Times of Oman - July 27, 2016

WEDNESDAY July 27, 2016 22 Shawwal 1437 AH

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HIS MAJESTY RECEIVES MORE GREETINGS

FROM THE WORDS OF HIS MAJESTY THE SULTAN

MUSCAT: His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said has received more cables of greetings on the 46th Anniversary of the Blessed Renaissance Day (23rd July). >A6

On the occasion of the 9th National Day, 1979

‘His Majesty’s Wisdom’ We believe that the time has come when the poverty and distress that afflicts so many millions of the people of this world must be the subject of concerted action by all nations.

Founded 1975 . Volume 41 No. 131 | 40 Pages . Baisas 200 . Subscription OMR63 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Company | Chairman/Editor-in-Chief: Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali | Printed & Published by Muscat Media Group

Rules relaxed on multiple entry visas

WA I T O V E R

New rules allow investors, tourists more time to scout Oman and spend money giving a boost to the economy

FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com

Oman’s National Museum to open for visitors from July 30 DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Wait is finally over as the National Museum of the Sultanate of Oman will be open to the public from July 30, Jamal Al Moosawi, acting director general of the museum said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The entry fee is OMR1 for Omani and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) nationals, OMR2 for residents in Oman and OMR5

for tourists. Children and students up to 25-year-old, handicapped people and Omani and GCC nationals, who are 60 years and above, will enjoy free entry to the museum.

During the first phase of opening the National Museum to the public, the museum will be open for four days a week (Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday), from 9am until 3pm, from July 30, until September 30, after which updates will be announced on opening it for more days in the

M A L AY S I A’ S M O D E L

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

Oman’s economic diversification plan gets green light Times News Service MUSCAT: Malaysia’s model of economic diversification will be the blueprint for Oman, after His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said approved the Sultanate’s latest non-oil based growth plan.

Oman’s National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification has received Royal approval and stems from His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s interest in addressing the issue and his directives to diversify the economy, Talal Sulaiman Al Rahbi, Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Planning, confirmed on Tuesday.

Non-oil sectors His Majesty the Sultan has been stressing the promotion of nonoil sectors of the economy and to find alternatives to support national economic and development efforts in Oman.

Al Rahbi added that the programme is taking place within the context of the implementation of the 9th Five-Year Plan endorsed by the Royal Decree No. 1/2016.

Its implementation will be according to a systematic plan managed by a team of Omani and international experts, working in collaboration with the

week. The ticket desk will close at 2:30 pm.

The total area of the museum is 13,700 square metres, including 4,000 square metres allocated for the 14 display halls—The Land and the People Gallery, Maritime History Gallery, Arms and Armour Gallery, Civilisation in the Making Gallery, Aflāj Gallery, Currency Gallery, Splendours of Islam Gallery, Oman and the World Gallery, Renaissance Gallery, and the Intangible Heritage Gallery among others. >A4

OMAN

Better to teach than raising traffic fines

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Social media has been abuzz after the Times of Oman reported that experts have called for stepping up traffic fines. Several people have presented their views on social media platforms, most people called for greater awareness, rather than raising fines. >A2

ASIA

Knife-wielding man kills 19 in Japan National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification receives Royal approval.

Malaysian Government through the Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) that reports to the Malaysian Prime Minister.

The Malaysian team is working directly with the Omani team, to ensure that Oman will benefit from the Malaysian economic transformation experience.

The National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification involves several steps.

These include the implementation of targeted “Labs” (working groups) during September and October of 2016, with the participation of officials and specialists from Government agencies and the private sector, along with civil society organizations and a number of academics. >A5

2

A knife-wielding man broke into a facility for the disabled in a small town near Tokyo on Tuesday and killed 19 patients as they slept, authorities said, Japan’s worst mass killing since World War Two. At least 25 other residents were wounded in the attack. >A11

MARKET

Omani firms log robust profit growth

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Oman’s major companies, which constitute the MSM 30 Index, have posted a robust growth in net earnings and revenues for the first half of the year, over the same period of last year. >B1

MUSCAT: Oman is relaxing its rules on multiple entry visas for certain countries in an effort to boost the economy.

As of July 20, people travelling from 38 countries to the Sultanate can now stay for three months at a time, rather than just three weeks.

Government officials hope the benefits of the extension to the visa will be two-fold — allowing investors more time to scout the country and giving tourists more time to spend money here.

Business leaders welcomed the news as a potential shot-inthe-arm to Oman but expats from India and other neighbouring

250.9 million Omani rial was earned by Oman from inbound tourism, according to the government’s web portal

countries — currently not included in the approved country list — feel they should also be allowed the benefit.

Inbound tourism to Oman in 2015 generated OMR250.9 million, according to the statistics from government web portal.

That’s almost double the income recorded in 2005, reflecting the growth in demand for Omani tourism.

A third of travellers to Oman

come for leisure and the rest for business, according to the official government statistics.

Tourists and investors alike faced fines under the old system, where they were allowed to stay for just 21 days on a first trip under the multiple entry visa.

The new three-month multiple visa means they can stay for two three-month periods within a year.

A media spokesman for the Royal Oman Police confirmed that the new rule was introduced on July 20 and anyone applying from a country on Oman’s Country list 1 would be able to obtain it, at a cost of OMR50.

Some 38 countries’ citizens are eligible for the new visa, including, the UK, most of central Europe, Ireland and parts of eastern Europe. India, Bangladesh and the Philippines citizens can apply for the extended visa but require a sponsor in Oman.

The decision was issued via the Ministry of Legal Affairs official website on July 19. There is no change in the cost.

“It was quite difficult for some visitors coming through multientry visa to finish their things in 21 days,” said the ROP officer, adding that the extending decision will enable such visitors to avoid paying fines in case they exceed the 21-day limit. >A4

MORNING MINUTE

Omran on track to deliver 900 new hotel rooms

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

OMAN

We don’t need rise in fines, that can only control the situation for a while but like some others are also saying that there is a need for education, awareness and proper training Ragheb, a resident of Oman

Better to educate than increasing traffic fines Most people called for greater awareness rather than an increase in the traffic fines in Oman, which happened to be the least in the GCC

DEEBA HASAN

deeba@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Social media was abuzz after Times of Oman reported that experts had called on increasing of traffic fines in the country.

Several people presented their views of social media platforms,

most people called for greater awareness rather than an increase in the traffic fines in Oman, which happened to be the least amongst all the GCC countries.

“This will not help at all, I think we need to educate people to follow speed limits and tell them that if they don’t do this it will have consequences, and I am happy to see that there are lots of such awareness videos and messages which are being put out to the people and this is the only way out. It’s true that people will get upset and angry once they learn that speeding fines might go higher but the authorities need to know that awareness makes people more responsible because if the drivers want they can speed at places where there are no cameras.” said Aziz, a resident of Oman.

Another person commented, “I think they should concentrate more on how to educate people to follow the basic road rules as most of the accidents happen because of the lack of common driving

knowledge. Radars will not help if I really don’t know how to use the side mirror before I jump to another track on the road and not keep safe distance.”

Some people were upset about such an idea, and one of them is Ragheb, “We don’t need rise in fines, that can only control the situation for a while but like some others are also saying that there is a need for education, awareness and proper training.

“When people are being taught driving it should be made sure that they know why are they being restricted not to do certain things and why are they being made to follow the rules, that is what will create safer roads.”

However some people think that rising fines might help, “People are always terrified of being fined, once they are fined they drive slowly and in control for a few days, if the fines are raised I think that will help the situation in the country as people really need to be told that enough is enough.”

R E G I O NA L A F FA I R S

said Dhahi, a Omani citizen.

These reactions were received after it was reported that experts had called to raise traffic fines in the country.

Oman’s range of speeding fines is far lower to that of the rest of the GCC countries as an OMR10 fine is imposed for those who exceed the speed limit between 15 to 35 kilometres per hour, while an OMR15 fine is realised for exceeding 35 to 50 km/hour beyond the speed limit. A fine of OMR35 is taken from those exceeding the speed limit by 50 to 80 km/hour.

In the United Arab Emirates, speeding fines range from DH400 to DH1,000 (OMR41.9– OMR104.8), Saudi Arabia’s fines start from SAR300 to SAR900 (OMR30.7–OMR92.3) while Qatar starts from QAR500 to QAR1,000 (OMR52.8–OMR105.7). Bahrain’s lowest speeding fine begins from BHD50 to BHD500 (OMR51– OMR510) while Kuwait starts from KD40 to KD100 (OMR 50.8 – OMR 127.2).

O M A N W E AT H E R

Thunderstorms expected in different areas of Sultanate: Met department withthunderstorms on Thursday and Friday.

Staff Reporter Muscat: Thunderstorms are expected to strike different areas of the Sultanate, according to a recent advisory issued by the Oman Meteorology Department.

Thunderstorms are expected on Wednesday in Buraimi, Rustaq, Ibra, Samail, Bahla, Ibri, Nizwa, Adam, Mudhebi, Sunaynah, Saiq, Sadah, Mhada, Yanqul, Bidbid, Dhalkut, Taqah, Jabal Shams, Al Hamra and Izki.

There will also be a gradual, but noticeable drop in temperatures,

along with windy conditions in those areas.

The Meteorology department has also predicted heavy rains in Dhofar region on Wednesday,

Isolated rains “Expect isolated rains and occasional thundershowers associated with fresh winds over the AlHajar Mountains and the adjacent willayat and desert areas of the Dhofar governorate on Thursday afternoon,” the forecast advises.

It also reportsthere is a chance of low clouds or fog forming in the eastern and central provinces of the Sultanate,as well as in the Dhofar region. Forecasts also pre-

dictthat winds containing dust will be seen over the desert and open areas of the Sultanate.

Of note, Dhofar governorate has receivedsignificant rain this Khareef season, according to reports.

Salalah station has registered 48.5mm of rain from June 21 to July 18, compared to 4mm recorded during the same period in 2015.

Also, according to records from the Khareef Salalah Survey 2016, the number of touristswho have visited Dhofar between June 21 and July 19 stood at 134,779.

Alawi highlights Oman’s political approach at Arab League summit NOUAKCHOTT: Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs affirmed that the Sultanate’s political approach in approximating views is the approach of the Omani leadership since His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said assumed power in 1970.

In response to a question about the concord, homogeneousness and tranquility being witnessed by the Sultanate under the wise leadership of His Majesty the Sultan, he said that all countries can enjoy what the Sultanate enjoys because there is nothing in the Islamic ideology or international laws or traditions that forces you to enter into conflicts unless you desire so. We are inspired by the Islamic ideology since Islam calls for good and not for evil.

Bin Alawi pointed out that since the beginning of the 70s, the Sultanate has been in a state of war with Omani and Arab communist organisations and that this war came to an end after about four years through approximating views, persuasion, and call for peace, stability and development and without the use of force. This means that it is an integrated approach emanating from our firm belief in dialogue.

As for the Arab affair, bin Alawi said, “It is true that the Arab world is experiencing severe weakness due to its geographic location, which makes it exposed to such complexities. When a man experiences such states of weaknesses, he should be ready to accept the external forces’ interference. He pointed out that the existing generation of the Arab world is experiencing unprecedented severe weakness.

He also pointed out that we have to measure and evaluate our

Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah. — ONA

stances very cautiously because at the beginning of each crisis, each party feels that he has more truth, power and right than the other party. Therefore, it is difficult to convince such party to give up his plans. Bin Alawi added that the Arab League said repeatedly that any Arab country should not be entangled in war and later calls the other Arab countries to find it an exit of the crisis that happened due to its failure to consult with others.

He affirmed that the Arab countries have started feeling the crises and that the current blessed summit may see the light at the end of the tunnel especially as the current conditions have greatly affected all the Arab world and the reality of the international community, which seems to be working hard to reach peaceful solutions for these issues.

As for the GCC states’ stances from the Iranian nuclear issue, bin Alawi pointed out that the GCC states’ general stance is that this is an international issue and not a regional one and that the 5+1 countries did not desire to have any party interfere in the Iranian nuclear file. — ONA

MINISTRY OF MANPOWER

Over 500 labourers arrested for violating Labour Law Over 500 labourers arrested

Total number of workers found violating Labour Law

584

268 absconded

67

Domestic workers

453

Commercial workers

Source: Ministry of Manpower

64

Farmers

Graphics

Times News Service MUSCAT: More than 500 labourers were arrested from different Wilayats in Oman for violating the Labour Law last week.

The Ministry of Manpower’s team discovered 584 labourers between July 17 and July 23 this year, who were found guilty of violating the labour law, of which 453 were commercial workers, 64 were farmers, while the remaining 67 were domestic workers.

Upon further inspection, 563 labourers had absconded, been re-

leased from their workplace, were referred to the ministry by a third party or were arrested.

The ministry stated that 268 labourers had absconded, while 254 were released by their employers and 41 were referred to the ministry by a third party.

The Muscat Governorate topped the list of arrested workers, with 222 of them being arrested, followed by the North Al Batinah Governorate which made 129 arrests.

The responsible authorities have adopted the necessary legal measures.

DISCUSSIONS

Meeting organised to start ferry service on Khasab-Dubai route MUSCAT: A joint meeting between the National Ferries Company (NFC) and the executive management of the Rashid Port was held in Dubai to complete discussions on technical and logistic details to operate the Khasab-Dubai route during the upcoming period.

The meeting reviewed and discussed all the facilities to be provided to the ferries in the event of starting the implementation of the journey programme between Khasab and Dubai.

Experimental journey The two sides agreed on the principle to carry out an experimental journey to Rashid Port to find out all the technical details that must be provided to the port’s berths.

The meeting touched upon the opportunities for NFC to take advantage of the international forums and gatherings in Dubai, especially at the Dubai International Expo 2020, which is considered one of the most prominent international exhibitions that attracts many visitors from around the world.

The management of Rashid Port expressed full readiness

to provide all the facilities required for the activation of the route between the Khasab and Rashid Ports.

Mahdi bin Mohammed Al Abdawani, chief executive officer of NFC said the Khasab-Dubai route is part of its regional expansion plan and falls within the framework of the partnership, cooperation and promotion of economic relations between the Sultanate and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially considering the growing tourism activity be-

tween the two countries in general and between the Wilayat of Khasab and the Emirate of Dubai in particular, as well as the desire of NFC to provide sophisticated transport services.

He praised the cooperation of the management of Rashid Port for the provision of facilities for an NFC fleet of ferries, especially now that the Rashid Port is in the process of transformation to become one of the best attractive destinations for marine tourism in the world. - ONA

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

OMAN

Our expectation in numbers for the first 12 months is about 120,000 and within two years we will reach a target of 150,000.

Jamal al Moosawi, Acting director general of the museum

H E R I TA G E A N D C U LT U R E

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Museum has first fully-equipped learning centre in the Sultanate

Besides these, there is a dedicated gallery for temporary exhibitions with an area of 376 square meters, which has been designed in accordance with international regulations and standards for such facilities.

The museum also contains the first fully-equipped Learning Centre in the Sultanate, and the first conservation facility, designed in accordance with the standards established by the International Council of Museums. In addition, the museum embraces an integrated infrastructure for special needs, such as including some captions in Arabic Braille.

It also houses the first open plan storage concept (Collections Gallery), where visitors can watch and live through all the different stages that the artefacts go through from inventorying; documentation; initial examination, to pre-entering conservation.

Pricing and Finances Speaking to the Times of Oman about the pricing, Al Moosawi said, “This ticket pricing has been closely coordinated on by the board of trustees, amongst who we have persons with international expertise and exposure. They have been determined after coordinating with various ministries within Oman and it was a joint decision to fix the prices that have been announced, for Omani citizens and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals it is OMR1 for adults,

OMR2 for expatriates who reside in Oman and OMR5 for those visitors, who are visiting Oman from abroad. “As you know Oman is an up-market tourist destination, it attracts the middle class and the upper middle class, people with high income and the prices have been set taking this into consideration. One of our objectives is to reach sustainability when it comes to our finances, to rely less on government funding.”

According to Al Moosawi, the year of austerity has not affected the museum’s vision. “That has not affected the museum’s vision in anyway, the museum had been planned many years in advance and now that it is about to open to the public, that cannot affect the establishment of the museum.

However, it poses challenges when it comes to managing and operating the institution, but these will be manageable.”

He also said the museum aims to attract 120,000 visitors during the first 12 months, “Our expectation in numbers for the first 12 months is about 120,000 and within two years we will reach a target of 150,000.”

12,583 artefacts Currently, the museum houses 12,583 artefacts, out of which 5,466 have been conserved and are on display, while 7,117 are still in stores.

The museum features 14 permanent galleries and a learning centre, conservation facilities, a cafe and a gift shop.

It is worth mentioning that the National Museum was established under a Royal Decree, issued on November 20, 2013 and His Highness Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq al Said, the minister of Heritage and Culture is the chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Omanisation ratio at government owned companies is low: Ministry Low percentage of Omanisation in companies owned by the government has been seen, especially in senior positions.

FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Percentage of Omanisation in the companies fully owned by the government is low, especially when it comes to high position jobs, the Ministry of Finance said in a circular.

The ministry addressed the

circular to the chairmen of the companies’ boards owned by the government. It also explained that under the efforts made to raise the production quality in the companies owned by the government and under the Oman Labour Law issued under a Royal Decree, a report has been tabulated by the State Audit Institution on evaluating Omanisation and the measures adopted by the companies to activate mechanisms to promote Omanisation. The ministry noted that a low percentage of Omanisation in companies owned by the government has been seen, especially in senior positions. The ministry also noted that there is no timeline to replace Omanis instead of expats at such companies. It also noticed the existence of employees over the age of 60, of which 72 per cent were expats.

Companies owned by the government have been directed by the ministry to follow the Labour

Law regulations to include details of employees in job contracts.

The job contract should include the work type, contract duration, basic salary and allowances, the notice period to terminate the job contract and the other terms and conditions.

The ministry also called on the companies to work on increasing the percentage of Omanisation in all positions, especially the higher ones through a timeline to reach the percentage of Omanisation approved by the board of companies.

The companies will also have to come up with a five-year plan to replace expats with nationals, which will have to be approved by the board of these companies and for another five years, where nationals will be prepared to become advisors. The ministry issued a circular on July 20, which was signed

by Darwish bin Ismail bin Ali Al Balushi, minister Responsible for Financial Affairs.

M U LT I P L E E N T R Y V I S A

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opportunities in Oman

Misuse of such facilities However, Al Ansi warned against the misuse of such facilities.

“It is an excellent decision but it has to have regulations. The decision also includes more countries than the 22 that are already determined. If you want to bring investors and experts, they have to visit the country, study the market and

FAHAD AL GHADANI

fahadnews@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Ministry of Finance has cancelled certain expense claims and premium cabin airline tickets for government employees.

The ministry has directed all public units, authorities and institutions to stop issuing travel allowances to employees assigned for work assignments inside the Sultanate that do not involve spending a night out of town. The minimum distance for the work assignment shall be not less than 250 kilometres, to qualify for a travel allowance, the ministry has ruled.

When a sponsor exists, the public unit, authority or institution shall pay 75 per cent of the allowance for the employee assigned for a work assignment abroad and 50 per cent for an internal assignment.

The ministry also stated that only employees using private vehicles during work assignment inside the Sultanate will be entitled to the travel allowance.

Business-class tickets shall be only issued for undersecretaries, advisors, experts, consultant doctors, specialised doctors, college deans, walis and general managers and the rest employees shall get

economy-class tickets while travelling on a work assignment, the ministry explained in the financial circular.

The ministry also called on all Public Units, Authorities and Institutions to follow the directions issued in the financial circulars.

It issued the circular on July 25, which was signed by Darwish bin Ismail bin Ali Al Balushi, minister responsible for Financial Affairs.

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OAMC

A1 Move to open up more In response to the ROP decision, Mohammed Hassan Al Ansi, vice-chairman of the Committee for Logistics and Transportation Affairs at the OCCI, welcomed the move, saying it will open up opportunities for investors to Oman and benefit the country’s economy.

Travel allowance entitlement rules revised

This will benefit the economy of the Sultanate and also make investors’ lives easier when considering the Sultanate in their investment asses the situation; three weeks wouldn’t be enough” said Al Ansi.

Saleh Saeed, the Head of the Economic Committee at the Majlis Al shura, said that this is a good move which will benefit the

country from two sides. “Investors will get enough time to study the market and get good ideas about the economy of the Sultanate. Moreover, this will make the tourists stay longer and perhaps spend more in the Sultanate,” said Saleh. He added that such a move is always welcomed.

“This will benefit the economy of the Sultanate and also make investors’ lives easier when considering the Sultanate in their investment,” said Saleh.

“I believe it is a good move but they should also look at letting the other, closer countries get the multiple entry visa,” said Anvwar Al Balushi, Chairman of Anvwar Asian Investment Group.

ARIME bags tender for duty free shop at Muscat airport MUSCAT: Oman Airports Management Company (OAMC) awarded the tender for the operation of the duty free shops at the passenger terminal at the new Muscat International Airport to Aer Rianta International Middle East (ARIME), one of the biggest duty free shops operator in the Middle East.

The company won the contract after tough competition with several international companies that provided their financial and technical bids to provide these services.

ARIME, the leading company in operating retail shops at international airports and operators of

ARIME will design and operate the 5,200 square metres area allocated for duty free shops at the Muscat airport duty free shops in many airports in Europe and the Middle East, will design and operate the 5,200 square metres area allocated for duty free shops, such as outlets for selling perfumes, cosmetics and jewellery. As per the agreement,

the operation will be for 10 years.

Sheikh Samer bin Ahmed Al Nabhani, General Manager of Commercial Operations at OAMC affirmed that OAMC is keen on doing everything possible to improve the passenger experience and make it unique when opening the new airport.

He added that the bid submitted by the winning company includes many novel ideas that would promote the marketing plan of the airport.

Muscat International Airport has broken the record in the number of passengers with more than 10 million passengers by the end of 2015. -ONA

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

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Omran on track to deliver 900 new hotel rooms New hotels include the five-star W hotel, five-star JW Marriott and 4-star Crowne Plaza

Times News Service MUSCAT: Three new hotels, providing more than 900 additional rooms, will open in Muscat by next year, cementing Oman’s continued growth as a tourism destination, Oman Tourism Development Company (Omran) has announced.

The hotels include the five-star W hotel currently under construction alongside the expansion of the Royal Opera House in the heart of the capital, as well as the five-star JW Marriott and 4-star Crowne Plaza located at the country’s flagship upcoming masterdevelopment; Madinat Al Irfan Urban Centre.

These hotels are set to increase the Omran’s business and luxury room supply, supporting the Sultanate’s strategic expansion of its leisure tourism and MICE industries, especially focusing on the country’s new iconic business hub; the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (OCEC).

Commenting on the significance of the new hotels, Eng. Said bin Mohammed Al Qasmi, Chief Project Officer, Omran and Head of Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre development, said: “The new business hub at Madinat Al Irfan Urban development is going to be extraordinary – a new urban fabric will be introduced into Muscat, offering a multitude of opportunities in Oman for residents and visitors alike. The opening of both JW Marriot at Crowne Plaza next year will continue the initial stage of phase one of this development, adding another dimension D I V E R S I F I C AT I O N

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Work

A1 groups to focus on key sectors These work groups will focus on the key sectors already selected as priorities in the economic diversification strategy, namely tourism, manufacturing, and logistics, as well as two fundamental cross-cutting areas – finance, and the labour market and employment. A second stage of the programme will cover fisheries and mining sectors.

The participants in these work groups will strive to translate existing national plans for economic diversification into practical, detailed programmes, finding solutions, initiatives, and detailed projects for immediate application, and then determining the parties responsible, the agreed resources, and funds required for implementation. They will also set specific timetables and performance indicators. The results of the working groups will be announced, and the programme for implementation will be published once approved.

There will also be a clear mechanism to monitor that implementation.

During the implementation of the programme, ideas, opinions and enquiries will be encouraged through community participation. This will contribute to enhancing the output and ensuring the best level of implementation for the projects.

Al Rahbi said by implementation of the National Programme for Enhancing Economic Diversification it would reinforce the existing efforts of government agencies and the private sector to implement their respective plans and strategies.

-With inputs from ONA

LEISURE TOURISM: These hotels are set to increase the Omran’s business and luxury room supply, supporting the Sultanate’s strategic expansion of its leisure tourism. – Supplied picture

to the Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre.”

He added: “By having these fantastic hotels on-site to complement the world-class OCEC facility, it means there are already assets on the ground at the Madinat Al Irfan Urban development.

Projects of this size often focus on doing a lot off-plan, but this is not the case with Al Irfan. We’ve begun phase one, and investors can see great progress and tangible topclass facilities already in place. Additionally, the combination of new hotel rooms and the exhibition and conference facilities so close to Muscat International Airport underlines the prominent role the MICE industry is going to play in the mixed-use vision for Madinat Al Irfan.”

The OCEC and the wider Madinat Al Irfan development are central to the Oman Government’s strategy to diversify the national economy. By creating a comprehensive mixed-use business and urban city, the Sultanate will create a major venue for regional and international events, developing Oman’s business tourism offerings and also providing the perfect place to support developing local talent. A mix of hotels are an integral part of this.

“The 304 room JW Marriott will be the most exclusive and prestigious of all planned hotels on the OCEC site, with the five-star prop-

erty providing the height of luxury and top service to visitors to OCEC and Madinat Al Irfan. The Crowne Plaza will be positioned as a fourstar hotel with 296 rooms, offering visitors a comprehensive experience including varied F&B outlets as well as a health and leisure club.

The two hotels will provide a dynamic choice for visitors, complementing the top level conference and exhibition facilities at OCEC with the outstanding hospitality expected of Oman,” Eng. Said Al Qasmi added.

The two properties on the OCEC site, the JW Marriott and the Crowne Plaza, are being built to the highest environmental sustainability standards and as with all projects under construction

by Omran and within OCEC, are designed to meet the criteria for the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the US Green Building Council.

Also conforming to LEED certification is The W Hotel, a high-end contemporary property located next to the Royal Opera House Muscat. Delivering a further 290 rooms to Muscat’s hotel supply, The W is part of Starwood Hotel Group’s portfolio and will bring the brand’s signature of combining the energetic, vibrant, forwardthinking and artistic attitude with the unique individuality of the destination.

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OMAN KHAREEF SEASON

Visitors to Salalah soar 39.9% MUSCAT: Number of visitors to Salalah until July 25, 2016 surged by a whopping 39.9 per cent compared with figures for the same period last year, according to statistics released by the National Centre for Statistics & Information (NCSI).

The total visitors rose to 215,128 as of July 18, from 153,780 visitors during the comparable period last

year. NCSI statistics show that as many as 39,949 visitors reached Salalah by air as against 175,179 visitors who arrived by land. Giving a break-up of the number of visitors by air, the National Centre for Statistics & Information report said the majority of them, numbering 26,150 arrived on domestic flights while international carriers brought in 13,799 visitors.

Significantly, during the period, visitors from the Sultanate registered a significant growth of 53.2 per cent with their numbers reaching 142,258 compared with last year’s 92,877 inland visitors.

Khareef visitors from the GCC (including Oman) swelled in numbers by 47.9 per cent to touch 176,211 as against 119,150 visitors in 2015. — ONA

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

OMAN SAYYID ASA’AD RETURNS HOME His Highness Sayyid Asa’ad bin Tariq Al Said, Representative of His Majesty the Sultan returned home yesterday after leading the Sultanate’s delegation in the 27th regular session of the Arab Summit in Mauritania. Sayyid Asa’ad and his accompanying delegation were received on their arrival by Sheikh Abdul Malik bin Abdullah bin Ali Al Khalili, Minister of Justice, Dr. Ali bin Mas’oud bin Ali Al Sunaidi, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sheikh Sa’ad bin Mohammed bin Said Al Mardhouf Al Sa’adi, Minister of Sports Affairs, the Chargé d’affaires of Embassy of Mauritania in the Sultanate and Saif bin Mohammed Al Abri, Secretary General of the Office of the Representative of His Majesty the Sultan. — ONA

Dhofar conference set to boost e-commerce Fourth international conference has been organised under the auspices of Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan Al Busaidi RAISING AWARENESS: Two-day event has been organised by OCCI branch in the Governorate of Dhofar. – ONA

SALALAH: An e-commerce Conference under the theme “epayment” was opened at Crowne Plaza Hotel Salalah yesterday.

The fourth international meeting has been organised under the auspices of Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar in the presence of Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon, Minister of Civil Service and some officials.

The two-day event, organised

by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI) branch in the Governorate of Dhofar, in collaboration with Middle East Centre for Social Consultancies and Studies, is held under strategic partnership with the Central Bank of Oman (CBO), the United Nations (UN) and Information

Technology Authority (ITA).

Abdullah bin Salim Al Rowas, head of OCCI branch in Dhofar said that the remarkable progress made by e-commerce in various countries of the world has been associated with many challenges and requirements especially the e-payment and the security required to process e-commerce

transactions. Dr. Ali bin Suhail Tabok, CEO of Middle East Centre for Social Consultancies and Studies said that the conference aims at promoting e-transformation and raising companies’ awareness of the importance of e-payment and its role in enhancing development and promoting e-commerce in the Sultanate and Arab world.

The conference covers a range of themes, such as e-payment concept, the legal framework for e-payment and its economic dimension, the security worries, the cybercrimes, the novel technological solutions and the most successful practices in e-payment.

The first day included two sessions as the first of which covered information security and its effect on the financial system, as well as the role of the CBO in developing the infrastructure for e-payment in the Sultanate. The second session included e-payment and the law. -ONA

R E N A I S S A N C E D AY

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HM receives more greetings

His Majesty received greetings cables from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmed Al Jabir Al Sabah, Emir of Kuwait, President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi of Egypt, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Prince Mohammad bin Nayef bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, KSA Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of

Interior, Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, First Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Supreme Commander of Bahrain, Prince Mohammad bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, KSA Deputy Crown Prince, Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Heir Apparent of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces and Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.

His Majesty also received cables of greetings from their highnesses, ministers, advisors, commanders of the Sultan’s Armed

Forces (SAF), Royal Oman Police (ROP) and other security units, honourable members of the State Council, members of Majlis Al Shura, undersecretaries, judges, the Omani ambassadors, heads of the diplomatic missions in the Sultanate, representatives of the international organisations and authorities, sheikhs, dignitaries and citizens.

Best wishes In their cables, they expressed their sincere greetings along with their best wishes of permanent health, wellbeing and long life to His Majesty the Sultan. They

hailed the great achievements made in the Sultanate under the wise leadership of His Majesty, praying to Allah the Almighty to protect His Majesty and grant him success to achieve further aspirations of his people and nation.

His Majesty the Sultan replied to the well-wishers on the occasion of this memorable day, expressing his utmost thanks and appreciation for their sincere greetings and best wishes, praying to Allah the Almighty for the return of this happy and similar occasions on Oman and its loyal people with welfare and prosperity. -ONA

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

A7

REGION Kerry likely to reveal plan on Syria in August The proposal would have Washington and Moscow share intelligence to coordinate air strikes against the Al Qaedaaffiliated Nusra Front CLOSE COOPERATION: US Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets Russia’s foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Vientiane, Laos on Tuesday. – Reuters

VIENTIANE/GENEVA: US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday he hoped to announce in early August details of a US plan for closer military cooperation and intelligence sharing with Russia on Syria.

Kerry, speaking after meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of a meeting of Southeast Asian nations in Laos, said there had been progress in recent days on moving forward with the plan.

The proposal would have Washington and Moscow share intelligence to coordinate air strikes against the Al Qaeda-affiliated Nusra Front and prohibit the Syrian air force from attacking moderate rebel groups.

In Geneva, UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura said he aimed to convene a new round of Syria peace talks toward the end of August, quietly scrapping a previous August 1 deadline while keeping some time pressure on the USRussia deal.

“Our aim, let me say very clearly, is to proceed with a third round of intra-Syrian talks towards the

end of August,” de Mistura told reporters after meeting US Syria envoy Michael Ratney and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov.

De Mistura said he strongly hoped Lavrov and Kerry would make concrete and visible progress because that would improve the situation on the ground and the environment for the peace talks, although such progress was not a precondition for talks.

More details of the US-Russia plan needed to be worked out in the next few days, he said.

Kerry has defended the proposal despite deep skepticism among top American military and intelligence officials, including Secretary of Defence Ash Carter and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford, over working with Russia.

“My hope is that somewhere in early August we would be in a position to stand up in front of you and tell you what we’re able to do with the hopes it can make a difference to lives of people in Syria

and to the course of the war,” Kerry told a news conference in the capital Vientiane.

During the discussions, he and Lavrov outlined the next stage of implementing the plan, including a series of technical-level meetings to address concerns by the US military and intelligence community.

Kerry’s State Department and White House allies say the plan is the best chance to limit the fighting that is driving thousands of Syrian civilians, with some trained IS fighters mixed in, into exile in Europe, and preventing humanitarian aid from reaching tens of thousands more.

A senior Western diplomat said the lack of transparency of the US-Russia talks was frustrating and - with increased targeting of civilians and hospitals on the ground - it was hard to foresee any deal. “The Americans are risking a lot for a deal that is as unlikely to be honoured as previous engagements the Russians have made,” the diplomat said. — Reuters

M I L I TA N T G R O U P

Bahrain to try scores of people next month DUBAI: Bahrain prosecutors said on Tuesday scores of people will stand trial next month on charges of setting up a “terrorist organisation”, espionage and armed attacks on police officers.

Bahrain has witnessed a series of bomb attacks since that the government says has killed nearly 20 police officers.

Investigation completed In a statement posted on social media, the public prosecutor’s office said it had completed an investigation into the organisation and transferred the case to court.

The prosecutor’s statement said a total of 138 suspects had been referred to courts on various charges, including contacts with a “foreign power”, possession of weapons and attacks on security forces. It said that 86 suspects were in custody while the rest were on the run. A criminal court is due to start hearing the case on August 23, the statement said. — Reuters

COURT SENTENCE

Two get death for killing army colonel in Saudi Arabia DUBAI: A Saudi court sentenced two men it said were Al Qaeda followers to death on charges of decapitating a Saudi intelligence service colonel in 2007, local media reported on Tuesday.

The men attacked Colonel Nasser Al Othman at his farm near the city of Buraidah in northern Saudi Arabia, tied him up and severed his head because they viewed him as an enemy, online news website sabq.org said, citing the court ruling.

Campaign of attacks Between 2003 and 2006, Al Qaeda carried out a campaign of attacks in the kingdom against Western and Saudi targets that killed hundreds of people.

Since stamping out the insurgency, Saudi Arabia has convicted and sentenced hundreds of people to prison or death for

militancy. It executed dozens on January 2.

In Tuesday’s verdict a third man was sentenced to 30 years in jail for attempting to kill the commander of emergency forces in Saudi Arabia’s northern Qassim region, Dubai-based Al Arabiya television channel said.

Initial ruling The court ruling, published by Al Arabiya on its website, did not identify the three convicted men.

A Justice Ministry spokesman confirmed the court verdict was an initial ruling which was subject to levels of appeal before it can be implemented.

Since 2014 IS militant group, like Al Qaeda a predominantly hardline group, has carried out attacks in the kingdom that have killed dozens and led to hundreds of arrests. — Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

INDIA India seeks peaceful solution to South China Sea dispute Minister of State for External Affairs

India believes that States should resolve disputes through peaceful means without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint

VK Singh said India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans

VK Singh Minister of State for External Affairs

BANGKOK: Identifying maritime cooperation as a key priority, India on Tuesday called for all stakeholders in the South China Sea issue to show “utmost respect” for the UN body that establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans as it sought peaceful resolution of the dispute.

Minister of State for External

Affairs VK Singh described the sea lanes of communication passing through the South China Sea as “critical for peace, stability, prosperity and development” and appealed to all parties in the matter to avoid any activity that could escalate tensions.

“India believes that States should resolve disputes through peaceful means without threat or use of force and exercise self-restraint in the conduct of activities that could complicate or escalate disputes affecting peace and stability,” he said, without naming

any country. “India has noted the Award of the Arbitral Tribunal constituted under Annex VII of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS) in the matter concerning the Philippines and China.

“As a State Party to UNCLOS, India urges all parties to show utmost respect for the UNCLOS, which establishes the international legal order of the seas and oceans,” he told the 14th ASEANIndia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Vientiane, Laos, referring to the tribunal’s July 12 rejection of Beijing’s claim over the strategic waters.

“India supports freedom of navigation, over flight and unimpeded commerce, based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in the UNCLOS,” Singh said while pitching for resolving the dispute through peaceful means.

His remarks came a day after US National Security Advisor Susan Rice visited Beijing for the first time after the tribunal verdict and held extensive talks with top Chinese civil and military officials besides calling on President Xi Jinping, who said China has no intention to challenge the present international rules and order

and will never seek hegemony.

Singh, in comments that also touched upon issues like terrorism and nuclear disarmament, identified maritime cooperation as a key priority in the current scenario.

“Maritime cooperation is today a key priority, especially following the adoption of the Statement on Enhancing Regional Maritime Cooperation at the tenth East Asia Summit,” he said.

He also announced India’s plans to host a second East Asia Summit (EAS) Maritime Conference in November this year following the success of the first such conference convened in the same month last year.

Singh called for deepening security cooperation based on an outright rejection of state-sponsored terrorism while de-linking religion from terrorism besides isolating those who harbour, support, finance or sponsor terrorists, without distinguishing between ‘good’ or ‘bad’ terrorists.

Buoyed by UNESCO’s decision to list Nalanda University as a World Heritage site earlier this month, Singh also pitched for a concerted effort in developing the varsity as an EAS hub for excellence in education. — PTI

END OF ERA

Veteran diplomat Arundhati passes away NEW DELHI: Eminent diplomat Arundhati Ghose, who was India’s ambassador to the UN and played a decisive role in India’s negotiations on Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), passed away late Monday night at the age of 76.

She was suffering from cancer and breathed her last at around 12:30am at her residence in Palam Vihar in West Delhi, a family member said.

During her illustrious career, Ghose had served in a number of positions including in Indian Missions in Austria, the Netherlands, Bangladesh, South Korea and Egypt. She was also the first Indian Permanent Representative to the United Nations Offices in Geneva.

Ghose was head of Indian delegation to the conference on the CTBT in Geneva in 1996 and she is hailed for strongly outlining India’s position in opposing the treaty. Vice President Hamid Ansari, condoling the passing away of Ghose, said she will be remembered for her services to the nation, including for her role as head of the Indian delegation at the CTBT negotiations.

Ghose, who was born on November 25, 1939, and grew up in Mumbai. — PTI

7 T H PAY C O M M I S S I O N R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S

Government notifies revised pay grades for employees and pensioners NEW DELHI: The government has notified a 2.57-time hike in basic salary of one crore government employees and pensioners following implementation of the 7th Pay Commission Recommendations.

The recommendations, which will cost the exchequer annually Rs1.02 lakh crore, were notified in a gazette on Monday. The minimum pay in central government with effect from January 1, 2016 will now be Rs18,000 per month, up form Rs7,000 per month. At the highest level of Cabinet Secretary, the salary would go up from Rs90,000 a month to Rs2.5 lakh. “With regard to fixation of pay of the employee in the new Pay Matrix as on 1st day of January, 2016, the existing pay (Pay in Pay Band plus Grade Pay) in the pre-revised structure as on 31st day of December, 2015 shall be multiplied by a factor of 2.57,” the notification said. There shall be two dates for grant of increment - January 1 and July 1 every year instead of the existing July 1 only.

Employees will be entitled to only one annual increment on either of these two dates depend-

ing on the date of appointment, promotion or grant of financial upgradation, it said.

The Union Cabinet had last month accepted the recommendation of Justice A K Mathur headed panel in respect of the hike in basic pay and pension but a decision on its suggestions relating to allowances has been referred to a Committee headed by Finance Secretary. The Pay Commission had recommended abolition of 53 out of 196 allowances that the government employees currently get and moderation in several others. “Till a final decision on allowances is taken based on the recommendations of this Committee, all allowances will continue to be paid at existing rates in existing pay structure, as if the pay had not been revised with effect from January 1, 2016,” it said The recommendations cover 47 lakh central government employees and 53 lakh pensioners.

This include 14 lakh serving employees and 18 lakh pensioners in defence forces.

The Committee will submit its report within a period of four months. — PTI

FA S T, F R E E D E L I V E R Y O P T I O N S

Amazon launches Prime membership service in 100 cities MUMBAI: Amazon.in on Tuesday announced the launch of its globally popular Amazon Prime membership programme in the country in more than 100 cities to enable free one-day and twoday deliveries to its customers.

Prime products will be delivered through the Fulfilment By Amazon (FBA) channel, which helps sellers by giving them access to Amazon’s fulfilment resources, fast, free delivery options for their products and customer service.

More powerful “For sellers, Fulfillment by Amazon is now an even more powerful opportunity to rapidly grow their business and at the same time, provide customers across India with vast selection and unlimited fast free Prime delivery,” Amit Agarwal, Vice-President & Country Head, Amazon India, said.

Along with unlimited free fast

delivery, Prime members can enjoy Prime Early Access, allowing members to purchase top Lightning Deals 30 minutes early, every single day.

Special opportunities Additionally, Prime members will have special opportunities to enjoy exclusive deals from brands and sellers, selected especially for Prime members, a statement from the company said.

Amazon.in is offering Prime at an introductory annual subscription fee of Rs499, a discount of Rs500 over the list price of Rs999 and is also overing an initial 60 day free trial. Prime members in 20 cities can also choose sameday, morning or scheduled delivery at a discounted fee of Rs50 per order on over 10,000 products. For deliveries to cities not yet eligible for one-day or twoday delivery, members will receive free delivery with no minimum purchase, it said. — PTI

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INDIA

Irom Sharmila to end fast, get married and fight polls The 44-year-old rights activist no

I will end my fast on August 9 and contest elections on an independent ticket. I will join politics and my fight will continue

longer believes that her fast will lead to the repeal of the ‘draconian’ Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts

Irom Chanu Sharmila IMPHAL: Sixteen years after starting her path-setting hunger strike demanding repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Manipur’s “Iron Lady” Irom Chanu Sharmila has decided to end her fast on August 9 and contest Assembly elections as an independent candidate.

The 44-year-old iconic rights activist, who has been forcibly fed through a nasal tube since 2000, said she would join politics as she no longer believes that her fast will lead to the repeal of the “dra-

Rights activist

conian” Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts (AFSPA).

“I will end my fast on August 9 and contest elections on an independent ticket,” Sharmila told the media after coming out of a local court where she is facing a trial for attempting suicide.

“I will join politics and my fight will continue,” Sharmila, who has refused to eat or drink anything

D E VA S - A N T R I X D E A L

since November, 2000 and is forcibly fed through a nasal tube in Imphal’s Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital, a special ward of which acts as her prison. Assembly elections in Manipur are scheduled early next year. In the past, many political leaders have met Sharmila and tried to cajole her into joining politics but she has rejected all offers.

She also expressed her desire

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to get married after coming out of prison on August 9.

The civil rights activist is known to have a boyfriend, a British national of Indian origin, who has in the past been in trouble with Sharmila supporters.

On the charge of attempting suicide by means of a fast unto death in 2006 at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, she has been arrested, re-

leased and then re-arrested from time to time. The maximum punishment under Section 309 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) is a oneyear jail term.

On November 2, 2000, an Assam Rifles battalion had allegedly killed 10 civilians in a village near Imphal.

Three days later, Sharmila embarked on her fast demanding revocation of AFSPA, which allows security men to even kill a person on suspicion without the fear of facing a trial in court.

Sharmila’s non-violent resistance has become a nucleus for collective protest against AFSPA in the northeastern states.

Her Gandhian-like struggle has won her several human rights awards including the 2007 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights, which is given to “an outstanding person or group, active in the promotion and advocacy of peace, democracy and human rights”.

International human rights organisations like Amnesty International have been demanding her unconditional release from prison. Many books have been written about her life while a short documentary ‘My Body My Weapon’ has also been made on the same. — PTI

VULNERABLE CLASS

Concern over changes in child labour laws voiced NEW DELHI: A UN body on Tuesday has expressed serious concern over the changes made in India’s child labour law which allows children to work in family enterprises and reduction of hazardous professions, saying it could lead to more children working in unregulated conditions.

Although UNICEF India welcomed the law which prohibits children under the age of 14 from working, it also expressed concern over the provision of children working in family enterprises as it could further “disadvantage” the most vulnerable children.

Referring to the 2011 census, which says that child labour rates in India are highest among Scheduled Tribes (ST) at 6.7 per cent and Scheduled Castes (SC) at 3.9 per cent, UNICEF India said that in both groups, children in rural areas are more likely to work than children from cities while many girls and boys working are forced to leave school. “The provision, ‘where the child helps his family or family enterprises, which is other than any hazardous occupations or processes set forth in the Schedule, after his school hours or during vacations’ raises serious concerns.” — PTI

AFTER STRONG CRITICISM

India loses arbitration Government forms team of experts case at The Hague to explore alternatives to pellet guns BENGALURU: India has lost the arbitration case in an international tribunal over its space marketing agency Antrix Corp annulling a contract with city-based private multimedia firm Devas and may have to fork out millions of dollars in damages.

A Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) tribunal based in The Hague ruled that the Indian government had acted “unfairly” and “inequitably” in cancelling the contract involving use of two satellites and spectrum.

The tribunal has found that the Indian government’s actions in annulling the contract and denying Devas commercial use of S-band spectrum constituted an expropriation, Devas Multimedia Private Ltd. said on Tuesday.

In its ruling on Monday, the PCA tribunal also found that India breached its treaty commitments to accord fair and equitable treatment to Devas’s foreign investors, the company said in a statement.

The PCA regularly administers cases involving states, including investment treaty claims brought under arbitration rules of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) officials here said they were yet to get details of the ruling. The deal had cost five senior ISRO scientists, including its former chairman G Madhavan Nair, their government jobs.

The ruling is the second by an international tribunal arising out of the cancellation of the DevasAntrix contract.

The unanimous decision included the arbitrator appointed to the tribunal by India, Devas said.

In September 2015, in a jolt to Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO, the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) arbitration body International Court of Arbitration had asked it to pay damages worth $672 million (Rs4,432 crore then) to Devas Multimedia for “unlawfully” terminating the deal five years ago on grounds of national security.

The Tribunal then had noted that Antrix had no legal justification to terminate the agreement and that Dr KR Radhakrishnan, who at the time of annulment, was Secretary, Department of Space and Chairman of ISRO, Antrix and the Space Commission, could have prevented the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) from approving the annulment.

CCS had annulled the deal based on the recommendation of the Space Commission on the ground that it was not in the security interests of the country. “It’s unfortunate that International court has come to such a conclusion. What we have to do this time is to pull up all our resources and fight out this issue in the appellate court, so that we can control the damage,” Nair said. — PTI

NEW DELHI/SRINAGAR: An expert team, headed by a Joint Secretary in the Union Home Ministry, was on Tuesday constituted to explore possible alternatives to pellet guns, amidst strong criticism against their frequent use in Jammu and Kashmir for crowd control.

Besides Home Ministry Joint Secretary TVSN Prasad, who will head the team, other members of the expert committee are Atul Karwal, IG, CRPF, Srinagar, Rajeev Krishna, IG, BSF, Rajesh Kumar of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Tushar Tripathy of Indian Ordnance Factory Board, Manjit Singh of Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh and Naresh Bhatnagar of IIT, Delhi.

Many youths have been injured in the last fortnight when Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel used pellet guns to control violent protesters.

The paramilitary force has received widespread criticism for the use of this category of nonlethal weapon, prompting Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to announce in Parliament that a committee will be set up to review use of pellet guns and find an alternative to it.

A Home Ministry spokesperson said the expert committee will submit its report within two months.

CURFEW LIFTED: People return to downtown Srinagar after authorities lifted a curfew in Srinagar on Monday. – AFP

The home minister had said one person died due to injuries caused by pellet guns while 53 suffered injuries in eyes.

The Central government had also sent a team of doctors to Kashmir Valley to treat youths injured due to firing by pellet guns.

Director General of Central Reserve Police Force K Durga Prasd on Monday expressed regret for injuries caused to youths due to firing of pellet guns in the Kashmir Valley and said it would continue to use this “least-lethal” weapon but only in “extreme” situations.

“Everybody feel bad when youngsters get hit. But still, we

will have to use it (pellet guns) in extreme situation as of now. We hope that any (extreme) situation does not arise (in future),” the CRPF chief said, ahead of the force’s 77th raising day on Wednesday.

Prasad said the CRPF is already experimenting with the other options under the less-lethal weapon category available globally.

Meanwhile, curfew was lifted from most parts of the tense Kashmir Valley on Tuesday, bringing much-needed respite to people 17 long days after it was imposed amid the worst unrest in years.

But fresh protests erupted in parts of Srinagar, the summer

capital of Jammu and Kashmir, and in south Kashmir despite continued restrictions on public gatherings.

Barring a few volatile places in south Kashmir, curfew was lifted from almost all over the valley, a police spokesman said.

However, restrictions on the assembly of four or more people continued in a bid to maintain law and order, the spokesman said.

Protests broke out in Malaknag area in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district in which six persons, including a woman, received pellet injuries in firing by security forces.

The curfew is likely to be imposed again on Wednesday amid fears of violence as separatists have called for a protest march to south Kashmir’s Kulgam district -- one of the worst hit areas in the current turmoil -- where they plan to address a public rally.

In Srinagar, as soon as the curfew was eased, people took to the streets shouting anti-India and pro-freedom slogans.

Incidents of stone-pelting protests also erupted at some places, including near the city centre Lal Chowk.

In some areas of old Srinagar, the protesters offered mid-day prayers on the roadside and pavements to defy restrictions on public gatherings. Police were deployed in large numbers. — Agencies

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

PAKISTAN HONOUR KILLING

US ENVOY VISITS STOCK EXCHANGE David Hale, US Ambassador to Pakistan, strikes the ceremonial gong during his visit to the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi, Pakistan, on Monday. — Reuters

Slain Qandeel was set to perform at Lux Style Awards KARACHI: Slain internet sensation Qandeel Baloch had committed to performing at the upcoming Lux Style Awards 2016 hours before she was strangled to death by her brother.

It has been revealed that LSA Talent Manager Maaz Ghazi was coordinating with the social media starlet.

Ghazi said he tried calling her several times on the evening of July 15 but she did not answer.

“Then she called back around 9 pm and I told her that we want her to become a part of the show.”

Opening act Ghazi said Qandeel was set to perform in the opening act alongside singer-actor Ali Zafar. “It was not a dance or singing performance. It was a short humorous skit that we had prepared,” he added.

He said they had then decided to also rope her in to sing at the event as well, considering Qandeel had recently released a new song.

“She had agreed but the very

ESPIONAGE CASE

Nasser Khan Janjua

Janjua in Iran with message from Nawaz

Qandeel Baloch

next morning we heard about her death.” LSA organiser Frieha Altaf was not available for a comment.

Special years LSA media manager Fareshteh Aslam could not be reached despite multiple attempts.

This is a special year for the awards as 2016 marks 15 years of Pakistan’s most prestigious award ceremony. — Express Tribune

2 military officials shot dead in Karachi amid crackdown Police said the soldiers, who belonged to an intelligence agency, were patrolling a crowded area of the

ISLAMABAD: Iran assured Pakistan on Monday that it would not allow a third country to sabotage relations between the two friendly neighbours following National Security Adviser Lt-Gen Nasser Khan Janjua’s talks with his Iranian counterpart and Iran’s interior minister in Tehran on Sunday.

Janjua arrived in Iran on a three-day visit to discuss the current regional security situation, Pakistan-Iran bilateral ties as well as other matters.

Seek cooperation Official familiar with the trip told The Express Tribune that Janjua was carrying a ‘special message’ from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the Iranian leadership. In the message, the premier is believed to have sought cooperation from Iran in preventing Indian intelligence agencies from using the Islamic Republic’s soil against Pakistan.

One source said Janjua would raise the issue of Indian spy Kulbushan Yadav, who was arrested earlier this year from Balochistan. Investigations revealed that Yadav operated from Iran’s Chahbhar port and often visited Balochistan and Karachi to carry out subversive activities. — Express Tribune

southern city when their vehicle was attacked

KARACHI: Gunmen on Tuesday killed two Pakistan army officials in Karachi, where paramilitary forces have been cracking down on extremist militants and criminal gangs for almost three years, police and media said.

The killings are the latest attacks in the busy port city of 20 million people riven by political, ethnic and sectarian violence, where one of the most popular singers of Sufi devotional music, Amjad Sabri, was shot dead last month.

Police said the soldiers, who belonged to an intelligence agency, were patrolling a crowded area of the southern city when their vehicle was attacked.

“The attackers were on a motorcycle and managed to escape through the congested narrow lanes,” senior police officer Raja Umar Khattab told Reuters.

Karachi police chief Mushtaq Mehar said one of the victims died and the other was in critical condition, but the death of the second

VIOLENCE: Police and soldiers secure the area around an army vehicle after two army personnel were killed by attackers on a motorcycle in Karachi, Pakistan, on Tuesday. — Reuters

was confirmed by a doctor at the city’s Jinnah Hospital, which received both bodies.

Better security in Karachi has been one of the showcase successes of the crackdown, although two

days before Sabri’s killing, the son of the provincial chief justice was kidnapped from an upscale shopping area.

He was rescued later.

Karachi’s murder rate fell by

half after the paramilitary Rangers, who answer to the Ministry of Interior and the army, launched the crackdown in 2014, targeting suspected militants and criminals.

Political activists have accused

the Rangers of heavy-handed tactics, including summary executions and targeting political parties.

The paramilitary force denies the charges. — Reuters

REPORTS

Inefficient power sector to figure high in negotiations with IMF ISLAMABAD: The government’s failure to stop the power sector haemorrhage during the last three years is going to be on top of the agenda in the last round of talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) under the $6.2 billion bailout package, which will begin on Wednesday in Dubai.

The government has met most of the targets set for the April-June 2016 quarter with the exception of curtailing the budget deficit to Rs1.292 trillion during the last fiscal year and notifying multi-year tariffs for three power distribution companies.

The multi-year tariffs could not be notified for the Faisalabad Electricity Supply Company (Fesco), Lahore Electricity Supply Company (Lesco) and Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (Iesco).

The IMF had set July 15, 2016 as

the revised deadline for notifying the tariffs, which the government missed. Despite that, the talks are expected to remain smooth and the IMF is likely to ignore the failures, according to sources in the Ministry of Finance.

This will be the last round of talks and its success will pave the way for release of the last loan tranche of about $102 million.

Conditions The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has met the conditions for increasing the Net International Reserves to $11.1 billion by June 30 and restricting the Net Domestic Assets to Rs2.731 trillion, say sources.

The structural benchmarks for notifying the income tax offences as predicate offences under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2010 and updating the circular

The International Monetary Fund had set July 15, 2016 as the revised deadline for notifying the tariffs, which the government missed

debt elimination plan have also been met.

Although the government claims to have reduced the budget deficit from 8.2 per cent of GDP in 2013 to 4.5 per cent by June 2016, one of the main sources of higher deficit – the losses incurred by an inefficient and poorly governed power sector – remains unaddressed.

The 4.5 per cent deficit, which was above the IMF target, did not

include Rs661 billion worth of circular debt.

The power sector, which was bleeding at the beginning of the IMF programme in September 2013, continued to bleed, but at a slower pace due to reduction in crude oil prices in the international market.

That, according to the sources, will remain a contentious issue during the last round of talks.

“The circular debt stood at over

Rs661 billion including Rs335 billion in arrears,” said an official of the Ministry of Water and Power.

“Even in the last round, there will be talks on how to eliminate the circular debt as the government has submitted a revised plan to the IMF on the 15th of this month,” he added.

Fared better In the last three years, the government has fared better in some areas by managing books, for instance, showing better foreign currency reserves by borrowing from the market.

However, in critical areas like taxation, energy and improving business climate it could not reverse the depressing trend.

The tax base in the just ended fiscal year contracted almost 15 per cent, although the govern-

ment claimed it had achieved the revenue collection target of Rs3.104 trillion.

However, there was marginal improvement in electricity bill recoveries and reduction in line losses.

It is the second circular debt elimination plan in less than a year that the government has submitted, as the 2015 plan could not be fully implemented.

The plan adopted in late 2015 included steps to improve collections and reduce operating costs, losses and price distortions in the tariff structure. In his communiqué to the IMF, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar admitted that one of the factors behind non-implementation of the circular debt reduction plan was “delay in the privatisation of power distribution companies”. — Express Tribune

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

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Knife-wielding man kills 19 at disabled centre in Japan At least 25 other residents were wounded in the attack at the Tsukui Yamayuri-En facility in Sagamihara town

SAGAMIHARA (JAPAN): A knife-wielding man broke into a facility for the disabled in a small town near Tokyo early on Tuesday and killed 19 patients as they slept, authorities said, Japan’s worst mass killing in decades.

At least 25 other residents were wounded in the attack at the Tsukui Yamayuri-En facility in Sagamihara town, about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Tokyo.

“This is a very heart-wrenching and shocking incident in which many innocent people became victims,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference in Tokyo. The suspect was a 26-year-old former employee of the facility who gave himself up to police. The man, Satoshi Uematsu, said in letters he wrote in February that he could “obliterate 470 disabled people”, Kyodo news agency reported.

He said he would kill 260 severely disabled people at two areas in the facility during a night shift, and would not hurt employees. “My goal is a world in which the severely disabled can be euthanised, with their guardians’ consent, if they are unable to live at home and be active in society,” Uematsu wrote in the letters given to the speaker of the lower house of parliament, Kyodo reported.

Uematsu was committed to hospital after he expressed a

CARNAGE: Police officers investigate at a facility for the disabled, where a deadly attack by a knife-wielding man took place, in Sagami-

hara, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan, on Tuesday. – Reuetrs

“willingness to kill severely disabled people”, an official in Sagamihara told Reuters. He was freed on March 2 after a doctor deemed he had improved, the official said.

Staff at the facility called police at 2.30am local time (1730 GMT Monday) with reports of a man armed with a knife on the grounds, media reports said. The man wore a black T-shirt and trousers, the reports said.

The 3-hectare (7.6 acre) facility was established by the local government. Surrounded by tree-covered mountains and on the banks of the Sagami River, it cares for people with a wide range of disabilities. The facility’s website said

the centre had a maximum capacity of 160 people, including staff.

Residents of Sagamihara said they were in shock. The last murder in the area was 10 years ago.

“This is a peaceful, quiet town so I never thought such an incident would happen here,” said Oshikazu Shimo, one of many residents of the town who gathered near the facility.

Taxi driver Susumu Fujimura said of the attacker: “He said ‘we should get rid of disabled people’ but he’s the worthless one.”

“That kind of person can’t defend themselves,” Fujimura said, referring to the victims. “That’s why so many died. It makes you

PROMPT ACTION

SUCCESSFUL RAID: Bangladeshi police petrol the area near the house where police killed nine suspected extremists in Dhaka on Tuesday. – AFP

Nine JMB militants plotting attack in Bangladesh killed DHAKA: Police in Bangladesh killed nine militants on Tuesday who were believed to have been plotting an attack similar to the one on a cafe on July 1 that killed 22 people, the national police chief said.

Police said the militants, holed up in a building in Kalyanpur on the outskirts of the capital, Dhaka, opened fire on officers as they tried to enter.

Banned group The militants, who shouted slogans as they battled police, were believed to be members of the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), a banned group that has pledged allegiance to IS militant group. “They were wearing black outfits, turbans and had backpacks ... similar to the outfits the attackers in the cafe had,” police chief Shahidul Hoque told reporters at the scene after the militants were killed.

“They were plotting a major attack in the capital like that in the restaurant.” One wounded militant was captured and another managed to escape, he added.

Prompt action spared Bangladesh from an attack, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said.

“They were preparing to carry out a terror attack,” she added.

“Our forces conducted the operation successfully upon getting intelligence reports.”

IS claimed responsibility for the cafe assault, one of the worst militant attacks Bangladesh has ever experienced, but the government has dismissed suggestions the group has a presence there.

Police said JMB was behind the attack by five young Bangladeshis on the upmarket cafe. Most of the 22 killed were foreigners and the five attackers were also killed.

“The militant who was detained claimed they were IS members, but we think they’re

JMB,” Hoque said. Dhaka city police chief Asaduzzaman Mia said police were questioning the owner of the building, from which they had seized 13 grenades and a huge quantity of explosive gel, among other weapons, ranging from pistols to commando knives.

Over the past year, Al Qaeda and IS have made competing claims over a series of killings of liberals and members of religious minorities in the nation of 160 million people.

While authorities have blamed the violence on domestic militants, security experts say the scale and sophistication of the assault on the cafe suggested links to a trans-national network.

IS has warned that violence would continue until law was established worldwide, saying in a video the Dhaka cafe attack was just a glimpse of what was to come. — Reuters

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weep to think of somebody just murdering them.”

The dead ranged in age from 19 to 70 and included nine males and 10 females, Kyodo said.

Police had recovered a bag with several knives, at least one stained with blood, a Kanagawa prefecture official said. At least 29 emergency squads responded to the attack, Kyodo reported, with those wounded taken to at least six hospitals in the western Tokyo area.

Such mass killings are extremely rare in Japan and typically involve stabbings. Japan has strict gun laws and possession of firearms by the public is rare.

Eight children were stabbed to

death at their school in Osaka by a former janitor in 2001. Seven people died in 2008 when a man drove a truck into a crowd and began stabbing people in Tokyo’s popular electronics and “anime” district of Akihabara.

A revision to Japan’s Swords and Firearms Control Law was introduced in 2009 in the wake of that attack, banning the possession of double-edged knives and further tightening gun-ownership rules. Members of a doomsday cult killed 12 people and made thousands ill in 1995 in simultaneous attacks with sarin nerve gas on five Tokyo rush-hour subway trains. — Reuters

SOUTH CHINA SEA

US supports resumption of Philippines, China talks VIENTIANE: US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday he supported the resumption of talks between China and the Philippines over the South China Sea, following an international court ruling against Beijing over the dispute earlier this month.

China did not participate in and has refused to accept the July 12 ruling by the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration, in which US ally Manila won an emphatic legal victory. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi had asked Kerry to lend his support for bilateral talks to restart between Manila and Beijing in a meeting between the two in the Laos capital of Vientiane on Monday.

“The foreign minister said the time has come to move away from public tensions and turn the page,” Kerry told a news conference. “And we agree with that... no claimant should be acting in a way that is provocative, no claimant should take steps that wind up raising tensions.”

Kerry said he would encourage Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte to engage in dialogue and negotiations with China when the two meet in Manila on Wednesday.

Kerry is due to travel to the Philippines later on Tuesday.

China’s dismissal of the court ruling as illegitimate presented a challenge, Kerry said. The international community, including the United States, sees the ruling as legally binding and a matter of law, he added.

“So we still have a task ahead of us, a challenge, which is to try to work going forward to make sure that we are resolving the issues through diplomacy and the rule of law,” he said.

China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam have rival claims. — Reuters

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READERS’ FORUM Need to control tailgaters also This refers to article Safety campaigners in Oman call for hike in speeding fines (July 25). Normally, I maintain a speed limit of 120130km/h when travelling from Muscat to Sohar. It is very irritating when a car being driven very fast comes right behind and start flashing headlights.

At the same time often on the right lane trailers are travelling at speeds off 80-100 km/h. Thus it is not possible to change the track, however, the person behind my car will start tailgating. Obviously by getting the irritation. In addition to the fine, there should be some arrangement like CCTV to Scan this QR code control tailgaters also. to send letters to the — Vijin P Chandran, via Facebook Readers’ Forum,

CHRISTOPHER WOOD

After his Liberal Democratic Party emerged victorious in parliamentary elections earlier this month, Shinzo Abe followed up with talk of a new stimulus package. Estimates of its size range from 10 trillion to 20 trillion yen far exceeding the 250 billion yen the Ministry of Finance has said is available for such purposes

containing not more than 200 words with full name, address and telephone number, may be sent by e-mail (akhtar@ timesofoman.com).

Year-round vigilance needed I refer the story More Than 300 beggars arrested in Oman raids ( July 26th). I appreciate this move, which is certainly going to hit hard on these beggars .Hope this kind of vigilance and raid continues round the year.

The arrested expatriate beggars must be sent back to their native countries without any further discussion or concern over the issue but the arrested Omanis who were found begging should be a matter of serious concern for the authorities. — Mohmmad Osama Rawat , Ruwi

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

“Insure with New India and be secure”

Tel: 24838800 | Fax: 24838899 | Email: niamct@omantel.net.om | Website: www.newindiaoman.com In a networked world, trust is the most important currency.

ERIC SCHMIDT

Vladimir Putin’s Olympic acrobatics N

ext Friday, Russians will be among the athletes gathering behind their national flags at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium. That was almost not the case. In the wake of revelations by the World Anti-Doping Agency about large-scale state-sponsored doping in Russia, the country avoided an outright ban by the skin of its teeth.

The International Olympic Committee’s decision not to ban all Russian participation, instead leaving it up to individual sports’ governing federations to review each athlete’s record and decide who can compete, has been met with dismay from some and relief from others. For Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has proved highly adept at turning even the worst international humiliation into a propaganda victory for the Kremlin, neither outcome would have been particularly devastating. To be sure, Putin considers the Olympics – and, specifically, medals – to be very important. Like his old Soviet masters, he conflates athletic glory with military glory. That is why he personally lobbied for Russia to host the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi; the unprecedented $50 billion price tag was well worth it, considering that Russia won the most medals. (It was Russia’s actions during the Sochi Olympics that form the core of the doping scandal.)

This is not to say that athletic glory substitutes for military glory. During the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing (at which it finished third in medals, after China and the United States), Russia grabbed the world’s attention with its brief war with Georgia. After Sochi, Putin, incensed by the ouster of pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, went for the geostrategic gold, annexing Crimea and installing separatist proxies in eastern Ukraine.

What about after Rio? Moldova, which has been making strides to align with the West, is rumored to be next on Putin’s hit list. Taking over Transnistria, a pro-Russia Moldovan enclave adjacent to Ukraine, would be economically challenging for a Russia that is still reeling from the Western sanctions imposed over Crimea. But it would also make a grand statement, and Putin thrives on grand statements.

Belarus is another potential victim of Putin’s

revanchist campaign. Run by the autocrat Alexander Lukashenko, who has held the presidency since 1994, the country is supposedly already in the Kremlin’s back pocket. But Lukashenko has long tried to play Russia against the West, to extract the best deals for his country. Since the annexation of Crimea, he has moved more purposely toward the West, though Russia’s recent move to curb oil supplies may be enough to force Lukashenko to rethink that policy.

For Moldova or Belarus, the revelations about Russia’s doping programme and the country’s near-ban from the Olympics could amount to very bad news, as Putin spins them to fit his narrative of persistent Western plotting against Russia. Indeed, the Kremlin and the Russian sports minister, Vitaly Mutko, have accused Grigory Rodchenkov, the former Russian anti-doping official turned whistle-blower, of being a Western stooge. Add to that NATO’s recent decision to send small military units eastward, in order to reassure Poland and the Baltic states, and Russia may well decide that now is the time to create a larger buffer between itself and the West.

Clearly, Putin, a former KGB agent, will not apologise for the doping scandal. As any spy will tell you, lying and cheating in the service of your country are not just acceptable; they are the entire point of the clandestine services. Fittingly, the state-sanctioned doping regime was overseen by the FSB (the KGB’s successor).

Like spies, strongmen have little affection for fair play – and Putin is both. No propaganda machine can function in a country where politics are free, fair, honest, and transparent. And propaganda is critical to enable a leader to consolidate power to the degree that Putin has.

But, in Putin’s view, he is no different from any other leader, democratic or otherwise. The recently leaked Panama Papers exposed the use of offshore bank accounts and shell companies to conceal wealth and avoid taxes by everyone from the prime minister of Iceland to the father of former British Prime Minister David Cameron. Putin’s close associates were just a few names on a long and varied list. - Project Syndicate

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES JULY 2001 Businessmen’s Council hails achievements MUSCAT: The Businessmen’s Council has praised the great achievements made in the Sultanate since the onset of the blessed Renaissance in 1970 under the leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said. Khalil bin Abdullah Al Khanji, the council’s secretary-general, said in a statement those achievements were a source of pride for the Omani citizens.

He said the council highly appreciated the planned projects envisaged in the Sixth Five-Year Plan. He said the council would discuss in its forthcoming session the proposed Commercial Companies Law, Omani Labour Law and Tourism Law.

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PICTOGRAPH

ADOLESCENT (15 - 19) BIRTH RATE IN OMAN (per 1000 woman)

1993

2014

61.8

65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30

TODAY IN HISTORY INVITATION TO WRITERS We invite our readers to write articles on topics related to Oman. The articles should not exceed 800 words.

Send us your article along with your picture to akhtar@timesofoman.com

25 20

1586: Sir Walter Raleigh returns to England from Virginia..

1663: British Parliament passes a second Navigation Act, requiring all goods bound for the colonies be sent in British ships from British ports.

11

15 10 5 0

1944: US troops complete the liberation of Guam.

1981: William Wyler, director of Ben Hur, dies.

Source National Centre for Statistics & Information

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

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GLOBAL EYE

CANADA: French professional tennis player Kristina Mladenovic plays air hockey with a fan in front of the USANA Health Sciences booth during day one of the Rogers Cup at Uniprix Stadium on Monday in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. — Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images/AFP

CALIFORNIA: Fire fighters battle the so-called Sand Fire in the Angeles National Forest near Los Angeles, California, United States, on Monday. — Reuters

SRI LANKA: A soft toy monkey is seen on top of an armoured vehicle inside the United States Navy’s “USS New Orleans” vessel at Colombo port in Sri Lanka, on Tuesday. — Reuters

CHINA: An aerial view of a flooded area in Xiaogan, Hubei province, China, on Sunday, in this picture released on Tuesday. — China Daily/via Reuters

RUSSIA: People walk at the Red Square in Moscow, Russia, on Monday. — Reuters

CALIFORNIA: Sage Erickson of the US surfs en route to winning her women’s heat in the first round of the US Open of Surfing at Huntington Beach, California on Monday. — AFP

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

GLOBAL EYE

KOSOVO: A man walks under an umbrella during a heavy rainfall on Mother Teresa square in Pristina, Kosovo, on Monday. — AFP

NEW YORK: Two boats in the East River pass by the Brooklyn bridge during a rain storm on Monday in New York City, New York,

US. —

Kena Betancur/Getty Images/AFP

POLAND: Pilgrims sing songs at the main square during World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, Tuesday. — Reuters

GERMANY: An aerial view shows people strolling through a crop circle on a field near Mammendorf, southern Germany, on Tuesday. The pattern has a diameter of 180 meters. - AFP/dpa/Sven Hoppe

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

A15

WORLD Priest killed in French church, IS claims attack a possible link. Former president Nicolas Sarkozy, who is expected to enter a conservative primary soon for next year’s presidential election, jumped on the latest incident to accuse the Socialist government of being soft on terrorism. “We must be merciless,” Sarkozy said in a statement to reporters.”The legal quibbling, precautions and pretexts for insufficient action are not acceptable. I demand that the government implement without delay the proposals we presented months ago. There is no more time to be wasted.”

The centre-right opposition wants the government to put all extremist suspects subject to a confidential security notice under administrative detention to avert potential attacks.

Knifemen entered the church during morning mass near the northern city of Rouen killing Father Jacques Hamel, an 85-year-old parish priest, and taking four other people hostage, one of whom was seriously wounded

SAINT-ETIENNE-DU-ROUVRAY (FRANCE): Assailants loyal to IS forced an elderly priest to his knees before slitting his throat and took several worshippers hostage in a French church on Tuesday before police shot the attackers dead.

It was the latest in a wave of attacks in Europe inspired by the extremist militant group based in Iraq and Syria that is on the defensive against a US-led military coalition in which France is a major partner.

The knifemen entered the church during morning mass near the northern city of Rouen, northwest of Paris, killing Father Jacques Hamel, an 85-year-old parish priest, and taking four other people hostage, one of whom was seriously wounded.

“They forced him to his knees and he tried to defend himself and that’s when the drama began,” Sister Danielle, who escaped as the

FATAL HOSTAGE DRAMA: French police officers and fire engine arrive at the scene of a hostage-taking at a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, France, on Tuesday that left the priest dead. — AFP

attackers slayed the priest, told RMC radio.

Police shot the attackers dead as they emerged from the church in the Normandy town of SaintEtienne-du-Rouvray. Speaking at the scene of the attack, President Francois Hollande said IS had declared war on France, which should “use all its means” within the law to fight the group.

The president called it a “dreadful terrorist attack” and told re-

porters the attackers had pledged allegiance to IS, against which France has launched air strikes in Syria and Iraq. “The threat remains very high,” Hollande said.

The White House condemned the attack and commended the French police for their “quick and decisive response.”

The attack was the latest in a string of deadly assaults including the mass killing in Nice, southern France, on Bastille Day

WIDENING CRACKDOWN

Turkish soldiers hunt remaining coup plotters ISTANBUL/ANKARA: Turkish special forces backed by helicopters, drones and the navy hunted a remaining group of commandos thought to have tried to capture or kill President Tayyip Erdogan during a failed coup, as a crackdown on suspected plotters widened on Tuesday.

More than 1,000 members of the security forces were involved in the manhunt for the 11 rogue soldiers in the hills around the Mediterranean coastal resort of Marmaris, where Erdogan was holidaying on the night of the coup attempt, officials said.

Erdogan and the government accuse US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen of orchestrating the attempted power grab and have launched a crackdown on his suspected followers.

More than 60,000 soldiers, police, judges and civil servants have been arrested, suspended or put under investigation.

The religious affairs directorate removed another 620 staff including preachers and instructors in the Koran on Tuesday, bringing to more than 1,100 the number of people it has purged since the July 15 coup attempt.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said two Turkish ambassadors, currently in Ankara, had also been removed.

Former Istanbul governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu was detained and his house searched.

“There is no institution which this structure has not infiltrated,” Erdogan’s son-in-law, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, said in a televised interview, referring to Gulen’s network of followers.

“Every institution is being assessed and will be assessed,” he said.

The response from the Turkish authorities would, he said, be just and not amount to a witch-hunt.

The coup attempt raised particular questions about the air force, some of whose senior members were deeply involved, and could lead to the re-investigation of past incidents including the downing by the Turkish military of a Rus-

PATRIOTISM: A woman waves Turkish flags as Pro-Erdogan supporters gather during a rally against the military coup at Kizilay Square in Ankara, on Monday. — AFP

Almost two thirds of Turks believe Gulen was behind the coup attempt, according to a poll released on Tuesday

sian warplane near the Syrian border last year, Albayrak said.

The incident provoked Russian trade sanctions but there are signs of rapprochement, with Turkey thanking Moscow for its solid support during the abortive putsch. By contrast it has frosty ties with Europe, which has criticised the post-coup crackdown, and with the United States, which it has urged to extradite Gulen.

Albayrak made the comments as the highest-level Turkish delegation since the downing of the jet visited Moscow and officials announced a planned meeting between Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin next month.

“Erdogan will be eager to send

a message to Washington and EU capitals that Turkey has other options,” said Tim Ash, a strategist at Nomura and a veteran Turkey watcher.

Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999, denies involvement and says the coup may have been orchestrated by Erdogan himself to justify a crackdown, a suggestion the president has roundly condemned.

One-man rule In an op-ed in the New York Times, Gulen wrote that if members of his “Hizmet” (Service) network had been involved in the attempted coup they had betrayed his ideals, saying Erdogan’s accusations revealed “his systematic and dangerous drive towards one-man rule”.

Almost two thirds of Turks believe Gulen was behind the coup attempt, according to a poll released on Tuesday.

The Andy-Ar survey showed nearly 4 per cent blamed the United States or foreign powers and barely 2 per cent blamed Erdogan.

On July 15 rogue soldiers commandeered fighters jets, helicopters and tanks to close bridges and try to seize airports. — Reuters

12 days ago and four incidents in Germany, most recently a suicide bombing at a concert in Ansbach on Sunday. IS has called on its supporters to take action with any available weapons targeting countries it has been fighting.

The anti-terrorist unit of the Paris prosecutor’s office is investigating the attack. Police said one person had been arrested.

Several French media reported that one of the knifemen was a local man who had spent a year in jail on his return from Turkey after being intercepted trying to travel to Syria, but had been freed on bail with an electronic tag pending trial for alleged terrorism offences.

The prosecutor’s office said the identification of the two suspects was still underway and it was too early to jump to conclusions about

Failed on security Far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen, who is also expected to run for the presidency, said both major parties had failed on security.” All those who have governed us for 30 years bear an immense responsibility.

It’s revolting to watch them bickering!” she said on Twitter.

Hollande insisted that the government must stick to the rule of law, which he said was the hallmark of a democracy.

Pope Francis condemned what he called a “barbarous killing”.

The attack heaped yet more pressure on Hollande to regain control of national security, with France already under a state of emergency 10 months ahead of a presidential election in which he is widely expected to seek a second term.

The Normandy attack came less than two weeks after a 31-year-old Tunisian, Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel, ploughed his heavy goods truck into a crowd of revellers in the French Riviera city of Nice, killing 84 people. IS claimed that attack. — Reuters

S PAT E O F AT TA C K S

Extremist terrorism has arrived in Germany: State PM ST. QUIRIN (GERMANY): Germany must face the fact that extremist terrorism has arrived and respond with tougher security and tighter immigration policies, Bavaria’s state premier said on Tuesday.

“Each attack, each act of terrorism, is one too many. Islamist (extremist) terrorism has arrived in Germany,” Horst Seehofer, a long-standing critic of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s open-door refugee policy, told a news conference.

“We need more security in Germany. People are riled up, full of fear, and that is completely understandable. They need reliable answers from politicians and not endless debates and justifications,” Seehofer said after a meeting of party leaders.

A spate of attacks in Germany since July 18 have left 15 people dead - including four attackers and dozens injured.

Two of the assailants had links to extremist militant groups, German officials say.

Two of the five attackers recently entered Germany from Syria, another was from either Pakistan or Afghanistan, stoking concerns about unprecedented immigration after 1 million migrants arrived last year, many fleeing conflict in the region.

Immigration and security are sure to be big topics in next year’s federal elections, where the clash between Seehofer’s Christian Social Union (CSU) and Merkel’s Christian Democrats (CDU) may undermine conservatives’ hopes of staying in power.

Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann told the news conference Germany should rethink rules that limit deportations of refugees for medical reasons, and significantly lower hurdles to deporting refugees who break the law. — Reuters

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

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Solar Impulse 2 completes first fuel-free round-the-world flight Solar-powered aircraft returned to Abu Dhabi after an epic 16-month voyage that demonstrated the potential of renewable energy

ABU DHABI: A solar-powered aircraft successfully completed the first fuel-free flight around the world on Tuesday, returning to Abu Dhabi after an epic 16-month voyage that demonstrated the potential of renewable energy.

The plane, Solar Impulse 2, touched down in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital at 0005GMT (0405 local time) on Tuesday.

It first took off from Abu Dhabi on March 9, 2015, beginning a journey of about 40,000km (24,500 miles) and nearly 500 hours of flying time.

Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, the Swiss founders of the project, took turns piloting the aircraft, which has a wingspan larger than a Boeing 747 but weighs no more than an average family car.

“More than an achievement in the history of aviation, Solar Impulse has made history in energy,” Piccard, who piloted the plane on the last leg, told a large crowd on landing.

Electric airplanes “I’m sure that within the next 10 years we’ll see electric airplanes carrying 50 passengers on shortto medium-haul flights,” he said in a statement.

He said the technologies used

ACHIEVEMENT IN THE HISTORY OF AVIATION: A solar-powered airplane, piloted by Swiss pioneer Bertrand Piccardis seen as it lands in Abu Dhabi to complete its world tour flight on Tuesday in the United Arab Emirates. – AFP/Solar Impulse 2/Jean Revillard

Unfavourable weather at times hindered smooth flying, causing the plane to be grounded for months in some countries. In all, the plane had 16 stopovers.

on Solar Impulse 2 could be used on the ground in daily life to halve emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas blamed for climate change.

The propeller-driven aircraft’s four engines are powered by energy collected from more than 17,000 solar cells built in the wings. Excess energy is stored in batteries.

Mental stamina The pilots also had to demonstrate the mental stamina required to tackle vast distances alone at a cruising speed of no more than 90 km (56 miles) per hour and altitudes of up to 9,000 meters (29,500 feet). “We were facing the oceans...

We had to build up this mindset,

not just the plane and technology,” Piccard told reporters.

For the two pilots, landing back where they started is only “the beginning of the continuation” of a longer journey, said Piccard, who in 1999 became the first person to circumnavigate the globe non-stop in a hot air balloon.

Aside from continuing to promote renewable energy, they plan to launch an international council to advise governments and develop new applications for clean energy technology. — Reuters

EPIC VOYAGE: Bertrand Piccard, right, and Andre Borschberg, left, pilots of the Solar Impulse 2 aircraft. – AFP

B

WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM W EDN ES DAY, JULY 27, 2016

OMAN CRUDE FALLS Oman Crude (September delivery) declined by $1.45 per barrel to $41.39 per barrel on Tuesday.

The average price of Oman Crude (August delivery) was $46.60 - $2.27 per barrel higher than July 2016 delivery. – ONA

MARKE

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH THE VIDEO

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

Major Omani firms log robust profit growth on lending rates due to competition.

The overall net profit of MSM 30 companies grew by 8 per cent to roughly around OMR361 million in the first half of 2016

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman’s major companies, which constitute the MSM 30 Index, have posted a robust growth in net earnings and revenues for the first half of the year, over the same period of last year.

The overall net profit of MSM 30 companies grew by 8 per cent to roughly around OMR361 million in the first half of 2016, said S. Suresh Kumar, head of research at Al Maha Financial Services.

He said the main reason for the better performance of the corpo-

rate sector was a robust growth in net earnings of banks. The net profit of conventional banks rose by 6 per cent on a quarter-onquarter basis, while it was 1.6 per cent in the first half over the same period of last year.

Banks’ profit All conventional banks in Oman put together made a profit of OMR91.08 million in the second quarter, against OMR89.24 million for the same period of last year. The locally incorporated conventional banks - Bank Muscat, National Bank of Oman, Bank

Dhofar, HSBC Bank Oman, Bank Sohar, Oman Arab Bank and ahlibank – have a major chunk of market share in Oman.

The Sultanate’s conventional banks have posted a 1.9 per cent growth in net (incremental) credit in the second quarter, over the previous quarter. In fact, the growth in credit slowed down in the first half, compared to the previous years. The growth is due to spill over from the previous quarter. Omani banks are likely to face challenges due to an increase in cost of funds and pressure

Industrial sector Kannan Rajagopal, general manager of the Global Oman Investment Company, said that the performance of industrial sector was better than earlier expectations. “I hope the industrial sector will do better in the coming months of the year,” added Rajagopal. The performance of services sector was also good.

Suresh Kumar noted that the better than expected performance of the corporate sector is not getting reflected on the market trend due to lack of liquidity. “Trading volumes are not picking up.”

The daily market turnover is just OMR2-3 million in recent weeks.

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ENERGY MARKET

Crude oil drops to three-month low LONDON: Oil fell to a threemonth low in New York as supplies were considered plentiful even as stockpiles were seen deepening a record pullback in the United States, the biggest fuel consumer.

West Texas Intermediate futures declined 1.3 per cent after falling 2.4 per cent on Monday.

While US crude inventories probably slid by 2.25 million barrels last week, gasoline supplies may have added 600,000 barrels, swelling stockpiles already at their highest in decades, according to a survey before a government report on Wednesday.

Crude has slipped more than 15 per cent since early June after almost doubling from a 12-year low in February as supply disruptions from Nigeria to Canada trimmed a worldwide surplus.

BP, the first oil major to report second-quarter results, missed analyst estimates as lower prices continued to erode income and refining margins shrank.

“We still have a little bit of downside room left,” Andy Sommer, an analyst at Axpo Trading in Dietikon, Switzerland, said by phone. While “we are pretty balanced in that $40 to $55 range,” there “could be bearish surprises on the supply side in the coming months.”

US stockpiles West Texas Intermediate for September delivery dropped as much as 71 cents to $42.42 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, the lowest since April 20, and traded for $42.56. The contract lost $1.06 to $43.13 on Monday. Total volume traded Tuesday was in line with the 100day average.

Brent for September settlement fell 42 cents, or 0.9 per cent, to $44.30 a barrel on the Londonbased ICE Futures Europe exchange, trading at a premium of $1.74 to WTI. The global benchmark crude fell 2.1 percent to $44.72 on Monday. – Bloomberg News

B2

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

MARKET SECOND QUARTER

Hyundai slides to tenth straight profit decline

IN REVERSE GEAR: The world’s fifth-biggest automaker, together with affiliate Kia Motors, said on Tuesday its April-June net profit slipped 2.6 per cent to $1.46 billion from a year ago. – Bloomberg News

SEOUL: South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor slipped to its tenth straight profit drop in the second quarter and warned of a tough second half in store as it soaks up stiff competition and shrinking demand for its mainstay sedans in the United States.

The world’s fifth-biggest automaker, together with affiliate Kia Motors, said on Tuesday its AprilJune net profit slipped 2.6 per cent to 1.66 trillion won ($1.46 billion) from a year ago. That was just below a consensus forecast of 1.67 trillion won from a poll of 19 analysts.

Over the past couple of years, the automaker has bet on new

versions of former hit sedans to help it reverse out of its long-term profit slowdown. But low oil prices have steered United States consumers - the firm’s second-biggest market - back to fuel-heavy sport utility vehicles and pickups, hitting Hyundai harder than peers like General Motors because of its sedan focus.

“We expect competition to intensify in the US market in the second half,” Zayong Koo, Hyundai vice president in charge of investor relations, told an earnings conference. Koo said sales incentives to coax buyers into showrooms jumped in the first half, without

saying how much the promotions cost Hyundai.

US sales dip “The quality of US sales deteriorated in the first half,” Koo said, noting Hyundai sold more vehicles for corporate fleets in the half - cars that carry lower profit margins. To offset the sedan weakness, Koo said, Hyundai has started production of Santa Fe SUVs at its Alabama plant, targeting annual output of 50,000 cars.

Hyundai warned its outlook for the second half had been made more uncertain by Britain’s June 23 vote to leave the European Union,

US expected to keep rates steady to check inflation ble signs of a rise in inflation before pulling the trigger on a rate increase. “There’s not a lot of reason to raise rates until inflation goes up,” said Kevin Logan, chief US economist at HSBC in New York.

The US central bank is scheduled to issue its latest policy statement at 2pm EDT (1800GMT) on Wednesday.

Central to the debate at the Fed’s July 2627 policy meeting will be how to reconcile upbeat US economic data, highlighted by strong job gains in June

SAN FRANCISCO: United States Federal Reserve is expected to keep interest rates unchanged this week, deferring any possible increase until September or December, as policymakers hold out for more evidence of a pickup in inflation.

Central to the debate at the Fed’s July 26-27 policy meeting will be how to reconcile upbeat US economic data, highlighted by strong job gains in June, with a global growth slowdown and other headwinds threatening the inflation trajectory.

For San Francisco Fed Presi-

dent John Williams, one of the 17 members participating in the central bank’s rate-setting deliberations, all that is needed is a bit more confidence that inflation is indeed headed toward the Fed’s 2 per cent target.

The inflation measure the Fed eral Reserveprefers to track is currently at 1.6 per cent.

With monthly job gains well above the level needed to prevent an uptick in unemployment, and no signs of a rise in productivity, some Fed policymakers are likely to argue for a quick increase in rates to avoid a surge in inflation.

John Williams. – Bloomberg News

“That is the danger - and you can be sure that the hawks are going to be arguing that,” said Alan Blinder, a Princeton University professor and a former Fed vice chairman. “I have a hunch that they will talking in July about September.”

Other policymakers, like influential New York Fed president William Dudley, have signaled they would rather wait for more tangi-

Headwinds The Fed raised its benchmark overnight interest rate in December for the first time in nearly a decade, and signaled four rate hikes were coming in 2016 as it moved to ‘normalise’ the ultrastimulative monetary policy adopted in response to the 20072009 financial crisis.

But headwinds in the global economy, financial market volatility and uncertainty over the impact of Britain’s decision to leave the European Union forced it to delay a rate hike and scale back the number of projected hikes to two for the year.

Still, absent a shock to markets

or a reversal in US economic data, even dovish policymakers like Dudley have signaled that their cautious approach to normalising monetary policy likely allows for at least one rate hike this year.

After Wednesday, the Fed has three more policy meetings scheduled this year - in September, November and December.

A November rate hike is seen as highly unlikely, as that meeting comes one week before the US presidential election. Economists expect the Fed to hold rates steady until after the election.

“Rate normalisation has fallen down the Federal Reserve priority list and will remain there until the dust is well settled on the financial markets and the economy,” Jefferies economists predicted in a note last week. - Reuters

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clouding business prospects. The firm also has problems at home: It suffered partial strikes for four days last week in a dispute with the trade union that represents most of its domestic workforce.

The automaker said revenue rose 8 per cent in the second quarter from the same period a year ago to 24.68 trillion won, while operating profit inched up 0.6 per cent to 1.76 trillion won during the period.

That reflected a 4 per cent increase in Hyundai’s global vehicle deliveries in the period to 1.29 million vehicles, driven by a rebound in China, the world’s biggest auto market. – Reuters STOCK MARKET

India plans rules to slow down high-speed trading MUMBAI: India’s markets regulator plans to introduce steps to slow down high-frequency trading in the next three months, according to its chairman.

The Securities & Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is considering mandating a fraction-of-asecond speed bump and alternating execution between computer and manual orders, chairman U. K. Sinha said in an interview at his office in Mumbai.

The regulator is also examining a proposal to prevent traders from canceling an algorithmic order until it is confirmed by the bourse, to counter the practice of seeing an order show up momentarily before it’s cancelled. “The worry about misuse or mishap because of HFT and co-location is not over,” Sinha said. “It’s an issue and we haven’t solved it yet.”

Sebi plans to come out with a discussion paper on the proposed changes within a month and could implement final guidelines in three months if no further consultation is needed, Sinha said. Also under consideration is randomising orders. – Bloomberg News

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

B3

MARKET

BP profit sinks 45% on sluggish crude oil price Refining margins were the lowest for the second quarter since 2010 and will continue to be under ‘significant pressure,’ BP said

LONDON: BP, the first oil major to report second-quarter results, said earnings fell 45 per cent as lower crude prices continued to erode income and refining margins shrank.

Profit adjusted for one-time items and inventory changes dropped to $720 million from $1.3 billion a year earlier, the company said Tuesday. That missed the $819 million average estimate of 13 analysts surveyed. Downstream earnings, which include refining, declined 19 per cent.

Refining margins were the lowest for the second quarter since 2010 and will continue to be under “significant pressure,” BP said. Although Brent crude’s rebound provided some relief compared with the first quarter, chief executive officer Bob Dudley still faces a difficult road ahead as the rally fades amid slowing demand growth and returning production from Canada to Nigeria. BP’s results are likely to be an indication of how the other oil majors will perform.

Brent averaged $47.03 a bar-

rel in the quarter compared with $63.50 a barrel a year earlier and $35.21 a barrel in the first quarter of this year. The decline that began in mid-2014 forced explorers to delay projects, cut billions of dollars of spending and eliminate thousands of jobs.

Spending outlook BP invested just $8.1 billion in the first half, allowing it to tweak its spending forecast for the year to less than $17 billion from “about” $17 billion, according to a statement. As well as cutting expenditure, Dudley is taking on more debt so he can continue to pay dividends, the company’s top financial priority.

At the end of the second quarter, net debt totaled $30.9 billion, up from $24.8 billion a year earlier. Net debt to capital, also called gearing, was at 24.7 percent, compared to 18.8 percent previously, according to the statement. The company announced a quarterly dividend of 10 cents a share.

Cost-cutting means BP will

NEW ROLE

HSBC appoints CEO for Mena region Times News Service MUSCAT: Georges Elhedery has been appointed chief executive officer for HSBC’s Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region and will join the board of HSBC Bank Middle East (HBME) as deputy chairman with immediate effect, subject to relevant regulatory approvals.

Elhedery joined HSBC in 2005 where he was global head of structured rates, then global deputy head of rates in global markets. He subsequently moved to Dubai in 2010, initially as head of global markets, Mena, then as head of markets and capital financing, Mena, before taking on his current role as head of global

Georges Elhedery. – Supplied picture

banking and markets, Mena, in June 2014.

Previously, Elhedery worked for Goldman Sachs in London, and Banque Paribas in Tokyo.

TELECOM

Ooredoo considering stake sale in StarHub DOHA: Ooredoo, the Qatariowned phone carrier, is considering selling its shareholding in Singapore’s StarHub, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

The company is working with HSBC Holdings to gauge potential interest in its stake in Singapore’s second-biggest phone company, the people said, asking not to be identified as the process is private. Ooredoo owns about 25 per cent of Asia Mobile, which in turn holds 55.8 per cent of StarHub, according to the Singapore-based company’s annual report. That’s equivalent to about

14 per cent of StarHub. Ooredoo, with operations in Southeast Asia spanning Indonesia to Myanmar, wants to sell its StarHub stake to focus on its core Middle East market and on faster growing markets, two of the people said. Singapore is planning an auction of additional frequencies this year to enable the entry of a fourth mobile carrier.

Officials from Singapore Technologies Telemedia, which owns 75 per cent of Asia Mobile, and StarHub declined to comment.

HSBC and Ooredoo didn’t immediately respond. - Bloomberg News

be able to balance cash flow with shareholder payouts and capital spending at an oil price of $50 to $55 a barrel next year, the company said. Benchmark Brent is currently trading below $45 a barrel.

Stock performance BP’s shares have risen 24 per cent in London this year following two years of declines. That compares to a 36 per cent gain at Royal Dutch Shell and a 2.4 per cent increase for Total.

Production for the second quarter was 2.09 million barrels of oil equivalent a day, 1 per cent lower than a year earlier.

Third-quarter output will continue to fall because of maintenance and the impact of a plant shutdown at a gas plant in the Gulf of Mexico, BP said.

Downstream earnings fell to $1.51 billion from $1.87 billion.

While oil’s lows had previously boosted income for BP’s refineries as they benefit from cheaper crude, margins have been contracting. Global refining margins averaged $13.80 a barrel in the quarter through June, and have dropped to $10.70 a barrel this month. - Bloomberg News

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ECONOMY

Central Bank of Oman issues treasury bills worth OMR26m MUSCAT: Treasury bills worth OMR26 million was allotted by the Central Bank of Oman (CBO).

The treasury bills have a maturity period of 364 days, from July 27, 2016 to July 26, 2017.

The average accepted price reached 98.646 for every OMR100 while the minimum accepted price arrived at 98.610 per OMR100. The average discount rate and the average yield reached 1.35757 per cent and 1.37621 per cent respectively.

Note that the interest rate on the repo operations with CBO is 1 per cent for the period from July 26 to August 1, while the discount rate on the Treasury bills discounting

of the government, which helps the licensed commercial banks to gainfully invest their surplus funds, with added advantage of ready liquidity through discounting and repurchase facilities (Repo) offered by the central bank.

facility with CBO is 1.75 per cent for the same period.

Treasury bills tender results are short-term highly secured financial instruments issued by the Central Bank of Oman on behalf

Local money market Furthermore, Treasury bills promote the local money market by creating a benchmark yield curve for short-term interest rates.

Additionally, the government (MOF) may also resort to this instrument whenever felt necessary for financing its recurrent expenditures. - ONA

B4

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

MARKET MSM index ends lower

OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ........................................5,816.09 .............. 5,805.83 ....................5,810.49 ....................5,812.16...................-1.67 .................. -0.03 Financial Index .....................................7,438.57 ...............7,426.52 ....................7,434.19 ................... 7,426.52.................... 7.67 ................... 0.10 Industrial Index ....................................7,445.47 ...............7,408.18 ................... 7,445.20 ................... 7,400.87................. 44.33 ...................0.60 Services Index .......................................3,190.65 ...............3,180.62 ....................3,183.21 ................... 3,192.86.................. -9.65 .................. -0.30 MSM SHARIAH INDEX....................... 887.01 ..................884.73 ....................... 887.01 ...................... 885.07.................... 1.94 ...................0.22 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 16,411,796 ...................3,772,637 .................... 990 ................17,060,935,131 ................ 15 ........................6 .................... 25 .........................46

Al Anwar Holding was top gainer on Tuesday, up by 3.19 per cent, while top loser was Sohar

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR TUESDAY, JULY 26

Power, down by 2.68 per cent ISIN ......................................SECURITY NAME ..................................................................VOLUME..... TURNOVER............TRADES ......OPEN PRICE......HIGH ............. LOW ........ CLOSE PR. ...PREV. CLOSE...DIFF (RO).........DIFF % .............LAST PR.....LAST BID .............LAST OFFER ........MARKET CAP.PAR VALUE

MUSCAT: Active selling by foreigners in index heavyweights led to improved turnover with the MSM30 Index closing at 5,810.49 points, down by 0.03 per cent. The MSM Sharia Index gained 0.22 per cent to end at 887.01 points.

Bank Muscat remained most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. Al Anwar Holding was top gainer on Tuesday, up by 3.19 per cent while top loser was Sohar Power, down by 2.68 per cent.

As many as 990 trades were executed on Tuesday, generating turnover of OMR3.8 million with 16.4 million shares changing hands. Out of 46 traded securities, 15 advanced, six declined and 25 remained unchanged.

Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR1.57 million worth of shares, while foreign investors were net sellers at OMR1.56 million followed

by GCC and Arab investors, who sold shares amounting to OMR19,000.

Financial Index had marginal gain of 0.10 per cent to close at 7,434.19 points. Al Anwar Holding, Al Izz Bank, Al Sharqia Investments, Al Madina Takaful and Al Batinah Development and Investment gained 3.19 per cent, 1.75 per cent, 1.43 per cent, 1.39 per cent and 1.14 per cent, respectively. Bank Sohar, HSBC Bank and NBO declined by 1.07 per cent, 1.01 per cent and 0.39 per cent, respectively.

Industrial Index advanced by 0.60 per cent to end at 7,445.20 points.

Galfar Engineering, Voltamp Energy, Oman Flour Mills and Al Jazeera Steel gained 2.91 per cent, 1.78 per cent, 1.72 per cent and 0.81 per cent, respectively.

Services Index closed at 3,183.21 points, down by 0.30 per cent. Al Jazeera Services, Oman Telecommunications Company and Port Services increased by 0.94 per cent, 0.92 per cent and 0.83 per cent, respectively. So-

har Power, Al Suwadi Power and Phoenix Power declined by 2.68 per cent, 2.06 per cent and 1.92 per cent, respectively.

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

OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 2,369,922...... 459,061................... 163 ............0.189 ........... 0.196 ...........0.189 ........... 0.194 ............. 0.188............ 0.006..............3.191.................0.195 .............. 0.195...................0.196...................33,950,477 .........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 1,227,448 ...... 129,806..................... 92 ............0.104 ........... 0.107 ...........0.104........... 0.106 .............0.103............ 0.003............. 2.913 ................0.107 ..............0.106...................0.107...................30,737,948 .........0.100 OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY ......................................................11,977 ............... 5,475......................18 ........... 0.448 ...........0.460 ...........0.448........... 0.458 .............0.450 ........... 0.008..............1.778.................0.456..............0.456...................0.464 ..................27,709,000 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ........... 280,186 ............39,912..................... 25 ............0.140 ........... 0.144 ...........0.140........... 0.142 .............0.140 ........... 0.002............. 1.429 ................0.142.............. 0.141...................0.142...................12,780,000 .........0.100

Emerging markets The MSCI Emerging Markets Index was little changed at 869.29 in London as energy and healthcare stocks retreated while utility and technology companies advanced.

Russia’s Micex Index slid 0.6 per cent, as energy majors Lukoil and Rosneft declined at least 1.4 percent each.

Shares in Saudi Arabia lost 0.7 per cent in their sixth day of declines, the longest losing streak since September. Brent crude fell 1 per cent, declining for a fourth day to $44.26 a barrel.

Egyptian shares advanced 0.5 per cent, rising for a third day, after the nation’s currency slumped to a record low in the black market due to the shortage of dollars and speculation grew that the central bank will weaken the official exchange rate.

"The huge drop in the pound is driving people to hedge against inflation that’s expected to rise to record levels," Sherif Shebl, an equities trader at Pharos Holding for Financial Investments in Cairo. "The economy is badly damaged, so people are buying dollars, equities, real estate, anything to protect themselves."

The Shanghai Composite Index climbed the most in two weeks, led by consumer companies, amid optimism China’s economy was stabilising. Hong Kong stocks closed at the highest level this year, with gambling companies such as Galaxy Entertainment driving the benchmark gauge on optimism of a revenue turnaround after Chinese travelers to Macau rose from the previous month. Emerging-market energy shares fell the most in three weeks. – United Securities/Bloomberg News

OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL.................................................6,000 .................. 438........................3 ........... 0.073 ........... 0.073 ...........0.073........... 0.073 .............0.072 ............0.001 ............. 1.389 ................0.073..............0.072...................0.073...................12,775,000 .........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING ........................15,500 ............... 1,374........................2 ........... 0.089 ...........0.089 ...........0.088........... 0.089 .............0.088 ............0.001 ..............1.136.................0.088..............0.088...................0.089....................2,670,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ............................................ 20,174 ............... 4,311........................3 ............0.212 ........... 0.215 ...........0.212........... 0.214 .............0.212 ........... 0.002.............0.943 ................0.215 ..............0.210...................0.214................... 13,097,714 .........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ..........................64,088 ...........105,719........................8 ............1.640 ........... 1.650 ...........1.640............1.650 ............. 1.635.............0.015 ............. 0.917 ................1.650 ..............1.640...................1.650................1,237,500,000 ......0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES .......................... 28,800 ...............3,293........................8 ............0.115 ........... 0.116............0.114 ............0.114 ............. 0.113 .............0.001 ............. 0.885 ................0.114 .............. 0.114................... 0.115 .................... 6,708,127 ..........0.100 OM0000001145 ............PORT SERVICES CORPORATION ....................... 218,943 ............52,941......................19 ........... 0.240...........0.246 ...........0.240 .......... 0.242 .............0.240 ........... 0.002............. 0.833 ................0.242..............0.241...................0.242 ..................22,999,680.........0.100 OM0000002176 ............AL JAZEERA STEEL PRODUCTS ........................ 499,300 ......... 124,861..................... 50 ............0.251 ........... 0.251 ...........0.250........... 0.250 .............0.248 ........... 0.002.............0.806 ................0.250..............0.246...................0.249 ..................31,224,490.........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING.............54,255 ............... 7,401..................... 10 ............0.136 ........... 0.137 ...........0.136 ............0.136 ............. 0.135.............0.001 ..............0.741.................0.137 ..............0.134...................0.136...................16,575,000 .........0.100 OM0000002549 ...........BANK DHOFAR ............................................................ 101,833 ............ 24,031........................4 ........... 0.235 ...........0.236 ...........0.235........... 0.236 .............0.235 ............0.001 ............. 0.426 ................0.236..............0.236...................0.240 .................401,011,530 ........0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE .................................87,500 ............24,500........................7 ........... 0.280...........0.280 ...........0.280 .......... 0.280 .............0.280 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.280..............0.282...................0.290 ..................28,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS .............................................................22,559 .............13,985......................11 ........... 0.620 ...........0.628 ...........0.616 ........... 0.620 .............0.620 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.616 ..............0.608...................0.616 ...................34,100,000.........0.100 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 170,000 ........... 33,495.....................20 ............0.198 ........... 0.198 ...........0.197 ............0.197 ............. 0.197............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.197 .............. 0.197...................0.199...................39,400,000.........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST .........................................................................4,611 ...............2,527........................4 ........... 0.548 ...........0.548 ...........0.548........... 0.540 .............0.540 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.548..............0.550...................0.556..................343,327,080........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY..................................... 20,000 ............ 36,093........................6 ............1.800 ........... 1.805 ...........1.800............1.805 ............. 1.805............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.805 .............. 1.700...................1.805..................161,908,500........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT .......................................................... 154,800 ........... 72,446........................9 ........... 0.468 ...........0.468 ...........0.468........... 0.468 .............0.468 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.468..............0.450...................0.468..................154,848,428........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ..................................... 15,007 ...................915........................4 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 ............. 0.061............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.061 ..............0.061...................0.062 ..................12,636,234 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............ 116,981 ............ 29,249........................9 ........... 0.250 ........... 0.251 ...........0.250........... 0.250 .............0.250 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.250..............0.250...................0.253....................5,250,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002168............AL ANWAR CERAMIC TILES ..................................15,154 ............... 3,501........................3 ............0.231 ........... 0.231 ...........0.231 ............0.231 ............. 0.231............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.231 ..............0.226...................0.231...................68,425,361 .........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 500,000...........92,000........................8 ............0.184 ........... 0.184 ...........0.184........... 0.184 .............0.184 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.184..............0.180...................0.184................. 262,206,650 .......0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 4,038,815 ...1,535,200...................263 ........... 0.380 ...........0.382 ...........0.380........... 0.380 .............0.380 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.380..............0.378...................0.380 .................948,575,098........0.100 OM0000003000 ...........ALMAHA PETROLEUM PRODUCTS MAR. .......10,000 .............14,850........................3 ............1.485 ........... 1.485 ...........1.485 ............1.485 ............. 1.485............ 0.000.............0.000 ................1.485 ..............1.480...................1.485 ..................102,465,000 .......0.100 OM0000003224 ...........RENAISSANCE SERVICES ..................................... 132,980 ............35,475.....................24 ........... 0.264 ...........0.267 ...........0.264 .......... 0.267 .............0.267 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.267..............0.264...................0.267...................77,603,823 .........0.100 OM0000003281............TAAGEER FINANCE .................................................. 30,000 ...............3,780........................3 ............0.126 ........... 0.126 ...........0.126........... 0.126 .............0.126............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.126 ..............0.120...................0.126...................31,952,340 .........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO.........................................................................12,500 ...............9,300........................6 ............0.744 ........... 0.744 ...........0.744........... 0.744 .............0.744............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.744 ..............0.740...................0.744................. 484,302,507 .......0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH.............................................. 700,000.........168,000........................3 ........... 0.240...........0.240 ...........0.240 .......... 0.240 .............0.240 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.240 ............ 0.240...................0.250 .................229,097,268........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER.................................................... 1,000 .................. 190........................1 ............0.190 ........... 0.190 ...........0.190........... 0.190 .............0.190 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.190..............0.186...................0.190..................128,228,612........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 346,290 ......... 160,679......................19 ........... 0.464 ...........0.464 ...........0.464........... 0.464 .............0.464 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.464..............0.464...................0.468...................24,360,000 ........0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN .....................................8,500 ...............2,168........................3 ........... 0.255 ........... 0.255 ...........0.255........... 0.255 .............0.256 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.391................0.255..............0.252...................0.255..................376,069,225........0.100 OM0000001517 ............HSBC BANK OMAN .................................................... 1,970,158 ...... 193,104..................... 29 ........... 0.098 ...........0.099 ...........0.098........... 0.098 .............0.099 ...........-0.001 ............-1.010................0.098..............0.098...................0.099..................196,030,653 ........0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR..................................................................96,335 ............. 17,857........................6 ............0.186 ........... 0.186 ...........0.185 ............0.185 ............. 0.187............-0.002 ........... -1.070................0.185 .............. 0.185...................0.186..................296,832,378 .......0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .......................................................5,461 ............... 1,037........................2 ............0.190 ........... 0.190 ...........0.188 ........... 0.190 .............0.194 ...........-0.004 ........... -2.062 ...............0.188 ..............0.188...................0.200 ................. 135,737,205 ........0.100 OM0000003711 ............SOHAR POWER.................................................................7,170 ...............2,084........................7 ............0.291 ........... 0.291 ...........0.290 .......... 0.291 .............0.299 ...........-0.008 ........... -2.676 ...............0.290..............0.285...................0.290 ..................64,313,910 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 13,364,247 3,411,056...................855 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......36........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000004511 ............ALIZZ ISLAMIC BANK.............................................. 995,587 ............57,664..................... 34 ........... 0.056 ...........0.058 ...........0.056........... 0.058 .............0.057 ............0.001 ............. 1.754.................0.058..............0.058...................0.059...................58,000,000 ........0.100 OM0000001400 ...........OMAN FLOUR MILLS ................................................. 12,758 ............... 7,527........................1 ........... 0.590 ...........0.590 ...........0.590........... 0.590 .............0.580 ............0.010 ............. 1.724 ................0.590..............0.594...................0.608 ..................92,925,000.........0.100 OM0000001152 ............OMAN NATIONAL ENGINE. INVT. ........................ 1,600 .................. 299........................1 ............0.187 ........... 0.187 ...........0.187 ............0.187 ............. 0.187............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.187 .............. 0.175...................0.187...................18,700,000 .........0.100 OM0000001566 ............OMAN FISHERIES ...................................................... 40,500 ............... 2,471........................7 ............0.061 ........... 0.061 ...........0.061 ........... 0.061 ............. 0.061............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.061 ..............0.061...................0.062 ................... 7,625,000 ..........0.100 OM0000002267 ...........GULF MUSHROOM PRODUCTS ................................ 200 .....................67........................1 ........... 0.334 ...........0.334 ...........0.334........... 0.336 .............0.336 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.334............. 0.000...................0.334 .................. 11,553,199 .........0.100 OM0000002564 ...........AL HASSAN ENGINEERING.................................... 14,700 ...............1,088........................2 ........... 0.074 ........... 0.074 ...........0.074........... 0.074 .............0.074 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.074..............0.074...................0.075.................... 5,565,392 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 148,384 ............11,266..................... 23 ........... 0.076 ........... 0.077 ...........0.074........... 0.076 .............0.076 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.076..............0.076...................0.077..................114,000,000........0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 1,830,392 ......280,839..................... 62 ............0.154 ........... 0.155 ...........0.153 ............0.153 ............. 0.156............-0.003 ........... -1.923................0.153 ..............0.154...................0.155 ..................223,778,023........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 3,044,121 ...... 361,221....................131 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........ 8........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

COMMODITIES

COMMODITIES

South Africa’s weak currency and Dry weather to affect new visa rules a boon for tourists India’s coffee output JOHANNESBURG: Tourists are flocking back to South Africa’s game parks, beaches and vineyards as a weaker currency and easing of visa rules make holidays cheaper and more accessible.

The number of visitors to South Africa from outside the continent increased by 19 per cent over the five months through May, the Tourism Ministry said on July 20. The surging popularity among travellers from markets including the United States and Germany can be largely attributed to a weak rand, according to the head of Africa’s largest hotels and casinos company, Tsogo Sun. “South Africa is on an absolute fire sale,” Tsogo chief executive officer Marcel Von Aulock said in an interview in Johannesburg this month. “We’ve always been a cheap destination relative to international markets,” and the falling currency has taken that to extremes, he said.

South Africa’s international tourism boom represents a rare note of optimism in an economy hampered by an unemployment rate of 27 per cent and projected by the Reserve Bank not to grow this year amid low commodity prices and after the worst drought in more than a century.

Third-worst performer The rand is the third-worst performer against the dollar among 16 major currencies tracked over the past 12 months, having declined 12 per cent, and reached record lows against both the US currency and euro earlier in 2016.

While the currency had firmed to 14.3125 against the dollar on Tuesday, that’s still weaker than its level in November.

South Africa’s government has

FOOTPRINT RISES: The surging popularity among travellers from markets, including the United States and Germany, can be largely attributed to a weak rand. – Bloomberg News

softened rules introduced in 2014 that required travelers from countries including China to apply for visas in person, hurting demand in one of its fastest-growing tourism markets. For prospective visitors from China, for example, that meant an often lengthy and costly trip to either Beijing or Shanghai.

Those restrictions, together with a condition that visitors accompanied by children must present a detailed birth certificate, contributed to a slowdown in international tourism arrivals in 2015.

With visas now easier to obtain through tour operators, Chinese numbers were 50 per cent higher in May than a year earlier while those from India increased by 37 per cent, according to the Tour-

ism Ministry. “Those markets will recover quite quickly, I think, and will continue to grow,” Von Aulock said.

While the birth-certificate rule has been relaxed, the entry requirements for children remain vague enough to deter some families, said Mmatsatsi Ramawela, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa. And although overseas tourist arrivals in 2016 to date are up from the past two years, they are still only the highest since 2013, according to Statistics South Africa data.

Events like the International AIDS Conference in Durban this month have increased the number of visitors, and concerns that terrorist attacks have made Eu-

rope more dangerous are also diverting traffic to the southern hemisphere, Ramawela said. City tour buses have sold more tickets in Cape Town this year and has had to add vehicles and drivers on some days, according to general manager Paul Nel. Additional direct flights to the city have helped traffic, he said, with Emirates adding a third daily service between Cape Town and Dubai earlier this month.

– Bloomberg News

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NEW DELHI: India, Asia’s thirdlargest coffee producer, may harvest a smaller crop than forecast after dry weather hurt flowering.

Output will decline about 30 per cent to 35 per cent in the harvest starting October 1 from a record 350,000 metric tonnes a year earlier, according to A.L.R.M. Nagappan, chairman of the coffee committee of the United Planters’ Association of Southern India.

That would mean a crop of 245,000 to 227,500 tons, the lowest since 1996-97, data from the state-run Coffee Board show. The board estimates the 2016-17 crop at 320,000 The number of visitors to South Africa from outside the continent increased by 19 per cent over the five months through May, the Tourism Ministry said on July 20.

A smaller harvest will shrink Indian exports, supporting prices amid concern El Nino-induced dry weather will cut output in Vietnam, the world’s biggest grower of robusta coffee beans. Robusta, used to make instant coffee, capped a fifth monthly rise in June in the longest such run since 2014.

“We didn’t have rains at all during blossom time in March and April,” said Nagappan. “The rains that are happening now are not going to help. It’s not going to help the already set in crop.”

Damaged flowers The peninsular region of the country experienced an unusually long dry spell in March and April with rainfall being about 70 per cent less than normal, according to the India Meteorological Department. That stunted bean development and the return of monsoon rains in June failed to improve crop prospects.

“The damage that has been caused because of the dry spell in March and April cannot be

A smaller harvest will shrink Indian exports, supporting prices amid concern El Nino-induced dry weather will cut output in Vietnam, the world’s biggest grower of robusta coffee beans

rectified,” said Nishant Gurjer, a member and past chairman of the Karnataka Planters Association.

“Once the flower is damaged because of lack of moisture, nothing can reverse that. “ Karnataka state, which accounts for about 70 per cent of India’s total coffee crop, got 421 millimeters (17 inches) of rain since June 1, equaling the 50-year average, data from meteorological department show.

Indian exports are set to slowdown in the second half as stockpiles dwindle and farmers hold back beans in anticipation of higher prices, said Ramesh Rajah, president of the Coffee Exporters' Association of India.

Robusta futures, which reached a 16-month high on July 15, fell 0.1 per cent to $1,786 on ICE Futures Europe on Monday. India’s coffee exports climbed 19 per cent to 223,928 tons in January 1-July 20, from 188,814 tonnes a year earlier, according to the board. “The needbased selling has mostly taken place,” Rajah said. - Bloomberg News

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

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B6

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

ROUND-UP All-new 2016 Ford Edge now in Oman The 2016 Edge has been retooled to meet higher expectations for quality, and reengineered to add more features and technologies for a more rewarding driving experience

MUSCAT: With the launch of the Ford Edge in Oman, Ford Motor Company has proven that a midsize SUV can be stylish and greatlooking too.

The 2016 Edge has been reimagined with a stronger, more athletic shape. It has been retooled to meet higher expectations for quality, and reengineered to add more features and technologies for a more rewarding driving experience, says a press release.

“The original Edge was our first entry into the world of crossover utilities – a technologically advanced vehicle that was the perfect blend of sedan comfort and efficiency with SUV functionality,” said Jim Benintende, president of Ford Middle East and Africa.

“Now, we are building on that success, and building on the emotional appeal of the vehicle by offering more of the technology our customers want in a package that meets the highest expectations for quality and craftsmanship.”

According to a spokesperson from Arabian Car Marketing, the dealers of Ford in Oman, “Edge has always been one of most successful models. It has remained a favourite for customers across age groups due to its design, features and driving dynamics. With the new 2016 Ford Edge we are confident that owners will highly appreciate the levels of sophistication added to this wonder and will not just love to drive this brilliant

vehicle but look forward to experiencing it for even the smallest reason, every day.”

Central to the improved driving dynamics is an entirely new body structure and redesigned suspension – front and rear – developed specifically to better isolate road imperfection and absorb noise without compromising handling.

This means less noise, vibration and harshness characteristics, giving Edge customers a quieter, more substantial ride. As a result, Edge is well suited for an everyday commute, but ready to take on when the road opens up.

The 2016 Edge will be available in four trim levels. These include

SE, SEL, Titanium, Sport and for the first time Titanium series to meet market demand for more premium offerings.

The all-new Edge will feature three engine options, two of which are new powerplants– A standard normally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 engine, A twin-scroll 2.0-litre EcoBoost four-cylinder and a 2.7-litre EcoBoost V6. All will be equipped with dual exhaust. All three engines are paired to Ford’s Select Shift six-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift activation. Drivers will have the ability to manually select gears via raceinspired paddles on the steering wheel. The paddle-shift system is

BALANCED SCORECARD INSTITUTE

standard on all models.

The Select Shift transmission features two modes of operation – drive and sport. Sport mode offers a more aggressive shift pattern, allowing the engine to rev higher during acceleration, and hold lower gears longer to support spirited, fast-paced sessions.

The standard all-wheel-drive system for the new Edge is fulltime, on-demand and seamless – there are no knobs or switches to activate. An electronically controlled clutch, which can engage faster than a human can blink, transfers power between the front and rear axles, sending up to 100 percent of the power front or back.

The 2016 Edge is a technology leader for Ford, with a suite of standard and available technologies designed to improve the driving experience and the level of occupant comfort. Technologies being offered for the first time include enhanced active park assist, side parking sensors and a front camera with washer.

In the Edge key technology features (available on select models) include Active Grille Shutters; Air curtain; Blind Spot Information System; New 180-degree Front Camera with washer; Standard Rear Camera; Cross-traffic alert; Enhanced Active Park Assist; Forward and Reverse Sens-

ing Systems; Hands-free liftgate; Heated and Cooled Front Seats; Lane-keeping System; Side Parking Sensors; SYNC with MyFord Touch; Auto-park Brake; Active Glove Box Knee Airbag; AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control and Curve Control.

Overall, the 2016 Edge represents a significant move forward in both material and visual quality.

The dashboard and centre console have also been carefully designed and shaped to look like one thin, streamlined piece.

A central 8-inch LCD touch screen supporting SYNC with MyFord Touch is now available on even more models.

Storage areas have been improved throughout the cabin with a covered media bin on top of the centre stack; an open pass-throughstorage area beneath the climate controls; an open storage area on the instrument panel below and to the left of the steering wheel; and large pockets on each door.

Customers looking forward to experiencing the all-new 2016 Ford Edge are encouraged to visit any of the Ford showrooms.

In Oman, Ford vehicles are brought to you by Arabian Car Marketing Co.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

24 defibrillators distributed across Muscat with Oman LNG’s support

Z-Corp inks pact with BSI MUSCAT: The Zubair Corporation (Z-Corp) has become the first private sector company to sign an agreement with the Balanced Scorecard Institute (BSI) to supervise the implementation the Balanced Scorecard method in Z-Corp.

BSC is a strategic planning and management system that is used extensively by companies globally to align business activities to the vision and strategy of their respective organisation. The method also helps advance internal and external communications and monitors organisation performance against strategic goals, says a press release.

Z-Corp entrusted the responsibility of supervising the implementation of this initiative across the group to the eminent US-based company Balanced Scorecard Institute. BSI has trained over 6,000 practitioners from 80 countries and provided strategic performance management consultation to over 200 organisations in 40 different countries over the last 17 years.

A senior official at Z-Corp’s Corporate HR said: “In line with our vision to design strategic organisational objectives and effectively channelise employees’ performance, The Zubair Corporation envisaged the introduction of the Balanced Scorecard method. The method assists the board in viewing the performance as more than financially related, helps execu-

Z-Corp entrusted the responsibility of supervising the implementation of Balanced Scorecard method across the group to the US-based company BSI

tive teams to promote team work across the group, aids head of departments in development of internal communication, and also makes employees understand how their daily responsibilities connect to the ‘big picture’.”

Initiated at the Z-Corp in 2014 with clearly defined policies and procedure guidelines, a training programme instilled staff with the knowledge to implement the method. Comprehensive knowledge training programmes were organised for different levels of management. Members were selected to “champion” this process

to its ultimate success. In 2015, the method was tested by the top management and later head of departments. The challenges that blocked the objective implementation of the method were identified and submitted to an expert who has successfully assisted in implementation of this best practice across the globe.

The BSI team led by Joe DesCarlo, vice president - International Operations and senior consultant at the company, who has 40 years of extensive experience on business structuring, strategy implementation, and execution of innovative operational business models, helped Z-Corp implement this method.

The senior HR official said, “Being among the leading corporates in Oman bringing and adopting best practices, Z-Corp is proud to be the first private sector firm to utilise the expertise of BSI to supervise the implementation of the balanced scorecard system in its group companies.”

Thanking Joe DesCarlo, the official said: “His rich experience is sure to yield expected results in this phase of implementation and drive this corporate HR initiative to its desired goal. His technical expertise would help in the formulation of the corporate and sectoral strategy maps and high-level KPIs development, and finalise its deliverables.”

MUSCAT: It’s a fact; defibrillators save lives. Recently 24 defibrillators were distributed to health centres across Muscat, with Oman LNG’s support, which will be able to serve 1.5 million people living in the area.

The event took place at Al Khuwair Health Centre and was attended by Dr Tahira Muhammed Al Lawati, deputy director-general of Health Services in Muscat Governorate. On behalf of Oman LNG, Khalid bin Abdullah Al Massan, chief executive officer of Oman LNG Development Foundation attended, says a press release.

Oman LNG reinforced its effective role in the field of social development by funding the purchase of 24 Automated External Defibrillators (AED) for several health centres in Muscat – an increase of more than 50% in numbers of defibrillators available across Muscat compared to the earlier agreed amount in an agreement signed last year between Oman LNG and the Directorate General of Health Services

Oman LNG reinforced its effective role in the field of social development by funding the purchase of 24 Automated External Defibrillators for several health centres in Muscat in Muscat. This project will raise the quality of healthcare services offered by many recognised care providers which will advance them to cater for more patients in the Sultanate.

It is undeniable that having defibrillators is a fundamental part of any healthcare system because of its vital role in saving lives and ultimately reducing mortality rates from cardiac arrests.

“We are proud of this moment, where the milestone achieved is

helping to translate His Majesty’s vision for better healthcare into reality. Our role has been to complement the country’s healthcare infrastructure with cutting-edge equipment supplemented with training,” said Khalid.

Oman LNG has an ambitious vision and dedication towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through the Oman LNG Development Foundation.

The foundation addresses many areas of social development in Oman, but in general comprises a Community Fund targeting initiatives related to the Sur Community where its world-class, three-train liquefaction plant is located; a National Fund that covers a wide swath of the company’s social development programmes across the nation; a Reserve Fund to address the sustainability and continuity of the company’s CSR programmes; and finally a Centre of Excellence to develop lasting CSR initiatives through partnering, knowledge sharing, funding and investments.

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ROUND-UP

Bank Sohar holds 5th monthly draw in Ibra The draws of Al Mumayaz Savings scheme conducted recently included the monthly OMR10,000 general draw, OMR1,000 children’s draw, OMR10,000 ladies draw (for two winners) and the exclusive OMR10,000 draw MUSCAT: Bank Sohar, at a recent VIP gathering held at the Al Mawada Hall in Ibra, conducted its fifth Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme 2016 monthly draws, revealing the names of over 30 lucky winners for the month of June.

The draws conducted recently included the monthly OMR10,000 general draw, OMR1,000 children’s draw, OMR10,000 ladies draw (for two winners) and the exclusive OMR10,000 draw.

The branch guaranteed draws, which saw one winner from each of the bank’s 27 branches win OMR1,000, were conducted earlier at the bank’s head office. In total, the monthly draws witnessed over OMR55,000 won by 32 winners across all categories, says a press release.

The special event was held un-

der the auspices of Ahmed bin Saif bin Ahmed Al Barwani, member of the Shura Council - Wilayat of Ibra.

Representing Bank Sohar at the event were Khalfan Rashid Al Taley, DGM and head of Operations, Khamis Masoud Al Rahbi, senior AGM & acting head - Retail Banking, and Amour Al Habsi, the district manager of interior district, together with other senior members of the bank, who welcomed the chief guest and the bank’s VIP customers from the area.

Commenting on the occasion, Khamis Al Rahbi said: “With each draw, our family of Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme winners grows larger and has already totalled well over 700 for this year alone. Our ultimate goal with the scheme has always been to instil the habit of savings in our customers. With our increased frequency of draws and guaranteed winners across our entire branch network every month, linked with the success stories of our Al Mumayaz Savings Scheme Winners, we are witnessing a positive change in our customer’s savings habits this year.”

The event was inaugurated

by Saad Said Al Shidhani, senior branch manager - Ibra Branch, who delivered the welcome address. Following the speeches, the

poet Turki Al Habsi enthralled the audience with a mesmerising poetry recital. Shortly thereafter, performers from Sawout Al Moujtam’a Theatre Band put on a stunning performance about the bank.

A video showcasing the highlights of the previous year’s savings scheme was then played.

Following a special audience draw, the five major draws of the savings scheme were conducted by the guest of honour; beginning with the children’s draw which saw S. Mohamed (Minor), from the Bank’s Al Qurum Branch, win OMR1,000. The two ladies draws saw Afifa Al Darmaki, from the Bank’s Barka Branch, and Raqiya Al Rawas, from the Bank’s Salalah Branch, win OMR5,000 each; while the exclusive draw saw H. M. A., from the Bank’s Al Qurum branch, win OMR10,000. The final draw of the day was the general draw for the month of May, which saw A.A.M., from the bank’s Al Qurum branch, win OMR10,000.

The monthly branch guaranteed draws conducted earlier at the bank head office, witnessed a customer from each of the bank’s branches win OMR1,000.

The winners included Basmala Al Abrifrom the Rustaq branch, MatloobaBer Bakhsh from the

Seeb branch, Najeeb Al Ghassani from the Salalah branch, Said Al Badi from the Saham branch, Nasser Al Maqbali from the Privilege Banking Branch, Qaiser Al Saadi (Minor) from the MBD branch, Mr. Nabhan Al Naamani from the Suwaiq branch, Salim Al Malki from the Barka branch, F. S. A. from the Ruwi branch, N. M. S. from the Al Qurum branch, Sanad Al Hinai from the Ibri Branch, Ahmed Al Badi from the Sohar branch, Hamdoon Al Wahaibi from the Jaalan Bani Bu Ali branch, Abdullah Al Nabhani from the Nizwa branch, S. A. G. from the Al Khoudh branch, Al Julanda Al Rabani (Minor) from the Bahla branch, Salim Al Wadhahi from the Qurayat branch, Salim Amur from the Ibra branch, AbdulMajid Al Araimi (Minor) from the Sur branch, Hamed Said from the Al Buraimi branch, Nawal Al Barwani from the Al Azaiba branch, Abdullah Al Reesi from the Shinas branch, Sulaiyam Al Balushi from the Al Amerat branch, Tharaya Al Mahrouqi from the Sinaw branch, Ghalib Al Fulaiti from the Al Khuwair branch, Said Ali Al Balushi from the Al Khabourah branch, and Saleh Al Shekaili from the Avenues Mall branch.

Following the draws, the chief guest was presented with a token of appreciation by Khalfan Rashid Al Taleyon behalf of the bank.

Congratulating the winners, Al Rahbi said, “I take this opportunity, on behalf of the bank, to thank all our customers for patronising Bank Sohar as well as congratulate each of the winners of our Al Mumayaz Scheme so far. I would also like to encourage our customers to continue saving for maximising their chances of winning and wish them the very best of luck for the upcoming draws.”

RECRUIT WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

DON’T WASTE A BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY LIKE OMAN.

Plastic takes 1,000 years or more to break down

QUOTES As each day comes to us refreshed and anew, so does my gratitude renew itself daily. The breaking of the sun over the horizon is my grateful heart dawning upon a blessed world.

— Terri Guillemets Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.

— W. T. Purkiser

B7

OFFERS

A’Saffa restaurant: A popular eating option at Salalah Tourism Festival SALALAH: Just like each year, A’Saffa Foods is offering its signature value snacks to visitors at the khareef festival in Salalah this year as well at the Salalah Tourism Festival ground.

The brand has gained immense popularity for its delicious and appetising menu options that comprise A’Saffa Zingle Fillet sandwich, ‘Khayrat’ Beef Sheekh Kebab sandwich and ‘Khayrat’ Chapli beef kebab sandwiches, to name a few, that are available at A’Saffa Foods’ restaurant outlet at the festival.

A popular eating option, the restaurant offers customers tasty, healthy and 100 percent pure halal A’Saffa snacks at great prices, says a press release.

The restaurant’s fantastic offers have led to scores of customers and tourists lining up to buy A’Saffa’s great value sandwiches over the years, with the eatery rapidly becoming one of the most popular eating hangouts at the festival grounds. That’s not all, in addition to the restaurant, A’Saffa chicken is also always sought after during the Salalah khareef

festival at its traditional chicken barbecue stand in ‘Iteen, Salalah’ that cook its chickens on hot stones known as ‘Madbi’ using A’Saffa chicken.

Sidhartha Lenka, head - A’Saffa Foods, Sales & Marketing, said: “We are pleased be setting up our special Khareef restaurant facility in Salalah year on year, as it enables us to reward our loyal customers and visitors from different places with great tasting, great value snacks.

“As an Omani company with its main operations in the Dhofar governorate we are always keen to support the khareef festival which is the region’s most important and highly anticipated event each year. All our customers can buy with confidence at our restaurant knowing that our chicken and beef products are real halal and offer a great tasting meal for them and their families.”

A’Saffa Foods is also leveraging its presence at the festival to promote its other products - such as fresh fruit pulps, as well as products under the brand’s ‘Khayrat’ and ‘Taybat’ brands.

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SERVICE CENTRE

BankDhofar celebrates Tourism Mopar promises ‘45-minute Festival with various initiatives or free’ express lane service SALALAH: As the Governorate of Dhofar celebrates the khareef monsoon season and welcomes visitors from Oman and the region, BankDhofar has extended its support to the highly popular Salalah Tourism Festival 2016 as a gold sponsor.

Over the years, BankDhofar has played a key role in sponsoring and supporting various events and festivals across the Sultanate, boosting its presence as an integral part of the community and a major contributor to the social development, in addition to supporting the initiatives that back the country’s efforts towards a sustainable and diverse economy, says a press release.

Sami Omar Al Zadjali, executive manager - Marketing & Corporate Communications at BankDhofar, commented on the bank’s participation in the festivities of Salalah Tourism Festival. “This festival is one of the biggest tourism events of the year to showcase Oman’s rich cultural history and its vast tourism potential and stunning beauty. We at BankDhofar are

As part of its community involvement, BankDhofar has distributed tents to restaurants and coffee shops in touristic areas

proud to participate in this year’s festival as a gold sponsor and it is our real pleasure to participate in event of such national significance. We also launched a social media competition to give the public the opportunity to showcase their best pictures or videos celebrating the festival and the chance to win amazing prizes,” he noted.

“The #Khareef_with_BankDhofar competition kicked off on July 17 and will last through August 15.

Winners of the best images and videos will get valuable cash prizes that range between OMR500 and OMR100, with the total value of prizes worth OMR3.200. Under the terms and conditions of the competition, participants should be the owners of their design/video,” said Al Zadjali.

Maisarah Islamic Banking Services, BankDhofar’s Islamic banking window, has also participated in the festival activities with a pavilion at the festival grounds, encompassing cash withdrawal facilities and customer support services.

As part of its community involvement, the BankDhofar has distributed tents to restaurants and coffee shops in touristic areas.

The initiative aims to enhance the facilities available for visitors and residents of Salalah during the high season. Salalah Tourism Festival attracts large numbers of visitors from overseas and within the Sultanate every year. The event allows visitors to experience the unique climate of the Dhofar region and the cultural heritage and authentic Omani hospitality.

MUSCAT: If you own a Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM, Fiat or an Alfa Romeo servicing your car is now a breeze, because Mopar, Fiat Chrysler’s state-of-the-art service centre, guarantees express lane service within 45 minutes or it’s free.

This means convenient, topnotch service performed by certified specialists who keep your vehicle trouble-free in minutes. If you still haven’t visited a Mopar facility, the service centres are located in Azaiba and Mabelah, and a brand new facility, opening soon in Nizwa and Salalah, says a press release.

Roderick Lloyd, After Sales manager at Dhofar Automotive said, “Customers are genuinely surprised at our pace when they experience the express lane service for the first time. But for us and the support team, it’s just a matter sticking to the processes and being completely time-oriented at every stage of the service. It’s the meticulous training and expertise which makes this possible and it’s very motivating to see repeat visits by satisfied customers. They are proof of our hard labour and

Bank Muscat supports e-commerce conference The 2-day conference highlighted the importance of e-payment and its role in enhancing development and promoting e-commerce in the Sultanate and the Arab world

MUSCAT: Bank Muscat, the flagship financial services provider in the Sultanate, as part of its ‘Let’s Do More’ vision and commitment to partnership and innovation, extended support to the 4th international conference on ecommerce, which started yesterday in Salalah under the auspices of Sayyid Mohammed bin Sultan Al Busaidi, Minister of State and Governor of Dhofar.

The 2-day conference highlighting the importance of e-payment and its role in enhancing development and promoting e-commerce in the Sultanate and the Arab world was attended by dignitaries, experts, academics and specialists in the field of e-commerce, says a

press release.

Hosted by Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the governorate of Dhofar, in collaboration with the Middle East Centre for Social Consultancies and Studies, the conference reviewed the Arab experience and explored new avenues in improving e-commerce in the region.

Bank Muscat utilised the opportunity to highlight its state-ofthe-art electronic banking service.

Marked by speed, convenience and security, the electronic banking channels, notably mobile banking, online banking and ATM/CDM network enable financial transactions anytime from anywhere.

Bank Muscat customers are increasingly moving to electronic banking channels, the preference being mainly due to factors such as the adaptive and flexible nature

of services. The bank is focused on adding value and engaging customers through their preferred banking channels.

Bank Muscat cards, which spell convenience and security, is the preferred mode of payment in Oman. The wide range of Bank Muscat cards provide a secure option to pay for a host of day-to-day transactions at shopping malls, restaurants or holiday abroad.

Embedded with the electronic chip, the cards ensure maximum protection and peace of mind.

The bank’s state-of-the-art mobile banking service has made banking truly mobile for the largest banking family in Oman who can bank 24/7 ‘anytime, anywhere’. Winner of the coveted His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Award for the Best Public eService, mBanking is Oman’s preferred mobile

banking service.

Driven by the latest technological features offering a wide range of options, the enhanced online banking service helps Bank Muscat customers bank at convenience from ‘anywhere, anytime’. For people constantly on the move, the online banking service is a boon.

ATM/CDMs form a pillar of customer service and Bank Muscat can proudly claim that its largest network of ATMs, CDMs and Integrated ATM/CDMs spread across the country is the preferred choice. Being a member of OmanSwitch and GCCNet, customers from any bank in Oman, the GCC countries and from around the world can use Bank Muscat ATMs for their cash requirements.

Bank Muscat launched Oman’s first electronic branch in the banking sector. Unleashing an innovative concept, the eBranch located at Oman Avenues Mall elevates the banking experience to new levels of convenience and delight. The unique facilities include Business Cash Deposit Machine for corporate clients and Statement Printer Kiosk for both retail and corporate clients.

In step with the Sultanate’s e-Government initiative, Bank Muscat has been at the forefront, facilitating electronic payment.

The bank enjoys an edge in electronic banking services in tune with the requirements of a young, tech-savvy generation. A keen perception of customer requirements enables Bank Muscat to develop products in line with the current and emerging needs to further increase efficiency.

time spent under each vehicle.”

He added, “In order to replicate the Fiat Chrysler Group’s international standards and deliver world-class service, everything here is designed keeping the customer in mind and our express lane 45-minute or free service is an extension of our customerfirst policy. The other advantage of choosing Dhofar Automotive, which is the authorised dealer for Mopar over ordinary garages is the fact that our vehicle spares and accessories are genuine.”

Ali Hussain, a satisfied Mopar customer said, “I have been servicing my vehicle with Dhofar Automotive and I’m satisfied with the service. What I like the most about this place is that they value my time and I know that my car

is being taken care of by certified Chrysler technicians.”

In addition to the express lane service, customers at Mopar can interact with service advisors and get discounts up to 50 per cent on various service bundles designed especially for them.

What’s more, the state-of-the-art facilities boast of a dedicated team for meet and greet service, feature a luxurious customer lounge with free Wi-Fi, include a vast display area for spare parts and accessories, provide six-minute service diagnostics and have a separate wheel balancing bay. In addition, the Mabelah facility has its own training centre that will conduct and oversee training programmes for Fiat Chrysler personnel in Oman as well as the Mena region.

SHARIA-BASED PRODUCTS

Alizz offers attractive financing options with exciting features MUSCAT: Alizz Islamic Bank continues to deliver personal finance solutions to help customers meet their different needs and pursue their aspirations.

With ‘Goods Murabaha’ and ‘Service Ijarah’ options, customers can file a financing application to cover a domestic scholarship, Haj and Umrah trips, travel, marriage, furniture, electric and household appliances and many more at competitive profit rates.

The financing options come in line with the bank’s plans to offer myriad facilities and Shariabased products to valued customers, says a press release.

‘Service Ijarah’ helps customers fund personal education while ‘Goods Murabaha’ enables them to purchase various goods.

The application process is simple. The customer files an application accompanied by a written quotation for the goods the customer wishes the bank to finance. The bank will, based on this request, purchase the goods from the vendor and sell the same back to the customer at mutually agreed profit mark-up and deferred instalments.

The price of sale represents the original price of merchandise plus the agreed profit.

The applications will be processed in line with the Sharia principles by dedicated employees who are well-trained to deliver premium services.

The personal finance options come with various features and

benefits. They are open to Omani nationals and resident expatriates; both salaried and self-employed individuals.

Financing up to 100 per cent of service value is available, and the documentation process includes fast and easy approval.

To benefit from the financing options, customers need to ensure salary transfer to any of the bank’s branches across the Sultanate. The minimum salary required is only OMR300 for government employees and OMR350 for employees of the private sector.

Moosa Al Jadidi, deputy general manager and head of Retail Banking, Alizz Islamic Bank, said: “Customer care at Alizz is a top priority. We have designed these financing options to meet the needs of different segments of the society. This is part of our policy to help customers pursue their aspirations to study, travel, get medical treatment and even get married.”

The educational finance option allows customers to get up to OMR25,000 through ‘Service Ijarah’ with settlement period extending up to 60 months.

Payments will be made directly to the educational institution based on the official tuition fee schedule. All the bank’s products are approved by the Sharia Supervisory Board. Alizz delivers over 25 Sharia-compliant products that satisfy the needs of persons and businesses.

FLAGSHIP PRODUCT

Isuzu N-Series Reward: A performance benchmark in its segment MUSCAT: More than 80 years have passed since the first Isuzu truck pulled out of the factory and onto the road, an event that marked the start of Isuzu’s steady rise to its current prominence both as Japan’s best-selling truck manufacturer and as a major force for innovation that is helping to lead the global automobile industry in the 21st century.

N-Series Reward, one of the flagship products from this iconic manufacturer brings higher performance on every level with styling, power, economical operation and safety features. By offering a wide range of GVM, the N-Series Reward meets the needs of business with a model perfect for every application while working in harmony with society and the environment.

The styling of the N-Series Reward has been widely acclaimed for its sculpted looks that combine with highest levels of functionality. What makes this powerful statement in the Isuzu N-Series Reward? Below are the highlights.

• Cab design: The Boxy cab design of the N-Series Reward is much appreciated. With upright front pillars and side body, this design combines functional beauty and

aerodynamics while making efficient use of space.

• Hexa-Pod: The design philosophy embodied by all Isuzu trucks is defined as a “slightly enlarged hexahedron. The concept is “Solid, Clean and Emotional,”: functional beauty with no unnecessary lines, facets or frame elements.

• Professional styling for a professional tool: The styling is simple and powerful for timeless appeal.

Aggressively delineated frontend components and a six-hole continental grille are the identifying mark of Isuzu vehicles that make a distinctive statement.

• Aerodynamic perfection: The aerodynamic front corners and roof cut

air resistance especially when rear cargo bodies are mounted, contributing to better fuel economy.

• Excellent ingress/egress: The upright front pillars allow doors to open to a wide angle and provide a larger door opening for effortless cab access. Also contributing to ingress/egress are the longer steps and expanded floor areas.

• Vertical outside handles: Vertical handles make it easier to access tall vehicles. In addition, grips are designed to accommodate thick gloves. The safety features of the N-Series Reward are legendary. We have picked-out some of the salient aspects that make the vehicle one of the safest in its class.

• ELR 3-point system seatbelts (Center seat : 2-points): Effectively restrain and protect driver and passengers during a collision.

• Reinforced door waist: Minimises distortion in the shape of the cab in the event of accident.

• Wide field of vision: Drivers enjoy a clear view of the area surrounding the vehicle, making safety checks easy and reducing driving fatigue.

• Compound curvature outside mirrors: Mirror surfaces feature a compound curvature, enhancing indirect views.

• Multi-reflector halogen headlamps: Clear resin lenses and step reflectors provide outstanding illumination over a broad area to improve nighttime visibility and safety.

• Door-side turning lamps: Improved side visibility alerts others sharing the road to the presence of the vehicle and helps prevent accidents. Cornering lamps are also available.

• Jet wipers: Enhanced wiper performance for a clear windshield.

• Exhaust brake-linked lamps: Engaging the exhaust brake activates the brake lamps, warning

following vehicles.

• Front and rear drum brakes: Extra-large brakes improve braking performance.

• Enhanced Braking: Full air braking in GVM 9.5 ton model is engineered for tough conditions and meets ECE regulations. A wheel park lever locks wheels in place.

• The instrument panel uses a “hard wave” motif to expand the sense of interior space. Curved cockpit surfaces are designed to fit natural hand movements and put controls at drivers’ fingertips. Even the form and angle of switches are carefully considered, resulting in a dramatic improvement in operability.

• LED meters: Meter panel graphics are totally renewed and incorporate ISO-compliant warning symbols. Meters are easy to refer, allowing drivers to confirm vehicle status at a glance.

• More space for DIN devices: Vehicles are being equipped with more devices that use DIN connectors, and there is plenty of room to neatly install information terminals and audio equipment. Up to six DIN devices can be installed thus extending the versatility of the N-Series Reward even further.

Enhanced vehicle operability: World-class comfort, expanded tilt/telescopic adjustment and effortless power steering are all standard, giving operators total control over both the vehicle and cab environment. The seats recline up to 26.5 degrees and the hip-point is aligned for a more natural driving position and improved visibility.

The N-Series debuted in the Japanese market back in 1959.

Over the years, the model has become synonymous with light-duty trucks, thanks to continuous innovation and superior quality. Isuzu’s unmatched diesel technology has enabled the series to repeatedly set new standards for environmental impact and fuel economy.

The N-Series with its functional, stylish design and safety engineering have emerged as one of the clear favourites for demanding applications where uncompromising standards of performance, safety and reliability are called for.OTE Group represents Isuzu in the Sultanate of Oman.

With a nationwide network of showrooms and service centres, OTE Group ensures that Isuzu customers are never far from getting high quality service.

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Hazlewood and Lyon help Australia rattle Sri Lanka

ANOTHER SCAM

JOLT FOR INDIA:

InderjeetSingh. – File photo

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and off-

Shot putter Inderjeet fails dope test; cries conspiracy

spinner Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets apiece, while Mitchell Starc and Steve O’Keefe picked up two each as the hosts were shot out shortly after lunch

PALLEKELE: Australia’s bowlers ripped through Sri Lanka’s brittle batting order to dismiss the home side for 117 on an eventful first day of the opening Test at Pallekele on Tuesday that also saw the visitors lose their openers for just seven runs.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood and off-spinner Nathan Lyon claimed three wickets apiece, while Mitchell Starc and Steve O’Keefe picked up two each as the hosts were shot out shortly after lunch.

Debutant all-rounder Dhananjaya de Silva (24) was the top scorer for Sri Lanka, who have lost their last two Test series in New Zealand and England.

Australia’s innings also got off to a shaky start as they lost David Warner and Joe Burns inside the first four overs before captain Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja calmed things down with an unbroken third-wicket stand of 59 runs.

Smith, the world’s leading Test batsman in the ICC rankings, was on 28 while Khawaja was on 25 at the tea interval with Australia rebuilding on 66-2.

Rain then washed away the entire final session of the opening day.

Earlier, Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews won the toss and had no hesitation in opting to bat on a dry pitch in the first match of the three-Test series.

Any hopes Mathews had of enjoying a strong start were shattered, however, when Australia pace duo Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc took full control with the

EVENTFUL DAY: Australian teammates congratulate their bowler Josh Hazlewood, centre, for taking one of his three Sri Lankan wickets on Day One of the first Test cricket match against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. – AP/PTI

SCOREBOARD

SUCCESSFUL: Australia’s Nathan Lyon, centre, celebrates with teammates after claiming one of his three Sri Lankan wickets. – AFP

new ball to reduce the hosts to 18-3 inside 10 overs.

Left-armer Starc, making his comeback after a long injury layoff, sent back Dimuth Karunaratne, with the opening batsman failing to get the umpire’s leg before wicket verdict overturned on review.

The 25-year-old Hazlewood, bowling an impeccable line and length, then dismissed Kusal Mendis and Kaushal Silva and returned

for another spell before lunch to lure Dinesh Chandimal into an edge behind to wicketkeeper Peter Nevill.

Left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe, who was included alongside Lyon, was brought on in the ninth over by Smith and got his reward when he dismissed Mathews.

Lyon found a lot of turn from the surface and picked up his three wickets from just seven deliveries after lunch as Sri Lanka’s batsman

CRICKET

Six Oman cricketers for high performance training at MCC

TO TRAIN AT MCC ACADEMY: Five of the six Oman cricketers who will attend high performance training at the MCC Academy at Lord’s.

Times News Service MUSCAT: It is with great pride that Oman Cricket announces that six of the national team’s front line batsmen will be partaking in a high performance tour focused on advanced batting skills, hosted by the Marylebone Cricket Club Academy at Lord’s in London from August 31 to 8.

The tour is fully sponsored by Oman Cricket and it’s the first high performance tour of its kind to be organized by Oman Cricket.

The tour is organised in preparation for the challenges ahead in

the World Cricket League 4 to be held in Los Angeles, USA, and the UAE one-day series.

The players chosen to undergo the advanced batting skills training program are Jatinder Singh, Ajay Lalcheta, Amir Kaleem, Syed Amir Ali, Adnan Ilyas and Vaibhav Wategoankar. These players were picked as they are the current front line batsmen in the side and have more years of contribution left to Oman Cricket.

The vigorous seven-day tour will consist of spin and pace batting assessments, match scenario batting practice, development of new

skills, strength and endurance components and other nuance batting development training.

Duleep Mendis (National Coach/CDO) said: “Personally I am aware of the benefits that the players will gain by undergoing such an elite level training program. I would like to thank the Oman Cricket board members, especially Pankaj Khimji and Madhu Jesrani together with John Stephenson (MCC Secretary), for agreeing to host our national Cricketers. I am sure this will provide a huge boost for the side and hold us in good stead for the major challenges ahead.”

Sri Lanka 1st innings: D. Karunaratne lbw b Starc 5 K. Silva c Voges b Hazlewood 4 K. Mendis lbw b Hazlewood 8 D. Chandimal c Nevill b Hazlewood 15 A. Mathews c Smith b O’Keefe 15 D. De Silva c Burns b Lyon 24 K. Perera b Lyon 20 D. Perera lbw b Lyon 0 R. Herath lbw b Starc 6 L. Sandakan not out 19 N. Pradeep c Smith b O’Keefe 0 Extras: (lb-1) 1 Total (all out 34.2 overs) 117 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-15, 3-18, 4-43, 5-67, 6-87, 7-87, 8-94, 9-100, 10-117

appeared keen to return to the pavilion as quickly as they departed it.

Rangana Herath became Starc’s second victim and Australia’s ninth after Smith successfully overturned the umpire’s ‘not out’ decision for leg before on review.

O’Keefe finished off proceed-

Bowling: Starc 11-1-51-2, Hazlewood 10-421-3, O’Keefe 10.2-3-32-2, Lyon 3-0-12-3 Australia 1st innings: J. Burns b Herath 3 D. Warner b Pradeep 0 U. Khawaja not out 25 S. Smith not out 28 Extras: (b-4, lb-6) 10 Total: (2 wickets, 20 overs) 66 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-7 Bowling: Pradeep 5-3-3-1, Herath 6-2-15-1, Dilruwan Perera 4-1-19-0, Sandakan 2-1-130, Mathews 3-1-6-0.

Umpires: R. Kettleborough and S. Ravi TV umpire: Chris Gaffaney Match referee: Chris Broad

ings when he captured his second wicket of the innings with the removal of Nuwan Pradeep.

Injury-ravaged Sri Lanka, ranked seventh in the world, also handed a debut to left-arm slow bowler Lakshan Sandakan against the world’s top-ranked Test side. - Reuters

NEW DELHI: India’s Rio Olympics build-up was rocked by another dope scandal after shot putter Inderjeet Singh tested positive for a banned substance but alleged that his sample has been tampered with. 28-year-old Inderjeet’s ‘A’ sample has returned positive for a banned substance.

The reigning Asian Champion Inderjeet tested positive for a banned steroid and he has been informed by the National Anti-Doping Agency.

His out-of-competition test was done on June 22, sources told PTI. The NADA has asked the Punjab-born athlete, who had won a bronze in the 2014 Asian Games, if he wants to test his ‘B’ sample and if so, to do this within seven days.

If the ‘B’ sample also tests positive, he will have to miss Rio Games beginning August 5, besides facing the prospect of being banned for four years under the new WADA Code.

Inderjeet claimed it was a conspiracy against him and his sample has been tampered with. “This is a conspiracy and there is something wrong in it.

This will be checked by the doctors though.

“I don’t want to comment on it but whoever has tried to raise their voice in this country, they are forced to shut up,” said Inderjeet.

“My sample has been tampered with. Why would a player take something which is not good for his health,” he added.

Inderjeet is one of those athletes who does not train at the national camps. Inderjeet said although it was too early to say anything, there was a campaign to shut his mouth. — PTI

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‘Jonny be good’ is motto for in-form Bairstow

TENT PEGGING

The flame-haired Yorkshireman has

I’m happy with the way it’s going but at the same time there’s a lot of hard work still to be done in all facets of my game. It can all change very quickly and I’m only too aware of that having gone through some tough patches on my journey

certainly been redhot with the bat in the past year, APPRECIATION: International Tent Pegging Federation President

Mohammed bin Essa Al Fairuz presenting a medal to Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed bin Mardhoof Al Saadi, the Minister of Sport Affairs on Tuesday. - ONA

making three big Test hundreds, three half-centuries and

Oman shine on first day of Gulf Championship SALALAH: Oman claimed top place in the Gulf Tent Pegging Championship in Team Lance pushing Saudi Arabia and Qatar to second and third spot respectively.

The Individual Lance saw Sa’ad bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim of United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Omar bin Said Al Hassani of Royal Cavalry claim golds on the first day’s action after Sheikh Khalid bin Omar Al Marhoon of Minister of Civil Service declared the championship open.

The first day saw four rounds of Individual Lance and two rounds of Team Lance. ROP Cavalry’s Yousuf bin Salim Al Masrooi came second behind his Royal Cavalry’s Omar Al Hassani.

Yasser bin Baroot Al Hassani from Cavalry of Sultan of Oman’s Armour claimed the bronze.

In the Gulf competitions, Sa’ad bin Mohammed bin Ibrahim from UAE won the first place, followed by Oman riders Safwan bin Zayed Al Ma’amari and Ali bin Khamis Al Balushi, who finished second and third respectively.

The Team Lance saw Royal Cavalry win first place, Cavalry of Sultan of Oman’s Armour ranked took the second and third places.

Present at the opening ceremony of the event were Sheikh Salim bin Oufait Al Shanfri, Head of Dhofar Municipality, Head of the Organising Committee of Salalah Tourism Festival, Sayyid Munthir bin Saif Al Busaidi,

Chairman of Oman Equestrian Federation and other dignitaries.

Teams from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and Qatar, in addition to the Royal Cavalry, ROP Cavalry and Cavalry of Sultan of Oman’s Armour are taking part in the championship, which runs till July 30.

Honorary medal Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed bin Mardhoof Al Saadi, the Minister of Sport Affairs received on Tuesday a honorary medal from Mohammed bin Essa Al Fairuz, the president of the International Tent Pegging Federation (ITPF) for the support the Federation, based in Oman, is receiving from the ministry.

The ITPF also hailed efforts exerted by the Government under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said for supporting sport sector, particularly equestrian sport, which receives care and appreciation.

The ITPF also honoured its former president Princess Haya bint Al Hussain for her services, while she was the head, and also to Hisham Hattab, the president of Egyptian Olympic Committee and the president of African Equestrian Federation, member of the Board of Directors of Tent Pegging International Federation and president of Egypt Equestrian Federation for the services provided for the Federation. - ONA

six scores in the 40s since replacing Jos Buttler behind the stumps against Australia in July 2015

Jonny Bairstow England

COVENTRY: Jonny Bairstow may be riding the crest of a cricketing wave but England’s in-form wicketkeeper-batsman says he is only too well aware of the perils of taking things for granted.

The flame-haired Yorkshireman has certainly been red-hot with the bat in the past year, making three big Test hundreds, three half-centuries and six scores in the 40s since replacing Jos Buttler behind the stumps against Australia in July 2015.

Bairstow also struck a matchwinning 83 not out in a thrilling one-day victory over New Zealand in Durham 13 months ago.

“I’m happy with the way it’s going but at the same time there’s a lot of hard work still to be done in all facets of my game,” he told Reuters in an interview before teeing off in the British Par-Three Golf Championship pro-am at Nailcote Hall on Tuesday.

“It can all change very quickly and I’m only too aware of that having gone through some tough patches on my journey,” said Bairstow who had an extra spring in his step the day after England beat Pakistan in Manchester to level the four-match Test series at 1-1.

“You’ve got to keep working hard

to keep improving. If you don’t then all of a sudden you fall out of the loop — focus on the next day is an old cliche but it’s very true.”

England completely turned the tables on Pakistan at Old Trafford, handing the touring team a 330run drubbing after losing the first test at Lord’s by 75 runs.

Bairstow said the transformation was simply down to the players doing their jobs. “We didn’t play too well at Lord’s and to perform the way we did at Old Trafford was really pleasing,” he added.

“Joe Root played outstandingly well to make 254 and he and Alastair Cook (105) set their stall out to bat a long period of time,” said Bairstow of England’s huge first innings 589 for eight declared.

“Then our bowling was really clinical. There wasn’t necessarily one thing you can point to, it was about us executing our skills and putting the pressure on Pakistan.

Soft wickets “We gave them soft wickets at Lord’s and they capitalised on that.

If you give people soft wickets they’ll take their opportunities.”

Bairstow has come in for occasional criticism for his glove work and he said that sometimes it is hard to adjust to playing in different formats of the game.

“I hadn’t kept wicket for three weeks before the first test because I had been fielding in the one-day internationals against Sri Lanka so I’m pretty pleased with the way it’s going,” the 26-year-old explained.

‘Quite tough’ “It’s good to be playing all forms of the game and being able to contribute in different areas. It’s part and parcel of being a sportsman but yeah it’s quite tough at times.”

Cook came under attack in some quarters for not enforcing the follow-on when Pakistan were bowled out for 198 in their first innings but Bairstow backed his captain.

“There were still 200 overs left in the game so do you want to bat on day three when the wicket is good or do you want to bat on day five chasing a tricky 120 when the wicket is turning?” he asked.

“It was a good decision because we won the game.”

Bairstow has a healthy batting average of 40.13 from 29 Tests and a respectable 31.40 in 17 One-day Internationals.

The wicketkeeper-batsman is constantly on the road with England and he said that sometimes there were drawbacks to all the globetrotting.

“There’s no point in doing this unless you are going to enjoy it,” he added. “If you look at our group of players, everyone has grown up together, been through the system together and we’re living in each other’s pockets.

“There’s a stupid stat that one of the lads spent 300 nights in a hotel room last year... so if you’re not enjoying it, it’s going to be a long year.

“You spend more time with the lads than you do with your families. Getting 15 lads together can be tricky as well, when we go away this winter we’ve got Bangladesh and India... you try having room service every night?,” chuckled Bairstow.

“It’s good to get away from it sometimes... it’s great fun to come down to something like this at the par-three championship.” - Reuters

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

C3

SPORTS C O M M E N TA RY

Kohli’s dominating ideas may be utopian, but don’t miss the courage and intent

Ashwin regains top spot in ICC rankings

W

atching Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin walking back to the dressing room with swanky smiles on their faces after India posting an innings and 92 runs victory was fun.

Watching Anil Kumble packing up his laptop and getting on his feet with a camera in hand to freeze-frame his first big moment as coach spiced up the fun. Reading about captain Kohli’s declaration during the post-match news conference of a brave new Indian transformation from learning to dominating fuelled a bold new sense of flag-waving jingoism.

Still, it’s too early to take in all that captain Kohli said until we get to watch the brand new Kohli-Kumble-inspired mindset in action against a top Test team on their turf. A look at the Indian schedule for the 2016-17 season will tell us that we need to wait for a boring long time for that to happen.

India have been scheduled to play 13 Test matches after the current West Indies series, and nine of them will be against England (five) and Australia (four) — but they are all going to be played on Indian dustbowls — and that means there’s no way we could watch in the near future the Indian team doing things that until recently were viewed unlikely even to dream about.

While it’s easy to dismiss Kohli’s aggressive posture — “we are not at a stage now where we need to come and improve, we are ready enough in international cricket to start dominating” — as an expression of a sudden rush of energy on scoring a comprehensive victory at the start of a tour, we must not miss the fact that it’s the first time we have heard an Indian captain saying with a flawless clarity of mind and purpose that the days of learning were over.

What we were used to hearing were excuses like “we are a young team”, “we are learning from our mistakes”, “we are trying to improve”, etc., all of which cushioned the rough rides when they really and inevitably came along their journey. Kohli may not win every match, he may not pull his tricks against Australia and England on their home pitches, but the intention and the courage of the man are unlikely to be missed or taken lightly by any team.

No one may raise questions about Kohli’s talent and potential as a batsman.

He has proved his class. It’s not easy to walk one’s talk against the Australians, but the fact that Kohli did it when Mitchell Johnson was

Ashwin, who was topranked in the 2015 around, not once but times enough to make the likes of David Warner speak in awe and respect of the skill of the aggressive Indian.

Unfortunately, apart from Kohli, there weren’t many guys in the Indian team who beat their chest, and then proved their point, upon boarding a flight to down under.

While Kohli has proved his point against the Australians on fast and bouncy pitches, his ability to deal with the swing of things in England against James Anderson and Co. is suspect. Kohli’s average was 13.50 in the five-Test 2014 tour, and his personal score was below 10, including two ducks, in six of the 10 innings that saw him score just 134 runs, with his highest being 39. The bitter memories of the 2014 summer of discontent against swing and spin may be behind him, and he may have sorted out the edgy flaws, but until he goes out to England and scores heavily against the likes Anderson and Stuart Broad, it’s hard to accept dominating postures.

If there was a time ideal for the India team to tour England, perhaps it is now.

Anderson and Broad are still around, and they would love an opportunity to tease Kohli outside off stump with balls nipping in and swinging away. Unfortunately, there is no chance of such a battle taking place in the near future, and when it does, which could be a year or so away, some of the characters in the 2014 drama may have quit the stage or are not just as good as they were.

So, how about getting Narendra Modi to have a word over the phone with Nawaz Sharif so Misbah-ul Haq and his boys would board a flight to the West Indies and Kohli and his boys catch a flight to England in a mutual exchange that could perhaps better relations between the two countries? Sounds utopian, yes, but the very thought of such a possibility is exciting, and that’s how we need to look at Kohli’s articulation of dominating ideas in the Antiguan context of things.

The writer is a freelance contributor based in India. All the views and opinions expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not reflect those of Times of Oman

year-ending rankings, not only regained the top spot with his second-innings haul of seven for 83 but has also gained in the batsmen’s rankings with a knock of 113

DUBAI: India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has surged to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC player rankings for Test bowlers after a superb outing in the first Test against the West Indies in Antigua which the visiting side won by an innings and 92 runs.

Ashwin, who was top-ranked in the 2015 year-ending rankings, not only regained the top spot with his

BACK ON TOP: India’s Ravichandran Ashwin climbed back to top of ICC bowlers rankings. – AFP

second-innings haul of seven for 83 but has also gained in the batsmen’s rankings with a knock of 113 and resultantly strengthened his grip on the top spot among allrounders.

Ashwin has replaced Pakistan leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who had grabbed the number-one ranking for bowlers only last week with a 10-wicket haul in the opening Test against England at Lord’s.

Yasir, who could take only one wicket in the second Test at Old Trafford, has dropped to fifth place below James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Dale Steyn.

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

Ashwin has gained five points following his performance in the Antigua Test, while Anderson has earned seven points.

This means the pre-Test gap between the two bowlers has been trimmed from three points to just one point only.

In contrast, Yasir has conceded 46 points and now trails numberone ranked Ashwin by 44 points.

Chris Woakes has jumped up 10 places to 23rd rank after his match-haul of seven for 108 at Old Trafford which contributed in England’s 330 runs victory that levelled the four-match series 1-1.

India pace bowler Umesh Yadav has gained six places to reach 24th rank with five wickets in Antigua while his new-ball partner Mohammad Shami has returned to the rankings at 28th place.

In the MRF Tyres ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen, England’s Joe Root and Alastair Cook have reaped the benefits of solid knocks to gain two and four places, respectively. Root’s 254 and 71 not out has taken him to second position while Cook’s 105 and 76 not out have helped him return to the top-10, in ninth position.

Captain Virat Kohli’s 200 at Antigua, which set the base for India’s biggest win outside Asia, has helped him move up two places to 12th place while opener Shikhar Dhawan has gained four places after a knock of 84.

Ashwin has moved up three places to 45th rank among batsmen after his third Test century (113) against the West Indies.

Ashwin, only the third Indian to be top-ranked among all-rounders after Vinoo Mankad and Kapil Dev, has increased the gap with second-placed Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh.

Ashwin has moved up from 406 points to a career-best 427 points and created a 43-point gap with Shakib. - PTI

C4

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

SPORTS Phelps still the big fish in the pool ‘Oerter, not Phelps, the greatest Olympian’

Despite a global cast of world record holders, champions and swim sensations preparing to light up the Rio pool, the greatest of all time will again be the centre of attention at his farewell Games

STILL ATTRACTS ATTENTION: Team USA swimmer Michael Phelps prepares to swim laps during a practice session at Northside Swim Centre in San Antonio, Texas. – Reuters

LONDON: Greatness can be hard to define but two words suffice for Olympic swimming — Michael Phelps. Despite a global cast of world record holders, champions and swim sensations preparing to light up the Rio pool, the greatest of all time will again be the centre of attention at his farewell Games.

Phelps, who retired in 2012 before a rethink, may not win the most medals but his fifth Olympics are about more than that.

“I came back because I wanted to,” he said at the U.S. trials. “I wanted to do this for me.”

The 31-year-old has three individual events (100 metres butterfly, 200 butterfly and 200 individual medley) plus relays with a younger-looking U.S. team that has rung some changes since London.

However big the splash he makes, Phelps is ratings gold as he seeks to add to his record haul of 18 Olympic titles and 22 medals in total.

Winner of the 100 butterfly and 200IM at the past three Olympics,

Phelps can become the first swimmer to win the same individual event at four Games in a row.

He is not the oldest U.S. swimmer in Rio, however, with former bad boy and 2000 gold medallist Anthony Ervin back at 35. Ryan Lochte, 31 and an 11 times medallist, will be at his fourth Games.

If anyone is going to carry Phelps’ mantle at a meet that will run well past midnight on some days to cater for U.S. viewers, then it is likely to be Katie Ledecky.

The 19-year-old American holds the world record in 400 and 800 metres freestyle and could complete a golden triple with the 200 as well.

Ledecky, who won four individual golds at last year’s world championships in Kazan, Russia, is the youngest member of the U.S. squad but looking unbeatable in 800.

Team mate Missy Franklin, who won four golds and a bronze in 2012, will compete in only two individual events and a relay after a disappointing trials.

Australian comeback The rest of the world, and particularly the Australians, sense an opportunity.

London saw the once-mighty swimming nation slump to its lowest Olympic haul in 20 years, with a subsequent review highlighting a ‘toxic culture’, but Rio can expect a fighting comeback.

“I think swimming has got its mojo back which is a great thing,” said head coach Jacco Verhaeren after national trials in April.

Cate Campbell set a 100m freestyle world record in July while sister Bronte is world champion but both face a challenge from Sweden’s Sarah Sjostrom.

On the men’s side, Cameron McEvoy will chase gold in the blue riband 100 freestyle, one of five events he will contest.

Golden couple Emily Seebohm and boyfriend Mitch Larkin go to Rio as world champions in both the 100m and 200m backstroke.

The Europeans will get in on

the act, with Britain’s breaststroke world champion Adam Peaty and 200m free world champion James Guy hoping to succeed for a country that has not had a male Olympic swimming gold medallist since Adrian Moorhouse in 1988.

Hungary, Italy, France — with reigning 50 metres freestyle world and Olympic champion Florent Manaudou — and the Netherlands all have potential medal winners too.

Africa will look to South Africans Cameron van der Burgh, the reigning champion and Peaty’s big rival in 100m breaststroke, and Chad Le Clos, who beat Phelps to 200m butterfly gold in 2012.

The scourge of doping, in a year darkened by scandals in Russia, also hangs over the pool with 2012 gold medallists Sun Yang of China and South Korea’s Park Tae-hwan back in Rio after suspensions.

Pollution is also a major concern for the open water swimmers after dangerous ‘super bacteria’ were found off Rio’s beaches. - Reuters

NORTH CAROLINA: An Olympic historian disagrees with a widely held consensus that American swimmer Michael Phelps is the greatest ever Olympian.

Phelps holds the record for career gold medals at 18, followed by Soviet gymnasts Larisa Latynina (nine) and Nikolai Andrianov (seven).

But as Bill Mallon points out, swimmers, gymnasts and runners, among others, benefit greatly from being more easily able to pile up medals in several events.

But discus throwers and pole vaulters, to use just a couple of examples, can win only one gold medal every four years.

Mallon, while freely acknowledging the greatness of Phelps, rates discus thrower Al Oerter the greatest Olympian. Oerter, who died in 2007 at the age of 71, won four consecutive gold medals from 1956-68, a feat matched only by fellow American Carl Lewis (long jump, 1984-1996).

What sets Oerter apart, according to Mallon, is that he was an underdog in three of those Olympics, and a co-favourite in the other. He perfected the art of peaking at the right time. “Oerter never won the U.S. Olympic trials,” Mallon, a co-founder of the International Society

of Olympic Historians, told Reuters. “Yet he won each gold with an Olympic record and a personal best.”

Phelps will have two chances in Rio to join Oerter and Lewis on the four-peat list — in the 100 metres butterfly and 200 individual medley. Mallon rates Phelps and Lewis among those with claims to being the secondgreatest Olympian, and says Usain Bolt will deserve consideration if the Jamaican sprinter can win the 100 and 200 metres and 4x100 relay for a third consecutive Games.

In individual events in Rio, Mallon says American gymnast Simone Biles, in the women’s all-around, is perhaps the surest bet for gold, while the United States women’s basketball team is the biggest lock for a team gold.

One other athlete Mallon will be watching closely is Japanese wrestler Saori Yoshida, who will shoot for a fourth consecutive gold.

Yoshida, 33, is not only unbeaten at the Olympics, but is a perfect 13-for-13 at world championships, stretching back to 2002.

“She has been beaten only twice in her career,” said Mallon. “She’s one of the most dominant athletes that nobody (outside Japan) has heard of.” - Reuters

CYCLING

Froome planning to ride Vuelta after Rio LONDON: Tour de France champion Chris Froome could ride Spain’s Vuelta after returning from the Rio Olympics, his Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford said on Tuesday. Froome, who was crowned champion for the third time in four years in Paris on Sunday after a dominant three weeks, will ride the time trial and road race in Bra-

zil next month. “That’s the plan at the minute. The season-long plan was Tour, on to the Olympics and on after that to the Vuelta. That’s still the outline at the minute,” Brailsford told Sky Sports.

“As we go through the next phase with the Olympics, we will assess it as we go along. All being well, that’s what we will be doing.”

Britain’s Froome arrived in Spain last year hoping to become the first man to win the Tour de France/Vuelta double since Bernard Hinault but pulled out after an 11th stage crash. While Froome is Sky’s undoubted team leader, Spain’s Mikel Landa will be expected to challenge strongly at the Vuelta which begins on Aug. 20

and features 10 summit finishes.

“The plan is for Mikel to do it and we will assess where he is at. I think he needs another race before the Vuelta, so we will see where we are at,” Brailsford said.

“It’s his home race and a lot of the race is around his home town and up in the north of Spain, and we have big ambitions for him as well.” - Reuters

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Kabali Kabali ( Tamil) ( Action) Cast : Rajanikanth & Radika Apte 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema Main Shahjahanum Pareekuttiyam ( Mal) Cast : Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya & Amala Paul 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -3 Sultan ( Hindi) ( Act\Sports) Cast: Salman Khan & Anushka Shama 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 PM Cinema -2 Kammati Paadam ( Mal) ( Act) Cast: Dulquer Salman & Anjali Aneesh 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -4

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CP No: 1930 ( PG12 ) The Conjuring 2 ( Horror/ Mystery/Thriller ) Cast : Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe 1.30, 4.00, 9.30 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No : 1924 ( 15+ ) Star Trek Beyond (Action/ Adventure ) Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban 3.15, 7.30, 9.45 p.m.

CP No : 1926 (PG12 ) Central Intelligence ( Action/Comedy/Crime ) Cast : Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Danielle Nicolet 5.30 p.m.

CP No : 1910 (12+) Sultan (Action/Drama/Sport) Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma, Randeep Hooda 6.30 p.m.

CP No : 1868 (PG 12) Monkey King: Hero Is Back (Animation) Voice Overs : Jackie Chan, Nicky Byrar, Feodor Chin 1.30 p.m.

CP No: 1925 (PG12)

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

WITH LOVE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

BAHJA CINEMA

Next Change : Anuraga Karikkin Vellam ( Mal)

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Dept time

12.18pm 3.41pm 6.57pm 8.16pm 4.11am

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES (ROUND THE CLOCK) Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya 24787766, 24787780

Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al Hayat International Hospital, Al Ghubra 22004000, 94267068/97049520 Al Hayat Clinic, Al Hail 22009455

AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

C7

LIFESTYLE IN THE NEWS

One-day summer camp at Millennium Resort

< FROM PAGE 5

sn’t it nice when something in life exceeds our expectations?

You know, that feeling of getting more than you bargained for, when someone over-delivers and it comes as a complete surprise.

Welcome to the business model of Air Asia X, the low-cost Thai airline which has just launched its new service from Muscat to Bangkok, flying three times a week.

Low-cost and long-haul conjures images of being crammed on to Ryan Air for seven hours, however Air Asia X’s offering in this price range comes as a totally refreshing change, being as it is a genuinely enjoyable experience to fly with them.

It is almost as if ‘surprise the passenger’ is the unofficial motto of Air Asia X. The key driver of this is the staff, both on the ground at check-in and especially the on-board crew because the passenger is treated with respect and courtesy normally reserved for business class on premium international airlines.

The warm smiles and deft service of the Air Asia X team put the traveller at ease even before they have stepped on board the A300 flight, which itself over-delivers on space, ambiance, and comfort.

I

Anyone who has flown, for example Ryan Air, will remember the sweaty blue plastic leather effect seats and the garish dark blue and bright yellow colour scheme, but the interior on Air Asia is calming, with comfortable seats and soothing tones. One could almost be forgiven for forgetting he was on-board a ‘low-cost’ operator at all.

This is amplified by the seating options on board, in economy one has the choice (for a small extra cost) to be the Quiet Zone. Soft ambient lighting, faster service for meals, and overall less noise on the six-hour flight, this is one way to ensure a relaxing journey. One can then opt (to pay) for one of the Hot Seats which offer extra legroom too.

However, if you want to opt for total comfort then Air Asia X’s Premium Flatbed option is for you, being ‘business class on a budget’.

Here again the airline under promises and over-delivers. So before you get on board you know you won’t have the endless flow of bubbles that other business class flights offer, you won’t get fine china and crystal glasses, you won’t even get in-flight entertainment.

But you do get a super comfy angle-lie flatbed starting from OMR132 one-way — that’s an impressively low fare for what is a real

FACTS & FARES • Round trip base fares start as low as OMR118 • All inclusive fares that include 20kg, one hot meal, and seat selection, start as low as OMR150 Lowest fares are at airasia.com

Thai Air Asia X operates flights to Singapore, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Phnom Penh, Yangon, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Bali.

It also operates local flights to Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai Province in northern Thailand, Hat Yai, Krabi, Phuket, Narathiwat, Nakhon Si thammarat and Surat Thani in southern Thailand, and Loudoun Thani in northeastern Thailand.

In addition to direct flights, Air Asia X provides transit services, helping passengers reach other cities in Thailand through the Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok.

The airline’s destinations include Krabi and Phuket, two popular beach destinations in Thailand, and attractive northern cities, including Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai.

luxury. However Premium Flatbed actually delivers business class experience — despite (and in some cases because of) the stripped back experience. Focusing on your seat for six hours, the Premium Flatbed reclines with all the same degree of flexibility as any other flatbed seat in other, more expensive, business classes. So you can go fully reclined, upright, laid back with the feet up, etc. You also get a pillow and duvet to add to the comfort.

Add to that a privacy screen separating you from your neighbour and your own reading light and you are already on to a winner.

The lack of in-flight entertainment can be compensated for by packing your laptop as you have your own power socket to keep it, and the rest of your devices, charged. As for the lack of fine china, ok when the meal is presented to you in the tin-foil tray with a plastic fork perhaps your heart sinks a little, but then you are totally unprepared for how delicious the meal actually is. Honestly it is good as anything served on many premium lines; it just comes in a little more basic presentation. Premium Flatbed comes with a meal included, but there is also a (very reasonably-priced) menu from which you can order more, plus drinks, if you

remain hungry or thirsty. The onboard crew also asks when you would like it served, so you can eat before sleeping, or they’ll wake you a short time before landing should you wish. It’s all ridiculously civilised for a ‘low-cost’ experience, no wonder SkyTrax awards Air Asia X the World’s Best Low Cost premium cabin and premium seat. Having polished off your food after watching (or reading) your own choice of entertainment, you plump up your pillow and pull up your duvet in the surprising amount of space and lie there, serenely calm, thousands of feet in the air, thinking ‘this is one of the most enjoyable flights I have had’. You don’t think it for long before you drift off to sleep.

Added bonuses of Premium Flatbed is the generous 40kg luggage allowance, plus priority check-in and priority boarding, plus you can change your flight free of charge up to two hours prior to departure.

All in all the passenger arrives in Don Mueang International Airport, some 30 minutes from Bangkok central, feeling at least as fresh as passengers on any other airline would, just with a significant amount more left in their wallets to enjoy the sites and sounds of Thailand’s most famous city and beyond.

— scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com

Millennium Resort Mussanah (MRM), in collaboration with Oman Sail’s Corporate and Personal Development (CPD) department, has announced summer camp for children from across the Sultanate.

Starting July 31, the skill oriented one-day programme, ‘Summer Camp 2016’, will include sailing, kayaking, cooking and team building activities facilitated by qualified instructors, promising fun for all.

For OMR29.900 per youngster with a 10% discount for all registrations made before July 31, children between the ages of 8-17 will have the opportunity to experience a full range of stimulating activities. The entire programme has been designed to motivate youngsters and create the perfect environment to nurture their social and individual growth.

Christoph Schleissing, General Manager of the Millennium Resort Mussanah, said, “Since our inception, we have been committed to providing family-friendly activities that everyone can enjoy. Our state-of-the-art facilities, location on the Batinah Coast, and love for the open sea make us perfectly placed to share the Sultanate’s rich traditions with our younger guests.

Our partnership with Oman Sail’s CPD facilitators reflects that commitment and will combine our expertise in a fun-filled, creative and safe atmosphere developed specifically for them.”

With its 54-berth private marina and state-of-the-art facilities, Millennium Resort Mussanah has gained a reputation for its thrilling water activities and scenic location on the Indian Ocean. Visitors to the resort can easily go snorkelling, sailing, boating, diving or book trips to a number of exceptional maritime locations such as the Dimaniyat Islands Nature Reserve.

Ahmed Al Ma’amari, Oman Sail CPD Senior Facilitator, said, “Sailing is a natural team-building activity and a great way for children to learn important interpersonal skills and the rewards of hard work.”

For more information and registration, contact Ahmed Al Ma’mari on the following email address: ahmed.mamari@omansail.com —lifestyle@timesofoman.com

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

C6

PRAYER TIMINGS

FIND-IT-ALL CINEMA SCHEDULE

@ AZAIBA

Kabali-2D (Crime/Drama) (12+) Cast: Rajinikanth, Winston Chao, Radhika Apte 8:45PM Sultan -2D (Hindi/ Action) (PG12) 3:30, 8:30PM Madaari - 2D (Social/Thriller) (PG) Cast Irrfan Khan, Jimmy Shergill 11:15PM The Legend of Tarzan - 3D (Drama) (PG12) 9:15, 11:30PM

@ PANORAMA MALL

@ RUWI

CITY CINEMA Contact (10 am to 6PM) 24567664 | 68 www.citycinemaoman.net facebook.com/citycinemaoman SHATTI The Legend of Tarzan – 3D (PG12) Action Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Rory J. Saper, Christian Stevens 9:15, 11:30 PM The Finding Dory – 3D (PG) Animation | Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks 5:00 PM Central Intelligence – 2D (12+) Action | Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart 4:45, 11:45 PM The Conjuring 2 – 2D (15+) Horror | Mystery Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson 2:30, 6:15, 9:00, 11:55 PM Star Trek Beyond – 3D (PG12) Action | Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban 2:30, 7:00 PM Kabali (Tamil) – 2D (12+) Tamil | Crime Cast: Rajinikanth, Winston Chao, Radhika Apte 9:00 PM Alice Through the Looking Glass – 3D (PG12) Adventure | Family | Fantasy Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp 3:00, 6:45 PM MUSCAT GRAND MALL Finding Dory - (3D) (Animation ) (PG) 12:30PM, 5:00pm Central Intelligence (Action) (12+) Cast: Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart..

3:00 & 9:15PM Alice Through the Looking Glass (PG12) 2:30, 7:15PM The Conjuring 2 (15+) Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison 4:45, 11:30PM The Conjuring 2 (15+) Gold Class 6:15PM Star Trek Beyond (PG12) Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban 12:45, 7:00PM Star Trek Beyond (PG12) Gold Class 3:30PM The Legend of Tarzan (3D) (PG12)

The Conjuring 2 – 2D (15+) Horror | Mystery Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe 2:30, 6:15, 9:00, 11:55 PM

Kabali (Tamil) (2D) (Crime | Drama) (12+) Cast: Rajinikanth, Winston Chao, Radhika Apte 2:00, 6:15, 7:20, 8:45, 11:30 PM

Madaari (PG) (Thriller, Drama) –PG Cast : Irrfan Khan, Jimmy Shergill, Vishesh Bansal 3.30, 9.30 PM

Free State of Jones - (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mahershala Ali 3:45, 6:45, 11:30PM

Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Rory J. Saper 9.30, 11.45pm The Legend of Tarzan (3D) Gold Class 8.45, 11.15pm (PG12)

Kabali - (2D) (Tamil | Crime) (12+) Cast: Rajinikanth, Winston Chao, Radhika Apte 6:15 & 8:30PM Star Trek Beyond - (3D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban 3:45, 9:00PM Free State of Jones - (2D) (Action) (12+) Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Mahershala Ali 3:45, 6:45, 11:30PM Madaari - (2D) (Hindi| Social | Thriller) (PG) Cast: Irrfan Khan, Jimmy Shergill, Vishesh 11:15PM

2:45, 9:05, 11:35 PM Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles-Out of the Shadows (3D) (Action | Comedy) (PG12) Cast: Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Tyler Perry 5:15 PM Monkey King: Hero is Back (2D) 3:15, 4:45 PM (Animation) (PG12)

Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison 3.45, 6.00 PM Kabali (Action - Tamil) (12+) Cast: Rajanikanth, Radhika Apte 11.15 PM Madaari (Hindi – Thriller) (PG) Cast: Irrfan Khan, Jimmy Shergill, Vishesh 8.30PM The Legend of Tarzan (3D – Action) (PG12) Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Rory J.Saper, 11.45 PM Free State of Jones (Action - 2D) (12+) Cast: Matthew MsConaughey, Mahershala Ali 3.30, 9.15 PM Sultan (Hindi) ( Action ) ( PG12 ) 6.15 PM

PANORAMA MALL The Legend of Tarzan - (3D) (Action | Adventure | Drama) (PG12) VIP LOUNGE Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Rory J. Saper 9:00PM The Legend of Tarzan - (3D) (Action ) (PG12) 9:30 & 11:30PM The Conjuring 2 - (2D) (Horror) (15+) VIP LOUNGE Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson 6:15 & 11:30PM The Conjuring 2 - (2D) (Horror) (15+) Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson 3:30, 9:15 & 11:45PM Alice through the Looking Glass - (3D) (Adventure) (PG12) VIP LOUNGE Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, 3:45PM Alice through the Looking Glass - (4D) (Fantasy) (PG12) MX4D 3:00, 5:00, 7:15PM Alice through the Looking Glass - (3D) (Adventure | Family | Fantasy) (PG12) 6:15PM

AZAIBA The Legend of Tarzan (3D) (Action ) (PG12) Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Margot Robbie 9:00 PM Kabali (Tamil) (2D) (Crime | Drama) (12+) Cast: Rajinikanth, Winston Chao, Radhika Apte 2:00, 6:15, 7:20, 8:45, 11:30 PM Star Trek Beyond (3D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban 4:00, 6:30, 11:45 PM Sultan (Hindi) (2D) (Action) (PG12) Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma 2:45, 6:00, 10:15 PM Madaari (Hindi) (2D) (Social | Thriller) (PG) Cast: Irrfan Khan, Jimmy Shergill, Vishesh

RUWI Screen 1 Madaari (PG) (Thriller, Drama) –PG Cast : Irrfan Khan, Jimmy Shergill 3.30, 9.30 PM Kabali (Tamil) (Thriller, Drama) –12+ Cast : Rajinikanth, Winston Chao, Radhika 6.30 PM Screen 2 Kabali Tamil (Thriller, Drama) –12+ 3.45, 9.45 PM Madaari (PG) (Thriller, Drama) –PG 7.00 PM Screen 3 Sultan (2D) (Action, Drama, Sport) –PG12 3.15, 6.30, 9.45 PM SUR The Conjuring 2 (Horror – English 2D) (15+)

SOHAR Star Trek Beyond – 3D (Action/Sci-Fi) (PG12) 3:45, 6:15, 8:45PM Alice through the Looking Glass– 3D (Adventure/Family/Fantasy) (PG12) 3:00, 7:15PM The Conjuring 2 – 2D (Horror/Mystery) (15+) 3:30, 6:00, 11:45PM Central Intelligence-2D (Action/) (12+) 6:45, 11:45PM Silah El Talamiz – 2D (Comedy) (PG12) 5:15PM

BURAIMI The Legend of Tarzan (3D) PG12 (Action ) Cast: Alexander Skarsgård, Rory J. Saper 9.00 & 11.45 PM Kabali 12+ (Tamil) (Crime | Drama) 9:00 PM The Conjuring 2 15+ (Horror | Thriller) 3.45, 6.15 & 11.30PM Star Trek Beyond (3D) PG12 (Action ) Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban 4.45 & 9.15PM Central Intelligence 12+ (Action | Comedy ) 7.00 PM Free State of Jones TBC (Action) 3.30 PM Sultan PG12 (Hindi) (Action) Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma 6.15 PM Madaari PG (Hindi) (Social | Thriller) Cast: Irrfan Khan, Jimmy Shergill 11.15 PM SALALAH The Conjuring 2 (2D) (15+) (Horror ) 2:00, 9:10, 11:55PM Central Intelligence (2D) (12+) (Action) Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart 12:00, 4:15, 11:45PM Star Trek Beyond (3D) (PG12) (Action ) 2:00, 6:10PM Sultan (2D) (PG12) (Action) 3:00, 11:15PM Free State of Jones (2D) (12+) (Action ) Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Mahershala Ali 12:15PM The Legend of Tarzan(3D) (PG12) (Action ) 8:30PM Madaari (2D) (PG) (Hindi) (Social | Thriller) 6:25PM Kabali (2D) (12+) (Tamil) (Crime | Drama) 6:15, 8:55PM Silah El Talamiz (2D) (PG12) (Arabic) 4:30PM

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

TEMPERATURE

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

Daily Daily Daily

Sur Quriyat Ruwi

06:45 08:30 10:00

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

TO AL BURAIMI (ROUTE 41)

06:30 06:30 08:00 13:00 13:00 16.00 16.00

07:00 07:00 13:30 13:00 13:00 13:00 17:00

Sohar Buraimi Buraimi Sohar Buraimi Sohar Buraimi

08:50 Daily 11:00 Daily 14:30 Daily via Ibri 15:45 Daily 17:40 Daily 18.35 Daily 20:20 Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 17:30

Sinaw

Nizwa Yanqul

20:50

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

Nizwa Al Araqi

36 29

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

75-46% Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 17 years) whose birthday you are celebrating, along with his/ her full name, date of birth, address, telephone number and parents’/your name to Times of Oman, With Love, PO Box 770, PC 112, Ruwi or through e-mail to extra@timesofoman.com

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54)

10:20 12:30

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) Sur Sur

15:40 15:40

Nizwa Ruwi

17:55 20:20

Daily Daily

TO SUR (ROUTE 55) 12:00 18:45

Daily Daily

TO FAHUD - YIBAL (ROUTE 62) 06:30 06:30

Fahud Yibal

Salalah Marmul Salalah Salalah

20:00 20:30 23:30 07:40

Daily Daily

Marmul

Dubai

16:50

Daily

Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai Sohar Dubai

Daily Daily

12:30 12:30

Fahud Ruwi

13:15 17:30

Daily Daily

07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Ruwi Marmul Ruwi Ruwi

19:50 13:15 22:30 07:30

LISTINGS

06:00

Marmul

16:30

Daily

08:30 11:30 15:30 18:30 17:35 20:55

Daily Daily Wed,Thur Wed,Thur Daily Daily

15:00

Salalah

Daily

07:00

Daily

10:50 13:40 16:15 19:10 18:45 21:35

Daily Daily Thur-Fri Thur-Fri Daily Daily

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 07:30 07:30 13:00 13:00 15:30 15:30

Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

TO DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH & SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

FROM DUBAI VIA FUJIRAH/SHARJAH (ROUTE 204)

07:00 07:00 07:00

16:00 16.00 16.00

Fujairah Sharjah Dubai

11.45 13.30 14.00

Daily Daily Daily

Sharjah Fujairah Ruwi

16:30 18.15 23.00

Emergencies and inquiries: 9999 General Directorate of Passport and Residence 24569603 Directorate General of Customs 24521109 Traffic violations inquiries 24510228 Public Relations Admin 24560099 EMBASSIES IN OMAN

Daily Daily Daily Daily

DUBAI TO SALALAH (ROUTE 102)

07:00

TO DUBAI (ROUTE 201) 06:00 06:00 13:00 13:00 15:00 15:00

10:45 19:00

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101)

SALALAH TO DUBAI (ROUTE 102) 15:00

Ruwi Ruwi

TO SALALAH -MARMUL (ROUTE 100) Daily Daily Daily Daily

TO MARMUL (ROUTE 101) 06:00

06:00 14:30

TO YIBAL - FAHUD (ROUTE 62)

10:30 11:15

TO MARMUL-SALALAH (ROUTE 100) 07:00 10:00 10:00 19:00

Kabali Kabali ( Tamil) ( Action) Cast : Rajanikanth & Radika Apte 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 pm Cinema Main Shahjahanum Pareekuttiyam ( Mal) Cast : Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya & Amala Paul 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -3 Sultan ( Hindi) ( Act\Sports) Cast: Salman Khan & Anushka Shama 3-30, 6-30 & 9-30 PM Cinema -2 Kammati Paadam ( Mal) ( Act) Cast: Dulquer Salman & Anjali Aneesh 3-45, 6-45 & 9-45 pm Cinema -4 Next Change : Anuraga Karikkin Vellam ( Mal)

0

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

Film information 24791641 / 24786776 Website: www.isurf.co.om

Minimum

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

STAR CINEMA

0

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52)

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

The Legend Of Tarzan ( Action / Adventure ) Cast: Alexander Skarsgard, Rory J. Saper, Christian Stevens 11.55 p.m.

CP No: 1930 ( PG12 ) The Conjuring 2 ( Horror/ Mystery/Thriller ) Cast : Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Madison Wolfe 1.30, 4.00, 9.30 & 11.55 p.m.

CP No : 1924 ( 15+ ) Star Trek Beyond (Action/ Adventure ) Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban 3.15, 7.30, 9.45 p.m.

CP No : 1926 (PG12 ) Central Intelligence ( Action/Comedy/Crime ) Cast : Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Danielle Nicolet 5.30 p.m.

CP No : 1910 (12+) Sultan (Action/Drama/Sport) Cast: Salman Khan, Anushka Sharma, Randeep Hooda 6.30 p.m.

CP No : 1868 (PG 12) Monkey King: Hero Is Back (Animation) Voice Overs : Jackie Chan, Nicky Byrar 1.30 p.m.

CP No: 1925 (PG12)

WEATHER

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

Film information 24540856 / Advance Booking 24540855 Website: www.albahjacinemaoman.com

WITH LOVE

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

BAHJA CINEMA

Programmes are subject to change

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI) Destination

12.18pm 3.41pm 6.57pm 8.16pm 4.11am

CHILDREN BELOW THE AGE OF 3 YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE CINEMA | BOX-OFFICE COUNTER OPENS 30-MINUTES PRIOR TO THE SCREENING OF THE FIRST SHOW

@ SHATTI

Dept time

Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

Daily Daily Daily

Afghanistan Algeria Bahrain Bangladesh Brazil Brunei China Cyprus Egypt France Germany India Indonesia Iran Iraq Italy Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya South Korea Kuwait

24698 791/4 24605 593 24 605 074/133 24 698 660 24640100 24 603533 24 696782 24 699815 24 600 982/411 24681 800 24835000 24684500 2469 1050 24 696 944/7 24603642 24693727 24 601 028 24692760/1/3 24 692418 24 697664 24 691490 24 699628

Lebanon Libya Malaysia Morocco Nepal Netherlands Pakistan Palestine Philippines Qatar Russia Saudi Arabia Senegal Somalia South Africa Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Switzerland Syria Tanzania Thailand Tunisia Turkey UAE United Kingdom United States Yemen

24 693208 24603466 24698329/643 24696152/3 24696177 24603706 24603439 24601312 24605335 24 691 153/2/4 24602894 24601705 24694139 24697977 24647300 24691101 24697841/2 24697875 24603267 24697904 24601 174 24 602684/5 24603486 24697050/1/2 24400000 24609000 24643400 24600815

PHARMACIES (ROUND THE CLOCK) Al Hashar Pharmacy, Ruwi 24783334 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre, Hamriya 24787766, 24787780

Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Lifeline Hospital Salalah 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al Hayat International Hospital, Al Ghubra 22004000, 94267068/97049520 Al Hayat Clinic, Al Hail 22009455

AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

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W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 6

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

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VACANCY

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CARGO

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*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

FOR RENT Contact 96177505

In MSQ. Near ABA school one villa for rent 6 rooms, 4 bathrooms, house maid room, AC split unit, swimming pool One flat in CBD 2 bedrooms, sitting room, 2 bathrooms & Kitchen One flat in Qurum 29 – 1 & 2 rooms, AC split unit, 2 bathrooms, Kitchen In Al Hail one office space – (Near Main Road) one room attach with bathroom and kitchen.

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W E D N E S D AY, J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

*Tourist visa arranged

FOR RENT

New 2B/R behind bank Muscat, Bausher directly from owner.

Contact: 92158031

5 bedroom brand new villas for rent in Al Khoud, near Al Ruwad International School.

2BHK & 1BHK flats with split air conditioners are available for rent in new building in Al Qurum, near Rose Garden. Interested persons may contact on 95133331 / 97048091

Contact 99447002 / 98116480

2 bedroom flat split ACs near Zakher Al Khuwair rent R.O 250/PM . Contact: 95278815

1000 sqm Industrial plot compound wall & two room at Misfah I/A. Contact: 99342733

Garage A Grade license with equipment for rent at Mabellah, Senaiyah good location.

Contact 92874923

Ruwi office space for rent, Saravana Bhava Building.

Contact: 95729549

3 BHK flat in Azaiba, opp. Sultan Centre. Contact 99261522 / 99857332

Spacious 4 BHK with split A/Cs 4 Bathrooms and storeroom near Church roundabout Mumtaz area rent R.O 550. Contact: 99349672

2 BHK flat at Wadi Kabir, behind Pioneer Hotel Apartment.

Contact 99261522 / 99857332

Flat behind Mazoon Mosque with 3 room + 3 toilets, RO 230.

Contact 99738881 / 99420346

Flat in Darsait & Ruwi, Office CBD. Contact: 95345909 / 92820734 2 bedroom centrally air conditioned flat in CBD near Central Bank. Contact 24714625 / 91173997

Flat for rent in Al Mawaleh South 3, 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, hall, kitchen & store with air condition.

Contact 98575157

Office for rent 300 RO, Saravana Bhavan Restaurant Building.

Contact 95957938 - 96297031.

6 & 4 bedroom villas available for rent at North Al Hail, 5 mins from the Wave, fully maintained villas.

Contact: 99833747 / 24562526

1,2 BHK available Mumtaz area Ruwi. Contact: 99269751 Flat for rent in Sidab, 2 rooms, 2 toilets & 1 living room. Contact: 92222269 / 98189988 Flat for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 1 room, 1 bathroom & small Kitchen.

Contact: 99344240 3 Rooms, 2 Toilets Flat for Rent.

18 November Street. Near Mars Hypermarket and The Chedi.

Ghobrah -Good for Commercial or Residential use. OMR 295/- month.

Call 94477222 Flat for rent in Al Hamriya 3 rooms, 3 bathrooms & kitchen.

Contact: 99344240

1 & 2 bedroom apartments available for rent at South Ghubra, close to Muscat Grand Mall, opposite Panorama Mall, fully maintained flats, Contact: 99833747 / 24562526 Single flat for rent in Darsait near Indian School. Contact: 95453813 / 95806611 Two bedrooms flat behind German Embassy near to Al Nahda Hospital. Conant: 99203954 Open land farm of around 40 thousand sq m2 at a good location near to Rusayl for rent or waiver at a very attractive rate. Good for farm or camp. Fr more info pls contact 93692228 / 91155779

Office / showroom for rent, near Kims Hospital Darsait, main road facing RO 1200/-.

Contact 99756633

1 bedroom family / bachelors in Al Khuwair R.O 90/-.

Contact: 95154331

Flat with 2 room + kitchen +hall, 3 toilets in al Quram Breeiq Al Shatti RO 650. Contact 99738881 / 99314314

2BHK split A/C 200/- Monthly & 1BHK spilt A/C 150/- monthly new building good location Barka Market. contact 99342661

Flat in Al-Khoudh, Flats and shops in Fanja near Nizwa road.

Mobile: 99058646 2 bedrooms flats R.O 370/- & one bedroom flat R.O 325/- in South Ghubra, behind Asalah Bhawan building. Contact: 96202490 Two bedrooms flat behind German Embassy near to Al Nahda Hospital. Contact: 99209354 I BHK Flat -3 Nos at Hamriya – R.O. 175/-3 Bed Room/ 3 Bath room/ Very big sitting area/ kitchen - Villa 1st floor with A/C at Al Khuwair Near Rayyan Residence.

R.O 360/-For families. Contact: 94934353 - 9 am to 7 Pm. Email – forrentksd@gmail.com Flats for rent near Indian School in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122 2 Bedrooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality. Contact: 24700120 / 92584715 3 BHK flat for rent at 18th Nov Street Al Ghubrah.

Contact 93088602 2 bed rooms flat with hall, 2 bathrooms in Darsait near Muscat Municipality.

Contact: 92584715/ 24700120 7 bedroom villa for rent close to Rusayl Industrial area – Jaffnin.

Contact 98116480 / 994470020

STORE FOR RENT 750 sq mtrs near Al Felaj Plastic Co. Sanaya Wadi Kabir.

Contact : 99512633

1 & 2 BHK Flat for rent at MBD, Hall at Sana, opp. Al Nahdha Hospital, Al Khoudh Souq and Mabella Sanaya No.2 and shop Al Khoudh.

Contact: 24834644 / 93994401/ 02 /03 Flat in Al Khuwair opp grand mall 4 room 3 toilet + hall kitchen in 3 floor 400. Contact 99420346 Flat for rent Wadi Al Kabir.

Contact: 99379950 / 92925173

1 BHK Flats are available near Lulu Darsait (Opp. to Min. of Defense) Contact: 93202733 / 94771769 Flats, shops & store for rent in MBD area Ruwi, Mumtaz area.

Contact: 97293708 / 92433127 Ghubra & Al Khuwair, 1 bed room, hall. Contact: 90991079 Flats for rent in Mumtaz, 2 bedrooms , hall Way no 3352 building no. 3447 & 3668.

Contact: 90991079 2 BHK flat at Wadi Kabir 2 bathrooms with split A/Cs near Indian Kindergarten School.

Contact: 99367627 Wadi Kabeer Industrial 80 sm show rooms for rent 400/- R.O. Contact: 99879939 Flats for rent South Al Mabela.

Contact: 95233117 / 95230355 Flat for rent in Al Khoud, 2 rooms & hall. Contact: 91763665 Villa for rent, with split A/C, in South Ghubra behind American School with 11 bedrooms including 2 majlis, 8 bathrooms and kitchen.

Car parking available. For residential or intuitional rent.

Contact: 99233729 1 Bed room, sharing K& T, R.O 100, 2 bedrooms , sharing K& T R.O 200/- in AL Khuwair.

Contact 95154331

Flat for rent in South AlGhubrah 3 rooms, hall and 3 toilets, kitchen rent 450/-. Contact: 99335580 House in Darsait, 3 rooms, 1 bathroom, kitchen with A/C. Contact: 95522405 Spacious 3 BHK apartment + store room with split A/C Al Seeb, Mabelah South near Goat market, near Expressway R.O 320 negotiable. Contact: 96920789 / 98309890 Furnished office (61M2) for sale / rent Al Khuwair near Zawawi Mosque. Contact: 95611569 2BHK split A/C for rent Muttrah near Oman House.

Contact: 97007934 / 92629232 Flat for Rent 2 bed room Near ISM muscat Indian Scoole Darsate Tel : 00 968 95158570 Flat for rent 2 BHK 2 split A/C, 2 toilets, Wadi Kabir near Kuwaiti Masjid. Contact 97007934 / 92629232 2BHK Big Size Flat Behind Bank Muscat, Wadi Kabir. Near ISWK. 97826454, 24815012.

Warehouse at Wadikabir - total area 3500 sqm - covered warehouse (500sqm), office, accommodation (1000sqm), open area (2000sqm) please contact: 99273774 - 99202278

WANTED Urgently required looking to immediately buy used Grit blasting & airless spray equipment 1 No each.

Contact: 968 24810930 / 93203772 / 93203773 / 93203778 IELTS Coaching (academic) required nearby wadi Kabir area. Please call on mobile or msg on Whats up. Contact 92927880/99012165

AVAILABLE Party & Wedding equipment rentals. Full line, from Tables, Linen & Skirting, Chairs & Chair covers, Cutlery, Crockery, Glassware, Chafing Dishes, Ice Sculptures, to Large Sound Systems and spectacular lighting. Call Andrea 9606 2222 for Catering and Croyden 9623 5555 for Sound & Light. ww.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com IELTS classes provided in Ruwi area. Those interested may contact 96769456

ACC. WANTED One single furnished room with attached bathroom required for a Indian decent Executive bachelor non cooking, in MBD, CBD, Rex road, Ruwi, Hamriya Area.

Contact 00968 96328687 Indian working lady looking for single spacious room with separate room with separate toilet & sharing, kitchen near MBD South.

Contact: 92183404 Accommodation Wanted for an Executive Bachelor, Single Flat / Sharing Room @ Wadi Kabir.

Pls call: 93883674 / 98103169

W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 6

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DAILY GUIDE

FOR SALE SHUTTERING PLYWOOD SIZE : 4’ X 8’ X 18MM GSM: 92835445,93205253,93205423

RENT A CAR FOR SALE Dental chairs for sale sparingly used dental units for sale.

Contact Mr. Ansari 92616343.

Kumar 99570284 Coffee shop near Al Sarooj “Turkish Shawarma & Grill “ at the prime location for sale. Contact: 94034778 / 94034731

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished room in ruwi and azaiba for rent for executive bachelors. Gsm 99058344 Furnished apartment for rent, two rooms, majlis, hall, kitchen.

Near Carrefour al-mawalah.

Contact 99336776

A medical clinic located in Al Amerat is for sale. Interested parties can contact 92704439.

Big room attach bathroom with kitchen family for bachelor, near Muscat Palace RO 75/-.

Contact : 95094028

FOR sale / lease running Sofa making unit at Barka Sanaya with 12 clearance for sale or lease.

Contact: 98196845

Spacious semi furnished room with separate bathroom for Executive bachelor Opp. O.C. Centre Ruwi . Call : 90611670

Kids & women cloth, shoes accessory shop in Al Khoud.

Contact: 91121277

Furnished room available for Executive bachelor in Ruwi area.

Contact: 99054542

Immediate sale well running ladies saloon for sale at Al Khoud near SQU. Serious buyers can call: 90807020 / 95251987

Room for Indian family or Executive bachelor at Ruwi with bathroom, 2 Kitchens R.O: 100/-.

Contact: 95187974

Beauty Saloon for sale, next to Wedding hall, Amerat. Contact 99609265

Furnished room available with attached bath & balcony, near MBD Area. Contact 95031132

HD Scaffoldings, Shuttering Jacks, Wooden Planks, Shuttering wood assorted, Tower hoist (lift), Concrete Mixer, Bending Machine, Steel Fabrication Machinery (Searing/Cutting, lathe & Welding) including tools for immediate sale: Contact 99273774/ 99202278

Room with attached bathroom for a family in Wadi Kabir. #97167857

Single colorful Bed and Sofa for Sale at Al Khuwair. Contact 92881849 / What`s up No 97290565

1 BHK appartment for rent in Al Khoud Shabiya near mazoon mosque for rent (next to alkhoud medical center and squ) MOB: 93913224

Coffee shop for sale at Mabella, Sanaya. Contact 96704519 Steel Scrap materials for immediate sale.Contact 99273774/ 99202278

Furnished room attached bath for Indian bachelor, Al-Falaj Ruwi & lady Wadi Kabir near Mars hypermarket. Contact: 96202458/96761960

Sharing Accommodation available for working ladies opposite Al Nadhah Hospital. Preferably Indians. Room with seperate toilet and sharing kitchen.RO.90.

Contact: 96524717

Space for printing press available at wadikabir with or without machinery.

Contact 99328430

Furnish bedroom with attach bathroom for executive bachelor.

Contact: 97704794

Restaurant for sale heart of Ruwi.

Contact 93687466

Room, bath room for executives in Wadi kabir. Contact 99336206

Almost new beach/ garden lounge chairs /bar stools/ counter.

Photos can be sent 95865457 Shop for sale near Oman House, Muttrah. Contact 99024362.

1No brand new containerized package type STP 100 m3/ day with blower equipments (suitable for camps). Serious Buyers may.

Contact: 99445367

Room available in Mumtaz area 1 room, 1 Bathroom, Kitchen & 1 room, common bathroom. Interested please contact 92680041 Mr. Altaf Sharing accommodation near ISD. Contact: 99657340 Room available for Executive bachelor at Al Hail.

Contact 96234708

SITUATION WANTBUSINESS

TRANSPORTATION Transportation Engage.

Contact: 92711421

INVESTOR PARTNER REQUIRED For a successfully Catering Restaurant Investor cum Partner is required.

Investor with fixed returns also welcome.

Please contact – 95213273

Email: muscatcoffeeshop@gmail.com Partner available, if you have an established business & looking for partner for expanding or open new branch.

Contact: 92010247 WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

ACC. AVAILABLE Room with attached bathroom and sharing kitchen available for Executive bachelor or small family at wadikabir.

Contact 93049849

Driver with car required to pick & drop from Al Hail to Wadi Kabir School. Contact 95660278 Transportation. Contact: 98657739 Transportation. Contact: 91310107 Transportation. Contact: 94510847 Transportation available Al Khuwair, Ghobrah, Azaiba, Al Hail & Al Khoud. Drop & pick.

Contact 95250161 Transportation available Ruwi to Al Khuwair, Ghubra & Azaiba.

Contact: 91103909 Transportation. Contact 99508282 Transportation required from Qurum to WadiKabir at afternoon only 1 PM. Contact - 99012165 Transportation. Contact 92015894 Transportation. Contact 94510847

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Gulf link rent car get the best rate daily weekly monthly & long term.

Contact: Tel: 24348106 G.S.M: 98265073 /96023931 Email: gulflink403@gmail.com

25 - 50 seater bus with PDO & BP specification for monthly rent & small car with driver.

Contact: 99839898

MV SALE MV SALE Nissan Sunny 2007 automatic owned by expatriate banker.

Original black color, new tyres, new battery. Excellent Condition.

RO1900 negotiable.

Contact 99802780 Nissan Qashqai 2013 Kms 30,000 VGC comprehensive nsurance UAE / Oman.

Contact: 96995430

Toyota Prado 2009 model 6 cylinder 287000 km and land rover 3, 2008 model, 8 cylinder, 49000 km, single owner.

Contact.92875508 Motor bike, Model 2014 (150 -CC) Price 450/- O.R. Contact: 98958944 Camry 2011 single owner Expat 104,000 km. Contact 99105283 / 92829562

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W E D N E S D AY, J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 6 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

WANTED

ACCOUNTS An Omani Audit firm is seeking audit partner to join the firm, the candidate should be completed any certificate course CIA,CPA, CA, ACC, and 4 years’ experience, interested candidates to submit their CVs to : auditbureau2016@gmail.com

CATERING

SITUATION WANTED

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE

We are group of companies and need following Technical Staff for our Civil Projects in OMAN. • Project Manager - 6 no’s. 10 years’ experience (B.E) • Civil Engineer - 4 no’s. (B.E) 5 years’ experience • RCC Foreman - 5 no’s. (Civil Diploma) - 5 years’ experience • Earth work foreman - 5 no’s.(Civil Diploma) - 5 years’ experience • Material Inspector - 1 no’s– 5 years’ experience.(Civil Diploma) Send us your CV with confidence at

info.wastc@gmail.com

Shawarma / grill / Salad / Asian Cook. Contact: 95529970

Wanted a house boy for an apartment in Azaiba, full time or part time. Contact : 96103792

Chief / Senior Accountant, having 12 years Oman experience looking for a job NOC / Release with D/L available. Contact: 97385562

House maid for Omani family.

Contact: 99773100

DRIVER Wanted a experience Driver for Capital and Interior work.

Gsm : 942-888-63

SALES / MARKETING

Required Omani Driver for a restaurant. Contact 95929911

Furniture & décor co. require Outdoor sales team, immediate joining.

Email: batrading2014@gmail.com

ENG./TECHNICIAN

Required marketing / PR manager for a modern restaurant group in Oman , proficient in illustrator & Photoshop charismatic , proactive , creative & flexible excellent writing / Editing skills degree in relevant area fluent in English. Send CV to marketingpr2016@gmail.com

Wanted 2 yrs experienced CCTV access control Technicians with ITI / Diploma qualified. Candidate locally available with driving license preferred. Send CV at Email : elvjobs2016@gmail.com

Required Electrical B.Tech with 5 years of Oman experience & D/L. Electrical with ITI Industrial & MEDC license.

Contact: 99454425

EDUCATION/TRAINING Teachers required B.Sc, B.Ed, BA, B.Ed & Art for Omani Pvt School (North Hail). Send CV : fairozhuded13@gmail.com, Contact : 96653118 Required English, computer and science female Teachers up to grad 4. Contact - 95054916, aa77345@gmail.com. contact time after 5PM

MEDICAL GP Doctor (or) MD General Medicine with MOH license required for reputed clinic in Bidiya N. Sharqiya, running on his own or salary basis. Contact 99005452 Required gynecologist GEN: practitioner lady lab Technician and pharmacologist immediately for a clinic in Suwaiq.

Contact 95081010 Email: umchealthcare@gmail.com A medical centre is looking to hire immediately a talented Nurse to join our successful team, required 3 years of experience, Oman prometric, data flow. Send your CV to- issalibi@gmail.com or Whatsapp - 91254820 GP doctor needed for reputed clinic. Preferably with MOH license or with Dataflow & Paramatics pass Contact: 95388934

DESIGNER

Care Medical Centre Al Seeb requires Gynecologist and General Practitioner. Mail CV to: sarita_h23@yahoo.com

Interior designer needed urgently.

Email: batrading2014@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR

IT Required Shop Sales man + Hardware Technician for IT Company with minimum 2 years experience.

Contact: 98825806 / 98825806, Email: info@rns-group.com

Catering Company requires: Procurement Managers (7 years with Gulf experience) & Pest Control Supervisor (5 years with Gulf experience), Omani heavy truck (freezer) driver, 5 years experience with PDO license will be preferred. Send CV to: Email: info@rcsoman.com Contact: 95892831 / 99040032

MEDICAL MISCELLANEOUS Urgently required Doctor, Nurse for private clinic at Khaboura.

Contact: 92260496 GP Doctor and Dentist required for a reputed clinic in Sumail area.

(MOH preferred).

Contact : 95042101 Require a Male Staff for a travel agency having good knowledge of all work IATA certificate.

Contact: 92119395 / 90664410 Urgently required Civil Draftsman & Junior Architect with minimum 1 yr oman experience in Engineering Consultancy.

Contact : 93514534 mail : wec.consult101@gmail.com Urgently required GP, Staff Nurse (male) X- Ray Technician, Lab technician. Contact: 94562008/ 99030773 Email: halamedicalgroup@gmail.com Urgently required a lady GP, Staff Nurse & Asst Pharmacist for a well reputed clinic. Candidates with MOH license or prometric pass can apply. Contact 99048170 / 94870029, Email : murtafatmct@yahoo.com Wanted Staff Nurse for a dermatology clinic in Muscat .

Must have MOH license and NOC. Attractive salary offered. Email: clinicvacancy2015@gmail.com

Qualified ACA, ACS, 10 years post Qualification Experience, working in bank, looking for openings in Banks and NBFC. Open to any GCC. Mbl: +968-90788509, Email: kartirevy@gmail.com Indian male, B.Com, MBA in Finance, 4 yrs in Larsen & Tourbo, 26 yrs in Oman, English/ Arabic speaking with driving license.

NOC available. Contact 95588565

DOMESTIC HELPER

Required Electrical Engineer (Preferably B.E. degree) having minimum 3 years experience in Estimation, Proposals, Business development and project coordination, required for Electrical EPC projects management. Oman /GCC experience is added advantage. Interested candidates to write to info@amtaeng.com. Contact 99855130.

Indian (M) B.Com, MBA in Finance, in GCC for 26 Years, well experienced in Accounts & Finance, 4years in L&T, Speaks Arabic, having Driving License & NOC. Contact 95588565

Required candidates for following posts: Accountant, Storekeeper, Foreman Building Maintenance, Van-salesman (water), Helpers.

Candidates with Omani driving license preferred.

Contact 99273774/99202278

SKILLED / UNSKILLED Immediate requirement cast aluminum, Stainless steel, window glass, MS, Factory Site Engineer, Supervisor, Cast Aluminum fabricator, SS fabricator, (Cast Aluminum), Site Worker, Stainless Steel Tig Welder buffing & polisher, Site Supervisor, Cast Aluminum molders. Send CVs to tdnewgates@gmail.com or Wahtsapp 99197060 /98046537 Required Indian Mason – 5 nos., eligibility (minimum 5 yrs experience in road construction field).

Contact: 99882127 Email: georgymv@yahoo.com Sign makers – LED, NEON, Metal, Acrylic, 3D signs & screen printer required urgently.

Contact 99350586 Wanted experienced English speaking female Tailor from Philippines for reputed family in Qurum. Contact: 99466062

Urgently required experienced Marketing Executive with D/L for a reputed interior design and contracting company. Contact : 91183536 / 98084356 Email: perfectfitouts@gmail.com Required smart, young, dynamic Sales & Marketing Executive having 2-3 years sales experience for a reputed manufacturing company in Oman, having its Head Office in Ruwi. Experience in building materials is an added advantage. Omani Driving License and NOC is a must. Attractive remuneration package.

Apply with photograph to E-mail: salesjobds@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTSIT. WANTED ADMIN Indian lady, B.Tech + MBA, 3 years experience looking for a suitable job. Contact 91156408/ divyasara16@gmail.com Omani lawyer & legal adviser experience in law, Administration, business management, public relations, education full / part time.

Contact: 97243393 Email: mwm3003@gmail.com Male, 5 yrs experience, 6 months PDO Oman experience seeks suitable job. Contact 92726423, Email : engr.rabiul@gmail.com 7 yrs EXP Office Admin/HR MCA, BCA,MBA , Oman license NOC available PH : 97086686 B.A with 3 years Gulf experience in Administration seeking for a suitable placement.

Contact : 91851906 Email: shabeerkt24@gmail.com Indian Female, MBA-HR having 8+ experience in Administration/ HR, Customer Support, Office Coordinator with good Computer skill, Now on Visit Visa,looking for suitable position. Contact: 90196235 With 15 years of gulf experience in HR- Admin logistics looking for suitable position fluent in Arabic & Eng NOC available. Contact: 95824598 Indian male, 20 years experience in Oman as personal assistant / Executive Office Manager / Executive Secretary / Administration/ business development asst with Omani driving license & valid visa. local release available.

Contact 99168054 Indian female with nearly 10 years of experience in Administration and HR , in an oil industry company , seeking for a suitable placement . NOC available.

Contact: 99242841 Filipino HRD especialist / material controller supervisor with 18 yrs experience looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: (+968) 98037142 / (+968) 92659817

Indian male, 26 yrs, ACCA affiliated Graduated in MBA from London, 2 years experience in Accounting, & Auditing field, NOC available. Contact: 93008800 Email: shabadpattarkandy@gmail. com Purchase & Materials Manager, MBA Finance Indian, 29, male 5+ yrs experienced GCC driving license, NOC ready to join as early as possible. Contact: 91325959 Email: msjacson@gmail.com Accountant / Store keeper B.Com, Tally experienced.

Contact 97049786 Sr. Accountant (NOC/ Release) available, Indian, 14+ yrs experience MBA/MSE PGDCA. Contact 96018303 / 93279110, shvkoorajklm@gmail.com An Audit & finance professional with 4+ years of diversified GCC experience, available for a suitable position. Contact: 91206192 or Email: ahsun.nadeem@live.com for further details.

Accountant B.Com Indian male, 7 years Dubai experience in MNC seeks suitable jobs.

Contact: 94966128 Indian female CA Inter, M.Com, 3 years experience in Audit, seeking suitable jobs. Contact: 94863876 M.B.A Qualified experienced upto finalization looking for suitable placement in accounts.

Contact 99002390 Fresher 25, ACCA Affiliate, Advanced diploma in Accounting and Business seeking suitable placement in Accounts, Finance or Audit with oman driving license.

Contact - 92430152 , Email - raju.rd619@gmail.com 36 Male MBA finance 7 years of exp. NOC available with Oman driving license. Knowledge of Excel tally & quickbooks. Looking for Accounts and Admin position.

Contact 96763275 Email: fazee1980@gmail.com Indian male Accountant, 2.5 yrs exp in Oman, NOC available with valid D/L. Contact 98870112

IND female 12 years exp in Banking, insurance customer service secretarial skills analysis communication, client handling, coordination, Team handling, qualification, M.Com looking suitable position current visit visa.

Contact: 95166496 Indian male age 26, Accountant one year experience in accounts looking for suitable job. Contact Email: Anishkhan991867@gmail.

Com Mobile: +968 9565 9415 Indian male 25 yrs, Graduate in commerce, overall 5 yrs exp in accounts/ finance field. On visit visa. Immediately available.

Contact 92836216 / muhammad.tausif623@gmail.com Qualified and experienced MBA post graduate with proven work exposure in Middle East & India, having more than 5.5 years of rich experience in accounts , project coordination and administration in (3.5 years UAE experience) oil and gas projects is currently looking for suitable job. Contact 93953613, Email-allen.mathew83@gmail.com Accounts part time services available to handle all accounts up to finalization on monthly basis.

Finalization and audit works.

Contact: 96247295 Finance Manager 16 years experienced chartered accountant ( Sri Lankan) looking for a suitable post. NOC available.

Contact: 92194926 Email: manomuscat@gmail.com Indian male, 25 years - MBA Finance (fresh) on Visit Visa seeking suitable placement. Contact: 97279816.

E-mail: riyadr185@gmail.com Accountant & sales & marketing.

Contact: 99730968 / 90696269 Accountant 8Years Experience with D/L and NOC. Contact: 97712084

ARCH./ INTERIOR DEC. Pakistani male, with D/L Diploma in Architectural experience, 3 yrs in Pakistan. Contact 96364344 Architect female 5 years experience seeking job. Contact: 96146645 Email: anjuovil@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELPER Housemaid, Indian female looking for full time job. Contact: 95799643

DESIGNER/DRAUGHTSMAN Autocad works / Boq. freelance / part time, exp team in Civil, MEP, HVAC, 2d, 3d, interior. Contact : 97103168 AutoCAD Draughtsman on visit visa looking for suitable placement, 2 years experience in 2D & 3DS MAX designer (Civil Engineering). Contact: 95430420 Autocad D Man, diploma civil knows 2D ARCH, STRUCTURAL, 3D now in visit visa ph : 93837973 Interior Designer 3 years experience, visit visa. Contact: 94957404 Email: midunmv@gmail.com Architectural Interior Draftsman seeking job. Contact: 95516807 Architectural Draftsmen diploma in construction technology with 6 years experience in drafting and detailing as per British standard in Oman with valid Omani license looking for suitable opportunity Noc available. Call 94375897.

Revit, Autocad D/man, expected salary 200 OMR PH :92279784 Filipino Senior Revit/AutoCAD Draftsman with 20 years professional experience is looking for suitable job in Oman. Please Contact: 96489798, (+974) 66653780.

DESIGNER

ACCA member with 6 yrs of experience in Oman looking for a suitable job in finance.

Contact 99284193

Indian male good experience in Graphic Designing. NOC/ Release available looking for suitable placements. Contact: 98461278

Sudanese Accountant, Alexandria University Graduate bachelor of commerce Diploma of Marketing professional photographer worked in PR and social media for 2 years looking for a job in public relations media, social media or marketing.

Contact: 96976240

Freelance ARCH 2D / 3D rendering / graphic design bldg PH : 97103168 email: mass.m@hotmail.com

Indian female M.Com DCA having 10+ years experience in accountant & administration in Oman, with Oman driving license seeking suitable job. Contact: 91609799 Indian female 28 yrs B.Com 4 yrs experience in MNC’s currently in Muscat seeking suitable placement in Finance / Admin.

Contact :94743790 Indian, Kerala Male B.COM & B.PE, Currently on Visit Visa. Looking for a suitable job in Accounts, Store Keeper, Sales etc.

Ready to join as early as possible.

Contact: 96988923 email:- sajith3969@gmail.com

Web/Graphic designer with 4 years experience currently on visit looking for a suitable placement .

98752347 / 95933878.

DRIVER Bangladeshi male, seeks driving job, have 15 years driving experience in Qatar, U.A.E & Oman, familiar of every place of Muscat, knowing Arabic & Hindi.

Contact: 92456754 Pakistani Light Driver, looking Job 97986787 Looking for driving job, 8 yrs exp in Oman. Contact: 92005819 Looking for driving job, 8 yrs exp in Oman. Contact: 99465319 Light duty driver looking for job.

Contact: 94291571 / 95576051

Indian/MBA/male Chief Accountant 18Yrs Experience, MIS, C.Flow, Budgeting, ERP, Cost accounting &Liasing with auditors. NOC available.

Contact: 92254691/97826674 email: khader2305@gmail.com

Indian Keralite, B.Com, male 25 yrs, 1.5 yrs exp.,looking for suitable job in Muscat currently on visiting visa. Contact: 90931930 Email: shijin.p450@gmail.com

Accountant, B.Com, Indian male, 24 yrs, currently on visit visa, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92406920

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

Available light driver 1 year experience. Contact: 91209086

28/male/MBA - finance/B.Com Accountant with 4 years of Dubai/ India experience looking for a suitable placement.

Contact 90187483 shobinkarikkan1987@gmail.com

Bangladeshi Driver need job.

Contact: 91018098

Indian female, Asst Manager- Finance having experience in Finance & Admin around 15 yrs in Oman seeks suitable position. NOC available. Contact 94953826 / 92824146 Young Pakistani BBA finance professional is looking for entry level job salesman etc. Contact: 95589058 Accountant B.Com Indian male 10 yrs experience in Oman with D/L & NOC, local change available specialized in tally ERP9 & Focus up to finalization. Contact: 99622639

Accountant available with NOC, 7 years experience in Oman.

Ready to join immediately.

Contact 98263394

ARCH./ INTERIOR DEC.

Driving with car, 5 years experience English, Hindi & Arabic.

Contact: 95037759

5 years experience (PDO) heavy D/L seeking job as Driver.

Contact: 92894571

Looking for driving job with Car. Contact : 93650209 Looking for driving job.

Contact: 95396905 Indian light driver need job.

Contact: 91254539 One year exp. driver.

Contact: 97309141

7 Years experience as Financial Analyst, MBA in finance. Responsibilities- research contributor, financial statement analysis, generating MIS & efficiency report, managing TAT, business & clients.

On visit visa in Muscat.

Contact- 90191628 / 96175780

Architectural Cad Technician with 24 years experience in Oman + GCC looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 99728492

Light driver. Contact: 96252524

Junior Architect, female from NIT, looking for suitable placement.

Contact 92705130

Male driver exp. 1 year.

Contact 96938315 / 91895932

Part time accounting workers up to finalization, on monthly basis & yearly finalization works.

Contact : 96247295

Architect Engineer seeking for suitable job, 8 years experience.

GSM : 96075000, Email : haytham_201046@yahoo.com

Driver job needed.

Contact: 94435912

Looking for driving job.

Contact: 94706179 Looking for driving job light 2 years exp. Contact: 91625977

W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 6

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED Electrical Engineer (B.Tech),

Indian Male MBA (UK),

Indian male MBA

PROJECT MANAGER,

9 years experience in Dubai/London/ Mumbai in Management Consulting, Sales & Marketing, Business Development for Real Estate/Banking seeks similar placement with D/L.

Finance & Marketing 26 yrs having 1.9 years of experience in Finance & Marketing Contact: 95206140/ 96992013

B.Tech, MBA, PRINCE-2, British Citizen now available with NOC in OMAN. 25 yrs. exp in EPC Project Management of Oil & Gas, Pipelines, Refineries & Power Plants. Seeking job immediately/

Contact -

having 7 yrs of Gulf experience, expertise in Project Management, planning, construction activities, testing & commissioning of electrical systems, presently on visit visa, seeks job in Muscat.

97281023 / 90631567

Contact 91228167

Contact: 95168205

bonnythomas007@gmail.com

Administrator, 30 yrs experience as Office Manager Project Executive Secretary, document Controller, Commercial Officer with driving license on release.

Email:

ENGG. / TECH./MECH. Mining Engineer (B.E.) & PostGraduate in Business qualification +20 yrs exp. in Mine operations, Sales & Marketing, D&B project management, Feasibility study, Mining investment analysis, and Business development. NOC available. Seeking suitable opportunity.

Having Omani driving license.

Please contact: 91703755, Email: panditsanjit@yahoo.com 16 yrs Oman experienced HSE professional mainly in construction field is looking for a position in the post of Asst. HSE Manager / Snr. HSE Advisor. Contact 99886507, on Visit Visa, NOC available & ready to join immediately 25 yrs, male, B.Tech, EEE, 3 yrs experience on visit visa, seeking for a good opportunity.

Contact 91743987, kelvinsimon1991@gmail.com 30 years, Indian male Electrical Engineer having 7 years work experience & having UAE driving license seeks suitable position in projects. Contact: Ajay Haridas Mobile: +971528254782/ Seeking suitable job male 33 years Expat over 13 years experience with PDO as Project Services Engineer Omani driving license NOC Available. Contact: 92734174 Indian Male, B-Tech Mechanical, Total 5 years exp. in Oil & Gas field with 2 year exp. in PDO project in Oman, available on Visit Visa, Contact GSM 91468437, Email:- remith.pr@gmail.com Professional Civil Engineer, 26 yrs experienced in Contractor & Consultancy, Management & Supervision Gulf included with N.O.C & License. Contact: 92668679 + Diploma in Refrigeration & Air conditioning, male 16 yrs exp. 5 yrs exp in Oman on Supervising building maintenance & workshop (civil, electric & plumbing) staying here on family visa, seeking for a suitable job with valid D/L. Contact : 99851277 BS – Tech Civil Engineer having 1.5 years experience.

Contact: 95802961 Sudanese Mechanic Engineer 7 years pipeline air cooling, metal formation with driving license.

Contact: 90933863 Electrical Engineer (BSc) Having 3 years experience in transmission line 380 KV,110KV and Analog power Network simulator ,Grid Station Simulator.

Email: uetian_irfan79@yahoo.com

Syrian Architectural Engineer 10 years experience in the field of Engineering consulting firms & major contracting companies in Abu Dhabi, very good knowledge of AutoCAD, Max Photoshop & customers in interview experience in supervision & implementation.

Contact: 93705069 AutoCAD Draughtsman with 7 years experience in Oman in Civil & MEP with D/L & NOC. Contact: 97059394 Email: anilsunny1986@gmail.com Indian male Civil Engineer 1.6 yrs exp, having Omani D/L, looking for suitable position. NOC available.

Contact – 92157694 / mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com Quick Solution in Civil construction field planning, Estimation on primavera P6 / MS Project & prepare BOQ/ MAS List. Contact: 94194399 Email: saashibly@gmail.com Indian male Civil Engineer 12 years experience looking for suitable placement having DL / NOC. Contact: 94194399 Email: saashibly@gmail.com Experienced mechanical Engineer (B.Tech), looking for suitable placement. Contact: 99576846 Diploma in Mechanical Engg, 10 years exp in steel fabrication site work with valid Oman driving license. Contact: 94696192 Civil Engineer diploma, 4 yrs exp seeks suitable position in a reputed company. NOC available.

Contact 96789711 B.Sc Civil Engineer, 7 yrs Gulf experience having GCC D/L seeking for suitable replacement, local release available.

Contact 99534085, email: alhamyabi786@gmail.com SSLC plus two Draughtsman Civil NCVT (ITI) 2 yrs experience in Civil AutoCAD drawing, Diploma in interior designing, AutoCAD (Civil Drawing) shop & data drawing civil 3 DS Max & V Ray, Google sketch up & V Ray, Adobe Photoshop. Contact: 91398747 A Sudanese Mechanical Engineer Graduate of Malaysia experienced in oil & gas as well as petro chemical projects. Fluent in both English & Arabic, valid Oman driving license. NOC is available.

Contact 95569340 HSE officer 3 yrs Dubai well exp requires job in a well reputed company. Contact : 97995702 / 94532131.

Email: jaseerhse@gmail.com

B.E Mechanical Engineer, age 24 with almost 1 year experience as Production Shift Engineer, has achieved training on HVAC Engineering design and has good hands on software like AutoCAD and HAP.Currently in Oman on a visit visa, looking for a suitable placement.Contact: 95065955 email: mjs.jazeb@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience Structural buildings marine. Available NOC release. Contact 92451323.

Email: zubairali134@yahoo.com Indian male Electrical Engineer, having 6 years gulf experience in designing, assembling, commissioning execution etc having valid GCC license too looking for a suitable.

Contact: 00968-98052942 Email: azamjeelani78@gmail.com 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 92157694. E-mail: mohammedamair.bin@gmail.com An Iraqi civil with more than 30 years experience in (Iraq and G.C.C) looking for a job, (N.O.C) available. Contact: 96561306 Email: iq.bgd.mnsr@gmail.com Indian male, Mechanical Engineer having 1year experience, on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact:97416564, Email:jovinmathias@gmail.com Electronics Communication Engineering Indian on visit visa 4 years, 8 months experience in India Networking Installation Commissioning, database, administration seeking suitable post.

Contact: 92924555 Email: rahulchittoor@gmail.com Manager position needed - Indian male Mechanical Engineer with MBA having 20 years experience in wood working industry as a Manager. Contact: 94304757 Email: sonaimuthum@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B.Tech) with 10 years experience in Oman as a Project Engineer for public & private sector projects seeking suitable position, having valid driving license.

NOC available. # 95992820 Email: sumeshcsss@gmail.com Indian male, 25 yrs Mechanical Engineer 5 years experience in power & petro chemicals sector looking for suitable placement on visit visa. Contact: 90807760 Email: ramizshk@gmail.com B.Tech Engineer with 6 years experience & expert in AutoCAD, PDMS & other, 3D software’s (NOC Available) Contact: 93735166 Email: remisashraf@gmail.com

Sudanese Civil Engineer Diploma (3 years), 12 years experience, 7 years in Oman experience in tendering site works & QS & D/L with NOC looking for a suitable position.

Contact: 98921723

Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) Indian male with 1 year experience on visit visa looking for job, Qualifications in QA, QC, Piping & HVAC. Contact: 90510800 Email: muhammedjaseem07@gmail.com

Civil Engineer (B. Tech), Indian female 23 years with experience in Architectural designing, interior & exterior designing, experience in AutoCAD, 2D, Revit position. Available in Sultanate of Oman.

Contact: 91316940 Email: nimishacherian24@gmail.com

Civil Engineer, 1 year experience seeks job. Contact: 92241416

Electrical Engineer (B.SC) with 1 year experience currently seeking job on 3 month visit.

Contact: 91791568

Electronics & instrumentation Engineer young Indian engineer looking for suitable opening in Oman. Contact : 97952346, Email: sarath24592@gmail.com

Degree Indian male FMCG working 2 yrs at Dubai, Mobile repairing, 2 yrs at India D/L. Contact: 95797971 / 90214432 Email: nihuaz888@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer, Indian Male, 23yrs Gulf Exp in Oil&Gas,10yrs Chief Electrician on land rig in Oman, holding transferable Visa, Oman DL, GSM: 98284583, email:vjohnkaleekal@yahoo.com

Civil Engineer 6 years experience on supervising, Designing, QC, QS, planning and managing using Engineering software.

Contact 90719263

Electrical Engineer Indian with 4 years experience presently in Oman family visit visa.

Contact: +968 – 90921140 Email: zsebinz@gmail.com

Indian male (B.TECH) (Electrical & Electronics Engineer) currently On Visit Visa. Contact 90793431

Civil Engineer (Indian male) 5 years experience in Oman with valid Omani driving license & NOC looking for suitable opportunity.

Contact: 93101283

Iraqi Civil Engineer 25 years experience in governments building and construction projects resident in Oman. speak And write English Contact: 98930502.

Email: aminaloraiby@gmail.com Pakistani male, 29 yrs, DAE, Civil Engineer, 7 yrs experience with D/L seeks suitable placement.

Contact 97187214, Email : mohammadsaqlain227@gmail.com Fire safety officer, diploma fire & safety, nebosh, osha, iti, experienced PH :99278335 Indian male, B.Tech, MBA, 8+ yrs of experience in Project Management team handling requires job at manager level with driving license in Oman. Contact 91360621

Constructions Engineer (Architect) 7 years experience in Oman, Projects Coordinator technical office & site Supervision, quantity surveying having Omani driving license. Contact: 97164819 Indian male, 25 years (Diploma Civil Engineer), having 3 years Indian experience (fresh in Oman) seeking jobs in Oman, well experience with AutoCAD, 3rds Max, revit etc. Contact: 00919746443745 C/O 92861980 (Relative) Pakistani male Diploma Civil Engineer 4yrs exp in Oman bulling & mega projects, valid license Oman. Contact: 98921022

Contact- 00968-94731728/ josececy25@gmail.com

HOSPITALITY Civil Engineer 8 years experience in Oman as a project engineer for governmental & private projects.

Contact – 90164912 Young Indian, Engineering in Bio-technology, Bio-chemical and Chemical, looking for a challenging placement in Oman.

Contact 97607000. Email: sivasankarjayakumar@gmail.com

Young, female, diploma in aviation, hospitality, travel management, with family visit visa, seeks suitable placement with employment visa in airlines / hospitality / administration & in any company.

Gsm 9092-1438 HR Supervisor, Hotel Industry seeks placement. Contact 96152305

IT

Mechanical Engineer (B.Tech) Indian male with 2 year experience, AREA OF INTEREST Work on Oil Rigs, Work as an QA/QC inspector, Ultrasonic testing, Radiographic testing. Contact: +91 9567526566 Email: adujohnson10@gmail.com

Indian Male, MCA Graduate, 15 yrs exp in ERP, CSM Certified, seeking suitable role.NOC Available. Contact : GSM : 90189284 Email: meetlibran@gmail.com

Mechanical Engineer have 3 years experience in air conditioning (HVAC), fire fighting system.

Contact: 94906447 / 96654019

Indian female M.Sc Computer Science seeking suitable placement in Muscat area.

Contact 98660672

Electrical & Electronics Engr, knows autocad & revit. PH: 93837973

Indian male 4 years experience in IT as Programmer / Web Support/ CCNA/ Network on visit visa seeking placement.

Contact: 93069694 Email: mrabrar14@gmail.com

Electrical Engineer: Indian male 30 years, having 5 years of experience in industrial automation & utility maintenance in Indian, holding valid Oman D/L. Contact: 92789995 Email: akhilabrahamlktr@gmail.com Site Supervisor, Diploma in Civil Engg (cert attested) knows autocad revit, salary exp: 250 Ph : 92279784 Indian male, Structural Engineer looking for job in structural design field. Having 6 years of experience in design field. Residing in Muscat. Contact: 91176187 Email: syam036@gmail.com Civil Engineer, young Indian having almost 2 years experience looking for a challenging position seeks suitable position in Oman/ GCC. Please contact 92718490, Email ID: uvais.pk82@gmail.com Quantity surveyor (B.E Civil) 5+ years experience in buildings and mosque N.O.C available ready to join immediately. Contact: +97826597 / +919171430681 Email: sai.praba.777@gmail.com Indian male 24 ,B.E ( E.C.E ) graduate with 3 years of experience in the fields of BMS and Low current systems and has good knowledge about Electronic Security Systems, currently working in Oman, NOC Available. Contact:- 94737033/ mohdmuhafez45@gmail.com Civil Engineer 8 years experience, Driving license, NOC, 98078095.

Construction Machinery repairs Engineer, 5 years, driving license, Contact - 94001961

EDUCATION/TRAINING Mathematics Lecturer , Indian Female, M Sc Mathematics from a Prestigious University, B.Ed qualified, distinction holder with 7 yrs teaching experience in colleges.

Contact: 91360147.

Mathematics Lecturer , Indian Female, M Sc Mathematics from a Prestigious University, B.Ed qualified, distinction holder with 7 yrs teaching experience in colleges.

Contact: 91360147.

Female B. Ed English teacher, 7 yrs exp seeking suitable placement. #99739415 / 92091528 Teacher Female , Phd in Chemistry having 3.5 yrs of Experience in India. Staying here on Family Visa & seeking for a suitable placement. Contact – 99675828, Email - Anupam.tiwari67@gmail.com

Sr. Electrical Engineer with17+ yrs of exceptional exp in spear heading strategic planning and project management initiatives & executing various high rise residential & commercial building as well as roads and highway project with proficiency in installation, seeking a challenging position in a dynamic organization. Contact 96570891

Indian male 31yrs old with hotel management degree, 3 yrs experience in F&B services at 5 star hotel Dubai, 05 yrs in American 06 star cruiseliner has butler. Has Oman driving license. Contact 99859150.

Indian male B-tech 8 years experience as senior electrical project engineer / QC engineer on visit visa seeks suitable placement.

Contact 94094543 Email: anwar425@gmail.com

Indian male Diploma in Hotel Management with 16 years of experience (F & B Service) in GCC & India, expert in Crafting new outlet, having Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact: 92100141 /92221956

HOSPITALITY

IT Support Engineer, Exp 3 years in Oman 2 years in India.

Contact: 94672759

MISCELLANEOUS Filipino Male, 28 years Old. Looking for job, Have experience in Rent a Car/ Cargo & Logistics / Real Estate/ Customer Care Executive / Sale Executive & Marketing/ Shop In- Charge. Hard working w/ good computer and communication skill.

GSM: 97761075 Indian IT professional with dependent resident visa looking for work from Home job Contact : tejoman74@gmail.com Indian male 40 yrs BSc degree and diploma in logistics having good knowledge in computer MS, EXCEL , 16 yrs experience, 6 yrs in GCC seeking suitable placement, NOC available. Contact: 98966849 / 96186573 Indian male looking for a suitable post with 30 yrs experience in showroom project hotel handling on visit visa. Contact : 95213689 Email: imusilking@yahoo.co.in Indian male, 23 years, Master in Computer Applications (MCA) Graduate from NMAMIT, NITTE, Indian, looking for suitable placement in Muscat, Oman. (Currently on a visit visa till Sep 20th 2016) Contact: 968 93035971, Email: vijaycorda@gmail.com Indian Female, 28 Years - MSc Microbiology, Quality checking food industry, Looking for suitable job.

Contact 98170510 Email: lasyapriyaprasanth@gmail.com Filipino Graphic Designer / I.T. looking for a suitable job with 10 years experience. Very good in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Photography, Knowledge in CCTV & Access Controls. Pls. Call 95098512.

Indian male, 28, post graduate, 6+ yrs exp in Oman in sales (back office) & credit control with valid Oman D/L looking for suitable lacements. NOC available. #92066 523 Sudanese male bachelor geology and mining with 3 years experience in MUD logging and training in soil investigation.

Contact: 92956848 BS in Electrical Engineering, Experience: 5 years(Power Plants).

Contact: 92475206 Email: zahaibzafar007@gmail.com

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR CEO, CEO Assistant looking for senior management position with more than 25 yrs Business developing experience marketing business planning U.S.A , Africa , Kazakhstan , Saudi & Qatar MBA , TEXU AYM University.

Contact: 92010247 Indian, 58 yrs, 7 yrs experience in real estate building supervising, hiring rental with driving license.

Contact 95174004

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR Chief Accountant/Finance Manager – Indian male, CA Finalist, having 20 years’ experience in Finance, Accounts, Audit, Finalization of Accounts, preparation of Project Reports etc., looking for immediate placement.

12 yrs. in Oman in Construction and Consultancy co., have Omani D/L, knows Tally. Contact 94041048, email: jobmuscat49@gmail.com Male -44 ,CIM (UK )/MBA, qualified business manager experience in setting up strategic business,3 experience in Oman FMCG sector and 10 years in GCC looking for a suitable managerial position .NOC and driving license available .

Contact -99160550 Indian 58 yrs, 7 years experience in Real Estate building supervising hiring, rental with driving license.

Contact: 95174004

MEDICAL Iraqi Dentist, 9 yrs exp pass prometric and dataflow searching for suitable placement.

Contact: 90611395 Iraqi Dentist female, MOH license seeks suitable job in clinic in Muscat. Contact 97891219 Indian female, 2 yrs experience in India with Oman prometric, got 64% seeking Staff Nurse job.

Contact 91451935 Indian male Dentist with prometric pass good experience in cosmetic & prosthodontic treatment currently available in Muscat.

Contact: 92534912 / 99875346 Email: ahamed.harys@gmail.com Veterinary Doctor: Indian Female looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 96906534 / 99014885, Email: monishmajeed@gmail.com

SALES / MARKETING Resident in Oman 18 years, 10 years experience in setup marketing plans and strategies, sales, import & logistics, procurement, Omani government tenders, organizing projects & events, import fireworks for festivals, NOC available, have car. Contact 94123939.

Email: 002015r@gmail.com U.S. National, 10 yrs experience in customer service, fluent in English, Bachelors degree in Business Admin, Management, MS Office, word, excel, typing with driving license seeks suitable placement.

Contact 98038438, Email: baloch86@gmail.com Indian male 26 years of experience of sales & marketing in surgical and laboratory equipments.

Looking for good replacement.

Contact – 92015894 / 95774854 MBA Sales marketing 4 years experience seeking suitable jobs.

Contact: 968 71101240 Email: adilshah.muscat@gmail.com Indian male, 8 years experience procurement and coordinator, NOC available having driving license.

Contact: 90978547 Indian male- sales representative with 15 years experience in Oman and Dubai and valid Oman driving license NOC or release available.

Contact 95396796 Indian male, 36 yrs, Diploma, 8 yrs Oman experience in outdoor sales Executive with valid Oman D/L, release or NOC available, current visa will expire on August 2016, seeks suitable placement to get before expiry visa period.

Contact 96361272, Email : naveenkilanam@gmail.com Indian Male, 26 M.Com with 4 yrs of Experience in Accounting & Administration in a Financial Company in India, seeks suitable job, Currently in India.

Contact India:-+918907212253 Akhil:-93626288, Email: Sumeshpsmkr1989@gmail.com Filipino Male, 28 years Old. Looking for job, Have experience in Rent a Car/ Cargo & Logistics / Real Estate/ Customer Care Executive / Sale Executive & Marketing/ Shop In- Charge. Hard working w/ good computer and communication skill.

GSM: 97761075 MBA male, 14 yrs Oman experience in Sales Marketing with driving license looking for suitable position, release NOC available.

Contact 91437484, shahedbaig@outlook.com

D6

W E D N E S D AY, J U LY 2 7, 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 SALES / MARKETING

SECRETARIAL & OFFICE

Indian female, 12 yrs experience in International Call Center & customer service, seeking suitable placement. Contact 90955157

Lady Secretary / Sales Co-coordinator 12 years experience in Oman in reputed companies, seek immediate Employment. Call: 95244761

Qualified & experienced MBA with 6 yrs of work experience in General trading import export & logistics in Oman & Indonesia presently on visit visa looking for suitable job in Muscat, preference FMCG. Contact 91544858, holding Oman driving license.

Contact 91544858

Executive Secretary / HR & Admin with 22 years of experience (13 years in Oman) with NOC & Oman Driving License. Contact 93769921 or lsf_1972@yahoo.com

Indian female, BBA Graduate, pursuing MBA, seeking for placement in any corporate firm, job profile related to marketing, advertising, retail & branding, valid D/L. Contact 97907311 Filipino female 33 years, 8 years experience in retail sales, local release available looking for suitable job. Contact: 96974183 Email: sherylcureg30@gmail.com Sudanese Business Development Manager 15 years experience in Oman market (Import / Export, tenders, developing business, marketing), good communication skills (bilingual) commercial relations inside and overseas.

Contact: 93695424 Email: mhdamin2003@gmail.com Indian male BHM from IRELAND with 7 years of experience, 5 years of experience in Europe in one of busiest as a Senior Asst Manager in QSR Industry (India) looking for the best opportunity. Contact no in Oman: 00968 – 99421031 Email: smithramesh813@gamil.com Indian male 1 yr exp in sales automotive (TBL) looking for best opportunity , NOC available.

Contact: 97793879 Email: shyampkn@gmail.com B.B.A Graduate/Sales & Marketing Executive/3years Exp./Valid Omani License/Available Immediate . Contact-94122944, Email: raashidjabirm@gmail.com Sales and Marketing Indian National with valid driving license, 15 years experience in frozen foods, looking suitable placement, N.O.C Available.

Contact: 90650020 Indian male - Sales Representative with 7 years experience and valid Oman driving license, NOC or release available. Contact 99695780 Indian male Graduate with 18 years of Marketing experience presently in Oman on family visit visa, looking for best opportunity.

Contact: 96168687 Email: dhibupaul@gmail.com Indian Male, MBA marketing 5 yrs exp. in sales & 4 yrs in FMCG sector, looking for best opportunity. NOC available.

Contact: 96001877 Indian female 29 years Post Graduate with computer Knowledge 2 years of Oman experience in coordinator & 5 years of experience in customer service, client relation officer with excellent communication skill seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95337665

Looking for part time job Secretarial / Data Entry / Documentation available every day after 5:00 pm Friday / Saturday full day area preferred Ruwi/ CBD/ MBD / Al Khuwair. Contact: 90414827

TOURS & TRAVELS Young, female, diploma in aviation, hospitality, travel management, with family visit visa, seeks suitable placement with employment visa in airlines / hospitality / administration & in any company.

Gsm 9092-1438 Indian male,23 years, BBA in Aviation operation and Internship from Air India SATS, as a lead assistant at Delhi Airport- Asiana Airlines also having sales & business development experience. Now on visit visa. Looking for a suitable placement. Contact: 98381814.

MISCELLANEOUS B. Tech Comp Science 3+ yrs, looking for administration or IT / Management or other profile with flexible timings. Contact 95761562 Graduate (C.M.A & B.Com) having 4 yrs experience in U.A.E & Pakistan in accounts/ Audit now in Oman immediate available.

Cell # 94973273 (call & Whatsaap) Sr Project Engineer, 30 Years, Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures. Ph-00974 66772193, Mail: snu057@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS Civil Engineer (B-tech) Indian male 1+ years experience in high rise building (G+21) site Engineer, experience in QC ,QS, and surveying looking for a job (NOC) available. Contact : 90924737 / 97470742 Email: kannanknply92@gmail.com INDIAN FEMALE 28 yrs, M.Sc B.ed Science, Experience 2Years In Teaching In India, seeking suitable Job. Contact 0091 9676814123, Email;bbroshini53@gmail.com Civil Engineer (B-tech) Indian male 1+ years experience in high rise building (G+21) site Engineer, experience in QC ,QS, and surveying looking for a job(NOC) available contact :90924737 / 97470742 Email: kannanknply92@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 98803439 / 97413784 B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact number# 94618504, Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, Indian male 4 years of experience in India / Oman. NOC available Looking for job in electrical field, Having good academic records and good communication skill. GSM: 94579857 Email: zahirpb@gmail.com MBA in HR & Finance with 2 years experience in HR seeking for a suitable post, presently in family joining visa. Contact : 9058 7631

Driver with car available.

Contact : 90139903

Iraqi Civil Engineer 25 years experience in governments building and construction projects resident in Oman. speak And write English Contact: 98930502.

Email: aminaloraiby@gmail.com

Looking for Land surveyor job 5 years experience in Oman fully know autocad GPS and latest total station instruments NOC available:+96894144052 wasifnaz313@Yahoo.com

Airfreight/logistics Manager, male 35, MBA, Indian, 5 years experience in Oman seeks job.

Contact- 0091-9526166169 / 99630159, E mail - bijoabyjohns@yahoo.co.in

Well-qualified Indian Female with 8 years Oman experience in Procurement Supply Chain from reputed Companies in Oman seeks placement, contact – 95423692

B.E(Mechanical) 12years industrial sales one year Muscat experience, presently in India , Immediately ready to join ,Mobile no :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com

MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER, 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified, Contact arn9895@gmail.com, Mob 00919895233155 B.E Mining Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience looking for job. Available to join respective firm.

Contact 94618504

Sales Executive 5 years experience valid Oman license, MBA, local release available.

Contact: 96796590

B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact 94618504

Indian male 37 years MBA graduate in marketing with 9yrs of experience in UAE in field of brand promotions & marketing with UAE D/L on a visit seeking suitable position. Conatct 95792820

Indian Male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int. Standards, B tech in Mech engg. Contact- 00917350860889 rahulkunnath23@gmail.com

Indian male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 4 years of experience in Office Administration (admin) looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact : 97939084 / 97351786, E-mail : mohammednsr126@gmail.com 2 years experience looking for a job accounts / logistics field on visit visa. Contact: 93884951 Airfreight/logistics Manager, male 35, MBA, Indian, 5 years experience in Oman seeks job. Contact- 00919526166169 / 99630159 , e mail - bijoabyjohns@yahoo.co.in Indian male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 2 years of experience in purchase (supply chain management) looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact : 97939084 / 97351786, E-mail : mohammednsr126@gmail.com

SITUATION WANTED MISCELLANEOUS B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact # 94618504 , Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com Diploma in Civil Engineering, B. Tech in Civil engineering from Kurukshetra university, persuing M. Tech Structural Engineering distance mode from Kurukshetra University, more than 07 years experience. #+96891431483 email mohsinyousuf86@rediffmail.com Civil Engineer, B.E 26 years, 4 yrs experience GCC, 6 years Singapore in roads, buildings, infrastructure have employment visa, release available. Contact: 94786687 Email: shasha9292@gmail.com / asad3248@gmail.com 4 years experience in officer coordinator & Sales Executive looking for suitable placement, NOC and Oman driving license available.

Contact: 98215753 / 92392646, thankansam@gmail.com Civil Engineer 5 years experience in Oman / India as Quantity Surveyor for mosque & building (N.O.C) Contact: 97826597 Email: sai.praba.777@gmail.com Indian P.G , DCA need job.

Contact: 94829545 Indian male need part time job.

Contact : 90169048 3 years experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified. Contact arn9895@gmail. com, Mob 00919895233155 Purchase & store experienced 8 years in Oman Construction company Indian male 47 years looking for suitable job, NOC release, Oman driving license available.

Contact: 98456535 / 93996983 Building foreman, Experience : More than 20 years with 12 years in Saudi Arabia 4 years in Oman and 4 years in Pakistan with D/L. Contact : 968 94153911, Email : iqbalsaleem10777@gmail.com

Indian male 6 years exp as Sales Executive with valid Oman driving license, languages known Hindi and English, looking for any good job. Contact 95642297 Indian male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int. Standards, B tech in Mech engg. Contactrahulkunnath23@gmail.com, Mob-00917350860889 Indian male, 28 YEARS Msc Bed Chemistry 2 years, experience In Teaching In India seeking suitable Job. Mob No-00919505671750, Email;bbroshini53@gmail.com Indian Female 10 years exp as cook in Oman, South Indian & Gujarati special .looking for job, Contact 95795971 Indian male part time Accountant looking for a job. Contact 96761026 Email: mehreenraiz@gmail.com Electrical Foreman, 25 years’ experience, Indian male currently in Oman looking for suitable position.

Gsm – 96718013, Email : manikandan1196@gmail.com Regin accountant, male Indian, 2 years of experience doing accounts in tally and excel searching for suitable job. GSM no: 7373387282 E mail: regin1690@gmail.com B.E Engineer and also did NEBOSH (IGC), Fire and Safety (HABC) First Aid.3 year of Gulf experience As a Safety Engineer looking for job.

Available to join respective firm.

Contact number# 94618504Email: shan37yousfani@gmail.com Indian Male, 22, Diploma in Automobile Engineering (DC), Experience In Restaurant Management and in sales looking for suitable position. Contact: 90801420, Email: anwaar223969@gmail.com Sr Project Engineer, 30 Years, Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures. Ph-00974 66772193 Mail;snu057@gmail.comIndian

male 25, Graduate in commerce (B.com) having 2 years of experience in Sales & Marketing looking for a suitable placement presently on a visit visa. Contact: 97939084 / 97351786, mailmohammednsr126@gmail.com Male, Electrical Engineer, 4 years of experience in India /Oman. NOC available. Contact Mob: 94579857, Email: zahirpb@gmail.com, MECHANICAL/PRODUCTION ENGINEER, 3 years’ experience in production industry, B tech in Mech engg, Proficiency in AutoCAD, Primavera certified, Contact arn9895@gmail.com, Mob 00919895233155 Mathematics Lecturer Indian Female, M. Phil in Mathematics with 5 years of experience in school and colleges. Now in Oman on Visit Visa. Contact- 92119428, 96714746 Indian male, 24 yrs Civil Engineering Graduate, on visit visa looking for a suitable placement.

Contact: 92724814 Indian female 23 Oracle ERP technical consultant 2+exp skills: oaf, forms & reports, bipublisher email: ramyaoracleapps02@gmail. com, Contact: 91156571 Sr Project Engineer, 30 Years, Mechanical, 8 Yrs. experience in Oman & Qatar, Qatar Petroleum approved, Experienced in EPIC Projects Tanks, Vessels, Piping, Steel structures. Ph-00974 66772193 Mail: snu057@gmail.com.

INDIAN male, 33 yrs, BSC Chemistry 8years, experience as Medical Representative In Zydus company in India, seeking suitable Job. Contact -00919505671750, Email; bbroshini53@gmail.com Heavy Driver available with Oman Driving License.Contact: 94190541 MECHANICAL ENGINEER, Indian Male, 26 years, 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int.

Standards, B.Tech in Mech engg.

Contact-rahulkunnath23@gmail. com, Mob-00917350860889

W E D N E S DAY, J U LY 2 7, 2 0 1 6

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

SITUATION WANTED SIT.WANTED 4 Years experience as Electronics Service Engineer. Knowledge in all type of Electronics items, looking for suitable placement.

GSM- 99105043 Female Architect on visiting visa, two years’ experience, graduated from School of Planning and Architecture (under MHRD). Proficient in AutoCAD, Google Sketchup and creative visualization. Email saatvika.frozenmusic@gmail.com.

Contact 00968-94057427.

Indian male 33 yrs, MBA-HR, worked on Recruitments, Training, OD, PMS, Site-HR, Omanisation and development plans of nationals ,10.yrs exp. seeking a job.NOC avl. Contact 94179499 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com Indian Male B-Com graduate 2 year experience in various Fields Valid Oman Driving License. Looking for any suitable post. Please contact: 94409500 Electrical Foreman, 25 years experience, Indian male currently in Oman looking for suitable position. Gsm – 96718013 Email: manikandan1196@gmail.com Electronic Systems Engineer (UK Graduate) with skills in Robotics, Programming Languages, IC, PCB Design seeking suitable position.

Indian female on Visit Visa.

Contact: 97848075 s.dinesh1508@gmail.com Indian male, Civil Engineer (Diploma) having 5Year exp. in oman both construction &Consultancy with valid oman D/L, seeking suitable job. Contact: 96057857, Email Id: srsakku&gmail.Com Indian male, M.Com , 7 years oman experience in the field of accounts and valid oman driving license & NOC . Good knowledge in SAP,Tally, oracle , MS office and Excel seeks suitable placement.

Contact 92859733 Qualified banking & Accounts management profesional seeking suitable job opportunities. Currently working in India with ICIC Bank. Email: sheemoljohn@rediffmail.com Contact# 919755550181 Mechanical Engineer 3 years of experience in HVAC mechanical engineer one year experience in Auto Cad B.E (mechanical engineering) revit mep, auto cad, stcw, huet.mobile: +97430384909 email: kijomonc@gmail.com Indian Male 24 years, HSE , 3 years Experienced as WELDING SUPERVISOR, PIPE FITTER, NONDESTRUCTIVE TEST, ASNT-NDT level II, per SNT-TC-LA (Radiographic Testing (RT)Penetrate testing (PT) Magnetic Particle Testing(MT)Ultrasonic Testing (UT)RTFI, looking for a suitable job. Contact 99334770 Indian Driver, with Oman driving license having 10 years experience in Oman, looking for suitable positions. Contact-91519047

Fire & Safety Technician, 22 Years old, Indian expatriate seeking for a suitable placement.

2 years of experience. Ready for immediate joining. Please Contact : +968-97682273, Email: maniavbah555@gmail.com Indian female 23 ORACLE ERP Technical consultant 2+exp skills: oaf, forms reports and bipublisher.

Contact - 91156571 email: ramyaoracleapps02@gmail.com Indian Male 30 year GCC driving license and past experience as project coordinator looking for a suitable position. Project coordination, Sales executive, marketing executive or any other suitable post. Contact -97070427 Indian Male, B.Com + Dip. Logistics 2year experience looking for a job in Accounts/Logistics Field.

Presently on Visit Visa #93884951 Email:mehreenraiz@gmail.com Indian male 25 years- BE- Computer Engineer with CISA and CCNA, having 3 years work experience in Oman, valid Omani driving license, seeking for suitable placement in IT companies or Audit companies for IT Audit job, NOC can be obtained. Contact:99253011 4years and 7months experienced Female seeking job related to Office Job, Data Entry and Desktop Administration. Completed diploma in Computer Science.

Contact: 94653264 Indian male MBA, 24 yrs having experience in Sales & marketing seeks suitable placement.

Contact GSM: 93833563 email: arundulala@gmail.com.

Master in Aeronautical engineering (PhD) having 4 years experience. Seeking job in universities, colleges, schools and industries. # 98259462, binoaero87@gmail.com Master in Aeronautical Engineering (PhD) having 4 years experience. Seeking job in universities, colleges, schools and industries.

Contact 98259462 binoaero87@gmail.com Indian Male, 22, Experienced, Looking for job in sales (no DL).

Contact: 90801420; Email: anwaar223969@gmail.com Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant, doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact: 98803439 Indian male 21, Graduate in commerce (B.com ) having 2 years of experience in cash counter (National trading & spare parts)looking for a suitable placement on a visit visa. Contact 95919647, 94245753/ uzairzain786@gmail.com Project Engineer, Mechanical Indian Male, 26 years 3 Years experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int. Standards B.Tech in Mech engg Contact-rahulkunnath23@ gmail.com Mob-00917350860889

25, Indian female (BCA- Computer Application). 1yr experience as teacher and graphic designer.

Knowledge in Photoshop, illustrator, in design. Looking for suitable job in office administration, teaching and graphic designing.

Contact - 98426509 Filipino Cabin steward / Linen vallet is looking for suitable job in Oman. Contact: +968 91065438 or email: blonglive@gmail.com Indian male Administrative officer Four years experience in same field. Well known MS office tools, Specialization in handling back office operations, inter office correspondence, confidential mails, Quotations, Monthly billing.

Searching for suitable job in Oman.

Contact: +91 9750572088/ E-mail id: vijaypmk99@gmail.com Indian male network cabling technician (19-years gulf experience) seeking for suitable placement.

Contact: 0091-8089909265 (India) email: mohithavp@gmail. com HSE Engineer, Indian male 5 years experience in Oil & Gas. Working in Shclumberger, NEBOSH, IOSH, & NDT Certified, M Tech in HSE. Contactkrish.569@gmail.com +91 9867016808 Indian Male, 23, BBA Graduate, fresher, no D/L, looking for a suitable job. Contact: 94032041; Email: azzamsiddique1@gmail.com Indian male 33 years, B.Com, having 6 years experience in Oman.

Tally & ERP looking for suitable placement. Mobile no :98492921 Indian male Accountant 2.5 years exp in Oman with valid D/L NOC available. Contact: 98870112 Indian male, 24 yrs, B. Com Graduate more than 1 year experienced in accounts planning to come for a family visit in oman seeking for a suitable placement.

Contact 99334770/ 99743709 Economics Specialist: Female , MA & M.Phil/PhD_ in ECONOMICS .

10 years experience Banking/Lecturer/Customer Service/Trainer currently Looking for job Call: 97457248 Mechanical Engineer, Indian, (B.E.) on visit visa, seeking suitable post. Contact no: 99534733 email: rajesh92prince@gmail.com Economist: Female, MA & M. Phil/ PhD_ in ECONOMICS. 10 years experience Banking/Lecturer/ Customer Service/Trainer, currently looking for job Contact 97457248 Indian female , M.B.A, 8 Yrs of Experience in Oil and Gas industry, Trading & contracting companies. working as an Unit Manager for MNC, HR Coordinator and Office admin for local companies. seeking suitable placement immediately.

Contact 99179709.

Female Architect on visiting visa, two years’ experience, graduated from School of Planning and Architecture (under MHRD). Proficient in AutoCAD, Google Sketchup and creative visualization. Email saatvika.frozenmusic@gmail.com.

Contact 00968-94057427.

Sudanese male, 5 years experience in supply chain (warehouse management, logistics and procurement) Contact : 90644186 Indian male 33 yrs, MBA - HR, worked on Recruitments,Training,Site-HR, Omanisation and development plans of nationals ,10 yrs exp.

Seeking a job.NOC avl.

Contact 94179499 saiprasad_18@yahoo.com

Indian male electrician (EEE), 2 years good working experience searching for suitable job.

Gmail id ; antonyajin15@gmail. com, Contact; 918148336160 / 918300136160

Indian male Electrician(EEE) 2 years good working experience searching for suitable job. mail ; antonyajin15@gmail.com, Contact; 918148336160 / 918300136160

Indian Architectural Engineer with 2.5 yrs experience in architectural consultancy firms, currently on visit visa, looking for suitable placement Contact no: +96894955793 hassanfaizalthariq@gmail.com.

Female Architect on visiting visa, two years’ experience, graduated from School of Planning and Architecture (under MHRD). Proficient in AutoCAD, Google Sketchup and creative visualization. Email saatvika.frozenmusic@gmail.com.

Contact 00968-94057427.

Indian Female 23 Years, Post Graduated in Sanskrit (language), Seeking for Suitable Jobs, (Teaching or Clerical), Knowledge in MS Office, Good Communication Skill Contact 96141317, 94614317, E-mail: sou93madam@gmail.com

Indian male, 30.System administrator/desktop support professional.5 years of GCC exp.

Visa status: visit (Dubai) mob: 00971565598176/ aneeshngr@gmail.com

D8

W E D N E S D AY, J U LY 2 7, 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 COMPUTER/WEB./ EDU./CLASSES

TOURS

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours contact 98029602, 92808636

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

We arrange tours & accommodation at all the beautiful places in Oman. Contact 99839898

WE SERVE OMAN

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

Spoken Arabic class for Non Arabic Speakers & English class for Malayalam Speakers

in Azaiba and Ruwi

• Learn in two months • Satisfaction guaranteed

Tel: 95244310

SERVICES We Provide Cleaners, Office boys, Cleaning Contracts, General cleaning etc.

Al Mudakhir National Est. LLC Contact : 94277020

Karate and self defense classes at Azaiba 18 Nov Street. RO 10 per month twice a week Monday and Tuesday 6. 30 TO 7. 30. PM. Contact: 98294551

DRIVING

BUYING Bobcat available for rent.

Contact 97623299 Buying cars for cash.

Contact 90202090

SIT.WANTED MATRIMONIAL Kerala Marthomite boy, 165 cm, 30 years with clean habits working in an Engineering Construction firm based in Muscat looking for a suitable alliance. Contact: 98705017

Pest control & Building cleaning all kinds of pest control building. Cleaning tiles / Marble polishing monthly/ Yearly contracts available.

Contact: 98814733 /98814740 Al Husn Cleaning L.L.C GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998 MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807 Furniture shifting with expert technicians. Contact: 99041337 Telal Al Mustqbal Al Jadeede Trad. & Cont. A Civil Contr. & maintenance company - Mabela & Muscat. More than 25 years in all types of building construction & maintenance works.

Contact: 00968- 99038518 Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 House shifting. Contact 99708138 House shifting packing.

Contact: 99657644/98518013 Window or split AC split fitting or service. Contact: 95303292 Marble crystallization & grinding, Ocean center LLC Contact: 99344723

Window & split unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080 Split unit & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 96236476 Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting,Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. Contact: 24810137, 99450130 A/c Servicing & Maintenance.

Contact Abdul Rehman Contact: 99382104 CAD drawings Archi/ MEP CAD – comply BIM. Contact: 91233975 Available electrical & cabling CCTV services. Contact: 98252780 Pest control treatments, Ocean center LLC Contact 99344723 All Maintenance and services electric, CCTV Camera, Plumbing, A/C service and gas installation, painting tiles. Contact: 96524904 / 94285064

Split unit & widow unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 95323517 / 93769089

Parent of Thrissur based Hindu Ezhava girl aged 20, Slim,Atham star, Studying for B. Pharm seeking alliance from well employed Graduates, preferably in Engineering Contact :96425102

MANPOWER

Malankara Catholic Male Nurse (28) from Thiruvalla working in Nizwa Private Co. Alliance invites parents/nurses working in Oman.

Contact 968 98267338, 0091 9287215726

Al farzdaq Al Fedi Trad and Cont Maintenance services electric, plumbing and A/C. Contact: 96524904 /94285064

Indian male Roman Catholic 40yrs divorcee working in Muscat.

Seeks suitable alliance from widow/ divorcee/ single.

Contact 96059801.

Pest control Gulfa international.

Contact: 92326955

CHANGE OF NAME

For any 3d signboard, acrylic works with painting please contact us on 90786240 or follow us in instagram: silver_concepts Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance. Contact ABU QABAS- 99320217 /24788722 Marble crystallization & grinding, cleaning & carpet shampooing.

Ocean center LLC. Contact 99344723

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatments & massage – Ayurvedic Clinic Al Khuwair.

Contact 97263637 / 93309131

Indian Electricians, civil workers.

Contact 98253551

GOOD NEWS Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam). Contact: 24475280 / 95371664 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

I Harpal Singh (holder of Indian passport No. F 8006813) Son of/ daughter of Karnail Singh having permanent residence in Amar Nagar Ganesh Galli Mullund Mumbai 400082 (complete postal address in India) and presently residing in Azaiba P.O Box. 1588 P.C 130 (Desert Legend Trading (complete postal address in Oman) intend to change my name from Harpal Singh (old name) to Harpal Singh Kahlon (new name) for all practical purpose. Any objection towards my name change may please be communicated to Embassy of India, Muscat, Diplomatic Quarters, Al Khuwair, P.Box No. 1727, Postal Code 112, Ruwi, Sultanate of Oman.

Filipina, 33yrs old, with Bachelors Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management, with experience as Senior Housekeeping Supervisor in famous hotels and resorts looking for suitable job in Muscat. Please contact 97943735/96489798.

Light Duty Driver looking for driving job. Contact: 00968 97671459 Search job as light driver, experience 3 years language Hindi, English, Arabic. Contact: 97941771 MPA- MBA Master of professional Accounting - Master of Business Administration 26 years, Indian male looking for an accounting job & recently graduated from James Cook University Brisbane, Australia currently in Oman. # 96038898 Indian male, 26 years 3 Years’ experience in Projects of Tanks, Boilers and Steel structures Aware of int. Standards, B tech in Mech Engg. Contactrahulkunnath23@gmail.com Mob-00917350860889 Indian male Electrician(EEE ).

Two years good working experience searching for suitable job.

Gmail id ; antonyajin15@gmail. com, Name; Antony Ajin.

G : 918148336160 / 918300136160 Indian Male, 23, BBA Graduate, Fresher, on visit visa looking for job in sales/marketing.

Contact - 94032041; Email azzamsiddique1@gmail.com B.E (Mechanical) 12 years industrial sales, 1 year Muscat experience, presently in India , immediately ready to join. Contact :917338899372 , email id : ganesh2008sep@gmail.com