Times of Oman - June 29, 2015

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RAMADAN PRAYER TIMINGS IFTAR 7.02PM FAJR 3.55AM

MONDAY, June 29, 2015 / 12 Ramadan 1436 AH

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Dhuhr Asr Maghrib Isha Fajr (Tomorrow)

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Personal debt warning as Oman spending soars The numbers Loans and advances by conventional banks (between January and March 2015)

Banks have already loaned out OMR17.41 billion to consumers,

OMR

sparking calls for caution in Ramadan

Average debt (OMR)

3,000 to

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI

elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Oman needs to put a brake on consumerism as debtors increase, say experts.

Between January and March this year, Oman’s conventional banks have already issued loans and advances totalling OMR17.41 billion, and charities and legal firms have reported that the number of people turning to them for help after getting into debt trap is rising.

The Holy Month of Ramadan is synonymous with self-control but temptations in the form of attractive discounts on everything from cars to furniture entice people to buy more than their means or spend more than they can afford.

Real objective Some people forget the real objective of Ramadan and end up having a huge debt, especially after the Eid frenzy. This shows that

5,000

there is a need for change in the mindset of the society.

Speaking to Times of Oman, legal and economy experts, bank officials, charity workers and ordinary people have all emphasised the need for greater awareness about the consequences of overspending, though they have appreciated the efforts towards easy access to financing.

Khalifa Al Rahbi, legal advisor and the chief executive officer of Khalifa Al Rahbi Lawyers and Legal Consultancy, says they receive clients with a simple financial problem to those having debts of thousands of rials.

“Normally, we have two types of clients: Creditors and debtors.

Creditors come to us to figure out the most appropriate way to recover their money while debtors seek ways to avoid legal penalties as a result of their failure to repay their debts,” he said.

Consumerism Al Rahbi says that the growing number of these kinds of clients can be attributed to some factors, including increasing consumerism in the society and the people’s love to show off without thinking of living within their budgetary limits.

FIRE INCIDENTS

TOP THREE INSIDE STORIES

TRUCK IN FLAMES: Lorry catches fire near Falaj in Sohar.

OMAN

‘Macroeconomic scene favourable’

Firefighters douse Sohar factory fire REJIMON K

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Despite lower oil prices in the second half of 2014, the macroeconomic situation in Oman remained favourable. The major drivers of growth were higher sustained domestic demand, supported by large public expenditure and accommodative monetary policy pursued by the CBO. >A3

OMAN

Oman Air to recruit more Omani pilots

reji@timesoman.com MUSCAT: A fire which broke out in Owhi industrial area in Sohar on Sunday was doused by firefighters. Five fire engines were used to control the blaze.

“The fire, which broke out in a warehouse, spread nearby, causing panic in the area. Workers were seen running out of the warehouses. It took more than two hours for the firefighters to contain the fire,” sources said.

Motorists said thick clouds of smoke billowing out from the warehouses could be seen far from the area. “The roads to

that area were blocked by the police,” motorists said.

According to sources, rubber products and adhesives were stored in the warehouses which caught fire.

Lorry fire Earlier in the day, a lorry caught fire near Falaj in Sohar.

“It started around 8am. There was bad odour in the entire area after the fire. Police had to cordon off the area,” witnesses said.

In another incident, a truck which drove off the road, was lying overturned in Qantab area.

Police vehicles and ambulances were seen at the accident site.

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Oman Air is looking for more candidates to fly its fleet. Following 10 Omani cadet pilots graduating in March, Oman Air is now recruiting more candidates from within the Sultanate. >A5

MARKET

Renaissance sure of long-term growth

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Renaissance Services is an Omani multinational firm listed on the MSM with a strong presence in oil servicing field. Strong cash flows will help the company to service all it’s obligations and also to invest in future growth. >B1

The new Audi A6

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There are cases of people with debts more than

OMR

30,000

17.4 billion

Expert view:

Loans are good if they are used in a proper way, for example for purchasing the necessary things or starting up a business.

According to him, Omani Lawyers Association and Khalifa Al Rahbi Lawyers and Legal Consultancy have organised a campaign during the holy month to collect donations from the members of the community for insolvent prisoners with debts of not more than OMR5,000.

This is the third version of the campaign, Al Rahbi said, adding that 304 prisoners were released thanks to this campaign last year.

The legal advisor advised people not to take loans unless it becomes essential such as for buying a house or land plot as unjustified spending leads to debt.

Dar Al Atta’a charity organisation has also witnessed an increase in the number of people seeking financial assistance to write off their debts.

Maryam Al Zadjali, chairperson of Dar Al Atta’a, says that increase in consumption of goods is one of the factors to blame.

According to her, between OMR3,000 and 5,000 is the average debt of people seeking help.

“Sometimes, we receive people with debts, of over OMR30,000,” she said, adding that the highest amount of debt she has heard of is OMR120,000.

Al Zadjali said that Dar Al Atta’a does its best to help debtors after they submit a request supported by documents proving their claim.

Ahmed Al Hooti, a member of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry (OCCI), said that some people misuse their loans and then find themselves in trouble when the time comes to repay the debt.

The organisations concerned and the media should join hands to raise awareness and promote the culture of saving, he said.

However, Al Hooti believes that some Omani private sector employees with a salary of OMR300 to OMR400 are not provided with the financing facilities which are given to the government employees.

The OCCI has been asking the authorities to provide better facilities to the private sector employees, he added. >A3

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M AY- E N D D ATA

Sultanate’s population reaches 4.2m MUSCAT: Oman’s population reached 4.18 million by May end, growing at 0.2 per cent, latest data from National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) shows.

“While the number of Omani citizens is 2,338,769, the number of registered expatriates is 1,847,145. The statistics also indicate that there are 135,513 expatriates whose place of residence is not recorded, a one per cent decrease compared to the figures recorded last April,” the data reveals. The data also show that the majority of population resides in Muscat Governorate, where the number of residents rose by 0.4 per cent compared to the figures recorded last April, reaching 1,288,330. >A6

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MONDAY, JUN E 2 9, 2 015

OMAN

The Traveller Oasis creates a welcoming atmosphere for the visitors besides providing free and immediate assistance in bookings, providing tourist information and offering vehicles for rental Sayyid Adil Al Busaidi, Advisor of Tourism Affairs, Ministry of Tourism

TOURISM SECTOR

Website to help Salalah tourists TARIQ AL HAREMI tariqh@timesofoman.com

SCAN THIS QR CODE TO INSTANTLY VISIT

Traveller Oasis website

MUSCAT: Providing a stressfree travel guide to various attractions, services, activities and places in all the Wilayats of Dhofar, Sayyid Adil Al Busaidi, Advisor of Tourism Affairs, Ministry of Tourism, officially launched the Traveller Oasis website on Sunday.

The website (www.travelleroasis.om) is currently online.

First time visitors to Dhofar will be able to use the website to plan their summer holiday by browsing hotels, restaurants and entertainment as well as making use of a list of phone numbers put up on the website and social me-

w w w.t ra v e l l e ro a s i s . o m

dia sites associated with Traveller Oasis.

Traveller Oasis is a temporary rest area set up at the Salalah City Gate, staying open 24/7 from June 20 to September 20.

The rest area features a number of luxury tents providing useful tourist information, car rental services and holiday planning assistance. “It was set up to act as a rest stop for travellers arriving to Salalah by road. The Oasis creates a welcoming atmosphere for the visitors besides providing

free and immediate assistance in bookings, providing tourist information and offering vehicles for rental,” said Al Busaidi.

Al Busaidi stressed the importance of staying abreast of new technological trends as well as to effectively respond to challenges of global competition. He said by using the internet, it will be possible to help tourists obtain the required information effortlessly.

The mobile version of the website will be launched next week on IOS and Android phones in both Arabic and English.

To visit the website, go to: www. travelleroasis.om; Instagram: @Traveller_Oasis; Twitter: @ TravellerOasis; Facebook: TravellerOasisDhofar.

L E G I S L AT U R E

State Council to discuss transport law MUSCAT: Land Transport law will be discussed by the State Council at its regular sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday, under the chairmanship of Dr. Yahya bin Mahfoudh Al Mantheri, Chairman of the State Council.

The law has been referred by the Council of Ministers. The report of Majlis Al Shura on the same law, in addition to the report of the Legal Committee and the proposal of the Social Committee on the review of the governing legislations of the wastewater sector, will also be discussed.

The Council will also discuss a proposal of the education committee on the educational development of persons with disabilities. The Council will also review the General Secretariat report on the activities of the Council for the earlier period, in addition to the letters from various institutions and reports from members.–ONA

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Bankers caution against ‘excessive consumerism’

Yousuf Al Rawahi, DGM, Head of Branches, at Ahlibank

Asad Batla,Head of Consumer Banking, Bank Nizwa

Oman are generally more aware of their needs and financial requirements, and hence they are less likely to indulge themselves in more than what they really need,” he said.

“Also, the banking rules and regulations in Oman are balancing the credit for each customer by putting a limit based on the salary and other requirements, so customers can still enjoy at least 50 per cent of their salary after deducting instalments,” Al Kalbani noted.

schemes etc have had a positive impact. However, this has been well controlled by the regulator by putting caps on debt burden ratio, tenors, bank credit policies etc, which will have a favourable impact,” said Al Rawahi.

However, he says more efforts are required to promote the culture of saving in Oman.

“This can be possible through attractive deposit savings schemes, insurance linked savings plans for education, marriage

etc. Consumers should be encouraged to apply for such schemes in order to secure their own as well as their family’s future,” said the official at Ahlibank.

Salim Al Kalbani, acting head of retail products, business and segments department at Bank Dhofar, says that customers should know what their requirements are.

“Many people around the world live on credit and they suffer the consequences. Customers in

Exponential growth Asad Batla, head of consumer banking at Bank Nizwa, Oman’s first Islamic bank, believes that the rate of consumption in Oman has witnessed ‘exponential’ growth, especially with the increase in per capita income.

“The dominant trend is for consumers to borrow money to cover their purchases and consequently focus less on savings. Therefore, the lack of saving culture will lead to excessive consumption and ultimately the inability to manage fu-

More efforts are required to promote the culture of saving

ELHAM POURMOHAMMADI elham@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Banks in Oman believe that ease of access to financing and a wider range of options have enhanced the experience of customers but also hold the opinion that excessive consumerism should be avoided through educating the society.

Yousuf Al Rawahi, deputy general manager - head of branches, retail and private banking at Ahlibank, says that with the ease of available credit, any society will have consumerism, which has to be managed accordingly.

“Lower pricing for customers, faster approvals, attractive

ture plans or emergencies,” he said.

Batla added that Bank Nizwa encourages its customers to have discipline in their financial decisions, while constantly focusing on helping them lead financiallysecure lifestyles.

Save, invest for their future “Islamic finance being asset backed, and Bank Nizwa being complaint with Sharia laws, we encourage customers to finance goods that they need rather than splurge on cash.

“In case of conventional banking, most of the overburdened customers are those who have taken out cash loans and have spent on unnecessary luxury and non-tangible items,” he said.

“At Bank Nizwa, we have a suite of savings products to encourage customers to save and invest for their future. This way their investments build up, while they get returns on their Sharia-compliant investments. We take our social responsibility and Islamic financial values very seriously,” the official added.

D AY O F T H E S E A FA R E R

Marine show could spur interest in seafaring TARIQ AL HAREMI tariqh@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: In celebration of the Day of the Seafarer, the Ministry of Transport and Communications launched a marine exhibition in Qurum City Center, under the auspices of Said Hamdoon Al Harthy, Undersecretary of Ports and Maritime Affairs.

The small exhibition showcased ancient as well as modern equipment, tools and maps used to sail the seas, in addition to old defence weapons such as cannons.

Patrick Wells, Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs in International Maritime College Oman (IMCO), said, “Oman is an old seafaring nation but the awareness for the maritime industry in Oman is not that big at the moment. So for this, especially for young students, as they come through the door, it will create awareness and will be amazing for us.”

“The face of maritime education is changing very dramatically as we become more dependent on electronics, but if you look at celestial navigation, tides and current and the techniques used

today is pretty much the same as a thousand years ago. It is essentially part of the art of being a mariner.”

Seafaring is considered one of the most important professions contributing to the Omani economy and a vital element of Omani heritage and culture.

During an award ceremony honouring Omani mariners, Rashid Al Kiyumi, Director General of Maritime Affairs in MOTC, said: “No doubt that appreciating and valuing them is vital, especially since about 90 per cent of world trade moves by sea.”

CBO REPORT

Economy on growth path despite oil price downslide MUSCAT: Despite lower oil prices in the second half of 2014, the macroeconomic situation in the Sultanate remained favourable, the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) has said in its Annual Report.

The major drivers of growth were higher sustained domestic demand, mainly supported by large public expenditure and accommodative monetary policy.

Following a negative growth in 2009 due to fallout of the global financial crisis, the average growth rate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices between 2010 and 2012 was around 16.5 per cent.

In 2013, the GDP at current prices grew at a modest pace of 2.4 per cent primarily due to weaker crude oil prices in the global market and in 2014 as the economic momentum picked up slightly the nominal GDP grew by 4.6 per cent.

While the petroleum sector nominal GDP declined by 2.4 per cent, the non-hydrocarbon nominal GDP grew by 10.1 per cent during 2014. As a result, the share of petroleum activities in the overall GDP at current market prices declined to 47.2 per cent in 2014 from 50.6 per cent in 2013.

Within the non-petroleum industrial activities, manufacturing sector recorded a modest growth of 0.4 per cent in 2014 while electricity and water supply, building and construction grew by 8.6 per cent and 8.3 per cent respectively.

Services sector grows 13% The services sector grew by 13.1 per cent in 2014 as compared to 9.2 per cent in the previous year.

The share of services sector in GDP increased to 40.7 per cent in 2014 from 37.3 per cent in 2013.

The Government has been taking several initiatives to create employment in public and private sectors that include aligning some of the benefits between the two sectors, so as to make private sector jobs more attractive to nationals. Employment opportunities created in the public sector during the five-year period 2009

NATIONAL ECONOMY: In 2014 as the economic momentum picked up slightly the nominal GDP grew by 4.6 per cent.–File photo

to 2013 increased by an average rate of 6.6 per cent. During 2013, the employment in the public sector increased by 8.6 per cent as compared to 5.4 per cent in the previous year.

During the five-year period 2010 to 2014, average employment growth in the private sector was 12.7 per cent. However, during 2014, the growth in employment in the private sector slowed down to 3.4 per cent as compared to 14.8 per cent in the previous year.

Omanisation gains The decline in employment within the private sector was mainly due to sharp fall in the growth rate of employment of expatriates in this sector from 16.0 per cent in 2013 to 2.8 per cent in 2014.

On the other hand, the growth in employment of Omanis in the private sector stood at 8.6 per cent during 2014 as compared to 5.7 per cent in the previous year, pointing to the potential of the private sector to employ more nationals.

While the growth momentum has been sustained, inflation was also fairly contained in the Sultanate with the average inflation based on CPI for the Sultanate being lower at 3.4 per cent during the three-year period 2010 to 2012. The year 2014 continued to witness low inflation with the average inflation registering an

increase of only 1.1 per cent.

In 2014, the average inflation based on CPI for the Sultanate stood slightly lower at 1.0 per cent.

The CBO and the Government have been keeping a close watch on the price situation. There have been efforts towards increasing market awareness of consumers, proper monitoring of supply situations and diversifying imports.

Inflation The recent moderate rise in prices owed to both demand and supply side factors originating from the domestic, as well as external sources. Lower international food and metal prices helped in keeping the inflation low as bulk of food items were imported.

Though the overall inflation remained low, the contribution of the three groups “Foods and nonalcoholic beverages,” Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels,” and “Furnishing, household equipment and routing housing maintenance” to overall inflation were high during 2014.

Omani crude oil fetched an average price of $98.7 per barrel between 2010 and 2013. During the same period, oil production rose by an average of 3.8 per cent while oil exports rose by an average rate of 5.9 per cent. The Omani crude oil prices averaged $103.2 per barrel during 2014 as compared to $105.5 a barrel in 2013.– ONA

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VITAL ELEMENT: Seafaring is considered one of the most impor-

tant professions contributing to the Omani economy and a vital element of Omani heritage and culture.–Talib Al Wahaibi/TIMES OF OMAN

ECONOMY

< FROM

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Economy upbeat as loans rise

Heidar, an economic expert, said that loans are good if they are used in a proper way, for example for purchasing the necessary things or starting up a business.

“Some people get loans and spend them on unnecessary luxury stuff or expensive travels and end up repaying the loans for a long period of time,” he said.

According to Heidar, the growth in the number of loans being taken by people in Oman is a consequence of a combination of global and local factors, such as the increase in the population and per capita income and the fact that more people are entering the market and starting a family.

More education campaigns are required and banks should have one-to-one conversations with their customers when they apply for a loan, he said.

The economic expert also believes that the decision of the Central Bank of Oman (CBO) to reduce the ceiling on personal loans from 40 per cent to 35 per cent of total bank credit has helped control overspending to some extent.

Abdul Wahab Abdulkarim Al Balushi, an ex-government employee, says that as Oman is a free economy, financing rules cannot be expected to become ‘stricter’.

“The banking regulator and other authorities cannot be expected to play the role of a ‘parent’, and spending appropriately is an individual responsibility,” he said.

Children should be educated in the family and later in school as to how to spend their money wisely from an early age, said Al Balushi, adding that parents should be good role models for their children.

In this era of materialism, some people are attracted to the latest models of mobile phone, car and other items and get loans to pay for the things that they may not really need, he added. They should set their priorities right and have foresight, Al Balushi noted, adding that the banks should educate their customers instead of just encouraging the people to take out loans.

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MONDAY, JUN E 2 9, 2 015

TODAY’S DUAA Our Lord! Make of us (Muslims, bowing to Your (Will), and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik and accept our repentance. Truly You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.’

Salah

Islamic prayer gives a worshipper a clear sense of a direct link and a strong bond between him and the God, explains AFTAB H. KOLA

the most important form of Islamic worship

I

n the Holy Quran there are several passages that confirm that the earlier Prophets (peace be upon them) were also commanded by Allah to establish prayer. Prophet Ibrahim (PBUH) asked for support in his duty: “My Lord, make me one who establishes prayer and also my descendants.” (Quran 14:40). Allah spoke to Prophet Musa (PBUH) saying: “And establish prayer for My remembrance. (Quran 20:14). Prophet Isa (Jesus) said of his Lord: “And He has enjoined upon me prayer and charity as long as I live. (Quran 19:31) Allah ordered Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him): “Recite what was revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. (Quran 29:45).

The second pillar of Islam, Salah is the prescribed daily prayers which consist in repeating and refreshing five times a day the belief in which you repose your faith. Your day begins just before the sun rises and the first duty you do is offer the Fajr prayers and ends up with Isha before you retire to sleep, and in between at day time, you pray Dhuhr (noon prayers), Asr (afternoon prayers) and Maghrib (at sunset). So, from the beginning of the day until you sleep you submit yourself to your Lord.

Eminent scholar Sheikh Abul A`la Mawdudi beautifully explains: “The various poses that you assume during your Prayers are the very embodiment of the spirit of submission; the various recitals remind you of your commit-

ments to your God. You seek His guidance and ask Him again and again to enable you to avoid His wrath and follow His chosen path. You read out from the Book of the Lord and express witness to the truth of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and also refresh your belief in the Day of Judgment and enliven in your memory the fact that you have to appear before your Lord and give an account of your entire life.”

Besides the five compulsory prayers there are other prayers. You can pray at any time once you feel that you need a counsellor or a guide to show you to the right path.

Salah is the communion between man and his Creator. The fact that it was ordered in Heaven on the night of Miraj, while all the other obligations were revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) on the earth, speaks of its utmost importance. Prayer is compulsory for every Muslim who is sane and of age.

Salah is ordered repeatedly throughout the Holy Quran. It says, “Keep carefully to the prayers, not forgetting the middle prayer, and stand before Allah in obedience.” Surah 2;238. Again and again it is emphasised by Allah in the Holy Quran. “Certainly has prayer been decreed upon the believers - a decree of specified times.” Surah 4;103.

We know from the various Ahadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that an important purpose of prayer is to wash away sins. Another is its effect on the believer’s conscience. But most im-

Hadith of the day ABDULLAH IBN `AMR reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘Fasting and the Quran will intercede on behalf of Allah’s servant on the Day of Judgment: Fasting will say, “O my Lord!

I prevented him from food and desires during the day, so accept my intercession for him.”

And the Quran will say, “O my Lord! I prevented him from sleeping by night, so accept my intercession for him.”

The intercession of both will thus be accepted.

(Ahmad and authenticated

by Al-Albani)

portant is the remembrance of Allah, for He is the source of all benefit.

Salah is obligatory in any situation, at home or while travelling, in security or in a state of fear. In certain circumstances, Qasr and Jam’a (shortening and joining the prayers during a journey) is permissible, but there is no permission to neglect or postpone prayer.

Only women at the time of post-childbirth bleeding or monthly periods do not pray. Even a person too ill to move or threatened by an enemy must pray, even if only by making gestures with his eyes or in his heart or as much as he is able and as long as he is in the possession of mental faculties.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) stated, “The first thing one will be held accountable for on the Day of Judgment is Salah (prayer).” In another Hadith it is mentioned, “On the Day of Judgement, the very first question that will be asked to man out of his deeds will be about Salah; if his Salah is correct he will succeed but if it is incomplete, he will be disgraced and will suffer loss. - Tabarani.

One of India’s illustrious scholars, late Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi writes, “There is nothing dry or mechanical about Salah. It is not a soulless ritual, frozen into rigidity, in which there is no scope for development and everyone is compelled to stay at the same level. On the contrary, its field is very vast in which the devotee is carried forward from state to state, from

advancement to perfection and from perfection to heights that are beyond the imagination of man.

“In it, the position of one is different from that of the other. The grade varies from person to person. A Salah performed with negligence and ignorance cannot be treated as equal to that of attention and awareness.”

It is said that offering the obligatory prayers with the congregation in the mosque is much better and brings the worshipper much higher reward.

In fact, praying with a congregation is given 27 times the reward for a prayer offered alone. Writes Adil Salahi, a great scholar and writer, “Offering prayers in a congregation is strongly encouraged because it strengthens ties within the local community and brings people together. The Prophet (PBUH) encouraged offering some prayers at home.

Taken together these Hadiths appear to encourage that we offer the recommended and voluntary prayers at home, leaving the obligatory ones to offer in the mosque with the congregation.”

Prayers also inculcate in Muslims a strong sense of discipline and obedience to the elected leader. In short, Prayers train them in all those virtues that make possible the development of a rich individual and collective life. The one who is steadfast in prayer is the one who prays at the prescribed times as ordered by Allah, without postponing or neglecting its essential rituals.

(Compiled from various sources).

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SCHOOL ACADEMICS

North Al Batinah tops in National Education Competitions

Dr Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shibaniyah, Minister of Education.

MUSCAT: Results of the National Education Competitions for the School Year 2014/2015 were approved on Sunday by Dr Madiha bint Ahmed Al Shibaniyah, Minister of Education.

The Directorate General of Education in the North Al Batinah came first, followed by the Directorates General of Education in the Governorates of Al Dakhiliyah and Muscat.

In school media and literary arts, South Al Batinah came first, followed by North Al Sharqiyah and Al Dhahirah.

In eloquence and classical Arabic, which was held in Egypt in collaboration with the Arab League, Ismail Mohammed Al Rowahi from North Al Sharqiyah came first among grade 12 students on the level of the Arab world. He came first at the national level also.

More pilots to get Oman Air wings After 10 Omani cadet pilots who graduated in March, Oman Air is now recruiting more candidates from within Oman NATIONAL CARRIER: Oman Air is focussed on implementing the Government policy of Omanisation. –Supplied photo

Staff Reporter MUSCAT: Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate, is looking for more Omani candidates to fly its fleet.

“As Oman Air continues its ambitious fleet and network expansion programme, we are also pleased to be recruiting more candidates. As a result, more Omani citizens than ever before will fly our aircraft to destinations around the world,” Oman Air’s Captain Moosa Al Shidhani, Acting Chief Officer – Flight Operations, said in a statement issued while congratulating new 10 recruits.

Following 10 Omani cadet pilots graduating in March, Oman Air is now recruiting more candidates from within the Sultanate, according to a statement by the airline.

The recent graduates trained at l’École Nationale de l’Aviation Civile (ENAC), the prestigious flying school based in Toulouse, France. They were personally congratulated on behalf of Oman Air by Captain Moosa Al Shidhani.

“A further 13 Omani candidates have now been enrolled at ENAC and are expected to graduate in 18 months’ time. Now Oman Air is recruiting further cadet pilot candidates, who will receive flight

training and be considered for roles with Oman Air’s operational flight crews,” the statement said.

Each of the cadet pilots will be carefully selected, according to their cognitive skills and ability to multi-task, before undertaking an intensive programme of instruction. The cadet pilots will be offered support by Oman Air throughout their training at ENAC. They will receive financial assistance, as well as help with accommodation, insurance, fees and academic studies.

In addition to recruiting cadet pilots, Oman Air is seeking applications from ab initio pilots – trainee pilots who are selfsponsored. Successful applicants are likely to be enrolled as Second Officers on a type rating course in one of the Oman Air’s narrowbody aircraft, depending on company requirements.

“As the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, Oman Air is committed to ensuring that as many Omani citizens as possible have the opportunity to develop successful careers with us,” the official said.

Applicants wishing to be considered for positions as cadet pilots should be Omani citizens aged between 17 and 26 years.

They should have attained high

BRIEFS

SQU Council approves Strategic Plan 2016-40 MUSCAT: Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) Council on Sunday adopted the Strategic Plan for Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) 2016 – 2040. The meeting was headed by the Minister of Higher Education and Chairperson of the Council the Strategic Plan for Sultan Qaboos University (SQU). The Strategic Plan covers five areas: teaching and learning at undergraduate, and teaching and learning at the post-graduate level, scientific research, creativity and innovation and community engagement. The plan includes seven fields, in addition to the areas, namely: governance and management, human resources, financial capacity, international cooperation, student environment, infrastructure and support services, health and medical services for SQU Hospital.

Manpower Ministry panel focuses on labour market MUSCAT: The Joint Omanisation Committee in the Ministry of Manpower on Sunday discussed the developments in the labour market and discussed the results provided by the working team to follow up the recommendations. The meeting agreed on a set of recommendations to be submitted to the competent authorities. These recommendations aim to help the sector grow and availing new job opportunities. They also aim at cooperation with the institutes for the training of the national workforce in the sales and distribution sector.

Attorney-General holds meeting with ROP official MUSCAT: Hussain bin Ali Al Hilali, the Attorney-General of Oman visited the Directorate General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations on Sunday. He was received by Brigadier Rashid bin Salim Al Badi, Director General of Inquiries and Criminal Investigations. During the meeting the two officials discussed means of enhancing cooperation in the field of criminal work and plans to improve the investigative system of both ROP and the Public Prosecution.– ONA

grades in English, Mathematics and Physics at secondary school.

Diploma and university/college graduates should have achieved qualifications within a science stream. In addition, before being selected, each candidate will be required to pass a range of medical and psychometric tests.

Applicants for ab initio pilot positions are also required to be Omani citizens and must pass a predetermined assessment process set out by an appointed Flight Training Organisation.

They must pass a range of medical and psychometric tests, and should be under 36 years of age.

They should have achieved good academic grades, including a high level of proficiency in English, Physics and Mathematics. Recognised professional qualifications should be held by candidates, who will also have a minimum of 200 hours of flying time, including 100 hours of solo flying.

Oman Air is emphasising on its plans to adhere to the Government of Oman’s policy of Omanisation. This emphasises the importance of developing employment and career development opportunities for Omani citizens. Currently, around 60 per cent of Oman Air’s global workforce comprises Omani citizens .

Khoulah bint Abdullah Al Aisariyah from the Governorate of Muscat came first among the grade 10 students at the Arab level and topped at the local level as well. At the marine environment competition, which was held in Kuwait at the regional level, Maya bint Masud Al Barwaniyah from the Governorate of Al Buraimi came first.

In the e-newspaper competition

for males, Al Waddah bin Uqbah School for Basic Education in the Governorate of South Al Batinah came first. In the female category, Al Manarah School for Basic Education in the Governorate of North Al Sharqiyah and Um Habibah School for Basic Education in the Governorate of South Al Batinah shared the first place.

In the best presentation on tourism sites, Ayman bin Said Al

Shahoomi from the Governorate of Al Dhahirah came first in 5-8 years group and Al Murdas bin Khalifa Al Shaqsi from the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah came first in 9-12 years group.

In the marine environment drawing competition in Kuwait, Bayan bint Mohammed Al Furqaniyah from the Governorate of Al Dakhiliyah came first at the Gulf level.–ONA

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MONDAY, JUN E 2 9, 2 015

OMAN

It’s actually Shakeaway Oman and it’s different from Shakeaway Mexico or Shakeaway California Peter Dickson, Shakeaway’s CEO

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Shakeaway outlet dream realised The Shakeaway milkshake bar which opened in Muscat Grand Mall offers a minimum of 180 flavours which can be combined and

WARM WELCOME: The launch of Shakeaway milkshake bar on Friday evening saw long lines of people waiting for their customised shakes. - Photos: Shabin E

served hot or cold

SARAH MACDONALD

sarah@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: An eight-year dream came true for Omani businesswoman Amina Al Zadjali on Friday night when her franchise of the British milkshake bar Shakeaway opened in Muscat Grand Mall.

Al Zadjali, GM of Bandera

Group, tried her first Shakeaway milkshake when she was a student in Bournemouth, England and was immediately hooked.

From then on she began emailing the company to see if she could bring it to Oman.

“It was eight years ago that I had my first milkshake and I fell in love with it and the full concept. I emailed them from the first milk shake and I’ve been emailing them every year,” Al Zadjali explained,

adding that she finally got a response five years ago and two and half years ago began planning the first location in Oman.

Shakeaway’s CEO, Peter Dickson, said the company gets about 400 franchise requests a month but they are very particular about their partners. He liked Al Zadjali’s commitment to the brand, which is why it is now open in Muscat.

“For us the selection process is really about looking for people that

really love it and understand it, but that are family-based. We’re a family brand so we do business on a person level,” Dickson said.

The Shakeaway concept is unique. The milkshake bar offers a minimum of 180 flavours which can be combined all kinds of ways and served hot or cold, with ice cream or yogurt as the base.

Now open in seven countries, Shakeaway also localises its menus so here in Oman there are famil-

iar flavours. Approximately 35 to 40 per cent of the menus are localised, Dickson said.

Omani ingredients include dates, date mahmoul, Omani kahwa, Omani helwa and Nabil cookies, to name a few.

“It’s actually Shakeaway Oman and it’s different from Shakeaway Mexico or Shakeaway California,” said Dickson, who has tried all the Omani flavours himself.

The brand has been warmly welcomed in Oman. The launch on Friday evening saw long lineups of people waiting for their customised shakes which can include flavours such as Twix, Skittles, Cadbury Creme Eggs, strawberry, apple pie or pre-made combinations such as the most popular, Dave, which combines Ferrero Rocher, Kinder Bueno and Flake chocolates. There is even one called the Millionaire which has 23 carat gold flakes on it.

Customers in Oman quickly picked up on the idea of making their own unique combinations, added Paul Prince, Global Retail Director of Shakeaway.

“Amazingly on the first night we had several requests for three or four products [in one milkshake].

That doesn’t usually happen that quickly but here the locals are getting the hang of it,” Prince said.

Dickson says one of the attractions of Shakeaway is that it is a very emotive product. People can relive old memories and favourite childhood treats through the shakes.

“The ingredients are generally globally famous, well-known, some of them over 100 years old, billions spent on advertising, and we’re using their product to turn it into a milkshake that tastes like that product, and the customer chooses what they want to do,” he explained.

Al Zadjali has high expectations for Shakeaway in Oman. She said the first few nights were very busy and she already has a few other potential locations in mind, though it’s too early to share details.

“I am very happy. It’s an eightyear dream and two and half years of work and we’re finally here,” she said.

M U S C AT G OV E R N O R AT E

< FROM

A1 Expats’ number rises The figures also show that Muscat remains the only governorate where the number of expatriate residents surpasses the number of Omani residents.

The number of expatriates residing in Muscat reached 802,000 compared to 486,306 Omanis.

Al Batinah North Governorate came second on the list with 681,333 residents logging a growth rate of 0.2 per cent, compared to the figures recorded last April.

The number of Omani residents in the governorate reached 461,859, compared to 219, 474 expatriates.

Al Buraimi, Dakhiliyah, Sharqiyah South, Sharqiyah North and Dhahirah Governorates

also recorded a growth rate of 0.2 per cent.

The population of Al Buraimi reached 102,911 persons. The figures of the Omani and expatriate populations were approximately equal as Omani residents number 51,407, while the expatriate residents’ number reached 51,504.

The population of Dakhiliyah Governorate reached 416,332 including 321,511 Omanis, in addition to 94, 821 expatriates.

In Al Sharqiyah South Governorate, the total population was 275,524 including 187,935 Omanis, in addition to 87,589 expatriates. Similarly, in Al Sharqiyah North Governorate, the population reached 249,716 persons including 162,644 Omanis and 87,072 expatriates.

MO NDAY, JUNE 29, 2015 When a legal permit is issued it is absolutely wrong for other bodies to intervene when they have no legal right to do so. If the judiciary wants to act in this regard it should have legal justification Hassan Rouhani, President, Iran

C U LT U R A L R O W

Iran president criticised over remarks on music concerts TEHRAN: A cultural row in Iran over concerts being cancelled was reignited on Sunday when the country’s judiciary chief appeared to criticise President Hassan Rouhani’s liberal remarks on the subject.

Music and other public performances are a sensitive matter in the country given concerns among religious conservatives about creeping “Westernisation”. But there is a desire from other groups, particularly younger citizens, for greater artistic freedom.

Permissions are tightly controlled by the culture ministry but even officially approved events have recently been halted at short notice. Organisers, artists and reformist media have blamed local governors and other officials for stopping the events.

Rouhani, addressing the subject on June 13, said that if a concert is officially approved and people buy tickets their plans should not be disrupted.

“Such interventions are a violation of people’s rights,” he said.

“When a legal permit is issued it is absolutely wrong for other bodies to intervene when they have no legal right to do so. If the judiciary wants to act in this regard it should have legal justification.” However, Sadegh Larijani, who heads up the judiciary responsible for prosecuting crime and administering courts, seemed to undercut Rouhani in a speech on Sunday attended by the president. “I was sorry to hear somewhere a cleric say that banning these concerts was against the people’s rights,” said Larijani, who like Rouhani is also a cleric.

“This is really surprising. One of the rights of the people is that things should not be against rules.”

Having said the issue had been overblown by the media, given nine concerts out of 300 had been stopped since late March, Larijani went further in what seemed to be thinly-veiled criticism of Rouhani.

“Second and more important is that some executive officials of the country have an improper understanding and they say that if we have given a permit then no one has the right to revoke it,” Larijani said. “Well, this is wrong.

The judiciary has responsibilities regarding forbidden conduct. Revoking of permissions is dependent on the law.” — AFP

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REGION

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sent forensic experts and detectives to Tunisia to help identify victims and gather evidence

LONDON: Three members of the same family were among at least 15 Britons killed in the Tunisia attack, reports said on Sunday, in Britain’s worst loss of life in a terror incident since the 2005 London bombings.

Britain says militants may launch further attacks on tourist resorts in Tunisia.

Attacks may be carried out by “individuals who are unknown to the authorities and whose actions are inspired by terrorist groups via social media”, the Foreign Office said in updated travel advice on its website late on Saturday.

Britain’s Defence Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, writing in separate Sunday newspapers, said the Tunisian murders would inform Britain’s defence and security this year and stiffen London’s resolve to tackle what they described as the poisonous narrative of extremism.

Warning As ministers warned the toll would likely rise, details began to emerge of those gunned down in Friday’s massacre at a popular beach resort. Among the dead were reportedly 19-year-old student Joel Richards, his uncle Adrian Evans, 49, and his grandfather. Joel’s 16-year-old brother Owen survived.

Other victims were named as 24-year-old Carly Lovett and a couple in their 40s, Sue Davey and Scott Chalkley. They were among at least 38 people from several countries killed in the attack in Port el Kantaoui near Sousse, about 140 kilometres (90 miles) south of Tunis.

Another 39 people were injured, including 25 Britons, in the

attack which was claimed by the IS militant group, which controls large parts of Iraq and Syria. Announcing the 15 dead, Foreign Office minister Tobias Ellwood said the number “may well rise, as several more have been seriously injured in this horrific attack”.

Prime Minister David Cameron had earlier warned that Britain needed to prepare “for the fact that many of those killed in the attack were British”.

He condemned those responsible as “evil”, saying the victims were “innocent holidaymakers relaxing and enjoying time with their friends and families... they did not pose a threat to anybody”.

The attack represents the largest British loss of life in a terror incident since four suicide bombers blew themselves up on the London transport system on July 7, 2005, killing 52 people.

“This is the most significant terrorist attack on British people since 7/7 and highlights the ongoing threat of IS,” said Ellwood, whose own brother died in the 2002 Bali bombings.

British police have sent forensic experts and detectives to Tunisia to help identify victims and gather evidence. Officers were also interviewing survivors who flew home from the resort on Saturday, in particular looking for any phone footage taken of the incident.

About 20,000 British tourists were on package holidays in Tunisia at the time of the attack, according to ABTA, the country’s largest travel association.

Several travel firms laid on special flights to repatriate holidaymakers desperate to get home.

The TUI group, which includes Thomson and First Choice, sent ten planes on Saturday to repatriate 1,000 tourists and hopes to bring home a total of 2,500 by late Sunday. Jet2, which has more than 1,000 customers on holiday in Tunisia, said it had repatriated 205 people and would send two further planes to collect more over the weekend.

Both companies cancelled their holidays to Tunisia for the coming week. After returning home,

STRICT VIGIL: Tunisian policemen patrol the beach in front of the Riu Imperial Marhaba Hotel in Port el Kantaoui, on the outskirts of Sousse south of Tunis, on Sunday. – AFP

Hundreds of armed policemen patrol streets of Tunisian towns to protect hotels, tourists SOUSSE: Hundreds of armed police patrolled the streets of Tunisia’s beach resorts on Sunday and the government said it will deploy hundreds more inside hotels after the militant attack in Sousse that killed 39 foreigners.

Thousands of tourists have left Tunisia since Friday’s attack, which has shocked the North African country that relies heavily on tourism for jobs and foreign currency revenues. “We are going to deploy 1,000 armed police to protect hotels and tourists,” Tunisian Interior Minister Najem Gharsalli told reporters late on Saturday night.

The tourism minister has

Olivia Leathley described how she and her boyfriend heard grenades and gunfire and saw “hundreds of people running and screaming from the beach”.

“Somebody shouted, ‘they’re inside, run!’. We just ran as far away from the bullets as we could.

It was all happening so quickly, it

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described the Sousse attack as a catastrophe for the industry, which accounts for about seven percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

“Germans, French and British officials informed us they would not prevent tourists from coming to Tunisia, but they want to participate in the investigation and to see clear security decisions,” tourism minister, Salma Loumi, told reporters on Sunday.

was deafening,” she told the BBC. The shooting was the second attack on tourists in Tunisia within three months, and came the same day as a bombing in Kuwait, which was also claimed by the IS group, and a suspected extremist murder at a factory in France.

Cameron on Saturday chaired a

“We will receive all ambassadors on Tuesday to inform them of all security measures taken to protect tourists,” she said.

Loumi noted that many British tourists had decided to stay in Tunisia until the end of their holidays.

More than 3,000 tourists had already left the country a day after the attack.

“Tunisia is a beautiful country, and we will come back, but right now we need to leave, we need to forget what happened,” said Lucy, a young British tourist leaving from a local airport near Sousse. “It’s clear it is not safe here at the moment.” — Reuters

meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee, while interior minister Theresa May was due to chair another meeting.

After speaking to the leaders of Tunisia, France, Kuwait and Germany, Cameron tweeted: “Together, we’ll make sure terrorists do not win.” — Agencies

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INDIA Modi’s radio talk skips Lalit row, attracts opposition flak resignation now means what? It is a hint that he wants that these two people should own moral responsibility,” added Chacko.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said it was now clear that the ruling BJP does not intend to walk on the path of political morality.

“They had claimed to be a party with a difference. What difference is that? They want to protect their own people... They might be feeling that if they take action against one it may trigger a process.

In his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on radio, Modi refrained from speaking on politics or the recent controversies surrounding Vasundhara Raje and Sushma Swaraj over the Lalit Modi issue

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke about a number of social issues in his monthly radio address but chose to avoid any reference to the political storm that has been generated by Lalit Modi row for which Congress warned him that the issue will continue to “haunt” him.

CPI and Aam Aadmi Party also attacked Modi for remaining silent on the controversy.

In his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme on radio, Modi refrained from speaking on politics or the recent controversies surrounding Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj over the Lalit Modi issue which some quarters were expecting.

Among various topics, he talked about the girl child, voicing concern over the depleting sex ratio in 100 districts of the country, with

DEMANDING RESIGNATION: People protest against Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and demand her resignation over the Lalit Modi affair in Jaipur on Sunday. - PTI

the situation being more serious in Haryana. He pitched for a mass campaign to save the girl child.

During the 20-minute programme, he also spoke about the recently-launched three social security schemes and three developmental schemes, including ‘housing for all’ by 2022, as well as the Yoga Day celebrated on June 21.

He also emphasised on the need for saving water and planting trees to preserve the environment.

Expressed disappointment Speaking soon after the ‘Man ki Baat’ programme was aired, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed disappointment over the “failure” of the prime minister to speak on Lalit controversy.

His other senior party colleagues P. Chidambaram and Digvijay Singh as also CPI’s D Raja and AAP leader Ashish Khetan.

“All over India, no one is ready

to listen to ‘Mann Ki Baat....Everyone wants to listen to voice of people in the programme,” said Azad, Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

Taking a dig at Modi, Azad said he continued to be a “dream merchant” in the programme as he has been merely selling dreams in India and abroad.

“It is in the interest of the prime minister to take immediate action against those involved in corruption. Otherwise nationally and internationally, it is going to haunt him wherever he goes,” he told reporters.

Meanwhile in light of senior BJP leader L, K. Advani emphasising the need for probity in public life, opposition parties on Sunday said Sushma Swaraj and Vasundhra Raje must “own up responsibility” in the Lalit Modi controversy.

“It is a very clear indication

from the senior-most leader of BJP that its ministers, when they are implicated, when there are allegations against them, should own up responsibility.

Veiled message “The Prime Minister should come out with a clear explanation. Nothing is happening. It is in this context that he (Advani) has given this opinion. So, I think that Advaniji’s opinion is the reflection of thinking in general of the people,” said senior Congress leader P. C. Chacko.

In a veiled message to the Narendra Modi government in the wake of the row involving Swaraj and Raje, the BJP patriarch had on Saturday said there is a need to maintain probity in public life and recalled how he had resigned soon after his name cropped up in the Hawala scam.

“The very mention of Advaniji’s

Political morality “By now, it is clear that they don’t intend to walk on the path of political morality. This is what Advaniji has also cautioned about,” Kumar said.

Advani had resigned as an MP in 1996 following allegations of his involvement in the infamous Hawala scam. He was consequently re-elected in 1998 after his name was cleared.

Entries found in the diaries of Hawala broker SK Jain were presented as crucial evidence against top politicians, including Advani, in the court by CBI. While in Jaipur, former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot said that Advani’s message was clear and direct and Raje should put in her papers.

“Owing to moral responsibility in the Lalit Modi row, Raje should consider words of her veteran leader Advani and step down so that a fair probe be conducted on the charges she was facing for signing documents,” Gehlot told reporters at his residence here.

“She should first quit, allow investigation fairly, and if she is proved innocent then she can join chief ministership again,” Gehlot suggested. - PTI

VA R I E T Y O F C H A R G E S

43 officials in diplomatic missions to face action NEW DELHI: Government is taking action with regard to complaints against 43 officials of Indian diplomatic missions in 17 countries facing a variety of charges including corruption and dereliction of duty, top External Affairs Ministry sources said on Sunday.

“Action is being taken in all 43 cases as per established procedure,” Spokesman of the Ministry of External Affairs Vikas Swarup said.

Some of the complaints are against low-ranking officials and locally-hired staff and the cases are being dealt with as per laid down procedures, he said.

“The ministry takes seriously any complaint that it receives about the performance of its missions and posts abroad. Complaints are dealt with as per established and prescribed procedures,” Swarup said from Bangkok.

The recall of India’s High Commissioner to New Zealand Ravi Thapar following accusations of his wife assaulting a domestic help has brought the focus back on the conduct of the country’s diplomats posted abroad.

As per official figures, six complaints against officials in Indian missions were received in 2012, 10 in 2013 and 27 in 2014. A maximum of eight complaints each have been received from the missions in UK and Madagascar in the last three years.

Complaints have also been received against Indian Embassy staff in Afghanistan, Austria, Canada, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kazakhstan, Botswana, Thailand, Zambia, Mauritius, Morocco, Netherlands, South Africa and Mali.

Two complaints were received from UK in 2012, one in 2013 and five last year. -PTI

ACCIDENT

Mumbai suburban train rams into dead end; woman injured MUMBAI: A local train on Sunday rammed into the dead end at Churchgate railway station here, leaving a woman seriously injured and disrupting suburban train services on the Western line.

The fast train coming from Bhayander rammed into the dead end on platform number 3 of Churchgate station at around 11.25am when the motorman could not stop the local. As a result, the first coach of the train jumped onto the south-end concourse of the platform and was seen lying in a tilted position.

The reason for the motorman not being able to halt the train was

yet to be ascertained. “It would be premature to speak about the cause of the accident.

The exact reason can be ascertained only after proper investigation,” Western Railway’s (WR) chief PRO Sharat Chandrayan said.

Services restored WR General Manager S. K.Sood and Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Shailendra Kumar along with other senior officials reached the spot and launched restoration operation of the suburban services.

“We are enquiring with the motorman, L. S. Tiwary, who received mild injuries, and as per the nor-

mal procedure, we would also be checking whether he was under the influence of alcohol,” said another senior official involved in the process of investigation.

The impact of the train’s collision with the platform’s dead end was so huge that the wheels of the first coach got hanged into the air, ripping apart all the technical equipment in its lower part and also the overhead wire.

After the incident, services originating from and terminating at platform number 3 were suspended till the restoration of services, Chandrayan said. The injured woman was admitted to hospital,

he said. The mishap affected the train services which were running late by almost an hour.

Ahead of time “I boarded the train at Vile Parle station at 12.15pm which reached Churchgate at 2pm when it should have ideally reached by around 1pm,” said Manisha Rege, a media professional.

Commuters were seen clicking pictures at the site from their mobile phones. “It looked like a scene from a Bollywood film. I wonder what would have happened to those who were in the first coach,” said commuter Kirti Khot. - PTI

RUNAWAY ENGINE: Wrecked engine of a local train that derailed from its platform after the driver lost control at Churchgate station in Mumbai on Sunday. - PTI

T I M E S OF OMAN

MO NDAY, JUNE 29, 2015

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

India envisages more vigorous engagement with southeast Asia: Swaraj BANGKOK: India on Sunday described Thailand as a valued partner in its ‘Act East Policy’ and said it envisages a more vigorous and proactive engagement with the strategic and economically vibrant Southeast Asia region as part of its efforts to reposition itself at the world stage.

“Our Government is resolved to move with a great sense of priority and speed to implement the ‘Act East Policy’,” External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said here on Sunday during an interaction with Indian business leaders.

“We envisage a more vigorous and proactive engagement with this economically vibrant region of our extended neighbourhood,” she said, insisting that the NDA government has engaged closely with India’s neighbourhood, strengthened bilateral ties with major countries, energised engagement with the East and repositioned India at the world stage.

She said that India’s ‘Look East’ Policy of the last two decades has been elevated to ‘Act East’ Policy

Valued partner Describing Thailand as an important pillar of India’s policy and a valued partner, she said the relationship between the two countries has expanded to virtually all areas of bilateral cooperation in recent years.

“Our bilateral relations with Thailand are based on deep- rooted cultural, religious and neighbourly association between the people of our two nations. Our common heritage of Buddhism and the philosophy of compassion, tolerance, non-violence and peace have laid strong foundations for this relationship,” she said.

PA R K I N G L O T S

85 vehicles torched by miscreants in Pune PUNE: In an early morning shocker, as many as 85 vehicles, most of them two-wheelers, were set on fire by unknown miscreants in the parking lots of various residential societies in Sun City area here on Sunday.

The burnt vehicles included 77 two-wheelers and eight cars, police inspector of Sinhagad police station B. Kashid said.

It was a nightmare for the residents when they saw charred remains of the vehicles in the parking space of their respective housing societies, located in the same locality that also included a Pizza outlet where over 25 motorbikes parked outside the shop used by the delivery boys were

Thailand. We have embarked on ambitious projects for land connectivity with Thailand through Myanmar. We are also working on enhancing our sea connectivity with Thailand which is a maritime neighbour of India,” she said.

under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I am happy to say that we have reached new milestones in our global outreach and made significant achievements in the last one year in transforming our relations with the outside world,” said Swaraj, who is here on a three-day bilateral visit and to attend the 16th World Sanskrit Conference.

gutted in the fire. “We are studying CCTV footage available. But no one has been arrested so far”, the officer told PTI on Sunday.

Police detained and interrogated a suspect, reportedly an anti-social element in the Sinhagad road area where Sun City is situated.

The culprits reportedly unplugged the petrol tubes of the vehicles and set them on fire between 3am to 4am, the residents said. Based on the CCTV footage, police have issued two sketches of the suspects. The city witnessed a similar incident a few months ago in Dhankwadai area where number of vehicles burnt was much less. -PTI

BOOSTING BONDS: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj interacts with Indian Businessmen in Bangkok on Sunday. - PTI

“I am pleased to see that so many of you are in the leadership positions in corporates in Thailand and the region. In you I see the strength of our people-to-people relations. And in you I also see an influential group of leaders who can contribute to the economic

growth of both Thailand and India,” she told the leading Indian business leaders here. She said her government is working on the simple 3C mantra – Commerce, Culture and Connectivity.

“In all these three areas I cannot overemphasise the importance of

Make in India appeal “I would urge the Indian Diaspora in Thailand to also consider the avenues for collaboration and be integrated to a growing India and to contribute to the ambitious initiatives of the Government of India aimed at bringing welfare to its citizens,” Swaraj said.

“You would have noticed that there is new level of interest from across the world in building partnerships of trade, investment and innovation in India. Let me convey the invitation from our PM to do business and make in India — for India and the world,” she said.

Swaraj said the government would be happy to provide all necessary support in their endeavour through Indian Embassy, which will channel their proposals to

He said the government was taking steps to train youth in soil testing so that such labs could be set up on the pattern of pathological labs for humans. “This will also lead to job creation,” he added.

Indian agriculture has been lagging in several areas including inputs, irrigation, value addition and market linkages and his government was committed to

SHILLONG: At least two armed militants were on Sunday killed in a gun battle with security forces in Meghalaya’s North Garo Hills district while four others were arrested with 144 gelatine sticks and 126 detonators in another district in two separate incidents.

Acting on intelligence inputs given by the armed men in the area, a special police team and troops from Assam’s 19 Dogra regiment raided the hideouts at

Rari on Saturday night, district SP Ramesh Singh said.

At around 4:40am on Sunday, the militants opened indiscriminate fire after spotting the security forces. Two militants were killed in the retaliatory attack, he said. It is suspected that they belong to militant outfit A’chik Matgrik Elite Force (AMEF), he said. AMEF leader Jack Marak was gunned down earlier in May this year. - PTI

Many opportunities Assuming that Indians living here might have left their country earlier due to lack of opportunities in past, Swaraj said, “but today there are so many opportunities that time has now come to return to India. Today when you have gained strength, time has come back to pay back to your soil. You should definitely spare a part of your earning for India.” It is estimated that there are around two lakh people of Indian-origin in Thailand. - PTI

Second Green Revolution needed without any delay

RIGHT MOVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das during the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Indian Agriculture Research Institute in Hazaribagh on Sunday. - PTI

M I L I TA N C Y

2 militants killed in Meghalaya

various states of India and convey their concerns and suggestions to the government. This was Swaraj’s second interaction with Indian diaspora during her Thailand visit.

Addressing them at dinner meeting last night, Swaraj had said, “I have come here to tell you to give some attention to India.”

“Invest a part of what you are earning here in works like construction of a toilet in your village...

Do a bit for your country from whatever capacity and strength you have acquired here,” she said.

modernising the sector, Modi said

HAZARIBAGH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called for second Green Revolution, saying it should start immediately from eastern India.

He said Indian agriculture has been lagging in several areas including inputs, irrigation, value addition and market linkages and his government was committed to modernising the sector and

making it more productive. “We have seen the first Green Revolution but it happened several years ago. Now it is the demand of time that there should be second Green Revolution without any delay. And where is it possible? It is possible in eastern UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, Odhisa,” Modi said while laying foundation stone of Indian Agricultural Research Institute at Barhi.

“That is why the government is focusing on the development of this area. For that we have started this research institute,” the prime minister said.

He said urea plants in this area have been closed and a decision has been taken to reopen them as farmers will need fertilizers.

Emphasising the need for use of scientific methods for farming to increase productivity, Modi said “Unless we prepare a balanced and a comprehensive integrated plan, we will not be able to change the lives of farmers.”

Pitching for ‘per drop, more crop’, Modi stressed the need for research in the field of agriculture to determine the health of soil and its needs in terms of seeds, water quantity, amount of fertilization etc.

Special package Turning to pulses, he said India has to import these because of shortfall in production and noted that a special package has been given to farmers engaged in cultivation of pulses. “The production of pulses in the country is very low and I urge farmers that if they have five acres of farming land, use four acres for other crops but cultivate pulses on at least one acre,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that a process had began to help farmers maintain land by issuing “soil health cards”, quality seeds, providing electricity, irrigation and giving them a proper market with value addition. “If there is no change in village economy, we cannot change lives of farmers. So the Centre’s endeavour is to introduce additional farming system to increase agricultural produce per hectare, which is now a cause for concern,” he said.

“But, there are ways (to address it) through government policies and training resource availability”, he said. - PTI

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1 Oman accident: Lorry

bounds for flyers in Oman

catches fire near Sohar

bit.ly/eidtickets

bit.ly/soharlorryfire

2 Oman accident: Truck

overturns in Qantab bit.ly/qantabtruckoverturns

3 Oman population reaches

4.18 million

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2 Ban on commercial ties

4 Oman’s Ghala industrial

between municipality, staff in Oman

area residents seek better facilities

bit.ly/bancommercialties

bit.ly/seekbetterfacilities

3 Omantel’s new offer for

5 Coast guard, Oman LNG

Hayyak subscribers bit.ly/omantelhayyakoffer

rescue 10 sailors from sinking boat

Printed and published by: Muscat Media Group Post Box: 770 Postal Code: 112

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4 Oman’s logistic sector

in advanced position on global trade map bit.ly/omanlogisticssector

TIMESOFOMAN.COM/OPINION

5 Indian worker’s body to be

repatriated from Oman bit.ly/indianworkersbody

SALLY JENKINS

Welcome to the new look #Trending page of the Times of Oman, our revamped home for views and opinion. Plus daily we‘ll be rounding up the stories making waves online, on social media, in pictures and on video. All the content can be found at our mobile, tablet and desktopfriendly website timesofoman.com. For instant access scan any of the QR codes via your smart phone as a qrcode in the story

Dr Dileep M.R.

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TIMESOFOMAN.COM/VIDEOS Debate over whether the Sultanate should stop subsiding the cost of petrol, electricity, water and even housing loans for nationals, has been reignited by the Central Bank of Oman

S

To desentimentalise the Confederate banner and to insist on its removal from statehouses should not mean the wholesale effacement of history. The least attractive feature of the Confederacy was its intolerance of dissent bit.ly/usconfederacyrow

TWEET WE LIKE @aymanalhataly I just ranked #16784 in Oman on @8ballpool! Play me! http://8bp.co/ O8180T

INSTAGRAM OF THE DAY

Tourism in Salalah needs diversification

JOHN MCCAIN

INSTAGRAM.COM/TIMESOFOMAN Ukraine’s leaders describe Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategy as a game of “Pac-Man” — taking bite after bite out of Ukraine in small enough portions that it does not trigger a large-scale international response bit.ly/ukrainerussiaconflict

«

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alalah, the emerald land in the Middle East, has been the mainstay of the Sultanate’s tourism, and indeed, the influx of international tourists to this nature’s bounty is steadily increasing. Salalah enjoys a unique position in the region with its inimitable Khareef and the greenery that lures nature lovers for an everlasting experience.

Salalah is all set to welcome Khareef, and this time an increased inflow of tourists is expected after the Ramadan ends. Tourism there is aptly being complemented by the continuous development of quality infrastructure.

Yet, Salalah faces inevitable diversification of its attractions and amenities for tourism to gain the status most competent single tourist destination in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Using greenery to promote tourism in the city draws tourists only during a single season of the year.

Careful and strategic diversification is of paramount significance in order to achieve a yearround tourist season.

It cannot be questioned that tourism there is progressing at a faster rate as remarkable growth in tourist arrivals can be seen every year. In 2013, the total number of visitors during Khareef season (June 21 to September 21) increased by 23.5 per cent to 433,639, compared to 351,195 visitors during the same period in 2012.

A report of the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) says that Dhofar Governorate witnessed a year-on-year growth of 24.1 per cent last year. The overall number of visitors, including Omanis, stood at 352,755 in the period between June 21 and August 20, compared to 303,365 in the same period in 2013. This represented an annual growth of 16.3 per cent.

Khareef represents the breathtaking rainy season when the mountains around the city and every inch of land turns to a bright green shade. The sparkling greenery, intermittent drizzling, cool temperatures, pristine wadies, picturesque waterfalls and many other features entice tourists from in and out of the country.

Tourist inflow to Salalah is very low in other seasons and tourism industry in those seasons is depending mainly on charter tourism and cruise tourism. The extreme dip in demand is adverse for the industry to survive, and such a situation does not help it to flourish. Cruise tourism is characterised by the short term visits of tourists to land

based attractions while most of their leisure time is spent aboard a luxurious and exclusive ship. During the cruise the ship calls in to ports, staying for various lengths of time, ranging from a few hours to several days. Tourists visit local attractions and then return to the ship. Yet, their spending inside the destination where they visit is very low and hence economic benefit of cruise tourism is rather very limited. Salalah is already an established as a leading transit point for cruise tourists. In the last season, port of Salalah received 38 cruises carrying 32,150 tourists from different parts of the world.

Charter tourism is another major segment of tourism in Salalah. In this major hotels receive groups of tourists in a charter flight. Compared to cruise tourism, economic benefits of charter tourism are more. Charter tourism to Salalah has seen significant growth in recent years. In the last winter season, it was estimated to have more than 20,000 charter tourists to visit Salalah from European countries including Sweden, Germany, Italy and Poland. Expansion of accommodation industry in Salalah is very sluggish particularly due to the seasonal effect. As compared a few upmarket hotels, other accommodation units are relatively less. Establishing hotels and resorts have limitation as maintenance cost during off season becomes a matter of concern. The demand for accommodation during Khareef is extremely high and it is being primarily met by unclassified apartments which do not have the industry characteristics and most of which are non-serviced.

Niche tourism or Special Interest Tourism (SIT) can be promoted well in Salalah. For instance, with Al Baleed, Khor Rori, and Shisr; the archeological remains of Salalah can be brought out as a SIT package to be promoted internationally. Tourism centred on fishing, golf, health, mountaineering, adventure, desert, cultural heritage and business can all be promoted.

Assistant. Professor, Salalah College of Applied Sciences, Ministry of Higher Education

READERS’ FORUM Sailors lucky to have been rescued This refers to the online story, Coast guard, Oman LNG rescue 10 sailors from sinking boat (June 28). The seas have been very rough lately, the sailors were very lucky to have been rescued.

The coastguards did a good job. Well done!

— Lorraine Paton, Muscat

One should travel by air only in non-festival seasons This refers to the online story, Eid flight tickets out of bounds for flyers in Oman (June 27). One needs to react to such exploitation by not travelling by air during the festival season because in others times of the year they automatically cutdown the charge.

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

So why is it that mothers who work and who have a raison d’être beyond their children’s lives are so often painted as neglectful and selfish? (This is not to suggest stay-at-home mothers have it easier; they face their own set of wrong-headed assumptions, too.) bit.ly/workingmothersbetter

Can air fares be controlled?

This refers to the online story, Eid flight tickets out of bounds for flyers in Oman (June 27). The ticket fares are very high as if we are planning to go to certain European countries. Can this be limited somehow?

— Himanshu Mandalia, Darsait

Need to have separate roads for trucks, trailers

This refers to the online story, Oman’s logistics sector in advanced position on global trade map (June 27.) In my opinion, looking at the conditions on the road it is necessary that the concerned authorities lay out separate trucks and trailers. In addition, it would be advisable that earth-moving vehicles with construction equipment do not ply on main roads at any period — Santosh Krishnapillai , Muscat

CLIPPINGS FROM OUR ARCHIVES JUNE 1999 Campaign against vandalism successful The campaign against vandalism, which was initiated a year ago by Muscat Municipality, has been successful in creating a general awareness among the general public. Various measures were adopted to quell the problem. And now with the conclusion of the campaign, Royal Oman Police will continue monitoring all the public utilities that are prone to attract vandals. Municipality had initiated the campaign after repeated pleas through various awareness measures.

PICTOGRAPH CRUDE OIL PRODUCTION OF OMAN IN 2014

The whole procuction on crude oil in the world on 2014 was more than 92 million barrels. From that total, more than 1% was produced by Oman:

951,000 barrels

TODAY IN HISTORY

NEW INDIA ASSURANCE

1675: Frederick William of Brandenburg crushes the Swedes.

1776 : Colonists repulse a British sea attack on Charleston, South Carolina

New India offers a wide range of HEALTH INSURANCE COVERS to you/family/employee.

Dubai

580 kms

1902: US Congress passes the Spooner bill, authorizing a canal to be built across the isthmus of Panama.

Abu Dhabi

1919: Germany signs the Treaty of Versailles under protest. www.newindiaoman.com

Those 951 thousand barrels are enough to form a 580km-line following a road from Muscat to Abu Dhabi and ending in Dubai:

1976: The first women enter the US Air Force Academy..

502 kms

Muscat

0 kms

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

MO NDAY, JUNE 29, 2015

313

employees of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat paid at least 35 different types of allowances

P E RV E Z K H AT TA K

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PAKISTAN K H Y B E R , N O R T H WA Z I R I S TA N

Khyber-Pakhthunkhwa CM 23 militants killed in air strikes spends Rs40 million on gifts PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Pervez Khattak’s generosity clearly knows no bounds. The leader of the house spent Rs40 million on buying gifts for dignitaries and guests during the fiscal year 2014-15, overtaking Governor Sardar Mehtab Ahmad Khan who spent Rs14 million.

The CM House’s total annual allocation was Rs264 million while an additional Rs60 million was spent. This is palpably the reason why, as budget documents reveal, Rs324 million has now been set aside for Khattak’s official residence for the forthcoming fiscal year.

The CM took home a smaller pay cheque than his principal secretary (PS). Like Mehtab, who was paid less than his military secretary, Khattak’s monthly pay last year stood at Rs252,000 while his PS was paid Rs916,000.

The CM Secretariat employs as many as 313 people, out of which 71 are high-ranking officials. The soaring expenditures were largely dominated by salaries of the aforementioned. Furthermore, the 313 employees are paid at least 35 different types of allowances.

This in addition to the secretariat allowance, presidential

allowance and the honouree allowance are overburdening the national exchequer.

During the last financial year, the CM House consumed electricity worth Rs22 million and gas worth Rs650,000. Rs26 million has been allocated for gas expenditures for 2015-16.

A total of Rs3.65 million was spent on the registration of new vehicles, furniture worth Rs2 million was bought.

Additionally, Rs10.65 million was spent on construction and repairs while Rs13.8 million was spent to meet transportation costs. — Express Tribune

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani airstrikes on Sunday killed 23 militants including foreigners in the country’s restive tribal regions near the Afghan border, the military said, part of a major ongoing operation against the Taliban.

The attacks took place in areas close to the border with Afghanistan in Khyber and North Waziristan tribal districts.

“(A) huge ammunition dump was also blown up during the strikes in Khyber,” the military said in a statement, without giving the identities of those killed or who they fought for.

Khyber is a known stronghold of militants belonging to the Pakistani Taliban and its Lashkar-eIslam faction.

The area is remote and off-limits

to journalists, making it difficult to verify the army’s claims.

The military began an offensive in Khyber in October 2014, carrying out air strikes and using artillery, mortars and ground troops.

Pakistan has been battling a homegrown extremist insurgency for over a decade following the late 2001 US-led invasion of Afghanistan. — AFP

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MONDAY, JUN E 2 9, 2 015

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French suspect confesses to crime Yassin Salhi, 35, has also given details about the circumstances surrounding the killing

PARIS: The man suspected of decapitating his boss in an attack on a gas factory in France has confessed to the grisly crime, sources close to the investigation said on Sunday.

Yassin Salhi, 35, “has also given details about the circumstances” surrounding the killing, according to the sources, who said he would

be transferred to Paris for further questioning by anti-terrorist police. Salhi’s confession came after it emerged the married father-ofthree sent a gruesome selfie photo of himself and the severed head to a WhatsApp number in Canada.

Investigators have warned however that it could be a relay number and the intended recipient could

be anywhere in the world. After several hours of silence, Salhi has begun to open up to investigators about the assault, which came six months after 17 were killed in attacks in Paris that began with the Charlie Hebdo massacre.

On Friday morning, Salhi rammed his van into the USowned Air Products factory near France’s second city of Lyon in what President Francois Hollande said was a “terrorist” attack designed to blow up the whole building. He was overpowered by a firefighter as he was trying to prise open a bottle of acetone in an apparent suicidal bid to destroy the factory. Police then made the gris-

ly discovery of the severed head of Salhi’s boss, 54-year-old Herve Cornara, lashed to the gates of the factory near two flags.

War against terrorism Prime Minister Manuel Valls repeated that the world was engaged in a “war against terrorism”. “We cannot lose this war because it’s fundamentally a war of civilisation. It’s our society, our civilisation that we are defending,” Valls told iTELE rolling news channel.

France is facing “a major terrorist threat” which needs to be fought “over the long-term”, warned the prime minister.

It’s not a question of whether

there will be another attack, but “when” and “where”, stressed Valls. No group has said it carried out the French operation.

Sources close to the investigation said Salhi was radicalised more than a decade ago after contact with convert Frederic Jean Salvi -- known as “Ali” -- who is suspected of preparing attacks in Indonesia with Al Qaeda militants.

An autopsy on the victim has proved inconclusive, with experts unable to determine whether he was killed before being beheaded or decapitated alive.

The French probe is naturally focusing on Syria, where hundreds of people from France have

gone to wage war, officials said.

Anti-terrorist authorities have identified 473 people who have left France to fight in Iraq or Syria and Valls said 1,800 people in France were “linked” in some way to the militant cause.

Nearly six months after the Charlie Hebdo massacre, the attack raised painful memories for France, which is still on high alert for potential repeats.

Around 200 people in the town of Saint-Quentin-Fallavier — where the attack took place — staged a minute’s silence in the victim’s honour followed by a rousing and spontaneous rendition of the French national anthem. — AFP

MO NDAY, JUNE 29, 2015 Officials in Vienna said however that Tuesday’s (June 30) target date would only be missed by a few days, with Iran saying there was “no desire or discussion yet” on a longer extension.

‘Kuwait bomber was Saudi citizen’ Suliman Abdul flew into Kuwait on Friday, only hours before he detonated explosives at Imam

KUWAIT CITY: Kuwait on Sunday identified a suicide bomber who carried out the country’s worst militant attack as a Saudi citizen and said it had detained the driver of the vehicle that took him to a mosque where he killed 27 people.

The interior ministry named the bomber as Fahd Suliman Abdul Muhsen Al Qabaa and said he flew into Kuwait’s airport at dawn on Friday, only hours before he detonated explosives at Kuwait City’s Imam Al Sadeq mosque. IS militant group claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing at the mosque, where 2,000 people were praying at the time. “The interior ministry will continue its efforts to uncover the circumstances of this explosion,” interior ministry spokesman Adel Hashash told Kuwait state television.

The bombing has sharply heightened regional security concerns because IS militant group appears to be making good on its threat to step up attacks in the Holy Month of Ramadan.

The group, seeking to expand from strongholds in Iraq and Syria, says its priority target is the Arabian peninsula and in particular Saudi Arabia.

The ministry said the driver of the Japanese-made car, who left the mosque immediately after Friday’s bombing, was an illegal resident named Abdul Rahman Sabah Aidan.

The interior ministry, which had earlier reported the vehicle owner’s arrest, said Aidan, 26, was found hiding in one of

THE BOMBER: Fahd Suliman Abdul Muhsen Al Qabaa identified as the suicide bomber who carried out a deadly attack claimed by the IS militant group. – AFP/HO/KUNA

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the houses in Al Riqqa residential area. “Initial investigations showed that the owner of the house is a supporter of the deviant ideology,” the ministry said, employing a term often used by authorities in the Gulf Arab region to refer to hardline militants.

The owner of the house, a Kuwaiti citizen, was also detained, the ministry said.

Officials said the bombing was clearly meant to stir enmity between majority and minority communities and harm the comparatively harmonious ties between the sects in Kuwait.

Kuwaitis reacted with outrage to the bombing. Some said citizens who fund armed groups fighting in Syria and Iraq were to blame for any militancy in Kuwait.

“The wrath of Almighty will come upon IS and everyone who is supporting them and collecting funds for them under the cover of helping refugees and orphans,” wrote Hamad Al Baghli, a Kuwaiti, on Twitter.

“Everyone who is funding and donating to ISIS should be charged with treason because they want to burn Kuwait,” tweeted Asmaa Asiri. — Reuters

T E N S E N E G O T I AT I O N S

Iran nuclear talks to miss June 30 final deal deadline VIENNA: Iran and the US admitted during tense talks on Sunday they are highly likely to miss a looming deadline to nail down a historic nuclear deal as they struggled to overcome major differences.

Officials in Vienna said however that Tuesday’s target date would only be missed by a few days, with Iran saying there was “no desire or discussion yet” on a longer extension. A senior US official would not go as far as to say there was no chance of meeting the deadline, but said “it’s fair to say the parties are planning to stay past the 30th to keep negotiating”. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif meanwhile was set to return to Tehran for consultations, officials said, although the US official said this was not a matter of concern.

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said as he joined the talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry and other foreign ministers that the six powers were prepared to walk away.

“No deal is better than a bad deal. There are red lines that we cannot cross and some very difficult decisions and tough choices are going to have to be made by all of us,” Hammond told reporters.

EU foreign policy head Federica Mogherini said “political

C O L O R P L AY A S I A E V E N T

Taiwan park fire injury toll rises to 500

BALL OF FIRE: This frame grab from video footage provided to ‘Ap-

TAIPEI: Witnesses described the scene at a Taiwan water park as “hell” after a ball of fire ripped through a crowd, with authorities putting the injured at more than 500 on Sunday, almost 200 of them seriously hurt.

The injury toll in the blast late Saturday, which came as coloured powder being sprayed on the partygoers ignited, more than doubled

Muhsen Al Qabaa,

Al Sadeq mosque

WORLD

ple Daily’ from reader Miss Huang on Sunday shows the moment of explosion, left, before revellers were engulfed by the fireball at the Formosa Fun Coast water park in Pali district, in New Taipei City, on Saturday. – AFP/Apple Daily/Miss Huang

The bomber, Fahd

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will” was still needed to get a deal after almost two years of intense diplomatic efforts to resolve the 13-year-old standoff. “It is going to be tough, it has always been tough but not impossible,” Mogherini told reporters. Iran and the P5+1 group -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- are seeking to flesh out the final details of an accord that builds on a framework deal reached in Lausanne in April.

According to the Lausanne framework, Iran will slash the number of its uranium enrichment centrifuges, which can make nuclear fuel but also the core of a bomb, shrink its uranium stockpile and change the design of the Arak reactor.

In return it is seeking a lifting of a complicated web of EU, US and UN sanctions which have choked its economy and limited access to world oil markets. But tough remaining issues include the timing and pace of this sanctions relief and UN access to Iranian military bases to investigate any suspicious behaviour. — AFP

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as officials began to track down victims who had taken themselves to hospital or been ferried there by others. Horrifying amateur video footage showed crowds of young revellers dancing in front of a stage and cheering as clouds of green and yellow powder covered them at the “colour party”. But their joy turned to terror when the powder suddenly erupted into flames en-

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gulfing them in an inferno as they ran screaming for their lives.

Some were dressed only in swimwear and images from the scene show many with severe burns being tended by those who escaped. One male student who sustained minor injuries described the scene as “hell”.

“There was blood everywhere, including in the pool where lots of the injured were soaking them-

selves for relief from the pain,” he told reporters.

His visibly shaken girlfriend added: “I saw lots of people whose skin was gone.”

Ambulances had struggled to reach the scene, and victims were carried away on rubber rings and inflatable dinghies as friends desperately tried to get them out.

Bystanders poured bottles of water on the scorched skin of the injured. Trails of bloody footprints leading away from the stage remained. Around 1,000 spectators had been at the Color Play Asia event at the Formosa Fun Coast water park, just outside the capital Taipei, according to officials. — AFP

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WORLD O N WAY T O S Y R I A

Western students leave Sudan to join IS KHARTOUM: Twelve students including British, Canadian, Sudanese and US citizens are feared to have left Khartoum for Turkey to try to join the IS, their university said on Sunday.

Another group of British students of Sudanese origin from the same private University of Medical Sciences and Technology travelled to Turkey in March and it is believed they crossed into Syria.

“We confirmed reports from multiple parties that 12 medical students at the university left for Turkey on Friday,” the dean for students Dr Ahmed Babikir said.

Khartoum airport authorities confirmed the group had flown to Turkey and the students’ families said they had not seen them since Friday and were unable to find their passports, Babikir added. — AFP

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Top Burundi official flees on eve of elections BUJUMBURA: The head of Burundi’s parliament on Sunday said he had fled the country on the eve of key elections following weeks of violence, denouncing the president’s “illegal” third term bid.

Amid international criticism of the government’s defiant refusal to delay the vote, parliament head Pie Ntavyohanyuma said on Sunday he had fled to Belgium due to the violence, criticising President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid to stay in power for a third term.

“For the moment, I am forced to stay in Brussels... I stayed here given the difficulties in my country, difficulties which are due to the illegal third mandate of the president,” parliament speaker Pie Ntavyohanyuma told France 24.

Several top officials -- including the deputy vice-president Gervais Rufyikiri as well as members of the election commission and constitutional court -- have also fled the poverty-stricken, landlocked

QUESTIONABLE: Electoral commission officials register at a polling station in Cibitoke, Bujumbura, on Sunday on the eve of Burundi’s elections. — AFP

country. “On the eve of the election ... I would like to say to him (Nkurunziza) that the mandate he wants to have is illegal. “ I would like to say to him that forcing through the election is senseless,” Ntavyohanyuma told the broadcaster.

Opponents say his bid for another term is unconstitutional

and violates a peace accord that paved the way to end 13 years of civil war in 2006.

UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon has called for the elections due Monday to be delayed after the opposition said they would not take part, as Burundi faces its worst crisis since its civil war ended nine years ago.

But the government has defied all requests for a delay, and the electoral commission said Sunday all was ready for the polls.

“Everything is ready in the country,” election commission chief Pierre-Claver Ndayicariye told reporters on Sunday, saying all voting material had been delivered to the more than 11,000 polling centres across the country.

Failed coup Three people were killed overnight on Saturday, adding to the more than 70 killed in weeks of violence and a failed coup sparked

by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s

bid to stay in power for a third term. One was shot while another was killed in a grenade blast, according to witnesses. A soldier was killed accidentally by a comrade during a raid on a house.

Presidential vote The Parliamentary and local elections set to be held on Monday will be followed by a presidential vote on July 15. The opposition on Friday said it was boycotting the polls, claiming it is not possible to hold a fair vote, with over 127,000 people having fled into neighbouring countries, fearing further violence. — AFP

SpaceX rocket explodes

BLAST AFTER BLAST-OFF: The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the unmanned Dragon cargo capsule on board appears to explode shortly after launching from Cape Canaveral, US, on Sunday. — AFP/NASA TV

Two minutes, 19 seconds into the flight, contact was lost. Live television images from SpaceX’s webcast and NASA television showed a huge puff of smoke billowing outward, then tiny bits of the rocket falling like confetti against a backdrop of blue sky

MIAMI: An unmanned SpaceX rocket exploded less than three minutes after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sunday, in the first major disaster for the fast-charging company headed

by Internet tycoon Elon Musk.

Skies were sunny and clear for the 10:21 am (1421 GMT) launch of the gleaming white Falcon 9 rocket that was meant to propel the Dragon cargo ship to the International Space Station on a routine supply mission, the seventh for SpaceX so far.

But two minutes, 19 seconds into the flight, contact was lost.

Live television images from SpaceX’s webcast and NASA television showed a huge puff of smoke billowing outward, then tiny bits of the rocket falling like confetti against a backdrop of blue sky.

“The vehicle has broken up,” said NASA commentator George Diller. “At this point it is not clear to the launch team exactly what happened.”

SpaceX’s live webcast of the

launch went silent as the rocket could be seen exploding and small pieces tumbling back toward Earth.

Moments later, a SpaceX commentator said the video link from the vehicle had been lost.

Anomaly “There was some kind of anomaly during first stage flight,” the commentator said, noting that the rocket had ignited its nine Merlin engines and reached supersonic speed.

Musk said the Falcon 9 “experienced a problem shortly before first stage shutdown,” referring to the stage of rocket flight before the cargo ship would have been able to separate from the first stage of the rocket and reach orbit.

“Will provide more info as soon as we review the data,” he wrote on Twitter.

Successful launches Musk’s California-based company has led a series of successful launches even as competitor Orbital Sciences lost one of its rockets in an explosion in October, and a Russian Progress supply ship was lost in April.

The Dragon cargo ship was carrying 4,000 pounds (1,800 kilograms) of gear to the space station, including a large parking space, known as an International Docking Adaptor, designed to make it easier for an array of commercial crew spacecraft to dock at the orbiting lab in the future.

Serious ramifications “Very sorry to see @SpaceX launch failure. Serious ramifications for Space Station resupply.

Good thing it’s international,” wrote Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield on Twitter.

After liftoff, SpaceX had planned to make a third try at a controlled, upright landing of its Falcon 9 rocket on an ocean platform with the goal of one day making rockets as reusable as airplanes. A press conference was scheduled for 12:30 pm (1630 GMT) to brief reporters on what happened. — AFP

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Renaissance confident of meeting long-term growth Strong cash flows will help the company to service all it’s obligations and also to invest in future growth, a senior official revealed

Times News Service MUSCAT: Renaissance Services is an Omani multinational firm listed firm on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM), with a strong presence in oil servicing field.

The company’s chief financial officer (CFO) Vishal Goenka talks to Times of Oman on the company’s financing, oil price impact and other issues. Excerpts: As chief financial officer, how would you describe the financial health of Renaissance?

The balance sheet has never been stronger. Our financing platform is diverse and competitive.

We generate significant cash flows from our operating businesses. The financial strength of the company is endorsed by the significant support we enjoy from local, regional and international banks.

A recent example of this is the successful closure of the syndicated $117 million financing package for our Duqm Workers Accommodation project at 4.5 per cent interest on 12 year money.

But with your exposure to the oil and gas sector the business is affected by the oil price crisis in the industry?

Our Topaz Offshore Support Vessel (OSV) fleet works entirely in the oil and gas sector. Our Renaissance Contract Services and Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) business works across all sectors, including oil and gas.

But it is true to say, both of these businesses are focused in oil and gas reliant geographical markets.

So yes, we are seeing some temporary impact arising from the volatility of oil prices.

Even so, our Contract Services business has continued to grow profitably during this period, albeit a little slower than would be the case in more normal times.

Topaz has been affected in its spot markets and in its nascent West Africa businesses, but remains remarkably strong and stable in its core markets of the

M U S C AT S E C U R I T I E S M A R K E T

Muscat bourse suspends Renaissance share trading Times News Service MUSCAT: Share trading of Renaissance Services was suspended by the Muscat Securities Market (MSM) on Thursday, after the market regulator called for more information about a contract the company recently won from BP. Renaissance Services recently said that BP has awarded the contract for Consolidated Camp Facilities Management, to Renaissance’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Tawoos Industrial Services Company (Tisco).

Renaissance on Sunday announced that the initial phase of the contract, covering the 29 months commencing August

2015, has an estimated value of $48 million.

Capital Market Authority executive president Abdullah Salem Al Salmi said that the company did not give the financial impli-

cation of the contract in the disclosure statement initially (on Thursday). The contract is for the provision of catering, maintenance and related facilities management services to the BP Khazzan project camps in Oman.

Al Salmi explained that the investors are more interested in knowing the financial implication of the contract so that they can take the right decision on the stock — to hold, acquire or sell.

“We need to give the information to all investors (simultaneously) so that they can act accordingly. We need to maintain that culture,” noted Al Salmi.

CMA has been vigilant recently on company disclosures.

Caspian and the Gulf.

But overall this has led to weaker performance in the first quarter results this year?

Yes, the first quarter net profit has been affected; but this should be viewed in the context of how well revenues and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) are holding up in such turbulent times.

This means our cash flows remain strong and we continue to service all our obligations and invest in future growth.

The real question is, how would you define success in 2015?

The OSV industry and other oil services sectors have been described as a “blood-bath.” Yet Topaz is at the very top of likefor-like peer group comparisons.

This is because Topaz has built a significant leadership position in markets with long-term stable

contracts that sustain the business through good times and bad.

We have already advised the markets to expect similar performance in the second quarter before we anticipate gradual improvements in the second half of the year. But people will look back at 2015 and see our businesses out-performed their respective markets.

You have announced you are considering a buy-back of your Mandatory Convertible Bonds (MCB), please tell us more about that?

We have said we will offer to buy back the MCBs when we have appropriate financing in place. It is a great option for MCB bondholders, as well as being an excellent outcome for shareholders and the company. We are currently looking at a perpetual instrument that will provide a great yield of over 7.5 per cent to investors for the first five

years and an option to increase the coupon by a further 500 bps, should the company not call the bond back at that time.

If we go ahead with a perpetual instrument, we shall use the proceeds to buy back the Mandatory Convertible Bonds.

Capital Intelligence (CI) has upgraded your rating but your share price remains under pressure. Why is that?

CI has upgraded our rating from BBB- to BBB. Low gearing, a strong order backlog and great visibility on future cash flows have no doubt all been considered in their decision to upgrade our rating.

Topaz has an order backlog of $1 billion and Contract Services has won new contracts in 2015 increasing its backlog in excess of $50 million to create a new level of order backlog of $500 million just from its pure services business. > B4

B2

MONDAY, JUN E 2 9, 2 015

MARKET Al Hassan inaugurates new facility in Nizwa It is strategically located to cater to the requirements of some of the key projects in the oil and gas sector efficiently

Times News Service MUSCAT: Al Hassan Engineering, one of Oman’s leading engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractors, has opened a state-of-the-art fabrication and plant workshop in Nizwa.

The new facility is strategically located to cater to the requirements of some of the company’s

key projects in the oil and gas sector more efficiently through reducing the distance by 200km.

The facility was inaugurated

by Hassan bin Ali Salman, the group’s chairman, in a ceremony attended by Steve Scott, chief executive officer of Al Hassan Engineering, and other senior members of the management.

The newly built facility is spread over a 41,813 square metres land and is divided into three different sections, namely fabri-

cation shop, plant central workshop and central warehouse to feed all the projects. The purposebuilt facility with modern infrastructure provides a conducive environment for the employees who will be working there.

The new facility has also received the ASME certification following the assessment of the company’s capabilities to demonstrate working and process compliance to quality control manual and technical competence for de-

sign, manufacture and assembly of pressure vessels andboilers and execution of repair works.

The earlier certifications received by the company were U, S and R. As part of its continued improvement, this time the company has added U2, PP and A to its previous certifications.

Commenting on the occasion, the chief executive officer of Al Hassan Engineering said, “To offer value to our customers has always been a priority for Al Hassan Engineering, and the launch of the new facility is testimony to that commitment. The new facility is well poised to enhance safety, maximise space utilisation and ensure faster deliveries for our projects.”

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DEBT CRISIS

Greece on the brink of repayment default BRUSSELS: It is past midnight on Saturday when the phone rings on the 13th floor of the European Commission, bringing news the EU is facing an unprecedented crisis after last-ditch talks with Greece collapsed.

Only a few hours earlier Greece’s leaders had agreed to continue talks to avoid a default on the country’s debts that could force it to crash out of the single currency and even the European Union.

But now the government led

by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has made the shock announcement that any deal with Greece’s creditors — the EU, European Central Bank and International Monetary Fund — will be put to a

public referendum.

In Brussels, a sense of stupor prevails. The decision comes at the worst moment, in the final stage of negotiations when ‘98-99 per cent’ of the deal had already been agreed, according to a participant in the talks.

The mood is still sombre hours later as EU ministers begin to arrive for their fifth round of discussions in 10 days to end months of cash-for-reforms wranglings and years of economic crisis in Greece. “This is not the first time that the Greek government has created more and more drama,” said the Slovakian Finance Minister Peter Kazimir.

Fatigue and frustration reign

among EU negotiators sick of the negotiating style of Athens’s leftwing leaders, with one official quipping that they “learn the state of the talks via leaks” to the press.

Greece’s Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis — seen in Brussels as a key troublemaker in the talks because of his abrupt, and flamboyant, style — arrives dressed all in black.

Greece’s request rejected In the meeting room, those on the other side of the negotiation table keep their distance. Varoufakis “lives in a parallel reality,” says one diplomat.

As the talks resume they swiftly hit a key stumbling block: the 18 other members of the eurozone

refuse Greece’s request to extend its repayment deadline by a month to what would be after the July 5 referendum.

Just another ploy to win time, grumble the EU’s negotiators.

Varoufakis says he plans to seek legal advice on whether the other eurozone states can make a decision without his agreement.

In the packed press room, rumours fly the talks are near an end, that Varoufakis is planning to hold a news conference. In the end it is the Netherland’s Jeroen Dijsselbloem, head of the Eurogroup of finance ministers, who takes the stand. In a weak voice, he announces that Greece’s huge bailout plan. - AFP

SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS

Zubair SEC facilitates procurement agreement for its member firm Times News Service MUSCAT: A procurement agreement has been signed under the direct supervision of Zubair Small Enterprises Centre (Zubair SEC) between Victoria Lake Trading, one of the centre’s members, and Zubair International Heavy Equipment.

The facility provided by the Zubair SEC for its members is in line with its policy to support entrepreneurs and small business owners and aligns with the agreement signed between the centre and Initlaaqah programme earlier to join hands in providing support to entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Mansoor Al Mahruqi, owner of Victoria Lake, member of Zubair SEC and Initlaaqah programme, singed the procurement agreement between Victoria Lake and Zubair International Heavy Equipment, one of Zubair Corporation companies in the presence of executives from both companies as well as the Zubair Corporation and Zubair SEC. The procurement agreement provides a range of facilities offered by Zubair International Heavy Equipment to Victoria Lake. One of most outstanding facilities is the extension of the credit period, which gives Victoria Lake a broader opportunity in the market to secure better commercial operations. This facility will also ease the pressure endured by small entrepreneurs related to the short duration of

the credit period usually given.

Ali Shaker,Zubair SEC adviser, said, “One of the most significant pillars of Zubair SEC is to open genuine partnerships that provide added value to the owners of small businesses and enhance their presence in the market. The main role of the centre here was to facilitate the signing of the agreement between Victoria Lake and International Heavy Equipment.”

Preferential prices “This agreement provides a number of facilities, some of which are providing competitive preferential prices and extending the credit period to correspond with the financial capabilities of the company, for the fact that the owner of Victoria Lake is a member of Zubair SEC and such collaboration between the centre’s members and the Zubair Group of companies aligns with the collective efforts to help those members succeed,” He added.

Additionally, Victoria Lake has been receiving technical and professional counseling based on the wide expertise and experience of Zubair International Heavy Equipment, he added.

Mansoor Al Mahruqi, owner of Victoria Lake, stated, “The agreement with International Heavy Equipment Company provides me with a wonderful opportunity to prove my presence in the market and to engage in greater commercial operations compared to the previous operations. This will strengthen my opportunities in the market.”

MO NDAY, JUNE 29, 2015

B3

MARKET Shadeed Iron’s rolling mill slated for commissioning by year-end tion of a steel melting shop.

The Sohar-based company is waiting for the market to recover to float its initial public offering on the Muscat Securities Market, said N. A. Ansari, CEO

This is part of further integration and the 1.4m tonne per annum rolling mill is being set up with a capital expenditure close to $200m

A. E. JAMES

businesseditor@timesofoman.com MUSCAT: Shadeed Iron and Steel, part of the $12 billion Indian steel conglomerate Jindal group, plans to open its rolling mill for manufacturing re-bars by the end of the year. This is part of further integration and the 1.4 million tonne per annum rolling mill is being set up with a capital expenditure close to $200 million.

However, the Sohar-based company is waiting for the market to

recover for floating its initial public offering (IPO) on the Muscat Securities Market (MSM), N. A. Ansari, chief executive officer of Shadeed Iron and Steel told Times of Oman. “There is a major fall in prices of steel in the last nine months. We are waiting for the market to improve before we proceed (with the IPO),” he added.

Ansari said the purpose of the initial public offering is to install certain equipment for further reducing the cost of production and increase capacity. But the overall

business scene of steel industry across the world is not that good.

“Valuation of the company again depends on the market scene.”

He said the proposed issue will be by way of a dilution of stake by promoters and enhancement of

ECONOMY

China’s central bank cuts interest rate BEIJING: China’s central bank said on Saturday it would again reduce interest rates by 25 basis points, its fourth such cut since November as it tries to boost growth.

The benchmark interest rate would be reduced to 4.85 per cent and the deposit rate to 2 per cent from Sunday, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) said on its website.

The PBoC also announced that it will cut the reserve require-

ment ratios (RRR) by 50 basis points for commercial banks serving rural areas, agriculture and small businesses.

The PBoC has now cut interest rates four times since November and this year also reduced the amount of cash banks must keep in reserve three times, as well as using other measures to inject liquidity into the market.

The bank said the latest moves were aimed at “stabilising

DEVELOPMENT BANK

China-backed bank to take concrete shape SHANGHAI/BEIJING: One of China’s biggest ever foreign policy successes will take concrete shape on Monday when delegates from 57 countries sign an agreement on the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing.

The founding members of the China-backed AIIB will sign articles of agreement that decide each member’s share and the bank’s initial capital.

The multilateral institution, seen as a rival to the Westerndominated World Bank and Asian Development Bank, was initially opposed by the United States but has attracted many prominent US allies including Britain, Germany, Australia and South Korea.

Other founding members include most Asian nations and countries from the Middle East and South America.

Japan and the United States are the most prominent nations not represented in the bank.

China has said it has left the door

open for them to join. “It’s a huge diplomatic and strategic win for China,” said Malcolm Cook, a senior fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, said of the AIIB. “(But) the fact that so many have signed on will mean that the management of the AIIB will be quite complicated...The more countries you have on board, the more interests will be at play and more each member will of course want the institution to serve their own interests.”

One senior Western diplomat in Beijing said China had felt it had no choice but to set up its own bank after repeated attempts to reform existing institutions like the International Monetary Fund to take into account China’s role as the world’s second-largest economy were blocked in US. “The United States only has itself to blame,” said the diplomat, from a country which has signed up to the AIIB, speaking on condition of anonymity. - Reuters

growth” and “to further enhance the efficiency of monetary policy to (support) economic transformations” and are similar to cuts made last month.

China’s economic growth has slowed, with gross domestic product (GDP) expanding at 7.4 per cent in 2014, the lowest rate in 24 years, prompting the central bank to intervene. The moves have had mixed success as indicators remain subdued. - AFP

the company’s capital. Shadeed Iron and Steel is a subsidiary of Jindal Steel and Power.

Ansari said the steel melting shop, which was commissioned last year with a capital expenditure of $400 million, produces

steel billets and rounds.

The parent company has already invested more than $1 billion in acquiring the Omani plant (a direct reduction plant for producing hot briquetted iorn) from an Abu Dhabi group and for forward integra-

First integrated steel plant Located at Sohar Port, Shadeed Iron and Steel is the first integrated steel plant of a large capacity, which is helping Oman to meet its domestic demands in semifinished steel — square and round billets and blooms, finished steel, rebars and wire rods. It also bears the potential for the development of ancillary industries to support many needs of the steel plant.

Jindal group is one of India’s major steel producers with a significant presence in sectors like mining, power generation and infrastructure.

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B4

MONDAY, JUN E 2 9, 2 015

MARKET Index still in red zone

Stay ahead of the curve with WhatsNews

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OMAN STOCKS

MUSCAT SECURITIES MARKET

INDICES Index .................................................High .................Low..................... Value ............... Prev . Value.......... Diff ...............Diff % MSM30 Index ....................................... 6,450.40 .............. 6,432.29 ...................6,432.29 ................... 6,441.95.................. -9.66 .................. -0.15 Financial Index ..................................... 7,768.41 ............... 7,741.09 .................... 7,741.09 ....................7,768.41................-27.32 .................. -0.35 Industrial Index ....................................8,350.12 ...............8,319.89 ....................8,345.61 ...................8,334.18.................. 11.43 ................... 0.14 Services Index .......................................3,483.63 .............. 3,472.96 ....................3,473.01 ...................3,478.95.................. -5.94 .................. -0.17 MSM SHARIAH INDEX.......................995.63 ..................994.14 .......................994.76 ......................994.08....................0.68 ................... 0.07 Trading Summary Volume ................Turnover ..........Trades .............. Market Cap............. Up............Down ............. Equal .........Sec. Traded 33,147,179 .................. 6,450,535 ..................1,525 ................15,033,331,175 .................. 3 ......................18 .................... 14 .........................35

The top gainer was Voltamp Energy, up by

SHARE PRICE BULLETIN FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 28

1.90 per cent. National Gas, down by 3.66 per cent, lost the most.

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: Oman’s general index — MSM30 Index — continued its negative run to close at 6,432.29 points, down by 0.15 per cent, whereas the MSM Shariah Index gained 0.07 per cent to close at 994.76 points.

Phoenix Power was the most active in terms of volume as well as turnover. The top gainer was Voltamp Energy, up by 1.90 per cent, while National Gas, down by 3.66 per cent, lost the most.

As many as 1,525 trades were in the session generating a turnover of OMR6.45 million with over 33.1 million shares changing hands. Out of 35 traded securities, three advanced, 18 declined and 14 remained unchanged. At the close of the session, Omani investors were net buyers to the tune of OMR949,000 worth of shares followed by GCC and Arab investors at OMR680,000, while for-

eign Investors, who were the net sellers, sold shares amountiong to OMR1.62 million.

Financial Index declined 0.35 per cent to close at 7,741.09 points.

Al Sharqia Investments increased 1.64 per cent to close at OMR0.124.

Al Madina Takaful, Gulf Investment Services, Al Anwar Holding, Al Madina Investments and Oman & Emirates Holding declined 2.22 per cent, 1.48 per cent, 1.45 per cent, 1.28 per cent and 0.85 per cent respectively.

Industrial Index ended on a positive note at 8,345.61 points, up by 0.14 per cent. Voltamp Energy and Oman Cables gained 1.90 per cent and 1.35 per cent respectively. Gulf International Chemicals and Galfar Engineering declined 1.71 per cent and 1.59 per cent respectively.

Services Sector Index retreated 0.17 per cent and closed at 3,473.01 points. – United Securities

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

OM0000003661 ............VOLTAMP ENERGY .....................................................28,827 .............12,413........................5 ........... 0.408 ........... 0.436 ...........0.408........... 0.430 .............0.422 ........... 0.008............. 1.896 ................0.436..............0.420...................0.438...................26,015,000 .........0.100 OM0000002440 ...........AL SHARQIA INVESTMENT HOLDING ............. 58,763 ...............7,270......................12 ............0.126 ........... 0.126 ...........0.120........... 0.124 .............0.122 ........... 0.002............. 1.639 ................0.120.............. 0.116...................0.120................... 11,160,000 .........0.100 OM0000001707 ............OMAN CABLES INDUSTRY..................................... 38,000 ............ 85,808........................5 ........... 2.250 ........... 2.275 ...........2.240 .......... 2.260 .............2.230 ........... 0.030............. 1.345 ............... 2.240 .............2.250...................2.275................. 202,722,000 .......0.100 OM0000001087............OMAN UNITED INSURANCE .................................98,706 ............ 28,033........................6 ........... 0.284 ...........0.284 ...........0.284 .......... 0.284 .............0.284 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.284............. 0.280...................0.284 ..................28,400,000 ........0.100 OM0000001533 ............OMINVEST ..................................................................... 20,600 ...............9,888........................2 ........... 0.480 ...........0.480 ...........0.480........... 0.480 .............0.480 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.480..............0.482...................0.486..................177,800,304........0.100 OM0000001749 ............OMAN CEMENT ...........................................................157,431 ............ 83,438......................12 ........... 0.530 ...........0.530 ...........0.530........... 0.530 .............0.530 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.530..............0.520...................0.530..................175,362,536 ........0.100 OM0000002226 ...........AL JAZEERA SERVICES ............................................30,379 .............11,240........................7 ........... 0.370 ...........0.370 ...........0.370........... 0.370 .............0.370 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.370..............0.370...................0.376...................22,645,581 .........0.100 OM0000002374............UNITED FINANCE .......................................................97,000 .............14,530..................... 10 ............0.150 ........... 0.150 ...........0.148 ........... 0.150 .............0.150............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.150 ..............0.150................... 0.151 ................... 46,614,741 .........0.100 OM0000002614............ONIC. HOLDING ..............................................................3,340 ............... 1,576........................3 ........... 0.472 ........... 0.472 ...........0.472........... 0.472 .............0.472 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.472..............0.472...................0.500 .................. 81,855,774 .........0.100 OM0000003026 ...........OMAN TELECOMMUNICATION ........................ 174,617 ..........304,058.....................40 ............1.765 ........... 1.765............ 1.735 ............1.740 ............. 1.740............ 0.000.............0.000 ................ 1.745 .............. 1.740................... 1.745 ................1,305,000,000......0.100 OM0000003125 ............GLOBAL FINANCIAL INVESTMENT ................ 10,200,000 1,213,800........................1 ............0.119 ........... 0.119............0.119 ............0.119 ............. 0.119............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.119 ...............0.115................... 0.119 ...................23,800,000 ........0.100 OM0000003968 ...........OOREDOO........................................................................ 90,000 .............70,192........................6 ............0.776 ........... 0.780 ...........0.776 ........... 0.780 .............0.780 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.780.............. 0.776...................0.780..................507,736,499 ........0.100 OM0000004933 ...........AL SUWADI POWER .................................................. 139,650.............27,930......................18 ........... 0.200...........0.200 ...........0.200 .......... 0.200 .............0.200 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.200 .............0.184...................0.200 .................142,881,268........0.100 OM0000005005 ...........ALMAHA CERAMICS ................................................ 190,404 ..........106,311..................... 47 ............0.558 ...........0.560 ...........0.558........... 0.558 .............0.558 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.558..............0.558...................0.560 ..................29,295,000.........0.100 OM0000002796 ...........BANK MUSCAT ............................................................ 2,988,400 ..1,645,856.....................40 ........... 0.550 ........... 0.552 ...........0.550........... 0.550 .............0.552 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.362 ...............0.552..............0.550...................0.552................1,260,502,428 ......0.100 OM0000004735 ...........SEMBCORP SALALAH...................................................1,996 ............... 5,150........................1 ........... 2.580 ...........2.580 ...........2.580........... 2.580 .............2.590 ...........-0.010 ........... -0.386 ...............2.580..............2.550...................2.575..................246,279,563........1.000 OM0000001525 ............OMAN INVESTMENT AND FINANCE.............. 616,400 ......... 148,366..................... 33 ........... 0.242...........0.242 ...........0.240 .......... 0.241 .............0.242 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.413................0.241............. 0.240...................0.241.................. 48,200,000 ........0.100 OM0000002200 ...........AHLI BANK .................................................................... 178,777 ............ 38,098......................11 ............0.212 ........... 0.214 ...........0.212........... 0.213 .............0.214 ...........-0.001 ........... -0.467 ...............0.214.............. 0.211...................0.214..................303,532,699 .......0.100 OM0000003398 ...........BANK SOHAR................................................................ 100,000 ........... 18,400........................3 ............0.184 ........... 0.184 ...........0.184........... 0.184 ............. 0.185............-0.001 ........... -0.541 ...............0.184.............. 0.183...................0.184................. 265,224,960 .......0.100 OM0000001483............NATIONAL BANK OF OMAN ..................................... 6,673 ...............2,225........................2 ........... 0.332 ...........0.334 ...........0.332........... 0.334 .............0.336 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.595 ...............0.334..............0.334...................0.336..................447,797,224 ........0.100 OM0000002366 ...........AL BATINAH DEV. INV. HOLDING .........................17,321 ...............2,154........................6 ............0.125 ........... 0.125 ...........0.123 ........... 0.124 ............. 0.125............-0.001 ........... -0.800 ...............0.123 ..............0.120...................0.123....................3,720,000 ..........0.100 OM0000001681 ............OMAN AND EMIRATES INV. HOLDING........... 144,000 ............ 16,714........................9 ............0.117 ........... 0.117............ 0.115 ............0.116 ............. 0.117 ............-0.001 ........... -0.855 ...............0.115 .............. 0.114................... 0.116 ................... 14,137,500 .........0.100 OM0000004925 ...........AL BATINAH POWER................................................. 40,000 .............. 8,000......................12 ........... 0.200...........0.200 ...........0.200 .......... 0.200 .............0.202 ...........-0.002 ........... -0.990 ...............0.200 .............0.182...................0.200 .................134,977,486 ........0.100 OM0000001962............AL MADINA INVESTMENT ................................... 533,792............ 41,204.....................22 ........... 0.079 ........... 0.079 ...........0.077........... 0.077 .............0.078 ...........-0.001 ........... -1.282 ...............0.078..............0.077...................0.078................... 15,950,657 .........0.100 OM0000001772 ............AL ANWAR HOLDING............................................... 830,000 ......... 169,350...................108 ........... 0.204...........0.205 ...........0.201........... 0.204 .............0.207 ...........-0.003 ........... -1.449 ...............0.201..............0.201...................0.204 ..................26,622,000 ........0.100 OM0000002820 ...........GULF INVESTMENT SERVICES ......................... 234,735 ........... 31,220.....................20 ............0.133 ........... 0.133 ...........0.133 ............0.133 ............. 0.135............-0.002 ............-1.481................0.133 .............. 0.133...................0.134.................... 7,826,148 ..........0.100 OM0000003521 ............GALFAR ENGINEERING AND CON. .................. 468,892 ............ 58,115.....................40 ............0.126 ........... 0.126 ...........0.122........... 0.124 .............0.126............-0.002 ............-1.587................0.123 ..............0.122...................0.123................... 35,957,599 .........0.100 OM0000002028 ...........GULF INTERNATIONAL CHEMICALS ............. 25,000 ............... 5,750........................2 ........... 0.230 ...........0.230 ...........0.230........... 0.230 .............0.234 ...........-0.004 ............-1.709................0.230..............0.226...................0.233....................4,830,000..........0.100 OM0000004768 ...........AL MADINA TAKAFUL............................................. 676,110 .............59,517......................15 ........... 0.089 ...........0.089 ...........0.088........... 0.088 .............0.090 ...........-0.002 ........... -2.222 ...............0.088..............0.088...................0.089...................15,400,000.........0.100 OM0000001160 ............NATIONAL GAS ........................................................... 165,000 ........... 60,560.....................22 ........... 0.380 ...........0.380 ...........0.364........... 0.368 .............0.382 ...........-0.014 ........... -3.665 ...............0.364..............0.362...................0.364 ..................18,400,000.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 18,354,813 .4,287,166...................520 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ......30........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000001368 ............CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IND. ....................89,700 ...............3,508........................7 ........... 0.040...........0.040 ...........0.039........... 0.039 .............0.039 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.039..............0.039...................0.042 ................... 3,315,000 ..........0.100 OM0000004420 ...........BANK NIZWA ................................................................ 290,700 ............21,221........................8 ........... 0.073 ........... 0.073 ...........0.073........... 0.073 .............0.073 ........... 0.000.............0.000 ................0.073..............0.073...................0.074..................109,500,000 .......0.100 OM0000005963 ...........PHOENIX POWER ...................................................... 14,376,203 2,133,510...................987 ............0.148 ........... 0.150 ...........0.147 ........... 0.148 .............0.149............-0.001 ............-0.671................0.150 ..............0.148...................0.149..................216,465,016 ........0.100 OM0000001590............MUSCAT FINANCE...................................................... 35,318 ...............5,086........................2 ............0.144 ........... 0.144 ...........0.144........... 0.144 ............. 0.145............-0.001 ........... -0.690 ...............0.144..............0.144...................0.150...................36,233,060.........0.100 .............................................SUM: .................................................................................. 14,791,921 .2,163,325............... 1,004 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. ........4........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

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

OM0000005971 ............B.MUSCAT COMPL. CONVR. B.B.3.5 .......................... 445 .................... 44........................1 ........... 0.098 ...........0.098 ...........0.098............0.101 ............. 0.101............ 0.000.............0.000 ................0.098..............0.098...................0.101 ...................32,740,323 .........0.100 .............................................SUM: ......................................................................................... 445 .................... 44........................1 ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. ........................................................................................................................................... TRADED SEC. .........1........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

CONTRACTS

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B1

Renaissance future growth

Besides the contract backlog, Contract Services generates additional sustainable annual revenue of $100 million from its Permanent Accommodation for Contractors (PAC) projects for PDO in Oman’s oilfields.

The PAC contracts have more than 25 years to run, and we shall be adding a major new similar facility in the Duqm Special Economic Zone from mid-2016. As regards share price, we don’t manage share price, we manage the business, so it is not our place to comment on share price.

But I can comment on the business, and, as I have already described, the fundamentals of our business are strong in terms of the balance sheet, sound financing, sustainable cash flows, and industry-leading operations.

TECHNOLOGY

Handwriting not on the wall for fax machines PARIS: It may have slipped from its golden age into its golden years, but two decades into the Internet era, the fax machine is still, perhaps surprisingly, holding its place in many offices.

While it has been reduced to a small player in the rapidly growing world of digital communications, “millions of people still use fax machines daily worldwide and probably will continue to do so in the near future”, said Jonathan Coopersmith, an associate professor at Texas A&M University, who has written a book on the history of the once ubiquitous office machine.

Even more surprising, people and companies continue to buy new fax machines. “Sales are dropping regularly due to emails, but the market is far from disappearing,” said Nicolas Cintre, deputy director in France for Japanese company Brother, the market leader in fax machines.

Around 20 million fax terminals were sold in 2005, manufacturers estimate, while sales today are on the order of several million. “The market is holding up. Those who predicted the death of the fax 10 years ago were wrong,” said Cintre.

Part of the reason for the machine’s survival is an attachment among “older generations” who spent most of their careers using it, he said. “Some habits are hard to break.”

It is considered by some as a tool for older employees reluctant to learn new technologies, but the fact that it embraces handwriting — in particular signatures — has also helped the fax avoid obsolescence. “Fax machines allow sending signed documents, which are considered as originals, which isn’t the case with email,” said Jean Champagne, head of Sagemcom Canada, the unit of the communications equipment company that markets fax systems.

Coopersmith noted that “in most countries, faxing is concentrated in certain areas such as banking, real estate, legal communications and medicine -- where a written signature is necessary.”

Regulations may in fact require

STILL POPULAR: While the fax machine has been reduced to a small player in the rapidly growing world of digital communications, millions of people still use fax machines worldwide. – AFP

faxing in some countries, he added.

Champagne also pointed out that faxes offer advantages in terms of confidentiality and security, another reason why the machines remain popular in the legal and medical fields. “It is nearly impossible to intercept fax transmissions. Documents cannot be manipulated,” he said.

Big in Japan The fax has aged better in some countries than others. In the United States, fax machines have pretty much disappeared. Xerox, which built the first machine for the general public, stopped selling basic models several years ago.

But in Japan, where they’ve long been an essential feature of homes as well as offices, faxes are still in widespread use. They were even deployed by the authorities in 2011 to disseminate some information during the Fukushima nuclear accident.

“Per capita, the greatest fax use still occurs in Japan, especially among older people who grew up writing by hand, not typing on a keypad,” said Coopersmith.

But it’s not just the elderly — many Japanese users of varying ages favour the fax for allowing them to send off hand-written notes using the thousands of char-

acters in the nation’s language.

“For many people and small businesses, faxing a written note or a form is easier than typing on a computer or smartphone,” added Coopersmith. Nearly 1.2 million basic fax machines were sold in Japan in 2014, and sales are forecast to dip to 1.1 million this year, according to the association of telecommunications companies.

“The use of fax machines fell with the massive spread of computers and smartphones, but people over 60 who are not familiar with the new technologies prefer the fax,” said Miyuki Nakayama, spokesman for electronics manufacturer Sharp.

Europe is somewhere in the middle, according to Brother’s Cintre. In France, some 40,000 basic fax machines were sold in 2013, according to the GfK market research company.

Though sales of simple fax machines are declining, that does not necessarily mean that faxes are disappearing. Instead, the fax is increasingly being wrapped into “multi-function” or ‘all-in-one’ machines that are gaining popularity in the market.

These offer consumers printing, scanning, photocopying and faxing functions.- AFP

B

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M ON DAY, JU N E 29, 2015

SECTION

SLOW DOWN ENJOY THE RIDE

E-

IMES TECH STUFF

Start-ups now find the best employees

TWITTER OFFERS EAST WAY TO BLOCK ACCOUNTS The company is also furthering its efforts to help stop abuse and trolling on its service by letting users share their personal lists of blocked accounts — which could be useful among friends or organisations targeted by the same harassers. For those who want more information, the Twitter Help Centre has detailed instructions for exporting and importing “blocked lists” at support. twitter.com/articles/20172663.

SMARTPHONE APPS

California Labour Commission recently ruled that an Uber

Stress no more to pack for your summer vacation

driver should be classified as an employee, not a contractor. While the ruling does not set a binding precedent, it may push some in Silicon Valley to look for alternatives to the contractor model Tech people like to talk about “full-stack start-ups,” a new trend in entrepreneurialism in which companies aim to control every part of their service rather than just the technical aspects. Hiring front-line workers is the ultimate expression of the full stack.

“Fundamentally what it boiled down to was that we had to create good jobs to make sure that our operators were vested in our company,” said Saman Rahmanian, a cofounder of Managed by Q, a start-up that provides commercial cleaning and supply services.

W

hen Ron Johnson was pitching his idea for an e-commerce delivery company to venture capitalists last year, one of the sticking points was his vision for how to treat employees.

Johnson’s company, called Enjoy, sends experts to deliver and set up tech products in homes and offices.

But rather than requiring people to work as independent contractors, a practice championed by most socalled on-demand companies, including ride-hailing app Uber, Johnson wanted to actually employ the people who would be working for him.

“I said there’s a good chance that one day there could be a change in how the law qualifies these contractor jobs — and I’d rather be taking the high road from Day 1 and not be subject to that business risk,” said Johnson, the executive who founded Apple’s retail division and later ran J.C. Penney. The risk of relying on independent contractors became more salient with the revelation last week that the California Labour Commission recently ruled that an Uber driver should be classified as an employee, not a contractor.

While the ruling does not set a binding precedent, it may push some in Silicon Valley to look for alternatives to the contractor model. Johnson’s company is among a handful of app-based outfits that suggest there may be another way.

Although the start-ups that are avoiding the independent contractor system are far smaller than Uber, which has contracted with hundreds of thousands of drivers across the world, their nascent success offers hope that on-demand companies will be able to offer stable careers rather than an unpredictable patchwork in which people stitch together app-based tasks to make a living. But it isn’t just the murky legality — or even what Johnson calls a moral obligation to do the right thing for workers — that has pushed these businesses to part with Uber’s vision for the future of work. Instead, they argue, real employees are better employees.

“We’re providing a personal service — our product is a person,” Johnson told me. “The vision says that it’s really smart to make them employees, so we can get the best people to deliver the best service.”

If you’ve ever wondered why there are such vast differences in quality between Uber rides you’ve taken, this is why: Beyond customer ratings and warnings, Uber can’t tell drivers what to do.

A key feature Under the independent contractor system, workers are considered to be tiny businesses responsible for their own expenses and taxes. A key feature of an independent contractor relationship is autonomy. According to the IRS, a business that hires an independent contractor is not entitled to dictate how or when the contractor performs a job. This limits a company’s power to train and schedule its workers.

The on-demand companies that have embraced the old-fashioned employee model all say they aim to deliver an experience that wows

customers. The best way to do that, they say, is to train and systematically deploy their workers — a practice that can be accomplished only with actual employees.

“This is MBA 101 stuff,” said M. Diane Burton, a professor of human resource studies at Cornell University. “When people are your source of competitive advantage, it’s clear that a long-term employment relationship and what we would call a ‘good job’ is good for the workers and good for the companies.”

At Beepi, a company that lets customers buy and sell used cars online, new auto inspectors are trained for three months to become “Beepi Certified” — a system that would not have been possible under the independent contractor model.

“The promise of our brand is that we are going to inspect every vehicle as if it’s one you’d sell to your mother or a good friend,” said Ale Resnik, the co-founder and chief executive of Beepi. “For that, you need people who are invested in the customer.

They need to really care — and they only care when you invest in them.”

Creating ‘good jobs’ Of course, creating “good jobs” entails costs. Managed by Q’s workers get an “above market” wage, plus full medical benefits. “They are the same benefits that our programmers and engineers get,” Rahmanian said, because “we didn’t want to create a company that had a divide between people that worked in headquarters and the others.”

Munchery, a dinner delivery service, pays drivers a base wage that exceeds the minimum wage, plus their driving expenses, plus tips.

Taken together, it comes out to about $23 an hour in San Francisco, far higher than most other delivery jobs. Those who work more than 30 hours a week also get health and retirement benefits.

Beepi’s auto mechanics and delivery people get an above-market salary, overtime pay and medical benefits. MoveLoot, a startup that sells and delivers used furniture, also provides above-market wages and benefits to its workers.

And at Enjoy, which began operating in San Francisco and New York this spring, delivery experts are paid either a full-time or parttime salary, not a per-customer fee.

Johnson declined to specify the salary, but he said that it was above what workers at high-end technology retailers might make — meaning around $40,000 to $50,000 a year.

Enjoy’s employees are also given benefits like health coverage and retirement plans, and they even get stock in the company. — FARHAD MANJOO/The New York Times News Service

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED, with long days and warm sun tempting us to experience the outdoors and travel. Getting the right apps for your phone and tablet can help you have a great time.

Packing for a vacation can be a chore. Stress no more: Packpoint has you covered. The app is a smart packing adviser that can build a list of necessary toiletries, clothes and other items.

PackPoint starts by asking where you’re going and when.

The app then finds the weather forecast for the destination and asks what kind of activities you are planning. Choose among the provided list of activities, including hiking, photography and fancy dinners, or supply your own activity (you’ll need to know what to pack for the custom event). With selections made, PackPoint generates a list of items you’ll need to suit the weather and activities. For example, you’ll need a camera bag for photography, and men will need a dress shirt for a fancy dinner.

Take the strain out As you pack, you mark off items on the list. The idea is to take the strain out of packing.

You can even share your list by instant message or social media with other members of your group to help them plan accordingly. Though the app seems simple, it’s really useful.

PackPoint is free for Android and iOS, but access to some features, like custom activities, costs $2. Summer travellers will want to know what’s happening at their destinations.

Peek Tours, free on iOS, pulls together lots of information about places, like museums to visit, and activities, from walking tours to more adventurous outdoor sports.

You can browse Peek’s recommendations by category (like “sights and landmarks” and the handy “what to do with kids”), by date, location or special points of interest.

All the app’s recommendations have a short description, and the app makes good use of images to sustain interest.

You can even book some things to do from inside the app and browse Peek’s recommenda-

tions offline, which may save expensive mobile data bills.

Interesting alternative A simpler but equally interesting alternative to Peek is Google’s Field Trip app, which is free on iOS and Android. Field Trip pulls together a list of locationbased recommendations about a wide variety of things to see and do, including good places to eat, landmarks and local events. Tapping on a recommendation on the list reveals more information like a map and hours of operation.

You can customise the recommendations for your interests by limiting the sources the app draws from. For example, you can turn off Art Nerd City Guides as a source if you’re not interested in art. The app is more sober-looking than Peek, its menus sometimes lack clear explanations, and in some cases the information provided about a place or an event can seem dry. But Field Trip will definitely help you discover what’s going on around you.

Music festivals are popular in the summer, and Bandsintown Concerts, free on iOS and Android, is a fabulous way to find out what performances and festivals are happening near you. Bandsintown can give you events lists for cities, for nearby places or for particular bands, and includes a social media connection so you can invite, say, your Facebook friends to join you.

The app can even scan your musical libraries in services like iTunes and Spotify to more accurately recommend concerts you may prefer, and you can often book tickets from inside the app. If you own an Apple Watch or Android Wear smartwatch you can even get Bandsintown concert alerts on your wrist. The app is easy and fun to use, but you must register through email or via Facebook.

Lastly, summer is perfect for outdoor cooking, either at home or if you’re camping. And if you’re used to cooking in the kitchen, you may not be certain if you’re grilling meat properly.

Enter Grilltime, which is my new summer best friend. — KIT EATON /The New York Times News Service

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MONDAY, JUN E 2 9, 2 015

ROUND-UP Maisarah named ‘Islamic Bank of the Year’ for 2015 Maisarah reaffirms its position as one of the leading and fastest growing Islamic banking institutions in Oman by winning a prestigious international award

MUSCAT: Continuing to thrive and going from strength to strength, Maisarah Islamic Banking Services has been announced the winner of ‘Islamic Bank of the Year - Oman’ award for 2015 by The Banker magazine.

Leading the Islamic banking sector in Oman, the competitive and fast-growing financial services provider has been selected among Islamic finance institu-

tions in the Sultanate after achieving striking growth figures since its launch in 2013. Maisarah has demonstrated a high degree of product and service innovation as well as strong activity in Oman’s burgeoning Islamic banking market, says a press release.

Maisarah has witnessed yearon-year remarkable capital, assets and profitability growth since its launch. More impressively, the bank has generated a suite of 15 financing products and services geared towards individuals, corporate and government institutions.

“Since launch of Maisarah Islamic Banking Services two years ago, we set our vision to be the best financial services and solu-

tions provider in the Sultanate of Oman, and we have taken concrete steps in that direction. Our team of dedicated and highly qualified professionals offers a wide array of banking solutions through innovative products and services,” says Sohail Niazi, Maisarah’s chief Islamic banking officer.

Maisarah’s success in Oman has translated into tremendous growth in customers since its launch, in conjunction with significant growth in financing provided across its business segments.

More notably, Maisarah has taken a leading role in providing financing solutions to corporate, small and medium-sized enterprises.

Significant progress has also

M I S S I O N O F C O M PA S S I O N

been made with respect to product and services development. Maisarah offers a number of trade finance services and treasury products, as well as an award-winning corporate overdraft facility based around the principle of Mudaraba.

Maisarah’s retail operations are based out of four dedicated branches located in Azaiba, Birkat Al Mouz, Salalah and Sohar. In 2015, the Islamic window plans to expand its presence across the country through the addition of new branches. This is in addition to a 24-hour call centre, cash deposit machines and ATMs located across the Sultanate.

“As a part of our operational strategy, we have maintained high standards of corporate governance, research and development, corporate social responsibility and customer service that placed Maisarah at the top of the best Islamic banking services providers in the country,” added Sohail Niazi.

As part of its future growth plan, Maisarah aims to distinguish itself by focusing on providing outstanding customer service, developing and launching new products, investing in technology to provide the best customer experience in timely and convenient manner.

APPOINTMENT

KIMS Oman welcomes Dr Abishek on board MUSCAT: As part of its sincere efforts to provide the community with the best practitioners, KIMS Oman Hospital (KOH) has announced the appointment of Dr Abishek Ajay Kaul, Medical Officer in Emergency Medicine, as a part of KOH’s professional medical team.

Dr Abishek has earned his MBBS in 2011, followed by Emergency Medicine Diploma, RCGP (UK), in 2014 from Apollo Hospital, Ahmedabad. He is also Advanced Cardiac, Trauma and Paediatric life support programme certified. Along with his significant professional accomplishments, Dr Abishek comes with rich experience in Emergency Medicine, having served in reputed hospitals and esteemed health care institutions.

“We would like to welcome Dr. Abishek Ajay Kaul in our KOH family. With his strong educational background and wide experience, I am confident that Dr Kaul will be a positive addition to our medical team, and will provide exceptional health care services to our community,” said Dr. Hussam Akoum, chief operating officer at KOH. With the induction of Dr Abishek, KIMS Oman Hospital is adding yet another specialisation

Dr Abishek earned his MBBS in 2011, followed by Emergency Medicine Diploma, RCGP (UK), in 2014 from Apollo Hospital, Ahmedabad

ie Emergency Medicine, with the focus towards rapid and prioritised treatment in the ‘Golden Hour’ of the patient’s arrival in the Emergency Room.

C E L E B R AT I O N

ahlibank hosts Iftar for employees MUSCAT: In celebration of the holy month of Ramadan, ahlibank hosted its annual Iftar banquet for employees at the InterContinental Hotel. The event was held in the presence of ahlibank’s board members, says a press release.

“Our annual Iftar event is an enjoyable and informal gathering, allowing all colleagues to celebrate this special time of year together, within the ahlibank family,” said Lloyd Maddock, CEO, ahlibank.

Ooredoo Goodwill Journey continues to spread smiles MUSCAT: Completing the first week of their annual Goodwill Journey, Ooredoo volunteers travelled more than 1,400 kilometres to bring joy and smiles to people and communities in five wilayats.

Twenty two volunteers set off from Mussanah to bring their mission of compassion to the northern and interior areas of the Sultanate.

Now in its 11th year, Ooredoo is taking the Goodwill Journey to new heights to enable human growth and support and empower women across the country.

Rather than simply providing one-time donations, the contributions this year will support communities in the long term as well as spreading a little happiness in the short-term. Ooredoo is doing this by providing them with the means to enhance their skills through sustainable learning initiatives, says a press release.

Following the Incubator Programme graduation in Mussanah at the start of the Journey, volunteers headed to the Omani Women’s Association in Liwa where they were greeted with open arms by members of the community.

Heading north, the Goodwill convoy stopped at the Deaf Club in Al Buraimi, where volunteers distributed iPads alongside other gifts to support their learning through

specialised applications.

Ooredoo Goodwill messengers then made their way to the Al Wafa Rehabilitation Centre in Ibri, where they donated an indoor playground set in addition to various educational materials and recourses to local schools – something the children of the schools had never had before.

The next stop was Nizwa Hospital where they visited the Children’s Ward, bringing them joy and comfort during the holy month before heading to their last stop at the Omani Women’s Association in Samail.

The Goodwill Journey has always been a key focus for Ooredoo and is their flagship CSR initiative.

It not only provides community engagement and support, but also

spiritual and personal growth for the volunteers that take part. Over the years, their ambassadors have travelled thousands of kilometres across the length and breadth of Oman changing lives and nurturing development. This is something that Ooredoo is very proud of, and is committed to continue building on, to help more and more communities in the future.

This year’s journey has already impacted over 500 people as Ooredoo volunteers give their time and effort to help grow human capital and community projects during Ramadan. The second leg of the journey will see volunteers driving south in Oman, passing through Quriyat, Dima Wa Al Tayeen, Masirah Island and Duqm, before ending up in the Governorate of Dhofar.

RECOGNITION

Geepas awarded Superbrand status DUBAI: Superbrands, the independent authority and arbiter of branding, awarded Geepas the Superbrand award at the annual Superbrands tribute event, which was held at the InterContinental Hotel in Dubai Festival City.

The award was handed over

by Mike English, chairman, Superbrands Council to Nizar T. N., Director of Operations, Western International Group, parent company of Geepas.

Leading brands from the UAE were awarded Superbrands status and the 2015 Superbrands book was unveiled at the event, also dubbed the ‘Oscars of branding’, where the UAE’s strongest brands were honoured, says a press release.

Geepas is a constantly evolving brand experience in the field of consumer electronics and home appliances and is a leading provider of a range of high performance quality products at affordable prices. Thriving on its exceptional customer service and offering the widest range of products, Geepas has deserved the distinction of being a ‘Superbrand’ in the UAE. This honour demonstrates Geepas’ reliability and its being the best choice for customers.

Speaking on the well-deserved win by Geepas, Nizar said, “We are thrilled for this achievement to be a Superbrand. Geepas, has

over the years, become a part of every home and our commitment towards our customers, and their love towards the brand is testimony to where we stand today.”

With a history of over three decades of business behind it, Geepas has become a household name in the field of electronics.

Currently available in 86 countries across the globe, the extensive range of deliverables of over 1,500 products caters to 360 degree requirements of a household.

This year, Superbrands were voted not only by the brand council but also by online voting, which has expanded the voting base to almost 2,500 senior managers and marketing professionals. The Superbrands programme acknowledges and rewards the highest standards of branding.

The organisation is committed to the cause of promoting excep-

tional brands and the discipline of branding in the region. Only brands that achieve the level of recognition set by the independent Superbrands Council are eligible for inclusion in the Superbrands book, which traces the history and achievements of each of the brands. Geepas is proud and honoured to be featured in this year’s Superbrands book.

Nizar added, “Becoming a Superbrand is a great achievement for Geepas but one that would not have been possible without the endless support of its consumers.

My belief is that only consumers can decide if a brand is great and they have chosen to make Geepas a Superbrand. It takes time for a brand to become trusted and relied upon. This award validates our belief in the quality of Geepas products and the excellent service that we offer.”

C U S T O M E R S E RV I C E C A M PA I G N

Bank Sohar announces winners of its Twitter competition MUSCAT: Bank Sohar recently invited all its Customer Service #here4u Twitter Competition winners to its head office in MBD, which ended at the beginning of this month.

The competition, which had a prize pool of OMR800, was announced in order to complement the ongoing bank-wide Customer Service Campaign that will see the bank further focus on its customer service platforms across all branches and divisions within the Sultanate, says a press release.

The award ceremony saw Mu-

nira Abdulnabi Macki, DGM of Human Resources and Corporate Support at Bank Sohar present each of the winners with an OMR100 Bank Sohar account opening certificate.

Felicitations On congratulating each of the winners, Munira Abdulnabi Macki, commented: “On behalf of Bank Sohar I would like to thank all the participants of our twitter contest.

I would also like to congratulate each of our winners for their insightful entries. We have always

valued customer feedback at the bank as it helps us identify the areas to be developed in order to provide our customers with the best possible banking experience.”

The competition which closed for entries on June 1, saw followers of the bank’s Twitter page invited to participate in the competition by submitting their suggestions and recommendation on how Bank Sohar can further improve customer service and make its overall banking experience even better.

All entries were then analysed

and filtered by a set panel comprising executive management of the bank, who subsequently picked the top eight entries.

In the past year, Bank Sohar’s social media identities have witnessed a tremendous growth, in addition to a high level of engagement from fans through questions, comments and responses. Having started the official Twitter account and Facebook page in June 2013, followed by Instagram page thereafter, Bank Sohar has come a long way in getting closer to its customers and interacting with them.

MO NDAY, JUNE 29, 2015 SCAN THIS TO INSTANTLY LAUNCH FACEBOOK PAGE

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ROUND-UP

Safrane now comes with mega Ramadan benefits lows drivers to open and close the doors as well as start the engine, without even leaving your pocket.

Bluetooth technology allows you to make calls in perfect safety.

For easy manoeuvring, the reverse parking camera displays obstacles on the colour screen, while the parking brake is activated automatically when the engine is turned off. On board the Safrane, technology is also harnessed to provide onboard pleasure in the form of the Bose audio system giving you larger-than-life sound.

The Renault Safrane name has become synonymous with quality, durability and performance

MUSCAT: Renault from the house of Suhail Bahwan Automobiles announced mega Ramadan surprises on select Renault models.

The Renault Safrane V6 is fitted with an automatic six-speed transmission that comes equipped with the Carminat TomTom navigation system, a solution as efficient as it is easy to update and use, with the intuitive joystick.

2015 Ramadan highlights: •Scratch & Win (Two assured gifts) 1. With a unique scratch and win card, customers are eligible to win assured high value gifts from any one of the products comprising of LG 65”Ultra High Definition LED Curve TV, Apple iPhone 6-16GB, Lenovo Laptop-Intel Core i5 or a LG 42” LED TV. 2. Customers will also be eligible to win an assured service package gift up to five years/ 100,000km

Periodic Maintenance Service (with minimum assured service package of two years/30,000km periodic maintenance service) • Cash Gifts: Customers will also walk away with assured cash gift of OMR750 on purchasing the Renault Safrane 2.0L/2.5L/3.5L • Other benefits: Customers will be entitled to receive free registration for first year for Oman only and free extended warranty period of up to six years / unlimited mileage. Further, customers will also receive AAA Roadside Assistance card for the first year only and as supported by AAA Oman.

• Grand raffle draw Customers purchasing any of the Renault models during the Ramadan month will also get a chance to enter a mega raffle draw which will be held on August 23.

The grand prize winner will walk away with a new 2015 Renault

RECRUIT

QUOTES I noticed that the dynamic range between what an average person could accomplish and what the best person could accomplish was 50 or 100 to 1. Given that, you’re well advised to go after the cream of the cream. A small team of A+ players can run circles around a giant team of B and C players. — Steve Jobs The smartest business decision you can make is to hire qualified people. Bringing the right people on board saves you thousands, and your business will run smoothly and efficiently.

— Brian Tracy

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

Duster 2L PE. Upbeat styling The Safrane name has become synonymous with quality, durability and performance. With the next generation Safrane, there is a growing buzz and excitement around the Renault range as the Safrane is a generously-dimensioned saloon car.

Its nicely balanced proportions, fluid and elegant lines sweeping over the broad shoulders denote a powerful presence. A carefully engineered blend of comfort and performance, and a choice of modern engines, the Safrane has an efficient new chassis including the Nissan multi-link rear suspension arrangement for enhanced ride comfort and driving pleasure.

Easy manoeuvring The hands-free card in Safrane al-

B7

Bespoke interior Renault Safrane combines unique facilities for a complete sense of well-being. The driver’s seat has multiple settings for optimal comfort. Thanks to its pneumatic aircushion system, it will massage the driver’s back, according to the mode and intensity of their choice, in perfect silence.

The Safrane also offers an innovative system of air quality management. Its toxicity sensor prevents polluted air entering the passenger compartment, while it’s combined pollen and active carbon filter removes these particles from the air. Suhail Bahwan Automobiles is largely committed to supporting Renault Oman’s growth in the Sultanate through major emphasis on customer satisfaction and by providing world-class aftersales services in Oman.

AUTOMOBILE FINANCE

Bank Muscat Sayyarati Ramadan campaign gathers momentum MUSCAT: A feature-packed automobile finance campaign launched by Bank Muscat coinciding with the Ramadan season has evoked strong response.

The Sayyarati auto finance is available at low interest rates starting from 3.5 per cent to 4.5 per cent on a reducing basis which is equivalent to 1.91 per cent to 2.41 per cent on a flat basis.

The Sayyarati Ramadan package includes financing up to 8 years for new and used vehicles, the lowest monthly payment option, on-the-spot approvals and motor insurance funding with the lowest monthly payment in the market, says a press release.

Hassle-free procedure Customers are also not required to furnish post-dated cheques, making Sayyarati the easy, convenient and completely hasslefree way to own a new car. Notably, Sayyarati finance can be obtained from any of the bank’s branches spread across Oman.

This offer comes as a boon for newly recruited employees in government and quasi-government sector who can avail the auto finance if they have been employed for one month and three months in the case of employees of approved private sector companies.

“Unique in all aspects with

The Sayyarati Ramadan package includes financing up to 8 years for new and used vehicles unparalleled benefits, Sayyarati is the preferred auto finance facility in Oman for both citizens and expatriates. The Ramadan offer includes various unique benefits, making it quicker, easier and more affordable to own one’s dream vehicle. The Sayyarati Centre at Wattayah is open for customers from 8pm to 11:30pm during the holy month of Ramadan, giving customers an opportunity to apply for financing their vehicles in the shortest possible time,” said Amjad Al Lawati, head – Products and Services.

Due to strong partnership with leading auto dealers, Sayyarati significantly enhances the value proposition offered to customers, including motor insurance at low premium through the bancassurance channel of Bank Muscat. Post-dated cheques are not required and payment instalments are automatically debited from customer account on a monthly basis.

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Best time to benefit from Dhofar Auto’s best deals Customers buying a Chrysler, Jeep, RAM, Dodge, Alfa Romeo or Fiat during Ramadan are offered an amazing cash gift upto OMR3,600 depending on the variant they choose

MUSCAT: In keeping with the spirit of the holy month of giving, Dhofar Automotive welcomes customers to their showrooms to experience their warm hospitality and generous Ramadan offers across brands. Always endeavour-

ing to meet and exceed customer expectations, Dhofar Automotive is known to offer unique value propositions, especially during the month of Ramadan, says a press release.

A customer can choose from a vast line-up of cars, SUVs and pickup trucks at Dhofar Automotive, all of which offer unique driving experiences. Sedan enthusiasts can opt from the muscular Dodge Charger or Challenger to the luxurious Chrysler 300, or even go for the recently introduced Italian brilliance such as the 240hp turbo

charged Alfa Romeo Giulietta and fun and trendy Fiat 500 models.

Those who prefer SUVs can choose from the stable of Jeep, the original 4x4 that is combined with great off road performance with exceptional safety features or experience the suave Dodge Durango line-up. Also available is the versatile RAM pick-up trucks offering utility, comfort and safety with excellent off road capabilities.

“During the month of generosity, Dhofar Automotive is offering customers plethora of our brands and variants at unbeatable prices,”

4 5 TH N AT I O N A L D AY C E L E B R AT I O N S

commitment to the community; to support and up skill Omani talent and help them unlock their full potential.

NBO is now inviting high school graduates from underprivileged families across the Sultanate (from social welfare families), with a minimum scholastic achievement of 85%, who are unemployed and looking for a long-term career with NBO, to apply for the 15 university scholarships by sending an email with their documentations to watani@nbo.co.om by July 24. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an assessment centre and will need to meet the university’s entry

VA L U E D E A L S

FRiENDi excites customers with summer offers MUSCAT: FRiENDi mobile has launched very exciting summer offers on its starter packs and data plans. The starter pack is priced at OMR2 and gives new FRiENDi mobile customers 1GB of data and OMR1 credit immediately upon activation.

This is the best ever starter pack offer from FRiENDi mobile by which customers get instantly both data and credit. The 1GB data is valid for 30 days from the date of activation and the amazing summer offers will run for a complete three month period till August 29, says a press release.

As part of the summer offer, subscribers to FRiENDi mobile data plans can now take advantage of doubling their data instantly on activation. The weekly 100MB subscription plan will entitle the user to an extra 100MB free data. For the 600MB per month subscribers, the special offer will give them another 600MB of data free. In a

truly great deal for the monthly 1GB subscribers, they get 2GB data plus extra 2GB free that can be used between 11pm to 4am.

Along with the additional double data, new and existing FRiENDi mobile users can also enjoy the bonus data they receive on auto renewals of their data plans. The biggest advantage is that customers get the additional double data every time they subscribe or auto renew during the entire period of the promotion till August 29.

“At FRiENDi mobile we believe in rewarding customers for their endless loyalty to our services. We come up with thoughtful campaigns that customers can actually use and benefit instantly.

We know that in this fast-paced world, staying in touch and staying connected are vital; and we will make sure that we are there to bring in the very best services according to the demands of the market,” said Adnan Al Alawi, COO, FRiENDi mobile.

AFFORDABLE LUXURY

NBO offers 45 varsity scholarships MUSCAT: National Bank of Oman (NBO) has announced it will give away 15 scholarships to study at some of the world’s most renowned universities to underprivileged students from across the Sultanate.

Additionally, it will create 25 new graduate employment roles within various divisions of the bank and offer five existing employees the opportunity to study for an MBA at a top international business school, says a press release.

The 45 scholarships and job opportunities are part of the bank’s 45th National Day celebrations and are in line with its ongoing

Chris Edwards, general manager Dhofar automotive, said.

“Customers buying a Chrysler, Jeep, RAM, Dodge, Alfa Romeo or Fiat during the month of Ramadan are offered an amazing cash gift upto OMR3,600 depending on the variant they choose.

“We also have many more offers giving customers the freedom to choose,” he added.

Each vehicle from Dhofar Automotive is a class leader in its own right, offering levels of performance, style and reliability that are at the forefront of the automotive industry. Coupled with this unique offer, customers can now not only experience the best of brands but also affordability, value and unique customer service from Dhofar Automotive.

Valid till August 17, the Ramadan promotion covers all brands of Dhofar Automotive.

Dhofar Automotive showrooms will be open from Saturday to Thursday between 9am to 1pm and 8pm to 12am during the month of Ramadan.

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requirements to be successful.

Mohammed Mahfoodh Al Ardhi, chairman of National Bank of Oman, said: “This year the Sultanate marks the 45th anniversary of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s reign. As part of our commitment to the community, we have continuously sought to develop and strengthen Omani talent to contribute to the bank and the country’s success. We are excited to extend these university scholarships to 15 students from underprivileged families across the Sultanate to help them build bright futures for themselves and their communities.”

seaPearls launches ‘factory sale’ on diamond collection MUSCAT: seaPearls Gold and Diamond Jewellery Oman, on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, has launched an exclusive ‘factory sale’ on their diamond collection, says a press release In this exclusive offer customers visiting the seaPearls stores during the month of Ramadan will receive up to 65 per cent off on diamond jewellery products that include an entire range of rings, earrings, pendants, bangles and lightweight necklaces across all their stores within the Sultanate.

A special factory sale exclusively on its diamond collection is currently available at its stores located in Ruwi and at the newly opened Oman Avenues Mall, Bausher till August 20. seaPearls Gold and Diamond Jewellery caters to the modern woman of today and is best known for the combination of precious and innovative materials and distinctive designs, for glamorous and exciting styles that fuses classic and contemporary.

Exclusive designs The collections of diamond and gold jewellery range from daily wear such as light weight necklace sets, chains, rings, pendants,

Customers visiting the seaPearls stores during the month of Ramadan will receive up to 65 per cent off on diamond jewellery products bracelets, earrings and bangles to more occasion-specific and exclusive designs. It houses an array of signature jewellery collections, namely Ishana, You & Me, Fella, Sol, Nava Graha and some unique bestsellers among others.

Commenting on this one of a kind initiative, P. A. Riyas, general manager of seaPearls Gold and Diamond Jewellery, said: “seaPearls introduces a new range of jewellery every month, catering to the demands and trends of the season. In our constant endeavour to make diamond jewellery an affordable luxury, we intend to offer our existing range at an accessible price through the factory sale initiative for our customers

every other season.”

Riyas added: “We always have special plans for our patrons, we understand that buying a diamond ring is an emotional choice and to encourage people to choose diamonds we now have over 40 designs at affordable price range.”

Social media platform Valued patrons can get more information on the eclectic diamond collection on the official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/seapearlsjewelleryom.

The page also provides a plethora of information on the wide range of gold collection on a daily basis to provide the latest information at all times comprising pictorial galleries, aesthetic details, and unique collection features. The page also regularly runs contests to keep viewers enticed and engaged at all times. The aim has been to be at par with customers’ requirements and needs.

“Showcasing jewellery, exemplifying fine craftsmanship and exquisite designs, seaPearls Gold and Diamond Jewellery with over 10 years of experience offer complete customer centric shopping experience,” Riyas said in his concluding remarks.

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PRODUCTIVE SPA TEST PLEASES AL HARTHY With just a month to go until the biggest race of Ahmad Al Harthy’s motorsport season, the Total 24 Hours of Spa, the Oman Racing Team driver is brimming with confidence after a very productive test outing at the famous Belgian track last week.. >C5

‘Sultanate of Oman’ sails to GC32 victory in Round the Island Race ‘Sultanate of Oman’, which is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and EFG Bank (Monaco), crossed the finishline to win the GC32 class with just 56 seconds ahead of Alinghi with whom they had jostled for the lead all the way round the course in tough conditions

MUSCAT: After three days of intense racing in the 2015 Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour’s Cowes Cup, Oman Sail’s GC32 crew onboard ‘Sultanate of Oman’ participated in the JP Morgan Round the Island Race, one of the world’s largest yacht races, taking the GC32 class honour and finishing second overall out of a 1,584 boat fleet.

‘Sultanate of Oman’, which is supported by the Ministry of Tourism and EFG Bank (Monaco), crossed the finish-line to win the GC32 class with just 56 seconds ahead of Alinghi with whom they had jostled for the lead all the way round the course in tough conditions. The crew consisted of regular Paul Campbell-James, one of the UK’s most experienced foiling experts who stepped in for skipper and Olympian champion Leigh McMillan, Nasser Al Mashari, Ed Smyth, Alister Richardson and Pete Greenhalgh. After break-

RACING TO VICTORY: Oman Sail’s ‘Sultanate of Oman’ skippered by Paul Campbell-James is seen racing to the finish to complete a good GC32 Class win. Important crew member Nasser Al Mashari (seen in inset) was a crucial crew member of the Oman Sail boat. – Supplied photo

ing his hand at the GC32 Cowes Cup on Thursday, Leigh McMillan passed helming duties over to Paul Campbell-James (CJ), but it was McMillan’s coaching tips that resonated as they were hurtling around the back of the Isle of Wight crashing off waves at 30 knots, CJ said.

“Leigh McMillan spent some time with us all on Friday and it made a big difference. We hoped we would win and it helped that we had time in the boat. The crew did really well – they are the best in

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the game, and already leading the GC32 series, so it was a nice position for me to slip into.”

“The back of the island was the most full on I have ever seen it – we were nose-diving just to slow the boat down so it didn’t do cartwheels. It wasn’t easy to sail in those conditions and it was physi-

cally exhausting, but we have all got massive smiles on our faces now.”

“It was extremely lively round the back end of the island – 16-18 knots and very, very rough,” he explained. “We were crashing off the foils, leaping out of the water doing 25-30 knots and stopping down to 7-8 knots. These are the roughest conditions we have had in these boats and it was one of the roughest rides any of us have ever had. We are all a bit battered and bruised. There are not many people I would have gone round in

those conditions with, but CJ did us proud. He was superb.”

Back in 2010, bowman Nasser Al Mashari came second in the Extreme 40 class but this time around he went one better. “We were the third GC32 to go round the Needles but fought hard, used every little bit of pressure and every wave.

It was very choppy but from then on we had some great racing. I am very happy and extremely proud to have won our class at the Round the Island Race,” he said.

Concise, the MOD70 owned by

Tony Lawson, recorded a time of 03:30:24 to take the Freedom Challenge Bowl, with just six minutes separating the first and last GC32, with French boat Team ENGIE posting a time of 03:53:47 in third and Team ARGO from USA completing the course in 03:56:06.

The GC32 class is a foiling catamaran that is regarded as one of the most exciting newcomers on the high-performance racing scene.

The next event of the 2015 Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour is in Kiel, Germany from July 29 to August 2.

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Prasad bowls Sri Lanka to winning position in Colombo SCOREBOARD

Pakistan, who trailed by 177 runs in the first innings, were bowled out for 329 in their second knock by tea on the fourth day to leave the hosts a target of 153 runs to level the threematch Test series

COLOMBO: Seamer Dhammika Prasad skittled Pakistan with a four-wicket haul to put Sri Lanka on top in the second Test in Colombo on Sunday despite a defiant century from Azhar Ali. Pakistan, who trailed by 177 runs in the first innings, were bowled out for 329 in their second knock by tea on the fourth day to leave the hosts a target of 153 runs to level the three-match series.

Pakistan won the first Test in Galle by 10 wickets.

Azhar anchored the Pakistan innings with a defiant 117, his ninth Test innings, but found little support at the other end as the last six wickets tumbled for 55 runs.

Wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal pouched five catches and also

CELEBRATION: Sri Lanka’s Dhammika Prasad, centre, celebrates with his teammates after taking a wicket. – Reuters

effected a stumping, while debutant fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera claimed three wickets in an impressive Sri Lankan display at the P. Sara Oval.

Azhar was reprieved twice during his marathon vigil that lasted eight hours and 33 minutes, in which he faced 308 deliveries and hit just six boundaries. Azhar had added four runs to his overnight score of 64 when he was dropped by a diving Kumar Sangakkara at first slip off Prasad, a catch that Chandimal could have attempted.

When he moved to 114, Azhar was saved by a television review after umpire Sundaram Ravi had declared him leg-before off Prasad.

But the Pakistan number three was stumped soon after when he tried to hit left-arm spinner Rangana Herath out of the stadi-

um. Pakistan, who started the day at 171-2, lost two important wickets in the morning session to go to lunch at 244-4.

Sri Lanka secured a crucial wicket when overnight batsman Younis Khan edged an outswinger from Angelo Mathews to Chandimal, ending a 73-run stand for the third wicket with Azhar.

Younis, who had hoped for a big knock in his 100th Test appearance, scored 40 after making six in the first innings.

Skipper Misbah-ul Haq, seemingly disturbed by a band playing in the stands, requested the umpires to stop the music saying it upset his concentration.

The band obliged, but Misbah did not last long at the crease as he was trapped leg-before by Prasad for 22.

CLASSIC KNOCK: Pakistan’s Azhar Ali celebrates scoring a century in Colombo. – AP/PTI

Pakistan lost Asad Shafiq after lunch when he was caught down the leg-side by Chandimal off Chameera for 27, triggering a collapse from a comfortable 274-4.

When Chandimal picked up his fourth catch in the innings to remove Sarfraz Ahmed off Prasad for 16, Pakistan were only 124 runs ahead with four wickets in hand.

Between the two dismissals, Azhar reached his century off the 266th delivery he faced, driving Chameera for two runs.

Pakistan 1st innings: 138 (Mohammed Hafeez 42, Tharindu Kaushal 5-42, Dhammika Prasad 3-43) Sri Lanka 1st innings: 315 (K. Silva 80, A. Mathews 77, Yasir Shah 6-96) Pakistan 2nd innings (overnight 171-2): Mohd Hafeez c Sangakkara b Mathews 8 A. Shehzad c Chandimal b Prasad 69 A. Ali st Chandimal b Herath 117 Y. Khan c Chandimal b Mathews 40 Misbah-ul Haq lbw Prasad 22 A. Shafiq c Chandimal b Chameera 27 S. Ahmed c Chandimal b Prasad 16 Y. Shah b Prasad 0 Z. Babar not out 7 J. Khan c Chandimal b Chameera 3 W. Riaz lbw b Chameera 6 Extras (b-2, lb-2, w-5, nb-5) 14 Total (all out, 118.2 overs) 329 Fall of wickets: 1-9 (Hafeez), 2-129 (Shehzad), 3-202 (Younis), 4-234 (Misbah), 5-274 (Shafiq), 6-301 (Sarfraz), 7-303 (Yasir), 8-313 (Azhar), 9-323 (Junaid), 10-329 (Wahab) Bowling: Prasad 29.3-3-92-4 (w1), Mathews 11-5-15-2, Herath 34-7-89-1 (w3), Chameera 18.5-1-53-3 (w1, nb3), Kaushal 25-3-76-0 (nb2) Pakistan lead by 152 runs Toss: Pakistan Umpires: Richard Illingworth (ENG) and Sundaram Ravi (IND) TV umpire: Paul Reiffel (AUS) Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)

Prasad bowled Yasir Shah for zero before Chameera claimed the last two wickets, including that of Wahab Riaz, who came out to bat despite suffering a hairline fracture on his left hand.

The third and final Test begins in Pallekele on July 3. - AFP

CRICKET

Anderson will ‘cop it’ in Ashes: Warne LONDON: Australia great Shane Warne has told England new-ball duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad to expect plenty of “sledging”, or verbal abuse, to come their way during the upcoming Ashes series.

Anderson has contrasted the sporting atmosphere which prevailed during England’s recent series with New Zealand to the “needle” that existed during the last Ashes campaign, which Australia won 5-0 on home soil in 2013/14.

Infamously told by Australia captain Michael Clarke to “get ready for a broken arm” during the first Test in Brisbane while batting as a tailender, Anderson said he hoped the latest series between the arch-rivals could be played in the same spirit as England’s series with New Zealand.

“That was a really positive series and the nature of both sides’ cricket was helped by the spirit the game was played in,” Anderson said on Wednesday.

However, retired leg-spin star Warne, in a column for Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper, wrote: “Are you for real Jimmy? Seriously! This is the Ashes and I can tell Jimmy now that he is going to cop it from the Aussies more than anyone. When he’s batting, it will be 11 against one in the middle. “I reckon Michael Clarke and his team will carry on from the last (Ashes) series and give it to Jimmy and Stuart Broad.”

Warne added: “When either of those two (Anderson and Broad) bat, the Aussie fielders will be like koalas round a eucalyptus tree.” — AFP

TOUR OPENER

Australia ease to Ashes-tour opening win despite Bell-Drummond century CANTERBURY: Daniel BellDrummond’s sparkling hundred for Kent could not prevent Australia winning the opening match of their Ashes tour by 255 runs at Canterbury on Sunday.

Almost 40 years to the day since England great Colin Cowdrey made a match-winning 151 not out for Kent against Australia on the same St Lawrence ground, Bell-Drummond delighted a new generation of fans with an innings of 127. However, the 21-year-old’s effort was in a losing cause with Kent, set an improbable 550 for victory, bowled out for 294 in their second innings shortly after tea on Sunday’s fourth and final day.

After Australia had declared on their overnight 322 for four, opener Bell-Drummond — out for a duck in the first innings — looked in good touch. He struck three fours in an over from fast bowler Ryan Harris including a fine straight drive.

Fellow opener Joe Denly made

a brisk 22 before he was bowled middle stump by first change Peter Siddle.

Former England batsman Rob Key had anchored Kent’s first innings 280 — made in response to Australia’s imposing 507 for eight declared — with 87.

But Key could only manage 14 on Sunday before, for the second time in the match, he fell to legspinner Fawad Ahmed.

Mitchell Marsh, who made a quickfire century in Australia’s second innings, continued to press his claim as a seam-bowling allrounder in the side for the first Test against England at Cardiff on July 8, by having Kent captain Sam Northeast caught behind for 11.

Bell-Drummond, however, accelerated in style after getting to lunch on 66 not out.

He was especially severe on Ahmed, taking 18 off one over from the leg-spinner including a cut four, a straight-drive six, another cut boundary and a clip off

his legs to the mid-wicket rope.

Bell-Drummond, long regarded as one of England’s most promising young players, wasn’t finished with Ahmed as a pull for four and two successive sixes, in three balls from the spinner saw him to a 92ball hundred.

Seventh ton What was just the seventh firstclass century of Bell Drummond’s fledgling career contained 21 fours and three sixes. He was eventually lbw to Harris.

Not long afterwards, rain briefly halted play with Kent, bottom of the Second Division of England’s County Championship, 203 for four. But when the match resumed they lost four wickets for 30 runs in slumping to 233 for eight.

Harris, who finished with figures of two for 59 in 14 overs, struck again to have Sam Bilings caught in the gully by Shaun Marsh. Leg-spinner Steven Smith, now better known as the world’s

number-one ranked Test batsman, took two wickets for nine runs in two overs as Adam Ball and Ben Harmison, younger brother of Ashes-winner Stephen, both carelessly holed out. Adam Riley was then well-caught in the slips

by Shane Watson off fast bowler Mitchell Johnson for nought.

Australia-born but England qualified Mitchell Claydon entertained another good crowd with a 25-ball fifty that included two soaring straight sixes off Smith before falling to Ahmed.

Smith, who scored a century in Australia’s second innings, ended the match when he dismissed last man Ivan Thomas for a duck.

Australia have one more fourday match, against Essex in Chelmsford starting on Wednesday, before they begin the defence of the Ashes.

Brief scores: Australia 1st Innings 507-8 decl. Kent 1st Innings 280. Australia 2nd Innings 322 for 4 decl. Kent 2nd Innings 294 all out. — AFP

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SPORTS German threat for Djoko in opener Plaudits pour in for calendar girl Serena

As tradition demands the Serb will open play on Centre Court on Monday as defending men’s champion but rather than a gentle loosener the 28-year-old faces a real danger in the form of Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, the world number 33

LONDON: Novak Djokovic will not have long to wait to discover whether his risky pre-Wimbledon schedule was foolhardy or the perfect way to arrive fresh for the defence of his title.

As tradition demands the Serb will open play on Centre Court on Monday as defending men’s champion but rather than a gentle loosener the 28-year-old faces a real danger in the form of Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber, the world number 33.

It will be his first competitive match since his French Open final defeat by Stanislas Wawrinka -- a loss that left him mentally frazzled after a punishing year in which he has already bagged the Australian Open and four Masters 1000 titles.

Lleyton Hewitt, in 2003, was the last defending champion to lose in the first round, and Djokovic knows that if he is half-cooked after skipping the grasscourt warmup events, Kohlschreiber could cause a huge first-day shock.

“Well, if you see Kohlschreiber in the first round, I think you have to stay where it is, take one match at a time,” Djokovic told reporters when asked if he had looked at his possible route to the latter stages.

“Considering the fact I haven’t played any official grass court matches, I don’t allow myself to look more than that.

“Right now I think I’m 100 percent prepared. Hopefully tomorrow when I get on the court I’ll be able to perform my best because that’s something that is going to be very much needed in order to win against Kohlschreiber.

“It’s one of the toughest first rounds I could get.”

Women’s top seed Serena Williams also opens her account on Monday on Court One against Russia’s Margarita Gasparyan.

The American is bidding for a sixth Wimbledon title which would put her three quarters of the way to a rare calendar slam, something Djokovic had been tipped to achieve before falling to Wawrinka in the French Open final this month. “If she manages to do that, obviously she’ll just confirm that she’s, if not the greatest, then definitely one of the greatest tennis

READY FOR THE BATTLE ON GRASS: Novak Djokovic is seen at the

practice courts at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon. – AFP

players that ever played the game,” Djokovic said of the 33-year-old who has 20 grand slam singles titles — third on the all-time list behind Margaret Court (24) and Steffi Graf (22).

Wawrinka will share the Centre Court stage with Djokovic on Monday when the fourth seed takes on Joao Sousa of Portugal while women’s fourth seed Maria Sharapova, beaten by Williams in the Australian Open final, plays Briton Johanna Konta. Women’s champion Petra Kvitova will hope to have shaken off a sore throat by the time she opens Centre Court on Tuesday against Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens. Home favourite Andy Murray and seventimes champion Roger Federer also start on Tuesday.

Ferrer out David Ferrer has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon on the

eve of the tournament after the Spaniard suffered an elbow injury.

Ferrer, 33, was due to face Britain’s James Ward in the first round of the grass-court Grand Slam, which starts on Monday.

But the eighth seed, a Wimbledon quarterfinalist in 2012 and 2013, has decided against risking further damage to the elbow.

“David Ferrer has withdrawn from the Gentlemen’s singles due to an elbow injury,” a Wimbledon statement read on Sunday.

The former French Open finalist’s place is taken by lucky loser Luca Vanni, with the Italian due to face Ward on Tuesday.

Ferrer could have been a potential quarter-final opponent for 2013 champion Andy Murray, and his withdrawal may also prove a boost for Rafael Nadal, who was scheduled to meet his compatriot in the last 16. -Reuters, AFP

LONDON: Serena Williams arrives at Wimbledon for the latest stage of her bid for an historic calendar Grand Slam with the praise of her peers ringing in her ears.

Williams has swept to victory at the Australian and French Opens over the last six months and a sixth Wimbledon crown would leave the world number one within touching distance of becoming the first woman since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win all four majors in the same year.

The 33-year-old American’s march to a memorable milestone has reached the All England Club, where she opens against Russian qualifier Margarita Gasparyan.

And her exploits have captured the attention of fellow players in both the female and male locker rooms.

Asked to assess Serena’s place in history and her chances of achieving the calender Slam, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova all offered glowing reviews of the 20-time Grand Slam champion.

Few know the pressures of competing for a place in history more than Federer, who will attempt to win a recordbreaking eighth Wimbledon title — which would take his all-time best tally of Grand Slam trophies to 18.

The Swiss great marvels at Serena’s longevity and believes the greatest threat to her chances is looking ahead to the finish line at the US Open in August.

“When she plays on her terms you would think Wimbledon and the US Open would be the easier ones to win, especially with her serve. But that’s exactly when you have a hiccup,” Federer said.

“So it’s all about focus right now, sometimes just grinding through some matches.

“Once she gets to the final, she’s always going to be the favourite.

“I’m not surprised she’s still at the top. To be mentally ready for the challenge, that’s what’s so admirable about her.”

Nadal has 14 Grand Slam titles to his name, including two at Wimbledon, and, like Serena, his success has often been achieved by overpowering opponents, so it is no surprise to see the Spaniard salute her blistering serve and thunderous ground-strokes.

“When Serena is playing well, it is very difficult to beat her. She won in Roland Garros, that probably was the most difficult one for her. She has the right game to play well in Wimbledon. If she really does it, it will be amazing,” Nadal said.

“My feeling is she has much

GLOWING REVIEWS: Serena Williams of the U.S. leaves following a practice session at Wimbledon in London. – Reuters

more power than the others.

That’s a big advantage in the women’s game. Her shots are hit a lot differently than the other women.”

Credible challenger No-one has had a more upclose look at Serena’s ability to blast her way to victory than Maria Sharapova, the five-time Grand Slam champion who has now lost 17 of their 19 career meetings, including this year’s Australian Open final.

Sharapova, who won her 2004 Wimbledon title with a famous final upset of Serena, is regarded as one of the only credible challengers to Williams’ bid to wrestle the trophy from defending champion Petra Kvitova.

But, despite a prickly relationship with Serena, she admitted the American, a potential semi-final opponent, is the overwhelming favourite.

“Yeah, absolutely. She’s certainly the player to beat having won the last three majors. I think those results speak for herself,” said Sharapova, whose Wimbledon opener is against

British wildcard Johanna Konta. “I think it always comes down to consistency. It’s one thing to do it at one or two events, but to have that level to be able to do it consistently is pretty incredible.”

After reaching the French Open final and then the Wimbledon semi-finals last year, Romanian third seed Simona Halep could also fluster Serena, who has failed to make the quarter-finals in her last two appearances at the All England Club. However, ahead of her first round tie against Slovakia’s Jana Cepelova, Halep admitted she is in awe of Serena’s achievements and expects to see her succeed at Wimbledon and US Open over the coming months.

“Serena has two (Grand Slams) this year already, so she can do it. It’s pretty amazing,” Halep said.

“She’s a great champion. She has a lot of power. She’s very strong mentally.

“I admire her a lot. I have learned many things from her.

You know, she is the best player in the world.” - AFP

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SPORTS Fatma loses in Mauritius event Fatma Al Nabhani partnered India’s Prerna Bhambri in the $10,000 Grand Baie La Croisette tournament in Mauritius and were the top seeds, but the

Fatma Al Nabhani.

Indo-Oman pair could not advance beyond the semifinals

MUSCAT: Oman’s Fatma Al Nabhani’s campaign in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournament in Mauritius ended with a semifinal exit in the doubles

event, according to information received from Oman Tennis Association.

Fatma Al Nabhani partnered India’s Prerna Bhambri in the $10,000 Grand Baie La Croisette tournament and were the top seeds and favourites.

However, the duo lost to South African pair of Ilze Hattingh and Madrie le Roux 6-3, 7-6 (3).

Fatma and Prerna had defeated Liniques Theron (Namibia) and Shannon Wong Hon Chan (Mauritius) 6-1, 6-2 in the first round of the doubles.

They als prevailed over Sabrina Bamburac (Britain) and Ani Vangelova of Bulgaria 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinal.

In the singles, the third seeded Fatma Al Nabhani suffered a first round exit at the hands of unseeded 15-year-old Jaeda Daniel of USA. Jaeda won 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.

FRENCH SCHOOL PARTICIPATES IN AEFE FOOTBALL The women’s junior football team from the French School in Muscat is at the Women’s Junior World Cup in Canada! In the context of the Women’s Football World Cup which is being held in Canada, the AEFE (the Agency for French Education Abroad), which is present in 135 countries including Oman across the globe, organized a soccer competition between schools from their international network. 12 players aged 11 to 13, as well as 2 coaches were in Quebec to defend the colors of the French School in Muscat. The French School in Muscat which currently has an enrollment of 250 students, is getting ready to move to their new campus in Airport Heights for the coming academic year. — Supplied photo

RAMADAN CRICKET

AT H L E T I C S

Cheema XI, Gitas, CSI Warriors and Strikers notch contrasting victories

McLeod smashes personal best time

MUSCAT: Cheema XI, Gitas, CSI Warriors and Chaikwal Strikers won their respective matches in the ongoing Pakistan Social Club organised Omantel Ramadan Cricket Tournament 2015 at the Pakistan School ground. In the first match, Cheema XI beat Agha XI by 13 runs, while Gitas trounced Matrah Boys by eight wickets.

CSI Warriors were too good for Friends XI as they won by 37 runs, while Chaikwal Strikers defeated Masters XI by seven wickets.

KINGSTON: Omar McLeod ran a world leading time of 12.97 seconds to capture the men’s 110 metre hurdles at the Jamaican national trials on Saturday night.

The 21-year-old McLeod, who is the US college 60-metre indoor sprint champion, was overjoyed as he shattered his personal best time of 13.21 seconds by 0.24 seconds to take the world leading time over France’s Pascal Martinot-Lagarde (13.06).

“It is just a scintillating feeling,” he said. “I am tremendously happy with my performance. I knew once I had the perfect wind I knew I could run under 13 seconds. “It was great to do it right here in front of my home crowd.”

Brief scores: Cheema XI 104 for 5 in 8 overs (Wasim 34, Irfan 21, Ali 2 for 16) beat Agha XI 88 for 3 in 8 overs (Waqas 28, Usman 21) by 13

runs. Man of the match: Wasim of Cheema XI. Matrah Boys 97 fro 6 in 8 overs (Rana Jameel 24, Abbass 3 for 23) lost to Gitas 98 for 2 in 7.5 overs (Umair 45, Ifthikar 21) by 8 wickets. Man of the match: Umair, CSI Warriors 92 for 5 in 8 overs (Waleed 21, Ali Hassan 18, Aqib 16, Rizwan 2 for 17) beat Friends XI 55 for 7 in 8 overs (Ashfaq 13, Maqssod 10, Aqib 2 for 7, Majeed 2 for 8) by 37 runs. Man of the match: Aqib of CSI Warriors.

Masters XI 85 for 3 in 8 overs (Fayyaz 26, Ramzan 25) lost to Chaikwal Striker 86 for 3 in 5.1 overs (Noman 40, Waleed 17) by 7 wickets. Man of the match: Noman of Chaikwal Strikers.

Olympic Games bronze medallist Hansle Parchment was second in 13.08 seconds, while Commonwealth Games champion Andrew Riley was third in 13.25 seconds. McLeod said he is now getting set for Beijing in August where he will compete in the 2015 World Championships.

He plans to prepare for Beijing by competing in the Diamond League circuit of events.

For the first time Jamaica will have two women who are automatic qualifiers in the 800 metres at a global championship after Natoya Goule (1:59.63) and Simoya Campbell (1:59.92) both ran personal best times. Kimarra McDonald was third in 2:02.08. — AFP

S O C C E R F I E S TA

GPDC Ramadan football tournament enters third round MUSCAT: The first and second round of Ramadan football tournament, organised and supervised

by GPDC, a subsidiary of Nama Group, concluded recently.

The tournament saw the electricity companies in Oman, along with other public and private organizations, come together to play some good football and exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship, At end of the first week’s match-

The tournament will conclude on July 6 at GPDC ground es, GPDC and PACI lead the table with four points each, followed by Suhail Bahwan with three points and Electricity Holding Company with no points in Group 1.

While in other Group, MEDC was leading with 6 points, followed

by PASI with 3 points, and MZEC

and OETC got 1 point each.

The matches were well attended by football enthusiasts from city and filled with exciting moments.

The tournament also includes daily prizes for most enthusiastic of fans.

The participants are pleased to be part of this initiative which is or-

ganized by various institutions that support sports and looks after the interest of employees, with focus on their health and entertainment.

The third round of the football tournament will be held this week, where the qualified teams will play along with the remaining teams who still have a chance to qualify for the third round. The tournament is being held on GPDC football field and will continue till July 6.

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Productive test in Spa pleases Oman Racing Team’s Ahmad It was good to familiarise myself with the track again

Ahmad Al Harthy ORT ACTION AT BLANCPAIN: File photo of Ahmad Al Harthy driving during the Blancpain Endurance Series at Paul Ricard. – Supplied photo

Enjoying a productive and confidence assuring outing, the trio concentrated on key set-up work for the No.44 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 ahead of July’s huge twice-round-the-clock encounter, which will be Ahmad’s third appearance in the most challenging GT race in the world

MUSCAT: With just a month to go until the biggest race of Ahmad Al Harthy’s motorsport season, the Total 24 Hours of Spa, the Oman Racing Team driver is brimming with confidence after a very productive test outing at the famous Belgian track last week.

Just a few days removed from the previous round of the Blancpain Endurance Series at Paul Ricard in France last weekend, where the 33-year-old and teammates Jonny Adam and Daniel Lloyd secured their first Pro Cup points finish of the season, the squad headed straight to Spa for the practice, where they shared an extremely busy track with almost 60 other cars.

Enjoying a productive and confidence assuring outing, the trio concentrated on key set-up work for the No.44 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 ahead of July’s huge twiceround-the-clock encounter, which will be Ahmad’s third appearance in the most challenging GT race in the world.

As the blue riband event of the Blancpain season, the Total 24 Hours of Spa carries with it immense prestige and Oman Air, Oman Ministry of Sports Affairs, Ooredoo, National Bank of Oman and Al Hashar Group-backed racer Ahmad says the motivation to do well there has never been higher.

“We didn’t run new tyres at all in the test, there was no focus on lap

times as we just wanted to concentrate on getting everything comfortable for the 24 Hours”, he commented, “It was good to familiarise myself with the track again and we definitely accomplished everything we wanted – it was a productive day.

“The team is very motivated for Spa, we’re very much ready for it and we know we have a good car and set-up for the event.

“We tested with the 24 Hour race spec on the Aston on Wednesday so we learnt a lot and we know what’s possible. It’s a huge event, the biggest of our season, so to do well there and achieve a respectable finish would be a massive achievement.”

Prior to the Total 24 Hours of Spa, which gets underway on Satur-

day, 25th July, the next round of the Avon Tyres British GT Championship – in which Ahmad and Lloyd are currently fifth in the driver standings with the Oman Racing Team leading the entrant’s battle – will also take place at Spa, on Saturday, 11th July. Last Wednesday’s test, therefore, had double the importance.

“It’s worked very nicely having the 24 Hour race test before we go to Spa for the next round of British GT, the track time we had and everything we learned with the car will be a big help for that event where we’re determined to be back on the podium”, added the Aston Martin Middle East and North Africa ambassador.

CRICKET

Oman crush Cork County in World T20 qualifiers build-up MUSCAT: The Oman national cricket team recorded a massive 59-run win against a strong combined Cork County cricket team in their last practice match played in Cork, Ireland.

The team will after a few net sessions travel to Belfast on July 3 for the warm up matches against Nepal on July 6 and Ireland on July 7 prior to the commencement of the tournament proper.

Batting first the Oman team piled up 179 runs off the 20 allotted overs with solid contributions from Jatinder Singh 66 (7x4 and 1x6), Mehran Khan 33 (3x4 and 2x6) and skipper Sultan Ahmed 31 (5x4).

With a required run rate of 9 runs per over the hosts managed to get only to 119 with Aamir Kaleem grabbing four wickets conceding 24 runs. Munis Ansari, Sufyan Mahmood and Rajesh Ranpura claimed a wicket each.

At a presentation ceremony held after the completion of the match mementos were awarded to Ajay Lalacheta as the best bowler while Khawar Ali was adjudged the best batsman.

The Oman tam are raring to proceed for the ICC T20 World Cup qualifiers.

PREPARING THE HARD WAY: Oman Cricket Team with technical adviser Derek Pringle and coach Duleep Mendis during training session. – Supplied photo

Oman has been pooled in Group B with Afghanistan, UAE, The Netherlands, Scotland, Canada and Kenya. The top three from the group, along with three from the other pool, will progress to the

World T20, to be played next year.

The other group in the qualifying competition comprises Ireland, Nepal, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea, Namibia, the United States and Jersey.

Oman face Kenya in the opening match on July 11, followed by Canada on July 12 and The Netherlands on July 14. They play Afghanistan on July 15, UAE on July 17 and Canada on July 18.

TIPS FROM THE BOSS: Oman cricketers getting some batting tips from the technical adviser Derek Pringle. – Supplied photo

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Argentine coaches to square off in Copa America last four action All four teams have Argentine coaches.

Chile are led by Jorge Sampaoli, Peru by Ricardo Gareca, Argentina by Gerardo Martino and Paraguay, who beat Brazil is coached

by Ramon Diaz

SANTIAGO: Only four teams are left in the Copa America and whichever lifts the trophy next weekend, one thing is guaranteed — the winning coach will be an Argentine. With Brazil’s shock exit in the quarterfinals on Saturday, the semifinal lineup is complete.

Hosts Chile will face Peru in Santiago on Monday before favourites Argentina take on Paraguay in the southern Chilean city of Concepcion on Tuesday.

All four teams have Argentine coaches. Chile are led by Jorge Sampaoli, Peru by Ricardo Gareca, Argentina by Gerardo Martino and Paraguay by Ramon Diaz.

“It’s a source of great happiness for the whole country that we not only have top-class players but

OVER THE MOON: Paraguay’s players celebrate after scoring the winning penalty kick during a Copa America quarterfinal soccer match against Brazil at the Ester Roa Rebolledo Stadium in Concepcion, Chile. – AP/PTI

also top-class coaches,” Diaz said after his side disposed of Brazil in a penalty shootout on Saturday.

Buoyed by a home crowd, Chile will be favourites to beat Peru but are still waiting to hear if their centre back Gonzalo Jara will be cleared to play.

He is at the centre of the now infamous incident after television images showed him sticking his finger up an opponent’s back-

side during Chile’s quarter-final victory over Uruguay. The South American football federation is reviewing the case and is expected to rule on it before the semi-final.

The chances are that Jara will be banned for at least one match.

That would be a blow to Chile’s chances of containing Peru’s “fantastic four” — strikers Paolo Guerrero and Claudio Pizarro and attacking midfielders Jefferson

Farfan and Juan Vargas. They have turned an otherwise unremarkable team into serious title contenders and Guerrero in particular is in fine form having scored a hat-trick in their quarter-final defeat of Bolivia.

Argentina looked good in their last match against Colombia but once again struggled to find the net, despite having attacking talents Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Angel di Maria in

their starting lineup. In the end it was their reserve striker, Carlos Tevez, who eased them into the last four with the decisive penalty in a shootout.

Their opponents Paraguay are perhaps the most unlikely of the semifinalists, although they have already faced the three most successful sides in South American football history — Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay — and come

through unbeaten. Tuesday’s match will be a repeat of their group clash against Argentina, when they battled back from 2-0 down to earn a 2-2 draw.

Thirteen players go into the semis on yellow cards and if they are booked would miss the final.

They include Messi, his Argentine team mate Javier Mascherano and Chile’s influential playmaker Jorge Valdivia. - Reuters

C O PA A M E R I C A

Dunga blames virus for Brazil woe CONCEPCION: Brazil coach Dunga blamed a mystery virus for his team’s shock Copa America exit to Paraguay on Saturday as the most successful footballing nation on the planet struggled to digest another tournament setback.

Dunga said as many as 15 members of his squad had been affected by the virus, which he said had disrupted preparations for the quarterfinal against the Paraguayans. “I’m not making excuses, but around 15 players had viruses which limited our training,” Dunga said.

“Some had headaches, back pain, body aches. Some players felt it more than others and had to reduce training, some players vomited. Today was a game where we needed speed and we didn’t have it,” he added.

Dunga’s explanation caused confusion amongst members of his squad, with midfielder Filipe Luis telling reporters he was unaware of any mass illness amongst his team-mates.

“I didn’t know anything about that,” the Chelsea player said.

“Some of the other guys might

NOT MAKING EXCUSES: Dunga

have had a problem, but I didn’t.”

Goalkeeper Jefferson however backed his manager. “Everyone woke up with a fever, headache and body aches,” he said, before playing down the extent to which it had affected the result.

Brazil on sick bed?

For the second Copa America in succession, Brazil exited at the quarterfinal stage to the Paraguayans on penalties.

Dunga’s side looked to be in control during the first half when

Robinho fired them into a 15thminute lead.

But Derlis Gonzalez leveled from the penalty spot for Paraguay in the second half, and then struck the winning spot-kick in the shoot-out to clinch a famous win and set up a semi-final with Argentina.

While Dunga talked about a mystery virus, others will be left asking whether Brazilian football in general is on its sick bed.

Dunga had looked to have been nursing the Selecao back to health as the team recovered from the traumatic humiliation of last year’s World Cup semi-final drubbing by Germany, overseeing 10 consecutive wins in friendlies leading up to the Copa America.

But those results merely camouflaged the same problems that existed at the World Cup, a dearth of creative flair and an over-reliance on Neymar.

Brazil needed a late, Neymarinspired goal to squeeze past Peru in their opening game, and were then derailed 1-0 by Colombia in their second match.

Neymar’s frustration boiled over resulting in the four-match ban that ended his participation in the tournament. Brazil fared slightly better in a 2-1 win over Venezuela, before Saturday’s loss to Paraguay.

‘Useless to cry’ “We knew from the beginning it would not be easy,” Dunga said.

“We had many victories but we still were not happy. We will try to come back and react.

“There’s always pressure on Brazil when you win or when you lose. We will try to get better and better. Many great players have failed on penalties.

“If it was easy a lot of people could do my job, but it’s not ... It’s useless to cry about it.”

Dunga meanwhile acknowledged the deeper problems facing Brazil as they attempt to reclaim their place at the summit of the global game.

“We all have to think about Brazilian football,” he said. “We can’t ignore the fact that other teams have got a lot better.” — AFP

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Gear WWW.TIMESOFOMAN.COM

Tech-loaded, engaging driving dynamics, and handsome interiors, the Audi A6 has long been among the top favourites in its class. The 2015 version raises the bar a notch higher, Nishad Padiyarath reports

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MONDAY, JUN E 2 9, 2 015

LIFESTYLE

Audi A6 FSI Quattro 220hp S tronic Engine V6 cylinder petrol engine with direct fuel injection Max. output: 220hp / 5,750 - 6,500 Performance Top speed: 235 km/h Acceleration 0-100 km: 8.1 seconds Fuel consumption Fuel consumption urban/extra urban combined: 6.2 l/100km CO2 emissions: 145 g/km Power transmission Drive type: Quattro all wheel drive Transmission type: S tronic (7-speed) Volume Luggage capacity: 530 Litres Tank capacity: 65 Litres

F

ascinating at first glance, the new Audi A6 design exudes progress and sportiness, with a look that is smartly refined. What excited me most though was the technology behind the beautiful facade. I wasn’t disappointed, with the 2015 model, the company continues to build on its reputation for high-tech, if conservative, luxury.

Though the A6 sits in the shadow of its mechanically similar A7 hatchback sedan, the car scores highly on the design and I enjoyed the mix of rich finishes and comfortable seating. The plush interiors of the A6 sway you the moment you slide in, with an impressive sense of space combined with a comfort-oriented interior design.

The highlight for me of course, was the long list of featured technologies, especially the latest generation of Audi infotainment system. The large 8-inch TFT colour display integrates a wide range of functions in a user-friendly manner. From Google Earth maps, to in-car wireless Internet access, to an innovative system that lets you trace out letters with your finger, the new system goes above and beyond with tech options.

An impressive sound quality in every seat is yet another highlight, thanks to the standard surround sound system. With 14 loudspeakers and a total out-

put of more than 600 watts, Audi offers arguably the best sound system in its segment. Customers can choose between Bose, Bang and Olufsen speakers for their cars.

The active-safety features include front and rear parking sensors, a top-view camera, blind-spot monitors, a night-vision system, and a head-up display.

The driving experience is excellent in Audi A6.

The base model carries a 220-horsepower, 2.0 litre four with either a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive, or an eightspeed automatic and Quattro all-wheel drive. The V6 cylinder is faster; expect 0-100km in about 8.1 seconds with a top speed of 235 km/h. The CVT here performs its best. All TFSI engines comply with the EU6 emission standard.

Fuel consumption and emissions are consistently being reduced in Audi A6. For instance, the further developed start-stop system automatically switches off the engine in stationary phases. The Audi drive mode selector provides the highest efficiency while driving. As standard, with five modes – from comfort to dynamic, it ensures individual vehicle adjustment, to suit different driving conditions.

Overall, driving the A6 is sheer pleasure. The fantastic car does everything that is asked of it with confidence and class. ‘Engineered Intuition’, as they say.

Scan to see the Audi A6 2015 Promo

Audi slogan and ethos “Vorsprung durch Technik” is a German language phrase that roughly translates to “Advancement through technology”

MO NDAY, JUNE 29, 2015

C9

LIFESTYLE ROAD TESTED

TECH SUPPORT

FULL FACE VS MODULAR

By Faisal Mohammed Naim

R

iding a motorcycle can make you look and feel cool, exuding aan air of bold fearlessness as you hit the open road.

However, as a motorcycle rider, you should always alwa think of safety first, and when it i comes to safety, protecting your h head is the most vital concern. Helmets are life-savHel ers for riders, but bu when choosing a lid to protect you your scull, what is the

best option? Full-face or modular?

Debates have raged over this topic, so here I’m offering a breakdown of the pros and cons of these two popular options. There are other types of head gear as well, like the three quarters and half-helmets (or skull caps), but we excuse ourselves from examining them, as they are more for show than protection.

Fu face Full A ffull-face helmet covers the ent entire head, and therefore this is the safest option available able. The full-face helmets also optimally protects the lower opt part of the face, the chin, and par the jaw with their single frame construction. con

How to Re-Purpose Your Old Phone

Question: I’m buying a new mobile phone, what should I do with the old one?

Tech Support: Don’t just trash it, put it to good use.

In-store trade-in programmes Want immediate credit? Check with your local store or retailer if they exchange old phones for credit.

Modular The modulars, also known as flip-ups, are similar to full-face helmets as they also cover the whole face. However, you can lift the visor, so you do not have to take the helmet off every time you stop. The flip-front helmet is a compromise between a fullface and an open-face helmet, offering the benefits of both.

Ease of use Standard full face helmets have a fixed chin bar. Once on, all else is off; no talking, no eating, just look down the straight stretch. Want to have water? Yeah, well take it off.

Flip up helmets (with their sun shield) are much more convenient to use — having a hinged chin bar that can be rotated up — handy when you’re filling your bike at the gas station or explaining your awesome ride to some amazed onlooker.

Full face: Modular:

Noise When air rushes past the helmet while riding, it creates noise as well as turbulence. Although it varies according to the bike you’re on and the shape of your head, and whether you have the ventilation vents open or closed, air disturbance is significantly more intense in the modular helmets.

The full face helmets are comparatively quieter and most users experience only the mildest of breezes at head level.

Full face: Modular:

Comfort Modulars with their bigger split design are heavier, putting more strain on the neck. Also, if you are into racing, the modular helmet could really make your head go gaga at high speeds (we are talking 200 kmph plus), as the bigger size battles more inward air pressure, making it shaky.

The full face are more streamlined, light weight and thus more stable. A more sung fit means they are less of a bother on the neck, and at high speeds.

Full face: Modular:

Safety Full face helmets offer better protection to the chin and jaw with its fixed chin bar and stronger single frame construction.

Modulars have a moveable chin bar, and what you gain in convenience, you definitely loose in protection. The hinge mechanism of a modular helmet is not strong enough to withstand chin impact.

The split design construction of the modular is also not as strong as that of a full face.

Full face: Modular:

Give it to your kids or young cousins You could consider giving it to your children as a toy, or more likely than not, they are already pretty good at using yours for games and calling, but are not yet old enough to care about having the latest model.

To test apps Testing and creating your own apps on your old phone makes sense before installing it on your new phone or tablets.

Sell it One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Try selling it in your local market. If it is in mint condition, it will definitely be of some value, or consider donating it to someone in need.

Some online sites you could consider if you want to sell your old phones:

Verdict

Scan to choose your perfect helmet

The key to modular helmets’ success is their versatility. With the moveable chin-bar, they offer the same weather protection as a fullcoverage helmet (if not the same crash protection, since rubber or plastic is typically used to line the chin-bar instead of EPS), as well as the convenience of half helmets once the chin-bar is up.

However the more serious bikers would still prefer the full face — safer, quieter and lighter. The remaining question is the safety

of modular helmets. Though most branded helmets are at least DOT (Department of Transport) approved, none of the modular helmets pass stricter helmet testing, such as the Snell or ECE 22-05 standards.

Some people believe in these tests and some don’t. Again, it’s a personal decision, but my verdict goes to the Full Face.

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TOO Choice: The Full Face

Have tech queries?

Have feedback? Contact faisal@timesofoman.com

Ask Mahran Shaukat Ali, TOO Tech Support, at mahran@ timesofoman.com

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Jurassic World (Action / Adventure) Cast: Chris Pratt, Judy Greer, Ty Simkins 9.30 pm CP No: 1495 (PG12)

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Guardian (Action, Thriller) (15+) Cast: Sarah Carter, Tio Pakusodewo, Nino Fernandez 9.30, 11:45 pm CP No: 1613 ( 15+)

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Gold Class: 11:15 pm

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JURASSIC WORLD

ABCD 2

(Act, Adv) (2D) (15+), Cast: Sarah Carter, Tio Pakusodewo

(Act, Adv) (3D) (PG12), Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard

(Hindi, Musical) Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudeva

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OUT OF THE DARK (2D)

(Mal) (Com) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran

(Horror) Cast: Frank Cuervo, Pixie Davies, Alejandro Furth

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ABCD 2 (Dance/Musical) Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudeva, Raghav and Dharmesh 9.45 pm (PG)

Just The Way You Are (2D) (Dance/Romance) (12+) (Language - Tagalog) Cast: Enrique Gil, Liza Soberano, Yves Flores 11:45 pm

Premam – 2D (Comedy, Romance) (PG) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran, Jude Anthany Joseph 9:00 pm

Guardian (15+ ) (Action, Thriller) Cast: Sarah Carter, Tio Pakusodewo, Nino Fernandez 11:45 pm ABCD 2 - 2D (TBC) Dance | Musical Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudheva,Raghav, Dharmesh 9:00 pm

SCREEN 3 Guardian (2D) (Action / Thriller) (15+) Cast: Sarah Carter, Tio Pakusodewo, Nino Fernandez Gold Class: 11:15 pm

Dil Dhadakne Do (Romance/Drama/Comedy ) – PG12 Cast: Anil Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Shefali Shetty, Anushka Sharma, Priyanka Chopra 9.45 pm

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ABCD 2 (2D) (Dance/Romance) Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudheva, Raghav, Dharmesh 9:00 pm

Cast: Jason Flemyng, Andrey Smolyakov, Aleksey Chadov 11:30 pm

Dept time

Destination

Guardian (2D) (15+) (Action, Thriller) Cast: Sarah Carter, Tio Pakusodewo, Nino Fernandez 11:55 pm

Jurassic World (3D) (PG12) (Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi ) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins 9:15, 11:30 pm

Dept time

Destination

Arrival Operating time days

Out of the Dark (2D) (15+) (Horror) Cast: Frank Cuervo, Pixie Davies,

TEMPERATURE

05:30 05:30 05:30

Maximum

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

Daily

16:50 19:30

Daily Daily

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54) 14:30 14:30

Nizwa Yanqul

Nizwa Al Araqi

08:55 Daily 11:40 Daily 20:20 Daily via Ibri 14:55 Daily 17:40 Daily 19:20 Daily 22:15 Daily

44 33

0

0

RELATIVE HUMIDITY

10-35%

07:00

Ruwi

10:25

Daily

06:00 06:00

Nizwa Ruwi

08:40 11:00

Daily Daily

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

Send us a colour photograph of the child (below 16 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

ROYAL OMAN POLICE 07:30 14:30

MARY GRACE June 29

Minimum

TO YANQUL (ROUTE 54)

TO IBRI (ARAQI) (ROUTE 54) 08:00 08:00

Sohar Ruwi Ruwi Sohar Ruwi Sohar Ruwi

Daily Daily Daily

TO SINAW (ROUTE 52) 20:50

Chandrettan Evideeya (Mal ) (Romance/ Comedy) Cast: Dileep, Namitha and Annu Sree 9:45 pm at Cinema -4

WEATHER

FROM JAALAN-SUR-QURIYAT (ROUTE 36)

Daily Daily Daily

Kakka Muttai (Tamil) (Drama/Comedy) Cast: Ramesh and Silam Barasan 9:45 pm at Cinema-3

WITH LOVE

15:00 15:00 15:00

16:30 18:00 19:30

Eli (Tamil) (Action/Comedy) Cast: Vadivelu and Sadha 9:30 pm at Cinema -2

(Programmes are subject to change)

QURIYAT - SUR - JAALAN (ROUTE 36) Quriyat Sur Jaalan

Premam (Mal) (Comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran and Sai Pallavi 10:00 pm at Cinema Main

Forbidden Empire (12+) Adventure

TO MUSCAT (RUWI) Arrival Operating time days

Film information 24791641 / 24786776

ABCD 2 (2D) (PG) (Dance, Musical) Cast: Varun Dhawan, Shraddha Kapoor, Prabhudheva,Raghav, Dharmesh 9:00 pm

LONG DISTANCE BUS TIMINGS (OMAN NATIONAL TRANSPORT COMPANY SAOC) *SUBJECT TO CHANGE

FROM MUSCAT (RUWI)

STAR CINEMA

Premam (2D) (PG) (Romance, Comedy) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran, Jude Anthany Joseph 9:00 pm

Jurassic World (3D) (Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi) (PG12) Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas 9:00, 11:15pm Guardian ( Action ) (15+) Cast: Sarah Carter, Tio Pakusodewo, Nino Fernandez 9:15pm Premam (Mal) (Comedy | Romance) (TBC) Cast: Nivin Pauly, Anupama Parameshwaran, Jude Anthany Joseph 11:00 pm SALALAH

Guardian 2D (Action/Thriller) (15+) Cast: Sarah Carter, Tio Pakusodewo, Nino Fernandez 11:30pm Forbidden Empire 2D (Action/Fantasy/ Mystery) (12+) Cast: Jason Flemyng, Andrey Smolyakov, Aleksey Chadov 11:55pm

Love & Mercy (12+) Drama Cast: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks 9:15 pm

Forbidden Empire (Action/Fantasy/Mystery) (12+) Cast: Jason Flemyng, Andrey Smolyakov, Aleksey Chadov 11:45pm CP No: 1614 (12+)

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

Appolo Medical Centre, Hamriya Muscat Pharmacy, Ruwi Salalah Atlas Pharmacy, Ghubra Muscat Region Apollo, Al Hamriya Muscat, A Seeb Market Muscat, Al Khuwair Muscat, Al Hail South Dhofar Region Muscat, Al Nahdha Road, Salalah

24782666 24702542 23291635; 24503585 24787766 24421691 24485740 24537080

23291635

HOSPITALS Al Amal Medical & Health Care Centre 24485052 Atlas Hospital Ruwi 24811743/ Ghubra 24504000 Al Musafir Specialised Medical Clinic 24706453 Hatat Polyclinic LLC, Ruwi 24563641 Azaiba 24499269 Sohar 2683006 Al Raffah Hospital 24618900/1/2 Al Massaraat Clinic & Laboratory 24566435 Al Makook Medical Coordinance Centre 24499434 Apollo Medical Centre,

Hamriya 24787766, 24787780 Capital Polyclinic 24707549 Badr Al Samaa Polyclinic, Ruwi 24799760/1/2 Capital Clinic, Seeb 24420740 Ceregem National Raak 24485633 Dr Harub’s Clinic 24563217 Elixir Health Centre 24565802 Emirates Medical Centre 24604540 1st Chiropractic Centre 24472274 Hamdan Hospital 23212340 International Medical Centre LLC 24794501/2/3/4/5 Kims Oman Hospital 24760100 24 Hrs Emergency 24760123 Lama Polyclinic, Sohar 26751128 MBD 24799077 Al Khuwair 24478818 Magrabi Eye and Ear Hospital 24568870 Muscat Private Hospital 24583600 Welcare Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, Al Khuwair 24477666 Al-Hayat Polyclinc LLC 22004000 AIRLINE OFFICES Muscat Airport Flight information (24 hours) 24519456/24519223 Aeroflot 24704455 Air Arabia 24700828 Air France 24562153 Air India 24799801

Air New Zealand 24700732 Biman Bangladesh Airlines 24701128 British Airways 24568777 Cathay Pacific 24789818 Egypt Air 24794113 Emirates Air 24404400 Ethiopian Airlines 24660313 Gulf Air 80072424 Indian 24791914 Iran Air 24787423 Japan Airlines 24704455 Jazeera Airways 23294848 Jet Airways 24787248 Kenya Airways 24660300 KML Royal Dutch Airlines 24566737 Kuwait Airways 24701262 LOT Polish Airlines 24796387 Lufthansa 24796692 Malaysian Airlines 24560796 Middle East Airlines 24796680 Oman Air 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines 24792471 Qatar Airways 24771900 Qantas 24559941 Royal Jordanian 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines 24789485 Singapore Airlines 24791233 Shaheen Air 24816565 SriLankan Airlines 24784545 Swiss International Airlines 24796692 Thai Airways 24705934

MO NDAY, JUNE 29, 2015

C11

LIFESTYLE TECH NEWS

Abu Dhabi surgeons rebuild T EDU HE MOTCATED ORIS T

jaw using 3D printing A team of maxillofacial surgeons or head and neck specialists in an Abu Dhabi-based hospital, has rebuilt a teenager’s jaw using 3D technology after removing a tumour. A mirrored image of the 16-year-old boy’s jaw was created, which helped the doctors transplant a bone from his hip to his face through micro-surgery, Khaleej Times reported recently.

“Our patient was in the hospital for only nine days and is now at home, enjoying life,” doctor John Devine, who led the maxillofacial team, said. The boy’s father believes that although the experience of finding a lump on his son’s face was traumatising, he is happy with the success of the surgery. The team has performed ten major facial and head reconstructive surgeries since January 2015, all of which have been successful.

A security slip exposes Samsung smartphones Samsung smartphones are vulnerable to remote attacks because of the way the company implemented the SwiftKey keyboard, NowSecure researcher Ryan Welton warned. A phone can be attacked if it’s connected to a compromised or malicious WiFi network and the SwiftKey app is updating existing languages or adding a new language pack, said an article on technewsworld.com.

Cockroach-inspired robot can travel cluttered environs

Fast and loud is the latest motto with mean machine lovers. However, making your ride scream louder requires more than just putting ripped pipes, Faisal Mohammed Naim explains

O

kay, so everybody loves roaring sound when it comes to cars and bikes.

And not just any sound, but the one that comes growling out of the exhaust pipes. This is especially true for bikers — they say half the money in a bike is in its sound.

While most know pretty well about Akrapovics, Cobras, and Vanes & Hines, they are unaware of a crucial fact: By merely installing the louder aftermarket exhausts (or debaffling one’s stock exhaust), rather than freeing a few more ponies, you are in fact seriously damaging your engine. Yes, you heard it right; installing aftermarket exhausts can seriously destroy your engine — if it is not tuned accordingly.

The ignorance around this issue may stem from a big myth among the circles of automobile lovers, that exhausts are just vents to release the burnt gas out of the vehicle, which is not at all true. Exhausts control the compression of the engine. The more restricted the pipes, the more silent they are, and more compact the air-flow, and vice-versa.

Tweaking your exhaust tweaks

the whole combustion cycle of the engine, and not just the sound (they are exhausts, and not speakers after all), and once the exhausts are changed, the air and fuel settings need to be remapped accordingly.

To comply with the latest emission norms, the factory fitted exhausts on modern, road-legal vehicles, are fully restricted, requiring lesser amount of fuel and air for optimal combustion cycle. Once you replace the stock pipes with the semi or fully unrestricted ones, the engine requires more air and fuel for combustion.

Most of the modern vehicles are ECU (Electronic Control Unit) governed, which have pre-installed fixed values of fuel and air ratio, in compatibility with the stock pipes. Once the pipes are changed, these values need to be modified as well; else you run the risk of running your engine lean, damaging its power-house, the combustion chamber.

The ECU needs to be reflashed with modified air and fuel values.

This, however, can prove quite a difficult task, as most brands keep the ECU locked.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Look Forward to Lighter Cars in the Near Future

Mass produced cars are set to become lighter as an Australian company begins development of carbon fibre automotive parts. Sydneybased advanced manufacturing and Australian Stock Exchange (ASX)listed company Quickstep Holdings, which makes carbon fibre composites for the aerospace and defence industries, announced it would establish a dedicated automotive research division at Australia’s Deak-

in University following the award of an A$1.76-million (US$1.37 million) grant. Australian media reported that demand for carbon fibre composites is forecast to rise by about 23 per cent per year across all industry sectors as governments around the world, including China and the US, seek to reduce carbon emissions.

The automotive sector itself is forecast to grow worldwide by 50 per cent per annum to 2020. -IANS

Scan this QR code to check performance exhausts for motorcycles

Scan this QR code for installing performance exhaust on cars

To over-ride the stock values uploaded in the ECU, there are many fuel and air management systems available in the market, like the Dynojet Power Commander, Fuel Pak, Juice Box Pro and many more.

These devices automatically detect and modify the fuel-air values according to the engine requirements, by overriding the original ECU mappings. Most of them come with preloaded dyno-tuned and tested maps for the specific brand and make of exhaust installed on the vehicle.

Another very important component which needs to be upgraded is the air filter. As the flow of air increases with unrestricted pipes, increased intake of air is to be supplicated with high performance air filters like K&N, BMC, else the engine might choke on air and run rich, leading to power loss and decreased fuel efficiency.

And you thought it was a child’s play to get that ride of yours roaring and running, huh? See you next Monday with more on motoring.

Ride Safe.

Have a question for the educated motorist?

Contact him at faisal@timesofoman.com

Researchers have taken inspiration from cockroaches to create a robot that can use its body shape to manoeuvre through a densely cluttered environment. Fitted with the characteristic rounded shell of the discoid cockroach, the running robot can perform a roll manoeuvre to slip through gaps between grass-like vertical beam obstacles without the need for additional sensors or motors. “We showed that our robot can traverse grass-like beam obstacles at high probability without adding any sensory feedback or changes in motor control, thanks to the thin, rounded shell that allows the robot body to roll to reduce terrain resistance,” said lead author Chen Li from the University of California, Berkeley. The study appeared in the journal Bioinspiration & Biomimetics. -IANS

C1 2

MONDAY, JUN E 2 9, 2 015

LIFESTYLE

BY THE NUMBERS

Hoax or Reality?

A VIRAL WHATSAPP MESSAGE and many videos on YouTube have been doing rounds since the last few days, stating Samsung has set up a conspiracy in stealing the user’s data and uploading it to their servers without the user’s knowledge.

One video demonstrates how Samsung has intelligently placed a chip in its smartphones concealed in the battery sticker, hidden from the user, to send the data to their servers — including call records, messages, photos and videos.

The person demonstrating the ‘conspiracy’ by Samsung in the video, shows the chip placed behind the battery. He peels off the sticker on the battery to reveal the paper-thin chip, provoking people to remove the chip before their data is stolen. He goes ahead to show how to reveal the chip and remove it, stating that removing the chip will not damage the phone or hamper its working in any way.

The videos however are only misleading the audiences. The paperthin component, the videos are urging people to remove, is nothing but NFC (Near Field Communication) antenna, a feature that is available in most high-end smartphones, and is

meant for communicating between two devices. The NFC antenna is placed on the battery on some devices because it needs to be placed as close as possible to the back of the phone.

This video has been viral for a few days and people falling for the hoax message are opening up their devices and removing the NFC antenna from the battery. Samsung would have no intention of stealing anyone’s data, and even if they did, they could easily embed it on the motherboard itself.

The video is being reported going viral on Facebook and e-mails. Don’t believe any of it.

Hoax vs. Reality: Spy Chip or NFC? Check out the Video

To know why the NFC antenna is on a battery, scan this code

D

W W W.T I M E S O F O M A N . C O M M O N DAY, J U N E 2 9, 2 0 1 5

SECTION

CONNEC T H E D A I LY G U I D E

RENT

D2

VACANCY

D4

CARGO

D7

D2

M O N D AY, J U N E 2 9, 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE FOR RENT

FOR RENT

Building In Rusail Industrial ŶĞĂƌ ƚŽ ŵŝĂŶƟƚ KŵĂŶ comprising a store divisible area 266 sq. meters.

The building includes Studios ĂŶĚ ƌŽŽŵƐ ǁŝƚŚ ĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ ƐŝnjĞ ƐƵŝƚĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ŽĸĐĞƐ Žƌ residence.

Preferably to be leased to one company.

Three bedroom flats for rent near NIT Institute Darsait.

Contact: 93494098

Mob + 968 96177505

Room with bath AC furnished AL Khuwair.

Contact: 97004265/99643569 2 BHK Flats for rent Muttrah near Oman house.

Contact: 97009734/92629232 For rent if require flats for rent in Wadi Kabir please send me messages through Whatsapp.

Contact: 99376454

One & two bedroom apartment available for rent, near Grand Mall, close to Atlas hospital next to Diwan building. Contact: 99833747 Small old house for rent Al Ghobrah.

Contact 95112461 2 BHK commercial / residential flat at Honda Road.

Contact: 99342733/99795241 Room for rent in CBD (near Costa coffee). Contact: 96568110 Showroom available 250sqm – near bank Sohar, CBD area ideal for pharmacy, clinic, Travel agency, money exchange, fast foods, departmental store etc. Contact: Tel: 24707088 fax: 24706099 GSM: 98283633 Email: alyounistrading@gmail.com 3000 sq mtrs Industrial landß, in Barka Sanaiya, with electricity 400KW, shed, staff accommodation and office. Ready to start any kind of factory. Contact 99384255.

Furnished room for rent at Al Khuwair R.O 225/- for family only.

Contact: 99251975 Villa AL Ghobrah, 6 bedroom 1200/R.O. Contact: 99340055/97557555 New building in Wadi Kabir, 2 bedroom flats. Contact: 99313274 Workshop for rent Ground floor 126 SQM. Workshop first floor 108 SQM furnished office with storage accommodation for 50 Labors.

Contact: 92410691 1.2.3 BHK flats. Contact: 92144045 1BHK with A/C Mumtaz. R.O 250/-.

Contact 9779175 2BHK for commercial M.B.D R.O 300/-. Contact: 92144045 2BHK with A.C Darsait R.O 300/-.

Contact: 92144045 2BHK Wadi Kabeer R.O 300/-.

Contact: 92144045 2BHK without A.C Ghobrah R.O 325/- Contact: 92144045

Apartment in Al Khuwair 33/1, 4 bedroom 550/-R.O. Contact : 99340055 / 97557555

Flat for rent in Mabela 7, 2BHK + 3 bathroom 220/-R.O. Contact: 92712996

Fabulous AC flat at Al Khoud 3 bedrooms, hall and kitchen RO 270/- for rent. Contact: 99334699

Double bedroom near Lulu Wadi Kabeer. Contact: 92022816/99468133/99719471

Flat for rent in Walja Ruwi, 2 bedrooms, 2 toilets and kitchen for further enquiry. Contact: 95464607

Flat for rent Ruwi near Badr al Sama, 2 bed rooms, attach toilet in rooms big hall big kitchen.

Contact: 99345137

2BHK near Oman house behind Khimji, H.O. Contact: 95865686

12 Ton Volvo Truck Monthly lease or rent with driver. Contact: 98713900

Room for rent, street 18Nov. Azaiba.

Contact: 99785561 For rent in Qantab European style 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, Guest toilet, fully equipped modern kitchen, covered car park for two cars, approximately 150 meters from the beach. For enquiries, please Contact: Yasser at 92606005

Flat for rent in AL Wadi AL Kabir next to Kuwaiti Mosque 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, balcony & 1 living room 220/-R.O Contact: 99425958 2BHK 230/- south Hail near Caledonian collage. Contact: 97717962 PL 24538790

Furnished flats for rent in Al Buraimi, daily, weekly, monthly.

Contact 97819981 / 93593336

Spacious well maintained 2BHK at Rex Road. Contact: 92227165

1BHK, 2BHK, 3BHK new flat available at Mabela in front of Modern English School Contact: 96239126

Deluxe 1, 2 BHK flats in Darsait, AL Khuwair 1deal for office & residence. Contact 99369081 /99142314

Flat for rent 1BHK Rex Road Ruwi R.O 215/-. Contact: 92833408

2 BHK Flat in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181

Deluxe 3 BHK Penthouse with Seaview, ideal for office / residence at Qurum near PDO. Contact: 9772 1313 / 9507 0421

4 BHK single villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact: 97616158

2BHK / I BHK newly renovated flats at Wattaya R/O – Near the Mosque for Families. Preferably for one company. Contact : 96457757 9 am to 7 Pm. Shop /Comn /Resi building 1 & 2 bed flat available in Wadi Kabir (near Lulu). Contact: 99451168 One bed rooms flat RO 200/Wadi Al Kabir. Contact: 99451168 Misfa land for rent 1000 SQM. Contact: 99451168 1 BHK flat in Al Khuwair, 2 months only. Contact 99792181 3 BHK Flat in Azaiba.

Contact 99792181 Labour Camp for Rent in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99792181 AL Khuwair 2 rooms, toilet & Kitchen sharing prefer Indian couples or execute lades rent 200/- R.O include Elect & water. Contact: 99546410

4 & 5 BHK villa in Al Khuwair.

Contact 99792181 5BHK villa available for rent, near Hamriya roundabout.

Contact-99366191 Two bed room flat with attached bathroom near Omani Boys School Ruwi . Contact: 91214537 Spacious room with bathroom (separate) available for small family or couples near Oman Boys School Ruwi. Contact : 91214537 506sqm space with mezzanine available for rent in AL Wadi Al Kabir, Suitable for carpentry / Auto workshop and / or electrical shop interested parties may.

Contact: 24703981 Villa for rent in Al Khuwair 33, 8 bedrooms & 5 bathrooms with parking area near Taimur Mosque.

Contact: 99366624 Luxurious villa in Mumtaz area, Ruwi with 3BR, 2 Lounges, Dining, car park, kitchen. Contact: 99430943

Flat at Darsait. Contact 99326879 Deluxe 3&4 bedroom, hall, kitchen spacious living area with split AC, at Ghobrah. Contact: 95282986 1BHK flat one room, kitchen, bath room near Wadi Adai R/A. Contact : 96464598 3 Bedroom flat with 3 attached toilets, split A/C, brand new available, behind Kims Hospital.

Contact 95225662 Apartments near Al Nahdha Towers/ Vachas Hypermarket Azaiba – Ghala (1 & 2 BHK with split AC units).

Contact 94652485 / 99273774 / 99202278 1,000 sq mtrs industrial land in Misfah Industrial area near to Khanco.

OMR 1,500 Monthly. It has Electricity and boundary wall. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Brand new warehouse 3500SQM (2800SQM built up area) at Rusayl industrial area adjacent to Amiantit Oman with ceiling fans, light fittings, extract fans &provision for ACs. Contact: 94652485/99273774/99202278 Apartments for rent near Indian school Ghobrah & AL Maha international hotel (2BHK with 5 split AC units) Contact: 94652485/99273774/99202278 Apartments for rent near Al Nahdha Towers/ Vachas hypermarket Azaiba Ghala (1& 2 BHK with split AC units) Contact: 94652485/ 99273774/ 99202278 2BHK with split AC near PDO Gate no -2 at Qurum. Contact: 94057023 2BHK with split AC at Al Khuwair 33. Contact: 94057023 Office / shop near Oman house Muttrah. Contact: 99233116 Villa for rent (family residence) : New 4 bedroom villa with majlis, family hall and outside kitchen. With split AC in Al Khoudh phase 7 close to Seeb polyclinic. Call 99332525 (owner).

500 sq mtrs office space on mezzanine floor near Royal Hospital. OMR 6.500 per sq mtr. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Flats shops and store for rent in Ruwi, MBD Honda road.

Contact 97293708 / 92433127

Apartments near Indian School Ghubra (2 BHK with 5 split AC units).

Contact 94652485 / 99273774 / 99202278

3 rooms with attached bath room, hall Brand new in Mabelah near Sharahe Noor. Contact 99663905/ 99415119

3BHK flat for rent in Al Khuwair.

Villa type building with only 2 flats, separate entrance, fully renovated.

Way No. 3922, building No 1839, behind Al Aktham Restaurant.

Contact: 99462980 Flat for rent in CBD Ruwi.

Contact : 92820734 New flats for rent in Wadi Kabir.

Contact : 92130703 / 96045478 2 bedroom flat at Hamriya, main road with A/C. Contact 99331448 Flat in South Al Hail, 2 bedrooms, Majlis, 2 bathrooms, kitchen RO 250/-. Contact 93221474 Flat in Ruwi Mumtaz 2 BHK RO 300 or 1 BHK 250 RO. Contact 98588240 Flats for rent behind Indian School. in Wadi Kabir. Contact 99777122 For rent in Darsait new flats.

Contact: 99777351 Luxury 3 BHK flat in Al Wattaya with split A/C & private parking.

RO.500/- Contact – 93191111 Villa of 5 BHK in Al Ansab with split A/C. RO.650/- Contact – 93191111 2 BHK flat in Al Ansab with split A/C. RO.250/Contact – 93191111 Villa for rent - Al Seeb/Al Mawelah - Block 5 - 4 bedrooms with attached bathrooms, Majlis, 2 halls, kitchen and storeroom. split Ac and carpark.

Contact 99564616 Bath attached room for rent Al Khuwair. Contact 99743569 Commercial 3 BHK flat in Al Ghobra 18 Nov Street. RO 700/Contact 93191111 2 BHK flat in Al Azaiba near sea, with split A/C. RO.340/- Contact 93191111 For rent 3 industrial land.

Contact 92702891/ 95490842 Flat for rent in Mabellah 8th.

Contact: 97147240 For rent in Darsait, new flats.

Contact: 99311525 Flats/villas owned by ROP pension fund available for rent in Muscat. Contact 99349526

M O N DAY, J U N E 2 9, 2 0 1 5

D3

DAILY GUIDE

MOTOR VEHICLE FOR SALE

2014 Grand Cherokee 5.7 liter full option, low mileage, under warranty, agency maintained expat driven.

Call 92502684. Immediate sale.

FOR SALE 23,886 Sq Mtrs Agriculture land with water well in Al Salwa, Barka.

OMR 260 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

FOR SALE

3 floor commercial building in Muttrah behind Police. Generating income of OMR 18 Thousand annually. Neat and well maintained. Built on 197 sq mtrs land. 2 tailor shops on ground floor and 6 flats. OMR 207 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

Telecom and net work accessories shop for sale Ruwi.

Contact: 99481931 6 bedroom, 6 bath rooms, sitting & dining villa at Qurum.

Contact: 99342733 Darsait near Labor Card medical Business office furniture for sale / rent 260/- Contact: 93893878 pm Grade IT company with 5 clearances & oil Gas activity for sale serious buyers. Contact: 99329216 Car polishing shop for sale or lease.

Contact: 98903073 Fully decorated & Equipped kitchen cabinet and marble showroom for sale at Mabela industrial area road no – 10 only serious buyers can.

Contact: 99337670/97763560 60,000 Sq Mtrs Agriculture Land in Misfah, can be changed to Industrial Land. OMR 29 Per Square Meter.

Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 Well furnished meat shop in Amerat. Contact: services customers. Contact 92454250/96374850

Villa for sale in Al Khoudh close to Dan super market, 3room , 3 bathroom , 1 hall ,1 setting room, 1 store , kitchen & maid room with garden plot 600sq with car parking selling price 135.000/-. Contact: 91010668

Training center with license.

Contact: 91121277

NRI

Commercial land for sale 3000 m in quriyat road main high way can use as a petrol station license available asking price 350,000 For more information please call on 99070701 with out name 2,560 sq mtrs industrial land in Wadi Kabir main road, First line on way to Al Bustan hotel. Possible to make petrol station or hotel. OMR 990 Thousand. Tel: 99333479 or 95215360 5 Flats of 1 bedroom for Sale in Boushar: OMR 35 Thousand each.

Monthly income OMR 270 Tel: 99333479 or 95215360

2.5 BHK Flat for sale having 1260 sq ft and Vehicle Parking space of 144 Sq ft. At Bhrama Avenue, NIBM Road, Pune. Contact 93068804 / 99263581

ACC. AVAILABLE Spacious room with bathroom and kitchen. Contact: 91214537 Fully furnished room for a decent expatriate. independent kitchen, bathroom in Wadi Adai.

Contact 96243086 at 5p.m.

Expat owned mint condition Toyota Camry Type1 Model 2009 done 190500 kms first registered in 2011 company maintained still under warranty. Call 98446733.

Toyota Corolla 2012 exclusive model, Expat driven done 27,000 kms excellent condition.

Contact: 97717152 Prado ,2012. Contact : 99336093

Suzuki Vitara 2007, 95000km, single owner, for sale. Contact: 92183619

Furnished bedroom with Sep – bathroom, sharing, and kitchen for ex- bachelors at AL Khuwair.

Contact: 99636550

Expatriate driven Yaris 2008 model 100,000 kms & land rover 2005 model 93000 Kms, excellent conditions. Contact : 97094797

ACC. AVAILABLE

One room for rent (A/C +bed +bath) at Al Khuwair. Contact: 99382008

Sharing for non cooking executive bachelor in CBD area WIFI free, Advance deposit. Contact: 95094504

Excellent room, with A/C kitchen available for bachelor / family near ONTC bus station (Ruwi).

Contact: 95885736

Excellent room, with A/C kitchen available near ONTC bus station for family / bachelor (Ruwi).

Contact 95569740

Furnished room with attached bathroom in W/K. Contact: 97167857

Sharing flat in Wadi Kabir.

Contact: 99335057

Single furnished room.

Contact: 24833609

One room separate bathroom for Indian Executive bachelor near Al Khuwair R/A. Contact: 99659513

Furnished bath, attached sharing accommodation available behind Al Nahdha hospital.

Contact: 99030037

Dodge Challenger SRT Gulf spec.

Expat owned Warranty and insurance by the end of 2015 Perfect exterior and interior. All service done at the original Dodge service Price slightly negotiable 65750 km 2010 Automatic, price: 9500/- OMR. Contact - 95909465 Land Cruiser 2012. Contact 99336093

Sportage, 2013. Contact: 99336093

Bed space available for ex- bachelors at Al Khuwair.

Contact: 94143636

Fully furnished 1BHK with all household items in Darsait near Lulu on monthly Basis. Contact : 99378397

Nissan Altima 2.55, 2008 Model, Metallic Gold Colour, 60, 000 K.M, Excellent condition, all routine maintenance updated & all four tyres new, owned by diplomat & driven by owner. Contact 24684534/91382680

Furnished attached bathroom at Mumtaz area. Contact: 93103337 / 95212017

Peugeot 206-2007 Model, expat driven. Contact 99209285 2 Prime Movers Man 2008 with 40 ton petrol tank each working at the moment in Al Maha. Price OMR 35 Thousand each. Contact 97000155 or 92688692

BUYING/SELLING All type of car scanner available easy car diagnostic for professional and self use Authorize LAUNCH and Autel dealer www.omancartools.com 92393972

ACC. AVAILABLE Furnished single rooms available for Executive bachelors at Ruwi.

Contact: 98049288 Furnished room attached bath for lady in Wadikabir (Mars Hypermarket) – 95941515 Independent rooms in Qurum / Al Hail. Contact 95529970

D4

M O N D AY, J U N E 2 9, 2 0 1 5 Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com classifieds@timesofoman.com Tel.: 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 /431 / 456 / 461

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION SITUATION WANTED VACANT

ADMIN Vacancy for Omani PRO Email: abid673@yahoo.com Mob 94192526 Urgently Required: Administration with an experience minimum in 3 years in building construction, required immediately join and MUST have NOC. Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com.

Urgently Required: Administration with an experience minimum in 3 years in building construction, required immediately join and MUST have NOC.Apply, fax 00968–24605955, emails sbc@steelbuildingsllc.com, sbeoman@yahoo.com.

Vacancy for Omani PRO for Customs duties in Sohar. Email: arabianseabridge@gmail.com, Mob: 97990844

ACCOUNTANT Required male Accountant, 8 -10 yrs experience, D/L tally 9 operations, until finalization. Email CV to jnstpmco@gmail.com Urgently required female accountant with an experience minimum 3years Email CV on cv.hrcharity@gmail.com Reputed Construction Company required Accountant experience in Construction Company with accountancy degree. Email: jvacancy05@gmail.com Required Accountant with 3 yrs. exp. in construction company.

Email : wadcocareers@gmail.com Urgently required Junior Accountant. Please send CV: hr.azatllc@gmail.com

BEAUTICIAN Required Beautician for Beauty Saloon at Ghubra. Clearance / visa available. Contact no. 95924910

CATERING Chinese/ Arab/ continental cook & helper wanted. Contact 95529970 Requires experience Cook for an Omani family 1Nos. Contact: 99228046 Email: oman518@gmail.com Chinese / Arab / Continental cook & helper wanted. Contact 95529970 Family in Muscat seeking to hire an experienced butler. Hotel experience is preferred. Candidate must hold a valid driver’s license.

Please send CV’s on vacancyinmuscat@gmail.com

DOMESTIC HELPER Housemaid wanted for an Indian family in Al Hail. Must be able to cook and take care of baby. Full-time position. 96532872 Small Omani family wanted educated female House maid visa is available. Contact - 98500222 Keralite family in MBD area (near pizza hut) want a Keralite housemaid on fulltime basis.

Contact 94736916.

Required looking for full time Housemaid for Omani family at Mabela, visa available.

Contact 92454170

DRIVER Required Omani Driver light / heavy duty & Marketing Executive.

Contact: 24816774 / 99020458 Required Heavy Duty Truck Driver holding Omani driving license w/ 5 years experience please contact 92001111 Indian driver required for light vehicle with construction experience.

Contact: 92888337

DESIGNER

SITUATION WANTED SIT. WANTED

Required Large format printer operator – for HP. Graphic Designer.

Send CV to hr.oman@yahoo.com

ACCOUNT. & FINANCE Male 24, B.Com /PGD having 2 years experience in accounts and inventory field looking for suitable job on visit visa. Contact: 94129550

EDUCATION Teachers required: Teachers for KG, Grade I to IV class in English, Maths, Science, Computer & Art. Qualification: Degree in relevant subjects & B Ed; IELTS or TOFEL plus two years experience preferred. Please apply to: burj@alhakkim.com

Young lady MBA finances 10 yr exp in Finance exp management.

Contact: 93201929 Chartered Accountant with ICWA Inter having 5 years experience in Finance, Accounts, Costing, Budgeting, Insurance, Treasury & Banking operations - NOC Available + Oman Driving License Contact : 97881548 Email-financecost2@gmail.com

Required professional Teachers for teaching Science, Mathematics, Accountancy, Business Studies & English IELTS/ TOFEL in schools & Universities.

Contact 99674870

Indian female 25 MBA looking for a suitable opening in Accounts, Admin/ Hr. Contact 97013375

ENGINEER Urgent requirement Civil Engineers Nos for Supervision 8 yrs experience. Contact: 99244481/24551029 Email: secons.engineers@gmail.com

Indian male, well experienced in accounts and admin looking for a suitable vacancy. NOC available.

Contact: 98717938

MEDICAL

SALES / MARKETING

Leading Construction Company requires Project Engineer, Degree holder with minimum 5 to 6 years experience in building construction line. (NOC require) Send your CV to – degree.engineer2015@gmail.com

Specialist physiotherapy is required from the Philippines preferably has a license to practice.

Contact :91257624 Email: belgouthii@yahoo.fr

A leading marketing company is looking for outdoor Sales Executives on part time or full time basis in Salalah.

Contact – 92760281 / 96436719

Required Site Supervisor with 5 yrs. exp. in construction company, electronic technician with 3 yrs experience in gate motors systems.

Email : wadcocareers@gmail.com

Required for a reputed Medical Center in Al Khuwair. General Practitioner Doctor, X- Ray technician.

Please send CV: absmc2013@gmail. com Fax: 24488660

Required Sales & Marketing executive with valid D/L and NOC with 2 years Oman experience for Foodstuff Trading Company. Interested may send their CV to virjis@omantel.net.om

Leading Construction company requires HSE Officer with minimum 4 to 5 years experience in building construction line. Send your CV : hseoman2015@gmail.com (NOC require).

Urgently required G.P doctor with or without MOH license for one month from 01/07/2015. Contact 93824902

Construction Company in Oman urgently requires following candidates: BE Civil Engineer, minimum 3-5 years gulf experience & Civil site foreman, minimum 5 years gulf experience, diploma not required.

Email: applyforoman@gmail.com Urgently required for a first grade construction company Graduate Civil Engineer (5 years experienced) shuttering carpenter mason (Block, Plaster, Tile Fixing) Civil Foreman building work. Contact: 24700373/ 99427674 Fax: 24701368 Email: rajma@omantel.net.om

Required Gynecology, General Physician, Dentist, Staff Nurses, Lab technicians, Pharmacists, X Ray technicians.

Contact : 95133572 / 96064925 Email: kunoozghala@gmail.com

SKILLED Leading construction & Maintenance Company urgently requires Civil Foreman, 8 -10 yrs experience D/L. Email CV to jnstpmco@gmail. com Urgently required a silk Screen printer with good knowledge and release letter or NOC. Contact: 93280288 or send CV to albayanstamps@gmail.com

MANAGER SECRETARIAL & OFFICE Urgently Required: Male – handles overall store operations of the Supermarket, Prior Experience a MUST, knowledgeable in MSOffice. Send CV to chanda@dolphin-oman.com or fax to 244-92718.

MISCELLANEOUS Mason, C.C.T.V, Technician, Electrician cum Plumber.

Contact - 99383044 Well established company in selling chocolate, Arabian sweets and fresh flowers, opening ITS first branch in Muscat seeking: 1- sweets and chocolates Sales man 2- flower arranger (Asian/ Filipino Nationality) Contact: 94490011 Email: labelleoman@gmail.com A company from UAE require 2 merchandisers in retail food supply, store keeper with English and invoicing experience. Email: yesterdaysun@hotmail.com

Required Office Assistant 160+25+Acc, Contact 99454425

SALES / MARKETING Required Sales man - 1 Person Qualification. Gulf Experienced - Minimum 5 Years with Oman Driving Licence Language - English Education:- Any Degree Further Contact :Mr. Abdul Hameed Nashabat - Mobile No: 97414307 and -92807399 amn@yaqeeneng.com Required Salesman, Tailor and Barber. Contact: 96964767 Looking for Outdoor Salesman for heavy equipment spare parts.

Contact - 93292015, Email: mail.om@gulfcenter.co Urgently required Sales and Marketing Executive for Graphic designing company. Contact: 96727631 mail: smartgraphic518@gmail.com

Urgently required sale people with local experience & Omani driving license ready with NOC. Send CV to: nationalbluesky@yahoo.com A reputed media company required female Marketing Executives with minimum 3 years experiences in Public relations, punishing & advertising (with driving license).

Contact: 93946622 or FW: CV job0808@gmail.com A leading trading company is looking for Sales Executives & outdoor sales coordinators with driving license & release /NOC. Email CV: alhajoil@omantel.net.om or fax: 24701683 Urgently required outdoor Sales Executive for furnishing company with valid Oman D/L and minimum 3 years experience. Contact 93231403 / rainbowfurnishing156@gmail.com Required male or female candidate with 5 years experience in renting of properties. Interested candidates may please mail to alqurumprop@gmail.com Minimum 2 years of experience with valid gulf light driving license interested candidates please Contact: 99222086 /98585851 Need crane operator having two years experience & need salesman for mobile shop having two years experience. Contact: 92891888 Marketing Executive for digital printing company. Contact: 94356769 / 96936564 Required sales man for spare parts shop preferably with driving license.

Contact : 96378289

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

Accountant 8 yrs experience looking part time job. Contact 99867456 Looking for accounting and Administration job have two and half years experience in United Arab Emirates in a trading company and I have bachelor degree in Administration nationality Indian. Contact: 93016252 Senior accountant Indian male 35 years, MBA (finance) 8 years experience in a multinational FMCG company with valid Oman D/L NOC available can join immediately, looking for suitable position finance.

Contact: 95645945 Young, energetic 24, ACCA finalist, Advanced diploma in Accounting and business, seeking suitable placement in accounts, finance or audit.

Contact: 92430152 Email: rau_dey@yahoo.com 13 years exp (7.5 years gulf exp) B.Com Graduate, looking for Accountant job, GSM No:-92957064 with NOC. Indian male, 32 years, M. Com. 7 out of 9 years experience in Oman in Accounts/finance. Having NOC and valid Oman D/L. Contact 98277143, Email: anzarks@gmail.com Senior Document Controller MCA Indian male 9+ year’s total experience 5+ years experience in Gulf in oil & gas sector and construction field on visit visa in Oman. Contact: 95388197 Email: rojanchristopher@gmail.com Indian male, B.Com, well experienced in Accounts & Admin, knowledge of Tally ERP 9 experience in Oman with valid Oman driving license. NOC available, looking for suitable job in Oman, join immediately.

Contact 94245039 Sudanese Accountant seeking job in Nizwa state experience 10 years 3 years in Saudi Arabia, 7 yrs in Sudan.

Contact : 97796394 / 94003247 MBA Indian male looking for suitable position having 2 years working experience as an accountant now in Oman a visiting visa.

Contact 99424803 Indian male 22 yrs B. Com Graduate 1 year exp in Accounts, currently on visit visa. Looking for suitable job.

Contact 94341848 / Email – mohdhaji7272@gmail.com Accounts part time works up to finalization on monthly basis. Profit & loss A/C and financial statements, MS Reports Etc. Contact: 96247295

MBA Graduate with 6 yrs exp in finance/accounts/ auditing. Specialized in accounts payable dept, Oracle app user, proficient in Sap (fico) end user & tally 9.0. lean &six sigma certified trainer on visit visa.

Contact – 91967213 / 99064780 Finance Manager, CPA, with more than 15 yrs. of experience in GCC. Fully knowledgeable in Finance, General & Management Accounting . NOC available. Contact 96209331 ACCA affiliate , BSc Honors in applied Accountancy advance diploma in Accounting and Business, CAT Affiliate 1 year hand on working experience of Oman, with Oman driving license looking for a suitable placement in Audit firm. Having NOC can join immediately. Contact : 98989970 Motivated and energetic male 25 having 4 years of experience in finance with Master’s degree in Economics and CAT Certified seeking opportunity in Accounts/finance/ audit in a reputable organization.

Cell no: 00968-94626209 E-Mail: omerjawedshah@gmail.com Indian male with total 5 year experience (2 years experience in Accountant cum sales co ordinator in a FMCG Company in Oman) in accounts field and NOC available. Looking for suitable job Contact 92130188 Indian Accountant: Male, M com, 7 Yrs experience in Accounts up to finalization, having knowledge of ERP, Tally, seeks suitable placment.Contact 93950138 Email: lijinrajan123@gmail.com

ADMIN Indian Female MBA 3 Year Experience in Admin MIS, Family Visa.

Contact - 98234427, jkjsmith01@gmail.com Indian Female: B.Com & MBA-HR. looking for full or part time job immediately. Prior recruitment experience in Muscat and India.98460262.

System administrator with 3 years experience hold a degree, MCITP, CCNA , CCTV biometric , seeking job in a company.

Contact: 99630084/98129845 Indian male 2+yrs oman exp in HR. joing immediatly. release available.

Contact :93671437 MBA (international business) from London, 4 years of UK experience in operations with D/L, looking for suitable position. Contact 91710075 Male admin/ HR office 6 years exp with NOC. Contact: 93275467 Buyer / Purchases / Administration / Stores with 7+ years local experience seeking suitable placement.

NOC available. Contact – 94045405 Indian Male 27Yrs, Having 6+ yrs (3 India + 3 Oman) experience in HR/ Admin looking for suitable position Contact 91507099.

Indian female 29 MBA (HR) BSc, 4 yrs exp in HR& Admin looking suitable placement.

Contact : 95619537 Indian female with 10 yrs of experience in HR/Banking/Operations seeks a suitable placement.

Can be contacted on 98919015 or sherianne.coelho@gmail.com

M O N DAY, J U N E 2 9, 2 0 1 5

D5

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED SALES / MARKETING Male BA with D/L having 6 years exp Oman wanted suitable job in sales, inventory, procure.

Contact : 92191026

ADMIN

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

MEDICAL

Over 14 years of gulf experience in Admin /HR /Logistics, fluent in Arabic & English with D/L looking for suitable position.

Contact 95824598

BE ,Electrical Engineer with 5 Years Gulf Experience in Underground cable & Overhead line in HT and LT, Distribution Substation, MEP. Oman D/L available. NOC available.

Contact: 95054644, 00918807888109, speninsam@gmail.com

Well experienced MOH Licensed Indian GP Doctor looking for locum / permanent position in the Capital area. Contact 98140024 email:drgpoman@yahoo.com

AUTO CAD/DRAUGHTS20 Years exp Auto Cad 3DS Max available for teaching part time.

Contact - 94412557 Electrical draftsman AutoCAD switch gear & MEP control panel 7 years experience Qatar. Contact: 92546203/96228100

DESIGNER Interior Designer: Indian male 31, 8 years exp. in GCC, NOC available.

95217586 Architect designer experience in Architecture design in 2D, 3D visiting to site : 2 years experience (in Oman), fluent Hindi & English. Email: zhussain9950@gmail.com Contact: 94253074

DRIVER Looking for driving job.

Contact: 98219182 Male driver is available 7 years in Oman 3 years experience as a driver 7 month is Muscat driving license holder. Contact: 92046159 Pakistani male light vehicle driver, looking for job. Contact - 94435912 Light driver looking for job.

Contact: 99704122/ 97762303 Light driver looking for job.

Contact: 96435795 Pakistani light duty driver 2 yrs experience seeks placement.

Contact: 96342684 Light driver. Contact: 99035942 Light driver looking for job, 4 yrs exp in Oman. Contact: 94241385 Driver looking for job. Contact: 99507039 Paksitani Driver with 6 yrs experience looking for job. Contact: 93985087 Driver with car 3 years experience looking for job. Contact: 92041902 Light driver. Contact: 96313100 Pakistani male light vehicle driver with 2 yrs exp looking for job.

Contact : 96342684 Driver available with car and without car. Contact 96771598 Pakistani, male light vehicle driver looking for job.

Contact 97943750 Driver with car. Contact: 97705694/98988208 Looking for job driving Bangladeshi. Contact: 97418036 Light driver for job.

Contact 95779594 Pakistani driving available.

Contact : 96913836

EDUCATION MBA, B.Com Indian female having two yrs exp as lecturer seeks placement in teaching filed. Presently on family visit visa. Contact – 96259171/ Email: bhumipandya@gmail.com Indian female MCA, Three years experience in teaching field, seeks placement currently on visit visa.

Contact: 93431567 Email: fivona.mel@gmail.com English Teacher female (M. A. B. Ed) Having 14 years experience with 11 years experience in Oman with reputed institute and school.

Contact: 92289080 / 99318276 Email: babujosev@yahoo.com

Civil Engineer, 8 years experience BOQ establishing, 5 years experience in Oman Building and S.T.P experience, good knowledge of computer, MS Excel, AutoCAD .

Contact: 99471944

Indian female Dentist MOH Oman passed seeking a suitable placement in capital region. Contact– 91377681 hashimsarawat@gmail.com

ENGG. / TECHNICAL

Indian male Civil (B.E) with 2 yrs well known E tabs staad, safe looking for structural position. Contact: 98768045 / 96698342 Email: qadeertom@gmail.com

Indian male present in Oman can join immediately. Diploma civil with CAD & 3d. Contact: 92875345 /92887561 Email: jubincivileng@gmail.com

26 years Oman experienced person in automobiles, showroom & workshop areas seeks suitable replacement. currently working as General Manager in a local company.

Contact no: +968-92009700

Controls & automation Engineer with 7 years experience in ( RO BOT /PLC/CNC programming , LV panel building , Installation & commissioning service & support of machines) mostly overseas experience for complete execution of Machine projects in China, USA, Thailand ETC. Contact : +97430847848, Email: bensonvar@gmail.com

CARPENTER-15 years gulf exp. Indian male looking for suitable post.

Present working in Crown Plaza.

NOC available. Please contact Jacob 96940120. jacob.sabu11@gmail.com B.Tech mechanical Engineer, Indian 1 years experience HVAC (MEP) available in Muscat on visit visa seeking suitable job.

Contact 93670280 Email: jinu.avm@gmail.com Indian male , diploma in electrical Engineering with 10 years of successful experience , presently available on visit visa seeking suitable positions in projects and maintenance electrical fields.

Contact: 91270686 Email: ajithgopa@rediffmail.com Iraqi male B.ch civil Engineering, 17 yrs experience in Oman experience in project management with valid Oman D/L NOC available and can join immediately looking suitable position in Muscat area.

Contact: 93809093 Email: mohanad_kuba@yahoo.com Indian male Mechanical Technician with 22 year experience (6.5 year in Oman)-as mill Wright fitter & maintenance fabrication work seeks suitable placement NOC available.

Contact: 95922696 Chemical Engineer with 04 years experience in petrochemical refinery sector seeking for & suitable position in petrochemical oil & gas, refinery EPC Companies.

Contact : 00968-91748400 Indian male Electrical Engineer seeking for a job good core technical knowledge as well as fluent communication skill. Contact: 95980857 Electrical Engineer Indian male having valid driving license and NOC, BE 1 yrs experience sealing suitable placement. Contact: 96347995 Email: shyjalpk@gmail.com Civil Engineer B.E, 5 years experience with GCC D/L Consultancy job preference. Contact: 91693008 B.Tech mechanical Engineer 16 yrs experience 3 yrs exp in Oman now production manager in Galvanizing and steel fabrication area looking for suitable placement NOC available.

Contact: 93714500/91395765 Indian male 24 yrs B. Tech (Mech.

Eng) on visit 1 yr experience in production field looking for suitable placement. Contact: 98925685 Indian female, B.Tech biotechnology with strong computer skills and 2 years experience as associate research analyst (Media Monitoring) in Nasdaq Oman seeking growth oriented jobs. Contact 92044603 /918056169148 or angeline.babithac@gmail.com.

BSc Civil Engineer, 6 months working experience in UAE as a Site Engineer currently in Oman on visit visa and looking for a job.

Contact : 98157833 Email: waqas.pasha22@gmail.com Indian male B.Tech (ECE), MBA (HR) 2 years of experience in CCNA, CCNP and hands on practice in Linux and MCSE, looking for suitable job.

Contact: 93487225

Quantity Surveyor or Site Engineer in civil, 5 years experience in Oman have valid Oman driving license looking for suitable posts, NOC available. Contact: 96394948/ 98294919.

Email: asvinsha@gmail.com Electrical Eng. Degree (MEP) need suitable job of construction 12 yrs exp.

Email: mohd.ateeq.khan@gmail.com Civil Engineer, Expatriate Female, 3 yrs experience, on visit visa seeking suitable placement. #99195433 Iraqi Engineer specialized in telecommunication net working & PC experience in nuking network and security systems. Contact: 92898329 / 99249124 Electronics & communications Indian male, 2 years experience seeking suitable placement.

Contact: 99456725 / 94678625 Indian male, 28 yrs, Electronics & Instrumentation Engineer with 4 yrs experience in Industrial Automation (SCADA) seeking suitable job.

Contact 93154156 / 98416190 Electrical Engineer Pakistani male 4 years B. Tech & 3 years’ diploma seeking a suitable placement.

Contact: 96752080 Email: ilyasoader97@gmail.com Indian Male, IT Support Engineer, 2 yrs in Oman & 5 yrs Indian experience. Contact 97311847 Btech computer science graduate 2015 passout.. Android application marketing.. Having good communication skills and mindset to work in a team. Contact 91024385 D.A.E Civil 4 years exp in land surveyor and building work worked on AutoCAD, T.S and G.P.S 1 year exp in Oman looking for placement.

Contact: 92140890 / 98780156 Email: engrsafiullah91@gmail.com Engineer with 3 yrs experience in Indian in MEP, HVAC& mechanical maintained field on visit visa looking for suitable job. Contact 99191535 Email: fareed029@gmail.com

IT Indian male 25 yrs exp in Administration, Telecom, Optical Fiber Communication, Networking, MS Office.

Seeks any job. On visit visa. Contact – 91385373 / sridharbsnlma1455@gmail.com B.E Computer Science, Indian lady, with 2 years experience in Oman looking for suitable job in Muscat having valid GCC driving license.

Contact: 97738624 Computer Networking/Facility Mgmt 5 Yrs of Exp Holds B.E(ECE), CCNA Looking for Good Opportunity, Indian - Visit Visa. Contact 91911792/ arafakdnl@gmail.com Network system Engineer B.E / ECE + CCNA & Ms certified with 4+ yrs exp looking for a job. Currently in Oman on visit visa.

Contact: 92589502 Email: careersjegan@gmail.com

IT Indian male, B.E ( computer science engineer), MBA (finance), OCA certified, having 5 years of experience in oracle Dba/ oracle apps Dba, seeks a suitable position in the field of IT. Contact: 96212062 email: zubairkhan11@gmail.com Omani Citizen searching a job in the field of computer especially in data base professional in operating Oracle SQL, PL/ SQL, form6i, Report 6i. Contact 96977368 Email: talaloml@yahoo.com Indian female BCA, MCA SAP ABAD certification, ASP. Net certification, 2 years of experience looking for a job.

Contact: 99109121 Business development manager IT & Non – IT, 7 years experience Oman driving license seeks position good prospects. Contact: 99329216 Indian male, completed diploma in Computer technology fresher, seeking suitable position, currently on visit visa. Contact : 93596096 CERTIFIED (CCNA) NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR 4 years experienced looking for Suitable placement.

Contact: 99002390 Indian male 26 years B.Tech (IT) M.Tech CCNA certified MCSE certified 3 yrs experience currently a visit visa looking for suitable job.

Contact: 91006851

MISCELLANEOUS Warehouse in charge with 14 years gulf experience 1.5 years in Oman NOC available looking for suitable placement contact 97440902 MCA Indian male 6 month experience India seeking suitable placement. Contact 00918547068891 Email: koneeradh@gmail.com Male Indian BBM Graduate 8 years experience in logistics and ware housing in a reputed company valid driving license NOC available looking for suitable position. Contact : 96311786 Email: ubinfs@gmail.com Filipino Male looking for a job & have experience in sales, waiter, barista, technical support / customer service with good communication skills. Contact 91789465 Indian material controller/ store keeper seeking job in Oman NOC / Release available. Contact: 91946174 Indian Female with over 9 yrs experience with good communication skills seeks jobs in customer service or sales field. Contact : 96108289, shijipaul84@gmail.com Part- Time Accountant, well experience senior accountant ,doing all type of accounting works, Finalization, Budgeting available.

Contact :98803439 MCA, BCA with 2 yrs relevant experience seeking suitable opportunity.

Contact: 96377039 13 Years UAE experienced in MNC & reputed firms logistics distribution looking for a suitable placement, on visit visa contact 99838743, gani.dawood@gmail.com

MEDICAL Lab Technician, Civil (8yrs Gulf experience) looking for a suitable job (NOC available) Contact-93344378 Indian female looking for suitable position 2nd rank in MSC microbiology, fresher now on visiting visa.

Contact : 91633089 Email: mansytk4@gmail.com

Indian female MSc, MPHIL (Chemistry) 3 years Teaching experience currently on visit visa seeking suitable position. Contact : 96916534 / 91969756 Looking for good job 2 years experience Oman sales marketing valid driving license Indian Kerala.

Contact : 98626682 Omani female exp in PRO with Oman D/L. Contact: 91161736 Outdoor salesman with car looking for job. Contact 91615715

Male B.Sc Nurse, 27 years,4 years experience, prometric passed, require job in hospital/ oil rig / industry /ship. Contact 97284508

Indian Male, B.Com Graduate, 23, with experience in Sales looking for suitable placements. .

Contact 98371144

M.Sc Nursing in Obstetrics and Gynecology 3 yrs exp in teaching & 2 yrs at bed side looking for suitable position, Indian female on visit visa.

Contact: 96220839

Pakistani Female Bachelor of Information Technology with 8 years’ experience in Banking, Sales, business development, retail & customer service seeking for a suitable placement. Having valid D/L& NOC available. Contact 94699970 shehla.chohan@gmail.com

Male BSC Nurse parametric passed ACLS BLS holder now in visit visa seeking for suitable post.

Contact: 96516406 Indian male Nurse, 31 years Oman prometric passed 6 yrs ICU experience. Contact : 94195150 / 92758895

Indian male 45+ yrs , 20 yrs exp as sales supervisor in India looking for indoor sales /stores /cashier or any suitable placement can speak Hindi , English, Malayalam, Tamil, kannada can join immediately on visit visa.

Contact 93086105/33016546

MANAGER/ SUPERVISOR TOURS & TRAVELS 10 yrs exp in managerial role in India, Dubai, Oman. Proven track record turnaround specialist. NOC AVV. Contact: 96783565 B.com, diploma in material management having 12 years experience in overseas / local puritans, logistics ware house seeks suitable placement NOC available.

Contact: 96477638 Indian male, with 8 yrs exp. in Oman (BA- Graduate) working as a project Sales Coordinator, with Oman D/L, looking for suitable job, ready to join immediately with NOC. Contact 95245057

SALES / MARKETING Indian female (MTECH) having Gulf experience in family visa seeking suitable placement in Oman.

Contact : 94306164 / 91001194 Indian male MBA 7 years experience in Hospitality industry, operation, sales & marketing looking for suitable vacancy. Contact 92115860 Email vibin.py@gmail.com Indian MBA 18 yr exp in sales / Markt, looking for manager position.

Contact Oman / UAE 93893878 Indian male Science Graduate 11 yrs of sales exp in India & Oman, having valid D/L seeking job in sales with family benefits. Contact – 94255249 Indian female B.com Graduate having 8 years experience in Indian & 2 years experience in Oman as sales coordinator, secretary, customer service seeks suitable placement.

Contact: 95433987 Pakistani male 34 yrs Intermediate 2 yrs exp in sales & marketing in Oman. Looking for suitable job.

Contact - 92146864 Indian male with 5 years experience in building material sales and marketing education qualification BA electronics. Contact: 92228538 Indian male. 27, Post Graduate, 5+ yrs exp in Oman in Sales & Credit Control, with valid Oman driving License, NOC available, looking for suitable placements. Ph: 9199 3376 Indian Lady 24 yrs with five years experience as cabin crew in National & International airlines seeking suitable job vacancy in good position.

Contact: 97623267 MBA graduate having 6 years exp in sales & marketing, presently working in PepsiCo India seeks suitable placement in Oman.

Contact: + 91 9895388937 Email: samir.pag@gmail.com

25 Indian female B.S.C. Fashion Technology. 5 years experience in textile industry as a merchandiser and good in fashion marketing.

Currently available on visit visa, seeking for a suitable job.

Contact 96990368.

Email: simmy.missy@gmail.com

MISCELLANEOUS 24 Years, indian male 2.5 Years experience in admin & accounts, dubai.

Currently on visit visa. Seeking suitable placement in admin & accounts.

M: 93016252 EMAIL: shahabaskp@gmail.com Electrical Engineer, 29, Indian Male, having 7+ years exp. in reputed companies. Seeking suitable placement in any Oman. Contact - 97693456.

Mail ID : venkatbadri23@gmail.com CCNA MCITP network support /network technician with 2 years experience indian male having bachelors degree on visit visa.

Contact : 93080871 sean.f.peters@outlook.com Video Editor 29 years Indian male with 8 years experience on visit visa looking for a suitable placement contact: 91275969 leomoorkoth@gmail.com Omani male , BBA ,with 6 year experience in HR &Admin looking for opportunity in HR & Admin in Muscat. Joint date after one month notice period . Mobile 92223279 24 years, Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3 yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Kindly contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com Indian male 25 years B.tech computers (Having 3 years of experience in customer service/Admin/IT Support) looking for suitable position.

Visa Transfer/NOC Available immediate to join. Contact: 98402389, Mail: naresh6672@gmail.com Having 9+ years exp. in Admin, Purchase, Stores & Warehouse in reputed companies. Presently working in Muscat and seeking for suitable placement. Contact +968 97693456. email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com Innovative Indian Male 29, B.E & M.Tech Web designer / developer with over 5.5 years of work experience in HTML 5, CSS 3, SEO, Digital marketing (DFP & DCM), Magento, CMS, Photoshop and Dreamweaver.

Can join ASAP. # 00968 9630 3055 / email: aditya.khandkar@gmail.com

Indian worked MNC 15 years Oman experience as Marketing FMCG / TRAD Purchasing with visa license.

Contact: 98796982

10 YEAR Experienced PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER. Currently working at Kerala, India.

Seeks placement. #95872030 , email: - sajith3969@gmail.com

MBA Graduate with D/L looking for sales or marketing jobs.

Contact 94143154 Email: rinojnathen008@gmail.com

Indian male 48yrs with driving license looking for a job to work as driver / salesman. Residing at Al Khoudh. Contact: 99551310

D6

M O N D AY, J U N E 2 9, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED

MISCELLANEOUS Content Executive, freshers with good communication skills and willingness to learn may apply on job@socioholics.com Tunisian women looking for a job, khnows english,frensh, italian and arabic. Contact: 91171838 Young Indian Chartered Accountant, female, Having 6 years experience in Oman and India. Accounts and Finance Manager, Auditor. Urgently seeking suitable positions.

Contact-92530131, jobcareer44@gmail.com Indian female Nurse with 5 yrs of experience, presently working in Oman, seeking for suitable placement. NOC available can join immediately. Contact: 98329941 Email: ancyanish2011@gmail.com Looking for part time jobs in Muscat, Auto cad Draughtsman (Civil). contact:-+968-99070584 email: remluvp@gmail.com Indian female MA. B.Ed. with one year three months teaching experience. Subject: English Seeking for a Better placement. Now working in Oman # 93961142, 92184408 Email:anoopkesavan78@gmail.com B.Sc. Mechanical Engineer Sudanese 3 yrs of exp. In industrial field available in Muscat on visit visa seeking suitable job .

Contact: 95868922, Email: almouthanaosman@yahoo.com Indian Male MBA with two year experience in H.R as a H.R Assistant, Now in India, Seeking for an urgent suitable position.

Contact:-98620260 / 93895992 , Email:-deepakmb4@gmail.com Indian male auto cad draughtsman (civil) 8 years experience, seeking for part time job mobile no: 0096899070584 email: remluvp@gmail.com 8 years successful experience.

Senior Accountant, Indian male, 29 years, presently working in oman as a senior accountant with oman driving license. NOC available. seek suitable opportunity. gsm: 97705854 ACCA affiliate, with 2.5 years experience in Big6 audit firm and Oil industry, looking for permanent placement in Accounts/Audit.

Release available Contact :95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com Indian Female, Commerce Graduate, Total 9 yrs of experience in India. worked as Accounts Assistant and Business executive seeking for suitable placement.

Tel : 96173533/24222457 Email : topranidivya@gmail.com Indian Male, 29 years, CCNP, MCITP having Bachelor degree and 6 years of experience in Networking looking for job. 96760618 / varghese.manthara@gmail.com Female Executive Assistant/Executive Secretary with 27+ experience, worked with top management/Board in financial services with shorthand skills & Omani driving license, seeks suitable placement. call 95941515

Business development Manager/ Executive. Preferably minimum of 2 years experience. Valid driving licence can apply on job@socioholics.com

PRODUCTION OPERATOR – Indian male seeking production operator or related jobs with 4 years of experience in oil & gas field. #94263445.

Email: tonyxavier4u@gmail.com

Omani Mechanical Engineer, has 3 years experience ,has HSE, H2S, Riggers/Banks men Permit, Drawing / cad, SCBA, Safety Leadership and Initial Fire Response Courses. good with computer and English language looking for suitable job.

Contact 99224319-98454500

Indian Keralite Male 35 looking for Scaffolding supervisor post having 5 years of Supervisor and HSE experience in GCC Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Fluent in English Arabic and Hindi .

Contact 96155921, or mail fysal.nellaya@gmail.com

Indian male 22 Mechanical Diploma holder Engg with HVAC certified, having 1 year exp. seeking suitable position. Currently available on visit visa. Contact - 92835952 Tanzanian male, 25 yrs Accountant successful experience in Tanzania looking for suitable placement in any field. Contact : 96710154 Tunisian lady has Professorship in social and economical sciences and accounting, diploma in Experimental Sciences degree in English for media. Contact 95391050, aysser2013@gmail.com Indian male Diploma, Civil engineer 4.3 year experience at building construction and consulting company with Oman driving licence and N.O.C available seeking suitable placement Contact 95989500 email cv.shihabedappal@gmail.com Filipino Male looking for a job & have experience in sales, waiter, barista, technical support / customer service with good communication skills. # 91789465 PART TIME ACCOUNTANT, Indian male, M. Com, 35 years, 12 Years exp. in Accounts, 8 years in Oman. Knowledge upto finalization. Having valid D/L, seeks suitable Placement.GSM: 96249124

Indian Male 28 yrs, having 7 years Gulf + Indian experience in HR and Admin field, looking for suitable placement.

Contact: 97914340, Email: rajkv3086@gmail.com Indian Male 28 years MSM, B. Com having 6years experience in Gulf and India as a HR and Admin looking for suitable placement.# :97914340.

Email: rajkv30@gmail.com B.Sc. Mechanical Engineer Sudanese 3 yrs of exp. In industrial field available in muscat on vist visa seeking suitable job .

Contact: 95868922, Email: almouthanaosman@yahoo.com IT system and Printer engineer ME, 5Years bank IT Management exp in India looking for full time job visit visa contact 94462150 24 year Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com MCA IT Professional Indian Female seek placement in Teaching/ Non Teaching field. Presently on visit visa. 9588 7051, ashwininakod@gmail.com

Egyptian Civil Engineer, total experience 7 years - 2 years experience in Oman. I am looking for Project Engineer, I have good experience in site & office works.

Contact number:91148708

ACCA Affiliate, Indian, 2.5Years experience in Audit/ Finance in Big 6 Audit Firm and Oil Accounting in PDO, For Permanent Placement for Finance or Accounts or Audit. Release NOC Available on hand.

Contact #95140445, a.saran891@gmail.com

Indian Male 24 years, Looking for a Suitable Job in Telecom / Networking. 1 year sales experience. MSc. Communications Engineering & Valid Driving license.

Ph: 91280121.

Email: jackrprasad@yahoo.com.

Finance ACCA Affiliate, Worked as an Auditor with 2.5 Years Experience in reputed firm, Handled independent audit/finance assignments, Looking for permanent placement, NOC available. #95140445. a.saran891@gmail.com

ACCOUNTING – Indian male seeking accounting job with 2 years experience in accounting.

Contact: 94263445, E mail – contactantonyxavieranand@gmail. com

Piping Design Engineer, Indian male 27, looking for suitable placement in Piping Design & Engineering. Having 7 years of experience in AutoCAD. Also familiar with PDMS (11.6 Version),CAESAR ll. Contact : 97351786 / 96143708, E-mail : mohammednazeer07@gmail.com

Sudanese male: 27 yrs, 2 years experience in accounting, other experience (purchasing – HR - Coordinating and Office Management), looking for a job Omani Driving License, NOC. Contact: 94174403 24 year Indian Chartered Accountant male with 3yrs of experience is seeking suitable placement in Muscat, currently on visit visa & ready to join immediately. Contact him on 98201476 or email at lokeshkaluri@gmail.com

B.E. Civil Engineer from India with 3 years of experience looking for suitable vacancy in oman now on visit visa. Contact 9571 3441, Email . Khatrialeem@gmail.com

Sudanese male (B.Sc, computer science) (diploma computer engineering), 6 yrs. experience DBA oracle PL-SQL, MS SQL - Server, MS visual studio vba, network.

Contact 91415886

Indian male 21 IT Eng. networking & computer hardware diploma, 1 year experience, currently on visit visa looking for a suitable job.# 96036273 email: faizanfarooqui23@gmail.com

Syrian male 3yrs. exp in IT support, Networking, Security systems, Server support, IT sales and marketing.

Valid Omani D/L seeking suitable placement. Contact 91055584

Sudanese male (B.Sc Computer science) (diploma computer engineering) 6 yrs. experience DBA Oracle plsql, MS sql-server ,ms visual studio vba, network. Contact :91415886 Indian male with 8 yrs experience in FMCG in Oman as Sales Supervisor looking for suitable placement.

NOC available. Gsm: 96495206 Indian Male, Graduate, 11 years Sales experience in Lighting / Industrial products, ready to join immediately. GSM: 9710 5356 Indian heavy duty driver with 8 years experience in oman available with NOC. GSM : 93601943 GSM : 94496457 Over 15 years experience in Gulf.

Interior Architect, Lebanese Nationality, on visit visa seeking a suitable Placement. 96268005.

SITUATION WANTED Indian male, 28 yrs MBA (HR/M) 2 years experience in Indian Oman in HR & admin seeks suitable placements. NOC available. # 97484159 Email: rameshkapa86@gmail.com M.Sc 3+ years exp from France & India in IT Support Engineer / Hardware & Networking / Server support / scientific system support looking for suitable positions. Indian, male on visit visa, contact 98898781/ anoopys@gmail.com Looking for managerial post (full time ), More than Ten years of experience in Team Development ,Training, planning, Administration, Sales & Marketing, Advertisement and Credit Control and Logistics. #91076608 / 99322748. Release & noc available Indian male, 34years having 10 years of experience in Sales, Sales Coordination and Administration.

Experienced in SAP and MS Office. NOC available.

Contact # 94686594 Indian Male MBA Marketing/HRM 3 year experience with Omani D/L, seeking suitable jobs.

Contact: 97424188 email: dharwesh@gmail.com Indian, Male, 23 years, BE Electrical, having 2 years experience in Electrical Works-H.T. cabling etc, & Construction, looking for a suitable placement. # +968 96927880 (Oman), +91 9765376109 (India), Email: rahulrevi6@gmail.com Indian Female M.Com with Computer Skills and Four Month Experience as Accountant ,Currently On Family Visa Looking for a Suitable Placement, Available Immediately.

Contact : 95846642, Email : dhanyashree91@yahoo.com ACCA Affiliate, Experience in audit/ finance of 2.5 years in Big 6 Firm and Oil industry, looking for suitable permanent placement, Release NOC available. Contact: #95140445 a.saran891@gmail.com B.Tech Computer Engineer Wanted job to work on(IT/Banking/Administrator/Technical/Office works) having NOC with the limited time from (04/06/2015 to 13/06/2015).

Mobile:98402389 email:naresh6672@gmail.com

British Beauty Therapist looking for suitable position. please contact :97175240 Highly Qualified & Experienced Finance Manager Pakistani with USA , UK & Canadian Degrees , CPA ,ACCA-UK . MBA-USA ,IFA- Financial Consultants Canada , Corporate Analyst USA Professional of Banking , Audits ,ERPs & Profit Maximizations ( NOC available ) call 94 504505 – 94403270 27 year Indian female who has 4 years of experience with logistics function in distribution of spares for both heavy machinery & wind turbine parts. Kindly contact me on +91 9790769104 E-mail: joemohana@yahoo.co.in Indian male Executive Secretary having vast experience in admin, logistics & procurement well versed with computer .seek suitable placement. Contact : 99514286 Indian male MBA (U.K), 10 Years of experience in Admin, Sales, HR, stores and logistics seeks suitable placement. Contact 99271903.

Indian Female MCA, 4 plus Years of experience in Web designing, Admin, P.A, seeks suitable placement.

Contact 99486374 8 Years successful experience, SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, Indian male,29 years. Presently working in Oman as a Senior Accountant with oman Driving license seeks suitable opportunity. GSM: 97705854 7 and half years experience working accounts / inventory manager looking suitable job. Contact: 96991782 Email: srinivasu.sp@gmail.com

Indian male, looking for a part time accounting job. Having additional knowledge & experience in HR admin & purchase.

Contact 99196621 HSE Advisor, NEBOSH IGC, Indian male, 4 years experience in construction and oil fields, seeking suitable jobs. Gsm: 97458900, Mail: miroshbabu@gmail.com Highly Experienced Finance Manager, CPA ,ACCA-UK . MBA-USA , Professional of Banking, Audits , ERPs Sap , Management as Team Leader and Problem Solver call 94 504505 / 94403270 Indian male MBA Finance presently OMAN IN visit visa, 26 years, looking for an accountant job.

Contact 95240641, email Id mohammadabdulazharuddin@ gmail.com Admin Executive, 31, Indian Male, having 9+ years exp. in reputed companies. Seeking suitable placement in any gulf region. Contact +968 99276601 & 97693456. email : muralimahdav77@gmail.com Indian Female, 24yrs, M.COM (Accounts) having 3yrs experience in Accounts, HR, Administration, Customer Service. Good Computer Proficiency. Seeking Suitable Position. Visa Transfer/NOC Available.

Contact: 99654913 MEP Quantity Surveyor-Estimation-Project, 10 Years Experience (3 years in Oman). Having NOC & Oman D/L, looking for suitable job, Contact - 98291626 Indian house maid looking full time job. Contact : 98254909

Indian female , MCA BCA, certification PL SQL , 6months training PHP, date warehouse looking for suitable placement. #95694330 Email: mondkashyapodl@gmail.com

B.E. Civil Engineer age 27, total 3 years of experience in Mumbai looking for placement asap in oman now on visit visa of 1 month ph 9571 3441 Email. Khatrialeem@gmail.com

B.Com with more than 5 yrs exp. looking for an accounts part tome job work. know with tally.

Email-shilpa_62@yahoo.com

Indian Male, 29 years, CCNP, MCITP having Bachelor degree and 6 years of experience in Networking looking for job. 96760618 / varghese.manthara@gmail.com

Part- time accountant, well experience senior accountant , doing all type of accounting works, finalization, budgeting available.

Contact : 98803439

Sudanese male, 31 year old, have 3 year Diploma in electrical engineer, 5 years experience in different activities . Mobile No ; +96894549609

M O N DAY, J U N E 2 9, 2 0 1 5

D7

DAILY GUIDE SITUATION WANTED CARGO

Dolphin Watch, Dhow Cruise with Buffet, & Land Tours Al- Ainain Marine Tours Contact- 98029602, 92808636

TOURS

RENT A CAR

RENT A CAR

Butter cup rent a car presents fantastic offers all vehicles are model 2016.

Contact : 97249449

GOOD NEWS

DRIVING

Ayurvedic treatment for joint pain, backache, paralysis massage, steam bath, obesity, spondylitis IDEAL , CARE Ayurvedic Clinic 18 November street, Azaiba. Contact 99639695 / 99117987

Available car with driver daily, weekly and monthly basis.

Contact : 95518612

GOOD NEWS Genuine Ayurvedic treatments & massage, Ayurvedic clinic at Al Khuwair. Contact 24478618 / 97263637 /93309131

FREE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAM. If you would like to know more about Islam, please call: 99425598, 96050000, 99353988, 99253818, 99341395, and 99379133.

For ladies: 99415818, 99321360, 99730723 Orvisit: www.islamfact.com Ayurvedic treatment for backache, paralysis, arthritis etc & massage, All Season (Vaidyaratnam).

Contact 24475280 / 95371554 / 92504980 www.siddhayur.com

Learn driving with professional only automatic. Contact 94022250

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

D8

M O N D AY, J U N E 2 9, 2 0 1 5

DAILY GUIDE

Email: dailyguide@timesofoman.com Tel. 24726666 Ext: 413 / 430 431 / 456 / 461 Fax: 24812624

SITUATION WANTED SERVICES

CLASSES

COMPUTER

SITUATION WANTSERVICES

ACCOUNTANTS AND CONSULTANTS

WE ARE PROVIDING ACCOUNTING/ AUDITING TAX/ CONSULTING CONTACT: 24 567 251 / 95 498 033 Admission Open: CAMBRIDGE / BILINGUAL CURRICULUM admission started in Al Burj Private School, Azaiba for KG and Grade I to IV. Please register soonest.

Contact: 93211417 / 92887809.

Learn Cup cakes, exotic cakes, Icing decorations, handicrafts.

Contact 95941515

SITUATION WANTMANPOWER

WEBSITE

TRANSPORTATION Transportation. Contact 99508282 Pick & drop any time. Contact: 98522914 / 99512270 Transportation. Contact: 98178135

BUSINESS

Transportation. Contact: 98505294 Transportation. Contact: 98244078 Transportation. Contact: 95190627 Split & window A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact 93769089/95323517

Pick & Drop any time. Contact: 97014786

Air condition maintenance split and window services AC specialist ducted and package type unites.

Contact: 98667326

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. www.tunesoman.com, E-mail: info@tunesoman.com

House shifting & transporting.

Contact 92490422

WEB, ERP and Business Intelligence (BI) creation and management at rock bottom price.

Contact: http//webviewoman

*Classified Advertisement space booking with text, should be done till 12.00 noon for next day’s publication. * Subject to space availability

GUARANTEED CLEANING: Carpet & sofa shampooing, Contact 99314807/24792998

Carpet, curtain, sofa, floor, cleaning, shampooing, marble & mosaic tiles grinding, polishing and painting. Contact : 93630133 / 95821193

MARBLE CRYSTALLIZATION restore the original shine of your marble. Contact 24793614/ 99314807

House shifting packing.

99657644 / 98518013

House shifting.

Contact 99708138

Carpet Shampoo, marble & tile polishing, pest control & anti-termite treatment, general cleaning painting, Plumbing, Electrical, shifting. Contact Mundhir Al-Rizaiqi trading. L.L.C. # 24810137, 99450130

Water proofing ABUQABASContact 99320217/24788722 Marble Restoration, Mosaic tiles polishing, carpet shampooing, maintenance.Contact ABU QABAS99320217 /24788722

Split & widow unit A.C servicing & repairing. Contact: 99557080 Split & window unit A.C servicing & maintenance.

Contact: 96236476 Window & split unit A.C servicing & maintenance. Contact : 93769089 / 95323517 Pest control Treatments, termites, cockroaches, bedbugs Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99344723 Carpet, Sofa Shampooing. Ocean Center LLC. Contact: 99884591 AC servicing maintenance fixing.

Contact: 99540621

Due to busy schedule, looking for investor / business partner in management & marketing for travel & tourism office in Muscat.

Contact: 99318581 General Investors. Contact 99674870

MATRIMONIAL Indian male 39 yrs Christian, working in Muscat, looking for life partner. divorced or widow. Any caste. contact:96059801