Times of Oman - January 26, 2016

TUESDAY January 26, 2016 16 Rabi Al Thani 1437 AH

6 085010 120010

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

To the students of Sultan Qaboos University, 2000

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ Scholars and scientists of the past, such as astronomers, had a limited view of the sky and the planets and only observed a limited number of bodies, which were given names. However, since that time numerous things have been discovered which were totally unknown in earlier times. So science and knowledge are renewable.

Founded 1975 . Volume 40 No. 286 | 56 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

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His Majesty greets India, Australia MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of congratulations to President Pranab Mukherjee of India on the occasion of the Republic Day. In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan has expressed his sincere congratulations and best wishes of good health and happiness to President Mukherjee and the Indian people further progress.

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range anywhere from OMR50 to OMR1,000.

Without giving any specific numbers about the people fined, Jahdamy confirmed that PACP has been regularly taking action against the vendors upon receiving complaints.

“Citizens and residents should contact the PACP at 80079009 to report any violation. They should also hand over the vendor name and their vehicle number so that PACP can take action against them,” he said.

PACP has asked consumers to send the vendor’s name and vehicle number for taking action if UPDATE: Amnuay Gajeena, director-general of Thailand’s

Disease Control Department, at a news conference in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday. -Reuters

Omani infected with MERS, son quarantined Staff Reporter MUSCAT: An Omani national infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), his son and hotel staff have been quarantined for two weeks, according to the news reports. Even the passengers of the plane in which the infected man travelled to Bangkok, have been kept in isolation.

“The virus was found in a 71-year-old Omani man travelling to Bangkok. So far, 32 people have been quarantined. Another eight have been identified and will also be quarantined,” quoting Amnuay Gajeena, director-general of Thailand’s Disease Control Department, media reported.

“We’re still doing an in-depth investigation, so we may be able to bring more people in,” Amnuay told Reuters.

According to Amnuay, the Omani man has slight fever, cough and quickened breathing.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul has told Reuters that Thailand’s tourism industry would not be affected by the latest MERS case.

“We think we have the situation under control,” she said.

“We’re confident this will not affect tourism in Thailand.”

The World Health Organisation in its latest update on January 7 acknowledged 1,626 laboratory-confirmed cases of infection with MERS from 26 countries, and 586 related deaths.

MERS is caused by coronavirus from the same family as the one that triggered China’s deadly 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). -Agencies

they are overcharged by gas bottle sellers

Times News Service MUSCAT: Gas cylinder customers are already suffering the sharp end of Oman’s petrol price increase with reports that sellers are hiking the cost of their products to cover their increased fuel bills.

While they risk being fined by the Public Authority for Consumer Protection (PACP) some sellers have increased the price of a 22kg cylinder of cooking gas from OMR2.8 to OMR3.5 or even OMR4 in extreme cases, residents in Ruwi told Times of Oman.

These same cylinders are being sold by distributors to the door to door sellers for OMR2 and the price of these have not changed.

Some 2.92 million cylinders are sold in Muscat alone every year.

“I was shocked to learn that when my gas vendor said they had increased their prices as the petrol and diesel prices have gone up,” said S Basu, an Indian expatriate, who lives in Rex Road in Ruwi.

Basu is not alone. There are others, who have faced a similar situation in the last week. “I used to pay OMR3 for a 22-kg gas cyl-

2.92 million cylinders are sold in Muscat every year by the gas vendors

inder, but last week I paid OMR 3.5,” said Sushma, a resident of Wadi Kabir.

Speaking to Times of Oman, Umar Faisal Al Jahdamy, deputy director of PACP, said that any vendor selling a cylinder above OMR3 is liable to be fined.

“Although levying a nominal charge of 300 to 500 baisas is allowed for the vendor if he carries the cylinder to multi-storied apartments,” he said.

Depending on the extent of the offence, the fines could

Rising fuel price Gas cylinder suppliers, however, said they are being burdened by the increasing cost of petrol and diesel.

“The prices of petrol and diesel are more so we are asking for more money. Then there are costs of vehicle insurance and wear and tear of vehicles,” confirmed a supplier. He also said that since the early 90s suppliers had been buying gas cylinders for OMR2 and selling it for OMR2.8.

“The profit margin has remained the same, but not the cost of living. And there are restrictions on carrying only a certain number of cylinders in one vehicle,” he added.

A senior official from Muscat Gas told the Times of Oman (TOO) that they have already informed all the major distributors that they should not hike the price of gas cylinder for the consumers.

“We issued this letter recently following a government order,” he stated.

The official also said the company does not deal directly with vendors. “We supply to distributors from our plant in Wadi Kabir, who in turn move the cylinders in the city through vendors,” he added.

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More budget hotels in Oman needed: Official

Omani volunteers cheer cancer patients

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Tourism infrastructure in Oman needs to be developed to cater to travellers with lower budgets as well, said a senior official from a leading international travel agency chain. There are good hotels in Oman on a high-end level, but there are some budget hotels missing in the three or four-star category, Klaus Henschel, Managing Director, Lufthansa City Centre International GmbH (LCCI), told the Times of Oman in an exclusive interview. >A2

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UN, Syria talks for national ceasefire

Shareholders okay Al Falaj Hotel sale

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UN mediated talks on ending the war in Syria will push for a countrywide ceasefire, including all parties except the two groups designated as “terrorists” by the United Nations, UN Syria envoy said. “The condition is it should be a real ceasefire and not just local,” De Mistura said. >A7

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Gas hike has customers in Oman fuming

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Australia His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has sent a cable of greetings to Peter Cosgrove, Governor-General of Australia on the occasion of his country’s National Day. In his cable, His Majesty expressed his sincere greetings along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to Cosgrove and the Australian people further progress and prosperity.-ONA

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Oman Hotels and Tourism Company on Monday said that its shareholders have unanimously approved a proposal to sell assets and business of Al Falaj Hotel (unit of Oman Hotels and Tourism Company) for OMR14m to Aitken Spence Resorts (Middle East). >B1

HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

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HELPING HAND: Omani volunteers are planning to visit young cancer patients at the Royal Hospital to cheer them up. – Supplied photo

MUSCAT: India’s freedom icon Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

That is what a group of Omani volunteers are trying to achieve by visiting young cancer patients at the Royal Hospital to cheer them up.

Through a campaign, entitled “Let’s be their happiness,” these volunteers visit patients, who are under 13-year-old and are battling cancer and are in need of support.

Scores of youngsters showed up on Sunday morning at the Royal Hospital’s Department of Oncology to start a workshop on cancer patients and how to deal with them.

The team has also dedicated a ‘family day’ for the children to let

them meet as many of their family members and to fulfil their wishes and dreams.

Five-day campaign The five-day campaign will also include entertainment activities and giving gifts to the little ones.

“The service provided by the Royal Hospital staff is amazing as they help children enjoy their time and forget their pain,” Afraa Al Mamari, head of the volunteer group said. >A6

RESPONDENTS IN OMAN

For majority, government favourable employer Times News Service

SURVEY’S KEY ANSWERS 100%

100%

INDUSTRIES POPULAR AMONG WOMEN

THE GOVERNMENT AS A FAVOURABLE EMPLOYER

CAREER GROWTH SATISFACTION

Banking and finance

Favourable

Satisfied

58%

Government, civil service & utilities

Extremely favourable

30%

37%

30%

Neither dissatisfied nor satisfied

Extremely unfavourable

Human resources

27%

36%

Completely dissatisfied

0

6%

Source: Top Industries in the Middle East and North Africa, Bayt.com

0

13%

Graphics

MUSCAT: Nearly 58 per cent of respondents in Oman view the government as a favourable employer, with 37 per cent seeing the it as “extremely favourable” and 6 per cent saying it is “extremely unfavourable,” according to a latest survey.

According to the recent “Top Industries in the Middle East and North Africa” survey, conducted

by Bayt.com, a career site in the Middle East, and YouGov, an online market research organisation, banking and finance emerged as the industry’s most attractive to women (38 per cent) in Oman.

Government, civil service, utili-

ties are preferred by 30 per cent women, and human resources by 27 per cent of the women surveyed.

Close to a third of the respondents in Oman are satisfied with their current or most recent salary packages (32 per cent), inclusive of non-monetary benefits, 6 per cent of whom claimed to be “completely satisfied.” However, more than one in five of those surveyed said they are “completely dissatisfied” with their current or most recent salary package (23 per cent).

Overall, 36 per cent of the respondents in Oman are satisfied with their career growth, while 13 per cent are “neither dissatisfied, nor satisfied” and 30 per cent are “completely dissatisfied.” >A6

Stall owners positive about sale prospects

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LCCI can help make Oman the “destination of the year,” which would be promoted internally Klaus Henschel, Managing Director, LCCI

‘Oman needs to tap budget tourists’ There are good hotels in Oman on a high-end level, but budget hotels in the three or fourstar category are misisng, Klaus Henschel, managing director, Lufthansa City Centre International told the Times of Oman in an exclusive interview

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Tourism infrastructure in Oman needs to be developed to cater to travellers with

lower budgets as well, said a senior official from a leading international travel agency chain.

There are good hotels in Oman on a high-end level, but some budget hotels are missing in the

three or four-star category, Klaus Henschel, managing director, Lufthansa City Centre International GmbH (LCCI), told the Times of Oman in an exclusive interview.

He was visiting Muscat to open a new LCCI office in Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos, along with Khimji’s House of Travel, their franchisee partner in the Sultanate.

Their office was previously located in Ruwi.

Destination of the year Asked about the existing opportunities in Oman’s tourism sector, Henschel said LCCI can help make Oman the “destination of the year,” which would be promoted internally.

However, this would require the help and willingness of the tourism authorities in Oman, he added.

According to him, Oman has cultural and natural beauty, which can be offered to visitors in attractive packages, not only for highend tourists but also for budget travellers.

the field for a while or to make a desert trip for a week and then sleep in a tent in a desert, he noted.

So you have to be creative to meet the individual demands of each client, the official sated.

Changing demands Commenting on the changes seen in the behaviour and demand from customers, Henschel said the “individuality” of each customer and their “mobility” is increasing.

Sometimes the customers make special demands for their holidays and staying only in a hotel or just lying on the beach for several days may no longer be the right thing for some customers, he said, adding, “There are some niches coming up.”

For example, some people may want to help the people working in

Diversification Henschel further said that in light of slumping oil prices, it is the right time for Oman to concentrate on other sectors, such as tourism to generate revenues.

Asked about the key areas of focus for LCCI in 2016, he said that one of them is this region because it is a growing market, although it is not an easy market due to the ongoing political situation.

He also expressed optimism that the ongoing “harmonisation” with Iran could lead to more people travelling to and fro from Iran.

EXPERT ADVICE: Oman has cultural and natural beauty, which can be offered to visitors in attractive packages, not only for high-end tourists but also for budget travellers. – Jun Estrada

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

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Safety of visiting ships vital for regional trade: Experts

VIDEO GOES VIRAL

Bag handlers seen tossing luggage HASAN SHABAN AL LAWATI

hassan@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: A video showing baggage handlers tossing passengers’ luggage near an Oman Air plane in Asia sparked comments online. Regarding the video, Usama Al Harami, head of the Communication and Media Department at Oman Air, said the footage was taken in an Asian country and that the Asian airport staff were responsible for such violations.

Viral video The video, which went viral on Sunday, shows two workers, who appear to be unaware they are being filmed, carelessly throwing suitcases.

“The clip was filmed outside Oman,” Oman Airports Management Company said on its Twitter account.

DELIBERATIONS: The 13th annual meeting of the Riyadh Memorandum of Understanding for inspection and control of vessels began yesterday in Muscat. – Times of Oman REMARKABLE INCREASE

Stress was laid on the need for a secure and safe passage of ships entering Omani ports, as well as other ports in the Arabian Gulf by Said Hamdoon Saif Al Harthi, undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transport and Communications

ERIK PRINS

erik@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Safety of ships entering the ports of the Arabian Gulf is essential for the region’s position in trade and commerce, as well as for Oman’s interests, specialists in the field of marine security said.

The topic was discussed following a series of meetings of the

Riyadh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control that started on Monday between officials of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and marine specialists.

On the occasion of the opening ceremony, Said Hamdoon Saif Al Harthi, undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs at the Ministry of Transport and Commu-

nications, stressed the need for a secure and safe passage of ships entering Omani ports, as well as other ports in the Arabian Gulf.

“When you see how congested the ports in the Gulf are, preserving the environment, safety and security of passage of ships is essential,” he said.

He further noted the importance of the Gulf’s waters as they are “the lifeblood of the world economy.”

Abdulwahab Al Diwani, director of Marine Transport Affairs at the UAE-based National Transport Authority, told the Times of Oman (TOO) that improving the standards of ships entering the regional ports is a shared responsibility of port authorities and shipping firms.

“Since they have cargo for us, we need them, but they also need us.

Our role is to provide them with good berthing facilities; their role is to improve their standards of shipping. We aim to eliminate the sub-standard ships among them,” he stated.

Examples Al Diwani said the examples of such cases are the inadequate treatment of staff, equipment harming the environment and stowaways. “We want to see that the ships that are coming to our ports are clean and safe,” he added.

Richard Schiferli, secretary general of the Paris MoU on Port State Control, the equivalent of the Riyadh MoU in Europe, told TOO that vessels should not risk a maritime disaster, such as that experienced in Europe. He added that this was especially vital in the Arabian Gulf, where a lot of oil tankers passed by.

“Ships should be safe, as the Gulf coasts are at risk of environmental damage due to oil leaks,” he said.

Rashid Al Kiuni, chairman of Riyadh MoU said the MoU was established in 2004 to encourage cooperation between member states to ensure that foreign ships comply with international safety standards. In his speech, he stressed the

success of training staff.

“The MoU plays an important and critical role in ensuring safety, as well as the well-being of the environment. There has been a tangible improvement in safety control of vessels since the MoU was established,” he said.

Al Kiuni added that staff inspecting the ships have “gained great knowledge” since the MoU was signed. Schiferli of the Paris MoU acknowledged that training staff in the Gulf is essential for improving the level of inspection and at par with the latest global regulations.

“The shipping industry is always under pressure. There are still companies that neglect the maintenance of their ships and treatment of their staff,” he said.

The technical discussions during the next two days will result in 12 working papers, according to Mohammed Shaban Al Zadjali, director of the MoU’s Secretariat and Information Centre.

78 per cent rise in real estate trade MUSCAT: A growth of 78 per cent was recorded in the value of traded contracts in real estate sector during 2015 which stood at OMR5,217,755,000 in 2015 compared to OMR2,925,835,760 in 2014.

Abdullah bin Salim Al Mekhaini, Secretary of the Real Estate Registry at the Ministry of Housing said that real estate activity witnessed a remarkable increase in most of real estate transactions in 2015 compared to 2014. He added that collected fees during the year 2015 stood at OMR62,054,000 compared to OMR49,796,168 in 2014; a growth by 25 per cent. -ONA

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TRADERS VILLAGE STALL OWNERS POSITIVE ABOUT SALE PROSPECTS Traders from around the world and region are participating in this year’s Muscat Festival where they are selling products at cheaper rates than their normal retail prices

TARIQ AL HAREMI

tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: More than a hundred stalls in the Traders Village are selling a variety of products to Muscat Festival visitors in Naseem Park and traders are positive about activity during the rest of the month.

Traders from around the world and region are participating in this year’s Muscat Festival where they have products on display at cheaper selling prices than retail.

“I really thought that people would buy a lot of our products since it is cheaper than retail and they are quality products nevertheless,” said a trader from the United Arab Emirates.

“Maybe it is because the first week and the activity is slow, so I have high hopes in the coming days,” he added.

Countries, such as the UAE, China besides Oman, have displayed products ranging from beauty products, abayas and toys to Levant sweets, shoes and wedding dresses.

Raouf, a Tunisian resident said, “I have visited the Muscat Festival every year and I am always excited to see what products there are on offer. I always end up buying things from here.”

When asked if he thought that activity is slow and not many people are buying these products, he said, “Maybe people are reluctant to buy because of austerity, but I believe after giving the products a second look, they will surely buy something and enjoy it.”

Disproving the lack of activity, an Algerian trader, who did not wished to be named said, “I don’t know about the other stalls, but my stall is active because we display quality products at cheap prices. I’m making quite a profit and I’m thankful for that.”

BIG BARGAIN: Countries, such as the UAE, China besides Oman, have displayed products ranging from beauty products, abayas and toys to Levant sweets, shoes and wedding dresses. – Supplied photos

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

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ANNOUNCEMENT

JANUARY 27

Price for water tankers fixed, Ali Al Habsi to open first ITL unchanged, says PAEW World office in the Sultanate MUSCAT: Water price is fixed and has remained unchanged since it was approved years ago, Public Authority for Electricity and Water (PAEW) has said.

In a statement yesterday, PAEW said that the current approved price for the water tankers’ owner is 1 baiza per gallon for tankers less than 700 gallons and 3 baisas per gallon for water tankers more than 700 gallons.

The selling price for a 650 gallon water tanker is thus 650 baisas and for the 1,000 gallon tanker is OMR3. The statement follows the news circulated by

the social network users about the increase of water prices after the recent increase in fuel prices.

PAEW said that it is not involved in fixing the water selling price by water tanker owners to house owners and consumers.

Despite the tough topography of the Sultanate, PAEW is making steady efforts to provide potable water to residents in the different parts of the Sultanate.

PAEW’s high quality transport and distribution network will cover 98 per cent of the residents of the Sultanate by the year 2040, the statement further said. -ONA

Times News Service

Expect shortage Times News Service MUSCAT: Al Saruj, Shatti Al Qurum and Al Azaiba areas may face water shortage as a main pipeline has reportedly burst in the wilayat of Bausher.

It will take about 24 hours to repair it, PAEW said.

Drive launched to save turtles

MUSCAT: Omani football superstar Ali Al Habsi will officiate at the opening of ITL World’s first office in Oman on January 27.

Located in Al Khuwair, behind Home Centre and opposite Muscat Bakery, ITL World offers the public a wide variety of travel solutions.

Operations ITL World began operations in the Middle East from Dubai in 2006. Since then, ITL World has rapidly expanded and today has EVENT

Sessions held on media crises management Times News Service

Environment Society of Oman has launched a campaign to raise awareness on how individuals can make a difference by protecting Loggerhead turtles

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Human impact is the main cause for the decline in the population of the Loggerhead, an oceanic turtle found on the Masirah Island, said the Research and Conservation Manager at the Environment Society of Oman (ESO).

He was speaking on the sidelines of the launch of a campaign by the ESO to raise awareness on how individuals can make a difference by protecting turtles.

Oman has the second largest nesting population of Loggerhead sea turtles in the world.

“Human impact, such as light pollution, coastal construction, vehicle movement and fishery activities are the main reason for the extinction of the Loggerheads on the Oman coast,” Maia Sarrouf Willson, the research and conservation manager of ESO, said.

According to the ESO, a global

Oman has second largest nesting population of Loggerhead turtles in the world. – Supplied photo

assessment of the Loggerhead sea turtle was completed last year by a global network of sea turtle experts of the Marine Turtle Specialist Group, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

As per the study, the North West Indian Ocean Loggerhead sub-population, which nests in Oman and Yemen, has been classified as critically endangered, the highest threat category on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

ESO cluster also said the assessment shows that the subpopulation declined by 80 per cent during the past three generations, and today it faces a high risk of extinction in the wild, in the immediate future.

According to a study by IUCN, an estimated 13,000 Loggerhead females nest on the Masirah Island annually. But ESO data points out that this number is below 30,000 to 40,000 females,

which was estimated in scientific research conducted around two decades ago.

According to Dana Al Sarhani, a board member of ESO, they are conducting various activities to protect the Loggerheads on the Masirah Island.

“Our turtle research and conservation team conducts various activities that include environmental monitoring by our field assistants on Masirah Island, which has helped us to recognise the current decline in population status,” Al Sarhani told the Times of Oman.

“We also study and document beach use impact of various stakeholders that use beaches where the turtles nest,” she added.

The board member also stated that over the years, they have collaborated with the community, schools and authorities to conduct beach clean-ups and have installed signage with tips for beach users to protect the habitat of the turtles on Masirah.

According to Al Sarhani, in association with the women in Masirah, ESO has worked together to hold workshops for creating products and raising awareness within their communities.

“Our community outreach extends to the fishermen of Masirah, with whom we have engaged with over the years to educate and guide them on the importance of turtles in their livelihoods,” Al Sarhani said.

“In direct relation to our sea turtle conservation efforts in Masirah, we have been able to create job opportunities and raise the capacity and interest within the local community,” she asserted.

MUSCAT: A training course in Media Crises Management being held from January 21 and continuing until February 3, is being sponsored by the Omani Journalists Association (OJA) at its headquarters in Airport Heights.

This training course comes as part of OJA’s training programme for the current year, which includes 21 different training courses in professional and specialised fields that promote the skills of mass media professionals and keeps pace with technological developments.

OJA also organises other training programmes to for its members. The four-day course aims to instruct participants in how to manage media crises and provide brief information about the role of media in crises management.

over 35 offices in markets including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, India, Malaysia and Thailand.

Parent brand ITL World, part of the Eram group of companies, is the parent brand of both Miceminds and Arabian Experience, and has received repeated recognition at the international level.

ITL World has also been rated as the fifth Most Powerful Travel Company in the Middle East for two consecutive years, in 2014 and 2015, by Arabian Travel News.

Omani football superstar Ali Al Habsi. – File photo

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

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Indian expats living in Oman are hoping for more jobs and security in the country.

Expats wish success for India on Republic Day eve

BAIT AL ZUBAIR

JOINT COMMITTEE REPORT

Yousef’s photography exhibition at Gallery Sarah Times News Service MUSCAT: ‘Re Sepia’, a photography exhibition by Yousef Al Jabri, was unveiled on January 25, 2016 at Gallery Sarah in Bait Al Zubair.

Yousef bin Salam Al Jabri started using the medium of photography in 2008.

Trained photographer He trained as a photographer and a videographer in the Seventh Dimension Production Institution, participating in several courses, exhibitions and workshops related to photography and art.

Yousef is a photographer who has a deep artistic dimension to his personality. He sees images from several angles and beautifies the nature around him with his insightful touches to create his

own world. Yousef’s work moves beyond typical photography to express his thoughts and is influenced by surrealism and portrayal of natural scenes.

‘Re Sepia’ ‘Re Sepia’ is the conclusion to experiments carried out by Yousef Al Jabri.

Through these photographic experiments, he restructures sepia colours through gradations of brown and neutral colours to create forms that draw viewers in.

Contemporary art gallery Located in the historical section of Old Muscat and part of the Bait Al Zubair Museum complex, Gallery Sarah is a contemporary art gallery that opened its doors in 2013.

The gallery exhibits artworks

T R E AT M E N T

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including, but not limited to, paintings, graphics, calligraphy, installations, sculpture and photography.

Omani artists Apart from trying to create a strong connection between established and emerging Omani artists and the international art world, Gallery Sarah also supports and has an appreciation for work by a wide variety of talented Arab artists from around the Gulf and international artists.

For more information about the exhibition and Gallery Sarah activities visit www.gallerysarah. com.

The ‘Re Sepia’ exhibition will continue until February 8. Exhibition hours are 9:30am to 6:00pm, Sunday to Thursday.

EXPRESSION OF THOUGHT: Yousef is a photographer who sees images from several angles and beautifies the nature around him with his insightful touches to create his own world. – Supplied picture

SEMINAR

< FROM

She added that cancer patients need to have a decent knowledge about the disease in order to combat it in the best way possible.

Al Mamari said the charitable organisation in Oman can offer a big help to blood cancer patients by providing them with money for treatment abroad. The team will conclude its drive on Thursday.

Foreign investment law to create jobs, woo investors MUSCAT: New foreign investment law would provide a conducive environment for investment and make the Sultanate more attractive for local and foreign investments, said Sheikh Hamad bin Jabr Al Mahrouqi, Director General of Planning and Follow Up at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

He said that it would also create fresh job opportunities for job-seekers and extend investments to all economic sectors.

The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with the World Bank Group, on Monday organised a seminar to

discuss the foreign investment map and the third draft of the foreign investment capital law in the Sultanate.

The seminar, which was attended by a number of representatives of the private sector and NGOs, aims at sharing views and proposals on the foreign investment map and the draft new foreign investment law.

Sheikh Hamad said the ministry had been revising and updating the Foreign Investment Law promulgated by the Royal Decree No. 102/94. To do this, the ministry involved all supportive public and private sector organi-

sations, such as the advocacy and audit firms.

He pointed out that the ministry, in collaboration with the World Bank, completed the third draft of the Omani Foreign Investment Law and the revision of the foreign investment map.

The draft law and the investment map will be discussed tomorrow (Tuesday) with representatives of concerned government agencies.

The opening ceremony was sponsored by Eng. Ahmed bin Hassan Al Dheeb, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. -ONA

Majlis okays report on Traffic Law MUSCAT: Majlis Al Shura approved the report of the Joint Committee with State Council on the remarks about the draft amendments to the Traffic Law, which was approved by Shura as His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said had requested to reconsider such amendments.

It held a general discussion on the economic and financial conditions of the state in light of the decline in oil prices in world markets and the effect of the same on the state budget, as well as the precautionary measures to be taken by the government to address this situation.

The members exchanged views and proposals on how to boost the Omani economy. After the general discussion, Majlis Al Shura decided to form an ad-hoc committee for studying the economic challenges facing the Sultanate and propose the alternatives to alleviate the effect of the oil price slump on the Omani economy.

The Majlis Al Shura also approved the financial declaration by the members in response to the proposal of Shura office, which is in line with the Protection of Public Funds and Avoidance of Conflict of Interests Law issued by the Royal Decree No. 112/2011.

After detailed discussions, Shura also approved the vision of the Economic and Financial Committee on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income between the Sultanate and Estonia. It also approved the draft amendments to the Trade Facilitation Convention, Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights and the International Convention on the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System. -ONA

Expatriates seek more jobs, security in India Expats hope that this year, prime minister Modi will fulfil the promises he made two years ago when he won the elections REHEARSAL: IAF’s planes fly-past over the Parliament House during a full dress rehearsal for the Republic Day in New Delhi. -PTI

Times News Service MUSCAT: On the eve of India’s Republic Day, Indian expats living in Oman are hoping for more jobs and security, as well a growing economy that meets the aspirations of a young and vibrant country.

Aloke K, an engineer by profession, said he expects all-round development and better fiscal management to tide over any impact of

the global meltdown. “I am positive that we shall beat the global trend and continue to inspire investors from across the globe,” he told the Times of Oman.

Another expat, S. Ghosh said the safety of Indians still remains a huge concern whenever he goes to India. “The BJP government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be completing two years and now we

expect India to concentrate more on improving the safety of common people,” he said.

Hailing from Patna, Ganesh Upadhyay, said he expects India to attract foreign investment and hopes the BJP government will simplify the business process for setting up a business.

“Though a drop in oil prices is hampering the Middle East market, it may work to the advantage

of India,” he stated. Expats also hoped that this year, PM Modi will work to fulfil promises he made two years ago when he won the elections. “We also want more flights to India, especially from Salalah as a large number of Indians live here,” said Suresh, who is based in Salalah.

Many expats also hoped that work would start on developing smart cities, bullet trains and achieving greater air connectivity between both the countries.

They also expressed optimism that the “Make in India” campaign announced by Modi would receive a boost this year with more foreign direct investment.

Home to one sixth of world population, Indian expats also believe India will work towards the goal of providing health, education and empowerment for all Indians.

Expats hoped that the IndiaOman ties will strengthen in the coming months. “We Indians feel proud to be accepted within the cultural fabric of the Oman,” they added.

B AY T. C O M

< FROM

A1 Construction most stressful industry for 34% In terms of maintaining a work life balance, more than half of the respondents in Oman are satisfied (58 per cent), with almost one in five (18 per cent) being “completely satisfied.” Just 13 per cent of those surveyed are or were “completely dissatisfied.”

Almost half of the respondents in Oman are or were satisfied with their work culture (46 per cent), 61 per cent with their working hours and 53 per cent with their job security. In fact, 31 per cent of the respondents are or were “somewhat satisfied” with their work culture, while 15 per cent are or were “completely satisfied.”

Close to a third (30 per cent) of respondents are or were “completely satisfied” with their working hours, while a mere 13 per cent are or were “completely dissatisfied” and 17 per cent claimed to be “completely dissatisfied” with the job security offered by their industry.

In terms of training and development, 12 per cent of Omani

respondents claimed to be “completely satisfied” and 24 per cent “somewhat satisfied” with the programmes available to them.

However, 47 per cent of respective respondents are “somewhat or completely dissatisfied” with the training and development programmes in their companies.

Construction emerged as the most stressful industry for 34 per cent of Omani respondents. Oil, gas and petrochemicals or energy, hospitality, entertainment, tourism and manufacturing or engineering were also perceived as stressful sectors by 27 per cent, 16 per cent and 16 per cent of the respondents, respectively.

On the other hand, internet, ecommerce, agriculture and charity or volunteer work was defined as the most stressful industries only by 1 per cent, 3 per cent and 4 per cent of the respective respondents.

Construction also topped the list for the longest working hours for more than a third of Oman’s

respondents (38 per cent), followed by oil, gas and petrochemicals/energy (28 per cent).

Seeking employment The most popular industry for respondents, who are currently seeking employment, across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), are IT/electronics/telecommunications (9 per cent).

Conversely, the least popular industries for job seekers are real estate, charity, volunteering work, management consulting and agriculture (all at 1 per cent).

According to respondents, industries with a propensity for hiring fresh graduates include government, civil services, utilities (28 per cent), banking, finance (25 per cent) and military, defence, police and security services (22 per cent).

Another major finding of the survey is that only 27 per cent of MENA respondents have changed their industry in the last two years. This was certainly the case

in Oman, where 70 per cent of respondents have not changed their industry in the last two years. For those who have changed industry across the MENA region, better salaries (37 per cent), better opportunities for career growth (32 per cent) and a lack of recognition (30 per cent) are the top three reasons for their change.

Close to half of those surveyed in Oman are considering an industry change in the next few months (49 per cent), while just under one third (32 per cent) of the respondents “don’t know/can’t say.”

For 61 per cent of the MENA respondents, who consider an industry change, a higher salary was the top reason, while 39 per cent considered enhanced career growth opportunities as an important reason for changing industries.

Suhail Masri, vice president of Employer Solutions at Bayt.com, said: “It’s a very good sign that 46 per cent of respondents in Oman are satisfied with their work culture.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

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REGION

Chanting “Wages still in the red” and “We defend the nation, we want our rights,” police in civilian clothes marched to the presidential palace in Carthage on the outskirts of the capital Tunis

UN expects Syria talks from Friday Discussions on who should take part were ongoing in various capitals, including Washington, Moscow, Ankara and Riyadh, said UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura

GENEVA: Talks on ending the war in Syria are expected to start on Friday and take six months, although invitations have still not been sent due to “intense disagreements”, the UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura told a news conference on Monday.

“There are political risks. And you will hear them as soon as you will hear the fact that I intend to do them on the 29th and that we will be issuing invitations tomorrow,” said De Mistura, who hopes to send out invitations on Tuesday.

Discussions on who should take part were ongoing in various capitals, including Washington, Moscow, Ankara and Riyadh, he said.

First phase The first phase of talks would last 2-3 weeks, with a focus on a ceasefire, stopping IS and increasing humanitarian aid. Governance, a constitutional review and future UN sponsored elections would also be priorities, he said.

“I can tell you in advance, don’t be surprised, there will be a lot of

REDUCED TO RUBBLE: People inspect a site hit by what residents said were airstrikes carried out by the Russian air force in the town of Turmanin, in Idlib Governorate near the Syrian-Turkish border, on Monday. – Reuters

posturing, a lot of walk-outs or walk-ins because a bomb has fallen or because someone has done an attack, and you will see that happening. You should neither be depressed or impressed, but it’s likely to happen.

“The important thing is that we keep the momentum.”

The talks, often referred to as “Geneva 3” because of two previous UN processes that failed to stop the war, will also include

women’s groups, civil society and others, and De Mistura will begin with shuttle diplomacy between various camps, with “proximity” talks rather than face-to-face negotiations.

He will push for a countrywide “real ceasefire”, including all parties except the two groups designed as “terrorists” by the United Nations - IS and Al Nusra.

Earlier in the day, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he hoped

PROTEST

Tunisian policemen march to palace demanding pay rise CARTHAGE (TUNISIA): Several thousand Tunisian police marched to the presidential palace on Monday to demand more pay in the latest challenge to Prime Minister Habib Essid’s government after a week of protests and riots over jobs.

Tunisia’s security forces are at the forefront of the country’s war with militants, who have attacked army checkpoints and patrols and launched major assaults on a tourist hotel a museum and the presidential guard last year. Chanting “Wages still in the red” and “We defend the nation, we want our rights,” police in civilian clothes marched to the presidential palace in Carthage on the outskirts of the capital Tunis.

Job seekers also staged a fresh protest in the central town of Sidi Bouzid and were dispersed by police using tear gas, witnesses said.

Unemployed youths were also holding a sit-in at a government building in the city of Kasserine, and a similar protests were held in the southern city of Gafsa and the northern town of Beja.

Increasing challenges Tunisia’s government is facing increasing challenges including a split in the ruling party Nidaa Tounes, a stubborn militant insurgency, a weak economy and the explosion last week of social tensions over jobs and opportunities. Thousands of young men took to the streets in Kasserine

DEMANDING HIKE: Tunisian policemen wave the national flag and shout slogans during a demonstration outside Tunis’ Carthage Palace on Monday. – AFP

last week after an unemployed man committed suicide when he was refused a job. That sparked protest and riots across the country until the government declared a nationwide curfew.

The protests were the worst since the uprising that toppled autocrat Zine El Abidine Ben Ali five years ago and underscored how vulnerable the North African country remains to social unrest.

“We are looking to improve our situation like other sectors, especially as we are the frontline in defending the country,” Chokri Hamada, a police union spokesman at the protest in Tunis told Reuters. “We don’t have any trust in the government after all their promises.”

Presidential guards blocked

the road near the palace where around 3,000 police gathered in peaceful protest. The government is already under pressure from international lenders to cut public spending and trim its budget deficit as part of economic reforms meant to bolster growth and jobs.

France, Tunisia’s former colonial ruler, last week pledged 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) over five years to help Tunisia deal with its transition to democracy.

Tunisia managed to avoid the violent after-shocks seen in other countries that toppled longstanding leaders in Egypt, Yemen and Libya. Its young democracy brought a new constitution, a political compromise between secular and hardline parties and free elections. — Reuters

VOTE

Libya’s recognised parliament rejects UN-backed plan for unity government BENGHAZI (LIBYA): Libya’s internationally recognised parliament voted on Monday to reject a unity government proposed under a UN-backed plan to resolve the country’s political crisis and armed conflict.

Of 104 members attending the session in the eastern city of Tobruk, 89 voted against backing the government.

Since 2014, Libya has had two competing parliaments and governments, one based in Tripoli and the other in the east.

Both are backed by loose alliances of armed groups and for-

mer rebels who helped topple Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Eastern lawmakers said the proposed 32-member government had been rejected because it included too many posts.

They said that the Tunis-based Presidential Council now had 10 days to put forward a new, shorter list of ministers.

Lawmaker Mohamed Al Abani told Reuters that the proposed administration also did not represent the interests of the Libyan people but had been formed “according to the demands of militia leaders”.

In a second vote, the Tobruk parliament approved the UNmediated agreement that sets out a political transition for Libya and under which the Presidential Council operates. However, lawmakers rejected a clause that transfers power over the armed forces to the prime minister.

Representatives from both sides of Libya’s political divide signed the UN-backed plan in Morocco in December, but the agreement has faced stiff opposition from many members of the two parliaments and from factions on the ground. — Reuters

for “clarity” within 24 to 48 hours on Syrian peace talks that were supposed to have started in Geneva on Monday, and that it was better to delay a few days than to have them crumble at the start.

Kerry told reporters on a visit to Laos he agreed with the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura that invitations for the talks should not be sent out until “you have pieces lined up.”

The future of the talks was in

the hands of the Syrian parties, he added. “They have to be serious. If they are not serious, war will continue. Up to them - you can lead a horse to water; you can’t make it drink,” Kerry said.

“We have created a framework; the Syrians have the ability to decide the future of Syria.

“We will have to see what decision Staffan makes as to exactly how he is going to begin; but we don’t want to decide and have it

crumble on day one. It’s worth taking a day or two, or three, or whatever.

He rejected comments from the lead negotiator of the Syrian opposition, who said on Sunday it was coming under pressure from him to attend the talks.

“I don’t know where this is coming from. Maybe it’s a pressure thing or an internal political thing, but that is not the situation,” he said.

“They are the negotiators; so they will decide the future. What I did tell them is that it’s by mutual consent. You have a veto, so does he, so you are going to have to decide how to move forward here,” Kerry said, referring to Syrian leader Bashar Al Assad.

“The position of the United States is and hasn’t changed, that we are still supporting the opposition politically, financially and militarily,” he added. Kerry said another meeting of the International Syria Support Group, of countries supporting the Syria peace process, had been “tentatively” called for February 11.

Meanwhile, a suicide bomber driving a fuel tank blew himself up on Monday at a checkpoint run

by Islamist group Ahrar Al Sham in Syria’s northern city of Aleppo killing at least 23 people, a monitoring group said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said that four of the group’s commanders and four civilians are believed to be among those killed.

It said that the attack in the city’s Sukari neighbourhood destroyed three nearby buildings and wounded dozens of people while many are believed to be stuck under rubble. Ahrar Al Sham officials were not immediately available for comment. — Reuters

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 It is commendable the way EC has taken up initiatives for informed and ethical voting Pranab Mukherjee, President

INDIA A D M I N I S T R AT I V E E X E R C I S E

Use of black money, muscle power in polls cause of worry: Pranab NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday expressed concern over the “abuse” of money and muscle power in elections, contending these malpractices “subvert” the spirit of democracy.

He also urged the Election Commission to reach out to young voters who do not have access to digital and social media platforms.

“The abuse of money and muscle power to influence voters remains a cause of concern. The spirit of democracy will be subverted if these malpractices are not checked,” Mukherjee said addressing the 6th National Voters’ Day celebrations by the EC here.

The day is celebrated to mark the foundation of the Election Commission on January 25, 1950 and is observed with much fanfare by the poll panel and its associate agencies across the country with an aim to increase voter participation.

The president also lauded the poll body for undertaking “innovative” ways to reach out to the electorate, particularly youth, so they exercise their right to vote in a free and fair manner as soon as they are eligible.

Digital opportunities He said while social media has raised awareness amongst the youth about the elections process,

special attention has to be paid to those who are “outside the ambit of the digital opportunities”.

“It is commendable the way EC has taken up initiatives for informed and ethical voting,” he said, adding India takes pride in being the “largest functional democracy” in the world where more than 850 million people participate in elections.

Mukherjee said elections in India were not merely a festival of democracy but also a “gigantic administrative exercise”, a task, which the EC and its officials have rendered with “perfect impartiality and fearlessness.”

Mukherjee, while calling himself a former “practising political activist”, said world leaders and thinkers did not appreciate India, with its low literacy, high poverty and backwardness, becoming a Republic. A personal friend of former prime minster Jawaharlal Nehru, he said, wrote to him that “your idealism will be frustrated on ground of reality” but he himself later on admitted that India “graduated with distinction” after the first general elections were held successfully.

He called EC’s new initiatives as “exemplary”, including the innovation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVM) as they drasti-

cally shortened the time taken for counting of votes and declaring results. India has about 85 crore registered voters, with 1.8 crore new electors added to the electoral rolls in the recent past, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nasim Zaidi on Monday said.

“I am very happy to inform the gathering that 1.8 crore or 18 million new voters have been registered in our electoral rolls as on January 1 and ahead of the National Voters’ Day (NVD).

“With this addition, the total number of voters in the country has touched about 85 crore or 850 million mark which is equal to population of some continents on stand alone basis or in combination,” the CEC said at an event to mark the sixth NVD here.

Zaidi said the poll body has made good progress in adding new voters, in the age group of 18-19 years.

In India, a citizen can vote after attaining the age of 18 years.

“Enrolment of 18-19 year age group has always been a matter of concern. Commission is pleased to inform that 50 per cent of total voters of this age group have now been enrolled which is a remarkable progress compared with earlier 10 to 15 per cent a few years ago,” he said. - PTI

NATIONAL VOTERS’ DAY CELEBRATIONS: President Pranab Mukherjee lighting the lamp at the sixth National level function of National Voters’ Day (NVD), in New Delhi on Monday. Chief Election Commissioner, Nasim Zaidi and the Election Commissioner A.K. Joti are also seen. - PTI

‘Peace cannot be discussed under shower of bullets’ to all citizens justice, equality, and gender and economic equity.

“When grim instances of violence hit at these established values which are at the core of our nationhood, it is time to take note.

We must guard ourselves against the forces of violence, intolerance and unreason,” he said.

President Pranabb Mukherjee said nations will not agree on everything but the challenge today is existential because terrorists seek to undermine order by rejecting the very basis of strategic stability which are recognised borders ADDRESS TO NATION: President Pranab Mukherjee addressing the nation on the eve of 67th Republic Day Celebration at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday. - PTI

NEW DELHI: In significant remarks against the backdrop of the Pathankot attack, President Pranab Mukherjee said on Monday that disagreement with neighbours should be resolved through dialogue but “we cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets”.

He also said terrorism is a war beyond any doctrine and is a “cancer which must be operated out with a firm scalpel”.

“There is no good or bad terrorism; it is pure evil,” the president

said in his address to the nation on the eve of 67th Republic Day. Challenge Mukherjee said nations will not agree on everything but the challenge today is existential because terrorists seek to undermine order by rejecting the very basis of strategic stability which are recognised borders.

“If outlaws are able to unravel

borders, then we are heading towards an age of chaos. There will be disputes among nations; and, as is well known, the closer we are to a neighbour, the higher the propensity for disputes.

“There is a civilised way to bridge disagreements; dialogue, ideally, should be a continual engagement. But we cannot discuss peace under a shower of bullets,” he said.

The president also utilised the occasion to caution the country to guard itself against forces of violence, intolerance and unreason.

Intolerance debate Against the backdrop of debate on intolerance in the country, he said reverence for the past is one of the essential ingredients of nationalism. “Our finest inheritance, the institutions of democracy, ensure

Consensus building In a delicate balancing act, he appeared to counsel the law makers and the government that it was their duty to ensure reforms and enactment of progressive legislations for which a spirit of accommodation and consensus building should be the preferred mode of decision making.

For revitalising the forces of growth, the president said there is need for reforms and progressive legislation.

“It is the bounden duty of the law makers to ensure that such legislation is enacted after due discussion and debate.

“A spirit of accommodation, cooperation and consensus-building should be the preferred mode of decision-making. Delays in decision-making and implementation can only harm the process of development,” he said.

The president’s remarks assume significance in the context of the deadlock over the Constitution amendment bill on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) following Congress’ three main demands which the government has refused to concede. - PTI

HOAX CALL

Jet Airways flight to Kathmandu halted over bomb threat NEW DELHI: A Kathmandubound Jet Airways flight with 111 people on board was on Monday halted minutes before take-off from the Indira Gandhi International Airport here after a bomb threat and the plane was grounded and being searched thoroughly.

The bomb threat call, which later turned out to be a hoax, arose at a time when security is at an alltime high in view of the Republic Day celebrations on Tuesdayacross the country and especially in Delhi. The stranded flight later got security clearance and took off for Nepal’s capital at 1930 hours after a six-hour delay. The flight departed with all 104 passengers onboard, an airport official said.

This is the second incident in the last two days as on Saturday a GoAir flight from Bhubaneshwar for Mumbai was diverted to Nagpur over a bomb threat call which turned oout be hoax Today’s bomb threat call was received at the airport terminal just before the scheduled departure of the Kathmandu-bound Jet Airways flight 9W 260 at 1325 hours, officials said. A call was made to the DCP (IGIA) office, saying a gift is kept under the seat no 18 of the aircraft(in Jet Airways flight for Kathmandu), a police officer said.

“The call turned out to be a hoax,” DCP (IGIA) D. K. Gupta said, adding that it was a computer generated call and the police is trying to trace the caller. Following this, the security agencies decided to ground the flight. - PTI

RECOGNITION

Padma Vibhushan for Rajinikanth, Priyanka, Kher Padma winners NEW DELHI: Superstar Rajinikanth and classical singer Girija Devi were on Monday selected for Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award, while Anupam Kher, Udit Narayan, Priyanka Chopra and Ajay Devgn are among other Padma honourees from Bollywood.

Sixty-five-year-old Rajinikanth, one of the most celebrated actors of his generations is already a recipient of Padma Bhushan.

Responding to the announcement, his daughter Soundarya tweeted, “Proud daughter!!!!!

Appa is now Padma vibhushan shri Rajinikanth.”

Since making his debut with K. Balachander’s Aboorva Ragangal in 1975, the actor saw a steady rise to stardom, which continues even today.

The Tamil superstar has also acted in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Bengali films. His famous movies are Thalapathi, Nallavanuku Nallavan, Sivaji and Enthiran among many others.

Rajinikanth

Devi, 86, already a Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan recipient, is known as thumri queen for popularising the genre. She is also an exponent of khyal and tappa.

Kher, known for his outstanding character roles in a career spanning over three decades, will receive Padma Bhushan with Narayan, who ruled Bollywood playback singing in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

The Saaransh actor said he was “happy, humbled and hon-

oured” to be recognised. Actors Ajay Devgn and Priyanka Chopra, 33, have been named for Padma Shri awards, besides a posthumous Padma Shri for actor Saeed Jaffrey.

Devgn, a two-time National award winner, is known for his intense performances in films like Zakhm, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Omkara, Gangajal, Apaharan and Drishyam. “I feel deeply humbled yet elated to receive such honour from my own country. This announcement today makes it special for me when I’m filming abroad for my new film ‘Shivaay’. I’d like to acknowledge that Padma Samman puts an extra responsibility on me and I promise to serve my country for as long as I can,” Devgn, 46, said in a statement.

The Padma awards, which are announced on the eve of the Republic Day, are conferred by the President at a function in Rashtrapati Bhawan in March/April every year. - PTI

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INDIA

FA S T E R D E L I V E RY

Now, police verification after issue of passport

REPUBLIC DAY CELEBRATIONS Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji terminal is illuminated for 67th Republic Day celebrations in Mumbai on Monday. Elaborate security arrangements were in place across the country for the Republic Day celebrations on Tuesday with police in the national capital and neighbouring states keeping an eye out on “drones”, which have been perceived as a major threat. The national capital is already on high alert ahead of the official celebrations here — where French President Francois Hollande is the Chief Guest — after inputs were received about the presence of key members of several terror outfits in Delhi. In the national capital, as many as 71 high-rise buildings in the vicinity of Rajpath will be shut down either partially or completely on Tuesday in view of the Republic Day parade. - PTI

NEW DELHI: Aiming for faster delivery of passports, the government on Tuesday said that police verification will take place after the travel document is issued, provided certain identity documents are submitted at the time of filing application.

It is part of government’s efforts to improve and liberalise police verification procedure for passport issuance. “...henceforth normal passport applications of all first time applicants furnishing Aadhaar, Electoral Photo Identity Card (EPIC), Permanent Account Number (PAN) and an affidavit will be processed on post-police verification basis, enabling faster issue of passport, without payment of any additional fees,” a statement issued by the MEA said.

It said the passport will be issued subject to successful online validation of Aadhaar number.

EPIC and PAN card may also be validated, if required, from the respective databases. In August last year, government had already said that no police verification was required for reissue of passports.

The External Affairs Ministry has also launched an ‘mPassport Police Application’ for speedy submission of police verification report. - PTI

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Hollande and his

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

host, Narendra Modi, both said further talks were needed to finalise terms of the government-togovernment deal, which the Indian prime minister had announced when he visited France last spring

NEW DELHI: India signed an inter-governmental agreement on Monday to buy 36 Frenchbuilt Rafale fighter planes, but the leaders of both countries said there was still work to do to finalise financial terms after months of talks.

The deal, worth an estimated $9 billion, was to have been the centrepiece of a visit to India

by French President Francois Hollande, invited as guest of honour for Tuesday’s Republic Day parade.

PACT SIGNING CEREMONY: French President Francois Hollande speaks as Prime Minister Narendra Modi looks on during India-France agreement signing ceremony at Hyderabad House in New Delhi on Monday. - PTI

But Hollande and his host, Narendra Modi, both said further talks were needed to finalise terms of the government-to-government deal, which the Indian prime minister had announced when he visited France last spring.

‘Decisive step’ Hollande described the deal on Rafale as “a decisive step”, adding: “There remain financial issues which will be sorted out in a couple of days.”

Both leaders played up their interest in cooperation in the

fight against international militant groups, with Hollande saying France and its allies would strike “again and again” against IS. “IS is provoking us in the worst possible way,” Hollande said, citing IS, which controls parts of Syria and Iraq, and was behind several attacks on Paris in November that killed 130 people.

Hollande also noted that French air force Rafales had proven their effectiveness in the ongoing campaign of air strikes against IS. Hollande and Modi stepped into the deal last year, ordering

government-to-government talks after commercial negotiations with planemaker Dassault Aviation had collapsed.

The leaders agreed to scale back the original plan for 126 Rafale planes to just 36 in flyaway condition, to meet the Indian Air Force’s urgent needs.

The fighter jet deal is part of a $150 billion military overhaul that India has launched, drawing global arms makers into one of the world’s biggest markets.

“France is a special friend.

Eighteen years ago, France was

the first country we signed a strategic partnership with. We are now here to take it higher,” Modi said at a joint press conference following his talks with Hollande.

In other business, France’s Alstom signed an agreement with Indian Railways to produce 800 locomotives.

Hollande said an agreement for France’s Areva to build six nuclear reactors in India should be concluded within a year.

“From nuclear cooperation to railway locomotives, we are sowing the seeds of an ever-tightening web of cooperation between our two countries,” Modi said.

Investment French companies will invest $10 billion in India over the next five years, chiefly in the industrial sector, Finance Minister Michel Sapin said earlier on Monday in New Delhi.

As part of the Rafale deal, there would be significant “offsets”, or related French investments that Modi hopes will support his “Make in India” initiative to boost the manufacturing sector.

“The majority of these investments are meant for the industrial sector, which makes France the major player in Prime Minister Modi’s ‘Make in India’ programme,” Sapin said. - Reuters

DENSE FOG

8 die due to intense cold in UP, Bengal NEW DELHI: An intense cold wave swept North India on Monday, claiming four lives while dense fog engulfed the region where Jammu experience its “coldest night” in 70 years.

West Bengal has also reported four deaths due to chill weather conditions prevailing for the last three days.

Four homeless persons succumbed to chilling cold in Purulia district of West Bengal in the last three days, SP Rakesh Kumar said.

In Uttar Pradesh, two people died due to intense cold in Mahoba district and as many were killed in two separate fog- related incidents in Badaun and Saharanpur, respectively, since Sunday.

Cold wave tightened its grip on different parts of the state with mercury slipping to 2.4 degrees Celsius in Nazibabad.

Khemchand (55) of Kulphard and Ajay (28) of Chandua village in Mahoba died of severe cold, R. P. Mishra, a doctor at the district hospital said.

A 45-year-old man, Yusuf, was on Monday killed and five others were injured when two trucks collided due to fog in Musajhag area in Badaun, police said, adding the injured were admitted to a hospital where their condition was stated to be stable. Sun shone down on the national capital where maximum was 18.7 degrees Celsius after mercury in the morning dropped to 6.7 degrees Celsius while 30 trains were cancelled and 75 delayed due to fog. However, flight operations remained normal at the Delhi Airport. - PTI

POLITICAL CRISIS

Pranab questions urgency of Central rule in Arunachal Pradesh NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday asked questions about the need to bring Arunachal Pradesh under Central rule, a decision that was challenged by the Congress in the Supreme Court which will hear the case on Wednesday.

Suspense mounted a day after the Cabinet decided to impose the President’s rule with Mukherjee calling Home Minister Rajnath Singh when he is believed to have raised some queries on the urgency over the action, especially when the apex court was seized of the matter.

The President is also said to be considering seeking legal opinion before taking a final call.

In the evening a delegation of Congress leaders including Ghulam Nabi Azad, Mallikarjun Kharge and Kapil Sibal submitted a memorandum in which the party said that this is for the first time

that a decision to impose President’s rule has been taken in the midst of a court hearing.

The party also enclosed a “summary of events” detailing the “disquieting events leading to the Governor’s illegal actions”.

“The Constitution is being trampled upon. Just two days before the Republic day, the Union Cabinet is taking such a decision. We will fight an all-out war. We will fight in Parliament, in court and along with people. Will tell them how democracy is being endangered”, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters.

Sibal, a noted lawyer, said it was “shocking” that the Arunachal Governor had recommended President’s rule in the state in spite of an assurance by his lawyer in the Supreme Court that “no precipitate action” would be taken.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court

decided to hear on January 27 the Congress plea challenging the Cabinet decision. The petition seeking urgent hearing was mentioned before Chief Justice T. S. Thakur, at his residence, who directed the matter to be listed for hearing on Wednesday.

“The matter was placed before the CJI. He has listed for hearing on January 27,” Virendra Kumar, Deputy Registrar said.

He said listing branch of Registry will allocate the matter before an appropriate bench.

Already, a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Justice J. S. Khehar is examining the scope of discretionary powers of the Governor under constitution, vis-a-vis the authority to convene assembly session with or without the aid and advise of the Chief Minister and his council of ministers. The fresh plea, filed by Rajesh Tacho, Chief Whip of Congress Legislature

party, alleged that “illegal and unlawful” attempts have been made by the Centre and Governor Jyoti Prasad Rajkhowa to topple the Nabam Tuki government.

The Governor’s recommendation in the present case is to promote “political interests of party in power at the Centre,” the Congress petition finally settled by noted jurist Fali S. Nariman said.

The Congress has sought a direction for the Centre and the Governor to furnish records pertaining to his recommendation for President’s Rule in the state.

“There is absolutely no material justifying the action under Article 356 of the Constitution of India except the personal ipse dixit (unsupported assertion) of the Respondent No.2 (Rajkhowa) who has abused the Office of the Governor by acting as an agent and the mouth piece of the Central Government,” it said. - PTI

MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED: Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kapil Sibal and V. Narayanasamy addressing the media after meeting President Pranab Mukherjee on Arunachal Pradesh issue, in New Delhi on Monday. - PTI

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

PAKISTAN TERROR-HIT UNIVERSITY IN CHARSADDA REOPENS Students leave their campus at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, Pakistan on Monday, where Taliban militants killed 21 people last Wednesday. At least 200 students gathered on the grounds of the university on Monday after the gates opened, shouting slogans against both the government and the Taliban. “You must protect us!” they shouted, while also vowing to continue their education despite the threats. There were to be no classes at the university on Monday, as administrators, students and teachers met to review security needs in the wake of the attack. “Some people aren’t going to the university today as they have serious concerns about the incident and their personal security and that of the students,” a teacher at the university said, on condition of anonymity. — Reuters

P R I VAT I S AT I O N

PIA unions to shut offices countrywide

To retire at term end: Raheel The army chief’s

KARACHI: The unions of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) announced on Monday to close all offices across the country from Tuesday to protest against the government’s decision to privatise the national carrier.

They also threatened to halt flight operations from February 2 if the government will not take back its decision.

Hundreds of employees affiliated with half a dozen unions gathered at the PIA head office in Karachi on Monday as their leaders intensified criticism of the privatisation plan, which the government insists is only a move to involve strategic investors against a minority stake to address the financial woes of the airline. The unions made it clear that they won’t roll back strike plan unless uncertainty is removed. — Express Tribune

three-year tenure will end in November has thrown his support behind elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during antigovernment protests

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s influential army chief on Monday said he would step down at the end of his three-year term in November, the military’s public relations wing said, breaking a precedent of military leaders seeking to extend their terms.

General Raheel Sharif is consid-

UNPRECEDENTED: Pakistan’s newly appointed army chief General Raheel Sharif attends the change of command ceremony in with outgoing army chief General Ashfaq Kayani (not in picture) at army headquarters in Rawalpindi on November 29, 2013. — Reuters file photo

ered by many to be Pakistan’s most powerful man.

Since he took office in 2013, the army has launched aerial and ground assaults against extrem-

ist insurgent strongholds near the Afghan border in the northwest, earning the military broad support from a Pakistani population tired of militant violence.

Critics say the crackdown has been selective, going after some militant groups, but leaving others intact.

The general has thrown his support behind elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during anti-government protests, while at the same time solidifying the military’s hold over national security and foreign policy.

General Sharif has also presided over a security crackdown in Karachi, the country’s largest city, which has sharply reduced murder rates but drawn protests from opposition politicians who say their activists have been targeted.

Under his watch, the military has been given authority to try civilians suspected of terrorism in secret military courts.

General Sharif is said to have been personally involved in efforts to bring the Afghan Taliban into peace talks with Afghanistan, though those efforts have stalled.

Speculation that General Sharif would seek to extend his tenure for another term was baseless, the ar-

my’s public relations wing said in a series of tweets issued on Monday.

“The Pakistan Army is a great institution. I don’t believe in extension,” he was quoted as saying.

General Sharif’s decision would represent a win for democratic institutions, but raises questions on the future of campaigns against militants. No obvious candidate to succeed him has yet emerged.

General Sharif pledged that efforts to combat terrorism “will continue with full vigour and resolve” after he retired, the army tweets said.

Pakistan’s past two military chiefs had sought extensions of their terms instead of stepping down, with General Pervez Musharraf staging a coup to topple Nawaz Sharif during a previous term as prime minister. — Reuters

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G R E E N G R O W T H I N I T I AT I V E

Khyber Pakhthunkhwa women nurture trees in forest drive

DETERMINED: Robina Gul shows seeds from different plant species she has collected in the forest around her village in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, as her son looks on. — TRF/Aamir Saeed

HARIPUR: Robina Gul has swapped her needle for a trowel.

Until recently, the villager from northern Pakistan got by making clothes for family weddings and religious festivals, but now she is encouraging other women to set up tree nurseries like hers that can earn them a handsome monthly income.

Gul is growing some 25,000 saplings of 13 different species crammed into the small courtyard of her two-room house in Najaf Pur, a village of around 8,000 people in the Haripur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

“It gives me immense pleasure to look after the saplings as this has changed my whole life,” said Gul, 35.”

“It has become a hobby for me and a source of income too.”

She set up the nursery at her home in March last year under an

agreement with the provincial forest department.

The government provides around a quarter of the start-up cost for poor households to set up a tree nursery, with a subsidy amounting to 150,000 rupees ($1,429.93) each over a year.

Mud, manure They first get black polythene bags from the forest department to fill with mud and manure, followed by seeds and training on how to sow them and tend to the trees.

“I am now getting over 12,000 rupees per month (from the subsidy), just by looking after the saplings in my home,” Gul said. ”I have also acquired the skills I need to grow different seedlings, and this will help me earn enough even after the project is wound up.”

The provincial government is planning to spend 21 billion ru-

pees from its budget through to May 2018, when its term ends, on a project called the “Billion Tree Tsunami”. The goal is to plant 1 billion trees in degraded forest areas and on private land.

The project is part of the Green Growth Initiative launched in February 2014 in Peshawar by former international cricket star Imran Khan, who is chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which governs the province.

The initiative aims to boost local economic development in a way that uses natural resources sustainably, with a focus on increasing clean energy uptake and forest cover.

The government has turned forest restoration into a business model by outsourcing nurseries to the private sector, including widows, poor women and young people. This provides the government

with saplings to plant, as well as green jobs for the community.

At the same time, illegal logging has been almost eliminated in the province following strict disciplinary action against some officials who were involved.

Other measures include hiring local people to guard forests and banning wood transportation.

Rate of deforestation According to government data, Pakistan has forest cover on 4.4 million hectares (10.87 million acres) or 5 percent of its land area, while the current rate of deforestation is 27,000 hectares per year, one of the highest in the world.

The forestry sector contributed $1.3 billion to Pakistan’s economy in 2011 while employing some 53,000 people directly, according to Global Forest Watch. — Thomson Reuters Foundation

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

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Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, top right, waves to fans during her victory homecoming parade in Manila, Philippines, on Monday. Pia was crowned Miss Universe in December in a drama-filled show after the pageant’s host, comedian Steve Harvey, misread his cue card and initially announced Miss Colombia as the winner before apologizing and saying Wurtzbach had won. - AFP

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Concern voiced over rising radicalism MANILA: Philippine government and rebel peace negotiators both expressed concern on Monday over the spread of radical ideology in the south of the nation, warning it could reverse gains in the peace negotiations.

They urged lawmakers to immediately pass a new autonomy law in a region of southern Mindanao to counter radicalism, especially among young Muslims.

Rebels have been fighting for self-determination in the south for more than four decades.

Conflict The conflict has killed more than 120,000 people, displaced two million and stunted growth in one of the poorest regions of the country.

“The flags have been raised, the danger signals are already there,” said Miriam Coronel Ferrer, government chief negotiator with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), the country’s largest rebel group.

Chief rebel negotiator Mohagher Iqbal said his group was also worried the delays in the passage of the law could frustrate the “rank and file of the MILF”.

“It’s a fact that there is rising radicalism among the youth in Mindanao,” he said. “It’s there, the videos are spreading and it’s very hard to combat ideas.” - Reuters

WAT C H D O G G R O U P

‘Myanmar falls short of releasing prisoners’ YANGON: Myanmar freed 101 political prisoners last week, bringing the number of political detainees released by President Thein Sein to more than 1,200 since his semi-civilian government took power in 2011, a watchdog group said on Monday.

Still, rights groups say, the outgoing government has fallen short of releasing all political prisoners.

Protest “The government has released all 101 political prisoners who were supposed to be released starting last week. Most of them protested against the government, including the Letpadaung copper mine, land grabs and other cases,” said Bo Kyi, joint secretary of political prisoner watchdog Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

Thein Sein’s administration had released 1,235 political prisoners since 2011, Bo Kyi said.

But 409 political prisoners were still on trial and 84 remained behind bars.

Myanmar’s incarceration of more than 2,000 journalists, activists, politicians and even comedians during decades of military rule was a key factor behind Western sanctions. Friday’s release came just before a new parliament dominated by Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy sits for the first time on February 1. - Reuters

Khaleda accused of sedition, ordered to appear in court The case comes amid rising concerns

This is nothing but a mockery and its aim is to deter Khaleda from politics. The intent of the government is to continue its repression of the opposition by police

over the growth of militancy in Bangladesh, which saw a string of deadly attacks on minorities, secular writers and foreigners last year

DHAKA: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, head of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was ordered on Monday to appear in court to answer the charge of sedition, a move her supporters said was driven by politics.

The case comes amid rising concerns over the growth of militancy in the country, which saw a string of deadly attacks on secular writers, minorities and foreigners last year.

It was filed by Momtaz Uddin Ahmad Mehdi, a lawyer with the Bangladesh Supreme Court and a supporter of the ruling Awami League. He said that remarks Khaleda made last month about

IN TROUBLED WATERS: Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, head of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, was ordered on Monday to appear in court to answer the charge of sedition, a move her supporters said was driven by politics. - AFP

the 1971 war of independence were seditious. She had said there were “controversies” over the numbers who were killed. He said the comment hurt him “as a patriot” and that as a citizen, he had a right to file the case.

Politics in Bangladesh has for decades been marred by violent protests, nationwide strikes and bickering between supporters of Khaleda and current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who have taken it in turns to lead the country.

An affiliate BNP group called for a countrywide protest for Tuesday.

It was not immediately clear what chance the prosecution had of success in the case.

Khaleda was ordered to appear in court on March 3. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, acting secretary general of the BNP, dismissed the case as politically motivated. “This is nothing but a mockery and its aim is to deter Khaleda from politics,” he told reporters.

“The intent of the government

is to continue its repression of the opposition by police, making confrontational politics.” He said 17,000 opposition activists had been arrested since 2014 and 3,000 were still in jail. East Pakistan broke away to become independent Bangladesh in 1971 after a war.

About three million people were killed, according to official accounts. Hasina opened an inquiry into crimes committed during the war in 2010, paving the way

Mirza Alamgir Acting secretary general of the BNP

for prosecutions by a war crimes tribunal that extremists have denounced as part of a campaign aimed at weakening the Jamaat-eIslami, a key ally of the BNP. Four opposition politicians, including three leaders of Jamaate-Islami, have been convicted and executed since late 2013. The executions have come amidst a rise in militant violence, with militant groups claiming the murder of two foreigners and four secular writers and a publisher last year. - Reuters

MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE

Search for missing Malaysia jet hits another snag with sonar detector lost SYDNEY: Australian authorities searching for a missing Malaysia Airlines passenger jet said on Monday they had lost a deep-water sonar detector being used to scour a patch of the ocean floor where the plane is believed to have gone down almost two years ago.

Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 disappeared with 239 people on board during a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March 2014, sparking one of the greatest mysteries in aviation history.

On Saturday, a piece of suspected plane wreckage was found off the east coast of southern Thailand but aviation experts and Thai officials said it was unlikely to belong to MH370.

A piece of the plane washed up on the French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean in July 2015 but no further trace has been found.

The search, using a sonar detector known as a towfish, is focused on a 120,000-sq-km (46,330-sqmile) band of sea floor in the remote southern Indian Ocean.

“The towfish collided with a mud volcano which rises 2,200 metres from the seafloor resulting in the vehicle’s tow cable breaking,” the Joint Agency Coordination Centre (JACC), the agency overseeing the search efforts, said in a statement. The incident occurred on Sunday, it said.

“The towfish and 4,500 metres of cable became separated from the vessel and are now resting on the sea floor,” it said.

The towfish coasts around 100 metres (330 feet) above the sea floor, sending out sound waves diagonally across a broad strip of terrain to produce a flattened image of the seabed.

Earlier this month, JACC reiterated it would complete scouring the seafloor by the end of June, ruling out a further expansion without new confirmation on the aircraft’s location.

On Monday, it did not say whether the lost towfish would delay that timeframe.

A spare towfish on board search vessel the Fugro Discovery was being prepared, JACC said.

It was thought it would be possible to recover the lost towfish later.

The Australian-led underwater search is one of the most expensive ever conducted. - Reuters

HAVE YOUR SAY

DEBRIS: A Malaysian official, centre, takes pictures of a piece of suspected aircraft debris after it was

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

found by fishermen on Saturday, at a beach in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat on Monday. Thailand’s air force said it would bring a piece of suspected aircraft debris — a metal panel measuring two metres (6.6 feet) by three metres — found on the southeast coast to Bangkok, amid media speculation it may belong to missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. - AFP

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READERS’ FORUM Why do not rich of the world take care problems This refers to the story Britain, Bill Gates pledge £3 billion to fight malaria (January 25). It is very wise of the British leadership and the world’s richest person to look into this global health problem.

However, I fail to understand why such issues are not taken care by the rich world without needing public pressure and being devoid of hidden agenda. Wouldn’t be better if they do so automatically, however, if that was so the world would be at peace and not need organisations like the United Nations. However, looking at the history of the world this is simply impossible.

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

Eagerly waiting to see the Proteas choke against England This refers to the story Rabada at the double as South Africa scent victory (January 25). It is nice to note that the Proteas are confident and upbeat against the English side. Being the last innings it is hard to imagine that somehow the African side will lose. However, cricket results do not come about till the last ball is balled. It is quite possible that one of the England batsmen will emulate the master defensive player Michael Artherton and stall the South African teams victory push. I am eagerly waiting for the ‘chokers’ to choke again.

— Rabail Niazi, Ruwi

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“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com People always call it luck when you’ve acted more sensibly than they have

ANNE TYLER

Republicans see gain in anti-immigration stance

KAVITHA DAVIDSON

Changing and expanding the way baseball is consumed will go a long way to capturing millennial viewers and widen the fan base for the future. It’s just a matter of time before cable and satellite fall completely by the wayside.

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T

hree years ago, high-level Republicans declared that after losing the popular vote in five of the past six elections, the party needed to appeal more to Hispanics to win the presidency. Immigration was a threshold issue. Hispanics are the fastest-growing slice of the electorate. The 2012 Republican nominee, Mitt Romney, took an anti- immigration stance and only got 27 per cent of that vote.

It hadn’t always been so. George W. Bush won almost 40 perc ent of the Hispanic vote in 2004, and 20 years earlier, by some estimates, Ronald Reagan did even better.

Today, however, this notion has been turned upside down. Donald Trump has soared to the top of the Republican presidential field with an immigration-bashing pitch. The billionaire businessman has set the agenda for other aspirants: Ted Cruz has hardened his anti-reform position, Marco Rubio and Chris Christie have reversed course to adopt tougher-on- immigration stances and John Kasich has fudged.

More Republican politicians, along with some conservative commentators and strategists, now say Trump’s hard line is good politics because it taps into deep cultural, economic and security fears.

There is plenty of demagoguery and racism to this appeal. Yet it is also being made by more thoughtful conservatives such as Reihan Salam, a top editor at the anti-Trump National Review.

My Bloomberg View colleague, Ramesh Ponnuru, wrote recently that immigration is becoming a defining test for Republicans with national aspirations. Some of these advocates want to limit immigration to high- skilled workers, who are in demand, and keep out the less skilled, who they believe become a drag on society. (Most Democrats and Hispanics say that approach is a nonstarter.)

These Republicans claim that public opinion is moving their way, driven by economic frustration and new threats of terrorism. They note that Hispanics account for more than 5 per cent of eligible voters in only three of the 10 national swing states: Colorado, Nevada and Florida.

Whatever losses the party sustains among Hispanics -- and Asian-Americans also turned off by anti-immigration rhetoric -- will be more

than offset, they believe, by energising of alienated white voters.

Yet the white vote as a percentage of the total has been in steady decline, from 86 per cent in 1984 to 72 per cent in 2012. Romney won 59 per cent of the white vote and still lost the election by four points. That means the Republican challenge will be to increase the overall percentage of the white vote, countering demographic trends, as well as their share of it.

This is a “risky strategy,” says Ruy Teixeira, who studies demographic voting patterns at the liberal Center for American Progress. He noted that most of the anticipated increases in eligible nonwhite voters wouldn’t be produced by immigration but by the greater proportion of younger voters in these groups.

Developments in several swing states underscore his point. In Colorado, Hispanics will be about 16 per cent of eligible voters this year, twice as large a segment as two decades ago; by 2030, that will rise to 23 per cent.

In Virginia, where in 1980 there weren’t enough Hispanic or Asian-American voters to even measure, the state’s electorate this year will be about 5 per cent Hispanic and almost 7 per cent Asian. Fast-forward to 2030 and those two groups will make up about 18 per cent of the Virginia electorate, while black voters will account for about 20 per cent.

Or consider the experience of California.

From 1952 to 1988, Republicans carried the state in nine of 10 presidential elections, held the governorship in the majority of those years and were competitive in congressional contests. In 1994, Republican governor Peter Wilson won re-election by embracing crackdowns on benefits for immigrants. Republicans have paid a price ever since: The party’s presidential candidate has been defeated in the state in every election and Republicans currently hold only 14 of California’s 53 seats in the House of Representatives.

One former Republican presidential candidate fears this scenario could play out on the national level. Immigration is “killing our party,” said Senator Lindsey Graham, who dropped out of the race for the party’s nomination last month. “Donald Trump today has an 81 per cent disapproval rating with Hispanics. The Democrats will destroy this guy.” — Bloomberg View

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES JANUARY 2001 Disabled services panel meets MUSCAT: The National Committee for the Disabled Services held a meeting yesterday under the chairmanship of Sheikh Amer bin Shuwain Al Hosni, minister of social affairs, labour and vocational training, who is also the chairman of the committee. The meeting reviewed the agenda which included report of the programmes and services offered to the disabled in the various regions of the Sultanate and the comprehensive statistic report on the disabled for 1995. It also discussed the draft law of the disabled services in the Sultanate and a proposal to translate the deaf language during televised news bulletin and other programmes for the disabled.

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WORLD Greece threatened to be excluded from Schengen over migration Greece was the main gateway to Europe for more than a million refugees and migrants who reached the European Union last year

AMSTERDAM: European Union interior ministers on Monday urged Greece to do more to control the influx of migrants, some threatening to exclude it from the continent’s prized passport-free travel zone as the crisis increasingly divides the bloc’s members.

Greece was the main gateway to Europe for more than a million refugees and migrants who reached the EU last year. But it has been criticised for a failure to control the flow of arrivals, which have shown little sign of falling over the winter months.

The EU has taken various steps to give cash-strapped Athens financial assistance to deal with the crisis, but many member states believe Athens is not using that enough. Of five registration “hot spot” centres that were due to be set up for migrants arriving in Greece, only one is running so far.

Overwhelmed by the influx, Greek law enforcement officials have often let migrants through deeper into Europe rather than keep them on Greek soil for proper registration - the first necessary step agreed by the EU before people can move further.

Athens says the numbers are impossible to manage and blames the other 27 EU states for not offering real help.

The crisis has put the passportfree Schengen zone - hailed by top EU officials as the greatest achievement of European integration - on the verge of collapse.

“If we cannot protect the external EU border, the Greek-Turkish border, then the Schengen external border will move towards central Europe,” said Austria’s Interior Minister Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner.

“Greece must increase its resources as soon as possible and accept help,” she said on arriving at informal interior minister talks in Amsterdam.

The Schengen zone comprises 26 states, most of which are also EU members. Germany, France, Austria and Sweden are among several countries that have introduced temporary border checks as they struggle to control the flow of people.

“Speaking about timetables, it’s already too late. We have seven countries with border controls,” Sweden’s interior minister Anders Ygeman told Reuters.

He said migrant registration centres need to start functioning in Greece and Italy as planned.

“In the end, if a country doesn’t live up to its obligations, we will have to restrict its connections to the Schengen area. If you don’t have control of your borders, it will have consequences for the free movement.”

Excluding Greece would require applying Article 26 of the Schengen code. Germany, the main destination for refugees and migrants fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa, first floated the idea last year.

External borders The Greek minister did not speak on arrival but the EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, himself Greek, sought to talk down the risk of excluding the country from Schengen. “Nothing like this has been proposed or discussed. What we have to do is to better manage our external borders. It’s obvious that frontline member states must work more and here we are...to help them to better do their job,” he said.

The Luxembourg interior minister was also against leaving Greece outside Schengen, while Germany’s Thomas de Maiziere said that he wanted to preserve Schengen but that time was running out.

Berlin hopes a deal agreed with Turkey last November would mean fewer migrants arrive in

UP IN ARMS: Amnesty International activists hold a protest against the ongoing migrant crisis with a boat filled with mannequins wearing life vests outside the Maritime Museum, on Monday in Amsterdam, Netherlands, during an informal meeting of EU Justice and Home Affairs ministers at the Maritime Museum. – AFP

European refugee ‘race to the bottom’ exposes 360,000 child migrants to risk AMSTERDAM: A “race to the bottom” on asylum policy among European Union countries is exposing more than 360,000 child migrants to greater risk of harm as the bloc struggles to cope with a surge of refugees, rights watchdogs said on Monday.

European children’s agencies issued the warning in a report released in Amsterdam.

One of the main concerns is that EU countries, from Sweden to Britain, have implemented measures limiting family reunification rights that risked separating children from their parents after they had survived perilous journeys.

“It seems as if European countries are in a contest to win the title of ‘least willing to accept asylum seekers’,” said the report from the European Network of Ombudspersons for Children, which represents 41 independent children’s rights institutions in 34 European countries.

Last year migrant flows to Europe reached their highest level since World War II, with 1.2 million applying for asylum on the continent. The proportion of children rose from 26 percent in 2014 to 29 percent last year, the report said.

Many were minors without their parents. In Sweden alone, 35,000 unaccompanied children requested asylum in 2015.

European leaders meeting in the Netherlands, which holds the rotating European Union

Greece, but the deal has so far had limited impact.

Top EU officials have echoed Berlin’s warnings recently that Schengen will not survive without a dramatic change in the coming weeks in the way the bloc handles the crisis.

However, EU countries, worried about growing anti-migrant sentiment at home, have failed to agree.

As the ministers arrived by canal for talks at Amsterdam’s maritime museum, they passed a protest by Amnesty International, a boat packed with mannequins in bright life vests designed to resemble migrants arriving in Europe.

“Leaders of Europe, it’s not the polls you should worry about,” a sign said. “It’s the history books.”

Meanwhile, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said on Monday she was “very confident”

AT GREATER RISK OF HARM: A child sits on a chair in front of a refugee camp after crossing the Macedonian border into Serbia, in the town of Presevo on Monday. European children’s agencies issued the warning in a report released in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where the EU’s interior ministers were meeting to discuss how to deal with the influx of people fleeing war in Africa and Middle East. – AFP

presidency, are under pressure to balance the need to offer humanitarian shelter with widespread public opposition to admitting large numbers of newcomers.

the bloc would deliver a promised 3 billion euros ($3.2 billion) in assistance to Turkey to help stem migrant flows, despite the funding being blocked by Italy.

EU leaders agreed to the aid as part of a package of measures aimed at reducing the numbers of refugees heading for Europe. But Italy has objected to the grant, saying there needs to be more certainty over how it is spent.

Confidence “I am very much confident that the amount that was decided will be there in very reasonable timing,” Federica Mogherini told a news conference in Ankara after meetings with Turkish officials.

EU officials were continuing to assess the needs and projects that would receive funding, she said.

“We have to better support

The ministers will study an idea for a bloc-wide border and coast guard and discuss the looming expiry of temporary border controls reintroduced by several countries within Eu-

Turkey on the incredible work it’s doing to host and protect an enormous number of refugees. On the Turkish side... the management of the flow of refugees and also regular migrants... has to be done in a better way.”

EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn, also part of a heavyweight delegation from Brussels, said the bloc was closely watching whether Turkish efforts to stem the flow - which have so far included issuing work permits to Syrians and visa requirements for those arriving by air - were having any effect.

The composition of refugees crossing Turkey had changed, he said, with Syrians now making up less than 40 per cent. Other migrant nationalities using Turkey as a transit point into Europe include Iraqis, Afghans, Iranians and

rope’s passport-free Schengen travel zone.

The report also urged countries to improve transit and reception conditions, giving children priority in the distribu-

Pakistanis. The head of France’s northern region on Monday called on Paris to send troops to Calais to restore order there after migrants stormed the port and boarded a British ferry.

Stopover Thousands of migrants fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East have gathered at the northern coastal town in the past year, using it as a stopover on their way to Britain - a ferry trip across the Channel. Around 200 refugees burst into the port on Saturday after a demonstration of support for migrants living in a slum nearby and some of boarded the front deck of a British ferry.

“Only the army is capable of restoring security to Calais,” Xavier Bertrand, regional head of Nord Pas-de-Calais, told report-

tion of asylum seekers among the EU’s 28 member states, and setting minimum standards of warmth and comfort at reception and transit centres. — Reuters

ers. “We don’t want a tragedy in Calais, but that is exactly what is going to happen if there is not a stronger reaction.”

Many live in squalid conditions particularly in a slum area near Calais called “the jungle” where around 4,000 people are camped.

Bertrand also urged President Francois Hollande to visit Calais to witness the situation there for himself and he also took a swipe at Britain, saying it was in large part responsible for the problems.

“The migrants, they want to travel to England, they know that you can work without papers in England. They are underpaid. As long as the English don’t change the rules, we going to have problems,” Bertrand said. “Either the English budge, genuinely and seriously, or we give them back their border.” — Reuters

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

GLOBAL EYE

SOUTH KOREA: A passenger ship, centre, navigates through the ice flow in the Han River in Seoul, South Korea, on Monday. A cold snap hit South Korea on Sunday with the temperature in Seoul falling to minus 18 degree Celsius. — Reuters

MEXICO: People look at the Popocatepetl volcano as it spews ash from Paso de Cortes, Puebla, Mexico on Sunday. — AFP

OCCUPIED WEST BANK: A double rainbow spreads across the sky near the Occupied West Bank village of Al Auja in the Jordan Valley on Sunday, following a storm. — AFP

CHILE: Tourists watch high waves of the Pacific Ocean pounding the coast in Vina del Mar city, Chile on Monday. — Reuters

RUSSIA: Pigeons fly past pedestrians walking along the Patriarch

Bridge in central Moscow on Monday. — AFP

CHINA: Wei Yangkun, 2.5 years old, is carried by his mother as they leave Beijing Railway Station for their hometown Xinyang of Henan province, in Beijing, China, on Monday.— Reuters

LEBANON: A girl walks past a snow-covered swimming pool in the town of Jezzine, southern Lebanon, on Monday. — Reuters

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

A15

WORLD INSURGENCY

Boko Haram kills 28 in Cameroon attack DOUALA (CAMEROON): Suicide bombers targeting a town in northern Cameroon killed 28 people and wounded 65 on Monday, one of the worst attacks yet in the Central African nation as it struggles to contain an overflow of violence blamed on Nigeria’s Boko Haram.

State-owned radio and local officials said four explosions struck a busy market and entrances to the town of Bodo, which borders the extremist insurgency’s strongholds in northeastern Nigeria.

“The new toll is 28 dead and 65 wounded. Currently the situation is stable. Our security forces are in place,” said one official, who asked not to be named.

While there was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, northern Cameroon has become the scene of increasingly frequent suicide attacks as Boko Haram has stepped up cross-border violence that has also spread into Chad and Niger.

BEACHED WHALES

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Two sperm whales lie on the sand after being washed ashore at Skegness beach in Skegness, Britain on Monday. Four dead sperm whales washed up in Skegness on the weekend, local media reported. — Reuters

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

Twelve people were killed in an attack on January 13 at a mosque in the town of Kouyape.

Bodo, separated from Nigeria by only a small border river, was previously targeted at the end of December when two female suicide bombers blew themselves up at the town entrance.

Boko Haram has killed thousands of people and driven more than 2 million people from their homes during its six-year insurgency in one of the world’s poorest regions.

Regional armies mounted an offensive against the insurgents last year that ousted them from many positions in northern Nigeria.

In the wake of that operation, Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Benin pledged to set up a 8,700-strong regional force tasked with wiping out Boko Haram.

The United States has also sent troops to supply intelligence and other assistance. — Reuters

US struggles, faces days of cleanup after epic blizzard

EUROPEAN UNION

Brexit risk to Northern Ireland, says Irish premier LONDON: A British exit from the European Union would create serious difficulties for Northern Ireland, Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny warned on Monday.

Ireland has more to lose than other EU member if its larger neighbour, a key trading partner, votes to leave the union at a referendum due to be held by end-2017 and the Irish government has been a vocal opponent of a British exit, or “Brexit”.

Britain’s only land border with the European Union is between Northern Ireland and the Republic and Irish proponents of Britain’s EU membership have warned that an exit could damage trade to the province and inflame political tensions if it leads to more border controls.

Kenny, in London to meet British Prime Minister David Cameron, told a news conference the referendum had become a critical issue for Ireland but he believed all Britain’s demands for revised terms could be met.

“From our perspective it would create serious difficulties for Northern Ireland and I don’t want to see that happening,” Kenny said. — Reuters

Officials reported at least 31 storm-related deaths, including traffic accidents and heart attacks while shovelling in the capital Washington, Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: Officials in Washington warned residents on Monday that it would take several more days for the city to return to normal after a massive weekend blizzard dropped more than two feet (60 cm) of snow along the East Coast and left 31 people dead.

Wshingtonl, with federal government offices ordered shut on Monday, schools in the district and surrounding suburbs shuttered and the US House of Representatives cancelling all votes until next week.

Washington’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, urged residents to stay off the streets while crews cleared snow from secondary roadways,and highway shoulders.

“We are now 36 hours into the big digout,” she told reporters, adding that it will take “several days” to finish the cleanup.”We’re making a lot of progress.”

Officials reported at least 31 storm-related deaths, including traffic accidents and heart attacks while shovelling in Washington, DC, Delaware, Kentucky,

VIDEO

BADLY HIT: US Department of Sanitation workers use bulldozers to clear snow near Times Square in New York on Monday. — AFP PRISON VIOLENCE

Maryland, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia Washington’s subway resumed limited service on Monday, offering free travel in an effort to encourage the use of mass transit over driving.

“It’s beautiful to watch but impossible to get through,” said John Salmons, a 24-year-old designer who works at an architecture firm, as he waited for a train in suburban Arlington, Virginia.

Even with federal government offices officially closed, the Supreme Court was open for business, scheduled to issue rulings and act on pending appeals from the snowbound courthouse across from the US Capitol building.

Maryland’s state government was also shut on Monday and officials asked residents to avoid travelling. High snowbanks at street

corners made travel within Washington difficult for pedestrians.

“The hardest part was getting the stroller through the unclean sidewalks,” said Isam Qahwash, a 41-year-old scientist from Princeton, New Jersey, as he carried his 14-month-old son in a stroller across a downtown street.

“It seems like they move really slow cleaning the snow here in DC,” said Qahwash, originally from Michigan.

New York was quicker to return to business, with the New York Stock Exchange and the city’s public schools opened as usual.

The state’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, said weekend road closures throughout New York City and its eastern suburbs had saved lives by keeping people off the streets, reduced traffic accidents and allowed work crews to plow more efficiently. — Reuters

‘Losses to billions of dollars’ LONDON: Massive blizzards that paralysed much of the US East Coast in the past few days are likely to cause “multi-billion” dollar economic losses in one of the worst storms in the region in over a century, reinsurance broker Aon Benfield said on Monday.

“Given the physical damage to homes, businesses and other structures and automobiles, plus the high costs incurred due to business interruption, it is expected that this will end up

being a multi-billion-dollar economic cost,” Aon Benfield said in a note.

The storm would likely be rated as one of the top 15 winter storms in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic since 1900, it added.

It was too soon to calculate insured losses, Aon Benfield said, adding a similar storm system in January 1996 caused an estimated economic loss of $4.6 billion and insured loss of $920 million in current dollar terms. — Reuters

Bahrain court sentences 57 to jail terms DUBAI: A Bahraini court sentenced 57 men to 15-year jail terms on Monday for rioting in a prison outside the capital Manama last March, the public prosecutor’s office said.

Bahrain’s public prosecutor said in a statement that the convicts had “unleashed acts of chaos, riots and rebellion inside (prison) buildings”.

Rioting Charges in the prison riot included damaging public property, attacking police, arson and resisting authorities. — Reuters

RESTRUCTURING

Bouteflika dissolves military spy unit, creates new agency ALGIERS: Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has dissolved the long-standing military spy directorate known as the DRS, creating a new agency under the control of the presidency in another step to ease the military out of politics, security sources said.

Bouteflika, rarely been seen in public since he suffered a stroke in 2013, began curbing the military’s influence before his re-election in April 2014.

But the decree to shut the Department of Intelligence and Secu-

rity, or DRS by its French initials, and replace it with the Direction of Security Services is a significant move to restructure the intelligence apparatus.

Despite presidential elections, analysts say, Algeria’s politics has long been dominated by the ruling FLN party elites and the military, who engage in backroom manoeuvring for political influence in the North African OPEC state.

Bouteflika last year removed Mohamed Mediene, the DRS for more than two decades, sidelining

someone who had been a major figure in past behind-the-scenes power struggles.

Mediene, one of whose nicknames was the “King of Algeria”, had long played the role of political kingmaker, analysts said, influencing leadership choices in backroom tussles between civilian and military factions even while trying to maintain stability among them.

The decision to dissolve the DRS has yet to be published in the official gazette. But security sources familiar with the decision said

General Athmane Tartag, a retired DRS chief, will led the new intelligence agency from his office at the presidency.

Long role Since Algeria’s 1962 independence from France, the military has long played a role in politics. But during the country’s 1990s war with hardline fighters, the DRS extended its sway over political parties, media and economy in the name of security.

For the past two years, Boutef-

lika had already moved to steadily ease the DRS out of civilian interests, retiring generals and restructuring parts of the military, transferring DRS roles to army officials seen as loyal to the presidency.

Secret police “The move will enable Algeria’s intelligence to move from a ‘secret police’ to a more proper intelligence agency to adapt to ongoing regional and domestic political transition,” security analyst Arslan Chikhaoui told Reuters.

The Defence Ministry will no longer supervise the new intelligence agency, as it will be under the authority of the president’s office. “The era of kingmakers is officially over now,” a senior member of the ruling FLN party told Reuters.

Algeria is a pivotal partner in the Western-led campaign against extremist militancy in North Africa and the Sahel region. But Libya’s chaos next door, the rise of IS in the region and instability in Mali are major concerns. — Reuters

A 16

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

WORLD

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Zika outbreak spreading through Americas: WHO virus may be linked to birth defects in Brazil as more research needed into possible physical transmission

Suspected cases Brazil has reported 3,893 suspected cases of microcephaly, the WHO said last Friday, over 30 times more than had been reported in any year since 2010.

The disease’s rapid spread, to

‘Record hot years caused by man-made warming’ OSLO: A record-breaking string of hot years since 2000 is almost certainly a sign of man-made global warming, with vanishingly small chances that it was caused by random, natural swings, a study showed on Monday.

Last year was the hottest since records began in the 19th century in a trend that almost all scientists blame on greenhouse gases from burning of fossil fuels, stoking heat waves, droughts, downpours and rising sea levels.

“Recent observed runs of record temperatures are extremely unlikely to have occurred in the absence of human-caused global warming,” a US-led team of experts wrote in the journal Scientific Reports.

Mosquito-borne

GENEVA: The mosquito-borne Zika virus, which is suspected of causing brain damage to babies in Brazil, is likely to spread to all countries in the Americas except for Canada and Chile, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

Zika has not yet been reported in the continental United States, although a woman who fell ill with Zika in Brazil later gave birth to a brain-damaged baby in Hawaii.

Brazil’s Health Ministry in November confirmed the Zika virus was linked to a foetal deformation known as microcephaly, in which infants are born with smallerthan-usual brains.

STUDY

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES: A specialist fumigates the Nueva Esperanza graveyard in the outskirts of Lima on January 15, 2016. The virus has quickly spread across South America and the Caribbean in recent weeks. – AFP Files

21 countries and territories of the region since May 2015, is due to a lack of immunity among the population and the prevalence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the virus, the WHO said in a statement.

Evidence about other transmission routes is limited.“Zika has been isolated in human semen, and one case of possible person-to-person sexual transmission has been described.

However, more evidence is needed to confirm whether physical contact is a means of Zika transmission,” it said.

There is currently no evidence of Zika being transmitted to babies through breast milk, the WHO said. It advised pregnant women planning to travel to areas where Zika is circulating to consult a healthcare provider before travelling and on return.

Zika has historically occurred

in parts of Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. But it is normally a mild disease and there is little scientific data on it, so it is unclear why it might be causing microcephaly in Brazil, the WHO has said.

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan told the WHO executive board that she had asked Carissa Etienne, head of the WHO in the Americas, to brief the board later this week on the

WHO’s response to the outbreak.

“Although a causal link between Zika infection in pregnancy and microcephaly has not, and I must emphasise, has not been established, the circumstantial evidence is suggestive and extremely worrisome,” Chan said.

“An increased occurrence of neurological symptoms, noted in some countries coincident with arrival of the virus, adds to the concern.” — Reuters

Temperature data Written before 2015 temperature data were released, it estimated the chance of the record run - with up to 13 of the 15 warmest years all from 2000 to 2014 - was between one in 770 and one in 10,000 if the series were random with no human influence.

Lead author Michael Mann, a professor of meteorology at Pennsylvania State University, told Reuters that the group’s computer simulations indicated those odds including 2015 had widened to between one in 1,250 and one in 13,000. “Climate change is real, human-caused and no longer subtle we’re seeing it play out before our eyes,” he wrote in an e-mail. Natural variations include shifts in the sun’s output or volcanic eruptions, which dim sunlight. — Reuters

PA R T N E R S H I P

Britain along with Bill Gates pledge £3b to fight malaria LONDON: Britain will spend £500 million ($700 million) per year for the next five years to try and end deaths caused by malaria, the government said on Monday, announcing a partnership with Microsoft founder Bill Gates worth a total of £3 billion.

Finance Minister George Osborne announced the spending, which will be funded from the country’s overseas aid budget, at an event with billionaire Gates, whose Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will also contribute around $200 million per year to the package.

“Across the globe over a billion people are infected with malaria and it’s a cause of both untold misery and lost economic potential,” Osborne said in a statement.

“That’s why, working with Bill Gates, I’m determined that Britain leads the world in the fight against this disease.”

Report In December, the World Health Organisation’s annual malaria report showed deaths falling to 438,000 in 2015 — down dramatically from 839,000 in 2000 — and found a significant increase in the number of countries moving towards the elimination of malaria.

The United Nations now wants to cut new cases and deaths from malaria, a parasitic mosquitoborne infection, by 90 per cent before 2030. Osborne said some of the money would be spent in Britain to advance the science being used to combat the disease. — Reuters

SOME FACTS ABOUT THE DISEASE

Nearly half the world’s population is at risk of malaria - about 3.2 billion people. It exists in 97 countries and territories In 2015, some 214 million people were infected and 438,000 people died of malaria, the majority in subSaharan Africa

Children under five years old, pregnant women and people living with HIV/AIDS are particularly vulnerable

The mosquito-borne disease is preventable and curable.

Between 2000 and 2015, malaria death rates fell by 60 per cent

Four countries have eliminated it since 2007: United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Turkmenistan and Armenia. In

2014, 13 countries reported zero cases of malaria

Growing resistance to insecticides and treatments threatens to roll back gains

In Southeast Asia, the disease is developing resistance to the most effective form of treatment. Scientists are worried this resistance will spread to Africa where at least 90 per cent of malaria deaths occur

Mosquitoes are also developing resistance to the insecticides used to treat bednets

The World Health Organization has targeted malaria for elimination in at least 35 countries by 2030, and reducing death rates by 90 per cent in the same time Sources: World Health Organisation, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria

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WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

MARKE Muscat 4,965.81 + 24.06 + 0.49%

Dubai 2,703.90 - 53.18 - 1.93%

Abu Dhabi 3,828.98 - 10.07 - 0.26%

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Kuwait 4,938.22 - 36.73 - 0.74%

Saudi Arabia

5,605.87 - 5.78 - 0.10%

Qatar 8,981.61 + 397.60 + 4.63%

Bahrain 1,150.48 - 7.55 - 0.65%

CRUDE OIL PRICE

CURRENCY RATES*

DRAFT RATES (OMR1)*

GOLD PRICES*

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

Forex rates vs OMR1* US Dollar ................................. 2.58 Euro ............................................ 2.37 Pound ........................................... 1.79 Indian Rs ............................. 174.82 Pak Rs ................................... 267.80 Bangla Taka.......................201.04

Indian Rs ....................................176.10 Pakistan Rs .............................272.25 Sri Lanka Rs ............................ 371.75 Bangla Taka........................... 203.20 Phil Peso ................................... 124.00

Muscat 24ct per gm (OMR) ........14.15

Oman Crude............. (Spot) ........$26.63 Dubai Crude ............. (Spot) .........$26.13 Murban Crude ........ (Spot) ........$29.29 Arabian Light ......... (Spot) ........$24.98 N.Sea Brent............... (Spot) .........$31.32 West Texas Int ....... (Spot) ..........$31.19

* Rates as of Jan. 25 Source: Oman UAE Exchange

* Rates are as of Jan. 25 Source: Bank Muscat

New classification to benefit more small and medium firms New classification has ‘widened the number of SMEs’ as the turnover cap is higher in the new classification, said an official in SME sector

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com

MUSCAT: More companies will benefit from a new classification introduced for micro, small and medium enterprises as it has broadened the scope of the SME sector, said a senior official.

The new classification has ‘widened the number of SMEs’ as the turnover cap is higher in the new categorisation, Khalifa Al Abri, chief executive officer of the Public Authority for SME Development (riyada), told Times of Oman.

The turnover cap was OMR1.5 million previously but is OMR3 million now, Al Abri said on the sidelines of an event held on Monday to announce a new SME mentorship programme of Daleel Petroleum.

The new classification will allow medium-sized companies to be part of the SME sector and that means they are going to benefit from the support provided to SMEs in Oman, the official noted.

According to Al Abri, all the organisations will be required to follow the new categorisation and this will help enhance coordination between various parties dealing with these businesses.

Recently, a decision was issued

by Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, minister of commerce and industry and chairman of riyada’s board of directors, amending the classification of SMEs based on the number of workers and annual sales, according to Oman News Agency (ONA).

It states that a micro enterprise has 1-5 workers and annual sales of less than OMR100,000; a small enterprise has 6-25 workers and annual sales of OMR100,000500,000; and a medium enterprise has 26-99 workers and annual

sales of OMR500,000-less than OMR3,000,000.

According to ONA, the decision to revise the classification of SMEs is based on the Royal Decree No 36/2013 on the establishment of riyada and riyada’s board of directors and on the decision of riyada’s board of directors at its third meeting held on October 6, 2015.

The decision came after taking into account the views and proposals of all parties concerned, including government agencies and private sector companies, commercial banks and entrepreneurs through a seminar organised by riyada in March 2015, as well as the recommendations of the consultant in charge of the preparation of riyada strategy.

The decision introduces the new classification of micro, small and medium enterprises to pave the way for further support of these institutions.

The previous classification was as follows: Micro enterprise with 1-4 workers and up to OMR25,000 annual sales; small enterprise with 5-9 workers and OMR25,000250,000 annual sales, and medium enterprise with 10-99 workers and OMR250,000 - 1,500,000 annual sales.

‘Daleel Petroleum mentorship programme to support SMEs’ BUSINESS REPORTER

MUSCAT: Daleel Petroleum’s new mentorship programme will help support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the oil and gas sector, said a senior official.

“We are encouraging all companies to have these programmes to help SMEs, and this is an important initiative, especially talking about the oil and gas sector which is the biggest sector in Oman,” Khalifa Al Abri, chief executive officer of the Public Authority for SME Development (riyada), told Times of Oman.

“There are large opportunities for SMEs to be part of the sector and it is important to build the capacity and also to enhance their ability

to be part of this sector, and this programme will help the SMEs do that,” he said on the sidelines of an event held on Monday to announce Daleel Petroleum’s new programme.

Al Abri also said that riyada has a mentorship programme which covers various sectors to help SMEs in Oman.

In a speech at the event, Fahmy Al Musharfy, chief planning officer at Daleel Petroleum said that the company has always been committed to supporting SMEs to contribute to the country’s prosperity in line with the government’s efforts.

He said that the new programme will help upgrade the quality and raise the standards of SMEs and will help enhance their knowledge and skills. >B2

Muscat 22ct per gm (OMR) ....... 13.70 Dubai 24ct per gm (Dh) ............ 132.75 Dubai 22ct per gm (Dh) ............. 125.75 * Rates as of Jan. 25 Source: Malabar Gold & Diamonds

ASSET SALE

Shareholders approve sale of Al Falaj Hotel Times News Service MUSCAT: Oman Hotels and Tourism Company on Monday said that its shareholders have unanimously approved a proposal to sell assets and business of Al Falaj Hotel (unit of Oman Hotels and Tourism Company) for OMR14 million to Aitken Spence Resorts (Middle East).

The decision was taken at an extraordinary general meeting of Oman Hotels and Tourism Company on January 24.

In a separate disclosure statement on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM), Oman & Emirates Investment Holding Company said that it owns 31.2 per cent in the capital of Oman Hotels and Tourism Company and it’s an associate company.

Aitken Spence Hotels operates 24 hotels and resorts in Sri Lanka, India, Oman, and the Maldives under two premier brands — Heritance Hotels and Resorts and Adaaran Resorts and Spa, according to its website. Located in key tourist locations, the Aitken Spence chain boasts of exotic properties like Heritance Kandalama and the Desert Nights Camp in Oman, rated as one of the top ten desert retreats in the world.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

MARKET Iran to strike deals for cars, planes with European firms velop the country and create jobs.”

Rouhani is in Rome Monday through Wednesday to speak to a business group. He’ll hold talks with Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and meet Pope Francis on Tuesday in the Vatican.

Hassan Rouhani will visit Italy, France and Vatican on his European tour where he is expected to sign deals with firms including Airbus

TEHRAN: As his country emerges from international isolation, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was scheduled to arrive in Italy on Monday, the first stop in a European tour where he is expected to sign contracts with companies including Airbus.

Rouhani may sign deals valued at about €17 billion ($18.4 billion) of contracts with Italy, according to an Italian official who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public.

In France, he’s also expected to finalise an accord to buy 114 Airbus jets to upgrade Iran’s ageing fleet

EUROPEAN TOUR: Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, left, with Italian President Sergio Mattarella

at the Quirinale presidential palace in Rome, Italy, on Monday. He is expected to sign deals valued at about €17 billion ($18.4 billion) of contracts with Italy. – AFP

and may sign a deal with carmakers Peugeot Citroen and Renault, according to state-run media.

Investments The Islamic Republic is seeking to reap the benefits of its nuclear agreement with world powers in July, which paved the way to the lifting of economic sanctions this month. The step opens the door for Iran to attract investments needed

to revive economic growth and lower unemployment.

The removal of sanctions may trigger at least $50 billion a year in foreign investment, the country’s central bank governor said in an interview last week.

The trip is Rouhani’s first to the European Union since his election in 2013 on pledges to end sanctions and improve Iran’s ties with the rest of the world. “A red carpet

beneath Iran’s feet,” Shargh, Iran’s most popular reformist newspaper, ran on its front page.

Tehran policies The “expansion of ties between Iran and European Union countries is among Tehran’s policies,” Rouhani said before departing to Rome, according to the Fars news agency. “We should take advantage of the post-sanctions climate to de-

Oil pipelines Among the deals he’s expected to sign is a €5 billion contract with Saipem to develop oil pipelines, La Repubblica newspaper reported.

He travels to Paris on Wednesday for a meeting with President Francois Hollande.

The agreement with Airbus may include the double-decker A380 superjumbo jet as well as the A320 family of aircraft, Iran Air chairman and managing director Farhad Parvaresh said in an interview. The first of the 114 aircraft intended for Iran Air are expected to be delivered before March 21, Mehr news agency reported, citing Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi.

Iran Khodro, one of the country’s largest carmakers, reached a preliminary agreement for a 500 million euro joint venture with Peugeot Citroen, the Tasnim news agency reported om Sunday, citing an industry official it didn’t identify. – Bloomberg News

ECONOMY

Japan’s trade deficit narrows down TOKYO: Japan’s annual trade deficit narrowed 80 per cent from a record as energy import costs fell and the weaker yen helped spur a modest increase in exports.

The balance has been negative for 49 of the 58 months since the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Fuel imports soared after the disaster devastated a nuclear power plant and prompted Japan to shut down its atomic reactors for extended periods.

More recently, the slowdown

in China and weakness in the global economy have hurt exports, even as decline in the yen makes Japanese goods more competitive overseas.

The trade balance, which swung back to a surplus of ¥140.2 billion ($1.2 billion) in December, was in deficit for nine months in 2015. Exports declined 8 percent in value last month and imports fell 18 per cent.

The annual trade deficit was ¥2.8 trillion. - Bloomberg News

SUPPORTING SMES

Mentorship < FROM programme to start in February

B1

According to Daleel Petroleum, the new mentorship programme, which is expected to start in February, will match Omani-owned and operated SMEs with local Omani and expatriate professionals in a mentoring relationship.

Application Ideal SME mentee companies will be those presently operating in the oil and gas industry and those in other industries which require similar business management practices. These mentor relationships will be closely monitored to ensure that appropriate objectives are agreed to at the beginning and are tracked throughout the 12 months of the relationship.

With regard to the mentors, qualified local mentors will make a number of commitments such as dedicating 3 to 5 hours per month to mentee meetings (face-to-face, via email, and via the telephone) for a period of 12 months.

Applications are open for both mentees and mentors. Once qualified mentors and mentees are accepted, they will be matched into mentor relationships based on the needs of the mentees and the strengths of the mentors.

Consultancy Daleel Petroleum has engaged Inspired Solutions, an Omanbased SME consultancy, to manage the SME mentoring relationships.

William R. Crew, chief executive officer of Inspired Solutions, said that the initiative will help enhance the capabilities and stability of the Omani SMEs in this project.

In addition, Azhar Al Barwani, head of In-Country Value (ICV) at Daleel Petroleum, said that in the light of lower oil prices, ICV becomes all the more important as its helps sustain the economy.

ICV will be given an emphasis regardless of the oil prices, she noted.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

B3

MARKET AUTOMOBILE TECHNOLOGY

China’s Baidu enters global race for driverless cars BEIJING: Wang Jing bought his first car, a Dodge Shadow, with $3,000 he scratched together working three part-time jobs in the United States as a postgraduate student in Florida. These days, the senior vice-president in charge of Baidu’s autonomous driving efforts is far better paid. He’s also a man on a mission: To push China to the forefront of the coming driverless-car era.

Baidu joins a crowded field.

Google, which started developing autonomous cars in 2009, has tested self-driving vehicles for more than 2 million miles and is considering making its self-driving car unit a stand-alone business under the Alphabet corporate umbrella later this year.

Tesla Motors chief executive officer Elon Musk has said his customers will be able to summon an

renowned computer scientist and expert in robotics and machine learning as Baidu’s chief scientist in May 2014.

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electric car to drive autonomously from Los Angeles to New York within two years. General Motors and Ford Motor are also in hot pursuit of this emerging market.

Undeterred, Wang, 51, sees a level playing field in the coming era of intelligent, autonomous cars — and one that China is capable of dominating.

Robotic brain “Chinese carmakers started making cars 100 years after others and a lot of the core technology aren’t in Chinese hands, such as engines” said Wang. “With electric cars, with intelligent cars, the core tech-

JOINING THE BANDWAGON: Baidu’s Wang Jing thinks Baidu will have a competitive advantage over Google and other automakers that test their artificial intelligence in the United States because of local knowledge of road conditions. – Bloomberg News

nology shifts from the engine and gearbox to artificial intelligence and that’s an area where China is very close to the US, giving China the chance to catch up and seize leadership.” Robin Li, Baidu’s cofounder and chief executive officer,

Kuwait’s growth expected to be subdued at 2.5% Non-oil activity is expected to support growth on account of execution of various infrastructure development projects awarded in 2014 and 2015, says Markaz report

Times News Service MUSCAT: Economic growth in Kuwait is expected to be subdued at 2.5 per cent (real GDP growth) in 2016 in view of lower revenues from crude oil. However, non-oil activity is expected to support growth on account of execution of various infrastructure projects after a series of contract awards in 2014 and 2015, says Kuwait Financial Centre ‘Markaz’.

The lower fiscal break even oil price for Kuwait at $51.8 a barrel in 2016 will provide comfort to the fiscal balance, though it would be lower than fiscal surpluses registered before the fall of oil prices, says the study.

Kuwait with low debt and higher fiscal reserves, accumulated during periods of elevated oil prices, could resort to raising debt in the domestic market, interna-

NEGATIVE RETURNS: On the Kuwait stock market, indices regis-

tered negative returns as continued fall in oil prices and subdued corporate earnings weighed on the stock markets. – Bloomberg News

tional market or draw down on its buffers or a mixture of both as the rebound of the oil prices remain uncertain, the research note said.

Series of contract awards and accelerated implementation of Kuwait Developmental Plan is expected to support non hydrocarbon activity, whose growth is expected to be at 4.5 per cent in 2016. Muted earnings expectation and lack of near-term triggers for valuation multiple re-rating could result in yet another year of tepid market performance, it said.

Earnings of companies Earnings of Kuwaiti companies, mainly the commodities and telecommunications are expected to deteriorate in 2016 and the earnings growth in banks is also expected to slow down.

The report further said that market liquidity is at its lowest.

Given the lacklustre performance of the Kuwait stock market dur-

EQUITY INVESTMENT

Al Batinah Development to invest in Omran hotel Times News Service MUSCAT: Al Batinah Development & Investment Holding’s board has decided to subscribe to 5 per cent (equivalent to OMR656,000) in the capital of Destination Hotel Management Company, a subsidiary of Oman Tourism Development Company

(Omran), the company said in a disclosure statement.

The company seeks to diversify sources of income by investing in different sectors, including the tourism sector in the Sultanate.

Destination Hotel’s Wadi Irfan Crowne Plaza Hotel project is expected to start operation in the first quarter of year 2017.

ing the last few years, the report does not see any major negative triggers while it also doesn’t see any major positive triggers with low oil prices acting as a dampener. Hence, the outlook remains neutral for 2016.

On the Kuwait stock market, indices registered negative returns as continued fall in oil prices and subdued corporate earnings growth weighed on the stock markets. In 2015, Kuwait Weighted index and the Kuwait price index dropped by 13 per cent and 14.1 per cent respectively. However, despite the decline, the report sees the valuations for Kuwait market are still at a premium compared to its regional peers.

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

has invested heavily into a subfield of artificial intelligence known as deep learning, which aims to improve search results and computing tasks by training computers to work more like the human brain.

The company hired Andrew Ng, a

Artificial intelligence Wang thinks the company can leverage its expertise in artificial intelligence, data mapping and Internet connectivity to excel in autonomous driving technology.

Getting China into that game is a priority for Chinese President Xi Jinping, who sees digital technology as an opportunity for Chinese manufactures to become more innovative. At a global Internet forum last month, Xi made the point of visiting Baidu’s stand, where he listened to Baidu CEO Li discuss autonomous car development.

It may take time for Chinese firms to scale up in this business, says an analyst with Minzu Secu-

rities in Beijing. “There is a long way ahead for Baidu and other companies trying to mass produce and sell autonomous driving cars,” said Cao. “Given the wide diversity of road conditions from one place to another, it is unlikely for any company to come up with a sizable industry operation within five years.”

That said, there could be a lot of money at state. Baidu estimates that the Chinese market for car sales, buses, taxis and related transportation services is potentially worth more than $1.5 trillion a year in revenue. Getting a sliver of that could be a huge new revenue source for China’s biggest search engine company.

By 2017, autonomous vehicles capable of traffic jam autopilot and autonomous valet parking should be on dealers’ lots. - Bloomberg News

BOND MARKET

India can withstand currency market turmoil: Global funds SINGAPORE: Global investors are keeping faith in India’s rupee bonds, even as the currency inches toward the record low reached in 2013, saying the nation’s finances have improved over the past twoand-a-half years.

Western Asset Management, which manages about $450 billion, says it has “very large overweight exposure” to India’s currency and debt. Amundi Asset Management said the market will remain stable despite global volatility. While the rupee has slipped to within 1.9 per cent of the unprecedented 68.85 a dollar reached in August 2013, strategists surveyed predict it will strengthen to 67 by March-end.

Asia’s third-largest economy has been overhauled since the rout in 2013, when a record current-account deficit, soaring inflation and weak growth led Morgan Stanley to include the rupee in its list of ‘fragile five’ currencies.

India’s central bank governor Raghuram Rajan boosted India’s foreign reserves by the most among major developing economies, a slump in oil prices improved external finances and inflation halved. The World Bank predicts India’s growth this year will be the fastest among the world’s major economies.

and a stable outlook on Indonesia.

The following five charts show the rupee’s forecast spot returns at the end of June, increase in foreign holdings of Indian bonds and stocks since 2013, narrowing of the nation’s current-account deficit to the smallest in seven years, slowing inflation and a surge in foreign reserves.

“The rupee is a completely different story today and has lost its fragile status,” said Viraj Patel, a London-based strategist at ING Groep, among the most accurate forecasters of the rupee in Bloomberg’s rankings.

“The Indian economy is in a much better shape to withstand financial market turmoil. The favourable growth dynamic means that the rupee is not being viewed as a go-to short.”

Fragile five nations India is the only country among the so-called fragile five with a positive outlook from Moody’s Investors Service.

The ratings company has put Brazil on review for a downgrade to junk, while it has a negative outlook for South Africa and Turkey

Current weakness Investing dollars in rupees will earn 0.2 per cent by the end of June, according to forecasts of 32 strategists. That’s the best spot return among 10 Asian currencies.

“The rupee should outperform other currencies in Asia this year in terms of returns,” said Roy Teo, a senior foreign- exchange strategist at ABN Amro Bank in Singapore. “The current weakness is due to risk aversion and once the sentiment improves, markets will look at India’s improving economic fundamentals and the rupee should recover back to 67 levels.”

While foreign funds have pulled money from local debt in January, their outstanding holdings more than doubled since August 2013 to Rs3.45 trillion ($51.1 billion). Stock holdings have risen 19 per cent to $164 billion. - Bloomberg News

B4

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

MARKET OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 4,968.87 ...............4,941.75 ................... 4,965.81 ................... 4,941.75................. 24.06 ...................0.49 Financial Index ..................................... 5,911.69 .............. 5,872.69 ................... 5,900.72 ...................5,872.69................. 28.03 ...................0.48 Industrial Index ................................... 6,463.58 .............. 6,435.84 ................... 6,435.84 ...................6,463.58................ -27.74 .................. -0.43 Services Index ......................................2,850.20 .............. 2,829.95 ...................2,848.48 ...................2,829.95..................18.53 ................... 0.65 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................807.09 ..................804.35 .......................806.19 ......................804.35.................... 1.84 ...................0.23 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 19,468,413 ..................4,844,708 .....................877 ...............15,284,420,015 ................ 21 ......................11 .................... 15 .........................47

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR MONDAY, JANUARY 25 IN THE GREEN: As many as 877 trades were executed on Mon-

day, generating turnover of OMR4.84 million with 19.4 million shares changing hands. - Times ďŹ le picture

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 .........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

MSM index ends higher

OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 1,295,443 .......113,877..................... 32 ........... 0.084 ...........0.089 ...........0.084........... 0.088 .............0.082 ........... 0.006..............7.317.................0.088..............0.087...................0.089.................... 5,178,203 ..........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 227,820 ............19,006..................... 10 ............0.081 ...........0.084 ...........0.081 ........... 0.083 .............0.080 ........... 0.003............. 3.750 ................0.083..............0.081...................0.083................... 10,115,625 .........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 904,526 ..........135,722..................... 30 ............0.149 ........... 0.154 ...........0.149 ........... 0.150 ............. 0.145............ 0.005............. 3.448 ................0.150 ..............0.146...................0.152...................18,734,694 .........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 338,137.......... 488,718..................... 35 ............1.440 ........... 1.460 ...........1.440............1.445 ............. 1.405............ 0.040............. 2.847 ................1.440..............1.440...................1.455 ................1,083,750,000 ......0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 4,354,308 ..... 656,193................... 177 ............0.154 ........... 0.154 ...........0.145 ............0.151 ............. 0.147............ 0.004............. 2.721 ................0.146 .............. 0.145...................0.146...................22,661,325 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING .............72,433 ............... 6,319..................... 10 ........... 0.086 ...........0.088 ...........0.086........... 0.087 .............0.085 ........... 0.002............. 2.353 ................0.086..............0.082...................0.086....................7,830,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH................................................ 97,321 ..........232,899.....................22 ........... 2.390 ...........2.400 ...........2.390........... 2.395 .............2.350 ............0.045..............1.915.................2.400 ............ 2.400...................2.420 .................228,619,982........1.000 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL...............................................31,000 ...............2,213........................3 ............0.071 ...........0.072 ...........0.070............0.071 .............0.070 ............0.001 ............. 1.429 ................0.072.............. 0.071...................0.074...................12,425,000.........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO....................................................................... 342,685 ......... 215,140.....................22 ........... 0.628 ...........0.628 ...........0.624........... 0.628 .............0.620 ........... 0.008............. 1.290 ................0.624..............0.624...................0.632..................408,792,976........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE .................................50,394 ...............8,465........................8 ............0.166 ........... 0.170 ...........0.166 ............0.168 ............. 0.166............ 0.002............. 1.205 ................0.166 .............. 0.161...................0.166...................16,800,000.........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES .................................68,127 .............19,252........................6 ........... 0.284 ...........0.284 ...........0.282........... 0.283 .............0.280 ........... 0.003..............1.071.................0.282..............0.282...................0.286 ..................83,828,472 .........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 2,622,905 ..... 497,637..................... 54 ............0.188 ........... 0.192 ...........0.188 ........... 0.190 ............. 0.188............ 0.002............. 1.064 ................0.191 .............. 0.191...................0.195 .................. 135,737,205 ........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE .......................................................44,776 ...............4,780........................5 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.105 ........... 0.107 .............0.106 ............0.001 .............0.943 ................0.106..............0.106...................0.109...................33,251,849 .........0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 143,265 ............16,762........................8 ............0.117 ........... 0.117............ 0.117 ............0.117 ............. 0.116 .............0.001 ............. 0.862 ................0.117 ...............0.117................... 0.119 ...................34,006,169 .........0.100

Top gainer was Gulf Investment Services, up 7.32 per cent while Al Hassan Engineering was the top loser, down by 6.25 per cent

OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ..................................................49,559 .............16,949........................5 ........... 0.342 ...........0.342 ...........0.342........... 0.342 .............0.340 ........... 0.002............. 0.588 ................0.342..............0.342...................0.348 .................. 17,955,000 .........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................ 2,081,427 ......393,602..................... 45 ............0.188 ........... 0.192 ...........0.188 ........... 0.189 ............. 0.188.............0.001 ............. 0.532 ................0.192 .............. 0.191...................0.192.................. 127,553,724 ........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 1,329,062 ...... 542,781..................... 55 ........... 0.408 ........... 0.410 ...........0.404 .......... 0.408 .............0.406 ........... 0.002............. 0.493 ................0.406..............0.406...................0.408 .................935,063,620 .......0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ............................................ 51,499 .............11,845.....................20 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.230........... 0.230 .............0.229 ............0.001 ............. 0.437 ................0.230..............0.230...................0.240 ..................14,076,983 .........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ........................ 50,000 ............... 5,750........................3 ............0.115 ........... 0.115............ 0.115 ............0.115 ............. 0.115 ............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.115 ...............0.115...................0.126...................10,929,600 .........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ...............................................................5,000 ...............1,484........................3 ........... 0.300...........0.300 ...........0.296........... 0.294 .............0.294 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.296..............0.294...................0.296 ..................14,700,000 .........0.100 OM0000001418 ............RAYSUT CEMENT ........................................................33,826 ............32,202........................9 ........... 0.952 ...........0.952 ...........0.952........... 0.952 .............0.952 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.952..............0.948...................0.952................. 190,400,000 .......0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN .................................. 54,000 .............11,905........................7 ........... 0.220........... 0.221 ...........0.220 .......... 0.220 .............0.220 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.220 .............0.210...................0.220 .................294,956,255 .......0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ........................................................................ 8,999 ...............4,050........................1 ........... 0.450 ...........0.450 ...........0.450........... 0.450 .............0.450 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.450..............0.450...................0.470..................248,787,739 ........0.100

MUSCAT: Local buying in telecom and power stocks lifted the MSM30 Index to 4,965.81 points, up 0.49 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index advanced 0.23 per cent to close at 806.19 points. Al Anwar Holding was the most active in terms of volume while SMN Power Holding led in terms of turnover. The top gainer was Gulf Investment Services, up 7.32 per cent while Al Hassan Engineering was the top loser, down 6.25 per cent.

As many as 877 trades were executed on Monday, generating turnover of OMR4.84 million with 19.4 million shares changing hands. Out of 47 traded securities, 21 advanced, 11 declined and 15 remained unchanged.

Omani Investors were net buyers for OMR777,000 followed

by GCC & Arab Investors for OMR188,000 while Foreign Investors remained net sellers for OMR965,000 worth of shares.

Financial Index closed on a positive note at 5,900.72 points, up 0.48 per cent. Gulf Investment Services, Oman & Emirates Holding, Al Anwar Holding, Al Sharqia Investments and Al Izz

Bank gained 7.32 per cent, 3.75 per cent, 2.72 per cent, 2.35 per cent and 1.82 per cent respectively. Takaful Oman and Al Batinah Development fell 5.00 per cent and 2.74 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index retreated 0.43 per cent to close at 6,435.84 points. Construction Materials, Al Jazeera Steel, Al Anwar Ceramics and Al Maha Ceramics increased 3.57 per cent, 3.45 per cent, 1.07 per cent and 0.59 per cent respectively. Al Hassan Engineering, Oman Cables, Voltamp Energy, National Aluminium and Gulf International Chemicals declined 6.25 per cent, 4.06 per cent, 2.38 per cent, 1.91 per cent and 1.91 per cent respectively.

Services Index ďŹ nished at 2,848.48 points with gain of 0.65 per cent. Omantel, Sembcorp Salalah, Ooredoo, Al Suwadi Power and Renaissance Services gained 2.85 per cent, 1.91 per cent, 1.29 per cent, 1.06 per cent and 0.86 per cent respectively.

ACWA Power Barka, OIFC and Shell Oman Marketing decreased 1.21 per cent, 0.59 per cent and 0.25 per cent respectively.

OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT .....................................19,000 .................. 950........................4 ........... 0.050 ...........0.050 ...........0.050........... 0.050 .............0.050 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.050..............0.049...................0.050 .................. 10,357,569 .........0.100 OM0000002804 ...........ASAFFA FOODS .....................................................................34 .....................29........................1 ........... 0.844 ...........0.844 ...........0.844 .......... 0.860 .............0.860 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.844............. 0.000...................0.856................. 103,200,000 .......0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................. 20,000 .............. 2,040........................3 ............0.102 ........... 0.102 ...........0.102........... 0.102 .............0.102 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.102..............0.100...................0.103...................20,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 189,059............ 23,632........................7 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.125 ............0.125 ............. 0.125............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.125 ..............0.126...................0.127..................180,180,000........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 275,602 ............14,310......................15 ........... 0.052 ........... 0.053 ...........0.051 ........... 0.052 .............0.052 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.052..............0.052...................0.053...................15,078,993 .........0.100 OM0000004248 ...........SMN POWER HOLDING .......................................... 935,000 .........691,900..................... 26 ............0.740 ........... 0.740 ...........0.740........... 0.740 .............0.740 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.740............. 0.000...................0.740..................147,730,344 ........0.100 OM0000002275 ...........SHELL OMAN MARKETING ................................... 32,613 ............ 64,085........................6 ............1.965 ........... 1.965 ...........1.965 ............1.965 .............1.970............-0.005 ........... -0.254 ...............1.965 ..............1.800...................1.965 ..................186,675,000........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 497,584 ........... 83,603.....................40 ............0.173 ........... 0.174 ...........0.165 ............0.168 ............. 0.169............-0.001 ........... -0.592 ...............0.166 ..............0.166...................0.169...................33,600,000.........0.100 OM0000003141 ............ACWA POWER BARKA ...............................................12,825 ...............8,362........................1 ........... 0.652 ........... 0.652 ...........0.652........... 0.652 .............0.660 ...........-0.008 ............-1.212................0.652..............0.594...................0.652................. 104,320,000 .......0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............. 64,049 .............16,466..................... 10 ............0.261 ........... 0.261 ...........0.256........... 0.257 .............0.262 ...........-0.005 ........... -1.908 ...............0.256..............0.257...................0.260 ................... 5,397,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001319 ............NATIONAL ALUMINIUM PRODUCTS .................8,400 ............... 1,724........................4 ........... 0.206...........0.206 ...........0.205........... 0.205 .............0.209 ...........-0.004 ............-1.914................0.205..............0.201...................0.205 ................... 6,882,147 ..........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY .....................................................99,803 ............ 40,919......................14 ............0.410 ........... 0.410 ...........0.400 .......... 0.410 .............0.420 ...........-0.010 ........... -2.381 ...............0.410 ..............0.410...................0.416...................24,805,000 ........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ....................... 42,200 ...............2,985........................7 ........... 0.073 ........... 0.073 ...........0.070............0.071 .............0.073 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.740 ...............0.070..............0.066...................0.070....................2,130,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY...................................... 91,566 .......... 140,749......................15 ............1.550 ........... 1.550 ...........1.500............1.535 .............1.600 ...........-0.065 ........... -4.063 ...............1.500..............1.440...................1.500..................137,689,500 ........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 16,544,247.....4,529,304 ..............723 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......37........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ....................10,000 .................. 286........................2 ........... 0.027 ...........0.029 ...........0.027........... 0.029 .............0.028 ............0.001 ............. 3.571 ................0.029..............0.028...................0.029 ...................2,465,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 320,469 ............ 17,976.....................24 ........... 0.056 ........... 0.057 ...........0.055........... 0.056 .............0.055 ............0.001 ..............1.818.................0.055..............0.055...................0.056...................56,000,000.........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 1,687,672...... 222,946..................... 74 ............0.130 ........... 0.133 ...........0.130........... 0.132 ............. 0.131 .............0.001 ............. 0.763 ................0.132 ..............0.132...................0.133..................193,063,393........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES .......................................................21,300 .................. 979........................6 ........... 0.046 ...........0.046 ...........0.045........... 0.046 .............0.046 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.046..............0.045...................0.046 ................... 5,750,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 415,316 .............26,191..................... 28 ........... 0.064 ...........0.064 ...........0.062........... 0.063 .............0.063 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.062..............0.062...................0.063...................94,500,000 ........0.100 OM0000004776 ...........TAKAFUL OMAN INSURANCE ............................. 50,000 ...............4,750........................1 ........... 0.095 ........... 0.095 ...........0.095........... 0.095 .............0.100 ...........-0.005 ........... -5.000 ...............0.095..............0.095...................0.100....................9,500,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING....................................10,000 ..................602........................9 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.060........... 0.060 .............0.064 ...........-0.004 ........... -6.250 ...............0.060..............0.060...................0.065....................4,512,480 ..........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 2,514,757 ...... 273,729...................144 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 7........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004602 ...........BANK MUSCAT CONV. BONDS 4.5 ........................ 23,518 ...............2,587........................3 ............0.110 ........... 0.110............0.110 ............0.110 ............. 0.110............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.110 .............. 0.110...................0.200 ..................33,302,402.........0.100 OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 .....................82,478 ............... 7,835........................3 ........... 0.095 ........... 0.095 ...........0.088........... 0.095 .............0.095 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.088..............0.089...................0.190...................30,795,353 .........0.100 OM0000004867 ...........BANK MUSCAT C C B 4.5 ......................................... 303,413 ............31,251........................4 ............0.101 ........... 0.103 ...........0.101 ........... 0.103 .............0.104 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.962 ...............0.103 ..............0.103...................0.110 ...................32,923,196 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 409,409 ............41,674..................... 10 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 3........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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What the US Federal Reserve is planning to do this week?

FORT MCMURRAY, (ALBERTA): Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s northern oil hub Fort McMurray is learning the hard way that there is no such thing as simply going back to normal after a long boom that got cut short by the collapse in crude prices.

With prices down 70 per cent over 18 months, producers have deferred costly new oil sands projects and laid off tens of thousands of mainly ďŹ&#x201A;y-in ďŹ&#x201A;y-out workers, who overwhelmed the city during the 15-year oil boom, but also bankrolled much of its prosperity.

That huge shadow population, which by some estimates peaked at around 70,000 nearly matching the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s permanent population of around 80,000, stretched its public services, inďŹ&#x201A;ated rents and property prices.

The stress was so great that city officials welcomed the onset of the market downturn with a sense of relief - an opportunity to return to a more balanced development.

Now, downtown parking and spots at popular restaurants and cafes are easy to ďŹ nd and traffic ďŹ&#x201A;ows smoothly. But local businesses estimate that half of the transient workers have left, heading home to other parts of Alberta and other provinces, and say the exodus has hit them hard. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Anybody who tells you itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not tough, they are lying,â&#x20AC;? said Jeff Peddle, a restaurant owner and property manager. He said he and his wife work 15-hour days, seven days a week, to keep their businesses going after cutting staff.

Several new restaurants opened in the city in 2015 in an unlucky twist of timing, including Peddleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Jamaican restaurant, and Cosa Nostra, an upscale Italian with a dress code and live piano music.

W

SHRINKING CITY: The Suncor tar sands processing plant near the Athabasca River at their mining operations near Fort McMurray, Alberta, in this ďŹ le photo taken September 17, 2014. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Reuters

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I started this project two years ago when this town was booming and everything was rock and roll,â&#x20AC;? said Cosa Nostra owner and chef Mark Hobson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Now everybody is crossing their ďŹ ngers. We are struggling with the fact there are not a lot of people in town.â&#x20AC;?

Statistics paint a similar picture of a swift and painful descent from the heights of the boom when the regional economy kept growing by nearly eight per cent a year.

Last year, local authorities estimate it shrunk by over one per cent, while unemployment in the Wood Buffalo-Cold Lake region nearly doubled over the past year to 8.6 per cent in December.

The city started trimming its budgets shelving C$84 million of capital projects in 2015, including an energy supply pipe to downtown Fort McMurray and a waste water treatment plant. It also trimmed its initial 2016 budget by C$30 million to C$831 million.

Demand for the local food bank, which mainly caters to the local

population, soared 76 per cent last year, according to executive director Arianna Johnson.

Shrinking city syndrome Fort McMurray and other former hotspots, such as Williston in the heart of North Dakotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vast Bakken shale formation, risk experiencing a â&#x20AC;&#x153;shrinking cityâ&#x20AC;? syndrome that â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rust Beltâ&#x20AC;? mining towns grappled with decades ago, said Sandeep Agrawal, urban studies and regional planning professor at the University of Alberta. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is very difficult for these municipalities to change course because they have never thought in that way, or they get caught in the euphoria of growth,â&#x20AC;? Agrawal said.

Local officials frown at â&#x20AC;&#x153;boomtownâ&#x20AC;? or â&#x20AC;&#x153;ghost townâ&#x20AC;? labels, saying there is more to the local economy than oil. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a boomtown western frontier, which is not true, and now itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doom and gloom and Fort McMurray is empty, which is also not true,â&#x20AC;? councillor Tyran

Ault said. There is no denying though, that oil has been a key factor in the modern history of the city that was founded in 1870 as a fur trading post and a gateway to the Arctic.

A C$250 million investment in the 1960s by the company that is now Suncor Energy hatched the oil sands industry that went into overdrive in the 2000s with improved technology and climbing global oil prices. Workers would ďŹ&#x201A;y in from as far away as Cape Breton on Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Atlantic Coast and the permanent population soared by more than 70 per cent between 2000 and 2012.

Now the city, which in 2011 projected its population to reach 230,000 by 2030, is adjusting its budgets to new forecasts of 1-2 per cent population growth and grappling with post-boom withdrawal symptoms. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;For saleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; signs pop up on almost every block, 30 per cent of rental properties are empty compared with around 10 per cent a year earlier and some commercial buildings sit vacant downtown.

The airport, lavishly refurbished in 2014 for C$258 million ($182.81 million) saw December 2015 passenger numbers drop by a quarter year-on-year and ďŹ&#x201A;ights to destinations such as Denver, Colorado and Mexico suspended.

Nearly half of the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2,550 hotel rooms stood empty last year compared with a third in 2014, as did camps in the muskeg and boreal forest surrounding the city that housed tens of thousands of the ďŹ&#x201A;y-in-ďŹ&#x201A;y-out workers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our parents said save for a rainy day,â&#x20AC;? said Ian Robb, president of the union representing camp cleaners and cooks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pouring now.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Reuters

MOHAMED A. EL-ERIAN

HEN Federal Reserve officials started a rate-hiking cycle last month, they hoped their widely telegraphed policy action would neither derail the recovery nor overly destabilise ďŹ nancial markets.

The Fed lifts off As hard as it was for the officials to gauge exactly the extent of the ďŹ nancial marketsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dependence on Fed support, they couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have also anticipated that a series of uncharacteristic policy mistakes by China, along with another steep drop in oil prices, would throw off market sentiment.

This week, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Fedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top policy-making venue, will meet as markets are undergoing a transition in both volatility and liquidity, which has accentuated the â&#x20AC;&#x153;unusual uncertaintyâ&#x20AC;? besetting the global economy. Here are four indications of what Fed officials are likely to do and not do: Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; " Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;1#&&Ĺ&#x2014;().Ĺ&#x2014;, * .Ĺ&#x2014;#.-Ĺ&#x2014;ßÿĹ&#x2014; basis-point interest rate hike of December. Further tightening would risk fueling the volatility in markets. Moreover, liquidity conditions already have tightened as a result of recent market developments. As a result, the Fed will wish to avoid aggravating the risk of market instability contaminating economic fundamentals. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; " Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;1#&&Ĺ&#x2014;().Ĺ&#x2014;, 0 ,- Ĺ&#x2014; course and cut interest rates.

There is no compelling evidence of a material weakening in the US economic outlook, at least for now. Fed officials would worry, correctly, that

such a move could be interpreted as an act of policy panic, which would further spook companies that already are hesitant to deploy their large cash balances into higher capital spending, Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; " Ĺ&#x2014; Ä&#x201C;-Ĺ&#x2014;( ,, .#0 Ĺ&#x2014;1#&&Ĺ&#x2014; acknowledge the recent market volatility, coupled with the risk of further economic weakening abroad. But the central bankâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s communication will not dwell on this. Also, unlike European Central Bank (ECB) President Mario Draghi did last week, Fed officials will not meaningfully raise market expectations of policy accommodation in future. Instead, they will reiterate that they remain watchful and data dependent. In doing so, they will try to strike a tricky balance between reassuring markets and avoiding giving the appearance that markets dictate policy reactions. Ä&#x160;Ĺ&#x2014; &.")/!"Ĺ&#x2014;."#-Ĺ&#x2014;1#&&Ĺ&#x2014; Ĺ&#x2014;'), Ĺ&#x2014; clearly reďŹ&#x201A;ected in the meetingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s minutes that will be released in a few weeks than in the immediate statement, Fed officials will acknowledge implicitly that their policy conďŹ dence is not as high as they would like it be; and understandably so. In addition to the uncertain global economic and market outlook, there are questions about the exact impact of policy measures, including the manner monetary policy changes economic behaviors.

There will be indications that the views of individual Fed officials are starting to diverge once again, after a period of relative unity. Such lack of consensus would be understandable given the stronger component of judgement that is now required. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Bloomberg View

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ROUND-UP

GCC posts 7% growth in aluminium production

SUPPORT

Oman Sail, OSC host children of Down Syndrome Association

Sohar Aluminium’s total production in 2015 stood at 377,186 tonnes

MUSCAT: The collective production of primary aluminium by the five GCC producers - Emirates Global Aluminium in UAE, Alba in Bahrain, Ma’aden Aluminium in KSA, Qatalum in Qatar and Sohar Aluminium in Oman stood at 5,274,729 tonnes in 2015, a 7 per cent more than in 2014.

Sohar Aluminium’s total production in 2015 stood at 377,186 tonnes, says a press release.

“This is the highest production record in GCC reflecting continuous efficiency improvements and optimisation of resource,” said Mahmood Al Daylami, secretary general of Gulf Aluminium Council.

GCC aluminium production constitutes 10 per cent of the total world production and is considered one of the key economic drivers for the Gulf region. Forty per cent of the total production are

utilised by the downstream aluminium industries in the Gulf and 60 per cent exported to different parts of the world. GCC remains one of the leading regions for aluminium production with higher

environmental standards compared to the rest of the world.

Sohar Aluminium is jointly owned by Oman Oil Company, Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC - TAQA and Rio Tinto.

NEW ROLE

Ooredoo appoints new deputy chief financial officer MUSCAT: Ooredoo has welcomed Abdul Razzaq Al Balushi as its new Deputy Chief Finance Officer in the top layer of the organisation. Initially on an international executive mobility programme with Ooredoo Group, he will then return to resume his responsibilities in Ooredoo Oman.

Abdul Razzaq brings an impressive 24 years of multi-disciplinary experience and expertise to his Ooredoo role, having held financial leader positions in finance, banking, treasury, budgets & accounts and having worked in strategy & corporate planning, as well as investment and risk management amongst other areas. Prior to joining Ooredoo, Al Balushi’s highpowered career included positions with Oman Trading International Operations in the UAE, HSBC,

Abdul Razzaq brings an impressive 24 years of multidisciplinary experience and expertise to his Ooredoo role, having held financial leader positions in finance, banking, treasury, budgets & accounts and having worked in strategy & corporate planning, as well as investment and risk management amongst other areas Oman LNG, Oman Shipping Company and Aldersgate Partners, says a press release.

“Abdul Razzaq will be a great asset to the Ooredoo family. A champion of change who encourages creativity in his team, he is a highly-dynamic professional with a reputation for results. I am excited

to see him apply his considerable skills to our operations,” said Greg Young, Ooredoo CEO. A graduate of Strathclyde University UK, and the College of Banking and Financial Studies Oman with a Masters of Business Administration, Abdul Raz-

zaq is also a Certified Treasury & Finance Professional and holds Certificates in Accounts, Banking & Trade.

Over the past decade, Ooredoo has dedicated its resources to the development and creation of opportunities for Omanis.

MUSCAT: Oman Sail put a smile on the faces of 20 new sailing enthusiasts when they and Oman Shipping Company (OSC) hosted a group of Down’s syndrome children and their parents to a day of fun at their sailing school at Al Mouj, Muscat.

As well as introducing the families to the joys of sailing, the purpose of the visit was to raise awareness of social inclusion by engaging the children in an exciting fun day. It was also a chance for the newly-formed Oman Down Syndrome Association to promote their specialist services and create a greater understanding of the condition, which affects around one in every 400 babies born in Oman, says a press release.

With Oman Sail coaches on hand to show them the ropes, the children were welcomed to Oman Sail’s sailing school and taken out sailing on a fleet of Bahia boats, which earned them a special certificate.

Speaking about their support, Tarik Al Junaidi, CEO of Oman Shipping Company, added: “Down Syndrome has achieved greater prominence since the UN started observing March 21 as the global awareness day for it and we are delighted to be able to support the Oman Down Syn-

drome Association as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility programme.”

Ahmed Al Jabri, chairman of the Down Syndrome Association, said: “Children and adults with Down syndrome have many talents and gifts, so experiences like this one are invaluable in allowing them to discover and develop them. The Oman Down Syndrome Association was founded in 2014 to provide the essential training, rehabilitation and educational courses for children with this syndrome to accelerate natural growth and help integrate them into the society.

“More and more, we are seeing a higher incidence of people taking these courses and completing training programmes. Increasingly, they are being encouraged to socialise, develop friendships and maintain quality relationships and we are doing a lot of work to support that development."

Al Jabri went on to explain that Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition, and it occurs when an individual has three, rather than two, 21st chromosomes and although people with Down Syndrome experience cognitive delays, the effect is usually mild to moderate.

E D UC AT I O NA L T OU R

SBG Parts Centre hosts International Maritime College students

MUSCAT: For a customer-focused organisation like Saud Bahwan Group (SBG), parts distribution forms a critical element of operations. Having invested extensively in establishing a nationwide network, SBG’s parts facilities today dot the Sultanate.

The group manages its vast, nationwide network with stateof-the-art equipment and trained professionals. At the core of these parts distribution operations is SBG’s ultra-modern Toyota Parts Distribution Centre (PDC).

Equipped with the latest tools and equipment, the PDC, spread over 60,000 sq. metres, operates in accordance with advanced Toyota specifications and processes.

Recently, several batches of students from the International Maritime College Oman visited the facility. The students had an educational tour, learning about the

various aspects of warehousing and parts distribution. They were also familiarised with diverse aspects of warehousing operations that include Warehouse Management System, Best Practices, Warehouse Layout, Equipment including Hardware & Software and Supply Chain Management, says a press release.

Consistently ranked amongst the best in the region, the SBG PDC is often requested to share its best practices. As the SBG representative remarked: “In an effort to facilitate learning and sharing of knowledge, we periodically conduct process-training familiarisations for a number of organisations. Over the years, students and staff from various leading establishments have visited and benefited from these programmes.”

“To know something theoretically and then to have a chance

In an effort to facilitate learning and sharing of knowledge, we periodically conduct process-training familiarisations for a number of organisations. Over the years, students and staff from various leading establishments have visited and benefited from these programmes SBG representative

to witness it in real life, aids in its understanding. By watching complex warehousing operations happening in front of their eyes, the students are able get a ‘feel’ of it all.

This greatly helps in their overall development,” he added.

For the benefit of the students, the PDC team also conducts classroom sessions that cover Toyota’s 7-storage principles, receiving & despatch operations, floor operations (in each area of activity). The team also apprises visitors about critical safety procedures that are strictly followed.

Utilising the latest computer and communication technology, the Saud Bahwan Group Toyota Parts Distribution Centre uses custom-built software to ensure global standards of service while maintaining lean and highly efficient operations.

These include the use of elec-

tronic catalogues, extensive networks and satellite links to principals, amongst others.

Toyota Motor Corporation has showered acclaim for SBG’s outstanding performance year after year. Toyota also rates SBG Parts Logistics to be among the ‘World’s Best 5’ and has honoured it with the “Distributor of the Year” award, year after year. The accolades have poured in from other Principals, as well.

These awards spur each team member towards achieving even higher standards of excellence, and inspire them to share these winning principles with customers, students and staff of professional bodies in Oman.

“We are happy to share best practices that raise standards, not merely with our own clients, but also with organisations all over Oman,” added the spokesperson.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

ROUND-UP Oman LNG wins award at Traffic Safety contest

SECOND EDITION

The achievement comes in recognition of the company’s wide and incessant efforts and initiatives

Iran Solo Exhibition to be inaugurated

by Dr Ali Al Sunaidy

in promoting road safety nationwide

MUSCAT: Oman LNG recently prevailed as the winner of the 2015 Royal Oman Police (ROP) Traffic Safety competition.

The achievement comes in recognition of the company’s wide and incessant efforts and initiatives in promoting road safety nationwide, says a press release.

The award in the category of ‘private sector organisations’ was unveiled during a prestigious ceremony held under the patronage of Mohammed bin Ali bin Al Zubair, adviser to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for Economic Planning Affairs, in the presence of Lt. General Hassan bin Mohsin Al Sheraiqi, Inspector-General of Police and Customs at the Traffic Safety Institute.

The award was received by Khalid bin Abdullah Al Massan, chief executive officer of Oman LNG Development Foundation.

“With safety high on our priority list, we are very proud to receive such a prestigious award from ROP. For us this award means so much more; it acknowledges our dedication, recognises the collaboration with ROP, and commends the combined efforts of the government and private sector towards improving traffic and road safety,” said Harib Al Kitani, chief executive officer, Oman LNG.

Oman LNG is persistent in its quest to improve traffic safety.

Its attainment of the prestigious award comes after years of hard work and dedication towards innovative road safety initiatives and projects.

Projects sponsored by Oman LNG include the development a pedestrian bridge in Sur, national road and traffic safety awareness training campaigns for adults and children across the country as well as spearheading efforts to encourage a strong safety culture among staff and their families.

In 2015, Oman LNG sponsored an educational animation film on traffic safety that won an international first prize at the Global Road Safety Film Festival. Additionally, recently announced Gift to Nation projects – one of which is a futuristic Road Safety Institute in Sur to streamline efforts retained for traffic safety and to curtail road accidents - illustrates the company’s relentless efforts in improving traffic safety across the nation

through awareness, training as well as through improvements to road infrastructure.

Harib Al Kitani added: “Oman LNG efforts come as an immediate positive response to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s royal Meet the People Tour in Sohar in 2009, where His Majesty emphasised that traffic safety remained a joint effort between the government, private sector and individuals in order to enhance the Omani society by fostering abilities and knowledge to achieve safe road use and traffic participation. His Majesty thankfully urged government and society to put an end to the alarming number of road accidents and reckless driving. Since then, measures have been taken to improve traffic safety that are clearly marking signs of success as shown by the recently published statistics from the ROP indicating a 50 per cent reduction in fatalities caused by road accidents over the last few years.”

“We are very proud and hum-

bled by receiving this prestigious ROP award,” said Khalid Al Massan. “It is a true testament to our determination and unremitting efforts to improve road and traffic safety across the Sultanate and would encourage us and other private sector entities to go further and do more in the future.”

Aim of the contest Traffic Safety Competition aims to encourage the whole society to participate in enhancing road safety and therefore curtails traffic accidents. Additionally, the competition includes the governmental, non-governmental, private sector organisations, and individuals in the quest for spreading traffic safety awareness. The competition also provides a platform to partner with the private sector to train and qualify road users and to implement road safety schemes. Finally, it emphasises the governmental, non-governmental, private sector organisations and individuals’ efforts to reduce road accidents.

MUSCAT: Second edition of the Iran Country Solo Exhibition, Omanexpo’s exclusive trade event for Iran products, will be formally opened tomorrow at the Oman International Exhibition Center by Dr. Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, Minister of Commerce and Industry.

The exhibition, which will run from today till January 30, will feature companies that cover diverse product segments ranging from handmade and machinemade carpets, home appliances, interior decoration, agricultural and food products, and household products to steel and metal, petrochemical products, power and industry-related equipment, construction materials and industrial machinery, says a press release.

Of special focus is the automotive section, which displays auto parts and components by Iran manufacturers of vehicles, tires and spare parts.

Nader Abbas, general manager of Omanexpo, said: “After the successful and encouraging response to the first edition last year, we are glad to continue the cooperation with our Iran part-

ners. We are doing this in the spirit of further strengthening economic and friendly ties and taking advantage of the opportunities resulting from the lifting of the sanctions.” He added that the event will help promote the high-quality products of Iran and pave the way for their expansion and increase their trade presence in identified markets in Oman. It will also open up opportunities for SMEs,manufacturers and distributors who are seeking to increase their business prospects and expand their businesses.

Iran Country Solo Exhibition is open from 11am to 8pm, except on Friday, when the exhibition will be open from 4pm to 10pm. It is held under the patronage of Dr Ali bin Masoud Al Sunaidy and Ali Akbar Sibeveih, Ambassador of Iran and co-organised with Iran-based Avin International Holding and Expo Trade International Holding.

Last year’s inaugural edition, which featured nearly 100 Iran companies specialising in various sectors, is said to be the biggest country solo exhibition in Oman to date.

I N N O VAT I V E C O N C E P T

Sidewalk bistro and health café opens in Qurum MUSCAT: The Golden Spoon Group, one of the largest hospitality chains in Oman, officially inaugurated Sidewalk bistro and health café at Qurum CCC recently.

A 100 per cent Omani brand, Sidewalk is a new generation bistro and health café that has a wide menu bursting with various exquisite and wholesome health food creations and combinations, says a press release.

Saad Al Balushi, managing director, Golden Spoon Group commented: “We want to thank all our special guests who made the event memorable and a grand success. Sidewalk is a vibrant health café that will surely appeal to the youth and elders alike. We have a large and extensive selection of exotic and sumptuous foods including breakfast and brunch specials, coffee, milkshakes and juices. Sidewalk is also joining the health revolution by offering lean and muscle building meal plans for the determined individuals who are interested in having portion controlled dietary meals in the course of the day.

“Basically, we have something for everyone. Also, the ambience at Sidewalk is very refreshing and will add to the overall dining experience of our customers. To celebrate its grand opening, we are announcing the launch of a 30-day weight loss challenge in which our clients have a chance to win OMR100 and a healthy shape!”

Under the Sidewalk’s 30-day

challenge, a person has to enrol for a monthly diet plan with the café and follow a strict exercise regime. After 30 days, all the contestants will be weighed and the person who has lost the maximum kilos will win OMR100.

“The 30 day challenge is not only about weight loss numbers; we hope it will instil in our cus-

tomers a larger understanding of health, nutrition and active lifestyle,” Saad adds.

The Golden Spoon Group was established in the year 1993, opening its first branch in Seeb, Sultanate of Oman. It is engaged in activities related to the hospitality industry with a core focus on delivering maximum value for

money, providing food made with the finest ingredients.

Over the years, the company has grown to include the following in its roster: The Asian, The Golden Spoon Restaurant, Tropical Juices and Ice Creams, China Town Restaurant, Sidewalk Bistro and Health cafe, Manhattan Fish Market and Subway.

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ROUND-UP

All-new 2016 GMC Sierra now available in Oman Available in the showrooms across Oman, the 2016 GMC Sierra Light Duty has a fresh new appearance along with advanced engineering features MUSCAT: With upscale styling, new design and ample technology, that is sure to impress any tech-savvy enthusiast, the 2016 GMC Sierra distinctively sets itself apart.

Available in the showrooms across Oman, the 2016 GMC Sierra Light Duty has a fresh new appearance along with advanced engineering features. The Sierra

Regular Cab 2016 is attractively priced at OMR13,995 along with a three-year/100,000 kilometres warranty and four-year roadside assistance, says a press release.

“As capable and coveted as ever, GMC Sierra is equipped with all tech features, trimmings and conveniences that one expects from a luxury car,” stated Virendra Agarwal, CEO Moosa Abdul Rahman Hassan & Co, the exclusive distributors of GMC vehicles in the Sultanate of Oman with branches and a service network that covers all major locations across Oman.

The model has an intimidating list of features. New design

elements and lighting technology upgrades include LED ‘C-shaped’ signature daytime running lights and LED headlights; new front fascia and grilles for each trim level; new LED fog lamps; new bumpers; and new ‘C-shaped’ LED taillights, says a press release.

Advanced engineering in the 2016 Sierra is manifested in nextgeneration technologies such as Lane Keep Assist, which helps keep the truck in its lane with subtle steering enhancements, and IntelliBeam headlamp control that automatically adjusts the high beams for oncoming traffic.

The 2016 Sierra’s new technolo-

COOKERY SHOW

B7

gies also include phone integration via GMC IntelliLink, which enhances connectivity and promotes safer driving. It allows smartphone users to connect with applications such as navigation and hands-free messaging. Wireless phone charging is included on all models with front bucket seats.

Other features include eightspeed automatic transmission as standard with the 5.3L V-8 engine on SLT and standard with the 6.2L V-8 engine on Sierra Denali.

Remote locking tailgate on SLE, SLT and Denali is also standard.

It comes in attractive colours that include Crimson Red Tintcoat, Cardinal Red, Mahogany Metallic and White Frost Tintcoat.

On the other hand, what has not changed with the Sierra is its high level of capability.

The available max trailering package, for example, features a 9.76-inch rear axle, heavy-duty rear springs, unique shock tuning, enhanced cooling and an integrated trailer brake controller. It enables a maximum payload rating of 1,025kg and a maximum trailering rating of 5,443kg.

PROMOTION

Park Inn Duqm marks 1st anniversary with special package to hotel visitors MUSCAT: Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm will be celebrating the first year of success with an exclusive anniversary package for their hotel visitors.

To commemorate the anniversary, Park Inn Duqm will offer guests a complimentary one night stay for every night booked in a retail rate during the weekends for the month of February 2016, says a press release.

The package includes complimentary Wi-Fi, use of tennis court, gym, pool and kids corner.

In addition, the hotel is offering a 15 per cent discount on food and drinks in all hotel outlets for the full month of February.

Since the official opening in January 2015, in only one year of operation, the Park Inn Duqm has received a Green Key Hotel certificate, certified HACCP employees, rank number two out of four on Tripadvisor, 8.8 score on booking.com. On Social media, the hotel has over 5,000 likes on Facebook and 1,300 followers on Instagram.

“We would like to thank all our guests, employees and suppliers for their support for the past year.

Park Inn Duqm will offer guests a complimentary one night stay for every night booked in a retail rate during the weekends for the month of February Park Inn by Radisson has already established a reputation worldwide as one of the leading midscale hotels in the region. Many accommodation units provide stunning beach views. The hotel offers options for short-term and extended stays,” said Rabih Zein, cluster general manager, Park Inn Duqm & Park Inn Muscat.

The 4 star property has 73 accommodation units, with 50 onebedroom chalets, eight two- bedroom villas, 13 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments.

Guests can also take advantage of a kitchenette equipped with crockery, cutlery, a kitchen range and a microwave.

S TAT E - O F - T H E -A R T FA C I L I T Y

Food festival held at Smile Hypermarket MUSCAT: Smile Hypermarket, Saham, organised Food Festival 2016 on its premises recently.

Ismail Chakorth, group managing director, inaugurated the event. Jassim Kuniyil, group operations director, Bachu Sulaiman, AGM and officials were present during the occasion, says a press release.

Wide range of different varieties of Arabic, South Indian and Chinese food items, entertainment activities and opportunities for the crowd to participate in the cookery show were the main highlights of the event.

DEVELOPING TOURISM SECTOR

B A R I S TA O F T H E Y E A R

MoT appoints Four Communication as representative for UK and Ireland MUSCAT: The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) of the Sultanate of Oman has selected Four Communication, a company which specialises in the tourism marketing and promotion segment, as the Market Based Representative for the UK & Ireland, effective January 2016.

The role The role of Four Communication will be to enhance the promotion of

Oman as a tourism destination by increasing the Sultanate’s visibility and exposure in the designated territory, says a press release.

The Ministry of Tourism believes that the selected company will provide the highest of international standards in developing the tourism sector and deliver notable improvements over the next strategic period for the Sultanate of Oman.

Oman Barista bags 2nd place in global contest MUSCAT: Aubrhey Rosales, a barista from the Muscat International Airport Costa store, was one of nine finalists from around the world to compete in the 10th annual Barista of the Year competition at Tobacco Dock, London and he won the second place.

The prestigious international competition saw Costa’s most accomplished baristas come together to battle for the title of Costa 2015 Barista of the Year.

The judges were particularly impressed with Aubrhey’s creativity. For the final part of the competition, his signature drink was the Espresso Gassata.

Al Naba Equipment opens new showroom MUSCAT: Al Naba Equipment & Supplies recently opened a new showroom — another benchmark milestone in the spectacular growth curve that the company has been riding in recent years.

The state-of-the-art store showcases some of the stellar brands driving the business success of its growing portfolio of corporate customers, says a press release.

Prominent tie-ups with world class brands have made the specialist supplier a top contender for the provision of industrial kitchen and laundry equipment in the Sultanate of Oman and even beyond the borders.

Angelo Po from Italy, Sammic from Spain and Empero Group from Turkey are some of the brands vying for attention at the new showroom.

Angelo Po is a company par excellence with over 90 years of history behind it and a global market leader in the professional kitchen system planning and production sector. Angelo Po’s world-re-

nowned solutions offer superior quality and the company is able to anticipate new trends, supporting chefs and allowing them to achieve excellence. Ovens by the German manufacturer Rational are also one of the high demand equipment available.

Laundry equipment manufacturing stalwarts such as Girbau from Spain, Kromluks from Turkey and Italclean from Italy are also a part of the company’s impressive portfolio.

Not surprisingly, Al Naba’s equipment and products are in operation at some of Oman’s leading hotels, restaurants, commercial caterers, industrial kitchens, shopping malls, supermarkets, cold stores, and so on.

The company recently installed a kitchen for ‘The Yellow Chilli’, a signature Sanjeev Kapoor restaurant at Al Mouj and for the future outlet at the Panorama Mall.

Pizza Express at Muscat City Centre, Arabian Grill House and Majlis Café at Oman Avenues

Mall have also been fitted by Al Naba Equipment. Convenience stores operated as part of the filling station network of Oman Oil Marketing Company have also sourced their equipment needs from Al Naba. Other recent customers include Safeer Hotels in Salalah and Consolidated Contractors Company.

For Al Naba Equipment & Services, the new showroom is an opportunity to leverage the popularity of its product range and thereby position itself for a new phase of growth going forward.

“The opening of this showroom is a significant milestone for our business and also exemplifies the growing market appeal of the brands we represent. As the economy grows, so will the uptake of our products – a demand that will be further strengthened as customers build confidence in our company and the brands we represent,” commented the Business Head of Al Naba Equipment & Supplies.

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Bank Sohar claims ‘Best Customer Service’ award The award highlights Bank Sohar’s market leading customerservice standards and high levels of customer satisfaction across its network and call centre services

MUSCAT: Cementing its position as one of Oman’s most customerfocused institutions, Bank Sohar announced that it has received the ‘Best Customer Service’ award from the Banker Middle East Product Awards 2015 from CPI Financial, Dubai, UAE. On receiving the award, Rashad Ali Al Musafir, Acting CEO of Bank Sohar, commented: “We are extremely honoured to be recognised in the customer service category by CPI Financial. This award speaks volumes for the positive results we have achieved for our ongoing bank-wide campaign to continue raising the standards on customer service. It also stands

as a testament to our entire team’s dedication and commitment to continually deliver the best in customer service.”

The award highlights Bank Sohar’s market leading customerservice standards and high levels of customer satisfaction across its network and call centre services.

In no small part the award is a result of the bank’s Customer Service Campaign, launched in 2015. The campaign once again reaffirmed Bank Sohar’s commitment towards delivering excellence in customer service across branches, divisions and the various customer interaction channels. The campaign drove emphasis on developing online response and call centre services to provide a holistic banking experience for Bank Sohar’s customers.

With the implementation of the Customer Service Campaign, the bank has focused on further improving and streamlining customer interactions and in turn,

offer an even more efficient and personalised service that effectively leverages its market-leading technological capabilities to further improve customer convenience and align itself well with global industry best practices.

“Superior customer service has always been a core pillar of our operational philosophy and is a fundamental part of our culture. Our commitment to provide products, services and features customers seek has been instrumental in our ability to steadily grow despite market competition. As such, we will continue to roll out new products and services that will reward our customers, streamline their overall banking experience and raise the service excellence bar even higher in the industry,” added Rashad Al Musafir.

This latest award represents the first recognition for the bank in 2016, having already received 16 local, regional and international

acknowledgements in year 2015.

The Banker Middle East Product Awards is conducted by CPI Financial based out of Dubai, UAE. The entity is one of the region’s most influential publishers of business and financial news through digital and print media.

The awards are amongst the most sought-after honours in the banking industry. An award translates into huge market exposure for the winner and a significant enhancement of its brand equity. Not surprisingly, competition for a position on the honours list is fierce.

The awards programme operates on a peer-vote basis. Awards categories are established as a result of dialogue with industry observers in each country and an initial short-list of potential candidates and their products or services assembled. These short-lists are published on CPI Financial website (www.cpifinancial.net) and, although not mandatory, the respective institutions are allowed to provide supporting material to promote their entries.

The short-lists are maintained on the website for a period of five weeks during which the entries are promoted to the readership of Banker Middle East and the registered users of the website, which comprise of approximately 12,000 unique users, inviting them to vote for the products and institutions that they believe deserve to win.

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Chance to win gold coins, free meals from KFC

MUSCAT: KFC is celebrating 50 years of Original Recipe, and currently running a campaign for customers giving a chance to win gold coins or weekly free meal for one year.

Customers, who purchase any family meals or super upsize any golden meals, will receive a raffle coupon which will be drawn every Friday throughout the duration of the promo. Winners will

be called and will be announced on KFC’s official Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. The promotion will run until February 6, says a press release.

KFC picked the first raffle draw winners recently. Watch out for the next raffle draw, you might be the next lucky winner of KFC gold coin and KFC golden card!

This promotion applies to all KFC outlets nationwide.

PA R T I C I PAT I O N

Toyota Zone at Muscat Festival features innovative programmes MUSCAT: Toyota welcomes everyone to its stall at Muscat Festival, to enjoy festive delights.

The event line up provides great excitement at the Naseem Garden and Al Amerat venues. The Toyota Zones feature innovative programmes and quizzes.

These specially prepared programmes run in concurrent modules and include brain-tickling quiz sessions, games specially planned for kids, balloon handouts and performances by Tannoora dancers from Egypt apart from many entertaining feats by acrobats, says a press release.

“It’s time to enjoy for one and all… a wonderful opportunity for PROMOTION

our customers to get closer to the brand. Like the previous years, this year too Toyota is the gold sponsor at the festival the Muscat Festival, which runs till February 13, 2016,” the company spokesperson said.

“The team at Saud Bahwan Automotive have planned a range of activities that are set to raise the level of celebrations through many entertaining modules,” he adds.

The Muscat Festival celebrates traditional arts, culture and heritage while providing people of Oman fun, adventure, excitement and entertainment.

“Over the years Toyota has made its presence felt at the Muscat Festival,” said a visitor, “Every year

there are many exciting and engaging events visitors look forward to at the Toyota zones. This year, Toyota is presenting its fans with some of the finest models set to make a lasting place in their hearts and minds,” he remarked.

At the Toyota Zones, visitors can view the latest Toyota models like the Hilux, Avalon, Land Cruiser, Corolla, Camry (at the Naseem Garden venue) and the Yaris HB, RAV4, FJ Cruiser (at the Al Amerat venue).

On being informed about Toyota’s participation at this year’s Muscat Festival, a Toyota customer remarked, “My family already knows this! They are impatiently waiting to visit the Toyota zones!”

Toyota invites all enthusiasts to visit the Toyota zones at the Muscat Festival and enjoy a time unlike any other at the Muscat festival being held at the Al Amerat or Naseem Garden venues.

In Oman, Toyota is a household name...a part of people’s lives. On the one hand, Toyota offers enduring quality. On the other, nothing comes close to it in terms of value-retention. It is no surprise; therefore, that Toyota soars far above the rest, with a dominant market share and ever-expanding customer base. The unmatched, nationwide parts and service support of Saud Bahwan Group makes Toyota’s pride of place a reality.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

FRiENDi mobile now offers 10% bonus credit on recharge MUSCAT: FRiENDi mobile, the Sultanate’s third biggest mobile service provider, has come up with yet another amazing offer.

Customers can now get up to an incredible 10 per cent bonus credit on recharge, by just recharging their phone as normal.

Until February 4, FRiENDi mobile customers recharging for OMR10 will get OMR1 bonus; recharging OMR5 gives customers a 500 baisa bonus and finally recharging OMR3 gives 150 baisa bonus. The bonus credit is given instantly and valid for seven days from the day of recharge, says a press release.

FRiENDi mobile’s recharge presence in over 7,000 outlets across Oman provides customers the flexibility and convenience to make the most of the offer. Physical recharge cards are available from dealers and outlets, electronic vouchers are available at the till of your local supermarket (e.g.

Carrefour, Lulu and Sultan Cen-

tre) or customers can also choose to recharge online at www.friendimobile.om using a credit or debit card. Not only that, there is no limitation on the number of times a customer can recharge and bonus credit can be used for whatever the customer wants – e.g. data, local calls or international calls.

“We know that everyone is tightening the belt in 2016, so for

a limited time FRiENDi mobile is doing what it can to give a little more to our loyal and new customers, for free. We have a fantastic customer base and are welcoming large volumes of customer to our network every day who are already excited about the great value prices we already offer,” said Alex Bennett, CEO, FRiENDi mobile. “It’s a super offer, valid for 11 days and we are looking forward to seeing the demand for recharge increase and giving back to customers, rewarding them for their loyalty. So don’t miss out!”

FRiENDi mobile offers have made them a favourite amongst the expat as well as the local community in Oman. With over 600,000 FRiENDi mobile customers and numbers rising fast, FRiENDi mobile really is showing the results of its vision to provide a great alternative choice to customers for their mobile service provider and great value to those with a piece of their heart abroad.

Jawad Restaurant division gears up for new challenges MUSCAT: Meeting the challenges that 2016 poses for the region was the focus of the annual Jawad Business Group Restaurant Division conference held last month at the Dragon Hotel, Amwaj Islands in Bahrain, says a press release.

On the back of an exceptionally successful 2015, Tapan Vaidya, Restaurant Division general manager urged the team not to rest on their laurels stressing the importance of being innovative and thinking out of the box while bracing up for a tough year ahead. With global oil prices falling sharply leading to significant revenue shortfalls in energy exporting nations, it is expected that consumers will be spending less and the repercussions will be felt by all industries, and especially the hospitality sector.

A much-anticipated annual event, Forge Forward 2015 was as much a celebration of the Restaurant Division’s dazzling performance during the year and the high standards of excellence maintained in all aspects of the

A much-anticipated annual event, Forge Forward 2015 was as much a celebration of the Restaurant Division’s dazzling performance during the year and the high standards of excellence maintained in all aspects of the business business. The JBG Restaurant division is the largest such business based in Bahrain, operating 116 restaurants in the GCC and with dozens of new ones under construction. Guests of honour, Bernard Edmunds, non executive director and R. Ramakrishnan, group general manager congratulated employees for their success and thanked them for their contribution and support to the company. Trophies were subsequently awarded to all top performers in operations across the GCC. The two-day meet was attended by operating restaurant teams

from across the GCC. Restaurants operated by the division include many well known international brands like Papa John’s Pizza, Chili’s, Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Outback and Jamie’s Italian, as well as in-house concepts such as Thai Express, Hakisushi and Magic Wok. From Oman, representatives of Papa John’s Pizza and The Great Kabab Factory attended this annual conference.

Supporting the team in the challenges ahead, Vaidya outlined a new programme of wellness in all areas at work and outside.

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Raonic shocks Wawrinka as qualifier Zhang rolls on

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Melbourne Park was

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rocked by corruption the first qualifier to reach the last eight in Australia since Mexico’s Angelica Gavaldon in 1990.

allegations on its opening day, and a week later, integrity fears returned as a former Australian professional player pleaded guilty to match-fixing at

TRIUMPHANT: Milos Raonic celebrates after victory in his men’s singles match against Stanislas Wawrinka. – AFP

a Sydney court

MELBOURNE: Milos Raonic struck a blow for the next generation of men’s tennis by flooring former champion Stan Wawrinka on Monday before China’s Zhang Shuai became the first qualifier to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals in more than 20 years.

Second seed Andy Murray, returning to court two days after his father-in-law was rushed to hospital, hit back for the old guard in the evening session at Rod Laver Arena though, banishing Bernard Tomic, the last home hope in the singles. Murray’s win capped a banner day for Britain following Johanna Konta’s advance, giving the nation men’s and women’s singles quarter-finalists at the same grand slam for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Melbourne Park was rocked by

corruption allegations on its opening day, and a week later, integrity fears returned as a former Australian professional player pleaded guilty to match-fixing at a Sydney court.

Former world number 187 Nick Lindahl appeared in court just hours after a top global bookmaker suspended betting after heavy gambling on a mixed doubles match at Melbourne Park.

There was no questioning the commitment of Raonic and Wawrinka as the pair slugged out a threehour 44-minute thriller in the day session on Rod Laver Arena.

Long seen as a threat to the Novak Djokovic-led establishment, 25-year-old Raonic showed ice in his veins to fend off the 2014 champion 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-3 after the 30-year-old Swiss roared back from two sets down. Unveiling an aggressive serve-volley game, Raonic fired 82 winners past the fourth seed to set up a

second successive quarterfinal at Melbourne Park.

Having lost to Djokovic a year ago, he will be favourite against French showman Gael Monfils who delighted fans with some spectacular dives as he beat Russian Andrey Kuznetsov 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4) to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

Raonic is on an eight-match winning streak since the start of the year, a run which included upsetting Roger Federer to win the Brisbane International, and he credits new coach Carlos Moya for giving him confidence to stray from the baseline. Chinese qualifier Zhang, on a fairytale run after snapping her streak of 14 first-round exits at grand slams, overhauled a hobbling Madison Keys 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the day’s late match. The 133rdranked 27-year-old struggled to put the ailing American down but eventually celebrated becoming

Elated Zhang “I want to say bad luck to Madison for her injury. But I’m very lucky today,” an elated Zhang told the crowd after tossing her racquet in the air in jubilation. “I think one week ago people were thinking 15 times first round and that I would be going back to China.”

After the stress of Nigel Sears’ collapse at Rod Laver Arena on Saturday, Murray returned to the same venue to ease past world number 17 Tomic 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(4) and will battle hyper-fit Spaniard David Ferrer for a spot in the semifinals.

Murray’s Sydney-born compatriot Konta, granted British citizenship in 2012, continued her superb run, overhauling last year’s semifinalist Ekaterina Makarova 4-6, 6-4, 8-6 in a match lasting three hours and four minutes. “Those four minutes count!”

Konta said.

Twice champion and 14th seed Victoria Azarenka continued her ominous advance, beating Czech Barbora Strycova 6-2, 6-4.

Azarenka next plays German seventh seed Angelique Kerber who she thrashed in the Brisbane International final.

Kerber reached her first Melbourne Park quarterfinal with a 6-4, 6-0 win over fellow German Annika Beck. Eighth-seeeded Ferrer booked his sixth quarterfinal, thrashing American John Isner 6-4, 6-4, 7-5. - Reuters

PROUD DAY: Oman Tennis Association organised a ceremony to honour Omani players and teams who won laurels for the Sultanate during 2015. Fatma Al Nabhani is receiving her award from OTA boss Motassim Al Zadjali. – JUN ESTRADA / Times of Oman

2015 tennis stars honoured by OTA Sports Reporter MUSCAT: The Oman Tennis Association (OTA) organised their Annual Awards Gala at the Oman Olympic Committee on Monday to honour the individual tennis players as well as the national teams who did the Sultanate proud at the regional and international events during year 2015.

During the impressive ceremony, association chief Mutassim Al Zadjali handed over the awards to the players in the presence of OTA board members and staff as well as the Ministry of Sports Affairs offiicials.

The OTA chief later said: “These annual awards presentations are a token of appreciation for our players who did the country proud.

“This is our way of encouraging the players to do well in the future events. We hope there will be a lot of achievements to celebrate this year as well,” Mutassim added.

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The list of awardees: Silver medalists at Islamic Games in Indonesia: Fatma Al Nabhani, Sarah Al Balushi and Samar Al Bakri.

GCC Women’s Games in Muscat: Team gold winners: Fatma Al Nabhani, Sarah Al Balushi, Samar Al Bakri and Mariam Al Balushi. Women’s singles gold winner: Fatma Al Nabhani, Women’s singles bronze winner: Sarah Al Balushi, Women’s doubles gold winners: Fatma Al Nabhani and Sarah Al Balushi, Women’s doubles bronze winners: Maryam Al Balushi and Samar Al Bakri.

GCC U-14 and U-18 tourney in Kuwait: Bronze winner: Abdullah Al Barwani.

GCC U-16 team event in Qatar: Bronze winners: Abdullah Al Barwani, Younis Al Rawahi, Zakariya Al Suleimani and Ammar Al Khanjari.

GCC U-14 team event in Saudi Arabia: Bronze winners: Muneer Al Rawahi, Eyad Al Khanjari, Ali Al Sarhani and Abdullah Al Raisi.

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Kiwis skittle Pakistan

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Pandya could be just the kind of all-rounder India is looking for

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Henry hit four sixes and the same number of fours in his 30-ball 48 while McClenaghan, who was hit by an Anwar Ali bouncer that went through the gap in his helmet, smashed 31 in 18 balls as New Zealand scored 71 off their last five overs

WELLINGTON: New Zealand pacemen Trent Boult and Grant Elliott shared seven wickets as the hosts bundled out Pakistan for 210 to win the first One-day International at the pacy Basin Reserve by 70 runs on Monday.

Elliott did the early damage while Boult, the world’s topranked ODI bowler, ran through Pakistan’s lower order as the touring side were shot out in 46 overs, chasing a target of 281 in the first of the three-match series.

Pakistan captain Azhar Ali and Ahmed Shehzad fell early to Elliott but Mohammad Hafeez (42) and Babar Azam (62) added 81 for the third wicket to put them back on course.

A mid-innings collapse, however, saw Pakistan lose their last seven wickets for 68 runs despite New Zealand being a bowler short

BAD BLOW: Mitchell McClenaghan of New Zealand falls to the ground after being hit by the ball above the eye during the first One-day International at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. – AFP

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in the absence of Mitchell McClenaghan, who suffered a blow to his eye while batting and was forced to retire hurt.

New Zealand, put in to bat, were reduced to 99-6 in the 23rd over before man-of-the-match Henry Nicolls rescued them with a knock of 82.

The left-hander, playing only his sixth ODI, added 79 for the seventh wicket with Mitchell Santner (48) before Matt Henry and McClenaghan launched a late assault to power New Zealand to 280-6 in their 50 overs.

Henry hit four sixes and the

same number of fours in his 30ball 48 while McClenaghan, who was hit by an Anwar Ali bouncer that went through the gap in his helmet, smashed 31 in 18 balls as New Zealand scored 71 off their last five overs.

The left-arm fast bowler suffered a small fracture above his left eye and will undergo a minor surgery on Friday, local media quoted a Black Caps spokesperson as saying.

The injury is likely to keep the 29-year-old out of the remaining matches against Pakistan.

“Thanks for all the concerns.

Everything is as good as it can be just a few broken bones. Great win for the boys!” McClenaghan tweeted with a picture showing heavy bruising around his left eye.

Mohammed Amir was the most successful Pakistan bowler with

NEW ZEALAND M. Guptill c Riaz b Irfan 11 T. Latham c S. Ahmed b Amir 11 K. Williamson b Anwar Ali 10 H. Nicholls b Anwar Ali 82 G. Elliott b Anwar Ali 0 C. Anderson c S. Ahmed b Amir 10 L. Ronchi c S. Ahmed b Amir 5 M. Santner c S. Ahmed b Irfan 48 M. Henry not out 48 M. McClenaghan rtd hurt 31 T. Boult not out 4 Extras (b-4 lb-3 w-13) 20 Total (for 8 wickets, 50 overs) 280 Fall of wickets: 1-23, 2-25, 3-70, 4-70, 5-93, 6-99, 7-178, 8-203 Bowling: M. Irfan 10-0-43-2 (w-1), M. Amir 8.1-0-28-3 (w-3), Anwar Ali 9.5-0-663 (w-3), W. Riaz 10-0-67-0 (w-3), I. Wasim 8-0-47-0 (w-2), Azhar Ali 4-0-22-0 (w-1) PAKISTAN Azhar Ali c Nicholls b Elliott 19 A. Shehzad c Williamson b Elliott 13 M. Hafeez c Nicholls b Williamson 42 B. Azam c Nicholls b Anderson 62 S. Maqsood c sub b Elliott 10 S. Ahmed c Anderson b Boult 30 I. Wasim c Ronchi b Santner 1 Anwar Ali c Latham b Boult 16 W. Riaz not out 5 M. Amir b Boult 0 M. Irfan b Boult 0 Extras (lb-2, w-10) 12 Total (all out, 46 overs) 210 Fall of wickets: 1-33, 2-37, 3-118, 4-142, 5-168, 6-170, 7-205, 8-206, 9-210, 10-210 Bowling: M. Henry 8-0-43-0 (w-4), T. Boult 9-1-40-4 (w-3), G. Elliott 10-1-43-3 (w-2), C. Anderson 9-1-35-1 (w-1), M. Santner 8-0-36-1, K. Williamson 2-0-11-1 Umpires: Nigel Llong and Derek Walker TV umpire: Bruce Oxenford Match referee: David Boon

3-28 but had to leave the field injured after bowling the first delivery of his ninth over. Anwar took 3-66.

The second match of the series will be played in Napier on Thursday. - Reuters

W

ith the impressive win in the final one-day game under their belt the Indian team will no doubt be high on confidence as they take on the hosts in the three match T20 series. India’s Republic Day and Australia Day matches are invariably played at the beautiful Adelaide Oval.

The pitch there is one of the best for batting while it also helps the ball to turn a bit. The straight boundaries are quite long despite the ropes being pulled in to accommodate the six hitters but the square boundaries are the spinners nightmare and horizontal shot makers delight.

The Indians and most Australian players play the most number of the T20 matches in the world and so there is no shortage of experience.

Both teams have players who can change the situation of the game in a jiffy and there won’t be a moment to relax.

India have brought back Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra and Harbhajan Singh and they will have a big role to play.

Nehra has not lost much in pace and his mix of bouncers and yorkers is so cleverly done that it has been hard for the batsmen to get after him.

Harbhajan too is bowling quite superbly in this format where his variation in the line that he bowls more than the length is what is stumping batsmen. Both these experienced cam-

paigners will be expected to keep the lid on the Australian scoring.

However the most looked forward to return in India’s colours is that of Yuvraj Singh. He seems to relish this format more than the others and if he gets going then the spectators better put on their helmets for the ball is going to keep finding them. His innocuous looking left arm spin often picks wickets and gives Dhoni more flexibility in rotating his bowlers.

The other exciting player is Hardik Pandya.

He is among the numerous players from Gujarat now making it to the Indian team. Gujarat is fanatical about cricket and it’s always been a wonder why it has not regularly produced international cricketers.

That is changing now as the game is seen as a serious career option and so the likes of Jadeja, Pujara, Bumrah, Pandya, Patel are deservedly getting India caps with players like the Pathan brothers, Parthiv Patel also waiting for their chance.

Pandya is just the kind of all rounder that India is looking for and if he keeps making the kind of progress he is doing then India will have another game changer in its ranks. - PMG

T20 PREVIEW

Team India aim revival in Twenty20Is against Australia ADELAIDE: Outplayed in the ODIs, a faltering India will look to get the balance right as they eye redemption in a three-match Twenty20 series against Australia starting here on Tuesday which also kicks off their build-up for the World T20 Championships in March-April. The Indian team

was comprehensively beaten in the ODIs, losing the series 1-4 and the T20Is would be an opportunity for the side to pick some positivity from the so far disappointing tour.

Both teams will also begin their run-in for the ICC tournament, particularly the Men in Blue who only have T20Is lined up before

the big tournament begins.

The Indian team doesn’t really play too many T20I matches.

Since the addition of the format to the international schedule in 2006, they have only played 57 games, with 28 of them across five World T20 events in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014. As such, since

December 2006, when the Men in Blue first played a T20I against South Africa, they have only featured in 29 bilateral matches.

And their record outside the World T20 isn’t particularly impressive, with 15 losses and 14 wins. These records won’t really play heavily on the Indian team

management as they prepare for this T20I series, but the conditions here definitely will.

The just-concluded Big Bash League has been a high scoring encounter, much like the ODI series in the first leg of this trip, and the pitches are expected to be flat and have ample bounce for the batsmen

to make merry. The difference in conditions from the World T20 in India won’t really allow either side to judge their spin options, but they will be busy evaluating different permutations and combinations.

For India, it will be about getting their team balance right, in particular their strength, batting. - PTI

TEST CRICKET

Rabada strikes as Proteas scent victory PRETORIA: Firebrand fast bowler Kagiso Rabada bagged two wickets as South Africa reduced England to 52 for three at the close of day four of the final Test on Monday.

The tourists, who have already won the series, need a further 330 for what would be a record-breaking victory on the final day but must do so on a wicket showing variable bounce and prodigious turn at Centurion Park.

England’s hopes of an unlikely victory or survival will rest on Joe Root (19 not out) who is at the crease with James Taylor (19 not out) after Rabada gave the hosts the perfect start. The 20-year-old forced another failure from opener Alex Hales who was trapped lbw for one by a ball that kept low and jagged into him.

Rabada claimed his ninth wicket of the match when he had Nick Compton (six) caught behind, the England batsman unsuccessfully reviewing what seemed an obvious edge. With a tense final day likely, England will hope that wasted review does not come back to haunt them.

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South Africa 1st innings: 475 England 1st innings: 342 South Africa 2nd innings: S. Cook c Bairstow b Anderson 25 D. Elgar c Bairstow b Anderson 1 H. Amla c Bairstow b Broad 96 A. de Villiers lbw b Anderson 0 J. Duminy c Bairstow b Stokes 29 T. Bavuma not out 78 Q. de Kock not out 9 Extras (b-2, lb-5, w-3) 10 Total (for 5 wickets, 83.2 overs) 248 Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-49, 3-49, 4-106, 5-223 Bowling: J. Anderson 18-5-47-3, S. Broad 15-4-33-1 (w-1), B. Stokes 16-436-1, C. Woakes 13.2-0-53-0 (w-2), M. Ali 17-3-60-0, J. Root 4-0-12-0 England 2nd innings: A. Cook c & b M. Morkel 5 A. Hales lbw b Rabada 1 N. Compton c de Kock b Rabada 6 J. Root not out 19 J. Taylor not out 19 Extras (lb-2) 2 Total (for 3 wickets, 21 overs) 52 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-8, 3-18 Bowling: M. Morkel 6-4-12-1, K. Rabada 6-2-15-2, K. Abbott 1-0-6-0, D. Piedt 5-27-0, D. Elgar 2-1-8-0, J. Duminy 1-0-2-0

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In between, Morne Morkel grabbed the prize scalp of England captain Alastair Cook (five) with a brilliant one-handed caught and bowled to leave the latter still 36 runs short of 10,000 test runs after a poor series.

South Africa should have celebrated the wicket of Root as well, but wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock failed to take the ball after spinner Dane Piedt had drawn the batsman from his crease and beaten the edge. South Africa earlier declared their second innings on 248 for five.

Hashim Amla fell four short of a second century in the match when he uncharacteristically flashed wildly at a wide deliver from Stuart Broad in the pursuit of quick runs.

Amla added 117 for the fifth wicket with Temba Bavuma (78 not out), who showed great application and maturity. — Reuters

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

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Shihab Al Habsi

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won the Mini Max title while Sanad Al Rawahi took top honours in DD2 at the Dubai O-Plate championship

Sports Reporter MUSCAT: Rising Omani talent Shihab Al Habsi emerged the champion in the Mini Max category while young Sanad Al Rawahi took the top honours in the DD2 Class at the 2016 Dubai O-Plate championship at the Dubai Kartdrome during the last weekend.

Shihab Al Habsi, who is being groomed by Omani motorsport legend Hamed Al Wahaibi, raced like a champion to win a thrilling

SPLENDID DISPLAY: Oman’s Shihab Al Habsi, centre, celebrates on the podium after winning the Mini Max title at the 2016 Dubai O-Plate championship at the Dubai Kartdrome. – Supplied photo

race and triumph in the Mini Max division which saw 12 drivers vying for the top honours.

In the four heats, it looked like Al Wahaibi Motorsport (WMS) racer was learning the ropes as he found it difficult to stay ahead of his competitors. However, in the pre-final and the final it was a different story as the young Omani showed his

true mettle to emerge the winner.

The final was a thrilling affair in which Shihab managed to pip Hamda Al Qubaisi by a quarter of a second for a richly deserved title. While Hamda had to settle for second place, Liam Crystal took third place.

High hopes Speaking about Shihab’s success,

his father Ahmed said: “It’s definitely a great performance by Shihab, especially when you consider how he started in the heats.”

“It’s a new championship for him and it’s a different category too. The rules are new to him. So he didn’t excel in the heats. But in the pre-final and final he did great.

In both races, he started in the

HOCKEY

third place and finally finished on top,” a delighted Ahmed added.

Describing the competition as a really tough one, Ahmed said: “There were competitors from the UK, the USA as well as South Africa. I am glad he came through and won the top honours.”

While thanking WMS and Hamed Al Wahaibi for all the support, Ahmed said: “Hamed (Al Wahaibi) has high hopes on Shihab. He thinks very highly about him and his talent. He has big plans for him.”

“The boy is very talented and he is very passionate too. But to achieve the goals, we need more backing and more sponsors.”.

Abdul Wahab third In the Bambino Class, Abdul Wahab Al Habsi clinched the third place. Rashid Al Dhaheri won the top honours with Harry Hannam taking the second.

In Micro Max Class, Mohammed Al Habsi gave his best but had

to settle for sixth place. The event was won Nadim Khneisser ahead of Marcus Amand and Maxwell Dodds. Diaraf Keinde and Finn Farrell-Morton finished in fourth and fifth respectively.

Sanad’s super show Meanwhile, Sanad Al Rawahi came up with a superb show in the DD2 Class to clinch the top honours. Kevin Day finished in second place and Anthony Hogg settled for the third place.

Sanad’s brother Abdullah Al Rawahi, taking part in the premier Max Class, gave his best while battling for top places with Fraser Rose and Pasqual Pook. However, after a thrilling contest, the Omani racer had to settle for the fourth place with Rose taking the top place and the Dubai O-Plate title.

Pook finished second while Jakob Robinson won the third place.

In the Junior Max category, Khalid Al Wahaibi, Oman’s another upcoming talent, had to settle for fourth place after a similar thrilling contest.

Tehmur Chohan won the top honours ahead of Taymour Kermanshahchi and Lucas Petersson.

FOOTBALL

Republic Day of India hockey fest a grand success

MUSCAT: Team Coorg Muscat and Ambassador’s XI emerged winners as Republic Day of India Hockey Festival, organised by Team Coorg Muscat and Friends of Naqvi Group, proved a grand success at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex last Friday.

The Festival was organised under the patronage of Indian Embassy and in coordination with Oman Hockey Association (OHA).

Indian Ambassador Indramani Pandey presided over the event.

Sheikh Mahfoodh bin Ali Juma Al Juma, Chairman of Oman Hockey Association (OHA), Oman Cricket Board head Kanak Khimji were the guests of honour.

Aftab Patel, CEO of Al Omaniya Financial Services, and Nagesh Kelkar, Principal of Indian School Al Seeb (ISAS), also graced the occasion. During the Festival, the organisers hosted two competitions — one for the Republic Day Cup and the other for Ambassador’s Cup. In the first match of the Republic Day Cup, UTSC defeated

Beatrice XI 1-0. The winners of that match took on Team Coorg Muscat, who were given a first round bye, for the title. Team Coorg managed to get the better of UTSC to lift the trophy. In the Ambassador’s Cup, the Ambassador’s XI edged Indian School Al Seeb to clinch the crown.

Special celebrations The ninth edition of the Festival also saw a special ceremony to celebrate the recent presentation of Asian Hockey Federation (AHF)

Lifetime Achievement Award to to SAS Naqvi. During the ceremony, the organisers honoured OHA General Secretary Mohammed Redha Taqi Al Lawati, Technical Advisor Mohie Saad Al Zaghlool, Organising Committee member D.R. Bijlani, First Secretary and Head of Chancery at Embassy of India Amraram Gujjar, Organising Committee coordinator Osama Rawat. Threee Omani hockey officials Abdul Rahman Al Raisi, Mustafa and Hamood Al Wahaibi were also honoured.

JUNIOR MASTERS FOOTBALL

Five Muscat teams in Volkswagen Oman qualifiers MUSCAT: Volkswagen, represented in Oman by Wattayah Motors, announced the conclusion of Muscat Qualifiers of the 2016 Volkswagen Junior Masters Oman Under-13 Football Tournament.

The qualifiers saw five teams — Al Woshil, Al Jazeera, Muscat Grass Roots, Muscat Football Academy and Professional — make their way to the final Oman qualifiers which will take place on February 13 in Muscat.

The Muscat qualifiers was split into three groups — A, B and C; with four teams each.The top two teams from Group A, Al Woshil and Al Jazeera, together with the top two teams from Group B, Muscat Grass Roots and ‘Muscat Football Academy, made their way to the final of the Oman qualifiers.

Securing the final spot and joining the other seven teams in the

Oman Qualifiers wer the winners of Group C Professional.

Commenting on the tournament, Andrew Squires, the General Manager of Wattayah Motors said, “On behalf of Volkswagen and Wattayah Motors I would like to congratulate the five teams from Muscat on making it to the final Oman qualifiers and wish them the very best of luck in the upcoming Volkswagen Junior Masters Oman Qualifiers.”

“We have witnessed an incred-

M AT C H - F I X I N G

South Africa’s Bodi banned for 20 years PRETORIA: Former South Africa international Gulam Bodi has been banned from all cricket-related activities for 20 years after admitting he attempted to fix matches in the country’s domestic Twenty20 competition this season.

Cricket South Africa (CSA) announced the punishment on Monday following an investigation conducted by the organisation’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit. Five years have been suspended on condition that Bodi is not found guilty of a similar offence and that he participates in corruption-related player education programmes.

“Our attitude to corruption will always be one of zero tolerance,”

CSA chief executive officer Haroon Lorgat told a news conference. “There is no doubt that Mr Bodi’s actions have threatened the integrity and image of the game that we love and he must be handed a strong punishment. We have had many discussions with Mr Bodi and he accepts the folly of his actions. We are fortunate in this instance that several players rejected his approaches.”

Cricket has been hit by several separate incidents of match-fixing in recent years.

Bodi, who was born in India and moved to South Africa as a teenager, played two One-day Internationals and one Twenty20 match for the national side in 2007. - Reuters

ible show of skill, sportsmanship and team work from each of the teams that participated in the qualifiers this year, both from Sohar and Muscat. With such a high calibre of talent on the field, topping the Oman Qualifiers is no doubt going to be a challenge for each of the participating teams,” he added.

Following the Muscat regional qualifiers, the eight qualifying teams, including the three from Sohar, are now gearing up for the Oman Regional Qualifiers on Feb-

ruary 13. The top two teams from the Oman Qualifiers will then join those from Kuwait, Qatar, Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the Volkswagen Junior Masters Middle East 2016 Tournament, which will be held in Dubai on March 4 and 5, 2016. The winner of the finals will then be crowned Volkswagen Junior Masters Middle East Champions. The winners of the Middle East finals will then head to Paris in May 2016 to represent the region at the Volkswagen World Junior Masters.

DRAW: OFA board member Mohammed Al Shahi, right, presides over His Majesty’s Cup Football Championship last eight draw at the Seeb Sports Stadium on Monday. – ISMAIL AL FARSI/Times of Oman

Fanja take on Al Nasr in HM’s Cup quarterfinals MUSCAT: Fanja, who are looking for their perfect 10th title, will clash with Al Nasr in the quarterfinals of His Majesty’s Cup Football Championship.

Fanja, the record title winners, were drawn to play four-time champions Al Nasr in the double leg quarterfinals when the Oman Football Association (OFA) conducted the draw for the last eight stage at the association headquarters on Monday. The first leg matches will be played on February 15 and 16 with the return leg ties scheduled for February 27 and 28.

Meanwhile, Suwaiq, who won the last of their two titles in 2013, are drawn to play Al Khabourah.

The other match-up will see Muscat taking on Saham, both of whom won a title each, the former way back in 2003 and the latter in 2010. Surprise package Rustaq, a First Division team, will tackle Salalah, a team currently languishing at the bottom of the Omantel Professional League table.

Quarterfinal match-ups: Fanja vs Al Nasr, Suwaiq vs Al Khabourah, Muscat vs Saham and Rustaq vs Salalah.

C4

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

SPORTS OMAN CRICKET

Assarain record 31-run victory over Sinha CT MUSCAT: The Muscat Pharmacy and Stores sponsored Premier Division T20 match between the Sinha and Assarain took place at the Ministry of Sports Affairs saw the latter prevailing by 31 runs.

Batting first, Assarain put on 148 for 8 in 20 overs. Arun Poulose and Arif Hussain top scored with 39 and 38 respectively. Niluka and Nalinda claimed two wickets each for Sinha. In response, Sinha were restricted to 117 for 7 in 20 overs, enabling Assarain to claim the bonus point. Zeeshan, Arif and Ahmed claimed a two-wicket haul for Assarain.

Brief scores: Assarain 148 for 8 in 20 overs (Arun Poulose 39, Niluka 2 for 22) beat Sinha CT 117 for 7 in 20 overs (Ahmed Raza 2 for 14). Points: Assarain 3 (BP); Sinha CT – 0.

Passage to India win The Muscat Pharmacy and Stores sponsored Premier Division 50over match between Al Turki and Passage to India saw the latter winning by a whopping 140 runs.

Batting first, Passage to India put on 226 all out in 49.3 overs.

Aamir Ali and Zulqarnain Haider top scored with 75 and 55 respec-

Victory for BOC A In another U-13 match, BOC A beat MCCC by 4 wickets. Batting first, MCCC C scored 113 for 5 of 20 overs. Kamlesh Reddy top scored with 58 not out. Gautam claimed 2 wickets for BOC A. In response, BOC A scored 114/6 in 14.2 overs to enable them to seal the bonus point.

Rajan top scored with 52 for BOC A. Jaimeet and Pranav claimed 2 wickets each for MCCC C.

ASSARAIN HEROES: Arif Hussain, left, and Arun Poulose.

PTI STARS: Zulqarnain Haider, Mohammed Bilal, Bilal Khan, Aamir Ali.

tively. Rohit Malik claimed four wickets for Al Turki. In response, Al Turki were bowled out for 86 in 23.1 overs, thus enabling Passage to India to claim the bonus point.

Bilal Khan and Mohammed Bilal claimed five and four wickets each respectively. Zulqarnain was the man of the match with five catches in addition to his half century.

response, MCCC A scored 118 for 4 in 20 overs. Arhaan top scored with 47, to enable ISG to claim the bonus point.

Brief scores: Passage to India 226 all out in 49.3 overs (Aamir Ali 75, Zulqarnain Haider 55, Rohit Malik 4

for 47) beat Al Turki 86 all out in 23.1 overs (Shivpasinh 47, Bilal Khan 5 for 34, Mohammed Bilal 4 for 34). Points: Passage to India 3 (BP) ; Al Turki – 0.

ISG beat MCCC A The U-13 Junior League match between MCCC A and ISG at the Municipality 2 ground saw ISG winning by 63 runs.

Batting first, ISG scored 181 for 1 of 20 overs. Piyush and Sahih top scored with 104 and 61 not out. In

Brief scores: ISG 181 for 1 in 20 overs (Piyush 104, Sahih 61 not out) beat MCCC A 118 for 4 in 20 overs (Arhaan 47). Points: ISG 3 (BP) ; MCCC A 0.

ISM B win Another U-13 Junior League match saw ISM B beat MCCC B by

53 runs. Batting first, ISM B scored 199 for 1 of 20 overs. Pariket and Vraj top scored with 84 and 77 not out respectively. In response, MCCC B scored 146 for 4 in 20 overs. Ashar top scored with 37.

Sidharth claimed two scalps for ISM B to enable their bonus point.

Brief scores: ISM B 199 for 1 in 20 overs (Pariket 84, Vraj 77 not out) beat MCCC B 146 for 4 in 20 overs (Ashar 37, Sidharth 2 for 25). Points: ISM B 3 (BP) ; MCCC B 0.

Brief scores: MCCC A 113 for 5 in 20 overs (Kamlesh 58 not out, Gautam 2 for 23) lost to BOC A 114 for 6 in 14.2 overs (Rajan 52, Jaimeet 2 for 12).

Points: BOC A 3 (BP); MCCC A 0.

GCC lose GCC lost to SLSM by 22 runs in another U-13 match at the Municipality ground.

Batting first, SLSM scored 169 for 4 of 20 overs. Devin Geemeth top scored with 46.

In response, GCC scored 147 for 4 in 20 overs. Rayyan top scored with 52 in vain.

Brief scores: SLSM 169 for 4 in 20 overs (Devin Geemeth 46) beat GCC 147 for 4 in 20 overs (Rayyan 52).

Points: SLSM 2; GCC 0.

SAILING

Zain train ahead of SATT MUSCAT: The Zain sailing team, who created a sensation in 2015 by winning one leg and coming third overall in their first ever Sailing Arabia — The Tour (SATT), were overwhelmed with crew applications for the 2016 edition kicking off next month, requiring them to run two extensive training and selection trials at Oman Sail’s sailing centre in Mussanah, Oman. Along with global technology provider Huawei and global law firm Clifford Chance, the Zain sailing team is set to start the challenge officially in Dubai on February 16.

The mobile operator’s first venture into Sailing Arabia – The Tour last year was designed primarily as a team building exercise bringing together colleagues from across the region, but with ‘fun’ one of the most important goals.

As they made their way round the course the team comprising mainly of staff from telecoms giant Zain Group eight operations, that included the participation of

its Vice-Chairman and global and Kuwaiti business identity Bader Al-Kharafi, saw the support from the 7,000 strong workforce around the region snowball and when they managed to achieve a podium place at their first attempt, coming third, the team were catapulted into the spotlight.

“Initially, no one in Zain really understood what efforts and resources were required in sailing was, but once my colleagues and our sponsors Huawei and Clifford Chance could see what was involved, combined with our success, it started to generate a lot of interest. We were all blown away by it — it has generated a huge amount of buzz and corporate goodwill,” explained Mike Miller, sailing team manager and Group Executive Director at Zain Kuwait-based office.

This buzz had a direct effect on their plans for 2016 so when a message was sent out inviting applications to join the Zain sail-

ing team for Sailing Arabia – The Tour, they received 125 candidate replies, compared to just eight the previous year. These were then whittled down to 25 candidates from Kuwait, Saudi, Bahrain, Jordan and Lebanon who were taken to Mussanah for an intensive week of training and preparation, some of them stepping on the boat for the first time.

They went through an introductory training aboard the Farr 30s with two certified instructors from Oman Sail per boat. By the end of the first afternoon, everyone had learned all the basics, tacking and gybing and the following morning, in some choppy conditions, the spinnakers went up and the candidates were put to the test.

Thereafter, based on this first week of training, a core 10 member team was selected who then attended another training session over the weekend of January 22-23, with the final crew of seven selected.

Omanis impress in Al Mussanah Performance levels in the Optimist class were markedly higher than in previous years with one of the favourites Lucas Vidella from Argentina sweeping to a resounding overall victory

MUSCAT: Oman’s best young sailors found themselves under pressure at the 2016 edition of Mussanah Race Week, organised

by Oman Sail, but stepped up to the plate to confirm a strong allround improvement against the best talents in the world.

According to observers, performance levels in the Optimist class were markedly higher than in previous years with one of the favourites Lucas Vidella from Argentina sweeping to a resounding overall victory with a dominant display and Daniel Ian Toh from Singapore, last year’s Mussanah champion, in second place.

Al Moatsem Al Farsi, who won the best Under-12 prize in 2015 was Oman’s best performing Optimist sailor with a clutch of top 10 finishes from the gold fleet qualifiers and finals, to achieve 21st out of a field of 105 young sailors, many of whom were champions in their own countries and regions.

Four other Omani youngsters, including girls champion Samiha Al Riyami, were happy to finish in the top half of the fleet while another 23 sailors, drawn from Oman Sail’s sailing schools around the Sultanate and sampling international competition for the first time, contributed to Oman’s set of promising results.

Former Optimist national champion Zakariya Al Wahabi showed his move up into the Laser 4.7 class had posed few problems when he pulled off four straight wins from 12 races to become champion, fending off challenges from a strong Finnish contingent with Marwan Al Jafri coming fifth.

There was also an Omani winner in the Laser Radial class where Hussain Al Jabri proved the most consistent performer of 18 contenders, including four representatives from the Sultanate.

“There was a very high level of racing in the Optimist class and

many competitors who were competing at Mussanah Race Week for the second time said they thought it was harder in 2016,” said Oman Sail Youth Manager, Mohsin Al Busaidi, the first Arab to sail round the world non-stop.

“It was a very worthwhile experience for the Omani kids because they were exposed to a level of competition that they might only come across at a world championships so they learned a great deal. We had wonderful conditions all week with 25 degree heat and between 8 and 15 knots of breeze so it was very successful. The Laser fleet was not as competitive as the Optimists but it was still a challenge for the Omani kids and they did well.

“Most of them had raced Optimists so it was useful for them to experience the next rung on the ladder. We were very happy with the numbers of overseas sailors and many said they would be back next year which is encouraging,” Al Busaidi added.

The Mussanah Race Week came to a final showdown under the patronage of His Excellency Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Balushi, Majlis Al Shura Representative in Mussanah.

This year, Mussanah Race Week featured two additional sailing classes, the Laser Radial and Laser 4.7, for the first time since 2011, with some of the world’s best young sailors coming to enjoy ideal sailing conditions combined with some intensive coaching.

C

LIFESTYLE

SECTION

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

Dining WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

FAST

CASUAL

Some nights call for a supper of fun-to-eat foods that are no-fuss to make.

RECIPES ONEZA TABISH

SNACK

MAIN

ACCOMPANIMENT

EGG AND CHEESE PUFFS

SHAMI KEBABS

CHEESY BAKED POTATOES

While there are many ways to make egg puffs, this recipe is quick, easy, and perfect for impromptu gatherings.

Shami kebabs are very popular kebabs from the Indian subcontinent. Absolutely melt in the mouth tender, with a beautiful balance of spices and flavour, you won't believe how fast you can get them on the table.

Baked potatoes are a healthy alternative to French fries, and with this recipe, they are just as decadent.

Serve them as a side dish alongside grilled chicken or steak.

Ingredients Ċ 6 puff pastry sheets (readymade) Ċ 1tsp butter Ċ 2 boiled eggs Ċ 6 tbsp of grated cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese Ċ 1 tbsp of tomato ketchup or mayonnaise Preparation Ċ Preheat the oven to 180 C. Ċ Take one pastry square sheet and grease it with little butter. Ċ Take the boiled eggs and gently cut them into tiny pieces. Ċ Mix the eggs with the mozzarella and 1tbsp of tomato ketchup (optional) or mayonnaise in a mixing bowl. Ċ Now stuff this mixture into the pastry sheet and close them forming a triangle. Ċ Repeat this for all the six pastry sheets. Ċ Now place these stuffed triangle pastry sheets in the preheated oven and bake them at 180 C for 20 minutes. Ċ Make sure that that they are not over done, so keep checking on them. Ċ The moment they are golden, turn off the oven and serve hot with sauce of your choice.

Ingredients Ċŗ3tbsp ghee Ċŗ1/2 tsp caraway seed (shahi jeera) powder Ċŗ1/2 inch pinch, chopped ginger Ċŗ2 cloves, garlic chopped Ċŗ2 dried red chillies broken Ċ 250g mutton mince (keema) Ċŗ1tbsp split Bengal gram (chana dal) soaked for 1/2 hour ĊŗSalt to taste Ċŗ1/4 cup fresh mint leaves Ċŗ1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves Ċŗ1/2 cup deep fried onions Ċŗ2 tsp lemon juice Ċŗ1 egg Preparation Ċ Heat 2tbsp ghee in a non-stick pan. Add caraway seeds, ginger, garlic, red chillies, minced meat, and drained chana dal. Mix well and sauté for 2 minutes. Ċ Add salt and mix well. Cover and cook on medium heat till the moisture dries up and the dal is cooked. Add mint leaves, coriander leaves, and fried onion and mix well. Ċ Break the egg in a bowl and whisk it well. Ċ Add lemon juice and grind to a coarse paste. Heat the remaining ghee on a non-stick pan. ĊŗDivide mutton mixture into 8 equal portions and shape them into flat kebabs. ĊŗDip each kebab in whisked egg and place it on the pan. ĊŗShallow-fry, turning the side once, for 3-4 minutes or till both the sides are evenly cooked. Serve hot with mint chutney.

Ingredients Ċ 4 medium potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch slices Ċ 1 onion, sliced into rings Ċ Salt and pepper to taste Ċ 3 tbsp butter Ċ 3 tbsp all-purpose flour Ċ 2 cups milk Ċ 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese Ċ 4 tomato slices Preparation Ċ Preheat oven to 200 degrees C. Ċ Butter a 1 quarter of a casserole dish. Ċ Layer 1/2 of the sliced potatoes into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. Top with onion slices, and add the remaining potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. ĊŗIn a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour and salt, and stir constantly with a whisk for one minute.

Stir in milk. ĊCook until mixture has thickened. Stir in cheese all at once, and continue stirring until it melts for about 30 to 60 seconds. ĊPour cheese over the potatoes, top with tomato slices and sprinkle some parsley as a garnish.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Ċ Bake 1 1/2 hours in the preheated oven. ĊŗServe hot.

Oneza Tabish is a financial analyst and banker by profession. A lifelong hobby and passion for cooking inspired her to create the Facebook page 'What’s Cooking Oman', which has grown into a community of more than 6,000 members who share simple, yet unique recipes.

C6

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

FIND-IT-ALL

PRAYER TIMINGS

@BAHJA

@SOHAR

@MGM

Gethu (Action / Thriller) – Tami - PG Cast: Udhayanidhi Stalin, Vikranth 6.45 PM SUR The Fifth Wave (Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Chole Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Maika Monroe 5:50 PM Airlift (Hindi) (Drama |History) (12+) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 6:20, 9:20PM 2 Countries (Malayalam) (PG12) Cast: Dilip, Mamata Mohandas 10: 30PM The Boy (Horror | Thriller) (15+) Cast: Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans 4:00, 8:35, 11.45 PM. Ride Along 2 (Adventure) (15+) Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumter.

4:30, 7:40PM.

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI The 5th Wave (2D) (Adventure) (PG12) Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson 2:30,6:45,11:30 PM The Revenant (2D) (Adventure) (12+) Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 8:30PM Ride Along 2 (2D) (Action) (15+) Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 4:45, 9:45, 11:45PM The Hateful Eight (2D) (Crime) (12+) Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell 2:30PM Our Brand is Crisis (2D) (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton 5:45, 7:45PM Dirty Grandpa (2D) (Comedy) (15+) Cast: Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Zoey Deutch 2:30, 6:45PM The Boy (2D) (Horror | Thriller) (15+) Cast: Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans 11:30 PM Airlift (2D) (Drama | History | Thriller) (12+) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 4:15, 9:00PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Dirty Grandpa (Comedy)(15+) Cast : Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Zoey Deutch 12:15 & 7:30PM Airlift (Drama, History, Thriller) (12+) Cast : Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 2:15,9:00 & 11:30PM Gold Class - 6:00PM Ride Along 2 (Action | Comedy) 15+ Cast : Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 12:00, 7:00 & 11:30PM Gold Class - 3:30 & 8:30PM The 5th Wave (Adventure | Sci-Fi) PG12 Cast : Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson

Our Brand Is Crisis: (Comedy / Drama) Cast: Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie 2.00, 4.00, 8.00 & 11.55PM CP No: 122 (PG)

Min Dahar Ragel - 2D (Arb) (TBC) Drama Cast: Asser Yassin, Yasmin Raeis 5:50 PM

4:45 & 9:30PM Gold Class - 11:00PM Norm of the North (Animation) PG12 Voice over: Rob Schneider, Heather Graham 3:45PM The Peanut Movie - (Animation) PG Voice Over: (Noah Schnapp, Bill Melendez) 2:00PM The Good Dinosaur-3D (Animation) U 5:30PM PANORAMA MALL Our Brand is Crisis (2D)(PG) Cast : Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton 2:30 & 6:30PM Airlift (2D)(12+) Cast : Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 3:30, 6:15, 8:45, 11:15PM Airlift (2D) (12+)-VIP LOUNGE 8:30PM Ride Along 2 (Action, Comedy)(2D)(15+) Cast : Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 2:30, 4:30, 9:30, 11:30PM Ride Along 2 (Action)(2D)-VIP LOUNGE 6:30, 11:00PM The 5th Wave (ci-fi)(MX4D)(PG12)

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

2 Countries (Malaylam) – 2D (PG12) Comedy Cast: Dilip, Mamta Mohandas 8:25PM Wazir – 2D (PG12) Hindi| Action| Thriller Cast: Amitabh Bacchan, Farhan Akhtar 4:30, 11:30PM Bajirao Mastani – 2D (PG12) Drama, History Cast: Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone 3:15 PM The Revenant – 2D (12+) Drama | Thriller Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 3:15, 11:45PM

AZAIBA Airlift – 2D (PG12) Drama/ History/ Thriller Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 3:00, 5:30, 6:30, 8:00, 10:30, 11:30PM Rajini Murugan (Tamil) – 2D (PG) Comedy Cast: Shivakarthekeyen, Keerthi Suresh 8:35PM Our Brand Is Crisis – 2D (PG) Comedy Cast: Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton 2:30, 6:15PM Gethu (Tamil) – 2D (PG) Action/ Comedy Cast: Udayanidhi Stalin, Amy Jackson 6:15, 9:00 PM

RUWI Screen 1 Airlift (Action / Thriller) –12+ Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 3.30, 6.30, 9.30PM Screen 2 Wazir (Action / Thriller) – PG12 Cast: Amitabh Bacchan, Farhan Akhtar 3.45, 6.45, 9.45 PM Screen 3 Bajirao Mastani (Romance/Drama) – PG12 Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone 3.45, 9.45 PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

15:00 15:00 15:00

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

16:30 18:00 19:30

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Sur Sur

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

Fahud Yibal

Daily Daily

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

Daily Daily

Marmul

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily Daily Daily

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

06:00 14:30

Ruwi Ruwi

10:45 19:00

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

07:00

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

Daily

15:00

Salalah

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

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

27 17

SALALAH Dirty Grandpa (2D) (15+) (Comedy) Cast: Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Zoey Deutch 10:30AM & 3:55PM Ride Along 2 (2D) (15+) (Action | Comedy) Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 10:45AM, 2:00, 6:50, 9:15 & 11:45PM The Boy (2D) (15+) (Horror, Thriller) Cast: Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans 5:10, 11:55PM The 5th Wave (2D) (PG12) (Adventure) Cast: Chloe Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson 12:30, 2:40, 7:05PM The Hateful Eight (2D) (12+) (Comedy) Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell 6:05PM Airlift (2D) (12+) (Drama, History, and Thriller) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 11:30AM, 2:45 ,9:15 & 11:15PM 2 Countries (2D) (PG12) (Malayalam) Cast: Dilip, Mamta Mohandas 8:50PM Our Brand is Crisis (2D) (PG12) (Comedy) Cast Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton 12:40, 4:45PM

11.45 13.30 14.00

STAR CINEMA Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

2 Countries (Mal) (Drama/Comedy) Cast: Dileep & Mamta Mohandas 3:00, 6:30 & 10:00PM Cinema Main Rajani Murugan (Tamil) ( Com /Rom) Cast: Sivakarthikcyan & Keertht Suresh 3:30, 6:30 & 9:30PM Cinema - 2 Dictator (Telugu) (Action/ Comedy) Cast: Balakrishna & Anjali 3:45PM Cinema -3 & 6:45PM Cinema -4 Airlift (Hindi) (Act\ Thriller) Cast: Akshay Kumar & Nimrat Kaur 6:45 & 9:45PM Cinema- 3 Gethu (Tamil) (Com\ Drama) Cast: Udhanidhi & Amy Jackson 3:45 & 9:45PM Cinema -4

Programmes are subject to change WITH LOVE

Minimum

ABHAY SANDEEP January 26, 2011

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

60-80% Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to lifestyle@timesofoman.com

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

LISTINGS

ROYAL OMAN POLICE Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

Nizwa Ruwi

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

06:00 06:00

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100)

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

Daily

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

10:25

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Ruwi

Our Brand Is Crisis: (Comedy / Drama) Cast: Sandra Bullock, Billy Bob Thornton, Anthony Mackie 2.00, 4.00, 8.00 & 11.55PM CP No: 122 (PG) The Boy: (Horror / Thriller) Cast: Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans, James Russell 4.00, 6.00, 10.00 & 11.55PM CP No: 123 (15+) Dirty Grandpa: (Comedy) Cast: Robert De Niro, Zac Efron, Zoey Deutch 2.00, 6.00 & 10.00PM CP No : 124 (15+) Ride Along 2: (Action / Comedy) Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 8.00PM CP No: 112 (15+)

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 07:30 14:30

07:00

BURAIMI Ride Along 2– 2D (Action, Comedy) (15+) Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 3:15, 5:15, 9:30, 11:30PM The Boy – 2D (Horror, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans 5:00, 11:45PM The 5th Wave – 2D (Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller) (PG12) Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson 3:00, 6:00, 9:45PM Rajini Murugan– 2D (Comedy) (PG) Cast: Shivakarthekeyen, Keerthi Suresh 8:00PM Airlift – 2D (Drama, History, Thriller) (12+) Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 3:30, 7:00, 11:00PM 2 Countries– 2D (Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Dilip, Mamta Mohandas 6:45PM

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

BAHJA CINEMA

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

SOHAR The Revenant - 2D (12+) Adventure | Thriller Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 3:00 PM The 5th Wave - 2D (PG12) | Sci-Fi | Thriller Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson 6:30, 9:30, 11:45 PM The Hateful Eight - 2D (12+) Comedy Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell 3:15 PM Ride Along 2 - 2D (15+) Action | Comedy Cast: Ice Cube, Kevin Hart, Tika Sumpter 5:00 , 11:30 PM Airlift - 2D (12+) Drama | History | Thriller Cast: Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 3:45, 7:00, 8:45, 11:15 PM The Boy - 2D (15+) Horror | Thriller Cast: Lauren Cohan, Rupert Evans 3:00, 11:45 PM Min Dahar Ragel - 2D (Arb) (TBC) Drama Cast: Asser Yassin, Yasmin Raeis 5:50 PM Rajini Murugan - 2D (T) (PG) Comedy Cast: Shivakarthekeyen, Keerthi Suresh 8:30 PM Gethu - 2D (T) (PG )Action | Comedy Cast: Udayanidhi Stalin, Amy Jackson 6:15 PM 2 Countries- 2D (M) (PG) Comedy

Cast: Dilip, Mamta Mohandas 8:45 PM

WEATHER

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Airlift (Drama, History, Thriller) (12+) Cast : Akshay Kumar, Nimrat Kaur 2:15,9:00 & 11:30PM Gold Class - 6:00PM

Cast : Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson 3:45, 6:30,8:45, 11:00PM The 5th Wave (Sci-fi)(2D)(PG12) 4:30, 11:30PM The Hateful Eight (Comedy)(2D)(12+) Cast : Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell 6:30PM The Revenant (Adventure, Drama)(2D)(12+) Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hardy 8:30PM The Revenant (2D)(12+)-VIP LOUNGE 3:30PM

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Destination

12.24pm 3.32pm 5.54pm 7.07pm 5.31am

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

CINEMA SCHEDULE

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 Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE RECIPE

SUPER-EASY DOUGHNUTS

Story Swati Dasgupta

I

t was just an overnight stopover at Frankfurt and also my first day in Germany.

A long evening stroll in the beautifully structured city left me famished and I peeped into a small roadside eatery, still unable to figure out what would be ideal for a quick bite. It was then that my eyes fell on the tray stacked with doughnuts.

‘Can I have two doughnuts please?’ I took out five euros and asked the man behind the counter.

He gave a confused look and politely enquired, ‘You want what?’

‘Doughnut’, I emphasised and pointed towards the tray. ‘You mean kreppel’, he said and slipped them in the packet while handing it over with a grin. I smiled back too, much in awe in the land of kreppels. Immensely intrigued by the newly learnt name of doughnuts, I went back to the hotel

and gave a quick Google search to know more about its other names. And in a click information poured in. ‘If you are in Germany, call it kreppel when in Frankfurt, krapfen in the South, a Berliner in West Germany, and pfannkuchen if you are in proper Berlin. Russians call it pishki, and in Rome they call it globi’.

There were few more names in the list that I didn’t read. Sugardusted and filled with plum jelly, or with chocolate, lemon, and vanilla, variations on these ring shaped fried desserts with holes in their centres, even included toppings.

It was becoming clear to me that no matter what it was called, the sweet made out of yeasted dough, deep-fried, and at times stuffed, was universal in its appeal.

Thus began my journey into the delicious world of doughnuts. While the base of dough-

nuts remain the same almost everywhere, they are made with different fillings like creams, butter and fruit jams, and nuts and either frosted or dussted in powdered sugar. Pishki, the traditional doughnut in Russia, is fried in lots of butter, and sprinkled with icing sugar. It is mostly eaten piping hot. The Berliner, on the other hand is made from sweet yeast dough and can be round and oblong and filled with plum or strawberry jam. The speciality of Berliners is that most often they are glazed in sugar syrup.

While doughnuts are a hot favourite in Germany and other European countries some theories state that they were invented in North America by Dutch settlers.

It is also theorized that Hanson Gregory, an American, invented doughnuts way back in 1847 and the hole in the centre of the dough

IN THE NEWS

Dubai Restaurant Week Sets Fine-Dining Scene Alight Dubai Food Festival unveils the Dubai Restaurant Week menus from 30 of the city’s best restaurants. Thirty of the city’s most sought after restaurants have unveiled bespoke three-course set menus at the exceptional price of AED 189 for the inaugural Dubai Restaurant Week, which debuts over 10 days from 25 February – 5 March during the Dubai Food Festival. Reinforcing Dubai’s emergence as a gastronomic destination, Dubai Restaurant Week will offer an exciting insight into the worldwide palate Dubai caters to.

Anticipated to be a sell-out event, residents and foodies will enjoy an exclusive opportunity to sample the top restaurants on their must-visit list. With something to suit all tastes, Dubai Restaurant Week is ideal whether you are dining with family, friends and loved ones.

The star-studded restaurant line-up includes favourites run by international and Michelinstarred chefs including Gordon

Ramsay (Bread Street Kitchen), Atul Kochhar (Rang Mahal), Heinz Beck (Social), Vineet Bhatia (Ashiana) and Alfredo Russo (Vivaldi). Each offering a unique dining experience, guests will be spoilt for choice with menu highlights including: Hawaiian tuna tartar with avocado and truffle juice at Atelier M; Sea bass crudo with charred avocado, amori black garlic and corn chips at Sea Fu; Home smoked salmon tikka at Ashiana by Vineet; hot smoked

Norwegian salmon, teriyaki sauce and pickled cucumber at Fumé and Quail two ways with braised lentils and seasonal wild mushrooms at The Ivy. “Restaurants participating in Dubai Restaurant Week are among the best in the city and we can’t wait for guests to try the delectable menus they have curated specially for Dubai Food Festival,” said Laila Suhail, CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment.

—lifestyle@timesofoman.com

was actually his brainchild. No matter their origins, the sweet dough has now traversed the world. Here in Muscat, you can grab this sweet treat in several eateries and cafes. While the American franchise Dunkin Donuts have many outlets, for speciality doughnuts, try the treats at the Candadian chain, Tim Hortons, located at Muscat Grand Mall, or try homemade versions at Reflexions Café in Qurum.

If you are a true doughnut fan, then why not make them at home?

The baked version is an ideal option for those who are calorie conscious. All you need to do is to bake the dough at 200 degree C for ten minutes instead of frying. Or go for the classic, melt-in-your-mouth, sugar dusted fried confection.

Eitherway, your home will smell amazing long after you eat them.

—swati@timesofoman.com

Going Doughnuts zDunkin Donuts City Centre, Muscat +968 2481 3768. zTim Hortons Muscat Grand Mall +968 2470 1438 zCaramel Bakery & Sweets Bait Mulhim Al Safah Street, near Chedi Hotel +968 2449 6241 zReflexion de Paris Cafe Qurum +968 2456 6480

Preparation Ċ Stir the vinegar into the milk, and let stand for a few minutes until thick. Ċ In a medium bowl , cream together the shortening and sugar until smooth.

Beat in the egg and vanilla until well blended. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt; stir into the sugar mixture alternating with the vinegar and milk. Roll dough out on a floured surface to 1/3 inch thickness. Cut into doughnuts using a doughnut cutter. Let stand for about 10 minutes. Ċ Heat oil in a large deep skillet to 190 degrees C. Fry doughnuts in the hot oil until golden, turning over once. Drain on paper towels. Dust with confectioners’ sugar while they are still warm, and serve immediately.

—Courtesy: Allrecipes.com

Photography: Supplied

The Delights of Doughnuts

Ingredients Ċ 2 tablespoons white vinegar Ċ 3/8 cup milk Ċ 2 tablespoons shortening Ċ 1/2 cup white sugar Ċ 1 egg Ċ 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract Ċ 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour Ċ 1/2 teaspoon baking soda Ċ 1/4 teaspoon salt Ċ 1 quart oil for deep frying Ċ 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar for dusting

C8

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

LIFESTYLE

Brown Rice

Do you eat brown rice or does the name itself put you off? True that brown rice doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sound all that interesting, as it has a stigma for being mere diet food, but the nutty ďŹ&#x201A;avour and dense, hearty texture are as delicious as they are nutritious when made right.

Fried Rice

Veggie Burgers

Tossed Pilaf

Veg Layers

Super Salad

While we always eat fried rice made out of white rice, try making it with the brown variety.

Add vegetables of your choice, scrambled egg, and ginger.

Mash two cups of chickpeas and 1 cup of cooked brown rice. Stir in sliced onion, garlic, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Form into patties and shallow fry.

Add nuts, dried fruit, chopped bell pepper, fresh herbs, and any other vegetable you like to steamed brown rice.

Splash with soy sauce for a one-bowl, light lunch.

Add stir fried vegetables and squash to cooked brown rice. Top it with slices of fried onions. Remove from heat and stir in some crunchy cashews.

Cooked brown rice, especially the long-grain variety, gives wholesome chew to green salads. Mix dates, cashews, and chickpeas for a tasty, fresh meal.

D

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SECTION

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RENT

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T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 2 6 , 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

E t &ůĂƚƐ Θ ^ŚŽǁƌŽŽŵƐ ĨŽƌ ZĞŶƚ 1/2/3 BHK Flats & Showrooms at DƵƩ ƌĂŚ͕ ŶĞĂƌ KŵĂŶ Ň ŽƵƌ ŵŝůůƐ͕ ϭϬ ŵŝŶ͘ ĨƌŽŵ ĐŽƌŶŝĐŚĞ͘ ĞƋƵŝƉƉĞĚ ǁŝƚŚ ƐƉůŝƚͬ ĐĂƐƐĞƩ Ğ ƵŶŝƚ Ɛ͕ ŝŶƚĞƌŶĞƚ ƉŽŝŶƚƐ͕ ĨƌĞĞͲ ƚŽͲĂŝƌ ĚŝƐŚ ĐŽŶŶĞĐƟ ŽŶ͕ ds ŵŽŶŝƚŽƌĞĚ͕ ďĂƐĞŵĞŶƚ ƉĂƌŬŝŶŐ͘ ZĞŶƚ ZK͘ϮϱϬͬϯϱϬͬϰϱϬ ;EĞŐŽƟ ĂďůĞͿ ƉĞƌ ŵŽŶƚŚ͘

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ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ ϵϵϮϮϵϮϲϯ͖ ϵϯϮϮϭϬϱϰ͖ ϵϱϮϭϱϮϴϵ

Luxury flat for rent in Bareeq Al Shatti building Spacious 2 BHK with sea view, split A/Cs, fixed wardrobes, kitchen appliance.

Near Opera Gallery.

Rent RO.900/- negotiable.

Contact - 94084335 / 96920789

3 Bedroom flat in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact 95755953 / 95555162

02 BHK Residential flat opposite to Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241

BHK apartment for rent in Al Khuwair near Ibis Hotel.

Contact: 95124975

Empty plot at Al Wadi Al Kabir industrial area 550 sqm.

Contact: 95909020

4 BHK with terrace near Raymond Ruwi in market on road.

Contact: 99065900/99354975 Al Khuwair 17/2, 4 rooms, 4 bathrooms. Contact: 97300123 Al Khuwair 33, 3 rooms, 2 bathrooms. Contact: 97300123 Apartments & shops for rent in Al Amerat & brand new apartments & shops for rent in Al Amerat.

Contact: 95965445 1000 sqm industrial land with compound wall & two rooms at Misfah. Contact: 99342733 / 99795241

New Deluxe 1,2,3,4 bedroom villas flats Darsait, Ruwi, Al Khuwair.

Contact: 99369081 Newly build luxury residential villas for rent in Al Khoud.

Contact: 98116480 / 99447002 & 99358724 Flat in Hamriya.

Contact 99341112 Luxurious villa for rent in Al Athaiba, a new luxurious G+2 floors villa in Al Azaibs. All rooms W/ Splt unit ACs, close to Wave Muscat & shopping centers.

Contact: 95965445

Family flats in Wadi AL Kabir, Hamriya, Muttrah, Al Khuwair, Ghubrah, Bowshar, Al Hail North & Al Seeb.

Contact: 95250300 / 92125648 02 BHK Commercial / Residential (with split AC) flat at Honda road.

Contact: 99342733 / 99795241 1BHK near Indian school Darsait Junior , 2 room , 2 bathroom , kitchen Monthly rent R.O 225/-.

Contact: 98320476/92459806 Sharing accommodation at Ruwi near family shopping center, please call after 6:00 pm .

Contact: 93394653

Bosher Rimal 1, building appt for rent 2BR, Maid room, sitting room, full appliance, kitchen, 4 toilets.

Contact: 99349910 Villa in Al Khoud for staff accommodation, like nurses or teachers can accommodate 30 to 35 people.

Rent RO.1200/-. Contact - 91178282 Single room attach bath with kitchen in Muscat 100/- R.O. Contact: 95094028 A big room available for Muslim couple / small family executive bachelor near Hamriya R/A rent 130/- OMR, including water / Electricity. Contact: 99495131

FLATS FOR RENT In a Luxury Building in Al Seeb Market Near Police station Call: 99888007 - 99473500

2BHK modern & spacious flats with split AC for rent in Qurum near PDO Gate No.2.

Contact: 94057023 New flat in Wadi Kabeer.

Contact: 98185135 Flats two bed room for rent in Al Khuwair. Contact: 96571151 Residential cum commercial 2BHK available in MBD at 280/-.

Contact: 96332793 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 96571151 1& 2 BHK flats for rent at Hamriya Wadi Adai, Al Khoud, Mabela & shop at Al Khoud & land line Contact: 24834644 GSM 93994401/02/03 3 lines Room, toilet and sharing kitchen for family near Azaiba Bank Muscat. Contact: 96755127

1&2 BHK flat in Walja.

Contact: 98218279 New flats for rent at Darsait near to ministry of sports, Mumtaz area the flats include 1 living room, 2 Bedroom, kitchen, 3 toilets every room with split A/C & high Quality finishing, rent per flat is R.O 340/-.

Interested candidates please Contact: 00968- 92225523 Flat available in Muttrah Corniche near Gold Souq (4 rooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 kitchen with balcony).

Contact: 24707088 / 91405015 3BHK flat for rent in Ghubra.

Contac: 99328070 Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi, MBD area & Honda road.

Contact: 92589235/ 94579531 2BHK flats with split AC available for rent at Al Khuwair 33.

Contact: 94057023

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 2 6 , 2 0 1 6

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR RENT

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FOR RENT

RUWI :

FURNISHED DELUXE 1 B/RM WITH 2 bathrooms, SPLIT A/C, BUILT IN ARDROBRE, PRIVARE TERRACE.

500,000 sqm store with 200 sqft office & 200 sqm covered shed for rent at Mabella Ind No-11 on main road, direct from owner.

ŽŶƚĂĐƚ ͗ Ϯϰ ϳϬ ϯϬ ϲϬ

CONTACT - 99278002

Ware House - 630 M2 SPACIOUS -2 B H K FLATS

NEAR AL FALAJ HOTEL:

High quality Warehouses for rent at Mizfa 550 sqm to 3400 sqm.

Contact

96046951 / 99332291 Flats for rent 2BHK, 1 BHK with AC new building at Wadi Al Kabir behind Muscat Bakery.

Contact: 92103604 Flats shops & store for rent in Ruwi MBD Honda road.

Contact: 92433127 / 97293708 Single bedroom flat behind German Embassy near to Al Nahdha Hospital and single bedroom flat near to Indian School Al Ghubrah. Contact: 99203954 2 bedrooms, kitchen, toilet, car park R.O 220/- & 1 bedroom, kitchen, toilet R.O 140 in Al Khuwair. Contact: 95154331 Flats available for rent at Al Ghubra. Contact 99876576 & 93656672 2BHK new bldg for families Al Khuwair 17/2. Contact: 91403136 Flat for rent (Walja) Ruwi 2 rooms, 2 toilets & kitchen for enquiry.

Contact: 95464608 or 95464607 2 bedroom centrally air conditioned flat in CBD, Central Bank area. Contact: 24714625 / 99053493 2 BHK near Khamis shoes Honda road Junction. Contact: 99737562 One flats for rent 2 bedroom all with bath al Ghobrah north near Indian school (hot burger restaurant) Tel. 9976610

Flat for rent in CBD area - Ruwi Two rooms and a large hall •Office spaces for rent in Al Hail on the main road On the same building of Al Khamis Shoes at Al Hail •2 bed room flats in Qurum 29 for rent next to ABA New building -split AC - Good location

Contact No: 96177505 Flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99376454

STORE FOR RENT

FOR RENT 2BHK, 3 washroom Flat with Split Air Conditioners Near Lulu Darsait CONTACT :

93202733

1,2 BHK Ghubra R.O 300/-, 325/& 350/-. Contact: 97799175 1BHK flat near Star Cinema 220/Contact 99358589 /95570288 Single BHK flat available in Honda road Ruwi. Contact: 24833972/ 24833974/ 99367448 Offices in Ghala.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Offices in Qurum opposite City Center. Contact - 9405178997201688

2BHK flat for rent Darsait near ISM. Contact: 95158570 / 99102255 Brand new Twin Villas in Mawaleh South 4BR; 2Halls; External Kitchen and Maids room.

Contact: 99414106

600 M2 showroom or office in Bousher in front of Dolphin complex. RO.3.5 per m2.

Contact – 91776665

2BHK Sitting room, 3 bathrooms, split AC big balcony 300/- R.O in Wadi Kabeer. Contact: 99324402

Brand new 4 BHK villa in Al Fai compound Al Khoud. RO.475/Contact – 91776665

Mini Furnished Apartment in Qurum. Contact - 9405178997201688

Flat for Rent 1/2 BHK Flat at Muttrah, near Oman flour mills, 10 min. from Corniche.Equipped with split unit ACs, internet points, free-to-air dish connection, CCTV monitored, basement parking.

Rent RO.250/350 per month.

Contact:99229263; 93221054; 95215289

Luxury villa of 5 BHK in Al Khuwair 33 RO.650/Contact – 91776665

Duplex villa in Qurum 29. Contact - 94051789-97201688

3 BHK flat near Darsait ID medical.

RO 420/- Contact – 99358589 / 97079146 / 95570288 1BHK Mumtaz R.O 250/-.

Contact: 97799175 / 92144045 600 SQT commercial flat for rent opposite Oman flourmill Darsait more details. Contact:91214849/ 99364735

Luxury and brand new semi furnished 2 BHK flat in Remalbowsher. RO.550/- Contact – 91776665 Spacious 1 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with all split A/C’s and parking.

RO.300/-Contact – 91776665 Flats in Darsait.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Flats in WadiKabir.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

2 Room + hall & kitchen ,3 toilets in Bareeq Al Shatti 750 RO. Contact: 99314314

Fully Furnished apartments in Boucher (35) Contact - 94051789-97201688

7 Bedrooms villa in Ghobrah North.

Contact - 96420432

Flats in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299

Profs/ Jack. Contact 93219378

Commercial flats of 3 & 2 BHK in Al Ghobra North 18 Nov street RO.650/- & 450/Contact – 91776665

Villa of 3 BHK and sitting area in Al Ghobra North. RO.525/Contact – 91776665

FOR HIRE

Brand new villas in Al Ansab.

Contact - 94051789-97201688 Offices & Showrooms in Muttrah.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

Offices & Showrooms in Al Khoud.

Contact - 94051789-97201688

MV SALE Rav4 ,2015,38000 km No.2 O.R 8200. Contact : 96474787 Hummer H2 model 2006, 178000 km, Full options Number 1 Army edition.OMR 7200. Contact -99466773 Chaverlet Epica 2004 model RO -700, for sale. Contact 92194205 BMW 318/ 2003 for sale.

Contact 96364990

BUYING Buying cars for cash.

Contact: 90202090

FOR SALE

BUILDING

FOR SALE

Low bed Trailer (PDO – SPC) available monthly / daily for Rent.

Contact: 96633970

FOR SALE

MUMTAZ AREA (NEAR RUWI HOTEL)

CONTACT - 99353931 Household items & furniture in excellent condition for sale. Indian expat leaving for good.

Contact Ravi : 93380408 Beauty Salon for urgent sale in Azaiba prime location behind Al Fardan building. With sponsor and 1 staff and 1 ready visa clearance. Call: 95318629 / 95169411

Excavation contracts worth RO 2 million + Big Volvo Excavators & 2015 Astra 5 tippers for sale.

Contact: 99120532 / 98867530

Kingsize 7x7 double cot, dining table good as new.

Contact: 98796982

Dialysis Machine(DBO7) - Available 10 Units for Sale .

Contact : 94306662 or Email : ahdialysis1010@gmail.com

Restaurant items for sale.

Contact: 96772479 /98428507

WANTED

Filling material for sale in Muscat. Contact: 93299940 Villas in Al Khoud. Contact 95056808-97201688 Luxury Apartments in Bousher (35). Contact - 9505680897201688

IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area.

Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up.

Mobile no: 92927880/99012165

ACC. AVAILABLE

Beauty parlor for sale in good condition at Ghubra.

Contact: 98178135

Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for executive bachelor opposite OC centre Ruwi. Call: 92273779

Master Chef restaurant Al Hail for sale 8 visas clearance available.

Contact: 91205000

Single bedroom flat behind German Embassy, near Al Nahdha Hospital. Contact 99203954

3Ton Forklift, Special made for Oman market, Japanese Isuze C240 Engine, Cascade side shifter, High amount exhaust, 3m lifting height, Solid tyres, One year warranty. Contact: 98883445

Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom.

Interested please Contact: 92680041 Mr. Altaf CONTD on pg 6

D4

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 2 6, 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classiďŹ eds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT URGENTLY REQUIRED Qualified & experienced male B.SC holder

CIVIL ENGINEER With 10 -15 years experience for a Muscat based well known construction company.

Email: alfayafy@outlook.com Fax: 24479675

REQUIRED FIBER OPTIC PROJECTS MANAGER, should have GCC experience 5-10 years

Wanted female GP, female Gynecologist, female Staff Nurse, female X- Ray Technician With MOH license for Al Saadi Specialized Medical Centre in Musanna.

Contact -91262604 Email: chillapalli76@gmail.com

Well reputed Marble Company looking for

3 SALESMEN Requires minimum 3 years experience and valid Omani driving license.

Interested candidates please Fax your CV to 24601724 or Email on saab2803@gmail.com

kindly send your CV to oilndgasoman@gmail.com

OUTDOOR SALES EXECUTIVE A leading trading establishment based in Sultanate of Oman is looking for an experienced male outdoor sales executive preferably an Arab national having minimum 5 years of retail sales experience. Good English and Arabic communication skills is a must along with Oman Car Driving License.

This position is to be based in Oman Only.

Only serious applicants who holds above criteria in related field may apply to:

Auto Electrician cum A/c Mechanic for Workshop

Email: retailtrading01@gmail.com hZ' Ed Z Yh/Z D Ed

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SALES / MARKETING Urgently required Experienced Sales Man for Al-Rawas Marble & Granite.

Located at Al Rusayl Industrial.

Please forward your cv at oure mail :

Candidate must have a minimum 2 to 3 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience in assembly, installation, maintenance and repairs of automotive refrigeration, air-conditioning systems and chiller units.

He should be well conversant in repair and troubleshooting of electrical faults and experienced in using computerized diagnostic systems.

He should be ITI/DME (Auto) qualified.

Interested candidates email cv on

krauto@kr.om or contact on 99440518

^/dh d/KE s Ed

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Indian male B.com accountant with 9 years ( 8 yr Oman) experience seeking suitable placement immediately ( NOC available ).

Contact: 98624850

FOR COMPANIES SEEKING OMANI EMPLOYEES We have a batch of skilled Omani candidates in Administration, HR, Account & Reception ready to join different companies in a month We will also provide training for Omani candidates as per your need like Cashier, Teller, HR, Admin, Sales, Stores, Customer service etc.,

SITUATION VACANT (Omani Candidates only) Required Store Keeper to manage an office store in Ghala Minimum 5 years experience handling stores with working knowledge of English

DRIVER Required Full Time Light Driver for an Omani Family. Indian or Philippine national are preferred.

Send SMS only to 97711577 Reputed Construction Company require experienced light Vehicle Driver. Contact 95526871

t Ä&#x2021; F *OTUJUVUF XJMM JEFOUJGZ UIF QPUFOUJBM DBOEJEBUFT JOUFSWJFX UIFN BOE select the suitable candidates in consultation with your officials. t Ä&#x2021; F FOUJSF DPTU PG USBJOJOH XJMM CF CPSOF CZ UIF (PWFSONFOU %VSJOH training the company will not incur any cost like salaries & training. t Ä&#x2021; F *OTUJUVUF XJMM USBJO UIFN GPS B QFSJPE PG UP NPOUIT BT QFS UIF program. t 'SPN UIF EBUF USBJOJOH TUBSUT XJUI VT ZPV BSF GVMÄ&#x2022; MMJOH UIF PNBOJ[BUJPO requirement. The candidate will stay at least for a year without leaving the job.

For any queries contact us: 26862210, 93677745 & 93677795 Fax: 26861710 email: ojt@aifas.net, www.aifas.net

Send CV to oman.newvacancy@gmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE We are looking for Chief Financial Officer, Male 40- 45 years old, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy with 5 - 15 yrs. of experience. Contact: +968 24702133 Email: admin-dept@daud.om

BEAUTY Beauty expert required to work in Salon in Al Amerat.

Contact : 93336061

ENGINEER/TECH/MECH Urgently required building Technician for inquiries.

Contact: 98111363 Civil Site Supervisor for telecom tower projects across Oman. Send CV to fyjo@spec-link.com or call +968 9946 7227 Required Maintenance Technician (male - 1) - should have knowledge of new devices & 3 years Oman experience.

Contact: 94441111 Send CV to email: gsheild9@gmail.com

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Urgently required GP, Gynecologist, Dentist, Staff Nurse, Lab Technician, Pharmacist, For a medical centre in Muscat. Tel: 92603863 Email : ruwistar@hotmail.com.

SALES CO ORDINATOR ( male/ female) Preferably Omani (For Private Trading Company Deals in to Oil & Gas Equipments). Candidate should be Graduate with 2 Years of Experience (Preferred) & Fluent in English with having strong written Communication Skills with sound knowledge of Computer. Send CVrecruit_54@yahoo.com OR Contact on gsm : 99681448

Urgently required Office Staff/ Manager for medical equipment import office in Ruwi. Tel: 92603863 Email: ruwistar@hotmail.com Wanted Gynecologist, General Practitioner, Assistant Pharmacist for immediate appointment. # 97884856/ mail CV to â&#x20AC;&#x201C; sarita_h23@yahoo.com

MEDICAL CATERING Chinese / Arab/ Grill, cooks.

Contact: 95529970 Wanted experienced English speaking Continental Cook for reputed house in Qurum.

Contact 99466062

DESIGNER FASHION DESIGNER specializing in western attire and traditional wear required for a Boutique in Capital area. Female candidates with 4 to 5 years experience in GCC are advised to revert at 9321 8210 or jiby@mpesllc.com

DOMESTIC HELP Housemaid required for Keralite family. Contact 95405033 Looking for housemaid urgently clearance available good salary yearly ticket. TEL 24446920 / 99238121, mail: ravi.ztc@omzest.com

DRIVER Wanted Driver. Contact: 91025698

Require LAB TECHNICIAN ,The desired candidate must be a graduate/diploma in Civil Engineering with minimum experience of 3 to 5 years as Lab Technician having Experience of testing construction materials on Building/ Road projects. Send your CV to: rakesh@uniqueom.com.

Required X RAY Technician, Lab Technician, General Practitioner, Gynecology, Staff Nurses.

Contact: 95133572 Email: kunoozghala@gmail.com Wanted GP Doctor with MOH license, job location in Muscat with good salary and beneďŹ ts.

Drop your cv at 0careerhr1972@gmail.com.

Wanted B- Pharmacist (female) for a pharmacy in Sohar.

Contact : 99767605 Wanted Manager and Doctor for 25 year old well running clinic in Amerat. Tel 99024340 E mail drtkjoseph50@ gmail.com Orthopedician, Nurses, Physiotherapist, Asst. Pharmacist, Gynecologists to work in a clinic at sur. M/F, any nationality with MOH license or prometric pass 60% and above can apply to rcsphysiotherapy@gmail.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE 15 years experienced in ďŹ nance & treasury management CPA, CMA, ACCA, MBA, qualiďŹ ed Chartered Accountant available for immediate joining as head of ďŹ nance, ďŹ nancial advisor, ďŹ nanced consultant.

Contact: 94872345 Email: mfta27@gmail.com

mahmood@rmgoman.com

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SITUATION WANTED

Wanted urgently lady Doctor GP or DGO for immediate appointment.

Contact : 99310590 Email: tjmaluke@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Photographer lady with experience in Photoshop and editing video. Visa available. #92073780 Urgently required for a reputed company in Oman (Tyre, Battery & Lubricant division) Sr. Executives/Executive-5 nos (Sohar, Nizwa & Muscat), Techno Commercial Professional-5nos, Driver (Omani)-1no. Required minimum 3-5 yrs experience in the same ďŹ eld with market exposure holding valid Omani driving license or GCC. Kindly fwd your CVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to ashwin@taasintl.org Contact: (+968)93891700 Sales Ladies wanted for Ladies Boutique. Age: 20-35 yrs. Al Khoudh. Call -91159905 Send CV to sameer916@hotmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Salesman require for building material with driving license & 10 years working experience.

Fax your C.V 24833043.

(Mustafa Hardware Store)

Required Philippine Sales lady for womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shoes and bags store.

Arabic speaking advantage.

Send CV with current picture.

Email: markato.fashion@gmail.com Required Salesman for Electronic & mobile devices (male - 2) should have 3 years Oman experience. Contact: 94441111. Send CV to email: gsheild9@gmail.com An excellent Grade company requires experience Salesman for indoor and outdoor with Oman driving license. Mail your CV to salesppeoman@gmail.com Sales for a printing press Whatsapp Only. Contact: 95955729

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Required SECRETARY ( FEMALE) Preferably Omani (For Private Trading Company Deals in to Oil & Gas Equipments). Candidate should be Graduate with 2 Years of Experience (Preferred) & Fluent in English with having strong written Communication Skills and sound knowledge of Computer. Interested Candidate may apply to : recruit_54@yahoo.com OR Contact#: 99681448

SKILLED LABOR Immediate Requirements for experienced Tailors (Designer wears, casual clothing). Please call for interview 99471085

Female Accountant Indian with 3 years exp in Oman looking for suitable job. Contact: 98418533/ 99338639 Young 24, ACCA affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business, seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or audit With valid driving license.

Contact - 92430152, Email - rau_dey@yahoo.com Part time Accountant, up to ďŹ nalization, looking for job after 5pm (location prefer â&#x20AC;&#x201C; MSQ to Al Hail). Contact: 95694737 Finance & Accounts Indian male 35 years B.Com MBA (F) 7 years experience tally ERP9 with valid D/L family visa.

Contact: 93257426 / 95230114 Email: sibigeorgep@gmail.com Indian male B.Com with 1 year experience in Oman as Account having driving license seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 93415880 Email: nithin_thomas@1992 hotmail.com Chartered Accountant with 1.5 years of experience looking for job. Currently in Oman on visit visa. Contact - 91520687 Email: murtazanmh@gmail.com Accounting Assistant, BBA, M. Com (pursuing), tally, peach tree, valid visa available.

Contact : 98269281 Indian male (25) B.com 6 years experience in accountant seeking suitable placement accountant, admin, sales visit visa.

Contact: 98437731 Email: faisadcpsy@gmail.com Finance & accounts 25 years Oman experienced WHO can handle accounts up to ďŹ nalization job costing, receivable payable age wise analysis and timely followers with D/L & NOC. Contact: 94070799 Indian Accountant well experienced in construction accounts (Financial and Cost) and also administration and HR seek suitable placement (Full/Part time) in Oman or UAE. Contact 98598099 Part time accounts qualiďŹ ed experience accountant.

Contact: 91126314 Accountant / account assistant, BBA, M.Com, Tally, Peach tree on valid visa in Oman. #98269281 SENIOR ACCOUNTANT-M. Com Finance-Indian with 7 years experience in Finance & Accounts up to ďŹ nalization. Currently employed in Oman. Having D/L & NOC. Mob: 94122464, Email: cammk13@gmail.com

Indian male, 28, Post Graduate, 6 years exp. in Oman in Sales and Credit Control , with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable placements.

NOC available. Ph: 9206 6523 Indian male good experienced in Accounts, ERP Tally 9 & Admin in India & Oman, presently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 94834687 Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ ďŹ nance ďŹ eld. On visit visa. Immediately available. Contact â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com 28/male/MBA - ďŹ nance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement. #90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, with 13yrs experience, 6 yrs Oman in manufacturing, trading & contracting Cos, capable of handling all accounting, ďŹ nance, banking, L/C, import, export & ďŹ nalization seeks placement. NOC Available.

Call+968-98932752, mail:jjohnmuscat@hotmail.com Financial Accounting Manager having working experience 24 years looking job in construction or manufacturing companies 8 years working in Muscat expecting family status with good compensation. Contact: 95919546.

Indian lady, bachelor degree in Preparatory Programme (BPP) and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom), completed training course in MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook from KTI looking for full time / part time job opportunity in Oman.

Contact 92437568, 96795853, Email: linda_navs@yahoo.com Part-time accounting, tax report, auditing & bank loan assistance.

Contact 91720465 Total 24 yrs exp. 15 years served Oman LLC SAOG, SAOC Contracting, trading manufacturing company as Finance Commercial Manager looks after ďŹ nance logistics, procurement, ERP, oracle, tally focus internal control implementation B.Com PGDBM, ICWA (Inter).

Contact: 91721545 / 95788723, mail: manojpanda111@hotmail.com Indian male, MBA (ďŹ nance), 1 year experience in Oman having Oman D/L and NOC on visit visa looking for a suitable job.

Contact 94109375 Indian Male Accountant 10yrs Exp. in OMAN Retail & Furniture Co. (Release Available) GSM.92564955 Indian male MBA ďŹ nance 12 years experience in Oman as Accounts / Admin manger, seeks suitable placement on visit visa. Can join immediately. Contact: 96055815 Email:shaikhussain111@gmail.com Indian Male, pursuing ACCA with knowledge in C++, Java looking for accounting job. Contact 94743462.

Email: zabinbashu@gmail.com HR Manual, Employee Handbook, Recruitment, Training, HR Consultancy. Are you looking for freelancer HR professional?

Please contact on 97914669

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 2 6, 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED

Senior Management Executive WJUI PWFS ZFBST PG experience in Retail, Distribution, FMCG & Electronics across GCC markets seeks GM / VP / Vertical Head position for Group Companies Management and P&L deliveries.

Contact +968 9791 2950 cxogcc@gmail.com

ADMIN Indian female, M.Tech electronics 6.5 IELTS experience as VLSI / Electronics project trainer & institute administration currently in family visa. Contact: 90195131 /24551290 Email: chinj.89@gmail.com Indian female Graduate 7 years as Secretary Office Assistant Admin seeks placement.

Contact: 99073789 Indian female PGDHRM MSW having 5+ experience in HR Assistant Administration customer support good computer skill DOA, CIT Tally now on family visit visa looking for suitable position. Contact: 95352527 Indian female 25 years Graduates in BBM (HR) currently on visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 92065248 Email: bibinnj47@gmail.com young Omani male have experience 12 years as P.R.O , Clerk helper supervisor Admin supervisor , H.R Manager have diploma in H.S.E, IT and P.D.O license looking for H.R position or P.R.O license . Looking for H.R position or P.R.O part time or full time. Contact: 95933288 Indian having more than 10 years experience (7 years in UAE) as project secretary, document controller, site administrator, site store keeper on visit seek suitable placement. Contact 92196001 14 years of Gulf experience in HR/ Admin & logistics fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position, NOC available.

Contact: 95824598 Indian male MBA- UK 18 yrs Gulf exp in Administration/ HR & Public relationship. Fluent in Arabic/ English with D/L. Looking for suitable position. Contact - 99897280 Filipino male with 13 years HR and Administration managerial experience. MBA & CIPD holder. Currently looking for job in Oman. Interested employer pls call 97728418.

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 27 yrs with 5 yrs HR /Admin experience seeking suitable placement with valid Oman driving license.

Contact: 98236033 Indian female, Masters in HR, having 4 + years Oman experience in media management and HR, looking for openings in HR, Education, Admin, Corporate communications. Contact 98252030

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DRIVER Experienced Light Duty Driver, Fluent in English, Arabic Well knowledge of Oman Areas Seeking Suitable placement Contact 97950869 Looking for driver job with own car, education, B.A, can speak English, Arabic, Urdu & Hindi.

Contact: 96728056 / 98031620 Light driver looking for job experience in Oman 6 years & K.S.A 5 years’ education H.S.C. Contact: 93940319 Omani male need driver job for part time. Contact: 92296607 Light duty driver experience 4 years suitable job. Can speak English, Arabic & Hindi.

Contact: 98393692 Driver with car looking for job or part time. Contact: 96023492 Light driver need job knows English, Hindi & Arabic.

Contact: 92820309 Light driver need job 4 years exp English & Arabia speaking.

Contact: 94208089 Job for driving.

Contact: 98982410 27 years, 1 year experience, with D/L. Contact: 97369716 Indian young smart driver 5 years Oman exp speaking English Arabic, Hindi looking for job.

Contact: 94524433 Light driver Ruwi.

Contact: 95779594

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Civil AutoCAD Draughts man 5 years experience on visit visa.

Contact: 99759284 Email: ahmedimran945@gmail.com A lady entrepreneur with BF Tech 1st Class (Fashion Technology) since 2006 in Kerala like to make change for better. Specialized in designing, Production Management, Fashion Art, Grading, Surface ornamentation, Garment Construction.

Email: prettyjinu08@gmail.com Mobile: +919539397097.

Interior designer Indian male with 4 years experience / 3Ds Max, AutoCAD .Now on visit visa seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 94886507 Email: vizhue07@gmail.com 25 years male BA. English , Qualified as mast in digital animation having 5 yrs ex in character animation specialized Auto Desk mago and motion building software knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 97917357

ARCHITECT

EDUCATION

20+ years experience Architect M.B.A 10 years Muscat experience (local transfer) looking for job opportunity. Contact: 91709408 / 92981814

Indian female masters in computer science and Engineering B.Tech in information technology , M.B.A ( Systems) 3 years experience teaching in college , having good knowledge in C++ , java oracle now on visit visa looking for openings in Educational institutions.

Contact: 91812419/96935426 Email: anorelindhinesh@gmail.com

CATERING Cooks (Arabic Indian) gulf exp looking job. Contact: 99531802

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. DOMESTIC HELP Looking full time job.

Contact: 99153378

DRIVER Pakistani male light driver 10 yrs in UAE & 1 yr in Oman.

Contact: 93709393 Driver (light & heavy duty) valid gulf /Indian) looking job.

Contact: 95175192 Driver with new car looking for job.contact: 95873286 Light driver looking for job.

Contact: 95219183

Sudanese Architectural Engineer 2 years experience in Oman, Revit, AutoCAD 3Ds max Archicad looking for suitable job.

Contact: 94722356 Email: maya40999@hotmail.com Sri Lankan Engineer (27 Years old) – B.Sc Engineering (Hon) Mining / Geotechnical Presently in Muscat, 1.5 years experience.

Contact 91295802 / acmfaslan123@gmail.com Indian female, 31 yrs, 7 yrs experienced as AutoCAD civil draftsman (2 yrs experience in Oman) currently in Oman seeks suitable.

Contact 96789441 Email: simi5304@gmail.com

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ENGG. / TECH./MECH. B.Tech Mechanical, Diploma in industrial health and safety, NEBOSH (IGC) , working experience 4 years (Construction, oil and Gas) .

Contact: 94750413 Email: shilpaneapen@gmail.com Indian female (B.Tech/ Mechanical Engineering) 4 yrs Oman experience in project coordination in water, sewerage and infrastructure sector , Having valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Local release available. Contact: 95297449 B.Tech Chartered Electrical Engineer, AMIEI with 5 years of experience in electrical power transmission and distribution in industrial, residential & commercial sectors. Expertise in load designing BOQ, Estimations, transformer and switchgear selections. Leadership skills in project execution & management. Contact: 94638744 Email: ceng.shaz@gmail.com Computer Network and Hardware Engineer with driving license and 20 years of experience in Oman looking for a suitable position.

Contact: 98388431 Email: nwengineer@outlook.com B. Sc Civil Engineer, having 27 yrs Oman experience as Project Manager, Structure Engineer looking for suitable placement, consulting, contracting co. NOC & local transfer available. Contact : 99399578 Email: farooqatm@hotmail.com Indian male 26 yrs BE- Mechanical Engineering, CSWIP 3.1 certified welding inspector + ASNT level in UT, RT, MPT, LPT with 3.5 yrs experience in QC Inspector- Welding.

Looking for a suitable job.

E-mail: rahmanmech2@gmail.com Sri Lanka (BSC) quantity surveyor, having 3 years GCC experience is looking for a suitable placement 1 such as QS/ Contract administrator / estimator / project coordinator has knowledge in Fidic and construction standard available in visit visa.

Contact: 96301107 /94292198 Email: faisfareed@gmail.com 7 years teaching experience in Political Science at University level, 5 years experience as Intellectual property lawer 20 years experience of Arabic / English visa versa , translation / interpretation / Editing , 20 years of experience in management, Tri lingual ( Arabic / English / French) Contact : 92175153 B.Tech Civil, 25 yrs female, 3 yrs exp in qty survey have valid GCC license.

Contact: 91309475 Indian male 5 years experience in piping (Site Engineer / Supervisor) Indian and Oman (PDO Project) & looking for suitable post currently on visiting visa, NOC available.

Contact: 94258289 Email: nidhishgopinathan@gmail.com B.Tech Mechanical Engineer fresh graduate, on visit visa looking for job, who has done certification courses in quality control, basic pipeline engineering, ASNT NDT level ii , also good knowledge in HVAC. Contact:94743373 email:akasharavind1@gmail.com Sudanese Civil Structure Engineer, 3 years experience with residence and Omani license, good at AutoCAD Etabs Staad. Pro looking for suitable job. Contact: 97906770 Civil Engineer 3 years diploma holder having 7 years experience, building construction & oil & gas field with driving license.

Contact: 93294965 Mechatronics Engineer 26, MSc with 3 years industrial experience, looking for suitable placement. NOC available. Contact 94887665 Email: mechatron_mt@yahoo.com Electrical Engineer Indian (29) , 7 years exp in Oman, 33KV, 11 KV projects in MZEC & MEDC having CEP 1 & NOC with D/L. Contact: 99822373 Sr.HSE Engineer (B.E Mech+ Diploma Safety + NEBOSH+OSHA) over 10yrs. Exp, (Visa Release/Transfer Letter (NOC) available), seeking suitable placement.

Contact - 97061817, Email:jayanammu1977@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) with 2 and half years experience Indian male 24 years in visit visa. Contact: 96620482 / + 91 9605423272 Email: bijumonps@gmail.com B.Tech (IT) Indian Male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement.

Ready to join immediately. NOC available. Contact: 92462578 Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer, Gulf Experience, 3 Year, Immediately available.

Contact- 95691800 Email: fasalf@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact: 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrsexp seeks suitable position ina reputed company. NOC available.

Contact – 96789711 Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 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 Highly experienced mechanical/ steel structural fabrication engineer looking for suitable placement. NOC available. Contact: 99860714, hussain20173@gmail.com.

Networking Engineer having 10 years experience with 3 years in Oman having valid driving license and NOC, presently in Oman needs immediate placement.

Contact - 95783383 10 years experience in Dubai & Bangladeshi as a BSC Engineer on structural designer & construction having Dubai municipality approval & driving license. Contact: 91206763 Future 008801758846027 Email: engr.masud.civil.@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) Indian male, with good knowledge in HVAC on visit visa looking for suitable placement. Contact: 90154793 Email: sangu.vazhoor@gmail.com HSE & Fire Safety Engineer 4 years experience air port operational safety, power & chemical industry. Contact: 94374241 Electrical Engineer B.Tech with 4 yrs experience in India available on visit visa looking for suitable placement. Contact: 94741401 mail: sobinthomask05@gmail.com Indian male electrical engineer having 3 yrs exp in industrial electrical machine maintenance & data center facilities management looking for suitable placement (NOC available). Contact :99381733 Email : shihab4eee@gmail.com Indian male Diploma Civil Engineer have 1 yr. experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job (certificate attested).

Contact: 92667406 / 99210411, Email : manojgvh@gmail.com Indian Male 23 years B.Tech Civil having 2 years experience in quantity survey and site management looking for suitable placement. Contact:- 95042656 Sudanese Telecom Engineer, 5 years experience, 3 years in Oman PMP certificate.

Contact: 93391008 Email: momen.awadallam@gmail.com Sudanese Structure Civil Engineer 2 years experience resident Omani license. Contact: 94393880 Civil Engineer / QS engineer, 9 years experience in Oman freelance visa, searching for a suitable job in Oman. Contact: 97299165 Need job for experienced mason, electrician & welder.

Contact: 93015630

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ENGG. / TECH./MECH. 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 Civil Engineer 11 years experience in construction having driving license & NOC. Contact: 94194399 Email: shiblyrock@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer male 26 yrs, with 4 yrs of experience in manufacturing oil & gas retail, brand promoting, marketing, logistics having valid Omani D/L seeking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 97098676 Email: ja237le@gmail.com Telecom Engineer and HSE Advisor with 6 years experience in Oman with PDO requirement, fluent in Arabic and English with valid driving license searching for job. Contact: 96355678 16+ yrs of Techno commercial experience in ELV systems seeking suitable position in mid management level. Local release available. Contact: 98143907 Email: mazher2005@yahoo.com M.Tech in Manufacturing Engineering with 2 years of experience, on visiting visa looking for a suitable job. Contact: 91417949 Email: dannyrangde@gmail.com BE Mech specialization welding technology 11 yrs quality cont Engineer by Steel Cons EPL Installation desalination plant (Gulf). Contact: 96603299 Electrical Engineer: Indian male, 30 yrs having 5 yrs of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in India (MRF tyres), holding valid Oman D/L. Contact 92789995, email : akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Instrument Engineer B.Tech Indian male, 24 yrs, 1 yrs experience in reputed oil & gas companies, currently on visit visa, seeks suitable job. Contact: 92007218 Email: ahmed0515@gmail.com 7 Yrs Exp. PM in Mech. Engg in the field of Building Const. Oil & Gas Seeking Job.94625598 Road and Construction Engineer with 5 years exp in Oman.

Contact: 97667113 Civil Engineer (Diploma) having 11 years experience in building construction, looking for a suitable placement , having Oman driving license. Noc available. #95075365 Email: azharraaz@gmail.com Civil Engineer 6 yrs Exp in Oman with license. Contact: 98975518 Indian female civil engineer B.Tech having 3 years experience sound knowledge of software, REVIT STAD PRO structural detailing currently on family visa seeks suitable placement. Contact: 95345591 Civil Engineer diploma holder having 7 years experience of Site Engineer with valid Omani D/L looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 93294965 Email: hamza.nazeer717@gmail.com Indian Electrical Engineer Btech, female 24 seeking job, presently in oman having 2 year experience in design and estimation of Ht &Lt projects. Contact 968 97436557, Mail id : sibinanoop1@gmail.com Electrical Engineer with 18 years exp in UAE. Contact: 98148034 Email: shassalih66@gmail.com Diploma in Electronics, 2 years exp in telecommunication.

Contact: 94519571 Email: telecommunicationvishnumadhull @gmail.com Civil Engineer (BE) having total 5 years experience in building construction looking for a suitable placement. D/L available Contact# 94450270

Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Procurement Engineer (27 years single male with Oman Driving License) having 7 years experience (UAE 2, Oman 3) with expertise in MEP, Water, Electromechanical, Instrumentation seeking suitable placements. Contact 95852033, mail: hemal1988@gmail.com Diploma in Mechanical Eng piping system in AutoCAD work, 21+ years experience with Driving license. Contact: 95267113 Email: rkakkaryil@gmail.com Mechanical Engineer M.Tech 2 years experience HVAC design & site Engg revit MEP Auto CAD. Contact: 90150913 Email: mahmanmechengg@yahoo.im Bachelor Civil Engineer 6 Years in Oman experience Valid Driving License seeks suitable placement Phone 97619722 Email – golamrob@yahoo.com Mechanical Engineer with 3 Yrs experience in international Oil & Gas company looking for job Contacts: Tel: 90164236 Email: mustafaoshi-62@hotmail.com

HOSPITALITY Indian male B.A Degree & diploma in hotel management with 16 years experience as restaurant & catering manager in Oman & Saudi with V/L Oman D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact: 92100141 Hospitality/Hotel/ Restaurants Dynamic result oriented hospitality professional with 20 years of international exp. MBA in Hotel Management, specializing in Hotel/Restaurant start ups, concepts & Franchise development with proven records. Seeking for Challenging positions in reputed groups as GM/COO/CEO/Business Head. (NOC available) Contact: 96059470

IT Indian female MCA Graduate, holding valid driving license seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 99466062 Indian male B.E ECE 25 yrs with 2 years experience in Networking MCITP CISCO certified AutoCAD searching for suitable placement.

Contact: 90189537 Hardware & networking, 2 years exp. Contact: 96244031 Indian female (30 yrs) , BCA , MCA,ASP NET certification, SAP ABAP certification 2 yrs experience, seeking placement family visa. Contact: 99109121 Email: ashamaryphilip@gmail.com SAP consultant with experience in SD, MM & PM on visit visa in Oman searching for job.

Contact: 92824632 Indian male 26 years with BBA, tally and hard ware networking, having 3 years of experience as an accountant, seeking for suitable placement. Contact: 98201244 5yrs experience in software and 1yr in admin, looking for a part-time or work from home jobs Contact: 91711326 Indian male (28) MCA 6 yrs experienced Oracle 10g, 6I, PL / SQL forms / reports seeking job in IT sector now on visit visa.

Contact: 91475059 Email: maridurai19@yahoo.com Sudanese Network Administrator 1 year experience with (MCSA, CCNA, CCNP) have valid driving license. Contact: 92394485 Network Engineer degree Computer Science CCNA, MCSA experience NOC. Content: 92346191

D6

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 2 6 , 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 IT Indian male 26 years BSC IT with 4 years experience currently on visit visa looking for IT support job knowledge of networking, programming languages, windows / Linux environment. Contact: +968 95369856 / 24781651 Email: mark.tony.alphonso@hotmail.com Dynamics AX 2009 / 2012 R2/R3 Microsoft certified professional MCA & BCA Having 15 yrs of total exp & 6 yrs of relevant exp seeking for suitable position. NOC is available. Contact: 93469493 Email: axcertprof@gmail.com Indian Male, IT System Engineer having 4 yrs of experience in system administration.CCNA,MCSE, Linux. Looking for suitable job.

Contact :91272867 10 years Oman experience ICT Sector, capable of handling large accounts, looking for suitable Senior Executive position.

Contact: 98987654 B.Tech (IT) Indian Male 2 years Oman experience in I.T & Networking, holding Oman Driving License, presently on employment visa, seeks for a suitable placement. Ready to join immediately.

NOC available. Contact: 92462578

MANAGER Procurement Manager / Commercial Manager / G.M Indian male having 26 years of experience in Import, procurement, logistics, Commercial activities, Warehousing, TRD & Sales.

Contact: 90502724 Email: tk.sasi@gmail.com 25 years experienced Supervisor in plumbing & firefighting available, NOC & driving license.

Contact: 95703680 The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: tenders& real estate& construction & marketing projects& investments & transportation & Marine services& companies management& develop business.

Contact :- 92385033 The Business Development Manager, Iraqi, Experience 15 Years Inside and outside Oman following activities: construction(Very strong and qualified to bringing business for civil work Or any type of the construction work for many million per year with a good experience in pricing and collect payment and cash management of the company & marketing projects & investments& tenders & real estate. Contact 92385033 Indian male, with experience in operations management, information security, purchase & stores mgmt, hold UAE driving license, on visit visa, seeks suitable job.

Contact 91904541 Email: naushers@yahoo.com MBA (marketing) with 17 years experience in freight forwarding/ logistics industry in GCC & Oman.

Presently working as branch manager in Muscat. Looking for a suitable position. Release and NOC available. Contact: 99856331

MEDICAL Indian female BDS with MOH license looking for job.

Contact: 95347894 Female Ayurvedic therapist.

Contact: 97263637

MEDICAL Male nurse MOH licensed having NOC completed BLS, ACLS total 6 yrs exp seeking suitable job, join at anytime . Contact : 91322744 An experienced Sudanese female Dentist with MOH license looking for job. Contact: 96436517 /97396088

MISCELLANEOUS Indian Female, 24 Years - MSc Biotechnology. Worked in International Crops Research Institute For The Semi Arid Tropics for project work as trainee. Looking for suitable job. Mobile: 92619048, Email: anusreeg1991@gmail.com Indian male having experience more than 13 yrs, 4 years in Oman as Store keeper, Procurement in reputed company looking suitable placement release available.

Contact: 92245926 Email: mohammedbasheer700@gmail.com 10 years experience in Oman in logistics / purchase have Oman D/L looking for suitable placement.

Contact- 96410767 Email: harishkts@yahoo.com Purchaser, experience 9.5 years in Oman, Indian male, Driving License available with own car.

Currently working with ARDISEIS Oman Branch (Seismic work for PDO Oman) as a purchaser. Handling all type purchase, logistic, petty cash, stock, dispatch. Working with SAP application. Educational qualification - Post Graduate in MA (Economics) Salary – Negotiable seeks suitable Placement.

Contact 99458569 Email : nitesh.rane2015@gmail.com.

Female business graduate from UK with four years corporate Experience in procurement purchasing expediting logistics and supply chains in UAE Seeks suitable placement. Contact: 99581399 Indian female on visit MBA (International Business- Marketing & Logistics), BE (Computers & Science Engg.) Trained in SAP-BI/ BW with 1 year experience seeking for job Contact: 90228586 Email:fathimasha16@gmail.com Graduate, computer literate, experienced in sales, credit control, accounts, Omani D/L , seeks suitable placement. Gsm 98805474

LOGISTICS Indian having PG diploma Logistics and shipping management 3 years experience as Warehouse Executive experience in logistics, purchase and store.

Contact: 98473905

SALES / MARKETING Indian male B.Sc Chemistry Graduate 6 years experience in India seeking suitable placement willing to work in any field currently on visiting visa. Contact: 94855667 / 92255983 BBA graduate /Valid Omani license/2 year experience/ Preferred role Marketing / Sales / Business development Executive.

Contact-94122944, raashidjabir@protonmail.ch Looking for immediate sales and marketing 3 years GCC experience with valid driving license now on visit visa till Feb 12.

Contact: 99642611 Email: kashif_iam@yahoo.com

ACC. AVAILABLE

SALES / MARKETING Pakistani male three years experience in Oman speaks excellent English, earlier worked as English speaking tourist guide.

Contact : 99120956 B.Tech Electronics Indian male experience in Technical & marketing 2 years Oman driving license.

Contact: 98627362 , email : shah9746099350@gmail.com A dynamic professional, Female, with 8 years of experience in PURCHASE,SALES COORDINATION ,OFFICE ASSISTANT, residing in Oman with valid NOC from current company,looking for a suitable job, Ready to join Immediately”.

Contact:-shiji4123@gmail.com Phone:- 94157662 South Indian hold 12 years Omani residency – B.E, MBA, PGDM, MCIM, result oriented self starter - Techno commercial Executive 15 years core experience in business development/ marketing oil & gas (all streams) & manufacturing. seeking suitable placement. Contact 99277816/ myakram@hotmail.com B.Sc Graduate with 4.4 years work experience in Sales, Marketing and Business Development looking for a job. Currently in Oman and ready to join immediately.

Contact : 00968-95096284 A dynamic professional, female, with 8 years of experience in PURCHASE, SALES COORDINATION , OFFICE ASSISTANT, residing in Oman with valid NOC from current company, looking for a suitable job, Ready to join Immediately.

Contact:- shiji4123@gmail.com, Phone:- 94157662 Indian male 26, with more than 4 years experience in Sales and Marketing having valid GCC license on visit visa seeks suitable position. Contact: 92423161 Indian male Sales Engineer 18 years experience (pneumatics, electric, air compressor, garage equipments etc) including 5 years Gulf experience currently employed in Oman with D/L looking for suitable position, NOC available.

Contact 94425942 Email: kishorekumar.naik@yahoo.in MBA Indian male 2.5 yrs exp in marketing & sales presently on visit visa seeking immediate placement. contact :91725539.

Email: suhailahmad1489@gmail. com Indian marketing & sales professional for automobile, hotel & retail with over 7 years experience Indian & us on visit & seeking change/ suitable placement.

Contact: 99454425 Email: qamest@omantel.net.om 27 years old male MBA Graduate having 1.5 years experience in Marketing seeking for good opportunities in sales & marketing.

Contact: 90572132 Email: bibi4bibin@gmail.com Sales & Marketing Executive MBA with 3 years experience in sales looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 91345727.

MBA Graduate (Indian) 2 years experience in Auto sales & marketing looking for suitable job in automatic industry.

Contact: 94676974 Email: dabdulmuqsit@gmail.com Indian male 22 BBA Graduate one year experience in Oman with valid Oman driving license looking for a placement. Contact: 96357787

Indian 15 yrs Marketing exp with visa D/L looking for senior job.

Contact: 90390862 Indian male, MBA Marketing having 2.5 years Sales experience immediately looking for a suitable position. Contact: 91415145, Email: shariqs88@gmail.com Sales Coordinator, BBA MBA (pursuing) tally on valid visa in Oman. Contact : 98269281 MBA graduate having 6 years exp in Sales & Marketing, 4 years with PEPSI, India, having international driving license permit seeks suitable placement. Cont : 95308167, Email : samir.pag@gmail.com Assistant Purchase Manager experience 9 years at Oman in Construction Company skills driving license.

Contact: 98894178 Email: amerfawzy2000@yahoo.com 5 years experience in Sales currently looking for a placement.

Contact: 93458869 30 yr old experienced available with NOC & Oman driving license 6+years experience in chemicals Industry. Contact: 96675065 B.Com male 2 yrs experience in sales Computer knowledge, seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 98371144 email: nabilnazar22@gmail.com

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Mason, SH / carpenter, steel fitter gulf & Indian exp looking job.

Contact: 95175192

TECHNICIAN /MECH. Instrumentation & controls Technician with 2-3 years experience preferably in water sector and having valid driving license call Ph:+968 99450811 Send CV to shiju@spec-link.com

MISCELLANEOUS Searching a land surveyor job fully know latest instrument of Survey GPS and Total station two year OMAN experience.NOC Available. Contact +96894144052, Email- wasifnaz 313@yahoo.com Indian male experienced material segregation with D/L seeks suitable placement. Contact: 92715032 Email: santhoshgeorge99@gmail. com

MISCELLANEOUS Indian male M. Com 10 years of experience looking for Part time Job can do finalization Contact 97433387 or thodaforme@gmail. com Indian male 25yr B. Com 4 years experience in trading and contracting field in India looking for suitable accountant vacancies.

Please contact 96155921 or fysal.nellaya@gmail.com

Room , B/Room & Kitchen for Executive in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99336206 Furnished room available for executive bachelor in Ruwi area.

Contact: 99054542 Furnished room available with attached bath & balcony near MBD. Contact: 97636432

Indian male looking job part time driver. Contact: 93884951

New 1BHK fully furnished for R.O 275/- at Wadi Kabir near Al Hassan. Contact: 92577929

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 BE, (ECE) 18 months experience in Telecom Sector as installation and Commissioning Engineer, troubleshooting the bts, 3G and LTE equipments currently on visit.

Contact: 95183497 Email: v.karthi984@gmail.com 27,male,ACCA finalist, have professional experience up to finalization of accounts, statutory and internal audit, expertise in using tally, focus and oracle software, have 3.5 years experience in accounts till finalization ,seeking for permanent replacement in senior position, GSM-91324962, email-abdullah.nooralam@gmail.com Chief Accountant , 7 years experienced (out of 25 years experience in accounts) worked in reputed group companies. Currently procuring MBA finance and having Omani Driving License seeks suitable openings from reputed companies.

Contact : 95598477 / 98803439 Female 5 years experienced Oman as Senior Accountant. SKILLS : ERP9, MS OFFICE, SAGE, ACCPAC. GSM # 95483804 / 9986 8330.

MAIL : sararowshan344@gmail.com Indian male 25 yrs, MBA (Finance, Marketing), Overall 2 yrs exp in Accounts/Finance field, On Visit Visa. Immediately available.

Contact – 92989197 / 94786544. mail: abdulqhizer2004@gmail.com.

Bangladeshi male, University MA, working as administrator in Oman; searching better job.

Phone: 91997605 Email: mohamednazrulislam2@gmail.com

B.Com 5yrs experience good command on tally, Excel sheet on family visa. Contact: 98002428 Email: lubnakanwal36@gmail.com

Indian male 25 yrs, MBA in marketing on visit looking for a job in Sales and Marketing. #91270215 Email: nibuvarughese13@gmail.com

Indian male, 26 years, With 7 years of experience in Sales Field in shipping company in “Dubai” , looking for suitable placement. Experienced working in safety Marine equipment and well versed with MS Office. Contact: 90182494, manojmallya999@gmail.com

2 rooms, toilet in Al Khuwair preferable for Indian couple or working woman rent R.O 190/- only include Ele & water. Contact: 99546410

Senior Accountant Indian male 35 Years with 13 Years of Experience (7 years in Oman) in Accounts & Finance having valid Omani Driving License. Looking for job in GCC Countries.

Contact: 96001918

Indian male 26 years (MBA Finance) seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 92715032 Email: ajisd@yahoo.com

D.M.E, Indian, 12 yrs experience in Oman, in Project Estimation, Execution, Quality & marketing working as Estimation Engineer in acid & water tanker, semi trailor company, with havin driving license & will get NOC, seeks suitable job in Oman.

Contact 98968495.

Room for rent with furniture.

Al Bustan villeage. # 93687466

Room available for executive bachelor in MBD with kitchen on sharing basis. Contact: 96332793

Hail Independent rooms RO 140/& 160/-. Contact 95529970 Furnished room at Hilat Al Saad with TV, AC, fridge near main road.

Contact : 95714202 Couple or bachelor room in Wadi Kabir. Contact: 91165580 / 95264549 Room available Walja.

Contact : 95382651 / 95382650 Semi furnished spacious room with attached washroom separate entrance near Indian school Al Ghobrah for non cooking Executive Indian bachelor.

Contact: 95146361/92657598 Furnished room with a/bathroom in Al Khuwair33 for Indian Executive. Call: 95234062 Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for executive bachelor opposite OC centre Ruwi. Call: 92273779 Furnished room & bath Darsait R.O 140/-. Contact: 93289652 Single room for expat Indian bachelors near Al Aktham restaurant Al khuwair for RO 120.

Water and electricity included.

Contact 98803261 Furnished room in new building for working Muslim lady/ Muslim couple only. Location AINT, Darsait. Contact - 99008069

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS ED

GOOD NEWS 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 Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

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GOOD NEWS Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at AL Khuwair. Contact: 24478618 / 97263637 / 93309131

T U E S DAY, JA N UA RY 2 6, 2 0 1 6

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

TOURS

TOURS

RENT A CAR

NRI Plot for sale Shadnagar Municipality, Mahboob Nagar District, walk able distance to existing colonies, national highway and basic amenities at reasonable price.

Contact – 0091 8686631669 3 bedroom flat for sale Kerala, EKM, Palarivattom. Contact: 00968 95993089/ 0091 9446845999/ 0091 4842422700 Jimmy

SITUATION WANTTOURS ED Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636

Car available with driver on daily rent and Monthly. Contact: 96728065 / 98031620

TRANSPORTATION

We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

We need transport from Mabella to Mawalleh for student & employee. Contact: 92757673

DRIVING

Transportation.Contact: 99099714 Plot, propeties for sale in prime location in pune Contact 95272138, (+918390982975)

Transportation Al Khuwair.

Contact: 92711421 Transportation. Contact: 91310107

MATRIMONIAL

Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909

Menon / Nair boy 30 years, looking for a girl, preferred from Ottapalam area. Contact: 99505473 Hindu nair age 64, looking for a suitable girl.

Contact: 0091 755900189 Nair boy 27 years Keralite working in Canada looking for qualified girl. Contact: 99361442

Silver car, car rental at good rate.

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TRANSPORTATION Transportation Contact: 99077395

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver.

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Transportation. Contact:99664703 Transportation. Contact 96173326 Transportation. Contact 94510847 Transportation taxi mini bus.

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D8

T U E S D AY, JA N UA RY 2 6, 2 0 1 6

DAILY GUIDE

SITUATION WANTED EDUCATION/CLASSES/TRAINING/COMPUTER/WEBSITE

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Special Supplement by

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

AMBASSADOR’S MESSAGE

INSIDE

TECHNOLOGY

‘India keen to further strengthen strategic partnership with Oman’ To mark India’s 67th

2

IT industry booming in India

Republic Day, Indra Mani Pandey, Indian Ambassador to Oman,

TOURISM

India remains committed to nurturing and expanding its strategic partnership with Oman by enhancing existing cooperation and identifying new areas for collaboration

thanked the Omani government and its people for their continued cooperation and hospitality and hoped that Indo-Omani

7

A key driver of growth in India

relations will continue to grow from strength

Indra Mani Pandey

to strength

Ambassador of India

PHARMACEUTICALS

11

Global leader in the making

O

n the occasion of the 67th Republic Day of India, I extend my heartiest congratulations and felicitations to all Indians and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) living in the Sultanate of Oman.

I express my thanks and gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and his government for looking after the large, diverse, highly accomplished and respected Indian community in Oman. I also wish good health, peace and prosperity to our Omani brothers and sisters and thank them for the care and warmth

they have shown towards the Indian residents in Oman. I am confident that my fellow citizens in Oman will continue to work with diligence and dedication, making a valuable contribution to the development and prosperity of Oman.

Republic Day is an occasion for us to pay our respects and homage to all those who laid down their lives for India’s independence.

It is also an occasion to express our gratitude to the Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and to our leaders, who laid the foundation of a democratic and secular India, framed its constitution and built

H E A LT H C A R E

Healthcare industry set to experience exponential growth India’s healthcare sector is on the cusp of rapid growth as it taps further into the medical tourism potential and ramps up its healthcare infrastructure through increased public-private partnership HEALTHCARE has become one of India’s largest sectors, both in terms of revenue and employment. It comprises hospitals, medical devices, clinical trials, outsourcing, telemedicine, medical tourism, health insurance and medical equipment. The Indian healthcare sector is growing at a brisk pace due to strengthening coverage, services and increasing expenditure by public, as well private players.

The Indian healthcare delivery system is categorized into two major components—public and private. The Government, i.e. the public healthcare system comprises of limited secondary and tertiary care institutions in key cities and focuses on providing basic healthcare facilities in the form of primary healthcare centres (PHCs) in rural areas. The private sector provides a majority of secondary, tertiary and quaternary care institutions with a major concentration in metros, Tier I and Tier II cities.

India’s competitive advantage lies in its large pool of welltrained medical professionals.

India is also cost competitive, compared with its peers in Asian and Western countries.

The cost of surgery in India is about a tenth of that what it costs in the United States or Western Europe.

Market size The overall Indian healthcare market is worth US$100 billion and is expected to grow to US$ 280 billion by 2020, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.9 per cent.

HIGHLIGHTS • Sector growth steady and strong • Strength lies in India’s vast pool of trained medical professionals • Cost competitiveness, compared with Western countries, provides extra edge • Healthcare sector size expected to grow by 22.9 per cent to $280 billion by 2020 • Medical tourism industry value to double to $6 billion by 2018

Healthcare delivery, which includes hospitals, nursing homes and diagnostics centres, and pharmaceuticals, constitutes 65 per cent of the overall market.

There is significant scope for enhancing healthcare services considering that healthcare spending as a percentage of GDP is rising. Rural India, which accounts for over 70 per cent of the population, is set to emerge as a potential demand source.

India requires 600,000 to 700,000 additional beds over the next five to six years, indicative of an investment opportunity of US$25 to 30 billion. Given this demand for capital, the number of transactions in the healthcare space is expected to witness a surge

in near future. The average investment size of private equity funds in healthcare chains has already increased to US$20 to 30 million from US$5 to 15 million.

The value of the Indian medical tourism industry is pegged at US$3 billion per annum, with tourist arrivals estimated at 230,000. The Indian medical tourism industry is expected to be valued at US$6 billion by 2018, with the number of people arriving in the country for medical treatment set to double over the next four years.

Investments Hospitals and diagnostic centres attracted Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) worth US$3.14 billion between April 2000 and June 2015, according to data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

Some of the major investments in the Indian healthcare industry are as follows: • Mylan Inc. signed a deal to acquire the female health care businesses of Famy Care Ltd., a specialty women’s health care company, for US$750 million in cash and additional contingent payments of up to US$50 million.

• Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (AHEL) plans to add another 2,000 beds over the next two financial years, at a cost of around Rs 1,500 crore (US$225.28 million).

• Malaysia-based IHH Healthcare Berhad has agreed to buy 73.4 per cent stake in Global Hospitals Group, India’s fourth-largest healthcare network, for Rs 1,284 crore US$192.84 million.

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its noble and enduring institutions.

Since India became a Republic 66 years ago, it has made tremendous progress. Today, India is the largest democracy in the world; with over 1.25 billion people working together to build a better future to fulfil their aspirations. Our economy is growing at a pace of over 7 per cent.

Our scientific and technological achievements, in key areas, such as space, nuclear energy, information technology, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, are globally recognised. Yet, we also face monumental challenges in achieving our goal of sustainable and inclusive

development, including education, health and employment for all. The 67th Republic Day is, therefore, yet another occasion for us to rededicate ourselves to working for the welfare of people of India. I invite the Indian community in Oman to contribute to the success of various initiatives adopted by the Government of India, such as “Make in India,” “Clean India,” “Digital India,” and “Skill India” etc.

Inspired by their centuries’ old civilisational and historical links, India and Oman have expanded and deepened their cooperation and exchanges, since the establishment

of diplomatic relations in 1955, forging a mutually beneficial partnership, which is characterised as strategic in its nature and expanse.

India’s relations with Oman are anchored in their shared interests and mutual understanding of and respect for each other’s priorities, concerns and sensitivities. Regular high-level visits and exchanges have been a key feature of this partnership. India remains committed to nurturing and expanding its strategic partnership with Oman by enhancing existing cooperation and identifying new areas for bilateral, regional and global collaboration, with a view to fulfil the aspirations for our two countries.

The year 2015 marked the 60th Anniversary or ‘Diamond Jubilee’ of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. The visit of the External Affairs Minister of India in February 2015 heralded the commencement of a series of events to commemorate the 60th Anniversary in a befitting manner. While a number of economic and cultural events were held, I would like to highlight the Joint Voyage of INS Tarangini and Shabab Oman from Muscat to Cochin in November and December 2015, tracing the trading route, which sailors from India and Oman followed for centuries. The visit of four ships of the Western Fleet of Indian Navy in September 2015 to Muscat was another important commemorative event.

A special stamp to commemorate the landmark 60th anniversary is also being issued.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

TIMES OF OMAN

Booming IT industry makes India a hub of global technology innovation, start-ups While its outsourcing prowess placed India’s Information Technology (IT) industry on the global map, the sector is now using that advantage to become a hub of global technology innovation and to fund tech start-ups

I

ndia is the world‘s largest outsourcing destination for the Information Technology (IT) industry, accounting for approximately 67 per cent of the $124 to 130 billion market.

The industry employs a 10 million-strong workforce. More importantly, it has led the economic transformation of the country and altered the perception of India in the global economy.

India‘s cost competitiveness in providing IT services, which is approximately three to four times cheaper than the United States, continues to be the mainstay of its unique selling proposition (USP) in the global sourcing market. However, India is also gaining prominence in terms of intellectual capital with several global IT firms setting up their innovation centres in India.

The IT industry has also created significant demand in the Indian education sector, especially for engineering and computer science.

The Indian IT and ITeS industry is divided into four major segments — IT services, Business Process Management (BPM), software products and engineering services, and hardware.

The IT-BPM sector in India grew at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15 per cent

HIGHLIGHTS • India is the topmost outsourcing destination for IT companies across the world • Cost competitiveness remains major strength of India’s IT sector • India is the fourth largest base for new businesses in the world • Major boost to education sector, demand for engineering and computer science • Internet economy to be worth $151.6 billion by 2018, accounting for 5% of GDP • IT-BPM sector in India estimated to expand to $300 billion by 2020 • India has third largest internet user base in the world, reaching over 350 million

by June 2015 • Indian e-commerce industry is expected to reach $100 billion size in five years

over 2010 to 2015, which is three to four times higher than the global IT-BPM spend, and is estimated to expand at a CAGR of 9.5 per cent to $300 billion by 2020.

India, the fourth largest base for new businesses in the world and home to over 3,100 technology start-ups, is set to increase its base to 11,500 tech start-ups by 2020, as per a report by Nasscom and Zinnov Management Consulting Pvt. Ltd. India’s internet economy is expected to touch $151.6 billion by 2018, accounting for 5 per cent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to a report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). India’s internet user base reached over 350 million by June 2015, the third largest in the world, while the number of social media users grew to 143 million by April 2015 and smartphones grew to 160 million.

Public cloud services revenue in India is expected to reach $838 million in 2015, growing by 33 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y), as per a report by Gartner Inc. In yet another Gartner report, the public cloud market alone in the country is estimated to treble to $1.9 billion by 2018, from $638 million in 2014.

Increased penetration of inter-

TIMES OF OMAN

net (including in rural areas) and the rapid emergence of e-commerce are the main drivers for continued growth of data centre co-location and the hosting market in India.

Investments The Indian IT sector‘s core competencies and strengths have attracted significant investment from major countries. The computer software and hardware sector in India attracted cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, worth $17.575 billion between April 2000 and May 2015, according to data released by the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

The private equity (PE) deals increased the number of mergers and acquisitions (M&A), especially in the e-commerce space in 2014. The IT space, including e-commerce, witnessed 240 deals worth $3.8 billion in 2014, as per data from Dealogic.

India also saw a 10-fold increase in the venture funding for internet companies in 2014, compared with 2013. More than 800 internet startups got funding in 2014, compared

TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

with 200 in 2012, said Rajan Anandan, managing director, Google India Pvt. Ltd. and Chairman, IAMA. About 554 start-ups received funding in 2015, compared with 342 last year. Seed and venture capital funds made investments worth US$3.4 billion this year, three times the investment made last year. VC funding in the IT and ITes sector amounted to 55 per cent of total VC funding made this year.

Most large technology companies looking to expand have so far focused primarily on bigger enterprises, but a report from market research firm Zinnov highlighted that small and medium businesses will present a lucrative opportunity worth US$11.6 billion in 2015, which is expected to grow to $25.8 billion in 2020.

Moreover, India has nearly 51 million such businesses, of which 12 million have a high degree of technology influence and are looking to adopt newer IT products, as per the report.

Some of the major developments in the Indian IT and ITeS sector are as follows: • A recent study by research firm International Data Corporation

(IDC) suggested that India may soon be able to catch up with global technology trends that have disrupted enterprises, industry and the way consumers behave and transact.

• Wipro has won a $400 million, multi-year IT infrastructure management contract from Swiss engineering giant ABB, making it the largest deal for the technology company.

• Reliance is building a 650,000 square feet (sq ft) data centre in India—its 10th data centre in the country—with a combined capacity of about 1 million sq ft and an overall investment of $200 million.

• Intel Corp plans to invest about $62 million in 16 technology companies, working on wearable, data analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT), in 2015 through its investment arm Intel Capital. The Indian IoT industry is expected be worth US$15 billion and to connect 28 billion devices to the internet by 2020.

• Wipro announced in July its plan to acquire Designit, a global strategic design firm from Denmark for US$94 million.

• The Maharashtra government has received a proposal worth $682 million investment from global investment and advisory firm Blackstone. The proposed investment will be made at various places like IT parks in Pune, Central Mumbai, among others.

• Indian e-commerce industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 35 per cent to reach $100 billion size in the next five years, as per a study by Assocham-PricewaterhouseCoopers.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016

TIMES OF OMAN

AMBASSADOR’S MESSAGE

‘India keen to further strengthen strategic partnership with Oman’

Economic and commercial relations between India and Oman remain buoyant. Bilateral trade has continued to grow.

Bilateral investment flows are robust, as reflected in numerous joint ventures, established both in India and Oman. Indian business entities have emerged as prime investors in Oman. More than 2,900 IndoOmani joint ventures have been established. Numerous Indian firms have established their presence and gained a reputation for excellence in sectors, such as construction and engineering, waste management, logistics, manufacturing, finance and capital, software solutions, IT, communications, oil and gas etc. The India-Oman Joint Investment Fund has been operational and the initial corpus of $100 million has been fully utilized. The next tranche with an increased corpus of around $300 million is being put in place.

Maritime links between India and Oman, since the Indus Valley

Civilisation, have been a defining feature of the historical ties between the two countries. It is, therefore, only natural that rich and diverse people-to-people contact and exchanges have become a key feature of contemporary India-Oman relations. The ITEC Programme, which provides vocational training and skills upgradation, has gained popularity in Oman. Keeping in mind our exceptionally close bilateral relations, the Government of India has enhanced the number of ITEC scholarships for Oman to 150 for the period starting April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.

A notable feature of the peopleto-people contact between India and Oman during recent times has been the increasing tourist flow to ‘Incredible’ India from Oman. India is dotted with rich cultural and historical sites. It is endowed with exceptional natural beauty, such as rushing rivers, lofty snow-capped mountains, green plains, mystic

deserts, serene backwaters etc. It is blessed with incredible cultural diversity, expressed in diverse attires, languages, customs, crafts, festivals and cuisines. Naturally, it has emerged as a coveted tourist destination for Omanis, which is evident in the growth of the number of visas issued by the Embassy, reaching over 95,216 in 2015, compared with 59,000 in 2013. In recent years, India has also emerged as a preferred destination for medical and wellness tourism, with numerous Omanis choosing India for their medical treatment at various state-of-theart hospitals.

The vibrant Indian community has been preserving and promoting Indian arts and culture in Oman.

The Indian Embassy in Muscat has been providing support to various community organisations, including Indian Social Clubs, its various branches and linguistic wings, which are engaged in providing social services and organizing

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

HIGHLIGHTS • Over 1.25 billion Indians working together to build a better future • Economy set to grow at an annual rate of over 7 per cent • Indian community in Oman invited to take part in several initiatives by the Government of India • 2015 marked the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Oman and India • Bilateral trade continues to grow. Close to 100,000 Omanis visited India in 2015

cultural events. The embassy has also been extending its support to 19 Indian Schools in Oman, which are providing quality education to Indian children.

The Indian Embassy remains committed to catering to the needs of the Indian community in Oman through its community welfare services and to provide, in an efficient and time bound manner, various passport and consular services.

The embassy has made efforts to reach out to the Indian community living in other cities and distant camps. It has been extending help to Indian workers through its free bi-weekly legal sessions and monthly open houses. The embassy has also set up a 24-hour helpline service for Indian workers in distress and will continue to provide requisite assistance to Indian nationals in distress, including financial assistance. I hope that MigCall App, which was launched on January 1, will enable the embassy

to better connect with the Indian community in Oman. The embassy shall also continue to make efforts towards improving the living conditions of Indian workers in Oman in consultation and coordination with the Government of Oman.

On this auspicious 67th Republic Day, I once again extend warm greetings to my fellow citizens in Oman and thank them for their contribution to India’s economic growth and development. I am looking forward to continued cooperation of the Government and the people of Oman to further deepen and diversify our excellent bilateral relations and strategic partnership with Oman. I hope that the Indian community in Oman will continue to extend its cooperation with the Indian Embassy, enabling us to deliver various services to the community in an efficient and timely manner. I wish to remain in close and sustained contact with the Indian community in Oman. — Indra Mani Pandey

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Advantages of ‘Skill India’ The ‘Skill India’ programme aims to expand on outreach, equity and access of education and training. The government therefore provides holistic sustenance through all its initiatives in the form of necessary financial support, infrastructure support and policy support

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fter ‘Digital India’ and ‘Make in India’ the government launched ‘Skill India’ on the occasion of the first-ever World Youth Skills Day on July, 15 2015. This is a revised version of programmes launched earlier under the skill development policy.

India has gradually evolved as a knowledge-based economy due to the abundance of capable, flexible and qualified human capital. With the constantly rising influence of globalization, India has immense opportunities to establish its distinctive position in the world.

However, there is a need to further develop and empower the human capital to ensure the nation’s global competiveness.

Despite the emphatic stress laid on education and training in this country, there is still a shortage of skilled manpower to address the mounting needs and demands of the economy.

As an immediate necessity that has urgently arisen from the current scenario, the government is dedicatedly striving to initiate and achieve formal/informal skill development of the working population via education/vocational education/skill training and other upcoming learning methods.

The skill development of the working population is a priority for the government. The Skill India programme aims to expand on outreach, equity and access of education and training, which it has aimed to fulfil by establishing several industrial training institutes (ITIs), vocational schools, technical schools, polytechnics and professional colleges to facilitate adult leaning, apprenticeships, sector-specific skill development, e-learning, training for self-employment and other forms of training. The government there-

fore provides holistic sustenance through all its initiatives in the form of necessary financial support, infrastructure support and policy support.

India has the advantage of the “demographic dividend” (younger population compared to the ageing population of developed countries), which can be cultivated to build a skilled workforce in the near future. A need for intensive efforts in achieving the skilling target of 500 million workers by 2022 exists. However, the good news is that a sense of realism and realization has evolved among both the government and private sector, which will lead the country toward further economic prosperity through their pooled endeavors.

Features of ‘Skill India’ • The emphasis is to skill the youths in such a way that they get employment and also improve entrepreneurship.

• Provides training, support and guidance for all occupations that were of traditional type like carpenters, cobblers, welders, blacksmiths, masons, nurses, tailors, weavers etc.

• More emphasis will be given on new areas like real estate, construction, transportation, textile, gem industry, jewellery designing, banking, tourism and various other sectors, where skill development is inadequate or nil.

• The training programmes would be on the lines of international level so that the youths of our country can not only meet the domestic demands but also of other countries like the US, Japan, China, Germany, Russia and those in the West Asia.

• Another remarkable feature of the ‘Skill India’ programme would be to create a hallmark called ‘Rural India Skill’, so as to standardise and certify the training process.

• Tailor-made, need-based programmes would be initiated for specific age groups which can be like language and communication skills, life and positive thinking skills, personality development skills, management skills, behavioural skills, including job and employability skills.

• The course methodology of ‘Skill India’ would be innovative, which would include games, group discussions, brainstorming sessions, practical experiences, case studies etc.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Skill development of the working population is a priority for the government • Government wants to open up avenues by which the youth accepts responsibility and no one remains idle • Every job aspirant would be given training in soft skills to lead a proper and decent life • India has the advantage of the “demographic dividend” • A need exists for intensive efforts in achieving the skilling target of 500 million workers by 2022

Advantages of ‘Skill India’ The idea is to raise confidence, improve productivity and give direction through proper skill development. Skill development will enable the youths to get blue-collar jobs. Development of skills, at an young age, right at the school level, is very essential to channelise them for proper job opportunities. There should be a balanced growth in all the sectors and all jobs should be given equal importance. Every job aspirant would be given training in soft skills to lead a proper and decent life. Skill development would reach the rural and remote areas also. Corporate educational institutions, non-government organizations, Government, academic institutions, and society would help in the development of skills of the youths so that better results are achieved in the shortest time possible.

What shape ‘Skill India’ will take and what it will do only time can tell. But no doubt it seems to be a good initiative – providing skills to people, especially because India is one of the few countries all across the world whose working age population will be very high, few years down the line, going by its everincreasing growth of population, as per the World Bank.

It is also high time now measures are taken to improve the physical and mental development of the youths of the country so that none of them remains unemployed and the country’s unemployment problem also gets reduced. It is time to open up avenues by which the youth accepts responsibility and no one remains idle because an idle youth is a burden to the economy.

The economy should concentrate on job creation and social security schemes. With this new approach towards skill development, India can definitely move forward towards its targeted results.

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Transforming India through vital ‘Smart Cities Initiative’

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he steady pace of global population growth is corresponding to migration towards urban areas, leading experts to predict that the world’s urban population will double by 2050. In India, the urban population is currently 31 per cent of the total global population and contributes over 60 per cent to the GDP of the country. The cities are referred to as the drivers of economic growth.

It is expected that three-fourths of Indians will live in cities by 2030.

Large scale urbanisation means cities must be equipped with a coping mechanism to manage influx from rural areas, increase productivity and efficiency, reduce strain on resources and improve the quality of life. In short, cities must become “smart”.

Transforming cities With its urban population set to rise by more than 400 million to 814 million by 2050, India faces the kind of mass urbanisation witnessed in China. Many of its cities are already bursting at the seams. Ahead of the General Elections last May, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised 100 Smart Cities by 2022 to accommodate rapid urbanisation.

What exactly is a “Smart City”?

The intersection between competitiveness, capital and sustainability is what makes a city capable of giving a quality of life to its inhabitants. According to the Smart Cities website of the Ministry of Urban Development, Government of India (indiansmartcities.in): “The Smart Cities should be able to provide good infrastructure such as water, sanitation, reliable utility services, health care; attract investments; transparent processes that make it easy to run commercial activities; simple and online processes for obtaining approvals.”

Accomplishments Smart Cities Council India has been formed to promote development of Smart Cities in the country. It is part of the US-based Smart Cities Council, a consortium of smart city practitioners and experts, with 100-plus members and advisor organisations operating in over 140 countries. The mission of building 100 Smart Cities intends to promote adoption of smart solutions for efficient use of available resources and infrastructure with the objective of enhancing the quality of urban life and providing a clean and sustainable environment. The initiative could get a boost with a template readied by the European Union.

The Union Government plans to spend INR480 billion on creating these Smart Cities over the next five years. For now, Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT), the first such model city, has modern underground infrastructure and two office blocks and there is a plan in place for a planned metropolis, complete with high–rises, drinking water, automated waste collection and dedicated power supply. GIFT promises to be a financial hub and aims to compete with India’s own financial capital of Mumbai and international cities.

Technology helps maximise utilisation of resources by leveraging data collected from sensors, controls and real time data analytics.

It can be used to improve key segments like buildings which consume 40 per cent of all energy in India as well as utilities, healthcare, governance, transportation and education. In fact, in cities such as Dholera and Surat in the west and Visakhapatnam in the east, aid from organisations such as Microsoft, IBM and Cisco has already started coming in to assist this massive makeover exercise.

Recently, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee shared that

her government would develop seven Smart Cities in the state which would have all modern facilities for decent living. These Smart Cities will come up near Siliguri, near Gazol in Malda district, near Kalyani in Nadia district, near Bolpur in Birbhum district, near the industrial towns of Asansol-Durgapur covering Churulia, birthplace of Kazi Nazrul Islam, near Garia in the southern outskirts of Kolkata and the near the state secretariat Nabanna.

Thus, Smart Cities and rejuvenation of cities will not only lay out the path for more livable cities but provide the required growth engine for the Indian economy.

Benchmarks for Smart Cities Transport • Maximum travel time of 30 minutes in small and medium size cities and 45 minutes in metropolitan areas.

• Dedicated and physically segregated bicycle tracks with a width of 2m or more, one in each direction, should be provided on all streets with carriageway larger than 10m (not ROW).

• High quality and high frequency mass transport within 800m (1015 minute walking distance) of all residences in areas over 175 persons / ha of built area.

• Access to para-transit within 300m walking distance.

Electricity • 100% households have electricity connection.

• 24x7 supply of electricity.

• 100% metering of electricity supply.

• 100% recovery of cost.

• Tariff slabs that work towards minimising waste.

Healthcare facilities • Availability of telemedicine facilities to 100% residents.

• 30 minutes emergency response time.

• 1 dispensary for every 15,000 residents.

• Nursing home, child, welfare and maternity, centre - 25 to 30 beds per 100,000 population.

• Intermediate Hospital (Category B) - 80 beds per lakh population.

• Intermediate Hospital (Category A) - 200 beds per lakh population.

• Multi-SpecialityHospital - 200 beds per lakh population.

• General Hospital - 500 beds per lakh population.

Telephone connections • 100% households have a telephone connection including mobiles.

Spatial planning • 95% of residences should have daily needs such as retail, parks, primary schools and recreational areas accessible within 400m walking distance.

• 95% residences should have access to employment and public and institutional services by public transport or bicycle or walk.

The mission of building 100 Smart Cities intends to promote adoption of smart solutions for efficient use of available resources and infrastructure with the objective of enhancing the quality of urban life and providing a clean and sustainable environment

Solid waste management • 100% households are covered by daily doorstep collection system.

• 100% collection of municipal solid waste.

• 100% recycling of solid waste.

Education Pre primary to secondary education • Pre Primary/ Nursery School for every 2,500 residents.

• Primary school (class I to V) for every 5,000 residents.

• Senior secondary School (Class VI to XII) for every 7,500 residents.

• Integrated school (Class I to XII) per lakh of population.

Higher education • College per 1.25 lakh population.

• Technical education centre per 10 lakh population.

• Engineering college per 10 lakh population.

• Medical college per 10 lakh population.

• Other professional college per 10 lakh population.

• Paramedical institute per 10 lakh population.

Sewerage and sanitation • 100% households should have access to toilets.

• 100% schools should have separate toilets for girls.

• 100% households should be connected to waste water network.

• 100% efficiency in the collection and treatment of waste water.

• 100% efficiency in the collection of sewerage network.

Water supply • 24 x 7 supply of water.

• 100% household with direct water supply connections.

• 135 litres of per capita supply of water.

• 100% metering of water connections.

Storm water drainage • 100% coverage of road network with storm water drainage network.

• Aggregate number of incidents of water logging reported a year = zero.

• 100% rainwater harvesting.

Wi-Fi connectivity • 100% wi-fi connectivity.

• 100 Mbps internet speed.

Fire fighting • 1 fire station per 2 lakh population / 5-7 km radium.

• 1 sub-fire station with 3-4 km radius.

Others • Use of renewable energy in all sectors.

• Rooftop solar panels on all public, institutional and commercial buildings as well as multistoreyed residential housing.

• Adherence to green building norms. — Courtesy: India Perspectives

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GULMARG:

Spectacular skiing destination in the Himalayas Rave reviews by the likes of Warren Miller, a noted filmmaker, gave Gulmarg the necessary morale booster to come up as a world-class ski destination. Miller’s movie, ‘Off the Grid’, on Gulmarg has given it a further push in the international tourism market

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he hills of Indian-administered Kashmir Valley are alive with the sound of fun and laughter this winter.

When the snowflakes fall and the leafy green slopes are painted white, thousands head to Jammu and Kashmir’s Gulmarg area for skiing, heliskiing and for sheer pleasure.

It is a state often in the news for its frequent clashes with militancy, but the story is different these days. While Whistler/Blackcomb in British Columbia, Kitzbühel in Austria and Zermatt in Switzerland enjoy their top ranking as the world’s best skiing resorts, Gulmarg with its natural slopes is not too far behind.

Come winter and the Pir Panjal range in Gulmarg, about 50 km from Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, is the ideal spot for skiing and other winter sports. Its white slopes also beckon nature enthusiasts by the hundreds.

The resort town is referred to as the jewel in the crown of skiing destinations in the Himalayas and has been the delightful setting for thousands of skiers every year.

Located at the western edge of the Himalayas, the Pir Panjals are the first mountains hit by the western and southwestern storms and therefore get the greater part of the winter snowfall that enables the

state to become a hot destination when the chill sets in.

On offer is not just skiing but also ice-skating and snowboarding.

The other activities like night iceskating, snow making competition, sledge races, snow scooter races and snow rugby.

The season begins shortly before Christmas and goes on till the end of March when the snow begins to melt.

Heli-skiing is a major attraction.

It involves being dropped by a helicopter on a snow-covered peak and then skiing down the slopes. If the Kashmir tourism department is to be believed, Kashmir is considered the best option for heliskiers after Canada.

Other activities in Gulmarg in-

clude cross-country skiing and ice hockey on the frozen surface of an artificial lake.

Gulmarg, which was established in 1927 by two British army officers who set up the first skiing club in the resort, is the high- est lift-served ski resort in India.

It also boasts of the world’s highest gondola cable car, ascending to 4,390 metres. The construction of the cable car with a mind-numbing vertical rise that ascends to the Apharwat Peak was completed in 2005. The six-seat cabin zips through thick pine forests all the way up to the Apharwat Peak in about half-an-hour.

Besides its snow covered expanse, Gulmarg is a great place to

visit in the summers and also has other attractions.

A big attraction is the Rani temple situated on a small hillock in the centre of Gulmarg and can be seen from all corners of the town. It was built by Mohini Bai Sisodhia, the wife of the erstwhile ruler of Kashmir Maharaja Hari Singh (the last king of Kashmir) in 1915.

St. Mary’s church is older and dates back to 1897. In 2003, the church was given a new look with a renovated façade and the first Christmas mass in 14 years was held that year.

Perched upon a hill, the church has been witness to many tournaments in the Gulmarg golf course, one of the highest in the world. The

first tournament was played in 1922.

The 18th hole of Gulmarg Golf Club, a par five, is a downhill travel from St. Mary’s Church to the clubhouse, a drop of 300 feet.

After years of strife, tourism is returning to Kashmir and to Gulmarg as well, giving people hope for a better tomorrow.

About 3,000 skiers from Canada, Australia, Britain, Malaysia, Singapore and China visited the ski resort last year. According to officials, the figure is expected to touch10,000 this year.

“Gulmarg is literally like our mother. It earns us food. Its scenic beauty solaces us whenever we are dispirited,” says Shabeer Ahmed Wani, who is a ski instructor and

has participated in many national and international events.

Ghulam Mohammed Lone, a sledge owner, is equally upbeat.

“It’s always good to host so many guests. The earnings get multiplied manifold with more and more tourists visiting here,” he said, while pulling a couple on their honeymoon.

Hotelier Zahid Khan hosts around 1,200 guests in his three- star hotel in the weeks around Christmas and New Year.

It seems Gulmarg is gaining the desired popularity even though one strongly feels its potential as a world class ski resort has not yet been realized to the full.

Bolstered by the increasing number of winter sports lovers, the state government is mulling over the idea of holdinga winter sports event in Gulmarg.

The first national winter games were held in Gulmarg in 1998 and it has been the venue for winter sport festivals since.

Rave reviews by the likes of Warren Miller, a noted filmmaker, gave Gulmarg the necessary morale booster to come up as a world-class ski destination. Miller’s movie, Off the Grid, on Gulmarg has given it a further push in the international tourism market.

And life is looking up for the people who have lived here in this snowy slopes of Kashmir for so long.

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Tourism & hospitality industry:

A key driver of growth in India Tourism in India has significant potential considering the rich cultural and historical heritage, variety in ecology, terrains and places of natural beauty spread across the country. It is also a potentially large employment generator besides being a significant source of foreign exchange for the country

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he Indian tourism and hospitality industry has emerged as one of the key drivers of growth among the services sector in India. The thirdlargest sub-segment of the services sector comprising trade, repair services, hotels and restaurants contributed nearly $187.9 billion or 12.5 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2014-15, while growing the fastest at 11.7 per cent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the period 2011-12 to 2014-15.

Market Size • The number of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) has grown steadily in the last three years reaching around 4.48 million during January–July 2015. Foreign exchange earnings (FEEs) from tourism in terms of US dollar grew by 3.2 per cent during January-July 2015 as compared to 1.9 per cent over the corresponding period of 2013.

FEEs during the month of July 2015 were $1.74 billion as compared to FEEs of $1.57 billion in July last year.

• Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) between January-July 2015 were $11.41 billion compared to $11.06 billion in the same period last year. The growth rate in FEEs in rupee terms in January-July 2015 was 6.9 per cent.

Investments The tourism and hospitality sector is among the top 15 sectors in India to attract the highest foreign direct investment (FDI). During the period April 2000-May 2015, this sector attracted around $8.1 billion of FDI, according to the data released by Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

With the rise in the number of global tourists and realising India’s potential, many companies have invested in the tourism and hospitality sector. Some of the recent investments in this sector are as follows: • Fairfax-owned Thomas Cook has acquired Swiss tour operator Kuoni Group‘s business in India and Hong Kong for about $85.6 million in order to scale up inbound tour business.

TECHNOLOGY

Booming IT industry makes India a hub of global technology innovation, start-ups Some of the major initiatives taken by the government to promote the IT and ITeS sectors in India are as follows: • The Government of India has launched the Digital India program to provide several government services to the people, using IT and to integrate the government departments and the people of India. The adoption of key technologies across sectors spurred by the “Digital India Initiative” could help boost India‘s gross domestic product (GDP) by US$550 billion to US$1 trillion by 2025, as per research firm McKinsey.

• India and the United States have agreed to jointly explore opportunities for collaboration on implementing India‘s ambitious Rs 1.13 trillion (US$18.22 billion) “Digital India Initiative.” The two sides also agreed to hold a meeting of the U.S.-India Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Working Group in India later this year.

• Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani

has launched the National Web Portal for the promotion of a National Apprenticeship Scheme for graduates, diploma holders and 10+2 pass-outs vocational certificate holders, with a view to bridge the gap between students and the industry.

• The Government of Telangana has begun construction of a technology incubator in Hyderabad — dubbed T-Hub — to reposition the city as a technology destination.

The state government is initially investing $5.3 million to set up a 60,000 sq ft space, labelled the largest start-up incubator in the county, at the campus of International Institute of Information Technology-Hyderabad (IIIT-H).

Once completed, the project is proposed to be the world’s biggest start-up incubator, housing 1,000 start-ups.

• Bengaluru has received $2.6 billion in venture capital (VC) investments in 2014, making it the fifth largest recipient globally during the year, an indication of the growing vibrancy of its start-up ecosystem. Among

countries, India received the third highest VC funding worth $4.6 billion.

India is the topmost outsourcing destination for IT companies across the world. Having proven its capabilities in delivering both on-shore and off-shore services to global clients, emerging technologies now offer an entire new gamut of opportunities for top IT firms in India.

Social, mobility, analytics and cloud (SMAC) are collectively expected to offer a $1 trillion opportunity. Cloud represents the largest opportunity under SMAC, expected to increase at a CAGR of approximately 30 per cent to around $650 to 700 billion by 2020.

The social media is the second most lucrative segment for IT firms, offering a $250 billion market opportunity by 2020. The Indian e-commerce segment is $12 billion in size and is witnessing strong growth and thereby offers another attractive avenue for IT companies to develop products and services to cater to the high growth consumer segment. — Courtesy: IBEF

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HIGHLIGHTS • The Indian government has taken several steps to make India a global tourism hub • As many as 4.48 million tourists visited India during January-July 2015 • Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) between JanuaryJuly 2015 were $11.41 billion • During April 2000-May 2015, tourism & hospitality sector attracted around $8.1 billion of FDI • Medical tourism market in India is projected to reach $3.9 billion this year

• US-based Vantage Hospitality Group has signed a franchise agreement with India-based Miraya Hotel Management to establish its mid-market brands in the country.

• Thai firm Onyx Hospitality and Kingsbridge India hotel asset management firm have set up a joint venture (JV) to open seven hotels in the country by 2018 for which the JV will raise $100 million.

• ITC is planning to invest about $1.42 billion in the next three to four years to expand its hotel portfolio to 150 hotels. ITC will launch five other hotels - in Mahabalipuram, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Colombo - by 2018.

• Goldman Sachs, New-York based multinational investment banking fund, has invested $40.37 million in Vatika Hotels.

• Japanese conglomerate SoftBank will lead the $95.6 million funding round in Gurgaon based OYO Rooms.

• MakeMyTrip will acquire the travel planning website Mygola and its assets for an undisclosed sum, and will together look to focus on innovating the online travel segment.

Government Initiatives The Indian government has realised the country’s potential in the tourism industry and has taken several steps to make India a global tourism hub.

Some of the major initiatives taken by the Government of India to give a boost to the tourism and hospitality sector of India are as follows:

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• Government of India plans to cover 150 countries under e-visa scheme by the end of the year besides opening an airport in the NCR region in order to ease the pressure on Delhi airport.

• The Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) scheme enabled by Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA), launched by the Government of India on November 27, 2014 for 43 countries has led to sharp growth in usage of the facility. During the month of July, 2015 a total of 21,476 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 2,462 during the month of July, 2014 registering a growth of 772.3 per cent. During January-July, 2015 a total of 1,47,690 tourist arrived on e-Tourist Visa as compared to 14,415 during JanuaryJuly, 2014 registering a growth of 924.6 per cent.

• The Government of India has set aside $79.17 million for the first phase of the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY). The 12 cities in the first phase are Varanasi, Amritsar, Ajmer, Mathura, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Vellankani, Badami, Amaravati, Warangal, Puri and Dwarka.

• Under ‘Project Mausam’ the Government of India has proposed to establish cross cultural linkages and to revive historic maritime cultural and economic ties with 39 Indian Ocean countries.

Road ahead India’s travel and tourism industry has huge growth potential. The medical tourism market in India is projected to reach $3.9 billion in size this year having grown at a CAGR of 27 per cent over the last three years, according to a joint report by FICCI and KPMG. Also, inflow of medical tourists is expected to cross 320 million by 2015 compared with 85 million in 2012.

The tourism industry is also looking forward to the expansion of Evisa scheme which is expected to double the tourist inflow to India.

Rating agency ICRA Ltd estimates the revenue growth of Indian hotel industry strengthening to 9-11 per cent in 2015-16.

India is projected to be the fastest growing nation in the wellness tourism sector in the next five years, clocking over 20 per cent gains annually through 2017, according to a study conducted by SRI International. — Courtesy IBEF

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Micro, small and medium enterprises strengthen inclusive growth in India MSME sector is a nursery of entrepreneurship, often driven by individual creativity and innovation. This sector is currently contributing 8 per cent of the country’s GDP, 45 per cent of the manufactured output and 40 per cent of its exports

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he micro, small and medium enterprise sector is crucial to India’s economy. There are 30 million enterprises in various industries, employing 69 million people. Together, these account for 45% of the industrial output and 40% of the exports.

Although 95% of micro, small and medium enterprise units are informal in nature, the contribution of the sector to India’s GDP has been growing consistently at 11% per annum, higher than overall GDP growth of 7-8%. Nationwide, Micro, Small and Medium enterprises (MSMEs) have been acknowledged as the engine of economic acceleration and for promoting unbiased progress. The finest benefit of this sector is employment generation for the development of Indian economy by increasing of standard of living of the people. In this background researchers made an attempt to study the role of small, micro and medium enterprises in inclusive growth of Indian economy.

The role of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the economic and social development of the country is well established. The MSME sector is a nursery of entre-

preneurship, often driven by individual creativity and innovation.

This sector contributes 8 per cent of the country’s GDP, 45 per cent of the manufactured output and 40 per cent of its exports. The MSMEs provide employment to about 60 million persons through 26 million enterprises. The labour to capital ratio in MSMEs and the overall growth in the MSME sector is much higher than in the large industries.

The geographic distribution of the MSMEs is also more even. Thus, MSMEs are important for the national objectives of growth with equity and inclusion. The micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector contributes significantly to the manufacturing output, employment and exports of the country. It is estimated that in terms of value, the sector accounts for about 45 per cent of the manufacturing output and 40 percent of the total exports of the country. The sector is estimated to employ about 42 million persons in over 13 million units throughout the country. Further, this sector has consistently registered a higher growth rate than the rest of the industrial sector. There are over 6000 products ranging from traditional to high-tech items, which are being

manufactured by the MSMEs in India. It is well known that the MSMEs provide the maximum opportunities for both self-employment and jobs after agriculture.

The MSME sector in India is highly heterogeneous in terms of the size of the enterprises, variety of products and services produced and the levels of technology employed.

While one end of the MSME spectrum contains highly innovative and high growth enterprises, more than 94 per cent of MSMEs are unregistered, with a large number established in the informal or unorganized sector. Besides the growth potential of the sector and its critical role in the manufacturing and value chains, the heterogeneity and the unorganized nature of the Indian MSMEs are important aspects that need to be factored into policy making and programme implementation.

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including khadi and village/rural enterprises are credited with generating the highest rates of employment growth and account for a major share of industrial production and exports.

They also play a key role in the development of economies with their effective, efficient, flexible

HIGHLIGHTS

• Contribution of the sector to India’s GDP has been growing consistently at 11% per annum • MSME sector is estimated to employ about 42 million persons in over 13 million units throughout the country • Government of India striving to improve the economic and social conditions of rural population through a host of measures • It also supplements the efforts of the State Governments through various initiatives

and innovative entrepreneurial spirit. The socio-economic policies adopted by India since the Industries (Development and Regulation) Act, 1951 have laid stress on MSMEs as a means to improve the country’s economic conditions.

The majority of people living in rural areas draws its livelihood from agriculture and allied sectors. However, the growth and balanced development of other sectors such as industry and services is also necessary to sustain the growth of Indian economy in an inclusive manner.

The Government of India is striving to improve the economic and social conditions of rural population and non-farm sector through a host of measures including creation of productive employment opportunities based on optimal use of local raw materials and skills as well as undertaking interventions aimed at improving supply chain; enhancing skills; upgrading technology; expandingmarkets and capacity building of the entrepreneurs/artisans and their groups/collectives.

The primary responsibility of promotion and development of MSMEs is of the State Governments. However, the Government of India, supplements the efforts

of the State Governments through various initiatives. The role of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (M/o MSME) and its organizations is to assist the States in their efforts to encourage entrepreneurship, employment and livelihood opportunities and enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs in the changed economic scenario. The schemes/programmes undertaken by the Ministry and its organizations seek to facilitate/provide: • Adequate flow of credit from financial institutions/banks • Support for technology up gradation and modernization • Integrated infrastructural facilities • Modern testing facilities and quality certification • Access to modern management practices • Entrepreneurship development and skill up gradation through appropriate training facilities; • Support for product development, design intervention and packaging • Welfare of artisans and workers • Assistance for better access to domestic and export markets and • Cluster-wise measures to promote capacity-building and empowerment of the units.

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Global pharmaceutical leader in the making The Government of

HIGHLIGHTS

India ‘Pharma Vision • The $20 billion Indian pharmaceutical industry is estimated to grow at 20 per cent CAGR over the next five years

2020’ is aimed at making India a global leader in end-to-end

• Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities registered with US FDA stood at 523 in 2014, highest for any country outside the US

drug manufacture.

Its pharmaceutical market size is expected to grow to

• India’s biotechnology industry is expected to reach $100 billion by 2025

$100 billion by 2025

• The drugs and pharmaceuticals sector attracted cumulative FDI inflows worth $13.34 billion between April 2000 and June 2015

T

he Indian pharmaceuticals market is the third largest in terms of volume and thirteen largest in terms of value. Branded generics dominate the pharmaceuticals market, constituting nearly 70 to 80 per cent of the market. India is the largest provider of generic drugs globally with the Indian generics accounting for 20 per cent of global exports in terms of volume. Of late, consolidation has become an important characteristic of the Indian pharmaceutical market as the industry is highly fragmented.

India enjoys an important position in the global pharmaceuticals sector. The country also has a large pool of scientists and engineers who have the potential to steer the industry ahead to an even higher level.

The UN-backed Medicines Patents Pool has signed six sub-licences with Aurobindo, Cipla, Desano, Emcure, Hetero Labs and Laurus Labs, allowing them to make generic anti-AIDS medicine Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) for 112 developing countries. The Indian pharmaceutical industry is estimated to grow at 20 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the next five years. Presently the market size of the pharmaceutical industry in India stands at $20 billion. As on

• Hyderabad, known as the bulk drug capital of India, accounts for nearly a fifth of India’s exports of drugs, which stood at $14.3 billion in 2014-15

March 2014, Indian pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities registered with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stood at 523, highest for any country outside the US. India’s biotechnology industry comprising bio-pharmaceuticals, bio-services, bio-agriculture, bioindustry and bioinformatics is expected to grow at an average growth rate of around 30 per cent a year and reach US$100 billion by 2025. Biopharma, comprising vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, is the largest sub-sector contributing nearly 62 per cent of the total revenues at $1.90 billion.

The Union Cabinet has given its nod for the amendment of the existing FDI policy in the pharmaceutical sector in order to allow FDI up to 100 per cent under the automatic route for manufacturing of medical devices subject to certain conditions.

The drugs and pharmaceuticals

sector attracted cumulative foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows worth $13.34 billion between April 2000 and June 2015, according to the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).

Some of the major investments in the Indian pharmaceutical sector are as follows: • Stelis Biopharma announced the breakthrough construction of its customised, multi-product, biopharmaceutical manufacturing facility at Bio-Xcell Biotechnology Park in Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia’s park and ecosystem for industrial and healthcare biotechnology at a total project investment amount of $60 million.

• Strides Arcolab entered into a licensing agreement with US-based Gilead Sciences Inc to manufacture and distribute the latter’s cost-efficient Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) product to treat HIV patients in de-

veloping countries. The licence to manufacture Gilead’s low-cost drug extends to 112 countries.

• The Apollo Hospitals Enterprise (AHEL) aims to add another 2,000 beds over the next two financial years, at a cost of around $226.26 million.

• CDC, the UK’s development finance institution, invested $48 million in Narayana Hrudayalaya hospitals, a multi-speciality healthcare provider, with an aim to expand affordable treatment in eastern, central and western India.

• Torrent Pharmaceuticals entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with Reliance Life Sciences for marketing three biosimilars in India — Rituximab, Adalimumab and Cetuximab.

• Piramal Enterprises Ltd acquired US-based Coldstream Laboratories for $30.6 million in an allcash transaction.

• Indian Immunologicals Ltd plans to set up a new vaccine manufacturing facility in Pondicherry with an investment of $45.25 million.

• SRF Ltd has acquired Global DuPont Dymel, the pharmaceutical propellant business of DuPont, for $20 million.

• Marksans Pharmaceuticals acquired US-based Time-Cap Laboratories, a manufacturer and marketer of solid dose generic pharmaceuticals, including private label overthe-counter medications, generic prescription drugs and nutritional supplements.

• Intas Pharmaceuticals is the first global company to launch a biosimilar version of Lucentis, the world’s largest selling drug for treatment of degenerative eye condition called Razumab.

The Government of India unveiled ‘Pharma Vision 2020’ aimed at making India a global leader in

end-to-end drug manufacture. Approval time for new facilities has been reduced to boost investments.

Further, the government introduced mechanisms such as the Drug Price Control Order and the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority to deal with the issue of affordability and availability of medicines.

Some of the major initiatives taken by the government to promote the pharmaceutical sector in India are as follows: • Indian and global companies have expressed 175 investment intentions worth $150.84 million in the pharmaceutical sector of Gujarat. The memorandums of understanding (MoUs) would be signed during the Vibrant Gujarat Summit.

• Telangana has proposed to set up India’s largest integrated pharmaceutical city spread over 11,000 acres near Hyderabad, complete with effluent treatment plants and a township for employees, in a bid to attract investment of $4.52 billion in phases. Hyderabad, which is known as the bulk drug capital of India, accounts for nearly a fifth of India’s exports of drugs, which stood at $14.3 billion in 2014-15.

• The government has planned to set up $75.4 million venture capital fund to boost domestic pharmaceutical industry and to provide cheaper loans to entities looking to establish or upgrade manufacturing facilities.

• Minister of Fertiliser and Chemicals announced that six pharmaceutical parks will be approved and established this year which will have sufficient infrastructure and facilities for testing and treatment of drugs and also for imparting training to industry professionals.

The Indian pharmaceutical market size is expected to grow to $100 billion by 2025, driven by increasing consumer spending, rapid urbanisation, and raising healthcare insurance among others. Going forward, better growth in domestic sales would also depend on the ability of companies to align their product portfolio towards chronic therapies for diseases like cardiovascular, anti-diabetes and anti-depressants.

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Biotechnology sector set for brisk growth The biotechnology sector in India is riding a significant growth wave on the back of its flourishing biotech companies and immense talent pool of professionals trained in the bio-pharma sector that are ready to cater to the surging global demand for biotechnology products

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he biotechnology sector of India is highly innovative and currently on a strong growth trajectory. The sector, with its immense growth potential, will continue to play a significant role as an innovative manufacturing hub. The sector has played a significant role in enhancing India’s global profile, as well as contributing to the growth of its economy.

India is among the top 12 biotech destinations in the world and ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region. It also has the second-highest number of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA)–approved plants, after the United States and is the largest producer of recombinant Hepatitis B vaccine. Out of the top 10 biotech companies in India (by revenue), seven have expertise in bio-pharmaceuticals and three specialise in agri-biotech.

India has no dearth of talent in biotechnology, as a number of institutions, both government and autonomous, provide the necessary opportunities for students seeking to obtain a degree in this field. The Government of India has provided adequate scope to this sector by providing facilities for Research and Development (R&D) in the field of biotechnology.

The Indian biotech industry holds a roughly 2 per cent stake in the global biotech industry, and the sector, made up of about 800 companies, is growing at an average rate of about 20 per cent. It is expected to grow from the current $5 to 7 billion to $100 billion by 2025.

Biopharma is the largest sector, contributing about 64 per cent of the total revenue, followed by bio services (18 per cent), bioagri (14 per cent), bio-industry (3 per cent), and bio-informatics, contributing (1 per cent).

The high demand for different biotech products has also opened up scope for foreign companies to set up base in India.

India has emerged as a leading destination for clinical trials, contract research and manufacturing activities owing to the growth in the bio-services sector.

India’s biotech sector has also attracted a significant amount of attention over the past two decades.

Several global companies have joined hands with Indian companies due to India’s strong generic biotechnology potential.

Some of the recent investments and developments in this sector are as follows: • Canada’s Centre for Commercialization of Antibodies and Biologics

(CCAB) has partnered with Zydus Cadilla to manufacture antibodybased cancer treatments.

• Shantha Biotechnics Pvt. Ltd. has started building a facility to manufacture Insuman, an insulin product to treat diabetes. French pharmaceutical company Sanofi SA, which acquired Shantha Biotechnics in 2009 through its vaccines division, Sanofi Pasteur SA, is investing Rs 460 crore (US$69.31 million) to build a facility that at full capacity, will produce 60 million Insuman cartridges annually.

• Hyderabad-headquartered vaccine manufacturer Indian Immunologicals Ltd. (IIL), part of the National Dairy Development Board, is setting up a new vaccine manufacturing facility in Puducherry, involving an investment of Rs 300 crore ($45.20 million). This is the fourth facility for IIL, which currently has two facilities in Hyderabad and one in Ooty.

• Bristol-Myers Squibb and Syngene International, the contract research subsidiary of Biocon, have announced a five-year extension for drug discovery and development collaboration in India.

• The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) through its Centre for Incubation of Technologies (BARCIT) has signed a Memo-

HIGHLIGHTS • India is among top 12 global biotech destinations, third in Asia-Pacific • Indian biotech industry accounts for 2 per cent of global biotech industry • At an average growth rate of about 20%, sector is set to grow to $100 billion by 2025 • India has emerged as leading destination for clinical trials, contract research and manufacturing activities • Sector attracting considerable foreign direct investment, propped by government initiatives

randum of Understanding (MoU) with M/s Veena Industries, Nagpur, for incubation of technology for biodegradable and edible films for food and pharmaceuticals packaging.

• Aurobindo Pharma announced that its Board of Directors has approved the proposal for setting up

a Joint Venture (JV) with Tergene Biotech, a vaccine development company based in India. Tergene is currently working on the development of the Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) through the use of novel vaccine technology compressing time and cost, thereby, making such a vaccine available at an affordable cost.

A network of technology centres and the promotion of start-ups by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) are among the steps taken by the Government of India to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the agro industry, proposed by the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) under a new scheme.

The Government of India has also adopted several initiatives to improve the biotechnology sector in the country, as well as offer enough scope for research in this field.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), along with other government funded institutions, such as the National Biotechnology Board (NBTB) and many other autonomous bodies representing the biotechnology sector, are working together in order to project India as a global hub for biotech research and business excellence. Some of the recent major initiatives are as follows:

• The Government of India aims to scale-up the number of startups in the biotechnology sector to 1,500 to 2,000 over next two to three years, from the current 500.

• The Government of India is planning to launch a venture capital fund of $154.3 million under the department of pharmaceuticals, to support start-ups in the research and development in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry.

• The Government of Karnataka plans to raise $7.69 million for a biotechnology-dedicated fund in addition to the existing Semiconductor fund of $15.39 million in order to engage with the emerging technology and biotech space in the state.

• CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (CSIR-IHBT) has signed an MoU with Phyto Biotech to formalise the transfer of technology, for production of the unique autoclavable super oxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme, used in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries for end-applications.

• DBT has announced Indo-Australian Career Boosting Gold Fellowships, under which it will support researchers to undertake a collaborative research project at a leading science institute or university in Australia for a period of up to two years.ww • DBT has allocated $0.69 million to the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) to support a national multi-institutional project entitled, “A value chain on jackfruit and its products.”

• Under the 12th Five Year Plan, the Government of India plans to strengthen regulatory science and infrastructure.

India currently has a marginal share in the global market for industrial enzymes that is estimated to reach about $4.4 billion by 2015. Hence, there is an opportunity in focused R&D and knowledge-based innovation in the field of industrial enzymes, which can innovatively replace polluting chemical processes into ecofriendly processes that also deliver environmental sustainability. Another interesting field of study is the area of bio-markers and companion diagnostics, which will enable optimising the benefits of biotech drugs.

India has all the ingredients to become a global leader in affordable healthcare. If there is an annual investment of $4.01 to $5.02 billion in the next five years, the biotech industry can grow to $100 billion by 2025, with a 25 per cent return on investment, and is set to achieve a growth rate of 30 per cent year-onyear. — Courtesy IBEF

SCIENCE

SLOW DOWN ENJOY THE RIDE

Astrosat: Now India has an eye in the sky Heralding a new era in astronomical research thanks to Astrosat, its newly launched space observatory, India is now self-reliant in studying radiation bands in space and knowing what is going on out there

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o help scientists intensify space exploration efforts by studying distant celestial objects and conduct deeper analysis of star systems, India launched its maiden dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory, Astrosat, on September 28, 2015 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre on board a PSLV-XL vehicle.

After the success of satelliteborne Indian X-ray Astronomy Experiment, launched in 1996, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) initiated the development of Astrosat as a full-fledged astronomy satellite in 2004.

The mission took 11 years of dedicated research and it aims to gather fresh data on the evolution of the universe. “This will herald a new era in astronomical research.

Astrosat marks a new era in astronomical research. So far, scientists

were dependent on data relayed by platforms manned by NASA or European Space Agency. Now, India has its own eye in the sky to study radiation bands in space that tell us about what is going on out there,” said K Kasturirangan who had initiated the Astrosat project as ISRO chairman.

Astrosat had a liftoff mass of around 1,513 kg and was launched into a 650 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 degree to the equator by PSL V -C30. After injection into the orbit, the two solar panels of Astrosat automatically get deployed in quick succession.

The spacecraft control centre at Mission Operations Complex of ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC) at Bengaluru will manage the satellite during its mission life.

The Rs1.8 billion Astrosat will spew data gathered by five instru-

ments on board. While the primary strength of Astrosat is in observing high energy events and objects through its strong X-ray toolkit, the instruments aboard Astrosat can observe a wider spectrum — from visible light to the ultraviolet and X-ray bands. This has been a limitation in most other telescopes set up in space by NASA also. The Astrosat telescope is not only more powerful but capable of gathering data within the X-ray bands - making it a perfect multi-tasker.

Till date, the Hubble Space Telescope, a NASA-ESA joint venture, has been the biggest space observatory in the world. Astrosat may only be one-tenth in size compared to Hubble but it makes India only the fourth country (after USA, Russia and Japan) to have an operational space observatory for astronomical observations of its own.

— (Courtesy: India Perspectives)

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An amazing digital expansion story

Digital India makes doing business in India much more convenient and opens up a whole new world of possibilities SANTOSH KUMAR

I

ndia has witnessed tremendous digital expansion in the past decade, experiencing an exponential growth of 100 per cent within a span of three years. Multiple platforms and tools have emerged giving dynamic opportunities for digital to thrive.

With the advent of smartphones, last year we saw 14.2 per cent growth of internet traffic through mobiles and tablets. To access the internet, consumers no longer depend on desktops or laptops, they are digitally active 24x7 with mo-

bile devices like smart phones and phablets. The mobile industry has witnessed a 20 per cent quarter on quarter growth in its internet usage.

Interestingly, more than 50 per cent of active internet users access internet over their mobile phones.

In 2013, out of 110 million mobile internet users, rural Indians accounted for 25 million; 85 million were from urban areas. Interestingly, across both urban and rural India, over 50 per cent of the active internet users are accessing internet on their mobile, apart from other sources, indicating that there has been a huge uptake in consumption of the mobile internet medium. Due to the increas-

HIGHLIGHTS ing demand in ‘Value for Money’ segment, the median price of a handset has fallen which has been attributed to the reduction in prices of phones with advanced features.

The rural mobile phone market has huge market potential, brands like Monsanto adopted SMS and IVR solutions to reach such users.

Digital Quotient (DQ) developed a large scale IVR system for Monsanto with outbound calling in multiple languages to overcome the challenge of communicating with the farmers due to connectivity and language barriers. This resulted in generation of more than three million customer calls for the brand.

The social media growth story is inspiring - given how in the last few years it has emerged as one of the most popular platforms with over 100 million active users. According to a recent Forbes article, “84 per cent of India’s Facebook users are

YOUR BIGGEST ROAD HAZARD IS IN YOUR HAND A TIMES OF OMAN HANDS-FREE DRIVING INITIATIVE

accessing the site from their smart phones. Facebook is customizing apps specifically for the Indian market. It recently rolled out a missed call capability, something that does not exist in the US. Facebook is also working with marketers in India to help businesses understand the word-of-mouth, advertising power of social media.”

Twitter is considered as the second most important channel due to the presence of majority of influencers like sportspersons, movie actors, artists and politicians. A trending topic on Twitter is perhaps one of the most coveted benchmarks. In DQ, twitter outreach campaigns have been done for more than 20 brands and have trended at both India and worldwide level which has helped brand not only harness reach but also spike in their brand conversations.

Although India is set to become Facebook’s biggest market in terms

• Social media has emerged as one of the most popular platforms with over 100 million active users • Facebook is customizing mobile phone apps specifically for the Indian market • Huge population size and demographics are the driving force behind the incredible growth of online retail • India’s $13-16 billion retail e-commerce industry is currently dominated by the travel sector • By 2017, India is projected to overtake USA to become the second largest smartphone market globally

of users but translating the same into ad dollars may not happen anytime soon. The biggest challenge for Facebook in India going forward would be to convert some of the companies to spend regularly on social media advertisement. Google also faces a similar challenge; it earns revenue around $330 million annually in India. Also, Google is not just a search engine network — it has YouTube for video ads apart from search based advertising and Google Plus - quite established even in a nascent stage.

When we look at the evolution of YouTube, the social video sharing platform, it was not as famous as it is today when it was acquired by Google. In 2009, it was a loss-making business for Google due to high operational costs and within a span of 4 years the tables were turned around.

It was estimated YouTube would earn ad revenues worth $5.6 billion by the end of year, for Google. The world of digital is increasingly adopting videos as a means of spreading the message virally. Videos consumption of significant proportion of youth is on a digital device and not on TV. The explosive growth of video advertisements and enhanced internet speed on smart phones has made video streaming convenient for its audience; its Indian audience grew an astounding 27 per cent in the past year. Local content is distributed mainly through the YouTube platform dominated by Bollywood.

Currently web, mobile, social and video are the major drivers of digital space. Indian digital market has a huge online population to cater, which in turn has boosted ad revenues, the total online ad spends for 2012-2013 was INR22.60 billion which accounts for 10 per cent of the entire Indian advertising budget. The youth in the country are enchanted by the web as they spend maximum time online via social network. Blogs are another fastest growing category on the web. This has scaled up advertisements making India the fourth largest searchers in the world.

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D I G I TA L I N D U S T RY

DIGITAL INDIA The Government has embarked on an ambitious INR1,130b (US$17.7b) Digital India program that seeks to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. It aims to expand rural internet coverage to 250,000 villages, and leverage information and communication technologies to deliver e-governace services.

of our survey’s respondentsexpect the Digital India initiativetohavea significantlypositive impactonattracting FDI to India.

83%

IMPACTOFDIGITALINDIABY2019 Internet access for all

An amazing digital expansion story Social media websites give e-commerce players diverse opportunities for attracting audiences and turning them into friends of brands/loyal customers.

Social media today is not just about getting maximum number of likes but is now more inclined towards audience engagement and positive dialogue. Companies are using social media to generate leads for sales and create recalls via targeted ads. Huge populationa size and demographics are the driving force behind the incredible growth of online retail in comparison with the traditional brick-and-mortar retail sector. India’s $13-16 billion retail e-commerce industry is currently dominated by the travel sector, which accounts for 70 per cent of ecommerce in India. Online consumer goods have attracted significant media attention as renowned global e-commerce firms such as eBay and Amazon seek to establish a more robust presence in the country.

The increasing need to deliver value and return on investment will demand more insights and innovation and there will be more specializations. Social media initiatives will become more integrated with marketing programs, customer service efforts, or with internal communications programs. Companies need to focus on supporting a coherent and sustainable social media strategy inclusive of the right data generating value and empowering employees to engage with communities.

With the fast paced technological development, organisations have to be flexible and adopt platforms that consumers are shifting towards.

Businesses will be challenged to

adapt to customers usage curve and deliver them with the content they want yet generate revenue streams while capturing market share and monetising emerging channels.

In the coming years, companies delivering integrated campaigns over multiple platforms will enhance value to marketers. We will witness a lot of mergers and acquisitions as the strategy is towards providing integrated services which is coming up as the mantra of surviving in the Digital market.

India is a thriving country with a large population that is still very young and adopting smartphones at a fast pace which leads to amazing opportunities for innovation in mobile internet. International Data Corporation (IDC) predicts that, by 2017, India will overtake the US to become the second largest smartphone market globally. The start-up is also growing rapidly, and venture capitals are starting to take note of the immense potential in the country.

The Make in India programme has played a critical role in kickstarting local manufacturing. It has given rise to initiatives that are designed to facilitate investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development, protect intellectual property and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure. This means that the various government departments respond even faster, making the process of kick-starting local manufacturing much easier.

This has helped to motivate companies to invest in India with local R&D and local manufacturing, among other efforts.

— (The writer is Co-Founder, Webitude and Head – Digital Marketing, Digital Quotient).

Broadband in

250,000 villages and universal phone connectivity

As many as

Wi-fi in

400,000

250,000 schools

public internet access points

and all universities; public wi-fi hotspots for citizens

Adoption and manufacturing of IT products and services India to be

leader in IT use in services — health, education and banking

E-governance and

e-services

Net zero imports

across government departments

by 2020

Empowering citizens with digital inclusion and job opportunities Digitally empowered citizens — public cloud and internet access

Job creation: Digital inclusion:

17 million trained for jobs in IT, telecom and electronics

17 million direct 85 million and at least

indirect jobs

Source: Department of Electronics & Information technology (DeiTY), Government of India

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Yoga — The Indian art of health and well-being

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he quest for tranquility and relief from the stress of daily activities has spawned a rapidly growing interest in Yoga worldwide. Yoga and meditation techniques channelise the mind, rejuvenate the soul and keep the body fit.

Yoga, the ancient Indian practice to attain physical and spiritual wellbeing is today one of the top tourism attractions in India along with health tourism and medical tourism.

Tourists, both foreign and local, are heading for Yoga centres to learn and master the awe-inspiring practices and lifestyle, once known only to ascetics. Tourists and travelers are able to contemplate and practice Yoga and meditation at centres nestled in the snow-capped Himalayas.

Yoga origins can be traced way back to the 4th century BC when Sage Patanjali, who put forward Yoga as a system of philosophy. Ashtang Yoga,

the common form of Yoga, comprises eight basic features, each with its own significance. They promote the universal disciplines like truth, selfcontrol, non-violence, human values of contentment, self-study, penance, cleanliness and surrender to God. The Asanas or yogic postures are performed to keep the body fit. Yoga is commonly practiced to cure specific problems or as a remedy against illness. It is known to cure ailments like asthma and arthritis. Regular practice of some asanas inculcates confidence and wards off depression in addition to making the body supple. Similarly, meditation helps a person to achieve positive and holistic health. Regular practice helps in developing awareness and the energy required to transform deep-rooted mental habit patterns. Chakra, yantra and mantra, the various forms of meditation, calm the mind through concentration and through a state of extreme absorption lead to peace and

empowerment. Every year Rishikesh hosts an International Yoga Week in February, attracting both Yoga experts and participants from around the globe. Another major attraction in Rishikesh is the Glasshouse on the river Ganga, once a private retreat of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal.

Although Yoga tourism is a recent phenomenon, for centuries India has captivated the minds of travellers with the sheer magic of its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, ancient shrines, grand monuments, bases for adventure activities, mountains, deserts, beaches, houseboats, lagoons, festivals, tourist attractions and health and medical tourism facilities.

There are nearly 50 India tour packages, highlighting one aspect or the other from the tourism perspective. Among these the Golden Triangle tour is one of the most popular ones. It offers the tourist the opportunity to visit popular tourist

destinations like Delhi, Jaipur and Agra. Most of these week-long tours start from New Delhi, India’s capital, and extend to Jaipur and Agra. The western state of Rajasthan with its imposing forts, castles, temples and other cultural relics figures prominently in most tour packages. The state showcases the rich ancient culture of India better than any other region. A combination of tour packages cover Alwar, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Pushkar, Bikaner, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Chittor, Ajmer and other places in the state. Thousands of pilgrims, visiting the country, also opt for religious tour packages like the Chardham Yatra, India Temple Tours, Amarnath Yatra, India Buddhist Tours and so on. Down south, Kerala has emerged as a centre for ayurveda tourism. Ayurveda is the ancient Indian system of medicine that evolved around 600 BC and stresses on prevention of body ailments in addition to curing them.

H E A LT H C A R E

Healthcare industry set to experience exponential growth

• Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd. acquired the entire 17.74 per cent stake of Punj Lloyd Limited in Global Health Private Limited, which owns and operates the Medanta Super Specialty Hospital in Gurgaon.

• CDC, a U.K.-based development finance institution, invested US$48 million in Narayana Hrudayalaya, a multi-speciality healthcare provider. With this investment, Narayana Health will expand affordable treatment in eastern, central and western India.

• Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited (AHLL), a whollyowned subsidiary of the Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, acquired Nova Specialty Hospitals at an estimated cost of Rs 135 to 145 crore (US$20.3 to 21.8 million).

• IHH Healthcare Berhad acquired a controlling 51 per cent equity stake in Hyderabadbased Continental Hospitals Ltd. for about approximately US$45.4 million.

• Sanofi-Synthelabo (India) Limited invested Rs 90 crore (US$13.52 million) in Apollo Sugar Clinics Limited (ASCL), a unit of its subsidiary Apollo Health and Lifestyle Limited.

• AHEL entered into a definitive agreement worth US$9 million to acquire a 51 per cent stake in Assam Hospitals Limited (AHL), which runs a 220-bed hospital in Guwahati.

• Carlyle Group acquired a stake in Metropolis Healthcare Limited, an operator of pathology laboratories in India, for an undisclosed sum.

Government initiatives India’s universal health plan that aims to offer guaranteed benefits to a sixth of the world’s population will cost an estimated Rs 1.6 trillion (US$24.03 billion) over the next four years.

Some of the major initiatives taken by the Government of India to promote Indian healthcare industry are as follows: • The Competition Commission of India (CCI) in its meeting has approved the proposed merger between Sun Pharma and Ranbaxy, subject to the parties inter alia carrying out the divestiture of their products relating to seven relevant markets for formulations.

• India and Sweden celebrated five years of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The cooperation in healthcare between India and Sweden will help in filling gaps in research and innovative technology to aid provisioning of quality healthcare.

• The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has launched the National De-worming initiative, aimed to protect more than 24 crore children in the age group of 1 to 19 years from intestinal worms, on the eve of the National De-worming Day. • Under the National Health Assurance Mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government would provide all citizens with free drugs and diagnostic treatment, as well as insurance cover to treat serious ailments.

• All the government hospitals in Andhra Pradesh would get a facelift at a cost of Rs 45 crore (US$6.76 million), besides the establishment of 1,000 generic medical shops across the State in the next few months.

• Mission Indradhanush launched by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, aims to immunise children against seven vaccine preventable diseases namely diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B by 2020. The government has set a target of 95 per cent immunisation cover by end of 2016.

• The E-health initiative, which is a part of Digital India drive launched by Prime Minister Modi, aims to provide effective and economical healthcare services to all citizens. The programme aims to make use of technology and portals to facilitate people maintaining health records and booking online appointments with various departments of different hospitals using the eKYC data of Aadhaar number.

Road ahead India is a land full of opportunities for players in the medical devices industry. The country has also become one of the leading destinations for high-end diagnostic services with tremendous capital investment for advanced diagnostic facilities, thus catering to a greater proportion of population.

Besides, Indian medical service consumers have become more conscious towards their healthcare upkeep.

India’s competitive advantage also lies in the increased success rate of Indian companies in getting Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approvals. India also offers vast opportunities in research and development, as well as medical tourism. To sum up, there are vast opportunities for investment in healthcare infrastructure, in both urban and rural India. — (Courtesy: IBEF)