacturing company in Oman, having its Head Office in Ruwi. Experience in building materials is an added advantage. Omani Driving License and NOC is a must. Attractive remuneration package.

Apply with photograph to E-mail: salesjobds@gmail.com Carpentry and Aluminum workshop located at Muscat looking for Marketing Executive with GCC driving license & NOC. Send C.V to kwk585@gmail.com Required following candidates in a reputed company in Oman Sales Person (Indoor & outdoor) , Accountants, Logistic Incharge, Visual Merchandiser.

Contact: 95175354 or email: tasleem77@hotmail.com

Indian female MBA H/R , 2 .5 years experience having Oman D/L seeking suitable job. Contact: 99257214 B.A with 3 years Gulf experience in Administration seeking for a suitable placement. Contact : 91851906 Email: shabeerkt24@gmail.com HR Admin professional 14 years Oman experience Omanization labour laws employees relation welfare liaison coordination strategic, HR planning, performance appraisal & General Administration. NOC available. Contact: 92179909 Email: husainmahdi@rediffmail.com 25 BBA Male Administration officer, HR, Procurement, accounts, 5 years experience with NOC. Contact 91329571 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 With 15 years of gulf experience in HR- Admin logistics looking for suitable position fluent in Arabic & Eng NOC available. Contact: 95824598 Indian male, 20 years experience in Oman as personal assistant / Executive Office Manager / Executive Secretary / Administration/ business development asst with Omani driving license & valid visa. local release available – 99168054 Indian female with nearly 10 years of experience in Administration and HR , in an oil industry company , seeking for a suitable placement .

NOC available. Contact: 99242841 Education M.B.A (HR) experience 1 year & 11 months exp. in HR, 24 yrs. Contact: 98746259 Indian male with 11 years experience in Data Entry, Admin / HR currently on Visit visa from 9 to 23 July seeking suitable job.

Contact 95669937 Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394

finalization, Oracle R-12 certified, having Oman D/L & NOC seeks a change. Contact: 91147885 Indian male Chartered Accountant having 2 years Oman experience having Oman driving license looking for suitable placement in finance or Audit field. NOC available.

Contact: 96357827 Email: ubaiskeeran@gmail.com Indian M.B.A finance & Marketing 3 years experience, on visit looking for opportunity in Sales related & accounts. Contact: 94590094 Chartered Accountant with 8 years of post qualification experience in the areas of auditing, accounts & finance, taxation, IFRS,etc., seeking challenging job opportunity.

NOC will be obtained.

GSM+968 95763680, Email: sns2205@gmail.com Srilankan female, 26 yrs, B.Sc, Mgt degree, 4 yrs experience as Accounts & Admin Executive, looking for a suitable placement in Accounts, finance or Administration fields. Contact 92544237 / 99640850 Finance Manager 16 years experienced chartered accountant ( Sri Lankan) looking for a suitable post.

NOC available Contact: 92194926 Email: manomuscat@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT/Ast. Finance Manager-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts Dpt and Banking & Facilitation. Having D/L & NOC. Mob:98278801, Email: cammk13@gmail.com Indian male 26 years, looking for an opportunity as HSE Office / Jr. Accountant, presently working in Oman (2Y) & worked in oil & gas shut down projects (Dubai). NOC available. Contact: 95486674 MPA- MBA Master of professional Accounting - Master of Business Administration 26 years, Indian male looking for an accounting job & recently graduated from James Cook University Brisbane, Australia currently in Oman.

Contact: 96038898 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

able jo

Accou more t to fina ceivab D/L. C mariam

Srilan Mgt D Accou lookin Accou tion fie 99640

Indian experi Musca ment i Contac

Indian B.PE, C ing for Store K join as Conta email:

7 Year Analy sibiliti financ genera manag On vis Contac

Part ti to fina yearly Contac

Accou with D Conta

Indian yrs, 1.5 able jo visitin Email

Indian Financ skills, Lookin contac sajan_

ACCA experi suitab Conta

28/ma Accou India e suitab shobin

senior management position with more than 25 yrs Business developing experience marketing business planning U.S.A , Africa , Kazakhstan , Saudi & Qatar MBA , TEXU AYM University. Contact: 92010247

EDUCATION/TRAINING Mathematics Lecturer , Indian Female, M Sc Mathematics from a Prestigious University, B.Ed qualified, distinction holder with 7 yrs teaching experience in colleges.

Contact: 91360147.

Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. #99739415 / 92091528 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

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Seeking suitable job male 33 years Expat over 13 years experience with PDO as Project Services Engineer Omani driving license NOC Available. Contact: 92734174 Indian Male, B-Tech Mechanical, Total 5 years exp. in Oil & Gas field with 2 year exp. in PDO project in Oman, available on Visit Visa, Contact GSM 91468437, Email:- remith.pr@gmail.com Indian male 24 B.E Civil Engineering Graduate now in Oman on visit seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 92724814 / 99473131 Civil Engineer 6 years experience on supervising, Designing, QC, QS, planning and managing using Engineering software.

Contact 90719263 Diploma in Civil Engineer 20 years experience in Oman seeking suitable job with valid D/L license. Contact: 94677220 Indian male (B.TECH) (Electrical & Electronics Engineer) currently On Visit Visa. Contact 90793431 Architectural Engineer ( B- Arch) 25 yrs Pakistani female 4 yrs experience Architecture & Construction teaching certified AutoCAD 3D, Max , Photoshop , 3D Sketch up looking for job in Oman, visit visa.

Contact: 96654925 / 99107804 Email: fabiha-kh@gmail.com

experience in Oman in Civil & MEP with D/L & NOC. Contact: 97059394 Email: anilsunny1986@gmail.com Indian male Civil Engineer 1.6 yrs exp, having Omani D/L, looking for suitable position. NOC available.

Contact – 92157694 / mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Indian male, 25 years (Diploma Civil Engineer), having 3 years Indian experience (fresh in Oman) seeking jobs in Oman, well experience with AutoCAD, 3rds Max, revit etc. Contact: 00919746443745 C/O 92861980 (Relative) Electronics Communication Engineering Indian on visit visa 4 years, 8 months experience in India Networking Installation Commissioning, database, administration seeking suitable post.

Contact: 92924555 Email: rahulchittoor@gmail.com Manager position needed - Indian male Mechanical Engineer with MBA having 20 years experience in wood working industry as a Manager. Contact: 94304757 Email: sonaimuthum@gmail.com Indian, 26 Yrs., BE in “Electronics & Communication” & M. S in “Embedded System”, Having Programing Language : C#, Software Knowledge: Unity, Visual Studio, with 2 Yrs. Domestic Exp. in Software Testing & Application Development, Mobile Games Testing & Development & Porting to Windows, Facebook & Android, Seeking suitable Job in Software Testing & Software Development and also Embedded design on Visit Visa. Contact 99165185 B.Sc civil Engineer, 7 years Oman experience valid D/L local release available. Contact: 98628515 Email: sofiq.sohe102@gmail.com Indian male B.Tech (Electronics& communication) 6 month experience as NET work administrator, 4 months experience as Computer Hardware Engineer residing in Ruwi.

Contact: 92452963 / 99311176 B.Tech Civil Engineer 2 years experience now in Oman on visit.

Content: 98233199 Mechanical Engineer, QA/QC, Piping Engineer, oil & gas Diploma 3 years experience, immediate joining, UAE resident, on Oman visit visa. Contact: 00971551899186 / 00968 91042436 Email: sameerhabeeb91@gmail.com

Contact: 94906447 / 96654019 B.Tech Engineer with 6 years experience & expert in AutoCAD, PDMS & other, 3D software’s (NOC Available) Contact: 93735166 Email: remisashraf@gmail.com Electrical Engineer (B.SC) with 1 year experience currently seeking job on 3 month visit.

Contact: 91791568 Civil Engineer, Indian male more than 18 years experience in construction & consultancy, looking for suitable position.

Contact: 92319009 Email: saleemrs2@yahoo.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech) with 10 years experience in Oman as a Project Engineer for public & private sector projects seeking suitable position, having valid driving license. NOC available.

Contact: 95992820 Email: sumeshcsss@gmail.com Driver with sales with 5 yrs in Oman Diploma in Mechanical looking suitable job in Oman for preference Sohar N.O.C available.

Contact : 96953996 Diploma Civil Engineer Indian male, 14 yrs GCC experience, valid Oman D/L, NOC available, seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99794456 Civil Engineer 8 years experience, Driving license, NOC, 98078095.

Available fresh Mechanical Engineer with Oman driving license.

Contact: 97792809 / 99417584 Degree Indian male FMCG working 2 yrs at Dubai, Mobile repairing, 2 yrs at India D/L. Contact: 95797971 / 90214432 Email: nihuaz888@gmail.com Electrical Engineer Indian with 4 years experience presently in Oman family visit visa.

Contact: +968 – 90921140 Email: zsebinz@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer, 27 years experience in mechanical work, expert in hydraulic and pneumatic system, expert in plastic industry, juice industry, and all type of mechanical machine.

Contact: 99663174 & Email: shakil2004pk14@yahoo.com Engineer, with Oman Driving license seeks job.

Contact: 98007513

Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 92279784 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 with 8 years Experience Looking for a suitable job. (Driving License and NOC available). Ph#91293519, Email: nomee987@gmail.com Indian male, B.Tech in Electronics & Communication Engineering having 2 years of Sales experience looking for suitable position currently in Oman on visit visa.

Contact: 97932879 Email: kuchipudisunilkumar@gmail.com BE mechanical Engineer having 6+ years experience in structural and piping job looking suitable position. Contact: 96115463 Email: jijoraju085@yahoo.com Indian male B-tech 8 years experience as senior electrical project engineer / QC engineer on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94094543 Email: anwar425@gmail.com Electrical Engineer: Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in Indian, holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Indian male 24 Engineering Graduate in Mechanical, being a fresher searching for a suitable placement to grow up my career.

Contact: 97277067 Email: roshan_job_09@yahoo.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 Email: syam036@gmail.com Civil Engineer, young Indian having almost 2 years experience looking for a challenging position seeks suitable position in Oman/ GCC. Please contact 92718490, Email ID: uvais.pk82@gmail.com

Indian Oman WORK seeks availab

Indian Techn ence (6 suitab Contac Email:

Indian perien pital lo Contac Email

Indian & Syst cogniz having (Softw positio

Indian experi (cargo Airport suitabl Email:

Indian having suitab Contac

Indian experi ing for Omani

Indian IT as L experi at WIP seekin Contac Email:

Indian yrs exp seekin able. C Email:

Indian Scienc ment i Contac

Indian in IT a port/ C seekin Contac Email:

years of Marketing experience presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity.

Contact: 96168687 Email: dhibupaul@gmail.com Indian Male, MBA marketing 5 yrs exp. in sales & 4 yrs in FMCG sector, looking for best opportunity. NOC available.

Contact: 96001877 Indian female 29 years Post Graduate with computer Knowledge 2 years of Oman experience in coordinator & 5 years of experience in customer service, client relation officer with excellent communication skill seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95337665 Indian male 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

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE 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

3 years experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified. Contact arn9895@gmail. com, Mob 00919895233155 Sr Project Engineer, 30 Years, Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures. Ph-00974 66772193 Mail;snu057@gmail.comIndian male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 2 years of experience in Sales & Marketing looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact : 97939084 / 97351786, E-mail : mohammednsr126@gmail.com Male, Electrical Engineer, 4 years of experience in India /Oman. NOC available. Contact Mob: 94579857, Email: zahirpb@gmail.com, Indian Male, 22, Diploma in Automobile Engineering (DC), Experience In Restaurant Management and in sales looking for suitable position.

Contact: 90801420, Email: anwaar223969@gmail.com MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER, 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified, Contact arn9895@gmail.com, Mob 00919895233155

Contact: 93101269 Email: sreeja.l.u@gmail.com 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.

Contact 92859733 Indian Male B-Com graduate 2 year experience in various Fields Valid Oman Driving License. Looking for any suitable post. Please contact: 94409500 Indian male 33 yrs, MBA-HR, worked on Recruitments, Training, OD, PMS, Site-HR, Omanisation and development plans of nationals ,10.yrs exp. seeking a job.NOC avl. Contact 94179499 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com Indian Female 10 years exp as cook in Oman, South Indian & Gujarati special .looking for job, Contact 95795971 Fire & Safety Technician, 22 Years old, Indian expatriate seeking for a suitable placement. 2 years of experience. Ready for immediate joining. Please Contact : +968-97682273, Email: maniavbah555@gmail.com Indian female 23 ORACLE ERP Technical consultant 2+exp skills: oaf, forms reports and bipublisher.

Contact - 91156571 email: ramyaoracleapps02@gmail.com

SITU

M MECHANICAL ENGINEER, Indian Male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int.

Standards, B.Tech in Mech engg.

Contact-rahulkunnath23@gmail. com, Mob-00917350860889

Indian license project suitab tion, S execut post. C

Indian female MCA, seeking placement in IT, Admin.

Contact: 94133849

Maste ing (Ph ence. S college 98259

Fresh Mechanical Engineer B.Tech with Omani driving license on visit, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 99417584 / 97792809 Indian male, 24 yrs Civil Engineering Graduate, on visit visa looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 92724814 Indian male, 25 years old, (exp.)

Civil Engineer diploma, looking suitable position. Contact: 00919746443745 / 92861980 Electrical Foreman, 25 years experience, Indian male currently in Oman looking for suitable position.

Gsm – 96718013 Email: manikandan1196@gmail.com Indian Male, B.Com + Dip. Logistics 2year experience looking for a job in Accounts/Logistics Field.

Presently on Visit Visa Contact 93884951 Email:mehreenraiz@gmail.com Indian male 25 years- BE- Computer Engineer with CISA and CCNA, having 3 years work experience in Oman, valid Omani driving license, seeking for suitable placement in IT companies or Audit companies for IT Audit job, NOC can be obtained.

Contact:99253011 4years and 7months experienced Female seeking job related to Office Job, Data Entry and Desktop Administration. Completed diploma in Computer Science.

Contact: 94653264 Master in Aeronautical engineering (PhD) having 4 years experience. Seeking job in universities, colleges, schools and industries.

Contact 98259462 binoaero87@gmail.com

Qualifi manag suitab ly work Email: Contac

Mecha experi engine Auto C neerin huet.m email:

Indian years E SUPER DESTR level II graphi testing Testin (UT)RT Contac

Indian Lookin Contac anwaa

Part- T rience type of tion, Bu Contac

Indian license in Oma tions. C

Indian merce experi tional t for a su visa. C uzairza

Lecturer/Customer Service/Trainer currently Looking for job Call: 97457248 Female Architect on visiting visa, two years’ experience, graduated from School of Planning and Architecture (under MHRD). Proficient in AutoCAD, Google Sketchup and creative visualization. Email saatvika.frozenmusic@gmail.com.

Contact 00968-94057427.

Economist: Female, MA & M. Phil/ PhD_ in ECONOMICS. 10 years experience Banking/Lecturer/ Customer Service/Trainer, currently looking for job contact: 97457248 Indian Architectural Engineer with 2.5 yrs experience in architectural consultancy firms, currently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement Contact no: +96894955793 hassanfaizalthariq@gmail.com.

Indian male electrician (EEE), 2 years good working experience searching for suitable job. Gmail id ; antonyajin15@gmail.com, Contact; 918148336160 / 918300136160 Indian male Electrician(EEE) 2 years good working experience searching for suitable job. mail ; antonyajin15@gmail.com, Contact; 918148336160 / 918300136160 Indian Female 23 Years, Post Graduated in Sanskrit (language), Seeking for Suitable Jobs, (Teaching or Clerical), Knowledge in MS Office, Good Communication Skill Contact 96141317, 94614317, Email: sou93madam@gmail.com Indian male 33 yrs, MBA - HR, worked on Recruitments,Training,Site-HR, Omanisation and development plans of nationals ,10 yrs exp. Seeking a job.

NOC avl. Contact 94179499 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com Indian Male, 23, BBA Graduate, Fresher, on visit visa looking for job in sales/marketing.

Contact - 94032041; Email azzamsiddique1@gmail.com Indian male, 30.System administrator/desktop support professional.5 years of GCC exp.

Visa status: visit (Dubai) mob: 00971565598176/ aneeshngr@gmail.com Sudanese male, 5 years experience in supply chain (warehouse management, logistics and procurement) Contact : 90644186

ated from School of Planning and Architecture (under MHRD). Proficient in AutoCAD, Google Sketchup and creative visualization. Email saatvika.frozenmusic@gmail.com.

Contact 00968-94057427.

Indian female , M.B.A, 8 Yrs of Experience in Oil and Gas industry, Trading & contracting companies. working as an Unit Manager for MNC, HR Coordinator and Office admin for local companies. seeking suitable placement immediately. Contact 99179709.

B.E (Mechanical) 12 years industrial sales, 1 year Muscat experience, presently in India , immediately ready to join. Contact :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com Indian male, 44 Years, Plumbing Supervisor, holding Omani Driving license, having 14 Years of experience in Oman and 8 years in India.

Looking for suitable placement.

Contact - 95154414 Email- pthariff@yahoo.com Indian female having D/L with 12 years experience in corporate / retail sales & B/D. Looking for a suitable job in training / IT / Education companies. Contact: 91751077 Email: alamelusara@hotmail.com Chief Accountant, well experienced available.Contact: 95598477 Indian male 27 yrs, MBA finance with 4 years experience currently in Muscat on visit visa seeking suitable placement in finance / admin.

Contact: 90921724 Indian male 43 yrs accountant presently on tourist visa looking for suitable placement in a company 18yrs experience in managing finance in Indian and abroad.

Contact 90190648 Filipino Male, 28 years Old. Looking for job, Have experience in Rent a Car/ Cargo & Logistics / Real Estate/ Customer Care Executive / Sale Executive & Marketing/ Shop In- Charge. Hard working w/ good computer and communication skill.

GSM: 97761075 Sales & Marketing executive MBA with 3 years exp , 6 months exp in Oman with NOC , looking for suitable placement. Contact: 91345727 Indian male 1.5 yrs exp a sales & merchandising in Oman looking for best opportunity NOC available.

Contact: 93039342

Indian male 4 years experience in IT as programmer / Web support / CCNA / Network on visit visa seeking placement. Contact: 93069694 Email: mrabrar14@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer 2 years experience as HVAC design & drafting, CAD, MEP Engg.

Contact: 90150913 Civil Engineer with 6+ years in Supervision designing & Q.C expert in much civil softwares, NOC available. Contact: 90719263 Automobile Mechanic ITI 3 years experience marine mechanical fitter 2 yrs experience.#93674847 Indian male 24 years dynamic & professional B.Tech (Mech. Engg) with 1 year experience working on BPCL project in India seeks opening for suitable post, currently in Oman. # 93672286 / 97772272 Mechanical Engineer experience maintenance of pumping stations production line machinery turbine for power plant good communications skills, planning follow up Engineer projects HSE awareness trained multiple design software looking for job. Contact: 949064473 / 96654019 Accountant male Indian, 2 years experience, doing accounts in tally & excel seeks suitable job.

EMAIL – regin1690@gmail.com, Contact +91 7373387282 Indian male (B.E) Quality Controller and Supervising. 3 year good working experience. Better knowledge in quality control technique.

Searching for suitable job. Mail: muthujagadeeshjkm@gmail.com, Contact: GSM : +91 9786418033 / 968 91894487 Regin Accountant male Indian, 2 years experience doing accounts in tally and excel searching for suitable job. No : +91 7373387282 EMAIL – regin1690@gmail.com, Indian male, 25 yrs, more than 5 years experience in Dubai, Looking for a suitable placement for jobs related to sales, marketing, coordination and support. #95140445, syedfaraz97681@gmail.com Indian male electrician(EEE ).

Two years good working experience searching for suitable job.

Gmail ; antonyajin15@gmail.com.

Antony Ajin.G, Contact: 91 8148336160 / 91 8300136160

Indian Male, Post graduate with 10yrs experience in Gulf & 4.6yrs in Oil & Gas experience with SAP and ERP exposure. Finalization, MIS, Auditing, Budgeting, AP &AR, Tax, etc., with Oman D/L seeking suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact: 91743376

Indian freshe (indoo Contac azzam

Pakistani Male, Land Surveyor with work experience in Dubai Seeks suitable job in Oman.

Contact 94347288

Indian Oman accoun licens SAP, T Excel Contac

Indian male 24 ,B.E ( E.C.E ) graduate with 3 years of experience in the fields of BMS ,Low current systems and has good knowledge of HV and LV, currently working in Oman, NOC Available.

Contact : 94737033, mail : mohdmuhafez45@gmail.com

Indian 10yrs in Oil & and ER MIS, A Tax, et suitab Contac

TOURS

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control building. Cleaning tiles / Marble polishing monthly/ Yearly contracts available.

Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

MANPOWER

Split unit & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. #96236476 Split unit & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 95323517 / 93769089

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 Looking for building cleaning contracts. Contact 97730779 A/C Maintenance & Servicing, Fridge, Washing machine & Dish washer repairing, Painting & Cleaning services, Electrical & plumbing.

Contact 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281 Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC Contact: 99344723 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 /94285064 CAD drawings Archi/ MEP CAD – comply BIM. Contact: 91233975 House shifting. Contact 99708138

Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC Contact 99344723 Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing.

Ocean center LLC. Contact 99344723 House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644/98518013 All Maintenance and services electric, CCTV Camera, Plumbing, A/C service and gas installation, painting tiles. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064 For any 3d signboard, acrylic works with painting please contact us on 90786240 or follow us in instagram: silver_concepts Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130 Pest control Gulfa international.

Contact: 92326955 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

Window or split AC split fitting or service. Contact: 95303292

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. available. (Ruwi) Contact 92430239 Transportation. Contact: 94510847 Transportation available Al Khuwair, Ghobrah, Azaiba, Al Hail & Al Khoud. Drop & pick.

Contact 95250161 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation. Contact 99508282

TRANSPORTATION Transportation required from Qurum to WadiKabir at afternoon only 1 PM. Contact - 99012165 Transportation. Contact 92015894 Transportation. Contact 94510847

Dolphi Buffet, Marine 92808

We ar tion at Oman