Times of Oman - October 21, 2015

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FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

On the occasion of the 28th national day

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ The private sector now, more than at any time in the past, is required to redouble and accelerate its efforts, with confidence, and utilising all opportunities in promisingly productive avenues. This will lead, with God’s permission, to positive, tangible effects in the economic and social life in the coming years

WEDNESDAY, October 21, 2015 / 7 Muharram 1437 AH timesofoman.com

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OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO TIMES #OMANPRIDE CAMPAIGN

Joining hands with the Times of Oman for its #OmanPride campaign that focuses on positive news and what is good in Oman, enthusiastic readers have sent stunning pictures that showcase the country’s beauty. The shimmering spectacle at the Muttrah Corniche is a treat to the eyes. — Soumya N Ghosh See also >A6

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THE HOME OF GOOD NEWS

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Haitham opens expo

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HH Haitham bin Tariq Al Said opened the GCC Archeology Exhibition. >A3

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Battle of the bands

#OMANPRIDE

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Oman-based bands will face each other in a battle of the bands. >A4

MARKET

Economic outlook

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There is ‘cautious optimism’ about Oman’s economic prospects. >B1

UAE visa loopholes are being closed to expats Since the new rule came into force, GCC residents are having trouble visiting the UAE and many had to change their travel plans

REJIMON K /RAHUL DAS

reji@timesofoman.com rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Loopholes which some travellers from Oman have found to dodge new rules requiring an e-visa to cross the border in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are closing fast.

Confusion has dogged the new procedure which does away with visa-on-arrival for any person whose home country does not have a treaty with the UAE. Since the new regulation came into force, the majority of airlines have begun denying travel for residents to the UAE if they don’t hold the e-visa, but one airline flying out of Muscat has still been allowing passengers to fly.

“A particular airline is able to provide visas because it is a GCC carrier. However, it’s just a temporary arrangement. That too will be stopped in the coming weeks,” a travel agent said.

A spokesperson of Emirates Airlines said they are following UAE guidelines. “We are following regulations based on guidelines from General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai. So this is checked during the check-in process and it should be checked again at the immigration counter in Muscat,” the spokesperson said.

Citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia do not require a visa to travel to the UAE. “However, GCC residents do require UAE visas and should

Under the new rules, regardless of the profession, expatriates have to apply online for an e-visa. Earlier, expatriates holding a certain professional status were eligible to get visa-on-arrival in the UAE

apply online at ednrd.ae,” the spokesperson said.

While no one from Oman Air was available for comment, passengers told Times of Oman that they had also been prevented from flying without the e-visa, in accordance with the new rule.

From October 1, the UAE introduced the changes related to entry to the Emirates for expatriates living in the GCC countries.

Under the new rules, regardless of the profession, expatriates now have to apply online for an e-visa.

Earlier, expatriates holding a certain professional status were eligible to get visa-on-arrival in the UAE. >A6

Sayyid Fahd meets Estonia prime minister

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ROP

Driving licence rules get tougher FAHAD AL GHADANI/RAHUL DAS

fahadnews@timesofoman.com rahuldas@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Expatriates, whose driving licences can’t be exchanged for Omani licences, have to undergo a drum and slope test, even if they hold a valid permit back home, according to a senior official at the Royal Oman Police (ROP).

Speaking to the Times of Oman, the official said this decision was made after the ROP

found that some driving licences issued in particular countries were fake. “The decision was changed after a detail study by the authorities concerned at the ROP,” said the official.

He, however, said that this decision does not affect expats who can exchange their driving licences as Oman has signed agreement with some countries.

The rule, which became effective in 2010, has been revoked recently, according to the ROP. “It’s now mandatory for all ex-

pats to undergo an eye test, signal test, drum and slope tests and then the road test to get a licence.

There is, however, no requirement for a letter from the sponsor, which was mandatory until a few years back. Now, just a copy of his/her valid resident card, along with a couple of passport size photographs, should suffice, along with the payment of prescribed fee for opening a file with the licence issuing authority,” said a driving instructor, who got instructions from the ROP. >A6

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W EDN ESDAY, OCTOB ER 21, 2015 Five-year-old Basma Mohammad Faisal is anxiously awaiting an Indian visa to go there for liver transplantation as the facility is not available in Oman or back home in Pakistan Condition of sick girl deteriorates >A5

OMAN

CHOLERA OUTBREAK

Omanis planning to visit Iraq advised precautions Times News Service MUSCAT: Omanis planning to visit Iraq should take precautions against cholera as an outbreak has been reported in the country, Oman’s Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs has said.

“Omanis travelling to Iraq from Oman have to follow health instructions strictly so that they don’t contract the disease, especially during this season,” a statement from the ministry said.

“Guidelines on how to keep the disease at bay are available. People should follow them strictly,”

the statement added. The Iraqi media quoted Iraq’s Health Ministry, which reported that a cholera outbreak had affected around 100 Iraqis in late September, which has now spread to more than 1,400 patients.

Global news agencies reported that the number of confirmed cases of cholera in Iraq had risen to 1,201, following an outbreak that started along the Euphrates river last month. The report also pointed out that there had been only one confirmed death resulting from the disease, in the Babil province, south of Baghdad.

Confirmed cases of cholera in Iraq have risen to 1,201.– File photo

OCTOBER 25 ELECTIONS

107 centres approved for Majlis polls MUSCAT: A total of 107 centres have been approved by the Ministry of Interior for the casting of votes for the Majlis Al Shura elections scheduled for October 25. The polling booths in the various wilayats are as follows: Muscat Governorate: Muscat: Al Zahra Basic Education School and Safana bint Hatem Al Taei Basic Education School; Muttrah: Wattaya Basic Education School and Imam Jaber bin Zaid School; Al Amerat: Al Sahba bint Rabia General Education School for Girls and Al Harith bin Khalid Basic Education School; Bausher: Faidh Al Ma’arifa Basic Education School and Al Oula Basic Education School; Seeb: Asila bint Qais Basic Education School and Ahmed bin Al Nuaman Basic Education School; Quriyat: Daghmar Basic Education School, Zainab bint Abi Sufiyan Basic Education School and Aubai bin Thabit Basic Education School. - ONA More details on the website

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ARCHAEOLOGY

Haitham opens GCC exhibition

HERITAGE SHOW: The Fifth Joint GCC Archaeology Exhibition at Bait Al Zubair Museum in Muscat was opened by His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture. The expo is being hosted by the Sultanate and will continue until November 19. – ONA

DIPLOMACY

Minister of Royal Office receives US military official MUSCAT: Gen Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nu’amani, Minister of the Royal Office, received in his office here on Tuesday Vice Admiral Kevin M Donegan, Commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command and the US 5th Fleet. Topics of interest to the two friendly countries and the march of good bilateral relations and means of enhancing them in all fields to serve the joint interests, were discussed.

The meeting was attended by Greta C Holtz, the US Ambassador to the Sultanate.

RNO Commander receives US Vice Admiral Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Ra’eesi, Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), received in his office at Mu’askar Al Murtafa’a on Tuesday Vice Admiral Kevin M Donegan, Commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command and the US 5th Fleet. -ONA

MUSCAT: His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Minister of Heritage and Culture, opened the 5th Joint GCC Archaeology Exhibition at Bait Al Zubair Museum in Muscat on Tuesday.

Being hosted by the Sultanate and represented by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the exhibition will run until November 19.

Salim bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary, Ministry of Heritage and Culture for Heritage Affairs, said the expo would enable people to familiarise themselves with the common history of GCC, as well as their diverse traditions and heritage.

The exhibition is being held in accordance of the decisions of the 16th GCC meeting of the undersecretaries of archaeology and museums, held in Qatar in June. It includes 300 archaeological pieces from the pre-historic period. Items dating back to the pre-Islamic period as well as various Islamic periods are also on display. -ONA

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

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The ‘Globe to Globe Hamlet’ (concept) was created with the aim of performing Hamlet before as many people as possible, in as diverse a range of places as possible Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre

DIPLOMACY

Estonian prime minister in Sultanate on three-day visit MUSCAT: Taavi Roivas, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, arrived here yesterday on a three-day visit to the Sultanate.

His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, led the welcoming party for the guest and his delegation upon their arrival at Muscat Airport.

An official welcome ceremony was accorded for the guest. When the airplane carrying the guest came to a stop in the place specified for it, Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said received and welcomed him in the Sultanate, wishing him and his accompanying delegation

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a successful visit and a pleasant stay. Then, the guest introduced his accompanying senior officials to Sayyid Fahd.

After that, Sayyid Fahd accompanied the guest to the Dais of Honour where the Protocols Guard of the Royal Oman Police (ROP) performed the salute and the National Anthem of Estonia and the Royal Anthem of Oman were played.

Then, the Commandant of the Protocols Guard proceeded to the Dais to obtain permission from the guest and Sayyid Fahd to inspect the first column of the Protocols Guard.

After inspecting the Protocols Guard, the guest shook hands with the welcoming party members comprising a number of ministers, the head and members of the mission of honour that will accompany the guest during the visit, the accredited Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to the Sultanate (Dean of the Diplomatic Corps), a number of senior officers of the Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and Royal Oman Police (ROP). -ONA

GLOBE TO GLOBE HAMLET

Muscat set for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre performance Times News Service MUSCAT: Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre will bring its world-famous production of Hamlet entitled, “Globe to Globe Hamlet” to Oman, to be presented at the Ministry of Education auditorium.

The Globe Theatre will arrive in Oman at the end of the week to perform at the Ministry of Education auditorium in Wattayh on October 22. Tickets can be bought from the British Council in Muscat.

The production had opened on April 23, 2014, to mark the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth. As part of the completely unprecedented theatrical adventure, the Hamlet production will tour every single country on earth over the course of two years. Sixteen men and women are currently travelling across seven continents, performing at various venues.

Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and director of Hamlet,

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sible. The central principle of the tour is that Shakespeare can entertain and speak to anyone, no matter where they are on earth; and that no country or people are better off without the lively presence of Hamlet.”

The central principle of the tour is that Shakespeare can entertain and speak to anyone, no matter where they are on earth.

– Supplied photo

said, “The ‘Globe to Globe Hamlet’ (concept) was created with the aim of performing Hamlet before as many people as possible, in as diverse a range of places as pos-

Cultural relations Jonathan Wilks CMG, the British ambassador to Oman, said, “I am delighted to support this amazing opportunity to reinforce cultural relations between our two countries. Shakespeare has been successfully translated into many languages, including Arabic, because he speaks to humanity about universal values. I wish everybody from Oman who sees the performance a memorable and enjoyable evening.”

ENVIRONMENT

Wetlands plan discussed MUSCAT: A seminar was held here for developing a national strategy for wetlands and providing a national vision for their preservation and management in the Sultanate, while ensuring optimum benefit from them.

The seminar, which focused on the national strategy for wetlands, was organised by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, on Tuesday. -ONA

WARM WELCOME: His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the

Council of Ministers, led the welcoming party for Taavi Roivas, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia, who arrived in Muscat on Tuesday. – ONA

Bands to compete for Stereophonics opening act slot Seven Oman-based bands will take the stage to face each other on September 23 before a panel of renowned judges in the music industry

TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman-based bands will get the opportunity to face each other in a battle of the bands, where the winner will have the privilege to become the supporting act for one of the biggest international names in rock, Stereophonics.

Seven bands will take the stage on Friday, September 23 at the Shangri La Barr’s Al Jissah Ballroom before a panel of renowned judges in the music industry, to battle it out and claim the opening act for Stereophonics, who will perform live in Muscat on Thursday, November 12.

“It’s a good chance for local bands to become a supporting act for Stereophonics, as most bands usually do”, said Terence Pereira, marketing manager at Alive Entertainment.

“We want to make it like a night out and not just a boring competition. We want the audience to be amazed and the bands to feel special… to make a big deal of them”, continued Lisa Linehan, event manager at Alive Entertainment.

International bands have attempted to register for the com-

BIG BRAND: It’s a good chance for local bands to become a sup-

porting act for Stereophonics. – Supplied photo

petition, but were turned down as the competition is solely meant for local Omani bands.

“We had a few registrations from outside Oman, but we had to inform them that the competition is only for Omani bands”, explained Pereira.

The seven bands short listed for the competition are: B-Sharps, Coffee Soup, IRIS, Marshall’s Law, Noisy Neighbours, T-Band and Wadi Dogs.

Judges The bands will have 20 to 30 minutes to set up and perform for the crowd, where they will be judged based on the standard assessment for performing arts during an audition. “We are judging based on the basic criteria, such as stage presence, crowd engagement and most importantly the music and sound”, said Pereira.

The judges are still to be confirmed due to complications of some shortlisted names, who

have not been able to attend, but also prove Alive Entertainment’s commitment to providing trustworthy and knowledgeable judges in the field of music.

“We want to make sure we have the right judges; we don’t want just anybody. So we are going through a few names, but unfortunately some of them can’t make it,” Pereira explained.

“But we do have four names that are all based in the music industry,” he added without revealing the names of the judges.

The winners will be announced on the same day at the venue, where the results will be revealed before the audience and band members together.

Tickets Doors will be open at 7pm and the show will start at 8pm, with tickets being sold at the door. Tickets will be available for OMR5 for those who arrive before 9 pm and OMR8, for arrivals after 9 pm.

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Ailing girl Basma’s condition worsens

IN NEED OF URGENT MEDICAL HELP: Basma is unable to eat or digest food. She is unable to retain whatever little she eats and vomits it all as the tube connecting her liver to the pancreas is partially blocked. – File photo/Times of Oman

Ten days on, family still awaits Indian visa to take her there for liver transplant

Times News Service MUSCAT: Five-year-old Basma Mohammad Faisal’s condition deteriorated on Tuesday after she refused to eat anything for the third consecutive day.

Her father, Mohammad Faisal Raza, said she is to undergo an endoscopy test immediately.

“We went to a private hospital in Nizwa, but I was told that they don’t have this facility. Then

I went to a government hospital, which in turn has referred my daughter to the Royal Hospital in Muscat. Now we will try to get her admitted there today,” he told the Times of Oman on Tuesday.

Acute shoulder pain The little girl was also said to be complaining of acute shoulder pain for the last couple of days.

“Right now, she is being fed directly through her bloodstream through a drip lodged in her vein,” Raza said.

He also informed that the family is still awaiting the Indian visa.

“It has been 10 days since we applied for the Indian visa, but there is still no news of our visa. I went to the Indian Embassy on Sunday too but they told me that the visas are yet to be approved by Indian government. We will fly to India as soon as we get the visa,” he said.

The five-year-old is unable to

eat or digest food. She is unable to retain whatever little she eats and vomits it all as the tube connecting her liver to the pancreas is partially blocked.

Raza, a Pakistani national, plans to take her to India for liver transplantation as soon as possible, as this facility is not available in Oman or back home in Pakistan. “I lost my elder daughter to the same disease about 11 years back. I don’t want to lose her and plan to get both the operations done at Global Hospital in Chennai in India,” he said.

His elder daughter, Asfa Mohammed Faisal had died in December 6, 2004 and she too was suffering from liver cirrhosis.

“Then also, the doctors had suggested a liver transplant, but we could not afford the treatment and she died,” Raza, who has been working in Sultanate since November 1991, said.

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W EDN ESDAY, OCTOB ER 21, 2015 I used to get visa to the UAE at the border checkpost. Last time, I was told to apply online. Then I returned and did it. After 24 hours, I got it Saji Kumar, an Indian businessman

OMAN BEAUTY OF OMAN THROUGH READERS’ CAMERAS

For helping us celebrate all that is good in Oman, contributors and readers have been sending images to Times of Oman’s #OmanPride campaign, capturing the beauty of the Sultanate. The Times of Oman initiative, a dedicated platform for good news, has received positive response. We once again urge citizens and residents to share with us anything that you feel promotes what’s best in the country we all call our home. It can be beautiful photographs, videos or words. - Nikhil Philip Jacob, Soumya N Ghosh, Rimna Rasheed contributed for the #OmanPride campaign.

Textile exhibition to boost India-Oman ties The exhibition aims at enhancing cultural ties between India and Oman, with the embassy exhibiting a traditional textile collection from different parts of the country

Times News Service MUSCAT: A textile exhibition organised by the Indian Embassy at the Promenade Garden of Oman Avenues Mall, has received a huge response.

“There has been a great footfall to the textile exhibition and a lot of enquiries on the textiles that are on display and from where they can be sourced. We have got re-

INDIAN TEXTILES: ‘Vastram- The Splendid World of Indian Tex-

tiles’, the exhibition features 37 traditional textiles. –Supplied photo

lated trade enquiries too,” said an official from the Indian Embassy.

The exhibition is aimed at enhancing cultural ties between India and Oman, with the embassy exhibiting a traditional textile collection from different parts of India.

Entitled, “Vastram- The Splendid World of Indian Textiles”, the exhibition features 37 traditional Indian textiles and a large site-specific installation in three categories of painted printed, woven and non-woven, embroidered

and embellished cotton.

“The collection investigates the global influences on new materials, from machine spun yarn to handloom cotton and synthetic dyes for vegetable and mineral dyes. The role of the Indian government after Independence was also to ensure that textiles are sustained through the use of new techniques, technology introduction, research on documentation and conserving traditions,” an embassy official said.

Jamdani sarees, Chanderi weave, Chamba rumals, Pulkahree, Sunjani Kantha and Ikat are some of the types of traditional textile on display at the exhibition.

The Indian subcontinent was the most important cotton manufacturing region in the world, with many references to Indian cotton fabrics being found in the tombs of the Pharaohs in Egypt.

Between the 12th and 18th centuries, cotton was cultivated in virtually every region of the Indian subcontinent. From Punjab in North India and Bengal in West India to Andhra Pradesh in South India, the cotton shrub is essential among peasant crop rotations and integral to the farmer’s strategy of survival. Hamida Khatoon Naqvi has enumerated 35 different varieties of cotton cloth that were produced and consumed in this region in 1500 B.C., according to a statement by Shelly Jyoti, the curator of the exhibition.

Jyoti, the curator of the exhibition is a fashion designer and an independent curator, whose work references the cultural context of Indian history. Jyoti is a trained fashion designer with National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi.

JAZZ MUSIC

Jazz Quartet’s show in Muscat this week Times News Service MUSCAT: Two concerts of the Ari Roland Jazz Quartet’s, sponsored by the US Embassy in Muscat, will be organised in Muscat this week.

The quartet will perform on October 22 at Sahwa Gardens from 7pm to 9pm and on October 23 at Qurum Public Park from 7pm to 9pm. The concerts are free of charge and open to the public.

Musical contributions The Quartet will share and promote one of the most important musical contributions America has made to the world: Jazz Music. As a “Jazz Ambassador” for the US Department of State, Ari has travelled throughout the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa for more than 100 programmes since 2007.

A fully professional jazz bassist in New York City at 16, Ari also received classical training for 5 years at The Juilliard School.

He has worked with many of

Ari Roland has travelled throughout the Middle East, Europe, Asia and Africa for more than 100 programmes since 2007.

the most significant figures in jazz, including Barry Harris, Betty Carter, and Harry Connick Jr. Roland’s quartet is completed by band members Zaid Nasser, playing the alto saxophone, Chris Byars who plays the tenor saxophone, and Keith Balla, playing the drums.

MAJLIS AL SHURA

Poll panel meeting MUSCAT: A meeting of the Majlis Al Shura Eighth Term Elections Higher Committee was held on Tuesday at Athaibah, under the aegis of Sheikh Khalid bin Rashid Al Manwari, Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Court.

During the meeting, the com-

mittee reviewed a number of issues put forward by Shura’s Eighth Term Elections Main Committee, including the procedures of election held on October 18 at the polling centres at Oman’s embassies in the GCC countries. -ONA

NEW CHANGES

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A1 Driving licence He added that ROP will open the file if they are convinced about the validity of these documents and their eligibility to drive vehicles. “Once the file is opened, the applicant has to appear for an eye test and start learning how to drive on Oman’s roads, irrespective of the nature of their job or the level of their academic qualifications,” he said.

The news is a huge setback for expats who are planning to learn driving in Oman. “I was told that the Indian licence is no longer valid,” said Sudhir, who had visited Qurum police station to get his

green book so that he could learn driving. Before going there, he had also got his Indian licence attested from the Indian embassy, and counter-attested it from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qurum. “Still, it didn’t work. Now, I will have to shell out a huge sum for my licence,” he said.

Driving instructors charge between OMR6 and OMR8 per class and per hour. There are others, who draw out a contract, which can start from OMR300 for 50 classes. “This works out to be a very expensive proposition,” he said.

NEW NORMS

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A1 UAE online visa The move does not affect those from countries with treaties with the UAE, such as the European Union.

“We heard that many people, who landed in the Emirates hoping to avail the visa-on-arrival facility, were denied a visa and were returned. However, for those, who flew on a certain airline, they were able to get visa-on-arrival,” the travel agent added.

“Many other expatriates, who entered the UAE by road, were also denied visa. However, some were able to get it,” residents told the Times of Oman.

Times of Oman’s (TOO) attempts to get a clear picture on the issue from the UAE ministry went in vain. Emails and phone calls made to the Ministry remained unanswered.

“I used to get visa to the UAE at the border check-post. Last time, I was told to apply online.

Then I returned and did it. After 24 hours, I got it. Now, travellers have to plan in advance,” Saji Kumar, an Indian businessman in Muscat, told TOO. A family had to face similar hassles at the border as there was confusion at the check post.

“I got a visa for myself, wife and daughter. But I could not manage to get one for my son. Later on, after a long wait, we managed to get a visa for him. So, we continued with the trip. But we saw many

people being asked to return after they were denied a visa,” a family from Muscat said.

According to the new norms, for getting a UAE visa, a GCC residence entry permit is valid for 30 days before entry from the issuance date, and allows a stay period after entry of 30 days, which can be extended to 60 days.

A GCC accompanied entry permit is valid for 60 days before entry from the issuance date, and the stay period after entry is 60 days, which can be extended by another 60 days.

However, upon arrival, if the GCC residency is found to have expired or cancelled, the entry permit holder shall not be granted entry, and if the profession of the GCC resident is determined to have been amended after the issuance of the entry permit, the holder shall not be granted entry.

The GCC residency must be valid for at least three months from the arrival date and the passport must be valid for at least six months from the arrival date.

Also, checks have to be conducted before allowing entry to foreigners, with temporary passports. However, foreigners possessing only emergency passports will not be allowed entry into UAE. The new rule also stipulates that a GCC resident e-visa is only valid for entry into the arrival/issuance port in UAE.

W E D N E S DAY, O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 We must, for the future of our children, come back from this dangerous abyss, safeguard the two-state solution and lead people back onto the road towards peace.

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary-General

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REGION

Syrian rebel leader killed in raid SCAN THIS TO VISIT

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The attack on

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Monday evening marked the third time Russian war planes have targeted the First Coastal Division group since Moscow began its air strikes

BEIRUT/ANKARA: Russian air strikes in Syria’s Latakia province killed a rebel commander and four other fighters from a group armed by foreign countries, a spokesman for the group said on Tuesday.

The attack on Monday evening marked the third time Russian war planes have targeted the First Coastal Division group since Moscow began its air strikes in support of President Bashar Al Assad on September 30, the group’s spokesman Fadi Ahmad said.

He said a further 15 civilians had been killed in the air strike in Jabal Akrad, a rural, mountainous area in the province. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights earlier put the death toll at 45 rebels and civilians.

Potent weapon The First Coastal Division is one of several groups that have received foreign military support including US-made anti-tank missiles, the most potent weapon in the rebels’ arsenal.

The group, which fights under D E A D LY D I S E A S E

Saudi Arabia, US likely to prepare MERS vaccine: WHO GENEVA: The United States and Saudi Arabia may prepare a vaccine for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) to try and head off the next outbreak of the disease, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

Margaret Chan said Saudi Health Minister Khaled Al Falih was discussing this with US public health officials.

“They communicated and looked at collaboration and to see whether we can, in terms of preparedness, get some vaccines ready in advance of another MERS outbreak,” Chan told reporters.

MERS has killed at least 571 of 1,595 people infected since September 2012, mainly in Saudi Arabia.

There are currently no licensed vaccines available for MERS. In July, researchers trying to develop a vaccine in the United States said they had early signs of success in animal experiments.

Research Al Falih, who also heads the Saudi national oil company, was “much more forthcoming” than Riyadh had been in the past, Chan said, and had $70 million for research that would help fill the many gaps in the science of MERS. — Reuters

CRASH SITE: Rebel fighters from the Ahrar Al Sham Movement inspect a site as they gather pieces

of the wreckage of unidentified and unmanned aircraft that had crashed on Monday at their base in Maarchmarein village in the southern countryside of Idlib, Syria on Tuesday. – Reuters

the umbrella of the “Free Syrian Army”, confirmed the death of its chief of staff, Basil Zamo, formerly a captain in the Syrian military.

Ahmad said a fighter trained in the use of the anti-tank TOW missiles had also been killed.

The Russian jets had struck one of the group’s headquarters, and then struck the same target again after rescue workers had arrived on the scene.

“They have hit us three times now. They are hitting us on the grounds of IS, but they are hitting the ones who do them most damage - the Free Syrian Army,” said

Ahmad, speaking from the area via an internet messaging system.

Russia’s air strike campaign in Syria has killed 370 people, one third of them civilians, since it started three weeks ago, the Observatory said on Tuesday.

FSA groups, often led by former Syrian army officers, have widely been eclipsed by militants including the Al Qaeda-linked Nusra Front and IS. Though they describe themselves as part of an army, they do not operate with a centralised command and control structure.

Some FSA groups have received

support including military training by foreign countries.

The commander of another such group, the Nour Al Din Al Zinki Brigades, was killed in fighting south of Aleppo on Monday.

Deaths The Syrian army backed by foreign fighters have launched a series of ground offensives against insurgent-held areas of western and northwestern Syria since Russia began air strikes in the country.

Meanwhile, at least three Russians fighting alongside Syrian government forces were killed and

INTERNAL STRIFE

UN deal to end Libya crisis stalled as draft is rejected TRIPOLI: UN attempts to broker a national government with Libya’s warring factions stalled on Tuesday after the elected parliament rejected a draft of an agreement meant to end the crisis.

Libya is caught in a conflict between the internationally recognised government and its elected parliament and a self-styled government controlling the capital Tripoli, each backed by rival armed factions.

After months of talks, the United Nations proposed a national power-sharing government to end a war international powers worry is allowing hardline militants to gain ground.

In a confusing announcement on Monday night, House of Representatives President Aghila Saleh said most members of the elected legislature rejected the proposal, which named a sixmember council as the executive of a unity government. But some lawmakers said there had been a show of hands and others said there had been no official vote.

However, the lawmakers said there was a general rejection of the unity proposal because of changes they said were made to appease Tripoli, even after the House of Representatives had already agreed to the initial deal

CELEBRATIONS: A Libyan woman holds a picture of MajorGeneral Halifa Haftar as people celebrate the decision by their parliament to reject the UN proposals for a national unity government, in a public square in Benghazi late Monday. – AFP

earlier this year. “The majority of the House of Representatives rejected the proposed government... because there were too many violations to the draft,” lawmaker Mohammad Al-Abani told Reuters. Despite the resistance, delegations from both factions say they want to keep negotiating.

Libya’s recognised government has operated out of the east of the country since last year when an armed faction called Libya Dawn took over Tripoli in the west, set up its own government and

reinstated a former parliament known as the GNC. The GNC is also struggling to present a united front on the UN deal and has yet to vote officially.

Some GNC leaders have rejected the deal, while on Tuesday a group of 25 lawmakers said they accepted it.

“I see the two non-votes as a convergence of the hardliners in both camps to preserve to status quo,” said Mattia Toaldo, Libya expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations. — Reuters

RISING TENSIONS

Israelis, Palestinians urged to avoid ‘abyss’ OCCUPIED JERUSALEM: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged Palestinians and Israel on Tuesday to step back from a “dangerous abyss” as he arrived on a snap visit to the region at the head of international efforts to quell three weeks of violence.

The bloodshed began with a string of stabbing attacks on Israelis in occupied Jerusalem. One reason given by Palestinians for the surge in violence is anger over perceived Jewish encroachment on occupied Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque compound.

Speaking moments after arriving, Ban said the wave of unrest was undermining Palestinian hopes for statehood and Israel’s longing for security. “This conflict has gone on for far too long,” he said. “We must, for the future of our children, come back from this

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dangerous abyss, safeguard the two-state solution and lead people back onto the road towards peace.”

Ban, whose trip was announced in Israel only hours before his arrival, was to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later in the day in occupied Jerusalem. He will see Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah on Wednesday, Palestinian officials said.

US Secretary of State John Kerry, who is to hold talks with Netanyahu either in the Middle East or in Germany during the prime minister’s visit there on Wednes-

day and Thursday, has said Israeli and Palestinian leaders need to clarify the status of the Al Aqsa compound to help stop the violence. Kerry planned to meet Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah, likely in Amman, later this week.

Palestinians are fuming at what they see as increased Jewish visits to the Al Aqsa plaza. Israel insists it has made no changes to the rules at the site.

“Israel has not and will not change the status quo. That (to suggest otherwise) is one huge lie,” Netanyahu said in a speech to international Jewish leaders meeting in occupied Jerusalem on Tuesday.

In the latest deadly incident, a Palestinian vehicle ran over and killed an Israeli motorist whom a Reuters photographer said was using a club to hit Palestinian pro-

testers and cars on a roadside in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israeli police said the man had stopped his car after stones were thrown at it.

The driver of the Palestinian vehicle, which the photographer said the Israeli had hit with his club, later turned himself in to Palestinian police, which had no comment on the event. Israeli police said it was not immediately clear if the Israeli had been run over deliberately.

About two hours later, another Palestinian rammed his car into a bus stop near an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, injuring two people, the Israeli military said. It said the man then got out of the vehicle and tried to stab people before being shot by security forces. Police said he had been killed. — Reuters

several more wounded when a shell hit their position in the coastal province of Latakia, a senior pro-government military source said on Tuesday.

If confirmed, the deaths which occurred on Monday night would be the first known incident of Russians killed in Syria since Moscow began air strikes on September 30.

Syrian officials could not be reached for comment. Russia’s defence ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Rami Abdulrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict, told Reuters that his sources in the area had confirmed the deaths of Russians, but did not have a figure. He said he believed they were not regular Russian forces but volunteers.

The pro-government source, who is familiar with military events in Syria, said that at least 20 Russians were at the post in the Nabi Younis area when the shell struck.

“It’s a 90 per cent probability that the shell was fired by the militants,” he told Reuters.

The Kremlin has said there are no Russian troops in combat roles in Syria, though it has said there are trainers and advisors working alongside the Syrian military, and forces guarding Russia’s bases in western Syria. The Kremlin has said it is not undertaking any steps to recruit and deploy volunteer fighters.

In Ankara, two senior government officials said that Turkey

is ready to accept a political transition in Syria in which Assad stays in symbolic power for six months before leaving office, and is discussing the plan with Western allies.

“Work on a plan for Assad’s departure is under way... (Assad) can stay for six months and we accept that because there will be a guarantee of his departure,” one of the officials told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“We have moved forward on the issue to a certain degree with the United States and our other allies.

There is not an exact consensus on when the six-month period would begin, but we think it won’t be too long.”

The United States will put the proposal to Russia, one of the Turkish officials said, but it was not clear whether Moscow would entertain the idea.

European nations have struggled to find a common position on the role Assad should play in the solution of the Syrian crisis.

France is keen to see Assad go as soon as possible, while Germany would prefer to have him involved in the transitional phase before he quits.

Britain wants Assad to leave power “at some point” as part of any deal by world powers to end the four-year-old conflict, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said on Tuesday.

Assad said in an interview with Iranian television aired on October 4 that it was not up to any foreign official to decide Syria’s future, including any transitional period mooted. “The future political system, and which individuals govern Syria, this is a decision for the Syrian people. That’s why these statements don’t concern us,” he said. — Reuters

A8

W EDN ESDAY, OCTOB ER 21, 2015 It is a courageous act, because dissent is now violent, it is not just verbal disagreement. There is a physical assault involved. People are standing up against that and countering.

I feel this a very positive and spontaneous response Sharmila Tagore, Veteran Indian actress

INDIA

Acts of vandalism extremely disturbing, says Arun Jaitley Indian finance minister said those

reducing the

But we had a tradition of civility in conveying those different opinions. Also particularly because some of these issues are extremely serious

credibility of India

Arun Jaitley

using these methods must also ‘introspect’ whether they are adding to the quality of Indian democracy or are they really

Finance Minister

as a country before the eyes of the world itself

Pranab repeats appeal for practicing tolerance

NEW DELHI: Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Tuesday deprecated the rising incidents of intolerance and vandalism which he said was an “extremely disturbing trend” and called for a “civilised mode” of discussing and debating issues.

He also said the BJP has put on notice some of its own leaders who had made controversial statements in the wake of the Dadri lynching incident making it clear that the party has“outright shown our disagreement with these kinds of statements”.

Jaitley’s disapproval of vandalism resorted to by people to register contrarian views come against the backdrop of the Shiv Sena forcing cancellation of a music concert by Pakistani legend Ghulam Ali and talks between Indian and Pakistani cricket board chiefs and blackening of the face of Sudheendra Kulkarni in Mumbai and ink attack on Jammu and Kashmir MLA Engineer Rashid here by a fringe outfit.

KIRNAHAR (West Bengal): President Pranab Mukherjee has yet again come out with an appeal for practicing tolerance and to accept differences while respecting dissent, in remarks that come in the midst of growing intolerance in the country.

“Our civilisation teaches us to promote tolerance, to accept differences and to respect dissent. Therefore, that is the essence which has kept us together.

“Therefore, what I stated, that we should recognise this underlying message and convey it in our actions, day-to-day practices...whether it should be the part of our civilisation and culture, in our behaviour,

Dadri incident His strong words also come amidst increasing incidents of intolerance ever since the Dadri incident in UP after which a truck conduc-

tor from Kashmir valley was killed in a petrol bomb attack by a mob in Jammu on suspicion of smuggling cow for slaughter and killing of a Muslim youth in Himachal Pradesh on similar suspicion.

“All right-thinking sections will have to distance themselves from these kind of methodologies,” he said. Jaitley said that those using

in our approach and attitude,” the president told NDTV at his home in Kirnahar.

Comments He was asked about his Monday’s strong comments whether tolerance and acceptance of dissent was on the wane in the country and what were his concerns that made him make the statement.

The reason, he said, was that during his visit to the three West Asian countries last week, he was asked about the “chemistry” of India which has a very successful, multi-party parliamentary democracy in a country of so much diversity with various languages, races,

these methods, including copy cat vandalism, must also “introspect” whether they are adding to the quality of Indian democracy or are they really reducing the credibility of India as a country before the eyes of the world itself.

Noting that it was “an extremely disturbing trend” where some people have been resorting to vandal-

religion, customs, beliefs and a huge multitude of people.

“Then I told them perhaps it is the very essence of our civilisation which has kept us around and which has bound us together and we celebrate diversity. It is a part of us.

“Our civilisation teaches us to promote tolerance, to accept differences and to respect dissent.

Therefore, that is the essence which has kept us together,” he said.

Greeting the people on the occasion of ‘Durga Puja’, he said, “let them enjoy the festival and at the same time carry the message of this festival in their day to day lives and practices.”- PTI

ism as an instrument of registering their protest or conveying their views, the minister said it was quite possible that in a large country like India there may be “divergent views” on many subjects.

“But we had a tradition of civility in conveying those different opinions. Also particularly because some of these issues are extremely

serious,” the finance minister told reporters in his office.

He said some issues can reflect on inter-community relations while others can reflect on sensitive areas such as Jammu and Kashmir.

“There are issues which impinge on our relations with our neighbouring countries and, therefore, there has to be a proper civilised mode of discussing and debating these issues,” he said.

To a question on the Sena protest in the BCCI office against the resumption of cricketing ties, Jaitley made it clear that he would only urge the ally that it must realise that it is part of central and state government and it has a responsibility.

“Issues like relations with neighbouring countries will have to be conducted, on the basis of a very well-thought out strategy.

They can’t be conducted in a manner on the streets itself.

“That can’t decide how we deal with out neighbouring countries.

And therefore, I think it is extremely important that every political party, including my friends in the Shiv Sena realise the importance of this,” he said.

Asked about the tactics employed by Shiv Sena to register protests, he said the same standard of civility applies to all.

Replying to questions on provocative statements made by BJP leaders like Sangeet Som, an accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots case, and whether the government should be strict with them, Jaitley said, “You see, after the prime minister’s comment, the President (Amit Shah) had called three gentlemen. He has very firmly told them that their statements are not appreciated by the party at all. They have been put on notice.

Therefore I am sure that they corrected themselves”.

He said as a political organisation, as a party and as a government, “our spokesmen are acting with utmost restraint and by various statements including the present one I am making to you, we have outright shown our disagreement with these kind of statements”. Refusing to go into the issue of individuals, he said that within the political space, there will be some people who rely on some kind of sensationalism in the media to create a constituency for themselves. - PTI

SUMMIT

Returning Akademi awards a courageous act: Sharmila

CANDID: Veteran actress Sharmila Tagore addresses the CII Big Picture Summit 2015, in New Delhi on Tuesday. - PTI

NEW DELHI: Veteran Indian actress Sharmila Tagore on Tuesday backed writers, who are returning their Sahitya Akademi awards to protest against rising intolerance, calling it spontaneous and brave move.

“It’s a challenging time for India. There is a conflict between modernity and serious threat of regression and there is kind of ban on freedom of speech as the Akademi awards are being returned,” the 68-year-old National Award-winning actress said at the CII Big Picture Summit 2015 here.

“It is a courageous act, because dissent is now violent, it is not just verbal disagreement. There is a physical assault involved.

People are standing up against that and countering. I feel this a very positive and spontaneous response,” she said when asked about her view on the issue.

The rationale behind returning the awards has been questioned by some, but the Amar Prem star said the protest is giving us an ultimatum about the damage the intolerance will cause to the country. “...It is my personal point of view that what the writers, who are returning their awards, are doing is a spontaneous movement. What is happening is reminding us of Emergency and Babri Masjid. We are reminded that this is a serious threat to the fabric of our country. It is a spontaneous protest,” she said.

Calling the Dadri lynching incident as “scary”, Sharmila demanded justice for the victim. - PTI

B I L AT E R A L T I E S

Russia is India’s ‘tried and tested real friend’: Sushma MOSCOW: Asserting that its foreign policy towards Russia has never changed, India on Tuesday said it was its “tried and tested real friend”.

During her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said she was very happy to convey that there was progress on all components “Druzhba-Dosti”, the vision document agreed upon during the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Vladimir Putin last year.

“I want to tell you that Russia is India’s tried and tested partner and a real friend. Our foreign policy towards Russia has always been the same,” Swaraj said.

On his part, Lavrov said he was hopeful that Swaraj’s visit will provide impetus to India-Russia ties. He also referred to India’s entry into Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and said that its full membership will give boost to the efforts of the group in achieving its goals.

Russia has been favouring India’s permanent SCO membership, saying joining of the group by the largest democracy will add weight to the organisation.

The SCO had set in motion the process of granting India a full membership of the grouping at its meeting in the Russian city of Ufa in July.

Energy club India, one of the largest energy consumers in the world, is keen to get the membership of the bloc as it will help it play a major role in the SCO energy club which was set up to create a unified energy market as well as to ensure cooperation among major oil and gas com-

WARM GREETINGS: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, right, shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj during their meeting in Moscow on Tuesday. - AFP

panies from the member nations.

Three major suppliers of energy — Russia, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan – have been playing major roles in the SCO energy club and the Indian government feels getting membership of the bloc will give it greater access to a number of key energy projects in the region.

SCO was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the Presidents of Russia, China, Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. India, Iran and Pakistan were admitted as observers at the 2005 Astana Summit.

Lavrov also talked about India going to chair the BRICS (BrazilRussia-China-South Africa) next year and said Tuesday’s meeting was a good opportunity to recap the functioning of the grouping.

Meanwhile, India on Tuesday asked Russia to share any information it has on the sevendecade-old mystery surrounding

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The development came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement that India will declassify files on Bose beginning January 23 next year.

Information The issue was raised by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj during her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

“The Russian foreign minister said he will look into the matter and will let India know if there was any information,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

Bose’s family feels a number of countries including Japan, Russia, Germany and Britain have information on his disappearance.

During a meeting with Netaji’s family members last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that “there is no need to strangle history”. - PTI

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INDIA

Pulse ‘war’ breaks out in poll-bound Bihar With rise in prices of pulses becoming an issue in the ongoing Bihar elections, the Centre blamed the Nitish government for decline in production of pulses and for not utilising special central fund for price stabilisation

PATNA/NEW DELHI: As prices of pulses rose further, the Centre and government of Bihar were on Tuesday locked in a blame game with Chief Minister Nitish Numar even taunting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to keep his achche din with him and give people back their purane din.

The Congress also raised questions on the policies of the Modi government to tackle the skyrocketing prices of pulses.

Retail prices of tur dal on Tuesday rose further to touch Rs210 per kg while urad rates increased to Rs198 per kg in the retail market despite the government’s action against hoarding and other measures to boost supply.

With rise in prices of pulses becoming an issue in the ongoing Bihar elections, the Centre blamed the Nitish government for decline in production of pulses and for not utilising special central fund for price stabilisation.

“The Centre wrote six letters to the state governments, including

PROTEST: Congress workers distributing ‘Tur Dal’ packets to slum dwellers during their protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi over price hike of pulses, in Bhopal on Tuesday. - PTI

the Bihar government to take benefit of ‘Price Stabilisation Fund’ to provide succour to the consumers, but the politically motivated Nitish Kumar government deliberately did not utilise it,” Union Agriculture Mnister Radha Mohan Singh told reporters in Patna.

“Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Delhi and West Bengal which used the ‘Price Stabilisation Fund’, are selling pulses at Rs120 to Rs130 per kg through retail outlets,” he said. The Price Stabilisation Fund is raised by the state to which the Centre contributes 50 per cent of the money. The Agriculture Minister accompanied by Union Food Minister Ramvilas Paswan was replying to Nitish Kumar raising accusing fingers at the central government for price rise, particularly that of pulses.

“The production of pulses saw a steady decline in Bihar since 2012-

13 but it did not take appropriate measures to boost production of pulses despite assistance from the Centre,” Singh, who also hails from Bihar, said.

Hitting out at Modi government at the rising price of pulses, Kumar sarcastically asked the Prime Minister to “keep your achche din(good days) with you and return people their purane din (old days).”

“I feel like laughing at union ministers blaming me for skyrocketing prices of pulses. If it was so, the price of pulses should have been Rs200 per kg only in Bihar...

“Why it is selling at Rs200 per kg in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh?” Kumar wondered addressing an election rally at Nalanda, his home district.

“Paswan charged Kumar with not taking appropriate steps to contain prices of pulses with an aim to sully the image of the Modi

A9

government during polls.

“The Bihar government could have imported pulses if it had any concern for the people as there is ‘zero’ import duty on it,” Paswan said and asked, “Who had stopped the state government from importing pulses?” Congress held the Modi government “responsible” for the rising prices of pulses, saying it has imported a paltry six lakh tonnes when the need was for 50 lakh tonnes. Party’s senior spokesman Anand Sharma told reporters in Delhi that there is generally a 40 to 50 lakh tonne shortfall in the demand and supply of pulses, and the same is generally imported.

A former commerce minister, Sharma said that this time, the production of pulses was even less but the Modi government imported just six lakh tonnes when it should have imported 50 lakh tonnes. - PTI

MEETING

India seeks BRICS investment with low corporate taxes MOSCOW: India on Tuesday asked BRICS partners to invest in its flagship programmes like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Skill India’, asserting that the government has laid down a clear roadmap for lowering corporate taxes which has created immense opportunities for foreign investors.

While addressing a meet of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Ministers of Industries, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also made a strong pitch for removal of structural impediments for increasing trade engagement among members of the group.

“We have laid down a clear roadmap for lowering corporate taxes. There is also a renewed thrust on public investment in infrastructure. All these create immense opportunities for companies from BRICS countries to work in India,” Swaraj said.

India also invited the BRICS partners to actively participate in its flagship initiatives including ‘Make in India’ ,’Smart Cities’ and ‘Skill India’.

“India’s medium term growth prospects have significantly improved following several policy initiatives. The FDI limit in railways, defence and insurance sectors have been liberalised. Coal and

mining sectors are witnessing a revival. We are working on an ambitious deadline for implementing goods and services tax,” she said.

Listing initiatives by the Narendra Modi government to boost growth, Swaraj said financial inclusion was one of the focus areas as part of which more than 170 million bank accounts have been opened and over 100 million debit cards with insurance cover has been issued.

“The manufacturing sector in India is witnessing a new dynamism under the Make in India.

Initiatives such as Skill India and Digital India are transforming the climate for doing business in India.

“The 100 smart cities programme is altering the paradigm of urbanisation in India and opening up unparalleled investment and business opportunities,” said Swaraj.

Swaraj said there has been renewed interest in India by the global investors community and referred to a leading consultancy describing India as the most attractive investment destination in the world.

“The FDI inflows into India in 2014-15 have already reached a historic high of $44 billion. Forex reserves are at all time high of over $350 billion,” she said. -PTI

ONE FOR THE ALBUM: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj

with other leaders at BRICS Ministers of Industry Meeting in Moscow, on Tuesday. - PTI

A10

W EDN ESDAY, OCTOB ER 21, 2015

PAKISTAN SECURITY TIGHTENED

A Pakistani paramilitary soldier uses a sniffer dog to search a vehicle at a checkpoint in Quetta on Tuesday following an overnight explosion. At least 11 people were killed and many more wounded on October 19 when a powerful bomb ripped through a passenger bus in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province, local officials said. — AFP

‘Sharif’s approval rating 75%’ The survey conducted on the completion of the second year of the current parliament and provincial assemblies shows Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan drawing an approval rating of 49 per cent

M O D E R N E D UC AT I O N

Seminaries see 74% drop in foreign enrolments after syllabus change ISLAMABAD: Enrolment of foreign students in the country’s seminaries has fallen by as much as 74 per cent in the wake of their failure to embrace a more modern system of education in line with the changing world.

While the local clerics admitted that they had fallen short, they argued that the government’s new laws for issuing no-objection certificates (NOCs) to foreigners remained a major stumbling block for those seeking admission in Pakistan’s seminaries.

Six seminaries raided, particulars of 1,500 students verified These reasons have led foreign students to opt for India, Egypt, South Africa, Iran or the United Kingdom in the past eight to 10 years to pursue new forms of quality religious education, government officials and clerics told The Express Tribune.

They estimated that 10,117 students from more than 45 countries were studying at Pakistan’s seminaries in 2005-06, but the interior ministry puts the current figure at 2,673 students from 37 countries.

“We are preparing a soft procedure for foreign students in the light of an agreement with representatives of the Wifaqul Madaris (education board for seminaries),”

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION: Religious students take mid-term exams at Jamia Binoria, the nation’s largest

seminary in Karachi in this file picture. — AFP

said Religious Affairs Minister Sardar Muhammad Yousuf.

He, however, admitted that this agreement was pending with his ministry since 2012. “It could not be implemented due to differences between clerics and the government.” He hoped that moderate seminaries would attract students from other countries.

Dr Manzoor Ahmed Al Azhari, who studied at the Al Azhar University in Egypt and is an associate professor at the HITEC University in Taxila, said: “Seminaries cannot

become moderate, while international students prefer religious institutions that teach modern Islamic education with better research methods.”

Stringent procedures As for the strict laws, former religious affairs secretary Vakil Ahmad Khan said Pakistan had introduced stringent procedures only on the demand of Pakistan’s brotherly countries.

He said the then interior minister Aftab Sherpao had ordered de-

porting the foreign students who failed to produce NOCs. “It was a good step. We must regularise the system.”

Abdul Quddus, spokesman for the Wifaqul Madaris, said: “Our seminaries host around 70 per cent foreign students. A complicated registration process forces foreigners to leave Pakistan’s seminaries.”

At present 1,273 Afghan nationals are studying at Pakistani madrassas, with more than 900 of them in Balochistan alone. — Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif emerged as the most popular political leader with an approval rating of 75 per cent, according to a nationwide survey carried out by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT).

The survey conducted on the completion of the second year of the current parliament and the provincial assemblies shows that Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is not far behind his brother with an approval rating of 72 per cent.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan drew an approval rating of 49 per cent, while Muttahid Qaumoi Movement leader Altaf Hussain polled 13 per cent of the 3,231 respondents from a cross-section of incomes living in rural and urban areas of all the four provinces.

Around 27 per cent of the respondents of the PILDAT survey approved the leadership of Asif Zardari. Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid chairman Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain earned 19 per cent approval while Awami National Pakistan chief Asfandyar Wali followed with 18 per cent approval.

The Pakistan Muslim LeagueNawaz (PML-N) had the highest approval amongst the population, with 70 per cent of the respondents rating the party’s competence highly.

Its closest rival PTI came a distant second with an approval rating of 44 per cent. The Jamaate-Islami (JI) and the Pakistan People’s Party came away with 40 per cent and 36 per cent approval, respectively.

The MQM emerged as the most negatively rated political party in the country with an approval rating of 14 per cent, even below the Dr Tahirul-Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) that polled 19 per cent.

Slightly higher The ANP picked up 21 per cent and the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazlur-Rehman (JUI-F) had only a slightly higher approval ratings at 23 per cent.

ENVIRONMENT

Sufferings of poor people An audience of over a hundred men, women and children from Badin’s fishing and farming communities watched as the actress wiped away her pretend tears.

Then they listened, engrossed, as a singer in traditional Sindhi dress sang about the sufferings of poor people in the region.

The show is the brainchild of the Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF), a non-governmental organisation

The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz had the highest approval amongst the population, with 70 per cent of the respondents rating it’s competence highly

Around 66 per cent of the respondents approved of the overall quality of democracy in Pakistan.

Supreme Court Respondents gave 64 per cent approval rating to the independence of media, 56 per cent to the effectiveness of the Supreme Court and 52 per cent to democratic oversight of security set-up.

Around 59 per cent of the respondents believe that the general election in 2013 was somewhat to completely transparent and fair.

On the other hand, 30 per cent respondents see the election as somewhat to completely rigged.

Very important A substantial 80 per cent of the respondents say that holding local government elections nationwide are very important.

Only 11 per cent of the respondents believe that holding these elections is either not important or not important a t all. — Express Tribune ‘LET GIRLS LEARN’

Climate change lessons take to stage in rural Sindh BADIN: Mir Muhammad’s family had reason to celebrate: after the harvest of their rice crop, they were planning to throw a wedding.

But then flash floods hit their three-hectare farm, washing away the family’s sole source of income and their dreams of the big day.

This was the scene played out on the makeshift stage of an open-air theatre in Badin district of Pakistan’s Sindh province - a region, like many others in Pakistan, trying to find ways to better understand and deal with worsening climate change impacts.

“Nature has destroyed all our plans,” lamented Zuleikha Bibi, who played Muhammad’s mother in the production. “We were preparing for the wedding of our eldest son, but the flood has turned all our happiness into mourning.”

Nawaz Sharif

Using local language, traditional songs and folklore, the performances aim to raise awareness about issues such as shortages of water for agriculture, erratic rainfall, frequent floods and droughts. On the stage in Badin, young actors told the audience how extreme weather conditions in the province impacted on their studies based in Karachi that works for the social and economic welfare of vulnerable communities.

Looking for a way to help villagers adapt to the effects of extreme weather and flooding, the forum hit on the idea of putting on plays.

“We are using theatre as an advocacy tool to educate people about the adverse impacts of climate change on their daily lives,” said PFF project manager Maria Soomro.

In a region where the majority of the rural population is illiterate, theatre is an effective way to communicate new ideas, Soomro said.

Using local language, traditional songs and folklore, the performances aim to raise awareness about issues such as shortages of water for agriculture, erratic rainfall, frequent floods and droughts.

On the stage in Badin, young actors told the audience how extreme weather conditions in the province impacted on their studies.

“I was a student in seventh grade and I had to quit my school due to flash floods last year,” said Farzana Bangash, 12. She urged the audience to find ways to mitigate the impact of flooding and erratic rainfall on their crops.

The messages, which began taking to the stage last year, appear to be getting through.

Farmer Shagufta Bhel said that after watching a show in June last year, she and her family stopped sowing genetically modified seeds for their wheat and rice crops, saying they feared they would be less adaptable to increasingly extreme weather.

“We have been sowing local seeds instead, and getting good yield too,” she said.

According to a recent report by the US-based World Resources Institute, floods in Pakistan affect 715,000 people each year, and by 2030 that number could increase to as many as 2.7 million.

Annual losses as a result of river flooding amount to just short of 1 percent of Pakistan’s GDP - about $1.7 billion - the report added.

“We can’t provide food to everybody affected by floods and droughts in the province but we can definitely sensitise them to the issues,” said the PFF’s Soomro.

The PFF put on its first openair play in June 2014 in Karachi and has since held over 20 performances in rural areas of six districts of Sindh province. Each cast uses 15 volunteers, mostly local people, who get a week of acting training before they start, Soomro said.

Using its own funding and working in collaboration with other NGOs, the forum plans to expand its theatre project to other districts of the province.

Experts agree that theatre is an effective tool for making a topic as complex as climate change more easily understandable and relevant to a wide audience.

“The beauty of open-air theatre is that it attracts a large audience for entertainment and helps convey a critical message in the local language of the people,” said Sarwar Bari, national coordinator of the Pattan Development Organisation, an NGO in Islamabad.

Shafqat Aziz, a food security expert with Oxfam Novib, the Dutch affiliate of anti-poverty charity Oxfam, said the plays also help empower people, motivating some to ask government representatives for policies on issues such as food security and crop insurance.

“The awareness drives affected communities to a decision-making position and this is where they try to come up with effective solutions for tackling climate change,” he said.

As the 30-minute play came to an end on the Badin stage, one of the characters, a farmer named Sikandar Sanam, turned to the audience to talk about seeds. One good adaptation strategy, he suggested, would be for communities to store the seeds of native crop varieties.

“Our local seed varieties of rice and wheat can tolerate floods and droughts,” Sanam said. “So we should form a local seed bank to preserve our own seeds, shouldn’t we?” The audience shouted in agreement. — Thomas Reuters Foundation

Maryam to back US plan for girls education ISLAMABAD: US First Lady Michelle Obama has invited Maryam Nawaz to join hands in supporting a special programme wherein girls and women would be encouraged to complete their education and build their careers.

A source told The Express Tribune that the invitation to “Let Girls Learn” had been extended during the recent visit of US National Security Council staffer Peter Lavoy.

Michelle Obama tells Muslim schoolgirls that education will give them everything they need “The US first lady was looking for a woman with the largest clout and following, and we couldn’t find a person better than Maryam Nawaz,” the source quoted Lavoy as saying.

The programme aims to encourage girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 19 to complete their education and build their careers.

Maryam Nawaz to homeschool 10-year-old daughter for security reasons. — Express Tribune

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EXILED UIGHUR LEADER

China trashes Uighur leader comments on Xijiang BEIJING: China on Tuesday condemned a top exiled Uighur leader for her “absurd” comments about Britain’s lavish reception for President Xi Jinping, adding that its far western region of Xinjiang was at peace.

The red carpet Britain is rolling out this week to welcome Xi is stained with the blood of Uighurs, Tibetans and dissidents, Rebiya Kadeer, the president of the World Uyghur Congress, said in Tokyo on Monday.

China’s repressive policies had turned Xinjiang, home to the Muslim Uighur people, “almost into a war zone”, Kadeer added.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Tuesday dismissed Kadeer’s remarks as being “absurd and extreme”, and characterised them as “ignorant speech”.

“All types of people in Xinjiang live and work in peace,” Hua told a daily news briefing.

“There is only a small group of people that seek to destroy China’s ethnic harmony and social stability. I think their actions and words should be condemned.”

China says extremist militants and separatists operate in energyrich Xinjiang on the borders of central Asia, where violence has killed hundreds in recent years.

Radio Free Asia reported that at least 50 people died last month in an attack at a Xijiang coal mine that police blamed on knifewielding separatists, just before China marked 60 years since its founding of the Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

But exiles and rights groups say China has never presented convincing evidence of the existence of a cohesive militant group, and that much of the unrest can be traced back to frustration at controls over the culture and religion of the Uighur people.

Beijing strongly denies such charges. — Reuters

WORLD

Civilians flee as Taliban rebels threaten Afghan city Dissident militants set to choose rival leader

The fighting near the town of Lashkar Gah comes three weeks after the Taliban won its biggest victory in the 14year war, capturing the northern town of Kunduz and holding the city centre for three days before government forces regained control INSURGENCY: Taliban militants stand next to the wreckage of components jettisoned by a damaged

LASHKAR GAH (AFGHANISTAN): Taliban militants advanced on the capital of the volatile southern Afghan province of Helmand on Tuesday amid fierce fighting with government forces that threatened to cut off a major highway and prompted many families to flee.

The fighting near the town of Lashkar Gah comes three weeks after the Taliban won its biggest victory in the 14-year war, capturing the northern town of Kunduz and holding the city centre for three days before government forces regained control.

Helmand province “Helmand’s capital appears to be under serious military pressure,” a Western official said. “We’re hearing reports about civilians fleeing in large numbers.”

Helmand province is one of the

aircraft, which the militants say they had hit, in Sayed Karam district of eastern Paktia province, Afghanistan on October 14, 2015. — Reuters/Stringer

world’s biggest centres of opium cultivation, with a complex mix of warring tribal groups and Taliban insurgents creating a chronic problem for the Western-backed government.

Provincial Governor Mirza Khan Rahimi said heavy fighting had been going on for two days in the district of Gereshk to the north of the city. The fighting has threatened Highway One, the main transport artery linking the major southern city of Kandahar with Herat.

Farhad Dawary, head of the local Civil Societies Union, which represents non-government social organisations, said that after days of fighting, families were both fleeing to Lashkar Gah from outlying areas and trying to es-

FIRST ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Japan admits radiation casualty at Fukushima TOKYO: Japan on Tuesday acknowledged the first possible casualty from radiation at the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant, a worker who was diagnosed with cancer after the crisis broke out in 2011.

The health ministry’s recognition of radiation as a possible cause may set back efforts to recover from the disaster, as the government and the nuclear industry have been at pains to say that the health effects from radiation have been minimal. It may also add to compensation payments that had reached more than $59 billion by July this year.

More than 160,000 people were forced from their homes after

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the meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plant following an earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl 25 years earlier.

Mental trauma Hundreds of deaths have been attributed to the chaos of evacuations during the crisis and because of the hardship and mental trauma refugees have experienced since then, but the government had said that radiation was not a cause.

The male worker in his 30s, who was employed by a construction contractor, worked at Tokyo Electric Power Co’s Fukushima Daiichi plant and other nuclear

facilities, a health ministry official said.

Of total radiation exposure of 19.8 millisieverts (mSv), the worker received a dose of 15.7 (mSv) between October 2012 and December 2013 working at Fukushima, said the official.

Leukaemia While the exposure amount was lower than the annual 50 mSv limit for nuclear industry workers, the government had decided it cannot be ruled out that the worker’s leukaemia was a result of radiation, the official said. Tokyo Electric is also facing a string of legal cases seeking compensation over the disaster. — Reuters

cape from the city. “There is fear among the people in Lashkar Gah, there are lots of rumours the city might fall,” he said.

Major advances Government officials said Lashkar Gah would not fall but one security source said the town of Baba Ji, to the north of the provincial capital had fallen and the Taliban itself said it was making major advances.

“The fighting is ongoing in full force and we have killed 25 government forces and seized a number of weapons,” said spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi.

The fall of Kunduz at the end of last month came as a profound shock in Afghanistan, piling pressure on the government of Presi-

dent Ashraf Ghani and raising questions over the capacity of security forces to maintain stability.

Afghan government forces, which have taken on the bulk of fighting since international troops ended most combat operations last year, have struggled to contain the Taliban, which has stretched the army in a series of operations across the country.

As the battle continued near Lashkar Gah, there were also reports of heavy fighting in the Ghurian district near the major western city of Herat.

The Taliban raised their flag in the main district centre for a few hours before police reinforcements arrived and cleared them out, Herat police chief, General Abdul Majid Rozi said. — Reuters

PESHAWAR (PAKISTAN): Weeks after the Afghan Taliban’s biggest battlefield success since 2001, dissident commanders unhappy with their new leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour are meeting to choose a rival, they told Reuters on Tuesday.

Analysts say the recent brief occupation of of Kunduz has cemented Mansour’s power, boosting his reputation among foot soldiers and causing the U.S. government and NATO to slow plans for withdrawing their troops.

Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, a spokesman for the anti-Mansour faction, said a new leader would be chosen within days.

“There is one agenda, and that’s to choose the new emir (leader) unanimously and get rid of Mullah Mansour,” he said. Niazi said the dissident commanders would not accept Mansour. Just weeks after the peace talks, Mansour was hastily appointed head of the Taliban when Kabul’s intel agency leaked news that Mullah Omar, the founder of the group, had been dead for more than two years. — Reuters

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The pathway to carbon pricing for all countries

Photo: Rahul Kunhiraman

I

n just six weeks, world leaders will meet in Paris to negotiate a new global climate-change agreement. To date, 150 countries have submitted plans detailing how they will move their economies along a more resilient low-carbon trajectory. These plans represent the first generation of investments to be made in order to build a competitive future without the dangerous levels of carbon-dioxide emissions that are now driving global warming.

The transition to a cleaner future will require both government action and the right incentives for the private sector. At the centre should be a strong public policy that puts a price on carbon pollution. Placing a higher price on carbon-based fuels, electricity, and industrial activities will create incentives for the use of cleaner fuels, save energy, and promote a shift to greener investments.

Measures such as carbon taxes and fees, emissions-trading programs and other pricing mechanisms, and removal of inefficient subsidies can give businesses and households the certainty and predictability they need to make long-term investments in climate-smart development.

At the International Monetary Fund, the focus is on reforming its member countries’ fiscal systems in order to raise more revenue from taxes on carbon-intensive fuels and less revenue from other taxes that are detrimental to economic performance, such as taxes on labour and capital. Pricing carbon can be about smarter, more efficient tax systems, rather than higher taxes.

Carbon taxes should be applied comprehensively to emissions from fossil fuels. The price must be high enough to achieve ambitious environmental goals, in alignment with national circumstances, and it must be stable, in order to encourage businesses and households to invest in clean technologies. Administering carbon taxes is straightforward and can build on existing road fuel taxes, which are well established in most countries. Carbon pricing will be in many countries’ best interests, owing to the many domestic environmental benefits. For example, burning cleaner fuels helps to reduce outdoor air pollution, which, according to the World Health Organisation, currently causes about 3.7 million premature deaths a year.

It is vitally important to address the impact of

energy-price reforms on vulnerable groups in every society. So these reforms will need to be accompanied by adjustments to fiscal systems and safety nets, among other things, to ensure that the poor are not harmed.

The World Bank Group is supporting countries and businesses as they develop climate-friendly public policies, invest in carbon markets, and explore financial innovations to ease into low-carbon transitions. The Group is leveraging its experience and global reach for learning and knowledge exchange through programs like the Partnership for Market Readiness.

From that experience, we have developed, alongside the OECD, initial principles to help guide and inspire future carbon-pricing schemes. By drawing on these principles, countries, regions, states, and businesses can move faster to tackle the climate challenge confronting us all. The principles are based on fairness; alignment of policies and objectives; stability and predictability; transparency; efficiency and cost-effectiveness; and reliability and environmental integrity.

To help achieve our climate objectives, we need to promote dialogue about the necessary policy measures before and beyond the climate-change conference in Paris. That is why we are announcing a “Carbon Pricing Panel,” which will bring together heads of state, city and state leaders, and representatives of top companies to urge countries and businesses around the world to put a price on carbon. Carbon pricing policies are already being implemented by some 40 national governments, including that of China, the world’s largest emitter, and 23 cities, states, and regions that are putting a price on carbon.

Many other governments also are reforming energy prices, and more than 400 companies report using a voluntary, internal carbon price. That makes sense. Top companies must effectively manage exposure to climate risk in order to generate higher profits and ensure more stable earnings.

All of these actions are welcome; but we view them as being only initial steps. Together with the leaders of the Carbon Pricing Panel, we call on governments to seize the moment – for the sake of the planet and future generations – to put a price on carbon pollution that reflects the environmental damage it causes. We stand ready to support governments that act. - Project Syndicate

READERS’ FORUM Stephen Harper had polarised Canadian society

This refers to the news story, Canada’s Trudeau defeats Harper in shock election win (October 20). I had been expecting such an election outcome as Stephen Harper has polarised the country. His focus on boosting the tar sands industry is one such issue. While keeping business in mind his administration turned a blind eye to the environmental degradation accompanying this development. Additionally, the once immigrant-friendly country is currently not welcoming refugees from war zones.

In my view, all this is set to change and this is the very reason why the electorate chose Trudeau over the incumbent.

— Sam Johnston, Ruwi Scan this QR code to send letters to the Readers’ Forum, containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by mail (Times of Oman, P.O. Box 770, P.C. 112, Ruwi).

Although it’s tempting to blame the filter craze on humanity’s virulent vanity, the more boring truth is that – pre-Instagram and all the other photo-rejigging options – the chance of an untrained civilian taking a decent picture of anything was slim bordering on absolute fluke bit.ly/instagramphotofilter

Sehwag a great player but was only fit for One-day games

This refers to the online story, We will never ever have a Viru again: Gambhir (October 20). Virender Sehwag was indeed a great player. I remember many of his innings, and his fightback against Australia in a Test match at home, which made the tourists get beaten soundly.

However, to me he was more fit for Onedayers with only cameo stunts in the Test matches. — Sunil Udas, Muscat

Sehwag tamed bowling attacks

This refers to the online story, We will never ever have a Viru again: Gambhir (October 20). Sehwag was one of the best batsmen of our times. He tamed bowling attacks from all around the world with his hard hitting batting. — Salman Raees, Muscat

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES OCTOBER 2000 Symposium on cultural tourism opened MUSCAT: Salim bin Ismael Suwaid, vice president of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU), presided at the opening session of a symposium on cultural tourism at Crowne Plaza Hotel here yesterday. The two-day forum is being organised by the Directorate General of Tourism and the Omani National Committee for Education, Culture and Science (ONCECC) in collaboration with the Unesco.

PICTOGRAPH HOTEL OCCUPANCY IN OMAN Number of guests by nationality (2015) June

August 31,898 Omanis 28,452 GCC

21,908

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15,044 Asians 10,965

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1600: Tokugawa Ieyasu defeats his enemies in battle and affirms his position as Japan’s most powerful warlord.

1872: The US Naval Academy admits John H. Conyers, the first African American to be accepted.

1940: Ernest Hemingway’s novel For Whom the Bell Tolls is published.

1983: The United States sends a ten-ship task force to Grenada.

11,338 Europeans

10,616 7,662

Other Arab 5,861 nationals

3,479 2,509 1,953

3,158 Americans 2,143 Others 0

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

W E D N E S DAY, O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5 South Koreans, mostly elderly and some in wheelchairs, had gathered on Monday in the east coast city of Sokcho near the border for medical check-ups and a briefing on appropriate conduct while in the North

Koreans rejoice family reunions Participants, some as old as 88, were reunited at the resort of Mount Kumgang just north of the militarised border with children and spouses

SOKCHO (SOUTH KOREA): Nearly 400 South Koreans crossed the heavily armed border into North Korea on Tuesday to be reunited, in an outpouring of emotions and tears, with family members separated for more than six decades since the 1950-53 Korean War. The two Koreas, which are divided and remain in a technical state of war, agreed to hold the family reunions for the first time since February last year after negotiating the end of a standoff at the military border in August.

First meeting Participants, some as old as 88, were reunited at the resort of Mount Kumgang just north of the militarised border with children and spouses from whom they had been separated when the peninsula was divided at the end of the war. “Father, it’s me, your son,” Chae Hee-yang, 65, from the South told Chae Hoon-sik, 88, from the North, as they wept at their first meeting since the younger man was just a year old, according to a report by South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

Foreign news outlets were not allowed to cover the event.

OUTPOURING OF EMOTIONS: South Korean Lee Ok-yeon, left,

meets her North Korean husband Chae Hoon-shik during the separated family reunions at Mount Kumgang resort, North Korea, on Tuesday. – Reuters/Korea Pool/News1

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Families separated since the war have no means of communication and often do not know if relatives on the other side are surviving.

In the first round of reunions starting Tuesday, 96 North Koreans and their families met about 390 people travelling from the South. The second round reunites about 190 North Koreans with 90 South Koreans and their families.

The South Koreans, mostly elderly and some in wheelchairs, had gathered on Monday in the east coast city of Sokcho near the border for medical check-ups and a briefing on appropriate conduct while in the North.

On Tuesday morning they boarded buses to cross the border.

The reunions, held in a ball-

room at the Mount Kumgang resort, are watched by officials and media and include only two hours of private time before they end on Thursday.

South Korean participants are advised to steer clear of a long list of topics, such as the North’s political leadership or living standards, to the frustration of some of the visitors. A guidebook suggests advance preparation of notes for subjects to be discussed with North Korean kin, such as the dates of parental deaths, as time is limited and the emotions can be overwhelming.

Before leaving on Tuesday for a reunion with his elder brother in the North, Kim Ki-joo struggled to frame the questions he would ask at their first meeting in 65 years.

“It is thrilling but I can’t organise my thoughts,” Kim said.

“I can’t think of what to say. We are being reunited after 65 years, when I was 11. I want to ask if he can recognise me.” — Reuters

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HARPER RESIGNS

In shock election win, Canada’s Trudeau defeats Harper MONTREAL/CALGARY: Canada’s Liberal leader Justin Trudeau rode a late surge to a stunning majority election victory on Monday, toppling Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s Conservatives with a promise of change and returning a touch of glamour, youth and charisma to Ottawa.

Harper caused confusion on Tuesday, making no mention of his future plans as he addressed supporters after a crushing election defeat even though his party said he would step down as party leader.

Shortly after Harper called Trudeau to concede defeat in Monday’s vote, his Conservative Party issued a statement saying he had asked the party to elect a new interim leader.

But when Harper spoke to a rally in his home riding in Calgary, he made no mention of quitting as leader. Confused reporters wondered whether the party statement was a hoax, and it took Conservative officials several minutes to confirm it was genuine.

Harper has no plans to address the media on Tuesday, an aide said.

The outgoing prime minister most likely will return to Ottawa soon to prepare for a formal handover of power to Trudeau in a few weeks.

Harper will continue to sit as a member of Parliament (MP), party president John Walsh said in a second statement issued later on Tuesday.

Walsh said he asked the newly elected caucus of Conservative MPs to choose an interim leader as soon as possible, as a process to pick a longer-term leader is established. The Conservative party announced Harper’s resignation, ending a nine-year run in power and the 56-year-old’s brand of fiscal and cultural conservatism that voters appeared to sour on.

Parliamentary majority The Liberals seized a Parliamentary majority, a turn in political fortunes that smashed the record for the number of seats gained from one election to the next.

The centre-left Liberals had been a distant third place party before this election.

“My friends, we beat fear with hope. We beat cynicism with hard work. We beat negative, divisive politics with a positive vision that brings Canadians together,” Trudeau, 43, told a crowd of cheering supporters in Montreal.

“This is what positive politics can do.” The photogenic son of former prime minister Pierre

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ELATED: Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau gives his victory

speech after Canada’s federal election in Montreal, Quebec, late on Monday. - Reuters

Trudeau pledged to run a C$10 billion annual budget deficit for three years to invest in infrastructure and help stimulate Canada’s anemic economic growth.

This rattled financial markets ahead of the vote and the Canadian dollar weakened on news of his victory. Trudeau thanked his two closest friends and advisers for shaping his campaign to show “that you can appeal to the better

angels of our nature. And you can win doing it.”

Trudeau has said he will repair Canada’s cool relations with the Obama administration, withdraw Canada from the combat mission against IS militants in favour of humanitarian aid and training, and tackle climate change.

Trudeau vaulted from third place to lead the polls in the final days of the campaign, and will now

return to the Prime Minister’s residence in Ottawa where he grew up as a child.

“When the time for change strikes, it’s lethal,” former Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney said in a television interview. “I ran and was successful because I wasn’t Pierre Trudeau.

Justin is successful because he isn’t Stephen Harper.”

Liberal supporters at the party’s campaign headquarters broke into cheers and whistles when television projected that Trudeau would be the next prime minister.

The Conservatives become the official opposition in Parliament, with the left-leaning New Democratic Party in third.

The NDP’s fall was highlighted in Quebec, where it had had the majority of its seats, while the separatist Bloc Quebecois won 10 seats, up from just two previously.

BQ leader Gilles Duceppe, however, failed to win a seat.

The Liberals’ win marks a swing toward a more multilateral approach in global politics by the

Xi says China and Britain are ‘increasingly interdependent’ Britain rolled out the red carpet for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who was honoured with a 41-gun salute and given a ride in a gilded carriage with Queen Elizabeth before addressing lawmakers from both Houses of Parliament

LONDON: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday hailed the “bright future” of closer relations with Britain, addressing lawmakers as part of a pomp-laden visit during which more than $46 billion of deals are expected to be signed.

Britain rolled out the red carpet for Xi, who was honoured with a 41-gun salute and given a ride in a gilded carriage with Queen Elizabeth before addressing lawmakers from both Houses of Parliament.

A few dozen protesters calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to raise human rights with Xi were outnumbered by the thousands of China supporters thronging The Mall, one of London’s most famous avenues, as Xi rode with the

ROYAL COLLECTION: Chinese President Xi Jinping, second right, and his wife Peng Liyuan, right, Brit-

ain’s Queen Elizabeth II, second left, and Britain’s Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, left, view a display of items relating to China in the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace in London on Tuesday. - AFP

queen for a private lunch.

“China-UK relations will certainly embrace an even brighter future,” Xi, 62, told assembled lawmakers including Cameron and opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. His words were translated into English.

“It is fair to say that China and the UK are increasingly interdependent and are becoming a community of shared interests,” said Xi, who quoted Chinese proverbs, William Shakespeare and English statesman Francis Bacon in his speech.

Xi’s welcome was steeped in pageantry, underlining the growing importance of China to Britain: Cameron hopes the visit will cement a lucrative place for Brit-

ain as Beijing’s closest friend in the West. Hailed as the start of a “golden era” in Sino-British relations, the visit, which will seal £30 ($46.4 billion) in deals, has been criticised by activists who accuse Cameron of turning a blind eye to rights abuses.

It has also ruffled feathers among some of Britain’s traditional allies, such as the United States, where Xi’s visit last month was tainted by friction over cybertheft and Beijing’s moves in Asian maritime disputes.

Police made sure the few dozen protesters had little chance of disrupting a carefully choreographed ceremony which included Xi accompanying the Duke of Edin-

burgh, the queen’s husband, to inspect the guard of honour before leading the procession.

Those protesting against China’s human rights record were kept far from the procession, with their banners all but eclipsed by “I love China” flags.

Investment For Britain, the four-day state visit is the culmination of a threeyear charm offensive to attract investment in infrastructure, nuclear power and the government’s planned transformation of northern England.

One deal expected to be signed during Xi’s visit is a plan for two state-owned Chinese utilities to

invest in a £16 billion ($25-billion) nuclear power project being built

by French utility EDF at Hinkley Point in southwest England.

Britain said more than £30 billion worth of deals would be signed during the visit, creating some 3,900 jobs.

Britain has won praise from China for its discretion in dealing with human rights issues by raising them behind the scenes, a policy London says is more effective than hectoring Beijing publicly.

A visit to China last month by finance minister George Osborne sealed the deal, with influential Chinese tabloid the Global Times praising his “etiquette”.

Cameron has said he will not duck sensitive issues such as the impact of cheap Chinese imports on struggling British steel-makers, however, and main Labour leader Corbyn has promised to raise rights when he meets Xi. Xi may express China’s hopes that the European Union remains united — a thorny subject for Cameron, who has pledged to renegotiate Britain’s relationship with the European Union before a referendum to be held by the end of 2017.

But any such sour notes, including Prince Charles’ decision to not attend a state banquet, are unlikely to spoil a visit that has been long in the making.

Britain was the top destination for Chinese money in 2014, with $5.1 billion in investment, according to law firm Baker & McKenzie.

This year, it became the first Western nation to join the Chinaled Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank after Washington had pressed allies not to join. - Reuters

Canadian government, which has distanced itself from the United Nations in recent years.

The former teacher took charge of the party just two years ago and guided it out of the political wilderness with a pledge of economic stimulus and stirring appeals for a return to social liberalism.

Born to a sitting prime minister who came to power in 1968 on a wave of popular support dubbed “Trudeaumania,” Trudeau will become the second-youngest prime minister in Canadian history and brings an appeal more common in movie stars than statesmen.

Pierre once jumped from a trampoline into the crowd. With boyish good looks, Justin thrusts himself into throngs and puts his hand to his heart when listening to someone.

Selfie requests are so common he happily takes the camera and snaps the photo himself, often cheek to cheek. He is the married father of three young children.

Criticised for being more style than substance, Trudeau has used attacks on his good looks and privileged upbringing to win over voters, who recalled his father’s rock-star presence and an era when Canada had some sizzle on the world stage. - Reuters GUARD BORDER

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L J U B L JA N A / G E N E VA : Slovenia deployed the army to guard its border as thousands of migrants streamed into the tiny country from the south, and said it may resort to “physical barriers” like neighbouring Hungary if the number of arrivals continued to grow.

In Geneva, the United Nations said on Tuesday that more than half a million refugees and migrants have arrived by sea in Greece this year and the rate of arrivals is rising with over 8,000 coming on Monday alone.

Slovenia’s interior ministry raised the possibility of setting up physical barriers along its southeastern border if the numbers of migrants increased.

Interior state secretary Bostjan Sefic said he could not exclude the possibility of “safeguarding border crossings with physical obstacles,” as he responded to a Reuters question about whether Slovenia would follow Hungary’s example in setting up a fence.

Attempts by Slovenia to ration the flow of migrants since Hungary sealed its border with Croatia at midnight on Friday have triggered a knock-on effect through the Balkans, with thousands held up at border crossings. About 19,500 migrants have entered Slovenia since Friday, the Interior Ministry said. - Reuters

D I S G R A C E D PA R A LY M P I C G O L D M E D A L L I S T

Pistorius out on parole after a year behind bars for killing girlfriend PRETORIA: Oscar Pistorius, South Africa’s double-amputee “Blade Runner”, was released on parole late on Monday, just short of a year into his five-year sentence for killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day 2013.

The disgraced Paralympic gold medallist must serve the rest of his sentence under house arrest but still faces an appeal on November 3 by prosecutors who argue that he should have been convicted of murder, not culpable homicide.

Guilty of lesser charge Pistorius, 28, who was found guilty of the lesser charge when he fired four shots through a locked bathroom door and hit Steenkamp, will be confined to his uncle Arnold’s home in a wealthy suburb of the capital, Pretoria.

Pistorius had been expected to leave prison on Tuesday, and his early release took media by surprise. Family spokeswoman An-

neliese Burgess said on Tuesday that they were glad to have Pistorius home and that the athlete would observe his parole conditions closely.

“The family is happy that Oscar is home, but they want to make the point that his sentence continues,” Burgess said outside the house.

The Department of Correctional Services said officials at the capital’s Kgosi Mampuru II prison, formerly known as Pretoria Central, had acted to avoid a media scrum at its gates.

“The handling of the actual placement is an operational matter of the local management, and how they handle it is their prerogative,” department spokesman Manelisi Wolela said in a text message. “They carry it out in the best interest of all parties concerned.”

A lawyer for Steenkamp’s family, who publicly questioned the verdict in August, said they were indifferent to his release in view of their loss.

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BRIEFING: Anneliese Burgess, spokesperson for the family of South

African Olympic and Paralympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius, reads a short statement outside the home of Pistorius’ uncle Arnold in Pretoria, on Tuesday. - Reuters

“To them it doesn’t matter whether he was released yesterday a few hours earlier or a few hours later,” lawyer Tania Koen said on Talk Radio 702.

“Whether he remains incarcer-

ated or not, it makes no difference to them now because Reeva is still not coming back.”

A neighbour who declined to be named told Reuters it was sad Pistorius was freed having served

less than a year in prison.

“This is hardly a prison,” she said of the leafy suburb of Waterkloof, where Pretorius is under house arrest. But Dewald Reynders, a former athlete who said he trained with Pistorius in the past, welcomed the news.

Reynders said he’d known Pistorius since 2004 and had seen what effect the media scrutiny had on the then teenage boy.

“I’m glad he was released quietly last night. He shouldn’t have to go through all of it over and over again.”

A bouquet of flowers was delivered to the house although it was unclear who had sent it.

The athlete, whose lower legs were amputated when he was a baby, was freed in line with South

African sentencing guidelines that say non-dangerous prisoners should spend only one-sixth of a custodial sentence behind bars.

Pistorius will be allowed to leave the house on occasion.

“The conditions are strict and he will be able to leave the house to go to work, go to church or to buy groceries,” said Karen van Eck, an attorney with Clarke and Van Eck Attorneys.

But as his job is competitive athletics this could prove challenging for him, as events far from the house will likely be off limits, said Van Eck. Prosecutors argue that the verdict should be one of murder because Pistorius must have known that the person behind the door could be killed. Their appeal is due to be heard on November 3.

The state will argue that the trial judge misinterpreted parts of the law. A murder conviction would result in a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. - Reuters

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Obama dreams of Mars with teen scientists US president got a guided tour of the moon, peering at its craters through a large reflective telescope set up on the South Lawn of the White House

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama got a guided tour of the moon late Monday, peering at its craters through a large reflective telescope set up on the South Lawn of the White House to promote science and technology careers at “Astronomy Night”.

Obama was joined by budding young scientists who checked out a moon rock and took selfies with NASA astronauts and other science celebrities.

Chief among the selfie targets: Ahmed Mohamed, better known as “clock boy.” Mohamed, 14, was arrested last month when he brought a homemade clock to his Dallas-area school that teachers mistook for a bomb. Mohamed was wearing a NASA t-shirt when he was arrested. The photo went viral, prompting an invitation from Obama to the astronomy event. Obama briefly met Mohamed as he shook hands with students at the event, giving the student a hug. “We need to inspire more young people to ask about the stars,” Obama told the crowd,

ASTRONOMY NIGHT: US President Barack Obama looks at the

moon through a telescope with Agatha Sofia Alvarez-Bareiro, a high school senior from Brooklyn, New York, during the second White House Astronomy Night on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington late Monday. – Reuters

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urging parents and teachers to help students explore the field.

Glimmers “We have to watch for and cultivate and encourage those glimmers of curiosity and possibility - not suppress them, not squelch them,” he said.

Obama told the students that

his staff don’t let him “tinker with the telescopes,” and got help looking at the moon from high school senior and astronomy buff Sofy Alvarez-Bareiro of Brooklyn, New York. Alvarez-Bareiro explained to Obama that the craters were “the result of heavy bombardment with other gigantic space stuff”.

“Is ‘space stuff’ a scientific term?” Obama quipped, drawing laughs from about 300 students and teachers at the event.

Obama said that earlier in the day he spoke to astronauts living on the International Space Station (ISS). — Reuters

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MASSIVE PROJECT

Orpic names preferred bidders for Liwa plastics complex Times News Service MUSCAT: State-owned Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) on Tuesday named Tecnimont, a joint venture between GS Engineering & Construction Corporation and Mitsui & Company and PunjLoyd as preferred bidders for three of four packages for its $5.2 billion Liwa Plastics Industries Complex (LPIC) project.

The three packages include the natural gas extraction unit in Fahud, the natural gas liquids (NGL) pipeline between Fahud and Sohar and three plastics plants in Sohar,

the company said in a statement.

Orpic intends to sign the final engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contracts after finalising the agreements and receiving final investment decision on the project, which is expected by the year-end.

Orpic will soon be announcing the preferred bidder for the largest package (package one), which includes the steam cracker and associated utilities in Sohar.

The $5.2 billion-project will transform LPIC’s presence in the international petrochemicals marketplace as well as support the development of a downstream

plastics industry in the Sultanate.

It will also create new business opportunities, and generate significant employment opportunities.

“Following commissioning, plastics production is forecast to have increased by more than 1 million tonnes; giving Orpic a total of 1.4 million tonnes of polyethylene and polypropylene production.

The operation will be one of the best integrated refinery and petrochemical facility combinations in the world and will be able to achieve the maximum value addition for Oman’s hydrocarbon molecule,” he added. The project will be commissioned in 2018.

All relevant environmental permits have been obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Affairs, and all technical and commercial terms and conditions for supply of utilities, such as electricity and cool water, have been finalised with Majees and Majan.

Gas supply agreements, are being finalised with the Ministry of Finance and Oil and Gas. Eleven strong bidders As many as 11 strong bidders submitted financial tenders for the three considered packages and after a thorough evaluation process the preferred bidders were

presented to Orpic’s major tender board. The Tender Board studied the detailed bids and subsequently approved the names of preferred bidders. In the next two weeks, a detailed discussion will be held with the preferred bidders in order to finalise the contracts. The final package for the steam cracker will be announced soon.

“We are very pleased to receive such high calibre financial tenders for EPC works on this regionally significant project. Liwa Plastics Industries Complex will have a substantial flow on effect on the national economy, and we are looking forward to partnering

‘Cautious optimism’ on Oman’s economic outlook fication of the economy.”

He also said that the encouragement of the tourism industry in Oman, the introduction of the railway project, the strategic position of Duqm and investments in mining and minerals are factors that would help boost the economic landscape in the Sultanate.

In addition, Strolla said that a survey conducted by Deloitte within the region, showed that the top priorities of CFOs include cost reduction, organic growth and increasing cash flow.

The persistence of concerns about economic prospects in the next 12 months depends on how long the oil prices will remain low, said business leaders

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: There is ‘cautious optimism’ about the economic prospects in Oman in the next 12 months, said business leaders who believe that the persistence of concerns depends on how long the oil prices will remain low.

In the next 12 months, there will be a level of optimism but it can go down and the key question is for how long the prices will stay low, T. Ganesh, chief financial officer (CFO) at Bank Muscat, said at the OER Finance Summit at Crowne Plaza Muscat on Tuesday.

The summit, which discussed managing finance in an uncertain business environment, also featured the presentation of the OER Top 20 Awards 2015 to Oman’s largest companies listed on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM).

The event was attended by guest of honour Sayyid Hamid bin Sultan Al Busaidi, who is the director general of support and services

FINANCE SUMMIT: The OER Finance Summit, which discussed managing finance in an uncertain business environment, also featured the presentation of the OER Top 20 Awards 2015 to Oman’s largest companies listed on the Muscat Securities Market. - Supplied picture

and in charge of Oman Centre for Governance and Sustainability, Capital Market Authority (CMA).

The summit brought together chief executive officers (CEOs) and CFOs of a number of companies to discuss a range of issues including managing business risk, negotiating financial uncertainty and striking a balance between short-term objectives and longterm sustainability.

Better preparation During a panel discussion, the Bank Muscat CFO compared the situation in 2015 with that of 2009, saying that the government had been better prepared this time. “If you look at 2009, within three to four months of low oil prices, there was a significant impact on business conditions in Oman,” Ganesh said.

He added that government

spending, which plays an important role in the economy and business, has not come down significantly in the last one year.

Another panelist Aftab Patel, CEO of Al Omaniya Financial Services, also said that he is ‘cautiously optimistic’ and noted that those companies which can craft innovative and smart strategies will have opportunities.

The need for economic diversification was highlighted by Avinash Patodia, head of finance at Jindal Shadeed Iron & Steel, who said that such a practice would help strengthen the economy.

PDO’s efforts Haifa Al Khaifi, finance director at Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), said that the situation is difficult for the industries, especially the oil and gas sectors, but said that PDO is determined

to continue its efforts to increase production and contribution to the economy through various initiatives, such as enhancing efficiency and optimisation.

However, unlike the panelists that expressed ‘cautious optimism’, R K Mehta, Group CFO at MHD Group of Companies, said that he is not optimistic as challenges are ‘all over the place’. The panel also included Jorgen Latte, CFO at Ooredoo – Oman and Shahid Rasool, chief investment officer at Ominvest.

Economic vision In a presentation at the summit, Alfred Strolla, managing partner of Deloitte Oman, commented on the sustainability of financial prospects in the short term, saying, “As a general trend, we are optimistic due to the sound vision of the Omani government in diversi-

Oil revenues Khalid Ansari, managing partner, KPMG Oman, discussed the challenges for business due to falling oil prices, saying that the drop in oil prices from $75 to $50 results in 33 per cent reduction in oil revenues. The gradual weakening in economic conditions will adversely affect the banking industry, he said but noted that banks in Oman in general have not felt the pinch yet.

According to Ansari, cash management will remain a corporate priority for at least next 12 to 24 months. “Those companies that continue to thrive through all economic cycles are those that recognise that ‘cash’ never loses its appeal,” he said.

The other experts who delivered presentations at the summit were Charlotte Duke, partner at London Economics; Paula Ramada, partner at London Economics; and Sanjay Kawatra, audit partner at E&Y Oman.

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with leading proponents to deliver a best in-class result,” said Musab Al Mahruqi, chief executive officer of Orpic. Land agreements with Sohar industrial Port Company, Sohar Free Zone and Fahud are scheduled for signing with the Ministry of Housing.

Upon commissioning in 2018, Orpic’sLiwa Plastics Industries Complex will transform Orpic’s product mix and business model, double company profit, create new business opportunities, generate significant employment opportunities and support the development of a downstream plastics industry in Oman.

ENERGY MARKET

Opec members compete for market share in Asian region TOKYO: When it comes to deciding how much to charge Asian oil buyers, Opec members are showing little regard for tradition.

Suppliers from the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) have long moved in lockstep, raising or lowering prices in tandem. Now, Kuwait is undercutting Saudi Arabia by the most on record and Iraq is also selling its oil more cheaply than the group’s biggest member. Qatar is pricing cargoes at the biggest discount in 27 months to competing crude from the UAE’s Abu Dhabi.

While the group that accounts for about 40 per cent of global oil supplies maintains a collective strategy of flooding the market with crude, the semblance of unity has vanished when setting monthly selling prices. With Asia forecast to account for most of the growth in global oil demand this year, competition for the region’s buyers is trumping historical allegiances.

Russia, Brazil and the US “It’s a full-on fight for market share within Opec,” said Virendra Chauhan, a Singapore-based analyst at industry consultant Energy Aspects. “That’s even as the group tries to fend off a rise in non-Opec production from countries such as Russia, Brazil and the US.” The battleground is the AsiaPacific region, which will account for about 34 per cent of global oil demand in 2015, according to the latest monthly report by the International Energy Agency. China alone will be responsible for more than a quarter of consumption growth next year, the Paris-based group forecasts. The nation is importing near record amounts as it takes advantage of low prices to fill its stockpiles. - Bloomberg News

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MARKET ECONOMY

Vietnam forecasts strong economic growth next year HANOI: Vietnam’s leaders are forecasting strong economic growth even as the government will fail to meet a 2015 goal of restructuring nearly 300 stateowned companies.

The government expects gross domestic product expansion of 6.7 per cent next year, a rise from 6.5 percent in 2015, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said in a speech to parliament on Tuesday. Vietnam is targeting average economic growth of 6.5 per cent to 7 per cent from 2016 to 2020. Inflation this year is expected to be two per cent, the lowest in 15 years, he said.

Vietnam’s economic expansion next year would be at the fastest pace in 9 years, girded by strong

exports and foreign investments. A cloud over the country’s economic picture is public debt and the government’s failure to meet its goal to privatise 289 state companies this year. The government expects to sell shares in just 200 state enterprises this year, Dung said. It plans to reduce the budget deficit to 4.95 per cent of GDP next year from 5 per cent this year.

Economic reform “Economic reform is still slow,” Dung said. “Restructuring, overhauling of state companies in agriculture is slow and missing the target. Macro-economic stability is not sustainable with the budget deficit remaining at a high level

and public debt rising quickly.”

The government remains committed to privatising state-owned companies, he said.

“After being privatised, companies have stronger financial capabilities, better corporate governance and are more efficient,” Dung said. “Financial reports of 2,400 companies one year after being privatized show their revenues increased by 34 per cent and aftertax profit rose 99.9 per cent.”

Vietnam’s 2015 credit growth is forecast at 17 percent, the highest since 2011, Dung said.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Dairy is willing to raise foreign ownership in the country’s biggest company by market value to the maximum

level the government would allow.

“We want to open the room by the limit allowed by the government because the investment of overseas investors will not just bring capital but also advanced corporate management experiences,” said Bui Thi Huong, an executive director at the dairy producer.

The company is awaiting government guidance, she said.

Vinamilk, as the Ho Chi Minh City-based company is commonly known, “welcomes” the government decree allowing foreigners to increase stakes in certain industries to as much as 100 per cent from a cap of 49 percent, Huong said in an e-mailed response to questions. - Bloomberg News

ECONOMIC GROWTH: Vietnam’s economic growth next year will

be at the fastest pace in nine years, girded by strong exports and foreign investments. – Bloomberg News

Power demand in Oman set to double by 2020 Sultanate’s top 100 energy sector stakeholders gathered to draft and shortlist recommendations for the 25-year long Energy Master Plan

Salim Al Aufi, undersecretary at the Ministry of Oil and Gas

Times News Service

sources such as renewable energies, while also enhancing energy efficiency and improving demand-side management both on an individual and industrial level.

“Human capital development is the cornerstone to any organisation wanting to survive a competitive industry and grow. The interaction between industry and academia is critical to prepare and develop the workforce required to grow the industry. As the mismatch continues between industry demands and academia, including vocational training institutes, fresh recruiters tend to waste more time getting retrained and skilled, while industry resources are wasted getting what academia is set to achieve,” said Salim Al Aufi, undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil & Gas, who attended the OEF Workshop 2015.

MUSCAT: Peak power demand in Oman will double to 9,133 megawatts (MW) in 2020 from 4,455 MW in 2013, according to a projection by Oman Power and Water Procurement Company (OPWP).

This will add significant pressure on the Sultanate’s already tight natural gas resources used to fire local power stations, feed industries such as petrochemicals, and for export in liquefied form.

This was revealed at a workshop on Tuesday participated

by Oman’s top 100 energy sector stakeholders to draft and shortlist the most critical recommendations to be included in a 25-year Energy Master Plan, including education reform, that could help set the Sultanate on a sustainable path as an energy consumer and exporter for the coming decades.

Under the auspices and guidance of the Ministry of Oil and Gas, the 100 delegates at the workshop agreed that Oman needs to devise a long-term strategy to diversify its energy mix and add alternative power generation

Hydrocarbons sector The Sultanate’s hydrocarbons sector, which accounts for roughly half of Oman’s gross domestic product (GDP) according to the country’s Ministry of Finance, is a major employer of Omanis and

has brought some of the most sophisticated technologies for oil recovery to Oman.

Given the sector’s significant role in the Sultanate, it will have to be at the forefront of addressing pressing domestic challenges such as the alignment of industry and academia, supporting the development of small and medium enterprises, and fostering innovation and human development as part of a broader strategy to transform the country into a sustainable, knowledge-based economy from a hydrocarbon-based one.

“It is crucial to bolster coordination between the relevant bodies — Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Education and Industry — to address alignment, funding and replication of vocational training programmes that are proving successful and are critical enablers to raising productivity and longer-term sustainability,” said Raoul Restucci, managing director of Petroleum Development Oman, who led one of the workshop’s sessions.

As larger numbers of Oman’s young and growing population are entering the domestic job market, matching workers’ skills with rapidly-evolving labour market requirements in particular has emerged as a top concern among industry and government leaders in recent years. This is of particular importance in a highly-competitive, globalised world constantly striving to improve productivity, and requires a bestpractice approach to education and training as part of a broad ‘skills matching’ strategy.

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GROWTH OUTLOOK

South Africa’s economy faces challenging future JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s economy faces a challenging future and is constrained by a lack of certainty about electricity supply, Reserve Bank governor Lesetja Kganyago said.

“South Africa’s growth outlook is extremely fragile,” Kganyago said at a conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday. “Investment plans could be shelved or delayed because of lack of guarantee of electricity supply. These constraints had contributed to the decline in our estimate of potential output growth.”

Africa’s second-largest economy contracted in the three months through June for the first time in more than a year as power shortages, low global demand and falling commodity prices weighed on output.

The Reserve Bank is facing a dilemma, with inflation forecast to exceed its 3 per cent to 6 per cent target range while it lowered its economic growth forecast for 2015 to 1.5 per cent, unchanged from last year’s rate.

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) kept its benchmark repurchase rate unchanged in September after raising it by a full percentage point to 6 per cent in three steps since last January to contain price growth.

The exchange rate remains one of the main risks to inflation even as the pass-through to prices has been relatively muted compared with previous episodes of rand weakness, Kganyago said.

“This does not mean were trying to act against rand weakness,” he said. The currency was 0.6 per cent stronger at 13.2175 per dollar in Johannesburg, paring its decline for the year to 13 per cent.

A government report on Wednesday will probably show inflation accelerated to 4.7 per cent in September, according to the median estimate of 26 economists surveyed. The MPC “remains on a gradual normalization path and is of the view that monetary policy remains accommodative,” Deputy governor Daniel Mminele. - Bloomberg News

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MARKET ARTIFICIAL-INTELLIGENCE

Google makes first China investment since 2010 pullout HONG KONG: United Statesbased Google is making its first direct investment in a Chinese firm, an artificial-intelligence start-up, since mostly quitting the country in 2010 over censorship concerns.

Google is leading a round of funding for Mobvoi, a company operating a Chinese-language voice-activated search engine.

Google used Mobvoi instead of its own blocked service in the Moto 360 smartwatch released in China in June.

The deal underscores how Google may be edging back into the world’s largest mobile market with its first strategic investment in years. In 2014, a growth equity arm of the corporation called Google Capital invested in InnoLight Technology, a Suzhou-based company that makes high-speed data transmission hardware.

“Mobvoi is very excited to welcome Google as an investor as both companies share a long-term view on technologies,” Li Zhifei, the company founder and a former Google employee, said in a statement without specifying the amount that the Mountain View, California-company is investing.

Mobvoi, known in Chinese as Chumenwenwen, has raised $75 million from backers including Sequoia Capital and ZhenFund, the company said on Tuesday.

In 2010, Google said it wouldn’t self-censor content for Chinese services, and then shut its local search page and directed users to its Hong Kong website. United States-based Internet firms, including LinkedIn Corporation, that operate in China are currently required to censor local content.

While China’s government now blocks Google’s Gmail, search services and YouTube, its Android mobile operating system remains popular.

Mobvoi is very excited to welcome Google as an investor as both companies share a long-term view on technologies Li Zhifei

Founder, Mobvoi

Going back Google’s Android operating software remains the most-used mobile platform in the country. Google is considering opening an app store for Chinese users, tech blog The Information has reported.

Mobvoi, founded by two former Google employees who worked in translation and voice search at the California campus, will use the money to strengthen its artificial intelligence development, explore smart car technologies and hire more people.

The startup also is developing hardware, including a smartwatch called the Ticwatch, integrating its own operating system and voice search, said Li Yuanyuan, a cofounder. Mobvoi has partnered with 100 data providers, including online travel agent Ctrip.com International Limited nd consumer review site Dianping.com, she said. - Bloomberg News

OIL PRICE IMPACT: Exports of crude oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas fell by 39 per cent to OMR4.09 billion in the first

half of 2015 from OMR6.71 billion in the same period last year. - File photo

Oman’s exports fall 33% on global commodity gloom The fall in export revenue was mainly on account of a fall in oil and gas prices in international markets and re-exports

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman’s total exports for the first half of 2015 declined by 32.61 per cent to OMR6.81 billion from OMR10.11 billion for the same period last year.

The fall in export revenue was mainly on account of a fall in oil and gas prices in international markets and re-exports. The av-

erage price of Oman Crude fell by 43.5 per cent to $59.8 per barrel for the first nine months of this year from $105.81 a barrel for the same period of 2014, according to the latest monthly data released

by National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI).

As a result, exports of crude oil, petroleum products and liquefied natural gas fell by 39 per cent to OMR4.09 billion in the first half

C O R P O R AT E

of 2015 from OMR6.71 billion in the same period last year. Of this, crude oil exports showed a 40.3 per cent fall, while liquefied natural gas exports were down by 27.5 per cent. The Sultanate produced 267.06 million barrels of crude oil in the first nine months of 2015, up by 3.2 per cent over the same period last year.

Non-oil exports fall Likewise, non-oil exports plunged by 9.8 per cent to OMR1,663.8 million from OMR1,845.2 million, the NCSI report showed.

Among various product segments, plastics and rubber products plummeted by 25.6 per cent to OMR130.6 million.

The Sultanate’s export promotion agency is targeting a 15 per cent growth in non-oil exports.

Re-exports also showed a drastic fall of 32.1 per cent to OMR1,057.4 million from OMR1,557.5 million during the first half under view.

Oman’s export development agency Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development (popularly known as Ithraa) is taking several initiatives to enhance non-oil exports. These programmes include visits of trade delegation, participation in international exhibitions, businessto-business meetings and market studies in potential export markets.

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E X PA N S I O N

United Power’s Manah plant achieves milestone in health and safety record Times News Service MUSCAT: United Power Company said its Manah power plant located near Nizwa has successfully completed over 7,000 loss time incident (LTI) free days. Three years ago, Manah celebrated 6,000 incident free days, which at that time was considered the highest on record for a gas turbine power generation facility in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The current milestone is a continuation of the excellent worker health and safety standards applied by United Power and the Manah plant operator, STOMO (Suez-Tractebel Operation and Maintenance Oman), standards which are applied to the entire gamut of activities encompassing operations and maintenance of the plant.

“A total record of 7,000 days or over 19 years of continuous operation with an LTI incident makes this a significant milestone for both the plant crew and our clients. Safety in every aspect of operations is the top priority of the company,” said Murtadha Ahmed Sultan, chairman of United Power.

Safety protocols “United Power is actively involved in the safety protocols of its operator STOMO, and participates regularly in both safety walks and safety committee meetings. I would like to congratulate everyone involved who has made this milestone possible,” he added.

Power all the best in achieving a further 1,000 safe days and more,” said Ahmed Al Jahdhami, chief executive officer of Oman Power And Water Procurement Company (OPWP).

ACHIEVEMENT: The current milestone is a continuation of the

excellent worker health and safety standards applied by United Power and the Manah plant operator, STOMO. - Supplied picture

“United Power maintains and complies with the highest industry standards of health and safety and our operations at the Manah power plant are reflective of the strict guidelines which are adhered to. I would also like to take this opportunity to personally congratulate every employee, stakeholder and contractor who has made it possible for us to achieve over 7,000 LTI free days – with a special mention to SOGEX who were the plant operators from 1996 until 2009 and STOMO (a group company of ENGIE (previously GDF Suez) who have since taken over plant operations and ongoing maintenance. We are confident that with their continuous support, this number will surely rise in the future,” said Zoher Karachiwala, chief executive

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officer of United Power Company.

The Manah power station, which began operations in September 1996,broke new ground as it was the first privately owned and operated gas turbine power plant in Oman and the first privately owned power generation facility to interconnect with the country’s national power grid. This model of private power generation companies partnering with the Government of Oman has set the benchmark for which all other power plants in the Sultanate have since been commissioned.

“We are very proud of this big achievement by United Power. It shows the leadership of the Board and Management in embedding the HSE culture at all levels. We celebrate this success for the whole sector and wish United

Consistent record Health and safety are of paramount priority in the power sector and statistics have shown that the Manah Power Station demonstrates a consistent record of excellence in this regard.

Qais Al Zakwani, executive director and member of the Authority for Electricity Regulation (AER) commented, “From the authority’s perspective, we have a broader view on what is good performance, as we can easily compare between companies.

When we come across something like this, we know how hard it has been to achieve it. I hope we can use the lessons learnt in United Power to share with other companies in the sector.”

“If someone tells us 7,000 LTI free days is an impossibility, we know it is not true. It has been achieved by United Power and should be possible elsewhere as well. I applaud the entire team who has contributed to this achievement,” he added.

Mike Maudsley, general manager of STOMO said, “All of us at STOMO are very proud of the hard work and commitment to health and safety provided by the staff over the last year and are particularly pleased with this milestone.”

Apple to open new store in China SAN FRANCISCO: Apple chief executive officer Tim Cook said the company will open its 24th store in China on Saturday, expanding an important retail footprint in its largest market outside of the United States.

China has become an increasingly critical component of Apple’s global business and helped it sell a record 13 million iPhones during the debut weekend of its latest handsets last month.

Apple stores there are crucial for introducing Chinese consumers to the brand and educating users there, Cook said at a Wall Street Journal conference in La-

guna Beach, California, on Monday evening.

“Our customer base specifically is extremely young, and they’re thirsty for classes and seminars,” Cook said, without naming the city for the new store. “These stores are taking on just a huge role as the face of the company.”

Investors keep a close eye on how Apple fares in China, particularly now that the country is on track for its slowest full-year economic expansion in 25 years. Domestic vendors such as Xiaomi and Huawei are moving up into the mid- and high-end segments, challenging Apple and Samsung. - Bloomberg News

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MARKET MSM index in red zone

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 5,929.49 ...............5,920.01 ...................5,920.04 ...................5,924.02.................. -3.98 .................. -0.07 Financial Index .....................................7,312.36 ...............7,272.68 ................... 7,272.85 ................... 7,303.45................-30.60 .................. -0.42 Industrial Index .................................... 7,355.12 ...............7,332.08 ................... 7,332.08 ................... 7,353.24................ -21.16 .................. -0.29 Services Index .......................................3,278.15 .............. 3,272.34 ................... 3,278.08 ...................3,273.08....................5.00 ................... 0.15 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................909.24 ................. 908.20 ...................... 908.20 .......................909.91................... -1.71 .................. -0.19 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 19,348,471 ................11,226,800 .....................653 ................14,713,556,724 .................. 5 ......................15 .................... 16 .........................36

The top gainer was Sohar Power, up by 2.79 per cent, while Al Batinah Development and

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20

Investment Holding was the day’s top loser ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: Fall in share prices continued on the Muscat bourse on Tuesday. The MSM30 Index closed at 5,920.04 points, down by 0.07 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index declined 0.19 per cent to close at 908.20 points.

Sembcorp Salalah was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Tuesday’s top gainer was Sohar Power, up by 2.79 per cent, while Al Batinah Development and Investment Holding was the day’s top loser, down by 6.67 per cent.

As many as 653 trades were executed during the trading session generating turnover of OMR11.2 million with 19.3 million shares changing hands. Out of 36 traded securities, five advanced, 15 declined and 16 remained unchanged. Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR7.8 million worth of shares followed

by GCC and Arab investors at OMR957,000. Foreign investors, who were net sellers, sold shares amounting to OMR8.8 million.

Financial Index retreated 0.42 per cent to close at 7,272.85 points. Gulf Investment Services, Oman United Insurance and ahlibank increased by 0.99 per cent, 0.78 per cent and 0.49 per cent, respectively. Al Batinah Investment, Bank Nizwa, Al Sharqia Investments, Al Izz Bank and Al Anwar Holding declinedby 6.67 per cent, 3.85 per cent, 2.59 per cent, 1.41 per cent and 1.04 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index closed down at 7,332.08 points, down by 0.29 per cent. Oman Textiles, Galfar Engineering, Oman Fisheries, National Aluminium and Gulf International Chemicals declined by 5.97 per cent, 4.49 per cent, 3.57 per cent, 2.67 per cent and 0.35 per cent, respectively.

Services Index gained by 0.15 per cent to close the session at 3,278.08 points. Sohar Power and Renaissance Services advanced

by 2.79 per cent and 1.14 per cent, respectively. National Gas, Phoenix Power and Oman Investment and Finance Company fell by 1.25 per cent, 0.66 per cent and 0.53 per cent, respectively.

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

OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER............................................................ 191,900.............70,521......................11 ........... 0.360 ...........0.370 ...........0.360........... 0.368 .............0.358 ............0.010 ............. 2.793 ................0.370..............0.366...................0.374................... 81,331,680 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 1,294,406......228,923.....................60 ............0.175 ........... 0.178 ...........0.175 ............0.177 ............. 0.175............ 0.002............. 1.143.................0.177 .............. 0.177...................0.178 ................... 51,445,231 .........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 307,000 ............31,309........................7 ............0.101 ........... 0.102 ...........0.101 ........... 0.102 ............. 0.101.............0.001 .............0.990 ................0.102..............0.100...................0.103....................6,002,008..........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ................................ 80,000 ............ 20,750........................4 ........... 0.260...........0.260 ...........0.258........... 0.259 .............0.257 ........... 0.002............. 0.778 ................0.258..............0.256...................0.258...................25,900,000 ........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 110,000............ 22,570........................4 ........... 0.207 ...........0.207 ...........0.205........... 0.205 .............0.204 ............0.001 .............0.490 ................0.205.............. 0.191...................0.205 .................292,132,410........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ........................115,471 ............. 19,195......................14 ............0.166 ........... 0.173 ...........0.166 ............0.166 ............. 0.166............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.166 ..............0.166...................0.169................... 15,776,640 .........0.100

Emerging stocks retreat Emerging-market stocks retreated from a two-month high and Asian currencies weakened as a selloff in commodities along with prospects of higher United States interest rates damped demand for riskier assets.

China’s Cnooc and South Korea’s Posco fell at least 1.5 per cent to lead energy and materials stocks lower. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng China Enterprises Index slid from a two-month-high and South African stocks lost 0.9 per cent. Malaysia’s ringgit sank 1.4 percent and South Korea’s won halted a four-day gain versus the dollar. Russia’s rouble was little changed. South Africa’s rand appreciated for the first time in three days.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index lost 0.4 per cent to 864.04 in London, halting a three-day gain. The Bloomberg Commodity Index sank the most in a month Monday after data showed China’s economy in the third quarter expanded at the slowest pace since 2009. Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco chief John Williams said the US central bank should raise interest rates in the near future as inflation is expected to stabilise and growth will stay on track.

“Markets are reacting to the Chinese data because basically China is the major commodity buyer, if they are slowing down then their demand for commodities is also going to slow down,” said Andrew Sullivan, managing director for sales trading at Haitong International Securities Group in Hong Kong. “

OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 769,050 ............90,751........................8 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.118 ............0.118 ............. 0.118 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.118 .............. 0.118...................0.120................. 236,036,909 .......0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ........................................................... 24,250 .............10,816........................9 ........... 0.446 ...........0.446 ...........0.446........... 0.446 .............0.446 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.446..............0.446...................0.480 .................147,569,229 ........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 2,918,000......996,990........................4 ........... 0.342 ...........0.342 ...........0.340 .......... 0.342 .............0.342 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.342..............0.330...................0.342 .................101,305,079 ........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 266,000 .........143,640..................... 28 ........... 0.540 ...........0.540 ...........0.540........... 0.540 .............0.540 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.540..............0.536...................0.540 ...............1,237,584,202 ......0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 315,620 ......... 512,872........................5 ............1.625 ........... 1.625 ...........1.620............1.625 ............. 1.625............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.625 ..............1.620...................1.630................ 1,218,750,000 ......0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 198,803 ............19,880........................3 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.100........... 0.100 .............0.100 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.100..............0.100...................0.102.................. 20,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 732,175...........128,131........................7 ............0.175 ........... 0.175............0.175 ............0.175 ............. 0.175............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.175 .............. 0.175...................0.179 ................. 252,252,000 .......0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO...........................................................................2,000 ...............1,504........................1 ............0.752 ........... 0.752 ...........0.752 ............0.756 ............. 0.756............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.752 ..............0.752...................0.756..................492,113,838 ........0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING .......................................... 179,700 .......... 134,416........................1 ............0.748 ........... 0.748 ...........0.748 ............0.748 ............. 0.748............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.748 ..............0.748...................0.820 .................149,327,429 ........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH.............................................. 2,983,037... 7,755,896........................1 ........... 2.600...........2.600 ...........2.600 .......... 2.730 .............2.730 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................2.600............. 2.600...................2.730..................260,598,142........1.000 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 512,540 ........... 43,928.....................20 ........... 0.086 ...........0.086 ...........0.085........... 0.086 .............0.086 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.085..............0.085...................0.086...................15,050,000 .........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER.................................................. 99,162 ............ 21,320........................2 ............0.215 ........... 0.215 ...........0.215 ............0.215 ............. 0.215............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.215 .............. 0.215...................0.218..................145,100,797 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ....................................................23,335 ............... 5,017........................6 ............0.215 ........... 0.215 ...........0.215 ............0.215 ............. 0.215............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.215 .............. 0.215...................0.220 .................153,597,363 ........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 118,202............ 33,596......................13 ........... 0.283 ...........0.285 ...........0.282........... 0.284 .............0.285 ...........-0.001 ............-0.351................0.282..............0.282...................0.285....................5,964,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001509............DHOFAR INT.DEV.AND INV. HOLD.................... 212,456 ........... 84,557........................1 ........... 0.398 ...........0.398 ...........0.398........... 0.398 .............0.400 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.500 ...............0.398..............0.392...................0.398...................98,067,200.........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 397,500 ........... 74,433..................... 33 ............0.186 ........... 0.189 ...........0.186 ............0.187 ............. 0.188............-0.001 ........... -0.532 ...............0.187 ..............0.186...................0.187...................37,400,000.........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING............ 25,000 ...............2,625........................2 ............0.105 ........... 0.105 ...........0.105 ........... 0.105 .............0.106 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.943 ...............0.105 ..............0.105...................0.108................... 12,796,875 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 691,140........... 131,761..................... 59 ............0.191 ........... 0.192 ...........0.189 ............0.191 ............. 0.193............-0.002 ........... -1.036................0.190..............0.189...................0.190...................28,664,325.........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ............................................................. 16,100 ...............5,094........................6 ............0.316 ........... 0.318 ...........0.316 ............0.316 .............0.320 ...........-0.004 ........... -1.250 ...............0.316 .............. 0.316...................0.320 ..................15,800,000.........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ............ 54,000 ...............6,094......................11 ............0.112 ........... 0.114............0.112 ............0.113 ............. 0.116 ............-0.003 ........... -2.586 ...............0.114 ...............0.113................... 0.114 ...................10,170,000 .........0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS ............. 141,450.............31,036......................19 ............0.218 ...........0.220 ...........0.218........... 0.219 .............0.225 ...........-0.006 ........... -2.667 ...............0.218 ..............0.214...................0.219.................... 7,352,148 ..........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 2,840,493 .....241,430................... 137 ........... 0.089 ...........0.089 ...........0.083........... 0.085 .............0.089 ...........-0.004 ........... -4.494 ...............0.085..............0.083...................0.085...................24,648,354.........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................88,980 ............... 8,757......................12 ........... 0.100 ........... 0.100 ...........0.097........... 0.098 .............0.105............-0.007 ........... -6.667 ...............0.097..............0.097...................0.099....................2,940,000..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 15,707,770......10,877,810 .............488 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......29........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ................... 20,000 ..................700........................2 ........... 0.035 ........... 0.035 ...........0.035........... 0.035 .............0.035 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.035..............0.034...................0.035....................2,975,000 ..........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 747,981 .......... 112,604..................... 70 ............0.151 ........... 0.151............0.150 ............0.151 ............. 0.152............-0.001 ........... -0.658 ...............0.150 ..............0.149...................0.150................. 220,852,820 .......0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 186,760.............13,083..................... 10 ........... 0.070 ........... 0.071 ...........0.070........... 0.070 ............. 0.071............-0.001 ........... -1.408 ...............0.070..............0.069...................0.070...................70,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ........................................................15,199 .................. 826........................4 ............0.055 ........... 0.055 ...........0.054........... 0.054 .............0.056 ...........-0.002 ............-3.571................0.054..............0.054...................0.058....................6,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 2,598,589...... 194,752..................... 47 ........... 0.076 ........... 0.077 ...........0.074........... 0.075 .............0.078 ...........-0.003 ........... -3.846 ...............0.074..............0.074...................0.075..................112,500,000........0.100 OM0000001053 ............OMAN TEXTILE HOLDING .....................................71,500 ............ 26,962..................... 30 ........... 0.388 ...........0.388 ...........0.370........... 0.378 .............0.402 ...........-0.024 ........... -5.970 ...............0.370..............0.364...................0.370....................2,268,000..........1.000 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 3,640,029......348,927................... 163 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 6........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ...........................672 .....................63........................2 ........... 0.094 ...........0.094 ...........0.094........... 0.094 .............0.094 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.094..............0.094...................0.098................... 30,471,192 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: ..........................................................................................672 .....................63........................2 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

– United Securities/Bloomberg News

INDIAN MARKETS

Sensex slips; rupee depreciates MUMBAI: Bomaby Stock Exchange main index S&P BSE Sensex snapped its three-day winning spree, by slipping 58 points to close at 27,306.83 on fresh selling pressure from operators mainly in metal, refinery and realty sectors in view of cautious remarks on the Indian economy by Standard and Poor agency amidst mixed trend in global markets.

However, dismissing Standard and Poor's cautious remarks on

the Indian economy as a mere "point of view," the Finance Ministry today said GDP will expand by over 7.5 per cent.

The Sensex resumed higher at 27,402.90 and hovered in a range of 27,432,97 and 27,216.40 before ending at 27,306.83 showing a loss of 58.09 points or 0.21 per cent.

The Sensex had gained by 585.26 points or 2.19 per cent in previous three days. The CNX 50-share Nifty eased by 13.40 points.

Rupee declines Snapping its four-day winning spree against the US currency, the Indian rupee on Tuesday fell by 25 paise to 65.05 on fresh dollar demand from banks and importers despite persistent foreign capital inflows.

The domestic currency opened sharply lower at 64.95 as against Monday's level of 64.80 at the forex market. It hovered in the range of 64.86 and 65.06. - PTI

W E D N E S DAY, O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

ROUND-UP

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Home Centre celebrates th 20 anniversary in style Guests were treated to an audio-visual spectacle with live entertainment, enjoyable acts and foot-tapping musical renditions that created a vibrant atmosphere

DUBAI: Home Centre, the largest home retailer in the Middle East, celebrated its 20th anniversary milestone with a gala event headlined by popular Arab singer and superstar Nancy Ajram, who is also Home Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand ambassador.

Prominent media personalities,

her personal favourites from the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest collections.

Speaking about her association with Home Centre, Nancy said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m delighted to be part of the Home Centre family. Homes are an extension of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personality through which they are able to express themselves and Home Centre very well gives you the kind of products that help you create that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;spaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Being someone who takes pride in my home, Home Centre is certainly a brand I can connect to.

I look forward to our association in the months to come.â&#x20AC;?

Commenting on the occasion,

socialites and senior management from Landmark Group across the Middle East were present to commemorate the occasion. Guests were treated to an audio-visual spectacle with live entertainment, enjoyable acts and foot-tapping musical renditions that created a vibrant atmosphere at Madinat Arena, Dubai, says a press release.

Nancy Ajram led the guests through a sneak peek of Home Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s brand new television commercial, in which she plays an integral part. She also showcased Home Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest annual catalogue that featured some of

I N T E R AC T I V E P L AT F O R M

B5

MĂŠdĂŠric Payne, CEO of Home Centre, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a signiďŹ cant milestone for us and we are glad that our guests enjoyed the celebrations. The evening with Nancy Ajram and our specially invited guests was a great way to kick off our expanded growth strategy for the brand.â&#x20AC;?

He added: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Going forward, we are set to open over 50 new stores and reďŹ t more than 40 existing stores by 2020. We have launched our omni-channel presence and will introduce a host of new product offerings to meet customer needs and expectations. Additionally, we look forward to continue to strengthen bonds with our loyal customers through engaging activities that have been lined up featuring Nancy Ajram.â&#x20AC;?

The event also received a positive response on social media with many attendees tweeting and uploading pictures on Instagram throughout the evening.

A grand cake cutting ceremony was led by Nancy Ajram, MĂŠdĂŠric Payne and Aarti Jagtiani, director of Landmark Group.

LU X U RY WAT C H

Khimjiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Watches unveils Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch MUSCAT: The new Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch, a Swiss timepiece with connected functionality is now available in the Sultanate of Oman exclusively at Khimjiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Watches.

A quality product with longevity created from ďŹ ne materials and made by hand, the Genevabased Frederique Constant says it features all the attributes of a luxury watch as well as Fullpowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MotionX. Fullpower is a tech company in California that makes activity and sleep-tracking technologies used in products from Jawbone, Nike and others.

Its end-to-end MotionX is now fully integrated into Frederique Constantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s smartwatches, including the Horological.

These Swiss Horological Smartwatches have bi-directional communication with iPhone and Android Apps. They are the perfect synthesis of high-tech innovation and traditional Swisswatch craftsmanship; the link between modern and classic.

Available in stainless steel or rosegold-plated cases with leather straps (in brown or black) or a steel bracelet, the Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch also features an analogue display. The watch connects to the MotionX-365 app on a smartphone, while sensors inside track activity and sleep, so all detailed patterns are therefore communicated to the app and then displayed.

The smartwatch has dials that are ďŹ nished with galvanised black or silver backgrounds and applied indexes, along with diamond-cut hands that indicate time and connected information.

SPECIAL OCCASION

Middle East Health Conference to be held from October 25-27 MUSCAT: The Middle East Health and Safety Conference will be held from October 25 - 27, at the Grand Hyatt Muscat.

The conference will be held in cooperation with the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Oil and Gas, and Public Authority for Social Insurance (PASI), Sultanate of Oman along with the Institute of Health & Safety (IHS), The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), International Institute of Safety & Risk Management (IISRM), The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA), The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) and World Safety Organisation (WSO), says a press release.

The Middle East Health and Safety Conference will provide the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HSE professionals with an international platform to share knowledge and network with their peers. This interactive platform will equip the attendees with the latest and proven methodologies, practices and technologies. The conference will focus on improving and boosting employee commitment, morale, conďŹ dence, performance and build F U N D AY

Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel holds annual staff party MUSCAT: Golden Tulip Nizwa Hotel held the 21st annual staff party. The evening started with a welcome speech given by Sandeep Jaitly, general manager, where a warm welcome was given to all the team members on behalf of the entire board and management.

The team members who have completed their 10 years of job tenure with the organisation were recognised with the long service awards on this occasion. It was a grand evening with lots of games and group performances, says a press release.

Valuable gifts were distributed to every employee of the hotel for the hard work and efforts they had put in for the success of the company over the years. Main highlight of the evening was the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Omani traditional danceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; performed by housekeeping department, dazzling Bollywood group dance performed by F&B team, solo and duet song performance by Housekeeping and Administration team and a fashion show.

the organisationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reputation.

The event will bring HSE professionals from sectors like oil and gas, transportation, construction, aviation, energy and manufacturing companies will attend to understand the latest innovations, available technologies and to build new business relationships while establishing professional contacts.

Knowledge sharing platform The conference will highlight â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Latest technologies, methodologies, practices and key trends in reducing lost time, risk identiďŹ cation, HSE management systems, behavioural safety, fatigue management, ďŹ re safety, etc.

Participants at the summit will include important government bodies, regulatory authorities, health, safety and environment professionals along with global solution providers to name a few.

This will be a knowledge sharing platform to bring in expertise from all across the Middle East & the globe.

The key topics which will be discussed at Middle East Health and Safety Conference are:

Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; (Ĺ&#x2014; ( ! ' (.Ĺ&#x2014;#(Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;.)Ĺ&#x2014; make effective HSEMS Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ,-"#*Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; ( ! ' (.Ĺ&#x2014; commitment to HSE Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; #-%Ĺ&#x2014; - Ĺ&#x2014;*& (.Ĺ&#x2014;' #(. ( ( Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; /' (Ĺ&#x2014; .),-Ĺ&#x2014;Ä&#x203A;Ĺ&#x2014; /&./, Ĺ&#x2014; ( Ĺ&#x2014; Mindset Challenges Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; #- #&#.3Ĺ&#x2014; /- Ĺ&#x2014; 3Ĺ&#x2014; #($/,3Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x17E;Ĺ&#x2014; incident at work Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; ,#0#(!Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014; #(Ĺ&#x2014; )(., .),Ĺ&#x2014; management Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; #, Ĺ&#x2014;Ä&#x2039;Ĺ&#x2014; 2*&)-#)(Ä&#x2020;Ĺ&#x2014; , 0 (.#)(Ĺ&#x2014; & Rescue The three-day conference and exhibition will be a conďŹ&#x201A;uence of Middle Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s HSE experts like Dr Brent Pasula, vice president, HSSE, Petrofac ECOM; Andrew Clarke - HSE manager, Global Wells Organisation, BP Oman; David Wilson, general manager, HSSE Port of Salalah ; Dr MacodouSall - Epidemiologist Saudi Aramco vice president, IHPMMENA; Dr Mohammad ArefHSSE manager, UAE Weatherford; Dr Mohammed Abdulrazik Hamza, Medical Consultant, Ministry of Health, Oman; Eng. Nadira Al Hinai, founder and president, Occupational Safety & Health Omani Society, to name a few.

Suhail Bahwan celebrates Omani Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day with pride and joy MUSCAT: Omani women employees of Suhail Bahwan Group companies celebrated Omani Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day with joy and pride at the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s headquarters in Al Rawaq in Qurum.

Amal Suhail Bahwan, managing director and board member of Suhail Bahwan Group, joined her Omani colleagues to celebrate the occasion with the cutting of a cake, says a press release.

Addressing the Omani women

FIRST OF ITS KIND

employees, Amal said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Suhail Bahwan Group is pleased to celebrate this great day as this is an honour for the Omani women, appreciating and recognising their contributions, achievements and values they bring to the Omani society. Each one of us should feel that we are working for our own company not just as an ordinary employee and make sincere effort to achieve as a team member.â&#x20AC;?

Omani Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day is cel-

ebrated across Oman in response to the Royal directives of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said allocating October 17 as the day for the Omani women.

The Suhail Bahwan Group has commenced several initiatives for the Omani employees particularly the women employees that include recognising and awarding the best employees of the month, regular training programmes to upgrade their professional skills, etc.

QUIZ COMPETITION

Geepas launches innovative electronics catalogue app

Delicio X-Quiz-itz set to be held on Friday

DUBAI: Geepas launched its very own Electronics Catalogue Application, the ďŹ rst of its kind in the market, that enables customers and dealers get instant access to Geepasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; extensive range of more than 1,500 products across varied . !),# -Ĺ&#x2014;Ä&#x203A;Ĺ&#x2014; (. ,. #(' (.Ĺ&#x2014;*,) ucts, home appliances, kitchen appliances, lighting devices and personal gadgets.

The innovative application brings Geepas to the customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hand, making information access much more convenient and easy.

Geepas customers and dealers can now stay updated with the latest products across all categories, check products with the most wanted speciďŹ cations, compare products, and ďŹ nd out about the latest offers and events available at Geepas all across the region, says a press release.

The application is made available in the Apple Store for all Apple devices, and in the Play Store for all android devices, as well as other operating systems. With a simpleto-use attractive interface, the Geepas Catalogue App provides a direct bridge with the customers and dealers who are always on the move and prefer being informed about Geepas in any part of the world. With a smart push notiďŹ cation system, the Geepas Catalogue App ensures that customers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss any action that happens in Geepas while they are busy with their daily routines. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The need for collaborative and

MUSCAT: After last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand success of the Marvel themed X-Quiz-itz, team Muscat Codex is back again organising a bigger show this year.

The Delicio X-Quiz-Itz Inter School Quiz completion is scheduled to be held on October 23 at Al Falaj Hotel. The quiz show, which is held under the patronage of Chaitanya Khimji, will be hosting its prelims today on the Indian School Wadi Kabir premises, says a press release.

Hala Jamal, Midhun Mukund, Fayas Fazil and Midhun Thomas make up Muscat Codex. This young enthusiastic team is very much known in the quizzing community in Oman. They took a passion and turned it into a wonderful event which schools look forward to.

Started in May 2013, Muscat Codex has hosted more than 30 stage shows. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Times of Oman quiz has been an inspiration to us and their support has been a success factor to the events,â&#x20AC;? says the team.

From the registered 504 teams from more than 12 participating schools, the prelim will be witnessing the qualiďŹ ed 201 teams, who will be battling to secure their position in the ďŹ nals representing their Alma Mater. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We wanted to give more schools and more students an opportunity to be on stage, hence we decided to split the selection of the ďŹ nalists unlike last time,â&#x20AC;?

detailed product information on the move is rapidly growing today.

The world is embracing technology at an incredible pace, and we have to keep up with the times.

Geepas Catalogue App puts all the information customers need before they purchase in one accessible, easy-to-use app. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Customers have complete access to our product database in the palm of their hands, For us, this is an achievement beyond measure that takes us much closer to our customers,â&#x20AC;? said Nizar T. N., director of Operations, Western International Group.

Geepas is a part of Western International Group and has one of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest electronics product portfolios with over 1,500 products in entertainment products, home appliances, kitchen appliances, lighting devices and personal care gadgets.

Geepas thrives on its phenomenal after-sales service, with an extraordinary three-day service

The world is embracing technology at an incredible pace and we have to keep up with the times. Geepas Catalogue App puts all the information customers need before they purchase in one accessible, easy-touse app Nizar T. N.

Director of Operations, Western International Group

turnaround time period, virtually overshadowing every other brand in the world. Geepas is gaining popularity for its reliable and quality products at costeffective pricing.

says Hala Jamal, Quiz Master and also added that, â&#x20AC;&#x153;this year we decided to do something magical, and hence the theme of Delicio XQuiz-Itz is Harry Potter.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Growth is what we are hoping to achieve every year, and we have succeeded in that,â&#x20AC;? said Midhun Thomas. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our principle partners and our title sponsors are very supportive of our initiative which has been a huge morale booster for us. A special thanks does go indeed to our patron Chaitanya Khimji who has been with us as a mentor from the start,â&#x20AC;? added Fayas Fazil. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Last year our quiz was extremely successful because of the quality of quizzing and because we heavily relied on the experience we provide the teams and audience. The audience were enthralled by our visual effects and we are hoping to boost it with the thrill of the Wizarding World. The audience are in for a good surprise,â&#x20AC;? says Midhun Mukund, creative director for Muscat Codex.

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ROUND-UP New Toyota Land Cruiser launched

With the all-new Land Cruiser, Toyota has elevated the meaning of the term SUV with new exterior and interior, new design features and new safety technologies added to a major drivetrain upgrade and enhanced multimedia features, making this makeover far more than metal-skin deep

MUSCAT: The all-new Toyota Land Cruiser was launched in Oman at a well-attended function. Koji Nagata, general manager, Middle East & North Africa – Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Sadayoshi Koyari, chief engineer - Toyota Development Center 3 were present on the occasion along with prominent personalities from the public and private sectors, says a press release.

In his message Salim Mohamed Bahwan said: “At Saud Bahwan Automotive, it is a matter of tre-

mendous satisfaction to note that Toyota has made rapid strides in Oman. Many of the models such as the Corolla, Camry and Hilux are household names while others such as the Land Cruiser enjoy iconic status.”

“The Land Cruiser which has a rich legacy of over six decades is now reborn to meet the future with enhanced luxury and a bold new look. We are confident that the new Land Cruiser will exceed the expectations of our customers,” he added.

In his keynote address Koji Nagata highlighted TMC’s customer focus. “We are one company that really believes our customers always come first. We offer the highest levels of safety and quality. A Toyota delivers true peace of mind as well as an emotional experience.

One of our slogans is “Creating Ever-better Cars”. It’s more than just words, it’s a mission,” Nagata said.

Speaking about the all-new

Land Cruiser, he added: “Toyota has been selling the Land Cruiser in the Middle East for more than half a century. We are very grateful to you for your loyalty and support all these years. We believe there is nothing more important than customer satisfaction. Hence, our aim is not to just meet but also surpass customer’s expectations. Our new Land Cruiser Wagon was designed with this philosophy in mind. As a flagship model, it delivers peaceof-mind, excitement and luxury all at the same time. Moreover, we expect the new Land Cruiser to also set the standard for its class.

“This new model was designed drawing upon feedback from people right here in this country. You told us what you wanted and I think you would find that we have

given it to you. The Land Cruiser offers amazing utility. It is reliable and tough, it can go anywhere, do anything. Yet it is luxurious. It delivers upgraded performance, the latest technology, and safety.

In the Middle East, this vehicle has been especially popular, in fact, legendary. It was a hit when we first started selling it. And, it is even more loved today.”

Concluding with a flourish, Nagata remarked: “What’s better than a Land Cruiser? Only a new Land Cruiser!”

Later in the evening the chief engineer of the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser, Sadayoshi Koyari shared his experience about the development process.

“When we, at Toyota, talk about the Land Cruiser, we talk about

SOCIAL COMMITMENT

“Land Cruiser-ness” — that is, the special quality that a Land Cruiser should have. Land Cruisers are loved by customers around the world,” he said.

Redesigned model “This redesigned model offers elegance, sophistication, luxury — but it’s also tough and practical. It’s at home on the road in towns and cities. And beyond that — cruising the land, it offers not just excitement but utility. It really is the “luxurious bridge between civilization and adventure” — and we have made every effort to make it so.

Toyota delivers what it promises — without compromises. Proof is the new Land Cruiser,” he added.

With the new Land Cruiser, Toyota has elevated the meaning

of the term SUV with new exterior and interior, new design features and new safety technologies added to a major drivetrain upgrade and enhanced multimedia features, making this makeover far more than metal-skin deep. In fact, the key features of the new Land Cruiser include the impressive new 8-speed automatic transmission, the attention grabbing 20” alloy wheels, pampering premium leather seats and reassuring safety features such as the new rear cross traffic alert and the lane change alert. Topping it all is the 11.6” dual full HD rear entertainment system featuring 14 state-ofthe-art JBL speakers.

“These, by no means, are a complete list of features in the new Land Cruiser to which neither words nor images can do justice,” remarked a spokesperson for Saud Bahwan Automotive. “To know the Land Cruiser in reality, one has to experience it, and that is best done by visiting the showroom.”

The launch event also featured a one-of-a-kind creative performance by two talented acrobats who complemented each other superbly, sweeping the audience away in this spectacle of the senses. They were followed by mesmerising LED dancers. A dramatic unveiling of the all-new 2016 Land Cruiser took place immediately thereafter!

The launching of the all-new Land Cruiser drew a very enthusiastic response from the distinguished guests. “Land Cruiser is truly in a league of its own,” remarked an invitee. “Now, even more so, with the new model setting new benchmarks for many to emulate,” remarked another.

The all-new Land Cruiser is now on display at all Toyota showrooms.

ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS

BankDhofar marks World Food Day MUSCAT: BankDhofar, showing commitment to the community and stressing its role as an integral member of society, marked World Food Day in partnership with Dar Al Atta’a Association, says a press release.

Sami Omar Al Zadjali, head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at BankDhofar, said: “World Food Day is a day of action against hunger. On October 16, people around the world come together to declare their commitment to eradicate hunger. Events and public awareness campaigns are organised worldwide to engage diverse audiences in action against hunger.

“We at BankDhofar have partnered with Dar Al Atta’a Association to encourage volunteers and donors to give away non-perish-

able food items which will be distributed to families across Oman.”

This year Dar Al Atta’a collaborated with a number of organisations, including schools, public and private sectors institutions to collect enough food to feed a large number of families in different parts of the Sultanate.

“We at BankDhofar work towards supporting sustainable CSR initiatives and we invest in long term objectives of all social support and community activities. We have strategic partnerships with various public and private sector organisations, as well as nonprofit and charitable organisations to help us extend our outreach and play a proactive role in the community. BankDhofar has proudly supported numerous initiatives, institutions and organisations,

providing essential services to the community,” added Al Zadjali.

Taking proactive steps on the path of the Sultanate’s social development and prosperity, BankDhofar puts corporate social responsibility at the forefront of its commitments.

Community and social awareness campaigns, as well as a strong focus on engaging staff, are being promoted across the bank through various channels. More than just financial support and fund-raising, BankDhofar is dedicated to sustainable philanthropy causes, participating in events and activities across the Sultanate, collaborating with various organisations and non-profit associations to reinforce its social responsibility and community outreach programmes.

WCAS organises workshop

MUSCAT: Waljat College of Applied Sciences (WCAS), Muscat organised a workshop recently on entrepreneurship for third semester of engineering and BCA students.

This workshop was among one of the series of activities undertaken by the Entrepreneurship Club which aims at understanding the ecosystem of Oman and starting a business of own, says a press release.

Essam Hussain Ali Al Lawati, lecturer and head of Business Centre (Entrepreneurship Cell), Business Department, Higher College of Technology, was the resource person. He shared his concern for entrepreneurship in Oman with the dean of the college S. L. Gupta.

Lawati spoke on importance of creativity and innovation to enhance entrepreneurship at various areas.

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

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RECRUI JOB POSTINGS

QUOTES Whatever you can do or dream, you can begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.

Begin it now. — J. W. von Goethe Recruiting is hard. It’s just finding the needles in the haystack. You can’t know enough in a one-hour interview.

So, in the end, it’s ultimately based on your gut. How do I feel about this person? What are they like when they’re challenged? I ask everybody that: “Why are you here?” The answers themselves are not what you’re looking for. It’s the meta-data. — Steve Jobs

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

Always be smarter than the people who hire you.

— Lena Horne

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W EDN ESDAY, OCTOB ER 21, 2015

ROUND-UP

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All-new Hyundai Sonata crowned ‘Car of the Year’

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The all-new Sonata

Oryx Property Show to feature host of modern projects on October 30

was judged by a panel of technical experts within the Saudi Auto team which recognised the model as the strongest performer in the segment

MUSCAT: The all-new Sonata is celebrating being recognised as Saudi Auto magazine’s Car of the Year award. The dynamic vehicle was introduced in Saudi Arabia in 2014 and has taken pole position in the annual awards thanks to its advanced technological features and refined design in keeping with Hyundai’s ‘Modern Premium’ brand direction.

Commenting on the accolade,

Jin (James) Kim, vice president and head of Operations for Hyundai Africa and Middle East said: “This type of recognition from one of the leading publications in our biggest Middle Eastern market is invaluable. It reaffirms our position as the region’s second biggest automotive manufacturer and one of the leaders within the midsized sedan segment.”

The all-new Sonata was judged by a panel of technical experts within the Saudi Auto team which recognised the model as the strongest performer in the

segment beating competitors such as Nissan and Toyota, says a press release.

The winning 7th generation of the Sonata was the result of three years of research and development conducted by Hyundai in the Middle East and around the globe, in order to maximise product competitiveness and satisfy the diverse needs of the Middle East market.

“The all-new Sonata is spectacular from all angles — from its dramatic exterior look, to its overall design concept which focuses on ‘Inner Force’, a theme that points

to evolved aesthetics and confident perfection – this vehicle is a deserving winner of our car of the year award,” said Bakur Azher, publisher and editor-in-chief of Saudi Auto magazine.

The model has proved extremely popular with 28,556 units sold in the Middle East in 2014, a 6 percent rise year on year. The Sonata has traditionally been one of Hyundai’s best-selling models across the Middle East and since its introduction in 1985, cumulative global sales have reached almost seven million units.

MUSCAT: The Times of India (ToI), India’s largest newspaper, in association with Muscatbased East Expo, is organising Oryx Property and Investment Show on October 30 and 31 at Holiday Muscat, Al Khuwair.

Well-known property developers from five countries will participate in the two-day international exhibition, says a press release.

Oryx Property and Investment Show will showcase properties and money investment from the UAE, Singapore, Oman, Malyasia and India. Both commercial and residential projects will be featured in the show. Property developments, which will be showcased at the property show,

will be known for their latest technological advancements and new construction trends.

The exhibition will help both citizens and expatriates of the Sultanate to get first-hand information about the latest trends in the property sector. This is a rare opportunity as internationally well-known companies are coming under one roof. Moreover, the exhibition will also showcase some of the leading and upcoming projects in Oman.

The Indian pavilion at the exhibition will have the largest presence as more than 30 real estate developers are taking part in it.

Properties from different states and major cities in India will be showcased at the exhibition.

PROMOTIONS

Bank Sohar streamlines management structure MUSCAT: In its constant endeavour of achieving business excellence through streamlined operations and ever-improving efficiency, Bank Sohar has announced the implementation of a new management structure.

The new structure, together with the bank’s longstanding commitment towards ensuring a steady career growth path for its staff, has seen 12 existing senior management members promoted to key leadership positions within the bank.

Commenting on the new promotions Rashad Ali Al Musafir, Acting CEO of Bank Sohar, said: “The business of Bank Sohar has grown exponentially over the past few years with an ever increasing clientele base on both the retail and corporate front. In order to efficiently support this growth trend, we have streamlined our senior management structure with an enhanced focus on strategy, business

growth, operational efficiency and people development. In doing so, a number of the bank’s senior management members will take on greater responsibilities within the bank, whilst also ensuring employee empowerment down the line.”

As part of the new restructure the bank has appointed Sasi Kumar, as the group general manager of Business, where part of his new role, he will head Retail Business, Treasury, Investment and Cor-

respondent Banking divisions in addition to overseeing Corporate Banking and Strategy. Munira Abdulnabi Macki will take on her new position as GM of HR and Corporate Support while R. Narasimhan has been promoted as the GM of Retail Banking; each overseeing their respective divisions within the bank. Mujahid Al Zadjali has been promoted to the position of DGM and Head of IT and Alternate Channels while Mustafa Ali

SWISS BRAND

Mukhtar has been promoted as the DGM and Head of Corporate Banking where he will head the Trade Finance unit in addition to Large Corporate business. As a part of the restructure, Salim Khamis Al Maskery will assume the position of DGM and Head of Sohar Islamic.

Other appointments also include the promotion of Khamis Al Rahbi as Senior AGM of Branches; who will now oversee the bank’s

branch network in its entirety.

Mazin Mahmood Al Raisi has also been promoted to the position of Senior AGM of Marketing and Customer Experience as a result of which he will now also handle Customer Experience in addition to his former responsibility as the Head of Marketing. Other new appointments include Mohamed Dohadwala as Senior AGM of Investment and Correspondent Banking and Khalifa Ahmed Al Ghammary as Senior AGM of Credit Control; while Saif Masoud Al Harthi and G. Rajasekeran will take on their new roles as AGM of Central Operations and AGM and Acting CFO respectively.

“Each of these staff members have proven themselves as capable business leaders since the inception of the bank and I would like to congratulate each of them on their new roles. I am confident their new appointments will serve to further strengthen their own capabilities;

whilst the new structure as a whole will greatly support the bank’s drive towards not only achieving, but also surpassing, our business targets and maintaining the bank’s image and reputation as one of the most successful banks in the country,” added Rashad Al Musafir.

This management restructure falls on the back of the bank’s recent shift to a district structure for its retail branch management.

Following the Bank Sohar Board’s approval for the concept of district managers, the bank, in August, replaced the former zonal branch structure, followed by the bank.

The new structure includes three districts – Muscat, Batinah and Sharqiya; with 23 of the bank’s 26 branches split into each district based on their location with a dedicated district head at the helm of each. The Salalah and MBD branches and the bank’s relationship banking unit continue to operate as separate entities.

SUPPORTING SME SECTOR

Al Felaij introduces Aviator watch in Oman MUSCAT: Al Felaij Watches introduced to its valued customers the vintage Swiss watch brand Aviator in Oman, says a press release.

The vintage family is dedicated to the ‘Pioneer Era’ and ‘Golden Age’ of aviation.

It includes the evolution from pocket watch style wristwatches to classical pilot watches of the Second World War. Inspired by the history of MIG aircraft, Aviator created a family of watches named after these legendary fighter planes. The professional special range of watches was built to meet the most rigorous requirements of contemporary aviators.

The product development process at Aviator involves real pilots who provide new ideas and inspiration to the team.

The ideas for new models are born with reference from aviation environment.

The most important character-

Inspired by the history of MIG aircraft, Aviator created a family of watches named after these legendary fighter planes. The professional special range of watches was built to meet the most rigorous requirements of contemporary aviators

istics of Aviator watches are the visibility, readability and water resistance to provide smooth work of watches even in extreme work conditions.

Omantel launches 4th edition of Business Excellence SME Awards MUSCAT: In line with its continuous efforts to support the growth of the national economy and SME sector in particular, Omantel announced the launch of the 4th edition of Omantel Business Excellence SME Awards 2015.

The nominations will be opened for the awards from today in six categories, namely: Best Performing Company — Small Enterprise, Best Performing Company — Medium Enterprise, Best New Entrant, Turnaround Success Story of the Year, Community Contribution and Business Idea of the Year, says a press release.

Omantel’s Business Excellence SME Awards come as part of the company’s efforts to recognise Omani entrepreneurs who managed to establish viable business enterprise and contribute to the growth of the national economy.

It also aims at highlighting the role played by small and medium enterprises owners and sharing their experiences to be sources of inspiration and pride and as role models for their peers.

Commenting on the launch of the 4th edition of Omantel Business Excellence SME Awards, Sheikha Hamed Al Awfi, Marketing Communication Manager at Omantel Business Unit said, “Omantel is very keen on continuing its support for SMEs and maximise its contribution to the sustainable growth of this key sector. To this end, it seeks to support the endeavours made to leverage the potential of the sector to the utmost. We learned from our past experiences that SMEs owners are enthusiastic to contrib-

The launch of this year’s edition builds upon the success we had in the previous three versions and the great response we have received through the last three versions of the award Sheikha Hamed Al Awfi

Marketing Communication Manager, Omantel Business Unit

ute to the growth of the national economy and maximise the role played by the sector in business activities. Hence, Omantel has designed a number of packages that meet the different needs of SMEs and help them to ensure more growth.”

“The launch of this year’s edition builds upon the success we had in the previous three versions and the great response we have received through the last three versions of the award. I am pretty sure that the response this year will be even greater and this is very clear from the number of applicants and the keenness by all SMEs to showcase their successes. We also hope that this year’s awards will help us to shed light on the success stories we have and the contributions made by such successful SMEs,” she pointed out.

“Omantel has allocated a number of awards for winners this year. The winner from each category will receive OMR5,000 in addition to one-year free of charge subscription to one of our fixed or mobile SME packages, 50,000 promotional SMSs, two smart phones and free marketing campaign for their organisations. All SMEs can take part in this competition by filling the registration form available on the competition website www.omantel.om/smeawards, registration to the competition will close on November 20. They may also register and send the form by mail.

The registration forms will also be available at Omantel outlets,” Al Awfi added.

C

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Chen and Le Coq stay in front at RS:X World Championship SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

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The wind, when it

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

did fill in, was lighter than expected and never reached more than 8 knots. This led to an exceptionally physical day where skilful pumping played a major part in success on the racecourse

MUSCAT: Peina Chen of China and Pierre Le Coq of France continue to lead their respective fleets at the RS:X World Windsurfing Championships in Al Musannah, but light tactical conditions made for some challenging racing on the second day.

The wind, when it did fill in, was lighter than expected and never reached more than 8kts. This led to an exceptionally physical day where skilful pumping played a major part in success on the racecourse. With three more qualifying races per fleet (men and women) to complete, racing got underway promptly at 1200. Men were first off and enjoyed some of the best breeze of the day.

Although Le Coq has managed to maintain his overall regatta lead with another couple of wins to add to his already impressive scoreline, he didn’t have it all his own way on Tuesday in the 85-strong fleet.

In the second race of the day (White Group) Pastor Lafuente Ivan of Spain sailed well, overtook

CLOSE CONTEST: The men’s fleet witnessed a close contest at the Al Musannah Sports City on Tuesday. – Supplied photo

Le Coq in the closing stages, and notched up his first win of the week.

In Yellow Group, Zhichao Zhi of China, sailing his first ever world championship, seems to have super-fast all round speed. After today’s racing he has a scoreline of 4, 1, 2 to lift him up the rankings to second overall.

Commenting on his impressive result, Zhichao Zhi said: “This is the first time I have sailed abroad, and at a world championship, so I am delighted to be here and I am really happy to be doing so well. I think the reason I am fast in these conditions is because I am so light.

The aim now is to continue to do well by sailing normally without too much pressure. I am really keen to learn from the other guys and to keep improving.”

Hard conditions Chatting about the challenging conditions, Pierre Le Coq added: “Three races in those conditions is very hard for us. Very challenging to be in front and to be consistent so I am really happy and I am ready for the rest of the week. It was very important to make good starts and good choices early on today because in these 20 minute races, it is

difficult to come back if you make a wrong decision. Thankfully my speed was still okay but some of the other guys are really fast too so I need to keep an eye on them.”

In the women’s fleet 26 year-old Peina Chen who recently finished second at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Qingdao, retains the overall lead but said she found it extremely tough. Also, having to do penalty turns in the first race of the day for incident on the start line wasn’t a good start to the day.

One of the most notable performances came from Charline Picon of France). Picton who won the

Aquece Rio International Sailing Regatta (Rio 2016 Test Event) two years in a row and the 2014 ISAF Sailing World Championships in Santander, showed her true colours with a stunning performance.

In the closing stages of race one, in the last short reach to the finish, she out-pumped race leader Zofia Noceti-Klepacka of Poland and, in fine style, snatched first place. She then went on to score another first place and a second, which lifts her up the rakings to second overall.

Picon commented: “I had a very good day today but it is tough here.

Last week we had good conditions

but this week it is light and physically demanding. Also because there are a lot of sailors and countries using the event as an Olympic qualifier it is extremely competitive. Peina Chen, for example, is in very good shape. From here on it will be in more tough because we’ll be racing only the best girls in the gold fleet where every point is important.”

Peina Chen commenting on Picon’s speed said: “She also sailed smart in race two and on the last tack of the race I lost my lead to her. She then pipped me to the post for second in race three.”

On her performance elsewhere, Chen added: “Doing turns in the first race was not ideal but I tacked too fast, into Marina’s (Alabau Neira) water so naturally had to do something about it. I have to say it is really great racing because it is so close. I am however, looking forward to a rest tomorrow.”

Poland’s Malgorzata Bialecka, who won the final Blue Group race of the day, retains third place overall.

She said it was all about starting right and pumping. “We had slightly less wind, and it was a bit shifty so the most important thing was pumping. I was incredibly tough however, so feel tired now. I do believe it is going to be a lot harder when we split in two fleets [gold and silver] because all the best girls are going to fight together so it will be pretty tough.”

The fleet can now relax and enjoy a well-earned day of rest and recuperation on Wednesday. Racing resumes on Thursday at 12.00 noon. Men and women’s fleets will be split in to gold and silver fleet, according to overall rankings from the first two days (six races). The final races and medal races will take place on Saturday.

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Blomstrand goes two clear at Muscat Hills

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FINALISTS: Percy Pereira, left, with Yogesh Narula. – Supplied photo

Percy Pereira retains veterans singles title

SOLID SHOW: Christofer Blomstrand, a MENA Golf Tour debutant from Sweden, in action at Muscat Hills on Tuesday. – Supplied photo

Sweden’s Blomstrand backed up his opening round of 67 with another solid 68 to reach nine under, just two clear of Germany’s Kunzenbacher as the pair left many regular contenders trailing in their wake

MUSCAT: MENA Golf Tour debutants Christofer Blomstrand and Julian Kunzenbacher firmly put themselves in pole position heading into the final round of the Muscat Hills Golf Citizen Championship on Tuesday.

Sweden’s Blomstrand backed up his opening round of a 67 with another solid 68 to reach nine under for the tournament, just two clear of Germany’s Kunzenbacher as the pair left many regular contenders trailing in their wake. Morocco’s Younes El Hassani carded back-toback 69s to move into a tie for third

on six-under along with Australia’s Ryan Smith as a four-man group, led by Sweden’s Per Barth, who won the ShaikhMaktoum Dubai Open, shared fifth a further shot adrift.

Attributing his solid all-round golf to warmer weather, Blomstrand said: “I find it a lot easier to swing in these conditions than at back home where winter has set in, signally the end of the golf season for many.

“Barring early hiccups when I bogeyed a couple of holes, I think I played really well, tee to green, and holed some good putts, especially the one on the 16th which I sank from 16 feet.

“This event has provided me with a perfect opportunity to warm up for the second stage of the European Tour qualifier. With so many players shooting in red numbers, it just shows how good is the standard of golf on the tour,” said the 23-year-old from Skanor, 30km south of Malmo.

Even Kunzenbacher was delighted the way things have turned out for him. “It’s my very first event on the tour and I am enjoying the competition.

“The course is fairly easy and it’s just that sometimes you find it difficult to read the greens.

“When you play golf, you play to win. And I will be taking this positive mindset into the final round,” said the 22-year-old German, who eagled the par-five 13th, smashing his 6-iron from 200 yards to within 40 centimetres of the pin.

Morocco’s Younes El Hassani, who leads the MENA Division by four shots from his compatriot Mehdi Saissi, fancies his chances of a racking up a top-three finish.

“Slowly, but steadily I am getting back into the groove of things.

I have made nine birdies and just

three bogeys in the last 36 holes, which is nice. My driving is good and so is the iron play. If I can hole a few more putts, I stand a realistic chance of finishing among top three,” said the experienced professional from Tangiers.

Young Scottish Ben Alexander, who shared the overnight lead with Blomstrand, Stuart Archibald and Cyril Suk after opening with a 67, stumbled to a 76, but managed to stay in front in the amateur division at one where he is joined by India’s Rayhan Thomas, who followed his opening 70 with a 73.

Elsewhere, England’s Archibald moved to five under after returning a level-par 72 while Czech Republic’s Suk carded a 74 to stay in the frame for a good finish at three under along with England’s Joshua White, the 2014 MENA Golf Tour champion.

The cut was made at four over 148 with 45 professionals and 10 amateurs making it to the final round. Local amateur Azzan Al Rumhy, meanwhile, carded seven over 71 in the second round for a total of 160. On Monday, Oman’s top golfer returned a nine-over 81.

MUSCAT: Continuing with his fine form, Percy Pereira came up with another stunning show to retain the veteran singles crown at the ongoing National Bank of Oman-sponsored annual badminton tournament organised by the Indian Social Club (ISC) Muscat.

In the final, he took on Yogesh Narula, an opponent who was unseeded but upset a few seeded players en route to the final.

However, experienced Percy started the first game comfortably and built up a commanding lead as Yogesh struggled to get his

game together. He was not able to find his rhythm and Percy had an easy game winning 21-6.

The second game saw Yogesh coming out in a positive frame of mind, matching Percy and took the lead in the starting of the game.

However, going into the interval, Percy had a slight advantage. The game went neck and neck with both players exhibiting very good strategy and placements.

Percy kept his cool and went on to win the game 21-18 and with that the title, taking his tally to three titles so far in the tournament.

CRICKET

Duminy out and Morkel unsure for last two ODIs CHENNAI: The South African cricket team has suffered a potential double blow as star pair JP Duminy and Morne Morkel have suffered injury.

Duminy lacerated a finger while trying to field a shot from his own bowling in the third One-day International (ODI) against India at Rajkot and will miss the remaining two ODIs of the series, cricket. com.au reported on Tuesday.

There is a question mark on Morkel for Thursday’s match after he ended up with a sore leg following the man-of-the-match performance in Sunday’s encounter.

South Africa lead the series 2-1.

Duminy wrung his hand in pain immediately after the incident on Sunday but continued to remain

on field, but South Africa have since declared his unavailability, naming Dean Elgar as his back-up.

Elgar is the incumbent South Africa Test opener but hasn’t played ODI cricket since 2012.

The last of his five ODIs came in a series in England that year and he was dropped after he scored just 93 runs at an average of 23.25.

The 28-year-old is also a part-time left-arm spinner, so will likely account for some of the overs originally allotted to Duminy if selected.

The Proteas also have batsman Khaya Zondo in their squad, or could opt to feature a frontline bowler from among Kyle Abbott, Chris Morris or Aaron Phangiso in the absence of Duminy. - IANS

MANGALOREANS CUP CRICKET TOURNAMENT ATTRACTS 18 TEAMS

Team New Mangaloreans conducted the draw of the first Mangaloreans Cup cricket tournament at Khana Khazana Restaurant in Ruwi on Monday. The tournament, which has attracted 18 teams, will be played in Bausher from October 23 to 30. Abu Hatim Group, Khana Khazana Restaurant and Team New Mangaloreans are the major supporters of the tournament. — Supplied photo

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SPORTS FOOTBALL

Oman has no interest to host Gulf Cup 2015: Sayyid Khalid T.K. MOHANDOSS

the FIFA move, Kuwait would not host the 23rd Gulf Cup of Nations, and the suggestion was given the cabinet’s approval.

sportseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman will not host the 23rd Gulf Cup of Nations, which was scheduled for December 2015 in Kuwait.

Oman Football Association chairman Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi in an exclusive comment to Times Sport on Tuesday categorically stated, “we have no interest to host the Gulf Cup 2015.”

He went on to add, “the tournament as it stands now is postponed to December 2016 or January 2017.”

However, he did not comment when a decision will be taken on the dates and venue.

According to reports emerging from Kuwait on Monday, the Kuwait cabinet decided not to host the Gulf Cup this year.

We just hope things will be resolved as soon as possible and Kuwait athletes can quickly be back in international competitions Sayyid Khalid Al Busaidi

OFA chief

The decision was made on Monday during the cabinet’s weekly meeting chaired by His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al Mubarak Al Hamad Al Sabah, in

line with a proposal by Minister of Information and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Sheikh Salman Sabah Salem Al Humoud Al Sabah.

Sheikh Salman had briefed the

cabinet on the outcome of the recent joint meeting with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland, that discussed compatibility of the sports laws in

Bank Muscat picks teams for 2015 Green Sports initiative

Kuwait on the legal and organising level, said Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al Mubarak Al Sabah.

The suggestion was that after FOOTBALL

Harun to conduct AFC course in India MUSCAT: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has selected the Sultanate’s experienced goalkeeping coach and coaching instructor Harun Al Bartmani to conduct a goalkeepers coaching course in India.

According to information received from the Oman Football Association (OFA) on Tuesday, the course is scheduled to be organised in the east Indian state of West Bengal from November 1 to 8.

Around 24 coaches are expected to attend the course.

Harun has had extensive experience previously in both goalkeeper coaching as well as conducting seminars on behalf of the AFC. The seminar will be divided into theoretical and practical sessions.

The theoretical sessions, which will be held in the mornings, will cover coaching tactics, case studies as well as other fundamentals of goalkeeping coaching. Practi-

With new agreements, the unique Green Sports social responsibility initiative marking the successful fourth year has benefited a total of 49 teams across Oman

MUSCAT: In step with the ‘Let’s Do More’ vision for the nation, the community and the environment, the Green Sports initiative launched by Bank Muscat to promote Oman as a sporting nation marked a milestone as the flagship financial services provider signed agreements with 15 new beneficiaries for 2015 at a ceremony held under the auspices of Shaikh Rashad bin Ahmed Al Hinai, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Sports Affairs.

The ceremony held at the bank’s head office was attended by dignitaries, senior bank officials and representatives of sports teams.

The 2015 Green Sports beneficiaries are Al Wast Sports Team of Al Khabourah, Al Jazeera Sports Team of Al Musannah/Widam Al Sahil, Al Genz Sports Team of Suwaiq, Al Tadhamun Sports Team of Adam, Al Qabasan Sports Team of Samail, Hayy Al Turrath of Nizwa, Al Nasr Sports Club of Bahla, Al Iraqi Sports Club of Ibri, Al Howayan Sports Club of Bidiya-Al Hawiyah, Al Khoudh Sports Club of Al Khoudh;, Itihad Al Sahil of Qurayat, Al Lajal Sports Team of Wadi Al Maawil, Al Shabab Sports Team of Shinnas, Dhahir Al Fowars Sports Team of Yanqul and

Al Arabi Sports Team of Manah.

With this, the unique Green Sports social responsibility initiative marking the successful fourth year has benefited a total of 49 teams across the Sultanate.

Shaikh Rashad bin Ahmed Al Hinai congratulated Bank Muscat for the success achieved by the Green Sports initiative.

“The support to develop sports infrastructure across the Sultanate complements the government efforts in building a sporting nation. The initiative benefiting communities, especially youth, also contributes to sustainable development and protection of the environment, thereby ensuring all-round development in Oman,” he said.

“The availability of proper sporting infrastructure across the Sultanate is a boon for the game of football. The gesture by Bank Muscat to promote sports and games is a motivation for corporates to join hands with the government to strengthen the country’s sporting credentials.”

In 2015, the bank widened the scope of Green Sports initiative beyond the greening of football fields. From this year, sports teams seeking Green Sports support can

choose from four options to either green their football fields with natural or synthetic turf, or avail support to affix flood lights or water desalination equipment to facilitate greening of fields in areas facing problems of water salinity. The move is aimed at providing wider representation to teams to build sustainable sports infrastructure in all parts of the Sultanate.

Waleed K. Al Hashar, Group General Manager of Corporate Services, said: “Bank Muscat is immensely proud to enhance support for the Green Sports initiative as part of its CSR strategy to further strengthen its leadership role in social responsibility and facilitate partnership between the government and the private sector for sustainable development and progress of Oman, inspired by the directive of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said to activate the role of the private sector in social responsibility and development of Omani society. We wish all the beneficiary teams success in contributing to sporting excellence in Oman.”

Giving a major thrust to sustainable development, the sports infrastructure facilities developed with Green Sports support are also serving as a meeting place for children and youth to be engaged in gainful activities.

The facility is being used to host various youth activities, group weddings and other community celebrations. Such community programmes are helping children and youth to develop strong positive character traits. Bank Muscat recognises that sustainable development has the potential for achieving long-term benefits spanning economic, social, cultur-

al and environmental dimensions.

Bank Muscat is committed to supporting all deserving teams to develop sports infrastructure across the Sultanate. The funding criteria for the Green Sports programme include that sports teams should have been in existence for three years with a minimum membership of 300 youth from the local community. The bank recognises that local teams wield immense influence on neighbourhood communities, especially youth, hence teams with modern infrastructure facilities can help raise sporting heroes for the country.

Salim Al Kaabi, DGM of Human Resources, in the welcome address said: “The Green Sports initiative reiterates the bank’s support to Oman’s youth who represent the future of Oman. True to its commitment to supporting varied sporting activities in the country, Bank Muscat remains at the forefront in offering the required encouragement to youth.

“As the nation’s leading financial institution, Bank Muscat aims to motivate other corporates to provide the required impetus for youth to excel in all arenas and thereby contribute the development and progress of Oman.”

The consistent progress of the Green Sports initiative confirms the bank’s commitment to the programme aimed at providing ample opportunities for young Omanis to develop their sporting talents in an ideal environment.

The programme is expected to go a long way in developing the sporting skills and talents of Omani youth, thereby promoting the game of football in Oman.

Internal issue According to Reuters report, FIFA had said the ban was handed down because of government interference in the running of the Kuwait Football Association.

In last year’s Gulf Cup, Qatar had beat hosts Saudi Arabia 2-1 to lift the pennant.

Meanwhile, Sayyid Khalid said: “What is happening in Kuwait Football Association is an internal issue and we do not want to comment on it.

“We just hope things will be resolved as soon as possible and Kuwait athletes can quickly be back in international competitions.”

INDIA BOUND: Harun

Al Bartmani

cal sessions, which will be held in the evenings, will cover medical, fitness and nutritional aspects of coaching.

West Bengal which is home to some of India’s biggest clubs and is rich in football culture.

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SPORTS RUGBY WORLD CUP

History means nothing against Springboks, say All Blacks WEYBRIDGE: When it comes to crunch Test rugby, there is little that New Zealand and South Africa do not know about each others game. But familiar foes or not, the All Blacks expect Saturday’s World Cup semifinal to go up a notch in skill and intensity.

Settling into their base in leafy Surrey after their clinical nine-try quarterfinal rout of France in Cardiff, the world champions began to turn their attention to a Springboks side who they have beaten in 10 of their last 12 meetings.

The last match-up came three months ago in Johannesburg when

the All Blacks, 20-17 adrift with six minutes left, needed a late Richie McCaw try to get them home.

South Africa had triumphed by two points in the same Ellis Park stadium a year ago and New Zealand forward Kieran Read said the All Blacks needed to be wary.

“Two teams who have got a lot of history over the last few years, played some pretty outstanding test matches so looking forward to a big challenge,” Read said.

“History has shown that prior form means nothing when it comes to a finals game. We’ve got to turn up and certainly take les-

ISL

NorthEast beat Chennaiyin 2-0 in ill-tempered match GUWAHATI: NorthEast United tasted their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Chennaiyin FC in an eventful Indian Super League (ISL) football match that was marred by frayed tempers and violent conduct of players of both sides here on Tuesday.

Portuguese midfielder Simao Sabrosa converted from the penalty spot in the 90th minute while Argentine forward Nicolas Leandro Velez put the game beyond Chennaiyin’s reach in the injury time (90+5) to hand NorthEast United their first points in the season at their home ground.

The match, which saw one red

and 10 yellow cards being shown by the referee, witnessed many heated moments, with the players almost exchanging blows at times. Chennaiyin played with 10 men from the 40th minute after Harmanjot Khabra was given a straight red card by the referee for violent conduct.

Before the half time, NorthEast coach Cesar Farias and his Chennaiyin counterpart Marco Materazzi exchanged heated words from their touchlines. This brought players and officials from both sides face-toface and on the verge of exchanging blows and the match was interrupted for about five minutes. - PTI

BOXING

Wallabies get better news Australia, meanwhile, are growing in confidence that they will be

Vijender made an immediate impact in his pro debut this month when he destroyed Sonny Whiting in three rounds in Manchester.

The 29-year-old will face Nottingham’s Gillen over four rounds as he looks to claim the record of his first unbeaten pro-fighter. - PTI

back to full-strength for Sunday’s semifinal against Argentina after getting better news on their injured players.

Number eight David Pocock, whose presence at the breakdown was badly missed in last weekend’s heart-pounding 35-34 victory over Scotland, is making steady progress from a calf injury.

Pocock suffered the calf injury during their final pool match against Wales.

Pocock has still not taken part in full-contact training but Wallabies coach Michael Cheika expects him to be fit to tackle the Pumas.

Joubert treated ‘unfairly’ Australia coach Michael Cheika has again come to the defence of South African referee Craig Joubert, saying it was “unfair” that the officials had singled him out over his decision to penalise Scotland in Sunday’s quarter-final.

World Rugby issued a statement on Monday confirming it had reviewed the decision and agreed that Joubert had made a mistake in awarding the penalty, which Australia kicked to win the match 35-34, instead of a scrum.

Cheika, who has had a series of highly-publicised disputes with

referees over the years, told reporters on Tuesday that he hoped other referees would stand by Joubert.

“I did feel for him. It is a bit surprising because no other decision in the tournament has been reviewed,” Cheika said.

“I really feel for the ref. I genuinely feel for him. It is so unfair. No other referee has had his stuff put out there like that and Craig Joubert is a very good referee.

“Genuinely I have never seen that before. I am not sure why that decision had to be publicly reviewed and put out there. I really hope his fellow referees stand by him.” - Reuters

FIFA leaves door open for Platini presidential bid Meeting for the first time since the suspensions of the two most powerful men in soccer, FIFA’s executive committee

CRUCIAL MEETING: FIFA’s acting president Issa Hayatou, centre, speaks as vice-president Angel Ma-

confirmed that the

ria Villar Llona and acting Secretary-General Markus Kattner look on during an extraordinary FIFA executive committee in Zurich on Tuesday. – AFP

election to replace Blatter would take

Vijender faces Dean Gillen LONDON: After a knockout debut, star Indian boxer Vijender Singh will face Englishman Dean Gillen in his second professional bout and the part-time firefighter has promised to be a “dangerous opponent” in the bout scheduled for October 30 here.

sons from the games we’ve played against them in the past.”

The mantra coming out of the All Blacks camp was needing to raise their intensity again, analysing the physical challenge that the Springboks will pose but focus on honing their own game.

Flanker Jerome Kaino said.

“Regardless of what style they are going to bring we need to try and improve and focus on what we need to do.”

place in Zurich on February 26

ZURICH: Suspended European soccer chief Michel Platini may be able to run for president of FIFA if he wins an appeal against his 90-day ban, the world governing body said on Tuesday.

Outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter and Platini were both suspended earlier this month, plunging FIFA into even deeper turmoil as authorities in the United States and Switzerland pursue corruption investigations in which 14 people have so far been indicted.

Meeting for the first time since the suspensions of the two most powerful men in soccer, FIFA’s executive committee confirmed that the election to replace Blatter would take place at an extraordinary Congress in Zurich on February 26, when members would also vote on reforming the organisation’s statutes.

That initially looked like a blow for former French midfield star Platini: a delay in the election would have given him more time to appeal, as candidates have to register by October 26 and undergo an integrity test in the following 10 days.

Domenico Scala, who oversees the electoral process, told the com-

Salman seeks Asian FAs opinion on candidacy ZURICH: The head of Asian soccer, Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa of Bahrain, says he has been “urged” to stand in the election for FIFA president but wants to gauge opinion from football federations in the region before he decides whether to run.

British media reports last week suggested Sheikh Salman had decided to run in the election but in a letter to members of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee and the FIFA executive committee, which has been seen by Reuters, Sheikh Salman said those reports were based on a “misunderstanding”.

mittee that candidates’ bids would not be processed if they were banned, FIFA said in a statement.

But a subsequent line appeared to give hope to Platini.

It read: “Should such a ban be lifted or expire before the FIFA presidential election....the Ad-Hoc electoral committee would decide, depending on the respective exact point in time, on how to proceed with the candidacy concerned.”

Whoever next takes the helm at FIFA will face a huge challenge

In the letter, dated October 18, Sheikh Salman said he had not “actively considered” running for president of world soccer’s scandal-hit governing body, adding: “More importantly, I am not a candidate today. You and the AFC membership that you represent are the people that I am responsible to and whom I am elected to guide and serve. Without seeking your views, I would fail in my duties. It is largely in your hands if I accept the challenge.”

However Sheikh Salman added: “I have recently been urged by a growing number of senior football administrators, FIFA members and personali-

to restore the reputation of the organisation responsible for running the most popular sport on the planet.

Platini’s appeal will first have to go to the FIFA Appeal Committee and, if unsuccessful, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), a process which UEFA said last week should be competed by midNovember.

Platini, who has been UEFA president since 2007, had until his suspension been considered

ties of public life to become a candidate now that UEFA president Michel Platini faces obstacles on his path to the FIFA presidency.”

Sheikh Salman had initially backed Frenchman Platini to replace outgoing FIFA president Sepp Blatter.

The deadline for nominations for the FIFA vote is October 26 and Sheikh Salman asked for feedback by Tuesday.

“Only after reviewing your comments and taking advice from close friends, advisers and after discussing all options with the people most important to me, my family, will I even consider such a major step,” he added. - Reuters

the firm favourite to succeed Blatter. Since then, the race has been thrown open. The only other candidates to register so far are Jordanian Prince Ali Bin Al Hussein and former Trinidad and Tobago midfielder David Nakhid, who have both submitted the required five nominations from national associations.

Sources close to UEFA have said they are still uncertain if Europe will find an alternative candidate to Platini before the deadline. - Reuters

SOURCES

‘AFC chiefs plan new marketing deal without tender’ SINGAPORE: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has lined up a new eight-year deal with a sports marketing agency owned by French media group Lagardere without offering it to a formal tender, two sources close to the process said.

The marketing agreement with World Sports Group (WSG), re-named Lagardere Sports last month in a re-brand by the French group, replaces an existing $1billion deal which still had more than

four years to run, the sources said.

Speaking on condition of anonymity because minor aspects of the agreement are still being finalised, the sources said the new contract overwrites the master rights agreement signed in 2009 with former Asian soccer chief Mohamed bin Hammam.

Confident of a new deal Bin Hammam was banned from soccer for life by the sport’s global governing body FIFA in 2012 for

unspecified ethics breaches. Bahrain’s Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa replaced him as AFC president in 2013.

Lagardere Chief Operating Officer Andrew Georgiou said he was confident of a new deal.

“We have had negotiations and expect to renew the contract,” he said on Tuesday.

Lagardere Sports activities include among others marketing rights management, athlete management and brand consulting.

The sources close to the process said the AFC would receive a significant financial increase on the 2009 deal but did not specify how much.

The AFC declined to say whether a deal had been agreed with Lagardere Sports.

“We have discussed our next commercial contract with a number of companies and when any deal is concluded we will announce it in the usual way,” an AFC spokesperson said. - Reuters

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FOOTBALL

Unhappy Toure slams critics, hurt by lack of recognition

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SPORTS

City wary of more injuries Manuel Pellegrini’s

United back in Moscow after six-year absence

side are already without top scorer Sergio Aguero who hit six goals in two games, five of them in 20 minutes against Newcastle United, before suffering a

UPSET: Manchester City mid-

hamstring problem

fielder Yaya Toure. – Reuters

playing for Argentina LONDON: Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has expressed his disgust at those who are quick to criticise his performances and admits to being hurt by what he feels is a lack of recognition.

The Ivory Coast captain also claimed that winning trophies and earning a lot of money have not made him any happier as he feels sickened by “lots of bitter people who tried to dirty my name”.

Last season, Toure scored 10 league goals, half his total from the previous campaign, as City failed to defend their title, finishing eight points behind champions Chelsea in second place. “I have just come out of a season with City where we finished second in the English league, which is the hardest in the world,” Toure told L’Equipe on Tuesday.

Concerning the goal-scoring exploits which helped City win the league the previous season, Toure said: “I scored 26 goals, 20 in the Premier League, and nobody mentioned it. You understand a bit my disgust. Here (in England), when it is bad, they stress it; when it’s good, they leave that in the dungeon. They have always used their methods to annoy and alienate me.”

Toure has won the Premier League twice and the FA Cup once, says the media should focus more on his trophy haul rather than his pay packet.

“It has hurt me. Everyone thinks I am happy: I have won titles, lots of money, but, no, I am not happy.” - Reuters

LONDON: Manchester City will be almost as concerned to avoid further injuries as they are to take three Champions League points when Sevilla visit the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Four days later Premier League leaders City have a big local derby at third-placed Manchester United.

Manuel Pellegrini’s side are already without top scorer Sergio Aguero who hit six goals in two games, five of them in 20 minutes against Newcastle United, before suffering a hamstring problem playing for Argentina.

Playmaker David Silva was also injured on international duty and will miss Wednesday’s game against his fellow countrymen.

Captain Vincent Kompany was not considered fit enough to play in Saturday’s 5-1 win over lowly Bournemouth while midfielder Samir Nasri strained a hamstring injury in that game.

“I prefer to play with Aguero and Silva,” Pellegrini told reporters before adding he was “very happy” with the performances of attacking players Raheem Sterling, who scored a hat-trick, Wilfried Bony and record signing Kevin De Bruyne. Both teams have three points from two Group D matches after losing to Juventus and beating Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Wednesday’s game will be an emotional occasion for City winger Jesus Navas who came through Sevilla’s academy and played nearly 400 times for the club.

Navas, a World Cup and European Championship winner who last

CONFIDENT BUNCH: Manchester United’s Dutch manager Louis van Gaal, centre, talks to his players during a training session ahead of their UEFA Champions League football match against CSKA Moscow on Wednesday. – AFP

MOSCOW: Manchester United return to the scene of their 2008 Champions League triumph looking for a second away win over CSKA Moscow in exactly six years on Wednesday.

United, who won their third crown when they beat Chelsea on penalties at the Luzhniki Stadium in May 2008, returned to the Russian capital on Oct. 21, 2009 and beat CSKA 1-0 with a late goal by Antonio Valencia. The Red Devils will be looking to repeat that victory at a different venue, the Arena Khimki, as the Luzhniki is under reconstruction for the 2018 World Cup finals.

United will travel to Moscow in good heart after an excel-

played for Spain in March 2014, won two UEFA Cups, one European Super Cup and two King’s Cups before leaving for City in 2013.

Sevilla’s stuttering start to their La Liga campaign continued on

lent 3-0 win away to Everton kept them third in the Premier League at the weekend.

Manager Louis van Gaal was delighted with that return to form following a defeat by the same score away to Arsenal in the previous game.

Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Wayne Rooney scored the goals, with Rooney once again playing just behind new young striker Anthony Martial, who has made a fine impression since joining from AS Monaco in the close-season.

“Maybe it is the start of many, many victories. I am not stupid, I won’t change too much on Wednesday,” said Van Gaal, who left out fellow Dutchmen

Saturday when the Europa League holders had to come from behind to rescue a point in a 1-1 draw at modest Basque side Eibar.

Unai Emery’s side are 12th after eight matches, having man-

REACTIONS TO VIRU’S RETIREMENT

Dhoni compares Viru to Viv NEW DELHI: The cricketing fraternity on Tuesday paid glorious tributes to just-retired Virender Sehwag with India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni leading from the front, comparing his destructive batting with that of legendary Viv Richards.

“Didn’t see Viv Richards bat in person but I can proudly say I have witnessed Virender Sehwag tearing apart the best bowling attacks,” Dhoni wrote in his twitter handle.

“Talent in batting is one thing but to have the mindset of Virupa in batting is as close to impossible as it can get. We keep saying be positive. Look for a single but he was one person who was always looking for a boundary. Many will try to play like you but my advice would be to enjoy your (batting),” he said.

“Batting and be themselves.

Congrats on a fantastic career,” the India limited overs captain added.

Sehwag, one of the world’s most destructive batsmen to

have played the game, today announced his retirement from international cricket and the Indian Premier League, bringing an end to an illustrious career spanning 14 years.

Sehwag had already hinted about his imminent retirement at a function in Dubai on Monday and chose his 37th birthday on Tuesday to put an end to his amazing career and said he was grateful to have done things his way.

‘Modern day legend’ India Test skipper Virat Kohli, who started his career along aside Sehwag in Delhi Ranji team, termed the dashing right-hander as a “modern day legend”.

“Pleasure to have played with you @virendersehwag bhai. What an amazing career. Thanks for the guidance and the memories. Modern day legend!” Kohli tweeted.

Sehwag’s another Delhi teammate Shikhar Dhawan wrote: “The original opener; the dare devil. Congratulations @virendersehwag paaji on a wonderful

journey & all the best for the future. Rab Raakha.”

Former India batsman VVS Laxman also tweeted: “Congrats bratha @virendersehwag on a fabulous career.”

“A pure entertainer who gave us sooo much joy. Thanks for all the gr8 memories #LEGEND,” wrote Dhawan.

Bollywood bids adieu As Sehwag announced his retirement, many Bollywood celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Anupam Kher and Paresh Rawal thanked the “bravest”, “coolest” and “fearless” cricketer for several glorious moments on the field.

Here’s what the celebrities tweeted: Shah Rukh Khan: “Will miss you on the field yaar @virendersehwag. You are the gentlest, coolest and bravest of sportsmen I have ever come across. Love and health to you.”

Manoj Bajpayee: “One of my biggest favourites @virederse-

hwag retires today. Someone who changed the nature of batting in test and one day. Will miss you Viru.”

Anupam Kher: “Thank you @ virendersehwag for giving us millions of glorious moments on the cricket field. We will miss you.

Have a great life ahead.”

Paresh Rawal: “Virender Sehwag had Tendulkar’s class...Ganguly’s aggression...Fearless player.

Great entertainer. Good luck for future endeavours #ThankYouSehwag.”

Karan Wahi: “From G block school in Vikas Puri to the biggest stadiums..nothing changed ...He just tore apart every opposition ..Thank You @virendersehwag” Masaba Gupta: “One of my favorite cricketers announces his retirement @virendersehwag !

Feel like one part of my memory of Indian cricket is fading.”

Gaurav Kapur: “Every cricketer he played with has a joyous story about @virendersehwag. That’s also what he gave us fans, pure unbridled joy! #HBDSehwag.” - PTI

Danny Blind and Memphis Depay at the weekend following the Netherlands’ failure to qualify for Euro 2016.

While United may have one eye on next Sunday’s local derby against Manchester City, they would do well not to underestimate a CSKA side who have been in excellent form domestically as well.

CSKA are unbeaten in their last 19 matches in the Russian Premier League, equaling a club record set in 2001, and beat Ural 3-2 on Saturday to stay five points clear of second placed Lokomotiv Moscow. However, head coach Leonid Slutskiy has been critical of his team’s performance.

“Unfortunately we are unable

aged only two wins, although they did beat Spanish and European champions Barcelona 2-1 earlier this month.

“The draw left a bitter taste but was also positive as it was the third

to fully control the whole match,” said the 44-year-old, who in August also started to coach the Russian national team.

CSKA will be without Bibras Natcho who is suffering from a head injury, but fellow midfielder Roman Eremenko is expected to be fit following a groin strain. Experienced central defender Vasili Berezutski is also expected to return.

Russian international goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes. CSKA’s captain is looking to end an unwanted record, having failed to keep a clean sheet in 33 consecutive appearances in the Champions League. - Reuters

match in a row we accrued points,” said goalkeeper Sergio Rico after the game at Eibar.

“That allows us to continue growing as a team although there are still things to improve.” - Reuters

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Lu Lucky to have pl played in er era of great cr cricketers, sa says Sehwag

IT’S OFFICIAL: Virender Sehwag hwa calls it quits. – PTI

A fierce cutter of the cricket ball, Sehwag, 37, made a place for himself in the Sachin Tendulkar era with minimum footwork and maximum intent, a genius that was a delight on the field

B

estowed the sobriquet of ‘Sultan of Multan’ after his triple ton in Pakistan, Virender Sehwag carved a niche for himself with his great hand-eye coordination to become India’s most destructive opening batsman of the modern era.

A fierce cutter of the cricket ball, Sehwag, 37, made a place for himself in the Sachin Tendulkar era with minimum footwork and maximum intent, a genius that was a delight on the field.

Making his international debut in an ODI against Pakistan, Sehwag went on to play 104 Tests and 251 one-day matches for India, scoring 8586 runs at an average of 47.35 in the longest version and 8273 runs in the 50-over format.

But it was his strike-rate of 82.23 in Tests and 104.33 in ODIs is what set him apart from his contemporaries. Sehwag has registered 23 hundreds and 32 fifties in Test matches, while his 15 tons and 38 fifties were also delightful knocks in ODIs. He might have been trapped LBW for 1 in his ODI debut against Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar, a man against whom he won many battles in years to follow, but Sehwag scored a brilliant ton in his first Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein, while batting at No.6. India lost the match by 9 wickets but Sehwag’s 220-

run fifth-wicket partnership with Sachin (155) is what stood apart making it clear that the boy from Najafgarh was here to stay.

Having instilled fear in opposition bowlers, Sehwag’s crowning moment came in 2004, when he blasted a 309 against Pakistan and became the first Indian to score a triple ton in cricket history.

His voracious appetite for runs continued as four years later he scored the fastest triple century— in 278 balls — in world cricket after hitting an unbeaten 319 against South Africa in Chennai.

Sehwag also holds the distinction of being one of the four batsmen in the world to have surpassed 300 twice in Test cricket, and the only one to score two triple centuries and take a five-wicket innings haul.

Sehwag also notched up six double centuries in his 11-year-old Test career during which he made a distinct place for himself in a batting line-up comprising big names like Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar and Saurav Ganguly.

In April 2009, Sehwag became the only Indian to be honoured as the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World for his performance in 2008, subsequently becoming the first player of any nationality to retain the award for 2009.

On December 8 2011, he hit his maiden double century in ODI

FA C T B O X

Born on October 20, 1978 at Najafgarh, Delhi.

Made One-day International debut against Pakistan in 1999 as an all-rounder batting at No .7.

Scored maiden ODI century from 69 balls against New Zealand in 2001.

Scored a century on Test debut against South Africa in 2001.

In 2008 Sehwag scored the quickest triplehundred in a test match, taking 278 deliveries against South Africa in Chennai.

He scored the quickest ODI century by an Indian against New Zealand in 2009, taking just 60 balls, a record which was broken by

cricket, against West Indies, becoming the second batsman after Tendulkar to reach the landmark.

His score became the highest individual score in ODI cricket — 219 off 149 balls which was later bettered by Rohit Sharma — 264 off 173 balls on November 13 2014.

He is one of only two players in the world to score a double hundred in ODIs and a triple hundred in Test Cricket, the other being Chris Gayle.

Sehwag’s on-field duels with Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram and Australian greats like Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne is stuff what fairytales are made off.

Virat Kohli four years later.

In 2011 against West Indies, Sehwag became only the second batsman, after Sachin Tendulkar, to score 200 in an ODI. He has 23 centuries in Test Cricket, including the only two triple centuries by any Indian batsman.

Sehwag is one of the four batsmen in the Test history to score two triple centuries, alongside Don Bradman, Brian Lara and Chris Gayle.

He was a member of India’s victorious squads in the 2007 World Twenty20 and the 2011 World Cup. Sehwag played 104 Tests, 251 ODIs and 19 T20Is, scoring over 17,000 international runs.

Sehwag’s pep talk to Akhtar is also well chronicled when the Jat from Haryana told the Rawalpindi Express that Beta beta hota hai, baap baap hota hai, while referring to Sachin Tendulkar’s famous hook shot against the speedster.

The story goes something like this: Sehwag was batting on a score close to 200, Akhtar kept peppering him with bouncers and kept asking Sehwag to hook.

Sehwag’s response to Akhtar was “your daddy is batting at the other end, ask him and he will hook”.Sachin was batting at the other end and Shoaib bowled the bouncer to him. Sachin hooked him for 6 and that is when Sehwag

uttered those words. Sehwag’s useful off-spinners were always an added advantage and a help for many of his captains, who utilised his part-time bowling to frustrate opposition batsmen.

He bagged 40 Test wickets and 96 scalps in the ODI format.

His career though ended on a disappointing note after he was dropped from the Indian squad post the second Test against Australia in March 2013 and could never find his way back.

Incidentally, his last ODI was also against Pakistan, against whom he had made his debut, in January 2013 at Eden Gardens.

Sehwag’s domestic endeavours are also no small feat as the top-order batsman plundered 14396 runs in 191 first-class matches since making his debut in the 1997-98 season. His association with Team Delhi was a long one in which Sehwag enjoyed many a successes and nurtured quite a few talents.

The ‘Nawab of Najafgarh’ recently switched loyalties, to captain the Haryana state side in Ranji Trophy.

Though he admitted that it was only to make way for young Delhi talent. His short stint with Leicestershire county in their T20 Cup and his presence in the IPL with Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab were also thoroughly entertaining like the rest of his career. - PTI

NEW DELHI: Virender Sehwag, who retired from internahwag tional cricket on Tuesday after tiona representing the country for 14repr long years, said that he was privileged to have played in an era of ilege greats like Sachin Tendulkar. grea The 37-year-old Sehwag, who Th donned India colours from 1999 donn 2013, said that he learnt a lot to 20 from the likes of Tendulkar, RaDravid, Saurav Ganguly and hul D Anil Kumble.

“I am lucky that I played for the country with great players like Sachin, Dravid, Ganguly, Anil Kumble, V V S Laxman, Javagal Srinath, Zaheer man Khan, M S Dhoni, Harbhajan Khan Singh and Yuvraj. I learnt a lot Sing from them, the way they played and the way they prepared for games,” Sehwag said. gam The only triple centurion Th Indian in Test cricket, Sehwag Indi said he did not see his game only of statistics, though he in terms te at least a feat even a did possess p Tendulkar or a Sunil Gavaskar does not boast of.

“I don’t see my career like ‘I am the only triple centurion in Test cricket’. My role models were Sachin, Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. I grew up watching them play and I also learnt a lot from them,” said Sehwag, who scored 8586 runs from 104 Tests (average 49.34) and 8273 runs from 251 ODIs. He said he was happy to retire from international cricket.

“I played my game. My funda was to score on every ball and bowl a bit if I can.I want to hit every ball, it’s see the ball and hit it. I always had positive mindest. That is how I played the game. Because of the positive mindset, I was able to score a lot of runs,” said Sehwag, who last played in India colours in a Test against Australia in Hyderabad in March 2013.

“I have scored a lot of runs and I am pretty happy with my career. I can’t say that I have achieved less or achieved more.

I am happy to retire from international cricket. I will miss cricket, the bat and the ball but I think it is the time to retire.

Thanks to all my fans, the BCCI, my coaches, friends, colleagues and team-mates who supported me always,” he added. - PTI

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Standing on the hilltop which is home to the Piazzale Michelangelo I breathe deeply as I gaze down on the city of Florence below.

STORY SCOTT ARMSTRONG

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LIFESTYLE

Where to Stay: For hundreds of apartments check out apartmentsflorence.it

How to Get There: Many airlines fly into Milan, including Oman Air which operates a direct flight from Muscat to Milan.

From there the excellent Italian train system connects to Florence.

prime locations.

Our home in Florence was to be Barbadori, a chic modern (recently refurbished) two-bedroom apartment tucked away in a private alley but which was approximately 45 seconds walk to one of Florence’s most prized attractions, the Pont Vecchio.

The ‘Old Bridge’ which has arched over the River Arno since medieval times is lined with jewellery shops. It is also one of the best locations from which to explore the city, with iconic landmarks in every direction.

Visiting during the height of August’s heat the apartment’s air conditioning proved to be a real boon (rather than just a ceiling fan), and it provided the ideal retreat after long days of exploring. Booking with Apartments Florence also proved to be great move.

We were ‘checked in’ by Francesco, one of those passionate Florentines who knows the city like the back of his hand.

He sat with us talking through all the locations he felt, as a local, we should go. Forget the tour bus, he said, just walk, search, and get lost.

Of course, we could not go too wrong as he circled our location and his top picks on a map.

And so we set off in search of his recommendations, including heading through the medieval gate at the Piazzetta di San Miniato (passing the Fuori Porta restaurant where his girlfriend works), up the ‘Poggi ramps’, stopping halfway up to take in the Poggi rose gardens, before climbing to the top and the Piazzale Michelangelo.

Here a bronze cast of Michelangelo’s Statue of David looks down on the city below. It is here newly married couples come to have their wedding pictures taken, as gathered tourists part respectfully to allow them their big day.

Returning to that view you scan the city and your map looking for all the landmarks.

Beyond the Pont Vecchio, the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral and its nearby Baptistery of St John, both wait for your visit in the grand Piazza del Duomo.

To the right of the ‘Old Bridge’ the Piazzale degli Uffizi, where statues of Leonardo and Michelangelo gaze upon the latest generation of artists selling their creations to passing tourists heading towards the Palazzo Vecchio.

These and so many more sights are circled on the map.

Florence is winding, twisting maze of a city where history intermingles with modern shops, urbane bars and sophisticated looking eateries.

It is a place for the young or the young at heart, it’s a place to be inspired, fall in love, or re-affirm love, and simply refresh your soul. scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com

Photos : Supplied, Shutterstock

T

he Arno River snakes through this jewel of Italy as the sun sets over the stunning sprawl of rich red terracotta roofs perched atop medieval buildings of all shapes and sizes, some washed in white, others summer yellows or burnt oranges.

Even the lofty dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in the Piazza del Duomo, which rises out of a sea of autumnal colours surrounding it, seems small from this height.

One could almost think they were flying, and for a brief instant you understand how a wish to soar and swoop over the majesty below could inspire one of its most famous sons Leonardo da Vinci to conceive of flying.

Soaking in the landscape, oblivious to those around me, I wonder if this view was the fuel behind Leonardo’s elaborate plans for helicopters and ornithopters all those centuries ago. Did he stand in the same spot as I now, centuries ago, formulating plans to make his dreams take flight?

A romantic notion indeed, but then Florence is a city that throughout history has embraced the idea that dreams should be realised, that boundaries should be broken, and that humankind can always be more than it is, in so many diverse and different ways.

Any guide book will tell you that Firenze, as the Italians call it, was the birthplace of the Renaissance. Its leaders (then the wealthy Medici family) supported the arts and scientific endeavour equally, creating the right cultural environment for people such as Leonardo, Michelangelo, Botticelli to flourish.

What the guide books and websites won’t tell you though is that the spirit of the Renaissance lives on in Florence in a palpable way. It is, of course, steeped in history and culture, as you stroll through the streets you breathe in the past, but somehow, more than anywhere this traveller has been, its legacy resonates into the present.

Having not the genius or poetry of the Great Men of the Renaissance it is perhaps difficult to translate the feeling of Florence into words on a page, but the vibrancy of the city and its residents is akin to a physical force.

If you sit and watch its people pass by, whether young or old, you see that the spark of openness, of curiosity, of simply wanting to be alive and enjoy life, burns brightly still. Florence is a city not defined by the ghosts of its past, but inspired by them.

It is a place to come for all in need of their own personal renaissance, not to escape the bitterness in the world, but to be reminded that hope, beauty, intellect and creativity remain as strong a force today as it was when Leonardo was a 14-year- old just starting out on his apprenticeship in Florence.

Have I tempted you yet? Planning that trip now? So how to make the most of a trip to this beautiful city? Two answers, firstly ask a local and secondly just don’t worry about getting lost, explore.

On point one, rather than book into a hotel my family and I were lucky enough to be connected with Apartments Florence – apartmentsflorence.it – run by young Florentines who love and know every inch of their city and who have hundreds of bespoke luxury properties dotted throughout

W E D N E S DAY, O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

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LIFESTYLE THE HOBBYIST Said Al Shanfari Wildlife Photographer

Why Do You Love Photography?

It isn’t just a passion. I have been clicking in the wild for so many years now, and have already around 10,000 selected pictures of Oman’s wildlife, stored in 5-6 hard disks.

I want to create awareness about the rich wildlife we have here in Dhofar. I need to make my own contribution in conserving wildlife in Oman.

How Did You Get Into It? During my childhood days I just wanted to have cameras and click photos of anything.

It was my mentor and teacher, Sayyid Musallam Ali Al Busaidi, who gave me the first camera as a gift years ago. Through him only I learnt about the wildlife in Dhofar.

How Can I Get Into It? You don’t have to wait. Buy a camera and some zoom lenses, and get into the wild.

You might come across birds, snakes, foxes, wolves, and anything out there. Dhofar is a great region for wildlife photography. In Oman there are several nature reserves including Ras Al Hadd Turtle Reserve, Arabian Oryx Sanctuary, Wadi A’Sareen and Daymaniyat Islands.

What’s Your Pro-Tip? The first thing you need to be a wildlife photographer is a sharp eye. And, sometimes you have to be a bit lucky, too, to see wildlife.

PATIENCE AND LUCK

For wildlife photography in Oman, contact Said (+968 9606 0560) at omandiver1@ gmail.com, instagram:omani_diver.

Other wildlife photographers based in Oman can be contacted on the Facebook page of Wildlife of Oman.

Photography: Salim Joseph

The first thing you need to be a wildlife photographer is a sharp eye.

And sometimes you have to be a bit lucky, too, to see wildlife.

Y O U R FAV O U R I T E B O O K

The Shining A horror story by Stephen King What makes a great book? Some say it is the degree of empathy that the author draws from you.

Others feel it is the emotional connect you make with the characters in the book. Another definition I make is if a book inspires you to write something on your own then it enters the privileged world of great literature. A great book is something that you can’t put down and makes you give it a place in your thoughts for the rest of your life. The Shining is all this and more.

The Shining was not the first Stephen King book I read. Cujo and Pet Sematary came earlier.

But The Shining made me feel that Stephen King is the best horror fiction writer in the world. No one else makes you hesitate to walk to

the toilet at the end of the corridor in the middle of the night the way King does.

King’s choice of character is master class. The characters in the story are six-year-old Daniel Torrence, his mother Wendy, and father Jack. Jack is the guy we all know who has it in him to be more than what he is but loses it all to his anger and falls prey to alcohol.

Wendy is weak and small to Jack’s rage and masked insecurity. The only man in the family is little Danny. And he has to pit his might against an enemy that can terrorise even an adult.

Danny is not a normal child and possesses a gift called the ‘Shining’. Danny is psychic and can see into the future and feel out past events. When Jack loses his

teaching job at the school he takes up a temporary position as a winter caretaker of a luxurious hotel located in the wilderness of the Colorado Rockies, The Overlook.

Jack and Wendy are delighted at the prospect of spending a few months in the hotel which will remain cut off from the world during the winter. Wendy believes Jack can complete his play and become a famous author and Jack wants to prove that he can stay off alcohol and do something worthwhile. Only Danny knows that The Overlook is evil and that Jack has not selected the job at the ‘Overlook’ as caretaker. Rather the ‘Overlook’ has selected his family with malevolent intention because of Danny’s psychic ability. Incidents start happening that

are temporary blips on the picture perfect family. Like a rack, events stack up against Danny and his family. The pressure builds up inexorably with a sense of eventual doom. Since 1977, when this book was first published, Stephen King lives in the minds of hotel guests forever.

- Reviewed by Cyril Antony George

ARE YOU A PROLIFIC READER? Which is your favourite book? Pick one and send in your thoughts on it.

Contact salim@timesofoman.com

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SHATTI Crimsom Peak (Drama, Horror)(15+)(2D) Cast : Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston 2:45, 7:00, 9:15, 11.30 pm War Pigs (Action, War) (12+) Cast : Luke Goss, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Liddell 4:00, 8:00 pm The Martian (3D) (Action, Sci-Fi) – PG Cast : Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain 2:15, 4:45, 11:45 pm Pet Pals in Windland (Animation) (PG) Voice Overs: Gerolamo Alchieri, Nanni Baldini 12:45, 2:30 pm 99 Homes (Drama) (PG) Cast : Andrew Garfield, Michael Shannon 6:00 pm Legend (Biography, Crime, Thriller) – 12+ Cast Tom Hardy, Emily Browning 9:15 pm Before We Go (Comedy, Drama) (15+) Cast : Chris Evans, Alice Eve, Emma Fitzpatrick 7:30 pm Momentum (Action, Thriller) (15+)(2D) Cast: Olga Kurylenko, James Purefoy 12:30, 5:00, 9:45, 11:45 pm MUSCAT GRAND MALL The Last Witch Hunter 2D (Action| Fantasy) Cast : Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood 9:15PM PG12 Momentum 2D (Action, Thriller) (15+) 12:15, 7:15 PM Crimsom Peak 2D (Drama, Horror) (15+) Cast : Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, 11:30PM Gold Class : 8:45PM Pet Pals In Windland 2D (Animation) (PG) 10:30AM & 2:45PM Gold Class : 4:45PM Pan 3D (Adventure | Family | Fantasy ) (PG)

Crimsom Peak (Drama, Horror)(15+)(2D) Cast : Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston Timing: 2:45, 7:00, 9:15, 11.30 pm

The Last Witch Hunter 2D (Action | Adventure | Fantasy) PG12 Cast : Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood Timing: 9:15PM

12:30 & 07:00PM The Martian 3D (Action| Adventure) (PG) 04:30 & 11:45PM Gold Class: 3:30 & 11:00PM The Walk 3D (Adventure) (PG) Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt 2:15PM Gold Class : 6:15PM Etiquette for Mistresses 2D (Tagalog) Cast: Kris Aquino, Claudine Barretto (TBC) 4:30PM

Wedding Pullav – 2D (PG) Comedy Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Satish Kaushik, Upasna 4:45, 9:35 PM Pan – 3D (PG) Adventure, Family, Fantasy Cast: Levi Miller, Hugh Jackman 2:00 PM Crimsom Peak - 2D (15+) Drama, Fantasy, Cast – Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston 4:00, 11:55 PM Life of Josuty – 2D (PG12) Family, Drama Cast: Dileep, Jyothi Krishna , Kalabhavan Mani 8:50 PM The Fighter – 2D (TBC) Action Cast: Ram Charan, Rakul Preet Singh 7:00 PM

AZAIBA Momentum – 2D (15+) Action, Thriller Cast: Olga Kurylenko, James Purefoy, Morgan Freeman 2:15, 11:50pm Pyar Ka Punchnama – 2D (PG12) Comedy, Cast - Sunny Singh Nijjar, Sonalli Sehgal 2:15, 6:15, 8:45, 11:15 PM Pet Pals In Windland – 2D (PG) Animation 4:45 PM Jazbaa – 2D (12+) Drama, Action, Adventure Cast – Aishwarya Rai Bacchan, Irrfan Khan, 2:15, 6:15, 8:30, 10:45 PM The Martian – 3D (PG) Action, Adventure, 2:10, 6:15 PM

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Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Life Of Josutty (Family Ent) Cast: Dileep, Joythi Krishna, & Rachana Narayanan 3-30 Pm Cinema -2 ; 6-30 & 9-30 Pm Cinema Main Rudrama Devi (Telugu) (Act/Thrill ) Cast : Anushka Shetty, Allu Arjun & Rana Dagubati 6-45 Pm Cinema -4 Rudrama Devi (Tamil) (Act/thrill) Cast: Anushka Shetty, Alu Arjun & Rana Dagubati 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 Pm Cinema-3 Kunji Ramayanam (Mal) (Drama/Com) Cast: Vineeth Srinivasan, Aju Verghese & Srinda 3-45 & 9-45 Pm At Cinema -4 The Fighter (Brucelee) (Telugu) (Act) Cast: Ramcharan, Rakul Preet Singh & Bramanandan 3-00 Pm Cinema Main; 6-30 & 9-30 Pm Cinema -2 Next Change: Ennu Ninte Moideen 10 (Mal), Endrathu Kulla (Tamil), Shaandaar (Hindi) Programmes are subject to change

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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

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BURAIMI Momentum – 2D (Action, Thriller) (15+) 6:30, 10:00, 11:45PM Crimsom Peak – 2D (Drama, Fantasy (15+) 4:15, 11:30PM Kung Fu Jungle – 2D (Action | Thriller) (12+) Cast: Donnie Yen, Charlie Yeung, Baoqiang 4:45, 8:15, 9:45PM

The Last Witch Hunter (2D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: Vin Diesel, Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood 9:15, 11:55PM The Martian (3D) (PG) (Action, Sci-Fi) 2:15, 5:05PM Crimsom Peak (2D) (15+) (Drama) 10:00AM, 2:00, 7:40PM Momentum (2D) (15+) (Action/Thriller) 12:00, 4:05, 9:50, 11:45PM Pan (3D) (PG) (Adventure/Family/Fantasy) 12:15PM Pet Pals In Windland (2D) (PG) (Animation ) 10:45AM, 1:45PM War Pigs (2D)(12+) (Action/War) 10:15AM, 11:35PM Jazbaa (2D)(12+) (Drama/Action/Adventure) 7:00PM Kung Fu Jungle (2D) (12+) (Action/Thriller) 12:05, 3:15PM Wedding Pullav (2D) (PG) (Romance/) 4:45PM Patthu Endrathukulla (2D) (Tamil) (Action) Cast: Vikram, Samantha (PG12) 8:35PM The Fighter (2D) (PG12) (Telugu) (Action) Cast: Ram Charan; 6:00PM

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Daily Daily Daily

Crimsom Peak (Drama, Horror)(15+)(2D) Cast : Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston 4.00, 7.30, 9.45 & 11.55 pm CP No: 2785 (15+) Momentum (Action / Thriller ) Cast: Olga Kurylenko, James Purefoy, Morgan Freeman 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No: 2786 (15+) Before We Go (Comedy / Drama / Romance) Cast: Chris Evans, Alice Eve, Emma Fitzpatrick 2.00 & 6.00 pm CP No: 2787 (15+) Pet Pals in Windland (Animation / Comedy ) Voice Overs: Belinda Keller, Anthony Lawson 2.00 & 6.00 pm CP No: 2788 (PG)

SALALAH

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

SOHAR The Martian - 3D (PG) Action, Adventure Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Kristen 2:15, 9:00, 11:40 PM Crimsom Peak - 2D (15+)Drama, Horror Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, 5:00, 9:15 PM Momentum -2D (15+)Action | Thriller Cast: Olga Kurylenko, Morgan Freeman 7:00, 11:30 PM Before We Go – 2D (15+)Comedy| Romance Cast: Chris Evans, Alice Eve, Emma Fitzpatrick 2:45, 7:15 PM Jazbaa - 2D (12+) Drama, Action & Adventure

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

SUR Momentum (Action | Thriller) (15+) 4:00, 5:45, 9:30 PM Crimson Peak (Drama | Horror) (15+) 7:30, 11:55 PM War Pigs (Action | War) (12+) 4:15, 6:00, 7:45 PM Jazbaa (Hindi) (Action | Drama) (12+) 9:45 PM Life of Josutty (Mal) (Family) (PG12) 11:15 PM

Patthu Endrathukulla - 2D (T) (PG12) Action Cast : Vikram, Samantha Timing : 9:00 PM

Jazbaa (Action / Drama ) – 12+ 3.45, 9.45 PM Singh Is Bling - 2D (PG12) Action |Comedy 6.45 PM Screen 3 Talvar (Mystery/Thriller) – PG12 Cast: Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Tabu 3.45, 9.45 PM Jawani Phir Nahi Aani (Comedy) – 12+ 6.45 PM Cast: Humayun Saeed, Javed Sheikh

RUWI Screen 1 Pyaar Ka Punchnama-2 (Comedy) – PG12 Cast : Kartik Aaryan, Nushrat Bharucha 3.30, 9.30 PM Jazbaa (Action / Drama ) – 12+ Cast : Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Irrfan Khan 6.30 PM Screen 2

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

Pyaar Ka Punchnama-2 (Comedy) – PG12 Cast : Kartik Aaryan, Nushrat Bharucha, , Sunny Singh Nijjar Timing: 3.30, 9.30 PM

BAHJA CINEMA

The Last Witch Hunter – 2D (Action) (PG12) 11:45PM Life of Josutty – 2D (Drama, Action) (PG12) 6:45PM Jazbaa – 2D (Drama, Action ) (12+) 4:30, 7:00PM Singh is Bling– 2D (Action/Comedy/) (PG) 9:15PM

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68. www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman

Destination

11.57pm 3.15pm 5.42pm 6.52pm 4.51am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

@SHATTI

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES Round the clock Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334

Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Hamdan Hospital 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

W E D N E S DAY, O CTO B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

LIFESTYLE

A Bond with Nature

r (Rustaq-Miskin Road), Location: Wadi Bani Ghafi E 23°25’44.8”N 57°18’09.8” ture the beauty of an Have you been able to cap ation in Oman? Send off-the-beaten-path destin & geo-locator to: your pictures with a caption com salim@timesofoman.

IN THE NEWS

Motoring Nostalgia Museum at Dubai International Motor Show

DUBAI: Classic car aficionados will be spoilt for choice with 80 of the rarest, most desirable cars from the 1950s through to the 1980s gathered for the first time under one roof. Classic cars bring out the enthusiast in everyone whether it be a restored 1960s Mini Cooper S or a vintage Rolls-Royce, there’s something that appeals to every budget and

every taste. For the first time, a host of motoring icons will join the leading lights of the Dubai International Motor Show (DIMS) as part of the Motoring Nostalgia Museum for classic and historically significant cars.

Some of the world’s most desirable and collectible cars from the 1950s to the 1980s will add a vibrant new dimension to the

show for the visitors who will make their way through the Dubai World Trade Centre’s (DWTC) doors from November 10 to 14.

“This new addition to DIMS is going to be something very special,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC. “We are aiming to make it fun, engaging and interactive by show-

BRIEF

It’s Veni, Vidi, Vici at Nathu La

GANGTOK: Visiting Nathu La is no less than a pilgrimage, but not of the religious kind. At 14,420 feet above sea level, one is struck by the sheer history that surrounds this strategic mountain pass which connects the northeast Indian state of Sikkim to the Chumbi Valley in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.

An off-shoot of the famous Silk Road which networked trade routes since 500BC, the “listening

ears pass” or Nathu La is about nature, history, beauty, and sheer ingenuity all rolled into one.

No amount of preparation can get one ready to travel to the historic pass. The overcast skies only added to the chill when we set off from Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim, in an SUV at 8.30am. The next four hours that followed made for one of the most unforgettable trips I have ever undertaken.

Just 54km from Gangtok, Nathu La was a nodal point for commerce and exchange of knowledge between India, China and rest of the world. The roads meandered to sights that make one cling on tightly to the seat.

At some hairpin bends, the valley below looks like a good dozen kilometres down; however, at another turn, it’s a pristine waterfall that wakes a traveller’s visual sense.

Sealed by India after the 1962 Sino-Indian War, Nathu La was re-opened in 2006 following numerous bilateral trade agreements.

Nathu La is one of the two open trading border posts between China and India, the other being Shipkila in Himachal Pradesh.

With the opening of Nathu La as the second route for Kailash Mansarovar Yatra pilgrims in June, the neighbours have gone a step ahead in strengthening confidence-building measures.

A visit to Nathu La is strictly monitored by the Indian Army and it’s open on five days of the week, barring Mondays and Tuesdays. -IANS

casing the great eras of the motoring industry that will take our visitors back in time. It opens the Dubai International Motor Show up to a wider audience who are interested in all types of cars regardless of their age. These iconic vehicles are symbols of their generations, as well as unique pieces which represent some of the greatest years of motoring.”

A collection of the finest and most significant cars in the history of the automobile from Europe, the United States and Asia have been generously loaned from Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Tomini Classics, the Sharjah Museum and the Al Ain Classics collections as well as from a number of proud owners from the Dubai Grand Parade for the duration of the show.

Catherine Grennan, Head of Classic Car Division, Tomini Classics, said: “Tomini Classics is thrilled to have the opportunity to share our collection with the car enthusiasts who visit the Motoring Nostalgia Museum.” lifestyle@timesofoman.com

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LIFESTYLE

Beautiful Cities Around the World

Barcelona, Spain The capital city of the autonomous community of Catalonia in Spain and Spain’s second most populated city, Barcelona is a banquet for the senses, with its mix of ancient and modern architecture, tempting cafes and markets, and sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches. Visit the Museu Picasso, or throw down a towel on Barceloneta beach. When the sun goes down, it offers the best nightlife in the world.

Paris, France One of most visited tourist attraction having various notable architectural landmarks and natural locations, Paris, France’s capital, is a major European city and a global centre for art, fashion, gastronomy, and culture.

Beyond the landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the 12th-century, Gothic NotreDame Cathedral, picturesque 19th-century cityscape is crisscrossed by wide boulevards and the River Seine.

Vancouver, Canada The largest city in British Columbia, Canada, Vancouver is a popular filming location, and is surrounded by mountains. The city’s forests, grand parks, and impressive suspension bridge beckon travellers to explore them, as do the city’s shops and museums. It’s bounded to the north by English Bay and the Burrard Inlet and to the south by the Fraser River.

These cities are not mere concrete jungles. They are big, bold, and beautiful. They are destinations with urban pleasures steeped in natural and manmade beauty, and a combination of magnificent architecture and breathtaking vistas.

Florence, Italy Capital of Italy’s Tuscany region and birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is a beauty in its art, architecture, history, and cuisine.

The most popular sites include the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Uffizi, the Bargello, and the Accademia. The churches of Santa Maria Novella and Santa Croce are veritable art galleries, and the library of San Lorenzo is a magnificent exhibition of Michelangelo’s architectural genius.

Kyoto, Japan The former capital of Japan, famous worldwide for its temples and shrines, Kyoto was the centre of politics and culture for 1,100 years. It’s a refined city on the island of Honsh with thousands of classical Buddhist temples, as well as gardens, imperial palaces, Shinto shrines, and traditional wooden houses. It has four geographical features, the coastal area around Maizuru Bay, the Tanba Mountains, Kyoto Basin, and the Yamashiro Basin.

Cape Town, South Africa A port city on South Africa’s southwest coast, and on a peninsula beneath the imposing Table Mountain, Cape Town blends urban culture with the great outdoors. Slowly rotating cable cars climb to the mountain’s flat top, from which there are sweeping views of the city, the harbour and boats heading for Robben Island in Table Bay. The prison that once held Nelson Mandela is now a living museum.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil The bustling city of Rio de Janeiro has been one of Brazil’s most popular and frequented tourist destinations for decades. The city is also known for its sprawling shanty towns. Its Carnival festival, featuring parade floats, flamboyant costumes and samba, is considered the world’s largest, and is famed for its Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, 38m Christ the Redeemer statue atop Mt. Corcovado and Sugarloaf, a granite monolith.

Rome, Italy Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you’ll need much more than a day to take in this timeless city. A sprawling, cosmopolitan city with nearly 3,000 years of globally influential art, architecture and culture on display, Italy’s capital city has ancient ruins such as the Roman Forum and the Colosseum which evoke the power of the former Roman Empire. The city is a real-life collage of piazzas, open-air markets, and astonishing historic sites.

Prague, Czech Republic Nicknamed ‘the City of a Hundred Spires’, Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is bisected by the Vltava River. It’s known for its Old Town Square, the heart of its historic core, with colourful baroque buildings, Gothic churches and the medieval Astronomical Clock, with a popular show. Each of Prague’s districts has its own characteristic atmosphere and unique charm.

DREAM HOTEL

Taj Falaknuma Declared Best Palace Hotel in the World

HYDERABAD: The Taj Falaknuma has been awarded number one position among the best palace hotels in the world category for 2015 by the world’s leading travel and tourism website - Trip Advisor. The coveted award is given to hospitality industry’s best that have attained outstanding reviews from discerning travellers across the world, according to a statement by Taj Falaknuma.

After 10 years of sensitive restoration, the Taj Group of Hotels opened this 60 room private pal-

ace in 2010 to offer its guests a glimpse of the imperial lifestyle of the Nizams, the rulers of erstwhile Hyderabad state.

Once the residence of Mir Mahboob Ali Khan (1869-1911), the sixth Nizam, the palace had been lying unused since 1911.

It was Nawab Vaqar-ul-Umra, the Nizam’s prime minister, who built the palace in 1893. Impressed by its magnificence, the Nizam bought it for himself.

It is amongst the most luxurious of all Baroque mansions in

India. The interiors of the Taj Falaknuma Palace are a statement in royal opulence, replete in its large Venetian chandeliers, rare furniture, grand marble staircases, priceless statues and objects d’art and murals encased in ornate frames along with a Palace Library, which is a collector’s envy and home to rare manuscripts and an acclaimed collection of books.

“It is our constant endeavour to offer unique and impeccable experiences to our guests.

This award is really a testament to our staff’s efforts to accord world-class service, deeply rooted in India’s rich tradition of Indian hospitality delivered with warmth and sincerity to our guests,” said Taj Falaknuma Palace general manager Girish Sehgal. Taj Falaknuma Palace was also recently acknowledged

by Conde Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Travel Award for being amongst the world’s best hotels and Travel + Leisure India & South Asia’s India’s Best Heritage Hotel Awards 2015. -IANS

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SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

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VACANCY

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CARGO

RENT: NEAR AL FALAJ HOTEL : DELUXE 1 B H K with 2 bath rooms, built in wardrobe, security & split a/c with furnished & without furnished.

Watt ayah- Honda S/R-Back side : DELUXE 2 B H K with 3 bathrooms-built in wardrobe, split a/c ,security .

Contact: 990 49 722

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W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

FOR RENT

Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975

02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nadha Hospital. Contact: 99342733 / 99795241 1000sqm industrial and with compound well & two rooms at Misfah.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241 Readymade office space for rent (100sm) in Bank Melli Iran building, MBA area, Ruwi, opposite Center Point. Contact: 99011352 Shop / store for rent about 250 sq mtrs area in the heart of Ruwi City good for restaurant, store or general sale. Contact 99326639 One /two, B/R, Res / comm. flats near Bank Muscat Bausher from owner directly . Contact: 92158031 Flat for rent in Al Hail 5 floor building 1bedroom R.O 180/-, 2 bedroom R.O 260/- Mabela, 3 bedroom R.O 280/- near Nesto Hyper market.

Contact: 99614346 2BHK flat + AC Amerat 6 km from Amerat police. Contact: 95521432 600 SQT Commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details please Contact: 91214849/ 95729711 1BHK R.O 190/- & 2BHK R.O 225/near Medical Darsait Muttrah house.

Contact: 98748925

3 rooms, Majlis, living room, kitchen, 4 toilets & swimming pool in Amerat Heights (phase one).

Contact: 99277377

Villa Al Amerat behind Al Raffah Hospital 5BHK, living room, hall, 6 bathrooms, split ac family only 425 R.O. Contact : 92479515

For rent one bedroom Majlis, 2 toilets, kitchen, balcony Greater Muttrah near Muscat Electricity distribution new building rent R.O 230/-. Contact: 99243059

Um Obelah 5/1 just walking distance from the Nesto hypermarket and opposite the new pullman mall, 2 bedrooms with two toilets and seating area on 4th floor. only 250 omani rial. Contact 99203381

Deluxe, spacious & air conditioned two bedroom flats with good quality finishes, wardrobes & secured basement parking are available for rent in Azaiba North, close to 18th November Street. Contact: 93888666 / 24493666/ 99228454

Deluxe 2 bedroom flats MBD, Ruwi, Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99472457 / 24707340

Flat for rent, 3 bedrooms, kitchen & bathroom in wadi kabir for 280 RO. Contact : 97771444

Al Hail Villa & Flats.

Contact: 95282986

3 BHK Penthouse Flat with Split A/Cs, Free Unlimited Broadband WiFi, Security access system, Pvt. Terrace & Secured car park, Opposite Kims Hospital Al Falaj, Monthly Rent: 625/-.

Contact: 99657906 or 24702141

Bedroom ground floor apartment with sitting, 2 baths, big richen close to Indian School near to Mars hypermarket Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 98011224

02 BHK commercial / residential (with split AC) Flat at Honda road.

Contac: 99342733 / 99795241

1000 sq mtrs industrial land in Ghala suitable for ware house, work shop etc. Contact : 24700120 / 92584715 New buildings commercial / residential in Muttrah both will BE rented out for one company only for more details. Contact: 99364735/95729711 Deluxe 3 BHK Penthouse with Seaview, ideal for office / residence at Qurum near PDO. #9772 1313 Villa at Al Khuwair having six bedrooms, six bathrooms, sitting, dinning, hall, kitchen . Contact 24833972/24833974/99367448

Flat 2bedrooms, 2 toilets, kitchen and sitting room in Al Ansab.

Contact: 95302993 / 95216161 Office/Shop 28 SQM, Wadikhabeer, Contact 93004902 2BHK with Split Unit A/C , Wadikhabeer near Indian School, 99441193, 93004802 2BHK with Split Units , WadiKhabeer, 93004802.

Single BHK flat available in Honda road Ruwi Contact 24833972/24833974/99367448

Flats and shops for rent in Ruwi, MBD Mumtaz area. Contact : 97293708 / 92433127

Brand new deluxe flats located near Seeb fly over on the right hand side of the main road coming from the Seeb palace roundabout, two bedrooms family, hall, kitchen, 3 toilets, balcony & split unit AC. Contact: 97755586

2 BHK available Ghubra near Al Maha hotel. Contact: 99269751 1BHK , 3BHK flats at Wadi Al Kabir new building with split unit and lift behind Muscat Bakery.

Contact: 99338133

1BHK Wadi Kabir. #99024730

Air conditioned two bedroom flats centrally located at Al Khuwair are available for rent. Contact: 93888666 / 24493666 / 99228454 2 rooms, bath room & kitchen OR. 175/- & 2 B.H.K OR. 250/- Wadi Kabir near Sana. Contact: 95094028 Flat Al Khuwair near Bader AL Samaa, 2 BHK living room, 2 bathrooms, Kitchen split ac family only 350 R.O. Contact 92479515

1& 2 BHK C.B.D. Contact: 99024730 Duplex flat Al Athaiba, near Sultan Center 3BHK, 3 Bathrooms, hall & living room family only 500/-R.O. Contact: 92479515 Flat AL Ghubrah near 18 Nov ST, bedroom, living room, 2 bathrooms, first floor without ac family only 325/- R.O. Contact: 92479515 Deluxe beach front villa at Al Hail North with 5 bedrooms and Staff quarter having excellent finishes is available for immediate occupation.

Contact: 93888666 / 244493666 / 99228454

Flat 3 mint from Indian School, 2 BHK, living room, 3 bathrooms without A/c, Ground floor family only 340/-R.O. Contact 92479515 Flat for rent 2BHK Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Mosque. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 Staff accommodation / 2 storey full building available for rent in Rusayl, near Industrial area. Contact: 99352441 / 98116480 / 99358724 2 bed room flat at Al Khodh commercial Street Souq. Contact : 99224748 / 99332297

Workers’ campus, shops, workshops, stores in a building in Al Misfah, Wilayat Bausher.

Contact 98918090 Brand new residential flats in Wadi Kabir near Muscat football club, have 2 bedroom family hall, 2 toilets, Kitchen with spilt AC for 250/- R.O. Contact: 95999904 / 98585889 / 92383886 2bed room villa in Sidab, 2 Bedroom villa in Wadi Kabeer. Contact : 95755953 / 95555162 Villa for rent in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact: 95562646 / 99059333 Furnished flat for rent, 3 rooms with attached bathroom, 1 dining room, 1 sitting room, 1 kitchen at Al Hail South. Contact 99835995 For rent a full office building of 3100 sq mtrs opposite to Central Bank in CBD (Ruwi) for R.O 4 per Sq mtrs. Contact: 95330200 600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details.#91214849/ 99364735 1 room, 2 rooms, 3 rooms with all supplements including water electricity and sewage. Also we provide the following services free 1plumber, electrician for any failed center for garbage on price call on Farahat 98020768 , Hilal 96541263 New flats for rent At Darsait near to Ministry of Sports, Mumtaz area the flats includes1 living room, 2 bedrooms, Kitchen, 3 toilets, every rooms with split A/C, high quality finishing, rent RO 340 /-.

Contact: 00968 92225523

W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Running furniture showroom for urgent sale.

Ladies beauty parlor sale at DuƩrah.

Contact - 91135930 Running furniture showroom for urgent sale.

Ladies beauty parlor sale at DuƩrah.

Contact - 91135930

For sale A reputed Muscat based logistics company owned & well maintained MAN prime mover (2011) & Trailer (40 ton) available for sale. model year 2011. Done (730000) kms and in excellent condition.

For buying enquiry & inspection of the vehicle, please call Mr. Hamed Al Brashdi on 92829030 on or before 3 PM of 25th Oct’ 15.

FOR RENT Fully furnished, 2 bedroom luxury flat for rent at Ghala for short or long term basis. Contact: 91786526 / 99881653 2bedroom centrally air conditioned flat at CBD. Contact: 24714625 / 94460790 Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 99376454 2 bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact: 92584715 / 24700120 1BHK flat spilt with A/C Al Khuwair, 230/-. Contact: 99358589 / 95570288 Ware house space for rent at Ghala and Barka up to 20000/- Sqm. Contact: 99509460 / 93731363 1, 2 BHK in Azaiba. Contact: 99385835 / 99428143 1BHK flats available for rent in CBD area. Contact: 98116480 1 & 2 bedroom flats available for rent in wadi-kabir (opp: pencil bldg), ideal for company staff / families bulk corporate deal possible.

Contact: 97677170

FOR SALE Shop for sale North Al Hail near Zam Zam Hyper market. Contact: 99618161 / 94422131/ 96557131 Expat leaving, house hold Items for sale W. machine, A/C, furniture.

Contact: 90320430 A reputed Muscat based logistics company owned & well maintained MAN prime mover (2011) & Trailer (40 ton) available for sale. model year 2011. Done (730000) kms and in excellent condition. For buying enquiry & inspection of the vehicle, please call Mr. Hamed Al Brashdi on 92829030 on or before 3 PM of 25th Oct’ 15.

Well running shop at Hamriya (5 yrs old), for immediate sale. With 2 visa activity printing & stationery, designing, corporate gift items, signage work. Contact: 96395770 A well running Pharmacy at prime location for immediate sale. Contact 92548672 / 99627621 / 99516236 Attention to wholesalers, retailers & manufacturers. We can Sell/Buy your dead stock. Contact : 99742983, 95226989 Split A/C -2, Window A/C- 25, Iron cot- 120, cupboard - 130, water cooler - 2, Gas big - 2, small-3 , Grinder-1 , Chapatti tava-1 ,

FOR SALE stove-2, kitchen equipment etc .

Contact: 99328223

ACC. AVAILABLE Semi furnished two Bed room flat immediately available in N.Azaiba .Contact -95450250

Office for sale in Ruwi Chamber Oman. Contact : 94241385 / 97244766

Furnished room for rent Indian family near Honda road. #99076546

Homegym with cross trainer for sale. Contact 95367937

Room available at Walja. Contact 96246625

Comm. & Res land in the heart of Ruwi 2400 sq mtr for sale.

Contact : 91155779

Sharing accommodation for family or bachelors near Indian school Ghubra. Contact : 99836676 / 99056701

Comm. & Res land in Darsait, opp.

Pakistani School, 900 sq mtr for sale.

Contact: 91155779

Single room attached bath S/ kitchen at Mumtaz area.

Contact: 95212017 / 96916398

Used Fabrication machinery for sale : Fabrication machinery and tools in excellent condition for immediate sale. Contact 94652485/ 99273774/ 99202278

1 BHK available at Al khud in Baskin Robbins building. R.O.200. Contact: 97261418, 94194876, 99478492

Comm. & res. land for investment for 25 years in Ghala heights.

Contact: 91155779 Comm. & Res land in Ghala heights 400 sq mtr for sale. Contact: 91155779 For sale land in Amerat 3000 Sq.mt with petrol pump permission.

Contact 99323957 / 92702891

ACC. AVAILABLE Fully furnished office space in As - Assalah Tower Ghobra. Contact: 98202001 Furnished room with attached bathroom separate balcony MBD area available for couple or Executive bachelor. Contact: 96275098 Furnished single room for Exe. bachelor at Rex Road near Kamat Hotel with WIFI available. Contact 92873832 Furnished room available in Ruwi.

Contact: 99740622 Sharing accommodation available in Bausher with split AC. Contact: 99223261 Sharing accommodation available: Bedroom with attached bathroom for Indian executive bachelors.

97704794 Furnished single rooms available for Executive bachelors at Ruwi.

Contact : 93431089 Furnished master b.room with attached bath ,and Furnished room with sharing bathroom fully equipped kitchen immediately available in N. Azaiba. 95450250

AVAILABLE Available for rent 1500 sqmt, secured plot, suitable for keeping containers, construction equipments, trailers etc, near Sohar AirportContact 98236616 Party & Wedding equipment rentals.

Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

Furnished room for rent for Indian family near Honda Road. contact 99016546 Sharing accommodation available at Darsait near ISD specious room, bath, passage sharing kitchen. Preference Vegetarian. Contact: 99419390 Studio flat MBD Ruwi.contact 95698714 Room for Rent Alkhuwair - Behind Al Aktham Restaurant. 120 RO. With elec. and water.For executive bachelors only. Contact : 98803261 Flat for rent available in CBD near Costa Coffee. Mobile no.92820734 Private room with toilet near Qurum park incl. W& E, monthly RO 220/-.

Contact Hassan 99349990 Accommodation available for indian executive bachelor’s (no kitchen).RO:125 including water and electricitycontact 98145825, 98949724

INVESTORS in real estate needed to develop and construct a low cost housing and memorial/burial parks in the Philippines. Return of investment is very good due to big demands. Business partner is available to help you. Please email drjmd719@ gmail.com for details.

CLASSES ACC. WANTED 4-5 bedrooms villa with / without swimming pool in Wave / Madinat Qaboos / Al Shatti area. Contact: 91396909

M.V.FOR SALE BWM 320i 2006, 120K kms, black fully automatic engine interiors exteriors in excellent condition R.O 4200 (O.N.O). Contact: 92801633 Toyota Fortuner Safari2013 First hand owner from oman Toyota agent Kilometers Reading : 41700 km Phone:95203620

IELTS & TOEFL Academic / General Target Band 8 TQT Institute.

Ph # 24480800 / 99347202

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DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT One of the leading porcelain tiles manufacturing company in Oman needs the following candidates: 1. IT Executive with 3 - 5 years of experience in IT (Male / Female).

2. Executive Assistant to M.D (for our factory at Sohar) with 3 - 5 years of experience in same field (Female).

3. Marketing Co-ordinator with minimum 3 years’ experience in same field (Male / Female).

Omani candidates are more preferable.

Please send CV within 5 days to jobsa@omanporcelain.com ADMIN/ HR Urgently required for a Hotel / hotel apartments in Muscat: Receptionists (Omani) – male / female. Contact 97677211

ACCOUNTANT Wanted Accountant in finance department of trading company.

CA with 4 years local experience.

All accounting, finalization and reporting, Age below 30 years driving license and NOC must. Contact: 99332547 Urgently Required: Accountant cum Store Keeper- with 3 years experience in building construction, MUST have NOC and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com.

Required Accountant present in Oman. Not for candidates on visit.

Contact: 99454425 Wanted Accountant.

Contact: 94007259 Email: smylackal@gmail.com Required ACCOUNTS OFFICER to ensure accurate processing of revenue data into ERP systems and invoicing module. Posting of invoices to customer SAP portal and delivery to customer offices and interface with Country Manager / Reporting to Regional CFO. Qualifications : BSc Accounting. Relevant experience and knowledge on Online Accounting Systems especially the customer SAP system. SUBMIT CV to : me-job@interwell.com

CATERING A fiberglass products manifesting company required experienced South Indian Cook. Interested candidates. Please email CV to alhosnif@gmail.com or call on 99871101

DOMESTIC HELP Wanted full time maid for Indian family. Visa provided. Contact : 97448484 / 95539842 Domestic helper for a family in Muscat. Must be able to cook Indian food & speak Hindi. Cleaning home laundry and accompanying children. Contact: 91396909

DRIVER We required driver (L.M.V). Contact: 92392979 Urgently required one experienced House Driver to work in capital area. Contact: 93888666 / 24493666 / 99228454 Required Driver for home. Contact 92542504 Required heavy duty driver, preferably with good experience and communication skills. Contact: 91408759 Email: hanaa.alritaj@ gmail.com Urgently requires Heavy Duty Driver with valid Oman driving license and electrical foreman (Diploma holder with 6 years over head line experience.

Fax: 24814699 , Email: info@sajgloballlc.com GSM : 93210740 Required Indian driver with Omani driving license and experience to work in house. Contact : 96255558 Driver with Oman driving licence needed. Visa available.

Contact 94288863

EDUCATION Required teachers with B.Sc B.Ed , BA B.Ed, Karate and art for Omani Pvt. School. Contact : 95141554 / 95825772 Post Graduate researcher required.

Contact 99229700

Wanted urgently

Situation Vacant

A well known family in Oman urgently needed an experienced Indian female part time or full time Nursing Assistant to take care of their Mother recovering from stroke.

Star Hotel looking for a well experienced Indian Chef / South Indian with minimum 3 yrs experience.

Contact 99717791 or 94084335

EDUCATION

MISC

Required English Teachers (native speaker), candidates for teaching should have minimum bachelor degree and having experience not less than 3 years. Please submit your CV through email till 15th of October 2015 for more information please Contact: 24498423.

Email: info@omrantraining.com

A well reputed profile sheet & Purlin manufacturing company urgently requires following personals with valid Oman driving license, Factory Manager, Accountant, Sales Executive. Send your CV to applymd2015@gmail.com

ENGINEER/TECH/MECH

Required cleaner/helper for restaurant at Ruwi high street. labour clearance ready. Contact 92836495

Wanted Civil Engineer, graduate for building construction and maintenance company. Should have 3 years local experience handling construction projects. Age below 30 years, driving license and NOC must.

Contact: 99332547 Urgently required Civil Engineer, Diploma holder with experience.

Contact: 95766844 Urgently required for a leading Company Planning engineer. Fax : 24478522, Email : gh1.careers@ gmail.com Turning or Mechanical Engineer wanted to work in workshop if interested please call: 96996884 / 98021385 / 99745330/ 95179003 Experienced construction Civil Engineer with qualification (attested) certificates & with Omani driving license.

Contact: slayhawk@yahoo.com Aluminum Foreman – with minimum 5 years experience in aluminium fabrication, MUST have NOC and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com.

Urgently Required: Mechanical Engineer for a steel fabrication welding workshop 10 yrs exp he should know how to design drawing with auto cad estimate & quotation he must have exp to supervise job of workshop & sites. Contact: 97130671 Required foreman for a steel welding workshop 10 yrs exp.

Contact :97130671

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

SALES / MARKETING Required Sales executive & Graphic Designer Omani with experience for Advertisement company. Submit CV to choice.ap@gmail.com Contact: 97982427 or 97982406 Sales man with 3- 5 years experience with driving license to work in insurance brokerage in Oman.

Contact: 93544244 Required Sales Executive with corrugated cartons manufacturing background. Minimum 3+ years experience. Omani D/L is a must.

Please send CV to this email: corrugatedpackagingoman@gmail. com Wanted outdoor salesman for electrical, hardware and sanitary items.

Should have 3 years local experience selling similar products. Age below 30 years, driving license and NOC must. Contact: 99332547 Job opportunity in real estate company, with experience in Real Estate Management field. Send CV : careers@realestatesouq.com Require sales executive with experience in hydraulic hoses, crimping and services / building materials contact@absmct.com/92830110 Required urgently for sales of building materials, PPE & related products with driving license & 4+ yrs experience in this field. Email CV & expected package to salesforoman@gmail.com

Required Prometric passed nurse to join clinic from end August. Contact: 99352793

Urgently required: Sales Executive- with 5 years experience in aluminum and sales, MUST have NOC and immediately join. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com

Female Lab Technician required urgently for Sohar International Medical Centre-reasonable salary and furnished accommodation -email: muttaheraziz@yahoo.com ; sohar.imc@gmail.com / tel:91304511 / 92369417 /93342567

Required Sales Executive for a leading building material manufacturer in Oman having valid Omani Driving License and 1-2 years of sales experience. NOC from the current sponsor is required.

Contact: 95646844

Request urgently a Pharmacist for new pharmacy in Amerat only Indian (male) National with MOH license. #only Watsap: 97313310

Sales & Marketing Executive for travel and tourism.

Contact: 92890506

MEDICAL

New private clinic looking for GP Doctor & OBS & GYNK Doctor & staff Nurse with MOH license in Oman.

Contact: 97882811 Required lady physician with Ultra Sonography license lab technician male/female for a poly clinic in south sharqiyah region. Email: writevinnu@gmail.com Required MOH licensed Laboratory Technician for a reputed Medical center at Azaiba ready to join by 1st Jan 16. Please contact any time: 92724345 evening only: 99676812 Wanted Staff Nurses (female) with or without MOH license for a polyclinic near Sohar. Excellent salary & accommodation. Contact 99006915, email : alhinaee.clinic@yahoo.com Medical care center, Multispecialty clinic, Seeb requires General Practitioner, medical lab technician & pharmacist. Mail CV to sarita_h23@yahoo.com or Call - 97884856 Immediate Opening for laboratory technician. Should have MOH license to work in medical centre in capital area. Excellent Package, Accomodation will be offered.

Contact 99340135

A trading company in Muscat requires Sales Executive with minimum 1 yr experience & Oman driving license & welding machine / electronics / power tools technician with min. 1 year experience.

Email: jobs.trading2015@gmail.com Sales Co-Ordinator Required Urgently – Any Graduate with 1-2 years experience in DTP work with good knowledge of MS Office and Internet, Age: 21-28 years can apply to careers@teejanequipment.com Wanted Sales man (experienced in transporting etc). contact 94007259 Email: smylackal@gmail.com Required experienced Sales / Marketing Executives having light license. Send your CV ocean@omantel.net.om

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Senior Finance Manager, B.Com, ACA, ACMA, Indian Male with 19 years experience and 10 years in Oman. Currently employed with a reputed Manufacturing and Trading Company. NOC available. contact -97239328

Email : albalushi@hotmail.co.uk, mutrahhotel@googlemail.com Or Call: 96668830 / 24790951 / 24790952

Quantity Surveyor Diploma/Degree in Civil Engineering Having minimum 5-10 years experience in building construction company in Oman/GCC Countries.

Must be able to prepare estimates, tender, material take off and material sourcing, handling of projects and handling of labour force.

Forward CV to email: alyounistrading@gmail.com Fax: 24706099

SITUATION WANTED ACCOUNT. & FINANCE ACCOUNTANT, Indian male 28 years, 6 plus years of GCC experience, presently working in Oman as an Accountant, seeking for a suitable job position, NOC available, Contact: 95089869 E-Mail: anuchunda@gmail.com

Accountant Indian female having 5 years exp in finalization, audit and administration in GCC presently in Muscat seeking suitable position. Contact 97323574 Email: sreeja@236@gmail.com

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT, Indian male having 7 years experience as functional finance head, presently working in Muscat as Asst. Finance Manager seeking for a suitable position. NOC available, contact 9178 9950 / Email: igneshmlazar@gmail.com

10 yrs UAE experience fin. Controller looking for job change. Contact: 98006226

Fresher 24 years B.Com Graduate, Tally 7.2 & ERP-9, looking for a suitable placements in accounts. Contact: 97219505 Accountant finance Indian male 24 years B.Com Tally ERP-9, 4 years working experience in India on visit visa seeks immediate and suitable placement. Contact: 95583953 / 96392009 Email: shafadmusthafa@ gmail.com Accounts finance Indian male 22 years B.Com Tally ERP-9, 2 years working experience in India on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95636987 / 94280567 Email: nihadniha777@gmail.com Male accountant BSc Hons (Finance & Accounts) having 2 years experience in accounts, looking for suitable job on visit visa. Contact: 91420128 Accountant Indian male 6 years experience in Oman having driving license & NOC. Contact: 96012973

Accountant Indian male 10 years experience in Oman can do up to finalization and good knowledge of Tally ERP- 9 can be joined immediately with NOC. Contact: 94134085 Email: muscatoman95@yahoo.com Sr. Accountant (finance) 14 yrs Gulf experience in contracting & trading, valid UAE driving license (visit visaSalalah) looking for suitable placement. Contact: 98110814 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, WITH Oman D/L & 8 yrs experience, 7 yrs Oman & 1 yr India in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, independently handling all accounting, finance, banking, L/C, import, export & finalization seeks placement, Call +968 95436710 Keralite lady (2 yrs experience in Oman) required job in Accounts. Contact: 97096918 Accountant, Indian female on visit visa degree: B.Com, exp 6+ years in tally ERP-9 (latest), finalization of account, Tax, Accounting, Stock maintenance payroll etc. Contact: 91551164 / 91175456 Email: jothipriya@gmail.com

Indian male Accountant looking for a suitable placement in Salalah.

More than 20 years experience in accounting job (upto the finalization of accounts), 8 years working experience in Middle East in Dubai, Salalah.

Contact: 91325029

10+ yrs UAE experienced Fin. Controller looking for job change.

Contact: 98006226

Sr. Accountant M.Com (finance) 15 years experience (2 years in Oman) with a reputed firm, NOC available.

Contact: 92404608 Email: jin_75@rediffmail.com

MBA (F&M) experience 1.3 year.

Contact: 97445488 Email: abinbabygeorge@gamil.com

Accountant Indian male Charted Accountant and bachelor in Commerce having 3.5 years experience in Auditing presently in Muscat and seeking for suitable position.

Contact: 91656202 Email: sanoopvarghese90@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT. 8 years experience. Noc Available. Oman driving License seeks suitable Opportunity. GSM- 98184170 CMA, three years experience 24, Indian on visit visa seeking accounts / Audit position. Contact: 96694516 Email: kalathiljoe@live.com Indian male 25 B.B.M Arabic, English, Hindi speaking 2 years experience in Accounting at Oman seeking suitable placement. Contact: 91266733 / 96392009 Email: safvank.k9@gmail.com Accountant, B.Com, male, having 2 years Oman & 8 years Kerala experience in finalization of accounts, stock maintenance, payroll, tally ERP , MS Office etc. NOC in hand.

Contact: +917356273548 Email: shajumathew23@gmail.com ACCA member / B.Com looking for Accountants / auditing or relevant job on visit visa. Contact: 97769145 Accountant cum Sales Executive Indian male 29 yrs, 6 years experience in Oman presently on visit visa, Oman D/L, NOC available.

Contact: 95273713, Email: binadam399@gmail.com Having 14 yrs exp in accounts & finance, looking for senior jobs in accounts. NOC available. Contact : 99800982 / 94413946 Male, 27 years work experience 3 years lost employment Administration Manager and Finance Executive education MBA and BBA finance C.G.P.A 3.71 Good hardworking professional. #99685330 Email: hussain_ca87@yahoo.com

Accountant with 3 yrs exp in Oman having driving license and Noc. Contact: 91307632

Part Time Accounting, Accounts Finalization, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Accounting System for New Companies, Contact: 96975454, email : ibfc.gcc@gmail.com Sri Lankan Male Accountant, Age 26, BBA Spl, CA Inter, Having more than 5 years’ Experience in accounting field seeking for Suitable Placement NOC Available Contact: 97250638 msmnaja@gmail.com Indian male with B.Com, MBA finance & marketing 14 yrs exp seeking suitable placement.

Contact : 0091 8697292219, Email : rejesh.nair@gmail.com Indian male 8 years experience having B.Com and MBA ready to work in HR customer service, Admin banking & related field.

Contact : 97436890 / 96939803.

Email: girimub@gmail.com Indian lady, bachelor degree in Preparatory Programme (BPP) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), completed training course in MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook from KTI looking for full time / part time job opportunity in Oman.

Contact 92437568, 96795853, Email: linda_navs@yahoo.com Accountant, Indian Male, 15 Years experience (8 Years in Oman with Driving License & NOC) Seeks suitable placement, Contact 94117616, 91238272 praveen78oman@gmail.com Male, business Graduate having an experience of 10 years in the field of banking & finance, administration , currently employed at EPC Contracting Company as Finance & Admin manager is looking for a suitable position, NOC available can join within 2 weeks. Contact : 93235690 Chief Accountant, 12 years of Oman experienced looking for suitable placement. Contact: 99513082 Part time accountant, senior accountant, doing all type of accounting works, up to finalization. contact.95254864

Part time accounting works up to finalization on monthly basis.

Contact: 96247295 Accountant Indian male 32 years B.Com 5 Plus years experience in Oman, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 94410485 / 98008164 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, finance, banking, L/C, import, export & finalization seeks placement.

NOC Available. Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com Finance Manager, 12 years experience in leading Construction and manufacturing companies (9 years in Oman) have strategic vision and proven leadership ability. B.Com, CPA- USA & modern accounting certificate from “AUC”. “NOC” in hand. Contact: 97220505 Indian female 28 years M.Com, Accountant having 6 years experience in Accounts, finalization, Tally currently on visit visa.

Contact : 95595083 Email: merlinfernandes16@yahoo.in ACCA finalist, Recent B.Com Graduate, Indian female, looking for full time employment in Accounting and Audit. +968 96964379, sangeethaumesh5@gmail.com

ADMIN Indian female MBA , 3 Years experience in Admin MIS , family Visa. Contact 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com 10 years Gulf & 4 years Oman experience in HR / Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic / English with D/L looking for suitable position. Contact: 95824598 Looking for job Admin / HR. Release available. #94229041 A BBA degree holder Man looking For suitable job #95864575 Indian, Male having 8 years in purchase and admin furnishing / metal scrap On visit visa, available to join Immediately if selected – contact 0096896675184 , 97704828 Indian male, HR / Admin (MBA) Executive with 3 years experience (UAE , India) seeks suitable placement ready for immediate joining. Contact: 90162412 HR/ Recruitment specialist with 8 years Oman experience in entire gamut of HR functions like resource planning, recruitment, HR policies & procedures performance appraisal, expatriate affairs, exit interviews & ticketing.

Contact 93825307 Email: javthath@rediffmail.com Indian female graduate fluent in English/Arabic(work purpose) with 5+ experience in Admin, Logistics and 2 years in Insurance handling, looking for suitable opportunity.

Contact 93221054, email: nurinabhavania@ymail.com

ARCHITECT Interior Designer; Post Graduate in Interior Design with Diploma in Journalism, 2 years work experience (1 year in UAE) in conceptualizing designs for residential/ commercial projects. Interested in taking up full-time, part-time or freelance projects in Oman. Contact no. 97897018 Email: nimimenon@ gmail.com Interior 3d designer, good knowledge in softwares. #93837973 Architect with bachelor degree 4 years experience in architectural design (interior & exterior) professional in (3D Max- Archicad - AutoCAD - Photoshop). Contact: 96041201 Email: amer.yousfan@ gmail.com

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DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED DRAUGHTSMAN Autocad d/man, exp in arch, interior 3d, photoshop. Contact : 93837973 Civil designer, Autocad, Diploma (3 yrs) Civil Engg, well exp PH : 92741929

Indian female, 30 yrs, Interior Designer

Autocad D/man Exp in Arch , Interior , knows 3D, Photoshop Ph : 93837973 Indian male 28 yrs, Master degree in Computer Application and CCNA certified, 2 years exp in Oman looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 93295112 Email: syedsadathali.mca@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELP Indian House maid looking for job.

Contact: 91834383

DESIGNER Interior designer, advanced diploma interior, 3dmax maya coreldraw, photoshop. Contact : 93837973

DRIVER Driver, 42 yrs, suitable job K.S.A 12 years Oman, 4 years release available. Contact: 93885404 Looking for driving job. Contact: 93650209 Light driver need job exp 4 years.

Contact: 94208089 Looking for driving job. Contact 98219182 Indian driver, 4 years experience in Oman with car looking for suitable job (NOC available). Contact: 93053917 Light duty driver looking for job, 2 yrs exp. Contact : 96342684 Driver seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98134080 Pakistani, light driver looking for job exp, 4 years. Contact: 96346582 20 years experience. Contact: 94795033 Indian Driver need job. conrtact 91254539 Light driver looking for job.

Contact: 96942547 Light driver looking job exp. 4 years. Contact: 94208089 20 years experience Driver D/L in Oman, seeks suitable job.

Contact : 99775728 Light driver for job 5 yrs exp.

Contact: 92171166 Bangladeshi male driver, 48 yrs, exp 14 years, 9 years need job & visa, got release letter. Contact: 99165961 Pakistani driver seeks for job, holding license of Oman exp in driving in Oman 6 years. Contact : 92604918

Contact 98499975, Email : swasdesigner@gmail.com

Indian male, 23 yrs, post Graduate Mechanical Engineer M.SU (U.K) 1 year Sales exp. having Oman D/L seeking for suitable employment in reputed firm. Contact: 91419764 Email: z.enggoman@gmail.com

Electronics diploma 1 year exp in telecommunication, mobile tower field support Engg. Vishnu Madhu Soodanan. Contact: 94519571 / 95233636 Email: vishnumadhull@ gmail.com

Female Electrical power system Engineer with experience seeks suitable placement. Contact: 99842083

BSc. in Civil Engineer 12 years experience in infrastructure & building having UAE D/L currently on visit visa looking suitable placement.

Contact 91206763 Email: delwar.civil.97@gmail.com

Indian female 25 years B.Tech (Electrical) having 4 years experience in tendering, estimation and costing seeking suitable placement currently on family visa. Contact: 97228117 Indian male 26 y Mechanical engineer on express visa with 4 years India experience in HVAC Design/ Estimation/Site Execution is seeking a suitable job in Muscat contact 99339707 (ashfaq_1974@yahoo. com) Maintenance planner (CMMS), Indian male 29 yrs, B.Com, MBA having 5 years Gulf exp in oil and gas industry in planning dept. currently on visiting visa, looking for suitable job. Contact: 93179096

Civil Engineer B.Sc 5 years experience with building construction companies in Oman seek suitable placement. Contact: 98180524

M.Tech (Electronics) Indian lady (on visit), 5 years teaching experience in engineering colleges also running entrance coaching centre for 8 years is looking for a better placement in colleges, schools & office etc. Contact: 93596002 Indian male 23 years, B.Tech Electrical Engineer 2 years experience in construction + Auto Cad designing, is looking for suitable job. Currently on visiting visa. Contact: 98266897 Email: elbinkeldhose92@gmail.com Indian B. tech Civil, 19 years exp , seeks suitable position.

Contact: 98365910 Email: kks.pkd1969@gmail.com Omani Mechanical Engineer with 2years Experiences looking for new opportunity . Contact:95993315, alrus7idisaif@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, B.Tech, with 8 years GCC experience (5 years in Oman) in MEP & Oil/gas construction/Inspections side with NOC, is seeking new assignments in Oman.

Has attested degree certificate and Oman D/L. Contact No.96083636, Email:tobineasow@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1Year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com

Driver with car. Contact :91452930

Architect more than 2 years exp in design, site supervision with strong knowledge in AutoCAD, Revit , 3D Max, Photo shop and Microsoft office looking for a good job. N.O.C available. Contact: 90162685 Email: mohamed.dakrory92@gmail.com

Resident Engineer B.E civil 25 years exp 12 yrs in Architecture consultancy having Oman Dubai D/L NOC available. Contact: 95732453 Email: milindj951@gmail.com

BE Mechanical Engineer, 23 years, Indian male on visit available for immediate placement please contact: 96145820 or arunsankar.10.92@ gmail.com

B.E Mechanical Engineer Indian male 27 years having 4 years experience including 2 years GCC experience, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 90156984 Email: noorullahanas@gmial.com

Diploma Engineer civil. Contact 91151237

Electrical Engineer (B.E) with 5 years experience (3 yrs in Gulf) NOC available. Contact: 92119851 Email: mayurdevadiga@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer (Indian male) with experience in HVAC & Fire fighting looking for suitable placement in electro mechanical field. Contact: 90154793 Email: sangu.vazhoor@gmail.com

B.Tech Engineer (Civil), having 14 yrs of experience (6 years in Oman) with valid driving license is seeking for a suitable placement. NOC available. email: masum.civil10@gmail. com GSM:97455456

Pakistani male light vehicle driver looking for job. Contact: 96474528

Indian Mechanical Engineer, 30, having 8yrs of UAE Sales/Business Development. experience in Electromechanical and Irrigation sectors. Contact no- +971558763220 email id-sangowri@outlook.com

Diploma in Civil Engineer, have total 4.5 years experience & have 1.5 years experience in Oman. Contact: 96535084

Civil Engineer, Indian male, 11 years experience in construction, having D/L and NOC. Contact: 94194399 Email: shiblyrock@gmail.com

Indian driver 13 yrs exp. looking for fulltime or part time jobs. contact 91103909

Jordanian Engineer in MECHANICAL & MANUFACTURING Good experience Sheet Metal Fabrication, AutoCad, Solidworks 3D, Storage Tanks & Silos, Sales - Speaking Arabic/English/Russian -GSM#90198575 / 99201710

Contact - 97203531 ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

Indian male 24 years Instrumentation technician have 2.5 years experience in India, seeks a suitable job.

Contact: 92696798 Email: ajoarikkatt@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

YƵĂůŝĮ ĐĂƟ ŽŶ D WDW Ɛŝdž ƐŝŐŵĂ ;' Ϳ ŽƵŶƚƌŝĞƐ ĞdžƉŽƐƵƌĞ ĂŶĂĚĂ Θ DŝĚĚůĞ ĂƐƚ͕ /ŶĚƵƐƚƌLJ ĂŶLJ ;ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞĚ ŝŶ bank, telecom, transport.

EĂƟ ŽŶĂůŝƚLJͲ ĂŶĂĚŝĂŶ͘ KŶ ǀŝƐŝƚ ŝŶ KŵĂŶ.

Bachelor degree with 5 yrs working experience seeking suitable placement in Oman.

Architectural & Structural Draughtsman 5 years experience.

Contact: 97312627 Draughtsman Civil with AutoCAD. Contact 97105408

Project/ Program Manager/ Finance professional

Qualified Engineer with 3-5 yrs exp in purchase, 2.2 yrs in automotive service, excellent communication, presentation and management skills.

PH: 968 91306841; Email: shanyphilip23@gmail.com Indian male B.Tech Mechanical Eng (2 years exp in India) fire safety seeking suitable placement. Contact: 93523752 Telecom Engineer Indian male 27 years, Telecom field Engineer experienced in vsati microwave 1.3 years of experience. Email: rogin.mk@ gmail.com Contact: 95216362 Civil Structural Engineer professional in R.C structural design & Q.S & shop drawings. C.N (97983610)

Electrical Instrument Engineer having 10 years experience in high voltage and low voltage with extensive experience in instrumentation & automation, approved from PAEW for more info. Contact: 92950788 / Email: engtariq2007@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer with 7 years experience in oil & gas field have extensive experience in QA/ QC (Static equipment) , have API 653 & CSWIP3.1 certifications for more info: khaled19858@gmail.com Contact: 91917294 Civil Engineer 5 years experience with construction companies in Oman having valid driving license seek suitable placement. Contact: 99742280 Mechanical Technician oil & gas with 9 yrs experience in GCC worked in rotating EQP, Static EQP, commissioning and troubleshooting looking for an opening. Contact: 99598462 Email: bakash_85@yahoo.co.in Mechanical Engineer, Indian male 22 years seeking job in a reputed firm in Oman. ASNT- NOT level 2 course completed 2 years experience in India. Available in Oman on visit visa until 06/11/2015. Contact: 95393960 / 95037962 Diploma Civil Engineer 11 yrs experience (9 yrs building construction + 2 yrs O&G) with valid Oman D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97669006 / 99142744 Email: shafique88am@gmail.com A senior professional with Engineering background is available for Executive lead in Contract Management, Coordination, Execution in construction establishments and consultancies. Contact: 99703972 Experienced Civil Engg professional 12/26 years ran a company as Working partner have estimation, tendering of high rise building infrastructure steels conc. Products seeks suitable placement. contact 95360102 / 94460357 Civil Structural Engineer professional in R.C Structural design & Q.S & shop drawings. C.N (97983610) Project Engineer (Electrical) 5 years experience in Oman primary substations + OHL, oil & gas, AutoCAD design driving license. NOC available.

Contact: 93210528 / 99410588 B.Tech Software Engineer nearly 2 yrs Engineer nearly 2 yrs experience seeking job in Oman, currently on visit visa. Contact: 95184451 Indian B.E Electronics Communication Engineer available in Muscat on visit visa 3+ years experience in automation system. Contact: 97439738

Civil Engineer with 8 yrs exp in construction field & all related work, having Oman driving license & NOC. Contact: 97613084 4 years experience Electrical Engineer electrical primary substations UG cables and OHL, fluent in English and Arabic. Contact: 91204243 Electrical Engineer 4 years experience oil and gas electrical substation water project fluent in Arabic and English primavera p6 operator.

Contact: 99525856 M.Tech having 3 years experience in Mechanical Engineering department looking for any University to hire.

Contact: 90150913 Email: rahmanmechengg@yahoo.in B.Tech Mechanical Engineer with MBA in marketing & HR 3 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. #0091 9846568080 / 0091 4772702080, Email: jbabu4@gmail.com Civil Engineer, Indian male 29, having 7 years exp in construction field& Auto Cad in Oman. Having valid driving license. Fluent in English & Arabic. Looking for suitable job in reputed firm. Contact - 99650569 Indian male, 26 yrs, B. Tech Computer Science, 4 years experience as System and Network Engineer looking for suitable job. #93125669 Email: amritrajgt18@gmail.com Electrical Engineer Indian male 2.5Years Of experience Looking for suitable Job. Contact:91845173 Email:er.joshidhaval@gmail.com B.Sc Civil 9 years experience looking for suitable placement as a Residence Engineer having valid Omani D/L. Contact : 94431917 Email: gmssohel.ce@gmail.com Bangladeshi female Project Engineer Civil having 5 years experience or construction site currently or visit visa looking a suitable position.

Contact 91207329 Email: dipabangladesh@yahoo.com Male Project Engineer (Civil) 12 years experience Dubai + SA in construction & water supply field with valid UAE D/L Currently on visit visa looking suitable position.

Contact: 91206763 Email: delwar.civil.97@gmail.com Indian male, 26 yrs, 4 years experience diploma in Civil Engineering field on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact: 95585564 Email: safvanullal6644@gmail.com Civil Engineer B.Sc -6 years experience with constructions companies - 1 years in Oman - qualified as Site Engineer & Planning Engineer.

Contact+968-94682217 Degree Civil Engg total 9 yrs experience, 7 yrs in Oman Construction Company with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 99721926 Email: tanvircivil@gmail.com Civil Engineer degree, diploma, Staad pro, Auto CAD 18 months Indian exp seeks suitable opportunity.

Contact: 93682529 Aeronautical Engineer Indian female 22 yrs, currently on family visa looking for suitable position in any air line / Engineering Industry.

Contact: 91705598 Email: nikhimnoushad@gmail.com Engineer with 4 years Telecom experience in Oman, having Oman driving license looking for a suitable opportunity. Interested in marketing, NOC available. Contact : 98513495 SUPERVISOR: Indian male site supervisor (AIR CONDITIONING) 25 years of experience with valid Oman Driving lic Contact: 97498809, 93391910 Email: hilariankj@gmail.com Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Road and Construction Engineer exp 5 years in Oman. #97646908 Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385

Medical Lab technician, MSc, 29 years, An Indian female having 3 years experience with prometric passed on family visa seeking suitable placement in capital. Contact: 93231549 Email: sujithsolomon@ yahoo.co.in

B.Tech Elec., Engineer, 8 yrs exp in Oman valid D/L. #91456023

MSc Nurse specialized in OBG, 3 years experience-certified ACLS, BLS, on visit visa, seeking suitable opportunities Contact: 90125347

Indian BE (MECH) aviation BE degree diploma in material quality management 17 years Navy aviation 13 years construction purchase stores professional on visit.

Contact: 90205082 /98796982

Indian female Dentist (BDS) 3 Yrs Exp ,PROMETRIC Passed, Presently in Visit visa looking for placement.

Contact-24286098, 99284260

Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com

Indian female, Ayurvedic doctor (BAMS) with 7 years experience looking for job: Now on family visa, Contact: 94051242; Email: anilnath2000@gmail.com

C-SWIP 3.1 ASNT level 2 QC Mech.

Engr 5+ yrs exp Indian male 26 seeks suitable placement.

Contact : 91823331 Email: kannasekhar46@gmail.com Electrical and Electronics Engineer with one year experience and GCC licence holder seeking a job mail – shyjalpk@gmail.com Indian male BE Mechanical currently on 2 yrs free visa with NOC & local release. Looking for suitable job in Muscat.

Contact – 90296975 / ali.syedausaf@gmail.com

Palestinian dentist looking for job in private hospitals, Medical Center or Dental Centers in Muscat 15 yrs exp P. hospitals out Muscat. Contact: 96951750 Indian female Bsc nurse with 3year experience prometric passed seeks suitable placement.contact 95782544 Indian male Nurse, prometric passed seeks suitable placement.

Contact 97284508I

MISCELLANEOUS EDUCATION M. Com B. Ed Indian lady looking for suitable openings.

Contact: 97668603

BA Export Management, GCC, D/L 12 years Muscat experienced in purchase / commercial seeks any placement. Contact: 99775988

B.F hotels management 2 years exp food and beverages service, kitchen, 4 languages, N.O.C available. Contact: 95196212 Email: mido.hossams09@yahoo.com

Microbiologist, Indian female, 25 yrs Msc Microbiology with 2.5 yrs Exp in Hospital & Dairy industry. Expertise in Microbial analysis of milk products and clinical samples. Currently in Oman seeking for suitable job opportunities. GSM#94767297 Email:shobi24190@gmail.com

Hotel exp 4 years F+ B (service) visit visa expires 13/11/2015, B.A Hotel Management. Contact: 91987013 / 96971643 Email: shinekls34@gmail. com

Indian male 30 yrs 9 experience in Oman housekeeping supervisor with NOC seeking suitable placement. Contact: 96254837 Email: sudheeshmrf@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY

IT

Omani National looking for suitable placement. Contact: 91908052

ME Communication System, Exp in RF/Microwave, Access Ctrl, Networking & Server Ph: 95508754

Maintenance foreman looking for suitable position in real estate or MEP work. Contact : 99526958

Indian male (22) Java /J2EE specialization with BCA Graduate having 6 months experience in web application development / IT technical support, looking for suitable job.

Contact: 00968 96292480 Email: farzeenfarook@gmail.com

Indian female Diploma in Indian & foreign Accounting having 1 year experience in Oman seeking suitable placement. Contact: 95714285

IT Telecom / Networking Engineer with CCNA & CCNP, 3 yrs experience, currently in visit visa. contact 97435944 Email: abdulsameerr@ gmail.com

Indian 14 years experience in consumer goods as Marketing Manager with visa D/L. Contact: 90314809

Computer and Systems Engineer.

Contact: 91770668 Indian male B.Eng in IT CCNA MCITP, 2+ yrs exp in IT support, Networking and Server support. #93311963 Email: sajal035@gmail. com Male 25 years B.E (CSE) 3.5 years experience in System and Networking / IT support currently in visit visa looking for a suitable job. Contact: +968-98914760 IT System Administrator MCSA Sudanese UAE experience. #91302074 B.Tech prince 2 certified IT Proff. with 16+ yrs experience, 8 years experience in banking IT projects and risk management, support vendor management looking for a suitable position on visit visa. Contact: 92703635, email : anilsingh@ live.in Indian male 28 yrs, Master degree in Computer Application and CCNA certified, 2 years exp in Oman looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 93295112 Email: syedsadathali.mca@gmail.com Computer & Network Engineering.

11 yrs experience looking for suitable job. Contact 92811179/ 95882614 Email: khalido24@ yahoo.com

MEDICAL Electrical Engineer Indian male 29 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation and utility maintenance in India (MRF Tyres), seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com

MEDICAL

Indian female MDS Endodontics, 9.5 yrs experience recently cleared Oman prometric 84% looking for suitable placement. Contact: 95624156 / 97233074

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

Indian HSE Manager, Grad IOSH & I Dip Nebosh aged 43 years with more than 20 years of experience working in reputed oil & Gas / construction at Oman seeking suitable HSE Position (Manager / Trainer / Advisor). NOC available. Contact: 97926801 Email: johnkjoseph630@yahoo.com Manager- Media & Advertising industry-15 yrs Gulf exp - seeks suitable opening- 93031168

PROJECTS Civil Engineer, Indian male, 25 years, B.Tech, have 3 years experience in building construction seeks suitable positions. 92609893, alenalexander123@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Indian female 2+ years Oman experience with D/L seeks suitable position in Business development / corporate & retail sales in training / IT / education ITES companies.

Contact: 98989784 Indian Male 22 years B. Com Graduate currently in Oman on family visa looking for a job, preferably in sales department. Also possess a valid Oman driving license.#98504698 Indian male 10+years of Gulf experience as a Sales Executive in FMCG Industry with valid GCC license.

Contact: 93512696 Pakistani male, 8 years sales and marketing experience specialized in MBA, Marketing with valid driving license (GCC), NOC and with best sales performance award looking for suitable position Email: sheraz. rotanahotel@gmail.com , 99249296 / 93313173

D6

W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SIT.WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Network/Noc Engineer, Indian male 27 years B.com (General) 5 years & 4 month’s of experience in the field of networking seeks for better placement. Contact :97663834, bro’s no:98730758 Indian male, BBA, having 8yrs exp including 2yrs of (UAE) exp looking opportunities withinSales, Logistics, Retail, Operations. CONTACT 99052340, Mail Id: pradee.ys@gmail. com B.Com Graduate, associate insurance, 25 year male, 3 years experience in accounts and 3 years in sales and marketing.#no-95236312, mail id-lilommca@gmail.com Syrian Architect years experience in oman for work 2d plans and 3d internal and external projects in cooperation or even a piece . for contact : 97482871 Electrical Engineer with BS & MS Degree having 5 years of Experience in Electrical Utility/Water sector seeks a suitable job (on visit).

Contact: snaveelh@gmail.com Phone: 24413033/ 95731852 Indian male having 7 Years of Experience in Oman Having Valid Driving License working as a Office Driver ,Looking for a suitable Position, NOC Available. Contact: 99680429, Email:anzarkutty1975@gmail.com Syrian architect have years and half experience in oman looking for work, full time perfect in architectural programs 3d max , auto cad , Photoshop , and sketch up. for contact : 0096897482871 Female, Indian, 35 years, Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharm) fresh graduate with BSc looking for positions in Front Office, administration office, or any suitable positions in hospital, polyclinic, companies or Institutions.

Contact 90236481.

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, seek challenging position in SCM/Logistics/Procurement.

GSM-94236414. Mail id – dialindia33@gmail.com Well experienced management finance specialist having 18 years experience available for placement.

Contact.95602518 23, Male, ACCA Affiliate, OBU Bsc, 2.5 years of experience in audit and finance in Big 6 Firms, Looking for permanent placement in similar field. Release NOC available. Contact: #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com 22, Male, Indian, BBA (Marketing), 1 year experience in India, Looking for suitable placement in Sales and Marketing. #91897046, azzamsiddique1@gmail.com Indian Male,27,ACCA Part Qualified,B.COM with 7+ yrs exp in receivables and credit control in Oman looking for suitable placements. NOC available. # 9657 4343.

Indian Female, Science Graduate, 3 years Experience in Teaching back home. Looking for a suitable job opportunity as a teacher, in Schools in Muscat Region. Contact : 96431456 / 95704814 Looking for a suitable job as Jr. Accountant/ Jr. Administration in a reputed company. NOC Available.

GSM # 93004738.

ACCOUNTANT, Male, 8 years experience, presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license. NOC available, seek suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 Chemical Engineer Indian 2 years of experience in production field Contact: 91247222 Email:sahadpoonchola@gmail.com Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 91033395 Civil Autocad Draughtsman part time work for job mob : 96023726 Indian female, MBA, 25yrs Having 4yrears of experience in MNC, hands of experiences in recruitment and administration, flexible for any suitable job placements currently in visting visa. Contact Tel : 98864639 Email : neethuvijayan06@gmail.com Indian Male, 25, Chartered Accountant, working with ICICI Bank India.

On a Visit Visa in Oman. Staying with parents at Azaiba. Ph: 24492638.

Email: shyamal008@gmail.com

Indian Male, 26 Yrs, Business Management, 6 years in Oman.

Knowledge of MS Office and Arabic Language. Seeks suitable position.

Contact 93931935 Indian Mechanical Engineer, 30, having 8yrs of UAE Sales/Business Development. experience in Electromechanical and Irrigation sectors. Contact no- +971558763220 email id-sangowri@outlook.com Indian male, with finance and Law degree, having more than 25 years of experience in Finance/ Accounts / Audit (5 years of Oman experience) seeks suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 98421619.

E-mail: talemadhamu@yahoo.com.

Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer seeks suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 Pakistan Male: 24 years,M.Com Finance having 2.5 year experience as a accountant & marketing executive looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97670816, E.mail: naeem.ahsan68@gmail.com ACCOUNTANT: Indian male 25 having 4 years experience in accounting & having well knowledge in tally.

Contact:968094535881, 0091 9037622048, Email: vishnuraj889@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, 8 years experience ,Oman driving licence,Noc available. Seek Suitable opportunity.

GSM- 98184170 Senior Accountant. 8 Years experience. NOC available. Oman driving license. Seek suitable opportunity.

GSM- 98184170 31 year Indian male PG in HR ,with 5 yrs Professional experience in HR in Construction Oil & Gas Oman seeking for a suitable placement. Kindly contact me on 93488914, emailKaarthickshankar@gmail.com MBA Finance with more than five years of experience in Finance & Accounts including GCC, looking for a suitable opening. Having UAE driving license. #91391802.

Indian female with MBA in finance seeking immediate placement.

Contact: 968-93316493

27, male, ACCA finalist, have professional experience up to finalization of Accounts, Statutory and internal audit, expertise in using tally and focus & Oracle Software, have 3.5 years experience in accounts till finalization, seeking for permanent replacement ,GSM97654769,email idabdullah.nooralam@yahoo.com B.E Mechanical Engineer with 2 years’ experience in HVAC field on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 93442296 Email Id: sal201091@gmail.com.

MBA (F) B.COM Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for full or part time job.

Presently on family visit visa.

Contact: - 96259171. Email: bhumicapandya@gmail.com Indian Male, MBA, Talented management expert having 6 year experience at U.A.E, India and Oman in luxury goods and Retail. Seeking suitable openings in related or same field. Contact:92700670 Email: jobcareer44@gmail.com B.Tech EEE with 4+ years experience in the field of it, networking, ex-tonics etc. presently working in Amazon India development centre as a content quality associate seeking for suitable jobs in Oman.

Contact : +91 9940514005, 93116402 email: mail2nbn@gmail.com MBA Finance with more than five years of experience in Finance & Accounts including GCC, looking for a suitable opening. Having UAE driving license. Contact no..91391802 Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact 98803439 Pakistani, Male, Pak, Exp 14 Years in IT Trainer / Computer Teacher, looking for a better position in Oman, already working in Prestigious Construction Company. # 95983711.

Join.mtmali@gmail.com M. Tech VLSI design, B. tech Electronics and instrumentation, Indian female,3 years teaching experience for graduation level students, seeking suitable placements .

Ph:00968 92904155. email-achusooraj@gmail.com

SIT.WANTED MISCELLANEOUS

Sudanese/26/Bsc Computer Science /3 years exp/skills Excellent knowledge in operating systems and maintaining computers Java Programmer Web Developer Linux SMS solutions Android developer/ email khalid.omx@gmail.com/ # 944958080 and 99758186.

Indian male B.Eng. in IT,CCNA, MCSA,MCSE, 2.5 yrs + exp. in IT support, networking and server support valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support. Contact 92607532 Indian B.E Computer Science graduate 2012 passout. 1 .5 yrs exp. in Accounting. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Having NIIT certificate in Diploma in Java Technology. # 97767894 Email: jinsonjacobjohn@gmail.com Indian male 24 YEARS, B.Tech (Electrical & Electronics), having 2 yrs. exp as Electrical Site Engineer. Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications, seeking for suitable placement in any related industries. Contact 98045482, Email: mastanshaik1008@gmail.com Indian male, 24 years, HSE Engineer having 2 years of Indian experience.

Done IOSH & NEBOSH- IGC certifications, seeking for suitable placement in any related industries.

Contact 98045482 Indian male 22yr BBA with LOGISTIC Diploma, exp in tally and data entry seeking in suitable placement.

Contact; 90151739 email shakeeb.mp280gmail.com Indian Male (Diploma in electronics Engineering and CCNA.) having 9 years of experience in Networking, 5 years’ experience in Oman. Looking for a suitable Placement. NOC available. GSM- 93787098, Email –anishktr@gmail.com Mechanical Draftsman, Indian male 27, Diploma in Mechanical Engineering having 7 years of experience in Auto CAD looking for a suitable placement.#97351786 / 96143708 mohammednazeer07@gmail.com ACCA Affiliate, OBU Degree, 2.5 years experience in audit and finance in Big6 firm, Looking for permanent placement. NOC release available. Contact: #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

Indian 26M, B. Tech Computer Science graduate, 3 years exp in India, looking for suitable job in Muscat.

Contact : 93125669, Email : amritrajGT18@gmail.com Sudanese/Bsc IT/26/2 years experience/excellent Eng-Arb speaking/ Omani driving license/96387227/ henrykarrar@gmail.com MBA - (F), M.Com, B.COM. Indian female having knowledge of accounts with Tally looking for part time or full time job. Presently on family visa. contact 91892264. mail: yv.dixit@ yahoo.com Admin, having 10+ years experience in Admin/HR/Logistics/Time Keeper, in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat. Contact94369965mail - satya1528@gmail.com Two year experience in Oman, experience in sales, purchase and system admin, Having GCC license.

Contact number 97475860, Yadhukrishnan08@gmail.com Indian male B.Eng. in IT,CCNA,MCSA,MCSE, 2.5 yrs + exp. in IT support, Networking and Server support with valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/ Server support. contact 92607532 Indian Female BSC nurse with 8+ years of experience including 3 years of GCC exp. Oman Prometric passed with 57 %. Currently in Oman. Contact : 98034384 Indian male Accountant, 12 years experience, looking for a full time or part time job, experience in tally also. Contact 98983122 Site Supervisor/ L Driver, Pakistani Male 33 with valid D/L, 4 years experience in Muscat, fluent in English, Arabic looking for suitable place. Contact: 97950869 Indian Male, 25, Chartered Accountant, working with ICICI Bank India. On a Visit Visa in Oman.

Staying with parents at Azaibah.

Ph:24492638.

Email: shyamal008@gmail.com India male 33 years. DCT, BBA, OSHA, looking for Job in Construction HSE, 11 Years experience with GCC license, NOC available Contact :- 9418 4280

Filipino Senior Architect with 13 years GCC experience. Proficient in 3D StudioMax, AutoCAD, Revit, Phostoshop, and Microsoft Office.

With NOC and Omani driving license. Please contact 91292933.

Indian male BE Electrical & Electronics and PG in power systems (transmission & distribution) on visit seeking placement.

Contact 94669679 E Mail : prsabarish@gmail.com

Indian female, 40 yrs, 7 yrs experience in customer service, with D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact 95580711

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

ME Civil- structural Engineer, 8 Years Structural Engineer experience, Looking for Structural Designer, supervisor or site engineer Position. Iranian male.

Contact: 93696929 Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com

Female, 35years, Bachelor of Pharmacy fresh graduate with BSc and MA looking for suitable position in hospital, polyclinic, companies or Institutions. Contact 90236481.

Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil Engineering having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement. Contact- 95042656

Electrical Maintenance Engineer, 29, Indian Male, having 7+ years exp. in reputed companies. Seeking suitable placement in Oman. #- 98440637.

Mail ID : venkatbadri23@gmail.com

Indian female, MBA, 25yrs Having 4yrears of experience in MNC, hands of experiences in recruitment and administration, flexible for any suitable job placements currently in visting visa. Contact: 98864639 Email : neethuvijayan06@gmail. com

Administration - Having 9+ 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 -25years B.Tech Engineer seeking any suitable jobs in Oman ,currently on visit visa.

Contact : Haneesh N. Surendran, Mob : 90126573, Email: - haneeshns02@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, 8 years experience, Oman driving license, Noc available seeks suitable opportunity. GSM- 97705854 Female Junior Architect, Excellence in Autocad, Sketching & Modelling, Internship - KHAM Designs, Bangalore. Presently with Atulya Architects & Associates. Email saatvika.frozenmusic@gmail.com Contact 00968-94057427.

Electronics System Eng. UK Graduate. Indian Female with relevant work experience. Eng. Analysis, Instrumentation and Control, Power & Heat, Electrical & Fluid, Drives & Actuators etc. Looking for an entry level position. Email s.dinesh1508@gmail.com.

Mobile: 97848075, +91-8105413827

Indian male 24 B.Tech IT(engineer) 2.5 years exp in hardware networking, programming such as C and C++.

Currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact 95153693 Indian male Auto Cad Draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience seeking for part time job.

Contact : 00968 99070584, Email: remluvp@gmail.com Indian male having 25 years exp in telecom optical fiber cables, network CCTV Administration office automation seeks job, now in visit visa.

Contact: 91385373 Email: sridharbsnlma1455@gmail.com Indian male 32 M. A. English and having 4 years of experience in teaching current company is ready to issue release letter.

Contact : 99869535 Email: sahadkeyi33@gmail.com Sudanese male, 31 years, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer , 6 year experience in construction and electrical production plant .

Mobile No ; +96894549609

Indian male 37 years B.Tech Graduate having 12 years experience of Electrical DCRP Works / Jobs in Oman with driving license looking for suitable opening. NOC available can join immediately. Contact : saiviharvasanth@gmail.com Bangladeshi, looking job for sales man having 3-4 years experience in readymade garments.

Contact : 97756028 Indian female B.ARCH with 10 years experience (Indian & Oman) as an Architect is seeking a suitable in Muscat. Contact: 92412810 BE Civil Engineer with 11 years of experience in building construction with valid Oman DL, looking for suitable placement, NOC available.

Please contact 91329910.

Indian male 24 B.Tech IT (engineer) 2.5 years exp in hardware networking, programming such as C and C++.

Currently on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact 95153693 Indian male 23yrs, 2yrs exp. In Accounts (india). Seeking suitable position in accounts. Currently on express visa. M: 94399509, E. midhunaloor16@gmail.com Indian Male: 31yrs 8 Years Experience in the field of Business Development/ Sales/ Retail/ Logistics with good communication Skills seeking for suitable job in Oman . Now available in Visit visa valid till (21st Oct).

Contact; 99052340 , email: pradee.ys@gmail.com ACCOUNTANT , Indian male 30 years B.Com Having 7 years of Oman experience in the field of accounts & finance seeks for better placement.

Contact : 96143708 / 97351786 ME Civil- structural Engineer, 8 Years Structural engineer experience, looking for Structural Designer, supervisor or site engineer Position.

Iranian male. Contact: 93696929, Email: mhsaz1359@gmail.com Civil Autocad draughtsman looking for part time job. Mobile: 95218737 ACCOUNTANT, 8 years experience, Oman D/L, Noc available seeks suitable opportunity. GSM- 98184170

W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

COMPUTER

GOOD NEWS

SIT.WANTED SALES / MARKETING

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

Indian male MBA, 2 years experience in sales and 2 years experience in HR with D/L looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91202335 Email: mrishad90@ yahoo.com

Welder fabrication, 6g 3g,tig arc gas PH : 95068064

Indian male, 26 M.A., 2 yrs experience in India and 11 months in Oman looking for job in sales or accounts. Contact: 97022508 Email: zakariyazba@gmail.com

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE

Having 5 years exp, as office coordinator, NOC available. Contact: 92889617 Indian male, 38 years BE & MBA in Marketing from UK and 12 years experience in the IT industry seeks suitable placement. Contact: 91200413 Email: mniyaz@hotmail. com Indian male 38 yrs , MBA in Marketing with Oman D/License, over 8 yrs experience in ironmongery scheduler / specifier & general trading, currently on visit visa. NOC available. Contact: 98891737 BBA Keralite, male, 23 yrs, experienced in Automotive Sales & Admin on visit. Contact 94742679, Email: jafarj4@gmail.com Indian male, 4 years experience in Sales. Oman experience with NOC & driving license seeking suitable.

Contact: 96607645 Indian male, 31, MBA Marketing and Finance with 8 years’ experience in FMCG industry specialized in sales, trade marketing and key accounts as manager seeks suitable position. Contact 94743589

Welder 6G, 3G ARC , Fabrication gulf exp ph : 92858985

Indian Male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin, Secretarial and purchase with good computer skills. Having Driving license and NOC available. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 95149624

MISCELLANEOUS Chemical Engineer, Indian, 2 years of exp in industrial production, seeking suitable placement. #91247222 Indian male, 4 years of experience in Structured cabling, termination and Fiber optic splicing. Looking for a suitable Placement. NOC available. GSM- 92484039, Email –rajaveer8989@gmail.com Indian male , 23 yrs, postgraduate Mechanical Eng. (M.Sc, UK), 1 year sales exp, having Oman DL, seeking for suitable employment in reputed firm. Contact: 91419764 Email: z.enggoman@gmail.com

MBA qualified sales and marketing candidate having an experience of 1 and half years available in Oman on visit visa seeks placement. Contact: 97436706 Email: anshusamue10001@gmail.com

Structure/Pipeline,Piping Draughtsman have 12+ yrs. Exp. in Oman seeking suitable placement.

Contact 92103713 NOC available.

Sales Executive experience in Oman 4 years, has driving license.

Contact: 96039024 Marketing and Sales candidate with 8 years experience in GCC looking for suitable position. Having NOC and valid Oman diving license. Contact: 96669152 Indian male more than 8 years experience in UAE in Office , Sales Marketing with good computer skills having driving license looking for suitable placement. #99369081 Email: shazulashraf60@gmail.com Male BA, with D/L having 7 years exp in Oman wanted suitable job in Sales inventory & procure. #92191026 Sales and marketing - male 27 yrs, 2 years experience seeking suitable placement with Oman D/L. Contact: 95642740 Email: shaijichakkara@gmail.com Indian male Sr. Sales Executive, 15 years exp in retail sector looking for vacancies. Contact: 96768382

WEBSITE

Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

DRIVING

10 yrs exp in Oman in logisticshave Oman D/L-looking for suitable placement-contact 96410767, email: harishkts@yahoo.com

Indian male, U.K Post Graduate M.A, MBA, 3 years Experience, looking position within Marketing, Branding, Business Development & PR. Contact: 91-8939165131 Email: greetings111@hotmail.com

Experienced skilled candidate with driving license seeks position sales in Salalah. Contact: 98579382

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

LOGISTICS

Pakistani male, MBA(Marketing)+PGD(HR) with 9 yrs experience in banking & hospital industry (Consumer Credit Review, Admin & HR). 3 yrs experience as Asst Manager, Admin & HR in famous private hospital in Oman with NOC. Contact: 95761982 or umerok@ hotmail.com

Indian male 21+ years Managerial experience in Oman in FMCG Industry seeking suitable placement with NOC can head any Business / working partner. Contact: 95264562

Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at Al Khuwair. Contact: 24478618 / 97263637 / 93309131

Indian male 25 years, MBA finance and marketing with tally have 1.3 year experience in India. Now in Oman on visit visa. GSM: 97445488 Indian male, 19 years experience in purchase, material coordinator in building construction & factory production field. have good computer skills & driving license and NOC, looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 99008101 Working as Senior accountant,5yr. exp.in oman, Accounting upto finalisation, relevant computer skills tally9, Sage, vcams , Audit ,valid oman driving license, languages known English, Arabic, Hindi. NOC avaliable can join immediately.

Tel: (+968) 96339599. E-mail(ahmedmohdkhan@gmail.com) Indian Female, 35years, Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) fresh graduate with BSc and MA looking for positions in Front Office, administration office, or any suitable positions in hospital, polyclinic, companies or Institutions. Contact 90236481 Network/Noc engineer, CCNA certified & CCNP trained, Indian male 27 years B.com(general) 5 years & 4 month’s of experience in the field of networking seeks for better placement.#97663834 / 98730758 INDIAN FEMALE– ME in CSE with 2 years’ experience in teaching seeking Suitable Job Opportunity. Contact: 94263445 or +91 9486251274, E mail – apshinmar@gmail.com

MATRIMONIAL Looking for alliance from Tamil Muslim grooms for working girl 28 years 5 FT. Wheatish Contact: 93263185 Email: mrtgifts@gmail.com Thiya girl 27/150 B.Tech Star Chothi seeks alliance from professional B.Tech / MBA from Kannore / Malabar area. Contact: 99454129 Malayalee boy-36-Manager in MNC seeks alliance-0091 7639622079 Seeking alliance for our son from Muslim families. Interested families Contact: 99889590

NRI Water front luxurious apartments at Marine drive Kochi, DD Samudra Darshan Apartments 1850 sq. ft INR 1.60 CR (negotiable). Common amenities include multi gym billiards, home theatre party hall etc. #Owners 968 - 99754109 AND 971 - 505194598 or email: porus2009@gmail.com Water front luxurious apartments at Marine drive Kochi, prestige Neptune courtyard 2225 sq. ft, INR 1.80 CR (negotiable) common amenities includes 4 swimming pools multi gym party, halls, squash courts walk ways etc.

Contact Owners: 968 - 99754109 & 971 - 505194598 or Email: porus2009@gmail.com Architect designed 5000 Square feet exquisite Villa in 16 cents of land at a scenic location on Aakkulam Road, Ulloor, Trivandrum for sale. Contact +968 95372011

Split & widow unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080 WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

LOST Rajesh Narakathil Balakrishnan has lost Indian Passport No. M2924237.

Finder please handover to ROP. Ammer Hussain has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. Z 0038239.

Finder please handover to ROP Anwar Ulhaq has lost Pakistani Passport No. KG 855206. Finder please handover to ROP

FOR LADIES GOOD OFFER for ladies: (Golden facial Golden bleach, Haircut-10 RO. Only) this offer started from 10th October to 10th November. #99619409, Hattat Modern Parlour

SIT.WANTED MISCELLANEOUS Registered Filipina Nurse looking for a suitable job in Admin/ receptionist, experience in admin, on visit visa seeks placement. Contact 97435849

Civil Engineer B.Sc -6 years experience with constructions companies - qualified as A Project Engineer & Planning Engineer . Contact+968-94682217

Indian male 22 years, looking for suitable placement in Hardware and Networking field, Having 1 year exp. in India, training in al ameen computers Muscat Ruwi. Qualification is Diploma in Electronics and Communication at present I am having my valid employee visa In the same work. Contact : 9739622910/8050101914, Email ID :- fairozhuded13@gmail.com

Sudanese / Arabic & English teacher for all nationalities / willing to teach at home. Tel: 94211377

Admin, having 10+ years experience in Admin/HR/Logistics/Time Keeper, in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat. conrtact 968 94369965,mail - satya1528@gmail. com

B.Tech CS, Indian female 23 yrs, looking for suitable placement (IT/ Banking / Administrator) currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact: 94704707 Email: sooryasnkr1@gmail.com Indian male with over 8 years experience in sales & marketing seeking suitable placement holding valid Omani driving license, fluent in English & Arabic. #97890681

Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. #96236476 Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 Split window unit A/ C servicing.

Contact 94694472 Cleaning & Carpet Shampooing, Ocean Center LLC. #99884591 Pest Control Treatments.

Ocean Center LLC. #99344723 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & antitermite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130 House shifting & packing.

Contact: 99657644 /98518013

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. contact 24793614/ 99314807 Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517 Pest Control Gulfa Intl .LLC. Contact: 92326955 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

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W E D N E S DAY, O C T O B E R 2 1 , 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

TOURS

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours # 98029602, 92808636

MANPOWER

RENT A CAR

We offer labour for loading and unloading if any one required we are providing this service. Contact: 95208185 /95456022 Leading manpower agency to hire Recruiter from India housemaids.

Contact: 99226093, Email: fesalwardi48@gmail.com

TRANSPORTATION Transport. Contact: 94510847 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation available.

Contact: 99867456 Pick & drop any time.

Contact: 93598436 / 96743215 Pick & drop any time. Contact: 92218001/ 96502406