Times of Oman - May 23, 2016

MONDAY May 23, 2016 16 Sha’aban 1437 AH

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SAYYID FAHD MEETS MANOHAR PARRIKAR

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

‘His Majesty’s M Wisdom’

His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Primee sters Minister for the Council of Ministers rikar, yesterday received Manohar Parrikar, Minister of Defence of India and his accompanying delegation. >A6

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 78 8

On the occasion of the 7th National Day, 1977

We have continued c to work in the closest co-operat co-operation and brotherly accord with the Arab League L for the advancement of the Arab A cause. c This will ever remain a corne ersto of our national policy. cornerstone

| 40 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subsc Subscription scr ssc crip cr iption ipt on OMR63 R63 63 3 | ISO 9001:2008 9001:200 08 Certifi Cert ertifi ifi fied Compan Company ny | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Moha M Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

R O YA L O M A N P O L I C E

Trial scheme puts cameras inside restaurant kitchens and butchers

App for traffic fines tested Staff Reporter MUSCAT: A new mobile app for paying traffic fines is being tested

by Royal Oman Police. The app is still in development stage and limited trials have taken place within the traffic department, a police spokesman confirmed.

“We are testing the app by choosing random individuals in the traffic department and seekingg their response,” he added.

CCTV scheme to monitor hygiene, set to be rolled out to more in 2016

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

OMAN

380kg fish seized

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A large quantity of fish unfit for consumption has been confiscated. >A6

REGION

Turn to >A2

Hunt on for black box

2

Submarine deployed to hunt for crashed EgyptAir plane’s black box. >A8

SPORTS

Oman humble Nigeria

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Oman beat Nigeria by 181 runs in a WCL Division 5 match. >C1

WE’RE WATCHING BARKA

Details of murders revealed Staff Reporter

MORNING MINUTE

MUSCAT: Five people have been arrested by the Royal Oman Police in the two murder cases.

Colonel Aqeel bin Abdullah Al Ajmi, Director of Criminal Intelligence in South Al Batinah, said that two people had been arrested for a murder in Saih Al A’jal in Wadi Al Ma’awel on May 16.

“Barka police received a report

about one missing citizen in Saih Al A’jal in Wadi Al Ma’awel. The police formed a team to start the investigation,” said Al Ajmi.

He said the body was found buried in the same area by citizens and the police force. The police report shows that the body had gunshot wounds The investigation resulted in the arrest of two people.

In another murder case in Bar-

ka, the colonel said the probe began after Barka Police received a report about a missing citizen.

“The investigation led to the arrest of a man who admitted his crime during the questioning,” said Al Ajmi. He added that the accused had entered the house of the deceased at night and killed him with a piece of wood and a sharp tool after a fight over financial dispute. >A6

Indian School Salalah students break past records

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

OMAN

Education is therefore a priority area within Oman Air’s comprehensive CSR programme Khalid Abdulwahab Al Balushi, senior manager for government affairs and head of CSR programme, Oman Air

Cameras in restaurants to help make sure your food is hygienic All restaurants in the Sultanate would be covered by the end of 2016, a senior official of the Ministry of Regional Municipalities and Water Resources said

Cameras have been installed in the kitchens and storerooms of 10 ministry-approved restaurants, including tourist locations, fast food centres, butchers and slaughter houses as part of a trial

FAHAD AL GHADANI REJIMON K

fahadnews@timesofoman.com reji@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Restaurants and fastfood joints in Oman have been placed under CCTV surveillance in an effort to protect the public from poor hygiene.

Eateries popular with tourists

already have a direct video link to ministry officials, who watch food being prepared in kitchens from the ministry HQ. A senior ministry official said all restaurants in the Sultanate would be covered by the end of 2016.

The ministry has installed cameras in the kitchens and storerooms of 10 ministry-approved restau-

rants, including tourist locations, fast food centres, butchers and slaughter houses as part of a trial.

Keeping a tab “By the end of this year, we will be installing more cameras in other restaurants. This is to keep a tab on food hygiene and safety. It is part of an initiative started three years ago,” Mansoor Al Hilal, the head of

slaughterhouse and meat production, said.

“We will be able to monitor the activities online. Warnings also can be issued online,” the official said, adding that a fine will be imposed if a violation is repeated for a third time.

According to Ahmed bin Abdullah Al Shehhi, Minister of Regional Municipalities and Water

Resources, the trial project can help reduce the number of food safety violations and improve the efficiency and capacity of the health control departments in municipalities.

Confidentiality The minister added that the project enjoys full confidentiality and comes under the Municipalities Regulation Law issued by Royal Decree No. 96/2000 as stated in Article 16 of the food safety Law promulgated by Royal Decree No. 84/2008 that regulators regulate all means of food transport and inspection at any time.

Robert MacLean, principal at the National Hospitality Institute, said that this system will give a minimal cover for food safety issues but will leave many areas still needing to be covered.

“It is a brave effort to try to improve something like this through simple technology. However there are many issues to deal with in the safe storage, preparation, cooking and service of food to the public,” Robert said.

“Globally, there are cameras in food places often for security and general health and safety.

Kitchens are hot steamy places where cameras are not often very

successful,” Robert said, adding that the Food Safety Academy at the NHI are in discussions with Muscat Municipality whereby food places will have to show evidence of staff training and inspections before they can renew their food licences.

Aamir Ansari, a Muscat-based student who loves to dine outside, feels that the move to install cameras will help to catch food safety violators.

“This will help authorities to monitor properly and take appropriate action against violators. Let this move be widened to all restaurants so that we can enjoy the food with confidence that it is prepared under hygienic conditions,” Aamir added.

Campaign Recently, as part of its campaign to protect the health and safety of consumers and residents, the authority had conducted raids at joints which were not only operating without required permissions but also preparing food under unhygienic conditions.

It had also cleared a number of areas along the seaside in Bausher where vendors were illegally selling Omani grilled meat, known as mashakeek.

H E A LT H

Medical tests, vaccination a must ahead of Haj pilgrimage Times News Service MUSCAT: Citizens opting to go for Haj have been advised to undergo medical examination and vaccination ahead of the pilgrimage this year, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said.

In a statement, the MoH said medical examination and vaccination can be conducted between May 22 and June 4, 2016.

“Persons who have received a text message approval from the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs should go to health institutions,” it said.

The vaccinations which are required include Quadra-vaccination against meningococcal meningitis and seasonal Influenza.

“Quadra-vaccination against meningococcal meningitis provides a three-year-immunity.

Hence all those who have been administered the same vaccine in the last three years and hold relevant documents to prove this are exempted from this vaccine,” the statement said.

Regarding seasonal influenza vaccine, it said that the vaccine provides seasonal immunity and should be repeated annually. “These vaccines are essential to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as requested by the healthcare authorities there,” it

These vaccines are essential to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as requested by the healthcare authorities there.

added. The requirements while visiting health institutions include an identity card or passport for Omanis, a resident card for non-Omanis that should be completed as part of the procedures laid down by the Ministry of Awqaf and Religious Affairs.

“All pilgrims (going on pilgrimage) this year must adhere to and comply with the above mentioned instructions in order to prevent the spread of these preventable diseases and to protect public health,” it added.

A R A B I A N T R AV E L M A R K E T

Students fly high with Oman Air Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Air flew a delegation of Omani students to the recently held Arabian Travel Market (ATM) at Dubai’s World Trade Centre, the airline said.

In an official communiqué, Oman Air said the students of Oman Tourism College and the German University of Technology in Muscat were able to make the most of the event’s many seminars and conferences.

“In addition to listening to thought-provoking debates and research, market data, trends and case studies presented by leading industry figures, the students were able to broaden their knowledge about the many global and

regional suppliers who exhibited at the ATM,” the statement said.

Social responsibility Quoting Khalid Abdulwahab Al Balushi, senior manager for government affairs and head of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme at Oman Air, it said, “Oman Air recognises that education is one of the fundamental building blocks of our nation’s future prosperity.

“Education is therefore a priority area within Oman Air’s comprehensive CSR programme.

This latest initiative has provided opportunities for students who would otherwise not have been able to participate in the Arabian Travel Market.”

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

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MARCH

General inflation in Oman lowest among GCC countries MUSCAT: At 0.01 per cent, Oman registered the lowest rate of general inflation among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the month of March , according to the general inflation index for the regional group.

For the group as a whole, the general inflation figure registered a rise of 1.8 per cent in the month of March 2016 against the same period last year.

The general inflation index takes into account the prices of food and beverages, transport, restaurants and hotels, and tobacco products but excludes housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels.

Saudi Arabia saw the highest inflation rate with 4.3 per cent, followed by Bahrain and Qatar at 3.3 per cent each. Kuwait came next with 3.1 per cent followed by UAE with 1.4 per cent and the Sultanate 0.1 per cent for the same period.

Tobacco registered the highest inflation rate of 13.9 per cent while transport registered an increase of 2.4 per cent, food and beverages rose 1.3 per cent while restaurants and hotel group fell by 0.6 per cent.

The inflation rate in food and beverages group has seen an increase in March 2016 against the same month last year in most GCC countries. The group saw a rise of 4.1 per cent in Kuwait followed by Bahrain with 3.9 per cent, UAE with 2.7 per cent and Saudi Arabia with 0.6 per cent against a fall in Qatar by 5.4 per cent, UAE by 3.7 per cent and Oman by 0.4 per cent.

The transport group saw an increase for the same period in Bahrain by 13.1 per cent, followed by Saudi Arabia with 12.4 per cent, Qatar with 1.5 per cent, Oman with 1. 9 per cent and Kuwait by 1.4 per cent. -ONA

DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE ARRIVE ALIVE

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TIMES O F O MAN

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

SUCCESS

OMAN Parents advised to remain friendly, not push too hard

Indian School Sur students excel at examinations

The school results are not the last thing.

There are a lot of opportunities which are coming up, said a post result CBSE Counsellor, Dr Sridevi P. Thashnath ADVICE: The Central Board of Secondary Education, in a statement, said the counselling sessions will begin from May 21 and will last till June 4, 2016.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Parents should be friendly, supportive, and must not push their children too hard, a post result CBSE Counsellor said on Sunday.

Her comments came after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) was announced in the capital area on Saturday.

“The school results are not the last thing. There are a lot of op-

portunities which are coming up,” said Dr Sridevi P. Thashnath, Principal of Indian School Darsait, who was reappointed for the third consecutive year as the Post Result CBSE Counsellor to provide counselling services to students and their parents to overcome common psychological problems and field general queries after the declaration of Class

X Class XII results. She also said the children should be respected and given some space.

“The last thing the parents should ever show is their anxiety regarding their children,” she said.

The Central Board of Secondary Education, in a statement, said the counselling sessions will begin from May 21 and will last till June 4, 2016.

“These will be conducted from 12 noon to 4 pm. It is a voluntary, free of cost service that students of Indian schools across the Sultanate of Oman can avail off,” the statement said.

The Central Board of Secondary Education Counselling is an outreach programme which is carefully designed keeping the heterogeneity of students’ popula-

tion and its geographical spread.

The CBSE’s tele-counselling service is largely offered by trained counsellors and principals from within the CBSE affiliated schools located in India and outside India.

A total of 63 experts, including principals, trained counsellors from the CBSE-affiliated government and private schools and a few psychologists will be available for tele-counselling.

Out of these, 51 are from India and 12 from outside India, including Nepal, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Dammam), Oman, the UAE (Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah) and Kuwait.

This is the 19th consecutive year that the CBSE is providing counselling services to students and parents.

During this phase, counselling facility for differently-abled children has also been arranged to take care of the needs and anxieties of special children with regard to the exam result.

The students and parents who require assistance may reach the principal at 99432243 or isdoman@gmail.com from 12 noon to 4 pm.

M ATT E R O F JOY

Results give Muladha school students reason to smile Times News Service

Times News Service MUSCAT: Indian School Sur recorded a hundred per cent pass ratio in the Class XII CBSE Examinations 2016.

Nidha Nourin stood first with a total of 472 marks out of 500, followed by Aromal Ashok with 439 and Nufaila Sherin in the third place with 421. Out of the 16 students who appeared, 14 scored 60 per cent or above.

Congratulations The school management committee’s president, Shajahahan, and Principal Narayanikutty congratulated the students and appreciated the effort put in by the teachers.

MUSCAT: Indian School Muladha students are happy with their Class XII results .

Ashisha Ann Saji topped in the Commerce stream, followed

by Aloshys Alby and Gokul Pramod K P. Out of the 47 students who took the exam, 16 got distinction, 28 first class and three high second class.

In Science stream, Umair Asif Siddiqui and Neelima Vinod came first, followed by Baby Akter while Afreen Sofi and Binte Marium shared the third position with a score of 92.2 per cent. Out of the 33 students who appeared, 30 secured distinctions and three got high first class with 71 per cent being the least marks scored, which speaks high about the reputation of the school.

S TAT I S T I C S

83% parents happy with private schools, shows NCSI survey MUSCAT: In a survey on the quality of education in private schools in the Sultanate the satisfaction index of parents was 83 per cent, according to the National Centre for Statistics & Information (NCSI).

The satisfaction index showed a score of 83 per cent in terms of assessment mechanisms and engagement with parents while the financial costs of education scored 75 per cent.

The curriculum at private schools logged a satisfaction rate of 94 per cent, followed by safety of children at 93 per cent. Focus on moral and religious values and traditions, as well as support for children with special needs received a score of 91 per cent.

Among the lowest scores are the school buses and transport service, and the food offered at the school café, with both scoring just 79 per cent. The satisfaction rate with regard to sports and games courts stood at 80 per cent.

The progress report of students indicated a score of 88 per cent in terms of ease of comprehension, accurate assessment of students’ academic capabilities, and keenness of authorities to communicate the status to parents.

Organising seminars, events and other activities related to the curriculum and the extent to which parents are involved in such functions scored a satisfaction index of 71 per cent while school authorities’ initiative in encouraging parents to join school boards and accepting parents’ views and suggestions scored 80 per cent.

The level of satisfaction with respect to the costs of field trips

and various activities stood at 85 per cent while cost of school uniforms got a score of 84 per cent.

Tuition fee showed a score of 59 per cent while transportation charges scored 61 per cent.

The results of the poll showed that 3 out of every 5 parents preferred private schools to government schools because of better quality of education and curriculum. Quality of language training came second at 22 per cent while proximity of residence to school was the reason for 18 per cent of parents to choose private schools.

Three out of every five Omani students in private schools use school bus to go to school while 38% use private transportation (family/neighbour’s vehicles). A small percentage (2 per cent) go by foot or use a bicycle. Taxi service is used by 1 per cent.

The average distance between the student’s house and school is about 7.2 km, and 10 per cent of schools are located less than a kilometre away from their homes.

The average annual cost of education per student in special education schools is OMR20,00 for secondary stage (post-primary) and OMR1,200 for in kindergarten and basic education, but the costs vary significantly depending on the school and nature of education.

As many as 29 per cent of the parents surveyed stressed on improving teachers’ competence, followed by a quarter of parents emphasising the importance of upgrading curriculum, so as to meet global standards and job market requirements. — ONA

T I M E S OF OMAN

G L I T T E R I N G R E S U LT S

Indian School Sohar scripts yet another success story Times News Service MUSCAT: Indian School Sohar witnessed yet another ecstatic day of academic accomplishment as its students scored 100 per cent result. The school’s pledge to stand out unrivalled in academics echoed in this year’s glittering results.

In the Science Stream, Swapnil Gupta, scoring an aggregate of 95.8 per cent, secured the first position in the school. The second position was secured by Ance Mariya Benny with 95.6 per cent and the third was bagged by Rollin Fernandes who scored 95.2 per cent marks.

In the Commerce Stream, Jowan M. Jomon scored 86 per cent to bag the top position, while Anju Babu came second with 85 per cent and Abel Jose secured the third place with 84 per cent.

Principal Sanchita Verma observed that the reverberating feat was largely owing to the deep commitment of the students.

PERFECT SCORE

Pupils of Indian School Salalah break previous marks records Times News Service MUSCAT: At Indian School Salalah two students - Rubin Jacob and Yusuf Ali - earned a perfect 100 in chemistry.

Further, both students broke the school’s previous records by scoring 97.8 per cent and 96.8 per cent, respectively, in class 12 CBSE board exams.

In the science stream, Rubin Jacob topped the school, followed by Yusuf Ali and Zaki Abdul Cassim.

Out of 56 students who appeared in the exam, 46 received distinction above 75 per cent while 10 secured marks between 60 per cent and 74 per cent.

In commerce, Shubha topped, followed by Mohammed Amir Hussainand Mubasher Tariq.

Out of 69 students, 33 students received distinctions and 27 students earned scores between 60 and 74 in the commerce stream.

The highlights of the results included 18 students securing more than 90 per cent in aggregate.

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016 In such intense conditions, climbers would wear specialist footwear, but we were not expecting it to be as intense, we tried the climb without such footwear and that made it harder for us to move Mohammed Al Touqi, instructors from OBO

OMAN EXPLORE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

H U M A N I TA R I A N S U M M I T

Fahd, Parrikar review bilateral relations, progress in all fields MUSCAT: His Highness Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers yesterday received Manohar Parrikar, Minister of Defence of India and his accompanying delegation.

The Indian minister conveyed the greetings of the country’s leadership along with the best wishes of continuous success to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said and his government, and the Omani people further progress and prosperity.

The leaders reviewed cooperation between the countries and their remarkable progress at all levels, in addition to reviewing the opportunities of investment in the two countries.

Expressing delight over his visit, Parrikar affirmed that India highly esteems the Sultanate and its wise leadership for the achievements made, as well as its constructive role in cementing relations

CEMENTING TIES: The Indian minister conveyed the greetings of

the country’s leadership along with the best wishes of continuous success to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. – ONA

of friendship and understanding among nations around the world.

The Indian minister also commended the talks conducted with the officials in the Sultanate. He also expressed satisfaction over the outcomes of meetings on Om-

ani-Indian relations.

The meeting was attended by Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs and Indra Mani Pandey, Indian ambassador to the Sultanate. -ONA

Alawi to take part in Turkey Summit MUSCAT: Delegated by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs and his accompanying delegation left on Sunday for Istanbul to lead the Sultanate’s delegation taking part in the World Humanitarian Summit 2016 due to be hosted by Turkey during May 23 and May 24.

The summit is held under the aegis of the United Nations (UN).

More than 70 heads of states, including many NGOs and civil society organisations will take part in the summit.The summit aims at developing a new strategy for humanitarian work in light of increasing disasters and crises being witnessed by the world.

The Sultanate will take part in the summit by a delegation comprising representatives of Ministry of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Social Development, NHRC and Foreign Ministry. -ONA

Oman team braves bad weather in Iran peak bid

BOOST TO TIES

Oman, India renew military cooperation MUSCAT: Oman and India signed the renewal of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) related to military cooperation between the defence ministries of two countries yesterday.

An official talks was held at Mu’askar Bait Al Falaj between Sayyid Badr bin Saud bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs and Manohar Parrikar, Minister of Defence of India, who is currently visiting the Sultanate.

The talks session covered the existing military cooperation and exchanged views on a number of issues of common interest, as well as other issues to develop bilateral cooperation.

Air Vice-Marshall Matar bin Ali Al Ubaidani, Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman and his Indian counterpart signed a protocol on air safety.

Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Khamis Al Raisi, Commander of

The signing ceremony.

the Royal Navy of Oman signed an MoU with his Indian counterpart on marine security. Maj.Gen Hamad bin Sulaiman Al Hatmi, Assistant Inspector General of Police and Customs for Operations and the Indian accredited Ambassador to the Sultanate signed an MoU on the prevention of navigation crime in the sea. -ONA

SEEB

Fish unfit for human consumption seized Staff Reporter MUSCAT: A large quantity of fish unfit for consumption was seized by officials from Seeb Central Market, the Muscat Municipality tweeted on its official twitter handle.

“380 kg of fish unfit for human consumption were seized by authorities last week,” the tweet read.

On March 30, as part of its efforts to ensure proper food safety standards, Muscat Municipality had seized more than 200kg of fish unfit for consumption.

In another incident, the civic authority had seized 230kg of fish from Seeb Central Market.

According to recent govern-

After reaching 5,000 metres, the group had to return due to bad weather which brought strong winds and intense cold that kept them from reaching Mount Damavand summit BRAVE FEAT: Mount Damavand is the highest volcano in Asia and the tallest peak in the Middle East and West Asia. – Supplied photo

DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A group of Omanbased climbers recently attempted to climb the 5,671 metres high Mount Damavand in Iran, but returned after they were only 671 metres away from the summit due to extreme weather conditions and safety reasons.

Seven climbers from the Outward Bound Oman (OBO), including six Omanis and one Moroccan, took up the challenge and recently attempted to climb Mount Damavand, the highest volcano in Asia and the tallest peak in the Middle East and West Asia.

After reaching 5,000 metres, however, the group had to turn back due to bad weather which brought strong winds and intense cold that kept them from reaching the summit.

To acclimatise themselves with

the Iranian terrain, the group had successfully climbed Mount Tochal, whose summit rises to 3,993 metres. They accomplished this with their own equipment and then set out to greater heights to Mount Damavand using mules to carry their bags.

Once the members reached 4,250 metres at Mount Damavand, they split and tried getting to the summit taking different routes, but had to return at 5,000 metres.

The group left Muscat for Iran on May 13 and returned on May 20. Two instructors from Outward Bound Oman -- Mohammed Al Touqi and Sokayna El Hadad -were part of the team of seven.

Like other parts of the world, Iran has had a long harsh winter and by mid-May, much of the snow is usually gone, but this year Damavand was covered in more snow than usual.

“In such intense conditions, climbers would wear specialist footwear, but because we were not expecting it to be as intense, we tried the climb without such footwear and that made it harder for us to move,” said Mohammed Al Touqi, one of the two instructors from OBO. “The OBO was the only group to attempt to climb the summit that day. Others kept away due to

the weather. For safety reasons, it wasn’t possible to continue past 5,000 metres,” Sokayna El Hadad, the other instructor from OBO, said. The team greatly enjoyed their trip to Iran, and described the scenery and Tehran as stunning.

Everybody achieved personal successes, many challenging themselves more than ever before. They can all be proud that they conquered Mount Tochal and were very close to the summit of Mount Damavand under extreme weather conditions.

“An ascent of Damavand embodies all that Outward Bound stands for. It is a non-technical mountain, but a climb requires participants to draw upon their inner resolve, initiative, physical fitness and determination to succeed,” said Mark Evans, General Manager of OBO.

E L E C T R I C I T Y A N D WAT E R S E C T O R

Call for training scheme to boost Omanisation MUSCAT: Programmes for training and employment of nationals in the electricity and water sector were recommended at a meeting held to discuss the ministerial decision to increase Omanisation in the sector.

The Omanisation Joint Committee of the electricity and water sector held the discussion at

the Ministry of Manpower after field visits by members of its working team to relevant authorities to get the initial information.

The project is expected to help increase the demand for the employment of national manpower and raise the efficiency of contractors working in the electricity and water sector. -ONA BARKA

A1 Murders < FROM

“The probe shows that the fight was due to a money issue,” said Al Ajmi. He added the deceased was bound by electric cables and placed in the boot of the accused’s car. Two others involved in the crime who helped the accused bury the body at Hai Asim Beach in Barka were also arrested.

The five accused admitted to their crimes and were referred to the Public Prosecution for further legal action.

ment statistics, until the end of January this year, 24,291 tonnes of fish were caught in Oman.

“The total sale value of the fish was OMR24 million approximately,” the statistics revealed. In 2015, January it was OMR17 million approximately.

OMR150,000 BAR

Minimum capital need abolition to give SMEs a fillip BABA UMAR

babaumar@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Abolishing the requirement of OMR150,000 as minimum capital investment to start a business will help launch “hundreds” of new enterprises, according to experts.

Oman’s decision to abandon the minimum capital requirement for investment in Oman is being hailed, with experts saying the decision will help expand small businesses, overhaul the economy and spur investments following the drop in oil prices.

“The decision will contribute to the healthy growth of SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) because it will reduce the number of steps they must go through before starting a business in Oman. It’s a significant step,” Khalid bin Al Safi Al Haribi, Deputy CEO for Operations, Riyada (Public Authority for SMEs Development) told the Times of Oman (TOO).

“It’s difficult to quantify but according to our estimates, it could influence hundreds of SMEs in a year,” he said.

Earlier on Saturday, the ministry of commerce announced the decision to scrap the capital requirement threshold (currently OMR150,000) in a bid to attract more local and foreign investment in the Sultanate.

“It will increase the number of non-Omanis willing to invest in Oman. In the past, it was necessary to physically bring papers and evidence to prove the liquidity of your business. That rule has gone now,” he said.

Foreign investors will, however, continue to have a local partner with at least a 35 percent stake.

“It (the rule) is still there,” Al Haribi said.

“It’s a good decision,” said Anvwar Al Balushi, chairman of the Anvwar Asian Investment Group.

“This will encourage foreigners as well locals…This is just a

beginning. Also, any ministry connected with the commerce ministry should also be flexible as it will ensure a healthy environment for investment in Oman,” he said.

Others lauding the decision said Oman needs to move from resource economy to manufacturing and servicing industry.

“The decision will encourage entrepreneurs who do not have much capital but have lots of ideas,” said an investment expert, who wished to remain anonymous.

“But Oman needs to move from being a resource-based economy to manufacturing and other services industries. This move should help in changing the economic structure. It has taken many years but it’s a move in (the) right direction,” he said.

He said Oman, in the future, also needs to do away with the ‘local partner’ clause.

“Sponsorship is a double edged sword. Doing away with it in the long term will benefit. In the UAE, there are certain areas where you don’t need a local partner to invest,” he said, hastened to add, “It, however, also depends on the market.”

Members of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the decision will help those who are serious about doing business in Oman but faced problems previously.

“The idea is to give much more confidence to the private sector,” Ahmed Al Hooti of the OCCI told the Times of Oman.

He said having a local sponsor makes things easier for an expat investor.

“Logically, the local partner makes things easier. In many cases, we’ve found that people (expats) who start a business and have knowledge about the country still face a lot of problems. We encourage them to have a local partner for logistic, marketing and management reasons,” Al Hooti added.

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

OMAN PDO celebrates graduation event PDO celebrated the graduation of its 100th sponsored PhD scholar

MUSCAT: Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) celebrated the graduation of its 100th sponsored PhD scholar at an official ceremony at the Ministry of Oil and Gas yesterday under the auspices of Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Oufi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil and Gas. PDO External Affairs and Value Creation Director AbdulAmir Abdul Hussein Al Ajmi hailed the ‘30 years of excellence in the higher education field for CRIME

3 arrested over theft of goats MUSCAT: Three citizens were arrested on charges of stealing 122 goats in Batinah North. The police had received 22 complaints from public.

71 infiltrators arrested The Royal Oman Police (ROP), in collaboration with other military and security departments, last week arrested 71 infiltrators of different nationalities several wilayats for entering the Sultanate illegally, ONA reported.

45 deported The ROP also deported 45 infiltrators after taking the necessary legal actions against them according to the international relevant conventions.

Oman’. He added: “We congratulate all the successful scholars on these outstanding academic achievements”.

“PDO’s corporate vision is to be renowned and respected for the excellence of our people and the value we create for Oman and all our shareholders. And all those who have graduated are living embodiments of that vision, he said. Waleed bin Khamis Al

Busaidi entered the Company’s history books after successfully completing his Doctor of Philosophy postgraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at Cranfield University in the United Kingdom (UK).

The university also awarded him the Lefebvre Prize for the “best outstanding thesis” at its School of Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing. -ONA

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REGION

Egypt said on Saturday the navy had found human remains, wreckage and the personal belongings of passengers floating in the Mediterranean about 290 km (180 miles) north of Alexandria. But no bodies have yet to emerge or be identified.

DNA tests are under way on the few remains that have so far been recovered.

Cairo deploys robot submarine in search for debris of EgyptAir jet All scenarios

Victims’ families struggle to accept loss, hoping against hope for return of loved ones

possible, said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi in his first public remarks on the crash

CAIRO: Egypt has sent a robot submarine to join the hunt for an EgyptAir plane which crashed in some of the deepest waters of the Mediterranean Sea with 66 people on board, President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi said on Sunday.

Ships and planes scouring the sea north of Alexandria have found body parts, personal belongings and debris from the Airbus 320, but are still trying to locate the black box recorders that could shed light on the cause of Thursday’s crash.

Sisi said that underwater equipment from Egypt’s offshore oil industry was being brought in to help the search. “They have a submarine that can reach 3,000 metres under water,” he said in a televised speech. “It moved today in the direction of the plane crash site because we are working hard to salvage the black boxes.”

30 days An oil ministry source said Sisi was referring to a robot submarine used mostly to maintain offshore oil rigs. It was not clear whether the vessel would be able to help locate the black boxes, or would be used in later stages of the operation. Air crash investigation experts say the search teams have around 30 days to listen for pings sent out once every second from beacons attached to the two black boxes. At this stage of the search they would typically use acoustic hydrophones, bringing in more advanced robots later to scan the seabed and retrieve any objects once they have been found.

EgyptAir flight 804 from Paris to Cairo vanished off radar screens early on Thursday as it entered Egyptian airspace over the Medi-

CAIRO: Amal sits in the lobby of a hotel staring out at Cairo airport. Face tight with exhaustion, eyes puffy.

She is hoping her daughter Samar Ezzedine, a stewardess aboard an EgyptAir flight that crashed into the Mediterranean on Thursday, will walk through the arrivals door.

“She doesn’t want to go home or move from the door,” Samar’s aunt, Mona, said. “She doesn’t want to believe it... I told her to switch off her phone, but she said, what if Samar calls?” The 27-year-old newlywed is among the 66 people thought to have been killed when in the crash.

Egypt said on Saturday the navy had found human remains, wreckage and the personal belongings of passengers floating in the Mediterranean about 290 km (180 miles) north of Alexandria. But no bodies have yet to emerge or be identified.

DNA tests are under way on the few remains that have so far been recovered.

EgyptAir has put up the families of dead passengers and crew members in two hotels near Cairo’s airport but many have gone home to receive condolences for the loss of their loved ones. Dozens of people dressed in black flocked to a mosque in western Cairo on Saturday night to express condolences to the family of Ismail Chabana and his mother, Youmna Hamdy.

Chatter filled the hall about

terranean. The 10 crew and 56 passengers included 30 Egyptian and 15 French nationals. French investigators say that the plane sent a series of warnings indicating that smoke had been detected on board shortly before it disappeared.

The signals did not indicate what caused the smoke or fire, and aviation experts have not ruled out either deliberate sabotage or a technical fault, but they offered early clues as to what unfolded in the

PAIN AND GRIEF: Relatives of the victims of the crashed EgyptAir flight MS804 react during an absentee funeral mass at the main Cathedral in Cairo, Egypt, on Sunday. – Reuters

the causes of the crash. Tears rolled down mourners faces. “I really hope the plane exploded, it doesn’t matter if they are in shreds, as long as they did not suffer for a long time,” one woman said.

Chabna, an engineer in his late 20s, was in France for a wedding, Nesma Khatib, his friend and neighbour, said. He had recently gotten engaged. “I never thought this could happen to someone I know,” Khatib said. “I was just talking to him; I can’t believe he’s gone.”

French families have arrived in Cairo, but Egyptian officials are keeping them away from the media glare.

moments before the crash. “Until now all scenarios are possible,” Sisi said in his first public remarks on the crash. “So please, it is very important that we do not talk and say there is a specific scenario.”

The crash was the third blow since October to hit Egypt’s travel industry, still reeling from political unrest following the 2011 protests that ousted Hosni Mubarak.

A suspected IS bombing brought down a Russian airliner after it

Marwa Hamdy, a mother of three, who was on a business trip in France, was another of those who on board the doomed flight. “My heart sank,” her cousin Sherine Abdel Hamid told Reuters by phone, describing the first moment she learnt the plane had crashed.

Hamdy was 42, her youngest son only nine years old. He finally understood on Friday that his mother would not come home. “He has been very quiet since,” her cousin said.

But back in the hotel lobby, Amal, is refusing to accept condolences. “She is missing, who hosts a funeral for a missing person?” she murmurs. — Reuters

took off from Sharm Al Sheikh airport in late October, killing all 224 people on board, and an EgyptAir plane was hijacked in March by a man wearing a fake suicide belt.

EgyptAir has told relatives of the victims that recovering and identifying bodies from the sea could take weeks, adding to the pain and uncertainty of grieving families.

An EgyptAir union appealed to Sisi to allow death certificates to be issued for the victims, to

avoid the usual five-year delay in the case of missing people which leaves relatives in a legal limbo, including over pensions.

In his speech on Sunday, Sisi said the investigation would not be over quickly, but promised it would be transparent. “This could take a long time but no one can hide these things. As soon as the results are out, people will be informed,” he told ministers and parliamentarians in the port city of Damietta.

EgyptAir Chairman Safwat Moslem said the radius of the search zone was 40 nautical miles, but could be expanded. The radius is equivalent to an area of 5,000 square nautical miles (17,000 square km).

A European satellite spotted a 2 km-long oil slick in the Mediterranean, about 40 km (20 nautical miles) southeast of the aircraft’s last known position, the European Space Agency said. — Reuters

AUSTERITY TIGHTENS

Abu Dhabi’s state-linked firms lay off employees ABU DHABI: Thousands of layoffs at state-linked companies in Abu Dhabi are a fresh sign the Gulf’s countries are hunkering down for a long period of austerity as low crude prices pressure their economies.

Since mid-2015, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Qatar and other countries in the region have curbed spending on some construction projects and reduced energy subsidies to limit budget deficits caused by cheap oil.

Now some governments are also starting to reduce staff at the companies they control, many of them in the energy industry, in order to ensure the firms are not a drain on state finances if oil prices stay low for several years.

Abu Dhabi’s National Oil Co (ADNOC), with around 55,000 staff, has cut hundreds of jobs in the last few months and will have reduced its workforce by at least 5,000 by the end of 2016, sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. The reduction will occur across most of its 17 subsidiaries as part of a restructuring following a reshuffle of the firm’s leadership this month, they said.

An ADNOC spokesman did not confirm or deny the cuts but said: “In keeping with the entire oil and gas industry, ADNOC is constantly looking at ways to be more efficient and more profitable, particularly in the current market environment.”

Most difficult year The UAE’s oil and gas recruitment market is set for its most difficult year in over a decade in 2016, a report from recruiters Morgan McKinley said. “The oil and gas industry is still feeling the

Last year, Abu Dhabi acted ahead of other Gulf countries in cutting domestic fuel and electricity subsidies. Now it is applying the same approach to statelinked firms

pain, as was to be expected. Overall redundancies have been on the increase,” said Trefor Murphy, managing director for the region.

Most layoffs at Abu Dhabi state firms are not in response to production cut-backs; the UAE has not reduced its oil output, and says it is proceeding with long-planned oil and gas development projects.

Nor do the layoffs mean Abu Dhabi is running out of money.

With hundreds of billions of dollars in its sovereign wealth fund, the emirate could draw down its reserves to sustain current levels of spending for decades. But the government wants to minimise the speed of the draw-down as it looks ahead to the possibility of many years of low oil prices.

Last year, Abu Dhabi acted ahead of other Gulf countries in cutting domestic fuel and electricity subsidies. Now it is applying the same approach to state-

linked firms. Most cuts at state firms in Abu Dhabi and elsewhere involve foreign staff rather than locals, because governments want to limit unemployment among their citizens.

Nevertheless, the job losses are contributing to an economic slowdown in the region. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted Abu Dhabi’s gross domestic product growth will fall to 1.7 per cent this year from 4.4 per cent in 2015.

Companies cutting staff in Abu Dhabi include Abu Dhabi National Energy Co, which has reduced its workforce by a quarter since 2014. It has cut around a third of oil and gas jobs and 55 per cent of staff at its headquarters, it said this month after reporting a firstquarter loss.

Earlier this year, Abu Dhabibased Etihad Rail, the federal government-owned entity building a UAE rail network, said it cut 30 per cent of its staff in a restructuring. Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority laid off scores of people, mostly expatriates, sources said. Spokespeople for the authority did not return calls seeking comment.

National Petroleum Construction Co, owned by Abu Dhabi’s state-owned industrial conglomerate Senaat and one of the largest oilfield contractors in Abu Dhabi, is reviewing its manpower levels, chief executive Aqeel Madhi told Reuters.

Construction firm Arabtec, in which Abu Dhabi state fund Aabar Investments is the biggest shareholder, may include job cuts in its cost reduction programme, chairman Mohamed Al Rumaithi said last month, adding: “There’s some fat to be taken out.” — Reuters

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M I L I TA N C Y

6 Assam Rifles personnel killed in Manipur ambush IMPHAL: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and five jawans of Assam Rifles were on Sunday killed in an ambush by militants in Chandel district of Manipur near the Indo-Myanmar border.

An Assam Rifles convoy was attacked by heavily armed militants around 1pm in Joupi Hengshi area of Chandel when the security personnel were returning after inspecting a landslide site in the interior tribal district, defence and police sources said.

The slain personnel belonged to 29 Assam Rifles. It is suspected that two or more militant groups jointly carried out the attack.

More troops were rushed to the area and a massive search operation is underway, they said.

The incident occurred near Joupi village within the limits of Molcham Police Station, a police officer said.

Last year, 18 army personnel were killed in the same district in an ambush by NSCN(K) militants.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday directed security forces to take “strongest possible action” against militants involved in killing six Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur. - PTI U T TA R A K H A N D

Harish Rawat

Rawat asked to appear before CBI on sting probe NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Sunday asked Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat to appear before the agency on May 24 in connection with a probe into the sting operation involving him. Rawat has been asked to appear on Tuesday, official sources said.

The CBI had last week rejected the Uttarakhand government’s notification withdrawing the case related to the sting operation. The agency had said the notification was rejected after taking legal opinion, which said there was no ground for its withdrawal and it was “not legally tenable”.

The CBI will continue its preliminary inquiry into the episode that allegedly involved horse trading attempts to save the Rawat government.

CBI had registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) on April 29 to probe the “sting operation” purportedly showing Rawat offering bribes to rebel Congress lawmakers to support him during a floor test in the Uttarakhand Assembly. - PTI N E PA L

Five Indian Everest climbers missing KATHMANDU: Five Indian climbers attempting to scale the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest in Nepal, have gone missing, Nepal Police said on Sunday.

They were reported missing since Saturday morning while attempting to climb the towering 8,848-metre-peak, said Solukhumbu District Superintendent of Police Madhav Prasad Budathoki. The Indian climbers went missing when they were at a height of 8,000 metres. The police officer said search and rescue efforts were beaten back by bad weather. - IANS

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INDIA

Modi arrives in Iran to boost economic and cultural ties Besides signing a deal on development of Phase-1 of the Chabahar port, India is looking at doubling oil imports from the Gulf nation

TETE-A TETE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Ali Tayebnia, Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance after his arrival at Mehrabad airport in Iran on Sunday. - PTI

TEHRAN: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday arrived in Iran on a two-day visit, which will see India and the Gulf nation working on enhancing economic partnership that includes a possible deal on developing the strategic Chabahar port.

“Reached Iran, a land with whom India shares civilisational ties. Hope to enhance economic partnership between our nations.

I also hope my Iran visit further cements cultural and people-topeople ties between India and

Iran,” Modi tweeted. The first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Islamic nation in the last 15 years, Modi was received at the Mehrabad International Airport here

by Iran’s Finance and Economic Affairs Minister Ali Tayyebnia, after which he left for a local Gurudwara to meet people of Indian origin here.

Formal talks with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani are scheduled for Monday morning after a ceremonial welcome for the prime minister.

Rouhani will also host a lunch

for him. Modi will also call on Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as well before his return. Ahead of his arrival, Modi in a series of tweets said, “Enhancing connectivity, trade, investments, energy partnership, culture and people to people contacts would be our priority.”

“My meetings with President Rouhani and Hon’ble Supreme Leader of Iran will provide an opportunity to advance our strategic partnership,” the prime minister added. Besides signing a deal on development of Phase-1 of the

Chabahar port, India is looking at doubling oil imports from the Gulf nation, which a few years back was its second-biggest oil supplier, as well as making progress on getting rights to develop a giant gas field in the energy-rich country. India’s Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari will also be present there for the signing of the agreement on Chabahar port.

Post-sanctions Iran has seen a flurry of diplomatic and business activities with leaders from China to Korea courting Tehran.

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

Stating that he looked forward to the conclusion of the Chahbahar agreement during his visit, the prime minister said “India and Iran enjoy civilisational ties and have shared interest in the peace, security, stability and prosperity of the region.

Modi began his crucial two-day visit to the energy-rich nation by offering his obeisance at the Iran capital city’s only functioning Gurdwara. He will also inaugurate an International Conference on ‘retrospect and prospect’ of India

and Iran relations. “I am looking forward to my visit to Iran today & tomorrow, at the invitation of President Rouhani,” he added. In an interview to Iran’s IRNA news agency before his arrival here, Modi said the two countries have “always focused to add strength to our relations, even during the difficult times.

In the current context, both countries can look to expand our cooperation in the fields of trade, technology, investment and infrastructure and energy security.”

Stating that India’s public and private sector firms were keen on investing in Iran, he said the signing of agreement on development of Chabahar port will provide wider connectivity. Chabahar is a port in South-East Iran that will enable India to bypass Pakistan and open up a route to land-locked Afghanistan with which New Delhi has close security ties and economic interests.

“Lifting of the international sanctions against Iran has opened up immense opportunities for both the countries, especially in the economic sphere,” Modi said, adding India is keen to enhance its investment in the Gulf nation and also welcomes flow of capital and investments from there. - PTI

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016 I look forward to giving every bit of myself to the responsibility. I am there for the benefit of the country. I am here to give my best every day, each day. I am grateful for the government’s decision. They trusted me Kiran Bedi, BJP leader

INDIA S W E A R I N G I N O N T U E S D AY

Sonowal meets Governor, stakes claim to form government in Assam GUWAHATI: BJP’s chief ministerial candidate Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday met Assam Governor P.B. Acharya here and staked claim to forming the next government by his party and its allies in the state.

The new government will be sworn in on Tuesday at the Veterinary College Ground at Khanapara. Sonowal was accompanied by senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Ram Madhav, union minister Thawar Chand Gehlot, Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) president Atul Bora and Bodoland Peoples’ Front (BPF) chief Hagrama Mohilary, among others.

Sonowal handed over to the Governor a list of 60 BJP legislators who unanimously supported him as their leader in the house.

Similarly, the AGP and BPF leaders handed over letters of support to the BJP to form the government. The combined strength of the BJP, AGP and BPF is 86 in the 126-member house.

Acharya later told the media that he had received the letters from the three parties regarding the formation of the new state government.

Earlier, newly-elected 60 BJP legislators held their first formal meeting at a city hotel and unanimously elected Sonowal as their leader. BJP leader and Jalukbari MLA Himanta Biswa Sarma, who quit the Congress in 2015 to join the party, proposed Sonowal’s for the post. Other legislators unanimously supported him.

“The Assam people have not

only given a historic mandate to the BJP but also given lots of responsibility. Everyone has to work together leaving aside petty and personal interests so that the people’s expectations can be fulfilled,” Sonowal said in his address to the legislators after the meeting.

Sonowal said the BJP will take Assam to new heights of development in cooperation with its alliance partners.

He said he did not have any problem in working with senior AGP leader and former state chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta.

The new BJP-led government in Assam will give top priority to finding a permanent solution to the problem of infiltration of illegal migrants from Bangladesh into the north-eastern state, BJP lead-

er Sarbanand Sonowal has said.

“The sealing of borders with Bangladesh will get top priority,” Sonowal, said in an interview to ETV. He said the issue of “identity crisis” in Assam vis-a-vis bona fide citizens of India and infiltrators from Bangladesh was a matter of concern. However, infiltration had come down “after an agreement with Bangladesh”, said a communique from ETV citing Sonowal.

The focus of the new government will also be on maintaining law and order in the state and creation of employment opportunities for the youth. The former union minister said his government will strive to “transform Assam” and insisted that the opposition Congress too will be involved in the developmental process. - IANS

REQUEST LETTER: Assam Chief Minister candidate Sarbananda Sonowal along with alliance party BPF chief Hagrama Mhilari, left, AGP president Atul Bora, third right, BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma, second right, AGP vice president Keshab Mahantasecond left, giving a letter for requesting formal Government to Assam Govornor P. B. Achrya at Raj Bhawan in Guwahati on Sunday. - PTI

BJP delegation meets Pranab over rising violence in Kerala The delegation claimed that ‘enhanced presence’ of the BJP in the state, converting bipolar election to a visible tripolar, has given the Left parties a reason to scale the level of violence

NEW DELHI: Amping up its offensive against the Left Front in Kerala, a BJP delegation on Sunday met President Pranab Mukherjee over attacks on party workers allegedly by CPI(M) supporters and also questioned the silence of Congress, saying it is not good for democracy.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari told reporters after meeting the president that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) workers were facing “atrocities” from CPI(M), which led the alliance that won the Assembly polls in the state. He alleged that police was not taking appropriate action.

“We have given the president details of these cases, including

MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED: President Pranab Mukherjee meets a delegation of BJP leaders led by Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport Highways & Shipping at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Sunday. - PTI

photographs. Our worker Pramod was killed. Houses of more than 100 workers have been vandalised. Situation is not good. He has assured us that he will take appropriate action.

“Unfortunately, UPA, Congress are keeping quiet. This is not good for democracy. Democracy is a battle of ideas and parties cannot grow by taking law into their hands. We hope that those having faith in democracy will condemn this violence,” he said.

Asked about Communist Party of India(Marxist)’s charge that BJP was misleading, he said details of the incidents have been

submitted to Mukherjee. Besides Gadkari, the delegation included Union ministers J. P. Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman and Rajiv Pratap Rudy, MPs Meenakshi Lekhi and M. J.Akbar and Kerala BJP President Kummanam Rajasekharan.

Accused Attacking the Left Front, BJP chief Amit Shah had on Saturday accused it of “violating” the people’s mandate as his party said it will not sit quiet and fight on the streets if violence continues.

The delegation claimed that “enhanced presence” of the BJP in

the state, converting bipolar election to a visible tripolar, has given the Left parties a reason to scale the level of violence.

“There is the general apprehension that the state may witness a large scale organised crusade by the Left front government to decimate the growing strength of BJP through violent means,” the memorandum submitted by the delegation said.

The delegation said this incident in particular is one of the few cases of post election violence “unleashed by the incumbent LDF government”.

“There has been a history of

over 100 activists, ‘karyakartas’ of the BJP and the RSS, who have been brutally killed and many more injured and maimed for pursuing their nationalist ideological commitment where majority of such cases of attack and killing have proven to have been unleashed by the Left front workers,” it alleged.

“Just prior to the election a BJP worker E. K.Biju, who was in an auto rickshaw carrying school children (all below the age of 10 years), was waylaid and attacked

by CPM workers in Kannur district,” the memorandum said.

It claimed that several such cases in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kottayam and Chalakudy remain uninvestigated.

Hitting back, CPI(M) blamed BJP and RSS for the violence in Kerala, alleging that their workers had attacked the victory processions of Left leaders as the saffron outfits were not willing to accept the people’s verdict.

“The CPI(M) very strongly condemns the attacks and vandalism the BJP has organised. It is the BJP and RSS workers who started this bout of violence by attacking a victory procession,” party leader Sitaram Yechury alleged.

“This has happened across the state. The BJP is simply not willing to accept the democratic verdict of the people of Kerala,” he told reporters.

The Left party claimed that allegations against its workers were “false” and BJP leadership was adopting a “hypocritical and dishonest position” about what has happened in Kerala. - PTI

NEW RESPONSIBILITY

Kiran Bedi appointed new LG of Puducherry NEW DELHI: BJP leader and former IPS officer Kiran Bedi was on Sunday appointed as Lieutenant Governor of the south Indian state of Puducherry, a post which was under the additional charge of Lt Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Island for nearly two years.

A Rashtrapati Bhawan communique said “the President has been pleased to appoint Kiran Bedi, to be the Lt. Governor of Puducherry with effect from the date she assumes charges of her office.”

“I look forward to giving every bit of myself to the responsibility.

I am there for the benefit of the country. I am here to give my best every day, each day. I am grateful for the government’s decision.

They trusted me,” said 66-yearold Bedi, who is the country’s first woman IPS officer and who had led the BJP campaign for the 2015 Delhi Assembly polls without any success.

The appointment came three days after the Congress-DMK alliance won 17 seats in the 30-member state Assembly. - PTI

J U S T C O N C L U D E D A S S E M B LY P O L L S

Naidu for forging alliances, says poll win victory of development agenda NEW DELHI: As BJP reaped a rich electoral harvest in Assam after sewing up an alliance with regional parties, Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday indicated the party will go the whole hog firming up coalitions in states where it cannot win elections on its own in the future.

“Wherever there is a possibility, you must firm up alliances, you must identify issues and then strategise accordingly,” Naidu said when asked what were the major takeaways from the recent assembly elections in four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry.

At the same time, he dismissed the view that Congress lost the Assam polls as it did not forge an alliance, saying only forming coalitions do not yield positive results and that the performance of governments and leadership also count. He took a jibe at Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, who had said that Congress lost Assam as it opted to go it all alone.

Endorsement Claiming that the election results were an “endorsement of Narendra Modi’s development agenda”, the BJP leader said the message from the assembly polls in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam, besides Puducherry was that Congress is being marginalized while “BJP is becoming a pan India party”.

In an interview to PTI, Naidu dismissed the possibility of hardline elements within the party getting strengthened in wake of

ELATED: Union Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu described the victory of BJP in Assam and increase in its vote share in Kerala and West Bengal as public endorsement of the “development agenda” of the Modi government. - PTI

victory in Assam, where BJP had made infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims a major poll plank.

“There is suspicion in the mind of people that after the opponents have been cut to size, they (hardliners) would create further trouble. That’s my counter. Why is this apprehension?

“Who organized it. Congress party had propped up Muslim League. It has given it credibility.

It is continuing with the alliance with Muslim League in Kerala Assembly. Communists also had an alliance with Muslim League.

“What is the government’s line.

Unnecessary motives are being attributed and speculations are being created and wrong propaganda

is being carried out,” he said.

“What we have done in last two years that you talk of hardline...

Some people are trying to divert us. I tell them join our development task, we are busy. We have no time for other issues.

“We will pay undivided attention to development. Our priority are development and good governance,” he said.

Asked whether he agrees with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s contention that Congress lost elections in Assam only because it did not go for an alliance, Naidu reminded that the party lost in Kerala and West Bengal despite having alliances.

“It is (also) the question of per-

formance. Performance of Congress (governments) was bad both in Assam and Kerala. It was mired in corruption and could not deliver on promises. In Bengal, Congress and Communists came together but nothing happened.

“It’s not alliance alone, it’s your performance, your stand on issues, your approach, your leadership, your image all these things will count,” he said.

BJP has tasted victory for the first time in Assam which had returned a Congress government thrice in a row under Tarun Gogoi.

Congress-led alliance was also dethroned by the Left in Kerala, while Congress-CPI(M) alliance in West Bengal and CongressDMK alliance in Tamil Nadu had to eat humble pie.

Apart from winning Assam, BJP also bettered its performance in Kerala and West Bengal.

The Union Minister repeatedly described the victory of BJP in Assam and increase in its vote share in Kerala and West Bengal as public endorsement of the “development agenda” of the Modi government.

As the Modi government completes two years in office, the union minister insisted a “change” was visible in overall atmosphere and things are looking up.

Under attack from the Opposition, particularly the Congress, for allegedly doing “nothing” in two years, Naidu alluded to the corruption cases during UPA and insisted that the NDA government has checked the menace. - PTI

Only nine out of over 3,500 independents won polls NEW DELHI: The recent Assembly polls in four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry did not bring good news for over 3,500 independent candidates as only nine of them could win.

Of those successful, the maximum six won from Kerala and one each from West Bengal, Assam and Puducherry. None of the 1,566 independent candidates, the highest among the four states, could win from Tamil Nadu.

A total of 3,526 independent candidates contested the Assembly polls. Of these, 782 were in Kerala, 711 in Assam, 371 in West Bengal and 96 in Puducherry, according to an analysis of Election Commission’s data. Polls were held between April 4 and May 16 for a total of 822 constituencies in the four states — West Bengal (294), Tamil Nadu (232), Kerala (140), Assam (126) and of Puducherry (30).

As many as 8,873 candidates had contested the polls.

The highest number of 3,776 were in Tamil Nadu, 1,961 in West Bengal, 1,581 in Assam,

1,203 in Kerala and 344 in Puducherry. Of the total of 761 women candidates, as many as 320 were in the fray in Tamil Nadu, 200 in West Bengal, 111 in Assam, 109 in Kerala and 21 in Puducherry.

In West Bengal, independents secured 2.2 per cent of total vote share polling 1,184,047 votes, in Tamil Nadu 1.4 per cent (617,907 votes) and Kerala 5.3 per cent (1,066,995 votes).

In Assam, independent candidates had 11 per cent vote share (1,867, 532 votes) and in Puducherry 7.9 per cent (62,884 votes). There were 65,546,101 voters in West Bengal, 57,915,075 in Tamil Nadu and 25,608,720 in Kerala. The number of electors was 19,866,496 in Assam and 927,034 in Puducherry.

In the last Assembly polls in these states in 2011, seven independent candidates had won. Of them two each were in West Bengal, Assam and Kerala, and one in Puducherry. None of the independents had won in Tamil Nadu even then. - PTI

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

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PAKISTAN

‘Panama Papers leak probe should be first of Sharifs’ The demand was made in a unanimous resolution adopted at a lawyers’ convention organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association on Saturday

ISLAMABAD: Top representatives of the lawyers’ fraternity have demanded that the investigation into Panamagate scandal should be started from the Sharif family.

The demand was made in a unanimous resolution adopted at a lawyers’ convention organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Saturday. The resolution says the investigation should start from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children, three of which, according to the Panama Papers, own offshore companies in a tax haven. “[The proposed inquiry commission must] find out if he [the prime minister] has invested or owned any offshore properties or some crime or wrongdoing has been done inclusive of the trail of money/funds and reconciliation with the declarations before the

CONTROVERSY: The resolution says the investigation should start from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his children, three of which, according to the Panama Papers, own offshore companies in a tax haven. — AFP file photo

Election Commission of Pakistan and income/wealth tax authorities from 1-1-1985 till date,” reads the resolution.

The legal community gave two-week time to the 12-member parliamentary panel to formulate the terms of reference (ToRs) for the commission with consensus.

If the parliamentary panel fails to thrash out the ToRs within the

deadline, then the legal community will be ‘forced’ to take steps to have this matter of public interest concluded in a workable and effective manner, it says.

Pakistan Bar Council Vice Chairman Farogh Nasim said if the parliamentary committee did not formulate ToRs within 15 days, the legal fraternity could use all options, including a street

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movement as well as filing a petition under Article 184(3).

The resolution says the inquiry should be restricted to parliamentarians and holders of public office ‘as they have to conform’ to the requirements of Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, and not against businessmen or loan defaulters, who have not been lawmakers or holders of public office.

It urges Chief Justice of Pakistan Anwar Zaheer Jamali to nominate two eminent judges, sitting or retired, of the Supreme Court, and a legal expert of eminence as members of the commission.

The lawyers suggest the time period for completion of the investigation should be two months extendable to a maximum of six months from the date of commencement of the investigation.

“The commission shall cease to exist once it has finalised the investigation. However, no member of the commission shall be removed until the commission ceases to exist when the investigation is finalised or when the period of six months has elapsed.”

The resolution says the commission should publish and shall make public its findings and conclusions itself without any reference to the government of Pakistan. The hearings of the commission shall be open and transparent.

It recommends that the commission should have the power to constitute an international joint investigation team or teams and to seek cooperation from foreign agencies to provide information, documents, evidence and record from abroad. “[In this regard it may direct] the government of Pakistan to move the mutual legal assistance requests or otherwise request for cooperation and assistance in the investigation or issue letters derogatory in accordance with the United Nations Convention Against Corruption,” it says. — Express Tribune

C O M M O N W E A LT H

HONOUR: The award was given to Mona Prakash Mahtani at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London by Youth Affairs director Katherine Ellis. — Express Tribune

Hyderabad woman wins award for excellence in education HYDERABAD: Mona Prakash Mahtani, a resident of Hyderabad, received the Commonwealth Youth Award for Excellence, 2016, in the field of education.

The award was given at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London by Youth Affairs director Katherine Ellis. The award is given to young people under the age of 30 years who have significantly contributed to social uplift.

Mahtani is the only Pakistani to receive this award in 2016. Some 17 young people from 53 Commonwealth countries were selected for the award. Mahtani was earlier conferred United Nations Development Programme’s NPeace award. Mona founded Dewan Farm School in her village, a primary school targeting poor and minority families. Since its establishment, Dewan has expanded its annual attendance from three to 75 pupils. — Express Tribune

SIX-TIME GUINNESS WORLD RECORD HOLDER

Martial arts expert Bodla to train women in self-defence KARACHI: Pakistan’s six-time Guinness World Record holder martial artist Ahmad Amin Bodla is working hard to incorporate martial arts in people’s lives, starting with a two-week self-defence training programme for women.

Bodla’s latest record was approved by Guinness World Records two days ago; he has now been inducted in the men’s list for the most martial arts kicks in three

minutes using one leg. He landed 801 kicks in August and only just received the recognition after the Guinness officials scrutinised the evidence of achieving the record.

Now Bodla feels that as a martial artist, his next step is to make discipline more accessible to others and help them understand its benefits.

“Martial arts are not about picking fights, neither it’s just about

MONTREAL PROTOCOL

Multilateral fund approves $5.68m for cleaner tech ISLAMABAD: The successful conversion of five foam manufacturing industries to cleaner technologies has led the Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol to approve US$5.68 million for the second phase.

The funding was approved by the fund’s executive committee two weeks ago.

It will help Pakistan reduce its consumption of hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) by 50 per cent in 2020, and with full implementation of the plan, it will prevent the emissions equivalent of 685,000 tonnes of CO2.

Pakistan has successfully reduced use of various Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), including chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) and carbon tetrachloride (CTC).

The Ministry of Climate Change (MoCC) has been working on the second phase-out programme of HCFCs since 2011.

“Pakistan has no indigenous production of HCFCs, but it imports ODS to meet the needs of domestic industries,” MoCC Media and Communication Deputy Director Saleem Shaikh told The Express Tribune.

He said HCFCs were mostly used in refrigeration and air conditioning, along with polyurethane foam manufacturing.

Phasing-out of HCFCs The phasing-out of HCFCs from Pakistan is ascertained through Hydro chlorofluorocarbon Phase-out Management Plan (HPMP). In the first phase of the plan, the five foam manufacturing industries were converted

The fund will help Pakistan reduce its consumption of hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) by 50 per cent in 2020, and with full implementation of the plan, it will prevent the emissions equivalent of 685,000 tonnes of CO2 to ozone friendly technology by 2015; and the MoCC mobilised international financing for its implementation.

“The plan is very ambitious and will enable Pakistan to reduce its consumption of HCFCs by 50% by 2020,” the Ministry of Climate Change said in a statement.

Ministry source said that alternative technologies had been carefully selected to carry out the HCFC phase-out and to maximize the climate benefit. After successful completion of the first phase last year, Ministry of Climate Change prepared the phase two document in consultation with stakeholders.

The plan will be implemented by the government in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). — Express Tribune

flying kicks,” Bodla told The Express Tribune. “I feel it’s critical for every individual to be physically fit and to be acquainted with the basics of self-defence techniques at least.”

Bodla said he plans to start instructing women first, and is designing a two-week programme for self-defence training that will launch in August. He is also writing a book regarding the subject.

Bodla, who is also a student at the University of Lahore, said his pilot classes will be held at his university and he is expecting 50 to 100 women in the opening sessions.

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old is also sharing his ideas with American martial artists. “I’m in contact with different martial artists who I’m friends with, as I want this programme to reach Karachi and

Islamabad as well. For Lahore, my university director has allowed me to start the training sessions later this year,” he added.

Bodla also emphasised that selfdefence is a domain which people in Pakistan do not understand well. He said he has been testing most techniques for the last two months and found most of the commonly written text to be theoretical and seldom applicable.

Meanwhile, most taekwondo or karate academies only teach the sport aspect of martial arts, which is generally taught in a controlled environment. — Express Tribune

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READERS’ FORUM Traffic fines app is really great This refers to the report, Royal Oman Police trials new mobile app to pay traffic fines (May 22). It’s a great app as one can check if any outstanding fines are there and can pay them online before any international travel. No questions about it. — Quinton Thrussell , Muscat via Facebook ‘Ramadan Rage’ due to lack of patience not mental fatigue This refers to the report, Time to put brakes on Ramadan death toll (May 22). I hope that the authorities will keep emphasising on Scan this QR code this deadly topic time and again. However, to send letters to the in my humble opinion more often than not Readers’ Forum, the accidents during Ramadan, specially containing not more than 200 words with during the summer season are not because full name, address of mental fatigue or lack of alertness but and telephone because of restlessness, lack of patience number, may be sent and irritability. In a hurry to reach home by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com). we forget to demonstrate self control and humility which is the basic essence of the fasting month of Ramadan. May Allah save us from the phenomenon of “Ramadan Rage” and guide us to drive on road with patience and humility to ensure the safety of all road users. — Mohammad Osama Rawat, Ruwi

CASS R. SUNSTEIN

On both right and left, this moment in American politics has a lot of talk about supposedly failing policies, supposedly rigged systems and supposedly intractable inequality.

But the last quarter-century shows major progress in reducing the most serious problem of all: Premature death

T

echnological innovation offers Africa huge possibilities. That is why I joined Africa’s movers and shakers last week at a meeting of the World Economic Forum in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. We were there to discuss how the digital economy can propel the kind of radical change the continent needs.

At the same time, though, we had to think about some old tools that our ancestors passed down to us – namely, how to think for the long term and how to work together. These tools are a form of technology that we need to use now, so that future generations have a chance. Climate change is the ultimate test of whether we can use the old and new technologies to safeguard our children’s future.

Africans must take decisive action to combat the threat of global warming, by reducing greenhousegas emissions and by helping one another to adapt to climate change. If we fail to make progress in these areas now, future generations will judge our inaction as expensive, unjust, and immoral.

Africa is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change. Yet it accounts for only 2.3 per cent of global CO2 emissions. That is partly because twothirds of Africans – 621 million people – do not have access to electricity.

To meet the double challenge of climate change and this energy deficit, African countries need to help themselves and one another. Developed countries – the major contributors to global warming – must live up to the promises they made at the COP21 climate talks in Paris last December.

Alongside reacquainting ourselves with old-tech methods of thinking about the long run and working together, new technology is essential if Africa is to cope with climate change. Innovations in biotechnology and farming methods are needed to deal with disease, pests, and drought.

New technology can also help Africa to leapfrog over dependence on fossil fuels and into a low-carbon future.

The continent has a great opportunity to develop new low-carbon energy strategies that build resilience and support growth that benefits everyone, reducing poverty faster. We show how this can be done in the 2015 Africa Progress Report, “Power People Planet: Seizing Africa’s Energy and Climate Opportunities.”

Renewable sources will replace fossil fuels gradually. It cannot happen overnight. Africa needs a judicious and dynamic energy mix. Most of all, it needs much more energy, now: Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole, excluding South Africa, currently generates less electricity than Spain.

The state of education in Africa is one telling consequence of the continent’s energy crisis. I have worked in education most of my life, as a teacher and minister of education in Mozambique. Experience has taught me that a country’s schools are the key to its success and prosperity. Yet in many African countries, 80 per cent of primary schools do not have electricity, severely compromising the quality of instruction.

Shortages of electricity also cost lives. Almost four in five Africans rely for cooking on solid biomass, mainly wood and charcoal. As a result, more than 600,000 people die each year from household air pollution.

Efficient cooking stoves would save them, liberate millions of girls and women from the chore of gathering firewood, and generate wide-ranging environmental benefits.

The steps that Africa’s leaders need to take are clear. Long-term national interest must take precedence over short-term political goals, vested interests, and political patronage.

African leaders need to root out graft, make the governance of energy utilities – some of which have been centers of corruption and inefficiency – more transparent, strengthen regulations, and increase public spending on energy infrastructure.

They also need to redirect the $21 billion spent in Africa on subsidies for loss-making utilities and electricity consumption – which mainly benefit the rich – toward connection subsidies and renewableenergy investments that deliver energy to the poor.

There is also a clear course of action for the leaders of major CO2-emitting countries.

They need to put a proper price on their emissions by taxing them, instead of continuing to subsidize them by spending billions on fossil-fuel exploration. G-20 countries must set a timetable for phasing out such subsidies.. - Project Syndicate

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES MAY 2001 Seminar on environmental awareness ends MUSCAT: A seminar on environmental awareness and preparation for emergencies concluded here yesterday. The three-day event was organized by the Regional Municipalities, Environment and Water Resources Ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Directorate General of Civil Defence at the ROP, SQU, PDO and Occidental Oman Company.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Mahrami, deputy director general of environmental affairs, delivered a speech in which he hailed the invaluable assistance offered by the UNEP on the topic of the seminar.

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1785: Benjamin Franklin announces his invention of bifocals.

1861: Pro-Union and pro-Confederate forces clash in western Virginia.

1934: Gangsters Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow are killed

by Texas Rangers.

1949: The Federal Republic of West Germany is proclaimed.

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

A13

ASIA

The volcano, about 1,900km northwest of Jakarta, is still spewing hot ashes as of Sunday, making it dangerous for search and rescue, according to BNPB.

RETURN TO DEMOCRACY

Thailand’s junta must speed up reform, says ousted Yingluck BANGKOK: Two years to the day that Thailand’s army toppled the remnants of her government, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra called on the junta to accelerate a return to democracy, and a poll showed Thais were no happier than before the coup.

In 2014, the military staged their 12th successful coup since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932, and khaki army uniforms replaced the yellow and red shirts of the protesters that had paralysed Bangkok for months.

“It was the day that the people’s rights and freedom were taken away,” Yingluck said in a Face-

book post. “I can only hope that the NCPO (junta) remembers what they promised to the people... I have growing concerns because today, people are suffering from economic hardship, poverty and critical social issues including increasing drug use.”

A referendum on a junta-backed draft constitution is due on August 7, and the government has promised an election in 2017. Yingluck is on trial in the Supreme Court on corruption charges stemming from a state rice subsidy scheme and faces up to a decade in jail if found guilty. A leader to replace her has yet to emerge, leaving the opposition struggling to mount a

campaign for a no vote to a constitution they say would enshrine military power for years.

Thailand’s divisive politics has gone underground due to a junta ban on political activity. The army has moved quickly to snuff out recent small anti-junta an anticonstitution protests in Bangkok.

Critics say Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha’s national reconciliation process has made divisions worse by excluding supporters of Yingluck and her brother, former prime minister Thaksin.

“I would like to ask them (the junta) whether the reconciliation process has been inclusive and if it’s going in the right di-

rection or not,” Yingluck said.

Prayuth pledged to return happiness to Thai people, but a poll published on Sunday found that most felt no happier than before the coup. Some 43 per cent of respondents felt no happier and 18 per cent said they were less happy because of economic hardships, according to the poll by the National Institute of Development Administration.

Around 38 per cent said they were happier. A student group critical of the junta held low-key activities in Bangkok on Sunday to mark what they called two years of “a future that people didn’t choose”. - Reuters

APPEAL: Former Thailand prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday called on the military junta to accelerate a return to democracy. - Reuters file photo

Suu Kyi calls for ‘space’ to address plight of Rohingya Some 125,000 Rohingya in Myanmar remain displaced and face severe travel restrictions in camps since fighting erupted in Rakhine State in 2012

JOINT PRESS CONFERENCE : Myanmar’s Myanmar Foreign Minister Aung San Suu Kyi, right, and US Secretary of State John Kerry take part in a joint press conference following their meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Myanmar’s capital Naypyitaw on Sunday. - AFP

NAYPYITAW: Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi asked to be given “enough space” to address the plight of her country’s Rohingya Muslim population, as visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry pressed the Nobel laureate to promote respect for human rights.

Some 125,000 Rohingya in Myanmar remain displaced and face severe travel restrictions in camps since fighting erupted in Rakhine

State between the country’s Buddhists and Muslims in 2012.

Thousands have fled persecution and poverty. The United States has long supported Suu Kyi’s role in championing democratic change in Myanmar, but was surprised this month when she suggested to the new US ambassador Scot Marciel to refrain from using the term Rohingya for the persecuted minority.

“Emotive terms make it very difficult for us to find a peaceful and sensible resolution to our problems,” Suu Kyi told reporters at a joint news conference with Kerry in Naypyitaw on Sunday.

“All that we are asking is that people should be aware of the difficulties we are facing and to give us enough space to solve all our problems.” Kerry said he had discussed the Rohingya issue with

Suu Kyi during their meeting, describing it as “very sensitive” and “divisive.” “I know it arises strong passions here,” Kerry said.

“What is critical to focus on is solving the problem...which is improving the situation on the ground, to promote development, promote respect for human rights and benefit all of those that live in Rakhine and throughout Myanmar.”

Last month hundreds of dem-

onstrators protested in front of the US Embassy in Yangon in objection to the use of the term Rohingya in a statement issued by the embassy. Speaking out for the group would carry a political cost for Suu Kyi, who took on the newly created role of state counsellor in April following the first-democratically elected government in some five decades.

The Rohingya are widely disliked in Myanmar, including by some within Suu Kyi’s party and its supporters. She risks losing support by taking up the cause of the beleaguered minority. The Rohingya, most of whom live in apartheidlike conditions, are seen by many Myanmar Buddhists as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

Ambassador Marciel has said he would keep using the term Rohingya because it is Washington’s policy to do so. “What we want to do is avoid any terms that just add fuel to the fire,” Suu Kyi said in response to a question on her comments about the Rohingya.

“I wasn’t talking about one particular term, I was talking about all the terms that are incendiary and which create greater divisions in the Rakhine and of course elsewhere too.” - Reuters

INDONESIA

Volcano spews hot clouds of ash, kills seven JAKARTA: Seven people have died and two are in critical condition after Mount Sinabung on Sumatra island erupted on Saturday, said an Indonesian disaster agency official, adding that the army and police are still searching for survivors in the area.

The 2,460-metre (8,070 foot) tall volcano is among the country’s most active. When Sinabung erupted in 2014, more than a dozen people were killed and thousands were evacuated. Before recent times, its last known eruption was four centuries ago.

Since a few years ago, the government has imposed several red zones near Sinabung’s crater, including the village of Gamber where the nine people were found, National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho said in a statement.

“It is not immediately clear how many people were in Gamber because when the mountain spewed clouds of hot ash, there was not supposed to be any activity in the area,” Nugroho said on Sunday. The volcano, about 1,900km northwest of Jakarta, is still spewing hot ashes as of Sunday, making it dangerous for search and rescue, according to BNPB. - Reuters

REFERENDUM

Tajik leader strengthening grip on power in volatile region ALMATY: President Imomali Rakhmon seems set to strengthen his power by referendum on Sunday as Tajikistan, on the front line against militancy and crime from neighbouring Afghanistan, sinks deeper into an economic crisis and simmering discontent.

Many of the hundreds of thousands of Tajiks working in recession-hit Russia have been forced to return home, either because they lost their jobs or because their wages were no longer sufficient following the Russian rouble’s devaluation.

There have been no major pub-

lic protests in the authoritarian state, but political tensions are on the rise. In September, general and former opposition fighter was killed in a gunfight with government forces after a failed attempt to seize power from Rakhmon.

Sunday’s referendum seeks the public vote on 41 constitutional amendments drafted by a loyal government. In power since 1994, Rakhmon wants to scrap the limit on presidential terms to prevent his current term ending in 2020 from being his last one.

The proposals would also lower the minimum age for presidential

candidates, allowing Rakhmon’s elder son Rustam, who runs the state financial control agency, to run for office if he chooses to do so.

Ban on religious parties In addition, Rakhmon wants a constitutional ban on religious parties to shore up a court shutdown of the opposition Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) last year.

Some of its leaders face life in jail on charges of plotting a coup.

IRPT was a successor of the wing of an opposition bloc which fought Rakhmon’s government in a

TORRENTIAL RAINS

Sri Lanka floods toll reaches 82 as more bodies pulled out COLOMBO: Rescuers pulled out more bodies from the muddy debris of disastrous landslide taking the toll to over 80 while 118 people remained missing on Sunday in floods triggered by the heaviest rains in Sri Lanka in over a quarter century even as relief aid poured in from across the world, including India, for thousands of displaced people.

The heavy rains have pounded Sri Lanka since last weekend, triggering huge landslides that have buried some victims in up to 50 feet of mud. Sri Lankan army and other rescuers pulled out 13 more bodies late last night in the worst-hit district of Kegalle. The Disaster Management Centre said the death toll in the landslide has reached to 82 while 118 people are still missing.

Around 340,000 people have been displaced across the country in the floods and landslides, said Pradeep Kodippili, spokesman of the Disaster Management Centre.

The death toll is likely to go up as rescue teams reach some of the

INUNDATED: A Sri Lankan resident examines flood damaged property in Kelaniya, on the outskirts of Colombo on Sunday. - AFP

worst-hit areas, authorities said.

The national Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said that 21 of Sri Lanka’s 25 districts have been badly affected due to the floods and landslide. The military said the search for the missing persons is on in Aranayake where 43 bodies have been pulled out from the debris.

“The sun was out this morning, yet the search operations were not easy,” Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe said.

Meanwhile, floodwaters were receding in the capital Colombo and in the Western province’s Kelaniya and Kaduwela areas.

International aid began arriving in Sri Lanka on Saturday, bringing help to lakhs of people driven from their homes by heavy rains and deadly landslides.

Various nations, including India, Pakistan, Australia and Japan are bringing in aid supplies such as blankets, water-purification tablets and drinking water. - PTI

bloody civil war in the 1990s.

The crackdown on the party marked a decisive break from the power-sharing agreement which ended the war. Bakhtiyor Khudoyorzoda, head of Tajikistan’s Central Election Commission, said on Sunday that two-thirds of registered voters had already cast their ballots by noon.

“In line with law, the referendum has been declared valid,” he told reporters. The commission plans to announce the preliminary results of the vote on Monday.

Tajikistan has never held an election judged free and fair by

Western observers. Rakhmon loyalists dominated the latest vote in March 2015 while the opposition failed to clear a five-percent threshold needed to win seats for a party.

The peace in the 1990s civil war was hard won and any signs it could unravel would be viewed with deep concern in Moscow.

There have been no notable public protests against Rakhmon. But the government of oil exporter Kazakhstan, the richest country in the region, has faced a wave of rallies amid public discontent over worsening living standards. - Reuters

CASTING VOTE: Tajikistan’s President Imomali Rakhmon casts his ballot at a polling station in Dushanbe on Sunday. - AFP/STR

A 14

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

GLOBAL EYE

GEORGIA: Competitors head to the starting gate prior to the Sr Women K4 500m Final during Day Four of the 2016 Canoe Kayak Pan American Championships at the Lake Lanier Olympic Venue on Sunday in Gainesville, Georgia, United States. — Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images/AFP

RUSSIA: A car drives along a steppe road near the village of Bazandaikha in Khakassia region, Siberia, Russia, on Saturday. — Reuters

AUSTRALIA: Commuters drive through smoke haze from hazard reduction burns in Australia’s Blue Mountains region during sunset on Sunday. Areas around Sydney experienced heavy smoke haze due to controlled back fires across the region. — AFP

VATICAN CITY: A couple take selfies before the arrival of Pope Francis in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sunday. — Reuters

NORTH CAROLINA: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Bass Pro Shops/ Tracker Chevrolet, and Kasey Kahne, driver of the #5 Drive Home A Winner Chevrolet, have an on track incident during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina. — Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images/AFP

BELGIUM: Festival-goers take part in the Ducasse de Mons, or Doudou, folklore festival on Sunday in Mons, Belgium. —AFP/BELGA/ ANTHONY DEHEZ

SOUTH KOREA: Dozens of citizens take part in Seoul’s “space-out” competition in which participants are required to sit idly without talking, sleeping, eating, or using any electronic devices, at a riverside park in Seoul on Sunday. The competition has gained popularity in South Korea since local artists organised the first edition in Seoul in 2014 as a satire of modern life dominated by social media and smartphones. — AFP

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

A15

WORLD

Binali Yildirim, a long-time ally of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan’s, replaces Ahmet Davutoglu, who said this month he would step down, following weeks of public tension with Erdogan.

Yildirim is new Turkish premier Binali Yildirim, a close ally of Turkish president for two decades and a co-founder of the ruling AK Party, said his main aim was to deliver a new constitution and create an executive presidency

ANKARA: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan confirmed Binali Yildirim, a close ally for two decades and a co-founder of the ruling AK Party, as his new prime minister on Sunday, taking a big step GREEN ZONE PROTEST

Iraq denies using live ammunition BAGHDAD: Iraq denied on Sunday that its security forces had used live ammunition against protesters who broke into Baghdad’s heavily-fortified Green Zone this week.

Sources from four hospitals and Baghdad’s central morgue said four protesters had been killed and 90 injured by gunshot wounds on Friday in the zone, which is in the centre of the capital and is home to parliament, government offices and embassies. But Saad Al Hadithi, spokesman for Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi, said an initial investigation showed there had been only two deaths and no direct gunfire. “There is no evidence that the two deaths were caused by direct gunfire on the protesters, and there are no other cases,” he said in a speech broadcast on state television.

Hadithi suggested the demonstrations had been infiltrated by gunmen. — Reuters

towards the stronger presidential powers he has long sought.

In a speech to AKP delegates who earlier elected him party leader at a special congress, Yildirim, transport minister for most of

the past decade and a half, left no doubt that he would prioritise the policies closest to Erdogan’s heart.

His main aim, he said, was to deliver a new constitution and create an executive presidency, a change Erdogan says will bring stability to the NATO member state of 78 million, but which opponents fear will herald greater authoritarianism.

After winning the presidency in 2014 following more than a decade as prime minister, Erdogan was legally bound to renounce ties to the AKP and remain impartial. But he has retained strong influence over both the party he founded and the government, frequently hosting cabinet meetings in his new palace. Yildirim, 60, said constitutional change was a necessity to

legitimise the existing situation, tacit acknowledgment that Erdogan has extended the traditionally ceremonial role of the Turkish presidency. “The most important mission we have today is to legalise the de facto situation, to bring to an end this confusion by changing the constitution,” he said. “The new constitution will be on an executive presidential system.”

Yildirim was the sole candidate for party leader at the AKP congress, called after Ahmet Davutoglu announced he was stepping down as prime minister following weeks of public tension with Erdogan.

Yildirim won all 1,405 of the valid votes. As if proof were needed of where power in the party lies, delegates remained standing through

a message from Erdogan read out at the start of the congress. Yildirim vowed that, under his leadership, the AKP’s way would be “Erdogan’s way”. Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said Erdogan was the party’s one leader. As transport minister, Yildirim was a driving force behind major infrastructure projects which were one of the pillars of the AKP’s electoral successes during its first decade in power.

He has made clear he will pursue two of Erdogan’s biggest priorities - the executive presidency and the fight against militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the largely Kurdish southeast. “They are asking us when the anti-terror operations will end. I am announcing hereby

that operations will end when all our citizens are safe,” Yildirim said in an emotional speech.

“Operations will continue without pause until the bloody-handed terrorist organisation PKK ends its armed actions.”

Erdogan and his supporters see an executive presidency, akin to the system in the United States or France, as a guarantee against the fractious coalition politics that hampered the government in the 1990s. His opponents, including some sceptics within the AKP, say he is merely furthering his own ambition. “If they can succeed, this will be a transition period for the executive presidency,” journalist Abdulkadir Selvi, who is seen as close to AKP, told Reuters. — Reuters

A 16

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

WORLD

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Afghan Taliban top leader killed in US drone strike Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in an air strike in a remote border area just inside Pakistan

KABUL/WASHINGTON: The United States has killed the leader of the Afghan Taliban in an air strike in a remote border area just inside Pakistan, Afghanistan said on Sunday, in an attack likely to dash any immediate prospect for peace talks.

The death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour could trigger a battle for succession and deepen fractures that emerged in the insurgent movement after the death of its founder, Mullah Mohammad Omar, was confirmed last year, more than two years after he died.

Saturday’s strike, which US officials said was authorised by President Barack Obama and included multiple drones, showed the United States was prepared to go after the Taliban leadership in Pakistan.

It also underscored the belief among US commanders that under Mansour’s leadership, the Taliban have grown increasing close to militant groups like Al Qaeda, posing a direct threat to US security. The United States has not confirmed Mansour’s death but Afghan government chief Execu-

BADLY-HIT: Pakistani local residents gathering around a destroyed vehicle hit by a drone strike in which Afghan Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour was believed to be travelling in the remote town of Ahmad Wal in Balochistan, around 160 kilometres west of Quetta. – AFP

tive Abdullah Abdullah, and the country’s top intelligence agency, said he had been killed.

“Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour was killed in a drone strike...

His car was attacked in Dahl Bandin,” Abdullah said in a post on Twitter, referring to a district in Pakistan’s Balochistan province just over the border with Afghani-

stan. Pakistan Foreign Ministry said US drone strike targeting Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour on Pakistani soil was a violation of sovereignty. US Secretary of State John Kerry said the United States had conducted a precision air strike that targeted Mansour “in a remote area of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border”.

Mansour posed a “continuing, imminent threat” to US personnel and Afghans, Kerry told a news conference while on a visit to Myanmar. “If people want to stand in the way of peace and continue to threaten and kill and blow people up, we have no recourse but to respond and I think we responded appropriately,” Kerry said.

With the report of Mansour’s death, attention has focused on his deputy, Sirajuddin Haqqani, leader of a notorious network blamed for most big suicide attacks in Kabul. “Based purely on matters of hierarchy, he would be the favourite to succeed Mansour,” said Michael Kugelman, a

senior associate at the Woodrow Wilson Institute think-tank.

Haqqani, appointed as number two after Mansour assumed control of the Taliban last year, has generally been seen as opposed to negotiations. Efforts to broker talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban had already stalled following a suicide attack in Kabul last month that killed 64 people and prompted President Ashraf Ghani to prioritise military operations over negotiations.

Ghani’s office said on Sunday, Taliban who wanted to end bloodshed should return from “alien soil” and join peace efforts.

Kerry said the leaders of both Pakistan and Afghanistan were notified of the Saturday air strike but he declined to say if they were told before or after it had been carried out. He said he had spoken to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by telephone.

Pakistan has in the past denounced US strikes on its soil, calling them a violation of sovereignty, but US officials have said Pakistan has approved some strikes, in particular on militants fighting the Pakistani state.

Drones targeted Mansour and another combatant in a vehicle in a remote area of Balochistan, southwest of the town of Ahmad Wal, a US official in Washington said, speaking on condition of anonymity. A Pakistani official in the area said a car had been blown up and two unidentified people had been killed. It was not clear how the vehicle was blown up and the two bodies had been taken to a hospital, said the official, who declined to be identified. — Reuters

ROUND-THE-WORLD

Solar Impulse 2 lands in Dayton, Ohio DAYTON: An experimental airplane powered solely by energy from the sun landed in Ohio on Saturday night on the latest leg of its historic bid by pilots and developers to fly around the globe without a drop of fuel.

The single-seat Solar Impulse 2 aircraft arrived in Dayton shortly before 10pm local time, some 17 hours after leaving Phoenix Goodyear Airport, the project team said on its official Twitter page. “People told the WrightBrothers & us what we wanted to achieve was impossible,” said Bertrand Piccard after landing. “They were wrong!” The locale was of special significance to the pilots, as the home base to aviation pioneers Orville and Wilbur Wright. Amanda Wright Lane, a descendant of the brothers, neither of whom ever married, was on hand to welcome the flight.

With a wingspan exceeding that of a Boeing 747 but an ultralight carbon-fiber skin and overall weight of a car, the Solar Impulse cruises at speeds ranging from only 34 to 62 miles per hour (55 to 100 kph). The four engines of the propeller-driven aircraft are powered exclusively by energy collected from more than 17,000 solar cells built into its wings. Excess energy is stored in four batteries during daylight hours to keep the plane flying after dark.

The plane can climb to 28,000 feet (8,500 metres), but generally flies at lower altitudes at night to conserve energy. Piccard and Andre Borschberg have been taking turns piloting the plane on each leg of the journey. Both have trained to stay alert for long stretches of time by practicing meditation and hypnosis. — Reuters

FA R - R E A C H I N G C O N S E Q U E N C E S

LEADING ‘IN’ CAMPAIGN: British Prime Minister David Cameron, left, takes a drink as he speaks to an employee on a visit to a supermarket in west London on Sunday. – AFP

Brexit would drive up food prices, warns Cameron LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron warned voters on Sunday that they would face higher grocery bills if the country decides to leave the European Union at a June 23 referendum, citing a potential drop in the value of sterling.

Cameron is leading the campaign to keep Britain inside the European Union ahead of the referendum, the outcome of which will have far-reaching consequences for the country’s economy, its role in world trade and its global diplomatic status.

“Independent studies show that a vote to leave would hit the value of the pound, making imports more expensive and raising prices in the shops,” Cameron said in a statement.

His comments mark a shift in campaign tactics by the ‘In’ side: a push to make explicit the link between the macroeconomic risks that have dominated the Brexit debate so far, and their potential impact on Britons’ daily lives.

“This isn’t about dry economics; this is about the economic security of hardworking families in Britain,” he said.

Short-term impact The warning comes from a government analysis of the shortterm impact that a British exit would have on voters. It modelled a 12 per cent fall in the value of sterling, a figure it said was based on external impact assessments, and predicted the effect on prices after two years. The analysis said the average family’s weekly food and drink bill would

rise by almost 3 per cent, or £120 ($174.06) per year, and that clothing and footwear costs would rise by 5 per cent, or £100 per year.

Andy Clarke, chief executive of supermarket chain Asda, said Brexit would cause uncertainty on prices, and restated that the firm wanted Britain to stay in the EU. However, the rival ‘Out’ campaign disputed the government analysis, saying that “protectionist” EU policies pushed up prices.

“That’s okay for big business fat cats but it’s not good for British families,” said Vote Leave Chief Executive Matthew Elliott.

Six out of the last seven polls published in the last week have shown the Remain campaign in the lead, and on Saturday two major bookmakers offered the shortest odds to date on a vote to remain. Seeking to regain momentum on Sunday, Vote Leave focused their campaigning on immigration, one of the most emotive issues in the Brexit debate, warning that Britain would be exposed to security threats from Turkey if it ever joined the EU. “If you’re going to ever expand the EU, you have to allow us to mitigate the security risk that comes with that,” defence minister Penny Mordaunt, a supporter of leaving the EU, told the BBC. “The referendum is our only chance to say ‘no, we disagree with that.” Cameron dismissed the idea that Turkey would join the bloc any time soon, joking that its current progress towards accession meant it wouldn’t become a member until the year 3000. — Reuters

B NORWAY’S INVESTMENT Norway’s sovereign fund may be forced to step up divestments of coal firms and could face a wider ban on investments in other fossil fuels. -Bloomberg News

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM M ON DAY, MAY 23, 2016

MARKE

The company has already returned the industrial land, which was for building the plant, to the Public Establishment for Industrial Estate

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A plan to build a 2.5 million-tonne per annum steel plant in Sur has been put on hold, in view of sluggish steel prices in global markets and the economic slowdown caused by the slackness in oil prices.

The company’s plan was to use direct reduction iron (DRI) and scrap metals on a certain propotion for the manufacturing process to annually produce 2.5 million tonnes of special steel and re-bars for both domestic consumption and exports.

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“It is not taking off (now) because of the recession. People are not investing in steel,” said P.T. Sivarajan, director of operations at Sun Metals, which was to build the factory.

‘Opportune time’ “We are waiting for an opportune time and expecting the economy to recover and come back to normalcy,” he added.

Prices of both scrap metal and steel have fallen.

Sivarajan said that the company has already returned the industrial land, which was set aside for building the factory, to the

Public Establishment for Industrial Estate (PEIE).

An Indian group, which was the main promoter of Sun Metals, was planning to take a 30 per cent equity in the $400 million project and offer the remaining equity to local investors. However, the local investors are now interested in concentrating on their group’s business, rather than investing in this project.

Sivarajan also said that an earlier agreement withKorea-based Posco Engineering and Construction for planning, engineering, procurement, construction, operation and maintenance services hasbeen suspended.

Another agreement, whichwas signed with Sojitz Corporation, Japan, for support of in-take, offtake and co-development, has also been scrapped.

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

AMAL OILFIELD

Glasspoint’s solar project for PDO to be ready by end-2017 MOBIN MATHEW BLESSON

mobinmathew@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Glasspoint Solar, a leader in solar enhanced oil recovery (EOR), is planning to produce steam at the PDO’s Amal oilfield in southern Oman before the end of 2017, said the president and chief executive officer of the company.

“We are on track to produce the steam before the end of the next year; right now the construction is head of the schedule,” Rod MacGregor told Times of Oman.

The project will harness the sun’s rays to produce steam, which will be used to extract heavy and viscous oil.

The project was awarded to Glasspoint by the Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) in July last year. The project, which is named as Miraah, comes after the success of a pilot project in Amal.

According to MacGregor, Miraah will generate an average of 6,000 tonnes of solar steam daily for oil production.

Miraah will save 5.6 trillion British Thermal Units (BTUs) of natural gas each year, the amount of gas that could be used to provide residential electricity to the people in Oman.

The use of solar for oil recovery is a long-term strategy to develop

Rod MacGregor. - Picture by O.K. Mohammed Ali/Times of Oman

PDO’s viscous oil portfolio and reduce consumption of natural gas.

Ben Bierman, chief operating officer of Glasspoint, also confirmed that the project is on track and ahead of schedule.

“Right now everything is looking very good and we are two or three months ahead of the schedule and we hope we can beat that,” Bierman told Times of Oman.

“PDO did a great job preparing the land for us and we managed to get the land ahead of the schedule.”

The full-scale project will comprise 36 glasshouses, built in succession and commissioned in modules of four.

Upon completion, the total project area will span three-square kilometres, an area equivalent to more than 360 football pitches.

According to him, Glasspoint started the construction work in March this year.

MacGregor also said that Glasspoint is expecting more projects in Oman and in the region.

“We hope for more projects in Oman and in the region,” he asserted.

“Usually other national companies follow the steps of the PDO so we are hopeful that we will have more projects in the region,” he further added.

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

MARKET First online e-platform for vocational training unveiled All tests and assessment processes throughout the programme are on line, based on strict measures to ensure quality control

The main objective of Cloud Smart Learning is to bridge the gap between job seekers and labour market requirements

cumstances of the students,” said Al Lawati.

in the domestic market, founder of the e-platform said Abbass Al Hemaid Al Lawati. — Supplied picture

Times News Service MUSCAT: A fully integrated e-platform for vocational and professional training and internationally approved specialised vocational certifications provided

by Cloud Smart Learning (CSL) was launched here on Sunday.

The event was organised under the patronage of His Highness Sayyid Dr. Fahad bin Al Julanda Al Said, assistant secretary gen-

eral for promotion Innovation and Development at the Research Council.

Abbass Al Hemaid Al Lawati, the innovator and founder of the first-of-its-kind establishment, explained that the main objective is to bridge the gap between job seekers and labour market requirements in the domestic market.

“CSL gives those who like to enhance their skills and knowledge

an opportunity to join specialised high-end vocational training courses, which will be internationally credited and under the supervision of global teams with the high level of qualifications. The attendants will be granted graduation certifications approved from international establishments. All the above will be fully available online via an advanced e-portal according to a programme that fits the financial, work and life cir-

New concept According to the CSL founder, the global job market gives priority to vocational qualification and not the academic one. “We all know that most of the employees and job seekers wish to attain vocational and professional courses but at the same time they have obstacles in terms of work-life balance that hinder them. So, CSL was created to reduce time and place and remove all these obstacles, because all are online, from filling applications to doing tests and examinations.”

Speaking on the cost, Al Lawati affirmed that the programme fees are very low, thanks to the flexible PERSONAL REASONS

model adopted and the high operating efficiency due to online operation. For example, the fees for the first diploma will be available for about OMR1,000. Moreover, the fees can be scheduled according to the units taught. To make thing easier to the students, there will be a package of facilitations for each unit; so that, the student can tailor his need according to his requirements and budget.

Live lectures Study programme include live lectures to be delivered on line by one of CSL experts; from anywhere in the world and each student of the same group can attend the lectures while sitting at his own country.

Online assessment Al Lawati explained that all tests and assessment processes throughout the programme are online, based on strict measures to have quality control in place. For example, the programme chooses automatically random samples of 30 per cent of researches submitted by the student. These samples will be discussed by the expert trainer to make sure that the student is the one who did the research by himself.

FUTURE PLANS

Apple’s Cook outlines his vision for India NEW DELHI: Apple’s Tim Cook outlined his vision for his company in India in a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday where they also discussed cybersecurity and data encryption.

“Cook shared Apple Inc.’s future plans for India,” according to a statement from the Indian government on Saturday. “He spoke of the possibilities of manufacturing and retailing in India.”

The Apple chief executive officer on his first trip to India opened a development center, dined with Indian celebrities and met corporate executives. Cook’s four-day visit comes as Modi’s administration reviews Apple’s application to open retail stores in the world’s second-largest mobile population.

Modi in a Twitter post on Saturday Cook after the Apple executive launched an updated version of a mobile application named after the premier. Cook in return thanked Modi for a “Already looking forward to next visit to India,” he wrote on his Twitter account.

The men also discussed Modi’s initiatives for renewable energy, according to the statement.

Cook has left India and visited an Apple store in Dubai, according to pictures posted on his Twitter feed. — Bloomberg News

DEBT RELIEF

Cairn India CEO resigns NEW DELHI: Cairn India said its chief executive officer Mayank Ashar resigned citing personal reasons, just a month after the nation’s largest private oil producer posted its biggest quarterly loss. Ashar will step down on June 5 and will be replaced

by Chief Financial Officer Sudhir Mathur as interim head of the company, Cairn India said in a stock exchange filing on Friday. Ashar, who took charge in October 2014, oversaw the company amid the worst ever slide in oil prices and an ongoing process of merger with parent Vedanta. — Bloomberg News

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.

— Bloomberg News

Greece braces for more austerity as EU-IMF dispute ATHENS: Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras braces for yet another vote on additional austerity measures, as European creditors remain at loggerheads with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) about how much debt relief the country will get for its pain. Lawmakers in Athens are scheduled to vote on Sunday evening on an omnibus bill that includes measures ranging from the taxation of diamond dust and coffee to the transfer of thousands of real estate assets from the state to a new privatisation fund.

The debate will test the resilience of Tsipras’s three-seat parliamentary majority, as euro-area states resist calls from the IMF to set less ambitious fiscal targets and hand Greece more generous debt relief.

Approval of the measures is one of the prior actions Greece has to fulfill to unlock the next tranche of emergency loans from the European Stability Mechanism, the currency bloc’s crisisfighting fund. The Eurogroup of 19 finance ministers will convene Tuesday to assess the country’s compliance with its latest bailout agreement struck in the summer of 2015. A positive assessment is also a condition for the Eurogroup to ease the servicing for over $225 billion of bailout loans handed to the country since 2010.

‘Fully committed’ The Greek government is “fully committed’’ to implementing the measures in the program and has taken a “very constructive” approach in talks, which in turn should lead to a successful negotiation, Eurogroup head Jeroen Dijsselbloem said in a Bloomberg Television interview on Friday.

“On the basis of that confidence, we’re now entering into a discussion about debt relief,” Dijsselbloem, who is also the finance minister of the Netherlands, said from the Group of Seven meeting

in Sendai, Japan. The Washington-based IMF proposed that interest and principal payments on Greece’s European bailout loans be deferred until 2040, and that maturities on those loans will be extended to 2080, according to a document obtained by Bloomberg News.

Even though European counter-proposals acknowledge that current Greek debt dynamics are unsustainable, they fall short of what the IMF wants, according to people familiar with the discussions that took place between government officials over the past week. Instead, the euro area expects Greece to maintain a budget surplus level which the IMF has said is a “far-fetched fantasy.”

Creditor quarrel In the quarrel between creditors, Tsipras’s government has sided with the euro area, and the measures being put to vote on Sunday assume that Greece will achieve a surplus before interest payments equal to 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product by 2018.

“Despite the fact the IMF has been pushing for debt relief for Greece, they are still perceived by the Greek public as austerity hawks,” Eurasia Group analyst Mujtaba Rahman said in a note to clients on May 19.

After legislating fiscal measures equal to 1.7 per cent of Greek gross domestic product (GDP) last summer, coalition lawmakers are being asked to approve another three per cent of gross domestic product in tax hikes and pension cuts this month, as well as an additional two per cent of GDP in contingency measures, which will only be triggered if the country misses certain budget targets. Sunday’s package includes among others: An increase in the standard sales tax rate to 24 per cent from 23 per cent, while the bill abolishes VAT discounts for some of the nation’s islands. — Bloomberg News

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

MARKET Bond and sukuk issues in the Gulf touch $119 billion Saudi Arabia was the leading issuer, raising $35.01 billion through 15 issues, and representing 53.73 per cent of the total value raised by the GCC issuers last year. Oman-based institutions raised $3.77 billion.

Times News Service MUSCAT: Private firms and central banks in the Gulf region have issued bonds and sukuk worth $118.65 billion last year, a growth of 37.2 per cent over the previous year, according to Markaz, Kuwait based think-tank institute.

A large part of the increase is attributable to the Saudi Arabian sovereign issuances, first of such issuance since 2007.

The Central Bank Local Issuances are Fixed Income securi-

ties issued by GCC central banks in local currencies and with short maturities of less than one year for the purpose of regulating levels of domestic liquidity.

A total of $53.50 billion was raised by the GCC central banks, namely by the central banks of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. The Central Bank of Kuwait raised the highest amount with $23.35 billion, representing 43.64 per cent of the total amount through 65 issuances, followed by the Central Bank of Qatar, which raised a total of $15.12 billion, a reduction of 21.43 per cent from $19.24 billion raised in 2014.

Sukuk market The GCC bonds and Sukuk market is composed of bonds and sukuk issued by GCC sovereign and corporate entities for financing purposes and denominated in local and foreign currencies. A total of $65.15 billion was raised in the GCC bonds market in 2015, a growth of 82.40 per cent from $35.72 billion raised in 2014.

The report stated that a total of $44.38 billion was raised in the second half 2015, 113.58 per cent higher than $20.78 billion raised in the firsthalf of 2015, driven by new Saudi sovereign issuances which amounted to $30.65 billion.

Saudi Arabia was the leading issuer in 2015, raising $35.01 billion through 15 issues and representing 53.73 per cent of the total value raised by the GCC is-

R E A L E S TAT E TA X L AW S

KPMG seminar on UK’s property tax Times News Service MUSCAT: KPMG will be conducting a seminar on May 25, 2016 at Grand Hyatt to provide insights about the changes to the UK real estate tax laws, which are of relevance to investors from the Middle East who invest in UK real estate property.

The tax rules affecting UK property have undergone substantial changes in the last three years. This has continued with the introduction of Capital Gains Tax for non-UK residents owning residential property in the UK, the levy of annual property tax on properties held through a corporate structure and changes in the stamp duty rates. All of these changes have made buying, owning and selling UK residential property a complex tax issue and it is important that property owners are appropriately advised on the structuring and financing of UK property ownership.

Ashok Hariharan, Partner and Head of Tax, Lower Gulf said, “KPMG seminaron the changes to the UK property tax laws will highlight both challenges and opportunities in a real estate market which has historically been very popular with Middle East residents, whether for personal or investment purpose.The seminar will be delivered by an experienced team ofprofessionals from KPMG UK, Mike Walker and Mariam Moi. We expect our participants to take back some food for thought about how they hold and propose to invest into the UK real estate sphere.”

KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services.

We operate in 155 countries and have 174,000 people working in member firms around the world.

In the Lower Gulf, comprising Oman and UAE, KPMG employs 850 professionals and operates from five offices in the GCC.

suers during the year. In terms of the frequency of issuances, UAE maintained its position as the dominant issuer with 149 issuances during 2015.

The UAE based issuers raised $18.52 billion during 2015, representing 28.42 per cent of the total value. Bahraini entities represented 7.15 per cent of the total issuances, raising $4.66 billion through 7 issues. Qatari entities raised $2.04 billion while Omani entities raised $3.77 billion. National Bank of Kuwait was the only issuer from Kuwait.

The total value raised by corporate entities declined by 17.51 per cent from $32.97 billion in 2014 to $27.20 billion in 2015. During 2015, sovereign issuances dominated the majority of the amount raised in the GCC bonds market, with $37.96 billion or 58.3 per cent of the total amount raised through 16 issues.

Saudi Arabia raised SAR115 billion ($30.65 billion). Bahrain issued a 10 year $1.10 billion bond priced at 7 per cent and a 5 year $1.15 billion bearing a coupon of 5.875 per cent.

The conventional issuances raised $55.59 billion, or 85.32 per cent of the total amount raised in GCC bonds and sukuk market during 2015.This was an increase of 109.79 per cent as compared to 2014. Sukuk issuances witnessed a modest growth of 3.71 per cent from $9.22 billion in 2014 to $9.56 billion in 2015.

B3

B4

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

MARKET MSM index ends higher

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,942.81 ...............5,927.44 ................... 5,931.09 ................... 5,931.00................. 0.090 ..................0.002 Financial Index .....................................7,647.34 ............... 7,621.65 ....................7,624.78 ....................7,647.39................-22.61 .................. -0.30 Industrial Index ....................................7,328.34 ...............7,286.82 ................... 7,294.52 ....................7,323.18................-28.66 .................. -0.39 Services Index .......................................3,295.18 .............. 3,282.49 ...................3,282.49 ...................3,284.08...................-1.59 .................. -0.05 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................889.07 ...................885.71 .......................887.06 ...................... 886.10....................0.96 ................... 0.11 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 8,596,865.................... 2,207,403 .....................558 ................ 17,137,676,355 .................. 9 ......................14 .................... 21 .........................44

As many as 558 trades were executed on Sunday, generating a turnover of OMR2.20 million with 8.6m shares changing hands MUSCAT: Shares on the Muscat Securities Market remained more or less intact amid listless activity. The MSM30 Index remained unchanged to close at 5,931.09 points. The MSM Sharia Index increased by 0.11 per cent to end at 887.06 points.

Galfar Engineering was most active in terms of volume, while Oman Telecommunications Company was the most active in terms of turnover. The top gainer was Al Madina Investment, up by 3.17 per cent, while Sohar Power was the top loser, down by 9.66 per cent.

As many as 558 trades were executed on Sunday, generating turnover of OMR2.20 million with 8.6 million shares changing hands. Out of 44 traded securities, 9 advanced, 14 declined and 21 remained unchanged. GCC and Arab investors were net buyers for OMR165,000 followed by Omani investors for OMR86,000 while foreign investors were net sellers for OMR251,000 worth of shares. Financial Index ended lower at 7,624.78 points, down by 0.30 per cent. Al Madina Investment and National Bank of Oman increased by 3.17 per cent and 0.39 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index declined by 0.39 per cent to close at 7,294.52 points. Voltamp Energy and Raysut Cement gained by 1.40 per cent and 0.79 per cent, respectively. Anwar Ceramic, Galfar Engineering and Jazeera Steel Product declined by 3.24 per cent, 2.93 per cent and 0.48 per cent, respectively.

Services Index closed at 3,282.48 points, marginally down by 0.05 per cent. Ooredoo Oman, Al Suwadi Power, Al Batinah Power and Oman Telecommunications increased by 1.07 per cent, 0.47 per cent, 0.47 per cent and 0.31 per cent, respectively.

Sohar Power, OIFC and Renaissance Services declined by 9.66

per cent, 0.49 per cent and 0.34 per cent, respectively.

Abu Dhabi plunges Abu Dhabi stocks posted their longest losing streak since October amid a slump in trading across Gulf Arab equity markets as investors held out for more than a $1 billion worth of rights issues.

The ADX General Index fell 1.1 per cent in a sixth-straight decline. Emirates Telecommunications Group Co., or Etisalat, the largest phone company in the Middle East, led the retreat with a 2.6 per cent drop. Traders exchanged shares in about a third of companies on the gauge.

The Bloomberg GCC 200 Index slipped for a third day, with volumes on the main gauges in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council languishing at less than half the 20-day average.

At least seven Gulf companies, including Dubai Islamic Bank PJSC and Dubai Parks & Resorts PJSC, plan share offerings that will raise a combined $1.1 billion.

“Investors are staying on the sidelines,” said Nabil Farhat, an Abu Dhabi-based partner at Al Fajr Securities.

“There are several rights issues going on, then you have Ramadan followed by summer, when liquidity is seasonally weak. Then you have uncertainty over Federal Reserve rate increases.”

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, MAY 22 ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

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

OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 1,656,459 .......107,393.....................40 ........... 0.063 ...........0.066 ...........0.063........... 0.065 .............0.063 ........... 0.002............. 3.175.................0.066..............0.066...................0.067...................13,464,840 .........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ....................................................... 8,221 ...............3,567........................4 ........... 0.434 ...........0.434 ...........0.422........... 0.434 .............0.428 ........... 0.006............. 1.402 ................0.422..............0.422...................0.434 ..................26,257,000.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 334,000.........252,920.....................24 ............0.764 ........... 0.764 ...........0.748 ............0.756 ............. 0.748............ 0.008............. 1.070 ................0.748 ..............0.748...................0.760..................492,113,838 ........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................55,800 .............70,841..................... 10 ............1.260 ........... 1.270 ...........1.260........... 1.270 .............1.260 ............0.010 ............. 0.794 ................1.270 ..............1.270...................1.290................. 254,000,000 .......0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER.................................................. 69,421 ............. 14,791........................7 ............0.212 ........... 0.214 ...........0.212........... 0.213 .............0.212 ............0.001 ............. 0.472 ................0.212..............0.212...................0.215.................. 143,751,023 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER ................................................... 50,000 .............10,792........................9 ............0.215 ........... 0.216 ...........0.215 ........... 0.216 ............. 0.215.............0.001 ............. 0.465 ................0.216 ............. 0.200...................0.216.................. 154,311,769 ........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN .................................. 50,200 ............. 13,051........................2 ........... 0.256 ...........0.260 ...........0.256........... 0.260 .............0.259 ............0.001 ............. 0.386 ................0.260..............0.256...................0.260 .................383,443,132........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 278,794 .........450,038......................31 ............1.605 ........... 1.620 ...........1.605 ............1.615 ............. 1.610............ 0.005..............0.311................. 1.615 .............. 1.605...................1.640................ 1,211,250,000 ......0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE ...................................... 300 .....................80........................1 ........... 0.265 ...........0.265 ...........0.265........... 0.263 .............0.263 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.265............. 0.000...................0.265...................26,300,000 ........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................18,824 ............... 9,891........................6 ........... 0.524 ...........0.526 ...........0.524........... 0.526 .............0.526 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.526..............0.520...................0.526...................28,930,000.........0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS .....................350 .....................84........................1 ........... 0.240...........0.240 ...........0.240 .......... 0.253 .............0.253 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.240 ............ 0.240...................0.249 ................... 8,493,577 ..........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 187,007 ............ 20,537......................18 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.108............0.110 ............. 0.110............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.110 ..............0.109...................0.110 ................. 220,034,407 .......0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .................................................................... 150,000 ........... 85,500........................3 ........... 0.570 ...........0.570 ...........0.570........... 0.570 .............0.570 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.570..............0.550...................0.570................. 362,400,806 .......0.100 OM0000001889............SALALAH MILLS.............................................................5,000 ............... 7,375........................1 ............1.475 ........... 1.475............1.475 ............1.475 ............. 1.475............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.475 ..............1.440...................1.500................... 71,040,519 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ..............43,143 .............10,784........................7 ........... 0.250 ...........0.250 ...........0.249........... 0.250 .............0.250 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.250..............0.249...................0.250 ...................5,250,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES .......................................... 258,800 ........... 59,942......................16 ........... 0.235 ........... 0.235 ...........0.230........... 0.232 .............0.232 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.230..............0.229...................0.230 .................. 14,199,391 .........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ...................................10,000 ............ 18,600........................1 ............1.860 ........... 1.860 ...........1.860........... 1.860 .............1.860............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.860 ............. 0.000...................2.000 .................176,700,000........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 264,686 ........... 66,042........................6 ........... 0.250 ...........0.250 ...........0.248........... 0.250 .............0.250 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.248..............0.248...................0.250 ................ 424,800,350 .......0.100 OM0000002572 ...........OMAN OIL MARKETING ..........................................10,000 ............ 18,800........................1 ............1.880 ........... 1.880 ...........1.880........... 1.880 .............1.880............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.880 .............. 1.700...................0.000 ................. 115,197,000 ........0.100 OM0000002846 ...........GULF INV. SER. PREF SHARES ..............................10,000 ............... 1,100........................2 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.110 ............0.110 ............. 0.110............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.110 .............. 0.110................... 0.116 ...................10,052,986 .........0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. .........5,000 ............... 7,700........................1 ............1.540 ........... 1.540 ...........1.540............1.545 ............. 1.545............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.540.............. 1.535...................1.545..................106,605,000........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 375,000 ............66,750........................6 ............0.178 ........... 0.178 ...........0.178 ............0.178 ............. 0.178............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.178 .............. 0.177...................0.178 ..................285,600,883 .......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 415,597...........120,701..................... 26 ........... 0.282 ...........0.304 ...........0.282........... 0.290 .............0.291............-0.001 ........... -0.344 ...............0.300 .............0.292...................0.300 ..................84,288,796.........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 197,403 ............ 40,856..................... 26 ........... 0.206........... 0.210 ...........0.206 .......... 0.207 .............0.208 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.481................0.206............. 0.206...................0.207 ..................25,853,878 .........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE............... 22,050 ...............4,454........................4 ........... 0.202...........0.202 ...........0.202 .......... 0.202 .............0.203 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.493 ...............0.202 .............0.203...................0.207 ................. 40,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 649,850 .........259,975...................120 ........... 0.400...........0.402 ...........0.400 .......... 0.400 .............0.402 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.498 ...............0.402............. 0.400...................0.402 .................998,500,103........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 100,000 ........... 18,000........................2 ............0.180 ........... 0.180 ...........0.180........... 0.180 ............. 0.181............-0.001 ........... -0.552 ...............0.180.............. 0.175...................0.180..................256,506,506 .......0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .............14,045 .............. 2,008........................3 ............0.142 ........... 0.144 ...........0.142........... 0.143 .............0.144 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.694 ...............0.144..............0.144...................0.147...................12,870,000.........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING.................................................84,632 .............18,960......................15 ........... 0.226 ...........0.226 ...........0.223........... 0.224 .............0.226 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.885 ...............0.225............. 0.224...................0.225 ..................33,616,800 .........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................... 25,601 ...............1,905........................5 ............0.075 ........... 0.075 ...........0.074........... 0.074 .............0.075 ...........-0.001 ............-1.333................0.074..............0.074...................0.076...................12,950,000.........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING.............58,037 ...............8,397......................13 ............0.146 ........... 0.146 ...........0.144............0.145 ............. 0.147............-0.002 ............-1.361................0.144..............0.144...................0.146....................17,671,875 .........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE ...................................................10,000 ...............1,300........................1 ............0.130 ........... 0.130 ...........0.130........... 0.130 ............. 0.133............-0.003 ........... -2.256 ...............0.130 ...............0.131...................0.133...................32,966,700.........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ............................... 687,000 ..........181,845......................18 ........... 0.265 ...........0.270 ...........0.263........... 0.265 .............0.273 ...........-0.008 ........... -2.930 ...............0.270..............0.265...................0.270 ..................78,496,626 .........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 1,836,620 .......194,176..................... 72 ............0.108 ........... 0.108 ...........0.103........... 0.106 ............. 0.110............-0.004 ........... -3.636 ...............0.108..............0.107...................0.108...................30,737,948 .........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER..............................................................10,000 ...............3,180........................4 ............0.318 ........... 0.318 ...........0.318 ............0.318 .............0.352 ...........-0.034 ........... -9.659 ...............0.318 ............. 0.000...................0.318...................70,281,180 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 7,951,840......2,152,336 ................506 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......35........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ....................26,097 .................. 852........................5 ........... 0.032 ........... 0.033 ...........0.032........... 0.033 .............0.033 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.033..............0.033...................0.034 ...................2,805,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .............................................................100 ....................... 6........................1 ........... 0.063 ...........0.063 ...........0.063........... 0.061 ............. 0.061............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.063..............0.062...................0.063.................... 7,625,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001806............MUSCAT NATIONAL HOLDING ..................................250 ..................450........................1 ............1.800 ........... 1.800 ...........1.800........... 1.860 .............1.860............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.800............. 0.000...................1.800....................9,300,000 ..........1.000 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 421,713 ............ 32,050..................... 25 ........... 0.076 ........... 0.076 ...........0.076........... 0.076 .............0.076 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.076..............0.076...................0.077..................114,000,000........0.100

Saudi bond sale Saudi Arabia’s Tadawul All Share Index slipped 0.4 per cent at 1:52 p.m. in Riyadh, falling for a third day and taking its loss this year to 3.7 per cent. Saudi is preparing to sell its first bonds in the international capital market as it seeks foreign financing to plug its budget deficit, and has invited banks to pitch for the deal, according to three people familiar with the plans. - United Securities/Bloomberg News

OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK............................................... 80,000 ............... 4,611........................9 ........... 0.057 ...........0.058 ...........0.057........... 0.058 .............0.058 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.058..............0.057...................0.058...................58,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ........................................................95,593 .............14,655........................5 ............0.153 ........... 0.154 ...........0.153 ............0.153 .............0.154............-0.001 ........... -0.649 ...............0.154 ..............0.154...................0.155 ..................223,778,023........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 623,753............ 52,624..................... 46 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 6........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000003240 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES BONDS A .................. 16,668 ............... 1,967........................1 ............0.118 ........... 0.118............0.118 ............0.118 ............. 0.116 ............ 0.002............. 1.724 ................0.118 .............. 0.118...................0.000 ................... 3,241,235 ..........0.100 OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ............................................. 3,450 .................. 366........................3 ............0.105 ........... 0.106 ...........0.105 ........... 0.106 .............0.106 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.106..............0.106...................0.110 ...................33,882,124 .........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 ........................1,154 ................... 111........................2 ........... 0.095 ...........0.096 ...........0.095........... 0.096 .............0.096 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.096..............0.096...................0.099....................31,119,515..........0.100 .............................................SUM: ....................................................................................21,272 ...............2,443........................6 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 3........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

ECONOMY

JOINT VENTURE

Fed policymakers queue up to speak on interest rate in the coming week LONDON: Investors will listen closely to a slew of US Federal Reserve policymakers in the coming week to gauge how soon they will raise interest rates, while European finance ministers look set to agree on more aid for cashstrapped Greece.

US policymakers were unexpectedly upbeat about the prospects for an increase in rates, the minutes of their April meeting showed in the past week. That sent the dollar as well as US and European bond yields higher.

Fed speakers in the last few days have further strengthened the markets’ view that the central bank will tighten policy soon, leaving analysts to ponder whether that move will come in June or July.“We still believe the Fed is more likely to continue waiting. But there is a considerable risk that a rate hike is imminent,” Commerzbank analysts said in a note to clients on Friday.

The main Fed speaker in the coming week will be Chair Janet Yellen, who appears at a panel event hosted by Harvard University on Friday. Fed branch presidents including those from San Francisco, St. Louis, Dallas, Minneapolis all speak earlier in the week. The key precondition for a rate hike that US policy-setters outlined in April was signs of economic growth picking up in the second quarter and of employment and inflation firming up, the minutes showed.

With no second-quarter GDP data due until the end of July, investors are likely to focus in the coming week on the second estimate of US first-quarter growth due out on Friday.

The consensus view of analysts in a preliminary poll by Reuters is for growth to be revised up to

TEHRAN: India’s Tata Motors is in talks with a local manufacturer here to set up a joint venture for assembling its petrol cars in Iran as it looks to tap the fast growing market that has just emerged from sanctions.

Tata Motors is talking to Iran Khodro Company for a joint venture to assemble knocked down units of the petrol versions of its models, including the latest compact car Tiago, Bolt and Zest, which are powered by the company’s new Revotron petrol engines, sources said here.

Knocked down version of the cars will be imported and assembled at Iran Khodro’s manufacturing facility after adding local contents like tyres and batteries.

Janet Yellen, chairperson of the US Federal Reserve. - Bloomberg file picture

0.9 per cent from the preliminary reading of 0.5 per cent.

“The data suggest that the US economy did not perform quite as poorly in Q1 as previously assumed,” Commerzbank said.

“There is increasing evidence pointing to considerably stronger growth in Q2.”

One factor that could stay the Fed’s hand next month, however, is concern over any fallout from Britain’s referendum on June 23 on whether to remain in the European Union.

So far British data has shown little sign of a ‘Brexit’ effect on economic activity. The breakdown of first-quarter GDP due on Thursday will be watched for any signs of an impact on business investment.

The Bank of Canada is widely expected to keep interest rates on hold on Wednesday despite a rise in the annual inflation rate

in April. The bank has said inflation is being influenced by temporary factors.

In Europe, where the European Central Bank has pledged to keep policy ultra-loose for a long time to come, Hungary is seen cutting interest rates on Tuesday.

Keeping Greece afloat Preliminary purchasing managers’ indexes for France, Germany and the euro zone due out on Monday morning are expected to show steady if not stellar growth in business activity.

The main focus in the sharedcurrency bloc in the coming week, however, will be on Tuesday’s Eurogroup meeting of finance ministers, who are likely to agree on fresh aid to enable Greece to keep up with repayments to its creditors for the next few months.

They may also forge a tentative and highly conditional plan to

Tata Motors in talks with partner to set up car unit in Iran

help Athens reprofile its debt burden to make it more sustainable, euro zone officials preparing for the talks said.

One key to the success of the talks is whether the euro zone can iron out its differences with the International Monetary Fund to ensure that the IMF then participates in that plan.

The two have been struggling to agree on when to give Greece a break on its future massive debt repayments. The euro zone wants to postpone a final decision on debt relief until 2018, while the IMF insists Greek debt repayment is unsustainable and investors need clarity now. “Although final agreement may not be forthcoming on Tuesday, we expect that they will signal a definite direction of travel to enable the IMF to come on board,” analysts at RBC Capital Markets said in a weekly note to investors. — Reuters

Khodro’s sales network Tata Motors will use Iran Khodro’s sales network to sell the cars.

The branding will be of Tata Motors and Iran Khodro will be just a contract manufacturer, they said, adding that Tata Motors will start assembling in Iran in less than two years.

Initially, Tata Motors is looking at one lakh cars a year, which will be gradually ramped up. Production at the factory, which may be located in suburban Tehran and Masad, is slated to begin by 2018.

Iran Khodro had earlier this year renewed partnership with French manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroen.

Iran Khodro Company (public joint stock) was founded in August 1962. Starting with contract manufacturing of sedan ‘Paykan’ for British firm Rootes in 1966, it has manufactured for France’s Peugeot as well as Tondar 90 sedan

The branding will be of Tata Motors and Iran Khodro will be just a contract manufacturer, they said, adding that Tata Motors will start assembling in Iran in less than two years.

(Renault Logan). It manufactures several Chinese models now.

Peugeot had earlier this year signed a contract with Iran Khodro to start a joint venture that will make three new models.

Peugeot’s January 2016 deal marks its return to Iran after a four-year absence.

Iran Khodro, which is 14 per cent-owned by the Iranian government, was Peugeot’s former partner before the French company’s decision to shut down its operations in 2012 in the wake of international sanctions.

Before 2012, Peugeot would send parts, which then were assembled in Iranian plants. — PTI

B

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M ON DAY, MAY 23, 2016

SECTION

END CALL SAVE LIVES

E-

A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

IMES TECH STUFF

APPLE PAY COMPETITOR DELAYS PRODUCT Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX), a mobile payments company started by major retailers, including Wal-Mart Stores, said it will eliminate 30 employees and postpone the national introduction of its highly publicised product, a would-be Apple Pay competitor.

The staff cuts will affect about 40 per cent of MCX employees at the Waltham, Massachusetts-based start-up. — Bloomberg News

T E C H U P D AT E S

Twitter prohibits share option repricing without consent

NEW PRODUCT: Mario Queiroz, vice president of product management for Google, holds a Google Home device while speaking during the Google I/O Annual Developers’ Conference in Mountain View, California, US, recently. Google unveiled a new video calling application named Duo that will compete with Apple’s FaceTime. — Bloomberg News

Next wave of computing a big challenge for Google At Google’s I/O developer conference, the company unveiled new technology that will rely less and less on physical devices with screens to deliver information and services to consumers

JACK CLARK

T

HE smartphone boom upended Google’s advertising profit engine and it took years for the Internet giant to adjust to the new mobile world. The next wave of computing will be an even bigger challenge.

At Google’s I/O developer conference last week near its Silicon Valley headquarters, the company unveiled new technology that will rely less and less on physical devices with screens to deliver information and services to consumers.

Google hopes these advances will capture the human attention its business depends upon, and then it can figure out how to make money later, one executive said.

Google Home will sit in living rooms sucking in voice-based queries and delivering verbal an-

swers from an artificially intelligent “Google assistant.” A jacket due out in 2017 with computing built into the yarn will respond to touches and swipes and give voice directions through ear phones connected to people’s phones. Project Soli will let people control computers all around them through finger gestures in air. Even Google’s newest smartphone design — Ara — is less of a device and more a frame that phone components will slot in and out of.

Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai describes this as “ambient” computing that will surround consumers where ever they go. He sees it as one of the most important changes that will envelope the technology industry over the next decade. What is less clear is how Google will make money from this.

Google’s main AdWords search advertising business generates more than $40 billion a year in highly profitable revenue from text-based ads that pop up alongside search results shown on personal computer and smartphone screens. When results are delivered by the company’s AIpowered assistant, the existing ad business won’t work.

“Where are the ‘good old’ AdWords ads if they succeed? They are nowhere. They are dead,” said Carlos Kirjner, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein. “If you thought mobile was a big transition for Google, buckle up.”

‘Fundamental change’ When searches started happening on phones, Google had less screen space to show ads alongside its free, or organic, listings. This triggered soul-searching, questions from investors, a period of stock price stagnation and finally a thorough re-organisation of its search results and ads. Paid results now more often appear at the top of mobile search results and some ads have

become more like transactions where Google takes a cut of a booking fee, rather than a payment from a marketer for a click.

Ambient computing Ambient computing will force Google to embrace more new ways of making money, Kirjner said.

“Compared to this fundamental change in business model, probably requiring that Google captures value from transactions and not from ads, mobile was just a minor, user interface tweak,” he wrote in a note to investors. Google will build its AI-based personal assistant first and focus on ways to make money from this later, the company’s new chief of search and AI, John Giannandrea, said during his first public remarks to a large developer audience at I/O on Friday.

“We’re really focused right now on building something that users like to use,” he said, when asked about monetisation of the product.

“Google has a long history of trying to build things that people find useful and if they find them useful and they use it at scale then we’ll figure out a way to kind of support that.”

In a world of ambient computing, users could interact with fewer ads, but if Google has its way, those marketing messages will be better targeted and therefore more valuable to advertisers, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Despite the early stage of the work, AI systems will blur the lines between Google’s free and paid results.

Even with the company’s new messaging service Allo, which will have the Google AI assistant delivering answers and making bookings in text streams, it’s unclear how ads or other paid-for information and services will be presented.

“What happens when Google’s assistant is asked to perform a specific transaction?” Kirjner wrote. If the system successfully picks the

best counterpart for a consumer’s transaction, will it proceed even if that provider is not paying for the access? Or will the assistant offer a lesser counterpart that is paying for access without the user’s knowledge? “We are not smart enough to figure this one out,” Kirjner said.

“We do as a general rule clearly identify what is sponsored and what is organic,” Giannandrea said.

Products like Google Home have not launched yet and Google is still working on how these services will work, he added.

That decision is partially because of the early stage of Google’s AI efforts. Despite decades of research and a larger focus in the last four years, the company is still grappling with “big unsolved” problems of computer science, like understanding language and dialog, Giannandrea said. That’s a long way from designing new ad formats and alternative business models.

Google’s AI technology One way to make money now is to deliver some of Google’s AI technology as services to other companies over the Internet. Earlier this year, Google did just that, offering access to things like vision recognition through its cloud computing business. It’s a high-volume, lowcost business with the company charging cents to fractions of a cent per AI-based prediction.

“It’s very important to us that our natural language APIs become part of our cloud platform and people experiment with it and help,” Giannandrea said. Google plans more of these AI cloud services, he added.

Still, Google will need more than cloud computing subscriptions to replace revenue and profits from text-based search ads. As the very concept of the “device” fades away, the company must find new ways to make money from a business that is becoming increasingly invisible.

— Bloomberg News

Twitter said it would prohibit without shareholder consent the repricing of stock options — including those given to employees

by Chief Executive Officer Jack Dorsey last fall — in the event of a buyout or through an option exchange program. The move is an effort to protect shareholders while retaining talent as Twitter’s stock price tumbles and Dorsey has brought on new board members and executives to give new life to the one-time tech darling. Dorsey handed over a third of his Twitter stock, amounting to about one per cent of the company and valued at $200 million, in October when the stock was trading at about $30. “Mr. Dorsey and we believe our success is due to our highly talented employee base and that our future success depends on our ability to attract and retain high caliber people,” according to a letter to stockholders Friday signed by the company’s general counsel. Twitter has hired three new directors in the past two months, bolstering its leadership as the social media company confronts a slowdown in user growth. Earlier this year four members of the executive team left, including the product head and chief of engineering. Shareholders need to approve the 2016 equity incentive plan at the annual meeting May 25 to allow Dorsey’s shares to be contributed and for the amendment to the proposal to take effect. — Bloomberg News

Cisco shares jump after forecast signals success Cisco Systems shares jumped the most in three months after quarterly sales and profit forecasts exceeded analysts’ estimates, an early sign that it’s staying ahead of shifts in the networking industry that threaten its lucrative hardware business. Growth is being driven by newer units such as security and conferencing, divisions that Cisco has built up in recent years through acquisitions. The company on Wednesday projected sales growth of as much as three per cent in the current period, while analysts had predicted revenue would decline. Fiscal third-quarter results also topped estimates.

Chief Executive Officer Chuck Robbins is trying to accelerate growth by shifting the company’s offerings toward software-based networking, security and management products, which customers increasingly prefer because they’re less expensive and more adaptable. Recent acquisitions such as Jasper Technologies, whose software allows companies to connect all sorts of electronic devices, and a new emphasis on security are helping make Cisco less dependent on its expensive, purpose-built hardware, especially as lackluster economic growth means corporate customers are reluctant to spend. “We’re in the early days of this transition, but I think we’ve proven in those businesses that we can actually make this transition, and we now have a plan under way to take that methodology across the balance of our portfolio,” Robbins said in an interview on Thursday morning on “Bloomberg Go.” The company still has a long way to go to recast itself fully, and earnings are not where they should be, Robbins said on Wednesday — Bloomberg News

Google’s Android and Chrome operating systems get closer Google said its Android mobile app store will run on the Internet giant’s Chrome OS for personal computers, the latest sign of the two operating systems slowly converging. Google Play, the Android app store, will roll out first on three Chromebook PCs running Chrome OS: the Asus Chromebook Flip, the Acer Chromebook R 11 and the latest Chromebook Pixel made by Google. Over time, the most-popular global app store will run on other existing Chromebooks and new PCs specifically designed for Play that Google is developing with hardware partners, the Mountain View, California-based company said on Thursday. Android apps like Microsoft’s Skype video calling service, will now work on Chromebooks, filling several gaps that made the computers less useful in the past. The move is the latest sign that Google, a unit of Alphabet Inc., may eventually combine Android and Chrome OS into a single operating system. While the company has said it has no current plans to eliminate Chrome OS, a top Google executive addressed the subject on Thursday. — Bloomberg News

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

ROUND-UP SBA unveils Nissan 3S facility in Khasab

R E A L E S TAT E F I R M

A trusted one-stop solution for Nissan patrons, the Khasab facility is committed to offering world-class sales, services and spare parts to its customers

MUSCAT: As part of its network expansion plan in Oman, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles (SBA) has opened an exclusive 3S (sales, service and spare parts) facility in Khasab, dedicated to Nissan’s customers.

A trusted one-stop solution for Nissan patrons, the Khasab facility is committed to offering worldclass sales, services and spare parts to its customers. Assuring every customer purchasing a Nissan vehicle of top class after sales service, SBA’s Khasab facility guarantees the advantage of factory trained

experts, says a press release.

A senior official of SBA said, “Nissan patrons always experience great service, professionalism and a personal touch whichever part of Oman they buy the vehicle from.

We wanted to extend the facility to the customers in Khasab in the Musandam governorate. For every customer purchasing a Nissan vehicle, it is the beginning of a fulfilling experience as Nissan’s top class after sales service makes sure every customer is happy and satisfied.”

The official added, “SBA is proud to announce that we have started operation in our brand new 3S facility in Khasab. With the activation of facility in Khasab, we have made our presence in Musandam governorate to serve our valued customers which is our commitment as part of network reach.”

The new facility has sales, service and spare parts available under one roof. To cater to the customer’s vehicle repair and maintenance requirement, the service workshop has 10 working bays.

After sales service Every customer purchasing a vehicle can be assured that Nissan uses only genuine replacement parts at all times. Customers can expect consistency and support during after sales service, which ascertains Nissan’s performance and resale value in the years to come.

Impressive vehicle line-up Nissan has built up its reputation through innovative technology, and a broad product line-up. In Oman, people have increasingly opted for Nissan models because they come

with class leading features, great performance, ideally suited to the local conditions and offer great value for money besides being among the safest cars on the road.

Nissan’s range of vehicles consists of sedans like Micra, Sunny, Sentra, Tiida, Altima and Maxima; crossover model the Juke; SUV range of X-Trail, Pathfinder and Patrol. Nissan’s LCV range includes Single Cab and the Double Cab Pickups, Navara, Patrol Pickup, Urvan 15-seater, panel van buses and Civilian with 26 seats and 30-seater variants.

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

Savills London property exhibition ends today MUSCAT: Savills, one of the world’s largest real estate firms with over 700 offices worldwide, launched a showcase of London Residential Property at the Grand Hyatt Muscat yesterday.

The exhibition which presents a diverse range of new property options for sale has been arranged following strong interest levels in UK property seen from Oman over recent months.

Many Omani citizens and residents view London as a second home and before this summer when many will be visiting, Savills felt it appropriate to bring to Oman a selection of developments that would likely be of interest. These include apartments

at Southbank Tower, Alto at Webley Park, Lillie Square at Earls Court and St Edmund’s Terrace near Regent’s Park.

The event which will end today has experienced high levels of attendees upon opening, offering the opportunity to speak directly with the developers and a specialist London team from Savills, who can assist in all matters from the buying process to financing options.

For buyers interested in purchasing prime UK property, the Savills team in Oman will provide a much requested coordinating point for those who will be visiting London over the summer months.

W E L L N E S S I N I T I AT I V E

Oman Insurance launches exclusive healthcare programme ‘LivFit’ MUSCAT: Oman Insurance Company has launched LivFit, a wellness initiative to inspire healthy living.

The mission of the initiative is to develop and implement health programmes that raise awareness about various diseases, support early detection and encourage insured members’ physical and mental wellbeing, says a press release.

The launch of LivFit will help to bridge the gap between people’s health and wellbeing goals and the level of support and information available. Based on a research done

by Oman Insurance Company and Bupa Global last year, 89% of UAE residents believe they could live a healthier life. Furthermore, nearly 40% of respondents claim they do not have sufficient time to manage

their wellbeing and 58% of these respondents state work commitments are the main barrier to doing so. Despite this, 80 percent of respondents would like more information about their health and wellbeing.

LivFit has been developed with the aim to raise awareness, create health literacy and organise health programmes to support a healthy

lifestyle and encourage well-being of healthcare members. The initiative from Oman Insurance is a testament of its commitment to help clients manage the risks of everyday life by developing risk management programs and innovative healthcare and wellness solutions.

Commenting on the initiative, Christos Adamantiadis, CEO of Oman Insurance Company, said

LU X U RY WAT C H M A K E R

“LivFit will take us a step further into fulfilling our strategic objective of moving the insurance boundaries by redefining the scope of healthcare business from protection to prevention.”

Dr Partha Panda, SVP Life and Health Claims at Oman Insurance Company said, “As part of the programme, we will work towards organiding programmes for our

clients to influence individual and organisational health practices.

Already, we are sending monthly communication as well as special offers to our healthcare members to support early detection and prevention of various diseases.”

With a commitment for constant improvement, Oman Insurance will endeavour to reach out to a greater number of individuals.

GOAN BAND

Hublot showcases Baselworld 2016 novelties in Oman MUSCAT: Timelessness finds its ultimate meaning in a Hublot timepiece. Creating the finest watches and wall-clocks since 1980, Hublot defines the ‘Art of Fusion’ philosophy in the luxury industry.

Moving forward to create the future at breathtaking speed, the Swiss watchmaker partnered with Mistal to bring its watches to Oman.

In that context, Hublot and Mistal presented the brand’s Baselworld 2016 novelties to the press in Muscat recently at the Crowne Plaza, in the presence of Marco Tedeschi, regional director - Hublot Middle East and Africa and Dharmesh Ajit Khimji, managing director - Mistal, says a press release.

“It is a pleasure to be here as we have always received a positive response from our customers in Oman; the country has a large number of watch enthusiasts who truly understand the concept of finesse. Our collaboration with

Mistal has helped us associate our brand with leading events locally and maintain our connection with our clients,” said Marco.

The event in Muscat was the last stop of Hublot’s road show in the region, and showcased eight of the new watches launched by Hublot at Baselworld this year. A watch brand that causes even the most discerning eyes to raise an appreciative brow, Hublot has received

much admiration among women and men alike. In line with the celebration of 10 years of the All Black concept, the Big Bang Unico Sapphire All Black was the star of the new collection, along with the Big Bang MECA-10 that boasts an innovative skeleton dial construction revealing the detailed mechanics of its new manufacture movement HUB1201. With all the plates, axles, wheels and gear synchronised

in perfect harmony, this atypical design has a 10-day power reserve, further reinforcing the connection between man and machine.

“Hublot has created its mark in history as a luxury watchmaker dictating its own theory of fusion.

The watches’ pure lines and careful selection of innovative materials complement its unique and different outlook of connecting the past to the future,” said Ajit Khimji. “As Hublot’s local partners, we are honoured to have Marco Tedeschi with us today as we present a fine collection of Hublot novelties for the very first time in Oman.”

The Mistal boutique, a part of the Ajit Khimji Group, is a luxury watch and jewellery boutique that homes some of exclusive Hublot timepieces. The new showroom that was recently inaugurated is an epitome of timeless beauty and mirrors the same class, refinement and novelty as the brands it holds.

HONOUR

BankDhofar recognised at OER Top 20 Awards MUSCAT: Celebrating its resounding success and highlighting its continuous support of nationwide business initiatives, BankDhofar has been recognised as one of the Sultanate’s most successful companies at the OER Business Summit.

The award was received by Abdul Hakeem Omar Al Ojaili, acting CEO of BankDhofar, during OER Business Summit and Top 20 Awards that was held at Grand Hyatt Muscat under the auspices of Dr Rasheed bin Al Safi Al Huraibi, chairman of Oman Tender Board and was attended by Ahmed Saleh Al Marhoon, director-general of Muscat Securities Market. The event brought together CEOs and senior executives from the top listed companies on Muscat Security Market, business leaders from privately owned and joint stock companies, as well as senior government officials, invited guests and keynote speakers from regional and international organisations.

Al Ojaili said: “We are very delighted to have been recognised among the top performing firms in

Oman. This reiterates BankDhofar’s commitment to excel and grow in all business areas, contribute to the development of the country’s economy and meet the aspirations of all internal and external stakeholders.”

The OER Top 20 Awards is an annual event that aims to honour companies that excel in various financial arenas like revenue and financial performance, weight in the market and overall business growth. Every year, Oman’s 20 largest listed companies on MSM receive the coveted OER Top 20 awards, celebrating their success and excellence throughout the year.

“We at BankDhofar have directed all our efforts and resources towards leading the Omani banking industry in all business areas, working constantly to provide the best customer experience through creative financial solutions, tailored products and innovative services. We have intensified our effort to further expand our business operations and continued to follow best international banking practices,” added Al Ojaili.

Alcatrazz all set to rock May Queen Ball MUSCAT: The May Queen Ball is back in town as a part of the Indian Social Club’s Goan Wing initiative which will be held on Friday, May 27 at the Civil Aviation Club, Seeb from 7pm to 1am.

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

The six-member team of gifted musicians has toured virtually every city in India, delivering gigs that have consistently won them acclaim from music lovers and the local media. Today, they are sought after corporate events

organisers tasked with putting together high-profile shows for commercial launches. The band is powered by Cassian Fernandes (lead vocals), Patrick Silveira (drums and vocals), Cassius Fernandes (keyboards and vocals), Peter Faria (bass and vocals), Francis D’Souza (lead and vocals) and Sandra Franco (vocalist) To add more excitement to the show Updesh Swar will be the comperer for the event and Dr Martin Dcosta, Dance sport champion will have the show rocking. It is also a night for ISC Goan wing to bring different communities together. This dine and dance is open to Goans and guests from all other communities and nationalities.

PRESERVING THE PLANET

Haya Water marks Earth Day MUSCAT: Haya Water organised an annual event on the occasion of Earth Day celebration at Bait Haya under the auspices of Eng. Hussein bin Hassan Abdul Hussain, CEO of Haya Water with the presence of a number of participating officials and Haya employees.

The ceremony included environmental informative exhibition which presented different messages about the importance of preserving the planet. In addition, some companies specialised in recycling displayed some models and methods that are used in the recycling process, says a press release.

Eng. Hussain spoke about the importance of this event saying: “The world’s celebration of Earth Day reflects its attempts to preserve the earth and the envi-

ronment and to raise awareness about the importance of protecting it from natural and industrial pollutants. The world must remember that what is happening now may have serious risks to the Earth and the environment.”

In the end, the CEO distributed certificates of appreciation to the participants. In addition, around 300 plants were distributed to staff during the event.

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ROUND-UP

Asian Banker recognises top BankDhofar official Faisal Hamad Al Wahaibi, chief retail banking officer, BankDhofar, was recently honoured

by The Asian Banker from amongst leading practitioners in the region

MUSCAT: In recognition of his significant contributions in the development of the financial sector in the Sultanate, Faisal Hamad Al Wahaibi, chief retail banking officer - BankDhofar was recently honoured by The Asian Banker among leading practitioners in the region.

The List of Leading Practitioners is a programme designed by The Asian Banker to identify, recognise and mobilise those who are shaping the financial services industry in their respective markets on an on-going basis. These include practitioners in the domestic as well as regional and global fronts whose work or influence

are relevant to the Asia Pacific and the other emerging regions, says a press release.

“Retail banking is a highly creative and dynamic industry and this event aims to highlight people who are taking this industry forward by responding to new challenges brought on by liberalisation, technology and changing customer behaviour. It gives me a tremendous pleasure to be among top leaders in the retail banking business, and I would like to thank the organisers of the event for their unlimited support and for providing a platform for market leaders to network and exchange expertise in

the industry,” he said.

“This recognition wouldn’t have been achieved without the thorough vision of BankDhofar board of directors and top management, as well as the collaborative efforts of all BankDhofar family members who worked together to add value to the business. It would not be achieved either without the continuous support of our customers in all parts of Oman,” he added.

Al Wahaibi has been at the helm

of retail banking since he joined BankDhofar in 2009, and he brings in an extensive experience of over 20 years across various functions in the banking and finance industry. Over the year, BankDhofar has led the banking industry in the Sultanate and has been recognised by local and international organisations for its leadership and commitment to contribute to the development of the banking industry in the Sultanate.

RECOGNITION

Kia Oman YouTube channel wins silver at Oman Tech MUSCAT: Kia Oman YouTube channel (https://www.youtube. com/user/kiaomanmuscat) has won silver at the recently held Oman Tech Award event under the aegis of ITA-Information Technology Authority (e-oman).

“We are truly honoured to receive the award, which recognises our commitment to reach ever closer to our customers – to serve them even better,” remarked the Kia spokesperson.

Underlining Kia’s dedication to customer satisfaction, the spokes-

person continued, “Kia winning the award is due to the popularity of Kia YouTube page, which in turn can perhaps be attributed to its appealing design and interesting features.

“It is yet another product of Kia’s active commitment to provide its customers with an “interesting and interactive way to relate to their favourite Kia models,” feels an independent automotive expert. Kia Oman’s Youtube channel has close to 400,000 views.”

Social media has revolutionised

the way people communicate and consume information.

Kia has been at the forefront of this revolution by using tools such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Google Plus to connect, interact and share with its fans as never before. As technology continues to advance and improve, Kia takes its enthusiasts’ along on an exciting journey.

Reliable International Automotive, the distributor for Kia in Oman provides a rewarding ownership experience for customers.

ROAD SAFETY

Bank Sohar launches Instagram contest MUSCAT: Commemorating the recent launch of its new Road Safety Campaign, Bank Sohar has launched a special contest for all its followers on its Instagram page (www.instagram.com/banksoharexcel). The contest, which began on May 22, titled Road Safety, will see 10 winners share in a prize pool of OMR1,000.

Starting from May 22 till June 4, the bank’s followers on its Instagram page are invited to look for the Bank Sohar Road Safety Jingle on the bank’s Instagram page or the bank’s YouTube page excelbanksohar. To enter the contest, followers need to post a video of a child re-

RECRUIT

The bank’s followers on its Instagram page are invited to look for the Bank Sohar Road Safety Jingle on the bank’s Instagram page or YouTube page

acting to the jingle mentioning @ banksoharexcel in the post, with the hashtag BankSohar#. All entries will be entered into a computerised draw at the end of the competition period where 10 winners will each receive OMR100.

Commenting on the launch of the contest Munira Abdulnabi Macki, GM of HR and Corporate Support at Bank Sohar said, “Promoting road safety, both internally and amongst the community, has always been given great importance by the bank.

With this jingle, we wanted to make something simple, catchy and easy for children to understand. We want them to take this all-important

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message and spread it to their parents not to use mobile phone while driving. Given the popularity our Instagram page has garnered over the past three years, we felt it would be a great way for people to spread the message among the community while also being rewarded for doing so. As such, we encourage everyone to make the most of this competition and we look forward to seeing all the entries.”

Bank Sohar has come a long way in getting closer to its customers and interacting with them on the popular social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

ISO AND HACCP SYSTEMS

A’Saffa committed to food safety and consumer health MUSCAT: The concept of social responsibility is embedded deep into the A’Saffa brand.

Setting new and improved standards every day, A’Saffa Foods confirms compliance to specified statutory requirements on quality management, bio security and food safety systems and hence enjoys successes at all levels of production of its products, says a press release.

The high standards of hygiene at the poultry farms ensure a healthy food component for consumers. For the birds, the company takes into consideration the ethical concerns of their welfare.

The birds are provided all food and water they need to keep them healthy and satisfied. They are kept at the farms such that they face no discomfort, pain, injury or disease.

Accreditation and certification by the leading TUV Nord for quality is a testimony to the quality management systems at A’Saffa Foods. It has also been awarded quality certifications such as HACCP certification for food quality and hygiene systems, ISO 9001:2000 for total quality management systems and ISO 14001:2004 for environmental management systems.

The HACCP is a management system in which food safety is addressed through the analysis and control of biological, chemical, and physical hazards from raw material production, procurement and handling, to manufacturing, distribution and consumption of the finished product.

ISO 9001:2000 for total quality management systems specifies requirements for a quality management system where an organisation needs to demonstrate its ability to consistently provide product that meets customer and applicable regulatory requirements, andaims to enhance customer satisfaction through the effective application of the system, including processes for continual improvement of the system and the assurance of conformity to customer and applicable regulatory requirements.

Lastly, ISO 14001:2004 for environmental management systems, it specifies requirements for an environmental management system to enable an organisation to develop and implement a policy and objectives which take into account legal requirements and other requirements to which the organisation subscribes, and information about significant environmental aspects. It applies to those environmental aspects that the organization identifies as those which it can control and those which it can influence.

Having best-in-class technology and equipment at A’ Saffa’s

plant, the company and has implemented the same in all sections of their farm management procedures, whilst strictly adhering to the highest biosecurity and hygiene standards, thereby ensuring that their chicken are free from any disease.

These standards cover a wide range of concerns, from feeding requirements to the amount of space each bird must be given, and are designed to improve the health and wellbeing of birds throughout their lives.

A’Saffa chickens are processed at the company’s state-of-the-art plant. The brand follows strict Islamic Sharia (Halal) procedures.

Chilled chicken products are made available to the consumers within the shortest period of time. The frozen products also reach the outlets within a week of production thereby retaining their freshness, taste and flavour.

“As with our core principles of following religious, healthy and ethical practices, the company prohibits use of chicken and animal byproducts and substitutes for feeding the birds as happen in some other poultry companies,” said Sidhartha Lenka, head of Sales and Marketing,.

He explained that A’Saffa also has a highly trained on site medical team at the Thumrait farms complex who monitor the health of the chickens daily to ensure they are kept free from disease, have the right balance of feed and water and ensuring the final product to the consumer is always safe and pure chicken meat.

“Just like the DNA in the human body that distinguishes each of our personalities so is the DNA in A’Saffa Foods that dictates the A’Saffa Foods corporate philosophy - “Core Values of Healthy Food, Health and Happiness”.

A’Saffa brand personality is a manifestation of the corporate DNA and is complemented by key back end process chains that include controlled and hygienic environment where A’Saffa chickens grow,” says Lenka.

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

ROUND-UP

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al Mazyona gains momentum with high value prizes for Premier banking clients Reflecting the customer-centric vision of the bank, Premier banking is focused on providing personalised service catering to the complex financial needs of clients. With a bouquet of exclusive offerings, the rewarding al Mazyona experience distinguishes Premier banking clients from competitors Abdulnasir Al Raisi DGM – Premier Banking

The upcoming al Mazyona monthly prize draw will be held in Sur on May 25

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of its customer-centric strategy offers a distinct Premier banking experience characterised by global banking solutions, exclusive benefits and rewards.

Elevating Premier banking service to unparalleled heights, the bank focuses on enriching customer experience with special banking facilities and services that meet their personalised needs, aspirations and goals, says a press release.

Notable among the exclusive rewards and benefits lined up for Premier banking customers are the high value al Mazyona month-

ly, quarterly and year-end prizes.

The bank understands customer expectations as al Mazyona 2016 scheme offering OMR10 million in prize money is an incredible incentive for maintaining a healthy savings habit.

Premier customers of the bank - Private, asalah Priority and al Jawhar Privilege banking – are eligible to participate in all al Mazyona prize draws. The exclusive prizes earmarked for asalah Priority banking customers include two monthly prizes of OMR50,000 each, two quarterly prizes of OMR250,000 each and the yearend jackpot prize of OMR500,000 for one customer. The bank also offers special prizes to al Jawhar Privilege Banking customers, including two monthly prizes of OMR25,000 each and two quarterly prizes of OMR50,000 each.

To date, the fabulous high value prizes offered to Premier banking clients are leaps and bounds above any similar schemes in Oman and the region. The upcoming al Mazyona monthly prize draw will be held in Sur on May 25.

The Sultanate’s flagship saving

s scheme, al Mazyona, has gained momentum with the series of 2016 prize draws guaranteeing bigger and better winning chances for customers across the Sultanate.

The bank recently celebrated the first quarterly prize draw of al Mazyona savings scheme this year in which six customers covering all regions, including two from asalah Priority Banking and two from al Jawhar Privilege Banking, won high value prizes totaling OMR800,000.

Abdulnasir Al Raisi, DGM – Premier Banking, said: “Against the backdrop of the prevailing economic conditions, al Mazyona sustains and encourages a strong savings culture in Oman. The exciting scheme, which reflects the dreams and aspirations of citizens and residents, has a positive impact on the people and the nation.

“Marking a long-standing and strong relationship with clients, the Premier banking strategy is a step into the future banking in Oman, reflecting the bank’s commitment to expand innovative services to clients and remain the nation’s bank of first choice.”

Hyundai appoints new head of Africa & Middle East region

2010 to 2014. Most recently, he has filled the role of Head of AsiaPacific, Africa and Middle East Group, based in Korea.

He joins the Africa and Middle East Regional Headquarters during an important period for the carmaker, with 2016 expected to include the launch of two significant new product lines: the introduction of Genesis as a standalone luxury brand, and the release of the IONIQ eco-friendly model.

This will be the first car to be offered with a choice of the three most popular alternative-fuel drivetrains, including full-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and full-electric.

Song will also work to drive Hyundai sales in what are difficult market conditions through much of the region.

“Looking at the road ahead, there is considerable uncertainty in many markets, from the impact of low oil prices in the GCC and other petroleum-producing countries, through to falling currencies in the two largest African markets – South Africa and Egypt,” said Song.

“Hyundai is, however, in a strong position despite the challenges.

We are recognised for high quality, and increasingly for advanced engineering and stylish design, but we also retain a reputation for value, both at the time of purchase and in terms of continuing ownership costs. People feel Hyundai is dependable, as well as desirable.”

Mike Song replaces Jin (James) Kim, who is returning to a senior management position in Korea.

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

U N I QU E P L AT F O R M

Oman Air to support GCC New Age Banking Summit 2016 MUSCAT: Oman Air, the award winning national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, is supporting the GCC New Age Banking Summit 2016 as the official airline partner.

To be held at the Crowne Plaza in Muscat today, the summit will be a unique platform for the banking and finance professionals to discuss the new developments in global banking and debate on the focus areas for Omani banks, says a press release.

The event will host a line-up of expert regional and global industry speakers and help the audience gain expert insights on disrup-

will be shared by more winners as customers from all regions are guaranteed to win.

Adding excitement to festivals and national celebrations, the 2016 savings scheme also rewards customers with special prizes, besides aspirational prizes of OMR1 million to be shared by two customers at the end of year.

A special prize draw offering OMR10,000 each for winners from 14 regions will be held in celebration of Eid Al Fitr in July. An exclusive draw for Zeinah women customers coinciding with Omani Women’s Day is another highlight in which 10 customers will be rewarded with OMR10,000 each. On the occasion of the National Day, a special draw will be held offering OMR10,000 each for 10 winners.

Eligibility The eligibility for al Mazyona prize draws is to maintain a minimum balance of OMR100 which entitles customers to win OMR1,000 every week. By maintaining a minimum balance of OMR1,000, customers are eligible to win the OMR10,000 monthly prize, OMR100,000 quar-

terly prize and the grand prize of OMR500,000 at the end of the year. For every OMR100 balance, customers get 1 chance to win – so with OMR1,000, they get 10 chances to win. The more the saving, the better the chances to win. al Mazyona continues to be the only savings scheme to recognise and reward loyalty for customers based on their association with the bank. For example, if a customer has been saving for 5 years, his chances of winning get multiplied by 5 times and similarly if he has been maintaining al Mazyona savings account for 20 years, his chances get multiplied 20 times and so on. This benefit is unique only to al Mazyona savings scheme holders and no other bank offers this loyalty reward.

The double-your-salary scheme is another attraction of 2016 al Mazyona savings scheme which entitles customers maintaining a salary account with the bank to win a free bonus salary every month. In all, there will be 30 winners every month who will gain a bonus salary with al Mazyona savings account.

L I F E S T Y L E D E S T I NAT I O N S

NEW ROLE

MUSCAT: Carmaker Hyundai has appointed Mike Song as its new head of Africa and Middle East region in the second week of May. Based in the Dubai regional headquarters, Song will oversee operations throughout the Mena region, as well as Sub-Saharan Africa and the Canary Islands, says a press release.

“It is both an enormous challenge and a great privilege to take on such an exciting role,” said Song. “Hyundai is a leader in passenger car sales in several markets in the region, with a committed network of distributors, and a growing number of satisfied customers. I look forward to playing a vital role in the company’s continued success.”

Born in Korea in 1968, Song Joined Hyundai in 1993 after graduating from Seoul National University. He was executive coordinator for Sales and Marketing in Canada from 2000 to 2005; worked within the Corporate Planning Division at Hyundai Global Headquarters from 2005 to 2009; and was sales coordinator for Hyundai Motor America from

Supporting customers to meet financial aspirations during the past 24 years, al Mazyona reaches out with exciting rewards at an unbeatable frequency. Reckoned the savings scheme for the nation, al Mazyona has made dreams of innumerable customers come true.

The bank attaches great importance to inculcating prudent savings and spending habits and has tailored al Mazyona scheme with this objective in mind.

Al Raisi added: “Reflecting the customer-centric vision of the bank, Premier banking is focused on providing personalised service catering to the complex financial needs of clients. With a bouquet of exclusive offerings, the rewarding al Mazyona experience distinguishes Premier banking clients from competitors.” al Mazyona savings scheme guaranteeing more for everyone to share is the biggest prize money in Oman and the region with regular prizes ranging from OMR1,000 a week to OMR10,000 a month and OMR100,000 every quarter, in addition to special and year-end prizes. The prize money

tive technologies, global banking trends and new age customer needs, and an opportunity to network with industry peers and banking solution providers.

Mohammed Al Shikely, vice president - Marketing, Oman Air commented: “Oman Air is delighted to partner with the GCC New Age Banking Summit 2016. The summit is yet another opportunity to showcase the Sultanate as the perfect location to host such events, whilst promoting Oman as a unique destination surrounded with breathtaking typography, heritage,

culture and renowned hospitality, ready to welcome business, leisure and adventure seeking travellers.”

Welcoming Oman Air onboard as the partner, Alpana Roy, executive vice president, UMS (the organiser of the summit) said, “We are pleased to have Oman Air as our partner for the event. We are thankful to Oman Air for committing to provide the highest standards of comfort and service in true Omani hospitality tradition and culture to the banking and technology experts flying from all over the world to participate in this prestigious event.”

Muscat, Qurum City Centres continue to offer exceptional customer service MUSCAT: As part of the commitment to deliver unrivalled customer services and a worldclass shopping experience, Majid Al Futtaim’s two leading lifestyle destinations in the Sultanate, City Centre Muscat and City Centre Qurum, have gone above and beyond to ensure that mall visitors are attended to by a resourceful and well-trained team of Omani representatives.

“We believe the key to delivering great moments for our shoppers is a strong customer service team that value and take pride in delivering an exceptional shopping experience. At Majid Al Futtaim malls, the customer is our number one priority. We strive to exceed our visitors’ expectations through ongoing innovation, training and continuous improvement of our service offerings,” said Husam Al Mandhari, senior mall manager at City Centre Muscat.

In addition, Majid Al Futtaim is committed to the personal development of all its employees. The mall’s customer service teams are regularly trained in troubleshooting from missing children incidents, to lost shoppers and attending to unwell visitors. City Centre malls’ customer service team will provide necessary assistance to visitors with a caring spirit, leaving each and every customer happy.

Munther, a City Centre Muscat shopper commented, “My wife and I were overwhelmed with the customer service team’s caring demeanour. Our daughter was separated from us but they made such an effort to see that our daughter was brought safely back to us. We are eternally grateful for this act of sheer kindness and diligence.”

During another reported incident, a customer was reported looking unwell. The customer service team took the initiative to order a wheelchair and requested a member of the City Centre Muscat staff to escort the woman around the mall. The team took the extra step of making sure that she got

home safely by calling to follow up on the woman’s condition.

Sayyid Basim Al Busaidi said, “This kind of consideration is what I would have expected from doctors and close family and friends. The mere fact that this person was not only able to observe my wife’s difficulty upon entering City Centre Muscat, but also offered support. The care that was provided is remarkable and speaks in itself with regards to the high level of customer service training and the wonderful personalities of the mall staff.

This is the best customer service we’ve ever experienced.”

Watfa Humaid Al Harthy, Sen-

ior Mall Manager at City Centre Qurum commented, “It is exceptional customer service stories like these that demonstrate our staff ’s commitment to visitors’ experience while at the mall. Creating a safe and comfortable environment, fostering relationships and going the extra mile contribute towards creating great moments for everyone, everyday. Providing the best customer service and shopping experience is a constant endeavor within Majid Al Futtaim’s malls and one which requires thorough training and innovative thinking. We look forward to getting to know our customers more!”

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM M ON DAY, MAY 23, 2016

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KYRGIOS LIGHTS UP DAMP OPENING DAY IN PARIS >C4

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YOUR GAME

Oman scored 220 runs for 6 in 50 overs thanks mainly to an unbeaten 78 runs

by Aamir Kaleem.

Then they bowled out Nigeria for 39 runs Lalcheta claiming four wickets each

MUSCAT: Aamir Kaleem, Rajesh Ranpura and captain Ajay Lalcheta played stellar roles as Oman humbled Nigeria in a massive 181run victory in the ongoing ICC World Cricket League Division 5 competition in Jersey on Sunday.

According to information received here, Oman after being asked to bat first overcame an early wobble before putting up 220 runs for the loss of six wickets in their quota of 50 overs thanks mainly to an unbeaten 78 runs by Aamir Kaleem.

In reply, Nigeria were bowled out for a paltry 39 runs. For Oman, pacer Rajesh Ranpura and Ajay Lalcheta claimed four wickets each while Munis Ansari and Zeeshan Maqsood bagged one each.

Oman’s rain-affected opening match against hosts Jersey ended

STAR PERFORMERS: From left, captain Ajay Lalcheta, Rajesh Ranpura, and Aamir Kaleem.

SCOREBOARD

OMAN Khawar Ali run out 14 Zeeshan Maqsood b Issac 13 V. Wategaonkar c Ayannaike b Olympio 3 Noorul Riaz b Oyede 39 Jatinder Singh c Onwuzulike b Adedeji 9 Aamir Kaleem not out 78 Ajay Lalcheta run out 44 Mehran Khan not out 1 Extras (b-1, lb-3, w-12, nb-3) 19 Total (6 wkts; 50 overs) 220 Did not bat: R. Ranpura, S. Khadye, Sufyan Mehmood.

Fall of wickets: 1-18, 2-35, 3-36, 4-63, 5-116, 6-217.

Bowling: C.N. Onwuzulike 7-0-45-0 (w-3); O. Issac 8-0-34-1 (nb-2); O.A. Olympio 7-1-19-1 (w-3); A. Abioye 3-0-15-0 (w-4); S. Adedeji 10-3-27-1; A. Oyede 10-0-46-1 (nb-1, w-2); A.P. Adegbola 5-0-30-0.

in a no result on Saturday but according to the International Cricket Council the teams will play the match again on Monday, a rest day, from the beginning.

NIGERIA A. Onikoyi lbw Ansari SO Olayinka c&b Ranpura J. Ayannaike c Wategaonkar b Ranpura A.P. Adegbola c Jatinder Singh b Ranpura A. Oyede b Ranpura OJ Bejide lbw Lalcheta S. Adedeji st Khadye b Lalcheta CN Onwuzulike b Lalcheta OA Olympio st Khadye b Lalcheta O. Issac b Zeeshan Maqsood A. Abioye not out Extras (lb-2, w-3) Total (all out; 23.5 overs)

PICK THE PERFECT RIDE >C8

Oman humble Nigeria in 181-run victory

with Ranpura and

INSIDE LIFESTYLE

7 4 7 2 5 7 0 1 0 1 0 5 39

Fall of wickets: 1-8, 2-13, 3-17, 4-28, 5-35, 6-35, 7-35, 8-36, 9-39.

Bowling: R. Ranpura 10-3-18-4 (w-2); M. Ansari 5-1-12-1 (w-1); A. Lalcheta 6.5-4-7-4; Zeeshan Maqsood 2-2-0-1.

On Sunday, Duleep Mendiscoached Oman team began their innings rather shakily losing both openers Khawar Ali (14) and Zeeshan Maqsood (13) early.

Number three batsman Vaibhav Wategaonkar (3) too departed soon leaving the score at 36 for three wickets.

Reliable all-rounder Jatinder Singh too followed suit after scoring just nine runs.

However, Noorul Riaz (39) and Aamir Kaleem studied the innings.

Later after the departure of Noorul, captain Ajay Lalcheta (44) helped in taking the total to respectability.

Nigeria’s chase never really took off as Munis Ansari removed opener Ademola Onikoyi in the fourth over and then Ranpura routed the opposition with a three strikes in quick succession.

With Lalcheta too troubling the opposition with his left-arm spin, the Nigerians were bowled out for 39 runs.

In another match played on Sunday, Guernsey defeated Tanzania by eight wickets.

Brief scores: Tanzania 108/9 in 41 overs lost to Guernsey 109/2 26.1 overs.

FOOTBALL

Qatar confirmed as hosts of 23rd Gulf Cup tourney MUSCAT: Qatar has been confirmed as hosts of the 23rd Gulf Cup Football Championship.

A decision to this effect was taken during a meeting of the heads of the GCC national football associations in Doha on Saturday.

According to information received here, the GCC football chiefs have unanimously agreed to give the hosting rights to Qatar.

The 23rd edition of the Gulf region’s premier football championship was postponed twice in the past.

The championship was originally scheduled to have been hosted in Iraqi city of Basra in February 2015 but the hosts pulled out due to financial crisis.

The championship schedule was then changed to 2016 and later to 2017 with Kuwait selected as the hosts.

However, three-time hosts Kuwait too had to withdraw following it’s suspension by world soccer body FIFA. On Saturday, the GCC football chiefs put an end to all speculations by selecting Qatar as the hosts while also announcing the tentative schedule of the popular championship.

The football chiefs have agreed for the tournament to be hosted in December 2017 to January 2018. But they have decided to announce the exact dates later after considering all the aspects, including the engagements of clubs as well as national teams of all participating teams.

New tournaments During Doha meeting, the GCC

The GCC football chiefs took the decision during a meeting in Qatari capital of Doha and the 23rd Gulf Cup is scheduled for December 2017 and January 2018

football also elected Qatar Football Association President Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani has been elected chairman of the newly-formed federation of the Gulf Cup. Meanwhile, Said Saud Al Mohannadi, Vice-President of QFA, the office of the new body will be based in Doha.

Media reports also quoted him as saying that ‘an investment firm will market two high profile events set to be launched by the new Gulf football body’.

“In addition to the hugely popular Gulf Cup, two new tournaments will be added to the regional calendar. The next step would be to work on the rules and regulations of new events,” Al Mohannadi was quoted as saying.

The officials will reveal further information on the two tournaments in due course.

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

SPORTS

Spinners take Knight Riders into playoffs Both KKR and Sunrisers finished their campaign on 16 points from 14 games, which was enough for both the teams to qualify for the playoffs

KOLKATA: Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav sizzled with the ball as two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) relied its spin attack to advance into the playoffs of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) with a 22-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday.

Defending 172-run target on a slow and turning Eden Gardens pitch, Narine (3/26) returned his best figures of the season and was ably supported by left-arm chinaman Yadav (2/28) as Sunrisers could only muster 149 for eight.

Both KKR and Sunrisers finished their campaign on 16 points from 14 games, which was enough for both the teams to qualify for the playoffs.

Chasing a stiff 172 for win, Sunrisers started brightly with Shikhar Dhawan (51 off 30 balls) striking his fourth half century of the season which was studded with four boundaries and three sixes.

SPIN TRICK: Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine, right, celebrates with his teammates after dismissing

Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner during their IPL match in Kolkata on Sunday. – AFP

Even though Sunrisers skipper David Warner (18) was cleaned up by Narine in the fourth over, Dhawan looked in ominous touch before young Yadav triggered the collapse dismissing the left-handed batsman.

It was a master stroke from KKR captain Gautam Gambhir to bring the rookie chinaman spinner into the squad in place of Piyush Chawla as Yadav, who was playing his second match after a more than a month’s gap, did not disappoint.

With the asking rate creeping up

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all the time, a well-set Dhawan departed immediately after completing his fifty while trying to sweep Yadav only to give a simple catch to Colin Munro at deep midwicket.

Four balls later, Naman Ojha (15) perished to Narine but Yuvraj Singh (19) kept Sunrisers in the hunt, smacking Yadav for two successive sixes in the next over.

Left-arm spinner Shakib Al Hasan (134) then cut short Yuvraj’s innings before Deepak Hooda was run out in the next over as Sunrsiers chase fell by thenway side.

Moises Henriques (11) became Narine’s third victim when he went through the Australian’s defence. Earlier, Yusuf Pathan struck his third half century of the ongoing IPL before some brilliant death bowling by Sunrisers Hyderabad restricted Kolkata Knight Riders to 171 for six.

Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 171/6 in 20 overs (Yusuf Pathan 52 n.o., Manish Pandey 48; Deepak Hooda 2/16) bt Sunrisers Hyderabad 149/8 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 51; Sunil Narine 3/26). - PTI

CRICKET

BCCI’s new chief targets top rankings and transparency NEW DELHI: Making India the top team in all formats of the game will be the priority for Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur, the 41-year-old said after taking charge of the world’s richest cricket board on Sunday.

The top BCCI job, often called the most powerful position in cricket because of India’s financial muscle in the sport, has been vacant since Shashank Manohar resigned this month to take over as chairman of the International Cricket Council.

The BCCI elected one of its youngest ever presidents in a meeting in Mumbai where the parliamentarian representing India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party was the lone candidate for the post.

“Currently our team is number two in Tests and T20 and number four in ODIs and in women’s cricket,” Thakur told reporters.

“We will take every step whatever is possible to make India number one in all four.”

Since this year’s World Twenty20 on home soil, the Indian team has been without a coach.

Thakur said the board would advertise the post and shortlist the applicants after June 10.

Often led by seasoned administrators, the BCCI is perceived as an efficient but opaque body run by industrialists and politicians.

Thakur said he was lucky to have learnt from three BCCI chiefs — Jagmohan Dalmiya, Narayanswami Srinivasan and Manohar — who also headed the International

PRIORITIES: Anurag Thakur, newly-elected BCCI president, speaks during a news conference in Mumbai on Sunday.

Cricket Council. He takes charge at a time when the board is under pressure from India’s top court to bring about change.

“We have introduced many reforms in the last 15 months...

We will further strengthen it,” Thakur said. “Transparency, accountability and professionalism will be part of BCCI’s working.

“Nobody is perfect. Wherever there are issues, we’d try and rectify that. As the custodian of the country’s most popular sport, we’re aware of our responsibilities and we’ll fulfil out duties.”

The board has earmarked one billion Indian rupees ($14.84 million) for a “green initiative” for new and existing stadiums, Thakur said. - Reuters

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

C3

SPORTS THIRD ROUND

Conlan and Ng’eno triumph at MRR Summer Series

MUSCAT: Nick Conlan and Irene Ng’eno won the top honours in the men’s and women’s categories respectively in the third round of the Muscat Road Runners (MRR) Summer Series held held at ‘The village of the lost’ near Al Ansab.

The 5.4k route was extremely rocky and rough terrain and included boulder strewn wadi be-

fore the participants climbed up into the village. The rough terrain made it a tough race but Nick Conlan emerged the overall winner in a time of 21:27. Edward Black took second place in 21:52 ahead of Mahmoud Seiam who clocked 22:26. Birgit Schultz was the first women and 13th overall in 25:43.

Irene Ng’eno timed 26:58 to take

the top place in the women’s category. . Sally Hart finished second in 27:45 while Anne Menard settled for the third place in 31:48.

In the veterans men’s competition, Karl D Street won the first place in 24:46 followed by Dave Salt (25:32) and Sunil Deshpande (26:36) in that order.

In the veterans women’s race,

the top honours went to Birgit Schulz (25:43). Francesca AubRobinson (31:41) and Amanda Greenwood (33:53) finished in second and third respectively.

Meanwhile, James won the 3km junior race in a time of 17:44. Kiki took the second place in 20:23 and Lucy won the third place in 21:57.

The next race will organised on

RCB qualify for playoffs It was the RCB bowlers that set up the easy win by restricting Daredevils to a modest 138 for eight with Chahal taking three wickets and Gayle two

CAPTAIN’S KNOCK: Captain Virat Kohli celebrates after guiding Royal Challengers Bangalore to victory over Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League in Raipur on Sunday. – AFP

RAIPUR: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) grabbed the last available spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs with a six-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils as Virat Kohli continued with his superlative batting show by hitting a responsible 54-run knock on Sunday tonight.

It was the RCB bowlers that set up the easy win by restricting Daredevils to a modest 138 for eight with leg-break bowler Yuz-

vendra Chahal taking three wickets and Chris Gayle scalping two batsmen in a single over.

Quinton de Kock (60) hit a fighting half century but other Daredevils batsmen struggled badly as the RCB bowlers straitjacketed them with a very disciplined effort, albeit, on a pitch that offered help to both pacers and spinners.

De Kock scored 60 off 52 balls with five fours and a six while Chris Morris came up with a useful unbeaten cameo of 27 runs,

late in the innings. Surprisingly, despite it being a knockout clash and a playoffs berth at stake, many Daredevils batsmen did not show much urgency to score quickly.

RCB took control of match with smart bowling and overhauled down the target with 11 balls to spare as Kohli anchored the chase with his unbeaten 54-run knock.

His well-calculated innings came off 45 balls and had six shots to the fence. RCB lost Chris Gayle (1) and AB de Villiers (6) early in

the innings but inspirational skipper Kohli ensured that his side capitalise on the good work done by the bowlers with his responsible batting.

RCB survived fiery spells from Morris and rival captain Zaheer Khan, who both tested Kohli and KL Rahul with their accuracy and speed. Rahul played a gem of a knock (38 off 23) as his quick scoring took pressure off Kohli.

They added 66 runs for the third wicket before Rahul found his stumps disturbed by Carlos Brathwaite. Soon Shane Watson too departed and RCB needed only 28 runs off five overs.

Kohli steered the side to win in company of Stuart Binny, who scored 16 off 11 balls. With their fourth straight victory, RCB finished second in the table and will clash with table toppers Gujarat Lions in the first Qualifier on Tuesday in Bangalore. Third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad face Kolkata Knight Riders in the Eliminator on Wednesday in New Delhi.

Brief scores: Delhi Daredevils 138 for 8 in 20 overs (Q de Kock 60, C. Morris 27 n.o.; Y. Chahal 3/32, C. Gayle 2/11) lost to RCB 139 for 4 in 18.1 overs (V. Kohli 54 n.o., KL Rahul 38). - PTI

FUND RAISER

Oman Cancer Association to hold Chess Fest MUSCAT: The Oman Cancer Association (OCA) will organise the Chess Fest 2016 on May 28 to raise funds for their Mobile Mammography Unit (MMU).

According to information received from the OCA on Sunday, the event will organised at the Al

Barza Hall of Muscat College in Bausher. The organisers are expecting a total of 150 participants in various categories. The fest is open to all nationalities and age categories. The registration fee is OMR. 5, which will directly go to OCA’s MMU account.

The organisers will be giving away attractive prizes for the ‘top three positions followed by category winners and prize for the Best National Student’. The daylong event will start 9.00 a.m. and it will be officially inaugurated at 10.30 am by OCA’s President and

Chairperson Dr. Wahid Ali Said Al Kharusi. The Chess Fest is an initiative of four interns studying in various colleges both in Oman and abroad. For further details email at ocachessfest.2016@outlook. com or call 96942720, 97778218, 91470058.

June 1. For further details visit www.muscatroadrunners.com or www.facebook.com/pages/Muscat-Road-Runners.

Results: Men’s open: 1. Nick Conlan - 21:27; 2. Edward Black 21:52; 3. Mahmoud Seiam - 22:26.

Women’s open: 1. Irene Ng’eno - 26:58; 2. Sally Hart - 27:45; 3.

Anne Menard - 31:48.

Veterans men: 1. Karl D Street - 24:46; 2. Dave Salt - 25:32; 3. Sunil Deshpande - 26:36.

Veterans women: 1. Birgit Schulz - 25:43; 2. Francesca Aub-Robinson - 31:41; 3. Amanda Greenwood - 33:53.

Super veterans: 1. Cesare Porta - 33:00; 2. Robert Borjal - 40:47; 3. Cor Huibers - 40:50.

O LY M P I C C H A M P I O N

Pearson clocks 12.75 SYDNEY: Olympic 100 metres hurdles champion Sally Pearson has clocked an impressive 12.75 seconds in a time trial in her first run-out since shattering her wrist in a fall at a Diamond League meeting last June. The 29-year-old Australian feared her lower left arm might have to be amputated after the injury in Rome and an old

Achilles problem further hampered her preparations for her title defence at the Rio de Janeiro Games.

Racing at a small local meet on the Gold Coast on Saturday, Pearson produced a time that, while well short of her personal best (12.28), would have been just outside the top 10 recorded in the world this year. - Reuters

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

SPORTS Kyrgios lights up damp day at Roland Garros

MOTOGP

The volatile 17th

Kyrgios involved in ‘shouting’ row

seed mainly let his THRILLING WIN: Yamaha’s Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo celebrates on the podium after winning the Italian MotoGP Grand in Mugello on Sunday. – AFP

Lorenzo seizes Italian title with last-lap move MUGELLO: MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo won the Italian Grand Prix on Sunday after a last-lap battle with fellow Spaniard Marc Marquez that remained on a knife-edge until the final metres.

The Yamaha rider powered past as the chequered flag beckoned to win by a mere 0.019 of a second after Honda’s Marquez had earlier seized the lead in a wheel-to-wheel duel between the two.

Italian great Valentino Rossi,

Lorenzo’s teammate, started from pole position at the Mugello circuit but retired on lap eight with smoke billowing out of his bike.

Italian Andrea Iannone finished in third place for Ducati, also setting a MotoGP top speed record of 354.9kph.

Lorenzo, in his final season with Yamaha before replacing Iannone at Ducati, extended his championship lead over Marquez to 10 points. - Reuters

racket do the talking during an impressive 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6), 6-4 defeat of Italian debutant Marco Cecchinato

PARIS: Australian Nick Kyrgios did his best to enliven a damp and dismal Parisian day with some eye-catching play and colourful language as the French Open began without part of the usual furniture on Sunday.

The volatile 17th seed mainly let his racket do the talking during an impressive 7-6 (6), 7-6 (6), 6-4 defeat of Italian debutant Marco Cecchinato, although he did receive a code violation for his language in the first set.

Women’s 10th seed Petra Kvitova was another early starter and was nearly sent packing in the opening skirmish on Philippe Chatrier Court, the twice Wimbledon champion coming within a game of defeat by Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic.

She eventually won 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in two hours and 16 minutes watched by ticket holders wrapped up under colourful anoraks and with umbrellas at the ready.

Huge lines of fans formed outside Roland Garros as security was visibly beefed up in light of last year’s terror attacks in the city, and once inside the historic grounds were hardly the idyllic setting for such a sporting highlight.

Three courts, numbers seven, nine and 11, which used to flank Chatrier, have been replaced by an enormous hole in the ground — the start of a controversial redevelopment that will included a new stadium court by 2020.

Leafing through their programmes they will also have noticed Roger Federer absent from the men’s draw for the first time since 1998 after the Swiss 17-time Grand Slam champion withdrew because of a nagging back injury.

Kyrgios, enjoying a consistent year which hints at a more level-headed approach to his tennis, was given a useful workout

by Cecchinato but faced only one break point as he fired down 17 aces on the damp Court One. The 21-year-old, threatened with a ban last year after making lewd remarks about the girlfriend of defending champion Stan Wawrinka during a match in Canada, barked at a ballboy in the first set and was warned by umpire Carlos Ramos.

“A code violation for saying

MORE CONTROVERSY: Nick Kyrgios of Australia holds a towel during his first round of the French Open against Marco Cecchinato of Italy at Roland Garros in Paris on Sunday. – Reuters

PARIS: Life is rarely dull with Nick Kyrgios on court and the Australian found himself involved in more controversy when he was warned for shouting at a ball boy at the French Open on Sunday.

The volatile 21-year-old 17th seed was being made to battle hard by unheralded Italian Marco Cecchinato and briefly lost his cool towards the end of the first set before winning an entertaining firstround clash .

When Kyrgios shouted “towel” to the ball boy, umpire Carlos Ramos deemed his tone to be overly aggressive, handing out a warning to which the Australian reacted in heated fashion.

“I thought it was a little bit rough. Obviously it was just his personal opinion on how he thought that I went about it, but, I mean, it is what it is,” Kyrgios, who was handed a

towel loud?” Kyrgios said in a fiery exchange with Ramos. “Now I’ve seen it all. ....are you kidding?”

Whenever he was threatened by a 23-year-old opponent playing his first Grand Slam match, however, he usually responded with a rasping winner.

Having edged the first two sets in tight tiebreaks, he managed the

suspended ban last year after making smutty remarks about the girlfriend of Stan Wawrinka while playing the Swiss in Canada.

Divides opinion “I think, you know, every time I get a towel from a ball kid I say thank you,” he added.

“Sometimes when you’re a bit frustrated you do, you know, not scream at them but you do get a little mad at them.

I didn’t get mad at all. I just said it a little bit loud.”

Kyrgios’s on-court demeanour divides opinion.

Some think he adds spice to the men’s Tour, while others believe his behaviour goes over the line. Last year he was accused of “tanking” at Wimbledon in a match against Richard Gasquet when he appeared to stop trying in one game. In the same match he hugged a ball boy.

only break of serve in the match midway through the third set and eased to victory and a second round against Dutch lucky loser Igor Sijsling.

Kvitova, a semifinalist in 2012, began confidently in light drizzle that followed the torrential earlymorning rain, but began to get bogged down on the damp clay.

His matches are usually littered with expletives too, although he is not the only player guilty of that.

This year Kyrgios appears to be controlling his emotions and has shown great consistency, winning his first ATP title in Marseille and reaching semifinals in Miami, Dubai and Estoril, as well as a quarterfinal on clay in Madrid.

While Kyrgios did not criticise the umpire for Sunday’s incident, a fairly minor one compared to previous escapades, he hinted that his behaviour on court is scrutinised more than that of other top players.

Referring to Novak Djokovic’s run-in with the umpire at in the Rome final last week when the Serb lost his cool over the slippery conditions, Kyrgios said: “If that was me that did that, it would be an absolute circus.” - Reuters

Kovinic served for the match at 5-4 in the third set but Kvitova roused herself to rattle off three games in a row.

Home favourite Benoit Paire, one of 16 Frenchman to start in the main draw, produced a topsyturvy display against Moldovan qualifier Radu Albot before winning in five sets. - Reuters

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MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

Gear WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

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THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS STORY FAISAL MOHAMMED NAIM PHOTOGRAPHY SHABIN E, SUPPLIED

Wrapping the plushness of a luxurious sedan in a full sizer SUV frame, the Lincoln Navigator is the definite choice for those having appetite for the traditional American SUVs.

T

he biggest Lincoln just got better. It seems the Americans are finally picking up the concept of efficiency, adopting the smaller turbo-installed engines – more efficient and more powerful as well, compared to the age old V8 behemoths.

Taking lead in the transformation is the leader of American automobile industry: Ford, replacing the V8 on all its biggies with its exclusive 3.5 litre turbocharged Eco-boost engines, as the iconic brand spruces its entire model line-up, including that of its sister concern — Lincoln.

Having undergone a major revamp in 2015, the third generation Lincoln Navigator received a bold in-your-face styling with the revised front split-wing grille and headlight design; refreshed exterior design and a new interior with premium leather and wood trim; bigger wheels, and bigger power.

The front split-wing grille is quite minimised form what it used

to be earlier, and no longer is the dominant factor of its visual appeal. The visual tidings have now shifted their focus to the daytime LED lights, the power retracting running boards, revised rear fascia with an extended-over-the-whole LED light, and the super big 20inch or the even bigger optional 22-inch wheels.

Inside huge swaths of real exotic Ziricote wood trim and lounge like leather seats engulf in posh comfort. Once behind the wheel, we were mightily impressed with the super-awesome performance of the Eco-boost engine. The twinturbo V6 performs much better than the ousted 5.4 litre V8, delivering ample power even at lower rpms, with instant propulsion whenever demanded, across a wide powerband.

Churning out 380bhp, and a massive 650Nm torque (much more than the V8), the new engine transforms the Navigator from acceptable to aggressively quick.

The almost 3,000 kilo leviathan propels from 0 to 100kmph in an amazing 6.2 seconds.

For its size, the Navigator feels

surprisingly easy to handle. The independent rear suspension lends the SUV a more planted feel on turns, though the steering response feels saggy at times. Large mirrors, high positioned seats, and a glassy cabin give the driver an expansive view, and the ride is smooth and hushed as expected in this league.

The SUV’s 4-wheel-drive system uses a 2-speed transfer case with electronic shift-on-the-fly.

In low range it switches the engine’s electronic throttle control to a special off-road calibration for more precise torque management in adverse conditions, like steep or slippery terrains. The system also features hill-descent control and hill-start assist.

Power is transmitted through a 6-speed automatic transmission with available manual shift mode.

The 3-mode suspension dampening allows the driver to choose between Comfort, Normal and Sport settings. We found the ‘Sport’ mode quite to our liking with a sharper response. The ‘Comfort’ setting is a bit too soft, and not to say, ‘Normal’ is just normal.

Boasting of a long list of creature comforts as standard, the 2016 Navigator comes standard with front ventilated seats, 14 speaker, 600-watt THX II surround-sound audio system, navigation, dualzone automatic climate control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, a rearview camera and the voice-command prompt SYNC 3 infotainment system with an 8-inch touch screen (replacing the not so good MyLincoln Touch). Optional features include a power moonroof and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. The power-folding third row also allows increased luggage area, quick and easy.

The only thing seemingly awkward is the very puny odometer, which looks like it has been pulled right out from a Ford Fusion and fitted onto the rolling giant. The tiny instrument cluster sits oddly, almost completely hidden behind the big steering wheel. The look of the metre console is also not-atall-premium, resembling pretty much with that on a popular Chinese car (obviously the Chinese

having copied it, but it looks more fitting with them only).

The 2016 Navigator also comes heavily loaded on the standard safety equipment, the 2016 Navigator comes with 4-wheel ABS, traction and stability control, 3 row airbags, and SYNC emergency alerts and communications. The highlight of the safety features is the much touted ‘MyKey’ function.

The teen-driver-oriented feature enables limiting the speed and audio volume with a master fob. The latest Navigator also comes standard with post-collision safety system, and remote antitheft alarm.

The trailer-sway control effectively corrects and curbs the pendulum-like swing that a towed vehicle tends to induce. Lincoln also claims the best-in-class towing capacity of up to 4,082 kilos.

The first full-size luxury SUV introduced to Americans, the Navigator continues to be a force to contend with. Sit tight; we hear a totally in-and-out revamped full aluminium construction Navigator is slated for a 2017 release.

— faisal@timesofoman.com

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

C6

PRAYER TIMINGS

FIND-IT-ALL CINEMA SCHEDULE

Screen 3 Baaghi(2D) (Action) –PG 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 PM

@ AZAIBA

@PANORAMA MALL

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender 3:30, 6:15, 9:00 & 11:45PM Our Kind of Traitor - (2D) (Thriller ) (15+) Cast: Ewan McGregor, Damian Lewis, Naomie Harris 3:30, 9:30 & 11:30PM Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead - (2D) (Comedy | Horror) (15+) Cast: Jay Gallagher, Bianca Bradley, Leon Burchill 11:55PM Correspondence - (2D) (Comedy) (12+) Cast: Olga Kurylenko, Jeremy Irons, Shauna Macdonald 5:30PM Hassan We Bo2loz - (2D) (Comedy) (12+) 7:30PM (Arabic) The Angry Birds Movie - (3D) (Animation) Voice Overs: Peter Dinklage, Tituss Burgess 3:30 & 7:20PM (U) Captain America: Civil War - (PG) (Action) Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr 9:15PM (3D) The Jungle Book - (3D) Drama| Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 5:15PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL X-Men: Apocalypse – 3D (PG12) Action Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender 2:00, 8:45, 11:30 PM Gold Class: 3:00, 5:45, 8:30, 11:15 PM Our Kind of Traitor – 2D (15+) Thriller Cast: Ewan McGregor, Damian Lewis 4.30, 9.30, 11.45 PM Ratchet and Clank – 3D (PG) Animation Cast: James Arnold Taylor, David Kaye 2:30 PM Jungle Book – 3D (PG) Drama| Family Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 12:30, 4:45 PM

Our Kind of Traitor - (2D) (Thriller ) (15+) Cast: Ewan McGregor, Damian Lewis, Naomie Harris 3:30, 9:30 & 11:30PM

X-Men: Apocalypse (4D) (Action) MX4D (PG12) Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender Jennifer Lawrence 3:15, 6:00, 8:45 & 11:30PM

Brahmot Savam (Telugu) (2D) (Comedy) Cast: Mahesh Babu, Kajal Aggarwal, Tanikella 6:00 PM (TBC)

The Angry Birds Movie – 3D (U) Animation Voice Overs: Peter Dinklage, Tituss Burgess 12:00, 6:45 PM Captain America: Civil War– 3D (Action ) Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr 6:45 PM (PG12)

Captain America: Civil War - (PG) (Action) 8:45PM (3D) Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. The Man Who Knew Infinity - (2D) (PG) Cast: Dev Patel, Jeremy Irons 5:30PM The Jungle Book - (3D) Drama| Family) (PG) 4:45PM Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley

Sarabjit (Hindi) (2D) (Drama) (PG12) Cast: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shiwani Saini, Randeep Hooda 3:30, 6:15, 8:45, 11:15 PM Azhar (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (PG) Cast: Nargis Fakhri, Emraan Hashmi 10:30 PM Brahmot Savam (Telugu) (2D) (Comedy) Cast: Mahesh Babu, Kajal Aggarwal, Tanikella 6:00 PM (TBC) Maruthu (Tamil) (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Vishal, Sri Divya, Radha Ravi 7:45 PM

PANORAMA MALL X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender 3:30, 6:15, 9:00 & 11:45PM X-Men: Apocalypse (4D) (Action) MX4D Cast: James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence 3:15, 6:00, 8:45 & 11:30PM (PG12) X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (Action) (PG12) VIP LOUNGE 3:15, 6:00, 8:45 & 11:30PM Our Kind of Traitor - (2D) (Thriller ) (15+) Cast: Ewan McGregor, Damian Lewis 3:30, 9:30 & 11:30PM This Time - (2D) (Tagalog) (PG12) Cast: James Reid, Nadine Lustre 7:30PM Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead - (2D) (Comedy | Horror) (15+) Cast: Jay Gallagher, Bianca Bradey 11:30PM The Angry Birds Movie - (3D) (Animation) 3:00 & 6:45PM

AZAIBA X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (Action ) (PG12) Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender 3:15, 9:00, 11:45 PM Our Kind of Traitor (2D) (Thriller) (15+) Cast: Ewan McGregor, Damian Lewis, Naomie 3:45, 11:45 PM The Angry Bird Movie (3D) (Action) (U) Voice Overs: Peter Dinklage, Tituss Burgess 3:45 PM Chakravyuh (Kannad) (2D) (Action (PG) Cast: Puneeth Rajkumar, Rachita Ram 6:00 PM The Jungle Book (3D) (Family) (PG) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 5:45 PM King Liar (Mal) (2D) (Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Dileep, Madonna Sebastian, Lal 8:45 PM

RUWI Screen 1 Sarbjit(2D) (Drama ) –PG12 Cast : Aishwarya Rai, Randeep Hooda 3.30, 9.30 PM X-Men: Apocalypse (2D) (Action) PG12 Cast : Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn 6.30 PM Screen 2 X-Men: Apocalypse (2D) (Action) –PG12 Cast : Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn 3.45, 9.45 PM Sarbjit (2D) (Drama ) –PG12 6.45 PM

SUR X-Men : Apocalypse 3D (Crime ) ( PG12 ) Cast : James Mc Avoy, Michael Fassbender 4:45, 9:15, 11:45 PM Our Kind of Traitor (Thriller ) (15+ ) Cast : Ewan Mc Gregor, Damian Lewis 4:30, 9:00 PM King Liar (Malayalam | Comedy ) (PG12) Cast : Dileep, Madonna 11:00 PM The Angry Birds Movie - (3D) ( Animation) Voice Overs: Peter Dinklage, Tituss Burgess 7:15 PM ( U ) Marudu ( Tamil | Action ) (PG12) Cast : Vishal, Sri Divya, Radha Ravi 6:30 PM SOHAR X-Men: Apocalypse PG12 (3D) (Action) Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender 3:15, 6:00, 8:45, 11:30PM Jungle Book PG (3D) (Adventure) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley.

5:00PM The Angry Birds Movie U (3D)(Comedy) Voice Overs: Peter Dinklage, Tituss Burgess 3:00, 7:00PM Our Kind of Traitor 15+ (Thriller) Cast: Ewan McGregor, Damian Lewis 3:45, 9:15, 11:45PM Sarbjit PG 12 (Hindi)(Biographical Drama) Cast : Shiwani Saini, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan 11:15PM King Liar PG12 (Malayalam) (Comedy) Cast: Dileep, Madonna Sebastian, Lal 9:00PM Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead 15+ (Horror) Cast: Jay Gallagher, Bianca Bradey 11:55PM Captain America: Civil War 3D PG12 9:00PM Captain America: Civil War 2D PG12 3:45PM Maruthu PG12(Tamil/Action/Romance) 6:15PM Brahmot Savam(Telugu/Comedy/Romance) Cast: Kajal Aggarwal, Mahesh Babu, Tanikella Bharani 6:30PM BURAIMI Maruthu PG12 (Tamil) (Action / Romance)

Cast: Vishal Krishna, Sri Divya, Radha Ravi 6:30 PM X-Men: Apocalypse PG12 (3D) (Action) 4:30, 8:45 & 11:30 PM Jungle Book PG (3D) (Adventure) 4:30 PM The Angry Birds Movie U (3D)( Animation) Voice Overs: Peter Dinklage, Tituss Burgess, Jason Sudeikis 6:45 PM Our Kind of Traitor 15+ (Thriller) Cast: Ewan McGregor, Damian Lewis, Naomie Harris 4.45, 7.00 & 9.15 PM Sarbjit PG 12 (Hindi)(Biographical drama) Cast : Shiwani Saini, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Randeep Hooda 11.15 PM King Liar PG12 (Malayalam) (Comedy) Cast: Dileep, Madonna Sebastian, Lal 9:00 PM Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead (Comedy) Cast: Jay Gallagher, Bianca Bradey, Leon 11:55 PM (15+)

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

45 34

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

60-15% GARIMA GHOSHAL May 23, 2000 Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/ her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Fahud Yibal

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

LISTINGS

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

Daily

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

10:45 19:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 14:30

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

King Liar ( Mal) (Comedy) Cast : Dileep ,Siddique & Madonna Sebastian 9-30 pm Cinema Main; 3-30 & 6-30 pm Cinema-2 Brahmotsavam (Telugu) ( Drama) Cast : Mahesh Babu, Samantha & Kajal Agarwal 3-30 & 6-30 pm Cinema Main; 9-30 pm Cinema-2 Marudhu (Tamil) ( Act) Cast: Vishal & Sri Divya 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema-4 Jacobinte Swargarajyam ( Mal) (Comedy\ Drama) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Renji Panicker & Lakshmi 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -3 Programmes are subject to change

Minimum

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

PRARTHANA ANILAL May 23, 2013

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

STAR CINEMA

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 20:50

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

The Trust (Crime / Thriller) Cast: Nicolas Cage, Elijah Wood, Sky Ferreira 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 p.m.

CENSOR PERMIT NO : 1119 (15+) Term Life (Crime / Drama) Cast: Hailee Steinfeld, Jon Favreau, Vince Vaughn 4.00, 8.00, 10.00 & 11.55 p.m.

CENSOR PERMIT NO : 1120 (15+) Correspondence (Drama / Romance) Cast: Olga Kurylenko, Jeremy Irons, Shauna 2.00 & 6.00 p.m.

CENSOR PERMIT NO : 1125 (12+) Ratchet & Clank (Animation) Voice Overs: James Arnold Taylor, David Kaye, Jim Ward 2.00 & 6.00 p.m.

CENSOR PERMIT NO : 1126 (PG)

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

WITH LOVE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

BAHJA CINEMA

SALALAH X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence 6:00, 8:45, 11:30PM X-Men: Apocalypse (2D) (PG12) (Action) Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender 1:00, 3:45PM Captain America: Civil War (3D) (PG) (Action | Adventure| Sci-Fi) Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson 3:15, 11:15PM The Jungle Book (3D) (PG) (Adventure) Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley 2:30PM The Angry Birds Movie (3D) (U) (Animation) 12:30, 4:30PM (Eng) Voice Overs: Peter Dinklage, Tituss Burgess, Jason Sudeikis Our Kind of Traitor (2D) (15+) (Thriller) Cast: Ewan McGregor, Damian Lewis, Naomie Harris 1:15, 6:30, 11:55PM Sarbjit (2D) (PG12) (Biographical Drama) Cast: Shiwani Saini, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan 8:30PM King Liar (2D) (PG12) (Malayalam) (Comedy) 9:00PM Maruthu (2D) (PG12) (Tamil) (Action ) Cast: Vishal Krishna Reddy, Sri Divya, Radha 6:15PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Destination

12.09pm 3.30pm 6.50pm 8.10pm 3.57am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

@SHATTI

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES (ROUND THE CLOCK) Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya 24787766, 24787780

Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al Hayat International Hospital, Al Ghubra 22004000, 94267068/97049520 Al Hayat Clinic, Al Hail 22009455

AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE

CARE FOR YOUR CAR You love your car and you care for it – routinely serviced, washed, and waxed. But how well do you know your car? Are you sure your pride ride was well serviced, and actually got what it needed?

Story Faisal Mohammed Naim

M

erely ensuring that your ride is being serviced at regular intervals is just not enough, especially when most of us opt for local garages to serve the purpose over authorised ones (to save a bit of the dough). Knowing what your car needs and when, and assuring it gets just that is most important. Being an informed customer pays. Trust me.

Know a bit about your car. Being clueless is not going to help you at all, when some greedy mechanic decides to milk you extra. You could start by going through the service manual that comes along with the car and stays just like new, even when you sell your wheels, after years of togetherness. It doesn’t take much time to go through it, and the rewards are many. The manual has detailed instructions about servicing and efficient upkeep of the car (don’t put it in your locker. Read it.)

Most important is to know which

components are to be inspected and which to be replaced on every service (remember each periodic service has different checklist).

Your mechanic, either to make money, might end up changing all the basic components (plugs, oil, and air filter); or might end up changing none. They might suggest that the parts have still got enough life in them, due to lack of expertise or lack of motivation to work. So, if you are wellinformed, you won’t take any of that advices. You won’t end up just being a listener; rather you would command them actively.

Don’t let yourself be fooled.

The best favour you could extend to your beloved ride is to be patient and have it serviced in front of you (those few hours spent amidst the stench of spent oil and petrol will save you many a precious ones afterwards). Rest assured you will not have to worry if the job was carried out well or not.

That said, the most important

part however, and one in which you could easily be deceived by mechanic, is the engine oil – the life-blood of your car engine. The life of your engine depends largely on the quality of the oil you put in it.

People typically don’t pay much attention to their oil – “oil is oil, right?” Wrong.

Engine oil plays a crucial role in the car engine. Without it, the parts wouldn’t be able to move freely, the seals would dry up and crack, and little bits of dirt and metal would clog the works. Without engine oil, the whole combustion process would grind to a halt.

Most drivers only know the engine needs oil just like it needs gasoline; how much, what kind and how often to add it seems a mystery to them.

It is intimidating when you see those bottles of engine oil lined up along the shelves, each promising to keep your engine cleaner, improve your fuel efficiency, and more.

And every one of them has cryptic letters and numbers on the front. And most of us go by the mechanic’s dictum, when it comes to

choosing one. Wrong again.

Use only the grade of oil recommended in the owner’s manual. It will usually have a designation such as 5W 30 or 10W 40 (or any other like SAE ratings). Those letters and numbers tell you what the oil’s viscosity rating is (some people call this as the oil’s weight). Viscosity is a measure of how easily the oil flows — is it thick or thin? Your engine would perform optimally only if the recommended grade is used.

Remember, the mechanic might advise you that they are all the same, and there is no point in putting expensive oil in the car.

Obliging to that is killing your ride.

Strictly go with the car manual recommendation.

Also, pay attention to the quality part of the oil. A mineral based and

synthetic engine oil of the same grade might perform differently under varied conditions. Mostly, modern high performance cars come with a recommendation of synthetic oil, as mineral oils cannot withstand the high stress and friction of the components, especially under high temperatures, resulting in loss of lubrication.

Mineral oil is less expensive than the synthetic oil, which is engineered to allow for more miles between oil changes, and has additives to help keep the oil clean and functioning for longer durations.

It’s also more stable at higher and lower temperatures than mineral oil. Surprise your mechanic next time you visit his workshop. He’s been in need of a service too since long.

—faisal@timesofoman.com

C8

MONDAY, MAY 23, 2016

LIFESTYLE

Pick The Perfect Ride 48% people will spend Average amount of online research done prior to purchasing a car

researching or considering prior to a new car purchase.

39% of people research more than ďŹ nd the car buying experience fun and interesting.

at a time

80% of people

in their car research

Likely to trust the opinion of a branded dealer website Likely to trust the opinion of manufacturer websites Mid-size

Crossover

Small

Pickup

Luxury

Minivan

Large

Mid-size truck

Likely to trust the opinion of independent research Prefer to have their ďŹ rst dealer interaction online

look at new & used look at new only

average age of vehicle

look at used only

Source: Laslocksmith.com

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M O N DAY, M AY 2 3, 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D7

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D2

M O N D AY, M AY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

FURNISHED OFFICES FOR RENT

COLD STORE ROOMS

Available at a prime location on Azaiba Service Road (Previously Occupied by A’Saffa Foods) near Al Turky and Mazda showroom.

Available at a prime location on azaiba service road (previously occupied by A’Saffa Foods) near Al Turky and Mazda showroom

Contact: 95215289, 99229263, 93221054

Contact: 95215289, 99229263, 93221054

Office for rent in Al Ansab near bank Muscat. Contact: 99466173 3 Rooms, 2 Toilets Flat for Rent.

18 November Street. Near Mars Hypermarket and The Chedi.

Ghobrah -Good for Commercial or Residential use. OMR 295/- month.

Call 94477222 4 bedroom villa at Madinat Illam Office / 1 BHK Ruwi.

Contact: 95915154 1BHK Ghubra R.O 275/-.

Contact: 92144045 3BHK Al Khuwair R.O 375/-.

Contact: 92144045 1BHK Mumtaz R.O 225/-.

Contact: 92144045 1BHK Darsait R.O 225/-.

Contact: 92144045 Room Al Khuwair R.O 110/-.

Contact: 97799175 7 rooms villa at split AC 18th November road Azaiba.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 Shop for rent at Wadi Kabir Industrial area. Contact: 99888390 Flats for rent near Indian school in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122 New flats Wadi Al Kabir.

Contact: 92130703

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

Commercial Space Commercial Space For Rent in Al Khuwair. Ideal for Coffee Shop / Restaurant / Office Space / Showroom 27sqm / 68sqm / 128sqm

Contact: 96775026

1 BHK and 2BHK Flats available near Lulu Darsait (Main road, Opp. to Min. of Defense). Contact : 93202733

1BHK flat in Ruwi for family.

Contact- 92947251 1BHK Flats for rent, behind Sheraton hotel in Ruwi, rent R.O 250/per month. Contact: 96051941

Flat for rent : flat available at Hamriya & Wadi Kabir. Contact: 97380548 / 99680499

2/3 BHK in Al Khuwair for rent.

Contact: 91155779

For rent Gym & Health club for rent in Al Khoud near Al Ruwad International School.

Contact: 99447002 / 99352441 5 bedroom brand new villas for rent in Al Khoud, near Al Ruwad International School.

Contact: 99447002 / 99352441

Flats, shops & store for rent in MBD area Ruwi, Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127 Offices and Flats in Ghala.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688

Well maintained 2 bedrooms flat in CBD prime location.

Contact: 24714625 / 94460790

Just 2 OMR / Sqm, Showroom / store for rent Ground floor & basement, area - 1100 Sqm, location Seh Al Ahmer, 20 km to Rusayl.

Contact: 97714433 / 93437982

Flats for rent at Just RO 160/- 2 Bed room, hall, kitchen , 2 toilets, location Seh Al Ahmer, 20 KM to Rusayl, including AC & roof Garden.

Contact: 97714433 / 93437982

For rent New flats at Darsait Al Sahail. Contact: 99777351

2 & 3 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair & Ghubra. Contact 99792181

House in Darsait 3 rooms, kitchen, 1 bathroom with A/C. Contact: 95522405

3000 Sqr mtrs compound land in Misfah. Contact 99792181

1 B/R Fully Furnished Luxury Apartment @ Al Khuwair 33. 2 B/R Fully Furnished Luxury Apartment @ Al Khuwair 33. 4 B/R Unfurnished Apartment with attached Split A/C @ Azaiba. Contact: Atlas Real Estate & Rent A Car LLC : 99249069 / 94617563/ 99436312, Email: info@alshahiintl.com

Flat for rent in Al Qurum, 3 rooms & hall. Contact: 91763660 Flat for rent in Al Khoud, 2 rooms & hall. Contact: 917633665 Villa for rent in Al Ghubrah, 5 rooms, hall. Contact: 91763665 Villa for rent in Al Khoud, 6 rooms, hall. Contact: 91763665

Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454

5 BHK Villa in Al Khuwair, for Staff Accommodation.

Contact 99792181

2 BHK at Mawaleh North, near Sadiq Al Amin Mosque.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297

2BHK Flat near Indian School, Wadi Kabir. Contact: 91173997 /24714625

1 bedroom family / bachelors in Al Khuwair R.O 100/-.

Contact: 95154331 Flat for rent Al Hail North to the Wave Muscat ground floor with furniture the price RO 250/-.

Contact: 99353433 Flat in Al Bustan in Muscat, 3 rooms, 3 bathrooms, family hall, kitchen, store, laundry with spilt unit air condition 350/- O.R. Contact : 98919037 Flat in Al Bustan in Muscat, 4 rooms, 3 bathrooms, family hall, kitchen with spilt unit air conditioner 400/- O.R. Contact: 96228232 / 92776303

Flats in Wadi Kabir. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Flats for rent, rooms in Al Khuwair. Contact: 93830111 Flat for rent 2 bedrooms in Ruwi Mumtaz area. Contact: 91409667 / 24291500

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35). Contact 94051789 / 97201688 1BHK at Hamriya near Muscat Pharmacy & 2 BHK at Mawaleh near Mosque Sadiq Al Amin.

Contact: 99224748 / 99332297 Flats in Darsait. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Four bedroom two floors luxurious and spacious residential villa in Al Hail North, near to the sea and Oman oil. Each room has its own bathroom. It has splits A/C’s and shaded car park. OMR 750 monthly. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955

Ware house in Ghala for rent (400/ 800/ 1200/ 3300 SQM).

Contact: 91155779

2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. contact 99342661

Hotel for investment.

Contact: 91155779

4 BHK Villa in Bowsher Heights.

Contact 99792181

1700 sqr mtrs open Land + small store + garage for Rent in Ruwi.

Contact 99792181 Shop for rent good location main road behind wholesale hyper market Amerat space 11 MT long, 4 MT Width. Contact: 92877449 Two bedrooms flat in Al Ghobrah near Oman Oil of 18 November Street. OMR 330 Monthly.

Contact 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955.

Villa in Al Khoud consists of 6 bedrooms, 1 sitting & living room. Contact: 91153933 Flats in Ghobrah. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Flats in Muttrah. Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Flat for rent in Al Khuwair 33.

Contact: 92277419 2 BHK flat at Ruwi Mumtaz area RO 320/-. Contact: 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288 Villa in Bousher consists of 5 rooms, 1 hall & living room.

Contact: 91153933 Villa in Al Ghubra consists of 5 bedrooms, 1 hall and living room.

Contact: 91153933 Room with 9 bathrooms in Bousher for rent. Contact: 91153933 Apartment in Al Khoudh consists of 2 room & hall.Contact: 91153933 Flat for rent near Royal Hospital.

Contact: 99346793

M O N DAY, M AY 2 3, 2 0 1 6

D3

DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT Commercial /R land in Ghala (Industrial area) for sale.

Contact: 91155779 Villa in Al Qurum / Azaiba/ Mawaleh for sale. Contact: 91155779 Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale. Contact 99273774/ 99202278 10 Shops in ground floor of 8 floor building in Bausher near Muscat Private Hospital. Have income of about 2,700 monthly. OMR 268 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955

BUYING Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

FOR RENT 2 bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality.

Contact: 92584715/ 24700120 Fully furnished offices in Ghala main Street. Contact: 94300909 Offices & Showrooms in Al Khood.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 Flats In Qurum.

Contact 94051789 / 97201688 2BHK Big Size Flat Behind Bank Muscat, Wadi Kabir. Near ISWK. 97826454, 24815012.

For rent and investment Land industrial shops in Rusayl.

Contact: 99323957 / 95490842 Shops / flats available in Honda Road, Ruwi & Mabellah Industrial area. Contact 24833972/ 24833974/ 99367448 2BHK split A/C for rent Muttrah near Oman House.

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 1BHK Studio flat near Star Cinema RO 180/-. Contact: 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288 Flat for Rent 2 bed room Near ISM muscat Indian Scoole Dar sate Tel : 00 968 95158570 Furnished office (61M2) for sale / rent Al Khuwair near Zawawi Mosque. Contact: 95611569 02 BHK residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 /99795241 Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278 Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair.

Contact: 95154331 Flat in Al Khuwair opp grand mall 4 room 3 toilet + hall kitchen in 3 floor 400.

Contact 99420346 Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-.

Contact: 99335580

PORTA CABINS

FOR SALE Two Porta Cabins of Size 12mX3.6m and 11mX3.6m In good condition.

Contact Lal 99418657 or Vijay 24492813 99147207 FOR SALE Villa for sale in Mabela 6 rooms, living room & hall.

Contact: 91763665 Dental chairs for sale sparingly used dental units for sale.

Contact Mr. Ansari 92616343.

Kumar 99570284 6 Villas of six bedrooms each under construction in one compound in Bausher near Muscat Private hospital. Prices range from 165 thousand to 179 thousand for each villa. Each villa has three floors and 369 sq mtrs build up area.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 Coffee shop for sale in Al Khuwair 33. Contact: 92994415 Ladies beauty parlour for sale in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 96392978 / 96700192 Dental clinic for immediate sale doctor going abroad. Contact: 92882209 / 96373097 Coffee shop for sale 7 visa available at Al Khuwair.

Contact: 98826793 2 Shops for sale at prime location in Ghobra. Contact: 96381294 Bozlur Building in Al Khuwair at prime location for sale. Contact: 91155779 Commercial /R land in Al Khuwair for sale. Contact: 91155779 Luxury Apartments in Boucher (35). Contact 95056808 / 97201688 Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

Ware house in W/K for Sale.

Contact: 91155779 Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair. Contact 92881849 / What`s up No 97290565 400 sq mtrs Commercial/Residential land in Mabela Phase 5 Block 2. OMR 165 Thousand.

Contact 99333479 or 95215360 or 97509955 Steel rack sets (Godown shelf’s).

Contact: 94521205

Working beauty parlour for sale at Al Ghubra. Contact: 98178135 Double Shutter 80 sq mtrs corner textile shop in Seeb Souq for sale.

Contact 99326339 Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery. Contact 99328430

INVESTOR PARTNER REQUIRED For a successfully Catering Restaurant Investor cum Partner is required.

Investor with fixed returns also welcome.

Please contact – 95213273

Email: muscatcoffeeshop@gmail.com

ONE STOP SHOP BUSINESS SERVICES Public Relation Service (PRO) Document Clearance, Business setup, Formation new Companies, LLC Companies, Investor Visa, Legal Services.

Contact Saleh:

96723485

HD Scaffoldings, Shuttering Jacks, Wooden Planks, Shuttering wood assorted, Tower hoist (lift), Concrete Mixer, Bending Machine, Steel Fabrication Machinery (Searing/Cutting, lathe & Welding) including tools for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278 Urgent sale of steel scrap only serious buyers kindly contact +968 96725423 for viewing the items.

Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter.

Photos can be sent 95865457

ACC. AVAILABLE Full Furnished room with attached bathroom near Star Cinema for ex. Bachelor/lady. Contact 92886715 / 99782133 Room furnished attached for Executives in Mumtaz area.

Contact: 99334770 Fully furnished two rooms immediately available with equipped kitchen n sharing bathroom in N. Gubrah. Contact 95450250 Fully furnished beautiful one bedroom flat immediately available for short or long term in Al khuwair 33 near technical roundabout, Rent 400 RO. Contact 95450249 Fully furnished room with sea view balcony, sharing equipped kitchen, bathroom, washing machine, will be available for Executive bachelor (pref. Indian) from June 1st in N. Azaiba. Contact 95450249 Independent room in Qurum heights. Contact: 95529970 Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir.

Contact 97167857 Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for executive bachelor Opp. O.C. Centre Ruwi . Call : 90611670 1 BHK appartment for rent in Al Khoud Shabiya near mazoon mosque for rent (next to alkhoud medical center and squ) MOB: 93913224 Small old house for rent in Ghobra. Contact: 97165972 Room with attached bathroom for working ladies in a flat in M.B.D. Contact: 99764307 Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794

NRI

ACC. AVAILABLE Room available for family / bachelor opposite to o.K. Center, Ruwi.

Gsm 942-888-63 Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir Contact 93049849 Sharing accommodation near ISD. Contact: 99657340 1 BHK for rent, Ideal for small family or two bachelors, easy access to main road with AC near Sheraton hotel, CBD. Contact: 96444400 Villa for rent in South Mabellah, 3 bedrooms, sitting room, family Lounge, kitchen, three Toilets Contact 92212212 between 10 AM to 5 PM. Room available for Executive bachelor at Al Hail.

Contact 96234708 Sharing Accommodation available for working ladies opposite Al Nadhah Hospital. Preferably Indians. Room with seperate toilet and sharing kitchen.RO.90.

Contact 96524717 Furnished apartment for rent, two rooms, majlis, hall, kitchen.

Near Carrefour al-mawalah.

Contact 99336776 Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. CONTACT 96202458/96761960 Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested pleasecontact 92680041 Mr. Altaf

20 cent of Land at Irinjalakuda, Kallettumkara, Trichur Dist besides road side

for sale.

Contact on

+968 93978378 / 0091 9947461230 Plot for sale in Mundur & Palakkal Trichur District.

Contact: 00968 92376297

WANTED IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area.

Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up. Mobile no: 92927880/ 99012165

MV SALE Prado 2007, manual 4-cylinder.

Contact: 99454425 Car for sale Mitsubishi Lancer, 2008 model, 1.3 CC. Contact: 92815138 Diesel tanker 1600 gallon, Volvo model 1987. Contact: 92836774 Nissan path finder, 2012 model.

Contact: 99467005

LOST Gopalan Gopinath has lost Indian Passport No. F 4975350. Finder please handover to ROP Rajad Dann Das has lost Bangladeshi Passport No. AC 4424431.

Finder please handover to ROP

*Classified Advertisement space

Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan village.

Contact 93687466

booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

AVAILABLE 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

MATRIMONIAL Marriage proposal invited for Urdu speaking Muslim girl, from Chennai based family living in Muscat. Seeking a Chennai based boy, employed in Muscat, Urdu speaking and from Muslim family. Interested parties may email their family bio data @ sirluj@yahoo.com or Contact 91761223.

Seeking Alliance for Urdu Speaking Beautiful, Intelligent and religious girl aged 23. Pursuing M.Tech, I.T. (Final) from Lucknow.

Looking for Sunni Deobandi boy working in reputed firm. North Indian Families preferred.

Interested families contact at azizdr74@gmail.com Indian male Roman Catholic 40yrs divorcee working in Muscat.

Seeks suitable alliance from widow/ divorcee/ single.

Contact 96059801.

Sunni Muslim family seeks proposal for their 24 year old daughter from well settled Urdu speaking Indian family. Pls call on 93521249 / 99374371 Parent of Thrissur based Hindu Ezhava girl aged 20, Slim,Atham star, Studying for B. Pharm seeking alliance from well employed Graduates, preferably in Engineering Contact :96425102 Malankara Catholic Male Nurse (28) from Thiruvalla working in Nizwa Private Co. Alliance invites parents/nurses working in Oman.

Contact 968 98267338, 0091 9287215726

D4

M O N D AY, M AY 2 3, 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

URGENTLY REQUIRED

FINANCE MANAGER

SITUATION WANTED

REQUIRED URGENTLY An experienced Cold Store Technician For a well-established Muscat based Frozen Foods Distribution Company.

Must have sound knowledge of cold room installation/ maintenance and air conditioning maintenance experience.

Qualified candidate with 20+ years of experience, able to manage group of companies. Job responsibility will be managing the company finances, plan financial strategy, new investment opportunities,. new ventures, interact with banking officials and related.

Interested candidates may mail their resume on

Applications may be mailed to the HR Manager:

omanjobsdcg@gmail.com

nationalcoldstores@gmail.com

REQUIRED Marketing manager/ Sales Executives Experience in Sales/Marketing of Building Materials(Sanitary wares & Kitchens). Not less than 5 yrs exp Sound customer Base Contact email-

rgeorge@omantd.com & atalibus@omantd.com

ACCOUNTS & FINANCE

BEAUTICIAN Require Employee for Saloon in Al Amerat, should have experience.

Contact: 90600688

1. Electrician: Preferably with Electrician license in Oman with minimum 3 years of experience, urgently required full time for a reputed Construction Company (Driving license holders may have more preference)

A full time living Housemaid required for an Indian family in Ghobrah. Contact: 97335255

DRIVER Required Omani Driver for a restaurant. Contact 95929911 Wanted a experience Driver for Capital and Interior work.

Gsm : 942-888-63

Wanted driver. Contact: 97165972

ENGINEER/MECHANIC. Required for a leading Engineering Consultancy firm experienced Office Secretary. Send CV to: mail@abdullamukadam.com Fax: 24614398

Contact - PH: 99337945, 95073506, 24544798 Email: skill.mct@gmail.com

Indian Accountant with 15 yrs experience / driving license 8 yrs in Oman local release available.

Contact: 93477447 Email: s4svpai@gmail.com

Urgently required Indian CA, male 34yrs and 14+ Yrs exp. in A/Cs, finance, auditing, consultancy and knows SAPB1,Tally ERP etc. , Oman D/L .Currently in Oman. NOC available.

Please contact: 94704800, Email: omanjobca@gmail.com.

With minimum 3-5 years Oman / GCC experience for a reputed Trading & Contracting Co. located in Azaiba.

Candidate must have Oman D/L & NOC.

Chief Accountant well experienced with reputed group available for immediate joining.

Contact : 98803439 / 97413784.

Send your CV: info@styletrading.net Fax: 244 95 411

MBA female looking for job in accounting or in marketing or Administration department having 1 year experience have knowledge of Tally ERP9, MS Word.

Contact: 95916427 Email: ritashivprasad111@gmail.com

MEDICAL Care Medical Centre Al Seeb requires Gynecologist and General Practitioner.

Mail CV to:sarita_h23@yahoo.com Oman licensed GP doctor & Nurse required for a polyclinic in Sohar.

Remuneration to be best in the field.

Contact : 93828382 / 93678494, Email: alshifamodern@gmail.com Wanted Staff Nurse for a dermatology clinic in Muscat .

Must have MOH license and NOC. Attractive salary offered. Email: clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with Dataflow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934 Require a qualified Nurse to take care of an elderly female.

Contact: 99425200

MISCELLANEOUS IT Required Shop Sales man + Hardware Technician for IT Company with minimum 2 years experience.

Contact: 98825806 / 98825806, Email: info@rns-group.com

MEDICAL Wanted G.P Doctor, Pharmacist, Lab Technician and Staff Nurse for a running medical clinic near Sohar area. Contact 95272672 Required Office Assistant with driving license present in Oman, Electrical B.Tech with 5 years of Oman experience & D/L electrical with ITI Industrial & MEDC license.

Contact: 99454425 Wanted expatriate legal professional. Forward your CV to lawfirmfm@gmail.com Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq.

Contact: 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com Wanted Nurse for a dental centre at Qurum. Interested candidates may contact the below or mail : drasyanaseem@gmail.com or Contact 99458844 Urgently required GP, Gynecologist, Dentist, Staff Nurse, Lab Technician, Pharmacist, for a medical centre in Muscat.

Email ruwistar@hotmail.com.

Tel: 92603863 Urgently required Office Staff/ Manager for medical equipment import office in Ruwi. email: ruwistar@hotmail.com.

Tel: 92603863 Required Lab Technician, X- Ray Technician, Staff Nurses & Doctors.

Contact: 99681325 Email: pmsunilkumar@hotmail.com

Indian male good experience in accounts, Admin & ERP, Tally 9 NOC available looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94834687

Indian male 32 Chartered Accountant having 2 years Oman experience looking for suitable placement in finance & Audit fields.

Contact: 96357827 Email: ubaiskeeran@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELPER Required Office Boy. Contact : 91120552

Part Time Accounting, Audit Preparation, Internal Audit, Monthly Reports, Accounting set up for new companies, Project Report for Bank Loan purposes. GSM : 96975454, email: ibfc.gcc@gmail.com

Senior Accountant 5 years experience NOC available up to finalization valid D/L. Contact: 96339599 Email: ahmedmohdkhan@gmail.com

URGENTLY REQUIRED

an Accountant Wanted an experienced Accountant. Forward your CV to ami.almoosa@gmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred.

Contact 99273774/99202278

SALES / MARKETING Sales person with 10 years experience in logistics sales. Attractive salary and incentive scheme.

Required for the fastest growing logistics company in Oman.

Will be required to recruit and develop a sales team.

Email: telljobs@gmail.com Required marketing / PR manager for a modern restaurant group in Oman , proficient in illustrator & Photoshop charismatic , proactive , creative & flexible excellent writing / Editing skills degree in relevant area fluent in English.

Send CV to marketingpr2016@gmail.com Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Interior Designer, Telecom Engineer, Finance Controller & Sales Manager with 3 to 5 years of experience in Oman with driving license who can execute and manage to get projects kindly.

Contact: gcpel16@gmail.com with monthly expected salary.

Required smart, young, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3 years sales experience for a reputed manufacturing company in Oman, Experience in building materials is an added advantage. Omani Driving License and NOC is a must. Attractive remuneration package.

Apply with photograph to E-mail: salesjobds@gmail.com Required fresh Graduate in Sales / marketing with valid D/L. Send CV on Email : citycom213@gmail.com Required smart, young, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3 years sales experience for a reputed manufacturing company in Oman, having its Head Office in Ruwi. Experience in building materials is an added advantage. Omani Driving License and NOC is a must.

Attractive remuneration package.

Apply with photograph to E-mail: salesjobds@gmail.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED

SITUATION WANTED Required Indian Mason – 5 nos., eligibility (minimum 5 yrs experience in road construction field).

Contact: 99882127 Email: georgymv@yahoo.com

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Female Executive Secretary for MD Indian / Philippine Minimum 5years experience in HR and other administration work. Immediate appointment & attractive package.

Send your CV with passport size photo to E-mail: dsjob913@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Require Freshers & experienced Receptionists, insurance underwriters & marketing executives with fluency in English (Omani & expatriates) apply to insure@dotintl.com Experienced Sales and Marketing Executive required for Indian restaurant, valid driving license preferred. Email CV to deepak@jashnoman.com

Indian female with B.Com & CA Inter having overall 12 years experience in accounting / finance field, now on visit visa.

Contact: 90651102 Part Time Accountant, up to finalization of accounts, looking for job after 5 PM (location prefer MSQ to Al Hail). Contact: 90935099 American Certified Manager (6 sigma, CPPM) with MBA, PMP trained having 10 years, UAE cross functional experience in procurement, projects management, supply chain, facilities & Administration with UAE D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact: 90772927 Email: callshebin@gmail.com MBA & BBA (Hons) finance & having three years experience in accounts & seeking suitable job on visit visa, immediately joining. All documents are attested and verified from Oman.

Contact: 00968 94044125 Omani female looking for job exp in accounts date entry customer service & PRO. Contact: 91161736 Indian male 43 yrs, M.Com – Finance with 5 yrs experience in Accounts in India, presently in visiting visa looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 93671785 Email: jeyan903@gmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job.

Contact 93953613, Email-allen.mathew83@gmail.com Junior Accountant available (ACCA). Contact: 99854384 Email: syedimtiaz1234@gmail.com Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394 Accounts part time services, available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly basis.

Finalization and audit works.

Contact: 96247295

Required female person to work at the retail shop/Marketing.

Please send your CV on e mail: Zeyanaalharmaly@yahoo.com

28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

Required Sales Merchandiser Age 21-30 status: Single, English speaking, experience 2 years minimum, Salary RO 300/(Accommodation+ transportation).

Contact: 93875654

Indian male 34 Yrs, Dual MBA Finance and marketing with IT skills, 7+ yrs of experience, Looking for suitable placement. contact 94879615,Emailsajan_chacko1981@yahoo.com

Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa.

Immediately available.

Contact 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com Accountant Indian male with 7 years experience up to finalization in tally & accounts receivable SAP R/3, good knowledge of payroll having Oman D/L, NOC. Contact 93733996 Email Id: thmsb182@gmail.com Indian female M.Com with Oman driving license having 10+ years experience in Accounts & Administration in Oman seeking suitable job, NOC available. Contact: 91609799 Indian, Kerala Male B.COM & B.PE, Currently on Visit Visa. Looking for a suitable job in Accounts, Store Keeper, Sales etc. Ready to join as early as possible.

Contact: 96988923 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com Senior Accountant Indian male 10 years experience (8 yrs in Oman) with D/L & NOC, Accounts upto finalization.

Contact: 99582979 / 97373853 Sudanese accountant holding BSC, CIB 8 Post Graduate Diploma in financial management with Banking experience in projects finance. Contact: 99061339

Qualified CA & CS, CISA (pursuing) Indian male 10 yrs managerial experience, working in bank seeking suitable placement open to any GCC. Contact: 90788509 Email: kartirevy@gmail.com Accountant Assistant BBA, exp, Tally have 2 yr valid VISA PH : 98269281 Young Indian male ACCA finalist with B.Sc (Hons) in applied Accounting with 3 years experience & holding valid Omani driving license seeks immediate placement, NOC available. Contact: 92851056 Sudanese Accountant, Alexandria University Graduate bachelor of commerce Diploma of Marketing professional photographer worked in PR and social media for 2 years looking for a job in public relations media, social media or marketing.

Contact: 96976240 Senior Accounts Executive, B.Com, 05 years experience in India, seeking urgent job in Oman. Contact 919900077458, +968-98444359, Email:syedtou23@gmail.com.

Part Time Accountant for Book Keeping, Monthly Accounts & Accounts Finalizing Mob: 94073446 ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance.

Contact: 99284193

Indian (Male) having 17+years Experience in Trading & Healthcare seeking senior Position in Accounts (11 years GCC Experience ) currently on Resident Visa (NOC Available ) and has a valid Omani Driving Licence. Contact: 91335026; skumartp@gmail.com Indian male 26 years MBA experience in Accountant & Administration in a MNC company currently on visit visa ready to join.

Contact: +968 92194987 email: achal1989@hotmail.com Indian male Accountant looking for a suitable placement in Salalah.

More than 20 yrs experience in Accounting job (upto the finalization of Accounts), 8 yrs working experience in Middle East in Dubai, Muscat & Salalah. Contact 91325029.

Sri Lankan, Senior Accountant with 6 Years experience, 2 years in Oman, BBA, Reading MBA , CA Inter Looking for Suitable Job, have Valid Oman Driving License, NOC Available. Contact 97250638 msmnaja@gmail.com Indian male age 26, Accountant one year experience in accounts looking for suitable job. Contact Email: Anishkhan991867@gmail.Com Mobile: +968 9565 9415 Indian/MBA/male Chief Accountant 18Yrs Experience, MIS, C.Flow, Budgeting, ERP, Cost accounting & Liasing with auditors. NOC available. Contact: 92254691/97826674 email: khader2305@gmail.com Indian male 28 Accountant / Senior Audit Associate ACCA finalist Having 6 years experience in accounting up to finalization currently on visit visa.

Contact: 95193650 or 99078853 Indian male Chartered Accountant with 2 years experience looking for suitable placements. NOC available. Contact: 96357827 Email: ubaiskeeran@gmail.com Accountant 8Years Experience with D/L and NOC. Contact 97712084 Fresher 24, ACCA Affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or Audit with Oman driving license.

Contact - 92430152 Email - raju.rd619@gmail.com Indian male MBA (F) with 6 years of experience as an Accountant proficiency in various A/C software & SAPFI seeking for suitable placement. Contact: 95920740 Email: abdulhameed1527@gmail.com

ARCHITECT ARCHITECT, Indian Female with 4 years experience in Oman, well versed in related softwares, seeks suitable placement. Contact email: samarch0409@gmail.com GSM 96207476 Architect looking for a private & freelance work in design & modeling in 3ds max & architecture.

Contact: 96041201 Architect female 5 years experience seeking job. Contact: 96146645, Email: anjuovil@gmail.com

ADMIN Indian, 20 years experience in Oman as Personal Assistant / Office Manager / Executive Secretary / Senior Administrator / Business Development Asst. seeks job change. Release available.

Contact 99168054.

Dynamic Indian male with 5 years Oman & Indian experience in Administration, purchase, marketing with valid Oman driving license seeks placement, also a certified SAP SD. Contact: 93846053 Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817 Indian female with nearly 10 years of Oman experience in Administration and HR, seeking suitable placement. NOC available.

Contact: 99242841 Young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O, CLERK Helper Supervisor Admin Supervisor, H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license, looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288

M O N DAY, M AY 2 3, 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED Mechanical Engineer & Project Manager Sudanese 29 yrs, more than 3 yrs experience in Mining Company, Profession:Production & manufacturing, safety, fire fighting designing, Engineering Management, sales – Muscat, Oman.

Contact 968 93642704, Email : mohamedfdl87@gmail.com

With 13 years experience in GCC and Oman. Competent in Sales, Marketing, Business operation and administration.

Interested employer please call

ADMIN

DRIVER

With 15 years of Gulf experience in HR / Admin / logistics looking for suitable position. Fluent in Arabic / English with D/L. Contact: 95824598 Indian male Post Graduate in HR 19 years (8 Years in Oman) well experienced in HR / Admin in Oil & Gas, Construction fields with Oman D/L seeks suitable position.

Release / NOC available.

Contact 92854993.

Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235 Indian female BE (EC) with 2 years HR /IT/ Admin experience looking suitable placement now in visit visa.

Contact: 93263169 Receptionist (BSC Hotel Management) Indian male 26 years experience in Taj, Ramada, Crowne Plaza looking for position, now in Oman (Salalah) on visit visa.

Contact: 99780896 Indian female MBA (HR) 4 yrs exp in HR & Admin in India & Oman looking suitable placement.

Contact: 95619537

MANAGER, CIPD HR

97728418

License light heavy duty, PDO license experience 8 years mechanical experience vehicle.

Contact: 92091528 Light driver / Salesman fluent in English, Arabic well knowledge of Muscat Areas. Contact: 97950869 Bangladeshi driver looking for job.

Contact: 97418036 Driver with light duty license, 10 yrs experience.

Contact: 92742722

EDUCATION/TRAINING Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. Contact : 99739415 / 92091528 Indian, Kerala Male B.PE & B.COM ,13 yrs of exp as Sports Teacher.

Currently on Visit Visa, looking for a suitable job in Schools & Institutions etc. Ready to join as early as possible. cont:- 93301023 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com Indian female, MSc Physics, B.Ed, 5+ years experience in Oman seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 93992958 / 96203570

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. CATERING Filipino Cabin steward / Linen vallet is looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: +968 91065438 or email: blonglive@gmail.com

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Architectural Draftsmen diploma in construction technology with 6 years experience in drafting and detailing as per British standard in Oman with valid Omani license looking for suitable opportunity Noc available. Call 94375897.

Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR PH :92279784 Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman. Please Contact: 96489798, (+974) 66653780.

DRIVER Looking for a full time driver with valid Omani license.

Contact: 95454033 Looking for weekly light driving job, experience 5 years.

Contact: 92640278 Light driver. Contact: 99775728 Looking for driving job experience 5 years, Pakistani.

Contact: 96046242 / 93804176 3 years experience looking for job.

Contact: 96457875 Driver want job. Contact: 93822195 Light vehicle driver. Contact: 95891087 Driver with Car. Contact: 95892363 Light duty driver Pakistani more than 3 yrs exp seeks placement.

Contac: 97732728 Light driver with 6 years experience looking for job.

Contact: 92617293 Driver looking for job.

Contact: 96371945 / 94575111 Light duty driver 2 yrs exp.

Contact: 96393805 Light duty driver, vehicle license of Oman, can drive Commercial vehicle wants job.

Contact: 95980506 Driver with car 3 years experience looking for job.

Contact: 92041902 Driver with car.

Contact: 93346085 Family driver. Contact: 97196448

Indian Graduate Civil Engineer having over 19 years Gulf experience in contracting consultancy firms seek immediate employment. NOC available. Contact: 93251306 / 99446786 Diploma Engineering Instrumentation Technician, 2 years experience skills calibration & installation etc. Contact: 98963344 / 96946408 Email: anfeeranfu4@gmail.com Civil Engineer, B.Tech, 6 yrs experience with Omani driving license, local release available.

Contact: 91693008 B.E Mechanical Engineer, age 24 with almost 1 year experience as Production Shift Engineer, has achieved training on HVAC Engineering design and has good hands on software like AutoCAD and HAP.Currently in Oman on a visit visa, looking for a suitable placement.Contact: 95065955 email: mjs.jazeb@gmail.com Project Manager Electrical with 6 years experience with EHV & MV substation projects. NOC available.

Contact 91398559 Electrical Engineer with 16 years experience in switchgear / transformer / over head lines & trading, looking for sales / procurement & project planning & Execution with NOC & D/L. Contact: 95994727 Email: qurm340@gmail.com Diploma in Civil Engineer (11 years Gulf experience +7 years India experience) Building structure & finishing work NOC available. Contact: 90458201 Email: siva6467@yahoo.com Civil Engineer (Indian male) 5 years experience in Oman with valid Omani driving license & NOC looking for suitable opportunity.

Contact: 93101283 Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) Indian male with 1 year experience looking for job, qualification in QA- QC, HVAC & piping engineering. Contact: 90510800 Email: muhammedjaseem07@gmail.com Worked as Electrical & Instrumentation Maintenance Engineer with Global Gypsum Board Co. LLC, Salalah (3 years) having valid Oman driving license looking for a new job urgently.

Contact: 93363104 Civil Engineer B.E 6 years experience with Omani driving license.

Contact: 95964048 / 99554461 Email: adnan002@yahoo.com Computer Hardware & Networking Engineer Egyptian Bachelor of Engineering in computer & networking from Middle East College looking for a job on family visa. Contact: 97764264

INDIAN MALE, MARKETING & HR SPECIALIST, 25 yrs, Master degree with 2 yrs of experience both HR & Marketing, now on visiting visa.

Contact 96972939 / 96096723 Email : lijubn@gmail.com, jerrin007@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer, 05 years Experience, India. #+968-98444359.

Seeking urgent job in Oman.

Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact 96789711 Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine.

Available NOC release.

Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable.

Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+Diploma Safety+NEBOSH+OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement, Mob:97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com Indian male, Instrumentation Engineer with M.Tech in Chemical process control seeking for suitable job position, presently in Oman for visit. Contact: 98352288 Indian male 23 years Electronics and Communication Engineer B.Tech & Technical Diploma looking for suitable position. Contact: 94804100, sulthank@live.com

Sr. Sales & Marketing Specialist

Contact - 96491030

ENGG. / TECH./MECH.

MISCELLANEOUS

Civil Engineer (B.Tech), Indian male 24 years with 1+years Indian experience,(Certified in Staad Pro/ Quantity Survey/ Auto Cad).

Looking for a Suitable position.

Available In Sultanate of Oman (Muscat) on Visit Visa.

Contact 92835952. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Indian male 26 B.Tech Civil Engineer 3 year’s 8 months Experience at building construction. In Oman 2 year’s experience N.O.C available seeking suitable placement Contact : 97396269 Email : usmanshaik42@gmail.com An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available. Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Diploma Civil Engineer (8 years Exp.) with driving license.

Contact 92429006, francisprem123@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Engineer 6 years experience in Oman.

Contact: 95212902 Civil Engineer 6 years experience.

Contact: 90183630 Electrical & Electronics Engineer 1 year experience currently on visit visa, available immediately.

Contact: 90654844 / 90491353 Email: feyizmohamed@gmail.com

B.E Mechanical Engineer, age 33 with 6+ years experience in GCC in MEP building construction field (execution and design of HVAC,firefighting,plumbing), with D/L, NOC available 96978380;prajithks@gmail.com

Telecommunication Engineer resident in the Sultanate, Sudanese Nationality. Contact : 95000024

Auto CAD Drawings & program chart we are doing all types of civil, electrical, plumbing shop drawings & program chart for approval. Contact: 98040451/ 94109760 Electrical Engineer Indian male 30 years having 5 years of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India, holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 mail: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Civil Engineer B.Tech 2 years experience on visit seeks immediate placement. Contact: 98233199 DIP Mechanical Engineer tool & die, CAD course Pro Engineering ROPE Access level 1 experience 3 years in Hyundai Motor Chennai.

Contact: 93550661 Email: feroz1391@gmail.com B.Tech in Electrical & Electronics Engineering experience 3 years in central industries Ltd Chennai as Project Engineer in oil & gas industry in installation Erection, commissioning & maintaining terminal Automation system.

Contact: 93550661 Email: rashiqrahuman@yahoo.in B.Sc Civil Engineer, MBA experience 5 years (15 months in Oman) English & Arabic, driving license looking for a suitable job.

Contact: 94162443 Electronic and instrumentation B.Tech Indian male 04 years with 2 years Indian experience looking for suitable position available in Oman on visit visa.

Contact: 91228010 Indian male BE Mechanical with 11 years experience in Automotive engineering and Industrial maintenance in Oman. With valid driving license seeks suitable job.

On release in Oman. 92880593 Indian 24 yrs exp SR civil Engg with NOC, searching suitable job, in any project Supervision.

Contact: 96602718 mishteyaqh@yahoo.co.in

With over 25 years in varied industries, presently working with a reputed group in Muscat, looking out for a suitable change.

Contact 96960991, Email : sunap1968@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer 28 years, experience 1 year in Oman with NOC looking for suitable placement. Contact 94887665 Email: mechatron_mt@yahoo.com

Civil & MEP Sub contractor we are doing all types of civil electrical & plumbing works. Contact: 98040451 /94109760

An experienced Chartered Accountant

Indian male, Diploma Engineer with BBA & 16 yrs experience in Oman, worked with MNC in retail (Telecom/ Lubricant sales) and with construction industry handling various products & subcontract projects.

Holding valid Oman D/L, NOC available.

Civil Diploma Engineer cum quantity Survey male 7 years experience in Oman valid Oman D/L. Contact: 93356736 Email: jaleelvanimalkp@gmail.com Indian male QC inspector diploma in Instrumentation, 6 yrs experience in Gulf.

Contact: 968 95930978 Email Id: savioaj@gmail.com Automobile Mechanic ITI 3 years experience marine mechanical fitter 2 yrs experience.

Contact: 93674847 Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 92279784 BE Civil Engg having 10 years Oman exp looking for a suitable job presently in India. NOC available.

Contact: 0091 9963320768 Mechanical Engineer 2 years experience as HVAC design and drafting MEP Engg. Contact: 90150913 Young Indian, Engineering in Bio-technology, Bio-chemical and Chemical, looking for a challenging placement in Oman.

Contact 97607000. Email: sivasankarjayakumar@gmail.com Electrical & Electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit.

PH: 93837973 Construction Machinery repairs Engineer, 5 years, driving license, Contact - 94001961 Indian male, Structural Engineer looking for job in structural design field. Having 6 years of experience in design field. Residing in Muscat.

Contact: 91176187 syam036@gmail.com Sr. Electrical Engineer with17+ yrs of exceptional exp in spear heading strategic planning and project management initiatives & executing various high rise residential & commercial building as well as roads and highway project with proficiency in installation, seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization. Contact 96570891 Indian 14 yrs exp SR MEP – Elect Engg with NOC, searching suitable job, in field PMC, Fire consultants , Testing & com, project supervision.

Contact: 92437865 Email: maimran.mtech@live.com

Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912

BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com

Indian male B-tech 8 years experience as senior electrical project engineer / QC engineer on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94094543 Email: anwar425@gmail.com

Indian male 34 yrs in Oman on visit visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 97702082

Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman.Contact:98921022

5 years experienced (Front office & Banking), Indian Male (28 years. Hotel Management graduate), searching for suitable position. English, Hindi, Malayalam, Arabic fluent.

Noc available. Contact:91383167

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE IT Filipino I.T. with 5 years experience looking for suitable job in Oman.

Contact: +968 91183514 or email delarama_ryan_t@yahoo.c om Indian male 3 years experience in IT as Linux Administrator& 1 year experience in Amazon EC2 Cloud at Wipro Technologies Bangalore seeking for a suitable placement. Contact: 92889678 Email: amalpathikal@gmail.com Indian Male, MCA Graduate, 15 yrs exp in ERP, CSM Certified, seeking suitable role.NOC Available.

Contact : GSM : 90189284 Email: meetlibran@gmail.com IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India.

Contact: 94672759 System IT Engineer with Linux & UNIX System Administration skills transferable visa. Contact: 99109332 Omani 26(m) seeks placement 6 yrs experience IT specialist.

Contact: 99025044 Indian female M.Sc Computer Science seeking suitable placement in Muscat area. Contact: 98660672 Indian female M.Sc Biotechnology, 3 years experience seeking for suitable position, part / full flexible for research, teaching business development IT hospitals.

Contact: 94710931 Email: skystars.hm@gmail.com

MANAGER Young Dynamic MBA Post-Grad with 2 yrs exp as Procurement officer at Muscat & 3 yrs exp & Marketing-Interior construction in India with NOC and Driving License. No# 98238260 Workshop Manager having 30 years gulf and abroad experience in plants & machineries, heavy duty trucks, readymix batching plants & crushers, water well drill rigs, rock blasting machineries etc. kindly contact @ 97145088.

Advertising media manager trading, M.Com with 20 years GCC experience in ATL+ BTL Brandy.

Contact: 93031168

MEDICAL Indian female dentist (BDS) looking for suitable post prometric & dataflow completed.

Contact: 90377433 D- Pharm Pharmacist 17 years experience Ayurvedic Panchakarma Masseur’s 3 years experience.

Contact: 93672452 General Dentist with NOC, 5 years experience seeking for suitable job. Contact: 98956747 / 91159996 (Brother) Email: dramjad32t@gmail.com Licensed Pharmacist with experience want job in Buraimi or Sohar.

Contact 93608698 Indian female Dentist specialized Endodontist looking for suitable placement, prometric completed.

Contact: 96410448

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male, 28, post graduate, 6+ yrs exp in Oman in sales (back office) & credit control with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable lacements. NOC available.

Contact: 92066 523

Indian Male more than 10 years gulf experience in Office / Sales Coordinator, Admin, Secretarial and purchase with good computer skills. Holding Oman Driving license. Looking for suitable placement. Contact 99709336 Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment.

Call: 95244761 Looking for part time job Secretarial / Data Entry / Documentation available every day after 5:00 pm Friday / Saturday full day area preferred Ruwi/ CBD/ MBD / Al Khuwair. Contact: 90414827

SALES / MARKETING Indian male, 5 years building material sales experience in Oman Seeking for placement.

Contact 90655903 10 years ICT Business development & project management exp in Oman looking for suitable senior position. Contact: 98987654 Marketing, BBA, Dip in Logistics Mgmt, on 2 yrs free visa.

Contact : 98269281 Indian Male 22 years, Having experience in indoor sales/site supervisor Looking for suitable Placement.GSM: 97435306.

Email: zuhebnakhwa94@gmail.com Indian male Graduate with 18 years of Marketing experience presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity.

Contact: 96168687 Email: dhibupaul@gmail.com Graduate looking for suitable replacement. NOC available. Experience in Oman 15 + years. Field : Executive - Sales & Marketing / Executive Secretary.

Contact : 95798149 35 years male, Lebanese holding British passport, 10 years of experience in procurement, Omani Government tenders, setup marketing plans & strategies, importing, Organizing events, management, have car, NOC available. Contact 94123939 Email: 002015r@gmail.com Indian male MBA Sales Marketing business development with 10 years of vast experience 5 years GCC 5 years India excellent communication skills presently in Oman on visit visa looking for best opportunity. Contact: 97946069 mail: faizanahmad2308@yahoo.com Indian male BBA & aviation currently on visit looking for suitable job in logistics, travels, sales etc.

Contact: 91350188 Email: farsheennaseer@gmail.com Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India.

Contact: India:-+918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Indian male 37 years MBA graduate in marketing with 9yrs of experience in UAE in field of brand promotions & marketing with UAE D/L on a visit seeking suitable position. Conatct 95792820 Indian male Graduate with 18 years of marketing exp, presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity. Contact – 96168687 / dhibupaul@gmail.com

D6

M O N D AY, M AY 2 3 , 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED MISCELLANEOUS B.E. (Mechanical) 12years industrial sales one year Muscat experience, Presently in India, Immediately ready to join.

Contact :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com Indian Male Accountant. Completed MBA with 1 year experience, good working knowledge in Tally & Excel. Searching for suitable job. Email : jovin8910@gmail. com, Contact : 919715874548 , 918015907437 Indian male electrician(EEE ).

Two years good working experience searching for suitable job. Gmail antonyajin15@ gmail.com, Name; Antony Ajin.G : Contact; 918148336160 / 918300136160 Male, 23, with experience in UAE & India, looking for job in sales / marketing. Contact: 94032041 Electrical & Electronics diploma Engineer Indian male 23 years, 2 years experience in Electrical field/good experience in Electronics MCU projects currently in visit visa please do not hesitate to #93047707 adilm89@gmail.com Indian male Diploma in Electronics, having 3 years of experience in the hardware and networking field, also worked in construction company Mabela for 6 months as supervisor, trying to get driving license. Contact: - +96897017866.

Mechanical Engineer, Indian, Male,5 years experience in GCC & India, looking for permanent placement in Oman. NOC Release Available. Contact: 00968-95140445; noorullahanas@gmail.com Indian female (27 yrs) MBA(IT),BCA,CCNA.2year experience in IT operations in Oman. Graduated from Oman with good analytical, communicating & programming skills, presented in international conference, seeking suitable positions.contact:93672143.e-mail id:fathima.shoukath@gmail.com Indian Female seeking a job in Back Office and Accountancy, 8+ years proven experience as a dynamic candidate with excellent Excel & Communication skills.

Quick learner and Team player.

Currently on Family Visa.

Contact 94093154, 91746890, Email: joyjohn_hhh@yahoo.com Sri Lankan Male, 31 years. 6 years experience as an Accounts Executive, (Languages can speak Urdu/ Arabic, English written & spoken) .

Contacts: 99782930/ lalindra1st@yahoo.com HSE Engineer, Indian male, 5.5 Plus years experience in Oil & Gas. Working in Shclumberger.NEBOSH, IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE. CONTACT-krish.569@gmail. com Mobile- +91 9867016808 Sri Lankan Male, 31 years. 6 years experience as an Accounts Executive, (Languages can speak Urdu/ Arabic, English written & spoken).

Contact 99782930/ lalindra1st@yahoo.com Indian male with 10+ years of working experience (security solutions, event management) on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact – 97945269, hkkrishna@gmail.com Indian male Network Cabling Technician (19-years gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement. mobile no: 0091-8089909265 (India), email: mohithavp@gmail.com

Senior accountant ,NOC available, more than 5 years exp., born & bought up in Oman, Accounting upto finalization, computer skills tally9, Sage ERP accpac 500(6.0A), Vcams , Audit ,valid Oman D/L, languages known English ,Arabic, Hindi. can join immediately. Tel: (+968) 96339599, mail-ahmedmohdkhan@gmail.com Business Management Graduate with 12 years of experience in Oman, Worked with catering, medical, IT groups seeks suitable placement in Finance/purchase/ insurance sector, NOC Available.

Email, saima.gangawali@gmail. com, Mob 94258301 Indian Male, 24 yrs, looking for any type of job, qualification is Diploma in Electronics with 3 years of experience in the hardware an networking field an also worked in construction company Mabelah for 6 months as supervisor, having valid D/L. Contact : - +96897017866.

BS in Electrical engineering, experience : 6 years in electrical installation and maintenance Contact : 99817032, Email : engmmg24@yahoo.com

SITUATION WANTED Professional driver looking for an office job. Contact: 93645115 Civil Engineer (Indian male) with 5 years experience in Oman and having a valid Oman driving license and NOC looking for a suitable opportunity. GSM: 93101283 Email: ajeshcyril@gmail.com

2 years Diploma Health and Safety IOSH managing safely OHS academy 48 hours Manager level HABC fire safety, bachelors in Commerce and Post Graduate Finance 3 years experience in Construction & General Industry. Contact 93107730

Indian Male: 23yrs, MBA in Marketing from UK (United Kingdom), looking for a job, currently in Muscat in visit. No: 97210361 / 95357513, Email: sharanshetty3@gmail.com

33 year old Filipina with experience in Tele performance, Manila call centre, now working as Waitress in Qatar seeking suitable post.

Local contact 99022484

Indian male, 28 years, 4 years experience in accountants in fields, hospital, printing press & constructional seeking for suitable job in accounts or administrations on visit visa. Contact: 93460277 Email: shineraj786@gmail.com

SCM / LOGISTICS/ PROCUREMENT - 25 Yrs exp - Indian Male - Oil & Gas, Manufacturing Sector - Having valid Oman D/L & NOC available. Seeks Challenging senior position. GSM-94236414, Email ID - jayamurli@gmail.com Indian male 30 yrs, holding valid driving license, having 5 years of experience in sales, looking for suitable position.

Contact # 90552942/94355626 Petrochemicals Specialist, Chemical, MBA 18 YEARS EXPERIENC IN OIL FIELDS COM, RAW MATERIAL , polymer, SPACIALISED IN Procurement /COMMECIAL/ PURCHASE / LOGISTICS / SCM/Planning & sound knowledge of technical requirement for any manufacture plant Forecasting, Distribution, Vendors Development, LC opening/ establishment coordination with NOC available. Contact:97813849 Highly experienced mechanical/ steel structural fabrication engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC available.# 99860714, hussain20173@gmail.com.

Indian Male 28 years, Mechanical Engineer (Diploma) with 2 years’ exp., Automobile ITI NCVT, CSWIP-BGAS Painting QC Grade-2, NDT Level-2, ISO Lead Auditor QA (IRCA), Piping QC & Isometric Drawings, WPS & WPQR, available on Visit Visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact: 90653733, libinthomaslt@gmail.com Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic. Well knowledge of Oman Areas looking for suitable placement. Contact 97950869 IT Administrator with 6 yrs of GCC experience, now in Dubai (visit visa).seeking suitable placement in UAE. Contact :00971-565598176, email:aneeshngr@gmail.com

Male secretary 22years experience in gulf countries seek immediate employment NOC available.

Contact: 98502538 Email: wilsnrpaul2009@yahoo.in Indian male, 33 yrs, on visit visa having 15 years of printing office technology now working in Malayalam Manoroma daily seeking for the suitable job.

Contact: 90657476 / 95404460 Architect Engineer seeking for suitable job, 8 years experience.

GSM : 96075000, Email : haytham_201046@yahoo.com B.E(Mechanical) 12years industrial sales one year Muscat experience ,Presently in India ,Immediately ready to join ,Mobile no :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com Electrical & Electronics diploma engineer Indian male 22 years, 2 years experience currently in visit visa. Contact 93047707 adilm89@gmail.com Planning Engineer, BE Mech Engg.

Indian Female having total 11 yrs exp in oil & gas projects (8+ yrs in Gulf) with valid Oman D/L, Seeks a Suitable job. Contact: 92456003 Indian Male 48 Yrs with over 25 Years Oman experience in Sales & Marketing with NOC & valid Oman D/L Also Fluency in Arabic, seeks suitable placement. Contact no.: 92210661/99224057 B.S.C in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 Years (Power Plant).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com Fresh B.Com Graduate in visit visa looking for a job. Contact: 93518923 / 99075027. email: sheikcok@yahoo.com

Part- Time Accountant, well experienced senior accountant ,capable of doing all type of accounting works up to finalization, Budgeting, Bank financing requirements, taxation work etc available. # : 98803439 Admin Assistant. Having 5 years experience in admin department in reputed companies, presently working in Muscat (NOC Available).

GSM. 00968-98404122, mail panduru.jeevankumar@gmail.com Import & Export professional, Experienced as Asst. Commercial Manager for 15 years, Proficient in MS office, Male Indian, Seeks suitable placement, on Visit, #95484684 Indian male, 33 yrs, MBA-HR generalist with 10 yrs including training of Omani nationals.NOC possible .Seeking a suitable job.

Contact :saiprasad_18@yahoo.com, 94179499 Indian male, 40 Years, B. Com, having 10 years experience in Oman, Tally & ERP- looking for suitable placement ( NOC and Oman driving license available.

Contact +91 89 43 109897 Rajeev. 252002@gmail.com Indian male, M. Com with 3 yr Oman Exp in Accounts with valid NOC & D/L on Visit Visa, available to join immediately . GSM :94744575 Safety officer, 3 years of experience in safety certifications: BE (electrical and electronics engineering), NEBOSH, IOSH, DHSE, first aid. Contact +97474018995, mail:midhunmich@gmail.com, skype:midhunmike Indian male, network cabling technician (19 years Gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement. NOC available. Contact : 0091-8089909265 (India), E mail: mohithavp@gmail.com Indian male,B.Com + Dip. Logistic 2year experience looking for a job in Accounts/Logistics Field. Presently on Visit Visa Contact 93884951, Email:mehreenraiz@gmail.com Electronics Technician , 4 Years experience as Electronics service engineer. Knowledge in all type of Electronics items. Looking for suitable placement. GSM- 99105043 IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support/Retail sales.

Contact 91496939.

Looking for a part time accounting & admin job. Contact 99196621.

SIT.WANTED

MANPOWER

IT professional, B.E. in IT, CCNA, MCSA, MCSE, 3yrs exp. in IT, valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement in IT/Network/Server support/Retail sales. # 91496939.

Indian male 26 years, Graduate in BBM & having Diploma in Logistics with 3 years of experience in Banking and Accounts looking for suitable placement. Contact : + 968 97166820/ +91 9895102356 Email :afsalrahman1989@gmail. com Indian Female looking for a part time opportunity (Graphic Design/ Teaching/Research Assistant/ Business Development/Administration) Contact: 95811820 or sankarikm06@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to finalization. Having D/L & NOC. Mob:94122464, caammk13@gmail.com Tea boy looking for job Name: Man Bahadar Contact: 97859837 Indian Female, M.Sc Computer Science, Seeking suitable placement in Muscat Area. #98660672 Indian Female, 29 Yrs Age, M.Sc Microbiology, looking for Job any reputed organization / Hospitals, seeks suitable position.

Contact : 95218424 / 9610 6604.

On Family Residence Visa.

Indian female 10 years exp as cook in Oman. South Indian & Gujarati special looking for job, company or restaurant.

Contact 90559292 Indian Male B-Com Graduate 1 year, experience in market survey, Valid Driving License, looking for any suitable post.

Contact: 92567020 / 96930392 Indian Male 30 year GCC driving license and past experience as project coordinator looking for a suitable position. Project Coordination, Sales Executive, Marketing Executive or any other suitable post. Contact number -97070427

Indian male, 40 Years, B. Com, having 10 years experience in Oman, Tally & ERP- looking for suitable placement ( NOC and Oman driving license available) Tel- +91 89 43 109897 Rajeev. 252002@gmail.com

Indian B-Com Graduate 1 year Experience in market survey, Valid Driving License, looking for any suitable post.

Contact :92567020 / 96930392, shwayanad@gmail.com

Assistant Accountant - B.Com Graduate with excellent overall skills. 2 Years of experience. Ready for immediate joining.

Contact: sharonravi00@gmail.com, 968-92049215

Indian male, M. Com, 11 years experience in the field of accountancy and Stores. Good knowledge in SAP, Tally, oracle, MS office and Excel seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92859733

Software Engineer with 5 + plus years of experience in Infosys ltd on visit visa seeking suitable vacancy in oman. Email : steffyraphel@gmail.com mob: 96896246205 / 96897032284

Indian male, M.Com, 7 years Oman experience in the field of accounts and valid oman driving license & NOC . Good knowledge in SAP, Tally, oracle, MS office and Excel seeks suitable placement. # 92859733

Indian male, 24 yrs, B. Com Graduate more than 1 year experienced in accounts planning to come for a family visit in oman seeking for a suitable placement .

Contact : 99339544 / 99743709

Indian male 42, BE-Civil 13 years experience in Road construction. looking for suitable placement. having valid Oman driving license.

Contact: 95225214, Email: Sudheerrokkala73@gmail.com

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis, massage, steambath, obesity, Spondylitis, Ideal Care Ayurvedic Clinic, 18 November Street, Azaiba.

Contact: 99639695 / 97397320 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact:24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 99250777, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133. For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit:www.islamfact.com

SIT.WANTED Bachelor in Hotel Management Having 13 years experience in Catering Industry in all aspects of Operations with D/L looking out for a suitable placement.

Contact 90654826 Email: mailingsaikiran@gmail.com Indian with 3 years for experience in sales and marketing fluency in English, Arabic, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam looking for suitable job.

Also hold valid Driving License, currently in oman Mob : 93451439 Indian male network cabling technician (19-years Gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact 0091-8089909265 (India), Email: mohithavp@gmail.com Safety Officer 3 years of experience in safety certifications: BE (Electrical and Electronics Engineering),NEBOSH, OSH, DHSE, first aid. Contact +97474018995, email:midhunmich@gmail.com skype:midhunmike Indian female, MBA, Diploma in Aviation & Hospitality mgt (IATA), having 4 yrs of exp, on family visa seeks job in Oman.

Contact-9910 4529, 95679557, e-mail-jkramya91@gmail.com 27 years old Indian male looking hospitality jobs in Hotel. Experience in customer service, front desk, housekeeping supervisor, captain, cashier,guest relation manager.

Contact. +968-90351742 Email. samubaid6@gmail.com NOC available, Indian Male - MBA (HR) and B.E (E.I.E) with total 9 years of experience in HR & Admin and Business Development (3 yrs of Gulf exp.) can join immediately Contact 91240251 / kvaradhan@hotmail.com

M O N DAY, M AY 2 3, 2 0 1 6

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DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

TOURS

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636 We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

DRIVING SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

RENT A CAR

TRANSPORTATION Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation. Contact:94510847 Transportation. Contact:95190627 Transportation. Contact 9508282 Transportation. Contact 92015894

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP speciďŹ cation for monthly rent & small car with driver.

Contact: 99839898

Transportation required from Qurum to WadiKabir at afternoon only 1 PM. Contact - 99012165

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED Want to market a product.

Contact: 92162623

Required partner investor to build an apartment in Al Mobelah.

Contact: 99355330

Need investor for pure Veg. Coffee shop, Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99437869

Investment opportunity for lucrative building and decorative product. Contact: 99421513 Email: borderlineomn@gmail.com

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

IT Consultancy division available interested person to handle the above division can Contact: 92162623 Coffee shop for sale 7 visa available at Al Khuwair.

Contact 98826793

RENT A CAR Best Rates for Saloon Contact: 97869042 / 95730550 sales@modernreem.com

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M O N D AY, M AY 2 3, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/CLASSES/COMP./WEB.

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Office boys, Cleaning Contracts, General cleaning etc.

Al Mudakhir National Est. LLC Contact : 94277020

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi

• Learn in two months • Satisfaction guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control building. Cleaning tiles / Marble polishing monthly/ Yearly contracts available.

Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C Split unit & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 96236476

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

Split & window A/c servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089 / 95323517

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080

Split unit & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 95323517 / 93769089

A/C Maintenance & Servicing, Fridge, Washing machine & Dish washer repairing, Painting & Cleaning services, Electrical & plumbing.

Contact 99447257 / 97014234 / 24504281

Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC Contact: 99344723

Regular container transportation from Sohar sport to anywhere in Muscat area OMR 100 per container. Contact: 93731363

House shifting. Contact 99708138

A/C servicing maintenance.

Contact: 92279370

CAD drawings Archi/ MEP CAD – comply BIM. Contact: 91233975

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC Contact 99344723 Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing.

Ocean center LLC. Contact 99344723 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722

Coming soon in Muscat for Omani & Expatriate Students Hospital Service course (Mandatory 1700 hrs) enhanced International Accreditation & certificate options form Hussein Technical Training Al Khodh & Sohar branch locations 1st Batch from 1st August’16. Web: www.httiomn.com / Email: careers@goldenapplete.com / Contact: (Whatsapp) +968 96412252 (Mobile) + 968 93287717 / +968 96412251

SITUATION WANTSERVICES Cleaning services, Sofa, carpet, shampoo old house or new house.

Contact: 92179395 Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 /94285064

Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. Contact: 98294551

SITUATION WANTSERVICES House Shifting Packing.

Contact: 99657644 / 98518013