Times of Oman - April 20, 2016

WEDNESDAY April 20, 2016 12 Rajab 1437 AH

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the 2nd National Day, 1972

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ Education was my great concern, and I saw that it was necessary to direct efforts to spread education. We have given the Ministry of Education the opportunity and supplied it with our capabilities to break the chains of ignorance. Schools have been opened regardless; the important thing is that there should be education, even under the shadow of trees.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 50

| 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

SAUDI ARABIA

The two-year-old abandoned girl is being called Dana (Pearl) by authorities

Hundreds come forward to take care of the toddler as Oman is moved by her story

HER SMILE WINS OMAN’S HEART HASSAN SHABAN AL LAWATI REJIMON K

Police officials confirmed that the child’s mother is a Gulf Cooperation Council national

E X P E C TAT I O N H I G H

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

More athletes will get Rio ticket, hopes Olympic committee DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman Olympic Committee (OOC) is hopeful that one or two more of its athletes will qualify for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio in Brazil this year, for which Barakat Al Harthi has already qualified.

“Barakat is working hard; everyone in the Gulf is anticipating his qualification for the Olympics. I hope that he can continue with his training to break his record in Rio this year,” said Taha Al Kishri, secretary general of the OOC. After Barakat’s glorious qualification for the Olympics, following his record 10.16 second time for the 100 metre event in the World Military Games in South Korea in October last year, Oman is hopeful of getting a couple of wild card entries in shooting, tennis, athletics and horse riding.

“In shooting, air pistol to be precise, Wadha Al Balushi stands a chance, whereas Sultan Al Touqi may make it in horse riding, Ahmed Al Marjibi hopes of qualifying in athletics and Shinoona Al Habsi has been replaced

by Fatma Al Nabhani, the tennis player. Fatma has a positive chance to get a wild card entry.”

Al Balushi, Al Marjibi, Al Touqi and Al Habsi were supported by the Olympic Solidarity Scholarship provided by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), for which Oman had applied in June 2014.

The aim of Olympic Solidarity

OMAN

Mwasalat service on Ruwi-Muttrah route

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Mwasalat will launch the Ruwi-Muttrah Palace route from April 24. According to a route map uploaded on its Twitter handle, the bus will start from Ruwi, head to Muttrah via Darsait and then to the Al Alam Palace. Recently, Mwasalat had announced it transported 1.1 m passengers from the time of the launch of its operations. >A2

OMAN

A hike in visa fee can raise OMR125 million is to organise assistance for all the National Olympic Committees (NOCs), particularly those with the greatest need, through multi- faceted programmes prioritising athlete development, training for coaches and sports administrators, and promoting Olympic ideals.

According to Al Kishry, 29 records have been set by Omani sportspersons, which are very close to the ones set by the IOC, and IOC will not give more than three wild cards for each National Olympic Committee.

OOC is now preparing for the Summer Youth Olympics 2018 in Argentina and the Asian Beach games taking place in Vietnam in September this year.

“Last year, Oman topped the second Gulf Beach Games held in the State of Qatar, bagging 13 medals, seven golds, five silvers and one bronze. This is why Oman is focusing on the Asian Beach Games, because we are hopeful of winning medals.”>A7

Red Bull F1 car drives across Muscat

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A proposal to revise visa renewal fees for expatriate workers in Oman, previously tabled at the Majlis Al Shura, will generate at least OMR125 million. “At minimum, the government can earn OMR125 million extra, even if the current visa renewal fee is increased from OMR200 to 300,” said Tawfiq Al Lawati. >A3

MARKET

Oman power firm to invest OMR300m

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OETC plans to invest OMR300m over a three-year period for building new transmission lines for evacuating power and upgrading infrastructure for distribution. The investment is being made for building power infrastructure for a three-year period between 2016 and 2018.>B1

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hassan@timesofoman.com reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Phones at the Ministry of Social Development Child Affairs Department have not stopped ringing for the last three days as hundreds of families have come forward to foster the two-year-old abandoned girl child, who is being called Dana (Pearl).>A7

Sayyid Fahd to take part in GCC-US Summit MUSCAT: On Behalf of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers will head to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on Wednesday to take part in the GCC-US Leaders’ Summit in Riyadh on Thursday.

The summit will discuss the latest developments in the regional and international arenas, as well as the efforts being exerted to maintain peace, security and stability.

The official delegation accompanying Sayyid Fahd comprises Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Dr. Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Futaisi, Minister of Transport and Communications. The delegation also comprises a number of government officials. -ONA

NCSI

Number of expats reaches 2m Times News Service MUSCAT: Number of expats in Oman reached 2,004,820, according to the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

Out of this, the total number of expatriate workforce in the Sul-

tanate had reached 1,747,000 by the end of March 2016.

Number of Omanis working in the private sector stands at 209,620 at the end of December 2016 and expat workers at 1,697,671 at the end of December.

The statistics show that only

12.35 per cent of Omanis work in the private sector while the rest are expats. The expat figure in Oman is dominated by three Asian countries where the number of Indians stands at 669,882; Bangladeshis 590,170 and Pakistanis 220,112. >A6

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

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Qatar Airways flights will be available per week for travel from Doha to Salalah to meet demand for the Khareef season, which runs from June 1 to September 30

I D E A L G E TAWAY

Qatar Airways adds 10 more flights per week to Salalah Times News Service MUSCAT: Qatar Airways has added 10 flights per week from Doha to Salalah, to meet the demand of the popular Khareef season, which runs from June 1 to September 30.

During this period, a total of 21 flights per week will be available for travel from Doha to Salalah.

Qatar Airways Vice President, Gulf Cooperation Council, Levant, Iran, Iraq and Yemen, Ishfaq Jalal, said: “Salalah is the ideal getaway in the summer months.

Its unique climate, especially during the cooler Khareef season,

provides a welcome respite from the soaring heat the rest of the region experiences between June and September.

“The growing popularity of Salalah has prompted us to meet customers’ demands by increasing flight frequency throughout the busy period, providing them with more options so that their travel experience is as smooth and convenient as possible.”

As the capital of Oman’s Dhofar region, Salalah is known as the Sultanate’s ‘Second City.’ It is renowned for its annual monsoon season, known as the Khareef, which sees the desert landscape

transform into lush green expanses from June to August each year.

During this peak period, the number of visitors to Salalah triples in comparison with the rest of the year. An annual Khareef festival celebrates the rainy season and draws thousands of visitors.

Salalah is famous for its unique characteristics, which include fruit plantations and banana groves, beaches lined with coconut palms, a vibrant local culture with souqs and Omani handicrafts, and a myriad of archaeological sites demonstrating the Sultanate’s rich and prosperous history.

Mwasalat set to launch new route Mwasalat to launch Ruwi-Muttrah Palace route on April 24

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Mwasalat will launch the Ruwi-Muttrah Palace route from April 24; the bus operator tweeted on its official Twitter handle. According to a route map uploaded on its Twitter handle, the bus will start from Ruwi, head to Muttrah via Darsait and then to the Al Alam Palace.

Recently, Mwasalat had announced it transported 1.1 million passengers from the time of the launch of its operations on November 22 until the end of March this year. The Ruwi-Al

NEW ROUTE: The bus will start from Ruwi, head to Muttrah via

Darsait and then to the Al Alam Palace. – File photo

Mubaila route carried the highest number of passengers at 580,000, followed by Ruwi-Wadi Al Kabir route with 393,000 passengers, followed by the Ruwi-Wadi Adai with 127,000 passengers.

Mwasalat said in a statement to the Oman News Agency (ONA) that demand for the use of buses

is higher-than-expected than the demand from expatriates of various nationalities.

Mwasalat urged everyone, especially the citizens, to use public transport because of the economic benefits for the individual and society, like reducing congestion, noise and harmful emissions.

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OMAN

OMR125 million promise in visa fee hike proposal mately cause financial difficulties for many SMEs and new businesses,” Tonia added.

At minimum, the government can earn OMR125 million extra, even if the current visa renewal fee is increased from OMR200 to 300, Tawfiq Al Lawati, a Majlis Al Shura member who submitted the proposal

REJIMON K

reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A proposal to revise visa renewal fees for expatriate workers in Oman, previously tabled at the Majlis Al Shura, will generate at least OMR125 million, according to the Shura member who submitted the proposal.

“At minimum, the government can earn OMR125 million extra, even if the current visa renewal fee is increased from OMR200 to 300,” Tawfiq Al Lawati, a Majlis Al Shura member who submitted the proposal, told Times of Oman.

The proposal According to the proposal, those who earn less than OMR300 would pay OMR300 as visa renewal fees and those who earn more than OMR300 would pay 3 per cent of their monthly salary for two years at the time of renewing their visa.

“At present, the government collects OMR250 million in visa renewal fees. Now, even by increasing the minimum from OMR 200 to 300 it will bring in ONLINE CONTEST

Win air tickets to any Indian destination Times News Service MUSCAT: Celebrating a 10 per cent discount on all flights booked on jetairways.com and mobile app, India’s premier international airline in association with Times of Oman (TOO) is conducting an online contest starting today (Wednesday).

Times of Oman readers will have an opportunity to win two return tickets to any of the Jet Airways destinations in India. timesofoman.com All you have to is to log on to www.timesofoman.com and participate in our online quiz and two lucky readers will stand a chance to win two return economy tickets to Indian destinations from Jet Airways.

Meanwhile, the special online fare on Jet Airways flights will be available for sale to travellers from April 20 to April 23 for travel up to 31 May 2016, on flights from Oman to destinations in India and beyond.

CRIME

155 arrested for obscenity Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Royal Oman Police arrested 155 expatriates of different nationalities on charges of obscene acts in public places, the authorities said in a statement.

“All the 155 were arrested in Muscat governorate,” the statement added.

OMR125 million. And by calculating 3 per cent for those who earn more, it will bring in extra money,” Tawfiq added.

According to March data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), the size of the expat population in Oman has reached 2,004,820.

Out of this, the total number of expatriate workers in the Sultanate was 1,747,000 at the end of March. As of July 2015, the size of the expatriate workforce in the Sultanate was only 1,631,560.

According to the proposal, if an expatriate’s monthly gross salary is OMR1,000, then his two year salary will be OMR24,000, and three per cent will come to OMR720. According to the new proposal, the worker would pay OMR720.

“The move can bring in fair practices and also generate more revenue for the government,” the Shura member said, while adding that the revision proposed is not new and was in practice before 1996 in Oman.

Understandable Meanwhile, Tonia Gray, general manager at Competence HR, said that it is understandable that the government seeks other areas of revenue during the current economic difficulties, however, care needs to be taken that the different measures taken by the government do not adversely affect those companies that support the country in the coming years.

“The country is promoting diversification of industries outside the oil and gas sector, and this is likely to require senior expatriates to be brought in during the early years as new enterprises are being set up. Whilst the individual increases are not prohibitive, adding them together may ulti-

Ramifications N Gurumurthy, a finance expert, said the move may have wider ramifications for sponsors and expats.

“The move would not only adversely impact the financials, but also act as a deterrent for expat employment. For instance, a company that wishes to renew visas of, say, 20 employees earning around OMR2000, may have to shell out OMR28,800 upfront, which might be a prohibitive sum for many companies,” Gurumurthy said.

“Besides, organisations will think twice before offering higher or increased wages in order to reduce their visa fees. In other words, the visa fee, and not the performance, will determine whether salary hikes would be given. There may be other problems, as well. What will happen to visa fees paid in case employees leaves in three months? Will proportionate fees be refunded?,” Gurumurthy asked.

Present practice At present, the majority of companies pay the visa renewal fees for their expatriate workers without collecting them from workers.

Besides visa fees, Oman has adopted other austerity measures to shore up revenues to cushion the budget deficit caused bythe dip in oil prices.

A special panel has also been set up in the Shura to look into measures to overcome the economic crisis.

Oman’s new budget projects OMR3.3 billion in deficit spending for 2016 which, it says, it will seek to reduce by improving non-oil revenues, as well as cutting expenditures. Oman posted a budget deficit of OMR4.5 billion in 2015, as revenues declined by more than 50 per cent.

Official statistics show that Oman lost $14 billion in revenues in 2015, compared to a year earlier, due to low oil prices.

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

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T IME S O F O MAN

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

T IME S O F O MAN

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

OMAN WINNERS | SENIORS School

Participant 1

Participant 2

Indian School Sohar

Naukshatro Bose

Baibhab Mukherjee

Indian School Sohar

Harikrishnan Lal Pillai

Sneha Ann Reji

Indian School Al Ghubra

Thejas Sasikumar

Saurabh Pujari

Indian School Salalah

Hridith Sudev

Saurabh Singh

Indian School Sur

Prasanth Thomas

Shashank Dasari

Indian School Al Mabela

Abin Joseph

Haarish G Hari

Indian School Nizwa

Ahmed Ahnaf

Pranav Babu

Pakistan School Muscat

Ahmad Aftab

Hammad Mahmood

Indian School Al Seeb

Nabeel Ahsan

Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir Rahul R

Giri Aravind Keerthan

Indian School Muscat

Krithivaas Vijay

Aliva Das

Bangladesh School Muscat

Syed Mohammed Mazin

Abbas Uddin

WINNERS | JUNIORS

TIMES QUIZ SET FOR THURSDAY FINALS Finals of the Times of Oman Inter School Quiz Contest will be held at the City Amphitheatre on Thursday in which two sets of twelve teams, juniors and seniors will take part

MUSCAT: Two sets of twelve teams, one from the junior and the other from the senior category, made it to the finals of the Times of Oman Inter School Quiz Contest (TOOISQC) and will battle it out at the City Amphitheatre on Thursday, April 21.

It was fantastic to see the students pit their wits against some of their brightest peers and outperform themselves in the Mega prelims at the Indian School Al Ghubra on Tuesday. It was a brilliance of sharp young minds in action. According to Joesph Vivek Basil and

Naman Varma, finalist in the junior category from Indian School Salalah, they will work hard to win the trophy in the finals.

“We will try our best in the finals and we will prepare well for the finals,” Naman Varma said.

Speaking about their preparation Naman said, “we will focus on current affairs and topics like mythology, wild life, literature and we will give special focus on etymology.”

According to Joesph Vivek Basil the questions were bit tough and tricky. The junior team that qualified from the Modern International

School says the questions were a bit tougher than the preliminary rounds. “Questions were tough but we were lucky enough to tackle most of them,” Vihaan Sahnkar and Sunny S. Sawant said. Speaking about their preparations for the final Sunny said, “we will try our best and prepare hard by covering the topics like history, literature, science etc.

According to the team ‘Quiz Mates’, finalist in the senior category from Indian School Sohar, they are planning to take some online quiz prior to the finals.

“We are planning to take some online quiz and we are also trying to go through some books before the finals tomorrow,” Naukshatro Bose and Baibhab Mukherjee said.

“This will help us to boost our knowledge,” they added.

According to them the questions were bit tougher than the prelims.

Al Ghad Al Mushriq Private School, American British Academy, Bangladesh School Muscat, Bangladesh School Sohar, Indian School

Darsait , Indian School Ghubrah, Indian School Ibra, Indian School Ibri, Indian School Maabela, Indian School Muladha, Indian School Muscat, Indian School Rustaq, Indian School Salalah, Indian School Seeb, Indian School Sohar, Indian School Sur, Indian School Wadi Kabir, Modern International School Oman, Pakistan School Muscat, Pakistan School Sohar, Sri Lankan School and Indian School Nizwa participated Mega Prelims.

The major sponsors are R & B, Muscat Pharmary, Pocari Sweat, Denim, Indomie, Al Mudhish and Suroor. The co-sponsors are Kwality Ice Creams and Chiko.

The official host is Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar and official rent-a-car is Sixt rent-a-car while Travel CityTravel Point is the travel partner.

Venue sponsors are Relaxo, SchoolMate, Malabar Gold and Al Rawabi. Gift sponsor is Oman Phone. Other sponsors are Lakhoos Exchange, Al Nahda, Oasis, Sapil, Hoshan Pan Gulf, Parker Pens, and Nabil.

Photos by Shibin. E. and Purushothaman/ TIMES OF OMAN

Modern International School

Vihaan Shankar

Sunny S Sawant

Indian School Ghubrah

Aditya Harish

Shubham Bhan

Indian school Salalah

Naman Verma

Joseph Vivek Basil

Indian School Darsait

Sinan Faizal

Sidharth Narasimman

Indian School Sohar

Swithin Gladson

Rishabh Chopde

Indian School Al Maabela

Pratyaksh Dhande

Preetham Periyal

Indian School Ibra

Nirmal Mathew

Justin Augustine

Indian School Muladha

Anamika Rajeev

Shashank Shekhar

Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir Chethan Sethu

Adithya B Nair

Indian School Muscat

Niranjan Raman

Faris Abdul Nassar

American British Academy

Nikhil Narayanan

Afnan Azi Akbar

Al Ghad Al Mushriq School

Mariam Hassan

Urooj Fatima

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T IME S O F O MAN

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

T IME S O F O MAN

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

OMAN WINNERS | SENIORS School

Participant 1

Participant 2

Indian School Sohar

Naukshatro Bose

Baibhab Mukherjee

Indian School Sohar

Harikrishnan Lal Pillai

Sneha Ann Reji

Indian School Al Ghubra

Thejas Sasikumar

Saurabh Pujari

Indian School Salalah

Hridith Sudev

Saurabh Singh

Indian School Sur

Prasanth Thomas

Shashank Dasari

Indian School Al Mabela

Abin Joseph

Haarish G Hari

Indian School Nizwa

Ahmed Ahnaf

Pranav Babu

Pakistan School Muscat

Ahmad Aftab

Hammad Mahmood

Indian School Al Seeb

Nabeel Ahsan

Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir Rahul R

Giri Aravind Keerthan

Indian School Muscat

Krithivaas Vijay

Aliva Das

Bangladesh School Muscat

Syed Mohammed Mazin

Abbas Uddin

WINNERS | JUNIORS

TIMES QUIZ SET FOR THURSDAY FINALS Finals of the Times of Oman Inter School Quiz Contest will be held at the City Amphitheatre on Thursday in which two sets of twelve teams, juniors and seniors will take part

MUSCAT: Two sets of twelve teams, one from the junior and the other from the senior category, made it to the finals of the Times of Oman Inter School Quiz Contest (TOOISQC) and will battle it out at the City Amphitheatre on Thursday, April 21.

It was fantastic to see the students pit their wits against some of their brightest peers and outperform themselves in the Mega prelims at the Indian School Al Ghubra on Tuesday. It was a brilliance of sharp young minds in action. According to Joesph Vivek Basil and

Naman Varma, finalist in the junior category from Indian School Salalah, they will work hard to win the trophy in the finals.

“We will try our best in the finals and we will prepare well for the finals,” Naman Varma said.

Speaking about their preparation Naman said, “we will focus on current affairs and topics like mythology, wild life, literature and we will give special focus on etymology.”

According to Joesph Vivek Basil the questions were bit tough and tricky. The junior team that qualified from the Modern International

School says the questions were a bit tougher than the preliminary rounds. “Questions were tough but we were lucky enough to tackle most of them,” Vihaan Sahnkar and Sunny S. Sawant said. Speaking about their preparations for the final Sunny said, “we will try our best and prepare hard by covering the topics like history, literature, science etc.

According to the team ‘Quiz Mates’, finalist in the senior category from Indian School Sohar, they are planning to take some online quiz prior to the finals.

“We are planning to take some online quiz and we are also trying to go through some books before the finals tomorrow,” Naukshatro Bose and Baibhab Mukherjee said.

“This will help us to boost our knowledge,” they added.

According to them the questions were bit tougher than the prelims.

Al Ghad Al Mushriq Private School, American British Academy, Bangladesh School Muscat, Bangladesh School Sohar, Indian School

Darsait , Indian School Ghubrah, Indian School Ibra, Indian School Ibri, Indian School Maabela, Indian School Muladha, Indian School Muscat, Indian School Rustaq, Indian School Salalah, Indian School Seeb, Indian School Sohar, Indian School Sur, Indian School Wadi Kabir, Modern International School Oman, Pakistan School Muscat, Pakistan School Sohar, Sri Lankan School and Indian School Nizwa participated Mega Prelims.

The major sponsors are R & B, Muscat Pharmary, Pocari Sweat, Denim, Indomie, Al Mudhish and Suroor. The co-sponsors are Kwality Ice Creams and Chiko.

The official host is Radisson Blu Hotel, Sohar and official rent-a-car is Sixt rent-a-car while Travel CityTravel Point is the travel partner.

Venue sponsors are Relaxo, SchoolMate, Malabar Gold and Al Rawabi. Gift sponsor is Oman Phone. Other sponsors are Lakhoos Exchange, Al Nahda, Oasis, Sapil, Hoshan Pan Gulf, Parker Pens, and Nabil.

Photos by Shibin. E. and Purushothaman/ TIMES OF OMAN

Modern International School

Vihaan Shankar

Sunny S Sawant

Indian School Ghubrah

Aditya Harish

Shubham Bhan

Indian school Salalah

Naman Verma

Joseph Vivek Basil

Indian School Darsait

Sinan Faizal

Sidharth Narasimman

Indian School Sohar

Swithin Gladson

Rishabh Chopde

Indian School Al Maabela

Pratyaksh Dhande

Preetham Periyal

Indian School Ibra

Nirmal Mathew

Justin Augustine

Indian School Muladha

Anamika Rajeev

Shashank Shekhar

Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir Chethan Sethu

Adithya B Nair

Indian School Muscat

Niranjan Raman

Faris Abdul Nassar

American British Academy

Nikhil Narayanan

Afnan Azi Akbar

Al Ghad Al Mushriq School

Mariam Hassan

Urooj Fatima

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016 We see that a lot of companies have realised a high level of Omanisation, especially telecommunication companies and other big companies. We would like all to follow these companies Muneera Al Hashimi, guidance and counselling specialist at the Ministry of Manpower

OMAN SEND US YOUR VIEWS AND COMMENTS editor@timesofoman.com webeditor@timesofoman.com

Omani siblings craft bags to protect dates Made-in-Oman bags can be used to cover dates on palm trees for protecting them from insects, such as locusts, red wasps PROTECTION: Different kinds of bags have been introduced to cater to the palm trees of various sizes. – Supplied picture

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Amid reports about desert locusts approaching the Sultanate, and posing a threat to crops, six Omani siblings have invented date protection bags to keep Oman’s most favourite fruit safe from pests.

The made-in-Oman bags can be used by farmers to cover dates on palm trees for protecting them E X PAT N U M B E R S

< FROM

Clear cut

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Reacting to report, Tawfiq Al Lawati, a Majlis Al Shura member, said that the government should have a clear cut policy on the expatriates coming to Oman.

“I am not against people coming to the country. But there should be some cap on the people whom we are bringing. Right now we have lot of tailor, barber shops where there is only need for some. But at the same time we should look forward to the potential investors who are ready to invest in Oman,” he told Times of Oman.

from insects, such as locusts and red wasps. “The idea is actually taken from one of our customers who used to request for larger size vegetable bags,” said Adil Habib Al Zadjali, chairman of Al-Taawun Plastics L.L.C. “He told us about his concept of protecting his trees. Later, we thought of modifying the product and commercialising it to have our own local brand of protec-

tion bags,” he said, adding that the product is thriving as he exports it to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan.

The family has been producing plastic bags for covering potatoes, onions, cabbage, cucumbers and other kinds of vegetables in their factory set up in 1994.

A year later, the factory produced its first line of plastic bags, which can now be seen in many

hypermarkets in Oman. Al Zadjali said his company has introduced different size of bags as some palm trees are bigger than others.

Traditionally, farmers have been covering their yet-to-mature dates using fabrics.

“Such fabrics not only ruin the look of a palm, but also block sunlight and air from reaching the fruits, which ultimately affect their taste,” Al Zadjali explained.

The plastic bags also keep dates from falling to the ground. It is worth mentioning that there are around eight million palm trees in the Sultanate, according to the official website of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

C A R E E R FA I R

Good progress in Omanisation: Manpower ministry officials ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Omanisation is making good progress, but Omanis should choose specialisation which are sought after by companies, officials at the Ministry of Manpower said, at the sidelines of the Omanisation Career Fair held at the Oman International Exhibition Centre on Tuesday.

“We see that a lot of companies have realised a high level of Omanisation, especially telecommunication companies and other big companies. We would like all to follow these companies that are successful in Omanisation,” Muneera Al Hashimi, guidance and counselling specialist at the Ministry of Manpower said.

According to Sulaiman Khalili, assistant director of the Information Department at the Ministry of Manpower, the oil and gas and financial sectors have also been successful in Omanisation, at around 90 per cent, given the benefits offered in those sectors.

Other sectors, such as the construction sector, are lagging behind. “There are still many expatriate workers and the salaries offered are not as high in other

STRESS ON SPECIALISATION: The Omanisation Career Fair at the Oman International Exhibition Centre on Tuesday. – Erik Prins

sectors, and no benefits are offered. Therefore, it is not attractive for Omanis,” he said.

This, combined with difficult working conditions, keep Omanis away from working in the sector, especially as builders.

He added that there are some construction companies that have a higher Omanisation rate, although they mainly work in administration.

Al Hashimi also explained that the Ministry was present at the Omanisation Career Fair to encourage the youth to start their own businesses with technical specialisations. “Anyone who is willing can start an own busi-

ness. We want to make it clear to the Omani youth the value of these specialisations and encourage them to take up training,” she said.

She added that any job seeker, who wants to change his vocational specialisation or wants to seek self-employment opportunities, can undergo training. The duration of the courses is between one week and nine months.

The Ministry offers a general vocational education diploma, which includes courses on practical skills, technical drawing, english language, maths, physics and Chemistry, communication skills, IT and entrepreneurship.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

3200BC

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is the date of archaeological excavations discovered in Al Khashabah village in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi

ABANDONED CHILD

CRUISE SHIP QUEEN ELIZABETH VISITS MUSCAT

Coinciding with the 90th birthday celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II, Cunard Line’s cruise ship Queen Elizabeth visited Muscat on Tuesday. Another cruise ship of the same company, Queen Mary 2 will visit Muscat today. -Photo O K Mohammed Ali

State Council hails role of civil society The State Council held its meeting under the chair of Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri

MUSCAT: State Council hailed the proposal of the Culture, Media and Tourism Committee and its importance in enhancing the role of civil society organisations in sustainable development and activating public private partnership (PPP).

The State Council approved the proposal of the Culture, Media and Tourism Committee on the civil society organisations while taking into consideration the re-

Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Chairman of State Council.– ONA

marks of the members and the formation of a Technical Drafting Committee to include the visions of the honourable members about the proposal.

The Chairman of the State Council said the session also dedicated for discussing the Anti-Money Laundering and Finance of Terrorism Law, which was referred by the Council of Ministers, as well as the report of Majlis Al Shura on the law and the report of State Council’s Legal Committee on the same law.

Dr. Ahmed bin Ali Al Meshai-

khi, Head of Culture, Media and Tourism Committee highlighted the importance of the proposal, which affirmed the need to revise the legislations and laws that regularise the work of civil society organisations with cultural interests, the need to activate their role in comprehensive development and identifying the challenges they face.

The agenda of the meeting included reviewing the incoming letter from the Council of Ministers about the State Council’s proposal on the Status of Omani Journalism in Light of the Laws and Regulations that govern it.

The State Council also reviewed the report of the Secretariat General on the period between the sixth and seventh regular sessions of the first annual sitting of the sixth term.

The State Council yesterday held its 7th regular session of the first annual sitting of the 6th term under the chair of Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Chairman of State Council. -ONA

OMAN

< FROM

A1 Planning for Tokyo Olympics Oman is also planning ahead for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 as well, “We have discussed our plans with the committee and are waiting to see how many will qualify and later we will sit with the federations of different sports in Oman and advise them.”

However, Oman has made a de3200 BC

Copper smelting sites found in Al Mudhaibi AL MUDHAIBI: Archaeological excavations in Al Khashabah village in the Wilayat of Al Mudhaibi in the Governorate of North A’Sharqiyah revealed discoveries dating back to 3200 BC. Sultan bin Saif Al Bakri, Director of Excavations and Archaeological Studies Department at the Ministry of Heritage and Culture said the archaeological excavations uncovered the copper smelting sites, which date back to 3200 BC, or the socalled “Hafeet” period, in addition to a tower that is one of the oldest archaeological towers belonging to that period.

He added that Al Khashabah site dates back to the third millennium BC. It is one of the most important sites of Majan civilization, located on the path of the copper trade. The archaeological site includes big stone towers and a huge rectangular building. -ONA

cision to not take part in the Winter Olympics.

“We have taken a decision to not participate because we don’t have most of these sports, we don’t want to take part just to show that we are participating.”

“I hope that the Ministry of Sports Affairs in Oman and

the government together help us to set up and work with the long-term programmes. After the Olympics gets over, we can prepare our athletes for 2020 and 2024, and we need to build long-term plans and work on them if we will aim for medals at the games.”

< FROM

A1

Hundreds of families come forward to foster girl child

“Our phone has been continuously ringing for the past three days.

At least 200 families have come forward to foster the abandoned child,” said Mahfoudha Al Saifi, head of the alternative care centre at the Department of Children’s Affairs in the Ministry of Social Development in Oman.

“This is the first time they we have received such a huge response from people in Oman,” the official added.

A source at the Royal Oman Police (ROP) said that the initial investigations about the unidentified girl, who was handed over last Friday to Al Buraimi Police Station showed that the child was not found at Al Buraimi Public Park, as alleged by the Omani woman who delivered the girl to the Police Station.

The source told ONA that the mother of the child is a Gulf citizen who entered the Sultanate with her child and then kept the child under the custody of an Omani man for a limited period of time.

The mother then left the country with a promise that she will return to take the child, but did not come back.

The source added that the Omani citizen who was caring for the child decided to hand over the girl to Al Buraimi Police Station through an Omani woman who

alleged that she found her at the public park. The source dismissed allegations that the father of the child is an Omani citizen.

The ROP source said investigations in the case are still going on and urged everyone to get information from reliable sources and avoid rumors or circulation of untrue information.

That child’s picture and updates from Royal Oman Police (ROP) about her status and investigation have become a sensation on social networking sites.

Trending for more than a day, #identified_girl (in Arabic), has caught the attention of officials and common people in the Sultanate.

A citizen has also offered via Twitter, an OMR1,000 award for the person who can find the abandoned girl’s parents.

However, the Ministry of Social Development said it’s too early to hand over the little girl to a foster family.

According to the law, she will be kept at the centre until all legal procedures are over. She will be later kept at the ‘Al Wifaq’ Care Centre.

There are other criteria that need to be followed in order to foster a child, and those who are interested must contact the Child Affairs Department at the Min-

istry of Social Development, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, expatriate embassy officials and social workers said if they come across such cases, protection of the child will be their priority.

“During the last nine months of my term, I have not come across any abandoned child cases. However, if we come across such cases, we will verify the nationality of the child, look for the parents or relatives in Oman and will do the needful,” Indra Mani Pandey, the India’s ambassador to Oman, said.

“If the child is proved to be Indian and doesn’t have anybody here, then we will repatriate the child to India,” the ambassador said, adding that protection of adults and children are his priority.

An official from the Bangladesh embassy also expressed the same opinion.

“The first step is to verify the nationality. If we can confirm that the child is Bangladesh citizen, then we will take steps to protect the child,” Zahed Ahmed, a senior official from the Bangladesh embassy, said.

Meanwhile, a Pakistani social worker, who had come across such a case in 2010, said the Pakistani embassy would take immediate action to protect the abandoned child.

A8

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016 We’ve had the opportunity to discover the kind hospitality of the Omanis and, above that the passion they have for motorsport David Coulthard, British former Formula One racing driver

OMAN

Red Bull F1 car makes historic tour

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The F1 car made

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

its way through Muscat, taking on the highways and winding mountain roads, passing famous landmarks and completing a tour of Oman’s capital David Coulthard

city before reaching Muttrah Corniche DRAWING WORLD’S ATTENTION: One of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world, Oman is becoming an excellent sporting

Times News Service MUSCAT: For many years Oman’s beauty remained undiscovered however, the Sultanate’s profile has risen rapidly in recent years. One of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world, it is becoming an excellent sporting venue as well as an adventurous

venue as well as an adventurous holiday destination with the recent Red Bull F1 Showrun being another first. – Supplied photos

holiday destination.

The recent Red Bull F1 Showrun was another first for the Sultanate.

The F1 car made its way through Muscat, taking on the highways and winding mountain roads, passing famous landmarks and completing a tour of Oman’s capi-

tal city before reaching Muttrah Corniche. One of its most famous stops along the journey was the Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel. The Atrium Lounge octagonal stone-carved base represents a jewellery box that allows the sun’s rays to enter and reflect upon

the cascading crystal chandelier, weighing five tonnes and hanging from a 130 foot domed roof, lighting up every corner to provide a true sense of modern Omani hospitality.

Talking about Oman, British driving ace David Coulthard said:

“We’ve had the opportunity to discover the kind hospitality of the Omanis and, above that the passion they have for motorsport.”

He added: “They’ve got a small grassroots-level karting track here – but the size of the crowd that stood in the rain shows there’s a

much bigger passion for cars in general. I hope this event will help develop that culture of racing going forwards.”

The remit of the Live Demo team is to take the F1 cars to places where F1 cars are rarely, if ever, seen. Oman is just one of manyunique destinations but for the most part the Red Bull F1Showrun visits countries that don’t have a grand prix and thus an audience with no access to these fabulous machines.

I N T E R N AT I O N A L D AY O F Y O G A

Indian embassy to hold yoga session Staff Reporter MUSCAT: A yoga session will be held at the Indian embassy in Oman on Thursday, the embassy said in a statement.

“Yoga is part of the series of events being organised in the run up to the celebration of the 2nd International Day of Yoga (June 21) in Oman, Embassy of India, Muscat, in association with Sahaja Yoga Oman,” the statement

added. The embassy had earlier associated itself, as part of a series of events being organised in the run-up to the second International Yoga Day. The events were organised to spread awareness about yoga and its benefits among the people.

While addressing the 69th session of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on September 27, 2014, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, had urged

the world community to adopt June 21 as the International Day of yoga. Speaking at the UNGA, Modi said: “Yoga is an invaluable gift of ancient Indian tradition.

It embodies the unity of mind and body; thought and action; restraint and fulfilment; harmony between man and nature and a holistic approach to health and well-being. Yoga is not about exercise, but to discover the sense of oneness with ourselves.”

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NAT I O N AT WA R

UN envoy struggles to start Yemen peace talks KUWAIT: The UN envoy to Yemen sought on Tuesday to persuade Yemen’s Houthi group to send representatives to peace talks in Kuwait as a shaky truce declared this month teetered near collapse, delegates said.

An advisor to the UN delegation in Kuwait said the Houthis had been “very positive” until two days ago and were agreed with envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on almost everything.

“They have since completely changed and this has caused a shock (to Ould Cheikh Ahmed),” the aide, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.

The envoy was now working with the Houthis and the government to iron out the problems.

Houthi negotiators have stayed put in the capital Sanaa, demanding a ceasefire begun on April 10 be fully observed before travelling for the talks with envoys from Yemeni President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi’s government in Kuwait.

The Houthis have also rejected a proposed agenda that stipulates they hand over heavy weapons and withdraw from areas they controls before a new government comprising all Yemeni forces is formed. — Reuters

Riot hits Cairo after man killed over cup of tea Egypt’s Interior Ministry said policeman got into an argument with vendor and shot dead one and injured two others

CAIRO: A riot erupted in a Cairo suburb on Tuesday after a policeman shot three people after an argument over the price of a cup of tea, killing one of them, the Interior Ministry and witnesses said.

Public anger over allegations of police brutality has been bubbling over the past months, with several incidents spilling over into skirmishes and protests, five years after the ministry’s officers were a major focus of the 2011 protests. One of the onlookers held up a bullet casing and accused the police of killing “poor” Egyptians. A crowd quickly gathered, overturning a police vehicle and beating up another police-

man at the scene, said a witness, who did not see the shooting but said he arrived at the scene in the well-to-do neighbourhood of Rehab shortly afterwards.

“The Interior Ministry are thugs,” chanted the crowd in a video sent to Reuters by the witness. Around 200 people were in the crowd, according to a Reuters estimate from the footage.

Witnesses said on social media the argument on Tuesday was over the price of a cup of tea, which was confirmed to Reuters by security sources. The video, one of several shared by the witness, showed a man lying still on the floor surrounded by angry onlookers.

WA R W I T H I N NAT I O N

Syria talks appear doomed as air strike kills at least 40 GENEVA/BEIRUT: Syria’s fragile peace talks appeared doomed on Tuesday after air strikes killed around 40 people in a crowded vegetable market in rebel territory, with the opposition saying a truce was finished and it would keep away from negotiations indefinitely.

France described the bloodshed as “another massacre”. A monitoring group said it believed the strike on the market in Maarat Al Numan in Idlib province was the deadliest single attack since a partial ceasefire took effect on February 27.

A rescue worker said warplanes had simultaneously struck crowded markets in two towns in Idlib killing at least 38 people in Maarat Al Numan and 10 others in nearby Kafr Nubl. “We have more than 20 cars that have been moving dead and injured to hospitals in the area,” said Ahmad Sheikho, a member of the civil defence corps, a rescue service operating in opposition-held territory.

REGION

CONFLICT: Men inspect damaged shops after an air strike on a

market in the town of Maarat Al Numan in Idlib province, Syria on Tuesday. – Reuters

The air strike, accompanied by intense fighting in other areas, appears to leave the fragile sixweek-old ceasefire in tatters. The truce was brokered by the United States and Russia to pave way for the first peace talks attended by the warring factions since fighting began five years ago.

Those talks, taking place under UN auspices in Geneva, also ap-

pear to have collapsed this week.

The opposition says it has called a “pause” to negotiations, although it is reluctant to accept blame for the collapse by walking out altogether. It was not immediately clear whose aircraft were responsible for the strikes. Both Syria’s own air force and that of its Russian allies have been operating despite the truce. — Reuters

The Interior Ministry said in a statement that a policeman got into an argument with a vendor over “the price of a drink” and shot him dead, injuring two others in the process.

A judicial source told Reuters the policeman shot the three men with an assault rifle and fled. The victim died from a bullet to the heart, the judicial source said.

“There are clashes between the police and locals. Security forces brought in two riot police vehicles and an armoured truck and the victim’s family is here and pelting them with rocks,” said the witness who sent the video and who declined to be named for fear of reprisal.

“Security forces are retreating and promising justice but the crowd is demanding police hand over the killer.”

Anger over perceived police excesses helped fuel the 2011 protests that ended president Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year rule and began on a Police Day holiday. — Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016 We weren’t strong enough to trade freely. Over the last two decades a lot of water has flown. We have become a large economy, we positively interact with bodies of other nations Arun Jaitley, Finance minister

INDIA

‘India has its hands full in implementing key reforms’ own standards and our expectations of being able to grow faster, eradicate poverty and transform into a developed country, we probably can do a little better,” he said, adding that steps that are being taken in this regard to help India register faster economic growth.

“Trade is one area where every country watches its interests and that’s a freedom we allow to each other,” he said.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the country still requires a lot of structural changes and the government has taken steps to ease processes, make the business environment easier and bring in greater transparency into the system

NEW YORK: India has its “hands full” in bringing about structural changes and implementing key reforms to boost economic growth, Finance Minister of India Arun Jaitley has said and hoped that the country will be able to improve its growth this year from the 7.6 per cent achieved last fiscal.

Outlining the direction forward for the Indian economy in his address at the Asia Society here on Tuesday, Jaitley said the country still requires a lot of structural changes and the government has taken steps to ease processes, make the business environment easier and bring in greater transparency into the system.

Jaitley expressed hope that the bankruptcy law would be approved over the next few weeks and said the government “is in the final stages” of passing a law that deals with commercial indebtedness.

LECTURE: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley speaking on ‘ Make in India” The New Deal at Asia Society

in New York on Monday. Shaktikanta Das, Secretary Ministry of Finance, Naushad Forbes, President CII, Kevin Rudd, President Asia Society Policy Instutute of Australia and Indian Ambassador Arun Kumar Singh are also seen. - PTI

The government has also changed arbitration laws, amended some of the “onerous provisions” of the Companies Act and will bring down corporate tax to 25 per cent over the next couple of years.

Goods and Services Tax On indirect taxes, he said India is in the “last stages” before the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is approved by the Parliament and then with supporting legislations, it actually gets into implementation.

“I think we have all our hands full, the next couple of years bringing about each one of these structural changes. In addition to this,

two significant directions which I have followed are increased expenditure in infrastructure and in rural India.

“These are the two areas which were lacking and these appear to be the focus area. That probably will be the direction of the economy in the next few years,” the finance minister said.

He said the world at the moment still faces serious challenges and India cannot “immune” itself from most of the challenges.

He however expressed hope that the country will be able to register improved economic growth this year as compared to the previous fiscal years.

“Notwithstanding that we have consistently even in the slowdown environment grown by about 7 per cent, 7.2 per last year, 7.6 this fiscal which ended a few days ago and hopefully this year we could improve on that data,” he said in his address on ‘Make in India- the New Deal’ hosted by CII and the Asia Society Policy Institute.

Jaitley underscored that while India has done fairly well in an environment of global economic challenges, it has the potential to grow even faster.

“I have always believed that given by global standards in a slowdown environment, India is doing significantly well. But given by our

Trade pacts When asked about India’s interest in joining trade pacts like the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in order to be competitive, Jaitley said every economy on the international forum will be “concerned” about its own interests but there has been a lot of change in attitude in India towards trade. He said India has moved on from being uncertain about trade with other nations to a more confident economy on the world stage now.

“With a much larger economy, I think Indian confidence in terms of dealing with other countries in terms of trade has also significantly increased. The India of 2016 is going to be significantly different from the India of the early 1990s,” he said.

Recalling the early years of the 1990s, Jaitley said there was a large body of opinion in India during that time including in the government “where we feared the unknown as to what would happen.

“We weren’t strong enough to trade freely. Over the last two decades a lot of water has flown. We have become a large economy, we positively interact with bodies of other nations,” he said. - PTI

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ENDORSEMENT

‘Celebrities should be liable for misleading advertisements’ NEW DELHI: With celebrities facing flak over brand endorsements, the Central Consumer Protection Council (CCPC) on Tuesday said, they should be made liable for “misleading advertisements”.

“The council’s view was that celebrities should be responsible for misleading advertisements,” Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said after the CCPC meeting.

Paswan, who is the CCPC Chairman, said the council was also of the view that there should be guidelines for brand ambassadors.

Celebrities should think twice before endorsing any product/ service, the minister said, adding “One should use common sense approach while endorsing. If an advertisement says a person can get taller in six months, using this particular product, is it possible?”

Consumers are getting misled because they tend to listen and believe that the particular product/ service endorsed by celebrities must be of good quality, he added.

Some celebrities have come under fire recently for endorsing brands misleading consumers.

Indian limited overs cricket team captain MS Dhoni last week resigned as brand ambassador of realty firm Amrapali, days after unhappy residents of a housing project in Noida launched a social media campaign, asking the cricketer to disassociate himself from the builder.

A Parliamentary Standing Committee — headed by Telugu Desam Party Member of Parliament (MP) JC Divakar Reddy — is looking into the misleading ads issue and is soon expected to submit a report to Parliament. According to sources, the panel may recommend a hefty penalty and a jail term of up to five years for celebrities endorsing misleading advertisements.

For a first-time offence, the panel is planning to propose a Rs1 million fine or imprisonment of up to two years or both. - PTI

DIED IN JAIL

Kirpal Singh’s body arrives in India ATTARI: The body of Indian prisoner Kirpal Singh, who died under mysterious circumstances in a Pakistani jail, arrived here on Tuesday in the presence of tearful family members and handed over to Indian authorities who said it would be given to them after a fresh post-mortem.

Kirpal’s family members, including his sister Jagir Kaur, Punjab Cabinet Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike and Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Varun Roojam, besides other senior officials, were present at the joint checkpost at the Wagah border to receive the body.

Dalbir Kaur, sister of another Indian Sarabjit Singh, who too had died in a Pakistani jail in May 2013, was also present.

An official posted at the Attari

GRIEF-STRICKEN: Brother Roop Lal, left, and nephew Ashwin of Kirpal Singh cry after receiving his dead body at Attari-Wagah border on Tuesday. - PTI

border said, the body would be handed over to the family for performing the last rites after a postmortem examination, which is to be conducted at the “earliest”.

Struggling to hold back her tears, Jagir said, the family would perform Kirpal’s last rites in Gurdaspur once his body was handed over to them.

Kirpal Singh had allegedly crossed the Wagah border into Pakistan in 1992 and was arrested. He was subsequently sentenced to death in a serial bomb blasts case in Pakistan’s Punjab province.

Kirpal was found dead in his cell last Monday at Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore.

A post-mortem examination had been done in Pakistan.

Kirpal, from Gurdaspur, had reportedly been acquitted in the case by the Lahore High Court but his death sentence could not be commuted because of unknown reasons. - PTI

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

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New provident fund withdrawal norms rolled back The February notification put curbs on full withdrawal of provident fund by members after unemployment

TORCHED: Charred buses which were torched by garment workers

of more than two

during a protest rally over Employees’ Provident Fund withdrawal norms, in Bengaluru on Tuesday. - PTI

months, while it also barred withdrawal of the employer’s contribution before the age of 58 years

HYDERABAD: Buckling under protests and street violence in Bengaluru, the government on Tuesday rolled back its order tightening rules for withdrawal of provident fund (PF) money, within hours of keeping it in abeyance for three more months.

“The notification issued on February 10, 2016 is cancelled.

Now, the old system will continue,” Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreya said at a press conference here.

“I will take ratification from CBT (Central Board of Trustees of EPFO),” he said, after violence rocked Bengaluru for the second day when garment industry workers torched several buses and attacked a police station protesting against the tightening of rules.

Later, the Labour Ministry issued a statement to say that “the workers are now free to withdraw the entire amount from the provident fund as per existing provisions...including the employers’ share of 3.67 per cent”.

Earlier in March, the government had to withdraw a proposal to tax provident fund withdrawals, after widespread criticism of the move that was mooted in the Union Budget.

The February notification put curbs on full withdrawal of provident fund by members after unemployment of more than two months, while it also barred withdrawal of the employer’s contribution before the age of 58 years.

The decision was first to come into effect immediately, but was first deferred till April 30 and then till July 31, before being scrapped totally on Tuesday evening.

Giving reasons for the rollback, Dattatreya said, “The reason is the request of trade unions. The earlier decision (to tighten the PF withdrawal norms) was also taken by the opinion of the trade unions. Now, when the trade unions are requesting, then we have

rolled back the decision.”

Earlier in the day in New Delhi, the Minister had said, “The notification (tightening PF withdrawal norms) will be kept in abeyance for three months till July 31, 2016.

We will discuss this issue with the stakeholders.”

Dattatreya said, employees and workers need not have any misconceptions in the wake of the cancellation of the order.

In a placatory move, the Labour Ministry also said, it was contemplating permitting withdrawal of all accumulations by Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation’s (EPFO) subscribers on grounds like purchase of house, serious illness, marriage and professional education of children.

The matter has been referred to the Law Ministry for clearance.

People had also launched an online campaign against the decision, which was first to be implemented from February 10.

Protesters pelted stones at a police station in Bengaluru and torched seized vehicles parked there, as the spontaneous agitation with no trade union leading it spun out of control. - PTI

INDIA

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READERS’ FORUM Quiz participation motivation for youngsters This refers to the ongoing Times of Oman Inter School Quiz Contest’s report. No doubt that the increased participation level in the contest indicates that young talents are realising their knowledge values on a wider platform and to share their understanding in a number of topics. It definitely helps improving their confidence level in the learning aspect along with empowering them morally that reflects in their career objectives. Our friends too are part of the contests and we feel proud. As students of all categories get the opportunity to try their luck to be with Scan this QR code the highest scoring, it’s a great honour for to send letters to the all those participants whether they win or Readers’ Forum, lose in the game. It’s truly an opportunity containing not more than 200 words with to raise the bar for each participating team full name, address realising how much they can contribute to and telephone share their thoughts in a larger perspective, number, may be sent especially in the current technologicallyby e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com). driven learning environment. The participation itself is a kind of motivation for the youngsters and they see it as a teamwork leading to success. As the contest becomes a yearly event, there is always an opportunity to add on new avenues of knowledge sharing, particularly in an academic background.

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SAM BROWN

Facade of Libya unity government to go on

LEONID BERSHIDSKY

General Alexander Bastrykin, who runs Russian equivalent of FBI, has provided insight into the thinking of President Vladimir Putin’s select circle of security men. His vision, published in Kommersant Vlast, includes Chinese-style Internet censorship and elimination of “fake democracy” to ensure that Russia can defend itself

B

ritain’s Minister of Defence, Philip Hammond announced he didn’t need Parliament to get Britain involved in another quagmire that will prove to be similar to its disastrous involvement in Afghanistan. Parliamentarians are making the strongest protestations.

Meanwhile the UN and EU has also stated it will change formally international recognition status, from the House of Representatives (HOR) parliament to Serraj, whether or not HOR recognise the Government of National Accord (GNA) which would give him control of Libya’s vast foreign assets, estimated at $140 billion. But Russia, who’s vote is pivotal on the UN Security Council, has said ‘not so quick.’

But on Monday night Serraj’s Wizard of Oz act reached its zenith when he addressed more than 50 of the great and good; foreign and defence ministers of the European Union gathered at a dinner in Luxembourg, his words coming to them by video conference.

As expected, the HOR on Monday in Tobruk, preferred, not unexpectedly, to yet again defer their decision. So the saga continues.

Nevertheless illogically the EU’s Federica Mogerini gave a Press Conference that same evening perpetuating the charade stating everything that had happened to Serraj and the GNA had been a success and further promised him she had €100m to give him!

Incredible.

To remind readers again, just over two weeks ago Serraj arrived on a barely sea worthy Libyan patrol boat for the last leg of the journey to preserve the illusion that this was not a foreign conjured coup.

The first leg was by Italian Frigate!

No more than 7 men were on the ship, the remnants of what should have been a 9-man Presidential Council. And where prey tell are the 30 ministers and 60 deputy ministers that constitute the GNA? Plucked from obscurity by the UN, a Tripoli businessman was selected one Serraj, to bring peace to Libya, who they expect to end the war between the Islamist National Salvation government in Tripoli and the elected parliament (HOR) in Tobruk. The further expectation then is for Serraj to head a united Libyan army crushing both IS and the migrant-smuggling gangs, the West’s twin

Libya headaches. Ridiculous; Impossible!

To preserve this illusion, western dignitaries are arriving in staged visits to the Libyan capital, a virtual ‘Potemkin Village’ show. An interesting historical parallel.

They land amid tight security at the city centre Mitega airport, guarded by their own small army and by the few militias who have taken Serraj’s side, and his promise of fat pay rises. From there it is a nervy two mile dash in armoured cars down the coastal highway to the naval base. Once the dignitaries are inside, they stay long enough for the allimportant photographs showing handshakes and meetings before scurrying away again.

On Monday the British Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond paid a very short visit to Tripoli’s Naval ‘bunker’ as it has become known.

A few days ago, as mentioned in a previous article, the French and German foreign ministers completed this sham also. Soon after their planes flew away, a militia blew up the home of a politician who had dared object to the new govenrment.

Hours later, another militia attacked the home of deputy designate prime minister, Ahmed Maiteeg from Misrata. Neither man was home, wisely staying well clear of this militia-infested city, but the second attack saw rival militias bring tanks onto the streets in fighting that spluttered for five hours.

Of Serraj there was no sign. He has spent most of the last fortnight abroad, in Cairo, Istanbul, London and Tunis, anywhere but Libya.

America’s Libya envoy Jonathan Winer tried to play down Saturday’s fighting, tweeting: “Shots fired, clash unintended & over quickly.” That tweet does not convince those Tripolitanians who spent Saturday night in their basements.

None of this was mentioned in Monday night’s Luxembourg gala dinner. EU leaders maintained the facade, and in fact enhanced it, promising to send diplomats to Tripoli, a city equivalent to Sarajevo of the early 90s.

The fallout from this mess will be felt hard throughout Southern Europe. IS will remain dug in on the coast a couple of hundred miles south, ready to carry out its threat to launch attacks on Europe’s tourist beaches. — Exclusive to Times of Oman

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES APRIL 2001 Health plan is based on WHO programme MUSCAT: Ali bin Mohammed Moosa, minister of health, has said in a statement that the Sixth-Health Plan (2001-2005) is based on the programming methods of the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the overall health situation of the community and at the same time giving priority to certain specific health problems. Including 14 programmes, the plan has been implemented from the beginning of this year. Three workshops were organized last year demonstrating the objectives of the plan, Dr Moosa said. Detailed plans for each region are being made in a bid to achieve decentralization, he added.

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PICTOGRAPH

OMAN’S REAL ESTATE SERVICES Total end of September (Million rials) 2014

2015

776.7

821.9

5.8%

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

1770: Captain Cook discovers Australia.

1775: British troops begin the siege of Boston.

1836: The Territory of Wisconsin is created.

1940: The first electron microscope is demonstrated.

1945: Soviet troops begin their attack on Berlin.

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

A1 3

PAKISTAN INSURGENCY

BOMB ATTACK IN MARDAN

Pakistani security officials inspect the site of a suicide bomb attack on a government building in Mardan, about 50 kilometres northeast of the region’s main city of Peshawar, on Tuesday. At least eight people were injured, two of whom were in critical condition, officials said. — AFP

Over 140 Balochistan militants surrender ISLAMABAD: More than 140 rebels surrendered to Pakistani authorities in insurgency-hit Baluchistan province, the government said on Tuesday, touting the development as a victory in the battle to secure a province targeted for major Chinese investment.

The rebels, from groups including the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Lashkar-e-Balochistan, laid down their arms on Monday, said Anwaarul Haq, a provincial government spokesman.

They included two “commanders” who were relatives of BLF chief Allah Nazar Baluch, Haq said. He did not give a specific figure for the number who surrendered, beyond saying there were “more than 140”.

“According to them, they were disillusioned from the fight, because they joined thinking that it was for a national cause, but within a year or two, they realised... that the movement was directionless,” Haq said. A BLF spokesman did not respond to a request for comment on the reported surrenders, but Baloch separatists have dismissed previous such events as

AUTONOMY OF UNIVERSITIES

Varsity teachers observe black day KARACHI/HYDERABAD: University teachers across Sindh observed a black day on Monday with classes suspended at public sector universities across the province.

Karachi University Teachers Society (KUTS) and NED University Teachers Association (NETA) members wore black armbands to protest the provincial government’s intervention in the autonomy of universities and shouted slogans against the Sindh Universities Laws (Amendment) Act, 2013.

The new law, the teachers argued, instead of making the universities autonomous, empowers the provincial government. The authority to appoint the vicechancellor, registrar, controller of examinations and finance director has now been given to the chief minister.

Resolve issue It was decided during a Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association (Fapuasa) meeting held on April 13 that classes will be suspended in all universities on Monday, while the next meeting will be held on April 26 in Nawabshah, said NETA president Professor Usman Ali Shah. A Fapuasa meeting has also been called in Islamabad to resolve this issue at the national level. “We have sent [the government] our recommendations and have also given them time to go through it,” said Shah.

The NETA president also said that teachers have been protesting these unlawful appointments and in favour of universities’ autonomy for the last two years.

The government representatives make promises each time but all of them in vain, he said.

“In the next step we will hold a protest in Islamabad,” said Fapuasa central president Dr Naimatullah Laghari at a press conference at Sindh University, Jamshoro, on Monday. Fapuasa Sindh president Dr Arfana Mallah added that they will soon file a petition in the Supreme Court to challenge the existing law.

Yet another blow Although the provincial government engaged Fapuasa in negotiations assuring them of taking up their recommendations, the subsequent amendment came as yet another blow to the academic community. The Sindh Universities and Institutes Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2014, further curtailed the academic oversight and replaced it with the bureaucratic control.

In May 2014 and August 2015 the provincial government advertised the posts of registrar, controller of examinations and finance director, however, strident protests by Fapuasa and university teachers associations forced the government to withdraw. The universities where academic activities were suspended include University of Karachi (KU), NED University of Engineering and Technology, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, Sindh Agriculture University Tando Jam, Shah Abdul Latif University Khairpur, Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering Science and Technology Nawabshah and University of Sindh Hyderabad. — Express Tribune

government-staged propaganda.

The government is keen to secure the province as work begins on the $46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor, a project that will see a trade route built along the length of Pakistan, culminating in Balochistan’s deep-water port at Gwadar. China Overseas Ports Holding Company took over Gwadar’s operations in 2013.

Attacks on security forces by the separatists are common, as are retaliatory operations by the Pakistani military and paramilitary forces, who rights group allege have abducted and killed hundreds of Baloch political activists.

Monday’s surrenders took place in Kalat district, about 130 km south of the provincial capital Quetta, which has seen a paramilitary crackdown in recent days.

Paramilitary forces said they killed 34 members of the rebel United Baluch Army during an operation there ten days ago. — Reuters

HAVE YOUR SAY

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

Raheel calls for broad based accountability The statement comes in the wake of the

The ongoing war against terrorism and extremism being fought with the backing of entire nation cannot bring enduring peace and stability unless the menace of corruption is uprooted

Panama Papers revelations shrouding the prime minister’s family among many other

General Raheel Sharif

prominent political

Army Chief

figures holding off-shore wealth

ISLAMABAD: In a veiled reference to the Panama Papers saga, army chief General Raheel Sharif has stressed on the need for an “across-the-board accountability” and for corruption to be uprooted to ensure the nation’s prosperity.

“Across-the-board accountability is necessary for the solidarity, integrity and prosperity of Pakistan. Pakistan’s armed forces will fully support every meaningful effort in that direction, which would ensure a better future for our next generations,” General Raheel said during his visit to the Signal Regimental Centre in Kohat on Tuesday.

“The ongoing war against terrorism and extremism being fought with the backing of entire nation

cannot bring enduring peace and stability unless the menace of corruption is uprooted,” the army chief upheld.

The statement comes in the wake of the Panama Papers revelations shrouding the prime minister’s family among many other prominent political figures holding off-shore wealth.

220 Pakistanis Around 220 Pakistanis, including three children of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, have been named in the massive leak of documents from a Panama-based law firm.

Prime Minister Nawaz has rejected any allegations of money laundering, claiming that his children have legitimate businesses abroad, and has called for the establishment of an inquiry commission.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-

e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan has come out in support of Raheel.

“Every single Pakistani stands with the army chief Sharif stance’s on across-the-board accountability in the country,” Imran said, while addressing a press conference in Peshawar on Tuesday.

Panama Papers The PTI chairman once again asked the prime minister to answer the questions raised in the wake of Panama Papers.

“The prime minister will have to answer the masses [about his alleged offshore wealth],” he said.

While giving the example of British Prime Minister David Cameron who recently made his tax returns for the last six years public, Imran said PM Nawaz should answer where his family made money from.

“Nawaz’s daughter and son’s statements are contradictory,” he alleged.

Meanwhile, during his visit to Kohat, the army chief interacted with officers, men and families of those killed in terrorist attacks.

Operation Zarb-e-Azb Raheel commended the extraordinary efforts of ranks of Signals Corps in providing communication support to Operation Zarb-e-Azb. He also appreciated the sacrifices rendered both by men in uniform and civilians alike in defeating the terrorists and dislodging them from their bases.

Earlier, Raheel pinned the badges of rank on the shoulders of Major General Sohail Ahmed Zaidi, Signal-in-Chief to formally install him Colonel Commandant of Corps of Signal. — Express Tribune

JUMP IN SHARE

China contributes more than half to foreign direct investment KARACHI: Foreign direct investment (FDI) increased 15.1 per cent in the first nine months of 2015-16 on a year-on-year basis, according to statistics released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday.

Pakistan received $957.4 million in FDI in July-March, which is $125.2 million higher than the investment received in the same period of the preceding fiscal year.

More than half of the FDI in the first three quarters of 2015-16 originated from China alone.

FDI stood at $161.7 million in March, up 39.4 per cent from the FDI received in the same month of 2015. Although the increase in the FDI appears satisfactory in percentage terms, a closer look at statistics reveals the year-on-year growth remained “concentrated in cross-border mergers and acquisitions” for at least the first six months of the fiscal year.

According to the SBP’s latest quarterly report, the FDI in greenfield projects stayed “virtually flat”

The share of Chinese investment in the net Foreign direct investment that Pakistan has received in July-March stands at almost 53.8%, which is twice its share of 23.2% one year ago

in nominal terms in July-December. The year-on-year growth in net FDI is mainly on the back of investment from China.

It amounted to $515.9 million in July-March, up almost 167 per cent from a year ago.

The share of Chinese investment in the net FDI that Pakistan

has received in July-March stands at almost 53.8 per cent, which is twice its share of 23.2 per cent one year ago.

In fact, excluding Chinese investment altogether would result in the FDI dipping 30.9 per cent on a year-on-year basis. This means the rise in the FDI from China has

offset the decrease in direct investments from the rest of the world in the first nine months of 2015-16.

The United States has traditionally been a big source of FDI, but US investors are now losing their interest in Pakistan. As opposed to making fresh investments, they are now pulling out their money

instead. US investors have pulled out $41.7 million from Pakistan in the first nine months of 201516, although net inflows from the world’s largest economy amounted to $144.6 million in the same period of the last fiscal year.

Pakistan has faced low levels of foreign investment in recent years.

The SBP has called an increase in FDI ‘imperative’ for the sustainability of the economy’s external sector.

Major outflows Other major outflows of FDI were from Saudi Arabian ($70.3 million), Egyptian ($34 million) and German ($32.2 million) investors in July-March, SBP data shows.

The largest net outflow of FDI in July-March was recorded in petrochemicals ($136.1 million) followed by metal products ($43.9 million) and IT services ($23.3 million).

China was followed by the United Arab Emirates ($126.1 million), Hong Kong ($120.4 million) and

Italy ($81.3 million) as the largest contributors to the FDI in JulMar. The largest increase in FDI in July-March was in the category of power, which attracted $471.6 million, up 240 per cent from a year ago. Other sectors that attracted substantial FDI in the first nine months of 2015-16 were oil and gas exploration ($223.8 million) and telecommunications ($73.4 million).

Pakistan received FDI of $709.3 million in 2014-15, which was 58.2% less than the FDI received in the preceding fiscal year. Largest contributor to the FDI during 2014-15 was the United States ($238.7 million), followed by China ($229.5 million) and the United Arab Emirates ($222.4 million).

Many foreign investors have left Pakistan for good in recent years because of the energy crisis and bad governance.

According to the latest annual report of the SBP, FDI divestments have taken place in cement, metal and pharmaceuticals. — Express Tribune

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

WORLD Food and water crisis in Japan quake-hit areas Flights resumed to the damaged airport in the southwestern area of Kumamoto, which suffered the worst of the damage, but aftershocks continued to rattle the region and

RESCUE OPERATION: Police officers search for missing victims in the village of Minami-Aso, Kumamoto prefecture on Wednesday. Two major earthquakes rocked the southwestern island of Kyushu, leaving a total of 44 people dead and more than 1,000 injured — 208 of them seriously — in Japan’s worst humanitarian disaster in five years. - AFP/ Jiji press

survivors spent another night huddled in cars

TOKYO: Survivors of a series of Japanese quakes measuring up to 7.3 struggled on Tuesday with shortages of food and water as the death toll rose to 44 and rescuers dug through mud and rubble for the missing, but hopes dimmed of finding them alive.

Japanese stocks bounced back from Monday’s slide, with electronics manufacturer Sony Corp climbing 6.7 per cent after saying its image sensor plant in Kumamoto, shut after the quake, makes components mainly for digital cameras.

Flights resumed Flights resumed to the damaged airport in the southwestern area of Kumamoto, which suffered the worst of the damage, but aftershocks continued to rattle the region and survivors spent another night huddled in cars and evacu-

ation centres, afraid to return to their damaged homes.

“It’s really tough,” one woman told TV Asahi, her two-monthold baby sleeping in blankets on the floor, at her side.

“There’s no milk and only the diapers we brought with us. Once they run out, there’s nothing.”

About 30,000 rescuers dug through mud and splintered houses, and Japanese media reported that one of those missing was pulled out without signs of life on Tuesday, four days after the worst quake struck in the early hours of Saturday.

Eight remain missing and more than 1,000 were injured. More than 94,000 people remained in evacuation centres, cut off from the world by destroyed roads, but television footage showed relief goods being unloaded from planes at the main airport and water services gradually being restored.

“These quakes have produced massive damage, and police, firemen and military personnel are making every effort to restore things,” Chief Cabinet Secretary

Yoshihide Suga told a news conference, warning of further aftershocks. A 5.8-magnitude quake hit the area late on Monday. Of more than 600 quakes hitting Kyushu since Thursday, more than 87 have registered at least a four on Japan’s intensity scale, strong enough to shake buildings.

The Kumamoto region is an important manufacturing hub and home to Japan’s only operating nuclear station, which has been declared safe.

The benchmark Nikkei rose 3.7 per cent to 16,869.29 in midmorning trade, with major exporters rebounding sharply after tumbling on Monday, hit by a stronger yen and worries that the earthquakes could disrupt their supply chains. A 9-magnitude quake and tsunami in northern Japan in March 2011 caused the worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl in 1986, shutting down the nuclear industry for safety checks and sending radiation spewing across the countryside. Nearly 20,000 people were killed in the 2011 tsunami. - Reuters

UKRAINE

Poroshenko hints at deal to swap pilot with Russia KIEV: Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Tuesday he and Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had agreed a framework for a deal to secure the release of Ukrainian pilot Nadezhda Savchenko from a 22-year jail sentence in Russia.

The sentencing of two captured Russian servicemen in Ukraine on Monday fuelled speculation that they might be swapped for Savchenko, 34, who was found guilty of involvement in the killing of two Russian journalists in 2014 during Ukraine’s separatist conflict. She has denied any involvement.

“Yesterday I initiated a conversation with Putin and based on preliminary preparations it seems to me we have managed to agree on a certain algorithm to free Nadezhda,” Poroshenko told journalists. The sentencing of the Russian soldiers “opens certain possibilities of initiating a swap.

But I strongly urge no speculation about a timeframe for (her) return or future steps.”

Petro Poroshenko

In her homeland, Savchenko is a regarded as a national hero and symbol of resistance to Russia, which annexed Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula in March 2014 after a Moscow-backed president was toppled during street protests in Kiev. Russia has also backed separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.

But many in Russia see her as a Ukrainian nationalist with the blood of civilians on her hands.

She was captured by pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine in

June 2014 at the height of fighting there between the Kiev government’s forces and Russianbacked separatists.

At her trial in Donetsk in Russia earlier this year she was accused of directing artillery fire that killed two Russian television journalists. Poroshenko said he had spoken to Savchenko by telephone and that she had agreed to end a hunger strike she has been observing on-and-off since late last year. Speculation that a deal might be afoot increased with the sentencing of two Russian soldiers, Alexander Alexandrov and his commander, Captain Yevgeny Yerofeyev, to 14 years in jail.

The pair were captured almost a year ago in eastern Ukraine and subsequently charged with preparing “an act of terror”.

Russia denies sending members of its military to help the rebels and says Alexandrov and Yerofeyev had quit their special forces unit to take part in Ukraine’s conflict on their own initiative. - Reuters

RITUAL MURDERS

Zambia police fight rioters as attacks on foreigners spread LUSAKA: Hundreds of people hurled stones at police and looted dozens of foreign-owned shops in different townships in Lusaka on Tuesday, police said, the second day of violence prompted by rumours of immigrants carrying out ritual murders.

At least six people have been murdered in the capital in the past four weeks and police said some body parts including ears and hearts had been removed.

This has raised suspicion of

ritual killings by immigrants, even though police have suggested neither. Rumours circulating on social media allege body parts would be used as charms to ensure success in business. Zambia hosts thousands of refugees from neighbouring countries, especially Rwanda and Burundi, but relations between the communities are usually peaceful.

A Reuters witness saw the rioters breaking into and loot a shop belonging to a Rwandan trader in

a crowded township east of Lusaka. Police spokeswoman Charity Munganga-Chanda said 62 shops had been looted and 256 suspects detained for looting and rioting.

Davis Mwila, the home affairs minister, said several foreigners had sought refuge in police stations for fear of being attacked.

The United Nations refugee agency condemned the attacks on foreigners, including refugees who have sought asylum in Zambia. - Reuters

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016 As much as 18 inches (45 cm) fell in some areas of Harris County, which contains Houston. More storms have been forecast for already saturated parts of Texas.

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

Five killed in Houston floods HOUSTON: Scores of schools were closed and cleanup was underway in Houston on Tuesday, a day after record rains hits the fourth most populous US city, causing floods that left five dead and led to more than 1,000 water rescues.

The National Weather Service has put a flash flood watch in effect for large parts of the Houston area and into southwestern Louisiana .

As much as 18 inches (45 cm) fell in some areas of Harris County, which contains Houston, and the weather service said heaviest daily rain records were set at the two main airports in the city.

More storms have been forecast for already saturated parts of Texas. About 9,000 customers were without power in the Houston area on Tuesday morning.

Flood waters that blocked roads to downtown and other main areas of the city have largely receded, with officials saying most people should be able to make it back to work. — Reuters

WORLD

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More than 320

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people were also injured when a suicide car-bomber blew himself up in central Kabul THE WOUNDED: Security forces transport injured after a suicide

car bomb attack in Kabul, on Tuesday. – Reuetrs

KABUL: A Taliban suicide bomb and gun assault on a government security building during Tuesday morning rush hour in central Kabul killed at least 28 people and wounded more than 320, in the deadliest single attack in the Afghan capital since 2011.

President Ashraf Ghani condemned the assault “in the strongest possible terms” in a statement from the presidential palace, located only a few hundred metres away from the scene of the blast.

The insurgency led by the Afghan Taliban has gained strength since the withdrawal of most international combat troops at the end of 2014, and the hadrline group is believed to be stronger than at any point since it was driven from power by US-backed forces in 2001.

With nerves on edge in Kabul, a second explosion hit the city in the evening but no serious casual-

NAT U R A L D I S A S T E R

Hopes dim for Ecuador quake survivors, toll rises to 424 PEDERNALES/CANOA: Rescuers in Ecuador were losing hope of finding more survivors on Tuesday from an earthquake which killed more than 400 people and dealt a shattering blow to the South American OPEC nation’s already fragile economy.

Praying for miracles, distraught family members beseeched rescue teams to find missing loved ones as they used dogs, bare hands and excavators to hunt through debris of flattened homes, hotels, and stores in the hardest-hit Pacific coastal region. The death toll stood at 424 but was expected to rise. The 7.8 magnitude quake, which struck late Saturday, also injured at least 2,600 people.

Supervising rescue work in the disaster zone, Ecuador’s leftist President Rafael Correa said the quake inflicted between $2 billion and $3 billion of damage to the oildependent economy and could knock between two and three percentage points off growth.

“Let’s not kid ourselves, it will be a long struggle ... Reconstruction for years, billions (of dollars) in investment,” said a deeply moved Correa.

Growth in Ecuador’s small economy had already been forecast near zero this year due to plunging oil revenues.

The quake destroyed or damaged more than 1,500 buildings,

A1 5

DEVASTATED: A flattened car is seen under the debris of a col-

lapsed building in town of Canoa, Ecuador. – Reuters

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triggered mudslides and left 18,000 people sleeping in shelters, according to the government.

In Pedernales, a devastated rustic beach town, crowds gathered behind yellow tape to watch firemen and police sift through rubble overnight. The town’s soccer stadium served as a makeshift relief center and morgue.

“Find my brother! Please!” shouted Manuel, 17, throwing his arms to the sky in front of a corner

store where his younger brother had been working when the quake struck. When an onlooker said recovering a body would at least give him the comfort of burying his sibling, he yelled: “Don’t say that!” But for Manuel and hundreds of other anxious Ecuadoreans missing their relatives, time was running out. As of Tuesday, rescue efforts would become more of a search for corpses, Interior Minister Jose Serrano told Reuters.

In many isolated villages or towns, quake survivors struggled without water, power or transport. Rescuers continued their search but the sickly stench of death told them what they were most likely to find. — Reuters

ties were reported from the blast, which was caused by an improvised device, according to Interior Minister spokesman Sediq Sediqqi. Police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said civilians and members of the Afghan security forces were among those killed and wounded in the morning blast, when a suicide car-bomber blew himself up outside the wall of a National Directorate of Security (NDS) office.

Witnesses described chaotic scenes after the blast. “I was here when a huge explosion happened,” said Amir, who works in a nearby restaurant. “I saw three boys with severe head injuries. My uncle was injured and my brother is missing, I don’t know what happened to him.”

It was the worst single militant strike in Kabul since 2011, when about 60 people died in a suicide blast outside a mosque, and will reinforce concerns in Afghanistan and the West that the country is being dragged into a worsening spiral of violence.

Rahimi said one attacker had tried to slip into the NDS building through a destroyed wall after the blast, but he was discovered and killed. The Taliban said on their Pashto-language website that they had carried out the sui-

cide bombing on “Department 10”, an NDS unit responsible for protecting government ministers and VIPs. They said a suicide car bomber blew up the main gate at the front of the office, allowing other fighters, including more suicide bombers, to enter the heavily guarded compound.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a separate statement that the attackers engaged in a gunbattle with Afghan security forces inside the building. He said as many as 92 security staff and soldiers were killed. The hardline group often exaggerates details of attacks against government and military targets. A thick plume of black smoke was seen rising from the area near the sprawling US embassy complex nearby immediately after the blast.

Warning sirens blared out for some minutes from the embassy compound, which is also close to the headquarters of the NATO-led Resolute Support mission.

The US embassy and the NATO mission both said they were not affected by the blast. — Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t litter a beautiful country like OMAN. Ensure proper disposal of garbage.

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

MARKE

OMAN CRUDE RISES Oman Crude price (June delivery) touched $39.62 per barrel, said Dubai Mercantile Exchange. The price of Oman Crude rose $1.81 from the price of Monday, which was $37.81 a barrel. — ONA

Muscat 5,709.03 + 49.10 + 0.87%

Dubai 3,562.94 + 37.50 + 1.06%

Abu Dhabi 4,589.05 + 31.89 + 0.70%

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Kuwait 5,328.19 + 38.51 + 0.73%

Saudi Arabia

6,515.93 + 91.03 + 1.42%

Bahrain 1,126.90 + 0.35 + 0.03%

Qatar 10,290.32 + 58.80 + 0.57%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.27 Pound ...........................................1.80 Indian Rs .............................. 172.31 Pakistan Rs .........................267.31 Bangla Taka....................... 201.01

Indian Rs ................................... 172.75 Pakistan Rs .............................. 271.75 Sri Lanka Rs .................................. N/A Bangla Taka........................... 203.35 Phil Peso .................................... 119.50

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

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$39.58 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) ........$39.38 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) .........$41.44 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........ $38.73 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) ........$43.46

* Rates are as of Apr. 19 Source: Bank Muscat

West Texas Int ....... (Spot) .........$40.17

* Rates as of Apr. 19 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

Oman power firm plans to invest OMR300 million The investment is being made for building power infrastructure for a three-year period from 2016 to 2018

VITAL INVESTMENT: The company has a three-year plan, which

is starting from this year. — Times file picture

A E JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman Electricity Transmission Company (OETC) plans to invest OMR300 million over a three-year period for building new transmission lines for evacuating power and up-

grading existing infrastructure for distribution.

The investment is being made for building power infrastructure for a three-year period between 2016 and 2018.

“Half of this amount will be invested in supporting evacuation of power from the power plants

PRODUCER PRICE INDEX

Oman’s inflation rate declines in fourth quarter MUSCAT: Oman’s Producer Price Index (PPI)-based inflation fell by 23.3 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter of 2014, according to data released by National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Meanwhile, compared with the previous quarter, fourth quarter inflation was down by eight per cent.

Prices of oil and gas products fell by 26.6 per cent year-on-year in fourth quarter, while non-oil products fell by 7.1 per cent.

Crude oil and natural gas logged a price decline of 26.2 per cent. At the same time, refined oil products went down by 29.6 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year compared with prior year.

Inflation in the non-oil manufacturing sector decreased 9.6 per cent, while mining, electricity and water prices went up 1.1 per cent. Minerals, stones and

sands also saw a 5.3 per cent upward revision, while food, beverages and textiles products logged a price fall of 5.3 per cent. The decline in fish, fruit, vegetables and oils stood at 9.3 per cent, whereas dairy products saw prices falling by 11.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared with prior year quarter. The decline was 2.1 per cent in the bakery and other food product category.

Beverages logged a price fall of 0.3 per cent, while clothing, textiles and footwear went up by three per cent during the period.

Transportable goods declined 8.7 per cent, while prices of paints went down 3.7 per cent. There was a 2.2 per cent price fall in the pharmaceutical products subset.

Rubber and plastics products registered a 1.3 per cent price slump, in contrast to a 0.9 per cent price rise in glass, cement and marble products. - ONA

coming up at Sohar (Sohar 3) and Ibri,” Ali bin Said Al Hadabi, chief executive officer of OETC, told the Times of Oman, in an exclusive interview. “We have a threeyear plan, which is starting from this year.”

A consortium led by Mitsui has signed a contract earlier this year

to build two independent gas-fired combined cycle power plants with a combined power generation capacity of 3,150 megawatt (MW)— 1,450MW unit in Ibri and another 1,700 MW unit in Sohar.

The mega power plants will supply approximately 30 per cent of the electricity that will be consumed in the Muscat area, once these projects become operational in 2019.

Al Hadabi said his company is awarding some projects (400 kilowatt lines) in Batinah and Ibri, which are going to be constructed within the next two to three years.

This is in line with the completion of the Sohar and Ibri independent power projects. “OETC will expand its 400 kV network in the Sohar and Ibri areas. The purpose of new 400 kV line is to evacuate power from the new power plants, which are coming up in Sohar and Ibri,” he noted.

He also pointed out that the entire OMR300 million investmentis for expanding transmission lines and sub-stations within the main interconnected system areas (MIS), north and south of Oman to meet the growing need for new load, which is expected in the next few years. The MIS areas cover the governorates of Muscat, Buraimi and most of the South Batinah, Dakhliyah, Sharqiya, North Batinah and Dhahirah regions, serving a majority of electricity customers in Oman.

Talking about the sources of funds, Al Hadabi said the company had raised $1 billion from overseas markets in 2015 for funding investment programmes. “We are planning to raise more funds (next year) to support our future capital investment. We are still evaluating different options. It could be from within the country or outside,” noted Al Hadabi.

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ........15.15 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 149.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) .............140.50 * Rates as of Apr. 19 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

CENTRAL BANK OF OMAN

Tenders worth OMR15m floated MUSCAT: A tender of Government Treasury Bills was held at the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) this week.

The total value of the allotted treasury bills amounted to OMR15 million, for a maturity period of 91 days, from April 20, 2016 until July 20th, 2016.

The average accepted price reached 99.788 for every OMR100, the minimum accepted price arrived at 99.780 per OMR100 whereas the average discount rate and the average yield reached 0.85234 per cent and 0.85415 per cent respectively.

Financial instruments The Treasury Bills are short-term highly secured financial instruments issued by the CBO. The interest rate on the Repo operations with CBO is one per cent for the period from Apr 19, 2016 to 25 April, 2016, while the discount rate on the Treasury Bills Discounting Facility with CBO is 1.75 per cent, for the same period. — ONA

B2

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

MARKET Duqm industrial hub’s progress on right track

DUBAI PROPERTIES

Oman government is spending billions

Emaar made ‘severe cost cuts’ as housing market turns weak DUBAI: Emaar Properties implemented ‘severe cost cuts’ as the developer of the world’s tallest tower responded to weakening Dubai housing market last year, its chairman said.

“We were really scared of 2016,” Mohamed Alabbar told reporters on the sidelines of a shareholders meeting in Dubai on Monday. “We were pleasantly surprised” as first quarter sales were good, “but we are working so much harder than before. So much harder.”

Dubai’s biggest developer is dealing with one of the world’s most volatile housing markets, where falling oil prices, weaker currencies in Europe and Russia and an abundance of properties has hurt demand.

Home prices are down 10 per cent in the first quarter from a year earlier, while rents declined 5 per cent, JLL said in a report published on Monday.

“We are still cautious on 2016, 2017 but maybe we are too cautious, too careful,” Alabbar said.

Property buyers from the five Gulf nations still make up the bulk of Emaar’s customers in Dubai, while Indian buyers are still coming, he said.

Emaar, which earlier this week moved to separate from Indian partner MGF Developments is in the early stages of the process,

the chairman said. He declined to comment on the potential financial impact for Emaar.

“India is a huge market. It has its own opportunities. It has its many many challenges,” Alabbar said. “Is it easy to do business in India? I don’t think it’s easy to do business anywhere but we will have to move on and carry our own flag and put in our own operations, our own staff.”

World’s tallest building Emaar, which had planned to sell shares in its hotels unit, is unlikely to do so this year as market conditions remain unfavorable. “We are not rushing,” Alabbar said.

The Dubai-based developer has plans to build what would be the world’s tallest building by 2020, in time for the Dubai World Expo, and of course the renderings from architect Santiago Calatrava Valls are stunning: a slender, minaretlike spire supported by cables that appear to drape the structure.

“We’re looking for a tower and a monument that adds value to the world,” said Emaar chairman Mohamed Alabbar in a video last week announcing the project. He didn’t say how tall the building would be, only that it would be “a notch taller” than another Dubai tower, the Burj Khalifa, currently the world’s tallest building, at 2,717 feet. - Bloomberg News

of dollars to develop the area around the remote fishing village of Duqm into a sprawling business zone, aiming to attract companies that will create tens of thousands of jobs

WORK IN FULL SWING: In addition to the ship repair yard and its adjacent port, the Duqm Special Economic Zone will include an oil refinery, a petrochemical complex, manufacturing operations and warehousing and logistics facilities. – Reuters

DUQM: On a stretch of barren coast 550km (345 miles) south of the capital Muscat, workers at a ship repair yard swarm over cargo vessels from around the world, labour that will help determine Oman’s fate in an era of cheap oil.

The yard, owned by the government’s Oman Drydock Company and operated by South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering, is far from the country’s industrial areas in the north.

But it’s at the centre of the biggest single economic project in the history of Oman, part of efforts to wean the country off exports of crude oil and gas and diversify into downstream industries before the country’s limited financial and oil reserves begin to run out.

The government is spending billions of dollars to develop the area around the remote fishing village of Duqm into a sprawling business zone, aiming to attract companies that will create tens of thousands of jobs. In addition to the ship repair yard and its adjacent port, the

Duqm Special Economic Zone will include an oil refinery, a petrochemical complex, manufacturing operations and warehousing and logistics facilities. A fish processing district will become the focus of Oman’s fishing industry. A tourism area aims to bring in hard currency from foreign visitors.

“We are diversifying beyond hydrocarbons,” said Saleh Hamood Ali Al Hasni, the executive in charge of handling investment applications at Duqm. “We have to create jobs for the people and attract foreign direct investment.”

Other Gulf oil exporting states have cut spending on infrastructure and development projects in the past 18 months as low oil prices have strained their finances.

Oman’s finances have also been hit hard, but it does not have as much time as its neighbours. Its financial reserves are estimated in the tens of billions of dollars rather than hundreds, and its proven oil reserves will last only 15 years at the current rate of production, oil

company BP estimates.

So the government is continuing to spend heavily on Duqm and other, smaller projects to move the economy beyond crude oil. Total state investment spending rose 5.5 per cent from a year earlier to OMR2.81 billion ($7.3 billion) in the first 11 months of 2015, even as the government ran a budget deficit of OMR4.07 billion, the latest official data shows.

Spending Five years ago, Duqm had a population of about 3,000 villagers and no commercial air links to the rest of the world; workers coming from outside were housed in tents, portacabins or a retired cruise ship moored at the port.

Now, four-lane highways — still almost empty of vehicles — snake across the desert while power and water lines have been laid across scores of square kilometres.

Housing complexes and commercial buildings are rising from the sand. An airport opened in 2014,

but the passenger terminal is still under construction.

The area’s population has risen to about 13,000, including workers, and is set to hit 67,000 in 2020, officials say. In the longer term, authorities talk of a city of 100,000 or more. Financing all of this building is a challenge. The government has so far spent $1.2 billion and will find it hard to come up with the billions more that will be needed if oil prices stay low.

Hasni said the zone was looking at several options to raise money, including a possible bond issue and a loan from international banks, and had started generating fee income that would help it to finance itself. A bigger challenge may be attracting enough private investment. - Reuters

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FIRST QUARTER

Emirates NBD profit misses estimates over funding cost DUBAI: Emirates NBD reported first-quarter profit that missed analyst estimates as a rise in lending income and a drop in provisions at Dubai’s biggest bank was partly offset by higher funding costs.

Net income advanced to Dh1.81 billion ($493 million) from Dh1.67 billion a year earlier, according to a statement posted on Nasdaq Dubai. The median estimate of three analysts was for a profit of Dh1.91 billion, according to data.

Net interest income rose 3 per cent and impairment allowances, including for bad loans, dropped 24 per cent. The bank’s net interest margin declined to 2.6 per

cent from 2.9 per cent.

Liquidity pressure “Liquidity pressures in the sector continued to ease in the firstquarter from the tight conditions experienced in the second-half of 2015,” Shayne Nelson, group chief executive officer, said in the statement. “We remain cautiously optimistic for the remainder of 2016 but are conscious of the headwinds that a strong dollar and volatile oil price can present.”

Banks from the United Arab Emirates to Saudi Arabia are facing liquidity pressures as a more than halving of oil prices over approximately the past two years

has slowed deposit growth and pushed up funding costs.

The three-month Emirates Interbank Offered Rate, a benchmark used to price some loans, climbed 29 basis points in the past year to its highest in nearly three years. Banks are preparing for deteriorating conditions into next year as oil prices remain lower for longer, leading to a decline in government spending, slower economic growth and falling asset quality, Standard & Poor’s said in January.

Emirates NBD’s loans increased 12 per cent at the end of March from a year earlier to Dh279 billion. - Bloomberg News

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

B3

MARKET NON-AUDIT SERVICES

Audit firm hails new rule, but calls to review fees Times News Service MUSCAT: An audit company on Tuesday welcomed the regulatory restriction in providing non-audit services to their clients. However, the firm has requested the authorities to reconsider restrictions on non-audit fees.

“The new regulation restricting the scope of activities that can be undertaken by statutory auditors to their listed clients is a welcome decision,” said Davis Kallukaran, managing partner of Crowe Horwath Oman.

He said this would bring in more independence and transparency to the financial reporting.

OUTLOOK

World economy worrisome and grim, says India’s finance minister NEW YORK: Global economic situation is ‘grim’ and ‘worrisome’ that has prompted the nations to put up ‘firewalls’ around their own systems to save themselves from the slowdown and grow within the limitations, India’s Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said.

“If you were to ask me how’s the global situation, I think it’s grim and worrisome and what will be the state of play a year or two years from now, I don’t think anybody has been able for sure to hazard even a significant guess,” Jaitley said at the Asia Society here when asked what his prognosis is for the global economy for the next couple of years.

He said given the challenging global economic situation, the level of ambition in nations is such that even an one-two per cent economic growth is considered “good growth under the circumstances”.

“The global situation is challenging,” he said, adding that global factors have impacted India also and “they are hurting us in terms of exports in particular.

Chinese economy He added that the Chinese were ‘reasonably optimistic’ because in the first quarter their economy had picked up 6.7 per cent. He said like the rest of the world, China too has its own challenges “because a transformation is taking place in China with their emphasis toward domestic consumption and services in play.”

Jaitley said each of the regions in the world is trying to do its best within the limitations that exist. “Low commodity prices have hurt some people and helped some people. Low oil prices have helped some people, it has hurt some people...Each one is trying to put firewalls around their own system so that within the limitations how best you can save yourself from the slowdown and grow within the limitations that the world has created for you,” he said.

Meeting investors Jaitley, who had last week participated in the spring meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, addressed analysts, economic experts and business executives at a session organised by Confederation of Indian Industry and the Asia Society Policy Institute in the city on Monday.

He will also be meeting investors and top business executives and address a session at the United Nations during his stay in the city.

On protectionism, Jaitley said, “I can tell you that developing economies being protectionist is much less worrisome (than) when (in) the most developed countries you hear noises of protectionism.” - PTI

However, Kallukaran noted that restricting the activities to three and restricting the fees from such activities to be not more than the 25 per cent of the audit fees is tricky.

“Auditors come across quite a lot of information and situations while carrying out the audits. It requires time and efforts of people with the right skills and experience outside the audit to analyse and report the information,” he said While statutory audits are considered to be a routine affair, the other services of taxation, interim reporting and forensic audits is executed by partners and team with the right skills, knowledge and expertise gathered over so many

years and it is costly.

“In my opinion, the fee restriction of 25 per cent of the audit fee is to be reconsidered,” noted Kallukaran. The market regulator on Monday said that audit firms are now allowed to carry out three non-audit services — audit related services, taxation advisory services and investigation of matters arriving from auditor findings or observations — to their audit clients.

Across the globe, regulators are putting increased emphasis on the independence of auditors. Accordingly, the Capital Market Authority has reviewed a circular issued in 2009, which allowed 13 non-audit services for their clients.

The new regulation restricting the scope of activities that can be undertaken by statutory auditors to their listed clients is a welcome decision. In my opinion, the fee restriction of 25% of the audit fee is to be reconsidered Davis Kallukaran

Managing partner, Crowe Horwath Oman

Islamic finance to grow at a fast pace: Bank Nizwa CEO The newly-launched mobile branch will help customers to open new accounts, activate debit cards, receive account balances and mini statements, deposit cash and cheques

MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

MOBILE BRANCH OPENING: Over the next few months, the mobile branch of Bank Nizwa will travel

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com

all-around the Sultanate offering a host of products, services and also make the people aware on the benefits of Islamic banking. - JUN ESTRADA/Times of Oman.

MUSCAT: Islamic financial institutions in the Sultanate are expected to achieve a healthy growth in the banking sector in the near future, said the chief executive officer of the Bank Nizwa.

“Within no time, Islamic finance will grow above 15-20 per cent of the total banking sector activities in Oman,” Dr Jamil El Jaroudi, chief executive officer of Bank Nizwa told Times of Oman.

Stating that Bank Nizwa will open new branches in the Sul-

tanate by the end of the year, he remarked that Oman will be the leader in the Islamic finance soon.

“People’s aspiration on Islamic banking is huge because it is an industry of transparency and fairness so it has no uncertainty,” he said on the sidelines of the launch of Bank Nizwa’s mobile branch.

Speaking about the bank’s growth, he said, “we were able to reach breakeven in December in

the three years of time and we consider this as a great achievement because it is a new industry and the sort of operation is different from other conventional banks.”

Branch on wheels “This achievement also put us in an important cruising level and we are able to reach the level that to continue as a very successful organisation,” he added.

“Through our new mobile branch, we can easily identify the market needs and demands for future branch location and services,” he said. According to him, the ‘branch on wheels’ will take customer close to the bank.

“Our mobile branch is part and package of our strategy to deliver greater convenience and accessibility to existing and potential customers,” he said.

“We are continuing our efforts to raise awareness on Islamic banking and bring it to the doorsteps of our growing customer base across the Sultanate,” he added.

Over the next few months, mobile branch will travel all-around the Sultanate offering a host of products, services and also make the people aware on the benefits of Islamic banking.

According to bank officials mobile branch will help customers to open new accounts, activate debit cards, receive account balances and mini statements, deposit cash and cheques.

“Our main idea in launching mobile branch is to be more mobile and offer our products and services to the people across the Sultanate,” Asad Batla, head of Consumer Banking said.

“Our teams of expert will also available in the truck and they offer financial consultations on how they can benefit from this growing industry in their day to day lives,” he added.

Truck’s journey will start from the governorate of Muscat, moving on to Dakhiliyah, Al Sharqiya, Dhofar, Al Batinah and Al Buraimi.

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R E A L E S TAT E

Gulf investor to double investment in US properties DUBAI: Investcorp Bank, the Gulf’s largest private investor in the United States real estate over the past 10 years, plans to step up property investments in the world’s largest economy as it seeks to double assets under management to $25 billion over the next five to seven years.

The company expects to spend $1.5 billion on US real estate in the fiscal year through June, compared to about $860 million in the yearearlier period, Jonathan Dracos, head of real estate at Investcorp, said by phone from New York.

The company, which has backed companies including Tiffany and Gucci under founder Nemir Kirdar, is looking to grow its real-estate business in the US by acquiring office and residential buildings, he said.

Investcorp is also planning to invest about $200 million in European property in the 12 months starting from July, Dracos said.

The firm is returning to European real estate after abandoning the

build its hedge-fund business, and may also seek to do larger transactions in the US through its private equity arm.

market in 1994 because of low returns. This time, returns from European deals are not expected to be “that much” lower than those in the US, he said.

The Bahrain-based money manager is charting a new growth plan under executive chairman, Mohammed Al Ardhi, after a generational shift in the management of the company last year. Moham-

med Al Shroogi and Rishi Kapoor were appointed co-chief executive officers in April last year after Abdul Rahman Salim Al Ateeqi, who had been chairman since Investcorp was founded in 1982, retired and Kirdar became chairman.

Under the new management team, Investcorp aims to double assets under management, expand investment products, re-

Bigger deals Last month, Investcorp hired Neil Hasson from Macquarie Group to spearhead its European realestate investments. The company will be looking to buy residential and commercial properties in the UK, France and Germany, Dracos said. Real-estate investments account for 15 per cent to 20 per cent of the firm’s revenue, and has around $1.5 billion of assets under management.

“We’ve been talking about Europe internally for a long time, been asked about it by clients for a number of years, and we see a good investment opportunity there for us as a logical extension of our private equity and hedge fund platforms, which are already in Europe,” Dracos said.

Investcorp was one of the first companies from the Gulf to chan-

nel capital into the US and Europe, and into real estate. Over the past six months it has purchased residential property in metropolitan areas of Boca Raton, Florida and Minneapolis, and office and industrial property in Atlanta, San Francisco and Boston.

Investcorp buys real-estate and private-equity assets using its own balance sheet to underwrite deals and then syndicates the equity to its clients, and charges a fee. When the firm acquired an office building in Washington for about $90 million earlier this year, it sold the deal off to at least four investors in less than two weeks, Dracos said. The transaction was the first as part of the firms’s plan to target larger real-estate deals that can be sold to a smaller group of investors happy to hold the assets for longer. “There are still good deals to be found in the US,” Dracos said. “There’s been more foreign capital coming in but the returns we see are still quite compelling.” – Bloomberg News

B4

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................ 5,709.71 ...............5,663.99 ................... 5,709.03 ................... 5,659.93..................49.10 ................... 0.87 Financial Index .....................................7,276.94 ............... 7,186.27 ................... 7,276.32 ....................7,170.78............... 105.54 ................... 1.47 Industrial Index ....................................6,967.35 .............. 6,926.90 ................... 6,966.95 ...................6,898.68................. 68.27 ...................0.99 Services Index .......................................3,175.68 ...............3,162.30 ....................3,171.92 ...................3,162.20.................... 9.72 ................... 0.31 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................862.88 ..................855.95 ...................... 862.67 ...................... 855.99....................6.68 ................... 0.78 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 25,580,767 ................. 3,873,090 ..................1,165 ............... 16,760,573,450 ................27 ........................3 .................... 15 .........................45

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 19 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 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 3,361,737........319,213...................103 ........... 0.094 ...........0.096 ...........0.093........... 0.095 .............0.088 ........... 0.007............. 7.955 ................0.096..............0.096...................0.000 .................. 27,548,161 .........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 299,541 ............18,734......................21 ........... 0.064 ...........0.064 ...........0.062........... 0.063 .............0.059 ........... 0.004............. 6.780 ................0.062..............0.062...................0.063................... 13,050,537 .........0.100

Muscat Securities Market. – Times file picture

OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 2,020,397 .....330,682..................... 67 ............0.159 ........... 0.166 ...........0.159 ........... 0.164 ............. 0.156............ 0.008............. 5.128 ................0.166 .............. 0.165...................0.166..................260,035,776........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 905,000 ............66,122......................18 ........... 0.073 ........... 0.074 ...........0.072........... 0.073 .............0.070 ........... 0.003.............4.286 ................0.074..............0.073...................0.074...................12,775,000 .........0.100

MSM index ends higher

OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 694,990 ..........119,358..................... 49 ............0.170 ........... 0.174 ...........0.170 ............0.172 ............. 0.165............ 0.007.............4.242 ................0.173 .............. 0.173...................0.174 ...................21,482,449 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ...........................15,000 ...............1,890........................3 ............0.127 ........... 0.129 ...........0.124........... 0.126 ............. 0.121............ 0.005............. 4.132 ................0.124..............0.124...................0.128.................... 7,414,245 ..........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 1,180,942 .......271,981.....................80 ........... 0.230 ...........0.236 ...........0.227........... 0.230 .............0.221 ........... 0.009.............4.072 ................0.230..............0.227...................0.230 ..................66,849,735 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 1,823,420 ......400,553...................149 ............0.216 ...........0.222 ...........0.216 ........... 0.220 .............0.212 ........... 0.008............. 3.774 ................0.222............. 0.222...................0.223 ..................33,016,500 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 968,859 ..........111,980..................... 76 ............0.115 ........... 0.118............0.114 ............0.116 ............. 0.112............ 0.004............. 3.571 ................0.115 ...............0.115................... 0.117 ...................10,440,000.........0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 2,480,468...... 319,989........................9 ............0.129 ........... 0.130 ...........0.129........... 0.129 ............. 0.125............ 0.004.............3.200 ................0.130 ..............0.128...................0.129...................25,800,000.........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ...................... 106,700 .............. 9,106........................7 ........... 0.086 ...........0.087 ...........0.085........... 0.085 .............0.083 ........... 0.002............. 2.410 ................0.085..............0.085...................0.086....................2,550,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 101,554............ 49,558........................4 ........... 0.488 ...........0.488 ...........0.488........... 0.488 .............0.480 ........... 0.008............. 1.667 ................0.488..............0.486...................0.488..................161,465,882 ........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............39,000 .............10,373........................8 ........... 0.268 ...........0.270 ...........0.264 .......... 0.266 .............0.262 ........... 0.004............. 1.527 ................0.264..............0.263...................0.264 ...................5,586,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ....................... 460,624 .........102,396..................... 30 ........... 0.220...........0.230 ...........0.218........... 0.222 .............0.219............ 0.003............. 1.370 ................0.218 ..............0.218...................0.226 ..................21,098,880 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 118,424............ 86,474......................16 ............0.724 ........... 0.732 ...........0.724........... 0.732 .............0.724 ........... 0.008............. 1.105.................0.732 ..............0.732...................0.736..................476,491,176 ........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ..............................................................80,424 .............31,794......................14 ........... 0.392 ...........0.396 ...........0.392........... 0.396 .............0.392 ........... 0.004............. 1.020 ................0.396..............0.396...................0.398..................988,515,102 ........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 2,323,566......287,500..................... 50 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.122........... 0.124 ............. 0.123.............0.001 ............. 0.813 ................0.123 ..............0.123...................0.125................... 15,112,500 .........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................22,122 ................7,013........................9 ........... 0.330 ...........0.330 ...........0.306............0.318 ............. 0.316............ 0.002............. 0.633 ................0.316 .............. 0.316...................0.318...................17,490,000 .........0.100

Galfar Engineering was the top gainer, up by

OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 280,648 ............57,800..................... 25 ........... 0.206...........0.206 ...........0.204 .......... 0.206 .............0.205 ............0.001 ............. 0.488 ................0.204 ............ 0.204...................0.206 ..................41,200,000.........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................ 11,979 .............12,875......................16 ............1.050 ............1.115 ............1.050 ............1.075 ............. 1.070............ 0.005 ............. 0.467 ................1.070 ..............1.060...................1.100 ..................215,000,000 .......0.100

7.95 per cent, while Al Jazeera Services was

OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ............................... 1,177,192 .......305,645..................... 47 ........... 0.260...........0.262 ...........0.258........... 0.260 .............0.260 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.258..............0.258...................0.260 ..................26,000,000 ........0.100

the top loser, down by 1.20 per cent.

OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 300,000...........30,000........................5 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.105..................200,031,279........0.100

OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN .................................. 50,000 .............13,100........................4 ........... 0.262 ...........0.262 ...........0.262........... 0.262 .............0.262 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.262..............0.256...................0.262 .................386,392,694 .......0.100

OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY..................................... 25,000 ............ 42,625........................3 ............1.705 ........... 1.705............1.705 ............1.705 ............. 1.705............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.705 ............. 0.000................... 1.705 ..................152,938,500........0.100 OM0000001889............SALALAH MILLS.............................................................2,262 ...............3,280........................5 ............1.450 ........... 1.450 ...........1.450 ............1.450 ............. 1.450............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.450 ............. 0.000...................1.450...................69,836,443 .........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 100,000 ........... 27,800........................2 ........... 0.278 ...........0.278 ...........0.278........... 0.278 .............0.278 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.278..............0.277...................0.278...................82,347,404.........0.100

MUSCAT: Driven by sharp rebound in banking stocks, the MSM30 Index posted a gain of 0.87 per cent to close at 5,709.03 points. The MSM Sharia Index ended at 862.67 points, up by 0.78 per cent. Galfar Engineering was the most active in terms of volume, while Al Anwar Holding led in terms of turnover. Galfar Engineering was the top gainer on Tuesday, up by 7.95 per cent while Al Jazeera Services was the top loser, down by 1.20 per cent.

As many as 1,165 trades were executed on Tuesday, generating turnover of OMR3.87 million with 25.6 million shares changing hands. Out of 45 traded securities, 27 advanced, three declined and 15 remained unchanged. Foreign Investors were net buyers for OMR214,000 while GCC and Arab investors were net sellers for OMR123,000 worth of shares followed by Omani investors for OMR91,000.

Financial Index recovered strongly to end at 7,276.32 points,

up by 1.47 per cent. Al Madina Investments, Bank Nizwa, Bank Sohar, Al Madina Takaful and Gulf Investment Services advanced by 6.78 per cent, 5.56 per cent, 5.13 per cent, 4.29 per cent and 4.13 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index advanced by 0.99 per cent to close at 6,966.95 points. Galfar Engineering, Al Hassan Engineering, Al Jazeera Steel, Oman Cement and Gulf International Chemicals increased by 7.95 per cent, 6.58 per cent, 4.24 per cent, 1.67 per cent and 1.53 per cent, respectively.

Services Index closed at 3,171.92 points, up by 0.31 per cent. Renaissance Services, Port Services, Ooredoo Oman, Phoenix Power and National Gas gained by 4.07 per cent, 1.37 per cent, 1.10 per cent, 0.67 per cent and 0.63 per cent, respectively.

Al Jazeera Services, Sembcorp Salalah and Oman Telecommunications Company lost 1.20 per cent, 1.19 per cent and 0.63 per cent, respectively. — United Securities

OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ...........................................................552 .................. 232........................1 ........... 0.420 ...........0.420 ...........0.420........... 0.420 .............0.420 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.420..............0.420...................0.440 ..................25,410,000 .........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 117,894 ............ 24,886..................... 10 ............0.211 ........... 0.213 ...........0.211 ............0.211 ............. 0.211............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.211 .............. 0.211...................0.215..................142,401,248........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 307,118 ............ 66,033.....................20 ............0.215 ........... 0.216 ...........0.215 ............0.215 ............. 0.215............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.216 ..............0.216...................0.218..................153,597,363 ........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ....................................................4,470 ............... 1,827........................5 ........... 0.408 ........... 0.410 ...........0.408........... 0.398 .............0.398 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.410 ..............0.408...................0.410...................20,895,000.........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 106,849 ..........167,985......................21 ............1.570 ........... 1.580 ...........1.570 ............1.570 .............1.580............-0.010 ........... -0.633 ...............1.570 ..............1.560...................1.570................ 1,177,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................ 37,750 ............... 9,418........................7 ........... 0.250 ...........0.250 ...........0.243........... 0.249 .............0.252 ...........-0.003 ............-1.190................0.243..............0.245...................0.260 .................237,688,416 ........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 238,000 ........... 58,880......................19 ........... 0.252 ...........0.252 ...........0.245........... 0.247 .............0.250 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.200 ...............0.245............. 0.244...................0.245 ...................15,117,455..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 19,762,482......3,367,102 ..............903 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......33........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................. 155,000 ............12,628..................... 22 ........... 0.076 ...........0.083 ...........0.076........... 0.081 .............0.076 ........... 0.005............. 6.579 ................0.083..............0.083...................0.000 ................... 6,091,848 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 3,280,396......248,724..................... 79 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.078 ...........0.074........... 0.076 .............0.072 ........... 0.004............. 5.556 ................0.076..............0.075...................0.076..................114,000,000........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ................................6,500 .................. 832........................1 ............0.128 ........... 0.128 ...........0.128........... 0.128 ............. 0.123............ 0.005............. 4.065 ................0.128 ..............0.120...................0.128...................12,800,000.........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 771,030 ........... 46,263.....................24 ........... 0.060 ........... 0.061 ...........0.060........... 0.060 .............0.058 ........... 0.002............. 3.448 ................0.060..............0.060...................0.061...................60,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ..................................................... 964,292 ............ 67,159..................... 72 ........... 0.070 ........... 0.071 ...........0.068........... 0.070 .............0.069 ............0.001 ............. 1.449 ................0.069..............0.068...................0.069....................8,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE.................................................... 120,000 ............13,946......................12 ............0.118 ........... 0.118............0.116 ............0.116 ............. 0.115 .............0.001 ............. 0.870 ................0.117 .............. 0.116...................0.120...................30,939,007.........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 422,500........... 63,696..................... 43 ............0.152 ........... 0.152 ...........0.150 ............0.151 .............0.150.............0.001 ............. 0.667 ................0.152 ..............0.150................... 0.151 ................. 220,852,820 .......0.100 OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. .......................1,850 .....................61........................1 ........... 0.033 ...........0.033 ...........0.033........... 0.034 .............0.034 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.033..............0.033...................0.035....................2,890,000..........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS .................................................95,000 ............ 52,250........................4 ........... 0.550 ...........0.550 ...........0.550........... 0.550 .............0.550 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.550..............0.550...................0.000 ..................86,625,000.........0.100 OM0000001426............OMAN REFRESHMENT ..................................................130 .................. 273........................1 ........... 2.100 ........... 2.100 ...........2.100........... 2.200 .............2.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.100............. 0.000...................2.200 .................110,000,000........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 5,816,698 ...... 505,831...................259 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......10........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 .................................................845 .....................87........................2 ............0.103 ........... 0.103 ...........0.103........... 0.102 .............0.102 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.103 ..............0.103...................0.106...................32,603,553 .........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ...........................742 .....................69........................1 ........... 0.093 ...........0.093 ...........0.093........... 0.093 .............0.093 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.093..............0.093...................0.099...................30,147,030 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .......................................................................................1,587 ...................156........................3 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........2........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

PERFORMANCE

ECONOMY

China growth hopes reduce urgency Earnings data show of more steps on economic stimulus IBM still struggling BEIJING: China’s leaders sound more confident that the world’s second-largest economy has arrested a slide in growth to quarter-century lows, but their policy advisers caution it is too early to call an end to a cycle of easing that began in 2014.

Signs the economy is picking up give the central bank room to keep its policy powder dry for now so it has the ammunition later to cope with any possible shocks from domestic economic restructuring and expected US rate rises, the policy insiders said.

“We still need to loosen policy and there is room for cutting interest rates, but the urgency for doing so has been reduced,” said one policy adviser. The advisers requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

Data on Friday showed that the annual pace of economic growth slowed to 6.7 per cent in the first quarter, its weakest pace since early 2009. Growth for all of 2015 was the slowest in 25 years.

But stronger-than-anticipated activity indicators for March suggested the economy was gaining momentum as it headed into the second quarter, fuelled partly by a surge of new debt. Industrial output, exports and retail sales were all surprisingly strong.

Rather than celebrating, China’s main stock indexes ended slightly lower on Friday on worries that the data would prompt Beijing to ease up on providing extra policy support for the economy.

Since late 2014, the central bank has cut interest rates six times in its most aggressive easing campaign since the global financial crisis .

It has also cut bank reserves

recent weeks. On April 8, Premier Li Keqiang said China’s economic indicators had shown signs of improvement in the first quarter, although such improvement was not solid yet due to a sluggish world economy and market volatility.

CHINA CENTRAL BANK: Three government economists said they still expected the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) to cut bank reserves three or four times this year and reduce official interest rates at least once. - Bloomberg file picture

— the bank reserve requirement (RRR) — five times. Reducing reserves frees up cash that the banks can then use for lending.

But three government economists said they still expected the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) to cut bank reserves three or four times this year and reduce official interest rates at least once.

Policy decisions Policy decisions have been made more difficult by the financial markets turmoil in 2015 and early this year. Leaders have been wary of cutting interest rates excessively in case it revives downward pressure on the yuan and fresh capital outflows.

“A rise in inflation has narrowed room for further interest rate cuts and RRR cuts may not happen soon as capital outflows ease,” said an economist at a top government think-tank.

To be sure, the central bank can

use other policy tools, including special lending facilities, to help cushion the economic pain from restructuring the economy, even as the government leans more on fiscal spending and tax cuts to support growth.

“The window is open as the central bank wants to boost liquidity and lower borrowing costs, but the central bank has many means — it has developed many new policy tools,” said Zhang Jun, dean of Fudan University’s School of Economics.

The central bank did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

Bottoming out?

China’s economic slowdown in recent years has caused jitters in world markets at a time when the government wants to reduce a reliance on industry in favour of services and consumers.

Leaders have sounded more positive about the economy in

'Better than expected' “The overall situation is better than expected,” Li was quoted by state media as saying.

Some market economists agree. After March inflation data, ANZ Bank scaled back its expectations for monetary policy easing this year to one more RRR cut this year, instead of three.

On Friday, UBS upgraded its 2016 economic growth forecast to 6.6 per cent from 6.2 per cent, and said it no longer expected an interest rate cut this year. But the investment bank said there were concerns about the sustainability of growth and about debt.

Indeed, there was a surge of new debt at the start of 2016 which could have helped the economy gain strength in March.

Yuan loans rose 25 per cent over a year earlier.

Rising debt levels in China is a concern though. In a report last week, the International Monetary Fund flagged the risks of commercial bank loans to the corporate sector, saying 15.5 per cent of them, or $1.3 trillion, were now held by borrowers without sufficient income to cover interest payments.

Continued strong lending to a weakening corporate sector would sap potential economic growth because the loans would only refinance existing debt rather than new projects, the IMF further said. — Reuters

NEW YORK: IBM forecast second-quarter profit that fell short of analysts’ projections, signalling its multi-year effort to become a purveyor of cloud products and technology using artificial intelligence won’t soon stop its fouryear sales slump.

About 38 per cent to 39 per cent of the company’s full-year earnings forecast of at least $13.50 per share will come in the first half, Chief Financial Officer Martin Schroeter said on Monday. That projects to about $2.78 to $2.92 a share, compared with the $3.45 average of analysts’ estimates compiled by Bloomberg.

IBM shares IBM shares fell as much as 5.4 per cent to $144.30 in extended trading. They gained 0.5 per cent to $152.53 at Monday’s close in New York and are up 11 per cent this year.

The Armonk, New York-based company recently changed how it reports its business segments in an an effort to better reflect Chief Executive Officer Ginni Rometty’s focus on moving toward cloud, analytics, social, mobile and security products and services. While those newer operations, grouped under the umbrella of strategic imperatives, grew at double digits to $7 billion, it hasn’t been enough to offset declines in International Business Machines Corp.’s legacy business.

First-quarter sales First-quarter sales fell 4.6 per cent, dropping for the 16th consecutive quarter, to $18.7 billion, the company said on Monday in a statement, beating the average analyst estimate of $18.2 billion.

Currency dragged on revenue by less than three percentage points,

– Bloomberg file picture

while the company had previously forecast a three to four percentage point impact.

New products Revenue in cognitive solutions, which comprises older and newer software and includes the Watson data analytics units, declined 1.7 per cent to $3.98 billion in the period. About 63 per cent of the revenue came from IBM’s strategic imperatives. Most of the company’s software sales also come from this division. Total software revenue declined, IBM said.

In particular, growth of the newer offerings in cognitive solutions, which houses much of what IBM is counting on as a major part of its future, was slower than growth in some other segments. The new software is sold on an as-a-service basis. and it takes time to build up this type of product, Schroeter said in an interview.

That software as a whole doesn’t seem to be improving is disappointing, said Dan Morgan, senior portfolio manager at Synovus Securities.“This is a bucket where we would have liked to see some sort of improvement. The jury is still out on whether Rometty is going to pull this thing out,” he further added. — Bloomberg News

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B5

GHEDEX 2016

APU: Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier private varsity offers technology courses It is Asia PaciďŹ c University of Technology & Innovationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (APU) aim to nurture and encourage innovation through its programmes of study with the intention of producing individuals who will learn, adapt and think differently in new and better ways

MUSCAT: The Asia PaciďŹ c University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is among Malaysiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier private universities, where a unique fusion of technology, innovation and creativity works effectively towards preparing graduates for signiďŹ cant roles in business and society globally.

APU has earned an enviable reputation as an award-winning university through its achievements in winning a host of prestigious awards at national and international levels.

This year the university is participating in Ghedex 2016 which will end tomorrow.

Originally established as the Asia PaciďŹ c Institute of Information Technology (APIIT) in 1993 and Asia PaciďŹ c University College of Technology & Innovation (UCTI) in 2004, APUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sound approach to nurturing school leavers into qualiďŹ ed professionals has resulted in its graduates being highly sought after by employers. With an international student community from more than 100 countries

ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES

studying in its Malaysian campus, APU offers a truly cosmopolitan learning environment which prepares students well for the global challenges which lie ahead. APU offers a wide range of degrees with technology as a common core.

It is APUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s aim to nurture and encourage innovation through its programmes of study, with the intention of producing individuals who will learn, adapt and think differently in new and better ways.

The Asia PaciďŹ c University has and always will continue to

develop and deliver its academic programmes through unique and well-established international partnerships, particularly with Staffordshire University UK but also with other partners throughout the world.

This formidable combination of Malaysian homegrown programmes fortiďŹ ed with international benchmarking, provides students with the assurance that the qualiďŹ cations gained from APU truly meet international quality standards.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Frederick University for higher qualiďŹ cation

Education Zone: A big platform

MUSCAT: Frederick University is a vibrant private university operating in the Republic of Cyprus, a member state of the European Union.

The university, enjoying respect and recognition both nationally and internationally, offers a broad range of over 70 academic programmes of study in the areas of science, engineering, business, arts, architecture, media, humanities, health, and education. The university has a strong focus on academic research, being one of the leading research organisations in the country.

Its target audience in Ghedex would be high school graduates (including those graduating this coming term) as well as holders of bach-

MUSCAT: Education Zone has been helping students; governments and companies to upgrade their skills and register at topnotch universities, colleges and schools for the past 13 years.

It has produced educational books, worked on top-level government programmes, helped universities start up and directed thousands of students in choosing the right path.

At Ghedex 2016, Education Zone looks for students from high school and also undergraduate and graduate students.

It works with a customer service focus, professional management philosophy with clearly deďŹ ned deliverables and commitments. Education Zone deals with

elor or master degrees interested in obtaining high quality and affordable education leading to recognised qualiďŹ cations that ensure profes-

sional career and advancement.

With its dedication to academic excellence, provision of innovative and high-quality programmes of

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

study and active research, Frederick University is an ideal destination for young people interested in obtaining the knowledge, skills and free thinking needed to address the challenges of the modern world.

The mission of Frederick University is the provision of learning opportunities through teaching and research as well as a systematic contribution to the wider social context.

The university is exhibiting in Ghedex because it believes that this is a ďŹ rst class opportunity to inform the well qualiďŹ ed graduates - of all levels - in the Sultanate of Oman, about the educational opportunities and other facilities available at Frederick University as well as student life in Cyprus.

At Ghedex 2016, Education Zone looks for students from high school and also undergraduate and graduate students international universities and institutions that are recognised by all the ministries in the GCC countries. As it deals with many prestigious universities around the world, Education Zone covers whole range of courses like summer camps, language, diploma, bachelors and masters and PHD.

FOCUS ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Reputed Fresno State varsity Cyprus Institute eyes Omani brings wide variety of options students wanting to do PhD MUSCAT: Fresno State is classiďŹ ed as a doctoral university by the Carnegie ClassiďŹ cation of Institutions of Higher Education, and is one of the most innovative universities in the 23-campus California State University system.

With a long-standing tradition of excellence, US News and World Report ranked Fresno State 11th among top public schools nationwide in 2015; Fresno State has also been recognised among â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Top 50 Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Universitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; for service and ethics.

The impressive student-faculty ratio (23:1) aids in creating quality interactions both inside and outside of the classroom, while essential student support services such as supplemental instruction, academic tutoring, and academic success workshops enhance academic achievement.

Fresno will be part of Ghedex and will target freshmen, undergraduate transfer students, and graduate students. Omani students at Fresno State are seen as academically strong leaders in and out of the classroom.

At Ghedex, it will be offering 100-plus academic degrees and credentials to choose from, and the university boasts 26 discipline-

speciďŹ c accredited departmental programs, which is one of the highest in the CSU system.

Fresno Stateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinguished business programmes are approved by the elite Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and prominent engineering programs are ABETaccredited, guaranteeing global recognition.

WA S H I N G T O N & J E F F E R S O N C O L L E G E

EXHIBITION

Great opportunity to study at renowned American college MUSCAT: Join one of Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oldest and most prestigious fouryear colleges of liberal arts and sciences, located 30 miles south of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Washington & Jefferson College (W&J) has 32 Majors & 27 Minors including 3-2 Engineering where you study 3 years at Washington & Jefferson College and 2 years at either Columbia University, Case Western Reserve or Washington University, St. Louis.

They also offer accounting, biochemistry, biology, biological physics, business administration, computing and information studies (CIS), education, English, ďŹ nancial economics, international business, physics, psychology, pre-law and pre-health.

Its primary reason of attending Ghedex is to create awareness to seekers of education in Oman of the opportunities for a fantastic education at Washington & Jefferson College.

You can apply to its four-year undergraduate programme directly or through the English Language Institute. At W&J there are multiple resources available through classroom education, friendships in college and an increasing community of diverse learners creating a wonderful college experience.

Rankings W&J is ranked in the top 100, and 11th among Pennsylvania institutions, in US News & World Reportâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 National Liberal Arts College Rankings. It is listed in the 2016 edition of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fiske Guide to Colleges,â&#x20AC;? which features 300 of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;best and most interestingâ&#x20AC;? colleges and universities in the country, and The Princeton Reviewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015 guide, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Best 379 Colleges.â&#x20AC;?

W&J also earned a place on Kiplinger Personal Financeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s list of the Top 300 Best College Values of 2016, detailed in the article, â&#x20AC;&#x153;W&J Named a 2016 Best Value College

by Kiplinger Personal Finance.â&#x20AC;?

Acknowledged for embodying exceptional economic and academic value, W&J is ranked in the top 100 of the magazineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best Value Liberal Arts Colleges of 2016, and

MUSCAT: The Cyprus Institute (CyI) is a research and educational institution with scientiďŹ c and technological focus. It consists of issue-oriented research centres that address challenging problems both at the regional and international levels.

Cyl is exhibiting in Ghedex 2016 to disseminate its educational programme and activities so as to attract Omani students.

Currently, the institute offers three highly exclusive, crossdisciplinary PhD programmes of study in: Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; )'*/. .#)( &Ĺ&#x2014; # ( Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; # ( Ĺ&#x2014;Ä&#x2039;Ĺ&#x2014; "()&)!3Ĺ&#x2014;#(Ĺ&#x2014; /&tural Heritage Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ( ,!3Ä&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2014; (0#,)(' (.Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x2039;Ĺ&#x2014; .mospheric Sciences CyI provides PhD studies that are research oriented providing the opportunity to candidates

ranks 272 overall.

Academic and student life At Washington & Jefferson College, they are proud to offer an education that is close-knit and community based with a student:faculty ratio of 10:1 providing close academic supervision. Students are provided abundant opportunities to participate in social, extracurricular, and cultural activities with over 80 student run organisations.

Additionally, the offices and departments within student Life coordinate a variety of services, programmes, and events to help W&J students adjust to campus life, get involved on campus and in local communities, learn about themselves and others, and begin to explore careers and prepare for life after college.

University of Reading comes to town MUSCAT: University of Reading is participating in Global Higher Education Exhibition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ghedex being held till tomorrow.

University of Reading established in 1892, is ranked in the top one percent of universities in the world. It is a global university that enjoys a worldclass reputation for teaching, research and enterprise.

It delivers a world-class student experience, research-led teaching and their graduate employability record is excellent.

The university is committed to maintaining a supportive, challenging and high-quality experience for all students.

Community atmosphere Reading has a community atmosphere â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the distinctive student experience and provision of close student support makes it a great place to study.

It offers a wide range of facilities including SportsPark, Library, Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union and over 5,000 rooms in Halls of Residence, all located on or close to main Whiteknights campus.

In Ghedex, it will be targeting student for Higher Education in UK for all levels from international foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and masters.

to work alongside distinguished faculty, get trained in the use of cutting edge methods and techniques, have access to state-ofthe-art infrastructure and carry out research within internationally recognised research teams.

These PhD studies could be

jointly pursued with internationally recognised institutions with which CyI maintains agreements for dual degrees such as the University of Illinois, the University of Lund, the Universities of Aachen, Wuppertal and Rome â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tor Vergataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

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

Westford School of Management targets working professionals MUSCAT: Westford School of Management is an educational institute that provides discerning learners an opportunity to earn reputed international qualiďŹ cations from UK from the comfort of their home, office or any place of their choice.

The partner universities and awarding bodies of Westford School of Management have more than 150 years of rich heritage and needless to mention, accredited by the relevant bodies of the Government of UK. At Ghedex, its target audience is primarily the working professionals, though they also have programmes catering to regular students looking for undergraduate and masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s programmes.

It will also be keen to target the HR and learning & development heads/managers of companies so as to promote its academic and corporate training programmes in company.

Westford School has a variety of courses and programmes but for Ghedex it would be promoting MBA, Chartered Banker MBA, higher national diploma, BA Hons, professional diploma programmes and management development programmes.

Its primary reason of attending Ghedex is to create awareness to the aspiring learners of the availability of quality UK qualiďŹ cations right at its doorstep.

Study tour A chance to have 2-week international study tour for some of the programmes, opportunity to attend their convocation at the UK and possibly a dinner with the VC, convenient study options for busy professionals and last but not the least affordable fees with ďŹ&#x201A;exible instalment scheme is surely a value for money.

A regular student who wishes to pursue a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree, a working professional who wishes to upgrade his qualiďŹ cations for a career growth or an executive who aspires to have a professional diploma to deepen their domain knowledge in a speciďŹ c industry; are all sure to ďŹ nd a course that is not only fulďŹ l their learning requirements but also is convenient enough for them to complete the programme within their busy schedule.

This is achieved by tapping into the power of technology and a curriculum that is relevant to the current dynamic markets.

B6

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

ROUND-UP SOLE MANAGED SERVICES SUPPLIER

Ericsson to operate and maintain Omantel network and innovations for the continued evolution of the Omantel 3.0 transformation strategy.

“This agreement with Ericsson comes as a part of our objective to deploy new digital smart home, innovative business and e-government services throughout 2016 and beyond.”

“Our strategy positions Omantel as the digital partner of choice, and the increased level of collaboration with Ericsson signals our accelerated approach toward network investment, enhancement and upgrades across the Sultanate, both for retail consumers and

ment service will assist Omantel in improving revenues, reducing churn and enhancing campaign effectiveness. Ultimately, CVM will support sustainable, incremental revenues by triggering personalized and relevant campaigns at the right time, at the right location and to the right customers – all in real time.

Talal Al Mamari, CEO,Omantel, says: “At Omantel, we see ourselves as innovators and early adopters of new technology. It is therefore vital that we partner with companies who can work with us symbiotically to deliver new services

MUSCAT: Ericsson and Omantel have signed a four-year managed services contract in which Ericsson will operate and maintain Omantel’s network as the sole managed services supplier.

The operator has also selected Ericsson to provide its real-time customer value management (CVM) service.

With CVM, Omantel can deliver targeted, personalised campaigns with advanced capabilities focused on enriching customer experiences and driving cognitive marketing, says a press release.

The CVM campaign manage-

All-new MG GS launched This stylish, dynamic and compact midsized SUV was revealed to the audience in a grand celebration at the Oman Avenues Mall

MUSCAT: Morris Garages (MG) – the iconic British motor racing brand – recently unveiled the allnew MG GS, adding the first SUV to its product series in the Sultanate of Oman.

This stylish, dynamic and compact mid-sized SUV was revealed to the audience in a grand celebration at the Oman Avenues Mall recently, says a press release.

Unlike other SUVs in the midsize segment, the MG GS is powered by a 2.0L turbo engine and delivers an impressive 220 horse-

power. Achieving 0-100km/h acceleration in 8 seconds, the GS’s performance will rival that of many premium models, redefining the term ‘high-performance’ and creating a new benchmark in driving experiences for SUV customers. With All-Wheel Drive and differential locks systems, built on a platform dedicated specifically for SUV vehicles, the complete

package provides the driver with the ability to surpass the performance typically offered by a 2.5L engine and approach that of 3.0L. New innovation “MG’s evolving range reflects its adventurous approach and the launch of the new MG GS marks a new innovation in our portfolio,” said Dr Tony Sun Guang – general

manager of SAIC Motor Middle East. “Daring to be different, the MG brand has always been devoted to creating ‘dream cars’ for those who want to feel alive. Its distinct first class features, stylish design and excellent performance come uncompromisingly at a cost that is easily affordable.”

The MG GS has been tested and customised to suit the Middle East-

ern conditions. Keeping the aesthetic preferences of its customers in mind, the MG GS design has a trendy mix that combines sporty elegance with sharp, smooth body lines and swooping flowing shapes.

As for power, the MG GS has 20 to 30 percent more power when compared to its competitors in the class. With easy steering-control, seamless gear shifts and excellent handling on the curves, the abundance of power in this SUV is duly brought out, giving the MG GS a spirited performance.

“MG cars have always been well-received by the Oman market,” said Vasudev Rao Varkoor, director - Automotive Products Division. “The new MG GS is the first SUV that will be a part of the MG family and the anticipation, excitement and thrill we see in our customers already, is remarkable.

The MG cars have maintained a flawless record of customer satisfaction and we are quite certain that the MG GS will be a major success too. We have heard out our customers’ wish for a car that is affordable, yet high in power and efficiency while being attractive even on the design quotient,” he concluded.

S U M M E R H O L I D AY O F F E R

corporate clients. We aim to be the nation’s digital partner of choice, helping to bridge the digital divide across all sectors of society.”

Jean-Claude Geha, vice president and head of Managed Services, Ericsson, says: “With the deployment of Ericsson’s customer value management services, together with a long-term managed services partnership, Omantel will be able to enhance network and services capabilities while grasping the new opportunities created by the networked society with innovative services that will enhance the customer experience.”

APRIL 22

AIM Oman set to celebrate 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar MUSCAT: Indian Diaspora in Oman, united under Ambedkar International Mission (AIM) Oman, is celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on April 22 from 9am to 3pm.

Indra Mani Pandey, Indian Ambassador to Oman, M. K. Pathmanaathan, Sri Lankan ambassador and Mangesh Dahiwale, chairman Manuski, will preside the function, says a press release.

Ambedkar was the chief architect of Indian Constitution and the 1st Law Minister of independent India. He was a very well-known social reformer, political leader, eminent jurist, Buddhist activist, philosopher, anthropologist, historian, orator, writer, economist, scholar and editor too. The contribution that Ambedkar made in shaping modern India is well recognised. He was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour in 1990.

OMAN CHAPTER

Vacations launches ‘Summer Sale 2016’ Jadavpur University MUSCAT: Vacations, the outbound holidays division of Travel Point, Oman’s largest travel and hospitality company, has launched the ‘Summer Sale 2016 – It’s Payback time’ campaign. This one of a kind summer holiday offer in Oman will run from April 20 to June 30.

The Summer Sale 2016 vouchers have been launched on Travel Point’s online portals — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the website (www.askvacations.com), where customers can avail vouchers worth $500 per mobile number at the click of a button and save, print or email them, says a press release.

For every OMR500 spent on a holiday package, customers can instantly redeem $50 by presenting the vouchers at the time of booking to the travel consultants.

Vouchers will also be available at the Travel Point – Vacations office

at Said Plaza in Qurum (Next to Sabco Centre).

Customers can utilise unredeemed vouchers until December 31 for future purchases. Customers can bring the vouchers either printed on a paper or saved on their personal devices to Travel Point to avail their discounts on holiday packages.

The Summer Sale 2016 offers customised land packages to anywhere in the world including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Morocco, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Southern Spain, Uzebekistan, Scandinavia, Japan, China, Iran, Cyprus and Zanzibar in addition to all other conventional holiday locations. Vacations – Travel Point also offers family vacations geared towards children with special itineraries that include London Harry Potter Tours, Gold Coast, Australia, Paris Disneyland and Park Astrix.

2016 UEFA European Championship live on beIN channels

June 10 to July 10 The 2016 UEFA European Championship, commonly referred to as Euro 2016, will be the 15th edition of the UEFA European Championship, the quadrennial international men’s football championship of Europe organised by UEFA. It is scheduled to be held in France from June 10 to July 10. Spain are two-time defending champions. beIN Media Group, which is a leading provider for sports channels in broadcasting all live action of global sport events has

Point said, “The idea behind the Summer Sale 2016 is to give back to our customers something with the exciting itineraries that Vacations by Travel Point has tailormade for the season. We have created experiences for people on their holidays, rather than limit it to the usual tour itineraries. Vacations can be an expensive affair for families during this time, so Travel Point intends to give customers a reason to travel with holiday plans and these gift vouchers will make it easy on the pocket so our customers don’t have to fret while planning a vacation with their family and loved ones. It is payback time and a win-win situation for our passengers!”

“We request the people of Oman to watch out for all online platforms and not miss their chance of grabbing the $500 voucher for their holiday,” added Prabhakar.

Alumni’s ‘Sanskriti 2016’ set for April 22 MUSCAT: Jadavpur University Alumni - Oman Chapter has made its mark in Oman with its multifaceted social, educational and cultural activities.

Over the last one decade, Jadavpur University Alumni has hosted its own cultural programme ‘Sanskriti’ as an extension of its popular university campus annual cultural festival. The objective is to reach the cultural connoisseurs of Muscat through a diverse range of programmes.

Sanskriti 2016 will open with Shotyi Bhuter Golpo, an one-act play of Manoj Mitra performed by alumni members, followed by

the most awaited musical journey with Swagatalakshmi Dasgupta - an icon of dexterity in the Indian music industry, says a press release.

The musical voyage is all set to entertain and enthral Muscat audience in one of the most awaited events to be held on April 22 at Al Falaj Auditorium (Grand Hall) from 7.30pm. This treat for music lovers is being organised by Majan Events in association with Jadavpur University Alumni Oman Chapter, and a splendid evening is guaranteed for all.

Entry is by invitation only. for passes, contact jualumnioman@ gmail.com.

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EXCLUSIVE

MUSCAT: Euro 2016 will be broadcasted live and exclusive of beIN channels. beIN has dedicated 4 channels for Euro 2016; beIN Max 1HD, beIN Max 2HD, beIN Max 3HD and beIN Max 4HD which will open only for the Euro 2016 subscribers, says a press release.

Itineraries for Europa Park and Orlando Universal Studios are also on offer. For customers looking to explore the wild and seeking adventure, Safari Vacations such as the Great Migration Special Offer in Masai Mara, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia are readily available. For customers looking to relax and frolic under the sun and sand can avail beach vacations in Malaysia, Bali, Australia, Miami and Valencia. For couples, romantic vacations in places like Male, Mauritius, Seychelles, Phuket, Krabi & Koh Samui, Greece and Austria are available.

For those fancying a cruise this summer, Travel Point offers you a wide range of cruise packages on leading cruise liners, including the exciting Disney Cruise Liner, which is a must do on a travel bucket list.

Sunil Prabhakar, CEO Travel

announced five packages keeping different nationality sports viewers in mind and also boosting entertainment experience.

Euro 2016 package The last package is the Euro 2016 package that will be broadcasting in June/July 2016. The Euro 2016 package is available as an add-on with at least Access package or with an active Sports or Sports Global package expiring after July 15. Copa America football tournament will also be available on the Euro 2016 package. The new packages facilitate customers to choose depending upon their interest and budget.

Mustafa Sultan Enterprises Entertainment Factory (Pay-Tv) division is pioneer in Pay TV business for more than 20 years and is the distributor for OSN in Oman.

Besides OSN, MSE-EF is a leading distributor for beIN Sports.

Toyota Prius delivers superb driving dynamics MUSCAT: With a striking, new design that complements its refined interiors, the Prius stands out as a global hybrid icon.

All set to create a significant impact in terms of sustainable mobility in the region, the Prius delivers on superb driving dynamics with remarkable results in terms of engine performance and fuel economy. Its advanced safety technologies signify comprehensive protection for passengers, says a press release.

Spearheading a new era in hybrid technology across the Middle East, Toyota Prius is today by far the world’s most successful hybrid car. The fourth-generation Prius brings ground-breaking environmental performance along with a striking new design, in addition to a fun-to-drive spirit that promises to appeal to eco-conscious customers as well as driving enthusiasts.

The first-generation Prius was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. Anticipating the 21st century’s need for vehicles with exceptional fuel efficiency, successive generations of Prius

have showcased Toyota’s commitment to environmentally conscientious forward thinking, and led the company’s drive towards the creation of the ultimate eco-car.

According to Takayuki Yoshitsugu, chief representative, Middle East and North Africa Representative Office, Toyota Motor Corporation, “The Prius underlines Toyota’s continued commitment to progressive thinking and being environmentally conscious. The new model is a triumph of technology and boasts significant advances in every area, with a clever, class-leading aerodynamic design that allows it to offer excellent fuel

and emissions efficiency without sacrificing either cabin space or driving ease and comfort.”

Yoshitsugu continued: “The Prius is a symbol of Toyota’s innovative nature and inherits Toyota’s legendary QDR (Quality, Durability and Reliability). Over 3.5 million satisfied customers have put their faith in the car to make it the world’s most popular hybrid. Toyota fans in the region can rely on the brand’s extensive and comprehensive support network to enjoy their ownership of the Prius.”

Combining improved aerodynamics, excellent handling and comprehensive safety features

with an elegant interior designed to pamper its occupants, the allnew Prius represents another step forward for Toyota’s renowned hybrid technology.

The Prius is a superior hybrid and eminently versatile. Unlike most of other hybrids, the Prius can be driven completely on electrical power or with a combination of electric motor and gasoline engine depending on the driving behaviour.

Based on the advanced Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) – an innovative, integrated development program for powertrain components and vehicle platforms – the all-new Prius takes the hybrid driving experience to another level, thanks to a lower centre of gravity, increased body rigidity and improved suspension.

The new Prius design is based on Toyota’s Iconic Human-tech design philosophy of fusing emotional and rational vehicle factors, the exterior of the Prius hints at the car’s advanced functions while also expressing its fun-todrive spirit, creating an instant and lasting impression.

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General Auto hosts public launch of new Mitsubishi Montero Sport The launch event included several exciting games, food stalls, stage entertainment and a lot more fun-filled activities for the entire family to enjoy, including a raffle draw for all attendees every hour

MUSCAT: Following its recent press debut, General Automotive Company (GAC), the official distributor of Mitsubishi vehicles in Oman, hosted the public launch of the all-new 2016 Mitsubishi Montero Sport recently at the Oman Automobile Club in Seeb.

The two-day launch event included several exciting games, food stalls, stage entertainment and lot more fun-filled activities for the entire family to enjoy, including a raffle draw for all attendees every hour. Visitors were also invited to test drive the all-new Montero Sport on the dedicated off-road track at the Oman Automobile Club. As a part of the launch, GAC also announced the beginning of a special raffle draw where everyone who test drives the new Montero Sport until May 30, as well as those that drove the vehicle at the launch

event, will be provided with an opportunity to win an iPhone 6 every week, says a press release.

Incredible response Commenting on the all new vehicle, Manoj Ranade, the GM of General Automotive Company said, “We received an incredible response from the public for the launch of the new Montero Sport, with over 1,800 visitors and over 400 test drives conducted at the

event. Visitors who test drove the Montero were also pleased with it, with many praising its quality, performance and especially its styling. Receiving such positive feedback is a sure sign that the all-new Montero Sport will make a fine and successful addition to our Mitsubishi’s fleet in Oman.”

In its appearance, the all-new Montero Sport has been boldly sculpted and stylishly accented; its assertive aerodynamic body deliv-

M U S I C A L T R E AT

SUPPORT

Bank Muscat to co-host EY Student Excellence Awards event on April 25 MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of its commitment to the country’s youth and initiatives aimed at sustaining the country’s progress and development, is co-hosting EY (Ernst & Young) Student Excellence Awards ceremony under the auspices of Saud bin Nasser Al Shukaili, secretary general of Taxation at the Ministry of Finance, on April 25 at InterContinental Hotel.

As the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, Bank Muscat leads by example and the support to EY Student Excellence Awards stems from its commitment to the country’s future generations, says a press release.

Bank Muscat has adopted a series of measures in line with the Royal directive of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to develop the

potential of youth in the progressive march of the nation. The bank remains committed to shouldering its developmental and social responsibilities within the framework of cooperation and coordination with all segments of society, especially youth who represent the country’s future.

The EY Student Excellence Awards are a recognition of high achievers in the fields of Accounting, Finance and IT. The awards programme is a challenge for youth to excel by competing with the best and the brightest students from universities and colleges in Oman.

Corporates are keen to develop their leadership pool from among young Omanis, hence the awards showcase winners for a rewarding career. The awards are an investment to build human capacity

and create academic and career growth opportunities for bright Omani youth.

Oman is witnessing a qualitative shift in national workforce and relevant educational qualifications are key to achieving this objective.

Bank Muscat seizes every opportunity to contribute to Oman’s future by investing in talent which is the real wealth of the nation.

The ‘Jesr al Mustaqbal’ (Bridge to Future) programme is a commitment by the bank to provide Omani youth with opportunities to build a strong foundation for a better future. As part of the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, the bank in association with the Ministry of Higher Education provides scholarships to Omani students pursuing undergraduate programmes in Oman.

The CSR initiative is targeted to

benefit young Omanis - both male and female from social welfare families who have not been able to complete their education for various reasons.

Bank Muscat has achieved 94 per cent Omanisation, giving priority for Omanis to occupy important positions. The bank’s human resources strategy is also notable in maintaining gender diversity as 48 per cent of employees are women holding various positions, including senior management positions.

The development of human resources is a priority in the bank which provides educational and training opportunities to employees. Bank Muscat makes substantial allocation in the annual budget for training and development of human resources in all functions and responsibilities assigned to them.

RECRUIT CAREER COACH

Cover letters that count EVER had a wince-worthy moment? A moment that you wish you could do over? One of mine came during a job search several years ago. I had learned about a hot job opportunity through a friend, and, convinced I had discovered my “dream job,” I quickly dashed off a cover letter and resume. I still cringe today when I think about the hiring manager’s parting words upon viewing my materials: “Well, Liz, we actually liked your qualifications, but your cover letter contained about 10 spelling mistakes. You even misspelled the name of our company.”

The most upsetting thing about this experience is that if I had simply taken the time to carefully review my cover letter, I could have avoided this wince-worthy occurrence altogether.

As the saying goes, we get only one chance to make a first impression. In a competitive job market where human resources departments are flooded with applicants, a first impression may be your only opportunity to make an impact. When trying to land a first job or internship, a strong, succinct cover letter is one of the best tools you can use to get noticed.

And unlike other first impressions, the cover letter puts the opportunity to succeed largely in your hands. To avoid winceworthy moments and create a terrific first impression, read on for a couple of winning cover-letter suggestions.

Suggestion 1: Try the Convince ... That ...

Because Method A strong cover letter doesn’t just create a good impression -- it helps you sell yourself. But selling yourself isn’t always easy. So use a technique that marketers use to sell us stuff: the convince ... that ... because

ering solid refinement down to the last detail — from dynamic shield front design concept, right through to the vibrant rear lamps. The sophisticated new LED headlamps and daytime running lights further contribute to this appealing, high-quality personality. The interior uses a high console proportion dashboard, as befits a larger SUV, while dynamically styled silverfinish ornamentation and sculpted seats add to its luxurious feel. The

well-appointed cabin surrounds occupants with solid craftsmanship, supportive comfort and intelligent features.

“The all-new Montero Sport combines a tough and powerful high-displacement V6 engine and a new 8-speed transmission with class-leading dynamic capabilities and advanced technology. It will provide its new owners strong performance even when carrying heavy loads or travelling up mountain roads, all while offering a cabin that provides occupants with some of highest levels of space and comfort in its class,” added Ranade.

The all-new Mitsubishi Montero is now available at all GAC showroom across Oman and is available in seven exterior colour options and three trim levels – GLS, GLS Highline and GLS Premium.

method. When drafting your cover letter, think about the following: Whom do you want to convince?

For instance, you might be writing to a hiring manager who needs somebody with strong writing skills. By knowing your audience, you’ll have the opportunity to specifically address the concerns or needs of your readers in your persuasive cover letter. One caveat: You may find job announcements that instruct applicants to send a letter to human resources, rather than provide a specific name of an individual. In these instances, you can try to track down, through company sources or networking, the name and title of a specific individual to whom you can address your letter. Otherwise, use the job description and knowledge of the company to best gauge your audience’s needs.

What are you trying to convince them of?

Using the example above, you are trying to convince a hiring manager that you have terrific writing skills. You may also want the hiring manager to know about your ability to speak French and your mastery of PowerPoint, if these are skills that are relevant to the job for which you’re applying. Be specific here: If you want to talk about your skills as a leader, be sure to mention a situation in which you demonstrated leadership skills. And remember to discuss the same skills that appear on your resume, providing additional information and detail in your letter.

Why should you be hired over someone else?

Here’s your opportunity to make a persuasive, convincing argument

and sell your unique abilities.

Using the previous example, you want to convince a hiring manager that you have terrific writing skills because you’ve consistently written on a wide range of topics for your school’s newspaper, providing valuable information to more than 500 students weekly for the past three years. Whatever your example, make sure you point out how your work made a positive difference, quantifying this difference whenever possible.

Suggestion 2: Look Sharp Think of your cover letter as you, on paper — so you want to look your best and present a neat, professional package to your prospective employer.

For starters, choose a quality paper (such as the kind used for resumes) in a conservative colour (like white or ivory) to send your message, and make sure you use the same paper and font for your cover letter, resume, and envelope, since they are typically packaged together. Save the pink paper and funky font for another time, and watch smudges, crinkles, and other sloppy marks.

Finally, make sure your letter is readable. If the font is too small (nothing less than 10 points) or the letter too long (more than a page,), you’ve probably alienated your audience already.

Writing a winning cover letter isn’t the easiest task, but it’s well worth the effort, especially when you know that it can make the difference between a good first impression and a bad one.

After all, taking the time to write a great letter ensures you’ll impress a prospective employer and practically guarantees a wincefree moment.

— Elizabeth Freedman/www.quintcareers.com

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

Kalabhavan set to celebrate Thyagaraja Music Festival MUSCAT: Kalabhavan School of Music & Arts, the franchisee of Kochin Kalabhavan, will be celebrating Thyagaraja Music Festival on Friday, April 22 at Al Maasa Hall, Ruwi, to pay homage to the great saint Thyagaraja who was an inspired composer.

The chief guest of the event is Dr Sridevi P. Thashnath, principal of Indian School Darsait.

Kalabhavan has been conducting Thyagaraja Music Festival in Oman for the past nine years.

Kalabhavan’s vocal and carnatic instrumental students from Al Ghubra, Al Hail and Ruwi branches will be participating in the programme. The event, which is scheduled to start at 7pm, is open to all the music lovers, says a press release.

Thyagaraja’s contributions to Carnatic Music, the classical music of South India, are immense, so much so that he was

considered as one of the three personalities (popularly known as the Trinity of Carnatic Music) responsible for the growth and spread of Carnatic Music. He made unique contributions to the cultural growth of South India and even today his compositions are very popular among the students and lovers of South Indian classical music. He had composed several Kritis in various ragaas. The Pancharatna Kritis are the most representative of Saint Thyagaraja’s art as a composer.

Thyagaraja was born in 1767 in Tiruvarur, a small town in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu in India. Thyagaraja’s life and works are a source of great inspiration to young poets and musicians. Young artistes believe that they will be blessed with a melodious voice if they anoint the shrine with honey and sing Thyagaraja’s songs at his memorial.

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SHEIKH SAAD AL SAADI INAUGURATES OMAN SPORTS EXHIBITION

Minister of Sports Affairs Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed Al Mardhouf Al Saadi inaugurated the Oman Sports Exhibition at the Oman International Exhibition Centre on Tuesday. The second edition of the three-day exhibition forms part of the annual Oman Sports Conference and Exhibition organised by the Ministry of Sports Affairs. A total of 35 exhibits, including those from the sports ministry, associations, committees and clubs are presenting their ideas and activities. There are also 30 sports companies and private sector organisations presenting their concepts and promoting their products. — JUN ESTRADA / Times of Oman

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Convincing victory for Kolkata against Punjab Robin Uthappa scored a quickfire 28-ball 53, while Gautam Gambhir got to a run-a-ball 34 after Sunil Narine scalped two wickets to help Kolkata Knight Riders restrict Punjab

GREAT EFFORT: Robin Uthappa is congratulated by Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir for reaching his fifty during the IPL match against Kings XI Punjab, in Mohali. – PTI

MOHALI: Robin Uthappa and Gautam Gambhir’s 82-run opening stand paved the way for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to grab a six-wicket victory against Kings XI Punjab in an Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here on Tuesday.

Uthappa scored a quickfire 28ball 53, while Gambhir got to a run-a-ball 34. For Kings XI, Axar Patel and Pardeep Sahu bagged two wickets each.

Earlier, the Knights led by mystery spinner Sunil Narine’s 2-22 once again put up a brilliant performance with the ball to restrict Kings XI Punjab to 138 for 8.

Besides Narine, South African speedster Morne Morkel returned 2-27. For Kings XI, Shaun Marsh top-scored with an unbeaten 41-

ball 56. In pursuit of 139, KKR started off on a canter with Uthappa being the aggressor.

He smacked Sandeep Sharma first and then took on South African pacer Kyle Abbott.

Skipper Gambhir, meanwhile, concentrated on running hard between the wickets.

Kings XI could have got him run out in the fifth over but David Miller failed to hit the stumps with Gambhir stranded in the middle of the strip. After six overs, KKR had raced to 65 for no loss, with Uthappa going strong.

The Karnataka-born batsman managed to get to his fifty but then was adjudged leg-before-wicket off a Sahu leg-spinner.

But the dismissal could not curtail the scoring rate.

A few overs later against the run

Sunil Narine.

of play, Gambhir skied one in the air and was brilliantly caught by Glen Maxwell in the deep.

With only 29 runs left, Manish Pandey (12) who was looking good, missed a straighter one from Axar Patel which crashed onto his citadel.

He was followed by Shakib Al Hasan (11) who holed out at third man. Yusuf Pathan (12) and Suryakumar Yadav (11) then took their side across the line with 17 balls to spare.

In the first innings, the hosts had a steady beginning even though they lost Manan Vohra (8) early.

Murali Vijay and Marsh then got together to stitch together a 26run partnership and at the end of

the powerplay, the Kings had put on a decent 41 for 1.

However, Vijay (26) failed to pick a Piyush Chawla googly and was cleaned up in the eighth over.

Wriddhiman Saha (8) followed soon after knicking one through to the wicket-keeper.

Next to edge one to keeper Uthappa was captain David Miller who went back to the dugout after scoring just 6 runs.

At that stage, Kings XI were struggling at 72 for 4 in the 13th over. The dangerous Maxwell (4), who played a key role in Kings XI’s win last game, threw his wicket away picking out Chawla at cover with a reverse-sweep.

The hundred finally came up in the 16th over with Axar accompanying Marsh, but the former did not last long either.

But Marsh stayed till the end to ensure his team scraped through to a decent total.

The last over from Andre Russell produced 18 runs as the Kings signed off with some momentum.

Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab: 138 for 8 (Shaun Marsh not out 56; Sunil Narine 2-22, Morne Morkel 2-27) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): 141 for 4 (Robin Uthappa 53, Gautam Gambhir 34; Pardeep Sahu 2-18, Axar Patel 2-19). - IANS

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Struggling MI have tough task against strong RCB Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore have fought tooth and nail since 2008 with the IPL result score-line reading 9-8 in

TOUGH TEST: Mumbai Indians who have been on a losing spree will face tough customers. – AFP

favour of the hosts

MUMBAI: Misfiring Mumbai Indians, struggling to get their team combination right, will take on the formidable batting might of Royal Challengers Bangalore in a potentially explosive IPL clash at the Wankhede Stadium here on Wednesday.

RCB, on the other hand, have a tricky bowling combination to set right in the absence of injured Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc — ruled out of the season — and miserly leggie Samuel Badree, who is yet to make an appearance

in the T20 league after picking up an injury during West Indies’ triumphant run in the World T20 championship.

MI and RCB have fought tooth and nail since 2008 with the IPL result score-line reading 9-8 in favour of the hosts, who have tasted defeat three times in four games this season, including in the last two, in their bid to retain the crown that they won after a similar, poor beginning in 2015.

Last season, the score was tied 1-1 with each team outsmarting the other in their respective away games. RCB come into the needle clash after being flattened

by South African wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock’s masterly hundred, the first ton by any batsman this season, and they will need to quickly correct their bowling combination.

Two-time title winners, MI have slumped to defeats in both their home matches this season — to IPL debutants Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions — and they would be keen to score their first win on their traditional home ground in one of the two remaining games scheduled at the Wankhede Stadium before they move to Jaipur, which will become their new home for rest of the season.

Mumbai’s top-order batting has been miserable so far barring the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, another two-time champion outfit, when captain Rohit Sharma’s superbly compiled unbeaten 84 led them to victory.

But in the other three games, the leading batsmen have failed to click as a unit. Even a re-worked batting order against Sun Risers Hyderabad, by dropping the outof-form Kieron Pollard from the eleven and making Parthiv Patel open the batting with newcomer Martin Guptill, replacement for their consistent but injured opener Lendl Simmons, did not produce the desired result.

In the absence of their everreliance Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga, Mumbai have depended upon the New Zealand duo of Tim Southee and Mitchell McClenaghan to make early inroads and this combination is expected to continue against RCB. After failing to contain SRH skipper David Warner at Hyderabad yesterday, Harbhajan Singh would be keen to get back into his best form at a ground where he often bowls well.

With Englishman Jos Buttler not exactly setting the stage on fire, there could be a case for the

big-hitting but yet-to-fire Pollard to regain his spot in the eleven.

MI have found in Krunal Pandya, a left-handed spin bowling utility player who can bat well down the order. But his better known brother Hardik has so far failed to click both with the bat and the ball, although being given a more responsible role, and MI’s think tank would be expecting a quick turn-around in performance from this ebullient player.

RCB’s obvious might lies in their explosive quartet of top-order batsmen — Chris Gayle, yet to fire his missiles so far, captain Virat Kohli, A B de Villiers and Shane Watson, with fearless Mumbai-based youngster Sarfaraz Khan to follow and end the innings on a flourish.

Gayle, as well as his teammates, would be hoping that the West Indian batting powerhouse re-discovers the sort of form that he showed at the same venue when smashing 11 sixes in the WT20 game against England last month. But the Jamaican would have to negate the movement from Jasprit Bumrah and Southee up front before launching into his murderous mood.

RCB’s troubles lie mainly in their bowling attack in which Watson has been the lone stand-out performer. — PTI

BRIEFS

West Indies snub Pakistan offer for Lahore T20s

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is disappointed at the refusal of the West Indies cricket board to play a couple of limited over games from their full series in Pakistan later this year.

West Indies have turned down a request from the PCB to play in Pakistan a few matches of the full series that will be played in the UAE in SeptemberOctober. “The West Indies board have informed us they prefer to have the full series in UAE because of security reasons,” a top official of the board told PTI. Pakistan will host the West Indies for two Tests, five ODIs and two T20 internationals in September and October this year.

Inzamam urges patience as Pakistan rebuild

LAHORE: Former Pakistan cricket captain Inzamam-ul Haq has called for patience as he begins his new role as chief selector and says there is no quick fix to solving the side’s problems. Pakistan rose to number two in the Test rankings last year after series wins in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and by beating England in the United Arab Emirates in November. “It’s the start, I don’t have a magic wand,” Inzamam told reporters.

“It will take time, there will be technical things and other problems too which we have to see. We have to be patient, don’t expect anything soon.”

South Africa players against day-night Test

YOUR BIGGEST ROAD HAZARD IS IN YOUR HAND A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

MELBOURNE: South Africa are reluctant to play a day-night Test during their tour of Australia as they have no experience with the pink ball, the Proteas’ players association chief has said. South Africa will tour Australia in a three-Test series in the home summer and Cricket Australia announced last year that they wanted one of the fixtures to be a day-night match. Australia hosted New Zealand in the first day-night Test in November and while the match drew huge crowds players on both sides complained that the ball was hard to see at times.

The pink ball has been developed for day-night Test cricket, replacing the traditional red ball. — Agencies

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

C3

SPORTS Dominant Rosberg can take little comfort from Formula One history ‘Leave the rules alone’

Rosberg is the most successful driver

SHANGHAI: Formula One should shelve plans for major rule changes in 2017 because the sport is in an ‘ideal situation’ already with faster cars and more competitive races, according to Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff.

The Austrian said: “We always said that...the longer you keep the regulations stable

never to have won a title, having now overtaken Britain’s Stirling Moss who was overall runnerup four times in the 1950s

LONDON: History suggests Nico Rosberg is a solid bet for the Formula One world championship after his dominant start to the season, but the German would be wise to ignore the statisticians and be very wary of Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Rosberg’s triumph in Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix made him the seventh driver since 1950 to start a campaign with three straight victories.

‘IT’S EARLY DAYS’: Nico Rosberg

Adding in the three he won at the tailend of 2015, Rosberg also became the fourth ever to rack up six Formula One world championship race wins in a row.

All those who previously achieved such winning streaks went on to win the title that season. The caveat is that 2016 has a record 21 races and Mercedes gives its drivers equal status — and none of the drivers who enjoyed such hot streaks in the past had a team mate like Hamilton.

The Briton is a triple world

GYMNASTICS

My next objective is Olympic medal: Dipa RIO DE JANEIRO: After becoming the first Indian woman gymnast to qualify for the Olympics, Dipa Karmakar has set her eyes on a podium finish at the Rio Games scheduled to be held in August.

The 22-year-old garnered a total score of 52.698 points in the Olympics qualifying event Monday to book a berth for artistic gymnastics in Rio Games.

“It is a good feeling to win a gold medal,” Dipa was quoted as saying at the official facebook page of the International Federation of Gymnastics.

“My next objective is an Olympic medal podium,” she said after clinching the gold in vaults finals at the test event of the Rio Games on Monday.

The Tripura girl scored 14.833 as her best effort to finish first in the women’s vaults finals at the Rio Olympic Arena. She defeated 2008 Olympic silver medallist Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan.

Apart from being the first Indian woman, she will also be an Indian gymnast qualifying for the quadrennial extravaganza after 52 long years. Since the independence of the country, 11 Indian male gymnast have taken part in the Olympics (two in 1952, three in 1956 and six in 1964) but this will be the first for an Indian woman at the Olympics.

the more the performance is going to converge between everybody,” Wolff said.

“There is no selling proposition within those new regulations in my opinion, we should just leave it alone,” added Wolff. “The racing is great and it will become even greater if we leave the regulations alone.” - Reuters

Dipa Karmakar

Modi lauds Dipa’s feat Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed Dipa Karmakar, saying she brought laurels for the country by her sheer determination.

“Dipa has made India proud and brought glory to its name.

First time, a daughter from the country has been selected in gymnastics stream for the Rio Olympics. She has achieved the feat through her determination.

Lack of resources never came in her way,” he said, addressing the convocation of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University here in northern Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said it is essential to have firm determination to excel in life and the amount of facilities available should not become an obstacle in this pursuit. - PTI

champion, who has beaten Rosberg in the end of season standings every year since he arrived at Mercedes in 2013.

His 43 career grand prix victories, compared to Rosberg’s 17, puts him third on the all-time list of winners behind Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost.

Rosberg is the most successful driver never to have won a title, having now overtaken Britain’s Stirling Moss who was overall runner-up four times in the 1950s.

Longest season When Italian Alberto Ascari (1953) and Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio (1954, 1957) won the first three races of the season there were eight or nine rounds.

Even seven times world champion Schumacher, Rosberg’s compatriot who won three races in a row at the start of the 1994, 2000 and 2004 seasons, only had a maximum of 18 races to contend with and just 16 in 1994.

In that sense, Rosberg’s season has barely started and he knows

it, even if he is 36 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

“Six wins, that doesn’t count for me because three were last year.

So I just think about the three wins this year,” said the German after another dominant afternoon in China. “But it’s early days. Three races is just a small handful and we have 18 to go. It’s the longest season in F1 history and my teammate is dear Lewis and he’s going to push like hell — like always.

“It’s been tough to beat him in previous years and it’s not going to

be any different this year... he’s the benchmark.”

Calculating Hamilton Both have only to look to 2014 to see how the situation can change -even if that season had the novelty of double points for the final race.

Rosberg, whose Finnish father Keke won the 1982 title with one win all year, led by 29 points after the Belgian Grand Prix in August 2014 but Hamilton then reeled off five wins in a row on his way to the championship.

The Briton had 10 wins last year and 11 in 2014 compared to Rosberg’s six and five respectively.

“I need to win all 18 races,” Hamilton said after China, but the champion has always been better at driving than doing the mathematics. With 25 points for a win and 18 for second place, there is everything to play for. If Rosberg were to retire at the next race in Russia, a grand prix that only Hamilton has ever won since its debut in 2014, the gap between them could suddenly become 11 points.

“For me, it’s a marathon not a sprint,” said Hamilton. “Right now I still have the best car, we are still the best team and we still have 18 races. I don’t see this as his championship.” - Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

SPORTS Djokovic, Serena win Laureus awards Djokovic, who won this award in 2012 and 2015, walked away with the ‘Oscar of Sports’ for a second successive time after clinching three Grand Slams — Australian, Wimbledon and US Open — last year

BERLIN: Novak Djokovic walked away with his third ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ trophy, while Serena Williams also bagged the women’s top honour for a third time as tennis became the toast of the 16th Laureus World Sports Awards presented in a glittering ceremony here.

Djokovic, who won this award in 2012 and 2015, walked away with the ‘Oscar of Sports’ for a second successive time after clinching three Grand Slams — Australian, Wimbledon and US Open — last year.

He was also the finalist in the French Open.

“I am very proud of it. It wouldn’t have been possible without the great team that I have. I am grateful to the love and passion of tennis that brought me here. Sports has inspired me in so many different ways.

“I dedicate this award to two people who have inspired. I want to thank them for their legacy, My Nicki Lauda and Mr Johan

It is tricky times for tennis: Djokovic BERLIN: Tennis is going through “tricky” times amid the swirling “rumours” of doping and betting, concedes Novak Djokovic but the World No.1 says he would not question the sport’s integrity till the time concrete evidence is presented to prove wrongdoing.

The Serbian star, who won his third Laureus Sportsperson of the Year award here, said he is proud to be part of a sport which to his knowledge is still clean.

“It’s tricky for tennis. There are many stories that go around; betting, match-fixing, doping, it seems the weight has come down on tennis. But I think it all comes down to anti-doping agencies, governing bodies; they need to come out with proofs, if they don’t it’s only rumours. I’m proud to be part of a sport that is clean,” Djokovic said after the awards ceremony.

The 28-year-old Australian Open champion was reacting to recent statements by British star Andy Murray that the sport

Cryuff,” Djokovic said after being presented the trophy by current F1 leader Nico Rosberg. Soccer genius Lionel Messi, who had been nominated for a fifth time, once again lost out on the top award.

“It’s probably a glitch we need to correct. Somebody like Messi ought to win this award. Maybe football being a team sport comes in the way,” Laureus academy

‘OSCAR OF SPORTS’: Novak Djokovic shows off his Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in Berlin. – AP/PTI

is not entirely clean.

The affable Serb said he does not share the concerns expressed by Murray.

“I don’t share his concern.As long as we don’t have proof that the sport is not clean, it is clean.

I know Andy, I have spoken to him, he didn’t mean anything wrong,” he said.

Tennis has been hit by allegations of betting and doping in the last few months with Maria

member Steve Waugh said before the ceremony. Williams was the overwhelming favourite in the women’s category after securing a record 10th nomination and thanks to her three Grand Slams last season, the American notched up her third ‘Sportswoman of the Year’ Laureus trophy.

Williams, however, did not attend the ceremony which featured

Sharapova getting suspended for using a recently-banned substance Meldonium.

The Russian star, however, can expect some relief after WADA decided to penalise only those who used it after January 1.

Besides offering a passionate defence of his controversystruck sport, Djokovic also spoke of his astonishing run in the circuit, during which he won three Grand Slams last year.

some of the biggest names in international sports and was hosted by Hollywood star Bill Murray.

In the other categories, American golf star Jordan Spieth, who was also nominated in the ‘Sportsman of the Year’ category, won the ‘Breakthrough of the Year’ award. The 22-year-old Spieth is the reigning World No.1, who has already won the Masters and the US Open.

Djokovic said his secret lies in not “prioritising trophies”.

“I can’t speak for others but I extract my energy from my passion for the sport and life in general. That helps me stay humble and grounded. I never prioritise trophies as my motivation.

You need something else to drive you, not just achievement,” he said.

One thing missing from his decorated trophy cabinet is an Olympic gold medal and the 2008 bronze-winner said he is putting the upcoming Games in Rio at par with Grand Slams as far as preparations are concerned.

“Olympics is as important as Grand Slams because we don’t get the experience of playing in a team too much. I feel privileged to be going to Rio and I would definitely playing both singles and doubles.

“I will prioritise it like a Grand Slam but still it’s not end for me even if I don’t win,” he added. - PTI

“For me it’s unique. We’re used to being recognised in the golfing community but this Award recognises us around the world to all of sport and it’s something that’s very difficult to put into words,” Spieth, who did not attend the ceremony, said in video message.

The world champion New Zealand rugby team won the ‘Team of the Year’ honour, while the star

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of their triumph, Dan Carter, was picked for ‘Comeback of the Year’ for bouncing back remarkably following an injury breakdown in 2011.

Three-time Formula One world champion Nicki Lauda was presented the ‘Laureus Lifetime Achievement’ award.

“I dedicate this award to all the losers. Because it is after losing that I learnt the most,” the 67-yearold Austrian said after being presented the trophy by reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Laureus Academy also paid tribute to the late Johan Cryuff, who passed away last month after battling cancer. Cryuff was chosen for the ‘Laureus Spirit of Sport’ award which was presented to his son Jordi by another Dutch legend Ruud Gullit and World Cup winning former Spanish defender Carlos Puyol.

“I want to thank Johan for being an inspiration and putting Holland on the map. He made me the football player that I became. Thank you, Johan, for everything that you did for Holland and for me. As a player he was 20 years ahead in the things he did. I want to thank him for making me a Total Football player,” Gullit said.

The winners: World Sportsman of the Year Award: Novak Djokovic (Serbia, Tennis). World Sportswoman of the Year Award: Serena Williams (US, Tennis).

World Team of Year Award: All Blacks (New Zealand, Rugby). World Breakthrough of the Year Award: Jordan Spieth (US, Golf), World Comeback of the Year Award: Dan Carter (New Zealand, Rugby), World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability: Daniel Dias (Brazil, swimming). World Action Sportsperson of the Year: Jan Frodeno (Germany, Ironman Triathlon). - PTI

FOOTBALL

We’ll still win the title, says Barcelona coach Enrique BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Luis Enrique remains convinced his faltering team will end their winless run and retain the La Liga title after seeing their treble dreams dashed.

They have surrendered a ninepoint lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid after losing their last three games and are now above them only due to a superior head-to-head record.

Barca, whose defence of their European crown was ended by Atletico in the Champions League quarterfinals last week, are also just one point ahead of Real Madrid.

However, Luis Enrique remained positive before the trip to Deportivo La Coruna on Wednesday, after which they will have just four games left in the title race.

“I’m convinced we’re going to win the league, if I wasn’t I wouldn’t be sat here,” he told a news conference on Tuesday.

“I like adversity, that’s how I am. I want to turn this around,

I LIKE ADVERSITY: Barca

caoch Luis Enrique.

win tomorrow and put on a show.

I want to delight the fans who are behind us and can’t explain this situation.”

Luis Enrique did not give any reasons for the dramatic loss of form, which has seen his side go from 39 games unbeaten in all competitions to losing four of their last five games.

“We are on a negative run but we don’t need to exaggerate. If it’s due to psychology, then we have the best psychologist around (at

the club),” he added. “We’re clinging on to our players and their attitude and their way of competing. We have had moments like this before, we know how to cope with pressure. But we’re playing against teams that can punish us with few chances.”

Luis Enrique was also unapologetic for deriding a reporter who had asked him about the team’s fitness levels at a news conference after Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat by Valencia.

“I have nothing to apologise for.

I didn’t show anyone a lack of respect,” he said. “Journalists have also shown me a lack of respect.

This is my style, I don’t care if you don’t like it.”

Barcelona, who had hoped to repeat the treble they won last season, will be without influential centre back Gerard Pique at Deportivo through suspension. He is set to be replaced by Marc Bartra, who has made just three league starts this season. - Reuters

C

LIFESTYLE

SECTION

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

Leisure WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

TURN DOWN THE HEAT

Story Mohammed Shafeeqe

Summer Guide Jebel Akhdar (Green Mountain) ĊŗRises to a height of 2,980 metres ĊŗAbout two-and-a-half hours drive from Muscat ĊŗTemperature is around 15 degrees cooler than in Muscat ĊŗIncredible views of terraced farms ĊŗNeed a 4x4 (police will stop at check-post) ĊŗBetter stay facilities Jebel Shams (Mountain of Sun) ĊŗThe highest peak in the Arabian Peninsula ĊŗLocated 240km from Muscat via Nizwa Al Hamra ĊŗSummer temperature is around 20°C Ċŗ‘Grand Canyon’ with a vertical drop of 2,100 metres ĊŗA place to hike, take photographs, and have picnic Wakan Village ĊŗFeatures agricultural terraces cultivating fruits at 2,000 metres above sea level ĊŗLocated 150km from Muscat ĊŗThe graded road leading to the village passes through many valleys ĊŗEnjoys moderate temperatures in summer ĊŗWalk up a trail stretching for 1,100 metres, comprising 700 steps Bilad Sayt ĊŗA mountain village showcasing traditional Omani rural settlement ĊŗEnjoys moderate daytime temperatures even in summer ĊŗCan be reached through Wadi Al Sahtan and Wadi Bani Awf ĊŗAccessible only by 4WD Wadi Shab ĊŗGorgeous narrow mountain ravine south of the Bimmah Sinkhole ĊŗBreathtaking views of aquamarine pools, waterfalls ĊŗOpportunities for swimming and a visit to a partially submerged cave Ras Al Jinz ĊŗThe easternmost point of the Arabian Peninsula and an important turtle-nesting site ĊŗPeak time for turtle watching is from June to September ĊŗLocated 40km away from Sur ĊŗThe area is under government protection, escorted tours available Wadi Bani Khalid ĊŗMost popular wadi of Sharqiyah region, its stream maintains a constant flow ĊŗAround 270km from Muscat north of Al Kamil ĊŗFeatures large pools, boulders, and caves including Kahf Maqal

You don’t have to escape from Oman this summer. A trip to some of these ‘chill out’ spots will be an ideal weekend getaway to beat the heat.

Be it the lush terraced gardens of the mountains, the cool sandy beaches, or the farms of remote villages, Oman has many cool retreats.

S

corching heat, sultry days, sweat and dull hard days out… It is the time of the year in Oman that everybody is looking for a quick getaway into some cool retreat to beat the heat on weekends.

Though fatigue of the long working day and the cool comfort of the greenhouse gas emitting airconditioners soothe us, we think of going to nature, spewing springs, cool pools, breezy beaches, remote farm houses, flowing wadis, its cool surroundings, high valleys where farmers grow grapes, figs, oranges, apricots, pears, and pomegranates or mountain tops that rise to an altitude of serenity and cool climate.

Nobody will want to go for surprise holiday trips to exotic places in Europe, the Far East or elsewhere in the present economic conditions.

The best option is ‘do it here in Oman’. Do it right here, many of the travel enthusiast say. On the Western Hajar Mountains decked with lush terraced gardens, on the cool

sandy beaches where turtles come and nestle, on tiny islands where amazing marine life thrive beneath the sea surface, in the deep gorges where crystal clear streams still gurgle down mossy rocks to form emerald pools, or in the remote villages where the very traditions and beautiful people would cool you off, Oman has many more options to cool off this summer.

Salalah has been considered the coolest place across the region during the peak summer months of July-August, when monsoon showers would wake up the seeds underneath bathe the hills green. Salalah will be crowded with tourists from GCC countries during the Khareef and the number has increased over the past few years, points out a tour operator. “We need not set aside Salalah, but there are other good places in Oman for local people to go picnicking, spend weekends and for overnight stays during summer like Jebel Shams, Jebel Akhdar, Ras Al Jinz and Masirah Island, says Bainu Thomas, Manager (Operations), Ei-

hab Travels. The summer temperature in these places may be a little high during the middle of the day, but it becomes cooler and perfect for evening picnics and overnight stays, he says.

The Western Hajar Mountain range or the Jebel Akhdar range has much more to offer as it has mountain villages including Wakan and Bilad Sayt, points out Bainu Thomas. Trips to these mountain villages and many other wadis we have here would be ideal for day picnics. And for people interested in long drives and extended trips, they could take the coastal road to Salalah via Ras Al Jinz, Masirah Island, Duqm, Khaluf, Ras Al Madrakah and Wadi Shuwaymiyah. Besides, a cool dip in Wadi Bani Khalid, Wadi Shab, Wadi Arbaeen or Wadi Tiwi could be another good option for both domestic and foreign tourists who look for weekend getaways during summer.

Opportunity for swimming is great with these wadis maintaining a constant flow of water round the year.

—shafeeqe@timesofoman.com

Masirah Island ĊŗA real desert island experience with isolated sandy beaches and wild life ĊŗAn Indian Ocean island off the east coast of Oman, 95km long ĊŗHosts all four of Oman’s nesting species of turtles ĊŗCamping is still the most common way of experiencing Masirah Ċŗ450km from Muscat: Take the Nizwa road, at Bid Bid take left to reach Sur road for Sinaw; from Shannah take ferry to Masirah Island Duqm ĊŗThe port city is witnessing major transformation in all sectors including in tourism ĊŗPlaces to visit are Rock Garden - Oman’s geological wonder, old fishing villages, and beautiful beaches ĊŗDuqm Beach, a beautiful beach known for its soft, clean sands, azure waters, and cool breezes, is 20 kilometres from the centre of the wilayat ĊŗCan be reached by Oman Air flights and by road (About 600km from Muscat down south) Dhofar (Salalah) ĊŗBest season for visit is monsoon or ‘Khareef’, (Salalah Tourism Festival from July 15 to August 31 every year) ĊŗAbout 1,040 kilometres away from Muscat, minimum temperature around 16 degree C ĊŗDaily flights and buses between Muscat and Salalah ĊŗDrive from Muscat to Salalah takes roughly 12 hours

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Destination

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

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Daily Daily Daily

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06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

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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

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Sur Sur

10:20 12:30

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Fahud Yibal

12:00 18:45

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Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

Daily Daily

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

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15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

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Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

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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)

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16:00 16.00 16.00

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Mr. Right (Action / Comedy / Romance) Cast: Anna Kendrick, Sam Rockwell, Tim Roth 6.00 PM CP No: 1094 (15+)

STAR CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om Theri (Tamil) (Action & Drama) Cast: Vijay & Samantha 3:00, 6:30 & 9:30PM Cinema Main Fan (Hindi) (Action\Thriller) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan & Ileana D’Cruz 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30 PM Cinema -2 Darvinte Parinamam (Mal) (Comedy \ Drama) Cast: Prithviraj & Chandini Sreedharan 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 PM Cinema -3

Criminal (2D) (15+) (Action| Crime | Drama) Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 2:15, 4:30, 6:45, 9:00, 11:30PM The Squad Aka (ANTI GANG) (2D) (15+) (Action | Drama) Cast: Jean Reno, Alban Lenoir, Caterina Murino 2:45, 11:55PM

Sardaar Gabbar Singh ( Telugu) ( Action) Cast: Pawan Kaltan & Kajal Aggarwal 3:45 PM Cinema -4 Maheshinte Prathikaram (Mal) (Comedy) Cast: Fahad Faasil & Anusree 6:45 & 9:45 PM Cinema -4 Next Change: Kali (Mal); Sarrainodo (Telugu)

Theri (2D) (12+) (Tamil) (Action) Cast: Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Amy Jackson 8:30PM

Programmes are subject to change WITH LOVE

0

Minimum

0

RYAN RAKESH EAPEN April 20, 2012

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

60-20% Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

06:00 06:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Daily

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

10:25

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi

TO SUR (ROUTE 55)

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

07:00

Theri – 2D (Romance, Comedy) (12+) Cast: Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Amy

Criminal (Action / Crime / Drama) Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 2.00, 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 PM CP No: 1101 (15+)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

Fan (2D) (PG12) (Thriller) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi 3:00, 6:00, 9:00, 11:15PM

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

Theri (Action) - Tamil –12+ Cast: Vijay, Samantha, Amy Jackson, Prabhu 6.45, 9.45 PM

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

The Squad Aka (ANTI GANG) – 2D (Fantasy, Horror, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Jean Reno, Alban Lenoir, Caterina Murino 5:15, 11:45PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

SALALAH The Jungle Book (3D) (PG) (Adventure | Drama| Family) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 1:00, 4:30, 6:30PM

Fan-2D (Crime, Drama, Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Mariola Jaworska 2:45, 6:00, 8:00, 11:00PM

Fan (Hindi) (Drama / Thriller) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Waluscha De Souza, Shriya Pilgaonkar 1.00, 3.45, 6.30, 9.15 & 11.45 PM CP No: 1100 (PG12)

Theri (Tamil) (12+) Cast: Vijay, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Amy Jackson 8:45PM

The Dead Room – 2D (Horror, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Thomas Jane, Kate Bosworth 10:00, 11:55 PM

The Jungle Book – 3D (Adventure, Drama, Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 3:15, 5:45, 7:30PM

Screen 3 Rocky Handsome (Action/ Thriller) –12+ Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Haasan 3.45 PM

Theri (Tamil) (2D) (Comedy | Action) (12+) Cast: Vijay, Samantha Ruth, Prabhu

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Screen 2 The Jungle Book (2D) (Adventure) –PG Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba 3.45, 6.45, 8.45, 10.45 PM

Sardar Gabbar Singh (2D) (Comedy|Action) (PG12) Cast: Pawan Kalyan, Kajal Agarwal 6:10 PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

RUWI Screen 1 Fan (Thriller) –PG12 Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Ileana D’Cruz 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM

Darvinte Parinamam (Mal) (2D) (Action | Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran 9:00 PM

The Squad Aka (ANTI GANG) (2D) (Action, Drama) (15+) Cast: Jean Reno, Alban Lenoir, Caterina Murino 11:45PM

Fan (Hindi| Thriller) (PG12)

The Jungle Book (3D) (Adventure) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 3:00, 5:00, 7:00 PM

Rocky Handsome (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: John Abraham, Shruti Hassan 3:45, 11:45 PM

Criminal (Action|Crime | Drama) (15+) Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 2:30, 8:45 & 11:15PM

Criminal– 2D (Action, Crime, Drama) (15+) Cast: Kevin Costner, Ryan Reynolds, Gal Gadot 3:00, 5:15, 9:30, 11:45 PM

7:00, 8:55 PM

Fan (Hindi) (2D) (Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Ileana D’Cruz 2:45, 5:40, 8.30, 10:00, 11:30 PM

The Jungle Book - (3D) Adventure | Drama| Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 2:45, 4:45 & 6:45PM

Fan – 2D (PG12) Hindi| Thriller Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi 3:30, 6:30, 8:15, 11:15 PM Gold Class – 3:15, 8:15, 11:15 PM

Fan (Hindi| Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi, Ileana D’Cruz 3.30, 6.30, 9.30 PM

AZAIBA Batman vs Superman:Dawn of Justice (3D) (Action |Adventure | Fantasy) (PG12) Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams 3:45, 11:45 PM

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Joelle Koissi 3:00, 4:30, 6:00, 7:30 & 10:30PM

MUSCAT GRAND MALL The Jungle Book – 3D (PG) Adventure Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 12:15, 2:15, 4:15, 6:15 PM Gold Class – 6:15 PM

Dept time

12.11pm 3.38pm 6.35pm 7.49pm 4.23am

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES (ROUND THE CLOCK) Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya 24787766, 24787780

Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al Hayat International Hospital, Al Ghubra 22004000, 94267068/97049520 Al Hayat Clinic, Al Hail 22009455

AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE BRIEFS

Emirates carried 7m passengers to and from the region in 2015 Last year, over 7 million Emirates passengers travelled to and from the GCC, Middle East, and North Africa. Catering to its growing customer base in the region, as well as offering international travellers a taste of Arab cuisine, entertainment, and culture, Emirates offers a variety of thoughtful product and service offerings inspired by the 18 cities that it serves in the GCC, Middle East, and North Africa.

Passengers on all Emirates A380s and select B777s also enjoy free Wi-Fi for the first 10MB data used.

Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra to present orchestral masterpieces

A Bunch Of Road Signs Leaving behind Route-13, travelling through Wadi Bani Awf, you will reach this spot. The ‘T-Junction’ with three sign boards, bearing the names of 11 beautiful places in Al Hajar Mountain ranges, is a sight that will trigger a smile on your lips. Even in the busy streets of Muscat you won’t see such a bunch of signage.

-Mohammed Shafeeqe

IN THE NEWS

Smart Meetings & Events at Park Inn Oman Smart Meeting & Events hospitality concept for both Park Inn by Radisson Hotels in Oman, offers consistent connection, choice, and community for modern business gatherings. Smart Meetings & Events are designed to deliver the right type of smart food, drinks, event spaces, and technology to support guests’ life and work styles.

Park Inn Muscat offers a very special package rate for all meetings and events.

For every minimum of 20 persons booked get one person complimentary. Conference and banqueting facilities at Park Inn Muscat offers 5 modern and flexible meeting rooms, free wireless Internet access throughout the hotel, daylight rooms, business centre, mini library, modern audiovisual equipment, and free onsite car parking. In addition, the banqueting menus have also been given a facelift and now guests have a fresh choice of food options suited for meetings and events.

The hotel is situated nearby the main highway, opposite to embassy area and ministry office; 15 minutes drive from Muscat International airport, walking distance to Muscat Grand Mall, and the

new Oman Avenues Mall. “Fresh, colourful and engaging, Park Inn

by Radisson, offers a selection of diverse destinations, flexible spaces, a valuable selection of packages and a nutritious Smart Food menu. Our main focus is to provide a well improved connection and choice to our valued guests to satisfy their meeting requirements and to be responsible business in our community,” said Rabih Zein, Cluster General Manager at Park Inn Muscat and Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm.

By understanding and anticipating the priorities of our meetings and events bookers, we are able to deliver an uncomplicated, consistent and reliable service ensuring that the event runs as smoothly and successfully as possible. Great value for money, above and beyond guests expectations.

For more information or to make a reservation: Email: meetingevents.muscat@ rezidorparkinn.com Call: +968 2450 7888.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com

The Royal Oman Symphony Orchestra will present the Orchestral Masterpieces from Eastern Europe concert, in the magnificent surroundings of the Oman Auditorium of Al Bustan Palace, a RitzCarlton Hotel, on April 21 at 8pm. The doors will be opened at 7pm.

Tickets: OMR10 per person includes taxes, service charges and one beverage during intermission. Pre-concert dinner available at Al Khiran Terrace for OMR22 including a complimentary ticket.

For Reservations, Call + 968 2476 4000 Email: Boxoffice.AlBustan@ritzcarlton.com

Cyprus records 40% increase in tourism arrivals for current year Bailed-out Cyprus recorded a 40 per cent hike in tourist arrivals in March, setting the stage for a record year for the holiday island and indicating an economic revival, official data showed Monday.

Tourist arrivals already hit a 14-year high in 2015 reaching 2.65 million, on the back of a cheaper euro. “The large increase recorded in March ... shows at an early stage that this year, if something unexpected does not occur, will be the year with the highest number of arrivals in the history of Cyprus tourism,” state-run Cyprus Tourism Organisation said. “Already the first quarter recorded a strong increase of 32.4 per cent compared to the first quarter of 2015 with nearly all markets showing growth.” Despite the euro faring better this year, experts say Cyprus is attracting more tourists because it is seen as a safe destination in a turbulent region dogged by terror attacks such as in Egypt, Turkey, and Tunisia. The number of tourists arriving on the eastern Mediterranean holiday spot in March reached 137,013 compared to 97,479 in the same month last year.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com and AFP

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Location: 23°15’28.3”N 57°26’26.7”E

C8

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016

LIFESTYLE

Bucharest

Bangkok

Vilnius

Istanbul

Bratislava

OMR100

OMR123

OMR146

OMR170

OMR173

CHEAPEST CITIES TO VISIT

O

ne of the major criteria while selecting a holiday destination would be the amount of money we need to spend in the destination. It is always money matters in budget holiday travel plans.

That must be the reason behind budget travellers are turning towards Asian and Eastern European cities for spending their holidays recently. UBS AG, the global financial services company co-headquartered in Zurich and Basel, in a recently-published report says European cities occupied six of the top ten most expensive cities to holiday. The cheapest were mostly in Asia and Eastern Europe. If you are opting for a budget holiday, you should

select Bucharest or Romania, where the stay costs only $260 a night. The Indian financial capital, Mumbai and Bulgarian capital Sofia cost $300 for a night, followed by popular Asian destination Bangkok, New Delhi and Beijing. Kenyan capital Nairobi and Vilnius in East European Lithuania cost $380. If you think Istanbul is costly, it’s wrong; the ninth and tenth least expensive cities in the list were Budapest and Istanbul. UBS says it has created the list by finding out the average price in each city for two people to spend a night including expenses like dinner, rental car, and a taxi.

Here is the list of 15 cheapest cities to travel. (The cost is approximately in Omani Rial after conversion)

Sofia

New Delhi

Nairobi

Manila

Riga

OMR115

OMR130

OMR146

OMR173

OMR177

Mumbai

Beijing

Budapest

Johannesburg

Lisbon

OMR115

OMR134

OMR165

OMR173

OMR177 Source: UBS

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

VACANCY

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CARGO

D7

AT STALL

N.O: 1629 Printers, Laptops & PC’s, CD’s, DVD’s & Flash Drives & Cartridges

All HP, Epson, Canon, Lexmark, Samsung Cartridges also available.

Ruwi: 24 792 792 Sohar: 2684 2420

GOOD PRICE!!!

COMEX 2016 VISIT US

GOOD PRICE!!!

D4

GOOD PRICE!!!

Available on very GOOD prices

GOOD PRICE!!!

GOOD PRICE!!!

GOOD PRICE!!!

RENT

GOOD PRICE!!!

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M W E D N E S DAY, A P R I L 2 0, 2 0 1 6

SECTION

GOOD PRICE!!!

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D2

W E D N E S DAY, A P R I L 2 0, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

Top Finish New- Res-5 apartments- 2 bhk/maid room 550/450, 3 bhk- 550, 1 BHK-350 2. Al Kuwair New 3 bhk, posh. Kit.fur,s.pool-700, 3 bhk +maid,ind.villa-650/3. Wadi Kabir 1/2 bhk-250/300/350 4. Al Kodh Villa 5 Bhk- Compounded 550/5. Qurum(Comm) Sama Center-Brand New 114/122/129 sq.mt 6. Azaiba (Comm) 'h dĞĐŚ ďůĚŶŐͲ ͘ ͬ͘ŇŽŽƌŝŶŐͬĐĞŝůŝŶŐ

FOR RENT

1. Qurum

Tel: 24571962/63 Mob: 94289050/ 95495281 Email: samain009@yahoo.com

DĂĚŝŶĂƚ ^ƵůƚĂŶ YĂƐ ͗^ŚŽǁƌŽŽŵͬKĸĐĞ Ăƚ 'ƌŽƵŶĚ &ůŽŽƌ͕ ϯϰϬ ^Ƌ Mtr. Facing main Road HAR Complex MSQ : 2,3-BHK Flats and 2 & 3 BHK villas with

ͬ ͕ĐĂƌ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ͕ ^ǁŝŵŵŝŶŐ WŽŽů ;'ĂƚĞĚ ŽŵƉůĞdžͿ Qurum : 6 BHK villa with garden, split Acs, shaded car parks, servant rooms DĂďĞůůĂ ͗ Ϯ ,< &ůĂƚƐ ǁŝƚŚ ;ďƌĂŶĚ ŶĞǁ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐͿ Darsait : 1 & 2-BHK Flats with AC & Shop Ruwi : 2-BHK & 3-BHK Flats and shops Al Amerat : 2 & 3-BHK Flat , 3 & 4-BHK Villa with A/C

For viewing please call 99466729, 99316410, 92841690, 91313271, 24694088 or email us on :hartc@omantel.net.om

*Tourist visa arranged

FOR RENT

Quality Warehouses for rent at Mizfa 550 sqm to 3400 sqm.

IN RUWI 1 BHK – SPILT A/C, BUILT IN WARDROBE &CENTRALIZED GAS. SPACIOUS 2 BHK.

Contact : 990 49 722

Contact 99332291 / 96046951

Good spacious, 5 bedroom villa at Ghubrah North new 1,2 BHK flats Ruwi Rex road. Contact: 99369081

Two modern fully furnished & ĞƋƵŝƉƉĞĚ Žĸ ĐĞƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ƌĞŶƚ Ăƚ :ĂƐŵŝŶĞ ŽŵƉůĞdž ů <ŚƵǁĂŝƌ͗ ϭͿ ϭϱϮ DϮ ǁŝƚŚ ƌĞĐĞƉƟ ŽŶ͕ ϭ 'D Kĸ ĐĞ͕ Ϯ ŵĞĞƟ ŶŐ ƌŽŽŵƐ͕ Ϯϲ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ƐƚĂƟ ŽŶƐ͕ ƉĂŶƚƌLJ͕ ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟ ŽŶ͘ ϮͿ ϭϯϮ DϮ ǁŝƚŚ ƌĞĐĞƉƟ ŽŶ͕ ϳ Žĸ ĐĞƐ͕ ϲ ǁŽƌŬŝŶŐ ƐƚĂƟ ŽŶƐ͕ ϭ ĐŽŶĨĞƌĞŶĐĞ ƌŽŽŵ͕ ŶĞƚǁŽƌŬ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟ ŽŶ͘

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

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ Ͳ ϵϵϰϲϵϲϵϴ 2 bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality.

Contact: 92584715/ 24700120

Office & 2B/R with 3 toilets directly from owner, near Dolphin Complex Bausher.

Contact 92158031 1, 2. 3.BHK flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 4 BHK villa in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181 200 & 300 sqr mtrs office space in MBD (Ruwi). Contact 99792181 2 BHK Office space in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 Flat for rent in South Mabela.

Contact: 95331177 / 95230355 2BHK spacious flat with 3 toilets in Ruwi, Mumtaz area.

Contact: 95110215 / 92862290 7 rooms villa attach bath at Azaiba 18th November Road.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. Contact – 97007934 / 92609232

Flat in Wadi Al Kabir 2 bedrooms, 1 living room, 1 family hall, kitchen & 3 bathrooms. Contact: 99277787

Room for rent in Al Khuwair near Ibis hotel, very big. R.O 180/-.

Contact: 95724975

2BHK at Mawaleh near Sadiq Al Amin Mosque. Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

Available for Rent one Room with Bathroom and Kitchen in Al Khuwair (near Sagar Polyclinic), suitable for Executive Bachelors or Couples. Contact 99225008

A small villa for rent at Azaiba, near Al Meera hypermarket. 2 bedrooms, 2 toilets, kitchen, sitting room and dining room, including curtains and air conditioners.

Contact 99766920 7 B/R en-suite villa for rent/lease with ac, 1100 OMR per month, location: al khuwair opp. safeer plaza hotel. Contact : 93389107 Brand new double bed room flats with two and three toilets, split ac, elevators available at Al Khoudh next to Al koudh health center.

Contact 99022675 Office space small in Azaiba.

Contact: 99428143

Villa for rent in Al Mawaleh behind Al Tawfeer Super market nr Al Mawaleh facilities - 7 spacious bedrooms, 7 toilets, 1 big hall, 1 family hall, 1 kitchen & parking, rent 800/-negotiable.

Contact: 9288588 / 95031133

1BHK at Hamriya near Muscat Pharmacy & 2 BHK at Mawaleh near Mosque Sadiq Al Amin. Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

Flat for rent in Wadi Kabeer near India Primary School 2B & 1K. Contact: 92222922

Flat in Al Khuwair opp grand mall 4 room 3 toilet + hall kitchen in 3 floor 400. Contact 99420346

Ware houses in Hay Aseem Barka, 11000 m2 near round about new Beach road at Al Khoud location open store with office.

Contact 92959129

2BHK available Mumtaz area Ruwi. Contact: 99269751

Flats in Darsait. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Flats in Muttrah. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

1 BHK in Azaiba. Contact: 99385835 / 99428143

Offices in Ghala. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Flats in Qurum. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Flat for Rent 2 bed room Near ISM muscat Indian Scoole Dar sate Tel : 00 968 95158570

Flat for rent in Ruwi, Mumtaz area 2 bedrooms. Contact: 24291500 / 91409667 Villa for rent Al Zahiya Muttrah, 5 rooms, 3 bathrooms, kitchen & big compound. Contact: 91163611

Office for rent. Contact: 99355330 1000 sqmtrs industrial land for rent in Ghala suitable for warehouse workshop etc.

Contact 24700120 / 92584715

2 B, 1Bathroom & 1K in Al Azaiba (Behind Zubair Showroom).

RO340/- Call: 98989054

1000 sqm Industrial space with office and accommodation, near Grand Mosque, Ghala. #99364938 New flat at Al Wadi Al Kabir.

Contact: 96130797 / 92130703 Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Offices & Showrooms in Mutrah.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Duplex villa in QURUM 29.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Shops / flats available in Honda Road, Ruwi & Mabellah Industrial area. Contact 24833972/ 24833974/ 99367448

Flats, shops and store for rent in Ruwi, MBD & Mumtaz. Contact: 97293708 / 92433127 2BHK flat shops / ware house space available for rent behind new ROP building at Honda road.

Contact 91165807 2 BHK / 1BHK near Machi Market Ruwi. R.O 200/- & 225/-.

Contact: 99354771 Furnished office (61M2) for sale / rent Al Khuwair near Zawawi Mosque. Contact: 95611569 2BHK Wadi Kabir R.O 300/-.

Contact: 92144045 Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-. Contact: 99335580 New Rent house in Mabela.

Contact: 99880841/96053220 1 BHK near Medical Darsait R.O 170/-. Contact: 95076261 2,200 sq mtr factory area & 800 sq mtr store with 8 accommodation rooms and 10 office cabins available for rent in Barka industrial area. Contact 91398381 / 80 / 78, email - agsan2005@gmail.com

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DAILY GUIDE

ACC. AVAILABLE Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested pleasecontact 92680041 Mr. Altaf

AVAILABLE

FOR RENT

ACC. AVAILABLE Sharing accommodation near ISD. Contact: 99657340 Sharing bachelors accommodation available in Rex Road, Ruwi.

Contact 94442157

FOR SALE

Sharing accommodation one attached hall, small kitchen, A/C, Internet R.O 140/- E& W at Al Khuwair. Contact: 99382008

02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 /99795241

Shop for sale in Mabela Sanayya-3 suitable for any business.

Contact : 96653000

Single room available near Darsait Lulu. Contact: 92120626

Two bedrooms flat in Al Ghobrah near Oman Oil of 18 November Street. OMR 330 Monthly.

Contact 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

2012 S350L AMG Mercedes special order 62500 KM asking 21800 Tel: 99423189

Furnished flat near ABA American School near Madinat Qaboos Rent R.O 650/- P.M. Contact : 99335100

Pharmacy in prime location in Muttrah Souq. Contact: 95803883

Furnished single room available for Executive bachelor or small family in Walja near Honda Road Ruwi. Contact 99016546

1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair.

Contact 95154331 New building Wattayah main road, showroom & office space.

Contact 94300909 Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. Contact 97007934 / 92629232 Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278 3BHK in Qurum P.D.O high 350/Monthly. Contact: 99342661 2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. contact 99342661 Four bedroom two floors luxurious and spacious residential villa in Al Hail North, near to the sea and Oman oil. Each room has its own bathroom. It has splits A/C’s and shaded car park. OMR 750 monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955

Dental Clinic for sale in Seeb.

Contact: 96373097 / 92882209 Coffee shop for sale in Al Khuwair 33. Contact: 92994415 Villas in Al Khoud.#95056808 / 97201688 Luxury Apartments in Boucher (35). Contact 95056808 / 97201688 Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair. # 92881849 / What`s up No 97290565 Furniture and other treatment items for Ayurvedic clinic.

Contact 97986525 Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale. Contact 99273774/ 99202278 Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter. Photos can be sent 95865457 A well running pharmacy for sale at prime location. contact 99627621, 93240949 Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery. Contact 99328430

For rent and investment Land industrial shops in Rusayl.

Contact: 99323957 / 95490842

Urgent sale of steel scrap only serious buyers kindly contact +968 96725423 for viewing the items.

2BHK Big Size Flat Behind Bank Muscat, Wadi Kabir. Near ISWK. 97826454, 24815012.

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

New flats for rent at Darsait near to Ministry of Sports, Mumtaz area the flats includes, 1 living room, 2 bedroom, kitchen, 3 toilets, every rooms with split A/C high quality finishing rent per flat is R.O 340/- .

Interested candidates please Contact 00968 92225523

Big room available with AC, toilet, Kitchen at Al Hail Highway roadside preferred south Indians.

Contact: 92968292 Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794 Separate entrance furnished bedroom with attached bath and kitchen for Executive bachelor in a villa opp. Star Cinema.

Contact: 99314807 Sharing Accommodation available for working ladies opposite Al Nadhah Hospital. Preferably Indians. Room with seperate toilet and sharing kitchen.RO.90.

Contact 96524717 Furnished apartment for rent, two rooms, majlis, hall, kitchen.

Near Carrefour al-mawalah. #99336776 Small old house for rent in Al Ghoubra. Contact : 97165972 Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan village.

Contact 93687466 Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. CONTACT 96202458/96761960 Room available for Executive bachelor at Al Hail.

Contact 96234708

Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

ACC WANTED Looking for a villa in Amerat area.

Contact : 95405033

WANTED IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area. Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up. Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

MV SALE Nissan Pathfinder 2012 model.

Contact: 99467005 / 92552328 Forklift caterpillar 5 ton, 2006 model. Contact: 99467005 / 92552328 Hyundai Veracruz 2011 model for sale, 4 WD color black 7 seater with engine capacity 3775CC, automatic – Steptronic with GPS. Contact 97203784 Nissan sunny, year 2000, km 190k, expat lady driven in good condition, RO 700 negotiable. Suzuki alto, year 2008, km 127k, expat driven in good condition RO 600 negotiable. Call or whatsapp immediately 968-98898273

BUYING Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090 Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299

DRIVING

NRI

Abdul Kader Bachu Miah has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AD 0047831. Finder please handover to ROP

INDIAN RAILWAYS

Mohammad Al Amin Sarder has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AD 1746128. Finder please handover to ROP

Ticket Reservation Hotel & Bus Tickets

Star Travel 92820665 / 24711734

Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 97167857

1 B/R - 890 S.FT fully furnished flat at Best Western Quepem.

Contact: 97094797

400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Mabela Phase 5 Block 2.

OMR 165 Thousand. # 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955

Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir Contact 93049849

Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

Single room B/K sharing Mumtaz area. Contact: 95212017

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

LOST

FOR HIRE FH Volvo 40 feet flat trailor available for rent. Contact: 95120774 For rent Backhoe Loader Volvo BL71 long term. Contact: 99257975 Quality concept trading LLC Crane rental daily monthly cranes available for rent at attractive prizes Contact: 92870992

Nitai Sarker has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AD 2695900.

Finder please handover to ROP Ajit Kumar Viswakaram has lost Indian Passport No. J 060145.

Finder please handover to ROP Sadabriksh has lost Indian Passport No. K 2466794. Finder please handover to ROP. Alemitu Adem Jula has lost Ethiopian Passport No. EP 1097647.

Finder please handover to ROP

D4

W E D N E S DAY, A P R I L 2 0, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT ARCOP & Partners

LOOKING FOR SALESMEN

(Middle East)

Engineering Consultants LLC

- Required urgently young & dynamic - Junior Sales Persons with a valid - Oman Driving license for a reputed printing and graphics company.

looking to hire minimum 3 years experienced Omani Civil Engineer, for upcoming building projects in Ibri & Buraimi. The candidate must be capable of independently handling the works, as a consultant. Resident engineer stationed at site.

Interested candidates to forward their CV’s with all the details to careers@arcop.co.om or fax to 24493446.

Contact: 96260078 / 96532284 Email: info.alsaj@gmail.com

REQUIRED ELECTRICAL ENGINEER Having B.E. in Electrical Engineering Min. 5 Years Experience in Oman With Driving License and Valid C.E.P License Contact : 95697401 Send CV to: cemec@omantel.net.om

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Male, 33 yrs, 14 yrs experience in Marketing, finance & accounts financial services, transaction processing, investment banking seeking suitable openings.

Contact: 94697386

DRIVER

DOMESTIC HELP Wanted female Muslim cook for family at Qurum, visa available.

MISCELLANEOUS Urgent required Outdoor sales 3-5 years of experience in spare part, Store Keeper 2 years experience, Accountant 2-3 years experience. Email: Muscat.supply@gmail. com Tel: 24504726 Fax: 24504723 Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred. Contact 99273774/99202278

SALES / MARKETING CATERING Wanted Male/female Indian cook with experience in Omani & Indian food for Omani Family. Visa available. Contact : Antony 99889459

ENGINEER/MECHANIC. Maintenance Foreman with D/L electrician cum plumber, CCTV technician building material salesman. Contact: 99383044 Engine cylinder head technician required immediately for guide changing, seat changing, seat cutting & valve lapping. call or whatsapp immediately 968-98898273 Required Hydraulic Mechanic.

Contact 95251213

EDUCATION Parameters required in the following disciplines mathematics science neighborhoods physics.

Send CV at the following Email: aleithar@hotmail.com

MEDICAL Urgently required Nurses for Al Hayat International Hospital : Omani Female Nursing Assistants, Female Nurses (Filipino preferred) with or without MOH license. Contact: 00968 94267068 / 97049520, Email: pradeep.ratnagiri@ alhayathospital.com Urgently placement for female Staff Nurse & Pharmacist clinic at Samail. Send CV : Email: saemomar@gmail.com, Contact 95498105 Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq.

Contact 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com Wanted Staff Nurse for a dermatology clinic in Muscat .

Must have MOH license and NOC. Attractive salary offered. Email: clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with Dataflow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934

Email : saadest@omantel.net.om

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED

We are looking for Public Relations Officer. Contact: 99855604

Looking for a female fashion designer to work at Al Bawwab Textiles in Shatti Al Qurum.

Contact : 94029940

Contact – 24704636

Contact : 93392630 Send CV on muslimatservices@gmail.com

ADMIN

DESIGNER

for Cosmetics Industry having experience in retail and inventory.

- For Hotel Staff, Construction Staff, Medical, Gas & Oil Staff.

- Free recruitment - free tickets, accommodation, work visa, contract for 2 (two) years.

Required Accountant with minimum 4 years experience.

Email: telljobs@gmail.com

Wanted driver. Contact: 91025698

Looking for Accountant

CANADIAN CO.- FREE CONSULTANCY FOR LEGAL JOB

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Urgently required a Driver.

Contact: 99291154

SITUATION WANTED

Urgently Required: Construction Company Purchaser- with experience in Oman and with NOC for immediately join. Interested candidates may call us to our office telephone: 0096824696584/24696585 or fax: 00968-24605955 or email us to sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com Need salesman with driving license, having two years experience. Contact: 92891888 Required marketing / PR manager for a modern restaurant group in Oman , proficient in illustrator & Photoshop charismatic , proactive , creative & flexible excellent writing / Editing skills degree in relevant area fluent in English.

Send CV to marketingpr2016@ gmail.com Salesman for a printing press.

Contact: 99498949 Looking for Salesman with experience in vegetable and fruits sales, good conduct, fluent in English.

Should have driving license. Email CV on: info@eigllcoman.com Contact - 96339339 Urgently required Sales Executives, Operations Executive import & export, for a reputed freight forwarding company in Muscat candidates with Oman D/L and minimum 2 yrs experience in similar field preferred. Interested candidates may send C.V to recruitment.oman@yahoo.com

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

SITUATION WANTSIT.WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Senior Accountant-M. Com, Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts upto finalization. Having D/L & NOC. Mob: 94122464, cammk13@gmail.com Indian male 24 yrs B.Com, TallyERP 9 with one year exp seeking for suitable placement.

Contact: 93502127 Indian male 25yrs, 3+ years experience in tax & financial consultancy, Masters in International business, B.Sc (Hons.) in accountancy & finance, looking for suitable placement in finance / consultancy, posses driving license can join immediately. Contact: 95980549 Accountant Indian male with 7 years up to finalization Tally & accounts receivable SAP R/3, good knowledge of payroll having Oman D/L, NOC. Contact: 00968-93733996 Email: thmsb182@gmail.com Indian female 24 years MBA finance & HR, B.Com Computer application currently working temporarily as Secretary & Admin available in Oman on family visa looking for suitable career.

Contact: 93839846 Email: abniesumny92@gmail.com Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job. #93953613 , Email allen.mathew83@gmail.com Indian female MBA in finance currently on visit visa seeking suitable placement in Accounts.

Contact: 92896110 Email: anoopodiyan@gmail.com Indian male, 24 yrs, Graduated with specialization in Accounting 2 years experienced C.A.CPT completed. #94628086 / 97315091 Indian male well experienced in Accounts ERP, TALLY 9 & Admin NOC available looking for a suitable job. Contact: 92650835

Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa.

Immediately available. CONTACT 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com

A young CA (ACA & ACCA qualified) with 4 years experience in one of top audit firms in UK & KSA seeks suitable placement in Oman.

Contact: Kamran: hkamran112@ gmail.com. +44 7480 1196 74. +968 93595050.

28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.#90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

Audit and accounts 5 years experienced male/25 with SAP, Tally and peachtree knowledge available for suitable placement.

97190575.

Part-time Accounting up to finalization, Auditing, Taxation and Project Finance assistance - 91044655

Accountant 8 Years experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084

Sudanese female Accountant excellent knowledge, MS Office, can work under pressure.

Contact: 97200130 Young ACCA finalist with Hons. degree in applied Accounting from Oxford Brooks with three years experience with valid Oman driving license looking for immediate placemen. Release NOC Available.

Contact: 92851056 M.Com Accountant three years experience three star hotel Tamil Nadu India, immediately available. Contact: Contact 92831400/96051737

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance.

Contact 99284193 Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement. contact 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com 10 yrs of Oman experience capable of handling large accounts, looking for suitable placement in senior sales / business development position. Contact : 98987654

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Architectural Draftsmen diploma in construction technology with 6 years experience in drafting and detailing as per British standard in Oman with valid Omani license looking for suitable opportunity Noc available. Call 94375897.

Free lance /part time autocad works (ARCH/ MEP) 2D/3D PH: 97103168 Piping designer with 14 years experience working with PDO, OXY for 10 years NOC available.#92582356 Revit autocad d/man , diploma cert attsd. exp salary 200-acco. ph: 9227 9784

ADMIN Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR PH :92279784 Indian male, 26 yrs experience (1.5 yr in Oman) in HR/Admin/ Office / Sales seeking suitable placement, local release available.

Contact 93112346 or sibyambadan70@gmail.com Indian, 20 years experience in Oman as personal assistant / office manager / administrator seeks change of job with release Contact: 99168054, mbkishore@hotmail.com Indian male – MBA (HR) & Engineering graduation with total 10 years of experience in HR & Admin ( 3 yrs of Oman Exp.) along with hands on experience in technical bid submission for all Government & PDO tenders ready to join immediately with NOC. Contact: 91240251/ Email; kvaradhan@hotmail.com Indian male, 28 MSW, 5 yrs exp Office Operations, Administration, Public relation & counseling on visit visa. Contact: 90652428 / smbinil@gmail.com Indian male 25 yrs, MBA HR,BBA. One Year Administrative/Accounts experience, looking for suitable placement, on visit visa Contact: 90653362

DRIVER Heavy driver available.

Contact: +968 96449233 Temporary light driver.

Contact: 99053510 Light Duty Driver, 3 years 6 months experience. Contact: 95768440 Young Bangladeshi driver with 3 years experience available.

Contact: 93143027 L/Driver, having 11 years experience in Oman looking for suitable job. Contact 96373904 Light driver 9 years experience looking for job. Contact: 95827886 Looking for a job as driver experience 9 years in Oman, Language Arabic / Hindi / English. Contact: 92517532 Need job for Driving.

Contact: 94375896 Light duty driver 4 years Oman exp seeks placement.

Contact: 98726383 Driver, exp 1.5 years, Language English, Arabic & Urdu, license light. Contact: 96011572 / 94484181

Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394

Indian / female, 26 yrs, MBA with 3 yrs experience in HR / Admin marketing customer relations currently in Muscat on visit visa. Contact: 97205038 Email: priya.3july@gmail.com

Indian male , 29 B.com ICWA (pursuing) 7 years experience in accountant / audit with valid Omani D/L seeking for suitable placement, NOC available. #94706954 Email: ajurn33@gmail.com

Indian Male 19 years (8 Years in Oman) well experienced in HR / Admin in Oil & Gas, Construction fields with Oman D/L seeks suitable position. Release / NOC available call: 92854993.

Light vehicle driver with 5 years exp looking for job.

Contact: 92171166

Indian CA, Male, 34 yrs, having14+ Yrs exp. in A/Cs, finance, auditing, consultancy and knows SAPB1,Tally ERP. Valid Oman D/L .Currently working in Oman. NOC available.

Contact: 94704800, Email: omanjobca@gmail.com.

Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288

Bangladeshi male light driver exp 16 years need job. Contact: 99165961

Male Accountant M.Com (finance & accounts) having 3 years experience in accounts looking for available job on visit visa.

Contact: 94648575

Indian female with nearly 10 years experience in administration & HR, seeking for a suitable placement.

NOC available. Contact: 99242841

Male CA finalist B.Com having 5 years experience with big four audit firms looking for suitable job on visit. Contact: 92230543 Email: m.naveednaseer@gmail.com CMA & CIA qualified finance professional with 13 years of me experience in FMCG industries as well as various other industries available for immediate permanent job openings. #94543660 ACCA finalist with 2 years of experience in a Construction Company as an Accountant in United Kingdom here on visit visa for 3 weeks from 12 April - 3 May. Contact: 99171627 Part time accountant, up to finalization, looking for job after 5 pm (location prefer - MSQ to Al Hail).

Contact: 95694737 MBA finance from Pakistan with 4 years experience in Accounts & finance department currently in Muscat on family visit visa, 27 yrs.

Contact: 90590037 Email: numanaslamcfo@gmail.com, nouman_aslam2006@yahoo.com Filipino Male, 24 Years Old.. looking for job, have experience in Cargo & Logistics/ Rent a Car/ Real Estate/ Finance & Accounts/ customer service and as Travel Agent. Hard working and with good computer and communication skills having Omani driving license. GSM: 95370052 Jordanian Senior Accountant 15 yrs experience in Oman finance & accounts. Contact : 92881223

B.Com 3 years business process outsourcing. Contact: 94657273 Teacher female 27 yrs, MCA 5 yrs experience in teaching in India currently on visit visa seeking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 96709509 Email: viyannifd@gmail.com Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817 Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235

Experience driver looking for job.

Contact: 95113612

Light driver Pakistani wanted job.

Contact: 94182695

Driver 3/6 years experience, I have 2 years experience out door sales man in led light, Pakistani, Oman experience 6 years.

Contact: 94565993 / 92627855 Family driver available.

Contact 92943094

EDUCATION/TRAINING Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement.

Contact : 99739415 / 92091528 Indian Lecturer M.Phil, M.Com, MBA DMM , 3+ years of exp in college & 2+ years exp in corporate seeks a suitable position.

Contact: 90369540 Email: abilashraji@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. B. Tech Mechanical Engineer having 3 years experience in maintenance & commissioning experience in an engineering services company on visit visa looking for suitable. Contact 91106765 Email: tamooraslam123@yahoo.com

CATERING Indian Cook, Tandoori cook, Chinese cook experience in India looking for cook job in hotel and restaurant. The candidate is in India. Contact: 98744307 / 79831260

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman.

Please Contact: 96489798, (+974) 66653780.

Supervisor / Cad Draftsman with Oman light driving license 10 years experience in carpentry field. Contact: 95962384

Indian male 22, Chemical Engineer residing in Oman looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 92379181 Engineer I have driving license of Oman I need job of driving.

Contact: 95980506 Indian male 26 B.Tech Civil Engineer 3 year’s 8 months Experience at building construction. In Oman 2 year’s experience N.O.C available seeking suitable placement Contact : 97396269 Email : usmanshaik42@gmail.com D.A.E (civil) Engineer + safety course (OSHA & IOSH), 5 years experience in infrastructure work looking for suitable placemen.

Contact 97658602

W E D N E S DAY, A P R I L 2 0, 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED Indian male, 25 yrs, Accountant, 2.5 yrs in Finance & Accounts, MBA Finance & HR, exposure in SAP, Tally, ERP 9 on visit visa.

Contact 96715420 / 91265020, Email : jijosrgo@gmail.com, simonjosephjc@gmail.com

Sales & Marketing specialist with 16 yrs experience in Oman in MNC retails telecom lubes construction related industry handled various projects, holding valid Oman driving license, release available.

Contact 96960991

Indian male, MCA (Post Graduate) fresher

seeking suitable placement anywhere in Oman, now on visit visa.

Contact 92319677, Email : ismabsc@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Electrical Engineer having 5 years experience in the field of managing supervising testing & commissioning of electrical distribution, transmission & substation projects. Contact 92322906 / 90377916 Email: mshameerbm@gmail.com Indian male 23 years, young dynamic looking for draughtsman in civil. Contact: 94553406 Email: choudharyibrahim93@gmail.com Indian female 23 years Mechanical Engineer with 1.5 years experience looking for suitable jobs.

Also interested in sale & and marketing.

E mail : selveena054@gmail.com Contact : 94743992 Mechanical Engineer with 2 years experience and valid Omani driving license seeks suitable placement. Contact: 97411523 Email: malvindevachan@gmail.com Civil Engineer, 6 yrs experience with Omani driving license, local release available. #91693008 An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available. Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Building Site Supervisor since 2010 in Oman with Omani D/L looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91507828 Electrical Engineer (B.E) 8+ yrs experience, NOC & release available with valid D/L. #968 94374735 Indian male, Technical Sales Manager, B.E Mech, with 11 years exp in Automotive Eng & Industrial Maintenance with Oman D/L seeks suitable job. On release to join immediately – 92880593 An electrical & electronics engineer awarded from Sunderland University with an experience in access central eyewear & rebranding of petard elations facilities have a valid visa up to year & half.

Contact: 91347567 Egyptian lady have BA in Electrical power & machines & did some training looking for job in any company. # 95935181 / 91112193 Graduate Civil Engineer having 19 years Gulf experience seeks immediate employment in reputed firms in Muscat NOC available.

Contact: 99446786 / 93251306 Female Electrical Engineer, excellent knowledge, Graduated with distinction, can work under pressure. Contact: 98133281 Mechanical Engineer (UK), 4 yrs exp in technical, Sales Engineer in Oman having valid GCC license looking suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 97612297 Email: ymirzall@caledonian.ac.uk Electrical Engineer having 8years experience with valid driving license (NOC available) Ph#91293519 Email: nomee987@gmail.com Indian female M.Tech in VLSI Design B.Tech in electronics with valid IELTS score 6.5 now in family visa experience in teaching & and admin. Contact: 90195131 Email: chinj.89@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 yrs, experience HAVC firefighting CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.in Mechanical Engineer is looking for a job vacancy Graduate of Malaysia, 7 years of work experience in oil & Gas fluent in both Arabic & English. Contact: 95569430 Electrical Engineer 6 years experience in Oman experience in MEDC / projects valid D/L. Contact: 91249329

Structural Engineer, ME, with 2 yrs exp proficient in ETABS, STAD, SAFE & Prokon, seeks job. # 050-9984535 B.E Mechanical Engineer, 24, one year experience as Production Shift Engineer, achieved training on HVAC Engineering design and has good hands on software like AutoCAD and HAP, presently in Oman on visit visa, looking for a suitable placement. Contact:95065955 Email: mjs.jazeb@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (B Tech) Indian male with 1 year experience on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact : 90510800, Email : muhammedjaseem07@gmail.com Electrical and Electronics Engineer looking for a job & interested in any available role Nationality Sudanese have valid visa for 2 years. Contact 97304565 Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable. Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+Diploma Safety+NEBOSH+OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement, Mob:97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com Road Engineer 10 years experience in Oman. Contact: 91274706 Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact 96789711 Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Graduation, tool and die engineering & tool designer, have two and half years experience in pess tool and moulding , I know CAD, CATIA , PRO-E software’s now in Oman.

Contact: 95287978 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 Mechanical Engineer with 15 yrs Exp in steel fabrication, quality, design, material estimation, sales engineering. Contact: 97093241, Email: abdelmuhssin@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech) Indian male 24 yrs having 1+ year experience in Industrial construction with good communication skills and software knowledge, looking for suitable position available on visit visa. Contact: 968 - 99779538 / 98694939 Email: arunsathyan92@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Structure Engineer 3 years looking for job in reputable company AutoCAD, Etabs, Staad Pro Omani driving license available. Contact: 97906770 Engineer with 4 years experience in Oman in telecom operations looking for a suitable opportunity have valid driving license interested in marketing also.

Contact: 98513495 Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. contact:98921022 NDT / QA / QC Supervisor / Radiographer DAE Mechanical piping- vessel LPG Bozer Storage tank inspection experience 10 years.

Contact 96954202 Email: nasirarain86@yahoo.com

Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in Indian (MRF Tyres) holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Male QC inspector Mechanical, NDT 20 years experience valid Oman D/L , release available.

Contact: 91001104 Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 9227 9784 B. Sc Civil Engineer 27 yrs, Oman experience as Project Manager, Structural Engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC / local transfer available.

Contact : 99349578 Email: farooqatm@hotmail.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 An Electrical engineer with 4+ yrs of experience in Electrical network (MT, LT) with professional computer skills seeking for work.

Contact: 99841736 / 93955381/ +149922698343 Email: e.kmmh@hotmail.com

An experienced Chartered Accountant with over 25 years in varied industries, presently working with a reputed group in Muscat, looking out for a suitable change.

IT INDIAN FEMALE, 23 years, BSCCS Diploma in IAD graphics, well knowledge in computer applications 6 months experience presently in Sohar seeking suitable placement. Contact: 96670907.

Email: ammuch.4@gmail.com Indian female MCA & BSc Physics Graduate, holder of valid driving license, seeking suitable placement in IT or Administration.

Contact: 99466062 Indian female M.Sc Computer Science seeking suitable placement in Muscat area.

Contact: 98660672 B.Tech (IT) experience in Networking server & desktop management in corporate environment looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 92954613 9 years of Software Test Consulting and business analysis experience in various CBS (Core Banking Solutions) and other Banking related solution implementations with deep understanding of Islamic Banking. Completed CDIF CIMA Diploma in Islamic Finance and ADIF - Advanced Diploma in Islamic Finance conducted by CIMA, UK. NOC available. Contact: manivannanbalaji@gmail.com GSM: 9393 8086 Omani 26 (M) Seeks placement 6 yrs experience IT specialist.

Contact 99025044 IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India.

Contact 94672759 Female 24 yrs, 3 years in IT programmer now in Oman looking for suitable job. Contact: 96350234

MANAGER

Indian male, BA, Arabic, LLB, MBA Knows English, Arabic with over 9 yrs in legal field, now working as a legal advisor in Muscat, seeks suitable placement. NOC available.

96491030 MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

PROJECTS

Indian female staff nurse with parametric passed 10 years experience looking job Muscat regain.

Contact: 95851590 / 91510137

26 yrs Indian male MBA Marketing Sales / Marketing Executive, 3 yrs experience now available in Muscat on visit visa seeking placement for immediate joining.

Contact: 95978874 Email: ansariafsar550@gmail.com

HSE OFFICER, having 9 years experience in construction.

GSM 97035591 Email - ajeeshvr.ajeesh@gmail.com

MBA (Marketing) Sales & Marketing Executive with 4 years of experience in Sales & Business Development in FMCG sector is looking for best opportunity in Muscat at present available in Muscat on visit visa.

Mail: akbarshareef786@gmail. com,GSM:95840153.

Marketing Communications Coordinator Indian, 25 years GCC experience in Media, Advertising & Marketing ATL + BTL branding. Contact: 93031168 Email: arn14256@gmail.com

Indian female (MSC – Microbiologist) seeking suitable job.

Contact 96791162 / 90618567 Indian Bsc Female Nurse with 6.5 years exp, 4 years in KSA. Passed Oman Pro Metric with 69%, completed data flow. Presently in Muscat in visit visa looking for a suitable placement. Contact 94744900, 94742834, jincyalphonese@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Indian female master degree one year experience seeking suitable placement in any field.

Contact 97792820 Email: pnjli.1991@gmail.com Indian male, 28, post graduate, 6+ yrs exp in Oman in sales (back office) & credit control with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable placements. NOC available.

Contact: 920 66 523 BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com

S.T.P Operator 20 years experience in Oman. Contact: 93089468

SALES / MARKETING Indian male (25) MBA / MMS (Marketing) on visit visa valid UAE driving license exp 2 yrs sales / marketing. Contact: 98089262 Indian male, 29 years BSc, Graduate, with Omani driving license and 7 years of sales experience in home appliances, IT products, mobile and traffic safety equipments currently working on employment visa, NOC available seeking for suitable placement immediately.

Contact 97890607 Email: ashrafambar@gmail.com Graduate Diploma, 5+ years in logistics operation and marketing / event management with driving license.

Contact: 92107006 Email: nasir_k4@yahoo.com Indian male 31, BBA Muscat born, fluent in English above average Arabic, experience in Sales, Marketing , customer service sectors ranging from FMCG to real estate, with NOC, seeks suitable placement. Contact: +968 93870938 Experience Sales Executive Muscat 13 years, KSA 9 years, with Oman driving license & KSA. Contact : 93508287 / 90701036 Sales experience of 2 years driving license diploma holding in wireless networking. Interested in Marketing, Accounts and Salesman. Contact: 98668151 Wants a suitable job as Salesman & have driving license. Wants a job with good salary & have 6 years of experience & can speak in English, Arabic and Hindi. #94162434 24 years experience Sr. Management professional as Profit centre head. Industry electrical trade looking for a suitable position in Oman / UAE. Contact: 91195418 Email: ab_9616@rediffmail.com

Finance manager 22 years Oman experience available with NO. Contact: 91335205/91302906

Indian male 29, BHM, 3 yrs exp in Oman in sales with D/L NOC. Contact: 92594055

Purchase/Planning & Logistics Manager, MBA (Finance), 14yrs.

Oman Exp. with D/L, NOC available, looking for suitable position.

Contact : 93826090, jskanchan01@gmail.com

Indian male 23 years BSc Computer Science on visit visa seeking job opportunities for suitable placement. Contact: 92740543 Email: aneep93@hotmail.com

Egyptian male 36 years Warehouse Manager, 7 years in Sultanate of Oman, 1 year in UAE, and 3 years in Egypt. Contact: +968 97200468 Email: ayman_mano1979@yahoo. com

Oman experienced Lawyer

Contact 95986767

SKILLED/ UNSKILLED LABOUR Electrical & Electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit. PH:93837973

Qualified Certified Management Accountant (CMA-USA) and cost and management accountant (ACMAIndia) with over 25 years experience in Sultanate of Oman in finance, banking and administration is seeking a suitable placement. NOC available.

Indian male B.com 10 years experience in Oman stores & warehouse, immediate job with NOC. Contact: 95192733, email: sammathew2004@yahoo.co.in BE (Mech) MBA (UK) 32 yrs male having 7 yrs exp in Oil & Gas product / project Marketing looking for suitable placement in GCC. Contact: + 968 91104381

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

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Male 28 years, Mechanical Engineer (Diploma) with 2 years’ experience, Automobile ITI NCVT, CSWI-BGAS Painting QC Grade-2, NDT Level-2, ISO Lead Auditor QA (IRCA), Piping QC & Isometric Drawings, WPS & WPQR, available on Visit Visa, looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 90653733, libinthomaslt@gmail.com The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualified to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash flow & marketing projects & investments & tenders & real estate.

Contact :- 92385033 Bachelor in Hotel Management Having 13 years experience in Catering Industry in all aspects of Operations with D/L looking out for a suitable placement. #90654826 Email: mailingsaikiran@gmail.com Tea boy looking for job Name: Man Bahadar Contact No. 97859837 Indian Female on a visit visa having master degree seeking suitable placement in any field, 1 ,5 year experience in HR .#+968 91467576.

Indian Female, M.Sc Computer Science, Seeking suitable placement in Muscat Area.

Contact : 98660672 Indian male network cabling technician (19-years Gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact 0091-8089909265 (India), E mail: mohithavp@gmail.com Indian female, MBA, Diploma in Aviation & Hospitality mgt (IATA), having 4 yrs of exp, on family visa seeks job in Oman. Contact-9910 4529, 95679557, e-mail-jkramya91@gmail.com Pakistani male having 7 years experience in General Salesman having valid D/L Looking for suitable placement. Contact: 97216830 Email: asim-samb5@yahoo.com Indian female, M.Sc Computer Science, Seeking suitable placement in Muscat Area. GSM : 98660672 9 yrs exp Site Engineer in Civil & Shade Structure. 2d, 3d draughtsman (HOLDING OMANI DRIVING LICENSE) seeking job.

Contact: 93790601 LAND SURVEYOR: Male, more than 12 years’ experience in land/pipe line surveying in Oman and UAE. Looking for suitable placement.

NOC available. #91215843 ELECTRONICS ENGINEER Indian/ male/24Yrs,Bsc.Electronics & Communications,ITI,1.7 Years experience as Service Technician in India, on visit Visa, looking For a Suitable Placement.

Contact :92794176 , E-mail: prathyushkp9@gmail.com

Contact 97351649, advocatesharaf@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS

Indian male physiotherapist with 3 years of experience, with (moh license and NOC available. seeking suitable placement.

Contact 99767528, 91317863 Indian, 32 years, passed M.A. English M.Sc Psychology, DHM & B.Ed in English with 4 years experience seeking for part time or full time job. Contact: 99869535 Email: sahadkeyi33@gmail.com 27 years old Indian male looking hospitality jobs in Hotel. Experience in customer service, front desk, housekeeping supervisor, captain, cashier,guest relation manager.

Contact. +968-90351742Email. samubaid6@gmail.com 27 yearsold Indianmale looking Jobs in documents Collection executive.Experience in collection executive. Contact. +968-90358068 Email wasimsaif04@gmail.com Indian male, 26 years old BA Graduate having 1 year experience in accounts finance field. Looking for suitable Job On visit visa immediately available. Contact 9565 9415 Anishkhan991867@gmail. Com ELECTRONICS ENGINEER Indian/male/24Yrs,Bsc.Electronics & Communications,ITI,1.7 Years experience as Service Technician in India.

On visit Visa, Looking For a Suitable Placement. Contact :92794176, E-mail:prathyushkp9@gmail.com B.Tech, MBA currently working in India in Bank. Contact: +918939857146 Email: sebimathew87@gmail.com Pakistani male 23 years old experience in travel agency - ticketing looking for a suitable job, NOC available. Contact: 93253759 Accountant cum cashier available.

Contact: 98002428 Indian with 3 years for experience in sales and marketing fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam looking for suitable job.

Also hold valid Driving License, currently in oman Mob : 93451439 HSE Engineer, Indian male, 4 Plus years exp. in Oil & Gas, Working in Shclumberger, NEBOSH, IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE. #krish.569@gmail.com, Mobile- +91 9867016808 Indian male Physiotherapist with MOH license and NOC looking for suitable job. Contact: 92617235 Indian Male, 40 Years, B. Com, having 10 years experience in Oman, Tally &ERP- looking for suitable placement ( Local release and Oman driving license available.

Tel- 92469789 Indian Male 42 year’s, MBA, Sr. Material controller having 12 years experience in Oman with reputed companies. Having Oman driving License, Seeks suitable replacement immediately. Available NOC. Cont. 00968-92944026, Email – charanjeet35@yahoo.co.in ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN Indian/male/24Yrs,Bsc.Electronics & Comm,1.7 Years experience as Service Engineer in India. On visit Visa, Looking For a suitable placement. Contact : 92794176 E-mail:prathyushkp9@gmail.com Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement. Contact 99514286 Indian male Kerala, B.com & B.PE. Currently on visit visa, looking for a suitable job in Accounts, Store keeper etc. Ready to join as early as possible. Contact:-93301023, email:- sajith3969@gmail.com

D6

W E D N E S DAY, A P R I L 2 0, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/CLASSES/COMP./WEB.

MISCELLANEOUS Female Dentist with MOH license and NOC, 7 years experience 2 yrs out of them in Oman looking for a job. Contact 97401243 Electrical diploma Engineer Indian male 22 years, 2 years experience in control panel contact 93047707 adilm89@gmail.com IT System Administrator 6 yrs experience, male, Filipino Desktop, Laptop and printer Support, Backup administrator, Router and switch Network, Server Administrator. +968 94134295 Female dentist with MOH license and NOC ready to join 7 years experience 2 of them in Oman.

Contact 97401243 Indian male 28 years B.com, MBA 4 yrs experience in accounts / finance currently in Oman on visit visa looking for suitable placement. Contact: 93460277 Email: shineraj786@gmail.com Having 10 years exp. in Admin & HR in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat and seeking for suitable placement.

Contact No.: 97693456. email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com Indian Male 42 year’s, MBA, Sr. Material controller having 12 years experience in Oman with reputed companies. Having Oman driving License, Seeks suitable replacement immediately. Available NOC. Cont. 00968-92944026, Email – charanjeet35@yahoo.co.in Pharmacist M. Pharm working in Oman for 2 years with MOH license Data flow completed. #98399415 NOC available, Indian Male - MBA (HR) and B.E (E.I.E) with total 9 years of experience in HR & Admin and Business Development (3 yrs of Gulf exp.) can join immediately - 91240251 / kvaradhan@hotmail. com M. Sc Computer Science – 2 year Experience – in India, looking suitable Placement. Email:-elvisgt6@ gmail.com, Mob:-+91 9497482305 (INDIA), Oman:-98291626.

Indian, 30 years, B. Com with 2 years Oman experience in Tally ERP-9 available in Muscat seeking suitable positions. # on 95186652 ELECTRONICS TECHNICIAN Indian/male/24Yrs,Bsc.Electronics & Comm, 1.7 Years experience as Service Engineer in India, On visit Visa, looking for a suitable placement. Contact : 92794176, E-mail:prathyushkp9@gmail.com B-tech Civil with honours, Civil Engineer (structures) Experience more than six years. #91431483. Email mohsinyousuf86@rediffmail.com HSE Engineer,Indian male, 4 Plus years experience in Oil & Gas .Working in Shclumberger NEBOSH, IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE. CONTACTkrish.569@gmail.com contact +91 9867016808 Indian male Network cabling technician ( 19-years gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact : 0091-8089909265 (India), Email: mohithavp@gmail.com PART TIME ACCOUNTANT available, well experienced in accounting up to finalization. knowledge in tally also. contact. 92643875 Chief Accountant 25 years experienced looking for part/full time accountant job.

Contact: 95598477 / 98803439

Indian Pediatric consultant, md with 20 years experience and wife gynecologist md with 15 years plus experience seeking opportunities with reputed hospitals in Muscat. deemaild@gmail.com

Bangladeshi Male, University MA, Working as Store In-charge cum Logistic Manager in Muscat; searching better job.

Phone:91997605. email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com

PROCUREMENT OFFICER, IndianMale 34yrs,M.Com with 14 yrs work Exp.(8 yrs in Oman) working in Construction Co LLC( for ROAD,CIVIL,ELECTRO-MECHANICAL & Others Projects ) and having valid LT D/L, NOC available & ready to join within a month-M:94064650, Email: nagauae@gmail.com

8 plus years of experience in Events /Marketing Communication /conferences / Trainings / Media representation. Having UAE D/L. seeking Suitable Placement: Contact: 95792820. suheal.ma@outlook.com

14 years experienced light driver with valid Oman license looking for suitable job. Contact 99442481 Indian male: 24 years, diploma in computer science and B.E(CSE) having experience in hardware and networking seeking for the suitable job. Contact: 91170912, Email id: sales2@witoman.com Indian male auto cad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience, seeking for part time job. mobile no: 0096899070584. email: remluvp@gmail.com Sudanese male, 5 years experience in warehouse management and logistics services#90644186 Civil Engineer (roads and structures) Education B. Tech Civil Engineering with honours experience more than six years.

Contact no 91431483 ,Email mohsinyousuf86@rediffmail.com Indian male 6 years exp in different field, with valid Oman driving license. Languages known Hindi, English, looking for any job(Driver for executives). Contact 98696795 HSE Engineer,Indian male, 4 Plus years Experience in Oil & Gas .Working in Shclumberger.

NEBOSH,IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE, contact krish.569@gmail.com Mobile- +91 9867016808 Experienced B.Com graduate + IATA Diploma holder looking for Accounts/Admin/Travels related job. Mob. 91142997. NOC available .

Indian male B.A degree & diploma in hotel management with 16 years experience as restaurant & catering manager in Oman & Saudi with V/L Oman D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact : 92100141 MBA Graduate (Indian male 26 years) having 2 years experience in Qatar as admin assistant looking for suitable placement. contact 93041141 Email: mahinmehboob@gmail.com

Indian Male,Kerala,B.COM & B.PE having 13Years of Physical Education Teacher experience. Currently on visit visa Looking for a suitable job. Contact:- 968 94106834. email:-akhilrajkj@gmail.com.

in Azaiba and Ruwi earn in two months

tion guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

14 years experience in 5 star hotel as sales manager in UAE & INDIA on tourist visa looking for suitable opportunity please contact mobile contact 91305978 Indian male with 1 yr exp looking for job in I.T as Web developer, presently in Muscat on visit visa. #92312978 Admin Assistant. Having 5 years experience in admin department in reputed companies, presently working in Muscat (NOC Available). GSM. 00968-98404122, Email - panduru.jeevankumar@ gmail.com Indian Female on a visit visa having master degree seeking suitable placement in any field, 1 and half year experience in HR .

Contact : +968 91467576 .

Indian Female, 24 MA Eng. Litr with 2 yrs experience in teaching & 14 months in Administration cum Secretary, Currently on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact: 92613704/99260702, Email:rohinis2010@gmail.com Indian male, 8.5 yrs experience, B.Com Graduate with GCC exp & valid driving license looking for better job opening in Muscat.

Contact: 92609935 / 94771365 2 years experienced male seeking job related to safety. M. Tech in HSE, MSc in Environmental Science and IOSH certified. #94653264 Female Junior Architect Graduated from School of Planning & Architecture, Vijayawada. Excellence in Autocad, Sketching & Modelling. Internship - KHAM Designs, Bangalore. Presently with Atulya Architects & Associates. Email saatvika.frozenmusic@gmail.com #00968-94057427.

Indian female, MBA with 9 yrs of experience in finance & procurement currently on family visa looking for suitable position in finance & supply chain. Contact 95622568

Sri Lankan Male 34 BSc. (Physics) 5 years experience as a site manager and administration supervisor in Oman with valid D/L looking for a suitable position. contact 99153061 or v.chandramohan@yahoo.co.uk

Draughtsman, 15 years’ experience, Indian male currently in Oman looking for suitable position.

Gsm – 95358115, 96977289, Email : pillairp41@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineering 6 years experience. contact 00968-998907110091 9841867534 Email: sayed.fortuner88@gmail.con

Indian Female living in Ghubra Muscat near Emirates Shopping Center. 20 years of experience in Teaching. Able to handle all subjects till grade 6. Need suitable job.

Contact- 94406552

Indian male 37 YEARS, BSC COMPUTER SCIENCE having More than 8yrs of experience with well exposure in PDO, DALEEL & OXY as IT SUPPORT / DESKTOP SUPPORT ENGINEER. Seeking suitable placement. Contact rangaraj_vck@ yahoo.co.in / 968-99758320

Indian male,16 years Oil & Gas experience ( Down Hole Tools ), 3 years in Oman, Dip. Mechanical Engineer, Having D/L and NOC. Email – jajisuni@yahoo.com, Mob : 965 956 18.

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

MBA Indian male 2 years experience in firefighting & security systems sales & marketing. Seeking suitable job. Contact – 90634050

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED B.Com Graduate with 4 year experience as an Accountant in Oman.

Also have Oman Driving License.

Best fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi& Malayalam. Looking for Job. Currently in Oman. #+968 93943448, murshid4u@gmail.com Diploma(Electrical Engineering) From Government polytechnic.Age 27years, 6 years Experiance in Maintenance, troubleshooting and managing and Technical in substation as a Electrical Engineer. Seek suitable placement. GSM- 92995899, (a.abbas31@gmail.com)

Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. CONTACT 98294551 WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price. Contact: http//webviewoman

SITUATION WANTED HSE Engineer, Indian male, 4 plus years experience in oil & gas, working in shclumberger Nebosh, ISOH & NDT certified, M. Tech in HSE. contact-krish.569@gmail. com mobile- +91 9867016808

Indian male BE Mechanical Engineer having 6 yrs exp in piping and structural construction work, looking suitable position, release available. contact 96115463email: jijoraju085@yahoo.com

BE Mechanical Engineering with one year experience now on visit visa, looking for suitable positions. #90637918 / 99335742,email: aquasharath@gmail.com

Admin Assistant, Having 5 years experience in admin department in reputed companies, presently working in Muscat (NOC Available).

GSM. 00968-98404122, Email panduru.jeevankumar@gmail.com

Sr Material controller, having 13 years experience in material controlling in reputed companies.

Presently working in Muscat (NOC Available). # 00968-92944026, Email charanjeet35@yahoo.co.in

Electronics service Technician , 4 Years experience as Electronics service engineer. Knowledge in all type of Electronics items. Looking for suitable placement. #99105043

Indian/male (25)/ MBA/2 years experience in channel sales and distribution management. on visit visa. available for immediate joining. Contact: 96914068, E mail: mailanasap@gmail.com

Indian/male (25)/ MBA /2 years experience in channel sales and distribution management. on visit visa. available for immediate joining. #96914068, email: mailanasap@gmail.com

32year Indian Male MSC,MBA-HR having 8yrs Exp(HR / Payroll / Admin) with Oman valid DL. Seeking suitable opening in Human Resource, Payroll & Admin/ backend jobs. Contact: 99322978

Indian male network cabling technician (19 years Gulf experience), seeking for suitable placement.

Contact : 0091-8089909265 (India), Email: mohithavp@gmail.com

6 YEARS EXPERIENCE HR/Finance Indian female[29Years] MBA. On family visa, Seeking suitable placement-93908191, email:aswathi.wnd@gmail.com Indian Female Electronics System Eng. UK Graduate. Programmer Micro Controller Robot, Eng. Analysis, Instrumentation & Control, Eng. Projects, Integrated Circuit Eng., Electrical and Fluid Drives, Analogue Electronics, Wireless Systems. Seeking suitable post. Contact: 97848075, s.dinesh1508@gmail.com Indian, BE Mechanical Engineering with 1 yr exp as service Engineer, looking for suitable positions. Contact-90637918, E mail: aquasharath@gmail.com Senior Accountant, 5 yrs Oman, 10 yrs UAE experience in manufacturing & construction valid D/L immediately available. Email: irfan_syed2000@hotmail.com, call: 95389018 Commercial or Operation Manager 18 yrs in Oman – finance, purchase, sales, HR & Admin exp. #99044724.

E mail: srjobsinoman@yahoo.com Male ,MBA Finance & Marketing 28 yrs,6+ Exp, with oman D/L & NOC, Hospital, Pharma, Herbal, FMCG, F&B Markeing,construction A/c & sales , 93379044

Indian male, Kerala B.Com & B.PE, looking for suitable Job in Sales, Accounts, Admin etc.#93301023 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com SOFTWARE DEVELOPER, Indian Male, 24 years, B.Tech in computer science.3Years of experience in technical support, software development, troubleshooting and managing, seek suitable placement. # GSM- 98184170 Indian male 31 yrs with over 10 yrs sales & marketing exp seeking suitable placement NOC & Oman D/L available in audition have proficiency in Arabic language.

Contact: 95760969 Looking for QHSE – Manager / Asst. Manager job, Indian Male – 39.Yrs, With 17.Yrs Experience & NOC, NEBOSH – UK, MR – ISO 9001, 14001 & 18001, HSE Trainings, Audits, Pls Contact – haree. krishnan9944@gmail.com B.A. in Accounting, Experience: 5years of Business/Accounts tutoring and 2 years of Accounting License: 70914186. #96389047, Email: sharanizareen@gmail.com Indian male at a Managerial position having 12 yrs exp in sales & marketing, Property Management looking for a suitable position, MBA qualified with Oman driving license. NOC available.

Contact: 98125226

Export Manager/DM Indian Male 38 Yrs B.Sc /CIPET 13 Yrs Experience in Business Development &Production with Oman D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact : 97221058 / 92058065, E-mail : ckabdulmajeed@gmail.com HSE Engineer: 3.8 years experience in Oil & Gas. NEBOSH,IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE,B Tech in Mechanical Engg.

CONTACT-krish.569@gmail.com, Mobile- +91 9867016808 B.Com Graduate with 4 year experience as an Accountant in Oman.

Also have Oman Driving License.

Best fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi & Malayalam, looking for Job. Currently in Oman.

Cont: +968 93943448, murshid4u@gmail.com INDIAN MALE, 26 years, BBA graduate, seeks suitable position in automotive spare parts, Have 3 year experience.Contact 96026400, Email: bineeshpn@gmail.com Master’s in Petroleum Geology looking for relevant job ready to join ASAP, valid drivers license.

Email : mehdi.poorjahangiri@ gmail.com Bangladeshi male, University MA, Working as Store In-charge cum Logistic Manager in Muscat; searching better job. #91997605, email: mohamednazrulislam2@ gmail.com 25 years, male B.Com and insurance Graduate with 6 year experience looking for an opening in accounts, finance or operations related only. Driving license and NOC available. Contact95236312. and Email: lilommca@gmail.com Indian Male,B.Com & Diploma Logistics & supply chain management 2years experience looking for job in Accounts/logistics field.

Presently on Visit Visa. Software knows MS office & Tally7.2 .

Contact :93884951Email:mehreenraiz@gmail.com

W E D N E S DAY, A P R I L 2 0, 2 0 1 6

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

KTT&CO LLC Customs Clearance thru Bayan System ( AIR & SEA CARGO) Freight Forwarding (both import & export) by giving best freight rates to Customers. Road Transportation, Delivery of all types of goods (within Oman). Contact : Tel : 24713288 & 24711071 ; GSM : (99597129 (MR. KISHORE

TOURS

Moon Travel L.L.C

Saudi Arabian Government approved agent

Umrah Package by Road & Air Bus Departures- Apr 19, May 03, 17 & 31.2016 Ramadan Schedule - Jun 06, 10, 14, 18, 22, 26 & 30.2016 Contact: Tariq Al Balushi - 99218069 Ahmed Maseehuddin - 99353611, Oĸce: 24790746/24706217

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman.

Contact 99839898

SITUATION WANTED SIT.WANTED IT/Telecom Manager, BE, MBA 13+ Years of experience, Valid Driving License. Available immediately. Phone: +91205211, Email: ghulamqasimali@gmail.com Indian male network cabling technician (19-years gulf experience) Seeking for suitable placement.

Contact - 0091-8089909265 (India) email: mohithavp@gmail.com Indian Engineer, B. Tech (Mech), MBA, MLM (Master of Labour Management), 23 yrs experience, 5 years in Oman in the positions of Operations Manager and Plant Manager with Oman Driving License seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 99744612. E-mail: deleepkumarpk@gmail.com Indian Male 47 years MBA-Operations Management with total 25 Yrs exp inclusive of 9 yrs in Oil & Gas sector in Oman, having valid Omani D/L & NOC available , seeks challenging position in SCM/ Logistics/ Procurement in any Sector. GSM-94236414. Mail id – jayamurli@gmail.com BBA MBA.Male, Indian Human Resource/ Administration/ Office work1 Year Experience Knowledge in MS-Office, Photoshop Searching for suitable job E-mail: antonyshajan11@gmail.com.

Contact: +91 9655469680 +91 8754086178 Structural Engineer Education B-Tech in civil Engineering, Work Experience More than 6 yrs contact +968-91431483 E-mail: mohsinyousuf86@rediffmail.com

Indian Female Accountant, now in Oman on Visit Visa, looking for suitable placement, #94250871 Indian Female MBA Finance, 6 years Oman experience as account looking Full time/part time accounting Jobs. #99044292 Indian Male B. Tech, 10+ years of extensive work experience in various aspects like Computer Networking, Technical Support, Management and Engineering with good communications, interpersonal and technical skills seeks suitable opportunity. Now in Oman on Visit Visa GSM : 9489 8009, Email : bios4u@gmail.com

RENT A CAR 25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver. # 99839898

TRANSPORTATION Transportation available on rent 10 ton Hiap Trailers. #94207475 / 95649231/ 97982842 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation. Contact 92015894

Indian male, accountant 2 year experience doing accounts in Tally and Excel. Searching for suitable job. Contact: subbayan_r@gmail. com GSM: +918098637908

Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

Indian male 26 years MBA finance, seeks suitable placement. #92715032 / ajisd@yahoo.com

Transportation required from Qurum to WadiKabir at afternoon only 1 PM. Contact - 99012165

Indian male: 24 years, diploma in computer science and B.E (CSE) having experience in hardware and networking seeks suitable job. #91170912 Email: sales2@witoman.com Sudanese male. Five years diploma in civil engineeringhave five years experience in construction industry. Mobile: 96995670 Sri Lankan female looking for a housemaid job. Please send details to s.c.balthaza@gmail.com Contact: 94036979

Transportation. Contact 94087276

MANPOWER

RENT A CAR

Best Rates for Saloon Contact: 97869042 / 95730550 sales@modernreem.com

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

WĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů Θ BƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ăůů ŬŝŶĚƐ ŽĨ ƉĞƐƚ ĐŽŶƚƌŽů ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ͘ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ Ɵ ůĞƐ ͬ DĂƌďůĞ ƉŽůŝƐŚŝŶŐ ŵŽŶƚŚůLJͬ YĞĂƌůLJ ĐŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ͘ ŽŶƚĂĐƚ͗ ϵϴϴϭϰϳϯϯ ͬϵϴϴϭϰϳϰϬ ů ,ƵƐŶ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ >͘>͘

Investment Required

We do industrial catering service, Canteen / mess, 3 times packed meals and all types of catering events.

Minimum OMR 500,000 to transfer 5 Excavators big + 5 Tippers 2015 Astra, working on good profitable Excavation projects. Assured income 36 %.

Contact: 92188777 / 99249899

98867530 / 99120532 engrfaheem@hotmail.com

Muscat Driving School established for over 15 years drive safe with MDS. Meet our professional friendly Instructor. Contact: 99773651 / 95840670 Sohar 26844412 Ruwi / Darsait 24781123 MGM 24399951 AL Khudh 24536348 Split A/C servicing R.O 10 only.

Contact: 94217681 /99210141

tĞ WƌŽǀŝĚĞ ůĞĂŶĞƌƐ͕ Kĸ ĐĞ ďŽLJƐ͕ ůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ŽŶƚƌĂĐƚƐ͕ 'ĞŶĞƌĂů ĐůĞĂŶŝŶŐ ĞƚĐ͘ ů DƵĚĂŬŚŝƌ EĂƟ ŽŶĂů Ɛƚ͘ >> ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ ϵϰϮϳϳϬϮϬ

All MEP & Civil shop drawings.

Contact : 93070771 Email : designjob2014@gmail.com Cleaning Services, Sofa, carpet shampoo old house or new house.

Contact: 92179395

PALEST CONTROL TABA SERVICE LLC

Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC Contact: 99344723

100% Professional Aīordable Rate !!!

GOOD NEWS

Harmless & Odourless

CALL - 91464586 Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 We do building maintenance all kind of works. Contact 99247663 A/C maintenance & servicing, fridge, washing machine & dish washer repairing, painting & cleaning services, electrical & plumbing. #99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722

Split & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC Contact 99344723 House shifting. Contact 99708138 CAD drawings Archi/ MEP CAD – comply BIM. Contact: 91233975

We are looking for training license training business to buy.

Contact: 97100419 Email: trainingsmuscat@gmail.com

MATRIMONIAL

Ants, Rodent, & cleaning On monthly,

Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact 96236476

CATERING SERVICES

Split & window A/c installation & maintenance specialist package & ducted units. Contact 98667326

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Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. contact 24793614/ 99314807 Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing.

Ocean center LLC. Contact 99344723 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 /94285064 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.

Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 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

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact:24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com

MATRIMONIAL Nair boy Alleppy dist, 25 Revathy 175 Cm, B.E Mech 3 yrs in Oman as planning Engineer seeks alliance.

Contact: 94232342

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Tamil Hindu Brahmin Iyer/boy, parents invite proposal for their only son 25 yrs / 6.1 ht / B.Tech (NIT), MBA (IIM), EX- ISM student, employed MNC Bangalore star Uttira Thdhi seeks suitable alliance fom Iyer/Iyebger families. Parents in Oman Contact: 98288925 / 92264915 Nair boy working in Muscat, age 32 & H 165 cm, seeking alliance from Nair/Nambiar girls, especially from kannur & kasaragod, Manger visa with family status.

Contact: 99855397 30 yrs, Kottayam working in Saud Bahwan Automotive L.L.C Oman.

Contact: 93049433 / 99613914 Malankara Catholic Male Nurse (28) from Thiruvalla working in Nizwa Private Co. Alliance invites parents/nurses working in Oman.

Contact 968 98267338, 0091 9287215726 Indian male Roman Catholic 40yrs divorcee working in Muscat.

Seeks suitable alliance from widow/ divorcee/ single.

Contact 96059801.